In Australia, Adrian Proszenko reports the Dodgers and D-Backs "will warm up" for their '14 Spring Training games at the Sydney Cricket Ground with March 20-21 "matches against the Australian national team." The games give the Dodgers and D-Backs a "chance to adjust to local conditions before their two-game series starts the following day." With the official games "all but sold out, the additional fixtures will give the Australian public another chance" to see the Dodgers and the D-Backs (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/19).
HEADED TO THE DESERT: In Las Vegas, Todd Dewey reports the Mets are traveling to the city to play the Cubs "in a pair of exhibition games March 15 and 16 at Cashman Field on the annual Big League Weekend." The Mets, parent club of the Triple-A PCL Las Vegas 51s, are "making their first appearance" in Vegas since '97. Both games will feature split squads, but 51s President & COO Don Logan "expects the Mets to bring their A squad" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 11/19).
SKYDOME'S THE LIMIT? In Toronto, Richard Griffin writes while the Blue Jays "increased their attendance" by 436,899 over last year, GM Alex Anthopoulos' "job is officially on the line." The Blue Jays "cannot afford to take a step back in attendance," which means that "another losing season is unacceptable." Griffin: "Jays fans are not in a forgiving mood. Attendance is the key. Thus the GM's job hangs in the balance" (TORONTO STAR, 11/19).
