Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
In LaRoche-White Sox flap, Kenny Williams acted on behalf of others, too — PHOENIX - Now, do we really think Chicago White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams acted alone here, going out of his way to alienate his own team and have one of its most popular players abruptly quit in anger?
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, South Side Sox, The Athletic and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Adam LaRoche / TwitLonger:
TwitLonger — Given the suddenness of my departure and the stir it has caused in both the media and the clubhouse, I feel it's necessary to provide my perspective. — Over the last five years, with both the Nationals and the White Sox, I have been given the opportunity to have my son with me in the clubhouse.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Chris Sale on Adam LaRoche flap: ‘We were lied to’ by White Sox management — PHOENIX - Chicago White Sox players accused executive vice president Ken Williams of lying to them Friday, and have demanded a meeting with chairman Jerry Reinsdorf over the retirement of teammate Adam LaRoche.
Discussion:
BostonGlobe.com, Bleacher Report and True Blue LA
Tampa Bay Times:
Rays have strict rules about kids in the clubhouse — PORT CHARLOTTE — The vitriolic clash that disrupted White Sox camp over how much time Adam LaRoche's son could spend in the clubhouse shouldn't happen to the Rays. — After taking over last year, manager Kevin Cash and team leaders worked …
ESPN:
Chris Sale says White Sox were lied to, derailing team's momentum — With two Adam LaRoche jerseys hanging at his locker — one signed by LaRoche's son, Drake — Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale said Friday that he and his teammates were lied to by executive vice president Kenny Williams.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Athletics Nation and baseballmusings.com
Star Tribune:
Reusse: Big Papi looks back on his career ‘... the Twins treated me bad’ — David Ortiz opens up about his departure from Minnesota and his decision to retire after this season in Boston. — FORT MYERS, FLA. - David Ortiz was having lunch at a table outside the Boston Red Sox spring training clubhouse.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Twinkie Town and Al's Ramblings
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Chone Figgins Retires — Chone Figgins has officially announced his retirement, as per an Angels press release. He will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Halos tomorrow in order to leave baseball in the same uniform in which he spent eight of his 12 MLB seasons.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs banking ‘grenade’ in Jon Lester's elbow won't go off — MESA, Ariz. - The Cubs bet $155 million that it won't disrupt their big plans for October the next few years. — And Jon Lester seems confident it will remain the “non-issue” it has been for much of his career …
Discussion:
The Athletic, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Report and Bleacher Nation
Toronto Sun:
SPORTS BLUE JAYS — DUNEDIN, Fla. — He sits two lockers from the wall. — On the concrete behind him is a massive, wallpaper-like mural of the post, post-game celebration from Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sept. 30, 2015. — Players are wearing eye goggles around their necks and heads …
Discussion:
JaysNation, Toronto and MLB Trade Rumors
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Release Logan Schafer — Here are today's minor moves from around the league. — The Nationals have announced that they've released outfielder Logan Schafer. (They also reassigned infielder Jason Martinson to the minors.) The Nats had signed Schafer to a minor-league deal in November.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
ESPN:
By mulling shifting McCutchen, the Pirates are re-thinking big — CLEARWATER, Fla. — You may have heard this week that the Pittsburgh Pirates are thinking about moving Andrew McCutchen up to the No. 2 hole in their lineup. OK, that's totally true. Nevertheless, it isn't totally accurate.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Nationals pitcher Bronson Arroyo says he has torn rotator cuff — Washington Nationals pitcher Bronson Arroyo told MASN on Thursday that his rotator cuff is “significantly torn.” — He said the injury is not a torn labrum, as had been reported on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Fox Sports and Baseball Essential
