MLBTR Originals

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR over the last week:

• MLBTR's Tim Dierkes was the first to report Roy Oswalt is working out and waiting for the right offer from a contender, and does not have a geographic preference.
• MLBTR was the first to learn the Dodgers released infielder Dallas McPherson.
• MLBTR correspondent B.J. Rains examined the pros and cons of signing a pre-arbitration contract extension with a trio of Nationals: Denard Span, Kurt Suzuki and Gio Gonzalez.
• There were three installments of the Why I Chose My Agency series this week:  Ryan Ludwick on Dan Horwits and the Beverly Hills Sports Council (by Zach Links), Ted Lilly on Larry O'Brien and Full Circle Sports Management (by B.J. Rains), and Ike Davis on Lou Jon Nero of Octagon (by Tim Dierkes).  With the Davis piece, the Mets' first baseman revealed he has not been approached by the team about a long-term extension.
• Steve Adams continued the Transaction Retrospection series with a look back at the Ubaldo Jimenez trade.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith reminisced with Randy Johnson's agent Barry Meister about the Big Unit's free agency after the 1998 season.
• Mark Polishuk explored the paramenters of a contract extension for the Indians' Michael Brantley.
• Charlie Wilmoth discussed the likelihood of a contract extension between Josh Reddick and the A's.
• Ben reviewed the offseason of the White Sox, Royals, Rangers, Astros, A's, and Angels while Tim did so with the Phillies.  
• Charlie asked MLBTR readers to select the most one-sided trade of the past decade. The top choice (21%) was the 2007 deal where the Rangers acquired Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Beau Jones from the Braves for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay.
• Ben hosted this week's chat.
• Zach compiled this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Want the latest rumors for your favorite team? Check out MLBTR's team-by-team links for Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.

Longtime agent Bob Garber has successfully bought back RMG.  Garber bought out his partners earlier this year, regaining control of his business.  Garber retained all of his clients in the amicable sale.  He represents players such as C.J. Wilson, Roy Oswalt, Mike Fiers, Craig Gentry, Collin Cowgill, Brendan Harris, Tommy Field, and J.D. Martinez, among others.

Garber had sold his company to Select Sports Group in 2010.  As of 2013, he was able to buy it back without any of the lawsuits or drama that often come with this type of situation.

You can keep track of the representation for over 1,000 players with MLBTR's agency database.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• Steve Adams continued the Transaction Retrospection series by revisiting the Brewers acquisition of Zack Greinke from the Royals.
• MLBTR continued its series examining the arbitration process from the player's persepective with B.J. Rains' profile of Dan Uggla's experience with the Marlins.
• The Why I Chose My Agency series continued with Tim Dierkes discussing Paul Kinzer and Kinzer Management Group with Aramis Ramirez and B.J. Rains asking Cody Ross about his relationship with SFX and his primary agents Mike Milchin and Mark Pieper.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith reviewed the offseason of the Twins, Indians, and Tigers while Tim did likewise with the Mets.
• MLBTR correspondent B.J. Rains spoke with Dan Haren about his offseason, which featured his first foray into free agency and almost being traded to the Cubs.
• Zach Links asked MLBTR readers to name the Diamondbacks' best transaction this offseason. More than 41% of you believe the best move by GM Kevin Towers was signing Brandon McCarthy to a two-year, $15MM contract.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.
• Zach assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR.
• Teams and players often agree to contract extensions during Spring Training, so be sure to use MLBTR's Extension Tracker to keep abreast of the latest deals. 

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• Steve Adams presented another Transaction Retrospection with a look back at the Cubs' acquisition of Matt Garza.
• The Why I Chose My Agency series continued with B.J. Rains speaking with Adam Wainwright about his agent Steve Hammond.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith finished the offseason review of the AL East by profiling the Blue Jays and Red Sox, while Tim Dierkes began the NL East offseason review with the Braves and Marlins.
• Ben asked MLBTR readers how the Yankees should fill the void created by injuries to Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira. Only 32% of you believe GM Brian Cashman should stand pat and rely upon internal options.
• Tim asked MLBTR readers how much the Angels should have paid Mike Trout. Just under 43% of you would have renewed the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP runner-up for $1MM or more. 
• Zach Links asked MLBTR readers whose 2014 option will vest and more than 29% of you predict Jamey Carroll will be a Twin again next year.
• Ben hosted the weekly live chat.
• Zach gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Here's the schedule for MLBTR's roster of regular features and exactly what to expect from them.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• MLBTR continued its six-week series examining the arbitration process from the player's persepective with B.J. Rains' profile of Jeff Mathis' experience with the Angels.
• Steve Adams inaugurated a new MLBTR series called Transaction Retrospection with his look at last year's Andrew Bailey–Josh Reddick trade.
• The Why I Chose My Agency series continued with Tim Dierkes discussing Matt Sosnick and Sosnick Cobbe Sports with Jay Bruce, B.J. Rains speaking with David Wright about the Levinson brothers and ACES, and Dave Pond doing likewise with Jeremy Affeldt about Mike Moye and Moye Sports Associates, Inc. 
• Ben Nicholson-Smith reviewed the offseason of the Rays, Orioles, Yankees.
• Tim asked 17 top front office executives what one piece of advice they would give a high school student hoping for a career in baseball operations.  
• MLBTR was the first to learn Bobby Cassevah elected free agency after being outrighted by the Angels and was the first to report the right-hander signed a minor league deal with the Rockies and will report to Major League Spring Training.
• Tim updated the list of 2015 MLB free agents and provided his analysis of the class.
• Zach Links examined the players with 2014 vesting options and how they can be exercised.
• Ben asked MLBTR readers which of the seven teams with fewer than 70 wins in 2012 will improve the most in 2013. Nearly 39% of you believe the Indians will be this year's bounceback team. None received more votes than the Marlins, Astros, and Rockies combined.
• Five players signed nine-figure contracts this offseason and Mark Polishuk asked MLBTR readers which one will best live up to the investment. You were split between Evan Longoria (36%) and Felix Hernandez (34%).
• Zach asked MLBTR readers whether the Yankees will be able to lower their payroll to avoid the luxury tax in 2014. More than 63% of you believe they will exceed the $189MM threshold.
• Tim outlined the various options available to the Yankees in their quest to replace Curtis Granderson.
• Ben listed the teams with open 40-man roster spots.
• Zach revisted the notable transactions from March 2012.
• Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• Zach put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

