FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — J.D. Martinez is finally a member of the Boston Red Sox.The five-year, $110 million contract that Martinez agreed to with the club a week ago was finalized on Monday, when he was introduced at a long-awaited news conference at JetBlue Park.After hitting 45 home runs in 119 combined games last season for the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, Martinez became the most prominent free agent position player and was widely linked to the Red Sox throughout the winter on the slow-moving market."I love this game," Martinez said. "I love to play, and to play in front of fans who are just as passionate and love it just as much, it's exciting."The Red Sox took extra time with the medical evaluation, with particular attention paid to a right foot injury that Martinez suffered last year. That led to some language changes to protect the Red Sox over the life of the deal, and the 30-year-old Martinez even flew back to Boston at one point last week for further examination.... [More]

The Minnesota Twins have powered up their lineup.Free agent slugger Logan Morrison and the Twins reached agreement on a $6.5 million, one-year deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract was subject to a physical.Morrison had a career-high 38 home runs and 85 RBIs for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, mostly as a first baseman.The 30-year-old Morrison has also played the corner outfield spots. With Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler in left field and right field and Joe Mauer at first base, Morrison is likely to be the primary designated hitter for a team that earned an AL wild-card spot last season.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES:NATIONALS 9, BRAVES 3Max Scherzer allowed one run, on a homer by Dansby Swanson, in two innings and struck out three for Washington. Bryce Harper went 0 for 3 in his first spring game. Matt Wieters homered for the Nationals.Scott Kazmir walked two in one... [More]

The Minnesota Twins have powered up their lineup.Free agent slugger Logan Morrison and the Twins reached agreement on a $6.5 million, one-year deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract was subject to a physical.Morrison had a career-high 38 home runs and 85 RBIs for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, mostly as a first baseman.The 30-year-old Morrison has also played the corner outfield spots. With Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler in left field and right field and Joe Mauer at first base, Morrison is likely to be the primary designated hitter for a team that earned an AL wild-card spot last season.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES:NATIONALS 9, BRAVES 3Max Scherzer allowed one run, on a homer by Dansby Swanson, in two innings and struck out three for Washington. Bryce Harper went 0 for 3 in his first spring game. Matt Wieters homered for the Nationals.Scott Kazmir walked two in one... [More]

The Minnesota Twins have powered up their lineup.Free agent slugger Logan Morrison and the Twins reached agreement on a $65 million, one-year deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract was subject to a physical.Morrison had a career-high 38 home runs and 85 RBIs for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, mostly as a first baseman.The 30-year-old Morrison has also played the corner outfield spots. With Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler in left field and right field and Joe Mauer at first base, Morrison is likely to be the primary designated hitter for a team that earned an AL wild-card spot last season.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES:NATIONALS 9, BRAVES 3Max Scherzer allowed one run, on a homer by Dansby Swanson, in two innings and struck out three for Washington. Bryce Harper went 0 for 3 in his first spring game. Matt Wieters homered for the Nationals.Scott Kazmir walked two in one... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have still yet to finalize their contract with prized free agent J.D. Martinez.Manager Alex Cora said after Boston's Grapefruit League exhibition opener against Minnesota on Friday that he's not bothered by the delay and is simply focused on preparing the players he already has in camp."We're still working and getting ready, you know? That's all we can do," Cora said after the Red Sox beat the Twins 4-3 at JetBlue Park.Martinez agreed to terms on Monday to a deal that's as long as five years and worth as much as $110 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is subject to a successful physical exam and has not been announced by the club.Nine-figure deals like this one need due diligence, and teams usually take out insurance policies on fully guaranteed big-money contracts in case a player is injured and unable to play out the balance of the deal.... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox didn't commit $110 million for J.D. Martinez to be a part-timer.When he lands in the middle of the order, some of the everyday hitters will have to get used to fewer at-bats each week. New manager Alex Cora must navigate the complexities of lineup construction and defensive arrangements while watching for streaks and slumps and maintaining a harmonious and engaged clubhouse.Ah, what good problems to have. The Red Sox were more than ready for the arrival of Martinez and his 45 home runs in 119 games last season, no matter the minor complications of making room for him."He's definitely a force," first baseman Mitch Moreland said, "and it's good to have him on our side."After reaching a long-awaited five-year agreement with Martinez on Monday afternoon, the Red Sox took the field on Tuesday morning under picturesque blue skies with the temperature surging into the high 80s. The atmosphere at the beginning of spring training is always sunny, of course,... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — As soon as Giancarlo Stanton touched down with their main rivals, the Boston Red Sox were eager to take on New York — the Yankees, or maybe even the Jets and Giants."They're fielding a football team out there is kind of what I was thinking," Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "They're running a two tight-end set. They've got some big boys over there."The 6-foot-6 Stanton, who topped the majors in home runs and was the NL MVP last team, joins a lineup with 6-7 Aaron Judge, the AL homer leader. The Yankees got Stanton in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December."Job well done," Red Sox owner John Henry said Monday on the first day of full-squad workouts.Entering last season's camp, Boston was tabbed as the AL East favorite after landing one of the biggest prizes in ace lefty Chris Sale during the winter meetings. That prompted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to reference another sport: "Boston's like the Golden State Warriors now in baseball," he said.The... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — As soon as Giancarlo Stanton touched down with their main rivals, the Boston Red Sox were eager to take on New York — the Yankees, or maybe even the Jets and Giants."They're fielding a football team out there is kind of what I was thinking," Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "They're running a two tight-end set. They've got some big boys over there."The 6-foot-6 Stanton, who topped the majors in home runs and was the NL MVP last team, joins a lineup with 6-7 Aaron Judge, the AL homer leader. The Yankees got Stanton in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December."Job well done," Red Sox owner John Henry said Monday on the first day of full-squad workouts.Entering last season's camp, Boston was tabbed as the AL East favorite after landing one of the biggest prizes in ace lefty Chris Sale during the winter meetings. That prompted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to reference another sport: "Boston's like the Golden State Warriors now in baseball," he said.The... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — As soon as Giancarlo Stanton touched down with their main rivals, the Boston Red Sox were eager to take on New York — the Yankees, or maybe even the Jets and Giants."They're fielding a football team out there is kind of what I was thinking," Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "They're running a two tight-end set. They've got some big boys over there."The 6-foot-6 Stanton, who topped the majors in home runs and was the NL MVP last team, joins a lineup with 6-7 Aaron Judge, the AL homer leader. The Yankees got Stanton in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December."Job well done," Red Sox owner John Henry said Monday on the first day of full-squad workouts.Entering last season's camp, Boston was tabbed as the AL East favorite after landing one of the biggest prizes in ace lefty Chris Sale during the winter meetings. That prompted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to reference another sport: "Boston's like the Golden State Warriors now in baseball," he said.The... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The New York Yankees, Boston's biggest rival, added NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to a lineup that already included fellow 50 home run-hitter and AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge.The Houston Astros added Gerrit Cole to a pitching rotation that was already good enough to win the World Series (knocking the Red Sox out of the playoffs along the way).And what did Boston do to improve this offseason, knowing that its top competition has only gotten better?(Awkward silence.)Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made it his goal this offseason to add power to a lineup that was last in the AL in homers in 2017. But while several potential free agents remain on an unprecedentedly slow market, the only move Boston has made to fill that hole is re-signing first baseman Mitch Moreland.And it's not just a slugger.The Red Sox haven't really changed much of anything this winter.Dombrowski and new manager Alex Cora like to point out that the team won 93 games last year and... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Cincinnati infielder Eugenio Suarez went to arbitration, asking a panel for a raise from $595,000 to $4.2 million rather than the Reds' offer of $3.75 million.Suarez has been Cincinnati's starting third baseman the past two years after switching from shortstop. He .260 last season and set career highs with 26 homers and 82 RBIs on a team that finished last in the NL Central at 68-94.Arbitrators Mark Burstein, Jeanne Wood and James Darby are expected to issue a decision Tuesday, a day after hearing arguments.Players are 5-2 in cases decided thus far and 16 in addition to Suarez remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 16. Twenty-four would be the most hearings since 1990.World Series MVP George Springer had been scheduled for a hearing Tuesday but agreed with the Houston Astros on a $24 million, two-year contract that pays him $12 million annually.Springer asked for a raise from $4,075,000 to $10.5 million and was offered $8.5 million. His case was bolstered when Mookie... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — World Series MVP George Springer and the Houston Astros avoided salary arbitration by agreeing Monday to a $24 million, two-year contract.Springer gets $12 million annually under the deal and will be eligible for arbitration again after the 2019 season. The hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday.He asked for a raise from $4,075,000 to $10.5 million and was offered $8.5 million. His case was bolstered when Mookie Betts defeated Boston in the first hearing last week and was awarded $10.5 million rather than the team's $7.5 million offer.Springer tied the World Series record with five runs homers, homering in each of the final four games, as Houston won its first title. Springer batted .379 (11 for 29) with five walks in the seven games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He set career bests during the season with a .283 average, 34 home runs and 85 RBIs.Houston lost to closer Ken Giles in a case decided Saturday and remains scheduled with a hearing for pitcher Collin McHugh.Players are 5-2 in cases decided thus far and 17 remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 16. Twenty-four would be the most hearings since 1990.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

HOUSTON (AP) — World Series MVP George Springer and the Houston Astros avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $24 million, two-year contract.Springer gets $12 million annually under the deal announced Monday and will be eligible for arbitration again after the 2019 season. The hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday.He asked for a raise from $4,075,000 to $10.5 million and was offered $8.5 million. His case was bolstered when Mookie Betts defeated Boston in the first hearing last week and was awarded $10.5 million rather than the team's $7.5 million offer.Springer tied the World Series record with five runs homers, homering in each of the final four games, as Houston won its first title. Springer batted .379 (11 for 29) with five walks in the seven games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He set career bests during the season with a .283 average, 34 home runs and 85 RBIs.Houston lost to closer Ken Giles in a case decided Saturday and remains scheduled with a hearing for pitcher Collin McHugh.___More MLB baseball: https://apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case against Miami and first baseman Justin Bour beat the Marlins to leave players with a 3-1 record this year.Realmuto was given a $2.9 million salary Friday instead of his request for $3.5 million. The decision was made by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Elizabeth Neumeier and Allen Ponak, who heard arguments Wednesday.Bour was awarded $3.4 million instead of Miami's $3 million offer by James Oldham, Steven Wolf and Mark Burstein, who presided over Thursday's hearing.Realmuto may be traded as part of the Marlins' payroll purge under new chief executive Derek Jeter. Miami already has dealt major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich. Realmuto made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.Bour hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last year, when he had a $552,500 salary.Boston All-Star outfielder Mookie... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case against Miami and first baseman Justin Bour beat the Marlins to leave players with a 3-1 record this year.Realmuto was given a $2.9 million salary Friday instead of his request for $3.5 million. The decision was made by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Elizabeth Neumeier and Allen Ponak, who heard arguments Wednesday.Bour was awarded $3.4 million instead of Miami's $3 million offer by James Oldham, Steven Wolf and Mark Burstein, who listened to arguments Thursday.Realmuto may be traded as part of the team's payroll purge under new chief executive Derek Jeter. The Marlins already have dealt major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich. Realmuto made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.Bour hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last year, when he had a $552,500 salary.Boston All-Star outfielder... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case against Miami and first baseman Justin Bour beat the Marlins to leave players with a 3-1 record this year.Realmuto was given a $2.9 million salary Friday instead of his request for $3.5 million. The decision was made by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Elizabeth Neumeier and Allen Ponak, who heard arguments Wednesday.Bour was awarded $3.4 million instead of Miami's $3 million offer by James Oldham, Steven Wolf and Mark Burstein, who listened to arguments Thursday.Realmuto may be traded as part of the team's payroll purge under new chief executive Derek Jeter. The Marlins already have dealt major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich. Realmuto made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.Bour hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last year, when he had a $552,500 salary.Boston All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts and Arizona pitcher Shelby Miller won the first two cases of the year.Houston closer Ken Giles had a hearing Thursday, and his decision is not expected until Saturday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Shelby Miller won his salary arbitration case on Thursday against Arizona after missing most of last season because of a torn elbow ligament, a decision that gave players a 2-0 record this year.Miller was awarded a $200,000 raise to $4.9 million by arbitrators Robert Herzog, Gary Kendellen and Sylvia Skratek, who heard the case Wednesday. The Diamondbacks argued he should be paid the same salary as in 2017, when he lost in arbitration after asking for $5.1 million.Houston closer Ken Giles and Miami first baseman Justin Bour went to hearings Thursday. A decision also is pending for Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto, whose case was heard Wednesday.A 27-year-old right-hander, Miller was 2-2 in four starts last year. He left an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23, and Arizona said four days later he had a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He had surgery May 10.Miller became an All-Star with Atlanta in 2015. He had a 3.02 ERA but went 6-17 and led the... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Shelby Miller has won his salary arbitration case against Arizona after missing most of last season because of a torn elbow ligament, a decision that gave players a 2-0 record this year.Miller was awarded a $200,000 raise to $4.9 million on Thursday by arbitrators Robert Herzog, Gary Kendellen and Sylvia Skratek, who heard the case a day earlier. The Diamondbacks argued he should be paid the same salary as in 2017, when he lost in arbitration after asking for $5.1 million.A 27-year-old right-hander, Miller was 2-2 in four starts last year. He left an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23, and Arizona said four days later he had a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He had surgery May 10.Miller became an All-Star with Atlanta in 2015. He had a 3.02 ERA but went 6-17 and led the major leagues in losses.He was traded after the season to Arizona in the deal that brought highly regarded infielder Dansby Swanson to the Braves along with outfielder Ender... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Shelby Miller has won his salary arbitration case against Arizona after missing most of last season because of a torn elbow ligament, a decision that gave players a 2-0 record this year.Miller was awarded a $200,000 raise to $4.9 million on Thursday by arbitrators Robert Herzog, Gary Kendellen and Sylvia Skratek, who heard the case a day earlier. The Diamondbacks argued he should be paid the same salary as in 2017, when he lost in arbitration after asking for $5.1 million.A 27-year-old right-hander, Miller was 2-2 in four starts last year. He left an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23, and Arizona said four days later he had a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He had surgery May 10.Miller became an All-Star with Atlanta in 2015. He had a 3.02 ERA but went 6-17 and led the major leagues in losses.He was traded after the season to Arizona in the deal that brought highly regarded infielder Dansby Swanson to the Braves along with outfielder Ender Inciarte and pitcher Aaron Blair, then went 3-12 with a 6.15 ERA for the Diamondbacks.All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts beat the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday and will get a raise from $950,000 to $10.5 million instead of the team's $7.5 million offer.A decision is pending for Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto, who asked for a raise from $562,500 to $3.5 million instead of the team's $2.9 million offer.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts beat the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday in the first salary arbitration decision of the year and will get a raise from $950,000 to $10.5 million instead of the team's $7.5 million offer.Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto and Arizona pitcher Shelby Miller went to hearings on the second day of offseason cases that could see as many as 25 decisions, which would be the most since 1987.Arbitrators Daniel Brent, Mark Burstein and Phillip LaPorte ruled for Betts one day after hearing arguments. The 25-year-old hit .264 with 24 homers and 102 RBIs last year, when he made his second straight AL All-Star team. He batted .318 with 31 homers and 113 RBIs in 2016.The gap between Betts and the Red Sox was the largest among the 27 players who swapped figures with their teams on Jan. 12.Realmuto, 26, asked for a raise to $3.5 million instead of $2.9 million. He made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers... [More]