Blog Archives
Hats, Chaos and Pete Rose: Locked On MLB – July 5, 2019
The day after a National Holiday is disorienting.
I loved some of the Fourth of July hats. Meanwhile the NL Central is separated from top to bottom by 2 games in the loss column and a listener wants to know if Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.
The real question is does Pete WANT to be?
This is the Locked On MLB Podcast hosted by me, Paul Francis Sullivan. Please call me Sully.
Click HERE to listen to the episode
The Forgotten Rivalry: The Reds and Dodgers Battle for Supremacy of the ’70s
Sometimes over the course of the schedule you manage to find that occasional game which encapsulates a club perfectly. One which showcases the superior firepower it’s truly armed with. The type of firepower that comes along once in a generation, if that. For Cincinnati, Saturday, May 19, 1973 was one of those games. As the Reds cruised to a 10-4 pasting of San Diego, Pete Rose banged out two doubles and a triple and scored three runs. Johnny Bench blasted his 10th home run of the year and drove in five runs. Joe Morgan actually got no hits at all – the box score shows him officially going 0-for-0.
That’s because in four trips to the plate, Morgan walked three times and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. He was in the middle of nearly every Cincinnati rally, helping to pad Bench’s RBI total. After walking in the first inning, he induced Padre pitcher Mike Corkins into an errant pick-off throw and wound up on third base, from where he’d score on a Bench groundout. Then in the fourth inning, the Padres decided to walk Morgan intentionally with runners on second and third, which set up Bench’s two-run single. In the sixth, he walked in front of Bench’s homer, though he didn’t score that time because Anderson decided to give him the rest of the afternoon off and pinch-run Chaney, who finished out the game at second base. READ MORE ON PLATE COVERAGE.COM
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast -January 22, 2017
It is Sunday and time for THE SUNDAY REQUEST.
@sullybaseball Shoeless Joe was given a lifetime ban. Since he is dead, shouldn’t he be re-instated?
— Bob Buscaglia (@BobBuscaglia) January 19, 2017
It is pretty clear to me that Joe Jackson has paid his price. But would would that mean for Pete Rose and his Hall of Fame chances?
Place your bets on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Jan 1, 2014 – Jan 31, 2014 (Episodes 435 – 465)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1236 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 435 – 465 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans. Check out all his Archived info here.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Dec 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015 (Episodes 1134 – 1164)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1235 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 1134 – 1164 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans. Check out all his Archived info here.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Feb.1, 2013 – Feb.28, 2013 (Episodes 101 – 128)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1216 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 101 – 128 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully starting posting his daily podcasts at the mlbreports.com on Feb.6, 2013. We will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans. Check out all his Archived info here.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Jan.1, 2013 – Jan.31, 2013 (Lost Eps 70 – 100)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1216 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 70 – 100 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully starting posting his daily podcasts at the mlbreports.com on Feb.6, 2013. So we will add the dates between Oct.24, 2012 and Feb.6, 2013 in case you missed any of his awesome 1st 105 episodes.
But we will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 22, 2016
Still in the parking lot of a CVS, I discuss ethics and why Pete Rose‘s number SHOULD be retired.
It is a crazy person talking outside to himself episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 20, 2015
MARK J. TERRILL/ASSOCIATED PRESS
It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball think there’s chance he didn’t want reinstatement? Prodigal thing good for his business. His case 4 reinstatement was a joke
— Ed Connealy (@edcfromkc) December 15, 2015
I had never thought on it, but man does Pete Rose seem to have ulterior motives.
Maybe bet against this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
An Open Letter To Commissioner Robert Manfred: Reinstate Pete!
Dear Commissioner Manfred,
I have been a fan of Major League Baseball ever since I laid eyes on Howard Johnson and the 1991 Mets. From that point on, I have followed the game of baseball with a passion. From countless games in person at Citi Field and Shea Stadium, to repeat watching of old games on YouTube and video cassette; I have followed the game with a passion and vigor. Baseball, to me, is a game rich with history and legacy.
That is why I am perturbed at the fact Pete Rose hasn’t been reinstated into MLB and can’t be on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Look, I understand the frustration. The man bet on baseball. In fact, the man bet on everything. He had a serious addiction. He went underneath the table and bet on his team to win. Yet, it wasn’t a 1919 World Series situation with “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and the Black Sox scandal.
He never manipulated a lineup for a loss. Mr. Rose NEVER bet against his team. If he purposely bet against the club he was managing and doctored results to his favor, then THAT’S an issue. However, that has never been proven, thus I believe it’s a bit over the top to STILL have a lifetime ban.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 15, 2015
Jamie Squire / Getty Images
I thought the Dodgers interest in Johnny Cueto was risky.
Now he signed with the Giants. I get the deal. Huge potential reward. Gigantic risk.
It also means the end of the Tim Linceum era.
Meanwhile Pete Rose is back in the news again and Serena Williams needs to compete with a horse.
Go ahead an bet on today’s episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Dear Santa 2015: A Xmas Letter (Wishlist) From All 30 MLB Teams And Their Fanbases
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It is that time of year. All the executives should be toting their favorite team pencil and get ready for a letter to old Saint Nick.
The Winter Meetings have concluded, and as of right now, the Cubs went four hours without acquiring someone so the rest of the league can quickly exhale for a few minutes.
This is the lull of the offseason right now with not much happening from right now all the way through to the Baseball Hall Of Fame Vote.
Speaking of the Hall of Fame – do you think Pete Rose does autograph signings in Vegas on Dec.25 – before gambling the winnings at the craps table right after? Okay sorry Pete. Read the rest of this entry
Greinke Signs With Arizona: 12th Best Deal ALL – Time Of 50 MLB Richest Contracts.
Zack Greinke opted of his deal (6 YRs/$147.6 MIL) after this last season with the Dodgers, even though he will still nearly $26 MIL per year left on his deal running through 2018. The 32 Year Old has been dynamite since moving to Los Angeles, featuring a 60 – 17 (.779) record with a mid 2 ERA since he was dealt to the Angels in mid 2012 from the Brewers. He just inked the most lucrative deal ever signed for the MLB in AAV at $34.42 MIL per year.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
A collective haymaker punch has just been thrown at the rest of the National League West. The Diamondbacks have inked Zack Greinke to a 6 YRs/$206.5 MIL pact as of last night.
This is the 3rd richest Pitcher contract ever signed behind David Price‘s 7 YRs/$217 MIL deal – and Clayton Kerhsaw’s extension of 7 YRs/$210 MIL.
It is also the highest Average Annual contract ahead at $34.42 MIL per season, edging out both Price and Miguel Cabrera at a clip of $31 MIL each a campaign for their respective deals.
Greinke, 32, who finished 2nd in NL Cy Young Voting with an incredible 1.66 ERA in 222.1 IP worth of work in 2015 had opted out of his 6 YRs/$147.5 MIL deal with the Dodgers after just 3 years.
The Right Handed Pitcher left 3 years and $77.5 MIL on the table – and this was the right move as he was slated to earn just under $26 MIL a season for that contract.
This is the 12th richest deal of ALL – Time in the Major Leagues – and is also the 12th player to crack the $200 MIL+ barrier.
Price With Richest Pitcher Contract In MLB History (8th Best In History): Top 50 ALL – Time Deals
David Price has just inked the most expensive pitcher contract in the history of the MLB. With his and Jordan Zimmermann both hitting the top 50 contracts of ALL – Time in the last week, it has pushed Homer Bailey out of the top 50 deals of all time for chuckers. Right now, there is no one that has had the Tommy John Surgery while having a contract as a pitcher in the top 50. Expect that to change. Which poses the question – are pitchers really worth 9 figure deals?
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
David Price just inked the richest deal in MLB history with the Boston Red Sox at 7 YRs/$217 MIL. It is also the 8th richest contract ever doled out.
The question is whether or not it is a worthy investment to put that much dough on the table for a guy that will progressively decline as the deal goes on.
If you follow our Tommy John Surgery Tracker, you will find that 30 or so pitchers are having their names added to the list. Last season, the first 9 figured player – and top 50 salaried player had their arm go under a TJ Surgery in Home Bailey.
The time is coming again when an even higher profile pitcher will have to go down with it while his name is on a pact for a huge 9 figure salary.
it is the main reason why some clubs just can’t afford the risk. Boston has the funds to do this, and this clearly was the prudent move for the franchise to do after losing out on Jon Lester last season.
Most of the Starting Pitchers have not seen better years with their names on this list like Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Cole Hamels, CC Sabathia and Mike Hampton. Read the rest of this entry
Figuring Out Miguel Cabrera’s Place ALL – Time When He is Done Playing: Can He Reach 4K Hits?
Whatever Cabrera ends up doing in the course of his next 8 – 10 years he is under contract with Detroit- he is already a Hall of Fame Player right now. He is a 2 time MVP, with 4 other top 5 finishes, and has won 6 Silver Slugger Awards. He has 11 100 RBI seasons, has won 2 Homerun Titles, and has won 4 Batting Titles in the last 5 years with the Tigers.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Miguel Cabrera just won his 4th Batting Title in 5 years in 2015. It was a year thaw saw him rack up his 400th HR and saw him reach 900 Extra Base Hits for his career.
Heading into 2016, Cabrera starts his 8 YR/$240 MIL contract with the Tigers, (with a few Vesting Options in 2024 and 2025). He will turn 33 about a week into the season.
Just how far will he go into the historical record books will be determined by the duration of this contract. Does he have a chance at 4000 Hits and 700 HRs?
The ALL-Time list he is capable of reaching (I feel) are the ALL – Time Extra Bases mark of 1477 set by Hank Aaron, ALL – Time RBI list (also held by Aaron) at 2297 and the ALL-Time Doubles mark of 792 held by Tris Speaker. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 9, 2015
JON BLACKER/MLB PHOTOS
Outside of Trader Joe’s, I discuss watching baseball in the west coast, the dull games, why Pete Rose needs to shut his mouth and why everything is pumpkin flavored.
It is a 4 Playoff Games In One Day episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Jose Altuve, Delino Deshields, Jake Diekman, Collin McHugh, Edwin Encarnacion, Kendrys Morales and Chris Young all added to their totals for Who Owns October
My post season predictions can be found HERE.
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 27, 2015
Photo: The Enquirer/Liz Dufour
How can we end the Pete Rose scandal and allow baseball to cash in on that sweet Draft King Money? I think I found a way
Place your bets on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Justin Verlander, Evan Gattis, Bartolo Colon, Justin Upton, Chris Sale, Shin Soo Choo, Patrick Corbin and Adonis Garcia all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – July 15, 2015
David Kohl – USA Today Sports
Thinking about Pluto, rain during the All Star Game and the new In Memoriam Video
It is Episode 995 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Mike Trout, David Price, Andrew McCutchen and Jacob deGrom added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Watch the new In Memoriam Video HERE
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 23, 2015
Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports
Baseball has put their foot down on Pete Rose and his gambling, as well they should. But how do they justify jumping into bed with DraftKings?
It is a Sure Bet Episode 971 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Maikel Franco, Albert Pujols, Travis Wood, Hector Santiago, Brett Gardner, Joc Pederson and Clayton Kershaw all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 9, 2015
Getty Images
Remembering the moments where both teams had a chance to clinch at the same time. Plus my brother witnesses another grand slam
It is a paying respect Episode 928 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Jered Weaver, Cole Hamels, Ian Kinsler, Bryce Harper, Alex Gordon, Jimmy Nelson, Ryan Braun and Roberto Hernandez all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
The link to my article about clinching can be found here.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 17, 2015
Pete Rose applied for reinstatement. It is a formality and who knows where it will lead?
But before you join a “Free Pete” movement, realize that because of Pete, the 1986, 1987 and 1988 NLCS could have a big Asterisk next to them.
It is a Luck of the Irish Episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 7, 2015
At the San Francisco Airport, also known as the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, I think about the potential about face MLB could have on Gambling.
If they do, then they have to put Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame right away.
It is a playing the odds episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Ichiro Suzuki Maybe Older, But He Is a Perfect 4th OF/PH
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Okay so Ichiro Suzuki doesn’t possess as much speed as he once did, or even hit .320 like he routinely did for the Mariners. Plus yes, there is virtually no power…however he hit .284 last season, and for a 4th OF or Pinch Hitter in the Senior Circuit, that would be much likened.
I was sitting there last month debating on whether the Mariners should give him a call for a return to Seattle, considering they tried signing Franklin Gutierrez (hurt all of 2014, which was the biggest waste of a $MIL ever by M’s mgmt – considering the guy already burned the squad for 120 games missed in 2013) and employed friggin Endy Chavez for much of the 2014 year.
I am giving Jack Z. and the Mariners some chops for picking up Justin Ruggiano and Seth Smith instead in the last 30 days, but the point was, Ichiro may not have wanted to return to the PAC NW anyway even though he could have helped that club as they were constructed then.
Have you seen some of the 4th OF and PH that still have jobs in the Majors? Heck yeah… give me a guy who can put the bat on the ball still.
Suzuki is a great contact hitter even at his age, and he will likely see some AB roaming the outfield for the Marlins this year. I love Giancarlo Stanton, but it is not like he ever plays 162 games straight on the diamond. Read the rest of this entry
Max Scherzer’s $185 MIL Deal (Inflation Pro-Rated) Puts Him 11th In MLB History For Top Contracts
Scherzer’s 7 Year/$210 MIL deal is actually worth $185 against the cap, and we are giving him the same for the ALL-Time Contracts. This sum puts him just behind Derek Jeter for 11th in MLB History. Jon Lester and he are the only 2 men to enter the top 50 this year after 7 players made the cut last off year. Cabrera, Cano, Kershaw, Tanaka, Ellsbury, Trout and Choo all have made the chart since the end of the 2013 World Series. The deal called for a $50 MIL signing bonus. The 2013 former AL Cy Young winner, will make $15 MIL in deferred salary for the next 14 seasons. The 30 Year Old, will join the NL’s best club of 2014, as far as wins are concerned, bringing in a 96 – 66 record. The RHP has led the AL in wins the last 2 years (21 Wins and 18 Wins respectively), and has compiled a 55 – 15 (.786 Winning Percentage) since the start of the 2012 campaign.
The highest contracts in MLB history (Red means Active Contract)
1. Giancarlo Stanton, $325, 000, 000 (2015 – 2027)
*2. Alex Rodriguez, $275,000,000 (2008-17)
*** With A-Rod’s suspension in 2014, he forfeited $22.13 MIL bucks, so it will now end up 10 YRs/$252.87 MIL for the duration of his deal. You can’t tell me he will be worth 40% of what the Yankees will be paying him next year, and all the way till the end of 2017.
3. Alex Rodriguez, $252,000,000 (2001-10)
*4. Miguel Cabrera $248,000, 000 (2016 – 2023)
Go see #25. He has the 4th and 25th top contracts of ALL – Time. This contract doesn’t start until 2016.
*5. Albert Pujols, $250,000,000 (2012-21)
*6. Robinson Cano, $240,000,000 (2014 – 2023) Read the rest of this entry
Giancarlo Stanton Signs Record 13 YRs/$325 MIL Deal, Will He Be Worth It? + Top 50 Salary Deals ALL – Time
Giancarlo Stanton, who will turn just 25 in a few days, ended the year with the HR crown at 37 and added 105 RBI in just 539 AB before having his season ended with a Hit By Pitch. With the big slugger due for huge Arbitration awards in the next few years, the club started bargaining withe their young superstar towards a long-term contract once the year was over. They came up with a record breaking 13 Year Deal worth $325 MIL at the end of it. Stanton also holds his own ticket for the future as well, with a full no no-trade clause, and an opt year after the 2020 campaign.
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With the ink not even being finalized on the historic deal between the Marlins and Giancarlo Stanton, it has been confirmed the deal is for 13 years at a clip of $325 MIL.
Among the provisions includes a no-trade clause, and an opt-out after the 2020 season, which would be 6 years into the deal.
It will be interesting to see how the dollars are broken up per year. If I were Stanton, I would have wanted for the Annual Average money be even throughout the pact, otherwise I may be leery of the club trying to let him walk out after the 6 years – by not having a competitive club.
Although, if it is back end loaded the team would certainly have the flexibility to spend more cash on their current roster for the next 6 campaigns, Tough dilemma for sure to be in.
No matter how long the 2014 NL MVP runnerup stays in South Beach, this is a smart business transaction for the franchise, regardless of the outcome. It just may backfire from a baseball operational sense in terms of finances for signing other players too.
The Miami Marlins had to do this contract to save face from the 2012 break up of the squad. Now while the big blockbuster trade has given the team the ability to contend for a playoff spot in the near future – and was a smart organizational move, as the fans also have been sold a bill of goods from the Marlins ownership since day 1 of the teams existence.
This is a marketing plan as much as anything that will be brought forth by the baseball impact. Stanton is the marquee player on the team, and trading him away in the next 2 years would have had a devastating effect on the fanbase.
One isn’t sure whether they can sustain enough revenues to produce a winning product on the field for an extended period of time, however having the most dynamic power hitter in your lineup for the next 13 years will be a nice reason to come to the yard. Read the rest of this entry
The Best Teams In The MLB From 1980 – Now: SF Cements Their Place From 2010 – 2014 With WS Birth
The Giants won the World Series in 2010 and 2012, and now are in the 2014 World Series – with a great chance to win 3 titles in 5 years against Kansas City. The best teams for the last several years include the Red Sox from 2004 – 2007, the Phillies from 2008 – 2009, and then you would have to place the Giants as the best overall team from 2010 – 2014. Can they keep up the format of winning a World Series every 2 years again this year? The Red Sox (3 Titles), plus the Giants and Cards each having 2 Fall Classics, are the only 3 teams to have multiple World Series Trophies since the 2004 year.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is only so much one can read in an article, otherwise I would make these lists up from the turn of the 20th century.
If you gave me enough time as a reader, I promise to backdate this topic with another article featuring the best teams dating back further in years.
Eventually, all of the years may be dissected and we can have a healthy debate on some of my selections. I really started watching baseball in the early 1980’s.
As I became older and discovered ways to research the history of the game, my knowledge and curious mind grew for more information.
I have studied and read baseball stat books and breezed through the odd Bill James novel.
If I ever take a break from writing or baseball park chasing, I may find some time down the road to watch the 9 part PBS documentary that Ken Burns did on baseball’s history.
I Give The Captain More Accolades: Jeter To Play Last Game In The Bronx + Last Series In Boston
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead/Analyst – with assist to Jonathan Hacohen, Website Founder) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I understand the “Jeter Fatigue” that has gone on all year, and half of me just wishes that he never mentioned that he was done after the 2014 campaign. I just hate giving any ammunition to the ‘hater’s’, and definitely when I have agreed it was overkill at some points.
But then I would have missed his brilliant series at Safeco Field, that was worth the price of admission, if I hadn’t known it was his last year.
While he has struggled for some of this season, he had hits in his 1st AB, all three games of that series I attended, and reached base 9 times in 3 straight Yankee wins, giving me yet more memories for my favorite current Pinstriper.
I was there in person for that, and bought my only t-shirt of the year from a street vendor afterwards.
