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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 30th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo: Charles Krupa - AP

Photo: Charles Krupa – AP

Jake Arrieta threw a no hitter into the 8th inning, finishing with 7 1/3 innings of 1 hit, 1 walk and 10 strikeout ball, earning the 2-0 win for the Cubs in Boston.

Ubaldo Jimenez gave the Orioles 8 innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 unearned run, getting the 7-1 victory for the Orioles against the Rangers.

Ryan Zimmerman went 3-4 with a pair of doubles, scored twice and drove in a run, helping the Nationals past the Rockies, 7-3.

Rajai Davis got 2 hits, including a walk off come from behind grand slam that gave the Tigers a stunning 5-4 triumph over the A’s.

 

They owned baseball on June 30, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 29th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

 

TED S. WARREN/AP

TED S. WARREN/AP

Felix Hernandez threw his 9th straight start of at least 7 innings and at most 2 earned runs. Today’s game was 8 innings of 1 hit, 9 strikeout shutout ball of the Indians, earning the 3-0 win for the surging Mariners.

Homer Bailey made a bid for his third career no hitter. He finished with a 3 hit complete game shutout and a 4-0 victory for the Reds in San Francisco.

Matt Joyce missed the cycle by a triple, went 5-6 with 4 RBI, 3 runs scored and a pair of homers as the Rays offense went berzerk on the Orioles, 12-7.

Pedro Alvarez went 2-4 with a 3 run homer, helping the Pirates past the Mets, 5-2.

They owned baseball on June 29, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 28th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Ted S. Warren - AP

Ted S. Warren – AP

Josh Tomlin threw a complete game 1 hit shutout, striking out 11 and walking no Seattle Mariners, taking the game 5-0 for Cleveland.

Ian Kinsler hit a 2 out, 3 run homer in the top of the 9th that turned a 2-1 Astros lead into a 4-2 Detroit advantage and eventually a 4-3 final.

Zack Greinke held the Cardinals to 4 hits, 1 run on a solo homer, and walked none while striking out 10, as the Dodgers cruised to a 9-1 victory.

Anthony Rendon went 3-4, missing the cycle by a homer, and helped the Nationals beat the Cubs 7-2.

They owned baseball on June 28, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 27th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Tom Szczerbowski - Getty Images

Tom Szczerbowski – Getty Images

Jose Abreu homered twice and walked , leading the White Sox past the Blue Jays 5-4.

Chris Tillman pitched 8 strong innings, letting up just 4 hits and 1 run, earning the 4-1 decision for the Orioles over the Rays.

Freddie Freeman went 3-5 with a double and a 3 run homer, driving in all of Atlanta’s runs in their 4-2 victory in Philadelphia.

Johnny Cueto shut down the Giants bats, pitching into the 9th inning and finishing with 8 1/3 innings of 3 hit ball as the Reds won 6-2.

They owned baseball on June 27, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 26th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

AP Photo

AP Photo

Chase Utley went 3 for 7 wuth 3 runs batted in including a 2 run, walk off 14th inning homer that sealed the 5-3 Phillies victory over Miami.

Jose Reyes finished 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored, a triple and a run batted in, leading the Blue Jays in the 7-0 blanking of the White Sox.

Mike Leake was masterful with 8 innings of 4 hit, 1 run, 12 strikeout ball. He walked only one Giant and earned the 3-1 decision for Cincinnati.

Rick Porcello threw the first complete game shutout of his career, letting up just 3 hits and walked just three Rangers as Detroit won 6-0.

They owned baseball on June 26, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 25th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, San Francisco Chronicle

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, San Francisco Chronicle

Tim Lincecum became the second pitcher in Giants history to throw two no hitters, pitching a 4-0 masterpiece against the San Diego Padres.

David Price threw a shutout into the 9th, finished with 8 1/3 innings, 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 11 Pirates, earning the 5-1 win in Tampa Bay.

Scooter Gennett got a pair of hits, scored a pair of runs and drove in 5, thanks in part to his grand slam, as the Brewers clobbered the Nationals, 9-2.

Michael Brantley got on base 3 times including a pair of triples, scoring twice and driving in a pair and helping Cleveland top the Diamondbacks, 6-1.

They owned baseball on June 25, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 24th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo - Norm Hall/Getty Images

Photo – Norm Hall/Getty Images

Gerardo Parra got on base 6 times, doubled, stole a base and scored two runs including the game winner as the Diamondbacks won a marathon against Cleveland, 9-8 in 14 innings.

