Category Archives: MLB Roster Trees
Twins Roster Make Up From 2006 – 2015
John Swol (Featured Baseball Website – twinstrivia.com)
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We are on the cusp of a new baseball season and that means that Spring Training is underway and players from all over the world including peach-fuzz faced rookies and grizzly old veterans are beginning their fight for a MLB roster spot, they want to be one of the 750 players on a 25-man roster participating in “The Show“.
Some players are already guaranteed spots, others will win a job, and still others will get a job because someone else had the misfortune to get injured.
Baseball fans all over have been watching free agency, hot stove league action as well as play in the winter leagues and everyone has their own idea what each of the 30 GM’s should have done and what they can still do to improve the home team.
One of the fun aspects of spring training is pretending to be the GM and manager and decide who gets to make the 25 man roster for the big trip up north when April rolls around.
183 in 2015: Ball Park Preview, Game 36 – Progressive Field
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Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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Chuck Booth’s 2015 MLB Park Historical Road Trip
The GOAL: 183 Straight Days (every single day at least 1 gm) Of ALL 30 MLB Parks Trip In 2015 (218 Games) view full year schedule.
The CAUSE: To Raise Money for Concussion Awareness (via Sports Legacy Institute. donate money here) Through Inspiring Others.
DAY DATE
Saturday May.02, 2015
Game #37 Day #28
Today’s game (s) Start Time (s) in EST and Venue (s):
Progressive Field, 4:10 Indians vs Blue Jays Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 16, 2014
CNN
It is Sunday, which at The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. means it is time for the Sunday Request
@The_Tooth_Hurts Listen on Sunday to the Sunday Request where I will answer this question
— Sully Baseball (@sullybaseball) November 14, 2014
Of course pitchers should be eligible to win the MVP.
But the winners need to be announced BEFORE the playoffs begin. In fact they can track the voting like the Presidential elections.
If they can tabulate a nationwide election in one day, why not the post season awards?
It is an election coverage episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Washington Nationals Pitching Roster Tree For 2015
How All Of The 2015 Nationals Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The Nationals have done a great job of stockpiling pitching arms since relocated to the district in 2005. From Stephen Strasburg, to Jordan Zimmermann, and unheralded pitchers like Craig Stammen and Ross Detwiler.
The acquisitions tree saw Minor League Prospect A.J. Cole drafted by the organization, traded to Oakland in the Gio Gonzalez, only to be brought back in the 3 way deal with the A’s and Seattle, that saw Mike Morse sent to Seattle.
A small part of that transaction included Ian Krol, who was packaged with two Nats selections in the MLB Amateur Draft (Robbie Ray and Steve Lombardozzi).
We have even traced a tree that stems all the way back to the Montreal Expos Drafting Jose Vidro.
The Starting 5 pitchers all contributed to Washington being the top seed in the National League during the 2014 year,
A big thank-you must be send to Yanks GM Brian Cashman, for giving the Nationals Tyler Clippard first, but then to also let Matt Thornton be claimed for no parts going back the other way.
Drew Storen is yet another 1st RD Draft Pick that is part of the Pitching Staff for Washington.
Tanner Roark was also stolen in a deal for Christian Guzman from Texas, with the latter having just a small cup of coffee with the Rangers organization, while Roark might have been the best #5 Starter in baseball this past campaign.
Xavier Cedeno joins Thornton as the only players to have been claimed by the squad. Read the rest of this entry
Kansas City Royals Pitching Roster Tree In 2014 – World Series Edition: Shields Pivotal Despite Playoff Struggles
How All Of The 2014 Royals Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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While James Shields has not had a banner postseason – however it is important to remember his influence on culture change in the Royals clubhouse for this successful franchise turnaround.
The trade that brought the RHP, also brought in Wade Davis, who may be the most important pitcher on the squad other than Greg Holland this campaign.
Dayton Moore has done a fantastic job of assembling this franchise’s roster over the last 5 – 7 years. It came on the heels of a quarter century of futility yes, but the future definitely looks bright.
As we have said before, teams residing in either league’s Central Division have a fair chance of competing in a season every year.
The highest payroll team is the Detroit Tigers, but they are not in the stratosphere of the Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Angels and Phillies, were there is a 2nd team in the division who can go buck wild in contracts.
The Nationals and Giants are able to spend in the $150 MIL range to join Philly and the Dodgers. In the AL West, Texas and the Angels can mirror each other, whereas the Red Sox and Yankees own the AL East payroll leaders.
St. Louis is the highest NL Central club, and are always near the fringe of the top 10 for dollars spent annually only.
