Fan Interference

One of the results of the new CBA was the owners’ agreeing to create a bonus pool for the top 100 players who have not yet qualified for arbitration. The total pool is $50M. Most (over $38M) is based on a MLB/MLBPA agreed upon WAR formula (different formulas for pitchers vs position players). The rest…… Continue reading First Ever Prearbitration Bonus Pool Payouts

60-102. Let that sink in. From 2000 – 2021, the A’s went to the playoffs 11 times. They had 7 division championships, including 2020. In 2021 they missed the playoffs but still went 86-76. This year they went 60-102. The team that invented “Moneyball,” that found “ market inefficiencies” to exploit and remain competitive despite…… Continue reading Postmortem: Oakland A’s

The season started really well. The Twins were the first place team through the first half of the season and into August. On Aug 19, they were 62-55, still just one game behind the Guardians. On Aug 22, Byron Buxton went on the IL and never returned. The Twins faded badly and finished in third…… Continue reading Postmortem: Minnesota Twins

The 2021 AL Central division champs were expected to repeat in 2022. They did not, instead regressing to 81-81. They faced a number of injuries but generally just didn’t play as well as expected. One exception was Dylan Cease. At one point he had 14 straight starts surrendering 0 or 1 run; he finished second…… Continue reading Postmortem: Chicago White Sox.

65-97. Dead last in the AL Central. There were pundits who called them sleeper picks for contention. Nope. They did play quite a few rookies, at one point they played 6 rookie position players at the same time. One would normally expect some growing pains with that. However, the owner was apparently tired of it…… Continue reading Postmortem: Kansas City Royals

In 2021 the Tigers went 77-85. I thought things were looking up for them. I actually predicted they’d be .500 in 2022. I was very wrong as they regressed to 66-96. They were in 4th in the AL Central since the Royals managed to be worse. Miguel Cabrera had -1.0 WAR, worse than replacement level,…… Continue reading Postmortem: Detroit Tigers

Xander Bogaerts is a Boston Red Sox no more. After Trea Turner and then Aaron Judge declined offers from them, the San Diego Padres have landed Bogaerts…to the tune of 11 years and $280M. It’s likely to mean Gold Glover Kim moves to second base, Cronenworth to first, Tatis to right field, and Soto to…… Continue reading Bogaerts Signing with Padres

Before the 2022 season began, many seemed to think the Cardinals would not be very good. Instead.they went 93-79 and won the NL Central division title. They got bounced out of the playoffs in the wild card round by the Phillies, who went on the win the NL pennant. This year is the first time…… Continue reading Postmortem: St Louis Cardinals

His new deal is for 9 years and $360M; since he turns 31 in April, it will keep him in pinstripes until he is 40 and thus likely the rest of his career. It has been reported the Giants also offered him $360M and that the Padres offered $400M. Bear that in mind when reading/hearing…… Continue reading Judge Re-Ups with Yankees

The Orioles went 83-79. They missed the playoffs, but it was their first winning season since 2016. The season saw the debut of Adley Rutschman, and he did not disappoint. He accumulated 5.2 WAR and had a 128 OPS+. He garnered some MVP votes and finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.…… Continue reading Postmortem: Baltimore Orioles

The Red Sox went 78-84 and finished in last in the AL East. There’s no way to color that as anything other than disappointing for the BoSox and their fans. It should not, however, have been a surprise. In 2021 their pitching staff far outplayed expectations. This year regression was almost guaranteed. In the end…… Continue reading Postmortem: Boston Red Sox

Shortstop Trea Turner has agreed to join the Phillies for 11 years and $300M. In a year with four top notch shortstops hitting free agency (and all in the 28-30 age range with Turner turning 30 this coming June), many considered him the best. He has led his league in hits twice, stolen bases twice,…… Continue reading Phillies Sign Trea Turner

The Mets have replaced Jacob deGrom in their rotation with the reigning AL Cy Young winner, Justin Verlander. The deal is for two years, $86M with a vesting option for a third year. The $43M average annual value matches that of former Tigers/new Mets teammate Max Scherzer. Verlander missed nearly all of 2020 and 2021…… Continue reading Justin Verlander Signs with Mets

It was the first time since 2019 that the Blue Jays had their home opener…at home. Ultimately they went 92-70 in their first full season in Toronto in three years. Like the Phillies, they fired their manager mid season and made they playoffs. Unlike the Phillies, they did not have a losing record at the…… Continue reading Postmortem: Toronto Blue Jays

The “eras” committee that reviews players whose greatest contributions are from 1988 on met today. The 16 person committee considered eight players’ candidacies and picked on to be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2023: Fred McGriff. The former Devil Ray also played for the Blue Jays, Braves, Padres, Cubs, and Dodger over…… Continue reading Crime Dog Selected for the Hall of Fame