David Freese Will Be Back In Cardinals Uniform - In Fantasy Camp

Breaking news: David Freese, one of the Cardinals’ all-time postseason heroes, will be back in a St. Louis uniform next year.

Post-Dispatch

Each Team's Best Small School Draft Pick

College baseball has produced a galaxy of stars. The greatest hitter and pitcher of the last 50 years, Barry Bonds (Arizona State) and Roger Clemens (Texas), turned in memorable College World Series performances before entering pro ball. Last year's major award winners include Old Dominion's Justin Verlander (American League Cy Young), Stetson's Jacob deGrom (National League Cy Young) and Florida's Pete Alonso (NL Rookie of the Year).

St. Louis Official Site

The Cardinals Breakup: Albert Pujols, The Cardinals, & The Endless Debate

Did the St. Louis Cardinals make a good enough offer to Albert Pujols, or was the superstar slugger wronged by a franchise he helped win a pair of World Series titles?

KSDK

Bryce Harper's Second Home Run Causes Stir, Caps Phillies' Sweep

Bryce Harper’s first series with the Phillies lived up to almost every expectation imaginable.

Philadelphia Official Site

What To Watch For In Hall Of Fame Voting

The Hot Stove has dominated conversation this winter, but believe it or not, it's almost Hall of Fame time.

St. Louis Official Site

The Career Of Adam Wainwright

In the Joe Mauer thread yesterday a reader asked me for a look at the career of St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright. Let’s do that.

Minor League Ball

Remember When Albert Pujols Broke Astros Hearts?

Almost 13 years later, Albert Pujols still hears the boos when he steps into the batter's box at Minute Maid Park.

Anaheim Official Site

Inside Albert Pujols' Path To 3,000 Hits

ALBERT PUJOLS' THREE MVP awards, 10 All-Star Games and abundance of Baseball-Reference black ink ensure him a place in Cooperstown and the right to take an occasional breather from the concept of every pitcher-batter confrontation as a life-or-death experience. But he still arrived in spring training with a competitive chip and a trace of defiance in his voice -- and who could blame him?

ESPN

Why Bud Norris Looks Like A Winner To Cardinals

In his first major-league start, Bud Norris pitched against the Cardinals with the poise and skill of an established winner.

RetroSimba

'I Need A Miracle Every Day': Jake Peavy Picks Up Pieces Of A Shattered Life

The famous duck boat sits motionless in the quiet of a shed at the center of the property.

Bleacher Report

Carlos Beltran Likely To Come Off Bench For Rest Of World Series

With Evan Gattis starting at designated hitter in Game 3 against Dodgers right-hander Yu Darvish on Friday, Astros manager A.J. Hinch admitted Carlos Beltran likely won't start another game in the World Series.

Houston Official Site

Cardinals Narrow Focus On Potential Pitching Coach Hires

As the Cardinals close in on their preferred targets to coach and coordinate the pitching staff and now look to fill the bench coach role, there is more to their search than adding new faces to the dugout.

Post-Dispatch

For Jake Peavy, Baseball Must Take A Back Seat

After 17 professional spring trainings, Jake Peavy's instincts point him toward the comfort of a baseball diamond. He should be arriving bleary-eyed at the clubhouse with a cup of coffee at 7 a.m. and getting ready for a bullpen session rather than working out at his ranch in Alabama and coaching part time just up the road at Morgan Academy.

ESPN

Carlos Beltran Arrives, Eyes October Baseball With Astros

Pretty much everything has changed from the last time Carlos Beltran wore an Astros uniform. That was in 2004, when the Astros were in the National League, had a different color scheme and uniforms, still had spring camp in Kissimmee, Fla., and had different ownership.

Houston Official Site

Roy Oswalt To Return To Astros As Guest Instructor

Former All-Star starting pitcher Roy Oswalt, who's second on the Astros' all-time wins list, will return to camp this spring as a guest instructor, manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday. Hinch added Oswalt is expected to arrive "early in camp."

Houston Official Site

Where Is He Now? The Cardinals Rally Squirrel

We all remember it. Roy Oswalt stares at the catcher, taking in his signs. Skip Schumacher digs in, ready to pounce on whatever pitch comes his way. All is tranquil amidst the chaos of Game 3 of the NDLS. When suddenly out of nowhere, this beautiful bundle of fur, claws, and passion comes bounding across the plate, distracting Oswalt leading to him throw a ball.

KSDK

In Return To Astros, Carlos Beltran Has Pivotal Role

When a young outfielder named Carlos Beltran landed at Minute Maid Park halfway through the 2004 season, he stepped into a clubhouse that had a huge veteran presence. Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt, Brad Ausmus and Jeff Kent were accomplished stars who had seen everything in the game.

Houston Official Site

Astros Signed Carlos Beltran For One-Year/$16M

Buster Olney Twitter

More than a decade after his memorable postseason performance for the Astros helped vault him to stardom, Carlos Beltran is returning to Houston for 2017 after agreeing Saturday to a one-year, $16 million contract with a full no-trade clause, a source confirmed to MLB.com. The team has not confirmed the deal.
Houston Official Site

Javier Vasquez Was Unjustifiably Omitted From The Hall Of Fame Ballot

There's one name missing from this year's HOF ballot, and it's one of the best pitchers of the 2000s.

Beyond The Boxscore

Remembering The Night Albert Pujols Broke Brad Lidge

It's not often that a home run makes not one but two cities shake. On October 17th, Albert Pujols did just that with a mammoth blast off of Houston closer Brad Lidge. Pujols didn't hit the bull. He did Crash Davis one better. He hit the train tracks on top of the stadium, nearly sending the baseball out of the stadium.

KSDK