It's still unlikely to come down to a bidding war. Refusing to negotiate during the season isn't by any stretch a unique tactic, and Pujols' camp continues to claim that the Cardinals will have first crack at him when the negotiating window re-opens.

<font color=goldenrod>I think the Cards can still be competetive this year, but they have basically no margin for error now.

This is also reason #1 why you don't draft until near the end of Spring Training. So many people draft their teams as soon as Yahoo Fantasy Baseball opens up. Bet those people who spent 2nd/3rd round picks on Wainwright are shedding a tear.</font>

Adam Wainwright is getting Tommy John surgery. No 2011 season for him.

Scratch him off my fantasy pre-draft rankings.

People are writing off the Cardinals for '11 after this injury, but I wouldn't be so quick to do so...

...they could sign Kevin Millwood or Jeremy Bonderman, have Pitching Coach Dave Duncan work with them, and they could have a decent year, which could keep the Cardinals in the running for the NL Central Division, which normally isn't that strong of a division, or perhaps the Wild Card.

Or they could always make a deal for someone...who knows? It's just I'm not buying the whole "OMG this is a DISASTER! Forget about 2011 for the Cardinals, they're DONE!"

I think the wild card might go to the NL West. I'm still wondering why the Yankees didn't pick up Bonderman. If I was the Cards I'd be worried about the Brewers. With their offseason it looks like the Brewers are on the path to win.

We run a keeper league and a buddy of mine kept him. Now we are discussing whether or not he should be able to keep a player that he had previously from last year or get a compensation pick. I originally said he should get nothing as it is risk versus reward

I can understand why he'd want a compensation pick, but at the same time he decided to keep Wainwright so I agree with you. Can't predict the future.

But the thing is that this year the NL Central is very strong. The Brewers have a great Big 3 starters, Prince, and Braun. The Reds are the reigning division champs; have Votto, Bruce should have a great full season, and Chapman for a whole year in the 'pen. The Cubs have a pretty solid rotation and have added more pop to their lineup compared to this time last year.

Joe Torre is your new MLB Vice President of Baseball Operations.

And at long last, spring training games get underway. Giants and D-Backs are playing the opener right now, 6 more games saturday.

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH

Wow, games already started?!

Looks like the Mets financial issues got a little more interesting with today's report of the MLB loaning the team $25 million to help cover some costs from last year.

With this report, it looks like Mets ownership will have to sell off a higher percentage of the team than the 20-25% they want. At the same time, they are under investigation as being somewhat involved in the Madoff scheme or reimbursement fraud. As well as lowered stock and team value to a "negative" value for potential investors.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/m...ory?id=6159722

<font color=goldenrod>First ST game today :love: in HD no less</font>

I think I'm going to get this MLBTV thing this year. I have the applicaiton on my bluray. $99/year for all the games sounds way worth it. anybody else have this?

As soon as I get an iPad I will.

I had it last year. Really awesome, especially if you live outside of your team's home market (ex: a Cubs fan in Phoenix or a Yankees fan in N. Carolina). Definitely worth the $120. I'll have to look and see which Blu-Ray players have the app for it.

And I'm getting it on my Droid this year too.

It's my first year too. But you gotta figure in the Black out restrictions. But, getting a lot of the games from different teams is awesome.

My PS3 got it, but It's games only. No anaylsis or other shows. They did a free weekend with it. Don't really need it since I got YES by default.

damn the new Rockies/ Diamondbacks facility is awesome

<font color=goldenrod>Ollie "Jekyll & Hyde" Perez strikes again. Looked good to start today, then at the flip of a switch he proceeded to walk the ballpark en route to giving up 3 runs.

Fuck yes. Just a couple more shitty outings and Sandy can send him packing for good.</font>

Duke Snider passed away. He was 84.

<font color=goldenrod>Seems like the Mets' CF situation has been worked out way sooner than anybody expected. Carlos Beltran is moving to right field with Angel Pagan in center. Didn't think this would happen until Beltran got into a game or two.

