AGRI Biz

It is customary, I suppose, at the beginning of each year to list some resolutions you intend to adhere to, in an effort to become a better person. I, Caesar Cliffius, realizing that I cannot improve on what I am (not that I am perfect, just complacent), decided to try my hand at prognostication. Below are five of my predictions for 2010 in the world of Major League Baseball. No. 5: 20 Wins ...

by Caesar Cliffius á Mark DeRosa, the man who has played at least 20 games at positions 3-9 (if you're scoring) while a major leaguer, has signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants for a reported $12M. The very good and flexible infielder/outfielder is on his fourth team since 2008. He was picked up by the Cleveland Indians at the end of 2008 after playing two years with the Chicago Cubs. ...

by Caesar Cliffius Dontrelle Willis had one of the most promising baseball careers of anyone in MLB when he was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 2003. He helped lead the Florida Marlins to their second World Series Championship in 10 years. He was 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA and averaged eight strikeouts every nine innings. He also threw two shutouts in his rookie year. As many others do, Willis suffered ...

It is time for the final field position to be graded for the 2009 campaign. Ryan Hanigan, who did catch most of the games this past season, is now on the grading block. In actuality he almost caught twice as many as the ôbig moneyö catcher Ramon Hernandez managed to play only 50 games behind the plate. Hanigan hit very well for a catcher, hitting over .300 until August 7.á His play ...

á By Caesar Cliffius -------------------------- The Atlanta Braves and third baseman Troy Glaus are close to signing a contract. ESPN reported that the only object in the way of signing Glaus is a physical exam. MLB.com is already showing Glaus in a Braves cap on his profile page. Glaus is expected to play first base for the Braves, a void he will be asked to fill left when Adam LaRoche filed for free ...

By Caesar Cliffius ------------------------ The New York Yankees sent Melky Cabrera to the Atlanta Braves for a return engagement of pitcher Javier Vazquez . The move may have helped support the pitching staff but it has left the outfield as weak as water. Cabrera, 24,á played in 154 games in 2009 with 103 of them in center field. He batted .274 with 13 HR and 68 RBI. The outfield was juggled considerably last season ...

It is getting close to that time of year again. Time to roll out Bert Blyleven, blow the dust off Andre Dawson and look at the cast of newcomers to the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. The first year nominees are Roberto Alomar , Kevin Appier, Andy Ashby, Dave Burba, Ellis Burks, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Mark McLemore, ...

Why on earth do the New York Yankees want Nick Johnson? Being frustrated at talks with outfielder Johnny Damon is not a legitimate reason to sign an overpaid injury-plagued journeyman. Johnson started his big league career with the Yankees in 2001, when he tipped the scales higher than his batting average of .194. He stayed in New York for three years and never put in a full season. His best year ...

The Cincinnati Reds have recently upgraded third baseman Scott Rolen's contract to tie him up for the next three years. That is all well and good, but I believe we had him for this year already, am I right? We have more pressing problems than pacifying a player for whom we already had mortgaged the farmùno play on words. Shortstops still change teams or get re-signed by their own club while we ...

By Caesar Cliffius. The Seattle Mariners are doing what they can to field a contending team. After an 85-77, third place finish in the American League West last season, they created instant support by acquiring southpaw pitcher Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee will join a pitching staff that is currently anchored by Felix Hernandez. To show their commitment to the rest of the league, they sent pitcher Carlos Silva to ...