Blog Archives
Arizona Diamondbacks 2014 Payroll + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Diamondbacks brass hit a proverbial HR, when they extended Paul Goldschmidt to a 5 YRs/$32 MIL deal prior to the 2013 campaign.
The Then 25 Year Old finished runner up to the NL MVP Voting, and likely would have won it based on his .302/.401/.551 year with an NL leading 36 HRs, 125 RBI, (he also led in Slugging, OPS and Scored 103 Runs.)
Having a franchise player for the next 4 years at such a feasible rate in terms of payroll enables them to do so many things with their salary structure.
The club added Bronson Arroyo (2 YRs, min $23.5 MIL – or 3 YRs/$30 MIL), were able to deal for Mark Trumbo (who entered 1st Year of Arbitration at $4.8 MIL in 2014) and recently signed Reliever Oliver Perez to a modest 2 YRs/$4.25 MIL deal. Read the rest of this entry
Orioles Finally Make A Free Agent Splash To Salvage Winter
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports O’s Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Orioles Sign Ubaldo Jimenez
The Orioles could not catch a break this off-season, as they lost out on free agents that they coveted as well as missing out on closer Grant Balfour , after he failed the team’s physical.
Bronson Arroyo balked at even going for a physical seeing what happened to the Aussie – opting to sign with the D-Backs even though the money was similar, rather than have his worth devalued by flunking the doctor’s visit from the O’s.
Tyler Colvin also fell victim to Baltimore’s stringent doctors, while Grady Sizemore didn’t have a chance to pass a physical with the club either despite Orioles interest.
Orioles fans all over wondered what the team’s intentions were, as many felt the team could be a serious contender with the core they have in place, but some moves needed to be made to bolster the roster.
On Monday night, the Orioles finally made a big splash in free agency that everyone anxiously awaited. The team announced they agreed to a four-year, $48 MM deal with pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez.
This is a huge move for the Orioles as an organization, as it now shows their fan base that they are willing to spend big money on key free agents.
The O’s have been linked to many of the big name free agents throughout the offseason, only to come up short when it came to signing them.
The Cincinnati Reds Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Reds have all shown up for Spring Training, and the team seems to be in jovial spirits for the most part – except for Brandon Phillips attitude towards the media.
Maybe Follow @datdudebp is upset about the recent news of the Homer Bailey 6 YRs/$105 MIL extension. Perhaps it grates him that Joey Votto starts his 10 YRs/$225 MIL deal in 2014.
Phillips is in the 3rd year of his 6 YRs/$72 MIL contract, he will make $48 MIL between 2014 – 2017, before he hits Free Agency in 2018.
The deal goes $11 MIL, $12 MIL, $13 MIL and $14 MIL for the next four campaigns. Read the rest of this entry
The Rest Of The Best Free Agents Are Now Up For Auction: Some Deals Already Done

Grant Balfour has recently 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 lost credibility around the league for this bow out maneuver. Now Balfour will look to administer some payback to the O’s 19 times a year for the 2014 and 2015 campaings. The Aussie just signed a 2 Year Deal – to return to the Rays for $12 MIL.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It was a tough time being an MLB fan the last 3 or 4 weeks – waiting for the Masahiro Tanaka deal to get done.
As of today, we are about 18 days away from Pitchers and Catchers to report.
With the logjam now being freed up with the Japanese superstar being inked to a deal with New York, a bevy of transactions have already occurred.
Grant Balfour is all set to sign a 2 YR deal worth $12 MIL, and will be ready to stick it to the Baltimore Orioles 19 times a year for the next 2 campaigns. Read the rest of this entry
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
The Braves Will Be Paying The B.J. Upton Deal For Years – Not Just Money Either!

