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Moneyball Highlights 2002 Oakland A’s 20 Game Winning Streak: Which Team Achieved a Similar Feat? (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Oakland Athletics News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:47:00 +0000

The wonderful film, " Moneyball ," is up for several Academy Awards, including best picture, lead actor, supporting actor and adapted screenplay. The movie highlights the 2002 Oakland Athletics and their incredible 20 game winning streak.

Texas Rangers at a Contract Standstill with Catcher Mike Napoli – a Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Texas Rangers News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Josh Hamilton is hogging the Texas Rangers' news right now thanks to his unfortunate one-night alcohol relapse. One of the downfalls to his moment of weakness is the fact his contract negotiations have been tabled, meaning he might not get a new contract until after the 2012...

The New Matt Garza Deal is Not Enough: Fan Debate (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Chicago Cubs News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

On Friday, February 3, Matt Garza and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a contract for 2012 that will pay the ace right-hander $9.5 million. Garza may also earn more with incentives, including the number of innings pitched. The deal helps the two sides avoid arbitration and hopefully end...

MLB 2012 New York Yankees Home Schedule at Yankee Stadium (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - New York Yankees News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

The New York Yankees have much to get excited about this season at Yankee Stadium. Many memories were made in 2011 and plenty more will be created this upcoming season. Will this be the year the Yankees claim the American League championship?

Wife of Yankees GM Cashman files for divorce (AP)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - New York Yankees News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:41:26 +0000

The wife of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has filed divorce papers, a day after prosecutors charged a woman with stalking him and extorting money over an extramarital affair. Mary Cashman filed the paperwork Friday in Stamford, Conn. Her lawyer didn't immediately return a phone message Saturday.

Wife of Yankees GM Cashman files for divorce

Associated Press — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:41:20 +0000

The wife of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has filed divorce papers, a day after prosecutors charged a woman with stalking him and extorting money over an extramarital affair.

Brian Cashman’s Wife Files for Divorce: A New York Mets Fan’s View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - New York Yankees News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:48:00 +0000

For the first time in a decade, an ugly scandal regarding a New York-area baseball team involves the Yankees instead of the Mets. Brian Cashman's Philandering According to a Yahoo! Sports report, a woman stalked and shook down New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman,...

Cubs Could Trade Matt Garza: Fan’s Opinion (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Chicago Cubs News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:17:00 +0000

The Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Matt Garza avoided arbitration on February 3, reaching an agreement for one year at $9.5 million. Garza is currently the Cubs' best option to start for the team on Opening Day. However, many believe that the Cubs may trade him at some point...

Will the Philadelphia Phillies Infield Plan Work?: Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Philadelphia Phillies News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:52:00 +0000

The Philadelphia Phillies could refer to most of their infielders as seasoned veterans, but that would just be another way of saying that they are middle-aged in baseball years. Will the modest adjustments that were made to their inner diamond mix help to improve the overall...

Cashman’s wife files for divorce

FOXSports.com News for MLB — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:58:02 +0000

The wife of Yankee general manager Brian Cashman filed for divorce Friday -- a day after her husband was publicly accused of a second affair, this time with a woman who was charged with shaking him down, sources said.

Marlins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Marlins' president David Samson said he expects right-hander Juan Carlos Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, to join the team some time during spring training.

But Samson was less certain about Oviedo's chances of opening the season with the team. Oviedo is on the restricted list while he works out immigration issues in the Dominican Republic.

Oviedo was placed on the restricted list in September, right before he admitted to using a fake name, Leo Nunez.

"I hope that things get cleared up and we'd love to have him in camp and getting ready for the season," Samson said Feb. 2.

But Oviedo could face disciplinary action from Major League Baseball because "there was an acknowledged violation of the law" by him, Samson said.

"If you ask me will he be at...

Astros Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Houston Astros News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Despite where the Astros sit relative to the rest of baseball, spots in the rotation will not just be handed out this spring. That was assured when a sixth extremely viable candidate was added to the rotation mix with the signing of veteran workhorse Livan Hernandez.

Hernandez, 36, signed a minor league contract complete with an invitation to major league spring training, where he will have a legitimate shot to make the opening day roster. It would be his 17th season in the major leagues for the 1997 World Series MVP.

"He gives us a veteran presence and it gives us flexibility so we don't have to push some young guys into roles if they're not ready for them," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said.

The most obvious young arm is attached the body of Jordan Lyles,...

Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Minnesota Twins News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Outfielder Josh Willingham readily acknowledges that right field is not exactly in his comfort zone. But the offseason acquisition is confident he'll figure it out.

Although he has started only 33 games in right, he has played hundreds in left.

"Hopefully this spring I'll just get a lot of reps out there and get comfortable," Willingham said. "That's the goal. Playing on the opposite end of the field, it's different, the way the balls come off the bat, so it'll just take a little bit of time to get used to."

