Author Archive
Step-by-Step Plan for Yankees to Give Derek Jeter One »
In a recent survey of 23 front office executives conducted by ESPN's Jayson Stark, the New York Yankees were chosen as the most improved team of the offseason. And, at least on paper, that's probably true. But for a team that may have had more glaring weaknesses on their big league roster than any other team in baseball heading into the offseason, [...]
Top Derek Jeter Replacement Options as the End of an »
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter announced Wednesday, via his Facebook page, that he'll retire after the 2014 season. While this isn't a huge surprise considering he'll be 40 years old and played in only 17 games during an injury-plagued 2013, the Yankees can now know without any doubt that the Jeter era is coming to an end and will be [...]
Best Potential Trade Packages, Landing Spots for Brett »
Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com recently suggested that New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wouldn't trade outfielder Brett Gardner "until and unless he has to for starting pitching." This scenario, while not likely to be in play at this time with the Yankees pursuing Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka and several other frontline starting [...]
How A-Rod’s 162-Game Ban Impacts Yankees 2014 »
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez's 211-game suspension was reduced to 162 games Saturday, and he won't be eligible for the postseason. While Rodriguez doesn't appear to be giving up just yet—his Facebook page says he will take his fight to federal court—the Yankees can be all but certain that their 2014 season will be [...]
How A-Rod, Arbitrator Agreeing to 100-Game Reduced Ban »
On the surface, the New York Yankees would seemingly benefit greatly from a suspension that would keep third baseman Alex Rodriguez out for the entire season and possibly beyond—he is currently appealing a 211-game ban and a decision from the arbitrator is expected any day now. For one, they wouldn't have to pay him his $24 million salary [...]
Each MLB Team’s Best, Worst Offseason Move Thus »
There are no perfect offseasons, though Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington came pretty close last offseason. Signing Ryan Dempster (4.57 ERA) to a two-year deal may not have been the best use of $26.5 million of ownership's money. And acquiring closer Joel Hanrahan backfired as he sustained a season-ending elbow surgery early in the [...]
Grading the 10 Richest Contracts in MLB History. »
Robinson Cano's ten-year, $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners, which was first reported by Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes (spanish link) earlier in the day, ties him with Albert Pujols for the third-highest contract ever handed out to a major league player—Alex Rodriguez holds the record for the first two spots. While there are [...]
Predicting How All of MLB’s Biggest Offseason »
We can make all the predictions we want about the upcoming offseason. But the reality of the prediction business is that each time a move is made that comes out of left field, a lot of the thinking that went into the remaining predictions can go right out the window. And trust me on this one. There will be signings and trades that no one [...]
Where Does the 2014 MLB Free-Agency Class Rank Among »
While this year's class of free agents appears relatively thin in some areas, particularly in the middle infield and third base, it's a strong group overall, with catching, outfield, pitching depth and a handful of superstars that will command deals worth $100 million or more. But compared to free-agent classes of recent history, how does it [...]
Updating the Latest Suitors for Top 25 MLB Free Agents »
While it took five days before the first free agent signed with a new team last offseason—Maicer Izturis left the Los Angeles Angels to sign a three-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Nov. 8; free agents were eligible to sign with new teams as of Nov. 3 (six days after the end of World Series)—and much later before most of the [...]