The Tigers are the only franchise spending big cash in the AL Central, although the White Sox have delved into higher salaries in previous seasons – when they drew well following the 2005 World Series. They have since scaled back.
The Royals should be able to field a nice team for the next 2 – 3 years, and it shouldn’t break the bank for the ownership.
Detroit has aging and hefty contract problems coming up, and KC has more depth for the 1 – 25 Roster, when it comes to withstanding injuries
For the foreseeable few seasons ahead, you will bank on the emergence of Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy to continue their development as aces, and the Relief Core is the still the strongest asset of the equation. Read the rest of this entry
San Francisco Giants Pitching Roster Tree In 2014: Sabean Should Not Be Overshadowed By Beane Any Longer!
Brian Sabean has been the architect behind the Giants brilliant 5 year run. His attention to building a Pitching Staff has to be noted, with several winning draft selections, mixed with key Free Agent signings, and waiver claims. With all of the hype surrounding the other “Bay Area” GM, it is time that this man is giving his due.
How All Of The Giants Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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With having gone through this exercise of finding out where all of the Giants Pitching Staff came from, there is a new-found appreciation for San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean.
While his fellow “Bay Area” counterpart Billy Beane is having books and movie’s written about him, Sabean has put forth a club that is on the verge of potentially winning its 3rd World Series Title in 5 years.
Most of the roster of hurlers was drafted by the franchise, or brought in by a nice Free Agent signing. The franchise hasn’t lost that many players the other way for their current pitchers, so that has to be commended.
Bumgarner, Lincecum and Cain were all team draft selections, as was Vogelsong, although he came back to the team after several season away in Japan.
Jake Peavy was acquired midway through this year, when the club knew Cain would be out for the year, and that Lincecum was heading to the Bullpen.
Hudson came into the fold this season, following the lead of his former A’s teammate Barry Zito. The deal was a smart one, as it cost the franchise nothing but money.
Even more impressive of how the roster was constructed, is how the Relief Core was put together.
Hunter Strickland was claimed off of waivers from Pittsburgh. and the club also pick-pocketed Javier Lopez from the Bucs for the talents of John Bowker and the immortal Joe Martinez.
Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla, Jean Machi and Yusmeiro Petit were all brought in through Free Agency, and the club drafted Sergio Romo to round out the late innings arms. Read the rest of this entry
D’Backs Pitching Staff In 2014: The Roster Tree Shows Now Ex – GM Towers Fault(y) On Assembly
Kevin Towers had been at the GM helm since Sept.22, 2010 before having his duties relinquished today. He authored some of the worst trades in club history, and has seen his team pay the price for it the most this year, with a 59 – 81 record, after back to back 81 seasons in 2012 and 2013, and a NL West Title in his 1st year on the job in 2011. Towers traded away Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Chris Young, Tyler Skaggs, Adam Eaton, Matt Davidson and Martin Prado – all without much of talent brought back to the fold in return. It was time to go.
How All Of The D’Backs Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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It has not been a banner year for the Arizona Diamondbacks. I don’t need to beleaguer that point out to much to the common fan of the franchise.
What I found most disturbing out of the Roster Tree, is the team’s brass continued reliance and insistence on Relief arms.
But before we divulge into that, the name Dan Haren is still haunting this franchise. (Not Towers fault, but still an important trade historically) 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.
How All Of The O’s Pitchers Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Explains That The Staff Was Created By Deft Transactions!
Chris Tillman continues to assert himself as one of the emerging great arms in the American League. The 26 Year Old RHP is 26 – 12 in his last 38 game decisions with a mid 3 ERA. Not bad when you consider he and Adam Jones were brought to Maryland for former Draft Pick Erik Bedard, (who is barely hanging on to professional baseball – and was hurt or average in his Seattle days). That deal and the Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis/for Koli Uehara deals kickstarted the renaissance of this historic club. The O’s made the postseason for the 1st time in 15 years during he 2012 campaign, and now possess a massive lead in the AL East with 35 games to go. The O’s management and brass can take stock in a job well done in building this current group of ballplayers.
How All Of The Orioles Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner) & Nick Delahanty (MLB Reports Featured Writer): Follow @chuckbooth3024 Follow @nick_delahanty
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The Orioles made a swift and blunt move last off season, when they traded their 2012 and 2013 Closer Jim Johnson for Jemile Weeks.
The club took some flak in virtually discarding a 101 save man over the last few years to save some money. Johnson was awarded $10 MIL for the year, and has flamed out in Oakland and Detroit since. Those dollars are about what the team receives collectively as a unit.
The team was also lambasted for the signing/not signing of Grant Balfour, because a sketchy physical. Again, they have looked good in the transaction.
The O’s have done a great job building their Bullpen and Rotation.
Chris Tillman was part of the now extremely lopsided deal, which saw Adam Jones for Erik Bedard several years back.
That coupled with some waiver claims (T.J. McFarland as a Rule 5 Draft Picks) and former team draft picks – converting in to late inning arms (Brian Matusz and Closer Zach Britton), and you have seen a brilliant molding of a Relief Core.
Darren O’Day was claimed off of waivers from Texas, in the same campaign the club also fleeced the Rangers, with the Chris Davis/Tommy Hunter deal for Koji Uehara.
Ryan Webb was actually optioned to the Minors, despite decent numbers, while clearing a path for Andrew Miller, as part of a deal from Boston. Miller is one of the better LHP out of the pen in the last year.
The team has supplanted the rotation, with a few key Free Agents over the years, starting with Wei-Yin Chen, and Miguel Gonzalez.
Kevin Gausman represents the only starter right now that was drafted by the team originally.
Bud Norris was brought into Baltimore for a couple of former draft picks and a 2014 RD A compensation pick.
The other significant 2013 deal for the staff – was dealing a Minor Leaguer for Brad Brach.
The Ubaldo Situation
Looking at the numbers, Buck Showalter has the right idea in taking Jimenez out of the rotation.Regardless of the contract figures, Jimenez has failed to be that ace that the Orioles expected to get when he signed his 4 YR $50 MM dollar contract in the winter.
It’s time to let Jimenez take some time to figure things out, as hopefully skipping a start or two will give him time to work on his mechanics to help get him back on track.
This is also familiar territory for the Orioles, as Showalter and crew have had some good success sending guys to the bullpen.
Remember, Zach Britton and Tommy Hunter, two of the best arms in the Orioles’ bullpen this season, were starters that struggled, but once they were shifted to the bullpen they seemed to have figured it out and have been very reliable throughout the season.
Maybe Jimenez can find a role in the pen that could help the team clinch a playoff spot. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Angels Pitchers Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Shows A Nice Year Revamp!
How All Of The Angels Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The Angels management had to look back on the 2013 Relief Core – and worry about their long term future. This was because not one guy had a decent year, and most guys were well north of 4 ERA’s.
Jerry DiPoto has rapid fired a bunch of trades and signings since then, to solidify a great Bullpen it was once a late inning disaster waiting to happen on a nightly basis.
So how did he accomplish this? What assets did he give out in order to make it happen?
The 1st domino to fall was signing Joe Smith to a 3 year deal as the team’s primary set up man for Ernesto Frieri.
After that it was the David Freese deal – in which Reliever Fernando Salas came with him from the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals for Randal Grichuk and Peter Bourjos. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The A’s Pitchers Were Acquired: Lots Of Depth Even For 2015 Without Breaking The Bank!
Part of the lure in acquiring Samardzija was that he had 1 year left of Arbitration. He will likely cost in the $12 – 15 MIL range for 2015. He tops the list of several A’s players that will be ARB eligible in 2015 like Moss, Donaldson, Cook, Parker, Jaso, Reddick and Gentry. While the club is going for it in 2014, their unloading of Cespdes’s $10.5 MIL 2015 salary will be used to pay these guys raises for next year, which should ensure them of another chance to compete for it all.. The Pitching Staff will remain almost intact, with losing just Lester, Hammel and Gregerson, while 12 guys are still under Team control, and 3 more guys with lots of MLB experience are in Sacramento waiting for a callup.
How All Of The A’s Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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Billy Beane has assembled quite the Pitching Staff for his 2014 final playoff push despite having both Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin out for the year with Tommy John Surgery.
Sonny Gray, A.J. Griffin and Sean Doolittle (although he was drafted as a hitter) are the only active pitchers on their staff that are homegrown products.
Jon Lester was acquired with Yoenis Cespedes (who signed as an International Free Agent.
Much like the hitters, the ‘Moneyball GM’ has wheeled and dealt until he put together one of the best run prevention teams in the game baseball.
Bringing in Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel cost the team 2 young prospects and Dan Straily, all of whom were team draft picks. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Braves Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree – Upton/Uggla Deals Still Looming Doom
How All Of The Braves Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The Atlanta Braves are moving into a new ballpark in Cobb County GA in a few years.. Unfortunately the club will still be paying the contract of B.J. Upton.
At least Dan Uggla will be off the books by then.
Atlanta has been an awesome franchise in the last quarter-century, and far from me to admonish these guys on just a few deals doled out, when they have done it right as an organization for 25 years.
