These Roster Battles Are Getting Interesting

Rookies attempting to play their way onto the roster over here, veterans determined to hold on over there. All these players -- trust us, all of ‘em -- have done the numbers in their heads, and with Opening Day less than a month away, there are lots for teams to sort out in terms of who goes, who stays, etc.

St. Louis Official Site

Zack Wheeler Is Man Of Mystery In Phillies Spring Debut

Zack Wheeler did not want to tip his hand on Saturday at TD Ballpark.

Philadelphia Official Site

Bryce Harper 'Pumped' For Phillies' 2020 Potential

A year ago at this time, Phillies managing partner John Middleton had not even boarded his private jet to fly to Las Vegas, Nev., to try to convince Bryce Harper to sign a record-setting contract with the Phils.

Philadelphia Official Site

Blocked At First Base, Matt Adams Will Give Left Field A Shot

When first baseman Matt Adams signed a minor-league contract with the Mets, who have lots of first basemen (including one of the best in the majors), he knew he would have to assimilate to the Mets’ nascent culture via versatility — a major buzzword for the organization in spring training this year.

Newsday

Michael Wacha, Who Likely Is Fighting For A Spot In Rotation, Not Getting Ahead Of Himself

Michael Wacha’s arrival Sunday made it official: The entire Mets rotation, a key — and perhaps the key — to a successful season, is here.

Newsday

These Nine Players Could Change Everything

Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole are easy. Go ahead and write down their 2020 numbers. You'll be close. As for dozens of others, this is where it gets interesting. This is also where postseason berths can be decided. And championships.

St. Louis Official Site

Next Moves For NL Central Teams Are...

The Hot Stove season is past the halfway point, and all the clubs in the National League Central still have important offseason goals to accomplish before Spring Training. As has been the case several times in recent years, the division title could very well be another wide-open race to the end.

St. Louis Official Site

It's Not A Surprise, But The 'Opportunistic' Cardinals Missed Their Opportunity

If the St. Louis Cardinals are to be taken at their word, this has been a pretty disappointing offseason.

Cheap Seats

Market Is Begging Cardinals To Bolster Rotation With A Lefty

The “hottest” rumor about the Cardinals on the final day of the Winter Meetings said everything you needed to know.

BenFred

Mets Sign Michael Wacha To One-Year, Bounce-Back Deal, Get A 'Steal' Of A Pitcher, Says Mike Shildt; New Rules Nearing; New Coach's Role; New Netting, Etc

In order to position himself as one of the youngest available free-agent pitchers for next year’s offseason, Michael Wacha had to first find a deal this offseason that assured him the innings to prove himself for the eventual payday.

Post-Dispatch

Diamondbacks Discussed Significant Offer With Madison Bumgarner

The Diamondbacks floated the idea of a contract in the range of $70 million for starter Madison Bumgarner, sources said, though it seems likely that will fall well short of what it will take to land the free-agent left-hander.

AZ Central

The Cardinals Are Window Shoppers In Baseball's Free Agent Marketplace

Evidently, baseball’s winter spender freeze is thawing. Actually a few wildly aggressive teams, and especially agent Scott Boras, are taking a blow torch to the ice cap … which isn’t to be confused with MLB’s de facto salary cap.

101 ESPN

Cardinals Should Resign Marcell Ozuna If He Will Take A Short-Term Deal

The Major League Baseball talent market has shifted dramatically in the past three days and it could create some opportunities for the St. Louis Cardinals if the front office is really interested in being “opportunistic.”

Cheap Seats

White Sox, Cubs Interested in Dallas Keuchel, Nick Castellanos

For the first time in recent memory, the Cubs and White Sox have similar interests in some free agents.

670 The Score

As Winter Meetings Arrive, Cardinals Warm To Pitching Market

When members of Mike Shildt’s major-league staff begin contacting position players next week to discuss reports delivered this week and discuss how they’ll prepare for this spring, the information will all be individualized, but the first question won’t be.

Post-Dispatch

Is This The Year Baseball Makes Winter Meetings Interesting Again?

Good news first.

BenFred

Should The Cardinals Give Madison Bumgarner A $100M Contract?

There's always been something about Madison Bumgarner that was appealing to just about every sports team.

KSDK

Phillies Plan To Pursue Anthony Rendon, Despite Luxury Tax Implications

The Philadelphia Phillies, luxury tax be damned, plan to strongly pursue free-agent third baseman Anthony Rendon, with third baseman Josh Donaldson as a potential fall-back plan, two people with direct knowledge told USA TODAY Sports.

USA Today

As Cardinals Survey Free Agent Options At Starter, Carlos Martinez Gains Clearence To Throw

The Cardinals have reached one checkpoint in their offseason encouraged by the recovery of Carlos Martinez and where he is on the road back to the rotation, but the club continues to monitor the flow of free-agent traffic to make sure it doesn't get left behind if it accelerates.

Post-Dispatch

It's Hard To Imagine The Cardinals Signing Madison Bumgarner

St. Louis Cardinals fans are abuzz with speculation that one of the best pitchers in recent memory, Madison Bumgarner, may be on the team’s offseason wish list.

Cheap Seats