Memo to Bud Selig: Realignment is a serious thing, please don’t force it.
That being said, I will try to present my reasons that I am totally against another realignment in baseball, before commissioner Selig leaves his office in 2011.
Back in 1995, a couple years after the Rockies and Marlins entered the league, the MLB the created three divisions in each league and a wild card team as well. Now, 15 years later, Selig is considering another realignment in baseball that would totally wipe out the current format to base divisions …

Like many teams, this offseason was pretty busy due to the immense amount of free agents for the St. Louis Cardinals. As their number 1 fan, I was in the middle of this checking the rumor mill every day to see how the team would look in 2010. Well here we are three weeks into Spring Training and the Cards are prepping to defend their NL Central title. Here is a look back at the Cardinals offseason and a little of what’s been going on so far in Florida this …

This edition of the news and rumors column will focus on a bunch of tidbits from around the majors, ranging from retirement to injury to the future.

Todd Helton continues to rack in the dough like he racks in the RBIs for the Rox. Colorado’s all-time great Helton agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2013 worth $9.9 million (couldn’t quite reach $10 mil). For anyone who doesn’t remember, because I totally forgot, Helton signed a $141.5 million/9-year contract in 2003. Yowza! That’s a lotta cash! It’s good to see him …

Last Laugh for San Fran?
Down the stretch in the midst of a wild card race last season, Brewers 1B Prince Fielder slugged an extra inning walkoff homer to beat the Giants. This wasn’t the issue though. As Fielder approached home plate, he jumped in the air and landed on the plate, which led to his teammates falling over like bowling pins. And yes, the Giants took offense to this.
So on Thursday, Giants pitcher Barry Zito, in the team’s first chance for retaliation, hit Fielder in the first inning in the …

Money Talks, Upton Listens
The Diamondbacks have announced today that they have reached an agreement with Justin Upton on a six-year extension reportely worth $51.25 millon.  Good for the Diamondbacks locking up what looks to be a player headed for superstardom.  Justin is the younger brother of BJ (who plays for the Rays) but has enjoyed more success (in the regular season) than his brother thus far.  Upton is just 21 and last year hit .300-.366-.532 with 24 HR and 86 RBI.  The D-backs now have a centerpiece to build around for …

Disclaimer: Some information written in this section is strictly rumor, and has no factual information outside of what has been heard, or speculated upon, via outside sources.
Derek Jeter Minus the Pinstripes?

Nahhh… Although, this has come into question this week due to his contract ending after this year. Jeter has simply stated that he wants to remain a Yankee for the remainder of his career (3-6 years?). And about those pinstripes, he couldn’t imagine not wearing them. Jeter has been the heart and soul of the Yankees since they won in …

Disclaimer: Some information written in this section is strictly rumor, and has no factual information outside of what has been heard, or speculated upon, via outside sources.
Manny’s Farewell Tour

In the final year of his two-year, $45 million contract (overpriced much?), Manny Ramirez has announced that he is not coming back to the Dodgers next year. Please tell me he’s retiring..!!! Well, not so fast – Manny says he is undecided on what to do next year, but he expects to be either retired or back to DH in the American …

For those of you who don’t follow the Olympics, could care less whether Brett Favre will play another year, don’t care about basketball, and have been hit with snow in the last week (yes, that includes you in Texas too), get a warm feeling! Baseball is on it’s way back!

No, it’s not quite the summer months yet, so don’t pull out the shorts from the closet quite yet… but today marks the first day of mandatory pitchers and catchers practice! Position players are required to join the battery men next week, …

Until yesterday no one wanted Johnny Damon on their team, including the Yankees.  Reason being is he wanted $10 million per season at the age of 36 AND a multi-year deal which would be him at age 37, at the least.  All of a sudden Damon is now getting offers from the Braves (1-year, $4 million) and the Tigers (1-year, $4.5 million) and I’ve even heard rumors of the Rays being interested.
Johnny Damon is a prime example of players demanding too much money.  Obviously this happens year after year, we …

Disclaimer: Some information written in this section is strictly rumor, and has no factual information outside of what has been heard, or speculated upon, via outside sources.
Tom Glavine Officially Retires

After realizing he would no longer be offered a contract to pitch again in the majors, former Braves great Tom Glavine has retired from baseball. Glavine is a sure-shot Hall of Famer after reaching 305 wins with the Mets a couple years ago. He is also the 1995 World Series MVP with Atlanta. He sat out last year in hopes of …