Now that the A's have locked up Brett Anderson through 2015, there have been rumblings that the A's are now looking into signing both Kurt Suzuki and Andrew Bailey to long term deals. Given their respective ages and ability levels, it would make sense for the A's to sign both guys now and avoid arbitration.

But one guy on the Athletics that has not yet been mentioned in talks regarding a contract extension is Dallas Braden. Sure at 26 years old, Braden is older than the Anderson-Cahill-Gonzalez-Mazzaro group that the Athletics regard so highly, but Braden did put together a solid 2009 season for the Athletics and is going to be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter.

Despite his performance and ability, it's clear that the main reason why the Athletics would hold off on signing Braden to a long term deal is because they are unsure if Braden will be a long term asset for the Athletics. The Athletics have so many quality young starters that they think highly of that committing to Braden might be too costly and risky for the Athletics right now.

But there is upside in signing Braden now. Aside from avoiding arbitration, the Athletics would benefit from this deal by having yet another young player signed to a very team friendly contract. This would ensure that Braden's salary would not become to excessive for the Athletics to bear and if they decide to move him, that it will not be a result of money. In addition, if the Athletics should look to trade Braden in the future, he would command a premium from any team looking to acquire him because of the team friendly contract. Giving Braden a contract extension now would not cement his place as a long term member of the A's, but rather it would cement his place as a long term asset for GM Billy Beane.

A conract extension fro Dallas Braden should not be a pressing matter for the A's, but at the very least it should be something that management considers.

The latest young player to sign a long term extension: Brett Anderson

Consider this a win-win deal for left-hander Brett Anderson and the Oakland A's.

The A's locked up their ace-in-waiting Friday through the 2015 season. He signed a four-year contract that includes team options in 2014 and '15, which would have been his first potential year of free agency.

Anderson achieved financial security at the tender age of 22, and the A's, by signing him to a long-term deal in just his second big league season, got him for a reasonable price, by baseball standards.

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Neither Anderson nor the A's have to worry about any nasty salary arbitration battles down the road.

Anderson's deal, according to the Associated Press, is worth as much as $31 million if the A's exercise both options. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus, and there's a $1.5 million buyout if the A's decline either option.

Anderson is scheduled to receive salaries of $500,000 (2010), $1 million ('11), $3 million ('12), $5.5 million ('13), $8 million ('14) and $12 ('15).

The deal demonstrates how highly the Athletics think of Anderson. The first four years of the contract are guaranteed and buys out Anderson's final two pre arbitration seasons as well as his first two arbitration years. The two club options attached to the deal would buy out Anderson's final arbitration season as well as his first year of free agency. In essence, this deal only gives the Athletics control over one addition season, but there are plenty of reasons to like this deal from the Athletics' perspective.

This move is all about cost control, which has become the newest trend in MLB today. The Athletics are obviously very high on Anderson and believe that if Anderson was arbitration eligible from 2012-2014, then he would earn more that route than he would by signing this extension with the A's. This deal is obviously a risk simply because Anderson has only been in the league for one full season, but given the A's payroll constraints and Anderson's vast ability, it's easy to understand why the Athletics decided to extend Brett Anderson.

And from Anderson's perspective, it's easy to like this deal as well. Aside from the obvious financial security that this contract provides, but even if Anderson is with the Athletics through the 2015 season, then he can still become a free agent at the tender age of 27.

Does Josh Willingham have a long term future with the Nationals? If it was up to him, it sounds like he would:

Matt Sosnick, J Willingham's agent: “His hope is that this year, next year, whenever, he wants to stay. He wants to sign a multi-year deal.”

First off, it's awesome to see guys actually want to stay with the Nationals long term. There was period of time where the Nationals could not attract talented players, so it's refreshing to see Adam Dunn and now Josh Willingham express their desire to stay with the Nationals long term.

With that said, the decision to extend Willingham comes down to risk v. reward for the Nationals. The risk involved with NOT extending Willingham now is that he could put together a monster 2010 season that could drive his price tag up astronomically this winter (Willingham has one more year of arbitration left before he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season). But realistically, what are the chances of that happening? I would not bank on it. The reward for the Nationals in giving Willingham a contract extension deals with cost control. I'll assume that any extension would buy out Willingham's long remaining arbitration season, which in effect would give the Nationals a level of cost control and delay Willingham's free agency for a couple more seasons.

Right now, there is simply not enough reward from the Nationals' perspective for them to commit to Willingham. But that's not to say that this position cannot change over time. If Willingham continues to produce at a high level this season, then we could hear more about a possible extension as the season wears on.

After watching the Twins give Nick Blackburn a 4 year/$14 million dollar deal this winter, Kevin Slowey would like a guaranteed deal as well:

Twins starter Nick Blackburn, after an 11-11 season last year, signed a $14 million, four-year contract, with an $8 million club option for another season in 2014. Fellow starter Kevin Slowey, whose 2009 season ended with wrist surgery after winning 10 of 13 decisions, is signed for only this season.

