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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 20, 2016

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PHOTO BY: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY

What teams can lay claim to “Team of the Decade” for the 2010’s?

What team can enter the conversation with a 2016 World Series win?

It is a long term legacy episode of  The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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San Francisco Giants State Of The Union For 2016

With the club pretty much being set for players all around the Infield and Outfield, and now the Starting Staff, the Giants look poised to make another run at a World Series run for an even year this decade. 2016 will see several of its Bullpen members on the last year of their contracts.

With the club pretty much being set for players all around the Infield and Outfield, and now the Starting Staff, the Giants look poised to make another run at a World Series run for an even year this decade. 2016 will see several of its Bullpen members on the last year of their contracts.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part-Owner) 

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The only real need to upgrade could be at the Outfield level, with either a CF/LF.    Angel Pagan is also in the last year of his deal, so maybe signing a guy to man the position beyond this coming year would be an option.

The Starting Rotation will be a lot stronger in 2016 with the additions of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija

You can say what you want about Cueto’s time in Kansas City not being as effective., but he has played most of his career in Cincinnati – and pitched extremely well at Great American Ball Park.

Funny enough his best years have also come in even years with finishing 4th in NL Cy Young Voting in 2012, and 2nd   in 2014, when he led the NL in Innings Pitched with 249.2 – and Strikeouts with 241 for the Reds.

Samardzija still has great stuff, and as a #3 Starter, you could see him bouncing back with a nice year in San Francisco. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 2, 2015

CHRIS CARLSON/AP

CHRIS CARLSON/AP

 

The Giants season and Championship defense might be slipping away. Go support this team, Giants fans. It might look a lot different soon.

It is a leaving your heart in San Francisco episode  of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Zack Greinke, Darin Ruf, Drew Smyly, J. P. Arencibia, Madison Bumgarner, Yan Gomes, Rick Porcello and Matt Kemp all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 19, 2015

Getty Images

Getty Images

I want Cuban star prospect Hector Olivera to go to either the Giants or the Marlins? Why?

Because I want those two franchises to elbow their way into an All Time discussion for consistency as World Series champs… and I want that to make Yankee fans angry.

It is a very petty episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

 

 

 

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Based On The World Series Odds Today – Bet The Royals To Win

Getty Images

Getty Images

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

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We said it before the World Series started, if you were going to bet KC for the “Fall Classic” wait until after Game 1, when a loss to Madison Bumgarner was well within the realm.

The Royals jumped from a -120 favorite, to a +170 underdog on the completion of last night’s game.  Clearly the website is working out formula’s without human’s listing the odds before this series began.

It still baffles me how the Giants weren’t favored to win this series to begin with.

Having said this, the time to bet the American League Champions is right now if you were going to bet them at all.  I still believe the Giants will win the series, however the odd has jumped so far in their favor, it doesn’t have enough value to throw some cabbage down on.

Tonight’s matchup (Jake Peavy +106 @ Yordano Ventura -116) favors Kansas City slightly.  But it is more than that.

The young flamethrowing rookie (Ventura) has great hit and miss stuff, and has never faced the Giants lineup, this ultimately is in Ned Yost squad’s favor.

Peavy on the other hand, spent numerous years and season series opposing the Royals as a member of the Chicago White Sox formerly.  He has struggled mightily, owning a 5 – 7 record, with a 4.97 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 14 game starts against Kansas City lifetime.  

Billy Butler has had a field day on the RHP.  Hitting .500 with 3 HRs for his career versus the former Red Sox champ. Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series (Kansas City Vs San Francisco) + Prediction Time

Kansas City is making the most of their 1st playoff appearance since winning the World Series in 1985.  The club has won 8 straight games over 3 series, and have shown they have power in their lumbering, homering in most of their games.  They have a slight advantage with their Relief Core, and must amp up their speed game again versus the Giants in order to win the 2014 Fall Classic.  KC has home field advantage with the AL having won the ALL - Star Game.  I personally think this is a hinderance, based on the way the team plays on the road.  Whatever I feel, the oddsmakers have listed them as the Favorite.

