Grant Robert Balfour

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 200 lb.

Born: December 30, 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
High School: Glenwood (Glenwood, AU)
Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 1997. (All Transactions)
Debut: July 22, 2001 (Age 23)   vs. SEA 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 2 BB, 1 ER
Teams (by GP): Rays/Athletics/Twins/DevilRays/Brewers 2001-2013
2013 Contract Status: Signed thru 2013, 3 yrs/$12.25M (11-13) (details) [*]
Service Time (01/2013): 8.099, Free Agent: 2014 [*], Agents: Trevor Jarrett [*]
    About biographical information

Other SR Links: Olympics at Sports-Reference.com

• 5/25 Swingin' A's: The Comforts of Home: Chris Young Comes Up Huge in Houston: The Oakland Athletics are now 7-0 versus the Houston Astros in 2013, and outfielder Chris Young, a Houston native, has had a...
• 5/22 Swingin' A's: Predictable Outcomes! Athletics Win 1-0 as Dan Straily Outduels Yu Darvish: Oh yeah, I had that one all the way.  There was not a doubt in my mind that Dan Straily would march into the Ballpark in Arlington...
• 5/20 i70baseball.com: Is Mujica Playing His Way Out of St. Louis?: The early season tailspin of the Cardinals season was due much in part the inability to close games out late. Yet, with his success...
• 5/19 MLBTradeRumors: Rays Notes: Price, Odorizzi, Loney, Johnson: Over the last ten games, the Rays share a league-best 8-2 mark. Here are a few notes on the team as it looks to carry that momentum...
• 5/19 Swingin' A's: A’s Repeat Hard Fought 2-1 Victory Over Royals: The bacon hangovers are all but worn off, and it was back to baseball Saturday as the A’s took on the Royals in game 2 of...
• 5/17 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agent Stock Watch: Edward Mujica: Edward Mujica wasn't supposed to be the Cardinals' closer. He wasn't even their backup plan or third in line to the closer's...
• 5/14 mlbreports.com : The Athletics Enter The Quarter Pole At .500: Its Better Than It Looks: Like us on Facebook here Tuesday May.14/2013 By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): The Athletics will enter game...
• 5/13 Swingin' A's: The Disastrous Road Trip That Could’ve Been Worse and What’s Next: With the 6-1 loss this afternoon at the hands of the Seattle Mariners, the A’s ended a 3-7 road trip.  It started off quite...
• 5/13 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Mariners Game 38: Wrap: Oakland 4, Seattle 3. A’s 19-19 (2nd Place, 5 games back) After five straight nights of losing the A’s winning is...
• 5/10 Seattle Sports Daily: Series Preview: Athletics at Mariners: Seattle Sports Daily is giving away FREE tickets to the Sounders match on 5/18. Click here for details.   The Oakland Athletics...
• 5/8 Rays Colored Glasses: The Last Time the Rays’ Bullpen Was This Bad: The year was 2007 and for the first time, the Devil Rays’ rotation had two anchors it could rely on to keep the team in...
• 5/7 Baseball Press: Bullpen Extravaganza - Hello, Koji Uehara: Koji Uehara could see save opportunities for Boston. (US Presswire)A few major league teams are shuffling the relievers in their...
• 5/6 Did The Tribe Win Last Night?: Series Preview #11: Oakland A’s (18-14) at Cleveland Indians (14-14): Major League Baseball’s top scoring team brings its offensive show on the road to Cleveland, as the Oakland Athletics take on...
• 5/5 My Pinstripes: Logan the Yankees' Boondoggle: The Yankees lost the game and Eduardo Nunez There's a reason a lot of Yankees fans don't trust Boone Logan and Sunday...
• 5/5 Swingin' A's: Athletics Out-Bomb Yankees to Take Bronx Series: I really didn’t think I’d be writing about the A’s pulling out a win in this afternoon’s rubber match...
• 5/4 Swingin' A's: A.J. Griffin’s Gem Puts A’s Over Yankees in Game 1: As it turned out, the game was over 16.24 seconds after it began.  That was as long as it took Adam Rosales to sprint around...
• 5/4 Bleeding Yankee Blue: NO DICE!: Brett Gardner had 2 hits tonight.  Jayson Nix had 2 hits tonight.  CC Sabathia pitched 6 innings, allowed 8 hits...
• 5/1 Swingin' A's: Yoenis Cespedes, Seth Smith Lead A’s to Boring 9 Inning Victory Over Angels: After the incredible 19 inning affair that started on Monday night, and finished Tuesday morning, both the A’s and the Angels...

• 4/30 MLBTradeRumors: Hardest-Throwing 2014 Free Agents: Last offseason, the hardest-throwing free agent based on 2012 velocity data from FanGraphs was reliever Brandon League.  With...
• 4/29 Swingin' A's: The Long(man) and Short of It: There’s something missing in the A’s bullpen. Or rather someone. Like the inadequate concoction of the **** of your...
• 4/29 Swingin' A's: A’s Use Trusty Walk-Off, Returning Cespedes to Salvage Win vs. Orioles: It’s been a rough 10 days or so for the men in green-and-gold, after their struggles in Tampa Bay and Boston, and losing...
• 4/24 Bronx Baseball Daily: Across the AL: Despite Losing Streak, Success Inevitable for Oakland A’s, Reddick: The Oakland Athletics, after getting swept by the Rays in their previous three-game series, were certainly looking for a win when...
• 4/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Astros @ A’s Game 16: Wrap: Oakland 7, Astros 5. A’s 12-4 (1st Place, 2 games ahead) The A’s certainly like playing the Houston Astros as they...
• 4/18 Vigilante Baseball : The Closer Chronicle: Week 3: Welcome back to the third installment of The Closer Chronicle. There wasn’t as much shuffling this week, as – for the most...
• 4/17 Baseball News Source: AL Scores: Mauer Leads Twins, Red Sox Pound Indians, Cano Backs Yankees: Joe Mauer had four hits and three RBI in the Minnesota Twins beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-6 at Target Field in Minneapolis.  Angel...
• 4/17 Swingin' A's: Triples Fuel Athletics Over Astros in Tight 4-3 Win: The Oakland Athletics had defeated the Houston Astros in each of the 4 games they had played so far this season, and each of them...
• 4/14 Swingin' A's: The Unfocused Struggles of Josh Reddick: The A’s were shut out on Opening Night by Felix Hernandez, it was an underwhelming way to start off the regular season,...
• 4/13 Swingin' A's: Bringer of Pie! Donaldson Walk Off Sends Streak to 9: We all knew that the A’s were going to have a tough time with the bats tonight against Detroit Tigers starter Max Scherzer,...
• 4/11 Vigilante Baseball : The Closer Chronicle: Week 2: I don’t remember a year with so much closer controversy this early. Two closers have already lost their job (Carlos Marmol and...
• 4/7 mlbreports.com : Michael Morse Is Off To A Blazing Start In Seattle: Like us on Facebook here   Sunday, April,07/ 2013 By Sam Evans (Baseball Writer):  When the Mariners acquired Michael Morse...
• 4/4 Vigilante Baseball : The Closer Chronicle: Week One: Baseball is back, reminding us that just when you think you’ve seen it all, Erik Bedard swoops in and picks up a three-inning...
• 4/4 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Mariners @ A’s Game 2: Wrap: Seattle 7, Oakland 1. A’s 0-2 (5th Place, 2 games back) The A’s are in fifth place. That hasn’t been said...
• 4/2 Vigilante Baseball : The Closer Chronicle: Opening Day: Every week, I’ll rank MLB’s 30 closers – and only closers – and place them into tiers. Any closer with a DL tag won’t...
• 4/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from Oakland: March 30/Recap: Giants @ A’s Game 33: A’s made their Oakland debut tonight and won 4-3 against their cross-bay rivals. Grant Balfour will be ready to go and is...

• 3/28 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: BBTN Top 500: Athletics Edition: ESPN does a cool thing, the top 500 baseball players in the game ranked 1-thru-500 prior to each season (the link brings you...
• 3/27 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: March 26/Recap: A’s @ Indians Game 29: The A’s and Indians played today in Goodyear with the A’s ultimately winning 7-6 in  in a see-saw affair. The A’s...
• 3/27 Swingin' A's: If I Were Billy Beane…Or How the 25-Man Roster Will Be vs. Should Be: Admit it, it’s one of your favorite things to do.  You study the team you love, pick it apart piece by piece, and come...
• 3/23 MLBTradeRumors: Offseason In Review: Oakland Athletics: The A’s made modest forays into free agency and completed a number of trades after winning the AL West in 2012. Major League...
• 3/21 PaulLebowitz.com: Keys to 2013: Oakland Athletics: Starting Pitching Key: Jarrod Parker With the departure of Brandon McCarthy and the questionable status of Bartolo Colon (he’s...
• 3/21 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: March 19/Recap: A’s @ Dodgers Game 23: A’s crossed town to go to Camelback Ranch where they fell to the Dodgers 7-1. The World Baseball Classic ended today with...
• 3/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: March 18/Recap: Mariners @ A’s Game 22: The A’s fell to the Mariners 6-5 at Phoenix Muni today. The A’s released Garrett Olson so he could pursue an opportunity...
• 3/18 Injury Report: ()
• 3/16 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: March 15/Recap: A’s @ Diamondbacks Game 19: The A’s played the A’s of yesteryear (the Arizona Diamondbacks) with Brandon McCarthy taking the mound for the opposition...
• 3/13 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: March 12/Recap: Royals @ A’s Game 17: A’s were 6-3 winners over the Cactus League leading Kansas City Royals (13-2-1) today. That improved their Cactus League...
• 3/5 MLB Injury News: Athletics' Grant Balfour throws second bullpen session: If there was any doubt that Grant Balfour was getting close to coming back, the Oakland A's closer threw his second bullpen session...
• 3/5 Bryan Harvey's Moustache: Know Thy Enemy: Oakland A's: The Oakland A's successful 2012 season was a surprise to nearly everyone. If anything, the unpredictable success last year probably...
• 3/2 MLB Injury News: Athletics’ Grant Balfour resumes throwing from mound: Oakland Athletics closer Grant Balfour underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee nearly two weeks ago. Surprisingly, the...

• 2/28 Swingin' A's: 3 Players Who Will Help Lead The A’s In 2013: There is no question about it, the Oakland A’s will be a young team in 2013. The youthful A’s charged into the post-season...
• 2/26 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: February 25/Recap: Indians @ A’s ST Game 3: The 5-0 Cleveland Indians won 14-10 on an offense filled day at Phoenix Muni. Chris Young is fine from the quad cramp that caused...
• 2/26 MLB Injury News: Athletics' Grant Balfour ahead of schedule: The Oakland Athletics' will likely have their closer back sooner than expected.  Grant Balfour underwent arthroscopic knee...
• 2/20 Call to the Pen: World Baseball Classic: With a Few MLB Players, Pool B is Wide Open: Pool B features a smattering of current and former MLB talent in what might be the most wide open pool of the first round. Each...
• 2/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: February 19: Bartolo Colon spoke to the media today about his suspension. He felt he let down his teammates. I don’t know necessarily...
• 2/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: February 15: Josh Reddick arrived in camp today and is ready to step into a clubhouse leadership role akin to that of Jonny Gomes‘ last...
• 2/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Update from PHX: February 14: Big bullpen news was obviously the Grant Balfour surgery decision and apparently that surgery went well. He threw yesterday but...
• 2/18 Billy-Ball.com: 44 Presidential Baseball Names: In honor of President’s Day and our 44th President, Barack Obama, here are 44 Presidential baseball names Adam Kennedy Alex...
• 2/16 Baseball Big Bro. Proj.: Oakland A's 2013 Preview: The Oakland Athletics, 2012 American League West Champions.  I start off my write up with that because...
• 2/16 The Flagrant Fan: Relievers by pitch value - Craig Kimbrel is the bomb: I took a look yesterday at qualifying starting pitchers using PitchF/X pitch values to find the top ten and bottom ten values...
• 2/16 Swingin' A's: Deja Vu All Over Again and Grant Balfour’s Meniscus: We all remember the first day of full team workouts prior to the 2012 season, Scott Sizemore‘s knee made an audible pop...
• 2/14 Injury Report: ()
• 2/14 MLB Injury News: Athletics Closer Grant Balfour Out 4-6 Weeks: Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4  The...
• 2/14 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Balfour Out Four-to-Six Weeks: Incumbent A’s closer Grant Balfour will be sidelined for four to six weeks following surgery to repair his right knee which...
• 2/10 Swingin' A's: ZiP It! The Bullpen Edition: It brings a tear to my eye to be writing the final installment of the ZiP It! series, but all things must pass…. This group...
• 2/9 Swingin' A's: ZiP It! The Corner Infield/Catcher Edition: Before you spend too much time wondering what the connection between corner infielders and catchers is, and why I lumped them...
• 2/8 Call to the Pen: The Oakland Athletics Offseason: Moneyball Redux: The Oakland Athletics offseason leading to spring training 2013 was not as busy as last year’s offseason. Going into 2012 GM Billy...
• 2/5 Mets Merized: The End Of Mets’ Bullpen Follies?: Sandy Alderson was quoted yesterday that he doesn´t think the Mets are “far away” from contending at this point. While pretty...
• 2/5 Redlegs Review: Reds place four players on top 100 prospects list: On Monday, Keith Law of ESPN.com published a list in which he ranked the farm systems of all 30 MLB teams. The Reds were...
• 2/4 MLBTradeRumors: Poll: Oakland's Best Offseason Acquisition: It's been a busy offseason for the Athletics and general manager Billy Beane following their surprise AL West championship in...

