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9:55 PM ET, March 2, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Bob Brookover / Kansas City Star:
Bryce Harper, Phillies need a few World Series rings to call this contract a success come 2031  —  The nice thing about being a player and an agent is that when you sign a 13-year contract worth $330 million you are absolutely, positively sure that it is a good deal.
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Phillies owner John Middleton on Bryce Harper: ‘Does this look like stupid money?’  —  What I'm Hearing: Bob Nightengale was in attendance for Bryce Harper's introductory press conference for the Philadelphia Phillies.  He says it was made clear what the expectations are for this year and beyond.
Discussion: Bleacher Report
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Trout's value?  Far more than Harper or Machado; Nats pondering next move; A's not giving up on Murray  —  In recent weeks, the Los Angeles Angels at least considered offering Mike Trout a 10-year, $350 million extension, though it is unclear whether they followed through with an actual proposal …
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:   Be grateful the Yankees, Mets weren't suckers for Bryce Harper
ESPN:
Rangers RHP Farrell struck on jaw by line drive  —  Texas Rangers pitcher Luke Farrell was taken to a hospital Saturday after being struck on his jaw by a line drive.  —  Farrell was hit by a shot from San Francisco Giants prospect Jalen Miller in the ninth inning in Scottsdale, Arizona.
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   How popular is Rangers' Hunter Pence with Giants fans? Allow Derek Holland to explain
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ozuna feeling ‘no pain’ as throwing improves  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  • Left fielder Marcell Ozuna, who was chicken-winging his throws — short throws — in camp, was throwing at a much longer distance and with extension during a drill Friday before the Cardinals came here Friday for a night exhibition game.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Poncedeleon, Flaherty to get starts for Cardinals
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Reyes ready for a return to Cardinals game action
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Cardinals' Andrew Miller is a presence away from the mound, too
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   As upstarts Reyes and Hudson make their bids, Cardinals have fewer options with steady Gant
Noah Trister / Associated Press:
Owner Ilitch says Tigers are building the right way  —  Detroit reliever Shane Greene, an East Ridge High alum, throws in the third inning during a spring training game against the New York Yankees this past week as the Tigers try to rebuild for the coming season.  (Lynne Sladky/AP)
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Detroit Tigers observations: Good days for Jordan Zimmermann, Miguel Cabrera
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Zack Greinke says he's learned it's best not to force adjustments  —  Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke has made a career out of adjusting.  Some years, his slider has been his best pitch.  Other years, it's the change-up.  Last year, he started using a pitch - his slow curve - far more than he had in the recent past.
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed: Free agency still flawed despite monster deals
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Machado has quiet Padres debut in spring game  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Manny Machado's debut in a San Diego Padres uniform was a lot less eventful than his free agency.  —  The four-time All-Star spent the offseason being courted by every club with money to burn, and he wound up signing a $300 million …
RELATED:
Kevin Acee / Baltimore Sun:
Manny Machado to make Padres spring training debut Saturday
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Los Angeles Angels rough up Luis Castillo, Cody Reed as Cincinnati Reds fall 11-2  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds lost their third straight, and it was an ugly one — 11-2 to the Los Angeles Angels — before a crowd of 5,341 at Goodyear Ballpark.  —  Injury report
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:   Jesse Winker, Phillip Ervin homer in Cincinnati Reds spring loss to San Francisco Giants
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox ace Carlos Rodon makes Cactus League debut against Rockies  —  Chicago Tribune  —  White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon, expected to get his first opening day start next month, makes his Cactus League debut Saturday afternoon against the Rockies at Camelback Ranch.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   A snowy start to the Cactus League was a 1st for Roger Bossard — but it didn't faze ‘The Sodfather’
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Initial guess at Rangers' Opening Day roster.  Calhoun's fate rates biggest question  —  The choices were pretty thin Saturday morning at Texas Rangers camp before the clubhouse opened an hour later than normal:  —  Sleep in or work out?  Sleeping in won.  In an upset, by the way.
RELATED:
Gerry Fraley / Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News:
First turn through the starting rotation reveals one big positive to Rangers' Tommy John ‘support group’
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Luis Cessa isn't stressing over cracking the Yankees roster  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The last two springs, Luis Cessa put too much pressure on himself.  The right hander was worried about making the Yankees' 25-man roster out of camp.  —  This year, however, Cessa isn't focused on that.
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers prospect Alex Verdugo still waiting for his opportunity  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — There are a number of things you're looking for in a young prospect.  Longevity is not one of them.  —  Outfielder Alex Verdugo enters the 2019 season in Baseball America's list of the top 100 prospects …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Welcome to MLB The Show: Ballplayers on making their video game debut  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — There are three milestones in a player's career when he knows he has made it to the majors: the phone call telling you you've been called up; that first hit or strikeout; and when you finally appear in the MLB The Show video game.
Kyle Newman / Denver Post:
Rockies Recap: Pat Valaika and Tom Murphy homer, pitching falters in loss to White Sox  —  Starter Antonio Senzatela encountered turbulence early, as the White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the first  —  White Sox 10, Rockies 6  —  Saturday at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, Ariz.
Discussion: South Side Sox
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
With Edwin Diaz now serving as closer, Mets no longer considering unconventional tactics  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - In the months leading up to his managerial debut last year, Mickey Callaway stressed he would embrace unconventional bullpen ideas.  If a game could be won or lost in the seventh …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
David Ortiz declares that Red Sox are already in ‘beast mode’  —  Big Papi: ‘Kids are acting like they finished season in last place last year — I love that’  —  FORT MYERS — David Ortiz is always on the lookout for somebody to tell his jokes to or to hear some good ones himself …
Discussion: NBCSports.com
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Jacob deGrom's change-up makes NY Mets starter's arsenal lethal  —  Jacob deGrom discusses his start against the Tigers  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - When facing an elite pitcher like Jacob deGrom, there's only so much a hitter can do to give himself a fighting chance.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
What could be a sticking point in Mets, deGrom contract talks
 
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 More News: 
Matthew Moreno / DodgerBlue.com:
Spring Training Recap: Cody Bellinger, Yimi Garcia Add To Impressive Showings But Dodgers Lose To Diamondbacks
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
No trouble with Felix Hernandez's curveball — and the Mariners want him throwing it more
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets' Noah Syndergaard finds silver lining in erratic second spring start
Paul Gackle / Mercury News:
Sharks top Avs without Erik Karlsson and Evander Kane
Kunj Shah / Pinstripe Alley:
It's possible to love the Yankees and want more from them
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers have unexpected visitor Saturday, but don't think Adrian Beltre is itching to play
 Earlier Picks: 
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Jon Lester will make second spring start vs. Brewers; Jason Heyward scratched due to illness
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
There have been a lot of Cubs hitting coaches recently.  So what makes Anthony Iapoce's approach different?
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Sanchez sharp and satisfied in spring training debut for Jays
Associated Press:
Sabathia, Sanchez making progress for Yanks
 

 
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