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11:05 PM ET, February 19, 2018

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 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.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Limiting mound trips without a pitching change OK with Cubs' Chris Gimenez  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Catcher Chris Gimenez was encouraged that Major League Baseball will allow a maximum of six mound visits per nine-inning game without a pitching change.  —  Limiting mound visits is one of MLB's rule changes designed to speed up games.
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.
ESPN:
Red Sox agree to deal with slugger J.D. Martinez
Joel Sherman / New York Post:   Red Sox just flexed right back at Yankees, and it's on again
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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.
RELATED:
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.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:   Speculation on Bryce Harper's future begins now — with or without his help
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Wilmer Flores prepared to learn corner outfield to find more ways into Mets lineup  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Wilmer Flores will do whatever it takes to be in the lineup.  That means the Mets utility infielder will attempt to learn to play one of the corner outfield spots this spring.
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes tries to improve flexibility with yoga
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Yoenis Cespedes made these three changes to his workout routine — and the Mets slugger still wants to be MVP
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Mets to play first Grapefruit League Friday against Miami
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.
RELATED:
ESPN:   Diamondbacks, OF Jarrod Dyson agree on a two-year deal
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.
Discussion: ESPN
RELATED:
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:   Dodgers: 2017 season to remember
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Cubs boss Tom Ricketts; Winning World Series ‘is our goal’
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 …
Discussion: Associated Press
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Limited visits to the mound will expand Cardinals' use of signals, tempo changes
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Patience paying off for White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:   ‘Old’ Avisail Garcia expects another big season for White Sox
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera: 'I'm just here to play baseball'  —  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
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez reports good health for likely final season
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 …
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
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.
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 …
 
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 More News: 
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Second base: Villar, Pérez and Sogard all in the mix for starting job with Brewers
Discussion: JSOnline
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Sandy Alderson, noting he's thinking about retirement, endorses Mets assistant GM John Ricco
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs manager Joe Maddon admits to sign-stealing during coaching days
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper arrives at camp, talks up Braves rebuild
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Miguel Andujar wants to start at third base for Yankees, but he must improve his defense first
Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Now 20 pounds lighter, Jorge Soler will fight for an outfield job with Royals
 Earlier Picks: 
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds: Robert Stephenson and Sal Romano, friends off the field, competitors on it
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Why some think center field prospect Estevan Florial could be next great Yankee and team isn't looking to deal him
Rich CiminiESPN / ESPN:
Jets poised to reboot at QB, with Kirk Cousins their focal point
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notes: Billy Hamilton unfazed by trade speculation
Discussion: Red Reporter
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Back to business for Cubs, Tom Ricketts; Anthony Rizzo returns to camp
 

 
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