Comment (0)
News
Richard Justice, who joined MLB.com as an executive correspondent in 2011, has covered Major League Baseball for more than three decades and offers his insight on MLB.com and MLB.com/live.
 | Matt Carpenter led the Majors in runs, doubles and hits last season, and the Cardinals have signed him to a six-year, $52 million contract that will run at least through his 33rd birthday.
More» Carpenter contributes in all facets of game |
 | To many of the people who knew Dr. Frank Jobe best, he was more than the man who revolutionized sports medicine. The Tommy John surgery pioneer lived a life of service and humility.
More»Dr. Frank Jobe passes away at age 88 |
 | Let's be clear about the relationship between Colby Lewis and the Texas Rangers. They love the guy. Lewis, veteran of 113 career starts for Texas, is in camp on a Minor League deal, hoping to make the club after missing all of 2013 recovering from elbow and hip surgeries.
More» Lewis, Tepesch on their outings vs. Indians |
 | Once among the top prospects in baseball, Mike Olt has had to endure a couple tough years of struggles and injuries, but the young slugger is confident his career is back on track.
More» Kottaras, Olt on spring progress with Cubs |
 | There's no question Tyler Skaggs could be a huge piece for the Angels in 2014. If he's not <i>the</i> part that gets them back to the postseason, he could very well elevate a decent starting rotation into a special one. If that happens, the Angels almost certainly will be in the mix for a playoff berth.
More»Gonzalez discusses back-end of Angels' rotation |
 | Plenty of Astros fans will remember Ken Caminiti when they read the quotes from 22-year-old first baseman Jon Singleton, a prospect in Houston's farm system who detailed his battle against marijuana, anxiety and depression in an interview with The Associated Press. Singleton is fortunate that he will have the best support system on earth.
More»Singleton, Luhnow, Porter on prospect's suspension |
 | The Texas Rangers saw it as a unique opportunity to bring a champion into their organization. So there was Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson trotting onto a backfield Monday morning to take part in infield drills with Prince Fielder, Adrian Beltre, etc.
More»Russell Wilson works out at Rangers camp |
 | Billy Hamilton's game-changing speed was legendary before he ever stepped foot on a Major League diamond. Despite his inexperience, the speedster is getting a chance to show he can be the Reds' center fielder and leadoff man in 2014.
More»Billy Hamilton on his speed, playing CF and more |
 | White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn, who had a small role in the Oscar-nominated film "Dallas Buyers Club," traveled to Los Angeles to attend the Academy Awards.
More»Dunn, Ventura on the slugger's Academy Awards invite |
 | Amid the Dodgers' transformation into a winning baseball team, there was Adrian Gonzalez, the quiet, steady one, the 10-year veteran, rock solid as always.
More» Adrian still productive, but power fading |
 | Ryan Braun said it was just another spring at-bat, a brick in the wall. Nothing more. If you're inclined to see something larger, to make it some symbolic turning of the page, you'll have to go it alone.
More» Braun on his homer, adjusting defensively |
 | Going from humble origins in Cuba to having the world at his feet as a Dodgers rookie star, Yasiel Puig has been living life to the max. Hopefully he'll be able to slow things down a bit in his second year.
More»Mattingly on expectations for Yasiel Puig in 2014 |
 | I'll take Ervin Santana and the Texas Rangers for a thousand, Alex. I mean, why not? This could be a partnership that sends everyone home happy, so can't we get these crazy kids together?
More» Santana regained relevance after career year |
 | Because we'll be forever captivated by the kid who hustles his way onto the roster in Spring Training, here are 10 things clubs are looking closely at over the next few weeks.
More»Yankees players talk about Jeter's farewell |
 | Can one player change the look of an entire division race? Could that one player be Ubaldo Jimenez? Could he really mean that much to the Orioles? In a word, yes.
More»Richard Justice breaks down Orioles' deal with Ubaldo |
 | With Chris Carpenter's retirement from the Cardinals, Adam Wainwright is the leader of a rotation with an assortment of gifted young guys stacked up behind him. He has Carpenter's old spring locker for the second straight year, which is symbolic of a larger role with the organization. That's one of the things they mean by "The Cardinal Way."
More» Waino has returned to ace form |
 | The 2013 Red Sox won the World Series because the club's whole was greater than the sum of its parts. With the some of its offseason changes, Boston seems content to put that model to the test again and allow things to evolve.
More» Pedroia still star with bat, on basepaths |
 | Rays manager Joe Maddon is not big on rules, and his relaxed approach has been key to the team's success in an American League East headlined by big-money rivals.
More»Manager Joe Maddon on Rays' continued success |
 | First things first. As a matter of fact, CC Sabathia does look different. Yes, dramatically different.
More» Sabathia could rebound with better HR rate |
 | Take your sweetheart on a ballpark tour today. Give him or her the perfect Valentine.
More»Happy Valentine's Day from the Mets |
Tim Hudson is a reminder that prices are going up. Baseball teams have money to spend, and with a thin free agent market and at least 20 clubs thinking they’ve got a chance to win the World Series in 2014, it’s a great off-season to be a free agent. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann are […]
More» |
Revisionist history says the Phillies made terrible decisions in giving all these longterm commitments to Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, etc. This is just silly. What were they supposed to do with these guys? Walk away from them? Allow Ryan Howard to leave via free agency? This group of players has transformed the Phillies from a […]
More» |
Until the moment the World Series was won on Wednesday night, the Red Sox were focused only on the job at hand. One pitch at a time. One inning at a time. Et cetera. “Whatever the task is in front of us, that’s the one we address,” manager John Farrell said earlier in the week. […]
More» |
Maybe the Astros came to town at just the right time to save the Rangers. Speaking of the Astros, this is the two-week anniversary of their last victory. During this little 0-12 run, they’ve been outscored 69-19. The Reds, Indians and Rangers all swept ‘em at a time when all three teams needed victories. The […]
More» |
How crazy is this American League Wild Card race? Donât blink or youâll miss something important, and I speak as one who stayed with the Rays and Orioles for their 6-hour, 54-minute marathon that ended at 2:05 a.m. Saturday. In case you missed it, the Rays won it 5-4 in the bottom of the 18th […]
More» |
Dodgers starters are 21-5 with a 1.91 ERA since July 26. In that time, they’ve had 12 games in which the starter didn’t allow an earned run. The Dodgers are 22-6 in August and 32-8 since the All-Star Break and 49-13 since June 22. 22 wins in August is a Los Angeles record for the […]
More» |
Tom Boswell of The Washington Post has an excellent column about baseball’s recent September surprises. He’s reminding his hometown team that it’s important to play the season out because you just never know. Here are some highlights: In just the past two years, six teams have imploded to lose division titles or a playoff spot. […]
More» |
I’m sure Ryan Braun was told that the reaction to whatever apology he issued would be negative. There’s nothing columnists and talk show nitwits like more than climbing on their soapbox and trashing another man’s ethics. As a matter of fact, I enjoy it myself. Some people were going to be satisfied only if Braun […]
More» |
Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig made the following statement today regarding the discipline issued to players in relation to Major League Baseballâs Biogenesis investigation: âMajor League Baseball has worked diligently with the Players Association for more than a decade to make our Joint Drug Program the best in all of professional sports. I am […]
More» |
It was the spring of 1993 in Fort Lauderdale when Orioles manager Johnny Oates introduced Cal Ripken Jr. to a skinny, 17-year-old kid from Miami. Alex Rodriguez would be the overall No. 1 pick in the draft that summer and had asked to meet with his boyhood idol. Ripken redefined the position of shortstop, proving […]
More» |