Good on Carlos. I think he realizes that even if he is running well, Pagan is more equipped to play the position at this point.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>Beltran might be one of the most underappreciated Mets ever. With the exception of 2005, he's consistently proven himself to be a great hitter when healthy. Dude hit fucking 41 jacks in '06, technically tying the team record but since everybody knows Hundley was on roids he was the only one to do it cleanly.

It's unfortunate that he's been hampered with injuries the last two years - but even then he showed flashes of brilliance pre-injury in '09 and in September last year. A lot of Mets fans have wanted to run him out of town for quite some time now and I just really don't get it.</font>

Beltran is on roids too.

Yeah, they have really helped him have monster seasons as of late.

I thought roids didn't help

They sure helped Joey Votto win the MVP.

I wish Chase Utley would take steriods.

Aww are you and Zambrano gonna cry now

Nah, I have a date with a baseball bat and a Gatorade machine.

They don't, but if you're going to accuse someone of using, accuse a guy who has a huge season out of nowhere...

...I don't know, like... JOSE BAUTISTA?

I hope Beckett is okay, he got hit in the head with a batted ball yesterday and had "Concussion like symptoms"

Markakis, Guerrero and Jones hit HRs in the 1st off Andy Sonnastine in todays game vs the Rays.

hmm...nice

I hope Beckett never plays again.

Chris Carpenter tweaked his hamstring in his spring training game today.

Ever since this bullshit with Pujols and his contract, it's been nothing but bad juju for the Cardinals.

Tex drops Boras as his agent.

Manny homered too! Yeah!

Smart man.

Mike Quade's gonna have the Cubs focused and playing winning team ball this year.

Oh hey did you guys hear about Carlos Silva and Aramis Ramirez getting in a fight because Silva was pissed that the Cubs were making errors in a SPRING TRAINING game

http://www.interpretationbydesign.co..._flowchart.jpg

<font color=goldenrod>lol wow - I actually got the Mets on my first try</font> :o

Yea I read that. Fucking ridiculous. I really don't think Lou Pinella nor Mike Quade have anything to do with the players.

Not to mention, if Ramirez doesn't like being called out for errors, he should'nt make them, and if he does, he should own up to it, spring training or not.

Spring Training is the time to correct those little things that may not seem important. Better for it to happen in Spring, than midseason.

So I think it's ok.

Pretty sure I saw Silva give up a BOMB before that so he has no right to talk.

Pretty sure I saw Silva eat a barrel of gravy before that so he has no right to talk.

<object width="464" height="295" id="1925215" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" alt="Fan Calls Jay Bruce's Walk-Off Home Run To Clinch Division For R Sports"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/MTkyNTIxNQ=="></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://embed.break.com/MTkyNTIxNQ==" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess=always width="464" height="295"></embed></object><br><font size=1><a href="http://sports.break.com/fan-calls-jay-bruces-walk-off-home-run-to-clinch-division-for-reds" target="_blank">Fan Calls Jay Bruce's Walk-Off Home Run To Clinch Division For R</a> - Watch more <a href="http://sports.break.com/" target="_blank">Sports</a></font>

Got a serious boner right now, fellas.

think I'll go to the park tomorrow and watch the Reds play the Mariners...

<font color=goldenrod>Jesus Montero's odds of making the Opening Day roster just went up. Cervelli's out for at least a month. Montero is now the favorite to be the backup catcher to start the year with Romine also in the mix.

Don't really see the point in starting either guy's arbitration clock if they're only gonna play 1-2 games a week for 2-3 weeks or so. Unless they rake in spring and supplant Martin as the starter, they should probably just stick some veteran catcher onto the roster for that. Or they can just have Martin play basically every game with Posada as the emergency.</font>

I didn't even realize how young Montero was. Honestly, I don't think Martin is going to be very much for them. He had a really good run from 06-08, but has declined the last two years, especially last year with the injurie(s).

If Montero is ready, and looking at his minor league numbers, he could be very close, I say run him out there and give him a shot. Arbritration doesn't mean to the Yankees what it does to other teams. If his bat gives them a better chance to win (which it should if Martin is his main competition), he deserves at least a 2 to 3 month test run.

