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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … For anyone following the Diamondbacks' farm system in recent years, Tuesday's three-team deal came with some sticker shock. Brandon Drury has been touted for years as an impact bat, Anthony Banda as a future rotation piece. Both were shipped out.
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays trade team MVP Steven Souza Jr. in three-team deal that nets prospects — PORT CHARLOTTE — Evan Longoria traded in December. Jake Odorizzi and Corey Dickerson dumped over the weekend. Then, in a stunning move Tuesday night, 2017 team MVP Steven Souza Jr. shipped to Arizona as part …
Discussion:
Arizona Republic, MLB Baseball News …, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, DRaysBay, MLB Trade Rumors and DodgerBlue.com
ESPN:
Report: Rays agree to 1-year, $4 million deal with OF Carlos Gomez — The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with outfielder Carlos Gomez, MLB.com reported Wednesday. — Gomez, who turned 32 in December, appeared in 105 games for Texas last season …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018 … For all intents and purposes, Steven Souza Jr. will be taking the place of J.D. Martinez in right field, but, unsurprisingly, the Diamondbacks' new slugger isn't really looking at it that way. — “Sure, if I can hit 29 homers in a half, that would be great,” Souza said.
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AZ Snake Pit and FanGraphs Baseball
USA Today:
Retreating Rays, Carlos Gomez agree to one-year, $4 million deal — In a week that saw the Tampa Bay Rays sell off most of their valuable assets, the club added a former two-time All-Star to the mix. — Carlos Gomez and the Rays agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Sporting News, FanRag Sports and Lone Star Ball
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
One of baseball's top 10 prospects was suspended 50 games for a drug violation — Forrest Whitley is the Astros' top pitching prospect and set to work in Double-A this year — One of baseball's top pitching prospects has received a 50-game suspension. Forrest Whitley of the Astros' system …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox eager to use Dave Duncan as ‘another set of eyes’ for pitchers — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox have begun to tap into the font of knowledge possessed by Dave Duncan, whom general manager Rick Hahn called “one of the finest pitching instructors of our generation.”
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Associated Press:
Indians, reliever Carlos Torres agree to minor league deal — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league contract with free-agent reliever Carlos Torres, who could fill a bullpen opening. — Torres pitched in 67 games last season for the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians To Sign Carlos Torres
Indians To Sign Carlos Torres
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MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Brian Cashman refers to Yankees as ‘Little Engine that Could’ in comparison to Red Sox — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman thinks his team can compete for another division title this season, but until that potentially happens, he only sees them one way.
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Report: A's, Mariners to open 2019 MLB season in Japan — SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs. Recent history suggests otherwise. USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — For the first time since 2012, the first pitch of next year's Major League Baseball schedule will be thrown in Japan.
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's will open 2019 season in Tokyo against Seattle
A's will open 2019 season in Tokyo against Seattle
Discussion:
sports.MyNorthwest.com, MLB Baseball News … and Sporting News
Daily Record:
Yankees send Jabari Blash to the Angels — A day after bolstering the infield with the acquisition of Brandon Drury, the Yankees made another trade on Wednesday. — The team announced that it sent outfielder Jabari Blash to the Angels for cash considerations and a player to be named later.
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FanRag Sports
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
‘Big Carp’ gets involved in all phases of Cardinals camp — JUPITER, Fla. • Chris Carpenter, voted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2016, officially is back with the organization as a special assistant to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez will get advance peek at Mets
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Brewers, hungry to end seven-year playoff drought, seized the offseason and expect to win — PHOENIX - The hearty group of tailgaters has been setting up shop at the Maryvale Baseball Park parking lot each of the last seven years, regardless of what the Milwaukee Brewers' prospects for the season look like.
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Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Right field: Christian Yelich's defensive versatility will be tested
Right field: Christian Yelich's defensive versatility will be tested
Discussion:
Associated Press and Brew Crew Ball
Associated Press:
Colby Rasmus returns to baseball, signs with Orioles — SARASOTA, Fla. — Outfielder Colby Rasmus has decided to return to baseball after walking away last summer, and has signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. — Rasmus was in camp Wednesday to finish up his physical.
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Kris Bryant says big changes needed in CBA - and he's ready to fight for them — MESA, Ariz. - Kris Bryant is four seasons from a free agent payday, years removed from the action - or inaction - that occurred this winter, when the market was depressed for superstars and role players alike.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
When will Tim Tebow play in the majors? — Is Tim Tebow a major leaguer? According to New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson, the former NFL quarterback is all but bound for the bigs. — “Somebody asked me whether I think he'll be a major league player at some point,” Alderson said Sunday.
Associated Press:
Outfielder Maybin signs 1-year contract with Marlins — JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Outfielder Cameron Maybin has signed a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins, rejoining the team where he played in 2008-10. — Maybin gives the young, rebuilding Marlins much-needed experience …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
7 things we learned about the MLB's new pace-of-play rules — and walk-up music — Chicago Tribune — You learn something new every day. — Here are some things I learned from Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre Tuesday during the MLB media day at the Glendale Civic Center. — Deadening dead time
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs hitters say they're ready now for Dodgers' high-pitch strategy — Chicago Tribune — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed bewilderment when he learned reliever Brandon Morrow discussed how the Cubs were dissected in the 2017 National League Championship Series. — “He's already giving away our secrets?”
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
How the Royals are using sports science to gain an advantage — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — On most days this spring, Whit Merrifield sets his alarm clock for around 6 a.m. One hour later, he's already on site at Royals camp, preferring a workout in the morning and a protein-laden breakfast inside …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers will start Ryan Carpenter vs. New York Yankees — The Detroit Tigers started Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, with individual pictures, followed by practice. First rounder pitcher Alex Faedo faced major-league hitters for the first time, too. Video by Kirthmon F. Dozier/DFP Wochit