Lookout Linkage, 3/27/14

Just two games left that don't count! Here are your links in the interim:

• Erasmo Ramirez was named the Mariners' No. 2 starting pitcher for the beginning of the 2014 season and will open in game two against the Angels. In other related news, the Mariners are also still searching for starting pitching.
• Scott Baker, after being released by the Mariners per his request, has signed with the Texas Rangers who are even worse off with pitcher injuries than the M's are. Baker will likely report to Triple-A Round Rock.
• ICYMI, Nick Franklin played a little right field in a recent Spring Training game against the Royals. Afterwards, Franklin discussed the experience with Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.
• Bob Dutton posted a projected payroll for the Mariners this year given the likely roster, which should be around $92 million.
• Bob Dutton also has another interesting post up, in which he states that the Mariners are worth $710 million this year.
• Missed this last time, but U.S.S. Mariner had a great piece on James Paxton and gave some hypotheses as to how Paxton became more successful with generating ground balls once he reached the big leagues.
• ESPN has a really cool presentation up called "anatomy of a pitch," which goes over various different pitch types and deliveries in great detail. I highly recommend checking it out.
• Trying to figure out which starting pitchers the M's could potentially sign still? MLB Trade Rumors has a frequently-updated list of current free agents.
• Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and some of the members of the team played a hilarious prank on starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Starling Marte have agreed to a six-year, $31MM extention, which includes two team options.
• The Texas Rangers optioned Neftali Feliz to Triple-A, making Joakim Soria the likely closer.
• The Tampa Bay Rays have released former Mariners reliever and Mark Lowe per his request, and he is now a free agent.
• Beyond the Box Score expands on the three main types of hitters who commonly draw walks.
• How much should a player be paid given their expected WAR outputs? This is a topic that was analyzed in-depth by Matt Swartz of The Hardball Times.
• The DH may be dying out, opines Cee Angi.
• The Marlins are attempting to shorten up games, according to team president David Samson.
• Does fielding players from the same country really help team chemistry? Grant Brisbee doesn't appear to think so.
• A new deal may soon be in place that will slap a 100-game suspension upon a player's first offense for PED violation.