Top News:
Bob Nightengale / Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
Justin Verlander nearing two-year, $66 million extension with Astros — Justin Verlander is set for a two-year, $66 million extension with the Houston Astros that will keep him with the club through the 2021 season, an official familiar with the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom uncertain and less optimistic about contract extension with Mets — ORLANDO - Each and every day the league's biggest superstars are signing contracts with teams, while the future of a reigning Cy Young award winner becomes progressively unclear.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Here are the best expectations for the Yankees, Mets as they open their seasons — TAMPA, Fla. — They'll meet first in June, some 40 percent of the way into the 2019 schedule. — By then, we ought to know a good deal more about the Yankees' lofty aspirations and the Mets' look as contenders …
ESPN:
Sources: Sale, Red Sox agree to 5-year extension
Sources: Sale, Red Sox agree to 5-year extension
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
As deadline day approaches why can't Mets lock in Jacob deGrom?
As deadline day approaches why can't Mets lock in Jacob deGrom?
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards ace Mikolas allows two homers but hits one himself in 4-4 tie — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Miles Mikolas was tuning up for his first regular season-opening start as a Cardinal next week when he faced the Washington Nationals on Saturday. The intent certainly was to refine …
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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.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Goldschmidt takes his show on the road
Bobby Nightengale / USA Today:
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett out for 2-3 months with a strained groin — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Six days before Opening Day, the Reds learned they will be without one of their top hitters for at least the first two months of the season. — All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett …
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett out for 2-3 months with a strained groin — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Reds will be without All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett for 8-12 weeks after Gennett suffered a right groin strain in a spring training game Friday.
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Rajai Davis, Adeiny Hechavarria among 6 players cut from Mets big-league camp — PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets cut six players from big-league camp early Saturday morning. — Rajai Davis, Adeiny Hechavarria, Carlos Gomez, Ryan O'Roarke and Hector Santiago have all been reassigned to minor league camp.
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Teddy Greenstein / Sacramento Bee:
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season — The 2018 White Sox needed to avert a meltdown in September to avoid 100 losses. They failed to do it, dropping 18 of their last 24 games. But hope and optimism are abundant in the Sox's clubhouse this spring.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
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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 …
Evan Grant / Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News:
Jason Hammel retires a day after making Rangers' roster — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers advised veteran reliever Jason Hammel on Friday that he had made the roster. — Plot twist: On Saturday, Hammel decided to retire. — Of course, there is a joke or three to be made about pitchers deciding …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
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ESPN:
Rays' Duffy (hamstring) to start season on IL — Tampa Bay Rays starting third baseman Matt Duffy will start the season on the injured list with a hamstring injury, manager Kevin Cash announced Saturday. — Duffy was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers.
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?”
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Report: Devin Mesoraco may retire if New York Mets don't release him — Devin Mesoraco has asked the New York Mets to release him, and appears to be considering all options - including retirement - except for a trip to the minors, according to a report via Twitter from MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Amazin' Avenue
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
George A. King III / New York Post:
CC Sabathia may start serving five-game suspension on Opening Day — TAMPA — The Yankees have two options regarding CC Sabathia: They can start the season with the veteran lefty on the injured list or he can begin serving a five-game suspension on Opening Day.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs will use most of their expected regular-season lineup vs. Rockies — Chicago Tribune — Nearly all of the Cubs' projected regular-season starters will be on the field Saturday night when they face the Rockies and left-hander Kyle Freeland. — Albert Almora Jr. will bat leadoff and play center field.
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 …