W.B.C. Championship Will Be a Study in Contrasts  —  LOS ANGELES — This World Baseball Classic has taken the languid pastime of springtime baseball and turned it into something else, as if the game were being viewed through a fun house mirror.  —  It has had outrageous defense …

Theo Epstein  —  President, Baseball Operations, Chicago Cubs Theo Epstein walks across Wrigley Field after a news conference.  —  In the fall of 2016, as partisan distrust and division reached abysmal depths, fascination with the Chicago Cubs became that all-too-rare phenomenon that united America.

Mariners Option Dan Vogelbach To Triple-A  —  In a somewhat surprising move, the Mariners announced that first baseman Dan Vogelbach has been optioned to Triple-A. GM Jerry Dipoto told reporters (including Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times) that veteran Danny Valencia will be the Mariners' everyday …

Chris Archer to start Rays' opener as rotation set  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Chris Archer laid out his schedule for the rest of spring training Thursday morning.  It included a three-inning outing Tuesday, and then?  —  “I'm not sure yet.  I haven't done the math,” he said.  —  He was joking.

Longtime GM and Manager Dallas Green Dies  —  Dallas Green, the first Phillies manager to win a World Series and later the general manager who brought Ryne Sandberg to the Cubs, died Wednesday.  He was 82.  —  A cause of death was not announced, but Green had been receiving dialysis treatment …

Rays journal: Jake Bauers leaves with a bang as he heads to minor-league camp  —  INF/OF Jake Bauers left his calling card with a two-run double Thursday against the Yankees just hours after being told he was reassigned to minor-league camp.  • Bauers, one of eight players reassigned …

Mets manager Terry Collins raves about Robert Gsellman after fourth start of spring  —  WEST PALM BEACH — It's a nice problem for Terry Collins to have, but it's still a problem.  —  With six days left in the Grapefruit League, the Mets have three pitchers to fill the final spot in their rotation.

Clayton Kershaw strikes out 11 Rangers as Dodgers roll  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Left-hander Clayton Kershaw struck out 11 batters in six scoreless innings to lead the Dodgers over the Rangers 10-2 Thursday evening at Surprise Stadium.  —  How Rangers pitchers fared: Dillon Gee was charged with seven runs …

Stu Sternberg: Top choices for Rays new stadium are unavailable  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg revealed some complications in his team's search for a new stadium on Thursday, yet said he's still confident they will find a new home in the Tampa Bay area.

Joe Girardi may wait before naming Yankees fifth starter  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Joe Girardi said the Yankees may hold off on naming a fifth starter because of an off-day heavy schedule in April.  —  “It's possible,” the manager said.  —  The Yankees have five off-days in the first month …

Giants Release Gordon Beckham  —  5:05pm: The Giants have officially released Beckham, the club told reporters (including Andrew Baggarly of the Bay Area News Group).  —  4:10pm: The Giants will release Gordon Beckham from his minor league contract with the club as per Beckham's request, MLBTR has learned.