Sources: Butler, Athletics agree to 7-year, $65.5M extension  —  Outfielder Lawrence Butler and the Athletics are in agreement on a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension that includes a club option, sources told ESPN on Thursday night, locking up a foundational talent who was one of the best players …

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says final offer under $600M in Blue Jays talks  —  Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has disclosed that the latest contract extension proposal his representatives presented to the team was significantly lower than Juan Soto's deal with the New York Mets, falling short of $600 million.

Dodgers nearing historic Dave Roberts extension shows managers still matter — even on superteams  —  GLENDALE, Az.  — Dave Roberts and the Dodgers have made strong progress toward an extension that is expected to top the managerial annual value record and be finalized before the team leaves Wednesday …

Ex-outfielder Naquin back with Guardians as pitcher  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Tyler Naquin is back in the Guardians organization, and he is going to try his hand (and arm) at a new position.  The 33-year-old has signed a Minor League deal with Cleveland, and he will report to Minor League camp as a pitcher.

Yankees-J.D. Martinez marriage unlikely as search for Giancarlo Stanton fill-in drags on  —  The Yankees did reach out on J.D. Martinez, but the sides don't seem close, as the Yankees don't want to spend any/much more.  —  There's no timetable yet on Giancarlo Stanton.

Garrett Crochet is open to a long-term deal with the Red Sox — but only if it's wrapped up by Opening Day  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Garrett Crochet is open to signing a long-term deal with the Red Sox this spring.  But if he and the team cannot match up on a contract during spring training …

Entering his 14th season, Bryce Harper says there is still so much left to accomplish  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper was four days shy of his 20th birthday when his Washington Nationals endured one of the most shocking postseason losses in recent memory.

What A's, Rays moving to minor league ballparks means for MLB  —  THE SLOW, PROTRACTED death of the Oakland A's played out over two decades, offering a fresh blueprint of how to torpedo a professional sports franchise.  The slow, protracted march of the Tampa Bay Rays toward a similar outcome is playing out in real time.

Crochet's dominant spring continues with electric outing  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — In his third start of Spring Training for his new team, Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet came out firing, as evidenced by multiple radar readings of 101 mph on the JetBlue Park scoreboard.

Mariners have unicorn pitching staff but it's ‘absurd’ Seattle won't spend on offense  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — It's like buying a shiny new Porsche with a rusted Honda Civic engine.  —  It's hiring Neil deGrasse Tyson as a professor and having him teach first-grade science.

Jaguars are releasing WR Christian Kirk after two injury-filled seasons, AP source says  —  The Jacksonville Jaguars are releasing receiver Christian Kirk after two injury-filled seasons.  The move is expected to happen as soon as Wednesday, according to a person familiar with negotiations.