The current roster of hitters resembles a ton of Draft Picks by the franchise. Not only that, but several of the players have inked their names long term for the Braves.
Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Evan Gattis, Andrelton Simmons and Tommy La Stella were all selected by the squad in the MLB Amateur Draft over the last several years. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Dodgers Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
Yasiel Puig was signed as an International Free Agent in 2012 (7 YRs/$42 MIL).. He was 22 Years old last year when he exploded onto scene in the National League in 3 Slashing .319/.381/.544 – with 19 HRs, 42 RBI and 66 Runs Scored in his 1st 104 Games Played. In 2014, he has been a tad better all around year: (.313/.397/.529 – with 13 HRs and 55 RBI thus far), but has clubbed 53 Extra Base Hits (31 – 2B and 9 3B to go with his HRs) – which is about 10 more extra base knocks than in 2014, whereas the rest of the numbers are pretty identical.
How All Of The Dodgers Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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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. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Rockies Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree – Injuries + A Coors Field Factor
How All Of The Rockies Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The Rockies are one of the weirdest franchises around in the game of baseball today.
Thin air, humidors, pitcher who struggle, however where they are one of the most dynamic teams is in fantasy baseball.
I have said it before and will say it again…I would love to watch games at Coors Field 81 times a year.
For everyone that loves offense, then watching this squad bash the ball around is awesome. Unfortunately the hitters have had a tough problem staying healthy in recent years.
Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki are world class players. Both would be in the running for NL MVP every year, it is just they can’t maintain in the lineup.
When you look at the roster, it is composed mostly of draft picks. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The A’s Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Shows Incredible Beane Trading Record
How All Of The Athletics Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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Truthfully this blog took me forever to do the research for, simply because the A’s GM Billy Beane has been so proactive at the trading helm.
From flipping Mark Mulder several years ago which fetched Dan Haren as part of the haul, to the massive deal with Dan Haren sent to the D’Backs, he added enough depth to pull off several other moves.
Yes, along the way he may have been burned by Colorado for Carlos Gonzalez, but in a the Dbacks deal still is paying off.
The Roster deals include several Oakland draft picks being flipped for current A’s.
Nick Swisher was traded for Gio Gonzalez, who in turn the club can thank for the Catching tandem of Derek Norris and John Jaso as assets received from Swisher initially.
Jaso was brought back in a 3 way deal from Washington, where the A’s sent the SP back to the team they traded Gio Gonzalez for.
Ryan Sweeney (another player brought in for the Swisher) was packaged with Andrew Bailey to obtain Josh Reddick. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Giants Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
Buster Posey is a two-time champion that signed a contract extension with the NL Bay Area franchise, that will see him make $164 MIL from 2013 – 2021. Will he be able to play the duration of his contract as a backstopper – or will he eventually be moved to 1st Base? The 27 Year Old was selected 5th overall by the team in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft.
How All Of The Giants Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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2010…..2012…. and will the fortunes of the Giants turn into another even year World Series Title in 2014 for the club? Perhaps not, but their offensive lineup has been well manicured over the years.
For the most part, Brian Sabean has built this team from the ground up. 80% of the players like Buster Posey. Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford were all drafted for the club.
All of the bench players were drafted or signed as Free Agents.
The biggest acquisition tree lies with the Hunter Pence deal, and now that he re-signed with the franchise last year through 2018, he has been paying immediate dividends on the investment.
In 2014 thus far, the brick-built OF, leads the NL in PA, AB and Runs Scored, and he has taken over the leadoff position for the injured Angel Pagan.
Speaking of Pagan, it is incredibly important the speedy OF is back in the lineup soon. The Giants simply aren’t the same offense without him.
Pagan was brought in to the Giants in a 2011 December trade for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez.
When in the lineup, the 32 Year Old CF has been a threat with speed and power – as he has 103 Extra Base Hits in the 288 Games Played for the franchise.
You add in a .290/.341/.427 Slash Line, and he is well worth the 4 YR pact the squad inked him to from 2013 – 2016. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Tigers Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree – Is It A ‘Title Worthy’ Lineup?
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
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The Tigers have built a winning tradition on the backs of former Marlins.
1st it was GM Dave Dombrowski, then Jim Leyland, before the club pulled off the biggest trade in the modern day franchise – by landing Miguel Cabrera for not much in return as it stands now.
This started a string of roster moves that enabled this club to have a great run of success since 2006.
Back in 2003, the ‘Motown Boys’ had to win their last game of the year to avoid the worst season ever for losses by an MLB squad – with 119 losses.
