Top News:
Chuck Schilken / Los Angeles Times:
Trevor Bauer accuses Indians of ‘character assassination’ during arbitration hearing — All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer won his salary arbitration hearing with the Cleveland Indians this week, getting a $7-million raise over last year, but said Thursday he's unhappy with the way he was treated toward the end of the process.
Discussion:
USA Today and Sporting News
RELATED:
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Trevor Bauer: I have no ill will toward Indians after arbitration process — Trevor Bauer has ‘no ill will’ toward the Cleveland Indians despite a contentious end to the arbitration process. — CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer enjoys the arbitration process …
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Projecting Indians bullpen as pitchers and catchers go through first Spring Training workout
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Dellin Betances late getting to Yankees spring training after his wife gives birth — TAMPA, Fla. - New father Dellin Betances wasn't present for the Yankees first pitchers and catchers workout on Thursday, following the birth of his son. — Janisa and Dellin Betances welcomed Dellin Jr …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees bring Pat Roessler back into the fold after veteran hitting coach was dumped by the Mets
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Jordan Montgomery's goal? To be the Yankees' second-half splash
Jordan Montgomery's goal? To be the Yankees' second-half splash
Discussion:
Associated Press
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Gary Sanchez isn't going anywhere
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Why Yankees believe Gary Sanchez will rebound from ugly season
Why Yankees believe Gary Sanchez will rebound from ugly season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Carl Edwards Jr. pauses for effect, and Joe Maddon approves — Chicago Tribune — Cubs manager Joe Maddon was delighted by the simple fact that reliever Carl Edwards Jr. showed the initiative to cure his occasional bouts of wildness. — “Normally when a player is able to arrive at his own conclusions …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Tyler Chatwood believes he'll be better for the Cubs in 2019, thanks to correcting a mechanical flaw — Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber discusses a computer projection that predicts the Cubs will finish last in the National League Central this season on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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.
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Chuck King / Associated Press:
Nationals' Scherzer, Astros' Verlander concerned about game — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Two more aces are expressing concern about how major league teams are playing their cards. — Washington right-hander Max Scherzer said Thursday there are too many teams trying not to win, and all the rebuilding “poisons the game.”
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
Nationals' Max Scherzer says win-loss cycle creates bandwagon fans
Nationals' Max Scherzer says win-loss cycle creates bandwagon fans
Discussion:
Sporting News
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
They don't make Cy Youngs like they used to ... Jacob deGrom's plaque already in for repairs — PORT ST. LUCIE - A Mets injury came early this year. — The first item out of New York's clubhouse to land on MLB's new injured list is Jacob deGrom's Cy Young award.
RELATED:
Brian T. Smith / Houston Chronicle:
GM Jeff Luhnow confirms Astros almost added Bryce Harper in 2018 — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Bryce Harper is the biggest name in baseball right now, despite still being an unsigned free agent as spring training begins for the 2019 season. — Manny Machado, Dallas Keuchel, Marwin Gonzalez …
Discussion:
Houston Chronicle
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jeff McNeil will get a shot at left field for Mets this spring — PORT ST. LUCIE — Jeff McNeil has a shot at becoming an everyday outfielder for the Mets. — The 26-year-old prospect will see a majority of his spring training playing time in left field, while still getting …
RELATED:
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
Jason Vargas will be the Mets fifth starter, while Peter Alonso will get a shot to win the first base job
Discussion:
The Sports Daily
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
The Mets are hoping Jason Vargas can bounce back in 2019, recapture All-Star form
The Mets are hoping Jason Vargas can bounce back in 2019, recapture All-Star form
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
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 …
RELATED:
David Wellham / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves refresher course: A care package on eve of spring training — The long wait is almost over. — The last we saw the Braves play Oct. 8, when their National League Division Series against the Dodgers ended with a loss in Game 4. — When pitchers and catchers report to Champion Stadium …
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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, New York Times, CBS New York, WHYY, witf.org and Splinter
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Angry over Cubs' Sinclair TV plan? Be thankful for The Score's Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer — Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer's Cubs broadcasts on WSCR-AM 670 will remain as free as sunshine and a summer breeze.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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 …
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 …