Lookout Linkage, 1/22/15

Happy Thursday everyone! Here's what's going on around baseball:

• Alex Skillin discusses the tug-of-war between the Blue Jays and Orioles over O's General Manager Dan Duquette.
• Some unsuccessful baseball players are attempting to make a name for themselves in professional cricket.
• Pinstripe Alley wonders if Max Scherzer's deferred contract will become the new norm in baseball.
• Major League Baseball is considering additional avenues to shorten baseball games, such as tightening breaks between innings.
• Dave Cameron of Fangraphs wonders how the Rangers can make the most out of their acquisition of Yovani Gallardo.
• Colby Rasmus has agreed to a one-year pact with the Astros.
• The Rangers have acquired the recently-DFA'd Carlos Corporan from the Astros.
• Jose Fernandez is expected to be healthy for the Marlins after June.
• Johan Santana's attempt at a comeback has been shut down.
• The Rays have two former M's farmhands who play middle infield and DRaysBay wonders what roles each of them should fill for the team in 2015.
• Grant Brisbee provides a brief guide on how to get away with lazy bullpen-building.
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs takes a shot at finding a landing spot for James Shields.
• MLB is planning to shift the First-Year Player Draft from June to July.