Blog Archives

Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.11) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

Derek Norris hit a pair of three run homers and helped the A’s clobber Washington, 9-1.

John Lackey shut down the Rangers bats over 7 strong innings, walking none, letting up just a pair of runs and striking out 9, getting the 5-2 Red Sox win.

Daniel Murphy got on base 5 times including a 2 run homer in the Mets game tying 9th inning rally. They would walk off against Philadelphia, 5-4.

Homer Bailey pitched into the 8th inning, finishing with 7 1/3 innings, 4 hits and 1 run, striking out 6 as the Reds topped Colorado, 4-1.

They owned baseball on May.11, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.10) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

John Jaso went 3-5 with a home run, started a 9th inning comeback with a lead off single and launched a walk off double in the 10th as the A’s stunned Washington, 4-3.

Tyler Skaggs retired 21 consecutive batters and pitched into the 9th. He finished with 8 plus innings, 4 hits, 2 earned runs and walked no Blue Jay batters, getting the 5-3 win for the Angels.

Corey Dickerson doubled twice and homered twice, leading the Rockies to an 11-2 thrashing of the Reds.

Zack Greinke held the Giants to just 2 runs over 7 innings and put the Dodgers in a position to come back, which they did 6-2.

They owned baseball on May.10, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May.09) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

AP

AP

Yu Darvish got to within one out of a no hitter. He would “settle” for 8 2/3 of 1 hit, 2 walk, 12 strikeout dominance of the Red Sox as the Rangers rolled, 8-0.

Johnny Cueto threw a marvelous, hitting streak busting, 8 innings, 2 run ball, striking out 8 Rockies and walking just one. The bullpen once again blew his lead, but the Reds walked off a 4-3 winner.

Jose Abreu went 3-4 with another homer, pushing the White Sox past the Diamondbacks, 9-3.

Jedd Gyorko homered twice off of Fernandez, driving in 6 as the Padres stunned Miami, 10-1.

They owned baseball on May.09, 2014.

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

Darren Calabrese/AP

Darren Calabrese/AP

Edwin Encarnacion homered for the third straight game including 2 last night, giving him 200 for his career. His 3-4 performance with 3 RBI sparked the Blue Jays 12-6 drubbing of the Phillies.

Dallas Keuchel ended the Tigers winning streak by pitching into the 8th inning. He finished with 7 2/3 innings and 2 earned runs and no walks, giving Houston a rare win, 6-2.

Anthony Rizzo got on base 4 times, homered, doubled, drove in a pair and helped the Cubs top the White Sox, 12-5.

Ryan Volgelsong threw 7 1/3 innings, giving up just 5 hits and 1 earned run. He did not get the decision but he set up the Giants extra innings victory in Los Angeles, 3-1.

They owned baseball on May.08, 2014.

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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.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.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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Oakland Athletics Roster In 2014: How All Of The Pitchers Were Acquired

Jarrod Parker is out for the year with  Tommy John Surgery.  You are talking about a guy that was 25 - 16 with a 3.68 ERA over the last 2 years combined.  He has top of the rotation stuff and will be greatly missed.  The A's also had a TJ scare with A.J. Griffin, but it has been downgraded to an elbow strain for now.  Parker was traded for by the Athletics in a major package sent to Oakland - including Chris Carter< Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Cook for Starter Dan Haren.  The club still has many of the components left as assets from that very deal. While it is bad Parker is out in 2014, he will be back.

Jarrod Parker is out for the year with Tommy John Surgery. You are talking about a guy that was 25 – 16 with a 3.68 ERA over the last 2 years combined. He has top of the rotation stuff and will be greatly missed. The A’s also had a TJ scare with A.J. Griffin, but it has been downgraded to an elbow strain for now. Parker was traded for by the Athletics in a major package sent to Oakland with Collin Cowgill and  Ryan Cook for Starter Trevor Cahill. The club still has Parker and Cahill.  While it is bad Parker is out in 2014, he will be back. Cahill has been ineffective for the D’backs in 2014 – with a 9.17 ERA and an MLB leading 4 losses.

