Q&A With A.J. Pierzynski

A.J. Pierzynski wore catcher’s gear for 19 seasons. Now he is unmasked.

Chicago Tribune

Anthony Reyes & His Tarnished Gem Vs. White Sox

In his fourth major-league start for the Cardinals, Anthony Reyes delivered a performance that was both brilliant and frustrating.

RetroSimba

Cardinals Know What Buttons To Push In Visiting Clubhouse

The clock was ticking and Cardinals lefty Randy Choate was getting close to being late for pre-game pitchers’ stretch, but, see, there was a tractor beam to avoid and these bee-like ships swirling toward him and … and … he had just button-mashed his way to 100,000 points.

Post-Dispatch

Healthy & Clear-Headed, Bobby Jenks Has More To Give

Unfinished. After speaking by phone with MLB.com for 35 minutes concerning numerous life changes covering his last two years, Bobby Jenks needed just that one word to describe his Major League Baseball career.

Chicago-A Official Site

Sweet Redemption: J.D. Drew Walks Off In 14th

So by the time J.D. Drew stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the 14th inning Saturday against the A's, there sure didn't seem to be any end in sight to what threatened to turn into a miserable day for the Red Sox.

Red Sox Official Site

J.D. Drew Dealing With Vertigo

The only two members of the Red Sox' 25-man roster — not including starting pitchers — to not play in the Sox' 13-inning, 5-3 loss to the Angels Thursday morning, J.D. Drew and Bobby Jenks, didn't participate due to physical issues, according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

WEEI

Blown Saves Are Overblown

What’s the deal with blown saves? Erstwhile St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin recently blew up on the mound for the fourth time this season, then blew up at fans for booing him. In response, people flamed him on the radio and internet. All this over a few blown saves.

Fungoes

Cardinals Can't Afford To Wait To Try New Closer

It's time for a change.

Already locked into what should be a tight race in the NL Central, the Cardinals can't afford to keep giving away victories. Their failure to protect ninth-inning leads could be the determining factor.

STL Today

Troy Glaus Staying Home Even After Offers Came In

Free-agent Troy Glaus is at home spending time with his kids and playing golf (his agent Mike Nicotera reports he's down to a one handicap) after turning down some opportunities this winter.

Sports Illustrated

Things To Keep A Close Eye On In 2011

Mercifully, the Major League Baseball season began a few days ago. Here are 11 storylines to watch in 2011.

ESPN

Dennys Reyes Makes Red Sox Roster

Aceves, a righty, and Okajima, a lefty, were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday because they can be. The two had options remaining in their contracts. Meanwhile, right-hander Matt Albers and left-hander Dennys Reyes, who were picked for those two relief spots, did not have options and would've had to clear waivers -- an unlikely proposition -- for Boston to keep them.

Red Sox Official Site

Dennys Reyes Remains, In Limbo

Dennys Reyes won’t opt out of his contract with the Red Sox.

But the left-handed reliever has not yet been assured a roster spot either.

Boston Herald

Teams Watching To See What Red Sox Do With Dennys Reyes, Rich Hill

Dennys Reyes, LHP, Red Sox — Scouts are watching what the Sox decide in the pen, because Reyes is becoming a hot commodity. Scouts like his ability to get outs and his cool nature in tough situations. This is a tough call for the Sox, who also have Hideki Okajima on a one-year guaranteed contract ($1.75 million). There also is interest in Rich Hill.

Boston Globe

Dennys Reyes Having Visa Issues

Francona expected all but one of his pitchers and catchers to be in camp by the end of the day Sunday, the day pitchers and catchers were expected to report. New acquisition Dennys Reyes was expected to be late thanks to visa issues. Fellow new acquisition Alfredo Aceves was expected to report on Sunday but to leave camp this week to take care of his own visa issues.

Providence Journal

Ten Stories To Watch Around Baseball

STL Today

Top 50 Pitching Prospects From 2006: In Review

Yesterday we looked at the Top 50 Hitting Prospects from 2006, to see how they looked five years later. Today we'll take a look at the Top 50 pitchers. You can find the review of the 2005 list that I did in January 2010 here.

Minor League Ball

Cardinals Have Minor Interest In Jeremy Bonderman

2. Jeremy Bonderman, RHP, free agent — He still hopes to hook on to the end of a rotation somewhere. The Yankees have been in contact with Bonderman’s agents, and there’s minor interest from Texas and St. Louis. Bonderman made 29 starts last season for the Tigers but had a 5.53 ERA and an 8-10 record. He is only 28 and did not suffer any aftereffects from the blood clot in his shoulder that essentially took away almost two years of his career. But he just hasn’t returned to his previous form.

Boston Globe

Hideki Okajima, Red Sox Re-Up With One-Year Pact

It turns out that the parting of ways between the Red Sox and Hideki Okajima was just temporary. After non-tendering the lefty reliever on Dec. 2, Boston re-signed him to a one-year, $1.75 million deal on Monday.

Red Sox Official Site

Movin' On Up: Playoff Outsiders Try For Next Step

As long as Albert Pujols is on the Cardinals, it's probably a good idea to include St. Louis as a candidate to make the playoffs. General manager John Mozeliak might have taken some subtle, but effective, steps in that direction by adding a big bat in Lance Berkman, signing shortstop Ryan Theriot and re-signing starter Jake Westbrook.

MLB Official Site

J.D. Drew's Final Season With Red Sox?

If J.D. Drew has a monster year in his contract year, do you think there is any chance that the Red Sox will re-sign him?
-- Michael F., Winthrop, Mass.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Drew retires after the 2011 season. He would love to spend more time with his family and pursue his "outdoorsman" hobbies. But he will likely take a wait-and-see approach and see how his body feels at the end of the season. The Red Sox have a fairly strong crop of outfield prospects, so I'd expect this will be Drew's last season in Boston no matter what.

Red Sox Official Site