hanley ramirez
The Cespedes gamble: The biggest MLB position-change risks
For much of this offseason, the Mets shied away from Yoenis Cespedes, in part, because they questioned if he was a full-time center fielder. The numbers back up the concern....
Does free agency freeze mean MLB finally learned splurging lesson?
Black Friday fervor did not reach the major leagues. Like the rest of the offseason to date, teams essentially were putting off their big shopping for a later date. At...
Is Red Sox's sudden rise for real? 3 questions before the stamp
When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2013 — their third title in 11 years — I believed they were set up for a dynasty. They seemed to...
Robinson Cano's disappointing place in MLB awards race
This is my annual Hardball year-end awards, and I want to begin with Robinson Cano, but not because he is going to have his streak of five straight AL MVP top-six...
Red Sox outfield cleanup: A rising star and a toxic $66M man
Dave Dombrowski, the Red Sox’s new head of baseball operations, has many tough decisions in front of him, but sometimes players just make it easier which way to go. Of...
Not a lost cause for Red Sox if they've found outfield of future
Often this year, conversations with an executive or a scout have swerved to what has gone wrong with the Red Sox. And even while criticizing the decisions to bring in...
Red Sox misery makes 2013 title feel lucky
Championships are forever. There are no asterisks. If the Warriors finish off the Cavaliers, their title will not say, “Yeah, they won, but all four of their playoff opponents were...
Troy Tulowitzki eyes Rockies exit -- these 4 contenders make sense
One of the most vital moments of this season will occur Thursday at a breakfast meeting in Los Angeles between Troy Tulowitzki and his longtime agent, Paul Cohen. The two...
Yanks call out Red Sox after tempers flare in plunking fight
BOSTON — The benches didn’t clear and there were no punches thrown, but for a moment on Sunday night, the Yankees and Red Sox looked as if they were turning...
Four ways the contrarian Red Sox roster can be AL power
The Red Sox arrive to The Bronx this weekend a lab experiment worth watching for the Yankees and, really, all of the majors. They have reacted to the two overarching...
Good news for Yankees: AL East has parity of ugly contenders
TAMPA -- The biggest thing the Yankees might have going for them as they attempt to halt a two-year stretch of dark Octobers is residing in the AL East. This is...
A new environment, a new fantasy baseball hope for these players
There comes a time in a baseball player’s career when getting a fresh start in a new town is exactly what is needed to spark something special, even if good...
Red Sox in middle of MLB's most explosive trade scenarios
The Red Sox are rewriting one of baseball’s adages, deciding you could never have enough outfielders. Maybe that stockpile will end up helping them have enough pitching. A lot of...
'Tres Amigos' lead new-look Red Sox's scary offensive dynamo
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Welcome to the Red Sox’s new version of the Laser Show. Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval will bat two through five. That’s...
Red Sox owner cocky after last-place finish: 'Never been better’
The Red Sox's big offseason apparently washed away all the negativity from last year’s last-place finish. "From my perspective, it's never been better," owner John Henry said Tuesday, according to WEEI,...
The 50 most fascinating figures in baseball
Rob Manfred’s crises are coming. They are unavoidable when you are the commissioner of a major sport. They also are mostly unpredictable in their scope, timing and content. Maybe you...
Winter Meetings frenzy: Breaking down the Dodgers
SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers rid themselves of divas and dollars, improved their defense and depth. That is why they left the Winter Meetings delighted. The Dodgers wanted to deflate the...
Why 'angry' David Ortiz hasn't talked to A-Rod in a year
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic -- The road back for Alex Rodriguez will be difficult after his Biogenesis suspension. Not only on the field but in with his relationship with David...
Shane Larkin gets basketball tip from his Hall of Fame dad
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Barry Larkin was a Hall of Fame baseball player. He knows what it takes to win. He also knows the challenge of learning something new...
The winter lesson the Yankees and their fans should heed
The Yankees made this mistake: They spent $458 million last offseason on four big free agents. What they should have done was spend $258 million last winter and $200 million...