Newsletter: Friday, February 10, 2012
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NEW! 2012 PECOTA PROJECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Revised PECOTA projections for the 2012 season are now available. Depth
Charts, PFM, and the rest of the comprehensive BP Fantasy kit is coming your
way shortly. Don't start your draft season without it!
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15992
UPDATE ON BASEBALL PROSPECTUS 2012 FROM DAVE PEASE
Everyone looks forward to Valentines Day. This year, there's another reason to
circle February 14th on your calendars, as that projects to be the day BP's
annual will begin shipping from our publisher. For more information on the
release of Baseball Prospectus 2012, click below.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15893
BEST OF BASEBALL PROSPECTUS BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE
Looking for the perfect gift for any baseball fan? Look no further than the
newly released Best of Baseball Prospectus books, including the top stories
and features from your favorite BP authors. Click the link below for more
information and to purchase the books in either PDF or paperback form.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15681
COT'S CONTRACTS NOW AT BASEBALL PROSPECTUS
Do you want to know just how bad Barry Zito's contract is, or just how
team-friendly Evan Longoria's is? Are you wondering how much service time your
team's young stud has logged? Or, do you just want to pay tribute to the
immortal Cot Tierney? You'll find all of that and more on Jeff Euston's Cot's
Contracts site, which is now part of the BP family.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/
For more information on how to use the database, see Dave Pease's explanation
below.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15774
CARDINALS TOP 11 PROSPECTS NOW POSTED
The Cardinals have done an outstanding job in recent drafts, pairing
high-probability college bats like Zack Cox and Kolten Wong with high-upside
prep pitchers like Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. Kevin Goldstein reviews
one of the league's most underrated systems, where all four of the
aforementioned first-round picks rank in his top seven.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15998
The Red Sox are up next.
NEW! COLLEGE BASKETBALL PROSPECTUS 2011-12 NOW ON SALE!
Our brand new NCAA basketball annual is now available.
Click here for more information and samples from the book.
http://www.basketballprospectus.com/products/cbp2011/
Get PDF access here for only $9.94.
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/store/productdetail.php?t=product&p=18
HOCKEY PROSPECTUS 2011-12 NOW ON SALE!
In the winning tradition of the New York Times bestselling Baseball Prospectus
comes the world’s greatest guide to the NHL. The authors of Hockey Prospectus
combine cutting-edge NHL statistical analysis and sharp wit to explain what
happened last season, and look ahead to what you can expect in 2011-12 with
the help of the exclusive VUKOTA projection system.
For more, including downloadable sample chapters, see
http://www.puckprospectus.com/products/hp2011/
To order via Amazon:
http://bbp.cx/book/index.php?asin=1466344520
BP PODCAST EPISODE 81: I DON'T WANT TO DRINK THIS ANYMORE
Let's keep it short. Let's just do an intimate show. Those were my thoughts
heading into Thursday night, and all I really learned is that Jason and I
don't know how to stop talking. Our listeners came up big in the email
department, we have lots of prospects to talk about, and with the Cubs signing
Gerardo Concepcion and the Josh Hamilton story breaking, we had some current
events to discuss as well. As always, we hope you enjoy.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15974
Episode 82 will be posted later today.
THE BP FIRST TAKE
Under the direction of new general manager Dan Duquette, the Orioles have
spent the better part of this offseason making inroads in Asia. They signed
Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada to a two-year, $8.15 million deal in
December (http://tinyurl.com/7pxorfa), and then inked Taiwanese southpaw
Wei-Yin Chen to a three-year, $11.3 million hitch in early January
(http://tinyurl.com/75gkhjo).
For a rebuilding team looking to bridge the gap between itself and the AL East
powerhouses, wading in the talent pool across the Pacific is a sound strategy.
Wada and Chen do not have star-level potential, but both could be solid
contributors at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, the Orioles went a step too
far when they brought in 17-year-old amateur lefty Seong-Min Kim from South
Korea on January 30 (http://tinyurl.com/7q7tn4c).
