MLB

If there’s a pitfall to success, it’s that sustaining it bears a financial burden. In baseball, almost universally, the teams that are most successful boast underpaid players that exceed the expectations of their contracts.

It's risky these days to call any prospect untouchable, as we've seen too many blockbuster deals in recent years to truly believe anyone is 100 percent safe from being moved in the right deal.

That said, a handful of prospects around the league come awfully close to being untouchable, as their future upside and expected long-term role with their teams make trading them highly unlikely.

Just this week, baseball's public relations folks sent out a handy list of spring training reporting dates. Yes, it's getting to be that time of year.

So why doesn't Justin Upton have a job yet?

Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion of the Toronto Blue Jays are not only two of the most dangerous hitters in the American League, but they are also two of the headliners of the 2017 MLB free-agent class.

"Joey Bats" is the top right fielder and Encarnacion is the scariest designated hitter, but who are the prime-time guys at all the other spots?

The New York Yankees acquired Tyler Olson and Ronald Torreyes from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rob Segedin, per Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they have traded Joe Wieland to the Seattle Mariners for minor league infielder Erick Mejia.

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan initially reported the news.

Monte Irvin, a Hall of Fame outfielder who helped break down baseball's racial barrier, died of natural causes Monday night in Houston. He was 96.  

Jeff Idelson, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, released a statement to Richard Justice and Chris Haft of MLB.com:  

Say what you want about the Miami Marlins—and we're about to say a lot of unkind things—but they have made a fine art out of not having a plan.

Bolstering their manpower behind the scenes, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have hired Alex Anthopoulos as vice president of baseball operations. 

Anthopoulos spent the previous six seasons as general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, leading the franchise to its first playoff appearance in 22 years last season.

Gerardo Parra is headed to Colorado. The free-agent outfielder and the Rockies agreed to a three-year deal Tuesday that will pay at least $27.5 million.  

Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post and Spanish reporter Wilmer Reina provided the news. The deal will have a fourth-year option at $12 million.