Monthly Archives: December 2015

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 15, 2015

 

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Jamie Squire / Getty Images

I thought the Dodgers interest in Johnny Cueto was risky.

Now he signed with the Giants. I get the deal. Huge potential reward. Gigantic risk.

It also means the end of the Tim Linceum era.

Meanwhile Pete Rose is back in the news again and Serena Williams needs to compete with a horse.

Go ahead an bet on today’s episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

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Giants Ink Johnny Cueto: It’s Tied For The 37th ALL – Time In MLB Contracts

Johnny Cueto is 97 - 70 (.578) career with a 3.30 ERA however he has put forth a 2.71 ERA since the start of the 2011 year. Much like his new team, Cueto has performed better in the even years of this decade, where he finished 2nd in Cy Young Voting in 2012 and 4th in 2014 Cy Young Voting.

Johnny Cueto is 97 – 70 (.578) career with a 3.30 ERA however he has put forth a 2.71 ERA since the start of the 2011 year. Much like his new team, Cueto has performed better in the even years of this decade, where he finished 2nd in Cy Young Voting in 2012 and 4th in 2014 Cy Young Voting.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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The landscape of the NL West just changed again. As of right now I give the Giants as equally a shot to win the NL West as I do the LA Dodgers.  Signing Johnny Cueto is an awesome move.

Even better than the 6 YRs/$130 MIL deal is an opt out clause after 2 years, when Cueto can forego the final 4 years of the pact – leaving the San Fran club with $84 MIL on the table.

The current contract also calls for a Team Option for a 7th year.

Cueto, who is 30, most likely will opt out after 2017 if he can put up great back to back seasons as good as his 2.71 ERA since the start of the 2011 campaign, – only bested by Clayton Kershaw in that time frame.

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Odds To Win The 2016 MLB Divisions

Even with the Cubs signing Jason Heyward and being the favorite to win bot the NL Pennant and World Series, they have to contend with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 once again. The Redbirds won 100 games and are coming back with another great squad. That is the sole reason why they are not the biggest favorite to win their own Division.

Even with the Cubs signing Jason Heyward and being the favorite to win bot the NL Pennant and World Series, they have to contend with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 once again. The Redbirds won 100 games and are coming back with another great squad. That is the sole reason why the Cubs are not the biggest favorite to win their own Division.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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These odds are a pretty good reflection of the landscape in the MLB right now.  The best value on the board would be the NY Yankees are +240 and Detroit at +250.  Both of these clubs are old, but if they can play to their talent level and avoid injury, could win their Divisions.

I fully expect the Cubs will win the National League Central Division, but the +140 odd doesn’t pay enough to entice a wager.

The worst odd on the board has to be the Texas Rangers.  I am not sure they are that much better than the Houston Astros right now, and they have not had a banner winter yet – while Houston has solidified their Bullpen by adding flamethrower Ken Giles.

Add in a full year of Carlos Correa – and Houston should be the Division favorite.

I think the Twins might be a nice long shot wager at +310.  This club did finished 2nd in the American League Central Division during the 2015 year with 83 victories. Read the rest of this entry

MLB Power Rankings: Early Predictions For 2016

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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There is parity in the American League and their is a growing distance between the good and the bad clubs in the National League.

One could argue that the top 6 teams (NYM/CHC/SF/WSH/STL/PIT) in all of the Majors reside in the NL right now, and you then you can counter that by saying they have the 6 worst squads as well (PHI/ATL/MIL/CIN/SD/COL).

The funny thing about this whole ordeal is that the AL is absolutely going to cream the NL in Interleague this forthcoming season.  On a 12 year win streak already,  I am predicting a 175 – 125 W – L for the games between both leagues. The AL speedbags the National League in my view.

Last year, the American League held a 167 – 133 mark over the National League so that prediction up there is not foreign by any means. 

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 14, 2015

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Boston.com

Can you imagine Dallas being Red Sox country?

Or New Englanders being apathetic fans of an expansion baseball team?

Perhaps that reality could have happened.

