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Location, location, location: Lee likes where he's at with Mariners [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 8:27 pm] SURPRISE! Ariz. — Cliff Lee(notes) says he already likes it in Seattle and the Mariners season doesn't even start for another 3 1/2 weeks. That's how comfortable Lee appeared Wednesday, both during and after his Catcus League debut.Five days after having an awkward performance in an intrasquad game, Lee pitched free and easy over three innings against the Texas Rangers, allowing a run and five hits with a walk in Seattle's 6-3 victory. Lee threw with midseason precision — 46 pitches, 36 for strikes — and any thought of any discomfort he might have after offseason foot surgery was set aside. Lee did so well spotting his fastball he was able to work on his other pitches, a workout that was not on his original schedule. What's more, Lee seemed happy with his location, as it refers to home plate and home. "It didn't take me long to realize that it's good people here and a good organization," Lee said. "I like where I'm at. It's not a bad thing. It's not a bad thing at all." When the Phillies traded Lee in December, he didn't see it coming, not at all. But Lee's shock has turned to aww. "It's a bunch of good guys here," Lee said. "It's not hard to fit in with this group. It's a lot of good people, from the coaches to the players to the trainers, everything."The management, they've done it right. And it didn't take long to see that. It's a good environment." Is he so comfortable that contract extension talks are underway between his agent and the club? For the moment, they aren't. But could they be? "I don't really want to have to deal with it during the season," Lee said. "That's how I view it." OK, but is Lee open to signing with the Mariners?"If I sign here, great. If that doesn't work out, that's good too," Lee said. "It's a win-win." Near-love can be so confusing.Lee probably hedged a little because he wants to enjoy the freedom, and leverage, of free agency. After Bravo! Jim Hendry tells Milton Bradley to look in the mirror [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 5:26 pm] This spring, a lot of people have shared the sentiment that the Cubs simply need to move on from last season's Milton Bradley(notes) debacle and not say another word about baseball's angriest cloud.For the most part, I've agreed with that thought. The Cubs have too, with the team uttering the usual clichés about it being a new season and looking ahead. Today I'm changing my tune a bit to say god bless Cubs general manager Jim Hendry for going on a rant of sorts on Wednesday after being asked about Bradley's latest airing of grievances with the Cubs and their legion of fans.In case you missed it, the newest Mariner told ESPN's Colleen Dominguez that he "felt like a prisoner" in his own home while living in Chicago and that he was disappointed that Lou Piniella only apologized personally — not in front of the team or through the media — when the manager called him a "piece of ..." and sent him home early from a game last summer. Bradley also made the implication that some of the hate mail he received may have come from inside the organization and it was that line that appeared to finally get Hendry's goat. Here's what the Hendry said in response to Bradley: "We're all brought up in life to accept responsibility when we fail, and to judge people by how they act and how they carry themselves when things don't go wel. "Obviously (the mail implication) couldn't be farther from the truth. I think maybe it's time Milton looks at himself in the mirror. It is what it is. He just didn't swing the bat. He didn't get the job done. His production, or lack of (production), was the only negative."In a perfect world, Hendry would have told Bradley to grow up before handing him a three-year, $30 million contract. Actually, in a perfect world, he would have told him to grow up before not handing him a contract, but stick with me here ...In short, what Hendry said needed to be said. Someone in baseball need Random photos from the archives: Nomar Garciaparra [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 2:37 pm] Nomar Garciaparra(notes) went through with his retirement this morning, announcing his new gig with ESPN in the process. To mark the occasion, here's a set of pictures from across his 14-year career, including shots of meetings with noted dignitaries like Tom Brady, President Bush and Joey McIntyre. If you're more into the moving memories, check out the video from Nomar's return to Boston last season. I had forgotten how cool that ovation actually was. After a big 2009, what's next for Washington's Ryan Zimmerman? [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 1:25 pm] We all have questions about the 2010 season and luckily Alex Remington has some answers. The Stew's resident stats guru will address a few per week as Opening Day approaches. The Situation: Everyone knows