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Twins Add Offense, Payroll; Enter 2010 as Central Favorites

Twins Add Offense, Payroll; Enter 2010 as Central Favorites

By Gary Armida • on February 8, 2010

With Orlando Hudson officially signing a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins, the Twins offseason likely comes to a close. It is an offseason that has been perceived as quite active and successful. While the latter is definitely true, the idea that the Twins were more active this season is a fallacy. The additions of shortstop JJ Hardy, designated

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Features By Gary Armida

Despite “Losses”, Tigers will Contend in 2010

Despite “Losses”, Tigers will Contend in 2010

By Gary Armida • on February 5, 2010

It is usually amazing how quickly perception can change. A couple of months ago, the Detroit Tigers’ 2010 prospects were down. After all, they choked

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Reason for Optimism in Cincinnati?

Reason for Optimism in Cincinnati?

By Gary Armida • on February 3, 2010

It has been nine years and seven managers since the Cincinnati Reds last had a winning record. Since 2004, the Reds have languished in a pit of mediocrity,

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Selling Johnny Damon

Selling Johnny Damon

By Gary Armida • on February 2, 2010

It has been a long winter for Johnny Damon. Damon, coming off of one of the best seasons of his career, was hoping to score one last big contract. After

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NL Young Shortstops Set to Welcome Two New Members

NL Young Shortstops Set to Welcome Two New Members

By Gary Armida • on February 1, 2010

Baseball is a game of cycles. In a given season or two, a young crop of players will come to the Major Leagues at a certain position and everyone will

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Channeling Harry Doyle with Billy Campione

Criticism of Cashman is Unnecessary and Short Sighted

Criticism of Cashman is Unnecessary and Short Sighted

By Billy Campione • on February 4, 2010

My dad and I play a game every Sunday morning. We guess

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The Ballad of the Utility Infielder

The Ballad of the Utility Infielder

By Billy Campione • on January 27, 2010

Everyone has a ballplayer that left an impression on them when they were growing up. For some that player was a superstar who led the league in every conceivable

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North Side Hopes for a Rebound in 2010 May Be a Pipe Dream

North Side Hopes for a Rebound in 2010 May Be a Pipe Dream

By Billy Campione • on January 21, 2010

A season that began with high expectations was derailed by injuries to key players, poor performances from highly paid players, and a seeming lack of direction

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Beltran’s Loss May Be Devastating for the Mets

Beltran’s Loss May Be Devastating for the Mets

By Billy Campione • on January 20, 2010

 With the recent controversy surrounding the New York Mets handling of Carlos Beltran’s surgery, many have made the point that Beltran’s loss is not

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2009 Post Season

Number 27: Girardi’s Team Finishes the Job

Number 27: Girardi’s Team Finishes the Job

By Gary Armida • on November 5, 2009

It was a scene quite familiar to Yankees’ fans;

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Yanks and Phils Must Get to Pedro and Andy Early

Yanks and Phils Must Get to Pedro and Andy Early

By Billy Campione • on November 4, 2009

Because the Phillies were able to hang on to defeat

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Utley Reminds Us Just How Good He Is

Utley Reminds Us Just How Good He Is

By Gary Armida • on November 3, 2009

Sometimes a player needs to remind the world just how good he really

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Phillies Power Their Way Back to New York

Phillies Power Their Way Back to New York

By Gary Armida • on November 3, 2009

It shouldn’t be shocking that the Philadelphia Phillies extended

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Guest Columnist Features

With Slim Contention Hopes, Jays Should Trade Halladay

With Slim Contention Hopes, Jays Should Trade Halladay

By Joseph Pawlikowski • on September 24, 2009

Editor’s Note: FCP is proud to welcome River Avenue Blues’ own Joseph Pawlikowski as a guest columnist. 4 CommentsRead this story »

Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson

Arms Race the Last Hope for Small Market Teams

Arms Race the Last Hope for Small Market Teams

By Gary Armida • on January 25, 2010

Baseball is in the midst its information age. Never before has the sport used data to drive its decisions. Increasingly, more and more teams are utilizing

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Kazmir Turns to Peterson to Save 2009 Season

Kazmir Turns to Peterson to Save 2009 Season

By Gary Armida • on September 18, 2009

It was a shock to Rick Peterson when the voice on

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Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson: The Biomechanics of Pitching

Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson: The Biomechanics of Pitching

By Gary Armida • on May 8, 2009

Bridging the Gap Between Potential and Peak Performance It was in 1989 that Rick Peterson’s professional coaching career came together. Coach Peterson

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Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson: Conditioning for the Amateur Pitcher

Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson: Conditioning for the Amateur Pitcher

By Gary Armida • on April 10, 2009

  Bridging the Gap Between Potential and Peak Performance “60 percent of the amateur pitchers surveyed complained of chronic elbow pain”,

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The GM's Office with Jim Duquette

The GM’s Office with Jim Duquette: Last Days of Spring Training

The GM’s Office with Jim Duquette: Last Days of Spring Training

By Gary Armida • on April 2, 2009

During the final days of Spring Training, teams are forced to make crucial decisions while trimming the roster to 25 players. Organizations must balance

