AmateurGm.com

The 2013 free agent outfielders’ class is more robust then many of the other positions this coming offseason. With stars like Josh Hamilton, Curtis Granderson and Michael Bourn potentially becoming available there will be a plethora of options and skill sets to choose from as general manager. Josh Hamilton is the cream of the crop. When healthy Hamilton’s offensive production is second to none. He has hit .292 with 35 home runs and 111 RBI in just 120 games so far this season. The biggest knock against Hamilton is that he cannot stay healthy. At 120 games played he is getting close to his career average of games played per season. He is currently making $13.75 million in 2012 and [...]

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• Category: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Free Agents, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers
• Tagged as Angel Pagan, B.J. Upton, Carlos Lee, Curtis Granderson, Delmon Young, Ichiro Suzuki, Josh Hamilton, Luke Scott, Marlon Byrd, Matt Diaz, Melky Cabrera, Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher, Reggie Willits, Ryan Spilborghs, Shane Victorino, Torii Hunter

The sun maybe setting on a dismal season for the Houston Astros but, a move to the American League, new ownership and clean slate may be just what they need to get the mission back on track. The Astros officially changed hands back in November of 2011. Houston business man Jim Crane purchased the team for $615 million. Crane received a discount when he agreed to move the team from the National League Central division to the American League West.  In moving the Astros to the AL, MLB has put into place a major overhaul of its playoff structure and season scheduling.  How does this effect new general manager Jeff Luhnow’s approach to putting a competitive team on the field. [...]

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• Category: Free Agents, Houston Astros
• Tagged as Brandon Lyon, Brett Myers, Carlos Lee, Chris Johnson, Hunter Pence, J.A. Happ, Jeff Luhnow, Jim Crane, Jonathan Singleton, Jose Altuve, Lance Berkman, Michael Bourn, Mike Elias, Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez

Stephen Strasburg Shutdown Day is quickly approaching. Mike Rizzo, GM of the Washington Nationals has drawn a line in the sand at 160 innings pitched for Strasburg this season. Many people in the baseball world have applauded and jeered this decision. Many Washington fans are concerned as this is the first time since 1933 a Washington team will make the playoffs. The Atlanta Braves have to be excited being only 5 games back. Sitting a dominant pitcher like Strasburg will give them a golden opportunity to make up some ground.

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• Category: Fantasy, Free Agents, Washington Nationals
• Tagged as Jordan Zimmermann, Josh Johnson, Kerry Wood, Mike Rizzo, Stephen Strasburg

The chase for the elusive defensive and offensive star catcher is a constant issue for most teams. Usually a GM doesn’t have a choice and elects to take the defensive back stop. This offseason there will be some interesting options on the table. The first name that jumps off this list is Mike Napoli. He has a reputation of being a poor defensive backstop. Mike Scioscia, a good defensive catcher in his own day, had the option of holding onto Napoli when he was with the Angels back in 2010. Scioscia cited Napoli’s durability and injury history as a main source for choosing to go a different direction. There is no argument that when healthy Napoli is a top tier [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Free Agents, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays
• Tagged as A.J. Pierzynski, Brian McCann, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Iannetta, David Ross, Humberto Quintero, Jeff Mathis, Miguel Olivo, Mike Napoli, Ronny Paulino, Russell Martin, Wil Nieves, Yorvit Torrealba

The 2013 third base free agent class has some potential compared some of the other infield positions. David Wright’s contract option will be picked up without question. Chipper Jones has been adamant that he will retire at the end of the season. I don’t see him going back on this and if he did he would never sign anywhere other than Atlanta. Kevin Youkilis on the other hand is intriguing. He is having a subpar season hitting only .239 in 301 at bats. He had a falling out with Bobby Valentine and the Red Sox earlier in the season prompting Kenny Williams of the White Sox to swoop in and scoop him up. His numbers have improved some with the [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Free Agents, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies
• Tagged as Brandon Inge, Chipper Jones, David Wright, Geoff Blum, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Machado, Mark Reynolds, Miguel Cairo, Placido Polanco, Scott Rolen, Todd Fraizer