Kansas City is making the most of their 1st playoff appearance since winning the World Series in 1985. The club has won 8 straight games over 3 series, and have shown they have power in their lumber, homering in most of their games. They have a slight advantage with their Relief Core, and must amp up their speed game again versus the Giants in order to win the 2014 Fall Classic. KC has home field advantage with the AL having won the ALL – Star Game. I personally think this is a hinderance, based on the way the team plays on the road. Whatever I feel, the oddsmakers have listed them as the Favorite.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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I awoke this morning to a text stating that the Giants were the longshots in the MLB World Series this year at +100 when I placed my wager.

Kansas City was a -120 Favorite in the early morning Friday.

I exclaimed ‘yes’ because I was hoping for a nice odd for the NLCS Champs.

Chuck Booth and I stand to win $1477.50 on KC to win the World Series based on a $20 (50/1 Bet) and a $6 (80/1 Bet).

San Francisco was also the subject of my 1st bet on the Fall Classic to start the year.  It was a 25/1 Odd back in January of this year, and we threw down $14 each.

Now since we could win $1477 on the Royals, and just $389 on the Giants, came the hedge bet for $500 on SF at Even money.

So we can win $1389.00 each on the Giants, and now $1477 still on KC.

The difference being, that we only had to wager $25 aggregate on the ALCS Champs.

The bet assures us of over $1000 each profit for the year.

Already, since the morning line, the odds have shifted to SF -105, to KC -115.   I am not surprised, as the Sharps have spoken. 

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 16, 2014

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Talking Royals, SF Symphony and answering an e mail from Michael Reisman.

The Giants are also only 1 win away from becoming the team of the decade, and it is only 5 years old.

San Francisco keeps scoring runs without actually getting hits.  Insane…  All of that and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Alcides EscobarYusmeiro PetitBuster PoseyJason VargasRyan Flaherty and Kolten Wong all owned October yesterday

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NLCS Preview: Cardinals vs Giants In A Battle For Decade Supremacy!

Its all about the Pennants in the LCS Round,  The Cards are competing in their 4th straight NLCS, and 9th out of 14 years,  while the GIants are in the series for the 3rd time in 5 years, and have never lost a playoff series under head coach Bruce Bochy.

It’s all about the Pennants in the LCS Round, The Cards are competing in their 4th straight NLCS, and 9th out of 14 years, while the GIants are in the series for the 3rd time in 5 years, and have never lost a playoff series under head coach Bruce Bochy.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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I am not going to preview this from an analyst angle because our “Lead Podcast Personality”  Paul Francis Sullivan ‘AKA Sully’ does a brilliant 20 minute podcast that he does daily, and he has described this matchup beautifully.

I will post the podcast at the end of the article.

Instead,  I am looking at this series as a professional handicapper sense.

Opening Odds

STL -135

SF, +115

I have to give the nod to the Giants for value on this one. If you go down the rosters, the St. Louis franchise is a smidge better on the talent level, however how can you bet against San Francisco when they have won 8 straight playoff series from 2010 – 2014.

The Giants have also won 4 of 5 games in this year’s playoff. Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2014 ALCS + NLCS In The MLB

Camden Yards will see home games in the ALCS for the 1st ga

Camden Yards will see home games in the ALCS for the 1st time since the 1997 season.  Buck Showalter has a decisive edge in the managerial department over the Royals skipper Ned Yost.  The O’s are the new owners of home field advantage all the way throughout the postseason now, as the top seed left in the American League.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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The Dog Days Of October

The 4 teams in the League Championship Series were all underdogs in the last round.

When you also factor the Wild Card Games were both won by the Giants and Royals, (both not being the favorite), it marks the 1st 6 rounds of this postseason go to the “Dogs”.

Baltimore defeating the Tigers was probably the least surprising as the other clubs winning against their opponents.  Again via a sweep of the 3 straight Cy Young Winners is impressive though.

The Nationals and Cards losing to the Giants and Cardinals had a lot to do with playoff pedigree with the teams moving on, as they handled the pressure better than the two upstart clubs. Read the rest of this entry

How All Of The Giants Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree

Buster Posey is a two time champion signed a contract extension 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?

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):

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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

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – July 10, 2014

Carlos Avila Gonzalez, San Francisco Chronicle

Carlos Avila Gonzalez, San Francisco Chronicle

The current Giants squad has nothing to prove nor accomplish to ensure an historical legacy. The A’s need to make the World Series NOW.

How we remember our great teams is painted entirely in October.

