Author Archives: chuckbooth3023
The Minnesota Twins Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward
In 2014, Joe Mauer will be in year #4 out of the 8 YR/$184 MIL extension that he signed. The 30 Year Old native of Minnesota returned more to what his usual Career numbers resemble in 2013 – with a 3 Slash Line of .324/.405/.880. Perhaps the club will now move him to 1st base permanently with the departure of Justin Morneau. The 2009 AL MVP, and former 3 time Batting Champion, is now the Active Leader for Batting Average at .323 – and has a lifetime .405 OBP. Mauer is a 6 time ALL – Star – and will need to continue his offensive flair making $23 MIL annually until the end of the 2018 season.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With Justin Morneau leaving the club via a trade at the deadline this campaign, the Twins are starting to resemble the ‘Metrodome’ style – version of the team in terms of having a lower payroll .
Joe Mauer ($23 MIL in 2014) is the only player that stands to make over $10 Million next year.
As of right now, the players they have signed, Josh Willingham, Kevin Correia, Ryan Doumit, Glen Perkins and Jared Burton are the only Veteran’s signed long – term – and they make $23 MIL as a collective unit.
At 5 players – and only $46 MIL on the books, the Twins have a chance to go shopping on Free Agents.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
2013 Twins Mid season highlights – Best of the year Anyway – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised
Join Us As A General Writer Or Team Correspondent
Is baseball your passion? Let’s be serious: is baseball your life? If you have baseball 24/7 on your brain, we want you!
1) We are looking for dedicated and hard working individuals to cover a team of their choice and put forth 1- 2 quality Articles a Month. It is our goal to have a Correspondent in every baseball city.
This could be ideal for strong independent bloggers who faithfully cover a team with blogs each week.
We would be able to re-post your work and promote your pieces, so this way you would gain double the websites that promote your written work. We have a nice following here of dedicated fans that well written and thought provoking pieces. Read the rest of this entry
The Miami Marlins Payroll In 2014, Organizational Affiliates, Prospects, Depth Charts, (MLB + MiLB)
The Miami Marlins might have exited out of their plan to compete last season, however the talent wasn’t going to cut it – and they were able to restock the system with some talent, despite not having an chance to compete in 2013. Hopefully the ownership will buck up some cash when the team improves a little in future years.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports and Jeff Kleiner (Salary, Roster and Depth Chart Expert for the MLB) – visit his website here Follow @prosportsroster
The Miami Marlins are known for doing a gazillion transactions throughout the year. Jeffrey Loria and CO. are always looking for ways to save dollars, become younger, and fill the Minor League System with players.
Since the team has won 2 World Series it is time in the MLB (21 Years), some people are even willing to give the franchise some credit, although most of that was attributed to the previous ownership regimes.
They are loaded with a multitude of young players that are highly touted and talented. The biggest question to ask is how they are going to move forward with Giancarlo Stanton?
2014 will be an interesting campaign for Miami. They have to hope that a lot of their several young players can mature and prosper, as they are in the same Division as the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves.
For a Full 3 year Salary Outlook plus last years Stats for every player in the Miami Organization click here.
Giancarlo Stanton Highlights _- Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance is Advised
The Miami Marlins State Of The Union – Winter 2013 + A 1 Year Look Back At MIA/TOR Trade
It has almost been a year since the Blue Jays and Marlins deal that saw Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio, John Buck, Josh Johnson come to Canada – in exchange for a bushel full of prospects, Yunel Escobar and Henderson Alvarez. Toronto suffered the same fate nearly as the 2012 Marlins – in terms of record. All of the Miami players struggled at the MLB level, but primarily that is because they were all 1st or 2nd year players. It will be plenty of seasons until the final verdict is handed down on this trade. Reyes still slashed .296/.353/.780 – and posted 113 Hits and 58 Runs in 93 Games Played the for Toronto Blue Jays. He did miss 69 Games due to injury.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
A year has almost gone by since big blockbuster move made by the Miami Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays.
