MLBTR Originals News & Rumors

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

• Matt Swartz looked back at the 2012 arbitration projections.
• If he can stay healthy, Erik Bedard can be a serious trade candidate, writes Dan Mennella.
• If you don't remember Dock Ellis' stint with the A's, you're probably not alone.  I looked back at the trade that put the pitcher in Oakland for roughly two months.
• The Yankees restructured their rotation with trades, free agent signings and an extension this past offseason and Tim recapped their winter.
• Jake Peavy could be on the move this summer, writes Mike Axisa.
• The Brett Myers trade rumors have been circulating for a while, and there’s no reason to expect them to slow down between now and trade deadline, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• What's next for Bobby Abreu?  Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers if the veteran will land a major league or minor league deal and the results were pretty much split.
• Check out the transcript for this week's chat hosted by BN-S.
• There's a new version of the Baseball Trade Rumors app for the iPhone – get it today!
• It could be time for the Braves to consider an extension for Brandon Beachy.
• I asked MLBTR readers if they believe the Giants will extend Tim Lincecum.  61% of readers don't think that San Fran will get it done.
• Mike checked in on the players who have vesting options for the 2013 season.
• It's a Make Or Break Year for Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens, writes Mike.
• Ben writes that Grant Balfour could bring in a sizable haul for the A's this year.
• Dan looked back on Billy Martin's fourth stint as Yankees skipper.
• I profiled the Graig Nettles trade that was prompted by the content of the third baseman's book.
• Mike rounded up the best of the web in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

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

• Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at the top arbitration eligible catchers for 2013.
• Mike Axisa put together a list of players claimed off of waivers since the start of the offseason and are now contributing at the big league level.
• Ben compiled a list of the top young pitchers without extensions.
• The specifics of Madison Bumgarner‘s five-year, $35MM extension were somewhat surprising, Ben writes.
• James Loney‘s late-season tear in 2011 likely saved his job with the Dodgers, but this will be a Make Or Break Year for the first baseman, Mike writes.
• I asked MLBTR readers if they like the Erick Aybar extension from the Angels’ perspective and the results were just about split.
• BN-S examined how much Super Two status is worth.
• Ben had the wheel for our chat on Wednesday.
• With enough interested parties, larger offers wouldn’t be out of the question for Francisco Liriano.  A repeat of his 2011 numbers, however, would likely relegate Liriano to a one-year deal, writes Steve Adams.
• The Astros welcomed a new owner, hired a new GM and agreed to switch leagues this past offseason.
• There are three players who will soon have their ten and five rights kick in.
• Mike rounded up the best from around the baseball blogosphere for this week’s edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Here’s a list of all the ways you can enjoy MLBTR.

Here's a look at the original reporting and analysis delivered by the MLBTR writing staff this week..

• Several contenders are already dealing with injuries in the bullpen and it seems likely that trade suitors will be checking in with the Padres on Huston Street, writes Dan Mennella.
• Dan checked in on the free agent stock of Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier.
• This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In includes pieces on Derek Jeter, Jason Bay, and the Rays.
• It's a Make Or Break Year for Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind, writes Mark Polishuk.
• Nearly 62% of MLBTR readers don't think that Josh Hamilton will play for the Rangers in 2013.
• Delmon Young's representatives at Wasserman Media Group will seek a multi-year deal if he replicates his 2010 performance but he'll be limited to one-year offers if he doesn't perform.  It's an important season for Young, Ben Nicholson-Smith writes.
• More than 9,000 of you weighed in on Mike's poll asking if the Phillies will sign Cole Hamels to an extension and the votes were just about split.
• Ben conducted MLBTR's weekly chat and you can check out the transcript right here.
• Mike writes that fair or not, the Yankees are going to have to give Robinson Cano a larger contract than what Ian Kinsler and Brandon Phillips received if they intend to keep him beyond next season.
• Ben wrapped up the Offseason In Review series with a look at the Indians.
• Want a rundown of all of MLBTR's regular features?  We got you covered.
• Ben looked at recent extensions for pre-arbitration eligible players.
• Mike Pelfrey could be in for a big payday if he delivers in 2012, Mike writes.
• I asked MLBTR readers when they expect the Dodgers to start contending and most see next season being the turning point for Los Angeles.

This week's original analysis and reporting from the MLBTR team..

• Tim Dierkes and Ben Nicholson-Smith were the first to report that Joey Votto and the Reds were nearing agreement on a long-term extension.  The first baseman inked a ten-year, $225MM deal with Cincinnati.
• Ben spoke with John Smoltz about National League pitchers coming back from injury this year.
• Tim was the first to learn that free agent designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero changed agencies from SFX to Proformance.  MLBTR's Agency Database offers a complete, updated look at Proformance's client list.
• We wrapped up the Offseason In Review series with examinations of the Rangers, Twins, White Sox, and the Dodgers. 
• The 30 Opening Day starters aren't the 30 best pitchers in the game, but their managers do consider them the best arms currently available.  Ben put together a list of the pitchers who got the nod on Opening Day and how they got there.
• Five MLBTR writers gave their predictions for 2012.  We'll check back in November and see who comes out on top.
• On this week nine years ago, the Red Sox picked up Pedro Martinez's option well before they had to.
• Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In features pieces on Joey Votto, Matt Cain, and Alex Gordon.
• Nearly 30% of MLBTR readers agree that the Angels are baseball's most improved team.
• Mike updated the list of the largest contracts in draft history.  Stephen Strasburg, of course, has the most lucrative major league contract.
• Ben updated the list of record contracts by position.
• MLBTR is increasing efforts to enforce our commenting policy.  You can get reacquainted with the rules here.
• Ben ran our weekly chat this week – if you missed out on it, you can take a look back at the transcript.
• Phil Hughes is still only 25 years old but this is a Make Or Break Year for the Yankees' right-hander, Mike writes.

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

• Tim Dierkes reported that Red Sox lefty Jon Lester and Rangers reliever Mike Adams changed agencies to follow former SFX agent Josh Yates over to ACES.
• Our Offseason In Review series continued with looks at the Pirates, Nationals, Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, and Tigers.
• Nineteen years ago this week, Charlie Brown went yard on the great-grandaughter of Roy Hobbs.  Mike Axisa commemorated this historic moment with a look at some of the best stuff from around the web in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. 
• On Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith fielded your questions for MLBTR's weekly chat.  You can check out the transcript right here.
• This is a Make Or Break Year for Twins right-hander Scott Baker, Mike writes.
• Mike Axisa gave us an update on this year's Rule 5 draft picks.
• If you're looking for an extra edge in your fantasy league, RotoAuthority.com needs to be among your daily reads.  Tim recapped some of the best reads from the staff this week.

A recap of all of the original analysis and reporting from MLBTR’s staff this week..

• Tim was the first to report that Derek Holland‘s new deal with the Rangers covering the 2012-16 seasons will include two team options.
• Pitching prospect Rafael DePaula agreed to sign with the Yankees for $500K in November, 2010, but hasn’t had a visa until now, so the deal hasn’t been completed. Agent Charisse Espinosa-Dash told MLBTR this week that DePaula has his visa and that the original deal is expected to go through once the Dominican right-hander passes a physical.
• Matt Wieters hit .262/.328/.450 with 22 homers for the Orioles in 2011 and was named to his first All-Star Game.  Mike Axisa examined what it might take for the O’s to sign him to a new deal.
• This is a make or break year for 28-year-old Kendrys Morales, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Our Offseason In Review series continued with looks at the Cardinals, Mariners, Rockies, Royals, Brewers, Marlins, Blue Jays, Angels, Diamondbacks, and Mets.
• The Royals seek catching depth following Salvador Perez’s left knee operation, and GM Dayton Moore could look for replacements in a number of places, Ben writes.
• Six franchises that haven’t appeared in a postseason game in the last ten years: the Mariners, Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates, Royals and Nationals/Expos.  Ben asked our readers which franchise will end their franchise drought and a whopping 49% chose the Nationals.
• Mike’s latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In features pieces on Andy Pettitte‘s comeback, Joakim Soria, and the Alberto Callaspo trade market.
• Ben noted that 18 of the pitchers in projected rotations around MLB are at least 35 years of age or will turn 35 at some point in 2012.
• BN-S had the wheel for MLBTR’s chat on Wednesday.
• If you prefer your MLBTR fix limited to only your favorite team, we’ve got you covered.

