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Tampa Bay Rays Payroll In 2015 + Contracts Going Forward

Joe Maddon had a career Record of 781 – 729 (.522), but was 629 – 506 (.567) over the last 7 years from 2008 – 2014. He runs his offenses like the Angels used to, with a NL style built on speed and contact. He may be the best AL Skipper when it comes to utilizing players versatility and matchups. Maddon is also great at working in Rookie players. But he took his talents to Chicago, when he opted out for many more Million in the Windy City, and will be replaced by rookie skipper Kevin Cash
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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David Price is gone, Ben Zobrist is gone. If you added up their 2 salaries of $20 MIL and $7.5 MIL respectively, it would have pole vaulted the Rays over $100 MIL in the upcoming season Instead they were traded for younger players, and their total team cash is listed at somewhere near $80 MIL for their budget.
Leading the charge on the cash earnings is Evan Longoria. While he has had a backloaded deal for years, his pact becomes a little more expensive this year. In 2015, the longtime 3B will make $13 MIL.
Longoria, who people are lumping into conversations with Kris Bryant right now, because of the Cubs pending decision to hold out their prize prospect. inked a deal just days into his service clock, and has a 15 Year/$144.5 MIL deal he is still working through.
For a Year to Year Breakdown For all of the Rays players salaries please visit here Read the rest of this entry
MLB Player Futures Bets In 2015: Player Performance Props

What are your best Over/Under Bets for player performances in the upcoming campaign. We delve deep into the numbers and have given you our selections. Its time to throw down some cabbage!
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Fantasy Playes are dusting off their notes, and getting ready for the 2015 year. If we did not accompany a guys total with a picture and quick blurb, it means we think the total is fair. Injuries may play a factor, as a guys age and surrounding teammates, or the Division he plays in.
Some guys have contracts to play for, or have shown up out of shape.
Total by Cole Hamels (PHI)
Over 11½ Wins +100
Under 11½ Wins -130
Total by Adam Wainwright (STL)
Over 14½ Wins +100
Under 14½ Wins -130
Total by Andrew Cashner (SD)
Over 10½ Wins +105
Under 10½ Wins -135 Read the rest of this entry
Boston’s Management Strategy May Help Club Prevail Again In 2015 AL East

Ben Cherington pulled off the biggest salary dump in MLB History in 2012, with his clearing the deck of Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett. He replaced them with savvy, playoff tested Veterans – on lower value, and year contracts. His club won the 2013 AL East (and the World Series of course) with the revamped squad – that improved almost 30 Wins from 2012. Last season, the club suffered another last place finish, however he dealt away Jon Lester for Yoenis Cespedes, and then turned that asset into Rick Porcello. The club also was able to sign Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for this year, and have also inked Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada to long-term deals since last summer. The Red Sox are showing the way to handle a roster year to year. If you are in it, spend the money, and when you are out, trade anybody of value not in your long term plans.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The terrible news of Marcus Stroman‘s ACL earlier this week has dampened the chances the Toronto Blue Jays chances to really take a shot at the Division.
Let me qualify this more….
I think the Jays will compete all season, and may take a run at one of the Wild Card Spots for sure, it just at this time of the year, losing any pitching hurts big time.
Toronto is already lacking an ace, but that is not a cause for grave concern in this Division, with the AL East possessing exactly zero of them now, following the departures of Jon Lester and David Price in the last 9 months. But they are in trouble when it comes to depth versus the other clubs. Read the rest of this entry
Dodgers Brass’ Is Brutalizing The 2015 Payroll ($267 MIL) With Dead Money + Injury Plagued Chuckers!