In a bullet version of this story, the Miami team only finished with 7 wins less than the 2012 version of themselves, yet they have stockpiled many of young assets, and all for about a one-third of a payroll they had last year.
Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey (parlayed by throwing Travis d’Arnaud and former Marlin John Buck via trade) had average years only, and Emilio Bonifacio was eventually moved to Kansas City for bad play.
Houston Astros State Of The Union Address: Fall 2013
From 1992 – 2006, Houston was one of the best franchises in the games of baseball, not having one losing season in that time span. They won 4 Division Titles, 8 – 2nd place finishes, and appeared in 6 playoffs. After being swept in the 2005 World Series, the core got old, and the team waited too long to rebuild. Once it was time, the management actually did a smart thing in totally gutting the entire franchise, in order to restock the Minor League System. Now with 3 105+ Loss seasons, and back to back 1st overall picks, the team has begun the process. An ownership changed mirrored the last transference of all the remaining Veterans from the previous regime. How long will it take for the Astros to compete again?
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Astros had one of the easiest years to peg down in the game of baseball for 2013.
They were horrible early, traded away every possible Veteran that were making any kind of cash on the Major League Level, and then proceeded to be even worse after the ALL – Star Game.
The worst part of the campaign was left for the end, where they promptly lost their last 15 games – to finish with a record of 51 – 111.
It was their 3rd straight 100+ Loss season. But overlooking the obvious is that they actual drew a few more fans in 2013 – compared to 2012.
That was more a symptom of the club moving to the American League. At least they were not last in the league for Attendance, like payroll.
The Houston Astros Payroll in 2014 + Organization: Affiliates, Prospects + Depth Charts (MLB + MiLB)
The Astros have scaled their Payroll to miniscule proportions. As of this minute, the players they have signed – that aren’t on entry level deals, equals $4.37 MIL, and that is if the club picks up their Team Option on Philip Humber for 2014. The only other player that makes more than an entry level is Jose Altuve at $1.37 MIL in 2014. The club is paying more in dead money to Wandy Rodriguez ($5.5 MIL in 2014) as part of the 2012 Trade worked out between clubs. It has been bantered about that the ownership and management are willing to spend some money in Free Agency for 2014. MLB currently does not have a floor for Team Salary in the current CBA, so why would the club do that until they are ready to compete?
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports and Jeff Kleiner (Salary, Roster and Depth Chart Expert for the MLB) – visit his website here Follow @prosportsroster
A 3rd straight season with 105+ Losses, and 15 straight losses to finish the 2013 campaign does not give the fans very much to look forward to in 2014.
I am here to tell you that the MLB should be ashamed of letting the Houston Astros field such an incompetent team.
Having said this, I don’t personally blame them for tanking it over the last 3 years. They are the other ‘extreme’ – of what the New York Yankees and LA Dodgers have done payroll wise.
Last season at the end of the year, their highest paid player for the Active Roster was Erik Bedard, making $1.1 MIL.
If they keep picking 1st overall, it is only a matter of time before the team becomes very good, just like the Rays, Nationals, Twins and Pirates have all done in recent times.
For the Up to Date Roster for the Astros all year around, please visit Jeff’s Website right here
For the Entire Page of teams links we have dedicated to Payroll, Rosters, Depth Chart, State Of the Unions and Roster Trees, please click right here. Please bookmark this page and check back, as we are busy on the analysis at MLB Reports always.
Jose Altuve Highlights
MLB Reports Awareness Days In November
There is a reason why our website has gone to more of a Salary based menu of topics – it runs every aspect of the game of baseball in these modern times. You want the truth, just follow where the money lies. Our site has coverage on all 30 teams payrolls, and what lies ahead based on their current payroll structure.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Part of the 2013 World Series ending is that it officially starts the “HotStove” for the winter. We are going to kick the festivities by having an Awareness day for each club in November.
