Maxwell "Max" Scherzer, formerly of Chesterfield, Missouri, has opted to not strike a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team of which region he was born and raised. The Parkway Central alum instead opted to take his talents out of the union to the cutthroat District of Columbia in Washington in what is clearly an act of rebellion and treachery. One might think that due to his relatively large price tag of seven years and over $180 million, Mizzou's first ever MLB first-round pick wasn't seriously considered by the Cardinals, especially with the team's internal pitching options and history of avoiding giving long-term contracts to free agent pitchers, but that would be naïve. Unbeknownst to most, the 2013 Cy Young winner was actually born and raised in St. Louis. Cardinals players were even recruiting him or something. Not choosing to go the route that less than like 10% of Major League Baseball players go and therefore not signing with his hometown team is just a testament to his own pride and selfishness, obviously. Mad Max, indeed. *

- SBNation; Hardball Talk; Viva el Birdos

*satire, obviously

what else is going on in baseball...

what the cardinals are up to...

Mike Matheny thinks Carlos Martinez will pay tribute to Oscar Taveras by pitching his heart out. - STL Sports Page

Jason Heyward is willing to listen to extension offers. - MLB

55 years ago today, Stan Musial requested (and received) a 20% pay cut after what he deemed a poor 1959 season. pic.twitter.com/6DxhQ6Jguh — High Heat Stats MLB (@HighHeatStats) January 21, 2015

KNOW THINE ENEMY...

the nl central

viva el stuff...

ost 5+ fWAR seasons, OF last 50 yrs: Barry Bonds-17 Rickey Henderson-10 Ken Griffey Jr.-9 Andruw Jones-8 Jim Edmonds-8 — Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) January 19, 2015

This visual look at every Cardinals' acquisition Craig created was very popular this week. Check it out! - Viva el Birdos

ME EITHER, FINK!



I've never been so excited to see an upcoming season from a player as I am for Carlos Martinez or Jason Heyward, in that order. — Aaron Finkel (@Aaron_Finkel) January 20, 2015

The Viva el Birdos Podcast Episode Fifteen is ready for your ears! - Viva el Podcast

On Sunday I rounded up all the interesting information and videos and pretty adorable pictures from this past Winter Warm-Up. - Viva el Birdos

MANESS!



Wow, Seth Maness pitched in only 46 minor league games before making his big-league debut... — stlCupofJoe (@stlCupofJoe) January 23, 2015

other things...

Blues goalie Brian Elliott will join teammates Kevin Shattenkirk and Vladi Tarasenko at the NHL All Star Game. - St. Louis Game Time

St. Louis Game Time The rosters are set for the NFL Pro-Bowl. - SBNation

The Seahawks and Patriots will clash in this year's Super Bowl. Here are some things to bet on. - SBNation

Oh hey look, the New England Patriots cheated, imagine that! - SBNation