The Question: How many wins for Rays' Moore?
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:27:09 -0500)


Sarah's Take: D-backs could be top team in NL
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:03:00 -0500)
After their emergence from worst to first in the NL West last season, the D-backs are poised to challenge for the best record in the league this year.

Moore: No alternates need for classic unis
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:45:00 -0500)
This craze involving alternate uniforms is mostly about marketing, and it has been highly successful, especially when it comes to increasing the game's appeal to younger generations. But there is a conflict for those of us more into the Flintstones than the Jetsons regarding uniforms.

Branyan inks Minor League deal with Yankees
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:07:00 -0500)
Russell Branyan has already proven that he can show off his power at Yankee Stadium, so it seems appropriate that the Yankees will give him a chance to do so while wearing their uniform.

Giants add Mota, Theriot to 40-man roster
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:06:00 -0500)
The Giants likely completed their pre-Spring Training procedural moves Wednesday by adding right-hander Guillermo Mota and infielder Ryan Theriot to the 40-man roster while designating outfielder Justin Christian for assignment.

Reds complete deals with Ludwick, Francis
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:45:00 -0500)
The Reds formally announced on Wednesday that they signed outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2013 and left-hander Jeff Francis to a Minor League contract.

Twins' Hughes to have shoulder examined
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:20:00 -0500)
Twins infielder Luke Hughes is headed to Minnesota on Thursday to have his right shoulder examined by club physician Dr. Dan Buss after injuring it in a home-plate collision in his native Australia.

Bauman: Manny time has run its course
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0500)
The news that some teams are contemplating the signing of Manny Ramirez is more dismaying than anything else. Outrage would probably be misplaced. It's too late in the day for that. Then again, there has been too much evidence of wrongdoing for this particular resurrection to be anything like amusing.

Fab 50: MLB Fan Cave contestants selected
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0500)
Fifty contestants were revealed by Major League Baseball after thousands of men and women applied for the 2012 MLB Fan Cave experience. You can see all 50 video submissions in one place, then vote for your favorites between now and Feb. 22.

Tigers prospects to compete for rotation job
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:30:00 -0500)
The closer the Tigers get to Spring Training, the more likely it appears they'll look to their farm system for their fifth starter. The way it's shaping up, with the first formal workout a week and a half away, they'll have no shortage of candidates to watch.

Arbitration panel rules in favor of Bonifacio
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:26:00 -0500)
Coming off a career year, Emilio Bonifacio is getting rewarded. A three-person arbitration panel on Wednesday ruled in favor of Bonifacio, who will make $2.2 million this year, instead of the Marlins' counteroffer of $1.95 million.

Hall worthy? Furthest thing from Schilling's mind
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:16:00 -0500)
In less than a year, Curt Schilling's baseball legacy is going to get its first major test. The 2013 Hall of Fame ballot is the first one that will include Schilling's name. It will be his first chance to see how his 216 career wins, .596 winning percentage, 3,116 strikeouts and glittering postseason resume (11-2, 2.23 ERA in 19 starts) stack up against the other all-time greats.

New website honors history of Camden Yards
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:32:00 -0500)
The Orioles officially launched a new website Wednesday centered on the team's 20th anniversary season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Sun Sports to air 150 Rays games this season
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:02:00 -0500)
Rays baseball will once again occupy the airwaves on most nights during the coming summer, as Sun Sports announced Wednesday it will produce and televise 150 Tampa Bay games during the 2012 season, all in high definition.

Quality arms define NL Central's top prospects
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0500)
Which Minor Leaguers should fans get the most excited about seeing on their favorite teams? Here's a look at the top prospects at each position in the National League Central.

Mays remains beloved figure in New York
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:45:00 -0500)
Even now, nearly four decades since Willie Mays last stepped on the field as a player, many still call him the greatest all-around talent the game has seen. But it was the end of that career that truly underscored how beloved Mays was in New York.

Justice: Irvin one of baseball's pioneers
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500)
Monte Irvin will be remembered as much for being one of baseball's true gentlemen as for being a great player. And he was a great player, both during eight seasons in the Negro Leagues and eight more in the Majors, including seven with the New York Giants.

