Monthly Archives: March 2015
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 13, 2015
Did you know Alex Rodriguez was having a good spring training?
Did you even know that A-Rod was AT spring training?
You wouldn’t know that if you were following the Yankees on Twitter.
That and the San Diego Padres rebuilding process continues to be passionate but reckless.
It is a Retweeted episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Boston’s Management Strategy May Help Club Prevail Again In 2015 AL East
Ben Cherington pulled off the biggest salary dump in MLB History in 2012, with his clearing the deck of Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett. He replaced them with savvy, playoff tested Veterans – on lower value, and year contracts. His club won the 2013 AL East (and the World Series of course) with the revamped squad – that improved almost 30 Wins from 2012. Last season, the club suffered another last place finish, however he dealt away Jon Lester for Yoenis Cespedes, and then turned that asset into Rick Porcello. The club also was able to sign Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for this year, and have also inked Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada to long-term deals since last summer. The Red Sox are showing the way to handle a roster year to year. If you are in it, spend the money, and when you are out, trade anybody of value not in your long term plans.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The terrible news of Marcus Stroman‘s ACL earlier this week has dampened the chances the Toronto Blue Jays chances to really take a shot at the Division.
Let me qualify this more….
I think the Jays will compete all season, and may take a run at one of the Wild Card Spots for sure, it just at this time of the year, losing any pitching hurts big time.
Toronto is already lacking an ace, but that is not a cause for grave concern in this Division, with the AL East possessing exactly zero of them now, following the departures of Jon Lester and David Price in the last 9 months. But they are in trouble when it comes to depth versus the other clubs. Read the rest of this entry
The Oakland A’s Payroll In 2015 + Going Forward: Beane Counting
For the 2015 season, the staff will not cost much more money than this campaign, with the highest monies going to Kazmir ($13 MIL) the Bullpen doesn’t make much money, while only losing Gregerson, and most of the SP are on entry-level deals or 1st year Arbitration. The A’s payroll is slated to be right around $80 MIL in 2015 (down about $10 MIL from 2014), and the club should still be competitive, and if not, they have plenty of assets to trade near the deadline and reload for another run of success.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
MoneyBall 1..MoneyBall 2… So we all have seen the movie or at least read the book – or heard about somebody referencing it all the time on the Baseball airwaves. Beane does it a different way, and he keeps the rest of the landscape second guessing.
This website has been one of the frontrunners of dissecting his moves over the last few years, and have accurately predicted a lot of what would happen with the terms of the club.
As much as the MLB Reports has loved the movements the team has done, we have not picked them to advance in the postseason in any prognostications, but we have continuously marveled on how the GM keeps wheeling and dealing.
Chuck Booth likened him to a “Baseball Rounder”, using a nice analogy from the world of poker.
The A’s GM is the best at creating value to his team but exercising all of the freebies in the league, coupled with knowing how to maneuver when the time is right.
Trading Josh Donaldson may come back to haunt him, but he did receive a plethora of young talented throwers, and perhaps Brett Lawrie will emerge into his talent after all.
Being a “Baseball Rounder” is being the smartest guy in the room, and knowing your opponents moves before even they do.
For a Year to Year Breakdown For all of the A’s players salaries please visit here
Megabus Saves The Day For Travel Savings On Year Long MLB Trip
To this minute, have booked over 70 bus rides that only cost me a $1 to book the journey with. With the majority of my baseball games watched on the road in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Baltimore and Washington, one can spend a fortune on parking, gas, tolls and hotels from extended driving. Well, I am here to tell you that Megabus has rescued me from financial ruin on my upcoming journey. These are bus rides so cheap, that you can probably find the fares in seat cushions of your couch or car!
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Anayst): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Megabus Saves The Day For Travel Savings On Year Long MLB Trip
Go to their homepage and book a trip here.
I have changed my schedule so many times on the upcoming season that I never got around to posting the monthly and yearly master schedules. There is a reason for that.
Since the beginning of this ordeal it has come to down to every trick in the book I know to save on travel, and my new favorite go to is Megabus.com
It is a Bus Site that starts the bidding on many bus fares for just $1 on certain days and times. As the times approach for the date to arrive, the rates incrementally go up.
