Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB considering radical realignment for 2020 season: Grapefruit and Cactus leagues — PHOENIX — How about the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies being divisional rivals for the season? — Or the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves? — And the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians?
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, NBCSports.com, Chicago Tribune, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Over the Monster, Purple Row, Washington Post, McCovey Chronicles, San Francisco Chronicle, MLB Trade Rumors, Lone Star Ball, Phillies Nation, Sports Illustrated, Talking Chop, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Yahoo! Sports, Bluebird Banter, Herald & Review, Lookout Landing, Pinstripe Alley, Arizona Sports, MLB Daily Dish, Forbes, Amazin' Avenue, Brew Crew Ball, Royals Review, True Blue LA, Athletics Nation, baseballmusings.com and Kansas City Star, more at WeSmirch »
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Mike Ozanian / Forbes:
Despite Lockdown, MLB Teams Gain Value In 2020 — Traffic cop at the intersection of money and sports — I cover sports business with rare dips into b-schools, local economies — Even in times of economic turmoil, an investment in a Major League Baseball team is a sure bet.
Forbes:
Forbes Releases 23rd Annual Major League Baseball Valuations — The New York Yankees Retain Top Spot For 23rd Consecutive Year — Forbes today announced its 23rd annual MLB valuations, a ranking of the Major League Baseball's 30 teams. The New York Yankees have remained in the top spot …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated
Joon Lee / ESPN:
Players from all 30 teams form MLB The Show league — NEW YORK — Competitive baseball is back. Even if it's virtual in nature. — In a joint effort with the MLB Players Association and Sony Interactive Entertainment, Major League Baseball is launching the first competitive MLB …
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Amir Garrett to represent Cincinnati Reds in ‘MLB The Show’ players video game league — Hall of Fame former Reds announcer Marty Brennaman does Pledge of Allegiance for Loveland Elementary — There will be MLB players playing baseball this month. It'll just be through video games instead of an actual field.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Tim Tucker / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Freeman, Hamels weigh in on idea of Braves games without fans, family — The Braves' Freddie Freeman and Cole Hamels acknowledged the 2020 season, if there is to be one, might have to begin by playing games in distant stadiums without fans or family in attendance.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mark Reynolds Announces Retirement — Veteran slugger Mark Reynolds, who enjoyed a 13-year big league career split between the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Orioles, Indians, Cardinals, Nationals, Yankees and Brewers, announced in an appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio on SiriusXM that he's officially retired (Twitter link, with audio).
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Talking Chop, Arizona Republic, AZ Snake Pit, Arizona Sports and Purple Row
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Carlos Rodon On Schedule In Tommy John Rehab — White Sox southpaw Carlos Rodon is “on schedule” in his rehab from last May's Tommy John surgery, the lefty himself tells Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Rodon is throwing three times per week, including two bullpen sessions …
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times
WFAA-TV:
Former Texas Rangers player Josh Hamilton indicted on felony injury to a child charge — The former baseball player is accused of assaulting one of his children in September 2019. — Author: Jozelyn Escobedo (WFAA) — A Tarrant County grand jury has indicted former Texas Rangers player Josh Hamilton …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Lone Star Ball
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Offseason In Review: Arizona Diamondbacks — The D-Backs spent significant sums in free agency for the first time since GM Mike Hazen came aboard and pulled off an interesting trade for a key veteran. But is it enough to mount a real challenge to the dominant division force? — Major League Signings
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Rob / CPBL STATS:
Rakuten Monkeys to Have Robot Mannequins in Stands as Fans — Monkeys to Setup Robot Mannequin Fans in Stands — Welcome to the future, where professional baseball players are playing in front of a robot crowd inside an empty stadium. No, this is not from an episode of the Twilight Zone …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Post and Viva El Birdos
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
The Padres' Interesting Rotation — We've heard an awful lot of chatter over the years about the Padres trying to acquire premium MLB rotation pieces — Noah Syndergaard, etc. They've yet to swing such a deal, but nevertheless have managed to compile rather an interesting slate of starters.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
