Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood is expected to announce his retirement from baseball today, tweets Bruce Levine of ESPN.com.

Breaking news Kerry Wood will retire today !

about 9 hours ago via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@ESPNBruceLevine

Bruce Levine

The 34-year-0ld oft-injured righty has struggled for the Cubs this season, throwing 8 1/3 innings with an 8.64 ERA.

Wood was once one of the most exciting young players in baseball, when he burst onto the scene in 1998, winning the N.L. Rookie of the Year Award with a 13-6 record and a 3.40 ERA and an eye-popping 12.6 K/9 rate. In just his fifth major league start that season, he threw a one-hit shutout and notched 20 strikeouts, tying an all-time single-game record.

Wood missed all of the 1999 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and spent much of the next several seasons going on and off the disabled list. He moved from the rotation to the bullpen in 2007.

A two-time All Star, Wood pitched for the Cubs, Yankees, and Indians in his career. He'll retire with a record of 86-75, 3.67 ERA, and 1,581 strikeouts. His career 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings is second on the all-time list behind Randy Johnson, and first among right-handed pitchers.

On the eve of hosting division rivals, and NL West leading Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres announced that they have release second baseman Orlando Hudson on Thursday.

Hudson was designated for assignment, but San Diego has requested release waivers on Thursday.

#Padres request release waivers on INF O. Hudson, place INF Bartlett on DL (strain right knee) & recall INF Everth Cabrera & Alexi Amarista

May 17, 2012 3:40 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@Padres

San Diego Padres

The Padres have the worst record in the NL, 14-24, and the move will make room for the addition of claimed left-hander Eric Stults off waivers from the Chicago White Sox in an effort to boost the San Diego bullpen.

The two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner Hudson has been a major contributor in the past, but  after signing a $11.5 million, two-year contract before the 2011 season to replace David Eckstein, he has been a major disappointment, batting just .238/.313/.344 with a .657 OPS over 585 plate appearances including an anemic .211 BA with one homer and 11 RBIs this season.

Hudson was making $5.5 million this year, with a $2 million buyout for next year, so it would appear that San Diego was not getting what it was paying for.

However, somebody is bound to take a chance on him at the major league minimum.

Since the advent of free agency, professional sports stars have been handed bundles cash for their performances on the field.

And just like hitting the lottery or any other financial windfall, the money attracts people looking to help the new millionaire spend it. Unfortunately, not all of those people have the athlete's best interest at heart.

Former journeyman infielder Julio Lugo recently made news by being swindled out of roughly $1.2 million dollars.

Football star Dwight Freeny was allegedly relieved of $2.2 million by his financial advisor.

These kinds of stories are almost endless. Whether it's Pete Rose pimping himself out to make ends meet, or Ryan Leaf allegedly burglarizing houses for prescription drugs, we're constantly inundated with stories of millionaire sports stars wasting the kinds of money most of us can only imagine.

By contrast, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson now owns a large stake of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

So what's the difference?

Fellow NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recently profiled Magic's financial success while relating a few stories of his own financial ups and downs. The difference between the Magic's and the dozens of now broke former stars is sound financial advice and money management.

If professional sports leagues and players unions learn nothing else from the swindling of Lugo, Freeny or all the others, it should be to get these guys financial advisors that will help them become the next Magic Johnson in the financial sector even if they can't match his performance on the court.

News broke on Monday via a tweet from Philadelphia's Howard Eskin, that left-handed pitching ace Cole Hamels has told the Philadelphia  Phillies he wants a seven-year deal.

He was also reported to have told the Phils' front office that if he does not receive a long-term contract, he will probably seek one elsewhere.

Just reported on Sports Final @NBCPhiladelphia that I'm told cole hamels agent has told Phillies they r looking for "7" year deal.

May 13, 2012 10:39 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@howardeskin

Howard Eskin

And he'll probably get it too, as the 28-year-old future free agent has registered a shining 2.28 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 49/9 K/BB ratio over 47 1/3 innings this season.

This off a year that earned Hamels Cy Young Award votes in 2011 after posting a 2.79 ERA and 194/44 K/BB ratio in 216 frames.

But will Philadelphia call Hamels' bluff, and begin laying the  groundwork for a possible swap of the veteran in exchange for a more needed bat? Maybe the Red Sox Kevin Youkilis?

Philadelphia already has the bullpen pedigree and veteran leadership of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Vance Worley, Joe Blanton and Jonathan Papelbon. So Hamels could be a pawn to get what they need. More offense for their currently sinking ship.

We'll probably have to wait and see  until Chase Utley and Ryan Howard return. If the offensive production continues to sputter, and ff they're still 10 games back in July, then maybe it will be time to hit the panic button.

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later, and according to the St' Louis Cardinals' official Twitter account on Monday, they have unconditionally released left handed pitcher J.C. Romero.

They have replaced Romero by activating RH Eduardo Sanchez.

Reliever J.C. Romero has been unconditionally released. Right-hander Eduardo Sanchez has been activated and will join the team tonight.

May 14, 2012 9:56 am via Social Marketing HubReplyRetweetFavorite

@Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals

The veteran Romero had  allowed 14 hits and nine earned runs in eight innings with the Cardinals this season, so this move should come as no surprise to anyone. Especially Romero.

He leaves St' Louis, 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA, 3.4 HR/9, 2.3 BB/9 and 5.6 SO/9.

The 35-year will presumably try to latch on with another organization , as he could be a good buy.

