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.
 | Matt Williams has the kind of problem every MLB manager would like to have -- potential No. 1 starters throughout his pitching rotation.
More»Harper discusses 2015 expectations, adding Scherzer |
 | The Yankees feel good about Carlos Beltran this season. If it turns out the way they think it might, they're going to look back to an offseason in which Beltran was at Yankee Stadium five days a week for rehab work.
More» Beltran looks to move past '14 elbow injury |
 | Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez is a reminder that it's a mistake to underestimate the smart guys, the curious guys, the ones who believe in themselves when almost no one else does.
More» J.D. Martinez should build off '15 breakout |
 | The Houston Astros say it started with the two pitchers, Collin McHugh and Dallas Keuchel. They're the ones who deserve the credit for the Astros' success, because they were the ones who embraced change and executed every single pitch.
More»Hinch on Astros' starters, Hernandez's status at camp |
 | The Nationals are the consensus favorites to win the NL East, but the Mets and Marlins think they might both have something to say about that. For the Mets, optimism begins with a rotation stacked with power arms and more of them in the Minors.
More»Collins believes Mets' roster is built for October |
 | By signing franchise cornerstone Giancarlo Stanton to a record deal and acquiring numerous veteran stars this offseason, the Marlins have put themselves in a position to compete for a postseason berth this year.
More»Mike Hill discusses the 2015 Marlins on Hot Stove |
 | Once more, they have very few question marks. As usual, they have high expectations. In that way, the St. Louis Cardinals never seem to change much.
More»John Mozeliak joins Mad Dog on High Heat |
 | Often lauded for his leadership and other intangibles, Twins veteran Torii Hunter's consistent production as he nears 40 should not be overlooked.
More» Hunter should hit for solid average in 2015 |
 | Someone asked David Ortiz how much longer he intends to play. Innocent question, right? "I don't know," Ortiz said while meeting with the media on Wednesday.
More»Ortiz ready for Red Sox to get things done in 2015 |
 | Throughout an offseason of change for the Tampa Bay Rays, Evan Longoria always believed it would turn out OK.
More»Longoria looks to bounce back strong for Rays in 2015 |
 | Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval over here. Justin Masterson and Wade Miley over there. Rusney Castillo is beginning his first full season with his new team. So is Joe Kelly. These are the 2015 Boston Red Sox. They don't much resemble the 2014 Red Sox. Regardless, optimism is an easy sell.
More»Justin Masterson glad to be back in Boston |
 | The Red Sox got better, perhaps much better. Better in 2017? Or 2018? No, it's simpler than that. Yoan Moncada makes them better the moment he signs on the dotted line.
More»Ringolsby on Cuban infielder Moncada to Red Sox |
 | Buck Showalter has been one of the key figures in resurrecting one of baseball's "crown jewel" franchises and making it one of the smartest, most successful operations in the game.
More»Showalter on using Wieters, Machado during spring |
 | What is Cole Hamels supposed to say? That he doesn't want to be here? Zero chance of that. Hamels' feelings for the Phillies run too deep. For the City of Philadelphia, too, as he has come to love the place.
More»Hamels on prepping for season, Phillies contending |
 | He spoke of unknowns, too many to count. He spoke of age, a looming issue. He spoke of new faces. "I think name tags are an option," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. Strip it all away, though, and one thing won't change for the New York Yankees: Expectations.
More»Girardi plans to sort out rotation, lineup in ST |
 | While it will take pitchers, hitters, catchers and umpires time to adjust to the new rules implemented Friday to improve the pace of games, the changes will ultimately make the greatest game on the planet even better.
More»Hot Stove talks MLB's pace of game announcement |
 | After two straight postseason appearances, the Pirates want something more -- to win the final game of 2015.
More»Richard Justice checks in on the Pirates and Dodgers |
 | We associate the beginning of Spring Training with distinctive sounds. Batting practice and bullpen sessions. Baseballs cracking off bats and popping into gloves. Coaches shouting instructions during infield practices, players hustling from one drill to the next. Whether it's your first Spring Training or your 50th, these are magical sounds.
More»Pitchers report, ready for spring as #BaseballBegins |
 | To understand baseball's competitive balance, the American League is a good place to start. At least 13 of the 15 AL teams believe they're positioned to make the postseason in 2015.
More»Royals primed for repeat postseason run in 2015 |
 | The 2017 All-Star Game is a triumph of persistence and a tribute to all the men and women who relentlessly pursued a two-decade dream of building a first-class ballpark in South Florida.
More»Marlins discuss Stanton's record-setting contract |
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» |
