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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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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 …
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 …
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Arizona Republic, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, MLB Baseball News …, DRaysBay, MLB Trade Rumors and DodgerBlue.com
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
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Way-too-early Detroit Tigers' 25-man roster projection — 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
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Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' prospects give glimpse of future at spring training — 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
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 …
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MLB Trade Rumors
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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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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
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's will open 2019 season in Tokyo against Seattle — MESA, Ariz. — For the third time in 12 years, the A's will play their season open in Japan in 2019, The Chronicle has learned. — The Japan opener has yet to be officially announced, but according to league and team sources Oakland …
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sports.MyNorthwest.com, MLB Baseball News … and Sporting News
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Report: A's, Mariners to open 2019 MLB season in Japan
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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Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Right field: Christian Yelich's defensive versatility will be tested — Ninth in a position-by-position series on the Milwaukee Brewers entering spring training. Today: Right field. — PHOENIX - Christian Yelich has accomplished plenty in his four-plus seasons in the major leagues.
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Brew Crew Ball
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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.
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
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
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Javier Baez can earn more plate appearances with plate discipline — Chicago Tribune — The chances of Javier Baez getting as many as 600 plate appearances in 2018 will improve if Ben Zobrist needs more rest. — But perhaps a bigger factor will be if Baez can become a more polished hitter.
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Melvin Upton, Rajai Davis could be Cleveland Indians' backup plan if injuries linger in outfield — Melvin Upton and Rajai Davis could be the Cleveland Indians' backup plans if outfielders Michael Brantley and Brandon Guyer are not healthy enough to be on the opening-day roster.
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
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Miguel Andujar going about business as usual with Brandon Drury on board — TAMPA, Fla. - Overnight, Miguel Andujar's status as the Yankees' frontrunner at third base changed. — The acquisition of Brandon Drury from the Diamondbacks has moved Andujar into the background …