Tag: FanGraphs
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Why the Baltimore Orioles Committed to Pete Alonso
In perhaps the most shocking storyline of the MLB free agency period thus far, former Mets 1B Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a 5-year/$155M contract. After missing out on a lucrative deal last year, Pete proved why he should’ve been locked up long-term last winter. Why did Baltimore feel comfortable doing this?…
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Why the Blue Jays Might’ve Just Made the Signing of the Winter On Just a $10M salary
180.2 innings.1.89 ERA.252 strikeouts.41 walks.128 hits.17 wins.1 loss. Reigning Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) MVP Cody Ponce just turned those numbers into 3 years and $30M with the Toronto Blue Jays. It’s the largest contract for a pitcher returning from Korea, doubling the previous $15M record held by Erick Fedde. Fresh off a World Series appearance…
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Explaining why the Mets signed ex-Yankees closer Devin Williams.
The Mets have signed a closer. No, his name is not Edwin Díaz. It’s Devin Williams. The former Brewer and Yankee has signed a contract with the New York Mets, giving the team some stability in their rocky bullpen that is currently in the process of potentially losing its crown jewel in Díaz. David Stearns,…
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Orioles sign closer Ryan Helsley: Why This Agreement Happened
Perhaps the biggest contract for a pitcher was given out by the Toronto Blue Jays to starter Dylan Cease. Although this contract seems insignificant in relation to Cease’s, Ryan Helsley joining another AL East team could weigh similarly in terms of importance to the organization that signed him. The Baltimore Orioles feel they have a…
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Why the Toronto Blue Jays are committing to SP Dylan Cease
Toronto was rumored to be planning a splash this free agency and they may have proven that with the signing of the possible top starting pitcher on the market: 29-year-old right-hander Dylan Cease. Originally drafted in the 6th round in the 2014 draft by the Cubs, Cease bounced to the South Side Sox as a…
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Why the Red Sox and Cardinals Agreed to a Sonny Gray trade
Jon Heyman via X dropped the news that St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray had been traded to the Boston Red Sox. You felt like this was coming for the Red Sox in that they were going to make a run either at a premier free agent starter or be active on the trade…
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An Analysis on Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani winning the AL and NL MVPs
The “99” in pinstripes and “17” in Dodger blue continue to prove they are two of the most legendary figures in not only baseball, but all of sport. Aaron Judge just won his 3rd AL MVP after another incredible season in 2025, Shohei Ohtani his 4th NL MVP. Two of the premier sluggers the game…
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Lessons in Sabermetrics: Expected Stats (xBA, xSLG, xwOBA, xERA)
With the introduction of Statcast technology in 2015, MLB evaluators have been able to unlock a new level of analysis. Understanding exit velocity, launch angle, spin rate or sprint speed allows students of the game to realize where certain players outshine others. If you watch enough baseball, you quickly learn there is much luck involved…
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Should the Mets re-sign Pete Alonso?
* I acknowledge my bias as a Mets fan, but I tried to be as objective as possible. Would re-signing Pete Alonso make sense for the Mets? The 30-year-old first baseman of the New York Mets will likely opt out of his $24 million player option for 2026 in search of a longer-term contract. He…
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Lessons in Sabermetrics: OPS and OPS+
If you didn’t read my post on slash lines, I highly suggest you do so that you have a general idea of what concepts we’ll be referencing a lot in this one. OPS has taken a major foothold in Major League Baseball recently. In fact, when I’ve gone to watch the Mets play at Citi…
Inner Half 