Top News:
ESPN:
New York Mets and All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor agree to 10-year, $341 million deal, source says — The New York Mets and shortstop Francisco Lindor have agreed to a 10-year, $341 million deal, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Wednesday. — Lindor's deal will be the third largest based …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB | NBC Sports
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso wants Mets to open the checkbook for Francisco Lindor: 'Pay him 400′ million — Francisco Lindor received a polar bear-sized endorsement - his biggest one yet - from a teammate who wants the Mets to open their checkbook and give the shortstop whatever he wants.
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB Baseball News … and New York Post
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Francisco Lindor rejects 10-year, $325 million offer Mets call ‘best and final’ — The Mets have made their “best and final offer” for Francisco Lindor, according to a source. But it's well below the shortstop's asking price. — The team offered Lindor a long-term deal to stay in New York for 10 years …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post and Deadspin
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Francisco Lindor contract watch continues as Mets and shortstop swap offers — Mets spring training is over. Francisco Lindor Contract Extension Watch 2021 is not. — With about two days left until the Lindor-imposed deadline for the sides to agree to a deal, Lindor and the Mets remained far apart …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, New York Post, MLB Baseball News … and Amazin' Avenue
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
The $1 billion quintet: Breaking down MLB's epic free agent shortstop class
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
2021 MLB season preview: Power rankings, best (and worst) case and most exciting player for all 30 teams — After a shortened 60-game schedule in 2020, Major League Baseball returns to a full 162-game season in 2021. — The Los Angeles Dodgers ruled last year's unusual campaign …
Discussion:
Washingtonian and Sports Illustrated
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Thomas Harrigan / MLB.com:
Experts pick 2021 division winners, champion — Although there were many twists and turns in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the year ended with a result that wasn't all that surprising, as the Dodgers won the World Series. It was a finish our prognosticators saw coming before Opening Day.
Discussion:
Mets News, NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News … and Twinkie Town
Jackie Bradley Jr / The Players' Tribune:
Dear Red Sox Nation — Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images — As a 21-year-old entering the 2011 draft, I could never have imagined how the next 10 years would unfold. — But I know now that I'll never forget them. — My journey started like it does for many young Red Sox prospects: in Lowell with the Spinners.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Boston Herald and MLB Baseball News …
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Ian Browne / Red Sox News:
Barnes' test a ‘non-infectious positive’
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and Boston Herald
Associated Press:
Umpire Angel Hernandez loses race discrimination lawsuit against MLB — NEW YORK — Umpire Angel Hernandez lost his lawsuit against Major League Baseball alleging racial discrimination. — The Cuba-born Hernandez sued in 2017 in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, with the case later moved to New York.
The Ringer:
The New Baseball Still Seems Juiced — MLB is debuting a ball this season that's supposed to decrease the distance of deep fly balls and by extension, quite possibly the volume of home runs. Yet the data from spring training appear to tell a different story. — SHARE All sharing options
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and U.S.S. Mariner
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
At 21, Fernando Tatis Jr. already carries the ‘Face of Baseball’ label, even as MLB aims to diversify the field — For all its modernization, baseball remains the most deliberate of pastimes, where patience is rewarded, seven-month sample sizes outflank isolated moments of brilliance …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Major League Baseball relaxing COVID-19 protocols for fully vaccinated players, staff — PHOENIX — Major League Baseball is getting back to normal. Players can now travel with their families. They can go to restaurants. They can play cards and move around on planes and buses.
Discussion:
ESPN and Sports Illustrated
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen is the subject of a new ‘House Hunters’ episode — Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen is used to being behind the microphone. Not in front of the camera. — “I'm a face for radio as people like to say,” Cohen jokes. — Cohen and girlfriend Tessa Chen …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
