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10:55 PM ET, February 18, 2018

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 Top News: 
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  —  Evan Longoria has said pretty much all the right things since the Rays traded him in December to the Giants.  —  But the former franchise cornerstone felt strongly the Rays made the wrong move in designating for assignment Corey Dickerson …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:   What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
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:
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:
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: Kansas City Star and Royals Review
Associated Press:   Reports: Hosmer, Padres agree to 8-year, $144 million deal
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:   Eric Hosmer's signing sends a message: ‘The Padres are very serious’
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. …
RELATED:
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.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon knows managing Cubs playing time won't be easy  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Manager Joe Maddon faces a delicate situation in finding playing playing time for his young players, especially if the Cubs roster stays healthy.  —  That's why Maddon is happy to hear that veterans …
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
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
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:   Arizona Diamondbacks looking to repeat last year's success
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 …
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
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
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
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
Cincinnati.com:
Next Slide  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Before he signed with the Cincinnati Reds on a minor-league deal, veteran infielder Cliff Pennington got some frustrating feedback from another team showing interest in him.  That team pointed out that last season with the Los Angeles Angels he didn't play much shortstop, starting only four games.
RELATED:
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto on 2018 season: ‘Something needs to start changing’
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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
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.
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.
 
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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
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
 Earlier Picks: 
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper set to visit Braves camp
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
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

Tom Bryant / The Mirror:
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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