Verlander Wants Six From Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have been discussing a contract extension with Justin Verlander for some time now, with the team pretty much settled on offering five years for $75 million.

Verlander, on the other hand, wants the security of a sixth season. That would spike the number up into the $95 million range. He is currently scheduled to go to arbitration with the hopes of a $9.5 million salary in 2010. Detroit’s counter-offer is a whopping $6.9 million.

A slap in the face? Quite possibly.

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Twins: Joe Mauer Likely To Re-Sign

The Minnesota Twins kicked off their annual winter TwinsFest Friday without one important ingredient: that pesky contract extension for All-Star catcher Joe Mauer. However, the club is optimistic that last season's AL MVP will ink a new deal before the start of Spring Training.

The contract is going to be a whopper for sure, and manager Ron Gardenhire is looking forward to it.

"I’ll be happy when he does sign. He can buy me a beer. Probably two. Maybe three," he chuckled.

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Huston Street Believes in the Rockies

Huston Street and the Colorado Rockies finalized their three-year, $22.5 million contract negotiation Wednesday. The deal could be worth up to $31 million over four seasons, including a $9 million option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout if the club decides they can do better.

"We want to stay together," he said. "Everybody believes in what we’ve got going here. We’ve got a good thing going here."

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Poker Pro Donates $200,000 to Baseball Team

Eric Baldwin may not have had what it took to get from Division III baseball powerhouse University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to the pros, but that’s just fine with him. In fact, it’s more than fine because he has become a pro in something else…..poker.

Jon Garland Likes California

Jon Garland has signed with the San Diego Padres, opting to stay in the Golden State for another year. The club may have gotten away with a bit of a steal here, signing the right-hander for just $4.7 million for one year with a $6.75 million option for 2011.

Garland, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, left an 8-year career with the Chicago White Sox behind when he was traded to the Angels in 2008. He then went on to play in the National League, splitting up his time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Dodgers last season, going a combined 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA.

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Andre Dawson is Not Happy

Despite wanting with all of his heart to enter the MLB Hall of Fame as a Chicago Cub, Andre Dawson will be wearing a Montreal Expos hat.

The Hall announced its decision Wednesday, and Dawson immediately reacted in disappointment. Poor Canada.

"I’m disappointed," he said. "I can proudly say that because Chicago was my preference... It was a little gut-wrenching for me to hear that but it’s their decision."

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Ben Sheets Saves the Athletics!

Alright, I may have gotten a little excited with the title.

The Oakland Athletics have signed free agent pitcher Ben Sheets to a $10 million, one-year contract.

At 31 years old, Sheets has spent a considerable amount of time on the disabled list. In fact, he didn’t even pitch in the majors last season since he was recovering from elbow surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon.

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JI- JIM THOME Joins Rival Twins

Jim Thome won’t have to wait too long to return to U.S. Cellular Field, as he’ll be showing up in his spankin’ new uniform on April 9, 2010 when the Minnesota Twins come to town for a three-game series.

The former White Sox slugger has agreed to a one-year deal with his ex-AL Central rival for a reported $2 million plus incentives. Thome, 39, will add some pop to the lineup along with another left-handed bat to the already threatening order including reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer, 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau, and Jason Kubel, who hasn’t won an MVP, but could get an award if landing on the DL was a contest.

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Bobby Jenks Sheds 30 Pounds, Goatee Next?

Even though Bobby Jenks was pushing 300 pounds last season, his fastball was still pushing 100 mph. Now imagine the velocity of a slimmer, trimmer Jenks' heater. I know, it's mind-boggling.

Chicago White Sox brass publicly gave their closer some crap about his weight and conditioning last fall, which may not have been the softest approach, but it was apparently enough to get his butt in gear. During SoxFest last Friday, reporters clamored about his obvious weight loss, and Jenks replied with a something a little more than skin deep.

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Ruiz Remains in Philly, Stairs is Old School

The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly reached an agreement with catcher Carlos Ruiz to the tune of $8.85 million over three years, avoiding salary arbitration.

After batting .255 with 43 runs batted in and a career-best nine home runs in his fourth season with the Phillies, Ruiz was also offered a $5 million club option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout. The backstop, who turned 31 last Friday, boasts a .303 postseason average, including two World Series appearances and one ring, of course.

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Miguel Cabrera Feels Like a New Man

Have you been curious as to how Miguel Cabrera spent his offseason? Well, he's spent the past three months in rehab, undergoing alcohol abuse treatment in Miami, Florida.

The Detroit Tigers first baseman, who prepared for one of the most important games of the 2009 season by beating the crap out of his wife and getting hammered til 6am the night before the game, put up great numbers for the Tigers last season.

He's hands-down the best hitter on the team, and now that he's healthier, he'll only get better.

