Blog Archives
The Glory of Day Baseball and the Near Legendary Status of Gary Pettis and Jason Kipnis – New @LockedOnMLB Podcast
There is nothing quite as glorious as day baseball during the week. There is no equivalent in any other sport. Meanwhile, belated birthday wishes are sent to Gary Pettis and Jason Kipnis, two players who came agonizingly close to becoming all time legends.
https://player.megaphone.fm/LKN7268898726?
Click HERE for the latest episode
This is the LockedOn MLB Podcast with your host Paul Francis Sullivan. Please call him Sully.
Who Owned Baseball August 26, 2018 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2018 #WOB

AP Photo/David Zalubowski
For an explanation of how WOB works, click here.
Matt Carpenter hit a record 4 doubles while driving in 2 and scoring 2 as the Cardinals clobbered the Rockies, 12-3.
Kyle Hendricks threw 7 innings of 2 hit shutout ball as the Cubs blanked the Reds, 9-0.
Jason Kipnis doubled, homered and collected 2 more singles, driving in 4 runs in the Indians 12-5 laugher over Kansas City.
Blake Snell struck out 8 in 6 innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 run to help the Rays be the first team to sweep Boston this year with a 9-1 thumping.
They all owned baseball on August 26, 2018
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owns October (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 8, 2017

Boston Herald Staff Photo by Matt West
Well… we have at least ONE more day where all of the playoff series are alive. At least ONE more day where we will have four playoff games within 24 hours. The Red Sox, who looked dead from the neck up and down 3-0 before they even came to bat, woke up and clobbered Houston.
Meanwhile the Yankees bats were silent but Joe Girardi couldn’t find a way to bungle THIS one run game.
All four series are alive and well (even though 3 can end tomorrow!)
So who owned October?
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.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 8
2017 American League Division Series Game 3:
Receiving 1 WOO
Greg Bird broke a scoreless tie in the 7th with a homer off of Miller and provided all the offense in the Yankees 1-0 blanking of Cleveland.
David Price came out of the bullpen to throw 4 shutout innings, striking out 4 Astros, to keep the Red Sox in the post season in their 10-3 victory.
Hanley Ramirez collected 4 hits, including a back breaking RBI double, driving in 3 in total to lead Boston past Houston, 10-3.
Masahiro Tanaka threw 7 shutout innings, striking out 7 Cleveland batters and allowing 3 hits to earn the 1-0 decision for the Yankees.
Receiving 1/2 WOO
Carlos Carrasco kept the Yankees scoreless into the 6th, finishing with 5 2/3 innings, striking out 7. He did not get the decision as the Indians were shutout, 1-0.
Yuli Gurriel collected 4 hits in the Astros 10-3 loss to Boston.
Jason Kipnis singled and tripled but was stranded both times in the Indians 1-0 defeat by the Yankees.
Current WOO Totals MLB 2017
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,
Jose Altuve – Astros 1, Greg Bird – Yankees 1, Jay Bruce – Indians 1, Kris Bryant – Cubs 1, Carlos Correa – Astros 1, Logan Forsythe – Dodgers 1, Brett Gardner – Yankees 1, Yan Gomes – Indians 1, Ketel Marte – Diamondbacks 1, Hanley Ramirez – Red Sox 1, Justin Turner – Dodgers 1, Ryan Zimmerman – Nationals 1, Starlin Castro – Yankees 1/2, Brian Dozier – Twins 1/2, Paul Goldschmidt – Diamondbacks 1/2, Yuli Gurriel – Astros 1/2, Jason Kipnis – Indians 1/2, Sandy Leon – Red Sox 1/2, J. D. Martinez – Diamondbacks 1/2, Anthony Rizzo – Cubs 1/2, Gary Sanchez – Yankees 1/2, Trevor Story – Rockies 1/2, Christian Vazquez – Red Sox 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,
David Price – Red Sox 1 1/2, Trevor Bauer – Indians 1, Sean Doolittle – Nationals 1, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 1, Kenley Jansen – Dodgers 1, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 1, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1, Robbie Ray – Diamondbacks 1, David Robertson – Yankees 1, Masahiro Tanaka – Yankees 1, Josh Tomlin – Indians 1, Justin Verlander – Astros 1, Archie Bradley – Diamondbacks 1/2, Carlos Carrasco – Indians 1/2, Jaime Garcia – Yankees 1/2, Zack Godley – Diamondbacks 1/2, Jon Lester – Cubs 1/2, Chris Rusin – Rockies 1/2, Stephen Strasburg – Nationals 1,
Who Owned Baseball May 28, 2017 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

Chuck Crow/Cleveland Plain Dealer
Jason Kipnis reached base 5 times, homered and drove in 2 as the Indians clobbered Kansas City, 10-1.
