Top News:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Free agents abound as spring camps open this week — Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel won't be around when the bat and ball bags are opened at spring training throughout Florida and Arizona this week. — They are among the dozens …
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Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Steve Kerr: 'Bryce [Harper], come to the Giants. Let's go.' — On Saturday, before the Golden State Warriors played the Miami Heat on Saturday evening, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked about recent rumors linking free agent outfielder Bryce Harper with the Giants. — Kerr said, “That would be fun.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and other stars remain free agents. What's going on?
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Giants serious about Bryce Harper as late entrants into free-agent frenzy
Discussion:
Denver Post, Bleacher Report, Pinstripe Alley, NBCSports.com, Over the Monster, Cubs Insider, NESN.com and MLB Baseball News …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
3 Detroit Tigers positions that are up for grabs in spring training — Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the Detroit Tigers' top three position battles heading into spring training: — 1. Fifth starter — Daniel Norris. (Photo: Andy Marlin USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers avoiding big risks by not spending big money. Here's why — Spring training starts this week in Florida and Arizona but not all of baseball's best players will be showing up. More than 50 veteran free agents have yet to sign deals as they wait for the market to thaw.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Hello from Detroit Tigers spring training, goodbye to a rival
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Stephen Vogt agrees to minors deal with Giants — SAN FRANCISCO — Free-agent catcher Stephen Vogt is returning to the Bay Area, agreeing to a minor league contract with the Giants. — Vogt shared the news in a text message Monday, when he was en route to the club's spring training complex in Scottsdale, Arizona.
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants, Stephen Vogt Agree To Minor League Deal — The Giants are in agreement with catcher Stephen Vogt on a minor league contract, reports Janie McCauley of the Associated Press (via Twitter). She notes that he's yet to begin throwing from a crouch following shoulder surgery last year.
Tim Bannon / Chicago Tribune:
Manny Machado spotted with Kyle Schwarber at the baptism for Albert Almora's son — Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season. — Chicago Tribune — Does Manny Machado schmoozing with Kyle Schwarber at Albert Almora Jr.'s baby's baptism mean anything about where the free agent will sign?
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
This player might benefit from Rangers' deep dive into analytics more than any other — The last of the ballyhooed international signing class of 2011 and draft class of 2012 reached the majors last season, and, as Ronald Guzman said at the time, all that matters is that he was finally here.
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Associated Press:
Season-long tribute planned to pioneering 1869 Red Stockings — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds are fashionably celebrating the 150th anniversary of the professional baseball-pioneering Red Stockings team.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and baseballmusings.com
Adam Woodard / Lansing State Journal:
Tampa Bay Rays' Tommy Pham stands by comments blasting fans, pleads for more support — Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Tommy Pham has doubled down on his criticism of his team's lack of fan support. — While addressing the Rays' poor attendance, Pham said in December that the organization has …
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Tommy Pham doesn't regret ripping lack of Rays fans, would like to see more of them
Discussion:
Sporting News
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets did everything outside the box — will it blow up in their face? — When Brodie Van Wagenen took the path less taken, going from agent to general manager, worries arose about how members of his former and current worlds would enact business with him. Player representatives …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
‘The Cardinals are going to live to regret this.’ 37 years ago today, they traded for Ozzie Smith — Editors note: On Feb. 11, 1982, the Cardinals made the trade that turned future Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie “The Wizard” Smith into a Redbird for most of his career.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs prospect Adbert Alzolay ‘going to be a big piece this year’ — Chicago Tribune — It's axiomatic that every spring training camp includes at least one much-hyped prospect on the verge of earning a spot on the major-league roster. — The stuff possessed by young relievers James Norwood …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to visit Cincinnati for Reds' Opening Day — Among details revealed in an article by the Associated Press' Dan Sewell about the upcoming season-long tribute planned to the 1869 Red Stockings: Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will be in Cincinnati …
