The expectations were World Series or bust with the Tigers, so falling short in the ALCS (albeit to the eventual champion Red Sox) has to be viewed as a disappointment. However, virtually the entire team that won 93 games, an AL Central title and got within one game of a second consecutive World Series is […]

With Terry Francona signing on as the Indians' manager, any plans to bide time and wait for younger players to develop likely changed. Cleveland saw an opportunity to challenge the Tigers in the AL Central and contend for a wild-card spot and suddenly became big offseason spenders. Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn filled two major […]

Where were the Yankees last winter? While names like Josh Hamilton, Zack Greinke and Justin Upton were being shopped around, general manager Brian Cashman sat quietly. With principal owner Hal Steinbrenner mandating that payroll be under the $189 million luxury tax threshold for 2014, the Yankees were handcuffed. That left them to settle for one-year […]

Following a surprise run to the playoffs in 2012, the Orioles fought to return to the postseason this year but ultimately couldn't hang with the Red Sox and Rays in the AL East and buckled in the wild-card race as well. General manager Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter made few changes last offseason, taking […]

The Toronto Blue Jays were the champions of the offseason after making two major trades. First was the blockbuster deal with the Florida Marlins that brought shortstop Jose Reyes, pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio up north in exchange for seven players. General manager Alex Anthopoulos also acquired […]

The Boston Red Sox can be criticized for several decisions he made during Saturday's 5-4 loss in Game 3 of the World Series.  Manager John Farrell opted to pitch to the Cardinals' Jon Jay in the fateful ninth inning, rather than intentionally walk him to load the bases, pitch to the hitless Pete Kozma and […]

A walkoff obstruction call probably won't be remembered romantically when talking about classic World Series moments, but how the Cardinals won Game 3 of the 2013 Fall Classic is certainly memorable.  Third-base umpire Jim Joyce ruled that the Cards' Allen Craig was obstructed on the basepath by a sprawled out Will Middlebrooks, preventing him from […]

Welcome to TOC's offseason primers! We haven't officially reached the offseason yet, but it's never too early to look at the best players on the free agent market. Today, we take a look at the best free agent right-handed relievers available. Closers! Everybody wants one, and many teams prefer a reliever with experience in that […]

Welcome to TOC's offseason primers! We haven't officially reached the offseason yet, but it's never too early to look at the best players on the free agent market. Today, we take a look at the best free agent right-handed starting pitchers available. Tim Lincecum took the sizzle out of this market by agreeing to a […]

Welcome to TOC's offseason primers! We haven't officially reached the offseason yet, but it's never too early to look at the best players on the free agent market. Today, we take a look at the best free agent outfielders available. Here's where the marquee free agent hitters are hanging out. This crop of outfielders offers […]

Welcome to TOC's offseason primers! We haven't officially reached the offseason yet, but it's never too early to look at the best players on the free agent market. Today, we take a look at the best free agent third basemen available. Any MLB team that needs a third baseman for next season picked a bad […]

The Red Sox and Tigers were a blockbuster matchup for the ALCS, pairing two of the league's most powerful teams during the past decade. The series didn't disappoint, providing six games of tense drama with some moments sure to be remembered for years to come. Boston ultimately prevailed, coming through with the big plays when […]

One of MLB's most surprising managerial openings is set to be filled before the offseason even begins.