Wells plans to retire at 35 after 2014 season

TEMPE, Ariz. -- When Vernon Wells' seven-year, $126 million contract comes to an end in two years, so will his baseball career. The Angels outfielder, owed $42 million over the next two seasons, plans to retire at the end of 2014, even though he'll be only 35.

He's got two good reasons: One is 10, the other is 7, and both are boys.

"My kids," Wells said Monday morning. "It'll be time to invest more in their lives. I've gone through this for long enough. My thoughts right now as a family is to be done after two years, enjoy them, get to be there for them in those years where they're going to need their dad every day, not just every now and then."

Wells still loves the game, but is eager to return to his home in Southlake, Texas, long-term so he can be a full-time father.

He also has an interesting career route he's eager to pursue: ownership.

Wells, who will end up grossing close to $150 million as a ballplayer, wants to own a Major League team someday. In fact, the plan is to partner with former Angels outfielder Torii Hunter. The two live about 45 minutes apart in Texas and both figure to retire at the same time, since Hunter's two-year, $26 million contract with the Tigers will take him up to age 39.

The plan is to start with a Minor League franchise, like Angels owner Arte Moreno did, and then get the ball rolling from there.

"It's definitely something we're interested in doing once we're both done playing," Wells said. "It's fun, man. Instead of playing fantasy GM, you're actually putting together your own team and learning what it takes to pretty much make money in an organization, especially in the Minor Leagues. Because sometimes you're only going to get 500, 600 people in a game, but you have to figure out ways to get fans in the stands. That's part of the business."

Wells studies the game from both the on-field and business perspectives. It's something that has consumed him ever since he was cast as the Blue Jays' player representative as a 23-year-old in 2002, the year Major League Baseball avoided a strike at the very last minute.

Wells respects the way George Steinbrenner built an empire in New York, but equally admires the way those in smaller markets have methodically built through their farm systems.

Someday, he hopes to follow in those footsteps.

And he plans to start in a couple years.

"It won't be easy," Wells said of retirement. "I don't think it's ever easy for somebody to say bye to something they've loved from the time that they can pick up a ball, but there's plans that I have once I'm done playing and it'll give me a chance to start pursuing them. But the most important thing is just being there with my family on a day-to-day basis. I've put them through a lot, just all the traveling and everything. That's the biggest thing."

Freshman phenoms wary of sophomore slump

A year ago at this time, baseball fans knew the names -- Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Yoenis Cespedes, Yu Darvish -- but there was no knowing how those players would affect the game in their rookie seasons.

Fast forward to today. We're all a year wiser, those players are a year more experienced, and the game is better off for it.

Harper broke into the National League, setting unprecedented marks for a teenage player en route to the league's Rookie of the Year honor over Arizona standout Wade Miley. Trout led American League rookies in practically every offensive category, challenging Miguel Cabrera and his Triple Crown for the league MVP, but "settling" for a unanimous Rookie of the Year ballot instead.

Cespedes wowed fans on the West Coast with his arm and big bat. Darvish won 10 games before July and finished with 16. Miley, too, won 16 games and turned in a workmanlike 194 2/3 innings. Todd Frazier was a force at third base in Cincinnati, and Norichika Aoki finished his season in a Brewers uniform on a tear, batting .306 with 18 RBIs in September and October.

So here we are, preparing to see these players take the field, no longer as rookies, wondering … What do they have in store for us as an encore?

"It's my second year in the big leagues," Harper said. "I'm not going to do anything different -- just play my game. I have a great team, a great group of guys around me that help me play every single day. It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm excited to get this season started."

If Harper and Trout can avoid any sort of sophomore slump and turn in seasons comparable with last year, we'll be in for a treat. Coincidentally, they each played 139 games after being called up to the big leagues after Opening Day, and both should have full years on the horizon.

"I have no doubt that Mike will very easily handle his transition," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "Like with any player, there will be adjustments, just like there were in Year 1 for him. He'll make them. He makes them day to day, inning to inning and month to month, and I don't necessarily think year to year is going to present an emotional challenge for him."

It's typical for young players to hit lulls -- if not in their rookie season then sometimes in their second year. Many of the aforementioned players experienced it last year.

Harper hit 307/.390/.553 in his first 40 games before running into a slump his next 55, when his slash line came in at .204/.273/.290. After hitting a remarkable .361 from May to July, Trout hit .287 from August to October. Darvish went 3-5 from July to August.