Bond of baseball keeps Young Sr. close to son
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500)
Baseball bonded Eric Young Sr. with his son during his Major League career and the experience helped Young Jr. decide to forgo a football scholarship and instead sign with the Rockies in 2003.

Spencer: Toronto could be East's newest beast
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500)
The Blue Jays are showing signs of following the Rays' enlightened lead in becoming viable competition for the monoliths in Boston and the Bronx.

From Ozzie to Bobby V, eyes are on skippers
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:59:00 -0500)
From Ozzie Guillen and Bobby Valentine taking over new clubs in Miami and Boston, to incumbents such as Buck Showalter looking for greater success, several managers will face unique challenges this season.

Hall signs Minor League deal with Yankees
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:40:00 -0500)
Bill Hall will have an opportunity to win a job on the Yankees' roster, agreeing Tuesday to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Rangers, Andrus agree to three-year deal
(Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:23:00 -0500)
The Rangers have avoided arbitration with shortstop Elvis Andrus, agreeing to a three-year deal worth approximately $14.5 million, a source confirmed to MLB.com on Tuesday night.

Moreland close to full strength for start of camp
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:06:00 -0500)
First baseman Mitch Moreland, who had surgery on his right wrist at the end November, said he is "feeling great" and could be close to full strength going into Spring Training.

Rangers hire assistant to be Hamilton's mentor
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:06:00 -0500)
The Rangers have hired Shayne Kelley, a longtime college baseball assistant coach and former strength coach in the Royals' Minor League system, to be a Major League staff assistant and the key person in Josh Hamilton's support system.

Cespedes to meet with Marlins on Wednesday
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:02:00 -0500)
Cuban sensation Yoenis Cespedes has received a travel visa and is scheduled to meet with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, according to sources.

Noble: Staub, Montreal have enduring connection
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 -0500)
Rusty Staub was among the men identified Tuesday as members of the 2012 class of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. No surprise there -- except that it has taken this long for him to be recognized and that he has been so recognized having played merely 3 1/2 seasons North of the Border.

Caribbean Series looks ahead to Mexico in '13
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:16:00 -0500)
The 2013 Caribbean Series will be held in Hermosillo, Mexico, and the teams from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela could have company. Juan Francisco Puello, commissioner of the Caribbean Confederation, is going to Cuba next month to present a proposal to bring that country back to the series.

Kershaw, Dodgers agree on two-year deal
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:15:00 -0500)
Before handing over the Dodgers in a court-supervised sale by April 30, owner Frank McCourt on Tuesday handed over a two-year, $19 million contract to National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.

Korean baseball protests Kim's signing
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:11:00 -0500)
The Korean Baseball Organization officially filed a letter of protest to Major League Baseball on Tuesday, alleging that the Baltimore Orioles broke protocol by signing 17-year-old pitcher Kim Seong-Min.

Identity crisis? Not so fast, say Cardinals
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:52:00 -0500)
Albert Pujols, who once encompassed the identity of the Cardinals, leaves behind an undaunted supporting cast-turned-future core. Those in this bunch talk little about who will be missing, though they also avoid promises of immediate and equal replacement production.

Wolff: Beane, Crowley to sign extensions
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0500)
The Oakland Athletics will extend the contract of general manager Billy Beane through the 2019 season, club owner Lew Wolff said Tuesday in an interview with Bloomberg Television.

Harper confident he can make club this spring
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:04:00 -0500)
How did Bryce Harper feel after hearing manager Davey Johnson is going to give him every chance to make the club? "I feel really positive about going to Spring Training this year," Harper said. "I really feel I have a legit shot at making the club."

Meggie: Green Diamond a memorabilia experience
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:02:00 -0500)
I was recently contacted by the Green Diamond Gallery in Montgomery, Ohio, with an invitation for me to introduce Cincinnati Reds hometown hero Sean Casey for an event. I immediately accepted.

Melvin earns spot in Canadian Hall of Fame
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:24:00 -0500)
Brewers general manager and pride of Chatham, Ontario Doug Melvin will be inducted this summer into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, a body that already includes his baseball heroes.

Veteran Wright signed to Minor League deal
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:15:00 -0500)
The Dodgers on Tuesday signed veteran right-handed pitcher Jamey Wright to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training camp.

