Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs GM Jed Hoyer amused by his old team's megadeal for Manny Machado: 'I hope they're successful' — Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer discusses infielder Manny Machado signing with the Padres, the team for whom Machado previously served as GM, on Feb. 19, 2019, at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Yankees' Troy Tulowitzki: ‘I just want to do whatever I can to help this team win’ — Yankees taking batting practice on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 — TAMPA, Fla. - Troy Tulowitzki doesn't have to wonder if Manny Machado might walk into the home clubhouse here. — So, that's one hurdle cleared.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
After eight straight losing seasons, Padres get instant credibility with Manny Machado: ‘We can be scary’ — PEORIA, Ariz. — They heard the rumors for weeks and the figures leaked out over the weekend, but still, the San Diego Padres didn't quite believe Manny Machado was coming out West.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue and South Side Sox
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
New York Yankees lineup lacks lefties — and Aaron Boone's fine with that
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
How Giants view Bryce Harper pursuit after Manny Machado's deal with Padres
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Manny Machado's 10-Year Contract With the Padres Proves Free Agency Isn't Broken After All
Discussion:
The Athletic, Sox Machine, ESPN, Halos Heaven, BaltimoreBaseball.com, Bless You Boys, FanGraphs Baseball and NBCSports.com
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's advice is to be patient, stay calm about unsigned players
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees never even made Manny Machado an offer. They just weren't a fit
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
South Florida's Machado, Padres agree to $300M, 10-year deal, reports say
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, AZ Snake Pit and Let's Go Tribe
ESPN:
New Mets infielder Jed Lowrie to have MRI on knee — Jed Lowrie hasn't played an inning for the New York Mets and he's already banged up. — The 34-year-old said Wednesday that he has soreness in the back of his left knee and will undergo an MRI. — “It started when I started …
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
New Met Jed Lowrie dealing with soreness in back of his left knee — PORT ST. LUCIE - Where in the world is Jed Lowrie? — The Mets signed the third baseman to a two-year, $20 million contract on Jan. 16 and hoped he was the final piece in the Mets position-player puzzle, but he's been quiet and removed since Mets camp started.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Bochy on Pence: 'He's so genuine, and I'm thankful that I had him for seven years' — A day after Hunter Pence praised his soon-to-be-retired former manager following his workout at Texas Rangers spring training, that former manager returned the favor. — “I'm not answering any questions …
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Bruce Bochy a ‘dying breed,’ most managers are ‘puppets’
Discussion:
Fox News
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Exclusive: MLB Set to Pass New Rules Designed to Crack Down on Sign Stealing — Rob Manfred believed that the paranoia surrounding sign stealing was slowing down the game. Expect these rules to be in place by the beginning of the season. — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Major League Baseball is cracking down on high-tech sign stealing.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Deadspin, MLB Baseball News … and Bleacher Nation
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright pleased with first chance against hitters — • Longtime Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, who absorbed criticism from Commissioner Rob Manfred and Boston Red Sox owner John Henry this week after offering up his frustration at the lack of movement in free agency and saying he feared …
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Bunt could become key part of Indians' offense in 2019 — With time to work on other skills because of injury, Francisco Lindor and Bradley Zimmer have been challenged to become better bunters. — CLEVELAND — It is all about turning a negative into a positive for the Cleveland Indians on the injury front.
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Trevor Bauer wants to change media narrative that he's ‘bad teammate’ for Indians
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers get first look at Casey Mize: 'He's impressive' — A slow motion look at Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera's swing in Lakeland. Fla., during spring training. — CONNECT11 — TWEET11 — COMMENT11 — EMAIL11 — MORE11
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
MLB 2019 preview: Three things to know for every team — As MLB teams are enjoying their spring training camps in Florida and Arizona, USA TODAY Sports takes a look at some of the most important factoids for all 30 clubs. — While plenty of negative story lines dominated the winter …
Jesse Dougherty / San Francisco Chronicle:
Nationals wants Trea Turner to attempt more steals in 2019. A lot more. — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If base stealing were a simple science, maybe Trea Turner would run every time he had the chance to. — But it's more complicated than that, even for one of the fastest players in baseball such as Turner.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Former top prospects Byron Buxton, Tyler Glasnow finally ready to break out in 2019 — Not all minor league prospects, even the most highly regarded ones, have instant success once they reach the majors. With all the hype and sky-high expectations behind them, it's sometimes easier for players to break out a few years down the road.
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Are you a disillusioned Cubs fan who wants to become a White Sox fan? Here's how to do that. — Photos of the White Sox at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — So the Cubs no longer are the team you've known and loved all these years.
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
MLB starting pitcher tiers: New wave of aces rises above game's changes — When you think about it, pitchers are kind of pre-sorted into tiers through the machinations of their managers and organizations. No. 1 starter, No. 2 starter, opener, bulk guy, LOOGY, closer, set-up man …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Three trends to watch for in the 2019 MLB season — As the beginning of the baseball season draws near, there's an unmistakable feeling in the air. — Something's missing. — The most obvious is the absence of several top stars on any Major League Baseball team's roster.
