MLB Player News

Manager Lloyd McClendon has done his best not to tip his hand on the Mariners' shortstop situation, but that hasn't stopped me from falling more in love with Brad Miller this spring.

I chronicle the whole thing in my Sleepers 2.0 column, using words like "tingly," "sizzling" and "stud." It's actually kind of embarrassing.

I feel I owe it to him after leaving him out of the initial column because of his so-called competition with Nick Franklin. He was clearly the front-runner coming into spring training given the way the two performed as rookies last year and the fact he actually has the range to play the position. If a .439 batting average and 14 extra-base hits in 57 at-bats hasn't locked it up for him, the Mariners are just trying to lose.

I'm thinking they haven't declared a winner yet because they want to keep Nick Franklin's trade value high. Plenty of teams have needs up the middle, and he's too good for the minors or the bench.

But he's no Miller, who I'd consider a near lock for a .300 batting average this year, with possibly as many as 20 home runs.

Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers have agreed on a long-year extension on Thursday, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports.

He's expected to earn $248 million guaranteed over eight years, FOXSports reports. Overall, the contract is expected to be a record $292-million, 10-year commitment, including the two years he has left on the previous deal. The Tigers will likely announce the deal on Friday.

Cabrera has .327/.407/.588 slash line with 227 homers and 737 RBI over his first six seasons with the Tigers. He had a career-high batting average of .348 last season to go along with 44 homers and 137 RBI.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports that Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers are closing in on a contract extension. Cabrera will need to take a physical before the deal can become official. Terms of the extension have not been announced.

Cabrera is currently on an eight-year, $152 million deal that expires at the end of the 2015 season. He has .327/.407/.588 slash line with 227 homers and 737 RBI over his first six seasons with the Tigers.

The Indians will likely start Michael Brantley in center field in place of the ailing Michael Bourn when they open the season next Monday in Oakland, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He could also take Bourn's place as the leadoff hitter.

Terry Francona could have started Nyjer Morgan in center and kept Brantley in left. It remains to be seen, however, who serves as the designated hitter with Carlos Santana set to start at third base. Morgan and Lonnie Chisenhall are possibilities.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna is the front-runner for the center field job, according to MLB.com.

Ozuna has hit just .180 over 50 at-bats this spring. He's showing improvement recently, and appears to have an edge over Jake Marisnick. Marisnick will likely begin the season in Triple-A. Ozuna hit .265 in 275 at-bats last year.

Marlins infielder Derek Dietrich (head) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (leg) both returned to action during Tuesday's spring game against the Cardinals. Dietrich went 1 for 4 with an RBI, while Ozuna went 1 for 4 with a double and RBI.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's top priority in 2014 is to raise his on-base percentage, according to The Washington Post. 

Last year, 37.3 percent of the pitches Harper saw were in the strike zone. Among hitters with at least 450 plate appearances, only Pablo Sandoval received strikes with less frequency. Harper walked in 12.3 percent of his plate appearances last season, which would have ranked sixth in the National League if he qualified with enough plate appearances. He also posted a .368 on-base percentage, which would have ranked 13th. 

"I’m excited to just have good [at-bats] and drive my walks and get my on-base percentage through the roof," Harper said. "I just really want to get my on-base percentage up. I want to get on base every single time I get up there. Whether it’s a walk or a base hit, I really don’t care how I want to get on base. I just want to be on."

The Tigers signed outfielder J.D. Martinez on Monday, a few days after he was released by the Astros, per MLB.com. Martinez hit .167 (3 for 18) with one double and one RBI in 14 spring games.

Although Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has said multiple times since last season Ryan Goins will be the team's starting second baseman, he "officially" declared Goins the starter Monday, per MLB.com. Goins is batting .176 (9 for 51) with one triple, one RBI, one stolen base and three runs in 18 spring games.

Injured Marlins players Derek Dietrich (nose), Greg Dobbs (quadriceps) and Marcell Ozuna (leg) are all progressing, per MLB.com.

Dietrich and Dobbs will both play the field during a minor-league game Monday. Ozuna, who left Sunday's game with a leg cramp, is feeling better and will do some baseball activities Monday. He could be back in the spring lineup Tuesday.