It's not just the players possibly running into a wall, but the league making the appropriate adjustments. Veteran hitters, after seeing a young pitcher once or twice, know to adjust. The same goes for pitchers facing such young players as Harper, Trout, Aoki and Frazier. So it's all about how the young players counteract those adjustments.

"I'm going to put [in] all my emphasis, and I'm going to do everything I can do to be the best behind the plate," Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario said of his second-year improvements. "It's a matter of time. Remember that I told you that. You'll see what's going to happen."

Rosario set a Rockies rookie record with 28 homers and led NL newbies in homers, RBIs (71) and slugging percentage (.530). According to STATS Inc., he was the fourth rookie catcher age 23 or younger to hit at least 20 homers in a season.

But he also led the Majors in passed balls (21) while serving as the primary catcher for a staff that led the big leagues with 94 wild pitches.

Harper, too, will have adjustments to make. After making almost all of his defensive appearances last year in either center or right field, he's expected to play left field this year, and that will help keep him on his toes.

"I don't think you should ever be comfortable," he said. "Every single time you go into Spring Training, someone can come up here and have a great spring and possibly take your spot. I've always thought that, and I think you should work hard every single spring, work hard during the season, try and get better every single day out here, try and progress in outfield, hitting, baserunning, anything you can."

Current MLB Injury Report

  

                             

Angels		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Burnett, Sean (P)	02/19	Spring Training	Any day	Lower back stiffness	MRI on Feb. 18 revealed stiffness in lower back, no structural damage.
	Madson, Ryan (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Possibly mid-April	Recovering from April 2012 Tommy John surgery	Threw from 60 feet for about 10 minutes Feb. 22.
	Pujols, Albert (1B)	02/21	Spring Training	Mid-March	Recovery from right knee surgery	Taking batting practice, fielding grounders, running lightly as of mid-February.
Astros		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Ambriz, Hector (P)	02/22	Any day	Likely ready for Opening Day	Left ankle sprain	Threw off mound Feb. 22.
Athletics		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Balfour, Grant (P)	02/20	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Right knee	Threw ball Feb. 19; underwent surgery Feb. 14.
	Carignan, Andrew (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Possibly late June	Recovery from June 2012 Tommy John surgery	Threw 25-pitch bullpen session Feb. 12.
Blue Jays		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Cooper, David (1B)	02/23	Out Indefinitely	TBD	Back	Not scheduled to report to Spring Training as of Feb. 17 update.
	Drabek, Kyle (P)	02/23	Spring Training	Possibly midseason	Recovery from June 2012 Tommy John surgery	Was throwing long toss at outset of Spring Training.
	Hutchison, Drew (P)	02/19	Spring Training	Possibly after 2013 All-Star break	Recovery from August 2012 Tommy John surgery	Hopes to throw off mound by end of March.
	Janssen, Casey (P)	02/20	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from November 2012 right shoulder surgery	Throwing side sessions every third day as of Feb. 20 update.
	McCoy, Mike (2B)	02/23	Any day	Late February	Left calf bruise	Exited Feb. 22 game following collision in the outfield.
	McGowan, Dustin (P)	02/23	Spring Training	TBD	Right shoulder	Shut down after experiencing soreness while throwing off flat ground Feb. 12.
	Perez, Luis (P)	02/23	60-day DL	Possibly midseason	Recovery from July 2012 Tommy John surgery	Placed on the 60-day DL on Feb. 23.
Braves		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Beachy, Brandon (P)	02/14	Spring Training	Possibly June	Recovery from June 2012 Tommy John surgery	Threw from flat ground in mid-February.
	McCann, Brian (C)	02/17	Spring Training	Possibly mid-April	Recovery from October 2012 right shoulder surgery	Cleared to begin hitting flipped balls Feb. 16.
Brewers		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Gamel, Mat (1B)	02/18	Out for Season	2014	Torn ACL, right knee	Scheduled to miss 2013 season after re-tearing ACL in Spring Training workout.
	Hart, Corey (1B)	02/14	Spring Training	Possibly late April	Recovery from January right knee surgery	Ahead of schedule as of Feb. 13; expected to undergo MRI on March 8.
Cardinals		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Carpenter, Chris (P)	02/22	60-day DL	Likely out for season	Thoracic outlet syndrome	Felt numbness, discomfort in right shoulder, neck during bullpen session in late January.
	Craig, Allen (1B)	02/23	Any day	Any day	Sore right shoulder	Held out of Feb. 23 game for precautionary reasons.
	Furcal, Rafael (SS)	02/23	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Right elbow bone spur	Unable to throw at max effort as of Feb. 23 update.
	Garcia, Jaime (P)	02/17	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Rotator cuff strain, left shoulder inflammation	Threw pain-free bullpen session Feb. 16.
Cubs		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Baker, Scott (P)	02/23	Spring Training	Possibly April	Recovery from April 2012 Tommy John surgery	Threw 45-pitch bullpen session Feb. 23.
	Garza, Matt (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Mild lat strain	Reported improved condition Feb. 21.
	Stewart, Ian (3B)	02/23	Spring Training	Early March	Left quad strain	Expected to miss 10-14 days as of Feb. 23 update.
	Vizcaino, Arodys (P)	02/08	Spring Training	2013	Recovery from March 2012 Tommy John surgery	Threw for team in late September.
Diamondbacks		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Eaton, Adam (CF)	02/15	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Broken right hand	Lifting weights and swinging a bat as of Jan. 9 update.
	Hudson, Daniel (P)	02/18	60-day DL	Possibly midseason	Recovery from July 2012 Tommy John surgery	Expected to return around All-Star break.
Dodgers		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Billingsley, Chad (P)	02/15	Spring Training	Likely ready by Opening Day	Partially torn right elbow ligament	After choosing platelet-rich plasma injections over TJ surgery, reported feeling normal Feb. 12.
	Crawford, Carl (LF)	02/22	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from August 2012 TJ surgery; left wrist	On conservative throwing program to rebuild arm strength as of Feb. 22 update.
	Elbert, Scott (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Likely May	Left elbow	Underwent second elbow surgery Jan. 23; expected to begin throwing program in March.
	Guerrier, Matt (P)	02/20	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Right elbow flexor tendon strain	Being given extra rest between throwing sessions as of Feb. 19.
	Kemp, Matt (CF)	02/22	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from October 2012 left shoulder surgery	Doing all baseball activities as of Feb. 22 update.
	Lilly, Ted (P)	02/20	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from September 2012 left shoulder surgery	Being given extra rest between throwing sessions as of Feb. 19.
	Withrow, Chris (P)	02/17	Spring Training	Late February	Back spasms	Shut down since Feb. 15 bullpen session.
Giants		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Lopez, Javier (P)	02/23	Spring Training	Late February	Bruised left hand	Struck in hand while playing catch Feb. 19.
	Surkamp, Eric (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Possibly July	Recovery from July 2012 Tommy John surgery	Throwing three times per week as of Feb. 9.
Indians		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	LaPorta, Matt (1B)	02/15	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from October 2012 left hip arthroscopy	May not play in Spring Training games until mid-March.
	Smith, Joe (P)	02/21	Any day	Likely ready for Opening Day	Left oblique	Completed 20-pitch bullpen session Feb. 20.
	Tomlin, Josh (P)	02/17	60-day DL	Possibly late 2013	Recovery from August 2012 Tommy John surgery	Throwing from 75 feet as of Feb. 11; transferred to 60-day DL on Feb. 15.
	Wood, Blake (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Possibly midseason	Recovery from May 2012 Tommy John surgery	Participating in mound program as of Feb. 12 update.
Mariners		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
Marlins		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Ceda, Jose (P)	01/28	Spring Training	2013	Recovery from April 2012 Tommy John surgery	Throwing without restrictions as of Jan. 28.
	Kotchman, Casey (1B)	02/25	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Left ring finger	Took part in simulated game Feb. 24.
	Mathis, Jeff (C)	02/23	Spring Training	Possibly April	Broken collarbone	Suffered broken collarbone after being hit by foul tip Feb. 23.
	Morrison, Logan (LF)	02/21	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Recovery from knee surgery	Began running on treadmill Feb. 21.
	Stanton, Giancarlo (RF)	02/21	Spring Training	Likely late February	Bruise on back on neck	On Feb. 21, feeling considerably better day after being hit by pitch.
Mets		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Byrdak, Tim (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Possibly July	Anterior capsule tear of left shoulder; right knee	Throwing from 90 feet as of Feb. 13.
	Duda, Lucas (RF)	02/21	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Fractured right wrist	Scheduled to be Mets' Opening Day left fielder as of mid-February update.
	Feliciano, Pedro (P)	02/24	Spring Training	TBD	Heart condition	Scheduled to wear heart monitor for approximately two weeks as of Feb. 24 update.
	Francisco, Frank (P)	02/21	Spring Training	Possibly April	Elbow	Scheduled to resume throwing Feb. 25.
	Murphy, Daniel (2B)	02/20	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Strained right intercostal muscle	Will not take field when Mets open Grapefruit League schedule Feb. 23.
	Santana, Johan (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	General lack of strength in left shoulder	As of Feb. 22 update, Grapefruit League debut pushed back from March 2 to March 10-15 range.
Nationals		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Espinosa, Danny (2B)	02/14	Spring Training	Likely Opening Day	Torn rotator cuff in left shoulder	Has rehabbed shoulder, expected to start season on time as of Feb. 13 update.
	Garcia, Christian (P)	02/25	Spring Training	Possibly early to mid-March	Ligament damage in right forearm	WIll likely rest for 10-14 days as of Feb. 24 update.
	Ramos, Wilson (C)	02/24	Spring Training	Possibly ready for Opening Day	Torn meniscus, ACL in right knee	Was slated to DH Feb. 24.
Orioles		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Wada, Tsuyoshi (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Possibly May or June	Recovery from May 2012 Tommy John surgery	Threw 15 pitches off half-mound after long tossing Feb. 22.
Padres		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Cashner, Andrew (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Lacerated tendon in right thumb	Slated to resume throwing around March 1.
	Luebke, Cory (P)	02/21	Spring Training	Possibly midseason	Recovery from May 2012 Tommy John surgery	Was scheduled to play catch from 45 feet off mound Feb. 12.
	Wieland, Joseph (P)	02/10	Spring Training	Possibly midseason	Recovery from July 2012 Tommy John surgery	Playing catch from 70 feet as of Feb. 10.
Phillies		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Adams, Mike (P)	02/15	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Thoracic outlet syndrome	Threw from mound Feb. 14; won't pitch until second week of Spring Training games.
	Valdes, Raul (P)	02/15	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from September knee surgery	Reported as being close to 100 percent Feb. 7.
	Young, Delmon (RF)	02/15	Spring Training	Possibly April	Right ankle	May begin regular season on 15-day DL, as of Feb. 15 update.
Pirates		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Contreras, Jose (P)	11/09	Spring Training	Possibly 2013	Torn right UCL, flexor pronator tendon	MRI revealed tears June 2.
	Karstens, Jeff (P)	02/20	Spring Training	Any day	Biceps soreness	Played light catch Feb. 20.
	Liriano, Francisco (P)	02/11	Spring Training	Possibly April	Fractured humerus bone in right arm	Playing light catch as of Feb. 11; not expected to throw from mound until mid-March.
	Morton, Charlie (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Midseason	Recovery from June 2012 Tommy John surgery	Completed fifth mound session (25 pitches) Feb. 13.
Rangers		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Beltre, Adrian (3B)	02/23	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Strained right calf	Hitting in batting cages but limited in running as of Feb. 23.
	Berkman, Lance (1B)	02/23	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Strained right calf	Ran the bases Feb. 23.