The team drafted Justin Verlander the next year – and traded for future ALL – Star Carlos Guillen.
With a horrific lineup from the 2003 campaign, the Tigers GM, inked Free Agents Ivan Rodriguez and then Magglio Ordonez in subsequent years.
Guys like Gary Sheffield and Placido Polanco were also mainstays on the club for different stints of the lineup.
The pursuit of the club’s offense led them to a 2006 World Series Appearance. The club lost to the Cardinals, and Dombrowski continued to build.
Prior to the 2008 year, the team traded for Miguel Cabrera, and the franchise would start a new era of dominance in the AL Central. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Reds Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree – Cincy Has Done This Old School
Get used to seeing more of Billy Hamilton swiping bases in the 2nd half. If he keeps up his pace after about the 110 game mark, he will end the year stealing nearly 70 bags and scoring 80+ Runs. He has hit for his best BA ever as a professional in the last 3 months, and is a big reason why the Reds are on the fringe of contention as we speak. There is no doubt the 2nd RD Draft Pick in 2009 is the odds on favorite to win the NL Rookie Of The Year in 2014. Something our website predicted this spring.
How All Of The Reds Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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In Cincy, you are either Drafted, or signed as a Free Agent usually. Other than Brandon Phillips, and his injury replacement Kristopher Negron, all other members of the offense were either drafted or signed as a Free Agents.
This shows a remarkable history of selecting amateur players with the likes of: Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, Devin Mesoraco, Billy Hamilton, Chris Heisey and Zack Cozart.
Add that in with some Free Agent signings like Ryan Ludwick, Brayan Pena, Ramon Santiago, and you are left with an instant team, add water and stir.
The club signing Jack Hannahan maybe wasn’t such a great idea, but then again, the bench hasn’t been that great this year either, with the exception of a nice job as the backup backstopper in Pena.
The bench has not performed well, and has been needed profusely with injuries to Votto and Phillips.
Still, you have to commend the organization on its draft history. I mean the Blue Jays hardly have developed any Infielders in the last 10 years other than Adam Lind.
Sorry to dig on the Canadian squad, but they still only have Lind as a draft pick currently playing in their lineup.
This is not an article on Toronto, but before I depart with them on my mind, they receive full credit for fleecing the Pirates, and the Reds here, for snatching Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, for a few years of Scott Rolen at the end of his career.
EE also couldn’t be a DH in the NL, and his defense anywhere was not that average back then anyway. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Marlins Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Shows 2012 Trading Looks Good
Jeffrey Loria did a number on the Expos back int he day, and continues to be one of the most controversial owners in the game of baseball. The Miami fanbase had been promised the club would compete in the New Marlins Ball Park. After a $118 Team Salary in 2012, the management pulled the plug on that active roster. While the transactions didn’t look good for the PR side, the operations portion of it has seemed to work out. The New York Art Dealer has pledged to spend more money in coming years, however only time will tell. The franchise has 2 superstar youngsters in Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez.
How All Of The Marlins Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Marlins took a lot of flak for the big selloff almost 2 years ago.
In the previous winter, Miami set out to dominate the NL East in the 1st season of the New Marlins Ball Park. To do this, they allocated a $118 MIL payroll.
They inked Jose Reyes (6 YRs/$106 MIL), Mark Buehrle (4 YRs/$54 MIL), Heath Bell (3YRs/$27 MIL), and the club took on Carlos Lee midway through the year ($9 MIL) commitment.
The Fish flung down the standings in the 2nd half, and ended with a 69 – 93 record, and Ozzie Guillen was fired after inking a 4 Year Managerial deal prior to that campaign.
The club struggles with injuries to key players and never really jelled.
Miami decided that they were in big trouble with how the current roster was situated, and were carrying an enormous payroll, and the threat of dwindling attendance the following year, caused them to make a block buster deal with Toronto.
Without detailing this too much, Miami traded Reyes, Buerhle, Josh Johnson, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck to the Toronto Blue Jays.
In turn, the organization received Jake Marisnick, Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Alvarez, Justin Nicolino, Anthony DeSclafani, Yunel Escobar and Jeff Mathis.
How All Of The Nationals Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
The city of Washington hasn’t hosted a World Series game since 1933, and while the club didn’t have an MLB organization for 30+ years, this 2014 team may mark the best year for the franchise to win the World Series ever. It was only 4 years ago that this franchise was wallowing in below average baseball. The team then singed a big cheque to haul in Jayson Werth as Free Agent. A few years later, through a couple of key trades, coupled with other Free Agent pickups and the team’s offensive core maturing, the club has complete depth from 1 – 8 in the lineup
How All Of The Nationals Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Nationals came over to Washington from Montreal, Quebec, Canada to start the 2005 year. It took several last place finishes to stockpile draft picks, in order for this club to turn its fortunes around.
