NEW YORK (AP) — A prominent baseball agent said players are angered over the slow free-agent market and suggested they consider boycotting spring training.Brodie Van Wagenen, co-head of CAA Baseball, floated the idea in a statement released Friday, less than two weeks before spring training workouts are to start in Florida and Arizona. He also raised the possibility of a collusion grievance, as did another agent, Seth Levinson of Aces."The players are upset. No, they are outraged. Players in the midst of long-term contracts are as frustrated as those still seeking employment," Van Wagenen said. "I would suggest that testing the will of 1,200 alpha males at the pinnacle of their profession is not a good strategy for 30 men who are bound by a much smaller fraternity."J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb, Greg Holland and Lance Lynn remain among the dozens of unsigned free agents."A boycott of spring training may be a starting point, if behavior doesn't... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A prominent baseball agent said players are angered over the slow free-agent market and suggested they consider boycotting spring training.Brodie Van Wagenen, co-head of CAA Baseball, floated the idea in a statement released Friday, less than two weeks before spring training workouts are to start in Florida and Arizona. He also raised the possibility of a collusion grievance, as did another agent, Seth Levinson of Aces."The players are upset. No, they are outraged. Players in the midst of long-term contracts are as frustrated as those still seeking employment," Van Wagenen said. "I would suggest that testing the will of 1,200 alpha males at the pinnacle of their profession is not a good strategy for 30 men who are bound by a much smaller fraternity."J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb, Greg Holland and Lance Lynn remain among the dozens of unsigned free agents."A boycott of spring training may be a starting point, if behavior doesn't... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A prominent baseball agent says players are angered over the slow free-agent market and suggests they consider boycotting spring training.Brodie Van Wagenen, co-head of CAA Baseball, floated the idea in a statement released Friday, less than two weeks before spring training workouts are to start in Florida and Arizona."The players are upset. No, they are outraged. Players in the midst of long-term contracts are as frustrated as those still seeking employment," he said. "I would suggest that testing the will of 1,200 alpha males at the pinnacle of their profession is not a good strategy for 30 men who are bound by a much smaller fraternity."J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb, Greg Holland and Lance Lynn remain among the dozens of unsigned free agents."There is a rising tide among players for radical change. A fight is brewing," he said. "A boycott of spring training may be a starting point, if behavior doesn't change. Players don't receive... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized an $8.25 million, two-year contract with free agent catcher Alex Avila.Avila fills a roster spot vacated by Chris Iannetta, who shared the catching duties last year and left for an $8.5 million, two-year deal with Colorado.The 31-year-old Avila, a son of Detroit general manager Al Avila, hit .264 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs last year for the Tigers and Chicago Cubs, who acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. He is a .243 hitter in nine major league seasons.Avila gets $4 million this year and $4.25 million in 2019. He can earn an additional $250,000 annually in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $25,000 each for 350 and 400, $50,000 apiece for 450 and 500 and $100,000 for 550Avila said the deal came together over the last two weeks."Essentially the first thing that popped into mind was how talented of a team they had," Avila said.Avila joins Jeff Mathis and Chris Herrmann as the Diamondbacks' catchers.Arizona opened... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized an $8.25 million, two-year contract with free agent catcher Alex Avila.Avila fills a roster spot vacated by Chris Iannetta, who shared the catching duties last year and left for an $8.5 million, two-year deal with Colorado.The 31-year-old Avila, a son of Detroit general manager Al Avila, hit .264 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs last year for the Tigers and Chicago Cubs, who acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. He is a .243 hitter in nine major league seasons.Avila, speaking in a conference call Wednesday evening, said the deal came together over the last two weeks, and he likes the makeup of the team he is joining."Essentially the first thing that popped into mind was how talented of a team they had," Avila said.Avila joins Jeff Mathis and Chris Herrmann as the Diamondbacks' catchers.Arizona opened a roster spot by designating outfielder Rey Fuentes for assignment Wednesday.Avila said he has no problem sharing the catching duties."It... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — With 580 big league games under his belt, Nicholas Castellanos qualifies as a veteran on the rebuilding Detroit Tigers.He's still only 25.As Castellanos takes on a bigger leadership role this year, he made it clear he'll have his own approach to mentoring younger players. His attitude will be a carefree one — which he says helped him play well down the stretch in 2017."I think I'm going to be a playful leader. I think that it's not going to be work," he said Saturday at Detroit's TigerFest event at Comerica Park. "My goal is that win, lose or draw, we're kids playing baseball, and the rebuild is going to be as fun or as miserable as we make it."It was pretty rough at the end of last season, when the Tigers traded Justin Verlander and went 6-24 down the stretch. Castellanos, though, hit .368 in September and finished with career highs of 26 home runs and 101 RBIs.Castellanos said he had "a blast" in September, in part because he didn't feel a lot of pressure. That was also... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have started their winter caravan, an annual reminder that spring training isn't far off.It's a chance for fans to start thinking about baseball again — but this season, their hopes and expectations may be a bit subdued."Every ballclub in baseball has been through ups and downs. The one thing that I've said all along is: Yes, we're in a rebuild," said Ron Gardenhire, Detroit's new manager . "When I took this job I knew this coming in — we were going to move people, and we're still maybe not done. But the thing that you have here is a bunch of guys that have been a little battle tested from last year, that are hungry."After a 98-loss season, the Tigers enter the 2018 campaign with minimal buzz. Since last year's All-Star break, they've traded J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton, Justin Verlander and Ian Kinsler, part of a rebuilding process that will probably require a lot of patience among the fan base. The next couple years could be difficult on the field — a... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Michael Fulmer and Victor Martinez are expected to be at full strength at spring training for the Detroit Tigers.General manager Al Avila gave an update on their status Wednesday following a luncheon with Detroit Sports Media. Fulmer had elbow surgery in September, around the same time Martinez underwent a surgical procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.After winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, Fulmer went 10-12 with a 3.83 ERA last season."He's thrown out to 180 feet with no restrictions and no setbacks, so right now he's on track to be 100 percent coming into spring training," Avila said.Martinez hit .255 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 2017. The 39-year-old DH is entering the last season of a four-year contract."The last report on Victor is that he's doing everything normal, there's no setbacks, and that he's expected to be in spring training also 100 percent," Avila said.Fulmer's health is a crucial issue for the Tigers. The 24-year-old right-hander is the... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas -- George Springer drilled a grand slam and the Houston Astros completed a sweep by blasting the Texas Rangers 12-2 Wednesday afternoon in the series finale.The Astros improved to a season-best 38 games above .500 with their 11th win in the last 13 contests. Houston moved within a half-game of Cleveland for the best record in the American League, pending the result of the Indians' game against the Minnesota Twins later Wednesday.The Rangers suffered their sixth straight loss and are now assured of only their second losing season since 2009.The Astros reached double figures in scoring in all three games and outscored Texas 37-7. Houston also scored at least 11 in all three games, a first in franchise history.Diamondbacks 4, Giants 3PHOENIX -- Right fielder J.D. Martinez tied the National League record for homers in September and Arizona scored three runs in the ninth inning for a walk-off victory.Martinez led off the ninth inning with a solo homer, his 16th blast of September,... [More]

ST. LOUIS -- One big inning put the Chicago Cubs back in the postseason.Chicago, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh inning, knocked off the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Wednesday night to wrap up its second consecutive National League Central title.Addison Russell wiped out a 1-0 deficit with one swing, cracking a three-run homer down the left field line to spoil a good game from Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha. Jason Heyward and pinch hitter Tommy La Stella each added RBI doubles as seven straight Cubs reached base to start the inning.John Lackey (12-11) stifled St. Louis on two hits and a run over six innings, walking two and striking out three. Five relievers finished up for the Cubs, who will play the Nationals in an NL Division Series starting on Oct. 6 in Washington.Indians 4, Twins 2CLEVELAND -- Yan Gomes homered, and Carlos Santana had three hits as Cleveland snapped Minnesota's five-game winning streak.The Twins, though, clinched the AL's second wild-card spot when the Chicago... [More]

RF J.D. Martinez tied an NL record with his 16th September home run Wednesday, his 45th of the season and 29th in 59 games in Arizona since being acquired July 18. He was asked if he is surprising himself. "If I say yes, it's like I don't think I can do it," Martinez said. "If I say no, it's like I'm arrogant, cocky. It's one of those things where I go up there and expect to hit the ball hard. I just feel like right now I'm having success in being able to do what I want to do up there. I feel comfortable in the box and I'm getting the results." Martinez tied Ralph Kiner for the NL September record. Babe Ruth and Albert Belle hold the major league record with 17. Martinez is hitting .418 with seven doubles and 36 RBIs in September, breaking Luis Gonzalez's franchise record for RBIs in the month.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- George Springer drilled a grand slam and the Houston Astros completed a sweep by blasting the Texas Rangers 12-2 Wednesday afternoon in the series finale.The Astros improved to a season-best 38 games above .500 with their 11th win in the last 13 contests. Houston moved within a half-game of Cleveland for the best record in the American League, pending the result of the Indians' game against the Minnesota Twins later Wednesday.The Rangers suffered their sixth straight loss and are now assured of only their second losing season since 2009.The Astros reached double figures in scoring in all three games and outscored Texas 37-7. Houston also scored at least 11 in all three games, a first in franchise history.Diamondbacks 4, Giants 3PHOENIX -- Right fielder J.D. Martinez tied the National League record for homers in September and Arizona scored three runs in the ninth inning for a walk-off victory.Martinez led off the ninth inning with a solo homer, his 16th blast of September,... [More]

RF J.D. Martinez has averaged a homer every 9 1/2 at-bats this season, the best ratio in the major leagues, after hitting a grand slam and driving in six runs Tuesday. He has 44 homers, 28 since coming to Arizona on July 18, and a career-high 103 RBIs. Imagine his numbers had he not missed the first six weeks with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot while with Detroit. "Everyone always says that, but you guys know who I am by now," Martinez said. "I don't like to look into things. I just worry about today, worry about tomorrow, about who I'm facing. That's what I've learned is the best way to handle these distractions you can get caught up in. Right now, we're just on a mission." Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, with 57 homers, comes in at a shade over 10 homers per at-bat. Martinez is hitting .414 with 15 homers and 35 RBIs in 21 games in September.

