Rams hit ground running on first day of free agency in NFL

The St. Louis Rams started off NFL free agency on the right foot, on the first day. They re-signed defensive end Williams Hayes to a three year contract, worth $10.5 million. Hayes joined the Rams last offseason coming over in free agency from the Tennessee Titans, who the played for from 2008-2011. The Titans drafted Hayes in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft out of Winston-Salem State, overall he was pick no.103. In his rookie season, Hayes played in eight games, recording thirteen tackles, and one sack. Last season for the Rams, Hayes was brought in as a back up for Chris Long and Robert Quinn. And Hayes had a breakout year on the Rams playing in all sixteen games, recording thirty-five tackles, and seven sacks.  It was also the first time Hayes played in all sixteen games, since the 2009 season. So far in Hayes' career his stats are: 64 games played, 147 tackles, 15 sacks, and three pass deflections (including two last season, his first time since his rookie season).

The Rams also were able to land a top offensive tight end in Jared Cook,  he was signed to a five year contract, worth $38.5 million. Cook like Hayes, played for the Tennessee Titans. Cook was drafted by the Titans in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft out of South Carolina, overall he was pick no.89. Cook adds size and speed, if used right in the offense. He's 6'5 and weight 248 pounds. He can play both tight end and wide receiver. Cook should be able to be a nice red zone target for Sam Bradford, in Cook's career in the NFL he really has never had a QB and a good offense. In Bradford, he has someone who can get the ball to him. So far Cook's career stats are: 59 games played (11 starts), 131 receptions, 1,717 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He's still young also, and has room to improve his game, he'll turn 26 in April.

Could the Rams be busy on day two of NFL free agency? As of right now it looks like they could be busy, with free agent FS Louis Delmas coming into town, and free agent LT Jake Long in town for a physical, as of right now the word is that if Long passes his physical, then he's a Ram. As for Delmas, he has connection with the Rams current defensive coordinator Tim Walton, who coached him on the Detroit Lions. If both join, then pretty much the Rams can wait until the NFL draft (in April) to fill out more needs for the team.

Cardinals and Craig agree to long-term deal

The St. Louis Cardinals and first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig have agreed to a five-year contract extension, the deal includes an option for a sixth year for the 2018 season. The deal will also wipe out Craig's arbitration years, which his first arbitration year wasn't until next offseason. Craig's new deal is worth $31 million. He'll make $1.75 million for the 2013 season, $2.75 million in 2014, $5.5 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016, and $11 million in 2017. The club option for the 2018 season is worth, $13 million and it comes with a $1 million buyout. So, the total deal could end up being worth a total of $43 million.

Craig was drafted by the Cardinals in the 2006 MLB draft, he was picked in the eighth round, and was pick no.256 overall. He played college baseball at the University of California, Berkeley. Craig showed power at every level in the minors, and would make the Cardinals opening day roster for the 2010 season. Craig made his MLB debut on April 8, 2010 against the Cincinnati Reds. He would hit his first MLB career home run on July 19, 2010 off of the Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick.

He also helped the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series over the Texas Rangers. In games one and two Craig ended up getting the game winning rbi, that gave the Cardinals both leads and would win by Craig's rbi in both game, and both came as a pinch hitter. Then in game 7 of the World Series, Craig hit a home run that also ended up being the game winning rbi. The three game winning rbi's by Craig tied a World Series record held by both Hank Greenberg and Kiki Cuyler, who also had three game winning rbi's in World Series play. Craig also caught the last out of the 2011 World Series, he would later give the ball to Tony La Russa, after hearing that La Russa was retiring and that La Russa wanted the ball. He also felt that La Russa deserved the ball.

So far for Craig's three seasons in the MLB his career stats are: batting avarage .300, 235 hits, 37 rbi's, 150 rbi's, 7 stolen bases, 783 at bats, and has played in 238 games. In 2012, Craig was a full-time starter in the Cardinals line up, he played 119 games and hit 307 with 22 home runs and 92 rbi's. It's a nice deal for Craig, and locks up one of the Cardinals core players. Now the Cardinals need to get starting pitcher Adam Wainwright signed to a long-term deal. 

