We are doing a bit of catching up on the news, so we start where we start.

Hanley Ramirez won't be playing Winter Ball.

Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins' All-Star shortstop, is one of the most popular players in the Dominican Republic, but fans in his native country won't see him in action until this spring.

The Marlins have told Ramirez that he can't play winter ball, a decision he reluctantly accepted, according to one of his agents.

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The Marlins already are preparing for Ramirez and Mexican players Jorge Cantu and Alfredo Amezaga to spend less time than usual in Jupiter this spring because they plan to participate in the World Baseball Classic.

"We want to make sure Hanley is rested and healthy for the upcoming season and probable invitation to play in the WBC,'' Marlins baseball operations president Larry Beinfest said.

 

Probable?!  I know the Dominican Republic turns out many excellent baseball players, but I can't imagine that they wouldn't extend an invitation to Hanley. 

With a lot of infield positions being in a flux, this is not a good year for the WBC.  Sure, Hanley will be the starting shortstop, but whether Cantu is at third or first and what role Alfredo will play is still in question.  Unfortunately, those questions may not be answered in spring training.

But then again, the answers that come out of spring training are rarely the defining ones for the season.  Though, it does happen on occasion.

Speaking of Hanley, he has himself some new digs.

Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez bought a seven-bedroom, 8.5-bath home at 2903 Lake Ridge Lane in Weston from Eric Friedman and Susan Friedman for $3.95 million on Nov. 12.

Eric Friedman paid $4,290,368 for the property on Jan. 8. The 9,300-square-foot house was built in 2000.

Must be nice to be young and rich.

Of course it is a sign of the times that Mr. Friedman lost money on a home he purchased at the first of the year.  But if he could afford a $4,290,368 home to begin with, I think he will be fine.

I just trying to figure out what Hanley is going to with 9,300 square-feet.