Season Previews: Kansas City Royals

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing on with our preview of the American League Central, here are the Kansas City Royals.

Poor Kansas City
Year after year after year
They suck more and more.

Last winning season
Was two-thousand-three, and
They only placed third.

Signed Kendall, Ankiel,
And Scott Posednik this year.
Maybe that will help.

How long before they
Lose Greinke to the Yankees?
Cy Youngs cost a lot.

At least fans can be
Entertained watching mascots
Detach retinas.

[Royals Review] | [Kings of Kauffman] | [Royals Junkie]

Season Previews: Minnesota Twins

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing on with our preview of the American League Central, here are the Minnesota Twins.


Twins fans have so much
To look forward to this year.
Two words: Target Field.

How ‘bout two more words?
Jim Thome! Thank you, Twins for
Shelling out some cash!

Mauer is reigning
MVP - maybe a fourth
Batting title? Sweet.

Baker and Blackburn,
Neshek is back! Matty G,
Joe Nate Dominate!

Morneau, Span, Kubel
Meet Hardy and Hudson. This
Year is gonna rock!

[Twinkie Town] | [Sooze!] | [Seth Speaks] | [Twins Nation]

Season Previews: Chicago White Sox

With Spring Training just around the corner, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Kicking off our preview of the American League Central, here is look at the Chicago White Sox.

Peavy saves the day
Fans have forgotten Buehrle
Hey! He pitched an ace!

Man, we love Ozzie
Hope he cusses on Twitter
That would be awesome.

Yay Carlos Quentin!
Will he play a full season?
That would be a first

Beckham at second
and Ramirez at shortstop
Konerko is old

Alex Rios joins
Gavin Floyd and Juan Pierre
in crowded outfield

Floyd should be out there
Chasing down the butterflies
Instead of sucking

Where will they finish?
Second behind the Twinkies?
Ahead of Cleveland?

[South Side Sox] | [Foul Balls] | [Inside the White Sox]

Jason Bay Could Have Been a Professional Curler

It broke my small, cold shriveled heart last winter when the Red Sox and Jason Bay couldn't seem to come to an agreement to keep Jason in the Bay State.

However, the Mets were a good option as well, as their fan base is tortured, pessimistic, and shares a blinding, irrational hatred of Princess Purplelips and the rest of those self-important taint wankers in the Bronx. If that's not a recipe for love I don't know what is.

Anywho, Bay showed up in Port St. Lucie yesterday for Spring Training, and let me just say that he charmed the PANTS OFF the occasionally angry, sometimes arrogant and always cynical New York Media. By doing what?

Tragedy Befalls Kansas City

Tragedy has struck Kaufmann Stadium.

Sluggerrr the Lion, mascot for the Kansas City Royals, is accused of mauling a fan at a September 2009 game. Ok. So he didn't maul the guy, he merely attacked him with his weiner. Tee hee.

Taking cues from Minnesota fans amidst Chuck Knoblauch, Sluggerrr threw a hot dog that allegedly detatched a fan's retina and eventually brought on cataracts. What actually happened is Sluggerrr had been using an air gun to shoot hot dogs into the stands, and then started throwing the weiners by hand.

The fan is now suing the team for $25,000 for negligence and battery because they apparently "failed to adequately train its agents ... in the proper method in which to throw hot dogs into the stands at Kauffman Stadium."

Sluggerrr has yet to issue a statement.

[tmz.com]

So Ready For Baseball to Get Here

So I've started a new blogging endevor over at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, where I get to talk about the Minnesota Twins as much as I want, hopefully without being called a shameless homer. Never fear though, BLB will stay right where it is chock full of the usual sassy baseball commentary and dick jokes.

Here's a snippet from my very first post over there - head on over, check it out and leave a comment! I'd love nothing more than your feedback.

Season Previews: Toronto Blue Jays

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing on with our preview of the American League East, here's Melissa with the Toronto Blue Jays.


Doc has gone. Scoots, too.
Who's left? Gimpy Vernon Wells
And his Twelve-point-five.

Never fear, Jays fans:
Hill and Lind can hit taters
and Marcum has healed.

And if nothing else,
there is always hockey, eh?
Uh-oh, never mind.

