Welp, we've seen the last of Tim Hudson in a Braves uniform. We certainly wish Tim the best (except when he faces the Braves, of course). I'm sure we've all heard, in one form or another, the ongoing soap opera between A-rod and MLB at his grievance hearing this week. There have also been a couple of big trades.
Tigers trade Prince Fielder to Texas for Ian Kinsler - CBS Sports
Kinsler is still owed $57 million over the next four years while Fielder is dealt just two years into a nine-year contract with the Tigers, and he is still owed $168 million. The acquisition of Kinsler fills the vacancy left by Omar Infante in Detroit and makes room for Jurickson Profar in Texas.
Cardinals, Angels pull off four-player trade - SBNation
St. Louis gives David Freese and reliever Fernando Salas to the Angels for Peter Bourjos and outfield prospect Randal Grichuk, who spent 2013 with Double-A Arkansas and hit .256 with 22 HR. Freese gives the Angels an upgrade at third base, and Bourjos gives the Cardinals an upgrade on defense in center field. John Sickels at Minor League Ball gives us a look at what the Cardinals are getting in Grichuk.
Chris Carpenter announces retirement - CBS Sports
The news was broken at the press conference announcing manager Mike Matheny's three-year contract extension. Carpenter didn't pitch at all in 2013 due to thoracic outlet syndrome, an ailment affecting the nerves of the neck and shoulder. He retires with 144 wins with a 3.76 ERA in a 15-year career; he was the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner, a three-time All-Star (2005, 2006, 2010) and the 2009 NL Comeback Player of the Year.
Josh Reddick and Zack Wheeler duel on Twitter at WWE taping - MLB.com
Next thing you know, we'll be seeing piledrivers and steel chairs.
Reddick loses beard-off to Daniel Bryan - MLB.com
As per the stipulation, the carpet sitting on Reddick's face was to be shaved off.
Josh Johnson signs with Padres - ESPN
Johnson signs a one-year deal worth $8 million plus incentives: $1.25 million if he makes 26 starts; the Padres will also gain a $4 million option for 2015 if he fails to make seven starts in 2014 (per Jeff Passan via Twitter).
Cuban shortstop defects - SBNation
Meet Erisbel Arruebarruena, who joins the list of Cuban defectors looking for a shot in the Majors. He's known for his defense and has drawn comparisons to Jose Iglesias. Reading the subheading of the article, though, I'm more compelled to compare him to our own Andrelton Simmons when he first arrived on the scene.
Ruben Tejada may file grievance against the Mets - NY Daily News
Tejada believes the Mets held him at Triple-A to manipulate his free agency eligibility, but GM Sandy Alderson contends it's more an issue of Super 2 status.
LaTroy Hawkins signs with Rockies, closing in on 1,000 games - SBNation
This will be the second stint for Hawkins with the Rockies, having pitched for them in 2007. He is 57 games away from 1,000 and would join much more notable names such as Trevor Hoffman, Jesse Orosco, John Franco, and some guy named Mariano Rivera. He will be 41 years old when the 2014 season begins.
Mets sign Chris Young the outfielder - ESPN
That gives the Mets four outfielders, that is, only if you consider Lucas Duda an "outfielder".