 CC Sabathia was a free agent. The idea was he could pitch for whomever he wanted.1B Ryan Howard, Philadelphia. He bounced back from a disappointment in 2007 to come in second to Albert Pujols in NL MVP voting in 2008 and is looking to cash in following the '09 season. After making $10 million last year, he has filed an $18 million arbitration request this year, the third biggest arbitration filing ever. Roger Clemens asked for $22 million in 2005, and Derek Jeter submitted $18.5 million in 2001. The second biggest request this season is Prince Fielder at $8 million with Milwaukee. Colorado 3B Garrett Atkins checked in right behind Fielder at $7.95 million.RHP John Maine, Mets. It's not what he has done but the role he has been thrust into that has Maine a target for Mets fans if the team fails, again. With Pedro Martinez gone the Mets are counting on Maine shouldering a bigger work load. Is his right arm up to it? Maine showed potential in the first half last year, going 8-6 with a 3.99 ERA in 19 starts. He made only six second-half starts, however, and was 2-2 with a 4.83 ERA. Sidelined by a bone spur in his right shoulder, he underwent surgery in October. Will the operation cure the problem? Or did Maine suffer from new pitching coach Dan Warthen's hands-off approach instead of being nurtured like he was by Warthen's predecessor, Rick Peterson, who always looked for a way to give Maine an extra day off rather than trying to push him into a rotation leadership role.Must-read:- Marvez: Steelers LB took hard path
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Added: January 23, 2009 |
