MLBTR Originals News & Rumors

Here's a retrospective on the original works we published here at MLBTR last week:

• Tim Dierkes examined which contenders could use an upgrade in left field.
• Tim analyzed the trade candidacy of Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena.
• We launched CloserNews.com!
• If you've wondered what the Pirates and Rays might do if they become sellers, Tim considered that very thing.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith had a look at which trade candidates are playing well.
• This year's trade market has its strengths and weaknesses. Tim broke it down.
• Tim looked at the least likely All-Stars at this year's Midsummer Classic. Here's a look at which agencies had the most All-Stars.
• We identified a handful of players in the offseason who were facing make or break campaigns in 2011. Ben gave an update on them.
• Here's the transcript to Tim's chat with MLBTR readers.
• With Carlos Beltran again on the trade block, Ben recalled what the Royals got for the outfielder when they traded him in 2004.
• Here's how to use MLBTR.
• Ben looked at the Elias rankings for relievers headed to free agency.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from various baseball blogs. Among the hot topics: Francisco Rodriguez, Derek Holland and James Shields.

Here's a look back at the original content we published this week at MLBTR …

• We ask our faithful readers in a poll: Would you trade a top-50 prospect for Francisco Liriano?
• Here's an update on starters who were converted from relieving, by Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith compares Jose Reyes to Carl Crawford. The Mets shortstop, a free agent-to-be, is thought to be seeking a contract on par with the seven-year, $142MM deal the outfielder signed with the Red Sox last offseason.
• Only five of the offseason's Rule 5 Picks are on active rosters, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith checks in on this season's new managers.
• Jeff Keppinger could be a trade candidate, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• It's never too soon to have an idea of how the upcoming free agent market is shaping up. Here's the latest Elias rankings update.
• In a fun piece, Ben Nicholson-Smith looks back at the Pirates' last playoff run — in 1992.
• Here's the transcript to this week's MLBTR chat with Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Mike Axisa updates us on players with vesting options for 2012.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith takes stock of Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who can opt out of his contract at season's end.
• Diamondbacks righty Ian Kennedy is an extension candidate, as Mike Axisa writes.
• Mike Trout's callup prompts Ben Nicholson-Smith to break down the stud prospect's service time.
• Mike Axisa rounds up this week's best from the baseball blogosphere. Among the hot topics: Koji Uehara, Angel Pagan and the Red Sox.
• With the starters for the All-Star game in place, Mike Axisa looks at how each player was acquired by his team.
• Mike Cameron has been much more than merely a guy who was once trade for Ken Griffey Jr., writes Howard Megdal.

A look back at the original work we published this week here at MLBTR. The bad news is that we're publishing fewer of these pieces as we head into the heart of trading season, but the good news is that we're heading into the heart of trading season. On with the retrospective …

• The latest Elias rankings update is out.
• Being a Type B free agent has its advantages, as Tim Dierkes writes.
• The Indians have been scanning the trade market, so Tim Dierkes looks at what they need to improve.
• Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez is identified as a trade candidate by Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Are old managers the new market inefficiency? Howard Megdal examines this in the wake of 80-year-old Jack McKeon and 68-year-old Davey Johnson resurfacing as big league skippers.
• Several contenders could use an upgrade in center field, while others could use an upgrade in right field. Tim Dierkes has a look.
• Here's the transcript to this week's MLBTR Chat with Tim Dierkes.
• Starting pitchers are among the best low-risk pickups, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Mike Cameron was DFA'd by the Red Sox, prompting Mike Axisa to look at some potential suitors for the outfielder.
• Mike Axisa compiles this week's best from around the baseball blogosphere. Among the hot topics: James Shields, Jose Reyes and Michael Pineda.
• Zach Links rounds up the July 2 IFA signings.
• I put the question to you, dear readers: Should the Nats have extended Jim Riggleman rather than allowing him to resign?

Here's a look back at the original work that was published here at MLBTR last week:

• For contenders with deep pockets, there are some intriguing, if highly compensated, players that could probably be had easily, writes Tim Dierkes.
• Yunel Escobar's extension with the Jays has its advantages for both the player and team, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Looking for a lefty reliever? Tim has the rundown on which guys might be available.
• Finding a backup backstop who can hit is no easy task, as Ben writes.
• Pending-free-agent Jamey Carroll spoke with Tim. Carroll is also a trade candidate.
• A handful of contenders could use an upgrade at third base. Others need help at shortstop.
• In a season of great parity, it's tough to figure how many sellers are out there. Tim considers this question.
• Tim conducted his weekly chat with MLBTR's loyal readers.
• Ben had a look at how baseball's newest $100MM-plus players are faring so far this season.
• Are the Twins playoff contenders? Ben asked that question and set up a poll for your input. The results are interesting.
• Carlos Quentin's bounce-back season has him poised to earn a contract extension with the White Sox, writes Mark Polishuk.
• Jim Riggleman's departure from the Nats prompted Howard Megdal to examine whether winning managers find new jobs.
• The steal-happy Blue Jays are reaping the benefits of their aggressiveness on the basepaths, according to Ben.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around the baseball blogosphere. Among the topics: Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Jeff Francis and Geovany Soto.

