Introducing the Jerome Holtzman Award

Relief pitchers, even the great ones, are rarely given serious consideration for Cy Young or MVP. The time has come to establish a new major award.

Mailbag: Can Hamilton, Joba bounce back?

...the most likely "next-in-line" pitchers who could end up with double-digit saves are Takashi Saito, Matt Lindstrom, Fernando Rodney and Scott Downs. I could see Billy Wagner (now with the Braves...

Blog Entry | Conversation | January 19, 2010

Roundup: Players avoid arbitration

The Twins avoided arbitration with all eight of their eligible players, including Carl Pavano and J.J. Hardy.

Bard should bolster bullpen

Bard is set up to stabilize the back end of the Red Sox bullpen.

Glaus, Braves finalize 1-year deal

Troy Glaus and the Atlanta Braves have finalized a $1.75 million, one-year contract, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $2.25 million in performance and roster bonuses.

The best in blue

Tony Jackson ranks his top 10 Dodgers of the decade.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 10: Takashi Saito #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Florida Marlins during the game at Dodger...

Rays ink Soriano after trade with Braves

The Tampa Bay Rays have completed a trade with the Atlanta Braves, acquiring right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano and signing the reliever to a $7.25 million, one-year contract.

Slow time could soon get action-packed

The offseason has gotten off to a slow start, but it's evident that money is available based on the contracts that free agents have already signed.

Sources: Braves trade Soriano to Rays

The Braves have traded relief pitcher Rafael Soriano to the Rays for right-hander Jesse Chavez, major league sources tell ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Braves drop Church to add Soriano

The Braves surplus of closers forced the team to part ways with outfielder Ryan Church on Tuesday.

Pavano, 2 others accept arbitration

Minnesota starter Carl Pavano, Atlanta reliever Rafael Soriano and Colorado setup man Rafael Betancourt accepted salary arbitration offers.

Soriano's decision 'going down to wire'

Rafael Soriano's agent said Saturday that the pitcher is giving serious consideration to accepting arbitration and returning to Atlanta for a one-year deal.

Offseason Notebook: Braves' new 'pen

Tristan H. Cockcroft mines recent offseason baseball activities for the fantasy implications of each move.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Takashi Saito of Japan, pitches during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday...