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Los Angeles Dodgers Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward

The Dodgers have not won or appeared in the World Series since 1988. With the spending the ownership will do in the next decade, I would be surprised if the team doesn’t rake in multiple championships. But it will take diligent finagling on the brass – to skate around the Luxury Tax with the pending CBA of 2017 coming in. Yes the ownership is willing to spend boatloads of money, but they have to be smarter than they were in 2015.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024

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This article deals with sensitive material that will self destruct in a few years. Whether the current regime wants to be saddled with blame or not, or put most of it during the Ned Colletti days, last year’s fiscal budget was a dumpster fire.

Not only did the franchise exceed the Luxury Tax Threshold again at (over $189 MIL), they put it to shame – reeling in a lofty mark of $314 MIL in total Cap Spending.

For folks scoring at home, that is $125 MIL over the limit, and with a third year penalty at 40% now, the squad will take down a historic levy hovering around $50 MIL.

We wrote a blog back in April stating the disregard the brass took in approaching this year’s salary structure. The worst part about it was that it didn’t culminate into a World Series Birth. Read the rest of this entry →

Dodgers Brass’ Is Brutalizing The 2015 Payroll ($267 MIL) With Dead Money + Injury Plagued Chuckers!

Mar 5

Posted by MLB reports

$Since Andrew Friedman has taken over, he has shown a blatant disregard for payroll, by cutting pitchers that had guaranteed deals, while doling out cash to often injured chuckers, or players that have limited success on their resume. The LA NL franchise is nearing $267 MIL, and are in the 3rd year of the Luxury Tax Penalty (40%). The franchise located at Chavez Ravine, are looking at a $30 MIL stipend to pay the MLB for that infraction. One certainly has to question their last 5 or 6 moves in accordance with payroll. The Dodgers better hope that the forthcoming CBA doesn't throw the hammer down on high salary teams over the Luxury Tax - when the new CBA is put into place before the 2017 season.$

Since Andrew Friedman has taken over, he has shown a blatant disregard for payroll, by cutting pitchers that had guaranteed deals, while doling out cash to often injured chuckers, or players that have limited success on their resume. The LA NL franchise is nearing $267 MIL for 2015 patyroll and are in the 3rd year of the Luxury Tax Penalty (40%). The franchise located at Chavez Ravine, are looking at a $30 MIL stipend to pay the MLB for that very infraction. Next year(9nd every year after till they drop under the Threshold once, they will rise to a 50% penalty/) One certainly has to question their last 5 or 6 moves in accordance with payroll. The Dodgers better hope that the forthcoming CBA doesn’t throw the hammer down on high salary teams over the Luxury Tax – when the new deal with the MLB and MLBPA is put into place before the 2017 season.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21

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What the hell is Andrew Friedman doing? Lets just eat the contracts on Brian Wilson and maybe Brandon League, while paying the freight on Dan Haren’s 2015 salary ($10 MIL) to play for the Marlins, and also forking out money to Brett Anderson, Brandon Beachy and also coming to a theater near you soon. If that weren’t enough, they have signed perennially injured/malcontent guys in Erik Bedard and Dustin McGowan on Minor League deals.

The club will also digest half (or more) of Andre Ethier‘s remaining deal (3 YRs, $56 MIL) if another franchise will take them off of their hands. Yes that was not the current front office’s deal, however the throwing away of money is still directly tied to their decisions now.

Pretty soon the entire total for the dead money in the Dodgers team salary will rival the contract marks of the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A’s if this trend persists.

The Los Angeles payroll was supposed to be reigned in – and not jumping to an ALL – Time record.

Even with losing the albatross contract of Matt Kemp, the Dodgers are sitting at nearly $266 MIL in projected team payroll. Let’s add a 40% penalty for being a 3rd time offender to the mix, and you can kiss another $30 MIL out the door at Chavez Ravine. Maybe the club should hope for a Zack Greinke opt out.

For a Full Player Breakdown off all Salaries in 2015 – and going forward click here .

To keep reading the rest of this article CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS BLOG ICON, or simply continue scrolling down if there is no ICON like that.

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Tags: 2016 CBA, adrian gonzalez, alex guerrero, andre ethier, andrew friedman, brandon beachy, brett anderson, brian wilson, clayton kershaw, corey seager, dan haren, david price, dead money payroll 2015 Dodgers, Dodgers stadium, don mattingly, dustin mcGowan, erik bedard, fernando valenzuela, hanley ramirez, howie kendrick, Hyung-jin Ryu, james shields, jeff samardizja, jimmy rollins, Joc Pederson, johnny cueto, jordan zimmermann, julio arias, justin turner, kenley jansen, la dodgers, la dodgers payroll 2015, Luxury Tax Threshold, magic johnson, matt kemp, miami marlins, miguel olivo, Ned Colletti, nl west, san diego padres, sandy koufax, scott van slyke, sydney cricket grounds, syndey australia, tampa bay rays, yasiel puig

The Dodgers Winning The Title Could Cure Baseball In The Future – Part 1

Oct 6

Posted by chuckbooth3023

Magic Johnson said the new ownership group would put their money down on the players to stay or come to the franchise, and man he wasn’t kidding. The Los Angeles Dodgers now own 5 of the top 23 player contracts of ALL – Time in the MLB. With a total team payroll likely to be north of $240 MIL for the next few years, he was right. The team is presently the highest salaried team, and they will pay about $16 MIL in Luxury Tax, based on 30% penalty for $51 over the $189 MIL mark in 2014. Their cash infusion to the NL has spawned a rapid ascent for other teams in the Senior Circuit – who are looking just to keep up, while some franchises have no chance at all with their revenue streams.

A couple of years ago I wrote an article on how the Dodgers were going to change the way the MLB operates. I may be proven right this fall.

4 of the top 5 clubs were alive in the LDS round

1. LA Dodgers $240.7 MIL

2. NY Yankees $227 MIL

3. SF Giants – $172.4 MIL

4. Detroit Tigers – $170.5 MIL

5. LA Angels – $170.5 MIL Read the rest of this entry →

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Tags: adrian gonzalez, al central, albert pujols, allen craig, baltimore orioles, billy beane, boston red sox, bryce harper, buck showalter, bud selig, buster posey, clayton kershaw, detroit tigers, dodger stadium, drew storen, guggenheim consortium ownership group, jayson werth, jered weaver, jordan zimmermann, josh hamilton, kansas city royals, la angels, la dodgers, magic johnson, matt kemp, max scherzer, Mike Trout, minnesota twins, mlb salaries, NL Central, oakland a's, pittsburgh pirates, rafael soriano, rusney castillo, ryan zimmerman, salary cap in the MLB, san francisco giants, st louis cardinals, stephen strasburg, tampa bay rays, team payrolls 2014, victor martinez, yoenis cespedes, zack greinke

Los Angeles Dodgers Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward: Updated For Kershaw Deal

Jan 16

Posted by chuckbooth3023

The Dodgers already have salary commitments that are over $225 Million now – with the $$ given to their reigning NL Cy Young Winner. Kenley Jansen and A.J. Ellis have yet to be paid in Arbitration. The club will certainly pass last years $235 MIL plus payroll. By doing the Kershaw deal also does not prevent them from trying to sign Masahiro Tanaka either. Last year, the Dodgers paid out around $10 MIL for their part in going over the Luxury Tax Threshold for the 1st time – at a 17.5% penalty. Under the current CBA, even if the team went to $300 MIL for 2014, they would only have to dole out roughly $25 MIL in penalties for a 2nd time offender. LAD have taken full advantage of the salary structure – and don’t look for them to relent any time soon. In 2014, the club will pay a 22.5% penalty for every buck spent over $189 MIL.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

I wrote an article just 16 months ago on how the LA Dodgers were going to force the economics of baseball the way they were conduct business with the new ownership.

As someone who has worked the majority of the time on the site for the last 3 years, I take great pride in my research. So far it has worked out.

The Dodgers following what I said is nice vindication as a writer.

I am not here to toot my own horn, but our website was also on the forefront of the Athletics renaissance a few years back, the Rays coming back to fight in the 2013 year, and also we were one of the 1st to report the Shields for Myers deal.

