Spring Training is almost here

When Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow in February, it signifies one thing-baseball is around… When Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow in February, it signifies one thing-baseball is around the corner. As of today, there are only seven days remaining until pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

As baseball fans anxiously await the start of spring training, many questions, as usual, surface about unsigned and overpriced players, high-payroll teams and who the worst teams will be.

To the surprise of many, aging pitcher Greg Maddux is still a free agent.

Maddux, 38, had a subpar year by his standards with a 3.96 ERA and 16-11 record last season. Many analysts felt that with age, he was losing his groove, which produced four Cy Young Awards and 12 consecutive Gold Gloves in his 18-year career.

Maddux was approached by the Dodgers on Tuesday and last month by the Cubs, but has yet to make any decision.

The loss of Maddux, a consistent performer in October, will potentially just add to the Atlanta Braves’ postseason woes of losing three of the past four National League division series.

On the other side of the battery, catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is bringing some excitement to the baseball world in Detroit. The Tigers signed Pudge to a four-year, $40 million contract, with an option for a fifth season.

The Tigers, who lost an A.L. record 119 games last season, hope that Pudge will have the same turnaround effect in Detroit that he had on last year’s World Series’ champs, the Florida Marlins, with whom he spent just one year.

Detroit also picked up veteran infielder Fernando Vina and outfielder Rondell White in hopes of losing no more than 100 games in the 2004 season.

So is it any surprise to Pirates fans that many of Pittsburgh’s former players are enjoying high-priced contracts on quality ball clubs over the off-season?

The Yankees picked up outfielder Kenny Lofton from the Cubs in the off-season to add to their ex-Bucco line-up of Enrique Wilson and Jon Lieber.

Pokey Reese and Adam Hyzdu were picked up by the Red Sox, while St. Louis claimed pitchers Mike Lincoln, Julian Tavarez and outfielder Reggie Sanders.

Although many former Pirates were traded, there are still quite a few old-timers left unclaimed, including Orlando Merced, Al Martin, Ron Villone, Jay Bell and Dan Plesac.

In other Pirates news this week, relief pitcher Jason Boyd has been ordered to seek counseling for anger management. Boyd was claimed off waivers from Cleveland. Being a Pirate isn’t that bad, is it?

But perhaps the biggest news in the baseball off-season comes from Houston. The Astros picked up two former Yankees starters, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens, to boost their pitching staff.

Clemens, who retired after just last season, made his return to baseball just months later to join the staff with his former Bronx teammate.

With a 17-9 record and 3.91 ERA all while moving into 12th place on the all-time wins list in 2003, maybe the 41-year-old Rocket left the game a bit too early.

With the acquisition of veterans Pettitte and Clemens, the Astros look to be tops in the N.L. Central, battling with the talented pitching staff of Chicago.

So as an early gut instinct, I’d like to see an Astros vs. Red Sox match-up when October comes around.

Who knows? Maybe we will all be surprised and see the Buccoes’ return to World Series glory. Baseball is almost here!

Shaunna Stuck is a staff writer for The Pitt News.