• 1/30 Swingin' A's: Roster Review Series: Part 5: This will be a recurring series outlining the different aspects of the A’s roster. I will preview what the outfield, infield,...
• 1/24 The Sports Provocateur: American League West Dream Rotation: Kings Felix and Jered and Their Court: Jered Weaver is the opening day starter on the staff, edging out Felix Hernandez on the strength of his past three years.  Weaver...
• 1/23 The Baseball Continuum: WBC Roster Analysis: Australia: In 2006, Australia went 0-3 and in 2009 the Australians only did slightly better, going 1-2 (upsetting Mexico and then losing...
• 1/17 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Pedro Figueroa playing in WBC: Oakland Athletics P Pedro Figueroa will pitch for the Dominican Republic in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Ps Grant Balfour...[+] (Australia) and Travis Blackley (Australia) will not participate in the Classic.
• 1/17 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Two unlikely for WBCOakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour and P Travis Blackley are unlikely to play for Australia in the World Baseball Classic....[+] Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour and P Travis Blackley are unlikely to play for Australia in the World Baseball Classic.
• 1/16 Rays Colored Glasses: Ex-Ray Rafael Soriano Signs His Second Anti-Rays Contract: Congratulations to Rafael Soriano. For the second time in three years, the ex-Rays All-Star closer has signed a contract the likes...
• 1/16 The Baseball Continuum: Rosters (and possibilities/non-possibilities) of the World Baseball Classic as of 12:30 PM of Jan. 16, 2013: While we all wonder if Justin Verlander will change his mind and join the WBC (he’s leaning to no, at least for the initial...
• 1/15 The Baseball Continuum: Rosters (and possibilities/non-possibilities) of the World Baseball Classic as of 1:17 PM of Jan. 15, 2013: Today’s WBC news: The third catcher for Team USA will be J.P. Arencibia. Perhaps not coincidentally, he’s one of the...
• 1/14 The Baseball Continuum: Rosters (and possibilities/non-possibilities) of the World Baseball Classic as of 12:13 PM of Jan. 14, 2013: Today’s news so far: Tyler LaTorre, who is in the Giants system, is expected to play for Italy in the WBC. Another player...
• 1/14 Baseball Analytics: Top 10 Best WHIP for Relievers 2008-12: Rk Player WHIP G 1 Mariano Rivera 0.825 264 2 Sergio Romo 0.883 276 3 Mike...
• 1/14 Swingin' A's: Developing Leadership in Oakland: Last season’s success was largely on the shoulders of young talent.  That’s not breaking news.  The team had a rotation...
• 1/13 The Baseball Continuum: Rosters (and possibilities/non-possibilities) of the World Baseball Classic as of 2:44 PM of Jan. 13, 2013: The list is a bit different this time, set up by COUNTRY, not IN/OUT/IN-BETWEEN. This is being done because more players are joining...
• 1/13 mlbreports.com : Bartolo Colon: Ready For One More “BIG” Season in Oakland: Like us on Facebook here Sunday January 13th, 2013 Jonathan Hacohen  (Lead Baseball Columnist, Oakland A’s Correspondent...
• 1/8 mlbreports.com : The Rays Trade And Draft Record Is Impressive: However Most Of The Best Players Are Now Ex-Rays: Like us on Facebook here Tuesday, January.08/2013 By Jake Bullington (Rays Correspondent) The Tampa Bay Rays have had a great...

• 12/27 Swingin' A's: The A’s 2013 Bullpen: The A’s bullpen was outstanding last year finishing 4th best overall in all of MLB. They completed the 2012 regular season with...
• 12/24 MLBTradeRumors: Teams Could Seek Compensation Free Agent Loophole: Some executives are already anti**** that clubs will make an effort to find a loophole for free agents attached to draft pick...
• 12/23 Swingin' A's: An Athletics Christmas Carol: Do you even have to ask who plays Ebenezer Scrooge?  I didn’t think so.  We all know who’s taken our beloved Athletics...
• 12/22 Swingin' A's: Santa’s Oakland A’s Naughty or Nice List: Volume 2: Last night I unveiled some unprecedented classified information when I showed you all some of Santa Claus’s notes from his...
• 12/20 Swingin' A's: Santa’s Oakland A’s Naughty or Nice List: Volume 1: It’s well documented that the entire year for children revolves around December 25th, Christmas Day when Santa Claus travels...
• 12/13 The Baseball Continuum: Australian All-Star Game: A possible look at Team Australia’s WBC Roster: The Australian Baseball League’s All-Star Game is coming up, and it pits the league’s best Australian players against...
• 12/12 MLBRandomFandom: Oakland Athletics Team Page: OAKLAND ATHLETICSMLBDepthCharts Team PagePlayers 1-25 by Number Score 1. Yoenis Cespedes (8)2. Josh Reddick (7.75)3. Coco...
• 12/9 MLBRandomFandom: Up-And-Comers: Relief Pitchers: This is the second article of MLBRandomFandom's "Up-And-Comers" series, in which we talk about players on the rise. Today: Relief...

• 11/12 MLBRandomFandom: Up-And-Comers: Relief Pitchers: This is the second article of MLBRandomFandom's "Up-And-Comers" series, in which we talk about players on the rise. Today: Relief...
• 11/10 PaulLebowitz.com: 2012 MLB Rookie of the Year Award Winners: Here are my picks for the Rookie of the Year in each league along with who I picked in the preseason. — American League...
• 11/5 MLBTradeRumors: Offseason Outlook: Oakland Athletics: The A’s must address the left side of their infield this offseason. Guaranteed Contracts Yoenis Cespedes, OF: $29.5MM...
• 11/4 PaulLebowitz.com: 2012 Award Winners—American League Manager of the Year: A few weeks ago, I listed my picks for the Cy Young Award in each league. Along with that, I listed who I picked before the season...
• 11/2 For Baseball Junkies: Free Agency, Team Needs and Top Prospects - 2013 MLB Offseason (AL): The MLB off season is now in full stride and if you're anything like me, you're excited about the upcoming hot stove.  I...
• 11/1 Swingin' A's: Possible A’s Bullpen Changes: The A’s bullpen was consistent albeit unspectacular last season. Even though the late inning relievers all saw their bouts with...

• 10/31 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Balfour Option Exercised; Drew Option Declined: The A’s had two options to deal with and did so today exercising the option for Grant Balfour while declining their option...
• 10/30 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | More on two options: Updating a previous report, Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour will make $4.5 million in 2013 after the team picked up his option....[+] The team paid SS Stephen Drew $1.35 million to buy out his $10 million option.
• 10/30 Swingin' A's: Balfour Rages On, Drew’s Future Up In the Air: The Balfour Rage dance, that has made the top of the 9th inning a major event at the Oakland Coliseum, will live to see atleast...
• 10/29 Baseball News Source: Rafael Soriano Opting Out May Not Be Best Decision: For Soriano walking away from $14 million is not without risk The landscape of baseball has been changing. As soft caps get placed...
• 10/29 Baseball News Source: Oakland A’s Exercise 2013 Option on Grant Balfour, Decline Stephen Drew: Balfour  went 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA, 24 saves and 75 appearances across 74 2-3 innings Grant Balfour who emerged as the Oakland...
• 10/29 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour's option picked upThe Oakland Athletics exercised their 2013 option on RP Grant Balfour Monday, Oct. 29, bringing him back for another season....[+] The Oakland Athletics exercised their 2013 option on RP Grant Balfour Monday, Oct. 29, bringing him back for another season.
• 10/29 MLBTradeRumors: A's Exercise Balfour's Option, Decline Drew's: The A's announced that they exercised their club option for Grant Balfour and declined their side of Stephen Drew's mutual option...
• 10/26 Swingin' A's: The Foundation of an Effective Bullpen: Grant Balfour has the Balfour Rage, Ryan Cook has the unhittable slider and the All Star Game appearance, Sean Doolittle has the...
• 10/24 Swingin' A's: Jerry Blevins: The Bullpen Magician: Since being acquired as one of two pieces from the Chicago Cubs in the deal that ended Jason Kendall‘s time in Oakland,...
• 10/24 Baseball Analytics: Phil Coke, Not the Real Thing?: So, Jim Leyland is not admitting it but with the ongoing  headaches caused by Jose Valverde it appears...
• 10/19 Call to the Pen: 2012 Season Review Series: Oakland Athletics: Raise your hand if you predicted that the Oakland Athletics would win the AL West before the season began? Look around the room....
• 10/16 Rays Colored Glasses: The Day Evan Longoria Played Shortstop: For one day, the baseball world diverted from its usual orbit. Evan Longoria is the Rays’ third baseman. He has been and...
• 10/15 Baseball News Source: American League West – 2013 Team Needs and Outlook: Oakland needs to make some upgrades to duplicate their 94-68 Editor’s Note: This is the third column in a Baseball News Source...
• 10/13 Kings of Kauffman: Hungry For More: As the playoffs march on and the weather turns colder, it’s easy to be jealous of the teams still playing. I have only vague...
• 10/13 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour expected to be back: Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane indicated that the club plans to pick up the option for RP Grant Balfour in 2013....[+] 'There are some things that seem like common sense,' Beane said Friday, Oct. 12.
• 10/12 MLBTradeRumors: A’s Notes: Gomes, McCarthy, Balfour: Athletics GM Billy Beane and manager Bob Melvin met with reporters today to discuss Oakland’s remarkable 2012 season and look...
• 10/10 Swingin' A's: There Will Be Baseball In Oakland Tomorrow: The last 6 games of the regular season saw quite the phenomenon take place.  As the Oakland Athletics ran the table to take the...
• 10/10 Baseball Jerks: ALDS Game 3: Detroit Tigers’ Bats Purring in Oakland: The Detroit Tigers dropped Game 3 of the ALDS tonight at the hands of the Oakland Athletics pitching staff feat. Brett Anderson....
• 10/10 Baseball News Source: Brett Anderson Leads A’s Over Tigers in Game 3: Anderson held the Tigers in check for six innings The Oakland Athletics used three old friends, pitching defense and timely hitting,...
• 10/8 Swingin' A's: What the A’s Need to do to Advance to the ALCS: The A’s have had a tough time against the Detroit Tigers over the past few years. This became de ja vu as the Green and Gold...
• 10/7 Baseball News Source: Tigers Walk Off Winners Against Oakland – Lead ALDS 2-0: Miguel Cabrera had three hits for the Tigers After loading the bases in the ninth inning on two base hits, Omar Infante and Miguel...
• 10/7 Baseball Musings: Cabrera Versus Balfour: Omar Infante singles with one out in the ninth to bring up Miguel Cabrera against Grant Balfour with the Athletics and Tigers...
• 10/7 Did The Tribe Win Last Night?: American League Postseason Awards: By Bob Toth With the completion of the 2012 regular season, it is that time of year to reflect back on the highs and lows of...
• 10/6 Yanks Go Yard: How do the Yankees match up against each remaining playoff team?: Congrats, Yankees fans! We have survived the dog-days of August and our favorite team has emerged from the grind of 162 games...
• 10/6 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Series Preview: Tigers vs. A’s American League Division Series: The A’s today released their roster for the ALDS and will face the Detroit Tigers today at 3PM PT. Here is how the series...
• 10/6 PaulLebowitz.com: Detroit Tigers vs Oakland Athletics—ALDS Preview and Predictions: Oakland Athletics (94-68; 1st place, AL West) vs Detroit Tigers (88-74, 1st place, AL Central) Keys for the Athletics: Get depth...
• 10/4 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Rangers @ A’s Game 161: The A’s stand tied with the Rangers with identical 93-68 records with one game to play following tonight’s 3-1 A’s...
• 10/4 Baseball News Source: A’s Finish Sweep of Rangers – Capture AL West Title: The 94-68 A’s will face the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS After rallying from four runs down and completing a three-game sweep...
• 10/4 Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness: The Dodger Fan Guide to the Playoffs: At a little after 5pm ET on Friday, Kris Medlen is going to kick off the 2012 playoffs with a pitch to Jon Jay (most likely) of...
• 10/3 High Heat Stats: Wednesday game notes (such sweet sorrow edition): @Athletics 12, Rangers 5: The turnabout’s complete. Call it comeback or collapse, the AL West is draped in gold and green....
• 10/3 Baseball Musings: Crooked Numbers: The Rangers and Athletics are playing a wild game. It looked like Texas was going to dominate as shoddy Oakland defense helped...
• 10/3 Call to the Pen: Unbeliveably, Oakland Still Alive in AL West Race: The Oakland Athletics were supposed to lose 90+ games in 2012. As Jonny Gomes, who homered in Oakland’s 3-1 win over Texas...
• 10/3 Swingin' A's: A’s 3-1 Victory Sets Stage For Massive Game 162: Not that there was any doubt that the Oakland Athletics had their sights set on the AL West even after clinching a playoff spot...
• 10/3 Mastersball.com: Countdown to Ecstasy: Who knew? Well, I guess I sort of had an inclination back when the Athletics took four from the Yankees, and even documented...
• 10/2 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Rangers @ A’s Game 160: With tonight’s 4-3 win over the Rangers the A’s have clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2006 and move...
• 10/2 Baseball News Source: A’s Secure Wild Card – Set Sights on AL West Title: A’s are now setting their sights on the American League West title Their spot in the postseason now secured with a win over...
• 10/2 Swingin' A's: The Oakland Athletics Are Playoff Bound: It was not supposed to happen, the A’s were supposed to lose 100 games and be the laughing stock of the American League....
• 10/1 Swingin' A's: Late Game Longballs Propel A’s to Sweep of Seattle: Athletics 5 – Mariners 2 From the get-go it looked like the A’s were poised to smack the Mariners around a bit on...

• 9/30 Swingin' A's: The Magic Formula Prevails In Dramatic Win: Athletics 7 – Mariners 4 (10 innings) I’d be lying if I said I was completely shocked by Brandon Moss‘ walk...
• 9/30 Rays Colored Glasses: AL Wild Card Roundup: Orioles Tie for AL East Lead, Athletics Walk Off to Move Towards Clinching: Saturday was a terrible day for the Tampa Bay Rays. They won big versus the Chicago White Sox, with Matt Moore giving them 5.1...
• 9/28 Philly Phanatics: All but over: With the Phillies' tragic number down to 1 with 6 games left to play, Ron Opher turns in his final Phillies notebook of the season....
• 9/27 WahoosOnFirst: Are Chris Perez’ Days in Cleveland Numbered?: With the end of the 2012 season only a week away and an offseason of change quickly approaching, it won’t be long before every...
• 9/26 Swingin' A's: A’s Finally Win An Extra Inning Game: No doubt about it as tonight’s game moved along into the latter innings, deadlocked at 2, many A’s fans had to have...
• 9/25 Swingin' A's: As Usual, Bad Things Happen In Arlington as Beltre Burns A’s: It was a game that the A’s were in a position to win, but the Texas Rangers had other ideas.  For the second time on this...
• 9/24 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Yankees Game 152: A’s win helps them avoid a sweep in the Bronx as they pass the Yankees 5-4. The win kept the A’s two and a half games...
• 9/24 Yanks Go Yard: Yankees lose to A’s; win streak snapped at seven: The New York Yankees did not have another dramatic comeback left in them Sunday afternoon as they lost to the Oakland Athletics...
• 9/23 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Yankees Game 151: This game was a real see-saw affair and the A’s ultimately blew it. Their second extra inning loss in a row. Their fifth...
• 9/23 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Evan Scribner unavailable Sunday: Oakland Athletics RP Evan Scribner is unavailable against the New York Yankees Sunday, Sept. 23, but RPs Grant Balfour and Pat...[+] Neshek are expected to be available to pitch.
• 9/18 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agent Stock Watch: Jason Grilli: Established closers such as Jose Valverde, Brandon League and Jonathan Broxton will draw interest when they hit free agency...
• 9/17 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agents Who Cost Teams Draft Picks: In some instances the decision to make a player a qualifying offer is not so much a choice as a formality. Is there any doubt...
• 9/17 Swingin' A's: Straily Struggles as A’s Taken Down In Series Finale: It would have been nice to write about how the A’s swept the Baltimore Orioles today and put themselves firmly in the driver’s...
• 9/16 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Orioles @ A’s Game 145: All the A’s scoring in this one came in the third inning. All the Orioles scoring was split between the second and the third...
• 9/16 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Angels @ A’s Game 136: Not a good game for A’s fans. There is the obvious, the A’s lost 7-1 meaning the Angels have swept the now 76-60 A’s...
• 9/16 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Orioles @ A’s Game 145: All the A’s scoring in this one came in the third inning. All the Orioles scoring was split between the second and the third...
• 9/16 Swingin' A's: Jarrod Parker Seals Another Series For the A’s: People keep waiting on the A’s to fail, to fade out of contention, but it just doesn’t seem to want to happen.  Tonight...
• 9/15 Swingin' A's: A’s Take First Game of Unlikely Big Series: It’s safe to say that anyone who predicted that a 3 game series between the Oakland Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles...
• 9/15 Swingin' A's: Believe in Blevins: On Tuesday night, Jerry Blevins pulled a Houdini act for the ages. Inheriting a complete utter mess, Blevins was asked to pull...
• 9/12 High Heat Stats: Tuesday game notes: Athletics 6, @Angels 5: A 9th-inning roller-coaster left the Halos queasy and their fans downright nauseous. After the visitors...
• 9/12 Halo Hangout: Halo Highlights- Angels Comeback Falls Just Short: Missed it by that much. The Angels comeback attempt fell just short as the Athletics beat the Angels 6-5.  These next two games...
• 9/9 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Angels Game 136: Not a good game for A’s fans. There is the obvious, the A’s lost 7-1 meaning the Angels have swept the now 76-60 A’s...
• 9/7 Rays Colored Glasses: Birthday Boy Wade Davis An X-Factor for the 2012 Rays: At the end of spring training, Jeff Niemann was named the Rays’ 5th starter with Wade Davis heading to the bullpen. Since...
• 9/6 Nolan Writin': Who do we root for?: With Oakland having just been swept by Los Angeles and now five games back from the Rangers, the division lead is looking increasingly...
• 9/3 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Red Sox @ A’s Game 133: A’s sweep the Red Sox and extend their win streak to nine and also meaning that on September 2nd, yes September 2nd the...
• 9/3 Baseball News Source: Are The A’s In The Midst Of “Moneyball: The Sequel”?: Somewhere in Hollywood, writers are cranking out a script for Moneyball: The Sequel. If not, they should be. The surprising Oakland...

