Top News:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB win totals: How we see the 2019 season unfolding — 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. — CONNECT
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Scott Lauber / Kansas City Star:
Bryce Harper and Mike Trout together with the Phillies? Why it isn't such a crazy thought — Of all the things that have been said since Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, 52 words that were uttered by the star right fielder in the midst of his 35-minute news conference …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Miguel Cabrera won't apologize for albatross contract: ‘Why should anyone be sorry?’ — LAKELAND, Fla. — He's of the greatest players in franchise history, a future Hall of Famer who'll be alongside Cobb, Greenberg, Kaline and Trammell in Detroit Tigers' lore, but today, he is considered an albatross.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
When rain clears, Reyes ready for an appearance years in the making vs. Phillies — CLEARWATER, Fla. • As he has pushed, elbow, and thrown his way into the mix for the opening day roster, Cardinals prospect Alex Reyes has also been clear about the difference between throwing …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notes: ‘Big target’ Wieters begins bid to be Molina's backup — LAKELAND, Fla. • A few times in his first week with the Cardinals, veteran catcher Matt Wieters has mentioned how he despises being late. Ask his wife, he has said. Ask his family, he insisted.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Only 20, Cardinals prospect Dylan Carlson draws attention with outfield defense — LAKELAND, Fla. • By showing off his range at multiple positions, rising prospect Dylan Carlson has started to expand how the Cardinals' major-league staff would like to see him utilized this coming season.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Waino going old school: He'll rely on precision, not power, to get hitters out
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer on his fastball: It will come, don't worry
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Extensions are MLB's new normal. Are Bryant, other Cubs next? — MESA, Ariz. — Has there been a change in strategy around baseball? What used to be the goal of nearly every player — earning the right to choose which team he plays for — might now be less appealing.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo hopes to complete his career with the Cubs: 'We've been through a lot together' — Photos of Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. — Chicago Tribune — Anthony Rizzo admits he's a fan of the old-school stats. — Save your WAR, your exit velocity and your launch angles for someone else.
New York Mets / Mets Insider Blog:
JESSICA MENDOZA NAMED BASEBALL OPERATIONS ADVISOR — The New York Mets announced today that Jessica Mendoza has been named a baseball operations advisor for the club. — In her new role, Mendoza will provide insight to Executive Vice President & General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen as well as the entire Baseball Operations Department.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Daily Dish and The Big Lead
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Al Leiter realizes another Mets dream
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Kyle Goon / Orange County Register:
Clippers knock out Lakers, likely ending their playoff dreams — LOS ANGELES — Just over a month ago, LeBron James made a triumphant return against the Clippers - the franchise that's so often played second fiddle in their own town. — Monday night, the Clippers paid him back …
Discussion:
Whittier Daily News and USA Today
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Marc Stein / New York Times:
Playoff Mode? LeBron James and the Lakers Are Failing to Activate
Discussion:
Orange County Register, NESN.com and New York Post
Associated Press:
Dodgers ace Kershaw could miss opening day start — Clayton Kershaw might not be on the mound when the two-time NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers start the season. — The lefty ace is working his way back from shoulder soreness that caused him to shut down his spring training.
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
All Hand's on deck! Indians pitchers, coaches marvel at closer Brad Hand's calm demeanor — Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand has marvelled teammates and coaches alike with his calm demeanor in tough situations. — CLEVELAND — Major League Baseball relievers, and more specifically …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Scratch Luis Severino From Spring Outing With Shoulder Discomfort — The Yankees announced today that prized righty Luis Severino would miss his scheduled spring outing. He had begun to warm up but experienced “discomfort” in his pitching shoulder, per the team.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Predicting the Cincinnati Reds' roster has gotten fuzzier — GOODYEAR, Arizona - Two-and-a-half weeks before spring training started, I took a stab at predicting the Reds' 25-man Opening Day roster. Three weeks into spring training, I'll take another stab - albeit with no more confidence than I did back in January.
Associated Press:
Twins tap All-Star Berrios to start on opening day — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jose Berrios will be Minnesota's Opening Day starter, the first such assignment for the 24-year-old right-hander. — Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced the decision to reporters on Monday, a natural honor for the team's only All-Star last season.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Who is White Sox prospect Nick Madrigal? — The White Sox drafted Nick Madrigal with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft. — Chicago Tribune — Tim Anderson handled the question as easily as a routine two-hopper. — Asked which player had most impressed him during spring training, the White Sox shortstop replied: “Nick Madrigal.