Aside from offensive lineup signing key Free Agents Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche in recent years, the club has been built within.
Some of the players like Wilson Ramos, Denard Span, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Lobaton were acquired from other teams with Draft Picks the Nats had already selected.
This team has been competitive since the beginning of the 2011 year, and made the franchise’s 1st playoff appearance in 2012, after a 31 Year absence.
Much will always be made about the Stephen Strasburg decision, and the only way to alleviate those causes and concerns – is for the team to win the World Series Title.
The ownership changed the culture of the team when he inked Werth to a 7 YR deal worth $126 MIL prior to the 2011 campaign. It shifted the 1 – 8 lineup with a new direction.
While the 1st year wasn’t kind to the former Phillies player, he has been an above average OF since, posting a near .300 Batting Average – with a high OBP and nice SLG% that falls within his career numbers.
The team has even withstood constant injuries to Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman this season. to lead the NL East right now. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Red Sox Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree – Updated For Cespedes + Craig + Johnson Deals
David Ortiz is incredible based on the consistent numbers he has put forth since everyone thought his career was winding down several years ago. The 38 Year Old DH continues to bash homers, win games, and now with a flurry of trades, the organization has given him some reinforcements in the 1 -9 lineup for a few years.
How All Of The Red Sox Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Boston Red Sox are smart enough to realize a retool was in order.
To kickstart the festivities, the club made a pair of moves that includes Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes to Oakland for Cuban OF Yoenis Cespedes, followed by dealing Jon Lackey to the Cardinals for 1B/OF Allen Craig and SP Joe Kelly.
These deals have helped the Red Sox be better balanced on offense, and has freed up roster spots for their young prospects to thrive. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Phillies Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
How All Of The Phillies Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
When you look at the Philadelphia Phillies lineup, you will see a long history of the club drafting their own players.
Out of the 8 starters right now, only Ben Revere was not brought up by the franchise. He was dealt to the Phigtins, for Vance Worley.
As the Trade Deadline approaches, you can find Revere on his way out of town too.
Five years ago, the Infield was all in their prime, with Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and Chase Utley manning four of the 5 positions.
They could hit for high averages, and club 100+ HR for those four, and each one of them were franchise players.
Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins both have taken home NL MVP Honors.
The organization won the 2008 World Series, appeared in the 2009 World Series, then the 2010 NLCS, and finally made their last appearance in the playoffs during a 1st round upset to St. Louis.
It was a gradual 5 year decline, and it all has happened under the watchful eye of Ruben Amaro Jr.
Pat Gillick was the one who orchestrated the majority of the transactions for the Phils success. Well at least he was the guy in charge.
Amaro has let a few years pass, and is overseeing a core of players now entering their mid 30’s – and rapidly declining in production.
As we stated in our Trade Deadline blog recently, Philadelphia needs to start assembling a re-tool of their franchise by trading some commodities right now while they have any value at all. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Brewers Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
Milwaukee had a bad spell for the franchise from 1983 – 2007, where the club didn’t make the playoffs at all. Once Ryan Braun asserted himself on the team, the club started its transformation into a club capable of making it to the playoffs in any season. They made the 2008 postseason for the 1st time in 26 years, and 2011 saw them make it to the NLCS – before bowing out to the Cardinals. Their team had to fight through the Ryan Braun saga’s of 2012 and 2013, and now this team is back leading the NL Central in 2014. The teams lineup has been built with draft picks, smart acquisitions, and key waiver wire pick ups.
How All Of The Brewers Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Mark Attanasio and Doug Melvin have been aggressive of the brass for the ‘Brew Crew’ over the last half a dozen years.
They have made strides to make the team relevant – by making trades for ALL – Star Pitchers, but they have also done some great drafting on the offensive side.
Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy, Khris Davis, Scooter Gennett and Rickie Weeks were all great draft selections in the lineup, while Carlos Gomez was acquired by trading another great player in J.J. Hardy.
You also have a bench player like Logan Schafer drafted by the squad.
Heck, even Jean Segura was brought in with Zack Greinke (who was brought in with 4 Milwaukee players heading into the other direction.)
Add in some veteran leadership with Aramis Ramirez, Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay, and some waiver and low prospect Free Agent deals for Martin Maldonado, Jeff Bianchi and Elian Herrera.
