Top News:
Thomas M. Boswell / Washington Post:
This was the time for the Astros to own their cheating. Maybe they missed the sign. — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On one side of Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane was deep into damage control and implausible deniability Thursday. On the day his team picked …
RELATED:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Dusty Baker urges MLB to protect Astros from beanballs, retaliation — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Houston manager Dusty Baker urged Major League Baseball to help protect his players from potential retaliation and to discipline opponents who hit Astros players with pitches because they're angry …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
Reds' Trevor Bauer calls Astros hypocrites and cheaters — MLB, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds — Outspoken Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer didn't mince words when asked his opinion Friday about the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. — “I'm not going to let them forget …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Associated Press
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
NL MVP Cody Bellinger says Astros' Jose Altuve stole 2017 AL MVP from Aaron Judge — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Cody Bellinger, the reigning National League MVP, didn't hold back when commenting about the Houston Astros' sign-stealing methods and ensuing apologies on Friday morning …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet.ca, New Jersey Online, MLB Trade Rumors and Pinstripe Alley
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
What to make of Houston Astros owner Jim Crane's public (non-)apology — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Houston Astros owner Jim Crane's latest attempt at damage control blew up in spectacular fashion Thursday. In the span of 27 minutes at a news conference, he claimed his team's routine cheating during …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Lookout Landing, Houston Press, Bleacher Nation and MLB Daily Dish
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Former Astros outfielders J.D. Davis, Jake Marisnick apologize for their roles in the sign-stealing scandal — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — It's not going away. — Not now. — Not by the end of spring training. — Perhaps not the entire season. — It was Day 3 of spring training Friday …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Aroldis Chapman calls Jose Altuve's 2019 actions ‘suspicious’
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Sports Illustrated
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
AJ Hinch: ‘I Am Not Aware’ That Astros Used Buzzers to Communicate Stolen Signs
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
Jim Salisbury / NBCSports.com:
Phillies reliever David Robertson blasts cheating Houston Astros
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Los Angeles Times, Phillies Nation and New York Post
ESPN:
Report: Kevin Pillar agrees to 1-year, $4M deal with Red Sox — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a deal with free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar, according to The Boston Globe. — The newspaper reports it's a one-year, $4 million deal that could become official as soon as this weekend if Pillar passes his physical.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and Associated Press
RELATED:
Joon Lee / ESPN:
Dustin Pedroia's knee still sore, will not report to Red Sox on Monday
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and NESN.com
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Inside Mets' offseason pursuits of Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, AM New York, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Thornton McEnery / New York Post:
Alex Rodriguez emerges as potential Mets buyer — If anyone thought the soap opera sale of the New York Mets couldn't get any crazier after the Steve Cohen debacle, they were A-Rod levels of wrong. — According to multiple sources, the newest name to emerge as a potential suitor to buy the Mets is none other than Alex Rodriguez.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Lookout Landing, NBCSports.com, New York Mets on Yahoo! …, MLB Trade Rumors and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
AP Exclusive: MLB raises salaries for minor leaguers in 2021 — NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is raising the minimum salary for minor league players in 2021, according to a memo sent Friday from the commissioner's office to all 30 teams and obtained by The Associated Press.
Discussion:
Purple Row, Bleacher Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mitch Haniger Undergoes Surgery — Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger underwent surgery on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. It's the second procedure Haniger has undergone since he had core surgery three weeks ago. It's unclear when he'll be able to come back, but there will be a significant delay …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lookout Landing
RELATED:
David Brandt / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Second helping of Marte gives D-backs lineup another boost — Starling Marte has fond memories of his eight seasons with the — Pittsburgh Pirates, especially the stretch from 2013 to 2015 when the franchise made it to the playoffs three straight seasons.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mike Clevinger To Undergo Knee Surgery — Indians ace Mike Clevinger is slated to undergo surgery to repair a partial tear of the medial meniscus in his left knee, reports Zack Meisel of The Athletic (Twitter link). Clevinger has been on crutches after sustaining the injury while training earlier this week.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Let's Go Tribe
