One thing I learned from our survey a few weeks ago is that some MLBTR readers are not clear on what is actually being offered in our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription service.
Aside from the eradication of ads from the website and the app, a paid subscription includes exclusive articles delivered to your inbox every week from Steve Adams and Anthony Franco. Maybe you’re just here for the headlines or the comment section, in which case this subscription service isn’t for you. But if you’re into high quality analysis of MLB trades and free agency, no one on the planet does it better than Steve and Anthony. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, because the subscription service also offers top-notch fantasy baseball advice from Brad Johnson, my MLB mailbag, and a weekly live chat with Anthony.
Here’s a taste of some of the content we sent to subscribers’ inboxes in April. If you feel that this sort of analysis might be worthwhile, please consider trying out Trade Rumors Front Office for a month for $2.99.
Recently from Steve Adams
The Strangest Thing About the Athletics
Excerpt:
Why on Earth have the Athletics completely eschewed long-term extensions for any of their young players?
The pressing issue is one of why the A’s aren’t regularly making efforts to sign players with less than a year of service, or one to two years of service, to long-term contracts that buy out their arbitration seasons and a free-agent year or two at an affordable rate. Contracts of that nature have been a hallmark of the Indians/Guardians franchise since the 1990s and have been the primary reason Cleveland has maintained a competitive presence in the American League Central despite routinely running payrolls south of $100MM. It’s the reason the Pirates were able to hang onto Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and now, Hayes, as long as they were. The Rays, another small-market, low-payroll club are also perennially active in this regard. Ditto the Marlins, who, even setting aside the Giancarlo Stanton mega-deal, have been active in this market.
Recently from Anthony Franco
It’s Time For The Royals To Bring Up Two More Top Prospects (from April 13)
Excerpt:
A lot has to go right for K.C. to contend in 2022, as mentioned. Much of that involves young players stepping up and playing towards the higher end of their possible outcomes. There’s more variance with prospects, but with the odds against them anyhow, the Royals should be willing to gamble on upside. In addition to perhaps making them better in 2022, getting an extended look at Pratto and Melendez now gives the front office a stronger indication of whether they can be relied upon as important pieces in 2023 — a year when the Royals will absolutely expect to contend.
At some point, Pratto and Melendez are sure to make their major league debuts. It’s not as if the Royals have tanked their chances by playing Santana and Dozier for a week. Calling them up and bumping the veterans to the bench (and O’Hearn off the roster, in all likelihood) just feels like a move that’s overdue.
Recently from Brad Johnson
Fantasy Baseball: 10 Widely Available Hot Performers
Excerpt:
Miles Mikolas, SP, STL (44% owned in fantasy leagues)
The five pitchers I’ve identified share several characteristics. Mikolas was a reliable core performer during his 2018-19 peak. Injuries cancelled his 2020 campaign and interrupted his 2021 season. The right-hander has produced strong results in three starts despite a couple red flags. In particular, he has a career-worst swinging strike rate, and he isn’t inducing enough ground balls. On the plus side, he remains one of the best pitchers in the league at generating called strikes. Among qualified pitchers, he ranks ninth in the league in called strike rate – and this is typical of him. If you see analysts predicting a complete collapse, this is the point of data they’re probably missing. That said, we should definitely expect closer to a 3.50-4.00 ERA going forward. He benefits from soft competition in the NL Central.
Recently from Tim Dierkes
MLB Mailbag: deGrom, Yankees, Jays Catching, Dalbec, Mets
Excerpt:
Scott asks:
What’s the chance the Mets don’t re-sign DeGrom after he opts out? Assuming they do sign him, what does that contract look like?
At this moment, I assume that deGrom expects to return in late May or early June and still plans to opt out. He signed his contract three years ago, and so much has changed since then: the Mets’ ownership, the new CBA, other pitchers’ contracts, his abilities, and his injury record.
The Mets’ CBT payroll goes down to $202MM for 2023 and about $128MM for ‘24, though that doesn’t include arbitration eligible players like Pete Alonso. I think Steve Cohen will make a serious effort to sign deGrom and has the inside track, but I also think there are scenarios where he decides to spend that money differently.
It’s difficult to compare Max Scherzer and deGrom, because Scherzer did not sign with deGrom’s health question marks. And even if deGrom returns in late May and doesn’t miss a start after that, it’d be a stretch to say that all concern about his future ability to stay healthy is gone. On the other hand, Scherzer signed for his age 37-39 seasons, which is inherently a health risk of its own.
If deGrom returns around June and stays healthy for the rest of the season, as his agent I’m setting out looking for a new AAV record and as many years as possible. Best pitcher in baseball, five months of good health, that’s the expectation. So we’re talking an AAV north of $43.3MM.
The new contract would start with deGrom’s age-35 season. We haven’t really seen a comparable contract start at that age. Even Hyun Jin Ryu starting at 33 was an outlier; it’s often 30-31. Then we have kind of the “old ace” contracts, like Scherzer’s deal or Justin Verlander getting a deal for age 37-38 and another one at age 39 (and 40 under certain conditions). DeGrom isn’t old like them, either.
