Monthly Archives: February 2014
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 28, 2014
Australia, Ozzie Smith, the All Star Game and Eric Sogard.
I connect them all on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. Read the rest of this entry
The Detroit Tigers Organizational Depth Charts (All Affiliates) – Spring 2014 (Majors and Minors)
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth Chart + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Detroit Tigers will be relying on their Minor League System more in 2014 than in the previous few years. Players have been traded or lost to Free Agency, carving a path and opportunity for some.
Nick Castellanos has the grandest shot at making some headway at the 3B position, and Jose Iglesias will see a full year at SS in Motown.
When you factor in Ian Kinsler at 2B – and Miguel Cabrera at 1B, then none of the 2014 opening days Infield positions will look the same.
Dave Dombrowski has done an exceptional job at replacing some of the Minor League levels. This was a big reason why they traded Doug Fister.
Robbie Ray is their best Starting Pitcher not to start the year in Detroit. He may even get the call at some point this campaign.
If anything, the Tigers were able to become younger, quicker and cheaper, which could bode well for the future
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here. Read the rest of this entry
The New York Yankees Organizational Depth Charts (All Affiliates) – Spring 2014 (Majors and Minors)
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth Chart + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Brian Cashman has signed 10 new Free Agents this winter, and also made a mockery of the waiver wire list, with his 2013 pluckings last campaign to aid an injury riddled squad of veterans.
Simply put, this franchise has done a brutal job of drafting over the course of the last decade or so. Cashman has to take his share of the blame for that.
Luckily for the big market club, these can be overlooked when you feature a payroll in the $235 MIL range.
Having said this, the cupboard is not bare in the Minor Leagues. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 27, 2014
Could the A’s share AT & T Park with the Giants? Could that be the solution while a new ballpark is built in Oakland.
It could be. That’s the topic for today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
I want to see something cool for a new stadium for the A’s… like this proposed floating stadium for the Padres back in the 1960’s. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The MLB 2014 World Series: Tigers Best Value Of The Week
The Tigers are my pick of the week for value. They were the AL favorite just two weeks ago outright, before being tied with Boston last week. This odd is favorable for sure. The AL Central provides the Tigers with an easier path to the World Series because of 76 games within the Division. The AL East had 4 teams over 85 wins last year. Baltimore and New York are better than they were in 2013, and Boston plus Tampa should maintain. The AL East has 5 of the top 13 odds for the World Series (5 of the top 8 clips for the AL.) The AL West is also going to beat up each other a little. Take this AL Central team that has appeared in 3 straight League Championships, and has the best Pitching Staff in the American League.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Well, it is nice to be vindicated on the market again. Just like I said when the Mariners roamed up from +4000 to +2800 after the Cano signing. I told people to pounce on that odd.
Last week, I posted in this column, that your bet of the week for value as the Orioles.
I have also been calling for the Rays to be higher on the oddsmakers list, and while they have passed the Jays finally, how come they are so far behind the Yankees and Red Sox? Market correction is needed there.
For the record, I called the Yankees a great value at +1500 in December, before they signed Masahiro Tanaka. If you have listened at home, this has worked out for you. Don’t bet the, at +1200, tied for the 6th best odd in the AL, there is no value there. Tampa at +1800 is still a better option. Read the rest of this entry
The Texas Rangers Organizational Depth Charts (All Affiliates) – Spring 2014 (Majors and Minors)
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth Chart + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
This has been the most successful run in Rangers history in the last 4 years. 2 World Series Appearances (albeit losses) – and the club has 4 straight 90+ Win Seasons.
Nolan Ryan envisioned this kind of progress when he anchored the current regime. While he has left the nest, many of the players have been stocked up in the Minors and Majors.
The Rangers have many young players like Jurickson Profar, Leonys Martin, Martin Perez and Elvis Andrus that are entering their prime.
The greatest job done by the brass was to assemble a pitching unit of homegrown products, as this has kept the teams payroll within reason – even as some of these guys mature. Read the rest of this entry
The St. Louis Cardinals Organizational Depth Charts – Spring 2014 (Majors and MInors)
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth Chart + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
For all of those websites that put off writing about the Cardinals after the World Series due to fatigue, it is time to brush up on the best run franchise in the Major Leagues.
The majority of the players in the system and in the Majors were developed by the Cardinals franchise.
Last year, I did a Roster Tree of how all of the players were acquired. Something like 18 of the 25 players were Drafted by the club.
That is light years ahead of the next team in the race.
When you see that St. Louis has made it to the final four clubs 8 teams in 13 years, and now has made 4 trips to the World Series in a decade, you are leaving another chapter in the legacy of the franchise. Read the rest of this entry
The Top 5 Players In Baseball
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It should come as no shock for anyone on this list. Notice how I did not mention the MVP word anywhere in the Title.