It is an alternate universe episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Be sure to visit Stadium Page by clicking HERE.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 13, 2015

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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

It is Sunday and time for THE SUNDAY REQUEST.

 

Greatest of all time? Maybe not that high yet. But he should mentioned as an All Time Great already.

Praise the brains behind the scenes in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Projected Top 5 Home Run Hitters In Major League Baseball For 2016

Giancarlo Stanton should contend for the NL HR championship crown in 2016. He is capable of cracking 40 - 50 HRs if he can play a year completely healthy. The Marlins are lucky to have one of the best young hitters in the game on offense, and to also have Jose Fernandez as their #1 Pitcher. Finances dictate the club will only be able to secure one long term - and Fernandez has more years left of team control, and is going to cost the team less cash.

Giancarlo Stanton should contend for the NL HR championship crown in 2016. He is capable of cracking 40 – 50 HRs if he can play a year completely healthy. The Marlins are lucky to have one of the best young hitters in the game on offense.  We will predict he will lead the overall MLB as well.  Stanton cracked 27 HRs in just 74 Games Played in 2015 before a broken hand derailed his last three months of the season.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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So I think I fared fairly well from my prognostications of last HR leaders last year – although I was seriously off on Mark Trumbo and George Springer and of course Nelson Cruz did not slow down in 2015.

I almost nailed the totals for the top 1 – 4 in the AL.  Bryce Harper did emerge.  I also said that Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista would be near the top of the list of near misses, but those continued to be productive past that.

So it comes to another year of figuring out this maze of the top power hitters.  I still believe that if Giancarlo Stanton remains healthy for a full season – that he will bomb 50 HRs.  I am picking him to be the National League Leader. Read the rest of this entry

Detroit Tigers Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward

Detroit is rapidly aging with their core and they have added even more guys to the fold over this winter with Jordan Zimmermann and Francisco Rodriguez both 30 or over. This club may have opened up another 1 - 2 year winning window here - but will pay a steep financial price for it. The club is around $175 MIL already for total team salary and are right near the MLB Luxury Tax Threshold of $189 MIL.

Detroit is rapidly aging with their core and they have added even more guys to the fold over this winter with Jordan Zimmermann and Francisco Rodriguez both 30 or over. This club may have opened up another 1 – 2 year winning window here – but will pay a steep financial price for it. The club is around $175 MIL already for total team salary and are right near the MLB Luxury Tax Threshold of $189 MIL.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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The Tigers are on the cusp of chasing that $189 MIL Luxury Tax Threshold they way they are spending money freely.  They have 3 of the top 15 contracts in MLB history – with  Jordan Zimmermann just outside the bar with his new 5 YRs/$110 MIL deal.

It has been a decade worth of competitive baseball – with the outlier being the last season where they finished under .500.

Detroit should be right around $171 MIL after the Arbitration contracts are finished this winter.  This must be where the budget ends for the franchise.

The Tigers are still paying Prince Fielder $30 MIL over the next 6 years – spread out evenly, and this year they have the pleasure of kicking Joe Nathan another $1 MIL not to play for them.

Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander both earn $28 MIL in the upcoming season – while Victor Martinez and Jordan Zimmermann both will make $18 MIL each.  Ian Kinsler and Anibal Sanchez round out the 8 figure players.

The Motown Boys also facilitated trades to bring in OF Cameron Maybin and Closer Francisco Rodriguez that will add some money to the bottom line in 2016.

Cabrera is just starting his huge 8 Years/$248 MIL pact – while Justin Verlander still has 4 years and a total of $112 MIL left on the books.

If all of the options are picked up on this team, the whole Roster could be back for the 2017 as well.  This may be a good or bad thing. Read the rest of this entry

WTF Pittsburgh? Are You Contenders Or Are You At The Kids Table?

This club has improved a great deal over the last 8 years, and they are in great His strategic moves over the next 12 months will determine if that means a playoff round win.

