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Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:57:00 EST

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Bar is lower for Braves wunderkind, but need huge

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:13:12 EST

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Jason Heyward, the Braves' would-be wunderkind, has heard the word potential before. The kid called the best prospect in baseball two years ago has heard it enough, it seems.

"That's just potential, one day what you might be,'' Heyward said. "I'm 22 years old. I'm going into the season feeling good and healthy. It's not going to come any earlier because of what someone says.''

People are going to talk about him, though. By now he knows this. The focus remains on him at Braves camp, and it will be on him, maybe forever.

Heyward said, "I'm my biggest critic,'' and those are nice words. But the critics will add up if he repeats his .227 performance of a year ago.

Roberts has stopped guessing when he'll return

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:00:17 EST

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles' Brian Roberts is on his own program, taking his own time. There is no other way when you have had multiple concussions and aren't yet ready to play a Major League game. He seemed as upbeat as could possibly be imagined, but he's given up guessing when he may be back playing.

Roberts said, "I've looked down the road too long.''

Doctors have told him it just isn't wise to play the guessing game, to worry about the return. By not thinking about when he may be back, Roberts said, it "takes the stress away ... stress doesn't help.'' All that matters is health now. Pondering whether he has a baseball future at age 34 isn't going to help him. So he takes it day to day, he said. "You want to put yourself into an environment to get well.''

FA guesses for Phils lefty Hamels: $150M-$175M

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:17:40 EST

The Phillies better lock up Cole Hamels, and they better do it before he becomes a free agent after this season. A quick survey of three agents, none with ties to Hamels, revealed that they believe Hamels would garner between $150 million and $175 million as a free agent.

Here are the guesses of the three agents (of course, keep in mind these are not management guesses):

--$168 million, seven years

--$150 million to $175 million

Owners should prevail, unless jury has Mets fans

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 8:06:06 EST

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets suffered their first loss of what could be a very long season when bankruptcy court Judge Rakoff ruled Monday that team owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz must pay back up to $83 million in Madoff profits. Further, he ruled that they must stand trial for another $303 million. So the drama and unrest continues, into the baseball season.

Madoff overreaching trustee, Irving Picard, originally sought $1 billion from the Mets owners, so from that standpoint, Wilpon and Katz are already ahead of the game. But to no one's surprise, people close to the case suggest a loss of even $386 million could put their ownership in peril.

Beyond the immediate loss of up to $83 million and upcoming trial, the other bad part for Wilpon and Katz is that the case of their baseball lives is going before a jury. One thing they say about jury trials, they are unpredictable. The other thing about this jury trial, the jury could be made up of angry Mets fans.

McCutchen is a great kid, but is he worth $51.5M?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 6:26:19 EDT

BRADENTON, Fla -- Pirates owner Bob Nutting declared, "This is an exciting day for the Pittsburgh Pirates.'' And so it was. While the newly cost-conscious New York Yankees were practicing on the field behind them, the Pirates, dreadfully low in the spending and winning departments almost all of the past two decades, were announcing their $51.5-million contract for star outfielder Andrew McCutchen in a neat little area by their clubhouse beyond right field.

The Pirates are starting to show they mean business, doing things in recent months they hadn't done in a while, including spending serious money. They acquired semi-pricey veterans Derek Lee and Ryan Ludwick at the trade deadline last July, imported A.J. Burnett and $13 million of his bloated contract (from said Yankees) on the eve of spring training, and now have signed off on the seceont largest contract in their history for the multitalented McCutchen. The Pirates, it is said, just could not chance losing McCutchen, who is their best player and also a very good player as well (one doesn't necessarily ensure the other).

V-Mart's loss, Tigers' U-turn & Prince's dream

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:23:45 EST

LAKELAND -- If it's possible, Prince Fielder seems even more boisterous and more animated than ever before now that his new $214-million, nine-year contract is behind him and the Tigers are his future. You've never seen anyone so thrilled to be in Detroit.

