Rays acquire catcher Shoppach

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired veteran catcher Kelly Shoppach from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later.

My 2010 Hall of Fame ballot

I don't have a ballot for the Hall of Fame yet -- just nine years to go -- but if I did, my ballot would include: Tim Raines, Mark McGwire, Bert Bl...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 30, 2009

Marlins may handle Johnson as Indians did Lee

...fall out of the race, Florida could look to trade him, just as the Indians traded Cliff Lee in the middle of the 2009 season -- with another year and a half until he becomes...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 29, 2009

Cliff Lee is greeted by teammates after a dominant postseason start against the Rockies

Early Top 200 rankings for 2010

Tristan H. Cockcroft takes a first shot at a top-200 fantasy rankings for the 2010 season.

Cash grab

During this winter's free agency and arbritration, good things won't come to those who wait.

Story | Conversation | November 20, 2009

Pushing for a minimum payroll threshold

Cries for a salary cap were sparked by the Yankees' winning the World Series, but what baseball really needs is a minimum payroll threshold.

Greener Pastures Ahead For Zack Greinke?

...the Twins and soon thereafter departed for greener pastures in New York. Ditto CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, the 2007 and 2008 AL Cy Young winners, respectively, who now play in big markets.So...

Money talks, but baseball won't listen

Did the Yankees buy a World Series celebration? Their money didn't hurt, but that $207 million payroll is the least of baseball's competitive-balance problems.

The significance of the Mauer market

The agent for Joe Mauer wouldn't characterize the state of the catcher's negotiations with the Twins on Thursday, or discuss them in any way, which is...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 13, 2009

Buster Olney: A strategic retreat for Red Sox?

...year." Among the guys who might hit the market: Joe Mauer, Carl Crawford, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee

The (harsh) lessons of the GM meetings

...as: The Rust Belt Ripples. Just months after the Indians' payroll concerns nudged them into unloading Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, the Tigers and Reds have indicated to other teams a willingness -- and rival...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 12, 2009

Wrapping Up The Season

While one team danced in celebration on its home field, the other looked on sadly from the visiting dugout. Slowly the players began to leave the field. The winners...

The Spawn of 'Moneyball'

...particular market. The Cleveland Indians' adept front office certainly was well aware that CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee have aptitude in the art of pitching, but payroll concerns drove the team to trade the...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 11, 2009