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Figuring Out Miguel Cabrera’s Place ALL – Time When He is Done Playing: Can He Reach 4K Hits?

Whatever Cabrera ends up doing - 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 the 4 Batting Titles.

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) 

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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 – May 9, 2015

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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.

 

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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.

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.

*5Albert 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 - to win the Hank Aaron Award. With the big slugger due for huge Arbitration awards in the next few years, the club starting

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): 

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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

For The Most Part – The Top Salaried Players (#1 – #25 In The MLB Are Certainly Not Playing Like It!

Prince Fielder

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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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

What Miguel Cabrera’s New Contract Means To The Tigers And Him

Miguel Cabrera‘s new 8 YR/$248 MIL contract extension comes days after the club couldn’t come to terms with reigning AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.

The numbers are mind boggling.

He breaks the ALL – Time record for Average Annual Contract per year is at $31 MIL AAV (from 2016 – 2023), and also he is owed the most dollars at any given time by a contract at $292 MIL for the years of 2014 – 2023.

This man is the best pure offensive player in the game, and has only become better with age, but a lot of people are worried about the back end of this deal.

I fully understand that. Read the rest of this entry

Derek Jeter Is Retiring In 2014: He Is Hoping It Will Be A Season To Remember

I am sure that Derek Jeter will attempt to play in 2014 - regardless of how this season ends up.  #2 has a Player Option for $8 MIL in 2014.  It would behoove he and the club if Jeter exercises it.  After he led the MLB in hits last year with 216, he is sitting on 11 hits in 2013 - due to 3 DL stints and just 49 AB this year.  Jeter passed Eddie Collins, and will soon blow by Paul Molitor, but how much longer will he play after this campaign?

Derek Jeter has announced today – that 2014 will be his last year in the MLB. After he led the MLB in hits  in 2012 with 216, he finished with just 11 knocks in 2013 – due to 4 DL stints and just 53 AB. The worst the team has ever done in his 19 year career, is finish 87 -74 in 2000 (still won the WS). The only time the club missed the playoffs – was in 2008, when they were 89 – 73.  We will follow his last season much like we did Mariano Rivera.  Endless amounts of respect should be poured out on the road and at home for this man.  In 2014, he will enter his 20th and final campaign in the Bronx.  The team has never had a losing season under his time there heading into 2014.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst and Website Owner)

2014 will mark the second straight year that an ALL – Time Yankee Legend will have a year long retirement party.

The emergence of Derek Jeter in the Bronx culminated with a new dynasty of Bronx Bombers’ baseball – and resulted in 6 World Series visits in his first 7 years as the club’s Shortstop.

Derek Jeter personified everything that was great in the sport of baseball – and New York City, in a time where there were seedy underlings doing damage to the game.

The man is a consummate professional, and carried himself in a dignified manner, despite playing in a city where you can hardly breathe when it comes to media attention.

Derek Jeter’s only HR in the 2014 year

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Passing The Torch From Greatest MLB Player To Player During The Years 1979 – 2013: From Brett To Cabrera

Cabrera has had back to back AL MVP seasons in 2012 and 2013.  He has also won 3 straight AL Batting Titles.  Cabrera is the best player offensively in the universe.  He has put up 10 straight 100+ RBI campaigns, but he has racked in 276 RBI, and also 88 HRs.  The 11 Year Veterans totals would have even been higher in 2013, but he fought a torn groin for the last half of the year.

Cabrera has had back to back AL MVP seasons in 2012 and 2013. He has also won 3 straight AL Batting Titles. Cabrera is the best player offensively in the universe. He has put up 10 straight 100+ RBI campaigns, but he has racked in 276 RBI, and also 88 HRs – while featuring an OPS well north of 1.000. The 11 Year Veterans totals would have even been higher in 2013, but he fought a torn groin for the last half of the year.  The 8 time ALL – Star and 5 time Silver Slugger Award Winner has improved even greater on his totals over the last decade.  Cabrera has a Career 3 Slash Line of .321/.399/.967 – with 365 HRs and 1260 RBI in just 1660 Games Played.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

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While watching Miguel Cabrera this year, I started thinking about the best players in the MLB over the last 33 years.  I am talking the best player of the game at any point of time. 

I tracked back to 1979 for this article.  I may expand further back in follow-up articles.  I didn’t rank defense as  highly as offense when I came up with the players. 

I agonized over players like Mike SchmidtJim Rice, Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken for some of the years given in specific time frames.  These gentlemen were given every consideration. 

In the end, we are talking about the best player in the game though and it is always subject to debate and personal opinion. 

The criteria had to involve leading the league in several different offensive and/or defensive categories, followed by routinely being in the top 7 in MVP balloting (if not taking home the honor), All-Star Appearances for every year I listed them for and most of them won silver sluggers and/or Gold Gloves as well.

Cabrera’s 3 HR Game – 2013

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Jeter Passes Eddie Collins For 10th On The ALL – Time Hit List: Next Up – Paul Molitor – Only 4 Hits Away!

