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12:40 PM ET, February 21, 2018

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 Top News: 
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw have ‘open dialogue’ with his opt-out looming  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has said he isn't thinking about the clause in his contract which allows him to opt out and become a free agent next fall.  —  It would be unwise for the Dodgers' front office to take such an approach.
Discussion: DodgerBlue.com
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
7 things we learned about the MLB's new pace-of-play rules — and walk-up music  —  Chicago Tribune  —  You learn something new every day.  —  Here are some things I learned from Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre Tuesday during the MLB media day at the Glendale Civic Center.  —  Deadening dead time
Janie McCAuley / Associated Press:
New MLB rule: Pitching change a must for 7th mound visit by coach or manager  —  Managers or coaches must make a pitching change if they head to the mound for the seventh time in a game under baseball's new pace of play rules.  —  Commissioner Rob Manfred and executive Joe Torre explained …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Pace-of-play changes will be a work in progress
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Mound visit rules troublesome to Cubs catcher Willson Contreras
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Wrigley Field's chances for All-Star Game: ‘Stay tuned’
Associated Press:
Outfielder Maybin signs 1-year contract with Marlins  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Outfielder Cameron Maybin has signed a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins, rejoining the team where he played in 2008-10.  —  Maybin gives the young, rebuilding Marlins much-needed experience …
RELATED:
ESPN:
OF Cameron Maybin signs 1-year deal with Marlins  —  The Miami Marlins announced they have signed outfielder Cameron Maybin to a one-year deal.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  Marlins manager Don Mattingly says Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper should not be critiquing Miami's offseason moves.
USA Today:   Marlins sign veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin to a one-year deal
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo on MLB teams wearing Stoneman Douglas caps on Friday: 'It's awesome'  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pleased to learn that all 30 major-league teams will wear Stoneman Douglas High School baseball caps to honor the 17 people who died in a shooting last week at his alma mater.
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Agent Scott Boras stays course, calling free agent system ‘upside-down’
Associated Press:
Notebook: Padres' Hosmer to wear No. 30 to honor Ventura
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish makes quick favorable impression on new Cubs teammates  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After watching one of Yu Darvish's pitches during a batting-practice session Tuesday, Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber merely said, “Oh, God.”  —  “Insane,” Willson Contreras added after catching Darvish's …
RELATED:
USA Today:   Cubs offseason report: Rotation formidable with addition of Yu Darvish
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Kris Bryant all about the art of the World Series ring, not individual honors
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees like versatile Brandon Drury for third base job  —  TAMPA - Brandon Drury has versatility, but it sounds like he's going to start at third base for now, according to a source, at least while the Yankees evaluate how he does at the position this spring.  —  Drury has played 41 career games at third, making four errors.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Brandon Drury is an upside play at just the right price
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Tom Schad / USA Today:
Astros minor-league pitcher Forrest Whitley suspended 50 games for violating drug policy  —  Houston Astros minor-league pitcher Forrest Whitley, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, has been suspended 50 games for violating the league's drug prevention and treatment program …
RELATED:
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Astros' Forrest Whitley, one of MLB's top pitching prospects, suspended 50 games for violating drug policy  —  Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley has been suspended 50 games without pay for violating the minor-league drug policy, the commissioner's office announced Wednesday.
ESPN:
When will Tim Tebow play in the majors?  —  Is Tim Tebow a major leaguer?  According to New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson, the former NFL quarterback is all but bound for the bigs.  —  “Somebody asked me whether I think he'll be a major league player at some point,” Alderson said Sunday.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals coach Maddux puts the up in upside  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • On his first day back with the first team, former closer Jason Motte got a quick look at a new level the Cardinals want to take their pitchers.  Mike Maddux, in his first weeks with his fourth team as pitching coach …
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright, Wacha to face Cardinals hitters  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Most of the Cardinals' prospective starters will throw their first batting practice sessions on Wednesday as the Cardinals get closer to the start of their exhibition schedule on Friday here against Miami.
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Cesar Hernandez's arrival as elite second baseman for Phillies might not prevent his departure  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Cesar Hernandez conceded that things are a little bit different at this Phillies spring training.  For him, it has nothing to do with Jason Kelce's Monday morning speech …
RELATED:
Rob Tornoe / Philly.com:   Phillies spring training schedule: How to watch on TV, online stream
Associated Press:
Brewers owner Attanasio has eye on ending playoff drought  —  PHOENIX — Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio says his team has the roster to end the franchise's seven-year postseason drought without having to make another move.  —  The Brewers exceeded expectations last year after finishing …
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
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 …
Discussion: Talking Chop
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Astros' McCullers is back on mound with new rules in play
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Garcia is emulating Descalso  —  • When Greg Garcia arrived at his first big-league spring training, one of the established players from the other side of the clubhouse walked over and introduced himself as Daniel.  —  “Like I didn't know who he was,” Garcia said.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Gary Sanchez swings away with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge  —  TAMPA, Fla. - The Show moved to Field 2 on Tuesday afternoon, with fans watching behind a chain link fence as Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge blasted batting practice pitches at Yankees camp.  —  Oh, and Gary Sanchez was in the hitting group again too.
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Greg Bird wants to become more reliable presence, and Yankees need him to be just that
 
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 More News: 
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers notebook: Major team shift can be seen with one look around Texas' spring training clubhouse
David Murphy / Philly.com:
The clock is ticking on Maikel Franco | David Murphy
Nick Groke / Denver Post:
MLB's slow-playing free agent market drew Rockies' interest.  Jeff Bridich says he's looking into it.
Discussion: Purple Row and True Blue LA
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Man vs. third base: The real battles of spring training for all 30 teams
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' continued pursuit for lefty outfield bat leading them to Colby Rasmus
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training early impressions: A totally different feel
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Hitters Group No. 4 — Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Micker Adolfo — hopes to become a Big 3 for White Sox
 Earlier Picks: 
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
What you see, likely what you will get for White Sox on opening day
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams lead promising class of young Yankee arms
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
With Jason Vargas crowding rotation, Mets plan to start Zack Wheeler out of the bullpen: source
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Michael Conforto feeling confident in rehab, but Mets taking cautious approach
John Harper / New York Daily News:
If AL East race is determined by trade deadline, Yankees have edge over Red Sox
Discussion: Over the Monster
 

 
From WeSmirch:

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

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” …

 
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