We are going to do the same thing in March, when all of the teams are closer to being finalized for the 2014 campaign.
We will start by going with the worst team in the MLB – to the best team.
To keep a running tab of all links please view the next line.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series + Around The MLB Horn For Quick Team Wish Lists
The Red Sox may have won the 2013 World Series, but they are not the 2014 favorites. No team has repeated since the Yankees won 3 straight titles from 1998 – 2000.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Now that the Boston Red Sox have won the 2013 World Series, the oddsmakers have already dropped them, plus fellow 2013 Fall Classic Participants (St. Louis) to be tied for the 3rd seed, with the Washington Nationals.
A massive surprise on the list are the Los Angeles Angels, who will have the 6th favorite slot to win the World Series at +1400.
If you are looking for value, you should consider the Reds (Tied for the 8th seed) at +1600. They are merely a few players, and perhaps a few tweaks from going far in one of these playoffs.
2013 World Series Champion – Red Sox
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win Game #6
David Ortiz is having himself a field day in the 2013 World Series. He is 11 – 15 (.733/.750/2.017) with 2 HRs and 6 RBI. Can you imagine his numbers if Beltran didn’t rob him of the Grandslam in Game #1? Try .800/.813/2.346 with 3 HRs and 10 RBI. He has been epic! —– L.G. Patterson/MLB.COM
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
So here it is again in the Playoffs with St. Louis facing elimination. The club is 8 – 1 in their last 9 elimination games (Game 7 of the 2012 NLCS is the only defeat (SF Giants – suffered in that realm since 2011.)
I think they can stave off being sent home on Wednesday as well. It would be really good for the game of Major League Baseball if we could have another Game #7.
While I don’t like the Red Sox (as a NYY fan) – I respect them, and David Ortiz is one of my favorite players in the game today. What he is doing is incredible.
Odds To Win the World Series Today:
Boston Red Sox -400
St. Louis Cardinals +325
Obstruction Call Game #3 Decisive Play
Pick Off Move To End Game #4
Jack Morris: It Is Time To Elect This Winner Into The Baseball Hall Of Fame!
Jack Morris was a winner, a true throwback pitcher who came after hitters with reckless abandon. He pitched based on what the score was – and had no personal regard for his own personal statistics. It is this very reason why the debate has hit epic proportions on social media hubs, amongst bloggers, former players, analysts, broadcaster and statisticians. I intend to prove the case for the guy in a manner that will have some similarities to other pieces you may have read, yet promote a big look into the numbers that I have been bouncing around in my head for months.
BY Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports on Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The debate for whether or not Jack Morris belongs in the Baseball Hall Of Fame has heated up to an ALL-Time high with the big vote going down in Jan of 2014 for the final time.
575 members of BBWAA fraternity will decide whether or not the big man from Minnesota will enter one of the hardest Hall Of Fame’s to enter in pro sports (if not the hardest).
Morris will need a 75% (432 Minimum Votes) of them to write down his name on their ballot for enshrinement into Cooperstown.
Last year, Morris received 67.7 % of the writers votes in his 14th year of eligibility. He will have his name on a 14th ballot this year.
He has been trending up in recent years, so if he can improve in 2014, with the same amount of 2011-2012 jump of (+13.2%), then he will make it in.
If he fails to reach the Hall this year, it would be his last year of eligibility for the BBWAA Vote.
He could still make it via the Veterans Committee after that. But that could take some significant time.
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win Game #3
After Beltran went 2 – 4 with an RBI in Game #2 – he has improved his career Post Season Slash Line to .339/.448/1.163 – with 16 HRs and 38 RBI for his 168 AB. Beltran is in the last year of his 2 YR/$26 MIL deal with St. Louis. He will be a Free Agent after this Series, win or lose. The 36 Year Old, has a .907 OPS in the playoffs this year, with 2 HRs and 13 RBI in his 13 Games Played.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The World Series resumes today at Busch Stadium. David Ortiz takes his hot hitting to St. Louis, and will see some action at 1st Base – while Mike Napoli will be relegated tot he bench.