2013 NLDS Post Season highlights – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised

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Tags: @MLBreports on twitter, a.j ellis, adrian gonzalez, andre ethier, brandon league, brian wilson, Carlos Marmol, chad billingsley, chris capuano, chris perez, Chris Withrow, clayton kershaw, dan haren, dee gordon, don mattingly, drew butera, frank mccourt, guggenheim ownership consortium', Hyun-Jin Ryu, j.p Howell, james shields, jamey wright, jerry hairston jr, Joc Pederson, josh beckett, juan uribe, kenley jansen, los angeles dodgers payroll 2014, magic johnson, matt kemp, mike baxter, paco rodriguez, Stephen Fife, Tim Federowicz, wil myers, yasiel puig, zack greinke

Dodgers Have Been Pulverizing The Competition For Weeks – While The Rest Of The NL West Have Been Brutal

Aug 7

Posted by chuckbooth3023

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Thursday Aug.08/2013

Despite early season rumors of Mattingly getting fired, Donnie has managed his team back into the division race after a private meeting with Dodger executives. The Dodgers are now 63 – 50 after setting a franchise record 15 game road winning streak earlier this week and are opening up a commanding lead versus their NL West brethren. Now with Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez igniting the clubs offense, plus Zack Greinke coming back to the Starting Rotation, the team has begun to gel. But it is also the secondary players that have provided some clutch play of late. The team has won 33 of their last 41 Games. Now that is outstanding!

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

I was wrong to throw the towel in on the Dodgers at the beginning of June in an article.

While I initially had LA as my NL representative in the WS before the year started, I thought they were cooked.

Yasiel Puig was infused into the lineup, and the team has fed off of his electricity.

Zack Greinke and Hanley Ramirez then came back to facilitate the start of this hotstreak.

I am not sure I have ever seen an entire Division struggle so badly – with the exception of 1 team doing the polar opposite simultaneously, like has happened in the NL West over the last 8 weeks.

The Dodgers have been on a historical run in their ascent from last place (trailing by as much as 9.5 games on June 1st) – all the way to top of the Division (by 5 games as of right now.)

There have been countless reasons how the turnaround has transpired.

Don Mattingly has gone from the hotseat – to now being in the position where he could net himself a contract extension when the season is over.

The rest of the NL West Clubs have been incredibly anemic – and we will focus on the records since that date in this piece.

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Tags: adrian gonzalez, andre ethier, arizona diamondbacks, brian wilson, carl crawford, chris capuano, clayton kershaw, colorado rockies, dodger stadium, don mattingly, la dodgers, magic johnson, mark ellis, matt kemp, nl west, ricky nolasco, san diego padres, san francisco giants, yasiel puig, zack greinke

2 And A Hook Podcast Ep #8: Dodgers (Puig Especially), White Sox + Braves Talk With Awesome Guests!

Jun 20

Posted by mlbmaniac1373

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Thursday, June.20/2013

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast.

‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball: ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)

By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran ) Follow @yankeeman1973

On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & yours truly The Bench Warmers, I talked with MLB Reports Braves correspondent Bob McVinua (www.braveschoptalk.wordpress.com) about the Atlanta Braves season so far, what’s to come for them the rest of the season plus other things…

Then I talked to MLB Reports Dodgers correspondent Enrique Rivera about their phenom Yasiel Puig, if the Dodgers somehow can get back in the playoff race amongst other issues…

Also I interviewed MLB Reports White Sox correspondent Brian Madsen about the White Sox offensive struggles, is their farm system producing any future ball players & other stuff…also I do my Stats & Facts segment as usual so check out this baseball podcast that talks baseball like it outta be!!! SPREAD THE WORD!! Thank you all for your support!!!

People in this Podcast:

Bob McVinua (MLB Reports Guest Braves Correspondent – About 9 Minutes in and a 21 Minute Segment) Follow @tomahawkchop95

Enrique Rivera (MLB Reports LA Dodgers Correspondent – 31 Minute Mark and a 15 Minute Segment) Follow @eriqwiththeq

Brian Madsen (MLB Reports White Sox Correspondent- 53 Minutes In and a 17 Minute Segment) Follow @brianm731

(Stats and Facts done by James at the 1 Hour and 10 Minute Mark for 20 Minutes and for the 1st 9 Minutes.)