It is a legacy episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Salvador Perez, Troy Tulowitzki, Max Scherzer Roberto Hernandez, Seth Smith, Kevin Kiermaier, Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi   all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Catch Erin Foley’s podcast Sports Without Balls by subscribing HERE.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 26, 2014

 

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

Tim Lincecum is one of the most loved sports figures in San Francisco history. And the things he is putting on his resume are usually reserved for Hall of Famers. What will Lincecum’s legacy be?

He very well may have a similar legend as another pitcher who is beloved in Southern California.

Those kind of thoughts fill today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Tim Lincecum, David Price, Scooter Gennett, Michael Brantley, Charlie Morton, Hector Noesi, Jose Reyes and Marlon Byrd all owned baseball yesterday all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball.
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How All Of The Texas Rangers Hitters Were Acquired (2014 Roster Tree)

The Rangers had back to back World Series Appearances in 2010 and 2011 - and have 4 straight seasons of collecting 90+ Wins - with 370 victories overall.  2014 has been an injury plagued season, robbing the club perhaps of putting forth a 5th consecutive 90 win campaign.  Despite this, the organization has done spade work to be mentioned as a top franchise over the last 5 years.  This Roster Tree proves a little of this.

The Rangers had back to back World Series Appearances in 2010 and 2011 – and have 4 straight seasons of collecting 90+ Wins – with 370 victories overall. 2014 has been an injury plagued season, robbing the club perhaps of putting forth a 5th consecutive 90 win campaign. Despite this, the organization has done spade work to be mentioned as a top franchise over the last 5 years. This Roster Tree proves a little of this.

How All Of The Rangers Hitters Were Acquired:

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

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The Rangers set up their franchise for years to come in 2007, when they pulled off a trade of ALL – Star Mark Teixeira – to acquire several players in the franchise that they are still seeing solid returns.

My absolute favorite transaction tree is finding out the Michael Choice branch of trades.

It dates back to the team signing Todd Van Poppel as a Free Agent before the 1998 season.

Out of all of the players the team currently has, only Leonys Martin, Mitch Moreland and Rougned Odor and Jurickson Profar are composed of team draft picks – with the latter being hurt right now,

The rest of them were picked up via another route. Read the rest of this entry

San Francisco Giants State Of The Union: 2014 Preview

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Okay so it is an even year, so most fans in the Bay Area can only think of one thing…Another World Series ring right?

Come on, they won in 2010 and 2012, why not 2014?

The win in 2012 was a nice statistical oddity, but when you factor in that the hunger to win a World Series must dissipate a little bit when you have just cashed one in, then maybe another one can be achieved when the next year hits again.

The Giants went 76 – 86 in 2013, this is more of a stretch, for when they completed the 2011 campaign at 86 – 76 following their 1st World Series Title.

There is room for optimism though, from their top 7 hitters in the Batting Order, this team features some of the streakiest guys at the plate in the MLB. Read the rest of this entry

Brian Wilson Re-signs For 2014 With The Dodgers – And Potentially In 2015 Too

Brian Wilson was given a 1 YR/$10 MIL deal with the Dodgers, that also has him having a Player Option for the 2015 year at $9 MIL.  If Wilson has a great year in 2014, it will still benefit the Dodgers, but at the same time it may have been the deciding factor in retaining 'The Beard's' services.   Wilson has a 3.11 ERA in 333.2 IP worth of work in career, with 171 Saves in 196 Chances for an 87.2 % conversion Rate,  Wilson is a 3 Time ALL - Star and 2 time World Series Winner.  His winning pedigree will continue to be cherished in the Dodgers Pitching Relief Core.

Brian Wilson was given a 1 YR/$10 MIL deal with the Dodgers, that also has him having a Player Option for the 2015 year at $9 MIL. If Wilson has a great year in 2014, it will still benefit the Dodgers, but at the same time it may have been the deciding factor in retaining ‘The Beard’s’ services. Wilson has a 3.11 ERA in 333.2 IP worth of work in career, with 171 Saves in 196 Chances for an 87.2 % conversion Rate, Wilson is a 3 Time ALL – Star and 2 time World Series Winner. His winning pedigree will continue to be cherished in the Dodgers Pitching Relief Core.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Brian Wilson is a California guy now through and through and I couldn’t be happier that my favorite player of ALL – Time is still playing his home games as the closest park to my residence in Bakersfield, CA.

