MLBTR Originals

MLBTR's top-notch writing team was on fire last week with original content.  Let's take a look:

• Ben Nicholson-Smith and I presented our inaugural list of the top GM candidates in baseball, after surveying a diverse group of baseball insiders.  We're aiming to bring you interviews with many of the executives on the list over the next few months, so you'll be fully prepared if a GM job opens up.
• Speaking of GMs past and present, Ben scored interviews with John Hart and Andrew Friedman for a piece discussing the parallels between Hart's Indians extensions and Friedman's Rays contracts.
• The Tigers extended manager Jim Leyland and GM Dave Dombrowski, and Ben jumped on the conference call to snag quotes from the latter. 
• Tigers closer Jose Valverde is a perfect 35 for 35 in save chances this year, but his recent track record on finding the right agency is not as good.  He recently switched to Proformance, MLBTR was first to report.  You'll find all the latest info in our one-of-a-kind Agency Database.
• Willie Eyre's first call to the bigs since '09 was first reported on MLBTR.
• Neftali Ruiz and Mario Guerrero brought readers this story on the struggles of Haitian prospects, while our Nick Collias translated their work to English and tied it all together.
• Ben ran through the 2010 non-tenders currently contributing with their new teams.  Ben also explained why Twins righty Kevin Slowey is a candidate for the indignity of a non-tender after this season.
• What would it take for the Blue Jays to lock up Brandon Morrow, whose K/9 stands tall over the rest of the American League?  Mark Polishuk investigated.  Meanwhile, Dan Mennella explored Jonathan Papelbon's free agent prospects.
• Indians fans can only hope the Ubaldo Jimenez trade doesn't end up mirroring Brock-for-Broglio, but Howard Megdal shows why Jimenez and Broglio are trade targets separated at birth.
• Thousands of MLBTR readers voted on polls asking whether the Rays should trade B.J. Upton this winter and which recent Brewers trade was the best.
• Ben answered reader questions on Dontrelle Willis' next contract, this offseason's extension candidates, and what it would take to lock up Michael Bourn, among many others in last week's chat.
• Lots of interesting stuff from baseball blogs around the web last week, collected by Mike Axisa here.  Especially notable is Bronx Baseball Daily's interview with C.C. Sabathia.

Here's a rundown of MLBTR's original content from this past week….

• This week, MLBTR was the first to learn that the Orioles claimed pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes after he was DFA'd by Toronto.  We were also the first to report the O's release of Justin Duchscherer.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith took a look at Jimmy Rollins' impending free agency and gauged the market for reliever Matt Capps.
• I looked back at the July deals made in the American League (East, Central, West) and the National League (East, Central, West)
• Even though the trade deadline has passed, there's still the potential for more significant trades in the month of August.  Tim Dierkes gave us his August trade candidates by team.
• Nippon-Ham Fighters ace Yu Darvish is represented by Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group as well as Don Nomura, MLBTR confirmed.
• Mike Axisa gave us an update on players with 2012 vesting options.  Bobby Abreu recently got his $9MM option vested for next season.
• The 40/60/80 arbitration rule doesn't work to the extent that some suggest it does, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• We released an update on the Elias Rankings and outlined the free agents who switched leagues.
• We had a lot of great content in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.  If you have a suggestion for BBWI, you can reach Mike Axisa at this email address.
• It came as a surprise to many of us when the Padres didn't trade Heath Bell at the trade deadline.  This week, 44% of our readers said that the Friars should now sign the closer to a two or three year extension this offseason.  For more on Bell, check out Dan Mennella's recent post on him over at CloserNews.com.
• MLBTR was the first to learn that right-hander Willie Eyre opted for free agency this week. 
• Last offseason, six prominent Rays relievers hit free agency and signed elsewhere for a total of $67.65MM.  How are they faring in 2011?  We also checked in on this year's Rule 5 picks.
• Did you miss our weekly chat?  Don't fret, you can check out the transcript right here.
• This year there have been four converted relievers have who started extensively in 2011 and Ben Nicholson-Smith gave us an update on how they're doing so far.
• The recently-launched CloserNews.com is looking for writers.

