Top News:
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — At Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla. — What happened: The Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1, in their Grapefruit League finale. ... Left-hander Matthew Boyd threw five solid innings. ... Cam Gibson was credited with the game-winning hit, a two-out RBI double in the top of the seventh inning. ...
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training confirms expectation for losing season
Detroit Tigers spring training confirms expectation for losing season
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Baseball Prospectus
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers 2018: Unsung players likely to contribute this season
Paul Newberry / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Yanks' Greg Bird has ankle surgery again, out 6-8 weeks — ATLANTA (AP) — Oft-injured New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird had surgery on his ailing right ankle and could be sidelined for nearly two months. — The Yankees said Tuesday's operation went as planned.
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John Harper / New York Daily News:
Yankees will stick with Tyler Austin-Neil Walker combo at first while waiting for Greg Bird to return, GM Brian Cashman says — Brian Cashman said Tuesday he has no plans to acquire anyone to play first base in Greg Bird's injury-related absence, as the Yankees will rely primarily …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Yankees have lowest payroll ranking since 1992 — NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are on track to open the season this week with baseball's seventh-highest payroll, their lowest ranking since 1992, according to projections by The Associated Press. — The Boston Red Sox will top …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and Boston Globe
RELATED:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Each year, the Nationals' characters change, but the expectations stay the same
Each year, the Nationals' characters change, but the expectations stay the same
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and MLB Daily Dish
Darren Hartwell / NESN.com:
Red Sox Set To Have MLB's Highest Payroll For First Time In Nearly 30 Years
Red Sox Set To Have MLB's Highest Payroll For First Time In Nearly 30 Years
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland says starters need to perform consistently — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —Dave Eiland marveled at the Mets pitching staff during the World Series in 2015 while he instructed Kansas City's hurlers. — Now, as the Mets' pitching coach, Eiland is equally as impressed …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com and MLB Baseball News …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Todd Frazier prepared to help bring swagger back to Mets — The swagger is coming back to Citi Field on Thursday. Todd Frazier knows the dynamic here. As a member of the crosstown rival Yankees, he knows what the Mets went through the last two years. The proud New Jersey native …
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mickey Callaway's keys to success in first season as Mets manager depends on pitchers
Mickey Callaway's keys to success in first season as Mets manager depends on pitchers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Aaron Judge switches equipment to Adidas from Under Armour — PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is switching his equipment supplier to Adidas from Under Armour. — Adidas said Tuesday it had agreed to a multiyear partnership with the AL Rookie of the Year, who set a rookie record with 52 home runs last season.
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Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Scott Kingery's deal is similar to one his idol signed a decade ago | Extra Innings — Scott Kingery grew up idolizing Dustin Pedroia, who starred at nearby Arizona State and was an undersized second baseman just like Kingery. Kingery saw himself in Pedroia, so it was fitting …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Phillies Nation
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Jill Painter Lopez / Associated Press:
Ohtani gets a hit, Angels beat Dodgers in Freeway exhibition — Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Enrique Hernandez, left, tags out Albert Pujols at second as Pujols tried to stretch a single into a double during the first inning of a preseason baseball game Monday, March 26, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, True Blue LA and Amazin' Avenue
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Jake Kaplan / The Athletic:
After spring experimenting, the Astros are prepared to use a four-man outfield shift in the regular season — A.J. Hinch probably won't try it at Minute Maid Park, where there isn't as much ground to cover in left field compared to most other ballparks. But on the road against left-handed pull hitters …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, ESPN, Bleacher Nation and MLB Baseball News …
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Joshua Koch / Associated Press:
Tucker hits slam in 1st Minute Maid AB as Astros top Brewers
Tucker hits slam in 1st Minute Maid AB as Astros top Brewers
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and The Crawfish Boxes
ESPN:
Top prospect Ronald Acuna rejects Braves' $30 million contract offer — Atlanta Braves top prospect Ronald Acuna recently rejected a $30 million contract extension offer from the team, a source told ESPN Deportes. — The deal would have been in the range of five to six years, the source told ESPN Deportes.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Talking Chop
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals decide Hicks is ready now, promote power pitcher for opening day — MONTREAL • The conversation started Sunday after hotshot rookie Jordan Hicks blistered through the Washington Nationals lineup in a sudden appearance no one expected him to make as recently as last week.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
In Montreal, Carpenter continues his nomadic finish to spring training — MONTREAL • The plan entering spring training was to get Matt Carpenter prepared for three positions, any of which he could play on any during the season. That plan changed when the Cardinals' No. 3 hitter was sidelined by back and shoulder issues.
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Marlins turn down $200G check from Marlins Man for season tickets: report — Marlins Man is no more in Miami. — For the first time since 1993, the orange-clad diehard fan of the now floundering baseball team will not have season tickets to Marlins games, after the team rejected his $200,000 check …
Discussion:
New York Post
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Phillies need pleasant surprises from these players to contend | David Murphy — If you are looking for a basis for optimism about this Phillies season, 2015 is a pertinent year. At the time, rebuilding projects in Houston and Chicago were at a juncture similar to the one the Phillies' is at now.
Associated Press:
Twins putting RHP Phil Hughes on DL to begin season — WASHINGTON — Minnesota Twins right-hander Phil Hughes is beginning the season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique. — Twins manager Paul Molitor said before an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday …
Tom Schad / USA Today:
White Sox rehire groundskeeper after wrongful conviction, more than 20 years in prison — A member of the Chicago White Sox groundskeeping crew returned to work Monday after being wrongfully convicted and spending more than two decades in prison. — Nevest Coleman was convicted in 1997 …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, MLB Baseball News …, South Side Sox, globalnews.ca and Chicago Tribune
ESPN:
Brad Boxberger named D-backs' closer; Archie Bradley to remain in multi-inning relief role — The Diamondbacks have named Brad Boxberger as their closer to start the season, meaning star right-hander Archie Bradley will remain in a multi-inning role in Arizona's bullpen.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …