Top News:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees Spring Training Preview: Biggest questions as Bombers try to chase down Red Sox — The Yankees won 100 games last year. They won the American League wild-card game. The Bombers also had the misfortune of being in the division with the best team in baseball in 2018.
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Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
6 things to watch for as the Red Sox begin spring training workouts — BOSTON (AP) — The goal is the same for the Boston Red Sox in 2019: finish the season flopping around on the pitcher's mound, celebrating another World Series title. — All that's left is for them to figure out who's at the bottom of the pile.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and The Athletic
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Bryce Harper, Manny Machado in pinstripes? Hal Steinbrenner says never say never — The Yankees' managing general partner likes the improvements to his team but is open to adding a big-ticket item. — ORLANDO, Fla. — It's unlikely that the Yankees will sign Manny Machado or Bryce Harper.
Discussion:
Sporting News, Newsday, New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley and New York Post
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:
Hal Steinbrenner wants Yankees fans to know he's 'never done until I'm done' when it comes to Manny Machado and Bryce Harper — The Yankees just keep teasing their fans. — There was a time when they didn't have to tease, when it was expected they would be not just in the mix for every frontline player, but the top contender.
ESPN:
Frank Robinson, MVP, first black manager, dies at 83 — MLB, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals — Frank Robinson, the first African-American manager in Major League Baseball and the only player to win MVP in both leagues, has died at age 83, MLB said Thursday.
Discussion:
The Athletic, NPR, USA Today and baseballmusings.com
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Joe Erwin / New York Daily News:
Frank Robinson was an amazing ballplayer, but a true trailblazer as the first black manager
Jon Becker / Orange County Register:
Frank Robinson, Baseball Hall of Famer, dies at 83
Frank Robinson, Baseball Hall of Famer, dies at 83
Discussion:
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Frank Robinson, MLB's first black manager and civil rights leader, dead at 83
Frank Robinson, MLB's first black manager and civil rights leader, dead at 83
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Halos Heaven, MLB Baseball News …, Federal Baseball, Red Reporter, MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
Tyler Carey / KHOU-TV:
Baseball legend, Beaumont native Frank Robinson dies at 83
Baseball legend, Beaumont native Frank Robinson dies at 83
Discussion:
WSB Radio, MLB Baseball News … and The Week
ESPN:
J.T. Realmuto deal continues stunningly sad Marlins tradition — 1. The first J.T. Realmuto trade rumors started to show up in September 2016, like this one: … Doesn't look like much, but for two key facts. The first is this had come roughly two and a half months after Realmuto got good.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
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Associated Press:
J.T. Realmuto, the catcher the Mets wanted, traded from Marlins to Phillies for 3 players — MIAMI — In October, J.T. Realmuto's agent predicted the Miami Marlins' All-Star catcher would be with another team by spring training. — He was right. — After months of speculation over what they'd do …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Phillies acquire catcher J.T. Realmuto from Marlins
Phillies acquire catcher J.T. Realmuto from Marlins
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com and baseballmusings.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Phillies get All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto in trade with Marlins
Jeff Bezos:
No thank you, Mr. Pecker — Something unusual happened to me yesterday. Actually, for me it wasn't just unusual—it was a first. I was made an offer I couldn't refuse. Or at least that's what the top people at the National Enquirer thought. I'm glad they thought that, because it emboldened them to put it all in writing.
Discussion:
The Week, CNN, NPR, witf.org, FOX31 Denver, The Japan Times, Page Six, Bloomberg, Chico Enterprise-Record, Hollywood Life and Splinter, more at WeSmirch »
Associated Press:
Cleveland Indians agree to minor league deals with Ryan Flaherty, Dioner Navarro — CLEVELAND — Infielder Ryan Flaherty has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and will report to big league spring training. — The 32-year-old would get a one-year contract paying $800,000 …
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Joe Noga / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians sign free agent outfielder Matt Joyce to minor-league contract — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Free agent outfielder Matt Joyce, who played the last two seasons in Oakland, has signed a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians and will be invited to big league camp at spring training.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Let's Go Tribe, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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ESPN:
Rangers sign outfielder Hunter Pence to minor league deal — The Texas Rangers have signed outfielder Hunter Pence and infielder Matt Davidson to minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training camp, the team announced Thursday. — Pence, a three-time All-Star …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
2019 will be an important year for both Joe Maddon and Rick Renteria, Chicago's yin and yang of managers — Cubs manager Joe Maddon, left, and White Sox manager Joe Maddon both are focusing on improvement heading into spring training. (Photos by Chris Sweda and Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
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Associated Press:
AL East teams at the start of spring training — A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: — ___ — Boston Red Sox
Ernest Hooper / Tampa Bay Times:
What Rays player are you most curious about seeing this spring, and why? — The Yandy man — Marc Topkin, Rays beat writer @TBTimes_Rays: There's several players I'm intrigued by, as I'm writing for Sunday's Times, and Yandy Diaz. There are several reasons: How much the Rays gave …