"This is a blessing,'' Fielder said. "It's a dream come true, even though I didn't even dream about it.''

Fielder, who resided in Detroit while his father Cecil starred for the Tigers, added that "it really hasn't sunk in yet'' that he's a Tiger.

Fielder is already starting on his own legend. He hit a home run in batting practice that veteran Detroit News Tigers beat writer Tom Gage measured as 611 feet (including the roll). he hit a home run in the opener here at Joker Marchant, crashing one about 25-feet up off the light tower in right field, and after he said, "I'm just getting loose.''

Molina deal a bargain? Was $140M realistic as FA?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:18:43 EST

JUPITER, Fla. -- A lot of numbers folks and fans are suggesting that $75 million for five years is high for defense-first Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. But Molina's people were actually prepared to aim for nearly double that, $140 million over seven years, had he consented to test free agency after the year, according to people familiar with their thinking.

Molina's agents might not have gotten quite such a lofty contract for the catcher whose first double-digit home run total came last year when he hit 14. However, baseball executives absolutely love Molina and it's reasonable to assume Molina could have easily matched or beaten the $75-million deal he got with a reasonable year in 2012. Molina heard about the $140-million goal but told his agents that he wanted to do everything he can to stay in St. Louis, so we'll never know if that's right. This is that rare case where both sides seem jubilant with the deal that was done.

Pirates spend serious bucks; winning to follow?

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:10:50 EST

The Pittsburgh Pirates are entering the 20th anniversary season of their last winning year and trying hard to ensure that streak doesn't last too much longer. The $51.5-million, six-year extension for outfielder Andrew McCutchen was a necessary step toward that goal.

The Pirates are shedding their "cheap'' label, at the very least. They've spent a whopping $50 million on the draft and international signings since taking Pedro Alvarez first in 2008, they took on salary while acquiring veteran hitters Ryan Ludwick and Derek Lee at the deadline, and they added $13 million over two years by taking on A.J. Burnett. They also reportedly tried for Edwin Jackson before he signed with the Nats.

The McCutchen deal is logical since it mirrors the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton contract. McCutchen's stats are better at the signing, but Upton is the player with greater power and a higher ceiling. In any case, it's not the usual Pirates deal. The McCutchen contract, which was first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, has been confirmed.

Wind blows, Teheran (6 HRs) not good, either

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:36:01 EST

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Is this any way to come back from a collapse?

The Braves, fresh off their mostly unnoticed September swoon (the Red Sox hogged most of the headlines), are off to a rough start in spring training. After being one-hit in the spring opener, two of their top pitching prospects got roughed up in an 18-3 defeat to the powerful Tigers, who hit nine home runs.

Julio Teheran, considered Atlanta's best pitching prospect and a candidate to make their excellent rotation, allowed six home runs in two innings on an exceedingly windy day. The wind was blowing hard from left field to right field, but two of the Tigers' home runs, one by Austin Jackson and one by Delmon Young, cut through the wind and went out in left. Prince Fielder hit his first homer as a Tiger, hitting the light tower high up in right field on another homer that would have gone out, wind or no wind.

Giants' hope to keep Cain below $100M unsure now

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 1:00:07 EST

There was a belief around baseball that Giants star Matt Cain was going to be an easy sign for the Giants. Now that doesn't seem quite so certain.

Word going around the game a few back was that Cain, who's eligible for free agenxy after the season, might even be prepared to sign back with the Giants for less than $100 million. Now that seems far less likely.

The Giants offered at least $100 million on a five-year deal to ace Tim Lincecum but according to sources started negotiations significantly lower than that to Cain, who would be the staff ace in many other players but is clearly No. 2 to Lincecum in San Francisco. Meantime, there were whispers around the game that Cain -- who once signed a $27-million, three-year deal that covered his arbitration years and turned out to be very team friendly -- wasn't prepared to pursue top dollar on the open market.

