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Orioles Call Up Top Prospect Manny Machado
Manny Machado, the third overall pick in the 2010 draft and the top prospect in the Baltimore Orioles organization according to MLB.com, will join the parent club before Thursday’s game against Kansas City. Rated No. 9 on Baseball... More of this article »
Dodgers Tony Gwynn Jr. outrighted to Triple-A
It’s not easy following in the footsteps of a Major League father who is a Hall of Famer. Tony Gwynn Jr. has discovered that first-hand. The 29-year-old outfielder, who is the son of San Diego Padres legend Tony Gwynn (who was... More of this article »
Josh Hamilton – Rangers Face Tough Decision
Should the Texas Rangers commit nine or 10 years and at least $200 million to Josh Hamilton when his current deal expires at the end of the 2012 season? That is the question likely confronting club executives Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels,... More of this article »
A’s Bartolo Colon – Winning With Finesse – Not Power
Nothing about veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon makes sense. Colon is the highest among qualified pitchers in the American League by using his fast ball 89 percent of the time In a rotation rich with talented young arms – including... More of this article »
Giants Hope to Retain Cabrera, Pence Long Term
With a pair of shrewd acquisitions, one last off-season and the other at last month’s non-waiver trade deadline, the San Francisco Giants significantly upgraded their lineup for the stretch run and the post-season. Giants general... More of this article »
Jason Bay Relegated to Platoon Role with Mets
Bay’s inability to remain healthy has contributed to his struggles with the Mets ( Photo by mrzeising flickr) Meet Jason Bay, one of the most expensive platoon players in Major League history. According to manager Terry Collins, ... More of this article »
Hutchison, McGowan – Injuries Continue to Plague Blue Jays Pitching
Hutcshison will undergo Tommy John surgery. In Major League Baseball, team officials typically hold their collective breathe when their pitchers have appointments with Dr. James Andrews. Toronto Blue Jays right-handers Drew Hutchison... More of this article »
Chone Figgins Remains Free Agent Bust in Seattle
One of the biggest Major League Baseball free agent busts in recent years, Chone Figgins should be cut loose by the Seattle Mariners, even if it means eating around $10 million that remains on his contract, according to Larry Stone... More of this article »
Anthony Rizzo – Cubs Source of Hope and Perseverance
Anthony Rizzo‘s story is one of perseverance and perspective. A highly acclaimed prospect since he was a sixth round draft pick out of high school by the Red Sox in 2007, the now 23-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman... More of this article »
Matt Garza – Season In Jeopardy With Elbow Injury
Garza won’t be leaving the Cubs anytime soon (Photo by Tims PIcs ) In the weeks leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, Cubs right-hander Matt Garza was one of the hottest pitching commodities. Speculation was rampant... More of this article »
Where are Baseball’s Pre-Season Top 10 Prospects Today?
Ranking Major League prospects is an inexact science, much like filling out an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket for your office pool. Sometimes, a sure thing is a sure thing. And other times, the can’t miss choice... More of this article »
Ben Sheets’ Inspiring Comeback Story Continues for Braves
On Monday, Sheets limited the Phillies to one run and seven hits over 7.1 innings in Atlanta’s 6-1 win Not long ago – four years, to be exact – Ben Sheets was one of the top right-handed starting pitchers in the Major... More of this article »
Valentine Remains Ringleader of Unwanted Circus in Boston
Embattled Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine isn’t solely responsible for the team’s lackluster performance on the field, nor is he the lone reason why there is so much dysfunction surrounding a franchise that was noted for... More of this article »
David Price – Dominating Despite Lack of Run Support
Price is on target for a third consecutive season of more than 200 innings – Photo by Keith Allison David Price is not anonymous. Though he has spent his five-year Major League career with the Tampa Bay Rays, a team that is routinely... More of this article »