• 8/28 High Heat Stats: Game notes from Monday, August 27: Mariners 1, @Twins 0: I think we have our AL Pitcher of the Month. Felix Hernandez won his 4th 1-0 shutout of the year and his...
• 8/28 Did The Tribe Win Last Night?: Game Preview #129: Oakland Athletics (70-57) at Cleveland Indians (55-73): By Mike Brandyberry Monday night the Indians played in front of a crowd that could have been a friends and family gathering,...
• 8/28 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Indians @ A’s Game 127: Brett Anderson pitched another gem holding off the Tribe as the A’s win again 2-0 and improve to a whopping thirteen games...
• 8/28 Swingin' A's: Brett Anderson Dazzles Against Indians: For the first time since Roberto Hernandez became Roberto Hernandez and not his former name Fausto Carmona, the Oakland Athletics...
• 8/28 WahoosOnFirst: Roberto Hernandez Injured as Athletics Shut Out Indians 3-0: Brett Anderson shut down Cleveland’s bats and Roberto Hernandez struggled and left the game with an injury Monday night...
• 8/27 Baseball News Source: AL Recaps – Daisuke Matsuzaka Leads Boston over Kansas City: Kansas City 1 – Boston 5 - Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched seven strong innings, striking out six, walking to and allowing five...
• 8/26 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Rays Game 126: The Republican National Convention comes to Tampa this week (as does potentially a hurricane) so the A’s played the final...
• 8/26 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Rays Game 125: The A’s stole one late in St. Petersburg tonight as a late go ahead home run from Jonny Gomes broke the tie against a tough...
• 8/25 Rays Colored Glasses: Game 127: Homers Down Hellickson as Rays Lose Series to A’s: In his last two starts, Jeremy Hellickson has now struck out 11 while walking 1 in 12 innings. But the difference this time around...
• 8/25 Baseball News Source: AL Recaps – Rangers Beltre Hits for Cycle Against Minnesota: Beltre Stays Hot Minnesota 0 – Texas 8 - Adrian Belte continued his torrid hitting, hitting for the cycle and backing up...
• 8/24 Rays Colored Glasses: Game 126: Rays Fall Short As Oakland Rallies For Win:   The Rays let the lead slip away Friday night, as Joel Peralta gave up a two out, two run home run in the eighth, giving...
• 8/23 Halo Hangout: Link Hangout: Garrett Richards is back as Peter Bourjos goes to the Disabled List, Roger Clemens is back in baseball, Bartolo Colon Suspended...
• 8/22 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Twins @ A’s Game 122: Wow. What a night. The long anti**** Brett Anderson return was all that we wanted as A’s fans and then some. The A’s...
• 8/22 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Weeks Optioned and Other Moves: The addition of Stephen Drew meant someone had to be sent down. Despite his versatility which is important to a contending ballclub...
• 8/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Indians @ A’s Game 118: The Indians did all their scoring in the fourth inning, the A’s answered that four run fourth with a quick three run bottom...
• 8/19 Swingin' A's: Bartolo, Bats Secure Moneyball-esque Victory: In a game that very nearly, and eerily mirrored the 20th game of the remarkable 20 game win streak that was being celebrated today...
• 8/19 WahoosOnFirst: Indians Fall To A’s 8-5 As Bartolo Colon Silences Bats: The inability to finish off innings cost the Indians and their road woes continued  as they were dfeated by the Oakland Athletics...
• 8/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Indians @ A’s Game 119: The A’s win again to clinch a series win against the visiting Indians as they roll by them 8-5. The game really was not...
• 8/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Indians @ A’s Game 118: The Indians did all their scoring in the fourth inning, the A’s answered that four run fourth with a quick three run bottom...
• 8/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Royals Game 117: A’s salvage a win in the three game set in Kansas City downing the Royals 3-0 behind Dan Straily‘s first MLB win....
• 8/18 Did The Tribe Win Last Night?: Indians Give Up Six Unanswered and Waste Duncan Slam; A’s 6, Indians 4: By Bob Toth After a four-run fourth inning, Cleveland allowed six unanswered runs the rest of the way and Oakland won their 20th...
• 8/15 MetsToday.com: What Kelly Shoppach Brings to the Mets: In case you missed it, the Mets acquired catcher Kelly Shoppach from the Boston Red Sox, in return for a player to be named later....
• 8/14 PaulLebowitz.com: The Mets Acquired Kelly Shoppach Because…: I hate to shatter the myths and nonsense that are being floated by the Joel Shermans of the world, but here’s the truth without...
• 8/11 Baseball News Source: AL Recaps – Rays’ Price Gets 15th Win over Twins: Tampa Bay 4 – Minnesota 2 -  David Price recorded his 15th win of the season, allowing two runs and seven hits over seven...
• 8/8 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Angels @ A’s Game 111: Another series win for the A’s this time over the Angels. This was a rough outing the second time out for A’s starter...
• 8/4 Baseball News Source: Straily Strong in Debut – A’s Walk Off Winners Again: Oakland’s Daniel Straily‘s turned in a strong performance in his major league debut against the Toronto Blue Jays....

• 7/31 Rays Colored Glasses: The History of the Rays as Sellers at the Trade Deadline Part 9: It has taken us 9 long parts and until the day of the trade deadline to finish, but here’s our final post discussing the...
• 7/26 Mets360.com: We’ll Never Know The Real Story Of The Mets’ Finances: Some good financial news for Fred and Jeff Wilpon came down the line today. Irving Picard – trustee overseeing the restitution...
• 7/26 Rising Apple: MLB Trade Rumors: Could the Mets Deal Daniel Murphy?: This question has been asked plenty, and even though the Dodgers almost acquired him over the winter, is Murphy being shopped...
• 7/24 Bay Area Sports Guy: What do the A’s do with their abundance of pitching?: The young starting staff for the A’s dazzled against the New York Yankees in the four-game series, accounting for three...
• 7/24 The Baseball Page: MLB Power Rankings: Week 18: Power Rankings Current Team Previous 1 Texas Rangers 1  Texas...
• 7/23 Up Along First: Alderson: Mets No Longer Buyers In Trade Market: According to  Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Sandy Aldrson said today that the Mets are no longer buyers in the trade market:...
• 7/23 Mets360.com: Sandy Alderson and the 2012 bullpen fiasco: The Mets’ bullpen is a mess and the only thing that is uncertain is how we should divvy up the blame. Should we be mad at...
• 7/21 Rising Apple: New York Mets Send Omar Quintanilla to Orioles for Cash: Well, I can’t say I’m too surprised by this move. After filling in at shortstop admirably once Ruben Tejada, Ronny...
• 7/20 The Baseball Page: Mets News and Notes: Familia, Baxter, Francisco, Mets Trade Front : Mets News and Notes: Jeurys Familia limited Toledo to one run and three...
• 7/19 Climbing Tal's Hill: Mets may be interested in Brett Myers: The New York Mets are surprise contenders in the N.L. East this season and are currently in the market for bullpen help. Former...
• 7/19 MLBTradeRumors: Mets Notes: Francisco Rodriguez, Brett Myers: The Mets are interested in right-handed relievers Jonathan Broxton and Grant Balfour, but they aren't close on any deals, according...
• 7/18 MLBTradeRumors: Mets Interested In Broxton, Balfour: The Mets are interested in Jonathan Broxton and Grant Balfour as they look to improve their bullpen before the July 31st trade...
• 7/13 PaulLebowitz.com: American League West—Buy, Sell or Stand Pat?: We can tick Edwin Encarnacion off the board of potentially available players as the Blue Jays signed him to a 3-year, $27 million...
• 7/13 MLBTradeRumors: Potentially Available Right-Handed Relievers: Most contenders could use another right-handed reliever for the season’s final two-plus months. Here are some potentially available...
• 7/11 PaulLebowitz.com: American League East—Buy, Sell or Stand Pat?: You’ll see all the “rumors” floating around, published in newspapers and discussed on blogs, websites and shows. Most of...
• 7/10 Rising Apple: MLB Trade Rumors: Mets Want Veteran Relievers: Yea, tell us something we didn’t know. Just in case you were wondering what the top priorities were for the Mets as we move...
• 7/10 MetsToday.com: Should the Mets Deal Before the Deadline?: No doubt you’ve seen the rumors of the Mets’ interest in people such as Ramon Hernandez, Huston Street, Grant Balfour,...
• 7/9 Rising Apple: The Trade Paradox: “No, Not Him!”: The All-Star Break is finally upon us, and the New York Mets find themselves in a very respectable position. Predicted to finish...
• 7/7 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Mariners @ A’s Game 84: The A’s and M’s play to a lot of low scoring games and this one was no different, 1-1 into the eleventh. Chris Carter,...
• 7/7 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Red Sox @ A’s Game 83: Today I was at the Bakersfield Blaze game against the Stockton Ports. It was really an awful baseball game if you are a non-partisan...
• 7/6 Up Along First: A Look At The Mets’ Biggest Needs: The trade deadline is approaching fast. We are already a week into July and with the All-Star break beginning next week, the wheeling...
• 7/5 MLBTradeRumors: Olney On Red Sox, Mariners, Smith, Rangers: Most of the top available starting pitchers currently play in the National League, but there’s still lots of trade talk in the...
• 7/4 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s DFA Fuentes and Reinstate Colon: Bartolo Colon was reinstated from the disabled list today as he is set to make the start tonight against the visiting Red Sox....
• 7/3 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Mariners Game 76: The A’s had two hits and that was enough. The Mariners had four hits and that was two few. And so goes another offensively...
• 7/1 PaulLebowitz.com: Surprise Buyers—National League: Yesterday I looked at the American League teams that are somewhat surprisingly in contention and what they should and shouldn’t...

• 6/29 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Notes: McCarthy, Balfour, Smith, Fuentes: The A's could be gearing up for a sale closer to the deadline, but for now Oakland sits at 37-40 as they enter tonight's game...
• 6/28 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Mariners Game 74: The A’s and the M’s are noteworthy for their poor offenses and strong pitching. Again in a game between the two divisional...
• 6/28 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour maximizing trade value: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour has given up just one run in his last 16 appearances, and he could be heavily sought after...[+] before the trade deadline. The New York Mets could be one of the teams most interested.
• 6/28 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Dodgers, Puig, Qualls, Harper: The Mets and Athletics could match up for a potential trade involving Grant Balfour, ESPN.com's Buster Olney suggests (on Twitter)....
• 6/27 Rising Apple: Could Jenrry Mejia Be On The Trading Block?: Almost two weeks ago, Jenrry Mejia was preparing to transition to the bullpen, with an eye to bring him up to help out the New...
• 6/26 MLBTradeRumors: Mets Looking For Bullpen Help: At 5.21, the Mets have the worst bullpen ERA in baseball by three-tenths of a run. Closer Frank Francisco is out with an oblique...
• 6/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Dodgers @ A’s Game 68: The Dodgers came to Oakland this evening. Leading the National League West, they looked to have a more 1988 World Series type...
• 6/20 PaulLebowitz.com: Mid-Season Trade Candidates—Kevin Youkilis: Name: Kevin Youkilis Tale of the tape: 1B/3B; 33-years-old; bats right; throws right; 6’1”; 220 lbs. Contract status: $12...
• 6/19 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Padres @ A’s Game 66: A’s won their fifth straight with a win over the hapless now 23-43 Padres at the Coliseum. Some timely hitting helped to...
• 6/19 Phillies Nation: Sinking Fast, Phillies Still Have Options To Right The Ship: The 2012 version of the Phillies has so far been unrecognizable. The team has lost its swagger, and they’re playing poorly...
• 6/15 MLBTradeRumors: Olney On Red Sox, A’s, Trout, Harper, Morneau: It’s still a little early for struggling teams to acknowledge to fans that it’s time to start looking ahead to 2013 and beyond,...
• 6/12 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Diamondbacks Game 59: The interleague schedule chugs along and the A’s traveled to their spring home of Phoenix where the results were much different...
• 6/12 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Rangers @ A’s Game 58: A’s win a series against Texas. Big win today as the A’s roll past Texas 7-1. This game was in the bag early as the...
• 6/11 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s Claim Farquhar and Move Carignan to the 60-Day DL: It isn’t surprising at all that Andrew Carignan would be moved to the 60-day DL. Whenever you hear the words ulnar collateral...
• 6/8 Baseball Reality Tour: Trade Targets for Contenders: The new playoff format gives more teams hopes of making the postseason, which decreases the number of sellers at the trading deadline....
• 6/3 MLBTradeRumors: Cafardo On Red Sox, Morneau, Broxton, Lee: The Red Sox could be in the enviable position of being both buyers and sellers at the deadline, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston...