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Tags: 2011 Braves Collapse, @eriqwiththeq on twitter, @MLBreports on twitter, @tbwarmers on twitter. www.thebenchwarmers.podomatic.com, @tomhawkchop95 on twitter, @yankeeman1973 on twitter, adam dunn, adam wainwright, al central, AL East, albert pujols, alex cobb, alex ríos, alex rodriguez, alexei ramirez, American league, andre ethier, arizona diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, b.j. upton, bob costas, bob mcvinua, boston braves, boston red sox, brandon beachy, brandon league, brandon phillips, Brian McCann, carl crawford, carlos quentin, chicago white sox, chris capuano, chris davis, chris sale, cincinnati reds, citi field, clayton kershaw, cliff lee, dan uggla, Dave McNally, derek jeter, detroit tigers, dodger stadium, don mattingly, Dwight Gooden, enrique rivera, eric hinske, eric hosmer, evan gattis, Felix Herandez, frank wren, freddie freeman, fredi gonzalez, george steinbrenner, gerardo parra, gerrit cole, giancarlo stanton, hanley ramirez, hawk harrelson, Hyun-Jin Ryu, ian kennedy, jake peavy, James Acevedo, jason heyward, jason jennings, jeff keppinger, jerry koosman, jesse crain, joe dimaggio, Joe Torre, johnny bench, jordan schafer, julio teheran, justin upton, justin verlander, kansas city royals, ken burns, ken griffey jr, kirk gibson, kirk nieuwenhuis, kris medlen, la angels, la dodgers, lou gehrig, madison bumgarner, magic johnson, manny machado, manny ramirez, mark mcgwire, mark teixeira, matt harvey, matt kemp, max scherzer, miami marlins, miguel cabrera, mike jacobs, mike scioscia, milwaukee brewers, minnesota twins, national league, new york mets, new york yankees, NL east, nl west, nolan ryan, oakland athletics, ozzie guillen, Patrick Corbin, paul konerko, phil hughes, Philadelphia A's, pittsburgh pirates, prince fielder, roger clemens, ron guidry, san diego padres, san francisco giants, scott van slyke, shin-soo choo, Skip Schumaker, skydome, steve garvey, tampa bay rays, ted williams, texas rangers, tim hudson, tom seaver, tony la russa, toronto blue jays, Trey Hillman, tropicana field, turner field, washington senators, wil myers, www.braveschoptalk.wordpress.com, yasiel puig, zack greinke, zack wheeler

Dodgers Struggle After Brawl With Padres

Apr 19

Posted by eriqwiththeq

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Friday Apr.19/2013

Matt Kemp has began the year hitting .182 with no HRs, 5 RBIs in 15 games. Kemp hopes to get out of his slump by visiting an American League ballpark for the first time in the season.

Matt Kemp has begun the year hitting .182 with no HRs and 5 RBI in 15 games. Kemp hopes to get out of his slump by visiting an American League ballpark for the first time in the season. Last year, the big man torched through April, smashing 12 HRs and adding 28 RBI – to go along with a .417 Batting Average.

By Enrique Rivera (Dodgers Correspondent): Follow @eriqwiththeq

After the brawl last week with the San Diego Padres, Dodger fans were wondering if Dodgers’ slugger Matt Kemp would get out of his early season slump and start getting clutch in the series at Arizona and the series back at home against the Padres but Kemp was still unable to get out of that slump. Kemp went 4 for 22 (.182) in those two series but did collect 4 RBI.

The Dodgers managed to win only one game in those six games including a three-game sweep by the Padres at home. They were also shut-out twice in Arizona.

The most devastating one was the Sunday game as they let an amazing pitching performance by Josh Beckett go to waste in the 9th Inning. The final score of that game was 1-0. Beckett had 9 SO on that game with only one Earned Run.

Dodgers’ skipper Don Mattingly might have criticized a bit by letting Beckett continue on with the game.

Harrison Ford throws out first pitch on Jackie Robinson Day for Dodgers

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Tags: 42, @eriqwiththeq on twitter, adrian gonzalez, andre ethier, arizona diamondbacks, baltimore orioles, branch rickey, carl crawford, chad billingsley, chris capuano, chris denorfia, clayton kershaw, dodger stadium, don mattingly, enrique rivera, eric stults, everth cabrera, Harrison Ford, jackie robinson day, josh beckett, juan uribe, kyle blanks, los angeles dodgers, magic johnson, matt kemp, rachel robinson, ronald belisario, san diego padres, zack greinke

Maybe A Managerial Trade Between The Angels And Dodgers Would Shake Things Up!

Apr 19

Posted by chuckbooth3023

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Friday Apr.19/2013

The Los Angeles clubs will surpass the New York Clubs for combined Payroll in 2013. The Dodgers will spend between 225-250 Million and the Angels will spend in the range from 150-175 Million. I have predicted a Freeway World Series for 2013 based on the talent for both clubs. With a slow start for each club (LAA 4 – 10 and LAD 7 – 8) Perhaps they should consider trading skippers.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

It is no secret to anyone out there that I predicted the California Freeway Series for the Fall Classic this year. At the 10 % clip of the regular season, I am not going to confuse anyone with the Amazing Kreskin.

