Top News:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Is Estevan Florial ‘a young Bernie Williams’ or a future bust? — TAMPA, Fla. — When the prospect rankers began unveiling their annual lists of baseball's best up-and-comers, a common theme emerged regarding one of the New York Yankees' prized players. — Estevan Florial …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Daily Record:
Masahiro Tanaka is headed in the right direction toward Yankees' opening day start — TAMPA, Fla. — Above all, Masahiro Tanaka felt that Wednesday's start gave him an indication that things are moving in the right direction. — Nearly two weeks away from his scheduled opening day start …
Associated Press:
Harper goes 0-for-2 against Yankees' Tanaka — TAMPA, Fla. — Bryce Harper went 0-for-2 against New York Yankees Opening Day starter Masahiro Tanaka on Wednesday night in his third spring training game, and first on the road, since signing baseball's biggest contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Discussion:
Daily Journal
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
Bryce Harper: ‘Never heard’ from Yankees, New York unlikely after Giancarlo Stanton trade — What I'm Hearing: Bob Nightengale was in attendance for Bryce Harper's introductory press conference for the Philadelphia Phillies. He says it was made clear what the expectations are for this year and beyond.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Dellin Betances' pitching arm is ‘normal’ despite his lack of spring training play
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Closing the Yankees, Bryce Harper chapter that never was
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: MLB, union agree to 1 trade deadline — A single trade deadline and an All-Star Game Election Day will be implemented in 2019 while roster expansion will happen in 2020 as part of a deal Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are set to announce Thursday, sources familiar with the agreement told ESPN.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Hits remain scarce for Cardinals — • All was well with the Cardinals' offense. Cleanup man Marcell Ozuna (one for 20) doubled his hit total with a single and a double Wednesday. “I liked Ozuna's day quite a bit,” manager Mike Shildt said. — The Cardinals showed they could manufacture …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Eddie Matz / ESPN:
Life after Harper? Juan Soto can be what Bryce was ... and more — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If you think Juan Soto is feeling pressure, think again. — Last May, Soto exploded onto the scene as a 19-year-old outfielder with the Washington Nationals. Due to injuries in D.C. …
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Predicting the next top-100 player for all 30 teams — This won't shock you if you have last year's standings memorized, but the premium talent in baseball isn't exactly spread evenly across the sport. The Yankees had nine players crack the MLB Rank top 100, the Astros had seven …
Discussion:
NESN.com
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
This pitcher could be one of the Mets' deadliest bullpen weapons — PORT ST. LUCIE — Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier are being cautious with their recoveries from early spring injuries. — Lowrie was officially diagnosed with a left knee capsule sprain on February 23 and Frazier sustained a left oblique strain three days later.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
Mets' Todd Frazier, Jed Lowrie likely won't be ready for start of regular season
Mets' Todd Frazier, Jed Lowrie likely won't be ready for start of regular season
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
Manny Machado and the Padres already feels like a solid marriage — Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season. — The Washington Post — The world at large, the greater baseball community and the members of the 2019 San Diego Padres all found out at roughly the same time …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Collin McHugh calls out White Sox for manipulating Eloy Jiménez's service time — Astros pitcher Collin McHugh hasn't been shy of sharing his point of view on the various issues surrounding Major League Baseball. He expressed solidarity with New Era workers last month …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Chicago Tribune:
Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease optioned to Triple-A Charlotte as White Sox make roster moves
Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease optioned to Triple-A Charlotte as White Sox make roster moves
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Every team needs a Yolmer Sanchez to get through the grind of the season. …
Column: Every team needs a Yolmer Sanchez to get through the grind of the season. …
Discussion:
South Side Sox, True Blue LA and MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist bats leadoff and Yu Darvish faces former teammates as the Cubs take on the Rangers — Cubs pitcher Jon Lester discusses the struggles he experienced in a spring training game against the Athletics on March 13, 2019, in Mesa, Ariz. — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Justin Leger / NBCSports.com:
Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi doesn't miss a beat in spring debut — Nathan Eovaldi made his spring debut on Wednesday and picked up right where he left off last October. — The Red Sox right-hander tossed three innings against the Twins, allowing one hit (a solo home run), walking one, and striking out another.
Discussion:
The Athletic and Over the Monster
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Rob Bradford / WEEI:
How Dave Dombrowski views Red Sox bullpen blueprint
How Dave Dombrowski views Red Sox bullpen blueprint
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays name Marcus Stroman opening day starter — SARASOTA, Fla. — Two weeks before camp breaks, the Blue Jays have announced their pitching plans for opening day against the Detroit Tigers. — And sure enough, it will be Stro Time. — Indeed, all the work paid off for Marcus Stroman …
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Kelly Doyle / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
This Rangers pitcher has over 45,000 Instagram followers and jokes for days — Tim Dillard is beginning his 17th season in professional baseball with a résumé that lists only 73 major league pitching appearances over all of those years. — In fact, the Rangers' 35-year-old sidearm hurler …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB's new rule could force pitching specialists to become extinct — MESA, Ariz. — There is a fear among left-handed relievers, particularly specialists, that baseball's new rules requiring pitchers to face at least three batters could result in lost jobs.
Joey Kaufman / Daily News:
Jaylen Hands' big night helps UCLA top Stanford in Pac-12 tourney opener — LAS VEGAS — Jaylen Hands strutted for a couple of steps across the hardwood and celebrated with a shoulder shimmy. — Less than four minutes remained in the first half of UCLA's 79-72 victory over Stanford …
Discussion:
SGV Tribune