I am lucky to feature 120+ games with both New York clubs, Boston, Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia this campaign, as such I am fortunate to reel in the savings.
To date, I have placed bookings on over 70 bus rides for $1.00 between these fine cities. I even found a few loopholes to circumnavigate the $10 fares that are customary between Pittsburgh with New York and Boston, while using the Beltway cities of Washington and Baltimore to do the same.
The hub for all of these fine cities, (median so to speak) is Philadelphia. If y ou stop there 1st , the journeys are a $1 there, and then repeat the fare to New York.
New York to Boston is always on the docket for just $1. Pretty much I spent all of Tuesday booking trips through Labor Day weekend. It was the 1st day these routes were live for purchasing. Task completed. Read the rest of this entry
The 2nd Wild Card Team In The NL For 2015 Could Be Right Near .500
The National League is a very top heavy league with the Nats, Dodgers, Cardinals and Pirates having the best odds to qualify for the postseason in 2015. With parity at an all time high in the Senior Circuit, we may see a squad break the worst record ever to qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card seed this campaign. The AL is not as big with the dominant clubs, and as such will have many teams hover around 90 wins that make the postseason. With the AL winning the Interleague matchup for 10 years consecutive, you also have to factor in a few more W’s per team.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With all due respect to the rest of the Senior Circuit clubs, the Nationals and Dodgers are heads above the rest of the league. I am also throwing in stalwart franchise St. Louis and Pittsburgh (94 wins and 88 wins in the last 2 years) as other teams that should lock down the NL Central and the other 1 to win the 1st Wild Card – to round out the top 4 seeds in the NL.
Then there are the rest of the clubs.
From the surface odds wise, the gambling pundits are saying the Padres and Giants would be next on the list for wins, followed by the Mets, Cubs and Marlins.
Just below those last 5 teams, you have the fight for competing coming from Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and finally the teams most thought to struggle this campaign are the Rockies, D’Backs and the Phillies.
I believe Washington is going to run away from the rest of the league – and near 100 victories. The Dodgers while not as talented as they have been the last few seasons, should not have a problem topping 90 wins again with their Starting Rotation being so strong.
The Pirates did lose Russell Martin and Edinson Volquez, but you have to think bringing A.J. Burnett back replaces Volquez, and the internal improvements from Gregory Polanco, and a return to power from Pedro Alvarez should be enough to compensate for that.
When it comes down to my final prognostication for the Division, I may just jot the Bucs down to win the Division. Josh Harrison and Neil Walker at 3B and 2B, and if they receive anything from their Starting Catcher and Shortstop then look the hell out.
Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte also help Polanco round out the Outfield, and I think by the end of the year, they will be pronounced the best trio of players beyond the Infield, rather than the Marlins or Padres. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 12, 2015
Did you know Alex Rodriguez was having a good spring training?
Did you even know that A-Rod was AT spring training?
You wouldn’t know that if you were following the Yankees on Twitter.
That and the San Diego Padres rebuilding process continues to be passionate but reckless.
It is a Retweeted episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 11, 2015
USA Today Sports
Oh injuries… how they make Spring Training not fun.
Yu Darvish and Marcus Stroman might lose their seasons.
Cliff Lee? His career could be over. It is a big league tenure worth saluting.
Rest your arm and listen to this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
2nd Week Schedule For The 2015 MLB Season Apr.13 – Apr.19, 2015 (Includes Jackie Robinson Day)
Dodgers’ part owner Magic Johnson, Rachel Robinson and ’42’ star Harrison Ford during the Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson Day pre-game celebration on April 15, 2013. Every year on Apr.15th. the whole league honors Robinson by having their players all wear #42 across the MLB.
Week 2 features the remaining last few home openers. After this week concludes., the usual pattern for the next 25 weeks is pretty much the same throughout the rest of the year.
Highlighted in this set of days will be the home opener of AT @ T Park, who will host their 2014 Championship Banner on Monday Apr. 13th.
Week 2 is also highlighted by Jackie Robinson day on April.15th, where all teams and players should be wearing the #42. This is a very great day every season, and should be used as an education tool with the kids especially, for who Jackie was.
MLB Scheduling 2015
Day + Date Away and Home, Times Start In EST
MLB Season Opening Series
1st Week Schedule For The 2015 MLB Season Apr.05 – Apr.12, 2015
Photo: Brad Barr, USA TODAY Sports
We are less than 4 weeks away from the opening game at Wrigley Field. Weather aside, and every day with a major named player going down to injury, it looks to be the best season ever on the horizon.
Over the course of the next few weeks, we are ramping up out production of the 2015 schedule. It is a one time chance to give you a full view of the years itinerary as it sits now.
During the year, we will be posting the week ahead for games, but it is more geared towards the ballpark chaser – as oppose to pitching matchups and such.
If you like looking at 7 day glances at a time visit espn.com for their calendar.
If 3 day glances is what you like, than mlb.com is your thing, than go there.
We will have a month to month schedule, and will have a full year schedule on 1 page post. I would love for one of this entities to take our lead, and signal out special games on their year dockets. Our calendar shows Interleague and home openers.
MLB Scheduling 2015
Day + Date Away and Home, Times Start In EST
MLB Season Opening Series
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 10, 2015
New York Daily News
Can you imagine being so spoiled as a baseball fan that you actually can’t recall the events of your team winning a World Series?
That has happened with some Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Cardinals fans I know.
Perhaps that is the ultimate achievement for a franchise: Having titles lost in the shuffle.
It is a mini dynasty episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Tommy John Surgery Tracker: ALL – Time List – 2015 Updates Included
For all the talk of baseball players (pitchers mostly) that will be undergoing Tommy John Surgery, we will be keeping a running list! E-mail us at mlbreports@gmail.com if you have any names to add to our totals.
How many players are having or had TJ in history? You are about to find out:
Links
TOMMY JOHN SURGERY – 2015 (3)
2015
Yu Darvish , Rangers TJ Watch list – March
Joel Hanrahan, Tigers (2nd time) – March
Shae Simmons, Braves – Feb.20 Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 9, 2015
Photo: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post and USA Today Sports
Two high profile and highly paid former World Series hero third basemen are in the news.
One is the reviled Alex Rodriguez of the team I hate the most, the Yankees.
The other is the lovable “Kung Fu Panda” Pablo Sandoval, who moved from my second favorite team, the World Champion Giants, to my favorite team, the Red Sox.
So why is Alex Rodriguez earning my respect and Pablo is making me think “Shut up, Panda”?
Find out why on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 8, 2015
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball Here is a Sunday Topic for you, the Odd Numbered Year Curse and Hunter Pence’s broken Arm. Unreal.
— Jim Furlong (@EWOKinLA) March 5, 2015
The Giants lineup is thin enough that losing Pence for any length of time isn’t going to be fun. Man, this even year odd year thing is starting to get creepy! Let’s talk defending champs on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
@CblackCHC It happens my friend. Thanks for the concern, it’s a part of the game we love. No slowing down!
— Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) March 6, 2015
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 World Series + Best Bets
Yu Darvish had exceeded expectations in his 1st 3 seasons with the club. Based on his 6 YRs/$56 MIL contract, he was considered seriously underpaid in the last three years of his contract. Since that value created cash for other deals, the team was able to sign Fielder and Choo last winter, but those two sustained massive injuries in 2014 (along with the RHP – and about 57 others lin 2014) in what was a losing season, Darvish finished 2nd in AL Cy Young Voting with a 2.83 ERA and an AL Leading 277 for the 2013 season, but he has a torn UCL now – and will probably have to go under the knife for Tommy John Surgery, I call this a season ender for the Rangers playoffs chances even before we hit the MLB opener on April.5th. Oddsmakers are on board with what I have said, with the team tied for the 22nd worst odd to win it all this campaign.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With yesterday’s grim news on the 2015 season of Yu Darvish. I think it is safe to say the Rangers will have a tough campaign this year as well.
It was one thing having all of their top players coming back from injury already, but now you lose one of the true aces left in the American League. This is a doomsday special. I don’t think Yovani Gallardo will take on Darvish’s type of role and thrive. If anything, the Rangers might be able to flip him later in the year.
Jon Daniels should not trade for another pitcher either. This Division is the best in baseball, and if he were to do that, it would be bad money spent. Hopefully Prince Fielder and Shin-soo Choo can have bounce back seasons for you, and at least the future will look up beyond 2015. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 7, 2015
I recorded today’s episode along a big empty field in Fremont California.