This Pirates club has made themselves relevant in the NL for the last 3 years with appearing in the Wild Card game – and pushing the Cards to the brink of elimination in 2014.  However this organization has looked petty in looking too much to the bottom line so far this offseason.  They have lost 4 players from the 98 win team of 2015 – and only have Jon Niese and Juan Nicasio as guys that help the MLB squad in 2016.  They still have 3 months to go, but thus far the winter has been a tire fire.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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What the hell are the Pirates doing this offseason?!!  I mean I have tonnes of respect for Neil Huntington – however the brass has made some highly questionable moves to save some money.

The Pittsburgh window to win is 2 – 3 more years, yet it almost looks likes the management is throwing a preemptive strike to blow the club up.

Okay, I may be overstating the facts a little here – as there is still well over 3 months before the club even hits Spring Training.

The club first non-tendered Pedro Alvarez – rather than head to the last year of Arbitration with him.  He would have made in the neighborhood of $10 MIL in 2016 – I get that, but losing a 25 – 30 HR out of your lineup will be tough to adjust for. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 12, 2015

 

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Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

The Cardinals just lost Jason Heyward. How are the fans taking it?

 

Oh dear. Calm down Cardinals fans! Losing stars and still being a winner is part of Cardinals lore!

In the name of Stan Musial’s ghost, listen to this episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

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Dear Santa 2015: A Xmas Letter (Wishlist) From All 30 MLB Teams And Their Fanbases

santa claus

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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It is that time of year.  All the executives should be toting their favorite team pencil and get ready for a letter to old Saint Nick.

The Winter Meetings have concluded, and as of right now, the Cubs went four hours without acquiring someone so the rest of the league can quickly exhale for a few minutes.

This is the lull of the offseason right now with not much happening from right now all the way through to the Baseball Hall Of Fame Vote.

Speaking of the Hall of Fame – do you think Pete Rose does autograph signings in Vegas on Dec.25 – before gambling the winnings at the craps table right after?  Okay sorry Pete. Read the rest of this entry

Miami Marlins State Of The Union For 2016

The Miami Marlins have not had a winning season since finishing 87 - 75 in 2009. With some deft maneuvers and the right allocation of team salary - this club could contend in the NL East with Atlanta and Philadelphia both rebuilding. With a suspect ownership group I am not sure they will be bolster the club any bit.

The Miami Marlins have not had a winning season since finishing 87 – 75 in 2009. With some deft maneuvers and the right allocation of team salary – this club could contend in the NL East with Atlanta and Philadelphia both rebuilding for the next couple of years. With a suspect ownership group I am not sure they will be bolster the club any bit – which would waste away the great value they have with their players currently with Fernandez, Stanton and Gordon.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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Just what the hell are the Marlins up to this winter?  Talk about a team that has done relatively nothing.  I understand that the market isn’t the greatest however you have Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton at a ridiculous value.

This club should be spending as much money as humanly possible right now to go for it.  The Braves and Phillies are down and rebuilding – and even Washington doesn’t seem as formidable as they have in previous years.

There was so much hype after signing Stanton long-term last season that has all dissipated within the last 12 months.

The management also turned out one of the better trades last year in picking up NL Batting Champion Dee Gordon for Andrew Heaney as the best players of the deal. Read the rest of this entry

Baltimore Orioles State Of The Union For 2016

The Baltimore Orioles needed a 5 game winning streak at the year's end just to crack .500 last season. Now they might lose the reigning AL HR king and Wei Yin Chen from last years squad. Dan Duquette needs to be diligent with his roster over this winter otherwise the club could start a free fall back down the AL East Standings circa 1998 - 2011.

The Baltimore Orioles needed a 5 game winning streak at the year’s end just to crack .500 last season. Now they might lose the reigning AL HR king and Wei Yin Chen from last years squad. Dan Duquette needs to be diligent with his roster over this winter otherwise the club could start a free fall back down the AL East Standings circa 1998 – 2011.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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The Baltimore Orioles are in serious jeopardy of falling back into a tailspin in the AL East if they don’t turn around their winter. 

Last year you could at least fathom that they had 3 players coming back from injury in Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and Chris Davis that they could rebound and repeat as AL East champs

Buck Showalter saw his team scramble for a .500 record – yet the season was a massive disappointment from the previous 3 years.

