Top News:
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Sources: Rougned Odor expected to sign multi-year extension with Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. - It has become a big week for Rangers who were teammates on the Venezuelan team in the World Baseball Classic. — Albeit, it's about to be much bigger for Rougned Odor than Robinson Chirinos.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, FanRag Sports, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Close To Extension With Rougned Odor
Rangers Close To Extension With Rougned Odor
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Sportsnet.ca
ESPN:
Gimme some glove! Forecasting MLB's best, worst fielders — Defense has been making news even earlier than usual this spring thanks to the World Baseball Classic. Most notably, Adam Jones' incredible home run robbery of Orioles teammate Manny Machado helped Team USA defeat the Dominican Republic and advance to the WBC semifinals.
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Tampa Bay Times:
10 things we think we know about Rays as season approaches — PORT CHARLOTTE — With the season opener — finally — just a week from today, there are things we know for sure about the Rays. — Chris Archer is pumped to make his third straight opening day start.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Roger Mooney / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Jake Bauers leaves with a bang as he heads to minor-league camp
Rays journal: Jake Bauers leaves with a bang as he heads to minor-league camp
Discussion:
DRaysBay
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo give Mets incredible pitching depth — PORT ST. LUCIE — Spring training has confirmed what the decision-makers believed their eyes told them last September: Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo are the real thing, and combined with a return to health of the more touted starters …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets manager Terry Collins raves about Robert Gsellman after fourth start of spring
Mets manager Terry Collins raves about Robert Gsellman after fourth start of spring
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
ESPN:
Mike Trout proposes umpire change — Mike Trout is widely regarded as baseball's best player, and you'd also be hard-pressed to find a player who is more universally liked than Trout. He seems to have a running banter with almost everyone when he plays, from opposing catchers to infielders, to umpires.
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Drew Stubbs Opts Out Of Twins Deal — Outfielder Drew Stubbs has opted out of his minor league contract with the Twins, according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press (Twitter link). The Twins informed Stubbs on Sunday that he wasn't going to make their big league roster.
Discussion:
Twin Cities and Twinkie Town
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Trading Matt Szczur could give Cubs more flexibility on opening day roster — Photos of Joe Maddon, the 2015 NL Manager of the Year. — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon stresses emphatically that Cubs backup outfielder Matt Szczur is a bona fide major-league player.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Cubs Insider
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' Darvish trending toward Opening Day start — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Yu Darvish allowed only one earned run on four hits in six innings Friday afternoon in a Triple A game and appears to be headed to his first Opening Day assignment with the Texas Rangers.
Discussion:
WFAA-TV, Lone Star Ball and MLB Daily Dish
SportsDayDFW com / Dallas Morning News:
Michael Irvin: Ezekiel Elliott needs to understand ‘the enormity of everything surrounding him’ — Cowboys Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin joined KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan recently. Here are some highlights. — What the heck is going on with Romo? — Michael Irvin: If I'm a Houston fan …
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Place Mark Lowe On Release Waivers — The Tigers have placed reliever Mark Lowe on unconditional release waivers, reports Jason Beck of MLB.com (Twitter link). The right-hander is due a $5.5MM salary this year, so he'll likely clear waivers and become a free agent.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies could pursue a trade to ease roster crunch — FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Phillies slogged here Saturday on a 300-mile, round-trip bus ride for yet another nine-inning audition to see who might fill the fringes of the roster. They have evaluated those in camp for six weeks now …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
Sources: Indians finalizing four-year extension with Jose Ramirez — Versatile infielder Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Indians are finalizing a four-year contract extension that will guarantee him upward of $30 million, sources familiar with the deal told Yahoo Sports.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, MLB Trade Rumors, Let's Go Tribe, NBCSports.com, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Daily Dish and FanRag Sports