Cabrera has right attitude at 3B but needs work

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:28:31 EST

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Some might say Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera is heroic, generous or at the very least team-oriented for giving up first base at a moment's notice and moving to third so the team could sign top free agent Prince Fielder. Not Cabrera, who doesn't see it that way.

"I never had a position, so what's the difference?'' Cabrera said, applying sound logic.

Cabrera actually came to Detroit as a third baseman but was soon switched to first base, where Carlos Guillen was struggling with the nuances of that position. Now Cabrera is going back to third. No matter what happens here -- and he's off to a slow start, with an error here Sunday -- he's the third baseman.

"I feel good [about it],'' Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's my third baseman, I like writing his name into the lineup every day. It is what it is.''

Astros GM Luhnow has right outlook, few players

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:30:09 EST

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- For a guy who came to baseball relatiavely late in life and who runs a team that is by all accounts overmatched, new Astros GM Jeff Luhnow seems quite relaxed. He appears to have the right outlook and demeanor for a team that may again lose 100 games. "Of course, he is (calm),'' one skeptic from a rival team said. "There is absolutely no pressure.''

Luhnow, an intellectual ensconsed in the stat crowd (he just got back from the MIT Sports Sloan Analytics Conference), is always going to have his critics. He and Rays GM Andrew Friedman are the only ones to take the non-traditional route to the GM's chair, meaning they didn't start out as baseball executives. But Friedman quickly proved himself one of the best execs in baseball by now after starting out in the investment business.

Spring teen-aged drama begins; can Bryce cut it?

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:16:14 EST

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Out here in plain Osceola County, the Nationals' teen-aged wunderkind slugger Bryce Harper started his first spring game, and thus began the great drama of March: Can Harper become a oh-so-rare 19-year-old to make a major-league team out of spring training, and not just any team but one that fancies itself a threat?

As for the kid himself, the lefthanded Harper is a threat whenever he holds that big bat of his and takes one of his patented swing-to-the-stars cuts, which is just about every cut. Harper is taking his biggest cut this spring in trying to accomplish what few have done by making a major-league team in spring before the age of 20. His clear goal this March, even though he hit only .256 in Double-A last year, is to make the Nationals as their starting rightfielder. And if the decision had to be made today and it was up to his manager Davey Johnson, he'd have a heck of a shot.

The case for & against the $75M Yadi Molina deal

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:55:17 EDT

JUPITER, Fla. -- As I warned Yadier Molina's agent, Melvin Roman, I was going to think/say/write the Cardinals got a great deal on Molina no matter what the deal was. I think he is that good. Roman is probably a little bit biased, but he called me over after the press conference to announce the signing to tell me he agrees with me.

Though clearly, not everyone does. A fairly strong stat-based case is being made on the internet (and below here) that $75 million for five years (plus a mutual sixth-year option) is an overpay.

I say, Molina's game isn't about numbers. I say, there are no comps for Molina because there is no one even close to like him.

The surprise here may be that the sides figured it out without too much trouble since no one's comparable. Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt and GM John Mozeliak agreed that it wasn't easy to put a pricetag on Molina because he is such a different player. He is the best defensive catcher in baseball, the best-throwing catcher, a clutch hitter and a winner. So ultimately, it wasn't about the comps, it was about the need and the desire.

Oh baby, Pirates exec delivers in the clutch

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:07:05 EST

Pittsburgh Pirates executive Trevor Gooby made the catch of spring training when he delivered the baby boy of Pirates fan Latasha Kirk outside McKechnie Stadium in Bradenton on Wednesday. The baby, named McKechnie for the park, just fell into Gooby's hands, as he recalls it.

"I must have picked something up watching [Andrew] McCutchen or [Jose] Tabata,'' Gooby said, referring to two Pirates outfielders. "I think it was a little bit of luck or an in-the-moment kind of thing.''

Nobody can accuse Gooby of not being a clutch performer. When Kirk first alerted other fans that she was going to have a baby, it was hard to think she meant at that very moment. Gooby and other Pirates people first found a wheelchair for her, called EMS and waited for help. But the professionals weren't quite quick enough.

