Baseball

Alex Avila impressive for division-leading Tigers

Splitting time with Gerald Laird last season, Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila struggled offensively. So when Laird departed via free agency – after managing an atrocious .567 OPS in 2010 – the Tigers addressed their lack of production behind the plate by acquiring the best offensive catcher available, Victor Martinez, in free agency. Martinez has […]

Baseball

Justin Masterson: True ace of the Indians’ rotation

Before Ubaldo Jimenez arrived in Cleveland, the Indians already had a pitcher who was performing like an ace. It’s no secret that Justin Masterson has had a spectacular year, anchoring an Indians starting rotation that has been the main reason why the team sits within striking distance of first place in the AL Central. Just how Masterson has been so dominant […]

Baseball

Eric Hinske finding his niche with Braves

To say that Eric Hinske has had a unique career is definitely an understatement. After winning his first World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2007 while hitting just .204 on the season, Hinske was forced to settle for a minor league contract the following year with the Tampa Bay Rays. He regained his form at […]

Baseball

Padres’ Heath Bell relieved to stay in San Diego

Less than two weeks ago, as trade rumors swirled leading up to the trade deadline, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell was going to be finishing the season in a different uniform. The deadline came and went but Bell remained a Padre, contrary to all of the reports that an impending move […]

Baseball

Found in translation: Koji Uehara ready for Texas

Few baseball fans know a lot about Koji Uehara, but the Texas Rangers knew exactly what they were getting when they acquired the Japanese right-hander at the trade deadline at the end of July: one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. People are only starting to realize just how effective Uehara has been this season, and that effectiveness certainly […]

Baseball

Doug Fister an integral piece for contending Tigers

With an improved ability to induce ground balls and cut down line drives, newly-acquired Tiger Doug Fister has evolved into one of Major League Baseball’s top pitchers in 2011 – despite the fact that until last week, his win-loss record sat at 3-12. The third-year pitcher’s success on the mound can be attributed to an […]

Baseball

Clint Hurdle: Even more popular with players than fans

When Pirates manager Clint Hurdle passed on a managing offer from the New York Mets during the offseason to become Pittsburgh’s new skipper, many reporters and baseball fans alike were quick to point out that he had his work cut out for him. They were right. Everyone knew about the Pirates’ stretch of 18 consecutive losing seasons, but the […]

Baseball

Asdrubal Cabrera, the worthy All-Star

At the beginning of July, when final voting results came in for yesterday’s MLB All-Star Game, legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter held a 450,000-vote edge over Asdrubal Cabrera at the position, despite a less than legendary 2011 season. Jeter, who would eventually log his 3,000th hit but little else, was set to take […]

Baseball

Free agency-bound Jose Reyes dominating for Mets

Twelve years ago, the New York Mets signed a scrawny 16-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic as an amateur free agent. His name was Jose Bernabe Reyes, and he has evolved into one of the most exciting players to watch in Major League Baseball today. After breaking into the Majors in 2003 at the tender age of […]

Baseball

Polished Progression: The subtle rise of Max Scherzer

When the Detroit Tigers dealt Curtis Granderson to the Yankees in a three-team trade for Austin Jackson and Phil Coke in 2009, the fact that they also picked up Max Scherzer from the Diamondbacks often gets overlooked. At the time of the trade, Scherzer was coming off of his first full season as an MLB starter with a 4.12 ERA and […]