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5:55 PM ET, February 19, 2018

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 Top 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.
Discussion: Bleacher Report
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Speculation on Bryce Harper's future begins now — with or without his help  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It's the hot topic that will burn all season in baseball's consciousness, but since we live in such an impatient society, no one wants to wait for the drama to unfold before knowing the ending.
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.
Jorge Castillo / Chicago Tribune:
Bryan Harper, Bryce's older brother, is out to make a name for himself with Nationals
Discussion: Federal Baseball
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 …
RELATED:
USA Today:
MLB: No pitch clock in 2018, but mound visits, warm-up times limited  —  Major League Baseball and the MLB Players' Association reached agreement on pace-of-play initiatives that will not include a pitch clock, ending a year of tension since Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated a strong preference to cut down average time of games.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Limited visits to the mound will expand Cardinals' use of signals, tempo changes  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Each morning, at what Cardinals manager Mike Matheny calls “Catcher University,” one of the topics taught is signals and impromptu sign language.  —  There have been times during games …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Kevin Kiermaier sounds off on Rays' weekend moves: ‘I am 100 percent frustrated and very upset’  —  Standout CF Kevin Kiermaier made very clear Monday what he thought of the Rays' weekend decisions to part ways with veteran OF/DH Corey Dickerson and RHP Jake Odorizzi:
RELATED:
ESPN:
Kevin Kiermaier on Rays' recent moves: ‘I am 100 percent frustrated and very upset’
Tom Schad / USA Today:
Kevin Kiermaier slams Rays for latest roster moves
Discussion: Minor League Ball, DRaysBay and ESPN
Tampa Bay Times:   Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast: Goodbye, Jake Odorizzi and Corey Dickerson
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: Over the Monster
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Patience paying off for White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts made sure Rick Renteria was given a World Series ring for his one-year managerial stint on the North Side in 2014.  —  White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is counting …
RELATED:
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Hair today, gone tomorrow? White Sox's Jose Abreu could be headed for a trim
Discussion: South Side Sox
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:   ‘Old’ Avisail Garcia expects another big season for White Sox
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.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Cubs boss Tom Ricketts; Winning World Series ‘is our goal’
Associated Press:   Cubs' Rizzo rejoins team after mournful Florida trip
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman: ‘I need another ring’  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The ring's the thing.  —  “Find a way to win the next one,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Monday morning, as his club's first full-squad workout began.  “I need another ring.”
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Brian Cashman makes Yankees' 2018 goal clear: ‘I need another ring’
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
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Dodgers: 2017 season to remember … Despite winning 104 games, the most in their 60 seasons of playing in Los Angeles, capturing their fifth consecutive NL West championship and advancing to the NL Championship Series for the third time in five years, the Dodgers still probably …
RELATED:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:   For Dodgers and Indians, spring training is about turning the page from postseason heartache
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 …
RELATED:
USA Today:
Chris Tillman, Orioles agree to reunite on a one-year deal
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Yoenis Cespedes needs a yoga studio in New York.  The Mets slugger would also like someone to do yoga with this season.  These are important requests if the Mets …
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Mets to play first Grapefruit League Friday against Miami
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 …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Miguel Andujar wants to start at third base for Yankees, but he must improve his defense first  —  TAMPA — Miguel Andujar feels ready for a full-time role with the Yankees.  —  Whether he gets one depends on his glove — and possible future personnel decisions.
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
Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Now 20 pounds lighter, Jorge Soler will fight for an outfield job with Royals  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  At times throughout the offseason, Royals outfielder Jorge Soler would park himself in front of the refrigerator in his suburban Miami home, open the door and never reach for anything.
Rich CiminiESPN / ESPN:
Jets poised to reboot at QB, with Kirk Cousins their focal point  —  With free agency approaching (March 14), we're analyzing each position on the New York Jets' roster and examining possible upgrades:  —  Position: Quarterback  —  2018 cap hits of top returnees:  —  Pending free agents: Josh McCown
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notes: Billy Hamilton unfazed by trade speculation  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - This past winter was not the first time that Billy Hamilton ever has heard his named included in trade speculation.  But it certainly was the most often he's heard it.  The Cincinnati Reds center fielder …
Discussion: Red Reporter
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds: Robert Stephenson and Sal Romano, friends off the field, competitors on it  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Robert Stephenson and Sal Romano are taking that friendly competition thing to a new level.  They aren't tossing darts or playing 18 holes for bragging rights.
 
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 More News: 
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Wilmer Flores prepared to learn corner outfield to find more ways into Mets lineup
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
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Flaherty to start Cards' exhibition opener
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Sign Alex Presley To Minor League Deal
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Motte is back; his old number (30) awaits
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Beltre believes Rangers should add top free agents
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
 Earlier Picks: 
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton in same batting practice hitting group Monday at Yankees spring training
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
Eric Hosmer fallout: Padres reportedly getting trade calls on Hunter Renfroe
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
JUPITER, Fla.  • Is Matt Carpenter the first baseman or the third baseman? …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Cards embrace tradition
Discussion: Viva El Birdos
 

 
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

New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

 
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