Kuzul

Overall, the upcoming MLB free agency class for the 2011 offseason is fairly weak.  Unlike 2010 when baseball fans anxiously watched to see where pitcher Cliff Lee and All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford would end up, 2011 will figure to be a quiet offseason.

Yet, among the 2011 free agents, one name stands out.  For the first time in his career, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols will be on the open market.  Given how he is only 31 years old and already has a career batting average of .330, 414 home runs and 1,242 RBI, he will surely command big money.

The Cardinals attempted to negotiate a new contract with Pujols this past offseason and into spring training.  Pujols actually set February 14 as the deadline for a new deal, otherwise negotiations would end.  No deal was reached, so it’s clear that Pujols’s next contract will set a new standard for free agents in future years.

Here are 11 potential free agents whose next contracts will be shaped by the conclusion of the Pujols saga.

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In baseball today, fickle fans have a fascination with speed when it comes to pitching.  Unless a pitcher can throw a fastball upwards of 94 miles per hour, it seems that he is not worth one’s total attention.  While the fastball is certainly a fine pitch, I would prefer today to talk about a horse of a different color: the changeup.

All in all, the changeup is the same as the fastball in terms of movement.  It moves straight, but a special grip required to throw it makes it a different pitch entirely.  Rather than overwhelm an opposing batter with high velocity, a changeup moves much slower than a typical fastball and most batters swing at it too early.

While many of today’s pitchers do have great fastballs, many of those same pitchers rely heavily on a changeup in order to be effective.  One pitcher who uses this pitch very well is Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay (pictured at left), whose changeup just seems to improve season after season.

Here are 10 pitchers in baseball today, Halladay included, whose changeups are extremely stifling.

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Simply amazing. The MLB season is only about two weeks old, and some teams already have big holes to fill. The Philadelphia Phillies are doing quite well and are atop the National League Eastern Division with a 7-2 record, but still are without a top offensive presence in second baseman Chase Utley (pictured at left).

Similarly, the St. Louis Cardinals stumbled out of the starting gate and now own a 3-6 record. Most shocking, however, is the situation of the Tampa Bay Rays. After winning the American League Eastern Division crown in 2010, the team has gone just 2-8 and holds the major leagues’ worst team batting average at .163.

Sure enough, people are already talking about trades that these struggling squads could make to instantly improve the team and fill any holes. Naturally, it is only April 12 and to even think about making trades this early in the season is ridiculous. Yet, one month from now, it might not be a bad idea.

Here are trades that the Phillies and some other teams should consider if their key players don’t return soon or if their records do not improve.

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On Thursday, March 31, baseball will make its long-awaited return with its traditional Opening Day.  It will be a day when fans just sit back, relax and enjoy the game before the divisional rivalries cause battles in the bleachers.  With the epic pitching matchup of CC Sabathia vs. Justin Verlander kicking off the season, it’s sure to be a great 2011.

In other games, careers will be made while others may end due to injury.  Fans will laugh, cry and cheer as their favorite players have (hopefully), amazing first games.

Some Opening Day performances have been good enough to be marked in the annals forever, including one notable one by Bob Feller (pictured at left).  To celebrate this long-standing tradition as well as Feller’s accomplishment, here are the top 10 most amazing Opening Day performances in history!

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Two days ago, the New York Mets made a move that fans believe should have been made a long time ago. After a two-season stint during which he heavily underachieved, left-handed pitcher Oliver Perez was released.  Perez will still be paid the $12 million he was owed this season by the Mets.

All in all, there is only one word that can describe Perez’s tenure with the New York Mets: disappointing.  In his time with the team, Perez was easily the most unpopular player in Flushing.  He signed a minor-league contract with the Washington Nationals yesterday, so perhaps he can resurrect his career there.

Here are 15 players, including Perez, who are unpopular and have worn out their welcome with the fans of their respective teams. 

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Last year, the Cleveland Indians finished second-to-last in the AL Central with a 69-93 record.  Considering how center fielder Grady Sizemore missed most of the season with a knee injury, along with the inconsistent pitching, that’s still a pretty strong performance.

This year, the Indians are just as young a team, if not younger than last year.  With only a few tested veterans on the team, the Indians certainly have some experienced men, yet not one with enough presence to step up as a leader.  That being said, can second-year manager Manny Acta find a way to get his players and their fans back in the game?

The answer is yes.  Let’s look at the entire lineup and see how the team will improve from last year.

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Spring training is upon us, and for baseball nuts like me, it’s time to start scouting for fantasy baseball.  Whether you like the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees or even a random team like the Arizona Diamondbacks, there’s no denying that fantasy baseball is tons of fun!  Soon, the trash-talking will be flying high in the draft room and new rivalries will be forged.

I could go on and on about which players are a lock for a good season, which players will get the most home runs, etc.  But let’s instead take a look at players who are solid but are still a question mark in terms of effectiveness in 2011.  Should the pitching staff be supported by tricky Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Ted Lilly or unpredictable AJ Burnett (pictured at left) of the New York Yankees?

Here are 11 players from around the league who, despite an off 2010, are worth a shot this season.

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Earlier this week, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and free agent to-be Albert Pujols set a deadline for team management.  If he and the front office could not come to terms on a long-term extension by noon on Wednesday, February 16, he would halt negotiations and test the free agent market at season’s end.

Needless to say, the Cardinals would be foolish not to give Pujols his money.  He is the face of their franchise and the most popular player on the team.  Here are 10 reasons that if Pujols becomes a free agent he should remain in St. Louis

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Last season, New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia stated to the press that despite having the option to do so, he would not opt out of his contract.  Joining the team in 2009, the big lefty’s seven-year, $161 million deal has a clause that allows him to opt out after three years, should he want to.

Just yesterday, however, Sabathia hinted that he might exercise that clause after the season.  Being a Yankee fan, I just had one response.  WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Sabathia is, for all intents and purposes, the top dog of the Yankees pitching staff.  Were he to opt out for more money, there aren’t any other big market teams who would be able to swing the funds to do so.  Long story short, it would be the stupidest career decision he could possibly make.

Hell, while we’re at it, let’s have a look at some other, less idiotic things that could happen!

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If there’s one time of the sports year that everyone watches like a hawk, it’s MLB free agency.  From November until late January (sometimes longer), fans lose sleep over which teams top free agent players will sign with.

Some of these decisions pay great dividends, like C.C. Sabathia when he signed with the New York Yankees.  Other times, players regret locking themselves into long-term deals, like when Adrian Beltre signed with the Mariners.

Thus, let’s take a look at this past season’s free agency class.  Specifically, the players that picked the wrong teams.

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