The National League is full of Rookie of the Year candidates and two of the favorites, Aroldis Chapman and Stephen Strasburg, will start the season in the minors. Since the favorites do not always win the award, let’s take a look at some of the rookies who have made their big league club’s Opening Day Read the Rest…
In 2009, the Rookie of the Year winners were not big names heading into the season and were usually overlooked throughout the season. Oakland A’s Andrew Bailey did not take over as closer until May when he earned his first save. Chris Coghlan of the Florida Marlins did not emerge until May at a new Read the Rest…
With spring training coming to an end and teams making cuts to finalize their roster, a few teams are dealing with the injury bug. The defending National League champions, the Philadelphia Phillies, were pretty sure that closer Brad Lidge and lefty specialist JC Romero would not be ready for Opening Day. Romero has been said Read the Rest…
This has been the week of extensions. First came the signing of catcher Joe Mauer, who signed an 8-year extension with the Minnesota Twins. The hometown kid was the number one pick in 2001 (and the Twins were criticized for going the cheap way instead of drafting college pitcher Mark Prior). The hometown kid has Read the Rest…
The plan for the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays is for the starting rotation to accumulate 200 innings each. With all five pitchers 28 years old and under, the team plans to rely heavily on the rotation to carry them into the postseason. In the past three seasons, ace James Shields has reached the 200 innings Read the Rest…
In 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays surprised the baseball world by winning the American League title. That team had a closer by committee and manager Joe Maddon mainly chose his closer based on situations and who was coming to bat (and who had the hot hand). The closer by committee works when those in the Read the Rest…
The Florida Marlins rely on their young talent that they keep infusing into their big league club. There is a battle for the starting first base spot with veteran Jorge Cantu moving back to third base now that his wrist is healthy. Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison are battling it out. Based on the numbers Read the Rest…
The Detroit Tigers have a few battles left in the final week of camp. The final position battle is up for grabs. It is a battle between left-handed hitters Clete Thomas, Jeff Larish, and Don Kelly, and right-handed hitter Brent Dlugach. With the Tigers coming north to the possible cold at the beginning of the Read the Rest…
The Cleveland Indians have two spots in the rotation open with quite a few guys battling. The competition is more complicated then the Indians expected. Left-hander Jeremy Sowers is still dealing with a strained left shoulder so it opens up the competition a little more. The favorites are left-handers David Huff and Aaron Laffey, both Read the Rest…
The Cleveland Indians have a few battles to settle this spring. First is the starting left fielder. Rookie Michael Brantley, who was acquired with Matt LaPorta for CC Sabathia in 2008, played well out there in a September callup and could take over in centerfield if Grady Sizemore is traded. LaPorta, veteran Austin Kearns, and Read the Rest…
The Cincinnati Reds have quite a few guys (seven) competing for the fifth starter’s spot to fill in behind Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, and Homer Bailey. Micah Owings, Matt Maloney, and Justin Lehr are probably the favorites for that spot. Kip Wells is considered a long shot. Maloney seemed to be the front-runner Read the Rest…
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