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 Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). 2019: 97-65, first place, lost to Cardinals in Division Series.Training Town: North Port, Florida.Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: LF Marcell Ozuna, C Travis d'Arnaud, LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Will Smith, RHP F�lix Hern�ndez.He's Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Julio Teheran, C Brian McCann, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Billy Hamilton, C Francisco Cervelli. Going campin': The Braves are coming off their second straight NL East title, led by one of baseball's brightest young stars. In his first full season in the big leagues, 22-year-old OF Ronald Acu�a Jr. hit 41 homers, led the league with 127 runs and tallied 37 stolen bases to become the second-youngest... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pitchers Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez, Jose Alvarez and Adam Morgan reached one-year contracts with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday while All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto and reliever Héctor Neris exchanged salary arbitration figures with the team.Realmuto asked for $12.4 million and the club offered $10 million. In his first season with the Phillies, he set career-highs with 25 homers and 83 RBIs, batted .275, was an All-Star for the second straight season and won his first Gold Glove Award. He made $6.05 million last year.Neris sought $5.2 million and was offered $4.25 million. The right-hander made $1.8 million last year when he was Philadelphia's most reliable reliever, leading the team with a career-high 28 saves in 34 chances. He posted a 2.93 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings. Neris is 67 for 83 in save opportunities in his career.Eflin got a raise from $590,000 to $2,625,000. The righty was 10-13 with a career-best 4.13 ERA in his fourth season in Philadelphia.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Mookie Betts agreed Friday to a $27 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, the largest one-year salary for an arbitration-eligible player, while Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant got an $18.6 million, one-year deal.Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer struck a $17.5 million agreement after winning hearings against Cleveland the previous two winters, and Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor also agreed to $17.5 million.NL MVP Cody Bellinger agreed at $11.5 million, the largest amount for a player eligible for arbitration for the first time. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, also eligible for the first time, received an $8.5 million deal.Among 155 players eligible for arbitration at the start of the day, just 20 remained headed for hearings next month after exchanging proposed arbitration salaries with teams. Houston outfielder George Springer asked for a raise from $12.15 million to $22.5 million and was offered $17.5 million in the biggest gap. Philadelphia... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Didi Gregorius was struggling in his first season with the New York Yankees after replacing franchise icon Derek Jeter when manager Joe Girardi assured him he would be the starting shortstop despite a bad slump."It was really strong for me," Gregorius said Monday after Girardi helped him put on a No. 18 Philadelphia Phillies jersey for the first time. "That's one thing you always want to hear from your manager, that he wants you to play every day."Gregorius agreed to a $14 million, one-year contract with the Phillies last week, reuniting with Girardi, who enters his first season as Philadelphia's manager.Gregorius says Girardi is more of a mentor than a coach. Girardi joked that general manager Matt Klentak didn't want him talking to Gregorius during contract negotiations because his price would've kept going up."Didi knows how I feel about him and how much I'd love to have him," Girardi said.Right-hander Zack Wheeler also was introduced along with Gregorius. Wheeler... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joe Girardi views Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler as his co-aces.“I think you're going to have a 1 and a 1A with him and Nola," the first-year Philadelphia Phillies manager said Monday after Wheeler's $118 million, five-year contract was announced.“When you look at what he's done the last few years and really throughout his career, he's continued to get better and better," Girardi said. “This is a power guy with four pitches where I think he's just starting to reach his potential. I think there is more in the tank there. I think this guy can be more dominant than he's been, and we're looking forward to seeing the top of our rotation."Wheeler gets $21.5 million next year, $22.5 million in 2021, $26 million in 2022, $24.5 million in 2023 and $23.5 million in 2024. He agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler finalized their $118 million, five-year contract Monday.Wheeler gets $21.5 million next year, $22.5 million in 2021, $26 million in 2022, $24.5 million in 2023 and $23.5 million in 2024. He agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He joins a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — longtime NL East foe Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Philadelphia spent big money last season on free-agent outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen and acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura in trades. The... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler finalized their $118 million, five-year contract Monday.Wheeler agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He joins a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — longtime NL East foe Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Philadelphia spent big money last season on free-agent outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen and acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura in trades. The Phillies didn't address starting pitching, and the staff's struggles cost them in the second half as they faded to an 81-81... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler finalized their $118 million, five-year contract Monday.Wheeler agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical.The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He joins a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — longtime NL East foe Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. Philadelphia spent big money last season on free-agent outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen and acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura in trades. The Phillies didn't address starting pitching, and the staff's struggles cost them in the second half as they faded to an 81-81 finish. Manager Gabe Kapler was fired and replaced by Joe Girardi.Wheeler is 44-38 with a 3.77 ERA in 126 starts. He has 726 strikeouts in 749 1/3 innings.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies filled their biggest need quickly.Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Phillies agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He will join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. “He knows all of us hitters very well,” Mets role player J.D. Davis said earlier in the day. “He's a great pitcher, great stuff.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies filled their biggest need quickly.Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Phillies agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He will join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. “He knows all of us hitters very well,” Mets role player J.D. Davis said earlier in the day. “He's a great pitcher, great stuff.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Second baseman César Hernández and third baseman Maikel Franco became free agents when the Phillies did not offer them contracts on Monday.The Phillies offered 2020 contracts to catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitchers Héctor Neris, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, Adam Morgan and José Álvarez. The six are eligible for arbitration. The team avoided arbitration with catcher Andrew Knapp, agreeing on a $710,000, one-year deal.Hernández had been a starter since 2015. He replaced Chase Utley and led the team in average in 2016 and 2017, hitting .294 both seasons. Hernández hit .279 with 14 homers and a career-high 71 RBIs last year. He has a .277 career average and .352 on-base percentage.Franco also became a starter in 2015 but didn’t play regularly the past two seasons. He averaged 24 homers and 77 RBIs from 2016-18. Franco batted .234 with 17 homers and 56 RBIs in this year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Second baseman César Hernández and third baseman Maikel Franco became free agents when the Phillies did not offer them contracts on Monday.The Phillies offered 2020 contracts to catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitchers Héctor Neris, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, Adam Morgan and José Álvarez. The six are eligible for arbitration. The team avoided arbitration with catcher Andrew Knapp, agreeing on a one-year deal.Hernández had been a starter since 2015. He replaced Chase Utley and led the team in average in 2016 and 2017, hitting .294 both seasons. Hernández hit .279 with 14 homers and a career-high 71 RBIs last year. He has a .277 career average and .352 on-base percentage.Franco also became a starter in 2015 but didn’t play regularly the past two seasons. He averaged 24 homers and 77 RBIs from 2016-18. Franco batted .234 with 17 homers and 56 RBIs in this year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won his seventh straight Gold Glove and pitcher Zack Greinke earned his sixth in a row, getting the National League honor for the fourth months he spent with Arizona before he was traded to Houston.Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon, who became a free agent this weekend, won his seventh overall and third in a row.Other multiple winners in the AL announced Sunday included Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (four), Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (three), Oakland first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman, and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor (two apiece).Seattle pitcher Mike Leake, Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez and Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez were first time winners in the AL.Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo won his third Gold Glove and second in a row, and Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed won his second straight.There were five first-time winners in the NL: Philadelphia catcher J.T.... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won his seventh straight Gold Glove and pitcher Zack Greinke earned his sixth in a row, getting the National League honor for the fourth months he spent with Arizona before he was traded to Houston.Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon, who became a free agent this weekend, won his seventh overall and third in a row.Other multiple winners in the AL announced Sunday included Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (four), Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (three), Oakland first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman, and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor (two apiece).Seattle pitcher Mike Leake, Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez and Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez were first time winners in the AL.Chicago Cubs first baseman won his third Gold Glove and second in a row, and Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed won his second straight,There were five first-time winners in the NL: Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, St.... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won his seventh straight Gold Glove and pitcher Zack Greinke earned his sixth in a row, getting the National League honor for the fourth months he spent with Arizona before he was traded to Houston.Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon, who became a free agent this weekend, won his seventh overall and third in a row.Other multiple winners in the AL announced Sunday included Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (four), Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (three), Oakland first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman, and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor (two apiece).Seattle pitcher Mike Leake, Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez and Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez were first time winners in the AL.Chicago Cubs first baseman won his third Gold Glove and second in a row, and Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed won his second straight,There were five first-time winners in the NL: Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, St.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — John Middleton runs the show in Philadelphia.The Phillies managing partner made that clear Friday, a day after manager Gabe Kapler was fired despite resistance from Team President Andy MacPhail and general manager Matt Klentak."A CEO's responsibility is to ensure an organization achieves its strategic objectives, and everything I do every day is working toward that end," Middleton said.Philadelphia's front office spent weeks deliberating Kapler's fate before Middleton decided to remove him. Kapler went 161-163 in two seasons.It's not the first time Middleton has overruled his front office. After promising last fall to spend "stupid" money, he was the driving force behind the decision to give Bryce Harper a $330 million, 13-year contract. He also made the move to fire hitting coach John Mallee in August and replaced him with former manager Charlie Manuel."The decision about a manager is much more directly connected to achieving the strategic objective of winning a World... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler took the fall for the Philadelphia Phillies.He was fired Thursday, nearly two weeks after a disappointing finish to a season of big expectations highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival.Kapler went 161-163 in two years, his team unable to deliver following its offseason spending spree. Philadelphia finished 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012."Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city. I will never waver from that commitment," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a statement."I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager. I am indebted to Gabe for the steadfast effort, energy and enthusiasm that he brought to our club, and we are unquestionably a better team and organization as a result of his contributions."The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler took the fall for the Philadelphia Phillies.He was fired Thursday, nearly two weeks after a disappointing finish to a season of big expectations highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival.Kapler went 161-163 in two years, his team unable to deliver following its offseason spending spree. Philadelphia finished 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012."Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city. I will never waver from that commitment," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a statement."I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager. I am indebted to Gabe for the steadfast effort, energy and enthusiasm that he brought to our club, and we are unquestionably a better team and organization as a result of his contributions."The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler wants the opportunity to lead the Philadelphia Phillies back to the postseason after consecutive collapses in September.It's still uncertain whether he'll get another chance.A season that began with high expectations following the arrival of Bryce Harper and other high-profile players ended the same as the previous seven years: without October baseball.The Phillies finished 81-81, a one game improvement from Kapler's rookie season as manager. Frustrated fans want to see change but management hasn't announced a decision either way."I love managing that group of players," Kapler said after the season ended Sunday. "I love working with that staff. I love working with this front office. They give me all sorts of autonomy. I have felt supported by our ownership group. Our ownership group has done everything in their power to put a winning product on the field. I'm proud to be a Philadelphia Phillie and will do it as long as I'm able."The Phillies were only two... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:HOT SEATThe day after the regular season can be dicey for managers — a lot of teams like to make changes.A couple of clubs got a head start on their winter plans Sunday, with the Cubs announcing Joe Maddon wouldn't be back and the Pirates firing Clint Hurdle. That makes five openings — San Francisco's Bruce Bochy and Kansas City's Ned Yost stepped away after previously saying they would retire, and San Diego's Andy Green was fired on Sept. 21.Philadelphia's Gabe Kapler and the New York Mets' Mickey Callaway are thought to be in danger of losing their jobs this week.Kapler's Phillies have gone 161-163 over two seasons, including 81-81 this year after signing Bryce Harper to a $330 million, 13-year contract, also adding Andrew McCutchen and David Robertson and trading for star catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura.Callaway's Mets are 163-161, including 86-76 this year after first-year general manager Brodie Van Wagenen proclaimed... [More]