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6:45 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.
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018
USA Today:
Retreating Rays, Carlos Gomez agree to one-year, $4 million deal
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: Rays Go Gomez  —  Follow @djshort and @Rotoworld_BB on Twitter.  —  It has been a dizzying few days for the Rays.  Well, for their fans, mostly.  The flurry of moves began on Saturday night when the Rays acquired C.J. Cron from the Angels before designating 2017 All-Star Corey Dickerson …
RELATED:
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
One of baseball's top 10 prospects was suspended 50 games for a drug violation
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
KHOU-TV:   Astros' top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley suspended 50 games
KHOU-TV:   Astros' top pitching prospect suspended 50 games
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
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
RELATED:
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
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards' Voit slims down, hopes for work in left field  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Burly Cardinals first baseman Luke Voit is much more streamlined this spring, having lost some 15 pounds from 260, which he weighed in his first big-league season as he hit .246 with four homers and nine doubles in 114 at-bats.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Chris Carpenter's fire is still burning for Cardinals
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   ‘Big Carp’ gets involved in all phases of Cardinals camp
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'
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.
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Yankees trade OF Jabari Blash to Angels for player or cash
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Former Card Cepeda in critical condition  —  Orlando Cepeda, who won the Most Valuable Player award in the National League in 1967, when he helped the Cardinals win the World Series, was hospitalized in San Francisco because
RELATED:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:   Former Braves star Orlando Cepeda in critical condition
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs hitters say they're ready now for Dodgers' high-pitch strategy  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed bewilderment when he learned reliever Brandon Morrow discussed how the Cubs were dissected in the 2017 National League Championship Series.  —  “He's already giving away our secrets?”
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
How the Royals are using sports science to gain an advantage  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  On most days this spring, Whit Merrifield sets his alarm clock for around 6 a.m. One hour later, he's already on site at Royals camp, preferring a workout in the morning and a protein-laden breakfast inside …
 
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 More News: 
Ben Lindbergh / The Ringer:
The Sabermetric Movement's Forgotten Foremother
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Agree To Terms With Jesse Chavez
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Right field: Christian Yelich's defensive versatility will be tested
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
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
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Miguel Andujar going about business as usual with Brandon Drury on board
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
 Earlier Picks: 
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’
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
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Sign Michael Saunders
Associated Press:
Outfielder Maybin signs 1-year contract with Marlins
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
7 things we learned about the MLB's new pace-of-play rules — and walk-up music
ESPN:
When will Tim Tebow play in the majors?
 

 
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