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

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I just finished writing an article about how Billy Beane was smart not to have signed Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson to extensions here.

You really wont find him do this anytime soon with any of his chuckers.

The Scott Kazmir deal is the one he likes to do.  It is simple as to why the man operates like this.  He doesn’t have to give up any assets in the process.

Beane is a “Baseball Rounder”.

It is not unlike him to do manage 50 – 60 transactions per year.  He was won more than he has lost – whether it is Free Agency or trades.  His ballclub has the best record in the Majors since the start of play in 2012 – at 200 – 144 (.581 baseball).

We will go through the Pitching First, and then the hitting by the weekend. Read the rest of this entry

Master List Of All Free Agents Signed In 2013 Winter – Heading Into 2014 MLB Year

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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It has been a record setting year for contract $ doled out for players.  When you factor in the player extensions, we are talking about 7 contracts registering in the top 50 Player contracts in the history of the game.

Robinson Cano, Clayton Kershaw, Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Freddie Freeman, Shin-Soo Choo and Homer Bailey have inked deal for between $105 MIL to $240 MIL.

Now there is word the Angels are working on an extension with Mike Trout, to the tune of 6 YRs/$150 MIL,  from 2015 – 2020.  This would be the 22nd highest contract in MLB History.

For the record, Trout’s deal for 2014 is already set at $510 K, and any extension wouldn’t have Luxury Tax Ramifications until his new deal would start in 2015. Read the rest of this entry

Oakland Athletics Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward

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

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Billy Beane is a master tactician when it comes to freeing up some cash in order to acquire more players.

Oakland ended last year with a payroll of about $70 MIL.  So far this offseason, the A’s GM has picked up several relief pitchers and also signed Scott Kazmir to a 2 YR deal worth $22 MIL.

The team also said goodbye to Bartolo Colon,(who signed with the Mets for a 2 YRs/$20 MIL deal).

Beane has held a fantastic track record of assessing talent, so don’t be surprised if the stocky 40 year old breaks down in the Mets uniform – and not under the A’s watch. Read the rest of this entry

The A’s Pickup Another Quality Bullpen Arm In Gregerson

Luke Gregerson has authored 5 brilliant seasons coming out of the Padres Bullpen.  He has a 2.78 ERA and 1.092 WHIP in his 347 IP worth of work.  The 29 Year Old from Park Ridge, IL originally, has averaged appearing in 68 games a year.

Luke Gregerson has authored 5 brilliant seasons coming out of the Padres Bullpen. He has a 2.78 ERA and 1.092 WHIP in his 347 IP worth of work. The 29 Year Old from Park Ridge, IL originally, has averaged appearing in 68 games a year.  The A’s will use him as a late inning arm with Jim Johnson, Ryan Cook and Sean Doolittle also being capable inning’s eater to nail down shut victories.  Gregerson is in his 3rd Year (made $3.2 MIL) of Arbitration before he hits the Free Agent Market in 2015.

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

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Billy Beane ended his whirlwind day on Tuesday. by flipping just signed OF/DH/PH Seth Smith to the San Diego Padres for Relief Pitcher Luke Gregerson.

In what can only be described as shock, I can’t believe the Padres could be this brutal in talent evaluation.

Beane has continued his pillaging from all other franchises.

The result was that he never touched any of the 9 Starting Players from his offense, zero from his Rotation, and only 2 Minor League Players from last season, to acquire 2 potential Closers/late inning relievers, a premiere CF defender, and a nice #5 Starter in return.

Luke Gregerson Interview from 2012

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Billy Beane Adds 4 Pitchers To The A’s Flock, Plus Gentry – Only Surrenders Weeks. Choice + Smith

Billy Beane is the perfect 'Baseball Rounder'. We all see that the moves the A's GM made yesterday where another way to gain assets in the short term - without losing much in the long run. With the A's usually operating at around the $65 MIL mark the last few years, and now being somewhere in the $75 MIL range, look for Beane to stay active in the transactions throughout this winter to shed payroll - and to receive team controllable players.

