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

Tony Gutierrez, The Associated Press

Tony Gutierrez, The Associated Press

Nolan Arenado extended his hitting streak to 27 games and helped the Rockies clobber the Rangers again, 9-2.

Tom Koehlert threw 8 shutout innings, letting up just 2 hits and 1 walk. He did not get the decision but the Marlins walked off 1-0 against the Mets.

Adam Jones homered twice as the Orioles stayed in first place with their 4-3 victory in Tampa Bay.

Mark Buehrle threw 7 shutout innings, letting up just 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 Phillies. He got his 6th win as the Blue Jays cruised to a 10-0 beating.

They owned baseball on May.07, 2014.

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

DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES

DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES

Carlos Gonzalez went 5-5 with 3 RBI, leading the relentless Colorado attack against Texas, 12-1.

Henderson Alvarez threw his second complete game shutout of the season. His 6 hitter against the Mets gave the Marlins a 3-0 victory.

Grady Sizemore got 3 hits including a walk off single off of the Green Monster in the 12th, sealing the Red Sox 4-3 win over Cincinnati.

Hiroki Kuroda was solid pitching into the 8th inning, letting up 1 earned run, striking out 8 Angels and walking none. The bullpen blew his lead but the Yankees won 4-3.

They owned baseball on May.06, 2014.

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

 

Morry Gash - AP

Morry Gash – AP

Carlos Gomez launched a lead off homer, got on base 5 times, scored twice and drove in 3 as the Brewers won the 22nd game, 8-3 over Arizona.

Stefan Romero hit his first big league homer and scored another run for the Mariners, who topped the A’s, 4-2.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched 7 solid innings, striking out 10 and walking just 1. He left the game down 3-0 but the Marlins bats picked up up, walking off against the Mets, 4-3.

Jered Weaver kept the Yankees from a big rally with 8 terrific if not dominating innings. He let up 6 hits but walked just 1 and let up only 1 run over 8 innings, earning the 4-1 Angels victory.

They owned baseball on May.05, 2014.

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

Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT

Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT

Brandon Crawford homered twice, driving in 3 runs, leading the Giants to a 4-1 win and a 3 game sweep of the Braves.

Dayan Viciedo‘s second hit of the day was a 3 run, come from behind go ahead 9th inning home run that gave the White Sox a 4-3 victory over the Indians.

Roberto Hernandez pitched into the 8th inning, finishing with 7 1/3 shutout innings, letting up just 4 hits and 3 walks, helping the Phillies sneak past the Nationals, 1-0.

Justin Verlander had a no hitter into the 6th inning. He finished with 7 strong, 4 hit innings, striking out 7 Royals. He got Detroit’s 9-4 victory.

They owned baseball on May.04, 2014.

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

(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Joe Mauer homered, scored from first on a hit, drove in another run and finished 3-4 with 4 RBI as the Twins won 6-1 over Baltimore.

Jon Lester dominated the A’s over 8 shutout innings. He let up just 1 hit, walking 2 and striking out a career high 15 as Boston won 6-3.

Dee Gordon went 5-6 in the leadoff spot. He also stole three bases, scored twice and drove in a pair as the Dodgers would top the Marlins in Miami, 9-7 in 11 innings.

Johnny Cueto topped the Brewers by throwing 8 innings of 3 hit ball. He let up a pair of solo homers and just a hit and a walk other than that. He struck out 10 in the process, earning the 6-2 victory in Cincinnati.

They owned baseball on May.03, 2014.

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

NESN - MLB.com

NESN – MLB.com

Dustin Pedroia hit a grandslam, doubled, stole a base and got on 4 times as the Red Sox clobbered the A’s, 7-1.

Starling Marte went 4-5 and hit a walk off homer, sealing Pittsburgh’s come from behind victory over the Blue Jays, 6-5.

Ubaldo Jimenez pitched the Orioles into first place by dominating the Twins with 7 1/3 shutout innings, 3 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts getting the 3-0 decision.

Wily Peralta threw 8 shutout frames, giving up just 3 hits and striking out 7 Reds, getting the decision in the 2-0 thriller for the Brewers.

They owned baseball on May.02, 2014.

