Top News:
ESPN:
Jason Hammel gets minor league deal from Rangers with spring invite — ARLINGTON, Texas — Free agent right-hander Jason Hammel has agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers and will report to major league spring training. — Texas announced the deal Friday …
Discussion:
Associated Press
RELATED:
ESPN:
Matt Davidson agrees to minor league deal with Rangers — Infielder Matt Davidson has agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, league sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. — Davidson will be used as an infielder and could pitch as well, giving the Rangers their own two-way weapon.
Drew Davison / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Journeyman Jason Hammel agrees to minor-league deal with Texas Rangers — The Texas Rangers added another arm to the pitching mix Friday. — Veteran right-hander Jason Hammel reached a minor-league deal with an invitation to big league spring training, the Rangers announced.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers, Matt Davidson Agree To Minor League Deal
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Cubs add bullpen help, agree to $750,000 deal with Tony Barnette — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have added bullpen help, agreeing to a $750,000, one-year contract with right-hander Tony Barnette. The deal contains an option, escalator and bonus opportunities that could raise its value to $4.5 million over two seasons.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs sign former Rangers reliever Tony Barnette to 1-year contract — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs added depth to their bullpen Friday by signing free-agent reliever Tony Barnette to a one-year contract. — Barnette, 35, has a 3.50 ERA in 125 appearances with the Rangers (2016-18) …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Sign Tony Barnette, Outright Ian Clarkin — 5:55pm: The deal also includes roster bonuses, with $250K available if Barnette breaks camp on the active roster and again if he lasts there for 155 days of the season, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). There's also a quarter-million-dollar incentives package.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Bleacher Nation
Washington Post:
Told of girl's assault at spring training hotel, Gabe Kapler, Dodgers didn't alert police — GLENDALE, Ariz. — In February 2015, according to a police report and emails obtained through open records requests, a 17-year-old girl sent an alarming email to Gabe Kapler, then director of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Phillies Nation, Whittier Daily News, baseballmusings.com and The Comeback
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Inside 37-year-old pitcher Luke Hagerty's improbable comeback story — THE HAGERTY HOUSEHOLD, located in a small Ohio town named Defiance, operates under a short but firm set of tenets. The first involves work. Hagertys work. Hartsell Dodrill, Bretta Hagerty's father …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Bleed Cubbie Blue
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
The Cincinnati Reds hope Nick Senzel is the answer to the center field question — Today's question: — Who plays center field? — The Cincinnati Reds are set at the other seven positions. The Reds, in fact, have a surplus of outfielders. But none of them is a true center fielder.
Arizona Republic:
Bryce Harper was interested in playing for Arizona Diamondbacks, report says — SportsPulse: Bryce Harper and Manny Machado both linger on the market. FTW's Ted Berg explains why the two superstars have yet to find a home. — CONNECT — The Arizona Diamondbacks were linked to MLB superstar free agent Bryce Harper on Thursday.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Why Harper (or Machado) to the Padres isn't as crazy as you think
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and MLB Trade Rumors
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers will wear smaller Old English ‘D’ on caps this season — Taking a look at what the Tigers' starting lineup and pitching rotation could look like to open the 2019 season. Video by Anthony Fenech and Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press. — CONNECT
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds nearing deal with lefty reliever Zach Duke — Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Shane Roper, Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports) — After successful seasons from veteran relievers Jared Hughes and David Hernandez last year, the Reds are hoping they can find value from another experienced reliever.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Batters up: Taylor-Nats, Correa-Astros as arbitration opens — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Houston shortstop Carlos Correa and Washington outfielder Michael A. Taylor became the first players of the year to go to salary arbitration hearings. — Correa asked for a raise from $1 million to $5 million …
RELATED:
KHOU-TV:
Wade Miley, Astros agree to $4.5 million, 1-year deal
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB Baseball News …
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros hope Wade Miley is another diamond in the rough
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and The Crawfish Boxes
Associated Press:
Angels' Ohtani progressing, won't be ready for opening day — AL Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani has been medically cleared to resume full strength training on his right arm following Tommy John surgery, although he will not be ready to hit for the Los Angeles Angels by opening day.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Greg Joyce / New York Post:
Kyrie Irving just gave Knicks the hope they were waiting for … Sitting in a chair across from the Knicks bench at the Garden on Friday morning, Kyrie Irving tossed a can of gasoline on the fire surrounding his future. — Nearly four months after he told thousands of fans in Boston …
Discussion:
Mercury News
