McCabe Magazine TWIB NOTES
McCabe Magazine’s “TWIB notes” This Week In Baseball.
Flip Gibson (COL) record setting hit streak ends at 36
games at Wrigley Field in a 9-4 lost to the Cubs. Sam “NSC” Willie of McCabe
Magazine, ESPN’s Peter Gammons, Tom Verducci color analysts at Fox Sports, and
several local media beat writers waited for Gibson outside the Rockies locker
room for 45 minutes when Colorado PR director informed the media that Gibson
had left the ball park after smashing a Cubs water cooler on his way to a
waiting Uber.
Walt Betancourt (CLE) a 24 year-old second-basemen playing for
the Columbus Clippers (45-25), an AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, has
hit in 38 games this season. Betancourt told us in a 55 minute telephone
interview about each hit in mind-numbing detail. I would love to share his
account of the hit streak, however that would be virtually impossible because I
didn’t write any of the crap down and couldn’t wait to get off the phone, talk
about LONG WINDED, my goodness. We also included a minor league Stat of the Day
listed below.
A look back at the McCabe Magazine Season 35 Predictions
With 69 games played, we here at McCabe Magazine though it would be
nice to "pat ourselves on the back" and look back at our season 35 preview issue to see what great baseball
minds are laboring here at the Robert E. McCabe Magazine. In the American
League we correctly predicted 3 of the 4 division leaders, Milwaukee,
Washington, and Anaheim. St Louis was our selection to win the AL South division is currently in third place 9 games behind division leader Kansas City. In
the National League we also accurately selected 3 of the 4 division leaders
with Pittsburgh, Richmond, and Seattle. Cleveland, our preseason choice to win
the NL North is presently 8 games behind division leader Chicago Cubs. Our
Wildcard selections in the AL are looking really good with Kansas City and
Houston making the playoffs if the season ended today. However in the National
League our picks of Colorado and Philadelphia would be on the outside looking
in if the season finished today. Those two wildcard spots would go to Arizona
and Cleveland.
Who is the Highest Paid Player?
Today I was sitting in my office when I got a call from one
of my more reliable league sources who informed me that cash strapped Boston Red Sox was
looking to dump salary by trading highly paid pitcher
Santos Rodriguez who is on the last year of a contract that pays him a
whopping $17,000,000.00. I could say a lot about that contract, however league rules prevent me from doing so, and I really don't want to get in trouble with the commish. That said, Rodriguez salary got me to thinking, who is the highest paid
player in major league baseball, well you ask and you shall receive, Listed below you’ll
find the top 50 paid player in the major leagues.
| Rank |
|
Level |
Pos |
Age |
ML Years |
Pro Years |
Annual Salary |
| 1 |
Al Oliva (R) |
Florida Marlins |
P |
31 |
9 |
13 |
$20.0M |
| 2 |
Mariano Elcano (L) |
Anaheim Angels |
P |
34 |
11 |
16 |
$18.9M |
| 3 |
Santos Rodriguez (R) |
Boston Red Sox |
P |
36 |
13 |
17 |
$17.0M |
|
Olmedo Espinoza (R) |
Boston Red Sox |
RF |
29 |
8 |
11 |
$17.0M |
| 5 |
Lastings O'Brien (R) |
Colorado Rockies |
P |
37 |
15 |
19 |
$14.8M |
| 6 |
Storm Weaver (S) |
