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4:35 PM ET, March 23, 2019

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 Top News: 
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom uncertain and less optimistic about contract extension with Mets  —  ORLANDO - Each and every day the league's biggest superstars are signing contracts with teams, while the future of a reigning Cy Young award winner becomes progressively unclear.
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Here are the best expectations for the Yankees, Mets as they open their seasons  —  TAMPA, Fla. — They'll meet first in June, some 40 percent of the way into the 2019 schedule.  —  By then, we ought to know a good deal more about the Yankees' lofty aspirations and the Mets' look as contenders …
ESPN:
Source: Astros, Verlander reach $66M extension  —  The Houston Astros and ace Justin Verlander have agreed to a two-year, $66 million contract extension through the 2021 season, a league source with knowledge of the deal confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.  —  Astros owner Jim Crane on Friday …
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
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
As deadline day approaches why can't Mets lock in Jacob deGrom?
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
Bobby Nightengale / USA Today:
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett out for 2-3 months with a strained groin  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Six days before Opening Day, the Reds learned they will be without one of their top hitters for at least the first two months of the season.  —  All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett …
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett out for 2-3 months with a strained groin  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Reds will be without All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett for 8-12 weeks after Gennett suffered a right groin strain in a spring training game Friday.
Toronto Sun:   Reds' Scooter Gennett injures leg, sent for MRI
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Rajai Davis, Adeiny Hechavarria among 6 players cut from Mets big-league camp  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets cut six players from big-league camp early Saturday morning.  —  Rajai Davis, Adeiny Hechavarria, Carlos Gomez, Ryan O'Roarke and Hector Santiago have all been reassigned to minor league camp.
RELATED:
Tim Healey / Newsday:   Mets consider batting Pete Alonso second in order to break up lefties
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:   Mets still have three relievers fighting for final bullpen spot
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Bregman: Slow market didn't impact Astros deal
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:   Risk, legacy and the future of the Red Sox: Five questions about Chris Sale's extension
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
Teddy Greenstein / Sacramento Bee:
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season  —  The 2018 White Sox needed to avert a meltdown in September to avoid 100 losses.  They failed to do it, dropping 18 of their last 24 games.  But hope and optimism are abundant in the Sox's clubhouse this spring.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Eloy Jimenez, White Sox finalize $43M, 6-year contract
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
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
George A. King III / New York Post:
CC Sabathia may start serving five-game suspension on Opening Day  —  TAMPA — The Yankees have two options regarding CC Sabathia: They can start the season with the veteran lefty on the injured list or he can begin serving a five-game suspension on Opening Day.
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
ESPN:   Yanks instructor Mazzilli released from hospital
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Aaron Hicks' April 4 return ‘a little ambitious’ says Aaron Boone
Evan Grant / Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News:
Jason Hammel retires a day after making Rangers' roster  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers advised veteran reliever Jason Hammel on Friday that he had made the roster.  —  Plot twist: On Saturday, Hammel decided to retire.  —  Of course, there is a joke or three to be made about pitchers deciding …
Discussion: Bleacher Nation
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's how Joey Gallo will determine the composition of the Rangers' Opening Day roster
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Report: Devin Mesoraco may retire if New York Mets don't release him  —  Devin Mesoraco has asked the New York Mets to release him, and appears to be considering all options - including retirement - except for a trip to the minors, according to a report via Twitter from MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
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 …
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?”
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
Discussion: Cubs Insider and Los Angeles Times
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
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.
RELATED:
Arizona Sports:
D-backs option Caleb Joseph to Triple-A, down to 3 catchers
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
 
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 More News: 
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Former Cardinals outfielder Edmonds signs on as special assistant
ESPN:
Cabrera, Liriano earn roster spots for Pirates
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Goldschmidt takes his show on the road
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians beat Cubs 8-3 as Hanley Ramirez homers twice, Corey Kluber fans seven
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
 Earlier Picks: 
TheStarPress.com:
Voucher school condemned after students in blankets huddled around heater during class
Discussion: FOX59
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'
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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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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