Blog Archives
D’Backs Pitching Staff In 2014: The Roster Tree Shows Now Ex – GM Towers Fault(y) On Assembly

Kevin Towers had been at the GM helm since Sept.22, 2010 before having his duties relinquished today. He authored some of the worst trades in club history, and has seen his team pay the price for it the most this year, with a 59 – 81 record, after back to back 81 seasons in 2012 and 2013, and a NL West Title in his 1st year on the job in 2011. Towers traded away Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Chris Young, Tyler Skaggs, Adam Eaton, Matt Davidson and Martin Prado – all without much of talent brought back to the fold in return. It was time to go.
How All Of The D’Backs Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It has not been a banner year for the Arizona Diamondbacks. I don’t need to beleaguer that point out to much to the common fan of the franchise.
What I found most disturbing out of the Roster Tree, is the team’s brass continued reliance and insistence on Relief arms.
But before we divulge into that, the name Dan Haren is still haunting this franchise. (Not Towers fault, but still an important trade historically) Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Angels Pitchers Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree Shows A Nice Year Revamp!
How All Of The Angels Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Angels management had to look back on the 2013 Relief Core – and worry about their long term future. This was because not one guy had a decent year, and most guys were well north of 4 ERA’s.
Jerry DiPoto has rapid fired a bunch of trades and signings since then, to solidify a great Bullpen it was once a late inning disaster waiting to happen on a nightly basis.
So how did he accomplish this? What assets did he give out in order to make it happen?
The 1st domino to fall was signing Joe Smith to a 3 year deal as the team’s primary set up man for Ernesto Frieri.
After that it was the David Freese deal – in which Reliever Fernando Salas came with him from the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals for Randal Grichuk and Peter Bourjos. Read the rest of this entry
MLB ALL – Star Break Report Cards – National League

The best letter grade we gave out was to the Milwaukee Brewers, The team pole vaulted out to a fast start, and despite other clubs having a lot more talent than this bunch, young players have emerged for the Brew Crew. Even with recent play, the other teams have had injury trouble while Milwaukee is relatively healthy. Still with 4 clubs within 3.5 games or better in the NL Central, this should be a dogfight to the bitter end.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Division GBL Letter Grade
NL EAST
T1. WSH 51 – 42: – (C+)
Have dealt with a plethora of injuries to Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, Wilson Ramos, Adam LaRoche and Doug Fister.
Jayson Werth had a nice hot streak right before the end of the 1st half.
The team with limited flaws has just not taken off like it should.
Gio Gonzalez hasn’t found his form yet.
T1. ATL 52 – 43: – (B-)
This team has a nice 14 – 6 stretch to end the 1st half.
When you consider the club has withstood year ending injuries to Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Gavin Floyd.
Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton are making 25% of the team payroll and are posting anemic numbers. The older Upton has done better in the last 10 games.
Evan Gattis and Freddie Freeman have kept the team afloat, and whenever Justin Upton hits, this team wins.
A great patchwork job done by the Starting Pitchers replacements. Aaron Harang and Alex Wood have done spade work.
Still one of the best Bullpens in the game. Read the rest of this entry
ALL – Time Tommy John Surgery Tracker, Updated For Tyler Chatwood
For all the talk of baseball players (pitchers mostly) that will be undergoing Tommy John Surgery, we will be keeping a running list! E-mail us at mlbreports@gmail.com if you have any names to add to our totals.
How many players are having or had TJ in history? You are about to find out: Read the rest of this entry
How All Of The Diamondbacks Hitters Were Acquired (2014 Roster Tree)
How All Of The D’Backs Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Diamondbacks are having a brutal season at 30 – 44 thus far, and are now under the microscope of Tony La Russa.
This has to be done for good reason. The club’s transaction record recently is highly suspect even though they are being led by veteran GM Kevin Towers.
When covering this Roster Tree (just for the hitters) I have found a disturbing trend of 2 team and 3 way trades that may not be beneficial to the long term success for the snakes.
The 1st one coming to mind is shipping out Trevor Bauer, Bryan Shaw and Matt Albers for a fringe 1B prospect in Lars Anderson, Reliever Tony Sipp and shortstop Didi Gregorius (even though Chris Owings was already in the system). Read the rest of this entry
The Game Odds Are Posted For Opening Series MLB 2014 in Sydney: Dodgers Vs Dbacks + Picks

Clayton Kershaw gets the nod in Sydney, Australia for the MLB opener. He may also pitch the MLB North American Opener next Sunday in San Diego, before potentially throwing 5 days later for the Dodgers Season Opener. This could mean he Starts 3 of the clubs 6 games. If Greinke follows him in SD, that could mean 5 Starts for these guys in the teams first 8 games, with potentially Ryu also throwing 2 starts in. For those people who don’t think this season starter in Australia could benefit the Dodgers, think again. They could lead the NL West for every day of the 2014 season, and could net 3 wins before anyone in the NL West or MLB in total has their 1st victory.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Chuck Booth gave me this mission to kick of the year writing this article. We both come from a long history of predicting outcomes of games.
Some years we have done well, and some years have not been okay.
It has been researched and studied that Doubleheaders have a high probability of seeing a split for the 2 games.
You throw in the neutral site factor of this series, and all home field advantage is thrown out the window.
Chuck nailed the prediction of what they would put the game odds for the 2 games – based on the Starting Pitchers. Read the rest of this entry
The MLB Opens On Saturday With ARI/LAD Playing In Sydney: Opening Series Prediction