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

Getty Images

Getty Images

Yunel Escobar hit a tie breaking, 9th inning homer off of the seemingly impervious Koji Uehara to give the Rays a 6-5 win and a double header sweep in Boston.

Juan Uribe combined to get on base 8 times over the course of the Dodgers double header sweep of the Twins. He doubled and drove in a pair in the 9-4 opener. He hit a game tying single in the 4-3 12 inning nightcap.

Roenis Elias shut down the Yankees offense with 7 innings, 6 hits and 1 earned run. He struck out 10 along the way to a Seattle 4-2 victory in the Bronx.

Juan Nicasio pitched 7 shutout innings (in Coors no less), holding the Mets to 3 hits and one walk as the Rockies won 7-4.

They owned baseball on May.01, 2014.

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

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Allen Craig collected 4 hits, missing the cycle by a triple, and drove in 3 runs as the Cardinals avoided a Milwaukee sweep, 9-3.

Tim Hudson was a strike from a complete game victory. He settled for 8 2/3 brilliant innings as the Giants topped the Padres, 3-2.

Hank Conger got on base 3 times and hit a go ahead 2 run homer as the Angels cruised past the Indians, 7-1.

Jesse Chavez shut down the Rangers bats. He held them to one hit, one walk and no runs while striking out 8. Oakland demolished their rival in Arlington, 12-1.

They owned baseball on April.30, 2014.

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

Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports

Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports

Jose Fernandez simply dominated the Atlanta Braves. He pitched 8 shutout 2 hit innings, striking out 8 and walking 2. He also made an amazing fake throw to draw off a runner from third and record an out at the plate. The best baseball show in Miami won the game, 9-0.

Lyle Overbay got two RBI singles, including one in the 11th inning that gave the Brewers a 5-4 lead they would not give up against the Cardinals.

John Lackey threw another solid game, going 8 innings, letting up 2 runs and walking just 1. He got the decision for Boston’s 7-4 win against Tampa Bay.

Mike Zunino collected 4 hits, driving in a run and scoring another, leading the Mariners to a 6-3 win against the Yankees.

They owned baseball on April.29, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.25) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Chris Sweda/ Chicago Tribune

Chris Sweda/ Chicago Tribune

Jose Abreu got three hits including a pair of homers. The second was a 2 out, bottom of the 9th, come from behind, walk off grand slam. Safe to say that was the highlight of the White Sox’s 9-6 win over the Rays.

Yordano Ventura pitched 8 shutout innings, striking out 8, and getting the 5-0 win for the Royals in Baltimore.

Carlos Gomez went 3-5 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored, leading the Brewers to a 5-2 win over the Cubs.

Stephen Strasburg pitched seven dominating shutout innings. He struck out 11 Padres, walking just 2 and got the 11-1 victory for the Nationals.

They owned baseball on April.25, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.24) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Carlos Ruiz got on base 5 times, scored twice, hit two doubles including one that drove in 2 runs and broke a 9th inning tie. The Phillies would top the Dodgers 7-3.

Josh Donaldson got on 5 times, clubbed 2 homers and hit another double, driving in 4 and scoring 3 as the A’s rolled 10-1 in Houston.

Bartolo Colon was excellent against the Cardinals. He pitched 7 strong innings, letting up just 1 run, 4 hits and walked none while striking out 8. He got the 4-1 win for the Mets.

Corey Kluber pitched his first complete game against the Royals. He went the full nine, giving up just 4 hits, 1 unearned run, 11 strikeouts and walking none, earning the 5-1 win for the Indians.

They owned baseball on April.24, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.23) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Photo: Ben Margot, AP

Photo: Ben Margot, AP

Martin Perez threw a complete game, 3 hit shutout in Oakland. The 3-0 victory propelled the Rangers into first place by themselves.

Kyle Seager launched a pair of homers, driving in all 5 Seattle runs, including a 3 run bottom of the ninth come from behind walk off homer to give the Mariners a 5-3 win over Houston.

Zack Greinke pitched 7 strong innings, letting up just 5 hits, 2 earned runs and walking 1 while striking out 11. He improved to 4-0 for the Dodgers with the 5-2 win over the Phillies.