Baseball hits grand slam with new playoff system

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 7:44:02 EST

The new slightly expanded playoff system was always going to pass. There never was a doubt. And there is an easy way to explain why that is: what Bud wants, Bud gets.

But there is another good reason in this case. It makes sense.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig wanted to add two more teams to the playoff mix, two play-in teams, actually, that will vie to become the wild-card team in a one-game playoff. Selig's support all but guaranteed it would happen eventually.

Though even with Bud's backing, the other thing you know is that these things always go right down to the deadline. Tomorrow is the official deadline to change the playoff format, though this is in reality a soft deadline, meaning it may take another day or two past the deadline to finalize things. But it will pass in time to make it happen for the 2012 baseball season.

Cards understand Yadi's value; looks like $75M

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:54:25 EST

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals are about to sign Yadier Molina to a five-year deal believed to be worth $75 million, and though this deal certainly cannot be considered a discount, the Cards could not take a chance on losing him.

Folks will look at Molina's new contract, which a source suggested should come in at right about $75 million and is expected to be finalized soon, as a partial make-good after losing all-time great Albert Pujols to the Angels this winter. However, that is unfair to Molina, who is the best defensive catcher in baseball as well as the best throwing catcher. He had a very nice offensive year last season with 14 home runs, 65 RBI and a .305 batting average, but Molina's value goes well beyond that. The team has not only been a perennial winner in his tenure, but it has fairly consistently outperformed expectations, including two unexpected World Series championships. Some of that might have to do with an under-rating of Pujols' value or underestimating of ex-manager Tony La Russa's impact, or even Dave Duncan's. But a lot of baseball people think it is because of Molina.

Francona all wet with rip of Bobby V.'s beer ban

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 9:19:43 EST

Terry Francona derided his Red Sox managerial replacement Bobby Valentine's decision to ban beer in Boston's clubhouse as a "PR move'' while talking on one of his new employer's new shows. That banning beer became obvious and necessary due to Francona running a Romper Room the previous year was never mentioned.

Francona can have an opinion here if he wants, but it needs to be said in context. And here's the proper context: Francona's lax policing of a clubhouse gone wild necessitated this move by Valentine, which he likely would have done anyway.

Valentine banned alcohol in the Mets clubhouse and, as he pointed out, nearly 20 clubs have banned alcohol. Why the other 10 haven't remains a mystery.

Nothing good can come from drinking in a clubhouse, and the Red Sox's in-game beer drinking by three of its key pitchers last year covered that team in shame. Two, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett, owned up to their mistake. How about Francona owning up to the fact he took a paycheck to do practically nothing last year?

Fred Wilpon shoots high, predicts survival

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:32:22 EST

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Every year, kindly Mets owner Fred Wilpon gives his state-of-the-Mets address at about this time in spring training, and of course his predictions in recent years have, for the most part, overshot reality. This year, he offered predictions for both the team and himself, giving himself a chance for the first time to go 0-for-2.

First, about the team, Wilpon said, "I'm very optimistic that this team will be far better than you guys have reported. We're going to surprise some people.'' A snappy comeback might suggest that they'd surprise folks merely by winning a third of their games or even beating the '62 Mets.

As for the bigger question about franchise ownership, Wilpon said of himself and brother-in-law Saul Katz, "We plan to own the franchise for a very long time.'' Then, Wilpon, an eminently pleasant man, added his own punchline, saying something along the lines of "whether people or happy about that or not.''

Marlins, Ozzie, Loria make fun 3-ring circus

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:37:33 EST

JUPITER, Fla. -- When someone suggested to Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria that the Marlins "certainly would be entertaining,'' Loria corrected that person. "More than entertaining,'' Loria said.

"Don't sell us short,'' he further advised.

That probably won't happen, not with two of the game's better salesmen in tow. The best, of course, has to be new manager Ozzie Guillen, who had the players in stitches in his pre-preseason speech, according to Mark Buehrle, who like Guillen came to the Marlins from the White Sox. Guillen saved his best for the speech, because he was maybe too tired to be his outlandish self by the end of the workout, when he finally met with the media.

