MLB

Just when you thought you had seen and heard it all in this time of outrageous contracts and outrageous contract demands, along comes Nelson Cruz demanding $75 million.

Ernie Banks. Pete Rose. Rod Carew. Robin Yount. Paul Molitor.

The common thread may seem obvious—they’re all Hall of Famers (with the exception of Rose, of course). But there’s something else that ties them together, and it’s something that may end up being very relevant to your Detroit Tigers.

The Baseball Hall of Fame is a place to appreciate the greatness of days past, as well as a litmus test we will judge future superstars by. 

Going over the list of nominees for the Class of 2014, it's possible we could see the greatest collection of talent elected into Cooperstown since the initial class of Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson and Honus Wagner in 1936. 

Perhaps nothing in sports is more motivating than having to watch your archrival succeed.

That's just what the New York Yankees spent this past October doing, though, as the Boston Red Sox won it all after dominating the Yankees and the rest of the American League East during the regular season.

For the first time in history, readers will get a chance to have a say in a single vote (at the very least) for the Baseball Writers' Association of America Hall of Fame vote.

According to Deadspin, the website has officially bought a ballot from a voting member for the annual elections:

Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings are still weeks away, but that hasn't stopped major free-agent and trade activity from already shaping the landscape of the offseason.

From the blockbuster that saw Prince Fielder and Ian Kinsler switch addresses, to Brian McCann's arrival in New York, to Jhonny Peralta's move to St. Louis, to Alex Rodriguez challenging everyone in MLB's Park Avenue office, the hot stove has been lit throughout the month of November.

Hall of Fame voting results won't be announced until Jan. 8, but this year's ballot was announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday afternoon.

Headlining this year's class of first-time eligible players are former Braves pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and White Sox slugger Frank Thomas. Starter Mike Mussina and second baseman Jeff Kent also figure to get a decent amount of support in their first go-around.

The New York Mets have inquired about the availability of Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Heyman shared the details of the brief exchange between Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and members of the Brewers, saying Alderson asked, "What's up with Braun?" earlier this offseason.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame has released its ballot for 2014, one that includes 19 new candidates, according to its official website.