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The GM’s Office with Jim Duquette: An Introduction to Scouting Pitchers

The GM’s Office with Jim Duquette: An Introduction to Scouting Pitchers

By Gary Armida • on March 23, 2009

For fans, the Baseball role hardest to identify with is that of the General Manager. A fan sees the players, coaches, and managers everyday; they get to

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Interviews

Voting for Haren: A Conversation with Will Carroll

Voting for Haren: A Conversation with Will Carroll

By Gary Armida • on November 20, 2009

One of the byproducts of yesterday’s National League

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A Passion for the Game: Victor Rojas of MLB Network

A Passion for the Game: Victor Rojas of MLB Network

By Gary Armida • on August 17, 2009

The 2009 season already has some memorable storylines with many yet

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Talking Injuries with Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus

Talking Injuries with Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus

By Gary Armida • on March 24, 2009

The Hot Stove season may well be remembered for teams’ sudden fondness of financial responsibility. Spring Training, meanwhile, may be remembered

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The FCP Interview: Collin Balester of the Washington Nationals

The FCP Interview: Collin Balester of the Washington Nationals

By Billy Campione • on February 4, 2009

  Collin Balester was a fourth round draft choice of the Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) in 2004. He has been ranked as one of the Nat’s

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First Pitch and Headlines

Sabermetrics to Remain in Public Domain

On February 3, 2010, Deep Focus, Inc. withdrew its application to trademark the term “sabermetrics” for social media consulting services. Sabermetrics was coined by statistician Bill James, who first

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Brewers to honor Selig with statue at Miller Park

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers today announced that the Club will honor Major League Baseball Commissioner and former Brewers Owner Allan H. (Bud) Selig with a statue at Miller Park’s Home

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White Sox Un-Retire Aparicio’s Number

CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox have un-retired uniform No. 11, the number worn by Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio, for the 2010 season, during which it will be worn by Omar Vizquel, the team’s

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Mariners re-sign Erik Bedard

SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has signed left-handed pitcher Erik Bedardto one-year

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Blue Jays acquire LHP Dana Eveland

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have acquired LHP DANA EVELAND from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. EVELAND, 26, appeared in 13 games last season for the

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Red Sox invite non-roster players to Major League Spring Training camp

BOSTON, MA — The Red Sox today announced that 20 players will attend the team’s Major League Spring Training camp as non-roster invitees. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General

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Blue Jays Sign Kevin Gregg

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed RHP Kevin Gregg to a US $2.75 million contract for the 2010 season, with a club option for US $4.5 million for 2011, or a two year option of US $8.75 million for 2011

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Rockies Finalize Deal with Mora

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that the club has agreed to a one-year Major League contract with infielder/outfielder Melvin Mora. Terms of the contract were not disclosed,

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Twins, Hudson agree on one-year deal

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have agreed to terms with second baseman Orlando Hudson on a one-year contract for the 2010 season. Hudson, 32, batted

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Official: Tigers agree to terms on five-year deal with Verlander

The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with righthanded pitcher Justin Verlander, keeping him in a Tigers uniform through the 2014 season. Verlander posted

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Mets Invite 11 to Major League Spring Training

The New York Mets today announced that they signed infielder/outfielder Jolbert Cabrera, infielder Luis Hernandez and lefthanded pitchers Bobby Livingston and Travis Blackley to minor league contracts

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Cubs, Infielder Kevin Millar agree to minor league contract

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with infielder Kevin Millar on a minor league contract. The deal includes an invite to major league spring training. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Millar,

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Cubs, Marmol agree to one-year deal

CHICAGO — The Cubs signed Carlos Marmol to a one-year, $2.125 million contract Thursday, avoiding arbitration with their closer. Marmol, 27, who made $575,000 last year, was asking for $2.5 million

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Mariners agree to terms with Kotchman; outright Everidge to Tacoma

SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has agreed to terms on a 2010 contract with first baseman

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Angels announce 2010 Spring Training non-roster invitees

ANAHEIM, CA — The Angels Wednesday announced the list of non-roster players invited to 2010 Spring Training in Tempe, AZ. The announcement was made by club General Manager Tony Reagins. Below is

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Red Sox Sign Molina and Nelson; Invite to Camp

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox today announced the signings of catcher Gustavo Molina and right-handed pitcher Joe Nelson to 2010 Minor League contracts. In addition, both players have been invited to

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Sarfate clears waivers, is outrighted to Norfolk

The Orioles today announced that RHP DENNIS SARFATE has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Sarfate will be invited to major league spring training as a non-roster invitee. Sarfate

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Blue Jays Dirk Hayhurst scheduled for surgery

The Toronto Blue Jays have scheduled exploratory arthroscopic surgery for RHP Dirk Hayhurst to evaluate the status of his sore right shoulder. Hayhurst, 28, injured his shoulder while preparing for 2010

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Padres agree to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Scott Hairston

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres today announced they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Scott Hairston. Executive Vice President/General Manager Jed Hoyer made the announcement. Hairston,

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Astros name Mercado GCL pitching coach

The Houston Astros announced today that former Major League pitcher Hector Mercado has been named as the pitching coach for the Astros Gulf Coast League affiliate. The club also announced today that five

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