Breaking news out of Dallas, as TR Sullivan of MLB.com is reporting that the two-time defending American League champion Texas Rangers have signed former Twins closer Joe Nathan. Terms have not been disclosed as of yet, but Ken Rosenthal is reporting that it’s a two year deal with a club option. Jon Heyman is reporting […]

Our first awards announcements came today, with the Rookie of the Year awards announced in both the American and National Leagues. Jeremy Hellickson of the Tampa Bay Rays won a closely contested race in the AL, while Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves swept the voting in the National League. The staff of the Outside […]

It’s being reported by Jon Morosi of FOXSports that the defending World Champion St Louis Cardinals have named former Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny as manager. The hiring may come as a surprise to some, who considered long-time Cardinals coach Jose Oquendo as the odds-on favorite to be named the successor to Tony La Russa, who […]

After all the chaos that unfolded this week for the Philadelphia Phillies, first agreeing but not agreeing with Ryan Madson, and then signing Jonathan Papelbon, there was a general consensus opinion online among Phillies fans and non-Phillies fans alike: that the team would have overpaid for either player. There are just as many critics of […]

On Tuesday, we reported that the Philadelphia Phillies had signed closer Ryan Madson to a four year, $44 million deal. Wednesday came along, and we learned that the deal was never officially agreed to or approved by Phillies owner David Montgomery. Today, the Phillies stepped away from Madson, and signed former Boston Red Sox closer […]

An initial tweet was verified by Venezuelan website El Nacional (warning: en Espanol) – Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in the Venezuelan city of Valencia, his hometown. He was apparently approached by four gunmen, and was taken away. The kidnappers have not contacted the family yet, though the police are aware of […]

When I talked about Ryan Madson’s new contract yesterday, I talked about how big money contracts hadn’t really worked for for relievers in the past. Today, I’m going to expand upon that idea a little bit, and show just why paying a reliever eight figures per season really isn’t the wisest decision. Here are the […]

On the heels of signing Jim Thome last Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies have made their second big move of the 2011 offseason, re-signing closer Ryan Madson. But the cost for Madson is already causing jeers for GM Ruben Amaro across the internet – four years for $44 million, with a $13 million option for the […]

There have been rumors this offseason that the Miami Marlins are looking to add a big name free agent this winter. They’ve been linked to a couple of names that seem a little strange – shortstop Jose Reyes and first baseman Albert Pujols. The only problem with the Marlins signing either of these players is […]

We’re a couple of days into free agency, and thusfar, only one real domino has fallen – Jim Thome to the Phillies, and that’s not exactly a blockbuster signing. As the weeks go on, free agents will sign with new teams, players will be overpaid, and assets will be dealt. Here are ten players who […]

The first free agent of the 2011 class has landed – Jim Thome, in Philadelphia. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com is reporting the one year deal. Terms haven’t been disclosed, but it’s expected to be just a one year pact. Thome made $3 million last year with the Twins and Indians. The deal is questionable if […]

The Detroit Tigers looked like a solid choice to win the AL Central title in 2011, after adding slugger Victor Martinez at DH and not losing any major components. Sure enough, they won the division, even with Martinez only posting a 2.9 fWAR on the season. They got contributions from plenty of players, and won […]

At the All-Star break, this award looked like Jose Reyes’ to lose. The Mets shortstop was having a dominant year, and had piled up 5.2 fWAR in 80 games. In the 46 games after the break, he was worth just 1.0 fWAR, and tailed off in the race. Other candidates stepped up big time, and […]