I still have faith that the LA Angels will start tearing it up soon. plus the Dodgers will begin to play to their own water level.

Both clubs have amassed too much talent to be wallowing in the bowels of mediocrity for too long.

I thought entered my brain this morning as I worked. One of the many things I am able to do working at nights is think about the game of baseball

Then it came to me… Trade Mike Scioscia to the Dodgers for Don Mattingly!!

Don Mattingly Post Game comments on Carlos Quentin:

Mike Scioscia speaks on Jered Weaver and Josh Hamilton:

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Tags: 1979 world series, 1981 World Series, 1985 AL MVP, 1988 World Series, 2009 World Series, amazing kreskin, Angel Stadium, arte moreno, Chuck Booth. fastest 30 ballgames, chuck tanner, cleveland indians, detroit tigers, dodger stadium, don mattingly, Esmil Rogers, gene autry, jerry dipoto, jimmy dykes, joe blanton, joe gordon, Joe Torre, josh hamilton, la dodgers, laa angeles, Los Angeles, magic johnson, mark trumbo, mickey hatcher, mike aviles, mike scioscia, new york yankees, pittsburgh pirates, randy winn, ryan madson, seattle mariners, tampa bay rays, Tommy Lasorda, walter alston, yan gomes, zack greinke

What the Indians will do with Asdrubal Cabrera

Dec 7

Posted by kholland13

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Friday December 7, 2012

Kyle Holland (MLB Reports Intern):

In 2012, Asdrubal Cabrera had an average year. He hit .270/.338/.423 with 16 HRs and 68 RBIs. He made his second straight career All-Star Game appearanc. He committed 19 errors, perhaps a little much for a team’s starting Shortstop, but not awful. His fielding percentage was his career worst by a point at .971.

Now during this offseason, the Indians think it’s a good idea to shop him.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer originally reported on December 4 that the Indians were looking for 3-4 players in a deal for Cabrera. He also said that they seemed to have a deal that would move a pitcher and two prospects to Cleveland, however the unknown team backed out when the Indians asked for another prospect. Now the most recent rumors are that he would be moved to Arizona as a part of a four team deal. Read the rest of this entry →

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Tags: arizona diamondbacks, asdrubal cabrera, chicago white sox, cleveland indians, cleveland plain dealer, Derek Holland, justin upton, los angeles dodgers, magic johnson, mike olt, new york yankees, Patrick Corbin, paul hoynes, seattle mariners, texas rangers, trevor bauer, zack greinke

Hiroki Kuroda: Is A Return To LA In His Future?

Nov 19

Posted by kholland13

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Monday November 19, 2012

Kyle Holland: The 2012 season should have been a great season for the Dodgers. They had Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw on the opening day roster. In mid July they traded for Hanley Ramirez and at the trade deadline added Shane Victorino to the squad. If that team wasn’t elite enough, they traded for Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford in August. Even with all these additions, they were unable to qualify for the playoffs and they started to look forward to 2013 real early.

Now in 2012-13 offseason they are reportedly trying to sign Hiroki Kuroda, a pitcher who has played a good chunk of his career with the Dodgers.

Kuroda played with the club from 2008-2011m when he left Japan, until this past season when he signed with the Yankees. He finished the 2012 campaign in New York with a 16-11 record and a 3.32 ERA. He started in just one less game than in 2011m when he finished with a 13-16 record but with a 3.07 ERA. Depending on which way you look at stats, either season could have been better. If you look at the sabermetric way, 2011 was better with the lower ERA. If you look at the old way, 2012 was better with more wins. Read the rest of this entry →

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Tags: 2012-13 offseason, adrian gonzalez, boston red sox, carl crawford, chad billingsley, clayton kershaw, hanley ramirez, hiroki kuroda, josh beckett, Kyle Holland, la angels, los angeles dodgers, magic johnson, matt kemp, new york yankees, NPBL, shane victorino, zack greinke

Top Ten Stat of The Week: Odds To Win The AL/NL/WS

Jul 9

Posted by chuckbooth3023

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Monday July.9, 2012

The Yankees pay at the rate of +190 to win the American League and +375 to win the World Series. They are actually the 2nd favorite in the MLB for both to Texas. These odds are not flattering to throw any money down on either team.

