Blog Archives
Twins’ Justin Morneau And Josh Willingham Days Are Numbered In Minnesota
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsTuesday, July.02, 2013

The Minnesota Twins are 36-43 on the season, and they are 6.5 games behind division leaders Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. It looks they will have another losing season for the team, but there is still a chance they make a run and contend for a division title this season. They do have players that other teams would love to acquire. The only question is how long will they hold on to these players before pulling the trigger on deal. General Manager Terry Ryan will be busy to determine what he can get in return for the players on his roster.
By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Owner) Follow @aecanada12
The Minnesota Twins are at midpoint in their season and they will have a decision to make with the Trade Deadline only a month away. They will have to make an assessment on their team and determine if they will be a buyer or seller.
The team is currently 4th in the American League Central division with a 36-43 record. They are 6.5 games behind division leaders Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. They are also 8.5 games out of the Wild Card.
Justin Morneau Highlights- So Parental Guidance Is Advised
The First Three Months Look At The Wil Myers And James Shields Deal – Who Is Leading?
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsFriday, June.28th/2013

James Shields has turned in a workman like effort for the Royals – only to have received little run support to help him with his Won – Loss Record. With the Trade having going down seemingly to correct each other main ailments with the Rays needing offense and the Royals needing defense, it has worked for both teams yet exposed a weakness that used to be a strength in the process. The Rays have done it for the majority without Myers – where as Shields is on pace for another 200+ IP. Now the Royals can’t hit and the Rays pitching has gone south. One is left to wonder – what if the trade never took place?
By Michael McGraw ( Royals Correspondent) Follow @quickdraw29
It just will not go away. The risky trade orchestrated by General Manager Dayton Moore this past offseason between the Royals and Rays deserves revisiting with Tampa Bay’s recent call-up of Wil Myers, the fourth-overall prospect according to MLB.com.
Admittedly, the ultimate victor of the trade will not be decided for years, as it most likely hinges upon Myers’ development and ascension as a player.
However, with virtually half of the 2013 season completed and looking at the now instead of the future, and this deal was undoubtedly for the now from the Royals perspective, the early returns are slanted in favor of the Royals.
Wil Myers 1st HR (Grand Slam Versus the New York Yankees)
Top Five MLB Holds Leaders In 2013
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsTuesday June 25th, 2013
Bernie Olshansky (Baseball Writer): Follow @BernieOlshansky
Depending on the year, we can usually say if it is pitcher-dominant or hitter-dominant. This year, it is very hard to say. One could make the case that the MLB is being dominated by hitters with Miguel Cabrera tallying over 70 RBI before July.
That argument could be helped by the facts that Cole Hamels already has 11 losses and Justin Verlander has a high three ERA. Either way, the season will still go on and pitchers and hitters will still record their statistics.
One statistic that is not looked at or talked about much is the hold. A hold is given when a reliever enters in a save situation, records an out, and leaves the game without having given up the lead, but also does not get a save.
Usually the guys that get the most holds are setup men. In this piece, I’ll take a look at the top five (with a bonus!) holds leaders for the year.
Mitchell Boggs (2012 Holds Leader in some lighter days)
30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 13
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsMonday June.24/2013

