Draftstreet Baseball Championship (Sponsored Post)
2012/06/draftstreet-baseball-championship-sponsored-post.htmlCongrats to "thatteamfromcle," who took home first place and now has a shot to win a seat in the Draftstreet Baseball Championship Main event. … He lived up to his username by taking Indians players such as Justin Masterson and Lonnie Chisenhall.
Heyman On Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox
2012/08/heyman-on-dodgers-phillies-red-sox.html"We feel like we have a better chance of being a championship club with those three guys at the top of the rotation," Amaro said. … "We're back to thinking about players in a baseball context," Colletti said.
Anthopoulos Talks Offseason Plans
2012/08/anthopoulos-talks-offseason-plans.htmlOffensively, I feel very good about it." The 35-year-old general manager went as far as to say his team's bullpen and offense, when healthy, have the makings of being "championship caliber." Toronto's starting rotation has been an area of concern for Anthopoulos as his starters have struggled with myriad health issues and performance on the field. … It's a lot easier going into an off-season when you have really one area to really attack, and every trade…
National League Notes: Huntington, Dickey, Scully
2012/08/national-league-notes-huntington-dickey-scully.html"I am so convinced of their great purpose and leadership that I eagerly look forward to joining them in pursuit…… The exercise of calling up players for the month of September has changed for Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, writes Karen Price of the Tribune-Review.
NL West Notes: Padres, D’Backs, Dodgers, Oswalt
2012/08/nl-west-notes-padres-diamondbacks-dodgers-oswalt.htmlManaging general partner Ken Kendrick told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he has “no problem competing with these folks." Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said "there is so much more to building a championship team than just exorbitant salaries." The Diamondbacks will be able to contend with the Dodgers if their young core of starting pitchers can stay healthy and perform, Piecoro writes. … If pitchers such as Tyler Skaggs, Wade Miley and Trevor Bauer can continue to pitch effectively as pre-arbitration eligible players, Arizona can spend elsewhere.
Braves Extend Frank Wren
2012/10/braves-extend-frank-wren.htmlWren will have at least two more seasons to bring a championship to Atlanta, as he has agreed to a contract extension through 2014. … Wren traded for players such as Jair Jurrjens and Michael Bourn, claimed Eric O'Flaherty off of waivers, and signed Brandon Beachy as a non-drafted free agent.
AL East Notes: Rays, Buck Showalter, Alex Rodriguez
2012/10/al-east-notes-rays-showalter-rodriguez-granderson.htmlLupica notes that the Cardinals made a shrewd business decision by letting Albert Pujols sign a $200MM+ contract elsewhere last winter and now find themselves in the championship hunt. … However, built-in and projected arbitration increases will cost them around $50MM to keep 17 players
Week In Review: 10/7/12 – 10/13/12
2012/10/week-in-review-10712-101312.htmlOn a day jammed full of American League and National League Championship Series games, let's take a break in the action to catch up on the week that was here at MLBTR... … Dickey beyond 2013 is one of his top offseason priorities, and formal contract negotiations with both players could begin next week.
Offseason Outlook: Baltimore Orioles
2012/10/offseason-outlook-baltimore-orioles-2.htmlBut Dan Duquette's plan worked, and the Orioles came within a game of playing for the American League championship. … Hardy, SS: $14MM through 2014 Brian Roberts, 2B: $10MM through 2013 Wei-Yin Chen, SP: $8MM through 2014 Tsuyoshi Wada, SP: $4.1MM through 2013 Dylan Bundy, SP: $3.7MM through 2015 Wilson Betemit, 3B: $1.75MM through 2013 Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries) Darren O'Day, RP: $2.2MM (third time eligible) Jim Johnson, RP: $6.9MM (third time eligible) Jason Hammel, SP: $6.5MM (third time eligible) Mark Reynolds, 1B: $8.9MM (third time eligible, non-tender candidate) Robert Andino, 2B: $1.8MM (second time eligible, non-tender candidate) Lew Ford, OF: $600K (second time eligible, non-tender candidate) Omar Quintanilla, IF: $800K (second time eligible, non-tender candidate) Nolan Reimold, OF: $1MM (first time eligible) Matt Wieters, C: $4.6MM (first time eligible) Chris Davis, OF: $3.3MM (first time eligible) Brian Matusz, RP: $1MM (first time eligible) Tommy Hunter, RP: $1.8MM (first time eligible) Troy Patton, RP: $800K (first time eligible) Taylor Teagarden, C: $800K (first time eligible, non-tender candidate) Steve Pearce, OF: $700K (first time eligible, non-tender candidate) Contract Options Mark Reynolds, 1B: $11MM club option with a $500K buyout Luis Ayala, RP: $1MM club option with a $100K buyout Free Agents Randy Wolf, Joe Saunders, Nate McLouth, Endy Chavez, Jim Thome, Nick Johnson, Bill Hall The moves that led the Orioles to their first postseason berth since 1997 weren't particularly splashy -- certainly not the sort of deals that generate much hype.
