Top News:
Associated Press:
Rob Manfred says pitching clock will be introduced in spring training and brushes off players' free agency gripes — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Major League Baseball is unilaterally starting the use of pitch clocks for spring training games, while brushing off complaints from players about the slow free agent market.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
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:
MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pitch clock is coming to Grapefruit games, says Manfred; ‘negativity’ an issue
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rob Manfred Says Baseball Doesn't Have a Free Agency Crisis
Rob Manfred Says Baseball Doesn't Have a Free Agency Crisis
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Des Moines Register
Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Rob Manfred blames Bryce Harper for going unsigned
Rob Manfred blames Bryce Harper for going unsigned
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Chicago Tribune:
Padres offer Manny Machado an 8-year deal worth at least $240 million: reports — Look out, White Sox. It appears the Padres are serious about signing free-agent infielder Manny Machado. — The Padres have offered Machado an eight-year contract worth at least $240 million, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
New position, no problem for Cincinnati Reds catcher, Rule 5 pick Connor Joe
New position, no problem for Cincinnati Reds catcher, Rule 5 pick Connor Joe
Discussion:
Purple Row
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Source says Moustakas, Brewers nearing a deal — Source: Moustakas, Brewers nearing a deal — Mike Moustakas and the Brewers are nearing a deal that would keep the third baseman in Milwaukee for a guarantee of $10 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers To Re-Sign Mike Moustakas
Brewers To Re-Sign Mike Moustakas
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score, Bleacher Nation, MLB Daily Dish, Brew Crew Ball and Lone Star Ball
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Second base: Return of Mike Moustakas once again means changes at two infield positions
Second base: Return of Mike Moustakas once again means changes at two infield positions
Discussion:
ESPN and Press Gazette Media
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
‘One of those days you look forward to,’ Aaron Boone says as Yankees players report — TAMPA, Fla. - Already, manager Aaron Boone has a pretty good idea about the condition of his key position players, who officially report to Yankees camp on Monday. — For instance, Aaron Judge …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
The Yankees really need 24-year-old Jonathan Loaisiga to plug the rotation
The Yankees really need 24-year-old Jonathan Loaisiga to plug the rotation
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Aaron Judge fully healthy entering Yankees' spring training
Aaron Judge fully healthy entering Yankees' spring training
Discussion:
Sporting News, Bleacher Report and Pinstripe Alley
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone is teasing Aaron Judge batting leadoff again
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets add shortstop option in glove-first veteran Adeiny Hechavarria — Brodie Van Wagenen on the Mets' depth — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Lacking a proven backup shortstop, the Mets have agreed to terms on a minors deal with veteran Adeiny Hechavarria, a source confirmed.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Adeiny Hechavarria agrees to minor league deal with Mets, per reports
Adeiny Hechavarria agrees to minor league deal with Mets, per reports
Discussion:
Associated Press
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Peter Alonso faces down Jacob deGrom in Mets' first live batting practice
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
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox spring training updates: The whole family is back together — Chicago Tribune — An unoccupied locker will remain between Jon Jay on Yonder Alonso (are you reading this, Manny Machado?), but the White Sox's clubhouse will feel more full Monday morning.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' week ahead includes Tom Ricketts' annual speech, labor talk and the Cactus League opener — Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — The week ahead for the Cubs: — Opening chapter
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers' Kenley Jansen hoping higher spin rate will help him sizzle — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kenley Jansen wore a wide smile in the moments following this past Friday's workout. The Rapsodo tracking devices and high-speed cameras set up throughout the bullpens of the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers spring training letters: Dreaming of a visit with J.D. Martinez — Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech is chronicling his fifth spring training on the Detroit Tigers beat with Letters from Lakeland, which will be published on Freep.com every Monday morning this spring. Read previous letters here.
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Nicholas Castellanos, won't sweat trade rumors, at spring training
Tigers' Nicholas Castellanos, won't sweat trade rumors, at spring training
Discussion:
MLive.com
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Buster Posey's comments on winning help Giants recruit new outfielder — The free agent outfielder joined the Giants after being influenced by Buster Posey — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-Like more than 100 other major league free agents, Cameron Maybin sat at home through the cold winter months wondering …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
J. Martinez, Gyorko would be hard to leave off Cardinals — Cardinals infielder Jedd Gyorko fields a ball while running drills during spring training on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
The Rangers are now Elvis' team. He is one of five position players to watch this spring — Spring training is all about the pitchers. — Position players say they need half the time it takes to conduct a major-league camp, if that, before they would declare themselves ready for Opening Day.
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.
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 …
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Marcus Stroman disappointed Blue Jays haven't offered long-term deal — DUNEDIN, Fla. - Marcus Stroman took a flamethrower to the tranquil opening of Toronto Blue Jays training camp, saying his desire to remain with the club is unrequited, pushing for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Daily Dish, Union-News, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
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