Defense highlights offseason moves
Buster Olney...asset in the current marketplace. The Athletics, Red Sox and Mariners -- teams steeped in the use of numbers to evaluate players and determine value -- all have shifted their focus to pitching and defense. Seattle scored...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 20, 2009
An all-decade, all-value lineup card
Erik Manning, FanGraphs.comErik Manning of FanGraphs pored over every performance from an MLB player between 2000 and 2009 and created the best possible 1-9 lineup of players from that period. Odd: Carlos Delgado (2000) leads off. Cool: This team would average nine runs a game.
Story | Conversation | December 18, 2009
Study group to examine on-field issues
Associated PressManagers Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Joe Torre and Mike Scioscia have been selected for a committee that could recommend expanded instant replay and playoff format changes.
Story | Conversation | December 15, 2009Projecting a new decade of MLB stars
Kevin Goldstein, Baseball ProspectusKevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus projects the best MLB players from 2010 through 2019 (the next decade of stars). His tops include Hanley Ramirez, Justin Upton, Joe Mauer and Tim Lincecum; the list goes to 20, though, with surprises.
Story | Conversation | December 14, 2009
Slew of signings lie ahead
Buster OlneyThirty-nine more players were not tendered contracts Saturday night, so as of Sunday, this is the number of free agents who are looking for jobs, according to the list compiled by the esteemed Tim...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 13, 2009
Winter meetings recap
Tristan H. Cockcroft, ESPN.comTristan H. Cockcroft looks at the fantasy impact of many of the key moves during this week's winter meetings.
Story | Conversation | December 11, 2009My 2010 Hall of Fame ballot
Keith LawI don't have a ballot for the Hall of Fame yet -- just nine years to go -- but if I did, my ballot would include: Tim Raines, Mark McGwire, Bert Bl...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 30, 2009
Free-agency side dishes (before the turkey)
Buster OlneySo many teams are sitting back and waiting for the completion of the Type A free-agent and possible non-tender markets that there probably won't be a ...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 25, 2009
The market for those coming off injuries
Keith LawOne problem with market inefficiencies is that, once they're identified, it's usually a matter of time before they disappear as more players bid up th...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 17, 2009
Six key matchups for Game 6
Buster OlneySix key matchups to watch in Game 6: Chase Utley versus the Yankees' adjustments: The Phillies' second baseman is not missing any fastballs; he is ha...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 04, 2009
Howard's slide-step hurting the Phillies
Buster Olney...ball in the darkness of a closet. CC Sabathia threw a ton of sliders Sunday, as these numbers from Doug Kern of ESPN Stats & Information show: Prior to the World Series, Sabathia threw his slider...
Blog Entry | Conversation | November 02, 2009
Winter market forecast: A flood of non-tenders
Buster Olney...Executives say many of the names being discussed by teams as possible trade bait include a growing number of players with three to five-plus years of service time -- players who are eligible for arbitration...
Blog Entry | Conversation | October 31, 2009
Lee's calm is the Yankees' storm
Buster Olney...time of possession as a football stat, but it was appropriate for Lee's start, as these numbers from Jeremy Mills of ESPN Stats & Information detail: Cliff Lee -- 54 minutes CC Sabathia -- 53 minutes Other...
Blog Entry | Conversation | October 29, 2009
McGwire has a road map, but also a guide
Buster OlneyWe saw again Sunday night an example of how others have talked about their past use of performance-enhancing drugs and moved on. Yankees pitcher Andy ...
Blog Entry | Conversation | October 26, 2009
What to watch for in Game 6 of the ALCS
Buster OlneyEight factors that, among others, will shape Game 6: Chamberlain Hughes 1. The Yankees' set-up men. Phil Hughes was one of the best r...
Blog Entry | Conversation | October 24, 2009
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