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1:40 PM ET, January 17, 2019

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 Top News: 
Scott Orgera / Forbes:
Harper And Machado Sweepstakes: A Look Back At 10 Long-Term Free Agent Contracts  —  Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.  — Share to facebook  — Share to twitter  — Share to linkedin  —  With Bryce Harper and Manny Machado reportedly seeking deals …
RELATED:
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
If the Phillies Sign Bryce Harper, It Won't Preclude Them From Trying to Eventually Lure Mike Trout  — The Phillies are considered the frontrunner for Bryce Harper, but they'll keep their eyes on Mike Trout, who grew up just 45 miles away from Philadelphia.
Discussion: Bleacher Report
Jeff Sullivan / FanGraphs Baseball:
Contract Crowdsourcing Again: Bryce Harper and Manny Machado  —  There's a report out today about Manny Machado:  —  I do think there's something important to understand here.  Machado hasn't yet signed anywhere.  The idea that he would sign for $175 million seems almost preposterous …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Manny Machado's agent blasts ‘inaccurate and reckless’ reports as the White Sox's pursuit of the star continues
Discussion: Talking Chop
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Ian Clarkin returns to the Cubs for a 2nd time on waiver claim from the White Sox
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
‘I came up on one-year deals’: How Joe Maddon is approaching 2019  —  CHICAGO — Though they've won the most regular-season games in baseball over the past four seasons, the Chicago Cubs aren't likely to catch much of a break from fans this weekend during their annual winter convention.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
‘The Cubs got the perfect guy’: Daniel Descalso brings leadership skills and versatility to Wrigley Field  —  Daniel Descalso during a game for the Diamondbacks on June 4, 2017.  (Patrick Farrell / TNS)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As the oldest of six children, Daniel Descalso realized the importance of setting a good example.
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
Rick Morrissey / Chicago Sun-Times:
The Cubs have money to sign Bryce Harper, but ownership doesn't want to spend it
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets officials aren't sure of Yoenis Cespedes' future  —  Do not expect any updates on Yoenis Cespedes.  —  The Mets slugger, who is entering the third year of a four-year deal, is not expected to return from double-heel surgery until at least July.  —  Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen …
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Mets newcomer Jed Lowrie ready to play all over the diamond
Daily Record:   Mets not looking to trade Todd Frazier after Jed Lowrie signing
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Jed Lowrie says he signed with Mets because he likes how aggressive Brodie Van Wagenen has been this offseason
Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Mets fan favorite Wilmer Flores lands with new team  —  No waterworks this time around.  —  On the day the Mets gave away his former No. 4, Wilmer Flores agreed to a one-year deal, including a team option, with the Diamondbacks, ESPN reported Wednesday.  —  The former fan favorite …
RELATED:
Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks to sign infielder Wilmer Flores, according to report  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent infielder Wilmer Flores, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports.  —  The team has an option for 2020, according to the report.  —  The deal is pending a physical.
ESPN:   Source: Diamondbacks agree with Wilmer Flores on 1-year deal
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
2019 Cincinnati Reds: Annual caravan to Reds Country rolls with optimism in its wake  —  The Cincinnati Reds Winter Caravan is an effort to sell the club to the far reaches of Reds Country - places like Huntington, West Virginia; Chillicothe, Ohio; Cynthiana, Kentucky; and Madison, Indiana.
Associated Press:
Yankees' DJ LeMahieu says he'll bring many gloves to spring training  —  NEW YORK — DJ LeMahieu is putting away his mittens and packing more mitts.  —  A star second baseman for Colorado, LeMahieu is set to join a crowded New York Yankees infield.  —  “I was told to bring a lot of gloves,” he said Wednesday on a conference call.
RELATED:
Daily Record:   Yankees' D.J. LeMahieu expects to shuttle around the infield for his new club
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Report: Padres pursuing Indians SP Corey Kluber to flip him to third team  —  Reportedly, the San Diego Padres are pursuing Cleveland Indians ace pitcher Corey Kluber in order to flip him to another team.  —  CLEVELAND — Oh, the tangled web Major League Baseball has weaved …
RELATED:
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Reports: Indians discussing three-team trade with Padres, Reds for Corey Kluber
Discussion: Phillies Nation
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
50 greatest St. Louis Cardinals pitchers  —  Selected by Rick Hummel, who has covered baseball for the Post-Dispatch since the 1970s and and was inducted into the writers' wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.  —  HALL OF FAME BASEBALL WRITER RICK HUMMEL MAKES THE PICKS
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals loaded with prospects at third base  —  A total of 43 players were invited to the Cardinals' minor-league instructional camp in Jupiter, Fla., and that list includes the club's three most-recent top draft choices: shortstop Delvin Perez (2016), outfielder Scott Hurst (2017), and this past year's first-round pick, Nolan Gorman.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   As Cardinals' prospects gather in Jupiter, Alex Reyes returns (briefly) to the mound
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Inside Dodgers' plan to revolutionize the fan experience: ‘This is a show business’  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers are the world's leader in attendance, drawing more fans than any venue in sports, and leading Major League Baseball in attendance for six years running.
Discussion: Bleacher Nation
 
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 More News: 
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals' Eric Skoglund Suspended 80 Games
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Brewers invite nine minor-leaguers to spring camp, including top prospect Keston Hiura
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox reward Omar Vizquel for work with top prospects
 Earlier Picks: 
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Marty Brennaman — who called Cubs fans ‘most obnoxious’ — to retire after 46 seasons as Reds voice
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Five moves we want to see this offseason
 

 
From WeSmirch:

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

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

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

 
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