MLB

About a year-and-a-half has passed since the Boston Red Sox gave Rusney Castillo a seven-year, $72.5 million contract, and he's still a riddle with mystery and enigma coverings.

But maybe not for much longer. Castillo has star potential in him somewhere, and he's finally in a position to let it out in 2016.

You get what you pay for. It's a truism in life, but not necessarily in baseball.

Every season features at least a few low-budget Davids who rack up victories despite puny payrolls. And, likewise, there are invariably some deep-pocketed Goliaths who sink in the standings.

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock turned in a career season in 2015, and the team rewarded him financially as a result.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine, the Diamondbacks and Pollock avoided arbitration Monday with a two-year, $10.25 million deal.

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson is coming off the best season of his career, and the team's front office has decided to reward the 30-year-old with a new contract. 

The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms on a new two-year, $18.5 million deal with All-Star outfielder J.D. Martinez on Monday to avoid arbitration, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

In the aftermath of severe leg injuries to New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada and Pittsburgh Pirates standout Jung Ho Kang last season, Major League Baseball and the players union are reportedly close to changing the rules on sliding into second base.

For the third time in just over one year, Tyler Clippard is on the move after agreeing to a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

Veteran MLB outfielder Delmon Young was arrested Sunday night in Miami and charged with one count of battery after allegedly choking and threatening to kill a valet employee at the Viceroy hotel.

Peter Burke of Local10.com reported the news Monday, noting Young also allegedly used derogatory slurs in addition to physical violence.

Regardless of whether a team is a perennial World Series contender, a fringe playoff team or a cellar-dweller, there is always at least some reason for excitement looking ahead to the future.

Whether it is a single player destined to be a superstar or a deep minor league system overflowing with talent, the "next big thing" is always waiting just around the corner to change the outlook of a franchise.

Hype and actual on-field production are two very different things, and not every next big thing pans out, but it gives fans a reason for optimism nonetheless.

Tim Lincecum has spent the duration of his big league career in an orange and black uniform. So there would be a certain poetry if he ditched the San Francisco Giants and flew to the Baltimore Orioles as he attempts to come back from an extended decline and recent surgery.