Verlander, Tigers finalize five-year deal

DETROIT -- Justin Verlander might be one of the most competitive athletes in baseball. He just won some long-term security.

The Tigers, in turn, won the services of their ace for five more years, signing Verlander to an $80 million extension that will keep one of baseball's brightest young starters in Detroit through 2014.

Verlander will receive a $500,000 signing bonus. He'll earn $6.75 million this year, $12.75 million in 2011 and $20 million in each of the following three seasons.

It became official in a rare February news conference for the Tigers, who haven't had a media event this close to Spring Training since they signed Magglio Ordonez in 2005. But it shows just how significant of a signing this is for Detroit, both short and long term.

To punctuate the point, the Tigers had Verlander sign the contract on the podium in a formal ceremony as cameras snapped and team officials smiled.

"It's a very happy moment for the organization," team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "To me, he's one of the best pitchers in the game of baseball, and somebody that can anchor our staff here over the next five years with some other quality young pitchers. He puts us in position to trot out one of the best starting staffs in the game."

Though the Tigers have been watching their finances lately, Verlander is the unquestioned face of the franchise, even at the tender age of 26. The reaction he received from fans on the team's Winter Caravan and at TigerFest last month backed up the perception. One fan who got an autograph from Verlander at TigerFest asked him to please not leave Detroit.

"You know, when it comes down to it, I feel like I've grown up in this city," Verlander said. "I've made a name for myself here, and I love the old English 'D'. The fans have always supported me since Day 1. I think that means a lot. I feel at home here."

The deal pretty much keeps him home. The five-year contract will cover Verlander's two remaining arbitration years and three years of potential free agency. He should still be in his prime years then -- just about to turn 32 -- so Verlander could easily get another long-term deal if he continues to stay healthy and productive.

Verlander could've chosen to take a chance and hit the open market in two years as likely the most coveted pitcher on the market. In the end, he insists, that didn't interest him.

"It wasn't very tempting, to be honest," Verlander said. "I mean, it's fun to think about. But you know what? For all the reasons I touched on earlier about being a Tiger at heart, that's where I want to be. Why risk anything else if you know that this is where you want to play baseball? There's really no point.

"I certainly don't plan on my career being over in five years, so I hope to be around here a lot longer."

Verlander's turnaround in 2009 was at the heart of Detroit's run to within a game of the AL Central crown. A year after sharing the Major League lead in losses with 17, the 26-year-old right-hander tied for the big league lead in wins with a 19-9 record. His 269 strikeouts, 240 innings and 35 starts all led the Majors in what was the most dominant season from a Tigers starter since Jack Morris two decades earlier.

Morris didn't spend his entire career with Detroit, but with 14 seasons, he had a pretty long Tigers tenure. With a five-year contract, Verlander is in line to make it at least a decade.

Both team officials and Verlander had been quiet about the talks before Thursday's news conference. One catalyst to help get talks going was the five-year, $78 million contract the Mariners negotiated with Felix Hernandez. Like Hernandez, Verlander would've been eligible for free agency after the 2011 season without a deal. Both of them finished in the top three in 2009 American League Cy Young Award voting, behind winner Zack Greinke.

Verlander's agents, Mike Milchin and Mark Pieper, downplayed the contractual similarities.

"Certainly Felix is somebody we look at as an incredibly good second-time arbitration-eligible starter," Milchin said. "But I think that we all, on our side, we think Justin's a little different. We think he's a special guy. He's got some makeup and some other things that I think are special qualities. Justin has certainly portrayed what the club means to him, and I think that Justin's a valuable part of the Tigers.

"Dave and [team legal counsel] John [Westhoff], as always, were incredibly professional for us to work with. It was actually pretty easy and not too much of a struggle, I think, to accomplish what we did today."

There's certainly some risk on that end from the Tigers, who have seen Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, and Dontrelle Willis all miss significant time with injuries and inconsistency since signing long-term deals.

Verlander's 244 innings led the Majors last year, and his 3,937 total pitches were 305 more than the next-highest total from Hernandez. But Verlander hasn't had a major injury since turning pro, and he is meticulous about an offseason workout program that he credits for allowing him to throw so hard for so many pitches one outing after another. So far, there are no physical indications that Verlander can't keep up his workload.

Verlander's work ethic reinforced the Tigers' confidence.

"There's a gamble on anybody that you sign long-term," Dombrowski said. "But to gamble on somebody that has premium talent, premium work ethic, has been a Tiger since Day 1 -- and you really know the person and know those things about him -- if you're going to be aggressive and make things happen, those are the people you need to keep in your organization."

The contract, Dombrowski said, won't change that. Verlander backed that up.

"They know I'm not going to change," Verlander said. "Day in and day out, I want to win baseball games. It doesn't matter whether I'm making one cent or a billion dollars. It's not going to change my personality, especially when I step on the mound."

Twins in pursuit of infielder Hudson

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins appear to be getting close to making a deal with second baseman Orlando Hudson, a Major League source told MLB.com on Thursday.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported later on Thursday that the deal would be worth $5 million.

Hudson would fill the club's hole at second base and provide it with a natural fit in the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

Last season, Hudson batted .283 with 35 doubles, nine home runs and 62 RBIs for the Dodgers. He scored 74 runs and had an on-base percentage of .357.

Twins general manager Bill Smith declined comment when asked about Hudson on Thursday, keeping with his policy of not discussing specific players.

Hudson, 32, made a base salary of $3.38 million in 2009 with the Dodgers, but with incentives, he received close to $7 million. Hudson was thought to be looking for a guarantee closer to his actual '09 earnings, though the industry speculation has been that he'll have to take a pay cut.

The Nationals had appeared to be one of the leading candidates for Hudson, but the two sides were too far apart on money, the source said. Another team that reportedly expressed interest in Hudson was the Indians.

Sizemore moves on from picture issue

CLEVELAND -- Grady Sizemore says he's back to being the picture of health.

But it's a different set of pictures that defined his offseason.

In November, while Sizemore was recuperating from September surgeries that addressed his left elbow and lower abdominal wall, semi-nude photographs of him surfaced on the Internet. The photos were all taken by Sizemore and intended only for the eyes of his girlfriend. But he said they leaked after somebody hacked into her e-mail account.

"Right now, I'm doing everything I can to put it behind me," Sizemore said Thursday. "We all know what happened. I never intended for any of this to be public. This is a private matter, and I apologize that we're even here talking about it right now."

Of course, in this day and age, little involving those in the limelight remains private. Sizemore, who was in town to present an award at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, considers the experience a lesson learned.

"It's embarrassing," he said. "You don't want intimate photos of yourself out there. ... It's scary something like this can happen. But at the same time, it's not like we were out there trying to advertise ourselves or anything like that."

For that reason, Sizemore is apologetic only to a certain degree.

"I don't feel I did anything wrong," he said. "This was something that was shared between me and my girlfriend. I'm sorry that I have to involve the Indians' organization and the fans in all of this."

When the photos leaked online, Sizemore contacted MLB officials to try to prevent the pictures from spreading. But once they're out there, they're out there for all to see.

As far as catching the hacker is concerned, Sizemore said he alerted authorities to what had transpired, but he was vague about the results.

"When everything happened, the proper authorities were involved and handled it appropriately," he said. "The proper authorities handled it as best they could. I let them handle it and went about my business."

Sizemore's business involved the rehab program that he says has him at 100 percent and ready for Spring Training. He has initiated baseball activities and isn't anticipating much, if any, lag behind his teammates in camp.

The 2009 season was Sizemore's worst at the Major League level. His batting average (.248), on-base percentage (.343) and slugging percentage (.445) were all career lows for a full season. The nagging groin issue, which forced him out of the World Baseball Classic, contributed to him stealing just 13 bases after swiping 38 in 2008. The elbow issue noticeably affected him on throws from the outfield.

With the Indians out of contention by the All-Star break, the struggles of Sizemore, a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner who won the Silver Slugger Award in '08, were a bit less magnified than they might have been. He spent three weeks on the disabled list in June but wasn't shut down for surgery until Sept. 4. He said he has no regrets about trying to play through the pain.

"It was my goal to stay in there as long as I could," he said.

The 27-year-old Sizemore has quickly become one of the elder statesmen in the Tribe clubhouse, as many of his fellow core players have been traded away. A leadership role doesn't necessarily suit his quiet tendencies, but he said it's a role he's ready to take on. He is not, however, anticipating any extra pressure after his down year.

"I always feel like I want to prove myself to my teammates on the field," he said. "I don't feel I have to prove anything more than I have in previous years. I'm just trying to get healthy, get back on the field and help my team."

Marlins expect to contend for playoffs

MIAMI -- So much was made this offseason about moves the Marlins were likely going to make. For months, most of the discussion focused on whether the club would subtract from its roster, rather than add to it.

Among the most pressing issues were whether two-time All-Star Dan Uggla and ace right-hander Josh Johnson would be traded.

The Uggla and Johnson storylines dominated Marlins news for a majority of the offseason. The answers to both questions came in January, when their respective statuses were put to rest. Johnson signed a four-year, $39 million contract, and Uggla came to terms on a $7.8 million deal for this season.

By retaining the core of players from 2009, optimism is running high as Spring Training swiftly approaches.

Coming off an 87-win campaign last year, Florida believes it has enough pieces to reach the postseason in 2010.

The decision to keep most of what they already had was a function of payroll coupled with player assessments made by president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, general manager Mike Hill and their staff.

"We took what we knew going into this '10 season, what our payroll was going to be," Marlins president David Samson said. "Then it was up to Larry and Mike. What are the best players to have at those particular dollars, to build a team?

"The decision was made that we wanted this team back because we were so close; to get them together for one more year -- it will be their fifth season together. Keep this nucleus. Sprinkle in some people. Get some good starting pitching. Put together the bullpen, and all of a sudden, you are one of eight."

"One of eight" is a phrase the Marlins often use, meaning they want to be among the eight playoff clubs. Their goal isn't necessarily to win the National League East. It's to get into the postseason. As the franchise has witnessed in the past, once it is in, anything can happen.

