Top News:
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:
Plain Dealer, MLB Trade Rumors, WKYC-TV, Deadspin and baseballmusings.com
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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.”
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
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Trevor Bauer: I have no ill will toward Indians after arbitration process
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
Nationals' Max Scherzer says win-loss cycle creates bandwagon fans
Nationals' Max Scherzer says win-loss cycle creates bandwagon fans
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Sporting News
Associated Press:
Tommy ‘T-bone’ Giordano, longtime MLB scout and executive, dies at 93 — Tommy Giordano, a longtime scout who played only 11 games in the major leagues but spent more than seven decades in a variety of baseball roles, died Thursday. He was 93. — Known affectionately as “T-bone,” …
Discussion:
Sporting News and baseballmusings.com
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Daily Record:
Celebrating the wonderful life of MLB scout Tom Giordano — TAMPA, Florida - On some frigid winter night in New York, Tom Giordano answered the phone in Florida. — This was too many years ago to remember and whatever the purpose of the call is long lost, though I probably interrupted his dinner.
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies figure to benefit from Rhys Hoskins' return to first base | Extra Innings — by Scott Lauber, Well, how's that for an eventful start? Pitchers and catchers began working out at the Carpenter Complex only two days ago, and already the Phillies have introduced their new all-star catcher …
Discussion:
Philly.com
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
How Dodgers' clubhouse embodies baseball's free agency concerns — GLENDALE, Ariz. — A.J. Pollock ventured into the free-agent market with no expectations. — What he experienced, as time went on, alarmed him nonetheless. — “It was kind of a weird process, something I've never gone through before,” he said.
Associated Press:
After getting big deal, Aaron Nola ready to chase titles with Phillies
After getting big deal, Aaron Nola ready to chase titles with Phillies
Discussion:
ESPN
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Aaron Nola's contract extension with Phillies could be sign of new MLB free-agency patterns
Aaron Nola's contract extension with Phillies could be sign of new MLB free-agency patterns
Discussion:
The Athletic and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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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Brodie Van Wagenen / Daily Record:
Jacob deGrom still waiting on contract extension as Brodie Van Wagenen, Mets evaluate deal — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jacob deGrom is still waiting. — Despite the Mets' insistence that they want to sign deGrom to a long-term deal, the team has yet to offer a contract to the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Jacob deGrom won't rule out innings limit if Mets don't offer contract extension
Kevin Acee / sandiegouniontribune.com:
Padres GM met with Manny Machado — Manny Machado watches a single fall against the Red Sox during Game 3 of the World Series. (Mark J. Terrill / AP) — Padres General Manager A.J. Preller flew to Miami to meet with Manny Machado and his wife at some point in the past week …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, New York Post, Over the Monster and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
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
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Manny Machado met with the Padres last week
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Chocked roster could lead Cardinals to make moves, explore trades later in spring — JUPITER, Fla. • While the Cardinals have adopted and repeated a stance that they do not intend to add to their 40-man roster in the opening weeks of spring training, the inevitable question facing the front office will be who to subtract.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Slimmer Cecil hopes to atone for bad year — JUPITER, Fla. • To embattled Cardinals reliever Brett Cecil, the 2018 season “felt like a year-long stomping. — “It got to the point where I didn't even want to pitch because I didn't want to do bad,” said the 32-year-old lefthander.
Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Coming off division title, Atlanta Braves arrive for final spring training at Disney — Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna was selected as the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year. (John Bazemore/Associated Press) — The Atlanta Braves are back. — But not for long.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Jose Urena named Marlins' Opening Day starter again — Jose Urena is getting a second chance for a first impression as the Miami Marlins' Opening Day starter, manager Don Mattingly announced Thursday. — “I know we put this off every year, because we didn't really know,” Mattingly told reporters.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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
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Eduardo A. Encina / Tampa Bay Times:
Slugger C.J. Cron says he didn't see Rays' move to DFA him coming, 'but I wasn't shocked either' — Cron hit a career-high 30 homers last season, but was designated and placed on waivers. He's now with the Twins. — FORT MYERS — Former Rays slugger C.J. Cron said that being designated …
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Julio Urias, though no longer ‘The Teenager,’ remains important to Dodgers' future … Clayton Kershaw wanted an unobstructed view, so he marched over to join a group clustered near home plate, a few feet away from the catcher Thursday at Camelback Ranch. At the other end …
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Updates from White Sox spring training: Lefties Aaron Bummer and Caleb Frare don't fear MLB's 3-batter minimum proposal — Chicago Tribune — Perhaps the most radical rule change being considered to trim baseball game times is the one that would require pitchers to face a minimum of three batters.