MLBTR Originals

Here's a look back at some of the analysis and reporting MLBTR's writing team delivered this week..

• Seven years ago this week, the Tigers claimed Colby Lewis off of waivers from the Rangers, writes Mike Axisa.  Lewis is set to start Game Three for Texas on Tuesday but was little more than a failed prospect back then.
• We asked MLBTR readers what they think Jorge Posada will do this offseason.  68% of you think that he'll retire, 24% say that he'll sign elsewhere, and just 9% see him coming back to the Yankees.
• With an aggressive approach in free agency and some successful midseason trades, GM Dave Dombrowski turned the the Tigers into a playoff team.  Ben Nicholson-Smith took a look at how the Tigers acquired their newest additions.
• The MLBTR GM Candidate series continued with a look at Logan White, the Dodgers’ assistant GM of scouting. 
• This week we kicked off the Offseason Outlook for the Twins, Mariners, Cubs, Marlins, and Astros.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the best baseball analysis from around the web in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• If you missed out on our weekly chat, you can check out the transcript right here.
• Service time could be a factor in whether or not Matt Moore is on the Rays to start the 2012 season, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Tim Dierkes checked in on the stock of free-agent-to-be Clint Barmes.  If the Astros fail to sign Barmes, he could be a more affordable alternative for the Twins, Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, Cardinals, or Giants.     
• The best in-season trade made by a playoff team was the Phillies' acquisition of Hunter Pence, according to 42% of MLBTR readers.
• In total, the Rangers obtained nine of the 25 players on their ALDS roster since last year.
• The prevailing opinion is that Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia will opt out of the remaining four years and $92MM remaining on his contract, since he could easily get more money or years.  We asked you how much the lefty's next contract will be worth.  Opinions were split but 1,372 MLBTR readers (18%) say that his next deal will be worth $121-130MM.
• The Padres, Cubs, and Nationals were profiled in our Arbitration Eligibles series.
• The fatal flaw with Theo Epstein's disappointing 2011 Red Sox club was starting pitching, which prompted Tim Dierkes to investigate his work assembling rotations.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith took a look at how baseball's newest $100MM players fared in 2011.
• Need a refresher on non-tenders?  Don't worry, we got you covered.
• Before the season, MLBTR writers identified 13 players who were set for 'make or break' years.  We checked in on them now that the regular season's over.