MLBTR Originals

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

• This week, MLBTR learned that the Red Sox released outfielder Jason Place and the Cubs cut right-hander Aaron Shafer loose.  Neither player was among their team's top 30 prospects according to Baseball America's Prospect Handbook, though both were former high draft picks.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Wade Davis' agent, B.B. Abbott, about the risk they took when agreeing to a four-year extension.  Abbott also disclosed the terms of the deal to MLBTR.
• MLBTR was the first to report that the Pirates signed recently-released right-hander Tim Wood.  Wood had just been cut loose by the Nationals.
• Take a look at the 2011 predictions from the MLBTR writing staff.
• Mike Axisa took a look at the General Managers whose contracts do not extend beyond 2011.
• Just before Opening Day, Howard Megdal ran down the Alphabet of 2011 storylines.
• I led a discussion on the Marlins' third base options.
• After the Blue Jays declined to exercise his options, we asked out readers if Aaron Hill would finish the year in Toronto.
• Our Offseason In Review series rolled on with looks at the Diamondbacks, Angels, and Yankees.
• MLBTR is looking for a head moderator to be active in regulating the forums.  Past bulletin board administrative experience is preferred.
• Did you miss our weekly chat with Tim Dierkes?  Don't worry, you can still view the transcript right here.
• Pitcher Edwin Jackson is a breakout candidate in 2011, says Tim.
• Do you run a baseball blog or website?  If so, the MLB Trade Rumors widget is the perfect way to pipe in the latest hot stove headlines.
• The Ubaldo Jimenez extension is going well for the Rockies, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Check out the best of the web in this week's installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Fun Fact: Half of baseball's Opening Day starters were first-round selections.  Ben Nicholson-Smith also breaks down how each team obtained their No. 1 starters.

The 2011 regular season is now less than 90 hours away, so let's kill some time and recap MLBTR's original content from the last seven days…

• Ever wonder what Major League Baseball's Uniform Player's Contract looks like? Well we got our hands on one, so have a look. All of the identifying details have been removed.
• Tim Dierkes explained why prospects Brandon Belt and Zach Britton have different service time cutoff dates. He also looked at the best arbitration-eligible pitchers and position players without contract extensions, and listed the players that will be arb-eligible for the first time after the season plus the average free agent prices by position.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith found an interesting comparison for Scott Kazmir and noted that contract extensions for three young pitchers are going well so far. He also dug up some third base options for the Marlins and some potentially available starters. Ben looked ahead to Clayton Kershaw's first arbitration payday and wrote about the lack of elite shortstops as well.
• The offseason in review series marched along with the Mets.
• This week's poll question asked if Carlos Silva was tradeable.
• The best the blogosphere had to offer can be found in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• Don't forget to check out our Agency Database or our spanish-language sister site Rumores de Béisbol. There's also our team and transactions-only feeds.

With the regular season drawing ever closer, let's recap the the original content produced here at MLBTR over the last seven days…

• MLBTR first reported that Brian Wilson, Kurt Suzuki, Brett Wallace, and Jason Repko are now being represented by Dan Lozano. Also make sure you check out our brand new Agency Database.
• We published our annual list of players that are out of minor league options.
• Tim Dierkes explored the concept of delaying free agency and mused about Rafael Soriano's contract. He also listed some American League and National League midseason trade candidates, as well a few players that would have been entering their walk years had they not signed extensions.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at C.J. Wilson as an extension candidate and also explored the Phillies' interest in Jon Jay. He also dug up some potential suitors for Chris Davis.
• Ben's latest draft Q&A was with UConn outfielder George Springer.
• The offseason in review series continued with the Rockies, Braves, and Indians.
• We broke down Omar Infante of the Marlins and Jeff Francis of the Royals as players entering make or break years.
• This week's poll questions asked where Luis Castillo will end up and what Neftali Feliz's 2011 role will be.
• I rounded up the best the blogosphere had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Howard Megdal's latest Jack of all Trades post focused on Oliver Perez.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• Here's a handy guide on all the different ways you can use MLBTR.
• Last, but certainly not least, we introduced Rumores de Béisbol, MLBTR's Spanish language sister site.

