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1:20 AM ET, February 16, 2019

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 Top News: 
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Severino gets big deal with Yankees  —  Righthander Luis Severino avoided an arbitration hearing with the New York Yankees, agreeing Friday to a $40 million, four-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
RELATED:
James Wagner / New York Times:   Luis Severino Agrees to 4-Year Deal as Yankees Try to Lock Up Young Core
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Yankees sign Luis Severino to multiyear extension
Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Arbitration off: Yankees, Severino reach deal
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers SS Corey Seager looking to leave difficult season in the past  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Confined to crutches and unable to contribute, Corey Seager found himself in an awkward middle space while his Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to a second consecutive World Series last fall.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Phillies still sizing up Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, other free agents  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — With spring training underway, Philadelphia Phillies president Andy MacPhail is certain his team is built to win right now.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  As for adding someone like outfielder Bryce Harper …
Discussion: ESPN
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:   How Dodgers' clubhouse embodies baseball's free agency concerns
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Drew Storen joins Kansas City Royals on minor-league contract  —  Billy Hamilton, Homer Bailey and now Drew Storen.  —  The relief pitcher who last pitched in Major League Baseball in 2017 for the Cincinnati Reds - before undergoing Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of last season …
Discussion: Royals Review
RELATED:
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Homer Bailey: 'When you put up a 6 (ERA) ... you're not going to be wearing pinstripes'  —  Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey says the Kansas City Royals weren't the only team that expressed interest in him.  But he understands why the New York Yankees, for instance, didn't.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds went with quantity when looking for pitchers to create a quality rotation
Discussion: Redleg Nation and Red Reporter
John Tomase / WEEI:
Bogaerts on signing extension rather than risking free agency: ‘You obviously have to think about that’  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — We've been discussing a contract extension for Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts since about 2013, which makes it strange that his impending free agency seems to be catching so many of us by surprise.
Discussion: NESN.com
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Potential free agent-to-be Brock Holt: I want to be in Boston forever
Discussion: NESN.com
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With everything ‘simplified,’ Fowler reports to spring on an upswing  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • One way the weight of last season has been lifted from Dexter Fowler is the word he used Friday afternoon to describe his swing, though it could just as easily apply to his position, his spot in the lineup …
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
No regrets: Jose Martinez bids farewell to first baseman's glove  —  Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com  —  Cardinals outfielder Jose Martinez takes batting practice during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Addison Russell and the Cubs are under the microscope for all the wrong reasons  —  Photos of Cubs shortstop Addison Russell.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs kicked off apology week Friday at Sloan Park, where Addison Russell appeared before the media for the first time and accepted responsibility …
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Cubs players of all ages are embracing advanced technology and analytics: 'They're willing to dig in'
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Updates from Cubs spring training: Newcomer Brad Brach shares ‘stressful’ free-agent experience, life with Manny Machado
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Ex-Dodgers teammates laud Manny Machado's ‘awesome’ skill and offer varying takes on ‘Johnny Hustle’ comment  —  Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Dodgers and White Sox share a stadium at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix's west suburbs.
Discussion: Forbes
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: If Manny Machado signs with the White Sox, he'll have to abide by the Renteria Rule
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:   5 takeaways from White Sox spring training, including Tim Anderson's leadership and Yolmer Sanchez's dancing
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Steven Souza says he's finally healthy after injury-wrecked season  —  Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. pointed to one of the few positives to come from the pectoral injury that wrecked his debut season with the Diamondbacks.  —  “I can take my shirt off and show you a cool party trick,” Souza said.
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Why the Mets hung onto Devin Mesoraco, Jacob deGrom's personal catcher  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - After the Mets signed catcher Wilson Ramos in December, former All-Star Devin Mesoraco looked like a spare part.  —  Mesoraco was granted free agency at the end of October last year.
RELATED:
Brodie Van Wagenen / Daily Record:
Jacob deGrom still waiting on contract extension as Brodie Van Wagenen, Mets evaluate deal
Discussion: NorthJersey.com
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
First-day impressions from Braves spring training  —  Much of the Braves' spring intrigue is centered on pitching, where a competition for the remaining rotation spot and a spot in the bullpen takes center stage.  —  That competition formally began Friday, when pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Central Florida.
Discussion: Talking Chop
RELATED:
Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Coming off division title, Atlanta Braves arrive for final spring training at Disney
Discussion: Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Roberto Osuna to close for Houston Astros this season  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Roberto Osuna will close for the Houston Astros.  —  “I can pretend and create some false competition, and that doesn't gain any credibility,” manager A.J. Hinch said.  “Transparency goes a long way, and maybe the closer question can be put to rest.”
Associated Press:
Tigers beat Michael Fulmer in final arbitration case; players win 6-4  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers beat pitcher Michael Fulmer on Friday in the final salary arbitration case this year, leaving players with a 6-4 final record in decisions.  —  Fulmer was awarded a raise …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
What has Miller feeling like ‘normal baseball player’ again early in Rangers camp?  —  Every healthy pitcher at Texas Rangers spring training has thrown a bullpen session with the exception of reliever Shawn Kelley, who hasn't been anywhere near the Surprise Recreation Campus as he deals with an illness.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Sign Jay Jackson  —  The Brewers have inked a minors deal with righty Jay Jackson, per a club announcement.  It would pay him $1MM if he can crack the major-league roster, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports (Twitter link)..  —  When last we saw him on this side of the Pacific back in 2015 …
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
 
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 More News: 
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Catchers: Eager Yasmani Grandal went right to work after surprising deal with the Brewers
Discussion: Press Gazette Media
Associated Press:
Scott Servais: ‘Overzealous’ offseason behind Mallex Smith's sore shoulder
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
'We didn't sign you to be Adrian Beltre.' Here's why Rangers did sign Asdrubal Cabrera
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Terry Francona: 'I'm betting on the under' for Francisco Lindor's return to Indians
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Joining the Royals a bit of a homecoming for pitcher Jake Diekman
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone is ready to deploy his fully loaded bullpen
 Earlier Picks: 
Jeff Gordon / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tipsheet: Scherzer says fans should demand more from baseball owners
Discussion: Federal Baseball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ian Clarkin reunites with his former unofficial draft adviser: Kris Bryant
William Weinbaum / ESPN:
Danny Farquhar wears protective cap after brain surgery
Discussion: Uni Watch
ESPN:
Jose Urena named Marlins' Opening Day starter again
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers go high-tech to get better on the field. Here's how:
Associated Press:
Tommy ‘T-bone’ Giordano, longtime MLB scout and executive, dies at 93
 

 
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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