3/24 Morning Marquee: Cubs make two roster cuts, MLB contract talks

Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Junior Lake and Luis Valbuena hit back-to-back home runs on two separate at-bats as Lake went hit three long balls in the Chicago Cubs 10-6 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

The Cubs optioned reliever Neil Ramirez to Triple-A Iowa and granted left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada to trim the roster to 35.

Around the league, Max Scherzer turned down a $144 million six-year offer from the Detroit Tigers while 2013 World Series MVP David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year, $16 million extension.

Chicago Tribune: Cubs’ backups battle in final week

ESPN Chicago: Cubs notes: Castro, Fujikawa progressing

CSN Chicago: Carlos Villanueva ready for whatever Cubs throw at him

Cubs.com: Cubs option reliever Ramirez, release Wada

Fox Sports: Scherzer turns down $144 million, six-year offer from Tigers

CBS Sports: Red Sox, David Ortiz agree to one-year, $16 million extension

NBC Sports: Report: Ian Desmond turned down contract extension worth about $90 million over the winter

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