Top News:
Sam Fortier / Washington Post:
Hate them all you want, but the Astros could be back in the World Series — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — What could be one of the final hand grenades in the spring training war of words landed in the middle of Dusty Baker's news conference Tuesday. The Houston Astros manager heard how …
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Associated Press:
Manfred apologizes for calling WS trophy a “piece of metal” — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”
Discussion:
Denver Post and NBCSports.com
Bradford William Davis / New York Daily News:
MLBPA disputes Rob Manfred's claims of player non-cooperation in Astros sign-stealing probe — On Tuesday evening, the MLB Player's Association disputed league commissioner Rob Manfred's claim that the union threatened not to comply with the league's probe on illegal sign-stealing.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, baseballmusings.com and New York Post
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Rob Manfred apologizes for calling World Series trophy a ‘piece of metal’
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca, Houston Astros on Yahoo! … and MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Disciplining Astros not as easy for MLB as Altuve revealing a tattoo
Discussion:
The Athletic, New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
David Purdum / ESPN:
Sportsbooks expect Astros hitters to be targeted often this season
Discussion:
MLive.com and New York Post
Jenna West / Sports Illustrated:
Nick Markakis Rips Astros: ‘Every Single Guy Over There Needs A Beating’
Discussion:
ESPN, NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun-Times:
After meeting with Theo Epstein, Kris Bryant expects to remain a Cub all season — Bryant, who has two years left of club control after losing his grievance over service-time manipulation, was made available in trade since the end of last season. GM Jed Hoyer backed Bryant's expectations.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Bryant becomes Cubs' newest leadoff hitter — MESA, Ariz. — After Kris Bryant wrapped up his opening press conference of the spring, a discussion that lasted more than a half-hour with Chicago media on Saturday morning, the slugger headed back into the clubhouse. — Bryant was then greeted by manager David Ross.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Cubs News
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Will it be Wong or Edman? Fowler or Carp? Cardinals begin search for their leading man — JUPITER, Fla. — For all the rhetoric expended and hands wrung over the Cardinals' lack of a veteran cleanup man to drive in runs, the issue of who might be scoring those runs sometimes is overlooked.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Kevin Acee / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres, Red Sox still talking about deal involving Wil Myers — After attempt to land Mookie Betts failed, Padres still talking to Red Sox about sending Wil Myers, others to Boston — While Padres General Manager A.J. Preller did make significant upgrades all around the roster …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Royals Review, MLB Trade Rumors and Over the Monster
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Marly Rivera / ESPN:
New York Mets' Dellin Betances starts new chapter in same city — If there was one point in time when New York's own Dellin Betances made it clear that he was in Major League Baseball to stay, it was on May 15, 2014 at Citi Field. As a 26-year-old reliever for the New York Yankees …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Claim Andrew Velazquez, Designate Richard Urena — The Orioles have claimed utilityman Andrew Velazquez off waivers from the Indians, per a club announcement. To create roster space, the team designated fellow infielder Richard Urena. — Velazquez, a 25-year-old switch-hitter, has only minimal MLB experience.
Discussion:
Camden Chat, School of Roch and MLB Baseball News …
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants to go beyond MLB and raise minor-league pay in 2020, help with housing — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Players in Giants camp who fail to make the team and get sent to the minors surely will be disappointed, but they will have a salve: a higher salary and a new housing allowance.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Fish Stripes and McCovey Chronicles
Associated Press:
Crowd-seeking Rays come up with win-win-win free ticket plan — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are offering fans a win-win-win-win proposition. — Trying to draw bigger crowds to barren Tropicana Field, the Rays came up with a crowd-pleasing ticket plan Wednesday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Pirates' Pablo Reyes banned 80 games for positive drug test — Pablo Reyes was suspended 80 games on Wednesday under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone. — He became the second player in three days suspended for Boldenone …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
