Commissioner Rob Manfred announces that he has come to an agreement with the Players Association on pace of play initiatives. Contrary to what he had announced a month earlier, the Commissioner retreats from his threat of imposing a pitch clock unilaterally. However, the two sides agree to place limits on the number of mound visits and to reduce the allotted time between innings.

ByTom

Commissioner Rob Manfred announces that he has come to an agreement with the Players Association on pace of play initiatives. Contrary to what he had announced a month earlier, the Commissioner retreats from his threat of imposing a pitch clock unilaterally. However, the two sides agree to place limits on the number of mound visits and to reduce the allotted time between innings.

High-ticket free agents continue to find a home now that spring training is under way. Today, the Red Sox sign slugging OF J.D. Martinez to a five-year contract worth $110 million. For their part, the Diamondbacks, Martinez’s former team, who were hoping to retain him, choose a more modest path as a replacement in the outfield, signing Jarrod Dyson for two years and $7.5 million.

ByTom

High-ticket free agents continue to find a home now that spring training is under way. Today, the Red Sox sign slugging OF J.D. Martinez to a five-year contract worth $110 million. For their part, the Diamondbacks, Martinez’s former team, who were hoping to retain him, choose a more modest path as a replacement in the outfield, signing Jarrod Dyson for two years and $7.5 million.

2018- The long saga of 1B Eric Hosmer’s free agency ends as he finally signs an eight-year contract worth $144 million with the Padres. The deal, which is the largest of this off-season and in San Diego’s history, had been rumored for months, but took a long time to come to fruition.

ByTom

2018- The long saga of 1B Eric Hosmer’s free agency ends as he finally signs an eight-year contract worth $144 million with the Padres. The deal, which is the largest of this off-season and in San Diego’s history, had been rumored for months, but took a long time to come to fruition.

Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami, FL sue former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria for failure to execute a clause in the contract through which the governments provided funding for the construction of Marlins Park, which called for Loria to pay a 5% equity on any profit from the sale of the team. Through what the city and county call “fuzzy math”, Loria claims to have made a loss on the sale, even though he received $1.2 billion for the team, having bought it for $158 million in 2002.

ByTom

Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami, FL sue former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria for failure to execute a clause in the contract through which the governments provided funding for the construction of Marlins Park, which called for Loria to pay a 5% equity on any profit from the sale of the team. Through what the city and county call “fuzzy math”, Loria claims to have made a loss on the sale, even though he received $1.2 billion for the team, having bought it for $158 million in 2002.

The Mets agree to a deal with free agent SP Jason Vargas, who is coming off the best season of his career at 35. Vargas will be paid $16 million over two seasons, as long as he passes a physical exam.

ByTom

The Mets agree to a deal with free agent SP Jason Vargas, who is coming off the best season of his career at 35. Vargas will be paid $16 million over two seasons, as long as he passes a physical exam.

2018 – With spring training camps opening for major league teams, two more belated signings of free agents are announced. The Orioles sign P Andrew Cashner to a two-year deal worth $16 million and the Blue Jays add P Jaime Garcia for one year for $10 million.

ByTom

2018 – With spring training camps opening for major league teams, two more belated signings of free agents are announced. The Orioles sign P Andrew Cashner to a two-year deal worth $16 million and the Blue Jays add P Jaime Garcia for one year for $10 million.

 Esteban Loaiza appears before a court facing charges of possession and transportation of over 10 pounds of narcotics

ByTom

Former All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza appears before a court in San Diego, CA facing charges of possession and transportation of over 10 pounds of narcotics and using a false compartment to smuggle drugs. The charges stem from a traffic stop on February 9th, when police discovered the modification to the van he was driving, and obtained a search warrant to his home in Imperial Beach, CA, where approximately 40 pounds of what appears to be cocaine was seized. Loaiza pleads not guilty and is released after posting a $250,000 bail.

Heartbreak in Parkland: Anthony Rizzo’s Emotional Return to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schoo

ByTom

One of the worst school shootings in U.S. history takes place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, resulting in the deaths of 16 persons and numerous others wounded. One of the school’s most famous alumni, 1B Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs, rushes to his alma mater to attempt to provide comfort to survivors.

Harris County commissioners agree to spend $105 million to begin renovations for the Astrodome
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Harris County commissioners agree to spend $105 million to begin renovations for the Astrodome

ByTom

2018 – Harris County commissioners agree to spend $105 million to begin renovations for the long-dormant Astrodome. Than plan is to elevate the floor to ground level which will be used for parking spaces then convert the remaining structure to be used for festivals and celebrations.