MLBTR Originals News & Rumors

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

• Ben Nicholson-Smith is previewing the trade market position by position in anticipation of the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. This week's focus: catchers, first basemen, second basemen, and third basemen.
• MLBTR learned the bonus 16-year-old Australian left-hander Lewis Thorpe received for signing with the Twins was $500K.
• MLBTR also learned Xavier Paul opted out of his minor league contract with the Nationals and became a free agent.
• MLBTR was the first to report the Reds signed their eighth round draft pick Seth Mejias-Brean, who played third base for the College World Series champion Arizona.
• Ben hosted the weekly live chat.
• 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 Cole Hamels, Matt Garza, and Carlos Lee.
• Zach Links listed the remaining unsigned first round selections from the 2012 draft. The signing deadline is this Friday.
• Here's a refresher on MLBTR's commenting policy.

Let's look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• Ben Nicholson-Smith provided service time updates for Anthony Rizzo and Trevor Bauer, a pair of highly regarded prospects who made their 2012 debuts this week.
• Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers if the Rockies should trade Carlos Gonzalez for a package of prospects and nearly 54% of you think they should.
• Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• Ben reviewed the performances of the eight players who signed $100MM contracts this past offseason.
• Mike put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In with the Kevin Youkilis trade being a hot topic.
• Ben listed the remaining unsigned first round and supplementary first round selections from the 2012 draft.

Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote Alfonso Soriano will draw some interest from teams in a trade market that doesn't yet feature an impact bat. 
• Ben also wrote Jason Vargas could have considerable value as a low-cost option for teams looking for a left-handed starter.
• Ben hosted this week's chat.
• Mike Axisa provided a 2013 vesting options update for players like Jason Bartlett, Kevin Gregg, and Brett Myers.
• This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In featured posts on Jorge Soler, Cole Hamels, and R.A. Dickey.
• MLBTR reported the Rangers signed right-hander Willie Eyre to a minor league contract.
• Daniel Seco listed the remaining unsigned first round and supplementary first round selections from the 2012 draft.
• Want the latest rumors for your favorite team?  Check out MLBTR's team-by-team links for Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.

Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• MLBTR was the first to learn that Ben Sheets threw for scouts from the Phillies, Braves, Yankees, and Angels on Wednesday.
• MLBTR learned the Indians' second round selection Mitch Brown received an over-slot bonus of $800K.
• Tim Dierkes was the first to report the White Sox signed their third round draft choice Joey DeMichele.
• MLBTR was the first to break the news of the draft signings of Joey Curletta (sixth round) by the Dodgers and Elliott Waterman (13th round) by the Nationals.
• Another MLBTR exclusive was Mark Teahen has an opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Nationals.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith examined the possibility of Ryan Dempster being traded this summer.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.
• Mike Axisa has the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In featuring posts on Andre Ethier, Josh Hamilton, and Carlos Quentin.
• Ben updated the timeline for calling up prospects with the expectation the players will not be eligible for super two arbitration status. 
• There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors.  Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR.

Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

• Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote about the uncertainty surrounding the Red Sox amid the Kevin Youkilis trade rumors.
• Tim Dierkes was the first to report outfielder Jason Pridie asked for and was granted his release from the A's.
• MLBTR was the first to break the news of the Royals signing their third round draft choice Colin Rodgers.
• Ben hosted the MLBTR draft chat and the regular weekly live chat.
• Ben profiled the first overall draft selections who haven’t appeared in an MLB game.
• Zach Links reviewed the 22-year career of Bill Buckner, which came to an end 22 years ago.
• Ben checked in on the prominent starting pitchers scheduled to be first-time arbitration eligible this coming offseason.
• Howard Megdal examined the value teams have received from free agent compensation draft picks.
• Mike Axisa compiled the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. This week's edition featured posts on Mark Appel, Justin Morneau, and Bryan LaHair.
• Here's a refresher on MLBTR's commenting policy and the schedule of our weekly features and exactly what to expect from them.

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

• Ben Nicholson-Smith completed the 2013 Contract Issues series by profiling the Yankees, Orioles, and Red Sox.
• Ben wrote Matt Capps figures to draw interest as a trade candidate this summer.
• Ben also wrote that Carlos Quentin will have considerable value for teams looking for a power bat.
• Mike Axisa listed the longest current contracts for each of the 30 clubs.
• Ben compiled a team by team breakdown of the 2013 payroll commitments.
• Mark Polishuk examined the best contract extensions from two offseasons ago.
• Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
• MLBTR was the first to report Ross Ohlendorf became a free agent after opting out of his minor league deal with the Red Sox.
• Mike asked MLBTR readers if Jamie Moyer will continue playing.  Nearly 54% of you think he will.
• This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In featured posts on Roy Oswalt, Adam Jones, and Kevin Youkilis.
• The Baseball Trade Rumors app is now iPad-friendly. The newly released version 2.2 also features integration with our commenting system. Check it out today!

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

• Ben Nicholson-Smith continued MLBTR's 2013 Contract Issues series by profiling the Marlins, Braves, Blue Jays, & Rays.  He also broke down the AL West (Rangers, Mariners, Athletics, Angels) and the AL Central (Twins, Royals, Tigers, Indians, White Sox).
• Former MLB outfielder Bobby Kielty told Tim Dierkes he signed with the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League.
• Jason Marquis has been a frequent subject of MLBTR posts throughout his career, writes Howard Megdal.
• Ben hosted this week's chat.
• Mike Axisa has the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In featuring posts on Roy Oswalt, Aroldis Chapman, and Mike Trout.
• Mike asked MLBTR readers about the next contract for Mike Napoli and over 49% predict a deal in the four-year, $52MM range.
• 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 from the MLBTR team this week.

• Ben Nicholson-Smith continued the 2013 Contract Issues series by examining several NL clubs:  Cardinals, Pirates, Brewers, Astros, Reds, Cubs, Nationals, Phillies, & Mets.
• Ben also identified Cole Hamels and Jose Mijares as possible trade candidates. Some teams might have interest in Mijares as a specialist against left-handed hitters.
• Mark Polishuk discussed the possibility of a contract extension between Melky Cabrera and the Giants.
• Ben took a look at how the 2011 non-tenders are contributing with their new teams.
• Zach Links revisited the acrimonious split between the Mets and Rickey Henderson 12 years ago.
• Ben provided a brief primer on how free agent compensation works under baseball's new collective bargaining agreement.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• MLBTR first reported outfielder Nick Weglarz cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A.
• Ben hosted this week's live chat.

A look back at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR team this week..

• MLBTR was the first to learn that the Royals signed 36-year-old left-hander Doug Davis to a minor league deal.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith profiled some potential heirs to Bud Selig’s throne.
• It’s a Make Or Break Year for Kevin Youkilis, Mike Axisa writes.
• I looked back at the trade that sent Dave Winfield from the Yankees to the Angels.  The veteran outfielder had ten-and-five rights and used his leverage to extract a new contract out of the Halos.
• The Rockies, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, and Padres were profiled in our 2013 Contract Issues series.
• This season will be telling for Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, writes Mark Polishuk.
• Goodness gracious, it’s been five years since Roger Clemens returned to the Yankees.
• Mike compiled the best of the web in this week’s installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben had the wheel this week for our chat.

Here's a look at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR writing team this week..

• Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke with Carlos Villanueva about his role with the MLBPA.
• Earlier in the week, Jason Frasor told Ben that he was on board with the changes to the CBA.
• Dan Mennella looked at closers with 2013 options with a very preliminary look at whether they will be picked up.
• Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers how the Yankees should go about replacing Mariano Rivera in 2012 and more than 57% of you said that the club should turn the job over to David Robertson rather than giving it to Rafael Soriano or making a trade.
• Dan brought us the interesting and little-known story of Herb Washington.
• Ben brought us updates on converted relievers that have been brought into starting roles.
• This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In included items on Rivera, Huston Street, and Albert Pujols.
• Check out the transcript of our weekly chat hosted by BN-S.
• Mark Polishuk described Bryan LaHair as having "quality sleeper potential" in a column for Roto Authority back in January, but didn't expect him to blossom into a trade candidate.
• Here's a refresher on our commenting policy.  Play nice, everyone.  We're also looking for folks to help us enforce our rules as moderators.
• More than 51% of MLBTR readers believe that Johnny Damon will prove to be the best minor league DH signing over Hideki Matsui, Manny Ramirez, and Vladimir Guerrero.