I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend, here's Monday's edition of Saber-Links:
Eric Seidman of FanGraphs looks at cheaper comparables to Cody Ross that will be available this offseason: Cody Ross, But Cheaper | FanGraphs Baseball
Signing Ross is a perfectly suitable decision this offseason, but some teams might be better-suited to find a more cost-efficient alternative or the next Ross, as opposed to the outfielder himself.
R. J. Anderson of Baseball Prospectus analyzes the Starlin Castro contract extension: Baseball Prospectus | Transaction Analysis: The Stars are Re-Signed
Extending a two-time All-Star requires capital more than intellect. The Cubs have always had the former. Don’t let Castro’s relatively down season fool you, however. Chicago did not receive a discount. Not when Castro’s deal is compared to the six-year, $50 million extension signed by Justin Upton in March 2010. The parallels between Castro and Upton extend beyond the average annual value. Both were 22 year olds teeming with Hall of Fame-caliber upside when they signed their deals.
Steve Treder of the Hardball Times discusses the NL West race and how Melky's suspension affects it: NL West: a shift in the balance of power
Though a hot spurt along the lines of a 10-out-of-12 or 15-out-of-20 has eluded these Rattlers all season long, such an achievement is certainly within their capability, and if it happens, they will be intimately nestled within the thick of this race.
Baseball Analytics used heat maps to show Adam Dunn's resurgence with the fastball, this season: Dunn Demolishing Fastballs During Comeback Season - Baseball Analytics Blog - MLB Baseball Analytics
While he couldn't turn on a fastball to save his life in 2011, Dunn is demolishing pitchers who challenge him this year.
Maury Brown of Baseball Prospectus discusses the Houston Astros rebuilding plan: Baseball Prospectus | Bizball: How Low Will Jim Crane Go with the Astros?
What the Astros really are is three seasons into a five-year rebuilding plan that’s certainly going to need more than five years to come to fruition. Ten years? Maybe. That all depends on how white-hot the spending of the Angels and Rangers continues to be given their newfound TV money, which exceeds that which the Astros pull in. Time will tell if the Astros become a leaner contender in subsequent years. It sure won’t be happening for a while, though.