Transaction Oracle: 2012 ZiPS Projections - Miami Marlins

The Marlins, thanks to Loria actually investing some money back into the team (though partially by virture of taxpayer subsidization, an issue we won't touch here), are a serious threat in the NL Wild Card race and their chances of winning the division, while on the long side, are legitimate - the Phillies don't have an unassailable roster and there are some downside scenarios that give real openings to the rest of the East.

What puts the Marlins a little behind the Braves is that while they ...

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Hall of Merit: Craig Biggio

Eligible in 2013.

Transaction Oracle: 2012 ZiPS Projections - Arizona Diamondbacks

The most encouraging thing about Arizona’s season, well, other than the trip to the playoffs, is just how quickly and efficiently they turned over a horrific 2010 bullpen.  The favorite quote of Branch Rickey among statheads (myself included) is “Luck is the residue of design.”  That kinda describes how the Diamondback bullpen worked so quickly - in every situation, both in performance and dollars, Arizona acquired relievers that would be a great help to the team in the upside and harmless on ...

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Hall of Merit: Roger Clemens

Eligible in 2013.

Transaction Oracle: 2012 ZiPS Projections - Cleveland Indians

The 2011 Indians hung around in the divisional race far longer than they had any right to, so kudos to them for being relevant ahead of schedule - the Tigers were simply a stronger team and it was hard to keep that going for an entire season.

The Indians still aren't really ready to compete with the Tigers, but there are at least some encouraging signs. The team still has all sorts of interesting infielders and despite only finishing 9th in the league in scoring, the team has offense at all ...

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Hall of Merit: Most Meritorious Player : 1969 Discussion

Most Meritorious Player: 1969 Discussion

Remember to put 12 names on your ballot. Expanded postseason means more opportunity for postseason credit.

Voting will end on February 22nd 2012.

Player 			Win	BB-ref
       			Shares	WAR
Rico Petrocelli		36.1	9.3
Reggie Jackson		39.9	9.7
Willie McCovey		39.3	8.9
Henry Aaron		37.2	8.3
Frank Robinson		31.8	7.4
Jim Wynn		36.1	8.1
Harmon Killebrew	33.8	6.1
Bobby Bonds		31.0	6.5
Pete Rose		36.8	6.9
Rusty Staub		26.4	5.9
Leo Cardenas		23.7	4.6
Jim ...

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Transaction Oracle: Tigers - signed Fielder

Detroit Tigers sign 1B Prince Fielder to a 9 year/$214 million contract.

A fascinating signing on so many levels. First of all, a week ago serious people were seriously discussing the possibility that Fielder might end up in Japan, or have to settle for a short term contract—possibly as little as a year. It’s fairly clear that there was an element of luck (color me doubtful that the Tigers were sold on this signing before the Martinez signing), but again Boros gets his man the money and years ...

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Transaction Oracle: 2012 ZiPS Projections - Washington Nationals

If the Nationals go into the season as the likely 4th-best team in the division, it's not from lack of trying - the team's been in on every major free agent this winter, making serious offers, and even being the favorite destination for Prince Fielder for about a month.

The team's really just missing one big middle of the order bat to be in a good position to mix it up with the rest of the division and compete well for a Wild Card. They're not so far away that it can't happen in 2012 with ...

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Sox Therapy: You’re telling me there’s a salary cap in the new CBA?

I’ve complained in a few places about the Red Sox ownership not being willing to spend a little over the luxury tax threshold to complete this roster.  I could rehearse here how offering David Ortiz arbitration is a very questionable decision if you’re treating the luxury tax threshold as a hard cap, but I’d rather talk about that hard cap in the first place.  Why are the Sox, who have previously treated the luxury tax threshold as a guideline, now acting as if their payroll is ...

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Hall of Merit: Barry Bonds

Eligible in 2013