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

• Tim Dierkes analyzed the extensions the Rockies awarded to Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, reviewed Legacy Sports Group's offseason, explored possible Plan Bs for Chase Utley, named some candidates to be released this month, and wondered which reliever might be next in line for an extension like Matt Thornton's.
• Tim also looked back at this winter's mutual options, previewed March's trade possibilities, and identified Jo-Jo Reyes as a trade candidate.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith's original articles this week examined two different ways to build an elite rotation, Kyle McClellan's role in St. Louis, starting pitchers linked through arbitration, the Rangers' first basemen, Kevin Slowey and the Blue Jays, the oldest $100MM players, the challenges facing AL East clubs in June's draft, and Adam Wainwright's 2012/2013 options. He also discussed the Twins' bullpen over at FanGraphs.
• The White Sox were the lone installment in our Offseason in Review series.
• Top college prospect Gerrit Cole answered MLBTR's questions about his pitching repertoire, his decision not to sign with the Yankees, and the upcoming draft.
• Our Make or Break Year series continued with a look at Matt Capps.
• Mike Axisa compiled another edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In and shared an interesting piece on baseball's highest-paid players in 1990, 2000, and 2010.
• With Oliver Perez potentially facing his release, we hopped in the time machine to see what pundits said about the southpaw's contract when he first signed long-term with the Mets.
• Zach Links wondered whether the Astros and Angels make sense as trade partners, opening the topic up for discussion.
• Most free agents have signed by March 11th, but that doesn't mean it hasn't historically been an eventful day for transactions, as Mark Polishuk writes.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.

Time to recap the original content posted here at MLBTR over the last seven days…

• Tim Dierkes' offseason in review series continues with the Padres, Orioles, Reds, and Mariners.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith interviewed Matt Purke of TCU, who is expected to be a high draft pick this June.
• Ben also penned a guest post at FanGraphs focusing on the Tigers' rotation depth. He also listed the youngest remaining free agents and explained that contract extension season isn't over.
• Mark Polishuk looked at some catching options for the Astros in the wake of Jason Castro's injury.
• I wondered aloud if James Shields will be the next Rays' starter to get traded, and also listed some players that signed contract extensions before playing a game with their new team.
• Our series looking at players in make or break years continued with Carlos Beltran of the Mets.
• This week's poll questions asked you which non-tendered player will most help their new team and when the Royals will trot out their next winning team.
• Howard Megdal's latest Jack of all Trades post explored some non-roster invitees.
• I rounded up the best the blogosphere had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.

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

• We spoke to Nick Johnson's agent, Rex Gary, who told us that major league clubs are closely monitoring his client's progress.
• On Tuesday we rolled out our Draft Prospect Q&A series, in which we introduce you to the top athletes in the 2011 draft.  First up: Sonny Gray.
• Sometimes contract extensions can go horribly wrong, as our own Mike Axisa writes.  You too can review past contracts, both good and bad, using our Transactions Tracker.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith looked into his crystal ball to preview the 2011-2012 free agent class.
• Our Offseason In Review series rolled on with looks at the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, and Florida Marlins.
• This week we polled our readers on Chris Carpenter's future,
• Howard Megdal decided to play Jack Of All Trades with his first pack of baseball cards in 2011.
• I took a look at the Braves' pitching surplus and asked if they should shop their spare starters.
• This upcoming season marks a Make Or Break Year for Bobby Abreu and pitcher Edwin Jackson.
• Mike Axisa looked at Baseball America's top 100 prospects in baseball and identified the ones that were drafted using compensation picks.  Mike also highlighted some keen waiver pickups.
• If you think about it, every year is a contract year, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith in a post at Fangraphs.
• There was tons of great stuff from around the web this week and it was all highlighted in the most recent edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

Major League camps opened all across Florida and Arizona this week, but that doesn't mean hot stove news has taken a back seat to the game on the field. Here's a recap of the original content we produced this week…

• Tim Dierkes continued his Offseason In Review series by looking at two NL Central clubs, the Pirates and Cubs.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith rounded up the contract extensions given to arbitration-eligible players this winter, as well as those that did not buy out free agent years. He also explained the challenge the Cardinals are facing after failing to sign Albert Pujols long-term, found some potential suitors for CC Sabathia, and looked ahead to some second basemen who will be free agents after the season.
• Ben appeared at Yahoo! Sports to discuss potential suitors for Pujols, and at FanGraphs to review this winter's relief pitcher market.
• Our series looking at players in make or break years continued with Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs and Casey Blake of the Dodgers.
• I looked ahead to some 2012 vesting options we should keep an eye on this summer.
• This week's poll questions asked which move you thought was the best of the offseason, and whether or not you'd offer Jose Bautista $64MM+. Bautista's future was also a discussion topic.
• Howard Megdal's latest Jack of all Trades post looked at players born on February 17th. He also examined some transactions that took place on Valentine's Day.
• The best the blogosphere had to offer was rounded up Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• If you're new to MLBTR, here's a handy guide on all the different ways you can use the site. Be sure to check out and subscribe to our team and transaction-only feeds.

