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The Pittsburgh Pirates Payroll In 2016 + Roster That Could Have Been
Jason Rollison (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – piratesbreakdown.com)
Follow @pbcbreakdown Follow @mlbreports
After a second consecutive exit from the playoffs by way of the wild card game, the Pittsburgh Pirates promised a bigger payroll this season, but could they have done better?
In December, Neal Huntington and Frank Connelly both hinted the Pirates target payroll would be approximately $105 million for opening day. As it stands, the Pirates opening day payroll was about $100 million.
That wouldn’t be so bad if the team’s pitching staff wasn’t off to a rough start, the first base platoon partner wasn’t gone after two weeks, and the Cubs weren’t the center of the baseball universe at the moment. The saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20,” but we consider what could have been if the Pirates had spent their money a little differently.
Let’s start with the breakdown of the opening day payroll broken down by position: (Note: Only players included on opening day 25-man roster/DL are included below.)
The rules for this little experiment are simple. We cannot exceed $105 million, and our payroll has to include 28 players due to Jared Hughes, Elias Diaz, and Jung-Ho Kang starting the season on the major league disabled list.
If we choose any players the Pirates did not sign, we will assume the Pirates could have signed said player(s) to the same terms. Knowing what we know now, here’s a look at what the Pirates roster could have been.
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As the Pirates Lurch Forward Towards Opening Day, The Debate Over The Everyday Lineup Continues
Jason Rollison (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – pbcbreakdown.com) Follow @pbcbreakdown
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With John Jaso now seemingly entrenched at the top of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup, coupled with Andrew McCutchen pointed towards remaining in the number two slot, many observers now wonder what the rest of the batting order may look like against the Cardinals on April 3rd.
Despite the focus on the top of the order, it may be the bottom of the order that can take a step forward for the club.
In 2015, the seventh and eighth hitters for the Pirates performed reasonably well.
There are a couple of interesting notes when considering the Pirates’ performance form the bottom two spots in the order.
First, the 114 rating for wRC+ (weighted runs created +) led the NL from the seventh spot (100 is considered an “average” score). This will likely continue for 2016, as we will see shortly.
From the eighth spot, the wRC+ rating of 93 might seem underwhelming, yet only two teams in the NL had a rating of 100 or more. The St. Louis Cardinals were far and away the most productive in this regard, with a 110 rating.
2016 will likely be another story completely, as the changes at the top have ramifications that will be felt all the way through the order. While Pedro Alvarez‘s free swinging ways often led to his insertion in the lower third, his departure and a re-focusing on quality at bats results in a case of addition by subtraction.
If spring batting orders over the past week are any indication, Jordy Mercer, Gregory Polanco or Josh Harrison could be reliable bats at the 7th spot.
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WTF Pittsburgh? Are You Contenders Or Are You At The Kids Table?

This Pirates club has made themselves relevant in the NL for the last 3 years with appearing in the Wild Card game – and pushing the Cards to the brink of elimination in 2014. However this organization has looked petty in looking too much to the bottom line so far this offseason. They have lost 4 players from the 98 win team of 2015 – and only have Jon Niese and Juan Nicasio as guys that help the MLB squad in 2016. They still have 3 months to go, but thus far the winter has been a tire fire.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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What the hell are the Pirates doing this offseason?!! I mean I have tonnes of respect for Neil Huntington – however the brass has made some highly questionable moves to save some money.
The Pittsburgh window to win is 2 – 3 more years, yet it almost looks likes the management is throwing a preemptive strike to blow the club up.
Okay, I may be overstating the facts a little here – as there is still well over 3 months before the club even hits Spring Training.
The club first non-tendered Pedro Alvarez – rather than head to the last year of Arbitration with him. He would have made in the neighborhood of $10 MIL in 2016 – I get that, but losing a 25 – 30 HR out of your lineup will be tough to adjust for. Read the rest of this entry
If ‘Cash’ Was Handled Right – The Yankees Could Get 2015 Payroll Under The Luxury Tax This Year

