Braves Notes: Pagan, Cabrera, Offseason, Albies, Prospects  —  The Braves are still interested in free agent outfielder Angel Pagan, reports Jim Bowedn of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, citing a club source (Twitter link).  Atlanta has been tied to Pagan at various points this offseason.

Rougned Odor gets 6 years and 2 horses in contract extension with Rangers  —  The Texas Rangers made their six-year, $49.5 million extension with second baseman Rougned Odor official Thursday.  And a previously unreported contract perk was revealed in the process: The Rangers sealed the deal by including a couple of horses.

AL East preview 2017: Boston Red Sox should have enough to win again  —  Let's get this straight.  The Red Sox spend $217 million for a No. 1 starter by signing David Price a year ago, then turn around and empty the farm system, Dave Dombrowski-style, for another No. 1, Chris Sale, over the winter.

Padres Claim Jake Esch, Designate Cesar Vargas  —  The Padres have claimed righty Jake Esch off waivers from the Marlins, per club announcements.  San Diego has designated fellow righty Cesar Vargas for assignment to accommodate the addition.  —  Esch, who just turned 27, reached the majors for the first time last year.

Joe Maddon hasn't gone ‘crazy’ about Hector Rondon  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon on relief pitcher Hector Rondon's struggles.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As pitching coach Chris Bosio was working on ways to fix Hector Rondon in the Minute Maid Park visitors' bullpen …

The Best Player in Baseball Doesn't Want to Be a Superstar  —  Mike Trout is every bit as good as modern sports icons like LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Tom Brady, so why isn't he as famous?  He just wants to be liked.  —  big league clubhouse during pregame media availability can be a lonely place.

Ichiro can't fathom retirement: 'I think I'll just die'  —  JUPITER  —  Ichiro Suzuki doesn't believe in vacations.  —  The last time he took one — 2004 or '05, he doesn't recall which — was a week-long trip to Milan, Italy.  He worked out pretty much the entire time and said the excursion threw …

McAdoo checking out Texas Tech QB Mahomes  —  The Giants are debating louder internally than they have in a while about finding a quarterback to eventually succeed Eli Manning.  —  Another sign of that strong consideration revealed itself Friday when Giants coach Ben McAdoo attended the Texas Tech Pro Day …

Could a new hitting coach, approach ignite Steven Souza Jr.?  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — When this season is over and Steven Souza Jr., is back home in Seattle with his wife, Mikaela, and his son, Micah, making up rap songs on the fly to make his boy laugh, he hopes to look back on 2017 and see this:

Mets GM Sandy Alderson has fulfilled plenty of promises, but still in search of title  —  Five years ago, before all the injuries interrupted a superb career, David Wright wanted answers from the new GM as the Mets captain pondered his future with the Mets at a time when the franchise was a mess.

Saving the day?  Rays go with catchers Derek Norris and Jesus Sucre  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays went into the offseason seeking to improve a catching corps that has seemed perpetually in need of an upgrade since — save for a brief flash from Dioner Navarro — the halcyon days of Toby Hall and John Flaherty.

Mets closer Jeurys Familia suspended 15 games for violating MLB domestic violence policy  —  Jeurys Familia has been suspended 15 games for violating baseball's policy on domestic violence, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday.  —  Familia, the Mets' All-Star closer …