Tampa Bay Rays Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward
The Rays are one of six teams that are projected to spend over $30 MIL in Arbitration Eligible Players along with the Baltimore O’s, Toronto Blue Jays, NY Mets, Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals all will likely pay more in totality than the Rays for 2016. The team will only have around a $70 MIL payroll for the coming year. Don’t look for them to add that many pieces either with drawing just under 1.3 Million fans in 2015 – the worst attendance figure in the Major Leagues. The club has won at least 80 games a year since 2008, and still they can’t draw at Tropicana Field.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The Rays only have four players on current contracts so far this winter, but they also only stand to lose 2 players after the 2016 year in James Loney and Logan Morrison.
Tampa has 3 players in the 1st year of Arbitration and 5 guys in the 2nd Year of Arbitration. The 2nd year guys include Jake McGee, Logan Forsythe and Alex Cobb – all could be added with 1st Year ARB player Drew Smyly as distinct trade candidates.
Already having 5 pending Free Agents in 2018 has to be in the minds of the management. All of them will not end the 2016 year on the Roster in my view.
Morrison and Loney both may not reach opening day as both being on the Roster either. Read the rest of this entry
Chicago White Sox State Of The Union For 2016
The White Sox should be decisively better in 2016, however to lump them in with the Royals right now for the Division is just not practical yet. However the team could hit on all cylinders and then add players as the year goes on. Chicago only stands to lose four player to Free Agency after 2016 in John Danks, Adam LaRoche, Al Avila and Dioner Navarro. The latter 2 were brought in on one year deals to provide the Catching tandem in 2015.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
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Chicago has finally thrown their hat into the ring for the AL Central Race. They have pulled off a trade to acquire Todd Frazier in as 3 way deal with the Reds and Dodgers.
The end result is they get 2 years from the former Reds, while parting with Trayce Thompson, Frankie Montas and Micah Johnson away from the club. It is a quality versus quantity deal.
This comes on the heels of the club picking up Brett Lawrie for 3 years worth of service for a couple of Minor Leaguers.
Before these deals, the club really only hand secured a tandem of Catchers with Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro for the offense. Now they have much more depth, and are asserting themselves with one of the better lineups in the AL Central.
If Adam LaRoche can bounce back with his usual 25 HRs and 80 RBI power, you could have 3 Infielders and the Designated Hitter all crack 20+ HRs in the 2016 campaign.
Jose Abreu also stands to benefit with bringing in a hitter like Todd Frazier. You could see a lineup that goes Adam Eaton, Melky Cabrera, Jose Abreu, Adam LaRoche, Frazier, Lawrie, Avisail Garcia, Avila or Navarro and Tyler Saladino. This looks a lot lengthier than a few days ago.
By the moves they made, they could also trade LaRoche to another club if they were so inclined. There is no reason to think the Avila and Navarro couldn’t see some DH action for their roles in the 2016 club. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 16, 2015
Sports Illustrated
Happy late birthday to Mo Vaughn, a player whose impact on the Boston Red Sox can not be underestimated.
Turn back to the 1990s for this episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Kansas City Royals State Of The Union For 2016
Back to Back AL pennants and this years World Series Winners. They are the biggest favorite to win their respective division so far on the board. The KC franchise has most of the core nucleus all heading for Free Agency before the 2018 season. If I were a fan of this club – I would be okay with the team rebuilding after this, but for now to throw all chips in and try to cash in on a chance for a small dynasty. Dayton Moore and the Brass should use any one of their Minor League Players to acquire the next piece or 2 to make that happen in 2016 and 2017.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The Royals are back to back AL Pennant winners and the reigning World Series Champions right now. Furthermore, they are playing in the most winnable Division in the Majors right now.
Kansas City were the 1st real small market club to win the World Series since the 2003 Marlins club took home the Fall Classic that year.
Just like the 2014 winter, the club will sustain losses between the end of the year to Spring Training the following year.
