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Stanton’s Deal Will Set Off A Collective Groan For Small To Mid Market Clubs
Giancarlo Stanton’s new 13 Year Deal worth $325 MIL has got to be a red flag for other small to mid market franchises who are looking to extend their own talent. Everything is a cumulative effect on another when a deal like this goes down. Many teams are going to be asked to grant contracts of more than 10 plus years, and for ridiculous sums of money.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Giancarlo Stanton signing his whopper of a deal has to be shaking the foundation of all but the many low to mid level market’s boots. He just raised the bar on what young franchise players will make in terms of years and dollars, Not good.
Arizona you better thank the lord you inked Paul Goldschmidt before he took off in his career,. The same can be said for Andrew McCutchen in Pittsburgh and Chris Sale in Chicago. All among the better valued deals in the game right now.
These 3 would all enter in the top 25 contracts of ALL – Time if they were Free Agents on the open market presently…. Meaning at least $135 MIL for a deal in the 6 to 7 year window. Read the rest of this entry
Joe Mauer Off To A Hot Start In 2013
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Follow @mlbreportsSunday April 21, 2013
Joe Mauer is easily the face of the Twins – and possibly the entire city of Minnesota. He has a plethora of awards under his belt, including an MVP, and 5 All-Star Game appearances. The Twins feel secure positioning him behind the plate or at First Base. He is also used as the Designated Hitter often. He is one of the more consistent players in the league and has led the Twins to 4 Postseason Appearances.
By Kyle Holland (MLB Reports Writer): Follow @TheKHolland13
There is no arguing that Joe Mauer is the face of the Minnesota Twins. The only other possible option would be the first basemen Justin Morneau. The only problem with him is the fact he has suffered his fair share of injuries the past few years. So really, Joe Mauer is hands down the face of the Twins organization.
Only three times in Joe Mauer’s 9 year career has he hit below .300. He hit .294 in 2005, .293 in 2007, and .287 in his injury shortened 2011 campaign. Those 3 years, 2005, 2007, and 2011 just happen to be the only years he has not appeared in the MLB All-Star Game.
The man from Minneapolis has also got a very good looking resume under his belt. This includes 4 Silver Slugger Awards, 3 Gold Glove Awards as the backstop, 5 All-Star Game appearances, and 1 AL MVP Award. Pretty impressive for a catcher who is only 30 years old.
Joe Mauer 2012 Highlights:
Pirates Payroll In 2013 And Contracts Going Forward
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Follow @mlbreportsFriday, February.8, 2013
Pittsburgh GM Neil Huntington has found creative ways to help the Budget out – by taking risks on Wandy Rodriguez and A.J. Burnett. They are both being paid portions of their contracts by their previous teams. Signing Andrew McCutchen to a long-term contract has also given the franchise the ability to add players in 2013 if need be.
By Brad Cuprik (Pirates Correspondent) Follow @bradcuprik
On August 8 of last season, the Pittsburgh Pirates were 63-47, 2.5 games back of the First-place Cincinnati Reds, securely into the second Wild-Card Spot – and had the fourth-best record in the National League. The wheels came off, the Bucs finished on a 16-36 slide, 18 games back of the Reds and with the 10th-best record in the NL. Reality could have caught up to a overperforming squad, or a youthful team took the next step in learning how to win. Either way, the Pirates enter 2013 with breaking a streak of 20 losing seasons on their minds.
General Manager Neal Huntington has been shrewd and active, signing MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen to a long-term deal in 2012 and getting other clubs to eat up significant chunks of their largest contracts when acquiring their top two starters. Starting pitching depth has been added and Huntington is even taking more high-priced risks, landing Catcher Russell Martin as a Free Agent.
Pittsburgh Pirates 2012 Highlights:
Pittsburgh Pirates Roster in 2013: State Of The Union
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Follow @mlbreportsWednesday, January 23, 2013
The Pirates have not made the playoffs since the 1992 Season. That year, Barry Bonds could not throw out Sid Bream from deep Short in Game #7 of the NLCS versus the Braves – and they were eliminated for the 3rd straight year in the playoffs before reaching the World Series. Bonds subsequently left the team for the SF Giants in 1993 – and 20 losing seasons have since occurred. Only the Kansas City Royals have a longer streak of not making the playoffs (1985). Will this change in 2013?
By Brad Cuprik (Pirates Correspondent) Follow @bradcuprik
Although the Pirates made significant strides in 2012, they still finished in fourth place in the National League Central – with a 79-83 mark – extending their professional sports record for consecutive losing seasons to 20. After being active at last season’s trading deadline, the Bucs added two key Free Agents in the offseason. One of those signings, LHP Francisco Liriano, agreed to 2 YR Deall for just under $13 Million – but broke his arm from an undisclosed injury in late December. The two sides agreed to a deal that lowers the first-season payout if Liriano misses any time due to the injury.
That has not dimmed the enthusiasm swelling around Pittsburgh and very few roster spots are up for grabs as the 2013 season nears. With the Houston Astros moving to the American League West, the division is down to five teams, but the Pirates still have numerous questions surrounding their ability to compete for a Post Season Berth.
Andrew McCutchen hitting mechanics: Mature Lyrics Content – Parental Guidance is Advised
MLB Player Profile: The Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano
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Sunday, January.06, 2013
Alfonso Soriano has hit 373 Career HRs in 14 Years and has clubbed 164 of them with Chicago over the last 6 years. He is on the 7th Year of an 8 YR/136 Million Dollar Contract. He has made 2 ALL-Star Appearances with the Cubs. The Man also has 270 SB and 836 Extra Base Hits. He should end his Career with over 1000 XBH, which would place him in the top 40 of ALL-Time for that Category.
Alfonso Soriano: Misunderstood, Good, But Never A Fit
Alex Kantecki (Guest Baseball Writer and Cubs Correspondent): Follow @Akantecki
It’s no secret Alfonso Soriano isn’t the most liked player among Cubs fans. Following the 2006 season when then general manager Jim Hendry signed the Outfielder to the largest contract in team history ($136 Million over eight years), fans dreaming of a World Series title pinned their hopes on the unconventional Leadoff hitter that hit 46 HR and stole 41 bases with the Washington Nationals the year before. Soriano did his part and helped lead the Cubs to two straight National League Central titles in 2007 and 2008, but the Cubs were swept away in the Division Series both years. Like his teammates, Soriano struggled to do much of anything in the postseason, collecting three hits in 29 Plate Appearances and failing to score or drive in a single run in six games.
Alfonso Soriano 2012 Highlights – Parental Guidance Is Advised
The Best DH of All-Time
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Saturday, January 5th, 2013
Martinez had a 3 Slash line of .312/.418/.933. He smacked 309 HRs. 514 Doubles and had 1261 RBI. Will he be the 1st ever Primary DH to be inducted into the Hall? Or will 2247 Career Hits and suspicions of PED Use prevent him from being elected?
Ryan Dana (MLB Reports Intern): Follow @ryandana1
In my previous article examining the decline of the DH position in the AL, I briefly touched on a few great DH’s. Now I will exert my focus on examining who the best DH of all time was. While the DH position may be in a decline, it has experienced good times. To be truly great at one of the hardest things to do in sports, (hit a baseball) is quite an accomplishment whether you play in the field or not. The Top 4 DH’s off all time have to be Harold Baines, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, and David Ortiz. (The ordering just goes from 1st to enter the MLB to last, not who was the best. I will order them in that way later in the article.)
Harold Baines was somewhat of a pioneer of the DH position, as he was one of the early greats. His 22 Year Career started in 1980 with the Chicago White Sox, and ended for the same team in 2001, although he had stints with the Rangers, Athletics, Orioles, and Indians in between. Baines was a regular Outfielder for the White Sox until the ’86 season – where knee problems all but ended his fielding career. With Baines well-rounded, Left-hHanded stroke at the plate, he etched out a place in baseball history that will leave him remembered by many.
Frank Thomas Highlights:
Chase Headley: Flash In The Pan Or Bonafide ALL-Star?
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Friday December 28, 2012
Headley caaptured a Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger in 2012. He ended up finishing 5th in NL MVP voting. He hit .286 with 31 HRs and an NL leading 115 RBI. More impressive were his post ALL-Star numbers -in which he hit .308 with 23 HRs and 73 RBI in just 75 games, carrying a .978 OPS for that time frame. The man also scored 56 Runs in the 2nd half.
Kyle Holland (MLB Reports Intern): Follow @TheKHolland13
What exactly is needed to be able to call yourself a “superstar?” All-Star Game Appearances? Multiple MVPs? How about all this and being a fan favorite. You need to have you superstar moments throughout the years. A World Series ring looks real good on a superstar’s finger. Having your name in the history books and then maybe being an eventual Hall of Famer. This is what defines a superstar years after they are retired.
What does one breakout season make you? Certainly not a superstar. Not right away at least. Star’s need to prove themselves in more ways than just one breakout season.
This is the question with San Diego Padres Third Baseman, Chase Headley.
Fred McGriff, Does the Hall Await?
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Follow @mlbreportsTuesday, December 25, 2012
Patrick Languzzi (Cooperstown Correspondent): Follow @patricklanguzzi and Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
The 2013 Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) Hall of Fame ballot was announced on November 28th. Frederick ‘Crime Dog’ McGriff’, will again accompany the ballot for what will now be his Fourth Year.
Results are expected to be announced on January 9, 2013 and a player must receive 75-Percent of the votes to be elected.
This year however, will invite a new crop of players to the ballot, most of which have been linked to PED’s and certain to take away votes from the Crime Dog.
McGriff’s career ranged from 1986 – 2004. He made his Major League debut the same year as Mark McGwire, and over his 19-Year Career, McGriff amassed 493 Home Runs (tied with Lou Gehrig), 2,490 hits and 1,550 RBI’s with a .284 Life-time Batting Average. He also collected 2494 Hits and featured a 3 slash line of .284/.377/.866. McGriff also walked 1305 times and clubbed 958 Total Extra Base Hits.
He was a Five-Time All-Star, Three-Time Silver Slugger Award winner, a World Series Champion and the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVP.
McGriff was the first player [1992] since the dead-ball era, to lead both the American and National League in Home Runs. Read the rest of this entry
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