A look back at the original analysis churned out by the MLBTR team over the past week …

• Ben Nicholson-Smith offers insight into the timeline for calling up prospects, and how it affects their arbitration and free-agent clocks.
• A handful of veterans who signed minor league deals are in line for $100K bonuses, explains Mark Polishuk.
• Dan Duquette spent his first offseason as O's GM focused on building rotation depth, writes Ben. 
• Which players will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after the 2012 season? Ben compiles a comprehensive list.
• For a transcript of the weekly MLBTR Chat, with Ben, click here.
• Ben looks at the Phillies' offseason, which netted them another high-priced, high-end talent.
• A relatively quiet offseason for the Giants was not without its interesting subtleties, writes Tim Dierkes.
• A busy offseason for the Reds that included the acquisition of front-line starter in Mat Latos gets the review treatment by Ben.
• The Athletics' offseason, perhaps highlighted by the signing of Yoenis Cespedes, is reviewed by Ben.
• Tim looks back at the Rays' offseason, one in which Tampa interestingly enhanced its lineup through free agency.
• The popular Baseball Blogs Weigh In makes its weekly appearance, courtesy of Mike Axisa. Topics in the linked pieces include the Royals' recent trend of signing young players to multiyear extensions, and a possible extension for Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, among many others.
• Mike examines the respective trade candidacies of Padres right-handers Tim Stauffer and Dustin Moseley.
• After an offseason in which several good young pitchers were traded, Mike asks readers which one yielded the best return.

Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis produced by MLBTR's writing staff this week..

• We're always looking ahead here at MLBTR and this week Tim rolled out his early analysis of the 2013-14 free agent class.
• Some questioned the Nats' decision to take a closer so early in the draft, but Drew Storen hasn't disappointed on the promise he flashed as an amateur, writes Dan Mennella.  Dan gave his thoughts on what it might take for Washington to extend Storen.
• For all of the hype generated by Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters last year, many overlooked the impressive numbers posted by Braves left-hander Eric O'Flaherty.  Mark Polishuk took notice, however, and believes that a three-year, $12MM deal would be appropriate for the 27-year-old.
• This week's installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In from Mike Axisa covers Andrew McCutchen's extension and Yu Darvish's spring debut.
• Speaking of McCutchen's deal, the Pirates are now set focus their attention on a new deal for second baseman Neil Walker.  Tim examined what that contract might look like.
• The Red Sox have Jacoby Ellsbury under team control through 2013, but they might want to start thinking about a contract extension for him, Mark writes.
• This week's Sloan Sports Analytics Conference featured some of the brightest minds in baseball and many of the panelists gave their thoughts on the next frontier in the game.
• The Padres didn't get a discount on Cameron Maybin's arbitration years, Tim writes.
• The Yankees are looking to get under the $189MM threshold by 2014, but Mike's poll shows that roughly 72% of MLBTR readers aren't buying it.
• Tim conducted the weekly chat on Wednesday.  If you missed out on it, you can check out the transcript right here.
• The Nationals' glut of starting pitching makes John Lannan a great trade candidate.
• Tim outlined some big money players who stand a chance of being cut at some point in 2012.  Among those on the list are Vernon Wells, Barry Zito, and Jason Bay.
• What was the biggest surprise of the offseason?  According to MLBTR readers, it was the Halos signing both Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.  A majority (26.4%) of MLBTR readers also picked the Angels as the American League team poised to make the biggest turnaround.
• Five players can lock in 2013 contract options with their play in 2012.
• Looking for a list of all of MLBTR's weekly features?  Check out this post.  It even includes MLBTR Originals, which is kind of meta, or something.

