Mets could see record payroll drop (Yahoo! Sports)

The New York Mets, once of baseball's free-spending, big-market teams, could wind up with the largest one-year payroll trimming in Major League Baseball history, according to an ESPN.com report. General manager Sandy Alderson told the web site that the team lost $70 million...

Posted under mlb

Not the same old story: Rangers, Angels and Nationals dominate ESPN’s early Sunday night schedule (Yahoo! Sports)

ESPN just released the first eight weeks of its "Sunday Night Baseball" schedule (plus a few random dates) and, yes, they're going to be showing at least two Red Sox-Yankees games. One on April 22 and one just before the … Continue reading ?

Posted under mlb

MLB Roundup: Selig to get contact extension, Disney family eyes Dodgers (Yahoo! Sports)

Baseball commissioner Allan "Bud" Selig will be offered a two-year extension, according to an ESPN The Magazine report. Selig, 77, has one year left on his current contract, and had previously stated that he intended to retire in 2012.

Posted under mlb

MLB roundup: Marlins acquire Carlos Zambrano (Yahoo! Sports)

The Chicago Cubs traded their talented but combustible pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins Thursday for right-hander Chris Volstad. The Cubs will pay $15 million of the $18 million owed Zambrano in 2012, a source told ESPN.com.

Posted under mlb

Mets, reliever Frank Francisco agree to two-year pact (Yahoo! Sports)

The New York Mets have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with reliever Frank Francisco. ESPN is reporting the pact is for $12 million, though terms of the deal have not officially been released. Francisco was 1-4 with 17 saves and a 3.55 ERA in 54 games for the Toronto Blue Jays in...

Posted under mlb

Carlos Beltran signing on with Cardinals? (Yahoo! Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals lost the league's biggest bat when Albert Pujols signed with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason. So they're going to need to find offense in all sorts of new places next season. According to ESPN, one … Continue reading ?

Posted under mlb

MLB Roundup: BoSox trade for Melancon; Brewers sign Ramirez (Yahoo! Sports)

The Boston Red Sox may have replaced closer Jonathan Papelbon, as Houston Astros reliever Mark Melancon is shuffling up to Boston. The Astros acquired infielder Jed Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland for Melancon, according to an ESPN.com report.

Posted under mlb

MLB roundup: Brewers to sign Aramis Ramirez (Yahoo! Sports)

Former Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez will sign a three-year pact with the Milwaukee Brewers according to a report on espn.com. The three-year deal is worth between $34 million and $37 million, according to FoxSports.com.

Posted under mlb

MLB Roundup: Opposition to Valentine hire; Hall announces nominees (Yahoo! Sports)

Bobby Valentine's arrival in Boston has upset some Red Sox players, according to an ESPN.com report. That could be a good thing, right? Valentine comes with a reputation as a disciplined, no-nonsense manager who demanded public accountability during his stints with the New York...

Posted under mlb

Heath Bell nearing a deal? (Yahoo! Sports)

Free-agent closer Heath Bell ended up not being moved at the trading deadline in July, but the word from ESPN...

Posted under mlb