...he should go down as the third-best switch-hitter of all time. And if that is the case, as I'd argue, it's all the more impressive given that he's 36th among switch-hitters in plate appearances. Berkman was an incredible force at the plate for ten consecutive years though, as he posted a 148 OPS+ across the decade from 2000 to 2009. Over that period, he averaged over 30 home runs and nearly 100 walks per season, all while hitting exactly .300.

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There are currently two position players in baseball that are younger than 21: one of them, Mike Trout, is 20 years old; the other, Bryce Harper, is 19. Harper and Trout came in at #1 and #3, respectively, on Baseball America's top 100 prospects for 2012, as well as Minor League Ball's top 120 prospects. I need not explain that these are two extremely talented players who -- if they live up to the hype -- have marvelous careers ahead of them.

But it's worth noting that they've already accomplished a lot, just being in the majors already. In fact, if they can continue to be moderately productive for the rest of the season, they'll both put their names up alongside some pretty rare and special company.

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Last year's World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers was an undeniably memorable seven-game showdown, easily the most entertaining Fall Classic since 2001's Yankees/DBacks Series. But what we saw between these two teams in October was perhaps just a taste of the next several years, as both teams have put themselves in positions to dominate for the next few years -- and potentially longer than that.

Continue reading this post »

The Baltimore Orioles have reached an agreement with veteran infielder Miguel Tejada, pending a physical to be conducted on Monday. Tejada will report to extended Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida on Monday.

The 37-year-old appeared in 91 games with the San Francisco Giants last season, putting up a .596 OPS across 343 plate appearances before he was designated for assignment. For his 15-year career, Tejada owns a .793 OPS (109 OPS+) and a grand total of 2362 hits.

This will be his third stint with the Orioles.

• Orioles close to bringing back veteran infielder Miguel Tejada | orioles.com: News
  "The Orioles are closing in on signing veteran infielder Miguel Tejada, who will report to the team's Spring Training facility in Sarasota, Fla., on Monday to take a physical."
• Twitter / @JonHeymanCBS: Former mvp miguel tejada h ...
  "Former mvp miguel tejada has agreement with orioles, pending physical monday. Tejada will report to extended spring in sarasota"

Earlier this week, SB Nation launched its free, fun, and highly addictive fantasy baseball "Pick Six" game. The basic premise:

Pick 6 is a daily pick'em game that pits you against other members of (insert blog name here) and the entire SB Nation network. Have you always wanted to prove your superior baseball knowledge on (insert blog name here)? Now's your chance.

Each day, users can choose six players to fill out their daily roster: a catcher, corner infielder, middle infielder, outfielder, starting pitcher, and relief pitcher.

The twist? Each user only has $120 of imaginary money to spend per day, and each player has a different cost. Player values are determined by their production and their popularity in Pick 6.

Successful users will strike a balance between expensive players and under-the-radar talent to take their lineup to the next level. Since this is a daily game there is no draft, no lengthy sign-up process - just you competing against fellow blog members for bragging rights.

It only takes a couple minutes to Pick your 6 - it's so easy to play! Go to the top left side of this blog and click on "Play Now" on the Pick 6 widget. Come back during and after games to see how you and your friends did.

For more information on how to play and how scores are calculated, please go to the Rules page.

Good luck and Play Ball! Play Pick 6 now.

The trick is to fill out the best possible six-player team -- with attention to matchups and such -- while remaining under budget. You collect specific point values for each event from your players.

Anyway, come play along with the rest of us MLB Daily Dish folk!

Earlier this week, SB Nation launched its free, fun, and highly addictive fantasy baseball "Pick Six" game. The basic premise:

Pick 6 is a daily pick'em game that pits you against other members of (insert blog name here) and the entire SB Nation network. Have you always wanted to prove your superior baseball knowledge on (insert blog name here)? Now's your chance.

