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AL West Players To Watch

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Daniel Marino

Dan Marino continues his trek through each division in the major leagues and giving you one player he thinks is the: Rookie to Watch, Breakthrough Player, The Party’s Over, Non-Roster Invitee Most Likely to Stick, and Just Not Seeing it.

Now, in part five of six, he brings you the American League West:

Part 1: AL East Players to Watch.

Part 2: NL East Players to Watch.

Part 3: AL Central Players to Watch.

Part 4: NL Central Players to Watch.

Houston Astros (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Alex Liddi, Alexi Ogando, Billy Buckner, Brandon Allen, Brandon Maurer, Daric Barton, Delino DeShields Jr., Erasmo Ramirez, Fernando Martinez, Houston Astros, Joe Blanton, Josh Hamilton, Justin Maxwell, Justin Smoak, Los Angeles Angels, Max Stassi, Michael Young, Mike Ekstrom, Mike Jacobs, Mike Olt, Miles Head, Neftali Feliz, Oakland A's, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Taylor Lindsey, Texas Rangers, Tom Milone, Travis Blackley, Tyler Greene, Vernon Wells | 5 Comments »

Baseball Notes for December 17, 2012

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Andrew Martin

The baseball offseason is a busy time. Really, no further introduction is needed for the notes from this past week.

***The hyperbole machine has been revved up to a fevered pitch now that the 2013 National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot has gone out and people have started debating the merits of various candidates. I will surely go into who I would vote for at a later time, but for now can offer up these thoughts: (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Boston Red Sox, Free Agents, Hall of Fame, Josh Hamilton, Kevin Youkilis, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Noah Syndergaard, R.A. Dickey, Ryan Dempster, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Trades, Travis d'Arnaud | 1 Comment »

Texas Rangers Offseason Eight Ball

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Junius Worth

The Rangers are probably seeking a catcher or two, an outfielder and adding pitching both starters and bullpen help.

Guaranteed Contracts

-Ian Kinsler, 2B: $75M throught 2017
-Adrian Beltre, 3B: $51M through 2015
-Yu Darvish, SP: $50.5M through 2017
-Derek Holland, SP: $24.3M through 2016
-Michael Young, UT: $16M through 2013
-Elvis Andrus, SS: $11.3M through 2014
-Nelson Cruz, OF: $10.5M through 2013
-Leonys Martin, OF: $8.75 through 2015
-Colby Lewis, SP: $2M through 2013

Arbitration Eligible Players [estimated salaries] (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: American League, Angel Pagan, B.J. Upton, David Price, Elvis Andrus, Free Agents, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Jon Daniels, Josh Hamilton, Jurickson Profar, Justin Upton, Michael Bourn, Mike Olt, Nick Swisher, Offseason, Texas Rangers, Zack Greinke | Leave a Comment »

Baseball Notes for November 12, 2012

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Andrew Martin

*** To say I loved the Red Sox signing catcher David Ross to a two year, $6.2 million free agent would be an understatement. He brings the kind of leadership, experience and defensive presence the Sox have lacked behind the plate for years. Although he won’t be a full-time starter he could play a significant role in changing the culture of managing the pitching staff and calling games.

*** The free-spending ways of the Los Angeles Dodgers seems to know no bounds. It was confirmed last week that they successfully bid $25.7 million for the chance to negotiate a contract with Korean left-handed pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin. (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Andrew McCutchen, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, David Ross, Free Agents, Hall of Fame, Hot Stove, Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark McGwire, Mike Matheny, PEDs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Robin Ventura, Ryu Hyun-Jin, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Trades, Walt Weiss, Yasmani Granal | Leave a Comment »

It’s Tough Being A Met Fan In Yankee Town

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Daniel Marino

Photo By: John Dunn for The New York Times

As another hot stove season begins, Met fans such as myself, will once again look across town at the Bronx Bombers with envy. It will be another off season where we Met fans watch our team sit on the sidelines while the Yankees sign the free agents they need to compete for another title. Of course, the Mets are on a self-imposed budget because of the Madoff situation that emptied Fred Wilpon’s wallet. But Met fans have to wonder how long they will play second fiddle to the Yankees. The last time our Mets owned New York was 1988. Since then, it has been almost exclusively the Big Yankee Apple. And unfortunately, Yankee fans remind us Met fans of this every day of every year.

The difference in management styles between the two organizations was evident last year with the Jose Reyes debacle. The Yankees choose to keep their cornerstone players in pinstripes. When Derek Jeter’s contract was nearing an end while in the middle of his career, the Yankees signed him to a long term contract. When Jose Reyes contract expired after least season, the Mets let him walk without even making an offer. Of course, Jose Reyes is no Derek Jeter, but you get the point. (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Bobby Bonilla, Carl Pavano, Carlos Baerga, Derek Jeter, Fernando Tatis, Free Agents, Hot Stove, Jason Bay, Jose Contreras, Jose Reyes, Josh Hamilton, Kaz Matsui, Luis Castillo, Mike Napoli, Mo Vaughn, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oliver Perez, Pedro Feliciano, Roberto Alomar, Scott Kazmir, Torii Hunter, Victor Zambrano | 1 Comment »

Playing Matchmaker for Some of the Top Free Agents

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Andrew Martin

Even with the playoff action at a fever pitch, it’s not too early to look ahead at the free agent class of 2013 and how they might impact teams next season. Ultimately the number of zeroes on the checks will determine where the players sign, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean that they will go where they would be the best fit. Every player about to enter free agency has one landing spot that would work well for them and the team; it just depends on if they both realize it and if the money is right.

