SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks sent infielder Brandon Drury to the New York Yankees and received outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade Tuesday that included five players plus two to be named later.The deal was announced one day after former Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez agreed to a $110 million, five-year contract with Boston, pending a physical. Arizona has moved quickly to fill that hole in the outfield, signing speedy Jarrod Dyson to a $7.5 million, two-year contract on Monday before trading for Souza.Souza will be the starter at one corner outfield position, with Dyson subbing at all three spots.Drury gives the Yankees a new option at third base or second base, where New York was projected to start a pair of rookies.Top pitching prospect Anthony Banda goes from Arizona to the Rays, who also get minor league second baseman Nick Solak from the Yankees and two players to be named from the Diamondbacks. Minor league right-hander... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks sent infielder Brandon Drury to the New York Yankees and received outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade Tuesday that included five players.The deal was announced one day after former Diamondbacks outfielder J.D. Martinez agreed to a $110 million, five-year contract with Boston, pending a physical.Drury gives the Yankees a new option at third base and second base, where New York was projected to start a pair of rookies.Arizona pitching prospect Anthony Banda goes to the Rays, who also get minor league second baseman Nick Solak from the Yankees and two players to be named from the Diamondbacks. Minor league right-hander Taylor Widener goes from New York to Arizona.Drury played mostly second base for Arizona but came through the minors as a third baseman and could fill that spot for the Yankees, who have top prospect Gleyber Torres penciled in at second. Another prospect, Miguel Andujar, was a leading candidate... [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]

J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox have, at long last, come to an agreement.The slow dance between the free agent slugger and the power-deficient team wrapped up Monday when they settled on a $110 million, five-year contract.A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press about the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because it was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. Martinez has the right to opt out of the contract early and become a free agent again.Speculation Martinez and the AL East champions would eventually wind up together had been swirling ever since he became a free agent last November.Boston was seeking to add power to a lineup that hit an AL-low 168 home runs. The 30-year-old Martinez has changed his swing to improve his launch angle and become one of the top home-run threats in the majors.The move helps the Red Sox counter the huge deal their biggest rivals pulled off in December. The New York Yankees, who finished two games... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton homered off the scoreboard in left-center and hit three opposite-field homers to right. Aaron Judge drove a pitch over the left-field walkway and also went deep to right.The New York Yankees' first full-squad batting practice of spring training drew about 2,000 fans Monday. The two sluggers took 30 swings each, and fans reacted whenever the ball was lifted into the air."The moment we touched the dirt, they're buzzing and ready for us to get into the cage and hit," Stanton said afterward, wearing a sleeveless shirt. "That was really cool. Nothing like that (I had) experienced in spring."Brooks Cook and his son Brody from New Port Richey positioned themselves in left field, about 375 feet from the plate."We might be too close," Brooks Cook said.Brooks Cook noted there were more than Yankees' fans in attendance."I have a friend who's a die-hard Red Sox who's coming to see them hit," Brooks Cook said. "A Red Sox fan."Judge set a big league rookie record... [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]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury says the team has not approached him about waiving his no-trade clause.There has been speculation that the Yankees would like to move some of the money due Ellsbury, who has three years remaining on a $153 million, seven-year contract.Ellsbury, 34, enters spring training as the odd man out in the outfield after losing his center field job last year to Aaron Hicks. Brett Gardner is locked in as the left fielder. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will rotate between right field and designated hitter, and could also get time in left when Gardner is rested."There's not a lineup made up yet, that's how I look at it," Ellsbury said Sunday on reporting day for position players. "Every year you come in and compete. One game, one pitch, your role could totally change."Yankees manager Aaron Boone hasn't officially named Hicks as the starter but pointed out the success the 28-year-old had in 2017. Hicks had a .266 average, along with 15 homers... [More]