Tampa Bay Rays |
RF |
34 |
12 |
15 |
$14.4M |
| 7 |
Kordell Watson (R) |
San Francisco Giants |
P |
35 |
10 |
14 |
$13.0M |
| 8 |
Richie Brush (S) |
Houston Astros |
3B |
31 |
9 |
13 |
$12.6M |
| 9 |
Carlos DeRojas (R) |
Philadelphia Phillies |
P |
39 |
18 |
21 |
$12.3M |
| 10 |
Charlie Graves (L) |
Los Angeles Dodgers |
P |
31 |
7 |
9 |
$11.5M
|
| 11 |
Don Fujikawa (R) |
Kansas City |
3B |
32 |
9 |
13 |
$11.4M |
| 12 |
Vasco Marquez (L) |
San Diego Padres |
P |
32 |
10 |
14 |
$11.3M |
| 13 |
Wilkin Lopez (R) |
Kansas City |
2B |
31 |
9 |
12 |
$10.3M |
| 14 |
Benj Winn (R) |
San Diego Padres |
P |
35 |
10 |
13 |
$10.0M |
|
Bartolo Hernandez (L) |
Washington Nationals |
3B |
30 |
8 |
11 |
$10.0M |
| 16 |
Andres Figureoa (R) |
Anaheim Angels |
P |
34 |
8 |
13 |
$9.6M |
| 17 |
Charley Reynolds (R) |
Milwaukee Brewers |
2B |
32 |
12 |
14 |
$9.5M |
|
Jerry Huskey (R) |
New York Yankees |
2B |
29 |
5 |
9 |
$9.5M |
|
Lorenzo Vega (R) |
San Francisco Giants |
P |
34 |
12 |
15 |
$9.5M |
| 20 |
Kid Richard (L) |
Milwaukee Brewers |
P |
35 |
14 |
17 |
$9.3M |
| 21 |
Raymond Wall (L) |
Washington Nationals |
RF |
34 |
13 |
16 |
$9.1M |
| 22 |
Mike Nessy (R) |
Cleveland Indians |
RF |
28 |
5 |
10 |
$9.0M |
|
Adam Bradford (R) |
St Louis Cardinals |
P |
35 |
13 |
16 |
$9.0M |
| 24 |
Juan Pena (R) |
Anaheim Angels |
P |
31 |
10 |
11 |
$8.9M |
| 25 |
Hulk Gumbs (R) |
Cincinnati Reds |
SS |
26 |
4 |
8 |
$8.8M |
|
Juan Benitez (R) |
Houston Astros |
SS |
28 |
7 |
10 |
$8.8M |
|
Pascual Fuentes (S) |
Houston Astros |
LF |
32 |
8 |
10 |
$8.8M |
| 28 |
Timothy Mays (R) |
Florida Marlins |
P |
32 |
9 |
13 |
$8.5M |
|
Birdie Bolick (L) |
Kansas City |
1B |
29 |
7 |
11 |
$8.5M |
|
Danny Gordon (L) |
St Louis Cardinals |
SS |
29 |
6 |
11 |
$8.5M |
| 31 |
Louie Rosa (R) |
St Louis Cardinals |
1B |
26 |
6 |
8 |
$8.4M |
| 32 |
Andres Padilla (R) |
Arizona Diamondbacks |
SS |
28 |
6 |
10 |
$8.3M |
|
Trey Browne (R) |
New York Mets |
2B |
29 |
6 |
9 |
$8.3M |
|
Domingo Liriano (R) |
Oakland Athletics |
3B |
32 |
8 |
11 |
$8.3M |
|
Marino Martin (S) |
Richmond Virginians |
P |
24 |
3 |
6 |
$8.3M |
|
Sammy Petersen (L) |
Rochester Broncos |
CF |
31 |
9 |
13 |
$8.3M |
|
Jose Valdes (R) |
Seattle Mariners |
LF |
30 |
6 |
8 |
$8.3M |
| 38 |
David Oliva (R) |
Oakland Athletics |
2B |
27 |
6 |
9 |
$8.2M |
| 39 |
Willie Fernandez (R) |
Arizona Diamondbacks |
RF |
33 |
8 |
12 |
$8.0M |
|
Bryce Smalling (L) |
Chicago White Sox |
LF |
28 |
7 |
10 |
$8.0M |
|
Robinson Blume (R) |
New York Yankees |
2B |
31 |
8 |
13 |
$8.0M |
| 42 |
Luke Hudson (L) |
Richmond Virginians |
LF |
28 |
5 |
10 |
$8.0M |
| 43 |
Alejandro Gonzalez (R) |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
3B |
32 |
12 |
14 |
$7.9M |
| 44 |
Al Garces (L) |
Oakland Athletics |
P |
33 |
10 |
14 |
$7.8M |
|
Pedro Manuel (R) |
San Diego Padres |
P |
38 |
14 |
15 |
$7.8M |
|
Tim Nixon (L) |
Seattle Mariners |
RF |
28 |
5 |
10 |
$7.8M |
| 47 |
Del Wulf (L) |
Cincinnati Reds |
SS |
31 |
9 |
13 |
$7.7M |
| 48 |
Bartolo Hernandez (R) |
Arizona Diamondbacks |
CF |
30 |
7 |
11 |
$7.5M |
|
Terry Campbell (S) |
Washington Nationals |
P |
30 |
8 |
12 |
$7.5M |
| 50 |
Paul Stafford (L) |
Milwaukee Brewers |
LF |
33 |
12 |
15 |
$7.4M |
Other Major League Rumors
The Anaheim Angels or trying to move fan favorite 23
year-old
Pedro Ynoa (LF).
