MLBTR Originals

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

• Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel spoke with MLBTR in Clearwater, Florida about his role with the team and the club’s rebuilding process.  “We can go first to third, we can go second to home, but we still have to develop ourselves as hitters to be able to be regular players at the Major League level.  And, when it comes to young pitchers, we got so many that some of them have to be good,” Manuel told MLBTR.
• Nick Swisher is hoping that he still has enough left in the tank to make an impact in 2016.  MLBTR spoke with the veteran outfielder in the dugout prior to Atlanta’s Friday contest against the Phillies.  “It was a business move and I don’t blame [the Indians] for doing that,” said Swisher when asked about the deal that brought him to the Braves. “I got hurt in the second year of a five-year deal [his deal includes an option] and my production was down.  I was hired to do a job and I didn’t get it done, so I don’t blame them.  It made a lot of sense as a business move.”
• On the latest edition of the MLBTR podcast, host Jeff Todd talked with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News and analytics expert Bradley Woodrum.  A new episode of the podcast is released every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
• It’s March and Austin Jackson is still without a team.  MLBTR’s Steve Adams ran down possible landing spots for the outfielder, including the Indians, White Sox, and Orioles.  Cleveland is reportedly tapped out in terms of payroll, but the Indians are perhaps the most obvious on-paper fit for Jackson.  As for the White Sox, Jackson would provide a reasonable backup to Adam Eaton in center and could see regular at-bats in the outfield corners, as his glove would be an upgrade over that of either Melky Cabrera or Avisail Garcia.  Click the link to see where MLBTR readers see Jackson landing.
• Hurler Doug Fister is hoping to rebound with the Astros.  MLBTR was on hand as Fister discussed his free agency experience and his reasons for signing with Houston.
• Getting traded can be an adjustment and that’s a change that Jake Thompson has experienced twice in his young career.  Thompson spoke with reporters, including this reporter, about the lessons he learned after trade No. 1.
• New Phillies outfielder Peter Bourjos chatted with MLBTR about his fresh start in Philly and what he can do to get back to his 2011 form.
• Jeff ran down notable recent late-spring trades, including one notable swap from 2015.
• MLBTR was on hand in Lakeland, Florida last week as Tigers manager Brad Ausmus gave his thoughts on Detroit’s offseason and more.
• Veteran outfielder Nate Schierholtz, who is in camp with the Tigers, spoke to MLBTR about his time in Japan.