Tigers Acquire Jeff Baker – Add More Punch Against Lefties
Looking for a right-handed bat to bolster their bench, the Detroit Tigers acquired the versatile Jeff Baker from the Chicago Cubs for two players to be named later on Sunday. At first glance, it might seem like a minor transaction,... More of this article »
Red Sox’ Franklin Morales Starting to Fulfill Expectations
Sometimes, it takes starting pitching prospects with live arms longer to reach their Major League potential than minor leaguers who don’t have overpowering offerings. A prime example is Red Sox left-hander Franklin Morales, who... More of this article »
Red Sox get Danny Valencia from Twins
Two years ago, Danny Valencia placed third in American League Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .311 with seven home runs and 40 RBI in 299 at-bats. Last season, he belted 15 home runs and led Minnesota with 72 RBI. In the midst... More of this article »
A’s and Chris Carter – Patience Paying Off for Both
Patience is a rewarding virtue for Chris Carter and the Oakland A’s A highly regarded prospect who was a key part of the haul Oakland received from the Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade after the 2007 season, the 25-year-old... More of this article »
Red Sox Hope Shortstop Carousel Stops with Iglesias or Bogaerts
Since general manager Theo Epstein boldly traded Nomar Garciaparra at the deadline in 2004, the Red Sox have seen a revolving door at shortstop. Epstein has since departed, but it appears that there will be stability at the position... More of this article »
Samuel Deduno – Pleasant Surprise in Twins Rotation
Baseball writer Aaron Gleeman, who works for Hardball Talk and blogs about the Twins, tweeted a line that aptly describes the pitcher who has been a bright spot amid what otherwise has been a dismal season in Minnesota. “Nothing... More of this article »
Ruiz Becomes Latest Phillies Player to Land on DL
A forgettable season for the Philadelphia Phillies grew even more frustrating on Saturday when the team announced that catcher Carlos Ruiz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fascitis in his left foot. At 47-59 and... More of this article »
Ellsbury Scratched from Lineup With Leg Injury
Confronted with injuries throughout the 2012 season, the Red Sox will be without Jacoby Ellsbury Saturday night because of what manager Bobby Valentine termed “a leg issue.” The Red Sox have seen 23 players land on the... More of this article »
Dodgers awarded claim on Phillies’ Cliff Lee
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ new ownership group continues to show that it is committed to winning it all in 2012. After acquiring right-hander Joe Blanton from the Phillies on Friday for a player to be named later or cash considerations,... More of this article »
Johnny Damon and Don Kelly join Derek Lowe on DFA List
First, Derek Lowe was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. Today, the Tribe did the same with Johnny Damon while the Detroit Tigers affixed the DFA label on utility player Don Kelly. These are three names... More of this article »
Phillies Trade Joe Blanton to Dodgers – Continue Roster Purge
Continuing their roster purge in the midst of a disappointing season that has seen their roster depleted by injuries, the Philadelphia Phillies traded right-handed starting pitcher Joe Blanton to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player... More of this article »
Nationals Acquire A’s Kurt Suzuki to Bolster Catching Depth
Arguably the most complete team in the National League, the Washington Nationals bolstered their lineup on Friday when they acquired veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki from the Oakland A’s for minor league catcher David Freitas. The... More of this article »
Mets Remain Quiet at Trade Deadline, Appear More Focused on 2013 and Beyond
David Wright is a bright spot in the Mets lineup this year. At 52-54 after Thursday’s win over San Francisco, the New York Mets are in an uncertain position. Are they wild card contenders, and if so should they make moves in... More of this article »
Feliz, Bard, Sale – Converting Relievers to Starters Produces Mixed Results
On separate sides of Chicago, two converted relievers have mowed down opposing hitters as starting pitchers this season. In Texas, a former closer counted upon to emerge as a top of the rotation arm underwent Tommy John surgery on... More of this article »
Will Derek Lowe Return to Boston?
Freshly designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians, 39-year-old right-hander Derek Lowe says he is returning to his Fort Myers, Fla. home to work with his long time personal trainer, Chris Correnti, who worked with the sinkerballer... More of this article »
Daniel Straily – A’s Call Up Baseball’s Strikeout Leader
You will not find the player who leads the minors and the majors in strikeouts this year on any top prospect lists. By his own admission, Daniel Straily was a below-average pitcher until 2010, when he incorporated a slider into his... More of this article »
White Sox Defying Odds with Productive Pitching
Widely regarded a winner at the trade deadline by many baseball pundits, the Chicago White Sox are defying the odds so far this season. First-year manager Robin Ventura was counting on left-hander John Danks to replace fellow lefty... More of this article »
Braves Trade Analysis – Will Acquisition of Paul Maholm Be Enough
Will Paul Maholm be enough to get the Braves to the post-season? Can the Atlanta Braves catch the Washington Nationals in the National League East, or secure a wild card spot? Braves GM Frank Wren thinks so, especially after trade... More of this article »
Cubs Trade Analysis – Epstein’s Trades are Steps in the Right Direction
Alfonso Soriano and Matt Garza remain on the Chicaco Cubs active roster, at least for now, but first-year president Theo Epstein started his rebuild of the farm system with trades of starting pitchers Ryan Dempster and Paul Maholm,... More of this article »
Nationals Trade Analysis – Roster Unchanged after Trade Deadline
Gio Gonzalez has been a valuable member of the Nats rotation with 13 wins to date (Photo by Scott Ableman ) Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has passed, a plethora of Major League players are adjusting to new teams, except the... More of this article »
Red Sox Trade Analysis – Cherington Decides Against Major Deal – For Now
Lester remains with Red Sox (photo by Keith Allison) With Josh Beckett and Jon Lester dramatically underperforming this season, the Red Sox could undoubtedly use a durable and effective starting pitcher. Leading to Tuesday afternoon’s... More of this article »
Phillies Trade Analysis – Pence, Victorino Trades Pave the Way for Success
Less than a calendar year after winning 102 games, the Philadelphia Phillies are counting 2012 as a non-playoff season and planning for 2013 and beyond. That much is evident based the trades of outfielders Shane Victorino and Hunter... More of this article »
Dodgers Trade Analysis – Add Victorino, Ramirez Without Losing Top Pitching Prospects
The future is now for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fueled by the deep pockets and exuberance of a new ownership group that includes NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, the Dodgers are not waiting for next year. They want to win it all in... More of this article »
Trade Deadline Passed – But More MLB Trades Will Be Made in August
Prominent names like Zack Greinke, Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino and Ryan Dempster have new homes, but many key players who were featured in rumors leading up to Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline remained with their current team. That... More of this article »
Cubs Epstein Looks to Stock Farm System with Trade Deadline Deals
Rizzo is a building block in Epstein’s plan ( photo by Dave Dorman ) When he took over as general manager of the Boston Red Sox before the 2002 season, Theo Epstein inherited a mostly barren farm system and expressed a commitment... More of this article »
Dodgers Pitching Prospects – Zach Lee, Allen Webster, Chris Reed and More
At first glance, 20-year-old right-hander Zach Lee‘s 2012 minor league numbers are not impressive. In fact, they don’t appear to befit a player who was No. 49 on Baseball America’s 2012 Mid-Season Top 50 Prospects... More of this article »
Indians Should Not Trade Choo or Masterson
Fresh off being swept by the lowly Twins in a three-game weekend series, and lugging a 3-7 record over their last 10 games, the Cleveland Indians are fading out of playoff contention. At 50-52, they are still in the hunt for the second... More of this article »
Beckett Trade or Not – Could be Win-Win Situation for Red Sox
Though Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington essentially indicated to the media on Friday that it would not make sense to trade Josh Beckett and subtract from the rotation, numerous reporters have written that the club is actively... More of this article »
Taking Series from Yankees Gives Red Sox Hope For Turnaround
Though some baseball pundits and many Red Sox fans believe that this weekend’s results were irrelevant – feeling that this team has no chance to reach the playoffs and that the front office should trade selected veterans... More of this article »
Future Blue Jays Outfield – Rasmus, Gose and Marisnick
By 2014, opposing hitters might have a challenging time finding holes in the Toronto Blue Jays outfield. Chances are, Colby Rasmus, Anthony Gose and Jake Marisnick will be patrolling the grounds. All three are known for their athleticism... More of this article »
Crawford Saga – Valentine Drama Continue for Red Sox
Seemingly never at a loss for providing an entertaining quote, Bobby Valentine said this before Sunday’s Red Sox-Yankees series finale when asked what he believes his team needs as Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline draws... More of this article »
Luhnow’s Moves Give Astros Fans Reason for Optimism
Struggling with the worst record in Major League Baseball, the Houston Astros have a plan that gives their fans reason for optimism. The once-proud ballclub – which entering Sunday’s series finale against Pittsburgh had... More of this article »
Mariners – High Ceiling Pitching Prospects on the Way
Mired in the American League West basement at 46-57 – and suddenly without their longtime leadoff hitter Ichiro Suzuki, who was recently traded to the Yankees for two fringe pitching prospects – the Seattle Mariners are... More of this article »
Rangers Reluctant to Deal Profar or Olt for Starting Pitcher
Knowing that their chief American League West rival, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, significantly improved their rotation with Zack Greinke, the Texas Rangers are hoping to upgrade their own starting pitching. Yet, to get something... More of this article »