If I were playing matchmaker, here is who I would pair up this offseason: (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: B.J. Upton, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Free Agents, Josh Hamilton, Milwaukee Brewers, Nick Swisher, Texas Rangers, Zack Greinke | Leave a Comment »

Some Completely Useless But Fun Numbers From The 2012 MLB Regular Season

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Andrew Martin

The 2012 baseball regular season was one of excitement and surprises. Only part of the story is what was seen from game to game, and taking a closer look at numbers can bring even more richness to what transpired over the past six months. I love statistics, particularly when they are within the context of baseball, and while completely useless, there are all sorts of interesting numbers from this past year that elaborate on another great season. Just a few that I found include:

***Knuckleball pitchers are known for their inability to hold base runners, as evidenced by the Niekro brothers, Charlie Hough, Tom Candiotti, and Tim Wakefield, who allowed a combined 2,000 stolen bases during their illustrious careers. By comparison only 7 players even attempted to steal against R.A. Dickey this season, with only 4 (Everth Cabrera, Todd Frazier, Dexter Fowler, and Jose Reyes) being successful. (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Adam Dunn, Alex Presley, Andrew McCutchen, Aroldis Chapman, Cameron Maybin, Charlie Hough, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Fernando Rodney, J.D. Martinez, Jeff Francis, Joe Mauer, Joe Niekro, Jose Tabata, Josh Hamilton, Justin Verlander, Mark Reynolds, Mike Trout, Phil Niekro, R.A. Dickey, Tim Wakefield, Tom Candiotti, Trevor Cahill, Will Middlebrooks | 3 Comments »

American League Position All-Star Starters

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Michael Schwartze

The other day I revealed my starting position players for the National League and today I give you my American League starters. The All-Star game is just days away but here are the guys who I think should be starting for the American League.
(more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: All-Star Game, Asdrubal Cabrera, David Ortiz, Joe Mauer, Jose Bautista, Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Piazza, Paul Konerko, Robinson Cano | Leave a Comment »

Surprises in Early Offensive Numbers

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Jonathan C. Mitchell

We are more than halfway through the month of April and most teams have already played double-digit games. This is not a big sample size but there have been some surprises in the beginning of this long season, from the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-1 start to the St. Louis Cardinals scoring the most runs in the game despite the face of the franchise and future hall-of-famer Albert Pujols leaving for the Los Angeles Angels.

And, to our surprise, there have been some major overachievers and some major underachievers, including the aforementioned Albert Pujols who has yet to hit a homerun and is hitting only .268/.318/.366 through his first 44 plate appearances outside of St. Louis red. Here are a few of the statistical surprises so far this season:

The “No Walk” club includes some surprising names as well as some you might expect to see (min 30 PAs) with three Texas Rangers appearing on the list: (more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Adam Dunn, Albert Pujols, Andrew McCutchen, Brent Morel, Carlos Gonzalez, Chris Young, Curtis Granderson, Gaby Sanchez, Giancarlo Stanton, Ian Kinsler, Jesus Montero, Josh Hamilton, Justin Upton, Mark Teixeira, Matt Kemp, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, Yoenis Cespedes | 2 Comments »

2012 Rookie Watch: AL West

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Michael Schwartze

A couple weeks ago I began a series of posts as I take look at rookies in 2012. I have been going division by division taking a look at rookies who I think will have an impact in 2012 for each team. I’ve been making my pick for the guy who I think will have the biggest impact and note other names that could have an impact as well. So far I have taken a look at the NL West, NL Central, and NL East. I now present to you my 2012 rookie watch for the American League West.

(more…)

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis | Tagged: Alex Liddi, Alexi Amarista, Brad Peacock, Chance Ruffin, Danny Hultzen, Erasmo Ramirez, Eric Sogard, Garrett Richards, James Paxton, Jarrod Parker, Jesus Montero, Josh Donaldson, Josh Hamilton, Leonys Martin, Los Angeles Angels, Mike Trout, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Taijuan Walker, Texas Rangers, Tom Milone, Yoenis Cespedes, Yu Darvish | 2 Comments »

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AL West Players To Watch

Baseball Notes for December 17, 2012

Texas Rangers Offseason Eight Ball

Baseball Notes for November 12, 2012

It’s Tough Being A Met Fan In Yankee Town

Playing Matchmaker for Some of the Top Free Agents

Some Completely Useless But Fun Numbers From The 2012 MLB Regular Season

American League Position All-Star Starters

Surprises in Early Offensive Numbers

2012 Rookie Watch: AL West

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