So what does this point out exactly? Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Indians Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Shows A Good Job Done By The Organization
Terry Francona took over a team that ended up 68-94 after being competitive for the first couple of months of the 2012 season. The team aadded some key offensive FA talent in 2013., but Francona also cultivated the attitude of this young team all the way to a playoff berth and an AL Manager Of The Year Award. His club’s offense was a big reason why the team was able to do this, and the team is competitive again in 2014 with virtually the same roster – and nice power threats.
How All Of The Indians Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
When we look at how this offense was put together, we saw a lot of decent draft picks, a few nice trades sprinkled in, and a few Free Agents signed along the way.
With Francisco Lindor coming along the way, this is probably the swan song for SS Asdrubal Cabrera, however one can’t forget this franchise fleeced the Mariners for the asset that was Eduardo Perez. to obtain his services.
Cabrera has had a nice stay in Cleveland, with 2 ALL – Star Selections, one Silver Slugger – and has provided nice defense for the last 8 years.
It wasn’t the 1st time Cleveland won out in a trade with Seattle. Does Anybody remember Shin-Soo Choo for Ben Broussard?
As you will see in a future Pitchers Roster Tree for the “Tribe”, Cleveland has Josh Outman, Trevor Bauer and Bryan Shaw for the original Perez deal now. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The White Sox Hitters Were Acquired – 2014 Roster Tree: A Nice Job By The Brass To Revamp The Offense
Paul Konerko announced that the 2014 season will be his last. He has 439 career HR, 1409 RBI, and 6 All Star appearances in his 18 year career. What will most likely not be a HOF career, will certainly go down as one of the best in White Sox history. Konerko was the direct replacement for Frank Thomas. Konerko is only 16 HRs behind the 2014 “Hall Of Fame Inductee” for the White Sox franchise record. While he will not reach that mark, his role may increase now with some DH AB If Dunn is traded later this week. Konerko, now 38, was a 1998 trade acquisition – with OF Mike Cameron going back the other way to Cincinnati. While Cameron was a nice Major Leaguer in his time. Konerko should have his number retired by the club, and is the current active leader for HRs hit for just one team. He will soon hand the reigns of the team over to Jose Abreu and CO.
How All Of The White Sox Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The White Sox have done a fantastic job of reassembling their young offensive core in the last year.
Signing International Free Agent Jose Abreu has expedited the time in which the franchise will have to wait to be competitive again.
Paul Konerko is in his last year in the Majors, and his 17th season with the Pale Hose.
The 38 Year Old is the active leader in HRs with 1 current club (432 Hrs), and has been the foundation for the Southsiders for the time he has donned the uniform. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Mariners Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree: Jack Z. Must Help The O!
The Seattle Mariners are fighting tooth and nail for the 2nd Wild Card Spot in the American League, however it has much more to do with their pitching than hitting. This is a team built on prospects that haven’t panned out, and injury riddled Free Agents and acquisitions. From Justin Smoak, to Jesus Montero, to Abraham Almonte, this club has been on the poor end of the trades they have conducted in recent years. The Draft picks have not done well either with fallen hopes about Dustin Ackley, Brad Miller, Nick Franklin and Michael Saunders.
How All Of The Mariners Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Mariners are on the brink of ending a 13 year playoff drought, yet there is a glaring hole on the offensive side with how this offense has been constructed.
Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and James Jones withstanding, the rest of the players have played underneath expectations in 2014, and unless the management can pull off a trade, it may be the squad’s Achilles heel this campaign.
Jack Zduriencik has to wheel and deal for some more help in the next week or so, especially with several of the perennial contenders like Boston, New York and Tampa having subpar years.
The pitching staff has been the anchor behind the Mariners nice season so far, and with the payroll also being only at $82 MIL, this team has money to burn. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Twins Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
The Twins won World Series in 1987 and 1991 based on a great number of Draft Picks. When the team struggled for a decade after the 91 Title, the club used another core of players drafted for another successful run. Now after a 3 year plus hiatus from contention, the club has been stockpiling great talent in the Minors, and maybe ready for another run really soon.
How All Of The Twins Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Quite frankly, the Twins Roster Tree for the hitters was pretty uneventful.
The majority of the players were drafted by the team – or signed as a Free Agent. The greatest form of a chain of transactions revolve around Eduardo Escobar.
The Twins Utility Infielder can be traced all the way back to them drafting A.J. Pierzynski. That trade enabled the franchise for a string of Division wins based on the players brought back.
Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano were key contributors for almost a decade each. Liriano was dealt in 2012 for the Utility Infielder.
Josh Willingham and Kurt Suzuki highlight the club’s Free Agent signings. These guys may be made available for the pending Trade Deadline.
The Twins are an organization that has built within a couple of separate times for lengthy success runs.
In the late 80’s and early 90’s, the franchise parlayed drafts of Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Frank Viola, Chuck Knoblauch and Scott Erickson into 2 World Series wins. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Royals Were Acquired – 2014 Roster Tree: They Could Also Use An Injection Via Trade
The Royals rode a 11 game winning streak to 1st place in the AL Central in June of this year. What is more impressive is that they smashed the Tigers in the 1st 3 games of that 4 game series – before relenting the last game of the series, however a brutal stretch of play happened after that, culminating in a 9 – 18 record post the streak, and has them wallowing near the .500 mark. This squad could fall out contention fast if the offense can’t turn it around. Today, we will examine how the Royals received all of their offense.
How All Of The Royals Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The time to sit around and watch this club struggle is no more.
The Kansas City Royals must take decisive action either way to avoid future years of bashing from their already tepid fanbase.
The problem for years has been the offense – and especially since James Shields and Wade Davis came to town in a deal that saw massive prospect OF Wil Myers go back the other way.
It was an aggressive move and bold outlook for the 2013 and 2014 years, but Dayton Moore and David Glass have underestimated just how much power you need in the lineup on a daily basis.
This roster of batters is comprised mostly of their homegrown talent, or speedy light hitting talent they have acquired by trades.
Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain were both picked up in the 2010 trade of Zack Greinke tot the Brewers. A deal that also saw the club pick up Jake Odorizzi, who was packaged in the deal for Shields and Davis. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Orioles Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
Adam Jones was brought over in a trade with Chris Tillman, George Sherrill from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Erik Bedard in the 2007 offeseson. Jones is a 3 time Gold Glove Winner, and has 2 straight season of 30+ HRs, and might well be in the top 5 AL MVP consideration this year by the time it is all said and done. This trade started the pendulum swinging back in the other direction – after a horrible 10 year stretch for the O’s. Baltimore broke a 15 year playoff drought n 2012 with a Post Season Berth. This 4 time ALL – Star is on pace for career highs in HRs and RBI for 2014. Jones, now 28, signed a 7 YRs/$91.7 MIL deal prior to the 2012 season, which means he is with Baltimore until the end of 2018
How All Of The Orioles Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The fortunes of the Orioles have all come based on the heels of 2 nice trades and a 3rd one also tilting the scales in their favor.
1 of the deals was the Erik Bedard for Adam Jones and Chris Tillman, the other great trade was acquiring Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter for Koji Uehara.
These deals gave the club a bonafide Starting Pitcher, a Gold Glove and 30 HRs a year hitting Adam Jones, a 50+ HR guy in 2013 with Chris Davis, and a flamethrowing arm out of the Bullpen with Hunter.
Bedard was lackluster in Seattle briefly, and Koji Uehara wasn’t good in Texas, like he was in Baltimore or now Boston.
You can also trace J.J. Hardy (yet another Gold Glover) back to the assets received from Aubrey Huff. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Angels Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree
DiPoto has constructed a team that has great power when healthy, and have the best player in baseball in Mike Trout, however a lot of the transactions on offense had nothing to do with the man. As you will see in the Roster Tree, a lot of the guys have been Drafted before the DiPoto era. I will say he has done a better job in the last year, than in his 1st 2 years at the helm. The club has a short window to compete, before a lot of the team becomes older, all making too much money. This is not an article about retracting our earlier stated points, but rather to say that maybe DiPoto is becoming a little wiser as a GM lately. When all is said and done, with the payroll and talent within this team, they should be in contention for a Division Pennant and Post Season every year.
How All Of The Angels Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Here at the MLB Reports we have taken a hard line at how the Angels have conducted business for the last several years.
From Sully (our lead Audio Personality and creator of “Sullymetrics”), to our ‘chief writer’ Hunter Stokes, to even myself at certain times – we have poured cold water on their efforts in assembling this current team.
I maybe the less culpable of the three, as I did predict this club to win the 2012 World Series, however one thing we all agreed on was Mike Scioscia‘s crazy insistence on batting Raul Ibanez 4th when he was so brutal for the team.
The fact they signed him wasn’t very great either, when Kendrys Morales would have fit the bill perfectly.
Among the observations we had, was criticizing GM Jerry DiPoto for some of his moves since taking over as GM of the club in late 2011.
A litany of poor roster decisions was part of the problem.
The club wasted $16 MIL on Joe Blanton, paid for an injured Reliever in Ryan Madson, who never even pitched for the club.
The Sean Burnett injury problems I will not fault him for. Read the rest of this entry
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