Monthly Archives: March 2016
San Francisco Giants Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward
The Giants have won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014 recently. A lot of the core is still intact for 2016 – and they added Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardija and Denard Span as key Free Agency overs the winter, while the Dodgers may not be as formidable in 2016 either. The Giants finished the 2015 season a disappointing 84 – 78 – which continued their odd year curse. Already at about a total team salary of $176 MIL in 2016 – with an AAV of about $189 MIL – and may be over it before the season ends. They would just be 1st time abusers, so they should go for it if a deal can be struck to improve the club.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Yep. The Giants are heading into an even year this decade – and will try for a fourth time in a row to become World Champions.
The 1st thing we look at when it comes to payroll is how much a team has in guaranteed contracts. This franchise is looking at $176 MIL in 2016.
Jake Peavy, Angel Pagan, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez are on the last year of their individual pacts and are not on the payroll beyond this year.
Brian Sabean may consider this when he makes some midseason moves for guys who may be on the last year of their contracts elsewhere.
The Giants spent almost $40 MIL on Disabled List stints in 2015 – and it may have cost them a chance to make the playoffs.
They are the 2nd favored team (+900) to win the World Series (in overall MLB and the NL) to the Cubs (+650)
San Fran has a chance to win 4 rings in 7 seasons, and should not be dissuaded from going over the $189 MIL Luxury Tax Threshold either. The club has paid off all of its debt – and is raking in the cash.
The Giants routinely sellout AT & T Park, and will continue to do so. This venue is considered the #1 stadium by most of the percentage of people who have seen all 30 MLB Parks.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Sept 1, 2013 – Sept 30, 2013 (Episodes 313 – 342)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1230 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 313 – 342 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans. Check out all his Archived info here.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 6, 2016
It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request
@sullybaseball Sunday is Willie Stargell’s birthday…how about a Bucs-centric podcast? Thoughts on McCutcheon’s gripe about the 1 game WC?
— Jim Vilk (@JimVilk) March 3, 2016
Follow Jim Vilk On Twitter Follow @JimVilk
My love for the Pirates runs deep and long. And I do think they are going to be a post season player again.
It is a we are family episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Is Edwin Encarnacion The Key To Next Offseason For The Boston Red Sox?
Edwin Encarnacion has been one of the top 5 offensive hitters in the AL since the start of the 2012 year. It is unfortunate that Bautista and he will probably not remain a Blue Jays beyond this upcoming year. If EE can’t come to terms with the Canadian franchise – perhaps Boston may be a perfect candidate to ink the slugger after this season.
Andrew Martin (Featured Baseball Writer/Owner – baseballhistorian.blogspot.ca) Follow @historianandrew
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The 2016 MLB season has just kicked off with the first spring training games of the year, yet it’s not too early to start looking forward to next year.
As things currently stand, there is a lengthy list of players set to become free agents in 2017.
While they possess varying skills and positions, there is one player in particular the Boston Red Sox should focus their attention on, and that is Edwin Encarnacion — who could be the key to next offseason as an excellent candidate to replace the departing David Ortiz.
READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY
The Future Of The Philadelphia Phillies Could Be Bright
The Phillies have not had a winning season since 2011 after putting forth a decade straight of them. A promising second half to the year – coupled with full seasons by Aaron Nola and Maikel Franco could have them inch closer back to achieving that mark in the next few years.
Trey Rose (Featured Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) Follow @dynasty_digest
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Philadelphia Phillies haven’t had a winning season since 2011. While it has been a tough stretch of seasons for the team and their fans, they are in the midst of a rebuild that could bring the organization great success in the near future.
I would expect the Phillies to start competing around 2018-2019 seasons. In this article, I will highlight some of the Phillies prospects and players that will be instrumental to the success of the Phillies.
These players will include: Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola, Vincent Velazquez, J.P. Crawford, Mark Appel, Jake Thompson, and Nick Williams.
To read the analysis on the Phillies and the players listed above, please click the link below:
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE
Bartolo Colon’s Legend Grows Like Him: He Is The Last Montreal Expos Player On The Field
Montreal Expos starter Bartolo Colon delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets, Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at Shea Stadium in New York. Colon gave up four runs on five hits in the Expos 4-3 loss to the Mets. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm) ORG XMIT: NYS108
Jen Rainwater (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – www.bbstmlb.com) Follow @OakAsSockGrl
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It’s miraculous that Bartolo Colon is still dominant at 42. It’s miraculous that he’s still playing at 42. It’s insane that he had eight hits for the New York Mets last season at age 41 (and having always been on the chubby side) – a couple were actually doubles! I mean does it get better than that?
