Fan News

It's looking increasingly likely that Jeff Samardzija won't stick around through the Chicago Cubs' rebuilding, as Chicago Now's Tom Loxas has added the Pittsburgh Pirates to his list of suitors.

The Japanese posting system is flawed, but that doesn't mean the New York Yankees are to blame.

At the general managers and owners meeting in Orlando, Fla., Pittsburgh Pirates CEO Frank Coonelly pointed out a giant loophole in the current MLB system for signing Japanese stars like Masahiro Tanaka.

If you see Miguel Cabrera and Andrew McCutchen walking around, they might be comporting themselves a little differently. Chest puffed out. Semi-smug grin. Bouncy steps.

If so, well, who can blame them? Awards tend to do that to people.

With the Hot Stove season in full swing and rumors flying around about what the New York Mets will do in free agency, the 2014 roster is far from set.

While moves in free agency and the trade market need to be made before the Mets can be considered a potential playoff team, there is one player already on the roster whose development can push the Mets to a 2014 playoff berth: Travis d’Arnaud. 

As so many championship teams have proved throughout the years, signing the top free agents on the market is rarely the key to success on the field. 

The Boston Red Sox had the payroll flexibility to sign Josh Hamilton or Zack Greinke last offseason. They passed. Instead, they spread out the wealth and filled out the roster with several veteran free agents who didn't require more than three-year contracts. 

As the Riddler and the Penguin are reprimanded for their diabolical deeds, a city swoons, a nation melts and Batkid goes home for a well-deserved afternoon nap. 

Chances are you've heard of this Batkid fellow. He is a caped crusader who, with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, made a leukemia patient's comic-book dream come true. 

After seven consecutive years without postseason baseball and five straight without a winning record, New York Mets fans are anxious for general manager Sandy Alderson to be aggressive on the free-agent and trade market this offseason.

Money is the name of the game in Major League Baseball free agency, which often results in the rich only getting richer by plucking the game's top free agents.

And for every highly coveted free-agent superstar who signs elsewhere and flourishes, there's also a big name who never comes close to living up to the gaudy price tag that he showed up with. 

Here are a couple of gems in this year's class that will pay dividends for the owners and general managers who pony up the funds.

For all 30 Major League Baseball teams and the free agents looking for a new home in 2014, this time of the year represents the calm before the storm. 

The general manager and owner meetings just ended, with some player movement and new funding for a replay system that could be implemented as soon as next season. We are seeing and hearing more rumors about trades and teams finalizing their needs. 

Anyone remember the ALCS this year?

Anybody?

If you do remember, your memory is that it was a very, very close series. It sounds silly, but it was probably the closest series ever that didn’t go to seven games.

You’ll also remember the Detroit Tigers blowing the series because of their bullpen. That bullpen needs help if the Tigers want to finally win a World Series. Here are four relievers they should sign.