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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 17th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo: Ross D. Franklin - AP

Photo: Ross D. Franklin – AP

Jonathan Lucroy had the final word in the beanball war in Arizona. He followed a hit by pitch with his second homer of the game, a grand slam, that gave him 5 RBI and put the Brewers up for good in their 7-5 embarrassment of the Diamondbacks.

Mike Trout got three extra base hits, including a pair of homers, drove in 4 runs and sparked the Angels 9-3 victory in Cleveland.

Matt Shoemaker pitched 8 strong innings, letting up 2 runs and struck out 10 Indians, earning the 9-3 decision for the Angels.

Michael Wacha pitched 6 innings, striking out 7, giving up just 5 hits and 1 run on a solo homer. He and the Cardinals beat the Mets, 5-2.

They owned baseball on June 17, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 16th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo: Todd Kirkland - AP

Photo: Todd Kirkland – AP

Cole Hamels pitched 7 shutout innings, giving up just 5 hits and 2 walks. The bullpen blew his lead but the Phillies wound up topping the Braves in 13 innings, 6-1.

Dee Gordon sparked the Dodgers offense by getting on base 5 times, including a triple, and scored twice in the 6-1 win against Colorado.

Rubby De La Rosa pitched 7 innings of 1 hit shutout ball, striking out 3 Twins batters and earned the tight 1-0 victory in Boston.

Donnie Murphy slammed a pair of homers, driving in 3 runs, in the 14-8 slugfest won by the Rangers in Oakland.

They owned baseball on June 16, 2014.

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How All Of The Blue Jays Hitters Were Acquired (2014 Roster Tree)

toronto-blue-jays-logo-300x300

How All Of The Blue Jays Hitters Were Acquired:

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

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For those that have never seen one of our Roster Trees, we go over how all of the players were acquired.

It works like 6 degrees of separation. By searching back to the origin of all the way back until a player is signed, drafted or purchased.

It totally gives you an idea on how the franchise has fared.

Toronto absolutely stole Jose Bautista from Pittsburgh, and then saw Edwin Encarnacion selected off of waivers by the A’s, only to see him return as a Free Agent 6 weeks later.

The Blue Jays have seen EE bash out several seasons worth of awesome since then.

You can track back some of the player to as far as Orlando Hudson and Roy Halladay. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.15) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

ASON O. WATSON/GETTY IMAGES

ASON O. WATSON/GETTY IMAGES

Derek Norris crushed a 3 run homer in the first inning and finished the game going 3-5 as the A’s pounded the Yankees, 10-5.

Troy Tulowitzki got on base 4 times, homered and drove in 2, helping the Rockies come from behind and stun the Giants 8-7.

Hisashi Iwakuma threw 8 strong innings, letting up only 6 hits, 1 run and walking no Rangers, earning the 5-1 victory for the Mariners.

Travis Wood held the Phillies hitless into the 6th inning and finished with 8 innings of 3 hit shutout ball for the Cubs 3-0 win.

They owned baseball on June 15, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.14) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Nam Y. Huh/ Associated Press

Nam Y. Huh/ Associated Press

Danny Duffy pitched 7 innings of 5 hit shutout ball, getting the decision as Kansas City thrashed the White Sox, 9-1.

Eugenio Suarez missed the cycle by a single, got on base 4 times and led the Tigers to a wild 12-9 victory against the Twins.

Jesse Hahn pitched 6 innings of 1 hit, shutout ball for the Padres, beating the Mets, 5-0.

Andrew McCutchen got on base 3 times, including a homer, and drove in 3, helping the Pirates hold on to an 8-6 win in Miami.

They owned baseball on June 14, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.13) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

J. Pat Carter

J. Pat Carter

Gregory Polanco capped off a 5 hit, 3 run scored game with a 2 run, go ahead 13th inning homer that gave the Pirates a wild 8-6 victory in Miami.