It's time to take a look back at all of the original reporting and analysis MLBTR has come up with this week..

• This week we asked our readers where they think Michael Young will wind up and where pitcher Kevin Millwood will sign.
• Confused about aspects of the Bernie Madoff/Mets situation?  Don't fret, you're not alone.  This week Howard Megdal brought us a simple guide to the Metropolitans' mess.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the best baseball writing from around the web in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya is about to enter a Make Or Break Year.
• As of last Monday, only 13 arbitration eligible players were still unsigned for 2011.  To keep up with all of the remaining cases, check out the MLBTR Arb Tracker.
• Three contracts signed this winter prevent the team from offering arbitration if the player is a Type A at the end of the term and Tim Dierkes ran them down in one handy post.
• Having trouble keeping track of all our original work?  Check out this list of our regular MLBTR features.
• Steve Adams took a look at minor league deals that could be worth a million or more.
• Our own Ben Nicholson-Smith is doing his thing over at Fangraphs in a series of guest posts.
• We fielded your questions in our weekly chat.  If you missed out, you can take a look at the transcript right here.
• February 6th has been a busy day in years past, as Luke Adams pointed out.
• Do you love baseball?  Do you speak Spanish?  You just might have what it takes to work for MLBTR as a translator.

Here at MLBTradeRumors, we're about a lot more than supplying you with up-to-the-minute hot stove news.  Here's a look back at some of our original work this week..

• We asked our readers to vote on which team offered Vladimir Guerrero $8MM, how the 2011 Rays will fare, and Justin Duchscherer's next team.  More than half of you guessed correctly, saying that Duchscherer would wind up in Baltimore.
• This season will be a "Make Or Break Year" for Dodgers reliever Jonathan Broxton and Bucs catcher Ryan Doumit.
• Fifteen players have signed guaranteed one-year contracts worth less than a million bucks this winter and Mike Axisa introduced us to the six-figure contract club.
• Check out our latest installments of "This Date In Transactions History".
• Unclear about what's considered in arbitration cases?   Here's what matters in arbitration and what does not. 
• We took a look around the blogosphere in Friday's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• I feel rather svelte after reading Howard Megdal's Jack Of All Trades: Baseball's Roundest.
• Now you can subscribe to MLBTR on your Amazon Kindle for just $1.99 per month.  How cool is that?
• Ben Nicholson-Smith examined ten well-paid arb eligible players.  And if you need even more Ben in your life (who doesn't?) check out his series of guest posts over at Fangraphs.
• We covered a lot of ground in this week's chat.  If you missed any part of it, you can take a look at the transcript here.
• With just weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report, we ran down the twenty biggest free agent deals of the offseason.

Time to recap the last seven days of original MLBTR content…

• Ben Nicholson-Smith provided a ton of original Blue Jays' coverage this week. He wrote about some recent comments made by GM Alex Anthopoulos, the team's eventual payroll boost, and their pursuit of bullpen depth. In the wake of the Vernon Wells' trade, I looked at Toronto's future payroll obligations.
• Ben also looked at four potential landing spots for Vladimir Guerrero, the 22 teams that have given out multiyear contracts this offseason, and ten arbitration cases to watch.
• Nick Collias reported that the Cubs signed a pair of Cuban players: outfielder Ruby Silva ($1.2MM) and catcher Yaniel Cabezas ($500K). MLBTR also reported that Ian Stewart had avoided arbitration with the Rockies.
• We started a new series looking at players who face a make or break year in 2011. So far we've covered Grady Sizemore of the Indians, Nate McLouth of the Braves, and Scott Kazmir of the Angels.
• We posted a pair of poll questions this week, asking where Justin Duchscherer will sign and who the best unsigned starting pitcher is.
• I rounded up the latest and greatest from around the web in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Here is this week's chat transcript.
• Howard Megdal's latest Jack of all Trades post looked at baseball's tallest players.