Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Agent Scott Boras stays course, calling free agent system ‘upside-down’ — PEORIA, Ariz. - The San Diego Padres took the unusual step of announcing the terms of Eric Hosmer's new eight-year, $144 million contract, which includes an opt-out clause after the fifth season, and pointed out it's the largest agreement in franchise history.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Eric Hosmer ready for leadership role with Padres, will wear No. 30 to honor Yordano Ventura
USA Today:
David Price, vilified in Boston, helps lure J.D. Martinez for new chapter
Discussion:
Boston Globe, NESN.com and CBS Boston
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Eric Hosmer to wear No. 30 with Padres in honor of the late Yordano Ventura
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Janie McCAuley / Associated Press:
New MLB rule: Pitching change a must for 7th mound visit by coach or manager — Managers or coaches must make a pitching change if they head to the mound for the seventh time in a game under baseball's new pace of play rules. — Commissioner Rob Manfred and executive Joe Torre explained …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Pace-of-play changes will be a work in progress — Chicago Tribune — Commissioner Rob Manfred insists Major League Baseball research shows that speeding up the pace of games is a “fan issue” of the utmost importance. — “The independent research that our broadcast partners …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Acquire Brandon Drury, D-Backs Acquire Steven Souza In Three-Team Trade With Rays — The Rays, Yankees and D-backs have agreed to a significant three-team trade that will send outfielder Steven Souza from Tampa Bay to Arizona, infielder/outfielder Brandon Drury from Arizona to New York and prospects to Tampa Bay.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, FanGraphs Baseball, Minor League Ball, Pinstripe Alley, FanRag Sports, DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish and AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
John Harper / New York Daily News:
If AL East race is determined by trade deadline, Yankees have edge over Red Sox
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Brandon Drury is an upside play at just the right price
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Don Mattingly says Bryce Harper off base to critique Marlins' moves: ‘Take care of your own dugout’ — JUPITER, Fla. — Marlins manager Don Mattingly says Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper should not be critiquing Miami's offseason moves. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and ESPN
RELATED:
USA Today:
Marlins' Don Mattingly to Bryce Harper: Mind your own business — Miami manager Don Mattingly had some choice words for Washington Nationals All-Star Bryce Harper, who questioned the Marlins' offseason moves. — “Take care of your business and we'll take care of ours,” Mattingly told reporters Tuesday morning from Jupiter, Fla..
Discussion:
miamiherald, Bleacher Report, MLB Baseball News …, Deadspin and Federal Baseball
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Christian Yelich cites Jose Fernandez's death as turning point for Marlins franchise
Discussion:
Sporting News, USA Today, Bleacher Report and Associated Press
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Greg Bird wants to become more reliable presence, and Yankees need him to be just that — TAMPA — Greg Bird knows the deal. — The Yankees have stuck with him through thick and thin, injury after injury. But eventually there's going to be a time when that stops if he keeps getting hurt.
RELATED:
Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Players with ties to World Series teams seek fresh starts with Braves — Charlie Culberson did not receive a call-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers until early September last season. — No one could have predicted what was to come, especially the .500 postseason batting average in 16 at-bats …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish makes quick favorable impression on new Cubs teammates — Chicago Tribune — After watching one of Yu Darvish's pitches during a batting-practice session Tuesday, Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber merely said, “Oh, God.” — “Insane,” Willson Contreras added after catching Darvish's …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Josh Donaldson expects to become free agent, not ‘eye to eye’ with Blue Jays on contact talks — Josh Donaldson expects to become a free agent next offseason after shutting down contract talks with the Toronto Blue Jays, saying that the sides do not see “eye to eye” on a long-term deal.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Bronson Arroyo in Cincinnati Reds Spring Training camp - sort of — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Bronson Arroyo is in Reds camp. Well, let's rephrase that. Bronson Arroyo is at Reds camp. — The newly retired Arroyo will be in Arizona for two weeks. He'll spend some of that time with the Reds in some sort of capacity.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals will join Marlins wearing hats to honor Florida high school shooting victims — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals will join the Miami Marlins and possibly every other team in the majors by wearing hats to honor the victims of last week's mass shooting at a Florida high school.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
MLB teams to wear caps honoring Florida shooting victims for spring openers: report
Discussion:
miamiherald and MLB Baseball News …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals coach Maddux puts the up in upside — JUPITER, Fla. • On his first day back with the first team, former closer Jason Motte got a quick look at a new level the Cardinals want to take their pitchers. Mike Maddux, in his first weeks with his fourth team as pitching coach …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training early impressions: A totally different feel — Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, designated hitter Victor Martinez and pitching prospect Alex Faedo work on their crafts in spring training in Lakeland, Fla. Video by Anthony Fenech/DFP Wochit
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Daniel Murphy trying to get knee 100 percent healthy before return — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Daniel Murphy isn't sure whether he'll be ready for Opening Day as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. — “I'm generally optimistic that when they put me in the lineup …
Discussion:
Associated Press and baseballmusings.com
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Hitters Group No. 4 — Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Micker Adolfo — hopes to become a Big 3 for White Sox — Chicago Tribune — There was a moment Tuesday morning when all activity at Camelback Ranch seemed to pause as the White Sox's future stepped toward the plate at Field No. 2.
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
What you see, likely what you will get for White Sox on opening day — Chicago Tribune — It was under chilly but sunny conditions that the White Sox took to the fields and batting cages as spring training continued Tuesday at Camelback Ranch. — Barring an upset, it appears the players …
