Cnotes MLB 2019 Spring Traning News Notes and Rumors !

[StarDust Bum]

Orioles have many open infield jobs, and several candidates
February 18, 2019
By The Associated Press

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 signed veteran Alcides Escobar to a minor league deal. Escobar, who played 162 games in 2014, 2016 and 2017 for Kansas City, won the Gold Glove at shortstop in 2015. He's not scheduled to report until Tuesday.

Manager Brandon Hyde is pleased with the addition of Escobar.

''I think it just creates the competition going in camp,'' Hyde said. ''Excited about the mix of middle infielders we have. It's just a guy that's been there that has nine-plus years playing defense in the middle of the field at the big league level. To add competition is always a good thing.''

Baltimore has another Rule 5 pick in camp, Drew Jackson, who was from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and selected by Philadelphia. The Orioles immediately traded with the Phillies for Jackson.

''We're just all out here trying to win a job,'' Martin said. ''Whoever plays the best - simple as that - wins a job.''

It's no small group competing.

The incumbent third baseman is Renato Nunez, who was added to the team last July after shortstop Manny Machado was traded to the Dodgers.

Nunez hit .275 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in 60 games in the second half of the season. In his first major league acquisition, Elias claimed left-handed hitter Rio Ruiz on waivers to compete with Nunez at third base.

Elias also claimed Hanser Alberto on waivers from Texas, and he inherited Steve Wilkerson, who can play multiple positions. Wilkerson jokingly said he brought 10 gloves to spring training, and he'll likely compete for a utility job.

''I get my work in at every position almost every day,'' Wilkerson said. ''I work on the abnormal plays and the web gems. One of my favorite things to do is dive for a ball and work on making a play that might get me on TV or something.''

Non-roster infield candidates are Jace Peterson, who played 93 games at seven positions, including an inning on the mound, Chris Bostick, Jack Reinheimer and Zach Vincej, all of whom played in the majors last season.

Rookie Ryan Mountcastle, who's one of the team's most highly touted prospects is also in camp. Mountcastle played third base for Double-A Bowie a year ago, and he's not considered a candidate for a major league job yet.

[StarDust Bum]

Guerrero Jr. could start in minors, delaying free agency
February 18, 2019
By The Associated Press

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 said. ''I'm impressed, to tell you the truth. That's the mark of a star. He's going to be a star someday, as we all know.''

Guerrero took part in defensive drills and made several smart plays during a bunting session. He earned a high-five from pitcher Justin Shafer after charging a bunt and picking up the ball barehanded, then making a strong and accurate to first.

In batting practice, Guerrero hit the ball with authority to all fields over 28 swings during six rounds.

''Really talented,'' Toronto shortstop Freddy Galvis said. ''He seems like a really good guy. Good mentality. He's a mature kid. Coming from his father, he was a hard worker. So, he has kind of the same mentality from what I've seen so far. ''

When asked about being an improved player compared to a year ago, a smiling Guerrero said ''wait for the next game and see.''

MULTITASKING

Galvis also has the ability to play other positions.

''You give me a glove, I can play whatever - well not catcher,'' a smiling Galvis said.

Galvis hit .248 with 31 doubles, five triples and 13 homers for San Diego last year, playing in all 162 games for the second straight season.

He agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract in January that includes a $5.5 million club option for 2020.

TRAINER'S ROOM

RHPs Matt Shoemaker (right forearm) and LHP Clayton Richard (left knee), both coming back from injuries, had bullpen sessions. GM Ross Atkins said the pair will join RHPs Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez in the rotation. ... RHP David Phelps (Tommy John surgery) also had a mound session.

[StarDust Bum]

Gonzalez, Newman competing to be Pirates' starting shortstop
February 18, 2019
By The Associated Press

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 Hurdle said. ''`OK' wasn't a word that came out of anybody's mouth. `Above average. Dynamic. Very good. More range than anybody you've had at short.'''

Whether Gonzalez will hit enough to be a regular is the question. In 162 career games, he has a .263 batting average and five home runs.

''It's hard when you only play once a week to keep your timing,'' he said. ''I did the best I could to stay ready. I worked hard every day before games.

''I do think I learned a lot about hitting from my teammates. I talked to Lindor a lot, talked to Ramirez, talked to (Edwin) Encarnacion. They are all great hitters, and they helped me.''

Newman struggled in his initial trip to the big leagues, hitting .209 in 31 games. However, he was the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2015 and was once considered among the top 100 prospects in baseball.

The Pirates feel Newman is a better player that what he showed last year. General manager Neal Huntington pointed out that Newman lost 10 pounds during the season and was not at his best physically once he reached the major leagues.

Newman, though, has come back stronger this spring. He was one of the few Pirates with a chance to make the opening-day roster to attend the team's minicamp in January, and he also showed up to spring training more a week before the full squad was scheduled to report.

''Getting an opportunity is all you could ever ask for,'' Newman said. ''I'm really excited about it. Every day, I worked as hard as I could, got as toned as I could, got as prepared as I could to come in ready to fight for a spot.''

