Does frustrated Reds skipper Price have a legitimate gripe with media?

Does frustrated Reds skipper Price have a legitimate gripe with media?
Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price is generally a mild-mannered, stand-up guy. But on Monday, he lost his cool and took out his frustration on reporters, questioning their approach to the job. By now, it's standard knowledge that Price fired a certain expletive 77 times in a 5½-minute explosion at reporters and then threw them out of his office. Specifically, Price was angry at C. Trent Rosecrans, beat writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer, for reporting news that Price thought was putting...

Miguel Gonzalez among reasons O's rotation is better than some might think

Miguel Gonzalez among reasons O's rotation is better than some might think
The terms "underrated" or "under the radar" are subjective and difficult to define, but they seem to fit well in describing the Orioles rotation, especially Miguel Gonzalez, who has two wins and a 2.55 ERA in his first three starts. The Orioles are seldom mentioned with the best rotations, even though their starters had the fifth-lowest ERA in the American League last season. The problem is they haven't had a serious Cy Young contender and the rotation doesn't have blazing fastballs or...

Guys getting second chances have panned out well for resurgent O's

Guys getting second chances have panned out well for resurgent O's
In two of the last three seasons, the Orioles have made a trip to the postseason, thanks in part to a players, including Nate McLouth, Miguel Gonzalez and Steve Pearce, coming to Baltimore looking for a second chance to establish their careers. This season, the Orioles hope to win again following similar resurging story lines. Three players - Ubaldo Jimenez, Everth Cabrera and Travis Snider - who have come to Baltimore to re-establish themselves are likely to play key roles as the Orioles take...

First week of a new season yields some interesting questions

First week of a new season yields some interesting questions
The first week of baseball is in the books. Six games doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the grand scheme of a baseball season. Still, there are questions and talking points from the early going: Q: The Blue Jays scored 23 runs in beating the Orioles two of three at Camden Yards. Is there any sizzle behind the Blue Jays being a trendy pick to win the American League East this season? Should the Orioles be concerned? A: No. The Blue Jays lineup is devastating with Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes,...

First impressions from the first day of a new season

First impressions from the first day of a new season
Nothing says opening day more than Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon, right? Not exactly. Opening day conjures images of Clayton Kershaw's curveball, Adam Wainwright's heat and Justin Verlander's postseason bling. But Colon, the 41-year-old pitcher with a roundish body, pitched six strong innings in the Mets' 3-1 win versus the Nationals on Monday at quiet Nationals Park. The Mets' No. 5 starter was a surprising choice for the start because the Mets also have Jacob deGrom, the National League...

Divisional preview: National League East

Divisional preview: National League East
After winning two of the last three National League East titles, and then losing in October's National League Division Series, the Nationals are on the hot seat of expectations. They've added $210 million pitcher Max Scherzer to what was already the best rotation in baseball. And with shortstop Ian Desmond and starters Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister eligible for free agency after the season, the Nationals have a sense or urgency. The Nationals won the division by 17 games last season with...

Divisional preview: American League East

Divisional preview: American League East
After 94 wins last season and a division championship, the Orioles go into this season as defending American League East champions for the first time since 1998. New eras begin in Tampa Bay, with manager Joe Maddon gone, and New York, where shortstop Derek Jeter has retired. The Yankees are hoping for health all over the diamond, especially on the mound. The Tampa Bay Rays have a new-look lineup built around Evan Longoria, but chances are it will not be that scary. The Boston Red Sox have...

Divisional preview: American League Central

Divisional preview: American League Central
With Cy Young-type starters and a punishing lineup, the Detroit Tigers have been the best team in the American League Central - if not the entire league - for four consecutive years. But that's all changing. The Tigers have taken a step back, especially with their rotation. The Kansas City Royals, defending AL champions, are without pitcher James Shields, but they added power bats to a strong bullpen, speedy lineup and tight defense. The Chicago White Sox added to their rotation, lineup and...

Divisional preview: National League Central

Divisional preview: National League Central
With manager Joe Maddon, big-money pitcher Jon Lester and power-hitting prospect Kris Bryant, the Chicago Cubs are all the rage in the National League Central. But are they are a serious contender or merely hype? Have their young players matured enough to compete in what might be baseball's deepest division? The St. Louis Cardinals, who have won at least 90 games in four of the last six seasons, are as good as ever. The Pittsburgh Pirates have a reasonable chance to win a division after being...

Divisional preview: American League West

Divisional preview: American League West
The Seattle Mariners are the trendy pick to win the American League West, and if they do, they would have their first division title since winning 116 games in 2001. But will the Mariners overtake the Los Angeles Angels, who won 98 games last season only to lose in the postseason's first round? Since winning the World Series in 2002, the Angels have been bounced in the postseason five times, four times in the first round, and once in the American League Championship Series. The Angels offense...