Bottom line: something like $180MM over four years makes sense to me, if deGrom returns within six weeks or so and stays healthy and dominant. If his return from injury does not go perfectly, then the details and timing will determine the contract.
I’ll leave you with a real quote from a subscriber named Jason (you can read more here):
“The subscription service is well worth the price. The content and depth of analysis the writers provide on a plethora of issues is fascinating and eye opening. Adding the fantasy component too is a godsend for us fantasy junkies. It’s also wonderful to get to participate in the private chats and more often than not get my questions answered with responses that demonstrate great attention to detail and insight. I highly recommend the subscription. If you like baseball, you’ll love this service!”
Oh Boy Here We Go
After subscribing to MLBTR, I lost 50 lbs in 6 weeks. I spent so much time reading all the content I didn’t have as much time to eat. This is a real testimonial from a real user of the product. 100% verified results. Results may very. MLBTR is not responsible for itchy eyes, runny nose, death, injury, or any side effects from not eating.
jaysfansince1977
Why are you no longer subscribing? every subscriber has an icon by their name, you are obviously not a subscriber!
DrDan75
@jaysfan
I think he’s just trying to be funny. Personally I like all of the extras. I don’t consider myself as baseball savvy as many of the regular users here, but I love the game, love to learn and the “front office” feature helps me to become more knowledgeable.
jaysfansince1977
I love the extra’s offered with the subscription! I have never missed the weekly chat, I signed up the moment the monthly subscription was offered, I am on a fixed income so it was so much easier to fit into my budget! Keep up the good work guys!!!
boastrogot
do i get shadowban protection for $30/year
whyhayzee
I haven’t signed up yet because I want to make it to 36 years married. That’s 6 times 6 and the number 66 in APBA was almost always a home run. I do enjoy posting nonsense here so I probably should get one of those fancy icons by my name. The only drawback is I have no use for fancy baseball nor the Yankees. So some of the information is just a waste of my time. But otherwise, great stuff.
gbs42
They try to keep the “fancy baseball” coverage to a minimum, but the Yankees coverage is inevitable.
(We all know you meant fantasy baseball, but I couldn’t resist.)
The man with a plan
Honestly it’s kind of pointless. I go here for news and to pass the time reading chats, why would I pay for it? It’s just opinions from regular people who know about baseball. I might pay for something from a serious source like ESPN or something, but this is just a fun blog to read.
The fantasy stuff is especially useless. Razzball, Rotowire, ESPN there are so many sources I can get info from free. Look at this 10 available performers list, this is old news.
boastrogot
id rather pay for this than ESPN the mouse is trash and must be stopped
Halo11Fan
Why would you pay for something that provides a service that is well worth the cost?
If you don’t know the answer to that question, I can’t help you.
boastrogot
isnt his point that he wouldnt and isnt and wont
Halo11Fan
Boast. Fair enough. Financially I’m doing fine. If someone offers me value for a reasonable cost, I don’t mind giving them my financial support.
I got rid of ESPN years ago. ESPN has completely lost their way.
DonOsbourne
ESPN is a “serious source”? Laughable.
swinging wood
I just want to know. Is membership free of the jerks in the comment section?
My Strawman > Your Strawman
That would be heaven, but, no.
goob
Then again, there’s that awesome new mute button… 🙂
goob
For $2.99 a month, I’ve found the extra content and the elimination of ads are beautiful things. If, like me, you use the site year-round, you can pay the annual price, which comes to a whopping $2.50 a month. I love it.
Sebago7
I use the site year round. It is unique and it’s depth and expertise are very much appreciated. If you are a fan of the game you know being a paying member on this site is a bargain
You don’t having to be a paying user to enjoy but I don’t see how anyone can be critical of those who pay for the extra content
TalkingBaseball
I signed up because the free content is enough. I support these guys.
jbigz12
It’s almost robbery for me to not subscribe so I went ahead and did it. I make $2.99 in a few minutes of work and I certainly spend more than a few minutes of my life here a month.
Hopefully any other holdout cheapos like myself read this and support the guys!
TalkingBaseball
Exactly. As much effort as these guys put forth doing this any amount is small, but hugely valuable to any baseball fan.
bobtillman
Ny sex life has improved dramatically since I joined.
Of course. I’m alone most of the time.
jbigz12
NY sex life has improved dramatically since you joined?
Is that because Robbie cano has more time to explore his true passion now?
Wutntarnation
Does this transfer to the other sites also?
goob
You also get NFL/NBA/NHL Rumors ad-free with the MLBTR sub.
DBH1969
So if all the good stuff is saved only for the people who pay, should the rest of us who don’t pay stop coming to this site?
Tim Dierkes
I wouldn’t look at that way. More like I took some of the subscription revenue and specifically commissioned articles that would otherwise not exist. The free website didn’t lose anything from that, and I continue to spend money to improve it.
DBH1969
Good answer. Thanks for the reply.
Good luck 🙂