NOTES: The Pirates held their first full-squad workout Monday. The full contingent of 61 players was on hand. ... Right-hander Rookie Davis was signed to a minor league contract and given an invitation to major league camp. He made his big league debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017 but spent last season in the minors while rehabbing from hip surgery. ... Former Pirates players who are guest instructors in camp include Steve Blass, John Candelaria, Bill Mazeroski, Omar Moreno, Manny Sanguillen and Rennie Stennett.

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s 6-pack

Who will have more wins for this baseball season?

— Bronx (-2.5) vs Boston

— Bronx (-9.5) vs Mets

— Mets (even) vs Atlanta

— Cubs (-0.5) vs St Louis

— Cubs (-12.5) vs White Sox

— Phillies (-8.5) vs Pirates

Quote of the Day
“My door is always open to talk about playing time. If you want to talk about playing time, be prepared for the truth.”
Brad Stevens

Tuesday’s quiz
Who was the Knicks’ coach the last time they made the playoffs?

Monday’s quiz
Michael Jordan played baseball for the Birmingham Barons of the AA Southern League; they were a farm club of the White Sox.

Sunday’s quiz
Gonzaga has the nation’s longest current win streak, 15 in a row; Wofford is 2nd, at 14.

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Tuesday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……

13) NBA should have an event in the summer, just after the Summer League in Las Vegas; a 32-player 1-on-1 tournament, with money going towards charities that each player chooses to represent. Do you know how popular this would be?

They had a 1-on-1 tournament back in the 70’s, shown at halftime of games on CBS, until Julius Erving’s agent killed it but not letting his client play.

TV ratings would be huge for this, and a ton of money could be raised for charity.

12) The tremendous basketball movie Blue Chips is 25 years old this week; Nick Nolte plays a college basketball coach who breaks NCAA rules to bring in great players who will restore his team to excellence. Two of the players he recruited were played by Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway.

The climactic game scenes were between Nolte’s Western University Dolphins and Indiana, coached by Bob Knight; they were filmed at Frankfort HS in Indiana.

Know what Frankfort HS’s mascot is? The Hot Dogs!!!! Seriously, the Frankfort Hot Dogs.

11) Indiana’s point guard in Blue Chips? Current Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley.

10) Who would you consider to be the best shooter ever? Not player, just shooter.

Steph Curry? Reggie Miller? Rick Barry? Larry Bird? Interesting debate.

9) When you see the sons of three former NBA players on the same college team, you’ve got a pretty good idea that this team’s coach is very good at his job.

Cal-Irvine has the sons of Doc Rivers, Caron Butler and Christian Welp, which speaks volumes that the Anteaters’ coach, Russell Turner, is an excellent coach.

8) Giannis Antetokounmpo was the 15th player taken in the 2013 NBA Draft. Here are some players who were taken ahead of him that year:
1st— Anthony Bennett, Cleveland
4th— Cody Zeller, Charlotte
5th— Alex Len, Phoenix
14th— Shabazz Muhammad, Utah (traded to Minnesota)

7) There have been 87 college basketball coaches who faced AP #1 ranked teams at least 7 times. John Calipari (5-4) is the only one of those 87 with a winning record in those games.

6) Michigan State loses C Nick Ward for an indefinite time with a broken hand; he is the second Spartan starter out with a serious injury, so Michigan State is in trouble right now.

5) Bill Walton mentioned on the air Saturday night that ESPN announcers are told to talk about Duke more than other teams. The constant promos about Duke and Zion Williamson make it kind of obvious; when EVERY announcer rattles on about him during promos, you know the word is coming down from the bosses.

4) 2019 will be Bruce Bochy’s last year managing the Giants; he’s won three World Series with San Francisco, but he also got the Padres to a World Series in 1998. A definite Hall of Famer.

3) Quinnipiac’s Cameron Young scored 55 points Sunday in a 107-100 triple-OT win against Siena, the most points by a Division I player since North Dakota State’s Ben Woodside scored 60 points against Stephen F. Austin in triple-overtime on Dec. 12, 2008.

Jalen Pickett scored 46 for Siena in that game; the record for most combined points by two players in the same game is 115, which was set in 1970 when Pete Maravich scored 64 for LSU and Dan Issel scored 51 for Kentucky.

2) Marshall Thundering Herd is struggling, losing seven of their last ten games; not only that, but they’re 0-10 against the spread in those games. Not good.

1) Sunday morning, I found a cool t-shirt on the Interweb on a website I had never heard of, and I bought one. Ten minutes later, I’m scrolling thru Instagram on my phone, and an ad for that same website pops up on there.

Thats a little eerie, that someone, somewhere knows everywhere we go on our devices.

[StarDust Bum]

Manny Machado, San Diego Padres reach deal

Manny Machado, one of the top free agents available on the market, has reached a deal with the San Diego Padres, league sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday.

Machado, a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner at third base, made $16 million between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles last season.

The 26-year-old slugger posted a career-high .905 OPS in 2018, finishing the season with a .297/.367/.538 slash line, 37 home runs, 107 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. In 66 regular-season games with the Dodgers, Machado hit .273 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs.

