Top News:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
New position, no problem for Cincinnati Reds catcher, Rule 5 pick Connor Joe — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - When Connor Joe caught his first bullpen at the start of spring training, it was the first time he was behind the plate since he was in college. The Reds had an idea it wouldn't be too much for him.
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto says he's ‘proud’ of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado for standing ground with contracts — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - With Bryce Harper and Manny Machado available on the free agent market as players report to spring training complexes this weekend …
Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Bryce Harper is close to signing, someone says for 1,000th time
Bryce Harper is close to signing, someone says for 1,000th time
Discussion:
Talking Chop, New York Post, The Sports Daily and Cubs Insider
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Aaron Judge fully healthy entering Yankees' spring training — TAMPA, Fla. — With his once-broken wrist fully healed, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is reporting to spring training camp this week in peak physical condition, according to manager Aaron Boone.
Discussion:
Sporting News, Bleacher Report and Pinstripe Alley
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
The Yankees really need 24-year-old Jonathan Loaisiga to plug the rotation — TAMPA — Sure, the Yankees solidified their rotation this winter by bringing back JA Happ and CC Sabathia, and bringing in James Paxton in a trade. Still, they will need at least seven or eight starters to make it through the season.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone is teasing Aaron Judge batting leadoff again — TAMPA — With the Yankees position players set to report to camp on Monday morning, and the team's first full-squad workout set for Tuesday, it is time for Aaron Boone to begin mulling over some creative ideas for this season.
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
5 takeaways from White Sox camp, including top prospects Zack Collins and Luis Robert there to be seen — and heard — Photos of the White Sox at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — Five takeaways from Sunday at White Sox camp:
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs spring training updates: More muscular Javier Baez homers after team has mental skills meeting — Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — Here are updates from Cubs spring training Sunday.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Back-to-basics approach for Joe Maddon and the Cubs starts Monday — Photos of Joe Maddon, the 2015 NL Manager of the Year. — Chicago Tribune — After the principal talks to the students, the teacher will take a hands-on approach in the instruction of his students on the first full day of class.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
'It's an honor': Veteran lefty Cole Hamels is taking his new leadership role seriously
'It's an honor': Veteran lefty Cole Hamels is taking his new leadership role seriously
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pena returns to Cardinals to back up Molina, but there's a catch — JUPITER, Fla. • Bumped from the roster to make room for a prospect the Cardinals wanted to protect, Francisco Pena found himself this winter back where he started, which is to say looking for a job where he might not be starting at all.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland, after being unsigned last offseason, has new take on free agency — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and allows those unpleasant memories to slowly trickle back into his thoughts. — Bryce Harper is still unsigned.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Casey Mize thriving at Detroit Tigers camp with ‘big league mentality’ — LAKELAND, Fla. — Casey Mize wants to clarify something. — He has heard the narrative building around Tiger Town, the Detroit Tigers' spring training home, about how he's the first one at the complex every morning.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Nicholas Castellanos, won't sweat trade rumors, at spring training
Evan Woodbery / MLive.com:
Nicholas Castellanos is still a Tiger. How does he feel about that?
Nicholas Castellanos is still a Tiger. How does he feel about that?
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Madison Bumgarner says he was joking over opener refusal — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Madison Bumgarner was joking when he told manager Bruce Bochy he absolutely refuses to pitch behind an opener. — It won't happen anyway. — San Francisco's ace lefty is hardly a likely candidate …
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Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Farhan Zaidi is reshaping Giants' future to resemble recent past
Farhan Zaidi is reshaping Giants' future to resemble recent past
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Peter Alonso faces down Jacob deGrom in Mets' first live batting practice — PORT ST. LUCIE - Plenty of teams held their first live batting practice of the spring this weekend. But only the Mets had a 2019 NL Rookie of the Year candidate digging in against the reigning NL Cy Young winner.
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Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets have to keep pitcher Kyle Dowdy on roster or return him to Indians
Mets have to keep pitcher Kyle Dowdy on roster or return him to Indians
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Stroman lashes out at contract situation, trade speculation and overall state of the Blue Jays — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Marcus Stroman likes to bring the heat when he's on the mound, a place where he's comfortable and feels he can be one of the best pitchers in major league baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Marcus Stroman disappointed Blue Jays haven't offered long-term deal
Marcus Stroman disappointed Blue Jays haven't offered long-term deal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Union-News
Ryan Divish / The Charlotte Observer:
At age 45, Ichiro prepares for a trip home to Japan with Mariners — At a distance, he looked like just like anyone else in a Mariners' uniform in the Saturday afternoon sunshine. — In fact, he moved better than the average player, running a little bit harder and faster than most.
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Associated Press:
Yasmani Grandal takes proactive approach to learning Brewers' staff — PHOENIX — The ink was hardly dry on his $18.25 million, one-year contract with Milwaukee when Yasmani Grandal started working the phone, reaching out to as many new teammates as possible from his offseason home in Peoria.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks could break in Jon Duplantier, other rotation prospects as relievers — The Diamondbacks arrived at camp with a fully stocked starting rotation, the second consecutive year they have acknowledged there are no jobs up for grabs entering spring training.