Sporting News ran an article yesterday noting the fact that Human Growth Hormone has presented no scientific evidence showing increased strength or athletic endurance.  The doctors note that there is still more research to be done on the substance which is currently undetectable through a urine test.  Interestingly, Sylvester Stallone endorsed HGH, saying "Everyone over 40 years old would be wise to investigate it because it increases the quality of your life."

Rany Jazayerli, Baseball Prospectus co-founder and creator of Pitcher Abuse Points (PAP) has started his own blog: Rany on the Royals.  Since over nine years ago he has had over 400,000 words of correspondence on the Royals with Rob Neyer -- just since Rob and Rany on the Royals has began being archived beginning in 2001.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette details how Pirates GM Neal Huntington has put in place a meticulous scheme for getting the most out of scouting and player development, hoping to streamline these areas to look the same way at a player no matter his age. He also goes on to say  that the Pirates can't afford to make free agent splashes and must gather championship talent from trades, the draft, or Latin America.  There will also be a higher emphasis on players of pure baseball skills rather than athleticism, as well as a focus on offense over pitching, on-base ability and good defense up the middle.