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5:55 PM ET, February 20, 2018

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 Top News: 
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Agent Scott Boras stays course, calling free agent system ‘upside-down’  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - The San Diego Padres took the unusual step of announcing the terms of Eric Hosmer's new eight-year, $144 million contract, which includes an opt-out clause after the fifth season, and pointed out it's the largest agreement in franchise history.
RELATED:
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.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Greg Bird wants to become more reliable presence, and Yankees need him to be just that  —  TAMPA — Greg Bird knows the deal.  —  The Yankees have stuck with him through thick and thin, injury after injury.  But eventually there's going to be a time when that stops if he keeps getting hurt.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone ‘trying to contain’ his excitement about managing Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar  —  TAMPA — Aaron Boone is looking forward to managing Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar at some point in the future.  —  “I'm trying to contain my excitement because I'm really excited about them …
John Harper / New York Daily News:   If AL East race is determined by trade deadline, Yankees have edge over Red Sox
USA Today:
David Price, vilified in Boston, helps lure J.D. Martinez for new chapter
Discussion: Boston Globe and CBS Boston
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Yankees react to new Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez: 'It'll be a battle all year long'
John Harper / New York Daily News:   Yankees' batting practice gives fans a glimpse of the intoxicating excitement Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton will bring
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Limiting mound trips without a pitching change OK with Cubs' Chris Gimenez
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
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
Discussion: ESPN and Federal Baseball
RELATED:
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 …
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: Bleacher Report
Associated Press:   Marlins counting on their oldest player to close
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.
RELATED:
ESPN:   Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, 80, hospitalized in Bay Area
USA Today:   Baseball Hall of Famer, Giants legend, Orlando Cepeda rushed to hospital: report
Ari Gilberg / New York Daily News:
Orlando Cepeda, 80-year-old Hall of Fame first baseman, rushed to hospital in Bay Area: report
Discussion: FanRag Sports
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Eric Hosmer ready for leadership role with Padres, will wear No. 30 to honor Yordano Ventura  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Eric Hosmer arrived at San Diego Padres camp Tuesday with a new uniform number, a desire to lead and a personal mandate to take the franchise to a place it's never been.
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Eric Hosmer to wear No. 30 with Padres in honor of the late Yordano Ventura
Discussion: DRaysBay
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Discussion: Royals Review
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.
Discussion: Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:   Atkins optimistic Donaldson will sign with Blue Jays
Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Players with ties to World Series teams seek fresh starts with Braves  —  Charlie Culberson did not receive a call-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers until early September last season.  —  No one could have predicted what was to come, especially the .500 postseason batting average in 16 at-bats …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Astros' McCullers is back on mound with new rules in play  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — When last seen, Lance McCullers plunked four Los Angeles Dodgers during the first three innings of Game 7 of the World Series.  —  On Tuesday, a few hours before his first live bullpen session …
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Bronson Arroyo in Cincinnati Reds Spring Training camp - sort of  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Bronson Arroyo is in Reds camp.  Well, let's rephrase that.  Bronson Arroyo is at Reds camp.  —  The newly retired Arroyo will be in Arizona for two weeks.  He'll spend some of that time with the Reds in some sort of capacity.
RELATED:
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:   Cincinnati Reds notes: Nick Senzel is the backup plan shortstop — with a caveat
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals will join Marlins wearing hats to honor Florida high school shooting victims  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals will join the Miami Marlins and possibly every other team in the majors by wearing hats to honor the victims of last week's mass shooting at a Florida high school.
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
MLB teams to wear caps honoring Florida shooting victims for spring openers: report
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.”
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   What's happend before means little as Cards focus on 2018 season
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Tom Ricketts sets World Series-or-bust tone for Cubs, and everybody's in  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Tradition calls for Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts to welcome the team back every spring with a talk that establishes expectations for the upcoming season.
Associated Press:
Twins finalize deal with reclamation righty Anibal Sanchez  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Minnesota Twins have finalized their low-risk contract with right-hander Anibal Sanchez, securing another experienced candidate for their rotation.  —  Sanchez signed the one-year, non-guaranteed deal …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Michael Conforto feeling confident in rehab, but Mets taking cautious approach  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — When Michael Conforto contemplated surgery on his left shoulder last fall, he played the percentages.  The thing that convinced him was when team doctor David Altchek told him that the operation …
 
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 More News: 
Herbie Teope / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Saints re-sign long snapper Zach Wood to one-year contract: source
Discussion: ProFootballTalk and FanRag Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Acquire Bryce Brentz
Discussion: Bucs Dugout
New York Daily News:
Daily News Sports Talk Podcast: Yankees and Mets with John Harper
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Wilmer Flores prepared to do whatever it takes to get in lineup
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs to host Advocate Children's Hospital patients at spring training
 Earlier Picks: 
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Who is new Rays 1B/DH C.J. Cron? 10 things to know
Discussion: DRaysBay
Associated Press:
Avisail Garcia hoping to improve on All-Star season for White Sox
Discussion: South Side Sox
Associated Press:
Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes tries to improve flexibility with yoga
Associated Press:
Hosmer's deal leaves Padres with overstuffed outfield
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

 
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