MIAMI (AP) — As the 25th anniversary of the Marlins' first game draws near, the franchise can look back on two World Series titles, a move into a new ballpark and eight seasons with prodigious slugger Giancarlo Stanton.Yet in South Florida, the baseball team inspires either apathy or antipathy."It's a complicated history, right?" Derek Jeter says.Yes, and even more so since Jeter's ownership group bought the downtrodden franchise in October. The former Yankees captain and new Marlins CEO traded away half the starting lineup, including Stanton, acquiring a passel of prospects to replenish the farm system and also reducing payroll to ensure a profit despite perennially awful attendance."This team hasn't been in the playoffs in 14 years," Jeter says. "That's the bottom line. And people weren't coming here. We need to fix that. People may disagree with some of the moves that we've made, but we're trying to fix something that has been broken."___With the franchise's latest reboot underway, here... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — For any other team, a historic 22-game winning streak, 102 victories, second straight division title and playoff appearance would be worth celebrating.Not the Cleveland Indians, who remain unsatisfied, yet undeterred after consecutive postseason collapses."We're going after it, man," said dazzling All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor. "We want to win. We're not backing down from anything."The Indians have spent the past two postseasons in lamenting what might have been.One year after blowing a 3-1 lead and losing the World Series in seven games, they squandered a 2-0 advantage last October to the New York Yankees and again fell short of delivering a championship to Cleveland for the first time since 1948.Maybe this is the year they end the majors' longest title drought.With Cy Young winner Corey Kluber at the top of perhaps baseball's deepest starting rotation, and in Lindor, one of the game's transcendent talents, the Indians are certain to be in the mix to finally win... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Before the 2016 season, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski added former Cy Young winner David Price and closer Craig Kimbrel to help win the World Series. It didn't happen.Before last season, he got Chris Sale to help win the World Series. It didn't happen.In February he gave slugger J.D. Martinez $110 million over five seasons to help his team win the World Series. Is this the year it happens?For the last two seasons, the Red Sox finished with identical 93-69 records, winning the American League East both years. All they have to show for that was getting bounced in the first-round of the playoffs both times with just one combined win.ROOKIE DRIVERWith those four, a crop of homegrown burgeoning stars, and a mix of solid veterans the Red Sox are poised as well as any team to win the World Series this season. Rookie manager Alex Cora has been given the keys to a baseball Cadillac. His only directives — as with any new driver — don't crack it up... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers rotation is leaning quite a bit to the left.There was no reunion with Yu Darvish or any other high-prized pitching additions during the offseason. The Rangers instead added two more lefty starters to go with Cole Hamels and Martin Perez, along with a free agent right-hander."We don't see a lot of lefties in the game, so we're just hoarding them," Hamels said. "I think it'll work out. ... We're going to be able to pick up things and correct each other just because we have some similarities."With 3,000-hit third baseman Adrian Beltre, 10th-season shortstop Elvis Andrus and young slugger Joey Gallo part of an everyday lineup that hasn't changed too much, the Rangers should be able to hit and score runs. They did last year, despite a losing record for only the second time in nine years after winning the AL West title in each of manager Jeff Banister's first two seasons.But to contend again in the AL West with defending World Series champion Houston... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The focus of the Atlanta Braves' rebuilding process has been pitching as the team stockpiled prospects through the draft and trades.Those young pitchers remain vital to the team's hopes of returning to the postseason, but 20-year-old outfielder Ronald Acuna showed this spring he's the team's future star and a key to hopes for improvement in 2018.That future may begin as soon as the middle of April."He's as good a prospect as I've seen," said former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who was in camp as a roving instructor.Jones, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in July, was considered a foundation player of the franchise. Now first baseman Freddie Freeman has that role. Jones says Acuna has the talent to be another figurehead of the franchise.Acuna, a native of Venezuela, was sent to the minor league camp on Monday. The Braves would gain a seventh year of contractual control if he spends 15 days at Triple-A Gwinnett before making his major league debut.The Braves need... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rebuilding time is over for the Philadelphia Phillies.When free-agent ace Jake Arrieta arrived at spring training on co-owner John Middleton's private plane, it signaled the start of a new era for this franchise.Stocked with young talent on the major-league roster and prospects in the minors, management sent a clear message that it will do whatever it takes to start winning after five straight losing seasons and 96 losses last year."I intend to come in here and win right away," Arrieta said.Even before the 2015 NL Cy Young award winner joined the Phillies, players were confident this team could contend this season."We're ready to win right now," third baseman Maikel Franco said. "We have a lot of talent here. We're on the same page."The Phillies signed veteran slugger Carlos Santana away from Cleveland in December and bolstered the bullpen by adding right-handers Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter. They waited on Arrieta and got him at their price — $75 million over three years... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — There is a sense of urgency surrounding the Baltimore Orioles as they enter the 2018 season.For several years now, the Orioles have operated under manager Buck Showalter with a core group of players led by Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Zach Britton.All three of those stars, in addition to Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette, are in the final year of their contract.Knowing that significant change is coming for a team with three playoff appearances in the last six seasons, the Orioles are preparing to make one final thrust at greatness."We all understand that you're not going to play with the same group of guys forever," first baseman Chris Davis said. "We've done a lot of great things with this team, but we haven't reached the top yet. That's still the goal for each and every guy in here."Davis signed a 7-year, $161 million contract in 2016. The deal, designed to keep a playoff-quality club intact, could make it difficult for the cash-conscious Orioles to... [More]

Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Washington Nationals2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Cubs in NLDS.Manager: Dave Martinez (first season).He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Joaquin Benoit, INF Matt Reynolds.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, 1B-LF Adam Lind, C Jose Lobaton, RHP Matt Albers.Projected Lineup: SS Trea Turner (.284, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs, 46 SBs in 98 games), LF Adam Eaton (.297, 2, 13 in 23 games), RF Bryce Harper (.319, 29, 87), 3B Anthony Rendon (.301, 25, 100, 41 2Bs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.322, 23, 93, 43 2Bs, expected to begin season on DL recovering from knee surgery), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.303, 36, 108, 33 2Bs), CF Michael A. Taylor (.271, 19, 53), C Matt Wieters (.225, 10, 52).Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA, NL-high 268 Ks, 200 2/3 IP, 3rd Cy Young Award), RH Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 2.52, 204 Ks), LH Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 2.96, 79 walks), RH Tanner Roark (13-11,... [More]

Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Los Angeles Dodgers2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.Manager: Dave Roberts (third season).He's Here: OF Matt Kemp, RHP Tom Koehler, LHP Scott Alexander, LHP Henry Owens.He's Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Tony Watson, LHP Luis Avilan, LHP Scott Kazmir, LHP Adam Liberatore, OF Andre Ethier, INF Charlie Culberson, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Grant Dayton, OF Franklin Gutierrez, RHP Josh Ravin.Projected Lineup: CF Chris Taylor (.288, 21 HRs, 72 RBIs, 17 SBs), SS Corey Seager (.295, 22, 77), 3B Justin Turner (.322, 21, 71, will start season on DL with broken left wrist), 1B Cody Bellinger (.267, 39, 97, 10 SBs), RF Yasiel Puig (.263, 28, 74), LF Matt Kemp (.276, 19, 64 in 115 games with Braves) or Joc Pederson (.212, 11, 35 in 102 games), C Austin Barnes (.289, 8, 38) or Yasmani Grandal (.247, 22, 58), 2B Logan Forsythe (.224, 6,... [More]

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]

Capsules of American League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Houston Astros2017: 101-61, first place, won World Series.Manager: A.J. Hinch (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Hector Rondon.He's Outta Here: DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Michael Feliz, INF Colin Moran.Projected Lineup: CF George Springer (.283, 34 HRs, 85 RBIs), 3B Alex Bregman (.284, 19, 71, 39 2Bs), 2B Jose Altuve (MLB-best .346, 24, 81, 39 2Bs, 32 SBs, AL MVP), SS Carlos Correa (.315, 24, 84), 1B Yuli Gurriel (.299, 18, 75, 43 2Bs), LF Marwin Gonzalez (.303, 23, 90, 34 2Bs), DH Evan Gattis (.263, 12, 55), RF Josh Reddick (.314, 13, 82, 34 2Bs), C Brian McCann (.241, 18, 62).Rotation: LH Dallas Keuchel (14-5, 2.90 ERA, 251 Ks), RH Justin Verlander (15-8, 3.36, 219 Ks with Tigers and Astros), RH Gerrit Cole (12-12, 4.26, 196 Ks with Pirates), RH Lance McCullers Jr. (7-4, 4.25), RH Charlie Morton (14-7, 3.62).Key Relievers: RH Ken... [More]