A few years ago, the Yankees were trying to get under the Luxury Tax Threshold just a few years ago, before they dished out $175 MIL over 7 years to Masahiro Tanaka. Despite that, the club could have opted to get under last July by trading Kuroda, Suzuki and Gardner near the Deadline, instead of going for an ill-advised run at the playoffs. At an estimated $211 MIL team salary so far, there are options to drop the mark under the limit yet again if the club struggles. Should they not take advantage this time, they are completely dumb beyond recognition.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Losing out on Yoan Moncada Sweepstakes
The Yankees fans let out a collective groan. but the cost of Yoan Moncada would be even more money than his $31.5 MIL signing bonus – and additional $31.5 MIL penalty. How about tacking on another $15.75 MIL for part of their $50% Luxury Tax Penalty?
I agree with the Yankees not wanting to shell out nearly $80 MIL for an unproven teenager. There are a numerous of examples of can’t miss prospects that won’t pan out.
The Yankees are estimated to have a payroll of near $221 MIL. But the actual AAV is a little higher with the length of term bringing up the overall mark. Alex Rodriguez makes $21 MIL in 2015, but he 10 year pact, was for an AAV of $27.5 MIL overall, so that is the number that brings up the clip.
If the Yankees are on pace to have spent $215 MIL in 2015, so by July, that means they would have put out about $105 MIL at the ALL-Star Break. This gives about $84 MIL worth of room, but you must take off around $27 MIL to fall under the limit.
For a Year to Year Breakdown For all of the Yankees players please visit here.
With V – Mart’s 4 YR Deal For $68 MIL, The Market Threshold Is Set For Nelson Cruz

Victor Martinez has thrived offensively in Detroit hitting behind Miguel Cabrera. Aside from the 2012 injury where he missed the whole season to a broken ankle. V-Mart’s 3 Slash Line for the Tigers is .321/.381/.487 – with 58 HR and 289 RBI in 1706 AB for the squad. 2014 was the last year of the 35 year old’s 4 YRs/$50 MIL deal. There was no guarantee the Tigers could afford to bring him back for 2015 or beyond because of the chance they would move Cabrera to DH in a few years. However, the “Motown Boys” will have the best Designated Hitter in the game right now, back in the fold for the next 4 campaigns. The one person who may not like the $ portion of the contract is Nelson Cruz, who is seeking a deal of 5 years at above the dollars per year V-Mart just reeled in.
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Yesterday Victor Martinez finalized re-signing with the Detroit Tigers for 4 YRs/$68 MIL. This both was a great deal for the “Motown Boys” and also set a likely threshold for Free Agent DH slugger Nelson Cruz.
The Orioles DH/OF must not be happy with the amount of cash that V-Mart signed with, because there is no way he should reach that stratosphere.
2014 Stats
Victor Martinez (35): .335/.409/.565, with 32 HRs 103 RBI and only 42 SO in 561 AB.
Nelson Cruz (34): .271/.333/.525, with 40 HRs 108 RBI and 140 SO in 613 AB.
Career
Martinez: .306/.373/.475
Cruz: .268/.328/.501 Read the rest of this entry
Why The Royals Can’t Sit Back After 2014: KC State Of The Union For 2015

Kansas City finally lived up to their expectations, and far exceeded beyond that, being just one swing away from calling themselves World Championships. With the success the team had, it also creates pay raises, roster turnover, and tough decisions from the brass on who to replace the outgoing cast. Dayton Moore must be aggressive with some of the changes, and realize this core group of players have about a 2 – 3 year window to win before everyone becomes too expensive. The time to strike is still now!
Why The Royals Can’t Sit Back After 2014 AL Pennant
Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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First congrats to the San Fransisco Giants organization for winning a 3rd championship in 5 years!
Now for the losers who captured Americas heart, and why the Royals can’t sit back and do nothing all offseason.
Frequently after a team wins a championship (for almost any sport) and has that breakthrough season that team tends to try and retain its team from last year while making no additions.
Save for LeBrons Miami heat we haven’t had a team repeat in any sport since the 2004 Patriots and not in baseball since the 2000 Yankees.
Lets not forget that while the Royals did eventually get to game 7 of the World Series they barely got the wild card clinching the spot a couple games above the Mariners and winning that game late.
Here are recent examples of Championship teams who really made very few additions and flopped or performed less than expected the next year.
The 2013 Red Sox who basically retained the same team and suffered from injuries and substandard performance from players like Clay Buchholz and David Ortiz.
The biggest example might be the 2010 and 2012 San Francisco Giants who just retained their teams while making no additions and ended up making frantic moves such as trading for Carlos Beltran at the deadline to fill the holes.
They missed the 2011 and 2013 postseasons. When they made changes such as trading for Hunter Pence and signing Mike Morse they ended up winning it all again. Read the rest of this entry
Based On The World Series Odds Today – Bet The Royals To Win
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
We said it before the World Series started, if you were going to bet KC for the “Fall Classic” wait until after Game 1, when a loss to Madison Bumgarner was well within the realm.
The Royals jumped from a -120 favorite, to a +170 underdog on the completion of last night’s game. Clearly the website is working out formula’s without human’s listing the odds before this series began.
It still baffles me how the Giants weren’t favored to win this series to begin with.
Having said this, the time to bet the American League Champions is right now if you were going to bet them at all. I still believe the Giants will win the series, however the odd has jumped so far in their favor, it doesn’t have enough value to throw some cabbage down on.
Tonight’s matchup (Jake Peavy +106 @ Yordano Ventura -116) favors Kansas City slightly. But it is more than that.
The young flamethrowing rookie (Ventura) has great hit and miss stuff, and has never faced the Giants lineup, this ultimately is in Ned Yost squad’s favor.
Peavy on the other hand, spent numerous years and season series opposing the Royals as a member of the Chicago White Sox formerly. He has struggled mightily, owning a 5 – 7 record, with a 4.97 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 14 game starts against Kansas City lifetime.
Billy Butler has had a field day on the RHP. Hitting .500 with 3 HRs for his career versus the former Red Sox champ. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series (Kansas City Vs San Francisco) + Prediction Time