Capitals sign Holtby to contract extension

The Washington Capitals and goalie Braden Holtby have agreed to a two-year deal, that's worth $3.7 million. The deal keeps Holtby from becoming a restricted free agent, which he had been set to become one starting July 1. The deal also gives Holtby more time to become the Capitals number one goalie, before they think about a long-term deal with Holtby. The Capitals drafted Holtby in the 4th round of the 2008 NHL draft, he was picked 93rd overall in the draft.

Holtby 23-years old first came up during the 2010-2011 season, he played in fourteen games that season for the Capitals. He went 10-2-2 with two shutouts, and a goals against avarage of 1.79. He then played in seven games last season, going 4-2-1 with one shutout and a goals against avarage of 2.49. Holtby also helped defeat the defending Stanley Cup Champions in the playoffs last season in seven games, the Capitals would end up losing in the second round of the NHL playoffs in seven games to the New York Rangers. Holtby ended up playing fourteen games for the Capitals during their playoff run last season, going 7-7 with a goals against avarage of 1.95. So, at least Holtby has the potential to become the Capitals long-term goalie, if he's able to keep improving during his new contract and shows the Capitals that he's worth a long-term deal in the future. So far, Holtby could end up having a nice career in the NHL, as of now his career stats are: 19 wins, 10 losses, 3 overtime losses, 4 shutouts, with a goals against avarage of 2.51, and has played in 32 games, with a total of 1,720 minutes played.

It looks like the deal will turn out to be a good deal for both sides, Holtby also has a home for at least a few more years, even if he fails to improve the Capitals get to find out if he's worth giving a long-term deal. As of right now, he could be worth a long-term deal based on his numbers, even though right now this season he hasn't been doing that great. But, then again there are other reasons to why he hasn't been doing that great this season. And who knows, maybe that changes before the season ends.

MLB 2013 Division Prediction Standings

American League

AL East:
1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Toronto Blue Jays (wild card)
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. New York Yankees
5. Boston Red Sox


AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers (could see a three team race for the AL Central, if the Indians pitching holds up, and White Sox battled the Tigers down to the end of the season, so I'll pick the Tigers pretty much because of their pitching staff, even though the White Sox have a chance, and maybe the Indians).
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Minnesota Twins


AL West:
1. Texas Rangers
2. Oakland Athletics (wild card)
3. Los Angeles Angels
4. Seattle Mariners
5. Houston Astros


National League:

NL East:
1. Washington Nationals
2. Atlanta Braves (wild card)

3. New York Mets

4. Philadelphia Phillies

5. Miami Marlins

NL Central:
1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Cincinnati Reds (wild card, should be another fun battle with the Cardinals to try to get first place though)
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (have a chance to get third place, with the Brewers having problems at first base)
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Chicago Cubs


NL West:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

Orioles and O'Day agree to two-year deal

The Baltimore Orioles and right-handed relief pitcher Darren O'Day have agree to a two-year contract, worth $5.8 million. The deal includes a club option for the 2015 season, worth $4.25 million. The contract also buys out the final years of arbitration for O'Day, who has become a nice addition for the Orioles bullpen.

O'Day was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as an amateur free agent back in 2006. He made his MLB debut on March 31,2008 for the Angels. The New York Mets would end up taking O'Day in the 5 rule draft on December 11, 2008. O'Day didn't last that long with the Mets, and was designated for assignment two weeks into the season. The Texas Rangers would claim O'Day off of waivers on April 22, 2009. He his first game as a Ranger came in extra innings, against the Toronto Blue Jays, that was also on the same day the Rangers picked him up off of waivers from the Mets. O'Day lasted three seasons for the Rangers, 2009-2011. He did well for the Rangers in both 2009 and 2010. He went 2-1 with an era of 1.94 in 64 games in 09 for the Rangers, pitching a total of 55.2 innings with 54 strikeouts and 17 walks, while getting 2 saves. In 2010, O'Day went 6-2 with an era of 2.03 in 72 games, pitching 62 innings with 45 strikeouts and 12 walks. O'Day was hurt in 2011 for the Rangers, and finished the season going 0-1 with an era of 5.40. His first injury was a partial acetabular labrum tear, that was in his left hip. His second injury that would send him to the DL (disabled list) was right shoulder inflammation.