Kyle Seager doubled, homered and drove in 4 runs, leading the Mariners past the Red Sox, 8-2.

Clayton Kershaw followed up his no hitter with 8 innings of 6 hit shutout ball, striking out 8 Royals and earning the 2-0 victory for the Dodgers.

Jose Quintana pitched 7 solid innings, letting up just 1 run and striking out 8 as the White Sox beat the Orioles, 4-2.

They owned baseball on June 24, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 23rd) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

NATHAN DENETTE/AP

NATHAN DENETTE/AP

Marcus Stroman threw 8 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run and 1 walk, earning the 8-3 win for Toronto against the Yankees.

Logan Morrison reached base 5 times, including a pair of homers, 4 RBI and 3 runs scored, as the Mariners clocked the Red Sox, 12-3.

Lance Lynn pitched 8 shutout 3 hit no walk innings, no easy feat in Denver, and got the 8-0 decision for the Cardinals.

Adam LaRoche provided almost all the offense in a match up of division leaders with a 3 run homer, pushing the Nationals to a 3-0 victory in Milwaukee.

They owned baseball on June 23, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 22nd) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Kathy Willens - AP

Kathy Willens – AP

Chris Tillman threw 7 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits as the Orioles took the final game of the series in the Bronx, 8-0.

Madison Bumgarner pitched into the 9th inning, finishing with 8+ innings of 2 hit ball with 1 unearned run, getting the 4-1 decision for the Giants in Arizona.

Miguel Cabrera finished 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBI, leading the Tigers to a 10-4 win and a sweep in Cleveland.

Daniel Murphy led the Mets attack, going 2-5 with a homer and 3 RBI, beating the Marlins in Miami 11-5.

They owned baseball on June 22, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 21st) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

DILIP VISHWANAT - GETTY IMAGES

DILIP VISHWANAT – GETTY IMAGES

Adam Wainwright won a pitchers duel in Philadelphia by pitching 8 outstanding innings and earning the 4-1 victory for St. Louis.

Jake Odorizzi threw 7 1/3 1 hit shutout innings, striking out 10 Astros and getting the 8-0 win for the Rays.

Aramis Ramirez went 3-4 with a homer, leading the Brewers past the Rockies, 9-4.

Steve Pearce got on base 3 times and homered as Baltimore topped the Yankees, 6-1.

They owned baseball on June 21, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 20th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

 

MITCHELL LAYTON/GETTY IMAGES

MITCHELL LAYTON/GETTY IMAGES

Freddie Freeman went 3-6 including a homer and scored in the 13 inning, leading the Braves to a 6-4 victory in Washington.

A.J. Burnett pitched a complete game, allowing just 1 run and walking only 1 as the Phillies topped the Cardinals, 5-1.

Edwin Encarnacion got on base 3 times, clubbed a pair of homers and drove in 6 runs to charge Toronto’s shocking 14-9 comeback in Cincinnati.

Jarred Cosart pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing 6 hits and walking 1, earning the 3-1 decision for the Astros over the Rays.

They owned baseball on June 20, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 19th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

Zack Wheeler faced one batter over the minimum, throwing a complete game, 3 hits, 1 walk, 8 strikeout shutout of the Marlins, getting the 1-0 win for the Mets.

Freddie Freeman went 3-5 with a pair of doubles and 2 runs scored helping the Braves beat the Nationals in a 3-0 NL East showdown.

Scott Kazmir threw 7 strong innings, striking out 8 and walking no Boston batter for the 4-2 victory in Oakland.

Nick Swisher atoned for a rough day at the plate with a 2 out, come from behind, walk off, extra inning grand slam that shocked the Angels, 5-3 in Cleveland.

They owned baseball on June 19, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 18th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo: Chris Carlson - AP

Photo: Chris Carlson – AP

Clayton Kershaw pitched a masterpiece of a no hitter, the second for the Dodgers this season. He walked none, struck out a career high 15 and only an error prevented his 8-0 triumph over the Rockies from being a perfect game.

John Lackey pitched 9 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 9 Twins. He got a no decision as the game went into extra innings, but the Red Sox walked off as 2-1 winners.

Starlin Castro went 3-5 with a pair of doubles, drove in a pair and scored twice, leading the Cubs past the Marlins, 6-1.

Brian McCann homered, tripled and drove in 5 runs as the Yankees beat the first place Blue Jays, 7-3.

