It’s appearing because Chone Figgins had better get used to seeing it.

“I told him, every article is going to have your cont because we would hate to prove Pierre wrong before Figgins even gets to his first opening day with the Mariners.

For now, it’s a good number, proof of what Figgins has accomplished in his career, and also proof of what the Mariners were willing to commit during their much-praised winter. But it’s also a number that carries expectations, for him and for them.

That’s exactly what Pierre was talking about when the two good friends spoke after Figgins signed with Seattle. Even if Figgins is the same guy he always was, the perception of him will change.

The perception of the Mariners has changed.

They say they’re ready for it. Figgins says he’s ready for it.

“You can’t change,” he said. “That’s the best thing. I know I don’t have to change anything.”

He knows the Mariners signed him because of what he already is. They watched him up close for 19 games a year when he was with the Angels. General manager Jack Zduriencik said he and his staff were focused on Figgins from the middle of last summer.

“He was the guy we targeted,” Zduriencik said.

They loved his approach, his speed, his ability to get on base. They dreamed of the Ichiro-Figgins duo at the top of the lineup.

They say the chance to weaken the rival Angels didn’t factor in at all, but it was at least a pleasant extra.

The Mariners could have gone after power, could have spent a little more money for Jason Bay or a lot more for Matt Holliday. But Figgins was the guy they wanted.

And Seattle was the team he wanted.

“A lot of teams were interested, but this was the best fit,” he said. “I’m a man of familiarity.”

He loved the chance to stay in the American League West. He loved that nearly the entire Mariners coaching staff was made up of guys he knew from either the minor leagues with the Rockies or the big leagues with the Angels.

“[Hitting coach] Alan Cockrell managed me with the Rockies,” Figgins said. “[Third-base coach] Mike Brumley had me in Triple-A with the Angels. I know [manager] Don Wakamatsu from the Angels. [Bench coach] Ty Van Burkleo was a minor league hitting coach with the Angels. [First-base coach] Lee Tinsley was an outfield coach with the Angels.

“They’ve all coached me.”

He looks across from his locker in the Mariners’ spring clubhouse and sees Ken Griffey Jr. And, he says, it’s just as if he were looking across the Angels clubhouse and seeing Torii Hunter.

“No different,” Figgins said. “Both of them, it’s like they never have a bad day.”

Sure enough, Hunter was smiling the next day at Angels camp, especially when he was asked about Figgins.

“I want him to do well, just not against us,” Hunter said. “I don’ and then running into a double play.”

Hunter, who got $90 million over five years when he left the Twins for the Angels, agrees with Pierre on the money thing. No doubt, everyone is going to remember how much money Figgins got.

“Because he went to a rival, too,” Hunter said. “It’s going to seem like he left for the money … which he probably did.

Sleeper … Milton Bradley: He tends to play his best in lower-pressure environments like Cleveland, San Diego and Texas, and Seattle certainly fits the bill. And though you could write off his success in 2008 as the byproduct of a good hitter’s park, keep in mind his best performance as a major-leaguer came during his 42-game stint with the Padres, who play in arguably the worst hitter’s park. Other than Ichiro Suzuki, Bradley is the Mariners’ only potentially elite offensive player, meaning he’ll get all the opportunities he can handle. Bust … Cliff Lee: Considering Lee’s relatively low strikeout rate, his contact rate might get him in trouble, as it did last year when he posted a 6.13 ERA over his final seven starts. Funny how most Fantasy o but not the ace everyone makes him out to be. He eats innings and limits baserunners, but on a team not exactly wired for offense, that might not be enough for him to win more than a dozen games. Breakout … Franklin Gutierrez: As he enters his age-27 season, a 20-20 campaign is a distinct possibility. Rarely will you find that kind of production so late in a Rotisserie league draft. Gutierrez’s 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio will lead to some cold streaks that make him not quite as valuable in Head-to-Head leagues, but even in those formats, he Top Mariners Prospects (2010 destination) 1. Dustin Ackley, OF, Class A 2. Michael Saunders, OF, Triple-A 3. Adam Moore, C, Majors 4. Mike Carp, 1B, Triple-A 5. Alex Liddi, 3B, Double-A Mariners outlook | 2010 Draft Prep Guide

“But Figgy’ll be able to deal with it.”

This spring, he’s dealing with more than that. The Mariners have moved him from third base to second base, because they believe his athleticism will play better there. And they’ve moved him to second in the batting order, because they want to keep Ichiro in the leadoff spot.

The early word is that both moves are working.

Figgins said it might help him to hit behind Ichiro, and that as a leadoff hitter and base stealer himself, he’ll know what to do when Ichiro is on base.

“I think Figgins will help Ichiro a lot,” Wakamatsu said.

Wakamatsu thinks Figgins’ patience at the plate will also influence Jose Lopez, who walked only 24 times in 653 plate appearances last year.

The Mariners need the top-of-the-order combo to work, because they don’t figure to hit many home runs. Remember, Zduriencik chose to pursue speed rather than power on the free-agent market, and now that speed has to work for him.

“People talk about power, but the object is to score runs,” said Pierre, who is making the same argument for his new team, the White Sox. “It doesn’t matter how you score them.”

It does matter how you do when you sign your first big contract. Pierre, who went from the Cubs to the Dodgers on a five-year, $44 million deal after 2006, knows that well.