Here's a look back at the original material we published at MLBTR last week:

• Here's our up-to-date list of first- and supplemental-round draftees — who's signed and for how much.
• A handful of prospects were dealt in July 2009. Here's how they've done since then.
• The Super Two system is hotly debated these days. What can be done about it?
• MLBTR is a pretty comprehensive resource. Here's how to use it and its many tools.
• We could use your help filling in some info for our agency database.
• Which contenders are in need of an upgrade at second base? Which ones could use help at first base? Tim Dierkes has a look.
• There's an intriguing list of potentially available righty relievers.
• How might the Marlins, Nationals, Royals and Athletics proceed if they become sellers during the trading season?
• Tim looked at how this offseason's free-agent relievers are faring so far.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around the baseball blogosphere. The Phillies, Mark Cuban and Scott Kazmir were among the hot topics.
• Howard Megdal gave us an historical look at what happens when batting champions are traded.
• I looked at some potential fits for trade candidate Ryan Ludwick.

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

• As the losses kept piling up, A's GM Billy Beane realized that he had to make a change and fire his friend, manager Bob Geren, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Tim Dierkes reported that the Yankees claimed pitcher Jeff Marquez off of waivers from the White Sox.  This year in nine starts for Triple-A Charlotte he posted a 3.97 ERA, 6.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 47 2/3 innings.
• Did you miss this week's chat?  Don't worry, you can check out the transcript right here.
• Steve Adams profiled the remarkable run of Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong.
• Astros first-round pick George Springer credits genetics and gymnastics for his athletic ability.
• Ben-Nicholson Smith brought us an update on Super Two candidates.
• There were a ton of great pieces featured in this week's edition of Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Draft picks Archie Bradley and Trevor Bauer are both excited about their futures with the Diamondbacks.
• Howard Megdal took a look back at top picks who have been traded by their original teams.
• Here's a rundown of all of MLBTR's regular features.

Here's a look back at some of the original content from the MLBTR team this past week:

• Ben Nicholson-Smith examined Jose Valverde's $9MM club option for the 2012 season and tackled the implications of Jordan Lyles' big league debut for the Astros.
• Ben also took a look at what the declining production of designated hitters will mean for David Ortiz as he approaches free agency this offseason and gave an update on this year's Rule 5 Draft picks.
• Tim Dierkes' 2012 Contract Issue series came to a conclusion with this piece on the Twins. You can see the whole list (with brief summaries) here.
• Tim also listed some potentially available power bats and starting pitchers, and looked at what would happen it the D'Backs become buyers and/or the Cubs became sellers.
• For draft-related content, Ben interviewed Blue Jays' amateur scouting director Andrew Tinnish and also interviewed former general manager and current Rangers senior advisor/MLB Network analyst John Hart before taking a look at the Phillies' approach to the draft.
• Meanwhile, Tim introduced readers to the six college right-handers who are all in the Top 20 lists of ESPN's Keith Law, Baseball America, and Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.
• Mike Axisa rounded up the latest and greatest from the blogosphere in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Dan Mennella checked in on Lance Berkman's free agent stock and predicted a deal similar to Aubrey Huff's latest contract for Big Puma if he stays healthy and productive.
• Here's the transcript of this week's chat, hosted by Tim.
• Nearly three quarters of MLBTR readers thought at least one of this season's surprise teams, the Indians and Diamondbacks, would remain in contention for the long haul in a poll conducted this week.

Time to recap all of the original content we've provided over the last seven days…

• Tim Dierkes put together a list of all the players eligible for arbitration after the season and explored the offseason closer market. Contenders and their lefty relievers was another topic, and Tim also looked at what might happen if the Padres become sellers.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Indians' director of amateur scouting Brad Grant about the team's approach to the draft. He also listed some contenders that need help in the OBP department and broke down Heath Bell's trade value.
• The 2012 Contract Issues series continued with the Tigers, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks.
• Ben looked at what Fred Wilpon's comments mean for the Mets while Howard Megdal had some fun with them.
• I rounded up the best the blogosphere had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Here is this week's chat transcript.