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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USA Today:
David Price, vilified in Boston, helps lure J.D. Martinez for new chapter — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Maybe now, after all of the conjecture and rumors that Boston Red Sox ace David Price despises the city of Boston, and is counting the days to flee after the season, can finally be put to rest.
Discussion:
CBS Boston
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.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Yankees' batting practice gives fans a glimpse of the intoxicating excitement Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton will bring — TAMPA — Aaron Judge popped out of the dugout first, and as he made his way toward the batting cage a fan near the field yelled “All Rise,” loud enough to get a head-turn …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Limiting mound trips without a pitching change OK with Cubs' Chris Gimenez
Limiting mound trips without a pitching change OK with Cubs' Chris Gimenez
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
MLB Hot Stove: Red Sox, J.D. Martinez agree to reported five-year, $110M deal
MLB Hot Stove: Red Sox, J.D. Martinez agree to reported five-year, $110M deal
Discussion:
Royals Farm Report, The Ringer, MLB Trade Rumors, Arizona Sports and AZ Snake Pit
Eric KarabellESPN Senior / ESPN:
DH or not, J.D. Martinez can be a fantasy star in Boston
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Red Sox just flexed right back at Yankees, and it's on again
Red Sox just flexed right back at Yankees, and it's on again
Discussion:
Over the Monster
ESPN:
Red Sox agree to deal with slugger J.D. Martinez
Red Sox agree to deal with slugger J.D. Martinez
Discussion:
Over the Monster and baseballmusings.com
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Red Sox owner John Henry: we 'don't need to be popular, we need to win'
Red Sox owner John Henry: we 'don't need to be popular, we need to win'
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Over the Monster, Halos Heaven, MLB Baseball News … and Bluebird Banter
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Christian Yelich cites Jose Fernandez's death as turning point for Marlins franchise — PHOENIX — Christian Yelich leaves Miami with no hard feelings and one big regret. — Yelich, whose five-year tenure with the Marlins ended last month when he was traded to the Brewers …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and Associated Press
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Associated Press:
Don Mattingly says Bryce Harper off base to critique Marlins' moves: ‘Take care of your own dugout’ — JUPITER, Fla. — Marlins manager Don Mattingly says Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper should not be critiquing Miami's offseason moves. — EDITOR'S PICKS
USA Today:
Marlins' Don Mattingly to Bryce Harper: Mind your own business — Miami manager Don Mattingly had some choice words for Washington Nationals All-Star Bryce Harper, who questioned the Marlins' offseason moves. — “Take care of your business and we'll take care of ours,” Mattingly told reporters Tuesday morning from Jupiter, Fla..
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Bryce Harper says his focus is on 2018
Bryce Harper says his focus is on 2018
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, CBSSports.com, Sporting News, Bleacher Report and MLB Baseball News …
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 …
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Associated Press:
Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda hospitalized in Bay Area — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda has been hospitalized in the Bay Area. — The San Francisco Giants said Tuesday the 80-year-old Cepeda had been taken to a hospital late Monday. The team had no further details.
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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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez leads Cardinals against themselves, as condensed schedule nears games — JUPITER, Fla. • The schedule is misleading, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny will remind people Tuesday. The abbreviation for the drill is “Live BP” and it stands for “Live Batting Practice.”
ESPN:
Josh Donaldson expects to become free agent, not ‘eye to eye’ with Blue Jays on contact talks — Josh Donaldson expects to become a free agent next offseason after shutting down contract talks with the Toronto Blue Jays, saying that the sides do not see “eye to eye” on a long-term deal.
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.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
RELATED:
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:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Who is new Rays 1B/DH C.J. Cron? 10 things to know — Acquired Saturday night from the Angels (for a player to be named - a minor-leaguer, and not a top prospect), 1B/DH C.J. Cron is expected to join the Rays today in Port Charlotte. — Here are 10 things to know about him:
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Halos Heaven
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.
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.