They owned baseball on June 18, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 17th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo: Ross D. Franklin - AP

Photo: Ross D. Franklin – AP

Jonathan Lucroy had the final word in the beanball war in Arizona. He followed a hit by pitch with his second homer of the game, a grand slam, that gave him 5 RBI and put the Brewers up for good in their 7-5 embarrassment of the Diamondbacks.

Mike Trout got three extra base hits, including a pair of homers, drove in 4 runs and sparked the Angels 9-3 victory in Cleveland.

Matt Shoemaker pitched 8 strong innings, letting up 2 runs and struck out 10 Indians, earning the 9-3 decision for the Angels.

Michael Wacha pitched 6 innings, striking out 7, giving up just 5 hits and 1 run on a solo homer. He and the Cardinals beat the Mets, 5-2.

They owned baseball on June 17, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 16th) – Updated Yearly WOB Totals For 2014

Photo: Todd Kirkland - AP

Photo: Todd Kirkland – AP

Cole Hamels pitched 7 shutout innings, giving up just 5 hits and 2 walks. The bullpen blew his lead but the Phillies wound up topping the Braves in 13 innings, 6-1.

Dee Gordon sparked the Dodgers offense by getting on base 5 times, including a triple, and scored twice in the 6-1 win against Colorado.

Rubby De La Rosa pitched 7 innings of 1 hit shutout ball, striking out 3 Twins batters and earned the tight 1-0 victory in Boston.

Donnie Murphy slammed a pair of homers, driving in 3 runs, in the 14-8 slugfest won by the Rangers in Oakland.

They owned baseball on June 16, 2014.

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

ASON O. WATSON/GETTY IMAGES

ASON O. WATSON/GETTY IMAGES

Derek Norris crushed a 3 run homer in the first inning and finished the game going 3-5 as the A’s pounded the Yankees, 10-5.

Troy Tulowitzki got on base 4 times, homered and drove in 2, helping the Rockies come from behind and stun the Giants 8-7.

Hisashi Iwakuma threw 8 strong innings, letting up only 6 hits, 1 run and walking no Rangers, earning the 5-1 victory for the Mariners.

Travis Wood held the Phillies hitless into the 6th inning and finished with 8 innings of 3 hit shutout ball for the Cubs 3-0 win.

They owned baseball on June 15, 2014.

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

Nam Y. Huh/ Associated Press

Nam Y. Huh/ Associated Press

Danny Duffy pitched 7 innings of 5 hit shutout ball, getting the decision as Kansas City thrashed the White Sox, 9-1.

Eugenio Suarez missed the cycle by a single, got on base 4 times and led the Tigers to a wild 12-9 victory against the Twins.

Jesse Hahn pitched 6 innings of 1 hit, shutout ball for the Padres, beating the Mets, 5-0.

Andrew McCutchen got on base 3 times, including a homer, and drove in 3, helping the Pirates hold on to an 8-6 win in Miami.

They owned baseball on June 14, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.13) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

J. Pat Carter

J. Pat Carter

Gregory Polanco capped off a 5 hit, 3 run scored game with a 2 run, go ahead 13th inning homer that gave the Pirates a wild 8-6 victory in Miami.

Lance Lynn was perfect into the 6th inning and finished with 8 innings of 2 hit shutout ball, walking nobody and striking out 8 Nationals as St. Louis hung on, 1-0.

Ben Zobrist singled, doubled and tripled, driving in a pair and scoring one, helping Tampa Bay to a much needed 6-1 win over Houston.

David Phelps pitched shutout ball into the 7th inning, finishing with 6 2/3, no runs, 2 hits and kept the A’s from rallying and earning the 7-0 decision for the Yankees.

They owned baseball on June 13, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June.08) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Zimmermann pitched perfect ball into the 6th and finished with a 2 hit 6-0 shutout of the Padres that put the Nationals into a first place tie.

Felix Hernandez threw 7 dominating shutout innings, letting up just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 15 Rays, a career high. He did not get the decision but helped set up Seattle’s 5-0 victory.

Paul Goldschmidt got on base 3 times, stole a base and crushed a towering 2 run homer to centerfield, helping the Diamondbacks come from behind against Atlanta, 6-5.

Brock Holt got 4 hits including a triple and a single that started the 9th inning comeback rally as the Red Sox stunned the Tigers, 5-3.

They owned baseball on June 08, 2014.

