K.C.'s bullpen 'heated' and ready to go
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comThe Royals' bullpen should be a strength in '09, but their starting staff will need to improve for them to be legitimate contenders.
Story | Conversation | March 19, 2009Cubs now a much more balanced team
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comA short-lived run in each of the past two Octobers pushed the Cubs to balance their lineup better for 2009.
Story | Conversation | March 09, 2009Looking for competition? Here you go
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comPlenty of competition battles around the big leagues as spring training begins in earnest.
Story | Conversation | February 16, 2009Winners and losers at the time that were short-lived
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comLooking back at nine deadline trades over the past decade that are perceived differently in hindsight than in the immediate aftermath.
Story | Conversation | July 30, 2008K-Rod could take aim at single-season saves record
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comAs he piles up one save after another, the Bobby Thigpen Chase is officially on for Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Story | Conversation | June 26, 2008Ortiz not letting his slump get him down
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comDavid Ortiz, mired in a terrible slump, admitted his night off Sunday was necessary for him to 'go back to being Big Papi again.'
Story | Conversation | April 13, 2008Slow starters in April who rose to play in October
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comStarting 9 looks back through baseball history and pays homage to nine April laggards who found their mojo in time to play in October.
Story | Conversation | April 08, 2008Identifying those who have a lot to prove in '08
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comFrom Mark Prior to Miguel Tejada to Andruw Jones, some players will be more motivated than usual to perform at a high level in 2008.
Story | Conversation | December 18, 2007Nine players who need to step up
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comWho are the potential difference-makers for contending clubs down the stretch? "Starting 9" focuses on players who could play pivotal roles.
Story | Conversation | September 12, 2007Starting pitching among keys for up-and-down Dodgers
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comFor the Dodgers to play in October, it's going to take some work, a little luck and a better team than the one that sputtered its way through the first 127 games.
Story | Conversation | August 24, 2007AL Central looking like a battle royale
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comWith the Tigers, Indians, White Sox and Twins looking like contenders, the AL Central is shaping up to be baseball's toughest and deepest division.
Story | Conversation | May 14, 2007A whole new ballgame for some players
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comSeven big leaguers are going to school in the desert this spring and learning a new position.
Story | Conversation | March 08, 2007Hype can get lost in translation
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comPredicting whether a player from Japan, Korea or Taiwan can cut it in the American major leagues is a complex proposition.
Story | Conversation | February 15, 2007Putz is dealing, but has anyone noticed?
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comIt's easy to get overshadowed, so we give eight underappreciated players the recognition they deserve.
Story | Conversation | August 31, 2006
New era at Coors
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN InsiderThe Rockies have reason to be optimistic because they've developed some arms in their farm system, writes Jerry Crasnick.
Story | Conversation | June 24, 2006
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