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12:00 PM ET, February 21, 2017

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Neil Walker contract talks with Mets hit a snag, sources say  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Despite recent meetings between Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and representatives for second baseman Neil Walker — talks that stoked optimism for getting a deal done — sources said on Monday morning …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets Insider: Neil Walker, club still talking a new three-year deal
Discussion: NBCSports.com
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Sandy Alderson on Mets' payroll: 'We're all in here'
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and Newsday
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Central Notes: Thames, Turner, Tigers  —  After three years in Korea, Eric Thames is back in the big leagues with the Brewers on a three-year, $16MM deal the team hopes will make him a better deal than former first baseman Chris Carter, Tyler Kepner of the New York Times writes.
Discussion: MLive.com
RELATED:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Brewers Hope Eric Thames, Ruthian in South Korea, Has Crossover Power  —  PHOENIX — A package arrived recently for Eric Thames at Maryvale Baseball Park, the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers.  It was a fungo bat, thin-handled and light, a tool to help make his hands quicker.
George A. King III / New York Post:
Dellin Betances doesn't back down  —  More On:  —  TAMPA — No retreat.  —  With a day to think about what he said in response to Yankees club president Randy Levine saying Saturday he was used by his agents to change the arbitration market, Dellin Betances didn't take it back.
Discussion: Yahoo Sports and Full Count
RELATED:
Billy Witz / New York Times:
Yankees' Dellin Betances Loses in Arbitration, and a War of Words Begins
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Acquire Vidal Nuno  —  5:03PM: The trade is official, as per a Dodgers press release.  —  4:23PM: The Orioles are close to acquiring left-hander Vidal Nuno from the Dodgers in exchange for minor league right-hander Ryan Moseley, reports Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun.
RELATED:
Baltimore Sun:
Orioles nearing deal with Dodgers to acquire left-hander Vidal Nuno
Evan Drellich / Boston Herald:
Red Sox-Yankees take more frugal approach to rivalry off the field  —  FORT MYERS — Forget whether the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry can ever be the same on the field.  What about in free agency?  —  For most of this winter, the Sox and Yanks didn't only avoid each other in the market.
Darryl Slater / New York Jets Fan Blog:
Jets offer contract to N.J.'s K'Waun Williams, free agent cornerback, source says  —  K'Waun Williams (36) to the Jets?  (Saed Hindash |  NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)  —  The Jets have offered a contract to free agent cornerback K'Waun Williams, a league source told NJ Advance Media.
Discussion: FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Hosmer talking extension, but prepared for breakup of Royals' core  —  Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports/Peter Aiken  —  SURPRISE, Az.  — He wants to stay.  All of the Royals' potential free agents want to stay.  But as first baseman Eric Hosmer puts it, “I realize what hand Dayton was dealt.”
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks shift focus to defense behind plate … 2  —  CONNECT  —  TWEET  —  LINKEDIN  —  COMMENT  —  EMAIL  —  MORE  —  When the Diamondbacks' Jeff Mathis describes the role of a catcher, he constructs an image that's equal parts leader, strategist, psychologist and athlete.
USA Today:
Cardinals' Dexter Fowler - whose wife is from Iran - weighs in on Trump's travel ban  —  St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler said President Trump's travel ban will dissuade he and his wife from visiting her family in Iran.  —  Fowler, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract …
Discussion: Viva El Birdos and Bleacher Nation
Cincinnati.com:
Next Slide  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Raisel Iglesias doesn't have his hair dyed blond.  Other than that simple fact, the similarities between he and Vladimir Gutierrez are striking.  —  Both, of course, came from Cuba and signed with the Reds.  Both were relievers in Cuba and were signed to start.
Discussion: redsminorleagues.com
Ken Rosenthal / Associated Press:
Diamondbacks' Shelby Miller expects strong results with refreshed attitude  —  SCOTTSDALE, Az.  — It's too early for regret.  Well, at least, for complete regret.  —  Dave Stewart, the Diamondbacks' former general manager, told MLB Network Radio last week, “I should have stuck to my gut …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Joe Mandak / Associated Press:
Attorney: Steelers' assistant coach Joey Porter to plead guilty to fracas citation  —  Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter plans to plead guilty to a disorderly conduct citation stemming from a dispute with a bar bouncer and a police officer last month.  —  Porter's defense attorney …
Discussion: ProFootballTalk and FanRag Sports
Associated Press:
Feliz in Brewers camp, ready to challenge for closer's role  —  PHOENIX (AP) — After sorting out work visa issues in his native Dominican Republic, the Brewers' Neftali Feliz arrived at Monday morning, ready to get to work with his new team.  —  Feliz enters camp as Milwaukee's leading candidate …
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
 
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 More News: 
Kansas City Star:
Yordano Ventura's final year filled with family turmoil, emotional distress
Discussion: Royals Review
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Jays believe in Smoak, who feels ‘comfortable’ with team
 Earlier Picks: 
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Brewers by position: Ryan Braun is last man standing in rebuild
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Jose Reyes condemns his ‘unacceptable’ act of domestic violence, wants to become ‘a better husband and father and man’
Discussion: metsdaddy.com
 

 
From WeSmirch:

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

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

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

 
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