Alfonso Soriano came back to New York – and thrashed on the competition, with 17 HRs and 50 RBI – in just 58 games with the Bronx Bombers. He also snuck in 18 SB for the campaign, but nobody even noticed. Still the experts have failed to recognize that the offense was significantly better once this man entered the fray. Even with his 38 year old season coming up, it is entirely possible he could club another 25 – 30 HRs and approach 85 – 95 RBI out of the DH slot. Along with McCann, Beltran, Ellsbury, a potentially full year of Teixeira and Jeter, this lineup is a hell of a lot different from the team that limped to a 85 – 77 mark for the 2013 year.
By Nicholas Rossoletti (Yankees Correspondent/Trade Correspondent): Follow @nross56
As with the first part of this piece, this article is in response to a piece written for Grantland by Rany Jazayerli (which can be found here) that paints a fairly negative picture of the near-future for the New York Yankees.
Once again, I would encourage everyone to visit Grantland.com as it is a one stop shop for some of the best internet based writers on the planet.
Those organizations are a huge reason for the increased understanding and intelligent discussion relating to baseball over the last decade, and they are used throughout as resources for all advanced statistics.
If you aren’t reading the content on those sites, I would strongly suggest you do.
We will start with our Point/Counter-Point structure with a discussion of the new Yankee line-up, and more so, the effect of the departure of Robinson Cano on that lineup.
For Part 1 Of Don’t Believe Everything You Read: A Response to The New Normal click here.
Alfonso 2013 Highlights as a Cub and a Yankee – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance Is Advised
It is the final episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcastfor 2013.
It was a year of some great memories, some events that were impossible to predict and a tournament that showed the best talents from all over the world (that was played in October.)
Plus I explain why I will NOT rank the off season moves this year year.
To subscribe to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcaston iTunes, click HERE.
Opinions have varied wildly about the effect on the wholesale changes to the New York Yankees roster. This piece is in response to in response to a piece written for Grantland by Rany Jazayerli (which can be found here lower in a link icon in the 1st couple of lines.) As the Yankees Correspondent for the MLB Reports, I felt I needed to address the merits of the topic in question, make some counterparts, in order to move the dialogue from a slightly different perspective.
By Nicholas Rossoletti (Yankees Correspondent/Trade Correspondent): Follow @nross56
Before we get started, I wanted to give credit where credit is absolutely due.
This piece is in response to a piece written for Grantland by Rany Jazayerli (which can be found here) that paints a fairly negative picture of the near-future for the New York Yankees.
If you haven’t been to Grantland.com for sports and entertainment news and opinions, you are missing out. Some of the best work in the business.
As always, we appreciate those sites making the information available to be able to debate the game we love. For ease to the reader, the response has been broken into two parts. This is part one of the response.
Part 2 of the Don’t Believe Everything You Read: A Response to The New Normal For the New York Yankees click here
New York Yankees 2013 Year Highlights – With Full Credit Going To The YES Network
There is a reason why our website has gone to more of a Salary based menu of topics – it runs every aspect of the game of baseball in these modern times. You want the truth, just follow where the money lies. Our site has coverage on all 30 teams payrolls, and what lies ahead based on their current payroll structure. We also are going to be featuring more of a look at baseball gambling lines – and offer information how to run baseball charity events. This is in addition to the info we have always written here: MLB Team States Of The Union, Rosters, Prospects, Sully Baseball, Audio Podcasting, Historical Posts about the game, TJ Surgery History, Ballpark Chasing and MLB Road Trips Advice. We may be an expert on a few categories, but we have the guys that can also range in all of these topics.
I come from a family steeped in betting in sports. I grew up with a Grandfather that loved the horse races. Of course it was a natural for me with love of math involved. Kind of like numbers that baseball also provides.
While I understand it is against the law to gamble on sports in most states in the USA (except for Vegas), what I am about to divulge can be used for a lot of different things people do
Whether it is Sudoku, or just placing a certain amount of risk at your next visit to the track, these may help you, as they have been invaluable to me as a odds expert.
I will debunk this type of thinking. Martingale system Not good..as it leaves no outs.
