Mets, Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom agree to 5-year, $137.5 million deal
NEW YORK — NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets have agreed to a $137.5 million, five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal guarantees an additional $120.5 million over four seasons. The person spoke on condition of anonymity...
In data-driven age, ‘honor’ of Opening Day start still bigVideo
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As spring training neared its conclusion, a reporter mentioned to Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez that Max Scherzer was not precisely on schedule to start on Opening Day. “He’s going to be lined up,” Martinez said with a laugh. “Come Thursday at 1:05, he’ll be...
National League preview: $300-million men could make big difference
The marquee storyline(s) of the NL East and West divisions differ now than from when spring training began. A pair of $300 million-plus contracts sure can change things. The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres might or might not be great teams this season, but many eyes will be on...
NL Central preview: Every team (even the Pirates) in contention for playoffs
It might seem as if the Chicago Cubs have been dominating the NL Central in recent years, but is it really a dynasty when they’ve won the division just twice? The Cubs have averaged 97 wins per season over the past four years but twice had to settle for wild...
Ichiro walks off into history in ‘sayonara’ at Tokyo Dome
TOKYO — At times, it seemed as if he’d go on hitting forever. But Thursday night, a player who defined baseball at its very best on two continents for a generation, took his final swing. The great Ichiro has said “sayonara.” Now 45, Ichiro Suzuki left the Tokyo Dome field...
Ichiro walks off into history in ‘sayonara’ at Tokyo Dome
TOKYO — Ichiro Suzuki has said “sayonara.” The 45-year-old Seattle Mariners star announced his retirement Thursday night, shortly after waving goodbye at the Tokyo Dome during a 5-4 win over Oakland in 12 innings. Ichiro went 0 for 4 and was pulled from right field in the eighth, saluting his...
Trout, Angels finalize record $432 million, 12-year deal
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night announced their 12-year contract, a record deal that ties baseball’s top player to the Orange County club for what likely will be the rest of his career. A person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated...
Mariners top A’s in MLB opener in Japan
TOKYO — Ichiro drew all the cheers. Most everyone else on the Seattle Mariners did all the hitting. A crowd that came to salute Ichiro Suzuki in his homeland saw Domingo Santana deliver the biggest hit at the Tokyo Dome, a grand slam that sent Seattle over the Oakland Athletics,...
Analysis: Mike Trout, baseball’s $430 million man, is actually underpaid
Mike Trout’s nearly completed 12-year, roughly $430 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels, which when finalized would set a new benchmark for North American sports, will undoubtedly spark a new round of complaints and criticism, not exactly unfounded, that athletes are egregiously overpaid relative to their contributions to...
Mike Trout, Angels reportedly finalizing a record 12-year, $430 million extension
The climax of an offseason spent contemplating and debating the value of some of baseball’s biggest stars, as it turns out, was not the record-setting free agent contracts signed last month by Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, but what reportedly came Tuesday: a massive extension for Los Angeles Angels center...
MLB players, owners to start labor talks 2 years early
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and its players’ union reached an unprecedented agreement to discuss renegotiating their labor contract that has three seasons remaining, part of a deal that includes modest rule changes for 2020 and drops pitch clocks until 2022 at the earliest. Players have been furious at...
Babe Ruth’s last surviving daughter dies in Nevada at 102
HENDERSON, Nev. — Julia Ruth Stevens, the last surviving daughter of Hall of Fame baseball slugger Babe Ruth and a decades-long champion of his legacy, has died at age 102, her family has announced. Tom Stevens said Sunday that his mother died Saturday morning at an assisted living facility in...
In response to expanded gambling, MLB wants notice of lineups before stadium announcements
NEW YORK — Major leagues teams this season must notify the commissioner’s office of their starting lineups before they are announced at stadiums. The decision Thursday comes in response to the Supreme Court ruling that has led to more widespread legal gambling. Through last season, clubs announced lineups as they...
Mets great Tom Seaver diagnosed with dementia at 74
NEW YORK — Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, the star of the Miracle Mets 1969 World Series championship team, has been diagnosed with dementia at age 74. His family made the announcement Thursday through the Hall and said Seaver has retired from public life and will continue to work...
Bryce Harper makes recruiting pitch to Mike Trout, and the Angels are not happy
At his introductory news conference Saturday in Clearwater, Florida, after he signed a 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Harper said that his relatively low annual salary of approximately $25.4 million would allow his new team “to bring some other guys in.” He mentioned at the time “another guy...
Jessica Mendoza hired as Mets adviser but keeps ESPN job
NEW YORK — Jessica Mendoza was hired as a baseball operations adviser for the New York Mets on Tuesday while remaining a broadcaster for ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball,” part of an increasing number of TV commentators who also work for teams. She will be involved in player evaluation, roster construction,...
Machado makes spring training debut with Padres
PEORIA, Ariz. — Manny Machado’s debut in a San Diego Padres uniform was a lot less eventful than his free agency. The four-time All-Star spent the offseason being courted by every club with money to burn, and he wound up signing a $300 million, 10-year deal with San Diego late...
Phillies introduce Harper to cap their busy offseason of signings
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper sounded like a typical Philadelphian talking about a goal every Phillies fan will endorse. “I want to be on Broad Street on a frickin’ boat or bus or whatever it is and hold a (World Series) trophy over my head,” the six-time All-Star said Saturday...
Bryce Harper, Phillies agree to record $330 million contractVideo
NEW YORK — Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $330 million, 13-year contract Thursday, 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...
Reports: Nolan Arenado, Rockies reach 8-year, $260M deal
DENVER — Nolan Arenado likes where he’s at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed. So he’s staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing. The All-Star third baseman and Rockies agreed to an eight-year contract Tuesday,...
Slowly, baseball rolls out pitch clock in spring training
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Baseball is on the clock. The traditionally timeless sport implemented a pitch clock in major league spring training for the first time Saturday in an attempt to hurry up pitchers and hitters and keep the modern fan from tuning out the increasingly lengthy games. Sixteen games...
Dodgers shut down pitcher Clayton Kershaw
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was shut down indefinitely after telling manager Dave Roberts that he “didn’t feel right” after two discouraging outings on the mound. Kershaw worked out indoors at Camelback Ranch on Friday but didn’t play catch. Roberts wouldn’t speculate on the left-hander’s next bullpen session....
After Manny Machado, Padres could be open to more big signings
PEORIA, Ariz. — After adding Manny Machado, the San Diego Padres didn’t shoot down the notion that another big news conference could be ahead. With Bryce Harper, Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel still free agents, could the Padres make another surprising signing? “We’re always open-minded to looking at improving our...
Ex-Pirate Josh Harrison to sign with Tigers, join Jordy Mercer
DETROIT — Former Pittsburgh Pirates utilityman Josh Harrison agreed to a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal was subject to a successful physical. The 31-year-old Harrison spent his first eight major...
Andrew McCutchen compares Phillies’ OF situation to time with Pirates
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen is ready to boost the Philadelphia Phillies with his bat, glove and brain. Signed to a $50 million, three-year contract, McCutchen said he enjoys his role as the veteran in the outfield and likes what he has seen from his younger teammates. The 32-year-old McCutchen...
