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9:20 AM ET, February 23, 2018

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 Top News: 
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Rays, Marlins disorder is unfair to fans and other small-market teams that are trying to win  —  TAMPA — The three-team trade that brought infielder Brandon Drury to the Yankees and sent Tampa Bay Rays favorite Steven Souza Jr. to Arizona has served to further emphasize the tale of two teams …
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Jacob Shafer / Bleacher Report:
Marlins' and Rays' Embarrassing Selloffs Show MLB Can't Survive in Florida  —  That sound you hear?  It's big league baseball exiting the southeastern United States with gale force.  —  Oh, sure, the Sunshine State is technically home to two MLB franchises.
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … The baseball world has had plenty to say about the Tampa Rays' notorious self-dismantling project, but one of their most recent former standouts wasn't about to pile on and trash the franchise for its systematic downsizing.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Steven Souza Jr. filling big shoes in J.D. Martinez's No. 28
Discussion: ESPN
Detroit News:
Next Slide  —  Lakeland, Fla. — Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire did something after the game Thursday that he would very rarely do in the regular season.  He made a point of personally complimenting the home-plate umpire.  —  “Helluva job, very nice,” he said to Jen Pawol, one of two women umpiring in professional baseball.
Discussion: CBSSports.com
RELATED:
Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:   How umpire at Detroit Tigers game is ready to break gender barrier
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — It was weird, Alex Wilson admitted.
Discussion: Bless You Boys
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: Dickerson Gets Dealt  —  Follow @nate_grimm and @Rotoworld_BB on Twitter.  —  When Corey Dickerson was designated for assignment by the Rays, there was likely a small bit of relief in getting out of an organization that has all but given up on contending in 2018.
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Brent Honeywell injury could be worst Rays news yet  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — It might have seemed that things couldn't get worse for the Rays after an opening week of spring training that included the dumping of two veterans to harshly negative reviews, including from their own players …
Discussion: FanRag Sports and DRaysBay
Associated Press:   Rays deal Dickerson to Pirates for Hudson and minor leaguer
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Brandon Drury says he grew up a Yankees fan, calls being in pinstripes ‘a dream come true’  —  TAMPA - The Yankees believe Brandon Drury has more in the tank.  —  Drury does, too.  —  “I don't feel like I've done anything like I'm capable of the last couple years.
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Russell Wilson to show up at Yankees camp Monday
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Aaron Boone to use Yankees' spring games for player evaluation, managerial experience
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Giancarlo Stanton won't hide from expectations - or fanfare - as a New York Yankee
Discussion: Sporting News
ESPN:
Angels' Shohei Ohtani to make spring debut as pitcher Saturday  —  Multitalented Japanese pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani will make his spring training debut for the Los Angeles Angels on the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.  —  “I feel that this is a big step forward,” Ohtani told reporters Thursday, via an interpreter.
RELATED:
Arizona Republic:
Next Slide  —  Good seats are still available for the most …
Discussion: Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
With Cozart joining Angels infield, the defense never rests
Discussion: Halos Heaven and Los Angeles Times
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Possibilities aplenty for Cardinals' infielder Wisdom  —  St. Louis Cardinals infielder Patrick Wisdom hits soft toss balls to warm up before facing live pitching during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Almost a year after frightening injury, Poncedeleon readies for ‘just another game’
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Card will ease regular outfielders into spring games; no timetable for Carpenter's return
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs believe Justin Wilson stepping toward a rebound season  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Justin Wilson spent the offseason preparing for spring training by throwing off the bullpen mound at Jake Arrieta's alma mater at TCU.  —  This doesn't guarantee that Wilson will undergo …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Few roster spots in play as Cubs begin Cactus League schedule
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
5 young pitchers to watch early in Mets camp  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Everybody is waiting for Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Jason Vargas to make their Grapefruit League debut this spring, but they are about a week away from getting their first game action.
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mets lefty Steven Matz ready to put injury history behind him heading into first spring start on Monday
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Mets' Steven Matz feeling good as he prepares for first Grapefruit League start
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals in no hurry to label closers  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals' bullpen this year likely will be comprised of seven relievers at the start of the season but could have eight at any moment, if manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Mike Maddux deem the concept worthy.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Matheny in no rush to designate closer
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
J.D. Martinez continuing physical at Red Sox spring training camp  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Considering it took four months for the Boston Red Sox and J.D. Martinez to get together, what's another day before they make things official?  —  Martinez arrived at the Red Sox's spring training facility Wednesday …
Discussion: Over the Monster
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ranking the spring training ballparks in Arizona  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Ten stadiums.  Fifteen teams.  Ranking the ballparks (and facilities) in Arizona's Cactus League.  —  The Diamondbacks and Rockies got everything they needed — and then some — in this spacious 11,000-seat facility.
Tampa Bay Times:
Rays Honeywell has torn UCL, headed for Tommy John surgery  —  The Rays got the worst-case news they were dreading, that top prospect RHP Brent Honeywell has a torn UCL and is headed for Tommy John surgery.Honeywell was injured throwing live batting
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Analytically speaking, Cincinnati Reds Tucker Barnhart was golden  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The theory here is Tucker Barnhart won the Gold Glove for two reasons:  —  1. He richly deserved it  —  2. Advanced analytics have become part of the criteria.  —  The two go hand-in-hand.
Discussion: Red Reporter
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians OF Brandon Guyer will restart progression after aggravating wrist injury  —  Cleveland Indians outfielder Brandon Guyer will restart his progression after aggravating a left wrist injury in a spring-training drill.  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians outfielder Brandon Guyer missed …
 
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 More News: 
Ronnie Kohrt / Mile High Sports:
Taking aim at their first NL West title, Rockies will go as pitching goes
Discussion: Purple Row, Rox Pile and Denver Post
Luke Broadwater / Baltimore Sun:
A group is trying to get the grounded Baltimore police surveillance airplane flying again.
Discussion: CBS Baltimore
Kevin Skiver / CBSSports.com:
LOOK: Troy Tulowitzki had some fun with photographer who mistook him for a pitcher
Discussion: CBS Denver
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
How much stock should you put into Braves' spring games? Listen
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes made decision to sacrifice golf with focus on staying healthy: source
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins Place J.T. Chargois On Outright Waivers
Discussion: Twinkie Town
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Dylan Covey draws starting nod for White Sox in Friday's spring training opener
 Earlier Picks: 
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
10 White Sox players to watch during Cactus League play
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets shortstop Amed Rosario uses tracking drills to help improve plate discipline
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies blank University of Tampa as the spring games begin
Discussion: Phillies Nation
USA Today:
Ranking Arizona spring training parks: Surprise at the top
Associated Press:
Mariners catcher Mike Zunino grows into major role with team
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Geoff Jenkins elected to Brewers Walk of Fame; other honors for Fielder, Dalton, Melvin
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Tyler Chatwood hardly a fifth wheel for the Cubs
 

 
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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