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Archive for the ‘Hot Stove’ Category

Is the Marlins’ Hot Stove Spending a Prelude to Another Fire Sale?

Posted in Baseball, Baseball History, Business and Finance, Hot Stove, tagged , on December 5, 2011 | 2 Comments »

During the winter of 1996, the Florida Marlins shocked the baseball world and altered its financial landscape by spending almost $90 million on new players, including $18 million per season for Moises Alou, Bobby Bonilla, and Alex Fernandez. Fifteen years later, the now Miami Marlins are at it again. Two days after signing Heath Bell […]

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Follow the Money: Record Profits, not WAR Is Driving Hot Stove Spending

Posted in Baseball, Hot Stove, MLB, Yankees on December 2, 2011 | 2 Comments »

When Jonathan Papelbon signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Phillies, the move was roundly criticized by those who habitually undervalue closers. However, because of his unique track record of excellence, I suggested Papelbon was the worth the premium. After seeing some of the contracts recently handed out to much lesser closers, that assessment […]

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No Love for Valentine

Posted in Baseball, Hot Stove, Mets, MLB, Red Sox, Yankees, tagged on November 30, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Bobby Valentine is the new manager of the Boston Red Sox. For a franchise trying to overcome the perception of dysfunction, that might not have been the best decision. Valentine is alternately one of the most revered and hated managers in all of baseball, so his presence in the volatile powder keg of Red Sox […]

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Yanks Re-Sign Garcia, but Rotation Remains Unsettled

Posted in Baseball, Hot Stove, MLB, Roster Analysis, Yankees, tagged , on November 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Last year, the Yankees took a low-risk gamble on Freddy Garcia that paid off handsomely, so this year, they’ve decided to roll the dice again. Before the 2011 season, Garcia wasn’t a lock to make the team, much less the rotation, but the veteran right hander wound becoming a key cog, going 12-8 with a […]

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Pitching for Offense: Yankees’ Call to Arms Should Not Ignore the Bats

Posted in Baseball, Hot Stove, MLB, Yankees, tagged , , on November 20, 2011 | 2 Comments »

(The following was originally published at SB*Nation’s Pinstripe Alley) Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. That has become Brian Cashman’s mantra when addressing questions about his offseason plans. But should that be his only focus? As we enter the process this winter, I don’t anticipate a bat being of need at all. Offense is not an […]

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Closers May Be Overrated (and Overpaid), but Papelbon Isn’t

Posted in Baseball, Hot Stove, MLB, Red Sox, Yankees, tagged on November 12, 2011 | 6 Comments »

Since Jonathan Papelbon first became eligible for arbitration, the boisterous closer wasn’t shy about telling everyone he wanted to get paid. Not surprisingly, the Red Sox, who have the gained the reputation as one of the more saber-friendly organizations, weren’t as keen to hand out a long-term deal. So, it really shouldn’t come as surprise […]

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Filling Out the Yankees’ Trade Wish List: The Right Handers

Posted in Baseball, Hot Stove, MLB, Roster Analysis, Rumors, Trades, Yankees, tagged , , , on November 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

As the baseball Hot Stove slowly builds from early embers, the Captain’s Blog will be busy identifying the top pitching targets that the Yankees should consider pursuing in a trade. In part one, a game plan to acquire Felix Hernandez was devised. Admittedly, such an acquisition probably falls under the heading of wishful thinking, so […]

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