Caribes Made Push To Bring Michael Jordan To LVBP

If there were a sports contest program on current Venezuelan television, such as "El Batazo de la Suerte", for example, and in a round of true / false questions, the question was, was Michael Jordan close to playing in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League ?, surely many would affirm such a refusal. But as amazing as an incredible possibility almost came to fruition, prior to the 1994-1995 Creole ball season.  (Translated)

LVBP Official Site

Terry Francona Had Stint As Cardinals Farmhand

The Cardinals gave Terry Francona a chance to finish his playing career as part of a Louisville outfield with Ray Lankford and Bernard Gilkey.

RetroSimba

Andrew Miller Says He Can Be A 'Lot Better' This Season

Lefthander Andrew Miller was fifth in the National League in games pitched (73) and second in relief holds (28) last year, his first season with the Cardinals. He had five wins and six saves for the Central Division champions.

Post-Dispatch

Dusty Baker: A Mystical Path From Purple Haze To Astros

In the first major-league game he played, Dusty Baker was teammates with the fathers of two of the managers he will compete against in 2020.

RetroSimba

If Mike Matheny Learned From His Mistakes With Cardinals, He Can Succeed With Royals

As expected, and as planned, Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore made it official on Thursday by hiring his friend Mike Matheny to take over for the retired Ned Yost as the team’s manager.

101 ESPN

Oscar Mercado, Indians Slug Their Way Into Wild Card Tie

When the Phillies decided to intentionally walk Francisco Lindor to get to Oscar Mercado late in Friday's victory, the 24-year-old rookie responded with an RBI single and a simple message afterwards: “You can be afraid of me, too.”

Cleveland Official Site

Corey Kluber Can See 'Light At The End Of The Tunnel'

For the first time in 99 days, Corey Kluber was back in game action, tossing his first rehab start for Triple-A Columbus.

Cleveland Official Site

Trevor Bauer Would Instantly Become The Cardinals' Best Starting Pitcher

I know what you're thinking.

KSDK

Oscar Mercado Makes AL ROY Case With Five-Hit Game

Indians manager Terry Francona said it was nearly impossible for a rookie to go over 100 plate appearances without hitting some sort of a wall. Although Oscar Mercado did his best to prove his skipper wrong, his bat went cold after 153 at-bats.

Cleveland Official Site

Carlos Santana Remains Most Consistent Guy For Indians

It’s been a season of inconsistency for the Cleveland Indians. But through the club’s highest points and its lowest of lows, Carlos Santana's bat has remained a constant.

Cleveland Official Site

Corey Kluber Has Cast Removed After X-Rays Results

Just three weeks after fracturing the ulna bone in his right forearm, Corey Kluber had his cast removed on Thursday.

Cleveland Official Site

Oscar Mercado Filling Need In Indians Outfield

It’s a moment that all baseball players dream of from the moment they first pick up a bat or a glove as a child. Indians outfield prospect Oscar Mercado walked through the clubhouse doors at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday and stood in front of his first Major League locker that read “Mercado, 35.”

Cleveland Official Site

Josh Donaldson's Two Home Runs Propel Braves Past Indians

It would be an exaggeration to refer to Progressive Field as Josh Donaldson’s “old stomping grounds,” as he only suited up for the Indians in 16 games at the end of 2018, when he was trying to prove himself healthy and they were trying to get a late-season boost.

Atlanta Official Site

Corey Kluber Can't Shake 'Bad Habits' In Short Outing

When Indians manager Terry Francona was asked whether he’d prefer a pitching- or hitting-dominant team during Spring Training, he answered without hesitation: pitching. And while the Tribe has a rotation that could prove to be the most powerful in the Majors when it’s operating at its best, the past week has been the exact opposite of what was envisioned heading into the season.

Cleveland Official Site

Terry Francona, Indians Agree To Two-Year Extension

Indians manager Terry Francona won’t be leaving Cleveland any time soon.

Cleveland Official Site

Oscar Mercado Proves His Dedication

The Indians’ major league outfield was in a state of flux when spring training began, and Oscar Mercado made the most of it. He didn’t claim a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he came close.

Baseball America

Closer By Calculation: Cardinals Will Use The Sum Of Their Relievers (Until Jordan Hicks Takes Over)

The Cardinals have a vision of where they want their season to end and who will sear the pitches that decide it, but on the way they’ll use a modern, hyper-analytic relief approach to groom a traditional closer, one unlike any in the game.

Post-Dispatch

Oscar Mercado's Torrid Spring Has Indians' Attention

Oscar Mercado has had a spring that can only make Indians fans excited for the future. And with the Tribe’s current need in the outfield, it’s almost as if a brighter spotlight is shining on the 24-year-old prospect.

Cleveland Official Site

Indians, Oliver Perez Have Mutual Interest

There is interest on both sides for a reunion in 2019, but if it happens it may not be until late January or early February. If Perez does return, he's in line for a well-deserved raise.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

High Risk, Higher Reward: Cardinals Make A Bold Move For Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller is a big man, a big name, and a big-game hunter in the postseason. Assuming that the Cardinals and Miller finalize their free-agent contract, the Cards have added one of the more fearsome relievers in Major League Baseball.

101 ESPN