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5:15 AM ET, February 19, 2018

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 Top News: 
Associated Press:
MLB: Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres reach agreement on eight-year deal  —  Free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has reached preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a physical, a person with direct knowledge of the deal says.
RELATED:
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
In looking for Hosmer replacement, Royals signal coming rebuild  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  As Eric Hosmer prepares for his first season in San Diego, the Royals are unlikely to search for his replacement on the free-agent market or seek a reunion with third baseman Mike Moustakas, general manager Dayton Moore said Sunday.
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Law: Why the prospect-packed Padres spent too much on Eric Hosmer
Discussion: Kansas City Star and Royals Review
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:   Eric Hosmer's signing sends a message: ‘The Padres are very serious’
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist feels good about his health, Cubs' chances  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Even Ben Zobrist can't say how many at-bats he'll wind up with this year, but the 36-year-old is sure of one thing: The Cubs' 2016 World Series hangover is over.  —  “I can tell you this,” Zobrist said Sunday.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Anthony Rizzo's words carry more weight than ever  —  Chicago Tribune  —  When Anthony Rizzo left Cubs camp Wednesday, he was just another baseball player.  —  But that all changed with the shooting that left 17 dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Joe Maddon knows managing Cubs playing time won't be easy
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Former Ray Evan Longoria gives thumbs-down to team's Dickerson decision  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Evan Longoria is in his first season as a San Francisco Giant after 10 years in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform, but he still follows his old organization from a new league and the opposite coast.
Discussion: Associated Press and FanRag Sports
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:   Don't like Rays moves? You've got company in Longo
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:   What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … If a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat, seven-game World Series left you wanting more, get ready to settle into another beguiling baseball season.  —  Start it by seeing all that the Cactus League has in store.  —  Five of the past eight World Series champions …
RELATED:
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger plans to avoid a sophomore slump … Cody Bellinger slipped through the netting of a Camelback Ranch batting cage and gazed at a pitching machine.  Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward manned the contraption, which dolloped late spin onto each offering.
Discussion: DodgerBlue.com
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:   Arizona Diamondbacks looking to repeat last year's success
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto says things need to turn around.  —  Sights from the third day of Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers working out in Goodyear, Arizona.  Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — It's hard to draw a conclusion from the early days of spring training.
RELATED:
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto on 2018 season: ‘Something needs to start changing’
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Cincinnati.com:   Next Slide  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Before he signed with the …
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets GM Sandy Alderson confident in roster after adding Jason Vargas  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New acquisition Jason Vargas arrived to camp Sunday, and Mets general manager Sandy Alderson expects the lefty will be the last roster addition.  —  “With Jason signing, we're pretty much where we want to be …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   With addition of Jason Vargas, Mets starters face heated battle for rotation spot
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Mets GM Sandy Alderson believes Tim Tebow will eventually play in MLB
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Man of steal?  Jose Abreu wants green light on basepaths  —  Chicago Tribune  —  White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu has pinpointed two ways in which he wants to improve this season: steal more bases and learn to speak some English.  —  Asked if more steals really is a goal for 2018, Abreu responded with a nod to that second goal.
RELATED:
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:   In slow free-agent market, Chris Volstad grateful for White Sox call
WTAE:
Josh Harrison wants to win, no matter what team he's playing on  —  BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Josh Harrison is still with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his feelings aren't much different than they were a month ago.  —  Harrison spoke to reporters Sunday, the day before the first spring training workout for Pittsburgh's full squad.
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Pirates' Josh Harrison
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Cards embrace tradition  —  St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith fields ground balls alongside infielder Tommy Edman during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Matheny would thrill to catch Gibson, but ‘he would have hated me’
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The big man reported to spring training on Sunday afternoon.  —  Miguel Cabrera, the lone Detroit Tigers' superstar left standing, looked better than last season.  He walked brisker and looked slimmer and said he felt as if the back issues that turned …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Detroit Tigers utility man Ronny Rodriguez excited for big league shot
Associated Press:
Angels sign veteran sluggers Chris Carter, Chris Young  —  TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran slugger Chris Carter and longtime outfielder Chris Young.  —  Carter got a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Sunday, while Young agreed to a one-year contract.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Outfielder Chris Young, first baseman Chris Carter join Angels
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Jorge Castillo / Chicago Tribune:
Bryan Harper, Bryce's older brother, is out to make a name for himself with Nationals  —  The Washington Post  —  Just before 10 a.m. Sunday, a player rushed over to Field 2 on the Washington Nationals' side of the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.  He jogged alone, his spikes pounding the sidewalk.
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Red Sox re-sign Eduardo Nunez for infield insurance  —  Boston Red Sox have re-signed infielder Eduardo Nunez to a one-year contract with a player option for 2019, giving them another proven second baseman to fill in while  —  Dustin Pedroia recovers from knee surgery.
ESPN:
Rangers nix deal with closer Seung Hwan Oh  —  The Texas Rangers have decided not to sign closer Seung Hwan Oh, after an issue arose over his physical exam, according to multiple reports.  —  The Dallas Morning News reported that the Rangers discovered “disconcerting issues” with the right-hander's arm when examining his MRI results.
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
This characteristic makes Claudio a candidate to be Rangers closer
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: After solid stint in winter ball, Junior Guerra out to show he's back in peak form  —  PHOENIX - Nothing has come easy in baseball for Junior Guerra, so it's not difficult to believe that one year after serving as the Milwaukee Brewers' opening day starter he is in a battle merely to make the club.
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Astros closer Giles working to ensure he's around to finish  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston manager A. J. Hinch elected to give the Astros a shortened work schedule Sunday, the day before for position players report for workouts.  —  Closer Ken Giles was having none of it.
 
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 More News: 
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Keeping Scott Kingery in the minors is Phillies' best move | David Murphy
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Joe Maddon hopes to dial up communication
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies bet big on Tommy Hunter's cutter making him a reliable bullpen arm
 Earlier Picks: 
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton figure to bring excitement to Yankees' batting practice
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper set to visit Braves camp
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter, whose back is stiff, will work mostly at first base
 

 
From WeSmirch:

People:
Rebel Wilson Recalls Romantic First Date with Fiancée Ramona: ‘I Think You Need to Come Back to My House’ (Exclusive)

Ryan Gajewski / The Hollywood Reporter:
Melissa Barrera on Getting Fired From ‘Scream’ and the Controversy That Followed

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

 
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