7:11 AM ET While these rankings are ultimately subjective — this is, after all, my opinion of each system’s relative merits — I base them on as broad a collection of information as I can. I’ve seen many of these prospects, I’ve talked to many scouts and executives about prospects, and I’ve talked to team

6:34 PM ET Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have banned backpacks from their ballpark, a step farther than other major league clubs have gone in an era of enhanced security at stadiums. The Nationals announced the change on Friday. It will take effect starting this season. All major league ballparks require fans to

5:48 PM ET Infielder Matt Davidson has agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, league sources told ESPN’s Jeff Pasan. Davidson will be used as an infielder and could pitch as well, giving the Rangers their own two-way weapon. Davidson, 27, got off to a hot start with the White Sox in

5:04 PM ET Associated Press COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Mariano Rivera stopped at the entrance to the Plaque Gallery inside the Baseball Hall of Fame and just gazed at the walls, awestruck by the moment. He was a long way from Puerto Caimito, Panama. “I can’t comprehend it. It’s just amazing. Too much,” Rivera said Friday

3:47 PM ET Associated Press ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is open to discussing a long-term deal with the Cardinals rather than waiting to go on the open market after the season. The 30-year-old right-hander returned to the major leagues last year after three seasons in Japan, agreeing to a two-year, $15.5 million contract with

2:52 AM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” The San Diego Padres met with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper on Thursday in Las Vegas, sources familiar with the meeting told ESPN, officially adding a suitor to a list of teams that

7:47 PM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado agreed to a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. The contract is for $26 million, sources with knowledge of the agreement told ESPN. It sets

10:00 AM ET The temperature in Minneapolis this morning is minus-25, making it impossible to imagine that in less than two months, first-year manager Rocco Baldelli will jot down the Twins’ lineup for their home opener against the Indians on March 28. The card that he will exchange with Cleveland manager Terry Francona (or bench

8:02 PM ET Associated Press DENVER — First baseman Mark Reynolds says he has agreed to a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. His deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. If he is added to the 40-man roster, Reynolds would receive a $1 million, one-year contract and a chance to earn