Maybe not exactly better but, with the retirement of 35-year-old Maicer Izturis this week, Bartolo Colon met another new milestone. He became the last active player who played for the Montreal Expos.
He played for the team in 2002, not long before the Expos became the Washington Nationals after the 2004 season.
Like the majority of Colon’s seasons he pitched well going 10-4 in 17 starts, throwing four complete games, one of which was a shut out, and posting a 3.31 ERA.
He was just 29 years old. My how far we have traveled with Colon since then.
2016 MLB Preview: One Burning Question for Every National League Team
Top heavy league in 2016.
Matt Musico (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – chinmusicbaseball.com) Follow @mmusico8
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
MLB teams have been working out at their respective Spring Training complexes for almost a month, but this week, it really feels like baseball is back.
Grapefruit and Cactus League schedules have kicked off, and Opening Day is now less than a month away.
A lot of people say Spring Training is way too long, but it gives teams the appropriate amount of time to sort out position battles and see if they have enough depth on their rosters.
Each organization is dealing with a different set of expectations in 2016. No matter how high or low these expectations are, there’s pressure to live up to them.
Here’s one burning question each National League team must answer once games start counting in April:
2016 NL MVP Candidates
Ground Rule Triple Blog (Featured BBBA Website – groundruletriple.com)
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Time for the Senior Circuit’s MVP candidates! Let’s begin with past MVP winners and see if they have a realistic chance of securing another MVP in 2016:
View original post 1,016 more words
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Aug 1, 2013 – Aug 31, 2013 (Episodes 282 – 312)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1229 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 282 – 312 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans. Check out all his Archived info here.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast March 5, 2016
My son’s are celebrating a birthday. They are great brothers to each other. I brought my own brother, Ted, to talk about some more baseball memories.
It is an all in family episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
NY Yankees Player Milestones In 2016: A-Rod, Teixeira, Beltran + CC
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is no doubt about it that the Yankees are old. However, they have some guys who are chasing down some historical numbers this season in Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran.
A-Rod is chasing down Babe Ruth next on the ALL – Time HR list with just trailing him 714 – 686. If he can crack 28 jacks, he will tie the “Sultan of Swat” and with 29 he will surpass him.
If #13 manages just 23 HRs, he would become the ALL – Time American League HR champ, as Babe Ruth hit 708 of his 714 big fly’s in the Junior Circuit, before tallying 6 more with the Boston Braves.
Rodriguez is also chasing down many other categories like Hits, Runs, RBI, GP, XBH and Strikeouts. Of course he already holds the record for Career Grandslams with 24.
If he can somehow reach the 30 HR barrier, it will be his 16th year of that many, and break a tie with Aaron for that honor.
A-Rod is just 60 Runs Scored behind Willie Mays. Read the rest of this entry
New York Yankees Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward
With almost $100 MIL tied up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for this season if injuries occur. It may take a small miracle for them to make a playoff spot next campaign again without spending some cash.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Brian Cashman can finally see some relief from some exorbitant contracts plaguing him from the last several years.
2016 sees the last year on deals for Aroldis Chapman, C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran. Alex Rodriguez is still on the book for one more year after this.
Sabathia does have a Vesting Option for $25 MIL if salary guaranteed if he 1) does not end 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury, 2) does not spend more than 45 days in 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury or 3) does not make more than six relief appearances in 2016 because of a left shoulder injury.
The Yankees can’t guarantee this will happen. Therefore the club must treat this contract as part of their deal for 2017 as well. The Buyout would be $5 MIL.
Sabathia’s drinking aside, they are paying for the good years right now, and he is no better than a 5th Starter – and at 36 years of age with 3000+ IP logged for his career, there may be not much left in the tank. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 4, 2016
I realize that I am just as guilty of overreacting in Spring Training as anyone else.
Meanwhile the lack of former Expos still playing depresses me.
VIVE LA The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Chicago Cubs Offense Will Lead To Many World Series Titles
It has been 108 years since the Cubs last won a World Series
Trey Rose (Featured Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) Follow @dynasty_digest
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Could this be the year that the Chicago Cubs break their curse of not winning a World Series title since 1908?
Many baseball fans and critics believe they have the best shot out of all teams in Major League Baseball.
The Chicago Cubs organization has done an amazing job at developing homegrown talent over the past 4 to 5 years and this young talent is starting to make a massive impact in the big leagues.
Not only are the Cubs producing homegrown talent, but they made a huge splash in the free agency market this Spring.
This team has so much talent that there are multiple very talented players who currently don’t have a spot in the lineup.
In this article I will highlight each position and share the key organizational depth that could possibly bring home a World Series title in 2016.
