1. Jonathan Papelbon's Contract Proves the Market for Closers Is out of Control

    Today, the Philadelphia Phillies decided that rather than retain incumbent closer Ryan Madson for four years/$44 million, they would be better suited to ink Red Sox fireman Jonathan Papelbon to a deal worth $50 million over the same period...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 1 year ago 1,613 reads 25 comments

  2. St. Louis Cardinals: Joe Maddon Should Be Their Next Manager

    With Tony LaRussa retiring today after winning the 11th championship in St. Louis Cardinals franchise history, the best choice to replace him is Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 1 year ago 50 reads 0 comments

  3. Tony LaRussa Retires: 8 Candidates to Take over as St. Louis Cardinals Manager

    Tony LaRussa, one of the most enigmatic figures in baseball history, retired today as St. Louis Cardinals manager. LaRussa chose to go out on top, announcing his retirement less than 24 hours after the Cardinals celebrated their 11th World Series title...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 1 year ago 1,496 reads 2 comments

  4. MLB Live Blog: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros, NL Wild Card on the Line

    Welcome to the live blog of Game 162 of the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals season. The Cardinals enter tonight's game in Houston tied with the Atlanta Braves for the National League Wild Card...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 1 year ago 322 reads 0 comments

  5. 2011 Major League Baseball XM All-Star Futures Game Live Blog

    Welcome to the Bleacher Report-exclusive live blog of the XM All-Star Futures game! For the true baseball fan, the Futures Game began in 1999 and represents a unique opportunity ...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about almost 2 years ago 284 reads 0 comments

  6. 2011 MLB All-Star Game: Is Jordan Zimmermann the National League's Biggest Snub?

    Every year deserving players are left off of the All-Star rosters. Usually, though, deserving players make the roster instead...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about almost 2 years ago 593 reads 10 comments

  7. MLB Trade Speculation: Should Jose Reyes Be Targeted by St. Louis Cardinals?

    The St. Louis Cardinals are currently the owners of the best record in baseball at 37-25. Their offense is clicking, and they've gotten unexpected performances out of Lance Berkman, Kyle McClellan and Kyle Lohse...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about almost 2 years ago 3,018 reads 7 comments

  8. Albert Pujols: How Playing 3rd Base Affects His Upcoming Contract

    Three-time MVP Albert Pujols made a splash Monday night when he volunteered to start at third base for the St. Louis Cardinals ...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 2,263 reads 3 comments

  9. Cubs vs. Cardinals Live Blog: Westbrook Faces Garza in Game 2 at Wrigley Field

    After the St. Louis Cardinals (21-15) got Chris Carpenter his first win of the season against the Chicago Cubs (15-19) last night, the two teams face off again tonight at Wrigley Field...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 226 reads 0 comments

  10. St. Louis Cardinals: Now NL Central Division Favorites?

    After a few rough patches, the St. Louis Cardinals have emerged from the first two weeks of the season as a veritable contender for the National League Central Division title...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 815 reads 4 comments

  11. St. Louis Cardinals: Should They Be Interested in Heath Bell?

    After Friday night's excruciating blown save and subsequent loss, I planned to pen a brief debate on whether or not Ryan Franklin should keep the Cardinals ' closer role...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 1,302 reads 12 comments

  12. MLB: 8 Teams Whose Hot/Cold Starts Will Be Mirages

    It's often said that baseball, with its 162-game schedule, is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to put together a full body of work, so records on May 1 are often ignored...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 1,464 reads 6 comments

  13. St. Louis Cardinals: Is Luis Castillo Worth a Look at Second Base?

    On Friday, the New York Mets released second baseman Luis Castillo with a year remaining on the four-year, $25 million deal he signed after the 2007 season. To be fair, the marriage between Castillo and New York was doomed from the get-go...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 699 reads 0 comments

  14. St. Louis Cardinals: Is It Still Too Early to Buy into Matt Carpenter?

    When camp broke, St. Louis Cardinals prospect Matt Carpenter seemed destined to start the 2011 season as the third baseman for Triple-A Memphis. After putting up a .458./.552/...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 2,161 reads 2 comments

  15. St. Louis Cardinals' Kyle McClellan Dazzles in Spring Training Debut

    After Adam Wainwright went down for the season, Kyle McClellan looked like the leading candidate to take the open spot in the starting rotation. After his first outing of the spring, that spot is now McClellan's to lose...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 696 reads 2 comments

  16. MLB: St. Louis Cardinals Should Pursue Barry Zito

    When two objects plummet towards a narrow abyss, a meeting becomes more and more likely, until it is inevitable. Such is the case of the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about 2 years ago 984 reads 8 comments

  17. MLB Hot Stove: St. Louis Cardinals Sign Nick Punto for Defensive Depth

    The St. Louis Cardinals made what might likely be their last addition of the offseason on Friday, signing infielder Nick Punto to a one-year deal. It will be worth $750K...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 695 reads 1 comments

  18. MLB Hot Stove: St. Louis Cardinals Add Depth, Sign Ian Snell, Miguel Batista

    An already deep Cardinals rotation added some surplus on Friday, inking Miguel Batista and Ian Snell to minor-league deals...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 426 reads 1 comments

  19. MLB Hot Stove: St. Louis Cardinals Sign Gerald Laird, Fill Out Roster

    The Cardinals made what's likely their last addition of the offseason on Tuesday, adding backup catcher Gerald Laird to the fold with a one-year, $1 million deal. Laird will back up All-Star catcher Yadier Molina...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 729 reads 5 comments

  20. MLB Hot Stove: St. Louis Cardinals Deal Brendan Ryan To Mariners

    The Cardinals sent offensively anemic shortstop Brendan Ryan to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, receiving fireballer Maikel Cleto in return. Ryan became dispensable earlier this offseason when the Cardinals added shortstop Ryan Theriot...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 929 reads 10 comments

  21. MLB Hot Stove: St. Louis Cardinals Sign Former Rival Astro Lance Berkman

    Today, the St. Louis Cardinals reached a one-year deal with first baseman and outfielder Lance Berkman worth $8 million...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 1,042 reads 14 comments

  22. MLB Hot Stove: St. Louis Cardinals Trade For Ryan Theriot, Sign Brian Tallet

    The St. Louis Cardinals made their first move toward upgrading their offense on Tuesday, trading right-hander Blake Hawksworth to the Los Angeles Dodgers for shortstop Ryan Theriot...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 1,045 reads 6 comments

  23. Baseball Hall of Fame: Why Rafael Palmeiro's Candidacy Is the Most Important Yet

    When even the most adherent fan scans over the list of this year's National Baseball Hall of Fame candidates, they will see the usual big names: Roberto Alomar, a surefire candidate ...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 409 reads 54 comments

  24. MLB Hot Stove: St. Louis Cardinals Lock Up Jake Westbrook With Two-Year Deal

    The St. Louis Cardinals officially kicked off their hot stove season with their first major move of the off-season, inking mid-season acquisition Jake Westbrook to a two-year deal worth $16...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 321 reads 0 comments

  25. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday Win Silver Sluggers for St. Louis Cardinals

    After Albert Pujols won a Gold Glove quite handily, some might have thought he'd be done collecting awards this offseason. Not so for Pujols, who, along with teammate Matt Holliday, claimed a Silver Slugger on Thursday...

    Evan Bruschini Written by Evan Bruschini about over 2 years ago 1,224 reads 0 comments