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The American League Most Valuable Player debate last summer illuminated the significant difference between the way folks in front offices evaluate players and how uniformed personnel view them. For managers, coaches and players, Miguel Cabrera was a ...

Blog | March 28, 2013

With ESPN unveiling the top 10 of the BBTN 500, Buster Olney polled 21 MLB execs to pick their top 10 players for 2013.

Blog | Conversation | March 28, 2013

Buster takes a shot at predicting the key storylines of the 2013 season. Will the Dodgers win big? Will the Jays remain favorites? What will the Hall of Fame vote look like?

Blog | Conversation | December 25, 2012

The so-called character clause is at the heart of the debate over what to do with the Hall of Fame candidates who have been linked to performance-enhancing drugs. The criterion sent to the voters annually (including this week): V...

Blog | November 28, 2012

CHICAGO -- I haven't kept notes each time I've talked with players, managers and front-office types in the past month about the American League Most Valuable Player vote, and I can't tell you exactly how many have addressed the questio...

Blog | September 29, 2012

Buster Olney writes that there is a definitive split within baseball over who should win the AL MVP award: Players and managers believe Miguel Cabrera should win, but front-office types overwhelmingly favor Mike Trout.

Blog | Conversation | September 29, 2012

The best front-office minds in baseball have been the engines of change in the sport over the past two decades, and as a result, there are fewer bunts and more lineups stacked according to on-base percentage and a greater value placed on defense. ...

Blog | September 19, 2012

If we used old ways of determining value -- primarily home runs and RBIs -- then Miguel Cabrera could be the choice for AL MVP. But as Buster Olney writes, the way we evaluate players has changed, and it's hard to put Cabrera ahead of Mike Trout.

Blog | Conversation | September 19, 2012

Buster Olney writes that with Chipper Jones announcing he will retire at the end of the 2012 season, he is set to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2017. There shouldn't be a debate: He's a no-doubt Hall of Famer.

Blog | Conversation | March 23, 2012

Buster Olney writes that if you were picking the best pitcher in baseball right now -- not based on track record or anything other than current ability -- it'd be hard to pass up Justin Verlander. But other arms would have a say in the debate.

Blog | Conversation | March 15, 2012

During the past couple of days, some rival executives have debated whether the Detroit Tigers are serious about playing Miguel Cabrera at third base, or if this is just early lip service until they get to spring training and Jim Leyland gets a chance...

Blog | January 28, 2012

Buster Olney writes that the Detroit Tigers seem adamant about trying Miguel Cabrera at third base, although there is widespread skepticism about the decision throughout the industry.

Blog | Conversation | January 28, 2012

If you are looking for precedents for the AL Most Valuable Player Award voting, maybe the best could be drawn from the 1876 presidential election, when there was no consensus and the guy who won the popular vote wound up losing. Thankfully, federal t...

Blog | November 21, 2011

Buster Olney writes that the AL MVP is a tough call, and it's possible Justin Verlander gets the most first-place votes and still loses the award to Jacoby Ellsbury, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Bautista, or others. Plus notes on the latest hot stove buzz.

Blog | Conversation | November 21, 2011

DETROIT -- On the eve of the playoffs, Jim Leyland talked about how much he loved the debates engendered by the decisions made during the course of the game -- when to pinch hit, when to replace a pitcher, who to call in from the bullpen. The work of...

Blog | October 13, 2011

Buster Olney analyzes the tricky pregame and in-game decisions Jim Leyland, Ron Washington and Ron Roenicke had to make on Wednesday night.

Blog | Conversation | October 13, 2011