Here's a look back at our original work from the week – with all of the trades that went down, there's a good chance you missed some of these the first time around…

• We rounded up reaction to the deadline in general and took stock of the Hunter Pence trade, the Carlos Beltran trade and the trade that sent Edwin Jackson to St. Louis for Colby Rasmus.
• Dan Mennella examined this week's moves from a fantasy angle.
• Howard Megdal paged through the history books and determined that it's pretty rare for outfielders like Beltran to get traded midseason.
• Dan asked and you answered – Beltran isn't quite as appealing as B.J. Upton.
• Tim Dierkes presented some projected Type B free agents who could be acquired because of the potential for a draft pick.
• We provided an updated projection for this winter's Elias Rankings.
• I talked to Jose Bautista about some of his trade deadline experiences.
• Tim asked a question that will resonate around MLB this August: is Wandy Rodriguez overpaid?
• Tim also presented potentially available bats by wOBA.
• Mike rounded up the best of the blogs for another edition of his Baseball Blogs Weigh In feature.

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

• A list of players with 10-and-5 rights, by Tim Dierkes.
• The price to acquire Padres reliever Mike Adams prompted a post by Tim.
• Tim looked at starting pitcher trade candidates by SIERA.
• The Royals have a handful of trade candidates, and Tim correctly identified Wilson Betemit as one.
• Don't sleep on the wounded as potential trade candidates. Tim had a look at those guys.
• Tim compiled the respective wish lists for each contender based on published reports.
• The latest Elias rankings update was posted, courtesy of Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Howard Megdal had his usual humorous look at Columbia Lions who've reached the bigs.
• Tim conducted the weekly MLBTR chat. Check out the transcript in case you missed it.
• MLBTR is the place to be for all things trade deadline. Here's a refresher on how to get around the site, and here are our Twitter, Facebook and RSS feeds.
• Mike Axisa rounded up this week's best from the baseball blogosphere. Among the hot topics: Derrick Hall, Carlos Beltran, Clint Barmes and the Cubs.

Here's a retrospective on the original works we published here at MLBTR last week:

• Tim Dierkes examined which contenders could use an upgrade in left field.
• Tim analyzed the trade candidacy of Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena.
• We launched CloserNews.com!
• If you've wondered what the Pirates and Rays might do if they become sellers, Tim considered that very thing.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith had a look at which trade candidates are playing well.
• This year's trade market has its strengths and weaknesses. Tim broke it down.
• Tim looked at the least likely All-Stars at this year's Midsummer Classic. Here's a look at which agencies had the most All-Stars.
• We identified a handful of players in the offseason who were facing make or break campaigns in 2011. Ben gave an update on them.
• Here's the transcript to Tim's chat with MLBTR readers.
• With Carlos Beltran again on the trade block, Ben recalled what the Royals got for the outfielder when they traded him in 2004.
• Here's how to use MLBTR.
• Ben looked at the Elias rankings for relievers headed to free agency.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from various baseball blogs. Among the hot topics: Francisco Rodriguez, Derek Holland and James Shields.

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

• We ask our faithful readers in a poll: Would you trade a top-50 prospect for Francisco Liriano?
• Here's an update on starters who were converted from relieving, by Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith compares Jose Reyes to Carl Crawford. The Mets shortstop, a free agent-to-be, is thought to be seeking a contract on par with the seven-year, $142MM deal the outfielder signed with the Red Sox last offseason.
• Only five of the offseason's Rule 5 Picks are on active rosters, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith checks in on this season's new managers.
• Jeff Keppinger could be a trade candidate, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• It's never too soon to have an idea of how the upcoming free agent market is shaping up. Here's the latest Elias rankings update.
• In a fun piece, Ben Nicholson-Smith looks back at the Pirates' last playoff run — in 1992.
• Here's the transcript to this week's MLBTR chat with Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Mike Axisa updates us on players with vesting options for 2012.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith takes stock of Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who can opt out of his contract at season's end.
• Diamondbacks righty Ian Kennedy is an extension candidate, as Mike Axisa writes.
• Mike Trout's callup prompts Ben Nicholson-Smith to break down the stud prospect's service time.
• Mike Axisa rounds up this week's best from the baseball blogosphere. Among the hot topics: Koji Uehara, Angel Pagan and the Red Sox.
• With the starters for the All-Star game in place, Mike Axisa looks at how each player was acquired by his team.
• Mike Cameron has been much more than merely a guy who was once trade for Ken Griffey Jr., writes Howard Megdal.

