Baseball

Well, we’re twenty games into the college baseball season, and the TCU Horned Frogs are now No. 4 in the nation.  I was watching them sweep Texas Tech last weekend shredding on a nice mid 70’s Tejas spring day with my bud Mexican Joe, and we agreed that the scene was quite idyllic.

'Cept for the dang ping of those stupid aluminum bats.

The Yankees might not have had a game today, but there was some activity in the lockerroom.

The Yankees made some of their Spring Training cuts today and sent some players packing. Highly awaited Yankees prospect, Jesus Montero, was one of the several players sent to the minor league camp. Austin Romine, Colin Curtis, and Reid Gorecki were some of the notable other players sent along with Montero. 

Minnesota Twins fans can now breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The biggest drama of the offseason—Joe Mauer’s contract status (or lack thereof)—has finally come to an end.

This article was originally published at TheDailyCub.com , my blog covering all things Chicago Cubs.

Although the 19-year-old prospect was sent to the minors yesterday, Starlin Castro has spent his Spring Training turning heads and creating quite a controversy as to whether or not the Cubs should give the young prospect a shot.

After learning their star closer is out for the remainder of the 2010 season and likely some of the 2011 campaign, the Twins have signed 2009 MVP catcher Joe Mauer to an eight-year; $140 million contract extension good for $17.5 million a season.

Mauer, who could have been a free agent next season, seemingly took a hometown deal to remain in his native Minnesota. Reports said Mauer could have garnered as much as $200 million if he tested the free agent waters.

The Minnesota Twins announce that Joe Mauer has signed an eight-year, $184 million contract. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

The deal will be made official at a 7:00 pm EST press conference in the Twins’ Conference Center.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune  is reporting Twins’ closer Joe Nathan will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

While this season-ending outcome has been speculated for the last few weeks, the official announcement came after Nathan played catch with Twins’ pitching coach Rick Anderson Sunday morning.

It's been a long strange road, but the Orioles Top 30 prospects, my little "rip-off" of Baseball America's version, has finally come to a close.

And without a doubt, there is no better prospect to top it all off than Brian Matusz. Don't let those 45 innings he pitched last season fool you, the lanky lefty still qualifies as a rookie.

Joe Nathan has opted to undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2010 season and leaving his future as an elite closer in question.  While the rest of the fantasy world goes sorting through the middling relievers who could fill the role in the early weeks of the season like Jon Rauch, Matt Guerrier, and Jose Mijares, you may be better served to look at the long-term solution.