Ranking several free agent pitchers

Ranking several free agent pitchers
Over the last few weeks, we have taken a look at nine different free agent starting pitchers in three different entries here. Today, let's take another look and rank them one through nine. I'm ranking mostly on my opinion of their talent level, while also taking into consideration the contract terms that might be needed to get it done. Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta are not on the list. It would be a real surprise if the Orioles are willing to commit to the years and dollars those two will...

Benches warned after Garcia close call, but Nats understand it wasn't personal

Benches warned after Garcia close call, but Nats understand it wasn't personal
Left-hander Jaime Garcia went seven innings for the Cardinals in their 6-2 victory over the Nationals. He allowed only two runs, but he wasn't close to having his best command. That led to a few pitches that hit or came close to Nationals hitters. Daniel Murphy was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth inning. Then in the fifth, Garcia came close to hitting Ben Revere. Home plate umpire Alan Porter then warned Garcia and both benches, even though Nationals starter Max Scherzer had not been...

Matheny goes with rookie Shelby Miller to replace injured Garcia

Matheny goes with rookie Shelby Miller to replace injured Garcia
St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced Tuesday that right-hander Jaime Garcia has been removed from the postseason roster due to a right rotator cuff strain with some inflammation. The Cardinals and Nationals were in Washington on Tuesday and completed scheduled workouts at Nationals Park. The National League Division Series is even at one game apiece, with Game 3 scheduled to begin a 1:07 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Matheny said Garcia will get a second opinion on the shoulder. The...

Cardinals' bold move in second inning pays off (updated)

Cardinals' bold move in second inning pays off (updated)
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny took a huge gamble early in Game 2 of the series. Already down a game in the best-of-five National League Division Series and watching his game two starter Jaime Garcia struggle through the top of the second, Matheny opted to go to pinch-hitter Skip Schumaker and sit his starter down after just two innings. St. Louis scored four runs in that second frame and never looked back. Garcia's replacement, Lance Lynn, came on to go three innings and allowed two late...

VanAllen comfortable with transition to reliever

VanAllen comfortable with transition to reliever
Harrisburg Senators left-hander Cory VanAllen worked hard in the offseason to get ready, and his diligence paid off with a very good spring training. Now, VanAllen is ready to make that next step with the Senators as a relief pitcher. "In the offseason, I trained back home in Houston with a lot of other big leaguers," VanAllen said. "I worked with left-hander Jaime Garcia of the St. Louis Cardinals." VanAllen, who has worked with Garcia for several years, credits the St. Louis southpaw...