WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper is focusing on his immediate future. But don't bother asking him about plans beyond this year."If you guys do talk anything about that, I'll be walking right out the door," he said Monday.Everyone around baseball knows the Washington Nationals slugger could be part of a huge free agent class after the coming season. But if teams are saving money by passing on currently available players in hopes of signing a big star next year, that doesn't sound like the best way to impress Harper."I think if I'm an organization or a team I want the best players on my team," Harper said. "My fans deserve that, the players deserve that."Harper, Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Charlie Blackmon and potentially Clayton Kershaw could be free agents next offseason.Some within the industry suggest this market is slow because teams have their eyes on 2019 — pitchers Jake Arrieta and Alex Cobb and third baseman Mike Moustakas are among the players looking for work with spring... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Hours after Red Sox owner John Henry said talk of collusion in free-agent negotiations was "ridiculous," his team made a splash by reaching agreement with slugger J.D. Martinez on a $110 million, five-year contract.About half the 166 players who exercised free-agency rights in November remain unsigned."There are a lot of factors, I think, driving it, and I think they've all been identified," Henry said Monday as Boston began full-squad workouts. "There's a lot of factors that have driven this offseason, and you just can't expect every season to be a feeding frenzy, so to speak."Jake Arrieta and Mike Moustakas were among the free agents still looking for a place to play."This one, it's surprised me," he said of the slow pace of agreements. "I think it's surprised all of us in baseball." ''But, I think probably next year will be quite different."By late afternoon, word had spread that Martinez was headed to the Red Sox.Next year's free-agent class includes Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson, plus possible Clayton Kershaw.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper is focusing on his immediate future. But don't bother asking him about plans beyond this year."If you guys do talk anything about that, I'll be walking right out the door," he said Monday.Everyone around baseball knows the Washington Nationals slugger could be part of a huge free agent class after the coming season. But if teams are saving money by passing on currently available players in hopes of signing a big star next year, that doesn't sound like the best way to impress Harper."I think if I'm an organization or a team I want the best players on my team," Harper said. "My fans deserve that, the players deserve that."Harper, Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Charlie Blackmon and potentially Clayton Kershaw could be free agents next offseason. Some within the industry suggest this market is slow because teams have their eyes on 2019 — pitchers Jake Arrieta and Alex Cobb and position players J.D. Martinez and Mike Moustakas are among the players looking... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Red Sox owner John Henry calls talk of collusion in free-agent negotiations "ridiculous."About half the 166 players who exercised free-agency rights in November remain unsigned."There are a lot of factors, I think, driving it, and I think they've all been identified," Henry said Monday as Boston began full-squad workouts. "There's a lot of factors that have driven this offseason, and you just can't expect every season to be a feeding frenzy, so to speak."J.D. Martinez, Jake Arrieta and Mike Moustakas were among the free agents still looking for a place to play."This one, it's surprised me," he said of the slow pace of agreements. "I think it's surprised all of us in baseball." ''But, I think probably next year will be quite different."Next year's free-agent class includes Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson, plus possible Clayton Kershaw.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has agreed to an eight-year, $144 million deal with the San Diego Padres, according to published reports Saturday night.The 28-year-old, two-time Gold Glove winner hit a career-high .318 and matched his best from the previous season with 25 homers, and drove in 94 runs and scored 98 for the Royals last season. He also had a career-best .385 on-base percentage.Hosmer was among the top free agents in the offseason that remained unsigned into the start of spring training. Right-hander Yu Darvish signed with the Chicago Cubs earlier this month, but Jake Arrieta and outfielder J.D. Martinez are still without contracts.Hosmer's deal was first reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.He is the latest addition by the Padres this offseason. Previously, they re-acquired third baseman Chase Headley from the New York Yankees and got shortstop Freddy Galvis from the Philadelphia Phillies.

