Reporting from Times Square in New York...

Cardinals Sign RHP Adam Wainwright to a Four-Year Contract Extension with a Two Club Option Years.

This is how you Buy Low and Sell High.  The Cardinals lock in their best young starter for all his arbitration years and as an extra bonus, they have rights to him for two years after his arbitration years are done.  Wainwright has job security and has been shown the money earlier than he normally would see.  If his career ends early due to injury or lack of development, he’s financially fine.

Nationals Release RHP John Patterson.

His once dominating fastball hovered in the mid-to-high 80’s during Spring Training.  The Nationals do not think they are going to get their money’s worth, so they let him go. Assuming he continues to gain his strength, he might be picked up by someone, but wait and see what he does before investing anything.

White Sox Reassign RHP Tomo Ohka to Minor League camp.

Our spring training report stated that Ohka was likely to make the team based upon pitching coach, Don Cooper’s comments.  The lesson to be learned is that the White Sox sometimes say one thing and do the other.  Take the Josh Fields situation.  The White Sox have said that Josh Fields is going to start at third even if Joe Crede is healthy.  Then it is Fields is going to play once they trade Crede.  Now they are no long going to trade Crede until the right offer is made so Fields is likely going to Triple-A.  What about you the person trying to decide to draft Fields?

Red Sox Assign RHP Bartolo Colon to Minor League camp.

For those of you who like to talk a walk on the wild side, Bartolo Colon was sent to Minor League camp as the Red Sox do not need a fifth starter until April 12 at the earliest.  That will give Colon time to stay in the states and continue working out.  He is still the leading candidate for the #5 spot.

Astros Place RHP Felipe Paulino on the 15-Day DL with a Pinched Nerve in his Upper Right Arm.

Paulino will rest the arm for a month then see where he is at.  It is likely that he might not be back until after the All-Star break.

Mets Reassign RHP Tony Armas Jr. and RHP Nate Field to Minor League camp.

Armas Jr. joins the proud tradition of emergency starters for the Mets.  That group includes Dave Williams, Jose Lima, and Chan Ho Park.

Orioles Option LHP Garrett Olson to Triple-A Norfolk.

While Olson put up some good numbers this year in Spring Training, they decided not to rush him.  This means that the #5 job will be a two-man battle between Matt Albers and Brian Burres.

Padres Reassign 2B Matt Antonelli to Minor League Camp.

That means Tadahito Iguchi will start at second base.

Cardinals Reassign OF Colby Rasmus to Minor League camp.

There is no sense starting the arbitration clock when there are other options available.  He might get a call up this year if someone gets hurt, but likely he’ll spend the season in Triple-A with a September call up.  He’s a great keeper pick, however.

Blue Jays Place RHP Casey Janssen on the 60-day DL.

Janssen had surgery on a torn labrum and will miss the season.

Yankees Release INF Billy Crystal.

The Yankees gave him a one day contract for being a fan.  It is cool, and worthy of noting here.

Cardinals Sign RHP Kyle Lohse to a One-Year Contract.

The Cardinals sign Lohse to a $4.25 million deal and pencil him in as their #2 starter. 

Tout Wars

I flew into New York today to take part in Tout Wars.  This is my third year here and hopeful, just hopefully, I’ll get through the season without loosing a key part of the team early.  In 2006, it was Derrick Lee.  In 2007, it was Chris Carpenter.  It is tough playing in the lime-light when you loose one of your most expensive players in April.  I won’t discuss my annual July March of Fantasy Futility.  That is where I peak at the All-Star break then watch my team come crashing down in the standings.  Last year I was fourth in ERA at the All-Star break only to drop to half-a-run in last place over the course of three weeks.  You didn’t want to be in my house that week.  It was very bleak.

It is hard to say what my strategy is going to be, as my competitors are reading what I write and the fact that there are no sleepers in Tout Wars.  I have one (or six).  Wish me luck.  I’m wishing you luck in your league as well.