The speech to the team, though, was said to have been doozy, covering everything up to and including ballplayer patriotism (on that score, he told his troops, "I expect to see everyone get up on that bleeeing step'' for the national anthem). One of the more substantive speech highlights, according to Marlins players, came when Guillen reminded them how much money Loria spent on this team, and also told them he didn't want to see them waste it. An old veteran pooh-poohed the impact of the speech, yet this much is true: the Marlins clubhouse seemed lmuch more alive than ever before.

Hanley talks great game, says he'll be best 3B

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 6:47:07 EST

JUPITER, Fla. -- Hanley Ramirez's smile was bigger than his muscles, which look bigger than ever. Ramirez was smiling broadly throughout the team's first full-squad workout, either the result of an attitude overhaul or a determined effort to prove everyone wrong that he carried the potential to destroy the good feeling around Marlins camp. When someone remarked what great shape he appeared to be in, Ramirez said, "When everyone was talking ... I was working.''

There was indeed a lot of talk this winter about Ramirez, and more specifically, whether he'd take to the switch from his beloved shortstop to third base. Stories seemed to swing back and forth about whether Hanley hated, tolerated or relished the move. I'm not sure whether it's because today was the day for the brief media refresher course, but Ramirez's public message was that he loved third base and was looked foward to the challenge. "It's 200 percent OK,'' Ramirez said. "I feel it in my heart. I feel it in my mind. I feel it in my body.''

Johnson, key to Marlins season, takes big step

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 9:28:43 EST

JUPITER, Fla.-- Ace righthander Josh Johnson let the ball loose today in his bullpen session, and he loved the results. Every move he makes, every step he takes, is a big one for the Marlins. This was a nice step.

"I relaxed today and let it happen,'' said Johnson. "I was down in the zone, which was huge for me. My first couple times I was trying to muscle it, and the ball was up.''

Spiritually speaking, Johnson is up, anyway. For all the money the Marlins spent, and all the many big imports who are contained in a much livelier Marlins clubhouse, the biggest key to their season remains Johnson, who was off to a typical dominating start last year when it all stop May 16. He was 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA when he left a game against his personal patsy, the Mets, never to return for the season.

Early word: Nats paid too much for Zimmerman

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 6:12:27 EST

The immediate reaction to Ryan Zimmerman's $100 million, six-year extension with the Nationals was this:

Where's the hometown discount?

Zimmerman's total contract, which now runs through 2019, guarantees him $126 million, including the two years he already had on his deal. Forget that $126 million has been an unlucky number in baseball contracts (see Vernon Wells, Barry Zito and Nationals teammate Jayson Werth), it just seems a bit high considering 1) Zimmerman has an injury history, 2) he sprayed a few throws in recent years, and 3) the Nationals have a top third-base prospect in Anthony Rendon.

Said one competing executive of the Nats' two nine-figure deals now in the books: "Seems like they have two $100 million contracts but no $100 million payers.'' That also refers to Werth, who didn't live up to his contract last year. (Though some might say the Nats have Stephen Strasburgh and Bryce Harper, who may be worth $100 million some day.)

Healthy Mauer seeks 4th title but not like Reyes

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 8:21:27 EST

Ft. Myers, Fla. -- Joe Mauer praised Jose Reyes for his great season and National League batting title, but Mauer, the three-time batting titleist, said he wouldn't sit on a lead to win a fourth title, as Reyes did.

"I don't think (personal) awards like that should take the place of playing the games,'' Mauer said. "You should play the game the right away, and let the chips fall where they may.''

Back in 2006, when Mauer was trying for his first batting title and holding a slim lead over Yankees Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano going into the final day of the regular season, in 2006, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire came to Mauer and said to him something along the lines of "What do you think?'' Gardenhire appeared to be opening the door to Mauer possibly sitting the game out.

