'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
After spending all summer dumping players, the Houston Astros didn't stop there.
After spending all summer dumping players, the Houston Astros didn't stop there.
The Houston Astros knew they weren't going to win much this season, so with an eye toward the future they cast off their few pricey veterans before the trade deadline, slashing payroll and restocking their depleted farm system.
Previewing the American League.
The Toronto Blue Jays have assembled a team with the potential to become a division champion this year _ just about anywhere else except in the American League East.
A team-by-team look at the American League entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:
Free-agent closer Ryan Madson and the Cincinnati Reds reached an oral agreement on an $8.5 million, one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal.
A person familiar with the deal says free-agent closer Ryan Madson and the Cincinnati Reds have reached an oral agreement on an $8.5 million, one-year contract.
The Cincinnati Reds acquired left-handed reliever Sean Marshall from the Chicago Cubs on Friday for young lefty starter Travis Wood and two other players.
Watching Laynce Nix bounce a two-run single over the head of Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee on Monday night, it was hard to believe the slugging left fielder was close to being left off the Nationals' Opening Day roster.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa doesn't like what Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman has to say about his team.
Capsules of National League teams, listed in order of finish last year:
Left-hander Aroldis Chapman made his big leg kick and let one fly. Flashes went off around the ballpark. The crowd let out a collective "ooh" when the ball slammed loudly into Ryan Hanigan's mitt.
"Of course I was nervous," he said, through a translator.
"I don't think it can get any better than this," closer Francisco Cordero said.