Willingham, 32, signed a three-year, $21 million deal this winter to replace Michael Cuddyer, whose primary position was right field, though he wound up playing a lot of first base the fill in for oft-injured Justin Morneau the last few seasons.

So far,...

Rays Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Tampa Bay Rays News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

The Rays feel pretty good about the moves they've made thus far during the offseason, upgrading offensively at designated hitter and first base, adding depth to their bullpen and improving behind the plate.

They did so by signing five free agents—first baseman 1B Carlos Pena, designated hitter Luke Scott, infielder Jeff Keppinger, catcher Jose Molina and reliever Fernando Rodney—for more than $18-million.

They also made two small trades, adding right-handers Burke Badenhop and Josh Lueke.

So what's left to do?

Even with the addition of Molina, the 36-year-old veteran of 12 seasons, the Rays seem shorthanded, at least experience-wise, behind the plate, which could lead them back into the market.

After declining Kelly Shoppach's option and...

Phillies Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Philadelphia Phillies News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

When the Phillies checked into spring training a year ago, a veteran team with most of its roster in place had a legitimate, healthy competition for jobs.

With several young arms pushing their way onto the roster, a transition was underway in the bullpen, from older, experienced players to younger, promising rookies.

The transformation continued throughout the season, too, as the likes of Antonio Bastardo, Michael Stutes and David Herndon became fixtures, while veterans J.C. Romero and Danys Baez were released.

The trend will undoubtedly continue this season. After a winter that saw only remaining two members of the 2008 World Championship bullpen depart, Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson, the relief corps overhaul is near-complete.

Knowing a healthy presence of...

White Sox Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Chicago White Sox News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Most of the White Sox players will use the low expectations on the 2012 team as motivation for when spring training starts later this month.

However, veteran Paul Konerko seemed to be the only player that cared more about the reality of the situation, and the fact that the White Sox have digressed since winning the 2005 World Series, especially in the eyes of their fan base.

"I would say it won't matter (what we tell them) until July or into August," Konerko said, when asked if there was anything to even say to White Sox fans at this point. "We've kind of just given back ... you get what you earn and we haven't earned anything with our fans over the last couple of years.

"Truth be told, there was that little glimmer at the end of '08.

Diamondbacks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Arizona Diamondbacks News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

The Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $5.9 million contract with All-Star catcher Miguel Montero to avoid arbitration, but that does not mean the sides are done talking about a multi-year deal.

D-backs general manager Kevin Towers said he hoped to continue discussions this spring on a contract that would lock up Montero for several more years, and Montero said that was fine with him even though the sides did not get particularly close on a long-term agreement during their attempts this winter.

"I would say there is probably more of a gap on dollars versus term, but we've got a lot more time to work that out than we did over the last couple of weeks," Towers said. "It is still something that we want to do.

Yankees Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - New York Yankees News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

As the Yankees continue to move through the marketplace in search of an extra left-handed bat, they are considering whether potential players have had success in New York before.

That's why, in part, hitters such as Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have appeal. But the Yankees are not ruling out players who have not called the Big Apple home.

Manager Joe Girardi admitted that having some sort of New York background is a help, but was also quick to point out: "When you think about Raul Ibanez, he's had success wherever he's gone, too."

It's unclear whether the Yankees will sign someone to take up the at-bats lost when Jesus Montero, who was set to be the designated hitter, was sent to Seattle in the Michael Pineda trade.

They probably need to add a utility...

Tigers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Detroit Tigers News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

The Tigers have one, maybe two, spots open for competition in the bullpen this spring.

Jose Valverde has the closer's role nailed down, and Joaquin Benoit returns as the primary setup guy in Jim Leyland's seven-man bullpen.

Octavio Dotel was signed to help out in the seventh and eighth innings, with Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth providing left-handed options. That's five seats filled.

You'd have to presume Collin Balester, brought over from Washington in a trade for Ryan Perry, has the inside track for the sixth spot, or why else would Detroit have given up a hard-thrower such as Perry? Balester is out of options, one of the reasons the Nationals traded him, another factor working in his favor.

Still, Balester needs to show in the spring he can be a reliable...

Rockies Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Colorado Rockies News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Jorge De La Rosa took another step in what has been a steady recovery from Tommy John surgery when he began mixing his changeup with his fastball while throwing a bullpen session at the Rockies' spring training complex in Scottsdale, Ariz.

De La Rosa threw 15 fastballs followed by five changeups and after a brief rest threw the same three to one ratio of fastballs to changeups but mixed the pitches. He was scheduled to have the same pattern in his next bullpen session and then was to rest from pitching for a week.

Beginning Feb. 10, De La Rosa will resume pitching and will gradually work up to 50 pitches before facing hitters, which assuming no setbacks is scheduled to occur in the middle of March.

When camp breaks, De La Rosa will stay in extended spring training...