MLBTR Originals News & Rumors

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

• Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers what has been the most unlikely storyline in 2012. Nearly 40% of you chose the Orioles being in the thick of a pennant race. 
• Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers who will win the second NL Wild Card. Over 32% of you believe the Cardinals will hang on to defend their World Series title.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith opined the Tigers will likely exercise their $6MM club option and keep Jhonny Peralta in Detroit for another year.
• Ben listed the top ten free agent infielders ranked by FanGraphs' version of wins above replacement.
• Ben also calculated that Brewers' catcher Jonathan Lucroy will miss the projected cutoff for super two status by just three days.
• MLBTR confirmed the Indians' Travis Hafner obtained ten and five rights when he reached ten years of service time this past Thursday.
• It was a busy week on the Free Agent Stock Watch. Ben explained Blue Jays' right-hander Carlos Villanueva could have value as a starter in this winter's free agent market.
• Mike is much more bullish on the Giants' Marco Scutaro, as the middle infield market offers few viable alternatives.
• Mike, however, was bearish on the prospects of Daisuke Matsuzaka.
• Mike wondered what the market will look like for Ryan Madson because there isn't much precedent for relievers entering free agency coming off Tommy John surgery.
• Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• Mike 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 and our roster of weekly features, including when they are posted and what exactly to expect from them.

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

• Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers which National League GM made the best moves this past offseason. Nearly 30% of you said Mike Rizzo did the best job, as his Nationals have the best record in baseball.
• Rizzo also made the controversial decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg during a pennant race. Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers if you agreed with the decision and over 60% of you did not. 
• Mark Polishuk meanwhile asked MLBTR readers who will win the American League East. You favored the Orioles (45%) over the Yankees (34%), and the Rays (21%).
• Ben Nicholson-Smith listed the 2013 payroll commitments for the 30 MLB teams.
• Zach Links opined the Mets will be working with an extremely tight budget, so expect outfielder Andres Torres to become a non-tender candidate.
• Ben named the players who were non-tendered last offseason that are making contributions to their new teams.
• Steve Adams reviewed the best waiver claims of the past year.
• Ben revisited the five most significant non-trades of 2012.
• Mike updated the status of this year's Rule 5 selections.
• Ben continued the Free Agent Stock Watch series. He's bullish on the Rays' Jeff Keppinger.
• Ben provided a refresher on how September trades work.
• Ben listed the teams with open 40-man roster spots.
• Mark examined the Indians' Chris Perez as a possible trade candidate, in light of his recent critical comments of team management.
• Ben laid out the possible offseason outcomes for Dan Haren and the Angels.
• Mike assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.
• Here's a refresher on MLBTR's commenting policy.

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

• Ben Nicholson-Smith detailed the scenarios in which the Nationals and Adam LaRoche can remain together in 2013.
• Mike Axisa examined the future payroll obligations of the Red Sox in the wake of their historic nine-player trade with the Dodgers.
• Ben suggested Dexter Fowler is a candidate for a contract extension from the Rockies.
• Ben hosted the weekly live chat.
• Mark Polishuk continued the Free Agent Stock Watch series with a look at the prospects of David Ortiz.
• Ben asked MLBTR readers which American League GM made the best moves this past offseason. Nearly 34% of you gave Billy Beane his due, as his A's are leading the AL Wild Card race.
• Ben reviewed the moves Beane made this past winter when he acquired one-third of the team’s starting lineup, its setup man, and two-fifths of its starting rotation. 
• Mike gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. This week's edition featured posts on the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees.
• Ben updated the list of players who have been placed on revocable waivers one final time before the August 31st deadline for teams to trade for players and be eligible for postseason rosters.
• Trades can still be completed this month, however. Mike chronicled some of the more noteworthy deals from Septembers past.

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

• Mike Axisa led MLBTR's coverage of yesterday's blockbuster nine-player trade between the Dodgers and Red Sox with a recap of the historic deal, a scouting report on the prospects obtained by Boston, and an examination of the Dodgers' future payroll obligations.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith compared and contrasted the careers of Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis with a focus on the divergent paths they've taken in terms of their contracts.
• Ben issued the first free agent stock watch. He's bullish on Nick Swisher.
• Ben also updated the list of players who have been placed on revocable waivers.
• Mark Polishuk asked MLBTR readers how the Giants' season will unfold. Over 73% of you predict the G-Men will make the playoffs and nearly 32% of you believe they will be celebrating their second World Series title in three years.
• Speaking of the Giants, Ben assessed the early returns on the contract extensions handed out by GM Brian Sabean this past offseason.
• Mike put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• Want the latest rumors for your favorite team? Check out MLBTR's team-by-team links for Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.

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

• Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers how the Nationals will fare after shutting down Stephen Strasburg. Almost half of you say the Nationals will make the playoffs but lose in the NLDS.
• Mike Axisa explored the possibility of a contract extension between Martin Prado and the Braves.
• Steve Adams suggested Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart could be non-tendered this offseason. 
• Mike opined a non-tender looks like a very real scenario for Dallas Braden of the A's and Mark Reynolds of the O's.
• Mike hosted this week's chat.
• Mike also compiled this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In which featured posts on Melky Cabrera, David Wright, and Jacoby Ellsbury.

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

• Ben Nicholson-Smith explored the possibility of Geovany Soto (Rangers), Chris Volstad (Cubs), and Jair Jurrjens (Braves) being non-tendered this offseason.
• Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers which player will most likely be traded in August. Over 40% of you say Alfonso Soriano is the most likely to be dealt this month from a group of Heath Bell, Scott Hairston, Justin Morneau, Vernon Wells, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford.
• 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.
• Ben asked MLBTR readers how the Pirates will finish out the season. You were split between the Buccos making the playoffs for the first time in 20 years (51%) and failing to make the post-season but finishing with a winning record also for the first time in 20 years (45%). 
• Ben asked MLBTR readers the same question about the Orioles. You were much less optimistic about the O's chances of making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years (25%). So much for a rematch of the 1979 World Series. But, you were very bullish about the Birds having a winning season (63%). 
• The "How Will They Finish" polling continued with Zach Links asking about the Dodgers and Mike Axisa asking about Oakland. A majority of MLBTR readers believe the Dodgers will make the post-season (61%), but the A's will fall short despite finishing with a winning record (56%). 
• Mark Polishuk imagined what a contract extension for Buster Posey would cost in terms of dollars and years.
• Mike provided a 2013 vesting options update for players like Jason Bartlett, Kevin Gregg, and Brett Myers.
• Mike also updated the seasons for 11 players identified as 2012 being a make or break year for them.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.
• Mike assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR, our commenting policy, and our roster of weekly features, including when they are posted and what exactly to expect from them.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week, as yet another non-waiver trade deadline comes and goes:

• Only four teams failed to make a trade before the deadline (Mets, Nationals, Padres, and Orioles). So, Ben Nicholson-Smith asked MLBTR readers which of those four teams should have made a move. Over 41% of you thought the Orioles needed to make a deal.
• Tim Dierkes asked MLBTR readers who would be the biggest name changing teams on the final day of the trade deadline. Nearly 19% of you correctly predicted the Cubs would move Ryan Dempster. However, just under 17% of you erred in thinking Cliff Lee would be dealt by the Phillies.
• Ben then asked MLBTR readers if Lee would be claimed on waivers. More than 60% correctly predicted he would.
• Zach Links followed up by asking MLBTR readers if the Phillies should let Lee go on the waiver claim. Nearly 68% of you would let Lee wear the Dodger Blue. Ruben Amaro Jr., however, disagreed.
• Ben listed the other trade candidates who weren't traded.
• One of those players was Alfonso Soriano. Ben asked MLBTR readers whether the Cubs will move Soriano to another team this month. Almost 59% of you believe they will. 
• Yes, trades can still be completed in August. Ben chronicled some of the more noteworthy deals from August of 2011.
• How is a trade made after July 31st? MLBTR has this primer on the rules for August swaps.
• Ben hosted the weekly live chat.
• Ben gave a mid-season update on the converted relievers now starting and on baseball's new managers.
• MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz provided his 2013 projected salaries for some arbitration eligible trade candidates.
• Ben examined the possibility of the Twins non-tendering Alexi Casilla this offseason.
• Mike Axisa gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. This week's edition featured posts on three of the biggest names traded before the deadline: Zack Greinke, Hunter Pence, and Shane Victorino.

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

• Tim Dierkes was the first to report the option on Cole Hamels' contract extension is either a club option at $20MM or a vesting option at $24MM. 
• Ben Nicholson-Smith discussed the Jacob Turner–Anibal Sanchez–Omar Infante trade. Some teams seem willing to trade top prospects for prospective free agents, even when draft pick compensation isn't a possibility.
• Ben also explained the impact of the Carlos Quentin extension for teams outside of San Diego
• Ben posted his interview with Colby Rasmus on the one-year anniversary of the blockbuster three-team trade that sent the outfielder to Toronto.
• Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers which available starting pitcher would provide the biggest boost as a trade deadline acquisition: Hamels, Ryan Dempster, Zack Greinke, Matt Garza, or someone else. Over 58% of you favored Hamels. The Phillies agreed with you, but the Angels are hoping you're wrong.
• Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• Mike Axisa put together a trade deadline themed Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• 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 June of 2013 by losing the most games in 2012. You can find the link under MLBTR Features in the right sidebar. 

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

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

• Ben Nicholson-Smith finished his preview of the trade market in anticipation of the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline with a look at the potentially available shortstops, outfielders, starting pitchers, left-handed relievers, and right-handed relievers. 
• Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers which trade target makes the most sense for the Pirates: Chase Headley, Carlos Quentin, Justin Upton, Shane Victorino or somone else. Nearly 48% of you think the Pirates would be best served adding Upton to their lineup.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.
• Mike Axisa assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In with the headliners being trade candidates Upton, Cole Hamels, and Zack Greinke. 
• Here's the schedule for MLBTR's roster of weekly features and exactly what to expect from them.