Each day, users can choose six players to fill out their daily roster: a catcher, corner infielder, middle infielder, outfielder, starting pitcher, and relief pitcher.

The twist? Each user only has $120 of imaginary money to spend per day, and each player has a different cost. Player values are determined by their production and their popularity in Pick 6.

Successful users will strike a balance between expensive players and under-the-radar talent to take their lineup to the next level. Since this is a daily game there is no draft, no lengthy sign-up process - just you competing against fellow blog members for bragging rights.

It only takes a couple minutes to Pick your 6 - it's so easy to play! Go to the top left side of this blog and click on "Play Now" on the Pick 6 widget. Come back during and after games to see how you and your friends did.

For more information on how to play and how scores are calculated, please go to the Rules page.

Good luck and Play Ball! Play Pick 6 now.

The trick is to fill out the best possible six-player team -- with attention to matchups and such -- while remaining under budget. You collect specific point values for each event from your players.

Anyway, come play along with the rest of us Beyond the Box Score folk!

Mariano Rivera tore his ACL earlier today shagging flyballs in batting practice, and he will likely miss the rest of the 2012 season. Rivera, 42, has hinted at retiring after this season, meaning his Hall of Fame career might be over.

In any event, for the 2012 season, it appears that David Robertson will likely take over in the closer role.

• Twitter / @JeffPassan: Mariano Rivera with torn A ...
  "Mariano Rivera with torn ACL."
• Rapid Reaction: Mo's injury - Yankees Blog - ESPN New York
  "WHAT IT MEANS: Mariano Rivera appears to have a torn ACL and could very well be out for the season, according to manager Joe Girardi. Rivera has hinted that this will be his final season. Now, this possibly could mean the end of his Hall of Fame career."
• Twitter / @JonHeymanCBS: #Mariano said not to give ...
  "#Mariano said not to give up all hope on return this season. But to come back from torn acl in 4-5 months would be true miracle"

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim acquired Padres right-handed reliever Ernesto Frieri in exchange for infielder Alexi Amarista and right-hander Donn Roach. Frieri, 26, has a career ERA of 2.33 in just over 100 career innings.

• Twitter / @Padres: TRADE: #Padres acquire INF ...
  "TRADE: #Padres acquire INF Alexi Amarista & RHP Donn Roach from the @Angels in exchange for RHP Ernesto Frieri. Correspond 25-man move tmrw"
• Twitter / @Ken_Rosenthal: #Angels just got a relieve ...
  "#Angels just got a reliever - a good one. Announce acquisition of RHP Ernesto Frieri for IF Alexi Amarista and RHP Donn Roach."

As first reported by Eric Stephen of True Blue LA, and later confirmed by the Los Angeles Dodgers via Twitter, the Dodgers have designated right-handed pitcher Mike MacDougal for assignment. Additionally, the team announced that Major League Baseball has reinstated right-handed pitcher Ronald Belisario from the Restricted List.

MacDougal, 35, allowed nine runs across 5.2 innings this season. As Stephen notes on Twitter, the Dodgers 40-man roster is at 39 players, which leaves room for Bobby Abreu. The Dodgers are close to a contract agreement with Abreu.

• Twitter / @Dodgers: ROSTER MOVE: The @Dodgers ...
  "ROSTER MOVE: The @Dodgers today designated RHP Mike MacDougal for assignment while MLB reinstated Ronald Belisario from the Restricted List."
• Twitter / @truebluela: Mike MacDougal DFA'd ...
  "Mike MacDougal DFA'd"
• Twitter / @DKnobler: Dodgers announce MacDougal ...
  "Dodgers announce MacDougal DFA, Belisario off restricted list."
• Twitter / @truebluela: Dodgers 40-man roster stil ...
  "Dodgers 40-man roster still at 39 players. Room for Bobby Abreu"

Following last night's game, the Giants got some horrible news about their best hitter: Pablo Sandoval has fractured his left hamate bone, and will be out for the next several weeks of the season. Sandoval suffered the same fate last season when he fractured his right hamate bone, missing 41 games. Miraculously, he slugged .557 across 375 plate appearances upon his return -- which is abnormal for this type of injury. Typically, it takes months after recovery for a player to fully regain his power. The Giants can only hope for the same for Sandoval this season.

