Mark Mulder Thrilled Just To Plat In PGA Tour

Let’s start right here: Former A’s pitcher Mark Mulder will miss the cut in his PGA Tour appearance next month at the Safeway Open in Napa. He will not make a stirring run up the leaderboard and strike a blow for hobby golfers everywhere.

SF Gate

Q&A With A.J. Pierzynski

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

Chicago Tribune

History Says Cardinals' 3-9 Start Will Be Hard To Overcome

Let's get right to the question rolling around in your head this morning.

BenFred

2015 Baseball Hall Of Fame Ballot Revealed

The 2015 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame has been unveiled on the BBWAA website and, as was obviously expected, it's headlined by two first-time pitchers who should make it in Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez.
CBS Sports

For "Fireman," an ode to closers published in 2010, Mariano Rivera was the cover boy. Providing the foreword for the book was the man who for a long time had been the closing fraternity's poster boy, Lee Smith.
St. Louis Official Site

In five years as a coach, Mark McGwire has achieved something he long wanted: he's just a guy doing his best to help his team win. McGwire does his work -- quite successfully the past few seasons -- and stays out of the spotlight.
St. Louis Official Site

Not many Major Leaguers can claim status as a national baseball icon, a cornerstone for two franchises and a key veteran presence for a third, but Larry Walker has all that on his resume and more.
Colorado Official Site

The 2015 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame was announced on Monday with Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and John Smoltz headlining the newest of the 17 additions to the 34 candidates.
STL Baseball Weekly

The 2015 Hall Of Fame Ballot -- First-Time Candidates

The deadline for submission of Hall of Fame votes is December 31st. This post discusses the first-time players on this year's ballot.

Beyond The Boxscre

Carlos Beltran Was A Royal Target

The Royals beat the Yankees for one free agent they both pursued aggressively, Omar Infante, but not for another — Carlos Beltran.

NY Post

Memphis Starting Lineup 7-6-14

Memphis Official Twitter

Memphis Starting Lineup 6-2-14

Memphis Official Twitter

John Smoltz, Troy Percival, & Julian Tavarez On The 2015 Hall Of Fame Ballot

The 2015 ballot of candidates for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame will deliver another brushback pitch of reality that an era marked by home runs and slugging really was one flush with great pitching.

MLB Official Site

Eloy Jimenez Stands Out Among International Prospects

Teams were divided over who they felt was the best prospect on the international market two years ago.

International Prospect League Official Site

Jermaine Dye Retires

Ken Rosenthal Twitter

Five-Year Probabilistic Model Of Range: Rightfielders

The five year look at PMR using an objective probabilistic model of range continues with rightfielders. Here is the data for the teams in right over the five year span:

Baseball Musings

Albert Pujols, The Free Agent

As David Gassko noted earlier this week, it's looking more and more likely that Albert Pujols wants more money than the Cardinals want to pay him, and so he could become a free agent after the coming season. Recent reports also indicate that "there is 'virtually no chance' the Cardinals reach a deal with Albert Pujols before the slugger's spring deadline." Given Pujols' claim that he will test the market if not extended before spring training, where might Pujols go if given the chance? What are his best fits?

The Hardball Times

Jermaine Dye Won't Settle For Minor League Deal

Jermaine Dye appears headed for retirement.

The free-agent outfielder sat out last season rather than accept a contract that he deemed unsuitable.

Fox Sports

Free Agent Bargain Bin: Outfielders

Outfield went from a position of reasonable depth to a veritable wasteland in under a week. Andruw Jones, Johnny Damon, and Manny Ramirez—outfielder emeritus—all came off the board. There are a few players left who look primed to provide solid value, but if the outfield is a perceived spot of weakness for a team, acting soon would be virtuous. Outside of the five players listed here, the options turn rancid quickly.

Baseball Prospectus

Free Agent Bargain Bin: Indielders

As we shift our attention from pitchers to hitters, it’s worth taking a quick look at someone who isn’t here. Orlando Hudson, in stark contrast to the two previous offseasons, was able not only to find a contract before the month of February, but also found someone willing to give him more than a one-year deal. The Padres may be Hudson’s fourth team in four years, but he can take solace in the fact that—unless he’s traded—there won’t be a fifth team in five.

Baseball Prospectus

From Albert Pujols To Derek Jeter To Roger Clemens To Freak: Salary Arbitration Records

What do you do when you have a bird land on your shoulder with 20 years worth of salary arbitration information? Begin looking at some records. This isn’t everything (at some point, I see a database and offering up services for salary arbitration cases), but it’s something fun to look at.

The Biz Of Baseball

Jermaine Dye Wants To Play Again

Ken Rosenthal Twitter

Checking The Numbers: Minor League Contract Candidates - Batters

Now that the World Series has ended—and a hearty congratulations to the Giants and their fans—baseball has officially entered its off-season. In the very near future, teams will begin to sign or trade players or cut them loose after deciding they are not worth an arbitration raise. Not every signing is created equally, however, as these transactions can range anywhere from the high-profile free-agent inking a monster deal to Willy Taveras being given a shot at making a major-league roster.

Baseball Prospectus

Jim Edmonds Getting Back Into Swing Of Things

Someone wandering into the Reds' clubhouse early Wednesday afternoon may have been tempted to check his bearings -- and check the calendar, too.

Reds Official Site