HDWEB: Every day is a holiday with you, baseball

In today’s HOW DARE WE ENJOY BASEBALL, we realize every day with baseball is already a holiday, that Brian Cashman knows what we know about the Yankees, and maybe some late 80’s commercial about baseball players juicing if you’re into that sort of thing. YES!

by Justin Bopp

Feb 26, 2014, 7:33 PM UTC

Good morning HDWEB’ers, it’s February 26th and we have actual baseball being played today. Here’s everything you need to know.

If you have ideas or suggestions, send 'em my way at @justinbopp.

Ozzie Smith working to make Opening Day a federal holiday -- Hall of Fame Cardinal and Padre Ozzie Smith looks to embark on campaign in the lead up to Opening Day to make the event into a federal holiday. I think this is a wonderful idea, personally. Even if it never becomes an official holiday, I intend on pulling my kids out of school every year regardless. A jolly holiday indeed.
Yankees GM Cashman says 2013 Yanks 'over-performed', needed overhaul -- Did he say it, admit it, or realize it? Regardless it's good to know he can see what we all can see. Once we recognize that the Yankees did better than they should have, the real question becomes, "then why are you out there signing Carlos Beltran and Brian Roberts?"
Stephen Drew free agency: SS willing to play 2B for Blue Jays -- According to super agent Scott Boras, it appears free agent shortstop Stephen Drew will switch to second base in exchange for long-term deal with Blue Jays.

Arroyo gets $23.5M for 2 yrs and $30M if #dbacks pick up option. #Orioles offered 2 yrs at $21.5M and $33M with 3rd yr option.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 25, 2014

Orioles offered Bronson Arroyo a two-year, $21.5 million contract before he signed with Diamondbacks - Camden Chat -- Before they closed in on Ubaldo Jimenez, the Orioles offered a two-year, $21.5 million contract to Bronson Arroyo, who ultimately signed for two years and $23.5 million guaranteed with Arizona.
Cubs could still trade Jeff Samardzija -- Although Opening Day is just over a month away, the Cubs could still trade right-hander Jeff Samardzija before the season starts.
Ervin Santana refusing to drop asking price -- Free agent starter Ervin Santana is still seeking the four-year, $50 million contract he was asking for at the beginning of the offseason. Wait, does nobody remember that it was $100 million? Here's my daily reminder: the Royals can totally afford this.

2014 spring training schedule: Cactus, Grapefruit Leagues begin play -- Baseball has mercifully returned... kind of.
Johan Santana clocked at 81 mph in workout -- The former Mets and Twins left-hander barely topped 81 mph in a workout on Tuesday that included a scout from the Yankees. Time stops for no one, not even Johan.
Josh Hamilton injury: Angels outfielder suffers strained calf -- The Angels slugger left the team's clubhouse in crutches and will have to stay off his feet for a few days. Maybe WEEKS.

No concussion! No excuses in my quiz up games tonight. #PMA #pfp tomorrow with two gloves
— C.J. Wilson (@str8edgeracer) February 25, 2014

MLB injury roundup: C.J. Wilson fine after taking line drive off head -- Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson is fine despite taking a line drive off his head in live batting practice on Tuesday.
Chase Headley out 2-3 weeks with calf injury -- The Padres third baseman will be sidelined for a few weeks after an MRI confirmed the injury.
Jhoulys Chacin injury: Rockies P out at least a week with shoulder strain - Purple Row -- Chacin's MRI revealed only a strain, but there's still a lot to be unsure of regarding his injury and status.

Across the Astros board: An interview with Mike Elias, Director of Amateur Scouting (Part 1 of 2) - The Crawfish Boxes -- Interview with a key architect of the Astros' future.
Red Sox rank fourth in Baseball Prospectus prospect rankings - Over the Monster -- Success on the farm in the last year has catapulted the Red Sox towards the top of the organizational rankings.
The 2014 Bluebird Banter Top 40 Prospects: 16-20 - Bluebird Banter -- Moving up the list. If you've missed one 21-15 is here, the 26-30 is here, 31-35 here and 36-40 here. 20. Kevin Pillar: Kevin had a great year, starting in New Hampshire, hitting...
Miami Marlins Organization Discussion - Minor League Ball -- This team is rebuilding (again!) and is heavily reliant on youth? What can be expected for 2014 and beyond?
2014 Future Redbirds Top 20 Prospects - Viva El Birdos -- Here are the top 20 Cardinals prospects. Here's the truth though: someone not on this list will probably start a game for the Cards and everyone will be surprised.
2014 Rays lower level minor league lineup guesses - DRaysBay -- Wrapping up the Opening Day prospect assignment series with the lineups for Charlotte and Bowling Green.

The new (and unimproved) Starlin Castro - Beyond the Box Score -- What's behind the decline of Starlin Castro, a guy who was once thought to be the future of baseball in Chicago?
Talking About Projecting the Outfield - Brew Crew Ball -- Today we are talking about Khris Davis, Carlos Gomez, and Ryan Braun, who are people who stand in the grass further away from home plate during most of the games and occasionally take their turn hitting base balls.
Cliff Lee's renaissance revisited - Beyond the Box Score -- Taking some old analysis from Mike Fast we can look at what made Cliff Lee's incredible improvement from 2007 to 2008 possible. Lee went from a nobody to the best pitcher in baseball, and we don't know a whole lot about how he was able to do it.
"MLB's Worst Tools" Awards: Speed Edition - Beyond the Box Score -- Being unable to run fast is a surprisingly common trait among baseball players, but only one man truly runs like there is a gargantuan furnace strapped to his back.

Pitcher aging curves - Beyond the Box Score -- Visualizing pitcher performance by age.
Regression, thy name is Red Sox - Over the Monster -- Sure the Red Sox might be good regression candidates this season, but does it really matter?

What if every major league team had a food-related baseball cap? - The Crawfish Boxes -- What would happen if the IronPigs' bacon hat opened up the floodgates for other food-related baseball cap? An argument over which city can claim barbeque and whether or not Seattle is really best represented by Starbucks, that's what.

ASTROHMYGAWD -- This @Astros bullpen coach just remembered __________ http://t.co/MUcSAZXAx7 pic.twitter.com/tRdsNvfeEr
— SB Nation MLB (@SBNationMLB) February 26, 2014

Astros coach shows us scary new way to pose for photos -- Please stop smiling, or trying to smile, or whatever the heck you're doing.
Never let them dull your sparkle, baseball: