Top News:
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger plans to avoid a sophomore slump … Cody Bellinger slipped through the netting of a Camelback Ranch batting cage and gazed at a pitching machine. Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward manned the contraption, which dolloped late spin onto each offering.
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
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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 …
Associated Press:
Astros closer Giles working to ensure he's around to finish — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston manager A. J. Hinch elected to give the Astros a shortened work schedule Sunday, the day before for position players report for workouts. — Closer Ken Giles was having none of it.
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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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. …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon knows managing Cubs playing time won't be easy
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.
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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.
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Law: Why the prospect-packed Padres spent too much on Eric Hosmer
Law: Why the prospect-packed Padres spent too much on Eric Hosmer
Discussion:
Kansas City Star and Royals Review
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
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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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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
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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 …
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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.
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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.
Discussion:
DKPittsburghSports.com
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Pirates' Josh Harrison
Latest On Pirates' Josh Harrison
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout … and Pinstripe Alley
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
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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.
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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.
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.
Discussion:
Concord Monitor, The Drive and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
This characteristic makes Claudio a candidate to be Rangers closer
This characteristic makes Claudio a candidate to be Rangers closer
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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