Week In Review: 10/21/12 – 10/27/12
2012/10/week-in-review-102112-102712.htmlThe victory marks the Giants' second championship in three seasons and gives the National League three straight World Series titles… Both pitchers were entering their third year of arbitration eligibility and both were seen as likely non-tender candidates by MLB.com's Tim Dierkes in his look at the Padres' arb-eligible players.
2013 Top 50 Free Agents With Predictions
2012/10/2013-top-50-free-agents-with-predictions-1.htmlIt's easy to picture GM Brian Sabean wanting to keep his top of the order Pagan-Marco Scutaro combination together fresh off a World Championship. … Once all top 50 players have signed, the winners will receive sweet prizes.
Diamondbacks Notes: Hill, Hall, Schmidt
2012/11/diamondbacks-notes-hill-hall-schmidt.htmlThe loss to the Yankees put the D'Backs down 3-2 in the Series, but the Snakes recovered to win the last two games (with Luis Gonzalez providing some ninth-inning magic of his own in Game Seven) to capture the franchise's first World Series championship. … D'Backs president and CEO Derrick Hall addressed a number of topics in a chat with fans on MLB.com, including how…
Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals
2012/11/offseason-outlook-st-louis-cardinals-2.htmlGuaranteed Contracts Yadier Molina, C: $74MM through 2017 Matt Holliday, OF: $69MM through 2016 Jaime Garcia, SP: $23.25MM through 2015 Carlos Beltran, OF: $13MM through 2013 Chris Carpenter, SP: $12.5MM through 2013 Adam Wainwright, SP: $12MM through 2013 Jake Westbrook, SP: $9.75MM through 2013 Rafael Furcal, SS: $7.5MM through 2013 Skip Schumaker, 2B: $1.5MM through 2013 Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries) Edward Mujica, RP: $3.2MM (third time eligible) Kyle McClellan, RP: $2.4MM (third time eligible, non-tender candidate) Jason Motte, RP: $4.7MM (second time eligible) David Freese, 3B: $2.6MM (first time eligible) Mitchell Boggs, RP: $1.3MM (first time eligible) Marc Rzepczynski, RP: $900K (first time eligible) Free Agents Kyle Lohse, Lance Berkman, Brian Fuentes No general manager begins an offseason by declaring that his team could contend for a championship as-is. … There's a collection of homegrown, pre-arbitration eligible position players who can really hit.
Offseason Outlook: Detroit Tigers
2012/11/offseason-outlook-detroit-tigers-2.htmlTigers president and GM Dave Dombrowski will focus on starting pitching and corner outfielders this offseason in an attempt to capture a championship for the first time since 1984. … Guaranteed Contracts Prince Fielder, 1B: $191MM through 2020 Miguel Cabrera, 3B: $65MM through 2015 Justin Verlander, SP: $40MM through 2014 Victor Martinez, DH: $25MM through 2014 Jhonny Peralta, SS: $6MM through 2013 Joaquin Benoit, RP: $5.5MM through 2013 Omar Infante, 2B: $4MM through 2013 Octavio Dotel, RP: $3.5MM through 2013 Ramon Santiago, IF: $2.1MM through 2013 Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries) Ryan Raburn, IF: $2.1MM (third time eligible, non-tender candidate) Max Scherzer, SP: $7.5MM (second time eligible) Rick Porcello, SP: $4.7MM (second time eligible) Phil Coke, RP: $1.7MM (second time eligible) Doug Fister, SP: $3.8MM (first time eligible) Austin Jackson, OF: $3.1MM (first time eligible) Alex Avila, C: $2.5MM (first time eligible) Brennan Boesch, OF: $2.1MM (first time eligible, non-tender candidate) Free Agents Delmon Young, Jose Valverde, Gerald Laird, Anibal Sanchez The Tigers, American League champions in 2012, don't need to change the complexion of their roster this offseason.
This Date In Transactions History: Marlins Fire Sale
2012/11/this-date-in-transactions-history-marlins-fire-sale.htmlThey did it immediately following their 1997 World Series win, then again a few years after bringing home the 2003 World Championship. … The 12-player blockbuster became official a week ago, leaving Miami with just three players scheduled to make $2MM+ in 2013.
