Top News:
Ben Reiter / Sports Illustrated:
How Giancarlo Stanton Negotiated His Way to the Yankees to Create Baseball's Scariest Lineup — Created with Sketch. — By acquiring Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees created a lineup that will take power to new heights. — As midnight approached on Thursday, Dec. 7 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Brett Bodner / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton supports Marlins removing home run sculpture: ‘All it does is suggest that this place is a circus’ — Giancarlo Stanton fully supports the Marlins taking down their home run sculpture. — In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the Yankees slugger did not hold …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Potential Yankees lineup vs. Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ on Opening Day — LAKELAND — Aaron Boone has his first lineup decision to make. — The Blue Jays are starting lefty J.A. Happ on Opening Day, the team announced. — While Boone consults the Yankees' analytics staff on projections …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees, Red Sox nearing agreement to play two-game series in London in 2019
Yankees, Red Sox nearing agreement to play two-game series in London in 2019
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner suffers broken left wrist — GLENDALE, Ariz. — The reigning National League champion Dodgers are going to be without their red-headed slugger on Opening Day, and possibly for a while after. — Justin Turner has a broken left wrist after being hit …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Making a case for Cards' Martinez — St. Louis Cardinals infielder Jose Martinez hits soft toss balls to warm-up for live batting practice during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs opening roster could come down to minor-league options
Cubs opening roster could come down to minor-league options
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Chicago Tribune
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, Trayce Thompson homer to carry Dodgers past A's — THE GAME: Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson hit home runs to give the Dodgers a 3-0 victory over the Oakland A's on Monday night at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com and Daily Breeze
SportsDayDFW com / Dallas Morning News:
This was the biggest conversation Jon Daniels and the Rangers had at the beginning of winter — Rangers GM Jon Daniels appeared on 105. 3 The Fan's G-Bag Nation recently to talk about his ballclub heading into the start of the season. Here are some of the highlights.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets outfielder Juan Lagares struggling in camp despite working on swing — For years, the question has been whether Juan Lagares can hit just enough to warrant a larger role. The outfielder is one of the premier defenders in the spot and can change games with his glove, but he does not provide much offensively.
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R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
The Braves demoted Ronald Acuna and it's a reminder that baseball is still a business — Ronald Acuna deserves to be on the Opening Day roster — In an annoying, if unsurprising development, the Atlanta Braves reassigned outfielder Ronald Acuna on Monday, dashing baseball's top prospect's chance at cracking the big-league roster.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Reassign Ronald Acuna To Minor League Camp
Braves Reassign Ronald Acuna To Minor League Camp
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
Associated Press:
A-Rod: Yankees' ‘breathtaking’ offense could break records — TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez thinks the New York Yankees' “breathtaking” offense could break records this season. — Rodriguez arrived at spring training Monday and had high praise for a lineup led by Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
This could be Willson Contreras' season to clean up as Cubs' No. 4 hitter — Chicago Tribune — Ian Happ downplayed the significance of his contributions this spring as manager Joe Maddon assesses various lineup options. — “It's not important who is going to be the leadoff guy,” Happ said.
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Nationals option top prospect Victor Robles to minors — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Top Washington Nationals prospect Victor Robles has been optioned to the minors. — Robles, 20, who is ranked as baseball's fourth-best prospect by ESPN's Keith Law, will begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse …
Dan Gartland / Sports Illustrated:
Sports Illustrated Picks Nationals to Beat Yankees in 2018 World Series — The Yankees made some big moves, but SI still doesn't like them to win the World Series. — Nationals fans will hope we here at Sports Illustrated can catch lightning in a bottle again with our World Series prediction.
Discussion:
Washington Post and Royals Review
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox send Michael Kopech and Jacob May to minors — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox reassigned right-hander Michael Kopech and outfielder Jacob May to minor-league camp Tuesday. — Kopech, ranked the No. 10 prospect in baseball by MLB.com, had an 11.57 ERA with seven walks …
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — Despite the chill in the air in metro Detroit, the 2018 Major League Baseball season opens on March 29 and the Detroit Tigers host Opening Day against the Pirates that day at Comerica Park. — And with Opening Day being an unofficial holiday where people ordinarily tailgate downtown hours …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
The Dodgers are now selling tickets for bar stool seats — The Dodgers are inviting fans to watch games up close — from the perch of a bar stool. — The team is adding stools to the drink rails behind home plate on the field level this season. The new “field drink rail” …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks Release Antonio Bastardo, Reassign Neftali Feliz — The Diamondbacks have released veteran lefty Antonio Bastardo, per a club announcement. He had inked a minors deal with the organization back in January. That move was one among several that give some shape to the club's pitching plans for the 2018 season.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
‘Guaranteed Rates’ Field lacks ‘charm’ says Forbes; Wrigley Field ranks 10th in MLB ballparks — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox's Guaranteed Rate Field placed 28th in Forbes.com's ranking of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. The Cubs' Wrigley Field placed 10th.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Forbes
Mark Maske / Washington Post:
NFL sets new definition for controversial catch rule … The NFL is about to have a new catch rule. The league's rule-making competition committee is poised to change the controversial rule by eliminating two provisions that were particularly confounding over the years to players …
Discussion:
sports.MyNorthwest.com, The Ringer, NESN.com and CBS Boston
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jon Lester on Cubs' outlook as spring training winds down: 'I like where we're at' — Chicago Tribune — With six days of games left in Arizona, Cubs left-hander Jon Lester summed up the state of spring affairs. — “It's been a great camp,” Lester said Monday night after pitching 6 1/3 innings …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bloomberg:
Yankees and Red Sox Are Close to Deal for June 2019 London Series — Details for series at London Stadium still must be worked out — Labor contract calls for commitment to international games — The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are nearing an agreement to play a two-game …
Discussion:
Ballpark Digest, MLB Baseball News …, Bleacher Report, New York Post, Sports Illustrated, The Comeback, Newsweek, NESN.com and Over the Monster
Jake Becker / New York Daily News:
Ex-MLB All-Star Milton Bradley charged with battery for allegedly assaulting wife: report — Former MLB All-Star Milton Bradley has been charged with battery after allegedly assaulting his wife, according to a report. — TMZ reported on Tuesday that the misdemeanor charge …
Discussion:
TMZ.com
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Way-too-early MLB trade deadline preview: Which buyers should be all-in? — Last week, I peeked ahead at the still-distant trade deadline to identify teams that in a few months might be trying to exchange veteran talent for future assets. If there are sellers, there have to be buyers, right?
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Dellin Betances wants to return to being a multi-inning weapon for Yankees — TAMPA, Fla. - Dellin Betances has been an All-Star setup man the last four years, and he's seen his innings decrease each year - from 90 (2014) to 84 (2015) to 73 (2016) to 59.2 (2017).