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3:05 PM ET, December 18, 2014

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 Top News: 
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Matt Kemp's arthritic hips hold up deal with Padres  —  The San Diego Padres are trying to decide whether to finalize or void their blockbuster trade for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp after his physical revealed severe arthritis in both hips, a person familiar with the diagnosis told USA TODAY Sports.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Rosenthal: Latest on what's keeping Kemp trade to San Diego in limbo  —  FOX Sports … The Dodgers supposedly traded Matt Kemp to San Diego nearly a week ago, but as of Wednesday night the outfielder is still not a Padre.  And the clock is ticking to get the deal done.
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
David Ross, Craig Breslow still in mix with Red Sox  —  The Red Sox and Cubs evidently aren't done battling for players this offseason.  —  According to a major league source, free agent catcher David Ross was choosing between the Red Sox, Cubs and Padres as of early Wednesday night.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
NATS COULD BE BIG WINNER IN 3-TEAM TRADE OF PADRES GETTING RAYS' MYERS  —  Anyone who rushes to judgment on the Rays-Padres-Nationals megadeal might want to recall the last time Wil Myers was traded.  —  Remember?  —  The Royals were ripped for trading Myers, then one of the game's top hitting prospects …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres, Rays, Nationals Agree To Deal Centered Around Wil Myers  —  The Padres, Rays, and Nationals have agreed to a much-anticipated three-team swap — pending physicals — that will deliver important pieces to and from each club, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com reports on Twitter.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Padres acquire Wil Myers from Rays … The San Diego Padres have agreed to a three-way trade, pending physicals, that would land them Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers, a source confirmed to ESPN Insider Jim Bowden.  —  In the deal, which includes the Washington Nationals …
Corey Brock / MLB.com:   Source: Myers to Padres in 11-player deal with Rays, Nats
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
How Will MLB Handle Big Changes With Cuba?  —  The next step toward an influx of Cuban players coming to Major League Baseball teams is underway.  On Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced sweeping changes in the United States' Cuban policies, easing trade and travel restrictions …
RELATED:
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Opening of Relations Could Bring Cuban Stars to Major League Baseball  —  WASHINGTON — At a dinner in one of Fidel Castro's palaces in 1999, Castro and several of Major League Baseball's senior executives discussed one of the few bonds between Cuba and the United States: baseball.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
A's Acquire Eury De La Rosa, Designate Fernando Rodriguez  —  The Athletics announced that they have acquired lefty Eury De La Rosa from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations and designated right-hander Fernando Rodriguez for assignment.  —  The 24-year-old De La Rosa …
Discussion: Athletics Nation
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals To Sign Edinson Volquez  —  Starting pitcher Edinson Volquez and the Royals have agreed to a two year, $20MM deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter links).  SB Nation's Chris Cotillo initially tweeted that the two sides were close.  —  A $20MM contract represents a win …
RELATED:
Blair Kerkhoffthe / Kansas City Star:
Royals reportedly reach agreement with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez
Discussion: HardballTalk
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
A Salute to Sy Berger, From a Card-Carrying Fan  —  When you grow up with a singular focus, whatever it is, you may find yourself relating to Will Ferrell's character in “Elf.”  Explaining his eating habits to his new family, the man-child from the North Pole says he sticks to the four main food groups …
Discussion: HardballTalk
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves right fielder should be ready for the start of Spring Training  —  MLB.com Braves reporter Mark Bowman discusses the health status of Nick Markakis, who has been battling with a herniated disc in his neck  —  ATLANTA — Nick Markakis underwent fusion surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck on Wednesday.
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Nick Castellanos focusing on being quicker at 3B  —  The Detroit Tigers expect to see improvement next season from third baseman Nick Castellanos, especially on defense.  —  Castellanos ranked last among American League third basemen who qualified for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award …
Discussion: Bless You Boys
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Source: Giants, Romo finalizing $15M deal  —  The San Francisco Giants are finalizing a two-year, $15 million deal with reliever Sergio Romo, a source confirmed to ESPN.  —  Romo can earn an additional $1 million in bonuses for games finished, a second source familiar with the deal told ESPN.
Discussion: McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants To Re-Sign Sergio Romo
 
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 More News: 
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Stephen Drew, Everth Cabrera still on Mets' radar
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
Tom Verducci / SI.com:
Mike Piazza on HOF candidates from the “Steroid Era”
Discussion: HardballTalk
Brian Garfinkel / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves trade Varvaro to Red Sox for pitching prospect
Discussion: Over the Monster and Chop County
 Earlier Picks: 
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Pitcher returning from broken right elbow
Discussion: Let's Go Tribe
 

 
From WeSmirch:

New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

 
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