The door is not closed on Alex Gordon yet, however I don’t think it is in the clubs best interest to pay a 9 figure salary to a guy who is already 30.
KC has already seen Ben Zobrist sign with the Cubs, Johnny Cueto with the Giants, and Greg Holland will not pitch at all in the 2016 season with Tommy John Surgery recovery, and certainly not for the Royals.
Dayton Moore has done a decent job acquiring talent though. The team resigned Starter Chris Young, and they added one time Royals Closer Joakim Soria.
The window is not just for 2016 – as the club only stands to lose back up Catcher Drew Butera following next year, but also for 2017. Read the rest of this entry
San Diego Padres State Of The Union For 2016
It was a disastrous plan from the beginning, and now the 2014 winter is causing the 2015 offseason to play out different. The NL West has also seen the Giants and Diamondbacks beef up their Rosters while San Diego has lost their top 3 Bullpen arms. This squad will have a tough time avoiding 100 Losses in the 2016 season in my view. The saving grace is they can trade every Veteran player they can and start building up the club for 3 – 4 more years down the road.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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It certainly is a different feel to the winter of the Padres in the 2015 offseason than it was the 2014 Season. I never bought into the premise of how A.J. Preller built the team last year.
It was one of the easiest over/under wagers of the year. It ended in the club losing more games than they did the previous year – despite running a higher payroll.
The franchise loses Justin Upton to Free Agency, and have traded or lost their top 3 Relievers in Craig Kimbrel, Joaquin Benoit and Shawn Kelley.
Preller has also made a few questionable moves in acquiring Jon Jay for one year – and giving up on Jedd Gyorko. In my view, this is a weird move.
In an Infield that is already lacking power, this latest move furthers the need to bring in more hitters. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2016 MLB World Series
The Cubs signed Jason Heyward over the last week – and may have dealt a massive blow to the rest of the National League that could be felt for several years. Despite the signing, the odds for Chicago, St. Louis and Los Angeles Dodgers did not change. This is not what is supposed to happen when a player like Heyward signs. The +800 odd is bang on though. I would not put any money down for the value, however they would be my pick to win the World Series if I picked any one team right now for next year’s Fall Classic.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The ripple effect of the Johnny Cueto‘s signing did not hit the odds very much for the Giants. San Fran went from +1800 to only +1600 in one week. The Dodgers also did not lose any ground – standing firm at +1200??
This is crazy. I am not saying the Dodgers value at +1200 isn’t actually right. What I am saying is that the 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series Champs should be right there with them. At least at +1300 – or even more favored than the 2nd place Arizona Diamondbacks.
San Francisco has the best Starting Pitching and Bullpen in the Division. This team also has a comparable lineup 1 – 8 with both the 2 clubs in Arizona and Los Angeles.
There is no doubt that the D’Backs heart of the lineup is better, but guys like Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford and Matt Duffy all featured decent offense in the 2015 campaign. Read the rest of this entry
Philadelphia Phillies Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward
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. The management finally started the rebuild halfway through the year – and the financial flexibility in going forward should really be shaped up in a few more years. Philadelphia has $110 MIL in approximate Team Salary already committed for next year. I would keep the course and build through the Draft. Spending money on any premiere Free Agents is a little premature right now. In addition, the club could really trade away anything not nailed down for 2017.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The Philadelphia should have a payroll of near $110 MIL after Arbitration dollars are handed out next year. Of that money, Ryan Howard and 3 players (Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Chase Utley) rake in $49 MIL of the salary on players that no longer play on the club, or in Howard’s case – are very unproductive.
I love the deals the franchise has made since the Trade Deadline – and even loved some of the Veterans they have picked up for the coming year like Charlie Morton and Jeremy Hellickson.
Between the half a dozen Starters or so they have acquired through trades, and their nice young Starter in Aaron Nola, they now have a promising future in the Rotation.
Mark Appel was also acquired in the Ken Giles trade. This is a #1 overall pick who may just need some more seasoning in the Minors.
Houston Astros State Of The Union For 2016
The Houston Astros were the worst team in the Major Leagues from 2011 – 2013, where they topped the 100 Loss barrier for each of those seasons, underwent an ownership change, and also moved from the tough NL Central to the AL West. Last year the Astros finally turned the corner with the 2nd Wild Card Spot, won that game in New York and took the KC Royals to the brink of elimination before they lost. They are young, have a core nucleus of team controllable superstars and exceptional depth that they can use for upgrades. It is a great time to be a ‘Stros fan.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The Houston Astros are set to contend for the foreseeable future. A 6 year stretch in which they revamped their entire Minor League System – and kept payroll down to grab top Draft Picks finally reeled in the teams 1st playoff spot in a decade in 2016.
After taking a 6 – 2 lead in Game 4 of the ALDS series against the Royals with 2 – 1 lead the Bullpen coughed up the margin – with the club also losing the next game to the eventual World Series winner.
It was a tough lesson to learn in the postseason – but it may be the 1st of many appearances in October in the near future.
The #1 task of acquiring a lock down Closer has been addressed in the recent trade for Ken Giles. Yes it cost them Brett Oberholtzer, former #1 overall Draft Pick Mark Appel, and a few other prospects, but it also sets up the nucleus core for 4 – 5 more years.
The clubs offense featured 11 guys with double digit Homers in the lineup, and 2 others that fell just a dinger shy of the clip. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 15, 2015
Jamie Squire / Getty Images
I thought the Dodgers interest in Johnny Cueto was risky.
Now he signed with the Giants. I get the deal. Huge potential reward. Gigantic risk.
It also means the end of the Tim Linceum era.
Meanwhile Pete Rose is back in the news again and Serena Williams needs to compete with a horse.
Go ahead an bet on today’s episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Giants Ink Johnny Cueto: It’s Tied For The 37th ALL – Time In MLB Contracts
Johnny Cueto is 97 – 70 (.578) career with a 3.30 ERA however he has put forth a 2.71 ERA since the start of the 2011 year. Much like his new team, Cueto has performed better in the even years of this decade, where he finished 2nd in Cy Young Voting in 2012 and 4th in 2014 Cy Young Voting.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The landscape of the NL West just changed again. As of right now I give the Giants as equally a shot to win the NL West as I do the LA Dodgers. Signing Johnny Cueto is an awesome move.
Even better than the 6 YRs/$130 MIL deal is an opt out clause after 2 years, when Cueto can forego the final 4 years of the pact – leaving the San Fran club with $84 MIL on the table.
The current contract also calls for a Team Option for a 7th year.
Cueto, who is 30, most likely will opt out after 2017 if he can put up great back to back seasons as good as his 2.71 ERA since the start of the 2011 campaign, – only bested by Clayton Kershaw in that time frame.
Odds To Win The 2016 MLB Divisions
Even with the Cubs signing Jason Heyward and being the favorite to win bot the NL Pennant and World Series, they have to contend with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 once again. The Redbirds won 100 games and are coming back with another great squad. That is the sole reason why the Cubs are not the biggest favorite to win their own Division.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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These odds are a pretty good reflection of the landscape in the MLB right now. The best value on the board would be the NY Yankees are +240 and Detroit at +250. Both of these clubs are old, but if they can play to their talent level and avoid injury, could win their Divisions.
I fully expect the Cubs will win the National League Central Division, but the +140 odd doesn’t pay enough to entice a wager.
The worst odd on the board has to be the Texas Rangers. I am not sure they are that much better than the Houston Astros right now, and they have not had a banner winter yet – while Houston has solidified their Bullpen by adding flamethrower Ken Giles.
Add in a full year of Carlos Correa – and Houston should be the Division favorite.
