73% of all players produce between -1 and +1 WAR. Still.

Breakdown after the jump.

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Kerry Wood is set to announce his retirement, either today or after his next appearance. We all knew it was coming -- it had to with his recent struggles:

In the nine games he did manage to appear in this year, he was ineffective, walking 11 hitters in 8⅓ innings with an 8.64 ERA. Continuing to pitch with the injuries and ineffectiveness was apparently too much for Wood, so he is expected to announce his retirement from baseball Friday, about a month short of his 35th birthday.

Wood was the No. 1 pick of the Cubs in 1995, and was wildly popular among Cubs fans for the 20-K game, the 2003 playoff push, and his stand-up-guy attitude. It's sad that his performance never measured up to his popularity. He retires with an 86-75 won-lost record and 63 saves over 445 games (178 starts).

But sometimes it helps to see why a player like Kerry Wood decides to hang 'em up, does it not? Enjoy:

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By now, most if not all you have seen that terrible moment from last night when Brett Lawrie threw his helmet down after a couple questionable calls by the ump -- and it either hit or grazed the ump when he did so. Check it out:

(h/t to reddit)

As far as I know, he hasn't been suspended yet, but he should be. And outside of the most outrageous, unacceptably violent and/or intolerant behavior by the ump preceding the scene shown in the .gif, the tirade is beneath the dignity of Major League Baseball and arguments to the contrary can be dismissed. Which isn't to say the ump is without fault, of course.

But then Peter Gammons tweeted this lil' doozy out this afternoon:

If Delmon Young had done what Brett Lawrie did...

— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) May 16, 2012

I think I'll just leave this here without further comment. Feel free to finish the sentence.

1. Derek Lowe is the 2012 MLB leader in ERA.
2. Derek Lowe pitched a shutout last night, May 15th, 2012.
3. Nobody expected either of the above. What gives?

Our friend Harry Pavlidis of The Hardball Times takes a look at Lowe's pitch types vs. contact rates and concludes that Lowe is "pitching to contact" (shudder). But there are several quick lessons that can help us answer the question posed above.

First, we know ERA is suspect because it fails to include (exclude) defense, and a closer look shows that he's benefiting from his defense this season while actually pitching much the same as seasons past. Here's a good, simple lesson on why ERA is flawed:

One might expect Lowe's ERA to regress to the mean.

Note that Harry's analysis is still essentially correct -- Lowe just isn't getting whiffs at all this season compared to his career marks:

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The Kansas City Royals are visiting the Los Angeles Angels in tonight's National Broadcast Open Thread. You can watch the game live on ESPN2 at 10:05PM EST.

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The Boston Red Sox are at Comerica Park today at 1:05PM EST, facing off against the Detroit Tigers in the second of our National Broadcast Open threads for 2012. You can watch the game live on ESPN2.

While the game is on, compare the two teams by looking at each of their org. charts:

• Boston Red Sox Complete Organizational Chart
• Detroit Tigers Complete Organizational Chart

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Rays Rosters, Salaries, Options, Arbitration Details, Prospects

It's a LIVE, complete organizational chart, from the upstairs offices all the way down to the last open bench spot in Single A, and it includes salary, arbitration, and option details in a single handy chart you can't get anywhere else:

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Red Sox Rosters, Salaries, Options, Arbitration Details, Prospects

It's a LIVE, complete organizational chart, from the upstairs offices all the way down to the last open bench spot in Single A, and it includes salary, arbitration, and option details in a single handy chart you can't get anywhere else:

Continue reading this post »

Blue Jays Rosters, Salaries, Options, Arbitration Details, Prospects

It's a complete organizational chart, from the upstairs offices all the way down to the last open bench spot in Single A, and it includes salary, arbitration, and option details in a single handy chart you can't get anywhere else:

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Are you really busy and can't read every single beat writer, national writer, and follow 150+ twitter feeds to get your daily dish of baseball rumors/news/trades?

Don't worry, we got you covered because that's exactly what we do each and every week. Here's what you might have missed over the past week, starting with the oldest article first:

• Chicago Cubs, Shawn Camp Sign Minor League Deal - MLB Daily Dish
  The Chicago Cubs have signed Shawn Camp to a minor league deal, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. Camp was released by the Seattle Mariners last week after signing a deal for $750 thousand the month before.
• New York Mets Sign Chris Young To A Minor League Deal - MLB Daily Dish
  The New York Mets are bringing back pitcher Chris Young on a minor league contract.
• San Francisco Giants Release Ramon Ortiz - MLB Daily Dish
  The San Francisco Giants have announced the release of pitcher Ramon Ortiz.