Billy Beane is the perfect ‘Baseball Rounder’. We all see that the moves the A’s GM made yesterday and today – where another way to gain assets in the short term – without losing much in the long run. With the A’s usually operating at around the $65 MIL mark the last few years, and now being somewhere in the $75 MIL range, look for Beane to stay active in the transactions throughout this winter to shed payroll – and to receive team controllable players.  The Athletics gain 4 players in these acquisitions that all saw significant playing time in the MLB, where the outgoing guys spent the majority of (if not all) their time in the Minors last year

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

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I said it last week in a Cards article that there were 3 teams that have perfected ‘baseball rounding’, and these teams were the Cardinals, A’s and Tampa Bay.

While the Oakland and Tampa Bay teams don’t have the wherewithal to do this as extensively as the St. Louis franchise, they have the master of the trade in Billy Beane.

“Baseball Rounding” is defined by organizations who always roundup Free Agents, Waiver Wire Deals, Rule 5 guys, or sell high when they know a player is past his projections, in order to obtain assets coming back.

The purpose of these deals is that the organization never touches the main core, meaning the franchise will be in awesome shape if you know how to groom players in your Minor League System after you draft them.

Scott Kazmir 2013 Highlights – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance Is Advised

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AL West Hot Stove Roundup – Around The Horn

Grant Balfour maybe perfectly situated to change teams in the AL West from the Oakland Athletics to the Seattle Mariners.  The PAC NW club could use a guy stopper - to mop up games from a great young pitching staff.  in 2013, Balfour has nailed down 62 Saves in the last season and a half, and has carried a great ERA in the 2.50 range - with a WHIP slightly above 1.  If Seattle is willing to pay about 3 YRs/$33 - 36 MIL, then the Aussie could be headed their way.

Grant Balfour maybe perfectly situated to change teams in the AL West from the Oakland Athletics to the Seattle Mariners. The PAC NW club could use a guy stopper – to mop up games from a great young pitching staff. in 2013, Balfour has nailed down 62 Saves in the last season and a half, and has carried a great ERA in the 2.50 range – with a WHIP slightly above 1. If Seattle is willing to pay about 3 YRs/$33 – 36 MIL, then the Aussie could be headed their way.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Seattle Mariners:  Jack Z. and the brass have some money to spend, will there be any takers??  Mike Napoli, Jacoby Ellsbury, Nelson Cruz, Shin-Soo Choo should all be on the offensive list.

On the Pitching side, Bronson Arroyo is the kind of Innings eater that could favor your Bullpen.  Fernando Rodney or Grant Balfour could close games for you as I don’t think Joe Nathan or Brian Wilson are coming.

Go big with your Free Agent signings, even if it is one or 2 players.

Jacoby Ellsbury 2013 Highlights

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Oakland A’s State Of The Union – Trust In Billy Beane To Find A Gem This Winter – Just Not Cruz!

Billy Beane saw his 2013 squad reel in their 2nd straight AL West Title.  The team will be hard pressed to do it again in 2014, but don't ever count out the A's.  It has been a quiet winter thus far, with just signing Nick Punto, and exercising options on Coco Crisp and Brett Anderson. What acquisition does the MoneyBall GM have up his sleeve this time around?

Billy Beane saw his 2013 squad reel in their 2nd straight AL West Title. The team will be hard pressed to do it again in 2014, but don’t ever count out the A’s. It has been a quiet winter thus far, with just signing Nick Punto, and exercising options on Coco Crisp and Brett Anderson. What acquisition does the MoneyBall GM have up his sleeve this time around?  I don’t think he will dip into the FA Market for a big name, but certainly a guy or two that can help his ballclub.

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

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Nelson Cruz is a sought after Free Agent for power, but it is my humble opinion that the A’s will just not fork out that type of money required to land his services.

Already, the club is projected to give out contracts that will estimate to in the $50 – $55 MIL range once some of their guys head to Arbitration like Seth Smith, Josh Reddick, Brandon Moss, Jed Lowrie, Jerry Blevins and John Jaso.

The franchise will likely see Bartolo Colon and Closer Grant Balfour also leave the nest from their 2013 Pitching Rotation.