The Korean Baseball Organization immediately raised hell about the signing,
and on Thursday, the Korean Baseball Association informed the Orioles that
their scouts are no longer welcome at KBO games (http://tinyurl.com/6qjt55z).
KBA rules prohibit international teams from yanking South Korean amateurs out
of school to pitch professionally, a regulation that serves a twofold purpose.
In addition to ensuring that teenagers complete their high school and college
education, it also keeps elite prospects from darting after the six- or
seven-figure signing bonuses available abroad. South Koreans have tremendous
national pride—illustrated, among other ways, by their two-year military
service requirement that nearly interrupted Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo’s
big league career (http://tinyurl.com/2aychns)—and the Orioles’ decision to
hastily sign Kim was viewed as an unforgivable infringement.
An argument could be made that South Korea benefits from having its top
baseball players showcased in the world’s most prominent league, but the KBA’s
desire to keep talent within its borders is certainly understandable.
Moreover, there is no question that the Orioles overstepped their bounds and
were inexplicably negligent in their investigation (or lack thereof) into
Kim’s rights as a free agent. Not only have the Orioles been blacklisted by
the KBA, but Kim has too—and despite the $550,000 check, that has to be a
bitter pill for the teenager to swallow.
Unless amends are made, this will be an ugly situation from all angles. The
KBA has filed a grievance with Major League Baseball. The Orioles have at
least temporarily been denied access to a country that may become a key source
of talent. And a 17-year-old is stuck in the middle of the spat.
Kim had not even been born when Duquette became general manager of the Expos
in 1991. Since then, Duquette has made considerable efforts to broaden
baseball’s horizons, from reaching out to minority players and coaches while
with the Red Sox, to founding the short-lived Israel Baseball League in 2007.
Duquette understands the seriousness of the situation and said on Thursday
(http://tinyurl.com/6m6wczc) that the team is “cooperating with MLB to resolve
this concern.” But with nearly a quarter-century of experience as an executive
and ambassador for the game, Duquette simply should have known better. There
is no excuse.
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* Simulated games using the current week's stats
* Platoon * Pinch Hit * Steal * Relieve
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Special offer for BP subscribers! If you have never played Scoresheet Baseball
you can have a team this season for just $19!
For more information please go to: http://www.scoresheet.com/bp
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BASEBALL PROSPECTUS 2011
If you still haven't grabbed your new copy of the New York Times bestselling
Baseball Prospectus annual, you're missing out! You can buy the newest edition
at http://bbp.cx/book/index.php?asin=0470622067
NEW PREMIUM CONTENT
Future Shock
Cardinals Top 11 Prospects
by Kevin Goldstein
The 2011 world champs have a much-improved farm system.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15998
Prospectus Hit and Run
The Vortices of Suck, Part I
by Jay Jaffe
Which men of misery prevented their teams from escaping the murky waters of
suckitude?
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=16001
The BP Broadside
The Latino "Threat" to Baseball
by Steven Goldman
In the early 1960s, Baseball feared the rising number of Latinos in the game,
but in this area, at least, the game has been a positive example for
tolerance.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=16013
NEW BASIC CONTENT
The Stats Go Marching In
What Are the Rays Expecting from Jose Molina?
by Max Marchi
A comprehensive look at catcher defense by BP's latest addition reveals that
the Rays may be getting plenty of bang for their buck from their new backstop.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=16006
The BP Wayback Machine
Neighborly Baseball
by Nate Silver
Nate wonders about an overflow effect in two-team markets and finds some
surprising results.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=16005
The BP First Take
Friday, February 10
by Daniel Rathman
Dan Duquette's experience in the international markets make his recent fiasco
look even worse.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15890
Wezen-Ball
The Worst Man in the World
by Larry Granillo
A St. Louis fan is fined $500 for committing a most heinous act.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=16008
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