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11:10 AM ET, March 27, 2017

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wong would rather be traded than platoon at second base  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Second baseman Kolten Wong expressed confusion and frustration Sunday about the news that the Cardinals are considering a platoon approach at Wong's position to start the regular season.
RELATED:
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Updated: Wong clarifies comments on potential platoon at second base  —  UPDATE: Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong asked the Post-Dispatch to clarify comments he made earlier Sunday about the team considering a platoon approach to second base to start the season.  His words, in full, appear below:
Discussion: FanRag Sports
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Kolten Wong  —  3:22pm: Wong asked the Post-Dispatch to clarify his earlier comments and emphasized that he'd like to remain a Cardinal.  Wong's full statement is available at this link.  Here's an excerpt: … 1:35pm: With Jhonny Peralta set to open the season as the Cardinals' third baseman …
Discussion: Al's Ramblings
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.
Arizona Republic:
New route to success  —  Since 2012, the year rule changes went into effect limiting spending on amateur players, clubs have found the most efficient route to rebuilding is via total teardown.  Teams such as the Cubs and Astros have traded away the majority of their veteran players for prospects …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Andrew Knapp homers, makes case to stick with Phillies  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Andrew Knapp reported to spring training with a job pretty much secured.  The Phillies all but named him the team's backup catcher before camp opened.  No pressure.  —  Knapp, who has yet to reach the majors …
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.
Discussion: NBCSports.com and Halos Heaven
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Matt Harvey delivers best outing of spring, tops out at 97 mph  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Matt Harvey squashed any lingering doubts about his readiness to begin the season.  —  The Mets righthander delivered his best outing of spring training in an 8-2 win over the Braves on Sunday …
Shelby Hyde / Kansas City Star:
Royals vying for spot on Opening Day roster stay positive  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  One player stands focused on the mound.  He prepares to throw a pitch he's perfected all spring training: the slider.  —  He is left-hander Matt Strahm, who remains in the Royals spring-training camp vying for a spot on the team's Opening Day roster.
Discussion: Royals Review
Ryan Pollack / The Hardball Times:
The Astros' Rotation Stunk in April 2016.  Were Their Starters too Similar?  —  Last May, after the Astros had completed a miserable 7-17 April, Ken Rosenthal noted the sorry state of the team's starting rotation and proposed a reason the team was in this spot.  He also hypothesized a cause.
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Nate Scott / Fox Sports:
Indians GM's 6-year-old son gives away contract scoop during adorable on-air interview  —  Indians general manager Mike Chernoff has put together a fun, young roster over the last several seasons, and it's understandable that he would want to lock up a lot of that young talent for the future.
Discussion: Yahoo Sports
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers prospect Matuella returns to game action  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Michael Matuella admitted to some nerves before making his spring debut on the back fields Sunday afternoon.  It's not hard to blame him after not pitching in a game since June 17 and before that April of 2015.  —  The results?
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
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.
RELATED:
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Close To Extension With Rougned Odor
Discussion: Bleacher Nation and Sportsnet.ca
 
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 More News: 
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SportsDayDFW com / Dallas Morning News:
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Discussion: FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
ESPN:
Gimme some glove! Forecasting MLB's best, worst fielders
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Place Mark Lowe On Release Waivers
Discussion: Bless You Boys
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo give Mets incredible pitching depth
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
 Earlier Picks: 
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies could pursue a trade to ease roster crunch
Tampa Bay Times:
10 things we think we know about Rays as season approaches
Discussion: DRaysBay and MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Trading Matt Szczur could give Cubs more flexibility on opening day roster
Discussion: Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation
ESPN:
Giants' Will Smith to have Tommy John surgery, to miss season
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' Darvish trending toward Opening Day start
 

 
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