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8:35 PM ET, February 18, 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:
Associated Press:
Reports: Hosmer, Padres agree to 8-year, $144 million deal  —  Free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has agreed to an eight-year, $144 million deal with the San Diego Padres, according to published reports Saturday night.  —  The 28-year-old, two-time Gold Glove winner hit a career-high .318 …
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Law: Why the prospect-packed Padres spent too much on Eric Hosmer  —  The San Diego Padres' decision to sign Eric Hosmer to an eight-year deal — really a five-year deal for $105 million with a three-year player option for another $39 million at the end — is the most inexplicable move of the offseason.
Discussion: Royals Review
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:   Eric Hosmer's signing sends a message: ‘The Padres are very serious’
Kevin Acee / sandiegouniontribune.com:
Padres, Eric Hosmer agree to terms
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:   What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
Associated Press:
Rays send righty Jake Odorizzi to Twins for prospect
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:   Are the Orioles a fit for just-designated outfielder Corey Dickerson?
Charlotte Carroll / Sports Illustrated:
Rays Trade Jake Odorizzi to Twins for Jermaine Palacios
Associated Press:   First baseman C.J. Cron acquired by Rays from Angels
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:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks looking to repeat last year's success … CONNECT  —  The Diamondbacks entered spring training a year ago preparing for the possibility of a rebuild.  The feel entering camp this season is vastly different.  —  Fresh off a surprising 93-win season, the Diamondbacks are clear-cut contenders.
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger plans to avoid a sophomore slump
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
With addition of Jason Vargas, Mets starters face heated battle for rotation spot  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The stakes for losing out on a rotation spot are very clear in the Mets clubhouse.  After announcing the two-year deal for lefty Jason Vargas Sunday, the Mets have two open spots in the rotation …
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Mets GM Sandy Alderson confident in roster after adding Jason Vargas
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Mets GM Sandy Alderson believes Tim Tebow will eventually play in MLB
New York Daily News:   Mets officially sign Jason Vargas to two-year contract
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  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Chris Volstad has seen the list of remaining free agents and is grateful to have jumped at the White Sox's offer when they contacted the pitcher late last month.  —  “There are still a lot of guys …
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
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
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
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.
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
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. …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter, whose back is stiff, will work mostly at first base  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Matt Carpenter, programmed to play several positions this spring, will be spending most of his time defensively at first base when the Cardinals start their full-scale workouts on Monday.
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Keeping Scott Kingery in the minors is Phillies' best move |  David Murphy  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nothing gets the crowd's juices flowing like a righteously indignant polemic that rages against the evils of corporatist oppression, which is why baseball's annual service time dance …
 
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 More News: 
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Matheny would thrill to catch Gibson, but ‘he would have hated me’
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton figure to bring excitement to Yankees' batting practice
Cincinnati.com:
Next Slide  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Before he signed with the …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper set to visit Braves camp
 Earlier Picks: 
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers utility man Ronny Rodriguez excited for big league shot
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Jacoby Ellsbury says he was never asked by Yankees to waive no-trade clause
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
David Carson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Video: Cardinals' John Mozeliak talks about acquiring Ozuna, pitching and more
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Drew Smyly happy to be part of Cubs' plans despite injury
Tampa Bay Times:
‘Babe Ruth of Japan’ already talks the talk of an MLB pitcher
 

 
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Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
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Paul O'Grady's beloved dog nuzzled star's shoulder as devoted husband battled to save him

Leah Bitsky / Page Six:
Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, and Vittoria Ceretti, 25, spark engagement rumors as she flaunts new ring

 
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