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12:40 PM ET, February 11, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers avoiding big risks by not spending big money.  Here's why  —  Spring training starts this week in Florida and Arizona but not all of baseball's best players will be showing up.  More than 50 veteran free agents have yet to sign deals as they wait for the market to thaw.
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
3 Detroit Tigers positions that are up for grabs in spring training  —  Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the Detroit Tigers' top three position battles heading into spring training:  —  1. Fifth starter  —  Daniel Norris.  (Photo: Andy Marlin USA TODAY Sports)
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Hello from Detroit Tigers spring training, goodbye to a rival  —  Who will start for the Detroit Tigers in 2019 after their offseason acquisitions  —  Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech is chronicling his fifth spring training on the Detroit Tigers beat with Letters from Lakeland …
Discussion: Bless You Boys
Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Steve Kerr: 'Bryce [Harper], come to the Giants.  Let's go.'  —  On Saturday, before the Golden State Warriors played the Miami Heat on Saturday evening, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked about recent rumors linking free agent outfielder Bryce Harper with the Giants.  —  Kerr said, “That would be fun.
Discussion: Bleacher Report
RELATED:
Rotoworld.com:   Lowdown: Limping Lindor
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:   Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and other stars remain free agents. What's going on?
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
The burning questions for the Texas Rangers entering spring training we need answered  —  It's that time again.  The Rangers are headed to spring training in Surprise, Ariz., with some important questions facing them.  —  The first few weeks of spring training, and, let's face it, the first …
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   This player might benefit from Rangers' deep dive into analytics more than any other
Associated Press:
Season-long tribute planned to pioneering 1869 Red Stockings  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds are fashionably celebrating the 150th anniversary of the professional baseball-pioneering Red Stockings team.
Associated Press:
Stephen Vogt agrees to minors deal with Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Free-agent catcher Stephen Vogt is returning to the Bay Area, agreeing to a minor league contract with the Giants.  —  Vogt shared the news in a text message Monday, when he was en route to the club's spring training complex in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Adam Woodard / Lansing State Journal:
Tampa Bay Rays' Tommy Pham stands by comments blasting fans, pleads for more support  —  Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Tommy Pham has doubled down on his criticism of his team's lack of fan support.  —  While addressing the Rays' poor attendance, Pham said in December that the organization has …
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Tommy Pham doesn't regret ripping lack of Rays fans, would like to see more of them
Discussion: Sporting News
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Free agents abound as spring camps open this week  —  Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel won't be around when the bat and ball bags are opened at spring training throughout Florida and Arizona this week.  —  They are among the dozens …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs prospect Adbert Alzolay ‘going to be a big piece this year’  —  Chicago Tribune  —  It's axiomatic that every spring training camp includes at least one much-hyped prospect on the verge of earning a spot on the major-league roster.  —  The stuff possessed by young relievers James Norwood …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
9 spring training questions for the Cubs, including Kris Bryant's health and Joe Maddon's new approach  —  Photos of Kris Bryant, the 2016 National League MVP and the Cubs' second overall pick in the 2013 draft.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After missing the National League Championship Series …
Rob Goldberg / Bleacher Report:
MLB Trade Rumors: Indians' Corey Kluber Has ‘Almost No Chance’ of Being Moved  —  After some speculation the Cleveland Indians could trade Corey Kluber this offseason, it now appears any talks are now dead.  —  “Multiple sources said that there is almost no chance Kluber will be dealt …
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
One thing to watch at spring training for all 30 teams  —  Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned.  As pitchers and catchers begin reporting this week to Arizona and Florida, that remains the big story across the majors, an ugly blot on what otherwise is a cheerful time of the year: The return of baseball.
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
5 things to watch in the Cactus League, including an early start and a free-agency deep freeze  —  Tribune reporter Mark Gonzales takes viewers on a tour of Sloan Park, the spring training home of the Cubs.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:   2019 Cincinnati Reds questions: How good is the National League Central?
 
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 More News: 
Mike Vaccaro / New York Post:
Time to see if Michael Conforto is fully back after that fateful day
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves preview: Georgian catching duo's impact will exceed numbers
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
9 spring training questions for the White Sox, including Manny Machado's whereabouts and Yoan Moncada's strikeouts
Kyle Newman / Denver Post:
Rockies Insider: What are the chances Carlos Gonzalez re-signs with Colorado?
Discussion: Purple Row
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As Oquendo returns to minor-league role, he's still much in demand with Cardinals
 Earlier Picks: 
Will Lester / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:
Photos: Rain postpones eliminations to Monday at 59th NHRA Winternationals
Discussion: Daily Breeze
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Confident and healthy Yu Darvish eager ‘to do something for Chicago and the Cubs’
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
Melky Cabrera agrees to minor league deal with Pirates
Discussion: Chicago Sun-Times
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carlson, Knizner headline handful of non-roster players at Cardinals' camp
 

 
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Miranda Siwak / Us Weekly:
50 Cent Is ‘Going for Sole Custody’ of His Son With Daphne Joy After She Was Named in Diddy Lawsuit (Exclusive)

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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