The Marlins have never won a division title, yet, via the Wild Card, they have captured two World Series crowns.

Are the makings for a realistic playoff run in place?

Bringing back Johnson and Uggla, along with Jorge Cantu, Cody Ross and Ricky Nolasco, has the Marlins thinking they can play deep into October.

"That's exactly where we plan to be," Samson said. "We thought we were going to be there last year. We fell short. But this year, we would not expect to fall short."

If the Marlins are to improve on 2009 and be in the playoffs, they will be doing so with primarily the same team as last year.

The club hasn't made any major free-agent signings. The two trades the Marlins completed were sending outfielder Jeremy Hermida to Boston for prospects, including lefty reliever Hunter Jones. And reliever Matt Lindstrom was dealt to the Astros for prospects and Rule 5 third baseman Jorge Jimenez.

Florida's payroll will rise into the $40 million range. The franchise also is looking to keep building momentum, and have a championship-caliber club when it moves into its new stadium in 2012.

"From our standpoint, we wanted to do everything we could to build on last year, as we head towards the new ballpark," Samson said. "We want to get momentum, because our mandate has always been the same. We want to win in 2012. But we'd like to have that come off two championship seasons in '10 and '11. We've never rebuilt, other than '05-06. We want to win every year."

MLB.TV continues to raise the bar

Kelle Martin is a 29-year-old Red Sox fan living in Austin, Texas, and in the middle of the last Major League Baseball season someone gave her a gift subscription to MLB.TV Premium.

The 2010 MLB.TV subscription package is now available, and Martin was among the first baseball fans to sign up at just $119.95 for the full year -- "because I love it so much."

"MLB.TV Premium is a perfect fit for me because I don't want to miss a single game," Martin, an assistant to the president for a construction management company, said in an e-mail to MLB.com on Wednesday night. "Not living in the Boston area, I don't have access to local broadcasts airing the Red Sox. I'm renewing my subscription this season because with MLB.TV I can watch nearly every game in its entirety in HD quality.

"I also like that I have access to my account anywhere, so missing a game is nearly impossible. ... You can't do that with regular TV.

"The best part is that it's reasonably priced. It's a no-brainer for me. I'll continue to be a loyal subscriber to MLB.TV because the experience of watching baseball just isn't the same without it. I couldn't think of a better way to watch."

She would get no argument from Mariners fan Nathan Bishop, who tweeted the following to his fellow fans on Twitter: "MLB.TV 2010 purchased."

Those fans are typical of the millions who have subscribed to MLB.TV since its inception in 2002, and it is back better than ever for its eighth season as a bar-raising technology in pro sports. Yearly subscriptions are now available at $99.95 for MLB.TV and $119.95 for MLB.TV Premium. That will give you immediate access to relive every moment from every Major League game played in the 2009 season, including the Yankees' World Series clincher.

As part of the subscription, you will be able to watch or listen to more than 150 live games from Florida and Arizona as teams prepare for the 2010 regular season. The Spring Training schedule starts with Braves vs. Mets on March 2 in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Portability is front and center among the 2010 features, as fans will enjoy convenient MLB.TV options optimized for numerous screens, from home and office computers to laptops and large monitors. Additional distribution through apps on various Apple products, including the company's latest innovation, the iPad, essentially means that MLB.TV has something for everybody, everywhere there's an Internet or mobile connection.

The full schedule of 2,430 regular-season games is included, and most of those are delivered in HD quality (where available). MLB.com's proprietary speed detection allows high-speed users to receive crisp, best-in-class streaming video on any size monitor.

Fans also will get real-time highlights and stats; on-demand access to full-game archives for viewing of any inning from the whole season; MLB.com Condensed Games featuring a quick, detailed journey from first pitch through the final out; access to MLB.com Gameday Audio and a new, interactive, proprietary pitch-by-pitch display; Clickable Linescores that take visitors straight to any half-inning of a game; and a Fantasy Player Tracker consisting of ballplayers customized by subscribers and integrated with participating league rosters.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers get all that, and they also can enjoy the following features: Choice of home or away broadcast feeds, so favorite announcers are always a simple click away; DVR for pausing, rewinding and jumping back to live action; and a multi-game view (Quad Mode, Picture in Picture and Split Screen).

MLB.com made its 2010 MLB.TV subscriptions available on Jan. 27, featuring state-of-the-art delivery of live, out-of-market MLB games as part of an unprecedented full season of access to the product over a variety of devices. That includes customers enabled to buy through applications on the iPhone, iPod Touch and the brand-new iPad.

Many fans are asking when the 2010 MLB.com At Bat app will be available and on what platforms, and the answer is to subscribe to MLB.TV and then stay tuned as it will be available between now and Opening Day. The anticipation over that 2010 app is understandable given the impact it had on so many fans last season.

The MLB.com At Bat app was synched up with MLB.TV during the 2009 season so that fans could watch all live out-of-market games over their iPhone and iPod Touch devices. That changed everything. It was the overall No. 2-selling app in iTunes for '09. Rave reviews included Best Multimedia App by Macworld and "2009 Most Valuable App" by Sports Illustrated, and CNET called it "another step in proving MLB.com's technical superiority."

The success of At Bat made it obvious to people that an MLB.TV subscription would be a natural fit as well for Apple's newest product. It will look different, but no matter what, it always starts with having an MLB.TV subscription, which you can get right now.

"We were incredibly excited to build something for the iPad, and we realized we couldn't just take our existing iPhone app and make it bigger," Chad Evans, director of mobile product development for MLB Advanced Media, explained to a worldwide audience that followed the iPad event. "We really needed to create a whole new experience to take advantage of the big, gorgeous interactive screen on the device."

Evans and Tracy Pesin, director of mobile engineering at MLBAM, went through several screen displays showing how the content will look, including users' ability to touch players for details, bells and whistles, and to access data pertinent to game situations.

"With all this great screen space, we can now let you watch video highlights while all this is going on, so you can replay the game's best moments," Evans said. "The first thing you notice is baseball is amazing on this screen, and now we've enhanced it."

The 2010 MLB.TV media player will deliver a fleet of enhancements in a convenient, cutting-edge Adobe Flash format, offering an unparalleled live viewing experience for every out-of-market regular season game. Meanwhile, the MLB.com iPad application will support MLB.TV natively without Flash. It might not have the full feature set of the Flash version at the launch, but features will be added over time.

Baseball is about to return, starting on the fields of Arizona and Florida for Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers report starting on Feb. 18, then the first exhibitions are March 2, and then it's Yankees at Red Sox for that Sunday night opener on April 4. It will all be here fast, and now is the time to sign up for MLB.TV Premium like Martin did -- because you love it.

Roundup: Can Lincecum, Giants settle?

With Spring Training on the horizon, here are some of the Hot Stove happenings from Thursday.

Lincecum, Giants to settle before a hearing?
Tim Lincecum's agent told The San Jose Mercury News on Tuesday that it was pretty much a sure thing that the two-time Cy Young Award winner was headed to an arbitration hearing. But on Wednesday night, MLB.com's Chris Haft wrote: "Knowledgeable observers doubt that a salary showdown with the Giants will unfold." Lincecum filed a $13 million request when potential arbitration figures were exchanged, and the Giants countered with $8 million. Though a daunting $5 million difference stands in the way, Brian Sabean has made a habit of avoiding hearings in his 13 years as the club's general manager, and various agents speaking on condition of anonymity told Haft they believe the Giants and Lincecum will somehow come to an agreement. Talks of a two-year deal between the Giants and Lincecum have reportedly gone nowhere. But one agent told Haft the Giants don't want to face the possibility of paying their ace $5 million more than they offered, and another agent predicted the 25-year-old right-hander would settle for $11 million, which would be the highest salary for a third-year Major Leaguer.

Twins land O-Dog?
The Twins "appear to be getting close to making a deal" with free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, a Major League source told MLB.com. Hudson would fill the club's hole at second base and hit in the No. 2 spot. The Nationals have been linked to Hudson for a big portion of the offseason, but on Tuesday, MLB.com's Bill Ladson wrote that money is holding up a Hudson deal for the Nats. And that seems to have been what prevented the two sides from coming together in the end. At that time, Ladson said the 32-year-old switch-hitter was asking for $9 million for 2010, and an unnamed source told FOXSports.com Hudson is asking for "at least $6 million on a one-year deal." The Indians had also popped up in rumors for Hudson, but MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince wrote recently that Hudson "probably doesn't" fit in with the Tribe.

Tigers lock up Verlander
The Tigers reached agreement on a long-term extension with the ace and face of their franchise, when they announced the signing of Justin Verlander to a five-year, $80 million contract. The Associated Press first reported the deal, which keeps Verlander locked up through the '14 season -- taking care of his final two arbitration years and his first three years of free agency -- and is worth slightly more than the five-year, $78 million contract Felix Hernandez recently signed with the Mariners. Verlander, who will turn 27 on Feb. 20, is a former American League Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star with a 65-43 record and a 3.92 ERA in his five-year career. In '09, the right-hander led the AL in starts (35) and innings pitched (240), was tied for first in wins (19) and sported a 3.45 ERA while finishing third in AL Cy Young Award voting.

Bedard headed back to Seattle?
According to MLB.com's Jim Street, free-agent left-hander Erik Bedard has re-signed with the Mariners on a one-year, $1.5 million contract that's loaded with incentives. Bedard, who made $7.75 million in '09, is expected to miss the first three or four months of the regular season. But the 30-year-old is reportedly progressing very well from labrum surgery on his left (throwing) shoulder in August and could conceivably return to a big league mound as early as May. Bedard has been limited to 30 combined starts the past two years, but he went 5-3 with a slim 2.82 ERA in 15 outings with Seattle in '09. Over the past four years, he's a combined 39-23 with a 3.40 ERA.

