Author Archives: jgluck777
What Is The Deal At The Deadline: Braves And Twins?
Jordan Gluck (MLB Reports Writer/Part Owner)
I will be doing this series as the season rolls along. I will focus first at teams that are basically not in contention anymore and teams that are very far ahead and are almost assured to be buyers. I will focus on assets that are likely to be traded and not like general assets like Byron Buxton who is very talented but very unlikely to be traded. As of now these are the only 2 teams who are definite barring a miracle to be sellers.
Atlanta Braves
Lets be honest everybody and their grandmother knew the Braves were going to suck this season and are aiming for 2017 and later when their new stadium opens in Cobb County. They don’t have much to sell by design and will look to free up cash to go nuts in free agency at the end of the season and with trades. They already have a top tier farm system which maybe the best in baseball at this point.
As of now they have committed a paltry 44M to next seasons payroll. Four players contribute to the bulk of that in Freddie Freeman 20M, Nick Markakis 11M, Hector Olivera 10.5M and Julio Teheran 6.5M. They have a few arbitration cases which remain small and a club option on Jason Grilli. Keep in mind this team will have the ability to eat cash if needed to get better prospects. Here are the players which could be moved. Read the rest of this entry
2016 MLB Farm System Rankings
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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2016 Farm System Rankings
Welcome! Just a reminder that I am biased against your team!
- Los Angeles Dodgers: My #1 farm system of 2016 due to the hard work of Andrew Friedman and Co. This system begins with future superstars Corey Seager and Julio Urias whom should both be in the majors this season. Seager can do it all and may be able to stick at SS for a bit while Urias has a plus plus and 2 plus pitches at his disposal right now. Jose De Leon will slot in eventually behind Urias in that rotation and make for a quality #3 while Walker Buehler has boatloads of talent but will need to recover from TJ surgery he had in August. Yadier Alvarez, Yusnier Diaz and Starling Heredia were all part of the massive Dodgers international spending budget and have high ceilings especially Alvarez who I can see as a dominant closer. As for other bats Cody Bellinger has demonstrated his massive power and can potentially hold a corner OF spot while Alex Verdugo is a personal favorite and profiles as a power bat in a corner OF spot. I am not as high as others on Grant Holmes or Frankie Montas both as whom I see as relievers. Plenty of talent all around.
Why It Is Time To Allow Marijuana In Baseball
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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Why Its Time To Allow Marijuana In baseball
The Green Revolution has become a hot button topic recently constantly becoming one of the most recommended issues people have wanted national politicians including potential presidential nominees to talk about.
The issue is about to get really get on the hot stove as it could potentially be on the ballot in a dozen states and potentially pass in a couple of state legislators. Off those states include baseball hotbeds Arizona, Florida and California which not only all have major league teams but minor league affiliates as well.
As it currently stands players on a 40 man roster dont face penalties more than fines for smoking weed but players in the minor leagues (and for now D1 Colleges) face extreme penalties starting at 50 games.
Below is a quote I took from a Yahoo Sports article:
“Most stories about weed and baseball are rather funny.”
Like guys smoking their way onto the 40-man roster. Or the big leaguer who wrote a check for twice the size of his fine to cover the next one. Read the rest of this entry
How To Stop Tanking Maneuvers In Order To ‘Rebuild’ MLB Teams
In the last year of the current ‘CBA’ there may be a change to the new agreement that would stop teams from intentionally losing under the “integrity of competitiveness” clause. Teams such as Houston and the Chicago Cubs have laid the template down, and now other teams are following suit like the Phillies, Braves, Reds, Padres, Rockies and Brewers.
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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How to stop Tanking?
Spearheaded by Jeff Luhnow – the complete ‘tank philosophy’ has taken off across sports which is a terrible thing for competitive balance.
Teams in other leagues such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Cubs, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Timberwolves and Indianapolis Colts have had completely terrible teams with the goal of landing the top selection in that draft(s).
Tanking has become much more widespread and is EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE. The problem is losing this badly leads to teams being terrible likely for long periods of time so they can be at the top of the draft and have a chance at elite players.
The differences in tanking differ by league though, in basketball if you don’t have the elite talent then you will never win and that talent is found almost always at the top of the draft.
In football you need a quarterback to be a super bowl contender and tanking will likely be just for the quarterback as the Colts did for Andrew Luck.