Since Andrew Friedman has taken over, he has shown a blatant disregard for payroll, by cutting pitchers that had guaranteed deals, while doling out cash to often injured chuckers, or players that have limited success on their resume. The LA NL franchise is nearing $267 MIL for 2015 patyroll and are in the 3rd year of the Luxury Tax Penalty (40%). The franchise located at Chavez Ravine, are looking at a $30 MIL stipend to pay the MLB for that very infraction. Next year(9nd every year after till they drop under the Threshold once, they will rise to a 50% penalty/) One certainly has to question their last 5 or 6 moves in accordance with payroll. The Dodgers better hope that the forthcoming CBA doesn’t throw the hammer down on high salary teams over the Luxury Tax – when the new deal with the MLB and MLBPA is put into place before the 2017 season.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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What the hell is Andrew Friedman doing? Lets just eat the contracts on Brian Wilson and maybe Brandon League, while paying the freight on Dan Haren’s 2015 salary ($10 MIL) to play for the Marlins, and also forking out money to Brett Anderson, Brandon Beachy and also coming to a theater near you soon. If that weren’t enough, they have signed perennially injured/malcontent guys in Erik Bedard and Dustin McGowan on Minor League deals.
The club will also digest half (or more) of Andre Ethier‘s remaining deal (3 YRs, $56 MIL) if another franchise will take them off of their hands. Yes that was not the current front office’s deal, however the throwing away of money is still directly tied to their decisions now.
Pretty soon the entire total for the dead money in the Dodgers team salary will rival the contract marks of the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A’s if this trend persists.
The Los Angeles payroll was supposed to be reigned in – and not jumping to an ALL – Time record.
Even with losing the albatross contract of Matt Kemp, the Dodgers are sitting at nearly $266 MIL in projected team payroll. Let’s add a 40% penalty for being a 3rd time offender to the mix, and you can kiss another $30 MIL out the door at Chavez Ravine. Maybe the club should hope for a Zack Greinke opt out.
For a Full Player Breakdown off all Salaries in 2015 – and going forward click here .
To keep reading the rest of this article CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS BLOG ICON, or simply continue scrolling down if there is no ICON like that.
If ‘Cash’ Was Handled Right – The Yankees Could Get 2015 Payroll Under The Luxury Tax This Year

A few years ago, the Yankees were trying to get under the Luxury Tax Threshold just a few years ago, before they dished out $175 MIL over 7 years to Masahiro Tanaka. Despite that, the club could have opted to get under last July by trading Kuroda, Suzuki and Gardner near the Deadline, instead of going for an ill-advised run at the playoffs. At an estimated $211 MIL team salary so far, there are options to drop the mark under the limit yet again if the club struggles. Should they not take advantage this time, they are completely dumb beyond recognition.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Losing out on Yoan Moncada Sweepstakes
The Yankees fans let out a collective groan. but the cost of Yoan Moncada would be even more money than his $31.5 MIL signing bonus – and additional $31.5 MIL penalty. How about tacking on another $15.75 MIL for part of their $50% Luxury Tax Penalty?
I agree with the Yankees not wanting to shell out nearly $80 MIL for an unproven teenager. There are a numerous of examples of can’t miss prospects that won’t pan out.
The Yankees are estimated to have a payroll of near $221 MIL. But the actual AAV is a little higher with the length of term bringing up the overall mark. Alex Rodriguez makes $21 MIL in 2015, but he 10 year pact, was for an AAV of $27.5 MIL overall, so that is the number that brings up the clip.
If the Yankees are on pace to have spent $215 MIL in 2015, so by July, that means they would have put out about $105 MIL at the ALL-Star Break. This gives about $84 MIL worth of room, but you must take off around $27 MIL to fall under the limit.
For a Year to Year Breakdown For all of the Yankees players please visit here.
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 World Series + Best Bets

