Top News:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
For Dodgers and Indians, spring training is about turning the page from postseason heartache — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The morning after the Cleveland Indians fell to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, general manager Mike Chernoff's fatherly duties took …
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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:
Minor League Ball, NBCSports.com, Associated Press, Camden Chat and FanRag Sports
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Tampa Bay Times:
Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast: Goodbye, Jake Odorizzi and Corey Dickerson — The Rays continue their salary dump as they trade Jake Odorizzi to the Twins for a Single-A shortstop and designate All-Star Corey Dickerson for assignment, saving about $10 million in the process.In
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Back to business for Cubs, Tom Ricketts; Anthony Rizzo returns to camp — Chicago Tribune — Monday marks the first full-squad workout for the Chicago Cubs, but there will be two significant developments. — First, Chairman Tom Ricketts is scheduled to address the team prior to the workout.
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Associated Press:
Cubs' Rizzo rejoins team after mournful Florida trip — MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Anthony Rizzo is back with the Chicago Cubs after spending time at home in Florida in support of victims of the deadly shooting at his former high school. — The first baseman rejoined the 2016 World Series champions Monday …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Anthony Rizzo's words carry more weight than ever
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Hair today, gone tomorrow? White Sox's Jose Abreu could be headed for a trim — Chicago Tribune — Jose Abreu arrived at spring training sporting a scruffy new look. — The White Sox slugger grew a beard during the offseason so he could remain “incognito” when he visited his home country of Cuba.
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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.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Joe Maddon hopes to dial up communication
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.
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Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
Eric Hosmer fallout: Padres reportedly getting trade calls on Hunter Renfroe
Eric Hosmer fallout: Padres reportedly getting trade calls on Hunter Renfroe
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Talking Chop and MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Why the Mets zeroed in on Jason Vargas — PORT ST. LUCIE — Jason Vargas watched the 2015 World Series from the Royals' dugout as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, impressed with the talent he saw on the other side. — It was Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, right down the line for the Mets.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Amazin' Avenue …
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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.
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto on 2018 season: ‘Something needs to start changing’
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto on 2018 season: ‘Something needs to start changing’
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
ESPN:
Veteran reliever Peter Moylan agrees to deal to return to Braves — The Atlanta Braves have reached a deal with veteran reliever Peter Moylan, a source told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. — Moylan, 39, tied for the American League lead with 79 appearances last season for the Kansas City Royals and had a 3.49 ERA in 59 1/3 innings.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Beltre believes Rangers should add top free agents — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Adrian Beltre said believes that the Texas Rangers' roster is good enough to compete in 2018, but the third baseman said on his first day of spring training that he would like to see general manager Jon Daniels continue to add to the roster.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Motte is back; his old number (30) awaits — JUPITER, Fla. • The first time Jason Motte was in a Cardinals big-league clubhouse was in 2005 when he was dressing next to outfielder So Taguchi, who had just been signed by the club. Motte was a minor-league catcher summoned to big-league camp …
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.
Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Angels sign Chris Carter to minor league contract — The Angels have signed 1B/DH Chris Carter to a minor league contract, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports notes that Carter will earn a $1.175 million salary if he makes the major league roster …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, FanRag Sports and MLB Daily Dish
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton in same batting practice hitting group Monday at Yankees spring training — TAMPA — Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are in the same hitting group and will take batting practice Monday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field. — Last season's AL Rookie …
Ryan Dunleavy / New Jersey Online:
Devin McCourty: No truth to Malcolm Butler reports behind mysterious Super Bowl benching — Devin McCourty played defense without Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl, and now he is coming to the defense of his much-scrutinized teammate as the NFL offseason gets underway.
Discussion:
NESN.com, ProFootballTalk, FanRag Sports and CBS Boston
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Gary Sanchez needs to continue to put in the work for him to be great on both sides of the ball — TAMPA — The hours are long in spring training for catchers, longer than anybody else as they go about doing their individual defensive drills, catch bullpen sessions for multiple pitchers …
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
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
JUPITER, Fla. • Is Matt Carpenter the first baseman or the third baseman? Is Jedd Gyorko the third baseman? Is Jose Martinez the first baseman? — As the Cardinals begin full-squad workouts Monday, the answers to all these questions are “yes.” This is to say that while the middle …