When members of Mike Shildt's major-league staff begin contacting position players next week to discuss reports delivered this week and discuss how they'll prepare for this spring, the information will all be individualized, but the first question won't be.

"It's always going to be: 'What do you think?'" Shildt, the Cardinals' manager, said ...Read more

SAN DIEGO -- As Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos readies for baseball's winter meetings, which open Monday in San Diego, most of his to-do boxes are already checked.

Anthopoulos has wasted no time since the World Series concluded. He added All-Star reliever Will Smith on a healthy $13 million-a-year commitment. He retained seasoned ...Read more

The Twins might have to adjust.

The goal of the AL Central Division champions, entering the offseason, was clearly to upgrade the starting rotation.

They got Jake Odorizzi to accept a one-year, $17.8 million deal on a qualifying offer, keeping him with fellow All-Star Jose Berrios.

But so far, they have been unable to land the impact ...Read more

This much can be expected from general manager Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners at the upcoming Major League Baseball winter meetings -- he won't be making trades from a hospital bed like last year.

He might not make any trades at this year's winter meetings.

With all of baseball gathering in downtown San Diego for the annual event that brings ...Read more

CHICAGO -- Federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into whether the Chicago Cubs' $1 billion, five-year renovation of Wrigley Field meets accessibility requirements for disabled spectators.

The Cubs filed notice of the review Thursday in Chicago federal court, where the team is defending itself against a lawsuit brought by a ...Read more

The Padres clearly believe Tommy Pham is a player they need.

He is, so far, the player among the half-dozen they have added via trades and free agency this offseason that they envision contributing to a better (even contending) team in 2020.

He is, for them, a game-changer. He does things most of their other players have not, at least as well ...Read more

Bernie Sanders called. He was talking baseball, and you could hear the passion. The Los Angeles Dodgers were his team when he grew up in Brooklyn, watching Jackie Robinson play. He did not want to talk about whether Clayton Kershaw might finally win a World Series, or whether the Dodgers should pay up for Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon.

The ...Read more

The Detroit Tigers have trekked down this rocky road before, two winters ago, signing a player who was previously suspended by Major League Baseball for domestic violence.

The ill-advised move ended predictably the next spring, 2018, after catcher Derek Norris -- signed to a minor-league deal just months removed from serving a suspension -- was...Read more

In 1993, the Giants' Dusty Baker was the first African-American to be voted National League Manager of the Year.

In 1989, Dave Stewart was one of nine players of color on the World Series champion Oakland A's.

Major League Baseball was in its second half-century of integration. You could have made a case that real progress had been made, that ...Read more

The news that Connecticut billionaire Steve Cohen is purchasing a majority stake in the New York Mets has invigorated the team's fans, who hope an owner with deep pockets can turn around the fortunes of a team that has made the playoffs just twice in the past decade.

Cohen would be the wealthiest owner across all the major sports leagues, but ...Read more

BALTIMORE -- Right-hander Dylan Bundy, one of the longest-tenured Oriole, was dealt Wednesday to the Los Angeles Angels for four pitching prospects -- right-handers Isaac Mattson, Kyle Bradish, Zach Peek and Kyle Brnovich -- according to an industry source.

Bundy, a former top prospect who had long worked to live up to his potential, became ...Read more

ATLANTA -- The Braves wanted to add a veteran to their rotation. They landed a former familiar foe.

Left-hander Cole Hamels and the Braves agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal on Wednesday, the team announced.

Hamels, who turns 36 later this month, produced a 3.81 ERA with 143 strikeouts against 56 walks last season for the Cubs. He pitched ...Read more

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As the Miami Marlins seek to improve their lineup, roster flexibility is playing is a key role in the team's approach.

While a few players are locked into one position, the Marlins -- and the rest of the league -- are placing a premium on the ability to move seamlessly around the field. On Monday, the Marlins made a pair of moves that should ...Read more

BALTIMORE -- Although they were unlikely to be good to begin with, the 2020 Orioles got worse Monday night. That, as executive vice president/general Mike Elias sees it, is the cost of potentially improving the teams Baltimore will field in the middle of the next decade.

As the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players ...Read more

CHICAGO -- The Cubs are expected to kick the tires on some low-risk options after 56 players became free agents Monday when their teams declined to offer 2020 contracts.

Reliever Blake Treinen, a 2018 All-Star, is expected to get the most attention from bullpen-starved teams. Treinen, 31, who was non-tendered by the A's, posted a 0.78 ERA in 68...Read more