The Cardinals will be without Allen Craig in lineup, however Carlos Beltran made a triumphant return to the Outfield in Game #2.
Odds To Win the World Series Today:
Boston Red Sox -110
St. Louis Cardinals -110
Ortiz Homers Twice in 2 Games for the the Red Sox (Credit FOX)
The Detroit Tigers Roster Tree Part 2: How All Of The Pitchers Were Acquired
Justin Verlander has been the best pitcher in the American League over the last 5 years. He is 137 – 77 (.640) with a 3.41 ERA in the 1st 9 years of his career. The 2011 AL Cy Young Winner and 2012 Cy Young runner up is signed with the club until at least 2019, and it could be 2020 with a Vesting Option. Verlander has thrown over 200+ IP each year since 2007. The Detroit Tigers are certainly lucky the San Diego Padres took Matt Bush with the 1st overall pick – . The 30 Year old has added a 7 – 5 record in 15 Career Post Season Games and a 3.28 ERA – among 0 – 3 with a 7.20 in 3 World Series Starts.
How All Of The Tigers Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the Detroit Tigers – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching. It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.
Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.
If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.
For a couple of the Pitchers, they will be in the Hitters side of this Roster Tree – as they were traded with a hitter to become a member of the Tigers.
For the 1st part of the Roster Tree for the Tigers: The Hitters – click here
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Justin Verlander 2012 ALDS Game #5
The Detroit Tigers Roster Tree Part 1: How All Of The Hitters Were Acquired
It is tough to believe that someone once wanted to trade Miguel Cabrera. The Marlins were so desperate to rid themselves of the Dontrelle Willis contract, that they unloaded Miguel Cabrera as part of a package for 5 different players in return from Detroit. It will go down as one of the worst trades in MLB History by the time it is all said and done. Cabrera has evolved into the best Right Handed Batter in this generation. He only gets better each year that passes by.
How All Of The Tigers Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the Detroit Tigers – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching. It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.
Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.
If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.
For the 2nd part of the Roster Tree for the Tigers: The Pitchers – click here
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Miguel Cabrera 2013 Highlights Before The All – Star Break – Mature Lyrics
MLB Playoff Predictions: Who Will Win The 2013 World Series?
Boston will be at a slight offensive advantage at Busch Stadium for Games #3. #4 and #5 – with losing Napoli out of the lineup – if John Farrell decides to have David Ortiz face all of the Cards Right Handed Starting Pitchers. Despite that fact, I can’t ignore the clutch playoff performers that the Boston club have for this series. The Cards team has fought injuries and used their system brilliantly to get this far, but I think they fall just short in the World Series.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The last thing I wanted to be in my 2013 ALCS Prediction was right. I am a New York Yankees fan, but I have to give it up to the Boston Red Sox.
Much like the 2001 New York Yankees made the World Series after 9/11, how could any begrudge the city of Boston having something to rally around like this?
This matchup will feature the winner laying claim to team of the time frame of 2004 – 2013. No one will contest the Yankees were the best team in the MLB from 1996 – 2003.
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win Game #1
Fenway Park is not just a place – it is a community around the ballpark. This fence also made the Stadium Journey’s top 10 quirks of baseball. Boston will have home field advantage for the World Series – since the AL won the ALL – Star Game in 2013. If it makes anybody feel any better, the Red Sox had the best record in baseball this season anyway. The Red Sox will face the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic for the 3rd time (St. Louis won in 1967, and Boston won in 2004). The winner will emerge as the only team in the MLB – to have won 3 World Series in the last 10 years. Boston would be 3 out of 10, and the Cardinals would be 3 Titles in 7 years. Pic by http://www.ballparkreviews.com
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Odds To Win the World Series Today:
Boston Red Sox -145
St. Louis Cardinals +125
Ortiz Slams the Red Sox back into a tie (Credit FOX)
Having A Great DH Can Mean Winning The AL Pennant: For Other Teams – The Position Is A Waste!