The Dodgers and Wilson both agreed on a 1 YR/$10 MIL in 2014 – with a $9 MIL Player Option in 2015 for the man originally from Londonderry, NH.

Wilson will turn 32 before next season, and has successfully returned from 2 Tommy John Surgeries to resume his career.

2013 saw him only give up 1 ER in his 24 Appearances – combining both the regular and post season in 19.2 IP – good for an ERA of 0.47 in that time frame.

Brian Wilson Contract Explained

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Texas GM’ Jon Daniels Needs To Step His Game Up! Rangers State Of The Union Fall 2013

The Rangers have cobbled together 370 wins over the last four years, however they are now 2 years withdrawn from being a solitary strike away from winning the World Series.  They have done a great job assessing their club over the last few campaigns, and with a great winter, the club's competition window should be reset for many years to come.  With Nolan Ryan leaving the franchise, the heat will be on Jon Daniels to administer such a daunting task.  The Rangers have great attendance, so more National TV dollars are also being kicked their way for 2014, it is time to go and lure the top Free Agents in the game of MLB towards The Ballpark in Arlington!

The Rangers have cobbled together 370 wins over the last four years, however they are now 2 years withdrawn from being a solitary strike away from winning the World Series. They have done a great job assessing their club over the last few campaigns, and with a great winter, the club’s competition window should be reset for many years to come. With Nolan Ryan leaving the franchise, the heat will be on Jon Daniels to administer such a daunting task. The Rangers have great attendance, and more National TV dollars are also being kicked their way for 2014, it is time to go and lure the top Free Agents in the game of MLB towards The Ballpark in Arlington!

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter

Jon Daniels is more like the “Lone Ranger” now with the brass over in Arlington being astonishingly diminished by Texas native Nolan Ryan leaving.

He is effectively on the “hot seat” now.

His team is now 2 years removed from back to back World Series Appearances, followed up with an epic collapse down the stretch in 2012, and just falling short of the playoff bar in 2012.

The Rangers actually had a pretty decent season in 2013 at 91 – 72 (losing the play in game to Tampa Bay), when you consider they lost Mike Napoli and Josh Hamilton‘s services – and really only replaced them with “Fat Elvis” AKA Lance Berkman, who like Presley, has eaten themselves out of their careers at times.

Nelson Cruz Highlights Before Suspension 2013

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Brian Wilson Has Earned Himself Some $$$ With His 2013 Showing: And Is The Best Relief Pitcher Left In The Playoffs!

From 2008-2011, Brian Wilson was one of the top closer in the Majors with 163 Saves.  He Saved 48 Games with a 1.81 ERA only 3 years ago in  2010 for the World Champ Giants.  He went through TJ Surgery for a 2nd time in April of 2012 - who will give him a chance in 2014, by signing the pending Free Agent?

From 2008-2011, Brian Wilson was one of the top closers in the Majors with 163 Saves. He Saved 48 Games with a 1.81 ERA only 3 years ago in 2010 for the World Champ Giants. He went through TJ Surgery for a 2nd time in April of 2012.  He has since made an awesome comeback with the Dodgers, only giving up 1 ER in his Dodgers 24 Appearances, including 6 Scoreless frames in the 2013 playoffs.  Who will give him a chance in 2014, by signing the pending Free Agent?  Dodgers fans are hoping he stays.

Hunter Stokes (Featured Baseball Columnist): 

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I am big Brian Wilson fan.  Part of me was devastated when the Giants won the World Series in 2012, because he was not on the team.

I was happy to learn that he bid his time this season, made sure he was fully healed up from his 2nd Tommy John Surgery, and made a triumphant return with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He could have rushed back in the spring, signed with another club, and tried haphazardly to work through his pitching in game action, however the man knows his body tweaks.

Brian Wilson as Captain Highlander on George Lopez Show

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Should Angel Pagan Come Back In 2013?

 

Angel Pagan led the NL in Triples with 15 in 2012 amongst his 61 Extra Base Hits and 95 Runs.  This year he had scored 30 runs in 46 Games played despite a .262/.314/.688 3 Slash.

