Cardinals face tricky negotiation with Yadier Molina  —  The normal process for clubs trying to extend a player entering his free-agent year is to ask, “What would he be worth on the open market?”  —  With the Cardinals' Yadier Molina, it's not quite that simple.

Rangers expect Hamilton to have procedure on knee  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Josh Hamilton is headed back to Houston to see his orthopedist, and the Texas Rangers expect that the former league MVP will have arthroscopic surgery Monday on his left knee.  —  Assistant general manager Mike Daly …

Levine: Jose Quintana Still In High Demand  —  By Bruce Levine-  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — It may not be headline news given that no trade has taken place yet, but the demand for White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana appears to be as robust as ever a couple weeks into spring training.

Reds' Anthony DeSclafani scratched from spring debut with elbow soreness  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani has been scratched from his first Cactus League start of the year with a tenderness in his right elbow.  —  Reds manager Bryan Price said DeSclafani felt …

Yankees' Gleyber Torres begins exhibition season with pair of doubles  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The hype machine that has been whirring around Gleyber Torres since he was 16 isn't likely to stop anytime soon.  —  The 20-year-old shortstop, the crown jewel of the prospect haul brought …

Travis d'Arnaud must prove he's the man for Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — There's no other way to say it: Travis d'Arnaud is on the clock.  —  The Mets are gambling that he'll bounce back after a disastrous 2016 season, but they won't wait all year.  There is too much riding on this win …

With Each Hit, Rockies' D.J. LeMahieu Shows Cubs' Epstein What He Gave Up On  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As he watched the World Series last fall, D. J. LeMahieu did not feel much of anything.  Before he won a Gold Glove, started an All-Star Game and captured a batting title as the second baseman …

Rays journal: New catcher Jesus Sucre's defense impresses Chris Archer  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Jose Molina made a big impression during his three years with the Rays, often for his hefty weight and light batting average.  —  But Molina was known for his mastery of receiving and framing pitches …

Rob Gronkowski hopes Martellus Bennett ‘breaks the bank’  —  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is attending Sunday's Daytona 500 since he's sponsored by Monster Energy, and he had a notable thought on the possibility of teammate Martellus Bennett potentially signing …

Subtracting Sheldon Richardson would be addition for Jets' D-line  —  With free agency approaching (March 9), we're analyzing the biggest needs on the New York Jets' roster, examining possible upgrades:  —  Position: Defensive line  —  2017 cap hits of top returnees:  —  Pending free agents: Mike Pennel (restricted).

Phillies' Mackanin likes what he sees of two young sluggers  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - The real test awaits this summer, when the triple-A schedule is most grueling, and the so-called Bash Brothers are faced with some sort of adversity.  A few at-bats in meaningless Grapefruit League games?  Those are for dreams.

Royals know the deal: Win now, or say goodbye  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Kansas City Royals talk about it, but only when asked.  —  They think about it, but only when it's brought to their attention.  —  They grasp the significance of it, but refuse to let it distract them.

2017 World Baseball Classic Notebook  —  Ahead of the Curve  —  When it comes to being in midseason form, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Cuba have a little-noticed advantage for the World Baseball Classic.  They prepare differently.  —  In the United States, the training schedule is set …

Jose Adolis Garcia was MVP of Cuba's Serie Nacional  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals, who hoped to enhance their outfield depth before the start of the season, have found another candidate to compete for a job as one of the team's backup outfielders.  —  Cuban outfielder Jose Adolis Garcia …