The Brothers Upton both were acquired last year’s offseason by the Atlanta Braves. This was a risk for the organization, and while Justin played extremely well in condensed pockets, B.J. Upton is quickly establishing himself as one of the worst contracts ever signed in Major League Baseball history, a .184/.268/.557 – with 9 HRs and 26 RBI is simply abysmal. The Braves brass should have sent him to the Winter Leagues, to correct his problems. The younger brother is still on the hook for 4 more years – and $60 MIL. Not only is the franchise jaded towards signing another Free Agent this winter to a similar deal, they have lost their 2 longest tenured players in Brian McCann and Tim Hudson.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It is a not a shock the Braves are shying away from the Free Agency thus far in the winter. After all, the franchise spent the most they ever had for B.J. Upton last offseason, only to have been served a train wreck in 2013.
Honestly, besides the 1st month, and a torrid stretch in August, Justin Upton wasn’t far off the power production of his older brother in the other 4 months of play.
If it weren’t for the Chris Johnson add in that deal (Braves savior), plus his subsequent Batting Average race for the NL lead, this would be an even graver subject.
The last line was not an indictment on the Braves and D’Backs trade, rather just that Johnson helped make up for the lack of production from B.J. Upton.
We all know overall Justin Upton made the same numbers as were likely projected. That trade is yet to be determined, but adding Johnson was a nice little move.
B.J. Upton – rare good game in 2013
The Washington Nationals State Of The Union Part 1: Fall 2013 Through Spring 2014

The Nationals failed to meet expectations as the Preseason favorites to lock down the World Series in 2013. Heck, they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Whether it was injury, or complacency, the talent of this team didn’t maximize their potential this year. However, the club did go 24 – 12 in their last 36 Games Played, and made a late charge at the 2nd Wild Card Spot in the Nationals League. Most of the nucleus is coming back for the 2014 year. Here are some priorities for the winter.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
1. Find a Manager
There are moves that can be made without a new manager in place, but this is the most important thing the Nationals have to do this off-season. Not having the leader of the team will make all the other moves more difficult.
Players want to know who they are playing for and the manager is going to have a lot of input into what free agents the Nationals go after for the bench and bullpen, which happen to be their two biggest needs personnel-wise.
It is also important to get the new manager in place early so that he has an entire off-season to communicate with the players already in the majors and to familiarize himself with the system and the minor leaguers that could help during the season.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Jordan Zimmermann Interview
Cincinnati Reds Payroll in 2013 And Contracts Going Forward
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsMonday, July.29, 2013

Joey Votto is having another good season for the Reds and he will be force in their lineup for years to come. The power numbers for him are down from years past with him only hitting 16 HRs and having 47 RBIs. However the opposition still has to respect his bat and if a pitcher makes a mistake expect him to hit the ball a long way. He has a .317/.429/.931 triple-slash in 388 at-bats this season with 20 Doubles. He is 7th in the NL with 195 Total Bases, and is also 8th with a WAR of 4.7. Votto is 1st in Times On Base in the NL at 202. He obliterates right-handed pitching with a .335 batting average, and handles left-handers just as good with a .286 average.
By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Website Owner) Follow @aecanada12
The Cincinnati Reds are playing well this season with them winning 59 games, but they are five games out of first place. The Reds are 3rd in the National League Central division behind both the Pittsburgh Pirates and St.Louis Cardinals.
Cincinnati is third in the NL with them scoring 463 runs on the season. They are great at home, and have the 2nd best home record in the NL. The problem for them is hitting away Great American Ball Park with winning just 27 games and three games under .500 on the road.
Joey Votto Highlights – Parental Guidance Is Advised
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (July 12th) – Updated Yearly “WOB” Standings
Jarred Cosart had a big league debut for the ages. Facing a hot Rays team, the one time Phillies prospect tossed a no hitter for 6 1/3 innings for Houston before letting up his first hit. He finished the game by pitching into the 9th, letting up no runs and 2 hits. That’s a line any Cy Young contender would be proud of, The Astros won in Tampa, 2-1.
In a potential playoff preview, Bronson Arroyo pitched the Reds to a 4-2 victory over the Braves. He tossed 7 innings, 3 hits and 1 run to get credited with his 8th win.
Raul Ibanez clocked a pair of homers and a double, going 3-4 and leading the Mariners over the Angels, 8-3.
And Buster Posey led the Giants attack. He tied a 1-0 game with a sacrifice fly in the third. Then he twice came up with 2 outs and runners on and came through. He broke open the game with a 2 out 2 run single in the 6th and turned it into a laugher with a 2 out 2 run double in the 7th, giving the Giants a 10-1 win over the Padres.
They all owned baseball on July 12th, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON
.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast July 13th, 2013
Jarred Cosart Bronson Arroyo ,Raul Ibanez, And Buster Posey all owned baseball on July 12th, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – July 13, 2013

