Top News:
Associated Press:
Red Sox reach agreement with J.D. Martinez, per source — J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox have, at long last, come to an agreement. — The slow dance between the free agent slugger and the power-deficient team wrapped up Monday when they settled on a $110 million, five-year contract.
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Detroit News
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Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Red Sox owner John Henry: we 'don't need to be popular, we need to win' — FORT MYERS, Fla. — As the Boston Red Sox stepped out into the sun Monday for their first full-squad workout of spring training, owner John Henry maintained that he's more concerned about Ws and Ls than the team's Q-Rating.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and Bluebird Banter
Eric KarabellESPN Senior / ESPN:
DH or not, J.D. Martinez can be a fantasy star in Boston — Every American League team hit more home runs than the Boston Red Sox last season, so adding a power bat was clearly an offseason priority. Long linked to free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez, the Red Sox came to an agreement …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Limiting mound trips without a pitching change OK with Cubs' Chris Gimenez
ESPN:
Red Sox agree to deal with slugger J.D. Martinez
Discussion:
Over the Monster and baseballmusings.com
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman | JD Martinez closing in on deal with Red Sox
Discussion:
Sporting News, NBCSports.com, NESN.com, The Ringer, MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Bryce Harper says his focus is on 2018 — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Bryce Harper isn't talking about the future. — On Monday afternoon, Harper addressed reporters for the first time this spring training and refused to discuss anything beyond the upcoming season.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, Federal Baseball and MLB Baseball News …
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Associated Press:
Nats star Harper focused on 2018 season, not future beyond — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper is focusing on his immediate future. But don't bother asking him about plans beyond this year. — “If you guys do talk anything about that, I'll be walking right out the door,” he said Monday.
Associated Press:
Avisail Garcia hoping to improve on All-Star season for White Sox — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Avisail Garcia is trying to pick up where he left off last year. So far, so good. — The Chicago White Sox All-Star right fielder arrived early in camp to deal with his salary arbitration case, which he won.
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Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Prospect Alec Hansen a pitcher to watch on White Sox radar — Chicago Tribune — Alec Hansen has been an early standout at White Sox spring training and not just because the right-hander is 6-foot-8. — Hansen has been impressive during bullpen sessions, hitting his spots while flashing a fastball that tops out at 99 mph.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
What's happend before means little as Cards focus on 2018 season — St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Tommy Pham in a fielding drill during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
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Arizona Republic:
Next Slide — Shortly after the J.D. Martinez domino fell, the Diamondbacks signed outfielder Jarrod Dyson to a two-year, $7.5 million deal on Monday. — The deal should be announced soon. It was first reported by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. — Dyson hit .251 with a .324 OBP and stole 28 bases …
Discussion:
New York Times, MLB Trade Rumors, AZ Snake Pit, FanRag Sports and MLB Baseball News …
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Arizona Republic:
Next Slide — Major League Baseball announced new rules Monday aimed at increasing the pace of play, changes that weren't universally endorsed in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse. — Teams will now have just six visits to the mound per game that don't involve the removal of a pitcher - a tally that includes both coaches and players.
Associated Press:
Dodgers glad to be back at work, away from World Series talk — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Justin Turner heard about it for weeks. He couldn't get away from talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers' seven-game loss to the Houston Astros in the 2017 World Series. — Waiters asked Turner about it when he tried to order a meal.
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ESPN
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Associated Press:
Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes tries to improve flexibility with yoga — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Yo is into yoga. — Trying to stay off the disabled list after a season hobbled by leg injuries, New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespdes took to yoga during the season.
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Ari Gilberg / New York Daily News:
Orlando Cepeda, 80-year-old Hall of Fame first baseman, rushed to hospital in Bay Area: report — San Francisco Giants legend Orlando Cepeda was rushed to a hospital in the Bay Area Monday night, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. — Giants spokeswoman Staci Slaughter told The Chronicle …
Discussion:
FanRag Sports
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ESPN:
Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, 80, hospitalized in Bay Area — Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda was rushed to a Bay Area hospital on Monday night, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. — A San Francisco Giants spokeswoman who confirmed Cepeda's hospitalization to the Chronicle …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez reports good health for likely final season — The Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers reported for the first day on the Spring Training season at Publix Field at Joker Merchant Stadium in Lakeland FL. Wednesday February 14, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier Detroit Free Press Wochit
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New York Daily News:
MLB limits mound visits, decides against pitch clock for 2018 — Major League Baseball imposed stricter limits on mound visits by players in an effort to speed up games but decided against 20-second pitch clocks for 2018. — After more than a year of negotiations, the Major League Baseball …
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Associated Press
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Associated Press:
Must-see BP: Yanks' Stanton, Judge hit together for 1st time — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton homered off the scoreboard in left-center and hit three opposite-field homers to right. Aaron Judge drove a pitch over the left-field walkway and also went deep to right.
Associated Press:
AP source: Tillman, Orioles agree to $3M, 1-year deal — SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says pitcher Chris Tillman and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract. — The deal includes performance bonuses, the person told …
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … Perhaps no team in baseball has to fill as many holes as the Royals, as several departures leave key question marks for the team's playoff hopes in 2018. — The Royals will be without infielders Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and right-handed pitcher Jason Vargas.
Associated Press:
Hosmer's deal leaves Padres with overstuffed outfield — PEORIA, Ariz. — Now that San Diego's first base position is in Eric Hosmer's $144 million hands, it seems as if there are 144 million candidates for the one remaining starting spot in the Padres' outfield.
Discussion:
ESPN
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Sandy Alderson, noting he's thinking about retirement, endorses Mets assistant GM John Ricco — PORT ST. LUCIE — Sandy Alderson may not know when he plans to step down, but the Mets GM hinted at who he thinks should step into the role once he does. In an interview with Baseball Night …
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper arrives at camp, talks up Braves rebuild — Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman clowns around with recently elected Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones barely helping him carry a bucket of baseballs during spring training on the first full squad workout on Monday, Feb 19, 2018 …
