MLBTR Originals

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the past seven days:

• With tonight's 11:59 PM (CT) deadline to enter the third annual MLBTR Free Agent Prediction Contest fast approaching, you may want to review every installment in our Free Agent Profile series. There were six new entries this week (ranking on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list in parenthesis).
• Tim Dierkes envisions $150MM over seven years for Jacoby Ellsbury (#2).
• Ellsbury's teammate, Stephen Drew (#14) will garner a four-year, $48MM deal, according to Tim.
• Steve Adams foresees Nelson Cruz (#17) landing a three-year pact worth $39MM.
• Steve anticipates Bartolo Colon (#22) and Dan Haren (#34) both signing for one year and $10MM.
• Tim predicts a two-year, $16MM contract for James Loney (#37).
• Agent Jim Munsey told Tim the Red Sox have called to express their interest in re-signing his client, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
• MLBTR was the first to learn the Blue Jays would not be tendering Josh Johnson a qualifying offer.
• Steve listed the 13 free agents who did receive qualifying offers.
• Charlie Wilmoth previewed the Offseason Outlook for the NL Champion Cardinals. 
• Tim completed the 2014 Arbitration Eligibles series with his analysis of the Indians, Pirates, Tigers, Cardinals, and Red Sox.
• MLBTR has made its projected 2014 arbitration salaries available for download in an Excel spreadsheet. The list can also be found in the sidebar under MLBTR Features.
• MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz explains the arbitration cases of Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw and Orioles slugger Chris Davis.
• Tim named his non-tender candidates.
• Jeff Todd charted the future salary obligations (2015-2024) for all 30 MLB teams in a two-part series (I, II).
• MLBTR was the first to report the Twins are not interested, at this time, in right-hander Randy Messenger, who is weighing a three-year extension with the Hanshin Tigers.
• Ibrahim Rojas of CMHS Radio Caibarién told MLBTR right-hander Raicel Iglesias, who defected from Cuba recently, is currently in Mexico.
• Agent Felix Olivo told Tim the extension he negotiated for his client, Rangers left-hander Martin Perez, came together in less than two weeks.
• Steve hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• Zach Links compiled the latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.