MLB Bullets Has Gone Hollywood

The good news is that by the time I write the next of these bullet stories on Sunday night, there will have actually have been one game played in the major league season and we'll all be getting ready for the Cubs first game of the season. But don't worry. Even if the silliness of the Hot Stove League and Spring Training is over, I'm sure I'll find a lot of silliness in the regular season. After all, the Mets are still in the league.

• Forbes is out with their annual list of franchise values and they estimate that the average major league team increased in value by 23% over the past year, which is a record. The Yankees are estimated at a worth of $2.3 billion, making it the most valuable North American sports franchise. The Dodgers are second, the Red Sox third and the Cubs, at a cool billion dollars even, rank fourth. (Of course, why did Forbes pick a picture of Dave Sappelt to represent the Cubs?) The Rays rank last.
• I'm just wondering. Who is the "average major league team"? The Blue Jays? The Mariners? The Diamondbacks? The Braves? Who is the most average major league franchise? There's a poll below.
• Ken Rosenthal says that now that Frank McCourt is gone, Commissioner Bud Selig should be watching management at the Marlins, the Astros and the Mets. He also sees problems with the Athletics, Orioles and Rays, although not with ownership.
• The best baseball movie of the past couple of season is the documentary "Ballplayer: Pelotero." which follows the signing of two ballplayers from the Dominican Republic, one of which is top Twins prospect Miguel Sano. Now the filmmakers want to make a sequel as they track Sano's trip to the majors and you can help through Kickstarter. They've already reached their $25,000 goal, but now they're shooting for $45,000. If you give them $20, they'll give you a copy of the DVD of the first movie, which is easily worth it.
• The Cardinals have locked up Adam Wainwright for the next five years for $97.5 million.
• When you win two World Series titles in three years, you get rewarded. So the Giants have extended the contracts of GM Brian Sabean and Manager Bruce Bochy through the 2016 season. Ray Ratto of CSN Bay Area says the deals are two years overdue.
• Former Orioles catcher Gus Triandos has died at 82. Triandos was always a fan favorite in Baltimore. I'm sure Officer Herc is crushed.
• Pirates season ticket sales are up 20 percent this year.
• The Tigers are going to start the season without a closer after sending Bruce Rondon down the minors. No, they're still not interested in Carlos Marmol. Not yet, at least.
• David Schoenfield says that Jered Weaver is the most important player in baseball this season.
• Johan Santana is likely out for the season and maybe for a career. He almost certainly thrown his last pitch for the Mets.
• Jackie Bradley has apparently made the Red Sox opening day roster.
• Last year it was Mike Trout. This year, my non-Cub ballplayer crush is . . .well, it's still Mike Trout. But coming in a close second is the Braves Andrelton Simmons. According to Jayson Stark, I'm not the only one who thinks he's awesome.
• Taiwanese baseball fans welcomed Manny Ramirez to their country with a picture of Johnny Cueto.
• Mets Director of Media Relations Jay Horwitz is the king of butt-dialing. Just ask a current or former Met.
• The Dodgers are trying to deal Chris Capuano.
• Craig Calcaterra lists all the changes in MLB for the 2013 season.
• Cliff Corcoran lists who made Opening Day rosters and who didn't.
• Rejoice, Yankees haters. Jon Paul Morosi says they'll finish last this season.
• Padres infielder Logan Forsythe is going to miss the first six weeks of the season with plantar fasciitis.
• Rafael Soriano is quiet, but he lets his giving do his talking back in the Dominican Republic.
• Kyle Lohse was happy with his Brewers debut.
• Roy Halladay was happy with his final Phillies spring training outing.
• Indians GM Chris Antonetti thinks their big off-season will lead to a big regular season.
• Finally, Pensacola Blue Wahoos Manager Jim Riggleman is trying to overcome the stigma of having "quit," which is one thing baseball does not easily forgive. It's pretty much the only reason I keep doing this.

The Iowa Hawkeyes Men's basketball team is heading to Madison Square Garden! Hey, I'm a Cubs fan. I take pleasure in small victories.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. And the next day will be even better, since there will be real baseball on Sunday.