Yankees Hot Stove: Want to win get Giancarlo
Stanton

The latest rumor floating around the MLB hot stove is that the New York Yankees are about to immerse in a possible trade with the Miami Marlins to get right fielder Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton is one of the last Marlins left after the fire sale, which[...]

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Around the SaberSphere 11/26: Evan Longoria, Zack
Greinke, Wil Myers

Dave Cameron of FanGraphs briefly analyzes Evan Longoria's six-year contract extension: FanGraphs |Rays Extend Longoria, Again

There’s clearly some added risk to the Rays franchise in signing up for the age 31 to 36 seasons of a guy who has had some injury issues, especially because a lot of his value is tied up in his defense at third base. While they’re not exactly the same player, Longoria does share a decent amount in common with Eric Chavez, and his age 29-34 seasons — he accumulated a total of +2.2 in those six seasons — serve as a warning to how quickly a great player can become an albatross

Jay Jaffe of Sports Illustrated discusses how a So-Cal bidding war could drive the price up for Zack GreinkeHit and Run--Greinke should benefit from the Yankees' signing of Kuroda

Greinke isn’t guaranteed to get a $150 million deal, but with the Angels and Dodgers both interested, his odds are better. The Angels committed nearly $320 million last winter to free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, and cleaned out their farm system to acquire Greinke; adding insult to injury by losing him would be a bit of a blow in terms of public relations. In trying to free up salary space to retain Greinke, they shed both Ervin Santana and Dan Haren; remarkably, they offloaded $12 million of the former’s $13 million 2013 salary on the Royals, but they also paid a pricey $3.5 million buyout on the latter’s $15.5 million option due to concerns about his back. To keep up with the Rangers and A’s, both of whom made the playoffs, they need Greinke to join Wilson and Jered Weaver at the front of their rotation, and given their lack of prospects, the alternative of trading for another starter would be much more complicated.

R.J. Anderson of Baseball Prospectus discusses why Wil Myers has found himself on the trade block again: Baseball Prospectus | Painting the Black: What's Wrong With Wil Myers?

A Myers trade may not tell us much about the player, given the mixed bag results of other top prospects dealt. But it may tell us more about the team. You can theorize why the Royals are willing to trade Myers in a few different ways: maybe they’re looking to take advantage of the seasons put forth by Mike Trsout and Bryce Harper, or trying to capitalize on Giancarlo Stanton’s apparent removal from the trading block. The real motivation for moving Myers is probably the easiest explanation: Kansas City wants good pitching. To get good pitching, sometimes you have to give up good prospects, like Myers.

Lee Panas of Tiger Tales attempts to fill the gap between Runs and RBIs: Tiger Tales: A Detroit Tigers Blog: Filling the Gap Between Runs Scored and RBI

If one is going to use actual runs scored in any analysis of players though, it is a good idea to consider the entire run as opposed to the popular practice of just looking at RBI. To that end, I have created the Runs Assisted (or RAS to distinguish it from the pitching metric "Run Average") statistic which gives players credit for contributing to runs without a run scored or RBI.

Patrick Gordon of Philadelphia Baseball Review gives us another take down of ERA and batting average: PBR--Exposing the Myth of ERA and Batting Average

You can also see OPS, Rdfiff and WHIP are the only categories with higher absolute value T-statistics of over two, demonstrating a strong relationship between the three categories and team win totals. To confirm the relationship, the only categories with P-values below .05 are OPS, Rdiff and WHIP. p-values of .05 or less are considered to represent differences that are less likely to occur by chance.

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!

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This Week in GIFs: Mark Sanchez, other handegg
follies and the coolest kid ever

In this edition of This Week in GIFs, we pay homage to Mark Sanchez. The New York Jets quarterback is a living, breathing, walking shenanigan.

Just look at this...

This is right up there with the Little League home run that the Rockies allowed to Miguel Cabrera earlier this season as far as ineptitude is concerned.

In fact, both cases may be attributed to some Angels in the Outfield type of hub bub. I mean, Christopher Lloyd probably twirled Christian Friedrich around to force a wild throw, and carried Wilin Rosario's throw into left field in the Rockies' case. Here, he clearly pulled Sanchez's legs out from underneath him, making him slide face-first into Brandon Moore's ass. Great stuff.

Here's more from a week of great handegg action:

Matt Shaughnessy has a mean hook

That's what Andrew Whitworth gets -- he gets punched in the nose for sticking his face in other people's business.

Kenny Stills can do this with a bad pass

That's a superb show of concentration by Stills to haul in a pass that was thrown a foot behind him. Also, luck. Also, terrible Oklahoma State defense.

Last but not least, we step away from the handegg to stare in awe at a young fan staring in awe...

It's not the food tray he's enamored with

Check out that eye candy! Get it?! Also, what is with those pants? They're pretty much bad enough to take away from what she's really trying to show off -- the candy. Perverts.

This post is sponsored by Jack in the Box.

