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3:30 PM ET, February 9, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Bob Brookover / Kansas City Star:
Phillies need Bryce Harper or Manny Machado to win the offseason and the NL East  —  We learned long ago and many times over that the team that wins the offseason does not always win the actual season.  —  The Atlanta Braves, for example, spent less money during the offseason than any other team …
RELATED:
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
MLB owners aren't dumb — they see the need for changes — but don't expect anything in the immediate future  —  TAMPA - In 2018, Major League Baseball reaped a record $10.3 billion in revenue which, as far as the owners are concerned, is sufficient proof that the industry couldn't be in better shape.
ESPN:
Giants' Farhan Zaidi says ‘mutual interest’ led to Bryce Harper meeting  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Bryce Harper's meeting with the Giants in Las Vegas this week was the product of “mutual interest on both sides,” new San Francisco baseball operations chief Farhan Zaidi said Friday.
Discussion: Associated Press
Associated Press:   Phillies set to open spring still waiting on Bryce and Manny
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
RedsXtra: What the proposed rule changes for mean to the Reds  —  When word got out of the big changes that were on the table for baseball, the first thought was the Reds will have a good spot for Matt Kemp.  —  That's in reference to the Players Association's proposal that the designated hitter …
RELATED:
New York Post:
Baseball owners back MLB bid to buy Fox's regional sports networks
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:   No designated hitter or draft changes likely in MLB this season
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB owners: Adopting DH in NL not likely until at least 2022 season
Discussion: NBCSports.com
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Royals add veteran starting pitcher Homer Bailey on minor-league deal  —  The Royals added right-handed former Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey on minor-league contract Saturday, adding another veteran pitcher with big-league experience to the mix as they head into spring training.
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Mets sign Danny Espinosa to minor league deal
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:   Mets sign utility infielder Danny Espinosa to minor-league deal
George A. King III / New York Post:
Gary Sanchez is now Yankees' biggest key to catching Red Sox … The Yankees stayed away from signing free-agent stars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, who wanted too many years and too many dollars.  They also didn't acquire catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins.
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:   Think Hal Steinbrenner and Yankees are pinching pennies?  You can thank Jacoby Ellsbury and Giancarlo Stanton for that
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Choo typically leads Rangers in OBP.  He wants to help lead them, period, in 2019  —  One of the best first halves to a season in Shin-Soo Choo's long career took him last year to a place he had never been, the American League All-Star team.  —  It was an overdue honor for a quality MLB player …
Discussion: Dallas Morning News
Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Many Detroit Tigers went from spring studs to season duds  —  Finally, baseball is back!  The Detroit Tigers open spring training on Tuesday when pitchers and catchers report to Tiger Town in Lakeland, Fla.  —  For Tigers fans, February and March will be a chance to get ready for the upcoming season …
Phil Miller / The Charlotte Observer:
Bottom line: Twins didn't make any major offseason deals  —  The Twins were the most active team in baseball at last year's trade deadline, pulling off five swaps in the final days of July and another in early August.  And that was just a precursor, the team's front office hinted …
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
2019 Cincinnati Reds questions: Who hits leadoff and how will the lineup shape up?  —  Editor's note: With Spring Training approaching, we'll answer an important question about the Cincinnati Reds each day until pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12.  Today's question: Who hits leadoff and how does the lineup shape up?
David Wellham / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
We now know Charlie Culberson's new jersey number, and some others  —  Braves infielder/outfielder Charlie Culberson will wear No. 8 on the back of his uniform this season.  —  Culberson already had said he would relinquish the No. 16 to Brian McCann, who wore than number when he played …
Discussion: Talking Chop
Toronto Sun:
Mets-Nationals or Cubs-Cardinals set for London in 2020  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Major League Baseball is considering one of two matchups for its 2020 series in London: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals or Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals.  —  Two people familiar with the discussions told …
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
 
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 More News: 
Jacob Bogage / Chicago Tribune:
Disability rights advocates praise MLB's decision to rename ‘disabled list’
Darren Sabedra / Mercury News:
Why these Mater Dei transfers caught De La Salle's attention
Discussion: Los Angeles Times and Daily Breeze
Washington Post:
Facing opposition, Amazon reconsiders N.Y. headquarters site, two officials say
Discussion: FOX31 Denver and KFOR-TV
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Indians SS Francisco Lindor out 7-9 weeks with calf strain
 Earlier Picks: 
Reuters:
Indians sign OF Joyce to minor-league deal
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Big payday ahead for Wacha? Maybe, but it's not something he wants to talk about
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Ryan Tepera, Kyle Barraclough lose salary arbitration cases
Discussion: Associated Press
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
All eyes on GM Mike Hazen as Arizona Diamondbacks spring training nears
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
 

 
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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