Texas Rangers Payroll in 2014 + Contracts Going Forward Part 1
Darvish has provided Texas with ace-like material ever since coming over from Japan. At his current $10 MIL a year salary, this gives the club a bunch of financial freedom to sign other long term deals. Darvish finished 2nd in AL CY Young Voting with a 13 – 9 record, a 2.83 ERA and a league leading 277 SO in his 209.2 IP worth of work in 2013. Darvish’s high posting bid was not part of his salary prior to 2012, or converted towards the total team payroll. Texas is lucky his yearly hit is so low – as the team already has $116 MIL towards the Luxury Tax Threshold before Arbitration Players are paid in the next couple of weeks. The Rangers could still potentially sign more guys to raise this figure even more.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org. Depth Chart/Payroll Expert) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
This is part 1 of our 2 part payroll piece we will do for each club. The Rangers are entering with the heavy payroll clubs in the game of MLB.
Their salaries after Arbitration Eligibles are paid, could range anywhere from $125 – $140 MIL, and even higher if they are able to land another Free Agent Pitcher or hitter.
They have spoken loud with the checkbook. With 370 wins over the last 4 seasons, and 4 straight 90+ win campaigns, the Rangers are hoping to cash in with the 2014 squad.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Yu Darvish Highlights Mature Lyrics So parental guidance is advised
By the time this offseason ends, the Rangers may have acquired the two best players for it. Placing Choo at the top of the lineup – as the OBP machine that he ends, followed by Adrian Beltre hitting 3rd – and Prince Fielder 4th, all of a sudden the Texas Rangers are looking like their vintage “offensive” selves. Based on this, go and pick up their World Series ODD win at +1100 (3rd favorite in the AL) anywhere you can as they should be the favorite. Choo signed for a 7 Year Deal worth $130 MIL this winter. It is an annual average contract of $18.43 MIL, but the man will only pocket $14 MIL for his services in 2014 and 2015 as well..
Texas Rangers Payroll in 2014 – 2016
| POS | Name | LG | XP | AGE | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
| SP1- | Yu Darvish | ML | 0 | x | $10,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $10,000,000 |
| SP2- | Derek Holland | ML | 3 | 27 | $5,400,000 | $7,400,000 | $10,000,000 |
| SP3- | Matt Garza | ML | 3 | 30 | FA | ||
| SP4- | Martin Perez | ML | 3 | 22 | $750,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,900,000 |
| SP5- | Matt Harrison | ML | 6 | 28 | $8,000,000 | $13,000,000 | $13,200,000 |
| SP6- | Nicholas Tepesch | ML | 0 | 25 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 |
| SPS- | Alexi Ogando | ML | 6 | 30 | ARB1 | ARB2 | ARB3 |
| RHMR- | |||||||
| LHMR- | Michael Kirkman | ML | 5 | 27 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 | ARB2 |
| RHSU- | Jason Frasor | ML | 5 | 36 | $1,750,000 | FA | |
| RHSU- | Tanner Scheppers | ML | 1 | 26 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 |
| RHSU- | Chaz Roe | ML | 6 | 27 | NON-ARB1 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 |
| RHSU- | Shawn Tolleson | ML | 1 | 25 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 | ARB2 |
| LHSU- | Robert Ross | ML | 2 | 24 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 | ARB2 |
| LHSU- | Joseph Ortiz | ML | 3 | 23 | NON-ARB1 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 |
| CL- | Cory Burns | ML | 2 | 26 | NON-ARB1 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 |
| CL- | Joakim Soria | ML | 3 | 30 | $5,500,000 | $7,000,000 | |
| CL- | Neftali Feliz | ML | 5 | 25 | ARB2 | ARB3 | FA |
| 13 | $21,400,000 | $28,400,000 | $26,100,000 | ||||
| POSITION PLAYERS | LEV | MiL | AGE | 2014 SALARY | 2015 SALARY | 2016 SALARY | |
| C- | Geovany Soto | ML | 7 | 30 | $3,050,000 | FA | |
| 1B- | Prince Fielder | ML | 3 | 29 | $24,000,000 | $24,000,000 | $24,000,000 |
| 2B- | Jurickson Profar | ML | 1 | 20 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 |
| SS- | Elvis Andrus | ML | 4 | 25 | $6,750,000 | $15,250,000 | $15,250,000 |
| 3B- | Adrian Beltre | ML | 4 | 34 | $17,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $16,000,000 |
| LF- | Mitchell Moreland | ML | 4 | 28 | ARB1 | ARB2 | ARB3 |
| CF- | Shin-Soo Choo | ML | 7 | 31 | $14,000,000 | $14,000,000 | $20,000,000 |
| RF- | Alex Rios | ML | 5 | 32 | $13,000,000 | $13,500,000 | |
| DH- | Lance Berkman | ML | 4 | 37 | FA | ||
| C- | J.P. Arencibia | ML | 4 | 27 | $1,800,000 | ARB2 | ARB3 |
| C- | Robinson Chirinos | ML | 10 | 29 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 |
| 1B- | |||||||
| 3B- | |||||||
| UTL- | |||||||
| UTL- | |||||||
| OF- | Leonys Martin | ML | 0 | 25 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 | ARB1 |
| OF- | Engel Beltre | ML | 4 | 24 | NON-ARB1 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 |
| OF- | Nelson Cruz | ML | 11 | 33 | FA | ||
| OF- | Michael Choice | ML | 1 | 24 | NON-ARB1 | NON-ARB2 | NON-ARB3 |
| 10 | $79,600,000 | $84,750,000 | $75,250,000 |
Prince Fielder was signed to a 9 YR/$214 MIL contract before the start of the 2012 season. He is not Slugging as much as his Brewers days, however his OBP is just slightly lower in the regular season. Fielder has a chance to have a Hall of Fame Career. If he can bring a World Series to Texas, he will enhance his chances. The Big man has to step up in 2014, or the team may fail to capitalize on the World Series Caliber team they have built over the last half a dozen years. After a few years with Detroit, that club will be on the hook to the big man for $76 MIL out of the deal, leaving Texas to pay $138 MIL over the 7 seasons he is signed with the club.
Note From Chuck Booth:
You guys are all in for a treat. Jeff Kleiner has developed a site (prosportsrosters.com) that covers all organizational affiliates in the Minors for all of the Major League Baseball Clubs.
We are going to combine efforts to bring you the best look at salaries, current 25 Man Player Rosters and Depth Charts for all 30 teams.
Jeff is going to provide the documents in form of spreadsheets and I am going to accompany the posts with deep analysis of what the numbers tell us from my perspective.
If you can’t wait for all of my assessments for each club, go and visit Jeff’s website over at http://www.prosportsrosters.com.
In Speaking with Jeff, he is one of the more passionate fans I have come across towards the game of baseball. He spends enough time in updating his MLB Facts for it to be a Full-Time Job.
Jeff updates this page below on a daily basis. After you click on it….Bookmark it. There is a 3 year salary forecast and stats not listed here on this page. Jeff updates these pages daily and these changes include any Roster moves!
Authors for this post:
Jeff Kleiner: “I have been a sports fan since the first Baseball game I went to at Comisky Park in Chicago in 1959, when baseball for me turned from black and white to color.
I have attended or watched thousands of games, always paying attention to statistics, rosters and salaries of all professional sports.
Luckily I had the advantage of watching WGN TV and seeing hundreds of games in the 60’s. Collecting Baseball Cards and then later dealing them gave me an extra sense of the sport, both good and bad.”
For all of your Salaries, Roster and Depth Charts for all 4 Major Sports (entire organization – Minors and Majors) click here or Follow Me on twitter Follow @prosportsroster
prosportsrosters.com is the best source for following entire organizations in all 4 Major Sports.
Chuck Booth – Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames: To learn more about my “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here .
You can also follow my Guinness Book of World Record Successful Bid to see all 30 MLB Park in 23 Days – click here.
I am happy to be part of such an awesome Magazine-Style Baseball Website and am looking forward to talking to all of the fans of the MLB.
You can reach me on Twitter here Follow @mlbreports
Chuck At Arlington April.11/2012
Please e-mail me at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. To subscribe to our website and have the Daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
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The Boston Red Sox Players In All Organizational Affiliates, Prospects + Depth Charts (MLB + MiLB)
Jackie Bradley can go a long way to help BoSox fans forget about the departure of Jacoby Ellsbury. Known as a patient batter with tonnes of speed, and exceptional fielding, Bradley taking the next leap up to the MLB on a permanent basis would do wonder for the Red Sox in 2014. At 23, he has a Career Minor League 3 Slash of .297/.404/.876
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org. Depth Chart Expert) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It has come time for us to flip the calendar at the MLB Reports and shift gears into all of our 2014 season previews.
Each of the 30 MLB teams will have a organizational depth chart blog, a payroll blog, and 1 or 2 State of the Union Pieces from this day – all the way until the 1st day of MLB play this campaign.
We start of with the defending World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox.
Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xander Bogaerts Are Future Superstars
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 6, 2014
Photographer: Andy Hayt/San Diego Padres/Getty Images
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast is a salute to Jerry Coleman.
The man did so many things with his life as a baseball player, a soldier and an announcer and reached the pinnacle in all of them.
His was a life worth celebrating.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 5, 2014
Sports Illustrated
It is THE SUNDAY REQUEST on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
@sullybaseball what’s your over/under on the actual number of players elected to HOF? — Pete Sonski (@29sonski) January 4, 2014
With a super crowded ballot, your pal Sully thinks that 5 new members of the Hall of Fame will join Bobby Cox, Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa in Cooperstown this summer.
That isn’t necessarily good news for Jack Morris.
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Some MLB Teams Need To Place Their Starting Times For The Majority Of Their Schedules Earlier
The Rays are always at the bottom for attendance in the Major Leagues, so it boggles my mind how they can’t have their game times for the next year up that quick. Weather is never a factor at all, and they have no geographical MLB teams remotely close to them. The Royals and the Padres are also teams that do not post their times early enough – while sagging at the gates.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am a big fan of the MLB posting their schedules so early compared to other sporting entities. However with this being said, there are several teams who have not completed their start times for the majority of their home ballparks 2014 campaign yet.
My question is, why the hell not?
In an economy starving for our entertainment dollar, what is the hold up?
Look I am all for the quirks in the variances for each club based on ESPN Sunday night baseball, heck, even coordinating with the other geographical rivals in your area, to have the most potential ticket buyers head through the wickets at your turnstiles.
As of right now, the Tigers, Astros, Rays, Angels, Red Sox, Rangers, Padres, Indians, Royals, Braves, and White Sox have not posted these. Read the rest of this entry
Updated Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series As Of Right Now:
The Blue Jays were the odds on favorite to win the World Series in 2013 among oddsmakers. After a failure of a season, these guys are still placing way too much faith in the team. To have them listed as tied with the Rays for the 12th best odd to win the World Series is a joke. Stay away from this bet. The odd should be +3000 – and not +1800. Toronto is listed as tied for the 3rd favorite in the AL East, behind Boston and New York respectively. It could really be another last place finish in the Division for the Canadian franchise.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The top 12 clubs have opened up a little lead on all of the guys tied for 14th, which includes the Royals and Indians (more of a longshot, but +300 and +200 more respectively.
The Dodgers continue to be the current leaders to take home the prize. If they are able to land Masahiro Tanaka for any reason, their +700 will be even lower.
I still think the Rangers are a bit of a bargain at +1100. They are behind Boston and Detroit in the AL leaderboard.
I would wait for to place a bet on the Boston Red Sox, if you are so inclined, because they are said to be out of the running. Since this is the case, whomever shall acquire the NPB superstar, their odds will lower – and Boston may rise after.