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Boston Red Sox2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Alex Cora (first season).He's Here: DH J.D. Martinez.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad.Projected Lineup: RF Mookie Betts (.264, 24 HRs, 102 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.271, 20, 90), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) or Mitch Moreland (.246, 22, 79), DH J.D. Martinez (.303, 45, 104 with Tigers and Diamondbacks), 3B Rafael Devers (.284, 10, 30 in 58 games), SS Xander Bogaerts (.273, 10, 62), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.245, 17, 63), C Christian Vazquez (.290, 5, 32) or Sandy Leon (.225, 7, 39), 2B Eduardo Nunez (.313, 12, 58, 24 SBs with Giants and Red Sox) or Dustin Pedroia (.293, 7, 62, .369 OBP in 105 games, expected to be out until late May following knee surgery).Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA, MLB-best 308 Ks, MLB-high 214... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers' pitching could improve this year better because of two new bats in the lineup: Outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich are just as capable of changing games with their gloves, too.Think fewer bloopers dropping in for hits, or a hard liner into the gap cut off in time to prevent extra bases. Any edge will help the Brewers in what should be a competitive race in the NL Central."We had a great outfield before; I know I benefited from it, too," starter Zach Davies said. "But it's shoring up spots that the front office wanted to. Both guys are great defensively."The offseason acquisitions are each Gold Glove-winning outfielders, in fact. Yelich arrived in a deal with the Miami Marlins on Jan. 25, one day before the Brewers signed former farmhand Cain as a free agent from the Kansas City Royals.The additions led to speculation that Milwaukee might deal one of their quality outfielders to bring in another starter, especially with Jimmy Nelson expected... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — This was supposed to be the season that the Kansas City Royals, after spending the last half decade in contention, were finally forced to rebuild as their core group of players hit free agency.Turns out half of them came back.With the market soft across the board, the Royals were able to bring back shortstop Alcides Escobar and third baseman Mike Moustakas on club-friendly, short-term deals. So while first baseman Eric Hosmer signed a seven-figure contract with the Padres and outfielder Lorenzo Cain struck it big with the Brewers, the Royals still have enough pieces that they could compete into the summer.If that happens to be the case, all bets are off."We're fortunate that it happened for us the way it did, and that's as simple as I can say it at this point," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said.What if the Royals are far out of the race in July? Well, all those pieces they brought back could become useful trade chips, allowing Kansas City to jumpstart its... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — For a franchise with five straight losing seasons and one playoff appearance since the 2005 World Series championship, the Chicago White Sox sure are an optimistic bunch.They come into the year with a long line of promising prospects to go with a strong belief that they are setting themselves up to make a big jump in the standings."We're going to shoot high and we'll see where it falls," manager Rick Renteria said.Only three teams had a worse record last season than the White Sox, who went 67-95 and finished fourth in the AL Central. But they believe the breakthrough is coming — maybe sooner than later.Chicago started loading up the pipeline at the 2016 winter meetings by trading former ace Chris Sale to Boston and outfielder Adam Eaton to Washington. Those deals brought in second baseman Yoan Moncada along with hard-throwing pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech and kicked the rebuilding process into high gear.It continued during the season when the White... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs remember what it was like in 2016, and they remember what happened last year. They remember all the fun they had two years ago, and how tired they were at the end of last season.The past two years could hold the key to how they perform in 2018."These guys absolutely get it. They're on a mission, no question," manager Joe Maddon said. "They want to go back to what happened in 2016. They didn't like what happened last year, but they kind of understand what did (happen) and how we worked through it and eventually almost got back to our goal."One of the big differences between the World Series-winning 2016 team and last year's group was the start of the season. The Cubs struggled at the beginning of last season and then pushed hard to overcome the Brewers and win the NL Central. After surviving a grueling playoff round against Washington, they were run over by the rested Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.Chicago's 25-6 start in 2016 set up the... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright believes he can still be the best pitcher in baseball, even at 36 years old and coming off an injury-riddled season that was the worst of his illustrious career.Whether the right-hander's assessment is anywhere near correct could determine not only his future in baseball, but that of the St. Louis Cardinals.When St. Louis opens its season at the New York Mets on March 29, it will do so in the unfamiliar position as an underdog in the National League Central.The Cardinals have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons — the first time that's happened in back-to-back years since 2007 and '08 — and many believe they enter this year chasing both the rival Chicago Cubs and up-and-coming Milwaukee Brewers."There are people all across this country that don't necessarily have us written in to win the National League Central," manager Mike Matheny said. "To me, that's a challenge."To keep pace or overtake the Cubs and Brewers, St. Louis is counting on the... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. will get an MRI on Thursday after straining his right shoulder during a spring training game Wednesday night.The team announced Souza's diagnosis following a 14-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Souza left the game in the fourth inning after diving for a ball and missing in right-center field. He kicked his legs in apparent pain while waiting for a team trainer, then walked off the field holding his arm.Souza was acquired from Tampa Bay as part of a three-team trade last month. The 28-year-old batted .239 with 30 home runs, 76 RBIs and 16 stolen bases last season with the Rays.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

The Baltimore Orioles figured Alex Cobb would be a fine fit.Cobb stayed in the division he knew best, finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract on Wednesday."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "They kept challenging me with it and I love the challenge of pitching in this division and they know that over the times we talked. They did a really good job of making me feel like this is where I need to be."Cobb had spent his entire six-season big league career with Tampa Bay and was the last top starting pitcher available in a slow-moving free agent market.Cobb joined Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The Orioles are coming off a last-place finish and 75-87 record.Cobb was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Michael Brantley had no problem getting back in the swing of things Wednesday night.Brantley homered on his first swing of spring training, making a promising return to the Cleveland Indians' lineup following surgery in October on his right ankle.The 30-year-old outfielder turned around a pitch from Kansas City's Jason Hammel and knocked it onto the pavilion roof in right field in the second inning. He was later called out on strikes and flew out to left field before being replaced in left field prior to the sixth inning.Brantley's first spring start was delayed by injury for the third straight season. In 2016, he homered in a March 19 debut after having right shoulder surgery the previous November. Last spring, he was held out of Cactus League action until March 20 following biceps surgery the previous August.Brantley batted .299 with nine homers and 52 RBIs in 90 games last year before being shut down with the ankle injury. Cleveland has been cautious with his workload... [More]