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1:10 PM ET, February 18, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Associated Press:
Rob Manfred says pitching clock will be introduced in spring training and brushes off players' free agency gripes  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Major League Baseball is unilaterally starting the use of pitch clocks for spring training games, while brushing off complaints from players about the slow free agent market.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Pitch clock is coming to Grapefruit games, says Manfred; ‘negativity’ an issue
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rob Manfred Says Baseball Doesn't Have a Free Agency Crisis
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland, after being unsigned last offseason, has new take on free agency
Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Rob Manfred blames Bryce Harper for going unsigned
Discussion: Over the Monster
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' rash of off-field controversies could give team the motivation it needs  —  Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Any day now, the conversation about the Cubs will return to baseball.  —  Right?  Please?
RELATED:
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune:   5 takeaways from Cubs and White Sox spring training
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Cubs' week ahead includes Tom Ricketts' annual speech, labor talk and the Cactus League opener
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Back-to-basics approach for Joe Maddon and the Cubs starts Monday
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Source says Moustakas, Brewers nearing a deal  —  Source: Moustakas, Brewers nearing a deal  —  Mike Moustakas and the Brewers are nearing a deal that would keep the third baseman in Milwaukee for a guarantee of $10 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
RELATED:
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Second base: Return of Mike Moustakas once again means changes at two infield positions
Discussion: ESPN and Press Gazette Media
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Kris Bryant happy to clear the air with Yadier Molina over comments about St. Louis  —  MESA, Ari.  — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said he's more than happy to clear the air with Yadier Molina after offseason comments made by Bryant about the city of St. Louis raised the ire of the Cardinals' All-Star catcher.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant says his ‘St. Louis is so boring’ comment was taken out of context  —  Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant discusses his comments about playing in St. Louis and says they were taken out of context on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Pivotal Yankees questions linger as Aaron Judge and Co. report to camp  —  TAMPA — Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Didi Gregorius and the rest of the Yankees position players are required to report to camp for physicals Monday.  Most will make a simple two, city-block move from the minor league complex …
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:   ‘One of those days you look forward to,’ Aaron Boone says as Yankees players report
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
The Yankees really need 24-year-old Jonathan Loaisiga to plug the rotation
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Focus on Goldschmidt and Field 2 for the Cardinals' first day of full-scale drills  —  Cardinals infielder Paul Goldschmidt takes batting practice during Cardinals spring training on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
J. Martinez, Gyorko would be hard to leave off Cardinals  —  Cardinals infielder Jedd Gyorko fields a ball while running drills during spring training on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets add shortstop option in glove-first veteran Adeiny Hechavarria  —  Brodie Van Wagenen on the Mets' depth  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Lacking a proven backup shortstop, the Mets have agreed to terms on a minors deal with veteran Adeiny Hechavarria, a source confirmed.
RELATED:
ESPN:   Adeiny Hechavarria agrees to minor league deal with Mets, per reports
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:   Peter Alonso faces down Jacob deGrom in Mets' first live batting practice
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
How David Robertson negotiated his own contract with Phillies during a never-ending free-agent winter  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — If, as the adage goes, a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client, then what do you call a baseball player who acts as his own agent?  —  Try curious.
Discussion: Bleacher Report
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
New position, no problem for Cincinnati Reds catcher, Rule 5 pick Connor Joe
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue and Purple Row
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:   Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto says he's ‘proud’ of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado for standing ground with contracts
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer: No hard feelings after arbitration loss  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — It's been a whirlwind of a week for Michael Fulmer.  —  Last Wednesday, he attended his salary arbitration hearing against the Detroit Tigers in St. Petersburg.  On Friday, he traveled back to Oklahoma …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Tigers spring training letters: Dreaming of a visit with J.D. Martinez
Chicago Tribune:
Padres offer Manny Machado an 8-year deal worth at least $240 million: reports  —  Look out, White Sox.  It appears the Padres are serious about signing free-agent infielder Manny Machado.  —  The Padres have offered Machado an eight-year contract worth at least $240 million, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
No Manny Machado, no problem: Dellin Betances trusts the Yankees plan  —  TAMPA — The hard feelings are gone.  —  Dellin Betances arrived at camp — for what could be his final season with the Yankees — focused on the future.  The reliever, who arrived late following the birth of his son Dellin J., is in his walk year.
John Romano / Tampa Bay Times:
Why there are still reasons to applaud Delmon Young in Tampa Bay  —  He was a bust as a No. 1 pick in 2003, but the Rays have turned Young into a lasting influence through a series of trades.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — He was finished as a Major Leaguer by the time he was 29.
Discussion: Tampa Bay Times
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers' Kenley Jansen hoping higher spin rate will help him sizzle  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kenley Jansen wore a wide smile in the moments following this past Friday's workout.  The Rapsodo tracking devices and high-speed cameras set up throughout the bullpens of the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring …
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox spring training updates: The whole family is back together  —  Photos of the White Sox at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  An unoccupied locker will remain between Jon Jay on Yonder Alonso (are you reading this …
RELATED:
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:   5 takeaways from White Sox camp, including top prospects Zack Collins and Luis Robert there to be seen — and heard
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros to move Yuli Gurriel around during spring training  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Though the Astros acquired Aledmys Diaz with hopes he can fill a utilityman role on their bench, they will still experiment with another Cuban at other positions.  —  As he was toward the end of last season …
 
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 More News: 
Randy Miller / New Jersey Online:
Yankees' Luis Severino miffed over Jacob deGrom's innings-limit threat: 'He's making $17 million!'
Discussion: Fox News and SNY
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
The Rangers are now Elvis' team. He is one of five position players to watch this spring
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gloves, balls and drills: 2019 Cardinals spring training gets rolling
Mark Dunphy / Boston Globe:
Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree doesn't regret saying ‘I f*** with Trump’ after the World Series
Discussion: Fox News
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Buster Posey's comments on winning help Giants recruit new outfielder
 Earlier Picks: 
Associated Press:
Yasmani Grandal takes proactive approach to learning Brewers' staff
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks could break in Jon Duplantier, other rotation prospects as relievers
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Madison Bumgarner says he was joking over opener refusal
 

 
From WeSmirch:

CNN:
Exclusive: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN

Katherine Schaffstall / In Touch Weekly:
Ben and J. Lo Pictured Together for the 1st Time in 47 Days, Reuniting for Their Kids

Mike Barnes / The Hollywood Reporter:
Dabney Coleman, ‘9 to 5’ Star Who Made a Career Out of Playing Jerks, Dies at 92

 
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