MLB: Top 10 for 2010

By Tom Verducci
March 31, 2010


Washington, DC — You have to start somewhere. The Gregorian new year begins in Kiribati, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean that is the inhabited landmass most near, on the west side, to the international date line. For those of us who measure time by the Doubledayan calendar, the new year begins in Washington on Monday at 1:05 p.m. with a pitch from Nationals left-hander John Lannan, shortly after the ceremonial one from another southpaw, President Barack Obama.

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Stealthy scouting helps Braves land Heyward

By Jeff Passan
March 29, 2010


Lake Buena Vista, FL – Al Goetz needed to make the rest of the baseball world think the Atlanta Braves wanted nothing to do with Jason Heyward. So he did what any reasonable scout would. Goetz turned into a stalker.

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Braves' Heyward grabbing spotlight in Cox's farewell season

By Jon Heyman
March 26, 2010


Lake Buena Vista, FL — For weeks, the Braves weren't saying whether Jason Heyward, their rookie phenom, would make the team and be their Opening Day right fielder, but they couldn't fool anyone with this bit of late-spring silence. They need another banger in a lineup where the main anchors are their sweet-swinging catcher Brian McCann, their talented shortstop Yunel Escobar and Chipper Jones, an icon heading fast to the finish line.

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A-Rod’s new hue is a lot like a glow

By Tim Brown
March 23, 2010


Tampa, FL — Alex Rodriguez(notes) said he had kept nothing special from that cool early November night when he became a champion, lifting a career’s – a life’s – burden.

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Mauer has full no-trade clause in Twins deal

By Buster Olney
March 21, 2010


All-Star catcher Joe Mauer and Minnesota completed an eight-year, $184 million deal, a contract which will inevitably be hailed within baseball as an example that teams like the Twins do have a chance to keep their homegrown talent.

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Some teams seek clarity in leadoff spot

By Jerry Crasnick
March 18, 2010


As Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker assessed his team's leadoff situation recently, he looked as though he wouldn't mind seeing former Atlanta Braves teammate Ralph "Roadrunner'' Garr magically appear in the desert.

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Stairs is a swing away from record book

By Jeff Passan
March 13, 2010


Peoria, AZ — Matt Stairs is fairly certain this will be his last season playing professional baseball. Check that. He’s only sort of sure. And truth be told, he can totally see himself playing next year and furthering the record he’s about to set.

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Retiring Garciaparra knows what might’ve been

By Steve Henson
March 10, 2010


The Nomar Garciaparra I knew was post-Red Sox, post-Cubs, battle-scarred and creaky, yet still exuberant about putting on a major league uniform every day. It was 2006, he’d signed with his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers, and it was soon apparent Garciaparra deeply appreciated the opportunity to play in front of his parents and lifelong friends.

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Aroldis Chapman hits 100 mph, strikes out three in Reds debut

By David Brown
March 8, 2010


Goodyear, AZ — Chris Getz confirmed what the radar gun said about Aroldis Chapman.

"Yeah, he's bringing it," Getz said after Chapman's Cactus League debut.

Cincinnati's Cuban curiosity threw at least one pitch that reached 100 mph...

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A simple request for good health

By Gene Wojciechowski
March 2, 2010


MESA, AZ — Alfonso Soriano would give anything, including some of his $136 million contract, if you could guarantee him what he hasn't had as a Chicago Cub... his health.

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Don’t panic over Sheets’ slow spring

By Tim Brown
February 21, 2010


PHOENIX, Az — What Ben Sheets would like to say first is not to worry about the next six weeks.

His elbow, which had a tendon repaired in surgery a year ago, is fine. He backed up low-90s fastballs with more low-90s fastballs when lots of scouts were watching in a mid-January workout, so the elbow really is OK, as far as he knows.

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The Mariners made all the right moves

By Steve Henson
February 5, 2010


Editor’s note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason of every MLB team before spring training begins in mid-February. Our series is in reverse order of team quality and continues at No. 8 with the Seattle Mariners.

