Why Betts, Bryant, Lindor and Arenado should (and shouldn't) be dealt
The Red Sox, Cubs, Indians and Rockies face tough decisions in weighing offers for their stars.
2020 ScheduleAll times ET
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Spring Training
2020 Schedule
Cubs acquire reliever Lakins from Red Sox
The Chicago Cubs acquired reliever Travis Lakins from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named or cash on Tuesday.
William Weinbaum ESPN
Wrigley Field safety netting will go past where the old bullpens were, to the elbows where the walls jut out toward the left & right field corners, Cubs Business Ops. Pres. Crane Kenney said Sat. MLB announced in Dec. that all 30 teams would extend netting for 2020. Court documents obtained last month by ESPN's Outside the Lines say the team stated 510 fans were injured by foul balls at Wrigley since 2015. A Cubs spokesperson contacted by OTL would not confirm or deny that total.
Darvish now asks: Were Astros stealing off me?
In the aftermath of the Astros' cheating scandal, a big question lingers for former Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish, who was rocked by Houston during the 2017 World Series: "Was I tipping [pitches], or were they stealing [signs]?"
2020 MLB spring training schedule, key dates, updates and more
Check out updates for teams in Florida and Arizona for spring training, including the defending champion Nationals.
Passan doesn't expect Bryant to remain a Cub (1:58)
Bryant, Cubs reach $18.6M deal, avoid arbitration
Kris Bryant, who had a .282 batting average with 31 home runs and 77 RBIs last season, has reached a one-year, $18.6 million deal with the Cubs, sources told ESPN.
2020 MLB arbitration tracker
Friday was the deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to agree on salaries or exchange desired numbers for 2020. Recapping a hectic day of contract decisions.
MLB Stock Watch: Ranking all 30 teams midway through offseason
With the big wave of winter moves settling down, we stack up the rosters as spring training approaches.
The player most likely to be traded in 2020 for all 30 MLB teams
From superstars to fading prospects, here's who could be on the move this year.
Attorney: Lifelong brain injury for child hit by ball
An attorney for the family of a 2-year-old girl who was hit by a foul ball at an Astros game last May says the child's brain injury is permanent and that she is at risk of having seizures for life.
MLB superstar trades, sign-stealing punishment and more: Passan answers 20 questions for 2020
A big name in a new uniform and an Astros ruling could come soon. What else will define the year ahead in baseball?
Way-too-early 2020 MLB starting rotation rankings
With numerous moves involving big-name starters already this offseason, we rank all 30 rotations as things stand right now.
Cubs, RHP reliever Tepera agree to $900K deal
The Cubs and reliever Ryan Tepera agreed Friday to a one-year deal that pays a $900,000 salary while in the major leagues.
Red Sox owe team record $13.4M in luxury tax
The Red Sox will pay a team record $13.4 million luxury tax after failing to make the playoffs, and the Yankees finished with a $6.7 million bill, likely a fraction of what they will pay next year. The Cubs must pay $7.6 million.
The best and worst free-agent signings of the decade for all 30 teams
Beltre and Scherzer? Yeah, those worked out. Pujols and Chris Davis? Yikes. These are the moves that made or broke your team.
Five teams that need to shop hard for hitting help
While we saw record pitching payouts in San Diego, these squads should invest in their lineups for 2020.
Source: Cubs, Morrow agree to minor league deal
The Cubs and Brandon Morrow have agreed to a minor league deal that will bring the oft-injured reliever who hasn't pitched since the first half of 2018 back to Chicago, a source told ESPN.
William Weinbaum ESPN
A day after MLB announced safety netting extensions will have been installed at all 30 ballparks for 2020, the Cubs say the specifics for Wrigley Field aren't set yet. A team spokesman gave a statement to ESPN's Outside the Lines: "Given the unique design of the walls along the playing field surface which are landmarked, we are still reviewing options that provide the safest and enjoyable environment for fans."
Why a Cubs-Braves Kris Bryant trade makes sense now that Rendon has signed
One club needs a third baseman. The other needs pitching help and controllable players. Could a deal happen?
BBTN: Reaction To Gerrit Cole's Record Contract
Nine years. $324 million. Karl Ravech reacts to Gerrit Cole's record deal with the Yankees, its impact on the AL East and how the signing makes the Yankees the biggest World Series favorite in years. Then, New York Post's Joel Sherman on what Cole's decision ultimately came down to (19:15) and ESPN's Marly Rivera with a story on the moment she found out about the signing (37:23). And, SNY's Steve Gelbs with the latest on the Mets and how MLB's investigation into the Astros will impact new manager Carlos Beltran (37:23).
Agent: Cubs aren't working on Rizzo extension
The agent for Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said the team isn't working toward an extension for the All-Star at this time.
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
Cubs GM Jed Hoyer indicated the team isn't likely to complete a significant deal before the end of the meetings on Thursday: "I'd lean no but that can change quickly. It's still early in the week. We're not at halftime yet, so to speak." Hoyer confirmed the need for the free agent market to get moving before the trade market can heat up.
BBTN: Stephen Strasburg Mega-Deal And The Latest From The MLB Winter Meetings
Buster and Hembo analyze Stephen Strasburg's 7-year/$245M deal and how it impacts the free agency of Anthony Rendon and Gerrit Cole. Then, ESPN's Clinton Yates (and Nationals homer) offers his own reaction to the signing before discussing the trade market for Kris Bryant and why it's important for baseball's sake that Madison Bumgarner remain with the Giants (12:55). Plus, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold on the Cardinals' offseason plans (22:37) and...does Scott Boras deserve a spot in Cooperstown?
Cubs' Epstein confident in pending Bryant ruling
Theo Epstein says he doesn't believe Kris Bryant's service-time grievance is impacting trade discussions and is confidence of the imminent ruling in the case.
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Cactus League Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Cleveland | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Kansas City | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Los Angeles | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Seattle | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Texas | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Milwaukee | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Chicago | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Los Angeles | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| San Diego | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| San Francisco | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Colorado | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
| Arizona | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Team Stats
- Batting
- Pitching
Runs81410th
Batting Average.25213th
On Base Percentage.3338th
Slugging Percentage.4529th
Earned Run Average4.107th
Quality Starts0Tied-27th
WHIP0.191st
BAA.24912th