Top News:
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Sign Pete Mackanin To New Extension — The Phillies have announced that manager Pete Mackanin has been signed to a new contract that will cover the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The deal also includes a club option for 2018. — This fresh contract overwrites the extension Mackanin received …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Yahoo Sports
RELATED:
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies reward manager Pete Mackanin with new contract — CLEARWATER, Fla. — In a sign of faith for the manager who will preside over a rebuilding team, the Phillies have redone Pete Mackanin's contract before his first full season even started. — Mackanin was rewarded with some job security.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Associated Press:
D-backs seek Chase Field upgrades, threaten to sue or leave — PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are threatening to sue Maricopa County and leave downtown Phoenix unless their ballpark is upgraded. — In a letter to county officials Thursday, the Diamondbacks say the county has failed …
RELATED:
Craig Harris / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks: 'Repair Chase Field or we'll leave' — The Arizona Diamondbacks notified Maricopa County that the team wants to “take such actions as it deems necessary in order to move and play Diamondbacks baseball games in a location other than Chase Field,” citing the county's failure …
Discussion:
South Side, Talking Chop, Bless You Boys, MLB Trade Rumors, AZ Snake Pit and Bleacher Report
Nick Martin / Washington Post:
After three years in prison, Rangers' Matt Bush has rare shot at redemption — Pitcher Matt Bush tossed two innings of scoreless ball in the Cactus League for the Texas Rangers Wednesday, a fact that for most other pitchers would signify a fine day on the mound and not much else.
Discussion:
USA Today
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Release Neal Cotts — The Astros have released lefty Neal Cotts, the club announced. Cotts was in camp on a minor league deal that contained an opt-out for March 26 if he wasn't on Houston's MLB roster. — The release is something of an unfortunate birthday present for Cotts …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings and The Crawfish Boxes
Plain Dealer:
How Tyler Naquin added muscle, pop this off-season: Cleveland Indians briefing — Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin watches the flight of his home run in the fourth inning Wednesday against Kansas City at Goodyear Ballpark. It was Naquin's second homer of the game. (Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press)
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Let's Go Tribe and Minor League Ball
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Angels Notes: Another setback stops C.J. Wilson's rehab — TEMPE, Ariz. - C.J. Wilson's slowdown has now ground to a halt. — Wilson has stopped throwing entirely, and he is not expected to pick up a ball for another eight to 10 days, Manager Mike Scioscia said Friday.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and MLB Trade Rumors
Miguel Cabrera / ESPN:
Miggy, Aroldis among the players ranked too high in BBTN 100 — Over the weekend, I discussed eight players that I felt should have made our Baseball Tonight top 100 players, otherwise known as the BBTN 100. Now I'm going to look at the flip side, those players ranked too high on our list …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News
Tegna / KUSA-TV:
RGIII joins Browns as Broncos wait out Kaepernick … FORT LAUDERDALE - By itself, the Robert Griffin III contract agreement with the Cleveland Browns had no impact on the quarterback situation in Denver. — RGIII became the Browns' new backup quarterback after it became evident the Broncos …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, NESN.com and The Big Lead
Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Royals' newcomers marvel at great team chemistry — Several have noted how players genuinely care for one anotherand root for their success — They believe that is a key to the team's success, and manager Ned Yost agrees — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Left-hander David Huff was talking recently …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Diamondbacks' middle infield competition is going even better than they'd hoped — The competition for the Diamondbacks' middle-infield positions is going even better than the team anticipated. — Jean Segura entered Thursday batting .525 with a 1.312 OPS. Nick Ahmed wasn't far behind, batting .422 with a 1.146 OPS.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors