TOP TEN TEAMS New York Yankees – what can I say, these guys are awesome. The team is full of solid performers having good offensive seasons, and the pitching staff has been incredible. Bernie Williams is an injury away from being a no-brainer MVP. Atlanta Braves – those Rockie imports are still playing well. Very…
Basically for little more than grins, we polled ourselves to see who we thought ranked where in various categories: the top ten teams in MLB, the three most disappointing teams, MVPs, Cy Young Awards, Rookies of the Year, Managers of the Year, and the paramount Least Valuable Player of the Year. You’ll find links to…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees Braves Astros Red Sox Padres Indians Mets Giants Orioles Angels A handful of great teams and lot of not-so-hot teams. The wild- card "pennant races" really are a sham. The Braves and the Giants going down to the last day with 100+ wins, that’s a pennant race. One which wouldn’t have…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees Braves Astros Padres Red Sox Mets Indians Cubs Rangers Angels No real surprises. Cleveland is where you’d expect them, but that’s by default. They haven’t played good baseball since May. The Oriole run is a nice story, but it’s over. I still think Seattle’s got one big push left in them,…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees – Amazing depth, they can lose anyone and keep right on rolling. But new playoff system will make it much less likely that the Yanks will be champs. Braves – Same old story, plus the emergence of Chipper Jones as a superstar and Andres Gallaraga’s career year. Padres – This almost…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees — It’s surprising that the team threatening the record for most wins has so few players that belong on the MVP ballot. Williams is the only Yankee who’s unquestionably among the AL’s 10 best players this year. (Admittedly, there’s a case to be made for Jeter in the top 10.) The…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated 1B/OF Darin Erstad from the DL; optioned 1B Chris Pritchett to Vancouver. [8/19] Activated INF Paco Martin from the DL; placed INF Craig Shipley on the 15-day DL, retroactive to 8/20 (strained hamstring). [8/21] Pritchett’s brief appearance was a nice reminder that the minor leagues, even in systems like the Angels’, have…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated RHP Jack McDowell from the DL; designated LHP Greg Cadaret for assignment. [8/15] I’m curious as to why they activated Black Jack early, only to wait a few days before letting him make his first start. That decision basically cost them a roster spot for that time, not to mention left their…
(Davenport Translations appear courtesy of Clay Davenport.) This time around in Prospect Focus, let’s take a look at the upper level prospects that changed hands in two of the big deadline trades: the Dodgers-Expos deal, and the Astros-Mariners swap. Peter Bergeron, OF Born 1978 Age 20 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB…
We have a winner–no italics, blue text, or non-proportional fonts; just plain old indentation. Again, thanks for your input. ANAHEIM ANGELS Optioned RHP Jason Dickson to Vancouver; added RHP Mike Fetters to the active 25-man roster. [8/11] Temporarily, Dickson’s demotion means the Angels have a rotation of Chuck Finley, Steve Sparks, Omar Olivares, Jeff Juden,…
First of all, we appreciate the responses on the change in format. Since the changes we made last report were not popular, we’ll try one more thing to replace those italics. As before, you can let us know what you think of this installment’s format at bpadmin@baseballprospectus.com. Thanks for your patience. ANAHEIM ANGELS Acquired RHP…
We’ve recieved some comments about the extensive use of italics in the Transaction Analysis and how it makes for some difficult reading. Today, we’re trying typewriter text for Chris’ comments. What do you think? Better? Worse? Please email me at bpadmin@baseballprospectus.com if you’ve got an opinion on the matter. And now, on to the good…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Acquired C Charlie O’Brien from the White Sox for LHP Jason Stockstill and RHP Brian Tokarse. [7/30] Purchased the contract of 3B Troy Glaus from Vancouver; optioned LHP Jarrod Washburn to Vancouver; transferred RHP Mike James from the 15- to the 60-day DL. [7/30] The big news here is the callup of Troy…
Steven Carter is taking a break from quotes. Dave Pease will be filling in until he returns. NEW FACES, NEW PLACES "I can’t walk on water, I can’t spread the Red Sea. But every time I go out, I expect to win." —Randy Johnson, Astros pitcher "This is the best chance we’ve ever had to…
With the Yankees flirting with a record-breaking pace this year, the idea is being bandied about that this team might be the best team in baseball history. People are comparing them with the 1927 and 1961 Yankees, or the 1906 Cubs (the usual suspects) in categories like winning percentage, run differential, et cetera. (How come…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Released 2B/SS Carlos Garcia from his contract at Vancouver. [7/26] Just in case there was any doubt about whether or not he’s done… BALTIMORE ORIOLES Recalled OF Lyle Mouton from Rochester. [7/24] Released RHP Steve Ontiveros from his contract at Rochester. [7/25] Placed 2B Roberto Alomar on the 15-day DL (sprained pinky); activated…