Hockey (like baseball) requires depth but top line players carry a huge premium and are available at the top of the draft and you defiantly need at least a few to be Stanley Cup contenders. Read the rest of this entry
On The Trading Block In The NL East
The Phillies have not had a winning season since 2011 after putting forth a decade straight of them. A promising second half to the season – couple with full seasons by Aaron Nola and Maikel Franco could have them inch closer back to achieving that mark in the next few years.
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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On the Trading Block NL East
Atlanta Braves: The Braves have quite a few players that they can trade and under John Hart you don’t know what direction they will go in this offseason.
Can they be in a position to compete moving into the new Sun Trust Stadium next year or is it a longer term rebuild
I think this team really isn’t 2 bad and could compete for a wild card this season with the addition of a 3B (Rio Ruiz?) and consistent starting pitching.
However it is clear their sights are not set on this season but on the future as indicated by their trade of Andrelton Simmons. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Top Free Agent Predictions (Picks 1 – 25)
The Red Sox will need to spend some money on Pitching this season. But don’t be surprised if they overstock on a few more offensive pieces in the lineup, and then use some of their prospects to obtain even more pitching. They orchestrated a trade for Closer Craig Kimbrel on Friday. A bona fide shutdown guy with 225 Career Saves and an ERA of 1.63 lifetime. The winter has just started for the Beantowners.
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer) Follow @jgluck777
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MLB Free Agent Predictions
I will be using mlbtraderumors.com top 50 free agents to make things easy. To be clear there are other free agents outside this list (some who I think should be on it) who will be available and many could have breakout or comeback seasons.
Additionally there will be players that get non tendered during arbitration. Well so here are my predictions.
MLB Top Free Agent Predictions (Picks 26 – 50)
Matt Wieters accepted the 1 Year Qualifying Offer with the Baltimore Orioles. He joined both Colby Rasmus and Brett Anderson as the 1st 3 men to ever accept the ‘QO’ under the new format. Marco Estrada was also taken off off the market Friday, accepting a 2 YR/$26 MIL deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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MLB Free Agent Predictions
I will be using mlbtraderumors.com top 50 free agents to make things easy. To be clear there are other free agents outside this list (some who I think should be on it) who will be available and many could have breakout or comeback seasons.
Additionally there will be players that get non tendered during arbitration. Well so here are my predictions.
30 MLB Teams Needs/Notes And Financials For The Offseason
Perhaps no team is more top-heavy than the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They need a Catcher/3B/OF/2B and have Erick Aybar, C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver clearing off the books after next campaign. It is an important off year for them. Will they spend a lot of money, or will they wait until next winter?
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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Team Needs notes and financials
Braves: need 4/5 SP depth Setup/Closer type and Catcher budget 15-30M -but will likely save huge splash signings for next years new stadium.
Marlins: maybe 1B Could trade Marcell Ozuna and sign an OF will likely acquire 2 SP one of them being a #2 starter the other lower end. needs lefty reliever. Budget 10-25M.
Mets: Could trade Matt Harvey or Jon Niese/Need MI (at least 1)/ and a big bat for Yoenis Cespedes replacement. Budget 20 -30M.
Phillies: Needs all over especially SP Needs all over offense except SS and 3B Bullpen can use beefing up 10-100M Budget don’t know what they are going for but should wait for next season to make some game changing moves new GM. Unknown philosophy could sell Odubel Herrera high.
Nationals: 7th/8th inning man maybe SP (Would only be high end) Possible CF. Budget could be -10M to upwards of 30M.
Cubs: SP 3/CF/RF/CL. if needed but not urgent Quagmire at 2B High end SP a priority Should acquire shutdown closer. 40-80M budget. Read the rest of this entry
2015 MLB Trade Deadline: So Who’s Selling?
So Who’s Selling?
Jordan Gluck (Part-Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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No team in the American League is more than 9 games out of a Wild Card spot and every team within the National League is within 10 of a wild card spot with the obvious exception of the Phillies.
The amount of sellers will be microscopic this year and the quantity of pieces available is lower than I’ve ever seen. This says something about the parity of baseball and the Job that commissioners Selig and Manfred have done to make an even playing field despite differences in payroll.
The problem with selling is that its incredibly bad for business the rest of the year and will result in a loss of projected revenue.
