MLB Bullets Is Faster Than A Speeding One Of Us

In this article, I'm going to go from capital letter to period in 3.1 seconds.

• The Reds' Billy Hamilton is getting a lot of attention in spring training this year for his game-changing speed. Paul Daugherty thinks that Hamilton's speed will mess with everyone's assumptions about the nature of the game.
• Sam Miller has a long article at Baseball Prospectus looking at Hamilton, Herb Washington and Usain Bolt. He notes that Bolt would certainly dust Hamilton in a sprint and wonders what the value of a Herb Washington-type pinch runner who could actually run like Usain Bolt. He also thinks that when such a player appears, we may have to rethink the idea of 90 feet between bases.
• Matthew Kory looks at Hamilton and tries to figure out his value if he doesn't get on base much but steals successfully every single time. He also tries to figure out Hamilton's value with other assumptions about what he does.
• This spring, Hamilton is working hard on his bunting. It might be the only way he gets on base, but he might be able to do it often enough to wreck havoc on other teams.
• On the other hand, Hamilton's emergence on the Reds may be cancelled out by Brandon Phillips' decline. Although Phillips angrily denies that he's "declining."
• Ervin Santana, one of the now three unsigned free agents, fired his agent and is close to signing a one year deal with either the Blue Jays or the Orioles. He's handling the negotiations himself.
• That is, unless he decides to take the three-year deal that the Twins have offered. But the word is Santana is leaning towards a one-year deal and going back on the market next season.
• Jon Paul Morosi thinks that if the Blue Jays sign Santana, their chances to contend would be upgraded from "remote" to "conceivable."
• The Diamondbacks made a move by signing Oliver Perez to a two-year deal.
• But when the D-Backs travel to Australia to take on the Dodgers in now less than two weeks, instant replay will not be available.
• The tributes are still coming in for famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe. Bill Shaikin has a recap of his life and impact on the game. He argues for Jobe's induction into the Hall of Fame, although he notes that there really isn't a category for him to be inducted as.
• Rob Neyer says that Dr. Jobe should be inducted in the "pioneers" category. He notes that only two people, Henry Chadwick and Candy Cummings, have been inducted as 'pioneers" and that was in 1938 and 1939 respectively. Still, he believes that Jobe and others who had a significant impact on the game without being players, managers or executives should have a place in Cooperstown.
• I guess this is my cue to do this week's injury report. Luke Hochevar, whom we said last time was hoping to repair his arm through rest and rehabilitation, will need Tommy John surgery.
• The Braves Kris Medlen, expected to be their opening day starter, left Sunday's game with a "right forearm strain." That doesn't sound too bad, except when you realize the cause of that strain may be something more serious. Medlen will be examined further today.
• Jaime Garcia will have his sore shoulder examined by Dr. James Andrews today. All these pitchers getting injured in spring training. It must be a result of the World Baseball Classic. Oh yeah, that's right. That was what everyone said last year.
• Matt Harvey has already had his Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be out for the season, but he says he's trying to make it back this year. I've got news for you, Matt. There is no way the Mets are going to let their golden goose pitch this year. Or maybe they will. After all, this is the Mets we're talking about.
• Matt Carpenter signed his six-year extension with the Cardinals.
• So far, so good for Jose Abreu in White Sox camp.
• The Mariners are scouting White Sox outfielder Dayan Viciedo. The White Sox are not actively shopping him, according to Bruce Levine, but they will listen to offers.
• The Twins are interested in trading for Alejandro De Aza. For a team that says that they're not actively shopping anyone, the White Sox certainly are behaving like a used outfielder lot.
• Nick Cafardo wonders if Giancarlo Stanton could end up with the Red Sox.
• Following up on the Marlins complaint that the Red Sox did not send four regulars to a spring training game, Red Sox owner shot back that the Marlins should apologize for their regular season lineup. Oh snap, girl!
• However, the Red Sox were fined by MLB for not starting four regulars.
• And Red Sox GM Ben Cherington offered an apology to the Marlins. So I'm guessing this is all over now.
• Jorge Arangure Jr. gets on his llama and says David Ortiz is old but he's good, like any other primitive would.
• Jason Giambi relishes his role as an elder statesman and a mentor to young players. Giambi interviewed for the Rockies managerial job before last season and would like to manage eventually.
• The Tigers are counting on Drew Smyly's changeup this season.
• Yogi Berra's wife Carmen died last week, just six weeks after their 65th anniversary. Mike Lupica has an appreciation of this beloved woman.
• Dan Uggla and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez have agreed to put their differences from the 2013 season behind them.
• Alfonso Soriano may be the Yankees backup first baseman this season. Fonzie has never played the position before.
• Ryan Braun hears your boos but he says that he doesn't let them affect him.
• The Astros are considering changing their Triple-A affiliate from Oklahoma City next off-season.
• The Astros also have a new database system called "Ground Control." Get it? Ground Control to Major Astro?
• Michael Cuddyer recalls his ultimately successful pursuit of the NL batting title, although it's not exactly a fond memory.
• If you want to follow NPB this year, NPB Tracker has some suggestions. Might want to start with a job that finished at 4 am.
• CJ Wilson had his windshield shattered at Angels camp. Wow. Javier Baez can really hit the ball a long way.
• Cubs Park in Mesa may be the last single-team spring training complex. The trend is now towards two-team parks. Reading between the lines there, it sounds like the Astros and Brewers may end up as roommates.
• Will Leitch rips apart the Pete Rose defenders who argue that taking PEDs is worse than gambling on baseball. Of course, Rose was an admitted amphetamine user, so he's damned either way.
• In something that will make a lot of you happy, commissioner Bud Selig has given no indication that he would reconsider his retirement at the end of the year. Personally, I say "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." So I don't care what Bud does either way. Although I'd probably have more material if he stayed on.
• Finally, Dan Farnsworth examines the issue of why there are no left-handed catchers. His answer? There is no good reason!

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