If everything had gone according to plan, the Athletics would have had their stadium and called this patch of land home. As you can see, it didn’t happen.
It is a “What could have been” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Projected Top 5 Home Run Hitters In The MLB For 2015
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Fantasy Baseball is turning out to be a 365 day year proposition these days. A lot of the talk over the airwaves centers around the best power hitters in the game right now. I think we can all agree on that the game’s power has declined over the last few years – without the aid of PED’s/Amphetamine use.
Overall, there are several players who still possess sick power. For anyone that watches batting practice at the games, a lot of the guys can all yak it over the fence at will when they know where the ball is going from their BP chucker. Doing it in the game is another matter.
Last season’s HR winners were Nelson Cruz and Giancarlo Stanton, even though the latter missed the last month of the campaign when he was horrendously beaned in the face. The OF formerly known as Mike, is back to claim the title again. Read the rest of this entry
10 Bold Predictions For The 2015 MLB Season
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It is that time of year again for prognosticators to present their picks for the upcoming MLB Season. Perhaps 2014 was the best season of forecasting I ever have done, so 2015 may come with a slight regression, but then again ride the wave until it slams you into the sea.
As you will see in the coming weeks I will be high on teams like Seattle, Washington and Pittsburgh, mostly because of youth talent and pitching, but I also see some of the old dogs sticking around to put up a fight like Boston, St. Louis, Detroit, San Francisco, and the Dodgers are always scary, but flawed at the same time,
One of my new favorite themes to harp on is staying away from injury riddled teams. For this reason alone I don’t like the Padres, Rockies and Blue Jays.
Having said that about Toronto, they may playoff bound if they can stay between the white lines off the playing surface with the majority of their playing roster. If they fail to make the postseason, it has to be curtains time for the Manager, GM, and Paul Beeston is already in the last year of his front office career. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 6, 2015
While washing dishes, I thought of the purpose of the play by play announcer. Are they supposed to educate us or are they supposed to be a companion.
That and and a Ritch Duncan mouse story episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Buy “O Holy Cow!: The Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto” by clicking HERE
Dodgers Brass’ Is Brutalizing The 2015 Payroll ($267 MIL) With Dead Money + Injury Plagued Chuckers!
Since Andrew Friedman has taken over, he has shown a blatant disregard for payroll, by cutting pitchers that had guaranteed deals, while doling out cash to often injured chuckers, or players that have limited success on their resume. The LA NL franchise is nearing $267 MIL for 2015 patyroll and are in the 3rd year of the Luxury Tax Penalty (40%). The franchise located at Chavez Ravine, are looking at a $30 MIL stipend to pay the MLB for that very infraction. Next year(9nd every year after till they drop under the Threshold once, they will rise to a 50% penalty/) One certainly has to question their last 5 or 6 moves in accordance with payroll. The Dodgers better hope that the forthcoming CBA doesn’t throw the hammer down on high salary teams over the Luxury Tax – when the new deal with the MLB and MLBPA is put into place before the 2017 season.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
What the hell is Andrew Friedman doing? Lets just eat the contracts on Brian Wilson and maybe Brandon League, while paying the freight on Dan Haren’s 2015 salary ($10 MIL) to play for the Marlins, and also forking out money to Brett Anderson, Brandon Beachy and also coming to a theater near you soon. If that weren’t enough, they have signed perennially injured/malcontent guys in Erik Bedard and Dustin McGowan on Minor League deals.
The club will also digest half (or more) of Andre Ethier‘s remaining deal (3 YRs, $56 MIL) if another franchise will take them off of their hands. Yes that was not the current front office’s deal, however the throwing away of money is still directly tied to their decisions now.
Pretty soon the entire total for the dead money in the Dodgers team salary will rival the contract marks of the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A’s if this trend persists.
The Los Angeles payroll was supposed to be reigned in – and not jumping to an ALL – Time record.
Even with losing the albatross contract of Matt Kemp, the Dodgers are sitting at nearly $266 MIL in projected team payroll. Let’s add a 40% penalty for being a 3rd time offender to the mix, and you can kiss another $30 MIL out the door at Chavez Ravine. Maybe the club should hope for a Zack Greinke opt out.
