Phillies need Bryce Harper or Manny Machado to win the offseason and the NL East  —  We learned long ago and many times over that the team that wins the offseason does not always win the actual season.  —  The Atlanta Braves, for example, spent less money during the offseason than any other team …

RedsXtra: What the proposed rule changes for mean to the Reds  —  When word got out of the big changes that were on the table for baseball, the first thought was the Reds will have a good spot for Matt Kemp.  —  That's in reference to the Players Association's proposal that the designated hitter …

Gary Sanchez is now Yankees' biggest key to catching Red Sox … The Yankees stayed away from signing free-agent stars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, who wanted too many years and too many dollars.  They also didn't acquire catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins.

Choo typically leads Rangers in OBP.  He wants to help lead them, period, in 2019  —  One of the best first halves to a season in Shin-Soo Choo's long career took him last year to a place he had never been, the American League All-Star team.  —  It was an overdue honor for a quality MLB player …

Many Detroit Tigers went from spring studs to season duds  —  Finally, baseball is back!  The Detroit Tigers open spring training on Tuesday when pitchers and catchers report to Tiger Town in Lakeland, Fla.  —  For Tigers fans, February and March will be a chance to get ready for the upcoming season …

Royals add veteran starting pitcher Homer Bailey on minor-league deal  —  The Royals added right-handed former Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey on minor-league contract Saturday, adding another veteran pitcher with big-league experience to the mix as they head into spring training.

Mets sign Danny Espinosa to minor league deal  —  NEW YORK — Danny Espinosa and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  —  The veteran switch-hitter gives the Mets even more depth in a crowded infield.  He could be a backup option at shortstop behind Amed Rosario.

2019 Cincinnati Reds questions: Who hits leadoff and how will the lineup shape up?  —  Editor's note: With Spring Training approaching, we'll answer an important question about the Cincinnati Reds each day until pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12.  Today's question: Who hits leadoff and how does the lineup shape up?

Bottom line: Twins didn't make any major offseason deals  —  The Twins were the most active team in baseball at last year's trade deadline, pulling off five swaps in the final days of July and another in early August.  And that was just a precursor, the team's front office hinted …

We now know Charlie Culberson's new jersey number, and some others  —  Braves infielder/outfielder Charlie Culberson will wear No. 8 on the back of his uniform this season.  —  Culberson already had said he would relinquish the No. 16 to Brian McCann, who wore than number when he played …