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]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — After their best player discussed his injury and an uncertain future, the Indians got to work on the present.Cleveland held its first full-squad workout of spring training on Monday, the first step for a talented team that looks very different than the one which captured its third straight AL Central title in 2018.Following an eventful offseason culminated with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor's calf injury, the Indians took the field after manager Terry Francona delivered his annual address. His message this year focused on moving forward."The way we feel about the game doesn't change," Francona said. "I told them that you can break spring training into three groups: You have the young guys trying to create a good first impression. You have the guys competing for a job. You have the veterans trying to get ready for a long season."Earlier, Lindor said now is not the time for him to worry about a long-term contract.The 25-year-old shortstop spoke for the first time... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus prepared for the first full-squad workout at a different locker than in past springs.Now 30 and going into his 11th season, Andrus is in a much different place than just his spot in the clubhouse.With star third baseman Adrian Beltre now retired, Andrus will be assuming a bigger leadership role on a team with a lot of 20-something position players in the lineup with him."It's something as a player, when you get more years and more experience, you're looking forward," Andrus said Monday. "I think this is a natural to happen, be able to lead guys and help them."Like Beltre did in Texas the past eight seasons, while also preparing the shortstop for this expanded role.Andrus has been with the Rangers longer than anyone else on the roster, a distinction he held even when Beltre was on the team. Andrus is the only player remaining from their consecutive World Series teams in 2010 and 2011.Beltre announced his retirement in November,... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hit against a pitcher Monday for the first time since rupturing a tendon in his left biceps on June 12.The 35-year-old hit, fielded, threw and ran the bases Monday during the Detroit Tigers' first full-squad workout of spring training."I feel good about being back on the field and playing," the two-time AL MVP said. I can't be hurt this year. I want to do my job."Cabrera strained a hamstring last year and then had the arm injury that required season-ending surgery. He was limited to 38 games."I missed the game a lot," he said.He also missed 32 games in 2017 due to a strained groin and back issues."One guy in the lineup being hurt changed the whole lineup, changed everything," he said. "The bottom line is I've got to stay healthy."Cabrera has been running and lifting weights, and looks like the same 6-foot-4, 249-pound athlete who has 465 home runs with a .316 batting average."He's bouncing around, doing all kinds of stuff," manager Ron Gardenhire said.... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — In his last season before becoming eligible for free agency, Jose Abreu thinks the Chicago White Sox can transform into a winning team."I'm excited because this year we're in a good position to compete," said the first baseman said through an interpreter Monday on the reporting day for position players. "We have a lot of talent. We're getting ready for the point where we're going to be a pretty good team. I think that this can be that year where we start showing what we can do."Abreu was an All-Star last season, but he got hurt in the second half and finished with 22 homers, 78 RBIs and a .265 average, all career lows since arriving from Cuba before the 2014 season. It was the first time in five seasons he did not have 100 RBIs.Chicago lost 100 games last season and the best record for the White Sox in the last five years was 78-84 in 2016."I am excited also because I know the quality of people we have here," he said. "I just want to get on the field and play and... [More]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Kevin Kiermaier says his body feels as good as ever and he's determined to bounce back from a subpar season marked by injuries and inconsistency to help the Tampa Bay Rays contend for a playoff berth."I'm going to sound like a broken record all spring," the defensive whiz said, adding he has a lot to prove to teammates and fans after struggling offensively last year, when he missed two months with a torn ligament in his right thumb and also hurt a foot in September."I love where I'm at right now," Kiermaier added. "I couldn't ask for anything else, and now it's just my part to go execute and maybe win some hearts back from my performance last year."The Rays surprisingly won 90 games despite losing their centerfielder for 57 games from April 16 to June 18, then finishing the season with Kiermaier sidelined the final four games because of a hairline fracture in his right foot.It was the third straight season the 28-year-old, who batted .217 in a career-low 88 games,... [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]