that Stephen Strasburg(notes) is the hottest member of the Washington Nationals, but Ryan Zimmerman(notes) put up MVP-type numbers last year, hitting 33 homers with a .292 batting average, winning his first Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, being named to the All-Star team and establishing himself as arguably the best third baseman in the National League. Zimmerman had 7.1 Wins Above Replacement, essentially tied with Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria(notes) and far ahead of any other third baseman in baseball. It was the fifth-highest WAR mark in the National League, behind only Albert Pujols(notes), Tim Lincecum(notes), Chase Utley(notes), and Hanley Ramirez(notes). With Chipper Jones'(notes) career in its twilight and the questions surrounding David Wright(notes) in New York, Zimmerman is the surest meal ticket at the hot corner in not only his own division, but also the league. The Question: After a monster 2009, what's next for Ryan Zimmerman? The Analysis: Going forward, Adrian Beltre(notes) is probably the worst-case scenario for Nationals fans to envision. Like Zimmerman, Beltre came up to the majors at a young age and was noted for his defense before his bat really came around. When he was a 25-year-old Dodger, Beltre dwarfed his previous offensive efforts and exploded for 48 homers, a .334 batting average, second place in the MVP and signed a $64 million contract that offseason with the Mariners. Then he went to a tough hitter's park in Safeco Field and he averaged a .266 batting average and 20 homers a year over the balance of the contract. The best case scenario, meanwhile, is probably Philadelphia's Michael Jack Schmidt, who had an OPS+ of 90 at ages 22 and 23, then hit 36 homers and made his first All-Star team at 24.Zimmerman doesn Torii Hunter believes black Latino players are 'impostors' [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 11:52 am] Along with his ability to hit a baseball and play center field, Torii Hunter(notes) made a big name for himself by being a likable guy and dropping a few jokes and laughs around the ballpark he plays in.But after Hunter's recent comments on race in baseball, his presence may be greeted with a few less smiles.While participating in USA Today's roundtable on the state of baseball, Hunter floated a theory that baseball uses dark-skinned players from countries like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to give an appearance that it has more African-Americans playing the game than it really does.But, Hunter says in a controversial money quote, "they're not us, they're impostors."Here's more from Hunter in the USA Today: "As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us," Hunter says. "It's like they had to get some kind of dark faces, so they go to the Dominican or Venezuela because you can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when you can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?' ... I'm telling you, it's sad."Hunter has long been a very vocal advocate of increased African-American participation in baseball and his voice is a valuable one. Normally it is very respected. But as Hardball Talk's Craig Calcaterra astutely points out, this was a terrible and illogical way to advance the fight. Baseball fans, on the whole, want to see the best talent on the field as possible and it doesn't matter to us what color is under the cap. The talent always rises to the top and gets paid accordingly as top African-American players like CC Sabathia(notes), Ryan Howard(notes) and even Hunter himself can attest. And it's that talent that earns big paychecks doled out in the only color that really matters in baseball — green. Twelve of the 25 highest salaries in 2009 Spring Snapshot: Mariners set sail with optimistic crew [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 10:07 am] Every day in spring training until we're finished with the entire league, Big League Stew takes a brief capsule look at each team that we visit in Florida and Arizona. On Tuesday, Dave checked in with the Seattle Mariners, the chic pick by some to take the AL West and, perhaps, beyond.SEATTLE MARINERS2009 RECORD: 85-77, 3rd in AL WestBIG ACQUISITIONS: The Mariners made a big splash a few years ago by signing Adrian Beltre(notes) and Richie Sexson(notes) (and, more recently, Carlos Silva(notes)) in free agency. While Beltre can't be put in the same bag as Sexson, the whole thing was expensive and failed miserably. This venture, with general manager Jack Zduriencik trading for Cliff Lee(notes) and signing Chone Figgins(notes), seems better thought out. ... Milton Bradley(notes), who can hit but also can be the center of ridiculous distractions, needs to work and play well with others like in the first half of 2008 with the Rangers ... Casey Kotchman(notes) can field and can be an average hitter as well. Maybe a little better than average. Possibly worse.BIG DEPARTURES: Beltre's contract ran out and, though the M's wanted to