Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Red Sox owner John Henry says spending more tends to helps teams win — FORT MYERS, Fla. - In apparent contradiction to his own commissioner, Boston Red Sox owner John Henry said Monday that, while there is not a perfect correlation between a bigger payroll and winning, “spending more money helps.”
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards notebook: Redbirds work on improving defense — JUPITER, Fla. • Ozzie Smith, perhaps the best defender in Cardinals history, watched with interest Monday as the club's pitchers went through some bunt defense plays. — “The little plays are very important,” the 13-time Gold Glover said.
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner says Boston, Chris Sale have discussed contract extension — Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner says Boston, — Chris Sale have discussed contract extension originally appeared on — Chris Sale's 2018 season was everything the Red Sox hoped for, and more.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Beyond the Box Score, Over the Monster, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Ronald Blum / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Clark: Some teams make little effort to justify ticket costs — NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark took the extraordinary step of saying baseball fans should question whether it makes sense to purchase tickets for some teams, responding to Commissioner Rob Manfred's assertion …
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Associated Press:
Angels owner Arte Moreno: New Mike Trout deal has been subject of internal talks — TEMPE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno said the team has had internal discussions regarding a new contract for outfielder Mike Trout, who can become a free agent after the 2020 season.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and ESPN
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Noah Syndergaard ready to listen if NY Mets want to make a deal — Brodie Van Wagenen on the Mets' depth — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — If the New York Mets want to talk, Noah Syndergaard will listen. — Syndergaard, 26, is one of the sport's top young pitchers and under contract through 2021.
Discussion:
SNY
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Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Noah Syndergaard is open to Mets extension since seeing ‘scary’ Machado, Harper fiasco
Randy Miller / New Jersey Online:
Yankees' Luis Severino miffed over Jacob deGrom's innings-limit threat: 'He's making $17 million!'
Yankees' Luis Severino miffed over Jacob deGrom's innings-limit threat: 'He's making $17 million!'
Discussion:
Fox News, SNY and The Sports Daily
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Giancarlo Stanton talks about growing comfort in AL, playing games that matter — TAMPA, Fla. — Now that he's playing in the Bronx, the stretch between May and October has a much different significance to Giancarlo Stanton. It's one he's incredibly thankful for, too.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Why didn't Cubs throw money at big free agents? 'We don't have any more' — MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs' apology tour continued Monday when chairman Tom Ricketts talked to the team about the embarrassment brought on by his father's racist emails being publicly exposed, vowing that the team will become lovable once again.
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Tom Ricketts: Cubs didn't spend money in offseason because, 'we don't have any more'
Tom Ricketts / Associated Press:
Cubs patriarch's very offensive emails lead to son's team apology
Cubs patriarch's very offensive emails lead to son's team apology
Discussion:
Deadspin
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. targets Kendrys Morales as mentor — DUNEDIN, Fla. — As he headed to his first big league camp with the Toronto Blue Jays, touted phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. asked his famous father whether he had any words of wisdom for him.
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Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Guerrero Jr. fitting in nicely as Blue Jays camp officially under way — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Vlad Guerrero Jr., was at it again Monday afternoon at the Blue Jays' minor-league complex where the guts of early spring training takes place for the club. — Swatting line-drive home runs.
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants manager Bruce Bochy will retire after the 2019 season — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bruce Bochy, who managed the Giants to three World Series championships in a career that is destined to land him in the Hall of Fame, announced Monday that he will retire after the 2019 season, his 13th with the club and 25th as a big-league manager.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and San Francisco Chronicle
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Bruce Bochy To Retire After 2019 Season — Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced today that he will retire at the end of the 2019 season (Twitter link). Baseball's longest-tenured skipper, Bochy is entering his 13th season as the Giants' manager. In that time, he's overseen three World …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and McCovey Chronicles
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Some insight into Woodward's first speech to full squad, and how Rangers received it — As always this time of year, Surprise Stadium has turned into the home of the Oregon State Beavers, the defending national champions who have opened their season here for many years running.
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Kris Bryant happy to clear the air with Yadier Molina over comments about St. Louis — MESA, Ari. — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said he's more than happy to clear the air with Yadier Molina after offseason comments made by Bryant about the city of St. Louis raised the ire of the Cardinals' All-Star catcher.
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MLB Trade Rumors:
Mike Moustakas Could Play Second Base For Brewers — When word of Mike Moustakas' impending return to the Brewers broke, the assumption among many was that the Milwaukee organization would utilize the same defensive alignment as in 2019: Travis Shaw shifting over to second base and Moustakas handling third base.
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds, Derek Dietrich Agree To Minor League Deal
Reds, Derek Dietrich Agree To Minor League Deal
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Red Reporter
Associated Press:
Jorge Posada: Joining Derek Jeter with Marlins is ‘Perfect timing’ — JUPITER, Fla. — A black cap with the Miami Marlins' new neon logo sat atop Jorge Posada's graying hair Monday, a jarring sight for fans who recall he spent his entire playing career with the New York Yankees.
Chuck King / Associated Press:
Paul Goldschmidt exceeding expectations already, Cardinals manager Mike Schildt says — Mike Shildt's phone lit up with texts and calls praising the character of Paul Goldschmidt after the Cardinals traded for the slugging first baseman in December. — “A lot of times the hyperbole …
Associated Press:
Reds' Joey Votto tries to rebound from subpar season — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Joey Votto has spent the offseason trying to make sure he doesn't have another subpar season. — The Cincinnati Reds star led the National League in on-base percentage last year but hit just 12 homers …