He debuted in season 34, hitting 19 HR with 51 RBI in 90 games and stole 12
bases in 13 attempts. This year he has recorded 16 HR, 48 RBI and 12 SB in 14
attempts. This rumor has been circulating for some time and he hasn’t been
dealt. Which means the Angels are asking too much, or they are being low
balled. He is the best player on the major league trading block.
The Cardinals want to move season 31 Cy Young award winner
Dioner Vizquel (P). In season
33 Vizquel has worked mainly out of the bullpen in a long-relieve role. The
only thing we think is holding this transaction up is the 3 years remaining on
his contract that pays him $5.4 M. St Louis is looking for younger starting
pitching.
Wilin
Gonzalez (CF) of the
San Francisco Giants was on the trade block earlier this season. When
the club didn’t get any suitors he was designated for assignment, cleared waivers
and demoted to AAA in order to make room for season 33 first round draft pick
Breland Taijeron (L). The rookie has 2 HR 7 RBI
242 BA in 18 games with a .777 OPS since the call up.
The Cubs are shopping
Carlos Solis (LF). He has hit
26 or more Home Runs every season since his season 31 since joining the big club. Solis has 21 HR
this season in 74 games and should easily hit the 40 HR plateau.
Paul
Stafford (LF) was added to the trade block by the
Brewers. He is a
career 300 hitter and stolen 355 bases in his 12 major league seasons. They are
looking for prospects, or a LF with a better glove.
Toronto is shopping AAA prospects
Maicer Borbon (RF) and
Giancarlo Cisnero (LF). We
think the light hitting Borbon is the better prospect of the two. However, both
players have played 5 seasons in the minors with Cisnero hitting 213 HR 692 RBI
3 SB 17 CS and a minor league career BA of 297, 960 OPS. He has zero All-Star
appearances and no awards at that level. Borbon has 87 HR 442 RBI 298 BA 914 OPS and an
eye popping 171 SB 49 CS. He also has 2 All-Stars appearances and one Silver Slugger award
at AA.
STAT OF THE DAY DOWN ON THE FARM
|
Minor League Leaders OPS
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TOP 10 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rank |
Player | Level |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
OPS |
| 1 |
Cy Welsh (ROC) |
Low A |
271 |
93 |
104 |
33 |
12 |
22 |
87 |
1.323 |
| 2 |
Shawn Camp (LAA) |
AAA |
284 |
87 |
105 |
16 |
0 |
36 |
109 |
1.262 |
| 3 |
Jeimer Bennett (TEX) |
AA |
236 |
52 |
92 |
18 |
2 |
22 |
54 |
1.229 |
| 4 |
Jorel Chiasson (CH1) |
Low A |
283 |
75 |
97 |
35 |
5 |
25 |
79 |
1.204 |
| 5 |
Paco De Aza (RIC) |
Low A |
263 |
64 |
100 |
33 |
3 |
19 |
74 |
1.170 |
| 6 |
John Nunnally (LA) |
Low A |
214 |
56 |
75 |
20 |
1 |
17 |
66 |
1.163 |
| 7 |
Robert Kirkman (TB) |
AA |
201 |
38 |
71 |
25 |
0 |
16 |
49 |
1.154 |
| 8 |
Edgar Alvarez (PIT) |
AAA |
306 |
70 |
119 |
28 |
0 |
23 |
74 |
1.152 |
| 9 |
Zachary Nilsson (DET) |
Low A |
266 |
47 |
105 |
25 |
0 |
16 |
64 |
1.140 |
| 10 |
Rusney Diaz (PIT) |
AAA |
271 |
68 |
87 |
14 |
2 |
27 |
73 |
1.134 |
|
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|
The Next 15 |
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|
| Rank |
Player |
Level |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
OPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
Trace Garvin (SEA) |
High A |
244 |
66 |
83 |
31 |
4 |
14 |
63 |
1.130 |
| 12 |
Chad Venters (CH1) |
High A |
276 |
65 |
93 |
15 |
0 |
28 |
81 |
1.129 |
| 13 |
Harvey Taylor (STL) |
AA |
286 |
58 |
88 |
14 |
1 |
39 |
94 |
1.127 |
| 14 |
Joe Gaillard (RIC) |
Low A |
231 |
59 |
87 |
19 |
4 |
12 |
60 |
1.112 |
| 15 |
Russell Maas (WAS) |
High A |
245 |
62 |
82 |
16 |
0 |
23 |
77 |
1.108 |
|
