Ballbug: Franco needs to become next Phillies superstar (Bob Brookover/Philly.com)

Yordano Ventura Dies In Car Crash — Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Sunday morning. This was a separate crash from the one that took the life of fellow Dominican Andy Marte. Ventura was 25 years old.

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ESPN:

Andy Marte dies at 33 in car crash — Former major league infielder Andy Marte was killed in a car crash in the Dominican Republic, the agency that represented him announced Sunday. — EDITOR'S PICKS — Yordano Ventura, the hard-throwing Royals pitcher who helped bring Kansas City …

Discussion: USA Today, Royals Review and WCMH-TV

Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:

Andy Marte Dies In Car Crash — Former major league corner infielder Andy Marte died Sunday morning in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic, according to various reports. He was 33 years old. … A great person on and off the field," Marte's agency, J.M.G. baseball, stated (via Twitter).

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Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:

Baseball world mourns Ventura, Marte — The baseball world mourned the unexpected deaths of Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura and third baseman Andy Marte on Sunday. — Ventura, 25, died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Marte, 33, also died in a separate car crash Sunday in the Dominican Republic.

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Quinn Roberts / MLB.com:

Key member of KC's rotation, World Series triumph in 2015 was 25 years old — Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Sunday. The tragic news was confirmed by his agency, ISE Baseball, and the Royals. Ventura was 25 years old.

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Bob Brookover / Philly.com:

Franco needs to become next Phillies superstar — A single superstar can be the foundation. Get one and the building can begin in earnest. — “Over the last couple of years it has been, as I call it, an experiment,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said last week in describing the team's 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Discussion: Phillies Nation

Andrew Baggarly / Mercury News:

Former Giants ace Tim Lincecum not ready to call it quits — Tim Lincecum couldn't reestablish himself as a productive major league pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels last season, but the two-time Cy Young Award winner and Giants legend hasn't given up on recapturing his previous form.

Discussion: NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors

John Harper / New York Daily News:

How to handle Jay Bruce now: As market for Mets slugger doesn't emerge, ex-GMs weigh in — At this point it doesn't really matter whether the Mets mis-read the market for sluggers or they were simply caught in a perfect storm of circumstances. What matters is they can't find a trade for Jay Bruce that they consider acceptable.

Chris Bahr / Fox Sports:

Watch Dee Gordon speed around the Marlins Park infield - in a racecar — Dee Gordon is used to racing around Marlins Park - he led the majors with 58 stolen bases in 2015 and swiped 30 more last season. — But the Marlins second baseman took it to an entirely new level on Saturday …

Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:

Yankees need Aaron Judge to adjust his swing, cut down on his strikeouts — The potential is there. The power is, too. — Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge showed as much when he got called up to the big leagues last season, homering in his first at-bat.

Discussion: Pinstripe Alley

Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

Rangers fans get up close to players, manager at Fest — ARLINGTON — Once their careers are over, Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus could work as a comedy team. The good-natured, playful banter and genuine love between the pair was on display Saturday morning during the annual Rangers Fan Fest at Globe Life Park.

Discussion: Dallas Morning News

Chris Cotillo / MLB Daily Dish:

Braves sign Kurt Suzuki to 1-year deal — Suzuki joins Tyler Flowers and Anthony Recker as catchers on the Braves' roster. — The Braves have agreed to terms with free-agent catcher Kurt Suzuki, a major-league source tells SB Nation. Suzuki will receive a one-year …

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors

Roch Kubatko / School of Roch:

The Trumbo agreement, the ripple effect and what's next — The Orioles' mock lineup for 2017 contains fewer holes as the days tick down before spring training. — Seth Smith can be penciled into right field, at least in a platoon role, and Mark Trumbo can be tabbed as the primary designated hitter …

Discussion: Baltimore Sun, MLB Trade Rumors, BaltimoreBaseball.com and baseballmusings.com

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