He and Figgins are close friends, so it’s no surprise they talked about it.

“Juan was the best to talk to about that,” Figgins said. “Obviously, there’s pressure, because I want to come over here and be an impact player. But once I step on the field, it’s the same game, and I have to remind myself that.

“This was my choice, and I want to win.”

He was the Mariners’ choice, and they want to win, too. They believe Figgins will help them win.

If he does, and if they do win, you can bet we’ll be mentioning that $36 million figure again.

But only in a good way.

1. Chone Figgins was the everyday third baseman for the Angels. Jose Lopez was the everyday second baseman for the Mariners. But this spring, the Mariners are experimenting with Figgins at second and Lopez at third. They made the move to take advantage of Figgins’ athleticism, and they like the early results. “Jose seems to be real comfortable over there [at third],” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “You can see by the amount of extra work he wants.”

2. The Mariners believe their strong clubhouse can handle Milton Bradley, and more than that, they believe Bradley could thrive in this atmosphere. They’re not alone in that belief. “I think [Ken Griffey Jr.] is going to be awesome for Milton Bradley,” Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. One other question: With Bradley in left field, how much will Seattle’s defense suffer? “He tries out there, but his legs just don’t move,” said one scout who watched Bradley this spring.

3. Many teams do off-the-wall team-building during spring training, but does anyone have more fun than the Mariners? They had Felix Hernandez serve as a batboy during their intra-squad game (complete with “BB” taped over his number), had Griffey and Mike Sweeney serve as coaches running part of a workout, and ran a “Mariner Idol” competition along the lines of . The media weren’t allowed to watch, but reports were that Ichiro was the most entertaining judge, holding up signs that ranged from “fantastic” to “brutal.”

4. The Mariners were 25-9 in games Hernandez started in 2009, and 60-68 in all other games. The addition of Cliff Lee should help matters, but the Mariners will also need improvement from the back end of the rotation. They say Ryan Rowland-Smith and Ian Snell will probably fill two of the three spots behind Hernandez and Lee, with Jason Vargas, Doug Fister, Luke French and Garrett Olson all possibilities for the fifth spot, at least until Erik Bedard is healthy.

5. Where, if anywhere, will the power come from? The Mariners were 11th in the American League in home runs last year, and 31 of those 160 homers came from Russell Branyan, who isn’t here anymore. Casey Kotchman, signed to replace Branyan at first base, has never hit more than 14 home runs in a season.

And what does manager Terry Francona like best about his new-look Red Sox?

“What I like right now,” he said during an early-morning conversation in his City of Palms Park office here, “is their ability to get up in the morning and do what we ask them to do and try to prepare for the season.”

Now, the Red Sox are cutting edge. They have their own proprietary software for quantitative analysis of the game’s intricacies and nuances. They employ some of the game’s most brilliant minds.

But I’m pretty sure as the Sox sunk their teeth into their winter maneuvering, “rising with the alarm clock” wasn’t atop the player-evaluation checklist.

And yet, Francona’s answer is dead-solid honest.

And perfect.

There is a culture change afoot in Fenway. Gone are the big bopper days of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Disappeared is Jason Bay and his 36 homers. In place of the thunder and lightning is a new-fangled phrase that sure wasn’t employed back in the days of Ted Williams or Carl Yastrzemski: Run prevention.

No question, how it plays out will be one of the most fascinating developments of 2010. And there are no guarantees. This could work just as they imagine it will … or it could leave the Fenway faithful longing for the days of moon shots over the Green Monster. Swapping brute force for subtle balance isn’t the most sexy way to go.

Will the Hub chicks dig flashy glove work and doubles into the gap?

“We feel like we’re going to have a really good pitching staff,” Francona continues. “We should catch the ball, which should make our pitching better. We’re looking for a balanced lineup, which I think we’re going to have.

“And then you have to have the ability to have depth, and you don’t know where you’re going to need the depth. We laugh about it when you think you have too much pitching go get more. Because that’s the way your season can get derailed.

“We’ve lived through that.”

Adrian Beltre at third base? Gold Glover. Marco Scutaro at shortstop? Good range. A 37-year-old center fielder in Mike Cameron? Sure, he plays younger than he is in the outfield, but … Gritty, hard-throwing right-hander John Lackey alongside Josh Beckett and Jon Lester in the rotation? Count ‘em, that’s three guys who could start Game 1 in October.

“It’s going to be a fun year,” Lester said. “You’re going to see a lot of good plays.”

Suffering through a bad-hipped Mike Lowell at third and Nick Green at shortstop for much of 2009, the Red Sox nevertheless finished tied for third in the AL in fielding percentage. Unless you were watching closely, their defense mostly looked passable. Not everyone realized there was an issue, not even some folks right in the thick of it.

“Not really,” second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. “I know we struggled early defensively, but by the end of the year we were pretty good.

“At the end of the year we weren’t swinging the bats. That’s why we lost.”

Though the Sox earned the AL wild-card slot, they went quietly in the playoffs, getting swept by the Angels.

By the time the first snowflakes fell, general manager Theo Epstein and Co. had decided against making extravagant free-agent offers to Bay, whom they dubbed deficient defensively. At the winter meetings, they put in place a deal to send Lowell to Texas, though that fell apart when the third baseman failed a physical and subsequently underwent surgery on his thumb. And their revolving door at shortstop flipped to Scutaro, who follows the Orlando Cabrera/Pokey Reese/Alex Gonzalez/Julio Lugo/Alex Cora/Nick Green procession over the past six years since the trade of Nomar Garciaparra.

