Sunday, April 29, 2012

Bryce Harper Is Here, Probably to Stay

Bryce Harper made his debut last night, sooner than most people, including me, expected.  He was struggling in AAA, hitting .250/.333/.375 in 82 PA.  The Nationals were having even more problems with their lineup, especially in left field, prompting the call-up.  After seeing him play two games, I don't know how he ends up back in the minors.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Josh Hamilton: On the Way to a Big Payday?

Following the 2012 season Texas Rangers outfielder, Josh Hamilton, will hit the free agent market. The Rangers had a chance to sign him during the off-season, but if he finishes this season as the best season of his career, he may be playing elsewhere next season. Would it be in Texas' best interest to let him walk, or try to sign him?

Top 100 Right Now: #90-81

Continuing our countdown of the top 100 players in the majors, we hit numbers 90 through 81 today.  You can find the explanation and origin of our list here.  As a quick refresher, here are 100-91:

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Prospect Watch: Mike Trout

Mike Trout is the Los Angeles Angels prize prospect, and is currently playing for the Salt Lake Bees in the Pacific Coast League. He was taken with the 25th pick in the 2009 draft, and so far has proven to be a major steal. If the Angels didn't have a logjam in the outfield, he would probably be starting.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Prospect Watch: Dylan Bundy

Once a week, I'll be looking into a minor league player who is attracting attention, good or bad.  After last night's performance, there is really no other way to go but to Delmarva.  Dylan Bundy, the fourth overall pick in last year's draft by the Orioles, has made the South Atlantic League hitters look like high schoolers, which is what he was facing last year.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Early BABIP Leaders/Trailers

After almost an entire month of baseball there are some pretty extreme BABIPs out there. Some players have extremely high BABIPs, and should expect some regression. Others are suffering from extremely low BABIPs, and look to overturn their misfortune in the coming games.

Top 100 Right Now, Saber-Style (#100-91)

Right before the season started, MLB Network was airing their Top 100 Right Now, using last year's and the last 3 years' stats, plus intangibles and accolades.  The list can be found here.  As you can see, there are some players in some befuddling positions, such as Evan Longoria at #21 and Michael Young at #29.  Alex and I were watching this and decided to pursue the arduous task of compiling our Top 100, using sabermetric principles as our basis.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Top 100 Players in Baseball: 100-91

Early ERA-FIP Leaders/Trailers

With starters having three or four starts so far, there are some extreme ERAs so far. One can look at a pitcher's difference between his ERA and FIP to see how lucky or unlucky he has been so far. Both lists will see good and bad FIPs, so you shouldn't get sucked into thinking the lists are just lucky mediocre pitchers and unlucky good pitchers.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Washington Nationals: Do they Have the Best Rotation in Baseball?

After sixteen games into the 2012 season there have been some great stories in major league baseball. Everything from Matt Kemp and the Dodger's stellar start, to Bartolo Colon's impressive start. Depending on where you stand as a baseball fan, none may be better than the start that the Washington Nationals' pitching staff is off to. As of this morning they rank number one in FIP, xFIP and WAR. In terms of FIP and xFIP no team is very close. The Rangers aren't too far off in terms of WAR though.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Could Justin Morneau Finally be Healthy?

In the summer of 2010 Justin Morneau was on his way to another MVP season, posting 5 WAR by July. During a game against the Blue Jays that all changed, when he got kneed in the head by Toronto infielder John McDonald. He didn't play again that season, and hadn't been the same since. This year it looks as if that maybe has changed.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

New Posts Coming

I apologize for the lack of activity, I had some personal things come up, but new posts are coming. Check back regularly.

-Alex

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Rangers Steal Kinsler For Five More Years

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In a move to keep an upcoming free agent after this season, the Texas Rangers signed Ian Kinsler to a 5-year, $75M extension with an option in 2018.  While giving such a large amount of money to a 30-34 year-old player with injury history is a bit risky, Kinsler's talent should more than exceed the cost.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Joey Votto Signs 10 Year Deal

    


Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a 10 year deal worth $225 million dollars., he previously signed a 2 year deal worth $26m, all together that adds up to 12 years for $251.5 million dollars. The 10 year contract does not start until the 2014 season though. That's more than Prince Fielder got in free agency (9 years, $214 million) and Albert Pujols' contract (10 years, $240 million). As a whole the contract will keep Joey Votto in a Reds uniform until he is 40 years.

Matt Cain, Giants Agree to Extension

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One of the projected major starting pitchers in next winter's free agent market, Matt Cain removed his name from the list, agreeing to a five-year, $100M extension.  Adding this year's $15M salary, a $5M signing bonus, and a $7.5M buyout (or $21M team option in 2018), he is getting a minimum of $127.5M guaranteed.  The worth of this contract will depend greatly on Cain's ability to continually defy BABIP and HR/FB theories.