Home » Author Archive
Depth of Red Sox Farm System Provides Flexibility For Future
Winning consecutive World Series championships is a daunting challenge in today’s era of Major League Baseball. It is so rare that the last team to accomplish the feat was the New York Yankees, which captured a third straight... More of this article »
Daniel Bard Gets a Chance With Texas Rangers
Once seemingly poised to replace then Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in the coveted late-inning role, Daniel Bard is fighting to stay in affiliated baseball with his career plagued with a puzzling lack of control on the mound.... More of this article »
David Ortiz Wants Another Year On His Deal
Arguably the best designated hitter since the role was installed in 1973, David Ortiz is also often a lightning rod for debate when he delivers an interview to the media. Ever eager to gain security, even at the age of 38, the slugger... More of this article »
With Masahiro Tanaka Signed, Expect Other Pitching Deals to Follow
Japanese import Masahiro Tanaka is headed to the New York Yankees after inking an astronomical seven-year, $155 million contract. With Tanaka in the Bronx, expect a wave of transactions related to starting pitchers leading up to the... More of this article »
Red Sox Reach Agreement With Grady Sizemore
With Jacoby Ellsbury preparing to being his first campaign with the New York Yankees after signing a substantial seven-year deal earlier this offseason, the Boston Red Sox were reportedly interested in bringing aboard an outfielder... More of this article »
Rays and Matt Joyce Reach Agreement
The Tampa Bay Rays are demonstrating that they are willing to spend money to keep their own players, at least for the short term. A day after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million deal with ace left-hander David Price to avoid arbitration,... More of this article »
Colorado Rockies Reach Agreement With Drew Stubbs
Bolstered by his combination of power, speed and range in the outfield, Drew Stubbs has been an intriguing player who has yet to fully harness his talents over give Major League seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. The... More of this article »
Ross Detwiler Agrees With Nationals On a One-year Deal
In a rotation stocked with premiere arms like Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann, 27-year-old Ross Detwiler seems anonymous. Yet he is just a season removed from posting 3.40 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP to accompany a 10-8... More of this article »
Mets and Ike Davis Agree on One-year Deal
Throughout the offseason, Ike Davis and Lucas Duda have repeatedly showed up in trade rumors. At least for now, it appears that the New York Mets will open spring training with both players in camp. Davis avoided arbitration on Thursday... More of this article »
How Kershaw Deal Could Affect Lester and Red Sox Going Forward
A signing 3,000 miles away from Boston will likely impact the future of the Red Sox starting rotation. The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed with 25-year-old left-hander Clayton Kershaw on a seven-year, $215 million contract. Kershaw won... More of this article »
For Cincinnati Reds, its a New Year, New Season
For the second consecutive season, the Cincinnati Reds carried high hopes into the postseason last October. For the second consecutive season, they were dismissed from the playoffs earlier than expected. Editor’s Note: This “New... More of this article »
Baltimore Orioles Review and Preview Heading into Spring Training
A year after reaching for the postseason for the first time since 1995, the Baltimore Orioles plummeted to 85-77 and a third place finish in the American League East in 2013. Based on the current state of their roster, the Orioles... More of this article »
Atlanta Braves Quiet Offseason Heading into 2014
After capturing the National League East last season, the Atlanta Braves‘ World Series hopes were abruptly dashed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. Though they raced to a 96-66 record, the 2013 campaign ended in disappointment... More of this article »
Arizona Diamondbacks, Putz, Tanaka, News and Rumors
Boasting a formidable starting rotation and one of the top arms in the minors (21-year-old right-hander Archie Bradley), the Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to be fine in the starting pitching category this year even if they don’t... More of this article »
St Louis Cardinals: More Moves Before Spring?
Every offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals lose valuable veterans and somehow seemingly always manage to find capable replacements, either through acquisitions or from their productive farm system. The reigning National League champions... More of this article »
Boston Red Sox: New Year, New Season, A Look Ahead
Editor’s Note: This “New Year, New Season” post marks the opener in a series where Baseball News Source columnist Jeff Louderback will chronicle each Major League team as spring training draws nearer. Last year at... More of this article »
Is Jackie Bradley Jr. Ready to Be an Everyday Player ?
Jackie Bradley Jr. is not Jacoby Ellsbury – figuratively and literally. Now 30, Ellsbury is one of the best base stealers in Major League Baseball, and he is proven leadoff hitter who is productive at the plate, disruptive on the... More of this article »
Tampa Bay Rays Claim Jerry Sands From Pirates
It was not the most attention-grabbing move of the offseason, but it was one that reflects the Tampa Bay Rays low-risk, high reward philosophy with their free agent acquisitions. The Rays claimed 26-year-old first baseman/corner outfielder... More of this article »
Chicago Cubs Trade Options Surfacing For Epstein
When Theo Epstein left Boston to become president of the Chicago Cubs after the 2011 season, he forecasted a rebuilding process that would include purging bad contracts of veterans, upgrading a woefully barren farm system and acquiring... More of this article »
Diamondbacks Showing They Are All In for 2014
Stationed in a National League West division that could be one of the best in baseball next season, the Arizona Diamondbacks appear to be all in for contending in 2014. After acquiring power-hitting left fielder Mark Trumbo in a three-team... More of this article »
Pirates Decisions For First Baseman, Burnett Loom
This is a different kind of offseason for the Pittsburgh Pirates. One they have not experienced since the winter following the 1992 campaign, when they fell to the Atlanta Braves in heartbreaking fashion in the bottom of the ninth... More of this article »
Red Sox Off-Season Tinkering Not Quite Done
Continuing the preference for fiscal caution that they have demonstrated since shedding the albatross contracts they shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, the Boston Red Sox let Jacoby Ellsbury sign a costly long-term deal with... More of this article »
Re-Signing Stephen Drew Could Prompt Will Middlebrooks Trade for Red Sox
Stephen Drew is regarded as the best shortstop on the free agent market, but there is debate about whether he will get the multi-year offer he is seeking or return to the Boston Red Sox on a one-year or two-year contract. At the... More of this article »
A’s Hope Drew Pomeranz Can Thrive Away From Coors Field
A day after the Oakland A’s shipped left-handed starting pitcher Brett Anderson to Colorado for left-hander Drew Pomeranz and minor league righty Chris Jensen, the club traded left-handed reliever Jerry Blevins to Washington... More of this article »
Cleveland Indians Will Listen to Offers For Justin Masterson
Under Terry Francona‘s guidance in his first season along the shores of Lake Erie, they surprised baseball pundits and gained a wild card berth. They appear poised to contend for a post-season spot in 2013, but that could change... More of this article »
For Mariners Its Going to Take More Than Robinson Cano
They boast one of the best starting pitchers in baseball (Felix Hernandez) and now one of the best all-around players in the game (Robinson Cano), yet as the Seattle Mariners’ roster is currently composed, it is arguably their... More of this article »
Red Sox – Yankees Rivalry Regaining Passion?
In most cases, when I write a baseball column, I do so as an objective professional journalist without reference to my team of choice, which is the Boston Red Sox. This column is an exception – an exuberantly striking exception. The... More of this article »
Stephen Drew Could Land Back in Boston
Major League teams searching for a starting shortstop saw a prime option plucked off the free agent market on Thursday when it was reported that the Miami Marlins reached a one-year deal with 36-year-old Rafael Furcal. That leaves... More of this article »
Shin-Soo Choo Targeted by Yankees, Tigers and Reds
Now that Jacoby Ellsbury has signed with the New York Yankees, fellow Scott Boras client Shin-Soo Choo is the most highly regarded outfielder remaining on the free agent market. Media reports indicate that the Yankees still could pursue... More of this article »
Jacoby Ellsbury Rumors and Likely Destinations
Where will Jacoby Ellsbury occupy the leadoff spot and patrol center field in 2014 and beyond? That question appears closer to being answered, according to Major League Baseball insider Jon Heyman. Today, Heyman told a Boston radio... More of this article »
Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr: New Approach, New Results
With Jacoby Ellsbury eligible for free agency after the 2013 season, it was widely speculated that Jackie Bradley Jr. would emerge as a fixture in the Boston Red Sox lineup next year. Then the 23-year-old outfielder batted .419 with... More of this article »
Red Sox News: Aceves, Bard, Hanrahan and Middlebrooks
Entering the 2013 season, many of the so-called baseball experts projected the Boston Red Sox to finish in the American League East basement for the second consecutive year. So far, the club has exceeded expectations with a 14-7 record... More of this article »
Oakland A’s Yoenis Cespedes To Start Rehab Assignment
The Oakland A’s, which are ninth in the majors in hitting, could get a key part of their lineup back soon. Yoenis Cespedes, the 27-year-old outfielder whose bat helped the A’s win the American League West in 2012, could... More of this article »
Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching Injuries May Force Moves
With Zack Greinke, Chad Billingsley and Chris Capuano on the disabled list – and Aaron Harang recently traded to Colorado – the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting pitching depth has been zapped. On Wednesday, veteran left-hander... More of this article »
Braves Jason Heyward Says He is Doing Just Fine
The Atlanta Braves, which have the best record in the majors at 15-5, regained first baseman Freddie Freeman from the disabled list but will now be without outfielder Jason Heyward, who underwent an emergency appendectomy in Denver... More of this article »
Giants Reach Agreement with Buster Posey: nine years $167 million
Buster Posey wanted to play his entire career with the San Francisco Giants. Understandably, the Giants wanted to make that happen. Posey and the Giants have agreed to a nine-year, $167 million contract, that covers his three remaining... More of this article »
Red Sox Cut Ryan Sweeney, Appear To Be Making Room For Jackie Bradley Jr.