EDITOR'S PICKS

Buster's Buzz: The Pads must be crazy! Why Manny makes no sense for San Diego
You can't blame the Padres for being interested in a superstar in his prime. But the timing just isn't right, the moment isn't right, and the deal would seem destined to fall flat.

Machado spent most of this past season at shortstop, his preferred position, and produced the third-worst Defensive Runs Saved total (minus-13) among the 22 players with enough innings to qualify at that spot. The 26-year-old played a better shortstop upon joining the Dodgers, who gave up five minor leaguers to acquire him from the Orioles on July 18, but his 15-week stint in L.A. was tumultuous.

The former No. 3 overall pick drew incessant criticism for constantly loafing up the first-base line, then fanned the flames when he told Fox Sports during the postseason that hustling is "not my cup of tea."

"He got booed in Baltimore three weeks before we traded for him," the Dodgers' Andrew Friedman said at the general managers meetings on Nov. 6. "It's not like it was a secret. ... I think there are other times where guys do it and they really do care. And by care, I mean the effort they put into their work, the type of teammate they are, and Manny checks all those boxes."

The State of MLB Free Agency

As winter bleeds into spring, here's how the free-agent landscape looks right now.

• Passan: The Bryce, Manny stalemate and the latest on MLB free agency »

• Miller: Welcome to a small-market team's worst nightmare »

• Olney: The next Aaron Nola? These stars could look to cash in now (ESPN+) »

• Gonzalez: How Dodgers' clubhouse embodies baseball's free-agency concerns »

Machado had several big moments with the Dodgers, several of them while the team was fighting for a sixth consecutive division title in September and a few more during a victorious NL Championship Series. But he hit just .182 in the World Series, committing the final out as the Boston Red Sox won the championship.

Machado was limited to 82 games in 2014, but he has played at least 156 games in each of the past four seasons. He has hit at least 30 home runs and 30 doubles in each of those four seasons, making him one of just two players, along with Colorado's Nolan Arenado, to reach both of those marks every season since 2015.

He has compiled 29 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement since his first full season in the majors in 2013, tied with Joey Votto for sixth among position players since then. Only Mike Trout, Josh Donaldson, Paul Goldschmidt, Mookie Betts and Jose Altuve have a higher WAR in that six-year stretch.

[StarDust Bum]

Machado, Padres agree to $300M deal
February 19, 2019
By The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) With their city's long-suffering fans desperate for a winner, the rebuilding San Diego Padres delivered their splashiest free agent signing ever by agreeing with All-Star infielder Manny Machado on a $300 million, 10-year deal.

A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. Machado can opt out after five years and become a free agent again, the person said.

Machado's agreement would be the second-largest in baseball history behind Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million, 13-year deal signed with the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2015 season. It would be the highest deal for a free agent, topping Alex Rodriguez's $275 million, 10-year contract with the New York Yankees from 2008-17.

More records may be broken soon. Free agent outfielder Bryce Harper could top Stanton's deal in coming days or weeks.

That won't matter a bit to Padres fans, who have never celebrated a World Series title and were keeping their fingers crossed in recent days as it became apparent that their team, with a mostly sad-sack history stretching back a half-century, actually had a chance at landing Machado, who is only 26.

Some fans seemed braced for yet another disappointment. But news of the deal was greeted with euphoria on social media.

Speaking at spring training in Peoria, Arizona, Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler said: ''We do not have a deal with any free agent player. We are continuing discussions, and that's all we have to say.''

Teams draw a distinction between an agreement subject to a physical and a finalized deal.

While Fowler looked serious, general partner Peter Seidler couldn't help but smile while waiting for his turn to speak.

Without confirming the deal, Seidler - a nephew of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley - spoke of what his ownership group wants to bring to San Diego, where the Padres play in a gem of a ballpark just off the bay.

''Ron and I, we love the city of San Diego, we love sports in San Diego, but we're also well aware of the history. There's never been a championship from a major sports franchise in San Diego. ... We as an organization want to completely change that. We want our franchise to win year after year after year. And we're going to do whatever we can rationally do to help make that happen.''

The Padres lost 96 games last year, haven't had a winning season since 2010 and haven't been to the playoffs since 2006. They haven't won a playoff series since the 1998 NL Championship against Atlanta. They were routed in their two World Series appearances, by Detroit in 1984 and the New York Yankees in 1998.

And they've had the city's big league sports scene to themselves since the NFL's Chargers moved to the Los Angeles area two seasons ago. The Chargers did win the AFL title in 1963 but were blown out by San Francisco in their only Super Bowl appearance, after the 1994 season.

Other than the AFL title, the biggest championships won around here were probably Little League World Series titles in 2009 by Park View of Chula Vista and in 1961 by El Cajon-La Mesa Northern, which included Brian Sipe, who won the NFL's MVP Award in 1980.

Padres players were ecstatic, even though the signing was not yet official.

Catcher Austin Hedges was headed toward bunting drills when he heard the news. He pumped his fists and said, ''I'm just that excited about bunting.''

''You see me smiling right here,'' said first baseman Eric Hosmer, who exactly a year ago earlier finalized a $144 million, eight-year deal with San Diego. ''We've all been practicing today, obviously. We've all kind heard what's been going on, and all we can say is he's a guy we'd love to have, and I think it changes things pretty quickly if we do have him here.