Twins, Thome official
The Twins made it official with veteran lefty slugger Jim Thome, who passed his physical and is now set to earn $1.5 million in '09 -- plus a possible $750,000 in incentives. The 39-year-old, who has a .277 batting average and 564 home runs in his 19-year career, will come in strictly as a bench player. The Twins already have a lefty-hitting designated hitter in Jason Kubel and are committed to Delmon Young as their everyday left fielder, rather than moving Kubel to the outfield. But Thome, who made $13 million while batting .249 with 23 homers and 77 RBIs in 124 games for the White Sox and Dodgers last season, could get some spot starts at DH and also spell Justin Morneau at first base.

Cubs, Marmol avoid arbitration
The Cubs signed Carlos Marmol to a one-year, $2.125 million contract that avoided arbitration with the 27-year-old closer. Marmol, who made $575,000 last year, was asking for $2.5 million and the Cubs countered with $1.75 million when potential arbitration figures were released recently. The Cubs, who haven't gone to arbitration since 1993 -- with Mark Grace -- have just Ryan Theriot as a remaining unsigned arbitration-eligible player. Marmol battled for the closer's spot in back-to-back springs in '08 and '09 and took over for Kevin Gregg in mid-August, finishing the season 11-for-11 in save opportunities.

Chicago also announced the signing of Kevin Millar to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Four clubs in on Takahashi
Japanese left-hander Hisanori Takahashi has Minor League offers from the Red Sox, Giants, Padres and Dodgers, according to a report by Sports Hochi, which was passed along via Twitter by NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman. Takahashi, whose best pitch is a screwball, went 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA for the Yomiuri Giants this past season, and his best year came in '07, when he went 14-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 186 2/3 innings. He sports a career 3.70 ERA in 10 seasons with the Giants. ESPN.com previously reported that the 34-year-old is looking for a Major League deal and is willing to pitch out of the bullpen. The Orioles and Mets were also reported to have interest by ESPN.com recently.

Phils give Villarreal a shot
The Phillies continued to round up emergency arms when they agreed on a one-year contract with veteran right-hander Oscar Villarreal. The 28-year-old, who missed the entire '09 season after undergoing Tommy John elbow-ligament replacement surgery in April, doesn't have an invitation to Spring Training because the club wants to ease him back into a normal workload to see if he can perhaps contribute at some point during the season. Villarreal reportedly hit 89-90 mph on the radar gun during a throwing session on Friday. The Mexico native last pitched in the Majors for the Astros in '08, going 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA in 35 relief appearances, striking out 21 and walking 17 in 37 2/3 innings. His best season came with the Braves in '06, when he finished 9-1 with a 3.61 ERA in 58 games (four starts).

Cubs, Marmol agree to one-year deal

CHICAGO -- The Cubs signed Carlos Marmol to a one-year, $2.125 million contract Thursday, avoiding arbitration with their closer.

Marmol, 27, who made $575,000 last year, was asking for $2.5 million while the Cubs offered $1.75 million.

Only shortstop Ryan Theriot remains unsigned of the team's arbitration-eligible players. Theriot, 30, who made $500,000 last season, his third as the starting shortstop, is seeking $3.4 million, while the Cubs offered $2.6 million.

The two sides can come to an agreement at any point before an actual hearing. Arbitrators listen to arguments from both sides about the player's value and then pick either the player's figure or the team's figure.

The Cubs have not gone to arbitration since 1993, when Mark Grace filed for $4.1 million and the Cubs offered $3.1 million. The Cubs won that case and have a 3-2 record in such cases.

Marmol had battled for the closer's spot in back-to-back springs in 2008 and '09, and took over the job in mid-August, replacing Kevin Gregg. The right-hander finished the season 11-for-11 in save opportunities. Marmol led the team with 27 holds last year and now has 73 in his career, tied for first all-time on the Cubs with Kyle Farnsworth.

If there is a concern about Marmol, it's the high number of walks the right-hander issued last season. He walked 65 over 74 innings in 79 games while striking out 93. In 2008, Marmol walked 41 and struck out 114 in 87 1/3 innings over 82 games.

Mariners eye Figgins in two-hole

It's not so much a question of who's on first for the Mariners this season, but who bats first.

And if recently acquired switch-hitter Chone Figgins, one of the premier leadoff hitters in the Major Leagues last season, has anything to say about it ...

"I think I am a better two-hitter," he said, "and with Ichiro [Suzuki] leading off, I think it would make us a better team."

That could be music to manager Don Wakamatsu's ears as he prepares for Spring Training and the regular season.

After Figgins signed a four-year, $36 million contract, one of the decisions facing Wakamatsu was at the very top of the lineup. Who bats first, Ichiro or Figgins?

Both of them are imminently qualified.

• Ichiro batted .352, with a .386 on-base percentage while batting leadoff last season. He also hit 11 homers and scored 88 runs, the first time in his nine-year career with Seattle that he didn't score at least 100 runs. He led the Majors with 225 hits.

• Figgins, meanwhile, batted .298 with a .395 on-base percentage, hit five home runs and scored 114 runs, the second-highest total in the American League. He led the AL with 101 walks.

When asked during the pre-Spring Training media luncheon last week who the leadoff hitter would be, Wakamatsu said, "It would be my right fielder. We'll go into Spring Training thinking that.

"But if Ichiro says to me that it's time for him to move [to another spot in the lineup] or that he wants to try and hit more home runs, we'd be open to that."

Ichiro has batted in the leadoff spot in all but 13 of his 1,397 games with the Mariners, while Figgins has been positioned anywhere from first (644 starts) to ninth (94 games) -- including one game as the cleanup hitter.

The cleanup hitter?

"I won a bet with [Angels manager Mike Scioscia]," Figgins smiled. "Before a game [in 2006], he told me that if I got a bunt hit he would let me hit fourth in the next game. I ended up getting a bunt hit."

Figgins batted cleanup the following night, went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs.

"I still have the lineup card," he laughed.

The only spots in the lineup that Figgins never has batted are fifth and sixth. He has 135 starts batting second, posting a .303 average and .368 on-base percentage.

"I don't get a lot of infield hits," he said. "I am more of a line-drive hitter. Ichiro gets all kinds of hits and me hitting behind him allows me to protect him if he runs and still have the ability to get on base so both of us can run. The work I have done over the past couple of years in becoming more patient as a hitter fits in well here.

"I mean, somebody who gets that many hits, you can't move them to somewhere else. That's why they are as good as they are."

That is, unless someone asks to be moved.

Ichiro has batted in the No. 3 position 13 times in his career, going 18-for-51 (.353) with three doubles and three RBIs.

But he's always been at his best being first, becoming the first player in MLB history to have nine consecutive 200-hit seasons. Ichiro needs one more to tie Pete Rose for the all-time 200-hit season record.

"For me to hit second, behind Ichiro ..." Figgins said dreamingly. "I am really looking forward to it. I am interested in seeing what his work ethic is like off the tee and soft toss, his mental preparation before each game.

"I wonder what it takes to be that good all the time, year after year after year. I can't imagine how Tiger Woods, or somebody like that, can have the mentality to be that good all the time. Ichiro is like that and I just want to see how he goes about preparing for a game."

Class begins in less than a month.

Jays, Gregg come to terms on one-year deal

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays and free-agent Kevin Gregg have reached an agreement on a one-year contract for the upcoming season, but some routine steps related to his physical have held up the signing process. An official announcement is expected to come on Friday.

"We're hopeful that it'll be done tomorrow," Gregg's agent, Dan Horwits, said on Thursday night.

Gregg is scheduled to earn $2.75 million in 2010, and the contract includes a pair of club options that could bring the deal's overall value to $8 million over two years or $12 million over three. Gregg will enter Spring Training with a shot at winning the vacant closer's role.

As the roster stands, the 31-year-old will be competing against right-hander Jason Frasor and left-hander Scott Downs for the ninth-inning job. There is always the possibility that the Gregg signing signals that the Jays are considering trading Frasor or Downs, both of whom are eligible for free agency next winter.

Over the past three seasons, Gregg has posted a 3.86 ERA with 84 saves in stints with the Marlins and Cubs. The right-hander has also blown 20 saves over that time period -- seven with Chicago a year ago while earning $4.2 million -- and he allowed 13 home runs last season, which was tied for the most yielded by a Major League reliever.

Gregg did finish with 23 saves and 71 strikeouts over 68 2/3 innings with the Cubs in 2009, but he lost the closer's job to Carlos Marmol in August and was shut down toward the end of September because of a crack in the cartilage in his left rib cage. In the season's final two months, Gregg allowed 18 earned runs over 20 1/3 innings, giving him a bloated 7.97 ERA over that time period.

Even with that recent history of inconsistency, Gregg has more experience as a closer than Downs or Frasor, who have performed well in setup roles. Downs and Frasor helped in the ninth inning last year after former closer B.J. Ryan battled injuries and command issues, leading to his release in July. Ryan is still owed $10 million for this season.

Twins finalize one-year deal with Thome

The Twins made it official with Jim Thome on Thursday, agreeing with the veteran lefty slugger on a one-year, $1.5 million contract after the 39-year-old passed his physical.

The deal also includes up to $750,000 in incentives. The Twins cleared room on their 40-man roster after Steve Tolleson was claimed off waivers from the Athletics on Monday.

The Twins had been looking for ways to upgrade a relatively thin bench, and they're hoping Thome -- with his 564 home runs over a 19-year career -- can help. Although the five-time All-Star has been an everyday player throughout his career, he primarily served as a lefty power hitter off the bench with the Dodgers toward the end of 2009, batting .235 (4-for-17) with three RBIs.

Thome, who made $13 million in 2009, recently said the White Sox and Rays were also interested. In the end, however, it was the Twins' aggressive pursuit coupled with his familiarity with the American League Central that led him to sign with Minnesota.

"They were really excited about me coming there, and so to me, it was a no-brainer," said Thome. "I've always enjoyed the way they've played and how they've gone about their business. To be a part of that, it will be a lot of fun to go there and help them win."