EE continues to show his metal this year – by clutching up for 21 HRs thus far . He has a 3 Slash Line of .274/.355/.900. EE had an OPS of 1.326 – with 3 HRs and 3 Doubles over the last 6 games, and also scored 7 Runs. He was part of key rallies that led to the clubs 6 – 0 week. The 1B only Struckout 1 time for the 6 Games. Encarnacion is now tied with Miggy Cabrera with 63 HRs since the start of the 2012 year. He is the MLB Reports hitter of the week!
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 – Edwin Encarnacion (See Picture Above).
Runners up were: Chris Davis (BAL) – (1.357 OPS, with 4 HRs and 10 RBI), Nelson Cruz (TEX) – (.379 BA, 3 HRS and 11 RBI) and Miguel Cabrera (.536 BA, 20 times reached on base in 7 Games, 15 Hits – with 2 HRs and 6 RBI).
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week– Max Scherzer – who went 2 – 0 with a 2.08 ERA in 2 Game Starts and 16 SO in 13 IP.
Runners Up were: Casey Janssen (1 – 0, with 3 Saves – while only yielding 1 Hit and 1 Walk in 4 IP), Jarrod Parker 2 GS (1 – 0, with a 0.79 WHIP in 14 IP.)
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 22nd) – Updated Yearly “WOB” Standings
Zack Greinke cooled down the Padres and gave LA a much needed with 8 innings, 1 run, 8 strikeouts and 1 walk, getting the win in the 6-1 final.
Chien-Ming Wang continued his terrific pitching for the Blue Jays. He followed up 7 shutout innings in his last start with 6 1/3 innings with no earned runs in yesterday’s game. The bullpen blew his lead but the Blue Jays won their 10th in a row, 4-2 against Baltimore.
Victor Martinez hit a grand slam, turning a first inning hole into a 4-2 lead. He would drive in another as the Tigers clubbed the Red Sox 10-3.
Ryan Howard drove in runs in three different innings, 4 RBI in total including a pair of homers. The Phillies would wind up winning the game in the bottom of the 9th against the Mets 8-7. They all owned baseball on June 22nd, 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
2 And A Hook Podcast Ep #8: Dodgers (Puig Especially), White Sox + Braves Talk With Awesome Guests!
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsThursday, June.20/2013
‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball: ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)
By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran ) Follow @yankeeman1973
On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & yours truly The Bench Warmers, I talked with MLB Reports Braves correspondent Bob McVinua (www.braveschoptalk.wordpress.com) about the Atlanta Braves season so far, what’s to come for them the rest of the season plus other things…
Then I talked to MLB Reports Dodgers correspondent Enrique Rivera about their phenom Yasiel Puig, if the Dodgers somehow can get back in the playoff race amongst other issues…
Also I interviewed MLB Reports White Sox correspondent Brian Madsen about the White Sox offensive struggles, is their farm system producing any future ball players & other stuff…also I do my Stats & Facts segment as usual so check out this baseball podcast that talks baseball like it outta be!!! SPREAD THE WORD!! Thank you all for your support!!!
People in this Podcast:
Bob McVinua (MLB Reports Guest Braves Correspondent – About 9 Minutes in and a 21 Minute Segment) Follow @tomahawkchop95
Enrique Rivera (MLB Reports LA Dodgers Correspondent – 31 Minute Mark and a 15 Minute Segment) Follow @eriqwiththeq
Brian Madsen (MLB Reports White Sox Correspondent- 53 Minutes In and a 17 Minute Segment) Follow @brianm731
(Stats and Facts done by James at the 1 Hour and 10 Minute Mark for 20 Minutes and for the 1st 9 Minutes.)
The Chicago White Sox Offense Is Offensive
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsSunday, June.16th/2013

Maybe it’s Paul Konerko’s fault? He’s hitting .239, and has looked lost at the plate for much of the season. 2013 could be Konerko’s last season with the Sox as his contract is up at the end of this year. Adam Dunn’s fault perhaps? He’s hitting .182, but does have 18 HR’s and 40 RBI’s. Looks to be a typical Dunn season. Lots of HR’s, and lots of K’s.Whatever the reason is, or whoever’s fault it is, the White Sox offense has been abysmal so far in the 2013 season. Statistically one of the worst offenses in MLB, the White Sox offense is difficult to watch. But, the offense certainly hasn’t been the only problem. What was a strong defensive team in 2012, has turned into a bad defensive team in 2013.
By Brian Madsen (White Sox Correspondent): Follow @brianm731
It must be AJ Pierzynski’s fault. After all, his absence from the White Sox lineup is the only major change from the 2012 team’s lineup. His replacement, Tyler Flowers, hasn’t exactly been lighting the lamp in 2013. Flowers was also billed to be an upgrade defensively behind the plate, which hasn’t been the case either.
Or, wait, is it Kevin Youkilis‘ fault? His replacement, Jeff Keppinger, has been the opposite of what he was advertised to be when the Sox signed him during the offseason. Keppinger’s hitting .229 with an OBP of .234. He was also billed as “a guy who never strikes out”, and should be the perfect number 2 hitter behind Alejandro De Aza. He’s struck out 21 times in 205 AB’s, and he’s walked TWICE.
Blue Jays And Dodgers Are Done In 2013: Stick A Fork In Them: Angels Are Marinating!
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsThursday June.13/2013

