Saturday Rockpile Links: March 1

Rockies Links:

Patrick Saunders has a solid trio of articles from Scottsdale today. The first is a recap of yesterday's Spring Training opener, an 11-0 drubbing of Arizona. Saunders focuses on Franklin Morales's bid to make the rotation and the offensive barrage.

Next, Saunders has a take on outfielder Drew Stubbs, who missed yesterday's game because of a flare up of an esophagus condition.

Finally, Saunders talks about how the expectations, or lack thereof, for the Rockies season have put a chip on the team's collective shoulders.

Around MLB:

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has a feature today on the Diamondbacks' Mark Trumbo and his transition to the National League and left field.

Two NL West third baseman feature in this booms and busts column from Sports Illustrated's Jay Jaffe. Neither of them is Nolan Arenado.

Also from SI, Tom Verducci discusses the trend, started in part by the Rockies with Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, of teams locking their young stars into big extensions early in their careers, and the impact it has had on free agency.