MLBTR Originals

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• Tim Dierkes updated MLBTR’s 2015 Free Agent Power Rankings and there has been a change at the top with Max Scherzer replacing Hanley Ramirez.
• Steve Adams relaunched the MLBTR series Draft Prospect Q&A by interviewing University of San Francisco center fielder Bradley Zimmer. Among the topics the consensus top-15 pick discussed with Steve: how his brother Kyle being selected fifth overall by the Royals in 2012 “was definitely a leap in the right direction for me, as far as getting to experience the process of being looked at and being a high prospect” and why he decided to attend college rather than sign with the Cubs, who made him their 23rd-round pick in the 2011 draft.
• Rangers GM Jon Daniels told Zach Links he is not currently looking outside the organization to replace Prince Fielder. “I think that our focus right now is on the group of guys [including the injured Jurickson Profar and Dan Robertson] that are going to come back,” Daniels said. “There’s a group of guys that are up here in the big leagues that have put together a few good games this week, and we want to see if we can build on that and then evaluate where we are and adjust if that time comes.”
• Red Sox GM Ben Cherington provided Zach his rationale for re-signing shortstop Stephen Drew. “He did a great job for us last year and he’s a very good Major League shortstop and a good teammate and does a lot of good things that we value,” said Cherington. “We have a high degree of respect for Stephen, what he can do on the field, and what he can do for our team.“
• Steve charts how hard the 2015 free agent starting pitchers throw and notes their fortunes on the open market could be dictated by whether their velocity is increasing or decreasing.
• Zach broke the news right-handed reliever Frank Francisco elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate.
• Jeff Todd asked MLBTR readers which free agent third baseman they would prefer to sign: Chase Headley or Pablo Sandoval. More than 53% of you favor Headley.
• Steve hosted this week’s live chat.
• Zach assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.