Top News:
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Bryce Harper meets with San Diego Padres, sources say — The San Diego Padres met with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper on Thursday in Las Vegas, sources familiar with the meeting told ESPN, officially adding a suitor to a list of teams that now numbers four and could expand as spring training approaches.
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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
Barry Svrluga / Baltimore Sun:
What do you call a game in which half the participants …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
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:
MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
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 …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers, Matt Davidson Agree To Minor League Deal — The Rangers have agreed to a minor league contract with corner infielder Matt Davidson, tweets ESPN's Jeff Passan. He'll presumably head to Major League Spring Training, and, interestingly, will work as both an infielder and a pitcher with his new organization, according to Passan.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com and Lone Star Ball
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.
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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.
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:
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:
Associated Press:
How media covered Jackie Robinson's Debut — Thursday marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier. — How some media covered Jackie Robinson's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros hope Wade Miley is another diamond in the rough — Wade Miley personifies the prototypical pitcher the Astros covet when scouring the free agent market. — In 2016, the Astros uncovered a jewel in 32-year-old journeyman Charlie Morton, to whom they paid $14 million …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and The Crawfish Boxes
RELATED:
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 …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Sign Tony Barnette, Outright Ian Clarkin — 3:04pm: The Cubs have now announced the Barnette signing. — 2:40pm: The Cubs and right-handed reliever Tony Barnette have agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2020 season, reports Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter links).
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and Cubs Den
Rob Goldberg / Bleacher Report:
MLB Rumors: Craig Kimbrel Pursued by Braves, Phillies, Nationals, Red Sox, More — Veteran closer Craig Kimbrel remains a free agent, but he is gaining significant interest from around the league. — According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Talking Chop, Sporting News and NESN.com
