2012 MLB Season

[crashcarson15]

Bryce Harper isn't talented? Have you ever actually sat down and, you know, watched the kid play? He already understands the game better than at least 90% of the other guys in the major leagues. He's 19 years old.

Oh, yeah, and he did have a game-tying triple tonight that, essentially, won the Nationals the game tonight.

[STL FANATIC]

I don't think anybody is better at losing than the Cardinals. Sometimes suck. The Cardinals don't suck. They've just mastered the lose.

Their run differential suggests they should be so much better than they are.

[Eye]

Bryce Harper isn't talented? Have you ever actually sat down and, you know, watched the kid play? He already understands the game better than at least 90% of the other guys in the major leagues. He's 19 years old.

Oh, yeah, and he did have a game-tying triple tonight that, essentially, won the Nationals the game tonight.

Based on what? I know the number is made up, I'm not questioning that part.

Seems to me that he understands the game as good as any other MLB player.

[FiddySicks]

Giants absolutely hammered the Braves today in probably Barry Zito's best pitched game all year. Terriffic start to the second half so far for the Giants.

[Kramerica Industries]

Bryce Harper isn't talented? Have you ever actually sat down and, you know, watched the kid play? He already understands the game better than at least 90% of the other guys in the major leagues. He's 19 years old.

Oh, yeah, and he did have a game-tying triple tonight that, essentially, won the Nationals the game tonight.

Based on what? I know the number is made up, I'm not questioning that part.

Seems to me that he understands the game as good as any other MLB player.

Harper's instincts are off the charts, indeed, but this is also probably slightly overstated in relation to most ballplayers, since his head-up plays are somewhat highlighted given the fact that he's 19. Hard to really find many faults with his game right now - no, he shouldn't have been in the ASG, but he's going to be in a ton of them before his career is over, so it really doesn't matter.

[CS85]

So Bryce Harper's got a high midichlorian count, but we're unsure if he's going to use his powers for good or evil?

[NJTank]

So Bryce Harper's got a high midichlorian count, but we're unsure if he's going to use his powers for good or evil?

I sense a disturbance in the force.

Yankees losing stars, Jeter is gone, ARod is gone, Yankees will need a star when Bryce becomes a FA. So open comes the wallet and pinstripes will be worn, as other fans go

[Dexter Morgan]

I'd prefer to bring home NJ product Mike Trout.

[Cujo]

Harper's instincts are off the charts

And so were Ryan Leaf's at the age of 19. Look at where that got him.

And would we even know who Bryce Harper is if he were playing on the west coast like Trout?

[Sport]

Yes. We would. He's from Las Vegas and we've known about him for 4 years now.

You seem to make up your mind on things and then never deviate from them. I used to be anti-Harper because of his attitude, but he plays as hard as anyone, has more raw talent than anyone I've seen in a long time, and he takes the game very seriously. I like the way he plays.

He's 19 and for that all of his hype is warranted and for the most part, he's lived up to it. Most highly rated prospects are older and they're playing A or AA ball right now. He's being seasoned at the Major League level. What he's been able to do is impressive.

[epper]

Harper's instincts are off the charts

And so were Ryan Leaf's at the age of 19. Look at where that got him.

And would we even know who Bryce Harper is if he were playing on the west coast like Trout?

One major difference. Leaf was a failure at the highest level. Harper is exceeding expectations.

[BrySmalls]

So Bryce Harper's got a high midichlorian count, but we're unsure if he's going to use his powers for good or evil?

I sense a disturbance in the force.

Yankees losing stars, Jeter is gone, ARod is gone, Yankees will need a star when Bryce becomes a FA. So open comes the wallet and pinstripes will be worn, as other fans go

It's a good thing that the Nats don't have to worry about Harper's FA status until 2018. This gives us Nats fans plenty of time to appreciate his performance and growth as a professional baseball player.

[evanmaldonado]

I'd prefer to bring home NJ product Mike Trout.

Both?

(insert picture depicting the ultimate evildoer)

[NEW.ERA]

Must be nice to sign any free agent you like, and not miss a beat.

[Dexter Morgan]

The Miami Marlins have approached the Boston Red Sox about a blockbuster trade that would send left fielder Carl Crawford and a prospect to South Florida for infielder Hanley Ramirez and closer Heath Bell, according to three officials with knowledge of the talks who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing.

The trade would involve three All-Star players signed to contracts guaranteeing $239 million, making it the second-biggest swap of contracts in baseball history. The 2004 trade that sent Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees from the Texas Rangers for Alfonso Soriano involved more than $257 million in contracts, including Rodriguez's 10-year, $252 million deal that he was three seasons into.

