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 …

Manfred: No DH or draft changes likely for 2019  —  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Don't look for a National League designated hitter this year or for new anti-tanking rules in June's amateur draft.  —  Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday that management is focused on pace-of-game changes …

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.

Think Hal Steinbrenner and Yankees are pinching pennies?  You can thank Jacoby Ellsbury and Giancarlo Stanton for that  —  The last position player the Yankees signed to a long-term free agent deal was Jacoby Ellsbury.  That happened in December of 2013.  —  If you want to get to the root …

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 …

Ryan Tepera, Kyle Barraclough lose salary arbitration cases  —  Relievers Ryan Tepera of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kyle Barraclough of the Washington Nationals lost their salary arbitration cases Friday.  —  Tepera was awarded a $1,525,000 salary Friday rather than his request for $1.8 million.

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 …

Why these Mater Dei transfers caught De La Salle's attention  —  'If you look at it, transferring in for a semester, that's transferring for one specific thing'  —  When the California Interscholastic Federation softened its athletic transfer policy two years ago, making it easier to move …

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 …

Mets-Nationals or Cubs-Cardinals set for London in 2020  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Major League Baseball is considering one of two matchups for its 2020 series in London: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals or Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals.  —  Two people familiar with the discussions told …

Yordano Ventura's guaranteed contract still not paid two years after death; estate is broke  —  Two years after Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura died in a single-car crash in his native Dominican Republic, the $20.25 million remaining on his contract has not been paid.  —  And his estate is broke.

Indians SS Francisco Lindor out 7-9 weeks with calf strain  —  Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to miss 7-9 weeks with a right calf strain.  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor will get a later start to the 2019 season than either him or the club wanted.

Indians sign OF Joyce to minor-league deal  —  Outfielder Matt Joyce announced on Friday he has signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Indians.  —  Joyce, 34, spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Athletics.  He announced the agreement on Twitter and will receive an invite to spring training with the Indians.