MLBTR Originals News & Rumors

A look back at the original posts published this week at MLBTR …

• Tim Dierkes looks at the Cardinals', Brewers' and Yankees' 2012 contract issues.
• If you don't know the Bradleys in the upcoming draft, Tim gets you up to speed.
• What will happen if the D'Backs and Pirates become sellers? Tim looks into it.
• With roughly one-quarter of the season in the can, Tim writes up the best performers among position players and pitchers of this offseason's impending free-agent class.
• Sergio Santos' rise from obscurity to White Sox closer is recounted by Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Ben breaks down the variety of ways to use MLBTR.
• Ben examines the service time implications of Danny Duffy's callup.
• The Amateur Draft Glossary is ready. Learn it and love it!
• Jaime Garcia could be in for a big pay day via arbitration, writes Ben.
• An update on the 13 players we identified as facing make-or-break seasons in the spring.
• A handful of players who were non-tendered in the offseason are playing well, writes Ben, but fewer waiver claims are getting it done.
• Howard Megdal compares Jose Bautista's sudden prominence to that of Roger Maris.
• Ben lists the links to our Facebook, Twitter and RSS feeds for each club.
• Jason Giambi's three-homer game prompts Ben to give a rundown of the oldest players in MLB.
• Interleague Play resumed this weekend, and Ben has a look at this offseason's top players who switched leagues.
• What will a "bad" season (by his standards) mean for Albert Pujols as he draws nearer to free agency? Mark Polishuk examines.

Let's recap all of the original content we provided here at MLBTR over the last seven days…

• Tim Dierkes listed some potentially available relievers as well as players that could be on the market if the Twins decide to become sellers. He also published a list of 2012 free agents, arbitration records for position players, and each agency's contract haul from this winter.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Brandon Inge about his tenure with the Tigers, as well as Alex Avila and GM Dave Dombrowski about the team's catching depth. He also looked back at all of the relievers the Rays lost this past offseason.
• Steve Adams looked back at Jose Bautista's contract extension just three months after it was signed. Bautista was also the focus of Howard Megdal's latest Jack Of All Trades post.
• Mark Polishuk evaluated the Twins' rebuilt bullpen while Ben did the same for the Padres, Rays, and Diamondbacks. Dan Mennella looked at Heath Bell as a trade candidate and I went back and re-lived the first Mike Piazza trade.
• The 2012 Contract Issues series continued with the Rockies, Athletics, Phillies, and Royals.
• This week's poll question asked about Milton Bradley's future.
• I dug up the best the blogosphere had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• Here's a list of MLBTR's regular features.
• We're looking for help with @closernews.

Among the many topics covered in this week's MLBTR original analysis was, of course, the no-hitters of Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander. You can find those pieces and other insights from MLBTR's writing staff right here:

• Verlander reflected on his achievement and his career development, as Ben Nicholson-Smith writes.
• With roughly five weeks of the season in the rearview, Mike Axisa looks at the performances of this offseason's free agents: Which ones have earned their keep and which ones haven't, and the best pitchers by ERA+ and best hitters by OPS+.
• Here's the best baseball blogging of the week, as compiled by Mike.
• Royals GM Dayton Moore's offseason is looking pretty good right now, writes Ben.
• In the wake of Liriano's no-no, Howard Megdal writes that if history is any indication, the lefty improved his chances of remaining in Minnesota.
• A look at the financial implications of Eric Hosmer's promotion to the bigs.
• Mark Polishuk examines David Wright as a trade candidate, and Ben does the same with Wilson Betemit.
• Which positions players and which pitchers were the best minor league signings?
• A now famous deal between the Giants and Twins sent Liriano to Minnesota. Ben examines the transactions history of the hurlers who've thrown no-nos since 2005.
• Here's the transcript from this week's MLBTR chat with Tim Dierkes.
• Jered Weaver is off to a ridiculously hot start. Tim examines how much the righty will make next year.
• The red-hot Indians are all the rage. Here's their recent trade history, and here's how they were built.
• Our Contract Issues series continues with the Astros, the Angels, and the Mets.
• This piece, by Ben, will help you keep tabs on those former relievers who have converted to starting.
• Tim looks back at Tim Lincecum's historic arbitration case and wonders what it might mean as the ace is once again eligible for arbitration after the 2011 season.
• The Offseason In Review series is complete.

Here's a rundown of MLBTR's original content from the past week….

• Our Draft Prospect Q&A series rolled on as Ben Nicholson-Smith chatted with Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon.
• We looked at the arbitration records for starting pitchers and catchers.
• Eating money in trades or by releasing players is never ideal, but sometimes it's a necessary evil.  Mike Axisa took a look at the teams that are paying players to play elsewhere this season.
• Did you miss out on Tim Dierkes' Wednesday chat?  Well, turn that frown upside down because you can read the transcript right here.
• The Rangers, Rays, Reds, and Giants were profiled in our 2012 contract issues series this week.
• Earlier that day, Tim released his analysis of the 2013 free agent class.  Here's our freshly published 2013 free agent list.
• On Friday we brought you an update on this year's Rule 5 picks.  Eight of the 19 players selected in the Major League phase of last offseason's Rule 5 draft are back where they started.
• It's early in the season but Ben Nicholson-Smith updated us on the value of impending free agents.
• Check out our list of baseball's longest tenured GMs.
• Howard Megdal pointed out the shocking baseball transgressions in The Babe and investigated how teams have dealt with suddenly losing players historically.
• Dan Mennella looked at a major Trade Candidate, Francisco Rodriguez.
• David Price and Clayton Kershaw are likely going to redefine the market with their next contracts.
• We updated our list of the largest contracts in draft history.
• Here's some of the best baseball analysis from around the web in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith reflected on Ryan Howard's extension, one year later.

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

• Days after announcing his retirement, Carlos Delgado talked to Ben Nicholson-Smith about his career.
• Do you have the MLBTradeRumors app on your iPhone?  This week, Howard Megdal learned that Tim Byrdak does.
• Tim took a look at some of the most regrettable high-priced contracts from the 2009-2010 offseason.
• Three years and one day ago, the Blue Jays cut Randy Wells, allowing him to re-sign with the Cubs.
• We asked our readers if MLB should change the luxury tax deadline.
• Jered Weaver could be considered an extension candidate and a trade candidate, writes Mark Polishuk.
• The Offseason In Review series rolled on with a look at the Phillies, Tigers, and Astros.
• Here's an explanation of the many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors.
• Here's an updated list of the largest contracts by service time in the majors.  We also broke down all of Boston's long-term commitments in one handy post.
• Have you taken a gander at our agency database?  It's constantly updated with all of the latest representation changes.
• The Blue Jays expect to move David Purcey soon and Ben identified some possible destinations for the hurler.
• This week we introduced our 2012 Contract Issues series by looking at the Pirates, Orioles, and Marlins.
• Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best baseball analysis on the web in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Twenty years later, Ben took a look back at the 1991 draft.
• Check out the transcript of Tim's Wednesday chat with MLBTR readers.
• We broke down the four upcoming player options this winter.

The offseason hot stove has cooled down as teams evaluate their needs early in the season, but we're still providing plenty of content here at MLBTR. Here's recap of our original posts from the last seven days…

• Tim Dierkes spoke to several executives and agents about what Vernon Wells would have gotten as a free agent this past offseason while Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Rockies' senior director of international scouting Rolando Fernandez about how the team has constructed its rotation.
• Tim also listed next offseason's best available starters, and Ben listed some players that may qualify as Super Twos after the season as well as some that could just miss the cutoff.
• Several players could be in line for major arbitration raises after the season, and the free agent second base market has changed dramatically over the last few months.
• Ben looked at when sellers start selling and revisited both the Brandon Phillips trade and the Jason Hammel trade. Josh Beckett's extension also came up, as did some sophomore pitchers that are candidates for long-term deals.
• I listed the $100MM+ contracts that have already been completed, and also listed how each team acquired their current closer.
• We looked at a number of young players that are candidates for long-term contract extensions, including Gio Gonzalez of the Athletics, Starlin Castro of the Cubs, Tim Lincecum of the Giants, and David Price of the Rays. 
• Russell Branyan of the Diamondbacks, Erik Bedard of the Mariners, and Jeremy Guthrie of the Orioles were looked at as trade candidates.
• The offseason in review series continued with the Rangers, Nationals, Royals, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Cardinals.
• This week's poll question asked if you think Manny Ramirez deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
• I rounded up the best the blogosphere had to offer in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Howard Megdal reviewed some early-season managerial changes.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• Don't forget about our team Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds.

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

• This week, MLBTR learned that the Red Sox released outfielder Jason Place and the Cubs cut right-hander Aaron Shafer loose.  Neither player was among their team's top 30 prospects according to Baseball America's Prospect Handbook, though both were former high draft picks.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Wade Davis' agent, B.B. Abbott, about the risk they took when agreeing to a four-year extension.  Abbott also disclosed the terms of the deal to MLBTR.
• MLBTR was the first to report that the Pirates signed recently-released right-hander Tim Wood.  Wood had just been cut loose by the Nationals.
• Take a look at the 2011 predictions from the MLBTR writing staff.
• Mike Axisa took a look at the General Managers whose contracts do not extend beyond 2011.
• Just before Opening Day, Howard Megdal ran down the Alphabet of 2011 storylines.
• I led a discussion on the Marlins' third base options.
• After the Blue Jays declined to exercise his options, we asked out readers if Aaron Hill would finish the year in Toronto.
• Our Offseason In Review series rolled on with looks at the Diamondbacks, Angels, and Yankees.
• MLBTR is looking for a head moderator to be active in regulating the forums.  Past bulletin board administrative experience is preferred.
• Did you miss our weekly chat with Tim Dierkes?  Don't worry, you can still view the transcript right here.
• Pitcher Edwin Jackson is a breakout candidate in 2011, says Tim.
• Do you run a baseball blog or website?  If so, the MLB Trade Rumors widget is the perfect way to pipe in the latest hot stove headlines.
• The Ubaldo Jimenez extension is going well for the Rockies, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Check out the best of the web in this week's installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Fun Fact: Half of baseball's Opening Day starters were first-round selections.  Ben Nicholson-Smith also breaks down how each team obtained their No. 1 starters.

