Alexander Steen stayin' a Blue

The St. Louis Blues and forward Alexander Steen have agreed to a three-year contract extension. The deal is worth $17.4 million. Steen will make $5.1 million starting next season. In the final year of Steen's new deal he'll make $6.5 million. The deal also includes a no-trade clause. He would have become a free agent after the 2013-014 NHL season. He was a first round pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2002 NHL draft, overall he was picked 24th. He ended up not living up to expectations in Toronto and was traded by the Maple Leafs during to 2008-09 season to the St. Louis Blues with defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo for right wing Lee Stempniak. He ended up finding success on the Blues. And had his best season in 2010-2011 when he scored 20 goals, and had 31 assists for 51 points.

Steen right now looks like he'll have a career year this season, and is on pace for now. As of now, Steen has 22 goals, and 14 assists for 36 points.

He's played nine seasons in the NHL. Over those nine seasons his career stats are: 570 games played, 145 goals, 194 assists, 339 points, and is a plus 31. He's developed into a team leader on the Blues. He's one of their alternate captains on the team.

I like this move a lot for the Blues. The Blues like to reward their players with contracts once they show they they are worth the money under Tom Stillman's onwership. Steen is also a fan favorite on the Blues. He's worked hard to deserve his contract extension. I think soon the Blues will need to figure out if they can keep David Backes and TJ Oshie. Hopefully the Blues will be able to keep both Backes and Oshie around long-term. As for me I like how Tom Stillman's ownership group waits for players to show that their worth a long-term deal. Steen could have made more money on the free agent market. So the Blues got him at cheaper price for a player like Steen. It's a win-win for both sides. And Steen likes playing in St. Louis.

Cardinals sign free agent 2B Mark Ellis

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent second baseman Mark Ellis. Ellis, 36, signed a one-year deal that is worth $5.25 million. He could end up making a total of $6 million based on performance bonuses. He drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the ninth round of the 1999 MLB draft. The Royals ended up trading Ellis to the Oakland Athletics in 2001. He reached the majors for the first time in 2002. He played for the Athletics until June 30, 2011, when he was traded to the Colorado Rockies. He left the Rockies after the 2011 season as a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent two seasons playing for the Dodgers.

Ellis is pretty much known for his defense, and is one of the best defensive second baseman in the league. He almost won a gold glove in 2006 playing for the Athletics. But, that was lost to Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. His fielding percentage that year broke Bret Boone's single-season AL record for second baseman. Ellis can hit left handed pitching. That will be a good thing for the Cardinals to have. He can hit for power at times, but he won't hit 10-13 home runs like he as able to earlier in his career. He is good at getting extra base hits though. If he enters a game late, his battaing average is .281. So, he's pretty much ready when he's needed. He is also a good leader in the clubhouse and well liked by players on the teams he's played for.

He's played eleven seasons in the MLB. Over those eleven seasons his career stats are: 1,362 games played, 1,311 hits, 251 doubles, 25 triples, 675 runs, 538 rbi's, 78 stolen bases, and a batting average of .265.

Last season for the Dodgers he hit .270 with 6 home runs and 48 rbi's. What did the Cardinals sign Ellis for you might ask? That's because they needed a right handed bat off the bench, and some who can hit left handed pitching. And second baseman Kolten Wong bats left handed. At times Ellis and Wong will platoon, and Ellis might play some thirdbase if he needs to fill in for Matt Carpenter. Ellis should a good pick up for the Cardinals 2014 team. I know Dodgers fans are upset about him leaving the Dodgers. So that should be good thing to know about Ellis.

As for me I like the move. And I hope it works out. The move should work out if Ellis can play well for the Cardinals.

On a side note the Cardinals 2014 coaching staff is complete. They've hired former MLB third baseman David Bell as their assistant hitting coach. Bell played for the Cardinals from 1995-1998. Last season, Bell was the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs. Before last season he was a manager in the Cincinnati Reds minors.

Omar Infante lands in Kansas City

Free agent second baseman Omar Infante has signed a four-year contract with the Kansas City Royals. The deal is said to be worth $30 million. He was one of the top free agents on the market for second base. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1999 as an amateur free agent. He'd play for the Tigers for eight seasons, before being traded to the Atlanta Braves. He spent three seasons with the Braves. In his last season with the Braves, which was in 2010, he made the NL All-Star team. That was the first time he made an All-Star team in the MLB. The Miami Marlins got him from the Braves in a trade after the 2010 season. He spent a season and a half playing for the Marlins. On July 23, 2012, Infante was traded back to the Detriot Tigers with pitcher Aníbal Sánchez for pitchers Jacob Turner, Brian Flynn, and cather Rob Brantley.

How does Infante improve the Royals? The Royals needed a second baseman, and upgraded in Infante. He has some power, and can hit. He should do well in the Royals line up, who came close to making the playoffs last season. And he brings a little speed, if the Royals want to use him in the running game, which the Royals like to steal bases.

