Ken Rosenthal

Bobby Witt Jr. has Team USA smiling after his defensive showcase against Mexico 'Are you kidding me?' Team USA captain Aaron Judge exclaimed after one of Witt's gems at shortstop. 'Are you kidding me?'

“Are you kidding me?” After his defensive showcase against Mexico, Bobby Witt Jr. has Team USA smiling. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Fair Territory!

*Mexico: Team USA’s first real test

*Is DeRosa right? Are U.S. players best 30 in world?

*Skubal’s difficult call

*Braves

*Yoshida stock rising

*NL Roy race

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As Tarik Skubal weighs sticking around Team USA, his decision shouldn’t be criticized The back-to-back AL Cy Young winner had intended to only make one WBC start, but seems to be reconsidering that plan.

As Tarik Skubal weighs sticking around Team USA, his decision shouldn’t be criticized. Column: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

How Logan Webb sealed his decision to play for Team USA on a country singer's tour bus

How Logan Webb sealed his decision to play for Team USA on a country singer’s tour bus
www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Why Paul Skenes is unlikely to take the mound for Team USA in a potential WBC final Mets rookie Nolan McLean is currently scheduled to start the championship game if Team USA makes it that far.

Why Paul Skenes is unlikely to take the mound for Team USA in a potential WBC final. www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Astros still need to clear infield logjam. An Isaac Paredes trade is the obvious move Astros GM Dana Brown said last month that his team wasn't done making moves. It's time for him to follow through on that claim.

Astros still need to clear infield logjam. An Isaac Paredes trade is the obvious move. Column: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

The latest from Team USA: Judge and Harper's bond, plus more WBC notes

The latest from Team USA: Judge and Harper’s bond, plus more WBC notes. www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Fair Territory!

*Mets camp

*Freddy Peralta

*Oli Marmol extension

*Inside my Max Fried story

*Tigers’ McGonigle

*Royals’ signing of Marte

*Vlad Jr.

*More!

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On Fried:

Freddy Peralta already seems at home with the Mets. Will it be a long-term one? The righty seems like an ideal fit for an extension. But his desire for a long-term deal could present a potential roadblock.

Freddy Peralta already seems at home with the Mets. Will it be a long-term one? www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

No one’s calling Max Fried ‘soft’ now. How the Yankees ace developed into a ‘killer out there’ Long before he signed MLB's richest contract for a lefty pitcher, rival evaluators and even Fried himself had questions about his fortitude.

No one’s calling Max Fried ‘soft’ now. How the Yankees ace developed into a ‘killer out there’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

After two straight offseasons of trade rumors, Alec Bohm is just trying to control what he can The Phillies third baseman and pending free agent is back with the team despite plenty of buzz that he wouldn't be.

After two straight offseasons of trade rumors, the Phillies’ Alec Bohm is just trying to control what he can. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

“Fair Territory” with @alannarizzo!

*Scherzer to TOR

*Grichuk to NYY

*PIT’s Konnor Griffin

*Merrill Kelly injury

*ATL rotation questions

*Dudes, dorks

*More

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On Arte Moreno:

Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin is MLB’s top prospect. So far in spring, he’s lived up to the hype At only 19 years old and with just 21 games of experience above Class A, Griffin is threatening to make the Pirates' Opening Day roster.

Another unicorn? Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin is MLB’s top prospect. So far in spring, he’s lived up to the hype. www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

By not adding another established starter to the rotation, the Braves are taking a big chance With the staff's durability in question, one more injury to a key rotation arm could be monumental for the Braves.

By not adding another established starter to the rotation, the Braves are taking a big chance. Column: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Paul Skenes expects to make two starts in World Baseball Classic Skenes would only see a second start if Team USA advances out of pool play, which they are expected to do.

Paul Skenes expects to make two starts in World Baseball Classic. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

To get the most out of their young core, the Orioles had to bring in outside veteran help The Orioles spent $213.5 million on free agents this offseason, with Pete Alonso the most prominent of the group

To get the most out of their young core, the Orioles had to bring in outside veteran help www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Fair Territory!

*Conforto to CHC, Hoskins to CLE

*Twins’ risk in keeping SPs

*Red Sox offense

*Arte Moreno’s latest comments

*Orioles’ $23M training center

*Remaining FAs

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After losing Alex Bregman, can Red Sox defy underwhelming offensive projections? With several players in their 20s who could take a step forward, Red Sox president Craig Breslow is optimistic about the lineup's potential.

After losing Alex Bregman, can Red Sox defy underwhelming offensive projections?Column: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

“Fair Territory” with @alannarizzo!

*Meaning of union shakeup

*Braves’ rotation woes

*Potential Westburg injury with O’s

*Teo, Mookie, Dodgers

*Vitello

*Dudes, dorks

*More

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In MLBPA’s pivotal moment, Bruce Meyer must expand his capacity to lead To succeed in holding the union together, Meyer must do something that does not necessarily come naturally for him.

In MLBPA’s pivotal moment, Bruce Meyer must expand his capacity to lead. Column: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

A spectator for Team USA at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Bobby Witt Jr. returns as a focal point At 22, Witt Jr. soaked in his teammates' expertise at the previous tournament. Three years later, he's Team USA's starting shortstop.

Largely a spectator for Team USA at the 2023 WBC, Bobby Witt Jr. returns as a focal point. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Fair Territory!

*Padres’ moves

*Gallen’s return

*State of Orioles

*Bregman and value of chemistry

*Dombrowski/Harper

*Kennedy/Bregman

*Rockies revival?

*Scherzer

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Rosenthal: What’s next for D-Backs and Orioles, plus the Boras scoreboard and more notes Salvador Perez gave his mother a gift, the Rockies are showing signs of life and the Brewers made an interesting choice for their infield.

Latest notes:

*Gallen

*Boras scoreboard

*DBacks shaping up

*Where Orioles stand

*Signs of life with Rockies

*More

www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

How can MLB address revenue disparity without a salary cap? Here are a few ideas A fight over a salary cap could lead to a prolonged labor dispute. What if there were other options to consider first?

How can MLB address revenue disparity without introducing a salary cap? Here are a few ideas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Cubs camp is barely underway – and Alex Bregman is already making his new teammates better The 10-year veteran has already been sharing data with fellow Cubs — including some he gathered by playing against them in recent years.

Cubs camp is barely underway – and Alex Bregman is already making his new teammates better. www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Nearly 8 months after a quadruple bypass, Ron Washington is back on the field with the Giants

Nearly eight months after a quadruple bypass, Ron Washington is back on the field with the Giants. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Diamondbacks give Carlos Santana go-ahead to play in WBC despite lack of insurance With MLB players 37 or older unable to get insured for the tournament, Arizona will assume the risk if the veteran is injured in the WBC.

Diamondbacks give Carlos Santana go-ahead to play in WBC despite lack of insurance. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Fair Territory!

*Red Sox-Brewers trade

*Ozuna to PIT

*Five top spring storylines

*Boras’ offseason

*Astros/Paredes

*Twins’ plans

*More

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On the trade:

The Tigers and MLB picked a fight with Tarik Skubal. Now they’re paying for it Skubal brought his Cy Young Awards to his hearing — just as Tim Lincecum did years ago. But the pitcher did not need the props to win.

The Tigers and MLB picked a fight with Tarik Skubal — and now they’re paying for it. Column: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

“Fair Territory” with @alannarizzo!

*Tigers/Valdez

*Skubal arb

*Teams “running it back”

*Red Sox

*Gallen

*Dudes, dorks

*More

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