Lookout Linkage, 3/13/14

Links!

• Marc W. discusses the resurgence of the splitter around the league in great detail over at USSM. A must read.
• Rick has a profile on James Paxton's spring over at his Scout.com site. Paxton mentions how he gained inspiration for his improved delivery from watching video of Clayton Kershaw on his iPad.
  
• Mariner Brainstorm advocates making a middle infield trade and not sitting on the loser of the Nick Franklin/Brad Miller "battle."
• Roy Howell has been promoted from Jackson, where he was the hitting coach, to be the manager of the Tacoma Rainiers. A hole was created when Rich Donnelly was promoted to the Mariners.
• Alex Skillin examines C.C. Sabathia's sinking velocity over at SBNation.com. Pinstripe Alley wonders when it's time to start worrying.
  
• The Good Phight tries to figure out just what the hell is going on with Ryne Sandberg and Jimmy Rollins this spring training.
• The first screenshots of the new R.B.I. Baseball have been released, and they're a little underwhelming. The game promises to keep the same simple, fast-paced gameplay, but there's no 8-bit sprites. Grant Brisbee examines, and Polygon gives their take.
  
• Jeff Sullivan discusses Ervin Santana signing with the Braves for essentially the same offer the Royals made with their qualifying offer.
• Jeff also examines players who aren't particularly fast, but are highly effective baserunners, focusing on the Mets' Daniel Murphy.
  
• Ex-Mariners employee Tony Blengino continues to contribute at Fangraphs, and begins his ranking of MLB farm systems by impact, starting with #16-30 (no Mariners).
• Jon Bois continues his annual GIF tournament.
• Royals Review takes a look at Jason Vargas' spring and deems him ready to go.
• Brandon Warne wonders if the Twins might not suck this year.
• Daniel Russell at D-Rays Bay investigates the battle for the #5 spot in the rotation, focusing on Nate Karns and Jake Oddorizzi, and not Erik Bedard.
• The Lansing Lugnuts, the Blue Jays single-A affiliate, are considering building apartments in their ballpark.
• Talking Chop has all the audio of Kris Medlen emotionally discussing his pending Tommy John surgery, his second.
• Wrigley Field will continue to sell Old Style beer despite an exclusive agreement with Budweiser.
• Matt Kemp is finally back.
• The Astros released Brett Wallace, who Dave Cameron points out really hasn't been that different from Justin Smoak in his career.
• Beyond the Box Score has a fascinating look at the "times through the order penalty," giving batters and advantage the third time through, and examines whether it depends on a pitcher's tendency to give up ground balls or fly balls.