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3:40 PM ET, February 25, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
ESPN:
Dodgers re-enter Bryce Harper sweepstakes, interested in short-term deal  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-entered the Bryce Harper sweepstakes and are interested in a short-term deal with the free-agent slugger, according to ESPN and multiple reports.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
MLB 2019: Potential busts and players on the decline this season  —  In addition to all the excitement the upcoming 2019 MLB season will generate, there will inevitably be some disappointment.  —  It's important to temper expectations with players who overachieved last season.
Patrick Rishe / Forbes:
The Economic And Marketing Logic Of Manny Machado To The San Diego Padres
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dodgers enter mix for Bryce Harper, who expects to make decision by the end of the week
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Cubs slugger Kris Bryant answers doubts about his shoulder — with one swing of the bat
Toronto Sun:
Outfielder Aaron Hicks, Yankees agree to huge seven-year deal  —  NEW YORK — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that outfielder Aaron Hicks and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $70 million, seven-year contract that adds $64 million in guaranteed money over six seasons.
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
A look ahead at New York Yankees spring training this week
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Extend Aaron Hicks
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:   Aaron Hicks, Yankees agree to $70 million, 7-year deal
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Luke Voit is out to prove his Yankees' success wasn't a fluke
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Michael Conforto ‘open to anything’ if NY Mets want to talk contract extension  —  Pete Alonso on his two-run homer against Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Early Monday morning, the Yankees put the finishing touches on a contract extension with center fielder Aaron Hicks.
RELATED:
SNY:
Mets at Astros, Monday at 1:05 p.m.
Daily Record:
NY Mets rotation in full force this week, along with top relievers
Discussion: NorthJersey.com
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:   Jacob deGrom enjoyed a historic season in 2018, but matching it could be tougher
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Mets plot out eye-opening World Series goal for rotation
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
Patrick Reusse / Kansas City Star:
Under Alex Cora, modern Red Sox clubhouse a far cry from those of yesteryear  —  The home clubhouse at Fenway Park was never known as a welcoming place for working members of the visiting press.  Plus, I don't think the Red Sox often had a reputation as being sweethearts toward New England's wordsmiths.
Discussion: Over the Monster
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Dombrowski: Red Sox won't be signing any more relievers  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — For those holding out hope Craig Kimbrel might still be an option for the Red Sox, Dave Dombrowski pretty much put an end to that line of thinking Monday morning.  —  Talking at LECOM Park prior …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and CBS Boston
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Hanley Ramirez to join Indians  —  Free-agent first baseman Hanley Ramirez agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians.  —  Ramirez, a former National League rookie of the year, will sign with the three-time defending AL Central champions and join them in camp once he passes a physical examination.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Walks don't shake Shildt  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Bases on balls turn into runs in spring training precisely as they do in the regular season, which the Cardinals had reaffirmed to them, starkly, on Sunday.  —  St. Louis pitchers issued 11 walks, and five …
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Molina set to catch by mid-March; Ozuna won't play in left field until later
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Fast-rising Cards righthander Woodford will oppose Tigers
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Carpenter, Fowler, Goldschmidt get to work at top of the Cardinals' order
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' David Bote to see doctor after beaning; Jon Lester makes spring debut  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon gives updates on David Bote's status, Tyler Chatwood and Ben Zobrist at spring training on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Giants' Madison Bumgarner uneven in spring debut but ‘felt really good’
Discussion: McCovey Chronicles
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs are pulling out all the stops — including some old hitting drills of Joe Maddon's — to resurrect their offense
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs' Addison Russell plays for first time since suspension
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
How Yasiel Puig has — and hasn't — moved on with Reds  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Yasiel Puig had already broken in a red glove by the time his new team conducted its first full workout here last week.  The cleats, the duffel bag, the batting gloves — all red, flowing in perfect harmony …
Discussion: Red Reporter
RELATED:
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds greenlit for steal attempts in spring training; in-season focus different  —  As spring training games are being played, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell is revealing more about himself as a new skipper.  —  “I think, this early in spring training, it's an opportunity …
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell betting big on himself and Tampa Bay Rays  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is one year removed from when he couldn't say much of anything, not after a 2017 season that included a jarring trip to the minor leagues.
Discussion: DRaysBay
Associated Press:
Versatile Gonzalez finalizes $21M, 2-year deal with Twins  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Don't call Marwin Gonzalez a utilityman.  —  At least not around the Minnesota Twins.  —  “That's something I've heard used before, all the time,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said on Monday …
RELATED:
Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:   Marwin Gonzalez finalizes 2-year, $21 million deal with the Twins
KHOU-TV:
Baseball is coming!  Celebrate Astros with Game of Thrones bobbleheads  —  FOCO is releasing Game of Thrones-themed bobbleheads for Major League Baseball.  —  HOUSTON — Forget winter.  Baseball is coming!  —  You can now celebrate your love for the Houston Astros and Game of Thrones together.
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and Let's Go Tribe
ESPN:
Yankees name Andy Pettitte special adviser to GM  —  The New York Yankees have named former star pitcher Andy Pettitte as a special adviser to the general manager.  —  The team made the announcement Monday, although it is unclear what Pettitte's role will be within the organization.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Manager Bud Black agrees to 3-year contract extension with Rockies  —  Black, 61, was a National League manager of the year finalist in 2017 and 2018 … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bud Black, the only manager in Rockies history to lead the club to back-back playoff appearances …
 
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 More News: 
Shannon Drayer / sports.MyNorthwest.com:
Notebook: Teammates talk Yusei Kikuchi as LHP prepares for Mariners debut
Discussion: U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
Evaristo Montoya / Kansas City Star:
Well-traveled Royals minor-league pitcher Jake Kalish hopes his next stop is KC
Associated Press:
Josh Harrison can earn up to $3M as part of Tigers deal
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Jake Bauers: Indians' culture ‘all about winning’
Carron J. Phillips / New York Daily News:
Seattle Mariners' discrimination case to be handled behind closed doors
 Earlier Picks: 
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training letters: Alan Trammell on back fields
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves start most regulars in first home spring game
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Danny Farquhar takes next step in comeback, throws simulated game
Discussion: Sporting News
Tim Bannon / Chicago Tribune:
The 20 best Cubs and White Sox game-day giveaways, including a Javier Baez sliding bank and a Spider-Man bobblehead
Discussion: South Side Sox
Mac Engel / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
The Rangers are considering a major price reduction for concession items at new park
Discussion: Lone Star Ball and Ballpark Digest
 

 
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Russian Ballet Dancer Vladimir Shklyarov Dead at 39 After Suffering Fifth-Floor Fall

 
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