Top News:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Gary Sanchez: Comeback player of the year or bust? — TAMPA, Fla. — For the bulk of the 12-minute interview session Gary Sanchez had at his locker as New York Yankees pitchers and catchers arrived to spring training, he was asked about one topic. — How will he rebound from his abysmal 2018?
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
DJ LeMahieu, without a set position, viewed as one of the Yankees' regulars — TAMPA, Fla. - DJ LeMahieu might appear blocked on the Yankees' infield, but the manager sees him as a regular player on the 2019 club. — “Even with everybody healthy, it's not hard to imagine him pretty much playing every day,” Aaron Boone said.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Adam Ottavino, Greg Bird stand out in simulated play at Yankees camp — TAMPA, Florida — Adam Ottavino came out firing on Thursday morning. — On a back field at Yankees camp, the right-handed reliever struck out all four batters he faced in a simulated setting — getting Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade (twice) and Luke Voit swinging.
Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers giveaways: Here's what fans can get for free this summer — Single-game tickets for the Detroit Tigers' 2019 season don't go on sale until Saturday morning, but the Tigers released their promotions and giveaways schedule on Wednesday. In addition to the usual fireworks shows …
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training observations: ‘Big 3’ prospects stand out — LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers' final spring training workout ended in the rain on Thursday morning, tears of joy from Mother Nature, who couldn't stand to watch any more pitchers fielding practice.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' millennial players are digging Joe Maddon's message — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses coaching millennials at spring training on Feb. 20, 2019, in Mesa, Ariz. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Joe Maddon's quest to communicate with his millennial players …
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Associated Press:
Dodgers to honor Don Newcombe with uniform patch, bobblehead — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor pitching great Don Newcombe by adding a commemorative No. 36 patch to their uniforms this season. — EDITOR'S PICKS — Newcombe died Tuesday at 92.
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies confident they will sign Bryce Harper as negotiations pick up — CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies, according to a source, are confident they will sign Bryce Harper as they have ramped up their negotiations with the outfielder after being motivated by losing out on Manny Machado.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, NBCSports.com and NESN.com
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Zach Gelb / CBS Sports Radio:
Lidge: Nationals Could Be Better Without Harper
Lidge: Nationals Could Be Better Without Harper
Discussion:
Washington Post
Kevin Cooney / Forbes:
Phillies Brass Needs To Find A Way To Get Bryce Harper Deal Done
Phillies Brass Needs To Find A Way To Get Bryce Harper Deal Done
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, The Athletic and San Francisco Chronicle
Associated Press:
Indians, reliever Tyler Clippard agree to terms on minor contract — Clippard went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 73 games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018. — GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Cleveland Indians and two-time All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard have agreed to a minor league contract.
Discussion:
Daily Journal
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Last place? Cubs laugh off formula that has them finishing under .500 — MESA, Ariz. — It was hidden in plain sight. And everyone in the locker room saw it. At the bottom of the daily schedule, on Day 1 of full-squad workouts for the Chicago Cubs, was a prediction for their season.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Padres' addition of Machado while Rangers stand pat is a tale of two windows — Their spring homes are separated by 9.6 miles, and last season on the field they were separated by one game. — The Texas Rangers went 67-95 in 2018, and the San Diego Padres finished at 66-96.
Associated Press:
Column: Players finding payoffs are changing in baseball — Manny Machado's new $300 million contract put a stop — at least temporarily — to a growing chorus of player complaints that major league teams were conspiring to do deep damage to the free agent market.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
As Arizona Diamondbacks stand pat, rival Padres ramp up with Manny Machado
As Arizona Diamondbacks stand pat, rival Padres ramp up with Manny Machado
Discussion:
101Sports.com
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Birds of a feather: Motte and Wainwright reunite — JUPITER, Fla. • A little bit of history — well, a lot of Cardinals history —was in evidence Thursday morning in the clubhouse. The last two Cardinals pitchers to throw the final out for a World Series champion had a long chat.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Spring Training report: 3 observations from Cincinnati Reds' fielding drills — Editor's note: The Cincinnati Reds are underway at spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, until March 24. Check back here for news and updates from Enquirer beat writers Bobby Nightengale and John Fay.
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Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Andruw Jones arrives at Braves camp — Andruw Jones came to Braves camp as a guest instructor on Thursday. His arrival came on the first day of full-squad workouts, and he's expected to help for a couple of weeks, according to manager Brian Snitker. — Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox is already in Central Florida.
WKYC-TV:
WATCH | Betsy Kling catches up with ‘Voice of the Indians’ Tom Hamilton at Spring Training — What does Tom think about the upcoming season? — Baseball is almost here, and the Indians are set to begin Cactus League exhibition play in Arizona in a matter of days.
RELATED:
Betsy Kling / WKYC-TV:
Major League dreams: Indians pitcher Rob Kaminsky
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Sign Nick Vincent — The Giants have agreed to a contract with right-hander Nick Vincent, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic tweets. Vincent will join the MLB side of camp, but on a minor-league deal, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link).
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles