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•<\/strong> When Minnesota drafted Joe Mauer<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> with the top overall selection in 2001, it was considered by many to be a "signability" pick, because Mark Prior<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> wasn’t interested in going to the Twins<\/a>. Nine years later, Mauer has claimed three American League batting titles, two Gold Gloves, one MVP award and, as of Sunday, an eight-year, $184 million contract extension<\/a>. <\/p>\n So he’s technically still signable, though the cost has increased modestly. It would be pretty awesome if the Twins signed Prior this week, too, assuming he’s relaxed his anti-Minnesota stance. They could then control both players at a total cost of roughly $184.3 million.<\/p>\n •<\/strong> By now you’re probably aware that the Nationals have sent presumptive ace Stephen Strasburg<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and presumptive closer Drew Storen<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> to minor league camp. Those two are expected to open the season at Double-A. Strasburg’s spring line wasn’t too shabby: 9.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 12 K. <\/p>\n For a thorough review of the financial impact of Washington’s decision – and an excellent lesson in baseball econ – we refer you to Dave Sheinin over at Nationals Journal<\/a>. Here’s his ETA on Strasburg:<\/p>\n …you may want to get your tickets now for the June 4-6 weekend series at Nationals Park against the Cincinnati Reds<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If Strasburg and Aroldis Chapman<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> oppose each other in that series, this blog will collapse into an infinitely dense singularity. Or we’ll be forced to host a live chat. Either way, it will be a very special event. <\/a> <\/p>\n •<\/strong> I’ve been routinely drafting Florida first baseman Gaby Sanchez<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> as a late-round flier, so all these Mike Lowell<\/a>(notes)<\/a>-to-the-Fish<\/span> rumblings are bothersome. Michael Silverman offered a fresh pile of Lowell rumors<\/a> over at the Boston Herald on Sunday. Here’s the key sentence:<\/p>\n There are four teams to keep an eye on as possible landing spots for Lowell: the Astros, Rangers, Marlins and Twins.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n You’d think the Marlins would be perfectly happy with what they’ve seen from Sanchez this spring. The 26-year-old is hitting .387\/.429\/.516 thus far, and he’s delivered a .302\/.392\/.485 career line in the minor leagues. Last year, Sanchez hit 16 homers in 318 Triple-A at-bats. He’s as ready now as he’s ever going to be. <\/p>\n •<\/strong> If you’ve been paying attention at all during spring training, then Conor Jackson<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is already on your (deep league) fantasy radar. He’s hitting .394\/.500\/.697 with two homers and a stolen base through 13 games. The latest word from the D-backs is that Jackson is in the mix to bat leadoff in 2010<\/a>. This via the Arizona Republic:<\/p>\n Manager A.J. Hinch sounded intrigued by the experiment after Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Giants, in which he flipped-flopped Jackson and Stephen Drew<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> in the top two spots in the batting order.<\/p>\n "It makes our lineup pretty interesting," Hinch said. "As much as (Jackson) gets on base, if I have a left-hander hitting behind him, he’s got the hole open. Conor will run. Even though he doesn’t have blazing speed he’s a very good base-runner. It’s possible."<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Jackson, you’ll recall, was shelved for much of the 2009 season due to a bout with Valley Fever<\/a>.<\/p>\n •<\/strong> Matt Holliday<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (ribs) returns to the lineup for St. Louis on Monday, but Albert Pujols<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is out due to continuing back issues: <\/p>\n A Cardinals official said Pujols was scratched from the lineup so that he could have his back examined after some stiffness this morning. Pujols missed a stretch of games with back stiffness earlier this spring, and he had several visits to a chiropractor for adjustments. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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