	Feliz, Neftali (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Possibly July	Recovery from August 2012 Tommy John surgery	Throwing off flat ground from 60 feet as of Feb. 12 update.
	Lewis, Colby (P)	02/13	Spring Training	Possibly May or June	Recovery from July 2012 right elbow surgery	Expected to throw off mound in March; playing long toss from 120 feet as of Feb. 12.
	McClellan, Kyle (P)	02/24	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Back soreness	Did not throw live batting practice as scheduled Feb. 24.
	Soria, Joakim (P)	02/17	Spring Training	Possibly May or June	Recovery from April 2012 Tommy John surgery	Scheduled to throw 30 pitches off mound Feb. 18.
Rays		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Peralta, Joel (P)	02/18	Spring Training	Opening Day	Stiff neck	Threw 25 pitches during bullpen session Feb. 18.
Red Sox		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Buchholz, Clay (P)	02/25	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Strained right hamstring	Threw 37 pitches in simulated game Feb. 23.
	Doubront, Felix (P)	02/25	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Left shoulder inflammation	Set to throw live batting practice Feb. 25.
	Kalish, Ryan (CF)	02/21	60-day DL	Possibly July	Recovery from January 2013 right shoulder surgery	Underwent shoulder arthroscopy and posterior labrum repair Jan. 29.
	Napoli, Mike (1B)	02/25	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Hip	Ran bases Feb. 24.
Reds		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Latos, Mat (P)	02/18	Spring Training	Mid-to-late February	Right ankle	Injured ankle while running Feb. 16; did not participate in drills Feb. 18.
	Masset, Nick (P)	02/21	Spring Training	2013	Torn right anterior capsule	Throwing from 90 feet as of Feb. 11.
Rockies		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Friedrich, Christian (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Neck stiffness	Reported improved condition Feb. 22.
Royals		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Duffy, Danny (P)	02/21	Spring Training	Possibly June or July	Recovery from June 2012 Tommy John surgery	Was scheduled to throw fourth side session Feb. 18.
	Gutierrez, Juan (P)	02/03	Out for Season	Possibly 2013	Right shoulder stiffness	Underwent Tommy John surgery Sept. 6.
	Paulino, Felipe (P)	02/24	60-day DL	Possibly midseason	Recovery from July 2012 Tommy John surgery	Scheduled to throw first bullpen session week of Feb. 25.
	Sherrill, George (P)	02/10	Spring Training	Possibly late April	Recovery from Tommy John surgery	Throwing 15-pitch bullpen sessions three times a week as of Feb. 10.
	Teaford, Everett (P)	02/21	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Sore left shoulder	Was scheduled to resume throwing on Feb. 18.
Tigers		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Boesch, Brennan (RF)	02/17	Spring Training	Mid-to-late February	Right oblique soreness	Felt tightness on swing Feb. 16; received treatment Feb. 17.
	Martinez, Victor (U)	02/21	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Left knee surgery	On Feb. 14, announced intention to catch during Interleague Play.
	Santiago, Ramon (2B)	02/25	Spring Training	TBD	Strained right calf	Reported improved condition Feb. 24.
Twins		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Arcia, Oswaldo (RF)	02/24	Spring Training	Possibly early March	Right intercostal strain	Injury determined to be minor by team doctors Feb. 23.
	Blackburn, Nick (P)	02/21	Spring Training	Possibly April	Right wrist	Underwent arthroscopic surgery in January.
	Diamond, Scott (P)	02/21	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Left elbow	Threw 25 pitches from 60 feet Feb. 20.
	Pelfrey, Mike (P)	02/18	Spring Training	Possibly Opening Day	Recovery from May 2012 Tommy John surgery	Threw live bullpen session Feb. 18.
	Plouffe, Trevor (3B)	02/24	Any day	Feb. 26	Right calf strain	Slated to make Grapefruit League debut Feb. 26.
	Swarzak, Anthony (P)	02/24	Spring Training	Possibly March	Fractured ribs	Ran outside Feb. 23; could play catch Feb. 26.
White Sox		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Danks, John (P)	02/20	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from August 2012 shoulder surgery	Threw 55 pitches Feb. 20.
	Keppinger, Jeff (3B)	02/15	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Broken right fibula	Reported no setbacks on Feb. 14.
	Thornton, Matt (P)	02/25	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Left elbow inflammation	Threw 35-pitch bullpen session Feb. 24.
Yankees		Date	Status	Due Back	Injury	Notes
	Granderson, Curtis (CF)	02/24	Out Indefinitely	Possibly early May	Fractured right forearm	Hit by pitch, X-rays revealed fracture Feb. 24.
	Herndon, David (P)	11/09	Spring Training	2013	Recovery from June 2012 Tommy John surgery	Underwent season-ending surgery June 19.
	Hughes, Phil (P)	02/21	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Upper back stiffness near shoulder	MRI revealed bulging disc in back Feb. 20.
	Jeter, Derek (SS)	02/24	Spring Training	Likely Opening Day	Recovery from October 2012 left ankle surgery	Ran on infield dirt Feb. 23; scheduled to play in first Spring Training game March 10.
	Pineda, Michael (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Possibly June	Right anterior labral tear	Threw 25 fastballs Feb. 22; won't pitch in any Spring Training games.
	Rivera, Mariano (P)	02/22	Spring Training	Likely Opening Day	Right ACL tear	Threw live batting practice Feb. 22.
	Rodriguez, Alex (3B)	02/21	60-day DL	Possibly midseason	Right hip	Participating in two rehab sessions per day as of Feb. 21.
	Sabathia, CC (P)	02/19	Spring Training	Likely ready for Opening Day	Recovery from October 2012 left elbow surgery	Threw pain-free bullpen session Feb. 16; was scheduled for 'pen session Feb. 19.