As teams started spring training workouts across Florida and Arizona, the players' association had a Kansas City Royals scout escorted out of the union's opening training session for unsigned free agents.About 15 players attended the first day of workouts Wednesday at the union's camp in Bradenton, Florida. Media were barred from the IMG Academy. The scout was told he was not welcome but could set up a session with an individual player at the player's discretion, several people familiar with the situation said. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.More than 90 players remain without agreements among the 166 who exercised their free-agency rights last November, the most sluggish market since the final offseason of collusion in 1987-88.Union head Tony Clark, who attended the session, said approximately15 more players are likely to arrive at the free-agent camp this week while the remainder of unsigned players seeking jobs work out at their regular... [More]

As teams started spring training workouts across Florida and Arizona, the players' association had a Kansas City Royals scout escorted out of the union's opening training session for unsigned free agents.About 15 players attended the first day of workouts Wednesday at the union's camp in Bradenton, Florida. Media was barred from the IMG Academy. The scout was told he was not welcome but could set up a session with an individual player at the player's discretion, several people familiar with the situation said. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.More than 90 players remain without agreements among the 166 who exercised their free-agency rights last November, the most sluggish market since the final offseason of collusion in 1987-88.Union head Tony Clark, who attended the session, said approximately15 more players are likely to arrive at the free-agent camp this week while the remainder of unsigned players seeking jobs work out at their regular... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — When Yu Darvish met with Theo Epstein and other Chicago Cubs' officials last December in the Dallas area, the Japanese pitcher liked what he heard."The Cubs really stood out, and everyone was sincere at the meeting," Darvish said Tuesday through a translator after finalizing a $126 million, six-year contract.The agreement is by far the largest deal in a slow-moving free agent market, topping outfielder Lorenzo Cain's $80 million, five-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, the Los Angeles Angels gave outfielder Justin Upton a $106 million, five-year contract in November before he could become a free agent.Darvish gets $25 million this year, $20 million in 2019, $22 million in each of the following two seasons, $19 million in 2022 and $18 million in 2023. He can opt out of the deal after the 2019 season and become a free agent again.His approval is needed for any trade through 2019. After that, he can list 12 teams he cannot be dealt to without his consent.Darvish... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — When Yu Darvish met with Theo Epstein and other Chicago Cubs' officials last December in the Dallas area, the Japanese pitcher liked what he heard."The Cubs really stood out, and everyone was sincere at the meeting," Darvish said Tuesday through a translator after finalizing a $126 million, six-year contract.The agreement is by far the largest deal in a slow-moving free agent market, topping outfielder Lorenzo Cain's $80 million, five-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, the Los Angeles Angels gave outfielder Justin Upton a $106 million, five-year contract in November before he could become a free agent.Darvish joins a rotation that includes Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood, who agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract in December."Yu was our primary target," said Epstein, the Cubs' president of baseball operations. "It's a great day for the Cubs organization to welcome a pitcher of this caliber. He is probably the pre-eminent... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Yu Darvish and the Chicago Cubs have finalized their $126 million, six-year contract, by far the largest deal in a slow-moving free agent market.The agreement announced Tuesday topped outfielder Lorenzo Cain's $80 million, five-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.In addition, the Los Angeles Angels gave outfielder Justin Upton a $106 million, five-year contract in November before he could become a free agent.Darvish joins a rotation that includes Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood, who agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract in December.A four-time All-Star, Darvish finished last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping them knock out the defending champion Cubs in the playoffs to reach the World Series. The 31-year-old Japanese right-hander is expected to take the rotation spot of Jake Arrieta, who became a free agent.Darvish went 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA in nine starts with the Dodgers down the stretch. He shut down the Cubs in Game 3 of the NLCS, striking out seven while pitching 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a 6-1 victory at Wrigley Field.But Darvish was hit hard in the World Series against Houston, managing just five outs in each of his two starts — including a Game 7 loss.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The winter-long dance is over. Yu Darvish is joining the Chicago Cubs.Darvish has agreed to a $126 million, six-year contract with Chicago, giving the Cubs one of the deepest rotations in baseball and taking one of the top players off the slow-moving free agent market.The 31-year-old Darvish met with Cubs officials way back in December and the sides remained in contact while the right-hander listened to other potential suitors. Texas, Milwaukee, Minnesota and the New York Yankees also reportedly expressed some level of interest, but Chicago's approach paid off with the agreement just days before the start of spring training.A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the contract to The Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. The move was first reported by The Athletic.The addition of Darvish gives the Cubs a big boost as they try to return to the World Series after winning the title two years ago for the... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Ace Yu Darvish and the Chicago Cubs have reached agreement on a $126 million, six-year contract, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday, bolstering their bid for a second World Series crown in three seasons.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. The deal was first reported by The Athletic.Darvish's deal came less than a week before the Cubs were set to begin spring training. The 31-year-old right-hander was among the top players available in a slow-moving free agent market this winter.Darvish finished last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping them knock out the defending champion Cubs in the playoffs to reach the World Series. The Japanese star is expected to take the rotation spot of Jake Arrieta, who became a free agent after finishing the year in Chicago.The Cubs have reached the NL Championship Series in each of the last three years. In 2016, they won their first World Series... [More]