Angel Pagan led the NL in Triples with 15 in 2012 amongst his 61 Extra Base Hits and 95 Runs. This year he had scored 30 runs in 46 Games played despite a .262/.314/.688 3 Slash.  The team was 25 – 21 with him in the lineup – and now have gone 31 – 51 since.

By Jon Schifferle ( Giants Correspondent – visit his own personal website here.)  

With the Giants so far out of the playoff picture this year, many may ask why Angel Pagan coming back makes sense.  Why risk a guy getting reinjured?  Why not give him more rest to come back 100% next season?

While these are legitimate questions, it only makes sense that Angel Pagan returns this September to play with the Giants.  

Angel Pagan is a long term asset for the Giants.  He is just one year into his four year deal, and will be counted in the next few years to help the team compete for another World Series title.

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A Preview Of The 2014 San Francisco Giants Starting Pitching Staff

 

Matt Cain is struggling this season to say the least. He has games where he can be most dominant pitcher in baseball, then other games where he struggles to make it through five innings. He has a 4.79 ERA in 124 innings pitched while giving up 16 HRs.

Matt Cain is struggling this season to say the least. He has games where he can be most dominant pitcher in baseball, then other games where he struggles to make it through five innings. He has a 4.35 ERA in 153 innings pitched while giving up 19 HRs.  This mediocre season is cause for concern, since he now makes at least $20 MIL per year from 2013 – 2017, with a $7.5 Buyout in 2018, or one more year at $21 MIL.  Perhaps winning 2 of the last 3 World Series, and logging over 600 + IP combined in that time frame is beginning to take its toll.  I would bet on Cain to have a big bounce back campaign in 2014.

Bernie Olshansky (Baseball Writer):

At this point in the season, it is pretty safe to say that the San Francisco Giants will not be playing beyond September.

This year has been a big disappointment for the defending World Champs, collapsing big time before the All Star Break.

Coming into 2013, the Giants had basically the same team that won the 2012 World Series. The performance though, compared to 2012, was night and day.

The biggest difference in the team’s performance from 2012 is undoubtedly the pitching.

Matt Cain was the undisputed ace of the staff in 2012, throwing a perfect game and posting a 2.79 ERA.

Ryan Vogelsong and Madison Bumgarner both had a 3.37 ERA. Even Barry Zito had a tolerable season, going 15-8 with a 4.15 ERA – including a huge unbeaten streak – that carried through the 2013 Post Season..

This year, a 4.15 ERA would be acceptable for any pitcher in the rotation not named Bumgarner. Madison Bumgarner has been the one bright spot for the staff this year, carrying a 2.73 ERA.

Cain has a 4.35, Zito a 5.34, Vogelsong a 6.75 (he spent some time on the DL with a finger injury), and Lincecum a 4.38.

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How All Of The Rockies Pitchers Were Acquired

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Tuesday Aug.13/2013

In one of the better moves done recently by Rockies management, this former Indian was picked up by the team in 2009, for a player that has never made the Major Leagues.  Betancourt has a 0.994 WHIP in his Colorado Career - spanning 244 IP.  Impressive considering some of the Innings lugged are in the thin air of Coors Field

In one of the better moves done recently by Rockies management, this former Indian was picked up by the team in 2009, for a player that has never made the Major Leagues. Betancourt has a 0.994 WHIP and a 2.97 ERA in his Colorado Career – spanning 233.1 IP. Impressive considering some of the Innings lugged are in the thin air of Coors Field.  At age 39 next season, the club has a Team Option for $4.25 MIL.  They should do it.  Their Bullpen has been better than expected.

How All Of The Rockies Pitchers Were Acquired:

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the Colorado Rockies – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching.  It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.

Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.

If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.  Today, we will cover the Pitchers.

Jorge De La Rosa’s Great Start

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Two Giants Who Need A Promotion: Giants Injury Roundup

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 Wednesday, June.12/2013

The Giants currently sit in 3rd place in the NL West - 2 Games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks.  With the amount of extra baseball games they have played the last three years in the Post Season, it would be okay to inject some fresh youth into the lineup.

The Giants currently sit in 3rd place in the NL West – 2 Games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. With the amount of extra baseball games they have played the last three years in the Post Season, it would be okay to inject some fresh youth into the lineup.  Players like Pablo Sandoval, Angel Pagan and Ryan Vogelsong are currently on the Disabled list for awhile.  Santiago Casilla is also on the DL with a cyst on his right knee.

