Players who've thrived for losing teams
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comPlaying for teams far out of playoff contention hasn't prevented several players from having noteworthy performances in '09.
Story | Conversation | September 30, 2009They're called 'prospects' for a reason
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comWhile the Blue Jays and Phillies continue to haggle over prospects, Starting 9 revisits some trades involving highly touted minor leaguers who became major league busts.
Story | Conversation | July 28, 2009Dealing an ace can be a crapshoot
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comWhat kind of package can a star pitcher bring in return? As history reminds us, not all blockbusters are created equal.
Story | Conversation | July 22, 2009Promising Indians go from first to worst
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comThe Indians were one win from the World Series in 2007. But they haven't been close since, heading instead in the opposite direction. What happened?
Story | Conversation | June 29, 2009When up is down, and down is up
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comSeveral teams have experienced plot twists since spring training, as strengths have become weaknesses and vice versa.
Story | Conversation | May 13, 2009More opportunity for job seekers
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comThanks to the World Baseball Classic, some fringe players get longer looks at major league camps this spring.
Story | Conversation | March 12, 2009Rays' hopes riding on ice-cold bats of Pena, Longoria
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comTampa Bay's Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria have gone cold at the worst time imaginable.
Story | Conversation | October 27, 2008Rays' improbable run rolls on into World Series
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comWith a big boost from rookie left-hander David Price, the Rays are headed to the World Series after outlasting the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS.
Story | Conversation | October 19, 2008Unknown spoilers await unsuspecting contenders
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comIt's not known who it will be and when it will happen, but spoilers are bound to cause either the Twins, White Sox, Phils, Mets or Brewers to stumble.
Story | Conversation | September 24, 2008Players who really produce in September
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comJimmy Rollins and Randy Johnson are among nine players who have put together impressive numbers in the final month of the season.
Story | Conversation | August 27, 2008Ranking contenders' bullpens
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comFactoring in depth, health, balance, experience and workload, Starting 9 ranks the bullpens of contending clubs.
Story | Conversation | August 05, 2008Uggla delivers a big stinker in National League's loss
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comDan Uggla committed three errors and went an abysmal 0-for-4 at the plate in the NL's loss in the Midsummer Classic. Yes, it was a night to forget for the first-time All-Star.
Story | Conversation | July 16, 2008Later round draft picks who've developed rather nicely
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comWith a salute to some noteworthy late hits, "Starting 9" looks position-by-position at players who were drafted after the 10th round and proved to be well worth the wait.
Story | Conversation | June 03, 2008Padres can't pin hitting woes on Petco
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comThe Padres rank among the National League's worst offenses. Is it just an early-season slump or sign of a season-long slumber?
Story | Conversation | May 02, 2008Resurrection month for Lee, Quentin, others
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.comLast season Cliff Lee was demoted, Scott Olsen was arrested and Milton Bradley tore his ACL. But now they're among the top comeback stories of 2008.
Story | Conversation | April 29, 2008EXPLORE RELATED TOPICS
TOP SEARCHES IN NOVEMBER
Bowl Projections tops ESPN.com searches in November. Did "florida marlins" make the list?