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4:20 PM ET, February 18, 2017

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 Top News: 
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yadier Molina, Cardinals Have Had Preliminary Extension Talks  —  Catcher Yadier Molina and the Cardinals have had preliminary talks about an extension, Fan Rag's Jon Heyman reports.  Cards GM John Mozeliak says that if the two sides can hammer out a deal, they would like to complete …
Discussion: Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Cardinals and Yadier Molina have preliminary extension talks
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Mark SaxonESPN / ESPN:
Cardinals prospect Alex Reyes to have surgery, out for season
Nick Swisher / The Players' Tribune:
If you've ever met me in your life or seen me play, the story I'm about to tell you won't surprise you one bit.  —  So last summer, my brother-in-law and I and some of our friends are on a train back to Chicago from his bachelor weekend — we had hit a round of golf up at Whistling Straits outside …
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dellin Betances, Yankees President Spar Over Betances' Arbitration Filing  —  1:19pm: Betances' head agent, Jim Murray, wrote to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal about Levine's comments.  Perhaps unsurprisingly, Murray expressed anger about Levine's decision to speak to the media about Betances' situation.
Discussion: Fox Sports and New York Post
RELATED:
Billy Witz / New York Times:
At Dellin Betances' Arbitration Hearing, Yankees Cite Stolen Bases  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When Dellin Betances stands on the pitcher's mound, it is often with a stone face.  One of the best relief pitchers in baseball, Betances may not be flawless, but he rarely appears cowed by a boisterous crowd …
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
The Royals plan to experiment with Alex Gordon in center field during spring training  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  In the laid back confines of spring training, there exists space for creativity, experimentation and a little fun.  —  With this ethos in mind, the Royals have hatched a plan that might seem a little out there.
Discussion: Call to the Pen
RELATED:
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Cheslor Cuthbert joins crowded field in Royals' second base competition
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and Fox Sports
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Owner Arte Moreno says the Angels are staying at Angel Stadium, and he will have more money to spend on the team  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Before he spoke to his team on the first day of spring training they were all in the same room, Arte Moreno told reporters on Saturday that he's committed to improvements on two fronts.
Randy Miller / New Jersey Online:
Goose Gossage rant: Comparisons to ‘1-inning’ Mo Rivera are ‘insulting’  —  TAMPA — In a wide-ranging, cutting interview, Hall of Fame reliever and Yankees great Goose Gossage on Friday ripped called Mariano Rivera and Aroldis Chapman “one-inning” relievers whose greatness couldn't be compared to his.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tyler Austin Out Six Weeks Due To Foot Fracture  —  The Yankees will be without Tyler Austin for the majority of Spring Training after the 25-year-old suffered a small fracture in his left foot, manager Joe Girardi told reporters (Twitter link via Joel Sherman of the New York Post).
James Wagner / New York Times:
Travis d'Arnaud's Problem?  Throwing With ‘Too Much Arm’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — More than an hour before the bustle of spring training workouts began on Friday, Glenn Sherlock and his No. 1 pupil, Travis d'Arnaud, began yet another day in their reclamation project, alone on a practice field.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks' Rubby De La Rosa says his elbow feels good … 1  —  CONNECT  —  TWEET  —  LINKEDIN  —  COMMENT  —  EMAIL  —  MORE  —  Rubby De La Rosa won't know for at least a few weeks whether he's in the clear with his elbow, but it's so far so good for the Diamondbacks right-hander.
ESPN:
Dee Gordon, Marlins unswayed over Jose Fernandez toxicology report  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Dee Gordon pulled his left arm out of his hooded sweatshirt here Friday afternoon to show the tattoo he added during the offseason to honor late teammate Jose Fernandez.  —  It's an image of Gordon hitting …
Discussion: Al's Ramblings
ESPN:
Andrew McCutchen says he wasn't asked about moving to right field  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — During his eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Andrew McCutchen thought he'd be the one to decide if he needed to move out of center field.  But a few weeks ago, when the time arrived to make that move, he learned something shocking:
Discussion: Bucs Dugout and Yahoo Sports
 
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 More News: 
Tegna / KUSA-TV:
Elway/Joseph grant Benton (whoever he is) permission to interview with 49ers
ESPN:
Commissioner Rob Manfred offers ideas to create more game action
Discussion: Bleacher Nation
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Agree To Minor League Deal With Aaron Hill
James Wagner / New York Times:
A Top Mets Prospect Let Baseball Wait Until School Was Done
Shaun Towne / WPRI-TV:
Police: Providence raid connected to $90K diaper heist
Discussion: WWLP-TV and WANE-TV
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers to announce Mike Napoli deal on Thursday
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Lee Judge / Kansas City Star:
The Tao of Wade Davis
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TMZ.com:
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