This is solely for the purpose of pushing Mike Trout on the list.
In terms of all around play, there is no doubt in most experts minds, that the 22 Year Old is best overall player in the game of baseball.
If you are picking it just solely on a hitter, I am still giving the nod to Miguel Cabrera. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 26, 2014
Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America
Today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I salute Zack Greinke who is evolving into one of my favorite players.
To subscribe to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast on iTunes, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 25, 2014
MGM UA
Comparing my off season behavior with Jesse from Breaking Bad?
Equating Red Sox fans with the StarChild from 2001?
Talking home plate collisions?
All in a day’s Sully Baseball Daily Podcast! Read the rest of this entry
Master List Of All Free Agents Signed In 2013 Winter – Heading Into 2014 MLB Year
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It has been a record setting year for contract $ doled out for players. When you factor in the player extensions, we are talking about 7 contracts registering in the top 50 Player contracts in the history of the game.
Robinson Cano, Clayton Kershaw, Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Freddie Freeman, Shin-Soo Choo and Homer Bailey have inked deal for between $105 MIL to $240 MIL.
Now there is word the Angels are working on an extension with Mike Trout, to the tune of 6 YRs/$150 MIL, from 2015 – 2020. This would be the 22nd highest contract in MLB History.
For the record, Trout’s deal for 2014 is already set at $510 K, and any extension wouldn’t have Luxury Tax Ramifications until his new deal would start in 2015. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 24, 2014
Photo: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast is all about gratitude.
The death of Harold Ramis made me realize how we need to express our gratitude to people who have made us happy before it is too late. Read the rest of this entry
Baltimore Orioles State Of The Union Spring 2014 Part 1: The Lineup Now With Cruz Added
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports O’s Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Nelson Cruz Signs with Baltimore
It has been a very busy week for the Orioles as Spring Training gets started, as the team is set to announce the signing of Nelson Cruz to a one-year, $8 MM contract.
Earlier in the week, I wrote about guys the Orioles could target to help bolster their lineup, and Cruz seemed to be the most logical fit. Read the rest of this entry
The Top Remaining Free Agents Left In The MLB 2014 Season + The Rest
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With the latest signings (by Baltimore) of Nelson Cruz and Ubaldo Jimenez, there is now just 3 Free Agents who come with the price tag of your 1st RD pick (or 1st available pick if you have been busy already this winter).
SS Stephen Drew is still on the open market despite several rumors about the Big Apple, DH/1B Kendrys Morales is on the board, with teams dwindling in interest, and SP Ervin Santana rounds out the list.
Agents of these gentlemen are now threatening to hold out their players until after the MLB Amateur Draft (when the Draft Pick is no longer forfeited), in order to turn the leverage back to their guys.
I am not sure that is such a great idea, particularly in the cases of the hitters, who are not likely to warrant more than 3 year deals apiece. Read the rest of this entry
Which Manager’s Seat Is The Hottest In The MLB – 2014?
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There are many expectations in 2014 for a lot of the MLB clubs.
Realistically, only the Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins could be ousted from playoff contention before we even play in the American League.
The National League has several more teams with improbable chances to post a postseason berth in 2014.
The Mets, Marlins, Twins, Cubs and Padres are the longest shots on the board to nail down play in October as well.
Out of those teams, Chicago just hired Rich Renteria, and the other 5 teams would likely let the year play itself out before thinking of a skipper’s switch.
With those teams listed, I highly doubt the current bench bosses will remain in position by the time the clubs become good. Read the rest of this entry
The O’s Add Nelson Cruz + The AL Beast Just Got Stronger!
Nelson Cruz is 34 – and has a long history of injuries – and now of PED use. In the last 5 years, he has only played over 128 games for the season once. Now he was on pace to top that in 2013 – before his PED suspension from the Biogenesis Scandal. I thoroughly believe he should just be a permanent DH. He will likely be used in that role with the O’s. With a full season of AB, this slugger should probably hit between .260 – .270, with 25 – 30 HRs and range from 80 – 90 RBI. To sign this guy to a 1 Year Deal – worth $8 MIL, when he was already given the Qualifying Offer by Texas is a fantastic acquisition for the Orioles. It also comes in the same week they picked up Ubaldo Jimenez and Korean chucker Suk-Min Yoon. Baltimore just entered back into the Division race!
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Dan Duquette has announced his presence with authority this week.
From Suk-min Yoon (3 YRs/$5.6 MIL), Ubaldo Jimenez (4 YRs/$48 MIL), to then flat out rob Nelson Cruz for a 1 YR/$8 MIL deal, the GM has served notice that the franchise is here to compete.
Frankly, this was a long time coming. The team has now thrust its name into the conversation with the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees.
