Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Baseball's most protracted, frustrating and excruciating free agent journey is over. Thursday, nearly a week after exhibition games began, Bryce Harpe r chose the Phillies. Agent Scott Boras delivered on his promise of landing the biggest contract ever in baseball. Owner John Middleton delivered on his wisecrack about spending "stupid money." And the Phillies, who collapsed in the final seven weeks after grabbing the lead in the NL East have the player they expect to be their difference-maker. If you've been following the Phils for a long time, you'll recall another big money (for its time) free agent who was brought in as the "missing link." A year after arriving at Veterans Stadium in 1979, Pete Rose helped bring the franchise its first World Series championship. That's the kind of pressure Harper will face from some of baseball's most demanding fans. There's been buzz that the Las Vegas native didn't like Philadelphia -- yet, ...

Another of Dennis' images from last Sunday at Port Charlotte is worth our attention. It's DJ LeMahieu's first (exhibition game) at bat in a Yankee uniform. Of course, the former Rockie is probably more concerned with how productive he'll be when the games begin to count four weeks from today. Now, just soak in the moment: the green grass, the tidy ballpark with its outfield berm. A timeless Grapefruit League image.

Neither Wayne Brady nor Monty Hall ever gave away a prize this big. Tuesday's big story from baseball was the mammoth contract between Nolan Arenado and the Rockies. Eye-popping numbers: eight years and $260-million. In an era when teams pay for production and analytics-driven stats, Arenado checks off all the boxes. Power, defense and a high on-base percentage. Plenty of bold-face type: three NL home run titles, two seasons leading his league in RBIs and an all-star four years running. With an average annual value of $32.5 million, the other beneficiary of this deal is likely Bryce Harper. Odds are he'll want his deal, wherever it is, to provide more every year, while running longer -- before the expected opt-outs. But this moment belongs to Arenado, who won't turn 28 until April. ( My image of Nolan Arenado is from the Rockies/Mets game at Citi Field on July 16th, 2017 .)

Aaron Hicks is a player whose success reflects the best in baseball's passion for analytics. A former 1st round draft pick of the Twins, he'd struggled with Minnesota. never developing into the player the front office expected. After the 2015 season, the Twins were ready to move on, while the Yankees "saw something" they believed their staff could unlock. Swapped that winter for backup catcher John Ryan Murphy, Hicks began showing glimpses of his natural ability... and in 2017, fans saw even more -- along with injuries that sidelined him nearly half the season. It all came together in 2018, career highs in every key offensive stat from home runs to walks, RBIs and games played -- plus above-average defense in center. That convinced Brian Cashman that he'd found his center fielder of the present and future. Seven years and $70 million later, Aaron Hicks became the second key Yankee in two weeks to sign a long-term extension. ( My image of Hicks is fro...

Thanks to Dennis, my longtime baseball travel partner, here's our first 2019 look at Luke Voit . And it looks a lot like the 2018 model. The righty-swinging half of the Yankees 1st base duel touches home after belting a three-run home in the 4th inning of Sunday's 8-5 win over the Rays. Tyler Wade (#14) and DJ LeMahieu (26) are waiting for their time to high-five. Voit began his day with a 1st inning RBI single, as he sets out to prove he was no fluke in his Shane Spencer-ish 39 games last season. So, a day after rival Greg Bird began his Grapefruit League play with a couple of hits, Voit seems to reference the long-ago TV game show Can You Top This?

Greg Bird  looks like he ought to be a star-in-the making for the Yankees. A power hitting 1st baseman with strong defensive skills, he has the natural ability to be an important player in the Bronx. But fate hasn't been kind: injuries and inconsistent performance opened the door for Luke Voit to overtake him in the last third of the 2018 season. This spring, Bird is getting what could well be his last chance to win a regular job in the Bronx. While manager Aaron Boone said he considers Voit his regular heading into Grapefruit League play, Bird will get his chance as well. Saturday, Bird started the Yankees' exhibition opener and went 2-for-2, including an opposite field double, against the Red Sox. I know, it's just one game. And Voit will get his chance soon. But in a Yankee lineup that leans righthanded more than anytime I can think of, you almost have a hunch that organization would prefer to see Bird win the competition and put all those doubts to rest. ( My ...

From March 2005 in Jupiter, Florida: an impressive brain trust watching a Cardinals/Dodgers exhibition game from the field. Quite a trio: (left-to-right) Dave Duncan. Tony LaRussa and Jim Leyland. I'll be curious to see, with baseball's emphasis on safety, how many players and coaches continue this Spring Training tradition this year.