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7:20 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:
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Giants president confirms ‘mutual interest’ with free agent Bryce Harper  —  Just days away from the official start of spring training, free agent Bryce Harper's meeting with the Giants was confirmed by the club's president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
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.
Discussion: Fish Stripes
ESPN:
Giants' Farhan Zaidi says ‘mutual interest’ led to Bryce Harper meeting
Discussion: Associated Press
Associated Press:   Phillies set to open spring still waiting on Bryce and Manny
Bobby Nightengale / Courier-Journal:
Former Reds, Bats pitcher Homer Bailey signs with Royals minor league team  —  Homer Bailey will try to prove himself with a new team this spring.  —  Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Royals, the team announced Saturday, which includes an invitation to spring training.
RELATED:
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 …
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.
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?
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres Pursuing Mike Moustakas  —  The Brewers are reportedly the front-runners to sign free-agent third baseman Mike Moustakas, but they're facing competition from at least one team.  The Padres, who have prioritized finding a third baseman this offseason, are “going after” Moustakas, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.
RELATED:
Ty Bradley / MLB Trade Rumors:
NL Notes: Brewers, Moustakas, Shaw, Marlins, Anderson
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Two of the Cardinals' most intriguing arms don't belong to pitchers  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • While activity at the Cardinals' campus this weekend will be limited as players continue to arrive and speed toward the official opening of camp, some of the early workouts have hinted at the work ahead for several players.
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 …
Thomas Lott / Sporting News:
Giants' Madison Bumgarner says he'll refuse to enter game following ‘opener’  —  Madison Bumgarner is known for policing the game on the field and now he's trying to control it before he even gets on it.  —  After the Giants' new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi told reporters …
Discussion: baseballmusings.com and KNBR-AM
Associated Press:
Mets sign Danny Espinosa to minor league deal  —  NEW YORK — Danny Espinosa and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  —  The veteran switch-hitter gives the Mets even more depth in a crowded infield.  He could be a backup option at shortstop behind Amed Rosario.
RELATED:
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:   Mets sign utility infielder Danny Espinosa to minor-league deal
 
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 More News: 
Phil Miller / The Charlotte Observer:
Bottom line: Twins didn't make any major offseason deals
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
David Wellham / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
We now know Charlie Culberson's new jersey number, and some others
Discussion: Talking Chop
 Earlier Picks: 
Toronto Sun:
Mets-Nationals or Cubs-Cardinals set for London in 2020
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
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
 

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

Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87

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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