Slowey, 25, who defeated the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in his first start this season and on Wednesday allowed the Boston Red Sox three runs in five innings in a 6-3 loss at Target Field, is earning $470,000 this season. He and Blackburn have almost the same amount of major league service time, about three seasons.

Slowey said Wednesday he wouldn't mind signing a deal similar to Blackburn's. But he also understands the business of baseball and that the Twins are waiting to see if there are aftereffects from his wrist injury. It has become clear there are not.

Considering that the Twins control Slowey's rights through the 2014 season, there should be no hurry on their end to lock up Slowey. At this point, the wrist injury that sidelined Slowey last season makes him too much of a risk for the Twins to commit to right now. Sure, locking up Slowey now might save them a boatload of money in the future, but it could also come back to haunt them should Slowey's wrist become a chronic issue.

The best move for the Twins is to wait and see on Slowey, just like they seem to be doing now. With that said, I'm sure Twins GM Bill Smith would not hesitate to lock up Slowey long term during the middle of the season or at the end of the season if it meant that the Twins would save themselves some money by avoiding the arbitration process. Slowey has three years of arbitration eligibility beginning this winter and I'm sure the Twins would love to buy out those three seasons should Slowey's performance this season suggest that they do so.

(And Charley Waters, how could you say "It has become clear there are not"? The season is not even two weeks old!)

Kerry Wood is on his way back to the Indians as his rehab continues to progress nicely. Will he be the Indians closer? Not right away, which is a good thing for the Indians.

Kerry Wood will not be rushed back into the closer's role just because Chris Perez is adrift in rough waters. Unless, of course, he is overwhelmed by a return to good health.

The signs, at the moment, are pointing toward such a development. Wood is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday. If he comes through that unscathed, the program would proceed to simulated games or a rehab assignment.

Wood, who has not pitched in a game since March 10 because of a strained muscle under his right shoulder, was originally supposed to miss six to eight weeks. If he had been sidelined eight weeks, Wood wouldn't have pitched until sometime in late May.

"I'm very encouraged," said Wood.

Even when Wood does return, it's unclear how much time he will see as the Indians' closer. That's significant because if Wood finishes 55 games this season, then his $11 million dollar club option becomes guaranteed. Given the fact that the Indians are not close to competing in the AL Central and that paying Wood $11 million in 2011 would take up a large percentage of their payroll, there is significant incentive for the Indians not to have Wood as their closer for an extended period this season.

The name of the game the rest of the season for Wood is just to stay healthy. Sure, he may not land closer money in free agency, but we have seen middle relief pitchers without Wood's ability do quite well on the free agent market in years past (I'm talking about you, Farnsworth).

What kind of contract will Carl Carwford generate on the free agent market this winter?  Ken Rosenthal chimes in:

More than one executive thought I overstated the eventual price for Rays left fielder Carl Crawford when I wrote that, “Tiger Woods stands a better chance of being named “Husband of the Year” than the Rays do of re-signing Crawford to say, an eight-year, $120 million deal.”

I will concede that eight years, $120 million is probably the outer limit for Crawford in free agency, but I still think he is positioned for a major score.

The market next winter likely will be fairly thin. Crawford will attract interest from a large number of clubs. And the increased emphasis on defense should only heighten his appeal.

Crawford, who turns 29 on Aug. 5, is more than 3-½ years younger than Mariners second baseman Chone Figgins, a somewhat comparable player who received a four-year, $36 million free-agent contract last winter.

Ichiro, another “speed” player, signed a five-year, $90 million extension with the Mariners in July 2007. But Ichiro is a special case whose value extends beyond his performance. Ditto for Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who is in the final year of a 10-year, $189 million contract.

Crawford should get at least $12-14 million per season, and I’m guessing his deal will be for at least seven years.

My guess is that as long as Crawford stays healthy, he is a near lock to land a contract in the $80-$90 million dollar range, at least. And while Rosenthal mentions how this is a thin market and that many teams are interested in Crawford, the going rate for Crawford will be determined by one team: the Yankees. If the Yankees want Crawford (and by all accounts they do), they expect the price to go up, and potentially way up. As we have seen in the past, when the Yankees want an elite player, they are willing to do whatever it takes to sign him long term. Money matters, but when you have a $200 million dollar payroll, obviously GM Brian Cashman can go out there and splurge.

The worst thing that could happen to Crawford's earning potential this season outside of an injury is if Brett Gardner proves to the Yankee brass that he can be an effective everyday left fielder, who can play defense and steal lots of bases.

According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, Prince Fielder will be looking for a Mauer/Teixeria type deal if he hits the free agent market. Am I surprised? No. Will it happen? You be the judge:

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, having just completed a nice team-friendly $30.1-million contract for ace pitcher Yovani Gallardo, is said to remain hopeful to lock up the team's biggest star, first baseman Prince Fielder. But according to the accounts of most in the know, this one is going to be much harder to get done than the Gallardo deal.

