The true MVP of the '00s

Dave Cameron of FanGraphs explains why, as the decade draws to a close, Albert Pujols is not the game's most valuable player.

Story | Conversation | December 23, 2009

The internal trade deadline

...in another words, the Blue Jays were left to deal with a very small field: the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies and maybe -- maybe -- the Angels or Dodgers. Not exactly a situation that teems with trade...

Blog Entry | Conversation | December 22, 2009

The decade's forgotten glove masters

How come great fielders are often ignored by Gold Glove voters? Stat guru Tom Tango has a theory.

Story | Conversation | December 21, 2009

Defense highlights offseason moves

...by statistical analysis have determined that defense is the undervalued asset in the current marketplace. The Athletics, Red Sox and Mariners -- teams steeped in the use of numbers to evaluate players and determine value -- all...

Blog Entry | Conversation | December 20, 2009

Source: Rolen's new deal adds 2 years

The Reds and third baseman Scott Rolen have agreed to restructure Rolen's contract to give the club more payroll flexibility for next season, ESPN.com has learned.

An all-decade, all-value lineup card

Erik Manning of FanGraphs pored over every performance from an MLB player between 2000 and 2009 and created the best possible 1-9 lineup of players from that period. Odd: Carlos Delgado (2000) leads off. Cool: This team would average nine runs a game.

Story | Conversation | December 18, 2009

Reds' Harang a good fit for Dodgers

...have started exploring a possible trade with the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Aaron Harang, according to multiple baseball...

Best and worst teams of the decade

The greatest team of the 2000s? That's easy. It's the New York Yankees. The most dreadful? Well, the nominees are …

Scouts watch Cuban lefty throw

Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston in front of representatives from about 15 major league teams, according to a baseball source who attended the workout.

Nastiest pitches in baseball

Using Pitch f/x technology, we found the nastiest pitches -- and some of the worst -- in the game at the close of the decade.

Story | Conversation | December 15, 2009

Study group to examine on-field issues

Managers Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Joe Torre and Mike Scioscia have been selected for a committee that could recommend expanded instant replay and playoff format changes.

Projecting a new decade of MLB stars

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus projects the best MLB players from 2010 through 2019 (the next decade of stars). His tops include Hanley Ramirez, Justin Upton, Joe Mauer and Tim Lincecum; the list goes to 20, though, with surprises.

Story | Conversation | December 14, 2009

Slew of signings lie ahead

Thirty-nine more players were not tendered contracts Saturday night, so as of Sunday, this is the number of free agents who are looking for jobs, acco...

Blog Entry | Conversation | December 13, 2009

Gomes will become free agent

Outfielder Jonny Gomes has been cut loose by the Reds after one season with Cincinnati.

...York Mets' pitcher J.J. Putz against the Cincinnati Reds in their opening day MLB baseball game at...