Baseball

Francisco Liriano may be on the trading block just days after coming to agreement on a one-year, $4.3 million deal for the 2011 season.

The report from Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune may come as a surprise to many, but it may show some forward thinking on behalf of the organization.

After finishing in second place last season and not adding another world championship to their collection, the popular thought was that the Yankees would reload over the offseason. All signs pointed toward yes during their pursuit of Cliff Lee, but as it turns out, money really ISN’T everything to some people.

No MLB player gets tugged and jerked around by his only team and is as respected as long time Texas Ranger Michael Young. He was a second baseman, then shortstop to accommodate Alfonso Soriano, moved to third to accommodate Elvis Andris, now is moved to 1B/DH when the Rangers signed Adrian Beltre. Now he said enough is enough and he wants out. Who can blame him? The Ranges can easily trade Young to the Rockies, Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Yankees, Twins, Astros and Cardinals. Anyone else would have to be done by his approval.

1) Will Nate McLouth return to All-Star form?

Putting it nicely, McLouth had a dismal 2010 season.

In 85 games, he hit six home runs and had 24 RBI. He spent much of 2010 at AAA-Gwinnett before being called up late in the second half of the season when rosters expanded.

The Braves are hoping that McLouth has turned it around this offseason and will be ready to contribute in 2011.

Michael Young is reportedly wanting out of Texas and has demanded to be traded according to sources. 

Young is one of the more established hitters in the game, having a .300 career batting average.  If the situation doesn't resolve and Young is indeed leaving the Rangers organization, he will be highly sought after around the league.

The Toronto Blue Jays front office doesn’t limit themselves to the usual resources to find talent; MLB, MiLB, NCAA, or the draft.  This time their experts directed them to the new North American Baseball League. 

Right-hander Steven Raburn has signed a minor-league contract and is expected to report to extended spring training by April 5. 

Dominic Brown's future in the Major Leagues is bright.  He's 6'5, has speed, quickness, baseball instincts, and is looked at as a "five-tool" player. 

However, the Phillies need to recognize where Brown is at in his career before they throw him into a starting role, or should I say the lion's den.

Here's some reasons why Brown will start the season in the minors.

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Spring is almost here. Okay, not really. A good portion of the country is currently covered in snow. But it is just around the corner. And with spring comes the baseball fan's favorite thing to hear after a long, cold, baseball-less winter: Pitchers and Catchers report.

Our 2011 fantasy baseball projections will be released one-by-one until the top 100 players have been revealed. These rankings consider past achievements, current performance and expected future results based on standard 5×5 H2H settings.

It is almost a foregone conclusion that, barring catastrophic failures, Alex Rodriguez will replace Barry Bonds as baseball’s all-time home run leader.  After he does, however, is there any other current player with a realistic chance of reaching 784 (Rodriguez’s projected total) and beyond?

Could that player be Albert Pujols?

Possibly, but it’s not likely.