MLBTR Originals – 5/29/11 – 6/4/11

Here's a look back at some of the original content from the MLBTR team this past week:

• Ben Nicholson-Smith examined Jose Valverde's $9MM club option for the 2012 season and tackled the implications of Jordan Lyles' big league debut for the Astros.
• Ben also took a look at what the declining production of designated hitters will mean for David Ortiz as he approaches free agency this offseason and gave an update on this year's Rule 5 Draft picks.
• Tim Dierkes' 2012 Contract Issue series came to a conclusion with this piece on the Twins. You can see the whole list (with brief summaries) here.
• Tim also listed some potentially available power bats and starting pitchers, and looked at what would happen it the D'Backs become buyers and/or the Cubs became sellers.
• For draft-related content, Ben interviewed Blue Jays' amateur scouting director Andrew Tinnish and also interviewed former general manager and current Rangers senior advisor/MLB Network analyst John Hart before taking a look at the Phillies' approach to the draft.
• Meanwhile, Tim introduced readers to the six college right-handers who are all in the Top 20 lists of ESPN's Keith Law, Baseball America, and Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the latest and greatest from the blogosphere in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Dan Mennella checked in on Lance Berkman's free agent stock and predicted a deal similar to Aubrey Huff's latest contract for Big Puma if he stays healthy and productive.
• Here's the transcript of this week's chat, hosted by Tim.
• Nearly three quarters of MLBTR readers thought at least one of this season's surprise teams, the Indians and Diamondbacks, would remain in contention for the long haul in a poll conducted this week.