Thome, currently five home runs shy of Rafael Palmeiro for 11th place on the all-time list, batted .249 with 23 homers and 74 RBIs in 107 games with the White Sox in 2009 before being dealt to Los Angeles on Aug. 31.

For his career, he sports a .277 batting average and is a .220 hitter with three homers over 99 plate appearances in the pinch-hit role.

The Twins already have a lefty-hitting designated hitter in Jason Kubel, and the club is committed to Delmon Young as its everyday left fielder. So Thome -- primarily a DH the past four years -- will be relegated to a bench role.

And Twins manager Ron Gardenhire couldn't be happier.

"We just signed a guy that's going to be in the Hall of Fame and it doesn't get much better than that," Gardenhire said during a conference call to announce the deal on Tuesday night. "One of the classiest acts in the game. A great hitter, a great player and great for our clubhouse. I think we got the package deal here."

Mets sign four, invite 11 to spring camp

NEW YORK -- The Mets signed four players, including infielder Jolbert Cabrera, to Minor League contracts on Thursday and invited a total of 11 non-roster players to Spring Training.

Among the invitees were top prospects Jenrry Mejia and Ike Davis.

Along with Cabrera, 37, a .257 lifetime hitter over nine seasons, the Mets signed infielder Luis Hernandez and left-handed pitchers Bobby Livingston and Travis Blackley. The former two players will compete for spots on the bench; the latter two for roles in the bullpen. Hernandez was the only one of the four to play in the Major Leagues last season.

The Mets also invited right-handed reliever Carlos Muniz, lefty Eric Niesen, catcher Francisco Pena, infielder Ruben Tejada and outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis to camp.

Most eyes in Port St. Lucie, Fla., however, will be on Mejia and Davis, generally considered two of the team's top five prospects. Mejia, 20, is a flamethrowing right-hander likely to start the season in Double-A Binghamton. Davis, 22, has been pegged as the Mets' first baseman of the future, and could earn a promotion to the big club as early as September.

Officials pass new Winter League agreement

MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela -- Active Winter League players wanting to leave Latin America to participate in baseball development programs or fan festivals for their MLB clubs in the United States will have to get permission from their Winter League teams, according to the terms of the new Winter League Agreement.

On Thursday, Lou Melendez, MLB's vice president of international baseball operations, Caribbean Confederation president Juan Francisco Puello and baseball executives from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and Puerto Rico made the agreement official in a rooftop press conference at The Lidotel Hotel.

The "extreme fatigue" clause, which protects overworked players from participating in a full Winter League season, was instituted for catchers for the first time in the new agreement. The threshold for Major League catchers is 600 innings and 700 innings for catchers in Class A to Triple-A.

"We have the same goals and we have the same concerns and we hope this can solve some of the problems," Melendez said. "Their biggest concern is having a guy all year and then come the playoffs or finals, a big league club takes him home because they felt he has played enough. We are aware of it and we also have to keep our teams' interests in mind."

The negotiations for the agreement were based upon input from all 30 Major League clubs. The agreement, which expires in 2013, was approved by the team owners last month in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"We are going step by step in the process and making progress," Puello said. "This is not a revolution, it is an evolution. We just want everyone to understand what is happening in the leagues and grow our partnership."

In an effort to keep injuries to players in the Winter Leagues from going unreported, the new agreement gives MLB the power to force a Winter League club to lose a player for the remainder of the season and the next Winter League season if a player is injured and the club doesn't inform Major League Baseball. Maximum liability of a Winter League club will be doubled to $15,000 in the event an MLB club requires treatment in the United States. An MLB-approved electronic medical recordkeeping system will also be created as part of the new plan.

Overall, the thresholds for "extreme fatigue" were lowered to protect overworked players. The threshold for Major League pitchers is now 160 innings, down from 170 innings in the past. The threshold was also lowered five innings to 160 innings for Triple-A pitchers, 10 innings to 155 innings for Double-A pitchers and 35 innings to 130 innings for Class A pitchers. Major League hitters are allowed a maximum of 503 plate appearances after 500 at-bats in the last agreement, while Minor League hitters from Class A to Triple-A are allowed 550 plate appearances. The group was allowed 500 at-bats in the last agreement.

Regarding leave of absence for minicamps, fan festivals or Rookie Development Programs, the new agreement states that Winter League clubs will commit to giving due consideration to giving players permission to be absent from Winter League play at the request of a Major League club as long as MLB notifies the Winter League club of the planned absence before Dec. 24.

"These Major League players we are talking about are our players, they are from our countries and they are protected with us," said Venezuela Professional Baseball League president Jose Grasso Vecchio. "Where do you think the kids are the safest, on the field or out at a disco? The players are going to be in Venezuela, Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico anyway, so why should they not play? This is a good step in the right direction."

Also in the Winter League Agreement:

• Sanctions will be strengthened for using a player without permission to include loss of that player for an additional three seasons, in addition to losing the right to import players for the next season.

• All player-related areas are to be free of trip hazards. Additionally, padded outfield walls will be required, batter's eye and batting cages will be upgraded and Winter League clubs will be required to develop year-round maintenance plans.

• Winter League clubs are asked to make a good-faith effort to implement MLB-recommended ballpark security procedures.

• The Caribbean Confederation will be required to make at least one scout seat per Major League club available for each Caribbean Series.

• Native players include players whose grandparents were born in the country or commonwealth.

"The Winter League Agreement is always going to be an issue for everybody," said Sadi Antonmattei, president of Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League. "As long as we can make it better for both parties and both parties get more input, that is good. Enforcement of the agreement and letting executives know that a Winter League Agreement exists is the key."

McCutchen out to lift Bucs' expectations

PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchen would like to set a few things straight.

First, he insists that when the No. 22 jersey comes off, he's really not all that different than you are.

He plays Guitar Hero, as well as indulges in practical jokes. He wrote poetry in high school. He draws as a hobby now. He can be a bit timid around strangers, but that wall will come down pretty quickly after a few meetings. His parents -- one a youth pastor, the other a juvenile case manager -- are his best friends.

McCutchen stands an inconspicuous (and media-guide generous) 5-foot-10, though the dreadlocks will surely grab your attention. He's a workaholic when it comes to his gym regimen. He consistently seeks perfection.

However, the expectations stacked on McCutchen's shoulders are anything but normal, even if he insists that the rest of his life is. They reflect the frustrations and disappointment, the anger and optimism, the passion and cynicism of a fan base yearning for Pittsburgh to once again have winning baseball on the banks of the Allegheny. To many, McCutchen is the savior, or at least one of the main catalysts for change.

Welcome to the big leagues, kid.

With four months of Major League experience now in his back pocket, McCutchen is embracing those external expectations, even though he's never been one to set tangible personal goals.

"The reason behind that is just because you put a lot of pressure on yourself when you say you want to hit .300 or you want to hit 20 home runs," he explained. "You start thinking about numbers when you really need to be focused on helping the team win games."

Team goals, though, are an entirely different matter. As much as fans crave it, a .500 season isn't going to cut it for the former first-round Draft pick. Neither is playing meaningful baseball in August and September. McCutchen has playoff baseball in mind.

Call him naïve if you want. Or extremely optimistic. Or downright delusional, given the Pirates' standing over the past 17 years. But when he looks you in the eyes and talks about postseason aspirations, there's something in his tone that makes you at least want to believe what he's saying.

McCutchen is, of course, the poster child for the anything-is-possible mantra. He grew up carrying lofty aspirations in a tiny town that is known more for its place in the Civil War and Native American history than it is producing baseball players. He's used to watching -- well, making -- dreams come true.

"That's what makes people great -- by thinking big things," the Fort Meade, Fla., native said. "I didn't grow up saying I just wanted to be a regular guy. I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player. I grew up in a small town, and to be where I am now is amazing. I always look at that and say that anything is possible."

For the first time in his professional career, McCutchen has shed the 'top prospect' label. He's here now, having arrived in front of a crowd of 20,683 at PNC Park on June 4, 2009. That afternoon featured two hits, three runs scored, a stolen base and one RBI by the budding center fielder. It culminated in a shaving cream pie to the face.

Less than two months later, there would be a three-homer game and curtain call with his parents in attendance. Lorenzo and Petrina McCutchen were in Pittsburgh to celebrate their anniversary.

Then came the walk-off two-run home run that negated McCutchen's own defensive flub in a late August game against the Phillies. Eventually, a fourth-place finish in the Rookie of the Year balloting recognized McCutchen's entire four-month body of work.

On the surface, his numbers were certainly as good as could be expected for someone who was the age of most college seniors in '09. But during the process, McCutchen felt his body slowly breaking down, a revelation that dictated a renewed commitment to his offseason work.

"I never played that many games," McCutchen said. "I lost a lot of weight. The biggest thing for me is being physically ready this year. That's what I've been preparing myself for. I've put on a few pounds. I'm trying to keep that weight on so I won't lose it during the year."

In addition to putting on the weight, McCutchen has been spending five days a week focusing particularly on the cardio side of his conditioning. He's been out running stadiums and can regularly be spotted out on the local track or in the sandpits.

"I'm just getting my body ready, doing what I need to do for Spring Training," he said. "I did a bunch of those things because I'm trying to get my legs back stronger. That's what's going to carry me through the season."

He hasn't strayed far from home either, still living in his hometown that measures five square miles in area and less than 6,000 people in population. Of course, the location provides weather conducive to winter workouts. It also allows McCutchen the opportunity for more family time.

"My parents are real cool and real young," he said. "I'm able to talk to them about anything just like I would my friends. I love that. I'm very open with my family. It's great to be able to have that."

And for those of you wondering what it would be like to grow up the son of a youth pastor and juvenile case manager, McCutchen insists that his life wasn't all about rules and boundaries.

"Actually, I didn't have a strict life," he said, laughing, well aware that people might not believe him.

Per his set-no-numbers-goal rule, McCutchen isn't going to predict what lies ahead for him in his first full Major League season. He isn't going to make a Joe Namath-like prediction for the team either. He isn't going to force his way in front of a television camera, though those cameras are bound to gravitate to him regardless.