A look back at the original work we published this week here at MLBTR. The bad news is that we're publishing fewer of these pieces as we head into the heart of trading season, but the good news is that we're heading into the heart of trading season. On with the retrospective …

• The latest Elias rankings update is out.
• Being a Type B free agent has its advantages, as Tim Dierkes writes.
• The Indians have been scanning the trade market, so Tim Dierkes looks at what they need to improve.
• Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez is identified as a trade candidate by Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Are old managers the new market inefficiency? Howard Megdal examines this in the wake of 80-year-old Jack McKeon and 68-year-old Davey Johnson resurfacing as big league skippers.
• Several contenders could use an upgrade in center field, while others could use an upgrade in right field. Tim Dierkes has a look.
• Here's the transcript to this week's MLBTR Chat with Tim Dierkes.
• Starting pitchers are among the best low-risk pickups, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Mike Cameron was DFA'd by the Red Sox, prompting Mike Axisa to look at some potential suitors for the outfielder.
• Mike Axisa compiles this week's best from around the baseball blogosphere. Among the hot topics: James Shields, Jose Reyes and Michael Pineda.
• Zach Links rounds up the July 2 IFA signings.
• I put the question to you, dear readers: Should the Nats have extended Jim Riggleman rather than allowing him to resign?

Here's a look back at the original work that was published here at MLBTR last week:

• For contenders with deep pockets, there are some intriguing, if highly compensated, players that could probably be had easily, writes Tim Dierkes.
• Yunel Escobar's extension with the Jays has its advantages for both the player and team, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Looking for a lefty reliever? Tim has the rundown on which guys might be available.
• Finding a backup backstop who can hit is no easy task, as Ben writes.
• Pending-free-agent Jamey Carroll spoke with Tim. Carroll is also a trade candidate.
• A handful of contenders could use an upgrade at third base. Others need help at shortstop.
• In a season of great parity, it's tough to figure how many sellers are out there. Tim considers this question.
• Tim conducted his weekly chat with MLBTR's loyal readers.
• Ben had a look at how baseball's newest $100MM-plus players are faring so far this season.
• Are the Twins playoff contenders? Ben asked that question and set up a poll for your input. The results are interesting.
• Carlos Quentin's bounce-back season has him poised to earn a contract extension with the White Sox, writes Mark Polishuk.
• Jim Riggleman's departure from the Nats prompted Howard Megdal to examine whether winning managers find new jobs.
• The steal-happy Blue Jays are reaping the benefits of their aggressiveness on the basepaths, according to Ben.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around the baseball blogosphere. Among the topics: Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Jeff Francis and Geovany Soto.

Here's a look back at the original material we published at MLBTR last week:

• Here's our up-to-date list of first- and supplemental-round draftees — who's signed and for how much.
• A handful of prospects were dealt in July 2009. Here's how they've done since then.
• The Super Two system is hotly debated these days. What can be done about it?
• MLBTR is a pretty comprehensive resource. Here's how to use it and its many tools.
• We could use your help filling in some info for our agency database.
• Which contenders are in need of an upgrade at second base? Which ones could use help at first base? Tim Dierkes has a look.
• There's an intriguing list of potentially available righty relievers.
• How might the Marlins, Nationals, Royals and Athletics proceed if they become sellers during the trading season?
• Tim looked at how this offseason's free-agent relievers are faring so far.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around the baseball blogosphere. The Phillies, Mark Cuban and Scott Kazmir were among the hot topics.
• Howard Megdal gave us an historical look at what happens when batting champions are traded.
• I looked at some potential fits for trade candidate Ryan Ludwick.