Considering that this is the Yankees we're talking about here, and since Montero is clearly in their long-term future plans, they'd be wise to lock him up for 6 years on arrival in the bigs, like the Rays did with Longoria.

Sure, there's some level of risk, but that's limited in this case - again, this is the Yankees we're talking about - but look at how many tens of millions such a move will have saved Tampa when all is said and done.

I don't know why, but I think having both Cano and Montero in the lineup, along with Rodriguez and Teixeira, who will both be around a couple more years, is going to make for very exciting Yankee baseball.

While I agree on principle, I think Longoria was much more polished when he came up and the Rays really didn't have much other options at 3rd base.

Montero is two years younger than what Longoria was when he came up in 2008, so there shouldn't be a rush to get him up and sign him. Like I said, he probably gives them a better shot to win than Martin, so I'd like to see him get a chance.

But like you stated, this is the Yankees. They have deep pockets, and with all the payroll they have already, and Montero having yet to prove anything at this point, I don't see a need to rush and extend him, yet. Let him have one to three really good years, then lock him up when he's 24 or 25 years old for five to seven years. If they go that route, he'd be 32 by the time a seven year deal is done, and being a catcher who is scouted as to having questions about a long term future behind the plate, he could be hitting his regression years by then.

We pretty much agree on the foundation that since it's the Yankees, money doesn't factor in. Me, I'm thinking that the Yankees ought to put their money where their mouth is.

I agree that there was less question about Longoria's MLB readiness than there is Montero's, but not by a wide margin. What's more, catcher is a much thinner position that corner infield.

Frankly, they'd be doing the lesser teams (all of them, really, but mostly the perennial bottom 2/3rd payroll) a service by taking care of their top prospect now. Paves the way in a big way for other teams to make such deals. From NYY's perspective, mutually beneficial even if it goes south from the team's perspective, but I've gotta tell you, this isn't gonna go south. Montero is worth every word of the hype, and this is coming from a die-hard Sox fan. This is the most they've protected a prospect in years, and for fantastic reason - he's that good.

Oh I agree, he is that good...offensively. Like I said, there's a lot of question of whether he's going to stick longterm as a catcher, and as of right now, the scouting pundits are thinking not. So while catcher is thin, Montero isn't projecting as a catcher for the duration of his career. I've outfield, first base and DH. Now way he's moving Tex out of the way. DH is a good chance, and frankly, I think that cuts down his worth in the long run.

I really don't feel anything the Yankees do is beneficial to anyone sans themselves and elite players. When Derek Jeter got locked up as a young player, it was a 10 year deal. How, in any way, does that pave the way for other teams? What team would have/could have done the same? If anything, it tells players, like Longoria, who is better than Jeter was at the same age, that if they hold out, bigger dollar signs await. How would lesser teams benefit from this? I'm a Padres fan, and Mat Latos, bar none, is the very best player we have. He's going to be making big time money when he hits free agency. If a team, say the Giants, were to have given Linecum, a reason comp., and 5 year, $80mil dollar extension to buy his arbitration years and then some, I'd be willing to concede that Latos is a guarenteed goner.

The Yanks put their money where their mouth was in 2008, when they signed Burnett, Tex, and Sabathia. The won a WS for their "efforts" in 2009. I just don't see the rush in paying Montero. Especially when his future position is in such question. I get he is a legit prospect, which I agree with. But he's not worth locking up, yet. They should wait and see how he progresses on both sides of the ball before making any rash decisions.

<font color=goldenrod>Oh look, it's time for John Kruk's annual insane stat prediction. This year he says Adrian Gonzalez will have 50 HRs and 50 doubles.

Does Kruk realize that that feat has only been accomplished ONCE in the history of baseball? He should beast and everything and might even win the MVP, but god damn.</font>

Super pumped to watch the Os and Yankees first tv game tonight..

A-Gonz could probably hit 60 HRS+ not having to play 1/2 a season in PETCO Park.

Whats with the Yankees and guys named Melky? Melky Mesa?

John Sterling didn't wanna give up on his "Melk man delivers" quip.

My favorite is Swisherlicous for Swisher. Ben Maller plays all of his dumb calls all the time on his show but thats the most ridiculous one.