Josh Tomlin went the distance, allowing 6 hits and 1 run over 9 and earned the lopsided 10-1 decision for Cleveland against the Royals.
Adam Duvall collected 3 hits, including 2 homers, driving in 5 runs, leading the Reds past Philadelphia, 8-4.
Jimmy Nelson threw 7 strong innings, allowing 1 run and no walks while striking out 10 Diamondbacks en route to a 9-5 Milwaukee win.
They all owned baseball on May 28, 2017
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owned Baseball May 14, 2017 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2017 #WOB Standings

AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Jason Kipnis went 4 for 5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI to lead the Indians past surprising Minnesota, 8-3.
Pat Valaika homered twice, driving in 4, as the Rockies out slugged the Dodgers, 9-6.
Alex Meyer struckout 7 Tigers in 6 1/3 innings and allowed only 3 hits, 2 walks and 1 run to earn the 4-1 decision for the Angels.
Adam Wainwright shutout the Cubs for 7 strong innings as the Cardinals rolled, 5-0.
They all owned baseball on May 14, 2017
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Chicago Cubs Payroll In 2017 + Contracts Going Forward
Look, there is no way to sugar coat it, the Jason Heyward contract is about the biggest dumpster fire of a contract there may ever be. Having said that, everyone receives one mulligan.
Even 3 time World Series winning GM Brian Sabean has had a horrible Matt Cain contract to contend with the last half decade.
Theo Epstein hasn’t made too many blunders – and winning a World Series with both the Red Sox and now the Cubs has solidified a position for him in Cooperstown.
Also lucky is the brilliant signing of Anthony Rizzo of a 7 YR deal prior to 2013, and when he asserted himself as a perennial MVP contender.
Despite carrying a projected payroll in 2017 of around $171 MIL – the team has plenty of expiring contracts in the name of Jake Arrieta, Wade Davis, Jon Lackey, Jon Jay, Pedro Strop, Miguel Montero and Koji Uehara. to replenisg te talent again in 2018 – and going forward
There are only 4 players signed for $79.2 MIL so far.

The Rizzo longterm deal a perfect contrast to the Heyward pact. Should Rizzo’s Team Options be picked up for 2020 and 2021 (for $16.5 MIL each year), then the club will still only have paid him $74 MIL from 2013 – 2021, spanning 9 years at an Annual Value of $8.2 MIL. That is completely lights out for the organization going forward.
The one factor of brilliantly drafting and then rostering a club full of guys the same age is that they are all on entry level contracts for a few years before the squad becomes increasingly expensive before Arbitration rights kick in.
2018 will see Kris Bryant, Kyle Hendricks and Addison Russell all hit 1st year Eligible on Arbitration, and then 2019 has Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras and Carl Edwards JR. hit the 1st year.
it will be at this point the team shoots up the salary page.
Other than Jon Lester, Heyward and Ben Zobrist, there are no real big salaries on the table for the team to digest.
The biggest dilemma will be the status of Jake Arrieta. My guess is that he will want too much money and walk away from the Cubs.
More important than that even is simply signing Free Agents (not named Arrieta) by Epstein.
Epstein is creative. It is okay to figure out a Starting Pitcher in Free Agency, and also add another Closer if need be. Who knows, by 2018, Hector Rondon and Carl Edwards JR. may be able to lock down that role.
There is still money to spend in the 2017 and 2018 winter markets for sure.
Also playing in the NL Central provides them with security of being able to outspend all the other teams – with the Cardinals only being in the atmosphere.
It is not like they are fighting in the tough NL West with the Giants and high spending Dodgers. It will still mean facing off against those clubs. and contending with the aging Nationals roster, and New York Mets young staff for a few seasons.
Wrigley Field will be sold out, the revenue streams will break out to record levels, all freely flowing cash into the Ricketts family pockets.
The good news is they are not in cap hell yet The bad news is that it would only take one more bad deal/paired with Heyward, in order to prevent the club from signing all of their young superstars to extensions.
Epstein is too smart for that. Look for high value Annual Average Value’s that have expiring contracts before the 2018 and 2019 seasons. I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade for an existing ace pitcher.
Think Zack Greinke now, or a guy like Justin Verlander in 2018 or 2019, where the other club may eat some of the salary, ask for a high level prospect, and then have a legitimate Starter to lug some innings in the playoffs.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if the brass orchestrates a trade for a guy like Chris Archer – or Sonny Gray (midway through this year if he has healed himself).
