Top News:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's Mike Fiers says he's received death threats, plans to keep Astros ring — MESA, Ariz. — Mike Fiers acknowledged Thursday that he has received threats of physical violence since his public comments ignited MLB's investigation into the Astros' cheating scandal, but he's not overly concerned.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, The Athletic, Union-News, MLB Baseball News …, New York Post, USA Today and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
ESPN:
Pennsylvania Little League district to drop ‘Astros’ — Just 60 miles east of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, one Little League director is sending a clear message to his 4,000 players about the Houston Astros and their sign stealing. — Jose Altuve? Alex Bregman? Carlos Correa? They're all out.
Discussion:
Slate, MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Rob Manfred apologizes for calling World Series trophy a ‘piece of metal’
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Pinstripe Alley, Houston Astros on Yahoo! … and Sportsnet.ca
Bradford William Davis / New York Daily News:
MLBPA disputes Rob Manfred's claims of player non-cooperation in Astros sign-stealing probe
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score, baseballmusings.com and New York Post
MLB Trade Rumors:
Luis Severino Shut Down Due To Forearm Discomfort — In yet another bit of troubling injury news for Yankees fans, manager Aaron Boone revealed Thursday that right-hander Luis Severino is experiencing forearm soreness that dates all the way back to his final ALCS appearance in 2019 (Twitter links via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch).
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
Yankees shut down Luis Severino with forearm soreness — TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees seem to have picked up where they left off last season on the injury front, with pitcher Luis Severino joining the list of players dealing with ailments this spring training.
Associated Press:
Yankees' Severino frustrated by being shut down again — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino says it is “definitely frustrating” to be shut down in spring training for the second consecutive year.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Hector Neris, Phillies agree to $4.6M deal, avoid arbitration hearing — PHOENIX — Reliever Hector Neris avoided a salary arbitration hearing with the Philadelphia Phillies by agreeing to a $4.6 million, one-year contract. — The deal reached Thursday night includes a $7 million team option for 2021 with no buyout.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and The Good Phight
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Win Arbitration Hearing Against J.T. Realmuto — The Phillies won their arbitration hearing against catcher J.T. Realmuto, tweets MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. He'll earn the $10MM salary figure the team submitted for his final season of club control.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Talking Chop and Phillies Nation
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Bryce Harper has no regrets entering Year 2 with Phillies: ‘Just so happy to be here’ — CLEARWATER, Fla. — There were no TV trucks with reporters breathlessly filming his arrival. — There weren't throngs of fans screaming at the first sight of him. — Oh, how life has changed at Philadelphia Phillies spring training camp.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, New York Post and NESN.com
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Rick Porcello is focused on having tunnel vision this year, starting with his Mets debut — PORT ST. LUCIE — Rick Porcello doesn't have to wait long to show the Mets that he's moved past his miserable 2019 campaign. — The Mets have slotted the free agent acquisition to open …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Dan Szymborski / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Obscenely Early ZiPS Projected Standings — Naturally, once the ZiPS elves have finished baking the ZiPS, the first thing I want to do — at least after actually getting some sleep — is to crank out some ZiPS projected standings. So let's wrap up ZiPS Week (I'm possibly the only person calling …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, Amazin' Avenue and U.S.S. Mariner
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Claim Taylor Williams, Designate Phillips Valdez — The Mariners have claimed reliever Taylor Williams off waivers from the Brewers, per a club announcement. The Seattle org designated fellow 28-year-old righty Phillips Valdez to create roster space.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
‘Field of Dreams’ movie site off limits to fans in week leading into New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox game — If you're hoping to visit the Field of Dreams movie site the week of Major League Baseball's game between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, well, you better have a ticket.
Discussion:
Chicago Sun-Times
