So, we've got the team. My best guess at the 25-man roster (Wins Above Replacement – Myles): Position Player WARM C Castillo 1.5 1B Rizzo 3.0 2B Valbuena 1.0 SS Castro 2.5 3B Olt 1.0 LF Lake 1.0 CF Sweeney 1.5 RF Schierholtz 1.0 4OF Ruggiano 1.0 5OF Vitters 0.5 UTIL Barney 1.0 UTIL Roberts 0.75 2C Kottaras 0.5 #1 …
Pitchers and Catchers Report!
For literally no reason at all, I always await the day pitchers and catchers report with bated breath. In my head, I know that absolutely nothing important happens on that day. Why on earth do I care that Carl Newhouse is checking into the Embassy Suites in Mesa today? However, deep in the cholesterol-laden valves of my heart, I still …
2014 IFA: Yankees Double Down, More Names Emerge
A surly Kiley McDaniel has followed up his original scoop about the Yankees' plans to to binge on this year's by putting some names out there: Dermis Garcia (3B, Dominican) is believed to have a deal for $3 million, Nelson Gomez (3B, Dominican) is also believed to have a deal for $3 million, Juan De Leon (CF, Dominican) is believed …
Best Moves of the MLB Offseason
There are probably places on the Internet where one can freely complain about the Cubs without pushback; Obstructed View is not one of them. Being an astute bunch, any mindless grumbling here is likely to be met with some pointed questions: Do you really want an aging corner-outfielder like Shin-Soo Choo on the roster for the next seven years, especially …
2014 Assume the Position: 2B
2014 Assume the Position: Catchers First Base 2013 Assume the Position: Second Base Last Year 2014 Career (MLB) Name Age (2014 season) AVG OBP SLG wOBA Oliver wOBA AVG OBP SLG wOBA MLB Barney 28 .208 .266 .303 .252 .279 .246 .293 .336 .278 AAA Watkins 24 .243 .333 .379 .325 .281 .211 .268 .237 .233 …
2014 Cubs: PECOTA Hitters
It's projection season and though I've not covered them in as much detail as I have in the past, I still enjoy it. We took a look at the Cubs PECOTA pitcher projections last week and they were unimpressive. Particularly unimpressive for Jeff Samardzija, but I don't buy it. Instead of adding commentary at the end, I'll do it before I …
There Will Not Be an International Draft Until 2017 (At Least)
The articles I cited earlier today reference the Yankees' fear that an international draft will be instituted soon, and that it's driving their current desire to sign everyone. ESPN NY: The Yankees are apparently willing to take the financial plunge because of fears baseball will soon institute an international draft similar to its amateur domestic draft, an area in which the Yankees have …
Cubs and Jeff Samardzija settle arbitration
This is news from a couple days ago, but arbitration agreements aren't really headline worthy for a blog like this. However, Jeff Samardzija figures to be a huge piece of the 2014 Cubs so it is, but just a little late. The Cubs and Jeff Samardzija agreed to basically split the difference in what the two sides wanted. The Cubs …
2014 Assume the Position: 1B
It's the second installment of Assume the Position for 2014. Here are some relevant articles: 2014 Assume the Position: Catchers 2013 Assume the Position: First Base Last Year 2014 Career Name Age (2014 season) AVG OBP SLG wOBA Oliver wOBA AVG OBP SLG wOBA MLB Rizzo 23 .233 .323 .419 .325 .336 .238 .324 .412 .323 …
2014 IFA: Yankees, Cubs, and #FreeDSLCubs2
2014 International Free Agency I’m still catching up on the latest developments in the international free agent market, and it turns out there’s a few to cover, including a big one: The Yankees have decided to go all out on this year’s class. Kylie McDaniel had the story back on December 30th, and ESPN New York belatedly followed. The Yankees …