Top News:
Kevin Acee / The Charlotte Observer:
Padres ready to follow Machado to edge — Since the Manny Machado news broke Tuesday, Padres players have had the wide eyes and giddy hop-steps of kids told on Christmas Eve that Santa and his reindeer were spotted flying low over the rooftops. — And these Padres kids are ready to become men.
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Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Why did teams shy from Manny Machado and Bryce Harper? They aren't baseball's best — In the end, Manny Machado got his record-breaking contract, and sometime soon — maybe by the All-Star break? — Bryce Harper will get his as well. For that you must give their respective agents …
Mark Didtler / Associated Press:
Cashman: Yankees never talked dollars with Manny Machado — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Yankees never talked dollars with Manny Machado when he visited New York with agent Dan Lozano in December. — “The free agency process leads people to where they belong, and Manny belongs in San Diego …
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Manny Machado: 'You can't have them all' — TAMPA, Fla. - Out in Arizona, Manny Machado was being formally introduced by the San Diego Padres. — Meanwhile at Steinbrenner Field, New York Yankees general manger Brian Cashman was pledging faith in his 2019 roster …
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Manny Machado will play third base for the Padres: ‘I saw a great opportunity to help out (Fernando) Tatis’
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Padres GM AJ Preller thought being able to sign Machado was a pipe dream
Discussion:
Sporting News, DodgerBlue.com and Associated Press
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Knizner to start behind the plate for Cardinals in spring opener — JUPITER, Fla. • As nine-time All-Star and Gold Glover Yadier Molina works his way into playing trim following off-season knee surgery, Andrew Knizner, the Cardinals' top catching prospect, will start behind …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards' Carpenter looks forward to having entire spring to prepare — JUPITER, Fla. • Matt Carpenter won't be playing in the first spring training game Saturday for the Cardinals. But he will be appearing in the second one Sunday, which puts him about three weeks ahead of his schedule …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals agree to two-year contract with Jose Martinez — JUPITER, Fla. • The comfort and enthusiasm that Jose Martinez has expressed since it became clear the Cardinals would not trade him this winter has been rewarded with a new contract. — Martinez, still years away from free agency …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
‘Spine’ of Cardinals defense to get work, looks together throughout spring games — JUPITER, Fla. • As the first games of spring training approached, catcher Yadier Molina chatted with second baseman Kolten Wong and center fielder Harrison Bader about the trait shared by his Cardinals teams that won the last game of October.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Clint Frazier is finally healthy and can't wait for the spring training bus rides — TAMPA — With spring training games beginning on Saturday, Clint Frazier is now looking at some long bus rides. Friday morning, the Yankees' top outfield prospect will take the two hour and 15 minute bus ride to Fort Myers to face the Red Sox.
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
The lineup reality Mets would like to avoid … PORT ST. LUICE — The hard numbers largely go unspoken in the Mets' clubhouse so as not to jinx the situation. — Robinson Cano is 36 years old. Jed Lowrie turns 35 in April. Todd Frazier turned 32 on the reporting date for pitchers …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Toronto Sun:
Clayton Kershaw shut down by Dodgers after ‘not feeling right’ — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has been shut down indefinitely after telling manager Dave Roberts that he “didn't feel right” after two discouraging outings on the mound. — Kershaw worked out indoors …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 takeaways from Cubs spring training, including Saturday's Cactus League opener — weather permitting — Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — Here are five takeaways from Cubs spring training Friday:
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
And the award goes to ... : Derrick Goold's top 10 baseball movies (with help from the Cardinals) — Heading into the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday, Derrick Goold checks in with the Cardinals' clubhouse to help rank his 10 favorite baseball movies, complete with comments from players on some of their favorites.
Toronto Sun:
Marwin Gonzalez, Twins agree to $21M, two-year deal — Versatile Marwin Gonzalez and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a $21 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. — The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Friday …
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Jon Meoli / The Charlotte Observer:
Orioles' Mike Yastrzemski feels like he belongs in major league camp. The years it took to get there show why — Buck Britton was a do-it-all infielder for the Double-A Bowie Baysox in 2014 when a comet of a young outfielder with a name no one could ignore arrived in the midst of a breakout season: Mike Yastrzemski.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Baltimore Sun
Associated Press:
Judge rules Lorena Martin, Seattle Mariners must go to arbitration — SEATTLE — A King County Superior Court judge has ruled that Lorena Martin's wrongful termination lawsuit against the Seattle Mariners must be resolved in private arbitration rather than in court.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers top prospect Casey Mize analyzes his spring debut — LAKELAND, Fla. — Casey Mize came out firing in relief Friday afternoon, cruising in his first exhibition action of the spring. — He was blowing pitches by Southeastern University hitters, an easy 13-pitch third inning …
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Marcelino Benito / KHOU-TV:
A look at Astros spring training by the numbers — Every year spring training is a major production. Just getting everything to Florida is an MVP level feat — Spring training marks the beginning of the Astros run to another title. Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and George Springer are three …
ESPN:
Bryce Harper meets with Phillies owner John Middleton in Las Vegas — Philadelphia Phillies managing general partner John Middleton flew to Las Vegas on Friday night to meet with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper in his hometown, sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