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Yankees Rosters, Salaries, Options, Arbitration Details, Prospects

It's a LIVE complete organizational chart, from the upstairs offices all the way down to the last open bench spot in Single A, and it includes salary, arbitration, and option details in a single handy chart you can't get anywhere else:

Continue reading this post »

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed Andres Blanco to a minor league contract after he opted out of his minor league deal with the Nationals, according to the team. Jayson Stark of ESPN reports that despite signing Blanco, General Manager Ruben Amaro says the club is still looking for additional help in the infield:

Even after signing Andres Blanco, Phillies "still have our eyes & ears open" for another IF, Ruben Amaro says.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 31, 2012

Blanco, a 27 year-old Venezuelan and 6-year vet, has already played on three teams in his career: three years with the Kansas City Royals, one year with the Chicago Cubs, and the last two with the Texas Rangers. Blanco is a career .255 / .301 / .333 "hitter," and has barely generated a half of one Win Above Replacement (which essentially makes him a quintessential light-hitting middle infielder).

This move should provide at least some depth as the Phillies look for solutions to Chase Utley's knee injuries.

The Houston Astros announced Friday that right-hander Livan Hernandez has been released. The Astros signed Hernandez to a minor league deal back in January.

As recently as a month ago, Hernandez was said to be competing for the Astros 5th rotation spot. But if he can't catch on with the Astros in the fifth rotation slot, with which team could he catch on? This could spell the end of Livan's career.

Hernandez, the 37 year-old Cuban with 16 years of pro experience, has a career ERA of 4.39 and a career record of 174-176. He spent time with seven different clubs, with his longest stints with the Giants, Marlins, and Expos/Nationals (with teams between).

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The Los Angeles Angels attempt to trade Bobby Abreu to the Cleveland Indians has apparently stalled out, according to Jon Heyman and Mike DiGiovanna. This update clearly does not preclude another Abreu trade attempt, but it looks like it won't be with the Indians, at least for now.

DiGiovanna notes that Abreu is in today's lineup, and Heyman tweets that the deal fell apart:

Hearing abreu deal fell apart. #indians, #angels

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) March 30, 2012

DiGiovanna adds that the Angels have confirmed Jason Isringhausen has made the team:

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The Minnesota Twins have traded for Matt Rizzotti of the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Jeff Shuler of The Morning Call. Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting the deal is for cash considerations.

Rizzotti traded to twins. Details to come

— jeff schuler (@jschulermc) March 30, 2012

Rizzotti is a 26 year-old first baseman out of the Phillies' system. He was originally drafted in 2004 by the Minnesota Twins (46th round!), and again by the Phillies in 2007 (6th round). In five minor league seasons, Rizzotti has compiled an eye-opening .292 / .388 / .482, with 24 home runs in Double-A Reading last season.

The move potentially brings the first baseman back to the team that originally drafted him in the Twins, and might give the club another option if Justin Morneau, and presumably Chris Parmalee, don't work out.

While the biggest news around the New York Mets remains the Wilpon story and things the team didn't do (sorry, Reyes fans), that doesn't mean the team is radio silent. Here's the latest:

• R.A. Dickey hopes his option for 2013 is picked up, according to Mike Puma of the NY POST: "According to a source, team brass has already begun discussing various possibilities — with no resolution — on which direction to move with Dickey, who is signed through this season, with the Mets holding an option for 2013."
• NY Mets keep Mike Baxter and Mike Nickeas on official roster, send Adam Loewen and others down to the minors - NY Daily News
  "As the Daily News first reported they would do, the team chose Mike Baxter over Adam Loewen as its lefthanded bench bat, sending Loewen to minor league camp. Baxter will make the club unless the Mets make an acquisition from outside the organization."
• NY Mets front office considered releasing Michael Pelfrey before Opening Day - NY Daily News
  "In a recent meeting that included the Mets’ executives and coaches, members of the front office suggested releasing Mike Pelfrey before Opening Day, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation. None of the uniformed staff was in favor of the idea, and it was downplayed."
• Amazin' Avenue reviews yesterday's 9-1 Spring Training win over the Astros.
• New York Mets Complete Organizational Chart - MLB Daily Dish
  A complete, live chart of the New York Mets organization -- leadership, rosters, salaries, arbitration and options, as well as prospect rankings.

The Texas Rangers are set to release Brad Hawpe, according to multiple sources (first reported by Richard Durrett of ESPN). Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is saying that the Rangers release of Hawpe gives him a chance to find a big league job, and that he didn't want to play in Triple-A:

Brad Hawpe released by #Rangers, who are giving him chance to find big-league job. Wasn't going to make roster, didn't want to go to AAA.

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) March 30, 2012

Hawpe was signed to a minor league deal by the Rangers back in January:

• Texas Rangers, Brad Hawpe Agree to Minor League Deal - MLB Daily Dish (Jan 20)
  "Hawpe is entering his 9th season as a career .276 / .368 / .480 hitter, but might be seeing that power evaporate after both being injured and leaving Coors. If he does get a shot in Arlington, he'll be looking to return to that good average/20+ homer guy he was with the Rockies."
  

