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 …

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)

Three things to watch from the Seattle Mariners at spring training  —  A brief look at what to expect from the Arizona Diamondbacks at Cactus League spring training.  Information regarding spring training venues, tickets and reporting dates can be found here.  —  Seattle Mariners

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.

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?

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.

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.

‘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.

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 …

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 …

Cards reliever Leone hopes his luck continues to change  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The locker of righthanded reliever Dominic Leone has been moved down a few stalls in the Cardinals' clubhouse and now he is next to the hardest thrower in the game, Jordan Hicks.  —  “Hmmm,” said Leone.

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 …