Top News:
Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Harper wants “to be on Broad Street” for World Series parade — The Phillie Phanatic welcomes star outfielder Bryce Harper to Philadelphia's spring-training facility on Saturday. (Lynne Sladky/AP) — Bryce Harper sounded like a typical Philadelphian talking about a goal every Phillies fan will endorse.
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Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Harper: I want my legacy to be all about winning — CLEARWATER, Fla. — From the roof of a dugout inside the Philadelphia Phillies' sun-soaked spring training home Saturday, Bryce Harper was formally introduced by his new club. — Focused, he said, on establishing a long …
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 …
Discussion:
SNY, MLB Baseball News …, Phillies Nation, NESN.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Athletics Nation and Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Harper to wear No. 3 with Phillies — Bryce Harper was just 19 years old when he first faced Roy Halladay. It was three weeks earlier that Harper had rocketed to the majors after playing only 130 minor league games. Harper was a sensation. But he was also just a teenager.
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Only one thing missing from Bryce Harper's long-awaited Phillies intro — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Everything was in order for Bryce Harper's grand coming out as a $330 million Philadelphia Phillie. — Draped on a wire hanging behind the four seats on the top of the visitors' dugout …
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.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Phillies Nation, MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
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
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Wacha shines against Marlins — JUPITER, Fla. • Michael Wacha knocked off the best performance by a Cardinals starting pitcher this spring when he threw three innings of hitless ball, striking out four, against the Miami Marlins Saturday in a 4-3 Cardinals exhibition victory.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
How Cardinals' O'Neill, ‘a contact hitter with power,’ aims to flex more than his might — JUPITER, Fla. • A Houston Astros pitching prospect who generated social media buzz this winter by unleashing a pitch, after a running start, at 111.6 mph, decided to test Tyler O'Neill …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wacha hitless for three innings; Cards beat Marlins 4-3 — Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha throws warmups during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
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.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
How popular is Rangers' Hunter Pence with Giants fans? Allow Derek Holland to explain — Derek Holland, the former Texas Rangers pitcher who still makes his home in the Metroplex, made a perfect pitch in the first inning and was rewarded for it as the umpire signaled Strike 3.
Associated Press:
Cabrera looks healthy while hitting first homer of spring — LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — This was a welcome sight for Tigers fans: Miguel Cabrera, looking healthy again, hitting a towering home run. — Cabrera connected for his first homer of the spring in Detroit's 7-4 win over Atlanta on Saturday.
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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)
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 …
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
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.
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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
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
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
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.
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Longtime Indians OF Michael Brantley adjusting to Astros — New Houston outfielder Michael Brantley, who starred for years for Cleveland, swings during Saturday's spring training game against the New York Mets. (Jeff Roberson/AP) — After spending his entire career with the Cleveland Indians …
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 …
