MLBTR Originals

Let's take a look back at some of the original reporting and analysis from MLBTR's writing team this week..

• Over the next few months we'll be looking for potential non-tender candidates.  We turned the spotlight on Braves outfielder Melky Cabrera and Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes in recent days. 
• We rolled out even more previews of starting rotations in 2011.  This week we covered the Tigers, Royals, and Indians.  For the Tigers piece, Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Armando Galarraga. 
• We've seen some interesting deals go down on August 25th in years past, writes Tim Dierkes.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith broke down the Dodgers' big decision.
• On Sunday MLBTR released another round of Elias Rankings projections courtesy of Eddie Bajek.
• If you missed out on Tim Dierkes' weekly chat, you can read the transcript here.
• We took a look at arbitration-eligible players on the Blue Jays, Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles this week.
• Did you know that eight players who signed for over $1MM this offseason have been dumped so far this year?
• Howard Megdal named David Cone this week's "Jack Of All Trades".
• Mike Axisa delivered his weekly look at the blogosphere.
• Several teams spent big on the draft when they weren't expected to, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.  Ben spoke to Blue Jays scouting director Andrew Tinnish, Indians scouting director Brad Grant, and Pirates GM Neal Huntington for the article. 
• MLBTR readers voted on the Blue Jays' bullpen, whether an NL team would claim Manny Ramirez, Austin Kearns' future and discussed Manny Parra's future, Cody Ross' trade value, and whether the Cubs will sign Adam Dunn.

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

• This week MLBTR continued to look at the probable and possible starting rotations for clubs in 2011.  The Yankees, Giants, Rockies, Phillies, Marlins, Athletics, and Padres have all been profiled in the last seven days.  To see all of our 2011 rotation previews, click here.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith drew a comparison between Josh Hamilton and Kevin Youkilis.
• On Monday we unfurled our listing of final-year arbitration-eligible players. 
  
• Howard Megdal reflected on the 1980 trade deadline.   Fun Fact: This was the year that Gaylord Perry, then 41, was shipped to the Yankees.  Perry started eight games for the Bombers that year.
• The Phillies have been doling out contract years like candy, says Tim Dierkes.
• David Chadd, the vice president of amateur scouting for the Tigers, spoke to Ben Nicholson-Smith about the club's 2010 draft.
• MLBTR was first to learn of the Phillies' agreements with draft picks Brian Pointer and Jonathan Musser.  Both players were signed for more than their slot suggested.
  
• Tim Dierkes analyzed the trade market for veteran Craig Counsell.
  
• As always we conducted our weekly chat and if you missed out you can review the transcript.
  
• MLBTR readers voted on Adam LaRoche's future, Francisco Rodriguez's contract, the wisdom of tendering a contract offer to J.J. Hardy and discussed where Magglio Ordonez will end up, whether the Dodgers should deal Ted Lilly, and what the Mets should do with R.A. Dickey.