''He's one of the top guys in the league,'' Hosmer added. ''Obviously extremely young free agent that's got a lot of amazing baseball left in him and he's already had a lot of amazing baseball in his career. We're all just glad he'll hopefully be here with us in San Diego.''

The Padres have been rebuilding mostly with prospects and draft picks since a failed win-now approach with high-priced veterans in 2015.

Machado is expected to fill the team's glaring need at third base. He began last year at shortstop with Baltimore, was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the All-Star break and split time and shortstop and third. He struck out to end the World Series loss to Boston.

With Machado on board, the next big move for the Padres is expected to be the promotion of shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., the 20-year-old son of a former big leaguer and the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball.

A four-time All-Star, Machado hit .297 last year and set career bests with 37 homers and 107 RBIs. A four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, he has a .282 career average with 175 homers and 513 RBIs in seven big league seasons.

The Chicago White Sox were among the teams that pursued Machado, trying to get in position for a second title under owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who turns 83 next week.

''Still in a bit of disbelief,'' executive vice president Kenny Williams said. ''I feel we put our best foot forward. Jerry, in particular, really stepped up.''

Machado also met with the Yankees, a team that had expressed concern over Machado's remarks about hustling - not hustling, actually - during the playoffs.

After failing to run out a grounder in the NL Championship Series, Machado said: ''Obviously I'm not going to change, I'm not the type of player that's going to be `Johnny Hustle' and run down the line and slide to first base.''

Machado tried to clarify his remarks after the season, saying, ''looking back, it doesn't come across how I meant it.''

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner took notice of Machado's initial comments, labeling them ''troubling'' and added, ''That ain't going to sell where we play baseball.''

No worries. Padres fans will take him.

[StarDust Bum]

Seager enters 2019 after makeover
February 19, 2019
By The Associated Press

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager enters the 2019 season after a physical and dietary makeover. He learned to embrace flexibility training, spinach, and a long-term health plan.

Seager played the second half of last season with a broken left big toe, and while that did not knock him out of the lineup, it affected his ability to plant and drive forward and led to a .221 batting average and a .273 on-base percentage, career lows.

Even after a seventh consecutive 20-home run season, he felt it was time to try something new.

''It really opened my eyes and pointed out I needed to make some adjustments,'' Seager said. ''I needed to make some changes physically. I knew my body wasn't recovering like it should.''

Seager, who leads major league third basemen with 1,079 games since 2012, said his new program with North Carolina-based trainer Jason Lindsey concentrated on stretching and flexibility rather that weight work.

''The first aspect was physically cleaning up all the areas that were so inflexible,'' Seager said.

Seager did stretches and exercises in the early mornings before driving his children to school and continuing on to his training session. He did more exercises at night.

Seager learned that his broken toe, generally traced to a late June at-bat, was not caused by a foul ball but by his general inflexibility, as were other issues.

''My back would get tight on me throughout the season,'' Seager said. ''It always has done that. I thought you play third base, you do 150 squats a day basically over there, you are going to get tight. You swing a lot. Going to Jason, he pointed out a lot of other areas of my body that were tight and that were causing issues. It (flexibility) is important for swing, defense, everything.''

Manager Scott Servais said Seager's changes have been noticeable in early batting practice.

''It (swing) looks a little bit different,'' Servais said. ''It is probably what we saw more out of Kyle earlier in his career. Hopefully, he can get his body in better positions and get it moving better and get the results he is looking for.''

Seager has hit .258 with 249 doubles, 175 homers and 603 RBIs in an eight-year career that includes a Gold Glove, an All-Star appearance and a 12th-place finish in the 2016 AL MVP voting.

A self-acknowledged tinkerer at the plate, Seager said he is anxious to see how the offseason work translates in games. The Mariners open the exhibition season Thursday and play their first regular-season games Mach 20-21 in Tokyo against Oakland.

''Whether it was not being able because of being inflexible or trying to protect the toe, I would try to get off the back side as much as I could and spin and just try to run into something,'' he said of last season. ''I knew it wasn't good, but I figured maybe on that given day you will run into something. I think we'll clean that up. There is still work to be done with it. It is not a finished product, but it is exciting.''

At 31, Seager finds himself as one of the remaining veterans after the offseason loss of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Edwin Diaz, Jean Segura and Mike Zunino.

''There is a lot of new for sure, but change doesn't always have to be bad,'' Seager said. ''We didn't win last year. If you don't win, you obviously need to make changes.''

The winter speculation that he could be another to go was nothing he dwelled on.

''That stuff is so out of my control,'' he said. ''It is something, you are human, you think about. This offseason was really focused on getting prepared as opposed to really worrying about all that stuff.''

As one of the veterans, Seager said he relishes a chance to help the younger group.

''It's definitely an honor, and it is something I don't take lightly,'' he said. ''There are guys you want to strive to be more like, and I want people to think of me in that light. You always hear you want to leave the game better than you found it, and I think there is a lot of validity in that.''

