Top News:
TMZ.com:
O.J. Simpson — Buried Knife Found at O.J.'s Estate — A construction worker found a knife buried on the perimeter of the former O.J. Simpson estate ... and it's currently being tested by the LAPD in a top secret investigation ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ. — The story is incredible.
Discussion:
CBS Cleveland, CBS Chicago, KFOR-TV, FOX31 Denver, NESN.com and Fox News Insider, more at WeSmirch »
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant, Cubs agree to $652,000 contract — The Chicago Cubs and third baseman Kris Bryant, the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year, agreed to a one-year, $652,000 contract. — Bryant will receive a raise of more than $145,000 - a substantial amount considering he has less than one full year of major league service time.
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Yahoo Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers To Sign Franklin Morales To Minors Deal — The Brewers have struck a minor league pact with lefty Franklin Morales, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). He'll receive an invitation to big league camp in the deal. — Morales had a quietly excellent season last year …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Franco Homers for 2nd Straight Day as Phils Top Braves 12-11 — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Maikel Franco hit his second home run in as many days, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 12-11 Friday. — Franco, among the young players the Phillies hope to rebuild around …
Associated Press:
Ortiz Debuts, Red Sox Beat Rays — FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz went 0 for 3 in his first exhibition game of his final spring training, a 7-2 victory by the Boston Red Sox over the Tampa Bay Rays. — Ortiz popped out in the first against Chris Archer, flied out in the fourth off Kyle McPherson …
Mark Shanahan / BostonGlobe.com:
Red Sox reporter Jessica Moran resigns amid questions about manager John Farrell — Jessica Moran, a reporter for Comcast SportsNet who covers the Red Sox, resigned from the network Friday amid questions about the nature of her relationship with the team's manager, John Farrell.
Discussion:
The Big Lead and Full Count
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Evidence presented regarding beloved pup in response to viral identity inquiry — PHOENIX — We now return you to your regularly scheduled conspiracy theories. Hank the Dog is alive and well. — The Brewers staged a tongue-in-cheek news conference in Milwaukee on Friday to dispel worries …
Discussion:
Cait Covers the Bases, Baseball Is Fun, Al's Ramblings and Washington Post
Associated Press:
Cy Young Winner Keuchel Focused on an Astros Championship — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Dallas Keuchel is proud to have won the Cy Young Award. Houston's ace won't be satisfied until he leads the Astros to a championship. — “I'm hungry just because the individual awards came but there was no ultimate team award,” Keuchel said.
Adam RubinESPN / ESPN:
Jacob deGrom rebuffs 2016 contract figure — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom declined to sign his 2016 contract in a protest over his assigned salary. — DeGrom has no recourse and will earn $607,000 this season. Because deGrom has not achieved enough major league service …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and Al's Ramblings
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Maicer Izturis Retires — Veteran second baseman Maicer Izturis announced his retirement from Major League Baseball at Blue Jays camp in Dunedin, Fla., this morning, per a club announcement. The 35-year-old had been in camp on a minor league deal but has now elected to call it a career.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Yahoo Sports
Wallace MatthewsESPN / ESPN:
Who is Hal Steinbrenner? — TAMPA, Fla. — I come in search of Hal Steinbrenner. — Physically, the man is not hard to find, just one floor up from the press box of the spring training home of the New York Yankees in a stadium that bears his father's name.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and NBCSports.com
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
Top 100 Prospects Position Rankings: Corner Outfielders — Now that we've wrapped up the Top 10 Prospects lists and The Top 100, we turn our attention to how the best of the best stack up against each other with our position rankings. — CORNER OUTFIELDERS
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball