MLB Bullets Smells A Rat

We're getting closer to actual games, folks.

• As you probably know, the NCAA has a lot of stupid rules that student-athletes have to follow in order to keep their eligibility. One of those rules is that players cannot hire an agent. This is a problem in baseball as players don't have to declare for the draft: they become automatically eligible after high school or their third year of college, in most cases. This means that if a player wants to know what a major league team will offer them to leave school, they have to do the negotiations themselves. This brings forth a major power imbalance, as you have an 18 or 20 year-old kid negotiating with professionals who have a full legal team and have been doing this for years. In order to get around this NCAA rule, players hire "advisors" to help them deal with all the issues surrounding signing a professional contract worth up to several million dollars. Everyone knows these "advisors" are agents in all but name. They aren't supposed to talk directly with teams, but they usually do because teams get tired of having to explain something to a 20 year old kid, then have the kid call up the "advisor" and then get back to the team. That can become a long game of "telephone." Everyone knows this and every team does it.
• Why am I telling you this? Because the Phillies fifth and sixth round draft picks from last season decided against signing with the team and went back to college for their senior seasons. So in turn, the Phillies decided to report to the NCAA that both players had hired an agent to negotiate with the team, potentially costing them the rest of their college eligibility. One of the two players has been cleared of any wrongdoing, however. The other is still in limbo awaiting his fate, unable to play until the NCAA makes a decision.
• So far, the Phillies have "no comment" on the story. Craig Calcaterra calls the Phillies "shameful" and "pathetic."
• Jeff Sullivan wants to hear the Phillies side of the story, although he can't possibly think of a good reason for their actions.
• Buster Olney, hardly an angry blogger writing from his mother's basement, thinks this is "dirty pool" and a case of blackmail. (ESPN Insider) He does want to hear the Phillies side of the story.
• Jonathan Berhardt writes that unless they come up with a really good explanation (or apology) fast, no amateur player should have anything to do with the Phillies.
• And sure enough, one agent/advisor has already said that they are "shutting down all communications" with the Phillies. For example, the Phillies will not be allowed to interview any of the players represented by this advisor before the draft.
• On to above-the-board negotiations. The Reds signed Homer Bailey to a six-year, $105 million extension.
• The Reds are confident that Bailey is worth the money.
• David Schoenfield thinks that Bailey's extension is more evidence that fewer and fewer players are reaching free agency.
• Another player who signed a long-term extension is Andrelton Simmons, whom the Braves inked to a seven-year deal, worth around $58 million.
• Marc Normadin says the Simmons extension shows the Braves believe in defense.
• Ubaldo Jimenez passed his physical and is now a Baltimore Oriole. Normally this is just a formality, but this is the Orioles we're talking about.
• Jayson Stark wonders what the Orioles are going to get out of Jimenez.
• Dan Szymborski, in an ESPN Insider article, says that the longer the Angels wait to extend Mike Trout, the more it's going to cost. ($)
• David Freese is happy to be a teammate of Albert Pujols again.
• Giancarlo Stanton, who has said the Marlins need to make some changes before he considers signing an extension, thinks the team is moving in the right direction.
• The Blue Jays are unlikely to sign Ervin Santana.
• Rob Neyer says the Blue Jays won't finish last again.
• MLB is expected to approve new rules banning home plate collisions in the next few days.
• Not every catcher is happy about the rules change. Although I love Erik Kratz's explanation: "If I'd lost a season because of this [like Buster Posey] I'd probably be all for it." So you're saying they shouldn't change the rules until after you get seriously hurt?
• The two men charged with the beating of Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium pleaded guilty and were sentenced to eight years and four years in prison. Stow's sister thinks they got off easy.
• David Schoenfield thinks the Dodgers are a "lock" to win the NL West. Umm, it's an even-numbered year, David. That means the Giants are going to win it all. Although I suppose the Giants could be a wild-card team.
• Carlos Ruiz, who was suspended for 25 games last year for using a banned stimulant, has received a medical exemption allowing him to take Adderall. Should have thought of that last year, Carlos.
• David Schoenfield thinks that Ryan Braun, fresh off his suspension, will be one of the best players in the game this season. It pains me to say that I think he's probably right.
• Brandon Phillips isn't talking to the media. Smooth move, Ferguson. That always turns out well.
• The legend only gets bigger as Billy Hamilton is working on his all-around game this spring. I think I read somewhere that unless he makes a mistake or gets a bad jump, it's impossible for the catcher to get the ball to second base fast enough to throw Hamilton out stealing. I don't know that it's true, but it sounds right. At a minor league game, I saw Hamilton score from third on a comebacker to the mound. I'm not kidding.
• Ken Rosenthal wonders how wonderful Derek Jeter's farewell tour will be if it turns out he's not any good this season.
• Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik sounds like he's about had it with Jesus Montero.
• Tim Byrdak took a unique approach to finding a job this season. By the way, have I mentioned how much I hate the new re-design at foxsports.com?
• Astros manager (and Iowa Hawkeye alum) Bo Porter read his team the riot act because he thought the team was "disrespectful" to Roger Clemens. Ah, Clemens should be used to that by now.
• Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson showed up at Rangers camp and got his jersey.
• Jonah Keri ranks all 30 teams heading into the season. Nowhere but up for the Cubs to go.
• Craig Calcaterra wants the Tigers to retire Alan Trammell's number and is upset that Trammell isn't upset about the team giving his number 3 to Ian Kinsler.
• Scott Osler says that with the retirement of Jim Leyland, the fire-breathing manager is now extinct. He mourns their passing, despite being abused by a few of them in his time. (h/t Hardball Talk)
• The Royals Kyle Zimmer learned an important rookie lesson: Never refer to the veterans on the team as "old guys."
• Finally, this is a long and complicated story, but it's fascinating and based on research into new documents at the Hall of Fame library. It's the story of how the family of Connie Mack lost control of the Athletics and how they ended up in Kansas City. Contrary to what has been generally assumed, the Yankees had nothing to do with it. Be sure to check it out.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.