Top News:
Stephen J. Nesbitt / The Athletic:
MLB players dressing down Nike, Fanatics over new uniforms that look ‘like a replica’ — The top story of spring training so far has nothing to do with the seams and stitches on a baseball. Instead, the talk of spring is all about the seams and stitches of the new jersey that Major League Baseball's …
Miami Herald:
A team that sought Luzardo, Marlins shortstop search, and why Gordon deal pleased Chisholm — The Marlins have been willing to listen to proposals for pitcher Jesus Luzardo all offseason, and sources say the Baltimore Orioles displayed the most interest. — The Orioles ultimately were unwilling to meet the Marlins asking price.
Discussion:
The Athletic, MLB Trade Rumors, ClutchPoints and Royals Review
FanGraphs Baseball:
2024 Top 100 Prospects — ZiPS 2024 Top 100 Prospects - Updating the 2024 Draft Rankings — The Seven College Baseball Teams You Need to Know — Picks to Click: Who We Expect to Make the 2025 Top 100 — Names To Know: Notable Prospects Who Missed the Top 100
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Rob Manfred says he will step down as MLB commissioner in 2029 — TAMPA, Fla. — Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters Thursday that this will be his final term in office and he will retire when it expires in January 2029. — Manfred, 65, replaced Bud Selig …
Dan Szymborski / FanGraphs Baseball:
ZiPS 2024 Top 100 Prospects — Cubs VP of Scouting Dan Kantrovitz on the Amateur Draft and His Evolving Role — How's My Driving? — A Visual Scouting Primer: Pitching, Part One — Blake Butera Is Understandably Bullish on Tampa Bay's Prospect Pipeline — 2024 Top 100 Prospects
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Battery Power, Bleacher Nation, Lone Star Ball and Covering the Corner
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Orioles eyeing pitching market after Kyle Bradish, John Means injuries — The Orioles are looking at the starter market with young star Kyle Bradish shelved to start the year with a UCL injury (which has been known about for weeks but just came to public light now) and John Means a month behind schedule.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Baltimore Sun, MLB Trade Rumors, Camden Chat, FanGraphs Baseball, ClutchPoints and Bleacher Nation
Charlie Goldsmith / Cincinnati.com:
The Elly De La Cruz plan: Inside Cincinnati Reds' approach with a young star — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — At the end of last season, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell and bench coach Freddie Benavides called a meeting with shortstop Elly De La Cruz to discuss the steps that they wanted to see him take during the offseason.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Redleg Nation and ClutchPoints
RELATED:
Charlie GoldsmithCincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati.com:
The Reds' plan for 2024 lineup starts with Elly De La Cruz at shortstop | Live updates
The Reds' plan for 2024 lineup starts with Elly De La Cruz at shortstop | Live updates
Discussion:
Red Reporter, New York Post, MLB.com, FanGraphs Baseball and Redleg Nation
Christian Arnold / New York Post:
1986 Mets World Series champion Lenny Dykstra suffers stroke — Mets great Lenny Dykstra suffered a stroke and has been hospitalized in Los Angeles, a source confirmed to The Post. — News of Dykstra's health issues first popped up on social media after “Dolan's Bar,” a Ridley Park …
Discussion:
ESPN, Delaware County Times and New Jersey Online
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Trimmed-down Alek Manoah ready to kick butt, rather than the other way around — DUNEDIN, Fla. — From the new hairstyle to the trimmer, fitter look, Alek Manoah certainly seemed ready for his role as of one of the most interesting players at Blue Jays training camp. — STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and ClutchPoints
Associated Press:
Guardians to start home opener following total solar eclipse — MLB, Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox — CLEVELAND — The Guardians will throw the first pitch at their 2024 home opener after the earth, moon and sun align. — Cleveland's first game at Progressive Field …
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, WKYC-TV, MLive.com and WFAA-TV
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Sources: MLB to enforce obstruction rule around bases — Major League Baseball intends to strictly enforce the obstruction rule around the bases this season, instructing umpires to be more diligent in calling the infraction, sources tell ESPN. — The league is holding a videoconference call …
Discussion:
The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Associated Press and baseballmusings.com
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers will give opportunity to young arms this spring. They need one to seize it — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Risk is abundant in the Texas Rangers' planned opening day starting rotation. Andrew Heaney has been on the injured list six times in seven years. Nathan Eovaldi sees that and raises it by a trip.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online and Lone Star Ball