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer and @chuckbooth3024)- I thought we would try a different top ten today with the ALL-Star Break here today. This morning I did some research on the odds of what http://www.bet365.com thinks will happen for the rest of the MLB Year based on their gambling futures. Gambling is an increasing industry like no other entity in the world. The NFL is better suited for ‘punters’ to throw down some bucks at Vegas. They have only one game a week and the gambling experts think that baseball is easier for the bad teams to beat the good teams. I will tell you as one of these ‘so called experts’, they are completely right. The worst teams in baseball usually can still beat the best teams 1 out of 3 games in a series. This makes normal gambling for a regular season game really hard to make any money, or minimize losses. I do think that betting who makes the playoffs and who wins it all has some good value picks.

Y0u have to search for the value in anything. I never like to play the #1 favorites of each league because they simply don’t pay enough of an odd. Right now, Bet365.com has the Texas Rangers at +175 to win the AL, or The Yankees at +190. I love these two teams to probably represent the AL in the World Series, however these odds are not good at all. As I list all of the odds for each league first, then the World Series, I will make some notes up. I have two teams in the NL that I have already wagered with and I am coming up roses on them so far. It is time for Gambling 101. Read the rest of this entry →

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Tags: adam wainwright, adrian gonzalez, al mvo, al mvp, albert pujols, alcs, andre ethier, arizona diamondbacks, ASG, Atlanta Braves, austin jackson, baltimore orioles, bet365.com, boston red sox, bryce harper, carlos beltran, carlos ruiz, carlos zambrano, chicago white sox, chris carpenter, Chuck Booth. fastest 30 ballgames, cincinnati reds, cleveland indians, cole hamels, daniel hudson, daniel murphy, david wright, derek jeter, detroit tigers, dustin pedroia, edwin encarnacion, evan longoria, fall classic, giancarlo stanton, hanley ramirez, heath bell, heathcliff slocumb, ian kennedy, ike davis, jacoby ellsbury, jayson werth, jimmy rollins, johan santana, johnny cueto, jon lester, jose reyes, josh beckett, justin upton, justin verlander, Kansas city, la angels, los angeles dodgers, magic johnson, mark trumbo, mat latos, matt kemp, miami marlins, Mike Trout, new york mets, new york yankees, nl mvp, nlcs, philadelphia phillies, prince fielder, quintin Berry, raul ibanez, ricky romero, robinson cano, roy halladay, ryan howard, san francisco dodgers, shane victorino, st louis cardinals, stephen drew, tampa bay rays, texas rangers, tim hudson, tim lincecum, tommy hanson, toronto blue jays, trevor cahill, vlad guerrero, washington natiionals, wild card, world series

Ask the Reports: ATR Answers Your Baseball Questions – April 15th, 2012

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Sunday April 15th, 2012

Jonathan Hacohen: Posted every Weekend: Your top baseball questions from the past week are answered. E-mail all questions to mlbreports@me.com, message us on Twitter and post on our Facebook Wall!

Let’s get to your top questions of the week: (there are MANY great ones this week…better jump right in!)

Q: How many triple plays were turned last year? Wayne

MLB reports: Nice way to start off ATR Wayne. Four. Can you believe it? Four triple plays turned last year. Three in 2010, five in 2009, two in 2008 and four in 2007. Surprised? Me too. I thought they were more rare! Last year’s triple plays took place as follows:

(1) Indians turned a 3P against the White Sox on April 3rd

(2) Brewers turned a 3p against the Dodgers on August 15th

(3) Red Sox turned a 3p against the Rays in the 2nd game of a DH on August 16th (a day later!)

(4) The miracle Rays came back on September 27th to turn their own 3p against the Yankees.

Q: Is it worth picking up Aroldis Chapman as a third reliever?!? William

MLB reports: Without a doubt. Yes. Are you kidding me? Grab him. Right now. Don’t wait. Now. Right now! As you can tell, I am high on Chapman. Long term, I see him as a starter. But for now, he is a reliever. I see him having some great save opportunities this year. Madson is done for the year. A ton of money is invested in Chapman and he has been nothing short of brilliant this season. In 4 games he has a 0.00 ERA. 11 strikeouts. 0 walks in 6 innings. Yes. As a third relieve, you cannot go wrong with Chapman. He has already vultured 2 wins. He can help you in so many ways. There will be ups-and-downs this year with Chapman, no doubts. But with pitchers around baseball dropping like flies, when you have a talented pitcher with huge upside, make sure he can find his way onto your team. (more…)