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
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Trevor Bauer's radical idea on MLB contracts could benefit everyone — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — In one swoop Thursday morning, Trevor Bauer made the Cleveland Indians cringe, the unemployed free-agent class think and the players' union listen. — In addition to airing his grievances …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Deadspin
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 — 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 …
Discussion:
Sporting News
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Trevor Bauer: I have no ill will toward Indians after arbitration process
Daily Record:
New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez entering a pivotal season — TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees Universe will quickly recall Gary Sanchez's lost 2018 season, but the catcher has dropped it from memory. — “There's no reason to keep dwelling on the past, or that year,” said Sanchez, speaking through an interpreter on Thursday.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Jacob DeGrom not sure if Mets' offer will come before Opening Day — Just a few hours after NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom threw his first practice pitch of spring training, he let everyone know the score. — He hasn't received a long-term contract offer from the New York Mets and isn't sure he will before Opening Day.
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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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and New York Times
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 …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Tyler Chatwood believes he'll be better for the Cubs in 2019, thanks to correcting a mechanical flaw
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Updates from Cubs spring training: Carl Edwards Jr. and Tyler Chatwood out to improve control on rainy day
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Angry over Cubs' Sinclair TV plan? Be thankful for The Score's Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
ESPN:
Sources: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres meet for second time — San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller flew to Miami last week and met with free-agent infielder Manny Machado, sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan. — It's the second meeting the Padres and Machado have had this offseason …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Kevin Acee / sandiegouniontribune.com:
Padres GM met with Manny Machado
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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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 …
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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
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, CBS New York, New York Times, Associated Press, WHYY, witf.org and Splinter
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 …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's the early plan Rangers have created for rotation trio returning from Tommy John — Thursday was considered a success by Texas Rangers pitching coach Julio Rangel because the pitchers who were scheduled to throw their first bullpen sessions of spring training did so before rains soaked the Surprise Recreation Campus.
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
Brian Niemietz / New York Daily News:
You can buy Babe Ruth's contract — but it will cost you more than he was paid — Going, going, gone! — With spring training underway and two of baseball's biggest stars still unsigned, contracts inked by Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig are being raffled by RR Auctions through Thursday.
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 …