[Drunk Jays Fans] | [Blue Jay Hunter] | [Hum And Chuck]

Let the Bidding War Begin!

Watch out, American League. Manny wants to be Manny with you again. Maybe.

Entering into the second year of his two year contract with the LA Dodgers, Manny Ramirez said this would be his last year with the club. Will he retire? Will he keep playing? Will he try to be the first man in history to have a baby after his womens infertility treatments?

Johnny Damon says Detroit '1st Choice'

In related news, I think Long Island is the best place to live on the planet. The abundant smell of Axe Body Spray wherever you go. The tans in January, the blinding glow of gold chains on the juiced up shaved chests of the resident guidos. Right. Exactly. This place is hell on earth.

Just yesterday I was at my local New York Sports Club heaving on one of the cardio machines, and there was some jagoff doing curls (with probably 20 pound weights may I add), and with every curl he grunted "SUMMERS COMING. SUMMERS COMING." Anyway, this is off topic. I just felt like giving ya'll some insight into the cesspool of humanity that is Strong Island.

Pardon the drool on my keyboard but David Wright is...

TOTALLY EFFING JACKED.

The future father of my children via roofie showed up in Port St. Lucie for Mets spring training sporting some serious gun show because of his lack of offensive production last year, according to the New York Post.

Wright only hit 10 home runs last year as opposed to 33 the year before, though, that could be attributed to the fact that Citi Field, despite it's AWESOME FOOD SELECTION, is where right handed hitters go to die.

Time will only tell if Wright's offseason GTL will pay off in the confines of Citi, but by golly, I am going to very much enjoy watching.

[New York Post]

Babes Love Pat Neshek!

You can imagine how pumped we were when our favorite side-winding hurler, Pat Neshek, was awesome enough to do an interview with us.

The Minnesota Twins reliever with the funky delivery landed on the disabled list back in May of 2008 with a right elbow injury, which ended up being serious enough for Tommy John surgery. After more than a year of rehab, he signed a one-year deal with the team last month and is feeling better than ever.

Not only is he a hell of a pitcher, but he's a really nice guy, too: you might even call him the most fan-friendly player in baseball. Got any sweet hockey cards gathering dust? Then go check out his long-running blog On the Road With Pat Neshek, where he writes about big league life and swaps autographs for trading cards.

Enjoy!

Babes Love Baseball: Our first question is one you probably get a lot. Why did you start throwing side arm?

Pat Neshek: It basically evolved from an injury in high school. I was batting at the plate and got drilled on my forearm. It really lumped up and hurt, especially when I went out to shortstop that next inning. I quickly realized it didn't hurt as bad when I lowered my arm slot to sidearm. Well to make a long story short, I finally was able to pitch after 3 months of playing shortstop, and when I went on the mound that first time everything felt great. But I didn't realize I was throwing a lot lower than before thanks to all the throwing at shortstop. After a couple days trying to change it my college coach thought it looked pretty nasty and told me to work with it. It worked out pretty well.

Chan Ho Beard: Is This Goodbye?

Chan Ho Park has signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees to the tune of $1.2 million with $300,000 worth of incentive-laden possibilities. The deal is pending a physical, and possibly the removal of one badass, ever-changing Chan Ho Beard.

The right-hander and his awesome scruff went 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 45 games for the Philadelphia Phillies last season, 38 of them starts. Over 50 innings of relief, he sported a nice 2.52 ERA. Naturally, the Yankees took notice of this and decided to purchase him for their bullpen.

Park announced the news at a press conference in South Korea Monday morning, telling his countrymen he had also thought about signing with the Chicago Cubs, who promised him a spot in their rotation. Though the almighty dollar may have played a role in this decision, Park says playoff probability did as well

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Speaking of the Yankees, check out this weekend's Bronx View Podcast!

Stephen Strasburg: Seat Filler

Normally, little more than 50 folks show up to watch the Washington Nationals’ first practice at Space Coast Stadium. Yesterday, roughly 150 people were in attendance.

