Top News:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
40 years later, Ron Guidry recalls Yankees' magical 1978 season — TAMPA, Fla. - Asked about his memories of 40 years ago, Ron Guidry isn't just recalling the Yankees' storybook 1978 season. — He's up from his seat, reenacting whole scenes. — Talking about the Yankees' pivotal four …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
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Jake Becker / New York Daily News:
Ex-Red Sox manager John Farrell joining ESPN's ‘Baseball Tonight’ as analyst: report — Alex Rodriguez reportedly isn't the only new ESPN analyst facing a potential conflict of interest. — The Boston Globe reported on Thursday that former Red Sox manager John Farrell has joined ESPN's …
Evan Grossman / New York Daily News:
Alex Rodriguez says working for both Yankees and ESPN won't be a conflict — Despite his side gig as a Yankees special advisor, new ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez said he will remain fair and balanced — and is available to Hal Steinbrenner “24/7.”
Mark Dunphy / Boston Globe:
Here's an early look at the reheated Red Sox-Yankees rivalry
Here's an early look at the reheated Red Sox-Yankees rivalry
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and Bleacher Report
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mikolas, Ozuna picking up steam for Cardinals — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals' two biggest acquisitions of the off-season started slowly this spring. And that was a generous adverb. — Miles Mikolas, signed to a two-year contract after pitching for three years in Japan …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals pave way for Motte to join Memphis, unless another team snags him — JUPITER, Fla. • In order to get Jason Motte from their major-league camp to Class AAA Memphis' bullpen, the Cardinals had to perform a transaction tango, and that process began Thursday morning.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wong finally feels a sense of belonging
Wong finally feels a sense of belonging
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Norris looks for reset as relief roles remain in flux
Norris looks for reset as relief roles remain in flux
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Chicago Cubs looking for fast start in 2018 — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs remember what it was like in 2016, and they remember what happened last year. They remember all the fun they had two years ago, and how tired they were at the end of last season. — The past two years could hold the key to how they perform in 2018.
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Associated Press:
White Sox see better days approaching after 5 losing seasons — CHICAGO — For a franchise with five straight losing seasons and one playoff appearance since the 2005 World Series championship, the Chicago White Sox sure are an optimistic bunch. — They come into the year with a long line …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish feels stronger than ever, and has developed bond with Willson Contreras
Yu Darvish feels stronger than ever, and has developed bond with Willson Contreras
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Diamondbacks' Souza has strained right shoulder, to get MRI — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. will get an MRI on Thursday after straining his right shoulder during a spring training game Wednesday night. — The team announced Souza's diagnosis following …
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Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Athletics' Cotton has Tommy John surgery — PHOENIX (AP) — Oakland right-hander Jharel Cotton has had Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament his pitching elbow. — The Athletics say Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister operated Wednesday at Arlington, Texas.
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
In launch-angle era, Dee Gordon lonely at the singles party: ‘One of the last guys left’ — SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs. Recent history suggests otherwise. USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — PEORIA, Ariz. - Dee Gordon is aware …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Chase Utley: Dodgers' ‘most powerful voice’ a critical cog, even at 39
Chase Utley: Dodgers' ‘most powerful voice’ a critical cog, even at 39
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
National League West capsules — Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year: — ___ — Los Angeles Dodgers — 2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series. — Manager: Dave Roberts (third season). — He's Here: OF Matt Kemp …
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Maury Brown / Forbes:
Minor League Ballplayers Will Lose Minimum Wage Rights As Part Of $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill — As part of a provision within the 2,232 page $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that President Trump needs to sign before Friday to keep the government open, the Boys of Summer in the Minor Leagues …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Deadspin, Camden Depot, MLB Trade Rumors, McCovey Chronicles and Brew Crew Ball
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Grant Wahl / Sports Illustrated:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Signs Contract With LA Galaxy Through 2019 — Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving Manchester United for the LA Galaxy and could be in uniform for the club's first match against city rival LAFC. — SI.com has confirmed that superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed …
Discussion:
The Comeback, FanRag Sports, Daily Breeze, Deadspin and NESN.com
Erik Boland / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Giancarlo Stanton prepared for scrutiny that comes with playing for Yankees — TAMPA, Fla. — The expectations for the 2018 Yankees are through the roof. — And Giancarlo Stanton is good with that. — “The fans expect a lot,” Stanton said Wednesday afternoon. “I expect a lot, too.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and Pinstripe Alley
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers trim down to 28 players with Opening Day a week away — The Tigers optioned left-handed pitchers Chad Bell and Blaine Hardy to Triple-A Toledo and sent six others to minor league camp on Thursday — LAKELAND, Fla. - The Detroit Tigers made a significant round of cut Thursday morning to trim the roster to 28.
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' top 20 prospects: Forecasting their major league debuts
Detroit Tigers' top 20 prospects: Forecasting their major league debuts
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich boost Brewers with glove, bat — MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers' pitching could improve this year better because of two new bats in the lineup: Outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich are just as capable of changing games with their gloves, too.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Michael Conforto impresses as he works way back from shoulder injury, most likely to start season around May 1 — PORT ST. LUCIE — The ball had barely left Michael Conforto's bat when the chatter began. The Mets outfielder had just taken a slider from the team's 2017 top draft pick …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians To Add Rajai Davis To MLB Roster, Release Mike Napoli — Indians skipper Terry Francona ran through a laundry list of roster moves today, as MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports in a series of tweets. Of particular note, the club intends to add outfielder Rajai Davis to the active roster …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Let's Go Tribe
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Matthew Boyd tossed after hitting Odubel Herrera with pitch in fifth inning — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd's day ended early after he was tossed after hitting Philadelphia's Odubel Herrera with a pitch in the fifth inning. — Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire …