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Everything you need to know as MLB’s 2020 season restart begins
It’s here. Finally. Spring training 2.0. Or make that summer camp. Or is it summer training? In any case, Major League Baseball begins its strange 2020 odyssey on Wednesday in the strangest of ways — but appropriate for the times: testing for a virus that didn’t exist a year ago. If cleared, workouts will begin […]
Continue readingBaseball’s top 60 storylines for a 60-game MLB season
There is going to be a baseball season after all, one of 60 games, following a month of ugly public negotiations between the players and owners over how to navigate through the money of the shortened season. In the words of Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer, “COVID-19 already presented a lose-lose-lose situation and we’ve somehow found […]
Continue readingLions give CB Desmond Trufant 2-year, $21M deal, source says
Trufant became a free agent after the Atlanta Falcons released him with three years and $35.25 million left on his contract. The move saved the Falcons $4.95 million against the salary cap. Trufant, who turns 30 in September, was a first-round pick in 2013 and named to the Pro Bowl in 2015. Injuries derailed his […]
Continue readingMLB managers, GMs weigh in on sign stealing, proposed playoff format
This has been the busiest spring training in memory — and it has nothing to do with the action on the field. Baseball has been buzzing with talk of sign stealing and commissioner Rob Manfred’s handling of the Houston Astros’ transgressions, a proposed change to the playoff format and trade rumors involving some of the […]
Continue readingReds’ Luis Castillo aims for Cy Young after breakout season
With an upgraded offense behind him, Cincinnati’s best starter thinks he is capable of winning the Cy Young Award. “I try to set goals every year,” Castillo said. “Even though I got those two goals, I want to get three goals. I want to get three goals and add the Cy Young and make the […]
Continue readingShogo Akiyama looks to rebound after rough start with Reds
“I was very embarrassed,” Akiyama said through translator Luke Shinoda. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow now.” He’ll get plenty more chances. Cincinnati signed Akiyama to a $21 million, three-year deal as part of its expensive offseason makeover. Akiyama, 31, became a free agent after his ninth season with the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League, […]
Continue readingOne thing to watch for all 30 teams as spring training begins
When spring training kicked off a year ago, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remained unsigned. The drama this year will center around the Houston Astros: their cheating scandal, reactions from other players about the Astros’ cheating scandal, the possibility of other teams throwing at Astros hitters in spring training, the counter-reaction from Astros pitchers and […]
Continue readingReds move to strengthen bullpen, sign Pedro Strop
Strop, 34, was part of the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen the past six years. A hamstring injury limited him to 50 appearances last season, when he went 2-5 with a 4.97 ERA, 10 saves and six blown saves. Strop had a rough middle of the season after returning from the injury. He went 1-1 with four […]
Continue readingOne stat that will shape 2020 for every American League team
Former manager Bobby Bragan once described baseball statistics like this: “Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable.” Good one. Nonetheless, baseball is a numbers game. As we peel away from the Astros’ cheating scandal and […]
Continue readingWho is the team to beat in the NL Central? It just might be the Cincinnati Reds
Earlier this winter, I researched free-agent spending over the past decade and discovered the Cincinnati Reds had committed just $121.1 million in free agency during the 2010s, the lowest total of any team. Less than the Rays. Less than the Marlins. Less than the A’s. The Reds do not spend in free agency. That’s why […]
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