Around The Majors- Monday

Happy Presidents Day to everyone, and congratulations on Kosovo's independence. Lots to get to today, the first being one of the greatest pranks in sports history. All I'm going to say that involves Phillies Pitcher Kyle Kendrick thinking that he got traded to Japan for an imaginary player, with Brett Myers, manager Charlie Manuel, Assistant GM Ruben Amaro, members of the media, and even Kendrick's agent involved in this hillarious prank. Check out the insanely good prank here.

3:20pm EST
-Curt Schilling will not have surgery on his injured shoulder, but it's unknown when he'll return. -Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus has come out with his Top 100 Prospects List.
-The Cubs have signed Alex Cintron to a minor league deal.

-In Brewers camp, Eric Gagne apologized for "a distraction that shouldn't be taking place." Well, sources close to me say that it would not have been a distraction if he hadn't taken 'roids when he was "cleanly" dominating baseball.
-Speaking of the Phillies, they were trash talked over the weekend by Mets CF Carlos Beltran. Beltran said that New York was the team to beat in the NL East this year, saying the same thing that reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins said last year. He can talk the talk but can he...
-It may not be big news now, but it could have a huge impact as the months go by. Angels shutdown closer Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez said that he expects to go into free agency after this season with no long term deal currently in place. K-Rod certainly seemed angry in this quote: "If they (Angels) wanted me here, they would have done something a long time ago. In the meantime, I have to put that out of my head and do my job."
-In Yankees/steroids camp, Andy Pettitte will report to Tampa today, with a large pile of mail and an enormous glut of questions to answer about his situation, not to mention getting ready for the 2K8 season. New York closer Mariano Rivera told the AP that he just wants to get back to busniess: "The sooner he gets here, the better it will be, to get it over, and just do what he has to do," But Pettitte should be prepared to see the red noses and big tops, because this week will likely be a media circus around his locker.
-It could have been a lot worse for budding Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo, but he'll be out a month to get surgery for torn knee cartilage. He'll probably be back at full strength in May, but Milwaukee needs every game it can get in a tight NL Central.
-Former Red Sox OF Trot Nixon is trying to make the Arizona roster, but it will be tough to break into a young and talented Snakes outfield. Nixon will be competing with Chris Burke and Jeff Salazar fot a spot.
-In great news for baseball, Miami-Dade County and the Marlins are finalizing a plan for a 515 million dollar, 37,000 seat ballpark on the site of the Orange Bowl. It will keep pro baseball in South Florida which is vital to the game and to the sport near Latin America.
-Mike Hampton seems optimistic that he'll be healthy for the Braves in 2008. Mark Prior felt good for the Padres after his forst workout.
-In ESPN's Spring Training blog, Jerry Crasnick reports that the Cubs are looking for a 3rd righty starter to put after Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly but before lefty Rich Hill. Jon Lieber, Ryan Dempster, and Jason Marquis are the candidates.
-The Reds are looking for a leadoff hitter in CF, and Dusty Baker loves his vets. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds could go after either Kenny Lofton or Corey Patterson, though Jay Bruce could probably do a great job.
-Luke Hocheaver is going to the bullpen, says the KC Star. The Miami Herald reports that the Marlins are shutting down Anibal Sanchez for a while. The AP reports that Justin Duchscherer is ready to go into the A's rotation. Right now Josh Fields is the 3rd base starter for the White Sox until Joe Crede can prove that he's healthy.
-Daryn Perry of foxsports.com has a good piece on the big Spring Training position battles.
-Brandon Inge is back to getting time in at Catcher at Tigers camp, working on his new utility role.
-The Nationals have signed Brett Boone to a minor league deal. The chances of him making the team with their depth at middle infield is slim to none. The Washington Post reports that the team will likely trade either Nick Johnson or Dmitri Young. The Post also reports that the Nats and O's are trying to sign IF Alex Cintron.
-For an AL offseason review by SOS staff writer Jake Weintraub, click here