Crawford, a four-time All-Star, is in the second year of an seven-year, $142 million deal, which is a record for an outfielder. Ramirez, a three-time All-Star and former batting champion, is in the fourth year of a six-year, $70 million contract. And Bell, a three-time All-Star, is in the first year of a three-year, $27 million pact.

Marlins vice president Dan Jennings is in Boston scouting Crawford. The Red Sox insist they are not shopping Crawford.

"We have not offered Carl to a single team," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told USA TODAY Sports. "We have not pursued anything on Carl Crawford. Carl is our left fielder."

The biggest impediment to a deal, according to one of the officials, is the Marlins' indecision whether to unload their high-paid players and abandon playoff hopes for this season and build for next season, or try to overcome the nine-game deficit they face in the NL East and 5½ games they trail for an NL wild-card berth.

"It's up to the players," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday. "If they play good, nobody is going to leave. If they play bad …it's part of the business. It's a big week for us, yes."

The Marlins, according to one of the officials, are also discussing trades that will send infielder Omar Infante to Detroit, and deals involving starters Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez.

Yet, no trade would have a bigger impact than sending Ramirez back to Boston, seven years after he was traded to Miami along with Sanchez for starter Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell.

The Red Sox have coveted Ramirez, 28, almost since the day he left. He was the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year and won the batting title in 2009 with a career-high .342 average, but he has struggled the past 1½ seasons. He hit a career-low .243 with 10 homers and 45 RBI last season, and after moving to third base this year to make room for All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, is hitting just .249 with a .326 on-base percentage, 14 homers and 47 RBI.

Crawford, who missed the Red Sox's first 89 games with elbow, wrist and groin injuries, returned to the lineup Monday. He hit a career-low .255 with a .289 on-base percentage last year but has four hits and three stolen bases in his first two games back. The Marlins, according to one of the officials, believe he'll be a much more productive player away from the pressure of Boston. He has no-trade rights to only two teams, and can't ever be traded to the Yankees, but the Marlins are not on his no-trade list.

Bell, who saved 132 games the previous three years for the San Diego Padres, has struggled his first season in Miami. He lost his closer's job after blowing a major-league leading six saves in the first half, and has a 6.38 ERA.

USA Today

[Fox]

The Miami Marlins have approached the Boston Red Sox about a blockbuster trade that would send left fielder Carl Crawford and a prospect to South Florida for infielder Hanley Ramirez and closer Heath Bell, according to three officials with knowledge of the talks who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing.

The trade would involve three All-Star players signed to contracts guaranteeing $239 million, making it the second-biggest swap of contracts in baseball history. The 2004 trade that sent Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees from the Texas Rangers for Alfonso Soriano involved more than $257 million in contracts, including Rodriguez's 10-year, $252 million deal that he was three seasons into.

Crawford, a four-time All-Star, is in the second year of an seven-year, $142 million deal, which is a record for an outfielder. Ramirez, a three-time All-Star and former batting champion, is in the fourth year of a six-year, $70 million contract. And Bell, a three-time All-Star, is in the first year of a three-year, $27 million pact.

Marlins vice president Dan Jennings is in Boston scouting Crawford. The Red Sox insist they are not shopping Crawford.

"We have not offered Carl to a single team," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told USA TODAY Sports. "We have not pursued anything on Carl Crawford. Carl is our left fielder."

The biggest impediment to a deal, according to one of the officials, is the Marlins' indecision whether to unload their high-paid players and abandon playoff hopes for this season and build for next season, or try to overcome the nine-game deficit they face in the NL East and 5½ games they trail for an NL wild-card berth.

"It's up to the players," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday. "If they play good, nobody is going to leave. If they play bad ?it's part of the business. It's a big week for us, yes."

The Marlins, according to one of the officials, are also discussing trades that will send infielder Omar Infante to Detroit, and deals involving starters Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez.

Yet, no trade would have a bigger impact than sending Ramirez back to Boston, seven years after he was traded to Miami along with Sanchez for starter Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell.

The Red Sox have coveted Ramirez, 28, almost since the day he left. He was the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year and won the batting title in 2009 with a career-high .342 average, but he has struggled the past 1½ seasons. He hit a career-low .243 with 10 homers and 45 RBI last season, and after moving to third base this year to make room for All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, is hitting just .249 with a .326 on-base percentage, 14 homers and 47 RBI.

