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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Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Manny Machado will play third base for the Padres: ‘I saw a great opportunity to help out (Fernando) Tatis’ — Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season. — After adding Manny Machado, the San Diego Padres didn't shoot down the notion that another big news conference could be ahead.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Padres GM AJ Preller thought being able to sign Machado was a pipe dream — PEORIA, Ariz. — After realizing the San Diego Padres were making no progress in the trade market for a third baseman, general manager AJ Preller pivoted to the free-agent market. Waiting for him there was one of …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Machado attracted by Padres' farm system — and $300 million — PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Manny Machado calls San Diego “one of the best cities in the world” and says he was attracted to the Padres by the team's strong farm system. — The 26-year-old infielder was introduced at a news conference Friday …
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:
South Side Sox, SNY, The Sports Daily, NBCSports.com, Philly.com and The Big Lead
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB players are ready to ‘burn the whole system down.’ Here's what they want to avoid a strike. — For 25 years, labor peace has prevailed in Major League Baseball, players and ownership alike getting rich in the years after an eight-month work stoppage canceled the 1994 World Series and imperiled the '95 season.
Discussion:
Orange County Register
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.
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins To Sign Marwin Gonzalez — 11:48am: The two sides have agreed to a two-year contract worth $21MM, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports (via Twitter). — 11:45am: The Twins have agreed to a contract with free-agent infielder/outfielder Marwin Gonzalez, reports Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (via Twitter).
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Twinkie Town, Bleacher Nation, MLB Daily Dish and Sportsnet.ca
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ESPN:
Marwin Gonzalez, Twins reach 2-year, $21 million deal — Versatile Marwin Gonzalez has agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal with the Minnesota Twins, league sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Friday. — The deal, which is worth $12 million this season and $9 million in 2020, is pending a physical.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Brewers know they can't stop Cubs fans from invading Miller Park: 'It's a very easy trip' — Cubs fans usually are in the majority for games against the Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — The Brewers recently held …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
No more paper tickets: MLB rolls out a redesigned app to help Cubs fans make the transition to the digital-only format
No more paper tickets: MLB rolls out a redesigned app to help Cubs fans make the transition to the digital-only format
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
MLB 2019: Sleepers and players set to break out this season — Every baseball season produces its share of unexpected success stories - players who may not have had much fanfare entering spring training, but who take the playing time they're given and make the most of it.
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Tim Heaney / ESPN:
Fantasy baseball post-hype sleepers for 2019
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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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
The Yankees are mostly all right at the plate ... and that's just fine with Aaron Boone — TAMPA — The pendulum has swung in the last four years. In 2015, the complaints were the Yankees featured a lineup with too many left-handed hitters. Heading into this season …
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Jesse Dougherty / San Francisco Chronicle:
Scott Boras: ‘I work for Anthony Rendon. He makes all the decisions.’ — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A day after Anthony Rendon stated that agent Scott Boras works for him and not the other way around, Boras echoed his client and relayed their joint willingness to explore a long-term extension with the Washington Nationals.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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NBC10 Boston:
Red Sox Won't Use Many Regulars in Early Exhibition Games — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox' lineup for Friday's spring training opener vs Northeastern is set. Well, most of it anyway. — During his press conference Thursday at JetBlue Park, manager Alex Cora revealed who will be playing.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Over the Monster
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Dan Shaughnessy / BostonGlobe.com:
In Nick Cafardo, we lost a great teammate who was much loved
In Nick Cafardo, we lost a great teammate who was much loved
Discussion:
Over the Monster, USA Today and MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks' lineup faces obstacles with Paul Goldschmidt gone — The Diamondbacks enter spring training dogged by a question that, while not exactly unique to their existence, is one they are not usually forced to grapple with at this time of year. It is a question of scoring runs.
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Luke Lapinski / Arizona Sports:
Diamondbacks' David Peralta embracing leadership role
Diamondbacks' David Peralta embracing leadership role
Discussion:
The Athletic
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw taking step back from throwing — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Clayton Kershaw, fresh off a $93 million extension, is taking a step back from his normal throwing progression after seemingly feeling displeased with his recent work off the mound.
Discussion:
Associated Press
ESPN:
Ervin Santana agrees to minor league deal with White Sox — Starting pitcher Ervin Santana has agreed with the Chicago White Sox on a minor league deal, sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan on Friday. — If Santana makes the team, his base salary will be $4.3 million, sources told ESPN.
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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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets' deep bullpen could let Seth Lugo sneak into rotation
Mets' deep bullpen could let Seth Lugo sneak into rotation
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue