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12:30 PM ET, March 23, 2019

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 Top News: 
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
As deadline day approaches why can't Mets lock in Jacob deGrom?  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — As Mets fans consider buying new jerseys for the 2019 season and beyond, can they purchase a No. 48 jersey with full confidence that player will be a part of the team's future?
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
David Wright relishing Mets' role as go-between for players, front office  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — To understand where the Mets are heading as a franchise, listen to the words of David Wright.  —  The now-retired captain has that new role with the club as special adviser.  Friday was a good day to watch him at work.
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
Sources: Sale, Red Sox agree to 5-year extension  —  Left-hander Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a contract extension, pending a physical next week, league sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan.  —  The five-year deal is worth $145 million, league sources told Passan …
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Risk, legacy and the future of the Red Sox: Five questions about Chris Sale's extension  —  The free-agent season might have been sluggish once again, but the extension season is smoking hot.  With ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting that the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a five-year extension …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Goldschmidt takes his show on the road  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  •_ Paul Goldschmidt officially agreed to the largest contract in Cardinals history Saturday but that didn't prevent him from being one of only two regulars to make the trip here for the exhibition game with Washington.
RELATED:
Toronto Sun:
AP source: Cardinals, Goldschmidt completing US$130M, 5-year deal  —  The St. Louis Cardinals knew that Paul Goldschmidt had one year left on his contract when they acquired the slugging first baseman in an off-season trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  —  They also made no secret of their desire to sign him to a long-term deal.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Arizona Sports:
D-backs option Caleb Joseph to Triple-A, down to 3 catchers
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Before he gets the gold, ‘Goldy’ hits long home run
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards let Shreve go, keep Wieters  —  • Lefthanded reliever Chasen Shreve was apt to surrender home runs last year, both with the New York Yankees and the Cardinals, who acquired him in the Luke Voit deal.  In 52 2/3 innings, Shreve offered up 11 homers, including three in 14 2/3 innings with the Cardinals.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball first — Shildt dedicated his life to the game he loves  —  “I love that term,” he said.  “The people that I always wanted to be one day were the baseball lifers.  The term ‘baseball lifer’ has always been really cool.  And as you get older and get more mature in this game and you hear that said about you, it brings a smile.
Associated Press:   Wieters makes Cards roster as Molina backup
Associated Press:
Eloy Jimenez, White Sox finalize $43M, 6-year contract  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Highly regarded outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez and the Chicago White Sox have finalized a $43 million, six-year contract, a deal nearly double the amount …
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Will Larkin / Chicago Tribune:   Details of Eloy Jimenez's record contract with the White Sox include a $5 million bonus and a potential value of $75M
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:   White Sox receive more than 500 fan entries in first 2 hours of tattoo sweepstakes
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
What a GM sees when he watches a baseball game  —  MESA, Ariz. — How does a front-office executive watch a spring training game as compared to the average fan?  How is it different than watching a regular-season contest or even a postseason one?  On Thursday, Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer gave us …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks' April 4 return ‘a little ambitious’ says Aaron Boone  —  TAMPA — Aaron Hicks' goal of being ready on April 4, the first day he would be eligible to come off the disabled list, is “a little ambitious,” his manager said Friday night.  The Yankee center fielder has missed nearly three weeks with “chronic,” back pain.
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:   Aaron Hicks further delayed, Clint Frazier optioned as Yankees run through outfield decisions
New York Post:
Clint Frazier's rough Yankees camp ends with disappointment
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets still have three relievers fighting for final bullpen spot  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Following another early morning roster slash on Friday, the Mets have just 36 players with lockers in big-league camp.  —  The team will begin assembling it's Opening Day roster with just three Grapefruit League games remaining.
RELATED:
Tim Healey / Newsday:   Mets consider batting Pete Alonso second in order to break up lefties
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Derek Jeter again tries to make the case for why his plan for the Marlins is working  —  JUPITER, Fla. - On one of the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium, the owner of the Miami Marlins was observing his stable of young pitchers going through the drudgery of spring training PFP drills when he was asked: “So how goes the plan?”
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants release outfielder Cameron Maybin, still seek a backup who can play center  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If Giants front-office folks drank some of that of famous truth serum, they would have to admit it's not ideal for their outfield search to be such a fire drill less than a week before Opening Day.
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:   Giants Release Cameron Maybin
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's how Joey Gallo will determine the composition of the Rangers' Opening Day roster  —  The player who will determine the final shape of the Texas Rangers' Opening Day roster played Friday afternoon for the first time in more than a week, and his postgame report pointed to one thing:
RELATED:
ESPN:
Cabrera, Liriano earn roster spots for Pirates  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday that outfielder Melky Cabrera and left-hander Francisco Liriano will both make the Opening Day roster.  —  Both veterans had signed minor league contracts to join the team this offseason.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs focusing on getting production throughout lineup, not finding a leadoff man: ‘We have plenty of good hitters’  —  Cubs pitcher Jose Quintana discusses his outing against the Rangers on Friday, March 22, 2019.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune
Associated Press:
Bregman: Slow market didn't impact Astros deal  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Alex Bregman's decision to sign a long-term contract with the Houston Astros was not impacted by the second slow free-agent market.  —  “I wanted to play here,” the third baseman said Friday after the team announced a $100 million …
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The Astros want to extend Verlander and Cole; Harper on choosing Philly; more notes  —  The Astros are discussing extensions with right-handers Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander, according to major-league sources.  Of course they are.  Seemingly every team is discussing an extension …
 
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 More News: 
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians beat Cubs 8-3 as Hanley Ramirez homers twice, Corey Kluber fans seven
Toronto Sun:
Reds' Scooter Gennett injures leg, sent for MRI
ESPN:
Yanks instructor Mazzilli released from hospital
Associated Press:
Lindor, Kipnis both ruled out for Indians' opener
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
CHEAPSEATS: Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman wants butterflies in his stomach, fans in the stands
TheStarPress.com:
Voucher school condemned after students in blankets huddled around heater during class
Discussion: FOX59
 Earlier Picks: 
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Matt Olson Undergoes Hand Surgery
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
With his blister healing, Yu Darvish vows to be ready for the Cubs' opening series: 'Even now I'm ready to throw'
ESPN:
Mariners prospect Filia suspended 100 games
Phil Miller / Star Tribune:
Twins option Fernando Romero to Class AAA Rochester
Discussion: Twinkie Town
Orange County Register:
Photos: UC Irvine vs. Kansas State in NCAA Tournament
Discussion: Associated Press and SGV Tribune
Associated Press:
National League West capsules
 

 
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Ryan Gajewski / The Hollywood Reporter:
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