“We weren’t the best defensive team,” Francona said. “We knew that. There were reasons. We knew Mikey was coming off of hip surgery. We had a bunch of different shortstops. But when the season starts, you’re trying to win. Then when the season’s over, we take a pretty critical look at ourselves: ‘How can we get better?’

“I don’t think it’s a difference in philosophy. It’s just, ‘How can we get better?’ At the same time, Theo’s looking at our team not just now but four years down the road. There’s a lot of things to think about.

Sleeper … Adrian Beltre: Fenway Park and this supporting cast should help revitalize him. After all, he is still listed at just 30 years old, believe it or not. Beltre is a late-round pick in mixed formats, but he could prove to be quite a find if he holds off Mike Lowell for everyday at-bats and proves capable of attacking the Green Monster from the right side of the plate as the Red Sox are banking he will. Bust … Marco Scutaro: Scutaro, 34, was widely considered a super-utility man before posting a career year in 2009 and earning a free-agent deal with the Red Sox. Banking on more improvement out of a middle infielder in his mid-30s is a bad strategy in Fantasy, regardless of how intriguing his supporting cast and new home park is. Breakout … Clay Buchholz: The Red Sox figure to slot a veteran rotation ahead of him, but Buchholz is plenty talented enough to force their hand with him in their rotation. Because Buchholz could start the year in the bullpen or Triple-A, he could be as much of a sleeper as he is a breakout, but we believe the cream will rise to the top and Buchholz will be owned and a must-start in all Fantasy leagues be Top Red Sox Prospects (2010 destination) 1. Michael Bowden, SP, Triple-A 2. Junichi Tazawa, SP, Triple-A 3. Ryan Westmoreland, OF, Class A 4. Casey Kelly, SP, Double-A 5. Ryan Kalish, OF, Triple-A Red Sox outlook | 2010 Draft Prep Guide

“I think I’ve always cared about how we catch the ball. But you have the team you have, and you do the best you can.”

Though the Red Sox tied f a they were a lowly 16th in the majors in Ultimate Zone Rating, another of the new-age sabermetric study formulas (though it is important to note, as I mentioned earlier, the Sox have their own proprietary analysis methods and do not use UZR).

Beltre (two), Pedroia (one) and first baseman Kevin Youkilis (one) have four Gold Gloves among them, which should allow the pitchers a deep breath every now and again.

“There are always times you feel like [you have to make the perfect pitch],” Beckett said. “This year, that’s not going to be the situation. I don’t feel I have to make the perfect pitch. The defense makes you more comfortable.

“You’re still trying to make the perfect pitch, but sometimes the perfect pitch isn’t there.”

When it isn’t, the thinking goes, Beltre will be. Or Scutaro. Or, heck, with this sticky defense,

In the outfield, with fleet Jacoby Ellsbury moving to left to allow Cameron, the three-time Gold Glover, to play center, and with J.D. Drew in right, it should be the best defense during Francona’s seven seasons in the dugout.

“I hope so,” Francona said. “That’s the idea. It’s a little bit like Tampa Bay when [Carl] Crawford is running all over the field like a second center fielder. We like that. We think, physically, they match up real well to Fenway. Jacoby’s quickness in left, Cameron’s long strides in center. …

“Jacoby’s already played left field for us when he first came up. He’s pretty dynamic out there. We didn’t just throw it out there and hope it sticks. We’ve kind of tried to look at it and understand it and have good reasons for doing things.”

The reasons, as always under the Francona/Epstein partnership, are sound. The plan is being put into place.

For now, rising with the alarm clock and getting to work is just perfect. It sure beats hitting the snooze button.

“We may not lead the league in runs, but we’re going to have a good offe we’ve had a couple of years here where we’ve overcome some of our shortcomings because Manny’s hit a three-run homer.

“I’d prefer to play the game crisply and cleanly and still hopefully be productive, because that’s how you’re good. That’s what we’re hoping for.

“A lot of people come in and say, ‘Hey, you’re going to play a lot of 2-1 games.’ I don’t think that’s our goal. We want to play a lot of 6-1 games. That’s the idea. We’ll see.”

1. Yes, the buzz has been all about how the Red Sox single-mindedly looked to improve their defense over the winter, but let’s not forget that they also now have four infielders who have scored 100 or more runs at least once in their careers: First baseman Kevin Youkilis, second baseman Dustin Pedroia, shortstop Marco Scutaro and third baseman Adrian Beltre. Offensively, there is definitely a transition from the big-bopping Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz days (heck, even from last summer’s Jason Bay days), but this is the first time a Red Sox club has had an entire infield that has scored 100 or more runs in a season since opening day 1951 with Walt Dropo, Bobby Doerr, Vern Stephens and Lou Boudreau.

2. So what does the highly respected PECOTA ratings predict for David Ortiz, 34, in 2010? A season similar to last year’s: 25 homers, 89 RBI, a .259 batting average and a .479 slugging percentage.

3. While second baseman Pedroia’s batting average dropped 30 points from his MVP season of 2008 (.326) to 2009 (.296), his other numbers remained fairly consistent: .371 on-base percentage (.376 in ‘08), 15 homers (17 in ‘08) and 72 RBI (83 in ‘08). And in one of the most impressive stats going, Pedroia over the past two seasons has more doubles (102) than strikeouts (97).