• 5/30 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Twins Game 50: The A’s skid hits seven straight as they fall to 22-28 on the year and plunge closer to the AL West basement with a 3-2...
• 5/29 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Twins Game 49: The offensively hapless A’s traveled to Minneapolis to take on the all-round hapless Twins for a Memorial Day afternoon...
• 5/26 MLBTradeRumors: Two Walk-Year Closers With Declining Trade Value: The new playoff system may or may not impact the number of buyers and sellers this summer, but there's one thing about the trade...
• 5/24 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Angels @ A’s Game 45: Afternoon extra-inning baseball results in a 3-1 loss for the A’s who slump to 22-23 and continue to hover around .500 but...
• 5/22 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Godfrey Activated; Figueroa Demoted: Graham Godfrey, as was expected despite repeated “we’ll wait and sees” was recalled today to make the start...
• 5/22 MLBTradeRumors: 2013 Contract Issues: Oakland Athletics: The Athletics are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series: Eligible For Free Agency (4) Brandon McCarthy - McCarthy,...
• 5/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Giants Game 41: The A’s are an even 20-20 after 40 games and I for one cannot say I’d expected them to be in this spot. If someone...
• 5/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: The A’s New Hitters: A Preview: The interleague schedule begins tonight as the A’s battle the Giants in San Francisco at AT&T Park. That means pitchers...
• 5/17 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Rangers Game 39: The A’s won today in extra innings 5-4. The A’s record now stands at 20-19 and they find themselves a mere four games...
• 5/16 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Carignan Optioned to Make Room for Blackley: Andrew Carignan has not had a very good year for the A’s. In six and a third innings playing with the A’s he has 5.7...
• 5/15 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Angels Game 36: Most people would not have guessed that the A’s would roll into Anaheim in the middle of May finding Los Angeles in last...
• 5/14 High Heat Stats: The Mount Rushmore of the Tampa Bay Rays: Following on Graham’s original post (which itself expands on an idea tweeted by Buster Olney), I’ve decided to go...
• 5/14 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Ryan Cook to work in setup role: Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Sunday, May 13, that RPs Ryan Cook and Grant Balfour will work in the seventh and eighth...[+] innings for now. Cook has not allowed a run in 16 2/3 innings this year.
• 5/14 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour displeased about demotion: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour is upset about losing the closer's job, and he voiced his displeasure to manager Bob Melvin....[+] 'I told him I wasn't happy,' Balfour said. 'I was (ticked) off. That's fine. Whatever. I'll just go on the field and do what I gotta do.'
• 5/13 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Balfour, A's, Twins, Plouffe, Cardinals: Links as the weekend comes to a close.. A's reliever Grant Balfour is less-than-thrilled about losing his job as closer,...
• 5/13 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Cespedes to DL; Donaldson Back and Fuentes to Close: A lot happened in the world of the Oakland A’s Saturday. Prior to the game, Yoenis Cespedes was placed on the 15-day disabled...
• 5/13 Call to the Pen: Analysis: Oakland Athletics name Brian Fuentes Closer: The Oakland Athletics have named Brian Fuentes their new closer after he recorded his second save of the season against the Detroit...
• 5/11 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Tigers @ A’s Game 32: I was in Baltimore to watching the Baltimore Orioles fall to the Texas Rangers, but in Oakland the A’s fell to the Detroit...
• 5/10 Call to the Pen: Angels Rumors: Los Angeles Still Targeting Relievers: The Los Angeles Angels added to their bullpen by acquiring Ernesto Frieri from the San Diego Padres earlier this month, but Jon...
• 5/7 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Gonzalez, Mota, Red Sox: Brewers shortstop Alex Gonzalez has torn his right ACL and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Tom Haudricourt of the...
• 5/7 Roto Think Tank: A.L. FAAB Log: May 7, 2012: Johnny Damon $22. Other bids: $17, $13, $10, $10, $4, $1.Damon is OF eligible in this league; in leagues where he's still...
• 5/6 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour earns save Saturday: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour earned his seventh save of the year against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, May 5. He allowed...[+] one hit over one scoreless inning. Balfour has 17 career saves and is currently tied with Graeme Lloyd for most saves by an Australian-born pitcher.
• 5/5 MLBTradeRumors: Closer Options For 2013: Last offseason's Hot Stove was notable for the hefty contracts signed by the likes of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, but...
• 5/5 MLBTradeRumors: East Links: Tejada, Orioles, Rizzo, Yankees, Jays: On this date in 2000, the Yankees signed Chien-Ming Wang as a 20-year-old amateur out of Taiwan for $1.9MM. The sinkerballer...
• 5/5 Call to the Pen: Yankees Rumors: New York Not Targeting Relievers: The New York Yankees are not “aggressively” pursuing relievers in the wake of Mariano Rivera’s season-ending injury, reports...
• 5/4 Roto Think Tank: A.L. Gearing Up: May 7-14: Rising UpRyan Cook. (1% owned in CBS leagues last week, 5% owned this week)With Grant Balfour off to a pedestrian start,...
• 5/2 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour hits rough patch: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour said he has been sick lately and he dealt with some minor back tightness in his outing Tuesday,...[+] May 1, but he isn't using that as an excuse for his poor recent performance, in which he's 0-1 with a save, two blown saves and a 23.14 ERA in his last four outings. Manager Bob Melvin has indicated that he isn't ready to make a switch.

• 4/30 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Designate Luke Hughes For Assignment: The Athletics announced that they have designated infielder Luke Hughes for assignment. The move creates roster space for...
• 4/30 High Heat Stats: Sunday recap (4/29): – Wade Miley held the Marlins hitless into the 6th inning, picked up his third win and dropped his ERA to 1.29. Joining...
• 4/29 Baseball Musings: Balfour’s Colon Blow: Bartolo Colon of the Athletics pitched eight scoreless innings against the Orioles, but then this happened to Colon and Grant...
• 4/29 MLBTradeRumors: MLBTR Originals: A look back at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR Writing Team this week.. Matt Swartz looked back at the...
• 4/29 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s to Sign Inge: Brandon Inge will be the newest person to enter the carousel that is third base following my speculation he would do so (before...
• 4/29 Red Sox Life: Feeling Like 500 Bucks: Enjoy the moment, dear readers, your Boston Red Sox are at the .500 mark (10-10) for the first time this season.Here's hoping...
• 4/29 MLBTradeRumors: Cafardo On Balfour, Hanrahan, Angels, Twins, Myers: Older ballplayers are showing a lot of life so far this season, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.  Veterans Paul Konerko,...
• 4/28 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour earns save Friday: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour earned his sixth save of the season in seven opportunities Friday, April 27, against the Baltimore...[+] Orioles. He walked one and struck out two over one scoreless inning.
• 4/28 Call to the Pen: Red Sox Rumors: Boston Targeting Relievers: Jayson Stark of ESPN heard from other clubs around the league that the Boston Red Sox are “canvassing every bullpen option out...
• 4/27 MLBTradeRumors: Angels Continue Seeking Relief Help: The Angels need relief help and they know it. Executives from other teams tell both Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and Jayson Stark...
• 4/26 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Notes: Balfour, Colon, Hughes, Inge: A few items on the A's.. Jane Lee of MLB.com doesn't expect the A's record to dictate their level of activity in the trade...
• 4/26 High Heat Stats: Gut-check time: Is this number high, low, or normal?: Paul Konerko‘s 400th HR was a game-tying shot in the 9th inning on the first pitch from Grant Balfour. It’s the 12th...
• 4/26 MLBTradeRumors: Trade Candidate: Brett Myers: The Brett Myers trade rumors have been circulating for a while, and there’s no reason to expect them to slow down between now...
• 4/23 MLBTradeRumors: Trade Candidate: Grant Balfour: The Athletics are playing respectably right now, but if the season unfolds as expected and the Rangers and Angels distance themselves...
• 4/22 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Claim Luke Hughes: The Athletics have claimed infielder Luke Hughes off waivers from the Twins, according to the A's official Twitter account....
• 4/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Angels Game 12: The A’s win 5-3. Decent offense, decent pitching, all around good performance. The A’s with the win again move into...
• 4/11 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour works two innings: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour allowed a hit and walk with two strikeouts over two scoreless innings of relief in a 12-inning...[+] win against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, April 11.
• 4/5 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Giants @ A’s ST Game 23: Matt Cain and his newly minted $112.5M contract extension came across the Bay to Oakland on a misty night for the second game...

• 3/30 MLB Dirt: My 2012 Predictions: AL West: I am continuing my 2012 prediction series by revealing my AL West standings and a few positive and negative predictions for each...
• 3/23 Through The Fence Baseball: Friday Fantasy Roundup: Mad Men, women and drafts: This weekend is going to be absolutely insane. Four games of NCAA March Madness Friday, two games Saturday and two games Sunday...
• 3/22 Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks: Spring Training Watch: Closer Report: Oakland A’s Clave and I have gone back forth over the A’s closer situation during spring and looks like he was right....
• 3/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Balfour Named Closer, Figueroa and Pea**** Optioned: Grant Balfour was named the A’s closer to begin the 2012 season. This is welcome news as I have advocated that Balfour should...
• 3/20 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour named closerThe Oakland Athletics named RP Grant Balfour as their closer....[+] The Oakland Athletics named RP Grant Balfour as their closer.
• 3/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Diamondbacks @ A’s ST Game 19: There are games where you basically do a slew of things to lose and yet at the end of the game you find yourself on top. Today’s...
• 3/17 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Mariners ST Game 15: Joey Devine has been set down due to right bicep soreness which might open up an additional bullpen spot as the out-of-options...
• 3/17 MLBTradeRumors: Baseball Blogs Weigh In: A's, Royals, Phillies, Napoli: Six years and one day ago, Roy Halladay agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Blue Jays worth $40MM. The deal did...
• 3/12 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ White Sox ST Game 12: A’s keep rolling in Spring Training play upping their record now to 7-3 with a 9-4 win over the hapless 2-7 Chicago White...
• 3/12 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Closer Battle Down to Two: Manager Bob Melvin gave the clearest indications yet on the state of the closer battle today. Joe Stiglich of the Contra Costa...
• 3/11 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Interview: Wagner, Godfrey, Fuentes and Balfour: On March 3rd, as a part of a visit to Spring Training in Peoria, Arizona, I was invited to come into the A’s clubhouse in Phoenix...
• 3/10 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: A’s @ Rockies ST Game 9: The Rockies didn’t want to let the A’s use a designated hitter. Never got the way this works. It’s a spring...
• 3/8 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Steward on Mora, Closer Job, Arbitration Clocks, Carter, Ynoa, Figueroa and Doolittle: Yesterday Carl Steward of the Bay Area News Group did a live chat. The A’s maybe don’t have too many fans or perhaps...
• 3/8 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Angels @ A’s ST Game 4: This game is noteworthy to most of baseball as the debut of Albert Pujols playing first base for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
• 3/8 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Steward on Mora, Closer Job, Arbitration Clocks, Carter, Ynoa, Figueroa and Doolittle: Yesterday Carl Steward of the Bay Area News Group did a live chat. The A’s maybe don’t have too many fans or perhaps...
• 3/6 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Recap: Angels @ A’s ST Game 4: This game is noteworthy to most of baseball as the debut of Albert Pujols playing first base for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....

• 1/31 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Interview: Bob Melvin: At the Oakland A’s FanFest I was invited to join five other bloggers in a press conference style interview of five members...
• 1/31 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Interview: Bob Melvin: At the Oakland A’s FanFest I was invited to join five other bloggers in a press conference style interview of five members...
• 1/25 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agents Who Cost Draft Picks: The Tigers committed $214MM to sign Prince Fielder yesterday afternoon, but that's not all they gave up -- the Brewers will...
• 1/23 Through The Fence Baseball: The Latin Link: Orlando Cabrera always played with passion:   The many accomplishments are impressive. Let’s start with 2,055 career hits. Then there were the two Gold Gloves...
• 1/21 Swingin' A's: Crystal Ball: Who Will Be Oakland’s Closer In 2012?: Could Brian Fuentes Be Oakland's Closer in 2012? (Photo Credit: AP) Every Friday, Swingin’ A’s will make a prediction...
• 1/17 PaulLebowitz.com: Poor Billy: So you’re trapped in a division with two powerhouses. You play in an awful, antiquated and uninviting home park that, in spite...
• 1/7 PaulLebowitz.com: Poor Billy: So you’re trapped in a division with two powerhouses. You play in an awful, antiquated and uninviting home park that, in spite...
• 1/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Who Closes for the A’s in 2012?: I predicted the A’s will win 66 games this upcoming season when we talked about it last week on TarpTalk. I stand by that...

• 12/30 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Who Closes for the A’s in 2012?: I predicted the A’s will win 66 games this upcoming season when we talked about it last week on TarpTalk. I stand by that...
• 12/29 MLBTradeRumors: AL West Notes: Pujols, Wilson, Balfour, Kata: Between the Angels' big signings, the Rangers winning the Yu Darvish bidding, the Athletics' rebuilding, the Mariners' dabbling...
• 12/29 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Receiving interest in Grant BalfourThe Oakland Athletics are receiving interest from other teams about the availability of RP Grant Balfour....[+] The Oakland Athletics are receiving interest from other teams about the availability of RP Grant Balfour.
• 12/29 Swingin' A's: A’s 2011 In Review: Unorthodox Management: Bob Geren was just one problem the A's endured in 2011 (Photo Credit: AP) The A’s entered the 2011 season with a renewed...
• 12/29 PaulLebowitz.com: Relegate the A’s: Since Billy Beane has become such a keen observer of European fútbol and Michael Lewis publicly stated that he sees Beane one...
• 12/28 MLBTradeRumors: AL West Notes: Athletics, Fielder, Rangers: The Athletics completed their third major trade of the offseason this afternoon, sending Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney to Boston...
• 12/28 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Three candidates for closer's role: Oakland Athletics assistant general manager David Forst said Wednesday, Dec. 28, that RPs Grant Balfour, Fautino De Los Santos...[+] and Joey Devine are all candidates for the closer's job following the trade of RP Andrew Bailey to the Boston Red Sox.
• 12/27 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s Interested in Seth Smith?:   In the offseason so many moves are dependent upon one thing happening causing another to occur, then like dominoes several...
• 12/27 PaulLebowitz.com: The Genius Will Return…In 2015: It’s almost biblical or a tenet of faith for any religion or cult. According to the actions of Billy Beane along with whispers...
• 12/26 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s Interested in Seth Smith?:   In the offseason so many moves are dependent upon one thing happening causing another to occur, then like dominoes several...
• 12/26 Did The Tribe Win Last Night?: Offseason Swap Series: Oakland Athletics: By Matthew Van Wormer Of all the teams in Major League Baseball, one team reminds me of the Indians more than any other; the...

• 11/23 MLBTradeRumors: Which Free Agents Will Be Offered Arbitration?: As the clock ticks down toward tonight's free agent arbitration offer deadline at 11pm central time, we at MLBTR reminisce...
• 11/21 MLBTradeRumors: AL West Notes: Gonzalez, Bailey, Oliver, Wilson: Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death earlier today. MLBTR extends condolences to Halman's friends and loved...
• 11/20 Fragile Freddy's: Freddy's Two-a-Days: Oakland Athletics: 74-88, 3rd place, 22 GBFragile Freddy’s “Two A Days” series continues today with the Oakland Athletics.  Each day (except...
• 11/15 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Notes: Gonzalez, Bailey, Sizemore, Cespedes: We've seen a good amount of talk surrounding the A's lately and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle gave her take on...
• 11/12 High Heat Stats: Is Jonathan Papelbon a $50 million mistake? Probably.: Sources say that the Phillies are giving Jonathan Papelbon $50 million over 4 years. That's an expensive and long contract for...
• 11/11 High Heat Stats: Best WAR per inning pitched in 2011: In 2011, there were 19 pitchers who pitched at least 50 innings and earned at least 3.5 WAR per every 100 innings pitched. (This...
• 11/9 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agent And Trade Market For Right-Handed Relievers: The Red Sox, Blue Jays, Tigers, Twins, Rangers, Angels, Mariners, Braves, Mets, Marlins, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Dodgers, Padres...
• 11/8 Swingin' A's: A Fan’s Guide To Surviving An A’s Offseason 2011-12 Edition: What's an A's fan to do this winter? House has a few answers to your winter ailments (Photo Credit: Universal/NBC) For...

