David Wright Reports To Spring Training

While it probably doesn’t matter, New York Mets third baseman David Wright has reported to spring training. The difference in his latest comeback attempt, though, is that the Mets recently brought third baseman Todd Frazier on board since Wright can clearly no longer be relied upon. Wright has played in only 75 games over the […]

Yankees To Attend Tim Lincecum's Showcase

The New York Yankees will attend free-agent starting pitcher Tim Lincecum's showcase this week, according to sources. The Padres and Giants are also known to be interested in the veteran two-time Cy Young winner. He reportedly has gained some velocity on his fastball in recent workouts and looks to be in better shape, but he […]

Andrew Benintendi Equates Extra Weight To Health And Consistency

Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi has arrived at JetBlue Park weighing 190 pounds, 25 pounds more than when the 2017 season ended, according to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. “Trying to stay a little stronger this year and getting through the season healthy. The extra weight will help,” said Benintendi. “I want more […]

Bruce Maxwell's Legal Issues Continue

Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell's legal issues will bleed into the regular season. He had a settlement conference on Monday, but it was left unresolved. He will have another meeting on April 13. This means Maxwell will report to spring training without resolution in his legal issues, which stem from an October arrest for disorderly […]

Brandon Maurer's Arbitration Hearing Set For Thursday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer's salary arbitration hearing is scheduled for Thursday. He is asking for $3.5 million, while the Royals countered at $2.95 million. The Royals have never gone to an arbitration hearing under general manager Dayton Moore. Maurer had 20 saves with the Padres in 2017 before being traded to KC, […]

Bud Norris Could Be Used as a Starting Pitcher in St. Louis

Newly-signed St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bud Norris may be given a chance to work as a starting pitcher this season. He's been working (and at times excelling) out of the bullpen in recent seasons, but the Cardinals have said he may get a chance to work in the rotation if any of their young arms […]

Brewers, Twins May Be Finalists For Jake Arrieta

With starting pitcher Yu Darvish signing with the Cubs over the weekend, the market for free-agent starter Jake Arrieta is clearing up, and the Brewers and Twins appear to be the two favorites for his services, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The Nationals, Phillies and Cardinals are also possible landing […]

Jordan Zimmermann Receives Injection In Back

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (back, neck) recently visited with Dr. Andrew Dossett and received an injection in his back instead of his neck. As a result, he will resume his throwing program Tuesday. Zimmermann is dealing with a couple of bulging discs in his back, but he said he feels "100 times better" […]

Collin McHugh's Arbitration Hearing To Take Place Tuesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh's salary-arbitration hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Phoenix. The right-hander asked for $5 million, but the Astros countered with $4.55 million. McHugh's 2017 season was essentially lost after he didn't make his season debut until July 22. When he did pitch, though, he was better than he was in […]

Cubs Reached Out To Jake Arrieta Before Signing Yu Darvish

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Chicago Cubs reached out to former Cub and free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta prior to signing Yu Darvish to a six-year deal. Arrieta was one of the best pitchers during his time with the Cubs, but it appears there was no deal that both he and the […]

Yu Darvish Has Offers From Twins And Brewers

Jon Heyman reports that the Milwaukee Brewers have made free-agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish an offer in the $100 million-plus range. Heyman also notes that the Twins have offered a five-year deal to Darvish, which would likely be worth $100 million-plus. According to Heyman, there's "reason to believe" Darvish might prefer to return to one […]

Matt Wieters Expected To Be In Platoon

Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters is expected to be involved in more of a platoon situation behind the plate in 2018, with Pedro Severino the favorite to win the backup job. Severino must beat out Miguel Montero for the backup job in spring training, and Washington believes that Severino is ready to become a full-time […]

Zack Greinke Has Impressive Streak Going

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke has gone 445 1/3 innings over 70 regular season starts since the last time he hit a batter. The last time he plunked a hitter was Mets outfielder Michael Conforto on July 26 of 2015. It's the longest active streak for a pitcher in the big leagues. The all-time […]

Brad Miller In The Running At Both First and Second Base

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brad Miller could be in the running at either first base or second base. The general manager of the Rays went on the radio that they had an "open mind" when figuring out the right side of the infield. It was also noted that Miller would be in the running at either first […]

Francisco Lindor and the Indians Have Not Had Contract Extension Talks Lately

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and the team have not had any contract extension talks lately, according to a source familiar with the situation. The two sides were discussing a long-term deal last offseason, but it seems like those talks have been tabled for now. Rumors say Lindor turned down something along the lines of […]

