Major League Baseball and Cuba are reportedly nearing an agreement to allow players to sign with major league clubs via a posting system, not much unlike the current posting system with Japan.

This is welcomed news for Florida’s neighboring country to the south, and will hopefully help dramatically decrease or eliminate illegal trafficking from the island nation.

Rays News:

• The Astros are back in the hunt for J.T. Realmuto (did they ever leave?), adding Rays competition after the Mets dropped out

• Tampa Bay Times columnist John Romano will return to the sports beat after the departure of Tom Jones
• ICYMI, The Rays have officially terminated their 3-year negotiating window for a stadium search
• Marc Topkin says Disney stands in the way of baseball in Orlando
• On the Hall candidacy of one Fred McGriff, from an enemy fanbase perspective
• Baseball America checks in on Kyle Farnsworth
• The Rays were not listed among the attendees at Troy Tulowitzki’s work out
• With the Rays not having a clear road to Tampa, the money available for a stadium may start going elsewhere:

Other Links:

• The FanGraphs search bar is getting an upgrade, officially ending Jorge Posada’s reign of terror
• The White Sox and Cubs are building their own Regional Sports Networks, with the Sout Siders partnering with the Bulls and Blackhawks via NBC Sports. Meanwhile, the Cubs pursue an independent RSN via Sinclair under the name “Marquee,” a reference to the stadium’s marquee signage above the main entrance.
• The Twins will retire Joe Mauer’s number
• The Ringer calls ‘A League of Their Own’ an All-Time Great Sports Film following the passing of director Penny Marshall.
• Craig Edwards projects What Alex Rodriguez’s Contract Would Look Like Today
• Baseball Prospectus asks “Why Did Terrance Gore Get A Major League Contract?” ($)
• Grandy doesn’t believe in the moon landing!?

• And finally, for the laughs, here’s how the non-tenders of this off-season would compare to a major league roster