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.
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MLB Trade Rumors
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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 …
Discussion:
Arizona Republic, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, DRaysBay, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and DodgerBlue.com
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018
Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018
Discussion:
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
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards' Voit slims down, hopes for work in left field — JUPITER, Fla. • Burly Cardinals first baseman Luke Voit is much more streamlined this spring, having lost some 15 pounds from 260, which he weighed in his first big-league season as he hit .246 with four homers and nine doubles in 114 at-bats.
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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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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
Discussion:
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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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 Baseball 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.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and FanRag Sports
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Former Card Cepeda in critical condition — Orlando Cepeda, who won the Most Valuable Player award in the National League in 1967, when he helped the Cardinals win the World Series, was hospitalized in San Francisco because
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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.
Discussion:
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.
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.
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
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 …