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12:25 AM ET, February 22, 2018

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 Top News: 
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … For anyone following the Diamondbacks' farm system in recent years, Tuesday's three-team deal came with some sticker shock.  Brandon Drury has been touted for years as an impact bat, Anthony Banda as a future rotation piece.  Both were shipped out.
RELATED:
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 …
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 …
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
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Way-too-early Detroit Tigers' 25-man roster projection  —  Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, designated hitter Victor Martinez and pitching prospect Alex Faedo work on their crafts in spring training in Lakeland, Fla. Video by Anthony Fenech/DFP Wochit
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Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' prospects give glimpse of future at spring training  —  The Detroit Tigers started Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, with individual pictures, followed by practice.  First rounder pitcher Alex Faedo faced major-league hitters for the first time, too.  Video by Kirthmon F. Dozier/DFP Wochit
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Detroit Tigers will start Ryan Carpenter vs. New York Yankees
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
One of baseball's top 10 prospects was suspended 50 games for a drug violation  —  Forrest Whitley is the Astros' top pitching prospect and set to work in Double-A this year  —  One of baseball's top pitching prospects has received a 50-game suspension.  Forrest Whitley of the Astros' system …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
KHOU-TV:   Astros' top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley suspended 50 games
KHOU-TV:   Astros' top pitching prospect suspended 50 games
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Brian Cashman refers to Yankees as ‘Little Engine that Could’ in comparison to Red Sox  —  New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman thinks his team can compete for another division title this season, but until that potentially happens, he only sees them one way.
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Brian Cashman says Red Sox are still the AL East favorites: 'We're not on equal footing'
Associated Press:
Indians, reliever Carlos Torres agree to minor league deal  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league contract with free-agent reliever Carlos Torres, who could fill a bullpen opening.  —  Torres pitched in 67 games last season for the Milwaukee Brewers.
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians To Sign Carlos Torres
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's will open 2019 season in Tokyo against Seattle  —  MESA, Ariz. — For the third time in 12 years, the A's will play their season open in Japan in 2019, The Chronicle has learned.  —  The Japan opener has yet to be officially announced, but according to league and team sources Oakland …
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:   Report: A's, Mariners to open 2019 MLB season in Japan
Daily Record:
Yankees send Jabari Blash to the Angels  —  A day after bolstering the infield with the acquisition of Brandon Drury, the Yankees made another trade on Wednesday.  —  The team announced that it sent outfielder Jabari Blash to the Angels for cash considerations and a player to be named later.
Discussion: FanRag Sports
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Yankees trade OF Jabari Blash to Angels for player or cash
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Right field: Christian Yelich's defensive versatility will be tested  —  Ninth in a position-by-position series on the Milwaukee Brewers entering spring training.  Today: Right field.  —  PHOENIX - Christian Yelich has accomplished plenty in his four-plus seasons in the major leagues.
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
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.
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
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.
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Javier Baez can earn more plate appearances with plate discipline  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The chances of Javier Baez getting as many as 600 plate appearances in 2018 will improve if Ben Zobrist needs more rest.  —  But perhaps a bigger factor will be if Baez can become a more polished hitter.
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Melvin Upton, Rajai Davis could be Cleveland Indians' backup plan if injuries linger in outfield  —  Melvin Upton and Rajai Davis could be the Cleveland Indians' backup plans if outfielders Michael Brantley and Brandon Guyer are not healthy enough to be on the opening-day roster.
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.
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 …
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
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Miguel Andujar going about business as usual with Brandon Drury on board  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Overnight, Miguel Andujar's status as the Yankees' frontrunner at third base changed.  —  The acquisition of Brandon Drury from the Diamondbacks has moved Andujar into the background …
 
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 More News: 
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs hitters say they're ready now for Dodgers' high-pitch strategy
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Agree To Terms With Jesse Chavez
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
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Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox eager to use Dave Duncan as ‘another set of eyes’ for pitchers
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs manager Joe Maddon spreads responsibility to new coach Brian Butterfield
Curtis Pashelka / Mercury News:
Contract extension for MadBum? Giants GM says feelings are mutual
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
7 things you may not know about Rio Ruiz
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Former Braves star Orlando Cepeda in critical condition
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
How David Hernandez rebuilt himself as a pitcher, and as a person
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
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
John Healy / New York Daily News:
Openly gay Billy Bean says continued dialogue with former Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy led to a friendship
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Sign Michael Saunders
 

 
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