PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — For years, the NL East has been soft as a bunt single.Not anymore.Even before Bryce Harper decided to stay inside the division, four of the five teams spent this offseason swinging for the fences. In addition to defending champion Atlanta, the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals all have enough firepower to potentially contend for the playoffs."This is probably going to be the stiffest competition in a division race in my career," Nationals ace Max Scherzer said at spring training.It's certainly a noticeable transformation.In the past eight seasons, the NL East has won a grand total of two playoff series and produced one pennant winner — with the 2015 Mets responsible for the entirety of that October success.Two years ago, Washington finished a whopping 20 games in front, and no other team in the division was better than 77-85.Last season, Atlanta rolled to a surprise title at 90-72, the fewest wins of any postseason participant. No... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — All rise — again. Aaron Judge is back.Judge hit his first two homers of spring training, helping the New York Yankees to a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers in a split-squad game on Sunday.Brett Gardner also connected twice and Gary Sanchez had a solo drive as New York went deep six times. The Yankees set a major league record with 267 homers last season.Gardner and Judge hit consecutive homers off Daniel Norris in the first. Judge went deep again in the fifth, belting a two-run drive to right that went off the glove of a leaping Victor Reyes and just over the wall.Norris allowed three runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old left-hander is trying to win a spot in Detroit's rotation."Just trying to throw strikes and stay out of the middle of the zone, which I didn't do very good today," Norris said.Masahiro Tanaka tossed three scoreless innings for the Yankees in his first spring start. Traditionally one of baseball's most deliberate workers, the right-hander... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — It took a long time and a lot of money, but the Philadelphia Phillies finally landed Bryce Harper with a record contract.The young star outfielder and the Phillies agreed Thursday to a $330 million, 13-year contract, the largest deal in baseball history.Harper's agent, California-based Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to at 10:34 a.m. PST, subject to a successful physical.Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and his players learned of the agreement from fans behind Philadelphia's dugout who saw media reports on their mobile devices during a spring training game in Clearwater, Florida."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — It took a long time and a lot of money, but the Philadelphia Phillies finally landed Bryce Harper with a record contract.The young star outfielder and the Phillies agreed Thursday to a $330 million, 13-year contract, the largest deal in baseball history.Harper's agent, California-based Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to at 10:34 a.m. PST, subject to a successful physical.Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and his players learned of the agreement from fans behind Philadelphia's dugout who saw media reports on their mobile devices during a spring training game in Clearwater, Florida."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — It took a long time and a lot of money, but the Philadelphia Phillies finally landed Bryce Harper with a record contract.The young star outfielder and the Phillies agreed Thursday to a $330 million, 13-year contract, the largest deal in baseball history.Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to shortly before noon, subject to a successful physical.Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and his players learned of the agreement from fans behind Philadelphia's dugout who saw media reports on their mobile devices during a spring training game in Clearwater, Florida."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $330 million, 13-year contract, the largest deal in baseball history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement is subject to a successful physical.A 26-year-old All-Star outfielder who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo Stanton reached before the 2015 season with the Miami Marlins.Harper's agreement, first reported by the MLB Network, tops the previous high for a free agent, set last week when infielder Manny Machado signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres. Harper's average annual value of $25.4 million ranks 14th in baseball history, well below the high of $34.1 million set by Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke as part of a $206.5 million, six-year contract that started in 2016.Harper... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $330 million, 13-year contract, the largest deal in baseball history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement is subject to a successful physical.A 26-year-old All-Star outfielder, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo Stanton reached before the 2015 season with the Miami Marlins.Harper's agreement, first reported by the MLB Network, tops the previous high for a free agent, set last week when infielder Manny Machado signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres. Harper's average annual value of $25.4 million ranks 14th in baseball history, well below the high of $31.4 million set by Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke as part of a $206.5 million, six-year contract that started in 2016.Harper gets a $20 million signing bonus, a $10 million salary this year, $26 million... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Forget about this bullpen obsession for a moment. Believe it or not, plenty of big league teams are still anchored by well-armed rotations.In this age of openers and closers, with relievers starting games and starters rarely finishing them, it might seem starting pitchers have been devalued by executives all over baseball.Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, is a 31-year-old free agent still looking for a job. Same for fellow lefty Gio Gonzalez, a two-time All-Star one season removed from going 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA in 201 innings.Meanwhile, short relievers like Zack Britton ($39 million), Jeurys Familia ($30 million), Kelvin Herrera ($18 million) and Joakim Soria ($15 million) had no trouble getting multiyear deals this winter.Doesn't anyone remember what Koufax and Drysdale did for the Dodgers?Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz with the Braves?"At the end of the day, your starting staff is the backbone of your team," Washington ace Max Scherzer said.... [More]

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 BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [More]

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 BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson and the Washington Nationals have agreed in principle to a $1.3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal was subject to a successful physical exam.The 31-year-old Hellickson could earn up to $4 million more in performance bonuses, based on the number of games he starts.He was 5-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 19 starts for Washington last season.The Nationals are Hellickson's fifth club in a big league career that began in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Rays.He is 74-72 with a 4.07 ERA in the majors.Hellickson is expected to be the front-runner to claim the No. 5 spot in Washington's starting rotation, following Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez.Hellickson can earn $200,000 each for starts 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21 and 23, and $300,000 apiece for 25-30.The agreement with Hellickson comes one week before the Nationals' pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training in Florida.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says that right-hander Jeremy Hellickson and the Washington Nationals have agreed in principle to a $1.3 million, one-year contract.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal was subject to a successful physical exam.The 31-year-old Hellickson could earn up to $4 million more in performance bonuses, based on the number of games he starts.He was 5-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 19 starts for Washington last season.The Nationals are Hellickson's fifth club in a big league career that began in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Rays.He is 74-72 with a 4.07 ERA in the majors.Hellickson is expected to be the front-runner to claim the No. 5 spot in Washington's starting rotation, following Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez.The agreement with Hellickson comes one week before the Nationals' pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training in Florida.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anibal Sanchez can earn an additional $2 million in bonuses for starts in each of the next two seasons as part of his $19 million, two-year contract with the Washington Nationals, a deal that could be worth $33 million over three years.Sanchez has salaries of $8 million this year and $9 million in 2020 under the deal announced Dec. 27, with $2 million of each year's salary deferred until Jan. 15, 2021. The Nationals have a $12 million option for 2021 with a $2 million buyout, and the buyout would be due on Jan. 15, 2021.In both 2019 and 2020, Sanchez would earn $500,000 each for 18, 22, 26 and 30 starts.A right-hander who turns 35 in February, Sanchez boosted his appeal with a comeback season for NL East rival Atlanta and joins a revamped Nationals headed by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, who agreed last month to a $140 million, six-year contract.Sanchez was 7-6 with a 2.83 ERA in 24 starts and one relief appearance last year with 135 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings. Sanchez struggled in 2017 with a 6.41 ERA with Detroit.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anibal Sanchez has a new team and his same catcher.The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a two-year, $19 million contract with right-hander Anibal Sanchez on Thursday.The deal includes a team option for 2021.Sanchez, 34, will add depth to Washington's new-look rotation after boosting his appeal with a comeback season for NL East rival Atlanta. The Nationals signed Patrick Corbin to a six-year deal earlier this month.Sanchez said the two-year deal was important at his age.He said another factor was maintaining his relationship with catcher Kurt Suzuki, who he said was important to his success with the Braves in 2018. Suzuki signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Washington last month."That's a big thing for me, especially because the way I pitch in 2018, Suzuki was involved in every change I made," Sanchez said in a conference call with reporters. "Every sequence that we work for, Suzuki was very involved. ... I know the pitches he calls for. We've got a really... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with right-hander Anibal Sanchez.The deal, announced Thursday by the Nationals, includes a team option for 2021.The 34-year-old Sanchez will add depth to Washington's new-look rotation after boosting his appeal with a comeback season for NL East rival Atlanta. The Nationals signed Patrick Corbin to a six-year deal earlier this month.Sanchez, a native of Maracay, Venezuela, was perhaps the Braves' most consistent starter as he posted a 2.83 ERA in 25 games, including 24 starts. He was 7-6 and had 135 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings. It was a remarkable turnaround after Sanchez struggled in 2017 with a 6.41 ERA with Detroit.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with right-hander Anibal Sanchez.The deal, announced Thursday by the Nationals, includes a team option for 2021.The 34-year-old Sanchez will add depth to Washington's new-look rotation after boosting his appeal with a comeback season for NL East rival Atlanta. The Nationals signed Patrick Corbin to a six-year deal earlier this month.Sanchez, a native of Maracay, Venezuela, was perhaps the Braves' most consistent starter as he posted a 2.83 ERA in 25 games, including 24 starts. He was 7-6 and had 135 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings. It was a remarkable turnaround after Sanchez struggled in 2017 with a 6.41 ERA with Detroit.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves did not extend a qualifying offer to any of their free agents, including cleanup hitter Nick Markakis.If Atlanta had made $17.9 million, one-year offer to Markakis by Friday's deadline, it would have been in line to receive a draft pick if he signed elsewhere. But the team opted against such a move, not wanting to give the outfielder — who turns 35 this month — the option of taking such a lucrative deal.While Markakis was a first-time All-Star who hit .297 with 14 homers and 93 RBIs, his production tailed off in the second half of the season.The Braves also opted against qualifying offers to catcher Kurt Suzuki, starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez, starter Brandon McCarthy, infielder Ryan Flaherty and reliever Peter Moylan. McCarthy has said he plans to retire.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Baseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Max Muncy is starting at first base and Joc Pederson is in left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz in Monday's Game 4 of the NL Division Series.Each sat in Game 3 when manager Dave Roberts started David Freese at first and Chris Taylor in left against left-hander Sean Newcomb on Sunday night.Yasiel Puig is in right field and Matt Kemp returns to the bench for the Dodgers, who lead the best-of-five series 2-1.Left-hander Rich Hill is on the mound for Los Angeles.Roberts said Clayton Kershaw would start on Wednesday in Los Angeles if a Game 5 is necessary. He said the decision was simple even though he chose Hyun-Jin Ryu over Kershaw to start Game 1."I think that we had our reasons why we decided on Game 1 versus Game 2," Roberts said. "But if there's a potential Game 5, we feel very confident that Clayton should be the guy taking the baseball."Braves manager Brian Snitker said he might use Sean Newcomb and Kevin Gausman,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Right fielder Yasiel Puig will be hitting fifth in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The Cuban slugger moved up two spots on Friday night after hitting seventh in a 6-0 victory in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium. Puig was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk on Thursday night. He also scored a run.Manager Dave Roberts moved catcher Yasmani Grandal to eighth after he went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts hitting in the fifth spot in Game 1.The Dodgers kept their lineup intact in facing their second straight right-hander. Anibal Sanchez started for the Braves on Friday after righty Mike Foltynewicz made his postseason debut in Game 1.Left fielder Joc Pederson leads off for Los Angeles, followed by third baseman Justin Turner, first baseman Max Muncy — who hit a three-run homer in Game 1 — and shortstop Manny Machado. After Puig, center fielder Cody Bellinger, second baseman Enrique Hernandez, Grandal and... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:NO OPENERS NEEDEDCy Young Award winners Justin Verlander and Corey Kluber will start the AL Division Series between the Astros and Indians at Minute Maid Park in a matchup that figures to buck the October trend of bullpen "openers."Verlander, a 14-year veteran, believes the AL West champion Astros and AL Central champion Indians have the top two rotations in the AL. He thinks the performance of each team's starters will be paramount to success."Us and the Indians probably being 1 and 2, however you like to slice it, us and them, them and us," he said. "Pick your poison. We both have very defined starters who have a great track record and have good stuff. This should be a really fun series."ON SALEChris Sale waited eight years to make his first postseason start and then another 365 days for a chance to put that memory behind him. The Red Sox left-hander will open Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, one year after... [More]