Regular readers know that we don’t have much time for the bleating about how "small-market teams" can’t compete in today’s game. The argument might get a listen if MLB’s braintrust and owners would stop trying to call places like Houston and Detroit small markets, but since it’s more about public relations and political blackmail than…
This past weekend, I took a break from baseball–I generally need one or two a year–and flew out to Las Vegas for a few days of college basketball and checking out the sights. Honestly, it was the last place I expected to get an idea for a column. But Sunday, I came across two people…
In the four-and-a-half years that Baseball Prospectus has been around, we’ve touted a number of players who, for one reason or another, have caught our collective eyes. This spring is turning out to be a good one for some of our pets, who are playing well and even in danger of winning major-league jobs. At…
Tuesday evening, the Braves’ John Rocker pitched for the first time this year, tossing a 1-2-3 inning against the Detroit Tigers. As you might have heard or read somewhere, Mr. Rocker got a late start to his spring, part of his punishment for saying some not-so-nice things about…well, just about everyone. Originally suspended for a…
ERA Central? OK, so it’s not as sexy a moniker as "Home Run Central," but this division doesn’t just have big bats as its calling card. Sure, all the midwinter hype was over the trade of center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. to Cincinnati, putting the three most heralded longball artists of the post-strike era in…
Exhibition games begin today, and performances over the next four weeks will go a long way towards determining who gets a chance at fame and fortune and who gets six at-bats a week. In the AL East, there are a couple of knock-down, drag-out job battles that will bear watching throughout March. Delino DeShields vs….
While the Braves and Mets try to one-up each other in making their teams older for a shot at the division title in 2000, one of the division’s have-nots got some good news from the various Caribbean leagues. The Marlins’ Pablo Ozuna, whose off-year in 1999 moved him down many prospect lists, hit .324 for…
Winter ball seasons have come to a close, and there are a number of players in the AL East who have played well enough to improve their chances of tripling their per diem in 2000. It’s possible that the winter-league story with the highest profile is that of Morgan Burkhart. Burkhart is a 28-year-old with…
It’s almost embarrassing, actually, the way Gerry Hunsicker, the general manager of the Houston Astros, has made mincemeat of his competition. This winter, he’s traded two players coming off career years and on the brink of being very expensive for three younger talents with significant upside. The trades cleared payroll space to grant contract extensions…
For the first time in a few years, the pack begins to move away from the Atlanta Braves, as the New York Mets make a series of poor decisions. The Philadelphia Phillies, once again, think they’re closer than they actually are, while the Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins take more baby steps toward respectability. Atlanta…
Whether the two teams involved care or not, this isn’t just the 1999 World Series; it’s the series that will determine the Team of the 1990s. The Yankees’ claim to Team of the 1900s, however, is safe. Lineups The Yankees have a clearly superior lineup. They led the majors in Equivalent Average at .281, while…
Possibly the best baseball rivalry in its biggest series since 1978. The atmosphere in both parks will be electric. Will the games live up to it? Lineups The Yankees led the majors in Equivalent Average with a .281 mark, something of a surprise given that only Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams had particularly good years….
America’s Team against the Amazin’ Mets. Does anyone think the boys from Queens have a chance? Lineups The Mets’ best chance to win this series is to get the games into the six- and seven-run area. They have one of the best offenses in the league, driven by a league-leading .363 OBP and seven above-average…
Episode Three in their ongoing saga. The Yankees bounced the Rangers in the Division Series in 1996 and 1998 on their way to World Series titles. The Rangers, in fact, are the only team the Yankees have beaten in the first round, losing to Seattle in 1995 and Cleveland in 1997. Lineups These are the…
"So, I was sitting at my desk today, putting the final touches on the latest Transaction Analysis by Chris Kahrl, when out of the blue, I felt someone jump on my back. I was able to shake him off, and I’m OK except for a few cuts and bruises. Just another day at the office,…
September Showdown Six games, ten days, two cities. Three inner-circle Hall of Famers. A division title hanging in the balance. OK, the safety net of the wild card takes away some of the drama, but these are still some of the biggest regular-season series we’ve seen in some time. The New York Mets and Atlanta…