I think the Twins might be a nice long shot wager at +310. This club did finished 2nd in the American League Central Division during the 2015 year with 83 victories. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Power Rankings: Early Predictions For 2016
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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There is parity in the American League and their is a growing distance between the good and the bad clubs in the National League.
One could argue that the top 6 teams (NYM/CHC/SF/WSH/STL/PIT) in all of the Majors reside in the NL right now, and you then you can counter that by saying they have the 6 worst squads as well (PHI/ATL/MIL/CIN/SD/COL).
The funny thing about this whole ordeal is that the AL is absolutely going to cream the NL in Interleague this forthcoming season. On a 12 year win streak already, I am predicting a 175 – 125 W – L for the games between both leagues. The AL speedbags the National League in my view.
Last year, the American League held a 167 – 133 mark over the National League so that prediction up there is not foreign by any means.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 14, 2015
Boston.com
Can you imagine Dallas being Red Sox country?
Or New Englanders being apathetic fans of an expansion baseball team?
Perhaps that reality could have happened.
It is an alternate universe episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Be sure to visit Stadium Page by clicking HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 13, 2015
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
It is Sunday and time for THE SUNDAY REQUEST.
@sullybaseball If Theo ends up breaking the curse in Chicago after doing the same in Boston, is he the greatest GM of all time?
— Jim Furlong (@EWOKinLA) December 12, 2015
Greatest of all time? Maybe not that high yet. But he should mentioned as an All Time Great already.
Praise the brains behind the scenes in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Projected Top 5 Home Run Hitters In Major League Baseball For 2016
Giancarlo Stanton should contend for the NL HR championship crown in 2016. He is capable of cracking 40 – 50 HRs if he can play a year completely healthy. The Marlins are lucky to have one of the best young hitters in the game on offense. We will predict he will lead the overall MLB as well. Stanton cracked 27 HRs in just 74 Games Played in 2015 before a broken hand derailed his last three months of the season.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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So I think I fared fairly well from my prognostications of last HR leaders last year – although I was seriously off on Mark Trumbo and George Springer and of course Nelson Cruz did not slow down in 2015.
I almost nailed the totals for the top 1 – 4 in the AL. Bryce Harper did emerge. I also said that Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista would be near the top of the list of near misses, but those continued to be productive past that.
So it comes to another year of figuring out this maze of the top power hitters. I still believe that if Giancarlo Stanton remains healthy for a full season – that he will bomb 50 HRs. I am picking him to be the National League Leader. Read the rest of this entry
Detroit Tigers Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward
Detroit is rapidly aging with their core and they have added even more guys to the fold over this winter with Jordan Zimmermann and Francisco Rodriguez both 30 or over. This club may have opened up another 1 – 2 year winning window here – but will pay a steep financial price for it. The club is around $175 MIL already for total team salary and are right near the MLB Luxury Tax Threshold of $189 MIL.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The Tigers are on the cusp of chasing that $189 MIL Luxury Tax Threshold they way they are spending money freely. They have 3 of the top 15 contracts in MLB history – with Jordan Zimmermann just outside the bar with his new 5 YRs/$110 MIL deal.
It has been a decade worth of competitive baseball – with the outlier being the last season where they finished under .500.
Detroit should be right around $171 MIL after the Arbitration contracts are finished this winter. This must be where the budget ends for the franchise.
The Tigers are still paying Prince Fielder $30 MIL over the next 6 years – spread out evenly, and this year they have the pleasure of kicking Joe Nathan another $1 MIL not to play for them.
Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander both earn $28 MIL in the upcoming season – while Victor Martinez and Jordan Zimmermann both will make $18 MIL each. Ian Kinsler and Anibal Sanchez round out the 8 figure players.
The Motown Boys also facilitated trades to bring in OF Cameron Maybin and Closer Francisco Rodriguez that will add some money to the bottom line in 2016.
Cabrera is just starting his huge 8 Years/$248 MIL pact – while Justin Verlander still has 4 years and a total of $112 MIL left on the books.
If all of the options are picked up on this team, the whole Roster could be back for the 2017 as well. This may be a good or bad thing. Read the rest of this entry
WTF Pittsburgh? Are You Contenders Or Are You At The Kids Table?
This Pirates club has made themselves relevant in the NL for the last 3 years with appearing in the Wild Card game – and pushing the Cards to the brink of elimination in 2014. However this organization has looked petty in looking too much to the bottom line so far this offseason. They have lost 4 players from the 98 win team of 2015 – and only have Jon Niese and Juan Nicasio as guys that help the MLB squad in 2016. They still have 3 months to go, but thus far the winter has been a tire fire.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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What the hell are the Pirates doing this offseason?!! I mean I have tonnes of respect for Neil Huntington – however the brass has made some highly questionable moves to save some money.
The Pittsburgh window to win is 2 – 3 more years, yet it almost looks likes the management is throwing a preemptive strike to blow the club up.
Okay, I may be overstating the facts a little here – as there is still well over 3 months before the club even hits Spring Training.
The club first non-tendered Pedro Alvarez – rather than head to the last year of Arbitration with him. He would have made in the neighborhood of $10 MIL in 2016 – I get that, but losing a 25 – 30 HR out of your lineup will be tough to adjust for. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 12, 2015
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
The Cardinals just lost Jason Heyward. How are the fans taking it?
@JasonHeyward I hope someone throws it at your face again you greedy piece of shit.
— clay jarrell (@cgjcards) December 11, 2015
Oh dear. Calm down Cardinals fans! Losing stars and still being a winner is part of Cardinals lore!
In the name of Stan Musial’s ghost, listen to this episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Dear Santa 2015: A Xmas Letter (Wishlist) From All 30 MLB Teams And Their Fanbases
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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It is that time of year. All the executives should be toting their favorite team pencil and get ready for a letter to old Saint Nick.
The Winter Meetings have concluded, and as of right now, the Cubs went four hours without acquiring someone so the rest of the league can quickly exhale for a few minutes.
This is the lull of the offseason right now with not much happening from right now all the way through to the Baseball Hall Of Fame Vote.
Speaking of the Hall of Fame – do you think Pete Rose does autograph signings in Vegas on Dec.25 – before gambling the winnings at the craps table right after? Okay sorry Pete. Read the rest of this entry
Miami Marlins State Of The Union For 2016
The Miami Marlins have not had a winning season since finishing 87 – 75 in 2009. With some deft maneuvers and the right allocation of team salary – this club could contend in the NL East with Atlanta and Philadelphia both rebuilding for the next couple of years. With a suspect ownership group I am not sure they will be bolster the club any bit – which would waste away the great value they have with their players currently with Fernandez, Stanton and Gordon.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Just what the hell are the Marlins up to this winter? Talk about a team that has done relatively nothing. I understand that the market isn’t the greatest however you have Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton at a ridiculous value.
This club should be spending as much money as humanly possible right now to go for it. The Braves and Phillies are down and rebuilding – and even Washington doesn’t seem as formidable as they have in previous years.
There was so much hype after signing Stanton long-term last season that has all dissipated within the last 12 months.
The management also turned out one of the better trades last year in picking up NL Batting Champion Dee Gordon for Andrew Heaney as the best players of the deal. Read the rest of this entry
Baltimore Orioles State Of The Union For 2016
The Baltimore Orioles needed a 5 game winning streak at the year’s end just to crack .500 last season. Now they might lose the reigning AL HR king and Wei Yin Chen from last years squad. Dan Duquette needs to be diligent with his roster over this winter otherwise the club could start a free fall back down the AL East Standings circa 1998 – 2011.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The Baltimore Orioles are in serious jeopardy of falling back into a tailspin in the AL East if they don’t turn around their winter.
Last year you could at least fathom that they had 3 players coming back from injury in Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and Chris Davis that they could rebound and repeat as AL East champs
Buck Showalter saw his team scramble for a .500 record – yet the season was a massive disappointment from the previous 3 years.
Now the club might lose Chris Davis, Wei-Yin Chen and Gerardo Parra to Free Agency. The management stopped the bleeding a little with the recent re-signing of Darren O’Day. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The American And National League For 2016
The National League has 4 favorites ahead of the odds on fave Jays to win the 2016 League Pennant. It is a more top-heavy league for sure. I am just not sold the Cubs shouldn’t be the overwhelming favorite here.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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I love watching the odds fluctuate when deals are made in the Major Leagues. I often keep my mind on the European Oddsmakers. There is some hardcore nice value for your buck in betting some cash on the American and National League Pennant winners currently.
The Cubs should be the overall favorite to win both the National League and the World Series. At +450 this is a fantastic odd. I am not calling it a best bet of the week though. Read the rest of this entry
Jason Heyward Signs With The Cubs For The 13th Highest Contract In MLB History
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
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It has been announced that Jason Heyward has just inked an 8 YR deal with the Chicago Cubs for $184 MIL deal. The contract calls for a player opt out after 3 years, but for now he is tied with Joe Mauer for 13th overall in total dollars during a deal.
Whether Heyward is worth that kind of dough in AAV is beside the point. At 26, he was one of the youngest Free Agent players of all time that could garner that type of cash.
No question about the man’s defensive prowess being unique in the game right now. He has also cut down on the amount of Strikeouts from early in his career. Read the rest of this entry
Assessing Adrian Beltre’s Place ALL – Time: Rangers Should Lock Him Up For A Few More Years
Adrian Beltre has earned every cent of his 6 years/$96 MIL deal signed before the 2011 season so far. He has 3 slashed .309/.358/.514 in his tenure and has finished in the top 15 for MVP voting in each of those campaigns. The Rangers should try to extend him for 2 or 3 more years past 2016 – and lock up the future Hall Of Famer so he can end his career in Arlington. Beltre will play next season at Age 37 – and will make $16 MIL in the final year of his pact.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
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When Adrian Beltre arrived in Texas for the 2011 season he had a fine career that was started at age 20 in Los Angeles. What he has achieved in Arlington was turn a decent lifetime of playing baseball into a Hall of Fame Career.
The 36 year old Third Baseman could hold records for the hot corner for XBH, 2B’s, R, GP, PA, AB, Hits and RBI just to start with – and cement his legacy in Cooperstown.
So how many years can he play beyond next year? I think it is realistic to say he could play until he is 40. That would mean playing in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons. Read the rest of this entry
Colorado Rockies State Of The Union For 2016
The Colorado endured their 5th straight losing season and 17th overall in 23 years of existence . They play in a crazy park that wreaks havoc on their players for home/road splits. They must take a realistic approach right now – and trade all of their marketable players – and rebuild for the 2 or 3 years down the road. The Rockies now play in a suddenly tough NL West – where the Dodgers, Giants and surging D’Backs all reside.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
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They are one of the weirdest franchises in the Major Leagues – and play in an equally weird atmosphere in Denver – that furthers the hard line it is to have a successful franchise.
6 winning seasons in 23 years of existence is very paltry. Despite the shortcomings on the field, the club still draws over 30,000 fans per game. Maybe the reason is fans love offense.
In 2016 the club will look to end 5 straight years of losing seasons – and also erase a 7 year playoff drought.
It is tough to fathom things are going to change very much in the coming campaign. The brass is looking to trade all of their outfielder and the left side of their Infield have both shared their displeasure with playing in Colorado this year. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 11, 2015
Will the Dodgers panic and sign Johnny Cueto to a long term deal? If they do, then why didn’t they just keep Zack Greinke?
Meanwhile the Giants are taking a more low key approach.
It is a Dodger blue episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Texas Rangers Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward
The Rangers rose from the AL West ashes in 2015 and won their first Division Title in 4 years. It came off the heels of 2 injury riddled seasons that plagued any chance to make the playoffs. The club has about $140 MIL worth of salaries to pay in 2016 but should consider spending out another $10 – $15 MIL. They have a need for a Starting Pitcher and could use a breakout campaign from either Joey Gallo or Jurickson Profar to add depth for mid year trade to acquire a proven playoff Starter. The club will also hope Yu Darvish can come back at full strength. While they have 5 of the top 46 contracts of ALL – Time on their salary, 3 of them came via trade where the former team is picking up some of the dough.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The Texas Rangers have 5 of the top 50 MLB Contracts of ALL – Time on their roster with Prince Fielder (10th), Cole Hamels (32nd), Shin-Soo Choo (37th), Josh Hamilton (42nd) and Elvis Andrus (tied for 46th).
Yes 3 of them came over via trade after chunks were already off, and their former team is still subsidizing some of the money going forward as well, but the Rangers are still already at over $120 MIL already committed in total team salary for 2016.
We have also heard grumblings that the team will look to extend Adrian Beltre this week in order to have him finish out his potential Hall Of Fame Career in Texas. This won’t hurt the bottom line in 2016 – but will also put some dough on the future of the teams finances should it occur. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 10, 2015
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
I know it is only December. But MAN the Cubs look like the team to beat in 2016!
They have been filling in their holes while the other NL contenders have bigger question marks.
Dare Cub fans dream?
It is a tempt the fates episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Odds To Win The 2016 MLB World Series
Pittsburgh had the 2nd best record in the Majors with 98 wins, yet were simirarily dismissed in the Wild Card Game by the Cubs – and a lightning hot Jake Arrieta at the time. It may actually get worse for the Bucs in coming years with the emergence of the young NL Chicago squad and the continued dominance of the St. Louis franchise. My idea was to spend some money this offseason, but if you are 5 or 6 games behind the playoff bar near the Trade Deadline, to deal all guys on the remainder year of their contracts and retool for 2017. Instead they have made a boneheaded trade in doling out Neil Walker for Jon Niese this week. Their odd should not be +1400 as the #3 ranked team in the NL Central. I don’t think 3 teams qualify for the playoffs out of that Division in 2016.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Okay hands up, how many of you followed my advice minutes after the Zack Greinke deal – and pounced on that 40/1 play? I am happy to say I did, and voila, they jumped from +4000 all the way to+1600.
Sure there was an added bonus of the club picking up Shelby Miller via the trade route – but that is how quickly the odds fluctuate. The job is to render value.
So far we have given really sound advice on this whole off season. The first time the new odd was posted we said to stay clear of the Dodgers as the favorite. Look at them right now – they are considered the 5th favorite in the NL.
Now if you think the Los Angeles franchise is not done on the winter with high priced talent, you can get them at this nice odd. I personally believe they need to add 1 more #2, #3 starter in addition to the latest Dodgers Hisashi Iwakuma signing – and another premiere Outfielder as well. Read the rest of this entry
tjohnsurgery.com Is Looking For Authors
Okay, so I have had this website domain for some time (tjohnsurgery.com) – and I am officially kicking it off in style. For Authors that love to talk about the surgery, now is your chance to hit the ground running on a trend that it is not going away any time soon.
I am looking for fellow writers to join in my in writing bio’s for all of the players that have had the surgery in history. Your articles will be posted on tjohnsurgery.com and also at our flagship website of mlbreports.com.
Now I am not looking for writers for the mlbreports.com right now – as we have over 1200 articles already committed from our ownership/crack writing team – however if you things work out, and you are strong enough to write, mlbreports.com is also an option.
Please take a look at our page that we have been running here at mlbreports.com for 2 years. https://mlbreports.com/tj-surgery/
If you are interested in applying for a writing position with us contact me (Chuck Booth) at mlbreports@gmail.com
MLB Reports 
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