MLBTR Originals

Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis produced by our writing staff this week..

• Tim Dierkes was the first to learn of Pat Burrell's retirement.  In nine seasons with the Phillies, the 35-year-old hit .257/.367/.485 with 251 home runs.  Tim also listed this offseason's other candidates for retirement.
• Nationals GM Mike Rizzo doesn't have to worry about the top of his rotation for a while since Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg are under control through 2016, but Jordan Zimmermann can hit the open market a year earlier.  Mike Axisa looked at what it would take for the Nats to lock the right-hander up.
• Speaking of the Nats' rotation, Ben Nicholson-Smith examined the club's retooled rotation.
• With the 2011-12 offseason winds down, Ben gave us a preview of 2013's best free agent starters.
• Roughly 29% of MLBTR readers think that Manny Ramirez will wind up signing with the Athletics, while almost 28% say that he'll go unsigned this winter.
• Only three of MLBTR's top 50 free agents remain unsigned, writes Mark Polishuk.
• Casey McGehee and Garrett Jones haven’t teamed up on the field yet, but they’re already linked through the arbitration process, writes BN-S.  The two have had remarkably similar career arcs and statistical production.
• Tim Dierkes examined the worst contract extensions from two years ago.
• Howard Megdal noticed similarities between the free agency of Edwin Jackson and Jason Schmidt in 2001.  He also found a way to work in an Arrested Development reference, which is pretty neat.
• MLBTR is increasing efforts to enforce our commenting policy.  Get re-acquainted with the rules with this handy post.
• Anibal Sanchez is entering his final season as an arbitration eligible player, and the Marlins view him as a candidate for a contract extension.
• Why pay for a fantasy baseball magazine with outdated info when you can read everything at RotoAuthority.com for free?  Here's a look at some of the site's best pieces from this past week.
• If you missed out on Tim's weekly chat, you can check out the transcript right here.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the best of the web for the latest installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• There's plenty to look forward to this month, but if recent history is any indication, we shouldn't be expecting franchise-altering trades to go down in the next six weeks, Ben writes.  The calm six week stretch can largely be attributed to teams wanting to see what they have in-house before looking for outside help.
• MLBTR is seeking a part-time ad sales person.