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Chipper Jones has reached agreement on a contract extension with the Atlanta Braves. The extension is said to be worth $42 million over three seasons, with an option for a fourth year at an additional $19 million.

The Atlanta Braves just made their smartest move since Frank Wren was hired as General Manager. They signed their star third baseman, Chipper Jones, through 2012 for $42 million.

The 36 (nearly 37) year old third baseman has been the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves organization for over 10 years, and it seems that it will stay that way until he decides to call it quits.

Geoff Jenkins was released by the Philadelphia Phillies today.

Jenkins hit a crucial double in the sixth inning of Game Five of the World Series to put the Phillies in position to take a lead, yet it wasn't enough to keep him for the 2009 season.

Jenkins was a fan-favorite and an all-around good guy, yet his lackluster .246 batting average, nine home runs, and 29 RBI in 115 games didn't impress the Phillies brass enough to keep him around.

Jenkins was due $8 million this upcoming season, and the Phillies felt his play didn't match the pay.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, Philadelphia lefty Cole Hamels is officially out of consideration for opening night versus the Atlanta Braves.

After injuring his pitching elbow a few weeks ago, Philly "phans" were sure their ace was going to be good to go on Apr. 5.

However, after allowing 10 hits against the pride of Philadelphia's farm on Mar. 30 in four innings (he also walked one and Kd five), pitching coach Rich Dubie said the Philly Phenom's control just wasn't good enough for the season's first game.

It's Jordan Schafer!

I must say, I was skeptical that the Braves would make the right move here. I was very afraid they would treat Schafer the way they did young pitcher Tommy Hanson, who also had a great spring.

While it is not yet official, the trade of CF Josh Anderson for righthanded minor-league reliever Rudy Darrow certainly suggests that Schafer has claimed the starting job over the competition.

Going into training, it was really down to Schafer and Anderson; Gregor Blanco was a longshot from the start.

The Cardinals finalized their opening day pitching staff by optioning flame-thrower Chris Perez to Triple-A Memphis. This move leaves the Cardinals with 12 healthy pitchers heading north for opening day.

The Cardinals elected to keep Brad Thompson as a second long-relief pitcher, not because his performance merits a trip north over Perez's, but mainly because of the shaky performance by long-relief pitcher Kyle McClellan. 

Manager Tony LaRussa was quoted as saying, "I'm sure he'd rather pitch in the big leagues, but he knows he's highly regarded, and he's young."

For everyone who picked Marmol in fantasy, the answer whether Marmol would be the closer is answered.  He will remain the setup man.

Kevin Gregg has been a monster during spring training, not allowing a single run.  Marmol on the other hand has struggled, having an ERA of 4.50.  What hurt Marmol was that he played in the WBC, while Gregg stayed and put out the show of his life. 

The Chicago Tribune reported on Sunday afternoon that Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella has formally chosen Kevin Gregg as his closer to start the 2009 season.

This leaves Carlos Marmol as the setup man, a role in which he earned a trip to the All-Star Game last season.

Gregg was acquired in a trade for pitching prospect Jose Ceda earlier this winter, and has had a dominating spring camp in Arizona. In nine games, Gregg has 8.1 innings pitched, one win, ten strikeouts and zero earned runs allowed added to no losses and just two walks.

At the beginning of Spring Training, the Texas Rangers had four catchers with a legitimate shot at making the big-league roster: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Max Ramirez, and Adam Melhuse.

Ramirez has been just a bit behind, as his native Venezuela had a long run in the World Baseball Classic. He will likely start the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City to continue to work on his defensive skills. Max could be brought up to the Bigs again if either Salty or Teagarden get injured or struggle.

According to CSNPhilly.com and Henry Schulman, the Philadelphia Phillies have acquired left-handed pitcher Jack Taschner from the San Francisco Giants for catcher Ronny Paulino.