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More Tommy John Surgeries By The Numbers + Who Is the 1st $100 MIL Pitcher To Go Down With It? + A Scherzer Angle?

 

Yes Max Scherzer wrapped up the AL Cy Young with a most impressive season in 2013, but the club will be hard pressed to lock up his services beyond the 2014 campaign - when you factor the team wants to re-sign Cabrera in 2016, and also the club is already spending upwards of $45 MIL per year on Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez as part of the Starting Pitching Staff.  The team just put out a press release saying 'The club gave a substantial offer, that would have made the RHP, one of the highest paid pitchers in baseball, and he doth refused it."

Yes Max Scherzer wrapped up the AL Cy Young with a most impressive season in 2013, but with TJ surgery becoming so common place with today’s chuckers, who would want to risk that kind of jack for a pitcher one throw way from being sidelined for 12 – 14 months?  In my view it was a mistake not to accept the $$.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): – Credit to Bill Chuck For the Idea:  

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I think Max Scherzer should have taken the contract offer the Tigers threw his way this past weekend.  Reports say it was in the Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke range of 6 YRs/$144 – $147 MIL.

So now that the reigning AL Cy Young Winner didn’t take the deal, he must hope to replicate his 2013 campaign, or at least come some where near it.

Do I think he could make more on the open market, potentially yes.  But for a guy who has never been under a 3 ERA in any one given year, that is a tall order.

Also keep in mind his arm could sideline him with an injury at any point, so there is an inherent risk to not taking the deal.

One of out every 3 Major League Pitchers will go undergo Tommy John Surgery.

If you don’t think this procedure is an epidemic, go follow our ALL – Time TJ Surgery Tracker here.

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Atlanta Braves State Of The Union 2014: The Hitters

Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward are the future of this team.  Having said that, Freeman has displayed a little bit more consistency in his play to start their Careers.  In 1908 AB so far (about 3 full years), Freeman has a 3 Slash Line of .285/.355/.466 with 68 HRs and 280 RBI.  2013 saw him make his 1st ALL - Star Game, and finish 5th in NL MVP Voting by going .319/.396/.501 - with 23 HRs and 109 RBI despite missing 15 games.

Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward are the future of this team. Having said that, Freeman has displayed a little bit more consistency in his play to start their Careers. In 1908 AB so far (about 3 full years), Freeman has a 3 Slash Line of .285/.355/.466 with 68 HRs and 280 RBI. 2013 saw him make his 1st ALL – Star Game, and finish 5th in NL MVP Voting by going .319/.396/.501 – with 23 HRs and 109 RBI despite missing 15 games.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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The Braves won 95 Games in 2013, and the NL East was a runaway by 9 games over Washington.

This was done even though of paltry numbers posted by Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton, and a half year with Jason Heyward hitting underneath the Mendoza Line.

The game changer for the offense was a surprise performance by 3B Chris Johnson, who contended for the NL Batting Title for the better part of the whole year.

Evan Gattis and Brian McCann also hit near 20+ HRs each for just about a seasons worth of Plate Appearances out of the Catchers position.

Justin Upton charged out of the gates in April with 12 HRs, and then after going cold in the next 3 months. bounced back in August to take a run at it again.

The younger brother to B.J., had stretches were he carried the club. Read the rest of this entry

Washington Nationals Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here)

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The Washington Nationals have had an escalating salary structure for the last few years.  The truth is that their talent needs to be paid as time goes on.

In 2014, the Budget is looking to be around $130 MIL so far, after just being over $110 MIL.

The situation is more expensive next year, with 10 players under the Arbitration Eligible – highlighted by Stephen Strasburg for his 2nd year of it.

Among the others are:  Craig Stammen, Danny Espinosa, Tyler Clippard, Doug Fister, Drew Storen, Ross Detwiler, Wilson Ramos, Jerry Blevins, Jose Lobaton and Ryan Mattheus. Read the rest of this entry

How Winning Teams Are Built: How It Applies To The Nationals In 2014

The Nationals failed to meet expectations as the Preseason favorites to lock down the World Series in 2013.  Heck, they didn't even qualify for the playoffs.  Whether it was injury, or complacency, the talent of this team didn't maximize their potential this year.  However, the club did go 24 - 12 in their last 36 Games Played, and made a late charge at the 2nd Wild Card Spot.  Most of the nucleus is coming back for the 2014 year.  Their Starting Pitching Staff could have 3 potential Cy Young Winners, and Rafael Soriano is among the top Closers in the game of baseball.