Now the club might lose Chris Davis, Wei-Yin Chen and Gerardo Parra to Free Agency.  The management stopped the bleeding a little with the recent re-signing of Darren O’Day. Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The American And National League For 2016

The National League has 4 favorites ahead of the odds on fave Jays to win the 2016 League Pennant. It is a more top heavy league for sure. I am just not sold the Cubs shouldn't be the overwhelming favorite here.

The National League has 4 favorites ahead of the odds on fave Jays to win the 2016 League Pennant. It is a more top-heavy league for sure. I am just not sold the Cubs shouldn’t be the overwhelming favorite here.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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I love watching the odds fluctuate when deals are made in the Major Leagues.  I often keep my mind on the European Oddsmakers.  There is some hardcore nice value for your buck in betting some cash on the American and National League Pennant winners currently.

The Cubs should be the overall favorite to win both the National League and the World Series.  At +450 this is a fantastic odd.  I am not calling it a best bet of the week though. Read the rest of this entry

Jason Heyward Signs With The Cubs For The 13th Highest Contract In MLB History

Jason Heyward

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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It has been announced that Jason Heyward has just inked an 8 YR deal with the Chicago Cubs for $184 MIL deal.  The contract calls for a player opt out after 3 years, but for now he is tied with Joe Mauer for 13th overall in total dollars during a deal.

Whether Heyward is worth that kind of dough in AAV is beside the point.  At 26, he was one of the youngest Free Agent players of all time that could garner that type of cash.

No question about the man’s defensive prowess being unique in the game right now.  He has also cut down on the amount of Strikeouts from early in his career. Read the rest of this entry

Assessing Adrian Beltre’s Place ALL – Time: Rangers Should Lock Him Up For A Few More Years

 

Adrian Beltre has earned every cent of his 6 years/$96 MIL deal signed before the 2011 season so far. He has 3 slashed .309/.358/.514 in his tenure and has finished in the top 15 for MVP voting in each of those campaigns. The Rangers should try to extend him for 2 or 3 more years past 2016 - and lock up the future Hall Of Famer so he can end his career in Arlington. Beltre will play next season at Age 37 - and will make $16 MIL in the final year of his pact.

Adrian Beltre has earned every cent of his 6 years/$96 MIL deal signed before the 2011 season so far. He has 3 slashed .309/.358/.514 in his tenure and has finished in the top 15 for MVP voting in each of those campaigns. The Rangers should try to extend him for 2 or 3 more years past 2016 – and lock up the future Hall Of Famer so he can end his career in Arlington. Beltre will play next season at Age 37 – and will make $16 MIL in the final year of his pact.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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When Adrian Beltre arrived in Texas for the 2011 season he had a fine career that was started at age 20 in Los Angeles.  What he has achieved in Arlington was turn a decent lifetime of playing baseball into a Hall of Fame Career.

The 36 year old Third Baseman could hold records for the hot corner for XBH, 2B’s, R, GP, PA, AB, Hits and RBI just to start with – and cement his legacy in Cooperstown.

So how many years can he play beyond next year? I think it is realistic to say he could play until he is 40.  That would mean playing in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons. Read the rest of this entry

Colorado Rockies State Of The Union For 2016

The Colorado endured their 5th straight losing season and 17th overall in 23 years of existence . They play in a crazy park that wreaks havoc on their players for home/road splits. They must take a realistic approach right now - and trade all of their marketable players - and rebuild for the 2 or 3 years down the road. The Rockies now play in a suddenly tough NL West - where the Dodgers, Giants and surging D'Backs all reside.

The Colorado endured their 5th straight losing season and 17th overall in 23 years of existence . They play in a crazy park that wreaks havoc on their players for home/road splits. They must take a realistic approach right now – and trade all of their marketable players – and rebuild for the 2 or 3 years down the road. The Rockies now play in a suddenly tough NL West – where the Dodgers, Giants and surging D’Backs all reside.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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They are one of the weirdest franchises in the Major Leagues – and play in an equally weird atmosphere in Denver – that furthers the hard line it is to have a successful franchise.