I am sure that Derek Jeter will attempt to play in 2014 - regardless of how this season ends up.  #2 has a Player Option for $8 MIL in 2014.  It would behoove he and the club if Jeter exercises it.  After he led the MLB in hits last year with 216, he is sitting on 11 hits in 2013 - due to 3 DL stints and just 49 AB this year.  Jeter passed Eddie Collins, and will soon blow by Paul Molitor, but how much longer will he play after this campaign?

I am sure that Derek Jeter will attempt to play in 2014 – regardless of how this season ends up. #2 has a Player Option for $8 MIL in 2014. It would behoove he and the club if Jeter exercises it. After he led the MLB in hits last year with 216, he is sitting on just 11 knocks in 2013 – due to 3 DL stints and just 49 AB. The Yanks are hoping that Jeter can provide them a spark towards a 2013 playoff spot.  The worst the team has ever done in his 19 year career, is finish 87 -74 in 2000 (still won the WS). The only time the club missed the playoffs – was in 2008, when they were 89 – 73.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst and Website Owner)

This season has to have been the most mentally grueling campaign for EL Capitan.  Jeter has fought through several injuries, DL stints, and seen his teammates struggle for the 1st time in 5 years.

Despite all of that, Derek Jeter smacked two base hits last night (including his 3315th) – to pass Eddie Collins for 10th on the ALL – Time Hit List (If you are on mlb.com).  It was just the Shortstops 11th hit on the year.

Next on the list is long time Brewer great, and Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor at 3319 Career hits sitting 9th.  With any luck, Jeter will pass this legend by the week’s end.

Derek Jeter’s only HR this year

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Brian Roberts: Can He Stay Healthy In Baltimore This Year?

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Friday, March.15/2013

Brian Roberts was one of the best Lead - Off hitters in baseball from 2004 - 2009.  He Scored 604 Runs (100 per year), Stole 212 Bases(average of 35 per year and clobbered 278 Doubles (average of 46 per year).  He is the ALL - Time Leader for Doubles in a Single Year by a Switch hitter (56 in 2009)

Brian Roberts was one of the best Lead – Off hitters in baseball from 2004 – 2009. He Scored 604 Runs (100 per year), Stole 212 Bases (average of 35 per year and clobbered 278 Doubles (average of 46 per year). He is the ALL – Time Leader for Doubles in a Single Year by a Switch hitter (56 in 2009 – Led AL) He also hit 51 2B’s in 2004 and 50  in 2008.  Roberts also is one of three other players (Stan Musial, Tris Speaker and Paul Waner) to have 50 + Doubles in 3 years of his Career).  At 278 Career SB, he is still 15th on the Active Players List.  He Led the AL in SB in 2007 (50).

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer):

Once upon a time in Baltimore there was this speed demon, 40 2B+, 40 SB and 100 Runs a Year guy that played for the Baltimore Orioles.  He was the best player on a team that hadn’t been competitive in quite some time.  The team rewarded the player with a 4 YR/$40 Million Dollar Contract.  I am talking of course about Brian Roberts

Earlier this week I wrote a similar column about how Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner were also world – beaters amongst AL hitters before a rash of injuries had grinded their careers down to a halt.  Read that blog right here .

It must have been bittersweet for Roberts to see his teammates celebrate with a champagne bubble bath – after clinching the clubs first Post Season Birth in 15 years.  Heck, it was only a few years later (in 1999) that the Second Baseman was taken in the 1999 Amateur Draft (5oth pick overall).

Brian Roberts speaks about Post Concussion Recovery:

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The Most Underrated Statistic: Extra Base Hits (XBH)

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Saturday, February.02/2013

Alex  Rodriguez is the Active Leader for XBH with 1190, however who knows when he will have a chance to resume his career again and is still owed 114 Million Dollars over the next 5 years

Alex Rodriguez is the Active Leader for XBH with 1190, however who knows when he will have a chance to resume his career again with injuries + allegations of PED use perhaps sparking an investigation/suspension for the MLB and is still owed 114 Million Dollars over the next 5 years.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner):

I have nothing against sabermetrics in baseball.  Yes I know they are not going away and I will probably learn them one day as someone who can comprehend Math pretty good.  However, I understand the frustration of the casual fan who will not set a foot near them – although they know what Home Runs and Runs Batted In are.  I have thrown the topic out for discussion on Twitter – and am extremely curious to see what percentage of fans actually follow the new numbers formats.  This site totally allows our writers to convey any form of statistical analysis they want.  The only thing that I request, is that if  they use sabermetrics, to also add some regular stats with them.

One of the stats that can gauge any era since the beginning of baseball is Extra Base Hits.  Before the fences were brought in (or even put up), Doubles and Triples could be hit at any time.  Singles are great in the game too.  There have been several great baseball players that are singles hitters, that also compiled a bunch of Doubles and Triples.  That is why this statistic is fairest to all of the hitters in the history of the game and the most comparable.  Like the old saying, (hit’em where they ain’t), players that can hit the baseball into the open areas of the outfield are special.  Babe Ruth re-coined the phrase later when he said “Well they ain’t over the fence, so that’s where I hit them!”  The Bambino was right.  In the course of this article, we will list the top active list for this category – and some underrated hitters that may stack up nicely against historical hitters.

(Pete Rose Highlights):

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Ichiro Suzuki: Returning Yankee Is On His Way To 4000 Pro Hits And Maybe Rose’s 4256 Mark

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Monday, January.07/2013

Ichiro Suzuki is tied with Pete Rose for most 200-Hit Seasons a MLB Career with 10.  Suzuki accomplished the feat in consecutive years from 2001-2010.

Ichiro Suzuki is tied with Pete Rose for most 200-Hit Seasons a MLB Career with 10. Suzuki accomplished the feat in consecutive years from 2001-2010.  Ichiro holds the Single Season Record for hits in one year – when he smacked 262 base  knocks during the 2004 Season.  He Broke George Sisler’s previous mark of 257 – set in 1920.

By Chuck Booth (Yankees Correspondent/Website Owner):

3884 hits into his professional career, Suzuki starts his 13th Career in the Major Leagues and his 22nd season overall in 2013, only 116 hits shy of 4000.  He is 308 short of passing Ty Cobb (4191) and 372 hits behind Pete Rose (4256) for the ALL-Time Professional Baseball Hits Lead.  Suzuki just re-inked a 2 YR/13 Million Dollar Contract with the Bronx Bombers.  He has a serious chance to chase down these legendary players in this time frame.  The spry Right-Fielder has 2606 hits on this side of the water – including 10 straight 200+ hit seasons to start his career between 2001-2010.  The last 2 campaigns have seen him regress to only 184 and 178 hits respectively.  These are still decent hit totals, however not really Ichiro-like.  His 3 months in New York has given fans optimism that he can still be a very productive top of the lineup hitter.

Suzuki had a 3 Slash-Line of .320/.340/.794 in New York with 73 hits in 67 games.  The veteran even had 14 SB.  Playing in the Bronx will keep him motivated to play to his fullest potential, as he has never been to a World Series in 12 years.  The Yankees were swept by the Detroit Tigers in last years ALCS, although Suzuki went 6-17 (.353) in the series.  Amongst those hits, was a 4-6 effort in Game #1.  The man just knows how to hit.   He has averaged 221 base knocks a year since coming over from Japan.  He has a .322 Batting Average for his Career and has nailed down 2 Batting Titles, while he has led the American League in hits on 7 different occasions.

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Part 1 of a Series: All-Time All-Star Teams By Regionality

 

Friday November 23th, 2012

Note from Alex Mednick:  I am going to be putting together a small project that accumulates all the best players of all time, and puts them together on teams according to their birthplace.  For example, in this first edition I will be breaking down players from the United States of America into teams from the 1) Northeast, 2) Southeast, 3) Midwest, and 4) Southwest…(sorry, there really is not enough quality coming out of the northwest to compete with these teams…maybe I will put a Northwestern United States team in a later edition with less competitive teams).  Later on I will bring you teams assembled from the all-time greats out Central and South American (Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Panama Canal Zone, etc.) and the All-Caribbean Team (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Curacao, etc).  Also look forward to teams from Japan, Canada and the EU.  Should be fun to sort of assemble an “Olympics” of Baseball.  I love watching the World Baseball Classic and seeing players fight for their nations pride…but by grouping the teams by region, it might make the teams more competitive.  Of course, this is all for the sake of speculation; Babe Ruth was a great player, but I don’t think he will be taking any at-bat’s soon. (Also, please note that I do not lend consideration to relief pitchers in this analysis). Read the rest of this entry

Looking to Break the Pete Rose Hits Record: All Eyes Are On Derek Jeter

Saturday November 3rd, 2012

Luke Whitecotton:  Pete Rose likes to talk baseball whenever he gets the chance to. When the subject comes up of someone breaking his all-time hits record, you know that Pete will always express his opinion. Since he is banned from baseball and will not likely ever make it into the Hall of Fame, you can’t help but think if this record is his “hall of fame”. That is likely why he is so protective of it. Pete Rose probably doesn’t want to hear that records are meant to be broken, and his one day will. But do any current active players even have a remote chance at the all-time hits record? There is a player out there who, if everything goes absolutely right, and the stars align could very well break this record. The climb to get there will be astronomical, and when you see the stats one would have to get in order to be successful, you probably will agree there is no way it will happen. Well in baseball if there is a will and a way, a record is probably going to be broken. Cal Ripken broke the record of most consecutive games played, which everyone thought that was unbreakable. Barry Bonds (who with a little help one might say), broke Hank Aaron’s home run record. And maybe one day someone will break the 56 game hit streak. So you see Pete Rose- someone could break your all-time hits record. With a little luck and skill, that guy is playing the game today. His name?  Derek Jeter. Read the rest of this entry

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