The Nationals failed to meet expectations as the Preseason favorites to lock down the World Series in 2013. Heck, they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Whether it was injury, or complacency, the talent of this team didn’t maximize their potential this year. However, the club did go 24 – 12 in their last 36 Games Played, and made a late charge at the 2nd Wild Card Spot. Most of the nucleus is coming back for the 2014 year. Their Starting Pitching Staff could have 3 potential Cy Young Winners, and Rafael Soriano is among the top Closers in the game of baseball.

By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): 

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Last week I wrote about the dangers of the WARpire (VoRPire) and why it is important to have a bottom of the roster that won’t cost a team any games, or to word it a different way won’t cancel out the contributions of the top of the roster.

Having a 5.0 fWAR player means nothing if there are enough negative players to cancel that out. The middle and bottom of the roster are the foundation upon which the stars stand.

A team needs that bottom of the roster in order to win because without them the stars cannot flourish. ‘

Think about the Red Sox and the changes they made going into 2013.

Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, and Jonny Gomes aren’t stars, but they aren’t negative assets either and their presence on the roster allows David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia contributions to matter. Read the rest of this entry

MLB Futures (Regular Season Prop Specials): Gambling 101

Get set for another season of throwing some cash around when it comes to baseball.  MLB Reports will have you ready with what we are looking at as well.

Get set for another season of throwing some cash around when it comes to baseball. MLB Reports will have you ready with what we are looking at as well.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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We all love to see if we can be a good gambler right?

Of course some of it is just bragging rights with our buddies, and of course no one is allowed to gamble in the USA, unless you are living in a state that allows it either.

So, whether you want to just play for winning amongst friends, or actually want to risk some sheckels, here are some fun specials to wager on in 2014 Read the rest of this entry

Bold Predictions For MLB Players/Teams In 2014

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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It is time for bold predictions for players in 2014.  I personally think it is going to be the most exciting season ever in the MLB.

My enthusiasm is tempered a little by the high payroll teams starting to flex their muscles around.

When will the MLB wake up and realize they should have a more equal playing field for the teams?

Anyways that is a different blog for another time. Read the rest of this entry

Just How Good Is The Washington Nationals Rotation?

By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): 

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Around this time of year for the past three seasons this column has been written.

It was first sparked in 2012 when Davey Johnson said that the Nationals rotation was every bit as talented as the Phillies.

Then again in 2013, because Gio Gonzalez was coming off a third place Cy Young finish, Stephen Strasburg wasn’t being shut down, and the Nationals had signed Dan Haren.

This year it is time to once again explore the great question of how good is the Nats rotation because newly acquired Doug Fister says he believes them to be better than the Tigers.

This sounds a lot like Doug Fister believing in Doug Fister and that he was the key difference in making the Tigers’ rotation the best in baseball.  Read the rest of this entry

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo: January Man

By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): 

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It was an innocent enough radio interview. The standard with Mike Rizzo late in the off-season with nothing happening.

He was asked if everything on the checklist had been marked off and answered in the affirmative and then was asked if there were still moves left to be made.

To this question Mike Rizzo gave the standard and cliched GM answer of anytime we can do anything to improve the club that makes sense for blah blah blah. You get the idea.

There was nothing special at all about this interview. It was a time filler between Redskins talk on a local Washington DC radio station, but there was something in Mike Rizzo’s voice.

He sounded ecstatic while talking about improving the team. Reading between the lines it was as if he was smirking into the phone and really saying watch what I’m about to do. Read the rest of this entry

Atlanta Braves Payroll in 2014 + Contracts Going Forward Part 1

It would be one thing if B.J. Upton were the only player on the Braves who had an abysmal season.  When you add the injuries and the season of Dan Uggla to Upton worst year of his career, it is actually amazing this team ended with 96 Wins.  With the club losing Brian McCann, Paul Maholm and Tim Hudson, they will need Upton and CO. to rebound for the team to contend again in 2014.  Upton has to get back to 20/20 years for powers and steals, and at least hit to 85% of his career 3 slash - to justify the contract doled out by the Atlanta Braves.  Uggla must correct his vision problems and get back to raking again.  These 2 guys are the #2 and #3 paid guys on the squad in 2014 behind Justin Upton.

