Defense highlights offseason moves

Coco Crisp is nearing a deal with the Oakland Athletics, according to late word from MLB Trade Rumors' Tim Dierkes. Presumably Crisp will slot into Oa...

Blog Entry | Conversation | December 20, 2009

...Rodriguez #3 of the Texas Rangers runs the baseline during the MLB interleague game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 28, 2003 in Houston, Texas. The Astros won 2-0...

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

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

Winter meetings recap

Tristan H. Cockcroft looks at the fantasy impact of many of the key moves during this week's winter meetings.

Nats expected to introduce Pudge

The Nationals say there will be a news conference at their stadium Friday, when they're expected to announce the signing of free agent Ivan Rodriguez.

Marlins deal Lindstrom

The Astros have reached a deal to acquire Matt Lindstrom from the Marlins. He is flying to Houston for a physical, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons.

Where we stand as winter meetings arrive

The Cleveland Indians have relative pennies to spend this winter, and the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers won't spend much, either. The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't spent any...

Blog Entry | Conversation | December 06, 2009

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

Free-agency side dishes (before the turkey)

...go through a regimen of swimming, and the Astros expect that he'll be ready to go at full speed when spring training begins. New Houston manager Brad Mills and GM Ed Wade will...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 25, 2009

Those who favored King Felix and Verlander

The AL Cy Young Award went more or less as expected, with the very deserving Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals running away with it, nabbing 25 o...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 18, 2009