The Dodgers don’t lead the Majors in many categories this year (except for Bench clearing brawls). The 1st incident with the Padres cost them Greinke with a broken clavicle. He will likely be suspended for more games. Who else will be suspended?? We should find out from baseball today. Meanwhile the team is 28 – 37 – and 11 Games behind Arizona.
It is time to call it like it is – and back it up with some cold hard facts. As a former professional oddsmaker, I understand why the ESPN page lists the Blue Jays at a 2.8% chance to make the playoffs – and the Dodgers just slightly better at 2.9%.
The math involved is not even as complicated as Sabermetrics. I will show you how they have derived this notion. The fanbases will always tell you that they are one big winning streak away from jumping back into the mix.
They would be right some of the time (Note the 2007 and 2009 Rockies, the 2012 Athletics, the 2011 Cardinals and Rays also made up around 10 Games deficits for playoff spots even in September).
I can also think of the 2005 Astros flying off the wall in the second half to earn a playoff spot.
Here is why these two teams are deep trouble.
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.12) – Updated Yearly “WOB” Standings
Brandon Moss homered twice, driving in 3 of the A’s 5 runs as Oakland beat the Yankees, 5-2.
Starling Marte got 4 hits and came around to score all four times and stole a pair of bases helping the Pirates defeat the defending champion Giants, 12-8.
Dillon Gee kept the Cardinals off the board for the first 5 innings and pitched into the 7th inning, letting up a single run to the best team in baseball. He got a rare win for the Mets as they beat St. Louis, 5-1.
And while his bullpen conspired against him and surrendered the lead and the game, 3-2 in 10 innings, Detroit’s Justin Verlander pitched wonderfully against the Royals. Seven shutout innings with 8 strikeouts is enough to win most games .
They all owned baseball on June 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
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,
Reviewing The Top 5 – 2013 MLB Draft Picks
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsSaturday, June.08, 2013

The 2013 Draft has come and gone – and will take years to decide how good each teams selection was in the 1st Round. We decided to take a look at the top 5 Picks again.
By Chris Lacey (Featured Baseball Columnist) Follow @aecanada12
How quickly can a teams fortune change with top 5 MLB Draft Picks?? Think of the 119 Loss 2003 Detroit Tigers drafting Justin Verlander – and going to a World Series just 3 years later.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays picked 1st for many years, finally having their players come together in 2008, once Evan Longoria, James Shields, B.J. Upton and David Price asserted themselves in 2008.
A horrid Washington Nationals team losing 95 -100 Games every year drafted Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper in successive drafts – before cranking out a franchise record 98 Wins just a couple of years later.
The Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Twins and Indians sure hope the 2013 Top 5 Picks will warrant heavy discussion as a great class of picks as the years go by.
Mark Appel is interviewed 3 Months Ago:
Read the rest of this entry
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 6th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Yasiel Puig continues to dazzle as his grand slam help put the Braves away in the Dodgers 5-0 victory.
Zack Greinke threw 7 shutout innings in that game to beat the Braves.
Adam Rosales doubled and hit a game winning homer as the Oakland A’s beat the White Sox in Chicago, 5-4 in 10 innings.
And Max Scherzer threw 7 solid innings, striking out 9, as the Tigers beat the Rays 5-2.
They all owned baseball on June 6th, 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
MLB Mock Rule4 Draft 2013
MLB Mock Draft
Before I start I just want to say that baseball is a very tough game so when I say he can be a all star or that he can have a curveball that is just unhittable – it may not happen……. and actually is very doubtful to fully reach the ceiling. Read the rest of this entry
Miguel Cabrera Is the Best Hitter In The Universe
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsTuesday, June.04, 2013

It is only a matter of time before we start talking about the historical significance of Miggy Cabrera. He is on pace to crush about 50 HR and drive in over 190 RBI. Modern day players rarely possess all 3 categories prowess in order to win a Triple Crown. Improving on his first decade of MLB Baseball is incredible. By the time he is done, he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
By Chris Lacey (Featured Baseball Columnist) Follow @aecanada12
Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera Best Hitter in the Universe
The game of baseball has had great hitters like Frank Robinson, Chuck Klein, Ty Cobb, Jimmie Foxx, Joe Medwick, and Lou Gehrig. These players were all great hitters and they also have another thing in common, this is they are all former Triple Crown winners.
However, there is one thing that all these great players never accomplished in their career, and that was they never earned the award in consecutive seasons. The history of baseball has not had any player ever accomplish this.
Miguel Cabrera’s monster 3 Homer Game versus the Texas Rangers May.19/2013
Tito Back To Fenway: Red Sox Fans Embraced Him, The Team Lost The Opener – Then Streaked To The AL East Lead
Like us on Facebook here
Sunday, June.02/2013

