DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed.So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.The All-Star third baseman agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.Arenado's agreement includes a provision that allows him to opt out after three years and become a free agent.If the deal is finalized, Arenado's $32.5 million average annual value would be the second-highest in baseball history behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016. Arenado's deal would replace a $26 million, one-year contract he agreed to Jan. 31.Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, was on track to be eligible for free agency after this season. But there's comfort in remaining... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Bryce Harper met with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, a sign the market for the star free agent might be picking up as spring training enters its second full week.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the Sunday night meeting, saying it was "good.""Just trying to get to know each other," Roberts said Monday. "In the spirit of us, as the Dodgers, vetting a certain process makes sense, and for those guys to do their due diligence as well."Roberts declined to comment about possible terms for a contract with Harper, saying "I personally have to focus on the 61 guys that are here."Harper has been connected to the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants during a second consecutive slow free-agent market for the sport. Manny Machado, the other top free agent this winter, signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres on Thursday.The 26-year-old Harper was the 2015 NL MVP and made six All-Star teams in seven big league seasons with the... [More]

Bryce Harper meets with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the very next day, a Brinks truck is parked right outside the team's spring training complex.Coincidence or correlation?With the first full week of exhibition games on deck, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed he joined club executives in meeting with Harper in Las Vegas on Sunday night.Roberts said it was a good session and gave the sides a chance to "get to know each other." Roberts says the Dodgers were "vetting a certain process."Harper has been connected to the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants during a second consecutive slow free-agent market for the sport. Manny Machado, the other top free agent this winter, signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres on Thursday.The 26-year-old Harper was the 2015 NL MVP and made six All-Star teams in seven big league seasons with the Washington Nationals. He batted .249 with 34 home runs, 100 RBIs and an .889 OPS last season.FROM AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark took the extraordinary step of saying baseball fans should question whether it makes sense to purchase tickets for some teams, responding to Commissioner Rob Manfred's assertion that free-agent players have failed to adjust their economic demands in a market upended by analytics.Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training under way, creating tension during negotiations on management's proposals for a pitch clock and new limitations on relief pitchers. The union responded with a wider list of plans that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing."Markets change," Manfred said Sunday. "We've had a lot of change in the game. People think about players differently. They analyze players differently. They negotiate differently."Clark led negotiations in 2016 for a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark took the extraordinary step of saying baseball fans should question whether it makes sense to purchase tickets for some teams, responding to Commissioner Rob Manfred's assertion that free-agent players have failed to adjust their economic demands in a market upended by analytics.Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training underway, creating tension during negotiations on management's proposals for a pitch clock and new limitations on relief pitchers. The union responded with a wider list of plans that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing."Markets change," Manfred said Sunday. "We've had a lot of change in the game. People think about players differently. They analyze players differently. They negotiate differently."Clark led negotiations in 2016 for a five-year... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark took the extraordinary step of saying baseball fans should question whether it makes sense to purchase tickets for some teams, responding to Commissioner Rob Manfred's assertion that free-agent players have failed to adjust their economic demands in a market upended by analytics.Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training underway, creating tension during negotiations on management's proposals for a pitch clock and new limitations on relief pitchers. The union responded with a wider list of plans that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing."Markets change," Manfred said Sunday. "We've had a lot of change in the game. People think about players differently. They analyze players differently. They negotiate differently."Clark led negotiations in 2016 for a five-year... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Eric Hosmer knows what Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are dealing as spring training hits its stride.Hosmer was a free agent last offseason and signed with the Padres after spring training began. He said players need to be patient while researching a team before making a decision.The rebuilding Padres have made pitches to both Harper and Machado."I didn't hear an offer until about mid-January last year," Hosmer said Monday. "Those guys could be weighing out their options of what's presented to them on the table. You just don't know what's happening. For me, it's one of those things where I've learned to wait back and just wait for it to be official and read all the stuff afterward."The Padres have a glaring hole at third base, where Machado could fit in. But they've also made a push for Harper, who would be an instant upgrade in right field and at the ticket office."San Diego sells itself," Hosmer said. "Either player, they are a generational talent. They are guys who... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno said the team has had internal discussions regarding a new contract for outfielder Mike Trout, who can become a free agent after the 2020 season.The two-time AL MVP is owed $33.25 million in each of the next two seasons, completing a $144.5 million, six-year contract."One of the last interviews I gave I said it's not in the back of our mind but in the front of our minds," Angels Moreno said Monday.The 27-year-old Trout did not want to discuss his contract situation on the Angels' first day of full squad workouts."I enjoy it here. I'm having fun," he said. "Obviously, losing's not fun but I enjoy playing this game. I leave it out on the field every night, every day and I go from there."Trout has heard from plenty of fans back home in the Philadelphia area about where they'd like him to play."I don't think I went a day this offseason without somebody saying, 'Hey, when are you coming to Philly?'" Trout said. "I can't predict the future.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Players' union head Tony Clark criticized baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred for blaming players' demands for the slow free agent market and said an increasing number of teams are making little effort to "justify the price of a ticket."Top free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training underway.Manfred said Sunday that "markets change" and "people think about players differently. They analyze players differently."Management has proposed changes to playing rules that include a pitch clock. The union responded with a wider list of proposals that include economic initiatives such as expanding the designated hitter to the National League and altering the amateur draft to make rebuilding less appealing.Clark said in a statement Monday, "We believe these substantive changes are imperative now — not in 2022 or 2025, but in 2019."He accused Manfred of "attempts to shift blame and distract from the main issues" and called the commissioner's comments "unconstructive and misleading at best."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Outfielders Cameron Maybin and Gerardo Parra finalized minor league contracts with the San Francisco Giants after passing physicals.Maybin joins his ninth team in 13 major league seasons, including from 2011-14 in the NL West for the San Diego Padres. He played in the 2017 World Series for the champion Houston Astros.The 31-year-old Maybin spent 2018 with Miami and Seattle. He batted .249 with four home runs, 14 doubles and 28 RBIs, and he was safe on 10 of 15 steal attempts.Parra, 31, hit .284 last season with six homers and 53 RBIs in 142 games for Colorado. He also played in the NL West for Arizona.The Giants held their first full-squad spring training workout Monday.San Francisco met earlier this month with free agent outfielder Bryce Harper in Las Vegas. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi wanted to add two veteran outfielders this offseason.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Stroman says it is "pretty disheartening" that veteran players like Adam Jones remain unsigned as full-squad spring training workouts are set to begin."I'm someone who can speak on how much I have learned from these individuals, and I know how important they are to the game of baseball," the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander said Sunday. "So to see these guys sitting at home and not have jobs, that's absolute crazy."Stroman, 27, will have a veteran role this season as the Blue Jays have undertaken a youth movement."I think it's a little weird to come into the clubhouse, me having Jose Bautista's original locker when he used to be the veteran," Stroman said.Beyond the unsigned star duo of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, baseball's free-agency pool still has a surprising number of big names in it: closer Craig Kimbrel, left-hander Dallas Keuchel, outfielder Carlos Gomez and infielder Josh Harrison included.Stroman also pointed out that others, including Melky Cabrera... [More]

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Stroman says it is "pretty disheartening" that veteran players like Adam Jones remain unsigned as full-squad spring training workouts are set to begin."I'm someone who can speak on how much I have learned from these individuals, and I know how important they are to the game of baseball," the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander said Sunday. "So to see these guys sitting at home and not have jobs, that's absolute crazy."Stroman, 27, will have a veteran role this season as the Blue Jays have undertaken a youth movement."I think it's a little weird to come into the clubhouse, me having Jose Bautista's original locker when he used to be the veteran," Stroman said.Beyond the unsigned star duo of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, baseball's free-agency pool still has a surprising number of big names in it: closer Craig Kimbrel, left-hander Dallas Keuchel, outfielder Carlos Gomez and infielder Josh Harrison included.Stroman also pointed out that others, including Melky Cabrera... [More]

