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.