Maybe it would cost you a Javier Baez, or a combinations of Carl Edwards JR./Albert Almora JR. to do it, however with Ben Zobrist still in town, defense alignment can be configured in a lot of different ways for at least the next 2 – 3 years.
Like I stated in the Giants Payroll article, the new CBA has also reeled in the Dodgers spending $300 MIL on team payroll. The best thing that could happen for the Cubs is if Clayton Kershaw were to opt out of his deal beyond 2017.
That would either bring up the price for the Dodgers to sign him, or even give them the chance to sign the guy themselves. Yes. the Cubs have more flexibility than the Dodgers for at least a couple of offseasons.
Guaranteed Contracts/POS/AGE:
Jason Heyward – OF (28): With a grand sum of $184 MIL from 2016 – 2023 ( 8 years) this is a brutal deal – and the club is lucky to have already won a World Series in season 1 of this pact.
Heyward will make an astonishing $28.2 MIL for both the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Epstein at least frontloaded the contract to erase some of the burden by the time the young talent comes up for raises.
This deal is the 13th richest in history for a guy who carried a .631 OPS. in 2016 I tend to think that Heyward will be closer to his Career OPS of .761 the next few years with the pressure somewhat off him now.
Hit him 7th or 8th and let him work out his kinks. Defense is at least not a problem here with him winning a 4th Gold Glove.
This could end bad in 2017 – with Heyward riding pine for some of the year – if the club opts to use Zobrist, Schwarber and the tandem of Jon Jay and Almora JR. as the OF.
You also have to think that Joe Maddon won’t hesitate to find Willson Contreras reps as well.
Jon Lester – SP (33): Lester is in the 3rd year of a 7 YR/$165 MIL deal, and is set to reel in $25 MIL in 2017. The deal calls for $27.5 MIL in both 2018 and 2019, before scaling back to $20 MIL in 2020.
There is a 2021 Club Option as well. Details on that: $25M Team Option, $10M Buyout option guaranteed with 200 innings in 2020 or 400 IP in 2019-20.
With the Buyout that large, the man would have to fall from grace hard, to not get the Option. Although he would be nearly 40, $15 MIL extra will probably not be that bad.
Lester is worth every dollar the club has spent so far. It is hard to find playoff proven commodities on the open market.
Ben Zobrist – UT (36): Zobrist is the only player in the MLB who was won 2 straight World Series, as also being a member of the 2015 WS Champ KC Royals.
With the availability to play 5 defensive positions, Zobrist was the perfect compliment to the Cubs defensive roster in 2016 – although he played predominantly at 2B.
With the emergence of Baez in the playoffs, he will likely rove more around in 2017.
Zobrist earns $16.5 MIL in both 2017 and 2018 – before retreating back to $12.5 MIL in 2019. He will be in his Age 39 season at that point, and it may not look so hot at that point, but one can’t argue at his flexibility on the Roster providing so many options in the title run.
You can even say that his positional switching gives the club a better chance to hold onto Kyle Schwarber (instead of trading him in the American League).
John Lackey – SP (38): Lackey joined Lester, David Ross. and Epstein as guys who have won World Series in 2013 with Boston and the Cubs in 2016. He will make $16 MIL in 2017 before hitting Free Agency in 2018.
Lackey lugged 188.1 IP and gave the Cubs a 3.35 ERA in the process. It doesn’t even matter that he was being pulled in the early innings of the postseason.
Jake Arrieta – SP (31): Arrieta earns a tidy $15.6 MIL this year and will likely head out into Free Agency as a Scott Boras client. Unfortunately the man is going to be 32 heading into 2018.
I would not offer him higher than a 4 year deal at $20 – $21 MIL after, yet that will not get the job done when he hits the open market. Someone will pony up 5 YRs/$125 MIL for him, you watch.
Miguel Montero – C (34); Montero will make $14 MIL in 2017 – and I am not sure he will Catch more than about 60 games. Contreras at last is on an entry level contract to offset this salary. I am surprised the team has not ventured out to trade him.
Wade Davis – CL (32): It cost the club Jorge Soler and 4 years of Team Control, yet this was the way to go. $10 MIL for one year of Davis (who Closed for the 2015 wS Champion Royals) is smart business practice.
To acquire an elite Reliever such as this is a great move – when you consider the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants spent $86 MIL, $80 MIL and $62 MIL to sign Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon respectively.