[StarDust Bum]

Kelly settling in quickly with Dodgers
February 19, 2019
By The Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Joe Kelly casually placed five bags of breakfast sandwiches on a table in the middle of the room as he entered the Dodgers clubhouse. It was his way of fitting in after not only playing for Boston the past four and a half seasons but also making a substantial relief pitching effort to help the Red Sox defeat the Dodgers in the World Series.

As Justin Turner called out, ''team guy,'' Kelly settled into his locker next to other Dodger relievers and explained his gesture.

''I like to treat once in a while,'' Kelly said. ''I like to bring little things in . especially for the clubbies. These guys work so hard and they never get to eat, so when we go out on the field they can probably snack on it.''

The right-handed reliever, who grew up in Southern California, signed a three-year free agent contract with his favorite boyhood team on Dec. 21, less than two months after celebrating with the Red Sox.

''It is a little different,'' he said, discussing the move to the clubhouse of the team he helped beat. ''But I had all offseason to think about it. I wasn't around the guys initially, but I have been here now for almost a week with the pitchers, and the position players have been funneling in and out every single day. And other than the first time meeting people, it hasn't been weird, not weird at all after that.''

The extroverted Kelly loves talking pitching and has already engaged with new teammates. But he is careful not to overstep.

''It depends on if guys want to get a feel for my thought process, mechanics or pitching, what I've done in other organizations,'' he said. ''It is also good for me that I get their ideology, what they do or what is taught here. The biggest conversation starter is to find out about your teammates.''

When pitching coach Rick Honeycutt returns to the team upon recovering from back surgery, Kelly plans to get acquainted with the Dodgers' 12-year pitching coach, who pitched 21 years in the major leagues. Second-year bullpen coach Mark Prior is filling in for Honeycutt.

''He's awesome to talk to,'' Kelly said of Prior. ''As of now, me and him, we have been having conversations. ... Trying to understand how I think as a player can only help them. I had a couple bullpens and he saw some things where I was not repeating the same delivery or I was a little late on some things. He's got a quick eye and it is good he can spot those things, so I can fix it on the fly.''

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is pleased with Kelly's quick transition.

''In the bullpens there's a really clear understanding of what he needs to do, what he's trying to do, what his pitch mix is: the fastball, the breaking ball, the change. And the lanes he is using to execute a pitch, it is very consistent,'' Roberts said. ''The rapport with the catcher, his teammates, he's blended in really nicely.''

Given Kelly's late-season success - he appeared in all five World Series games and permitted only one run in 11 1/3 postseason innings - he's striving to retain that mode in the back of the Dodgers' bullpen.

''I have a good idea of what led to that, so as long as I keep working on those things and being able to continue to go about my business in that way, hopefully, it will be a successful year,'' he said.

Notes: Roberts announced Clayton Kershaw will start on opening day for the ninth straight year, a Dodgers record. . Roberts' message to the entire team Tuesday prior to full-squad workouts was centered on the ''Dodger Way.'' ''There's a culture, there's a professionalism, there's a toughness in there for us as a team to eliminate the noise outside and just kind of focus on getting better each day,'' he said. ''The buy-in on that across the board very good.''... Roberts said new players such as A.J. Pollock, Kelly and Russell Martin are excited to be with LA. ''This is the place they wanted to land. So, for those guys to want to be here and wear this uniform speaks volumes to everybody else in the club house.''

[StarDust Bum]

Orioles claim LHP Osich from Giants
February 19, 2019
By The Associated Press

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) The Baltimore Orioles claimed left-handed pitcher Josh Osich on waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

In the last four seasons with San Francisco, the 30-year-old Osich was 6-5 with a 5.01 ERA.

Osich's addition gives the Orioles four left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster.

To make room for Osich on the 40-man roster, Baltimore designated infielder Hanser Alberto for assignment. Alberto had been claimed from the New York Yankees on Jan. 11. The Yankees claimed him from Texas on Nov. 2.

Alberto hit .192 in 89 games with the Rangers in three seasons.

[StarDust Bum]

Biggio hopes MLB doesn't have stoppage
February 19, 2019
By The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Hall of Famer Craig Biggio hopes increased labor tension doesn't lead to Major League Baseball's first work stoppage in a quarter century.

''Hopefully ownership knows and players know that nothing good's going to come of it,'' Biggio said Tuesday at Houston Astros training camp, where he will serve as a guest instructor for the next week.

Baseball's labor contract runs through 2021. Players have increasingly complained about the second straight slow free-agent market, and their union has proposed major economic changes mid-agreement. Stars Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel remain unsigned with spring training underway.

During his 20-year career with the Astros, Biggio was part of the 32-day lockout during spring training in 1990 that led to the season starting a week late and the 7+-month strike in 1994-95 that caused the first cancellation of the World Series in nine decades.

''Hopefully calmer heads prevail when they get into these conversations and negotiations and you don't ever have something like what happened to us when we lost the World Series, because that was probably the worst thing that could ever happen,'' Biggio said.

Among former Astros, utilityman Marwin Gonzalez and designated hitter Evan Gattis also remain unsigned. They teamed with Keuchel to help Houston win its first World Series title in 2017.

