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4:50 PM ET, February 21, 2018

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 Top News: 
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays trade team MVP Steven Souza Jr. in three-team deal that nets prospects  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Evan Longoria traded in December.  Jake Odorizzi and Corey Dickerson dumped over the weekend.  Then, in a stunning move Tuesday night, 2017 team MVP Steven Souza Jr. shipped to Arizona as part …
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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.
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.
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
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
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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
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
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 …
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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 …
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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.
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.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Former Braves star Orlando Cepeda in critical condition  —  Former Braves first baseman Orlando Cepeda is in critical condition in a San Francisco hospital after a cardiac incident.  —  The San Francisco Giants say the 80-year-old Hall of Famer was taken to a Bay Area hospital late Monday.
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USA Today:
Baseball Hall of Famer, Giants legend Orlando Cepeda in critical condition
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' continued pursuit for lefty outfield bat leading them to Colby Rasmus  —  With the number of left-handed-hitting outfielders available on the free-agent market dwindling, the Orioles have turned their focus to a potential deal with veteran outfielder Colby Rasmus, according to an industry source.
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Colby Rasmus returns to baseball, signs with Orioles
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 …
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Tom Schad / USA Today:   Astros minor-league pitcher Forrest Whitley suspended 50 games for violating drug policy
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:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:   Anthony Rizzo on MLB teams donning Stoneman Douglas caps: 'It's awesome'
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
How David Hernandez rebuilt himself as a pitcher, and as a person  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - David Hernandez hit bottom on July 24 of 2013.  —  It had been a bad year.  Previously a dangerous eighth-inning man for the Arizona Diamondbacks, his ERA was sitting a good two runs higher than the year before.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets giving first spring start to Zack Wheeler, who Mickey Callaway says is ‘definitely a starting pitcher’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Zack Wheeler will start the Mets' first spring training game.  Mickey Callaway said Wednesday that he “definitely” sees the right-hander as a starter and getting …
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.
 
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 More News: 
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
ICYMI: Your Braves questions answered
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
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds' single-game tickets on sale Saturday
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians To Sign Carlos Torres
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
John Healy / New York Daily News:
Openly gay Billy Bean says continued dialogue with former Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy led to a friendship
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: 
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Sign Michael Saunders
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees like versatile Brandon Drury for third base job
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Cesar Hernandez's arrival as elite second baseman for Phillies might not prevent his departure
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Garcia is emulating Descalso
Discussion: Associated Press
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals coach Maddux puts the up in upside
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

Leyla Mohammed / BuzzFeed News:
Penn Badgley Got Honest About The Differences Between Being A Dad And A Stepdad As He Recalled Initially Struggling To Bond With His 15-Year-Old Stepson

Tom Bryant / The Mirror:
Paul O'Grady's beloved dog nuzzled star's shoulder as devoted husband battled to save him

 
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