Crawford, who missed the Red Sox's first 89 games with elbow, wrist and groin injuries, returned to the lineup Monday. He hit a career-low .255 with a .289 on-base percentage last year but has four hits and three stolen bases in his first two games back. The Marlins, according to one of the officials, believe he'll be a much more productive player away from the pressure of Boston. He has no-trade rights to only two teams, and can't ever be traded to the Yankees, but the Marlins are not on his no-trade list.

Bell, who saved 132 games the previous three years for the San Diego Padres, has struggled his first season in Miami. He lost his closer's job after blowing a major-league leading six saves in the first half, and has a 6.38 ERA.

USA Today

Woah. While I'd like to have Crawford for the remainder of this season, this is a tremendous opportunity to dump his contract. It would probably make the Sox a weaker team right now, but if I were the GM I think I'd pull the trigger.

[Kramerica Industries]

Brett Lawrie is a gamer.

Given the injuries Toronto has sustained, especially of late, I have to imagine trying to make a leaping grab jumping over the wall wasn't the best idea.

[BigBubba]

Brett Lawrie left today's New York Yankees-Las Vegas 51s game with a foot injury. Not good!

[Kramerica Industries]

Brett Lawrie left today's New York Yankees-Las Vegas 51s game with a foot injury. Not good!

I mean, the Yankees haven't had the greatest luck in the health department themselves, but the Red Sox and Blue Jays put them to shame in that department. Just in this series alone, Bautista got hurt on what looked innocent enough, and then Lawrie today. It's probably just a matter of time until Encarnacion goes down and completes the full bore run of horrendous luck.

[DC in Da House w/o a Doubt]

The Miami Marlins have approached the Boston Red Sox about a blockbuster trade that would send left fielder Carl Crawford and a prospect to South Florida for infielder Hanley Ramirez and closer Heath Bell, according to three officials with knowledge of the talks who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing.

The trade would involve three All-Star players signed to contracts guaranteeing $239 million, making it the second-biggest swap of contracts in baseball history. The 2004 trade that sent Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees from the Texas Rangers for Alfonso Soriano involved more than $257 million in contracts, including Rodriguez's 10-year, $252 million deal that he was three seasons into.

Crawford, a four-time All-Star, is in the second year of an seven-year, $142 million deal, which is a record for an outfielder. Ramirez, a three-time All-Star and former batting champion, is in the fourth year of a six-year, $70 million contract. And Bell, a three-time All-Star, is in the first year of a three-year, $27 million pact.

Marlins vice president Dan Jennings is in Boston scouting Crawford. The Red Sox insist they are not shopping Crawford.

"We have not offered Carl to a single team," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told USA TODAY Sports. "We have not pursued anything on Carl Crawford. Carl is our left fielder."

The biggest impediment to a deal, according to one of the officials, is the Marlins' indecision whether to unload their high-paid players and abandon playoff hopes for this season and build for next season, or try to overcome the nine-game deficit they face in the NL East and 5½ games they trail for an NL wild-card berth.

"It's up to the players," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday. "If they play good, nobody is going to leave. If they play bad ?it's part of the business. It's a big week for us, yes."

The Marlins, according to one of the officials, are also discussing trades that will send infielder Omar Infante to Detroit, and deals involving starters Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez.

Yet, no trade would have a bigger impact than sending Ramirez back to Boston, seven years after he was traded to Miami along with Sanchez for starter Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell.

The Red Sox have coveted Ramirez, 28, almost since the day he left. He was the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year and won the batting title in 2009 with a career-high .342 average, but he has struggled the past 1½ seasons. He hit a career-low .243 with 10 homers and 45 RBI last season, and after moving to third base this year to make room for All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, is hitting just .249 with a .326 on-base percentage, 14 homers and 47 RBI.

Crawford, who missed the Red Sox's first 89 games with elbow, wrist and groin injuries, returned to the lineup Monday. He hit a career-low .255 with a .289 on-base percentage last year but has four hits and three stolen bases in his first two games back. The Marlins, according to one of the officials, believe he'll be a much more productive player away from the pressure of Boston. He has no-trade rights to only two teams, and can't ever be traded to the Yankees, but the Marlins are not on his no-trade list.

Bell, who saved 132 games the previous three years for the San Diego Padres, has struggled his first season in Miami. He lost his closer's job after blowing a major-league leading six saves in the first half, and has a 6.38 ERA.

USA Today

YES. Please get Hanley out of the NL East. He has been the #1 Nats killer for years.