Soler was going to be their 7th option as an OF. Davis, by the way, has a 0.83 ERA in 32.2 IP for his postseason career – and has carried a mid 1 ERA from 2014 – 2016 as a late inning Reliever – spanning 183 IP.
I would also think the club will extend the Qualifying Offer to him this winter ( $17.5 – $19 MIL range for one year), so they may even recover a 2nd or 3rd Draft Pick back all for just $10 MIL.
Jon Jay – OF (32): Has a 2017 contract or $8 MIL to play OF. He has a career .352 OBP, so could hit 1st or 9th for Maddon, working as an on base guy for the big boppers. Brilliant little move.
Anthony Rizzo – 1B (28): Rizzo will take him $7 MIL for 2017, coming after the heels of an ALL-Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and top 4 MVP season in which he clubbed 30+ HRs and added 100 RBI for a 2nd straight season.
Rizzo also makes $7 MIL in 2018, $12 MIL in 2019, and two Team Options in a row call for $16.5 MIL and $2 MIL Buyouts for both 2020 and 2021.
It is contracts like this that setup championship caliber clubs for the organization.
Other valued deals that compare to it last decade or so. Paul Goldschmidt (5 YRs/$32.5 MIL), Madison Bumgarner (6 YRS/$35.6 MIL) and Andrew McCutchen ( 6 YRs/$51 MIL) that coincided with 4 straight top 5 NL MVP finishes.
Rizzo should challenge for an MVP every year of that remains on this deal.
Koji Uehara – RP (42): $6 MIL for one year seems like a lot or a guy of his age, but Uehara has plenty of playoff/Closer experience that is invaluable to a club like this. I would take it easy on him in the regular season and save the bullets for playoffs.
Hector Rondon – RP (29): $5.8 MIL for this former Closer is not a bad deal in 2017. Rondon has one more year left of Arbitration before hitting Free Agency in 2019. He has 77 Saves and a career ERA of 2.97.
Brian Duensing – SP/RP (33): Makes $2 MIL in 2017 and a Free Agent in 2018. A spot start here and extra Bullpen arm,
Justin Grimm – RP (29): Avoided Arbitration with a $1.8 MIL, has 2 more years left of Arbitration before he is a Free Agent.
Total Money for this Category for 2017: $157.5 MIL (13 Players)
Arbitration Eligible/POS/AGE
3rd year
Pedro Strop – RP (33): Is projected to to earn $5.5 MIL in Arbitration, and is a Free Agent in 2018.
Total Money for this Category for 2017: $5.5 MI: Total money is now $163 MIL
Pre-Arbitration – Entry Level Contracts:
Tommy La Stella – INF (28): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.
Kyle Hendricks – SP (27): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.
Kris Bryant – 3B Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2021 as a “Super 2” and a Free Agent in 2021. Bryant is only 25 Years old, and will have 4 years of Arbitration kick in starting next season.
Since the club opted to start his 2015 after the 10 days of service time, they wll retian his rights until the end of 2021. Bryant is on pace to end up recording Arbitration cash if he keeps his career trajectory.
The club should really look to extend him similar to the Mike Trout 6 YRs.$144 MIL deal he got.
Addison Russell – SS (23): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2021 as a “Super 2” and a Free Agent in 2022.
Comparisons to an extension similar to what he may get are: Jason Kipnis and Matt Carpenter (6 YRs and $52 MIL)
Matt Szczur – UT (28): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Javier Baez – 2B/3B (24): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Mike Montgomery – SP/RP (29): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Kyle Schwarber – OF (24): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Willson Contreras – C (25): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2022 – 2022 and a Free Agent in 2023.
Albert Almora JR – OF (23): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2022 – 2022 and a Free Agent in 2023.
Rob Zastryzny – RP (25) Is Arbitration Eligible from 2022 – 2022 and a Free Agent in 2023.
Total Money for this Category for 2017: $6.0 MIL MIL Toral Money Oveall – $169.0 MIL
Buyouts/Dead Money
Jason Hammel – $2 Million Buyout for 2017 that was agreed to in a gentleman’s deal. There is no dead money on he books past 2017 thus far.
Conclusions:
Despite the Heyward mistake of a deal, Epstein has done everything right. It will be a constant maneuvering of the incoming talent – to surround the plethora of young superstars the club has.
The Cubs have the availability to sign an elite pitcher in Free Agency in the year or 2, or trade for one. Beyond that, the team can’t make another top 50 ALL – Time Salary roster mistake.
The brass should also investigate early extensions for Bryant, Ruseell and Contreras immediately while they may afford to wait for Hendricks and Schwarber yet.