As for their current situation, this hurts. Badly. On the surface, the Giants' run production hasn't been terrible. After all, they have a team wRC+ of 95 -- and that was good enough to bring them a championship a couple years ago. However, they've proven incompetent with runners in scoring position. As a team, they have a .258 wOBA in such situations, which puts them 29th among the 30 major-league teams. While part of it is bad luck -- they're hitting .208 on balls in play with runners in scoring position -- this is a continuation of struggles the team had last year. In 2011, the Giants ranked 30th in wOBA with runners in scoring position.

Some regression seems inevitable -- they've been quite unlucky -- but it seems apparent that there's an underlying flaw here. Their struggles, in other words, seem to extend beyond mere luck and randomness. As such, the 95 wRC+ -- as decent as it is -- probably overstates the quality of this offense. Make no mistake -- this isn't a nearly-average offensive team losing its best hitter. Rather, this is an already offensively-challenged team losing its best hitter.

Continue reading this post »

The Colorado Rockies have optioned right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin to Triple-A, the team announced today via their official Twitter account. Chacin, 24, has made five starts for the Rockies this season, allowing 20 runs across 24.2 innings -- all of them earned.

The team tweeted that it will make a corresponding roster move before Friday's game. Troy Renck of the Denver Post tweets that Alex White, Christian Friedrich, and Tyler Chatwood are candidates to take his spot in the rotation.

• Twitter / @Rockies: #Rockies have optioned RHP ...
  "#Rockies have optioned RHP Jhoulys Chacin to Triple-A. Club will make corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game."
• Twitter / @TroyRenck: Rockies have optioned Jhou ...
  "Rockies have optioned Jhouyls Chacin to Triple-A. No surprise."
• Twitter / @TroyRenck: Again, #Rockies option Cha ...
  "Again, #Rockies option Chacin to Triple-A. I begged for it in my analysis today. He needs to go down and fix stuff out of bright lights"
• Twitter / @TroyRenck: Chacin was headed to Tripl ...
  "Chacin was headed to Triple-A either now or after his start Monday. Alex White, Christian Friedrich, and Tyler Chatwood are candidates."

UPDATE (6:42 PST): Jon Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that the two sides are working out details of a contract, and are close to an agreement.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in "serious talks" with outfielder Bobby Abreu. Abreu, 38, was released by the Los Angeles Angels a week ago after struggling to get things going this season; through eight games, Abreu posted a meager .593 OPS, and last season was arguably Abreu's worst (his 104 OPS+ constituted a career low).

Regardless, Abreu has put together marvelous numbers throughout his career, including a stellar .397 on-base percentage.

• Twitter / @JonHeymanCBS: #dodgers are in serious ta ...
  "#dodgers are in serious talks w/ abreu. not done deal, as details need to be worked out. sev other teams showing interest 2"
• Angels Release Bobby Abreu, Call Up Mike Trout - MLB Daily Dish
  "Following another 9th inning lose, this time to the Cleveland Indians, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have released outfielder/designated hitter Bobby Abreu, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angles Times."

According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, the New York Yankees signed Cuban outfielder Adonis Garcia. Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger reports that the contract is a minor league deal worth $400K over one year. As Carig notes, the contracts is worth significantly less than a previous report back in March that had Garcia "getting offered a six-year, $16 million deal."

Badler writes that Garcia spent his winter playing in Venezuela, where he was primarily a left-fielder.

• Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Prospects Blog | Yankees Sign Cuban Outfielder Adonis Garcia
  "Garcia, a 26-year-old righthanded hitter, is only 5-foot-7, 180 pounds and doesn't have any standout tools, so it's hard for scouts to see him fitting in as a big league regular. However, he has a strong track record of hitting in Cuba's top league, Serie Nacional. His bat is advanced enough that he figures to reach Double-A or Triple-A quickly."

The Cincinnati Reds have signed right-handed relief pitcher Michael Wuertz to a minor league contract. The deal was first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, and later confirmed by Jon Heyman (CBS Sports).

Wuertz, 33, has put together solid numbers over an eight-year career, including a 120 ERA+ and a strikeout rate of 9.6 K/9. In recent years, however, he's been slowed by injuries. In 2011, Wuertz had a couple stints on the 15-day DL, and missed a total of 51 games. In fact, he's only thrown 73 innings over the past couple seasons, and he's been largely ineffective (76 ERA+, 1.5 K/BB). It's no surprise the Oakland A's released Wuertz back in October.

• Twitter / @JonHeymanCBS: #reds sign michael wuertz, ...
  "#reds sign michael wuertz, righty reliever, as @JoelSherman1 reported"
• Twitter / @Joelsherman1: Heard #Reds signed rlvr Mi ...
  "Heard #Reds signed rlvr Michael Wuertz to a minor lge contract"

There are two factors when it comes to a pitching value: how well a pitcher pitches, and how much a pitcher pitches. Pitcher A can dominate his opponents, but if he only lasts five starts before incurring a season-ending injury, his overall value for the season is limited. Similarly, Pitcher B can toss 250 innings, but if he's knocked around all season long, he won't be of much value (although, frankly, poor pitchers rarely throw that much).

Even though both factors are of paramount importance when it comes to assessing pitching value, I'd argue that peak tends to be overvalued in comparison to longevity. I'd expect that most people take the guy with the lower ERA over the guy with the higher inning count, even in cases where the higher inning count outweighs the difference in ERA. I'm not exactly sure how to go about proving this, though I'd expect end-of-season voting for the Cy Young Award reflects this to some extent, particularly when it comes to the starter/reliever divide.

It is for this reason, in part, that I believe Livan Hernandez to be undervalued. Hernandez, over his career, has maintained a 96 ERA+. He's been remarkably average -- slightly below, even -- over his 17-year career. However, he's also been remarkably durable. Over the 14-year stretch from 1998 to 2011, Hernandez averaged 33 starts a season. He led the league in innings pitched three years in a row, from 2003 to 2005, tossing 735 innings over that span. For his career, Hernandez has been worth 23.7 rWAR. That's nothing special -- that's what a consistently average pitcher would do over a 12-year career -- but it puts him in company with guys like Dave Stewart (also 23.7 rWAR) and Mike Flanagan (23.9 rWAR).

Hernandez is greatly undervalued for a couple other reasons though: his hitting and his defense.

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According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has made it clear that he is now open to signing a contract extension with the team before he hits free agency. While Ethier "seemed to have issues" with the McCourt regime, he's happy under the new ownership group.

The 30-year-old slugger reportedly met with GM Ned Colletti last week, though the two sides aren't close to signing a new deal. Estimates for a new Ethier contract range from 6 years/$90M to Jayson Werth money (7/$126M).

• No new deal said close yet for Ethier, but new owners enhance chances for one - CBSSports
  "Now that the good guys (Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, Mark Walter) are in and the unspeakable chap (you know who) is gone from the ownership suite at the beautiful park on Elysian Way, the Los Angeles Dodgers are again prepared to do business like a real big-market team. Which means Andre Ethier is probably a very lucky man today."

The Minnesota Twins have designated third baseman Sean Burroughs for assignment in order to clear room on their 40-man roster, the team announced today. In a corresponding move, the team called up catcher Drew Butera, who will take Burroughs' spot on the 40-man.

Burroughs, 31, appeared in 10 games with the Twins this season, though he only started three of those games. He collected a couple hits and drew one walk in 17 at-bats, for an overall slash line of .118/.167/.176.