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Mets obtain OF Gary Matthews Jr. from Angels

By RONALD BLUM
January 22, 2010


NEW YORK, NY — Unable to find regular playing time for Gary Matthews Jr., the Los Angeles Angels traded the outfielder to the New York Mets on Friday and agreed to pay $21.5 million as part of the deal.

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Cemetery visit bolsters Hawk before Hall call

By Ross McKeonTim Brown
January 7, 2010


On a day that every year devolves into tantrums and hostilities, Andre Dawson didn’t wait for the vote – a simple yay or nay on a 21-year baseball career – to honor the people who put him there.

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Talks complicated by Lowell deal snafu

By Gordon Edes
December 29, 2009


The Boston Red Sox remain quietly engaged in discussions for free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, according to an industry source.

The Beltre talks, expected to resume after the new year, have been complicated by the voiding of the Mike Lowell trade to Texas.

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American League West hot-stove primer

By Steve Henson
December 5, 2009


Baseball’s winter meetings begin Monday in Indianapolis.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Holes to fill: The Angels must replace three major pieces: A cleanup hitter, a top-of-the-rotation starter and a table-setter. Simply re-signing the players who left as free agents isn’t viable because Vladimir Guerrero’s days as a premier slugger are over, Chone Figgins appears headed to the Mariners and John Lackey could price himself out of a return.

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Mr. November (Utley) more chill than Mr. October

By Jeff Passan
November 3, 2009


PHILADELPHIA — The two men can’t be any more different. In 1977, Reggie Jackson waltzed around New York wearing coats made of otter and nutria skin. Today, Chase Utley publicly decries animal abuse. Jackson alienated teammates by opening his mouth. It takes a vise to pry Utley’s jaw apart and exude a word. On the evening he became a World Series hero, Jackson told the world: “Love me or hate me, but you can’t ignore me.”

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Ryan Howard refused to eat away his career

By Jeff Passan
October 27, 2009


Ryan Howard showed up for a commercial shoot earlier this year and his clothes didn’t fit. The producers knew he was a certain size, bought his wardrobe accordingly and didn’t understand what happened. The tags were right. Just Howard knew how to explain why everything looked so baggy, how a leviathan had become trim, fit and healthy – and not forgotten how to hit a home run better than anyone in the world.

“It’s survival,” Howard said last week, one day after his Philadelphia Phillies clinched their second straight National League pennant and began preparation for their World Series showdown against New York starting Wednesday night.

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Papelbon’s meltdown was felt mile-high

By Steve Henson
October 12, 2009


DENVER — The other league was going at it, so players from the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies weren’t so much captivated by the game on the clubhouse televisions as glancing at it. But as the ninth inning unfolded, the distinct whiff of impending disaster emanated off of Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon(notes), and nobody could look away.

“It’s a cruel game,” Rockies veteran first baseman Todd Helton(notes) said as he walked to the batting cage a short time later.

Papelbon hadn’t allowed a run in 26 previous postseason innings, spread over 17 appearances. The team he faced, the Los Angeles Angels, had a batting average of .129 against him. Yet he blew the save, right there at Fenway Park, and the Angels completed a sweep.

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Yankees crush Boston, 9-5, and move closer to clinching division title

BY Mark Feinsand
September 26th 2009


Joe Girardi delivered a simple message to Joba Chamberlain after his last start: It's time to step up.

That's precisely what Chamberlain did Friday night, delivering his best performance in nearly two months to help the Yankees move closer to a division title with a 9-5 win over the Red Sox at the Stadium.

Chamberlain gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings, striking out five. Having gone 0-4 with an 8.42 ERA in his previous eight starts, Chamberlain got back into the win column for the first time since Aug. 6, giving the Yankees a reason to feel confident about handing him the ball in October.

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MLB announces master 2010 schedule — Opening of Twins' new Target Field one of many highlights

By Mark Newman
September 15, 2009


Major League Baseball announced its master 2010 regular-season schedule for all 30 clubs on Tuesday, meaning you can start dreaming ahead now.

You just might see Stephen Strasburg on the mound for the Nationals, Alex Rodriguez's 600th home run, Manny Ramirez playing for the Dodgers at Fenway Park or Roy Oswalt start another six-pitcher, June 11 no-hitter at Yankee Stadium for the Astros.

You just might see the Twins' first outdoor home game since 1981, thanks to new Target Field; the rival Yankees and Red Sox start and finish a regular season against each other at Fenway Park for the first time since 1950; or one of those American or National League parks you've always wanted to cross off your list but haven't made yet.

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AL MVP: Mauer, by a landslide

By Jeff Passan
August 25, 2009


We wanted to write a few verses, just in case Joe Mauer has some free time to lay down a track or two, only someone already did that.

So considering the grace with which the Minnesota Twins’ catcher plays, perhaps a few poems can better convey the kind of year he’s having – and how much of a laugher it is that he’s not considered the shoo-in Most Valuable Player in the American League that Albert Pujols is in the National League.

What about a limerick?

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Glimpse of MLB at midseason

By Nick Piecoro
July 15, 2009


Outside of baseball's best division, the American League East, there seems to exist divisions stocked with flawed teams. That, of course, has the makings of good stretch-run drama.

The Los Angeles Dodgers blew through the season's first three months, not really missing a beat during slugger Manny Ramirez's 50-game suspension. The surprising San Francisco Giants, streaky Colorado Rockies and the disappointing Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are not likely to catch Los Angeles.

And what about the rest of the major league teams?

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Red Sox duo locked in Close All Star Votes -- Yokilis pulls ahead, Pedroia very near in balloting

By Doug Miller
June 30, 2009


On his march to the Major Leagues, the little guy who plays second base for the Boston Red Sox has heard over and over again that he can't, but then he laces up his spikes, throws on his glove and proves everyone wrong.

Now Dustin Pedroia is trying to do it again.

Trailing Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers for weeks in American League All-Star voting, the reigning AL Most Valuable Player moved within a relative hair of the leader with a little more than two days remaining before voting closes for the 80th Midsummer Classic, which will be played July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

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Hernandez holds Nats in check, Mets win 7-0

June 7, 2009


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Livan Hernandez gave the New York Mets everything he had before leaving with an upset stomach.

It was enough to end a difficult road trip on a positive note.

Hernandez allowed four singles over seven innings and the Mets scored five first-inning runs in a 7-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

New York went 2-4 on its six-game trip, getting swept in Pittsburgh before taking two of three from the woeful Nationals. The Mets open a three-game series against NL East-leading Philadelphia on Tuesday at Citi Field.

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Cincinnati Reds 2009 Preview

By Lyle Fitzsimmons
March 31, 2009


Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Now, all they need is a name change, right?

The upstart Cincinnati Reds, having officially jettisoned the three-run homer approach in favor of youth, speed and defense, enter the 2009 season with more than a few observers likening them to the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays, of course, ditched the word "Devil" from their name heading into last year and went on to win a franchise-record 97 games en route to a stirring American League Championship Series win and an appearance in the World Series.

So, following that recipe, Dusty Baker and Co. will simply be going by the name "Cincinnati" this season and will no longer answer to the name "Reds".

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2009 MLB Predictions


By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports


Another year, another safe-deposit box full of misdeeds and regrets. No, baseball players aren't perfect, and it is in their flaws that we relate to them.

So do not be shocked to learn that your favorite baseball figures, too, make New Year's resolutions. They are the easiest way to remember the past while looking forward – though, admittedly, the needle marks and back acne are apt reminders.

Alex Rodriguez: I resolve not to cheat on my wife with strippers who look like they wear acid-washed jeans, opt out of my contract in the middle of the World Series, gag in the playoffs again, play slum lord to the disenfranchised and then act contrite during a softball Katie Couric interview. In other words, I resolve to not be myself.

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Albert Pujols: 2008 NL Most Valuable Player


By Brian Walton
November 17, 2008


Even the Baseball Writers Association of America couldn’t screw up the voting for the 2008 National League Most Valuable Player, with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols the official winner over the Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard.