Infante has been in the MLB for twelve seasons, over that time his career stats are: 1,209 games played, 1,165 hits, 504 runs, 207 doubles, 42 triples, 74 home runs, 421 rbi's, 69 stolen bases, and a batting average of .279. His best season came in 2013, when he hit 318.

As of right now, the Royals look like they could make the playoffs in 2014. Will that happen? That remains to be seen. But, they have the right team to be able to make the playoffs if they can stay healthy. I think they need maybe one or two more starting pitchers though. I like the signing of Infante, after the Royals lost out on Carlos Beltran to the New York Yankees.

Carlos Beltran signs in New York again; this time with Yankees

Free agent right fielder Carlos Beltran has signed with the New York Yankees. Beltran gets a three-year contract, that's worth $45 million. The Yankees lost free agent second basemen Robinson Cano to the Seattle Mariners, and filled his loss by signing Beltran. Beltran's bat should be able to help the Yankees line up, after losing Cano to the Mariners. Beltran has played in the MLB for sixteen seasons. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1995 MLB draft. He played for the Royals from 1998 until June,2004 when he was traded to the Houston Astros. He spent the rest of the 04 season with the Astros.

After 2004, Beltran became a free agent and signed with the New York Mets for a seven year deal. That deal was worth $119 million. The Mets ended up traded Beltran in July, 2011 to the San Francisco Giants for starting pitching prospect Zack Wheeler. The Giants were hoping the Beltran would be enough to help push their team into the playoffs, but Beltran wasn't enough to help get the Giants into the playoffs.

He left the Giants after the 2011 season, and signed a two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. Beltran was hoping to get his first World Series ring of his career. He reached the World Series for the first time ever in his career in 2013. But, Beltran and the Cardinals would lose in six games to the Boston Red Sox.

He's established himself as one of the best all time hitters in the postseason, hitting .333 for his postseason career, with 16 home runs, and 40 rbi's.

His career stats are: 2,064 games played, 2,228 hits, 1,346 runs, 446 doubles, 77 tiples, 358 home runs, 1,327 rbi's, 308 stolen bases, and a batting average of .283.

Beltran should be a future Hall Of Famer, whenever his career is over. He pretty much needs a World Series ring somehow before he retires. I would have liked to see it happen in St. Louis even though, that didn't happen. He'll be missed in St. Louis. I'm glad to have seen him play for the Cardinals, even though he didn't get a World Series ring as a Cardinal. I hope Beltran gets a World Series ring before he retires, he's worked hard to deserve one. Beltran is an eight time All-Star over his career, with three gold golve awards, two silver slugger awards, and he won the AL rookie of year in 1999.

Curtis Granderson leaves Yankees; for crosstown rival New York Mets

The New York Mets found themselves a nice addition by signing free agent centerfielder Curtis Granderson to a four-year contract that's worth $60 million. Granderson, 32, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2002 in the third round of the MLB draft. He reached the MLB in 2004 and played for the Tigers until 2009. After the 2009 season, Granderson was traded to the New York Yankees in a three-team trade. He played for the Yankees from 2010-2013. He's a three-time All-Star and has led the MLB in triples in 2007 and 2008. In 2011 and 2012, Granderson had back to back 40 home run seasons. He was also the AL rbi leader in 2011 with 119 rbi's.

Granderson has played ten seasons in the MLB. His career stats are: 1,187 games, 1,157 hits, 780 runs, 199 doubles, 80 triples, 217 home runs, 606 rbi's, 122 stolen bases, and a .261 batting average.

In 2013, Granderson was hurt and only played 61 games. If he's healthy, he should be able to help the Mets improve. It looks like the Mets made a smart move by signing Granderson. As for myself, I thought he'd get a bigger contract. That's due to the free agent market right now. One pefect example would be Robinson Cano signing with the Seattle Mariners for 10-years, worth $240 million. Cano's deal reminds me of when the Angels overpaid for Albert Pujols after the 2011 season. And that deal has hurt the Angels. I also think that the Mets make the most sense for Granderson. He can become their leadoff hitter. And the Mets can build around him and All-Star thirdbaseman David Wright.

Norichika Aoki traded to Royals

The Milwaukee Brewers traded outfielder Norichika Aoki to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Will Smith. Aoki, 31, came over from Japan in 2012, after spending eight seasons playing baseball in Japan. He's in the last year of his contract which the Brewers signed him to. He became a spark plug in the Brewers line-up, and was their lead off hitter a lot of the time. In 2012, for the Brewers he hit .288, with 10 home runs, 81 runs scored, 37 doubles, 150 hits, 50 rbi's, and 30 stolen bases. Aoki's 37 doubles became the most ever by a Brewers rookie in a single season. He can play all three outfield positions. Aoki also is good at getting on base, which is something the Royals needed help with.

Aoki's career stats in two full MLB seasons are: 306 games played, 321 hits, 161 runs scored, 57 doubles, 7 triples, 18 home runs, 87 rbi's, 50 stolen bases, and a batting average of .287.