Kansas City is making the most of their 1st playoff appearance since winning the World Series in 1985. The club has won 8 straight games over 3 series, and have shown they have power in their lumber, homering in most of their games. They have a slight advantage with their Relief Core, and must amp up their speed game again versus the Giants in order to win the 2014 Fall Classic. KC has home field advantage with the AL having won the ALL – Star Game. I personally think this is a hinderance, based on the way the team plays on the road. Whatever I feel, the oddsmakers have listed them as the Favorite.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I awoke this morning to a text stating that the Giants were the longshots in the MLB World Series this year at +100 when I placed my wager.
Kansas City was a -120 Favorite in the early morning Friday.
I exclaimed ‘yes’ because I was hoping for a nice odd for the NLCS Champs.
Chuck Booth and I stand to win $1477.50 on KC to win the World Series based on a $20 (50/1 Bet) and a $6 (80/1 Bet).
San Francisco was also the subject of my 1st bet on the Fall Classic to start the year. It was a 25/1 Odd back in January of this year, and we threw down $14 each.
Now since we could win $1477 on the Royals, and just $389 on the Giants, came the hedge bet for $500 on SF at Even money.
So we can win $1389.00 each on the Giants, and now $1477 still on KC.
The difference being, that we only had to wager $25 aggregate on the ALCS Champs.
The bet assures us of over $1000 each profit for the year.
Already, since the morning line, the odds have shifted to SF -105, to KC -115. I am not surprised, as the Sharps have spoken.
HR Streaks Of 2 Or More In MLB – 2014: A-Gon, Miggy + Anthony Recker With Active Steaks
Through Sept 7, 2014
All Streaks Of 2 or more in 2014.
*** Denotes Active Streak
5 Games
Jose Bautista – Blue Jays – Aug 26 – Aug 31`
3rd HR streak for Joey Bats!
Devin Mesoraco, Reds, June 18 – June 24
2nd HR Steak For Mesoraco Read the rest of this entry
HR Streaks Of 2 Or More In MLB – 2014:
Through Sept 7, 2014
All Streaks Of 2 or more in 2014.
*** Denotes Active Streak
5 Games
Jose Bautista – Blue Jays – Aug 26 – Aug 31`
3rd HR streak for Joey Bats!
Devin Mesoraco, Reds, June 18 – June 24
2nd HR Steak For Mesoraco Read the rest of this entry
HR Streaks Of 2 Or More In MLB – 2014: (Ike Davis + Joey Bats Only Guys With Active Ones)

Chris Carter is bashing his way to the top of all HR charts again in 2014 – after a sub par start to the campaign. He has 6 streaks of 2 or more HRs, and has added 6 multiple HR affairs to his resume – and all done in the last 100 days or so. Carter sits tied for 2nd in the AL with 33 HRs on the year, but don’t be surprised if he takes a run at the lead by years end. Carter, 27, belted 29 HRs last campaign – and could well surpass with 40 is he keep his pace up.
Through Aug 28, 2014
All Streaks Of 2 or more in 2014.
*** Denotes Active Streak
5 Games
Devin Mesoraco, Reds, June 18 – June 24
2nd HR Steak For Mesoraco Read the rest of this entry
HR Streaks Of 2 Or More 2014 In The MLB

Rizzo leads the MLB with 7 Home Run Streaks on the year. The Cubs 1B is also 2nf in the NL with 29 big fly’s on the campaign.
Through Aug 23, 2014
All Streaks Of 2 or more in 2014.
*** Denotes Active Streak
5 Games
Devin Mesoraco, Reds, June 18 – June 24
2nd HR Steak For Mesoraco Read the rest of this entry
All Streaks Of 2 Or More Straight Games With Home Runs In 2014 MLB: Stanton Setting Pace Since ASG

Stanton with 4 different HR streaks since the ALL – Star Break already. He has the NL lead, and is tied with Nelson Cruz and Jose Abreu fro the Major League Lead in 2014 bombs, Stanton also fared well in this year’s HR derby. May I remind everyone that this guys is still only 24.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Through Aug 18, 2014
All Streaks Of 2 or more in 2014.
*** Denotes Active Streak
5 Games
Devin Mesoraco, Reds, June 18 – June 24
2nd HR Steak For Mesoraco Read the rest of this entry
HR Streaks Of 2 Games Or More – 2014 MLB: Joseph’s Historic HRs, Davis On Track, Carter Underrated!