As Spring Training picks up steam, let's take a look back at the original content and scoops provided by the MLBTR writing team this past week:

• Tim Dierkes attended the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston, and had the opportunity to get some thoughts from Scott Boras on Edwin Jackson, Johnny Damon, and Mike Gonzalez. Boras said he feels a one-year deal benefits Jackson, because his agency's metrics lead him to believe that evolution as a pitcher is still coming.
• Tim also had the opportunity to ask new Astros GM Jeff Luhnow a few questions after he participated in a panel at the event. Luhnow spoke about the decision to move Brett Myers to the bullpen, the importance of the first overall pick, and his implementation of more advanced statistical analysis in the Houston front office.
• Happy belated Leap Day! Howard Megdal's latest work takes a look at the history of the rare February 29 transaction.
• Mike Axisa gave us an idea of what to expect this month when he ran down the transactions from March of 2011.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith examined Salvador Perez's surprising contract extension, noting that there's significant upside for the Royals.
• Ryan Zimmerman became the newest $100MM man in baseball, leading Ben to look at $100MM contracts in history by players' age.
• The new Collective Bargaining Agreement will have significant impact on trading strategies this year, and Ben examined what changes we can expect when he looked at the new trade market.
• Ben examined John Axford as an extension candidate and concluded that a four-year, $17MM deal would be fitting for the man with Milwaukee's most notable mustache.
• That wasn't the only situation Ben analyzed; he took a look at Mike Minor as a trade candidate following some candid comments from the Braves young lefty last week.
• Ben gave a fantastic preview of service time considerations for Baseball America's Top 100 prospects. Ben's piece sheds light on how long players like Bryce Harper and Shelby Miller will have to be in the minors to give their clubs extra service time.
• Tim provides an extensive list of starting pitchers who could hear their name on the trading block whis summer.
• Tim also published MLBTR's list of 2014 free agents, and in a separate piece, looked at the top names available at each position in that free agent class.
• On a related note, Tim also checked in with players who would be entering contract years, were it not for contract extensions they signed.
• The Offseason in Review series is back, and Tim kicked off by looking at the Atlanta Braves.
• In a pair of polls, Ben and Zach asked readers which 90-win team will disappoint (with the Brewers getting the most votes) and which NL team will have the biggest turnaround (the Nationals won the voting), respectively.
• WIth Scott Sizemore going down for the season, Tim looked at some third base alternatives for the Athletics.
• As he does each and every week, Mike provided readers with a window into the best of the baseball blogosphere with this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Tim manned the helm for this week's MLBTR Chat.
• MLBTR is seeking comment moderators, so be sure to apply if you're interested in helping out!
• As usual, there's plenty of new fantasy baseball content over at the newly re-launched RotoAuthority.com. Here's a look at the latest.
• MLBTR was the first to learn that the Orioles signed minor league catcher Josh Johnson.

A look back at the original analysis and reporting that the MLBTR staff churned out over the past week …

• The Rangers signed lefty reliever Neal Cotts to a minor league contract, Tim Dierkes reported.
• Brandon McCarthy's transformation has made him an extension candidate, explained Tim.
• Which team spent the most on its arbitration eligible players this offseason? Tim had a look.
• Minor league contracts can be big values to clubs, so Tim ranked the 10 best of this offseason.
• Tim compared and contrasted the respective top-100-prospect list of Baseball America, Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, and Keith Law of ESPN.com. 
• Ben Nicholson-Smith hosted MLBTR's Weekly Live Chat.
• Ben looked at the youngest remaining free agents on the market.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around the baseball blogosphere. A Billy Beane interview, a Ryan Braun reaction piece, and a farewell to Tim Wakefield were among the many interesting reads.