MLB

A few weeks ago, I was granted the opportunity to ask former Mets outfielder and ESPN analyst Brian McRae a few questions regarding his time in New York and what he is currently up to now.

As many will recall McRae spend parts of three seasons in Flushing during which time he hit roughly .250, which is lower than his career average of .261.

The Rockies' 2010 starting outfield should again be a source of strength, both defensively and offensively. Let's take a look at the five players likely to be manning the spacious outfield grass at Coors Field for the Rockies in 2010. (Player ages at the start of the 2010 season are in parentheses.)

It's not like we are heartbroken to see him go, but the Mariners made Ryan Langerhans a Free Agent and will not be retaining his services.

Despite his pedestrian offense and mediocre defense, Langerhans did churn out two walk off wins for the Mariners with his bat. 

His essential release creates an opening on the 40 man roster, a spot that is more then likely going to be filled by a Free Agent. 

It seems like fantasy owners are always looking for the next stud young pitcher on the precipice of making an impact. 

That involves more than just putting up a good ERA and the possibility of getting wins.  The potential to strikeout batters, and at an impressive rate, is just as important.

Of the young pitchers who could make the leap to the majors in 2010, Christian Friedrich has the potential to make an impact across the board.  Just look at the numbers the 2008 first round draft pick (25th overall) posted last season at two levels of Single-A:

The Cincinnati Reds non-tendered outfielder Jonny Gomes on Saturday, according to the MLB.com.

Gomes posted impressive power numbers in 2009, batting .267 with 20 home runs and 51 RBI in just 281 at bats.

The problem was his feast-or-famine numbers against right-hand pitching. He hit 15 home runs in 180 at bats, but managed only 29 non-homer hits on his way to a .244 average against righties.

There were 36 pitchers from the 1890's that pitched at least 200 games. That is the lowest number of any decade in the history of Major League Baseball, other than the 1870's and 1880's.

The 1890s are an interesting decade to write about, because it was a poor decade for starting pitching numbers. In fact, it is the worst decade in history for starting pitching numbers, other than this decade.

As we wait out Russell Branyan and look into signing Nick Johnson or trading for Andre Ethier, the Oakland Athletics may have done us a big favor.

They non-tendered Jack Cust.

His production slipped a little last year, which is a cause for alarm. He wasn't driving the ball like he had done before, as most of his flyballs found outfielders' gloves rather than one of a twelve year old in the right field stands.

On Thursday, the Kansas City Royals released first baseman Mike Jacobs.

Should the Chicago Cubs give Jacobs a call?

There are a couple reasons Jacobs intrigues me as a free agent, the biggest of which is that he would bring something the Cubs' bench currently lacks: power.

It’s the night of the Non-Tendered, a scary, Halloween-like time when perfectly healthy baseball players are culled and cut from the body that loved and nurtured them.

It’s the baseball version of “The Night of the Living Dead."