Caleb Joseph is putting up a historic HR run this week, setting a new franchise mark for hitting a long ball in his last 5 straight games, and is throwing out over 50% of the baserunners on the basepaths as a defensive Catcher. The 28 Year Old RHB is giving the management a lot to think about for the future, with the Catchers, First Base and Designated Hitters positions all featuring players who will become Free Agents in the next 1 – 2 years.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There Is 1 active streak of 5 Games: Caleb Joseph, who is the 2nd player this year to carry a 5 consecutive tilts with a HR ( the other was Devin Mesoraco.
The only other current streak is Adrian Gonzalez ( who is in his 4th streak right now, with the other 3 being at least 3 games, and one of them a 4 games.
Several Catcher flexed their muscles during this particular week.
1 for one, would love to see Joseph tie the club record set by Chris Davis (who was the last MLB to crank HRs in 6 straight (last week of 2012).
Speaking of the Home Run Ball, the Orioles have been obliterating baseball into orbit versus the Cardinals the last few nights. Baltimore has outscored St. Louis 22 – 5, with hammering 9 jacks over the wall. Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Giants Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree

Buster Posey is a two-time champion that signed a contract extension with the NL Bay Area franchise, that will see him make $164 MIL from 2013 – 2021. Will he be able to play the duration of his contract as a backstopper – or will he eventually be moved to 1st Base? The 27 Year Old was selected 5th overall by the team in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft.
How All Of The Giants Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
2010…..2012…. and will the fortunes of the Giants turn into another even year World Series Title in 2014 for the club? Perhaps not, but their offensive lineup has been well manicured over the years.
For the most part, Brian Sabean has built this team from the ground up. 80% of the players like Buster Posey. Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford were all drafted for the club.
All of the bench players were drafted or signed as Free Agents.
The biggest acquisition tree lies with the Hunter Pence deal, and now that he re-signed with the franchise last year through 2018, he has been paying immediate dividends on the investment.
In 2014 thus far, the brick-built OF, leads the NL in PA, AB and Runs Scored, and he has taken over the leadoff position for the injured Angel Pagan.
Speaking of Pagan, it is incredibly important the speedy OF is back in the lineup soon. The Giants simply aren’t the same offense without him.
Pagan was brought in to the Giants in a 2011 December trade for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez.
When in the lineup, the 32 Year Old CF has been a threat with speed and power – as he has 103 Extra Base Hits in the 288 Games Played for the franchise.
You add in a .290/.341/.427 Slash Line, and he is well worth the 4 YR pact the squad inked him to from 2013 – 2016. Read the rest of this entry
HR Streaks Of 2 Or More 2014
Harrison may very well have not deserved his NL ALL – Star selection last month, but he is totally on fire now – playing awesome baseball. The Utility man for the Bucs is the latest MLB’er to hit Home Runs in 4 straight contests this year. Harrison also went yard again last night, after a brief 2 game hiatus from smacking a long ball. The Pirates have rode his tear into a tie for the Wild Card spot.
Through Aug 2, 2014
HRs Streaks (Games Consecutive in MLB)
0 active streaks of HRs more than 1
All Streaks Of 2 or more in 2014.
5 Games
Devin Mesoraco, Reds, June 18 – June 24
2nd HR Steak For Mesoraco Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Mariners Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree: Jack Z. Must Help The O!

The Seattle Mariners are fighting tooth and nail for the 2nd Wild Card Spot in the American League, however it has much more to do with their pitching than hitting. This is a team built on prospects that haven’t panned out, and injury riddled Free Agents and acquisitions. From Justin Smoak, to Jesus Montero, to Abraham Almonte, this club has been on the poor end of the trades they have conducted in recent years. The Draft picks have not done well either with fallen hopes about Dustin Ackley, Brad Miller, Nick Franklin and Michael Saunders.
How All Of The Mariners Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Mariners are on the brink of ending a 13 year playoff drought, yet there is a glaring hole on the offensive side with how this offense has been constructed.
Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and James Jones withstanding, the rest of the players have played underneath expectations in 2014, and unless the management can pull off a trade, it may be the squad’s Achilles heel this campaign.
Jack Zduriencik has to wheel and deal for some more help in the next week or so, especially with several of the perennial contenders like Boston, New York and Tampa having subpar years.
The pitching staff has been the anchor behind the Mariners nice season so far, and with the payroll also being only at $82 MIL, this team has money to burn. Read the rest of this entry
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