MLBTR Originals

A look back at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR team this week.

• Ben Nicholson-Smith continued the 2013 Contract Issues series by examining several NL clubs:  Cardinals, Pirates, Brewers, Astros, Reds, Cubs, Nationals, Phillies, & Mets.
• Ben also identified Cole Hamels and Jose Mijares as possible trade candidates. Some teams might have interest in Mijares as a specialist against left-handed hitters.
• Mark Polishuk discussed the possibility of a contract extension between Melky Cabrera and the Giants.
• Ben took a look at how the 2011 non-tenders are contributing with their new teams.
• Zach Links revisited the acrimonious split between the Mets and Rickey Henderson 12 years ago.
• Ben provided a brief primer on how free agent compensation works under baseball's new collective bargaining agreement.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• MLBTR first reported outfielder Nick Weglarz cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR team this week..

• MLBTR was the first to learn that the Royals signed 36-year-old left-hander Doug Davis to a minor league deal.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith profiled some potential heirs to Bud Selig’s throne.
• It’s a Make Or Break Year for Kevin Youkilis, Mike Axisa writes.
• I looked back at the trade that sent Dave Winfield from the Yankees to the Angels.  The veteran outfielder had ten-and-five rights and used his leverage to extract a new contract out of the Halos.
• The Rockies, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, and Padres were profiled in our 2013 Contract Issues series.
• This season will be telling for Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, writes Mark Polishuk.
• Goodness gracious, it’s been five years since Roger Clemens returned to the Yankees.
• Mike compiled the best of the web in this week’s installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben had the wheel this week for our chat.

Here's a look at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR writing team this week..

• Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke with Carlos Villanueva about his role with the MLBPA.
• Earlier in the week, Jason Frasor told Ben that he was on board with the changes to the CBA.
• Dan Mennella looked at closers with 2013 options with a very preliminary look at whether they will be picked up.
• Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers how the Yankees should go about replacing Mariano Rivera in 2012 and more than 57% of you said that the club should turn the job over to David Robertson rather than giving it to Rafael Soriano or making a trade.
• Dan brought us the interesting and little-known story of Herb Washington.
• Ben brought us updates on converted relievers that have been brought into starting roles.
• This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In included items on Rivera, Huston Street, and Albert Pujols.
• Check out the transcript of our weekly chat hosted by BN-S.
• Mark Polishuk described Bryan LaHair as having "quality sleeper potential" in a column for Roto Authority back in January, but didn't expect him to blossom into a trade candidate.
• Here's a refresher on our commenting policy.  Play nice, everyone.  We're also looking for folks to help us enforce our rules as moderators.
• More than 51% of MLBTR readers believe that Johnny Damon will prove to be the best minor league DH signing over Hideki Matsui, Manny Ramirez, and Vladimir Guerrero.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR Writing Team this week..

• Matt Swartz looked back at the 2012 arbitration projections.
• If he can stay healthy, Erik Bedard can be a serious trade candidate, writes Dan Mennella.
• If you don't remember Dock Ellis' stint with the A's, you're probably not alone.  I looked back at the trade that put the pitcher in Oakland for roughly two months.
• The Yankees restructured their rotation with trades, free agent signings and an extension this past offseason and Tim recapped their winter.
• Jake Peavy could be on the move this summer, writes Mike Axisa.
• The Brett Myers trade rumors have been circulating for a while, and there’s no reason to expect them to slow down between now and trade deadline, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• What's next for Bobby Abreu?  Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers if the veteran will land a major league or minor league deal and the results were pretty much split.
• Check out the transcript for this week's chat hosted by BN-S.
• There's a new version of the Baseball Trade Rumors app for the iPhone – get it today!
• It could be time for the Braves to consider an extension for Brandon Beachy.
• I asked MLBTR readers if they believe the Giants will extend Tim Lincecum.  61% of readers don't think that San Fran will get it done.
• Mike checked in on the players who have vesting options for the 2013 season.
• It's a Make Or Break Year for Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens, writes Mike.
• Ben writes that Grant Balfour could bring in a sizable haul for the A's this year.
• Dan looked back on Billy Martin's fourth stint as Yankees skipper.
• I profiled the Graig Nettles trade that was prompted by the content of the third baseman's book.
• Mike rounded up the best of the web in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

A look at this week’s original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR team..

• Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at the top arbitration eligible catchers for 2013.
• Mike Axisa put together a list of players claimed off of waivers since the start of the offseason and are now contributing at the big league level.
• Ben compiled a list of the top young pitchers without extensions.
• The specifics of Madison Bumgarner’s five-year, $35MM extension were somewhat surprising, Ben writes.
• James Loney’s late-season tear in 2011 likely saved his job with the Dodgers, but this will be a Make Or Break Year for the first baseman, Mike writes.
• I asked MLBTR readers if they like the Erick Aybar extension from the Angels’ perspective and the results were just about split.
• BN-S examined how much Super Two status is worth.
• Ben had the wheel for our chat on Wednesday.
• With enough interested parties, larger offers wouldn’t be out of the question for Francisco Liriano.  A repeat of his 2011 numbers, however, would likely relegate Liriano to a one-year deal, writes Steve Adams.
• The Astros welcomed a new owner, hired a new GM and agreed to switch leagues this past offseason.
• There are three players who will soon have their ten and five rights kick in.
• Mike rounded up the best from around the baseball blogosphere for this week’s edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Here’s a list of all the ways you can enjoy MLBTR.

Here's a look at the original reporting and analysis delivered by the MLBTR writing staff this week..

• Several contenders are already dealing with injuries in the bullpen and it seems likely that trade suitors will be checking in with the Padres on Huston Street, writes Dan Mennella.
• Dan checked in on the free agent stock of Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier.
• This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In includes pieces on Derek Jeter, Jason Bay, and the Rays.
• It's a Make Or Break Year for Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind, writes Mark Polishuk.
• Nearly 62% of MLBTR readers don't think that Josh Hamilton will play for the Rangers in 2013.
• Delmon Young's representatives at Wasserman Media Group will seek a multi-year deal if he replicates his 2010 performance but he'll be limited to one-year offers if he doesn't perform.  It's an important season for Young, Ben Nicholson-Smith writes.
• More than 9,000 of you weighed in on Mike's poll asking if the Phillies will sign Cole Hamels to an extension and the votes were just about split.
• Ben conducted MLBTR's weekly chat and you can check out the transcript right here.
• Mike writes that fair or not, the Yankees are going to have to give Robinson Cano a larger contract than what Ian Kinsler and Brandon Phillips received if they intend to keep him beyond next season.
• Ben wrapped up the Offseason In Review series with a look at the Indians.
• Want a rundown of all of MLBTR's regular features?  We got you covered.
• Ben looked at recent extensions for pre-arbitration eligible players.
• Mike Pelfrey could be in for a big payday if he delivers in 2012, Mike writes.
• I asked MLBTR readers when they expect the Dodgers to start contending and most see next season being the turning point for Los Angeles.

This week's original analysis and reporting from the MLBTR team..

• Tim Dierkes and Ben Nicholson-Smith were the first to report that Joey Votto and the Reds were nearing agreement on a long-term extension.  The first baseman inked a ten-year, $225MM deal with Cincinnati.
• Ben spoke with John Smoltz about National League pitchers coming back from injury this year.
• Tim was the first to learn that free agent designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero changed agencies from SFX to Proformance.  MLBTR's Agency Database offers a complete, updated look at Proformance's client list.
• We wrapped up the Offseason In Review series with examinations of the Rangers, Twins, White Sox, and the Dodgers. 
• The 30 Opening Day starters aren't the 30 best pitchers in the game, but their managers do consider them the best arms currently available.  Ben put together a list of the pitchers who got the nod on Opening Day and how they got there.
• Five MLBTR writers gave their predictions for 2012.  We'll check back in November and see who comes out on top.
• On this week nine years ago, the Red Sox picked up Pedro Martinez's option well before they had to.
• Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In features pieces on Joey Votto, Matt Cain, and Alex Gordon.
• Nearly 30% of MLBTR readers agree that the Angels are baseball's most improved team.
• Mike updated the list of the largest contracts in draft history.  Stephen Strasburg, of course, has the most lucrative major league contract.
• Ben updated the list of record contracts by position.
• MLBTR is increasing efforts to enforce our commenting policy.  You can get reacquainted with the rules here.
• Ben ran our weekly chat this week – if you missed out on it, you can take a look back at the transcript.
• Phil Hughes is still only 25 years old but this is a Make Or Break Year for the Yankees' right-hander, Mike writes.

Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis from MLBTR's writing team this week..

• Tim Dierkes reported that Red Sox lefty Jon Lester and Rangers reliever Mike Adams changed agencies to follow former SFX agent Josh Yates over to ACES.
• Our Offseason In Review series continued with looks at the Pirates, Nationals, Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, and Tigers.
• Nineteen years ago this week, Charlie Brown went yard on the great-grandaughter of Roy Hobbs.  Mike Axisa commemorated this historic moment with a look at some of the best stuff from around the web in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. 
• On Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith fielded your questions for MLBTR's weekly chat.  You can check out the transcript right here.
• This is a Make Or Break Year for Twins right-hander Scott Baker, Mike writes.
• Mike Axisa gave us an update on this year's Rule 5 draft picks.
• If you're looking for an extra edge in your fantasy league, RotoAuthority.com needs to be among your daily reads.  Tim recapped some of the best reads from the staff this week.

A recap of all of the original analysis and reporting from MLBTR’s staff this week..

• Tim was the first to report that Derek Holland’s new deal with the Rangers covering the 2012-16 seasons will include two team options.
• Pitching prospect Rafael DePaula agreed to sign with the Yankees for $500K in November, 2010, but hasn’t had a visa until now, so the deal hasn’t been completed. Agent Charisse Espinosa-Dash told MLBTR this week that DePaula has his visa and that the original deal is expected to go through once the Dominican right-hander passes a physical.
• Matt Wieters hit .262/.328/.450 with 22 homers for the Orioles in 2011 and was named to his first All-Star Game.  Mike Axisa examined what it might take for the O’s to sign him to a new deal.
• This is a make or break year for 28-year-old Kendrys Morales, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Our Offseason In Review series continued with looks at the Cardinals, Mariners, Rockies, Royals, Brewers, Marlins, Blue Jays, Angels, Diamondbacks, and Mets.
• The Royals seek catching depth following Salvador Perez’s left knee operation, and GM Dayton Moore could look for replacements in a number of places, Ben writes.
• Six franchises that haven’t appeared in a postseason game in the last ten years: the Mariners, Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates, Royals and Nationals/Expos.  Ben asked our readers which franchise will end their franchise drought and a whopping 49% chose the Nationals.
• Mike’s latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In features pieces on Andy Pettitte’s comeback, Joakim Soria, and the Alberto Callaspo trade market.
• Ben noted that 18 of the pitchers in projected rotations around MLB are at least 35 years of age or will turn 35 at some point in 2012.
• BN-S had the wheel for MLBTR’s chat on Wednesday.
• If you prefer your MLBTR fix limited to only your favorite team, we’ve got you covered.

A look back at the original analysis churned out by the MLBTR team over the past week …

• Ben Nicholson-Smith offers insight into the timeline for calling up prospects, and how it affects their arbitration and free-agent clocks.
• A handful of veterans who signed minor league deals are in line for $100K bonuses, explains Mark Polishuk.
• Dan Duquette spent his first offseason as O's GM focused on building rotation depth, writes Ben. 
• Which players will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after the 2012 season? Ben compiles a comprehensive list.
• For a transcript of the weekly MLBTR Chat, with Ben, click here.
• Ben looks at the Phillies' offseason, which netted them another high-priced, high-end talent.
• A relatively quiet offseason for the Giants was not without its interesting subtleties, writes Tim Dierkes.
• A busy offseason for the Reds that included the acquisition of front-line starter in Mat Latos gets the review treatment by Ben.
• The Athletics' offseason, perhaps highlighted by the signing of Yoenis Cespedes, is reviewed by Ben.
• Tim looks back at the Rays' offseason, one in which Tampa interestingly enhanced its lineup through free agency.
• The popular Baseball Blogs Weigh In makes its weekly appearance, courtesy of Mike Axisa. Topics in the linked pieces include the Royals' recent trend of signing young players to multiyear extensions, and a possible extension for Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, among many others.
• Mike examines the respective trade candidacies of Padres right-handers Tim Stauffer and Dustin Moseley.
• After an offseason in which several good young pitchers were traded, Mike asks readers which one yielded the best return.