4. One thing making the Red Sox’s plan go is the class of Mike Lowell, who is sucking it up this spring and not complaining even though he’s the odd man out at third with Adrian Beltre, and Jacoby Ellsbury, who started 150 games in center field last summer but is shoving over to left willingly to make room for Mike Cameron. “I’m excited about it,” Ellsbury says, before quipping: “Hopefully, I can save my legs a little bit. At least, that’s what they tell me. I don’t know if it’s true or not. I hope that’s the case.” Ellsbury has swiped an AL-leading 120 bases over the past two seasons.

5. With aging captain Jason Varitek (37) fading, former Cleveland Indian Victor Martinez will get most of the time behind the plate. As Ortiz’s power appears to diminish, Martinez, whose career high is 25 homers, will be one of Boston’s biggest power threats (he hit a combined 23 in 155 games for Cleveland and Boston in 2009). However, he’s the one piece that doesn’t fit in with the Red Sox’s emphasis on run prevention: Over his career, he’s only thrown out 24 percent of opposing baserunners attempting to steal. In 31 games behind the plate for the Red Sox in ‘09, he threw out only 11 percent (2 of 17).

We knew he could catch. We knew he could hit. We knew he could play hoops, because he was a high-school all-stater.

Bobby Bowden, Florida State football coach, knew he could play quarterback, otherwise he never would have offered him a full ride.

“Joe,” Bowden told him one day back when the coach was recruiting him in high school at St. Paul’s Cretin-Derham Hall. “I want to come up and see how you move around the basketball court. But I’m not coming up in that cold for a no.”

Says Mauer, who, of course, ultimately decided against FSU and football: “I remember trying to put on a show for him.”

He was the American League MVP last year. He won his third AL batting title. He earned a second Gold Glove. Talk about putting on a show yes, beyond even the monster co now he’s honing his acting chops.

As the coverboy of this year’s Sony PlayStation game , he’s featured in a clever commercial that already has been screened in the clubhouse of the defending AL Central champions this spring.

“It’s funny. It’s really good,” says new Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy, a friend of Mauer’s since they were 15 and playing together on USA national teams. “And his acting is pretty good.

“Everything he does is pretty good. I think if he wasn’t playing baseball, he’d be in the NFL as a stud quarterback. And if he was playing basketball, he’d probably be in the NBA.”

Uh-huh. You know the type. Guy who everything he touches, turns to gold. Guy who gets the best job, prettiest girl, coolest car, highest salary, biggest house.

Guy who absolutely makes you sick.

Except … Mauer is not that last guy.

“He’s just the nicest guy in the world,” Hardy continues. “It’s just amazing. If he wasn’t the nicest guy, it make me sick.

“But since he’s such a genuinely nice guy, you’ve got to root for the guy in everything he does.”

Somewhere upstairs in the administrative offices on this spring day, Twins executives are crunching numbers on what will be the most historic contract in club history. It certainly will be the Twins’ first $100 million contract. Industry speculation is that it will reach $200 million.

Oh, there is a chance the two sides will reach a stalemate, and Mauer will leave via free agency after the season.

There also is a chance that the state of Minnesota will secede from the union and sign with Canada, too.

The process of going public

In a high-tech warehouse studio in San Diego last month, on what looked like a giant wrestling mat, beneath red lights and wearing a lycra-type outfit with electrodes attached, Mauer looks utterly futuristic as Sony puts him through the paces for the “motion capture” part of .

“Tough to look cool in this outfit,” Mauer deadpans and, truth be told, given the beanie-style cap atop his head (more electrodes), Flounder from does fleetingly come to mind.

On the fast track toward becoming the face of baseball, however, the moments when Mauer does not look cool are exceptionally rare. He’s just 26 (turns 27 in April), and last year he led the AL in batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.587). Only 12 players have ever led the AL in each of those three categories in a season, none since George Brett in 1980.

Of the 12, 10 are in the Hall of Fame: Brett, Ted Williams, Napoleon Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, Jimmie Foxx, Frank Robinson and Carl Yastrzemski.

Mauer signed with the marketing firm IMG in November to handle his endorsements. So far, he’s lent his name to Sony, Rawlings and Anytime Fitness.

As quiet and unassuming a superstar as you could imagine, Mauer would just as soon deflect attention to his teammates as take it himself. With each batting title, MVP award and Gold Glove, however, that becomes more and more unrealistic.

Enter IMG, one of the most powerful and reputable firms in the land.

“It’s a little different,” Mauer says after finishing the motion capture part of his day in San Diego. “Because there are so many more demands on your time. … Right when I signed, though, I told them that the most important thing for me in the offseason was to get ready for next season.”

He’s comfortable that he’s been able to do that. As he says, you can’t say yes to everything.

“You’ve got to remember you’re only human,” he says.

His introduction to the world of marketing was whirlwind at times this winter, and eye-opening.

“People flying you out for a day, wanting you to come in and do a lunch,” Mauer says. “They bring you in in the morning and fly you out later that day.

“I flew up to Chicago for a day with Gatorade, spoke to their sales reps. The people at Gatorade wanted me to tell them about my experiences. It was a neat thing, getting to see the products [early] that will be coming out in 2010.”

He really does say things like “neat.” Regularly. And, when the animated Mauer whiffs on three pitches against the animated Jake Peavy during an inning of with Mauer himself at the controls, he really does exclaim, “Dang it!” And the thing is, this is Mauer letting his hair down. Yes, it’s still cut short and tight.

“The first couple of years, I was quiet and shy,” he says. “I tried to say the right things all the time.

“Now, I’m more loose.”

The looseness ends, however, where the subject of his sensitive contract negotiations begin. He long ago retreated into information blackout mode, basically answering every inquiry with the standard line of, “It will happen when it needs to happen.”

Surely, one clue into his thinking can be found in the retention of his agent, Ron Shapiro, who represent each of whom had the chance to leave as a free agent but remained long-term where he started (Puckett with the Twins, of course, and Ripken with the Orioles).

“Those are two great players,” Mauer says. “It goes back to what makes you happy.”

Home has always made him happy. Even his grandparents attend every Twins’ home game. Both his grandparents and his parents spend the entire spring in Fort Myers. In Minnesota, it’s no secret around town that he can be spotted regularly at Mancini’s Char House in St. Paul. He amiably signs autographs and poses for pictures, after he’s finished eating.

“I’ll chat with people, and I think maybe they find out I’m not that cool,” he says.

Where the contract is concerned, here is another clue into his thinking (and really, at this point, especially with Shapiro in Fort Myers over the weekend, it’s all in the reading of the clues): While he is as comfortable in Minnesota as a duck on one of the 10,000 lakes, he also but not for the Broadway lights and nightclub nights.

Sleeper … Francisco Liriano: Liriano might not be drafted in early mixed league drafts at this point, but the reports from winter ball were promising, if not downright impressive, old-school Liriano-style. Reports had his velocity at 95-96 and his slider was at its 2006 form, according to the GM. If he can regain his control and command, he is going to represent a huge bang for the buck in deeper leagues. We are too stubborn to give up on this talent, even if many Fantasy owners have. Bust … Jim Thome: We are taking the easy way out here, but we did it to remind the uninformed that the Twins signed Thome to be a left-handed hitter off the bench, not their DH. The Twins figure to give Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span and Jason Kubel full-time at-bats, while Delmon Young remains too promising to not be granted one more chance. Breakout … Scott Baker: While Baker and Kevin Slowey could give up more homers in their new home in the summer months, they figure to start and finish hot. Also, those homers might be of the solo variety. These two guys might be hittable, but they don’t hurt themselves with walks. Baker and Slowey should be on the board after the top 25 starting pitchers on Draft Day, but we could se Top Twins Prospects (2010 destination) 1. Aaron Hicks, OF, Class A 2. Ben Revere, OF, Double-A 3. Wilson Ramos, C, Double-A 4. Danny Valencia, 3B, Triple-A 5. Tyler Robertson, SP, Double-A Twins outlook | 2010 Draft Prep Guide

“I really don’t do a lot on the road,” he said. “It’s pretty much the hotel and the ballpark. Every once in awhile I’ll join some of the guys and go out to eat.

“But I’ll catch up on my sleep. It’s a time to be by yourself, and I kind of like that.”

Quiet, introspective and exceedingly well-spoken, Mauer views the speculation surrounding his future with an amused detachment. people in Boston tell him, people in New York tell him,

“The only funny thing about it is that my first couple of years I’d go to different cities and hear, ‘Aw, you suck! You suck!’” Mauer says. “Last year, it was like, ‘I can’t wait to see you in this [uniform]. I can’t wait to see you in that [uniform].’

“It’s pretty funny how it works.”

Meantime, while fans speculate, the Twins negotiate and IMG salivates, the nationalizing of Mauer begins.

“My buddies have told me that they’re getting sick of seeing my mug,” Mauer says, chuckling. “The first couple of years, I really struggled with that because I’m really private. I like to have a private life. And when I was younger, I wanted to make sure I always did the right thing.

“I still believe that.”

Besides, if he ever forgets, there’s an expert close by who surely will remind him. The All-American boy next door? Mauer’s mother still receives his fan mail and helps him sort through it.

“She’s been a lifesaver for me, trying to help me out and answer people,” Mauer says. “You see the mail that comes in, she’s got a tough task. But she enjoys reading the letters, especially from the kids.”

Unchanged star still regular Joe

There is no way the Twins, who picked Mauer first overall in the 2001 draft, can let this guy leave.

As manager Ron Gardenhire quipped this winter, the only decision is “whether to give him Minneapolis or St. Paul.”

< with Eagan, Excelsior, Lake Minnetonka and the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Mall thrown in.

Still … the dizzying amount of money awaiting him, the complications the negotiations could present, the stress of the unknown … he moves through his days here this spring thoroughly unaffected.

“Joe’s so quiet, you don’t know anything,” Gardenhire says. “Joe’s just Joe. He’s preparing for the season. He takes care of himself. It’s not even an issue. That’s for others.”

In the clubhouse, the Twins players give him his space and assume a deal will get done. They see no change in their humble superstar.

“Joe cares as much now about when your dad’s coming down to camp as he did the first time I met him,” starting pitcher Kevin Slowey says. “He introduces himself to every single person in camp. It’s not just a veteran like Jim Thome. It’s the guy who is in his first camp.

“That’s why everyone likes Joe. In baseball, guys come and go. But I think everybody here will remember Joe for who he is.