Masahiro Tanaka has finally been posted by his team from the NPBL (Golden Lions). Mark my words, with the exception of a crazy bid coming from the Dodgers way out West, no one will outbid the Yankees for this guys services. Based on his age and wherewithal, the Pinstripers can alter their immediate future by landing the 25 Year Old Japanese Phenom. If they spend the $125 MIL – $140 MIL for a 6 or 7 year total ($20 MIL post, plus player contract, look for them to blow their $189 MIL budget out of control in 2014, – and opt to reset in 2015 instead.) Tanaka was 24 – 0 – with a miniscule 1.27 ERA in 2013.
Since nothing has changed since last week, I have two bets for you to take – and one for you to avoid.
As I mentioned last Saturday, the Rangers have confirmed on the Shin-Soo Choo signing. In my expert opinion this should have moved the line on Texas.
Instead, they are still the 3rd favorite to win the World Series coming out of the AL.
This is not right. Maybe I could see the Tigers still ahead of them based on the Division they are in, but the Red Sox have no business being ahead of them.
Grant Balfour has been throwing verbal jabs to the Orioles on XM Radio concerning the club bowing out of his 2 YRs/$15 MIL deal – and justifiably so. The Orioles are losing credibility around the league for this bow out maneuver. So, good luck on signing a Free Agent Pitcher in the future. The O’s are also reeling on the Free Agency Market, having not signed anyone of real value, while Brian Roberts, Scott Feldman and Nate McLouth have left the city. 2013 saw the club win 85 games, and that was part of a superhuman effort from Chris Davis. The team is completely missing the ball in their chance to rundown a World Series Title by playing conservatively with their money.
The Orioles have continued to stumble along in the offseason – meanwhile pissing off their fanbase. The latest Grant Balfour fiasco is going to set the franchise back.
it is not just the future Free Agent players that will think twice about setting foot in Maryland for the sake of landing a deal, but this kind of move could definitely deflate attendance next campaign.
Up until the Buck Showalter era, this kind of move was vindictive of the 1999 – 2009 regime of the Baltimore brass.
The Astros had a collection of players that only equaled a little over the league minimum for the entire roster. This year, the club has filled some holes, and will spend more on 3 Free Agent acquisition’s, than what the team payroll was in 2013. The club picks #1 in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft yet again, so saving money for future years is a smart practice. Houston is easily the lowest payroll team in the AL West, with the Angels hovering around the Luxury Tax Threshold, the Rangers spending in the $140 MIL range, the Mariners pole vaulting up the team salaries chart – by signing Cano, while still employing “King” Felix Hernandez. The Athletics are even nearing the $70 MIL mark, still about $25 – $30 MIL more than the Astros projected budget.
The Houston Astros came into the offseason with bolstering the bullpen in mind. They have done just that, but still have work to do. Early during the offseason, the Astros signed Peter Moylan to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.
Just before the Winter Meetings, they added Chad Qualls, who will make a nice addition to the back end of the bullpen.
During the Winter Meetings, they traded their first round pick in the Rule 5 draft for Anthony Bass from the San Diego Padres, who could pitch out of the pen or the rotation.
Monday the 16th, the Astros signed Matt Albers. If you’re keeping tabs, that’s the second reliever from the 2007 the Astros have signed this offseason.
The problem with any of the Nationals players not named Harper or Strasburg, is that any time the club is talking about extending one of their players before them, those guys have to be kept in mind for when they hit Free Agency.. The Nationals are creeping up the payroll scale each year that their core is together. Whether it is Arbitration, or players like Jayson Werth and Gio Gonzalez being paid more as their own contracts mature. 2014 will see the club set another record for player salaries, adding to the fuel that it will be tough to extend Zimmermann.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
With how much love role players like Michael Morse and Steve Lombardozzi have garnered from Nats fans as they’ve left town it will be amazing to see what happens when the Washington Nationals lose a legitimate star player.
With Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann both two years away from free agency there is a high likelihood that that day is soon approaching.
The Nationals have made several overtures to Jordan Zimmermann but no deal has been reached or even come close. Zimmermann wants fair market value which is understandable but what is fair market value for a pitcher like him?
Zack Greinke with a career 3.65 ERA and one Cy Young under his belt set the record for free agent pitchers with the $147 million contract he signed last off-season heading into his age 29 season.