Some sort of guaranteed money to the budget would be wise
As for Arrieta, he is just too old – an unorthodox in order to grant him the cash he will seek. Epstein has to find creative ways to bring in a #1 or $2 beyond this campaign.
Chicago is fantastic shape financially to spend as much as it takes to ensure a dynasty in the next half-dozen years.
If I were in charge I would try to limit any big historic contracts to their own young superstars from this point forwards.
Also don’t be afraid to trade one of the premiere young offensive players for a quality Starter (#1 or #2 Starter)like Baez, Contreras or Almora.
Follow @chuckbooth3024 @mlbreports
*** 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***
I am happy to be back at the helm of the MLB Reports, after completing my record 224 Games in the MLB Trip in 2015. It was the 4th time I have seen all 30 MLB Parks since 2008. During that time away I was fortunate to do 100 Media Interviews
To Subscribe and listen daily to ‘Our Lead Personality’ Sully’s 20 Minutes Daily (every day since Oct.24, 2012) Podcast click here. Guaranteed listening to the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast will be the best time you invest in online!
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 3, 2017
While at the Pacific Pinball Museum, I thought about some of the most dramatic foul balls of all time.
Some of them could have changed the course of baseball history.
Bounce here and bounce there on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Cleveland Indians Should Be The Favorite In The AL For 2017 With Encarnacion Signing

Cleveland was one inning away from winning the World Series in 2017, knocked out the Boston Red Sox (who are the odds favorite in the AL currently) and have now added slugger Edwin Encarnacion to their lineup for 2017. Cleveland will also see AL MVP candidate Michael Brantley back to the roster for a full healthy year = after playing the majority of 2016 without his services. A great Pitching Staff, all around defense, combined with a well adjusted lineup, and cupcake Division to play in – and the Tribe should be the favorite to win the AL Pennant next campaign and not the Red Sox.
With the news that Edwin Encarnacion signing a 3 Year Deal Worth $55 MIL< and a Team Option for a 4th season that is $25 MIL – or a $5 MIL Buyout, the Indians have put themselves back into the lead as the favorite in the Junior Circuit.
So far, the oddsmakers don’t agree with that last statement, as the Red Sox are currently +475 to win the World Series – while Cleveland is listed at +700 to win the Fall Classic, but lets look at what Cleveland has going for it.
Michael Brantley is coming back (potentially fully healthy, and was a legitimate AL MVP candidate in 2014 and 2015. Now to have him as a 3/4 tandem with EE, you are talking about a great heart of the lineup.
Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor are full value to kickstart the offense. Both guys are capable of playing all world ALL – Star campaigns upcoming.
Carlos Santana had a career year for HRs (34) RBI (87) OPS (.865) and will still bring in his 100 Walks a year.
Jose Ramirez can hit 6th for me any time. Tyler Naquin held an .886 OPS in half a years worth AB en route to finishing 3rd in Rookie Of The Year Voting.
The club can fend enough offense in RF a Catcher to hit 8th and 9th. Read the rest of this entry
Cleveland Indians State Of The Union For 2017: The Tribe Better Not Trade Andrew Miller!

The Cleveland has ridden great drafting, trades and salaried contracts to put themselves into contention for the AL Pennant over the next couple of years. The last thing they need to do is try to deal the one Bullpen member who helped pushed them over the top in the Junior Circuit in 2016. At worst, start the season with Andrew Miller – and if things go horribly, you can always trade him midway through the year with ome other guys as well.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
The 2016 season showed us just how valuable that a Relief Pitcher like Andrew Miller can be. Loaded with an arsenal of great Bullpen guys, Terry Francona flipped the coaching book on its keester by bringing back the old way that Relievers used to be implemented late in the games. I was a kid who would watch Goose Gossage mow down hitters as a hired gun late in contests.
We all saw it before our very own eyes. Now comes the most ridiculous notion ever of considering trading him? Really Cleveland?? You better not even fathom this until at least midway through the 2017 campaign.
I understand it is tough for a mid market club doling out $9M a year for a guy who might log 70 Innings – and not save the games he is in, but they just need to look at how good they fared in 2016.
The Tribe was without its best player all year in Michael Brantley, and also without Danny Salazar/Carlos Carrasco for the majority of the playoffs too. There is no way this club should have gone this far, and pushed the Cubs to the brink of elimination in the Fall Classic, before the reigning champs came back to ruin the party in Cleveland.
If I were in Chris Antonetti’s shoes I don’t start any dialogue about 2017’s roster without Andrew Miller on the opening day squad.

