Team USA was able to assemble an All-Star lineup. But all the top American-born starting pitchers turned down the chance to pitch in the World Baseball Classic. Not surprisingly, it was a bad outing by a starter (R.A. Dickey giving up four runs) that cost the Americans in their opening 5-2 loss to Mexico. ...more

The World Baseball Classic desperately needs a Team USA that is desperate to win it. Finally, this time, we may have one. The American team that assembled Monday in Arizona was notable for how committed to the tournament (and to winning) these players are. ...more

R.A. Dickey will be the starting pitcher Friday night, when Team USA opens the World Baseball Classic with a game against Mexico. Team USA manager Joe Torre has yet to announce the rest of his pitching plans, but suggested that Derek Holland will start Sunday against Canada. ...more

The worst news for the World Baseball Classic wasn't that Team USA has too few American stars. No, the worst news is that American baseball fans don't really care that so many stars have chosen not to play. For now, the WBC remains all potential. ...more

With the R.A. Dickey trade, the Blue Jays showed again (for the second time this winter) that they're finally ready to act like the big-market team they should be. But what about the Mets? No problem here. For the Mets, trading a Cy Young winner was -- believe it or not -- the absolute right move. ...more

Baseball is in the early stages of testing Kevlar inserts that could go inside caps and help protect pitchers from head injuries. Head injuries have become a growing concern, one that got even bigger when A's pitcher Brandon McCarthy required brain surgery after he was hit by an Erick Aybar line drive in early September. ...more