PHOENIX (AP) — NL MVP Christian Yelich tweeted a GIF of a leaping Moose .The Milwaukee Brewers were excited to know Mike Moustakas likely is sticking around for 2019.Moustakas and the Brewers are nearing a deal that would keep the third baseman in Milwaukee for a guarantee of $10 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity because the agreement will be subject to a successful physical. The sides were negotiating a deal that includes a mutual option for 2020, the person said."I've known Mikey forever, since he was a little kid," said Ryan Braun, who like Moustakas grew up and resides in Southern California. "He came here last year, fit in seamlessly, performed for us really well on the field. Obviously, became a big part of our culture in the locker room as well.Yelich, also a Southern California resident, spent the offseason working out with Braun and Moustakas and also teamed with them to organize... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have many jobs up for grabs, and nowhere is the competition less defined than in the infield.As the team held its first full-squad workout on Monday, only one infield position is secured — first base. Chris Davis is entering the fourth year of a seven-year, $161 million contract.Besides Davis, there are 13 players on the roster competing for the three starting positions, and a utility job or two.Davis, like the Orioles, had a horrid 2018 season. He hit just .168 with 16 home runs and 49 RBIs and 192 strikeouts in 128 games as Baltimore lost a franchise-record 115 games.There aren't any clear favorites early on.The Orioles obtained Jonathan Villar in their July remake from Milwaukee and he played both second and shortstop over the season's last two months. Villar was originally labeled as a shortstop by new general manager Mike Elias, but that was before Richie Martin was taken with the first overall pick in the Rule 5 draft.On Saturday, the Orioles... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Carson Kelly and Luke Weaver will always been known as the other players in the Paul Goldschmidt trade. No matter what they do for the rest of their careers, good or bad, they will be linked to the Arizona Diamondbacks' fan-favorite first baseman.But the Diamondbacks do not consider them replacements for Goldschmidt.Goldschmidt was one of the best players in baseball during his eight seasons in Arizona, so matching his production would be difficult. Plus, Kelly is a catcher and Weaver a right-handed starting pitcher.The Diamondbacks just want them to be the best versions of themselves they can be."When they were traded over, those were the first conversations that I began to have with them about just being themselves, embracing the organization the way we're embracing them," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "We chose them for a reason: because they're very special players."Both are looking forward to a fresh start.For Kelly, the trade should mean an opportunity... [More]

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not worrying about whether he will start the season with the Toronto Blue Jays.The 19-year-old son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero is considered the top prospect entering 2019. Yet, it would not be surprising if Toronto kept the third baseman in the minor leagues for the first 15 days and delayed his debut until at least April 12. By denying him 15 days of major league service, the Blue Jays would delay his eligibility for free agency by a year, until after the 2025 season."Controlling what I can control and then working hard everyday," Guerrero said through a translator on Monday as the Blue Jays held their first full-squad workout. "Making the best out of it. Trying to get better every day and giving the best of me."Guerrero hit .402 at Double-A and .336 at Triple-A last year, combining for 20 homers and 78 RBIs."Can't relate to being 19-years old and being that even-keeled and cool like that kid is," new Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman are competing to start at shortstop for Pittsburgh, the one open position in the Pirates' everyday lineup.The job opened when Jordy Mercer left after seven seasons and signed with the Detroit Tigers.Gonzalez was acquired from Cleveland on Nov. 14. Newman made his major league debut with the Pirates last August and retains his rookie status.Gonzalez spent the last three years as a utility infielder, stuck behind such stalwarts as shortstop Francisco Lindor, third baseman Jose Ramirez and second baseman Jason Kipnis."I was starting to lose my passion for baseball," Gonzalez said. "I was talking to my agent to try to move to another team. I just want the chance to play."He will have a chance to prove himself during the exhibition season, which begins Saturday. The Pirates feel they may have unearthed a potential impact player in Gonzalez."We've had people that've seen this man play defense and said, 'This guy can be dynamic,'" manager Clint... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals lost 104 games in 2018 despite finishing the season 20-14. They hope they can begin this season like they ended the last one, and not the way they've started in recent years."These guys made a lot of progress from the middle of August all through September," Royals manager Ned Yost said Monday before the club's first full-squad workout. "They played really, really good and exciting baseball."Does that mean we're automatically going to come in here and pick up where we left off? No. We're going to have to pick up where we left off. We're going to have to work hard to continue that type of improvement. I'm real excited about it."The Royals entered May last year with a 7-21 record. In 2017, they went 7-16 in April. Each year, they endured a nine-game losing streak in the season's first month."We started to put it all together in August," said second baseman Whit Merrifield, who led the AL in hits and stolen bases. "Once we started winning games,... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Joey Votto has spent the offseason trying to make sure he doesn't have another subpar season.The Cincinnati Reds star led the NL in on-base percentage last year but hit 12 homers, his fewest in a full season, and batted .284, his lowest since 2014. He had 67 RBIs."It was the first year where I had a poor offensive year," Votto said. "It is hard to speak on this without sounding arrogant. I've always performed at a certain level. Last year was a bit of a shock. I didn't perform anywhere near to what I'm used to."Votto, who turns 36 in September, was hit on the right knee by a pitch from Ryan Madson in August and went on the disabled list. His numbers were down even before the injury.Votto hit 37 homers during his 2010 NL MVP season and had 36 with 100 RBIs in 2017. He spent this offseason refining his swing."I did things differently, so I hope it works," Votto said. "Intuitively, I know why I wasn't ready and came up short last year. I just made sure I didn't do that... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Indians All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor says now is not the time to worry about a long-term contract.The 25-year-old shortstop spoke Monday for the first time since straining his right calf during an offseason workout in Florida. Lindor, who could miss and opening day, said he's only focused on getting healthy and not his financial future.The Indians have control of Lindor through 2021. He avoided arbitration last month by agreeing to a $10.55 million, one-year contract.When asked whether he would consider signing a multiyear deal with Cleveland, Lindor said, "That's not where we are right now. We'll see what happens. At the end of the day I'm playing the game to win and this is a good place for me to win. If the Indians come up with the right numbers and some point it happens — and I'm not even thinking about it — we'll see."Lindor, who dyed his hair blue during the offseason, was asked why he chose not to go to arbitration like teammate Trevor Bauer."Did you... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball is unilaterally starting the use of pitch clocks for spring training games, while brushing off complaints from players about the slow free agent market.With the sport looking for ways to speed the pace of play, pitchers generally will have 20 seconds to deliver to the plate when teams play exhibition games in Arizona and Florida beginning this week. The intention is to get players and umpires accustomed to the clock in the event MLB makes the rule change for the upcoming regular season."We will start getting ready for the possibility that we're going to use the pitch clock on opening day," Commissioner Rob Manfred said Sunday at spring training media day in Florida. "We have to get going."After the 2016 and 2017 seasons, players rebuffed management's proposal for a pitch clock. Owners have the right to implement one this year without consent, but Manfred has been reluctant to initiate on-field modifications without agreement from players... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball is unilaterally starting the use of pitch clocks for spring training games, while brushing off complaints from players about the slow free agent market.With the sport looking for ways to speed the pace of play, pitchers generally will have 20 seconds to deliver to the plate when teams play exhibition games in Arizona and Florida beginning this week. The intention is to get players and umpires accustomed to the clock in the event MLB makes the rule change for the upcoming regular season."We will start getting ready for the possibility that we're going to use the pitch clock on opening day," Commissioner Rob Manfred said Sunday at spring training media day in Florida. "We have to get going."After the 2016 and 2017 seasons, players rebuffed management's proposal for a pitch clock. Owners have the right to implement one this year without consent, but Manfred has been reluctant to initiate on-field modifications without agreement from players... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets infielder Robinson Cano had a youthful perspective after reporting to spring training."I feel like I'm 25," the 36-year-old All-Star second baseman said Sunday, a day ahead of the team's first full-squad workout.Cano took a physical and held a news conference. He took over the spot in the clubhouse that used to belong to Mets captain David Wright, who retired because of neck and back injuries."First of all, nobody's going to replace David Wright," Cano said. "David Wright is the organization. We all know what he did through the years. I feel special that I get to have his locker. This is a game that you play as a team. I'm going to go out and do my best and give it everything I've got, yes I will. But I don't like to pressure myself and go out and be that guy."Cano was acquired Dec. 3 from Seattle along with All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, the first big move made by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen — Cano's former agent."He said he was going to... [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]