It would be one thing if B.J. Upton were the only player on the Braves who had an abysmal season. When you add the injuries and the season of Dan Uggla to Upton worst year of his career, it is actually amazing this team ended with 96 Wins. With the club losing Brian McCann, Paul Maholm and Tim Hudson, they will need Upton and CO. to rebound for the team to contend again in 2014. Upton has to get back to 20/20 years for powers and steals, and at least hit to 85% of his career 3 slash – to justify the contract doled out by the Atlanta Braves. Uggla must correct his vision problems and get back to raking again. These 2 guys are the #2 and #3 paid guys on the squad in 2014 behind Justin Upton.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): & Jeff Kleiner (Org. Depth Chart/Payroll Expert)

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The ‘Tomahawk Choppers’ have 2 players that are killing them for Free Agent signings this winter.

B.J. Upton is only in the 2nd year of his 5 YRs/$75 MIL – and underachieving Dan Uggla  is still on the  books for 2 more years.

Between these 2 gentleman, they will bring down $26.25 MIL in 2014.  The Braves are hoping for more than under the ‘Mendoza Line’ Batting Averages – and an occasional big fly.

The Braves are also headed to Arbitration with Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel.  This is certainly bound to cost the organization a pretty penny.

In fact, those 3 players will likely exceed the amount of the B.J Upton and Uggla contracts.

Craig Kimbrel 2013 Highlights – Mature Lyrics Parental Guidance Is Advised:

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The Nationals Case Against Extending Jordan Zimmermann

The problem with any of the Nationals players not name Harper or Strasburg, is that any time the club is talking about extending one of their players before them, those guys have to be kept in mind for when they hit Free Agency.

The problem with any of the Nationals players not named Harper or Strasburg, is that any time the club is talking about extending one of their players before them, those guys have to be kept in mind for when they hit Free Agency..  The Nationals are creeping up the payroll scale each year that their core is together.  Whether it is Arbitration, or players like Jayson Werth and Gio Gonzalez being paid more as their own contracts mature.  2014 will see the club set another record for player salaries, adding to the fuel that it will be tough to extend Zimmermann.

By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): 

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With how much love role players like Michael Morse and Steve Lombardozzi have garnered from Nats fans as they’ve left town it will be amazing to see what happens when the Washington Nationals lose a legitimate star player.

With Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann both two years away from free agency there is a high likelihood that that day is soon approaching.

The Nationals have made several overtures to Jordan Zimmermann but no deal has been reached or even come close. Zimmermann wants fair market value which is understandable but what is fair market value for a pitcher like him?

Zack Greinke with a career 3.65 ERA and one Cy Young under his belt set the record for free agent pitchers with the $147 million contract he signed last off-season heading into his age 29 season.

Jordan Zimmermann April 2013 Shutout – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised

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The Atlanta Braves State Of The Union – Fall 2013: Part 1

2013 was not an easy road traveled either. The Braves suffered so many injuries and set backs this season that I think a lot of us almost forget about the ones that happened earlier on in the year. Johnny Venters never even threw a regular season pitch this year and he has been our premiere set up man. Eric O’Flaherty threw his last pitch somewhere around the middle of May against this very Dodger team at Turner Field.

2013 was not an easy road traveled for Atlanta. The Braves suffered so many injuries and set backs this season that I think a lot of us almost forget about the ones that happened earlier on in the year. Johnny Venters never even threw a regular season pitch this year and he has been our premiere set up man. Eric O’Flaherty threw his last pitch somewhere around the middle of May against this very Dodger team at Turner Field.

By Bob McVinua (Special Guest Braves Writer – visit his website here):

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At the point after Eric O’Flaherty went down, many of us Braves fans began to panic and wonder how Fredi Gonzalez would get the ball to arguably the best closer

in all of baseball Craig Kimbrel. What happened after that? The Braves would still go on to post the best bullpen ERA in all of baseball and on top of that set a franchise record for the same mark.

Jason Heyward missed significant time as did Brian McCann. Freddie Freeman spent a couple of weeks on the disabled list and still drove in over 100 runs on the season.

BJ Upton and Dan Uggla struggled throughout most of the 2013 season and BJ was one of the players expected to make a huge impact when he signed with the Braves this winter and it just never happened.

Other players stepped up and young players assumed roles that were well beyond the original expectations of them in 2013.

No one panicked and no one quit and as a fan I am appreciative of the heart and effort this team always put forth.

The Dodgers Celebrate winning the NLDS Series versus Atlanta (At Turner Field)

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