So Chien-Ming Wang signed a $2 million deal with the Nationals. With incentives, it could reach $3 million. This is a team that had a $60 million payroll in 2009 and will be in the same ballpark in 2010. I find it amazing that no other teams (and there are some that desperately need pitching) would sign him for $2 million. Yes, he cannot pitch until May, but he has a career 55-26 record and won 19 games twice. Granted, he has no postseason success and has barely pitched in two years, but no one wants him? Rangers? Mets? Twins? White Sox? Just as a note, I believe he is the only Wang to ever pitch in the majors……..Damon Update! So, a few weeks ago, I said that Damon would end up with a 2 year contract between $10 and $12 million. If rumors are correct, the Tigers are offering $#14 million for two years. He would be a great addition in front of Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen. Now, let’s see if their pitching holds up against the Twins……..Speaking of the Twins, Opening Day at Target Field will be April 5. The return of outdoor baseball to Minnesota is only seven weeks away. The typical temperature range for that day in Minneapolis is 31 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit. I sat at World Series games in 35 and 40 degree temperatures. Bring blankets and those hand warmers to the Twins games……..The Yankees have targeted Cuban defector Adeinis Hechavarria as potential heir apparent to their shortstop position. I cannot find any of his Cuban statistics and everyone is crazy about him. I read the reports. What about him is so special, someone tell me……..From the news of the strange, Brad Bergesen of the Orioles hurt his shoulder while filming a commercial for the team. Apparently, he was throwing at full-speed for the commercial. Why? Would we know the difference between 75, 85 or 90? Charlie Sheen threw 85 mph as Rick Vaughn of the Indians. The radar gun said 99 mph. We believed him, I am sure we would believe Bergesen……..Frank Thomas can retire but Carlos Delgado cannot?……..Rocco Baldelli still is not signed? Jermaine Dye? Felipe Lopez is still unsigned but fired Scott Boras. I have a feeling that some teams are not yet done forming their team……..If you were a major league manager and a missed call by an umpire may have ruined your chances to get into the postseason, would you want him to apologize? Randy Marsh (not the guy from South Park) has apologized to Jim Leyland for missing a pitch that hit Brandon Inge and would have given the Tigers a one run lead in the 12th inning of the play-in game last year. Would you want that call or not?……..Pitchers and catchers report. Finally……..Is there a better entrance song than Enter Sandman for Mariano Rivera? If so, tell me……..It was announced Yankee trainer Gene Moynihan will not be a spring training due to a “significant illness”. He has been the Yankees trainer since 1973, taking over the same time George Steinbrenner did. Whatever it is, our prayers are with you……..That is all for this week. Keep looking at Inside Pulse Sports. We will soon be electing players into our Hall of Fame starting February 21 and in March we will be doing a preview of each of the 30 Major League teams. Stay tuned and comment away……..Lastly, I have become a member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance. Check out everyone and their blogs at one site. Great writers, great baseball and great fun. Until next week, keep hitting it out of the park.
About Russ Blatt
