TEst 4

We dust off our crystal ball for our annual glimpse into one extreme -- though not completely implausible -- season in the Bronx.

Hall of Fame umpire Doug Harvey, who worked the World Series five times, the All-Star Game six times and 4,673 games in the regular season, has died. He was 87.

The Houston Astros boosted their rotation when they acquired Gerrit Cole in a five-player trade this week. Eric Karabell reviews the fantasy spin.

Wherever Christian Yelich plays this season, he's on a short list of players close to stardom. Who's ready to take a big step up in performance?

With clubs still sorting out which veterans they might sign, the biggest questions aren't about performance, but over who might fit in.

The Mets would owe veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez just $545,000, with Atlanta paying the rest.

Landing Joe Musgrove and three other players might sound like a lot, but the package received says more about Gerrit Cole's fading performance.

Houston got Gerrit Cole without giving up top prospects, leaving Pittsburgh with a four-pack of players who will be challenged to sustain the Bucs' rebuild.

The Pirates have traded their top starting pitcher, Gerrit Cole, to the Astros in exchange for pitcher Joe Musgrove, third baseman Colin Moran, reliever Michael Feliz and outfielder Jason Martin.

Brad Hand, who had 21 saves with a 2.16 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 2017, has agreed to a three-year extension to stay with the Padres, according to reports.

Reliever Addison Reed has agreed to a two-year contract worth just under $17 million with the Twins, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts believes players from the steroid era "owe us a little bit of honesty," and until Sammy Sosa does that, he's not welcome.

From top-flight starting rotations, bullpens and defenses to lineups that won't quit, there are only a handful of teams in it to win it in 2018.

Legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, who spent some 50 years calling the action in a folksy, down-to-earth manner, has died at the age of 89.

The New York Mets have reached one-year deals with starters Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey and settled with five other players.

Reliever Arodys Vizcaino avoided arbitration with the Braves by signing a $3.4 million deal. Atlanta also reached agreements with righties Sam Freeman and Dan Winkler. Mike Foltynewicz is still eligible for arbitration.

All-Star pitcher Alex Wood agreed to a $6 million deal with the Dodgers, and catcher Yasmani Grandal settled at $7.9 million, among seven Los Angeles players agreeing to one-year contracts that avoid arbitration.

Pitchers Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Matt Shoemaker agreed to one-year deals with the Los Angeles Angels along with the team's other seven arbitration-eligible players.

The Minnesota Twins avoided arbitration with Eduardo Escobar, Ehire Adrianza, Robbie Grossman, Trevor May and Ryan Pressly. Pitcher Kyle Gibson is still eligible for arbitration.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon avoided salary arbitration with the Nationals on Friday when he agreed to a one-year deal worth $12.3 million. The team also reached deals with Michael Taylor and Tanner Roark.