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4:40 PM ET, February 18, 2019

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 Top News: 
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Why didn't Cubs throw money at big free agents?  'We don't have any more'  —  MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs' apology tour continued Monday when chairman Tom Ricketts talked to the team about the embarrassment brought on by his father's racist emails being publicly exposed, vowing that the team will become lovable once again.
RELATED:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Tom Ricketts: Cubs didn't spend money in offseason because, 'we don't have any more'  —  MESA, Ariz. — While claiming he's confident there is no collusion occurring in baseball, Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts explained why his team didn't spend money — and still won't — on free agents this offseason.
Tom Ricketts / Associated Press:
Cubs patriarch's very offensive emails lead to son's team apology
Discussion: Deadspin
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Cubs' rash of off-field controversies could give team the motivation it needs
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Cubs' week ahead includes Tom Ricketts' annual speech, labor talk and the Cactus League opener
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:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cubs' Kris Bryant says ‘St. Louis is so boring’ comment was ‘taken totally out of context’  —  Kris Bryant said he was “caught off-guard” by the backlash regarding his comments about St. Louis “being so boring,” but added his comments in January were taken out of context.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Kris Bryant says his ‘St. Louis is so boring’ comment was taken out of context
Daily Record:
Mickey Callaway and Brodie Van Wagenen address team at Mets camp  —  Todd Frazier describes the message in the team's speeches Monday  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — During his initial spring training speech Monday morning, Mets manager Mickey Callaway asked those with playoff experience to stand up.
RELATED:
ESPN:   Adeiny Hechavarria agrees to minor league deal with Mets, per reports
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Mets add shortstop option in glove-first veteran Adeiny Hechavarria
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Giancarlo Stanton talks about growing comfort in AL, playing games that matter  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Now that he's playing in the Bronx, the stretch between May and October has a much different significance to Giancarlo Stanton.  It's one he's incredibly thankful for, too.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Pivotal Yankees questions linger as Aaron Judge and Co. report to camp
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:   ‘One of those days you look forward to,’ Aaron Boone says as Yankees players report
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Padres make big offer to free agent Manny Machado  —  MESA, Ariz. — Manny Machado, one of the biggest prizes on the free agent market, has finally received a contract proposal that may suit his demands.  —  The San Diego Padres submitted an eight-year offer to Machado worth between $240 million …
RELATED:
Chicago Tribune:
Padres offer Manny Machado an 8-year deal worth at least $240 million: reports
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
How David Robertson negotiated his own contract with Phillies during a never-ending free-agent winter
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Monday in Cards camp: Cecil has trouble throwing strikes, but he was sick  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Lefthander Brett Cecil was the first Cardinals' pitcher to face hitters Monday.  He didn't throw many strikes, perhaps two out of 15 or so pitches in his stint, but he became ill while he was warming …
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Focus on Goldschmidt and Field 2 for the Cardinals' first day of full-scale drills
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   J. Martinez, Gyorko would be hard to leave off Cardinals
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
'There's no more excuses.' Four core Rangers players are ready to grow up in 2019  —  These are perilous times for the Texas Rangers, who are trying to produce young talent that can lift the franchise back to where it was the last time it went through a rebuilding phase.
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Ben Revere in Rangers camp with Triple-A deal
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   The Rangers are now Elvis' team. He is one of five position players to watch this spring
Randy Miller / New Jersey Online:
Yankees' Luis Severino miffed over Jacob deGrom's innings-limit threat: 'He's making $17 million!'  —  TAMPA — Yankees right-hander Luis Severino drove from Tampa to St. Petersburg on Friday morning for a scheduled salary-arbitration hearing that was supposed to determine whether his 2019 salary would be $5.25 million or $4.4 million.
Discussion: SNY, Fox News and The Sports Daily
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Noah Syndergaard ready to listen if NY Mets want to make a deal  —  Brodie Van Wagenen on the Mets' depth  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — If the New York Mets want to talk, Noah Syndergaard will listen.  —  Syndergaard, 26, is one of the sport's top young pitchers and under contract through 2021.
Associated Press:
Jorge Posada: Joining Derek Jeter with Marlins is ‘Perfect timing’  —  JUPITER, Fla. — A black cap with the Miami Marlins' new neon logo sat atop Jorge Posada's graying hair Monday, a jarring sight for fans who recall he spent his entire playing career with the New York Yankees.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune:
5 takeaways from Cubs and White Sox spring training  —  The Cubs and White Sox are back are spring training in Arizona.  Here's our takeaways from each day of camp.  —  As the Cubs and White Sox kick off spring training in Arizona, photographers get a chance to see the players in the most casual environment we see all season.
RELATED:
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:   White Sox spring training updates: The whole family is back together
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
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.
Associated Press:
Reds' Joey Votto tries to rebound from subpar season  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Joey Votto has spent the offseason trying to make sure he doesn't have another subpar season.  —  The Cincinnati Reds star led the National League in on-base percentage last year but hit just 12 homers …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Rookie Davis, former Reds pitcher, reaches minor-league deal with Pittsburgh Pirates  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Monday that they've signed former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rookie Davis to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league Spring Training.
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner says Boston, Chris Sale have discussed contract extension  —  Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner says Boston,  —  Chris Sale have discussed contract extension originally appeared on  —  Chris Sale's 2018 season was everything the Red Sox hoped for, and more.
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 …
 
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 More News: 
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Bruce Bochy To Retire After 2019 Season
Mike Florio / ProFootballTalk:
Patriots' interest in OBJ made Giants think twice about trading him
Discussion: CBS Boston and NESN.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds, Derek Dietrich Agree To Minor League Deal
Discussion: Bleacher Nation and Red Reporter
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies' Ian Desmond facing big challenge playing center field at Coors Field
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
No Manny Machado, no problem: Dellin Betances trusts the Yankees plan
 Earlier Picks: 
John Romano / Tampa Bay Times:
Why there are still reasons to applaud Delmon Young in Tampa Bay
Discussion: Tampa Bay Times
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros to move Yuli Gurriel around during spring training
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gloves, balls and drills: 2019 Cardinals spring training gets rolling
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Buster Posey's comments on winning help Giants recruit new outfielder
 

 
From WeSmirch:

US Food and Drug Administration:
Grimmway Farms Recalls Organic Whole and Select Organic Baby Carrots That May Be in Consumers' Homes Due to Potential E. coli Contamination

People:
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Shares Details from Her Baby Shower — Including Daughter's Name: ‘I Felt Supported’ (Exclusive)

Jess Cohen / E! Online:
Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors Are Engaged: See Her Ring

 
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