D-Backs Avoid Arbitration With Addison Reed  —  The number of unsettled arbitration cases is rapidly winding down, but there are still a handful to be resolved.  We'll keep track of today's minor settlements here, with all projections coming via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz...

Rangers' new skipper preparing to bring the franchise back into playoff contention  —  Rangers GM Jon Daniels and manager Jeff Banister talk about the team's need to establish an identity during Spring Training  —  ARLINGTON — Manager Jeff Banister was one of the featured speakers …

Left Out  —  A bunch of 12-year-old kids had their hearts broken this week.  Jackie Robinson West, a team from Chicago's South Side, won the U.S. title at the 2014 Little League World Series.  They achieved their dream in dramatic fashion.  I remember watching their pitcher give …

Manager's nephew, former Phillie have Major League experience  —  9/7/13: With his back turned, Josh Roenicke stops an Adam Lind comebacker that goes between his legs, throwing to first for the out  —  MILWAUKEE — The nephew of Brewers manager Ron Roenicke and a former Phillie …

Report: MLB could shrink strike zone in 2016  —  With offense on the decline and strikeouts at an all-time high, major league baseball is looking into shrinking the strike zone, according to a Yahoo Sports report.  —  Any formal rules change would have to be approved by baseball's Playing Rules Committee.

Pioneering Toronto Star baseball writer Alison Gordon dead at 72  —  Gordon, who covered the Blue Jays for the Star from 1979 to 1984, was Major League Baseball's first female beat writer.  —  Alison Gordon, shown here in 2001, was the Toronto Star's Blue Jays' beat writer from 1979-84.

Right-hander appeared in 14 games for independent league T-Bones in 2014  —  Alex Gordon's younger brother, Derek, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, was signed from the Kansas City T-Bones.  —  KANSAS CITY — Left fielder Alex Gordon will have a very familiar face hanging around Spring Training this year.

It's Official _ All-Star Game to Be Played in Miami in 2017  —  MIAMI — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made it official Friday — the Miami Marlins will host the 2017 All-Star Game.  —  Manfred's announcement came at a news conference at Marlins Park.  Among those attending were Gov. Rick Scott …

Pitcher's revised plan included mixing in high fastball  —  Adam Ottavino discusses the importance of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez to the Rockies and the challenges of playing at Coors Field  —  DENVER — The metrics tell Rockies right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino to go for the high hard one.

Yadier Alvarez Emerges While Other Cubans Move Closer to Deals  —  I returned a few days ago from a three-day trip to the Dominican to see top July 2nd prospects (more on that in the coming weeks) and also a workout that had 18 Cuban players in it.  Two of those 18 were big-time prospects …

Joe Blanton Signs Minor League Deal With Royals  —  10:40am: The Royals have announced the signing, noting that Blanton will be in Major League Spring Training.  Heyman adds that Blanton can receive $3MM worth of incentives, and his contract contains opt-out clauses on April 1 and May 15.