For a Full Player Breakdown off all Salaries in 2015 – and going forward click here .
To keep reading the rest of this article CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS BLOG ICON, or simply continue scrolling down if there is no ICON like that.
I Understand The River Boat Gambler Mentality, But Preller’s Method To Build SD Into A Winner Will Fail
A.J. Preller has revamped the roster of the Padres so much in the offseason, that I think it will take a full season for everyone to get used to their surroundings. Much like the 2012 Angels and Marlins, 2013 Blue Jays and 2014 Yankees, just when you thought they won the winter, it took them half to a full year to round out their talent. Having 10+ new faces on the roster usually doesn’t translate to immediate impact on the field. The Padres are listed as about an 84 win game club based on their squad. I think they will be far below that. For now, I have them ranked below the Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Cardinals, Pirates and Marlins in the National League.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
You are the San Diego Padres, and are looking at the Dodgers (north of $230 MIL in payroll the last 2 years and $267 MIL in 2015), and also the 3 times in 5 year champions (Giants) that also hail in your Division. Your franchise barely can scrape up enough dollars to crack the $100 MIL salary barrier, and you have 2 Pennants since your inception in 1969.
Petco Park’s attendance has been dropping since the park opened over a decade ago, and you needed to shake things up. I get that. Everyone and their grandma is calling A.J. Preller’s winter as a landmark win for any new executive that there has been.
Similar words were spoken in the winter of 2012 – going into 2013, when Alex Anthopoulos pulled off that mega trade with the Marlins, and everyone was casting them for the World Series (even the oddsmakers). He based that trade with several components from Miami that were riddled with injury troubles in their career. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 5, 2015
Ten years ago today, my twin sons were born.
So much has happened in baseball in the decade since they arrived. So many amazing names, careers and moments have transpired.
I can only imagine what the next ten will bring.
It is a proud pappa episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 4, 2015
Photo: Brad Barr, USA TODAY Sports
Spring Training Games have begun. A change in the baseball schedule can make the Cactus and Grapefruit League games valuable in selecting the All Star Team.
It all makes sense in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Top 100 MLB Prospects In 2015
Kris Bryant is about as sure of a prospect there has been in the last 5 years. Will the Cubs let him start the year in 2015, or will they send him down until the end of April to save service time. All you need to know about the franchises desire to win it all this campaign may be based on this decision. The young slugger had 40 HRs in the Minor League’s last year.
By Jordan Gluck (MLB Parts Writer/Part-Owner): Follow @jgluck777
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Top 100 Prospects
1-30
These are my top 100 prospects in baseball. There is a lot of talent in the minor leagues right now across almost all levels. Yoan Moncada signed after I wrote this but he would slot in the 8th slot right ahead of Joey Gallo and I do believe Moncada will be a stud.
1. Kris Bryant 3B CHC – He will hit for power and hit for a high average at what is an underrated position. He was the 2nd overall pick in 2013 and has the looks of a perennial all star.
2. Carlos Correa SS Hou- He was having a very nice season at the best hitters park in the minors in Lancaster before he broke his leg. I think he can stay at SS with almost all five tools with power rapidly emerging. He’s the future face of the Astros.
3. Corey Seager SS LAD- There are people who think he may get too big for SS and have to transfer to 3B but I think he has much more value at SS and can stick there for at least a few years. He should have an elite bat with plus plus power. Possibly the next Troy Tulowitzki with a slightly worse glove.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 3, 2015
MLB.com
Spring Training Games have begun and they are exciting, if not meaningless.
Meanwhile I try to give Erin Foley good fantasy baseball advice and David Wright gave the Mets a lesson in how to eat lunch.
It is a veteran leadership episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 2, 2015
Comedian Erin Foley returns for part 2 of our conversation where we talk fantasy baseball, her hatred of A-Rod and all sorts of other things that only two old friends can do.