So I have outlined some potential sellers and the pieces they can move along with a suggestion if they should/will sell. Read the rest of this entry
2015 MLB Mock Draft
MLB 2015 Mock Rule 4 Draft
- Arizona Diamondbacks – Dansby Swanson SS Vanderbilt
- Houston Astros (Compensation for not signing 2014 No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken)- Carson Fulmer P Vanderbilt
- Colorado Rockies- Brendan Rodgers SS (Fla)
- Texas Rangers- Dillon Tate P UCSB
- Houston Astros- Alex Bregman SS LSU
- Minnesota Twins- Kyle Tucker OF (Fla)
- Boston Red Sox- Andrew Benintendi OF Arkansas
- Chicago White Sox- Daz Cameron OF (Ga)
- Chicago Cubs- Walker Buehler P Vanderbilt
- Philadelphia Phillies- Garrett Whiltey OF (NY)
- Cincinnati Reds- Kyle Funkhouser P Louisville
- Miami Marlins- Tyler Jay P Illinois
- Tampa Bay Rays- Trenton Clark OF (TX)
- Atlanta Braves- Phil Bickford P Southern Nevada
- Milwaukee Brewers- Kolby Allard P (Cal)
- New York Yankees- Brady Aiken P IMG Academy
- Cleveland Indians- Jon Harris P Missouri St
- San Francisco Giants- Ashe Russell P (Ind)
- Pittsburgh Pirates- Mike Nikorak P (Pa)
- Oakland Athletics- Michael Matuella P Duke
- Kansas City Royals- Cornelius Randolph SS (Ga)
- Detroit Tigers- James Kapriellian P UCLA
- St. Louis Cardinals- Nathan Kirby P Virginia
- Los Angeles Dodgers- DJ Stewart Of Florida State
- Baltimore Orioles- Chris Shaw OF Boston College
- Los Angeles Angels- Tyler Stephenson C (Ga)
COMPENSATION PICKS - Colorado Rockies (Michael Cuddyer – signed with the Mets, who forfeited their first-round pick)- Beau Burrows P (TX)
- Atlanta Braves (Ervin Santana – signed with the Twins, who forfeited their second-round pick)- Ian Happ OF Cincinnati
- Toronto Blue Jays (Melky Cabrera – signed with the White Sox, who forfeited their third-round pick)- Chris Betts C (Cal)
- New York Yankees (David Robertson – signed with the White Sox, who forfeited their second-round pick)- Jacob Nix P (Fla)
- San Francisco Giants (Pablo Sandoval – signed with the Red Sox, who forfeited their second-round pick)- Kevin Newman SS Arizona
- Pittsburgh Pirates (Russell Martin – signed with the Blue Jays, who forfeited their first-round pick)- Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B (TX)
- Kansas City Royals (James Shields – signed with the Padres, who forfeited their first-round pick)- Kyle Cody P Kentucky
- Detroit Tigers (Max Scherzer – signed with the Nationals, who forfeited their first-round pick)- Dakota Chalmers P (Ga)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (Hanley Ramirez – signed with the Red Sox, who forfeited their Competitive Balance Round B pick)- Richie Martin SS Florida
Milwaukee Brewers: Rebuild Or Reload?
Milwaukee Brewers: Rebuild or Reload?
Jordan (Part-Owner/Organizational Expert): Follow @jgluck777
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The Brewers are off to an awful start this year due to a number of factors but primarily horrendous starting pitching. Their farm system is somewhere from below average to bad and their payroll is over $100Mthis season for a small market team.
So the questions I will ask and answer are why are they so bad? Why have they failed to develop starting pitching? How can they try to fix it.? and How long is it going to take?
First lets look at their roster which when it first meets the eye doesn’t look like a team 10 games under .500 but more like an average team. Yes I under stand that Jonathan Lucroy is injured which is a big factor as he’s a middle of the order bat, handles the pitching staff and is a team leader. Read the rest of this entry
How John Hart Is Quickly Fixing The Braves
The Braves acting GM John Hart has traded the entire OF, shed payroll, and tried to stockpile the Minor Leagues with a boatload of prospects – that should coincide with the opening for the new ballpark in 2017. The transformation has been swift and just.
By Jordan Gluck (MLB Reports Writer/Part-Owner): Follow @jgluck777
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How John Hart is quickly fixing the Braves
When you think of the Atlanta Braves you think of three things:
Their dominant pitching once composed of Hall of Fame trio Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz.
Their former brash manager Bobby Cox.