retain him, he signed with Boston. ... Russell Branyan(notes) provides more offense than Casey Kotchman but the M's declined to bring him and his tricky back, back. ... Catcher Kenji Johjima(notes) went back to Japan. ... Brandon Morrow(notes), a former No. 1 draft pick, is probably better off being in Toronto. ...Miguel Batista(notes) went Nationals.FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE MARINERS:1. If the M's are all about defense, what's going on at third base? It's a partial contradiction, but it's because of defense that they're moving Jose Lopez(notes) to third and Figgins to second. Though it's been a few years since he played there regularly, Figgins is probably a better second baseman than Lopez. But the problems is that Lopez has only 25 career innings at third, and it's been an adventurous spring for him over there so far. 2. If the M's a D12: Nomar Garciaparra set to call it a career after 14 seasons [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 9:11 am] Welcome to 'Duk's Dozen, a streamlined selection of 12 morning-fresh links and items to start your day. It welcomes submissions here or via Twitter. 1. Most everyone back in the year 2000 would've bet that Nomar Garciaparra(notes) would end up in the Hall of Fame and maybe also help the Red Sox end their 86-year World Series title drought.Neither of those things happened — or will happen — but Nomar has a Baseball-Reference page to be proud of when he ends his career with a retirement press conference this morning. He hit .313/.361/.521 over his 14-season career, won Rookie of the Year in 1997 and was named to six All-Star teams. It's true that he struggled with injury after Boston traded him to the Cubs at the 2004 trading deadline and was sometimes the subject of steroid whispers, even though he has never been implicated. Still, there was a period of time when Garciaparra stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Alex Rodriguez(notes) and Derek Jeter(notes) as the shortstop position evolved in the late '90s into a spot where offense didn't necessarily go to die. For that, his career will always be remembered. ESPN Boston via MLBTR2. I love stuff like this: Garciaparra will sign a one-day minor league contract with the Red Sox and hold his press conference at Boston's spring training in Ft. Myers. Biz of Baseball 3. If Nomar needs something to keep him busy — other than being Mr. Hamm, of course — maybe Curt Schilling(notes) will hire him as a designer for his new fantasy video game. BBTF 4. Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) says he wants to play at least 10 more years in the United States. That's fine, so long as he likes pitching in places like Pawtucket. WEEI 5. Joe Nathan's(notes) injury was understandably the subject of Twins' fans fretting on Tuesday and it led to a number of backup plans being floated. So how about John Smoltz(notes)? Twinkie Talk6. It's nice that Pirates fans could see their team beat the Yankees in spring trainin Twin Cities paper goes way back in time for Strasburg headline [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 10, 2010, 7:27 am] Fifty seasons ago, the American League franchise in Washington, D.C. picked up and moved to Minnesota, transforming from the Senators to the Twins.That anniversary might have been on the mind of the copy editor at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune who flubbed the nickname of the team for which Stephen Strasburg(notes) plays.Instead of calling them, you know, the Nationals, the headline read "Senators' Strasburg impressive in debut." As brain farts go, it's pretty awesome. It's so cool, in fact, the ghost of Walter "Big Train" Johnson appeared on the page next to Strasburg's photo.OK, we might have added Walter in there ourselves. But it just goes to show: You can't go 88 mph in a souped-up DeLorean and paginate a newspaper at the same time. In defense of the headline writer, Strasburg was impressive and it was his debut, which means the newspaper person went 2-for-3, a performance Joe Mauer(notes) would take every time. Note: Another Senators franchise came to Washington in the major league expansion of 1961, but they, too, had moved west by the '70s. So, keep on the lookout for the Dallas Morning News someday referring to Justin Smoak's(notes) debut for the Rangers Senators. A big BLS head nod goes to @AaronGleeman for the assist. Desert Drive: Mariners smiling and dancing their way to victory [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 9:08 pm] Stew lieutenant David Brown is visiting Arizona, with his desert swing taking him Tuesday to Peoria (it's not just for Illinois!) where the Seattle Mariners train. Expectations are higher than Mt. Rainier for the M's, who added Chone Figgins(notes) and Cliff Lee(notes) to the potent mix of Ichiro Suzuki(notes) and Felix Hernandez(notes). General manager Jack Zduriencik had bonanza of an offseason, but just two years removed from 101 losses, can the Mariners climb all of the way to the top of the AL West?Konichiwa, Stewies!Well, these Mariners sure make for a lively bunch. Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) was running his own Improv comedy club both inside and out. Others got into the fun, too. Above, check out the dance moves of a grooving (and smiling) Milton Bradley(notes), along with happy Mike Sweeney(notes). In the middle, the incomparable Ichiro, who is finishing up his own shimmy. You'd be smiling, too (even during morning stretch) if you played for a team that had what it took to win the World Series. Fun is the atmosphere at Mariners camp. Not two years ago, they were a team that would just as soon throw a batting helmet at you as beat you in the game. They were a bunch of overpaid sourpusses who lost 101 games and then lost a bunch of people their jobs. This team will not be a bunch of sourpusses. Rather, it's a non-stop laugh-a-palooza at the Port of Zduriencik. Except maybe for Cliff Lee, but he's not paid by the chuckle; his contract specifically stipulates it. "I've had people come in and tell me they've been in 10 [other] locker rooms and they haven't seen a locker room as loose as that one," Zduriencik said, referring to his own. "That doesn't mean destiny, but if you don't like showing up at the place you work at, it's tougher to work. That goes for no matter where you work." Winning further makes for good chemistry. If the M's are flailing about, 15 games out of a playoff spot in late August, not even popping in a tape of the Dean Martin C Remember Matt Wieters? He's on the newest Sports Illustrated [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 5:39 pm] The baseball Twittersphere has hyperbolized its way through so many prospects in the last year that it seems like the fawning over Matt Wieters actually took place on an early 90s BBS.But that's the nature of the beast and it's not hard to see why Aroldis Chapman(notes), Stephen Strasburg(notes), Jason Heyward(notes) and Bryce Harper have followed in Wieters' footsteps as the Internet's it-boy. Our insatiable hunger for being on a superstar's ground floor now growls on a second-by-second basis The unfortunate byproduct of that technological progress is that today's savior is easily turned into tomorrow's afterthought, even if he has less than 100 big league games to his name. Such seems the case with Wieters, who played in 96 contests for the Orioles, assembling a split line of .288/.340/.412 with nine homers and 43 RBI. Fantastic rookie stats, but considering the hype suggested we should expect three homers and six RBI a game, a little bit of a letdown. All of that is to say that I'm glad to see Wieters on the front of Sports Illustrated — the first Oriole coverboy since Roberto Alomar in 1996 — and an extended profile on the young O by Tom Verducci within its pages. The article is entitled "Rare Bird" while the cover is emblazoned with "Matt Wieters: The Orioles' Tower of Power, The Game's Next Joe Mauer(notes)." Perhaps both are reminiscent of the cyber palm fronds that greeted Wieters arrival in Charm City last summer. But in an age where we lose focus once something doesn't immediately match our outsized expectations, it's nice to receive a reminder that Wieters is still only 23 years old and that he's still on a path to be one heck of a baseball player. PS — Andy Behrens of Roto Arcade agrees. Create-a-Caption: Jeter and A-Rod are fit to be tied (together) [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 3:20 pm] Apologies for the C-a-C break while I was swinging through Florida, but we're back strong with this shot of Derek Jeter(notes) and Alex Rodriguez(notes) doing ... well, actually, I have no idea what they're doing there. Anyone heard from either one of them lately? So have at it, amateur Internet copy editors of the world. How should this caption read? Follow the jump for winners from the last C-a-C, featuring a nefarious Big Mac: Big Mac holds the fate of the world in his hand 1st — Ryan. "OK, I didn't have Tivo to see what happened to you guys against the Dodgers in the playoffs ... By the power of HGH I order you to reenact the NLDS Game 2 ... You too, Holliday!" 2nd — Bob The Viking. "I did not have sexual relations with the guy who gave me steroids."3rd — NorCalJon. "In a display of divisional competition, St. Louis counters Milwaukee's undeserved tribute to a pompous, lying, blight to baseball by erecting an effigy of their own." HM — twomorrow5. "Once you have your leg back and you buttock properly exposed, you going to want to grasp your syringe firmly in your right hand..." Spring Snapshot: Indians starting over for 62nd straight year [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 2:30 pm] Every day in spring training until we're finished with the entire league, Big League Stew takes a brief capsule look at each team we visit in Florida and Arizona. It's been 62 years since Satchel Paige and the Cleveland Indians won the World Series. The good news? The Cubs have been waiting 