MLBTR Originals

Here's look back at the original pieces we published here at MLBTR this week..

• This week we completed our analysis of the arbitration eligible players for all 30 teams, over 200 players in total.  You can check out the complete series right here.  Some of the biggest names in the series include Tim Lincecum, Matt Kemp, Cole Hamels, Hunter Pence, Clayton Kershaw, David Price, and Jacoby Ellsbury.  
• We’ve been bringing you closer to the those who were identified by their peers as potential Major League GMs with a series of interviews.  Recently, Tim Dierkes caught up with A.J. Preller, the Rangers' senior director of player personnel.
• The upcoming class of free agents figures to present an interesting study in the way teams are evaluating relievers these days, writes Dan Mennella.  Mennella looks at this winter's available closers and how they were used in 2011.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith brought us the service time breakdown for the Angels' Mike Trout.  If the Angels want to keep Trout under their control for an extra year, they could option him to the minor leagues for the season's first three months.  In doing so, they'd ensure that Trout doesn't pick up more than 88 days of service in 2011.
• Non-tender candidate Hong-Chih Kuo went from being one of the most dominant bullpen arms in the game last September to taking about retirement this September, writes Mike Axisa.
• Tim Dierkes examined the free agent and trade market for catchers this winter.  The Rays, Angels, Pirates, and Twins may seek help at catcher this winter, and none of the available players should be expensive to acquire.
• Do you prefer your MLBTR fix to be limited to only your favorite team?  Don't worry, we've got you covered.  Check out the links to our team Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the best baseball talk from around the web in this week's installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Diamondbacks lefty Joe Saunders sounds like a non-tender candidate, based on comments GM Kevin Towers made this week.  We asked you to weigh in on whether or not Saunders would be offered a contract in 2012 and votes were split right down the middle.
• The Rays have plenty of pitching depth to work with this winter and may use that to upgrade their offense.  We also gave our Offseason Outlook on the Pirates, White Sox, Angels, Mets, Blue Jays, and Rockies.
• Finally, if you missed out on our Wednesday chat, you can check out the transcript right here.

Here's a look at the original content produced by the MLBTR team this week:

• Tim Dierkes looked at Freddy Garcia's free agent stock and concluded that he's still in line for a one-year deal with a base salary under $5MM.
• Mike Axisa identified Elvis Andrus as an extension candidate and suggested that Ian Kinsler and Alexei Ramirez could serve as comparables.
• Just over 57% of the readers who responded thought that Heath Bell would receive a larger contract than Ryan Madson in a poll conducted by Tim.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith was at the helm for this week's MLBTR Chat.
• Tim and Ben drew up Offseason Outlooks for the Royals, Padres, Nationals, Orioles, and Athletics.
• Mike took a look around the blogosphere in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Mark Polishuk ran down a list of managers and GMs that are preparing to enter their contract year.
• Tim kept his Arbitration Eligibles series rolling with a look at the Rockies, Reds, Dodgers, Giants.

Here's a look back at some of the analysis and reporting MLBTR's writing team delivered this week..

• Seven years ago this week, the Tigers claimed Colby Lewis off of waivers from the Rangers, writes Mike Axisa.  Lewis is set to start Game Three for Texas on Tuesday but was little more than a failed prospect back then.
• We asked MLBTR readers what they think Jorge Posada will do this offseason.  68% of you think that he'll retire, 24% say that he'll sign elsewhere, and just 9% see him coming back to the Yankees.
• With an aggressive approach in free agency and some successful midseason trades, GM Dave Dombrowski turned the the Tigers into a playoff team.  Ben Nicholson-Smith took a look at how the Tigers acquired their newest additions.
• The MLBTR GM Candidate series continued with a look at Logan White, the Dodgers’ assistant GM of scouting. 
• This week we kicked off the Offseason Outlook for the Twins, Mariners, Cubs, Marlins, and Astros.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the best baseball analysis from around the web in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• If you missed out on our weekly chat, you can check out the transcript right here.
• Service time could be a factor in whether or not Matt Moore is on the Rays to start the 2012 season, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Tim Dierkes checked in on the stock of free-agent-to-be Clint Barmes.  If the Astros fail to sign Barmes, he could be a more affordable alternative for the Twins, Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, Cardinals, or Giants.     
• The best in-season trade made by a playoff team was the Phillies' acquisition of Hunter Pence, according to 42% of MLBTR readers.
• In total, the Rangers obtained nine of the 25 players on their ALDS roster since last year.
• The prevailing opinion is that Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia will opt out of the remaining four years and $92MM remaining on his contract, since he could easily get more money or years.  We asked you how much the lefty's next contract will be worth.  Opinions were split but 1,372 MLBTR readers (18%) say that his next deal will be worth $121-130MM.
• The Padres, Cubs, and Nationals were profiled in our Arbitration Eligibles series.
• The fatal flaw with Theo Epstein's disappointing 2011 Red Sox club was starting pitching, which prompted Tim Dierkes to investigate his work assembling rotations.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith took a look at how baseball's newest $100MM players fared in 2011.
• Need a refresher on non-tenders?  Don't worry, we got you covered.
• Before the season, MLBTR writers identified 13 players who were set for 'make or break' years.  We checked in on them now that the regular season's over.

Here's a look back at some of the original content from the MLBTR team this past week:

• Tim Dierkes took a look at Josh Willingham's free agent stock and determined he could bring in something in the neighborhood of $16MM over two years.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith provided a free agent arbitration primer for our readers.
• Ben also provided a final update on this year's Rule 5 Draft picks.
• Ben looked at a pair of shortstops when he examined Marco Scutaro's 2012 option and finished his two-part look at Jose Reyes' September. He concluded the Red Sox will pick up Scutaro's option and that Reyes played well enough in his return from the disabled list to keep his hopes for $100MM alive.
• Following the Ozzie Guillen trade this week, Howard Megdal took a look at historical returns that teams have received for managers.
• Luke Adams looked at how the American League playoff teams acquired their starting pitchers and then did the same with the National League playoff teams.
• Ben looked at in-season trades made by this year's playoff teams.
• Tim continued his Arbitration Eligibles series with entries on the Phillies, Mets, Astros, and Pirates.
• Mike Axisa ran down some of the best content from around the blogosphere in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• With several managerial decisions coming this offseason, Ben looked at 2011's group of first year managers.
• Tim had the reins for this week's MLBTR Chat.
• This year's Elias Rankings are available exclusively on MLBTR, courtesy of Eddie Bajek, who reverse-engineered the formula.

Here's a look back at some of the analysis and reporting MLBTR's writing team delivered this week..

• Phillies starter Roy Oswalt is no longer considering retirement after this season, but the Phillies probably won't exercise their end of his $16MM mutual option for 2012.  Dan Mennella examined his stock heading into free agency this winter.
• Tim Dierkes writes that Michael Cuddyer could find three years and $30MM on the open market this winter.  If the Twins want to hang on to him they might have to offer something in the three-year, $27MM range.
• Howard Megdal wonders if owners and GMs learn from bad contracts.
• We took a look back at four MLBTR polls from the month of February to see how everyone did.
• Francisco Rodriguez is gearing up for his second venture into free agency and he might seek out a one-year deal so that he can hit the open market again next year, writes Dan Mennella.
• Mark Polishuk reviewed Moneyball to see how Michael Lewis' book fits the silver screen.
• On Saturday, Mike Axisa rounded up the best from the web for this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• On Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith examined Boston's starting pitching options as they continue their late season slide.
• Our GM Candidates series continued as Ben Nicholson-Smith talked to Matt Klentak who serves as the Orioles' director of baseball operations.  You can check out the entire series here.
• If the Giants allow Jeremy Affeldt to hit free agency this offseason instead of picking up the veteran left-hander’s $5MM option for 2012, his job prospects will probably be promising.
• Ben also examined the free agent stock of Cody Ross.
• If you missed out on Tim Dierkes' weekly chat, you can take a look at the transcript right here.
• The Arbitration Eligibles series rolled on with a look at the Rangers, Marlins, and Braves.
• Jonathan Broxton has been sidelined with right arm problems since May 3rd and when he returns there’s a good chance we’ll see a different kind of pitcher.  Now, a one-year, incentive-based deal seems likely for the hurler, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• There have been seventeen $100MM+ contracts signed in free agency and we asked our readers how many they expect to be inked this winter.
• This week we posted a handy list of links to our team Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.