6 winning seasons in 23 years of existence is very paltry. Despite the shortcomings on the field, the club still draws over 30,000 fans per game.  Maybe the reason is fans love offense.

In 2016 the club will look to end 5 straight years of losing seasons – and also erase a 7 year playoff drought.

It is tough to fathom things are going to change very much in the coming campaign.  The brass is looking to trade all of their outfielder and the left side of their Infield have both shared their displeasure with playing in Colorado this year. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 11, 2015

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Will the Dodgers panic and sign Johnny Cueto to a long term deal? If they do, then why didn’t they just keep Zack Greinke?

Meanwhile the Giants are taking a more low key approach.

It is a Dodger blue episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

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Texas Rangers Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward

The Rangers rose from the AL West ashes in 2015 and won their first Division Title in 4 years. It came off the heels of 2 injury riddled seasons that plagued any chance to make the playoffs. The club has about $140 MIL worth of salaries to pay in 2016 but should consider spending out another $10 - $15 MIL. They have a need for a Starting Pitcher and could use a breakout campaign from either Joey Gallo or Jurickson Profar to add depth for mid year trade to acquire a proven playoff Starter to add. The club will also hope Yu Darvish can come back at full strength. While they have 5 of the top 46 contracts of ALL - Time on their salary, 3 of them came via trade where the former team is picking up some of the dough.

The Rangers rose from the AL West ashes in 2015 and won their first Division Title in 4 years. It came off the heels of 2 injury riddled seasons that plagued any chance to make the playoffs. The club has about $140 MIL worth of salaries to pay in 2016 but should consider spending out another $10 – $15 MIL. They have a need for a Starting Pitcher and could use a breakout campaign from either Joey Gallo or Jurickson Profar to add depth for mid year trade to acquire a proven playoff Starter. The club will also hope Yu Darvish can come back at full strength. While they have 5 of the top 46 contracts of ALL – Time on their salary, 3 of them came via trade where the former team is picking up some of the dough.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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The Texas Rangers have 5 of the top 50 MLB Contracts of ALL – Time on their roster with Prince Fielder (10th), Cole Hamels (32nd), Shin-Soo Choo (37th), Josh Hamilton (42nd) and Elvis Andrus (tied for 46th).

Yes 3 of them came over via trade after chunks were already off, and their former team is still subsidizing some of the money going forward as well, but the Rangers are still already at over $120 MIL already committed in total team salary for 2016.

We have also heard grumblings that the team will look to extend Adrian Beltre this week in order to have him finish out his potential Hall Of Fame Career in Texas.  This won’t hurt the bottom line in 2016 – but will also put some dough on the future of the teams finances should it occur. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 10, 2015

League Championship Series - New York Mets v Chicago Cubs - Game Four

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

I know it is only December. But MAN the Cubs look like the team to beat in 2016!

They have been filling in their holes while the other NL contenders have bigger question marks.

Dare Cub fans dream?

It is a tempt the fates episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Odds To Win The 2016 MLB World Series

Pittsburgh had the 2nd best record in the Majors with 98 wins, yet were samarily dismissed in the Wild Card Game by the Cubs - and a lightning hot Jake Arrieta at the time It may actually get worse for the Bucs in coming years with the emergence of the young NL Chicago squad and the continued dominance of the St. Louis franchise. My idea is to spend some money this offseason, but if you are 5 or 6 games behind the playoff bar near the Trade Deadline, to deal all guys on the remainder year of their contracts and to retool for 2017.

Pittsburgh had the 2nd best record in the Majors with 98 wins, yet were simirarily dismissed in the Wild Card Game by the Cubs – and a lightning hot Jake Arrieta at the time. It may actually get worse for the Bucs in coming years with the emergence of the young NL Chicago squad and the continued dominance of the St. Louis franchise. My idea was to spend some money this offseason, but if you are 5 or 6 games behind the playoff bar near the Trade Deadline, to deal all guys on the remainder year of their contracts and retool for 2017.  Instead they have made a boneheaded trade in doling out Neil Walker for Jon Niese this week.  Their odd should not be +1400 as the #3 ranked team in the NL Central.  I don’t think 3 teams qualify for the playoffs out of that Division in 2016.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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Okay hands up, how many of you followed my advice minutes after the Zack Greinke deal – and pounced on that 40/1 play?  I am happy to say I did, and voila, they jumped from +4000 all the way to+1600.