On the clock is the Toronto Blue Jays!! Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 23, 2014
It is Sunday, so it is time for The Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, Topic: David Ortiz. Read the rest of this entry
“Mr. Puig” And “Mr. Montero” More Namely: Step Away From The Buffet Table In The Offseason!
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It happens to a few guys every year. Seldomly does it threaten to plague a guys career.
I can think of Carl Everett blossoming over his transition to the 2005 World Series White Sox win, to a big man in Seattle, who could hardly swing his hips around.
We remember how big Kevin Mitchell became after he was in such phenomenal condition early in his career. But 40 pounds overweight like Jesus Montero waddled into the Mariners Spring Training? C’mon Man!
The only happy guy out of this news has to be Yasiel Puig, who is donning the scales 26 LBS heavier than when we saw him last. Read the rest of this entry
How Winning Teams Are Built: How It Applies To The Nationals In 2014
The Nationals failed to meet expectations as the Preseason favorites to lock down the World Series in 2013. Heck, they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Whether it was injury, or complacency, the talent of this team didn’t maximize their potential this year. However, the club did go 24 – 12 in their last 36 Games Played, and made a late charge at the 2nd Wild Card Spot. Most of the nucleus is coming back for the 2014 year. Their Starting Pitching Staff could have 3 potential Cy Young Winners, and Rafael Soriano is among the top Closers in the game of baseball.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter: Follow @mlbreports
Last week I wrote about the dangers of the WARpire (VoRPire) and why it is important to have a bottom of the roster that won’t cost a team any games, or to word it a different way won’t cancel out the contributions of the top of the roster.
Having a 5.0 fWAR player means nothing if there are enough negative players to cancel that out. The middle and bottom of the roster are the foundation upon which the stars stand.
A team needs that bottom of the roster in order to win because without them the stars cannot flourish. ‘
Think about the Red Sox and the changes they made going into 2013.
Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, and Jonny Gomes aren’t stars, but they aren’t negative assets either and their presence on the roster allows David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia contributions to matter. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 22, 2014
REUTERS/Joe Skipper
While driving home, my mind wandered. I thought of how I would like to own the Miami Marlins.
And when my mind wanders like that, it is my duty to record it. And thus was born today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 21, 2014
Jason Miller/Getty Images North America
What current managers belong in the Hall of Fame?
Which current managers are a World Series title away from Cooperstown?
And why doesn’t Ron Roenicke get any respect? Read the rest of this entry
MLB Odds To Win Both Of The AL And NL Pennants In 2014
The Rays have one of the 2 best Starting Pitcher staffs in the American league, and have averaged over 90 wins for the last 6 years. Having them to win the American league previously at +1200 (8th favorite among the clubs) was a steal – if you grabbed it 2 weeks ago. The club jumped to +900 for the League Pennant and +1800 for the World Series. This just happened overnight as they were also +2000 to win the Fall Classic as of yesterday. TB as the 7th favorite in the AL is still great value even with the less money to win now – as opposed to just 24 hours ago. The Yankees are not good value as the 3rd favorite in the AL now.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Just as I predicted would happen, someone hammered the Tampa Bay Rays enough for them to switch spots with the Toronto Blue Jays on the odds list.
The Rays shot up from +1050 to win the AL, and +2000 to win the World Series, to now +900 to win the AL, and +1800, while the Jays have gone to +1100 and +2000 overall, from +1000 and +1800 in for the AL Pennant and World Series respectively.
Most of the odds favor the American League to win in any Fall Classic Matchup versus the National League still.
The NL features heavy favorites of the both the LA Dodgers, Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals. These 3 teams are best not to pick them to win the NL as the odds are brutal.
If it is your intention to wager on them, pick them to win the World Series, as their odds exponentially increase.
If you are picking ATL/CIN/PIT/SF/PHI/ARI/MIL and COL, pick them to win the NL, as they pay less than +100 (-105 to – 130) in the translation between NLCS Winner and World Series Winner. Read the rest of this entry
Orioles Finally Make A Free Agent Splash To Salvage Winter
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports O’s Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Orioles Sign Ubaldo Jimenez
The Orioles could not catch a break this off-season, as they lost out on free agents that they coveted as well as missing out on closer Grant Balfour , after he failed the team’s physical.
Bronson Arroyo balked at even going for a physical seeing what happened to the Aussie – opting to sign with the D-Backs even though the money was similar, rather than have his worth devalued by flunking the doctor’s visit from the O’s.
Tyler Colvin also fell victim to Baltimore’s stringent doctors, while Grady Sizemore didn’t have a chance to pass a physical with the club either despite Orioles interest.
Orioles fans all over wondered what the team’s intentions were, as many felt the team could be a serious contender with the core they have in place, but some moves needed to be made to bolster the roster.
On Monday night, the Orioles finally made a big splash in free agency that everyone anxiously awaited. The team announced they agreed to a four-year, $48 MM deal with pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez.
