Top News:
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:
New Jersey Online, NESN.com, New York Post, Over the Monster, Bleacher Nation, Talking Chop and MLB Trade Rumors
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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.
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Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies figure to benefit from Rhys Hoskins' return to first base | Extra Innings
Phillies figure to benefit from Rhys Hoskins' return to first base | Extra Innings
Discussion:
Philly.com
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Why Aaron Nola's extension is drawing criticism from rival agents
Why Aaron Nola's extension is drawing criticism from rival agents
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and baseballmusings.com
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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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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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.”
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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:
Plain Dealer, Sporting News, WKYC-TV and Deadspin
Jeff Gordon / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tipsheet: Scherzer says fans should demand more from baseball owners
Tipsheet: Scherzer says fans should demand more from baseball owners
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Brian T. Smith / Houston Chronicle:
Expiring contracts of Verlander, Cole hover over Astros' future
Expiring contracts of Verlander, Cole hover over Astros' future
Discussion:
Houston Chronicle
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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Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Yankees, Luis Severino agree to four-year, $40 million contract extension — New York Yankees were expected to go to an arbitration hearing today, but it's been called off. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the sides have reached an agreement on a multi-year deal.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and NBCSports.com
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Chuck Schilken / Los Angeles Times:
Trevor Bauer accuses Indians of ‘character assassination’ during arbitration hearing
Trevor Bauer accuses Indians of ‘character assassination’ during arbitration hearing
Discussion:
USA Today and MLB Trade Rumors
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Trevor Bauer: I have no ill will toward Indians after arbitration process
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.
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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.
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.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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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.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers go high-tech to get better on the field. Here's how: — LAKELAND, Fla. — In the nearly four years since Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila took over, it has been clear that the team is diving further into analytics. — The push began with hiring Jay Sartori …
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Joining the Royals a bit of a homecoming for pitcher Jake Diekman — Three Ps paved left-handed reliever Jake Diekman's path to the Royals bullpen. That's proximity, power and Palmer. — The text messages began to flood Diekman's phone moments after his signing became official on Wednesday evening.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone is ready to deploy his fully loaded bullpen — TAMPA — It's not the numbers. When Yankee manager Aaron Boone looks at his fully-stocked bullpen, he is excited about the differences. With a healthy Zack Britton back and Adam Ottavino signed this winter, the Yankees have so many ways …
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