Hector Sanchez hit two homers including an 11th inning grand slam, collecting 5 RBI in all and propelling the Giants to a 12-10 win over the Rockies.

They owned baseball on April.23, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.22) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Photo: Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Photo: Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Albert Pujols homered twice, driving in a pair of runs. His second home run was career homer number 500. He helped the Angels top the Nations, 7-2.

Matt Holliday got on base four times, scored, drove in a run and pulled a home run back over the fence with a great catch as the Cardinals topped the Mets, 3-0.

Jose Fernandez won one of the most startling pitching duels of the year, striking out 14 over 8 shutout innings and letting up just 3 hits and walking none. The Marlins would sneak past the Braves, 1-0.

David Price overcame a pair of homers to throw a complete game, striking out 12 and walking one. The Rays beat the Twins, 7-3.

They owned baseball on April.22, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.21) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Mark J. Terrill/AP

Mark J. Terrill/AP

Cliff Lee pitched 8 dominating innings against the Dodgers. No runs, no walks, 4 hits and 10 strikeouts as the Phillies rolled, 7-0.

Andrew McCutchen got on base 5 times, crushed a game tying homer in the 8th and drew a walk in the game winning 9th inning rally as the Pirates came from behind to beat the Reds, 6-5.

Garrett Richards let up just 1 hit and 1 run, striking out 6 over 6 innings. He was lifted for a pinch hitter and did not get the decision. But the Angels would top the Nationals, 4-2.

Matt Dominguez homered, doubled and walked, driving in 3 and lead Houston’s surprising attack against Felix Hernandez and the Mariners for a 7-2 win.

They owned baseball on April.21, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.20) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Mathew Sumner, Associated Press

Mathew Sumner, Associated Press

Josh Donaldson homered, doubled and singled, driving in 3 of the A’s 4 runs in Oakland’s 4-1 victory over the Astros.

Ryan Howard was a double shy of the cycle, going 4-5 and scoring 3 and driving in 3. The Phillies would hold on to the 10-9 victory in Colorado.

Rick Porcello pitched 7 strong innings, letting up just one run and one walk, getting the 2-1 Tiger win over the Angels.

Homer Bailey threw 6 shutout innings, striking out 8 Cubs along the way. He got the 8-2 victory for Cincinnati.

They owned baseball on April.20, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.19) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

 J Pat Carter / AP Photo

J Pat Carter / AP Photo

Henderson Alvarez pitched a complete game 2 hit, no walk shutout, his first victory since his season ending no hitter last fall. This time won the game for the Marlins 7-0 over Seattle.

Ryan Braun went 3-5, scored 4 times and homered twice. His second homer was a 1 out, 2 run, come from behind 9th inning homer that gave the Brewers a dramatic 8-7 win in Pittsburgh.

Mark Buehrle pitched 7 shutout innings, letting up 4 hits as he earned his 4th win for the Blue Jays this year, 5-0 in Cleveland.

Wil Myers got on base 4 times and scored all 4 times. He clubbed a pair of homers, driving in 4 and helped lead the Rays to a 16-1 thrashing of the Yankees.

They owned baseball on April.19, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.18) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

DAVID SANTIAGO / EL NUEVO STAFF

DAVID SANTIAGO / EL NUEVO STAFF

Giancarlo Stanton got on base 5 times, drove in 5 runs including a walk off bottom of the 9th grand slam, sealing the Marlins 8-4 win over the Mariners.

Howie Kendrick went 3-5 including a pair of homers and 4 RBI as the Angels topped the Tigers, 11-6.

Aaron Harang threw 7 no hit innings for the Braves. His wildness and high pitch count kept him from finishing the game (the Mets would eventually get a hit) but he got the 6-0 win.

Martin Perez threw a complete game 3 hit shutout, striking out 8 and walking just 1 as the Rangers slammed the White Sox, 12-0.

They owned baseball on April.18, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.17) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Adam Wainwright pitched a brilliant 2 hit complete game shutout and hit a double, another hit and an RBI for good measure. He won his third decision of the season for the Cardinals, 8-0 in Washington.

Pedro Alvarez got on base four times and launched a three run homer as the Pirates crushed the Brewers, 11-2.

