SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On a gorgeous 76-degree day in the desert, Brendan Rodgers sat in the shade, looking fit and relaxed and bubbling with confidence as he discussed the season ahead. “You haven’t seen me, be me. I’m ready to be me and get out there and show people what I’m capable of,” Rodgers said Tuesday after the Rockies’ first […]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Taijuan Walker is taking a back seat on his new team — to Mr. Met. A day after the Mets finalized his $23 million, three-year contract, Walker said he was aced out of his preferred jersey number by the rotund mascot with the baseball-shaped head. “I was 44 growing up, and I finally got it […]

Previously a Staff Writer at Bleacher Report Cornell University graduate Alex Cora spent the last year on the sideline after a suspension for his role in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. Now, sitting back in his manager’s seat with the Boston Red Sox after the team gave him a second chance to lead, Cora is soaking in every moment of […]

Senior writer ESPN Magazine/ESPN.com Analyst/reporter ESPN television Author of “The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty” When my little brother was at the very end of his teenage years, he stepped over the Vermont moat and joined me for spring training in Arizona. Eventually we made our way to Las Vegas for some exhibition games. As we drove down The […]

PEORIA, Ariz. — In this era of suspicion and skepticism, the San Diego Padres paraded an attribute Monday that has been lost in the baseball world. Trust. The Padres showed their faith in Fernando Tatis Jr. by officially signing him Monday to a 14-year, $340 million contract after playing just 143 games. In return, Tatis showed the Padres how much he […]

ESPN MLB insider Author of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” Over the course of a 45-minute chat to a local Rotary Club in early February, Seattle Mariners CEO Kevin Mather disparaged a Japanese player for not learning English, belittled a star prospect from the Dominican Republic for his language skills and derided […]

Senior writer ESPN Magazine/ESPN.com Analyst/reporter ESPN television Author of “The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty” In the days leading up to Friday’s podcast interview of Dr. Anthony Fauci, I canvassed team officials about what questions they might ask the infectious disease expert, and one staffer seemed to be looking for some help with the context leading up to the […]

Jon Gray came out of the University of Oklahoma with a triple-digit fastball and an 89 mph slider that made college hitters weak in the knees. The slider was a big reason why the Rockies selected him with the third overall pick of the 2013 draft. At times, that slider has served him well. Other times, the pitch hasn’t behaved. […]

The New York Yankees and outfielder Brett Gardner have reached agreement on a one-year deal worth $4 million, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The contract includes a second-year player option that, if rejected, turns into a team option, sources said. Gardner, 37, became a free agent in November when New York declined his 2021 club option. He has been with […]