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I suppose the instinctive answer to that headline would be, "Well, of course you do. Don't be an idiot." But is it that simple? And what defines a star player? And how many stars do you need? Writing the offseason report card on the Oakland A's...

Dan Szymborski looks at what each NL West team needs to do to make the playoffs in 2013.

Story | Conversation | November 06, 2012

When Major League Baseball put its new set of playoff rules in place, nobody knew exactly how the changes would shape the decisions of managers and general managers and players. Nobody knew for sure if some unforeseen circumstance might emerge, alter...

Blog | October 03, 2012

Buster Olney looks at all 10 playoff teams and evaluates their statuses heading into the postseason.

Blog | Conversation | October 03, 2012

NEW YORK -- The Washington Nationals went crazy after clinching the NL East, the Detroit Tigers partied in Kansas City, and the Oakland Athletics sprayed champagne all over the place after wrapping up a playoff spot. But all was quiet where Arizon...

Blog | October 02, 2012

Buster Olney writes that Arizona GM Kevin Towers is planning his offseason moves, and the biggest question he will face is an old one: Should he trade outfielder Justin Upton?

Blog | Conversation | October 02, 2012

Our experts focus on last year's NL West champions. Can the Diamondbacks reach the postseason again?

Diamondbacks-Astros Preview

A great number of teams are within reach of the postseason, but there are a handful of teams in particular that are in a position to win now. Buster Olney goes through three of those clubs that figure to be very aggressive at the trade deadline.

Blog | Conversation | July 18, 2012

Gerardo Parra won a Gold Glove on a playoff team last season. So why isn't he in the Diamondbacks' starting outfield anymore?

Diamondbacks-Brewers Preview

Brewers-Diamondbacks Preview

Sometime on Thursday, baseball owners are expected to formally ratify the new playoff format, locking in the system of six division winners and four wild-card teams for this season and beyond. A general manager noted on Tuesday that nobody really kn...

Blog | May 16, 2012

It's unclear how the new playoff format will affect teams' decision-making, but Buster Olney writes that there will be teams looking to buy in pursuit of the additional playoff spots. Here are three teams executives expect to be aggressive this summer.

Blog | Conversation | May 16, 2012

The Arizona Diamondbacks won 94 games a year ago despite having one of the weakest benches in the league. Their playoff roster included retread veterans Geoff Blum, Sean Burroughs and Lyle Overbay, weak-hitting infielder John McDonald, rookie outfiel...

You still hear the same complaints: The rich teams win all the time; the NFL is more unpredictable; once a loser, always a loser; my team has no chance. Since 2006, 12 teams have made the playoffs that had a losing record the previous season. That...