Jordan Zimmermann April 2013 Shutout – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast was recorded at the beach at Aptos, California… an ideal place for Christmas time.
I talk about things in baseball that frustrate us that we just have to get over. Granted that is easier to do when the weather is beautiful and your team is the World Champions.
To subscribe to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcaston iTunes, click HERE.
The “Trop” was frequented less in 2013 than any other MLB stadium and it is a shame. The team has made 4 playoff spots in the last 6 years, has the 2nd best record in the game since the start of the 2008 campaign (NYY are 1st) and are sniffing the AL East crown out every year. Tropicana Field has been the only MLB Park for the Rays. Unfortunately the club has a lease that runs through the year 2027. There have been several talks of a downtown Tampa Stadium right off of Highway 4. All have plans have been derailed. With limited revenues generated playing out of Tropicana Field, it will be tough to keep doing this year after year, however the management had the good foresight to see the MLB game switching back to more pitching and defense. With some of the best players on the club locked up under team control, the management has been able to overcome all of these obstacles to field a competitive club.
It is funny how all of the top Free Agents have been signing with the American League teams in recent years.
Out of the 1.5 Billion Dollars in contracts offered this winter to guys, more than 1.1 Billion of those bucks have been given to guys like the M’s Robinson Cano (10 YRs.$240 MIL), Jacoby Ellsbury (7 YRs/$153 MIL), Shin-Soo Choo (7 YRs/$130 MIL) and potentially 6 YRs/$100 MIL for Brian McCann (5 YRs/85 MIL is guaranteed.).
For these reasons, you would think the AL is dominating the attendance every year.
Grant Balfour is a fiery Aussie, and has every right to be mad at the Baltimore Orioles. Tests have shown his arm is no different from it was a few years ago. Baltimore clearly decided at the last-minute to weasel out of the deal. The 35 Year Old has vowed revenge on Dan Duquette. I hope he signs on with the Rays or Yankees – because then they play the O’s 19 times a year. You think Balfour is fired up to enter games – wait till he is called upon in games versus Baltimore from this point forward. On a side note, with the Orioles penny-pinching their way through this winter, do not pick them to win anything in 2014. Not very smart when you a have a tepid fanbase to begin with. If the team has a shaky start, attendance and apathy will start.
It was a controversial week for the Baltimore Orioles, who had signed Grant Balfour to a 2 YR/$15.0 MIL contract – before backing out at the last second.
The O’s are tied with the Pirates and GIants for the 16th best odd to win the World Series. While I believe there is great value with the other two teams stated there, Baltimore has had a brutal off-year.
My hunch is that they are going to sign Fernando Rodney instead. Bad move fella’s. You missed the ball on this one, not only that, i think you have pissed off your faithful fans at Camden Yards.
If this club doesn’t pull off any significant player to come into the fold, the walkup crowds will be lessened.
Balfour lights up Martinez verbally – Swearing involved here, parental guidance is advised
DR. FRANK JOBE, who will turn 87 in the summer of 2012, is a renowned orthopedic surgeon who revolutionized the medical care and prolonged the careers of baseball pitchers with his groundbreaking tendon transplant procedure now known as the “Tommy John” surgery.
In 1974, Dodgers pitcher TOMMY JOHN was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left (pitching) elbow, apparently ending his career.
In an experimental surgery, which he estimated at the time as having 1% odds for a successful outcome, Jobe transplanted a tendon from John’s right forearm to his left elbow.
Mike Trout must feel like he will receive some better help from a full season of Pujols coming. Heading into the 2013 campaign, they looked to have almost a historic 1 – 4 lineup. Instead. it was a disaster. Maybe the 2014 year will be different. With players like Vernon Wells and Joe Blanton still collecting money on the payroll – to the tune of $26 MIL in 2014, their teams salary structure is a disaster. Those two guys are really horrible – or not even playing for LA anymore.
As someone who follows the Angels from a distance, I have had it with Jerry DiPoto.
Whether it is the direction of the team’s brass that has been affected, or Arte Moreno himself, this team is heading on a one way ticket to salary hell.
So how does the GM respond this winter?
He trades his 2nd, 4th and possibly 5th best OF on the Roster Depth away – without yielding a OF back in return.
