MLB News and Rumors

-Pitchers and Catchers report in 6 days. Hard to believe it's time for America's Pastime again, but were all anxious and ready for it!

The Seattle Mariners re-signed Erik Bedard to a one year deal worth $1.5 Million guaranteed with a mutual option for 2011 worth $8 Million. His incentives are based on games and if he could achieve that he will be recieving around $8.5 Million

---It is unlikely Bedard will recieve the incentives if he keeps up his recent trend (15 starts the past 2 years). If he does however, it would make for a serious AL West contender, as well as the best 1-2-3 in baseball.

The Minnesota Twins signed Orlando Hudson to a one year deal worth $5 Million.

---The Twins fill a big gap with this signing. Hudson is coming off a solid 2009 campaign where he hit .283 with 9 HR's and 62 RBI's in 149 games. He will be replacing Nick Punto as the starter at 2nd base. Punto only hit .228 last season and although he has great defense, Hudson brings the same.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Kevin Gregg to a one year deal worth $2.75 Million with a club option for 2011.

--- Gregg has lost the closing role with 2 different teams, 2 years in a row. Last year he really struggled with the Cubs going 5-6 with a 4.72 while converting on only 23/30 saves. Even with his recent struggles, he will still battle for the closers role with Jason Frasor, and Scott Downs.

The New York Mets signed Mike Jacobs to a minor league deal. The deal would pay Jacobs $900,000 if he's in the Majors and he has another $1.15 Million in incentives.

--- A decent low risk signing by the Mets. Jacobs had another disappointing season last year with the Royals where he hit only .228 with 19 HR's and 61 RBI's in 128 games. Jacobs is more known for his power than anything else and hitting in Citi Field will make it very tough on him. He will most likely start at first base for New York in 2010.

The San Francisco Giants signed Todd Wellemeyer to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

---Wellemeyer went 7-10 with a dismal 5.89 ERA in 28 games (21 starts) with the Cardinals last season. He will compete for the 5th spot in the rotation. With top prospect Madison Bumgarner ready however, it is unlikely Wellemeyer will make the rotation. Expect him to be a long-reliever come Opening Day.

MLB News

Tom Glavine has retired today. The future Hall of Fame pitcher won a career 305 games which is 4th best among left handed pitchers all time. He has now taken a job with the Atlanta Braves as a special assistant to Braves president John Schuerholz. Congrats to Tom Glavine for a tremendous career and good luck to him.

The Brewers have still not come to an agreement with OF Corey Hart. There will be an official ruling tomorrow regarding his contract.

I am shocked no team has taken a "flier" on Jermaine Dye yet. Dye hit only .250 last year but smashed 25 HR's and drove in 81 runs. His 2009 second half major decline was so severe and that could be a big reason why he is not signed yet. You just have to wonder if he has finally "hit a wall" at age 36.

Kyle Farnsworth may get a chance to start this season with the Kansas City Royals. The 33 year old Farnsworth has only started 26 games in his career and all of those came in his first 2 seasons with the Cubs back in 1999 and 2000. Interesting decision by the Royals but it's worth a shot.

Chicago Sports

The Chicago Bulls were "embarrassed" on their home court last night against the Orlando Magic as they lost by the score of 107-87. The Bulls are still hanging onto the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Bigger news from the Bulls loss however, was that All-Star Derrick Rose left the game in the 1st quarter due to a bruised hip. Luckily it is nothing serious and Rose may still play in the All Star game this Sunday.

The Chicago Blackhawks have now won 2 in a row after beating the Dallas Stars at home by the score of 4-3 in a Shootout. Antti Niemi made only 24/27 saves, but made all 5 saves in the shootout and Kris Versteeg got the game winning goal. Niemi has now started 2 games in a row and with a back to back coming up, then the Olympic Break, expect Niemi and Huet to split it. The goaltending battle continues in Chicago, but the Blackhawks keep on rolling.

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