Jon Lester was brilliant against the White Sox. He was perfect into the 6th, finishing with 8 innings, 1 run, no walks and 9 strikeouts, getting the 3-1 win for the Red Sox.

Yangervis Solarte got 3 hits including his first big league homer and started a triple play as the Yankees crushed the Rays, 10-2.

They owned baseball on April.17, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.16) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Julio Teheran won the best pitcher’s duel of the year. He pitched a complete game 3 hit shutout, walking none and narrowly topping the Phillies 1-0.

Masahiro Tanaka ,continued his hot start for the Yankees. He pitched 8 shutout innings, letting up 2 hits, striking out 10 Cubs and only walking one. He earned the 3-0 win as the Yankees took both games of a double header.

Aramis Ramirez went 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI as the Brewers beat St. Louis, 5-1.

Leonys Martin got a pair of hits including a walk off single that gave the Rangers a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Mariners.

They owned baseball on April.16, 2014.

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

Jeff Gross / Getty Images North America

Jeff Gross / Getty Images North America

Josh Donaldson got three hits including a tie breaking RBI in the 11th to give the A’s a dramatic 10-9 win in Anaheim.

Joey Votto got on base 5 times with 4 hits, a game tying RBI and scored in the key 7th inning rally as the Reds squeaked past the Pirates, 7-5..

Robbie Ross Jr. pitched shutout ball into the 8th inning, walking none and finishing with 7 2/3 innings and the 5-0 Rangers win over the Mariners.

Tom Koehler threw 7 innings of 1 hit shutout ball, leading the Marlins to an 11-2 blowout of the Nationals.

They owned baseball on April.15, 2014.

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

Yong Kim/Philly.com Staff Photographer

Yong Kim/Philly.com Staff Photographer

Dan Uggla homered twice including a one out, 9th inning, come from behind grand slam that stunned the Phillies and gave the Braves the lead in their bizarre 9-6 win.

Lance Lynn halted the Brewers winning streak with 7 masterful shutout innings. He let up just 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 11, getting the 4-0 win for the Cardinals.

John Jaso came off the bench to hit a dramatic 2 run homer that gave the A’s a 3-2 win in Anaheim.

Roenis Elias dominated the Rangers, pitching into the 7th, letting up just 1 run as the Mariners bats exploded to a 7-1 win..

They owned baseball on April.14, 2014.

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30 MLB Team Power Rankings: April

The Tigers fought off a tough KC club in the 1st series and now have battled their own bullpen and injury woes to be the only unbeaten team.  Add that to one of the weaker divisions, and you see the #1 ranked team in our list this week.

The Tigers fought off a tough KC club in the 1st series and now have battled their own bullpen and injury woes against the Orioles –  to be the only unbeaten team left in the MLB a. Add that to one of the weaker divisions, and you see the #1 ranked team in our list this week.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Well, we have seen one week come and go.  It is important to realize that only about 3% of the entire season has gone by.

People tend to panic when their team isn’t doing so well, and some fanbases are ready to project their club as a playoff contender.

While it is still a good idea never to bury yourself with a bad first few week or 2, as long as you are hovering around the .500 clip, you should be fine.

How we do these rankings at the MLB Reports is based on 1 thing.  The chances of the club winning the World Series.

After all, that is why we have 45 days of Spring Training, 186 days in the regular season, and another 30 or so in the playoffs.

Some teams will have their number predicated on the strength of their divisions are not.

Nearly 47% of any teams schedule is within their own division.  So the AL East and NL West would be tough divisions.

The NL East and AL Central have 2 playoff contenders in each division, while 3 teams may be easier opponents. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.02) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings 2014

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Buehrle came within one misplayed line drive from the first complete game shutout of the year. He would settle for 8 2/3 shutout innings with 4 hits, 1 walk and 11 strikeouts, leading Toronto to a 3-0 win over Tampa Bay.

Ian Kinsler provided all of the offense the Tigers would need. He homered in the fourth and got the walk off hit in the 10th, giving Detroit a 2-1 win over the Royals

Tim Hudson pitched shutout ball into the 8th, letting up only 3 hits and striking out 7, walking no Diamondbacks, getting the win in his Giants debut, 209.

