ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Bauer, Gerrit Cole and Alex Wood won their salary arbitration cases Wednesday, giving players a 6-3 advantage over teams to ensure a winning record in consecutive years for the first time since 1989-90.Bauer won his hearing for the second straight year and was awarded $13 million by James Darby, James Oldham and Sylvia Skratek instead of the Cleveland Indians' $11 million offer.Cole was given a $13.5 million salary by Gil Vernon, Steven Wolf and Walt De Treux rather than the Houston Astros' offer of $11,425,000.Wood will get $9.65 million instead of the Cincinnati Reds' $8.7 million offer, Dan Brent, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte decided.Bauer and Cole topped the previous high for a salary awarded in an arbitration hearing, $10.5 million won last year by Boston outfielder Mookie Betts.Bauer, a 28-year-old right-hander, was a first-time All-Star last year and finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting after going 12-6 with a 2.21 ERA, second behind... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — A week after outfielder Matt Kemp was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds, he got a sideline pass for Oklahoma basketball game and had a chance meeting with another Oklahoma native: Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench."It was pretty cool," Kemp said. "It just so happened that I just got traded to Cincinnati. It was only right to sit there and chat with him for a while."Kemp learned firsthand about some of the Reds' history after he was included in their biggest offseason trade. Cincinnati acquired Kemp, left-hander Alex Wood, Yasiel Puig and Kyle Farmer for Homer Bailey and minor leaguers Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray on Dec. 21. It was the fourth time the 34-year old outfielder was traded, but this one was unique given that he wasn't alone going to a new team."Transitioning every time is different," he said, as the Reds opened camp with their first workout by catchers and pitchers. "I think this time it is easier. I've got a couple guys here who... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Bauer, Gerrit Cole and Alex Wood won their salary arbitration cases on Wednesday, giving players a 6-3 advantage over teams to ensure a winning record in consecutive years for the first time since 1989-90.Bauer won his hearing for the second straight year and was awarded $13 million by James Darby, James Oldham and Sylvia Skratek instead of the Cleveland Indians' $11 million offer.Cole was given a $13.5 million salary by Gil Vernon, Steven Wolf and Walt De Treux rather than the Houston Astros' offer of $11,425,000.Wood will get $9.65 million instead of the Cincinnati Reds' $8.7 million offer, Dan Brent, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte decided.Bauer and Cole topped the previous high for a salary awarded in an arbitration hearing, $10.5 million won last year by Boston outfielder Mookie Betts.Bauer, a 28-year-old right-hander, was a first-time All-Star last year and finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting after going 12-6 with a 2.21 ERA, second behind... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Bauer, Gerrit Cole and Alex Wood won their salary arbitration cases on Wednesday, giving players a 6-3 advantage over teams to ensure a winning record in consecutive years for the first time since 1989-90.Bauer won his hearing for the second straight year and was awarded $13 million by James Darby, James Oldham and Sylvia Skratek instead of the Cleveland Indians' $11 million offer.Cole was given a $13.5 million salary by Gil Vernon, Steven Wolf and Walt De Treux rather than the Houston Astros' offer of $11,425,000.Wood will get $9.65 million instead of the Cincinnati Reds' $8.7 million offer, Dan Brent, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte decided.Bauer and Cole topped the previous high for a salary awarded in an arbitration hearing, $10.5 million won last year by Boston outfielder Mookie Betts.Bauer, a 28-year-old right-hander, was a first-time All-Star last year and finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting after going 12-6 with a 2.21 ERA, second behind... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Bauer, Gerrit Cole and Alex Wood have won their salary arbitration cases, giving players a 6-3 advantage over teams to ensure a winning record in consecutive years for the first time since 1989-90.Bauer won his hearing for the second straight year. He was awarded $13 million on Wednesday by James Darby, James Oldham and Sylvia Skratek instead of the Cleveland Indians' $11 million offer.Cole was given a $13.5 million salary by Gil Vernon, Steven Wolf and Walt De Treux rather than the Houston Astros' offer of $11,425,000.Wood will get $9.65 million instead of the Cincinnati Reds' $8.7 million offer, Dan Brent, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte decided.