MLBTR Originals

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

• MLBTR caught up with Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada in the Blue Jays’ Spring Training clubhouse.  In a one-on-one chat, Estrada opened up about his offseason negotiations with Toronto, which culminated with a two-year deal.  “We tried to get a third or fourth year.  I don’t think it was ever going to be close on their part.  Obviously, I tried.  I wanted less money for more years, but they didn’t want to do it.  It’s fine.  I like the deal I got now.  I guess the AAV went up and it was only two years but, it’s good, you know, I can’t complain,” Estrada said.
• In Clearwater, Florida, Phillies pitcher Jeremy Hellickson spoke about the November trade that brought him to Philly.  Within the chat with MLBTR, Hellickson confessed that it’s a little awkward being one of the rotation’s “veterans” at 28 years of age.  “It is a little bit weird being one of the veteran guys on this rotation,” said Hellickson.  “It was kind of the same situation alst year [in Arizona] but the game is getting younger.  There are guys getting called up at 21 or 22 years old.  I don’t feel old at 28, but 28 is kind of old in this game right now.”
• C. Trent Rosencrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer joined host Jeff Todd on this week’s edition of the MLB Trade Rumors podcast to discuss the Reds’ offseason moves, their crop of young pitchers, and proper beard care.  That last one might not be true.  A new episode of the podcast is released every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
• The Cardinals will be without Jhonny Peralta for an extended period of time and they’ll need to replace his production somehow.  MLBTR’s Steve Adams took a detailed look at some potential replacements for the shortstop (?).  The free agent market doesn’t have many exciting names left, but Steve pointed out several interesting players that could be available via trade.
• Charlie Wilmoth kicked off MLBTR’s Offseason In Review series with a look back on the moves made by the Reds.
• Steve, a native Minnesotan, penned a detailed review of the Twins’ offseason moves.  The Twins’ deal of note, Steve writes, was a surprising one, as Minnesota won the bidding on first baseman Byung Ho Park.
• Many expected the Rockies to sell this offseason, but that’s not exactly how things played out.  Jeff looked back on Colorado’s somewhat surprising winter.
• MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes tipped his cap to White Sox GM Rick Hahn for an offseason in which the club improved its 2016 prospects without mortgaging its future.
• Steve reflected on the Indians’ offseason and the moves made by the club’s revamped front office.  On the whole, Steve isn’t so sure that the Tribe did enough to build around the team’s terrific pitching.
• The Brewers aren’t positioned to be world-beaters in 2016, but they do have a promising future, as Charlie writes.