Top News:
Toronto Sun:
Outfielder Aaron Hicks, Yankees agree to huge seven-year deal — NEW YORK — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that outfielder Aaron Hicks and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $70 million, seven-year contract that adds $64 million in guaranteed money over six seasons.
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
A look ahead at New York Yankees spring training this week
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Extend Aaron Hicks
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
Dodgers re-enter Bryce Harper sweepstakes, interested in short-term deal — The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-entered the Bryce Harper sweepstakes and are interested in a short-term deal with the free-agent slugger, according to ESPN and multiple reports. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Post, NBC Bay Area and Philly.com
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
MLB 2019: Potential busts and players on the decline this season — In addition to all the excitement the upcoming 2019 MLB season will generate, there will inevitably be some disappointment. — It's important to temper expectations with players who overachieved last season.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dodgers enter mix for Bryce Harper, who expects to make decision by the end of the week
Discussion:
The Good Phight and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Michael Conforto ‘open to anything’ if NY Mets want to talk contract extension — Pete Alonso on his two-run homer against Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Early Monday morning, the Yankees put the finishing touches on a contract extension with center fielder Aaron Hicks.
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Daily Record:
NY Mets rotation in full force this week, along with top relievers
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Jacob deGrom enjoyed a historic season in 2018, but matching it could be tougher
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Mets plot out eye-opening World Series goal for rotation
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Patrick Reusse / Kansas City Star:
Under Alex Cora, modern Red Sox clubhouse a far cry from those of yesteryear — The home clubhouse at Fenway Park was never known as a welcoming place for working members of the visiting press. Plus, I don't think the Red Sox often had a reputation as being sweethearts toward New England's wordsmiths.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Dombrowski: Red Sox won't be signing any more relievers — BRADENTON, Fla. — For those holding out hope Craig Kimbrel might still be an option for the Red Sox, Dave Dombrowski pretty much put an end to that line of thinking Monday morning. — Talking at LECOM Park prior …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and CBS Boston
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Hanley Ramirez to join Indians — Free-agent first baseman Hanley Ramirez agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians. — Ramirez, a former National League rookie of the year, will sign with the three-time defending AL Central champions and join them in camp once he passes a physical examination.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' David Bote to see doctor after beaning; Jon Lester makes spring debut — Cubs manager Joe Maddon gives updates on David Bote's status, Tyler Chatwood and Ben Zobrist at spring training on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Associated Press:
Giants' Madison Bumgarner uneven in spring debut but ‘felt really good’
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs are pulling out all the stops — including some old hitting drills of Joe Maddon's — to resurrect their offense
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs' Addison Russell plays for first time since suspension
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Walks don't shake Shildt — JUPITER, Fla. • Bases on balls turn into runs in spring training precisely as they do in the regular season, which the Cardinals had reaffirmed to them, starkly, on Sunday. — St. Louis pitchers issued 11 walks, and five …
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell betting big on himself and Tampa Bay Rays — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is one year removed from when he couldn't say much of anything, not after a 2017 season that included a jarring trip to the minor leagues.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds greenlit for steal attempts in spring training; in-season focus different — As spring training games are being played, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell is revealing more about himself as a new skipper. — “I think, this early in spring training, it's an opportunity …
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
How Yasiel Puig has — and hasn't — moved on with Reds — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Yasiel Puig had already broken in a red glove by the time his new team conducted its first full workout here last week. The cleats, the duffel bag, the batting gloves — all red, flowing in perfect harmony …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training letters: Alan Trammell on back fields — Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech is chronicling his fifth spring training on the Tigers beat with Letters from Lakeland, which will be published every Monday morning this spring. — LAKELAND, Fla. — Dear Mom,
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and MLB Baseball News …
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Associated Press:
Versatile Gonzalez finalizes $21M, 2-year deal with Twins — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Don't call Marwin Gonzalez a utilityman. — At least not around the Minnesota Twins. — “That's something I've heard used before, all the time,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said on Monday …
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KHOU-TV:
Baseball is coming! Celebrate Astros with Game of Thrones bobbleheads — FOCO is releasing Game of Thrones-themed bobbleheads for Major League Baseball. — HOUSTON — Forget winter. Baseball is coming! — You can now celebrate your love for the Houston Astros and Game of Thrones together.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Evaristo Montoya / Kansas City Star:
Well-traveled Royals minor-league pitcher Jake Kalish hopes his next stop is KC — Jake Kalish has been on a soul-searching journey since the Kansas City Royals selected him in the 32nd round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. — From New Jersey to Israel to the Dominican Republic …
ESPN:
Yankees name Andy Pettitte special adviser to GM — The New York Yankees have named former star pitcher Andy Pettitte as a special adviser to the general manager. — The team made the announcement Monday, although it is unclear what Pettitte's role will be within the organization.
