Cardinals Release Spring Schedule, Cubs Met With Lester

Cardinals Release Spring Schedule

(St. Louis, MO) -- The Cardinals will begin spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers on February 20 in Jupiter, Florida. Position players will report February 24, with the first full squad workout the next day. The Cards begin a 28-game exhibition slate March 5th against the Miami Marlins.

Cubs Met With Lester

(Chicago, IL) -- The "Chicago Tribune" reports Cubs officials met with free-agent pitcher Jon Lester on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Lester was 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA with the A's and Red Sox last season. The Red Sox and Braves are also reportedly interested in the prized lefty.

White Sox Ink Zach Duke

(Chicago, IL) -- The White Sox are adding left-handed pitcher Zach Duke to their pitching staff. They have agreed with the 31-year-old on a three-year, $15-million deal. Duke went 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 74 games out of the Brewers' bullpen in 2014.

A's Agree To Three-Year Deal With Butler

(Oakland, CA) -- The Oakland Athletics have agreed to a deal with free-agent Billy Butler. The three-year contract is worth $30-million and is pending a physical. The 28-year-old Butler hit .271 with nine homers and 66 RBI while with the American League champion Kansas City Royals this past season. Butler also batted .262 with eight RBI in 13 playoff games.

Stanton Contract Reportedly Heavily Backloaded

(Miami, FL) -- The new mega-contract for Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is apparently heavily backloaded. The 25-year-old slugger has agreed to a 13-year deal worth a record $325-million, with an out clause after six years. ESPN.com reports Stanton wanted to make sure the Marlins still had financial flexibility in the early years of the deal and will be paid just $30-million over the first three seasons. If he opts out after the sixth year in 2020, he would be leaving $218-million on the table. The contract also reportedly contains a complete no-trade clause throughout the life of the deal.

Jon Lester To Meet With Braves

(Atlanta, GA) -- The Atlanta Braves continue to stoke the hot stove this offseason. ESPN reports the team has scheduled a meeting with top free-agent left-handed pitcher Jon Lester this week. Atlanta traded away right fielder Jason Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden on Monday to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for starting pitcher Shelby Miller and a minor league pitching prospect. The Braves also dealt away starting second baseman Tommy La Stella to the Chicago Cubs. Lester is 116-and-67 with a 3.58 ERA in his nine-year career, most of which was with the Boston Red Sox. He finished the season with the Oakland A's after being dealt from Boston at the non-waiver trade deadline.

Blue Jays Finalize Deal With Russell Martin

(Toronto, Ontario) -- The Toronto Blue Jays have their new catcher in place. The Jays formally announced the signing of free-agent Russell Martin to a five-year contract worth $82-million. The three-time All-Star was born in the Toronto suburb of East York, but was raised in Montreal. Martin joins the Jays after spending the last two years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 31-year-old hit .290 with 11 home runs and 67 RBI in 111 games with the Bucs last season.