• 10/31 Rays Colored Glasses: Should He Stay or Should He Go….Juan Cruz: The Rays basically started over in the bullpen for 2011. They lost familiar names like Dan Wheeler and Grant Balfour and short...
• 10/28 Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness: A Look Back At Matt Guerrier’s Contract: As I go through the pitching staff for the 2011 Review series, I’m usually writing a few days ahead of what’s being...
• 10/13 MLBTradeRumors: Offseason Outlook: Oakland Athletics: As the Athletics await resolution on their stadium situation, they’ll look to restore outfield depth and improve their weak...

• 9/29 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Imagining a Rebuild: John Shea and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle had some interesting tweets today from the press conference featuring...
• 9/10 PaulLebowitz.com: Ricketts Should Not Fall For “The Verducci Effect”: I’m not referring to a writer’s research and guidelines on how to use pitchers. I’m talking about the hiring...
• 9/5 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agent Stock Watch: Rich Harden: In the 2009-10 offseason, the Athletics guaranteed $12MM to injury-risk starting pitchers Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer....
• 9/4 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Mariners @ A’s Game 140: 4:13PM EDT: After allowing a double to Mike Carp, Bailey K’s Smoak and Olivo to end it. A’s sweep the Mariners –...
• 9/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s Lose in 16; Better than Losing in 9?: It took sixteen innings for the A’s to lose which I suppose is better than losing in nine, but a loss is of course still...

• 8/25 My Pinstripes: Yankees Get Burnt To A Crisp: The first rule of Baseball Club is that you DO discuss Baseball Club. The second rule is you don't give up home runs to Coco...
• 8/25 YankeeAnalysts.com: Crisp, Sizemore beat Yankees 6-4 in extras as Yanks lose first series at home since early June: First we had an earthquake in New York City. Then all sorts of panic about a possible hurricane this weekend. And now, following...
• 8/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Blue Jays @ A’s Game 126:   8:40PM PDT: A’s win! The A’s improve to 57-69 on the season with the win at least guaranteeing a split of this...
• 8/19 B-R Blog: Tyler Clippard may set the Holds record. (Don’t laugh.): Tyler Clippard earned his 32nd Hold on Thursday with a perfect 8th inning against the Reds, striking out Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs,...
• 8/17 PaulLebowitz.com: Billy Beane Is Not Ready For His Closeup: Tom Verducci took great care to rub Billy Beane‘s ego just the right way in the latest piece to justify Beane’s supposed ”genius”—a...
• 8/15 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Rangers @ A’s Game 120: 4:42PM PDT: On a full count Josh Willingham pops out to Mike Napoli (now playing first) at the 15 yard line in foul ground. Rangers...
• 8/6 MLBTradeRumors: West Links: Maybin, Balfour, Dodgers: As Dave Cameron of FanGraphs notes (on Twitter), only two teams have yet to score 400 runs this year: the Mariners and the Giants....
• 8/3 COSFBA: Warming In The 'Pen: AL Edition: The Trade Deadline has come and gone, and while several big moves were conspired (I'll probably write my thoughts on Ubaldo Jimenez...
• 8/3 MLBTradeRumors: Checking In On Former Rays Relievers: When you consider what happened last offseason, it's not overly surprising that few bullpens in baseball have a worse strikeout...

• 7/31 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Twins @ A’s Game 108: 3:58PM PDT: A’s win! Everyone else loses (or the M’s will at least down 8-1 to the Rays late). Good day! 3:51PM PDT:...
• 7/31 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Moscoso and A’s Thwomp Twinkies: Anyone who reads this blog knows how I love to talk about Guillermo Moscoso‘s peripherals and how messed up they are and...
• 7/27 MLBTradeRumors: Rangers Eyeing Bell, Adams, Bailey, Balfour: Now that Carlos Beltran is heading to the defending World Champions, last year’s American League pennant winner can focus its...
• 7/26 COSFBA: Warming Up In The 'Pen: AL Edition: July 26th, 2011: Greetings and salutations! This is likely to be a shorter article than usual this week; Outside-of-COSFBA considerations are...
• 7/25 mlbcoverage.com: Rays Bullpen Jigsaw: Coming into the 2010 season, much was made about this being this teams last season together. More media driven than anything else,...
• 7/23 Yankees Daily: Yankees fall short in Ninth and lose to A’s 4-3: By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Hideki Matsui homered against his former team, Rich Harden earned his...
• 7/23 mlbcoverage.com: Rays Bullpen Jigsaw: Coming into the 2010 season, much was made about this being this teams last season together. More media driven than anything else,...
• 7/22 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Heyman on Athletics on the Move and on Athletics Staying Put: In his “Daily Scoop” piece at SportsIllustrated.com, Jon Heyman reiterates some rumors we’ve heard before and...
• 7/22 YankeeAnalysts.com: Series Preview | Yankees vs. A’s II: Oakland? More like jokeland: The A’s roll into town this weekend for the first of six games they’ll eventually have to play at Yankee Stadium this...
• 7/22 MLBTradeRumors: Heyman On Astros, Adams, Matsui, Yankees: Incoming Astros owner Jim Crane has ordered a decrease in payroll from $76MM to $60MM, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Here’s...
• 7/20 Cut Four: Tradio: Philadelphia Phillies: The following is a future transcript from the Tradio Show with Brandon Hardin. It is in all likelihood fictional. BH: It’s...
• 7/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Tigers Game 98:   10:23PM EDT: 96 mph hour fastball safely in the glove of Kurt Suzuki after Miguel Cabrera waved at it. Game over. Hideki...
• 7/18 Through The Fence Baseball: Texas Rangers Notes: Backups to Heath Bell and will they trade Derek Holland?: The Texas Rangers are in the middle of an 11-game winning streak, but leave it to the fair-weather fans and the media to say it...
• 7/18 The Biz of Baseball: MLB Trade Deadline: Buyers, NL Edition: It may have taken longer than expected, but the NL playoff picture has finally taken shape. I'll preface the following piece...
• 7/17 Baseball Reality Tour: Regards to Brett Anderson: Get Well Soon, Brett Anderson. He's one of our favorites, as is the awesome Susan Slusser. From her SF Chronicle piece: Genevieve...
• 7/16 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Angels @ A’s Game 95: 8:11PM PDT: Sizemore hits it into the gap in right-center. Game over as Pennington scores the winning run. A’s win 4-3!...
• 7/14 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Examining the Trade Values of Oakland’s Trade Chips:   This post is entirely inspired by a solid piece on USS Mariner where their team investigated the Mariners’ trade...
• 7/13 mlbcoverage.com: Rays Bullpen Jigsaw: Coming into the 2010 season, much was made about this being this teams last season together. More media driven than anything else,...
• 7/13 Pitchers Hit Eighth: Beware the Retaliatory Trade: The Brewers went out and traded for Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod) from the Mets.  That means that the Cardinals need to respond...
• 7/12 Cut Four: Tradio: Cincinnati Reds: The following is a future transcript from the Tradio Show with Brandon Hardin. It is in all likelihood fictional. BH: Welcome...
• 7/12 Roto Think Tank: Gearing Up A.L. Week 15: July 11-17: Rising Up Mike Trout (22% owned last week; 26% this week)Trout will be called up later today by the Angels to replace the...
• 7/12 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Rangers Game 91:   9:52PM CDT: That is why you don’t want to pitch to Josh Hamilton. Home run right field. Walk off winner. A’s...
• 7/12 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Rangers Game 90:   9:58PM CDT: Rosie grounds out. Game over. A’s record sags to 39-51 and they fall to an even ten games behind the...
• 7/12 PaulLebowitz.com: Trade Targets For National League Contenders: Let’s have a look at the National League contenders, what they need to improve and whom they should target. The word “contender”...
• 7/5 Call to the Pen: A’s Expect Grant Balfour to Return Thursday: Athletics’ setup man Grant Balfour is nearing his return to the club.  Barring any setbacks, the right hander is expected to...
• 7/3 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Gio Headed to Phoenix for the ASG: Lest we think another Athletic is being shipped out in advance of the July 31st trade deadline, alas Gio Gonzalez is going to...
• 7/1 Through The Fence Baseball: Can Texas Rangers land Wood and Garza at the deadline?: With the first day of July upon us, there are just a few weeks left before the most exciting time in major-league baseball. The...
• 7/1 MLBTradeRumors: Olney On Deadline Plans For AL Teams: ESPN's Buster Olney outlined plans for National League teams heading into the trade deadline yesterday, and today he follows up...

• 6/30 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Midway Point Marks: So the A’s have played half their schedule. The one take away? These guys can’t hit. Their offense as a whole has...
• 6/28 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Marlins @ A’s Game 80:   6:56PM PDT: The Florida Marlins come to the O.com Coliseum tonight to take on our Oakland Athletics. This will be the last...
• 6/25 The Process Report: Regarding Selling: Buster Olney has a new blog up on ESPN, and within notes the Rays have “sent signals” suggesting they are open to trades....
• 6/23 Through The Fence Baseball: Texas Rangers will be looking at numerous options for bullpen help: The Texas Rangers are in desperate need of fixing their bullpen. If Wednesday night’s debacle wasn’t enough for Ranger...
• 6/21 Through The Fence Baseball: Texas Rangers Notes: C.J. Wilson heading to the Bronx next season?: Derek Holland bounces back After a rough outing against the New York Yankees his last time out, Derek Holland needed to put together...
• 6/21 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Braves, Mariners, Balfour, Posting System: Today the Diamondbacks purchased the contract of Wily Mo Pena with the aim of employing him in the middle of their order...
• 6/21 Yankees Daily: Who Will Represent Oakland in the All-Star Game?: This is a weird team to try and find an All-Star on. Injuries and a horrible offense have plagued this team all year. The highest...
• 6/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: “Live Blogging”: Giants @ A’s Game 72: 10:12PM PDT: So Andrew Bailey closes the door on what was in many ways quite a tedious and boring game. All the scoring came in...
• 6/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Giants @ A’s Game 71:   9:51PM PDT: In the gold the A’s do it again! Andrew Bailey gets the save, Godfrey with his first career win. Good...
• 6/16 MLBTradeRumors: Potentially Available Right-Handed Relievers: The Rangers and Cardinals are just a few contenders who might look to add relief help at the trade deadline.  Let's take a...
• 6/13 MLBTradeRumors: If The Athletics Become Sellers: Having lost 12 of their last 13 games, the A's are eight games back in the AL West.  It's time to discuss their potential trade...
• 6/12 NY Baseball Digest: Media Rants, Deion Sanders, Yanks Pitching: Last weekend, I was listening to WFAN one evening and one specific caller caused me to take note, as I could not believe what...
• 6/9 PaulLebowitz.com: Call The Cops: It’s punishable by 8 years in prison to allow Orioles closer Kevin Gregg to record a save with a 1-2-3 inning. Rightfully...
• 6/9 MLBTradeRumors: Olney On Padres, Wood, Pirates: Teams like the Yankees, Rangers and Cardinals may not have to wait much longer for bullpen help. There will probably be relievers...
• 6/7 MLBTradeRumors: Olney On Nationals, Mariners, Brewers, A’s: Rival executives have wondered whether the Nationals will eventually shift top pick Anthony Rendon to second base, so ESPN.com’s...
• 6/6 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Kouzmanoff & FDLS Optioned; Rosales and Sizemore Recalled: In another surprising move amongst surprising moves this week the A’s today sent Kevin Kouzmanoff down to Triple-A Sacramento....
• 6/5 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: LaRoche DFA’d, De Los Santos Stays: Talk about didn’t see that one coming. With his 27.0 K/9, 0.0 BB/9 and 0.0 HR/9 which give him a cool -3.06 FIP the A’s...
• 6/5 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Designate Andy LaRoche For Assignment: The Athletics have reinstated Grant Balfour from the paternity list and designated Andy LaRoche for assignment, according to...
• 6/3 Roto Think Tank: Gearing Up: A.L. Week 10: June 6 - June 12: Rising Up Alex Cobb (2% owned last week, 5% owned this week)Cobb is a good prospect who would get more attention if he were...
• 6/3 Baseball Happenings: Series Preview - Oakland Athletics: Pitchers:Friday – Clay Buchholz (4-3, 3.41) vs. Josh Outman (1-0, 2.08)Saturday – Josh Beckett (4-2, 1.80) vs. Guillermo...

