Steroids, Shoulders, and Signings, By: Brad Marchand

March 30, 3006

Most of the news during this, the last week of Spring Training, involves marginal players being cut, guys being informed they've made the team, and final rosters being determined. Most are smaller transactions, but occasionally the news is larger as players sign contract extensions or stars go on the disabled list. We've got all of the above today, and some major news involving -- who else -- Barry Bonds.

No Saving Bonds?
There has been no official announcement yet, but it appears that commissioner Bud Selig is about to launch an official investigation into baseball's steroids mess and the allegations made in the Barry Bonds bashing book du jour, Game of Shadows. Former Senator George Mitchell will head up the investigation effort, though he will not be the lead investigator. While the focus of the investigation will likely be steroid use in general and other major league players, the burden will undoubtedly fall on Bonds, baseball's anointed steroids poster child and the man we all love to hate. Why? Because it is he who has cultivated a media image as an arrogant jerk and he who is about to break one of the most prestigious records in all of sports.

Grady Greedy?
Continuing their policy of locking up their young players to long-term contracts that bypass their arbitration years, the Cleveland Indians signed CF Grady Sizemore to a 6-year, $23.45 million contract extension, the most money ever guaranteed to a player with less than two years major league service. The new deal runs through 2011 and includes a club option for 2012 worth $8.5 million. Sizemore's first full year in the majors last year was a good one as he hit .289 with 22 HR, 81 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. He's just 23 and will undoubtedly do nothing but get better over the course of the new deal.

Kent Buy Me Love?
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Jeff Kent signed a one-year, $11.5 million contract extension through the 2007 season on Wednesday. The deal also includes a 2008 option worth $9 million. Though known to be somewhat abrasive in the clubhouse, Kent's production on the field is unquestioned. He hit .289 with 29 HR and 105 RBI last year and his 331 career homers are the most ever by a second baseman. The 2000 National League MVP (with the Giants) will likely be a Hall of Famer five years after his retirement, though that will now be delayed by at least one more season.

Crippled Cubs
Whenever one raises the question of the Chicago Cubs’' chances to end their 98-year championship drought, the refrain goes something like this: if Mark Prior (right) and Kerry Wood stay healthy, they've got a chance. Guess what? Both pitchers will begin the season on the disabled list with shoulder ailments (Wood also had recent knee surgery). Shocked? Neither am I. The oft-injured pair were both officially disabled on Tuesday, Prior with a strained muscle in his shoulder and Wood as part of his recovery from surgery. Both are expected to miss about the first month of the season. So how about that drought?