A team-by-team look at the National League East 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:___Atlanta BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [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 East 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:___Atlanta BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [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]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Hal Steinbrenner had heard the constant criticism in New York: Why haven't the Yankees tried to sign Bryce Harper or Manny Machado?"I get hammered every year about something," the New York owner said Thursday. "If you don't win the World Series, that's perfectly justifiable."Speaking at the owners' meetings, Steinbrenner would not rule out more moves before opening day but sounded as if a deal for a high-priced free agent is unlikely."Fans should keep an open mind that I'm never done until I'm done, and that's usually not until opening day," he said. "Proposals come to me every day with these guys, between the analytics guys and the pro scouting guys, and I'm going to consider every single one of them."New York's offseason moves included re-signing CC Sabathia, Brett Gardner, J.A. Happ and Zack Britton, acquiring James Paxton in a trade, and signing reliever Adam Ottavino and infielders DJ LeMahieu and Troy Tulowitzki.After New York avoided the luxury tax last year... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — In October, J.T. Realmuto's agent predicted the Miami Marlins' All-Star catcher would be with another team by spring training.He was right.Realmuto was traded Thursday to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Jorge Alfaro, two pitching prospects and $250,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation.Along with Alfaro, the Marlins acquired highly regarded pitchers Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart.Realmuto had been with the Marlins longer than any other current player. Last fall his agent, Jeff Berry, said Realmuto informed the Marlins he wouldn't sign a long-term contract with them and predicted a trade.Philadelphia, still pursuing free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, has bolstered its lineup with the additions of Realmuto, shortstop Jean Segura and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen. The Phillies had the worst batting average in the major leagues last year (.234) and were third in strikeouts (1,520). They led their division with the second-best record in the NL one week... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — In October, J.T. Realmuto's agent predicted the Miami Marlins' All-Star catcher would be with another team by spring training.He was right.Realmuto was traded Thursday to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Jorge Alfaro, two pitching prospects and international signing bonus pool allocation.Along with Alfaro, the Marlins acquired highly regarded pitchers Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart.Realmuto had been with the Marlins longer than any other current player. Last fall his agent, Jeff Berry, said Realmuto informed the Marlins he wouldn't sign a long-term contract with them and predicted a trade.Philadelphia, still pursuing free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, has bolstered its lineup with the additions of Realmuto, shortstop Jean Segura and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen. The Phillies had the worst batting average in the major leagues last year (.234) and were third in strikeouts (1,520). They led their division with the second-best record in the NL one week into August,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Didi Gregorius was quick when asked if he had a date in mind for his return from a torn elbow ligament."April," he blurted.Then he smiled, laughed and added: "We all know that's not going to happen, but that's what I want to do. It's a wait and see 'til everything is cleared, everything is ready to go."The New York Yankees shortstop tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow while making a throw from left field after a ball bounced off Fenway Park's Green Monster during Game 2 of the AL Division Series last Oct. 6. He had surgery 11 days later and had a checkup this week.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he expects Gregorius back sometime in the summer but has not been more specific.New York added DJ LeMahieu and Troy Tulowitzki to shore up its infield, moves Gregorius thinks improved the roster. Gregorius wasn't concerned the Yankees would sign a high-priced free agent such as Manny Machado, who plays shortstop and third."If he comes over, he makes the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The timetable for Yoenis Cespedes' return to the New York Mets will remain an unanswered question until after opening day.The 33-year-old outfielder was limited to 38 games last year. Dr. Robert Anderson operated to remove bone calcification from Cespedes' right heel on Aug. 2 and from the left on Oct. 26.New Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Cespedes' former agent, has said it is too early to prognosticate when the All-Star slugger will be back in the lineup."I don't think we'll have an idea during spring training," Van Wagenen said on a sun-splashed, spring-like Monday while watching the team's equipment truck leave for spring training. "I think that our expectation is that he can make progress every day, that we build him up in a smart fashion, that we're not taxing him too soon, and we want to make sure that he's 100 percent healthy when he comes back, whenever that day is."Originally acquired from Detroit at the 2015 trade deadline, Cespedes hit .287 with 17... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado produces big numbers whether he steps into the batter's box or up to the negotiating table.The All-Star third baseman and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $26 million deal to avoid arbitration on Thursday, the largest one-year salary for an arbitration-eligible player."It's a great number. Very happy," Arenado wrote in a message to The Associated Press.He and his side met with Rockies owner Dick Monfort and general manager Jeff Bridich to hammer out the historic deal.Josh Donaldson set the previous mark at $23 million with Toronto last season. The 27-year-old Arenado was set to pass that record even if he went to arbitration. Arenado asked for $30 million earlier this month, while the Rockies offered $24 million."Means a lot, we had good dialogue," Arenado said. "Very honest, very straight forward. Everyone has tough skin and sometimes you have to in business and I realized that firsthand. Was great."One short-term solution figured out.On deck, perhaps another... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado produces big numbers whether he steps into the batter's box or up to the negotiating table.The All-Star third baseman and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $26 million deal to avoid arbitration on Thursday, the largest one-year salary for an arbitration-eligible player."It's a great number. Very happy," Arenado wrote in a message to The Associated Press.He and his side met with Rockies owner Dick Monfort and general manager Jeff Bridich to hammer out the historic deal.Josh Donaldson set the previous mark at $23 million with Toronto last season. The 27-year-old Arenado was set to pass that record even if he went to arbitration. Arenado asked for $30 million earlier this month, while the Rockies offered $24 million."Means a lot, we had good dialogue," Arenado said. "Very honest, very straight forward. Everyone has tough skin and sometimes you have to in business and I realized that firsthand. Was great."One short-term solution figured out.On deck, perhaps another... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox say they have a strong pitch for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Just don't expect them to sign both star sluggers.General manager Rick Hahn doused that idea Saturday, saying the White Sox aren't likely to get both premier free agents due to concerns about future payroll flexibility."These are obviously not the last two free agents that we intend to add in the future," Hahn said at the team's annual fan convention. "Having two commitments of the magnitude they're gonna require on the same roster probably limits your flexibility and might not be the strongest move for us long term."The White Sox have six straight losing seasons. They went 62-100 last year — the most losses for them since the 1970 team dropped a franchise-record 106.What they're selling is hope, that they're poised to turn the corner. Adding a star in his prime at age 26, whether it's Machado or Harper, could accelerate the rebuild. That's been the pitch to the offseason's two biggest... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox general manager Rick Hahn jumped right on the elephant in the room. Well, the elephant that was noticeably missing from the room.Choosing his words carefully while dancing around baseball's rules for the discussion of free agents, Hahn said he will be disappointed if sluggers Manny Machado and Bryce Harper both sign with another team. But Hahn also sounded a defiant tone."The fact that we are now sitting here in a potential position or at least in a position where if we don't convert people are going to be disappointed I think is an important step forward for this organization," Hahn said Friday before the start of the team's annual fan convention."We belong at the table in these negotiations. We belong part of these negotiations for premium talent and regardless of what happens over the next several weeks with either of these two players we plan to continue to be at the table and continue to attempt to convert on these guys."Coming off six consecutive losing seasons,... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — While his bosses with the Minnesota Twins have been constructing the roster, new manager Rocco Baldelli has been busy building relationships with the players now under his supervision.His ability and desire to do that was one of the biggest reasons why he got the job, after all."People get a feel for other people over time, and you just try to be yourself and you end up proving yourself every day," Baldelli said. "That's how we're going to build what we're going to build here."Though Baldelli committed much of the last three months to those getting-to-know-you talks with players, coaches and other Twins staff he'll be working closely with, this week has provided his first significant opportunity to conducting these conversations in person with the first pitchers and catchers workout of spring training fast approaching on Feb. 14.After spending four days with starting pitcher Jose Berrios and left fielder Eddie Rosario for meet-and-greets with fans on one leg of the team's... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the baseball players' association expressed concern over a second straight offseason that has seen many Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and many other free agents remain without deals less than a month before spring training."All the dead time in the last two free-agent markets is a larger threat to our game than any supposed dead time between pitches," Tony Clark said Thursday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.Wanting to increase the pace of games and concerned about a drop in offense, management has made proposals to the union that include a pitch clock and rules changes. The players' association says it will respond, and unlike last year the union appears open to discuss the issues.Against this backdrop, just 58 of the 164 players who exercised the right to become free agents following the World Series had announced deals through Thursday afternoon. That is up from 45 of 166 on the same date last offseason, but this year's free-agent class contains... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Joe Maddon's future is a big question hovering over the Chicago Cubs heading into the season.President of baseball operations Theo Epstein thinks everything is going to work out just fine."My bet is that it goes extraordinarily well with Joe and the whole group and that he's here for a long time to come," Epstein said.Maddon, who turns 65 next month, is under contract for one more year after Epstein and the Cubs decided against offering him an extension over the winter. They want to see how the team rebounds from a disappointing finish last year.Chicago posted at least 92 wins and made the playoffs in each of Maddon's first four seasons as manager. It won the World Series in 2016 for its first championship since 1908.But the Cubs blew a five-game lead in the NL Central last September. They lost to Milwaukee in a tiebreaker for the division title and then dropped the NL wild-card game against Colorado.Cracks in the relationship between Maddon and the front office seemed to... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — While shying away from high-priced free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the New York Yankees are boosting their bullpen.Reliever Adam Ottavino and the Yankees agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is subject to a successful physical.Ottavino is a 33-year-old New Yorker who went to Berkeley Carroll High School in Brooklyn and Northeastern University. He wore No. 0 with Colorado, a number not likely to be assigned by the tradition-bound Yankees.He had a career-high 112 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings last year for the Colorado Rockies, going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 75 relief appearances. The right-hander reduced his fastball percentage, relying primarily on sliders and sinkers. He walked 36.Taken 30th overall by St. Louis in the 2006 amateur draft, Ottavino made his big league debut with the Cardinals in 2010 and was... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — While shying away from high-priced free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the New York Yankees are boosting their bullpen.Reliever Adam Ottavino and the Yankees agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is subject to a successful physical.Ottavino is a 33-year-old New Yorker who went to Berkeley Carroll High School in Brooklyn and Northeastern University. He wore No. 0 with Colorado, a number not likely to be assigned by the tradition-bound Yankees.He had a career-high 112 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings last year for the Colorado Rockies, going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 75 relief appearances. The right-hander reduced his fastball percentage, relying primarily on sliders and sinkers. He walked 36.Taken 30th overall by St. Louis in the 2006 amateur draft, Ottavino made his big league debut with the Cardinals in 2010 and was... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — DJ LeMahieu is putting away his mittens and packing more mitts.A star second baseman for Colorado, LeMahieu is set to join a crowded New York Yankees infield."I was told to bring a lot of gloves," he said Wednesday on a conference call.That's fine with LeMahieu, who became a free agent after the season and got a $24 million, two-year contract with the Yankees.LeMahieu was a three-time Gold Glover for the Rockies and hasn't played anywhere else the last four seasons. He has made 24 starts at third base in past years and also dabbled at first base and shortstop.LeMahieu said he's "pretty comfortable playing multiple positions."New York has plenty of infielders — and, the Yankees being the Yankees, no one is willing to completely rule them out of making a late play for All-Star free agent Manny Machado.Second baseman Gleyber Torres and third baseman Miguel Andujar were among the top rookies in the majors last year. Shortstop Didi Gregorius could return this summer after offseason... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies have finalized their coaching staff by hiring infield coach Bobby Dickerson and first base coach Paco Figueroa.Dickerson spent the past six seasons with the Baltimore Orioles as third base coach and worked closely with Manny Machado, an All-Star free agent the Phillies are pursuing.Figueroa will oversee outfielders and baserunning in addition to coaching first base. He replaces Jose Flores, who joined Baltimore's staff.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports