MLBTR Polls

Poll: Brad Hawpe’s Next Team

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 20, 2010 at 3:54pm CDT

Brad Hawpe has played his last game in a Rockies uniform, but his major league career isn't over. The Giants, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, White Sox and Phillies are some of the teams that could have interest in Hawpe. The Padres recently lost an outfielder to the disabled list, so let's not rule them out completely.

The Rockies could technically trade Hawpe, since they designated him for assignment, but Troy Renck of the Denver Post suggests they would not prevent Hawpe from signing a deal. With that in mind, it's time to make some educated guesses:

Which team will Brad Hawpe play for next?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Poll: K-Rod’s Contract

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2010 at 8:21am CDT

The Mets placed closer Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list and, not surprisingly, the union has objected. After all, players on the disqualified list don’t get paid or pick up service time. The Mets will argue that they shouldn’t have to pay K-Rod to recover from a non-baseball-related injury, but the MLBPA will work to uphold the deal. The end result? That’s anybody’s guess at this point, but let’s make some predictions:

How will the conflict between K-Rod and the Mets end?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Poll: What Should The Dodgers Have Done?

By Zachary Links | August 15, 2010 at 7:40pm CDT

Sitting seven games back of the Padres and five-and-a-half games back in the wild card chase on deadline day, the Dodgers decided to burn up the phone lines and upgrade their roster. Despite the impact that the McCourt divorce may have on the club's financial situation, Los Angeles surprisingly became one of the deadline's most active teams.

After acquiring Scott Podsednik from the Royals, GM Ned Colletti decided that he wasn't done. He swung a deal for Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot from the Cubs and also grabbed Pirates reliever Octavio Dotel. The Lilly deal would cost them Blake DeWitt, Brett Wallach, and Kyle Smit. For some observers, the Dotel deal was the real head-scratcher as Colletti surrendered pitcher James McDonald and outfield prospect Andrew Lambo. While each player has suffered their own setbacks, both continue to hold promise and could blossom into real contributors.

Ultimately, the Dodgers rolled the dice for a chance to gain some ground in the home stretch. To date, the upgrades have not helped them in the standings as they are 60-58, ten games back in the NL West and six-and-a-half games behind in the wild card chase.

Should the Dodgers have been buyers, sellers, or stood pat at the Trade Deadline?

Click here to take the poll, and here to view the results.

Poll: Romero, Lester & Gallardo

By Luke Adams 2 | August 15, 2010 at 10:07am CDT

The Blue Jays reached a five-year, $30.1MM agreement with Ricky Romero yesterday, locking him up for all of his arbitration seasons and his first year of free agency. As MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith noted, the deal is nearly identical to contracts signed by Jon Lester ($30MM) and Yovani Gallardo ($30.1MM). Lester's five-year deal will run through 2013, Gallardo's through 2014, and Romero's through 2015, while each contract has a $13MM club option for one extra season.

Taking into account Lester's and Gallardo's performances so far, and looking ahead to the future for all three young pitchers, today's poll question is this:

Which team's five-year contract will provide the best value?

Click here to take the survey, and here to view the results.

Poll: Jonathan Papelbon’s Future

By Mike Axisa | August 14, 2010 at 9:44am CDT

Although the Red Sox's season has been sabotaged by injuries, closer Jonathan Papelbon has drawn the ire of fans dating back to his blown save in Game Three of the ALDS last season. His blown save on Thursday was already his sixth this season, a career high, and both his strikeout (8.2 K/9) and walk (3.6 BB/9) rates are the worst of his career.

With a $9.35MM salary this season, Papelbon will easily command eight-figures next year, his final season of arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent. With Daniel Bard proving himself a viable late inning arm, the Sox have a replacement already in-house should they choose to part ways with their closer. That said, Papelbon is still one of the game's best relievers and will be very difficult to replace.

What should the Red Sox do with Jonathan Papelbon after the season?

Click here to take the poll, and here to view the results.

Poll: The Dodgers And Matt Kemp

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 13, 2010 at 12:03pm CDT

Matt Kemp is in the midst of a disappointing season, but he’s still just 25 and he’s already proven how well he can play. His agent, Dave Stewart, suggested to the LA Times that a trade could benefit Kemp and the Dodgers. After all, other teams in baseball surely appreciate Kemp’s talent, so the Dodgers could address other needs in a potential trade. It would definitely be selling low, however, and GM Ned Colletti says the club has no intention of dealing its center fielder. So what should Colletti do?

Should the Dodgers seriously consider trading Matt Kemp?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Poll: How Will The Braves Replace Chipper?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 12, 2010 at 3:45pm CDT

Braves GM Frank Wren will meet with Bobby Cox and the team's scouts to decide how to replace Chipper Jones, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter). They could rely on Martin Prado, Omar Infante, Brooks Conrad and Eric Hinske, or they could look to acquire a player from outside the organization. Tell us what you think Wren & Co. will do:

How will the Braves replace Chipper Jones?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Poll: Which Team Will End Its Playoff Drought First?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 11, 2010 at 4:38pm CDT

The Reds (1995) and Rangers (1999) may end long playoff droughts this year. Neither team has any guarantees, but both seem well-equipped to re-appear in the postseason before long. Let’s set those two clubs aside for today’s poll question and consider the seven other teams with the longest running droughts: the Nationals (as Expos, 1981), Royals (1985), Pirates (1992), Blue Jays (1993), Orioles (1997), Mariners (2001) and Marlins (2003).

Which team will end its postseason drought first?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Poll: Baseball’s Most Impressive Team

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 10, 2010 at 5:37pm CDT

Yesterday, MLBTR readers determined that the Mariners are baseball's most disappointing team. But for every disappointing team, there's an impressive team. The Yankees, Rays, Cardinals, Phillies and Giants have been strong, as expected. The Braves, Reds, Padres and Rangers broke out with big seasons. And the White Sox, who nearly gave up on their season, have been unstoppable since the first week of June. Taking into account pre-season expectations, let's vote:

Which team has had the most impressive season so far?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Poll: Baseball’s Most Disappointing Team

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 9, 2010 at 5:45pm CDT

The Orioles, Royals, Marlins, Diamondbacks and, most recently, the Mariners have all fired their managers this season, but they are certainly not baseball's only disappointing teams. Some clubs, like the Tigers and Red Sox, have seen injuries compromise their playoff chances. Others, like the Cubs and Brewers, have seen key players underperform. Let's determine which team has been most disappointing of all this year, taking into account pre-season hopes expectations.

Which team has had the most disappointing season so far?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results