This past Sunday, Florida residents and vacationers flocked to see no one but last June’s No. 1 draft pick, Stephen Strasburg, in action. During the nine-minute session, the former San Diego State right-hander threw 37 pitches, showing off his repertoire of four-seam fastballs, two-seamers, a slider/curveball mix and a changeup. Following his bullpen session, he worked on covering first base and even practiced a little bunting.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

A More Manly Man Muscles

We didn't think it was possible, but Joe Mauer has managed to make himself even more manly. Man Muscles seems to have taken a page out of teammate Nick Blackburn's book by showing up to Spring Training camp with a scruffy beard. We find that down-right sexy.

The reigning American League MVP and batting champ grew out the scruff when he took spankin' new Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy up to his cabin to go ice fishing. Yes, that's the type of thing Minnesotans do for fun in the dead of winter. Believe me, the more beer you bring to the ice shack, the more fun you end up having. It's science.

ACE and Josh Beckett

So following some of the finest baseball writers in the country on Twitter is part of my "actual job that pays my rent and puts copious amounts of Purdue Chicken Fingers in my crisper drawer." It's kind of an interesting thing to look at from a journalistic standpoint, as you get to see 140 characters of raw copy from writers you normally only read after going through several editors.

Some writers are good. Some are terrible. Others are great to the point where I actually look forward to reading their tweets. From Ken Davidoff of Newsday this morning:

Josh Beckett: "I don't know what 'ace' is. Is that an acronym for something"? #RedSox

So now we are presented with a question. What does ACE stand for? Here's a few thoughts.

Already consistently extraordinary
Accidental conception of eel
Already cocky enough
Axis containing elephants

Got an acronym? Let us know.

-Lizzy

Barajas Solves Mets' Catching Woes

It seems the New York Mets won't have to rely on Henry Blanco to start behind the plate this season, afterall.

Rod Barajas and the team have reached an agreement on a one-year, $1 million deal, complete with $1 million worth of piece-of-cake incentives. This is a temporary fix, but it'll help give Omir Santos and (especially) Josh Thole some extra seasoning.

This signing is pretty good news for the Toronto Blue Jays as well, as they receive a supplemental draft choice between the first and second rounds since Barajas was a Type B free agent. Had he taken either minor league proposal from the Mets or Texas Rangers, the Jays would've gotten jack.

Everybody wins!

Continue reading and comment on this story at Fantasy Pros 911.

Season Previews: BAWSTON RED SAWX

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing on with our preview of the American League East, here's Lizzy with the Bawston Red Sawx.

Pitching and defense
is wonderman Theo's plan
for the Crimson Sox

Beckett and Lackey
Great Balls of arrogant fire
Varitek is old

Papelbon, shut up
Nothing good comes out of that
vile face pie hole

Youk is nightmare fuel
on high def television
Birds live in his beard

At Long Last, Johnny Damon is Signed

Finally. Johnny Damon is no longer hanging in the free agent balance.

The outfielder has agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, complete with a shiny no-trade clause. Damon, who hit .286 with 24 homers last season for the New York Yankees, will likely bat in the leadoff spot this year.

Maybe, just maybe, we can shut the hell up about him now. At least until he does something awesome that's baseball-related... or gets busted with a hooker.

[MLB] | [NESN] | [Bless You Boys] | [Major League Jerk]

Cubs: The Riot Last Loser in Arbitration

The eighth and final player entered arbitration Friday and the panel of arbitrators wasted no time declaring their decision right away on Saturday.

With the Chicago Cubs beating Ryan Theriot, he’ll earn $2.6 million this season rather than the $3.4 million he requested. The shortstop, who made just $500,000 last season, batted .284 with seven home runs, 54 RBIs and 21 steals in 30 tries.

I like the way Theriot handled this. It reminds me of that old trick from high school: You need $10 for gas (okay, gas was a lot cheaper when I was in high school) so you ask Dad for $20. Instead of parting with a twenty, he tells you to get a god damn job and hands you a $10 bill instead. Dad thinks he’s taught you a lesson, and you have the $10 you needed.

At least, I think that’s what Theriot was trying to...

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Jose Canseco is Suicidal

...or he's just a whole lot dumber than we thought.

Remember when Jose Canseco made his MMA debut where he was completely mangled by Korean giant Hong Man Choi? Comedy gold.

