Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
With Realmuto joining Phillies, could Harper or Machado follow? — The Philadelphia Phillies, perhaps growing impatient waiting for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado to choose their landing spots, maybe sensing that neither wants to play in Philadelphia, or possibly even looking to make the team …
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Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
The broken winter: Why baseball must fix free agency ASAP — On this, the 97th day of free agency, four days before the first pitchers and catchers report to spring training, less than six weeks ahead of Major League Baseball opening its regular season, the two best free agents in more than a decade remain unemployed.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies, Marlins Working Out Details Of Prospective J.T. Realmuto Swap — Reports emerged this morning that momentum was growing between the Phillies and Marlins on a deal to send star catcher J.T. Realmuto to Philadelphia. Now, it seems, the sides have made yet further strides …
Jesse Dougherty / Chicago Tribune:
Giants join the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, which grow stranger by the day
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Phillies acquire catcher J.T. Realmuto from Marlins
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Frank Robinson, MLB's first black manager and civil rights leader, dead at 83 — Prolific slugger. Quintessential hard-ass player and manager. Baseball trailblazer. — Frank Robinson, who died in Los Angeles after a battle with bone cancer, was all of those things in a 60-year Hall …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, Camden Chat, Federal Baseball, Red Reporter and Lone Star Ball
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Tyler Carey / KHOU-TV:
Baseball legend, Beaumont native Frank Robinson dies at 83 — Robinson was one of the best all-around players in the game's history and also its first African American manager. — Frank Robinson, who made his mark as one of the greatest players in the history of baseball, has died at the age of 83.
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Major League Baseball to rename disabled list as ‘injured list’ — The disabled list is going on the permanent DL. — Major League Baseball will rename the disabled list as the “injured list,” a source familiar with the plan told ESPN. — The league will make the change out of concern that the term …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bleacher Nation, NESN.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue, The Big Lead and Sportsnet.ca
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Would adding the DH to the National League help the Rangers find a trade for Choo? — The reported consideration being given to adding the designated hitter to the National League for this season has generated mixed feelings among baseball fans, though the majority of those tied to American League teams are for the universal DH.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Arlington product Pence to attempt to extend MLB career with hometown Rangers — Hunter Pence is coming home, potentially. — The Texas Rangers signed the former Arlington High School and UT Arlington star to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Jacob Bogage / Chicago Tribune:
After 1968's ‘Year of the Pitcher,’ MLB lowered the mound. Now, the league could do it again. — The Washington Post — During Bob Gibson's record-setting 1968 season, he hung a sign above his locker that read, “Here comes the judge.” He felt untouchable, he said.
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
'Don't run from the fire. Run toward it': Inside Clint Frazier's long, rockin' road to recovery — MARIETTA, Ga. — Clint Frazier's ears have been ringing a lot lately. — In recent months, they've been bombarded with booming bass beats, decibel-deafening melodies and sudden, piercing shrieks from excited music fans.
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John Romano / Tampa Bay Times:
Changes baseball should and shouldn't make — Some of the proposed changes are bureaucratic; others seismic — Baseball's career home run record was set by Babe Ruth in 1935. It stood until 1974 before Henry Aaron broke it, and then again until 2007 when Barry Bonds broke it.
Gabriel Burns / The Charlotte Observer:
Are Braves favorites in competitive NL East? — BY GABRIEL BURNS THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION — The more I look at it, the more I'm convinced there isn't a more competitive division top-to-bottom than the National League East. That isn't exactly a hot take, but a week away from spring training …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Talking Chop
Daily Record:
Mets sign catcher Devin Mesoraco to minor-league contract — Devin Mesoraco will get his chance to stay with the New York Mets this upcoming season. — The Mets signed the catcher to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training, the team announced Thursday.