''You want to be with a team,'' Biggio said. ''You want to be somewhere and you want to be part of the chemistry and see who your teammates are and stuff like that. Hopefully the guys that aren't with a team yet get a team quickly.''

Second baseman Jose Altuve (knee) and third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) reported to spring training following offseason surgery. Shortstop Carlos Correa (back) and outfielder George Springer (thumb) also are healthier than they were at the end of last season.

''Altuve, Correa, Bregman, the guys that are coming back that we're just going to gently ease into the daily schedule, are all doing well,'' manager A.J. Hinch said.

Bregman this week fielded balls and threw across the diamond on consecutive days for the first time since surgery. The 2018 All-Star game MVP has taken batting practice in a cage but has not faced pitchers on a field. He is not expected to play in a spring training game until mid-March.

''I've got a long way to go with my swing right now,'' Bregman said. ''Other than that, my body feels great, which is most important right now.''

Bregman expects to be on the field when the Astros open March 28 at Tampa Bay.

''There's no doubt in my mind,'' Bregman said. ''I might be ready for tonight.''

[StarDust Bum]

Chatting on the bases is good-natured
February 19, 2019
By The Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. (AP) While playing for Texas, Jurickson Profar always learned something from new teammate Khris Davis when the Oakland slugger stopped at Profar's second base spot.

Majors home run leader Davis appreciates any chance he gets to talk baseball and life with Albert Pujols while spending a few moments on first alongside the Angels star.

Mike Trout gets a chuckle out of any good-natured prank pulled by Detroit's Miguel Cabrera at first - and there's usually something.

''He's always messing with me,'' Trout said. ''It doesn't necessarily have to be baseball. We have a good time. He'll pull my jersey out, he'll do everything. He's crazy. But he's one of the best.''

Opponents getting friendly during games hasn't always been such a thing. But with so many players now switching teams, sharing agents or staying in touch via social media, there are more opportunities to get to know someone you might see only a handful of times throughout a regular season - perhaps a few more times if in the same state for spring training.

''It was not that long ago, well quite a few years ago, I take that back, where opposing teams, they really didn't talk that much,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ''You look at the structure of the game, the free agency, the movement of players, even winter ball, things like that, these guys know each other well. That's why they spend a little bit more time talking about the game with each other even though they're on opposing teams, or maybe even trying to help each other.''

In Pujols' case, he's not chatty with just anyone, especially considering some young players seem shy about approaching him, he said.

''I've known Khris for a long time playing against him,'' Pujols said. ''He's a great guy that does a lot of things in the community. We talk about family and the things that we do and how can we improve (in our faith), but then we always talk about our approach. If he has questions, I don't care. He's one of my peers. Even though we're wearing different uniforms, still he's one of my peers. I always want the best for everybody.''

Giants catcher Stephen Vogt, too, has talked hitting with Pujols when on first and a couple of years back chatted with Joey Votto about plate discipline, ''so you can definitely learn from guys if you're willing and open and they're willing and open,'' Vogt said.

''There's a competitive edge and there's obviously you want to beat them, you don't want to help them, but at the same time this is a brotherhood,'' Vogt said. ''And if you can gain a little bit of an edge or maybe learn from some of the best the things that they do to make them great and you can take a little piece of that, then why wouldn't you be trying to do that?''

It is a big change for managers to see, especially those who used to play.

Oakland's Bob Melvin, who like Bochy is a former big league catcher, certainly recalls an era when talking about baseball stayed within your own team.

''I think that's changed some. In years past, you didn't see players when they're running sprints before the game talking to each other and so forth. It was more us against them, `I'm not going to talk to them,''' Melvin said. ''I think you do learn something from some guys and guys aren't afraid to give guys that they have respect for their opinions and help each other.''

Some players might have fun like Cabrera does, while others ask about family or just check in on an opponent out of care.

''That's the way the game is, you kind of just talk to players whenever you run into them. Try not to be so serious all the time, it's a fun game,'' said Davis, who hit 48 homers last year to help the A's return to the playoffs for the first time in four years. ''You try to make friends. I try to talk to people. If you get on first base, depending if Albert Pujols is right there, I would ask him about hitting. That's how we have fun. Even though they're on the opposing team, you still interact as long as they don't come off as (mean).''

Trout embraces the chance to converse with an opponent he respects, even for such a limited time standing on a base.

''I wouldn't say there's one individual guy, but when you get on first, especially guys in your division, you build friendships playing with them, just talking,'' Trout said. ''I wouldn't say it's mainly about baseball, just about everyday life seeing how you're doing. You don't get to talk to them that much.''

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

Prop bets for tonight’s North Carolina-Duke game:

— Over/under on points for Duke: 87

— Over/under on points for North Carolina: 78.5

— Largest lead of game for either side: 17.5

— 3-point shots made, by both teams: 16

— Over/under on points for Cody White: 16.5

— Over/under on points for Zion Williamson: 23.5

Quote of the Day
“if you ever find you’re the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.”
Nick Saban

Wednesday’s quiz
Which Big 14 school has won the most league championships in basketball?

Tuesday’s quiz
Mike Woodson was the Knicks’ coach the last time they made the playoffs, in 2012-13.

