Justin Verlander Seeking Extension Before Season Starts

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane said on Friday that both the Astros and starting pitcher Justin Verlander are talking about a contract, and an extension would likely have to be completed before the club breaks camp for the regular season on Sunday. A two-year deal "for more than $60 million" is possible, according to MLB […]

Chris Sale, Red Sox Agree On Long-Term Extension

Updating a previous report, the Boston Red Sox agreed on a long-term contract extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale on a deal that is believed to span from 2020 to 2024, a source told MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal on Friday. The deal is expected to be worth slightly less than $150 million and is likely […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu To Start On Opening Day

With Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill dealing with a strained MCL in his left knee and most likely to open the year on the injured list, Hyun-Jin Ryu will start on Opening Day on March 28 against the Diamondbacks. Ross Stripling will start the second game of the year. The soon-to-be 32-year-old Ryu […]

Red Sox Nearing Extension With Chris Sale

The Boston Red Sox have a framework in place for a long-term extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale, a source confirmed to MLB.com's Ian Browne on Friday. The left-handed ace is entering the final year of his contract in 2019. Since being acquired from the White Sox before the 2017 season, Sale has a 2.56 […]

Grant Lavigne Has Chance To Put Up Gaudy Numbers

Colorado Rockies first baseman Grant Lavigne, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is No. 7 on the top-10 prospect first basemen list and could put up gaudy numbers at hitter-friendly Asheville in his first full professional season in 2019. The New Hampshire product could take more time to develop than others, but he […]

MacKenzie Gore Could Dominate In 2019

San Diego Padres starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 15 overall per MLB Pipeline, only threw 60 2/3 innings over 16 starts for Single-A Fort Wayne last year due to a blister issue in his first full season. The third overall pick in 2017 showed improved velocity this spring and […]

Heliot Ramos Has Impressive Power/Speed Combo

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos, the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 91 overall per MLB Pipeline, hit .245/.313/.396 in 2018 as the youngest regular (18 years old) in the South Atlantic League (Low A). However, he sports an impressive power/speed combination and showed improvement with making contact. For a rebuilding Giants squad looking […]

Kristian Robinson Has Impressive Raw Power

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kristian Robinson, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has an exciting package of tools, including raw power that could make him one of the best sluggers in the minors. He also has plus speed and arm strength and could stick in center field long term. Robinson hit .279/.363/.428 with seven […]

Oneil Cruz Has Enormous Offensive Upside

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 95 overall per MLB Pipeline, reached double-digit home runs and stolen bases in full-season ball last year after being acquired from the Dodgers in 2017 in the Tony Watson trade. While the 6-foot-6 left-handed hitting shortstop might not stick at the 6 at […]

Cole Roederer Compared To Andrew Benintendi

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cole Roederer, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been compared to Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi and he sports a quick left-handed swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills. The 19-year-old hit .275/.354/.465 with five home runs, 24 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 36 games in the Rookie League in […]

Tristen Lutz One Of Brewers Best Prospects

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Tristen Lutz, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, showed his dynamic bat in his first full season in 2018 with 13 home runs and 33 doubles at Single-A. The No. 34 overall pick in 2017 struck out often, but his solid approach showed he could make adjustments as the season […]

Luis Garcia Could Climb Prospect Lists Quickly

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Luis Garcia, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won the Gulf Coast League batting title in his professional debut last year to open some eyes. The switch-hitter swings well from both sides of the plate and can add some power, can run and plays good defense. Garcia was signed for […]

Ronny Mauricio Has High Ceiling

New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned a promotion to the Appalachian League at age 17 last year after slashing .279/.307/.421 with 19 extra-base hits in the Gulf Coast League. He's an athletic shortstop who could also develop a plus hit tool and plus power, and he […]

Steelers To Release Morgan Burnett

The Pittsburgh Steelers informed safety Morgan Burnett that they will release him by April 1 per the player's request, according to his agent, Kevin Conner. Both parties discussed trade possibilities before the release, according to a source. Pittsburgh signed the safety to a three-year, $14.25 million contract last season that included a $4.25 million signing […]

Giants Re-Sign Cody Latimer

The New York Giants re-signed wide receiver Cody Latimer to an undisclosed deal on Friday. Latimer played in the first three games and the last two games of the 2018 season but just one of the 11 games in between in his first season in New York because of injuries. He battled a knee injury […]

