MLBTR Originals News & Rumors

People all around baseball took it easy during the holidays this week, but we here at MLBTR pumped out plenty of original content. Let's recap…

• Tim Dierkes tried to determine if closers fetch more in a midseason trade as opposed to during the offseason. He also listed average free agent prices and named some teams that offer a chance for saves.
• Tim also noted that the ACES agency is leading in multiyear deals, then he looked at potential free agent starters for the 2012-2013 offseason.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith built a 25-man roster out of unsigned free agents. He also listed offseason spending details by team, noting that the AL West lags while the NL East leads, and then he analyzed the offseason's biggest contracts.
• I took a look at how the Padres have been trading from a position of strength this winter, and also listed the remaining important offseason dates.
• Luke Adams examined contract extension candidate Andrew McCutchen.
• This week's poll questions asked if you think the Red Sox should trade Jonathan Papelbon, where Jeff Francis will sign, if Grant Balfour will get a multiyear deal, where Joe Blanton will end up, what Trevor Hoffman will do, who will get the next $100MM contract, who will sign Brandon Webb, and what Joakim Soria's future holds.
• We also discussed the Phillies' search for a lefty reliever, the Orioles' first base vacancy, and Billy Butler's future in Kansas City.
• Howard Megdal's latest Jack Of All Trades post looked at Manny Trillo.
• Mark Polishuk recapped some of the notable transactions that took place on December 23rd.
• I rounded up the best blog posts of the week in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Here is Tim's chat transcript.
• In case you missed it, we recently unveiled the MLBTR Transaction Tracker. Don't miss out on our iPhone app or our team and transaction-only feeds either.

It was a very busy week on the hot stove, but we still managed to churn out some original content here at MLBTR. We don't want you to miss anything, so let's recap it all…

• First and foremost, we introduced MLBTR's latest and greatest feature this week, the Transaction Tracker. Make sure you check out the post to see all the cool things you can do with it. We also added a new Tools menu button.
• In the wake of the Cliff Lee signing, Tim Dierkes told us what we learned from the deal and also dug up some possible fits for Joe Blanton.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at the Dodgers' busy offseason while I examined all of the compensation draft picks the Rays are accumulating. 
• This week's poll questions asked where Carl Pavano will sign, who will play first for the Padres, which team will acquire Zack Greinke, whether or not you'd offer a non-elite reliever a multiyear deal, the top remaining free agent, and whether or not there was a mystery team in on Lee. That last one sounds silly in hindsight.
• Howard Medgal broke down the top five Phillies GMs since 1960.
• I compiled the best from around the web in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben's chat transcript can be found here.
• If you're a new reader, welcome, and here's a handy guide with all the different ways you can use MLBTR.

We didn't have much time for original content this week because of the winter meetings, so make sure you browse the Week In Review in case you missed anything along the way. Here's the original content we did come up with…

• First and foremost, make sure you check out our new Free Agent Tracker.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at the catching market, and also listed the remaining players that will require draft pick compensation to sign.
• Ben also rounded up all of the winter meetings acquisitions and told us what it all means.
• This week's poll questions asked if Matt Garza will be traded, where Rafael Soriano will sign, where Magglio Ordonez will sign, where Cliff Lee will sign, if the Yankees need Lee, and the most surprising winter meetings deal.
• I rounded up the best of the blogosphere with Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Howard Megdal's latest Jack of All Trades post featured Rickey Henderson.
• Make sure you check out our regular features and join our forums.

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

• Roughly fifty players were non-tendered this week.  Click here for the American League non-tenders and here for the ones from the National League.  Tim Dierkes compiled a list of the most interesting non-tenders.  You can also sort the decisions by team using our non-tender tracker.  
• We asked you if you thought that Russell Martin would be traded.  Roughly 63% of MLBTR readers nailed it: Martin was instead non-tendered by the Dodgers.
• Nick Collias gathered up and translated baseball news from several Spanish outlets.
• We learned a lot from this week's arbitration decisions.
• Let us know how you feel about our new iPhone app!
• Mike Axisa collected some of the best analysis from around the blogosphere in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• You have questions, we have answers.  Ben Nicholson-Smith answered your queries in our weekly chat on Wednesday.

Let's recap the original content produced by the MLBTR crew this week, shall we?

• Ben Nicholson-Smith explained free agent rankings and draft pick compensation, and then told us what we learned from this week's arbitration offers. He also wrote about how teams build their roster to fit their home stadium, and showed us how the AL MVP candidates were acquired.
• We reviewed the stock of several free agents, including Arthur Rhodes (formerly of the Reds), Miguel Olivo (Blue Jays/Rockies), Matt Guerrier (Twins), Pedro Feliciano (Mets), Mariano Rivera (Yankees), and Kevin Gregg (Blue Jays). We also looked at Russell Martin's non-tender case.
• This week's poll questions asked which relievers will sign multiyear deals, which Type A free agents will be offered arbitration, which Type B's will accept arbitration, whether or not someone will sign Manny Ramirez, who is the top remaining free agent catcher, and if George Sherrill will have to settle for a minor league deal.
• I rounded up the best links from around the web in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben's chat transcript can be found here.

The hot stove finally started to heat up this week, no doubt thanks to the GM Meetings. Here's a look at MLBTR's original content from the last seven days…

• Ben Nicholson-Smith was on location at the GM Meetings in Orlando, and he spoke to Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, Rays GM Andrew Friedman, Padres GM Jed Hoyer, and Pirates GM Neal Huntington. He also provided some general rumors and got quotes from Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski after they signed Joaquin Benoit. 
• When he got back, Ben explained why small market teams time their free agent bids carefully.
• Tim Dierkes pointed out the great start the ACES Agency is off to this winter.
• Among the free agents whose stock we examined: Grant Balfour of the Rays, Scott Downs of the Blue Jays, Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks, and Victor Martinez of the Red Sox. We also looked at non-tender candidates Joel Zumaya of the Tigers and Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Padres.
• This week's polls included questions about Scott Downs' next contract and whether or not the Diamondbacks would trade Justin Upton. 
• My amateur signing bonus series concluded with the Blue Jays and Nationals.
• Steve Adams listed the players that received bonuses based on regular season awards.
• I rounded up the best from the blogosphere in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Tim's chat transcript can be found here.
• If you're new to the site, make sure you check out our team and transactions-only feeds, team Facebook pages, and then visit the MLBTR forums. Here's a handy guide on all the different ways you can use the site.

The GM Meetings are upon us this week, but let's review the original content featured at MLBTR over the last seven days…

• Tim Dierkes published his annual list of the top 50 free agents with predictions about where they'll sign. The rest of the staff provided their predictions as well.
• Tim also broke down the trade market for relief pitchers, and detailed why closing jobs might be hard to come by.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith explained why most Type-A free agents won't sign right away, and also dug up some potential suitors for Gordon Beckham.
• Among the free agents whose stock we examined this week: Adam Dunn of the Nationals, J.J. Putz of the White Sox, Vladimir Guerrero of the Rangers, Lance Berkman of the Yankees, and Magglio Ordonez of the Tigers. 
• We also looked at non-tender candidates like Ryan Ludwick of the Padres, Blaine Boyer of the Diamondbacks, and Kyle Davies of the Royals.
• My series looking at each team's spending on amateur prospects continued with the Mariners, Rays, and Rangers.
• We wanted to know if you think the Phillies are truly intent on keeping Jayson Werth in our lone poll question.
• Here's this week's lengthy edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Tim's chat transcript can be found here.
• If you're new to MLBTR, here's a list of our regular features.
• Last, but certainly not least, the MLBTR iPhone app is now available!