This is a huge move for the Orioles as an organization, as it now shows their fan base that they are willing to spend big money on key free agents.
The O’s have been linked to many of the big name free agents throughout the offseason, only to come up short when it came to signing them.
Odds To Win The MLB 2014 World Series As Of Right Now
If you have read any of these odds listed prior, I had mentioned the M’s were great value at +4000 (even after Cano, in which I said pounce, they have since jumped to +3300 in January, and now are at +2800). However this team is suffering from early injury trouble, can’t seem to land an additional bat to the roster, and are banking on too many variables at the new odd. Stay clear.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It has been a tough week for the Seattle Mariners. 1st a freak injury to Hisashi Iwakuma – has him out 4 – 6 with a bad finger that was caught into a batting cage net.
While Franklin Gutierrez being hurt is not a surprise, it still comes at a bad time.
To make matters worse, Nelson Cruz seems to balking at signing a deal with the PAC NW club.
At this point, the Mariners might want to just think about whether they really want that guy anyway.
The Cincinnati Reds Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Reds have all shown up for Spring Training, and the team seems to be in jovial spirits for the most part – except for Brandon Phillips attitude towards the media.
Maybe Follow @datdudebp is upset about the recent news of the Homer Bailey 6 YRs/$105 MIL extension. Perhaps it grates him that Joey Votto starts his 10 YRs/$225 MIL deal in 2014.
Phillips is in the 3rd year of his 6 YRs/$72 MIL contract, he will make $48 MIL between 2014 – 2017, before he hits Free Agency in 2018.
The deal goes $11 MIL, $12 MIL, $13 MIL and $14 MIL for the next four campaigns. Read the rest of this entry
The Homer Bailey Extension Is Good For The Short Term In Cincy: Not Sure About The Long – Term Though
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Homer Bailey may be the 3rd Starting Pitcher on the depth chart, but he happened to be the 1st guy up on Free Agency out of Mat Latos (2016 FA) and Johnny Cueto (2016 FA).
For this reason alone, I like the team extending the 27 Year Old to a 6 YR deal worth a minimum of $105 MIL, and with a Mutual Option for $25 MIL for the 2020 campaign – that could make it a 7 YRs/$125 MIL pact.
The deal starts off pretty good for dollar sense in the first two years, with Bailey making $8 MIL in 2014, and $9 MIL in 2015.
From there if I can borrow a line from Anchorman “That escalated quickly”, the next few years go like this, $18 MIL, $19 MIL, $21 MIL and $23 MIL for the years starting in 2016 – and finishing in 2019. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 20, 2014
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies are a mess. They have an aging team, a front office who won’t admit they are no longer contenders and now the organization is acting petty against a college student! Read the rest of this entry
All 30 MLB Parks By Ground In 25 Days? 2014’s Only Attempt To Break The World Record: Part 2
Going for trips that include all 30 MLB Parks in under a month has become common place. There are a few select ballpark chasers that have tried every year for the last half-dozen. But seriously, this is the website to receive the best knowledge how to do these maniacal travel trips. This post contains a 25 day schedule that will make most people wince at the thought of it. If there are a few of you who are crazy enough to try this, it will change you forever.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
So how does one plan for an all 30 MLB Parks trip in terms of geography, mileage, time zone changes and flipping through the 2014 MLB schedule in order to put forth a world record attempt of a 25 days itinerary?
Let me tell you, years of practice at this, and about 12 hours of crunching the computer.
When I set out to do this mission it was for my own personal know how.
A few friends and I have thrown out the idea of going for the World Record for fastest to see all parks by land (current record is 26 days).
Before we get into this, do yourself a favor and read the 1st installment of this 2 parter here . Read the rest of this entry
All 30 MLB Parks By Ground In 25 Days? 2014’s Only Attempt To Break The World Record: Part 1
Traveling to all 30 MLB parks to establish World Records is tougher than ever, with the overall record of 30 Parks in 23 Days, and the current land record is 30 – in 26.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
This 2 part blog is going to be a lot like the last entry I did on a proposed schedule to break my own record of witnessing a complete game (every solitary pitch for each contest) in all 30 MLB Parks in just 23 days.
in that blog, I put forth a schedule that may crack the feat by doing it all in just 21 calendar days.
For this entry, I have worked hard and to find a proper schedule attempt that could challenge the World Record of seeing all 30 MLB Parks in just 26 days by land.
I am talking about Josh Robbins 2008 feat of where he took home a new milestone, by trekking across to every stadium by car in just 26 days during that campaign. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 19, 2014
CBS TV
The 1993 NLCS between the Phillies and Braves was bizarre, unpredictable, unexplainable and incredibly under appreciated.
Remembering it is the topic of today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. Read the rest of this entry
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