Two Elected to Hall of Fame in 2020, One More With Veterans Ballot

January 21, 2020 - It was no surprise when Derek Jeter was elected on the first ballot to the Baseball Hall of Fame, although some thought he should be unanimous. Jeter fell one vote short. A somewhat surprise was that Jeter will be accompanied in 2020 by Larry Walker. One more player will be on stage this summer to join them from the Recent Player Veterans Ballot, catcher Ted Simmons.

How Did the Vote Go for Those Inducted: Derek Jeter 99.7%, Larry Walker 76.6%. 75% is needed for election.

How Did Others Do Who Remain on the Ballot: Curt Schilling 70.0%, Roger Clemens 61.0%, Barry Bonds 60.7%, Omar Vizquel 52.6%, Scott Rolen 35.3%, Billy Wagner 31.7%, Gary Sheffield 30.5%, Todd Helton 29.2%, Manny Ramirez 28.2%, Jeff Kent 27.5%, Andruw Jones 19.4%, Sammy Sosa 13.9%, Andy Pettite 11.3%, Bobby Abreu 5.5%.

All those who did not get five percent of the vote are removed from the ballot next year.

Hall of Fame BBWAA To Induct Four Again in 2019, Six With Veterans Ballot

January 22, 2019 - Well, it's too many for us, but to be expected as the trophies for all generation becomes voting members of the BBWAA. Four players, Mariano Rivera and Roy Halladay with certain Hall of Fame credentials, one we think should have gotten there eventually, Mike Mussina, and one on the brink, Edgar Martinez, were voted into the Hall of Fame in the class of 2019. They will accompany two additional players added in December by the Veterans Committee; Harold Baines and Lee Smith. Those two are also marginal candidates for us.

Why do we say brink and marginal for three of the honorees. Well, we're not in favor of the very good getting into the Hall of Fame and that's where we think someone like Harold Baines sits. Yes, he has all those RBI, 1628, which in many ways makes him a lock, but there were very few years when baseball considered him the best of the best, (no year when he was Top 5 in MVP voting) so accumulation just doesn't quite get there in this circumstance. With Martinez and Smith, the rationale is the same. We don't think specialists belong in the Hall of Fame, unless they were so special, there's no doubt. The no doubt with a reliever is someone like Rivera; while Smith is close with his 3 Top 5 Cy Young finishes. Martinez just falls short with his counting stats for us, although his special ability to get on base as a 0.300, 0.400, 0.500 player in AVE/OBP/SLG is noteworthy. The fact that he played half of his games as a DH diminishes that to us.

How Did the Vote Go for Those Inducted: Mariano Rivera 100%, Roy Halladay 85.4%, Edgar Martinez 85.4%, Mike Mussina 76.7%. 75% is needed for election.

How Did Others Do Who Remain on the Ballot: Curt Schilling 60.9%, Roger Clemens 59.5%, Barry Bonds 59.1%, Larry Walker 54.6%, Omar Vizquel 42.8%, Fred McGriff 39.8%, Manny Ramirez 22.8%, Jeff Kent 18.1%, Scott Rolen 17.2%, Billy Wagner 16.7%, Todd Helton 16.5%, Gary Sheffield 13.6%, Andy Pettite 9.9%, Sammy Sosa 8.5%, Andruw Jones 7.5%.

All those who did not get five percent of the vote are removed from the ballot next year.

Hall of Fame BBWAA To Induct Four

January 24, 2018 - Four new players, two on the ballot for the first time, will enter the Hall of Fame this coming July; Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and Trevor Hoffman. They will accompany two additional players added in December by the Veterans Committee; Jack Morris and Alan Trammel.

How Did the Vote Go for Those Inducted: Chipper Jones 410 (97.2%), Vladimir Guerrero 392 (92.9%), Jim Thome 379 (89.8%), Trevor Hoffman 337 (79.9%). 75% is needed for election.

How Did Other Do Who Remain on the Ballot: Edgar Martinez 297 (70.4%), Mike Mussina 268 (63.5%), Roger Clemens 242 (57.3%), Barry Bonds 238 (56.4%), Curt Schilling 216 (51.2%), Omar Vizquel 156 (37.0%), Larry Walker 144 (34.1%), Fred McGriff 98 (23.2%), Manny Ramirez 93 (22.0%), Jeff Kent 61 (14.5%), Gary Sheffield 47 (11.1%), Billy Wagner 47 (11.1%), Scott Rolen 43 (10.2%), Sammy Sosa 33 (7.8%), Andruw Jones 31 (7.3%).

Those Who Did Not Get 5% and Are Removed from the Ballot: Jamie Moyer 10 (2.4%), Johan Santana 10 (2.4%), Johnny Damon 8 (1.9%), Hideki Matsui 4 (0.9%), Chris Carpenter 2 (0.5%), Kerry Wood 2 (0.5%), Livan Hernandez 1 (0.2%), Carlos Lee 1 (0.2%), Orlando Hudson 0, Aubrey Huff 0, Jason Isringhausen 0, Brad Lidge 0, Kevin Millwood 0, Carlos Zambrano 0.

Hall of Fame Vet Committee Elects Two

December 11, 2017 - The sixteen man Veterans Committee for the Modern Age voted to elect Jack Morris, Detroit Tigers pitcher, and Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers shortstop to the Hall of Fame. Morris would rank 39 of the 68 Hall of Fame pitchers currently in Cooperstown, while Trammell would rank 10 of 23 Hall of Fame shortstops. These two player will be inducted into the Hall of Fame with the 2018 class and were elected with at least 12 votes from the Veterans Committee.

2017 Gold Glove Winners Announced

National League - Tucker Barnhart, Cincinnati (C); Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona (1B); DJ Lemahieu, Colorado (2B); Nolan Arenado, Colorado (3B); Brandon Crawford, San Francisco (SS); Marcell Ozuna, Florida (LF); Ender Inciarte, Atlanta (CF); Jason Heyward, Chicago Cubs (RF).

American League - Martin Maldonado, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (C); Eric Hosmer, Kansas City (1B); Brian Dozier, Minnesota (2B); Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay (3B); Andrelton Simmons, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (SS); Alex Gordon, Kansas City (LF); Byron Buxton, Minnesota (CF); Mookie Betts, Boston (RF).

Ten of the Gold Glove winners were also awarded our Silver Mitt Awards. Four of the differences are reflected by Major League Baseball segmenting Outfield Gold Gloves into separate positions while the Silver Mitt Awards reflect the best three outfielders regardless of position.

Hall of Fame 2017 Elects Bagwell, Raines, and Pudge

Jeff Bagwell - 86.2%, Tim Raines - 86.0%, Pudge Rodriguez - 76.0%.

Trevor Hoffman 74.0%, Vladimir Guerrero 71.7%, Edgar Martinez 58.6%, Roger Clemens 54.1%, Barry Bonds 53.8%, Mike Mussina 51.8%, Curt Schilling 45.0%, Lee Smith 34.2%, Manny Ramirez 23.8%, Larry Walker 21.9%, Fred McGriff 21.7%, Jeff Kent 16.7%, Gary Sheffield 13.3%, Billy Wagner 10.2%, Sammy Sosa 8.6%.

Jorge Posada 3.8%, Magglio Ordonez 0.7%, Edgar Renteria 0.5%, Jason Varitek 0.5%, Tim Wakefield 0.2%.

75% needed for election; under 5% removed from ballot next year.

New CBA Agreed To, 12/1/2016

Still pending ratification, but expected to pass, the new CBA made few changes. No international draft, but a firm cap on spending. Raise the minimum wage to $535,000 in 2017. Qualifying Offer compensation draft picks changed to lower rounds and can only happen once to a player in their career. No tie-in to victory at All-Star game and home field advantage in World Series. Raise in luxury tax threshold from $189 million to $195 million in 2017 and higher in out years.

Qualifying Offers, 11/15/2016

Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia, and Neil Walker, New York Mets, take Qualifying Offers of $17.2 million, foregoing free agency. They are only the fourth and fifth players to ever accept the Qualifying Offer. All other players with QO offers this year have rejected their offers and will enter free agency.