The face of this franchise since Hank Aaron Chipper Jones.
They were perennially the best team in the NL for about 15 years and they are looking to get back to that especially once their new stadium opens in Cobb County in 2017. Read the rest of this entry
The Top 100 MLB Prospects In 2015
Kris Bryant is about as sure of a prospect there has been in the last 5 years. Will the Cubs let him start the year in 2015, or will they send him down until the end of April to save service time. All you need to know about the franchises desire to win it all this campaign may be based on this decision. The young slugger had 40 HRs in the Minor League’s last year.
By Jordan Gluck (MLB Parts Writer/Part-Owner): Follow @jgluck777
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Top 100 Prospects
1-30
These are my top 100 prospects in baseball. There is a lot of talent in the minor leagues right now across almost all levels. Yoan Moncada signed after I wrote this but he would slot in the 8th slot right ahead of Joey Gallo and I do believe Moncada will be a stud.
1. Kris Bryant 3B CHC – He will hit for power and hit for a high average at what is an underrated position. He was the 2nd overall pick in 2013 and has the looks of a perennial all star.
2. Carlos Correa SS Hou- He was having a very nice season at the best hitters park in the minors in Lancaster before he broke his leg. I think he can stay at SS with almost all five tools with power rapidly emerging. He’s the future face of the Astros.
3. Corey Seager SS LAD- There are people who think he may get too big for SS and have to transfer to 3B but I think he has much more value at SS and can stick there for at least a few years. He should have an elite bat with plus plus power. Possibly the next Troy Tulowitzki with a slightly worse glove.
MLB Farm System Rankings (1 – 30) In 2015
By Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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1. Chicago Cubs- They are still one of the top systems even with Javier Baez graduating from the list. I love the bats headed by what maybe the top prospect in baseball in Kris Bryant and high end talent in Addisson Russell, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber and Dan Vogelbach.
They also have upside in Albert Almora, Eloy Jimenez and Jeimer Candelario. The pitching on the farm remains the main concern with a wiry C.J .Edwards, a mid ceiling Paul Blackburn and Pierce Johnson and a very far away Carson Sands.
The best farm system in the league that will see some graduates very soon.
2. Minnesota Twins- Last season was unfortunate for the twins and all of major league baseball as Byron Buxton got injured in spring training and Miguel Sano got TJ surgery.
I believe both of them will bounce back with ease and could be close to the major league level. Pitchers J.O Berrios, Alex Meyer and Kohl Stweart have frontline potential with Meyer possibly a candidate to make the rotation out of spring training.
They took Dee Gordons brother Nick in the first round last year and he can be a complete player. There is upside all over in Lewis Thorpe, Felix Jorge, and 50th overall pick Travis Harrison. A very solid farm that can hopefully bear some fruit this season.
The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!
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 next season. Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last month. It may take a small miracle for them to make a playoff spot next campaign.
The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!
Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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The Yankees have long used the prolong success of the “core four” to drive them to go far in the playoffs. They then surrounded them by free agents and other homegrown players.
Today the Yankees are in some trouble and if they aren’t smart this offseason they will remain hampered by large contracts for a long time instead of a quick retool to be VERY competitive in two years.
Let me show you what I’m talking about
Here is their Starting lineup and their ages:
LF Brett Gardner 31
3B/2B Martin Prado 31
CF Jacoby Ellsbury 31
C Brian McCann 30
RF Carlos Beltran 37
1B Mark Teixeira 34
DH Alex Rodriguez 39
2B Robert Refsnyder 23 (Or acquisition at 3B, Prado plays 2B)
SS Brendan Ryan 32
Not exactly Spring chickens over there. The only player under 30 is one that will almost absolutely be replaced by someone who is most likely over 30. This at this moment isn’t exactly a star studded lineup, but the way that their being paid might make it seem that way. Read the rest of this entry
Why The Royals Can’t Sit Back After 2014: KC State Of The Union For 2015
Kansas City finally lived up to their expectations, and far exceeded beyond that, being just one swing away from calling themselves World Championships. With the success the team had, it also creates pay raises, roster turnover, and tough decisions from the brass on who to replace the outgoing cast. Dayton Moore must be aggressive with some of the changes, and realize this core group of players have about a 2 – 3 year window to win before everyone becomes too expensive. The time to strike is still now!
