Blog Archives

Who Owned Baseball September 8, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

 

Francisco Liriano struck out 10 batters, walking 1 and allowed just 3 hits in 6 shutout innings and got a single and double as a hitter to lead the Pirates past Cincinnati, 7-3.

Carlos Rodon allowed 1 run, 1 walk and 5 hits over 7 innings and earned the 7-4 decision for the White Sox over Cleveland.

J. T Realmuto homered twice in the Marlins 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Jose Abreu went 3 for 4 with 2 homers as the White Sox beat Cleveland 7-4.

They all owned baseball on September 8, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

 

Masahiro Tanaka pitched 8 strong innings, allowing 1 run and 1 walk and struck out 10. He got a no decision as the Yankees lost to the Orioles, 2-1.

Domingo Santana reached base 4 times including a homer and 2 RBI but the Brewers lost to the Marlins 6-4.

Alex Rodriguez hit his 30th homer of the year, which tied the game. The Yankees would eventually drop the game, 2-1 to Baltimore.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

 


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball September 7, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

ROB FOLDY/GETTY IMAGES

ROB FOLDY/GETTY IMAGES

 

Zach Davies earned his first major league win in his second start, throwing 7 strong innings, allowing 1 run, 4 hits and no walks as the Brewers won in Miami, 9-1.

Trevor Bauer allowed just 2 hits and 2 runs over 7 innings, out dueling Sale and the White Sox to give the Indians a 3-2 victory.

Scott Van Slyke collected 4 hits, including a pair of doubles, scored a run, drove in 4, twice driving in insurance runs to help the Dodgers inch closer to another division title with a 7-5 win over the Angels.

Jackie Bradley Jr. went 4 for 4 with a double, a homer and 4 RBI as the Red Sox ran over Toronto, 11-4.

They all owned baseball on September 7, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Chris Sale struck out 8 and walked 1 in 7 innings but earned a hard luck 3-2 loss as the White Sox fell to Cleveland.

Wilson Ramos launched a go ahead grand slam that briefly gave the Nationals the lead. The Mets would come back to win, 8-5.

Evan Longoria reached base 4 times, including a 2 run homer, but the Rays lost to Detroit, 5-4.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

 


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball September 6, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

DARREN CALABRESE/AP

DARREN CALABRESE/AP

Jose Bautista reached base 3 times, launched a 3 run homer in the first and added a double while scoring 3 in the Blue Jays 20-4 rout of Baltimore.

Cody Anderson threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks and earned the 4-0 decision for the Indians over the Tigers.

Miguel Montero got on base 3 times including a tie breaking grand slam to help the Cubs beat the Diamondbacks 6-4.

Gerrit Cole kept the Cardinals off the board with 7 innings of 2 hit shutout ball, striking out 7 and winning the 7-1 game for the Pirates.

They all owned baseball on September 6, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Asdrubel Cabrera got 3 hits including a homer and a stolen base in the Rays 6-4 defeat to the Yankees.

Tyler Duffey pitched shutout ball into the 7th before finishing with 6 2/3 strong innings. The bullpen would allow 2 inherited runners to score and then implode as the Astros beat the Twins, 8-5.

Wellington Castillo went 3 for 4 with a homer and a double in the Diamondbacks 6-4 loss to the Cubs.

John Lackey pitched into the 8th inning, allowing 3 runs over 7 1/3 innings but was saddled with the loss as the Cardinals fell to Pittsburgh, 7-1.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball September 5, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

VICTOR DECOLONGON/GETTY IMAGES

VICTOR DECOLONGON/GETTY IMAGES

Derek Holland threw 8 solid innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run and 2 walks and earned a critical 2-1 victory for the Rangers over the Angels.

Jake Arrieta continued his dominance with 8 shutout innings of the Diamondbacks, allowing 4 hits, no walks and fanning 7 as the Cubs won in Wrigley, 2-0.

Shawn O’Malley reached base 4 times with a homer, a double and a pair of runs scored as the Mariners topped the A’s 8-3.

Bryce Harper doubled twice and homered, leading the Nationals past the Braves, 8-2.

They all owned baseball on September 5, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Lance McCullers held the Twins to 1 run, 3 hits and 2 walks over 7 innings, striking out 8. He would get a no decision as the Astros lost 3-2.

Alex Gordon went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. The rest of the Royals bats were held in check as they fell to the White Sox, 6-1.

Brandon Phillips reached base 5 times, scoring 1 and driving in another in the Reds 8-6 loss to Milwaukee.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball September 4, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES

JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES

 

Addison Russell hit 2 homers, scored 3 runs and drove in 3 to help the red hot Cubs clobber the Diamondbacks, 14-5.

Chris Davis homered twice, driving in 3 as the Orioles topped Toronto 10-2.

J. A. Happ shutout the Cardinals over 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, no walks and 8 strikeouts, as the Pirates cruised to a 9-3 win.

Josh Tomlin threw a complete game victory, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk and 6 strikes outs as the Indians beat the Tigers, 8-1.

They all owned baseball on September 4, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

 

Odubel Herrera went 3 for 5 with a 2 run homer in the Phillies 7-5 loss in Boston.

Shin-Soo Choo went 3 for 5 with a triple and an RBI in the Rangers 5-2 loss in Anaheim.

Julio Teheran threw 6 strong innings, allowing 1 run. The bullpen blew the game late and the Braves lost to Washington, 5-2 in 10 innings.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball September 3, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

DUSTIN BRADFORD/GETTY IMAGES

DUSTIN BRADFORD/GETTY IMAGES

Carlos Gonzalez went 4 for 5 with a pair of homers, driving in 4 as the Rockies clobbered the reeling Giants, 11-3.

Chris Rusin threw a complete game in Coors Field, letting up 6 hits, 1 walk and 3 runs to seal the Rockies 11-3 win over the Giants.

Kendrys Morales collected 4 hits, including a double, scored 3 and drove in 4 more as the Royals offense lit up Detroit, 15-7.

Jeff Samardzija pitched into the 7th, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs over 6 1/3 innings, earning the 6-4 decision for the White Sox in Minnesota.

They all owned baseball on September 3, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Corey Seager hit a double and a single, driving in 2 and scoring 2 in his big league debut. The Dodgers bullpen would fall apart and lose in San Diego, 10-7.

Nick Castellanos got on base 4 times, including a pair of doubles, scored a run and knocked in 3 in the Tigers wild 15-7 loss to Kansas City.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball September 12, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP

Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP

R. A. Dickey went the distance, allowing 4 hits, 1 run and no walks over 9 innings, striking out 6 Indians as Toronto won again, 5-1.

Clayton Kershaw needed 132 pitches, but his complete games, 6 hits 1 run, 1 walk and 15 strikeout performance earned him a 2-1 victory over the Giants and a clean sweep for the Dodgers.

Chris Davis smacked 3 hits including 2 homers. The second was a walk off shot in the 11th that gave Baltimore a much needed 7-6 win over the Rays.

Ryan Zimmerman homered twice and doubled, driving in 3 runs to help the Nationals top St. Louis, 4-3.

 

They all owned baseball on September 2, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

 

Mike Leake gave the Giants a solid effort with 7 innings and 2 earned runs, walking none along the way. But he earned the hard luck 2-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Evan Longoria hit a pair of homers in the Rays 7-6 extra inning loss in Baltimore.

Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 4 with a homer but the Cubs lost 7-4 to Cincinnati.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball September 1, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

 

Zack Greinke helped strengthen his Cy Young case by pitching a shutout into the 8th and finishing with 1 run over 7 1/3 innings and earning the critical 2-1 victory for the Dodgers over rival San Francisco.

Darin Ruf went 3 for 5 with a homer and 6 RBI to lead the Phillies past the Mets, 14-8.

Drew Smyly pitched 7 innings of shutout ball, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk and striking out 10 Orioles to earn the 11-2 decision for Tampa Bay.

J. P. Arencibia got 3 hits, including a 2 run homer, and drove in 6 as the Rays thrashed the Orioles, 11-2.

They all owned baseball on September 1, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Madison Bumgarner pitched well, striking out 8, walking 1 and allowing just 2 runs in 7 innings. He would be the hard luck loser as the Giants fell to LA, 2-1.

Rick Porcello allowed 1 earned run, 1 walk and 5 hits over 8 innings, striking out 13 Yankees along the way. 2 unearned runs would be his undoing as the Red Sox lost, 3-1.

Matt Kemp reached base 4 times, including a double and a homer, driving in 4. His Padres fell short against Texas, 8-6.

Yan Gomes hit a pair of homers, including a game tying shot in the 9th inning. The Indians would lose 5-3 as the Blue Jays walked off in 10.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 31, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

 

CHRIS CARLSON/AP

CHRIS CARLSON/AP

Adrian Gonzalez hit a game tying homer in the 6th inning and a walk off single in the 14th inning to cap off a critical 5-4 win for the Dodgers over the Giants.

David Ortiz reached base 3 times and put the Red Sox ahead for good with career homer number 495 as Boston hung on to top the Yankees, 4-3.

Bartolo Colon threw 8 shutout innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 9 Phillies and got a hit and scored a run while earning the 3-1 decision for the Mets.

Dallas Keuchel went 7 strong innings, allowing 1 run on a solo homer and 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8 and was credited with Houston’s 8-3 victory over the Mariners.

They all owned baseball on August 31, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

 

Ryan Zimmerman clubbed a 3 run homer to give Washington the lead and finished the night with 3 hits, including a double, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. The Cardinals would come back to win, 8-5.

Mark Trumbo hit a pair of homers, driving in 3, in Seattle’s 8-3 loss to Houston.

Shelby Miller saw his miserable luck continue. He pitched another solid game, allowing 1 run over 7 innings, walking no Miami batter but still got the loss as Atlanta fell 4-0.

David Price struck out 9 and walked 1 in 7 innings, holding the Indians to 3 runs. Normally that would be enough for a Toronto win, but not this night as they lost 4-2.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 30, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Jake Arrieta threw the first Cubs no hitter since 2008, allowing 1 walk and struck out 12 Dodgers and completed his 2-0 masterpiece.

Derek Holland threw a complete game 3 hit shutout, walking none and struck out 11 Orioles along the way as the Rangers triumphed, 6-0.

Stephen Drew reached base 6 times, launching a 2 run homer, drove in 4 and scored 3 times, helping the Yankees humiliate the Braves, 20-6.

Jayson Werth walked, doubled and homered, driving in 3 and scored the tying run for the Nationals who got a much needed 7-4 win against the Marlins.

 

They all owned baseball on August 30, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Mike Trout collected 4 hits, including a double and a triple, but the free falling Angels lost again, 9-2.

Marlon Byrd drove in 4 runs with a pair doubles, a single and a triple. But he was stranded each time and the Giants fell short to the Cardinals, 7-5.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 29, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

TOM SZCZERBOWSKI/GETTY IMAGES

TOM SZCZERBOWSKI/GETTY IMAGES

Edwin Encarnacion hit 3 homers, driving in 9 and scoring 4 times in the Blue Jays 15-1 trashing of Detroit.

Luis Severino threw 6 shutout innings and led the Yankees to a 3-1 victory in Atlanta.

Joey Votto went 3 for 5 including a 9th inning 2 run homer that gave the Reds the lead and powered them to a 12-9 win over Milwaukee.

Lance Lynn pitched into the 8th before leaving with an injury. He finished with 7 plus innings, no runs and 6 hits, earning the 6-0 decision for the Cardinals in San Francisco.

They all owned baseball on August 29, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Brian Dozier doubled twice in the Twins 4-1 loss to Houston.

Garrett Richards struck out 9 in 7 innings, walking none and allowing 3 runs. The Angels bullpen would implode and lose the game to Cleveland, 8-3.

Scooter Gennett collected 4 hits, including a triple, scoring 3 and driving in 3. But the Brewers fell in the 9th and were beaten 12-9 by the Reds.

Jacob deGrom threw 6 innings, striking out 10, but the Mets lost to the Red Sox, 3-1.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 28, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

 

JOHN BAZEMORE/AP

JOHN BAZEMORE/AP

Didi Gregorius collected 4 hits, including a homer, and 6 RBI, leading the Yankees to a 15-4 thumping of Atlanta.

Cole Hamels pitched 8 dominating innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run while striking out 10 Baltimore batters and earning the 4-1 decision for Texas.

Kelby Tomlinson was solid defensively , reached base 4 times and hit a walk off 9th inning RBI single over 5 infielders to give the Giants a 5-4 win over St. Louis.

Clayton Kershaw was his usual remarkable self with 8 innings, 3 hits, 1 run on a solo homer, 1 walk and 14 strikeouts, giving the Dodgers a 4-1 victory over the Cubs.

They all owned baseball on August 28, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Daniel Nava collected 3 hits and scored in Tampa Bay’s 3-2 loss to the Royals.

Scott Kazmir was strong over 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs, 1 run and 6 strikeouts. But he was saddled with the 3-0 Astros loss in Minnesota.

Jose Reyes went 2 for 4 with a homer, a stolen base and 2 RBI in Colorado’s 5-3 loss in Pitsburgh.

Matt Harvey pitched 6 innings of shutout ball, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. The bullpen would blow his lead and the Mets would fall to Boston 6-4 in 10 innings.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 27, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

Jamie Squire - Getty Images

Jamie Squire – Getty Images

 

Mike Moustakas went 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored and a pair of RBI to help the Royals beat Baltimore 5-3.

Daniel Murphy displayed some sparkling defense, reached base 4 times, including a 2 run double in the 13th inning that completed a wild 9-5  come from behind victory for the Mets in Philadelphia.

Matt Shoemaker threw 7 1/3 one hit shutout ball, earning the 2-0 decision for the Angels in Detroit.

Zack Greinke gave the Dodgers 7 innings with no runs, 4 hits and 9 strikeouts to win a 1-0 duel against the Reds.

They all owned baseball on August 26, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

 

Eduardo Escobar singled and homered in the Twins 5-4 loss in Tampa Bay.

Aaron Altherr hit a pair of doubles, drove in a run and scored another in the Phillies 9-5 extra inning loss to the Mets.

Randy Wolf gave the Tigers a solid emergency start with 1 run over 7 strong innings. However it was a tough luck 2-0 loss to the Angels.

Anthony DeSclafani went 7 innings and 1 walk but that was one run too many as the Reds fell to the Dodgers, 1-0.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 26, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

 

(Photo: Robin Buckson, Detroit News)

(Photo: Robin Buckson, Detroit News)

Justin Verlander went into the 9th with a chance at a third career no hitter. After a leadoff single, he finished with a complete game 1 hit shutout, walking 2 and striking out 9 Angels and earning the 5-0 victory in Detroit.

Evan Gattis homered twice in the Astros 6-2 win against the Yankees.

Bartolo Colon gave the Mets 7 shutout innings, striking out 8 and scattering 5 hits as the red hot Mets topped the Phillies 9-4.

Justin Upton hit a pair of homers, driving in 3 runs helping the Padres beat the Nationals, 6-5.

They all owned baseball on August 26, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Chris Sale threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and 7 strikeouts. He got a no decision as the White Sox fell to Boston, 3-0.

Shin-Soo Choo went 3 for 5 with a run scored and 2 RBI in the Rangers 12-4 loss to Toronto.

Patrick Corbin struck out 7 batters in 6 innings, allowing 1 run, 3 hits and 2 walks. He would not get a decision as the Diamondbacks bullpen fell to St. Louis, 3-1.

Adonis Garcia went 3 for 5 with a homer in Atlanta’s 6-3 loss to the Rockies.

