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.

Giants add veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed, ending chance of Brandon Crawford return  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants signed veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed to a minor-league deal Monday in a move that was more about the subtext than the actual news.

ALEK MANOAH UNPLUGGED: Blue Jays pitcher candidly unpacks his struggles and shares his verve for the future  —  DUNEDIN — It's a quiet, almost blissful Sunday morning at the Blue Jays player development complex.  —  STORY CONTINUES BELOW  —  This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

José DeLeón, MLB pitcher for 13 seasons, dies at age 63  —  MLB, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — José DeLeón, a major league pitcher for 13 seasons who led the National League in strikeouts for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1989, has died.

As MLB reduces one pitch clock time, Spencer Strider worries ‘injury epidemic’ will worsen  —  NORTH PORT, Fla. - Spencer Strider, like any data-driven student of baseball, is not offering concrete explanations for the rash of Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgeries in the game.

Cardinals signing 3-time All-Star Brandon Crawford, per sources: Why St. Louis made the move now  —  The St. Louis Cardinals are signing three-time All-Star Brandon Crawford, league sources said.  —  Crawford, 37, is expected to serve as a back-up shortstop behind 21-year-old rookie Masyn Winn …

These Cincinnati Reds aren't holding back: 'We're going to win the division'  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — When they're not shattering teammates' car windows in living batting practice, when they're not practicing plays at home plate with stuffed hippos, they're borrowing the celebrated phrases by one of their famed alumni.

Why Mets' Eric Chavez apologized to some players at end of last season  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Near the end of the Mets' miserable 2023 season, Eric Chavez felt uncomfortable and a little guilty.  —  He was wrapping up his first and, it turned out, only season as the bench coach, having transitioned from hitting coach.

Twins Acquire Manuel Margot  —  The Twins announced the acquisition of veteran outfielder Manuel Margot, infield prospect Rayne Doncon and cash from the Dodgers in exchange for minor league shortstop Noah Miller.  Los Angeles is reportedly covering $6MM of Margot's $10MM salary for the upcoming season.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.