Calling All St. Louis Celebs, Nelly's Hunt For Bryce Harper Needs Help

Maybe it’s just a dream, but since Nelly started recruiting Bryce Harper on behalf of the Cardinals, the same thought has occurred over and over again.

BenFred

Why The Cardinals Shouldn't Sleep On Josh Donaldson

Friday afternoon, at the stroke of three o'clock in the afternoon, the hot stove officially lit up. The baseball gods reached down to the handle, turned the heat on, and the flames burst up into the air. The time of the year where players take a seat and the executives and agents grab a glove and hit the boardroom had arrived. Are the Cardinals ready to go overboard?

KSDK

If Rick Ankiel Comeback Happens, It Should Happen With Cardinals

When video of Rick Ankiel pitching in the Bluegrass World Series surfaced on social media in August, the idea of a comeback attempt for the former MLB pitcher and outfielder seemed like a fantasy, even when Ankiel brought it up at the time.

KMOV

Bryce Harper Would Make The Cardinals Must-See TV

Bryce Harper sure loves his shows.

BenFred

Astros, Red Sox Interested In Raisel Iglesias

Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Reds — The Astros are looking hard at Iglesias, but so are other teams, including the Red Sox. The Astros had Kelvin Herrera in their sights before the Nationals picked him off. Britton has long been an Astros target, but with his struggles, Houston is looking for more of a sure thing.

Boston Globe

Ace Adams Ready For 42nd Season As A Pitching Coach

How does Arthur "Ace" Adams of Longmeadow assess his 42-year career as a pitching coach?

MassLive

Ace Adams In Class Of 2018 For Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall Of Fame

Chris Capuano, from West Springfield, a pitcher who won 77 games during his Major League Baseball career, heads the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

Mass Live

Pat Neshek's Scoreless Streak Ends In Rough Way

Pat Neshek could learn Sunday that he has made the National League All-Star team, most likely as the Phillies' lone representative.

Philadelphia Official Site

Ervin Santana's Name Could Be Circulated On Trade Market; Jonathan Papelbon Still Undecided About Career; Ryan Howard Still Wants To Play

Ervin Santana, RHP, Twins — The White Sox’ Jose Quintana may be the big name on the trading block, but the guy who might soon get a lot of attention is Santana, who wouldn’t cost as much in terms of talent. Santana is owed $28 million over the next two seasons, plus a $1 million buyout of an option year. One AL scout said recently that a combination of Santana’s remaining salary, his ability, and his experience will make him a major trade target. The Astros, Rangers, Dodgers, Pirates, Orioles, and Marlins could all be interested, though the Twins have given no indication that Santana is in play.

Boston Globe

Daniel Bard A Spring Training Story Worth Rooting For

They say it’s important not to overreact to spring training. In fact, I say it’s important not to overreact to spring training. When the event in question is a somewhat grainy 38-second video shot with a phone, it’s even more important to simply take it at face value.

FanRags

Seung-Hwan Oh & The Fleeting Nature Of Great Relief Performances

While Oh’s 2016 was historically great, he’s not exactly a lock to be similarly dominating in 2017.

Viva El Birdos

Giants Checked In On Yoenis Cespedes & Andrew McCutchen

Where does that leave left field? Evans said the Giants checked on Yoenis Céspedes, who re-signed with the Mets, and Andrew McCutchen, who’s being shopped by the Pirates, but might go with Mac Williamson and/or Jarrett Parker.

SFGate

Marlins Intent On Adding Big-Three Closer

The Miami Marlins, intent on trying to land a big-time closer to form a super bullpen, are showing interest in Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman. The team also appears to be a third mystery team in on Mark Melancon as well

Fan Rags

Brett Cecil Deal Exemplifies Next Stage Of Bullpen Evolution

Four years ago when Mike Adams signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Phillies, it made history, since he was one of the first -- maybe the first -- setup men to get a multiyear deal.

St. Louis Official Site

Mark Melancon Market Heats Up

Mark Melancon might not command quite the deal Aroldis Chapman and his triple-digit fastball will in free agency this offseason, but he's unquestionably one of the three big pitchers available in the relief market.

San Francisco Official Site

Nine Teams Could Match Up With Cardinals In A Trevor Rosenthal Trade

Watching the NL Championship Series between the Cubs and the Dodgers, it’s easy to understand why the two most attractive pitchers on the free agent market this winter will be Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen.

STL Sports Page

Daniel Bard Demanded To Be A Start & Fell Apart; May Be Time Red Sox Cut Allen Craig Loose; Red Sox Could Find Interest In Brandon Moss & Jonathan Papelbon During Offseason; Yoenis Cespedes Expected To Opt Out With Mets

Miller started to excel as a reliever. Bard, who had been one of the best relievers in baseball, began to lose his identity as a pitcher when he became a starter. He just wasn’t good at it. Bard should have been the heir apparent to closer Jonathan Papelbon, but for some reason he demanded to be a starter. The Red Sox said yes, much to Valentine’s dismay. Bard eventually experienced bouts of wildness, which led to his demise.

Boston Globe

Teams Calling Royals On Wade Davis

The Kansas City Royals are receiving a lot of trade calls on closer Wade Davis, who appears to be available at the right price.

Today's Knuckleball

September Roster Limits Should Be The Same As August

Baseball has this arcane rule where rosters can be expanded to as many as 40 players after Sept. 1. The purpose, many years ago, was to reward an organization’s top minor-league players with a September promotion so that said players could have an idea what to expect as they tried to make their major-league clubs next year.

Post-Dispatch

Jonathan Papelbon Not Expected To Sign Before Postseason Deadline

The likelihood of Jonathan Papelbon joining the Red Sox, or really any other team, now seems nonexistent.

Full Count WEEI