David Pinto worked for ten years as the chief researcher for ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. Starting in 2002, David brought his research and insights to a wider audience through his blog, Baseball Musings.

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Free outfielders

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December 2, 8:51 AM

by David Pinto, MLB Examiner

Adam Dunn and Pat Burrell joined Bobby Abreu as good free agent outfielders not offered arbitration. All three get on base and have decent power, but are certainly on the downside of their careers. None plays defense that well.

With all three of them available, the supply of this type of player should keep a cap on the price of all three. Do you want Abreu, but he's asking too much? Go for Burrell. Adam Dunn gets signed by another team? Bobby Abreu is still available. This likely figured into the reason for not offering these players arbitration. Not only would an arbitrator likely keep their salaries high, the Yankees, Phillies and Diamondbacks have plenty of other options.

The question in my mind, now, will this drive down the price of Manny Ramirez. While Manny is better than these three, he's also a poor defender on the downside of his career. A team can afford to lose out on Manny and hire one of the other three and still have a good offensive player. Given that, and the cost of a draft pick, there's no reason to really fight over Ramirez.

For more info: Baseball Musings.

Topics: Free Agents

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A small victory for Bonds

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November 24, 4:43 PM

The judge in the Barry Bonds perjury case dropped three charges and merged another, dropping the total from 15 to 11. I guess that makes the odds of winning a little better for Barry, but the prosecution needs only to get one to stick to walk away with... Read More
Topics: Cheating

Mussina retires

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November 20, 1:35 PM

Mike Mussina officially retired today. Peter Abraham posts the glowing press release:A master of control, Mussina walked only 785 batters in 3,562.2 career innings, averaging 1.98 walks/9.0IP. According to Elias, he is one of just three pitchers in AL... Read More
Topics: Pitchers

AL MVP preview

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November 18, 9:00 AM

The BBWAA announces the American League Most Valuable Player Award winner this afternoon at 2 PM EST. This is a very tough race to predict for a number of reasons.First, the Red Sox own two viable candidates, Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia. Boston... Read More
Topics: Awards

Hall of Fame Game replacment

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November 17, 3:12 PM

The Hall of Fame came up with a replacement for the Hall of Fame Game:Baseball's legends and old-timers will play in a new Hall of Fame Classic game beginning in 2009.The inaugural Hall of Fame Classic will be held on Father's Day, June 21. The game... Read More
Topics: Hall of Fame

NL MVP preview

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November 17, 11:14 AM

The BBWAA announce the National League MVP award this afternoon, and the pundits seem to handicap it as a race between Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard. However, that ignores a middle infielder with a great season, Hanley Ramirez.There is no doubt Albert... Read More
Topics: Awards

Yankees-White Sox trade

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November 13, 5:36 PM

The Yankees acquired Kanekoa Texeira from the White Sox, along with a slightly better known player:The New York Yankees acquired center fielder-first baseman Nick Swisher in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.The Yankees traded infielder... Read More
Topics: Trades

AL Cy Young winner: Cliff Lee

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November 13, 2:59 PM

Cliff Lee wins the American League Cy Young Award fairly easily. He took 24 of 28 first-place votes and four second-place votes. Roy Halladay received the other four first-place votes. Amazingly, Halladay only appeared on 25 ballots. Three voters did... Read More
Topics: Awards

Managers of the Year: Lou Piniella and Joe Maddon

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November 12, 3:21 PM

The BBWAA awarded Manager of the Year this afternoon, Joe Maddon walking away with the award in the American League and Lou Piniella taking home the trophy in the National League.I agree 100% with the first four spots in the National League voting. Lou... Read More
Topics: Awards

NL Cy Young preview

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November 11, 10:21 AM

The BBWAA confers a Cy Young Award on a National League pitcher today. For me it comes down to Johan Santana and Tim Lincecum. Santana led the majors in ERA. Lincecum, however, struck out over 2.5 more batters per nine than Johan, while allowing home... Read More
Topics: Awards