40 more years. The bad news? Cleveland is going to have to wait at least one more.CLEVELAND INDIANS'09 RECORD 65-97/4th in AL CentralBIG ACQUISITIONS: Manny Acta, who had it rough managing the Washington Nationals, brings enthusiasm and intelligence to the skipper's post. How fast he learns from his own mistakes in Washington will be key to his transition. ... The signing of Russell Branyan(notes) to play first base also changes the dynamic in the outfield.BIG DEPARTURE: Kelly Shoppach(notes), who became the No. 1 catcher after Victor Martinez(notes) was traded, also was dealt away. FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE INDIANS:1. What happens to Matt LaPorta(notes), or Michael Bradley — the haul from the CC Sabathia(notes) trade — when only one is playing left field? He, whoever it is, will be playing at Class AAA. LaPorta has big power and is the better prospect but, with Branyan at first and Travis Hafner(notes) at DH, must go to left field. Brantley is younger, faster and a solid leadoff prospect. But LaPorta is the face of the Indians rebuilding project. 2. How much will they get for Kerry Wood(notes) in a trade? Non-contenders don't need pricey closers, so it makes sense to move Wood, whose value fluctuates with his effectiveness and, of course, health. Strike while the iron is hot, or at least plugged in. A replacement for Joe Nathan(notes) in Minnesota, perhaps? 3. What happens if Shin-Soo Choo(notes) has to go fight Kim Jong-Il? If the Indians can't get him out of compulsory military service in his native Korea via diplomatic channels, there's always subterfuge. Heck, if it takes a series of international incidents to keep the guy in right field past this season, T Stephen Strasburg arrives, throws two scoreless innings in debut [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 1:33 pm] Stephen Strasburg(notes) didn't last long during his spring training debut on Tuesday. But no worries, Nats fan. Strasburg's short stint was actually a good thing because baseball's top pitching prospect went as quickly as he came, working quickly through two scoreless innings against the Tigers while only giving up two hits. Strasburg threw a total of 25 pitches, including seven during a 1-2-3 first inning that lasted roughly two minutes and produced three ground balls from the top of the order. His most impressive moment came one inning later when he used a high fastball to get Detroit star Miguel Cabrera(notes) swinging late on a 2-2 count. He didn't hit the 100 MPH mark like Aroldis Chapman did on Monday, but Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports that most of Strasburg's fastballs measured in the 96-98 MPH range. Not bad. It's obviously a little early to fire up the Hall of Fame bandwagon after only eight batters — two more innings and we would have been talking — but that's seriously about what we wanted to see from Strasburg out of the gate. The 21-year-old looked comfortable on the mound, pitched within himself and didn't struggle at all with his control. The best thing I can say about the appearance is that he left us wanting to see more after two innings. What will Strasburg show once he's able to stretch out and stay awhile? ModernTube: Joe Mauer gets Pedroia treatment from Playstation [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 11:45 am] If you've been watching MLB Network lately, you've seen this Joe Mauer(notes) commercial 1,200 times already. If you watch Stephen Strasburg's(notes) debut, you'll see it 1,200 more times.I'm still posting it, though, because some people don't watch MLB Network as much as I do. And also because it brings back that Kevin Butler guy and also because it's almost as good as the Dustin Pedroia version from 2009. Even if you've already seen it, try not to laugh again. What's the difference between 99 and 100 MPH fastballs? [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 10:55 am] There were a number of conflicting reports over the top speed of Aroldis Chapman's(notes) fastball during his Monday debut with estimations starting at 99 miles per hour and reaching an optimistic high of 102. Like many of you, I wondered what a few MPH meant among friends — fast is fast, right? — but Red Reporter took it a step farther and did some research to find out the differences between each notch. Talk about an interesting post. Using Joe Leftkowitz's Pitch F/X tool, RR called up data from every pitch that was thrown between 96 and 100+ MPH during the 2009 season. What he ended up finding was that a pitch thrown 100+ MPH had a miss rate percentage — swing, no contact — of 27.3 percent. A ball thrown 99 MPH, meanwhile, had a miss rate of 23.5 percent, while a 97 MPH fastball missed the bat 18.9 percent of the time.Red Reporter acknowledges the shortcomings in his post — small sample size, radar gun differences between ballparks, no accounting for control or movement, etc. — but it's still a fun set of data to talk about when it comes to discussing diminishing