Why The Royals Can’t Sit Back After 2014 AL Pennant
Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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First congrats to the San Fransisco Giants organization for winning a 3rd championship in 5 years!
Now for the losers who captured Americas heart, and why the Royals can’t sit back and do nothing all offseason.
Frequently after a team wins a championship (for almost any sport) and has that breakthrough season that team tends to try and retain its team from last year while making no additions.
Save for LeBrons Miami heat we haven’t had a team repeat in any sport since the 2004 Patriots and not in baseball since the 2000 Yankees.
Lets not forget that while the Royals did eventually get to game 7 of the World Series they barely got the wild card clinching the spot a couple games above the Mariners and winning that game late.
Here are recent examples of Championship teams who really made very few additions and flopped or performed less than expected the next year.
The 2013 Red Sox who basically retained the same team and suffered from injuries and substandard performance from players like Clay Buchholz and David Ortiz.
The biggest example might be the 2010 and 2012 San Francisco Giants who just retained their teams while making no additions and ended up making frantic moves such as trading for Carlos Beltran at the deadline to fill the holes.
They missed the 2011 and 2013 postseasons. When they made changes such as trading for Hunter Pence and signing Mike Morse they ended up winning it all again. Read the rest of this entry
Why The Marlins Future Is Very Bright: Team Payroll And Player Options Going Fwd
The Marlins took great strides in the NL East this year – and were on the periphery for the 2nd Wild Card Position until the recent Stanton injury. With the club having plenty of money to spend, and a nice amount controllable players, the organization could vault into contention fast if the brass decides to spend some dough on Free Agent talent this winter.
By Jordan Gluck (Lead Prospects Analyst/Organization Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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Why the Marlins Future Is Very Bright
The Fish are right now best known for two things. The first is the potential NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton who has the most raw power in Major League Baseball.
The second is for the “cheap” owner Jeffrey Loria who I think is given to much negative press and bashing.
This is a team that is incredibly young and has a total of ZERO dollars committed to the 2017 payroll and only 8 million to 2016.
Lets not forget about Jose Fernandez who just turned 22 and is coming back from TJ surgery.
Lets look at the current lineup and salary chart. Read the rest of this entry
Why Ruben Amaro Jr. Should Be Fired Right Now!
Ruben Amaro JR and the brass of the Phils should have faced the facts – and started dismantling their team before they lost any relevant value over the last few years. Now players like Rollins, Burnett and Utley have had their Vesting Options all exercised – and with the exception of the 2nd baseman, none of them have any trade value. Add brutal dollars owed to Howard and Papelbon, and this team is headed for financial peril.
Why Ruben Amaro Jr should be fired
Jordan Gluck (Prospects/Organization Expert): Follow @jgluck777
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I believe that if any GM were asked what is the organization that they would least like to take over the answer would be the Phillies. This team is a train wreck and it starts with up top where a new general manager is needed.
The Phillies even with the money that they generate are a long-term project that won’t be easy to fix. Rubens tenure started November 3rd 2008. The team had just won the World Series under the tutelage of Pat Gillick.
Amaro had a team that could have brought a dynasty type of run to the franchise. After a slow-moving regression that went from World Series Appearance in 2009, to NLCS in 2010, and then NLDS in 2011, the team finally missed the playoffs.
The core began to grow older and become expensive. It has been apparent the squad needed a rebuild on the fly, but the powers that be have sat on their diminishing assets too long, and now the apples have become rotten, and not useful to other 29 teams.
It is a flawed way of thinking – and will set the organization back 3 – 5 years.
Out of our entire staff here at MLB Reports, we all hold the same opinion about Amaro JR. – and in this article, we have all added our 2 cents in some form. Be sure to listen to Sully’s great podcasts about the Phillies at the end of the blog.
MLB Expansion, Possible Destination: Portland, Oregon
Portland: One of the largest cities without a team, this would be a safe bet for Major League Baseball. This city has been thrown around in almost every discussion on expansion. This one will likely happen. The population is over 600,000 – but it has a couple more Million in the Metropolitan area.
Jordan Gluck (Baseball Operations Analyst): Follow @jgluck777
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MLB Expansion Destinations: Portland Oregon
The second city I think is a contender for MLB expansion is Portland Oregon. I think that MLB in the next 8 or so years will expand to 32 teams with one team absolutely somewhere on the west coast.
I think the west coast is a necessity due to division alignment and that the Astros who are located in the central time zone are in the American League West. Which West Coast team is the answer that we don’t know about yet.