Lance Lynn was perfect into the 6th inning and finished with 8 innings of 2 hit shutout ball, walking nobody and striking out 8 Nationals as St. Louis hung on, 1-0.

Ben Zobrist singled, doubled and tripled, driving in a pair and scoring one, helping Tampa Bay to a much needed 6-1 win over Houston.

David Phelps pitched shutout ball into the 7th inning, finishing with 6 2/3, no runs, 2 hits and kept the A’s from rallying and earning the 7-0 decision for the Yankees.

They owned baseball on June 13, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.12) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

TED S. WARREN/AP

TED S. WARREN/AP

Derek Jeter got on base 4 times, scored a pair and drove in a pair as the Yankees topped Seattle, 6-3.

Max Scherzer threw a complete game 3 hit shutout, striking out 8 White Sox and earning the 4-0 win for Detroit.

John Mayberry Jr hit a pair of doubles and broke the game open with a 3 run homer in the 7th inning, contributing to the Phillies 7-3 victory against the Padres.

Jhoulys Chacin threw 7 innings of 2 hit shutout ball in Coors Field, getting the decision as the Rockies thrashed the Braves 10-3.

They owned baseball on June 12, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.11) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Jim Cowsert, USA TODAY Sports

Jim Cowsert, USA TODAY Sports

Yu Darvish tossed a complete game, 6 hit shutout, striking out 10 Marlins and getting the 6-0 victory.

Jose Abreu got on base 4 times and launched a homer, helping the White Sox beat the Tigers in an AL Central showdown, 8-2

Cole Hamels threw 8 dominating shutout innings. He let up just 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 11 Padres. He did not get the decision but the Phillies won, 3-0.

Andrew McCutchen reached base 4 times, including a homer, a double and he stole a base for good measure, leading the Pirates to a 4-2 win over the Cubs,

They owned baseball on June 11, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.10) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Anthony Rizzo went 3-4 with a homer and a pair of doubles, driving in 3 and scoring 3 as the Cubs took the game 7-3 in Pittsburgh.

Collin Cowgill went 3-6 including a 2 out, 2 strike walk off homer in the bottom of the 14th inning that gave the Angels a 2-1 triumph over the A’s.

A. J. Burnett went 7 1/3 innings letting up just 3 hits and 2 runs, earning the Phillies 5-2 victory over San Diego.

Brandon Workman retired the first 13 batters he faced and took a no hitter into the 6th. He finished with 6 2/3 innings of 1 hit shutout ball, winning the 1-0 game for the Red Sox in Baltimore.

They owned baseball on June 10, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.09) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

LM Otero/AP

LM Otero/AP

Lonnie Chisenhall had a historic night at the plate. He went 5-5, missing the cycle by a triple, clubbing three homers and driving in 9 runs in the Indians’ 17-7 thrashing of Texas.

Scott Van Slyke got on base 5 times, homered twice and drove in 4 while scoring 3, helping the Dodgers top Cincinnati 6-2.

Bud Norris threw 8 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits, earning the 4-0 Baltimore victory over Boston.

Charlie Morton went 7 innings, letting just one Cub run and walked none leading the Pirates to a 6-2 win.

They owned baseball on June 09, 2014.

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30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 11 MLB 2014

battle of the bay

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Well, another few weeks have gone by, and there has been some separation from all the Divisions and the 2nd place squads, except for the NL East dogfight right now between the Nats and Braves.

9 teams are within the top 2 Wild Card Slots in the AL, with the Angels and Mariners holding onto the 1st and 2nd spots respectively.

Preseason NL favorites Los Angeles joins the reigning NL champs ‘The Cards’ at 0.5 Games behind the playoff bar – constituting either Atlanta or Washington (presently in a dead heat) – and the upstart Marlins. 

The Reds, Rockies and Pirates are within striking distance as well, but look for the Dodgers and Cardinals to take off from here, leaving the current Division leaders and those 2 as the 5 playoff teams.