• 5/31 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Brian Fuentes back in as closer: Oakland Athletics RP Brian Fuentes locked down the save Saturday, May 28, after manager Bob Geren gave the closer role back to...[+] Fuentes after RP Grant Balfour blew the save Thursday, May 26. 'I talked to both of them after Grant threw and said (that in the ninth) I'm going to give it back to (Fuentes),' Geren said.
• 5/31 PaulLebowitz.com: Swift And Deadly 5.31.2011: The titles to these attempts at brief, short bursts of valuable information is a work-in-progress. I alter my approach and find...
• 5/29 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Orioles @ A’s Game 54: 1:46PM PDT: Conor Jackson put himself into great position to get to that ball and then the momentum should’ve helped him...
• 5/28 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Orioles @ A’s Game 53: 7:57PM PDT: Single to left by Adam Jones scores Craig Tatum – walk comes back to haunt Oakland. Bad throw from Josh Willingham,...
• 5/27 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Orioles @ A’s Game 52: 7:56PM PDT: David DeJesus comes through with a line drive to left off of the glove of Reynolds that allows Mark Ellis to score...
• 5/26 Baseball Musings: Making it Close: Brett Anderson kept the Angels off the board for eight innings, giving up just three hits and three walks. With a 4-0 lead in...
• 5/26 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour struggles in relief appearance: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour allowed three runs on two hits in his one inning of work against the Los Angeles Angels of...[+] Anaheim Thursday, May 26.
• 5/26 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Angels Game 51: 2:58PM PDT: Hisanori Takahashi is in for the Halos. He has not allowed a run, and just one hit this year. In the crazy 14-0 A’s...
• 5/26 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: It’s All About Communimacating: Joe Stiglich had an article in the Contra Costa Times today where he says that despite the recent criticisms of A’s skipper...
• 5/26 Bronx Baseball Daily: Brian Fuentes, Derek Jeter, and Changing Roles: This is ultimately going to be about Derek Jeter, but I first want to mention the ongoing drama between Brian Fuentes and...
• 5/26 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour will be used in closer's role: Oakland Athletics manager Bob Geren said RP Grant Balfour will be used in the closer's role with RP Brian Fuentes struggling....[+] It is uncertain how long he'll be used in the role, as RP Andrew Bailey (forearm) is nearing a return from the 15-day disabled list after a three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento.
• 5/24 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Angels Game 49: 7:54PM PDT: Guillermo Moscoso isn’t so bad at that run over to first, he’s done a good job on some pretty fast guys...
• 5/24 MLBTradeRumors: Heath Bell's Trade Value: The last time a team traded Heath Bell, they ended up regretting it, but the 2006 deal that sent Bell and Royce Ring from the...
• 5/23 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Angels Game 48: 6:55PM PDT: So Conor Jackson is getting the start at third base tonight, and Andy LaRoche is getting the start at second…...
• 5/22 22gigantes.com: Home Sweep Home (Part III): Emmanuel Burriss delivered a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the San Francisco Giants a(nother) dramatic...
• 5/21 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Bob Geren and the Rapture: Today at 6pm an earthquake is to begin in New Zealand and eventually roll across the earth as saved Christians (both dead and...
• 5/20 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s@ Giants Game 45: 7:58PM PDT: He had the green light, ground out to second base. 7:57PM PDT: Trevor Cahill due up, in spring training they wouldn’t...
• 5/19 The Process Report: Daily Process: Bullpen Locks Down Rays Victory: The Rays put up three runs in the second inning by using some unconventional tactics. Tampa Bay scored on the strength of two...
• 5/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Twins @ A’s Game 43: 7:25PM PDT: Carl 3.4 K/9 Pavano strikes out Josh Willingham to end a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. I just don’t get why Willingham...
• 5/16 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Angels @ A’s Game 41: 7:28PM PDT:  Love the dude wearing a Raiders jacket. Can’t have a groundskeeping squad uniform? I hope that cost savings...
• 5/15 PaulLebowitz.com: That Rays Magic: Closer attention is being paid to the Tampa Bay Rays and their “way”. A large part of this is because of Jonah Keri’s...
• 5/13 Through The Fence Baseball: What’s wrong with Boston’s Six Million Dollar Man?: Flashback to the off-season and you’d find high praise for former Chicago White Sox player Bobby Jenks. The portly closer must...
• 5/13 MLBTradeRumors: Checking In On Former Rays Relievers: Six prominent Rays relievers hit free agency and signed elsewhere for a total of $67.65MM last offseason (for reference, the...
• 5/8 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Royals Game 35: 2:34PM CDT: And that is not the way to get to the bullpen early as the A’s let Francis get a six-pitch inning in the top...
• 5/6 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Royals Game 33: 7:24PM CDT: Opposite field home run for Alex Gordon – his third on the campaign – gives the Royals a 1-0 lead. See...
• 5/5 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour secures first save: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour allowed a walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless and hitless ninth inning Wednesday, May 4,...[+] against the Cleveland Indians, as he earned his first save. RP Brian Fuentes was unavailable.
• 5/4 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Indians @ A’s Game 31: 7:25PM PDT: The A’s employ the shift and Travis Hafner hits into it with Mark Ellis playing a shallow right field basically....
• 5/4 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Brian Fuentes unavailable: Oakland Athletics manager Bob Geren said RP Grant Balfour will serve as the closer over RP Brian Fuentes if a save situation arises...[+] Wednesday, May 4.
• 5/2 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: “Live Blogging”: Rangers @ A’s Game 29: 12:44PM PDT: Mark Ellis is leading off for the A’s but manages a double over the head of Julio Borbon in center. Strange...
• 5/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: April’s Questions Answered: Let’s review the questions I posed before April and see how things shook up. 1. How will the A’s deal with the temporary...
• 5/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Rangers @ A’s Game 28: 1:28PM PDT: Basehit to left by Kurt Suzuki scores CoJax. I like the Suzuki hitting ahead of Matsui, its a nice look for the lineup,...
• 5/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Two Games Two Very Different Results: I was out of pocket and then had a bad internet connection so could not live blog the last two games but wanted to start with...

• 4/28 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Understocked Manager at Overstock.com Coliseum: The Oakland A’s return home tomorrow to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, except that it is no longer the Oakland-Alameda...
• 4/27 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Angels Game 24: 5:25PM PDT: Another three up-three down inning for Tyson Ross as he gets Hank Conger to strike out swinging to end the fifth....
• 4/24 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s Offense Arrives in Seattle: Like some luggage misplaced by the airline, the A’s offense finally showed up two days after the club’s arrival in...
• 4/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Braden to 15-Day DL, Harden to 60-Day DL: The addition of David Purcey this morning required several roster moves and we now know what they are. Not entirely surprising,...
• 4/17 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: The (Mis)Use of Fuentes: Friday’s loss to the Detroit Tigers was awful. It was frustrating beyond words – because ultimately it could have...
• 4/16 Motor City Bengals: Brennan Boesch, Miguel Cabrera Lead Tigers to Offensive Awakening Late: I could write three posts dedicated to how well Rick Porcello pitched last night. He found himself in trouble on multiple occasions...
• 4/15 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Tigers @ A’s Game 14: 7:28PM PDT: Ouch. Hideki Matsui grounds it straight to Ramon Santiago who then throws on to Miguel Cabrera to complete the 6-3...
• 4/13 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ White Sox Game 12: 1:01PM CDT: Brett Anderson and John Danks, two big lefties in the rubber match of the series. The two games have been heartbreakers,...
• 4/10 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: “Live Blogging”: A’s @ Twins Game 9: 2:11PM CDT: The A’s pitching just keeps rolling McCarthy now has the Twins shutout through four. A’s 1, Twinkies 0....
• 4/9 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Twins Game 8: 8:22PM CDT: Josh Willingham walks to load the bases with one out (they absolutely need to capitalize on this and score some runs)....
• 4/6 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour can't record an out in loss: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour allowed two earned runs and two hits without recording an out in a relief loss Tuesday, April...[+] 5, against the Toronto Blue Jays.
• 4/5 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: A’s @ Blue Jays Game 4: 7:28PM EDT: I love seeing Kevin Kouzmanoff be selective at the plate. I think it ought to pay dividends to him in the Long-run...
• 4/3 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Mariners @ A’s Game 3: 1:39PM PDT: Inning over as Mark Ellis grounds out but to go back Matsui wasn’t particularly smart testing Ichiro’s...
• 4/3 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Mariners @ A’s Game 2: 9:08PM PDT: Game over. Mariners win 5-2. Another poor performance from the bullpen. Another poor performance at working counts....
• 4/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: …and Asking New Questions for April: So with my sterling track record firmly in place (1-for-7), let’s ask six questions about the A’s this April as we...

• 3/31 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: 2011 Oakland A’s Preview: The 2011 Oakland A’s look to have the best shot of the playoffs since the 2006 club, a club that in many ways should not...
• 3/30 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Giants @ A’s ST Game 33: 9:38PM PDT: Groundout to Mike Fontenot, the very shaky backup of the very shaky starting shortstop (Miguel Tejada) and the Giants...
• 3/28 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Andrew Bailey to open on DL: Updating previous reports, Oakland Athletics RP Andrew Bailey (forearm) will open the season on the disabled list, according to...[+] SportingNews.com. Bailey is improving, but not fast enough to be ready by Thursday, March 31. He played catch Sunday, March 27, and the team will be cautious with him. 'It's safe to say I'll miss a little time,' Bailey said. 'But better now than a month or two or three down the road.' RPs Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour will see save opportunities in Bailey's place.
• 3/27 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Andrew Bailey to begin season on disabled list?: Oakland Athletics RP Andrew Bailey (forearm) is likely to begin the season on the disabled list, according to Joe Stiglich of...[+] The Mercury News. Manager Bob Geren said RPs Grant Balfour and Brian Fuentes are possible closing options if Bailey is unavailable.
• 3/26 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Brandon McCarthy Named Fifth Starter: Brandon McCarthy was named the fifth starter today by Bob Geren. I don’t think really comes a surprise especially after...
• 3/26 The Process Report: What Juan Cruz Brings: Now that Juan Cruz is all but ensured a spot on the roster, let’s talk about him some more. Everyone who has seen Cruz knows...
• 3/25 Philly Phanatics: MLB season preview: American League East: PhillyPhanatics.com's Major League Baseball previews continue with the American League East In 2010, the Tampa Bay Rays, after...
• 3/25 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: D-backs Rattled by A’s Offense: The “big news” of the day came before the game even started when it became official that Trevor Cahill is the 2011...
• 3/21 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Split Sunday: The A’s had their final split squad contests of the Cactus League season yesterday and as seems to always be the case won...
• 3/19 PaulLebowitz.com: Book Review—The Extra 2% By Jonah Keri: There are easy and convenient explanations from both side of the spectrum in baseball analysis as to how the Tampa Bay Rays were...
• 3/17 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Live Blogging: Cubs @ A’s ST Game 21: 2:33PM PDT: One pitch to Alfonso Soriano, and one lead loss. Ouch. Cubs 3-2 on Alfonso dinger off Ziggy. 2:31PM PDT: Geovany Soto...
• 3/16 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Andrew Bailey unlikely to be ready: Although there is no timetable for Oakland Athletics RP Andrew Bailey's (forearm) return to the mound, he is unlikely to be ready...[+] for Opening Day after straining his forearm Monday, March 14, according to MLB.com's Jane Lee. Fuentes, who has not given up a run in five outings this spring, is the likely candidate to take over the closer's role while Bailey recovers. However, the team could use a closer-by-committee approach when the season opens based on matchups. RPs Grant Balfour, Michael Wuertz, Brad Ziegler, Craig Breslow and Joey Devine could be possibilities.
• 3/15 Fantasy Sports Information: Andrew Bailey Down, Now What?: This should have been the season A’s young closer Andrew Bailey threatened for 40 saves. With a strong starting rotation...
• 3/15 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Bailey’s Balky Elbow Puts Closer Role in Flux: Here is video of the moment it happened… As Scooby Doo would say “ruh-roh”. In today’s game against the...
• 3/13 Baseball Press: 2011 Fact or Fiction: David Price: Will the changes in Tampa effect Price's 2011 performance? (Getty)Fact or Fiction examines the 2010 performance of a player,...
• 3/8 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A’s Down Friars, Cahill Gets People Out: Trevor Cahill was much improved as he tossed four shutout innings helping the A’s defeat the San Diego Padres who were visiting...
• 3/7 YankeeAnalysts.com: A look at the 2011 Oakland Athletics: Note: For previous Yankee Analyst 2011 team previews, click here. The 2010 Oakland Athletics (81-81, 2nd place in the AL West)...
• 3/4 Jason's Baseball Blog: Season Preview: AL West: Time to move to my own team’s division, as I take a look at the AL West. You can also take a look at my previews of the...
• 3/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: 1/2 of Cincinnati > All of Oakland Today: I was a bit frustrated by MLB.com‘s coverage or lack thereof of today’s game. First off, for several innings I didn’t...
• 3/1 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Race for Fifth: Round One: So everyone in the running for the fifth starter position with the exception of the injured Rich Harden has had a go on the mound....

• 2/26 MLBTradeRumors: Crasnick On The A's Offseason: The Athletics, much like the Brewers, enjoyed a surprisingly fine offseason, and, not surprisingly, had to get a little bit creative...
• 2/25 MLBTradeRumors: Offseason In Review: Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays are next in our Offseason In Review series. Major League Signings Johnny Damon, LF/DH: one year, $5.25MM. Kyle...
• 2/24 MLBTradeRumors: Offseason In Review: Oakland Athletics: The Athletics are next in our Offseason In Review series. Major League Signings Brian Fuentes, RP: two years, $10.5MM. ...
• 2/21 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Wuertz Case Scenario?: Susan Slusser tweeted that Michael Wuertz has a “little shoulder issue” and will be sitting out the next few days...
• 2/17 It's About the Money (Stupid): 2011 American League Preview: Oakland Athletics: (This is the sixth installment in our series previewing each American League team's 2011 season. In the box today, the Oakland...
• 2/17 YankeeAnalysts.com: A look at the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays: Earlier this week, Larry wrote a great piece contemplating the strengths and weaknesses of the 2011 Oriole squad. Today, I’d...
• 2/15 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: My Questions Going into Spring Training: Mychael Urban and Jane Lee both had their questions going into Spring Training. These are my questions I have going into Spring...
• 2/11 MLBTradeRumors: AL East Links: Guthrie, Bard, Balfour, Rays: Here are some notes on the AL East, as the Blue Jays prepare for their Monday arbitration hearing with the reigning home run champ,...
• 2/11 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: A Different Rotation: Yesterday Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker answered questions on Fangraphs. So I threw him a question about the former Athletics...
• 2/11 PaulLebowitz.com: Fantasy Man: Regarding the title, I mean that in all possible connotations in relation to me. I don’t play fantasy sports. I don’t...
• 2/11 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Diamondbacks | Were Yanks' middle team in two proposed deals: The Arizona Diamondbacks were sign-and-trade partners for the New York Yankees in two proposed deals to sign Minnesota Twins SP...[+] Carl Pavano and Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour, the New York Post's Joel Sherman reports. The Yankees were trying to avoid losing their first-round picks by signing the Type A free agents, and the Diamondbacks were on board with both deals.
• 2/10 NY Baseball Digest: Rays Still Good, But a Notch Below Yanks and Sox: A little while back, we did an examination on one of the Yankees oldest enemies; the Red Sox. Now we’re going to look in...
• 2/9 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Sporting News Give A’s Top Spot: The Sporting News also had their offseason “grades” released today. They just ranked the teams as opposed to giving...
• 2/1 My Pinstripes: BD Hot Stove: AL Managers | Baseball Digest: BD Hot Stove: AL Managers | Baseball DigestOnly 14 of 30 managers have the same position they held when I last took a lot at the...
• 2/1 The Daily Catch: Rays Take a Chance on Manny & Damon: The Tampa Bay Rays are set to officially announce Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez as members of the team on Tuesday. The Rays are...