The potential shortstop marketing this coming offseason is a little light. The only two bright spots have options on their contracts. Stephen Drew is a servicable shortstop but like his older brother J.D., Stephen has been very injury prone over the course of his career. Jhonny Peralta has always provided a decent offensive threat at shortstop however, I am not conviced that this potential threat is worth the defensive liability Peralta brings to the table. Detroit will most likely retain him. * – player whose currently has an option for the 2013 season. Jason Bartlett * Geoff Blum Stephen Drew * Jhonny Peralta * Luis Rodriguez Ryan Theriot

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Free Agents, San Diego Padres
• Tagged as Geoff Blum, Jhonny Peralta, Luis Rodriguez, Ryan Theriot, Stephen Drew

The free agent class of 2013 looks to be a little light in the first base department. Last season saw big names like Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder on the market. Those teams looking to upgrade at the number three position will have to do so from within the organization or through trade. The list of free agent first basemen below have contracts that expire and/or have six years of major league baseball service required to become free agents prior to the 2013 season. * – player whose currently have an option for the 2013 season. Travis Hafner * Adam LaRoche * Ty Wigginton * Carlos Lee James Loney Aubrey Huff *

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• Category: Cleveland Indians, Free Agents, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants
• Tagged as Aubrey Huff, Carlos Lee, James Loney, Travis Hafner, Ty Wiggington

Respected ESPN baseball insider Buster Olney created quite a buzz in the Phillies and Cardinals’ camps this past weekend. Olney reported his sources were telling him that the Philadelphia Phillies were having internal discussions about a blockbuster trade of Ryan Howard (1B) for Albert Pujols (1B). While Olney said the Phillies were not prepared to approach the Cardinals with the proposal, the mere thought of these internal discussions being reported has raised some eyebrows in both camps. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro was adamant that these discussions have not taken place and questioned who Olney was getting his information from. When questioned by reporters on the topic, both Pujols and Howard didn’t put much stock into the rumor and expected to [...]

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• Category: Fantasy, Free Agents, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Rumors, St. Louis Cardinals, Teams, Toronto Blue Jays
• Tagged as Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Buster Olney, Matt Holliday, roy halladay, Ruben Amaro, Ryan Howard

Tim Marchman of Sports Illustrated recently ranks all 30 Major League General Managers. So we must ask ourselves how do you measure a GM’s success? Is it dollars spent per win? Playoff appearances? Do you take into account the minor league system and player development? The Twins may not be a power house but they have been a very successful team. Ultimately the goal of every team is to win the World Series. However, I am not convinced that this is a sign of a good GM. Guys like Theo Epstein of the Boston Red Sox and Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees, who get a bunch of blank checks every season seem to have an advantage over the [...]

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• Category: Boston Red Sox, Free Agents, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, Teams
• Tagged as Alex Anthopolous, Andrew Friedman, Andy MacPhail, Bill Smith, Billy Beane, Brian Cashman, Brian Sabean, Dan O'Dowd, Dave Dombrowski, Dayton Moore, Doug Melvin, Ed Wade, Frank Wren, General Manager, gm, Jack Zduriencik, Jed Hoyer, Jim Hendry, John Mozeliak, Jon Daniels, Josh Byrnes, kenny williams, Larry Beinfest, Mark Shapiro, Mike Rizzo, Neal Huntington, Ned Colletti, Omar Minaya, Ruben Amaro Jr, Theo Epstein, Tony Reagins, Walt Jocketty

The Detroit Tigers and free agent Johnny Damon agreed to a 1 year $8 million dollar deal today.  Damon who has spent the majority of this off season on the sidelines due to his contract demands finally settled for patrolling left field in Motown this season. Damon had originally been seeking a 2 year $14 million dollar deal and wanted to return to the Bronx, but Brian Cashman went another direction and signed outfielder Randy Winn to replace Damon. There was quite a bit of confusion as to what was actually offered to Damon by the Yankees. Scott Boras said that the Yankees never submitted a formal offer to his client.The Chicago White Sox were actually rumored to be involved [...]

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• Category: Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Fantasy, Free Agents, New York Yankees, Teams
• Tagged as Brian Cashman, Jeremy Bonderman, Johnny Damon, kenny williams, Magglio Ordonez, Nate Robertson, Randy Winn, Scott Boras