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Eli Whiteside, Yankees agree to $625,000 deal
(Yahoo! Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) — Catcher Eli Whiteside and the New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year contract worth $625,000 in the major leagues and $200,000 in the minors.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/11/26/eli-whiteside-yankees-agree-to-625000-deal-
yahoo-sports/

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Jim Abbott Fab Five Card #5 1993 Topps

Jim Abbott ?Fab Five? ? Card #5 – 1993 Topps Now that my Jim Abbott player collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set. Card #5 – 1993 Topps The 1993 Topps baseball card design … Continue reading →

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Hale leaves Os to become Blue Jays bench coach
(Yahoo! Sports)

DeMarlo Hale is leaving the Baltimore Orioles to become bench coach for new Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/11/26/hale-leaves-os-to-become-blue-jays-bench-co
ach-yahoo-sports/

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Atlanta Braves 2013 Top 25 Minor League
Prospects: 21-25

Prospects 21 through 25 include a pair of pitchers recently added to the Braves 40 man roster, a former supplemental 1st round draft pick, and a pair of talented international teenage pitchers.

21. Juan Jaime, RHP

The Skinny: Former Nationals prospect who missed all of 2010 and 2011 recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Signed by the Braves as a Minor League free agent and had a great comeback season as Lynchburg's closer. Recently added to the Braves 40 man roster.

The Good: Top notch fastball that can hit 103. Solid slider. Big, strong body. Closer mentality.

The Bad: Poor control. Curveball is an ineffective pitch and he throws it far too often, seemingly forgetting about his fastball at times. Durability may be a concern. Conditioning may be a concern.

...in a perfect world...Jaime dramatically improves his control, avoids any more injuries, and becomes a solid to dominant late inning Major League reliever.

ETA: Mid to late 2014. He'll start 2013 with AA Mississppi.

22. Matt Lipka, CF

The Skinny: Braves top draft pick in 2010 excelled in his pro debut, struggled mightily for Rome in 2010, then put up so-so numbers with Lynchburg in 2012 before a severe hamstring injury ended his season in July, all while converting from shortstop to second base to center field.

The Good: Top notch athlete with great speed. Outstanding natural instincts and baseball acumen. Easily took to center field and projects to be an above average defender. Still only 20 years old.

The Bad: Has shown trouble making contact and making solid contact. Tendency to hit off his front foot makes it difficult for him to hit the ball with authority. Hasn't been able to translate natural ability to production.

...in a perfect world...Lipka harnesses his athletic ability and develops into a solid centerfieder and adequate bottom of the order hitter.

ETA: 2016. He'll head back to Lynchburg in 2013.

23. Luis Merejo, LHP

The Skinny: At just 17 years old, the Dominican lefty was the youngest player in US professional baseball in 2012, turning in a solid debut in the GCL.

The Good: Advanced feel for pitching despite his age. All pitches, fastball, curveball, and changeup, show signs of becoming above average offerings. Showed excellent strikeout stuff and command against older, more advanced competition. Will only be 18 when next season begins.

The Bad: Very, very raw. Will undoubtedly run into a few bumps and hiccups along the way. Slight of frame. Will have to add muscle and mass to survive as a full-time starting pitcher.

...in a perfect world...Merejo develops into a top prospect in a few seasons, and eventually into a top of the rotation Major League starter.

ETA: 2017. He may start 2013 with Low A Rome, but he's just as likely to spend time in Extended Spring Training until Danville's season begins in June.

24. Abraham Espinosa, RHP

The Skinny: After dominating in the DSL in 2010 and 2011, the Panamanian turned in a solid US debut in the GCL this season.

The Good: Advanced feel for pitching. All pitches are solid offerings. Has shown above average command throughout his career. Has 3 seasons of professional experience despite being only 19 years old.

The Bad: Doesn't have overpowering stuff so he has to live on smarts and guile. Still raw despite his experience. Will experience ups and downs as he moves up the ladder.

...in a perfect world... Espinosa develops into a solid middle of the rotation starter.

ETA: 2017. He'll head to Rome for 2013.

25. Aaron Northcraft, RHP

The Skinny: After being drafted in the 10th round out of high school in 2009, he broke out with Rome in 2011 and led the Carolina League in strikeouts with Lynchburg in 2012. Was recently added to the Braves 40 man roster.

The Good: Low 3/4 delivery gives him great movement on his pitches, particularly his sinker. Great at inducing ground balls. Low stress delivery makes him an innings eater. Big, strong, athletic frame. Has strong will and desire to improve. Has gotten markedly better each season of his career.

The Bad: Stuff is only ordinary, so he has to be on top of his game to succeed. Even in his successful 2012, his ERA and walk total were still higher than you'd like for a A ball pitcher.

...in a perfect world...Northcraft develops into a solid back of the rotation innings eater or a dependable and durable ground ball reliever.

ETA: Late 2014. He'll head to Mississippi in 2013.

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Giants World Series share a record $377,003
(Yahoo! Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) — A full postseason share for the World Series champion San Francisco Giants was worth a record $377,003, breaking the mark that had stood since the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/11/26/giants-world-series-share-a-record-377003-y
ahoo-sports/

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AP source: Red Sox agree to terms with OF Gomes
(Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with outfielder Jonny Gomes on a two-year contract that would reportedly pay him $10 million.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2012/11/26/ap-source-red-sox-agree-to-terms-with-of-go
mes-yahoo-sports/

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Rays Lock Up 3B Evan Longoria With $100 Million
Extension Through 2022

From MLB.com ST. PETERSBURG — Ever proactive, the Tampa Bay Rays agreed Monday with Evan Longoria on a contract extension that could keep the All-Star third baseman in a Rays uniform through the 2023 season. Longoria’s new contract incorporates the … Continue reading →

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-million-extension-through-2022/

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