The Boston Red Sox plan to print 5,000 copies of their media guide during the last week of February. Their opening-day roster could include several players who won't make the deadline.Perhaps 100 free agents still seek contracts as the start of spring training workouts on Feb. 14 draws near, a group that includes J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish.In a historically slow market, players and management are feuding publicly about riches and rules, and teams seemingly are seeking bargains like shoppers awaiting a closeout."Some guys feel like they're worth a little more than maybe what they're being offered," All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen said ahead of his first spring training since Pittsburgh traded him to San Francisco. "It's just all about being fair."As soon as the Houston Astros won their first World Series title last November , attention turned toward 2018 and the start of stretching in Scottsdale, catching in Clearwater and bunting in Bradenton.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The baseball players' union will open its own spring training camp for the first time since the end of the 1994-95 strike, inviting free agents to work out at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.Union head Tony Clark said Thursday the camp will open Tuesday and workouts will start the following day under Bo Porter, the Houston Astros' manager in 2013-14. The camp is scheduled to run through March 4, and the union has the option to extend the camp through the end of the month.More than 100 players who exercised their right to become free agents last November are without final agreements. Teams start spring training workouts next Wednesday.Agent Scott Boras represents 15 free agents seeking jobs, a group that includes J.D. Martinez, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Jake Arrieta. His company has its own training facilities in North Miami, Florida, and Newport Beach, California, and he is not sure whether his clients will work out at his facilities or IMG."They certainly will... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark claims the number of rebuilding teams and unsigned free agents in a historically slow market threatens the sport's integrity, an assertion immediately rejected by Major League Baseball.In a statement and a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Clark voiced the frustration of the 100-plus free agents who remain unsigned with the start of spring training one week away."A record number of talented free agents remain unemployed in an industry where revenues and franchise values are at record highs," he said in a statement, eight days before the first formal workouts. "Spring training has always been associated with hope for a new season. This year a significant number of teams are engaged in a race to the bottom. This conduct is a fundamental breach of the trust between a team and its fans and threatens the very integrity of our game."Just 61 of 166 players who exercised their free agency rights last November had announced agreements... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark claims the number of rebuilding teams and unsigned free agents in a historically slow market threatens the sport's integrity, an assertion immediately rejected by Major League Baseball.In a statement and a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Clark voiced the frustration of the 100-plus free agents who remain unsigned with the start of spring training one week away."A record number of talented free agents remain unemployed in an industry where revenues and franchise values are at record highs," he said in a statement, eight days before the first formal workouts. "Spring training has always been associated with hope for a new season. This year a significant number of teams are engaged in a race to the bottom. This conduct is a fundamental breach of the trust between a team and its fans and threatens the very integrity of our game."Just 61 of 166 players who exercised their free agency rights last November had announced agreements... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark claims the number of rebuilding teams and unsigned free agents in a historically slow market threatens the sport's integrity, an assertion immediately rejected by Major League Baseball.In a statement and a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Clark voiced the frustration of the 100-plus free agents who remain unsigned with the start of spring training one week away."A record number of talented free agents remain unemployed in an industry where revenues and franchise values are at record highs," he said in a statement, eight days before the first formal workouts. "Spring training has always been associated with hope for a new season. This year a significant number of teams are engaged in a race to the bottom. This conduct is a fundamental breach of the trust between a team and its fans and threatens the very integrity of our game."Just 61 of 166 players who exercised their free agency rights last November had announced agreements... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark claims the number of rebuilding teams and unsigned free agents in a historically slow market threatens the sport's integrity, an assertion immediately rejected by Major League Baseball.In a statement and a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Clark voiced the frustration of the 100-plus free agents who remain unsigned with the start of spring training one week away."A record number of talented free agents remain unemployed in an industry where revenues and franchise values are at record highs," he said in a statement, eight days before the first formal workouts. "Spring training has always been associated with hope for a new season. This year a significant number of teams are engaged in a race to the bottom. This conduct is a fundamental breach of the trust between a team and its fans and threatens the very integrity of our game."Just 61 of 166 players who exercised their free agency rights last November had announced agreements... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Agent Scott Boras says the number of major league teams rebuilding with younger, lower-cost rosters has become a cancer to the sport, attributing behavior to the strengthened luxury tax combining with restraints on draft-pick salaries.Boras attributes baseball's attendance drop to an increase in non-competitive teams, predicts fans from perennial losers will increasingly stay away from ballparks until ticket prices are cut and says regional sports networks will negotiate lower rights fees with teams going into rebuild cycles.J.D. Martinez, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Jake Arrieta, all Boras clients, remain unsigned 10 days before spring training in a historically slow market. He says the luxury tax, envisioned by Commissioner Bud Selig to increase competitive balance, is having the opposite effect. He claims incentives are needed to winning, such as increasing draft-pick money based on victories."They decided we're going to have the 12 teams-a-tanking, if you will, and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Agent Scott Boras says the number of major league teams rebuilding with younger, lower-cost rosters has become a cancer to the sport, attributing behavior to the strengthened luxury tax combining with restraints on draft-pick salaries.Boras attributes baseball's attendance drop to an increase in non-competitive teams, predicts fans from perennial losers will increasingly stay away from ballparks until ticket prices are cut and says regional sports networks will negotiate lower rights fees with teams going into rebuild cycles.J.D. Martinez, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Jake Arrieta, all Boras clients, remain unsigned 10 days before spring training in a historically slow market. He says the luxury tax, envisioned by Commissioner Bud Selig to increase competitive balance, is having the opposite effect. He claims incentives are needed to winning, such as increasing draft-pick money based on victories."They decided we're going to have the 12 teams-a-tanking, if you will, and... [More]