Top News:
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:
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw have ‘open dialogue’ with his opt-out looming — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has said he isn't thinking about the clause in his contract which allows him to opt out and become a free agent next fall. — It would be unwise for the Dodgers' front office to take such an approach.
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
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 …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Mound visit rules troublesome to Cubs catcher Willson Contreras — Chicago Tribune — Try to stop an animated Willson Contreras from making the Cubs' seventh trip to the mound without a pitching change. — That will be the task for umpires assigned to enforce new rules governing pace of play …
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:
Associated Press:
Notebook: Padres' Hosmer to wear No. 30 to honor Ventura — Padres' Hosmer to wear No. 30 in honor of late pitcher Ventura — Eric Hosmer has joined the San Diego Padres, and will wear a jersey number to honor late Kansas City teammate Yordano Ventura. — Hosmer and the Padres completed …
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Eric Hosmer ready for leadership role with Padres, will wear No. 30 to honor Yordano Ventura
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Eric Hosmer to wear No. 30 with Padres in honor of the late Yordano Ventura
Eric Hosmer to wear No. 30 with Padres in honor of the late Yordano Ventura
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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
Marlins' Don Mattingly to Bryce Harper: Mind your own business
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
Christian Yelich cites Jose Fernandez's death as turning point for Marlins franchise
Discussion:
USA Today, Sporting News, Bleacher Report and Associated Press
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:
Minor League Ball, MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com, FanGraphs Baseball, Pinstripe Alley, DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish and AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Brandon Drury is an upside play at just the right price
Brandon Drury is an upside play at just the right price
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Gary Sanchez swings away with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge — TAMPA, Fla. - The Show moved to Field 2 on Tuesday afternoon, with fans watching behind a chain link fence as Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge blasted batting practice pitches at Yankees camp. — Oh, and Gary Sanchez was in the hitting group again too.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Garcia is emulating Descalso — • When Greg Garcia arrived at his first big-league spring training, one of the established players from the other side of the clubhouse walked over and introduced himself as Daniel. — “Like I didn't know who he was,” Garcia said.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals will join Marlins wearing hats to honor Florida high school shooting victims
Cardinals will join Marlins wearing hats to honor Florida high school shooting victims
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
MLB teams to wear caps honoring Florida shooting victims for spring openers: report
MLB teams to wear caps honoring Florida shooting victims for spring openers: report
Discussion:
miamiherald
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:
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Atkins optimistic Donaldson will sign with Blue Jays
Associated Press:
Brewers owner Attanasio has eye on ending playoff drought — PHOENIX — Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio says his team has the roster to end the franchise's seven-year postseason drought without having to make another move. — The Brewers exceeded expectations last year after finishing …
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:
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
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
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.