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves are both looking for outfield help, according to Ken Rosenthal. The Braves will be without B.J. Upton and Sam Fuld while they're on the disabled list.

Rosenthal notes that the Braves are specifically looking for a left-fielder "type," which must mean defense isn't a priority (or hitting is a focus), and that they'd prefer a right-hander.

Add #Rays to list of clubs trying to add an outfielder. Upton, Fuld will open on DL. #Braves also looking for LF type, preferably RH.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 30, 2012

Today was a fantastic day if you're into baseball rumors, moves, and general end-of-spring-training craziness.

The Marlins released Aaron Rowand, likely signaling the end of his career, the Indians DFA'd Rick VandenHurk, the Cubs demoted Randy Wells and Travis Wood, the Orioles made a couple moves, the Nationals signed Zach Duke, the Brewers signed just-released Jason Jaramillo, Juan Pierre made the Phillies roster, the Rangers are reportedly looking for a spork and are willing to trade relievers, and finally the Angels/Indians are closing in on a trade of Bobby Abreu as I'm writing this. Like I said, if you're into this stuff (and you are because you're here), today was heaven.

Tonight's OT is the premier of Jersey Shore graduate PaulyD's new show on MTV, The PaulyD Project, which starts in about 20 minutes. Apparently he's actually a DJ and just signed with 50-Cent (sidenote: someday we should look at the music industry and compare major/indie labels to major/minor leagues, with a special shot at fans of each), and the show follows Mr. Blowout on his tour accompanying Britney Spears. Sounds fascinating.

If none of the previous makes any sense, that's ok. This is tonight's open thread, talk about whatever you'd like.

The Los Angeles Angels are on the verge of trading Bobby Abreu to the Cleveland Indians, according to Jon Heyman. This follows a report from earlier tonight in which Heyman was reporting that the Angels were looking to trade the 16-year vet.

The Angels will likely need to pay almost all of the Abreu's remaining salary of $9 million to finish off the trade, but the Indians badly need an outfielder so a trade makes sense, adds Heyman. Jordan Bastian of mlb.com is working to confirm the trade, but suggests that if Abreu can play in left field, he might work in a platoon with Shelley Duncan.

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The Los Angeles Angels are trying trade Bobby Abreu, according to Jon Heyman. The Angels would have to swallow the vast majority of the remaining $9 million on his contract to find a taker, Heyman adds:

#LAAngels trying to find trade for abreu. Would have to pay vast, vast majority of $9M deal if find taker.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) March 30, 2012

Abreu, the 38 year-old 16-year vet, is a career .293 / .397 / .481 hitter and has generated nearly 60 Wins Above Replacement while spending time with just 4 clubs -- the Houston Astros (2 years), Philadelphia Phillies (9 years), New York Yankees (3 years), and most recently, the Los Angeles Angels.

Now that the Angels have confidence in Kendrys Morales, the Angels just don't have enough at bats for Abreu, prompting their pursuit of a trade partner.

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The Chicago Cubs have released catcher Jason Jaramillo, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN. Carrie Muskat of mlb.com reports that Jaramillo has signed on with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jaramillo, a 29 year-old drafted in in the 2nd round of the 2004 draft, is just a three-year veteran with his entire professional resume with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 119 games he produced .235 / .293 / .327, just four home runs, and negative one win above replacement.

• Twitter / @ESPNChiCubs: Catcher Jason Jaramillo wa ...
  "Catcher Jason Jaramillo was released"
• Twitter / @CarrieMuskat: C Jason Jaramillo released ...
  "C Jason Jaramillo released. He had been in #Cubs Minor League camp. He's signed with #Brewers"
• Chicago Cubs Complete Organizational Chart - MLB Daily Dish
  A complete, live chart of the Chicago Cubs organization -- leadership, rosters, salaries, arbitration and options, as well as prospect rankings.

The Baltimore Orioles have claimed infielder Zelous Wheeler off of waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers, according to the teams. In a corresponding move, the Orioles have designated Dana Eveland for assignment to make room for on the 40-man. Wheeler will be optioned to Triple-A.

Wheeler, a 25 year-old from Alabama, was drafted in the 19th round of the 2007 draft. In five minor league seasons, Wheeler has compiled an o-k .271 / .371 / .408. This fulfills the Orioles' obligation to try at least one questionable/average/terrible infielder per month. That said, his On-Base is sound and he could provide value to the club if he sees time.

Eveland, a 28 year-old lefty, has 360 innings pitched over the course of seven seasons as a pro. He's seen his number of teams, too: six teams in seven years, including Oakland, Milwaukee, Arizona, Pittsburg, Los Angeles (Dodgers), and Toronto. His career ERA is 5.52 and he's compiled -1 win above replacement (which explains his numerous stops).