Each position will list players who are projected to start and prospects that could have an impact within the next 2-4 years.
Players with multi-positional eligibility will have this listed in their bio. Prospects will be listed at positions that they are projected to play when they arrive in the big leagues.
Please click the link below to see my analysis on Miguel Montero, Willson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo, Dan Vogelbach, Ben Zobrist, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Gleyber Torres, Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler, Ian Happ, Albert Almora, and more:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives July 1, 2013 – July 31, 2013 (Episodes 251 – 281)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1228 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 251 – 281 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans. Check out all his Archived info here.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Miguel Sano: Too Big To Fail In Minny
Miguel was not even called up to the Majors until July this year but he still finished 3rd in AL Rookie Of The Year Voting. He had a 3 Slash Line of .269/.385/.530 with 18 HRs and 52 RBI. This guy is a beast – and the club should use the DH position to have him stay for his duration of his playing tenure with him. If he can avoid a sophomore slump, and match his production next season, it will give them the #4 hitter they haven’t seen since the Justin Morneau days before his concussions kicked in.
John Swol (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – twinstrivia.com)
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I have told you all before that my glass is half empty and it is leaking. You can say that it is a negative attitude or what ever you want but this type of thinking has served me well during my life time and it helped me immensely in my 38 year career in IT.
I hope like hell that Miguel Sano has finally found a position he can call home but I can’t help but wonder what would happen if for some reason it does not pan out.
It is unlikely that a decision like that would be made quickly because the Twins want and need Miguel Sano to play right field, if Sano isn’t an outfielder all kinds of poop hits the fan.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 3, 2016
Waiting for a doctor’s appointment, I look at a few more “what if’s” in baseball that would have affected the Orioles, Braves, Brewers, Mariners, Giants, Dodgers and who knows who else!
It is an HMO covered episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Nationals Are Banking On A Trio Of Players To Have Comeback Seasons In 2016
The Nationals have made the playoffs in 2 of the last 4 years with 2012 and 2014 being sandwiched between poor 2013 and 2015 campaigns of failed expectations. With 2 .300 hitters fleeing the club this past winter, coupled with the loss of Ian Desmond to Free Agency, this club needs Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon healthy and on the field in 2016. If they struggle in production or health, the efforts of reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper will not matter.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Bryce Harper fashioned one of the greatest years we have ever seen by a 22 year old, and the Washington Nationals still only finished with a 83 – 79 record – and plenty of victories behind the NL Playoff Bar.
Harper took home the MVP efforts, and has to be wondering if his supporting cast has his back for the 2016 campaign – if he can make it safely to base at least 300 times again like he did in 2015.
Perhaps the biggest factor Washington struggled down the stretch was injury. Ryan Zimmerman couldn’t stay on the field – despite racking up a productive 74 RBI on 346 PA.
Denard Span missed 101 games, which is definitely too bad considering the squad was 36 – 25 in games he was featured in.
Jayson Werth never got on track after injuries plagued him early and often – and had his worst year in a decade – after finishing with top 18 votes for MVP in the previous two seasons.
2014 stalwart Anthony Rendon only mustered a half a season of injury riddled play at a .707 OPS after putting forth a Silver Slugger campaign – with a top 5 MVP vote the previous year.
Ian Desmond also had added a horrible 1st half of the year, before he corrected his problems at the plate, and stopped booting the ball around in the second half. Read the rest of this entry
An Interview With Former MLB’er Glenn Wilson
Andrew Martin (Featured Baseball Writer/Owner – baseballhistorian.blogspot.ca) Follow @historianandrew
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Only a small percentage of baseball players who sign or are drafted end up playing in the major leagues. Therefore, when a prospect pans out and goes on to have a solid career, it’s quite the accomplishment.
When outfielder Glenn Wilson became a professional player, he began with high expectations but more than lived up to them during his decade as a big leaguer.
Texas Rangers Facing Same Roster Uncertainties In 2016 As They Did In 2015
Jim Cowsert, USA TODAY Sports
Matt Musico (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – chinmusicbaseball.com) Follow @mmusico8
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With a shaky starting rotation and a rookie manager leading the way, few MLB analysts picked the 2015 Texas Rangers to make noise in the American League West…especially following a disastrous 67-95 record.
Their perceived postseason chances only sunk lower once Yu Darvish was lost for the year due to Tommy John surgery.
That’s why they play the game, though.
Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo bounced back from injuries, the starting rotation held together long enough before trading for Cole Hamels, and before we realized it, this team was crowned division champs with an 88-74 record.
Despite this unlikely turnaround and most of the same guys coming back for another year, both FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus project them to finish with a record below .500 in 2016.
