Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Molina set to catch by mid-March; Ozuna won't play in left field until later — JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who returned to the crouch this past weekend for Adam Wainwright's bullpen session, will see his first turn in games behind the plate on March 14, manager Mike Shildt said.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter, Fowler, Goldschmidt get to work at top of the Cardinals' order
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals walk 11, Nationals score 12
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Patrick Reusse / Kansas City Star:
Under Alex Cora, modern Red Sox clubhouse a far cry from those of yesteryear — The home clubhouse at Fenway Park was never known as a welcoming place for working members of the visiting press. Plus, I don't think the Red Sox often had a reputation as being sweethearts toward New England's wordsmiths.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Hanley Ramirez to join Indians — Free-agent first baseman Hanley Ramirez agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians. — Ramirez, a former National League rookie of the year, will sign with the three-time defending AL Central champions and join them in camp once he passes a physical examination.
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Jake Bauers: Indians' culture ‘all about winning’ — Jake Bauers is confident the Cleveland Indians' culture is ‘all about winning.’ — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have set a winning standard for the organization over the last three regular seasons, and it has resulted …
ESPN:
Dodgers re-enter Bryce Harper sweepstakes, interested in short-term deal — The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-entered the Bryce Harper sweepstakes and are interested in a short-term deal with the free-agent slugger, according to ESPN and multiple reports. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
New York Post, Philly.com and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
MLB 2019: Potential busts and players on the decline this season — In addition to all the excitement the upcoming 2019 MLB season will generate, there will inevitably be some disappointment. — It's important to temper expectations with players who overachieved last season.
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs slugger Kris Bryant answers doubts about his shoulder — with one swing of the bat — Photos of Kris Bryant, the 2016 National League MVP and the Cubs' second overall pick in the 2013 draft. — Chicago Tribune — A reminder of the Cubs' biggest offseason investment came Saturday …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
A look ahead at New York Yankees spring training this week — Luke Voit takes BP before Yankees-Rays game, Feb. 24, at Port Charlotte, Florida — TAMPA, Fla. — The first full week of Grapefruit League games begins on Monday, with the Yankees' “winter” home opener at Steinbrenner Field.
RELATED:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Danny Farquhar takes next step in comeback, throws simulated game
Discussion:
Sporting News
Daily Record:
NY Mets rotation in full force this week, along with top relievers — The Mets are two games into their Grapefruit League schedule, and will begin their first full week of games Monday with a road game against the Astros. — Here are five things to watch for this week:
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Jacob deGrom enjoyed a historic season in 2018, but matching it could be tougher
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Mets plot out eye-opening World Series goal for rotation
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training letters: Alan Trammell on back fields — Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech is chronicling his fifth spring training on the Tigers beat with Letters from Lakeland, which will be published every Monday morning this spring. — LAKELAND, Fla. — Dear Mom,
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Chris McCosky / Detroit News:
All's well that ends well, but Tigers' Harrison still perplexed by ‘unexplainable’ wait
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Toronto Sun:
Outfielder Aaron Hicks, Yankees agree to huge seven-year deal — NEW YORK — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that outfielder Aaron Hicks and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $70 million, seven-year contract that adds $64 million in guaranteed money over six seasons.
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Extend Aaron Hicks
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Versatile Gonzalez finalizes $21M, 2-year deal with Twins — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Don't call Marwin Gonzalez a utilityman. — At least not around the Minnesota Twins. — “That's something I've heard used before, all the time,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said on Monday …
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Associated Press:
Giants' Madison Bumgarner uneven in spring debut but ‘felt really good’ — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Madison Bumgarner's line from his preseason debut didn't look good, but the pitcher and San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy weren't daunted. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs' Addison Russell plays for first time since suspension
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Manager Bud Black agrees to 3-year contract extension with Rockies — Black, 61, was a National League manager of the year finalist in 2017 and 2018 … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bud Black, the only manager in Rockies history to lead the club to back-back playoff appearances …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and Purple Row
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell betting big on himself and Tampa Bay Rays — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is one year removed from when he couldn't say much of anything, not after a 2017 season that included a jarring trip to the minor leagues.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Carron J. Phillips / New York Daily News:
Seattle Mariners' discrimination case to be handled behind closed doors — If the Seattle Mariners front office did some dirt, the chances of that dirty laundry being exposed have gone down. — Last Friday, a King County judge ruled that Dr. Lorena Martin, the Mariners former high-performance director …
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
High-tech cameras, devices help Cincinnati Reds pitchers gain an extra edge — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - When Reds pitchers are throwing a side session at their team's spring training complex, there's usually a blue camera placed behind the mound on a tripod. Another device is placed on the ground, about 10 feet in front of catchers.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds crush Los Angeles Angels for 1st spring training win
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
How Yasiel Puig has — and hasn't — moved on with Reds — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Yasiel Puig had already broken in a red glove by the time his new team conducted its first full workout here last week. The cleats, the duffel bag, the batting gloves — all red, flowing in perfect harmony …