It is an irrational anger episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Erin on Twitter by clicking HERE
Subscribe to Erin’s brilliant podcast Sports Without Balls by clicking HERE
MLB Power Rankings March 2015
Once again, the National League is very top-heavy. with the Nationals, Dodgers and Cards reeling in 3 of the first 5 rankings spots. The American League has more parity in the league this year. and could feature several new entrants into postseason play. This includes the two longest playoff drought teams in the Toronto Blue Jays (the last team to make the playoffs since the Strike/Lockout in 1994 and 1995 – and the M’s haven’t since their 116 win campaign in 2001. The Marlins own the longest such dry spell in the NL<- with their last playoff berth coming in their 2003 World Series win. You also have many young franchises like the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins having several of their young studs coming into the fold, and teams like the Rangers trying to be relevant again following a league record for DL Stints in 2014. This will mean there are no easy wins on the J’unior Circuit’ this campaign.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
1. Washington Nationals – This team is so far above the rest of the MLB, they should be everyones unanimous pick to win the best record in the MLB. Their Division is weaker the NL West, and the teams in the NL Central are a lot closer in parity.
2. LA Dodgers – Too many changes will take the club time to gel. Emphasis on Joc Pederson to do well may be too much to ask. Not enough is being said about the club losing the offense of Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez. Any club with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke as their top 2 starting pitchers will never be to far from the top ranking.
3. Detroit Tigers – This is all based on the American League Central. While I believe the team is not as strong as last year in the pitching department with Max Scherzer, they may be better in the lineup with Yoenis Cespedes. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 1, 2015
AP
Remembering Minnie Minoso and his legacy.
Plus it is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball Sunday request: There are 6 new MLB managers in 2015. Which one(s) will have winning record(s)?
— Peter Sonski (@29sonski) March 1, 2015
These new manager are so anonymous that I had to look them all up to remind me who the hell they are, except for Maddon of course.
That and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
If ‘Cash’ Was Handled Right – The Yankees Could Get 2015 Payroll Under The Luxury Tax This Year
A few years ago, the Yankees were trying to get under the Luxury Tax Threshold just a few years ago, before they dished out $175 MIL over 7 years to Masahiro Tanaka. Despite that, the club could have opted to get under last July by trading Kuroda, Suzuki and Gardner near the Deadline, instead of going for an ill-advised run at the playoffs. At an estimated $211 MIL team salary so far, there are options to drop the mark under the limit yet again if the club struggles. Should they not take advantage this time, they are completely dumb beyond recognition.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Losing out on Yoan Moncada Sweepstakes
The Yankees fans let out a collective groan. but the cost of Yoan Moncada would be even more money than his $31.5 MIL signing bonus – and additional $31.5 MIL penalty. How about tacking on another $15.75 MIL for part of their $50% Luxury Tax Penalty?
I agree with the Yankees not wanting to shell out nearly $80 MIL for an unproven teenager. There are a numerous of examples of can’t miss prospects that won’t pan out.
The Yankees are estimated to have a payroll of near $221 MIL. But the actual AAV is a little higher with the length of term bringing up the overall mark. Alex Rodriguez makes $21 MIL in 2015, but he 10 year pact, was for an AAV of $27.5 MIL overall, so that is the number that brings up the clip.
If the Yankees are on pace to have spent $215 MIL in 2015, so by July, that means they would have put out about $105 MIL at the ALL-Star Break. This gives about $84 MIL worth of room, but you must take off around $27 MIL to fall under the limit.
For a Year to Year Breakdown For all of the Yankees players please visit here.
An 154 MLB Game Schedule Makes A lot Of Sense – Even For Separating The Record Books
Major League Baseball used to run on a 154 game schedule before 1961 In that year, the American League added two new franchises in expansion, with the California Angels and the Washington Senators. The National League played one more season with the 154 games mark before they also converted to the new 162 game season in the 1962 campaign.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Nice Idea, Doubt It will happen anytime soon though
I have been a longtime advocate of a 154 game schedule. I believe you could draw back the clock and have an official record book for the 162 game schedule and also the 154 ame schedule. Guess what that would do? Set back the single season HR mark to 60 by Babe Ruth in 1927 again.
The idea has lots of merit at its starting point, but a lot of the big market clubs like New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, Philadelphia Philies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and LA Angels would hate voting for this for sure, as it would cut into revenue’s based largely on attendance alone, but for the other clubs I could see them not dropping by much in attendance at all aggregate for the whole lump sum of a year.
I think it would only work if they increased the Post Season to a bet of 7 LDS Round once the Wild Card Winners were determined. Read the rest of this entry
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