Divisional preview: National League West

Divisional preview: National League West
The National League West will be a three-team race with the Dodgers, Padres and defending World Series champion Giants. The Dodgers have a revamped lineup, but their rotation is thin. The Padres have an all-new outfield, but the defense might be shaky. The Giants are banking on a healthy lineup to make up for the loss of Pablo Sandoval, who signed with Boston. San Diego will prevent the Dodgers from winning their third consecutive NL West title. The Dodgers will finish second followed by the...

Marlins believe they can challenge Nats for NL East supremacy

Marlins believe they can challenge Nats for NL East supremacy
JUPITER, Fla. - In the last four seasons, the Miami Marlins have finished with 90, 93, 100 and 85 losses. Now, after a 15-win improvement last season, they're taking aim at challenging the Nationals in the National League East. "Absolutely, we think we have a chance to win the division,'' Marlins closer Steve Cishek said. "This team is playing unselfish baseball. It's a new attitude. The players are buying into it. This team is together. We have a chip on our shoulder. We're ready to...

Answering questions about Rose's reinstatement request, rotation depth and more

Answering questions about Rose's reinstatement request, rotation depth and more
Here are answers to the questions making headlines in baseball: Question: Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader who was banned 25 years ago for betting on games he managed with the Cincinnati Reds, has asked new commissioner Rob Manfred to take a look at his case with a request for reinstatement. Is there a chance? Answer: No. Bringing Rose back would be great for Rose, but not for baseball. During the 1919 Black Sox scandal, gambling almost wiped baseball off the map. It would be difficult to...

Questions and answers from spring training camps

Questions and answers from spring training camps
With spring training half over and three weeks until opening day, here are questions and answers regarding some of the storylines from Florida and Arizona: Question: Will the Cubs have power-hitting third base prospect Kris Bryant in the lineup when they open April 5 in Wrigley Field against St. Louis? Answer: Bryant, who hit 43 home runs at two minor league levels last season, has been blasting away in the Cactus League and into the headlines this spring, but the chances of the Cubs having him...

Scanning the key major leaguers seeking a fully healthy 2015

Scanning the key major leaguers seeking a fully healthy 2015
As Grapefruit and Cactus league games get started, the Nationals hope that Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth can stay healthy. Also, the area's other local nine, the Orioles, needs health in Manny Machado's knees and Matt Wieters' elbow. Here's a look at other teams with similar concerns: * Wil Myers, San Diego: The all-pitch, no-hit Padres from a year ago have revamped their outfield with Justin Upton, Matt Kemp and the 24-year-old Myers, who was named American League Rookie of...

Breaking down how former O's, Nats fit in with their new teams

Breaking down how former O's, Nats fit in with their new teams
The Nationals and Orioles are basically the same teams as last season, minus a few key players. Here's a look at players that helped the two local nines win division championships last season and how they fit into the plans of their new teams: * Nick Markakis - Signing Markakis to a $44 million contract is a good deal for a contending team that wants to add an experienced left-handed bat. But the Braves aren't that anymore. They were a weak offensive team last season and they traded their...

A look at the new MLB rules to speed up the game

A look at the new MLB rules to speed up the game
Last spring training, baseball was dealing with the new instant replay rules and the catcher/runner collisions at home plate. This spring training, baseball is emphasizing speed-up rules. The average time of game was 3 hours, 4 minutes last year. Major League Baseball would like to see that fall to 2:45. In the 1980s, the average time of game was 2:33. A 20-second pitch clock that was set up in the Arizona Fall League, and will be used in Double-A and Triple-A leagues this season, is not part...

Stacked Nationals are atop pitching-rich National League East

Stacked Nationals are atop pitching-rich National League East
The Nationals have the best rotation in baseball, but considering the way pitching is stacked in the National League East, they might need it to win a second consecutive division title. The Braves usually challenge the Nationals. But this year, the Mets and the Marlins are likely to be the Nationals' biggest headaches. The Braves rotation is strong, but not as deep as last season. The Phillies are trying to start over, and lefty Cole Hamels will be front and center in trade discussions as...

A pre-spring training look at pitching in the AL East

A pre-spring training look at pitching in the AL East
Spring training camps open this week in Florida and Arizona. In the American League East, where all the teams train on the east coast of Florida and see each other regularly during the Grapefruit League season, the Orioles have the most stable rotation with the fewest questions. The last-place Red Sox have revamped their rotation. The Yankees are hoping for health with their big-money starters. The Rays, even without David Price and Jeremy Hellickson, have a deep and talented rotation with...

A look at U.S. presidents' history with the national pastime

A look at U.S. presidents' history with the national pastime
With new commissioner Rob Manfred taking over, the case of suspended all-time hits leader Pete Rose being reinstated and elected into the Hall of Fame has been in the news. Rose thinks Manfred should allow the Baseball Writers' Association of America to debate his case for the 10 years and decide whether he belongs in Cooperstown. Manfred is mum on the subject. Not so with former President Jimmy Carter. In an Oct. 30, 1995 opinion piece for USA Today, Carter wrote that baseball should...