What do the Brewers get in Will Smith? He's a lefty pitcher who can start. The Brewers seem to plan to want to use him as a starting pitcher, which is something the Brewers need. Smith came up for the Royals in 2012 and started 16 games going 6-9 with an era of 5.32. Last season, Smith pitched out of the bullpen for the Royals and seemed to do better pitching out of the bullpen for them. He finished the season with an era of 3.24.

Smith's career stats are: 35 games, 17 games started, 8 wins, 10 losses, 102 strikeouts, 123.0 innings pitched, and an era of 4.76.

As for me, I like this trade for the Royals better. I could end up liking it more for both teams though, depending on how Will Smith does this season for the Brewers. I also wonder why the Brewers traded Aoki, when he seems to love to hit against one of their big rivals in the St. Louis Cardinals. If the Brewers didn't like him hitting against the Cardinals, I'm fine with that; one less Cardinal killer to worry about facing a lot in their own division. I hope Will Smith proves me wrong and does a good job. I have a feeling that he does. So, this trade could end up helping both teams out. Time will tell to if it does help both teams out. At least it seems like the Royals improved themselves though.

Red Sox land Edward Mujica

The Boston Red Sox signed free agent closer Edward Mujica, to a 2-year contract that's worth $9.5 million. Mujica was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He became one of their top pitching prospects and reached the majors in 2006. He played for the Indians until 2008. The Indians traded him to the San Diego Padres in April, 2009. The Padres had Mujica for two seasons. He then moved onto the Miami Marlins with pitcher Ryan Webb for centerfielder Cameron Maybin. Mujica stayed with the Marlins from 2011 until July 31,2012, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals at the time traded minor league prospect Zack Cox for Mujica. At the time of the deal, people wondered why the Cardinals gave up on Cox for Mujica. That was pretty much because of Mujica's numbers at the time the Cardinals traded for him. He had an era of 4.38 for the Marlins, and the Cardinals needed bullpen help. He would later become the Cardinals set-up man in 2012.

In 2013, the Cardinals lost closer Jason Motte for the season due to Tommy John surgery. After that happened, the Cardinals needed to find a closer. They first tried Mitchell Boggs as closer (who had been tried as a closer before, but it had failed). Boggs failed again trying to close games, and later lost control and was traded to the Colorado Rockies for an international signing bonus. Mujica ended up becoming the Cardinals closer for 2013. He did well in the closers role, with an era of 2.78 and getting 37 saves in his first time as a closer in the MLB. Mujica became an All-Star for the first time in his career and helped lead the Cardinals into the World Series.

Mujica has spent eight seasons in the MLB. Over that time for his career his stats are: 381 games played, 4 games started, 19 wins, 19 losses, 3.75 era, 350 strikeouts, 41 saves, and 439.1 innings pitched.

Without Mujica, who knows what the Cardinals would have done in 2013. He helped save the Cardinals when they needed someone to take a big role, and he did well. It should be a good signing for the Boston Red Sox. They can either use him as a closer or as a set-up man. Either way, the Red Sox improved their bullpen for 2014.

Do I wish the Cardinals could have kept Mujica? Yes, but it wasn't going to happen with Trevor Rosenthal becoming the closer for 2014, and Jason Motte coming back in 2014 after missing the 2013.  The Cardinals have other pitchers coming up through the minors who seem ready for the MLB. I'm glad Mujica found a team and got a pay raise. He earned it. I hope he does well for the Red Sox and that Red Sox fans come to like him.

Nationals upgrade starting pitching, trade for Doug Fister

The Washington Nationals have landed starting pitcher Doug Fister from the Detroit Tigers in a four-player trade. The Nationals sent utility infielder Steve Lombardozzi, pitchers Ian Krol, and Robbie Ray for Fister. Fister was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in there seventh round of the 2006 MLB draft (overall 201st). He was with the Mariners from 2009, until July 30,2011 when he was traded to the Tigers. He was able to find success with the Tigers, winning AL pitcher of the month for September. Fister also did well in the 2011 playoffs for the Tigers. Last season, Fister had a career high in wins going 14-9 with an era of 3.67. He finished his career for the Tigers with a record of 32-20 with an era of 3.29, and 440.2 innings.

On the Nationals, Fister will join a starting rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Gio Gonzalez. They will have pitcher Ross Detwiler competing for the fifth spot in their rotation. Fister is owed $6.9 million this season and will be in his second year of arbitration.

Fister's career record in five seasons is: 44-50, era 3.53, 130 games, 127 starts, and 818.2 innings pitched.

Doug Fister should be an upgrade for the Nationals. Over the last two seasons they had starting pitchers Edwin Jackson and Dan Haren, both didn't turn out too well for the Nationals. So, it looks like an upgrade for the Nationals, who were hoping to upgrade their starting rotation. He also seems to have developed into a better pitcher since the joined the Tigers. Will he be the same pitcher on the Nationals? That will be found out in 2014.