• 1/31 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: East Coast Bias?: This weekend Joel Sherman of the New York Post ranked the offseasons of each of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. Where...
• 1/31 Baseball Press: Fantasy Prep 2011: Swimming With the Rays: Matt Joyce hopes his bat will help the Rays stay atop the AL East standings. (Getty) As we head into next season, we'll...
• 1/24 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Mortensen Dealt to Rox: Clayton Mortensen was delivered to the Colorado Rockies today in exchange for right-handed pitcher Ethan Hollingsworth. Mortensen...
• 1/24 MLBTradeRumors: Rockies Acquire Clayton Mortensen: The Rockies have acquired Clayton Mortensen from the Athletics for minor league righty Ethan Hollingsworth according to the...
• 1/23 MLBTradeRumors: Week In Review: 1/16/11 - 1/22/11: Another Sunday closer to Spring Training and Opening Day 2011. Let's recap the last week: In an astonishing move, Toronto...
• 1/22 PaulLebowitz.com: Hot And Not: Brilliance either way: The overwhelming reactions to the Rays “combo” signings of Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez have...
• 1/22 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Papelbon, Bailey and the A’s Bullpen That Never Was: Yesterday, before everyone wanted to become trading partners with Tony Reagins, there was an article by Jon Heyman on SI.com where...
• 1/20 The Process Report: The Bullpen Steps: Writing too much about bullpens can be a fruitless, yet irresistible act. The volatility and liquidity lead to a state of mystery,...
• 1/20 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Duchscherer, Damon, Gorzelanny: Happy birthday to Astros manager Brad Mills, who was born 54 years ago today in Exeter, California.  Here are some news items...
• 1/19 Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness: Why Is Matt Guerrier Worth More Than Jon Rauch, Grant Balfour, Kyle Farnsworth & Brian Fuentes?: A few weeks ago, I wondered if the Dodgers should look for another lefty for the bullpen. In the initial version, I completely...
• 1/19 MLBTradeRumors: Rays Look To Add Relief, Confident They'll Find Bat: Andrew Friedman told ESPN 1040 in Tampa Bay that he's 'confident' the team will find someone who will help them score before the...
• 1/19 The Process Report: A Closer Look at Chad Durbin: Aaron Heilman and Todd Coffey appear close to signing deals with other teams, leaving the Rays an even thinner relief market with...
• 1/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Mortensen Designated for Assignment:   I did not see this move coming. We knew something had to give and someone had to go as the deal for Grant Balfour was announced...
• 1/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: He Comes from a Land Down Under: Today the Oakland A’s signed Australian pitcher Grant Balfour to a two year contract with a club option for 2013 (note:...
• 1/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Is Enough Ever Enough?: A day after adding Grant Balfour to an already strong bullpen, Billy Beane is at it again with FoxSports reporting today that...
• 1/18 T Van Poppel RC Ret Plan: Fuentes Deal Done: So Brian Fuentes will be coming to Oakland now which is good news. We’ve discussed over the past few days with the Fuentes...
• 1/18 MLBTradeRumors: A's Designate Mortensen For Assignment: The A's announced that they designated right-hander Clayton Mortensen for assignment to create roster space for Grant Balfour,...
• 1/18 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour finalized: The Oakland Athletics finalized their two-year, $8.1 million deal with RP Grant Balfour Tuesday, Jan. 18, according to The Associated...[+] Press' Janie McCauley.
• 1/18 PaulLebowitz.com: Hollywood, Publishing, Baseball: How long will it take? Out of convenience and profound lack of innate knowledge, how many people will conflate into one the 2011...
• 1/17 Baseball Press: Hot Stove: Brian Fuentes Signs With the Oakland A's: Fuentes joins an already stacked bullpen and a talented, young rotation. (Getty) Brian Fuentes officially signed a two-year...
• 1/17 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | More on Grant Balfour: Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour will be guaranteed $3.75 million this year and $4 million in 2012, according to MLB.com's Alden...[+] Gonzalez.
• 1/16 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics To Sign Brian Fuentes: The Athletics have agreed to terms with Brian Fuentes on a two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated...
• 1/16 MLBTradeRumors: Week In Review: 1/9/11 - 11/15/11: It's time to take a look back at the week that was.. The biggest surprise of the week was arguably the Yankees' signing of...
• 1/16 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Close To Deal With Brian Fuentes: The Athletics are close to finalizing a deal with Brian Fuentes, reports Steve Phillips of AOL FanHouse (on Twitter). We heard...
• 1/16 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Francisco, Manny, Rays, Athletics: On this date two years ago, the Dodgers signed Ronald Belisario as a minor league free agent after he had spent the previous...
• 1/15 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Notes: Fuentes, Relievers, Right-Handed Bat: Yesterday the Athletics agreed to sign Grant Balfour to a two-year deal and today we learned that they're making a push for Brian...
• 1/15 MLBTradeRumors: Athletics Pushing To Sign Brian Fuentes: Despite agreeing to sign Grant Balfour, the Athletics still aren't done trying to upgrade their bullpen. Ken Rosenthal of FOX...
• 1/14 Bronx Baseball Daily: Rumors: Yankees Considered Sign-and-Trade for Balfour: Via Buster Olney of ESPN: Sources: Yankees had talked about signing Balfour in possible sign-and-trade...
• 1/14 Baseball Press: Hot Stove: Athletics Sign Grant Balfour: Grant Balfour signs a two-year deal with the A's. (Getty) The Oakland Athletics were once again busy this off-season, as...
• 1/14 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour signs: The Oakland Athletics agreed to a two-year, $8.1 million deal with free-agent RP Grant Balfour (Rays) Friday, Jan. 14, according...[+] to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. The deal includes a team option for the 2013 season. The Athletics will lose a second-round pick for signing Balfour, since he was a Type A free agent. The team also agreed not to offer him arbitration at the end of his contract, meaning another team can sign Balfour without surrendering a compensation pick.
• 1/14 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Yankees | Had discussed Grant Balfour: The New York Yankees had discussed doing a sign and trade with Oakland Athletics RP Grant Balfour before they signed RP Rafael...[+] Soriano, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
• 1/14 MLBTradeRumors: A's To Sign Grant Balfour: The A's have agreed to sign Grant Balfour to a two-year, $8.1MM deal, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Jon...
• 1/14 MLBTradeRumors: A's, Balfour Close To Multiyear Deal: 10:13am: The deal will likely include two guaranteed years, Morosi reports (on Twitter). 9:41am: The A's are close to a multiyear...
• 1/14 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Athletics | Grant Balfour close to deal: The Oakland Athletics are close to a multiyear deal with free-agent RP Grant Balfour (Rays), FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports....[+]
• 1/14 MLBTradeRumors: Rafael Soriano Signing Reactions: The Yankees agreed to sign Rafael Soriano to a three-year deal that guarantees the right-hander $35MM. The Bronx Bombers don't...
• 1/13 PaulLebowitz.com: Mutually Beneficial: Rays sign Kyle Farnsworth: It’s easy to scoff at Kyle Farnsworth because of the absence of success that is attached to a...
• 1/13 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Grant Balfour may return on one condition: Free-agent RP Grant Balfour (Rays) could return to Tampa Bay on a one-year deal if the Rays assure him that they won't offer arbitration...[+] again if he's a Type A free agent after 2011, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
• 1/12 The Process Report: Report: Rays Offer Jose Veras Minor League Deal: The Rays already signed one former New York Yankee reliever today and could be on their way to signing another. Enrique Rojas...
• 1/12 MLBTradeRumors: Rays To Sign Kyle Farnsworth: The Rays have agreed to sign Kyle Farnsworth to a one-year deal, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter links). The...
• 1/12 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Balfour, Wells, Pirates, Penny: The Astros signed Wandy Rodriguez as an amateur free agent 12 years ago today. The lefty, who turns 32 next week, is an extension...
• 1/11 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: MLB | Grant Balfour's price coming downFree-agent RP Grant Balfour's (Rays) asking price has reportedly come down recently, according to ESPN's Buster Olney....[+] Free-agent RP Grant Balfour's (Rays) asking price has reportedly come down recently, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
• 1/11 MLBTradeRumors: Olney On Damon, Pavano, Soriano: Ivan Nova, Craig Kimbrel and Madison Bumgarner are among the young players who will play major roles in determining their teams’...
• 1/11 The Process Report: Looking for Relief: Grant Balfour, Rafael Soriano, & Jon Rauch: On Saturday’s conference call, Andrew Friedman said the Rays’ goal is to take the money saved in the Matt Garza trade...
• 1/10 MLBTradeRumors: Top Ten Remaining Free Agents: Only 11 of MLBTR's top 50 free agents remain unsigned. Johnny Damon checks in at number 11 and here are the top ten, with their...
• 1/9 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: MLB | Grant Balfour experiencing decreased velocity: An unnamed scout said free-agent RP Grant Balfour (Rays) hasn't been signed by anyone because of concerns about the velocity of...[+] his pitches decreasing last season, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. However, the scout went on to say that he has developed good command of his secondary pitches.
• 1/9 MLBTradeRumors: Quick Hits: Darvish, Balfour, Torre, Sale: Links for Sunday.... Yu Darvish officially renewed his contract with the Nippon Ham Fighters this week, as NPB Tracker's...
• 1/8 MLBTradeRumors: Friedman: Rays Will Reallocate Garza Money: Now that Matt Garza is officially a Cub, his former team has a little extra money burning a hole in its pocket. The right-hander...
• 1/7 MLBTradeRumors: Yankees Will Not Surrender First Round Pick: Yankees GM Brian Cashman says he intends to hold onto his 2011 first round draft choice, according to Chad Jennings of the Journal...
• 1/4 Bronx Baseball Daily: Rumors: Yankees Not Interested in Soriano or Balfour: Via Ken Davidoff of Newsday: The Yankees continue to scan the market for help in all areas, yet they’re...
• 1/4 MLBTradeRumors: Yankees Rumors: Burnett, Pettitte, Balfour: Here's the latest on the Yankees as they continue to explore ways of improving their pitching staff... Yankees GM Brian Cashman...
• 1/4 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Yankees | Don't want to lose draft pick: The New York Yankees don't like the idea of signing Type A free agents RP Rafael Soriano (Rays) or Grant Balfour (Rays) and losing...[+] a first-round draft pick, Newsday's Ken Davidoff reports.
• 1/3 The Process Report: Adam Russell And Joel Peralta Observations: 1) Each of Adam Russell’s offerings included whiff rates above 11%. His mid-90s heater generated more empty swings than Grant...
• 1/2 MLBTradeRumors: The Twins' Rebuilt Bullpen: The Rays have been the center of the free agent defection universe this winter, most notably losing franchise player Carl Crawford...
• 1/2 MLBTradeRumors: MLBTR Originals: 12/26/10 - 1/2/11: With a relatively small amount of baseball news being made during in the last week, we pumped out plenty of original content to...
• 1/2 MLBTradeRumors: Week In Review: 12/26/10 - 1/1/11: Happy New Year to all of our readers! Let's take a look back at the past seven days here on MLBTR: The Orioles continued...
• 1/1 MLBTradeRumors: Possible Fits For Grant Balfour: Earlier this week, MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith noted that only four free agents who'd cost a draft pick to sign remain on the...

• 12/30 MLBTradeRumors: Top 15 Remaining Free Agents: Only 15 of MLBTR's top 50 free agents remain unsigned. Here they are, with their original rankings in parentheses and their rumored...
• 12/29 MLBTradeRumors: Unfinished Business: AL East: MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has already examined the remaining needs for teams in the AL Central, AL West, NL East, NL Central and NL...
• 12/29 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Orioles | Interested in Grant Balfour: The Baltimore Orioles have 'definite interest' in signing free-agent RP Grant Balfour (Rays), according to MLB.com's Bailey Stephens....[+]
• 12/29 My Pinstripes: BD Hot Stove: Manny Being Unemployed | Baseball Digest: BD Hot Stove: Manny Being Unemployed | Baseball DigestTimes have changed and the once mighty have fallen. A few years ago it...
• 12/29 MLBTradeRumors: Orioles Interested In Grant Balfour: The Orioles have "definite interest" in free agent reliever Grant Balfour, according to MASN's Roch Kubatko.  Kubatko notes that...
• 12/28 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Could add another reliever: The Tampa Bay Rays could look to add free-agent RPs Jon Rauch (Twins), Kevin Gregg (Blue Jays) or Trevor Hoffman (Brewers), according...[+] to SportingNews.com. The team could also choose to re-sign RPs Grant Balfour or Chad Qualls.
• 12/28 MLBTradeRumors: The 3 Type A Free Agents Who Would Cost Picks: Grant Balfour, Adrian Beltre, and Carl Pavano are the remaining free agents for whom teams will have to surrender draft picks....
• 12/26 MLBTradeRumors: MLBTR Originals: 12/19/10 - 12/26/10: People all around baseball took it easy during the holidays this week, but we here at MLBTR pumped out plenty of original content....
• 12/26 MLBTradeRumors: Rays Notes: Bullpen, First Base, DH: The Rays find themselves in a difficult position as the 2011 season approaches. Forced to cut payroll, they've lost Carlos Pena,...
• 12/26 MLBTradeRumors: Cafardo's Latest: Uggla, Pavano, Matsuzaka, Ellsbury: In today's column, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe asked ten baseball people to select the ten most significant moves/non-moves...
• 12/24 MLBTradeRumors: Poll: Will Balfour Get A Multi-Year Deal?: Rays reliever Grant Balfour opted to roll the dice this winter when he declined the club's offer for arbitration.  Roughly one...
• 12/23 PaulLebowitz.com: Hot Stove Winners—-2010: In no particular order: There are still a couple of “name” free agents available, but I highly doubt that any team’s...
• 12/22 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Could re-sign Grant Balfour: The Tampa Bay Rays could wind up re-signing RP Grant Balfour, but it is unlikely because they would have to forfeit a draft pick...[+] for him, according to MLB.com's Bailey Stephens.
• 12/22 MLBTradeRumors: Odds & Ends: Montanez, D'Backs, Rays: A year ago today, the Yankees acquired Javier Vazquez from the Braves for a group of players led by Melky Cabrera. Neither headliner...
• 12/22 MLBTradeRumors: Which Teams Might Offer A Chance For Saves?: Most relievers want to close; it's the most prestigious and lucrative bullpen job.  Browsing our list of unsigned relievers,...
• 12/21 MLBTradeRumors: Mariners Seek Impact Bat For Aardsma: The Mariners are looking for an "impact bat" in exchange for closer David Aardsma, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. As...
• 12/21 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rockies | Long shots for Grant Balfour: The Colorado Rockies are unlikely to sign free-agent RP Grant Balfour (Rays) because he is looking for a three-year deal, according...[+] to The Denver Post's Jim Armstrong.
• 12/21 MLBTradeRumors: ACES Leading In Multiyear Deals: Top free agents often choose the Boras Corporation if they're looking for the maximum payday.  But there is evidence that mid-tier...
• 12/20 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rockies | Unlikely to land David Aardsma: The Colorado Rockies are unlikely to trade for Seattle Mariners RP David Aardsma because of the high asking price, according to...[+] The Denver Post's Troy E. Renck. However, the team remains in talks with free-agent RPs Grant Balfour (Rays), Jon Rauch (Twins), Aaron Heilman (Diamondbacks) and Chad Qualls (Rays).
• 12/18 MLBTradeRumors: Rays Loading Up On Draft Picks: The Rays have become baseball's model franchise when it comes to drafting and developing players from within. Four-fifths of their...
• 12/18 MLBTradeRumors: Odds & Ends: McClung, Matsui, Pettitte, Marlins: On this date in 1997, the Red Sox traded Tony Armas Jr. and Carl Pavano to the Expos for reigning NL Cy Young Award winner...
• 12/17 MLBTradeRumors: Busy Offseason For The Dodgers: The Red Sox, Nationals and Phillies have made the biggest acquisitions of the offseason, but none of those teams have been quite...
• 12/16 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rockies | Looking at relievers: The Colorado Rockies are shifting their attention to trading for Seattle Mariners RP David Aardsma, according to The Denver Post's...[+] Troy E. Renck. The Rockies are also looking at free-agent RPs Grant Balfour (Rays), Todd Coffey (Brewers) and Jon Rauch (Twins).
• 12/16 The Process Report: Bobby Jenks Signs With Boston: Bobby Jenks signed with the Boston Red Sox earlier today. Contrary to po**** belief, there are still worthwhile right-handed relievers...
• 12/16 MLBTradeRumors: Rockies Looking At Aardsma, Balfour, Coffey: The Rockies have spoken to the Mariners about a possible David Aardsma trade, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter...
• 12/16 MLBTradeRumors: Rays To Sign Joel Peralta: The Rays have agred to sign Joel Peralta for about $900K, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The Nationals non-tendered...
• 12/15 MLBTradeRumors: Multiyear Free Agent Contracts On The Rise: Multiyear free agent contracts are on the rise again. If the first six weeks of the 2010-11 offseason are any indication, teams...
• 12/13 MLBTradeRumors: Rays Re-Sign J.P. Howell: At least one of the Rays' free agent relievers is returning to Tampa Bay. The team re-signed left-hander J.P. Howell, according...
• 12/12 MLBTradeRumors: Cafardo's Latest: Red Sox, Pavano, Buehrle, Millwood: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe names the winners and losers of the Winter Meetings in his newest piece, with the Red Sox, Nationals,...
• 12/10 MLBTradeRumors: The Players Teams Must Surrender Picks For: The Tigers, Red Sox, White Sox and Nationals have already proven that they're willing to surrender top draft picks to sign top...
• 12/8 Baseball Press: Hot Stove: Jason Bartlett traded to the Padres: Bartlett goes coast-to-coast with a move to San Diego. (AP) The Winter Meetings are in full swing and the MLB Hot Stove...
• 12/7 Bronx Baseball Daily: Rumors: Yankees Not Interested in Downs or Other Type-A Relievers: Via Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated: Yankees won’t go for Downs or other Type-A relievers because...
• 12/7 MLBTradeRumors: Day In Review: 12/6/10: The Winter Meetings kicked off yesterday, and if you didn't have time to keep up with everything, that's understandable. Here's...
• 12/7 MLBTradeRumors: Boston Interested In Downs, Guerrier, Not Balfour: Signing Type A relievers is a risky proposition, as the swings in their performance from year-to-year can be wild, and they simply...
• 12/4 NY Baseball Digest: Rumor: Yanks Do Have Serious Interest in Crawford: We are just hours away from the beginning of the Winter Meetings so let’s start it off with some rumblings from Tampa. In talking...
• 12/4 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Orioles | Have contacted several relievers: The Baltimore Orioles have talked to the representatives of free-agent RPs Grant Balfour (Rays), Scott Downs (Blue Jays), Brian...[+] Fuentes (Twins), Matt Guerrier (Twins) and Kerry Wood (Yankees), according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun.
• 12/3 MLBTradeRumors: Orioles Notes: Tillman, Uehara, Relievers: The Orioles missed out on Victor Martinez and Adam Dunn, but they're still in the hunt for Paul Konerko.  Here's a look at...
• 12/2 The Golden Sombrero: Chicago White Sox News: Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko/Orioles, Alexei Ramirez, and Bobby Jenks: Chicago White Sox News: According to Jerry Crasnick’s Twitter, “The Chicago White Sox have jumped in on...
• 12/1 MLBTradeRumors: What We Learned: This Week's Arbitration Decisions: Type A relievers Frank Francisco and Jason Frasor were the only ranked free agents to accept their teams' offers of arbitration...

