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3:40 PM ET, February 21, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Kris Bryant says big changes needed in CBA - and he's ready to fight for them  —  MESA, Ariz. - Kris Bryant is four seasons from a free agent payday, years removed from the action - or inaction - that occurred this winter, when the market was depressed for superstars and role players alike.
RELATED:
USA Today:   Cubs offseason report: Rotation formidable with addition of Yu Darvish
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:   Dodgers offseason report: Quiet winter, yet still powerful club
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Kris Bryant all about the art of the World Series ring, not individual honors
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Yu Darvish makes quick favorable impression on new Cubs teammates
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
RELATED:
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
Janie McCAuley / Associated Press:
New MLB rule: Pitching change a must for 7th mound visit by coach or manager
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018 … For all intents and purposes, Steven Souza Jr. will be taking the place of J.D. Martinez in right field, but, unsurprisingly, the Diamondbacks' new slugger isn't really looking at it that way.  —  “Sure, if I can hit 29 homers in a half, that would be great,” Souza said.
RELATED:
USA Today:
Retreating Rays, Carlos Gomez agree to one-year, $4 million deal  —  In a week that saw the Tampa Bay Rays sell off most of their valuable assets, the club added a former two-time All-Star to the mix.  —  Carlos Gomez and the Rays agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
‘Big Carp’ gets involved in all phases of Cardinals camp  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Chris Carpenter, voted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2016, officially is back with the organization as a special assistant to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez will get advance peek at Mets  —  JUPITER, Fla. _ Staff ace Carlos Martinez, the presumptive opening day starter for the Cardinals in New York on March 29, will get an advance look at the Mets on Saturday when he starts the second exhibition game of the spring at Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Wainwright, Wacha to face Cardinals hitters
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
USA Today:   Marlins sign veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin to a one-year deal
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 …
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Brewers, hungry to end seven-year playoff drought, seized the offseason and expect to win  —  PHOENIX - The hearty group of tailgaters has been setting up shop at the Maryvale Baseball Park parking lot each of the last seven years, regardless of what the Milwaukee Brewers' prospects for the season look like.
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Anthony Rizzo on MLB teams donning Stoneman Douglas caps: 'It's awesome'  —  MESA, Ariz. - Anthony Rizzo took an unscheduled round trip from Chicago Cubs camp to his high school alma mater in Florida, where he delivered an emotional address to grieving students and community members.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Anthony Rizzo on MLB teams wearing Stoneman Douglas caps on Friday: 'It's awesome'
Associated Press:
Notebook: Padres' Hosmer to wear No. 30 to honor Ventura
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.
John Healy / New York Daily News:
Openly gay Billy Bean says continued dialogue with former Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy led to a friendship  —  Former MLB player Billy Bean, who is openly gay, says Daniel Murphy's views have evolved since he considered Bean's sexual orientation a “lifestyle” in 2015.
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.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Tom Schad / USA Today:   Astros minor-league pitcher Forrest Whitley suspended 50 games for violating drug policy
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
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Cody Reed has impressed the boss early in camp  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Left-hander Cody Reed is clearly the player who has most impressed the boss early at Reds camp.  —  Reds manager Bryan Price singled out Reed for the second time Thursday when asked which pitchers looked good.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets first baseman Adrian Gonzalez trying to impart major league wisdom to Dominic Smith  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Adrian Gonzalez isn't going to be working with Dominic Smith on his swing path anytime soon.  The veteran first baseman won't be discussing launch angles either.
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds' single-game tickets on sale Saturday  —  Single-game tickets for 2018 Cincinnati Reds regular-season home games - excluding Opening Day - go on sale Saturday (Feb. 24) at 9 a.m. Eastern.  —  From Twitter via @Reds:  —  ON-SALE ALERT 2018 #Reds single game tickets will go on sale this Saturday, Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. EST!
 
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 More News: 
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees plan to wait a week before playing Aaron Judge, who is being brought along slowly after offseason surgery
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians To Sign Carlos Torres
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Brewers finalize details of spring complex renovations
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: White Sox look ahead of schedule, but Rick Hahn still wisely sees need for patience
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
‘Lucky to be alive,’ Tyler Danish thrilled to start for White Sox in Cactus League opener
 Earlier Picks: 
USA Today:
Baseball Hall of Famer, Giants legend Orlando Cepeda in critical condition
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees like versatile Brandon Drury for third base job
David Murphy / Philly.com:
The clock is ticking on Maikel Franco | David Murphy
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Garcia is emulating Descalso
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals coach Maddux puts the up in upside
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Ryan Gajewski / The Hollywood Reporter:
Melissa Barrera on Getting Fired From ‘Scream’ and the Controversy That Followed

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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