One of these years the absolute favorite of the preseason will take the home the World Series. I think 2015 will be that year. I am calling for the last 2 franchises not to make the Fall Classic, end up facing off in this year championship series. That would make it Washington vs Seattle. I believe the Nationals will win that series.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Last year’s opening 3 wagers for the World Series netted us an eventual winner. I plunked almost $14 down on a 25/1 bet for the Giants (and failed with Rangers and Rays bets). Throughout the year, I was able to secure odds of 50/1 and 80/1 for the Royals during down times, and then hedged those bets in the playoffs. It was a thousand dollar profit year for the selections.
In the next few weeks I will finalize the Over/Under Best bets that I put down yesterday. Again, last season I was 3 out of 3 for top Over/Under picks, and will likely pick the same 3 teams (KC and WSH over their opening regular season wins of 81.5 and 93.5, while I picked SD under 84.5) out of the 10 total wagers I go for this campaign).
But this article is about the Fall Classic Winner in 2015. Read the rest of this entry
2015 Regular Season Win Over/Unders In The MLB + Best Bets
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Over/Unders for the year, based on odds given by http://www.bovada.com sports book
Arizona – 71.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I gotta go with the under. San Diego, LA and SF are all much better, and even Colorado is tough on the road. Like them at just around 70 wins. Is a rebuilding year, and they might fetch a heavy ransom if Mark Trumbo can have a bounce back 1st half. 2016 maybe the year the can contend again.
Atlanta – 73.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I like the over on this one big time. This club lost a ton of offense, yet I like their run prevention more than ever. Shelby Miller was a great acquisition, and they still have a nasty Bullpen. I am not as bullish on the rest of the NL East as a lot of clubs are too. Wouldn’t call this a best bet, however, like them to win 75 – 77 games. Read the rest of this entry
Dear Santa: All AL Teams 2015 Wish List (By The Fans)
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Okay, so it is time to ask old Saint Nick, for some help for teams in the MLB to have their wishes come true.
New York Yankees:
Can someone please knock some sense into the brass in the Bronx to realize they are the friggin Yanks? Since we can’t bring the “Boss” back to kick some ass, maybe a losing season would force the team to pilfer the payroll, and believe it or not, if Cashman behaves himself before Spring Training, the club could get under the Luxury Tax Threshold this year with a few Trade Deals, and go an attack the 2016 Free Agent core of Jason Heyward, Jordan Zimmermann, David Price and Johnny Cueto…
Would it be too much to ask if the team could just release Alex Rodriguez? There is no way he should hit his 660th HR in Pinstripes. Release him before that day, or way prior, and don’t pay him that dumb $6 MIL Bonus. He ain’t worth it. Also don’t want him passing Lou Gehrig for the RBI list ALL – Time in a New York uniform either. Read the rest of this entry
The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!

With almost $100 MIL tied up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for next season. Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last month. It may take a small miracle for them to make a playoff spot next campaign.
The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!
Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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The Yankees have long used the prolong success of the “core four” to drive them to go far in the playoffs. They then surrounded them by free agents and other homegrown players.
Today the Yankees are in some trouble and if they aren’t smart this offseason they will remain hampered by large contracts for a long time instead of a quick retool to be VERY competitive in two years.
Let me show you what I’m talking about
Here is their Starting lineup and their ages:
LF Brett Gardner 31
3B/2B Martin Prado 31
CF Jacoby Ellsbury 31
C Brian McCann 30
RF Carlos Beltran 37
1B Mark Teixeira 34
DH Alex Rodriguez 39
2B Robert Refsnyder 23 (Or acquisition at 3B, Prado plays 2B)
SS Brendan Ryan 32
Not exactly Spring chickens over there. The only player under 30 is one that will almost absolutely be replaced by someone who is most likely over 30. This at this moment isn’t exactly a star studded lineup, but the way that their being paid might make it seem that way. Read the rest of this entry
2014 ALCS Preview: O’s Vs Royals

