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4:50 PM ET, February 17, 2018

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 Top News: 
Associated Press:
Mets' Wright will give ‘best shot’ on playing this season  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — The big question surrounding David Wright is the one that even he can't answer.  —  Can he play this season?  —  “I'm going to give it my best shot, certainly,” the New York Mets captain and third baseman …
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Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
David Wright hopeful he'll play again, but recognizes his Mets career could be over  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The cruel reality has set in for David Wright.  —  For as hopeful as he may be about a possible return, his body may not allow it.  The countless hours he spends rehabbing his various injuries could all be for naught.
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets say it was coincidental they ran into Donald Trump Jr. while shark fishing  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — No Mets player was bit during the team's shark fishing excursion Friday, but the team still managed to stir up controversy.  —  The Mets received backlash after manager Mickey Callaway …
New York Daily News:
David Wright hopes his ACES agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, can ‘set the record straight’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — David Wright wants his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, to clear their names against allegations of cheating by former employee Juan Carlos Nunez.  The heads of the ACES agency …
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:   David Wright understands why Mets couldn't wait on him any longer — but decision to retire should be his and his alone
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Adrian Gonazlez arrives at Mets camp, believes he has ‘good grasp’ on how to treat back after injury
Discussion: Mets Merized Online
New York Daily News:   Todd Frazier open to leading off for Mets: ‘Whatever they need’
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Mets, All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas agree to $16 million, 2-year deal
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
As Manny Machado begins final camp with Orioles, lucrative future - with Yankees? - awaits  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Manny Machado walked into the Baltimore Orioles clubhouse at 8:48 Saturday morning, circled the entire room shaking hands of his teammates, and being teased about his new hair style.
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John Harper / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado's position demand could put wrinkle in Yankees' 2019 plans  —  TAMPA — Manny Machado arrived in Orioles' camp on Saturday, wasting no time telling reporters that he intends to play shortstop for the rest of his career.  Which prompts the question: did the Yankees' grand plan just take a major hit?
ESPN:   Manny Machado puts trade talk behind him, focuses on SS move
Associated Press:
Indians sign Rajai Davis, who hit big HR for team in 2016 World Series  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians have signed free agent Rajai Davis to a minor league contract, bringing back the speedy outfielder who hit one of the biggest home runs in team history.
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Sign Rajai Davis
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
'Hello, Yadier Molina.  I'm Adam Wainwright.  You new around here?'  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • A tradition many years in the making that only started a few years ago, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright introduced himself to catcher Yadier Molina on Saturday morning before they did something they have …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Cardinals, former closer Motte set for a reunion
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Fowler says Cardinals made right move for them, for his career
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman |  Giants and Tony Watson agree to deal  —  The San Francisco Giants and left-handed reliever Tony Watson have reached a deal on a multiyear contract, sources tell me and Robert Murray of FanRag Sports.  —  The Giants were thought to have difficulty completing a deal with Watson since …
RELATED:
ESPN:   Source: Relief pitcher Tony Watson reaches agreement with Giants
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Brewers and Cardinals: ‘I want them to be good’  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The free agent market remains deep despite the Cubs' moves that include the recent signing of marquee starter Yu Darvish.  —  And manager Joe Maddon isn't concerned what moves …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Cubs counting on veteran Jon Lester to return to ace-like form
Cincinnati.com:
Fay: Predicting the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day roster  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds first full-squad workout is Monday.  So it's high time I make a fearless prediction on the roster they take northeast for Opening Day.  —  I'm guessing I can guess 23 of 25.  That's not to say I'm a great prognosticator.
RELATED:
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:   MLB's highest-paid players in 2018
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Emulating Patrick Mahomes, Nathan Karns is ready to return to Royals' rotation  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  One day this winter, Nathan Karns went out to test his right arm.  He had not stepped on a mound or thrown a baseball in months.  His body was missing a small section of rib, removed during a surgery last summer.
ESPN:
Three outside-the-box answers to baseball's extra-innings issue  —  Last year, the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs — an independent minor league in Northern California — adopted a rule to force extra-inning games to resolution: Each half-inning would begin with baserunners on first and second base.
Cincinnati.com:
Next Slide  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The last piece of the Cincinnati Reds' payroll picture dropped into place Saturday, at least until the Reds make decisions on adding minor-league free agents to the active roster before Opening Day.  —  Second baseman Scooter Gennett won his arbitration hearing …
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Maile fully understands the deal.  Hit or sink  —  DUNEDIN — Luke Maile is a ball player, not a boxer.  But he wasn't pulling any punches this week when looking back on his 2017 season.  —  The Blue Jays' No. 2 catcher was brutally honest on Saturday about the fact that he was highly disappointed …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Source: Rangers will not sign reliever Seung Hwan Oh; could Tim Lincecum be on tap?  —  The Rangers are back to looking for a closer.  —  The club broke off negotiations with Korean pitcher Seung Hwan Oh Saturday, a source said.  The club had agreed to a one-year contract with the reliever, pending a physical, more than a week ago.
Associated Press:
Pedroia rehabs knee, to miss opener for 1st time in 12 years  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia knew this would be the deal after knee surgery in the offseason.  The Red Sox second baseman will be missing from Boston's opening-day lineup for the first time in 12 years.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jason Heyward believes if he can stay healthy, his hitting will come along  —  Chicago Tribune  —  There are no points of emphasis at the plate this spring for the Cubs' Jason Heyward as he tries to elevate his offense to the level of his Gold Glove Award-winning defense in right field.
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Anthony Rizzo makes Joe Maddon and Jason Heyward proud
 
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 More News: 
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Denard Span happy to be with Rays now, would be happier March 29
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
No plans for Aaron Judge to play center field — for now
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals might consider giving Wacha extra rest again
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers agree to reunion with rehab project Edinson Volquez
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Andy MacPhail says Phillies can't be ‘impulsive’ about free-agent pitchers
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox's Lucas Giolito eager to build off fine finish of 2017
 Earlier Picks: 
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Welington Castillo plays ‘getting to know you’ refrain with White Sox
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Spring training is nearly six weeks long. Does it need to be?
Discussion: Royals Review
Associated Press:
Twins turn to inexperienced pitchers to fill rotation holes
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Associated Press:
After healthy offseason, Albert Pujols expected to play more in field
Associated Press:
Marcus Stroman angry at Blue Jays over negativity in arbitration
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
David Freese thinks Pirates not trying hard enough to win
Discussion: Bucs Dugout
 

 
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Nicole Massabrook / Us Weekly:
Jelly Roll Brings 15-Year-Old Daughter Bailee Ann Out at Stagecoach for ‘Cool Dad Points’

Ciara Shows Off Weight / TMZ.com:
Ciara Shows Off Weight on Scale As She Tries Dropping 70 Pounds

Charlotte Triggs / People:
Inside Billionaire CEO and Former WWE Diva's Epic Egyptian Wedding at the Pyramids! See the Photos (Exclusive)

 
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