Sources: Butler, Athletics agree to 7-year, $65.5M extension  —  Outfielder Lawrence Butler and the Athletics are in agreement on a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension that includes a club option, sources told ESPN on Thursday night, locking up a foundational talent who was one of the best players …

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says final offer under $600M in Blue Jays talks  —  Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has disclosed that the latest contract extension proposal his representatives presented to the team was significantly lower than Juan Soto's deal with the New York Mets, falling short of $600 million.

Dodgers nearing historic Dave Roberts extension shows managers still matter — even on superteams  —  GLENDALE, Az.  — Dave Roberts and the Dodgers have made strong progress toward an extension that is expected to top the managerial annual value record and be finalized before the team leaves Wednesday …

There's a $400 Million Monster Eating Baseball.  Will It Swallow Up an Entire Division?  —  The Dodgers have the highest payroll in baseball history.  The Diamondbacks and Padres are the divisional rivals left trying to keep up.  —  Ken Kendrick insists he and his business partners …

Garrett Crochet is open to a long-term deal with the Red Sox — but only if it's wrapped up by Opening Day  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Garrett Crochet is open to signing a long-term deal with the Red Sox this spring.  But if he and the team cannot match up on a contract during spring training …

Yankees-J.D. Martinez marriage unlikely as search for Giancarlo Stanton fill-in drags on  —  The Yankees did reach out on J.D. Martinez, but the sides don't seem close, as the Yankees don't want to spend any/much more.  —  There's no timetable yet on Giancarlo Stanton.

Ex-outfielder Naquin back with Guardians as pitcher  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Tyler Naquin is back in the Guardians organization, and he is going to try his hand (and arm) at a new position.  The 33-year-old has signed a Minor League deal with Cleveland, and he will report to Minor League camp as a pitcher.

Source: Yankees' Gerrit Cole to have tests on right elbow  —  New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole is scheduled to undergo tests on his right elbow, a source confirmed to ESPN on Friday, nearly a year after he was shut down because of an elbow injury before missing the first 75 games of the 2024 season.

Chicago Cubs spring training complex set for upgrades — plus ‘optimistic’ outlook for Marquee's cable future  —  MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs spring training facility will soon be undergoing a few upgrades.  —  The city of Mesa approved $16 million in funding for improvements …

What A's, Rays moving to minor league ballparks means for MLB  —  THE SLOW, PROTRACTED death of the Oakland A's played out over two decades, offering a fresh blueprint of how to torpedo a professional sports franchise.  The slow, protracted march of the Tampa Bay Rays toward a similar outcome is playing out in real time.

Entering his 14th season, Bryce Harper says there is still so much left to accomplish  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper was four days shy of his 20th birthday when his Washington Nationals endured one of the most shocking postseason losses in recent memory.