By Jon Schifferle ( Giants Correspondent – visit his own personal website here.)  

Some organizations move prospects very quickly.  They aren’t afraid to push their players, and love to show them a new challenge.  That is definitely not the way the Giants operate.

While I generally agree with this philosophy, I do feel that moving prospects mid season can benefit the organization.  Some players need to be challenged.  

Not only this, but the sooner they are moved up, the sooner they can contribute at the MLB level.  At this point in the season, there are two guys who definitely are showing that they are ready for the next step.  

Right now, there are two players that are definitely showing they have the tools to play at the next level.  

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Giants Farm System Update

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Friday April. 18, 2013

The Augusta Greenjackets are the official low-A team for the San Francisco Giants

The Augusta Greenjackets are the official low-A team for the San Francisco Giants.

By Jon Schifferle ( Giants Correspondent – visit his own personal website here.)  

It seems that we are probably far enough into the season to start looking at the farm system and start making some assumptions about players at their new levels.  While it is definitely too early to make big judgments on players, it is always fun to speculate, isn’t it?  

For this article, I will take a look at players at Low-A Augusta, and will look at the other teams later on.  I won’t go over every single player, or else this series of articles could be 20 pages long.  For now I will just take on top prospects and potential breakout candidates.  Let’s take a look into the Giants Low A team to start:

Joan Gregorio Highlights:

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What Buster Posey’s New Contract Means For The Giants

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Wednesday April.3,  2013

I don't that there is a single Giants fan that didn't want this to happen.  Buster Posey has done about as much as any player could possibly do for a city in his few years with the Giants, and I think we're all glad that he has the opportunity to retire as a career Giant.  While this signing on the surface looks like every other major extension, a player does something better than most and rightfully gets payed handsomely for it, this signing a few interesting implications along with it.

I don’t know that there is a single Giants fan that didn’t want this to happen. Buster Posey has done about as much as any player could possibly do for a city in his few years with the Giants, and I think we’re all glad that he has the opportunity to retire as a career Giant. While this signing on the surface looks like every other major extension, a player does something better than most and rightfully now gets paid handsomely for it.  This signing brings a few interesting implications along with it.

By Jon Schifferle ( Giants Correspondent – visit his own personal website here.) 

 5 Points About Posey’s Contract:

1.The Giants are ready to compete for a long time.

Through the extensions of Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, and Buster Posey, the Giants have shown that they are ready to keep this core, build around it, and compete every year with it.  

When franchises are starting to let their stars go, or even trading away their stars for younger players with little experience but lots of potential, it is generally the first sign of a rebuilding club.

 This is not always true, sometimes the players are forced out, or they have fallen out of favor with the team, and then are traded, but generally it is  the start of a bad pattern that eventually causes the team to end up looking like the Cubs or the Astros.  

The Giants clearly feel that they won’t need to take this path to be competitive in the future, and that they can refuel their farm system without trades or extra draft picks.

Buster Posey Highlights from 2012 – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is advised:

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MLBR ‘Junior Reporter’ Haley Smilow Interviews Cody Ross In Spring Training

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Wednesday Mar.13, 2013

IMG_4630

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner):

Haley Smilow was a busy reporter last year.  So much so, that we couldn’t keep up with her to post them in time.  In her latest interview from last Spring Training last year –  Haley talked to Cody Ross (of the Boston Red Sox then)… about his favorite Ball Parks to play in, who he doesn’t like to face, what he does for pre and post game rituals and what he does on the road. 

Haley pulls no punches in asking the Outfielder about his life in this candid interview.  Amongst other topics discussed were:  What Ross does for charity work, what his favorite animal is…. Also who is the biggest practical joker in the MLB…and much much more..

Cody Ross – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is advised Highlights 2012:

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San Francisco Giants Payroll in 2013: And Contracts Going Forward (Updated Mar.8)

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Friday March 8, 2013

Angel Pagan led the NL in Triples with 15 in 2012 amongst his 61 Extra Base Hits and 95 Runs

Angel Pagan (31) led the NL in Triples with 15 in 2012 amongst his 61 Extra Base Hits and 95 Runs.  Pagan parlayed his great campaign into a 4 Year/$45 MIL Contract.