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

• Mike Axisa gathered the best from around the web in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• With a number of closing jobs opening up around baseball, Ryan Madson’s job prospects are promising, writes Ben Nichsolon-Smith.
• Ben also looked at the free agent prospects of Javier Vazquez and revisited the Felipe Paulino for Clint Barmes swap.
• On Wednesday, Tim Dierkes outlined the Ten Best Minor League Deals Of The Year of 2011.  It's no surprise that Bartolo Colon of the Yankees tops the list.
• Jacoby Ellsbury is in line for a raise in arbitration this winter, but how much can the 28-year-old expect to come away with?
• We outlined the Angels, Athletics, and Royals in our Arbitration Eligibles series this week.  You can check out all of our Arbitration Eligibles posts right here.
• Here are our predictions on the options of 15 relievers coming up this winter.
• Our latest Elias Rankings projections are up, and 26 free agents are in line for Type A status. 
• Under GM John Mozeliak, the Cardinals have been the lone team to embrace September extensions, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• There are a number of potential suitors for Jose Reyes but only four appear to be clear fits. We also previewed the market for third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
• Here's a handy post which outlines the many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors.
• Did you miss our weekly chat?  Don't fret, you can check out the transcript right here.
• Tim Dierkes took a look at the ACES agency, which has a strong record of securing multiyear deals.
• Here at MLBTR, we're bringing you closer to this year's GM candidates with a series of pieces.  This week we caught up with De Jon Watson and John Coppolella.

Here's a look back at the original content we published this week at MLBTR …

• Mike Axisa took a look at the impending free agency of Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman.
• We're all about player movement here at MLBTR but Ben Nicholson-Smith ran down the five non-moves that shaped the 2011 season.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Yankees scouting director and GM candidate Damon Oppenheimer.
• The Arbitration Eligibles series continued with posts on the Tigers, White Sox, Indians, and Twins.
• Twenty position players and ten starting pitchers face contractual options this winter and Tim Dierkes laid out his predictions for all of them.
• We collected the best baseball analysis from around the web in our weekly edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Orioles slugger Luke Scott will probably be in line for another one-year, $6.4MM contract next season but Tim Dierkes says that the 33-year-old could be a non-tender candidate.
• Francisco Cordero's $12MM 2012 club option is very likely to be declined and Dan Mennella explained why that's the case.
• It's a safe bet that Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder will command the biggest contracts on the open market this winter.  Plenty of clubs will be in the mix but there are 15 clubs that probably won't go after either slugger, says Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• If you missed our weekly chat, you can check out the transcript right here.
• On Monday, we ran down the top free agent at each position.
• Plenty of clubs fell short of expectations this season, but according to MLBTR readers the Twins were the biggest bust with nearly 23% of the vote.  The White Sox finished in a close second with almost 18%.
• Heading into this offseason, it looks like the Braves will have a surplus of starting pitching to work with.

A look back at the originals pieces we published here at MLBTR last week …

• Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is an extension candidate, according to Tim Dierkes.
• How does Ricky Romero's extension look one year later? Ben Nicholson-Smith examines.
• Jose Reyes' final month of the season is crucial to his foray into free agency, according to Ben.
• Will Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson get a $100MM contract in free agency this offseason? Tim has a look.
• It's never too soon to start looking ahead to next year's draft. We've reversed the standings to get an idea of where each time might be picking in June 2012.
• Our GM Candidates series continued with Nats assistant GM Bryan Minniti, courtesy of Ben.
• Our Arbitration Eligibles series continued with the AL East: the Toronto Blue Jays, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the New York Yankees.
• The free-agent market will be flooded with relievers this offseason. Tim has a preliminary look at the closer carousel.
• Tim conducted the weekly MLBTR chat. Here's the transcript.
• If you're wondering which teams are interested in Yu Darvish, Ben compiled a list.
• The latest Elias rankings update was released.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around baseball's blogosphere. Among the hot topics: The Mariners, Adam Dunn, and the Giants.
• Edwin Encarnacion has been en fuego for a couple months now. Will the Blue Jays exercise his 2012 option? Ben has a look.
• Howard Megdal recalled 1993, the year that September trades mattered. Ben also looked at some notable September trades that have gone down in recent years.
• Mike Axisa identified Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings as a potential extension candidate, as well.
• Mark Polishuk looked at Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero as an extension candidate.