I will Clarify that Portland WILL NOT receive the Oakland Athletics!!!!!!!!!!!
Portland due to high precipitation will require a retractable roof stadium. I would make the stadium kind of funky like the young “hip” town of Portland which is commonly referred by its natives as “Portlandia”. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Reports Top 100 Prospects In Mid – 2014 (51 – 100)
The Texas Rangers possess 5 of the players we have in our 51 – 100 prospects. If this team is serious about getting younger even more with trades of Alex Rios or Adrian Beltre, perhaps they can add even more to the list In a year where they have had 20+ DL stints, maybe some of these young guys will find themselves in Arlington sooner – rather than later.
Top 100 Prospects (51 – 100)
Jordan Gluck (Baseball Operations Analyst): Follow @jgluck777
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To make this list you must be able to meet rookie eligibility. To be eligible for a list, a player must have rookie eligibility.
To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.
This list doesn’t include players in the 2014 Draft nor the 2014 international signing period.
For Part 1 of our list – Click the Link Below
MLB Reports Top 100 MLB Prospects In Mid – 2014 (1 – 50)
The Cubs at tied for 1st in having 5 players in our top 50 prospect list (3 in the top 12), and are stockpiling an impressive arsenal of young talent at the Minor League Level, and some players have already seeped into the Major Leagues. If most of these guys pan out, the Cubs will be a force to be reckoned with in the not too distant future!
Top 100 Prospects (1 – 50)
Jordan Gluck (Baseball Operations Analyst): Follow @jgluck777
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To make this list you must be able to meet rookie eligibility. To be eligible for a list, a player must have rookie eligibility.
To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.
This list doesn’t include players in the 2014 Draft nor the 2014 international signing period.
For Part 2 of our list – Click the Link Below
2014 MLB Rule IV Mock Draft (Top 27 Selections Predicted)
By Jordan Gluck Follow @jgluck777
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The only major professional sports league that does their entry draft during the season is major league baseball
There is plenty of talent available this year especially in the high school ranks.
The draft is the best way to build a franchise and position yourself in a position for long term success. Jim Callis in 2005 got the first 18 picks right … hopefully one day I will do the same. Read the rest of this entry
Potential NL Trade Candidates
By Jordan Gluck Follow @jgluck777
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As we approach the trade deadline many names are becoming apparent for their availability as their teams have fallen out of contention or sense payroll issues. Injuries trade potential needs per destination and combine that with salary concerns and their upcoming record there is a wide amount of questionability with who will be traded.
The way this year is shaping out there seems to be few candidates and very few bats especially. There is a tremendous amount of parity in the league right now so it definitely looks like a sellers market.
Anyway we might as well take a look. *Stats as of May 20th* Read the rest of this entry
MLB 2014 Bold Predictions Including Awards Categories
Prince Fielder’s 2013 – 3 Slash Line (.279/.362/.819) is far below his Career Mark of .286/.389/.916. The man also has not hit a HR in his last 74 AB in the postseason. for the last 2 years of 2012 and 2013. Fielder at least had 5 HRs in 1st 70 AB for his playoff Career. Maybe that will change in Texas, after he clubs his way to an AL MVP for the Rangers. He is capable of putting up monster numbers in Texas, and should enjoy hitting at ‘The BallPark In Arlington” 81` times a year.
By Jordan Gluck (Prospects/Baseball Operations Correspondent) Follow @JGluck777
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Since everyone else was making their predictions for the upcoming seasons, I am throwing down my picks too. But first there are some categories to rifle through 1st.
AL MVP:
Prince Fielder
MLB Expansion Destination Part 1: Could Charlotte Be A New City In Major League Baseball?
By Jordan Gluck (Prospects/Baseball Operations Correspondent) Follow @JGluck777
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Possible MLB destination: Charlotte
In the upcoming weeks I will be doing a series on some cities that should be considered for an MLB team.
The cities are in no particular order but I will give a prediction whether or not they will receive a team in the next 15 years.
Having a major league franchise in your city is a big responsibility but comes with some major rewards which in my view heavily outweigh the negatives of not having a team even if you have to provide funding for the stadium in which they play.
So without further musings – here we go. Read the rest of this entry
Overrated Prospects In Baseball
Buxton, the Twins’ number 2 prospect, has a surplus amount of speed. Not only that, he has brought his bat around and is. His strong arm is going to create a lot of outfield assists for this kid in the future.