But he promises to get better. He vows to keep the clubhouse atmosphere light. And, quite frankly, this is a guy who has the prerogative to be confident-borderline-cocky until he starts falling short of expectations.

"I got called up in June, and I was able to do a lot of things," McCutchen said. "Now I have a full year under my belt and there's no telling what to expect."

Gillies excited to join Phillies' system

PHILADELPHIA -- Tyson Gillies initially heard that three Canadian prospects from the Mariners would be traded to the Blue Jays in a three-team blockbuster that involved Cy Young Award winners Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

Gillies, who hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, estimated there were five Canadians in Seattle's system, which meant he likely would be traded.

"But then I heard only Phillippe [Aumont] would be traded to Toronto," Gillies said last week. "I was like, 'My best friend is leaving.' Then I heard I would be going with him to Toronto, so I was like, 'OK.' Then I heard it was the Phillies. I didn't sleep for a couple nights. People were calling me with progress reports. It definitely felt like it went on a lot longer than two and a half days, that's for sure."

Aumont, Gillies and J.C. Ramirez ultimately were traded to the Phillies for Lee in a separate December deal than the one that brought Halladay to the Phillies for prospects Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis d'Arnaud.

Aumont immediately became the organization's top pitching prospect.

Gillies joined Domonic Brown and Anthony Gose as a talented trio of outfield prospects. Gillies, 21, hit .341 with nine home runs, 42 RBIs and 44 stolen bases in 124 games last year for Class A High Desert in the California League. He led the league in stolen bases. He finished second in runs (104), hits (170) and on-base percentage (.430) and finished third in batting average.

Gillies is expected to open the season at Double-A Reading, with Gose expected to open the season at Class A Clearwater. Both play center field.

"It's so hard to find players who can play in the middle of the field," Phillies assistant general manager Chuck LaMar said. "I would think we would keep both of them playing center field. We like to have as many players that can stay in the middle of the field as possible. You can't get enough catching, second basemen, shortstops and center fielders. They're just that hard to find -- guys that can play the middle -- and both Gillies and Gose can."

Gillies is a unique player, and not only because of his baseball talents. He is legally deaf. He has only 50 percent hearing in his right ear and 30 percent hearing in his left ear, which requires him to wear hearing aids.

"I have to have my hearing aids on," Gillies said. "If I don't [have them on], then ... I wouldn't spend too much time trying to talk to me. When I put them on it's not bad, but it's not even close to being perfect."

Gillies said his hearing poses some challenges when he plays, but he has become accustomed to it.

It seemingly has not affected his play.

"I don't know any different," Gillies said. "I just take it as I need to be more aware. I have to really use my eyes. I say plays back to myself all the time to know what's going to happen in this situation or that situation. Basically, just be more prepared than everybody else.

"I'm hoping later on, if I create a good name for myself, that I'll be able to talk to a lot of kids about this. I know growing up how frustrating it was. I know how tough and down kids get on each other. It's definitely something I hope to be able to help people out with, tell them my life story and experiences, and hopefully they can take good things out of it and turn their lives around."

But for now, Gillies is in Clearwater, Fla., preparing himself for Spring Training. He's excited to be joining a new organization that has high expectations for him.

"I was so surprised that my name was even being involved in trade talks," Gillies said. "At the same time, it's exciting and overwhelming. It's been a great experience."

Angels look to future with promise

Call it the calm after the storm.

Waving adios to franchise centerpieces John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins made for a turbulent winter, and no small measure of despair from partisans.

But in the wake of all the change, the Angels come into focus as a club with a rock-solid foundation for the future.

Each member of the starting rotation is locked up for at least two years. The five infielders who figure to handle the lion's share of playing time are under club control for at least three seasons apiece.

Catchers Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis also are contractually bound for three more years, and the outfield -- the one area showing some age -- should be intact for at least two more seasons.

After dealing with seven free agents this winter and retaining only Bobby Abreu, and after watching Garret Anderson, Mark Teixeira and Francisco Rodriguez depart the previous winter, the Angels will have only Scot Shields and Hideki Matsui as potential free agents next winter.

Brian Fuentes could make it a threesome if his 2011 option doesn't vest with 55 or more games finished in 2010.

Knowing how essential it was to keep the young nucleus intact, with the arbitration process bringing significant raises to one-third of the roster, the Angels decided to bite the bullet and let Lackey, Figgins and Guerrero walk to Boston, Seattle and Texas, respectively.

Also departing was valued middle reliever Darren Oliver (Texas) and former frontline starter Kelvim Escobar (Mets), with Robb Quinlan seeking employment as an all-purpose right-handed bat off the bench.

Lackey, Figgins, Guerrero, Oliver and Escobar attracted a combined $129.75 million for 12 guaranteed years -- Lackey's five-year, $82.5 million deal accounting for almost half of those totals.

That final dollar figure could swell with all but Escobar holding options for another year on their new deals.

The Angels essentially replaced these five players with free agents Joel Pineiro, Fernando Rodney and Matsui, with Brian Stokes coming aboard in a deal sending Gary Matthews (and $21.5 million) to the Mets.

Figgins will be replaced internally at third base by the tandem of Brandon Wood and Maicer Izturis.

Total value of the Pineiro, Rodney, Matsui, Stokes, Wood and Izturis contracts: $44 million over a total of 10 guaranteed seasons, three to Izturis (buying out two free-agency years) and two apiece to Pineiro and Rodney.

For $8 million more than the Mariners gave Figgins across four years, the Angels have six players who could make valuable contributions in their bid for a fourth consecutive American League West title.

When the final two arbitration cases with shortstop Erick Aybar and Mathis are resolved, and factoring in the $15.75 million distributed to Matthews and Justin Speier, the Angels figure to land right around $120 million in payroll for 2010. That would be about $6 million more than they spent last season.

A look at how the club stacks up contractually with estimates by departments for 2010:

Starting pitching ($29.965 million): Pineiro and Scott Kazmir, $8 million each; Ervin Santana, $6 million; Weaver, $4.265 million; Joe Saunders, $3.7 million.

Weaver and Saunders are under club control for three more years each. Santana has three years with a club option for 2013. Kazmir has two years with a club option for 2012, while Pineiro is signed through 2011.

Bullpen ($21.85 million): Fuentes, $9 million; Rodney, $5.5 million; Shields, $5.35 million; Matt Palmer, Stokes, Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger (estimated $500,000 each).

It's likely one of the relievers won't make the 25-man roster, unless manager Mike Scioscia elects to go with 12 pitchers to open the season.

With closing experience, Rodney (two years, $11 million) provides a cushion for 2011 if Fuentes doesn't finish 55 or more games and his option doesn't vest. Jepsen is seen as a future closer, while Bulger has closer-type stuff as well. They offer back-end protection if Shields doesn't return for 2011.

Catchers: ($4.6 million): Napoli, $3.6 million; Mathis, seeking $1.3 million in arbitration, offered $700,000.

This is great bang for your buck, and both players are committed to the club for three more years before they can become free agents.

The disparity in their salaries, given the fairly even overall contributions of Napoli and Mathis while they've shared the job the past 2 1/2 seasons, underscores how arbitration tilts heavily toward offensive numbers. Napoli's power production separates him, but Mathis is clearly a superior defender. Bobby Wilson, at an estimated $450,000, could factor in here as well as a third catcher.

Infield ($9.2 million): Izturis, $3.1 million (with $500,000 signing bonus); Aybar, asking for $2.75 million, offered $1.8 million; Howard Kendrick, $1.75 million; Kendry Morales, $1.1 million; Wood ($450,000 estimated); Freddy Sandoval ($400,000 estimated).

This is amazing talent and production for the cost. If Wood is the real deal, this infield could be together for almost as long as the Dodgers' great quartet of the '70s. Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey hung together for eight years.

Middle infielders Aybar, Izturis and Kendrick are under club control through 2012, Morales through 2013, Wood through 2014. These manageable contracts enable the club to fortify the one area that hasn't been productive in the system -- the outfield.

Outfield ($38.275 million): Torii Hunter, $18 million; Abreu, $9 million; Matsui, $6 million; Juan Rivera, $4.25 million; Reggie Willits, $625,000; Terry Evans or Chris Pettit, $400,000 estimated.

Hunter and Abreu, the heart and soul of the club now, each figure to be around for three more seasons. Hunter's three years are part of a five-year deal, while Abreu has a vesting option for 2012 on his new contract. Rivera is signed through 2011. Matsui, who figures to occupy the designated hitter role, is signed for one year.

By the time a youthful infusion in the outfield is in order, heralded prospects such as Peter Bourjos, Mike Trout and Randal Grichuk and possibly Mark Trumbo figure to be ready to contribute.

The beat goes on.

Fields, Getz provide options for Royals

KANSAS CITY -- Josh Fields and Chris Getz came to the Royals as a package, bundled up with a bow as the White Sox part of a gift exchange for Mark Teahen.

That was way back in November, one of the opening shots of the trading season. Now, as Spring Training approaches, there's still some uncertainty about just how these two players will fit into the Royals' lineup.

Manager Trey Hillman seems most settled about Getz, a rookie second baseman last year.

"Going into Spring Training, we like Chris at second base, but the question becomes how do you get A.C. [Alberto Callaspo] in the lineup? There's no doubt I want [Callaspo's] bat in there," Hillman said. "And until we're sure that Mike Aviles is ready, we want to look at Chris at short as well, because he is rangy and he's got foot speed. I want to see what he looks like as security, for lack of a better word, at shortstop. I want the primary position for Alberto to be second and then third. I want the primary position for Getz to be second and then short."

So, initially at least, it appears that Getz is considered the starting second-sacker.

For Fields, a third baseman that has also played in the outfield, the picture is fuzzier.

"I want the primary position for Fields to be third and then left. After we see him in left, we might jump him over to right to see how that would go, too," Hillman said.

Of course, Hillman has been clear that Alex Gordon is considered the starting third baseman for now. And Hillman's remark about Fields in the outfield was made before the Kauffman Stadium pasture got more crowded with the signing of center fielder Rick Ankiel.