Justin Verlander is looking forward to a full season with the Houston Astros, while the New York Mets are hoping for a healthier year for their starting staff.The New York Yankees? Well, this season may not be about their pitchers and catchers, but they can still send some pretty impressive arms to the mound.In many ways, Wednesday was the first real day of spring training, with over 20 teams scheduled for their first workouts with pitchers and catchers. The Astros, Mets and Yankees were among that group, and so were the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. In both Florida and Arizona, some of the game's biggest stars were back on the field."I'm excited to be here for the whole season," Verlander said. "I'm excited to be here for spring training and to be part of this whole thing from start to finish."Verlander reached the summit last year but missed much of the journey. He was traded to Houston at the end of August and became a key part of the Astros' run to the World... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Miami Marlins pitchers and catchers were still gathering in the midday sun to begin the first spring training workout Wednesday when someone asked manager Don Mattingly if he had decided on an opening day starter.After all, the Los Angeles Dodgers already announced Clayton Kershaw will start their opener."I didn't see any Kershaws on our roster," Mattingly said with a laugh.So no, Mattingly doesn't have a No. 1 pitcher yet. And three of the five jobs in the rotation are open, with more than a dozen pitchers having a shot to make the starting staff.Mattingly and his coaches will spend spring training evaluating the candidates, including several prospects acquired in trades during the Marlins' offseason payroll purge.Not among the rotation contenders to begin the season: injury-plagued left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, the Marlins' highest-paid pitcher as he enters the third season of an $80 million, five-year contract. He is not expected to be ready for opening day, but the... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge took batting practice for the first time since left shoulder surgery and said he is on track to play on opening day.Judge hit a rookie record 52 home runs last year and was a unanimous pick for AL Rookie of the Year. He said the shoulder started to bother him around the All-Star break but he did not have any injections of painkiller. He refuses to attribute a lengthy slump to the injury.He is a centerpiece of the Baby Bombers' batting order along with catcher Gary Sanchez, a lineup boosted by the acquisition of major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins. New manager Aaron Boone plans to have Stanton and Judge — both right fielders — work out in left, and anticipates using the designated hitter spot to rotate players."Being around Stanton so far, he's ready for New York, he's ready to be here," Judge said. "He's going to fit right in with this team. It's going to be a fun thing we've got here."Because he is coming... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — On the day pitchers and catchers reported for his first spring training as New York Yankees manager, Aaron Boone acknowledged the pressure."Embrace that expectation," Boone said Tuesday. "Expect to go out there and be great. It beats the alternative, right. It really does. We're not going to run from that."Boone was hired to replace Joe Girardi, who was fired after a decade — even though the Yankees made an unexpected run to Game 7 of the AL Championship Series before losing to Houston.Led by Baby Bombers Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, the Yankees face increased demands from their fans — especially after acquiring major league home run leader Giancarlo Stanton from Miami. Fans are likely to be satisfied only with the team's first World Series title since 2009."We understand the expectations and I think one of those things that's exciting for me is to hear some of those comments," Boone said."Last year was great. A lot of these guys came of age and viewed it as a very successful... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Speaking Tuesday at Marlins Park, Derek Jeter said he was about to jump in the car and head down to spring training, even though the Miami Marlins' camp is actually up in Jupiter, 90 miles north on Interstate 95.Now in his fifth month on the job, Jeter acknowledged he's still finding his bearings as the Marlins' CEO.The team opens camp Wednesday following a Jeter-led fire sale that purged the batting order of four starters, including NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. The trades netted mostly prospects, making the immediate outlook even bleaker than usual for a team that hasn't been to the playoffs since 2003.But before heading to his first spring training since his final season with the New York Yankees in 2014, Jeter said his ownership group is on the path to long-term success."We're in a good spot," Jeter said. "We are doing exactly what we set out to do."A beloved five-time World Series champion in New York, Jeter is now a rookie owner who has been faulted for his handling of the... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Derek Jeter is heading to his first spring training since his final season with the New York Yankees in 2014.Now the CEO of the Miami Marlins, Jeter says the franchise is on a path to long-term success following an offseason fire sale that purged the batting order of four starters, including slugger Giancarlo Stanton. The trades netted mostly prospects, making the immediate outlook bleak for a team that hasn't been to the playoffs since 2003.Jeter was a beloved five-time champion with the Yankees, but now he's a rookie owner who has been faulted for his handling of the Stanton deal and other offseason moves. Even so, Jeter said he has been encouraged by the reception he has received around baseball and from the South Florida business community.The Marlins open camp Wednesday in Jupiter, Florida.