Ryan Freel, who was a victim of numerous head traumas during his nine-year major league career with the Reds and four other teams due his aggressive style of play, is found dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted shotgun wound. Within a year, a study of the 36 year-old’s brain will reveal he suffered from a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a condition believed to be triggered by repeated concussions that has been linked to suicide.

ByTom

Ryan Freel, who was a victim of numerous head traumas during his nine-year major league career with the Reds and four other teams due his aggressive style of play, is found dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted shotgun wound. Within a year, a study of the 36 year-old’s brain will reveal he suffered from a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a condition believed to be triggered by repeated concussions that has been linked to suicide.

2012 – The Pirates sign P Francisco Liriano for two years at $14 million. However, the deal is not officially announced and rumors soon surface that Liriano has suffered a serious injury to his non-throwing arm, negating the purported deal.

ByTom

2012 – The Pirates sign P Francisco Liriano for two years at $14 million. However, the deal is not officially announced and rumors soon surface that Liriano has suffered a serious injury to his non-throwing arm, negating the purported deal.

The Miami Marlins sign .299 career hitter Placido Polanco for a one-year, $2.75 million deal, hoping his .257 mark from 2012 was not a sign of decline at age 37. In other signings, P Tom Gorzelanny inks a deal with the Brewers, while C A.J. Pierzynski goes to Texas.

ByTom

The Miami Marlins sign .299 career hitter Placido Polanco for a one-year, $2.75 million deal, hoping his .257 mark from 2012 was not a sign of decline at age 37. In other signings, P Tom Gorzelanny inks a deal with the Brewers, while C A.J. Pierzynski goes to Texas.

In a seven-player swap, the Mets acquire highly-regarded minor leaguers Travis d’Arnaud, a catcher, and right-hander Noah Syndergaard, in addition to backstop John Buck and outfielder Wuilmer Becerra from the Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher R.A. Dickey and catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. New York decided to deal their 38 year-old knuckleballer, last season’s NL Cy Young award winner with a year remaining on his contract, to procure two of Toronto’s top prospects.

ByTom

In a seven-player swap, the Mets acquire highly-regarded minor leaguers Travis d’Arnaud, a catcher, and right-hander Noah Syndergaard, in addition to backstop John Buck and outfielder Wuilmer Becerra from the Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher R.A. Dickey and catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. New York decided to deal their 38 year-old knuckleballer, last season’s NL Cy Young award winner with a year remaining on his contract, to procure two of Toronto’s top prospects.