When it comes to the 2012 free agent third basemen, there’s Aramis Ramirez and then there’s everyone else. 1. Aramis Ramirez (34) – The World Series isn’t even over yet and the Aramis Ramirez’s pending free agency has already gone through some twists and turns. One thing seems clear, he will opt out of the […]

Tony LaRussa is masterful with the way he uses his bullpen. He’s proven so in the playoffs. Then came game two of the World Series. Everything may have just changed. Both the Rangers and Cardinals put up plenty of runs in the AL and NL Championship Series, but through two games of the World Series, […]

The 2012 second base crop isn’t awe inspiring in the least. While Aaron Hill and Kelly Johnson could very well bounce back in 2012, neither is a sure thing. The bottom of the pile features a collection of aging veterans that may or may not even find a place to play next season 1. Aaron […]

There were few relievers that posted better numbers than Koji Uehara during the regular season. In 65 innings between the Orioles and Rangers, Uehara struck out 85 (11.8 K/9) and walked only 28, two of the intentional variety (1.3 BB/9). His 2.35 ERA and 2.33 xFIP reflected that outstanding mix of nasty stuff and pinpoint command. However, […]

The first base market is heavy at the top, but once the top two have signed their huge deals, the rest of the teams in need will scurry for what’s left and it’s not all that much. Player’s age listed in parentheses. 1. Albert Pujols (32) – In a “down” year, Pujols hit .299/.366/.541 with […]

What can I say about this year’s crap crop of free agent catchers? Maybe the top three will land in situations where they can get the majority of the playing time, but the rest are backups and/or the type of player you bring in to mentor a young up-and-comer. Note: I did not list Jorge […]

Wait ‘til next year. Cubs fans have heard that one before. Actually, they’ve heard it for 103 consecutive years. The lovable losers haven’t been to the playoffs since 2008 and just finished wrapping up their second consecutive losing season. Not only that, but they’re still on the books for the plump contacts of Alfnoso Soriano […]

MLB Network’s Peter Gammons took some time away from his normal entertainingly nonsensical tweeting to break some news about the pending sale of the Astros and their eventual move to the AL West (h/t MLBTR).  @pgammoPeter Gammons – Houston ownership change expected to go through in mid-November, w/ AL move. (Twitter link)  The sale of the […]

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has never shied away from bold moves. On Tuesday, he made a bold statement, one that has many analysts scratching their heads. Apparently, Amaro thinks that the team’s best prospect, Domonic Brown, needs to spend another year at triple-A. “He’s got some work to do in left field. He’s down […]

The hot stove is far from its full throttle mode, but that doesn’t mean rumors aren’t already popping their head around the corner. Troy Renck of the Denver Post wrote (via Twitter) that the Rockies would have interest in Kevin Youkilis should the Red Sox make him available. Youk is fresh off what was perhaps […]

All I can say is, WOW. This team is like a crack addict that just can’t stop, no matter how many people try and intervene. Back in August, I chronicled the Marlins’ soap opera-like season, pointing out the on and off the field troubles that had crippled the ballclub in the standings and at the ticket office. Now, […]

Money doesn’t talk in the postseason. The Yankees, with an opening day payroll topping $200M, were ousted from the playoffs last night at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. The series was hard fought, but in the end the Yanks big bats (aside from Robinson Cano) failed to come up big in the fatal fifth […]

Back in late July, I wrote an article about Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos. Scratch that, I straight up wrote a praise piece on the man. At the time, Anthopoulos had just dealt Edwin Jackson (who didn’t even spend enough time in the Jays organization to pick out a jersey number), Octavio Dotel and Marc […]

In his only other postseason experience (with the Dodgers in 2009), Randy Wolf started two games, allowed five earned runs and walked seven batters in just nine innings of work. Wolf’s opponent Wednesday night, Joe Saunders, had three previous postseason starts under his belt, in which he had pitched 15 innings, allowed nine earned runs […]