It's an email that lands in the MLBTR inbox often: an ambitious high school student dreams of being a Major League GM one day, and asks us for advice.  I decided to ask a bunch of people who would know: current GMs and assistant GMs.  Top execs from 17 teams responded to MLBTR's query: What one piece of advice would you give to a high school student who hopes to work in baseball operations one day? 

Get around the game as much as you can.  There's no substitute for watching and talking baseball.  You've got to love the game enough to want the lifestyle that comes with it, and the family sacrifices on the back end.  Play as long as you can, go to as many games at all levels as possible, talk to whomever you come across, and read what you can. The market is increasingly flooded with job applicants with analytical backgrounds.  The way to differentiate yourself is your feel for the game, and your people skills — a good education and analytic skill set aren't enough.  – Jon Daniels, Rangers General Manager

Play baseball until someone tears the jersey off your back.  - Dan Duquette, Orioles Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations

1. Read mlbtraderumors.com daily. 2. Play as long as you can. 3. Watch as many games as you can. To tie points #2 and #3 together, I do think it is important to learn by watching and playing…not just studying the game.  - Josh Byrnes, Padres Executive Vice President, General Manager

Follow your passion.  As much as anything these jobs are a way of life that often require both resiliency and unconditional love of the game.  In the end all types of skill sets and backgrounds work – but those that are rooted in true passion for the game are those that will last the longest.  – Jerry Dipoto, Angels General Manager

Study hard! If you are a player, study the game and players.  Seek out experienced coaches and managers, to learn to evaluate players and teams.  Spend time with scouts to understand how they evaluate and what is important to them in their position.  Study the use of analytical data to combine with your baseball knowledge.  If you do not play, study the game and statistics.  A statistical background will help you get in the door for an interview.  In today’s front office, it’s a prerequisite.  Go to as many games as possible, ask your high school coach if you can be the team assistant. Experience the game as closely as possible.  You need to know the common language of the game to increase your credibility.  Overall, understand that a career in baseball is a constant learning experience and the game changes.  Be open-minded to learn throughout your career.  - Bill Geivett, Rockies Sr. Vice President – Major League Operations

It’s like anything else in life: prepare in case the opportunity comes, but do not assume or expect anything will happen.  There is no magical formula to find work in baseball operations and there are so many qualified individuals who don’t get opportunities.  I think if you ask anybody who works in baseball operations they will tell you that luck, even in the form of just being in the right place at the right time, played a big part in their career.  The key is to put yourself in the best position possible and be prepared so that if fortune smiles upon you that you are able to make the most of that opportunity.  – John Coppolella, Braves Assistant General Manager

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A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• MLBTR began a six-week series examining the arbitration process from the player's persepective with B.J. Rains' profile of Kyle Lohse's arb experience with the Twins.
• MLBTR started a second series: Why I Chose My Agency. The Cardinals' Matt Holliday spoke with B.J. Rains about why he engaged the services of Scott Boras and the Boras Corporation.
• Mark Polishuk examined the market for Kyle Lohse.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith listed the oldest $100MM players.
• Steve Adams sees 2013 as a make or break year for Josh Johnson.
• Mark wrote Tim Lincecum has been a huge part of the Giants' recent past and his 2013 season will likely determine if he is part of the team's future.
• Ben charted the service time considerations for the top prospects in baseball.
• Zach Links analyzed how often vesting options are exercised using the past three years as a sample.
• Ben asked MLBTR readers which 90-win team from 2012 will disappoint in 2013. More than 56% of you believe either the Orioles or Yankees will take that step backwards.
• Marlins outfielder Juan Pierre told MLBTR correspondent B.J. Rains it was a no-brainer for him to return to Miami and winning will help the front office heal all wounds in South Florida.
• Ben hosted this week's chat.
• Zach compiled this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Want the latest rumors for your favorite team? Check out MLBTR's team-by-team links for Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week, as pitchers and catchers reported to the various training camps throughout Arizona and Florida:

• Tim Dierkes previewed next offseason's class of free agents with the first installment of MLBTR's 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings series.
• Tim listed the players on 40-man rosters who have less than five years service time and are out of minor league options.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.
• Zach Links assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Here's the schedule for MLBTR's roster of weekly features and exactly what to expect from them.
• There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR.