Top News:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
Tampa Bay Times:
Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast: Rays are adding players? — The Rays signed veteran outfielder Carlos Gomez to a one-year contract one day after trading Steven Souza Jr. to Arizona. In his latest podcast, Rick Stroud discusses reaction to the moves from playe
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: Rays Go Gomez — Follow @djshort and @Rotoworld_BB on Twitter. — It has been a dizzying few days for the Rays. Well, for their fans, mostly. The flurry of moves began on Saturday night when the Rays acquired C.J. Cron from the Angels before designating 2017 All-Star Corey Dickerson …
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rasmus joins Orioles • Outfielder Colby Rasmus, a former Cardinal, is returning to baseball after walking away last summer. He signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles and has been invited to big-league camp. — Rasmus, 31, was with Tampa Bay in July when the Rays said he was going to “step away from baseball.”
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.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Yankees believe Brandon Drury has the potential to be a superstar — TAMPA — Brandon Drury's numbers don't jump off the page in a way that would tell you he's The Next Big Thing, yet the Yankees have been trying to pry him away from the Diamondbacks for years, convinced he has star potential.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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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
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Remember 2016? These Cubs could be just as good — MESA, Ariz. — Steve Cishek took the mound for his first live batting practice session with his new team earlier this week. As the reliever stood on the mound against the Chicago Cubs' A-list of hitters — a former MVP (Kris Bryant) …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs hitters say they're ready now for Dodgers' high-pitch strategy
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Kris Bryant says big changes needed in CBA - and he's ready to fight for them
Kris Bryant says big changes needed in CBA - and he's ready to fight for them
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and baseballmusings.com
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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
sports.MyNorthwest.com, Sporting News and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Report: A's, Mariners to open 2019 MLB season in Japan
ESPN:
Rooting for laundry isn't a joke — it's why baseball works — It's New Clothes Week. Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria and Giancarlo Stanton, all traded this winter, showed up to spring training for their new clothes. J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer and Yu Darvish, just days …
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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Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Pitcher Matt Purke in battle for NY Mets rotation spot — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Matt Purke had about eight to nine offers to choose from this offseason. After talking with Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and manager Mickey Callaway, the lefty decided the Mets were the best fit for him.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs set to pace themselves this spring — Chicago Tribune — Fans might not get to see their star players during the first week of the exhibition season, but slugger Anthony Rizzo doesn't mind that the Cubs start playing games after only four full-squad workouts.
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.
Discussion:
Sporting News
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
What if the Rays actually have a good plan? — PORT CHARLOTTE — Going against popular opinion, here's an odd thought to ponder: — What if the Rays actually know what they're doing? — The deal agreed to Wednesday afternoon with veteran outfielder Carlos Gomez …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, DRaysBay, DodgerBlue.com and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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 …
Discussion:
Royals Review
Ailene Voisin / Sacramento Bee:
Irresistible Kings-Warriors game in Seattle will reignite old feelings and Sonics talk — This day was never supposed to happen, remember? The Kings were never going to Seattle, their fans were never going to forgive anyone affiliated with the group that tried to poach Sacramento's NBA franchise …
Discussion:
KNBR-AM, sports.MyNorthwest.com, FanRag Sports and The Comeback
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Inside Mickey Callaway's steps toward modernizing the Mets — PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets are entering a new communications era, and the results are already impressive. — Each morning new manager Mickey Callaway holds a meeting with his team to go over certain vital issues.