Meet newest Astros player, Niko Goodrum pic.twitter.com/YDs2XbaaNJ

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 16, 2022

Jim Crane is here. pic.twitter.com/QBwlZjddJ3

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 16, 2022

Seiya Suzuki in agreement with Cubs, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic. Five years, $85M.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2022

Crane spoke for a minute with an Astros media relations staffer, who then told reporters that Crane is “not available” for interviews.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 16, 2022

helloimustbegoing said:

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Blue Jays are pulling a Padres, going all in on offense in a division ruled by a dominant pitching squad.

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Dusty Baker says Jeremy Peña “is the front-runner for the job” at shortstop.” That is of course among the players who are here at #Astros spring training. pic.twitter.com/D9zk6lTYVz

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 16, 2022

Carlos Correa is not on the Astros roster, of course Dusty Baker should name who the current “front runner” is.

Now if Carlos comes back, everything changes.

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 16, 2022

Matt Chapman has been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, sources confirm to ESPN. Deal is done. A's with another big group of prospects. RHP Gunnar Hoglund best of the bunch. SS Kevin Smith, left-handed starter Zach Logue and left-handed reliever Kirby Snead all major league-ready.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 16, 2022

The Phillies have reportedly signed free agent Kyle Schwarber to a deal, per @JSalisburyNBCS.https://t.co/2beEmBr2oZ

— Inside the Phillies (@PhilliesSI) March 16, 2022

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Matt Chapman has been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, sources confirm to ESPN. Deal is done. A's with another big group of prospects. RHP Gunnar Hoglund best of the bunch. SS Kevin Smith, left-handed starter Zach Logue and left-handed reliever Kirby Snead all major league-ready.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 16, 2022

Details on the blue Jays trade

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Fans lined up to watch the #Astros working out pic.twitter.com/QcQcJiGz0M

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 16, 2022

Astros infield practice, including Niko Goodrum at short and Joe Perez at third. There’s a few others you might recognize. pic.twitter.com/BqelAPpvN3

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 16, 2022

James Click and Jim Crane at #Astros spring training pic.twitter.com/2MN3oErrqN

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 16, 2022

#Phillies deal with Kyle Schwarber, pending physical, is a 4-year agreement with an AAV just under $20 million per year, sources tell The Athletic.@JSalisburyNBCS was on this

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 16, 2022

AL East offseason additions:

Blue Jays: Matt Chapman, Kevin Gausman, Yusei Kikuchi, Yimi García

Rays: Corey Kluber, Brooks Raley

Red Sox: James Paxton, Michael Wacha, Jackie Bradley Jr., Rich Hill, Jake Diekman

Yankees: Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rizzo, Isiah Kiner-Falefa

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 16, 2022

AL East offseason subtractions:

Blue Jays: Marcus Semien, Robbie Ray, Steven Matz

Rays: Joey Wendle, Nelson Cruz

Red Sox: Hunter Renfroe, Eduardo Rodriguez, Adam Ottavino

Yankees: Gary Sanchez, Gio Urshela, Corey Kluber, Andrew Heaney, Clint Frazier

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 16, 2022

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Chris Sale, a stress fracture in his rib cage. Won’t be ready for the start of the season.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 16, 2022

He hired Correa's massage therapist

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Chris Sale bluntly speaking with frustration about how he feels about his rib injury: "Got more teammates picking up my slack, (and I'm) doing my job getting paid to do nothing. I'm not afraid to say it, that's who I am."

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 16, 2022

Red Sox remain very much in the mix for superstar 1B Freddie Freeman as Yankees and Jays fall out of the bidding with other acquisitions. Rays and Dodgers are interested as well.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 16, 2022

Marlins still seeking OF help, looking at good next-tier options like Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson. Also considering A’s defensive standout Ramon Laureano, who is still under suspension for PEDs.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 16, 2022

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Dusty Baker says Jeremy Peña “is the front-runner for the job” at shortstop.” That is of course among the players who are here at #Astros spring training. pic.twitter.com/D9zk6lTYVz

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 16, 2022

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Deluxe said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Dusty Baker says Jeremy Peña “is the front-runner for the job” at shortstop.” That is of course among the players who are here at #Astros spring training. pic.twitter.com/D9zk6lTYVz

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 16, 2022

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Correa stuff aside...

The fact that he's already naming Pena as front-runner to start at SS and not giving a wishy washy answer mixing in Diaz is pretty telling. Shows what the organization thinks of Pena.

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Phillies have an agreement with Kyle Schwarber, pending all the usual stuff

— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) March 16, 2022

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Framber Valdez has learned a cutter and will be debuting it in his bullpen today. Told me he wanted to model it after Luis García’s and they were in touch and exchanging video back and forth in the off-season.

— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 16, 2022

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Blue Jays have spoken to Guardians about trade for José Ramírez, with idea of playing Ramírez at 2B, sources tell @TheAthletic. Other teams showing interest in Ramírez as well. Still unlikely Guardians will move him. Ramírez under club control for two more seasons, combined $24M.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2022

agproducer said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Framber Valdez has learned a cutter and will be debuting it in his bullpen today. Told me he wanted to model it after Luis García’s and they were in touch and exchanging video back and forth in the off-season.

— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 16, 2022

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Ooh! Sinker, cutter, nasty curve ball. I like the pitch mix.

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agproducer said:

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What the **** is Toronto doing??

Blue Jays have spoken to Guardians about trade for José Ramírez, with idea of playing Ramírez at 2B, sources tell @TheAthletic. Other teams showing interest in Ramírez as well. Still unlikely Guardians will move him. Ramírez under club control for two more seasons, combined $24M.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2022

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Astros people snd especially Astros players are said to be very excited that their team is still in it for Carlos Correa. Nothing known to be imminent however.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 16, 2022

Farmer1906 said:

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Dusty was probably either overly impressed or intimidated by the tris. Maybe both.

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If Jim Crane does decide to go over the Competitive Balance Tax threshold, it seems that he could stop at the “Second Tax Tier” ($250M) to not have a draft pick moved down 10 spots.

This gives the Astros nearly $58M to spend this year. Crane would have to pay a 20% tax (per CBS) pic.twitter.com/g6BYx9DN47

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 16, 2022