Top News:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Cody Bellinger, Cubs agree on 3-year, $80 million deal — Center fielder Cody Bellinger and the Cubs are in agreement on a three-year, $80 million contract, sources told ESPN, ending a prolonged free agency with a return engagement after his excellent 2023 season with Chicago.
Discussion:
The Athletic, MLB.com, NBC Sports Chicago, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation, Yahoo Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Daily News, baseballmusings.com, Orange County Register, DraftKings Network, FanGraphs Baseball, Marquee Sports Network, Cubs Insider, Lone Star Ball, USA Today, Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB free agent rumors drag into spring but no need to panic | Nightengale's Notebook — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Former Cincinnati Reds MVP Joey Votto, sitting in his car as it slowly moves through a car wash, looks at his phone and glumly utters: “This isn't spring training.”
Discussion:
True Blue LA, MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Don Mattingly brings his fiery competitive side to role of Blue Jays offensive coordinator — DUNEDIN — First things first: For his inaugural in-game assignment in the role of Blue Jays offensive coordinator, Don Mattingly was not in the TD Ballpark press box on Saturday afternoon …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Toronto Star and The Athletic
RELATED:
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays need the best of George Springer in fourth year of mega contract — DUNEDIN — As much as the highest-paid player on a team can find himself in such a place, it's almost as if George Springer has slipped under the radar in the early days of spring training. — STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Discussion:
Toronto Star and Bluebird Banter
The Athletic:
Free-agent utility man Kiké Hernández is down to four teams. Here's how he'd fit with each — Free-agent super-utility man Kiké Hernández is choosing between four teams, according to sources briefed on his discussions. The finalists, in no particular order …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors and NBC Sports Bay Area …
Anthony Olivieri / ESPN:
Jackie Robinson statue cleats heading to Negro Leagues Baseball Museum — WICHITA, Kan. — The bronze cleats from a Jackie Robinson statue that was cut at the ankles and stolen last month will be donated to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, League 42's executive director told ESPN on Friday.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, New York Post and Associated Press
ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani will make Los Angeles Dodgers' debut Tuesday — Shohei Ohtani will make his Los Angeles Dodgers spring training debut on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, who share the facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. — Ohtani will be the designated hitter as he plays …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times and Yahoo Sports
David Brandt / Associated Press:
MLB union says 2-second cut to pitch clock too soon for some pitchers — Major League Baseball's move to slice two seconds off the pitch clock with runners on base is too much, too soon, according to players' association head Tony Clark. The clock is shortening to 18 seconds from 20 with men …
Discussion:
New York Post, Fox News, Yahoo Sports, Lookout Landing, Battery Power and MLB Trade Rumors
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
Yankees' Alex Verdugo responds to scorching comments from ex-Red Sox star Jonathan Papelbon — TAMPA. Fla. − At his introductory New York Yankees press event in December, Alex Verdugo praised manager Aaron Boone's “fire” and “fight” for his players.
Discussion:
New York Post
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
If not Masyn Winn, who? Cardinals discuss shortstop depth, whether there's enough: Cardinals Extra — Video by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com — JUPITER, Fla. — When it comes to their starting shortstop, the Cardinals have not hidden their intentions or even tried to change …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Wall Street Journal:
Major League Baseball's Wardrobe Malfunction — The league unveiled new uniforms for this season that were supposed to blend cutting-edge tech with fashion. Instead, they've generated widespread backlash—and some rather embarrassing images. — Major League Baseball had grand ambitions …
Discussion:
The Athletic and New York Post
Clay Bailey / Associated Press:
Clippers | Kawhi Leonard, Terance Mann help Clippers hold off Grizzlies — Leonard scores 24 points, Terance Mann has a season-high 23 points and 12 rebounds and the Clippers grab the lead for good with 1:35 left to cap a 101-95 road win — MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On the second night …
Discussion:
Daily News, Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register