The AL East is reigning supreme in this with 4 of the top 12 spots being positioned by them. The worst Division is the AL Central who only possess 1 member in the top 12.
The Yankees were +1500 last week, and now have moved up to +1400 with the A’s and the Braves.
Again, if they are to bring Tanaka in the fold, I believe they will blow the luxury tax out of the water next year. If you want to bet this club to win, I suggest you do so now.
Next to the totals, I have weighed in on what I think the odd should be. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 4, 2014
Photo Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast looks at the Orioles.
What should they do? Why is signing Quinton Berry a good sign? And why they should be the lab for my bullpen experiment.
They’ve already listened to me about the smiling bird hat.
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Wheeling Games In Scenarios (5, 6, 7 and 8 contests: Gambling 101)
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Last time we talked about wheeling 2, 3 and 4 contests of anything respectively.
For 2 games, there are 4 possible outcomes, for 3 games there are 8 possible outcomes – and for four games there are 16 possible outcomes.
Today, I tackle 5 games, 6 games, 7 games and 8 games. These totals carry possible outcomes of 32, 64, 128 and 256 variances.
Realistically, you can use any of these to accommodate fundraiser options.
Yes all of us love the 1 – 9, up and down the board for a Superbowl pick (or grey cup up in Canada. For these, there are only 81 possible outcomes.
For Part 1 of Wheeling Games (2, 3 and 4) click here Read the rest of this entry
MLB Reports Hall Of Fame Predictions: Class Of 2014 Players
The deadline of December 31st has come and gone for The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Members were asked to submit no more than 10 names of players they “deem” worthy of induction towards this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony set for July.
By Patrick Languzzi (Cooperstown Correspondent) Follow @patricklanguzzi
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Results are scheduled to be announced on January 8th.
Players must receive at least 75 percent of the votes in order to be inducted by a voting body of roughly over 500 eligible writers.
There are many player names worthy of discussion, however, few will see enshrinement, now or ever.
Greg Maddux Tribute:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 3, 2014
Photo: Tom Kaminski / WCBS 880
My dear friend Ritch Duncan (who you can follow on Twitter HERE) pointed out that every New York sports team kind of stinks now.
Whichever New York sports team rebuilds and puts together a fun, young, hungry elite team will capture the heart of the city for a new generation of sports fans.
That team will help end the deep freeze of New York sports.
That is the topic for today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 2, 2014
Today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I talk about the greatest moment of every baseball year: The moment a team wins it all and stands alone as the kings of baseball.
My fascination with the ending of the baseball year and how it is celebrated is something I can discuss for hours. Today I do so for a little more than 20 minutes.
And yes, I talk about that picture above of Charlie Hayes and Derek Jeter making the final out of the 1996 World Series.
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Ortiz Is Almost Done Playing: Who Will Be The Next Great DH Among The AL Clubs??
David Ortiz has been the quintessential DH in the AL over the last 11 years. Boston is in contention perennially because he put up great #s compared to his competition. With all of the teams imploring several employees to scouting staffs – trying to find advantages to bring to Major League Lineups – why aren’t teams focusing on the DH position more. Ortiz has been a full time DH since joining the Red Sox, and has been instrumental in the club bringing home 3 World Series Titles. In fact, the only time the team has struggled in the last decade, was if “Big Papi” is hurt or struggling.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is no doubt in my mind that the Red Sox has won 3 World Series Titles in the last 10 years because they have had the quintessential DH in the American League.
While other teams have used the position as a rest stop for aging players, or stop-gap measure for players with defensive faulty, clubs have not seemed to have stressed emphasis on the slot in the lineup.
My question is why? With everyone always searching for an edge in today’s game, you have one sitting right in front of you, that equates to over 600 AB a year.
David Ortiz (Post Season Heroics 2013)
Wheeling Games In Scenarios (2, 3 and 4 contests: Gambling 101)
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Here is the 1st installment of Gambling 101. Again, these kind of numbers I am about to throw can be used in a multitude of different things.
Some people I have taught wheeling to have used them for charity events, office pools, or just pure fun if in Vegas or Canada.
I want to say that ‘gambling’ is always based on the house beating you. Like Robert DeNiro says is Casino “There is a reason they build these huge extravagant building in Las Vegas, the house always wins” Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 1, 2014
Don’t Believe Everything You Read: A Response to The New Normal For the New York Yankees- Part II
Alfonso Soriano came back to New York – and thrashed on the competition, with 17 HRs and 50 RBI – in just 58 games with the Bronx Bombers. He also snuck in 18 SB for the campaign, but nobody even noticed. Still the experts have failed to recognize that the offense was significantly better once this man entered the fray. Even with his 38 year old season coming up, it is entirely possible he could club another 25 – 30 HRs and approach 85 – 95 RBI out of the DH slot. Along with McCann, Beltran, Ellsbury, a potentially full year of Teixeira and Jeter, this lineup is a hell of a lot different from the team that limped to a 85 – 77 mark for the 2013 year.
By Nicholas Rossoletti (Yankees Correspondent/Trade Correspondent): Follow @nross56
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
As with the first part of this piece, this article is in response to a piece written for Grantland by Rany Jazayerli (which can be found here) that paints a fairly negative picture of the near-future for the New York Yankees.
Once again, I would encourage everyone to visit Grantland.com as it is a one stop shop for some of the best internet based writers on the planet.
Again, a quick thank you to Fangraphs.com and Baseball-reference.com.
Those organizations are a huge reason for the increased understanding and intelligent discussion relating to baseball over the last decade, and they are used throughout as resources for all advanced statistics.
If you aren’t reading the content on those sites, I would strongly suggest you do.
We will start with our Point/Counter-Point structure with a discussion of the new Yankee line-up, and more so, the effect of the departure of Robinson Cano on that lineup.
For Part 1 Of Don’t Believe Everything You Read: A Response to The New Normal click here.
Alfonso 2013 Highlights as a Cub and a Yankee – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance Is Advised
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 31, 2013
It is the final episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast for 2013.
It was a year of some great memories, some events that were impossible to predict and a tournament that showed the best talents from all over the world (that was played in October.)
Plus I explain why I will NOT rank the off season moves this year year.
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Don’t Believe Everything You Read: A Response to The New Normal For the New York Yankees- Part I
Opinions have varied wildly about the effect on the wholesale changes to the New York Yankees roster. This piece is in response to in response to a piece written for Grantland by Rany Jazayerli (which can be found here lower in a link icon in the 1st couple of lines.) As the Yankees Correspondent for the MLB Reports, I felt I needed to address the merits of the topic in question, make some counterparts, in order to move the dialogue from a slightly different perspective.
By Nicholas Rossoletti (Yankees Correspondent/Trade Correspondent): Follow @nross56
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Before we get started, I wanted to give credit where credit is absolutely due.
This piece is in response to a piece written for Grantland by Rany Jazayerli (which can be found here) that paints a fairly negative picture of the near-future for the New York Yankees.
If you haven’t been to Grantland.com for sports and entertainment news and opinions, you are missing out. Some of the best work in the business.
All advanced statistics (and other statistics) are courtesy of our friends at Fangraphs.com and Baseball-reference.com.
As always, we appreciate those sites making the information available to be able to debate the game we love. For ease to the reader, the response has been broken into two parts. This is part one of the response.
Part 2 of the Don’t Believe Everything You Read: A Response to The New Normal For the New York Yankees click here
New York Yankees 2013 Year Highlights – With Full Credit Going To The YES Network
‘Gambling 101’ Is Coming To The MLB Reports!
There is a reason why our website has gone to more of a Salary based menu of topics – it runs every aspect of the game of baseball in these modern times. You want the truth, just follow where the money lies. Our site has coverage on all 30 teams payrolls, and what lies ahead based on their current payroll structure. We also are going to be featuring more of a look at baseball gambling lines – and offer information how to run baseball charity events. This is in addition to the info we have always written here: MLB Team States Of The Union, Rosters, Prospects, Sully Baseball, Audio Podcasting, Historical Posts about the game, TJ Surgery History, Ballpark Chasing and MLB Road Trips Advice. We may be an expert on a few categories, but we have the guys that can also range in all of these topics.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I come from a family steeped in betting in sports. I grew up with a Grandfather that loved the horse races. Of course it was a natural for me with love of math involved. Kind of like numbers that baseball also provides.
While I understand it is against the law to gamble on sports in most states in the USA (except for Vegas), what I am about to divulge can be used for a lot of different things people do
Whether it is Sudoku, or just placing a certain amount of risk at your next visit to the track, these may help you, as they have been invaluable to me as a odds expert.
I will debunk this type of thinking. Martingale system Not good..as it leaves no outs.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 30, 2013
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 29, 2013
It is Sunday so it must be time for The Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
@sullybaseball Sunday request; I want to hear you opinion about what team has the worst management.
— Ermling (@antonermling) December 23, 2013
With such an open ended question, I gave a complex open ended answer but ultimately came up with a single team.
Recorded at Sunken Diamond, baseball home of the Stanford Cardinal.
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Updated Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series As Of Right Now: Tanaka Could Influence These Later
Masahiro Tanaka has finally been posted by his team from the NPBL (Golden Lions). Mark my words, with the exception of a crazy bid coming from the Dodgers way out West, no one will outbid the Yankees for this guys services. Based on his age and wherewithal, the Pinstripers can alter their immediate future by landing the 25 Year Old Japanese Phenom. If they spend the $125 MIL – $140 MIL for a 6 or 7 year total ($20 MIL post, plus player contract, look for them to blow their $189 MIL budget out of control in 2014, – and opt to reset in 2015 instead.) Tanaka was 24 – 0 – with a miniscule 1.27 ERA in 2013.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Since nothing has changed since last week, I have two bets for you to take – and one for you to avoid.
As I mentioned last Saturday, the Rangers have confirmed on the Shin-Soo Choo signing. In my expert opinion this should have moved the line on Texas.
Instead, they are still the 3rd favorite to win the World Series coming out of the AL.
This is not right. Maybe I could see the Tigers still ahead of them based on the Division they are in, but the Red Sox have no business being ahead of them.
The Best Of Masahiro Tanaka
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 28, 2013
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
With Masahiro Tanaka posting soon, there will be a feeding frenzy for the services of a pitcher who has yet to pitch in the majors.
The Yankees, Mariners and Cubs will be desperate for him.
The Rangers and Dodgers would probably be the best landing spot for him.
The reasons and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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Tommy John Surgery List From 2000 – 2013
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Website Founder Jonathan Hacohen Follow @jhacohen
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
We talked last week about the Tommy John Surgeries from 1974 – 1999. Well, after the millennium hit in 2000, it has really come to the forefront.
It is now estimated that 1 out of every three pitchers will now undergo the procedure once in their career.
Whether they make the Major Leagues, or stay in the Minor Leagues, this surgery is becoming a predominant part of baseball culture.
Tommy John Surgeries from 1974 – 1999 here.
What is Tommy John Surgery?
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 27, 2013
Danny Moloshok/AP
On today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast the topic is Mike Trout.
He can command top dollar and the Angels should resign the best talent in baseball NOW.
But has making “a big splash” with the likes of Pujols and Hamilton put them in a position where they can’t afford him.
To see the article I wrote last year on this subject, click HERE.