Romero welcomes, embraces ace label
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:45:00 -0500)
Ricky Romero is set to embark on just his fourth season in the big leagues, but he already has become the veteran leader of the Blue Jays' pitching staff.

Jocketty: Reds not pursuing Oswalt
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:05:00 -0500)
Speculation that aggressive Cincinnati has been in talks to sign free agent starting pitcher Roy Oswalt has heated up repeatedly in recent days. Not true, general manager Walt Jocketty claimed emphatically on Tuesday.

Pujols, Fielder face challenges in new circuit
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500)
Does switching leagues really impact a player's performance, especially an elite slugger like Fielder or Albert Pujols? Recent history has shown that many hitters struggle to make the transition, though there have been notable exceptions.

LaCassa, Morris embark on promising careers
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:36:00 -0500)
Before taking their newly assigned front-office jobs with the Angels, Hal Morris and Mike LaCassa went the school route. Now, both are taking on new challenges in different ways.

Dodgers' progress plan not only about Robinson
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:50:00 -0500)
The Dodgers were front and center in breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, but the early movement involved more than Jackie Robinson.

Mills steering ship amidst winds of change
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:47:00 -0500)
Brad Mills, entering his third season as manager of the Astros, remains the man in charge of the Astros' rebuilding process. It's a difficult task.

AL East prospect talk starts with No. 1 Moore
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0500)
Who are the best prospects in each organization? Which Minor Leaguers should you get the most excited about seeing on your favorite team? Now it's just a click away, with the rankings of the Top 20 prospects for each club unveiled this week.

Jenkins' 1974 season stands in history books
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:32:00 -0500)
The Oakland Athletics won their third straight World Series in 1974 but there was one pitcher they couldn't beat. Ferguson Jenkins, pitching for the Rangers, was 5-0 with a 0.60 ERA, five complete games and two shutouts in five starts against them.

Bauman: NL should stay traditional, without DH
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500)
The notion that the National League needs to add the designated-hitter rule so that its clubs can wildly overpay sluggers on the downside of their careers is almost painful to ponder, writes Mike Bauman.

Spencer: Zobrist a jack-of-all-trades player
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500)
Ben Zobrist is one of the last names you'll find in the Baseball Encyclopedia, but he's near, or at the top, in several highly subjective categories: best all-around defender and most versatile player in the game.

Teen's research brings Negro Leagues to life
(Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500)
Cam Perron, a 17-year-old high school senior from Arlington, Mass., is an Internet-savvy sleuth who has tracked down dozens of Negro League players whose stories have never been told.

Pedro's focus shifts to foundation, Hall call
(Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:25:00 -0500)
Pedro Martinez threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Monday night's Caribbean Series game between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, and spoke to MLB.com about the Hall of Fame, his foundation and the future of Johan Santana.

Rox acquire Guthrie in trade with Orioles
(Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:29:00 -0500)
The Rockies were looking for an experienced arm to put atop their young rotation, but not just any veteran would do. One of those few names was Jeremy Guthrie, whom the Rockies acquired from the Orioles on Monday in exchange for right-handers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom.

Contract won't dampen Sandoval's motivation
(Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:37:00 -0500)
Pablo Sandoval intends to reward the Giants' faith in him. Apparently destined to struggle with controlling his weight for the remainder of his Major League career, Sandoval still parlayed his considerable skill into a three-year, $17.15 million contract that he agreed to Jan. 17.

Verlander earns award for Super Bowl pick
(Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0500)
While the Giants were celebrating Sunday night with their second Super Bowl win over the Patriots in five years, Justin Verlander was celebrating on Twitter over his prognostication that the Giants would win with a 21-17 final score, calling him a proud winner.

Orioles have had discussions with Ramirez
(Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:29:00 -0500)
The Orioles have had "exploratory talks" with free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez's agent, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said on Monday.

Fantasy launch a sure sign spring is on the way
(Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0500)
Slowly but surely, the signs of spring present themselves each year, and one of our favorite signs is now visible with Monday's launch of the 2012 MLB.com Player Preview and the MLB.com Fantasy Baseball 2012 game.

Hot Stove Tracker | Spring Training report dates
(Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:53:45 -0500)