MLB Power Rankings: Week 11
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsTuesday June.11/2013

David Ortiz is providing the kind of difference at the DH position that is an automatic advantage for the Boston Red Sox. The 37 Year Old has hit for a 3 Slash Line of .314/.395/1.018 – accounting for 13 HRs and 48 RBI in his 46 Games. The DH position was created for one-dimensional players like ”’Big Papi”, however teams are not imploring awesome players for the slot. Most teams use the Designated Hitter for position players that are nursing injuries. The Red Sox have seen their best run in franchise history with the big man. Later in this article, I will post a link on how valuable DH’s have been in the last 20 years in Major League Baseball AL Pennant Winners. More often than not, you need a great DH. Ortiz is signed through 2014 at $13 MIL for the next 2 campaigns. One of the better deals signed in the offseason
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Another Week has come and gone in the MLB.
(MLB Reports) AL Hitter Of The Week – David Ortiz has come up clutch in leading the Bo Sox to a season – high 15 games over .500 with many game changing hits like last week.
Having the best offensive DH is a decisive difference compared to the rest of league. If everyone remembers, the 2012 Red Sox actually skirted near .500 until ‘Big Papi’ went down with his injury.
DH article from 1992 – 2011 here
Runners up were: Howie Kendrick, Josh Donaldson, Adam Lind, all had strong weeks – especially for Batting Averages, but Ortiz had late inning heroics that changed the outcome for his team out of his 3 HRs and 9 RBI.
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week – Jarrod Parker
The Oakland A’s Chucker went 2 – 0, with a 1.35 ERA. He has thrown 6 Straight Quality Starts – and has won 5 of his last 6 decisions after starting the year 0 – 5.
Runners Up were Jeremy Hellickson and Clay Buchholz,
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 3rd) – Updated Yearly “WOB” Standings
Coco Crisp led off the game with a homer and got on base 5 times while going 4-5 in the A’s 10-2 thrashing of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Erik Bedard earned his first win of the year, going 7 innings letting up only one run and 5 hits (none by Albert Pujols) as the Astros finished their shocking 4 game sweep of the Angels in Anaheim.
Bronson Arroyo threw 8 shutout innings , letting up 4 hits and walking none as the Reds beat the Rockies 3-0.
And in his spectacular big league debut, Yasiel Puig led off with a hit, collected another hit and ended the game with a spectacular double play, throwing firing to first after a catch in the outfield to double off the runner and seal the much needed 2-1 victory over the Padres.
They all owned baseball on June 3rd, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON
.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry
Arroyo’s Last Stand: Revisiting The Trade That Brought Him To Cincy For Wily Mo Pena
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreports
Wily Mo Pena was the classic ‘tease’ power hitter for several MLB clubs. The Reds sold high on him – as he only hit 34 HRs and drove in 105 RBI in his 827 AB for 4 different clubs over 6 seasons after he left Ohio – before packing up for Japan. With Cincy, He hit for 51 HRs and drove in 134 RBI during his 830 AB with them. I would say that the Trade has worked out well for the Reds – in receiving a top of the Rotation Starter for almost a decade in exchange. Wily Mo Pena was still the best Batting Practice hitter in the Majors. Clubbing 84 HRs in 1703 Career AB is just a little over 1 HR per 20 AB. Just not worthy of a Pitcher like Arroyo.
By Matt Steinmann (Reds Correspondent) Follow @thesteinmann
In March of 2006, the Reds completed a deal that sent outfielder Wily Mo Pena to the Boston Red Sox for Starting Pitcher Bronson Arroyo and cash.
Now, in 2013, Bronson Arroyo is in the final year of a contract with the Reds and Wily Mo Pena is in the Japanese League. With all the talk from fans for the team to sign Shin-Soo Choo to a long term deal, the name not being mentioned is Bronson Arroyo.
It almost seems like a foregone conclusion that he will walk at the end of the season, but is that the right move?
Wily Mo Pena Tribute in 2011 – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance is Advised


















You must be logged in to post a comment.