Only because of the long-standing dispute over what the “Most Valuable Player” means and the illogical voting patterns of the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) did the baseball fans of America have to anxiously wait until the formal announcement on Monday afternoon to learn whether the man clearly most deserving of the award, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, would get shafted again or instead would finally pick up his second MVP in his eight years of National League dominance

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Major League Baseball International Reaches Asia, Europe and Latin America with Intelsat

September 9, 2008


PEMBROKE, Bermuda, Sep 09, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Intelsat, Ltd., the world's leading provider of commercial satellite services, announced that Major League Baseball International (MLBI) signed a contract for international distribution to its rightsholders in Asia, Europe and Latin America, providing local viewing access to games and highlights of the upcoming season.

Standard and high definition feeds of the League's games will be transmitted into Asia, Europe and Latin America using five Intelsat satellites. Intelsat will pick up the signals via its major video switch interconnects, transport the programming to its teleport facility in Ellenwood, Georgia, and uplink the games to the Intelsat satellites for transmission to the broadcast receive sites in Asia, Europe and Latin America. In addition to regular season games, this contract also calls for transmission of The American League Championship Series, the World Series and The World Baseball Classic in March 2009.

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Local heroes

July 31, 2008


Sporting labour markets are becoming global. But what about sports themselves?

THE weather is perfect, with just enough breeze to freshen a warm June evening. Shea Stadium is bubbling this Friday night, with fans and food vendors, music and pre-game presentations. On the big screen the New York Mets introduce themselves: Jose Reyes, shortstop, from the Dominican Republic…Carlos Beltran, centre fielder, Puerto Rico…Endy Chavez, right fielder, Venezuela…Oliver Perez, pitcher, Mexico.

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MLB Tickets
MLB News Archive Index: 2010

Report: U.S. government may subpoena as many as 104 MLB players

ESPN.com news services
May 18, 2008


As many as 104 Major League Baseball players could be subpoenaed by federal investigators in connection with the BALCO steroid distribution case after the United States attorney's office obtained positive steroid test results from 2003, according to a published report.

The results, according to The New York Times, were part of the 2003 tests conducted by Major League Baseball that were intended to be anonymous. But through some deft legal maneuvering, the U.S. government seized the records from two different companies hired to provide the tests

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It's early, but Mariners savor win
Cactus victory over Angels gives McLaren's troops a boost

By Jim Street / MLB.com
March 5, 2008 7:57 PM ET


PEORIA, Ariz. -- A win over the Angels in March might not have the same feeling as almost any month during the regular season, but Mariners manager John McLaren was a little more giddy than usual on Wednesday.

"That was like a Mariners-Angels regular-season game," McLaren said after Seattle held off its American League West rivals, 6-5, in a Cactus League game at Peoria Stadium. "It was good to win a game against them."

The Angels were AL West champs last season, largely because they were 13-6 against the Mariners -- including a three-game sweep at Safeco Field in late August that basically knocked Seattle out of the race.

The first of two Spring Training meetings between the teams expected to again battle it out for the AL West championship ended with right-hander Brandon Morrow striking out Hank Conger with one run in and the tying run on base.

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Marlins single-game tickets on sale
Club may play July 28-30 series against Mets in Puerto Rico

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
February 9, 2008, 4:23 PM ET


MIAMI -- Individual game tickets went on sale for the Marlins' 2008 regular-season games on Saturday morning. For now, however, one series remains in limbo.

The Marlins are holding off selling seats for the July 28-30 series with the Mets, because there is a strong chance those games will be played in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

For a few months, the Marlins have had discussions with representatives from Puerto Rico regarding playing one series in San Juan.

Marlins president David Samson said he hopes to resolve where those three games will be played in the next week.

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Diamond dominators

By Steve Henson, Yahoo! Sports


From the Mitchell Report to the Fehr retort, from the Clemens denial to the Bonds pre-trial, it's been an ugly December for baseball. In an admittedly contrived effort to distract attention from the 86 losers named in Mitchell's tome, a list of the game's Top Five teams:

The Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres …

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Judge orders review of racial slur against former NBA star Jayson Williams

11 hours ago

NEWARK, N.J. - The judge overseeing the retrial of former NBA star Jayson Williams ordered prosecutors Thursday to provide all details surrounding a racial slur made by an officer investigating the 2002 shotgun killing of a hired driver.
State Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman said he will review the material privately before deciding what must be turned over to the defence.

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