Greetings from San Antonio.
It's a beautiful day to walk along the RiverWalk, which I'll do after posting this.
Spring training news is heating up.
The biggest story has been Yankees SS Derek Jeter's announcement that he is retiring after this season. Reminds of how Marv Levy used to say, "If you're thinking about retiring, you must as well retire." But here's a counter-reminder. Mariano Rivera announced a year ago that he would be retiring after the season. He did OK.
Rivera was a once-in-a-generation player at his position. Jeter could be the same. We'll see over then next eight months.
-- Jeter's announcement set up a big opening week for the Astros. His first regular-season game April 1 will be at Houston. On April 5, the Astros will honor retiring 1B/DH Lance Berkman and RHP Roy Oswalt. They stayed around a year or two too long, which could be a danger for Jeter. In addition, Nolan Ryan will be in his first week as an advisor to Houston's management. If his presence can do what it did with the Rangers, especially in terms of toughening up the starting pitchers, the Astros' rebound into contention could be quicker than we'd expect.
-- In injury news, Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma is expected to miss the beginning of this season. He can't throw for 4-6 weeks because of a strained tendon in his middle finger. Seattle signed two other former major league starters, LHP Randy Wolf and RHP Zach Minor, to minor league contracts.
-- The Phillies gained one pitcher, but lost another for the beginning of the season. They signed free-agent RHP A.J. Burnett to a one-year, $16-million contract. He could fill in early for LHP Cole Hamels, who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.
-- Another star pitcher, Tigers RHP Justin Verlander, is expected to be ready to start the season. He underwent surgery in January on both sides of his mid-section. Philadelphia also released RHP Chad Gaudin, who failed his physical exam.
-- The Cubs signed two potential starters, RHPs Jason Hammel and James McDonald, who were low-end free agents. The two pitchers they waived to make room on the 40-man roster both were claimed -- LHP Brooks Raley by the Twins and PHP Brett Marshall by the Reds.
-- In a trade, the Nationals picked up Jose Lobaton, the catcher they had been seeking, from the Rays for RHP Nathan Karns. The 26-year-old was the Double-A Eastern League's ERA leader at 3.26 for Harrisburg, where he was 10-6. Washington also acquired two 22-year-olds, OF Drew Vettleson -- whose 2013 season at high Class A Charlotte of .274, four home runs and 62 RBI was comparable to what he had done in his first two minor league seasons, but with less power -- and LHP Felipe Rivero, who was 9-7 with a 3.40 ERA at Charlotte.
-- Heading the list of those signing contracts were relievers. The Mariners agreed with free-agent RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. The Royals avoided arbitration with RHP Greg Holland with a 1-year, $4.675-million deal. The Dodgers did the same with RHP Kenley Jansen for a year at $4.3 million. They all are likely to begin the season as closers. In addition, the Nationals avoided arbitration with RHP Tyler Clippard with an agreement for a year at $5.875 million.
-- Other major league signings included RHP Carlos Marmol with the Marlins for 2014 at $1.125 million. The Indians signed OF Michael Brantley for four years and $25 million, with an $11-million option for 2018.
-- The Brewers outrighted RHP Donovan Hand, who had been designated for assignment when they signed RHP Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, to Triple-A but also invited him to spring training.
-- Minor league signings -- RHP Jose Valverde with the Mets, RHP Brandon Lyon with the Angels, LHP Eric Bedard with the Rays and LHP Rich Hill back with the Red Sox.
-- In the category of players trying to make a comeback is LHP Johan Santana, who has been throwing in Arizona for teams to observe him. If he's half the pitcher he was with the Twins, he could help a team needed at least a temporary fix in its rotation.
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Basketball. The fantasy week is over, unless your league includes statistics from the NBA All-Star Game, the slam dunk contest and the other junk sports the league will throw out this weekend.
It appears that I'll finish with an 8-0 victory this week and a lead of about 16 games with 24 to play. Magic number 9, for those who are interested.
My team was down 6-2 after Tuesday. That's when Joakim Noah had a triple double, but neglected to get any steals and went just 3-for-6 at the foul line. After that night, steals and free throw percentage were the categories in which I trailed.
On Wednesday, Carmelo Anthony topped the three players on my roster who had double doubles with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Rubio's double double also included seven steals. Those steals and the overall team's 21 for 23 free throw shooting gave me the lead in those categories.
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