Horsehide Chronicles

A good changeup is a good thing for a pitcher to have, but you know what's even better than a good changeup?

An elite changeup. That's what. A pitcher can build a career on one of those, and there are a few who can tell you all about it.

But what exactly sets an elite changeup apart from, you know, a regular old changeup? What makes elite changeups so darn special?

What if the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was played only by those younger than 25 years old?

While "old fogeys" like Miguel Cabrera (30 years old), Robinson Cano (also 30), Joey Votto (29) and even Buster Posey (26) will get their due on the big stage at Citi Field in July, we thought it would be more fun to focus on identifying the most All-Star-worthy youngsters in the game this season.

Here's a look at the Under-25 All-Star Team for 2013.

Earlier today, I named seven players guaranteed to be traded by the July 31st deadline. Not surprisingly, all seven will be free agents after the season and play on teams that aren't in playoff contention now and aren't expected to be a month from now. 

"Do you miss me now?"

I can't help but imagine that Alex Rodriguez is out there somewhere, saying that very thing with a wry smile on his face. He has to know that the New York Yankees are going through some hard times. This has cast a new light on his road back from a January hip operation.

The Yankees suddenly have a strong need for A-Rod.

Cut open a baseball, and inside you'll find a glowing orb of happiness with a dash of hopes and dreams.

This according to my imagination, anyway, which is admittedly not the most accurate source.

According to actual, you know, reality, baseballs are made of much more mundane things: cork, rubber, yarn, hide, etc. Cut open a baseball, and you won't find anything worth bragging to your friends about.

Time may be running out on some veteran general managers who are reaching a critical point in what could end up as their last season on the job.

These situations could create a conflict of interest with the general managers, understandably, wanting to go all out to win now while the organization might not be willing to mortgage the future.   

The Los Angeles Angels are a mess. Their 29-38 record is the second-worst mark in the American League, and the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's are miles ahead of them in the AL West.

Teams will normally assess where they are in the standings much closer to the trade deadline on July 31st before deciding if they will be "buyers" or "sellers". Yet, here we are in June and there are a handful of teams that have to feel like they are heading in the wrong direction and it's getting close to "do or die" time. 

If we were to re-imagine Major League Baseball divisions as historically significant times and places, the AL East would have to be Ancient Rome, right?

Yeah, sounds about right. Ancient Rome was characterized by prosperity and power, and that's pretty much the AL East in a nutshell.

But look there! A power is rising, and it's in the vicinity of the NL Central!

Cal Ripken Jr., he is not.

Like Ripken, Troy Tulowitzki is a big, power-hitting, MVP-caliber shortstop.

As far as staying healthy, though, Tulowitzki and Ripken are on opposite ends of the spectrum.