• 11/30 MLBTradeRumors: American League Free Agent Arbitration Decisions: 23 American League free agents were offered arbitration on November 23rd.  Four of those - Joaquin Benoit, John Buck, Victor...
• 11/30 MLBTradeRumors: Frasor To Accept Arb Or Sign Multiyear Deal: Jason Frasor is discussing potential contracts with three teams and may sign a multiyear deal tonight. But if he doesn't sign...
• 11/29 The Process Report: Report: Rays Show Interest in Kevin Gregg: Source When the Rays showed interest in Kevin Gregg last offseason, I wrote this: Gregg was eligible for Type-A compensation but...
• 11/29 NY Baseball Digest: Rumor Mill: Yanks Have Interest in Grant Balfour: I spoke to my main Yankee source in Tampa that let me know there is interest in Rays free agent reliever Grant Balfour. The one...
• 11/25 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agent Stock Watch: Matt Guerrier: Matt Guerrier probably caught a break when the Twins decided not to offer him arbitration earlier this week. Fellow Type As Frank...
• 11/25 MLBTradeRumors: What We Learned: This Week's Arbitration Offers: More than half of ranked free agents received offers of arbitration from their teams this week. Clubs offered 35 ranked free agents...
• 11/24 The Biz of Baseball: Complete Breakdown of MLB Free Agent Salary Arbitration: This article is brought to you by BETUS At midnight ET, on Tuesday the first real chapter in MLB salary arbitration turned a...
• 11/23 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Seven offered arbitration: The Tampa Bay Rays offered salary arbitration to OF Carl Crawford, RP Rafael Soriano, RP Grant Balfour, RP Joaquin Benoit, RP...[+] Randy Choate, OF Brad Hawpe and RP Chad Qualls, according to The Tampa Tribune's Roger Mooney. The team will receive draft-pick compensation if any of them sign with another club. Choate and Balfour may accept arbitration.
• 11/23 MLBTradeRumors: Rosenthal On Greinke, Reynolds, Rhodes: The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports... Rosenthal wonders if Zack Greinke will change his opinion of the Royals in...
• 11/23 MLBTradeRumors: American League Free Agent Arbitration Offers: 10 American League teams have free agent arbitration offer decisions to make by 11pm central time tonight, and we'll group them...
• 11/23 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: MLB | Joaquin Benoit's deal could scare arbitration offers away: Detroit Tigers RP Joaquin Benoit's three-year, $16.5 million deal could scare teams away from offering arbitration to their own...[+] free agents such as the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports. Free agents such as RP Jason Frasor (Blue Jays) and RP Grant Balfour (Rays) could use Benoit as a comparison in arbitration to land a similar salary.
• 11/22 MLBTradeRumors: 21 Teams Facing Tomorrow's Arbitration Deadline: 21 of baseball's 30 teams must make at least one decision prior to tomorrow's deadline for offering arbitration to free agents. ...
• 11/21 MLBTradeRumors: MLBTR Originals: 11/14/10 - 11/21/10: The hot stove finally started to heat up this week, no doubt thanks to the GM Meetings. Here's a look at MLBTR's original content...
• 11/21 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agent Stock Watch: Grant Balfour: One member of the Rays' 2010 bullpen has already inked a lucrative three-year deal, but Joaquin Benoit won't be the only Tampa...
• 11/18 PaulLebowitz.com: Preposterous: Ah, muck beasts---will you ever learn? Throughout recent baseball history, as relievers have become more imperative to winning;...
• 11/17 MLBTradeRumors: ACES Agency Off To A Great Start: ACES, Inc., home of the Levinson brothers, is off to a great start this offseason.  The agency has already brokered $57.25MM...
• 11/16 MLBTradeRumors: Friedman Talks Best-Case Scenario For Tampa Bay: The Rays have proven that small market teams can win in the American League East. It just takes a lot of talent, careful timing...
• 11/12 PaulLebowitz.com: $100 Million Is Plenty: Plenty if you're smart, aggressive and think outside the box: Stuck in the middle between the "have and spend" teams like...
• 11/11 PaulLebowitz.com: On The High End, Part II: Shifting cash; shifting priorities: Yesterday, with a scalpel and other several medieval torture devices (AKA the sharp talons...
• 11/10 Fungoes.net: Worst values among Elias Type A and B free agents: Dewayne Staats’s son-in-law, Dan Wheeler, had a much worse two-year FIP than ERA, so he is among the worst Type...
• 11/8 MLBTradeRumors: Why Most Type A Free Agents Won't Sign Right Away: Free agents can now negotiate with any team, but it would be a surprise to see more than a few Type As sign in the next two weeks....
• 11/7 MLBTradeRumors: New York Notes: Lee, Backman, Garland, Balfour: Let's check out the latest rumblings out of the Big Apple.... Like Bill Madden of the New York Daily News did yesterday,...
• 11/6 PaulLebowitz.com: Me Fail English? That's Unpossible!: A free agent frenzy...of poor construction: I'm not talking about specific teams and their pursuits and acquisitions...yet....
• 11/5 MLBTradeRumors: Free Agent Market For Right-handed Relievers: The Tigers, Blue Jays, Cubs and Twins are some of the many teams that will likely consider free agent right-handers for their...
• 11/3 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Nine declare free agency: Tampa Bay Rays OF Rocco Baldelli, RP Grant Balfour, RP Joaquin Benoit, RP Randy Choate, OF Brad Hawpe, RP Rafael Soriano, RP Chad...[+] Qualls, 1B Carlos Pena and OF Gabe Kapler have declared free agency, according to CBSSports.com.
• 11/3 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Eleven could be free agents: The Tampa Bay Rays could have as many as 11 free agents when the negotiating period begins, according to The Tampa Tribune's Roger...[+] Mooney. OF Carl Crawford, RP Rafael Soriano, RP Grant Balfour and RP Dan Wheeler are Type A free agents, meaning the Rays will receive two draft picks if they sign with another team. 1B Carlos Pena, RP Joaquin Benoit and RP Randy Choate are Type B free agents, meaning the Rays receive a sandwich pick if they sign with another club. OF Rocco Baldelli, OF Brad Hawpe, RP Chad Qualls and OF Gabe Kapler are the Rays' other free agents.

• 10/27 Call to the Pen: What’s Next: Leo Nunez, Manny Ramirez, James Shields, and More Bobby V: In 2003, the Detroit Tigers lost an American League record 119 games. As the World Series begins tonight, the San Francisco Giants...
• 10/17 MLBTradeRumors: Odds & Ends: Hale, Daniels, Mets, Coaches, Red Sox: Some links to check out as Cody Ross attempts to follow up yesterday's two-home run performance and the Phillies look to even...
• 10/12 Baseball Musings: Stretch Time: The Rangers go down in order in the top of the seventh as Grant Balfour relieves David Price. Tampa Bay has nine outs to score...
• 10/11 MLBTradeRumors: Arbitration Eligibles: Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers are next in our arbitration eligibles series... First time: Manny Parra, Joe Inglett, Kameron Loe Second time:...
• 10/5 MLBTradeRumors: Type A and B Free Agents: Based on Eddie Bajek's reverse-engineered Elias rankings, 82 free agents will be ranked Type A or B for the 2010-11 offseason. ...

• 9/28 MLBTradeRumors: 21 Free Agents Who May Cost A Draft Pick To Sign: Only one week remains for the Elias Ranking landscape to be altered.  Many players appear locked in as Type A free agents.  If...
• 9/25 MLBTradeRumors: Tigers Will Look To Sign Relievers This Offseason: The Tigers bullpen was depleted by the injuries to Bobby Seay, Joel Zumaya, and Zach Miner this season, and even though Phil Coke...
• 9/24 NY Baseball Digest: Who Will Close For the Mets in 2011?: The more I hear about Francisco Rodriguez‘s court case, the more I believe there is a good chance he serves jail time. Remember,...
• 9/20 PaulLebowitz.com: The Greatest GM In The History Of The World, Ever--Ever!!!: And these guys ain't it: In John Madden's first book (Hey, Wait a Minute) he spoke about the cushy job enjoyed by some backup...
• 9/16 My Pinstripes: Hughes Comes Up Short in Big Situation: Don't let anyone fool you. By now you have probably read that Phil Hughes pitched a good game last night, except for "a couple...
• 9/15 YankeeAnalysts.com: Dan Johnson beats Phil Hughes as Tampa leapfrogs the New York Stranded Baserunners and Compromised Lineup back into first: For the second time in his last two starts at Tropicana Field Phil Hughes was victimized by a two-out go-ahead home run while...
• 9/14 Call to the Pen: Rays Strike First in Pivotal Series: There’s nothing like a pennant race to bring out the best in a team, and that idea was on full display Monday as a Reid...
• 9/13 Baseball Musings: Brignac Bomb: Reid Brignac homers leading off the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Rays move into first place with a 1-0 win over the Yankees....
• 9/1 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Grant Balfour activated: The Tampa Bay Rays activated RP Grant Balfour (rib cage) from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, Sept. 1, according to CBSSports.com....[+]
• 9/1 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Grant Balfour throws Wednesday: Tampa Bay Rays RP Grant Balfour (rib cage) threw a simulated game Wednesday, Sept. 1, and said he is ready to go, according to...[+] the St. Petersburg Times' Marc Topkin.

• 8/31 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Grant Balfour rehabs Monday: Tampa Bay Rays RP Grant Balfour (rib cage) threw a perfect inning in his second rehab outing with Single-A Charlotte Monday, Aug....[+] 30, according to The Associated Press.
• 8/27 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Grant Balfour close to returning: Tampa Bay Rays RP Grant Balfour (rib cage) expects to pitch for Single-A Charlotte Saturday, Aug. 28, and Monday, Aug. 30, before...[+] returning to the team Wednesday, Sept. 1, according to The Tampa Tribune's Roger Mooney.
• 8/1 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Grant Balfour placed on 15-day disabled list: Updating previous reports, Tampa Bay Rays RP Grant Balfour (ribcage) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a ribcage...[+] strain, according to The Associated Press. Manager Joe Maddon said the injury occurred during horseplay between Balfour and pitching coach Jim Hickey.

• 7/31 KFFL.com Hot off the Wire: Rays | Grant Balfour headed for the disabled list: Tampa Bay Rays RP Grant Balfour (rib) is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled list due to an intercostal strain, according...[+] to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. It is uncertain when the injury happened because he appeared fine before the game Friday, July 30. Balfour's last appearance in a game was Wednesday, July 28.
• 7/31 MLBTradeRumors: Rays Interested In Downs, League: The Rays are interested in Scott Downs and Brandon League, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter links). Tampa...
• 7/19 MLBTradeRumors: The 2011 Rays And Carl Crawford: The Rays are willing to spend this season, but they're lowering payroll under $60MM for 2011. The upcoming payroll drop means...
• 7/15 NY Baseball Digest: Starting Pitching Not the Issue in AL East: Mark Hammond from Money Stats sent me the breakdown of all three AL East teams and their starting pitching (through July 11th):...

• 6/8 MLBTradeRumors: Which Teams Will Add Draft Picks For 2011?: 24 extra picks were granted for the 2010 draft due to free agent compensation, ranging from #18 to #80.  Using Eddie Bajek's...
• 6/1 MLBTradeRumors: The Rays' Biggest Needs: The trade deadline is two months away, and it's time to start looking at the needs of contenders.  With the best record in baseball,...

• 5/23 Baseball Daily Digest: Arms Raysed: The Tampa Bay Rays have, by far, the best pitching staff in baseball. Their arms have allowed just a smidge over three runs per...
• 5/10 MLBTradeRumors: Players Who Were Once Designated For ****: We see it all the time. Most weeks a handful of players are designated for **** and more often than not casual fans barely notice....
• 5/10 B-R Blog: Inherited Runners Scoring %: Or: Why You Shouldn't Get Too Excited About Tyler Clippard Here are the 30 pitchers so far this season to inherit at least 5 runners...
• 5/3 MLBTradeRumors: 2011 Contract Issues: Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays face two contractual options after the season: Reliever Dan Wheeler has a $4MM club option with a $1MM buyout. ...