Hmm..predicting now.."Its Andruw..with a U!" for Andruw Jones

0-0 tie...ugh

but on the bright side:

going to phoenix to see the Colorado Baseball Rockies

<font color=goldenrod>aaaaaand 2 days after finally DH'ing in a game, Beltran is shut down with tendinitis in his OTHER knee.

Unreal. He is physically incapable of staying healthy, his knees are shot. I feel bad for the guy because he works hard to get out there but he's turning into the new Moises Alou. Mets are downplaying it of course and saying he'll be back in games within a week - but truthfully I see no way he's in right field on Opening Day.

The thing that worries me more is that these Beltran and Santana injuries make it even more likely that Alderson (who already is against long-term contracts) won't re-sign Reyes. Hell, Wright's a free agent after 2012 and he'll want a huge deal too. Good thing Sandy's got good draft reputation.</font>

I'm pretty sure Reyes is getting traded halfway through the season if he starts decent.

<font color=goldenrod>The decision to trade Reyes has always been two-fold. If they're still in contention at the deadline they won't move him - but if they have a bad first half they basically have to decide right then and there if they are going to re-sign him.

But yeah, if he gets back to his 2008 production he's going to want Crawford money and I don't see any way the Mets pay that.</font>

His agent already said he wants Crawford money.

<font color=goldenrod>Whether he's traded or not, I wonder who his suitors are going to be once he hits free agency. There don't seem to be too many teams who could afford to hand out a Crawford-esque contract.

Yanks could but even if they wanted Jeter to play a different position or DH I doubt they'd bump him in favor of the crosstown shortstop. Plus there's a good chance they'll have to pay CC more than he's already getting if he opts out.

Scutaro's deal is up so the Sox would have a vacancy. But three mega-deals (Gonzo, Crawford, Reyes) seems like a lot even by the Sox' standards.

Angels just took on Wells' horrible contract for the next few years so that could price them out.

Rollins' deal expires after this year but the Phils would probably try to get him back. If Reyes went there I'd probably off myself.

Cubs have Starlin Castro who I doubt it going to change positions - plus their goal is going to be to get Albert.

Cards could be interested but only if Albert leaves.</font>

I don't see the Red Sox going after Reyes. Lowrie has shown signs of brilliance even though his stats and ability to stay healthy don't show much, so a strong showing from him this season should earn him the starting SS job by next year the latest since I doubt Scutaro will be re-signed, and if so, he'll likely be the utility infielder.

I don't see the Red Sox going after Reyes, not with the possibility of CC Sabathia hitting the free agent market after the season is over.

The Red Sox would likely not be huge players for Jose Reyes, as the organization is completely and fully sold on (not to mention financially committed to) Jose Iglesias as their center fielder of the future, which likely leaves Lowrie as gone by way of trade and Scutaro elsewhere come a year from today.

Red Sox won't get him but definitely would be involved just to raise the price should the Yankees go after him.

Red Sox also know its much better for them to go on a mega-spending spree once every few years than to over-spend yearly like the Yankees tend to do.

I think in the end Reyes might take a lower contract which can put him on a lot more teams than being restricted to just the Yankees or Cardinals (if Pujols leaves).

Went to a Spring Training game today at the awesome new D-Backs/Rockies stadium.

We get up to the ticket counter and all I wanted were the $15 seats and she goes "No sorry, that section is sold out. The section next to it is available for $5 more" so I was like that's cool and she goes "and they're 1st row too".

Place is nice. The lawn section looks really well kept. Almost better than the outfield grass. Food prices were decent and players signed stuff. Good ballpark.

It felt like I was member of a club when she said that. Like I winked at her and she goes "oh these are for you" and a giant security guard unhinged a velvet rope scetioning off our seats as we went to sit down

I also sat in the front row yesterday

met Huston Street too

No you didn't shut up

you shut up

JERK!

No you

Ive watched 2 Os games on TV vs the Yankees and Red Sox (tonight). Total Combined score of both games Os 1, Yankees and Red Sox 1

Two fucking tie games (asuming this game now which is in the 9th ends tied at 1)..wtf

The B-Team was tonight though the regulars scored 11 earlier in a win.