First Year Player Draft Round One

Hall of Fame 2016 Elects Griffey and Piazza

2015 All-Star Game Rosters

Starters-American League
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
3B: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
SS: Alcides Escobar, Royals
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Lorenzo Cain, Royals
OF: Alex Gordon, Royals
DH: Nelson Cruz, Mariners

Starters - National League
C: Buster Posey, Giants
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
2B: Dee Gordon, Marlins
3B: Todd Frazier, Reds
SS: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals
OF: Matt Holliday, Cardinals
OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

Pitchers - American League
Chris Archer, Rays, Dellin Betances, Yankees; Brad Boxberger, Rays; Zach Britton, Orioles; Wade Davis, Royals; Sonny Gray: Athletics; Kelvin Herrera, Royals; Felix Hernandez, Mariners; Dallas Keuchel, Astros; Darren O'Day, Orioles; Glen Perkins, Twins; David Price, Tigers; Chris Sale, White Sox

Pitchers - National League
Madison Bumgarner, Giants; A.J. Burnett, Pirates; Aroldis Chapman, Reds; Gerrit Cole, Pirates; Jacob deGrom, Metsl Zack Greinke, Dodgers; Mark Melancon, Pirates; Shelby Miller, Braves; Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies; Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers; Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals; Max Scherzer, Nationals; Michael Wacha, Cardinals

Reserves - American League
C: Russell Martin, Blue Jays; C: Stephen Vogt, Athletics; 1B: Albert Pujols, Angels; 1B: Mark Teixeira, Yankees; 2B: Jason Kipnis, Indians; 3B: Manny Machado, Orioles; SS: Jose Iglesias, Tigers; IF/OF: Brock Holt, Red Sox; OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays; OF: Adam Jones, Orioles; OF: J.D. Martinez, Tigers; DH: Prince Fielder, Rangers

Reserves - National Leagues
C: Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers; C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals; 1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers; 1B: Anthony Rizzo, Cubs; 2B: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies; 2B: Joe Panik, Giants; 3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies; 3B: Kris Bryant, Cubs; SS: Brandon Crawford, Giants; OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; OF: Joc Pederson, Dodgers; OF: A.J. Pollock, D-backs; OF: Justin Upton, Padres

First Years Player Draft 2015

First Round
1. Dansby Swanson, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks.
2. Alex Bregman, SS, Houston Astros
3. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies
4. Dillon Tate, RHP, Texas Rangers
5. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros
6. Tyler Jay, LHP, Minnesota Twins
7. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Boston Red Sox
8. Carson Fulmer, RHP, Chicago White Sox
9. Ian Happ, OF, Chicago Cubs
10. Cornelius Randolph, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
11. Tyler Stephenson, C, Cincinnati Reds
12. Josh Naylor, 1B, Miami Marlins
13. Garrett Whitley, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
14. Kolby Allard, LHP, Atlanta Braves
15. Trent Clark, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
16. James Kaprielian, RHP, New York Yankees
17. Brady Aiken, LHP, Cleveland Indians
18. Phil Bickford, RHP, San Francisco Giants
19. Kevin Newman, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
20. Richie Martin, SS, Oakland A's
21. Ashe Russell, RHP, Kansas City Royals
22. Beau Burrows, RHP, Detroit Tigers
23. Nick Plummer, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
24. Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
25. D.J. Stewart, OF, Baltimore Orioles
26. Taylor Ward, C,, Los Angeles Angels
27. Mike Nikorak, RHP, Colorado Rockies
28. Michael Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves
29. Jon Harris, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
30. Kyle Holder, SS, New York Yankees
31. Chris Shaw, 1B, San Francisco Giants
32. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates
33. Nolan Watson, RHP, Kansas City Royals
34. Cristin Stewart, OF, Detroit Tigers
35. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
36. Ryan Mountcastle, SS, Baltimore Orioles

Hall of Fame Adds Four in 2015

Understanding MLB Options

Player Salaries

Ave. Salaries By Position 2014

Ave. Salaries By Service Time 2014