David Ortiz has been the quintessential DH in the AL over the last 11 years. Boston are perennial contenders because he put up great #s compared to his competition. Ortiz had a great 2013 campaign – where he 3 Slashed .309/.395./.959 – with 30 HRs and 103 RBI in just 137 Games Played. Ortiz is .292/.390/.962 in 11 Years with Boston, with 373 HRs and 1191 RBI. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 and 2007 with him at DH, and are looking to win again this year.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
Watching the 2013 season, something really resonated with me while watching the American League: ‘Where have all the great designated hitters in MLB gone?’
It is surprising to me that teams haven’t figured out that having a dominant DH in the league could mean the difference in winning the AL pennant or not.
I also believe that players should be moved their earlier than in their mid 30’s. If they can’t play the field at all, or are not superior at offense, they should be made to Pinch-hit in the NL.
It seemed only a few years ago that every team had a bopper capable of hitting .300 with 30 HR’S and 100 RBI’s. Upon further investigation, I found out some interesting facts.
Mike Napoli Is A Clutch Performer In The Post Season – And Is Potentially Earning A Nice New Contract!
Mike Napoli agreed to a 1 YR/$13 MIL deal prior to the 2013 season. While he struggled at various times in the regular season, he still Slashed for .259/.360/.842 – with 23 HRs and 92 RBI. It was his 6th straight season with 20+ HRs – and his 498 2013 ABs – still have left him without ever reaching 500 AB in any of his seasons. The man averages a HR for every 16.38 AB in his Career. (169 HRs in 2768 AB). He will turn 32 on Oct.31/2013.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
If you have followed this website for very long, you will realize that we have made some great prognostications from the time of its inception.
We called the emergence of the Oakland A’s half way through the campaign last year. We also called Adam Dunn to be the bargain of the 2012 season.
We also stated that the Tigers would make the 2012 World Series.
We said the Dodgers were going to go nuts and spend like there was no tomorrow, probably make the World Series, sign Zack Greinke.
We called every aspect of the New York Yankees season this year, including trading for Mark Reynolds, Vernon Wells and for Alfonso Soriano to thrive back in pinstripes.
Then there was the predicting of Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, Mike Trout and Wil Myers at the verge of breaking out.
Previous Owner Jonathan Hacohen also predicted the emergence of Mike Napoli in 2011, and thoroughly admonished the Blue Jays for trading him – after having the Catcher for about a week.
Mike Napoli Game #5 HR 2013 ALCS
The Los Angeles Dodgers Roster Tree: How All Of The Hitters Were Acquired
Andre Ethier finished 6th in NL MVP Voting during the 2009 season. It has been his best year to date. He hit 31 HRs, added 106 RBI, 76 XBH Overall and scored 92 Runs. He won a Silver Slugger Award for his efforts. Ethier was acquired through a chain of transactions that goes all the way back to when the team drafted Mike Piazza (who was traded for Gary Sheffield), who was traded for Andrew Brown from Atlanta, (who was later flipped for Milton Bradley from Cleveland, before lA turned around and traded Bradley to the A’s for Andre Ethier.)
How All Of The Dodgers Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the Los Angeles Dodgers – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching. It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.
Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.
If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win The NLCS + ALCS Matchups
Its funny how one Anibal Sanchez Start can sway your opinion. While I am still picking Boston to win the ALCS, you should wait til after Game #3 to see if Verlander wins, then you can bet some money on the Red Sox to win the ALCS, when they are underdogs. Right now, they are both about even. Both of the Tigers and Red Sox are +240 to win the World Series.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Odds To Win the World Series Today:
St. Louis Cardinals +160
Boston Red Sox +240
Detroit Tigers +240
LA Dodgers +800
Ortiz Slams the Red Sox back into a tie (Credit FOX)
Tampa Bay Rays In Payroll 2014 + Contracts Going Forward: They Should Also Trade David Price To St. Louis For Matt Adams
David Price became a 20 game winner for the first time last season, and it won him the American League Cy Young Award. That is really hard to match, but early struggles and injuries held him back in 2013. He was still 9 – 8, with a 3.39 ERA. Since he is due a payraise – to the $13 – $15 MIL range in Arbitration, it is my feeling the team should trade him for a slugging 1B. How about Matt Adams of the Cardinals anyone? The St. Louis team will need an ace to replace Chris Carpenter – and could bridge the gap for the team before Free Agency eligibility in 2016. It was too bad Hak-Ju Lee was hurt for some of 2013, as that would have been a perfect package to help bringing back another Starter. Perhaps the Rays should use Matt Joyce also as bait? Maybe they could a prospect Starter after all. The team figures to be around $55 – 57 MIL before Price.
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024:
I am of the belief that the Andrew Friedman and Stu Sternberg have been the ‘model franchise’ in the AL over the last 6 years.
Not only do they compete in the vaunted AL East versus the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, but they have made the playoffs 4 times in that span, including a World Series Loss to the Philadelphia in the 2008 year.
Had Evan Longoria not been hurt for the majority of the 2012 season, one could argue that the club was poised to make another playoff appearance to make it 6.
So how are they doing this? Their team payroll is roughly one-third of the Yankees and the 40 % of the Red Sox total Payroll.
The Rays are smart enough to let their higher priced Free Agents walk, or even trading them before they are due significant pay raises.
They are also using the philosophy of the ‘John Hart‘ Indians of the Pre-Milennium Cleveland Indians. Once it was established that Evan Longoria could play at the MLB Level, they signed him to an 8 year contract.
They did the same thing with Starting Pitching Matt Moore last year with a 5 year deal for the rookie based on one playoffs of decent pitching.
It is a risk sometimes to do this, yet the rewards can save you Millions in future payroll if the new player (s) outperforms his/their contract (s).
Rays Highlights 2013:
St. Louis Cardinals Current Roster Tree: How All Of The Team Was Acquired
The Cardinals Roster Tree has been the easiest to do by far. This organization has Drafted so incredibly well, that there has been no real need for trading of late. We will still see how drafting J.D. Drew has turned into Adam Wainwright, and how Albert Pujols signing with the Angels, made for the Cards to select young phenom Michael Wacha. St. Louis is in their 8th NLCS in the last 13 years, with a multitude of young stars coming. They are going to be players in the National League for some time to come.
How All Of The Cardinals Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the St. Louis Cardinals – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching. It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.
Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.
If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Carlos Beltran Steals Game #1 of the 2013 NLCS for the Cards
MLB’s Payroll Matters Part 2: Just Because Some Low Payroll Teams Have Bucked The Trend – Doesn’t Mean It Will Continue
It seems the only to way to build a team successfully – is to be atrocious for several (talking 6 – 8 seasons like the Twins, Nationals, Pirates, Rays in recent years – and now the Astros are following suit), stockpile top 5 Draft Picks, and have them all become your nucleus for a matter of a few seasons. The reason is because of Team Controllable Salaries. Teams like the Rays and Pirates have also held players in the Minor Leagues longer than needed – due to salary and Arbitration implications. I can think of Desmond Jennings, Wil Myers, Chris Archer for the Rays, while Gerrit Cole and Jeff Locke come to mind for the Bucs. If a player is ready for action in the Majors, he should playing – end of story.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Lets just take a look at the teams that have played well above their value. The Twins are a story much like the Marlins in 1997 and 2003.
The Twins had a good team in the late 80’s, and won 2 World Series Titles in 1987 and 1991. However the economics of the game hit them hard, and they struggled for an 8 year stretch in the AL Central.
For Part 1 of the MLB’s State Of the Union Part 1: Click here.
Major League Contraction Talk Again?
Major League Baseball’s State Of The Union – Payroll Matters Part 1: Oakland Loses Again In Playoffs
The MLB used to be the favorite Past time in America. Now with the NFL ruling the country as #1, the game continues to miss the mark of implementing a salary system – that helps all 30 MLB Teams be competitive from a spending type of structure on a yearly basis. Either you run your franchise perfectly from a transactions standpoint – or if you make a few contract mistakes – it could cripple your franchise for years. Despite many of different teams bucking the trend over the last decade – it doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
As I started a minor fight on Twitter last night (with a supposedly respected writer), it reminded me of how much I hate that social media outlet, yet how it is a necessary evil.
While there were some words caught up in a misunderstanding, it left me thinking about the state of Major League Baseball.
I love this game..I have centered my life around being fan, writer, website owner, by having a job that affords me that highest capacity to receive my fix.
I have gone on crazy ballpark chasing tours, that have also helped feed my addiction.
Yet watching the Oakland A’s lose last night, and then having someone mention a joke aimed at Billy Beane (not sure how much of a joke it was – another stupid flaw of Twitter’s 140 Characters), I began thinking of everything I don’t like about the MLB.
Part 2 of this Series: MLB’s Payroll Matters Part 2: Just Because Some Low Payroll Teams Have Bucked The Trend – Doesn’t Mean It Will Continue
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win The NLCS + ALCS Matchups
Boston is only a -125 favorite to win the ALCS, however this is a better odd than banking on Jon Lester to win Game #1 at -158. If Boston wins tonight’s game, they will have an obvious decisive advantage. Play the better odd here and pick them to win the ALCS>. You will profit .80 Cents on every dollar wagered. If you are a fan of Anibal Sanchez, picking them at +142 is a good value for a guy that won the AL ERA championship this season. While he was lit up by Oakland in the ALDS this year, Sanchez featured a 1.77 ERA – in 3 Game Starts in 2012.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Odds To Win the World Series:
Boston Red Sox +220
St. Louis Cardinals +250
Detroit Tigers +270
LA Dodgers +325
2013 MLB Playoff Predictions: ALCS + NLCS Matchups
The Red Sox went from 69 Wins in 2012 – to World Series favorite in one year. The ‘Beantowners’ have assembled a playoff tested crew to arm them in their quest to make it to the World Series for the 1st time in 6 years. Will the Red Sox take out the Tigers and go for the team of the decade, with a 3rd World Series Bid (out of the last 10 years) in 2013?
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
After nailing the National League straight on in picks for the LDS Round, I failed in either of my upset predictions of Tampa Bay or Oakland to advance.
I am not displeased though, I won money on the Rays losing the series (that came from a bet for them to win the World Series in June that paid +2000 or so, I bet the Red Sox to win the Series as a hedge.
Heading into last nights game, I could have still gone 3 – 1 for the Series prediction if Oakland could come up with a win.
Really the A’s failing to wrap up Game #4 was the big blow.
Thanks to a nice odd of Justin Verlander -107 @ Sonny Gray (-103), I nailed the game last for a nice little profit.
I never bet one dime on the other series in the NLCS.
So I went 2 – 2 in the Round, but plus some nice cash for my effort. Including the playoff game and Wild Card game, I am now 4 – 3 this Post Season.
The Red Sox win the LDS vs the Tampa Bay Rays
youtube=http://youtu.be/Y4m4eeyhFks
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win The NLCS + ALCS Matchups
Jon Lester will be the biggest key to for the Red Sox to establish early dominance over the Detroit Tigers. He gets the nod in Game #1 of the ALCS on Saturday at Fenway Park. The Boston team is favored to win the World Series out of the 4 remaining teams. This makes sense – as they have home park advantage via the best AL record, plus the American League won the ALL – Star Game this summer for the “Fall Classic Series.’