Steinbrenner On Cano, Girardi, Payroll, Free Agents
2013/01/steinbrenner-on-cano-girardi-payroll-free-agents.html"I believe that you don’t have to have a $220 million payroll to win a world championship, and you shouldn’t have to," Steinbrenner said. … That said, Steinbrenner also left some room that the team's payroll could grow next year if the Yankees' young players don't perform as expected: "All I can continue to tell everyone is our commitment to the fans is never going to change.
NL Central Links: Kaepernick, Cubs, Rolen, Brewers
2013/01/nl-central-links-kaepernick-cubs-brewers-rolen.htmlColin Kaepernick is on the verge of a Super Bowl championship with the 49ers but he could've been a Chicago…… "It’s interesting because in the history of the draft, the best bets up top are position players because of the…
Avoiding The Qualifying Offer
2013/02/avoiding-the-qualifying-offer.htmlThis offseason many of our targets didn't require that, but it was a secondary benefit, not the driving factor in our pursuit." One NL exec I spoke to seemed less concerned about potentially losing a draft pick, saying, "If we really want the player and feel he can make the difference for us in having a championship club – or building toward a championship club – it’s not a significant factor. … However, another major factor for both players is that they received and turned down qualifying offers in November.
East Notes: Mets, Red Sox, Aceves, Yankees
2013/02/east-notes-1-5.htmlYankees second baseman Robinson Cano told reporters, including Bryan Hoch of MLB.com (via Twitter), that he's not thinking about his next contract and is only focused on winning another championship. … In a meeting with his players today, Mets manager Terry Collins told his team that just because they don't have eight players making $20MM doesn't mean that they can't win, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post (on Twitter).
How Often Are Vesting Options Triggered?
2013/02/vesting-options.htmlAramis Ramirez, Cubs: $16MM option did not vest since he was not traded or named MVP of either the regular season or League Championship Series. … Vesting options often appeal to both teams and players.
Pierre Glad To Return To Miami
2013/02/despite-turmoil-veteran-pierre-glad-to-be-in-miami.htmlSo, all you can do is make the best out of it.” Pierre played three seasons with the Marlins from 2003-2005, playing a key role on their World Championship winning team in 2003. … Juan Pierre was one of the few people not outraged by the Miami Marlins' blockbuster 12-player trade that sent high-priced players Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson to Toronto over the winter.
Quick Hits: Contreras, Indians, Marlins, Yankees
2013/02/quick-hits-contreras-indians-marlins-yankees.htmlAfter Brian Sabean traded Matt Williams to the Indians for a package that included eventual San Francisco cornerstone Jeff Kent, the public reaction against the newly minted Giants general manager was so strong that he felt compelled to declare: “I’m not an idiot.” Sixteen years later, with two World Championships under Sabean’s belt, MLB.com’s Tracy Ringolsby writes that he “has proven that, emphatically.” Sabean still abides by the credo he adopted while working for George Steinbrenner: “keep your head down and do your job.” Here are some notes on teams hoping to dethrone Mr. … MLBTR has labeled Cervelli as out of options from the start; check out our full list of players here.
Offseason In Review: New York Yankees
2013/03/offseason-in-review-new-york-yankees-2.htmlNo other franchise spent as aggressively, and it was difficult to argue with the results: five championships since 1996. … The Yankees added a number of accomplished but aging position players in Ichiro Suzuki, Kevin Youkilis, Travis Hafner and Juan Rivera.
Why I Chose My Agency: Jeremy Affeldt
2013/03/why-i-chose-my-agency-jeremy-affeldt.htmlGiants reliever Jeremy Affeldt has been a Moye Sports Associates, Inc., client since 1999, and signed a three-year $18MM contract with the Giants shortly after their 2012 World Series Championship. … What sets Moye apart from other agents? Several GMs have told me that Mike has a real bulldog mentality when it comes to representing his players in the negotiating room, but that he's one of the best guys to work with as well.
Quick Hits: Mariners, Steinbrenner, Ricco, Tigers
2013/03/quick-hits-mariners-steinbrenner-ricco-tigers.htmlCongratulations to the Dominican Republic for capturing its first World Baseball Classic title, gaining a 3-0 victory over Puerto Rico…… Mets assistant GM John Ricco talks to Alexander Hyacinthe of Metsblog about how the team views the 2013 season and what they expect from their young core players in the coming year.