 

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 25, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Dallas Keuchel threw 7 shutout innings, striking out 9, walking none and scattering 3 hits as the Astros humiliated the Yankees 15-1.

Michael Brantley reached base 4 times with 2 homers, 4 RBI and a stolen base to help Cleveland top Milwaukee, 11-6.

Brad Hand pitched into the 9th, throwing 8 plus innings, allowing 2 runs to the red hot Pirates and winning the 5-2 game for the Marlins.

Starlin Castro took advantage of being back in the lineup with a single, double and homer and leading the Cubs to a 8-5 victory in San Francisco.

They all owned baseball on August 25, 2015

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Miguel Cabrera went 3 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI but his Tigers comeback fell a run short against the Angels, 8-7.

Jedd Gyorko hit 2 homers in the Padres 8-3 loss to Washington.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball August 24, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings

DREW HALLOWELL/GETTY IMAGES

DREW HALLOWELL/GETTY IMAGES

Wilmer Flores hit 2 of the Mets 8 homers, adding a double and 5 RBI in the wild 16-7 win in Philadelphia.

Rusney Castillo singled, doubled and homered, driving in all 5 of the Red Sox runs in a 5-4 victory over the White Sox.

Jon Lester took a shutout into the 9th. He finished with 8 2/3 innings, 6 hits and 1 run. While he did not get the win but the Cubs took the game 2-1 over Cleveland.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched 8 shutout innings, 4 hits and struck out 7. While he didn’t get the decision, he set up the Yankees 1-0 win over the Astros.

They all owned baseball on August 24, 2015

 

Earning 1/2 WOBs on losing efforts.

Ryan Howard went 2 for 5 including a 3 run homer but his Phillies lost to the Mets 16-7.

Jose Abreu homered and doubled in the White Sox 5-4 loss to Boston.

Corey Kluber pitched into the 8th, finishing with 11 strikeouts, 4 hits, 1 run and no walks. He got a no decision as the Cubs walked off against the Indians, 2-1.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.


Read the rest of this entry

Boston’s Management Strategy May Help Club Prevail Again In 2015 AL East

Ben Cherington pulled off the biggest salary dump in MLB History in 2012, with his clearing the deck of Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett.  He replaced them with saavy, playoff tested Veterans - on lower value, and year contracts.  His club won the 2013 AL East with the revamped squad - that improved almost 30 Wins from 2012.  Last season, the club suffered another last place finish, however he dealt away Jon Lester, for Yoenis Cespedes, and then turned that asset into Rick Porcello.  The club also was able to sign Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for this year, and have inked Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada since last summer.  The Red Sox are showing the way to handle a roster year to year.  If you are in it, spend the money, and when you are out, trade anybody of value not in your long term plans.

Ben Cherington pulled off the biggest salary dump in MLB History in 2012, with his clearing the deck of Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett. He replaced them with savvy, playoff tested Veterans – on lower value, and year contracts. His club won the 2013 AL East (and the World Series of course) with the revamped squad – that improved almost 30 Wins from 2012. Last season, the club suffered another last place finish, however he dealt away Jon Lester for Yoenis Cespedes, and then turned that asset into Rick Porcello. The club also was able to sign Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for this year, and have also inked Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada to long-term deals since last summer. The Red Sox are showing the way to handle a roster year to year. If you are in it, spend the money, and when you are out, trade anybody of value not in your long term plans.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

The terrible news of Marcus Stroman‘s ACL  earlier this week has dampened the chances the Toronto Blue Jays chances to really take a shot at the Division.

Let me qualify this more….

I think the Jays will compete all season, and may take a run at one of the Wild Card Spots for sure, it just at this time of the year, losing any pitching hurts big time.

Toronto is already lacking an ace, but that is not a cause for grave concern in this Division, with the AL East possessing exactly zero of them now, following the departures of Jon Lester and David Price in the last 9 months.  But they are in trouble when it comes to depth versus the other clubs. Read the rest of this entry

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

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 year, he was right.

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