Arizona and Houston have at least jumped into the conversation with recent good stretches of play, after brutal starts.

*** Denotes Division Leaders

Records are before play Monday June 9, 2014

RK Team  Current Rec  Last Wk Rnk  ()  –  Last 13 Days Rec

***1. SF 42 – 21: (1) 9 – 3:  Must be an even year in the teens of this century.  The offense has a different hero everyday.

Playing .667 ball this late into the year bodes well.  9.5 Games ahead of next club in your Division also will land you as slot #1.

***2. OAK 39 – 24: (2) 8 – 4: Brandon Moss and Josh Donaldson both towers of strength and Sean Doolittle is the best Closer no one has heard about 40+SO/1 BB rate is sick.

Billy Beane continues to find gems like Drew Pomeranz, Jesse Chavez – and Kyle Blanks has fitted in well.

The team could still trade for a 2B that can hit, or bring up Billy Burns, flip Jed Lowrie over to 2B.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.08) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Zimmermann pitched perfect ball into the 6th and finished with a 2 hit 6-0 shutout of the Padres that put the Nationals into a first place tie.

Felix Hernandez threw 7 dominating shutout innings, letting up just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 15 Rays, a career high. He did not get the decision but helped set up Seattle’s 5-0 victory.

Paul Goldschmidt got on base 3 times, stole a base and crushed a towering 2 run homer to centerfield, helping the Diamondbacks come from behind against Atlanta, 6-5.

Brock Holt got 4 hits including a triple and a single that started the 9th inning comeback rally as the Red Sox stunned the Tigers, 5-3.

They owned baseball on June 08, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.07) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn

Shelby Miller pitched a complete game 3 hit shutout, earning the 5-0 St. Louis win in Toronto,

Kyle Gibson threw 7 shutout innings, letting up just 3 hits, as the Twins blanked the Astros, 8-0.

Hunter Pence got on base 4 times, tied the game with a 9th inning double and scored the walk off run for the Giants wild 5-4 victory against the Mets.

Salvador Perez went 3-4, missing the cycle by a triple and driving in 3 key runs for the Royals as they topped the Yankees, 8-4.

They owned baseball on June 07, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.06) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Justin Edmonds / Getty Images

Justin Edmonds / Getty Images

Dee Gordon got on base 4 times with a pair of triples, a stolen base, two runs scored and three runs batted in, leading the Dodgers to a much needed 7-2 win in Colorado.

Torii Hunter went 3-4 with a homer and a pair of runs scored, stopping Detroit’s slide as they beat Boston 6-2.

Tanner Roark threw 8 innings of 3 hit, no walk shutout ball, striking out 11 Padres. The Nationals inched closer to first place with the 6-0 victory.

Dallas Keuchel tossed 6 innings of shutout ball in Minnesota. The bullpen nearly blew it but he got the decision for the Astros, 5-4.

They owned baseball on June 06, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.05) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Al Behrman, Associated Press

Al Behrman, Associated Press

Madison Bumgarner pitched 8 innings of 3 hit ball, letting up a single run and walking no Reds batters. He earned his 8th victory for the Giants, 6-1.

Masahiro Tanaka cooled the hot Oakland bats with 6 innings of solid pitching, letting up a single run, as the Yankees held on to win, 2-1.

Casey McGehee went 4-5, including a double, and scored 4 runs helping the Marlins tie for first place while topping the Rays, 11-6.

Dexter Fowler got on base 4 times, scoring a pair and driving in a run, helping the Astros take a 8-5 game against the Angels.

They owned baseball on June 05, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.04) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Photo: JACK DEMPSEY, AP

Photo: JACK DEMPSEY, AP

Miguel Montero went 3-4, drove in 6 and helped the Diamondbacks score 11 unanswered runs in the final 2 innings in a wild 16-8 victory in Colorado.

