Kuzul

It was a big day in MLB for teams extending their star players.And all these extensions will have a direct impact on the Boston Red Sox moving forward. First, Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers came to an agreement on a five-year extension that will keep Verlander with the Tigers until 2019 with a vesting option for 2020. Total package could be worth $202, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. Almost on the heels of Verlander's deal was word that the San Francisco Giants were locking up star catcher Buster Posey long term with a nine-year, $167 million extension (via MLB Trade Rumors). CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers and star lefty Clayton Kershaw are talking about an extension as well. Given that the market has been set by Verlander, getting the 25-year-old Kershaw under contract seems like a wise idea. Earlier this winter the Seattle Mariners locked up Felix Hernandez ...

On March 23, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander told CBS Sports' Jon Heyman that he won't discuss a contract extension during the regular season:"Once this last start comes around, I want to concentrate on the start of the season,'' Verlander said about his decision to halt any negotiations as of Wednesday. (The Tigers are aware of this stance, and seem to concur it's the proper way to go.)While Heyman also quotes Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski in the article about Verlander's stance, this could be a setback for the Tigers:I don't think anything productive comes from talking about a contract during the season. We try to keep distractions out. It's been rare when we've done it, and it's usually more about free agents.The problem with Verlander not wanting to discuss an extension during the season is that next offseason, he'll be only a year away from free agency. Verlander is extremely competitive and ...

There was Hal Newhouser, Prince Hal, who never got the credit he fully deserved because he had the misfortune of dominating during the so-called “war years,” as if he planned it out that way. There was Jim Bunning, who’d one day baffle America as a Senate curmudgeon. But before that he baffled hitters. There was Denny McLain, whose life off the field was as turbulent as a private plane in a storm, but who thrilled for two years with fastballs, the organ and hubris. There was Mickey Lolich, old rubber arm himself, portly and durable. Mr. Opening Day. There was Jack Morris. The Cat, who never met a big game he didn’t like, or thrive in. Then there’s Justin Verlander. It’s Verlander’s world and we’re all just living in it—and that includes American League hitters. See Verlander smile, broadly. See him giving TV interviews during games. See him with swimsuit ...

After an early exit from the playoffs last season, the Washington Nationals won't have an easy road back this year, with a number of teams in the MLB poised for a trip to the World Series.Arguably the best team in the regular season in 2012, the Nationals are ready to make a deep push into the playoffs, but several other teams have that same goal.While Washingotn has made a number of solid moves in the offseason, including the signings of outfielder Denard Span and reliever Rafael Soriano, other teams have made equally impressive moves.These include teams in both the National League and American League, so if the Nationals are able to go where they've never gone before, they're opponent will likely be just as tough as the St. Louis Cardinals were in the National League Division Series.These are the teams who pose the greatest threat to the Nationals on their ...

The San Francisco Giants’ Cinderella-like postseason run that was capped by their second World Series championship in three seasons will forever be cemented in franchise history. The Giants proved they could compete and be successful with far inferior talent than their opposition. The Giants were the best team during the 2012 playoffs for one reason; they had a solid nucleus of veteran leadership that never weakened. The 2013 season could be much different. A number of teams went all-in during free agency, looking to reload and better themselves for the season to come, while other teams leaned on the conservative side.   Teams that had an active offseason in terms of upgrading their rosters included, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Washington, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers. It’s certainly premature to say which teams will make it to the Fall Classic in October. But it’s fair to ...

Justin Verlander is the best pitcher on the planet, and the Detroit Tigers should do everything they can to ensure that he never puts on another jersey.The 29-year-old hurler was the Tigers' No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 amateur draft and made his major league debut just a year later on July 4, 2005.Verlander only made two starts in 2005, but the next year, in his first full season, he made his presence felt, going 17-9 with a 3.63 ERA and leading Detroit to the playoffs and an appearance in the World Series.He had a rocky year in 2008, going 11-17 with a 4.84 ERA, but since then, he's become the best active pitcher in Major League Baseball.After rebounding in 2009 by going 19-9 with a 3.45 ERA and recording a career-high 269 strikeouts in 240 innings over 35 starts, the Tigers rewarded Verlander in February, 2010 with a ...

Justin Verlander is one of the top pitchers in baseball, and the Detroit Tigers have to ensure that he spends his whole career in a Tigers uniform.It will be easier said than done, and how the Tigers and Verlander approach an extension will be the tough part. Since the end of last season, I have believed that the Tigers should have made signing Verlander to an extension their first offseason move, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.According to James Schmehl at Mlive.com, Verlander reiterated his love for Detroit and mentioned spending his whole career as a Tiger:I've made it no secret that I love Detroit. I grew up in front of these fans. I feel like I've been a big part of this city and this city has become a big part of me. So, obviously, I'd love to play my career here.When asked about Verlander being a Tiger back in October, Tigers GM Dave ...

The Tigers rode their starting rotation to a Central Division title and an appearance in the World Series. The Tigers have insured they will have the same rotation (more or less) that pitched a great postseason for Detroit.They do have several questions facing them for the 2013 season, can they stay healthy, can Porcello or Smyly take a hold of the fifth job, and can recently re-signed Anibal Sanchez pitch as well as he did down the stretch and in the playoffs.Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer finished 2012 leading all of baseball in strikeouts. What can we expect from them and the other Tigers starters in 2013?Lets take a look and see.Begin Slideshow

One-time first overall pick Matt Bush is in the news again, and as expected it is not positive. And his ordeal is a warning sign to teams hoping to cut corners on draft day.According to the Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports), the San Diego Padres top pick in the 2004 draft pleaded no contest for a drunk driving hit-and-run crash.The former shortstop turned pitcher hit the 72-year-old Tony Tufano's motorcycle and then fled the scene in North Port Florida. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. He is sentenced to four years in prison and will be 31 years old when his sentence ends.There have been many number one overall picks that have flamed out. Shawn Abner and Brien Taylor come to mind. But the legal problems of Matt Bush could make him the worst number one pick of all time, especially when considering the other players available ...

We all remember musical chairs. It was a simple numbers game—there was no other way to look at it, unless you grew up spittin' game like me and always lined up behind the cute girl in class so that as soon as the music stopped you swooped right underneath her so her backside conveniently landed right in your lap—but that's neither here nor there. There weren't enough chairs to go around.A baseball roster has only 25 spots on it, and the Detroit Tigers have a problem similar to the level of suaveness of Arthur Fonzarelli: something we call a surplus.The Tigers just re-signed RHP Anibal Sanchez to a reported five-year, $80 million contract. There's a lot to like in Anibal's game, but shelling out $80 million on a guy without a "stellar" year to his credit is a lot like handing the role of Superman to Brandon Routh. Let's hope ...