"When you've got problems, you can't hide," he said. "As a ballplayer, you do something like that and you have a problem. I want to play a lot of years and right now I feel comfortable. I feel great."

Way to go, Miggy. We're proud of you.

[Detroit Free Press] | [It's Always Sunny In Detroit]

Random MLB Signings

The Florida Marlins, who promised to increase their payroll this season after numerous complaints from the player’s union, have put the finishing touches on their $39 million, four-year contract with Josh Johnson.

The righty, whose deal was announced at the construction site of their new 2012 ballpark, went 15-5 with a 3.23 ERA last season. The team also completed one-year deals with infielder Jorge Cantu and reliever Leo Nunez this week. Outfielder Cody Ross, on the other hand, will go to arbitration. He demanded $4.45 million while the Marlins offered $4.2 million after he made just $2.3 million last year.

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Maybe San Juan Will Watch The Marlins

A three-game series in San Juan, Puerto Rico between the New York Mets and Florida Marlins is in the works for this June.

Sure, the Mets are a pretty popular team, with their handsome third baseman and Cy Young winning-ace, but it’s no secret that the Marlins struggle to fill their seats at home.

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Lincecum Pays Fine, Awaits Huge Raise

Tim Lincecum dished out $513 to the Clark County, Washington courts Tuesday to pay his fine for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which was reduced to a civil infraction.

The charges stemmed from being busted speeding back in October when officers found a bag and a pipe in his car... shocker. The 2009 National League Cy Young Award winner had this to say regarding his court appearance...

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Albert Pujols Calls Out the Media

Albert Pujols was not impressed with reporters Monday when he as asked his opinion on Mark McGwire’s admission of steroid use.

During the St. Louis Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up, the All-Star first baseman said he was “proud of [McGwire] for admitting what he used” and got pretty pissed at the notion their new hitting coach only came clean to revive his Hall of Fame chances and regain acceptance among the baseball community.

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King Felix Gets The Big Bucks

The Seattle Mariners are nearing a five-year deal with Felix Hernandez that is rumored to be worth roughly $78 million, according to an anonymous source close to negotiations.

Hernandez is set to take his contract-finalizing physical in Seattle this Thursday. Not only would this agreement help the Mariners avoid arbitration all together, but it would prevent him from becoming a free agent after the 2011 season.

The 23-year-old righty asked for $11.5 million Tuesday, which is more than a bad hop away from Seattle's $7.2 million offering.


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MLB Gives To Haiti

Major League Baseball has shown its heart, donating $1 million to aid victims of the recent massive earthquake in Haiti.

Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday that the contribution is being made on behalf of all 30 teams in the league. Additionally, he is encouraging fans to help in relief efforts with MLB Network airing public service announcements that will ask baseball fans to make donations aiding Haitian relief efforts.

I'd love to see other major sports organizations make efforts in relief, as well. The NFL, for example, will have some major revenue rolling in with the Super Bowl just around the corner, and could probably stand to throw in a couple million. And what about all the sportsbooks out there, who will no doubt be making some big bucks on Super Bowl betting this season?

Just a thought. Our prayers go out to all who've lost loved ones in the Haitian disaster.

[NY Times]

Is Mark McGwire Back in the Game?

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa says that if his his team were still in playoff contention August 31, he will put Mark McGwire on the active roster for a day to make him playoff-eligible to appear as a pinch-hitter in the postseason.

Seriously? The guy is 46 years old and nine years removed from the game. And an admitted steroids user.

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Andre Dawson Makes Hall, Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar Get the Shaft

First, please stop snickering at the word “shaft.”

Moving on…

Andre Dawson was the only legend voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this afternoon. The Hawk received 420 out of 539 votes for 77.9% — 2.9% more than the 75% needed to be inducted. [math whiz]

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Smokin' Hot Stove: Happy Holliday

Matt Holliday's free agent worries are over.

The displaced outfielder agreed to a seven-year, $120 million contract to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday in a deal that includes a no-trade clause. He'll be hitting behind super hero first baseman Albert Pujols and playing left field for the defending NL Central champions.

The Big Unit Says Goodbye

Sure, we've had our fun with Randy Johnson in the past. It's hard not to poke fun at a guy who rocks a mullet, but we're sad to see him go. After 22 years in Major League Baseball, he's ready to hang up his cleats.

Johnson, 46 years old and the last of a dying breed of hurlers, announced his retirement during a conference call Tuesday evening after an injury-ridden season with the San Francisco Giants.

The Big Unit sits 22nd on the All-Time wins list with 303 and is second only to Nolan Ryan in career strikeouts. The five-time Cy Young Award winner -- four came in consecutive seasons from 1999 to 2002 with the Arizona Diamondbacks...

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