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9:20 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:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Yankees sign Luis Severino to multiyear extension  —  Starter Luis Severino has signed a four-year extension with the New York Yankees through the 2022 season that includes a fifth-year club option that would cover one season of free agency, it was announced Friday.
James Wagner / New York Times:   Luis Severino Agrees to 4-Year Deal as Yankees Try to Lock Up Young Core
Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Arbitration off: Yankees, Severino reach deal
Discussion: NBCSports.com and MLB Daily Dish
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Chris Carpenter is a very special assistant for the Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals' Mike Maddux is among the most respected pitching coaches in major league baseball, and former Cardinal Chris Carpenter was one of its most respected pitchers until he retired some six years ago.
Discussion: Viva El Birdos
RELATED:
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 …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   No regrets: Jose Martinez bids farewell to first baseman's glove
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: Red Reporter and Redleg Nation
Wallace Matthews / The Charlotte Observer:
The ghost of Matt Harvey looms over Jacob deGrom contract talks  —  The bond between Jacob deGrom and Brodie Van Wagenen was expected to be the glue that held the Mets pitching staff together.  —  But that bond is changing rapidly, and may end up being the wedge that drives them apart.
RELATED:
Mike Puma / New York Post:   Yoenis Cespedes walking without pain, wants to return to Mets this season
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:   Why the Mets hung onto Devin Mesoraco, Jacob deGrom's personal catcher
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.
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Potential free agent-to-be Brock Holt: I want to be in Boston forever
Discussion: NESN.com
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
The Bryce, Manny stalemate and the latest on MLB free agency
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Meet Zac Houston: The ‘funky’ throwing Detroit Tigers pitcher vying for a bullpen spot  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Zac Houston can't really describe his pitching mechanics.  —  When he tries, he just keeps coming back to “weird” and “funky” and “it's just a lot.”
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.
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 …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: If Manny Machado signs with the White Sox, he'll have to abide by the Renteria Rule  —  Photos of the White Sox at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune … Rest assured the Sox won't be sending a message like that to Machado …
RELATED:
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Ex-Dodgers teammates laud Manny Machado's ‘awesome’ skill and offer varying takes on ‘Johnny Hustle’ comment
Discussion: Forbes
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.
Bill James Online:
On Collusion  —  One thing that baseball fans under the age of 40 almost universally do not understand, and many fans over the age of 40 do not understand, is that the Owner's Collusion in the winter of 1986-1987 was not done in secret.  It was done entirely in the open.
Discussion: Beyond the Box Score
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
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 …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs players of all ages are embracing advanced technology and analytics: 'They're willing to dig in'  —  Cubs pitchers Mike Montgomery and Brad Brach discuss their roles this season at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Updates from Cubs spring training: Newcomer Brad Brach shares ‘stressful’ free-agent experience, life with Manny Machado
 
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 More News: 
Jack Etkin / Forbes:
A Comeback With The Rockies Would Be “Almost Storybook” For Michael Saunders
Discussion: Purple Row and Rox Pile
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Catchers: Eager Yasmani Grandal went right to work after surprising deal with the Brewers
Discussion: Press Gazette Media
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
What has Miller feeling like ‘normal baseball player’ again early in Rangers camp?
Associated Press:
Scott Servais: ‘Overzealous’ offseason behind Mallex Smith's sore shoulder
Associated Press:
Roberto Osuna to close for Houston Astros this season
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
'We didn't sign you to be Adrian Beltre.' Here's why Rangers did sign Asdrubal Cabrera
Associated Press:
Tigers beat Michael Fulmer in final arbitration case; players win 6-4
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Terry Francona: 'I'm betting on the under' for Francisco Lindor's return to Indians
 Earlier Picks: 
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
First-day impressions from Braves spring training
Discussion: Talking Chop
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
William Weinbaum / ESPN:
Danny Farquhar wears protective cap after brain surgery
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and Uni Watch
ESPN:
Jose Urena named Marlins' Opening Day starter again
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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