The Rangers end up keeping him off of their postseason roster in 2011, and would later put him on waivers after the postseason was over. The Baltimore Orioles claimed O'Day off of waivers on November 2, 2011. In O'Day's first season with the Orioles in 2012, he bounced back after being hurt in 2011. While in 2012, O'Day went 7-1 in 69 games, pitching 67 innings, with 69 strikeouts and 14 walks. So far for O'Day's five year career his career stats are: 15 wins, 6 losses, 2.73 era, 2 saves, 247.2 innings, 217 strikeouts, 63 walks, and has pitched in 255 games.

It looks like a win win for both sides, and that O'Day has found a home with the Orioles.

Rams bring in Tim Walton as defensive coordinator

The Rams have ended their search for a new defensive coordinator, they have hired 41-year old Tim Walton as their new defensive coordinator. Walton comes from the Detroit Lions, he was running the Lions secondary since the 2009 season. He's also coached fourteen years in college football, including stops at: Bowling Green, Louisiana State University, Memphis, Miami, and Syracuse. Walton has been coaching football since 1995, he was a defensive coordinator in college for Miami in 2007, and Memphis in 2008. During his college coaching career, Walton helped develop: Antrel Rolle, Brandon Meriweather, Corey Webster, Devin Hester, Idrees Bashir, Kelly Jennings, Kenny Phillips, LaRon Landry, and Michael Stone. Last season offseason, Walton almost joined Jeff Fisher's staff, but instead to stay with the Detroit Lions. Walton worked with current Rams assistant secondary coach Brandon Fisher (one of the sons of current Rams head coach Jeff Fisher) in 2011 on the Lions.

Before hiring Walton, the Rams interviewed three other people for their defensive coordinator position, those three people were: Dick Jauron, Rob Ryan, and Mike Singletary. Ryan left because it was figured out that he wanted to run the defense as a 3-4, when Fisher goes with a 4-3. Ryan later was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their new defensive coordinator, where he will run a 3-4 defense. Walton's name out of everyone seems to be the most interesting one, because of his background in coaching in college and developing players for the NFL. 

Walton also should have no trouble knowing the Rams defense, since he worked under Lions head coach  Jim Schwartz. Fisher and Schwartz pretty much run the same defensive scheme.  Fisher's staff includes three veteran coaches in: Chuck Cecil, Dave McGinnis, and Frank Bush, who can all help Walton out with the Rams defense. All three have been defensive coordinators in the NFL. Walton seems like he's a solid hire by the Rams. And who knows maybe in the future, Walton even becomes a head coach in the NFL.

Cleveland lands Bourn

Free agent center fielder Michael Bourn and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a four-year deal, worth a total of $48 million. The deal also includes an option for a fifth year, if Bourn is able to reach 550 at bats during the 2016 season, that option is worth $12 million, if that happens. Bourn was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2003 MLB draft, in the fourth round, he was picked no.115 overall. He spent two seasons with the Phillies in 2006 and the 2007 season. The Phillies ended up trading Bourn to his hometown team the Houston Astros, on November 7, 2007 for  closer Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett.

He would play for the Astros from 2008 and for half of the 2011 season, until being traded to the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Jordan Schafer, pitcher Brett Oberholtzer, pitcher Paul Clemens, and pitcher Juan Abreu. Bourn has been a two time All-Star for the National League, in 2010 and 2012. He's a two-time Gold Glove winner in 2009, and the 2010 season. He's also lead in NL in stolen bases for three seasons: 2009, 2010, and 2011. Also, in 2011 he was the MLB stolen bases champion, leading both leagues in stolen bases with 61.

What does Bourn add to the Cleveland Indians team? He can be their lead off batter in their line up, he also adds speed to their team, along with defense in center field. So far, for Bourn's seven years in the MLB, his career stats are: batting average 272, hits 820, 22 home runs, 215 rbi's, 276 stolen bases, and has played in 871 career games. He doesn't have much home run power, but last season he had a career high for home runs with 9 home runs on the season. For the 2012 season while with the Braves, Bourn hit 274, with 9 home runs, 57 rbi's, and 42 stolen bases in 155 games. Bourn also walked 70 times, his most walks during a season, breaking 63 walks from the 2009 season with the Houston Astros. Even though the Indians overpaid for Bourn, he should help them improve in 2013.