Sure there was an added bonus of the club picking up Shelby Miller via the trade route – but that is how quickly the odds fluctuate.  The job is to render value.

So far we have given really sound advice on this whole off season.  The first time the new odd was posted we said to stay clear of the Dodgers as the favorite.  Look at them right now – they are considered the 5th favorite in the NL.

Now if you think the Los Angeles franchise is not done on the winter with high priced talent, you can get them at this nice odd.  I personally believe they need to add 1 more #2, #3 starter in addition to the latest Dodgers Hisashi Iwakuma signing – and another premiere Outfielder as well. Read the rest of this entry

tjohnsurgery.com Is Looking For Authors

tommy john

Okay, so I have had this website domain for some time (tjohnsurgery.com) – and I am officially kicking it off in style.  For Authors that love to talk about the surgery, now is your chance to hit the ground running on a trend that it is not going away any time soon.

I am looking for fellow writers to join in my in writing bio’s for all of the players that have had the surgery in history.  Your articles will be posted on tjohnsurgery.com and also at our flagship website of mlbreports.com.

Now I am not looking for writers for the mlbreports.com right now – as we have over 1200 articles already committed from our ownership/crack writing team – however if you things work out, and you are strong enough to write, mlbreports.com is also an option.

Please take a look at our page that we have been running here at mlbreports.com for 2 years. https://mlbreports.com/tj-surgery/

If you are interested in applying for a writing position with us contact me (Chuck Booth) at mlbreports@gmail.com

 

 

Chicago Cubs State Of The Union For 2016

I absolutely love the singing of Zobrist for the Cubs. He is a quality veteran Utility guy for this young versatile club. Zobrist at 35 may have been pricey at the four year deal work, but they were able to trade away Starlin Castro as a result. Zobrist was vital to the Royals postseason run - and is Joe Maddon's favorite all time player. His ability to switch all over the field will give guys like Schwarber, Baez, Soler and Russell all the availability to thrive with matchup maneuvers. The Cubs should not stop here though. They need to acquire a CF - and trade for a #3 starter at some point in the next 8 months.

I absolutely love the signing of Zobrist for the Cubs. He is a quality veteran Utility guy for this young versatile club. Zobrist at 35 may have been pricey at the four year deal work, but they were able to trade away Starlin Castro as a result. Zobrist was vital to the Royals 2015 World Series Playoff run – and is Joe Maddon’s favorite all time player. His ability to switch all over the field will give guys like Schwarber, Baez, Soler and Russell all the availability to thrive with matchup maneuvers. The Cubs should not stop here though. They need to acquire a CF – and trade for a #3 starter at some point in the next 8 months.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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The Cubs finally threw their names in the ring on the Free Agent front this week by first signing ultra  Utility man Ben Zobrist to a 4 YR/$56 MIL -on the heels of  John Lackey to a 2 YR/$32 MIL deal.

The club also dealt Starlin Castro away for another team controllable pitcher in Adam Warren.  These are significant steps in the right direction to start their run at the 2016 NL Central Division Title,

2015 was a nice breakout season – and the furthest the team has gone in 12 years however this franchise needs to spend as much money and continue to pursue an end to their century plus World Series drought.

There is no question all other 29 clubs would trade their offensive rosters for the value the young Chicago NL squad is going to put forth the next 5 years. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 9, 2015

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AP Photo

The Diamondbacks are going for it. Did the Braves just pick up a franchise player from Georgia in the process?

Will Dansby Swanson be the new John Smoltz?

It is long term/short term gain episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 8, 2015

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Events at the winter meetings are going so quickly that they render doing a daily podcast almost an exercise in being incorrect.

