- After playing for Cuba in this year's Caribbean Series, Brothers Yulieski and Lourdes Gurriel defected from their homeland likely seeking deals with MLB clubs. As Reuters in Havana pointed out for The Guardian, MLB has been trying to hammer out a deal with Cuba regarding the acquisition of their baseball talent. Despite US and Cuba tensions being at a historic low since Fidel Castro took power, such a deal isn't likely to happen overnight and it appears the Gurriel brothers did not feel like waiting. Joel Sherman of the New York Post says there may be some interest on the Yankees front, particularly with third baseman Yulieski.
- The other big story from the Caribbean Series was the final chapter in the career of pitcher Freddy Garcia. Venezuela did fall to Mexico 5-4 in Sunday's title game on a walk off home run from Jorge Vazquez but Garcia had a few decent frames left in him and held Mexico to 2 ER over 5.1 innings. The crafty righty (how often do you hear that?) leaves the game with an MLB record of 156-108 and a 4.13 ERA.
- ESPN's Keith Law published his always anticipated top 100 prospects for ESPN Insiders today. The Dodgers' Corey Seager after showing a lot of promise late last season, tops the list. On the Phillies front, there are five representing the red pinstripes: J.P. Crawford (5), Jake Thompson (63), Mark Appel (68), Nick Williams (74), and Jorge Alfaro (82).
- Twins pitcher and former Phillies prospect, Trevor May launched his website earlier this week. It has all the things one would want in an athlete's personal website such as sections devoted to May's electronic music, philanthropy, and pictures of his cat. There's also a mail box for if you have any burning questions, commments, or concerns for the young hurler.
- Erik Boland of Newsday tweeted earlier that that Armando Galarraga has joined the Yankees organization as a minor league pitching instructor. For those who do not remember, Galarraga was the one who pitched the perfect game that never was in 2010 when umpire Jim Joyce made an erroneous call at first base after 26 outs. Both of course were shining examples of class in the moments and days that followed.
- If you're a baseball junkie like myself and find yourself overdosing on Spring Training games, worry not. Mauricio Rubio (not to be confused with a certain Presidential candidate) of the fine new website 2080 Baseball, has a list of ten non-roster invitees to keep your eye on this spring.
- For those Philliedelphia readers majoring in sports law at Arizona State University, Bud Selig could be handing you your next syllabus as he has joined the faculty.
- Lastly I must have been out of my chair or snoozing during this point of the Super Bowl but I failed to catch this ad. Baseball legend Pete Rose starred in a commercial for the William Hill sports betting app. A comical retort after being denied reinstatement for I would imagine is the final time.