Ryan Ludwick‘s got the 9th inning lead off single and scored the walk off run as the Reds won a thriller against the Cardinals, 1-0.

They owned baseball on April.2, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (March 31) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press

Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press

Alex Gonzalez tripled home the tying run and then got the walk off single, helping the Tigers come from behind against Division Rival Kansas City, 4-3.

Justin Masterson pitched seven shutout innings, letting up just 3 hits and 1 walk. He got a no decision, but his gem set up Cleveland’s 2-0 victory, spoiling the Oakland A’s home opener.

Anthony Rendon doubled in a run and scored the tying run in the 7th and broke open the game with a home run in the 10th as the Nationals came from ehind and stunned the Mets in their home opener, 9-7.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven shutout 3 hit innings, striking out 9 Cincinnati batters. He got the tense 1-0 win for the Cardinals in a sometimes bitter NL Central showdown on the road.

They owned baseball on March 31, 2014.

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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

MLB Reports: The Kansas City Royals Top 10 Prospects In 2014

Myers ascended onto the PCL scene last year and ripped out 24 HRs in just 99 Games at Omaha. The Royals had 7 years to look forward to from the #1 Ranked Offensive Player ranked in the Minor Leagues.  Instead, they rolled the dice on the 2013 - and 2014 seasons.  While the deal has initially worked out for both clubs, if Kansas City can extend Shields for beyond the 2014 - and then compete for that duration with him pitching well, it will look so much better than if Shields would leave following the 2014 season.  Anyone directly involved with KC would likely cringe at the mere mention of the trade.

Myers ascended onto the PCL scene in the year 2012 and ripped out 24 HRs in just 99 Games at Omaha. The Royals had 7 years to look forward to from the #1 Ranked Offensive Player ranked in the Minor Leagues. Instead, they rolled the dice on the 2013 – and 2014 seasons. While the deal has initially worked out for both clubs, if Kansas City can extend Shields for beyond the 2014 – and then compete for that duration with him pitching well, it will look so much better than if Shields would leave following the 2014 season. Anyone directly involved with KC would likely cringe at the mere mention of the trade in the future, should a playoff spot not be obtained for sacrificing this top prospect.

Shaun Kernahan (Guest Royals Writer): 

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Royals Top 10 Prospects

We are in that black hole for baseball fans. 

Still a month and a half until pitchers and catchers report, still a month or so before the big publications release their organizational prospect lists, and the flood of free agency and trades have stopped. 

Heck, I have taken to late night Australian Baseball League games to get my baseball fix, and happened to catch one of the better brawls I have seen in a while.

Awesome Brawl

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The Kansas City Royals State Of The Union Part 2: Lineup Depth And Versatility

Mike Moustakas was a high school shortstop and was named California High School Player of the Year in both his Sophmore and Junior seasons.  His teammate and left side of the infield counterpart is fellow big leaguer, and first round draft pick Matt Dominguez.  He also launched 52 career home runs in high school, a California record, but then again, I launched a home run at Chatsworth, and I was a skinny pitcher who typically wasn’t allowed to hit, so take that record as you will.

Mike Moustakas was a high school shortstop and was named California High School Player of the Year in both his Sophmore and Junior seasons. His teammate and left side of the infield counterpart is fellow big leaguer, and first round draft pick Matt Dominguez. He also launched 52 career home runs in high school, a California record, but then again, I launched a home run at Chatsworth, and I was a skinny pitcher who typically wasn’t allowed to hit, so take that record as you will.

Shaun Kernahan (Guest Royals Writer): 

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The Tampa Bay Rays do it by getting career years out of castoffs like James Loney.  The Oakland A’s do it with a platoon at nearly every position.

Now the Kansas City Royals will try to be the latest small market club to make a run at the playoffs with an unorthodox roster strategy, of utility and multi-positional players.

Given their roster today, the only player in any likely starting lineup the Royals will throw out there this season that has not played multiple positions in the major leagues is Mike Moustakas.

But even Moustakas has a past that includes him playing other positions. 

When at Chatsworth High School, he played shortstop because current Houston Astros third baseman, Matt Dominguez, played third base on that same high school team.

Pat Venditte – Switch Pitcher Vs Switch Hitter

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The Toronto Blue Jays Players, Organizational Affiliates, Prospects + Depth Charts (MLB + MiLB)

The Blue Jays have been trading away all of their top prospects in recent years, and so far, not one of the players has come back to burn them.  Unfortunately, the veterans brought in via trade haven't pushed them over the top either.

The Blue Jays have been trading away all of their top prospects in recent years, and so far, not one of the players has come back to burn them. Unfortunately, the veterans brought in via trade haven’t pushed them over the top either.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): and Jeff Kleiner (Salary, Roster and Depth Chart Expert for the MLB) – visit his website  here  

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

The Blue Jays have invested a great deal of their future in trades in recent years.  First they traded away several prospects to acquire Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and John Buck.

The 2nd move was to also trade Travis d’Arnaud and Buck for R.A.Dickey.  However the moves backfired on them in 2013.

What is worse for the team, is the franchise has not been able to develop their own talent over the last several years.  Their best players on the club were all brought in via trades.

Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion were absolute steals for the guys they doled out to reel them in (Robinson Diaz, never played in the Majors for Pit in the Joey Bats deal, and they originally acquired in the Scott Rolen traded to Cincy.  He was selected off of waivers by Oakland, before he came to the club via Free Agency.

Jose Bautista 2013 Highlights

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The Miami Marlins State Of The Union – Winter 2013 + A 1 Year Look Back At MIA/TOR Trade

It has almost been a year since the Blue Jays and Marlins deal that saw Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio, John Buck, Josh Johnson come to Canada - in exchange for a bushel full of prospects, Yunel Escobar and Henderson Alvarez.  Toronto suffered the same fate nearly as the 2012 Marlins - in terms of record.  All of the Miami players struggled at the MLB level, but primarily that is because they were all 1st or 2nd year players.  It will be plenty of seasons until the final verdict is handed down on this trade.

It has almost been a year since the Blue Jays and Marlins deal that saw Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio, John Buck, Josh Johnson come to Canada – in exchange for a bushel full of prospects, Yunel Escobar and Henderson Alvarez. Toronto suffered the same fate nearly as the 2012 Marlins – in terms of record. All of the Miami players struggled at the MLB level, but primarily that is because they were all 1st or 2nd year players. It will be plenty of seasons until the final verdict is handed down on this trade.  Reyes still slashed .296/.353/.780 – and posted 113 Hits and 58 Runs in 93 Games Played the for Toronto Blue Jays.  He did miss 69 Games due to injury.

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

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A year has almost gone by since big blockbuster move made by the Miami Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays.

In a bullet version of this story, the Miami team only finished with 7 wins less than the 2012 version of themselves, yet they have stockpiled many of young assets, and all for about a one-third of a payroll they had last year.

Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey (parlayed by throwing Travis d’Arnaud and former Marlin John Buck via trade) had average years only, and Emilio Bonifacio was eventually moved to Kansas City for bad play.

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“Stoking The Fire” Week 3: Kansas City Royals State Of The Union 2014 Part 1

James Shields turned in a workman like effort for the Royals - only to have received little run support.  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.  2014 becomes the most pivotal year in the last 3 decades for the franchise - as it is "Big Game" James' last year under contract.

James Shields turned in a workman like effort for the Royals (13 – 9, with a 3.15 ERA – AL leading 228.2 IP and 34 Game Starts) – only to have received little run support. 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. 2014 becomes the most pivotal year in the last 3 decades for the franchise – as it is “Big Game” James’ last year under contract.  With them trading away Wil Myers for his services, the team needs to capitalize on this year.  Ultimately the franchise should spend any amount of $$$ necessary in 2014 to compete with the big boys of the AL.  With so many of their own core young players due to start receiving salaries increases, this next year has to be the time to go for it!!

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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I am officially calling out the Royals Management and ownership to buck up again for the 2014 season.  If ever there was a year to spend the money it is now!

You have James Shields for one more year, and all of your core young players like Billy Butler, Eric HosmerLuke Hochevar and Mike Moustakas are heading for some payraises in the near future for Arbitration.

Wade Davis also will see his money bumped in 2015.

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

The time to win is now!

Shields first inning as a Royal

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