Well, that will seem like innocent child's play when compared to the imminent murder the former big leaguer-turned-tattletale will endure at the hands of Herschel Walker. Even at 48 years old (this March 2) the former NFL running back and all-around badass will no doubt dish out a whoopin' Canseco will never forget. Unless he has brain damage.

Here's a video of Dan Black interviewing Canseco, who nonchalantly claims he's going to "take down" Walker.

[SportsUntapped]

MLB: Leave Your Guns At Home

A few professional athletes have ruined all the fun for everyone. Thanks to Gilbert Arenas playing gangster and Plaxico Burress not knowing how to handle a weapon, Major League Baseball has banned guns in all of their clubhouses.

The rule includes firearms, as well as long knives and explosives. That’s right, no more bringing bombs to the ballpark. We can still bring our samurai swords though, right? I sure hope so.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Remember When Eric Gagne Was Good?

Once upon a time, Eric Gagne was an awesome pitcher.

The goggle-brandishing righty, with his 98 mph heater and baffling 78 mph change-up was flawless back in 2003 when he won the National League Cy Young award with the Los Angeles Dodgers, converting all 55 save chances that season. These days, the only this he has going for him is the fact that he sorta looks like Seth Rogen…

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Season Previews: Tampa Bay Rays

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing on with our preview of the American League East, here are the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rays wish it was still
‘08, AL Champs, in the
Series. Awesome year.

Two thousand nine was
Another winning season
But they came in third.

Doesn’t matter how
Good they are this year, or how
Great the team can be.

Johnny Damon is a Diva

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox are pretty “confident” that they will be signing Johnny Damon in the near future. In fact, the newspaper quotes an anonymous team source as saying he would be “surprised if he didn’t sign” with them.

I sure hope so, because honestly, this might be the last time I ever write about him. Unless he gets busted using PEDs. Or gets caught with a hooker… anything more exciting than this OH MY GOODNESS WHO WILL SIGN JOHNNY DAMON business.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

MLB 10 The Show Trailer

If you missed the world premiere of the new MLB 10 The Show trailer that aired last Thursday night, you're in luck. The game, exclusively for Playstation 3 and featuring Man Muscles on its cover, is set to hit the shelves March 2nd.

Even if you're not a gamer, this trailer will get you pumped as hell for baseball to begin.

Season Previews: Baltimore Orioles

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Moving right along with our preview of the American League East, here are the Baltimore Orioles.

Suckfest in '09
Just sixty-four victories
Man, that is crappy

Guthrie is all set
Brad Bergesen is a klutz
New Spring Training park!

We love Matt Wieters
Tejada at third or short?
Jones in center field

Bruney Gets a Crappy Birthday Gift

With the hopes of earning $350,000 more than the Washington Nationals were willing to pay him, Brian Bruney let his unresolved salary case go to an arbitration hearing, and lost. On his birthday.

The 28-year-old former New York Yankees reliever, who once blamed an injured elbow on an 8-1/2 minute umpire review, was awarded $1.5 million Wednesday instead of his requested $1.85 million.

Bruney went 5-0 with a 3.92 ERA in 44 regular-season appearances for the Yankees last season, when he made $1.25 million.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

McGwire’s Rebirth, Cox’s Farewell

After what I sincerely hope is Mark McGwire’s last formal apology for using performance enhancing drugs during his playing career, the new St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach was ready to get down to business in Jupiter, Florida.

McGwire spent some time in the batting cage with hitters this afternoon before answering reporters’ tired questions regarding his past. Though he knows his mistakes may never be forgotten, he made a point to say that he hopes the issues subside soon.

Speaking of old folks and Spring Training, Bobby Cox is staring down the beginning of the end.

Continue reading this story at SportsUntapped.

Bergesen Hurt During Commercial

Being a major league baseball player has its perks. Some of those perks include something similar to celebrity-status, which the ballplayer might use to appear on television.

Such was the case for Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen.

The right-hander was having a ball during the filming of a commercial promoting Baltimore’s 2010 season, until he strained his throwing shoulder. Unfortunately, now he will be limited in what he can do for the first week or two after pitchers and catchers report for workouts this Thursday in Sarasota, Florida.

Continue reading this story at SportsUntapped.

Chavez Takes the Minor League Route

Endy Chavez has agreed to enter the minor leagues through a contract with the Texas Rangers, including an invitation to their spring training camp.

The outfielder is recovering from knee surgery he underwent last July and probably won’t be healed in time to start the regular season anyway.

He played in just 54 games for the Seattle Mariners last season before tearing his ACL when he collided with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt chasing a popup in short left field on June 19th.

Continue reading this story at SportsUntapped.

Season Previews: New York Yankees

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Kicking off our preview of the American League East is none other than the reigning World Champion New York Yankees.

Twenty-seven rings
Girardi's a life-saver
Hot stove blockbuster

Spankin' new ballpark
But Sarah had fun last season!
(Rip-off prices though)

Swish and Randy Winn
Granderson in center field
Gardner gets the shaft

On their to do list?
Jeter and Mariano
Still haven't been paid.

CC will eat you
and he'll eat up innings too
Burnett is bad ass

Remember When Mark Mulder Was Awesome?

Apparently, recent reports saying that Mark Mulder was going to retire are not exactly accurate. According to his agent, Gregg Clifton, "Mulder has not made a decision." However, Milwaukee Brewers' pitching coach Rick Peterson and former Oakland Athletics teammate Eric Chavez have confirmed the rumors.

Either way, the oft-injured lefty probably should just call it quits. The Big Three days are long gone, and I think most of us were under the impression he already did, anyhow.

Mulder, 32, was the American League's Cy Young Award runner-up in 2001 when he led the league in shutouts and wins, and went on to become an All-Star in 2003 and 2004 when he led the league in complete games.

Edwin Jackson, D'Backs Avoid Arbitration

Avoiding arbitration this weekend, Edwin Jackson and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed on a $13.35 million, two-year deal.

The right-hander went 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA over 33 starts with the Detroit Tigers last season, enjoying his first All-Star selection. He was traded away in a three-team, hot stove deal back in December that also involved Curtis Granderson becoming the new center fielder for New York Yankees.

Continue reading this story at SportsUntapped.

A Century of Throwing Like a Girl

The 2010 baseball season will mark the 100-year anniversary of the ceremonial first pitch.

The century-old tradition of America’s pastime highlights an awkward situation that marks the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game. In old school times, the guest tossed the ball from their seat in the grandstand to the pitcher or catcher of the home team.

These days, the nervous guest stands somewhere near the mound and lobs it to the catcher as if they have never thrown a baseball in their life. More often than not, it bounces at least once on its way to the mitt. Sometimes, the ball flies over the head of the intended recipient. Often, it lands nowhere near its destination.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is your chance to let it all out. Those of you who are madly in love and head over heels for your significant other, tell us how you feel about them. Those of you who are scorned, lay it on us.

By the way, we'd like to take this oppportunity to reveal our super secret crush on Man Muscles. Wait... you already knew that?

Speaking of fantasies, come play fantasy baseball with us! There are still a couple spots open...

xoxo,
BLB

Tim Lincecum: Your Best Fantasy Bet

It was a close call, but the San Francisco Giants and Tim Lincecum have reached a preliminary agreement on a $23 million, two-year contract.

This is pretty great news for Timmy, but even better news for fantasy owners since the righty phenom can finally concentrate on his skills to pay the bills, rather than how he's going to pay for all that sweet ganja the bills.

Avoiding an embarrassing arbitration hearing which was set for Friday afternoon, the San Francisco Giants have given their 25-year-old phenom what he deserved: a Giant raise from the measly $650,000 he made last season.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Winner, Winner, Milwaukee's Best Dinner

In the Milwaukee Brewers' first salary arbitration hearing in 12 years, Corey Hart has emerged victorious.

The outfielder was awarded $4.8 million by the panel of arbitrators Friday, a fairly significant raise from the $3.25 million he made last year.

Hart, who hit .260 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs last season, was the first big league case to go to a hearing this year. Ten more players are scheduled to vie against their teams for more money throughout the week, but not all of them will be as fortunate as Hart.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Little Timmy Gets the Big Bucks

Tim Lincecum has been given a $23 million, 2-year contract. All is right with the world.

The San Francisco Giants reached a preliminary agreement with their 25-year-old phenom just in the nic of time, as their pesky arbitration hearing (which would have been a Giant embarrassment for the club) was set for this afternoon.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

The Big Hurt is Calling It Quits

Frank Thomas is putting an end to his illustrious, 19-year career.

