Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Rockies offer Nolan Arenado a record-breaking contract for average annual salary — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The man soon may be making baseball history, going where no player has ever gone before. — He is one of baseball's greatest players, and soon may be the first to earn at least $35 million a season.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, FanSided, MLB Trade Rumors, FanGraphs Baseball and Lone Star Ball
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David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Why $260 million deal is a win for Nolan Arenado and the Rockies — Next year's free-agent class just got a lot less interesting: Nolan Arenado is staying put. Arenado has agreed to an eight-year, $260 million extension with the Colorado Rockies that could keep the four-time All-Star third baseman in Colorado through the 2026 season.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs starter Jon Lester is right to rip the pitch clock: If you love the game, what's the rush? — Cubs starter Jon Lester discusses why he doesn't think baseball should implement a pitch clock: “Baseball is baseball. You're not gonna speed it up, you're not gonna change it.” — Chicago Tribune
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Why doing interviews in English is part of Yu Darvish's comeback plan — MESA — His Chicago Cubs teammates and manager knew he would pass his first test, but Yu Darvish wasn't as confident. — The challenge in front of him had nothing to do with a bullpen session or throwing program.
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Associated Press:
Darvish wild, but not worried after spring debut for Cubs — Yu Darvish walked off the mound after a bunch of walks, yet wasn't worried. After a rocky first season for the Chicago Cubs full of injuries, he felt fine. — “No pain,” he said Tuesday. “That was a huge part.”
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs starter Yu Darvish makes spring training debut today vs. Diamondbacks — Cubs starter Jon Lester discusses why he doesn't think baseball should implement a pitch clock: “Baseball is baseball. You're not gonna speed it up, you're not gonna change it.” — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Neil Paine / FiveThirtyEight:
The Indians Are Contenders. But Could They Get Away With A Little Tanking? — It will come as no surprise to anyone following baseball that, when we ran an early preseason version of our 2019 MLB projections, the Cleveland Indians came out as heavy favorites to win the American League Central.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Mike Clevinger: Indians' staff 'takes pride in being baseball's best rotation'
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Jake Bauers ‘excited about new opportunity’ with Indians
Associated Press:
Cards' Martinez gets PRP; shelved for 2 weeks — JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez had an injection to stimulate healing in his weak pitching shoulder and likely will not be in the starting rotation at the beginning of the season.
Discussion:
ESPN
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Associated Press:
Rangers add infielder Logan Forsythe on minor league deal — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Infielder Logan Forsythe has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and will be at major league spring training. — The addition of Forsythe on Tuesday provides infield depth.
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Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers add experienced infielder Logan Forsythe to fill camp need
Rangers add experienced infielder Logan Forsythe to fill camp need
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Sonny Gray's sore elbow looking like a spring training blip now — GOODYEAR, Arizona - Sonny Gray's setback is looking like a spring training blip. — “Looking back, that's what you hope,” Gray said. “I've still got some things to do. It's been all good.”
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Down 15 pounds, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Finnegan looks to bounce back from ‘embarrassing’ season
Down 15 pounds, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Finnegan looks to bounce back from ‘embarrassing’ season
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright perfect for two innings; Goldschmidt gets first hit — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Adam Wainwright tossed two perfect innings in his first start of the spring season and Paul Goldschmidt doubled for his first Cardinals hit when he connected to lead off the fourth inning Tuesday.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Associated Press:
Mets 3B Todd Frazier sidelined with left oblique injury — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets third baseman Todd Frazier injured his left oblique muscle and will return to New York for a cortisone injection, the second Mets infielder to get hurt at spring training after fellow infielder Jed Lowrie.
Phil Miller / Kansas City Star:
The time is now for Twins' Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton — The three men sat down at a table next to the water on the elegant beach restaurant's huge outdoor patio. A waiter brought them plates full of freshly caught fish, cooked on a bed of rice and vegetables, and the diners dug in.
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Terry Francona: Hanley Ramirez could be ‘middle-of-the-order’ bat for Indians — Manager Terry Francona believes Hanley Ramirez could be a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Cleveland Indians. — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians traded away or let go in free agency several middle …
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Indians sign veteran INF Hanley Ramirez to minor-league contract
Associated Press:
Hosmer feels ‘different vibe’ in second year with Padres — PEORIA, Ariz. — Eric Hosmer has been able to focus strictly on baseball this offseason and he likes what he sees with the suddenly dynamic San Diego Padres. — Hosmer arrived at spring training last year after signing a $144 million, eight-year contract as a free agent.
Associated Press:
Roberts: Kershaw “didn't feel so great” after playing catch — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw felt more soreness in his left shoulder playing catch Monday, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says the three-time Cy Young Award winner “didn't feel so great.”
Associated Press:
Marlins prospect Mesa has hamstring strain — JUPITER, Fla. — Miami Marlins outfield prospect Victor Victor Mesa has been diagnosed with a Grade 1ne right hamstring strain and reassigned to minor league rehabilitation, a setback in the development of the highly regarded Cuban defector.
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Seager looking strong during drills — GLENDALE, Ariz. — With each ground ball hit his way, Corey Seager smoothly worked low to the ground, scooped the ball up and made accurate throws across the diamond to first base. — Later on Tuesday morning during double-play drills …