returns and pitch speed. Joe Nathan considering season-ending Tommy John surgery [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 9:55 am] There's no rite of spring more depressing than the first superstar going down with a major injury and it looks like Joe Nathan(notes) might be that player in 2010. The Twins closer told reporters in Ft. Myers on Tuesday morning that he has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow and is weighing the possibility of season-ending Tommy John surgery. First, though, he'll give his arm some rest and then test out his pain threshold. With the opening of Target Field looming and the Twins set to defend their AL Central title, Nathan wants to be 100 percent sure that he can't tolerate the pain before going under the knife.From the Star Tribune: "I'm going to do whatever I can right now to give myself the best chance to go out there and help this team out,'' Nathan said, ``but at the same time, I'm not going let this go on too long because at the same time, I know these guys have a decision to make, and they've gotta prepare for the season, too, so I will make a decision quicker rather than later and give them ample time to do what they have to do.''As Roto Arcade mentions, Ron Gardenhire's replacement options could include Matt Guerrier(notes) and Jon Rauch(notes). Guerrier is coming off a great 2009 season, but he would be far from the dominant presence that Nathan has been with a 1.87 ERA and 246 saves over the last seven seasons. There are few players who are bigger game-changers in the AL Central right now. One more thing: The national spotlight has always found its way to Justin Morneau(notes) and Joe Mauer(notes). The focus is deserved, but it always overlooks how Nathan provides the Twins' bullpen the same security that Mariano Rivera(notes) gives the Yankees. If Nathan's worst fears are realized and surgery is needed, the casual baseball fan will learn just how underappreciated he's been. D12: Stephen Strasburg gets first nod in spring training [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 9, 2010, 8:59 am] Welcome to 'Duk's Dozen, a streamlined selection of 12 morning-fresh links and items to start your day. It welcomes submissions here or via Twitter. 1. Today's the day that the world finally gets a look at Stephen Strasburg(notes) as the Nationals' ace-in-waiting will start an exhibition against the Tigers. So if the sun starts to shine a little brighter just after lunch in our nation's capital, you'll know why. But as Adam Kilgore points out, Strasburg is already serving in a spring training stopper's role of sorts— the Nats have gone 0-6 to start the exhibition season, being outscored 67-30 in the process. The pitching staff, meanwhile, has given up 91 hits, 28 walks and 12 home runs in 50 innings of work. The team ERA is 10.98. No pressure, kid! WaPo2. The Strasburg game will be shown live at 1:05 ET on both MLB Network and MLB.TV. MLB.com 3. More on this later, but Joe Nathan(notes) and the Minnesota Twins have sadly already sewn up the worst news of the day with the closer weighing Tommy John surgery. Hardball Talk 4. Does Bob Klapisch hold a grudge against Darryl Strawberry? Did it come through in that widely-circulated weekend article on The Straw? Subway Squawkers 5. Larry Granillo tells us way more than we ever needed to know about the history of the batting helmet — from Jackie Hayes to David Wright(notes). Wezen-Ball 6. Our Jake Peavy(notes) Hurt Locker post was originally supposed to be a video blog, but we ran into some technical problems. Long story short, we finally fixed them and didn't want DB's editing to completely go to waste. So here's Peavy discussing the similarities, complete with an appearance from Joe "Roger Ebert" Torre. Big League Stew 7. What can baseball fans take away from "the nerdery" — their word, not mine — at last weekend's Sloan Sports Conference at MIT? Crawfish Boxes 8. Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman(notes) may have been wowing them over in Desert Drive: Lou Marson scoring points as Cleveland catcher [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 8, 2010, 9:05 pm] Stew lieutenant David Brown has shifted to Arizona, and his desert swing took him Sunday to Goodyear, home to (among another) the Cleveland Indians. The Tribe is still looking to fill Victor Martinez's(notes) chest protector with a replacement after last season's deadline deal with the Boston Red Sox. Lou Marson(notes) (middle) seems like the guy for the job.What's the word, Cuyahoga Stewies?The Indians got rained out Sunday (as did most of Cactus practice), but that just meant we had more opportunities to bother the players inside the clubhouse. Tucked between the locker for Jake Westbrook(notes) and a corner of the room was Marson, who has been billed as the Indians catcher of the future after coming from the Phillies in the Cliff Lee(notes) trade. Well, considering Martinez is long gone to the Red Sox (and didn't that make Indians fans