Good morning!
Here are several go-to links that will make the offseason a bit more bearable:
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Ryan Sommers of Crashburn Alley has this to say about Philadelphia’s free agent signing splash: “Jonathan Papelbon is an elite reliever, and has had sustained success in that role since 2006, sustaining a 200 ERA+ over six seasons. But this is just too much money and too many years for any reliever, save maybe Mariano Rivera.” [Emphasis in the original.] And those comments were written before word came down from ESPN’s Jayson Stark on a player vesting option for 2016.
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Jeff Sullivan of Baseball Nation has the details on the hiring of former catcher Mike Matheny to be the Cardinals’ new manager.
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Biz of Baseball’s Maury Brown says that a MLB vote on the Astros sale to Jim Crane will take place this week. A successful vote also will result in Houston switching leagues as early as 2013.
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According to a Rangers report relayed by ESPN Dallas, Josh Hamilton underwent sports hernia surgery last Friday and expects to be ready for spring training.
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Jim McClennan of Arizona Snake Pit dissects the practice of handing out multi-year deals to the 37-and-older crowd.
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Fangraphs’ David Laurila interviews outgoing Royals pitching coach Bob McClure on topics such as arm angles, pitching patterns, and what typically is being communicated during visits to the mound.
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Also at Fangraphs, Sam Menzin discovers an article from a 1915 edition of Baseball Magazine and proceeds to ask, “Was wOBA Invented Nearly 100 Years Ago?” In response, the ever-mischievous Repoz of Baseball Think Factory commented, “And you thought that
Tom TangoBill JamesPete PalmerBranch Rickey was the godfather of sabermetrics.” -
An idea so simple yet so smart: The Padres are donating 10,000 jerseys to little league organizations throughout San Diego County.
Wilson Ramos: “The truth is I’m still very nervous, but thanks to God everything turned out well.”
That’s it, folks. Only 103 days until pitchers and catchers report!