Monday’s quiz
Michael Jordan played baseball for the Birmingham Barons of the AA Southern League; they were a farm club of the White Sox.

***********************


Wednesday’s List of 13: Mid-week musings…..

13) Manny Machado signs on with the Padres for 10 years, $300M; interesting move.

12) Las Vegas dropped San Diego from 80-1 to 50-1 to win the World Series. Before you book a flight to the desert to bet on the Padres, here are their starting pitchers:

— Joey Lucchesi
— Robbie Erlin
— Bryan Mitchell
— Eric Lauer
— Luis Perdomo

Padres got lot more interesting Tuesday; don’t think they became a playoff team.

11) From Christopher Kamka, a great researcher:
Bruce Bochy:
– has the most career home runs of any MLB player born in France (26)
– is the only player to hit a walk-off homer off of Nolan Ryan (July 1, 1985)

10) Purdue 48, Indiana 46— A fierce struggle, an ugly, hard-fought game where the better team won on the road. Carsen Edwards is Purdue’s best player but he was awful: 4-24 from floor, 0-10 on arc— Boilermakers won anyway.

9) Rick Pitino’s pro team in Greece won the Greek Cup tournament over the weekend; one of the highlights of this spring will be if a college team (UCLA, UNLV?) tries to hire him, to revive their struggling program. Will take a college president who is secure in his job, since Pitino comes with some off-court baggage.

There are rumors out in the desert that Pitino could be coaching the Rebels next year.

8) I’m disappointed that Phillies’ P Aaron Nola isn’t from New Orleans, but he is from Baton Rouge, so same state at least.

7) SouthPoint sportsbook in Las Vegas has written seven tickets on the St Louis Blues to win the Stanley Cup, at 300-1 odds. Right now, the Blues are having an unexpectedly good season and are only 12-1 to win the Cup.

6) Monday night, at the Columbus-Tampa Bay NHL game, Pierre McGuire was reporting for NBC Sports Network, in a booth right at center-ice.

The pucks flies off the ice, goes about three inches in front of McGuire’s face (he wears glasses), and smashes into a camera that captured the whole thing. Had to be pretty scary.

5) Former Bengals’ coach Marvin Lewis is doing AAF games on TV; he isn’t bad. I think more ex-coaches should be TV game analysts; they’ve thought the game through more than ex-players.

4) Right now, the New York Jets have only 39 players under contract for next year, fewest in NFL- they have over $100M available in salary cap space.

3) Sean McDermott has been coach of the Buffalo Bills for two years, but the Bills have only five players left under contract who were Bills before McDermott got there.

2) Dayton 74, Davidson 73— Flyers blew a 19-point lead, but hit a foul shot with 0:02.2 left for the win. Second straight one-point game for Dayton.

1) RIP Don Newcombe, 92, who passed away Tuesday. Newcombe pitched in the major leagues for 12 years, mostly for the Brooklyn Dodgers; he also pitched for the Reds and Indians— his record was 149-90, with a career-best 27-7 in 1956.

At the end of his career, Newcombe went over and played outfield in Japan for a year; he was that good a hitter. He hit .273 in the major leagues, in 878 career at-bats. RIP, sir.

[StarDust Bum]

Newcomer Daniel Murphy says Rockies are built to win now
February 20, 2019
By The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Accustomed to the postseason, Daniel Murphy built his free agent checklist around playoff contenders.

When the ascendant Colorado Rockies showed as much interest in Murphy as he had in them, working out the details of a two-year, $24 million contract was no big deal.

''When you get to a point in your career where I am at, there's a lot more baseball behind me than in front of me,'' said Murphy, who reported this week for the Rockies. ''Being fortunate enough to play in the postseason the last four seasons, it is something that I want to do, and this organization is built to do that. This is a team built to win now.''

The Rockies achieved a franchise first by making consecutive playoff appearances, in the NL wild card game in 2017 and the NLDS in 2018, and Murphy sees no reason to believe the progression will slow.

''Hopefully I can be part of a ball club that goes deeper than that,'' Murphy said. ''The pitching staff is really underrated. What they were able to do at altitude last year was very impressive. I think the lineup is deep and dangerous.''

The move also seems a good fit for the Rockies, who will play Murphy at first base and move Ian Desmond to center field.

Murphy played in only 91 games between Washington and the Cubs last season after being delayed because of offseason micro-fracture surgery on his right knee, but in the five previous seasons he averaged 40 doubles, 15 homers and 78 RBIs with a .302 batting average and .464 slugging percentage.

That type of production could help invigorate an offense that hit .256, had a .322 on-base percentage and will be without departed free agents DJ LeMahieu and Carlos Gonzalez. That batting average was the lowest in franchise history, and the on-base percentage was second-lowest.

''He's going to help our guys in a lot of ways,'' Colorado manager Bud Black said. ''Love the experience. Love the playoff experience. He's been with winning teams. He's played well in the postseason. This guy is a tough, tough player. What he does through an at-bat - the lower strikeout, controls the strike zone. That's an at-bat that everybody watches, And his ball talk is great.''