He has added on a couple of players (David Freese and Raul Ibanez) that Strikeout as much as the rest of the clan. Good work man!
Am I missing something? Does he not see this is the recipe for disaster?
Brody Stevens, star of the new Comedy Central series “Brody Stevens: Enjoy It“, is the guest on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Brody, a friend of your pal Sully from my stand up comedy days, was a college pitcher for Arizona State and is friends with many baseball players and managers. He passed some stories along and at one point needed to use the bathroom.
The A’s wrapped up their 16th AL West Title in 46 years since moving to Oakland in late September of this previous campaign. They have clinched the Division at home the last 2 years. It is even more impressive when they have been 29th and 27th in the team payroll respectively during that time span.
The Baltimore Orioles signed Closer Grant Balfour to a 2 YR/ 14 Million dollar contract on Tuesday. Balfour will replace Jim Johnson, who was traded to Balfour’s previous team, the Oakland Athletics, earlier in the offseason. In an overall picture, the club almost essentially traded Jim Johnson for Jemile Weeks and Grant Balfour. The club will save $2 – $3 MIL in payroll next campaign, while they added Second Base depth, and perhaps may have the better Relief Pitcher out of the two. Better yet, Baltimore has their Closer scenario sewn up for the 2015 season now as well.
What the signing of Grant Balfour means to the Orioles
As the winter moves along, the Oriole faithful keeps asking the same question: when are the Orioles going to make a big move?
The beginning of the MLB Free Agency period has not been friendly to Orioles fans, as they saw their team trade away Jim Johnson, one of the best Closers in baseball, as well as part ways with Left Fielder Nate McLouth and Starting Pitcher Scott Feldman through free agency.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Orioles found out that rumors surrounding the team were actually truth, as it was announced that Grant Balfour signed a 2 YR/ 14 Million dollar deal, with $500,000 deferred each season.
Technically A-Rod has received the two top contracts in baseball history, however he opted out after the 2007 year for the 1st one, so really it was a 7 Year Deal worth approximately $158 MIL that was paid out to him between 2000 and the end of the year in 2007. Rodriguez contract from 2008 – 2017 also includes $30 MIL worth of player performances for passing milestones.
I start this paragraph saying that it blows my mind away that Alex Rodriguez has the #1 and #2 best contracts of ALL-Time. This is sick.
At least he might forfeit up to $21 MIL of his salary in 2014, and another $5 – $7 MIL in 2015 – if the 211 game ban sticks.
Therefore can we really say that he would have the top 2 earnings leaders for any given contract? He would have to give up $27.51 MIL of it for that to happen.
Pujols would take over the reigns as the #2 contract with his 10 YRs/$250 MIL deal then.
Some of them are classic overpays, and others actually have netted the franchise their true value back and then more. You can be your own judge.
Albert Pujols 2012 Highlight Mix – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance is Advised
Rick Hahn started off this winter by making his first major move as White Sox GM. when he signed 26 year old Cuban defector Jose Abreu to a 6 year $68 million contract. While most are surprised that the White Sox were able to sign Abreu, most are also happy with the signing. So fans are hoping that, along with Avisail Garcia (22) (who we traded away for by way of giving up just a year plus from Jake Peavy), CF Adam Eaton (25) (who the club sent away a #5 Starting Pitcher for) – and now picking up the #77,- 2013 MLB prospect – and future 3B in Davidson (for an average replace Closer) – that you can see they may have four of the Sox cornerstones for years to come – without yielding too much in return.
I must admit, I was surprised. Caught off guard to be exact. As I watched SpongeBob with my daughter on the couch, I received a MLB Trade Rumors notification on my phone.
Ho hum. Another arbitration avoidance or perhaps a minor league signing. No big deal right? Except, did that say “White Sox acquire”? I think so.
And I’m pretty sure it said “White Sox trade Addison Reed”. Whoa. That’s big. OK, maybe it’s big to me because I’m a White Sox fan, but still, this is big.
I immediately became excited. Who’d they get?!?! I hope a third baseman. Maybe a catcher. Hopefully somebody major league ready? Nah. No way Reed would bring back someone of that caliber.
MLB Reports 
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