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In the combined 15 years I served as general manager of both the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, I was always a huge proponent of the World Baseball Classic. Baseball is an international sport, and perhaps someday the World Series will incl...

Blog | February 28, 2013

During spring training, players aren't the only ones trying to fine-tune things. General managers must use the time to evaluate not only their players but their field staff, too. It's the time to get things done, especially things such as contract ne...

Blog | February 14, 2013

It was an active offseason that witnessed the trade of a Cy Young Award winner, several large, multiteam trades and an inflated free-agent market. So to evaluate and rank the offseason of all 30 teams, I took into account the following factors: &...

Blog | February 12, 2013

Not every team will make a trade at this week's winter meetings in Nashville, but every team could. With that in mind, let's take a look at one player (or more) who could be on the trade block this week from each of the 30 teams. American League ...

Blog | December 02, 2012

Make no mistake -- Scott Boras is always the headliner among agents at baseball's annual winter meetings. He loves the limelight and will make sure to walk by the media area at optimum times and hold court. He's always entertaining, and his strong...

Blog | November 28, 2012

At this point in the year most contending teams have solidified the front of their starting rotations and have a single effective closer. And whiles aces and closers get the glory, almost equally important for contending clubs is how well their seven...

Blog | September 04, 2012

With a little more than six weeks remaining in the 2012 season, tight divisional races and young, ultra-talented players have made this season one of the most exciting in years. There are easily 20 teams still within seven games of making the pla...

Blog | August 15, 2012

Now that baseball's July 31 trade deadline has come and gone, it's time to assess the aftermath. The flurry of activity up until the very end underscores just how many teams still feel they are in the hunt for postseason play, as well as some very sh...

Blog | August 01, 2012

For the first time in his career as a general manager, Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro finds himself a seller as baseball's July 31 trade deadline looms. At present, his team simply isn't good enough to get back into the postseason race, eith...

Blog | July 30, 2012

Conventional wisdom approaching this year's July 31 trade deadline said there would be more buyers than sellers. While that has indeed turned out to be the case, a couple of factors have complicated many possible trade scenarios. First, the new Co...

Blog | July 18, 2012

There are scant few occasions when the minor leagues' best players are gathered in one setting, but MLB's Futures Game is one such instance. The game offers all 30 clubs' general managers the opportunity to evaluate the game's best young talent al...

Blog | July 08, 2012

When it comes to the July 31 trade deadline, good things do not come to those who wait. With the first month of the season in the books, general managers around the major leagues already have begun to deploy scouts to evaluate other teams and thei...

Blog | May 02, 2012

PHOENIX -- The Cincinnati Reds are excited about the potential of their rotation for the short- and long-term, but don't be surprised if left-hander Aroldis Chapman isn't a part of it come Opening Day as there is strong sentiment that he could start ...

Blog | February 29, 2012

Heading into spring training, every general manager has a list of questions that he wants answered. Whether that's seeing if a player has rebounded from surgery or if an aging veteran has any gas left in the tank. It might be a position battle that n...

Blog | February 22, 2012

Armed with sunscreen, sunglasses and a long list of prospects and players to watch, I'm all ready for spring training. For sure, 2012 will be an interesting year after such an exciting offseason. Though there will be many players who could excel, her...

Blog | February 21, 2012

At the winter meetings, things can spin on dime. That's what makes it fun, as well as frustrating at times. One minute a general manager or team owner will boast -- off the record -- how "on" a particular player his team is, then one bad negotiati...

Blog | December 05, 2011