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Stroman says it is "pretty disheartening" that veteran players like Adam Jones remain unsigned as full-squad spring training workouts are set to begin."I'm someone who can speak on how much I have learned from these individuals, and I know how important they are to the game of baseball," the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander said Sunday. "So to see these guys sitting at home and not have jobs, that's absolute crazy."Stroman, 27, will have a veteran role this season as the Blue Jays have undertaken a youth movement."I think it's a little weird to come into the clubhouse, me having Jose Bautista's original locker when he used to be the veteran," Stroman said.Beyond the unsigned star duo of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, baseball's free-agency pool still has a surprising number of big names in it: closer Craig Kimbrel, left-hander Dallas Keuchel, outfielder Carlos Gomez and infielder Josh Harrison included.Stroman also pointed out that others, including Melky Cabrera... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman finds it odd that so many teams now feel the need to announce they are trying to win."I try and win every day," the veteran Washington Nationals first baseman said Sunday. "I think that's kind of the point of sports. That's kind of what the whole basis about professional sports is — you try and win. When you have teams actively saying that we're going to go into this free agent market in a win-now mode, I don't know that you should have to state that it's a win-now mode, but I guess that's where we're at. I think that's troubling,"Zimmerman made the comments while sitting at his locker, a few feet from where one of the offseason's two premier free agents once dressed.His former teammate Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are considered the jewels of the free-agent market, yet with position players reporting to most camps early this week, neither has signed."I don't think I'm surprised. It happened last year," Zimmerman said. "We were told it was going... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — CC Sabathia can envision the perfect ending to his final big league season."Right now I'm just focused on trying to win the championship and have a parade at the end of the year," Sabathia said Saturday. "That would be a great way to top this thing off."The 38-year-old Sabathia agreed in early November to an $8 million one-year contract and said 2019 will be his last season.Sabathia had a stent inserted after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart in December. He has had chronic right knee problem that has required several operations."Why now? It's time," Sabathia said with a laugh. "My knee, just the shape that it's in. My family is getting older. It's time for me to be with them and be around them."When asked about his dad being home more, son Carter replied, "I know it will be two times funnier in the house because you're funny and mom's funny."Pitchers and catchers at Yankees spring training camp, and some position players taking part in early workouts were... [More]

Spring training has started, yet two of baseball's biggest stars, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, are sitting at home.For those who think this is a strong indication that the national pastime is headed toward another paralyzing labor dispute, do not fret.There's too much money at stake — on all sides — to let that happen.It's certainly troubling that somewhere between 60 and 100 viable free agents (depending on how you count) are still without jobs as teams reported to camp this week in Florida and Arizona.Sluggers Harper and Machado, along with 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel and closer Craig Kimbrel, are the most notable players still looking for work. Not surprisingly, their absence prompted some high-profile grumbling from players who are gainfully employed, such as Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander."System is broken," he wrote on Twitter. "You're telling me you couldn't sign Bryce or Manny for 10 years and go from there?"Certainly, the next labor agreement will require... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Two more aces are expressing concern about how major league teams are playing their cards.Washington right-hander Max Scherzer said Thursday there are too many teams trying not to win, and all the rebuilding "poisons the game." Houston star Justin Verlander, a former teammate of Scherzer with Detroit, thinks the current economic approach pursued by some teams will continue to drive away fans."If you're constantly just going into this win-loss cycle that MLB is pushing you create bandwagon fans and that's not the type of fans that you want to create," Scherzer said. "You want to create fans that are following teams year in and year out. It's up to the fans, honestly, to demand that from the league."More than 50 free agents are still looking for homes as spring training ramps up in Florida and Arizona. Sluggers Bryce Harper and Manny Machado top the list, but 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, super utilityman Marwin Gonzalez and closer Craig Kimbrel... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bryce Harper and the Giants met in the free agent slugger's hometown of Las Vegas this week, and new San Francisco baseball operations chief Farhan Zaidi said the sides had mutual interest.Zaidi, the club's new president of baseball operations, would not say whether an offer was extended to the star outfielder. The Giants still hope to add two outfielders.A fan posted that he had spotted Giants CEO Larry Baer in the Bellagio on Monday night."It's kind of hard to deny when your CEO gets made in the casino," Zaidi said with a chuckle Friday. "There's obviously mutual interest on both sides, so we thought it made sense to get together. We had a good conversation over a few hours and he's obviously got a lot of suitors and a lot of interest. He's going to have some decisions to make, but again I think it's fair to say that was an expression of our interest level to make the trip out there and meet with him."Zaidi said background discussions led to the meeting: "We didn't... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]