“You talk baseball with Joe, and then that drifts to family and friends, and health, and then how you’ve been doing.”

The pitcher pauses, pondering the question of where these negotiations may take Mauer.

“I’d love to throw to Joe for the rest of my career, wherever that is,” Slowey continues. “Just the way he carries himself, we know he’ll do whatever is right.”

At home, in a place he loves, working a dream job with the world at his fingertips, Mauer is in that sweet spot in life where everything is possible, anything is attainable. He is on the cusp of becoming the face of baseball and on the eve of a historical contract.

Yet the catcher with the matinee-idol looks and the Ted Williams swing likes nothing better than the simple life of spraying baseballs to all fields, calling a good game and then hanging out with his old high school buddies.

Though, truth be told … well, you know. They long ago became accustomed to the fact that Joe’s the best in everything. But they sure do stay on the lookout.

“One of my high school buddies, right when we signed Brett Favre said, “Now you’re the second-best quarterback in Minnesota,” he says.

Mauer chuckles as he recalls the zinger.

“That was pretty good.”

1. Two key things to know about the Twins this year: They’re moving into brand new Target Field, the regular-season grand opening coming on April 12 against the Boston Red Sox. It will be the first championship season pitch thrown outdoors in Minnesota since Sept. 30, 1981, in old Metropolitan Stadium. Fun fact about Target Field: It will have the smallest amount of foul territory in the majors. Second key thing to know about the Twins: They will enter the regular season with a club record $96 million payroll.

2. Secret weapon No. 1: Left-hander Francisco Liriano. The first four spots in the Twins’ rotation are set with Scott Baker, Carl Pavano, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey. The fifth spot right now essentially is a battle between Liriano and left-hander Brian Duensing. The Twins are quietly excited about Liriano, who is three years removed from Tommy John ligament transfer surgery and went 3-1 with an 0.49 ERA in seven playoff starts for Escogido in the Dominican Republic Winter League. He is again throwing his slider with confidence. “He feels so much better now [than he did a year ago],” Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson says. “He’s got bite on his slider. I gauge the lateness of his pitches, and he’s starting to get late movement, arm strength and speed.”

3. Secret weapon No. 2: Reliever Pat Neshek. He’s back from Tommy John surgery, which limited him to 15 games in 2008 and forced him to miss the entire 2009 season and, so far, so good. If Neshek and his funky sidearm delivery are effective, it will really boost the Twins’ bullpen. “You forget how funky and tough he is until we saw it [this spring],” Anderson says. “You need different looks in the pen, and he brings that.” Neshek made 74 appearances in ‘07, going 7-2 with a 2.94 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .183 average.

4. Hold your breath, but everything is in place for a breakout year from left fielder Delmon Young (.284, 12 homers and 60 RBI in 108 games last year). He lost 29 pounds over the winter and his attitude this spring has been noticeably improved. Upon reporting so skinny, he cracked that he knew he needed to drop weight when the Twins re-signed Pavano because he knew he’d have to run down more balls in the outfield. Following a nice running catch in a Grapefruit League game this spring, he quipped that with his extra weight last year, he would have missed it by 10 yards. “He’s turned into a really fun guy,” manager Ron Gardenhire says. “I hope he has a hell of a year, because he deserves it. He’s worked really hard.”

5. Glenn Perkins effectively has pitched his way out of the Twins’ plans after a controversial shoulder injury last summer that turned into an ugly situation. Perkins sought a second and third opinion, and many Twins’ players thought he quit on them. The club removed him from the disabled list at the end of August and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester, and Perkins responded by filing a grievance for lost service time. Though that eventually was settled, Perkins declined the club’s invitation to appear at the season-end Metrodome celebration and Perkins has not exactly been given a rousing welcome back in the clubhouse this spring.

Batting Lineup Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting

The Fightin Phils have been so thoroughly successful over the past two seasons because they have a lineup with few easy outs and well-distributed power. From the grinders at the top of the lineup shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino to seventh and eighth hitters who dont give away at-bats newly-acquired third baseman Placido Polanco and veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz this team owns a roster of savvy performers who know how to compete, a skill that most baseball teams lack. The middle of the order with thumpers like Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth plus the pop of Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez rightly receives a lot of praise, but the big thing to realize about the Phillies is that with the possible exception of Ruiz in the eight hole, they can do damage from any position in their order.

Starting Pitching Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting

MLB betting experts might say that history will work against the Phillies this year, and that point could well be true. Yet, it seems hard to deny the claim that Philadelphia will have the pitching needed to get to October and then make a deep run in the postseason. Cliff Lee might be a Seattle Mariner after carrying the Phils in the 2009 playoffs, but Roy Halladay has arrived from Toronto to become the teams new shut-down ace. Having Cole Hamels at the No. 2 spot is a mighty fine arrangement for Mr. Manuel and the rest of the Phils coaches.

If theres a question about this team, it will probably come from the back end of the starting rotation. J.A. Happ turned in a solid rookie season, but it remains to be seen if the young lefty can become as reliable as Hamels has been for the reigning National League champions. One also has to wonder if Jamie Moyer injured late last season can still twirl his change-up and baffle N.L. hitters with regularity. The prowess of right hander Joe Blanton, an underappreciated horse at the bottom of the rotation, will once again be tested in the upcoming 2010 season. If Philadelphia can play .500 ball in the games not started by Halladay, Hamels and Happ, the Phils should be in very good shape.

