Miami Marlins' president wants fans to give team a chance  —  MIAMI — The outfield grass at Marlins Park was a worn-out mess on Saturday, with those who arrived for the team's annual FanFest being greeted by signs reminding them that the turf will be replaced soon.

3 Detroit Tigers prospects to watch in spring training  —  Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the Detroit Tigers' top three prospects to watch in spring training:  —  1. RHP Franklin Perez  —  Hooks pitcher Franklin Perez throws against the Tulsa Drillers at Whataburger Field on August 10, 2017.

Alex Wilson agrees to minor league deal with Indians  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Right-hander Alex Wilson has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and will report to big league spring training.  —  The 32-year-old had a 3.36 ERA in 59 games for Detroit last year, including a 0.71 ERA in his last 14 games.

Cardinals' spring questions for 2019  —  Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold identifies the critical issues as the Cardinals open camp in Jupiter, Fla.  —  ONE GOAL: RETURN TO OCTOBER  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • At one point Friday morning, four members of the Cardinals' pitching …

Braves preview: A bench built on versatility  —  Baseball's current climate favors flexibility.  Teams see less value in carrying a one-position player for the sake of a single tool.  The better franchises are those with options; not just assets for the front office, but pieces for the manager to contruct.

Padres Pursuing Mike Moustakas  —  The Brewers are reportedly the front-runners to sign free-agent third baseman Mike Moustakas, but they're facing competition from at least one team.  The Padres, who have prioritized finding a third baseman this offseason, are “going after” Moustakas, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

It's time to elect Tigers' Lou Whitaker to Baseball Hall of Fame  —  Get the numbers on a Detroit Tigers' all-time great, Lou Whitaker  —  Every once in a while, my faith in humanity is restored.  —  This happened recently when the most unlikely of sources, baseball writers, did something they had never done.

RedsXtra: What the proposed rule changes for mean to the Reds  —  When word got out of the big changes that were on the table for baseball, the first thought was the Reds will have a good spot for Matt Kemp.  —  That's in reference to the Players Association's proposal that the designated hitter …

Kyle Allman Jr., Cal State Fullerton avenge earlier loss to UC Riverside  —  RIVERSIDE — All UC Riverside coach David Patrick could do was gaze in awe and wonder when he would coach a team that could do what Cal State Fullerton did to his Highlanders over a 65-second span late in the second half Saturday evening.

Former Reds, Bats pitcher Homer Bailey signs with Royals minor league team  —  Homer Bailey will try to prove himself with a new team this spring.  —  Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Royals, the team announced Saturday, which includes an invitation to spring training.

Phillies need Bryce Harper or Manny Machado to win the offseason and the NL East  —  We learned long ago and many times over that the team that wins the offseason does not always win the actual season.  —  The Atlanta Braves, for example, spent less money during the offseason than any other team …