MLBTR Originals

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the last seven days scattered amongst the Thanksgiving leftovers, Black Friday shopping bags, and Cyber Monday ads:

• MLB Trade Rumors Podcast featured part I of host Jeff Todd’s interview with agent Matt Sosnick of Sosnick Cobbe Sports. Tim Dierkes also joined Jeff to discuss the impact the signings of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez will have on the rest of the Red Sox’s offseason, how well the Red Sox and Reds match up as trade partners, and the value of Cole Hamels. A new edition of MLB Trade Rumors Podcast will be released every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
• MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz broke down the arbitration cases of Reds third baseman Todd Frazier and a quartet of closers (the Royals’ Greg Holland, the Reds’ Aroldis Chapman, the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen, and the Marlins’ Steve Cishek).
• MLBTR contributor Jeff Zimmerman analyzed the pitch counts of free agent starters Max Scherzer, Jon Lester, and James Shields and opines the best factor in determining a pitcher’s durability is age, not the odometer.
• The Offseason Outlook series concluded with Steve Adams’ forecast for the World Champion Giants and the team they vanquished in the World Series, the Royals.
• Steve issued a Free Agent Profile of Torii Hunter (two years, $22MM).
• Brad Johnson examined Braves right-hander Kris Medlen and Angels infielder Gordon Beckham as non-tender candidates while Charlie Wilmoth did likewise with Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland.
• Tim was the first to report the Rangers signed right-hander Ross Wolf to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
• Steve presented a Free Agent Faceoff between the top two free agents on MLBTR’s 2014-15 Top 50 Free Agents list. A slim majority of you (51%) prefer Jon Lester (#2) over Max Scherzer (#1).
• Jeff asked MLBTR readers to name the best free agent acquisition to date. Nearly one-quarter of you believe Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos made the best move by coming to terms with Russell Martin.
• Brad asked MLBTR readers who will be traded next by the A’s. More than 64% of you expect it will be Jeff Samardzija.
• Steve hosted the weekly live chat.
• Zach Links gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.