The former Chicago White Sox slugger will announce his retirement during a news conference set for 11 a.m. ET this Friday at U.S. Cellular Field. At that time, the team will also announce the retirement of his No. 35, which may happen this August 2 to mark the 20-year anniversary of the 41-year-old Thomas’ big league debut with the Sox.

Before reading the rest of this article over at SportsUntapped...

We recommend taking a moment to stroll down memory lane and watch this video displaying one of the Big Hurt's finer moments in Canadian broadcasting.

What's Your Fantasy?

It's that time of year again! Yes, it's time to get all smack-talky and play fantasy baseball with us. We've created a league or two and would love nothing more than for you to get your ass beat join in on the fun.

We're filling spots on a first come, first serve basis, and are also looking for one special person who doesn't mind a whole lot of cussing to be the Commissioner of our second league.

Email us here to get in on the action and we'll send you a formal invitation.

As usual, there will be fabulous prizes (Babes Love Baseball t-shirts, hats, and imaginery high fives) and of course, bragging rights for the winner.

We're looking forward to being a part of your fantasy this season!

Johnny Damon: Tomahawk Chop?

Editor’s note: Calm down, this headline was in no way meant to be racially insensitive.

Johnny Damon, quite possibly the most eligible free agent on the market at this point, sent a text message to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution expressing interest in joining the Braves. Now, the team has offered him a one-year deal.

No amount has been reported, but it’s safe to say it might not be the $13 million he made last year in the Big Apple.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Nationals Looking at Wang

Chien-Ming Wang, still without a big league home, will choose which team he'd like to play for within the next 10 days.

Apparently, the former New York Yankees right-hander has two or three choices. He could go pitch for the Washington Nationals or some other unidentified team, according to an anonymous source familiar with Wang's negotiations.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Cardinals Keep Schumaker Two Years... in a Row

Skip Schumaker and the St. Louis Cardinals have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $4.7 million, two-year contract on Monday.

The former outfielder-turned-second baseman is set to make $2 million this season and $2.7 million in 2011 in addition to possible performance bonuses which could bring the grand total to $5 million over two seasons.

Schumaker hit .303 with four home runs and 35 RBIs over 153 games last year while making the transition from the outfield to second base. This means the annual game of musical chairs at that position is over (at least until 2012) which is a breath of fresh air considering the Cards haven’t been able to hold down a pivot guy since Fernando Vina stuck around from 2000-02.

Continue reading and comment on this story at Sports Untapped.

Brian Giles Thinks He's Still Got It

Generally in the game of baseball, when men are pushing 40, it becomes time to hang up the cleats and take up golfing, fishing, or pickleball down in Florida. It's difficult to accept the natural progression of creaky bones, bad backs and sore knees, but it is what it is. They get old and have difficulty competing with scrappy 21-year-old center fielders.

Such is not the case with Brian Giles. In fact, he's pretty sure he can still hit and field a baseball at the big league level.

Continue reading and comment on this story at Sports Untapped.

What Would Your At Bat Music Be?

To help with your Super Bowl-sized hangover this afternoon, we've asked our fellow bloggers the annual, age-old question:

What would your at bat music be if you were a big leaguer?

I've always felt like King of the Road by Roger Miller would do my inevitable trip around the bases justice. Lizzy's would be Milkshake by Kelis, for obvious reasons. Feel free to chime in with your tune in the comments...

Jack, Bet Firms: "Bring the Pain by Method Man."

Mike Podhorzer, Fantasy Pros 911: "I'm Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys. It's a ridiculously awesome song that would get anyone fired up."

Rob Iracane, Walkoff Walk: "Stand by REM. It's so gay that I'd have to waddle out to home plate on my knees with a wiener in each hand, but heck, I just love REM and I really miss the TV show "Get a Life". Plus I'd be afraid to swing at a pitch so I'd just 'stand' there. GET IT?!?"

Random MLB Signings

The Minnesota Twins have signed Orlando Hudson to a one-year, $5 million contract, agreeing not to offer salary arbitration next fall if he becomes a Type A free agent, which means he'd rank in the upper 20% of second basemen in the game... which could totally happen.

