Baseball

The New York Yankees shut Michael Pineda down today after the young right-hander suffered a setback during his start in an extended spring training game. This will almost certainly end Pineda's chances of making the rotation in 2012.

June 3, 2011. That is the last time Ivan Nova lost a game pitching for the New York Yankees. Even on that day, he only gave up two earned runs in six innings pitched.

“Whatever the Yankees bring up as far as having success, you can easily knock it out by saying we knocked you out after being 0-and-3. The one the Boston Red Sox were able to get from the Yankees was probably the most painful ever, I think, in any sport to the Yankees fans.” 

School: Barbe HS (LA)
D.O.B.: 12/22/93 (18-years-old)
Height: 6’1" ft.
Weight: 180 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Position: SS

Stats:

Dontrelle Willis has signed a minor-league contract with the Baltimore Orioles, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, it is a "split contract that's worth $700k for bigs."

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval had a resurgent 2011 season, batting .315/.357/.552 with 25 home runs and 70 RBI, and earning his first All-Star appearance. 

As long as there is a trade market, the New York Yankees will never be finished trying to perfect their roster as such a feat is nearly impossible in Major League Baseball.

But with an abnormal amount of depth in their starting rotation and a few players on their contract years, New York has plenty of options should they find any player on the trading block attractive.

Say, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels or perhaps a top prospect?

Houston Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez had a decent rookie season, compiling a .274/.319/.423 slash average with six home runs and 35 RBI in 226 plate appearances after joining the team in late July. 

Though he's slated to be the Astros starting left fielder this season, Martinez wanted to be in great shape when he got to spring training. To achieve that, he wanted to be pushed hard. So hard that he'd leave his effort all over the training room. Literally. 

Heading in to the 2012 campaign, Chicago Cub fans should be excited about the talent they have at the minor league level.  They have a couple of top prospects who are already making a major impact in spring training, and Cub fans should not forget these names once the regular season hits.  

There's nothing like seeing your late-rounder blossom and become one of the stars of your fantasy baseball team.

There will always be waiver-wire wonders, but sometimes all you need is a good draft of sleepers to give you that edge over the competition.

Plus, there's nothing like beating an unsuspecting foe with players he never even thought of before.

Chad Billingsley, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers