Top News:
Associated Press:
Cardinals sign OF Jose Martinez to $3.25 million, 2-year contract — Jose Martinez's teammates with the St. Louis Cardinals applauded his new contract Saturday, and the deal gave his family reason to cheer, too. — The outfielder/first baseman signed a $3.25 million …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: J. Martinez gets 2-year contract — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals, instead of selling Jose Martinez to Japan this past off-season, signed him to a two-year, $3.25 million contract Saturday, taking him through his arbitration year in 2020.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals' Hicks is growing into his blazing arm — JUPITER, Fla. • The cacophony begins before sunrise with the beeping and bleating from a medley of iPhone tones, and if he still doesn't stir — cue the blaring rap music. — This could go on for an hour until 7:20 a.m. Florida time when …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards pound Miami with 20-hit attack; Layne, Helsley star on mound
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards blast Miami with 20-hit attack; Layne, Helsley star on mound
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Knizner to start behind the plate for Cardinals in spring opener
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals agree to two-year contract with Jose Martinez
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Detroit Free Press:
Ex-Detroit Tiger Jose Iglesias signs with Cincinnati on minor-league deal — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Looking to add more depth in the infield, the Cincinnati Reds signed shortstop Jose Iglesias to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training Saturday.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
At Detroit Tigers minor league camp, I saw hope for the future — LAKELAND, Fla. — I don't want to cause a scene by pulling out my notebook, so I type what he just said into an app on my phone. It will come in handy one day, the way this Detroit Tigers executive said, “I wish we could fast-forward three years,” punching his fist.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Matt Kemp hits a two-run homer in the Cincinnati Reds' spring training opener — 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.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees open spring the same way they ended last season ... talking about the Red Sox — FORT MYERS - About five minutes after Aaron Boone arrived at JetBlue Park for the Yankees' first spring training game, the question was just thrown out there. After battling the Red Sox all last season …
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John Tomase / WEEI:
Improved Yankees mean AL East will be no cakewalk this year
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Boston Herald, Boston Sports Journal, Dan Shaughnessy Watch and Pinstripe Alley
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Greg Bird comes out swinging in New York Yankees' first exhibition game
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees' Aaron Hicks on ALDS defeat: 'I'm still not over it'
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and MLB Baseball News …
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Rogers cuts the cord on number of Blue Jays spring training broadcasts — DUNEDIN, Fla. - The latest step in the Blue Jays' massive rebuild got underway here on Saturday afternoon with the opening of Grapefruit League play. — But unless you were among the 5,040 at Dunedin Stadium …
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Jeff Fletcher / Daily News:
Angels' Shohei Ohtani excited for next step in rehab — Ohtani said he's swinging at 100 percent after his second day hitting off a tee — TEMPE, Ariz. — Two days into the next step of his rehab, Shohei Ohtani was already looking ahead. — After he hit off a tee for the second consecutive …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Dylan Hernandez / Baltimore Sun:
Angels' Shohei Ohtani says experiences prepared him for lengthy rehab — Angels' Shohei Ohtani arrives for a news conference at their spring baseball training facility in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 13, 2019. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press) — Word is that Shohei Ohtani is hitting baseballs …
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso's hunt for Mets job off to torrid start — PORT ST. LUCIE - Pete Alonso is not wasting time forcing the Mets hand. — On the first pitch he saw, Alonso blasted a two-run homer to the deepest part of First Data Field in the Mets' 4-3 win over the Braves in their Saturday spring opener.
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs' Kris Bryant motivated by criticism entering 2019 season — MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant says he's motivated heading into the new season and to bring on the naysayers. — Bryant, who went 2-for-2 with a home run in the Cubs' Cactus League opener Saturday …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Phillies' pursuit of Bryce Harper goes on and on, and on and on — Phillies execs might as well genuflect in unison before Bryce Harper, while waiving wads of cash one-by-one and begging he take their offer — even if it doesn't come close to the $400 million super-agent Scott Boras thinks his client warrants.
Discussion:
Sporting News, NBC Bay Area and NESN.com
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Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: New Phillies players make their game debuts — New Phillies players make their game debuts — While the Phillies wait to see whether Bryce Harper will sign with them, a trio of other big names took their first swings for Philadelphia. — Catcher J.T. Realmuto …
Andy McCullough / The Charlotte Observer:
As a free agent or a Rocky, Arenado is going to break bank — On the morning that Manny Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300-million contract with the San Diego Padres, Nolan Arenado pondered the next decade of his life. The thought did not trouble him. He burst into a smile outside …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
5 takeaways from White Sox spring training, including Yoan Moncada's comfort level and Nick Madrigal's debut — Chicago Tribune — Five takeaways from White Sox spring training Saturday: — Yoan Moncada had some sage advice for Eloy Jimenez about dealing with the scrutiny of being the Sox's top prospect: Wear blinders.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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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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