By Jordan Gluck (Prospects/Baseball Operations Correspondent) Follow @JGluck777
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Overrated Prospects
What I want to do in this article is point out top prospects ranked by other people who i think are going to bust or underachieve greatly. I will be using mlb.com top 100 prospects fueled by the minds of Jonathan Mayos team.
The number next to the prospect will be his ranking by Jonathan Mayo.
So if you ask why there is no number one (Byron Buxton) that will be the reason. Prospects are a risky thing and there is nothing guaranteed.
You can get injured, underperform, or flame out at the major league level. There is a chance that I am wrong here but hey there is a chance that anyone could be wrong. Here are my buyers beware prospects for 2014. Read the rest of this entry
MLB 50 Free Agent Predictions
It will all be following the money for many of the Free Agents this winter. It all started when all 14 players that had Qualifying Offers politely declined them all over the weekend, and are all FA’s with Draft Compensation due back to their 2013 club.
Free Agent Predictions
By Jordan Gluck (Free Agency Correspondent) Follow @JGluck777
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These are my personal predictions on where the top free agents will sign. This is the same kind of list of the top 50 free agents made by our friends at mlbtraderumors.com.
Please keep in mind there will be trades this offseason so holes will be filled that way as well (I believe the Cardinals will trade for a SS).
I am not going to estimate any dollar figures in this specific article but I do expect some overpayments this year.
Robinson Cano 2013 Highlights
MLB Mock Rule4 Draft 2013
MLB Mock Draft
Before I start I just want to say that baseball is a very tough game so when I say he can be a all star or that he can have a curveball that is just unhittable – it may not happen……. and actually is very doubtful to fully reach the ceiling. Read the rest of this entry
The Astros 2013 Draft Day Decision
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Follow @mlbreportsWednesday May 29th, 2013
Reid Ryan will be at the helm for his 1st ever draft as Team President for the Astros on June 6th. The team is picking 1st overall – and will most likely pick 1st or 2nd in next years Amateur Draft as well in 2014. This 2013 Draft Day Decision should be priority #1 with the management right now. Ryan was named Team President of the franchise only a few weeks ago.
By Jordan Gluck (Draft Correspondent) Follow @JGluck777
The Houston Astros select first overall in the draft for the second consecutive year but have a big decision to make and that is the strategy they use. First let’s go through who the key people in the front office are.
Reid Ryan – Team President
Jeff Luhnow: GM- Upenn
David Stearns: Assistant GM- Harvard
Craig Biggio, Roger Clemens – special assistants
Sig Mejdal- director of decision sciences (best title name in baseball)
Mike Elias: director of amateur scouting
Kevin Goldstein: director of pro scouting
Paul Ricciarini: scout
David Post: national cross checker
Before I talk about the Astros potential strategies I think it is worth mentioning that Craig Biggio‘ s son Cavan Biggio is in this draft and that is something to watch for although he will not go first overall.
NL Trade Deadline Targets
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Follow @mlbreportsMonday April.8/2013
If all goes well with the team this year, the Astros could improve on their 2012 year. If all else fails, Houston might challenge the ALL-Time Loss Record. Whatever happens, any Veteran Player with a heartbeat will be on the trading block by June. The Astros will continue to dissolve any of their assets (with expiring contracts) onto other teams in order to pick off some more prospects. The Astros will also Draft 1st overall at the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft. The Astros also play in the toughest Division in the Majors for pitching, plus have already put up back to back 100 Loss Seasons. Their second half Won – Loss Records might challenge historic rates.
By Jordan Gluck (Prospects/Baseball Operations Correspondent) Follow @JGluck777
Likely Mid season trade targets NL:
I’m assuming these teams will have a winning percentage of at least .475 and therefore will not be sellers although that doesn’t entirely rule out being sellers at the deadline. We are far away from the deadline but it’s nice to see who might be available. Nationals, Braves, Phillies, Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants and Rockies (sleeper).
I believe these teams will be sellers and there are not many in the NL because of the parity. Many of these teams don’t have that much to offer so it would not surprise me if a team above (Brewers?) makes a few trades for over slot prices. Marlins, Mets, Pirates, Cubs and Padres.
Giancarlo Stanton (Formerly Mike Stanton hits it out of Dodger Stadium):
MLB Reports 
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