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Talk about a house divided.Giancarlo Stanton and AJ Ramos, former teammates with the Miami Marlins and still close friends, are looking into living together this season now that both play in New York. It would seem to be a convenient arrangement, with one on the road most of the time anyway — except when Stanton and the Yankees face Ramos and the Mets in the Subway Series."I'm going to be setting some traps for him. You know, might mess up his sleep a little bit, stuff like that," Ramos said. "But no, we're still looking. Nothing set in stone just yet."At spring training Monday, the Mets' reliever was asked how you split a grocery bill with a roommate who has a $325 million contract?"Oh, he buys it all. For sure," Ramos said with a smile. "I'm just playin'. Nah, it's good times, man."Ramos, a 2016 All-Star, was traded by the Marlins to the Mets last July. Stanton was dealt to the Yankees in December as part of Miami's payroll purge under new ownership.The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Stanton socked 59 home runs last year, most by a major leaguer since 2001, and won the NL MVP award. Now he moves from cavernous Marlins Park into hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, with its familiar short porch in right field."I mean, he can get jammed and hit a ball out there. That park is very small," Ramos said. "He can basically burp a ball out. So I think he's gonna do pretty good."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Talk about a house divided.Giancarlo Stanton and AJ Ramos, former teammates with the Miami Marlins and still close friends, are looking into living together this season now that both play in New York. It would seem to be a convenient arrangement, with at least one player on the road most of the time anyway — except when Stanton and the Yankees face Ramos and the Mets in the Subway Series."I'm going to be setting some traps for him. You know, might mess up his sleep a little bit, stuff like that," Ramos said. "But no, we're still looking. Nothing set in stone just yet."At spring training Monday, the Mets' reliever was asked how you split a grocery bill with a roommate who has a $325 million contract?"Oh, he buys it all. For sure," Ramos said with a smile. "I'm just playin'. Nah, it's good times, man."Ramos, a 2016 All-Star, was traded by the Marlins to the Mets last July. Stanton was dealt to the Yankees in December as part of Miami's payroll purge under new ownership.The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Stanton socked 59 home runs last year, most by a major leaguer since 2001, and won the NL MVP award. Now he moves from cavernous Marlins Park into hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, with its familiar short porch in right field."I mean, he can get jammed and hit a ball out there. That park is very small," Ramos said. "He can basically burp a ball out. So I think he's gonna do pretty good."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

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) — There's a new manager in the dugout and a new slugger in the lineup.After reaching Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, the Yankees are back in the familiar position of a favorite. Aaron Boone, a rookie manager who succeeded Joe Girardi, has no grace period heading into his first spring training."Hopefully, I think in short order I'll be able to earn that respect, that they'll be able to look at me, trust in me, know that I have their interest at heart, but know that hopefully I know what the heck I'm talking about," Boone said.In baseball's biggest offseason move, the Yankees acquired major league home run leader Giancarlo Stanton from the payroll-paring Miami Marlins for All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro and a pair of prospects. Stanton, who hit 59 home runs, joins Aaron Judge, voted AL Rookie of the Year after hitting 52."We're excited to get better together and use our talents together because we're very similar," Stanton said. "And we're going to learn from each... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — With Khris Davis slugging in the middle of a young lineup, the Oakland Athletics realize they still have much ground to overcome in a division featuring the World Series champion Houston Astros.And that's fine with this group, which is counting on using the momentum from a strong September finish going into spring and a new season.Last month, Davis received a $10.5 million, one-year contract, more than doubling his salary after he beat the team in arbitration last winter.He hit a career-best 43 home runs in 2017, connecting on the season's final day to surpass the season high he set the previous year for Oakland. The 30-year-old is the only A's player aside from Jimmie Foxx from 1932-34 with consecutive 40-homer seasons.The A's won 17 of their final 24 games after trading more stars in favor of the youth movement."I'm glad we had the success that we did at the end of the year because we talked about it the last day going into this next season, 'Remember what's happening... [More]