7:12 PM ET The Houston Astros‘ front office laid the groundwork for the team’s electronic sign-stealing ploys via a program dubbed “Codebreaker” that was introduced by an intern in the organization in September 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. According to the WSJ, the Excel-based application designed to decode opposing catchers’ signs was used
MLB
6:30 PM ET On Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced it had concluded its investigation into the Boston Red Sox for stealing signs during their 2018 World Series title run. MLB’s findings were the basis for suspending Boston’s video replay system operator J.T. Watkins without pay for one year and stripping the team of its second-round
7:05 AM ET You might have noticed that I am asked to rank things from time to time. And who doesn’t love a good ranking? Within that genre, the lowest-hanging fruit would seem to be simply rating the best players in MLB. The results are a matter of preference. How do you define best? What
11:23 PM ET ESPN News Services The New York Mets said Thursday night in a statement they intend to find another buyer after talks ended over the proposed sale of a controlling share of the team from the families of Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz to hedge fund manager Steve Cohen. It is unclear if
7:00 AM ET For anyone who has wondered whether the Chicago Cubs could actually go through with trading a former league MVP and one-time face of the franchise in Kris Bryant, this week’s Mookie Betts blockbuster served as an important reminder about the lengths a team is willing to go to make its payroll work.
4:00 PM ET Kiley McDaniel Close ESPN MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel covers MLB prospects, the MLB Draft and more, including trades and free agency. Has worked for three MLB teams. It’s easy to see a Boston Red Sox fan’s point of view, that even with the club’s top-tier revenue, they chose to trade their best
7:40 AM ET Over the past few years, 100-win seasons have become commonplace. The Houston Astros and New York Yankees have won at least 100 games in each of the past two seasons, while the Los Angeles Dodgers have averaged more than 100 wins over the past three years — and seem likely to do
12:00 PM ET Boston Red Sox fans are angry. Very angry. It’s no surprise that there is outrage over the Mookie Betts deal. The 2018 AL MVP and now former Red Sox right fielder was one of the most beloved athletes in the city, particularly given his rise from rookie to superstar happened nightly in
10:15 PM ET The Dodgers are mad. You sensed it in the passive-aggressive statement they released on the night of Jan. 13, hours after the Houston Astros were punished for the illegal sign-stealing methods that helped them win the 2017 World Series. You sensed it, mostly, in their pointed words during the annual preseason gathering
2:52 PM ET Associated Press HOUSTON — James Click was introduced as the new general manager of the Houston Astros on Tuesday, joining a scandal-plagued team that scrambled to fill two major roles just before the start of spring training. Click took over for Jeff Luhnow, suspended for a season by Major League Baseball and
7:00 AM ET Last week, we looked at one key statistic for each American League team. Let’s do the same now for the National League — a key number from the 2019 season and how that will shape what happens in 2020. NL East | Central | West NL East Atlanta Braves The number: 4.18.
7:32 PM ET The Astros have named James Click their new general manager, the team announced Monday. Click previously had served as vice president of baseball operations for the Rays from 2017-19. “I am excited to join the Astros family,” Click said in a statement. “The Astros are a progressive and innovative organization with a
2:09 PM ET Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Jhoulys Chacin finalized a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on Monday after a miserable 2019 season that saw him go from an Opening Day start to an August release. He would get a $1.6 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have
10:30 AM ET When the Houston Astros executed their trash-can-banging sign stealing, they may have done so assuming opponents cheated in the same manner. Just as consistently, just as brazenly. But based on the angry reaction of peers, it’s apparent that the Astros crossed a line. The backlash has been fueled by social media, something
4:37 PM ET Associated Press WASHINGTON — Longtime scout and Washington Nationals senior adviser Phil Rizzo has died. He was 90. The Nationals confirmed Rizzo’s death in a statement Saturday. Phil is the father of World Series-winning Washington general manager Mike Rizzo. Phil Rizzo was named to the inaugural class of the Professional Baseball Scouts
8:01 PM ET Every year, as he packs his car with his luggage and his dog, Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer picks up the phone for some football and Major League Baseball talk. ESPN found him near Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the way to Mesa, Arizona, where the Cubs train. His beloved New England Patriots
Jan 31, 2020 Associated Press DENVER — The Colorado Rockies and All-Star shortstop Trevor Story finalized a $27.5 million, two-year deal Friday, avoiding arbitration. His agreement leaves 18 players still headed to arbitration hearings, which run from Tuesday through Feb. 21. Story remains eligible to become a free agent following the 2021 World Series. The
2:06 PM ET Associated Press PITTSBURGH — Left-handers Derek Holland and Robbie Erlin have agreed to minor league contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates along with catcher Andrew Susac and outfielder Charlie Tilson. All four will report to big league spring training, the Pirates said Friday. The 33-year-old Holland is 78-78 with a 4.54 ERA in