With teams around the league now firmly into spring training, the MLB regular season is right around the corner, yet several of the league's biggest names remained unsigned. Here are the latest MLB news and rumors you need to know:
Cole Hamels rips Rangers over six-man rotation
The Texas Rangers are contemplating using a six-man rotation this season in order to lessen the load on Mike Minor at Matt Busch, but Cole Hamels is none too happy about the team potentially making that move.
“It’s not part of baseball," Hamels said. "I know that’s the new, analytical side, trying to re-invent the wheel. ... that’s just not what MLB is to me. That’s not how I learned from my mentors. That’s not the way I’m geared to pitch.”
Hamels went 11-6 with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 26 starts last season.
RELATED: Yankees Targeting Cole Hamels As Potential Trade Deadline Acquisition?
Aaron Boone backs Giancarlo Stanton after struggles in left field
In Giancarlo Stanton's first start in left field for the New York Yankees, he struggled to handle three fly balls hit to him with one hitting his glove, one going over the fence for a ground-rule double, and the other landing in front of him for a single.
Stanton is making the switch with Aaron Judge in right field, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone doesn't seem worried about Stanton struggles. In fact, he was optimistic.
“Honestly, today I kind of saw what I wanted to see, because it is different, going to that side,” Boone said. “The first-step reads, moving toward the ball, I was pleased with all that, and I think this is a good start in the process.
“But at the end of the day I also want and need and expect him to feel comfortable out there, and that’s why he and Aaron Judge are all part of this process. We’ll kind of talk through it, work through it each day in their work. But honestly, I saw nothing today that didn’t keep me from still being optimistic about him.”
Stanton also didn't seem too worried about his errors.
“They were in the sun, but it doesn’t matter,” Stanton said. “It’s still part of the game.
“I felt alright out there. I got some bad balls that didn’t help the team at all. I have to find a way to get behind them or do something with those, but I felt all right. The routes and everything were good, the rest not as much.”
The last time Stanton played left field was all the way back in 2010 when he played five games at the position for Double-A Jacksonville.
Paul DeJong signs record extension with Cardinals
Shortstop Paul DeJong had a great rookie season for the St. Louis Cardinals, and they rewarded him with a six-year extension worth up to $51.5 million, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
DeJong gets 26M, 6 yr deal #stlcards
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 5, 2018
DeJong’s team options are for 12.5M and 15M. Total possible is 51.5M. #STLCards
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 5, 2018
That is the most money ever given to a player who does not have a full year of MLB experience.
The 24-year-old hit .285 with 25 home runs and 65 RBIs in 108 games last season.
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