Braulio Perez (MIL) |
Low A |
277 |
77 |
83 |
16 |
1 |
32 |
94 |
1.108 |
| 17 |
Jeimer Andujar (MIL) |
High A |
214 |
39 |
73 |
20 |
1 |
20 |
73 |
1.107 |
| 18 |
Hunter McLemore (ATL) |
AAA |
205 |
47 |
64 |
6 |
1 |
24 |
54 |
1.099 |
| 19 |
Freddie Osborne (COL) |
Low A |
187 |
43 |
63 |
18 |
1 |
14 |
48 |
1.095 |
| 20 |
Nash Matthes (NY1) |
AAA |
251 |
58 |
77 |
4 |
2 |
30 |
77 |
1.093 |
| 21 |
Louis Barkley (MIL) |
AAA |
289 |
60 |
101 |
25 |
1 |
23 |
69 |
1.089 |
| 22 |
Alex Javier (CH1) |
AAA |
264 |
64 |
87 |
17 |
6 |
18 |
60 |
1.076 |
| 23 |
Clarence Kramer (ARI) |
Low A |
264 |
53 |
88 |
21 |
2 |
23 |
87 |
1.074 |
| 24 |
Mike Park (CIN) |
High A |
278 |
53 |
92 |
22 |
4 |
23 |
76 |
1.068 |
| 25 |
Red Dunham (BAL) |
High A |
260 |
54 |
84 |
19 |
0 |
25 |
78 |
1.063 |
|
Minor League Leaders WHIP |
|
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|
TOP 10 |
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|
| Rank |
Player |
Level |
GS |
CG |
W |
L |
|
WHIP |
ERA |
| 1 |
Victor Diaz (SEA) |
AA |
14 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
|
0.80 |
1.90 |
| 2 |
Gerry Counsell (PHI) |
AA |
15 |
0 |
12 |
1 |
|
0.95 |
1.39 |
| 3 |
Tony Park (SEA) |
AA |
14 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
|
0.97 |
2.25 |
| 4 |
Harvey Schrenk (CIN) |
Low A |
12 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
|
0.98 |
2.85 |
| 5 |
Wilking Reynoso (NY1) |
AA |
14 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
|
0.99 |
1.52 |
| 6 |
Fergie Sauveur (SEA) |
High A |
14 |
0 |
8 |
4 |
|
1.00 |
2.51 |
| 7 |
Aaron Jackson (RIC) |
AA |
15 |
3 |
13 |
1 |
|
1.01 |
2.00 |
| 8 |
Victor Kydd (STL) |
AAA |
14 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
|
1.02 |
2.46 |
| 9 |
Jerome Gibson (CH1) |
AAA |
14 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
|
1.03 |
2.64 |
|
Marvin Hooper (LAA) |
AA |
13 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
|
1.03 |
1.84 |
|
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The Next 15 |
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|
| Rank |
Player |
Level |
GS |
CG |
W |
L |
|
WHIP |
ERA |
| 11 |
Willie Perez (CIN) |
High A |
12 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
|
1.03 |
3.16 |
| 12 |
Karim Espinosa (PHI) |
AAA |
12 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
1.04 |
2.65 |
| 13 |
Nate Gardner (RIC) |
AA |
14 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
|
1.05 |
2.63 |
|
Jhonatan Bethancourt (KC) |
High A |
12 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
1.05 |
3.23 |
|
Elian Hernandez (ARI) |
Low A |
14 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
|
1.05 |
3.45 |
| 16 |
Andres Arias (KC) |
Low A |
14 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
|
1.06 |
2.47 |
| 17 |
Roy Cloud (MIL) |
Low A |
10 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
|
1.07 |
2.39 |
| 18 |
Eddie Brinkley (NY1) |
AAA |
12 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
|
1.08 |
4.06 |
|
Jerry Cron (FLA) |
Low A |
14 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
|
1.08 |
1.80 |
|
Buddy Bell (MIN) |
Low A |
15 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
|
1.08 |
2.54 |
| 21 |
Paul May (LAA) |
AA |
12 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
|
1.09 |
2.02 |
|
Geovany Tabata (CH1) |
AA |
15 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
|
1.09 |
3.10 |
|
Francis Gattis (MIL) |
AA |
12 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
|
1.09 |
2.65 |
|
Jose Diaz (ARI) |
High A |
13 |
1 |
9 |
4 |
|
1.09 |
2.65 |
|
Rubi Pineiro (CIN) |
High A |
12 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
|
1.09 |
2.24 |
| | | | | | | | | |
