30 Copyright 2008, CBSSports.com http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/view/8590096 en-us Danny Knobler writes about baseball for CBSSports.com Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:54:07 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/12040478?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/12040478?source=rss_blogs_MLB Free agent reliever Doug Brocail has re-signed with the Astros, CBSSports.com has learned. ... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:52:02 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/12040478?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/12037280?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/12037280?source=rss_blogs_MLB Shortstop Jason Bartlett was voted the Rays' most valuable player, and he was a big part in Tampa Bay's improbable run to the World Series. ... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:45:39 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/12037280?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11929524?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11929524?source=rss_blogs_MLB Angels general manager Tony Reagins said today that his team has no issue with Mark Teixeira's left knee, and also insisted that the Angels haven't ruled out trying to re-sign their free-agent first baseman. ... Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:24:29 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11929524?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11911510?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11911510?source=rss_blogs_MLB The market for both of the winter's top two free agents has shifted dramatically, with the Angels deciding to drop their pursuit of Mark Teixeira and go after CC Sabathia instead. ... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:58:41 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11911510?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11909752?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11909752?source=rss_blogs_MLB While the Mets wouldn't mind adding a hitter in this free-agent season, people familiar with their plans said that pitching has to come first. The Mets need a closer, and they also need at least one starter, and they believe there's a good chance the ... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:26:58 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11909752?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11885330?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11885330?source=rss_blogs_MLB Rafael Furcal's agent was telling teams last week that he had a four-year offer, but Paul Kinzer wouldn't say from which team. ... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:21:47 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11885330?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11829099?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11829099?source=rss_blogs_MLB The idea of the Red Sox trading Julio Lugo to the Tigers for Dontrelle Willis has been on the table for a while, and officials familiar with the talks said it's still out there this week. Both teams are said to be calling around, checking carefully i ... Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:05:31 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11829099?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11828962?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11828962?source=rss_blogs_MLB The White Sox have had an advantage in judging Cuban players, because general manager Ken Williams can get in-depth scouting reports from Jose Contreras and now Alexei Ramirez. So when they spend big money to sign Dayan Viciedo, as they did this week ... Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:26:53 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11828962?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11826173?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11826173?source=rss_blogs_MLB Plenty of people scoffed at the Yankees last December, when they set a deadline for the Twins to accept their trade offer for Johan Santana. But then the Yankees stuck with their deadline, and the Twins eventually accepted what some saw as a lesser o ... Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:54:22 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11826173?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11825704?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11825704?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Nationals have publicly played down their interest in signing free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, but multiple baseball officials have said in the last two days that the Nationals are willing to offer Teixeira "scary money." ... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:27:51 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11825704?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11825578?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11825578?source=rss_blogs_MLB Re-signing free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira is still the Angels' top offseason goal -- as mandated by owner Arte Moreno. The Angels have focused on Teixeira, turning CC Sabathia strictly into a backup plan for a team that was once expected to b ... Mon, 24 Nov 2008 8:11:04 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11825578?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11805383?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11805383?source=rss_blogs_MLB Yes, it's true. Mike Mussina is retiring. ... Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:01:31 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11805383?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11784096?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11784096?source=rss_blogs_MLB By trading Coco Crisp to the Royals for right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez, the Red Sox have given themselves the option of moving Justin Masterson into the starting rotation. ... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:35:17 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11784096?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11767950?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11767950?source=rss_blogs_MLB Second basemen don't usually become MVPs. Guys who don't finish in the top 10 in the league in either home runs or RBIs don't usually become MVPs. ... Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:14:07 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11767950?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11764213?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11764213?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Orioles desperately need a shortstop, but they're not expected to make a play for any of the free agents available this winter (Rafael Furcal, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria). Instead, the O's will focus on pursuing the two big-name free ... Wed, 19 Nov 2008 9:19:49 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11764213?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11750749?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11750749?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Cubs were in on the Jake Peavy trade talks, and last week they were reported to have interest in Randy Johnson. This week, though, it seems more likely that they'll re-sign Ryan Dempster, their own free-agent pitcher. ... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:46:06 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11750749?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11673916?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11673916?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Indians had CC Sabathia, who won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award. ... Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:15:26 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11673916?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11664556?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11664556?source=rss_blogs_MLB More and more, it looks like Francisco Rodriguez is on his way out of Anaheim. ... Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:49:27 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11664556?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11655748?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11655748?source=rss_blogs_MLB Did Lou Piniella really have the best year of any National League manager? ... Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:15:46 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11655748?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11638389?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11638389?source=rss_blogs_MLB Before agreeing to trade Matt Holliday to the A's, the Rockies discussed Holliday with the Cardinals, the Phillies . . . and the Rays. ... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:51:40 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11638389?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11620015?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11620015?source=rss_blogs_MLB While the Giants' main focus this winter is on finding some way to add offense -- no surprise since San Francisco was 29th in the majors in runs scored -- they've also told teams that they'd love to dump Barry Zito. ... Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:29:52 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11620015?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11619619?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11619619?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Braves still believe they have the best offer out there for Jake Peavy, even as some people in baseball believe that the Cubs are the favorites to land the San Diego right-hander. But even as they try for Peavy, the Braves are also making plans t ... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:21:03 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11619619?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11619442?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11619442?source=rss_blogs_MLB In Game 1 of the 2007 World Series, Willy Taveras led off for the Rockies, with Matt Holliday batting third and Garrett Atkins hitting fifth. ... Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:28:58 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11619442?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11497514?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11497514?source=rss_blogs_MLB Good for the Brewers for making a big-money offer to CC Sabathia. They had to do it. And now he has to tell thanks, move on, and wait until the teams with real money are allowed to start making their bids. ... Fri, 07 Nov 2008 8:54:00 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11497514?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11387376?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11387376?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- There can't be too many people who were at both the Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS and Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. ... Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:46:02 EDT http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11387376?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11356343?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11356343?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Even baseball officials aren't always sure about their suspended game rules. ... Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:12:53 EST http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11356343?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11356122?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11356122?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- The way the Rays see it, their whole season has been built around doing what's never been done before. ... Tue, 28 Oct 2008 2:46:29 EDT http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11356122?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11351166?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11351166?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Tim Welke saw the replay, but not in time to change his call. ... Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:16:37 EDT http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11351166?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11335921?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11335921?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- When the postseason began, the Phillies had won just four postseason series in their 126-year history. ... Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:39:44 EDT http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11335921?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11333425?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11333425?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Scratch that note on American League pitchers having just as many World Series hits as National League pitchers in the last eight years. Oh, and while you're at it, scratch that note about Cleveland's Chad Ogea having the last ... Mon, 27 Oct 2008 7:04:32 EDT http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/11333425?source=rss_blogs_MLB 100 http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbsdm/spec/cbssportscom.gif http://danny-knobler.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/view/8590096 100