By Kyle Holland (Giants Correspondent):

Coming off of the 2012 World Series victory, the Giants haven’t really done much this offseason. Either way every team in the league is going to be trying to take them down. When you’re the Champion of all of baseball, what team wouldn’t be gunning for you? Their biggest contest is going to be their rivals in the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team has made more moves since August than you can count. The Giants realize what a great team they have and how little moves they made have shown they are confident in what they can do in 2013.

The possibly most important move they have made is resigning the Second-Half-hero Marco Scutaro. His 3 yr./$20,000,000 deal is a great deal for San Francisco. After what he did the Giants probably would have considered paying more for Scutaro. You just can’t match .500 AVG in the NLCS. This man was the definition of clutch for the club. Other very important deals include Hunter Pence, Angel Pagan, and Jeremy Affeldt. Pence, who was acquired at the Trade Deadline from the Phillies, was a huge reason the Giants even made it past the NLDS. His inspirational speeches got the entire squad ready before every game. Him resigning for a 1 YR./$13,800,000 deal was huge for him and the Giants. The team gets to utilize his skills for another year – while he gets to prove he’s worth more come next winter.

San Francisco Giants: 2012 World Series Highlights. Mature lyrics- parental guidance is advised:

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Raising Cain: The New Ace Of The San Francisco Giants

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Wednesday February 20, 2013

Matt Cain has been living in the shaddow of Tim Lincecum ever since the 2008 season. After Cain's brilliant 2012 campaign and Lincecum's worst season to date, he has proven himself as the ace of the Giants' pitching rotation.

Matt Cain had been living in the shadow of Tim Lincecum ever since the 2008 season. After Cain’s brilliant 2012 campaign – coinciding with Lincecum’s worst year to date, he has proven himself as the new ace of the Giants’ pitching rotation.  He is 55-35 (.611) over the last 4 seasons -with an ERA under 3.

By Kyle Holland (MLB Reports Writer):

On Saturday, February 16, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced, to no one’s surprise at all, that Clayton Kershaw would be the Opening Day starter for the third straight year. You didn’t have to be a baseball expert to see that one coming. What may have possibly come as a surprise to some is who his opponent will be on April 1 at Dodger Stadium.

Bruce Bochy announced Monday, February 18 that Matt Cain will be making his first career Opening Day start. For the last 4 years Tim Lincecum took the hill on Opening Day. The 2 years before that was Barry Zito and the 2 before him? Jason Schmidt. That brings us all the way back to when Matt Cain first suited up in 2005. Matt Cain has had a brilliant career since debuting in 2005 with the Giants. Throughout these fantastic years though, Matt Cain has been unable to call himself the ace of the Giants staff.

Matt Cain Perfect Game All 27 Outs:

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San Francisco Giants Payroll in 2013: And Contracts Going Forward

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Friday February 8, 2013

Without Marco Scutaro during the second half of the 2012 season who knows if the Giants would've gone nearly as far as they did. He hit a very impressive .362 since joining the Giants in July. He hit a new NLCS record .500 during the 2012 NLCS. Resigning him was definitely a priority for the Giants so signing him through 2015 on a 3 yr./$20,000,000 was huge for both sides of the deal.

Without Marco Scutaro during the second half of the 2012 season – who knows if the Giants would’ve gone nearly as far as they did. He hit a very impressive .362 after joining the Giants in July. He hit a new NLCS record .500 versus the Cards last year. Resigning him was definitely a priority for the Giants so signing him through 2015 on a 3 YR/$20,000,000 was huge for both sides of the deal.

By Kyle Holland (Giants Correspondent):

Coming off of the 2012 World Series victory, the Giants haven’t really done much this offseason. Either way every team in the league is going to be trying to take them down. When you’re the Champion of all of baseball, what team wouldn’t be gunning for you? Their biggest contest is going to be their rivals in the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team has made more moves since August than you can count. The Giants realize what a great team they have and how little moves they made have shown they are confident in what they can do in 2013.