Butera, 28, has a .738 OPS in 15 games with Triple-A Rochester thus far. He spent considerable time with the Twins last season, though failed to impress, hitting .167/.210/.239 over 93 games.

• Twitter / @DKnobler: Twins announce Sean Burrou ...
  "Twins announce Sean Burroughs DFA to make room for Drew Butera, who was called up today."
• Twins Moves: Butera in, Burroughs out | KSTP TV - Minneapolis and St. Paul
  "The Minnesota Twins are recalling catcher Drew Butera from the minors to add some depth behind banged-up Joe Mauer."

The San Francisco Giants designated outfielder Tyler Graham for assignment earlier today, in order to make room on the 40-man roster. The transaction was among a few roster moves the Giants made today: left-hander Jeremy Affeldt was placed on the 15-day DL with a right knee sprain, and the Giants called up Travis Blackley to fill the bullpen void. Blackley was not on the team's 40-man roster, however, so San Francisco designated Graham for assignment in order to clear a spot.

Graham, 28, has spent his entire career in the Giants organization. Last season, he appeared in 127 games with Triple-A Fresno, hitting .273/.337/.338 with 60 stolen bags, and only 12 CS.

• Tuesday’s Giants lineup; Affeldt put on DL | Giants Extra
  "The Giants placed Jeremy Affeldt on the disabled list earlier today with a right knee sprain. Travis Blackley’s contract was purchased from Triple-A Fresno and Tyler Graham was designated for assignment."

The Cleveland Indians have added veteran outfielder Johnny Damon to their 25-man roster, a couple weeks after signing him to a minor-league contract. Damon, 38, will likely debut for the Indians on Wednesday, as they face off against the Chicago White Sox. Damon's deal has a base salary of $1.25M, with up to $1.4M in incentives.

In order to make room for Damon on their 40-man roster, the Indians designated infielder Jose Lopez for assignment.

• Johnny Damon joins Indians for series against White Sox in Chicago | indians.com: News
  "Two weeks after signing a Minor League contract with the Tribe, the 38-year-old Damon was in uniform -- he will wear No. 33 -- but on the bench for Tuesday's game against the White Sox. The veteran outfielder has been training at the Indians' complex in Goodyear, Ariz., but he will now be thrown into the mix mainly as a left fielder for the big league club."

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Tim Beckham, a former first overall pick (2008 MLB Draft), has been suspended for 50 games for violating the Minor League drug program. This is his second drug abuse violation.

The 22-year-old shortstop appeared in 13 games with the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay's Triple-A affiliate hitting .204/.290/.278 across 62 plate appearances. For his career, he owns a .709 OPS in 440 minor-league games.

• Tampa Bay Rays prospect Tim Beckham suspended 50 games - Tampa Bay Times
  Tampa Bay Rays minor-leaguer Tim Beckham has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for by drug issues relating to a drug of abuse.
• Tim Beckham, the top overall pick in the 2008 Draft, has been suspended 50 games | raysbaseball.com: News
  Tim Beckham, the top overall pick in the 2008 Draft, has been suspended 50 games for his second violation for a drug of abuse under the Minor League drug program.

A couple weeks ago, during what turned out to be an epic pitching duel between Matt Cain and Cliff Lee, something ordinary happened -- a common occurrence that I found nonetheless intriguing. In the bottom of the eleventh inning, with Antonio Bastardo on the mound, Brandon Belt singled. Angel Pagan, on the sixth pitch of his at-bat against Bastardo, hit a groundball to third baseman Ty Wiggington. Wiggington bobbled the ball and both runners (Belt, Pagan) were safe on the play. Wiggington, accordingly, was charged with an error. Melky Cabrera then stepped up to the plate, one out in the inning, and lined a single into shallow right field to drive in the winning run.