Malcolm Brown Will Remain With Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are matching the Detroit Lions offer sheet for restricted free-agent running back Malcolm Brown on Friday. Brown's deal with the Rams is for two years with a $3.3 million base salary, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He'll receive $2.1 million in practice guarantees ($1 million base guaranteed and a $1.1 […]

Hans Crouse Mixes Deception With Stuff

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Hans Crouse, the team's top prospect and No. 84 overall per MLB Pipeline, possesses a riding mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. He also gets animated on the mound in order to disrupt hitters' timing at the plate. The 20-year-old right-hander posted a 2.47 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in […]

Mariners Excited About Julio Rodriguez

The Seattle Mariners are very excited about outfielder Julio Rodriguez, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, despite the fact that he hasn't even played in a game in the United States yet. He showed up to camp in excellent shape and has wowed the team with his makeup and tools and has a […]

Austin Beck Could Become Dynamic Center Fielder

Oakland Athletics outfielder Austin Beck, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, led the Single-A Midwest league in 2018 in hits in his first full season and also hit close to .300 despite a 117/30 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has great bat speed and raw power and has the tools to become a dynamic center […]

Luis Robert Has Five-Tool Potential

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 40 overall, lit up the Arizona Fall League in 2018 after rarely being healthy in his first two professional seasons in the minors. The White Sox gave him a $26 million bonus and few players can match his combination of exit velocity […]

Wander Javier Has Yet To Reach Full Potential

Minnesota Twins shortstop Wander Javier, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, missed all of the 2018 season due to injury, but a full year of at-bats could help him enter the conversation as one of the better prospects in baseball going into 2020. The Twins signed Javier for $4 million in July of […]

MJ Melendez Rising Up Minor League Ranks

Kansas City Royals catcher MJ Melendez, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had 19 home runs and threw out close to 42 percent of potential base stealers in 2018 in his first full minor league season. With a step forward in his approach at the next minor league level, Melendez could put himself […]

George Valera May Be Best Pure Minor League Hitter

Cleveland Indians outfielder George Valera, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, could emerge as one of the best pure minor league hitters, according to scouts. His season was cut short after just six games in 2018 due to a broken hamate bone, but he has a sweet left-handed swing, an advanced approach, plate […]

Deivi Garcia A Very Polished Pitcher For His Age

New York Yankees starting pitcher Deivi Garcia, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is extremely polished for a 19-year-old and finished his third professional season at Double-A last year. The Yankees like his high spin rates and a fastball that reaches the mid-90s. If the right-hander continues to show his advanced form on […]

Nate Pearson Could Break Out In 2019

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Nate Pearson, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 76 overall per MLB Pipeline, looked great in the Arizona Fall League and flashed front-of-the-rotation stuff with a great combination of size, stuff and pitchability. Pearson's 2018 season ended after just 1 1/3 innings when he fractured his right forearm after […]

Starling Marte Day-To-Day With Back Tightness

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup as a precaution due to lower back tightness. Marte is listed as day-to-day. It doesn't seem like a serious injury, so Marte should be good to go for next Thursday's Opening Day on March 28. Marte hit .277/.327/.460 with a career-high 20 home […]

Luis Severino Throws On Back-To-Back Days

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (shoulder) played catch on back-to-back days on Thursday for the first time since being shut down due to rotator-cuff inflammation, and he made 50 throws off flat ground. Manager Aaron Boone said that the session "went well" and that Severino looked more comfortable than on Wednesday. The right-hander […]

CC Sabathia Feels Fine After First Spring Outing

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (heart, knee) gave up one run and two hits in two innings on Thursday in a minor league exhibition game in his first game action since undergoing a heart procedure in December. Sabathia struck out three against the Tigers Triple-A affiliate, Toledo. The veteran left-hander said he "felt […]

Saints Sign Marcus Sherels

The New Orleans Saints signed long-time Minnesota Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to a source. The 31-year-old was the Vikings primary punt returner for the last eight years and averaged 12.0 yards per punt return in 2018 to finish in the league's top five for the third […]

Ravens Re-Sign Backup Robert Griffin III

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed backup quarterback Robert Griffin III on Thursday to an undisclosed two-year deal. The 29-year-old will continue to back up starter Lamar Jackson in 2019. The former first-round pick can be an invaluable source for Jackson as he matures heading into his second season, but RG3 will continue to have no fantasy […]