A Very Simple Fix for the Qualifying Offer  —  Yesterday, Dexter Fowler re-signed with the Cubs, taking $13 million for one year, or $2.8 million less than he would have made had he accepted the qualifying offer back at the beginning of free agency.  Along with Yovani Gallardo and Howie Kendrick …

Indians' Abraham Almonte Suspended 80 Games For Failed PED Test  —  The Indians announced today that center fielder Abraham Almonte has received an 80-game suspension from Major League Baseball after testing positive for a banned substance (Boldenone, per a statement from MLB).

Mets manager Terry Collins says new MLB rule dangerous for infielders  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Terry Collins, an old middle infielder, was just hearing about Major League Baseball's new slide rule at second base, and with it what amounts to an abolishment of the neighborhood play.

Cubs sign Shane Victorino to minor league deal  —  The Cubs have signed veteran outfielder Shane Victorino to a minor league contract with a invitation to spring training.  —  Victorino, 35, has a lifetime .275 major league batting average in 10 seasons.  Victorino batted .294 in 122 games …

Mets' Matt Harvey has slider moving again after ‘Tommy John hangover’ in 2015 … STORY  —  Cespedes' tricked-out Jeep ‘like a spaceship’  —  STORY  —  Mets' Tejada praises new ‘takeout’ rule  —  STORY  —  Syndergaard locked in with nasty BP stuff … Mets  —  Scenes from Mets spring training

Vin Scully Says He Wouldn't Vote Pete Rose Into Hall of Fame  —  LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully says he wouldn't vote Pete Rose into baseball's Hall of Fame.  —  The 88-year-old Scully discusses Rose in an interview for the upcoming March issue of AARP Bulletin, released Friday to The Associated Press.

Teacher files lawsuit, saying 13-year-old student beat, bullied her … LOVELAND, Colo. — A Colorado teacher is speaking out after she says she was beaten and bullied by her own student, and prohibited by her superiors from reporting the abuse.  —  “I was told that was my job …

Organization Talent Rankings Prioritize Impact  —  The Jays should have ranked higher in our 2013 talent rankings with Noah Syndergaard (Photo by Mike Janes)  —  The issue that went to press Thursday features Baseball America's Organization Talent Rankings, a fitting conclusion to our prospect coverage.

Russell Okung: Return to Seahawks is ‘very possible’  —  SEATTLE — On Thursday night, Seattle Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung launched his GREATER foundation, which aims to connect underserved students to the technology community.  —  A month from now, he could be on a team in another city.

Shooting reported at Excel Industries in Hesston  —  HESSTON, Kan. - Law enforcement officers are responding to the scene of a workplace shooting at Excel Industries in Hesston with reports of multiple fatalities and others wounded.  —  KSN has confirmed there are two individuals who were pronounced dead …

JCPenney Emphasizes Customer Value with Launch of “Get Your Penney's Worth”  —  “Penney Days” entices customers to shop private brand products for one penny