Author: Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

Baseball’s middle class has disappeared — the middle class is getting squeezed. Fewer players are being paid between $3-5 million.

The rebuilt Phillies looked the part on Opening Day, while new star Bryce Harper received standing ovations from the Philadelphia faithful.

Lester, who won two titles with Boston, has been a leader for the Cubs since joining the club prior to the 2015 season.

Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets agreed to a five-year, $137.5 million extension.

Three MLB teams will top $200 million in payroll while eight open the 2019 season with payrolls under $100 million.

Milwaukee’s 24-year-old lefty is coming off a historic 2018 and with injuries already hitting the bullpen, the Brewers will be asking even more.

Houston’s 35-year-old righty is nearing a two-year extension worth $66 million that will keep him with the Astros through 2022

Yet to play in a regular-season game for his new team, Goldschmidt is set to sign a nine-figure extension with the Cardinals.

Once word leaked that Mike Trout agreed to a 10-year, $360 million, he did not appear at Angels camp, leaving it to his teammates to do the talking.