EDIT: Spoke too soon, Sox are gonna win 2-1..ugh

you first

Make me

Red Sox win on a walk off hit by pitch

why don't you come over here and say that?

Meet me somewhere

how about the Four Corners?

Watched a replay of the Indians/Padres game last night. Padres lefty Corey Luebke, who was the org's top pitching prospect heading into 2010, got the nod and went a very good 4.1 innings. He looked sharp, keeping the ball down and the hitters off balance. My only gripe with him is that, though it's down at the knees, he missed his spot quite a few times when the catcher set up outside against a lefty, and it cost him in one at bat as a ball that was down the pike and at the knees was called ball four because the location was so far from where the catcher had set up.

Also, Anthony Rizzo, the first baseman included in the Gonzo to the BoSox deal, got the start at first and hit a booming homerun about 390ft. into the left center (opposite field) of off Carlos Carrasco. Even though its just spring training, I love what I'm seeing from this kid Rizzo. MLB Network had his ETA at 2012. I'm hoping so cause this kid looks like he's going to be star with the bat.

Wow, Zack Greinke will most likely begin the season on the DL after breaking one rib and bruising another while playing BASKETBALL. He'll miss 3 starts.

Ouch, Brewers.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/M...-starts-030811

Yea, I read that yesterday. What a bummer. Good thing is they still have Gallardo and Marcum, who are very capable. 3 starts is not bad, so it's not like they have to scrape together a 5th guy for three months waiting on Grienke.

The Brewers' schedule sets up where they'd planned on using a 4 man rotation for the first 3 or 4 turns anyhow. Essentially, all this changes is the 4 men that they'll be using.

Yeah, I was watching him on MLB TV. This kid does look to be a star with the bat it seems. I can see why the Pads wanted him.

But can you see why the Yankees didn't sign him?

Was Rizzo passed up by the Yankees or something?

And it's starting to look a little clearer that San Diego didn't get fleeced in the Gonzo deal. Sure, niether Kelly nor Rizzo will see time till maybe mid 2012, but both are projecting to be high production, all star caliber players. Getting a middle of the order threat and an top of the rotation ace for one guy is a pretty good haul.

Huh? What do you mean? I never realized that Rizzo ever had a chance to be in the Yankees minor Leagues. Do you remember any chance who the Yankees went after instead? Cause I have no idea. I have never even heard of this Richard Weems we went after instead. I'm just glad we went after Montero. He has some really great batting ability himself.

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http://img.pikchur.com/pic_ADe7_l.jpg?lm

Keith Olbermann taking pics of Vlad before an Os/Pirates ST game. I feel dirty now..eww..why the hell was he there?

Red Sox put a bunch of players on potential trade block for future deals.

Red Sox are are only willing to give up either Cameron or McDonald and not both due to needing some experience for OF depth.

Wakefield could be dealt for a younger pitcher (developing or starting quality) but he wants to retire as a Red Sox. Dice-K would need to drop his no-trade clause for any deal while the Red Sox would have to eat most of his contract in any deal done.

Marco Scutaro is also on the list due to the Red Sox finding more long term value in Jed Lowrie and Jose Iglesias.

"a Red Sox"

I can't deal with that. Just goes against everything I've ever learned.

When reports that the fourth player in the Gonzalez deal stated that the Padres would be getting a MLB level player as the PTBNL, I was praying that Lowrie was the guy.

Solid defense, and a really good stick. His only issue has been staying healthy, but if you look him up on baseball-reference.com, and see what his career numbers average out to over 162 games, you'd see that, offensively, he's be an above average shortstop.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...owrije01.shtml

If he stayed healthy and punched 40 doubles at Petco Park year in and year, he'd be insanely valuable. Alas, we got stuck with Eric Patterson, instead :(

Gordon Edes is the source here, and he's not exactly a beacon of reliable information in the first place, never mind the fact that some of the names he's tossed out there have zero trade value.

It IS kinda weird to see Keith Olbermann at an Orioles batting practice, just taking pics of Vladimir Guerrero...

...it's an odd pairing, to say the least...

who is trading for Tim Wakefield at this point?