No particulars of the negotiations between the team and Fielder's camp have yet become public, but one person familiar with the talks suggested the eight-year contracts of Mark Teixeira and Joe Mauer for $180 million and $184 million, respectively, are viewed by Fielder's people as mere starting points. And another person familiar with the talks suggested Fielder is seeking about $200 million over eight years, which would represent the biggest contract ever in the non-Alex Rodriguez category and only $23 million less than Attanasio paid for the Brewers in 2004.

Prince Fielder has a lot of things going for him on the baseball diamond, but there are a litany of items working against him right now. Right off the bat, Prince Fielder is not Mark Teixeira or Joe Mauer? What do I mean by this?

Mark Teixeira

• Mark Teixeira was far and away the best free agent first baseman available on the 2009 free agent market
• Mark Teixeira had a number of teams bidding for his services...
• ...including the Yankees and Red Sox (IMPORTANT!)

• Joe Mauer is beloved in Minnesota and it would have been unacceptable for the Twins to lose their hometown star
• The Twins never would have been able to lock up Mauer long term, but their payroll is expanding because they are entering a new stadium.
• Joe Mauer plays a premium position that many teams would have paid exorbitant amounts of money to secure.

The reality is that Prince Fielder will not have the Yankees and Red Sox bidding for his services. Prince Fielder will not be the best first baseman on the 2012 free agent market. As much as the Brewers would love to keep Prince Fielder, their financial resources are limited and do not seem destined to rise in the next couple of seasons.

When he becomes a free agent, Prince Fielder will do very, very well on the open market. But Teixeria/Mauer money might just be too much for Fielder.

The question on the minds of many Brewers fans is the contract status of Prince Fielder, who will be a free agent after the 2011 season. But one player that the Brewers will not have to worry about for a long time is Yovani Gallardo:

As the flashbulbs popped at a Miller Park news conference on Thursday, budding Milwaukee Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo had yet to wrap his mind around the $30.1 million in his immediate future. He did know one thing.

"It sets up my son more than anything," said Gallardo, Milwaukee's 24-year-old Opening Day starter. "It sets him up for college or whatever he wants to do. That's the No. 1 thing."

Yovani Jr. was on hand as dad discussed his new five-year contract with the team that drafted him six years ago. Gallardo is guaranteed $30.1 million in a deal that will cover at least his three arbitration seasons and one year of free agency, and could earn as much as $42.5 million with a unique club option for 2015 that would cover his second free-agent season.

Gallardo could gain the right to void the option and become a 29-year-old free agent after 2014 if he accumulates six "points" over the next five years in a system that awards five points for winning a Cy Young Award, three points for finishing second in the balloting and one point for finishing third.

He has a full no-trade clause for the first three seasons. After 2012, Gallardo can submit a list of 10 teams for a limited no-trade provision and would have to approve a deal to any of those teams.

It's hard not to love this deal from the Brewers' perspective. Gallardo not only the Brewers current ace, but at 24 years old, there's lots of reason to believe that Gallardo will be able to pitch at a high level for years to come. By locking up Gallardo now, the Brewers prevent Gallardo's salary from becoming too excessive for their tastes thanks to arbitration. It's a calculated risk to commit $30 million to Gallardo over five years when the guy has only pitched one full season, but the combination of his talent and age coupled with the price that the Brewers were able to lock him up at make this deal worthwhile for the Brewers.

As for Gallardo, this deal was worthwhile for him because of the large amount of money now guaranteed to him. Sure he might have given up some money over time if he decided to play his contract status year by year, but given the unpredictability of pitching, this is a nice sized contract extension that demonstrates just how strongly the Brewers believe in Gallardo.

It looks like Cliff Lee is still weeks away from starting a game for the Mariners. Sigh:

In the video above, you can see Cliff Lee throwing off the top of a mound for the first time since suffering that abdominal strain three weeks ago. Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said that the team is targetting April 14 as a date for Lee to throw a simulated game.

First, Lee will throw 25 pitches in a bullpen session on Friday. After that, he'll throw a 40-pitch session. The team would then try to get that simulated game in and probably at least one or two others before sending Lee out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. The goal is to have him throw 70 to 80 pitches by the time he's ready to be activated.

Of course, then the team has his five-game suspension to worry about. I still doubt he sees a major league mound in April.

Even if Lee does not pitch at all in April, I doubt that it will seriously hamper his free agent status this winter. As long as Lee is effective when he returns, then I have every expectation of Lee landing a huge deal this winter. Sure, it's certainly not a good thing for Lee to miss a significant amount of time, but as long as the injury is not arm related, a reocurring injury, and does not keep off the field for too long; then Lee's free agent prospects will remain very rosy.

This is not exactly encouraging news for Rangers fans. This quote comes from a scout via ESPN.com:

"I think he's going to be a work in progress. He's throwing from a lower arm slot, and any time a guy's adjusting his slot, it's an issue. I know they just felt, for his long-term health, he had to start throwing from a lower slot. But when I saw him this spring, I didn't see a lot of command. A lot of stuff in the middle of the plate, and not much ability to move the ball around."

Yet another reason why it's hard to be optimistic about Rich Harden this season.