happy?), Marson also has a pretty good shot to be catcher of the present. Marson, who grew up in nearby Scottsdale, said he didn't emulate other catchers growing up because he played third base until his senior season in high school."I was a big Chipper Jones(notes) fan," Marson said. "Still am."Marson jumped in behind the plate after the starting catcher failed some classes and was suspended from the team."We didn't have anybody else and I was a pretty good athlete," Marson said. "Had no clue as to what I was doing, though I had always wanted to catch. "I was always like, 'Lemme catch! Lemme catch!' So finally, [my coach] put me back there one winter, one time in winter ball. It worked out, I guess." Marson took to catching because it helps him focus on the entire game and get bogged down mentally with hitting. "I like being active and not just thinking about my at-bat while standing over there at third," Marson said. A fourth-round pick of the Phillies in 2004, Marson became one of their top prospects after big back-to-back seasons in '07 and '08. That, plus Marson's career l Aroldis Chapman hits 100 mph, strikes out three in Reds debut [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 8, 2010, 6:50 pm] GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Chris Getz(notes) confirmed what the radar gun said about Aroldis Chapman(notes). "Yeah, he's bringing it," Getz said after Chapman's Cactus League debut.Cincinnati's Cuban curiosity threw at least one pitch that reached 100 mph, according to the scouts that were clocking him, and he struck out three Kansas City Royals over two scoreless innings on Monday afternoon. Chapman, via Cincinnati Reds translator Tony Fossas (remember him?) didn't see why a big fuss was being made over his velocity. "I wasn't trying to throw any harder, or anything like that, I was just working on my pitches," Chapman said. "If I did hit that high, it's just one of those things."Yes, Aroldis, 100 is the new 90. After relieving Bronson Arroyo(notes) to start the third inning, Chapman allowed one hit — a sharp single to countryman Brayan Pena(notes) — and a walk. Of his 26 pitches, 15 were strikes, though his control sharpened after a ragged beginning."I'll take 100 and command," manager Dusty Baker said. True, it was only two innings and it was only against the Royals, who employed Rick Ankiel(notes) as a cleanup hitter and Alberto Callaspo(notes) in the five hole. But the buzz seems justified so far for Chapman, whom the Reds signed to a $30-million contract (more if he meets incentives) in the offseason's most surprising deal.Chapman, a 6-foot-4 left-hander who defected from Cuba in 2009, said he felt better than he did during last week's intrasquad game."I feel like I can be more aggressive in the zone and I don't have to worry so much about throwing the ball inside," Chapman told about a dozen reporters who showed up to watch him pitch. "I went out there with the same attitude — being responsible with my pitches."Ankiel, a former pitcher with the same kind of lively arm back in the day, said Chapman throws harder than most lefties and used sliders with two different breaks. He also cuts Evening Shade: Muhammad Ali pays a visit to Padres camp [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: March 8, 2010, 6:24 pm] Spring training produces an avalanche of newsy tidbits. Most weekday evenings, we'll review some of the stories that accumulated during the day.Padres visit with Muhammad Ali: The Champ made a stop in Peoria on Monday morning in the name of Athletes For Hope. It's clear that Parkinson's is continuing to take its sad toll on Ali, but he was able to pose for some photos with Padres like the Hairston Bros. Fists up, boys. The legend of Jason Heyward rolls on: The 20-year-old Human Headline continued his spring tear, launching a first-inning home run off Detroit's Max Scherzer(notes) that was either estimated at 450, 475 or 500 feet, depending on who was doing the estimating. Heyward went 1-for-2 with a walk on Monday, bringing his spring batting average to .417 (5-for-12). He's also walked five times. Aroldis Chapman hits 102: DB was in Goodyear for the pro debut of the Cuban rookie and will be along shortly with a post of his own. The gist? Chapman hit 99 MPH on the team's radar gun and struck out three of his last four batter through two scoreless innings. Albert Pujols scratched for two games with back pain: Great, and right after I tabbed King Albert as one of my fantasy keepers this season. (Only kidding, nothing serious for now.)Canadian doctor says he treated A-Rod: I'm not sure if we're supposed to sound the outrage sirens, but the truth is that my eyes glazed over before I even knew there was a Dr. Tony Galea. Did he give HGH to A-Rod after his hip surgery or to any of his other high-profile clients? Or is Galea telling the truth when he says that a shipment of HGH was kept for his own personal use? I seriously doubt it's the latter, but I really can't go through this any more. |