Archive for the ‘MLB’ Category

Hamels Kicks Off Farewell Tour with $15 Million Contract

by Michael Baumann on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Posted in 2011-12 Compendium, MLB, Offseason, Philadelphia Phillies | 104 Comments »


The Phillies have signed LHP Cole Hamels to a one-year, $15 million deal, avoiding a final year of arbitration with one of their aces. In the short term, this is fine. Hamels was among the best pitchers in baseball last ...

Which Hunter Pence is at the Negotiating Table?

by Ryan Sommers on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Posted in MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Sabermetrics | 7 Comments »


This winter, Hunter Pence heads to his second salary arbitration hearing, in his third year of eligibility. 2011 was, indisputably, the most successful season of his young career. He produced a .314/.370/.502 line, including a particularly impressive .324/.394/.560 ...

Bringing Back the Running Game

by Bill Baer on Monday, January 16th, 2012
Posted in MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Sabermetrics | 14 Comments »


After the 2010 season, when the Phillies and former first base coach Davey Lopes couldn't agree on a salary, I asked the question, "How do you replace Davey Lopes?" The answer, really, is "you don't". Few base coaches have had ...

Phillies Sign Joel Piñeiro to Minor League Deal

by Ryan Sommers on Monday, January 16th, 2012
Posted in MLB, Philadelphia Phillies | No Comments »


Per Jayson Stark, the Phillies have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Joel Piñeiro to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. There were not many suitors for Piñeiro's services following a rough 2011 outing. He posted 5.13 ERA ...

Phillies Sign Kyle Kendrick for $3.585 Million

by Bill Baer on Friday, January 13th, 2012
Posted in MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Sabermetrics | 7 Comments »


News! With a general doff of ye olde ballcap to the Phillies beat, we have learned that Kyle Kendrick will earn $3.585 million during the 2012 season. This was essentially a formality as Kendrick was not among those non-tendered at ...

Guest Post: Maikel Franco Profile

by Bill Baer on Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Posted in Guest Post, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Sabermetrics | 3 Comments »


Throughout the year, Crashburn Alley will be accepting guest posts. If you would like to contribute, submit your entries to CrashburnAlley [at] gmail [dot] com. Today's guest post is from Ben Skalina. You can follow him on Twitter @TweetaSkalina. . . . The ...

Ryan Madson Signs with Cincinnati

by Bill Baer on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Posted in 2011-12 Compendium, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies | 18 Comments »


Per ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Cincinnati Reds have signed former Phillie Ryan Madson to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. I've written a lot about this subject recently, so I won't beat a dead horse, but suffice it to say that ...

The Farewell Voyage?

by Paul Boye on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
Posted in 2011 Preview, MLB, NL East Whining, Philadelphia Phillies | 39 Comments »


If there was one thing I was concerned about entering this offseason, it was the possibility that the Phillies would fail to lock up Cole Hamels to a multi-year extension. As you all know and are probably tired of hearing by ...

Reddit Q&A with Trevor May

by Bill Baer on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
Posted in Interviews, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies | 3 Comments »


Last night, Phillies pitching prospect Trevor May answered a bunch of questions on Reddit. Lots of really interesting answers and a bit of a look into the life of a Minor Leaguer. Make sure to check it out and follow ...

Scrounging Around in the Bargain Bin

by Bill Baer on Monday, January 9th, 2012
Posted in MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Sabermetrics | 12 Comments »


The Phillies, through the years, have heavily relied on veterans to get the job done out of the bullpen. When Brad Lidge wasn't available early in 2010, the Phillies placed the responsibility of closing out ballgames on 38-year-old Jose Contreras ...