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....