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4:25 PM ET, February 11, 2016

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 Top News: 
ESPN:
2016 ranking of all 30 farm systems  —  To kick off my look this week at the best prospects in the minor leagues, I've ranked all 30 MLB farm systems from top to bottom, considering only the players who are currently in the systems and have not yet exhausted their rookie year of eligibility.
Baseball America:
Organization Talent Rankings  —  As we continue our offseason prospect rankings, we line up the minor league talent in every organization from 1-30.  —  HEADLINES  —  Organization Talent Rankings  —  John Manuel and J.J. Cooper -Thursday, February 11, 2016
Discussion: Inside the Dodgers and DRaysBay
Elyssa Cherney / Orlando Sentinel:
13-year-old Ocoee boy dies after accidental shooting linked to hoverboard  —  Lavardo Fisher was playing video games when he was accidentally shot by his cousin.  The 18-year-old shooter was on a hoverboard and lost his balance, causing the gun to fire.  (Video by FOX35) … Privacy Policy
Associated Press:
AP Interview: Union Head Tony Clark Pitches for More Jobs  —  NEW YORK — With spring training approaching and dozens of players still seeking jobs, union leader Tony Clark concluded baseball's current system needs change.  —  Among those still on the free-agent market are pitcher Yovani Gallardo …
Evan Drellich / Houston Chronicle:
Recent hernia surgery to limit Astros' Evan Gattis this spring  —  One of the Astros' big bats won't be taking hacks when the Astros hold their first full workout on Feb. 23.  —  Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis recently underwent surgery to repair a hernia, the Chronicle has learned …
RELATED:
ESPN:   Astros' Evan Gattis out 4-6 weeks after undergoing hernia surgery
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Avoid Arbitration With Brandon Belt  —  The Giants have avoided arbitration with first baseman Brandon Belt by agreeing to a one-year deal, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets.  He'll receive $6.2MM, Jon Heyman tweets.  —  The sides had seemed headed for a hearing.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Corey Dickerson expects to add ‘thump’ to Rays  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Corey Dickerson made his first appearance Wednesday with the dozen or so Rays who have been working out at the Trop, but he needed no formal introduction.  The sound of the ball coming off his bat and rattling around …
Discussion: FanGraphs Baseball and DRaysBay
Bill Petti / The Hardball Times:
Developing The baseballr Package For R  —  When this package is finished, it will hopefully be a mighty tool for baseball researchers and analysts.  —  Introduction  —  Late in 2015 I wrote a piece here at The Hardball Times that walked through some of my favorite R packages for gathering and analyzing baseball data.
Discussion: Beyond the Box Score
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves To Sign Carlos Torres  —  Reliever Carlos Torres has agreed to a deal with the Braves, reports Jim Seimas of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, who adds that he chose Atlanta over the Yankees and Dodgers (Twitter link).  Bill Shanks of FOX Sports Radio and the Macon Telegram tweets that it's …
Associated Press:
Ozzie Guillen to manage in Venezuela next winter  —  CARACAS, Venezuela — Ozzie Guillen, who led the White Sox to the 2005 World Series title, was hired Wednesday to manage the La Guaira Sharks of the Venezuelan Winter League next offseason.  —  The 52-year-old, who was born in Ocumare del Tuy …
Discussion: The Catbird Seat and Yahoo Sports
Fox Sports:
The rarest pitch in baseball … You might think the rarest pitch in the game is the knuckleball — only two pitchers regularly throw it right now.  But there is a pitch that only Brad Ziegler throws often.  —  Ziegler throws a changeup — out of a submarine arm slot.
Discussion: FanGraphs Baseball
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Jacob deGrom to Mets: ‘Willing’ to do long-term deal now  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The deGrom door is open.  —  Last week, Sandy Alderson said there was a chance the Mets could lock up all of their young starters.  Though Matt Harvey may be impossible to keep for a variety of reasons …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Acquire Taylor Featherston  —  The Phillies have acquired infielder Taylor Featherston from the Angels in exchange for cash or a player to be named later, Philadelphia has announced.  He was recently designated for assignment by Los Angeles to clear roster space for the claim of lefty Christian Friedrich.
 
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 More News: 
Craig Edwards / FanGraphs Baseball:
Lorenzo Cain and A.J. Pollock Sign Atypical Contracts
Patrick M. O'Connell / Chicago Tribune:
In Derrick Rose assault case, accuser's ex-roommate calls abuse claims a ‘sham’
Discussion: CBS Chicago and Chicago
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Wilmer Flores ignores another slight: ‘I want to be a Met forever’
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
KFOR-TV:
Oklahoma City police investigating after 2 bodies found inside home
Discussion: fox8.com
 Earlier Picks: 
Associated Press:
Ex-MLB commissioner Bud Selig to teach at Arizona State's law school
Discussion: Royals Review
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

 
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