MLBTR Originals News & Rumors

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

• MLBTR introduced its latest tool in monitoring player movement: DFA Tracker. The DFA Tracker allows you to sort, search, and filter the players designated for assignment by their name, team, status (DFA limbo, claimed, outrighted, traded, released, optioned), date designated, and the date by which a resolution is expected. The DFA Tracker can always be found in the right sidebar under MLBTR Features.
• Steve Adams has created a 2014 Free Agent Leaderboard on FanGraphs for MLBTR readers to track the performance of the upcoming free agent class.
• Steve detailed the incentives and bonus structure of Francisco Liriano's contract with the Pirates. 
• Tim Dierkes broke the news of Pirates outfielder Andrew Lambo switching agencies leaving Wasserman Media Group for Beverly Hills Sports Council. 
• MLBTR was the first to report right-hander Cody Eppley opted out of his minor league contract with the Twins.
• Steve asked MLBTR readers to name the best midseason free agent reliever signing. Nearly 37% of you believe Brewers GM Doug Melvin was very shrewd in bringing back Francisco Rodriguez.
• Steve updated the list of 2014 free agent pitchers with the highest ground-ball percentage.
• Jeff Todd identified Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos as an extension candidate.
• Zach Links gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Steve hosted the weekly live chat.
• MLBTR has a roster of regular features. Here's the schedule and a brief synopsis of each.

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

• MLBTR was the first to report left-hander Mike Zagurski was signed by the A's to a minor league deal with a September 1 opt-out.
• Steve Adams presented another Transaction Retrospection with a look back at the Mark Reynolds–David Hernandez trade.
• Earlier this year, Tim Dierkes posted advice from front office executives to students hoping for a career in baseball operations. In a special follow-up for MLBTR, Ricky Benichak shares his experience working as a baseball operations intern for the Reds.
• Charlie Wilmoth posited a later Trade Deadline would not have necessarily created more trade activity.
• Steve asked MLBTR readers which player to clear waivers was the most surprising. More than 26% of you found it hard to believe Justin Morneau passed without a claim.
• Jeff Todd asked MLBTR readers to rank the midseason moves made by teams in rebuilding mode. The Cubs' aggressive spending on international free agents was ranked the best (33%) while the Mariners, Mets, and Rockies standing pat at the Trade Deadline was viewed as the worst (55%).
• Steve hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• Zach Links put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

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

• Tim Dierkes revised MLBTR's 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings. Robinson Cano and Jacoby Ellsbury remain the top two in this edition, but Nelson Cruz dropped out in the wake of his 50-game Biogenesis suspension.
• Steve Adams documented Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera will lose at least $1MM in salary this year and next because of his 50-game Biogenesis suspension while also putting the opportunity for a long-term contract at risk.
• MLBTR was the first to learn the Giants decided to hold off pursuing a minor league contract with Ted Lilly, for the time being, after reviewing the left-hander's medical history.
• MLBTR was the first to report Giants right-hander Yusmeiro Petit cleared waivers and accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Fresno.
• Tim asked MLBTR readers who will forego free agency this offseason by signing a contract extension. Once again, our readers are very prescient with 56% predicting Chase Utley and the Phillies would come to terms on a new pact. A mere 11 hours after the survey was published, news broke of the two sides reaching an agreement on a two-year, $27MM deal with three vesting options, which could increase the value of the extension to as much as $75MM.
• Steve listed the notable August extensions from the previous three seasons.
• Zach Links tracked the progress players with a 2014 vesting option are making toward exercising those options.
• MLBTR is keeping track of the players who, based on published reports, have cleared waivers. This list can always be found in the sidebar under MLBTR Features.
• Tim named the relievers who could become August trade candidates.
• Zach revisited the White Sox's waiver claim acquisition of Alex Rios four years ago yesterday.
• The MLBTR Reverse Standings page is now available offering readers a simple way of following the action, as teams vie for the for the best draft picks in 2014 by losing the most games in 2013. You can find the link under MLBTR Features in the right sidebar.
• Zach asked MLBTR readers how the Diamondbacks will finish out their season. Nearly 75% of you see a winning season for Arizona, but not a trip to the playoffs.
• Tim hosted this week's chat.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet updated the Prospect Rumor Roundup.
• Zach compiled the latest 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.
• There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week, as another non-waiver Trade Deadline has come and gone:

• MLBTR summarized every trade made during the month of July by division. Steve Adams analyzed the AL West and AL Central while Jeff Todd reviewed the AL East, NL West, NL Central, and NL East. 
• Charlie Wilmoth examined the reasons why there weren't more sellers at the Trade Deadline this year.
• Trades can still be made in August and Steve detailed the steps teams must follow in order to complete a swap this month.
• Speaking of August trades, Zach Links listed the notable deals from this month one year ago. 
• Jeff, in a three-part series (I, II, III), examined the ramifications if MLB teams decide to take legal action against any player suspended in the Biogenesis debacle. 
• Zach confirmed the Pirates released veteran Brandon Inge.
• MLBTR was the first to report Mets left-hander Tim Byrdak has a clause in his minor league deal where, if he is offered a Major League opportunity by another team, the Mets must either add him to their 25-man roster within 48 hours or allow him to sign with the interested club for no compensation. Earlier today, the Mets promoted Byrdak to Triple-A Las Vegas.
• MLBTR was the first to learn Mark Lowe had a July 31 opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the Nationals.
• MLBTR broke the news of outfielder Steve Susdorf being designated for assignment by the Phillies to open a roster spot for third baseman Cody Asche.
• Zach was first with the Giants re-signing right-hander Hunter Strickland to a minor league deal.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet provided a new Prospect Rumor Roundup.
• Zach assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

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

• Tim Dierkes asked MLBTR readers who has more trade value: Matt Garza or Jake Peavy. Nearly 65% of you preferred Garza and Rangers GM Jon Daniels agreed with you as he acquired the right-hander approximately seven hours after the poll was posted.
• Tim updated the status of several injured trade candidates.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet penned this week's installment of Prospect Rumor Roundup. 
• Zach Links gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Tim hosted the weekly live chat.
• MLBTR has a roster of regular features. Here's the schedule and a brief synopsis of each.

