· In a surprise move today, the Detroit Tigers released designated hitter Gary Sheffield on the cusp of not only the start of the 2009 season, but also Sheffield’s 500th home run.

While this shocked many, I for one am not surprised as the Tigers needed to do this. Sheffield has really started to show his age the past few years as his bat, normally lightening fast, has really begun to slow down. So not only does this clean out the clog at the DH spot, it gives the Tigers a lot more versatility with the spot in the lineup. With youngster Marcus Thames trying to find his place the past couple of seasons, he now has a spot in the lineup. Plus the Tigers can now take Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez out of the field to give them a rest while still keeping their bats in the lineup.

The entire transaction is a win-win for the Tigers who will miss out on his 500th homer, but when they didn’t really want him there to begin with, what’s to celebrate?

· Atlanta Braves fans may have lost one franchise player in John Smoltz, but now they don’t have to worry losing the other as Chipper Jones has agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $42 million.

Honestly with all the negative press GM Frank Wren received over the winter (from yours truly as well) with his lack of making any moves until late into the winter as well as letting Smoltz leave town, he couldn’t afford to not sign Chipper through the rest of his career. Plus considering he hit a major league best .364 as well as hitting 22 homers and driving in 75 RBI, the lineup couldn’t afford to lose him anytime soon. While he may miss quite a few games throughout the year, he is still a very valuable piece to this clubs identity.

While Detroit couldn’t afford to keep Sheffield, Atlanta couldn’t afford to lose Chipper.

· The list of candidates for the Kansas City Royals few remaining rotation spots has dwindled down one more as Luke Hochevar has been demoted to Triple-A Omaha today.

While Hochevar has had a pretty good spring (1-0, 3.86 ERA in 16.1 innings), he still has some work to do on his stuff. As disappointed as he may be, it does make sense. Plus he shouldn’t worry too much as he will be back up with the club, my guess by mid-May. Why you ask? Because the last three pitchers competing for the final two spots in the rotation are Sidney Ponson, Brian Bannister and Horacio Ramirez.

And I guarantee you none of them are going to keep those spots too securely.

· Don’t forget The Diamond Cutter top 25 prospects list is up and complete! After the start of the season the return of “Sunday Ranking Roundup” will return where I will evaluate how everyone on the list is doing and if any changes are needed. Stay tuned!