Top News:
USA Today:
MLB bold predictions: 6 scenarios for the 2018 season as Opening Day looms — Call it tanking, if you must. Or “cyclical player business,” as Commissioner Rob Manfred prefers, or “non-competitive cancer,” as agent Scott Boras says. Either way, some one-third of Major League Baseball teams are …
Discussion:
Purple Row
RELATED:
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: A Kingery's Ransom — Scott Kingery received a couple of guarantees on Sunday. — One was a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster. The other was even more noteworthy. — The team and one of its top prospects agreed to a six-year, $24 million deal Sunday …
David Murphy / Philly.com:
1) The risk is absurdly low — Let's start with the worst-case scenario. Kingery steps into the box for his first big-league at-bat and prompts a gasp from members of the Phillies front office as they realize he is holding the bat the wrong way. He hits the disabled list with shoulder soreness …
Kevin Acee / sandiegouniontribune.com:
Padres' Dinelson Lamet expected to miss ‘minimal time’ with elbow pain
Padres' Dinelson Lamet expected to miss ‘minimal time’ with elbow pain
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
Bob Brookover / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Scott Kingery gets six-year, $24 million contract, plus a Phillies roster spot
Scott Kingery gets six-year, $24 million contract, plus a Phillies roster spot
Discussion:
Associated Press
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? Six big-picture themes that will shape the 2018 season
Real or not? Six big-picture themes that will shape the 2018 season
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Phillies prospect Scott Kingery makes team, gets long-term deal
Phillies prospect Scott Kingery makes team, gets long-term deal
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and MLB Baseball News …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Injuries to Wainwright, Gregerson spark questions about pitchers sprinting — St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and pitcher Luke Gregerson during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com — • Adam Wainwright is 36 years old.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Cueto pitches Giants past A's 5-1 in Bay Bridge game — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Considering the state of the San Francisco rotation, the Giants were hoping to see something positive from Johnny Cueto. — And Cueto delivered in his final start of spring training.
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dusty Baker reuniting with San Francisco Giants — The San Francisco Giants are getting the band back together. — The Giants are expected to announce the hiring of former manager Dusty Baker to be a special advisor to Giants CEO Larry Baer where he will also report to executive vice president Brian Sabean.
Associated Press:
Maeda stays aggressive as Dodgers win at Angel Stadium — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Kenta Maeda finished last season pitching aggressively and effectively out of the Dodgers' bullpen. — Los Angeles hoped that might carry over in 2018. With the regular season quickly approaching, the club might get its wish.
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Dodgers' futility ongoing — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have spread the gospel of baseball more than any other franchise, providing platforms for the likes of Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Hideo Nomo and Chan Ho Park. They have established the standard for pitching …
Associated Press:
Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray fans 12 with no walks in final spring training appearance — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Saying he isn't disappointed about being passed over as Arizona's Opening Day starter, Robbie Ray dominated a minor league game in his final spring training appearance on Sunday.
RELATED:
Craig Grialou / Arizona Sports:
D-backs' Tomas to focus on defense in Reno; Ray works on backfield
D-backs' Tomas to focus on defense in Reno; Ray works on backfield
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox's Jose Abreu is a student of the game and a student of life — Chicago Tribune — Jose Abreu propped his foot on a chair situated in front of his locker in the White Sox clubhouse at Camelback Ranch, leaned forward and rested his arms on his knee. — The slugger was getting into listening position.
RELATED:
Todd Rosiak / JSOnline:
Camp report: Brewers blown out by White Sox in Cactus League finale
Camp report: Brewers blown out by White Sox in Cactus League finale
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and South Side Sox
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Surprising Ji-Man Choi has turned heads with his hitting, personality
Surprising Ji-Man Choi has turned heads with his hitting, personality
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers hot questions: Will Miguel Cabrera ‘get right’ in 2018? — The beginning of the Major League Baseball season brings a new round of predictions. The Detroit Free Press' Anthony Fenech and George Sipple give their prognostications for the 2018 season. Wochit — CONNECT
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets 2018 projected lineup for opening day, starting rotation and who's in the hot seat — Mets daily recap with Mets beat writer Matt Ehalt Matt Ehalt/NorthJersey.com — The Mets open their season Thursday against the Cardinals. Here's a look at the lineup, rotation and players to keep an eye on.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Report: Ex-MLBer Albert Belle arrested for indecent exposure — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Former Major League Baseball All-Star Albert Belle has been arrested on indecent exposure and extreme driving under the influence charges following a spring training game in Arizona.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo sets his sights on doing even more for the Cubs — Chicago Tribune — Anthony Rizzo's 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame didn't stop him from batting leadoff for 14 games last season, and the Cubs first baseman said he would like to be more versatile in the field as well as at the plate.
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Will Joe Maddon's legacy include a second term as Cubs manager?
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
2001 Arizona Diamondbacks: Where are they now? … Three years after being granted an expansion franchise by Major League Baseball and its owners - a monumental task for Jerry Colangelo and his partnership group that at times turned contentious during meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla. …
RELATED:
Maury Brown / Forbes:
The Fragile Economics Between MLB, The Minors And The Minimum Wage Exemption — As the sun peers out from behind winter's cold stare, ballparks around the country will begin their annual hum. Mammoth ballparks will host the best players in Major League Baseball, while thousands of others …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Viva El Birdos