Adam Wainwright threw a shutout into the 9th inning. The bullpen would lose the lead for him but his 8 plus innings of 4 hit, 2 walk 8 strikeout ball set up the extra inning 5-2 win for the Cardinals in Kansas City,

Asdrubal Cabrera got on base 3 times including a bottom of the 12th walk off 3 run homer that sunk Boston and continued Cleveland’s winning streak, 7-4.

Hisashi Iwakuma  threw 7 shutout innings, walking no Atlanta batters and helped the Mariners continue their hot streak, 2-0.

They owned baseball on June 04, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.03) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Henderson Alvarez pitching a complete game shutout where he walked no batters and threw only 88 pitches. The Marlins beat the Rays by the slimmest of margins, 1-0.

Drew Hutchison engaged in one of the best pitchers duels of the year. He threw 7 shutout innings against the mighty Tigers. He didn’t get the decision but he helped the Blue Jays win, 5-3.

Brandon Moss homered twice including a tie breaking shot in the 10th innings, leading the A’s to a 5-2 victory in the Bronx.

Chris Owings missed the cycle by a single, driving in a pair as the Diamondbacks topped the Rockies, 4-2.

They owned baseball on June 03, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.02) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

USATSI

USATSI

Kyle Seager missed the cycle by a single. He doubled, tripled twice and launched a back breaking homer as the Mariners blew out the Yankees, 10-2.

Justin Masterson dominated his former team, throwing 7 innings of 3 hit shutout ball, striking out 10 and ending the Red Sox winning streak with a 3-2 win in Cleveland.

Jordy Mercer got on base 5 times, including a homer, drove in a pair and scored 4 times in the Pirates 10-3 romp in San Diego.

Clayton Kershaw threw 8 strong innings, striking out 9 and walking none, allowing the Dodgers to come from behind and beat the White Sox, 5-2.

They owned baseball on June 02, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.01) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

ED S. WARREN/AP

ED S. WARREN/AP

In a day full of remarkable pitching performances, Roenis Elias stood out with a masterful 3 hit shutout of the mighty Detroit Tigers. The Mariners won 4-0.

Brock Holt got on base 5 times with 4 doubles and a stolen base helping the Red Sox sweep the Rays with a 4-0 win and extend their winning streak to 7 games.

Kyle Lohse threw a complete game 3 hit shutout against the Cubs, 9-0, and padded the Brewers divisional lead.

Andrew McCutchen homered, smacked a pair of doubles and made a sliding catch, starring in the nationally broadcast 5-3 Pirates victory in Los Angeles.

They owned baseball on June 01, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.31) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Ben Margot, Associated Press

Ben Margot, Associated Press

Yoenis Cespedes was a single shy of the cycle. He hit a go ahead triple in the 7th, blasted a game busting 3 run homer in the 8th and threw out a pair of runners at the plate, doing it all in the A’s 11-3 thumping of the Angels.

Hanley Ramirez went 4-5 with a pair of homers, 5 RBI and 4 runs scored, helping the Dodgers blow out Pittsburgh 12-2.

Masahiro Tanaka did not let up an earned run over 8 innings, giving up just 4 hits and struck out 9 Twins, picking up his 8th win for the Yankees, 3-1.

Johnny Cueto threw shutout ball into the 8th inning. He finished with 7 1/3 innings with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk leading the Reds to a 5-0 win in Arizona.

They owned baseball on May.31, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.30) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images

Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images

Madison Bumgarner threw 7 three hit shutout innings, striking out 10 while only walking 1 Cardinal batter, leading the Giants to a 9-4 win.

Devin Mesoraco hit a second inning grand slam and later added a solo shot, providing most of the spark for Cincinnati’s 6-4 victory in Arizona.

Corey Kluber pitched into the 8th inning, finishing with 5 hits over 7 1/3, striking out 12 and walking 1 as the Indians topped Colorado, 5-2.

Josh Donaldson had another amazing day at the plate. He got on four times, including a pair of homers and 4 RBI as Oakland topped the Angels, 9-4

They owned baseball on May.30, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.29) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Collmenter faced the minimum 27 batters in his brilliant 3 hit no walk complete game shutout against the Reds, earning the 4-0 win in Arizona.