With the 2010 MLB season in the books, hot stove season is officially underway. In addition to this week's rumors and transactions, we also had our share of original content at MLBTR. Here's a recap:

• Free agents have been able to negotiate with any team for nearly 24 hours now, but November 7th isn't the only important offseason date to remember. Check out our offseason calendar for all the upcoming dates you need to know.
• There are even more ways to keep track of the latest updates from MLBTR, as we introduced two new features this week: an iPhone app, and Facebook pages for each of baseball's 30 teams.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith offered a few reasons why teams extend their young starting pitchers, and Tim Dierkes countered with a few reasons why teams may prefer to go year to year.
• Tim shared his full list of potential non-tender candidates, and added a few more "not quite" non-tender candidates. Ben provided some context by breaking down non-tenders from recent seasons, including last year's group.
• Our previews of the free agent and trade markets continued, with a spotlight on pitching. We examined the trade market for right-handed and left-handed starters, while our look at the free agent market zeroed in on right-handed starters and relievers, and left-handed starters and relievers.
• Ben explained why the Mets decided to hire J.P. Ricciardi.
• Steve Adams weighed Scott Podsednik's stock as he heads into free agency, while Tim examined Casey Kotchman as a non-tender candidate.
• Mike Axisa's series on amateur signing bonuses focused on four National League teams this week – the Pirates, Cardinals, Padres, and Giants.
• Mike also provided a super-sized edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• You voted on which big-name free agent would be the first to sign a contract.
• And finally, the transcript of this week's chat can be found here.

The Rangers and Giants are providing plenty of action on the field, but at MLBTR we love everything that goes on off the field and behind the scenes. Here's a round up of our original content from the last week…

• The official Elias rankings for the 2010-2011 offseason were released, and Ben Nicholson-Smith listed all of the Type-A and Type-B free agents.
• Tim Dierkes looked at the free agent market for designated hitters, right fielders, and center fielders, as well as the trade market for right fielders, center fielders, and left fielders. He also reviewed last year's big free agent deals.
• The Arbitration Eligibles series concluded with the Giants. Here's a list with links for all 30 teams.
• Ben tried to dig up some potential platoon partners for Domonic Brown, trade suitors for Adrian Gonzalez, as well as find some landing spots for A.J. Pierzynski.
• We broke down several non-tender candidates, including Andrew Miller of the Marlins, Mike Fontenot of the Giants, Jack Cust of the Athletics, John Maine of the Mets, and Fred Lewis of the Blue Jays.
• We also looked at the stock of soon-to-be free agents like Jon Rauch of the Twins, Frank Francisco of the Rangers, and Brian Fuentes of the Twins.
• Our series reviewing each team's amateur spending plugged along, continuing this week with the Astros, Royals, Angels, Dodgers, Brewers, Twins, Mets, Yankees, Athletics, and Phillies.
• This week's poll questions concerned David Ortiz's future and whether you prefer Ozzie Guillen or Mike Stanton.
• In honor of Sandy Alderson's hiring, Howard Megdal ranked the 11 other general managers in Mets' history.
• I rounded up the best the blogosphere had to offer in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• Ben's chat transcript can be found here.
• Want to write for MLBTR? Then check out this post for info on how to apply. If you'd like to advertise with MLBTR, that info can be found here.

All eyes are on the World Series, but we here at MLBTR are looking ahead to the Hot Stove League. Here's a recap of our original content from the last week…

• Ben Nicholson-Smith tackled the bullpen market, looking at potential relievers for the Diamondbacks and five potential bargain lefties. He also listed some minor league deals that paid off.
• Tim Dierkes looked at the free agent market for left fielders and the trade market for third basemen.
• Luke Adams listed five pitchers that could benefit from a move to the NL, and I rounded up each team's 2011 payroll commitments. 
• Ben compared Robinson Cano and Darren O'Day, who don't have much in common beyond a birthday. His series looking at what was said about each GM when they were hired concluded with the NL West. 
• The Arbitration Eligibles series continued with the Padres, Dodgers, and Rockies.
• Our series looking at each team's spending on amateur prospects continued with the Cubs, White Sox, Reds, Indians, Rockies, Tigers, and Marlins.
• This week's poll questions includes queries about the Mets' next general manager, A.J. Burnett's contract, baseball's model franchise, and the World Series. 
• We looked at the free agent stock of Kevin Correia of the Padres, Ty Wigginton of the Orioles, and Derrek Lee of the Braves. We also discussed Jimmy Rollins' next contract.
• Steve Adams broke down the Giants' roster.
• The best of blogosphere was rounded up in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
• This week's chat transcript can be found here.
• Learn about our team and transactons-only feeds here.