MLB Bullets Says It's All In The Game

The Winter Olympics would be much more interesting if they made Ice Baseball a sport. It would be a way to get baseball back in to the Olympics without the crowded Summer Olympic schedule. Now we just need to invent Ice Baseball.

Doesn't that photo look like Buck Showalter is about to shake down Don Mattingly?

• We've already covered the death of Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. Kiner is best known for his time as a player with the Pirates and as a broadcaster with the Mets, but he did spend two seasons as a member of the Chicago Cubs. Ted Berg got to work with Kiner back in 2010 when he made a series of online videos. He gives his memories of Kiner and says that he's sorry he didn't spend more time with him.
• Richard Sandomir remembers Kiner's career as a broadcaster with the Mets. Despite, or maybe because of, all the malaprops, Kiner was a superior broadcaster.
• Richard Hoffer writes that we shouldn't let Kiner's broadcast career overshadow his true legacy: that he was an outstanding ballplayer.
• Last time we told you about the long-term extension that Freddie Freeman signed with the Braves. Freeman says that the contract is "humbling." He also added "But I'm happy!"
• Dave Cameron compares Freeman's contract to other recent long-term extensions and notes that Freeman got a lot more money. He argues that Freeman probably signed for a fair-market value as opposed to Ryan Braun and Elvis Andrus, who probably got too little.
• Marc Normandin explains why the Braves needed to lock up Freeman now.
• Jon Paul Morosi says that the Braves probably had to choose between keeping Freeman or Jason Heyward, and they just made their choice.
• The Braves are also interested in extended deals with Andrelton Simmons and Julio Teheran.
• Jonah Keri explains why the Braves need Freeman to be a star in the years ahead.
• In another article for Grantland, Keri takes an in-depth look at the Baltimore Orioles, both on and off the field. He says that between their improved fortunes on the field, their increased attendance and the sweetheart TV deal they have with the Nationals and MASN, the Orioles have enough money to compete in the AL East and wonders why they aren't spending more.
• The Red Sox have decided not to splurge on any big-name free agents this off-season too, instead relying on their farm system to keep them at the top of the American League.
• Staying in the AL East, Hal Bodley says the Rays can't trade David Price now, because with him they are strong contenders to win the division and possibly the World Series.
• Wow. I've got no Yankees news.
• The Mariners signed Fernando Rodney to a two-year, $14 million deal.
• The M's are also "cautiously optimistic" that they will be able to sign Nelson Cruz.
• Cliff Corcoran thinks the Mariners would be better off forgetting about signing Cruz and instead re-upping Kendrys Morales.
• Wallace Matthews looks at the rise and fall of Jesus Montero. I guess that is sort of Yankees-related.
• Albert Pujols feels fine.
• The Rangers announced that their ballpark is now know as Globe Life Park in Arlington.
• The Indians signed ex-Cub Bryan LaHair to a minor league deal.
• In other ex-Cubs news, the Marlins signed Carlos Marmol for one-year, $1.25 million.
• Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says that he may bat Yasiel Puig leadoff next season.
• Marc Normandin writes that while Yasiel Puig may be an odd choice to bat leadoff, he's the most logical option Mattingly's got.
• Bronson Arroyo is still not signed, and he's now lowered his asking price. He'll accept a two-year deal now instead of the three-year deal he'd been asking for.
• With Arroyo now willing to take a two-year deal, the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Orioles are all expected to bid on the former Reds hurler.
• The Cardinals signed Pat Neshek to a minor league deal.
• Ryan Spilborghs is retiring and joining the pre- and post-game shows for the Rockies on Root Sports. He shares his thoughts on his career and the difficult decision to retire.
• The Rockies will retire Todd Helton's #17 on August 17.
• Matthew Kory lists five teams that might be surprise contenders in 2014. No mention of the Cubs.
• Curt Schilling has cancer. I know he's not the most popular guy around, but I hope I can speak for everyone and say that we hope he beats this and gets well soon.
• Former Orioles outfielder (and a bunch of other teams) Jeffrey Hammonds has joined the staff new MLBPA president Tony Clark.
• The newest PED is a mixture of oxygen and xenon. As of right now, it's perfectly legal.
• The Nationals will give away 175,000 bobbleheads this season.
• The Giants will give away R2-D2 beanies for their "Star Wars Night."
• Finally, if you have any old Tim Wallach baseball cards, this man wants them. J. Corey Stackhouse wants every Tim Wallach card. He doesn't just want one of each Tim Wallach card, he wants every single Tim Wallach card in existence. Yep. He's trying to corner the market on Tim Wallach cards.

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