MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have locked up a pair of young position players for the long term by agreeing to five-year contracts with right fielder Max Kepler and shortstop Jorge Polanco, according to two people with direct knowledge of the deals.The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce the contracts, which were reached on Thursday as pitchers and catchers went through their first workout in Fort Myers, Florida. The Twins scheduled a news conference for Friday.Kepler's contract is worth $35 million and includes a $10 million club option for 2024 with a $1 million buyout. Polanco's deal, which is valued at $25.75 million, has a 2024 option that could become guaranteed as well as a 2025 club option.Kepler, who turned 26 on Sunday, had agreed last month to a $3,125,000 salary for 2019 in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Entering his fourth full season as a regular in the lineup, Kepler won the team's defensive... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. has one goal during his second spring training with the San Diego Padres — make the team.The Padres might not bring him up right away, but there's a good chance the son of former big leaguer Fernando Tatis will make his major league debut at some point this season for rebuilding San Diego.Fans certainly are eager to see the 20-year-old shortstop light up Petco Park with his flashy style of play.His approach?"Same thing as always, come play baseball and do what I know how to do and keep having fun as always," he said.But Tatis, the No. 2 prospect overall in all of baseball, knows it's a little different this year."There's a reality now. There's a chance it might happen. I'm just working hard for it," he said.While his goal is to make the team, Tatis knows that "always in this game you've got to get better, learn, keep learning from these guys, ask a lot of questions from the guys with experience, and bring the show."Tatis can certainly do that, even... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. has one goal during his second spring training with the San Diego Padres — make the team.The Padres might not bring him up right away, but there's a good chance the son of former big leaguer Fernando Tatis will make his major league debut at some point this season for rebuilding San Diego.Fans certainly are eager to see the 20-year-old shortstop light up Petco Park with his flashy style of play.His approach?"Same thing as always, come play baseball and do what I know how to do and keep having fun as always," he said.But Tatis, the No. 2 prospect overall in all of baseball, knows it's a little different this year."There's a reality now. There's a chance it might happen. I'm just working hard for it," he said.While his goal is to make the team, Tatis knows that "always in this game you've got to get better, learn, keep learning from these guys, ask a lot of questions from the guys with experience, and bring the show."Tatis can certainly do that, even... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Mookie Betts won a World Series in October, became a first-time dad nine days later, earned his first AL MVP award and was part of a team that won a professional bowling event.What can the 26-year-old do for an encore with the Boston Red Sox?"He can do whatever he wants in sports," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "He can golf. He can shoot the basketball and he won a tournament in bowling. He can do it all. He's just gifted.""Yeah, it's been fun. It's been a great year," Betts said Thursday. "It's a new year now, so you have to look at in hindsight and smile about, know what's going on now and take care of things and view things that way."He hit a major league-leading .346 with 32 homers and 80 RBIs last year. Betts likely will be dropped a slot to second in the batting order behind Andrew Benintendi.Betts was a part of a Red Sox team that won a club-record 108 games and Boston's fourth World Series title in 15 season. During the offseason, girlfriend Brianna Hammonds... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer thought the Cleveland Indians had presented a better overall case against him in their latest salary arbitration hearing, until the last 10 minutes in a rebuttal by Major League Baseball labor relations staff he viewed as "character assassination" against him."That kind of put a black mark on what I thought was a really well-argued case on both sides," Bauer said Thursday, a day after beating the Indians in arbitration for the second year in a row. "There's no room for that. ... Let's just stick to the numbers. Let the numbers decide."A day after Wednesday's hearing in Florida, Bauer was awarded $13 million by the three-person panel over the Indians' $11 million offer. Bauer who won't be eligible until free agency until after the 2020 season, said he never plans to sign more than a one-year contract. The pitcher said the process hasn't soured his feelings about the team."No, I understand it," Bauer said. "I look at it as a very intellectual... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Adam Ottavino has a bagel on his back, supplanting Derek Jeter in one small area of New York Yankees history.The newly signed relief pitcher was playing catch at Steinbrenner Field during Thursday's opening workout of spring training, a white No. 0 on his dark blue practice jersey with the interlocking "NY" on the front. When he gets into a game, he will become the first player in the team's history to wear the number.Jeter was thought to be the last player with a single-digit uniform on the Yankees, and his No. 2 was retired in 2017.A Brooklyn native, Ottavino is wearing the number he used at Berkeley Carroll High School and for the past six seasons with the Colorado Rockies."I don't want to do anything to upset people, but I had to be myself and didn't know what the organization would think," Ottavino said. "So I said the ball is in your court. For me it's just a number. Something I'm comfortable with."New York has retired Nos. 1 (Billy Martin), 3 (Babe Ruth), 4 (Lou... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer thought the Cleveland Indians had presented a better overall case against him in their latest salary arbitration hearing, until the last 10 minutes he viewed as "character assassination" against him."That kind of put a black mark on what I thought was a really well-argued case on both sides," Bauer said Thursday, a day after beating the Indians in arbitration for the second year in a row. "There's no room for that. ... Let's just stick to the numbers. Let he numbers decide."At the hearing Wednesday in Florida, Bauer was awarded $13 million by the three-person panel over the Indians' $11 million offer. Bauer who won't be eligible until free agency until after the 2020 season, said he never plans to sign more than a one-year contract. The pitcher said the process hasn't soured his feelings about the team."No, I understand it," Bauer said. "I look at it as a very intellectual pursuit. It's very intellectual and not very emotional. They actually... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Nola hopes to win titles with the Philadelphia Phillies, and a $45 million, four-year contract will give him a chance."This is pretty surreal and special for me," the pitcher said Thursday, a day after agreeing to the deal. "I love it here. I love the city of Philadelphia. I want to be a part of this organization — a winning organization."His contract includes a 2023 club option that could make the deal worth $56.75 million over five years."I don't play specifically for the money," he said as parents and teammates watched at a news conference. "I play for the love of game and I play for my teammates. They know that. I'm here to win and maximize my potential as much as I can."The 25-year-old right hander is 41-28 in four seasons, including 17-6 last year with a 2.37 ERA and 0.975 WHIP. He finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting behind Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer."There really is nobody that's more deserving of this than Aaron," general manager Matt... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer says the final 10 minutes of his salary arbitration hearing with the Cleveland Indians was "character assassination" against him.Bauer beat Cleveland in arbitration for the second straight year and was awarded $13 million by the three-person panel over the Indians' $11 million offer.A day after the decision, Bauer said Thursday he views the process very intellectual and is unemotional about it. He says it didn't sour his feelings about the Indians.The 28-year-old right-hander finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting after going 12-6 with a 2.21 ERA. He missed six weeks late in the season after getting hit on the right leg by a line drive.Bauer anticipates going through arbitration next year. He is eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series."I don't know if it was to torture myself or what," the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "You put this hat on and this uniform on, to get to wear a big league uniform, you shouldn't need much motivation, but to watch a team that you know so well that's certainly one of your rivals celebrate where you want to be, I think that adds a little fuel to the fire, certainly."The Yankees went 100-62 in Boone's first season as manager, their best record since winning the 2009 World Series, and Boone thinks this team could be better following the additions of left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu."I feel like as we sit in here in early February on paper we probably look a little bit strong," he said. "Hopefully... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Brad Boxberger made it to Royals, 13 years later than Kansas City first envisioned.Kansas City selected the right-hander in the 20th round of the 2006 amateur draft from Foothill High School in North Tustin, California. He opted to go to Southern Cal, and Cincinnati took him three years later with the 43rd overall pick.After seven seasons in the major leagues with San Diego, Tampa Bay and Arizona, the 30-year-old agreed this month to a $2.2 million, one-year contract with the Royals."Just the great opportunity I'd have here," Boxberger explained.Kansas City's bullpen was a strength when the Royals won the 2015 World Series, a group that included Wade Davis, Greg Holland and Kelvin Herrera. Boxberger was an All-Star that year with the Rays, leading the AL with 41 saves.He joins a bullpen that was among the worst in the major leagues last year, compiling a 5.04 ERA and blowing 24 of 57 save chances.Boxberger will compete for the closer's job in spring training with... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Mickey Callaway's first season as a manager with the New York Mets was ... well ... messy.His team batted out of order due to a lineup-card snafu. Several puzzling decisions drew heavy scrutiny. And the banged-up Mets faded fast following an 11-1 start, finishing eight games under .500."I experienced a ton. I think that's probably the most valuable thing, is just going through it. Going through the ups and downs," Callaway said Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to Year 2."But as he prepares to begin his second spring training in charge, the 43-year-old Callaway is already under plenty of pressure in a potentially dicey situation.The club's new general manager, former player agent Brodie Van Wagenen, didn't hire him. Not to mention, Van Wagenen and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon want a playoff contender after spending about $80 million on free agents plus more big bucks to obtain second baseman Robinson Cano in a blockbuster trade with Seattle.On paper, the... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Optimism always runs high on the first day of spring training, even for the Pittsburgh Pirates."This club has a feel that we can be a postseason team, that we can be a team that can advance deep in the postseason," general manager Neal Huntington said Wednesday as workouts started. "Championship teams are based typically around starting pitching and you win the games you're supposed to win because of your back end. Then you score."Pittsburgh hasn't reached the World Series since winning the 1979 title. The Pirates were 82-79 last season, a bit of a surprise after Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole were traded.The Pirates haven't been to the postseason since winning the first NL wild card for three straight seasons from 2013-15. They have not won a division title since 1992.However, the Pirates believe they can contend this year because of a rotation that includes Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove. All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez anchors... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks will spend spring training trying to find a way to fill the void left after slugging first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was traded to St. Louis this offseason.Filling Goldschmidt's cleats was not the only question the Diamondbacks faced as they opened spring training Wednesday.Arizona has two starting rotation spots to fill and must close in on a closer, decisions that will likely last well into spring."The best players perform the best when it's needed," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "I think when you put a little added pressure there and guys are nipping at your heels, it creates a competition and should enhance your ability to get the job done."The Diamondbacks entered their third spring training under Lovullo with a hole at the back end of their bullpen after they non-tendered Brad Boxberger's contract, allowing him to become a free agent.With Boxberger now in Kansas City, Arizona has three main candidates to fill the closer's... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Boone kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series."I don't know if it was to torture myself or what," the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "You put this hat on and this uniform on, to get to wear a big league uniform, you shouldn't need much motivation, but to watch a team that you know so well that's certainly one of your rivals celebrate where you want to be, I think that adds a little fuel to the fire, certainly."The Yankees went 100-62 in Boone's first season as manager, their best record since winning the 2009 World Series, and Boone thinks this team could be better following the additions of left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu."I feel like as we sit in here in early February on paper we probably look a little bit strong," he said. "Hopefully... [More]

SURPRISE, Ari. (AP) — Brad Boxberger made it to Royals, 13 years later than Kansas City first envisioned.Kansas City selected the right-hander in the 20th round of the 2006 amateur draft from Foothill High School in North Tustin, California. He opted to go to Southern Cal, and Cincinnati took him three years later with the 43rd overall pick.After seven seasons in the major leagues with San Diego, Tampa Bay and Arizona, the 30-year-old agreed this month to a $2.2 million, one-year contract with the Royals."Just the great opportunity I'd have here," Boxberger explained.Kansas City's bullpen was a strength when the Royals won the 2015 World Series, a group that included Wade Davis, Greg Holland and Kelvin Herrera. Boxberger was an All-Star that year with the Rays, leading the AL with 41 saves.He joins a bullpen that was among the worst in the major leagues last year, compiling a 5.04 ERA and blowing 24 of 57 save chances.Boxberger will compete for the closer's job in spring training with Wily... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The sun wasn't shining on Brandon Hyde's first workout as Baltimore Orioles' manager.Rain delayed the start of workouts Wednesday for about an hour. But eventually, 15 pitchers threw bullpens and the Orioles rolled out some new cameras to help the team evaluate them.Baltimore has three confirmed starters: Dylan Bundy, Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb. Last week, the Orioles signed Nate Karns, who didn't pitch in 2018. They hope he can be their fourth starter, and there's spirited competition for the fifth spot."I think it's pretty open," Hyde said. "It's a great opportunity for everybody in camp. A lot of jobs to be won."Few spots on a team attempting to rebound from a franchise-worst 115 loss season are accounted for."It's just going to be a ton of evaluating," the 45-year-old Hyde said.Besides Karns, David Hess and Yefry Ramirez, who finished last year in Baltimore's rotation, will be in the mix. Josh Rogers, a left-hander obtained from the New York Yankees in the trade... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The sun wasn't shining on Brandon Hyde's first workout as Baltimore Orioles' manager.Rain delayed the start of workouts Wednesday for about an hour. But eventually, 15 pitchers threw bullpens and the Orioles rolled out some new cameras to help the team evaluate them.Baltimore has three confirmed starters: Dylan Bundy, Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb. Last week, the Orioles signed Nate Karns, who didn't pitch in 2018. They hope he can be their fourth starter, and there's spirited competition for the fifth spot."I think it's pretty open," Hyde said. "It's a great opportunity for everybody in camp. A lot of jobs to be won."Few spots on a team attempting to rebound from a franchise-worst 115 loss season are accounted for."It's just going to be a ton of evaluating," the 45-year-old Hyde said.Besides Karns, David Hess and Yefry Ramirez, who finished last year in Baltimore's rotation, will be in the mix. Josh Rogers, a left-hander obtained from the New York Yankees in the trade... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston expects its new closer to emerge from the current Red Sox roster.All-Star Craig Kimbrel turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the World Series champions, and the seven-time All-Star remains a free agent."Any time you say you're going to replace a player of Craig Kimbrel's caliber, with the type talent he has, it's not easily done," Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Wednesday as spring training workouts started. "He's to me a future Hall of Fame reliever and one of the best closers in the game. But sometimes other guys get the opportunity and they step up."Dombrowski mentioned three possibilities to close: Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier and Tyler Thornburg"I know you have to be careful in any world of an old-fashioned mindset, but I will tell you that I still believe in talking to people, that pitching the ninth inning is different than pitching the other innings for many guys," Dombrowski said. "Not everybody can do it.Brasier... [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