The case for Contreras
Jorge Arangure Jr....appearances. His strikeout-to-walk ratio during this first 25 pitches was 3.10. In comparison, Jose Valverde -- considered to be the best free agent closer on the market -- had a 2.67 strikeout...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 18, 2009
Searching for Bobby Abreu
Buster Olney...in which he hit .310 with a .383 on-base percentage and 50 extra-base hits. Jose Valverde, 30, who had a strong season as the Astros' closer, posting a 2.33 ERA with...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 18, 2009
The Orioles: Look out in 2011, people
Keith LawIf the Baltimore Orioles were going to sign a closer, better Mike Gonzalez than Jose Valverde or Fernando Rodney; they are both inferior options and, in Valverde's case, he was apparently...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 17, 2009
Trading A-Gon a matter of timing
Buster OlneyHow much would the Padres have to get in return for Adrian Gonzalez to get a fair deal? "I don't know if you can put together enough young talent t...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 17, 2009
Dodgers frozen, and falling behind
Buster OlneyThe wind here in Indianapolis shook light poles, and the snow rode the same horizontal plane as a Lincecum fastball. Winter meetings, indeed. But insi...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 10, 2009
Marlins just wanted something for Lindstrom
Keith Law...away from contact with it. The Astros' bullpen has been depleted by the presumed loss of Jose Valverde to free agency as well as the loss of LaTroy Hawkins, so Lindstrom helps. But if...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 09, 2009
Seattle balances cash with caution
Buster OlneyA year ago, it was the Yankees who began the winter with their pockets full of cash, ready to spend on the best free agents, and after locking up CC S...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 08, 2009
Why Pineiro will get his payday
Buster Olney...arbitration, Tracy Ringolsby reported Sunday night, and we will learn later Monday whether Rafael Soriano and Jose Valverde will take arbitration from the Braves and Astros, respectively. By doing this, those pitchers ensure themselves...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 07, 2009
The Yankees' case for Halladay
Buster OlneyThe Yankees, Mets and Red Sox have spent more money in free agency over the past decade than any other teams, as ESPN's esteemed Mark Simon notes: Bi...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 03, 2009
Chapman's next step
Jorge Arangure Jr.In late July, Aroldis Chapman and Edwin Mejia appeared to be best friends together on a European vacation. Soon after Chapman's defection from the Cub...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 25, 2009
The market for Miguel Cabrera
Buster OlneyThe Tigers are in cost-cutting mode and they are willing to discuss a possible trade of Miguel Cabrera, writes Lynn Henning. Set aside, for a momen...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 24, 2009
Closing the market
Keith Law...Rafael Soriano (No. 20), Billy Wagner (No. 24), Ryota Igarashi (No. 26), Rafael Betancourt (No. 34), Jose Valverde (No. 37), Fernando Rodney (No. 43), and Brandon Lyon (No. 47) all made my top 50...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 19, 2009
The free agent do-call list
Buster OlneyThe free-agent signing period begins four days from now, and we know that Matt Holliday, John Lackey and Jason Bay are going to be paid the most money...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 16, 2009
Type A positive (and negative)
Buster OlneyFor years, the Elias Sports Bureau rankings that determined what kind of draft-pick compensation would be attached to free agents meant nothing to som...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 10, 2009
Kiss 'Em Goodbye: Minnesota Twins
Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and Insider staff, ESPN InsiderInsider and Baseball Prospectus collaborate to dissect the demise of the 2009 Minnesota Twins, who surged to make the playoffs, met a real power and folded -- and now need to start worrying about Joe Mauer's contract and other future issues.
Story | Conversation | October 13, 2009
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