Top News:
Associated Press:
Phillies still sizing up Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, other free agents — CLEARWATER, Fla. — With spring training underway, Philadelphia Phillies president Andy MacPhail is certain his team is built to win right now. — EDITOR'S PICKS — As for adding someone like outfielder Bryce Harper …
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
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:
MLB Baseball News … and Philly.com
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Why the Mets hung onto Devin Mesoraco, Jacob deGrom's personal catcher — PORT ST. LUCIE - After the Mets signed catcher Wilson Ramos in December, former All-Star Devin Mesoraco looked like a spare part. — Mesoraco was granted free agency at the end of October last year.
RELATED:
John Tomase / WEEI:
Bogaerts on signing extension rather than risking free agency: ‘You obviously have to think about that’ — FORT MYERS, Fla. — We've been discussing a contract extension for Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts since about 2013, which makes it strange that his impending free agency seems to be catching so many of us by surprise.
Discussion:
NESN.com
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Potential free agent-to-be Brock Holt: I want to be in Boston forever
Potential free agent-to-be Brock Holt: I want to be in Boston forever
Discussion:
NESN.com
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
The Bryce, Manny stalemate and the latest on MLB free agency
The Bryce, Manny stalemate and the latest on MLB free agency
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, DodgerBlue.com, sandiegouniontribune.com, NESN.com and New York Post
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Ex-Dodgers teammates laud Manny Machado's ‘awesome’ skill and offer varying takes on ‘Johnny Hustle’ comment — Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season. — Chicago Tribune — The Dodgers and White Sox share a stadium at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix's west suburbs.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: If Manny Machado signs with the White Sox, he'll have to abide by the Renteria Rule — Photos of the White Sox at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune … Rest assured the Sox won't be sending a message like that to Machado …
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Julio Urias, though no longer ‘The Teenager,’ remains important to Dodgers' future
Julio Urias, though no longer ‘The Teenager,’ remains important to Dodgers' future
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Jeff Gordon / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tipsheet: Scherzer says fans should demand more from baseball owners — Our Town's Max Scherzer appreciates how the Washington Nationals try to contend every year. — The Cardinals also refuse to go the tank-and-rebuild route. Given credit to the Los Angeles Dodgers, too, for staying in the hunt year after year.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
First-day impressions from Braves spring training — Much of the Braves' spring intrigue is centered on pitching, where a competition for the remaining rotation spot and a spot in the bullpen takes center stage. — That competition formally began Friday, when pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Central Florida.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Coming off division title, Atlanta Braves arrive for final spring training at Disney
Coming off division title, Atlanta Braves arrive for final spring training at Disney
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs players of all ages are embracing advanced technology and analytics: 'They're willing to dig in' — Cubs pitchers Mike Montgomery and Brad Brach discuss their roles this season at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
RELATED:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers SS Corey Seager looking to leave difficult season in the past — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Confined to crutches and unable to contribute, Corey Seager found himself in an awkward middle space while his Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to a second consecutive World Series last fall.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
What has Miller feeling like ‘normal baseball player’ again early in Rangers camp? — Every healthy pitcher at Texas Rangers spring training has thrown a bullpen session with the exception of reliever Shawn Kelley, who hasn't been anywhere near the Surprise Recreation Campus as he deals with an illness.
Associated Press:
Tigers beat Michael Fulmer in final arbitration case; players win 6-4 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers beat pitcher Michael Fulmer on Friday in the final salary arbitration case this year, leaving players with a 6-4 final record in decisions. — Fulmer was awarded a raise …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
No regrets: Jose Martinez bids farewell to first baseman's glove — Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com — Cardinals outfielder Jose Martinez takes batting practice during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter …
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds went with quantity when looking for pitchers to create a quality rotation — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds bolstered their starting rotation this offseason and they went with the quantity approach. Rather than add one guy who was clearly the No. 1 starter …
Discussion:
Red Reporter and Redleg Nation
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.
Associated Press:
Scott Servais: ‘Overzealous’ offseason behind Mallex Smith's sore shoulder — PEORIA, Ariz. — Seattle center fielder Mallex Smith will not participate in early throwing and fielding drills during spring training because of shoulder soreness sustained while throwing in January.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
'We didn't sign you to be Adrian Beltre.' Here's why Rangers did sign Asdrubal Cabrera — Everyone knows who Asdrubal Cabrera is replacing at third base this season for the Texas Rangers. — No, it's not Jurickson Profar. — It's the guy who retired in November as one of the greatest third baseman in baseball history.