General manager Dayton Moore declared the starting outfield as Scott Podsednik in left and David DeJesus in right, flanking Ankiel. That nudges Jose Guillen into the designated-hitter spot, further limiting Fields' horizons.

Invariably when Hillman discusses Fields, he mentions his background as a quarterback at Oklahoma State. Hillman has studied Fields' football statistics and successes, which include passing for 2,494 yards and 21 touchdowns in the Cowboys' 9-4 season of 2003.

"I take it as a compliment," Fields said. "Maybe he's just meaning more from the athletic standpoint than just playing quarterback. I don't think I'll be playing quarterback for the Royals any time soon."

Hillman's point is that a guy who can play quarterback in the Big 12 is certainly athletic enough to play the outfield or third base -- or even first base if necessary.

"Or maybe he's just telling you that if things don't work out, he'll just ship me over right cross the street," Fields said.

Across the street from Kauffman Stadium, of course, is Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL Chiefs. So Fields does have a sense of humor about it.

The most eye-opening thing about Fields' baseball stats is that he popped 23 home runs in 100 games as a White Sox rookie in 2007. Yet, in 2008, he wound up at Triple-A Charlotte.

"I was up my rookie year because [Joe] Crede had back surgery. They were going to trade him, and they couldn't trade him, and I was the odd man out. It wasn't because I didn't produce or anything like that. There was no spot [for me]," Fields said.

Still, going from a fine rookie year in the Majors back to the Minors was something of a jolt.

"It was kind of a mental thing that took a little bit to get over, but it's a humbling experience and you can only learn in situations like that," Fields said. "You think you're on top of the world at one point, and then the next time, you kind of see where you stand. I've learned a lot from being in those situations and I'm excited about a fresh start here. Hopefully I can put all that knowledge to use."

Getz's arrival has the potential of leaving Callaspo, a .300 hitter with 60 extra-base hits and 73 RBIs last season, in a state of limbo as well. Even so, Getz views him as a formidable rival.

"He had a solid year," Getz said. "You know, these things seem to work themselves out in some fashion. Obviously, you'd like it to be a little more definite, but in baseball it's never really the case. There's competition coming from all angles."

What Getz promises to provide, however, is better defense at second base and certainly more speed on the bases. He had 25 steals last year while batting .261 with a .324 on-base percentage.

"I'd say I'm a contact guy, on-base, a table-setter kind of guy that'll work counts. I love going the other way, I like hitting behind runners, I love hitting-and-running," Getz said. "That's the kind of a style I try to do out there, and when I reach base, I try to create havoc -- [go from] first to third, scoring, stealing bases."

If shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt runs into trouble along the way and Aviles isn't ready after Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, Getz might be poised to take over that position if his Spring Training trials go well.

"I'm open for whatever," Getz said. "Whatever gets me into the lineup. I played some shortstop in the Minor Leagues and a decent amount in Triple-A."

The big, wide-screen picture going into drills at Surprise, Ariz., seems to have Hillman moving and shuffling and experimenting with a lot of players.

"I would like as much as anybody else to have a set lineup, set positions," Hillman said. "It may end up working out that way, but ..."

But right now, it's anybody's guess.

Sampson, Towles assist in home 'Makeover'

HOUSTON -- Astros pitcher Chris Sampson and catcher J.R. Towles are used to people standing up and yelling for them, but one day last month the teammates were among hundreds in the waterfront Houston suburb of Kemah yelling for a family in need.

Sampson and Towles were on hand Jan. 14 for the unveiling of a new house during the taping of the ABC television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which builds houses for families in need. The two Astros donated autographed items from the team and their game jerseys to the family of Melissa and Larry Beach.

The show is scheduled to air in March.

The couple, which has been married 23 years and has fostered 85 children, currently has 13 kids -- four of their own and nine adopted children, including several with special needs. The kids range in age from 23 months to 21 years old.

The Beach family had been living in trailers on their property since Hurricane Ike damaged their small home in 2008. With the help of volunteers, a 6,340-square-foot, two-story house with eight bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms was built for the family.

"The Beach family is huge Astros fans, and we gave a bunch of memorabilia to them to put in their rooms," Sampson said. "Lance [Berkman] gave me a ball and one of his bats, and J.R. and I donated our Astros jerseys and signed them. The kids also got bobbleheads and backpacks and stuff like that, as well as autographed baseballs."

Sampson, his wife, Heather, and two young sons attended the taping with Towles and his wife, Brittany, on an unseasonably cold and wet day. Ty Pennington, host of the show, and actress Jessica Alba were also on hand for the revealing of the new home.

Before the family is shown its new house, hundreds of volunteers yell "Move that bus!" as the bus parked between the family and house is driven away. Sampson and Towles were among those yelling.

"For us to be out there with our family and help support them and meeting them at the reveal, we wanted to let them know we support them and appreciate them," Sampson said. "It was a very happy moment for them. They started with nothing."

Sampson first met the family last summer when they came to Minute Maid Park as guests of the Robbie Seay Band, a Christian rock band. The group came to the ballpark at the request of Sampson as a token of thanks for putting on a benefit concert for a Milwaukee toddler with a heart defect. Sampson's wife is from Milwaukee.

The child, Zoe Batiansila, died last month at 22 months old.

"Robbie Seay Band put on a concert for Baby Zoe to raise money, and the father had no way of thanking them," Sampson said. "He contacted us to see if we could leave tickets, and I took it one step further and invited them to the auxiliary room [at Minute Maid Park]. They got to meet with players and get autographs, and one of the families the Robbie Seay Band brought with them was the Beach family."

The Robbie Seay Band nominated the Beach family for the television show.

"It was awesome to be a part of," said Sampson, a Houston-area native who often does charity work around the city.

O's prospect suspended 50 games

BALTIMORE -- The Commissioner's Office announced Thursday that Orioles prospect Brian Parker has been suspended 50 games for his second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Testing Program.

Parker, a 19th-round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, is currently on Double-A Bowie's roster and will be suspended for the beginning of the regular season. The right-hander spent most of last season for Class A Frederick, where he posted a 4-3 record and a 4.31 ERA. Parker was promoted to Bowie toward the end of the season, registering a 3.60 ERA in two appearances.

A's radio host bids farewell

OAKLAND -- A familiar face will be missing from the A's ballpark this year.

However, his voice -- an even more familiar sound -- will be heard just across the Bay.

Longtime A's radio host and baseball aficionado Marty Lurie confirmed Thursday that he's taking his wildly popular pregame show to the other side of the bridge, where he will be heard on KNBR's pre- and postgame Giants programming.

For 12 years, most recently on KTRB, Lurie presented fans with "Right Off The Bat" -- a unique show that celebrates the game's history through interviews with old-timers, national writers, club executives, scouts and the like.

A longtime lawyer with an even longer love for baseball, Lurie has bought and sold his own time slots each year. This offseason, though, he never quite landed on the same page as KTRB, which recently agreed to a long-term contract to broadcast A's games through 2019.

"Each year I would negotiate to make sure I had a spot for the next season," Lurie said Thursday morning. "Toward the end of September, I started contacting KTRB but couldn't get answers to any of my e-mails or phone calls as to what the plans were for this next season. It went into late November when I found out that they were looking into different programming."

Said programming now represents the opinions of conservative talk-show host Michael Savage, who will run the airways 3-6 p.m. before the station turns it over to A's broadcasters Ken Korach and Vince Controneo, who will still have a 45-miniute pregame show.

"Essentially they said the A's had too much pregame time and they wanted to have a talk show on," said Lurie, whose show always aired at 5 p.m. on days Oakland played night games. "I had an inclination this was happening and had heard rumors in September, so it was obvious I wasn't in their plans."

Coincidentally, Lurie said he ran into KNBR executives at the beginning of the offseason and, once learning KTRB was only willing to allocate a few hours on the weekend, began pursuing talks with the Giants radio station.

"KNBR has always respected everything I did, and they said they wanted to expand their pregame programming," Lurie said. "They were just so helpful and made me feel so welcome. That's when I thought it's time to make a change if I can work it out."

The result: A weekend show before and after every Giants game that will fill an estimated 5-6 hours for a combined 140 hours during the season. However, Lurie assured his longtime following of A's fans that they can expect much of the same from his new gig.

"A lot of it will be similar to what I was doing," he said. "I'll take more calls from fans -- fans of all parts of baseball. I want to try to give a broad view of baseball, mainly through the Giants' eyes, of course, but certainly I want to bring the essence of baseball to KNBR."

The hour-long shows, aptly dubbed the "KNBR 680 Giants Pre-Game with Marty Lurie" and "KNBR 680 Post-Game with Marty Lurie," will begin March 6 with San Francisco's first home Spring Training game.

"I started out with a 20-minute show and went to an hour and 15 minutes last year," he said. "I've been on all stations with the A's from 1998 forward, but they just wanted to do things differently, and it was obvious it wasn't going to work for me.

"I'm not bitter. I understand the business side of things."

Lurie also realizes his new home will not completely take him away from the fans he's spoken to for more than a decade.

"The A's fans are fabulous, and I've gotten so many nice e-mails from them," he said. "We kind of grew up together through the great years of the A's, and I really enjoyed working on the show. It's definitely bittersweet for me, but KNBR presents a great challenge and a good audience.

"They want my take on baseball, and it's nice to be wanted."

Rockies' Daley relishes underdog role

DENVER -- Matt Daley is no longer an overlooked talent.

No team selected him out of Bucknell University in 2004. But last season, the right-handed Daley earned a job in the Rockies' bullpen in April and was a key part of the team's unexpected rise to the National League playoffs.

No longer does Daley have to be known as an undrafted free agent. But what if Daley wants to be known that way for as long as he pitches?

"That's who I am," Daley said. "Once you start believing your own hype, that's when you set yourself up to fail, if you keep telling yourself, 'I know who I am.' I'm going to keep pushing and doing what I need to do to succeed. You put yourself in a position to do what you want to do."

