National League Rumors & News
The happiest team on Earth
Dodgers Thoughts | ESPN Los Angeles — Express Newspapers/Getty Images Meadowlark LemonSo in the comments this afternoon, I started thinking about what it would be like if the Dodgers made this roadshow they're currently on in Taiwan a permanent thing. I don't mean an overseas trip every year. I mean turning the Dodgers into a modern-day baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters – the L.A. Dodgers Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings – crossing the globe on a 200-game roadtrip. Dodgers vs. CPBL All-Stars, 10:07 p.m. Trayvon Robinson, RF Jamey Carroll, SS Manny Ramirez, DH James Loney, 1B Ronnie Belliard, 3B Xavi...
Los Angeles Dodgers 9 mins agoBullet train bullet points
Dodgers Thoughts | ESPN Los Angeles — Between the last game and the next, here are some notes ... Josh Rawitch is writing about snakes on a bullet train at Inside the Dodgers. It's looking mighty sketchy for Eric Gagne. Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com has an update. While allowing five baserunners in three scoreless innings, Chad Billingsley got some work in on his developing changeup, notes Dylan Hernandez of the Times. The Dodgers' goodwill mission couldn't be better timed considering the current baseball crisis in Taiwan, writes Steve Henson of Yahoo! Sports. See Dodger ticket prices go from the sublime to the ridiculo...
Los Angeles Dodgers 9 mins agoDempster, Cubs defeat White Sox in Las Vegas
Northwest Herald — LAS VEGAS – Ryan Dempster and the Cubs handled a stiff breeze to slip past their rivals from the Windy City.
Chicago Cubs 18 mins agoPiniella: Ramirez OK
Northwest Herald — MESA, Ariz. – Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he was far more concerned about what his pitching staff will look like in three weeks than about Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez having to leave a spring game because of right triceps soreness.
Chicago Cubs 18 mins agoIn the comfort zone
Cincinnati Enquirer — Ramon Hernandez is an honest man. Ask him why he re-signed with the Reds and he says: "Going to a new team is kind of a pain in the (butt)."
Cincinnati Reds 28 mins agoCubs pound Reds 11-4
Cincinnati Enquirer — Cubs manager Lou Piniella says he's far more concerned about what his pitching staff will look like in three weeks than about Chicago third baseman Aramis Ramirez having to leave a spring game with right triceps soreness.
Cincinnati Reds 28 mins agoTabata showing strength
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review — Jose Tabata sits in the Pirates' clubhouse at McKechnie Field, resting his hands and chin on the knob end of his bat.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1 hour agoDodgers' Blake DeWitt is leaving no questions about his hitting
Los Angeles Times — Chad Billingsley continues to work on making a changeup part of his arsenal. Manager Joe Torre has made it clear that Blake DeWitt's play at second base will determine whether the converted third baseman makes the Dodgers' opening day roster.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 hours agoA supplement on Steve Decker, including his plan for Buster Posey
Extra Baggs | San Jose Mercury News — Here’s a scouting tip on Triple-A Fresno manager Steve Decker: If you interview him, use a tape recorder. He’s what we in the business refer to as a fast talker. And it’s not just jibber-jabber. He’s insightful, interesting, opinionated and honest. And whatever he’s saying has passion behind it. I profiled Decker for the Saturday paper, so [...]
San Francisco Giants 2 hours ago-
Jose Reyes
SS
-
-
-
-
- After years of closed doors, there's a lot to admire about Mike Holmgren's fresh air with Browns: Bud Shaw's Sunday Sports Spin Plain Dealer Mike Holmgren's approach in Berea is refreshing as long as you're not Brady Quinn. But now he has to be right, Bud Shaw says in his Sunday Spin.
- Russell Branyan's back rehab at a 'plateau', but Tribe's Acta not worried: Indians Insider Plain Dealer Just what happened to Russell Branyan's back this spring might be a matter of debate, but one thing is clear -- the Cactus League season is rolling along without him.
- Grooming new talent is always a necessity for Rays Tampa Tribune The reality that surrounds a small-revenue team like the Rays is that eventually its star players get too big for the market.
- Position breakdown: 5th starter Tampa Tribune The name Wade Davis has been penciled into the Rays' plans this season, but only penciled in, because the team wants the young right-hander to earn the final spot in the rotation.
- Oakland A's Gio Gonzalez is working on being fifth starting pitcher Oakland Tribune He throws three shutout innings in split-squad victory over Giants
- Oakland A's Daric Barton is focused to stay 'in a zone' all season Oakland Tribune A's first baseman is hitting .444 so far this spring
- The Fantasy Man - American League East Questions Fantasy Baseball Express I was hoping to get a guy in here to do some American League analysis but no such luck so far and I can't let Chris the NL King have all the fun. So for now, I'll try to throw down some AL Only League knowledge and try to keep up with Chris' pace.American League EastNew York Yankees- Is Brett Gardner going to play Full-time?- Who will bat second in the lineup? Nick Johnson or Curtis Granderson?- Is Derek Jeter in a decline?- 5th Spot.... Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes?Thoughts: I would expect Gardner to get a minimum of 450 AB assuming he can hit consistently enough and by consistently, I me...
- NL King - National League West Key Fantasy Questions Fantasy Baseball Express Arizona Diamondbacks:- Is Brandon Webb past his injury problems and ready to become an ace again?- Will going to the NL help Edwin Jackson take the next step?- Will Miguel Montero establish himself as one of the better NL catchers this year?- Will Chris B. Young, Connor Jackson & Kelly Johnson rebound?- Is the real Stephen Drew the 2009 version or the 2008 version?- Is Mark Reynolds steals for real and will he hit above .250?Colorado Rockies:- Will Jorge De la Rosa show that 2009 was not fluke?- Is Jeff Francis a good cheap flyer after missing most of the last 2 seasons?- Can Chris Ianetta...
- NL King - National League Central Key Fantasy Questions Fantasy Baseball Express Chicago Cubs:- How long will Ted Lilly be out?- Is Randy Wells really reliable depth starter?- Can Carlos Marmol hold the closers job for the whole year?- Can Aramis Ramirez play 140 games?- Can Alfonso Soriano find that old magic?Cincinnati Reds:- Can you rely on Aaron Harang & bronson Arroyo?- Will Aroldis Chapman make the team?- Is this the year Johnny Cueto takes the big step?- Can Jay Bruce give you strong power numbers but hitting above .260?- Who is the starting LF of Chris Heisey, Todd Frazier, Wladimir Balentien, or Josh Anderson?- Can Drew Stubbs provide nice numbers across the b...
- Rockies' Fowler, Seth Smith undervalued in fantasy ESPN ...season (despite missing time because of a knee injury), it's obvious that the immediate returns for fantasy players have come in the steals department. He went 20-for-28 on the basepaths at Double...
- Big Board: Baseball Yahoo! Sports A thyroid condition hurts not only Jose Reyes' place on the latest Big Board, but teammate Jason Bay's, too.
- Backup closers: Finding save candidates Fox Sports Daniel Bard is Boston's future closer.