Michael Morse homered and drove in the go ahead runs with an 8th inning double as the Giants came from behind to beat the Cardinals, 6-5.

Brad Peacock threw 6 solid innings, striking out 8, walking no Orioles and allowing just one run. He did not get the win but he kept Houston in the game long enough to top Baltimore 3-1 and extend their winning streak to 6 games.

Erick Aybar went 3-5 with a homer, a stolen base and 3 RBI, leading the Angels to a 7-5 win in Seattle.

They owned baseball on May.29, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.28) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Ted S. Warren - AP

Ted S. Warren – AP

Felix Hernandez came within an out of a complete game, finishing with 8 2/3 innings of 4 hit, 1 walk and 9 strikeout ball. He got the 3-1 win for the Mariners over the Angels.

Josh Donaldson made his second hit of the game count. He clocked a 3 run, bottom of the 9th, come from behind walk off homer that stunned the Tigers and made the A’s 3-1 winners.

Bartolo Colon pitched shutout ball into the 8th inning. He threw 7 1/3 innings, striking out 9 and walking just one Pirate, earning the 5-0 victory for the Mets.

Paul Goldschmidt missed the cycle by a triple, driving in 3 and scoring 2, leading the Diamondbacks in a 12-6 bombing of the Padres.

They owned baseball on May.28, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.27) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Lance Lynn threw a complete game 5 hit shutout, dominating the Yankees 6-0 in St. Louis.

Andre Ethier homered and hit a three run triple, leading the Dodgers past the Reds 6-3.

Collin McHugh won a tense pitchers duel by throwing 7 scoreless innings, striking out 9 Royals and walking none as the Astros won 3-0.

Adam Lind kept the torrid bats alive for Toronto, going 3-5 with a homer and 2 RBI in the 9-6 slugfest against Tampa.

They owned baseball on May.27, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

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The Toronto Blue Jays State Of The Union: 2014 Preview

The SkyDome was opened in May of 1989.  For the championship ERA, the club drew 4 Million fans each per year.  In recent years, it was tough for the club to draw 2 Million fans.  In 2013, with the promise of a new club mantra, based on Free Agent signings, the team held the best year to year attendance boost in 2013.  I doubt they will be able to do this again in 2014.

The SkyDome was opened in May of 1989. For the championship ERA, the club drew 4 Million fans each per year. In recent years, it was tough for the club to draw 2 Million fans. In 2013, with the promise of a new club mantra, based on Free Agent signings, the team held the best year to year attendance boost in 2013.  If the Jays can’t spring out of the gate fast in 2014, I think the Walkup single game tickets will be tremendously affected negatively.  Toronto has not made the playoffs since winning back to back World Series in 1992 and 1993, and only them and Kansas City hold that dubious honor since the Player Strike/Lockout ensuing seasons of 1994 – 1995.

By ‘Baseball Writer’ Steve Cheeseman 

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The Toronto Blue Jays have been a franchise in question for over 20 years.  This floundering franchise has gone through 11 manager changes since winning the World Series in 1993 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. 

2 of those managers in Cito Gaston and John Gibbons have been hired twice! The 2013 season was supposed to be the year the Jays went all the way. 

GM Alex Anthopolous numerous moves acquiring major pieces to what was supposed to be a contending team.

R.A. Dickey, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Emilio Bonifacio, Maicer Izturis, Mark Buehrle, and Melky Cabrera.  Despite these additions via trade or signing….same story, different season! Read the rest of this entry

30 MLB Team Power Rankings MAR 2014

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Okay, not much has changed in the last month.

They are about 20 unsigned Free Agents left in the open market pool, Baltimore inked Nelson Cruz and Ubaldo Jimenez – and Chris Capuano is with the Red Sox, Paul Maholm replaces him LA for the 2014 campaign.

