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Quick Hits: Kinsler, Marcum, K-Rod, Rays

For the first time since baseball expanded the playoff field to eight teams, all four divisional series have gone to a deciding fifth game.  The Nationals and Orioles forced Game Fives that will take place tomorrow, so we've got one more wild day of first-round baseball in store before the LCS round.  Here are some news items from around the league...

• How the Rangers decide to use Ian Kinsler next season will impact the rest of their offseason moves, writes Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas.  Durrett suggests that Kinsler should be dropped from the leadoff spot in the batting order and moved to the outfield to make room for Jurickson Profar at second base.
• Shaun Marcum doesn't expect to pitch for the Brewers next season, the pending free agent told Todd Rosiak and Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week.  Marcum said the Brewers "haven't said anything" to him about a contract extension.  "I think that ship sailed a long time ago," Marcum said.  "It's just one of those things. It's baseball, it's a business and we all understand that. You play to get to free agency, so we'll see what happens."
• Also from Rosiak and Haudricourt, Francisco Rodriguez said he would "love to come back" to Milwaukee.  Rodriguez surprisingly accepted arbitration from the Brewers last season, earning himself $8MM in 2012.  The club obviously won't repeat the move again this year but Rodriguez could still return on a smaller deal if he can't find a closer's job elsewhere.
• The Rays have asked the city of St. Petersburg for permission to explore potential stadium sites outside of the St. Pete area, reports Stephen Nohlgren of the Tampa Bay Times.  The Rays' lease at Tropicana Field runs through the 2027 season and St. Petersburg mayor Bill Foster "has been adamant" about keeping the team in his city for the duration of the lease, albeit possibly in a new ballpark.

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