These projections were released before Ian Desmond signed to be their left fielder, but it’s doubtful there’d be a significant change.
Cardinals Extend Kolten Wong
Jen Rainwater (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – www.bbstmlb.com) Follow @OakAsSockGrl
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
In an offseason where the St. Louis Cardinals tried to sell their city to every free agent out there – including outfielder Jason Heyward.
Heyward spurned the Cardinals, who acquired him before the 2015 season from the Atlanta Braves.
The team and its players immediately began talking the team, the city and the fans up to Heyward in hopes that the soon to be free agent would want to re-sign with the team.
In the end Heyward decided to take less money to go to the Chicago Cubs. A lot of MLB free agents did the same this year including super utility man Ben Zobrist and most recently outfielder Dexter Fowler.
Perhaps it’s the Cubs’ young talented core and their good chance to finally win a World Series or two after a century-long drought. Perhaps it is that they like manager Joe Maddon‘s style.
Mending Ties With Cuba Begins With Baseball
Angel Franco – New York Times
Jen Rainwater (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – www.bbstmlb.com) Follow @OakAsSockGrl
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Tampa Bay Rays and even President Obama will be in Cuba later this month while the Rays take on the Cuban National team. Something of this magnitude that has not occurred in almost 20 years, when the Baltimore Orioles played an exciting two-games series there in 1999. And even then President Clinton was not in attendance.
It is believed by many that the love and passion that the two countries share for the game of baseball will help bring them together. In part of a statement issued by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred he shared this sentiment saying that during this time of historic change,
“We appreciate the constructive role afforded by our shared passion for the game, and we look forward to experiencing Cuba’s storied baseball tradition and the passion of its many loyal fans.”
The Rays will fly into Cuba on March 20, hold an exhibition clinic on the 21st and play the Cuban National Team at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana on the 22nd before returning home to the United States.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 2, 2016
Today is a grab bag episode.
Lonnie Smith talks about his time with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies…
And Subway Squawkers‘ Lisa Swan shares her thoughts on farewell tours.
It is a spring cleaning episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Subway Squawkers on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Did The Yankees Make A Mistake Trading For Aroldis Chapman?
Trey Rose (Featured Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) Follow @dynasty_digest
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
On December 29th, 2015, the New York Yankees completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds that solidified what could be one of the best bullpens in Major League Baseball history.
The Cincinnati Reds sent closer, Aroldis Chapman, to the New York Yankees for prospects Rookie Davis, Caleb Cotham, Tony Renda, and Eric Jagielo.
Prior to the trade, Jagielo was ranked as the Yankees 6th best prospect and Davis as the 10th best prospect in their system by MLB.com.
It is worth noting that prior to this trade, it was reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, which involved top prospect Jose Peraza, but this trade fell through after some shocking news was released about Aroldis Chapman.
2016 MLB Player Props: Futures Betting (Year Over/Unders)
On this list of player over/unders it may be worth a well solution to wager over on all bets across the board and go for about a 60 percent win factor. I did bet a few unders on the sheet towards the end. I continue to find value on the whole gambling aspect of listed odds. I will throw down some more money on these selections. I am just hoping that I don’t become too over confident for my own good.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
We will be going hard and heavy on these kind of articles. I will put an advisory and write-up if I think the bet is worthy.
Las year I went 9 – 4 in Player Props, and I am looking to keep that kind of win percentage this season.
The 1st sector will be any player bets. There is some serious value and things I have already earmarked for bets. I honestly can’t believe all of the value that has been out there for picking this year.
Never did I imagine I would have bet this much already, but it is a bettors market. I hope it doesn’t backfire on me. Read the rest of this entry
‘BBA Live’ Podcast Season #2 Episode #2
Ricky Keeler and AC Wayne host the flagship podcast of the BBBA!
Ricky Keeler Follow @rickinator555
& AC Wayne Follow @publicrecord
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Download This Episode Here
BBA Live! is entering its second season. Listen in as AC Wayne is again joined by Ricky Keeler of Yanks Go Yard and District On Deck (Nats).
Tonight, we’ll showcase the NL Central with guest, Daniel Shoptaw (BBA Fonder , of C70 Follow @c70, as well as all the latest news and headlines throughout the league. Tentatively scheduled, as always: Rich Rivera of Mets Public Record.
Follow and subscribe to the podcast http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mets-public-record
A casual look at Major League Baseball and The New York Mets. Call-in When we are live! #347-326-9300
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 1, 2016
Al Bello
The Royals are signing their stars to long term deals, keeping the World Champs together for several more runs. This would not have been possible a few years ago.
It’s an Everything is Up To Date in Kansas City episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
MLB Reports 
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