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Odds To Win the World Series:
Boston Red Sox +225
LA Dodgers +240
Detroit Tigers +270
St. Louis Cardinals +360
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds For Oakland And Detroit In Game #5 Of the ALDS
Today will be the last day you can receive such a decent odd for the Boston club to win the World Series at +210. Whether the A’s win, and the Odds will drop to the -150 range, or Detroit will win – and their odd pretty much stays the same. If you were the Red Sox – who would you rather play? I got to think they would want to play the Tigers, because Detroit is not hitting the ball, and Oakland makes for a far trip out West, and don’t give those A’s any momentum from knocking off Detroit!
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Odds To Win the World Series:
Boston Red Sox +210
LA Dodgers +230
St. Louis Cardinals +360
Detroit Tigers +500
Oakland Athletics +900
The Players In All Of The San Diego Padres Organization: Affiliates, Prospects + Depth Charts (MLB + MiLB) Fall 2013
The Padres have not made the playoffs since 2006, and have only authored 2 winning seasons in the last 7 years. It is not from a lack of a good coach, rather the NL West has far superior talent, while the San Diego franchise has been trying to replenish the farm, went through an ownership change, and now the team needs to make some decisions this offseason, that will shape the fortunes of the club for the next several years.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports and welcome Jeff Kleiner (Salary, Roster and Depth Chart Expert for the MLB) – visit his website here Follow @prosportsroster
The Padres didn’t have very much go right for them in terms of organizational prospects panning out at the Major League Level.
Although, the franchise must be stoked about the development of Andrew Cashner.
Trading away Adrian Gonzalez was tough enough, and right after that, the club flipped Anthony Rizzo to the Cubs, after a sub – par rookie campaign.
The Padres have a tough hoe ahead of them – competing with mega spending Los Angeles will prove very tough considering that team has a payroll in the $230 MIL range, while the ‘Pods’ are not in the $100 MIL range.
Having said that, the team still competed all year, and put up 76 Wins on the board.
They have one of the better skippers in the game with Bud Black.
The key will be the youth of the franchise, as that is how they can keep their payroll down, is to have their top prospects work out, be under team control – much like the way of the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays models.
For the Up to Date Roster for the Padres all year around, please visit Jeff’s Website right here
For the Entire Page of teams links we have dedicated to Payroll, Rosters, Depth Chart, State Of the Unions and Roster Trees, please click right here. Please bookmark this page and check back, as we are busy on the analysis at MLB Reports always.
Andrew Cashner uses his bat and arm
How All Of The Red Sox Hitters Were Acquired Onto The Roster + Analysis: Fall 2013
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 saavy, playoff tested Veterans – on lower value, and year contracts. His club won the 2013 AL East with the revamped squad – that improved almost 30 Wins from 2012. So how did the entire roster of hitters all come to be Boston Red Sox Property? We will now tell you.
How All Of The Red Sox Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the Boston Red Sox – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching. It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.
Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.
If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed. Today, we will cover the Hitters.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
David Ortiz Talks Up The Boston Crowd After The Boston Tragedy – Warning: Explicit Word Used – Parental Discretion Is Advised
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series + ALDS/NLDS Series + The ALCS/NLCS + Odds for 4 Games Fri Oct 4th/2013
Bartolo Colon is anchoring the rotation for the Athletics this season. He is not the strikeout pitcher he was in the past, but is still effective against the opposition. Colon has displayed great control this season. He starts tonight as the Game #1 Starter versus Max Scherzer. The Athletics and Rays are still the highest odds on the board at +800. I have already wagered on the Rays to win earlier in the season, and now have put $25 on the Athletics to take home the ultimate prize.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Odds To Win the World Series:
LA Dodgers +300
Boston Red Sox +375
St. Louis Cardinals +450
Detroit Tigers +475
Oakland Athletics +800
Tampa Bay Rays +800
Atlanta Braves +1300
Pittsburgh Pirates +1700
ODDS Courtesy of http://www.bet365.com
Ryu and Nolasco on facing the Braves in the NLDS
MLB Reports 
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