Daley, 26, went 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA in 57 appearances last season. With the exception of an unlucky incident when he stepped on a stray baseball bat while backing up home plate and wound up missing 17 games with a foot injury, 2009 could be called a charmed season.

Daley, who was called up after making five appearances at Triple-A Colorado Springs, began his career with three scoreless appearances. He finished the season with 55 strikeouts and just 18 walks, and held opponents to a .228 batting average in a middle-relief role.

The scenario is not unprecedented. One of the best relievers in Rockies history, Steve Reed, was an undrafted free agent who let the Draft Day slight drive him. Reed's 461 appearances are the most in club history, and his 833 appearances rank 37th all-time.

Daley isn't offering his strong season as proof that all the teams were wrong for not selecting him. He'd rather believe that teams still think they were right.

Daley's approach does not change. He'll study video and scouting reports, and ask teammates and coaches for advice, just as he did last season. He'll continue to sometimes go strength against strength against hitters, with the belief that he's good enough to succeed.

"You've got to believe in yourself more than anything, and try and prove people wrong," Daley said. "Those are two things I did that helped me get to where I am. I worked even harder knowing that I had to, to get to this level, knowing that in the offseason somebody else is working, so I need to work as well."

With pitchers and catchers due to report to the Rockies' camp in Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 18, Daley's story is one to keep in mind during the early days of workouts or those seemingly endless games featuring unknown players wearing numbers that are more fitting for an offensive guard than a baseball player.

But No. 66 made himself impossible to ignore.

Daley posted a 1.42 ERA in six Cactus League games, and stayed in camp longer than anyone had reason to expect. Rockies manager Jim Tracy remembered being even more impressed with Daley the day he was sent to Minor League camp. That was when Daley told then-manager Clint Hurdle and the coaches in the room that the time in camp had shown him that he had the ability to make the Majors.

The Rockies agreed, and had jersey No. 31 waiting for him when they called him up on April 22.

Tracy, who took over for Hurdle in late May, noted that if a team runs its camp properly, it doesn't overlook a player like Daley.

"Spring Training is not just about the 25 guys you start the season with, it's about trying to win a championship, and with every team I've ever been involved with the 25 you started with aren't the 25 you finished with," Tracy said. "Matt Daley showed up that he could help us.

"What we saw in camp was a kid who was fearless and loves to compete. You've got to beat this kid with the bat. When you're trying to get the last nine outs, you like to lean on a guy like him, a consummate strike-thrower."

The trick for Daley is to return to camp as the consummate underdog.

"That's the good thing about the offseason, getting back home to New York, getting away from everything," Daley said. "I got back into the same offseason routine I've been in. I worked out with a trainer and I'm in really good shape, ready to go.

"It's good to get away from a little bit, but I'm definitely getting the itch and ready to come back."

Brewers have history of waiver wire magic

MILWAUKEE -- Winter waiver claims often go unnoticed amid the bigger bubbles on the Hot Stove. Not in Milwaukee, where the Brewers over the years have quietly acquired some key players over the wire.

On Wednesday, Milwaukee claimed right-hander Marco Estrada from the Nationals, a week after picking up infielder Joe Inglett from the Rangers. Back in December, the Brewers added another infielder, Luis Cruz, from the Pirates.

Estrada and Cruz are likely ticketed for Minor League assignments, but Inglett, who has Major League experience with Cleveland and Toronto, has a chance to make the team as an extra infielder or outfielder.

"We've got a lot of guys coming to camp but he's a left-handed hitter and we have a right-handed-hitting lineup," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "I told him he would come to camp with a chance to win a job."

Inglett would not be the first. Since Melvin took over as GM in September 2002, the Brewers have claimed 17 players off waivers beginning with Melvin's first acquisition: outfielder Scott Podsednik. The speedy center fielder parlayed the opportunity into a career resurgence, and he's not the only one.

Here's a look at Melvin's waiver works:

The hidden gems

Podsednik: Plucked away from the Mariners on Oct. 11, 2002, Podsednik was a prospect whose star was fading. He turned into one of Melvin's best additions.

"I'm sure I've got a shot here, but I can't focus my attention on who's playing where, who's getting their hits and who's not," Podsednik said once he reported to Milwaukee's Spring Training camp. "You start putting too much pressure on yourself, and that takes you out of your game.

"I can't get caught up in those decisions. I know that I'm playing hard. We'll see what happens."

What happened is he made the team as a reserve, then moved to the starting lineup in mid-April when right fielder Jeffrey Hammonds went down with one of his myriad injuries. Podsednik shifted to center field a month later in place of a slumping Alex Sanchez and never let go. The Brewers traded Sanchez to the Tigers on May 27 and Podsednik ended up batting .314 with 43 steals and finishing second to Dontrelle Willis in National League Rookie of the Year balloting.

In 2004, Podsednik led the Majors with 70 stolen bases and was packaged with reliever Luis Vizcaino in a trade that brought All-Star slugger Carlos Lee to Milwaukee. Podsednik won a World Series with the White Sox the following season and this winter hooked on with the Royals.

Brady Clark: Three months after he found Podsednik, Melvin grabbed Clark from the New York Mets. At the time, Clark was a .307 hitter in parts of six Minor League seasons, but his bid to make the Brewers' roster was derailed by a groin injury in Spring Training.

Hammonds' injury opened a roster spot for Clark and he made the most of it. He batted .277 with a .360 on-base percentage in two seasons spent mostly as a backup and became the everyday center fielder when Podsednik was traded to Chicago. Clark hit .306 and scored 94 runs in 2005, then scored again the following February, when Melvin gave him a two-year contract. The Brewers traded him to the Dodgers in March 2007 after deciding to move Bill Hall to center field.

Clark has bounced around since his Brewers tenure and did not play at all in '09, but last week inked a Minor League contract with the White Sox.

Derrick Turnbow: Turnbow was all promise but no polish when the Brewers claimed him off waivers from the Angels on Oct. 14, 2004. Brewers fans probably remember him best for his wild hair, but there was a window in '05 and early '06 when he was a pretty effective pitcher, too.

Turnbow took the closer's role from Mike Adams early in '05 and went on to post a 1.74 ERA and 39 saves, tying the franchise saves record set the previous season by Dan Kolb. Turnbow parlayed his popularity and success into a multiyear contract, and he had a 1.35 ERA and was a perfect 12-for-12 in save chances entering a May 13, 2006, game against the Mets. The second-largest crowd in Miller Park history packed the stadium for Derrick Turnbow bobblehead night, and all of them received a doll with "real" hair.

Turnbow took the loss that night and unraveled. From May 13 through the end of the season, he posted an 8.58 ERA with eight blown saves. He lost the closer's job for good when the Brewers acquired Francisco Cordero ahead of the non-waiver Trade Deadline in July.

Milwaukee designated Turnbow for assignment on May 2, 2008. Last week, he signed a Minor League deal with the Marlins.

Todd Coffey: The Reds designated Coffey for assignment on his 28th birthday in '08 and the Brewers claimed him off the waiver wire the following day to help with the team's stretch run to the NL Wild Card. Coffey worked nine scoreless appearances to help the Brewers end their postseason drought, then emerged as the team's primary setup man in '09 in front of closer Trevor Hoffman. Coffey led Brewers pitchers with 78 appearances and led the NL with 83 2/3 relief innings while posting a 2.90 ERA and sparking the home fans with his trademark sprint from the bullpen. Last month, Coffey avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2,025,002 contract for 2010.

Casey McGehee: When the Brewers claimed McGehee off waivers from the Cubs on Oct. 29, 2008, he was coming off a 92-RBI season for Chicago's Triple-A affiliate but was blocked at third base by Aramis Ramirez. He reported to Brewers camp as a long shot to make the club because the team had subsequently added veteran Mike Lamb.

McGehee not only won an Opening Day roster spot, he played his way into regular duty at third base, batted .301 in 116 games and led Major League rookies with 66 RBIs. He finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

"If I got a chance, I thought I would be successful," McGehee said back in September. "I've always believed that, that's for sure. By no means do I feel like I have it figured out, but I knew that if I got a chance to be a part of the team, I could be a big contributor."

He's penciled in as a big part of the team for 2010. Assuming he doesn't have any setbacks from postseason knee surgery, McGehee has the inside track to start at third base.

All of Melvin's waiver claims have not had the same impact. But the following four found a way to contribute:

Left a mark

Chris Spurling: Plucked from the Tigers on May 16, 2006, Spurling appeared in 49 games the following season with a respectable 4.68 ERA.

Grant Balfour: Balfour was in the Turnbow mold, all power and little finesse, when the Brewers claimed him from the Reds on Oct. 5, 2006. He pitched only three times in a Brewers uniform before getting shipped to Tampa Bay for fellow power righty Seth McClung in a trade that worked for both sides. Balfour found success with the Rays in '08 and put up a 1.54 ERA in 51 games on the way to the World Series. McClung, meanwhile, was solid as a swingman for Milwaukee and pitched some important innings down the stretch in '08 that helped the Brewers hang on for the Wild Card.

Marino Salas: Claimed from the Orioles on Feb. 1, 2007, Salas never threw a pitch for the Brewers but he was traded in December 2008 for veteran reliever Salomon Torres. When the Eric Gagne signing proved a bust, Torres stepped into the closer's role and saved 28 games. He was key to the Brewers' first postseason appearance in 26 years.

Sam Narron: Narron, a lefty, never made it to the big leagues with the Brewers but spent five years in the organization after Milwaukee claimed him from Texas on Oct. 14, 2004. Narron signed as a Minor League free agent with the Tigers this winter.

Didn't pan out

Five of Melvin's waiver claims fit safely into this category, from infielder Zach Sorensen in November 2005 (from the Angels) to catcher J.D. Closser in September 2006 (Rockies) to catcher/infielder Eric Munson in October 2008 (Astros) to sidearmer Wes Littleton last March (Red Sox).

But the dubious "leader" of the group might be right-hander Chris Mabeus, who was claimed from Oakland on May 16, 2006, and seemed cursed from the start. His promotion to Milwaukee was delayed because Major League Baseball informed the Brewers that he hadn't spent the required 10 days in the Minor Leagues, and when Mabeus finally got into a game, it didn't go very well.

Here is his line from May 29, 2006, a 14-3 Brewers loss at Pittsburgh: 1 2/3 innings, four hits, four earned runs, three walks, three wild pitches, one home run. He did strike out two batters, but never pitched in the Majors again.

Inglett, Estrada and Cruz will hope for better luck.

D-backs prospect excited for Super Bowl

PHOENIX -- Considering he was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., it should come as no surprise that Jarrod Parker will be rooting hard for the Colts to beat the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV this weekend.

"Growing up, my grandpa and my dad were Bears fans and I couldn't see myself doing that," said Parker, Arizona's No. 1 pick (ninth overall) in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. "When I was younger I thought the Buccaneers had sweet jerseys so I liked them, but then I became a Colts fan."

And he hasn't looked back.

Parker's older brother, Justin, who is also a D-backs Minor Leaguer, is flying to Tucson, Ariz., to join Jarrod for this weekend's game. The brothers will watch the game with Marc Krauss, who was drafted last year by the D-backs. Krauss and Jarrod have been rehabbing injuries at the team's Minor League complex and Justin plans to join their workouts to get a head start on Spring Training.

Hopefully Justin's bags are not lost by the airline because they contain some important cargo.

"He's brining my jersey," Parker said referring to his No. 18 road Peyton Manning jersey. "So I'll be all set. I do need to upgrade it at some point though."

The last time the Colts were in the Super Bowl was in 2007 when they beat the Bears, 29-17, in a game played in Miami, site of this year's game as well. That year Jarrod, who was in high school, watched the game at a friend's house on a projection TV.

"That was a good Super Bowl with that opening kickoff and then it got a little crazy there with the weather," Parker said. "This is the Super Bowl that everybody wanted to see when both teams were undefeated and we're getting it so you can't complain about that."

Indiana has just two teams in major sports leagues -- the Colts and the NBA's Pacers, but there is a big difference in the size of the following each has in the state.

"It's the big professional team," Parker said of the Colts. "The Pacers are kind of up-and-down and ever since the late '90s/early 2000s it's pretty much become all Colts country. It's a great organization. It's unreal how many guys they get that are undrafted or drafted late that turn into Pro Bowl guys. The way they do their scouting is impressive."

The Colts were on pace for an undefeated regular season, winning their first 14 games before they began resting their starting players. Indianapolis wound up losing its last two regular-season games.

It was a decision that drew criticism from a large part of their fan base, including the fans located in the Parker household.

"I didn't even watch the last two games after they took their starters out because I was upset about it," Parker said. "But then I thought about it and realized it was for the best and guys were getting healthy and the championship means more than the regular season and the fans and players have to kind of sit back and realize that."

While Parker considers himself a big fan, he can't hold a candle to the intensity that Justin brings to the table.

"It's going to be sweet to have him here," Parker said. "And he'll probably go crazy just screaming at the TV all game. He's probably twice the Colts fan that I am. Man, he goes nuts. My mom doesn't even sit downstairs when the game is on because she can't handle him yelling and going crazy. She goes up to her room and watches the game. I'm an intense fan, but I don't scream and yell and go nuts, but I do get into it."

Like most Colts fans, Parker has been monitoring the reports on defensive end Dwight Freeney's injured right ankle.

"I'm worried, but the thing I've been thinking about is it could slow down the Saints running game because with Freeney being out I think the Colts will play more of a run defense," Parker said.

With or without Freeney being able to play, Parker is predicting a Colts victory.

"I think it will be either really high scoring, or the weather will take over and no one will be scoring like expected," he said. "I feel like the Colts are going to win, 30-27. They've had a real good playoffs so far. The whole NFL has been fun to watch during the playoffs."

Hunter squarely in Colts' corner

ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter has it all figured out.

His alma mater, the University of Alabama, has already won a national championship in football this year. He believes his beloved Indianapolis Colts will win the Super Bowl on Sunday. All that's left is for the Rangers to win the World Series.

"Would that not be one of the coolest things ever?" Hunter said Thursday at the Ballpark in Arlington.

The Rangers would certainly be on board with that.

Hunter has already witnessed first-hand the Colts winning a Super Bowl. He was sitting in the rain in Miami three years ago today when Peyton Manning led them to a 29-17 victory over the Bears.

He will not be in Miami this weekend, though. He has tickets to the game but has decided not to use them, not with Spring Training less than two weeks away.

"I can't," Hunter said, sitting in the Rangers clubhouse. "I'm leaving this afternoon to go to Arizona. I've got tickets, I've got everything but no. I'm not going to go but no ...

"I'd like to go but I've got a job to do. I've got to make this team. It's a little more important than a football game."

Hunter was 9-6 with a 4.10 ERA in 19 starts for the Rangers last season but does not have a guaranteed spot in the rotation. He is one of a half-dozen or more candidates for the final two spots in the rotation and he admits to being worried about it.

"You'd be nuts if you weren't," said Hunter, who has been working out at the Ballpark daily, throwing with Scott Feldman, Brandon McCarthy and others, and working with conditioning coach Jose Vazquez.

"I feel I have to compete for a job," Hunter said. "I want to go out there early and get going. I want to make this team."

He will watch the Super Bowl, just not in person. Hunter was born and raised in Indianapolis, attending Cathedral High School there. He is a life-long Colts fan and his uncle, Nick Tuttle, has a private suite at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis.

"I've been going to games since I was 4 years old and Jim Harbaugh was Captain Comeback," Hunter said.

He was there once this year with his uncle. Hunter was at the Colts' game on Dec. 27 when they lost to the Jets, 29-15, for their first loss of the season. The Colts, who had already clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs, led in the third quarter before they pulled Manning and other starters. Reserve quarterback Curtis Painter struggled the rest of the way and the Colts ended up losing.

"I felt awfully bad for Curtis Painter," Hunter said. "My uncle was upset when they took the starters out. He wanted the perfect season. I'm looking at it from a professional standpoint. If we had been in that situation, clinched a playoff spot with a week to go, all our starters would be resting for the playoffs. I didn't care for all the booing."

Hunter could relate to what Painter was going through. Hunter said it reminded him of his third Major League start on Aug. 14, 2008, when he allowed nine runs in the second inning against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

"I know the feeling," Hunter said. "It just stinks when 65,000 people are booing you. At least I had 65,000 giving me a standing ovation. They wanted me to come back out."

Hunter can also relate to the feelings of 65,000 Colts fans for another player.

"I like Peyton Manning," Hunter said. "I like him a lot. He just seems to be a great person. Peyton Manning Children's Hospital of Indianapolis ... having a children's hospital named after you shows the kind of guy he is.

"On field, off field, he's the guy. He leads the team. Maybe one day I'll look like him. Everybody's desire is to be like him. He's a good guy to emulate."

He met Manning once, not in Indianapolis but at the University of Tennessee. Hunter's high school team was playing in a tournament there. Manning, who went to Tennessee before being drafted by the Colts, was doing some offseason work there and throwing the football around on a side field. Hunter and some of teammates jumped in and caught a few passes.

"Just one or two," Hunter said. "It was nothing for him but something I'll never forget."

Hunter has a Manning jersey. He might wear it Sunday when he and Derek Holland go find a place to watch the Super Bowl somewhere in the Phoenix area. Or he could wear a Dallas Clark jersey. Or Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne or Dwight Freeney.

Yes, he has five different Colts jerseys.

"They are different colors so I can coordinate with whatever color they're wearing," he explained. "But I will be somewhere watching the game."

Hudson rules out joining Nationals

WASHINGTON -- Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson will not play for the Nationals in 2010, as it appears he is set to sign with the Twins, according to a baseball source.

The Nationals did not confirm that they are out of the Hudson sweepstakes.

For several weeks, it appeared Washington was the front-runners to acquire Hudson's services because he has close friendships with first baseman Adam Dunn and outfielder Willie Harris. But Hudson and the Nationals were far apart on money, the source said.

This past season, Hudson, 32, made a base salary of $3.38 million, but with incentives, he received close to $7 million as a member of the Dodgers.

According to a published report, the Nationals offered Hudson $3 million, with incentives that could have brought the value of the contract to $4 million. The source said Hudson was not going to sign with Washington for that kind of money.

The Nationals, however, were not going to give Hudson the $9 million he was seeking. They felt the free-agent market was set for infielders like Hudson when the Giants signed Juan Uribe to a one-year, $3.25 million contract on Jan. 5.

According to the source, Hudson understood why it took until Feb. 22 to sign with the Dodgers last year. He was coming off a wrist injury and people in baseball were not sure if he was healthy. Hudson is 100 percent now and doesn't want to take a pay cut, because he feels he had a good season in 2009, hitting .283 with nine home runs and 62 RBIs for Los Angeles.

The Nationals most likely will turn their attention to Adam Kennedy, who had a nice comeback season in 2009, hitting .289 with 11 home runs and 63 RBIs with the Athletics. The previous two years, he played in a combined 202 games, mostly due to injuries.

Kennedy, 34, is best known for his years with the Angels. In 2002, he was the American League Championship Series MVP after hitting three home runs against the Twins in Game 5.

If the Nationals don't sign Kennedy, they could go with a double-play combination of Ian Desmond at shortstop and Cristian Guzman at second base. But there are people in the organization who have mixed feelings about this duo.

There are some who feel Desmond needs at least a half season in the Minor Leagues because of his defense. Desmond has a reputation for the making the spectacular plays, while having problems with the routine ones.

Guzman, Washington's regular shortstop since 2005, was told that he would play second base because of his lack of range at short. Whether he can make the transition remains to be seen.

General manager Mike Rizzo could also make a trade for a second baseman and leave Guzman at short. It's not known who the Nationals may have interest in on the trade market.