MLBTR Originals
2014/01/mlbtr-originals-5.htmlStephen Drew (#14 on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list) could be in line for one of those three-year free agent contracts, and Tim used projections to examine the six teams who could use him the most. … Charlie asked MLBTR readers which team will sign Nelson Cruz (#17 on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list) and a plurality of you see…
Masahiro Tanaka Rumors: Sunday
2014/01/masahiro-tanaka-rumors-sunday.htmlEarlier today, we learned the Cubs are prepared to offer Masahiro Tanaka a nine-figure contract and a National League GM…
MLBTR Originals
2014/01/mlbtr-originals-1-3.htmlA look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the past seven days: Charlie Wilmoth opines it may be harder for sluggers like Nelson Cruz and Kendrys Morales (ranked #17 and #28, respectively, on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list) to take advantage of the riches of today's free agent market because their solid-but-not-elite bats are offset by their limited defensive value and being tied to draft pick compensation. … Charlie asked MLBTR readers which team will sign Stephen Drew (#14 on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list).
Brewers Benefit From Tanaka Waiting Game
2014/01/brewers-first-to-benefit-from-tanaka-waiting-game.html7 on Tim Dierkes' list of Top 50 free agents, while Nolasco came in at No. … Minnesota GM Terry Ryan bided his time in free agency last offseason and ultimately wound up with Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey as the only supplements to a rotation that clearly needed more.
Brewers Notes: Garza, Braun, Reynolds, Gorzelanny
2014/01/brewers-notes-garza-braun-reynolds-gorzelanny-payroll.htmlBrewers principal owner Mark Attanasio opened Brewers On Deck, the team's annual winter fan festival, earlier today by announcing the signing of right-hander Matt Garza (#7 on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list). … The four-year, $50MM contract also includes deferred money, $1MM per year in incentives, and a $13MM vesting option for 2018.
NL Notes: Bailey, Cruz, Espinosa, Phillies
2014/01/nl-notes-bailey-cruz-espinosa-phillies.htmlReds GM Walt Jocketty says he is not interested in signing free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz (#17 on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list) because he is tied to draft pick compensation, reports Sheldon.
Quick Hits: Mets, Drew, Bullpen, Nolan Ryan, Cards
2014/01/quick-hits-mets-drew-bullpen-nolan-ryan-cardinals.htmlFor those of you who entered MLBTR's annual free agenct prediction contest, be sure to check out the leaderboard to see where you stand with 39 of the top 50 free agents now under contract. … I know there's been a lot of speculation about Drew and the Mets, but at this point, that's what it remains -- speculation." Alderson likewise said that New York was not enamored with the possibility of giving out a big league deal for a free agent reliever.
MLBTR Originals
2014/02/mlbtr-originals-4.htmlA look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week: Jeff Todd examined the length and value of free agent contracts handed out over the last seven offseasons and found the length of free agent guarantees has risen quite substantially during this period. … Tim Dierkes was the first to report the Pirates signed shortstop Blake Davis to a minor league contract.
Poll: The Next Top 50 Free Agent To Sign
2014/02/poll-the-next-top-50-free-agent-to-sign.htmlDespite the fact that we're now into February, ten of MLBTR's Top 50 free agents remain free agents, as they've yet to find a contract that meets their desires this offseason. … Free agent deals can materialize very quickly at this juncture of the offseason, as we saw last week in deals for Top 50 free agents such as Matt Garza and Jason Hammel.
Bowden’s Latest: Free Agency, Scherzer, Drew, Lobaton
2014/02/bowdens-latest-free-agency-scherzer-drew-lobaton.htmlJim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio spoke with multiple agents and executives over the weekend and got contradictory takes on the reasons for so many top free agents remaining unsigned (ESPN Insider required and recommended). … Max Scherzer and Jon Lester are the two most likely candidates from next year's crop of free agent starting pitchers to sign an extension, Bowden writes.
MLBTR Originals
2014/02/mlbtr-originals-1-2.htmlSteve Adams asked MLBTR readers which of our remaining 2014 Top 50 Free Agents would sign next. … A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the last seven days: Zach Links spoke with…
MLBTR Originals
2014/02/mlbtr-originals-2.htmlTim learned three or four teams have serious interest in Ervin Santana (#6 on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list). … Tim reported agents are not pleased with the Rockies' pre-arbitration salary scale: the league minimun of $500K plus $1K for each service year.
Ervin Santana Rumors: Sunday
2014/03/ervin-santana-rumors-sunday.htmlHere's the latest on the top ranked free agent remaining on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list: Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters, including MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko (Twitter), GM Dan Duquette told him nothing is imminent on the Santana front. … 1500ESPN.com's Darren Wolfson tweets he's been told Santana isn't coming to Twins with the hangup being length of contract (Santana wants one year and the Twins want three years).
Offseason In Review: Minnesota Twins
2014/03/offseason-in-review-minnesota-twins.htmlDeal of Note Because Minnesota lacked the necessary resources to spend on free agents for much of the 90s and 2000s, Nolasco's deal represents a franchise-record investment, and in fact more than doubles the previous record (Josh Willingham's three-year, $21MM deal). … The Twins spent more money on free agency this offseason than they ever have in the past, but they received a devastating blow by losing a top prospect for the season as well.