The Dodgers open up the year against the DBacks in the MLB Opening Series. For those hardcore home fans, the games start at 1 AM PST and 7 PM PST on Saturday. Look for an article on Friday that will have an in depth look at some of the bets that will be available for this 2 game set. This series does scream a split between the feel of a Doubleheader, and the weirdness of the neutral site and country.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It should have been Clayton Kershaw vs Patrick Corbin in Game #1, and Zack Greinke and Trevor Cahill in Game #2 in Sydney this Saturday.
While technically it is two different days in Sydney, the games are held at 4:00 AM and 8 PM EST on Saturday Mar.22.
For those brave enough to watch the early game, it is listed as Kershaw vs TBD (MLB.com not listing it, although Miley has been named., and Game #2 is listed as Hyun-jin Ryu vs Trevor Cahill. Read the rest of this entry
Arizona Diamondbacks 2014 Payroll + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Diamondbacks brass hit a proverbial HR, when they extended Paul Goldschmidt to a 5 YRs/$32 MIL deal prior to the 2013 campaign.
The Then 25 Year Old finished runner up to the NL MVP Voting, and likely would have won it based on his .302/.401/.551 year with an NL leading 36 HRs, 125 RBI, (he also led in Slugging, OPS and Scored 103 Runs.)
Having a franchise player for the next 4 years at such a feasible rate in terms of payroll enables them to do so many things with their salary structure.
The club added Bronson Arroyo (2 YRs, min $23.5 MIL – or 3 YRs/$30 MIL), were able to deal for Mark Trumbo (who entered 1st Year of Arbitration at $4.8 MIL in 2014) and recently signed Reliever Oliver Perez to a modest 2 YRs/$4.25 MIL deal. Read the rest of this entry
The Dodgers On Field Management Should Be Showing As Much Urgency As The D’Backs For The 2014 MLB Opening Series!
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I started talking about something in my Power Rankings yesterday and it festered with me all day until I decided to expand on the subject a little more today.
As I was listening to XM Radio explain that Kirk Gibson was going to start Patrick Corbin and Trevor Cahill in the 1st 2 games of the MLB Season in Australia, the Dodgers have been quiet to name a starter.
I wrote a few months back, that I would like to have seen them throw Clayton Kershaw for that opener, pitch versus the San Diego Padres a week later, and to conclude with the Dodger Stadium Opener.
We all know now that Zack Greinke won’t even be making the trip due to health concerns.
I understand that one fully, but don’t sit there and tell me that the 2 time NL Cy Young Winner is now going to throw in either of the 1st 2 games. Read the rest of this entry
Arizona May Have To Rethink Their Team Salary In The NL West With High Spending LA + SF

The Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t have the type of year in 2013 that they had wished for, however the future looks really strong. Aided by a slugging 1st Baseman (Paul Goldschmidt), and great young Staring Pitching like Wade Miley and Patrick Corbin, added with Veterans Miguel Montero, Martin Prado and Aaron Hill, with prospects A.J. Pollock and Adam Eaton being the future core, this team should see some heavy duty improvement from year to year. Having said this, they compete with the two most expensive payrolls in the NL – in their Division with the Dodgers and Giants.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Chase Field is a pretty cool ballpark. The Diamondbacks have been often voted as one of the better organizations in the MLB for how they treat their fanbases for guest services, value and overall baseball experiences.
While the D’Backs finished in 14th for NL Attendance this year, they cracked the 2 Million fan barrier for the 15th straight year since entering the league.
Over the last 8 years, the team has kept comfortably between 2.0 MIL and 2.5 MIL.
Back in the first few seasons of MLB in the desert, the franchise was drawing well over 3 Million fans..
Paul Goldschmidt 2013 Highlights
2 And A Hook Podcast #14: The Races, The Red Sox + The Crowd Hitter Concept

The 2 And A Hook Podcast will be running 7 consecutive shows on Thursdays Sept. 19 + 26, and Oct 3,10,17,24,31) – Join us for our extensive playoff coverage from Chuck Booth, Chris Lacey, James Acevedo and many other guests!
‘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
Guests On The Show:
On today’s show, brought to you by www.mlbreports.com
& yours truly The Bench Warmers Show.
i start it off by wishing the head of MLB Reports Chuck Booth Follow @chuckbooth3024 a Happy Birthday today then i talked about the A.L. East race & who will prevail at the end…
I also get to talk to the return of the Vice Prez of MLB Reports.com Chris Lacey (30 MIN mark and a 25 MIN Segment)Follow @tbwarmers
We talked about all the division & wild card races in both leagues, Matt Harvey’s season ending injury which is a big blow to the mets & the mets trading Byrd & Buck to help the pirates…
CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON or CLICK PAST THE MLB REPORTS LOGO
A Preview Of The Dbacks Starting Rotation In 2014

Corbin has been the ace of the rotation since he made his first start of the season for Arizona and has not looked back. If the Dbacks make the postseason, he will be one of the reasons why this happens. The young left-hander leads the team in wins with 13 on the season. He also has a 2.79 ERA in 177.2 inning pitched while just walking 45 batters and striking out 154. He has a WHIP of 1.04 and is limiting batters to a .216 average on the season. Corbin is holding left-handed batters to a batting average of just .180 in 150 at-bats this season. He also knows how to pitch well at Chase Field with him winning eight games at home and having a 1.86 ERA. The youngster is stingy with runners in scoring position, as teams only have a .197 batting average in this situation.
By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Website Owner) Follow @aecanada12
The Arizona Diamondbacks have had highs and lows this season, and there is still a chance they could make the playoffs. Arizona sits 8 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West division.
The Dodgers seem like they are running away with the division title, but Arizona still has seven games left against them in September to narrow the gap and put some pressure on them.
Patrick Corbin 2013 Highlights
Triple Play Podcast Ep #20: DBacks + NL Central Talk

The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month. Each show will be about 1 hour. Chuck Booth will guest once a month for MLB Power Rankings,
By The Big Ticket Show ( AKA Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com) Follow @bigticketshow
On this week’s show Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist and Minority Owner of mlbreports.) comFollow @bigticketshow joins us to discuss the D’Backs season and to break down the dog fight in the NL Central.
All that plus Chris Leitch returns as the boys cover all the biggest news in MLB – including our weekly Blue Jays ‘BITCH” on their play.
To listen to the audio for this Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY logo or past the Triple Play Logo.
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (August.20th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Robinson Cano was remarkable in the Yankees double header sweep of Toronto. He collected 4 hits including a three run game turning homer in the 8-4 opening win. Then in the 2-1 finale, he collected two more hits including an RBI single, getting six hits all together.
John Danks pitched 8 shutout innings, scattering 7 hits and walking just one, as the White Sox topped the fading Royals, 2-0.
Neil Walker went 2-4 with a home run, helping the Pirates clobber the Padres, 8-1 and build their lead in the NL Central.
Patrick Corbin threw a complete game victory, letting up only 2 runs, striking out 10 and walking none. The Diamondbacks stopped the Reds in Cincinnati, 5-2.
They all owned baseball on August 20, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON
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To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry
Dbacks’ Make Move At Trade Deadline To Improve Their Bullpen
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Joe Thatcher was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks on the last day of the Trade Deadline. This acquisition makes their bullpen stronger with having a pitcher that can get lefties out on a consistent basis. He has 2.10 ERA in 30 innings pitched this season, while only giving three HRs, and walking four batters. He has a WHIP of 1.06 and has struck out 29 batters. He is holding the opposing batters to a .243 average this season, while holding left-handed batters to a .215 average. Thatcher is very good with runners in scoring position as well, by holding teams to a batting average of .121 in this situation. He does not throw hard with a fastball that sits in the mid 80s and a sweeping slider. He has held lefty batters to a 209./.269/.586 triple-slash in 344 career at-bats.
By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Website Owner) Follow @aecanada12
The Arizona Diamondbacks were the kings of the National League West division for most of this season, and that’s not saying much. That division is not what you would call competitive, with only two teams that have a record over. 500.
Arizona was able to maintain their lead in large part because the Los Angeles Dodgers were dealing with numerous injuries.Then once the Dodgers had key players healthy, Los Angeles started to play better.
Paul Goldschmidt 2013 Highlights – Parental Guidance Is Advised
Cubs’ Find Ideal Trade Partner For Matt Garza
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Matt Garza was the big fish in this year’s trade deadline. There were plenty of teams that him had him on their radar, and they scouted every game he pitched for the Cubs this season. He won six games for them this season with a 3.17 ERA in 71 innings pitched to go along with 62 strike outs and 20 walks. He has a WHIP of 1.14 and has only given up eight home runs on the season. Garza is holding the opposition to a .229 batting average, while righties only hit .224 when facing him. He is good when runners are in scoring position, as indicated by teams just managing a .245 average. The Rangers got the pitcher they wanted, and he should bring some stability to their rotation.
By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Website Owner) Follow @aecanada12
The Chicago Cubs were trying to find the perfect trade partner this season with them having the premier starting pitcher available this trade deadline.
Matt Garza was the best pitcher on the market for teams who needed help with their rotation could acquire. The one caveat is that those teams would have to give up very good prospects in their farm system to obtain his services.
Matt Garza Career Highlights – Parental Guidance Is Advised

















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