AGRI Biz

Elijah Dukes is out a job. Projected as the starting right fielder this season for the Washington Nationals, after a poor season last year and poorer spring, Dukes was released. Because he's been known as a "troubled" player throughout his career, it's hard not to believe this is a personal problem. A reporter on Twitter says that's not the case (for what that's worth). I, however, tend to agree with this tweet—there is ...

Jermaine Dye hit 27 HR last season. That's tied for 37th most home runs among players in either league last year, one less than Joe Mauer and one more than Justin Upton. And he has no job. Joe Pawlikowski did a good job breaking down why Dye doesn't have a job on FanGraphs . To recap for the lazy, he had a terrible second half and his defense is utter ...

When the season began, we thought we knew who the best third basemen were. But pride before the fall seasons humble pie only with bitterness. á The names David Wright, Aramis Ramirez, and Chipper Jones are dust in the mouths of those who spoke their names on draft day. Stricken by environment, injury, and age, they have become weak. á A new day has dawned in the National League, and the golden rays of ...

For the third time in the teamÆs 17-year history, the Colorado Rockies are going to the playoffs. á They took the lead in the first inning and never gave it up in last nightÆs win over the Brewers, ensuring their spot in the postseason. á After a losing season in 2008 and an 8-12 April, it didnÆt look like they would be here. But an incredible 44-27 (.620) record after the break has clinched ...

Garrett Jones hit his 21st home run and stole his 10th base today, prompting stunned box score readers to ask their roommates: ôHey, have you heard of this guy Jonesáfrom the Pirates?ö á Jones is a 28-year-old rookie, which is like being a 35-year-old virgin in baseball. Yes, it might still happen, but it better happen soon or youÆre going to have to give up the dream. á And yet, Jones leads rookies in ...

The Atlanta Braves have a playoff-worthy rotation, with a triumvirate of aces in Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, and Tommy Hanson. Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson have both been number ones in their time, and are likely solid two/three types going forward.   These are the five best pitchers in Atlanta, but that still leaves first-year Japanese import Kenshin Kawakami. What do you do with Double K?     What’s a Kawakami?   Although he can’t crack the ...

The Washington Nationals need to improve in a lot of places, but none so much as starting pitching. They do, however, have one valuable commodity in Adam Dunn—a premier slugger with one year left on a reasonable contract. He is prime trade bait.   The Rays are a very good team caught in the toughest division in the league. They went looking for a middle of the order slugger last off-season, but ...

It’s shaggy heart and soul versus close-cropped nerdy chic; power versus speed; defense versus hitting. Andre Ethier recorded his sixth walk-off hit, most in the majors, and 30th home run on Sept. 15.  Matt Kemp recorded his 90th RBI on Sept. 11 and 90th run scored Sept. 18, one of only 15 players in the majors to reach both milestones this season, and the only one on the Dodgers. Kemp has hit over .300 ...

Everybody loves the Flyin’ Hawaiian, and Raul Ibanez got lots of ink for his big first half, but the Sarge has quietly put up the best season of the three Phillies outfielders.   Here’s a quick comparison:   Jayson Werth:   .272/.373/.526 OPS .899 34 HR, 88 RBI, 90 R, 13 SB  2.5 UZR/150 2009 35.6 UZR/150 2008 37.7 UZR/150 2007   Raul Ibanez:   .280/.350/.567 OPS .918 31 HR, 86 RBI, 83 R, 4 SB 5.1 UZR/150 2009 -10.4 UZR/150 2008 -23.3 UZR/150 2007   Shane Victorino:   .298/.364/.456 OPS .820 10 HR, 58 RBI, ...

Tommy Hanson won his 10th game yesterday, mowing down the Mets lineup. In a season full of breakout rookie starters, has he been the best?   First, to put how good this year’s class of rookie starters is in perspective, let’s look at some numbers:   5: Rookie starters with an ERA under 3.50 6: Rookie starters with 100 or more K’s 7: Rookie starters with quality starts in more than half their starts 8: Rookie starters ...