Top News:
Weston DeWitt / Associated Press:
With Machado at third, Kinsler can focus on second for Pads — PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) With Manny Machado now officially the Padres' third baseman, Ian Kinsler can focus on playing second base for San Diego. — Kinsler, fresh off a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox …
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Associated Press:
Manny Machado's $300M, 10-year contract announced by Padres — SAN DIEGO —The San Diego Padres have announced their $300 million, 10-year deal with All-Star infielder Manny Machado, more than two days after the deal was agreed to. — Machado will be introduced Friday at spring training in Peoria, Arizona.
Discussion:
Associated Press, ESPN and MLB Baseball News …
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
World Series drought disappointing for Yankees' Brett Gardner — TAMPA, Fla. - While Brett Gardner is looking forward to celebrating a special New York Yankees anniversary later this year, he had to admit Thursday that with it comes one disheartening reminder.
Kevin Acee / Baltimore Sun:
MannyMania can officially begin as Padres announce Machado signing — Manny Machado cheers during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby in July 2016 at Petco Park, which is now his home stadium as the newest member of the Padres. (Harry How / Getty Images) — It's official.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notes: Andrew Miller's debut will likely wait for a week — JUPITER, Fla. • First baseman Paul Goldschmidt likely will be playing sometime this weekend when the Cardinals begin their exhibition schedule here against Miami on Saturday and then Washington in their home opener on Sunday.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals' Shreve adjusting his approach to work more inside — JUPITER, Fla. • A pitch that Christian Yelich put well beyond the wall this past August offered Cardinals lefty Chasen Shreve all the example he needed to explain an area of focus this spring.
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
What we're excited to see now that spring training games are here — The offseason is always about waiting ... waiting for baseball to be back. But this offseason has had even more waiting than usual, as we waited more than three months for Manny Machado to sign, and we're still waiting for Bryce Harper.
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Clark: Machado's deal doesn't mean system is working — TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark says Adam Wainwright's comments about a possible strike were in line with widespread concern he hears from his members about a free-agent market they claim has become dysfunctional.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Strike looming for Major League Baseball? It's looking a like real possibility — TEMPE, Ariz. — It was cold and rainy Thursday morning in Phoenix, and the forecast from Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark was just as gloomy.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Adam Ottavino wows his manager and new teammates in first action as a Yankee — TAMPA - It was quite the introduction. Adam Ottavino faced four batters in a simulated game Thursday morning. The Yankees' newest reliever struck out all four. — He left his manager shaking his head and sympathizing with the hitters.
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
Jacob deGrom's agents to meet with Mets execs, source says — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The clock is ticking for Jacob deGrom and the Mets to agree to a contract extension, their self-imposed deadline of Opening Day just five weeks away, but certain visitors to Mets camp this week make the situation ripe for progress.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
How Jordy Mercer helped Detroit Tigers sign Josh Harrison — LAKELAND, Fla. — Josh Harrison needed a place to stay. — It was 10 years ago and he had just been traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Pittsburgh Pirates, arriving in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a duffel bag, luggage and nowhere to sleep.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 takeaways from Cubs spring training, including a familiar role for Albert Almora Jr. and options without Ben Zobrist — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses how Albert Almora Jr. has looked so far in spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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Associated Press:
Ryan Braun, 35, aiming to build off strong finish to last season — PHOENIX — Those days of playing every day, they're done for Ryan Braun. Most important for the longtime Milwaukee Brewers star these days is making the most of the time he's in the lineup. — Now 35, Braun is inching closer to the downside of his career.
Carrie Muskat / Boston Globe:
The first spring training game of the year got rained out — The spring training season started with a splash. Just not the kind fans hoped for. — In the first major league exhibition game of the year, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics were rained out Thursday in Mesa …
670 The Score:
Source: White Sox Won't Bid On Bryce Harper — Harper is expected to command a contract in excess of $300 million. — MLB — White Sox — (670 The Score) The White Sox won't bid on star outfielder Bryce Harper as his free agency continues, a source told Bruce Levine of 670 The Score on Thursday.
Discussion:
SNY, NBCSports.com and The Sports Daily
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Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies confident they will sign Bryce Harper as negotiations pick up
Discussion:
Sporting News, Bleacher Report, NBCSports.com, NESN.com and The Big Lead
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
‘It might be a while’ before Austin Riley takes outfield — Braves third base prospect Austin Riley likely will get some work in the outfield, but that won't occur in the early spring training games. — Riley, the system's top position player prospect, is blocked by free-agent acquisition Josh Donaldson …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
