Top News:
Abbey Mastracco / New York Daily News:
Tomas Nido, Mets catchers adjusting to new pitching staff — PORT ST. LUCIE — The relationship between Mets' catcher Tomas Nido and the club's newest ace began in Jupiter last month. A bond was formed over not just baseball, but cars. However, the batterymates did not bond over the same type of cars, just their affinity for them.
Discussion:
Mercury News and MLB Baseball News …
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Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Willson Contreras determined to silence the critics with Cardinals — JUPITER, Fl. - Funny how two teams, historic rivals in the same division, can view the same player so differently. The Cubs bid farewell to Willson Contreras in part because he did not meet their standards for defensive preparation and game-calling.
Discussion:
Newsday, NBCSports.com and Bleacher Nation
Kevin Acee / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres say keeping Manny Machado is a priority, but let star's extension deadline pass with only one offer — Machado let team know in December that he didn't want negotiate after the start of spring training; his deadline was Thursday — The Padres have received widespread praise …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation, USA Today and Talking Friars on YouTube
Matt Kawahara / San Francisco Chronicle:
New A's outfielder JJ Bleday arrives with a goal: ‘Dominate the heater’ — MESA, Ariz. - Outfielder JJ Bleday arrived in Oakland Athletics camp on Friday at the end of a whirlwind week, greetings spilling onto the field during an informal hitters' workout. Near home plate …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Gelb / The Athletic:
Aaron Nola, Phillies in talks over long-term extension: ‘I love it here’ — CLEARWATER, Fla. — After Aaron Nola got married in Adairsville, Ga., on New Year's Eve, he returned to Florida with his wife. Aaron and Hunter are simple people — they traveled the country last winter …
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and Phillies Nation
Julia Poe / Chicago Tribune:
Recapping the Chicago Bulls: Short-handed roster can't keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks as skid hits a season-high 6 — ExpandAutoplay — 1 of 22 — Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, right, watches from the bench in the second half of a game against the Bucks on Thursday at the United Center.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Mercury News and Bleacher Nation
Baseball Hall of Fame:
Cap Selections Announced for Fred McGriff, Scott Rolen — (COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.) - The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that a St. Louis Cardinals logo will appear on the cap of the Hall of Fame plaque for 2023 Hall of Fame electee Scott Rolen.
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB Baseball News …, Phillies Nation, New Jersey Online, Battery Power and Viva El Birdos
Gary Washburn / The Boston Globe:
Joe Mazzulla's ascension to permanent head coach a popular move with Celtic players — SALT LAKE CITY — What's apparent about Joe Mazzulla being named permanent head coach of the Celtics is the team is ready to move forward from the Ime Udoka mess, if they haven't already.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Rob Manfred questions whether San Diego Padres can sustain their huge payroll in small market — PHOENIX — The economic disparity in baseball is starting to become an alarming concern among owners, with commissioner Rob Manfred questioning Wednesday whether teams like the San Diego Padres …
Discussion:
San Diego Union-Tribune, MLB Baseball News … and Gaslamp Ball
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Rob Manfred: MLB ready if Diamond Sports Group can't pay teams
Rob Manfred: MLB ready if Diamond Sports Group can't pay teams
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Associated Press, Washington Post, Bleacher Nation, Fish Stripes, The Good Phight and Yahoo News
Adam Grosbard / Orange County Register:
USC gets back on track with easy win over Cal — LOS ANGELES — Another steal, this one an intercepted pass by Drew Peterson, and USC was off and running against Cal. Peterson took a few easy dribbles up the court, freshman Oziyah Sellers his running mate in transition.
Discussion:
Trojans Wire and DraftKings Nation
LaMond Pope / Chicago Tribune:
Mike Clevinger says don't ‘rush to judgment’ while the Chicago White Sox pitcher remains under MLB investigation — ExpandAutoplay — 1 of 18 — White Sox players arrive for a spring training practice on Feb. 15, 2023. — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Spring training began Wednesday …
Discussion:
Mercury News, New York Post, Denver Post, ESPN, Sox On 35th, White Sox News and NBCSports.com
Pat Leonard / New York Daily News:
Giants hire Brian Daboll's son, Christian, after student-coach stint at Penn State — The Giants are becoming a family affair for Coach of the Year Brian Daboll. Daboll has hired his son, Christian, as an offensive assistant on his coaching staff, multiple sources confirmed to the Daily News on Thursday night.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, New York Post and ProFootballTalk
Ira Winderman / Sun-Sentinel:
Heat go into All-Star break with a thud after falling 116-105 in Brooklyn — NEW YORK — Typically the NBA midseason doldrums end after the All-Star break. — For the Miami Heat, their final game before the break left no room for complacency. — Entering the night 1 1/2 games behind …
Discussion:
Mercury News, New York Post, Boston Herald, New York Daily News and Denver Post