Top News:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
As deadline day approaches why can't Mets lock in Jacob deGrom? — PORT ST. LUCIE — As Mets fans consider buying new jerseys for the 2019 season and beyond, can they purchase a No. 48 jersey with full confidence that player will be a part of the team's future?
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
David Wright relishing Mets' role as go-between for players, front office — PORT ST. LUCIE — To understand where the Mets are heading as a franchise, listen to the words of David Wright. — The now-retired captain has that new role with the club as special adviser. Friday was a good day to watch him at work.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
Sources: Sale, Red Sox agree to 5-year extension — Left-hander Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a contract extension, pending a physical next week, league sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan. — The five-year deal is worth $145 million, league sources told Passan …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Risk, legacy and the future of the Red Sox: Five questions about Chris Sale's extension
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season
Discussion:
South Side Sox and MLB Baseball News …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Goldschmidt takes his show on the road — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. •_ Paul Goldschmidt officially agreed to the largest contract in Cardinals history Saturday but that didn't prevent him from being one of only two regulars to make the trip here for the exhibition game with Washington.
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Toronto Sun:
AP source: Cardinals, Goldschmidt completing US$130M, 5-year deal — The St. Louis Cardinals knew that Paul Goldschmidt had one year left on his contract when they acquired the slugging first baseman in an off-season trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. — They also made no secret of their desire to sign him to a long-term deal.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards let Shreve go, keep Wieters — • Lefthanded reliever Chasen Shreve was apt to surrender home runs last year, both with the New York Yankees and the Cardinals, who acquired him in the Luke Voit deal. In 52 2/3 innings, Shreve offered up 11 homers, including three in 14 2/3 innings with the Cardinals.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball first — Shildt dedicated his life to the game he loves — “I love that term,” he said. “The people that I always wanted to be one day were the baseball lifers. The term ‘baseball lifer’ has always been really cool. And as you get older and get more mature in this game and you hear that said about you, it brings a smile.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
What a GM sees when he watches a baseball game — MESA, Ariz. — How does a front-office executive watch a spring training game as compared to the average fan? How is it different than watching a regular-season contest or even a postseason one? On Thursday, Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer gave us …
Associated Press:
Eloy Jimenez, White Sox finalize $43M, 6-year contract — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Highly regarded outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez and the Chicago White Sox have finalized a $43 million, six-year contract, a deal nearly double the amount …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
Mets consider batting Pete Alonso second in order to break up lefties — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For almost all of his baseball life, 6-3, 245-pound Pete Alonso has batted exactly where one would expect a slugging first baseman to bat: third or fourth, except once when he was 9 and was the leadoff guy for a day for “just some fun.”
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks' April 4 return ‘a little ambitious’ says Aaron Boone — TAMPA — Aaron Hicks' goal of being ready on April 4, the first day he would be eligible to come off the disabled list, is “a little ambitious,” his manager said Friday night. The Yankee center fielder has missed nearly three weeks with “chronic,” back pain.
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Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Former Cardinals outfielder Edmonds signs on as special assistant — JUPITER, Fla. • A familiar face has been a steady and welcomed presence around Cardinals camp this spring. — Former Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds, a four-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner during …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs focusing on getting production throughout lineup, not finding a leadoff man: ‘We have plenty of good hitters’ — Cubs pitcher Jose Quintana discusses his outing against the Rangers on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
Cubs Insider and Los Angeles Times
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Derek Jeter again tries to make the case for why his plan for the Marlins is working — JUPITER, Fla. - On one of the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium, the owner of the Miami Marlins was observing his stable of young pitchers going through the drudgery of spring training PFP drills when he was asked: “So how goes the plan?”
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's how Joey Gallo will determine the composition of the Rangers' Opening Day roster — The player who will determine the final shape of the Texas Rangers' Opening Day roster played Friday afternoon for the first time in more than a week, and his postgame report pointed to one thing:
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants release outfielder Cameron Maybin, still seek a backup who can play center — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If Giants front-office folks drank some of that of famous truth serum, they would have to admit it's not ideal for their outfield search to be such a fire drill less than a week before Opening Day.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and MLB Trade Rumors
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Release Cameron Maybin
ESPN:
Cabrera, Liriano earn roster spots for Pirates — The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday that outfielder Melky Cabrera and left-hander Francisco Liriano will both make the Opening Day roster. — Both veterans had signed minor league contracts to join the team this offseason. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Associated Press:
Bregman: Slow market didn't impact Astros deal — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Alex Bregman's decision to sign a long-term contract with the Houston Astros was not impacted by the second slow free-agent market. — “I wanted to play here,” the third baseman said Friday after the team announced a $100 million …
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The Astros want to extend Verlander and Cole; Harper on choosing Philly; more notes — The Astros are discussing extensions with right-handers Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander, according to major-league sources. Of course they are. Seemingly every team is discussing an extension …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Chico Enterprise-Record, MLB Trade Rumors, Houston Chronicle and Bleacher Nation