A career .299 hitter in 10 seasons, Murphy has done even more in high-leverage situations. He has hit .309 in 25 playoff games, starting with a memorable 2015 postseason in which he hit three homers for the Mets in the NLDS victory over the Dodgers and four more in an NLCS victory over the Cubs. He has a career .327 batting average with runners in scoring position.

''One of the big things that I try to accomplish with runners in scoring position is being a little more aware of when I get a good pitch to hit to put a good swing on it and not miss it,'' he said. ''So maybe take fewer chances and try to ensure that I am going to center the baseball. Contact can kind of cover over a lack of power.''

Murphy also has had great success at Coors Field, hitting .330 with 10 doubles and 19 RBIs in 26 games there.

''I don't think it is necessarily a ballpark built for more homers, but it is a ballpark that is built for more offensive production,'' Murphy said. ''It is a place that if you are able to make contact, there are rewards for that. And making contact is one of the few skills that I possess in this game.''

Murphy, 33, has spent most of his career at second base and has not played first base regularly since playing 97 games there in 2009 and 46 in 2011 with the Mets.

Both he and the Rockies see a short re-acclimation period.

''He knows at this point in his career that it is best for him and best for the team he is on,'' Black said. ''He's a natural infielder.''

[StarDust Bum]

Judge thinks Yanks championship-caliber
February 19, 2019
By The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Aaron Judge thinks the New York Yankees have a championship-caliber team without Manny Machado.

''We weren't in the position I felt like that we really needed to go out there and grab too many big pieces,'' the Yankees slugger said after Tuesday's first full-squad workout. ''We were just in a position where we just needed to add maybe one or two key guys and bring back a couple key guys that are just going to get us over the hump, and I feel like we did that.''

A person familiar with the negotiations speaking on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press confirmed that Machado agreed to a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres. The person said the agreement was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.

The Yankees had met with Machado in the offseason, but didn't appear to make a formal offer to the star infielder.

''My take on it is, San Diego signed a really great player,'' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. ''I think we have a great club. I think we're deep. Sitting here last year I felt like we had a really good team. As I sit here today, I feel like we're a stronger team based on the moves we made this winter.''

New York's 100-62 record in Boone's first season as manager was its best since winning the 2009 World Series. New York added left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu, and also re-signed starters CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ along with reliever Zack Britton.

''The lineup and the team that we have is pretty darn good,'' Judge said. ''We won 100 games. I'm excited for our team.''

Judge knows the team goal is always the same.

''We came up a little short last season,'' Judge said. ''It's always a disappointment any time we don't win a World Series. You always want to be that team, the last one standing. That will be our goal again this year.''

Judge said he hasn't heard about any proposals for a long-term contract.

''I'm focused on the season,'' Judge said.

Judge also said his shoulder, which was operated on during the 2017 offseason, and wrist that sidelined him last season are both 100 percent.

''That's the thing I kind of was looking for,'' Judge said. ''Getting a chance to actually have a normal offseason because the year before, going into '18, dealing with shoulder surgery and the majority of my time was spent rehabbing that.''

Judge didn't start swinging a bat last year until arriving in Florida.

Judge will be working for the second straight spring training on hitting with former NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton.

''The biggest thing is his approach,'' Judge said. ''That's one thing I really enjoyed watching. You see why he won an MVP, why he's an All-Star. That's the biggest thing I got from `G,' was different approaches.''

''I'd try and share them, but I've got to keep a couple secret,'' a smiling Judge added.

FARQUHAR MOVING FORWARD

Reliever Danny Farquhar, coming back from a brain hemorrhage stemming from a ruptured aneurysm last April 20, has started throwing to hitters. ''Can only imagine the emotions running through him,'' Boone said.

MLB MEETING

Boone said MLB executive and former Yankees manager Joe Torre will be at camp Wednesday. The manager plans to talk with Yankees' pitchers about the 20-second pitch clock to be used at spring training.

---

[StarDust Bum]

Buster Posey likely won't catch in early spring games
February 20, 2019
By The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Buster Posey most likely will not catch in any spring training games until early March, San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday.

Posey, who had surgery in August to address a hip impingement and repair a torn labrum, has been catching pitchers' side sessions in camp so far.

''I'm very encouraged and he is, too,'' Bochy said. ''He's not feeling any effects from the surgery or the hip so he's doing really well. It's all good to go with him. We're probably looking around the first of March, in that area.''

The Giants begin their spring slate on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels.

Bochy said Posey could play first base or serve as the designated hitter in the early games.

Overall, the Giants are ready to go, Bochy said.

''After a couple days of this, the hitters are ready to take that cage away and start the games,'' Bochy said. ''It looks like the pitchers are all throwing 100 (mph), and a couple guys are.''

Right-hander Chris Stratton will start the Giants' first game in Tempe and be followed by lefty Ty Blach, Bochy said.

Madison Bumgarner will make his first spring start Sunday against the Cubs and Derek Holland will face the White Sox on Monday.

Drew Pomeranz, a new addition after signing as a free agent in January, will follow Holland. Derek Rodriguez will start Tuesday against the Reds and Jeff Samardzija will go Feb. 27 against the Royals, followed by Andrew Suarez.

The starters will likely throw 20-25 pitches in their first outings.