$9 Million is not earth shattering cash when you consider Andrew Cashner – and his bloated ERA of 5.25 just backed up his dome into Texas and settled for a cool $10 MIL for the 2017 season. If Cleveland can’t afford the guy they might as well pack up town in the middle of the night and head elsewhere (something that has happened in Cleveland before.) The 6 FT 7 – 31 Year old-fashioned a 10 – 1 record this year. with an incredible 123 Ks and just 9 BB in his 74.1 IP worth of work. Miller then fanned 30 batters, walked just five, while sporting a 1.40 ERA in 20.1 IP in the postseason, winning the ALCS MVP honors and nearly helped lead his team to Cleveland’s first WS win since 1948. If the goal is to win in the playoffs you can’t trade this guy right now. He is money there, and you have a chance to go back to October baseball again in 2017.
This 2016 AL Pennant squad should be conceivably better with a healthy Michael Brantley coming back, equaled with more seasoning from Tyler Naquin, and topped off with the emergence of Francisco Lindor/Jason Kipnis as an awesome double play combination.
it may be hard to fill the 34 HRs and 101 RBI that Mike Napoli brought forth, but one could still find a few cheap replacements to pull in some nice numbers. They could employ another DH full time like Pedro Alvarez on the cheap, and work in some against LHP – by bringing back Rajai Davis who crushes southpaws. Davis could act as a 4th OF in the midst of Naquin, Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall.
The Indians still also have Brandou Guyer – who can handle a stick against LHP as well – and act as a DH/OF.
Cleveland is currently slated to pay around $105 MIL to all of its current guys. Maybe there is only a few million in the coffers to play in Free Agency this offseason, yet this teams strength is its Bullpen – so don’t trade from that position of strength.
Terry Francona should be given all ample bodies to begin the campaign. If it all goes awry during the season you can always trade some players midway through the year if it looks like it will not be their year.
Furthermore, I would ride the beginning of the year just like they ended the playoffs. I would not change anything at all out of the gate. I would start the year off by playing with a huge sense of urgency.
The way the rest of the AL Central is looking, with the Tigers and white Sox talking a bot cutting payroll and maybe going for a rebuild, combined with KC potentially selling on their pending Free Agents in the next couple of years like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Wade Davis, then you could see how a quick Cleveland start could discourage the rest of the pack.
The Dodgers just set a record for innings logged into the playoffs and it served them well. The good news is the Indians can rely on their starters to provide some much needed rest for their late inning arms, by logging some of their own innings.
Go into frontrunner mode and let Francona figure out a way to get the likes of Miller, Allen and Shaw enough rest – so they can patchwork it through the end of the season.
Winning a bunch of games early, added with an awesome 2016 season – should see the Indians organization see a rise in attendance through the wickets to start the year. An early lead would only help the situation out. Cleveland should go all out to win in 2017. Go the way of the 2014 Royals turning a World Series loss into a repeat trip the next year.
Cleveland will need Miller’s skill set when it comes time for the playoffs too. This guy just seems to get better the more work he gets. Keep riding the horse.
The franchise is so lucky that they have Lindor in Pre-Arbitration status – and that despite missing almost all of the 2016 season – that Michael Brantley is criminally underpaid for his services on the board.
Kipnis, Kluber and Carrasco were also extended contracts at the exact perfect time. Having all these guys not cost a boatload is the reason you could have afforded Miller in the 1st place
Bryan Shaw and Carlos Santana are the only guys that are free after the 2017 year anyways. Those guys while vital to the team this year, can be replaced – whereas a guy like Miller is a game changer in his role. If they really need to keep the finances in line, they would be better served to dangle these players as trade bait first.

Terry Francona has won 2 Manager of the Year Awards in his 4 seasons in Cleveland. He is also underrated in his Bullpen management. The organization should let him have all of the weapons in the Relief Core. I think he should also run with the style he used in the playoffs to start the year. Worry about resting the guys later in the year if they come flying out of the gates early. This way of thinking could have us return to what Relievers used to be implored for in game use.
*** 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/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.
To Subscribe and listen daily to ‘Our Lead Personality’ Sully’s 20 Minutes Daily (every day since Oct.24, 2012) Podcast click here. Guaranteed listening to the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast will be the best time you invest in online!
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 1, 2016

(Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)
Was Game 6 of the 2016 World Series a classic? Actually no. It was kind of a dud. But it was a strange dud whose impact could be felt in Game 7.
It is a Calm Before the Storm Episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Jake Arrieta, Kris Bryantand Jason Kipnis all added to their totals for Who Owns October and Who Owns the World Series (WOO and WOWS.)