On top of leading the Red Sox to 2 World Series Titles, Tito also led the club to a lot of other successful seasons. He got the team to at least 86 Wins in each of his 8 seasons in Boston and helped them win 90+ games in 6 of those years. The Red Sox also ended a curse for the World Series that lasted 86 years to finally end. Now with Cleveland, he will help the franchise try to win a World Series for the 1st time since 1948.
By Ryan Dana (MLB Reports Writer and Red Sox Correspondent): Follow @ryandana1
First of all, sorry for the delay with this article. It’s been a little over a week since my last article, and already another series has passed since the end of the one I want to talk about. Nevertheless, Terry Francona aka Tito made his return to Fenway as an opposing manager for the Cleveland Indians.
I was actually lucky enough to be in attendance for his first game back on Thursday May 23, and the atmosphere was awesome as it usually is at Fenway. Terry Francona received a standing ovation, deservedly so, and his Indians beat down the Red Sox 12-3.
This series was more than just Francona’s return though. It was somewhat of a litmus test for the Red Sox. The Indians have shown they are a formidable team this year sitting only a half game out of first place in the AL Central (29-24 Record) and having one of the most potent offenses in the game at the moment.
Heading into play Sunday, Cleveland’s vaunted offense still ranks 4th for HRs (69), 4th in Runs Scored (271) and 5th in OPS (.769). The Red Sox however, showed they were the better team by winning 3 of 4 in the series. Boston’s offense reigned supreme against the Indians as do their season statistics. Boston surpassed Cleveland based on their final 3 games of their series last weekend.
Boston are in 1st place in the AL East with a record of 34- 23 and have a Run Differential of + 57, (49) better than the New York Yankees) after a 11 – 1 drubbing Saturday. The Red sox are also now 1st in the MLB in Runs Scored (286) and 2nd in OPS (.783). They also trail just Detroit for OBP in the MLB (.347 to .346).
Triple Play Podcast #10: An Interview With MLB Reports Cards Correspondent Landen Crouch + Poor Show Of Brett Lawrie!
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsTuesday, May 28th, 2013
By The Big Ticket Show ( AKA Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com) Follow @bigticketshow
Guests in this Podcast – Landen Crouch (Cardinals Correspondent) of mlbreports.com ( Follow @landencrouch
Landen Crouch of mlbreports.com is our guest on this episode as we discuss the continuous success of the cardinals. We also cover their rich history as Landen gives us his Mt Rushmore of Cards greats. Finally we bat around Brett Lawrie‘s recent run-ins and lack of maturity.
MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 8
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsMonday May.27/2013

The Detroit Tigers were second on the list for moving up rankings with 5 spots. They have overtaken the Indians in the AL Central – and have 5 players that are hitting north of .300. Their top 4 Starters may be the best in the game – and they play in an extremely winnable division where teams can`t match them for payroll or talent. Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter on the planet – and has great support.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
The Oakland Athletics are making another run at the expense of the lesser lites in the Division. This team feasts on the Astros and Mariners – and are not half bad at playing the Rangers and Angels either. The goal for them is to continue to pitch. They must try to at least take 2 games versus San Francisco in the 4 game set.
The Kansas City Royals may have rolled up snake eyes in gambling on their 2013 season. Suffering the longest playoff drought in the majors at 28 years, the franchise traded away its best prospect player in Wil Myers for a 2 year pitching solution in James Shields.
The problem is that their nucleus of young talented hitters have failed them. Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas are being outpowered by some teams Pitching cores in the NL.
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May 24th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez may have lost the no hitter, but he owned baseball on Friday, May 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Anibal Sanchez took a no hitter to one out in the 9th inning before Joe Mauer singled to center. He settled for a complete game one hit shutout with 12 strikeouts as the Tigers beat the Twins, 6-0.
Chris Young went 3-5 and launched a 3 run, 9th inning go ahead home run in front of his family as the A’s turned a 5-3 hole into a 6-5 victory over the Astros.
Jordan Zimmermann pitched 7 strong innings, letting up only 2 runs, as the Nationals kept the Phillies from gaining ground on them with the 5-2 victory.
Michael Cuddyer doubled home 2 runs in the first and then homered in the 6th as the Rockies beat the Giants in pitcher friendly AT&T Park, 5-0.
They all owned baseball on May 24th, 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


















You must be logged in to post a comment.