While everyone is not a Yankees fan. and are growing tired of the talk, this is the greatest Yankees player in my years of watching the sport. So, because I have a forum to write about him, Damnit I will!!
Sure I had grown up on Don Mattingly (the last captain of the team prior to #2).. Heck…he is still my favorite player of ALL – Time, but Jeter came into the mix about the same time I graduated from high school.
I am sure I can say this about a lot of “Bronx Bombers’ fans my age. I wanted to be a New York Yankee while playing organized baseball. It was my dream.
Derek Jeter has lived the life all of us would have wanted as a Yankee Stadium ‘hero’. Read the rest of this entry
For The Most Part – The Top Salaried Players (#1 – #25 In The MLB Are Certainly Not Playing Like It!
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Some of the highest paid athletes are really struggling to earn their keep. Even if A – Rod were playing, it is quite possible he would be a shell of his former self, and way overpaid.
You add in the horrific injury riddled years for Joey Votto and Prince Fielder, and you are talking about a lot of dough for players not even in uniform presently.
Then there is a productive hitter like Troy Tulowitzki, who can’t remain on the field, despite putting up world caliber numbers when he is in the lineup.
Joe Mauer and Matt Kemp have also dealt with injuries and timing issues at the plate, but they still could turn it around for the tail end of the season – and going forward.
Justin Verlander tops the list of the paying the man too late in the game, and this will not bode well for the Free Agent Max Scherzer.
You also have aging veterans that are helping their teams win games like Albert Pujols and Adrian Gonzalez, but they are also not where they were at the time all of that cash was thrown their way.
Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout‘s deal don’t even start yet on this list, and somehow I think they will do alright.
Robinson Cano has looked decent in the 1st of a 10 year deal, but lets reassess this in 2018…
The Yankees have a huge problem on their hands with their representatives out of these players.
Mark Teixeira only has power left, and can hardly stay on the field, while CC Sabathia may be done as a top of the end starter.
Masahiro Tanaka was lights out in his time in New York this year, however he could be facing Tommy John Surgery soon, and may cost the franchise a lot of money to sit out.
Not even the Jacoby Ellsbury deal has reason for them to feel comfort. His numbers are similar to the ones he put up in Boston, yet he will see his speed evaporate over the years going forward.
This is part 1 of a 2 part blog series on player contracts. Tomorrow we address players 26 – 50. Read the rest of this entry
Jeter Passes Yaz, Maybe Ties Wagner for 7th On ALL Time Hits List?: Plus #2’s Historical #’s
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Derek Jeter had 3 base hits in last night’s 4 – 2 loss to the Texas Rangers. In doing so, the man now has 3420 hits for his career.
Carl Yastrzemski had 3419 to hold onto the 8th spot previously, but Jeter’s 3420th hit seems to be confusing when you look at the websites of both http://www.mlb.com and http://www.baseballreference.com
BBREF has Honus Wagner listed at 3420, which would have El Capitan tying that mark for 7th last night, while MLB has Wagner listed at 3430 Career Hits.
All will be a moot point when Jeter passes the 3431 hits plateau in a few weeks, and shortly after that he should nestle into the 6th slot for good, when he passes Cap Anson. (3435)
For those that still don’t give Derek Jeter the respect he deserves, the man also is the Career Hits leader ever for an Infielder.
Of his 3420 base knocks. 3337 have come as a SS and 81 at the DH position, which is ahead of Wagner, Anson, and Eddie Collins.
The other 2 hits come via pinch hitting.
Wagner and Anson both saw some time in the Outfield during their time. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 1, 2014
Photo Credits – Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports and Fox Sports Ohio
No April Fools on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
A great opening day was had all around baseball. And Barry Bonds and Pete Rose made appearances as they try to get back in the good graces of the fans.
Not sure it is going to work, but I enjoyed seeing them both try.
Alex Gonzalez, Justin Masterson, Anthony Rendon, Adam Wainwright, Salvador Perez, Jon Lester, Emilio Bonifacio and Johnny Cueto all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball. Read the rest of this entry
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