The 2011 regular season is now less than 90 hours away, so let's kill some time and recap MLBTR's original content from the last seven days…

• Ever wonder what Major League Baseball's Uniform Player's Contract looks like? Well we got our hands on one, so have a look. All of the identifying details have been removed.
• Tim Dierkes explained why prospects Brandon Belt and Zach Britton have different service time cutoff dates. He also looked at the best arbitration-eligible pitchers and position players without contract extensions, and listed the players that will be arb-eligible for the first time after the season plus the average free agent prices by position.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith found an interesting comparison for Scott Kazmir and noted that contract extensions for three young pitchers are going well so far. He also dug up some third base options for the Marlins and some potentially available starters. Ben looked ahead to Clayton Kershaw's first arbitration payday and wrote about the lack of elite shortstops as well.
• The offseason in review series marched along with the Mets.
• This week's poll question asked if Carlos Silva was tradeable.
• The best the blogosphere had to offer can be found in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• Don't forget to check out our Agency Database or our spanish-language sister site Rumores de Béisbol. There's also our team and transactions-only feeds.

With the regular season drawing ever closer, let's recap the the original content produced here at MLBTR over the last seven days…

• MLBTR first reported that Brian Wilson, Kurt Suzuki, Brett Wallace, and Jason Repko are now being represented by Dan Lozano. Also make sure you check out our brand new Agency Database.
• We published our annual list of players that are out of minor league options.
• Tim Dierkes explored the concept of delaying free agency and mused about Rafael Soriano's contract. He also listed some American League and National League midseason trade candidates, as well a few players that would have been entering their walk years had they not signed extensions.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at C.J. Wilson as an extension candidate and also explored the Phillies' interest in Jon Jay. He also dug up some potential suitors for Chris Davis.
• Ben's latest draft Q&A was with UConn outfielder George Springer.
• The offseason in review series continued with the Rockies, Braves, and Indians.
• We broke down Omar Infante of the Marlins and Jeff Francis of the Royals as players entering make or break years.
• This week's poll questions asked where Luis Castillo will end up and what Neftali Feliz's 2011 role will be.
• I rounded up the best the blogosphere had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Howard Megdal's latest Jack of all Trades post focused on Oliver Perez.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• Here's a handy guide on all the different ways you can use MLBTR.
• Last, but certainly not least, we introduced Rumores de Béisbol, MLBTR's Spanish language sister site.

Here's a rundown of MLBTR's original content from the past week….

• Tim Dierkes analyzed the extensions the Rockies awarded to Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, reviewed Legacy Sports Group's offseason, explored possible Plan Bs for Chase Utley, named some candidates to be released this month, and wondered which reliever might be next in line for an extension like Matt Thornton's.
• Tim also looked back at this winter's mutual options, previewed March's trade possibilities, and identified Jo-Jo Reyes as a trade candidate.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith's original articles this week examined two different ways to build an elite rotation, Kyle McClellan's role in St. Louis, starting pitchers linked through arbitration, the Rangers' first basemen, Kevin Slowey and the Blue Jays, the oldest $100MM players, the challenges facing AL East clubs in June's draft, and Adam Wainwright's 2012/2013 options. He also discussed the Twins' bullpen over at FanGraphs.
• The White Sox were the lone installment in our Offseason in Review series.
• Top college prospect Gerrit Cole answered MLBTR's questions about his pitching repertoire, his decision not to sign with the Yankees, and the upcoming draft.
• Our Make or Break Year series continued with a look at Matt Capps.
• Mike Axisa compiled another edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In and shared an interesting piece on baseball's highest-paid players in 1990, 2000, and 2010.
• With Oliver Perez potentially facing his release, we hopped in the time machine to see what pundits said about the southpaw's contract when he first signed long-term with the Mets.
• Zach Links wondered whether the Astros and Angels make sense as trade partners, opening the topic up for discussion.
• Most free agents have signed by March 11th, but that doesn't mean it hasn't historically been an eventful day for transactions, as Mark Polishuk writes.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.