Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB salaries 2018: A 3.5% raise for average major leaguer - but future commitments dipping — TORONTO - The free-agent market was a dud this winter, leaving Major League Baseball players and their agents seething. — Ultimately, baseball's average salary compared to 2017 amounted to a cost-of-living bump …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Judge and Stanton eager to get started as Yankees teammates — TORONTO — After a winter of waiting, the New York Yankees are ready to roll with two of baseball's best sluggers. — Aaron Judge and newcomer Giancarlo Stanton will bat second and third when the Yankees open against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
Discussion:
ESPN
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Tampa Bay Rays hope modest investment in Nathan Eovaldi pays big — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In the 2006-17 offseason, Nathan Eovaldi was coming off a year in which he yielded a career-worst 4.76 ERA and sustained two serious elbow injuries, requiring his second Tommy John surgery.
J.P. Hoornstra / Orange County Register:
Freeway Series finale leaves a stench as sewer water floods Dodger Stadium — LOS ANGELES — At 8:57 p.m. Tuesday, a small pool of liquid appeared on the dirt warning track just beyond the third-base dugout at Dodger Stadium. The smell of raw sewage began to permeate the air.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Daily News and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
RELATED:
Andy McCullough / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Dodgers' Toles is optioned to minors — LOS ANGELES — In one of the final moves in constructing their opening-day roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers optioned outfielder Andrew Toles to triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, clearing a path for outfielder Joc Pederson and utility man Kyle Farmer to occupy the last two spots on the bench.
Jill Painter Lopez / Associated Press:
Dodgers designate OF Trayce Thompson for assignment
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs not taking Marlins, or any team, for granted — Chicago Tribune — The Marlins may have as many as a dozen players participating in opening-day festivities for the first time. — Their No. 2 starter, Caleb Smith, was a Rule 5 pick whom the Cubs returned to the Yankees last spring.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Smooth sailing ahead for the Cubs — at least until October
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone feeling relaxed despite enormous expectations as his first season as Yankees manager begins — TORONTO — Aaron Boone believes he is ready to embark on being only the third manager to hold that title for the Yankees over the past 23 seasons, after they'd infamously gone through 20 dugout changes …
Discussion:
USA Today
RELATED:
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Despite lofty expectations, Aaron Judge says he feels no pressure
Discussion:
Washington Post
John Healy / New York Daily News:
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner says Aaron Judge could be even better, ‘disappointed’ in Greg Bird injury
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Yankees in brew-haha over beer foam fiasco
Discussion:
The Comeback, Sporting News and Boston Globe
Associated Press:
Mets promote Tebow to Double-A after spring training slump — NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Tebow has been promoted to Double-A after going 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts in big league spring training for the New York Mets. — The Mets said Wednesday that the outfielder has been assigned to start the season at Binghamton of the Eastern League.
RELATED:
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Matt Harvey's renewed confidence and coaching changes among reasons to feel good about Mets entering Opening Day — The hot-take reaction to hearing Matt Harvey say the Mets are going to “shock a lot of people” this season is easy: how about proving you can be a decent major-league starter again …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets have discussed adding reliever Greg Holland, according to sources — The Mets may have one big more up their sleeve. — The team has recently discussed adding free agent closer Greg Holland, according to sources. Holland is the top remaining free agent pitcher.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets have had discussions about signing reliever Greg Holland — The Mets have had initial internal discussions about reliever Greg Holland, a free agent who has yet to sign a contract on the eve of Opening Day. The Mets feel he would be a good fit for their bullpen, but they are not close to making a deal.
Associated Press:
Phillies eager for opening day, Braves hopes on hold — ATLANTA — The Philadelphia Phillies are eager to get started on a new, winning era. — For the Atlanta Braves, opening day still feels like it's a few weeks away. — The NL East rivals begin the season Thursday at 2-year-old SunTrust Park …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and ESPN
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Phillies' Jake Arrieta says no soreness after second spring training start — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jake Arrieta felt fine after his second spring training start with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that was more important than the mediocre results. — Arrieta allowed 4 runs …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Amazin' Avenue, Talking Chop, Phillies Nation and Philly.com
Dan Bickley / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Jeff Mathis sits at his locker. A white tube sock covers his right hand. He is rubbing oil into every nook and calloused corner of his catcher's mitt. His brow is furrowed and his commitment seems absurd, like a car collector waxing his Lamborghini.
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — The last time the Diamondbacks played a game …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
5 things Rangers fans need to know about the Houston Astros ahead of opening day 2018 — Five things to know about the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros, who open a four-game series against the Rangers on Thursday at Globe Life Park: — 1. The Astros won the season series with the Rangers at 12-7 last year.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cardinals Designate Josh Lucas, Breyvic Valera — The Cardinals have designated righty Josh Lucas and infielder Breyvic Valera, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). That'll open space on the 40-man for the team to select the contracts of reliever Jordan Hicks and catcher Francisco Pena.
RELATED:
Nick Faris / Toronto Sun:
How the bobblehead became a beloved symbol of baseball season — There is probably no better indicator of how surprisingly good Justin Smoak was in 2017 than the fact he was selected to be a bobblehead this year — As he walked to work on a bright, subzero morning in Toronto last week …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Nick Stellini / Sporting News:
Why the Blue Jays could be a factor in the 2018 playoff race
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and Bluebird Banter
Evan Grossman / New York Daily News:
Mike Francesa and Chris Russo reunite, take digs at WFAN: 'There'll be nobody on WFAN before you know it' — Mike and the Mad Dog poked fun at their struggling former employer Wednesday. — Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, appearing side-by-side on Russo's “High Heat” show on MLB Network …
Chelsea Janes / Chicago Tribune:
Nationals' Bryce Harper is about to step into the storm that's been brewing his entire life — The Washington Post — One Sunday morning a few years ago, in the well-worn clubhouse at Turner Field, Bryce Harper sat on the edge of the black leather rolling chair at his locker and looked around the near-empty room.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times and Bleacher Nation
Associated Press:
Rays' Eovaldi to have arthroscopic surgery on pitching elbow — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has loose bodies in his pitching elbow and will undergo arthroscopic surgery. — The 28-year-old right-hander, expected to be part of the Rays rotation after recovering …