This move not only takes care of their second base problem (no offense, Nick Punto) it also forms a whole new pairing up the middle with spankin' new shortstop J.J. Hardy, who was acquired by the Twins early in the offseason in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Continue reading and comment on this story at Sports Untapped.

Grady Sizemore is Sorry About That

Grady Sizemore has publicly addressed last November's nude photo scandal that shocked all of Cleveland, Ohio and some of the rest of the country, apologizing to his fans and the organization for the "embarrassment" it has caused.

Grady, you have nothing to be ashamed of, but hopefully you've learned a valuable lesson here: Never, ever, under any circumstances, email, picture-mail, snail-mail, or fax risque photos of yourself. They could be used against you in the future by scorned old flames or ex-wives. Or... of course, they could be "stolen from your email account."

Does anyone actually believe that?

Speaking of shamelessness, we were "part of the problem" when we posted the Indians' center fielder's Myspacey Sexytime self portraits here on Babes Love Baseball. We are not sorry. Or embarrassed.

The three-time All-Star underwent offseason elbow and abdomen surgeries and has been given the go-ahead by his doctors who say Sizemore won't have any limitations when training camp opens in a few weeks.

"I’ve been hitting and throwing and lifting and running and looking sexy everything has felt good," he said.

[Yahoo! Sports] | [Grady's Ladies] | [Sports Untapped]

Justin Verlander: Hall of Fame Potential?

The Detroit Tigers have officially agreed to keep Justin Verlander around for five more seasons under an $80 million contract, avoiding the arbitration experience.

The staff ace could have attempted to stay healthy for the next two seasons and gone on to earn nine figures, but knew that the Motor City is where he wants to play baseball. Plus, he probably didn't want to be dealt or lost to free agency after the 2012 season.

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Top 10 Fantasy Hitters for 2010

10. Evan Longoria: One of the things that impressed me the most about Longoria is that he has never been caught stealing in the big leagues. Not once. I guess that would be way sweeter if he'd stolen more than 16 bases in his two-year career, but whatever. It took him only 135 games to reach his 100th career RBI, finishing his second season with 113.

9. Ryan Howard: Ryan Howard is one of the most feared hitters in the National League. He might whiff a lot (like 200 times a year) but last season he became just the third player in Major League Baseball history (joining The Babe and Sammy Sosa) to collect at least 135 RBIs and 45 home runs in four straight seasons. I'm betting he can do it again in 2010.

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Random MLB Signings and Spring Training Invites

The Los Angeles Dodgers have invited Jeff Weaver to their Spring Training shindig with a minor league deal after the right-hander went 6-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 games for them last year. The 33-year-old is a career 99-118 with a 4.67 ERA over 10 seasons in the big leagues.

Weaver would earn $800,000 next year if he's added to the 40-man roster and could see $100,000 in performance bonuses if he doesn't suck.

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Man Muscles Hits MLB 10 The Show Cover

Joe Mauer may or may not be in the process of completing a huge 10-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. Only time (and Joe) will tell.

What we do know for sure is that his mug will be on the cover of MLB 10 The Show, which is set to be released March 2.

The list of things I would have given to see the All-Star catcher in a skintight, high-tech sensor suit (to record his motions for the game) is far too lengthy to mention.

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Happy Groundhog Day

It's Groundhog Day today, which means there are only 20 more days until pitchers and catchers report for duty. Punxsatawney Phil hopped out of his hole and saw his shadow today, which means we have six more weeks of winter to look forward to.

In celebration, here is a video. This has nothing to do with baseball, except for the fact that the lead singer is Steve Burns, who used to host Blues Clues before he went off to college and his brother Joe took over the show. One time, Steve and Blue played baseball together in their backyard.

Enjoy.

Melvin Mora Wants Rocktober

Melvin Mora has agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies.

Playing third base for the Baltimore Orioles for the past nine seasons has been pretty great for the guy. It’s been everything he’s ever dreamed of… except that he’s never once played baseball in October with them. In fact, Mora hasn’t enjoyed the postseason since 1999 when he was a 27-year-old rookie with the New York Mets.

Alright, playing with the O’s was basically a paycheck to support his lovely wife and their six beautiful children.

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