Billy Beane hasn’t really been that busy in Free Agency, as he only  signed Utility Infielder Nick Punto for a 2 YR/$5.5 MIL deal, and he exercised the Team Options on Coco Crisp and Brett Anderson.

Cespedes 2013 Highights

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How All Of The Nats Players Were Acquired: (Trade, Signed, Drafted, Waiver Wire) + Analysis

How All Of The Washington Nationals Players Were Acquired:

Strasburg and Harper are the franchises future.  Through drafting and smart trades, the club is now considered one of the best talented clubs in the MLB as of now.  Despite dealing with several injuries this current 2013 season - the future is definitely bright in DC

Strasburg and Harper are the franchises future. Through drafting and smart trades, the club is now considered one of the best talented clubs in the MLB as of now. Despite dealing with several injuries this current 2013 season – the future is definitely bright in DC.  The club has strong pitching in the Major Leagues – with some help coming  for more years to come.  They have potential ALL – Stars in almost every position.  Lets see how all of the players were acquired.

Tuesday July.23/2013

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

At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the Washington Nationals – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching.  It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.

Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.

If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.

The Rise of the Nationals

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The Billy Beane Way Of Contracts + His Trade History Since MoneyBall!

Wednesday July.03, 2013

Updated January.05, 2014

Updated July.05, 2014 for Samardzija deal link

Beane Spins Magic Again In World Series Quest: Picks Up Samardzija + Hammel For Straily + Prospects

Updated July 31, 2014 for Trade Deadline deals.

Beane Acquires Lester + Gomes For Cespedes: Then Acquires Fuld For Millone

Updated Aug 8, 2014 for Hitters Roster Tree

How All Of The A’s Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Shows Incredible Beane Trading Record

Beane does his transactions throughout the entire year - and very little at the deadline.  He is never finished with re-arranging his franchise.  Perhaps his best Trade Deadline deal was to acquire Jermaine Dye in 2001.  Conversely, he had to pay Dye a big FA contract afterwards.  Between he and Eric Chavez's deal, Beane learned not to be burned on long term deals.  He is a big fan of 1 to 2 Year Deals with Veterans.

Beane does his transactions throughout the entire year – and very little at the deadline. He is never finished with re-arranging his franchise. Perhaps his best Trade Deadline deal was to acquire Jermaine Dye in 2001. Conversely, he had to pay Dye a big FA contract afterwards (3 YRs/$30 MIL). Between he and Eric Chavez’s deal, (6 YR/$66 MIL deal) Beane learned not to be burned on long term contracts. He is a big fan of 1 – 2 Year Deals with Veterans.  A lot of his players have not fared as well when they have left the organization.  Even the guys that have, simply cost too much money for the A’s liking.  The Oakland team received the same kind of production from them for a small percentage of the salary paid out.

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

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We have talked a ton about Billy Beane‘s genius way on the website.  The Website founder ‘Jonathan Hacohen’ was one of the first baseball writers to uncover the new Beane strategy last year.

I further studied some of his brilliant work  – by figuring out the current roster tree for all of the current team last November.  I was able to pick up a lot more patterns from his work as a GM.

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The Washington Nationals Offense – Post Rendon At 2B + Going Forward

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Saturday, June.29/2013

The Nationals still rank next to last in the NL in runs per game, but it was known weeks ago that all the bad from April and May would take a long time to correct. The Nationals however are on the way to correcting it, and when analyzing the current team that is on the field it is important to look at the team that is currently taking the field. Since inserting at second base the Nats offense has scored 72 runs in 18 games, an average of four runs a game. That is much better than the overall season average of 3.55 and much better than the average with Espinosa at second of 3.40.

The Nationals still rank next to last in the NL in runs per game, but it was known weeks ago that all the bad from April and May would take a long time to correct. The Nationals however are on the way to correcting it, and when analyzing the current team that is on the field it is important to look at the team that is currently taking the field. Since inserting at second base the Nats offense has scored 72 runs in 18 games, an average of four runs a game. That is much better than the overall season average of 3.55 and much better than the average with Espinosa at second of 3.40.

