On this date in 1975, arbitrator Peter Seitz made his landmark ruling that allowed baseball players to become free agents upon playing one year for their team without a contract. The decision — made with regards to pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally — effectively eliminated the reserve clause and ushered in the age of free agency. Seitz's decision changed baseball forever, and without it, sites like MLB Trade Rumors wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
Here's a holiday-sized collection of links from around the web…
- Did The Tribe Win Last Night? spoke to Nick Hagadone about his goal of making the Indians' bullpen next year.
- Bernie's Crew wrote about Ryan Braun and recent reports about his failed drug test.
- Lone Star Ball looks at the potential impact Yu Darvish will have on the Rangers.
- The Outside Corner wonders who will be a better investment: Darvish or C.J. Wilson.
- Redleg Nation wrote about what Mat Latos means for the 2012 Reds.
- Call to the Pen says the Latos trade is a poor fit for both the Reds and Padres.
- MLB Reports tries to figure out who's San Diego's first baseman of the future.
- Gaslamp Ball wonders if the Padres really are loaded at first base.
- District on Deck believes the Nationals gave up too much to acquire Gio Gonzalez.
- FanSpeak says the Gonzalez trade showed desperation on Washington's part.
- Federal Baseball thinks the Nats should go get a bat now that they have Gonzalez.
- Drunk Jays Fans wrote about the Blue Jays continued pursuit of pitching.
- Two Points on a Compass tries to figure out what Prince Fielder is worth.
- South Side Sox says John Danks' contract extension raises some questions about the White Sox.
- Giants Nirvana says it's hard to see both Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain signing extensions before they hit free agency.
- Rox Pile thinks Michael Cuddyer was a good pickup even if he won't fix all the Rockies problems.
- Puckett's Pond looks back at Cuddyer's five greatest moments as a Twin.
- Lasorda's Lair said goodbye to Casey Blake.
- Redbird Rants believes the Cardinals should pursue Roy Oswalt on a one-year deal.
- BoSox Injection says it would be too costly for the Red Sox to acquire Matt Garza.
- Camden Depot thinks the Orioles have little to gain with their scouting department restructuring.
- Camden Crazies believes the Orioles had a good chance to come out ahead in a Adam Jones–Jair Jurrjens/Martin Prado trade.
- Wareworthy Worthy doesn't think Jeremy Guthrie will be traded this offseason.
- Royals Review makes a case for the Royals trading Billy Butler this winter.
- Steel World Order considers this to be a successful offseason for the Pirates.
- Cleveland Indians Perspective isn't a fan of the Aaron Cunningham pickup.
- Shutdown Inning compares Derek Holland to one of his former teammates.
- Blogging Mets wonders if the Mets have another Generation K on their hands.
- We Should Be GMs doesn't think Jimmy Rollins is Hall of Fame bound.
- South Side Sox ranks the White Sox's top ten prospects.
- Cubs Billy Goat Blog put together a composite list of the Cubs' top ten prospects.
- Rays Colored Glasses takes an early look at some catchers that will be available in next year's draft.
- MLB Draft Insider listed the twelve best high school position players available in the draft next June.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
… Is there anyone that DOES think Rollins is Hall of Fame bound?
I have seen some writers say this. I think Olney may have. In my mind he has a legitimate shot. This core of the Phillies will need to have representation in the HOF. If not him, then who?
Doc. That’s it.
But can he really be included as the core? He has only been with the Phillies for 2 years. Now if they win another WS, then absolutely.
That has nothing to do with the HOF. You don’t induct by what team they were on, but who were the games greatest players. Rollins was not but Doc was.
I’d like to see another team in baseball history with this type of success in which no member of the core was in the HOF
A couple things are wrong with this. First, I said that Doc would probably be in the HOF. Second, they have only won one World Series and that was without Doc, Lee, and Oswalt. Just because he is a good player on a good team doesn’t mean that Rollins should go into the HOF. What about the ’84 Tigers, they don’t have anyone in the HOF.
If Rollins makes the HoF before Trammell I would be furious.
Rollins, Utley and Howard are VERY overrated. If Rollins is Hall of Fame bound, then so if Rafael Furcal and Edgar Renteria. At that point, they mind as well shut down the Hall because everybody will start getting in. Ryan Howard is no better than Carlos Pena and Utley if he stayed healthy is the only legit shot but he would have to play consistently good until he’s close to 40 years old.
I can see Utley getting in. He had 5 straight years of a bWAR over 5.7. Some well over.
Rollins has only been over 5.0 bWAR once in his career. No way he’s a HOFer in my book.
The post about the Latos trade is weird.
He says the trade was bad for the Padres in part because they just drafted Austin Hedges. Yeah, a catcher drafted out of HS with a super raw, questionable bat with an ETA of 2016 (at best?) definitely makes Grandal useless.
i wonder if the Rays would deal one of there Starter for Butler. it would make sense for both teams
Io
Ellsbury for Cain. Let’s do it!
Love that Guthrie article
if we dont extend lincy and cain this would of been a complete waste of an offseason..and i will be one very unhappy giants fan.