Top News:
John Harper / The Charlotte Observer:
Signing Dallas Keuchel might be better Yankees option than Manny Machado — Since Aaron Judge brought it up... Just kidding. I have to admit I was rather stunned that Judge shared with reporters his “You'd-look-good-in-pinstripes” line to Manny Machado last week, considering how carefully he measures his every word.
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Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Pitcher Gant keeps impressing — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • The Cardinals' pitching plans are coming into focus as the season opener nears, and for now they project spring standout John Gant as quality insurance for the rotation. He's headed for starts at Class AAA Memphis …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carp at third, Gyorko at second against Nationals — JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is deploying his infield Sunday as to what it will look when second baseman Kolten Wong has an off day. — Jedd Gyorko will move from third to second for the first time this spring …
Associated Press:
Former Cubs reliever Justin Grimm signs $1.25M deal with Royals — The Royals signed right-handed reliever Justin Grimm to a $1.25 million, one-year deal Sunday that includes up to $300,000 incentives after he was released by the Chicago Cubs last week. — The 29-year-old Grimm was 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 50 appearances last season.
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Sign Justin Grimm, Designate Sam Gaviglio — 12:52pm: Grimm's deal comes with a $1.25MM salary and up to $300K in performance bonuses, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic tweets. — 12:25pm: The Royals have signed right-handed reliever Justin Grimm to a one-year, major league contract …
Discussion:
Royals Review
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays option Banda, Stanek to Triple-A in reducing spring roster to 36 — The Rays narrowed the field for jobs in their eight-man bullpen, optioning newly acquired LHP Anthony Banda and hard-throwing RHP Ryne Stanek to Triple-A. — Those moves were part of a hefty Sunday morning cut …
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays Journal: Miller had a field day, Pruitt bounces back, Gomez speeds up
Rays Journal: Miller had a field day, Pruitt bounces back, Gomez speeds up
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — LAKELAND, Fla. — After three hours and 26 minutes of spring training baseball on Saturday afternoon, after offering reporters some insight as to how the Tigers' roster might look come Opening Day by detailing how wide open the team's bullpen competition remains …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Controversy-free spring was just what the White Sox needed — Chicago Tribune — Back in Sarasota, Fla., during the spring of 1996, White Sox camp was roiled early by the disappearance of Tony Phillips, who had signed as a free-agent over the winter.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Javier Baez starts at shortstop as former Cubs Jon Jay and Jorge Soler start for Royals — Chicago Tribune — Javier Baez's left hamstring will get another test Sunday when he starts at shortstop as the Cubs face the Royals in a split-squad game at Sloan Park at 3:05 p.m.
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Associated Press:
Notebook: A's starter Cotton to have Tommy John surgery — Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow. — Cotton had been diagnosed with a sprain and had a second scan taken on his elbow on Friday, then was told he would need Tommy John surgery.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Joel Colomby / Toronto Sun:
Fantasy Fare: On humidors and an outfield wall — A couple of stadium-related items to keep in the back of your mind when taking part in your league's draft or auction: — 1) Chase Field in Arizona, home of the Diamondbacks, will store its baseballs in a moisture-absorbing humidor, in effect deadening the balls and reducing offence.
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John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
You can write Homer Bailey in as the Reds' Opening Day starter — just don't use ink yet — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - It's pretty safe to assume that Homer Bailey is going to start Opening Day for the Reds — even if Reds Manager Bryan Price can't bring himself to say the words.
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Yoenis Cespedes says he's healthy, ready for Opening Day — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Yoenis Cespedes declared himself fully healthy and ready for Opening Day after his first baseball action of the week Saturday. — The Mets leftfielder went 1-for-6 in a minor-league intra- squad game …
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Final-week quandary for Rangers: What do with Colon? — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — All Saturday afternoon's game was, in the mind of the Texas Rangers and their Game 1 starting pitcher, was another Cactus League contest. — Bartolo Colon has been better than he was against the Kansas City Royals …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and Lone Star Ball
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets could trade Rafael Montero before the season starts — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — With teams finalizing rosters soon, the Mets have started preparations for a possible trade with Rafael Montero a candidate to be dealt, according to sources. Montero is out of options and is not a lock to make the roster.
Discussion:
Newsday and MLB Trade Rumors
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ESPN:
Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has broken right hand — New York Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has a broken bone in his non-pitching hand and will visit a specialist later Sunday, the team announced. — Vargas suffered a non-displaced fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand Saturday …
Discussion:
Sporting News and MLB Baseball News …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pena's play, catching depth have created competition for Kelly at backup — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Francisco Pena blocks a ball while catching a bullpen session during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com