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6:00 PM ET, February 21, 2018

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 Top News: 
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:
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 …
ESPN:
Report: Rays agree to 1-year, $4 million deal with OF Carlos Gomez  —  The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with outfielder Carlos Gomez, MLB.com reported Wednesday.  —  Gomez, who turned 32 in December, appeared in 105 games for Texas last season …
USA Today:
Retreating Rays, Carlos Gomez agree to one-year, $4 million deal
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
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
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
KHOU-TV:
Astros' top pitching prospect suspended 50 games  —  Whitley was poised to reach the majors at some point this season, so this puts a bit of a damper on his prospects for 2018.  —  Author: CBS Sports  —  The Astros top pitching prospect, Forrest Whitley, has been suspended for violating Minor League drug rules.
RELATED:
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Astros' Forrest Whitley, one of MLB's top pitching prospects, suspended 50 games for violating drug policy
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Tom Schad / USA Today:   Astros minor-league pitcher Forrest Whitley suspended 50 games for violating drug policy
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
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Wainwright, Wacha to face Cardinals hitters
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
Associated Press:
Colby Rasmus returns to baseball, signs with Orioles  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Outfielder Colby Rasmus has decided to return to baseball after walking away last summer, and has signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.  —  Rasmus was in camp Wednesday to finish up his physical.
RELATED:
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' continued pursuit for lefty outfield bat leading them to Colby Rasmus
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.
RELATED:
USA Today:
Baseball Hall of Famer, Giants legend Orlando Cepeda in critical condition
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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'
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Brian Cashman says Red Sox are still the AL East favorites: 'We're not on equal footing'  —  TAMPA — According to Brian Cashman, the Red Sox are still the team to beat in the AL East.  —  “They're the AL East champs, so we're not on equal footing,” Cashman said Wednesday.  “We were the Wild Card.
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.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
7 things you may not know about Rio Ruiz  —  Braves third-base prospect Rio Ruiz is out of options and playing first base, too, this spring as he tries to make the 25-man roster when the Braves break camp late next month.  —  Ruiz was born May 22, 1994 in Covina, Calif. He was drafted in the fourth round …
 
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 More News: 
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets giving first spring start to Zack Wheeler, who Mickey Callaway says is ‘definitely a starting pitcher’
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
ICYMI: Your Braves questions answered
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Cody Reed has impressed the boss early in camp
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
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets first baseman Adrian Gonzalez trying to impart major league wisdom to Dominic Smith
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
 Earlier Picks: 
John Healy / New York Daily News:
Openly gay Billy Bean says continued dialogue with former Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy led to a friendship
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
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
‘Lucky to be alive,’ Tyler Danish thrilled to start for White Sox in Cactus League opener
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Sign Michael Saunders
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees like versatile Brandon Drury for third base job
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Garcia is emulating Descalso
Discussion: Associated Press
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87

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

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

 
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