NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark took the extraordinary step of saying baseball fans should question whether it makes sense to purchase tickets for some teams, responding to Commissioner Rob Manfred's assertion that free-agent players have failed to adjust their economic demands in a market upended by analytics.Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training under way, creating tension during negotiations on management's proposals for a pitch clock and new limitations on relief pitchers. The union responded with a wider list of plans that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing."Markets change," Manfred said Sunday. "We've had a lot of change in the game. People think about players differently. They analyze players differently. They negotiate differently."Clark led negotiations in 2016 for a... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — In his last season before becoming eligible for free agency, Jose Abreu thinks the Chicago White Sox can transform into a winning team."I'm excited because this year we're in a good position to compete," said the first baseman said through an interpreter Monday on the reporting day for position players. "We have a lot of talent. We're getting ready for the point where we're going to be a pretty good team. I think that this can be that year where we start showing what we can do."Abreu was an All-Star last season, but he got hurt in the second half and finished with 22 homers, 78 RBIs and a .265 average, all career lows since arriving from Cuba before the 2014 season. It was the first time in five seasons he did not have 100 RBIs.Chicago lost 100 games last season and the best record for the White Sox in the last five years was 78-84 in 2016."I am excited also because I know the quality of people we have here," he said. "I just want to get on the field and play and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark took the extraordinary step of saying baseball fans should question whether it makes sense to purchase tickets for some teams, responding to Commissioner Rob Manfred's assertion that free-agent players have failed to adjust their economic demands in a market upended by analytics.Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training underway, creating tension during negotiations on management's proposals for a pitch clock and new limitations on relief pitchers. The union responded with a wider list of plans that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing."Markets change," Manfred said Sunday. "We've had a lot of change in the game. People think about players differently. They analyze players differently. They negotiate differently."Clark led negotiations in 2016 for a five-year... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have many jobs up for grabs, and nowhere is the competition less defined than in the infield.As the team held its first full-squad workout on Monday, only one infield position is secured — first base. Chris Davis is entering the fourth year of a seven-year, $161 million contract.Besides Davis, there are 13 players on the roster competing for the three starting positions, and a utility job or two.Davis, like the Orioles, had a horrid 2018 season. He hit just .168 with 16 home runs and 49 RBIs and 192 strikeouts in 128 games as Baltimore lost a franchise-record 115 games.There aren't any clear favorites early on.The Orioles obtained Jonathan Villar in their July remake from Milwaukee and he played both second and shortstop over the season's last two months. Villar was originally labeled as a shortstop by new general manager Mike Elias, but that was before Richie Martin was taken with the first overall pick in the Rule 5 draft.On Saturday, the Orioles... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark took the extraordinary step of saying baseball fans should question whether it makes sense to purchase tickets for some teams, responding to Commissioner Rob Manfred's assertion that free-agent players have failed to adjust their economic demands in a market upended by analytics.Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training underway, creating tension during negotiations on management's proposals for a pitch clock and new limitations on relief pitchers. The union responded with a wider list of plans that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing."Markets change," Manfred said Sunday. "We've had a lot of change in the game. People think about players differently. They analyze players differently. They negotiate differently."Clark led negotiations in 2016 for a five-year... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Eric Hosmer knows what Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are dealing as spring training hits its stride.Hosmer was a free agent last offseason and signed with the Padres after spring training began. He said players need to be patient while researching a team before making a decision.The rebuilding Padres have made pitches to both Harper and Machado."I didn't hear an offer until about mid-January last year," Hosmer said Monday. "Those guys could be weighing out their options of what's presented to them on the table. You just don't know what's happening. For me, it's one of those things where I've learned to wait back and just wait for it to be official and read all the stuff afterward."The Padres have a glaring hole at third base, where Machado could fit in. But they've also made a push for Harper, who would be an instant upgrade in right field and at the ticket office."San Diego sells itself," Hosmer said. "Either player, they are a generational talent. They are guys who... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno said the team has had internal discussions regarding a new contract for outfielder Mike Trout, who can become a free agent after the 2020 season.The two-time AL MVP is owed $33.25 million in each of the next two seasons, completing a $144.5 million, six-year contract."One of the last interviews I gave I said it's not in the back of our mind but in the front of our minds," Angels Moreno said Monday.The 27-year-old Trout did not want to discuss his contract situation on the Angels' first day of full squad workouts."I enjoy it here. I'm having fun," he said. "Obviously, losing's not fun but I enjoy playing this game. I leave it out on the field every night, every day and I go from there."Trout has heard from plenty of fans back home in the Philadelphia area about where they'd like him to play."I don't think I went a day this offseason without somebody saying, 'Hey, when are you coming to Philly?'" Trout said. "I can't predict the future.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark criticized baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred for blaming players' demands for the slow free agent market and said an increasing number of teams are making little effort to "justify the price of a ticket."Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training underway.Manfred said Sunday that "markets change" and "people think about players differently. They analyze players differently."Management has proposed changes to playing rules that include a pitch clock. The union responded with a wider list of proposals that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing.Clark said in a statement Monday, "We believe these substantive changes are imperative now — not in 2022 or 2025, but in 2019."He accused Manfred of "attempts to shift blame and distract from the main issues" and called the commissioner's comments "unconstructive and misleading at best."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Stroman says it is "pretty disheartening" that veteran players like Adam Jones remain unsigned as full-squad spring training workouts are set to begin."I'm someone who can speak on how much I have learned from these individuals, and I know how important they are to the game of baseball," the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander said Sunday. "So to see these guys sitting at home and not have jobs, that's absolute crazy."Stroman, 27, will have a veteran role this season as the Blue Jays have undertaken a youth movement."I think it's a little weird to come into the clubhouse, me having Jose Bautista's original locker when he used to be the veteran," Stroman said.Beyond the unsigned star duo of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, baseball's free-agency pool still has a surprising number of big names in it: closer Craig Kimbrel, left-hander Dallas Keuchel, outfielder Carlos Gomez and infielder Josh Harrison included.Stroman also pointed out that others, including Melky Cabrera... [More]

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Stroman says it is "pretty disheartening" that veteran players like Adam Jones remain unsigned as full-squad spring training workouts are set to begin."I'm someone who can speak on how much I have learned from these individuals, and I know how important they are to the game of baseball," the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander said Sunday. "So to see these guys sitting at home and not have jobs, that's absolute crazy."Stroman, 27, will have a veteran role this season as the Blue Jays have undertaken a youth movement."I think it's a little weird to come into the clubhouse, me having Jose Bautista's original locker when he used to be the veteran," Stroman said.Beyond the unsigned star duo of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, baseball's free-agency pool still has a surprising number of big names in it: closer Craig Kimbrel, left-hander Dallas Keuchel, outfielder Carlos Gomez and infielder Josh Harrison included.Stroman also pointed out that others, including Melky Cabrera... [More]

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Stroman says it is "pretty disheartening" that veteran players like Adam Jones remain unsigned as full-squad spring training workouts are set to begin."I'm someone who can speak on how much I have learned from these individuals, and I know how important they are to the game of baseball," the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander said Sunday. "So to see these guys sitting at home and not have jobs, that's absolute crazy."Stroman, 27, will have a veteran role this season as the Blue Jays have undertaken a youth movement."I think it's a little weird to come into the clubhouse, me having Jose Bautista's original locker when he used to be the veteran," Stroman said.Beyond the unsigned star duo of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, baseball's free-agency pool still has a surprising number of big names in it: closer Craig Kimbrel, left-hander Dallas Keuchel, outfielder Carlos Gomez and infielder Josh Harrison included.Stroman also pointed out that others, including Melky Cabrera... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — It's early in spring training, time to get the new mitt ready.Or is it?For the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, some like the feel of new leather, some like it old. Some are superstitious and don't like change and others don't worry about that even after a great season."A new glove every year," reigning AL MVP and three-time Gold Glove winner Mookie Betts said Saturday morning at the team's spring training complex.But, is the right fielder a bit superstitious about changing after such a successful year?"No, they all catch the same," he said, breaking into a grin. "It's the operator."Shortstop Xander Bogaerts agreed."New year, new glove," he said.World Series MVP Steve Pearce had a different thought. He'll likely start the season with a new one if he's broken it in on time but gave some thought to not changing anything after winning the title last fall."I have them right here in my locker," the first baseman said. "I'm bringing almost everything back I had last... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — CC Sabathia can envision the perfect ending to his final big league season."Right now I'm just focused on trying to win the championship and have a parade at the end of the year," Sabathia said Saturday. "That would be a great way to top this thing off."The 38-year-old Sabathia agreed in early November to an $8 million one-year contract and said 2019 will be his last season.Sabathia had a stent inserted after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart in December. He has had chronic right knee problem that has required several operations."Why now? It's time," Sabathia said with a laugh. "My knee, just the shape that it's in. My family is getting older. It's time for me to be with them and be around them."When asked about his dad being home more, son Carter replied, "I know it will be two times funnier in the house because you're funny and mom's funny."Pitchers and catchers at Yankees spring training camp, and some position players taking part in early workouts were... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Corey Seager never really wanted to know what the next step was in his rehab process after the young Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop had the kind of elbow surgery more common for pitchers, then hip surgery as well last season."I never wanted to look forward because I never wanted to get antsy, 'Oh why are we not doing this yet?'" Seager said Friday. "I just never knew when something was going to happen, so what I did that day was what I did that day."With the two-time defending NL champion Dodgers getting ready for their first full-squad workout Tuesday, and the regular season opener six weeks away, even Seager knows what comes next. While excited about getting back in games at some point soon, he is still trying to maintain some sense of that stay-in-the-day mentality.Manager Dave Roberts said the target date for Seager remains opening day, but the real goal is to get him fully healthy. The Dodgers don't want to get overanxious with their two-time All-Star and the... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Nola hopes to win titles with the Philadelphia Phillies, and a $45 million, four-year contract will give him a chance."This is pretty surreal and special for me," the pitcher said Thursday, a day after agreeing to the deal. "I love it here. I love the city of Philadelphia. I want to be a part of this organization — a winning organization."His contract includes a 2023 club option that could make the deal worth $56.75 million over five years."I don't play specifically for the money," he said as parents and teammates watched at a news conference. "I play for the love of game and I play for my teammates. They know that. I'm here to win and maximize my potential as much as I can."The 25-year-old right hander is 41-28 in four seasons, including 17-6 last year with a 2.37 ERA and 0.975 WHIP. He finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting behind Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer."There really is nobody that's more deserving of this than Aaron," general manager Matt... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — With Corey Seager's expected return by opening day and the acquisition of right-handed hitting center fielder A.J. Pollock, the Los Angeles Dodgers are not expected to be platooning.Seager was limited to 26 games last season and did not play after April 29. He had Tommy John surgery on May 4 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament and had arthroscopic surgery on his left hip on Aug. 7."There is a certain narrative on us platooning last year, and I think that was kind of for survival," manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday during his first spring training availability.The two-time NL champions traded Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to the Cincinnati Reds and allowed Manny Machado and Yasmani Grandal to leave as free agents. The Dodgers' major addition was to sign Pollock as a free agent."I think that we're not as susceptible against left-handed pitching," Roberts said. "Offensively, we're much more balanced, one through eight. Whoever those eight might be on a particular... [More]

Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel won't be around when the bat and ball bags are opened at spring training throughout Florida and Arizona this week.They are among the dozens of free agents still looking for jobs, joined by Mike Moustakas, Marwin Gonzalez, Carlos Gonzalez and Gio Gonzalez.For the second straight winter, camps are opening with many rosters in exceptional flux."The market will sort itself out," St. Louis Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said at last week's owners' meetings. "There is a long time between the end of the season and spring training, and there's maybe not so much a sense of urgency on whichever side it happens to be."Among the 164 players who exercised free agency rights at the end of last year's World Series, 84 had announced agreements on the eve of spring training. That is up from 65 of 166 at roughly the same point last season but down from 105 of 158 two years ago.Boston added J.D. Martinez last Feb. 26 and Philadelphia brought... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bryce Harper and the Giants met in the free agent slugger's hometown of Las Vegas this week, and new San Francisco baseball operations chief Farhan Zaidi said the sides had mutual interest.Zaidi, the club's new president of baseball operations, would not say whether an offer was extended to the star outfielder. The Giants still hope to add two outfielders.A fan posted that he had spotted Giants CEO Larry Baer in the Bellagio on Monday night."It's kind of hard to deny when your CEO gets made in the casino," Zaidi said with a chuckle Friday. "There's obviously mutual interest on both sides, so we thought it made sense to get together. We had a good conversation over a few hours and he's obviously got a lot of suitors and a lot of interest. He's going to have some decisions to make, but again I think it's fair to say that was an expression of our interest level to make the trip out there and meet with him."Zaidi said background discussions led to the meeting: "We didn't... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]