Top News:
Eduardo A. Encina / Tampa Bay Times:
Don't count the Yankees out on Manny Machado, Bryce Harper until they sign elsewhere — There's no obvious fit for either in the Bronx, but the Yankees usually don't worry about fit. — TAMPA — The Yankees opened spring training Wednesday, and there was no sight of a red carpet being rolled out to welcome a new hired gun.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Why Yankees believe Gary Sanchez will rebound from ugly season — TAMPA — In a sign of how crucial his turnaround is to this coming season, Yankee manager Aaron Boone made the trek to Dominican Republic to meet with Gary Sanchez. It was a casual visit Boone felt was important to continue building …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Miguel Andujar impresses Yankees with how he attacked his defensive flaws during the offseason
James Wagner / Boston Globe:
Yankees enter spring training with a bitter taste and high expectations
Yankees enter spring training with a bitter taste and high expectations
Discussion:
Cubs Insider
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mayers, a ‘reliever of the day,’ offers flexibility to Shildt — JUPITER, Fla. • Manager Mike Shildt has taken to discussing the “reliever of the day,” relative to the volume of potential relievers in the Cardinals' bullpen. The topic du jour Thursday was Mike Mayers …
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Associated Press:
Adam Wainwright says he is healthy after rocky 2018 season — JUPITER, Fla. — Adam Wainwright stood in front of his customary corner locker following the St. Louis Cardinals' first workout and said he was healthy. — “Last year going into spring training, I was struggling,” the pitcher said Wednesday.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Updates from Cubs spring training: Carl Edwards Jr. and Tyler Chatwood out to improve control on rainy day — Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — Rain is in the forecast for most of the day Thursday as the Cubs continue to work in spring training.
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Trevor Bauer accuses Cleveland Indians of ‘character assassination’ during arbitration hearing — Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer has accused the Cleveland Indians of ‘character assassination’ during their arbitration hearing. — CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer …
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' farm should be gaining steam after 2018 trades, but one publication disagrees — The fine people at Baseball America have revealed their annual rankings of the best farm systems in the game, and the Texas Rangers, after a bevy of trades designed to restock the prospect pool …
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jason Vargas will be the Mets fifth starter, while Peter Alonso will get a shot to win the first base job — PORT ST. LUCIE - Make no mistake about the Mets' fifth starter. — Mickey Callaway completed his team's rotation on Wednesday when he named Jason Vargas the Mets' No. 5 starter heading into Opening Day.
Discussion:
The Sports Daily
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training: Who are these fresh-faced pitchers? — LAKELAND, Fla. — The first thing you noticed when walking into the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse at Joker Marchant Stadium on Wednesday was a sign displaying the team's intentions to win the World Series
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Chris Thomas / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' talent level hits 12-year high as rebuild continues
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Meet the Detroit Tigers coach who gives spring training its structure
Meet the Detroit Tigers coach who gives spring training its structure
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Angels right-hander Matt Harvey sidelined 10 days with glute strain — TEMPE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Angels right-hander Matt Harvey will be sidelined about 10 days because of a glute strain he felt during agility drills. — Harvey signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Angels in December …
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Pedro Gomez / ESPN:
Angels' Matt Harvey says he'll be better teammate, player going forward
Angels' Matt Harvey says he'll be better teammate, player going forward
Discussion:
New York Post, The Athletic and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Brookover / The Charlotte Observer:
Gabe Kapler 2.0: More boundaries and more pressure for Phillies manager — It is way too late to say the honeymoon is over because that ended before Gabe Kapler managed his first game in Philadelphia. By the time he got to Citizens Bank Park following the Phillies' season-opening road trip …
The Amazon Blog:
Update on plans for New York City headquarters — After much thought and deliberation, we've decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive …
Discussion:
CBS Chicago, Associated Press, CBS Boston, New York Times, WHYY, Splinter and CBS New York
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Jordan Montgomery's goal? To be the Yankees' second-half splash — TAMPA, Fla. — Since Jordan Montgomery learned last May he would be shut down to undergo Tommy John surgery, the New York Yankees starting pitcher has had one goal: to get back for the second half.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB teams live in fear of the ‘albatross’ contract. Yet such situations are largely a myth. — As unemployed superstars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain on their off-season grinds at undisclosed, poorly-lit indoor locations, the rest of Major League Baseball has reported for business …
Courier-Journal:
Brewers trying to keep rival Cubs fans out of Miller Park again — The Milwaukee Brewers have made it clear: They would prefer the least amount of Chicago Cubs fans to fill Miller Park as possible. — In a statement released Wednesday, the Brewers announced presale tickets for their 10 home dates …
Discussion:
CBS Chicago, Brew Crew Ball and MLB Baseball News …
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Curt Casali had surgery in October, expects to be ready for Opening Day — This is the second time having hip surgery for Cincinnati Reds catcher Curt Casali. Dr. J.W. Thomas Byrd repaired Casali's right hip in 2017. (Photo11: Aaron Gash, AP)
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Jacob deGrom's Cy Young award was damaged and the Mets are sending it back — Jacob deGrom discusses his contract talks with the Mets — Mets ace Jacob deGrom's historic 2018 campaign earned him the National League Cy Young, but the award's physical manifestation was a disappointment when it arrived.
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
Nationals' Max Scherzer says win-loss cycle creates bandwagon fans — WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Mad Max is angry about the current state of free agency. — “When there's too many teams that are not trying to win, that poisons the game, poisons the fan experience, and it creates bandwagon fans …
Associated Press:
After getting big deal, Aaron Nola ready to chase titles with Phillies — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Aaron Nola hopes to win titles with the Philadelphia Phillies, and a four-year, $45 million contract will give him a chance. — “This is pretty surreal and special for me,” the pitcher said Thursday, a day after agreeing to the deal.
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ESPN