For the up to date standings of Who Owns October and Who Owns the World Series, go to MLB Reports
What is “Who Owns October”? Click HERE for an explanation.
Who Owns October and Who Owns the 2016 World Series (#WOO and #WOWS) Tallies Updated For November 1, 2016

Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
It all comes down to one game. Does it get better than that?
So who owned October and the World Series?
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.
But the World Series deserves its own stats. WOWS (Who Owns the World Series.)
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter. The WOWS total will be kept separately. Each game now counts towards both tallies.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From November 1st
2016 World Series Game 6:
Receiving 1 WOO’s and WOWS
Jake Arrieta struck out 9 Indians in 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs and earned the 9-3 decision for the Cubs in Game 6.
Kris Bryant collected 4 hits including a homer and a pair of runs scored as the Cubs clocked the Indians 9-3 and forced a Game 7.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s and WOWS
Jason Kipnis singled, doubled and homered, scoring a pair but the rest of the Indians were silenced in their 9-3 loss to the Cubs.
Current ‘WOWS’ Totals MLB 2016:
Hitters ‘WOWS’ MLB 2016,
Kris Bryant – Cubs 2, Jason Kipnis – Indians 1 1/2, Coco Crisp – Indians 1, Roberto Perez – Indians 1, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1, Rajai Davis – Indians 1/2, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1/2, Mike Napoli – Indians 1/2, Jorge Soler – Cubs 1/2, Ben Zobrist – Cubs 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOWS’ MLB 2016,
Jake Arrieta – Cubs 2, Corey Kluber – Indians 2, Jon Lester – Cubs 1, Andrew Miller – Indians 1, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 1/2, Bryan Shaw – Indians 1/2,
HCurrent WOO Totals MLB 2016
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Josh Donaldson – Blue Jays 3 1/2, Kris Bryant – Cubs 3, Francisco Lindor – Indians 3, Adrian Gonzalez – Dodgers 2 1/2, Jason Kipnis – Indians 2 1/2, Coco Crisp – Indians 2, Daniel Murphy – Nationals 2, Addison Russell – Cubs 2, Justin Turner – Dodgers 2, Javier Baez – Cubs 1 1/2, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1 1/2, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1 1/2, Conor Gillaspie – Giants 1 1/2, Mike Napoli – Indians 1 1/2, Roberto Perez – Indians 1 1/2, Ben Zobrist – Cubs 1 1/2, Mookie Betts – Red Sox 1, Brandon Guyer – Indians 1, Yasmani Grandal – Dodgers 1, Shawn Kelley – Nationals 1, Miguel Montero – Cubs 1, Joe Panik – Giants 1, Joc Pederson – Dodgers 1, Anthony Rizzo – Cubs 1, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1, Troy Tulowitzki – Blue Jays 1, Jayson Werth – Nationals 1, Elvis Andrus – Rangers 1/2, Jose Bautista – Blue Jays 1/2, Andrew Benintendi – Red Sox 1/2, Gregor Blanco – Giants 1/2, Rajai Davis – Indians 1/2, Ian Desmond – Rangers 1/2, Curtis Granderson – Mets 1/2, Rougned Odor – Rangers 1/2, Buster Posey – Giants 1/2, Carlos Ruiz – Dodgers 1/2, Michael Saunders – Blue Jays 1/2, Corey Seager – Dodgers 1/2, Jorge Soler – Cubs 1/2, Mark Trumbo – Orioles 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Corey Kluber – Indians 4, Jon Lester – Cubs 4, Andrew Miller – Indians 3, Jake Arrieta – Cubs 2 1/2, Kenley Jansen – Dodgers 2 1/2, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 2, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 2, Roberto Osuna – Blue Jays 2, Josh Tomlin – Indians 2, Marco Estrada – Blue Jays 1 1/2, Madison Bumgarner – Giants 1, Aroldis Chapman – Cubs 1, Rich Hill – Dodgers 1, Derek Law – Giants 1, Mark Melancon– Nationals 1, Ryan Merritt – Indians 1, Mike Montgomery – Cubs 1, Aaron Sanchez – Blue Jays 1, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1, Travis Wood – Cubs 1, Johnny Cueto – Giants 1/2, Matt Moore – Giants 1/2, Darren O’Day – Orioles 1/2, Max Scherzer – Nationals 1/2, Bryan Shaw – Indians 1/2, Noah Syndergaard – Mets 1/2,
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2016? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 6, 2016

USA Today Sports
Have you noticed that Marco Estrada is putting together a terrific October resume? I thought Cole Hamels was going to be a playoff hero. Nope. Turns out a new hero is emerging. And suddenly my pick to win the World Series could be on their heels.