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — A new manager and coaching staff. Three new starting pitchers. The Reds begin their season with a whole new look and hopes that their run of last-place finishes could be coming to an end.There's a very different vibe as Cincinnati opens camp with its first workout by pitchers and catchers on Wednesday. Offseason trades remade the rotation and the everyday lineup, sparking hope after four straight 90-loss seasons."There is a lot more expecting to win and a lot less hoping to win," pitcher Michael Lorenzen said Tuesday.The change started at the top. The Reds fired manager Bryan Price after a 3-15 start last season and decided not to keep interim Jim Riggleman. David Bell was hired as manager, a move that resonated with Reds fans. His grandfather, Gus, and father, Buddy, played for the Reds.The 46-year-old Bell inherited a roster that lacked proven starters, the main thread in the losing seasons. Three trades brought starters Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark and Alex Wood, who... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Left-hander Alex Wood asked an arbitration panel for a $9.65 million salary on Tuesday and the Cincinnati Reds argued the newly acquired pitcher should be paid $8.7 million.A decision by Dan Brent, Andrew Strongin and Phillip LaPorte is expected Wednesday, when rulings also are likely for pitchers Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole.Wood was 9-7 with a 3.68 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 27 starts and six relief appearances last year, when he made $6 million. Now 28, he was acquired by the Reds on Dec. 21 along with outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp.Cole asked Gil Vernon, Steven Wolf and Walt De Treux for $13.5 million rather than the Houston Astros' offer of $11,425,000. Cole made $6.75 million last year, when he received his second All-Star selection and went 15-5 with a 2.88 ERA.After winning last year's hearing, Bauer requested James Darby, James Oldham and Sylvia Skratek award him $13 million instead of the Cleveland Indians' $11 million offer. The 28-year-old... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Pitcher Gerrit Cole has gone to arbitration with the Houston Astros, asking to be given $13.5 million rather than the team's offer of $11,425,000.Cole made $6.75 million last year, when he earned his second All-Star selection and went 15-5 with a 2.88 ERA. He earned $6.75 million.Arbitrators Gil Vernon, Steven Wolf and Walt De Treux heard the case Monday and are expected to decide later this week.Players and teams have split six decisions, including a victory for Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. The case of Cleveland pitcher Trevor Bauer is pending.Four more hearings are scheduled this week, for Michael Fulmer of Detroit, Aaron Nola of Philadelphia, Luis Severino of the New York Yankees and Alex Wood of Cincinnati.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Pitcher Trevor Bauer has gone to salary arbitration with the Cleveland Indians for the second straight year.Relievers Ryan Tepera of Toronto and Kyle Barraclough of Washington lost their cases, leaving the sides tied 3-3 with six possible decisions remaining.After winning last year's hearing, Bauer asked for $13 million and the Indians argued for $11 million on Friday. Arbitrators James Darby, James Oldham and Sylvia Skratek are not expected to rule until next week, after the hearings for Houston's Gerrit Cole and Cincinnati's Alex Wood.Bauer won a $6,525,000 salary last year in a case decided by arbitrators Andrew Strongin, Steven Wolf and Robert Herzog, who ruled against Cleveland's $5.3 million offer.The 28-year-old was a first-time All-Star last year and finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting after going 12-6 with a 2.21 ERA, second behind Tampa Bay's Nate Snell. Bauer is eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.Tepera was awarded a $1,525,000 salary... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___Milwaukee BrewersManager: Craig Counsell (fifth season).2018: 96-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Phoenix.Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Ben Gamel, 2B-3B Cory Spangenberg, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Bobby Wahl, RHP Josh Tomlin.He's Outta Here: 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Gio Gonzalez, LHP Wade Miley, OF Keon Broxton, OF Domingo Santana, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Dan Jennings, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Xavier Cedeno.Going campin': The Brewers return mostly intact after making it to the NL Championship Series last year in the franchise's first playoff appearance since they also lost the NLCS in 2011. Grandal is a major upgrade behind the plate after he hit 24 homers last year with... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___Milwaukee BrewersManager: Craig Counsell (fifth season).2018: 96-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Phoenix.Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Ben Gamel, 2B-3B Cory Spangenberg, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Bobby Wahl.He's Outta Here: 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Gio Gonzalez, LHP Wade Miley, OF Keon Broxton, OF Domingo Santana, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Dan Jennings, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Xavier Cedeno.Going campin': The Brewers return mostly intact after making it to the NL Championship Series last year in the franchise's first playoff appearance since they also lost the NLCS in 2011. Grandal is a major upgrade behind the plate after he hit 24 homers last year with the Dodgers. There... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Yasiel Puig boarded a jet in Los Angeles, flew all night and arrived in his new home just before sunrise. The temperature was still falling toward zero, and the wind chill was enough to cause frostbite in a few minutes.That first blast of cold as he left the plane was another reminder: You're not in LA anymore, Yasiel.The former Dodgers outfielder who was part of a seven-player deal with Cincinnati in December decided to explore his new town Wednesday. He did just about every Cincinnati thing that a visitor could do on a below-freezing day.Puig looked for a place to live, visited Great American Ball Park , and spent time with children at the Reds' baseball academy. He went to City Hall and met the mayor. One of the local chili parlors tweeted hello.During his visit to the new clubhouse, Puig got a Reds home jersey with No. 66 and his name on the back. Also, a red-and-gray stocking cap that sure came in handy under the conditions, though he insisted that 20-below wind chill... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Sonny Gray knows what he's getting into even before he arrives in Cincinnati.His father tried out for the Reds and failed to make the cut, but remained a huge fan. Gray attended his first major league game at Great American Ball Park, and he knows about the town's affinity for a unique style of chili.The starter also knows that Great American is akin to Yankee Stadium, where he struggled mightily last season. Gray agreed to a trade from the Yankees anyway, along with a $38 million, four-year contract adding $30.5 million in guaranteed money from 2020-22.The deal announced Monday includes a $12 million club option for 2023 that could increase the value to $50 million for five seasons and has additional performance bonuses for innings and escalators."The relationships just felt right," Gray said during a conference call Tuesday.The Reds made their third offseason move to upgrade their troublesome rotation on Monday, sending infield prospect Shed Long and a high pick in this... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Sonny Gray knows what he's getting into even before he arrives in Cincinnati.His father tried out for the Reds and failed to make the cut, but remained a huge fan. Gray attended his first major league game at Great American Ball Park, and he knows about the town's affinity for a unique style of chili.The starter also knows that Great American is akin to Yankee Stadium, where he struggled mightily last season. Gray agreed to a trade from the Yankees anyway, along with a contract extension that could keep him in Cincinnati for the next four years."The relationships just felt right," Gray said during a conference call Tuesday.The Reds made their third offseason move to upgrade their troublesome rotation on Monday, sending infield prospect Shed Long and a high pick in this year's amateur draft to the Yankees in exchange for the 29-year-old Gray and left-hander Reiver Sanmartin. New York then sent Long to Seattle for 21-year-old outfielder Josh Stowers.The deal was completed... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sonny Gray's unsuccessful stretch with the Yankees ended when New York traded the pitcher to Cincinnati after the 29-year-old right-hander agreed to a contract with the Reds that added $30.5 million from 2020-22.New York received infield prospect Shed Long and a high pick in this year's amateur draft, then flipped Long to Seattle for 21-year-old outfielder Josh Stowers. The Yankees sent the Reds left-hander Reiver Sanmartin in the moves Monday.Coming off a last-place finish in the NL Central, the Reds have added Gray, Tanner Roark and Alex Wood to their rotation in offseason trades.Cincinnati and New York agreed to a deal Friday, pending a window for Gray to reach a long-term deal. Gray and the Yankees settled on a $7.5 million, one-year contract on Jan. 11 that avoided salary arbitration. He had been eligible for free agency after this season, and his new deal raises his guarantee to $38 million over four seasons. The new contract includes a 2023 club option.Gray was 15-16... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — AL MVP Mookie Betts, NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and major league home run champion Khris Davis reached high-priced one-year deals to avoid salary arbitration, while slugger Nolan Arenado and pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Aaron Nola were among 15 players still on track for hearings.Betts and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox agreed to a $20 million, one-year contract on Friday, a $9.5 million raise that topped pitcher Max Scherzer's $8.8 million hike from Detroit in 2014.Betts' standard didn't last the day, broken when deGrom and the New York Mets agreed at $17 million, a $9.6 million increase.Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor, eligible for the first time, got an even bigger raise. His salary went up more than $9.9 million, from $643,200 to $10.55 million.Davis and the Oakland Athletics reached a $16.5 million deal, a $6 million raise after he hit 48 home runs with a career-high 123 RBIs.Arenado asked for a record $30 million in arbitration... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — AL MVP Mookie Betts, NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and major league home run champion Khris Davis reached high-priced one-year deals to avoid salary arbitration, while slugger Nolan Arenado and pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Aaron Nola were among 15 players still on track for hearings.Betts and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox agreed to a $20 million, one-year contract on Friday, a record $9.5 million raise for a player in arbitration more than one time that topped pitcher Max Scherzer's $8.8 million hike from Detroit in 2014.Betts' standard didn't last the day, broken when deGrom and the New York Mets agreed at $17 million, a $9.6 million increase.Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor, eligible for the first time, got an even bigger raise. His salary went up more than $9.9 million, from $643,200 to $10.55 million.Davis and the Oakland Athletics reached a $16.5 million deal, a $6 million raise after he hit 48 home runs with a career-high 123 RBIs.Arenado... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds avoided arbitration with Yasiel Puig, agreeing with the newly acquired outfielder on a $9.7 million contract for 2019.The Reds also reached deals Friday with right-handers Tanner Roark ($10 million), Anthony DeSclafani ($2,125,000) and Michael Lorenzen ($1.95 million), second baseman Scooter Gennett ($9,775,000) and shortstop Jose Peraza ($2,775,000).Left-hander Alex Wood is Cincinnati's only arbitration-eligible player without a deal. He asked for a raise from $6 million to $9.65 million, and the team offered $8.7 million.The Reds acquired Puig and Wood last month in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati got Roark in a deal with Washington.Puig hit .267 with 23 home runs and 63 RBIs last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — AL MVP Mookie Betts, NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and major league home run champion Khris Davis reached high-priced one-year deals to avoid salary arbitration, while slugger Nolan Arenado and pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Aaron Nola were among 15 players still on track for hearings.Betts and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox agreed to a $20 million, one-year contract on Friday, a $9.5 million raise for an arbitration-eligible player that topped pitcher Max Scherzer's $8.8 million raise from Detroit in 2014.Betts' record didn't last the day, broken when deGrom and the New York Mets agreed at $17 million, a $9.6 million increase.Davis and the Oakland Athletics reached a $16.5 million deal, a $6 million raise after he hit 48 home runs with a career-high 123 RBIs.Arenado asked for a record $30 million in arbitration from Colorado and was offered $24 million. He will top the record for a salary for an arbitration-eligible player, a $23 million deal... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — AL MVP Mookie Betts, NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and major league home run champion Khris Davis reached high-priced one-year deals to avoid salary arbitration, while slugger Nolan Arenado and pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Aaron Nola were among 15 players still on track for hearings.Betts and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox agreed to a $20 million, one-year contract on Friday, a $9.5 million raise for an arbitration-eligible player that topped pitcher Max Scherzer's $8.8 million raise from Detroit in 2014.Betts' record didn't last the day, broken when deGrom and the New York Mets agreed at $17 million, a $9.6 million increase.Davis and the Oakland Athletics reached a $16.5 million deal, a $6 million raise after he hit 48 home runs with a career-high 123 RBIs.Arenado asked for a record $30 million in arbitration from Colorado and was offered $24 million. He will top the record for a salary for an arbitration-eligible player, a $23 million deal... [More]