Odds & Ends: Kikuchi, Bengie Molina, Marlon Byrd

Links for Wednesday…

• NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says reports suggest the Rangers may be the top suitor for high school lefty Yusei Kikuchi.  Newman adds a new team to the mix for Kikuchi based on comments from GM Ed Wade: the Astros.
• More from Newman, on what he calls "an interesting counter-point to the Kikuchi situation."  Well-regarded Dominican righty Rafael DePaula, who has been suspended by MLB for misrepresenting his age, might head to Japan to begin his professional career.
• Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News talked to Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, who hopes the team re-signs catcher Bengie Molina.  John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle thinks Molina might be the best catcher in San Francisco Giants history.  Molina has a .278/.302/.440 line in his three seasons with the team.  He projects as a Type A free agent.
• Michael Young says the Rangers have to re-sign outfielder Marlon Byrd, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.  Byrd, 32, has a .280/.325/.479 line in 590 plate appearances and projects as a Type B free agent.
• Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star adds Zack Greinke's recent New York-related quote to a list of Greinke gems.