Opinion

I've never heard so much talk of rumors and speculation about a free agent class before.

The class of 2010-2011 already has had a ton of speculation surrounding it. Now Jayson Werth's name is being added in.

Werth has finally caught on as an emerging star with the Phillies and will be in the final year of his contract in 2010. Werth will then join a free agent class with Lance Berkman, Carl Crawford, Manny Ramirez, Cliff Lee, Josh Beckett, Carlos Pena, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and possibly, Albert Pujols.

That's a pretty impressive list.

When Joba Chamberlain took the mound in his first major league appearance, he piqued everyone's interest. The Yankees hyped him up as a special pitcher.

Chamberlain backed it up by pitching well in relief for the first few weeks of his callup in 2007. For good measure, he earned a standing ovation from the fans and respect from his teammates for throwing the ball at Kevin Youkilis’ head.

 "I can't wait for it to end."

With one simple comment, Cole Hamels sparked a searing firestorm of questions from his team, baseball fans, and the nationwide sports media alike.

Was he quitting on his team at the most crucial point in the season?

The Phillies were on the brink of elimination at the hands of the mighty New York Yankees in last season's World Series. Times were tough and here was a young man, who just one season ago helped guide them to the promised land, ready now to hang up his cleats and put the glove away for the winter.

Love him or hate him, agree or disagree with his maneuvering, you cannot accuse San Francisco Giants General Manager Brian Sabean of being timid.

Given Sabes' recent run of iffy transactions—the Barry Zito-Scott Boras debacle, prematurely inking Edgar Renteria, the pending merit of the Freddy Sanchez swap, and so on—you might think the guy would lay low for a while. Enjoy the shelter of his new two-year extension.

Guess not.

Drafted: Undrafted international free agent

Height: 5′11″ Weight: 175 lbs

Born: January 5, 1990

Iglesias broke into Cuba’s top league at the tender age of 17, and then defected during the World Junior Championships. He signed with the Red Sox last September for four years and $8.25 million (a deal that included a team-record $6.25 million signing bonus).

There’s nothing I like seeing more than a pitcher develop over the years. I’m not a fan of throwing a guy into the Major League experience with nothing prior to show for. You always see organizations rush players because of spring training stats. Usually, those players do well and then a debacle occurs.

The Cubs made big moves Friday, releasing seven players, while setting both their rotation and bullpen in the process. Tom Gorzelanny and Carlos Silva round out the rotation, with James Russell becoming—as of now—the last man in the 'pen to start the season.

Drafted: First Round 2009 (Fernando Callejo HS, in Manati, Puerto Rico)

Height: 6′0″ Weight: 170 lbs.

Born: Feb. 12, 1991

Fuentes is a cousin of NY Mets CF Carlos Beltran. He is just the sixth Puerto Rican to be drafted in the first round of the First-Year Player Draft.

He has drawn comparisons to former Red Sox CF Johnny Damon, but at the moment doesn’t show the power that Damon possesses—he likely will be more of a contact hitter with gap power.

Now, at my favorite time in the sports calendar, I often reflect upon the amazing nature of sports. It is something that can be totally unifying, and at the same time, completely divisive.

Some people quite literally live and die on the success of their teams.

It is something that transcends all of the normal boundaries that are set for us in life. A young man can grow up on the streets, but die a hero to his country because he excelled at a sport.

Earlier today, the Red Sox acquired infielder Kevin Frandsen from the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named later, or cash—they also signed free agent left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis.

The question is: why?

Frandsen is 27-years-old. He appeared in 23 big league games last year, hitting a not-so-robust .140, with one RBI .

In announcing the trade, the Boston Globe declared, “He protects the Sox as a backup shortstop.” 

Oh, really? Has anyone at the Globe ever seen him PLAY shortstop? It isn’t pretty!