MILWAUKEE -- Jose Quintana struck out 10 in a three-hitter game as the Chicago Cubs moved closer to clinching the National League Central by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 on Sunday.Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer for the defending World Series champions, who have a magic number of two to clinch.Milwaukee starter Chase Anderson allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.Diamondbacks 3, Marlins 2PHOENIX -- J.D. Martinez singled with two outs in the ninth inning and Arizona edged Miami to clinch its first playoff spot since 2011.Chris Herrmann homered for Arizona, which holds the first National League wild-card spot.Giancarlo Stanton increased his RBI total to 126, moving into a tie with Colorado's Nolan Arenado for the major league lead.Angels 7, Astros 5HOUSTON -- Brandon Phillips and Justin Upton homered and drove in two runs apiece, and Luis Valbuena also had two RBIs in Los Angeles win over Houston.The Angels remain 4 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second American... [More]

RF J.D. Martinez assured Arizona of home-field advantage in the Oct. 4 NL wild-card game with his walk-off single Sunday against Miami.He has 27 homers and 58 RBIs since being acquired from Detroit on July 18, and included was the 18th four-homer game in major league history. "They've embraced me from the moment I came in," Martinez said. "I said it from the moment I came here: I am just trying to jump on your guys' train. This isn't it. It gets better. Every one gets bigger. Every one gets more celebration, more bottles. From the day I got here, they've been talking about making the playoffs and doing something that hasn't been done in a while."

MILWAUKEE -- Jose Quintana struck out 10 in a three-hitter game as the Chicago Cubs moved closer to clinching the National League Central by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 on Sunday.Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer for the defending World Series champions, who have a magic number of two to clinch.Milwaukee starter Chase Anderson allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.Diamondbacks 3, Marlins 2PHOENIX -- J.D. Martinez singled with two outs in the ninth inning and Arizona edged Miami to clinch its first playoff spot since 2011.Chris Herrmann homered for Arizona, which holds the first National League wild-card spot.Giancarlo Stanton increased his RBI total to 126, moving into a tie with Colorado's Nolan Arenado for the major league lead.Angels 7, Astros 5HOUSTON -- Brandon Phillips and Justin Upton homered and drove in two runs apiece, and Luis Valbuena also had two RBIs in Los Angeles win over Houston.The Angels remain 4 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second American... [More]

MILWAUKEE -- Jose Quintana struck out 10 in a three-hitter game as the Chicago Cubs moved closer to clinching the National League Central Division by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 on Sunday.Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer for the defending World Series champions, who have a magic number of two to clinch.Milwaukee starter Chase Anderson allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Twins 10, Tigers 4DETROIT -- Eduardo Escobar hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs as Minnesota rolled over Detroit. Jorge Polanco also homered and Joe Mauer drove in two runs as Minnesota moved to within four games behind the New York Yankees for the first wild card spot.Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer for Detroit, which dropped its seventh straight. Red Sox 5, Reds 4 CINCINNATI -- Mookie Betts hit a three-run double in the eighth inning and scored on a single by Rafael Devers as Boston beat Cincinnati.Betts helped the Red Sox lower their magic number for clinching the American League East to... [More]

OF J.D. Martinez has 27 home runs since July 19, second behind Stanton. Martinez also drove in his 28th run of the month, tying Luis Gonzalez for the single month record he set in March-April 2000.

RF J.D. Martinez tied the Arizona franchise record for homers in a month when he hit his 13th in the ninth inning of Friday's win over Miami. Luis Gonzalez had 13 in April, 2001. Martinez has 42 homers, 26 since joining the Diamondbacks on July 18. 1B Paul Goldschmidt and Martinez hit 3-4 in the lineup for the fourth straight game after hitting in virtually 4-5 in every game in which both played since Martinez was acquired. "It seems to suit them well and suit the team well," manager Torey Lovullo said. "Paul hitting in the first, and J.D. hitting behind him, I just felt it was the right part of the lineup to hit those guys. Is that something that we permanently do? I don't know yet. It's working right now and we'll stay with it."

OF J.D Martinez has hit 12 home runs in September as he continues to sizzle after being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadling. His 12 homers in a month ties for the second-most by a player in Diamondback history.