He has a career record of 34-28 with a 4.15 ERA, 0.8 HR/9, 5.1 BB/9 and 7.2 SO/9 in 657.1 innings with the Twins, Angels, Red Sox, Phillies, Rockies and Cardinals

Meanwhile, Sanchez was 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 26 appearances in the Majors last season, but this year he's just 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in 14 appearances for Memphis, but he hasn't given up a run or hit in his past seven times out.

Looking to add depth to an outfield that has been hit hard by injuries, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported late Friday that the Boston Red Sox have acquired veteran outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Source: #RedSox acquire Podsednik from #Phillies. Not clear whether he's heading to Boston or Pawtucket.

May 11, 2012 7:47 pm via Twitter for MacReplyRetweetFavorite

@Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

According to sources close to the Red Sox, the Phillies will receive cash considerations in return and Podsednik who will immediately report to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Podsednik was hitting .203 with four RBIs and six stolen bases in 22 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but hasn't appeared in a Major League game since 2010 with the Royals and Dodgers.

The speedy 36-year led the National League with 70 stolen bases. during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004, before appearing in the 2005 All-Star game as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

He has a career line of 41 HR, .279 BA, and 301 SB.

With the Red Sox struggling, this move makes a lot of sense.

It's not surprise the struggling Los Angeles Angels may be looking for solutions, and in that vein have reportedly been in preliminary discussions with the Washington Nationals regarding trade involving outfielder Peter Bourjos.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports first broke the news via Twitter on Thursday night.

Sources: #Angels, #Nationals have discussed Peter Bourjos trade possibility. Details at http://t.co/6WtRCfQC: http://t.co/TEpbOVzj @MLBONFOX

May 10, 2012 10:35 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@jonmorosi

Jon Morosi

The Nats aren't the only ones however that may be interested in cutting a deal for the 25-year old. The Royals, Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays also checked in on the outfielder's availability.

Washington nevertheless would seem the like candidate as they could use another outfielder to help them through the sudden and possibly long-term absence of Jayson Werth.

The Angels, who have a surplus of outfielders, could be in the market for a catcher following Chris Iannetta's injury, and dealing Bourjos who has lost playing time to prospect Mike Trout, could free up some funds to go after a replacement behind the plate.

It's unclear how far along the talks are, and no details on the kind of deal or how much have been reported.

After many speculations and rumors over the past few weeks, it appears that 37-year old slugger Vladimir Guerrero has finally found a new home north of the border.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who first reported the deal on Twitter, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed the designated hitter to a minor league contract.

Source: #BlueJays sign Vladimir Guerrero to minor-league deal.

May 10, 2012 3:12 pm via Tweetbot for iOSReplyRetweetFavorite

@Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

However, I wouldn't be surprised if the Blue Jays make some changes to their lineup to accommodate Guerrero should he look good in his first few games down on the farm.

The likely Hall of Famer still has some pop in his bat, and in 590 plate appearances with the Orioles last year, the nine-time All-Star posted a .290/.317/.416 line with 13 homers.

With 2,590 hits, 449 homers and a .318/.379/.553 line in 16 big league seasons. He Guerrero seems like a low-risk deal for Toronto who could us some extra power at the plate.

I guess hitting four homers in one game is a sure way to get yourself a raise.

At least that's the case for Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton the morning he did just that, prompting the franchise to re-visit contract negotiations with Hamilton and his representatives according to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan.

News: Amid his historic night, Josh Hamilton and the Rangers have reopened contract negotiations, Y! Sports learned. http://t.co/WnVqnSaF

May 9, 2012 8:42 am via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@JeffPassan

Jeff Passan

Hamilton's current contract of $24 million covers only the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and this season the Rangers' outfielder is leading the Majors in HR's (14), RBI's (36), BA (.406), SLG (.840) and WARP (2.7), so he will definitely be on everyone's radar should Texas fail to ink a long-term deal.

Especially since such astronomical numbers have been tossed around  the MLB with the likes of Albert Pujols' 10-year, $240 million, or Prince Fielder's 9-year, $214 million received from the Angels and Tigers respectively.

Hamilton, who is hitting better than both of them certainly deserves that sort of deal, don't you think?

However, the biggest issue that has kept Texas from signing Hamilton, is not about his talent. It's his drug and alcohol abuse past,  and the fact that he had another alcohol-related episode earlier this year.

If the Rangers can get past that risk, it is possible that Hamilton could eclipse any current deal in the majors.

But for now we will have to wait and see.

It hasn't made front page news just yet, but leaks began to surface on Tuesday that veteran third baseman Casey Blake is seriously considering retiring from Major League Baseball.

Blake announced to the Des Moines Register that his is hanging up his cleats, even though the Texas Rangers may be interested in signing the 38-year old who was released by the Colorado Rockies back in March.

Casey Blake tells @DMRSports he's retiring from #MLB. Played parts of 13 seasons. http://t.co/iSMaJQSY

May 8, 2012 2:28 pm via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@DMRegister

Des Moines Register

This does not come as a surprise to most, as Blake missed 88 games in 2011 with the Dodgers hitting  .252/.342/.371 with 4 HR's and 26 RBI's and has been on the decline since.

Blake, who played 13 years in the Major Leagues and is currently a free agent, has played for the Blue Jays, Twins, Orioles, Indians and Dodgers.

And although Blake  didn’t play an everyday role the majors until he was 29, he matured quickly, and was  a .264 career hitter with 167 home runs, which was good for an OPS+ of 107.

During his peak years, 2003 through 2009, he posted a very good 267/.339/.453 batting line. He did struggle in October, but so have a lot of players, including Willie Mays.