Let's take a look back at some of the original content produced by MLBTR this past week:

• Tim Dierkes talked to Jerry Dipoto, Mike Chernoff, and Bill Geivett as part of our GM Candidates series. Meanwhile, Ben Nicholson-Smith profiled Tony LaCava and Mike Radcliff. You can see the entire list of MLBTR's GM candidates here.
• What fan wouldn't love to have a bat like Prince Fielder sitting in the middle of his or her team's lineup? You may be hoping that your team will ink Milwaukee's masher, and obviously he'll play somewhere, but Tim Dierkes has at least one reason why each of MLB's 30 teams could pass on Prince.
• Speaking of sluggers, in light of this week's Jim Thome trade, Howard Megdal takes a historical look back at when other great sluggers were traded.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith examines Chris Carpenter's 2012 option and concludes that while it's a luxury, it's a luxury on which Cardinals GM John Mozeliak may indeed choose to spend.
• Tim Dierkes conducted this week's MLBTR chat and also shared the lastest Elias rankings with readers, which are of course exclusively provided to MLBTR by Eddie Bajek.
• Tim also noted that this offseason provides a pretty weak market for free agent offense.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the latest and greatest from around the baseball blogosphere in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• In a conference call with Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers, Ben Nicholson-Smith learned that Arizona had defense and infield depth in mind when they flipped Kelly Johnson for Aaron Hill and John McDonald.
• Sticking in the NL West, Ben also took a look at the Padres' options with Heath Bell and checked in on the Rockies' lengthy list of offseason extensions.
• Dan Mennella turned the clock back to August 2010 and checked out some of the notable August deals from a year ago.
• Tim Dierkes kicked off his Arbitration Eligibles series with a look at the Orioles and then the Red Sox.

A look back at the original pieces we published here at MLBTR last week …

• Ben Nicholson-Smith interviewed three GM candidates: Ben Cherington, Al Avila, and Thad Levine.
• On Thursday, Tim Dierkes was the first to report that the Pirates were discussing a multiyear deal with Jose Tabata, that it would have three club options, and that he parted ways with his previous agency.
• Tim was first to report that the Braves signed righty Juan Jaime to a minor league deal that covers 2012.
• The Nationals' decision to pass on Adam Dunn looks smart now, writes Ben.
• The Boras Corporation will be busy as always this offseason. Here's a look ahead, courtesy of Tim.
• What does it mean when a draft pick signs a Major League deal? Tim has you covered.
• We been refreshing this ever-evolving list of players who have cleared waivers and can therefore be traded.
• Here's a refresher on the various ways one can enjoy MLBTR.
• The latest Elias Rankings Update is out!
• Mike Napoli is having a great year on the heels of an offseason in which he was twice traded. Tim recounts those swaps.
• Carlos Zambrano isn't the hottest trade commodity these days, but he could feasibly be moved for some other bad contracts, according to Tim.
• Tim looked at some lefty relievers the Yankees and Phillies could reasonably acquire.
• Being a Type A Free Agent ain't all it's cracked up to be, and Tim looks at which guys that distinction could hurt.
• Who might be non-tendered this offseason? Tim has a look.
• Here's the transcript to the weekly MLBTR Chat with Tim.
• Ben has a closer look at trade candidate Hideki Matsui.
• Howard Megdal writes about the similarities between Hunter Pence and Rondell White.
• Baseball Blogs Weigh In makes its weekly appearance, courtsey of Mike Axisa. Among the hot topics: Jim Thome, The Draft, and the Angels.