Nationals Could Pursue Jake Arrieta

The Washington Nationals could pursue free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta given the relationship between owner Tom Werner and Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras. The Nationals showed interest in Arrieta during the winter meetings, but there has been no indication that the two sides have been engaged in active negotiations. General manager Mike Rizzo said he'd be […]

Ronald Acuna Could Force Braves Hand

Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Ronald Acuna, who is ranked as the No. 2 prospect by MLB.com entering the year, could force the team's hand if he dazzles in spring training camp. The 20-year-old is a five-tool talent that would secure an extra season of control if he starts the year with Triple-A Gwinnett, but he […]

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton To See Time In Left Field

New York Yankees outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will see time in left field this spring under the tutelage of new first base coach and outfield instructor Reggie Willits. Both Judge and Stanton have predominantly played right field in their major league careers, with Stanton playing all but one big league inning in right […]

Yu Darvish's Strikeout Rate Is Impressive

Free-agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish has struck out 29.7 percent of the batters he's faced in his career, which is the highest rate in history for a starter with at least 500 innings, ahead of Chris Sale (29.2 percent), Stephen Strasburg (29.0 percent) and Randy Johnson (28.6 percent). Darvish is only behind Max Scherzer (30.4 […]

Zack Wheeler Wins Arbitration Case

New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler won his arbitration case and will make $1.9 million in 2018. The Mets were offering $1.5 million. With Wheeler, the story has been arm injuries, as he missed two full years following Tommy John surgery, and he was inconsistent in 2017 with more arm issues. There remains upside […]

Gregory Polanco Trained Hard In Offseason

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco took his offseason training very seriously after having the worst season of his career in 2017, in which he played in only 108 games due to shoulder, groin and hamstring injuries that caused him to land on the disabled list three separate times. Polanco trained in the Dominican Republic after […]

Lance Lynn Drawing Interest from Several Teams

Free-agent starting pitcher Lance Lynn is reportedly drawing interest from seven or eight teams. The Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles are confirmed to be among the teams showing interest, but they are also reportedly exploring the trade market for starting pitching as well. The source mentions that the Cardinals, Lynn's former team, are "not in […]

Archie Bradley in the Mix for Closer Spot in 2018

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley will compete with Brad Boxberger and Yoshihisa Hirano for the closer role in Arizona. In his first season as a reliever, Bradley posted a 3-3 record with a 1.73 ERA, 74 strikeouts and one save. He spent most of the year as the D-backs most versatile bullpen hand, pitching multiple […]

Cardinals Have No Interest In Bringing Lance Lynn Back

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the St. Louis Cardinals have shown no interest in bringing back free-agent starting pitcher Lance Lynn. After going 11-8 with a 3.43 ERA in 2017, his first season back from Tommy John surgery, Lynn has a 72-47 career record and a 3.38 career ERA. Goold mentions […]

Indians Sign Stephen Fife

The Cleveland Indians signed pitcher Stephen Fife to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Fife is 31 and hasn't pitched in a major league game since he underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2014. He spent 2017 with the Marlins organization and with the Seibu Lions in Japan. He's organizational depth, at […]

J.D. Martinez Discussing Deals With Arizona

Free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez, who has a five-year offer of at least $120 million from the Red Sox, has discussed short-term and long-term deals with the Arizona Diamondbacks as well. With the free-agent market moving like molasses and although the Red Sox have been the favorites to land Martinez all along, the D-backs may remain […]

Noah Syndergaard Focusing On Lean Workouts

New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, who missed four months in 2017 with a torn lat muscle, is doing a vastly different workout routine this year that is focused on athleticism instead of bulking up. "I'm trying to become more athletic overall and doing the right kind of lifts," said the leaner Syndergaard. "It's […]

Rangers Trade Russell Wilson To The Yankees

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Texas Rangers traded Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson today to the New York Yankees in exchange for future consideration. It might surprise some that Wilson actually played nearly 100 games in the Colorado Rockies system after being drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft. Wilson […]

Cubs Appear Best-Positioned To Land Yu Darvish

MLB.com is reporting that the Chicago Cubs are in the best position to land free-agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish. Among the teams still in on Darvish, aside from the Cubs, are the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins. Darvish has been rumored to be holding out hope that the Dodgers or […]

J.D. Martinez Still In Negotiations With Red Sox

Free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez is not "fed up" with the Boston Red Sox, per earlier reports. "J.D. is involved in multiple negotiations and is pleased with the participants and the good-faith process," Scott Boras, Martinez's agent, reportedly said. "Suggestions otherwise are not accurate." The Red Sox have been viewed as the favorites to land Martinez […]