LOS ANGELES — In 1970, two years before he died, Jackie Robinson spoke at his son's high school graduation.

"In a land where we declare that we have liberty and justice for all," Robinson said, "it seems that slogan really means liberty and justice for all as long as you do and say what some people want you to do and say."

Those words ring ...Read more

CHICAGO — After newly signed free agent slugger Albert Belle was introduced during the 1997 SoxFest ceremonies at the downtown Hyatt Regency, then-Chicago White Sox general manager Ron Schueler was asked how he convinced Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to shell out $50 million.

“I beat him over the head with a baseball bat and stole his checkbook,...Read more

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners will have a new third baseman to open the 2026 season.

Seattle fan favorite Eugenio Suárez, who authored one of the greatest swings in Mariners history last October, has agreed to a one-year, $15-million deal with the Cincinnati Reds, according to multiple reports.

The Mariners had already been planning to ...Read more

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have swung their 12th trade of the offseason, this time unloading a highly-paid relief pitcher in a salary dump as part of a prospect-for-prospect swap.

The Red Sox announced Sunday they have traded right-handers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin and two players to be named later to the Chicago White Sox in exchange ...Read more

NEW YORK — We are coming up on the 50th anniversary of the 1976 season, a landmark season for the Yankees in which they broke their longest absence from the World Series (12 years) at that point in their history and began the first of two dynasties under the ownership of George Steinbrenner.

When Steinbrenner bought the team for what turned ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants provided a jolt to their offense Saturday night by adding three-time batting champion Luis Arraez on a reported one-year, $12 million contract.

Acquiring a second baseman does not come as a surprise as the Giants had been linked to the St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan and the Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered one key question heading into spring training.

Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March, Roberts told reporters during Saturday’s annual DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium. The manager added it was Ohtani’s decision and the Dodgers would have allowed ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Athletics are on their way to locking down a full batting order before they get to Las Vegas.

They have agreed with second-year shortstop Jacob Wilson to a seven-year, $70 million deal, ESPN reported Friday.

The team is scheduled to move to a stadium on the Strip in time for the 2028 MLB season.

The deal comes almost a month...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Derek Falvey sent a text message to Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday morning to let his longtime friend know he was leaving the Twins after nine seasons running the team.

“I got a very supportive text back,” said Falvey, the Twins President who worked in Cleveland at the same time as Adofo-Mensah in their...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The fun part of the baseball offseason is the illusion of control.

Unless you are Dave Dombrowski.

In which case, you’re a sitting duck. Or, even worse, you’re a floating duck, whose legs are tied, except they are tied beneath the surface, and so everybody thinks you’re a dumb little ducky because you don’t know how to...Read more

NEW YORK — Minutes into Cody Bellinger’s first media availability since re-signing with the Yankees, the outfielder uttered a phrase that may have unintentionally triggered a segment of New York’s fan base.

“I’m excited to run it back with those guys,” Bellinger said Wednesday, “and I’m fully confident in the group.”

While ...Read more

NEW YORK — The offseason has been good for Aaron Judge’s elbow.

After a right elbow flexor strain hindered him down the stretch last season, Judge is “doing really well” as he ramps up for the World Baseball Classic, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

“Actually, because he has ramped up his throwing program a little bit more because ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — There is no easy way for a franchise to move on from a legendary player, especially when that player isn't ready to retire. It is a difficult and delicate process and one that usually is met with an awkward time when the player is resistant to move on.

Players often don't want to retire because they think they still have ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers' $240-million signing of Kyle Tucker revived anguished cries that the team is ruining baseball. It also revived a strange chapter in team history, with frenzied online commentary that the signing of Tucker was made possible in large part because Major League Baseball long ago rewarded the Dodgers' owners with ...Read more

The San Francisco Giants’ outfield defense graded out as among the worst in the majors last season. With spring training approaching, the team addressed that weakness by signing the best defensive outfielder left on the market.

San Francisco has reportedly agreed with free-agent outfielder Harrison Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million contract,...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Maybe giving Bryce Harper better protection will return him to “elite” status.

The most intriguing tidbit the Phillies provided Tuesday in their Hot Stove state of the union news conferences concerned how the run-it-back lineup will be organized.

The Phils led the National League in batting average and finished second in ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — It was another time, another ownership group, another stadium location.

This was Ybor City in 2018, when the Rays unveiled an ambitious ballpark plan with a breathtaking design and a hefty price tag.

Standing on the porch of Hall of Famer Al Lopez’s childhood home, where the news conference had been held earlier, I discreetly...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Yu Darvish does not plan to pitch again in the major leagues.

The 39-year-old right-hander, who has been one of the best starting pitchers of his era, has told the San Deigo he will retire with three years and $43 million remaining on his contract.

Darvish underwent surgery in October to repair a torn UCL and flexor tendon in his...Read more