With Thursday’s announcement that the Boston Red Sox would not offer a Major League contract to outfielder Ryan Sweeney, it appears that top prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. will make the club’s Opening Day 25-man roster. The... More of this article »
Detroit Tigers Extend Justin Verlander Five years $180 million
A few months after the Seattle Mariners locked up Felix Hernandez long term, the Detroit Tigers signed Justin Verlander to a five-year contract extension that will keep him with the Tigers through 2019 and even 2020 if a vesting option... More of this article »
Brewers News: Who’s on First, Gallardo Cleared for WBC
Who will be the Milwaukee Brewers opening day first baseman? That question is yet to be answered after Mat Gamel who will have surgery to repair a torn right ACL for the second time in less than a year. The 27-year-old Gamel was the... More of this article »
Phillies News: Ryan Howard Regaining Form for 2013
Left-handed slugger Ryan Howard has swatted his share of walk-off home runs, but one particular at-bat that ended a game and left him crumpled on the ground impacted the Philadelphia Phillies‘ 2012 season and will be sure to... More of this article »
Rockies News: Nolan Arenado Makes His Case For 2013
Troy Tulowitzki appears healthy again, Dexter Fowler was signed to a long-term deal and Carlos Gonzalez is entrenched in left field. Those names, along with catcher Wilin Rosario, give the Colorado Rockies a formidable core to build... More of this article »
Braves Spring Training: Tyler Pastornicky Seeks Role As Super Utility Man
Acquired from Toronto in the July 2010 deal that shipped Yunel Escobar to Toronto, 23-year-old Tyler Pastornicky emerged from last year’s spring training as the Atlanta Braves‘ Opening Day shortstop. Then he struggled,... More of this article »
Mariners Pitching Prospects Patiently Wait Their Turn
With Felix Hernandez signed to a long-term deal, the Seattle Mariners have what most Major League teams lack – a premium ace who is one of the most dominant starters in the game. As Opening Day approaches, the club also has enviable... More of this article »
Red Sox Spring Training: Middlebrooks Cleared, Bradley Continues To Impress
Will Middlebrooks and the Boston Red Sox collectively breathed a sigh of relief Thursday afternoon when a hand specialist determined the 24-year-old third baseman did not need X-rays or additional tests on his right wrist. Amid a successful... More of this article »
Tampa Bay Rays: 2013 Spring Training Preview Guide
How many runs will the Tampa Bay Rays score? If the answer to that question is, “Significantly more than they did in 2012,” then it is likely the club will secure a post-season berth. if the Rays duplicate last year’s... More of this article »
Seattle Mariners: 2013 Spring Training Preview Guide
Seattle Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik was one of the busiest executives in baseball during the offseason. The result is a Mariners team that could surprise baseball pundits and fans alike in the American League West race. The... More of this article »
San Francisco Giants: 2013 Spring Training Preview Guide
With two World Series trophies in the last three seasons, the San Francisco Giants are no longer considered the Cinderalla team of baseball. They shouldn’t have been known as that to begin with one of the game’s best rotations.... More of this article »
San Diego Padres: 2013 Spring Training Preview Guide
Though they are not opening their pockets as deep as their National League West rivals to the north, the San Diego padres’ new ownership group has taken a new direction that is opposite of the penny pinching ways the franchise... More of this article »