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

Numbers before June.27/2013

Not surprisingly replacing a .158/.193/.465 hitter with a .354/.402/.887 guy – has had a marketable difference. The Nats offense hasn’t yet turned the corner, for in June, the Nationals left fielders have hit .228/.293/.616.

Surprisingly that isn’t the worst in baseball but it is pretty darn close. Soon the Nationals are going to replace those paltry numbers with the numbers of Bryce Harper who at the time he was placed on the DL was hitting .287/.386/.973.

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Washington Nationals Organization: Payroll, Depth Charts + Rosters, (MLB + MiLB)

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Friday, June.21/2013

The Nationals were everyone's Preseason favorite to get to the 2013 World Series.  A litany of injuries, with a few slumps from some key Veterans - have caused them to only be hovering around .500.  They still have a chance to rundown the Atlanta Braves in the NL East if they can put together the kind of winning baseball they put forth during the 2012 campaign.  Even if it doesn't come to fruition this year, the club looks solid in the coming years.  Only a World Series Championship will forever cement their legacy as a great club.

The Nationals were everyone’s Preseason favorite to get to the 2013 World Series. A litany of injuries, with a few slumps from some key Veterans – have caused them to only be hovering around .500. They still have a chance to rundown the Atlanta Braves in the NL East if they can put together the kind of winning baseball they put forth during the 2012 campaign. Even if it doesn’t come to fruition this year, the club looks solid in the coming years. Only a World Series Championship will forever cement their legacy as a great club.

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

You guys are all in for a treat.  Jeff Kleiner recently contacted me about a partnership merge for the website.  He has developed a site (prosportsrosters.com) that covers all organizational affiliates in the Minors for all of the Major League Baseball Clubs.  We are going to combine efforts to bring you the best look at salaries, current 25 Man Player Rosters and Depth Charts for all 30 teams. 

Jeff is going to provide the documents in form of spreadsheets and I am going to accompany the posts with deep analysis of what the numbers tell us from my perspective.  If you can’t wait for all of my assessments for each club, go and visit Jeff’s website over at http://www.prosportsrosters.com.

In Speaking with Jeff, he is one of the more passionate fans I have come across towards the game of baseball.  He spends enough time in updating his MLB Facts for it to be a Full-Time Job.  So after the usual Video Clip and READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY button, you will find some serious &*!@?!#!

Jeff updates this page below on a daily basis.  After you click on it….Bookmark it.  There is a 3 year salary forecast and stats not listed here on this page.  Jeff updates these pages daily and these changes include any Roster moves!

For a Full 3 year Salary Outlook plus last years Stats for every player in the Nationals Organization clickhere

From Last To First – The Rise Of The Nats

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Domonic Brown Has Heated Up For The Phils: It Is Time The Rest Caught Up

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Sunday May.26, 2013

With six of his nine home runs and 16 of his 27 RBI's coming in the last 21 games, it would not surprise me to see Brown bat more often in the 5-hole behind  vs. any opposing team's right-handed pitching.

With six of his nine Home Runs and 16 of his 27 RBI coming in the last 21 games, it would not surprise me to see Brown bat more often in the 5-hole behind vs. any opposing team’s right-handed pitching. If only the rest of the Phillies could be producing like Brown has been lately, there would be another chance to win an NL East Division like shown here. The ‘Phightins’ have a chance to draw even with the Nationals today – and claim a record of .500 once again at 25 – 25.

By Chris Creighton (Phillies Correspondent via http://www.warrroomphilly.com – visit the website here

Domonic Brown is starting to put it together again. Well, almost. He’s had quite a productive month of May, but with one glaring statistical anomaly: Domonic Brown hasn’t taken a walk since April 30th.

Hard to ride him on it since he’s been semi-raking, but no doubt teams will begin to notice that he’s recognizing fat pitches to drive early in the count. Over the next series or two you will see that opposing teams will be very cautious in their introductions to Brown, that is if their scouts are any good.

It will be up to Dom Brown to make the adjustment and wait them out in order to continue on his torrid pace. He may actually have to take a walk or two, but in my opinion, that will only help his cause.

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