HDWEB: Ervin Santana sits, Hanley Ramirez surprises, snot rockets, and dugout farts

In today’s HOW DARE WE ENJOY BASEBALL, we ponder Ervin Santana’s continued joblessness, we love HanRam’s team chemistry efforts, we ask what we should expect from Masahiro Tanaka, and then maybe we watch some snot rockets and dugout farts if you’re into that sort of thing. YES!

by Justin Bopp

Mar 10, 2014, 5:31 PM UTC

Good afternoon HDWEB'ers, it's March 10th and Ervin Santana still doesn't have a job. Here's everything you need to know.

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

Are you worried about Dodgers team chemistry?

Don’t forget, “you can’t buy team chemistry.“

I think the Dodgers are going to be OK, whether or not this video indicates the hey-look-we’re-having-fun-I-swear-it nature of spring training. I’ll stick with the old cliche for now: it’s easy to have chemistry when you’re winning. I just expect the Dodgers to win a lot, that’s all.

Matt Carpenter, Cardinals agree to 6-year extension - SBNation.com
Carpenter has a chance to earn up to $72.5 million through 2020 if an option for a seventh year is picked up.
Aledmys Diaz signs 4-year contract with Cardinals - SBNation.com
Diaz will likely be given the opportunity to fight for a spot at second base in the Cardinals' lineup this season.
Kris Medlen injury: Braves pitcher leaves with right forearm strain - SBNation.com
Here's a GIF indicating when it might have happened:

Dayan Viciedo trade rumors: Mariners interested in White Sox outfielder - SBNation.com
The Mariners are looking for some "protection" for Robinson Cano in their lineup.
Pablo Sandoval, Giants not discussing contract extension - SBNation.com
Sandoval has been somewhat lackluster since a hot start to his career, but is still in his prime and is due to become a free agent next year.
Yankees are showcasing their depth for a trade - Pinstripe Alley
It's already clear that the Yankees are showcasing their depth for a trade:

As far as catching depth is considered, neither John Ryan Murphy or Austin Romine seem destined for the major league team out of camp, but they're not being played like that's the case. Among all position players, Murphy has been in the second highest amount of games (7) with the second most at-bats (13).

Romine is a little behind in both categories (5 and 11), but that's still more than a handful of projected MLB regulars have gotten. As for pitching, aside for a few relievers and some players that are assured a roster spot, David Phelps (4.2) and Adam Warren (4.1) have pitched the most innings.

The Ervin Santana saga of sadness:

Ervin Santana free agency: Pitcher in talks with Blue Jays, Orioles, others on 1-year deal - SBNation.com
Santana is hoping to sign a one-year deal and re-enter the free agent market next year.
Twins made Ervin Santana three-year offer, decision expected soon - MLB Daily Dish
The Twins made a three-year offer, but remain an unlikely destination for Santana.
Ervin Santana still a free agent, but Blue Jays players putting pressure on club to sign him - Bluebird Banter
A number of Blue Jays players, led by Jose Bautista, is openly suggesting that their club sign free agent pitcher Ervin Santana.
Orioles offered $13 million plus incentives to Ervin Santana - Camden Chat
The Orioles are one of two teams in the final chase for free agent starter Ervin Santana. According to reports, their offer is lower than that of the Blue Jays, but they've offered incentives on top of a base salary of $13 million.
Ervin Santana rumors: Blue Jays have advantage, not a 'lock' - SBNation.com
Santana is still expected to sign soon, but the list of teams pursuing him seems to be growing -- which was the point of "accepting" a 1-year deal all along.

Ike Davis injury: Mets place 1B in walking boot - SBNation.com
The Mets are optimistic that Davis will be ready when they open the season in three weeks.
Zack Greinke inching closer to game action - True Blue LA
Greinke has been limited to bullpen sessions and simulated games since straining his right calf on Feb. 27, but could pitch in a game this week.
Clayton Kershaw takes 'positive step' toward Opening Day start - True Blue LA
Clayton Kershaw, named the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers earlier in the day, allowed two runs in five innings against the Giants in his longest outing so far this spring.
Shin splints may sideline Jose Iglesias on Opening Day - Bless You Boys
Brad Ausmus is deliberating his options at shortstop, admitting Jose Iglesias may not be sufficiently recovered from shin splints in time for the regular season.
Your annual reminder that spring training doesn't matter - Over the Monster
"The Red Sox are playing poorly and it doesn't matter one little bit." I dunno -- I really hate the idea that these are "fake games" or the concept that it's a waste of time to follow or understand.
Instead, we should differentiate that it's the spring training records that don't matter, not spring training itself (which is what Ben means, I think). Because of course it matters. Even discounting for small sample sizes, it's a chance for younger prospects to get a crack at better competition, it's a chance for managers to play with the new rules, it's chance for players to get work in with new teammates (where "chemistry" actually matters), etc. Except for the records, it all matters.

Yankees make first cuts of spring training: Jose Ramirez and Francisco Rondon - Pinstripe Alley
Should Gregory Polanco start the season in the big leagues? - Bucs Dugout
Charlie says: NO.
Astros make first round of cuts from spring training - The Crawfish Boxes
Paul Clemens is among the nine players headed to minor league camp.
Phillies' First Cuts Include Stutes, Biddle - The Good Phight
The Phillies have made their first spring training cuts, and he with the flowing hair was amongst them...
Indians' young talent rated among the weakest by Baseball Prospectus - Let's Go Tribe
Baseball Prospectus has released its rankings of all 30 MLB teams based on the age-25-and-under talent within the organization. The Cleveland Indians are near the bottom of the list.
Nationals reassign Matt Skole, Jeff Howell, Gabriel Alfaro and Tyler Robertson to minor league camp - Federal Baseball
The Washington Nationals announced their first round of cuts, sending 1B/3B Matt Skole, C Jeff Howell, RHP Gabriel Alfaro and LHP Tyler Robertson to minor league camp and trimming the number of players in major league camp to 59.
Fish Stripes 2014 top Marlins prospects: #3 Colin Moran - Fish Stripes
2013 first-round pick Colin Moran will have a chance to provide the Marlins with a reliable bat at the hot corner in the future.

Extracting value from leftover starting pitchers - Beyond the Box Score
A look at six pitchers who will likely be left out of the rotation. Could these arms be optimized in specialized relief roles?
LL Exclusive: Introducing Reformatted Batted Ball Data - Lookout Landing
Ever wished you could get batted ball data in a format better suited for en-masse analysis than Jeff Zimmerman's leaderboards or Fangraphs' spray charts? Well...
Matt Carpenter Extension Brings Stability to Third Base - Viva El Birdos
Since Scott Rolen, the Cardinals have had at least 20 different players play a game at third base. Matt Carpenter hopes to bring stability to the position over the next six seasons.
How difficult was that play? - Beyond the Box Score
While we await for MLB Advanced Media to provide us with the best quantitative data we have ever seen on fielding, we will rely on what scouts see to decide who makes the most difficult plays.

(splitter-throwing pitchers in red)