Bullpen Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting

Theres no question that the back end of the bullpen became a big problem for Philly in September of last season, as Manuel was besieged by the local press in the City of Brotherly Love. The Phils folksy manager tried to get late-game outs every way he could, as regular closer Brad Lidge struggled after a literally perfect 2008 campaign in which he didnt blow a single save. Ryan Madson was sometimes asked to close down wins, but the righty has normally been an eighth-inning guy for the Phils. Why is this not as big a problem as one might think? The simple answer is that Lidge pitched over his head in 2008, and had a natural comedown in 2009. The verdict here is that the Phils will be solid in the pen for 2010.

Outlook Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting

In terms of winning their division and making the playoffs, the Phils are a virtual shoo-in from an online betting standpoint. No team in the National League East can come close to the well-rounded quality Philadelphia can put on the field. However, as history shows, winning three straight N.L. pennants isnt easily achieved. The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers will be very motivated to take the flag away from Charlie Manuel and Co.

Projected Finish In Division: First in the NL East

The loss of Carlos Beltran in the starting lineup seems like it won’t hurt the team, especially with Reyes third in the order and the recent acquisition of Rod Barajas, giving the Mets some much needed oomph at the bottom of the order.

Just what the team does with its pitching staff will dictate how far the Mets go this season. While they currently have all the potential in the world, their bullpen still needs work, and the fifth spot in the starting pitching rotation is still up for grabs. Those interested in online betting will note that the Mets are currently 20-1 odds to win the World Series.

Batting Lineup - New York Mets Baseball betting

It is believed the Mets are finished spending money, so we have a pretty solid idea of the lineup on opening day. Chances are, it will look something like this:

1. Angel Pagan CF A switch-hitter with serious speed, look for Pagan to occupy the lead spot.
2. Luis Castillo 2B Another switch-hitter, Castillo has proven time and again he can come through in a clinch. His ability on base makes up for his deficiencies in defense.
3. Jose Reyes SS Many observers do not like the idea of Jose Reyes in the three-spot, however the short stop will make it three switch-hitters in a row for the Mets - the top of the order spells trouble for many team’s pitching staff. Reyes also has serious power, something that will help the Mets in getting runs. If Reyes can stay healthy, there’s no telling what he can do in 2010. He only played 36 games in 2009 because of injury.
4. David Wright 3B With those three hitting in front of him, and Bay behind him, Wright can drive in 125 easily in 2010.
5. Jason Bay LF Fans of sports betting know that Bay is the lynchpin - in this position he gives the Mets the much needed power to replace Delgado.
6. Daniel Murphy 1B Look for Murphy to turn in another solid, workman-like performance this season.
7. Jeff Francoeur LF Francoeur’s presence shows the depth of this team. If he can continue his strong numbers from the second half of 2009, it will be a big year for Francoeur, who’s playing his first full season as a Met.
8. Rod Barajas C - Newly-acquired catcher Rod Barajas is a near certainty for the starting lineup.

Starting Pitching - New York Mets Baseball betting

The Mets’ pitching staff is in an interesting position. After the team walked the second most batters in the majors last season, the Mets need a stronger performance out of both their starters, and their men in the bullpen. It will be interesting to see where highly touted prospect Jenrry Mejia figures in. The prospect has been working the role of starter, however, many baseball betting observers feel the young pitcher would be better suited to a role as reliever. The starting pitching rotation for the New York Mets will look something like this:

1. Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. John Maine
5. Jon Niese

While the fifth spot is still up for grabs, word from spring training is that if Niese continues to pitch like he did last summer, the fifth spot is his. Only time will tell if he is able to pitch like he did prior to his injury.

Bullpen - New York Mets Baseball betting

Reports indicate that the Mets are looking to add a left-handed pitcher to their bullpen, after the departure of Darren Oliver left the team without a solid second lefty to compliment Pedro Feliciano. Will Ohman and Joe Beimel have been named as possibilities, providing the team could get them to sign to deals similar to the one which netted the team catcher Rod Barajas.

As it stands, the bullpen looks like:

Bobby Parnell, Oliver Perez, Nelson Figueroa, Sean Green, and Jon Niese. It will be interesting to see if the Mets do add another body to the bullpen - and just what role they will occupy.

Outlook - New York Mets Baseball betting

The Mets need to solidify their pitching lineup. With the acquisition of Rod Barajas and the jumbling of the lineup to prevent disaster in the absence of Carlos Beltran, the Mets seem to have most of their ducks in a row. What happens now with the pitching staff will dictate the team’s overall level of success. Whether or not the team is able to bring in another effective arm to their bullpen will also be of significant impact. Unless something magical happens, look for the Mets to finish 2nd in their division.

P rojected Finish In Division:: 2nd in NL East

Batting Lineup Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
The Fightin Phils have been so thoroughly successful over the past two seasons because they have a lineup with few easy outs and well-distributed power. From the grinders at the top of the lineup shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino to seventh and eighth hitters who dont give away at-bats newly-acquired third baseman Placido Polanco and veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz this team owns a roster of savvy performers who know how to compete, a skill that most baseball teams lack. The middle of the order with thumpers like Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth plus the pop of Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez rightly receives a lot of praise, but the big thing to realize about the Phillies is that with the possible exception of Ruiz in the eight hole, they can do damage from any position in their order.