Meanwhile Jason Kipnis wants to be beloved in Cleveland and Terry Francona showed how a bullpen is handed.
Time to see who owned October.
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.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 6th. AL Division Series Game 1:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Josh Donaldson reached based 5 times, doubling twice, driving in 2 and scoring twice and sparked the Blue Jays to a 10-1 blow out in Texas.
Marco Estrada pitched a shutout into the 9th, finishing with 1 run over 8 1/3 innings, 4 hits and no walks, as the Blue Jays cruised to a 10-1 beating of the Rangers.
Jason Kipnis collected 3 hits, including a homer, driving in 2, to lead the Indians past the Red Sox, 5-4.
Andrew Miller came out of the bullpen in the 5th innings and struck out 4 Red Sox in 2 shutout innings, earning the 5-4 decision for Cleveland.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2016:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Josh Donaldson – Blue Jays 1, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1, Conor Gillaspie – Giants 1, Jason Kipnis – Indians 1, Elvis Andrus – Rangers 1/2, Andrew Benintendi – Red Sox 1/2, Curtis Granderson – Mets 1/2, Mark Trumbo – Orioles 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Madison Bumgarner – Giants 1, Marco Estrada – Blue Jays 1, Andrew Miller – Indians 1, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1, Darren O’Day – Orioles 1/2, Noah Syndergaard – Mets 1/2,
Who Owned Baseball July 7, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

Steve Nesius / Associated Press
Hector Santiago struck out 9 Rays over his 7 scoreless innings and earned the 5-1 decision for the Angels.
Kurt Suzuki hit a homer and single, driving in 2, and helped the Twins clobber the Rangers, 10-1.
Drew Pomeranz threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks as San Diego blanked the Dodgers.6-0.
Nick Markakis homered twice and drove in 3 to help the Braves beat the Cubs, 4-3.
They All Owned Baseball July 7, 2016
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
MLB DFS Daily Picks For FanDuel – 6/14/16
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
One of the biggest blunders made by many gamblers is betting against themselves. We are going to simplify the process, so if you win, you can really win – none of this barely break even nonsense.
Our new Draft Strategy is now here. Please read after the post.
Now here is what we are going to do for today’s MLB DFS FanDuel style.
We Will Give You – Daily
5 team stacking options ( We are going to draw most of our players from these 5 squads).
3 Pitching candidates (High level, midlevel and budget). Read the rest of this entry
Who Owned Baseball May 11, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

ALEX BRANDON/AP
Max Scherzer matched the record for strikeouts in a 9 inning game by fanning 20 Tigers and throwing the complete game 3-2 masterpiece in Washington.
Noah Syndergaard earns a rare pitcher WOB as a hitter, clubbing a pair of homers, driving in all four of the Mets run and earning the 4-3 decision on the mound against the Dodgers to boot.
Doug Fister threw 7 strong innings, allowing just 2 runs and walking no Indians batter. He did not get the decision but set up the Astros walk off 5-3 in the 16th.
Jackie Bradley Jr. homered twice and doubled, knocking in 6 as the red hot Red Sox clubbed the A’s, 13-3.
They all owned baseball on May 11, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owned Baseball June 27, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
Jun 28
Posted by Paul Francis Sullivan
JOE ROBBINS/GETTY IMAGES
Kris Bryant went 5 for 5 with 3 homers, driving in 6 and scoring 4 to lead the Cubs in a wild 11-8 slugfest in Cincinnati.
Jon Gray struck out 8 Blue Jays over 7 innings, walking none and worked around a pair of homers to get the 9-5 victory for Colorado.
Nick Franklin singled, doubled and homered, driving in 5 runs as the Rays snapped their losing streak, 13-7 over Boston.
Danny Duffy pitched 8 innings, allowing 2 runs, walking none and struck out 8 Cardinals batters to earn the 6-2 decision for the Royals.
They all owned baseball on June 27, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
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Tags: ) Guys Who Owned Earned 1/2 A WOB 2016 MLB, 2 1 /2, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings Edit | Quick Edit | Trash | View Paul Francis Sullivan ‘SullyMetrics’ (1 as hitter) Julio Teheran, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings Who Owned Baseball June 26, 2016 WOB Leaders for American League Hitter, 2016 WOB Leaders for American League Pitcher, 2016 WOB Leaders for the National League Hitter, 2016 WOB Leaders for the National League Pitcher, A.J. 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