Valentine bans beer in clubhouse; he's no chicken

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:29:10 EST

Ft. Myers, Fla. -- Say this for the new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine: when he gets an 80-mph fastball right down the middle of the plate, he knocks it out of the park. Yes, of course Valentine told Red Sox players h was banning beer on the last leg of charter flights and also in the clubhouse. (He didn't say anything about chicken, but we'll assume that's still OK.)

Of course Valentine had to ban beer. You can't have two straight beer-stained seasons.

Red Sox veteran pitchers Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey spoiled the party after it was revealed they sometimes had their beer in the clubhouse while the game was going on (and their 2011 collapse was still going on). Beckett and Lester have admitted they erred in doing so. That's nice, but Valentine can't take the chance they'd do it again.

Mature Matt Moore ready to become a big-time star

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 9:49:11 EST

Port Charlotte, Fla. -- The Rays' young lefthander Matt Moore became a rare player to attend his first major league spring training camp after already having started (and won) a Game 1 in a postseason series.

So, could he become a rare player to be sent to the minors right after signing a guaranteed five-year contract?

Crazy as it sounds, the Rays are not yet guaranteeing him a rotation spot. The official word is, they have five spots for six starters. Yet, it seems quite a stretch to think they'd send down the pitcher who shut down the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the ALCS, the pitcher who some are saying is already as good or better than James Shields and David Price. Scouts talk about his great stuff, but they also love his mound presence. He just looks ready to be a huge star.

Braun should be considered innocent, not lucky

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 9:48:54 EST

Ryan Braun did not get off on a technicality. He should not be presumed guilty, especially now that he has proved he is not guilty. And he should not be seen as lucky, either.

If anything, Braun is unfortunate that the failed test result ever leaked. This system is supposed to secure confidentiality, but unfortunately, someone has loose lips. Surely not anyone with MLB nor certainly Braun's camp, but someone.

Braun was unfairly tagged a steroid cheat to start, and even now, after he won his case and proved there was no good, winning case against him, some are still calling it a "technicality'' that won the day, or even calling him lucky. Well, if having an unfair, unfortunate scarlet letter hanging over your normal-sized head is lucky, then that's him. Braun surely was elated to have prevailed. But he was said by friends to have felt "drained'' after spending his winter vacation gearing up for a fight and probably occasionally imagining the worst.

The Winter Standings, from 1 through 30

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:46:31 EST

The Angels and Marlins spent plenty, the Astros stood pat, and the Mets did worse than that. Here they, one through 30, from most improved team to least improved.

1. Angels. Anytime you add Albert Pujols when you don't really need a first baseman, that's quite a luxury buy. Maybe 10 years are too many, but he'll obviously make a major impact in the first years of that deal. C.J. Wilson gives them as good a first four as just about anyone. Plus, he comes directly from the main competitor.

2. Marlins. Jose Reyes is a monster get, when healthy, Mark Buehrle fits as the perfect veteran lefthander to pitch behind Josh Johnson and Heath Bell is a very good closer. Ozzie Guillen spices things up. Much more interesting team as they move to their new park.

Ryan Howard takes BP, won't predict return date

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:23:36 EST

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies star Ryan Howard fields grounders occasionally here at Phillies camp, and today he took batting practice at Bright House Field. Afterward, he was all smiles. His spirits were obviously high, but he made no predictions about when he'd be able to play in games.

"I feel good about where I am right now ... I guess I'm right where I'm supposed to be,'' is how Howard characterized things at a press conference to talk about all things related to the dramatic finish to his season and his lengthy recovery (it's at four months and counting) from his surgery to repair his torn left Achilles suffered on the season's final at-bat.

Howard said he felt very good while hitting and saw no reason for any dropoff in productivity once he's back on the field for real. In fact, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel actually predicted Howard's best years were ahead of him. The shift has surely taken a bite of his batting average which has been in decline, but there is no reason to think the Achilles injury will affect him longer than the time it takes to heal.