Starting Pitching Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
MLB betting experts might say that history will work against the Phillies this year, and that point could well be true. Yet, it seems hard to deny the claim that Philadelphia will have the pitching needed to get to October and then make a deep run in the postseason. Cliff Lee might be a Seattle Mariner after carrying the Phils in the 2009 playoffs, but Roy Halladay has arrived from Toronto to become the teams new shut-down ace. Having Cole Hamels at the No. 2 spot is a mighty fine arrangement for Mr. Manuel and the rest of the Phils coaches.
If theres a question about this team, it will probably come from the back end of the starting rotation. J.A. Happ turned in a solid rookie season, but it remains to be seen if the young lefty can become as reliable as Hamels has been for the reigning National League champions. One also has to wonder if Jamie Moyer injured late last season can still twirl his change-up and baffle N.L. hitters with regularity. The prowess of right hander Joe Blanton, an underappreciated horse at the bottom of the rotation, will once again be tested in the upcoming 2010 season. If Philadelphia can play .500 ball in the games not started by Halladay, Hamels and Happ, the Phils should be in very good shape.

Bullpen Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
Theres no question that the back end of the bullpen became a big problem for Philly in September of last season, as Manuel was besieged by the local press in the City of Brotherly Love. The Phils folksy manager tried to get late-game outs every way he could, as regular closer Brad Lidge struggled after a literally perfect 2008 campaign in which he didnt blow a single save. Ryan Madson was sometimes asked to close down wins, but the righty has normally been an eighth-inning guy for the Phils. Why is this not as big a problem as one might think? The simple answer is that Lidge pitched over his head in 2008, and had a natural comedown in 2009. The verdict here is that the Phils will be solid in the pen for 2010.

Outlook Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
In terms of winning their division and making the playoffs, the Phils are a virtual shoo-in from an online betting standpoint. No team in the National League East can come close to the well-rounded quality Philadelphia can put on the field. However, as history shows, winning three straight N.L. pennants isnt easily achieved. The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers will be very motivated to take the flag away from Charlie Manuel and Co.

Projected Finish In Division: First in the NL East

Batting Lineup - New York Mets Baseball betting
It is believed the Mets are finished spending money, so we have a pretty solid idea of the lineup on opening day. Chances are, it will look something like this:
1. Angel Pagan CF A switch-hitter with serious speed, look for Pagan to occupy the lead spot.
2. Luis Castillo 2B Another switch-hitter, Castillo has proven time and again he can come through in a clinch. His ability on base makes up for his deficiencies in defense.
3. Jose Reyes SS Many observers do not like the idea of Jose Reyes in the three-spot, however the short stop will make it three switch-hitters in a row for the Mets - the top of the order spells trouble for many team’s pitching staff. Reyes also has serious power, something that will help the Mets in getting runs. If Reyes can stay healthy, there’s no telling what he can do in 2010. He only played 36 games in 2009 because of injury.
4. David Wright 3B With those three hitting in front of him, and Bay behind him, Wright can drive in 125 easily in 2010.
5. Jason Bay LF Fans of sports betting know that Bay is the lynchpin - in this position he gives the Mets the much needed power to replace Delgado.
6. Daniel Murphy 1B Look for Murphy to turn in another solid, workman-like performance this season.
7. Jeff Francoeur LF Francoeur’s presence shows the depth of this team. If he can continue his strong numbers from the second half of 2009, it will be a big year for Francoeur, who’s playing his first full season as a Met.
8. Rod Barajas C - Newly-acquired catcher Rod Barajas is a near certainty for the starting lineup.
Starting Pitching - New York Mets Baseball betting
The Mets’ pitching staff is in an interesting position. After the team walked the second most batters in the majors last season, the Mets need a stronger performance out of both their starters, and their men in the bullpen. It will be interesting to see where highly touted prospect Jenrry Mejia figures in. The prospect has been working the role of starter, however, many baseball betting observers feel the young pitcher would be better suited to a role as reliever. The starting pitching rotation for the New York Mets will look something like this:
1. Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. John Maine
5. Jon Niese
While the fifth spot is still up for grabs, word from spring training is that if Niese continues to pitch like he did last summer, the fifth spot is his. Only time will tell if he is able to pitch like he did prior to his injury.

Bullpen - New York Mets Baseball betting
Reports indicate that the Mets are looking to add a left-handed pitcher to their bullpen, after the departure of Darren Oliver left the team without a solid second lefty to compliment Pedro Feliciano. Will Ohman and Joe Beimel have been named as possibilities, providing the team could get them to sign to deals similar to the one which netted the team catcher Rod Barajas.
As it stands, the bullpen looks like:
Bobby Parnell, Oliver Perez, Nelson Figueroa, Sean Green, and Jon Niese. It will be interesting to see if the Mets do add another body to the bullpen - and just what role they will occupy.

Outlook - New York Mets Baseball betting
The Mets need to solidify their pitching lineup. With the acquisition of Rod Barajas and the jumbling of the lineup to prevent disaster in the absence of Carlos Beltran, the Mets seem to have most of their ducks in a row. What happens now with the pitching staff will dictate the team’s overall level of success. Whether or not the team is able to bring in another effective arm to their bullpen will also be of significant impact. Unless something magical happens, look for the Mets to finish 2nd in their division.

P rojected Finish In Division:: 2nd in NL East