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The O’s Have Continuously Dropped The Ball This Winter – The Latest Is The Grant Balfour Fiasco:
Grant Balfour has been throwing verbal jabs to the Orioles on XM Radio concerning the club bowing out of his 2 YRs/$15 MIL deal – and justifiably so. The Orioles are losing credibility around the league for this bow out maneuver. So, good luck on signing a Free Agent Pitcher in the future. The O’s are also reeling on the Free Agency Market, having not signed anyone of real value, while Brian Roberts, Scott Feldman and Nate McLouth have left the city. 2013 saw the club win 85 games, and that was part of a superhuman effort from Chris Davis. The team is completely missing the ball in their chance to rundown a World Series Title by playing conservatively with their money.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter Follow @mlbreports
‘Stoking The Fire’ – Week 10
The Orioles have continued to stumble along in the offseason – meanwhile pissing off their fanbase. The latest Grant Balfour fiasco is going to set the franchise back.
it is not just the future Free Agent players that will think twice about setting foot in Maryland for the sake of landing a deal, but this kind of move could definitely deflate attendance next campaign.
Up until the Buck Showalter era, this kind of move was vindictive of the 1999 – 2009 regime of the Baltimore brass.
Grant Balfour Deal with the O’s Negated.
The Astros Are Having A Decent Winter
The Astros had a collection of players that only equaled a little over the league minimum for the entire roster. This year, the club has filled some holes, and will spend more on 3 Free Agent acquisition’s, than what the team payroll was in 2013. The club picks #1 in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft yet again, so saving money for future years is a smart practice. Houston is easily the lowest payroll team in the AL West, with the Angels hovering around the Luxury Tax Threshold, the Rangers spending in the $140 MIL range, the Mariners pole vaulting up the team salaries chart – by signing Cano, while still employing “King” Felix Hernandez. The Athletics are even nearing the $70 MIL mark, still about $25 – $30 MIL more than the Astros projected budget.
By Lee White (Astros Correspondent) Follow @Lee_White73
Follow MLB Reports ON Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Houston Astros came into the offseason with bolstering the bullpen in mind. They have done just that, but still have work to do. Early during the offseason, the Astros signed Peter Moylan to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.
Just before the Winter Meetings, they added Chad Qualls, who will make a nice addition to the back end of the bullpen.
During the Winter Meetings, they traded their first round pick in the Rule 5 draft for Anthony Bass from the San Diego Padres, who could pitch out of the pen or the rotation.
Monday the 16th, the Astros signed Matt Albers. If you’re keeping tabs, that’s the second reliever from the 2007 the Astros have signed this offseason.
Matt Albers Ejected
The Nationals Case Against Extending Jordan Zimmermann
The problem with any of the Nationals players not named Harper or Strasburg, is that any time the club is talking about extending one of their players before them, those guys have to be kept in mind for when they hit Free Agency.. The Nationals are creeping up the payroll scale each year that their core is together. Whether it is Arbitration, or players like Jayson Werth and Gio Gonzalez being paid more as their own contracts mature. 2014 will see the club set another record for player salaries, adding to the fuel that it will be tough to extend Zimmermann.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
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With how much love role players like Michael Morse and Steve Lombardozzi have garnered from Nats fans as they’ve left town it will be amazing to see what happens when the Washington Nationals lose a legitimate star player.
With Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann both two years away from free agency there is a high likelihood that that day is soon approaching.
The Nationals have made several overtures to Jordan Zimmermann but no deal has been reached or even come close. Zimmermann wants fair market value which is understandable but what is fair market value for a pitcher like him?
Zack Greinke with a career 3.65 ERA and one Cy Young under his belt set the record for free agent pitchers with the $147 million contract he signed last off-season heading into his age 29 season.
Jordan Zimmermann April 2013 Shutout – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 26, 2013
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast was recorded at the beach at Aptos, California… an ideal place for Christmas time.
I talk about things in baseball that frustrate us that we just have to get over. Granted that is easier to do when the weather is beautiful and your team is the World Champions.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 25, 2013
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 24, 2013
Photo Credit: Dr. Edith V. Sullivan
It is the Christmas Eve episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Today, I go over my wish list for the 2014 season, including what I want for the Red Sox, the Hall of Fame and all of baseball.
All I want for THIS Christmas is a hat.
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