Of note of the things I am watching in Spring Training.  The Dodger Blue is also experiencing many injuries – and Yasiel Puig showed up to camp overweight.

LA is talking about not sending Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke to Australia in a few weeks.

I can understand with the RHP because he was yanked after four pitches last week, but withholding your star ace from the season opener, and possibly the North America starter the following week. Read the rest of this entry

The Top Remaining Free Agents Left In The MLB 2014 Season + The Rest

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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With the latest signings (by Baltimore) of Nelson Cruz and Ubaldo Jimenez, there is now just 3 Free Agents who come with the price tag of your 1st RD pick (or 1st available pick if you have been busy already this winter).

SS Stephen Drew is still on the open market despite several rumors about the Big Apple,  DH/1B Kendrys Morales is on the board, with teams dwindling in interest, and SP Ervin Santana rounds out the list.

Agents of these gentlemen are now threatening to hold out their players until after the MLB Amateur Draft (when the Draft Pick is no longer forfeited), in order to turn the leverage back to their guys.

I am not sure that is such a great idea, particularly in the cases of the hitters, who are not likely to warrant more than 3 year deals apiece. Read the rest of this entry

The O’s Add Nelson Cruz + The AL Beast Just Got Stronger!

Nelson Cruz is 34 - and has a long history of injuries -  and now of PED use.In the last 5 years, he has only played over 128 games for the season once.  Now he was on pace to top that in 2013 - before his PED suspension from the Biogenesis Scandal.  Will he go to Seattle, another AL team, or is the NL going to be his final destination for next campaign.  I thoroughly believe he should just be a permanent DH.

Nelson Cruz is 34 – and has a long history of injuries – and now of PED use. In the last 5 years, he has only played over 128 games for the season once. Now he was on pace to top that in 2013 – before his PED suspension from the Biogenesis Scandal.  I thoroughly believe he should just be a permanent DH.  He will likely be used in that role with the O’s.  With a full season of AB, this slugger should probably hit between .260 – .270, with 25 – 30 HRs and range from 80 – 90 RBI.  To sign this guy to a 1 Year Deal – worth $8 MIL, when he was already given the Qualifying Offer by Texas is a fantastic acquisition for the Orioles.  It also comes in the same week they picked up Ubaldo Jimenez and Korean chucker Suk-Min Yoon.  Baltimore just entered back into the Division race!

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Dan Duquette has announced his presence with authority this week.

From Suk-min Yoon (3 YRs/$5.6 MIL), Ubaldo Jimenez (4 YRs/$48 MIL), to then flat out rob Nelson Cruz for a 1 YR/$8 MIL deal, the GM has served notice that the franchise is here to compete.

Frankly, this was a long time coming.  The team has now thrust its name into the conversation with the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees.

On the clock is the Toronto Blue Jays!! Read the rest of this entry

Toronto Blue Jays Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward

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.

The Blue Jays were the odds on favorite to win the World Series in 2013 among oddsmakers. After a failure of a season, the gambling websites  are still placing way too much faith in the team. To have them listed as tied with the Rays for the 12th best odd (+1800) to win the World Series is a stretch.  This team has committed $129 MIL already for 2014 payroll, and have not much room to gamble any more cash on the Roster.  This is incredible considering the bargain the team has with Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista being just paid $23 MIL between the two of them.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): & Jeff Kleiner (Org. Depth Chart Expert)

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It was a 2013 season that saw the team have the biggest spike in attendance in the majors, but it also came at a hefty price in total team salary.

For as much as the team forked out in payroll, they must not have been able to recoup all of their money.

Their payroll places them right in the middle of AL East pack.  The Yankees are right near the Luxury Tax Threshold right now of $189 MIL at $182 MIL – and the Boston Red Sox are hovering at around $160 MIL.

The Orioles will be near the $100 MIL range, and the Rays figure to be in the low $70 MIL area. Read the rest of this entry

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.

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):

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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)

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