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The St. Louis Cardinals announced that they've released a pair of veterans today: Alex Cora and Koyie Hill.

Alex Cora, 36, signed as a free agent with the Cardinals about a month ago. The middle infielder has posted a .648 OPS (72 OPS+) across 14 major-league seasons, most of that time spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Koyie Hill, meanwhile, signed with the Cardinals back in January. The 33-year-old catcher is coming off a three-year stretch during which he hit .219/.282/.304 with five home runs in 668 plate appearances.

Both Cora and Hill struggled in limited time this Spring. Cora had five hits -- all singles -- in 24 at-bats, while Hill had three hits in 16 at-bats.

• Twitter / @jonmorosi: #STLCards released two vet ...
  "#STLCards released two veterans today -- infielder Alex Cora and catcher Koyie Hill."
• Twitter / @JonHeymanCBS: #cards release koyie hill ...
  "#cards release koyie hill and alex cora, team announces"

The Kansas City Royals announced that they've traded outfielder Greg Golson to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations. Golson, 26, was selected by the Phillies in the first round of the draft back in 2004. He signed with the Royals as a free agent this December. Across eight minor-league seasons (855 games), he's posted a .263/.311/.396 line with 172 stolen bases. He's primarily played in centerfield, though he has seen time in left and right as well.

Last year, Golson posted a .716 OPS with 15 stolen bases in 429 plate appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

• Twitter / @DKnobler: Royals announce they've tr ...
  "Royals announce they've traded Greg Golson to White Sox for cash."
• Twitter / @Royals_Report: OF Greg Golson traded to C ...
  "OF Greg Golson traded to Chicago White Sox for cash considerations."
• Twitter / @jonmorosi: #WhiteSox acquire Greg Gol ...
  "#WhiteSox acquire Greg Golson from #Royals for cash considerations."

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Ryan Madson needs Tommy John surgery, and will be out for the entire 2012 season. The ligament in Madson's elbow was reportedly torn off the bone.

With Madson out, Rosenthal reports that Sean Marshall is likely to close for the Reds, with Aroldis Chapman heading back to the bullpen.

• Twitter / @Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: Madson needs Tomm ...
  "Sources: Madson needs Tommy John surgery, out for season. Marshall likely to close, Chapman back to bullpen. #Reds #MLB"
• Twitter / @johnfayman: Tommy John for Madson. Lig ...
  "Tommy John for Madson. Ligament was torn off the bone. #reds"
• Twitter / @Ken_Rosenthal: This is downside of Madson ...
  "This is downside of Madson settling for one year as free agent. There will be no multi-year pot of gold for him at end of season. #Reds #MLB"

• Madson needs Tommy John surgery " Mark My Word
  "The Reds got the worst news possible on closer Ryan Madson. The ligament in his elbow is torn off of the bone and he will need Tommy John surgery that will end his season before it begins. Madson was examined this morning in Cincinnati by team medical director Dr. Tim Kremcheck."

The San Francisco Giants have been telling teams today that they are looking to trade Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot. Both middle infielders could be fits with the Atlanta Braves (as middle infield depth) and Philadelphia Phillies (with Chase Utley injured).

Both Fontenot and Theriot are on non-guaranteed contracts, meaning the Giants have to either cut them by March 29th, or their contract becomes guaranteed. Fontenot will be owed $1.05M if his contract becomes guaranteed, while Theriot will be owed $1.25M if his contract becomes guaranteed.

Fontenot, 31, has hit .263/.332/.406 (92 OPS+) over his career while seeing time at third base, second base and shortstop.

Theriot, 32, has hit .282/.344/.353 (83 OPS+) with 108 stolen bases across seven major-league seasons. He lacks Fontenot's defensive versatility, and is not a very capable defender at short.

• Twitter / @jaysonst: Giants telling teams today ...
  "Giants telling teams today they're shopping Ryan Theriot & Mike Fontenot. Possible fit for Braves & Phillies."