Trying to make predictions during this winter meeting… an impossibility

It is an unpredictable episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 7, 2015

carl-crawford-andre-ethier

Elsa/Getty Images

The Dodgers had a devastating blow handed to them when Greinke left.

They need to make some moves and for some of them, quantity will matter as much as quality.

And by the way, BACK UP YOUR FILES!

It is a Bleed Dodger Blue episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 6, 2015

PRICE

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

 

It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.

 

No Trades and opt outs are not going anywhere soon. And fans should be happy about that.

It is a collectively bargained for episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward

The Diamondbacks didn't have many ling term contracts that carry out big $ - so they were able to throw a whole bunch of dough to sign Zack Greinke to the biggest Annual Average Contract in MLB History. Despite that deal, there maybe more signings and acquisitions on the way with the total team payroll still being under $100 MIL thus far for next campaign.

The Diamondbacks doesn’t have many long term contracts that carry out big $ – so they were able to throw a whole bunch of dough to sign Zack Greinke to the biggest Annual Average Contract in MLB History. Despite that deal, there maybe more signings and acquisitions on the way with the total team payroll still being under $100 MIL thus far for next campaign.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

So in one signing of Zack Greinke, the Diamondbacks effectively doubled their 2016 salary outlook for the year.  There was a reason Arizona could make such an expensive deal – and it wasn’t just because of their recent TV contract.

The franchise has done a decent job in slashing payroll over the last few years.  They also have the best value on the board with the Paul Goldschmidt contract through 2019.

The big lanky 1B finished runnerup for the MVP in the National League for the second time in 3 years during 2015 – and will only earn $40 MIL over the next four seasons.  Only Andrew McCutchen’s 6 YRs/$51 MIL extension rivals the kind of value the club has received in the league.

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Greinke Signs With Arizona: 12th Best Deal ALL – Time Of 50 MLB Richest Contracts.

Zack Greinke opted of his deal after this season, even though he will stay have nearly $26 MIL per year left on his deal running through 2018. There is no doubt in my mind that LA will probably walk away from Greinke. I base that on the comments from GM Andrew Friedman - who isn't looking to spend a lot of money, and also shed payroll. If the brass is able to pull of some swift financing, they should be able to absorb a ne deal with the RHP, and not have the salary for the club be blown out of proportion.

Zack Greinke opted of his deal (6 YRs/$147.6 MIL) after this last season with the Dodgers, even though he will still nearly $26 MIL per year left on his deal running through 2018. The 32 Year Old has been dynamite since moving to Los Angeles, featuring a 60 – 17 (.779) record with a mid 2 ERA since he was dealt to the Angels in mid 2012 from the Brewers.  He just inked the most lucrative deal ever signed for the MLB in AAV at $34.42 MIL per year.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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A collective haymaker punch has just been thrown at the rest of the National League West.  The Diamondbacks have inked Zack Greinke to a 6 YRs/$206.5 MIL pact as of last night.

This is the 3rd richest Pitcher contract ever signed behind David Price‘s 7 YRs/$217 MIL deal – and Clayton Kerhsaw’s extension of 7 YRs/$210 MIL.

It is also the highest Average Annual contract  ahead at $34.42 MIL per season, edging out both Price and Miguel Cabrera at a clip of $31 MIL each a campaign for their respective deals.

Greinke, 32, who finished 2nd in NL Cy Young Voting with an incredible 1.66 ERA in 222.1 IP worth of work in 2015 had opted out of his 6 YRs/$147.5 MIL deal with the Dodgers after just 3 years.

The Right Handed Pitcher left 3 years and $77.5 MIL on the table – and this was the right move as he was slated to earn just under $26 MIL a season for that contract.

This is the 12th richest deal of ALL – Time in the Major Leagues – and is also the 12th player to crack the $200 MIL+ barrier.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 5, 2015

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(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

Did you predict Zack Greinke leaving LA for the Diamondbacks? If you answered yes, you are a liar!

The NL West is upside down and Johnny Cueto’s agent is loving it.

Snakes in the desert in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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