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

• Tim Dierkes previewed the trade market for designated hitters and starting pitchers, while Steve Adams detailed the right-handed and left-handed options for teams looking to upgrade their bullpen.  
• Zach Links examined the advantages of being represented by a smaller agency.
• MLBTR was the first to learn Praver Shapiro Sports Management represents Cuban right-hander Dalier Hinojosa, and that the pitcher established residency in Haiti.
• MLBTR broke the news of first baseman Travis Ishikawa agreeing to a minor league deal with the White Sox.
• MLBTR was the first to report left-hander Brad Mills signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the NPB in Japan.
• Tim hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet presented another Prospect Rumor Roundup.
• Zach put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR.

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

• Tim Dierkes updated MLBTR's 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings. Robinson Cano is still the top ranked free agent, but eight of the nine other positions changed hands.
• MLBTR broke the news of right-hander P.J. Walters clearing outright assignment waivers.
• MLBTR was the first to report there is no opt-out clause in left-hander Aaron Laffey's minor league deal with the Brewers.
• MLBTR learned first baseman Travis Ishikawa was placed on waivers after being designated for assignment by the Yankees, cleared waivers, and elected free agency.
• Zach Links broke the story of right-hander Kip Wells looking for a minor league opportunity with a realistic shot of returning to the Majors and considering retirement if nothing materializes by season's end.
• Tim examined the trade market for shortstops and third basemen while Steve Adams did likewise with corner outfielders and center fielders.
• Charlie Wilmoth analyzed the trade candidacy one of those corner outfielders: the Cubs' Nate Schierholtz.
• Tim hosted this week's chat.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet updated the Prospect Rumor Roundup.
• Zach compiled the latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR, as our country celebrated its 237th birthday this past week:

• Steve Adams listed the notable July extensions from the previous three seasons.
• There have been several changes made to the international bonus pool and Steve illustrated the effects of those changes using the Cubs as an example.
• Zach Links tracked the progress players with a 2014 vesting option are making toward exercising those options.
• Steve examined the trade market for second basemen.
• Steve asked MLBTR readers who will acquire Ricky Nolasco. More than 48% of you predicted correctly Dodgers GM Ned Colletti would be the one to finalize a trade for the now ex-Marlins right-hander.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet provided a new Prospect Rumor Roundup.
• Zach assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Steve hosted this week's live chat.

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

• With the Trade Deadline less than five weeks away, Tim Dierkes has created a Trade Candidate Leaderboard on FanGraphs for MLBTR readers to track the performance of potential trade targets.
• Tim examined the trade market for catchers and first basemen.
• Tim analyzed the 42 free agent-eligible starting pitchers using a customized FanGraphs leaderboard.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet penned this week's installment of Prospect Rumor Roundup. 
• Tim was the first to learn the Orioles placed infielder Yamaico Navarro on outright waivers.
• Tim was the first to report utilityman Michael Martinez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A by the Phillies.
• Zach Links gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Tim hosted the weekly live chat.

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

• Tim Dierkes was the first to learn Mike Zagurski cleared waivers and elected free agency over being outrighted to Triple-A by the Pirates. Tim followed up with another Zagurski exclusive: the Yankees signing the left-hander to a minor league contract, which includes an August 15th opt-out date.
• MLBTR's Chris Cotillo learned right-hander Chris Bootcheck became a free agent by refusing the Yankees' outright assignment upon clearing waivers after being designated for assignment. Bootcheck, however, immediately re-signed with the Yankees agreeing to a minor league deal, which includes an August 15th opt-out date.  
• Chris was first with the Phillies placing utilityman Michael Martinez on waivers and left-hander Dusty Hughes retiring to become a coach at a private school.
• Chris broke the news of the Reds agreeing to terms with their competitive balance pick Michael Lorenzen to a $1.5MM bonus, $29.5K above the slot recommendation for the 38th overall selection (per Baseball America), and the Angels signing their second-rounder Hunter Green to a $942K deal, which is the slot recommendation for the 59th overall choice. 
• Tim was the first to report the Marlins signed their seventh-round draft pick Justin Bohn to a $525K contract, $332K above the slot recommendation for the 202nd overall selection (per Baseball America).
• MLBTR broke the story of the Padres inking their eighth-round draft choice Adrian De Horta to a $425K contract, $269K above the slot recommendation for the 238th overall pick (per Baseball America).
• With less than six weeks remaining before the Trade Deadline, trade candidates are starting to pop up. A pair of right-handed relievers were profiled in MLBTR's Trade Candidate series: Jesse Crain of the White Sox by Charlie Wilmoth and Jose Veras of the Astros by Steve Adams.
• Chris was the first to post right-hander Nelson Figueroa signed with a team in the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
• Steve hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet updated the Prospect Rumor Roundup.
• Zach Links put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.