The possibly most important move they have made is resigning the Second-Half-hero Marco Scutaro. His 3 yr./$20,000,000 deal is a great deal for San Francisco. After what he did the Giants probably would have considered paying more for Scutaro. You just can’t match .500 AVG in the NLCS. This man was the definition of clutch for the club. Other very important deals include Hunter Pence, Angel Pagan, and Jeremy Affeldt. Pence, who was acquired at the Trade Deadline from the Phillies, was a huge reason the Giants even made it past the NLDS. His inspirational speeches got the entire squad ready before every game. Him resigning for a 1 YR./$13,800,000 deal was huge for him and the Giants. The team gets to utilize his skills for another year – while he gets to prove he’s worth more come next winter.

San Francisco Giants: 2012 World Series Highlights. Mature lyrics- parental guidance is advised:

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Brian Wilson’s Legacy In San Francisco

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Friday January 25, 2013

Brian Wilson suffered a season ending injury in April of 2012. He could only scrape together 1 save in 2 opportunities. The Giants wound up winning the World Series even without their star closer.

Brian Wilson suffered a season ending injury in April of 2012. He could only scrape together 1 save in 2 opportunities. The Giants wound up winning the World Series even without their star closer.

Kyle Holland (MLB Reports intern):

Brian Wilson has been a member of the San Francisco Giants since the summer of 2006. He started off as a reliever, beardless might I add, and gradually made his way up to the closer he is today. Back then he wasn’t the big name player that he is now. Back when they still had the likes of Barry Bonds on the team. Only recently has he made his way to one of the best closers in the league, and one of the craziest.

2010 is when he really made his way onto the scene. Sure, he was an All-Star in 2008 but quite frankly; the Giants weren’t nearly good enough for him to be noticed. San Francisco finished fourth in the NL West with a 72-90 record, a little surprising considering Tim Lincecum won the Cy Young Award. Out of those 72 wins, Wilson saved 41 and got the win in 3 of them.

Best Brian Wilson Interview Of ALL-Time:

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The Texas Rangers Payroll In 2013 And Contracts Going Forward

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Saturday, January.19th,  2013

Texas has doubled their total team payroll since the new ownership group took over.  As good as they are doing right now for Payroll - the Angels still have them beat by 35-40 Million Dollars

Texas has doubled their total team payroll since the new ownership group took over. As good as they are doing right now for Payroll – the Angels still have them beat by 35-40 Million Dollars.

By Nicholas Rossoletti (MLB Reports Trade Correspondent):

It is easy to equate a big market team’s success with merely a willingness to overspend on free agents and use their superior earning power to dominate the sport. While the Rangers certainly are not afraid of spending all that money that playing the Dallas/Fort Worth area provides, it would be inaccurate to equate the team’s recent string of success with only their ability to outspend a fair portion of their competitors. As we enter the 2013 season, the Rangers have built a very strong base – while managing to not tie themselves to any back-breaking, future altering contracts. That is a testament to the organization’s belief in its system – and its refusal to spend on player just because they are able to. With that being said, let’s take a look at the Rangers 2013 payroll as of now and see where Texas will be spending its money next season.

Rangers 2011 ALCS Clincher:

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The 2013 Texas Rangers Roster: State of The Union

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Monday January 14th, 2013

The Rangers had back to back World Series Appearances in 2010 and 2011 - does this club have another run in them without Josh Hamilton?

The Rangers had back to back World Series Appearances in 2010 and 2011 – does this club have another run in them without Josh Hamilton and Michael Young?  They regressed in the 2012 Season – losing a 13 Game Division Lead in the AL West before barely capturing a Wild Card Spot.  They eventually lost the Play In Wild Card-Game to the Baltimore Orioles.

By Brooke Robinson (Rangers Correspondent): 

Looking back on the end of the 2012 season, and how the AL West lead was given up in a matter of days to Oakland, it’s clear the Texas front office wanted change in the clubhouse for 2013. It seems as though GM Jon Daniels’ motto for the offseason is “out with the old, in with the new….er”. Daniels is eager to bring a World Series victory to Arlington and has pieced together a team of new players with old postseason successes. There is also a chance that the Rangers will also bring up some of their promising prospects that they protected throughout the offseason trade frenzy. This makes for some very interesting lineup possibilities for the upcoming season, especially with the major roles needing to be filled by former Ranger departures such as 1B/C Mike Napoli, U Michael Young, OF Josh Hamilton, and P Ryan Dempster.

Ian Kinsler Highlights for 2012:

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