This year’s 2014 ALCS matches up two teams that not many people predicted to get to this point, but as arguably the two hottest teams in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals definitely will be a fun and exciting series to watch.
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
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It’s been a while since the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals have found themselves in the American League Championship Series, but the wait for these two fan bases is finally over.
These two teams will open up a best-of-seven series at Camden Yards on Friday night.
Although it isn’t the usual suspects we see in the series (such as the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox of the world), baseball fans should definitely keep an eye on this series, as two of the hottest teams in baseball will face off to determine who represents the American League in the World Series.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 6, 2014
It is safe to say that the Royals are happy to be here. Just “Here” keeps changing. Just happy to be a Wild Card team means just happy to be in the ALCS.
Think your team is building for the World Series at the trade deadline? Think again
That and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For ALDS Games Sun Oct.5, 2014
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
For a full explanation, click HERE
From October 5th ALDS games:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Lorenzo Cain, singled, scored, drove in a run and made a pair of spectacular diving rally killing catches in centerfield, helping the Royals cruise to an 8-3 win and swept the Angels out of the playoffs.
Nelson Cruz broke a scoreless tie with a 2 run homer that was all the Orioles needed to beat the Tigers, 2-1, and sweep their way into the ALCS.
Bud Norris pitched shutout ball into the 7th, finishing with 6 1/3 innings, 2 hits and allowing no runs. He earned the 2-1 victory for the Orioles as they swept Detroit.
James Shields worked out of trouble all night, but finished with 2 runs over 6 innings and struck out 6. He earned the Royals 8-3 Division Series clincher over the Angels.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Erick Aybar went 4-4 with a double but could not score as the Angels were eliminated by the Royals with an 8-3 loss.
J.D. Martinez doubled home the Tigers lone run in the 9th inning and kept Detroit’s hopes alive. But he would not score the tying run and Baltimore would complete the sweep with a 2-1 win.
David Price pitched 8 solid innings, allowing just 5 hits. One of those hits was a 2 run homer that was the difference in the Tigers 2-1 loss to Baltimore.
To view the Final Tally of Who Owned October Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOO’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series Oct.3, 2014

The Orioles last won the World Series in 1983, and were closest next in the 1997 ALCS, before being ousted by the Indians. With having a 1 – 0 series lead on the Tigers, they have tied the Washington Nationals as the co-favorites for the World Series odds. Stay clear of betting them or Washington. The value is bad.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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With Baltimore taking a 1 – 0 advantage on the Tigers yesterday, the oddsmakers now have them tied with the Nationals for the best odds to win the World Series.
I don’t agree with this at all. If you still like the Detroit club, the time to bet is right now. Justin Verlander has a proven playoff track record, and the squad has David Price and Max Scherzer in Games 3 and 4, with Max Scherzer back for a potential game #5.
You always see these swings on a 1 game basis in the postseason.
The Dodgers will only be at this clip for 1 day too. If you want to put some cabbage on them, do it before Clayton Kershaw takes the hill and wins tonight.

The Angels are trailing their series vs the Royals, and are +145 underdogs as opposed to KC holding a LDS odd of -175 over LAA. Despite this, the Royals are not favored higher than the “Halo’s” on the odd for the World Series. Keep in mind the Royals are a better road team, while the Angels won 46 games on the road and 52 at home. Take the odd of +145 for this series versus Kansas City. They throw Matt Shoemaker tonight, and will still be able to throw Jered Weaver one more time. Tonight’s game has the Angels are a -152 favorite – whereas the Royals pay +135 if they win tonight.
Kansas City is favored to win the series versus the Angels at -175, to LAA’s +145, but are still a bigger longshot to win the World Series.
My advice: plunk some money down on the LAA for the ALDS series at that mark. It was a close game last night, and the Royals will not make it easy on themselves in the series.
I would still wait on the St. Louis team if you wish to bet them at all, as well as the Giants. Both teams have a tough nature to knock off, as their World Series in 3 of the last 4 years indicates.
You think the odds are high now, wait if they lose tonight’s games. It will jump to near +1400 or +1600. Wait a day for those guys.
Updated Odds To Win The World Series For All 9 Playoff Clubs.
T1. BAL +400
T1. WSH +400
3. LAD +425
4. LAA +650
5. KC +700
6. DET +750
T7. STL +900
T7. SF +900
Please note that it is illegal in most U.S. States to gamble
Odds are courtesy of www.bet365.com
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***
A Big thanks goes out to our chief writer Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s feature post.
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