Saturday, March 30, 2013
2013 MLB Predictions: American League West
1st - Los Angeles Angels:
The Angels stole the offseason headlines for the second consecutive season with the signing of slugger Josh Hamilton to a five-year deal worth $125 million. Besides signing Hamilton, the Angels improved their pitching staff. The Angels signed Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett to bolster their bullpen, and acquired Joe Blanton, Tommy Hanson and Jason Vargas to fill the holes in their rotation.
The Angels are an extremely talented team, with one of the best lineups in baseball led by Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton. On paper the Angels are one of the best teams in baseball and expect them to win close to 100 games this season.
2nd - Oakland Athletics:
The A's have a terrific young core of players returning from last year. Even though they have lost some contributors from last year, do not be surprised if they are an even better team with their offseason acquisitions. Jed Lowrie and Chris Young (OF) were both acquired in trades, and Japanese import Hiroyuki Nakajima was signed to fill the hole at shortstop.
If the young pitchers are able to continue from where they left off last season, and Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes do not struggle offensively, the A's will be in position to contend for a AL Wild Card.
3rd - Texas Rangers:
The Rangers had a very disappointing offseason, loosing many key players from last season and being unable to sign any big name players.
Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, Michael Young, Ryan Dempster, Mike Adams, and Koji Uehara have all signed with other teams this offseason. Loosing all of these quality veteran players will hurt the Rangers this season.
Aging veterans A.J. Pierzynski and Lance Berkman were brought in this offseason to replace some of the offensive production they lost. These two players will help, but the Rangers will no longer have a dominating offense that they have had in previous years.
At some point Jurickson Profar will be contributing at the major league level, but the Rangers offense will struggle to much to help the Rangers make the playoffs. The Rangers will finish just short of making the playoffs this season.
4th - Seattle Mariners:
This offseason the Mariners turned their focus to improving their dreadful offense. Over the past three seasons the Mariners have scored the least amount of runs in the American League. Both Kenrdys Morales and Michael Morse were acquired via trade this offseason, and they will make an immediate impact on their offense.
The Mariners have deep farm system with many talented prospects and some of them will help the Mariners this year. The Mariners have a talented team, with even more talent in the minors, but they are still a year away from being a playoff contender.
5th- Houston Astros:
This will be the Astros first season apart of the American League, and they will have a grueling time winning games. This offseason the Astros signed multiple low cost veterans, to go along with their young core of players. Their biggest move was trading Jed Lowrie to the A's for young, slugger Chris Carter and pitching prospect Brad Peacock.
The Astros are in a rebuilding mode and are years from being a competitive team, and they will finish last in the AL West.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Brewers, Kyle Lohse Agree to a Three-Year Deal
The Brewers stepped up to the plate today signing Kyle Lohse to a three-year $33 million deal. Lohse posted a 2.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while going 16-3 with the Cardinals last season.
Three years for Lohse is very reasonable even though he is 34 years old because of his success over the past two seasons and his track record of solid health. Lohse will give the Brewers an innings eater right behind Yovani Gallardo, and he will provide experience in the Brewers young pitching rotation.
With the addition of Lohse, the Brewers will not only be expected to compete for the playoffs, but they will be expected to win a NL Wild Card. Time will tell if the Brewers made the right decision by signing Kyle Lohse, but as of now the Brewers made a brilliant move with only a week until Opening Day.
Three years for Lohse is very reasonable even though he is 34 years old because of his success over the past two seasons and his track record of solid health. Lohse will give the Brewers an innings eater right behind Yovani Gallardo, and he will provide experience in the Brewers young pitching rotation.
With the addition of Lohse, the Brewers will not only be expected to compete for the playoffs, but they will be expected to win a NL Wild Card. Time will tell if the Brewers made the right decision by signing Kyle Lohse, but as of now the Brewers made a brilliant move with only a week until Opening Day.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
2013 MLB Predictions: American League Central
Every team starts the season tied for first place, and in baseball anything is possible. For the players and fans there are hopes, and even for some, dreams, that their team will be a top their division at the end of the season. With Opening Day less than a month away, here is how I see the American League Central shaping out to be:
1st - Detroit Tigers:
The Tigers were relatively quiet this offseason signing only Tori Hunter and Anibal Sanchez. Tori Hunter was signed to a two-year deal to play in right field, where the Tigers have had troubles finding a player to play on a regular basis and produce consistently. Anibal Sanchez was resigned to a massive five-year, $80 million deal, to give the Tigers one of the best rotations in baseball.
Entering this season the Tigers biggest question mark will be their closer situation. As of now, flame-throwing prospect Bruce Rondon is slated to close out the ninth inning for the Tigers. Questions surround Rondon and whether or not he is ready to be the closer for the Tigers on Opening Day because he has never pitched in the majors and has struggled throughout Spring Training.
If the Tigers are able to remain healthy and their bullpen is able to perform up to their potential, the Tigers will run away with the American League Central.
2nd - Cleveland Indians:
The Cleveland Indians surprised everyone this offseason when they were big spenders throughout free agency. Everyone expected them to be sellers this past winter but instead they were the complete opposite. The Indians added many veteran pieces including Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Mark Reynolds and veteran pitchers Brett Myers, Scott Kazmir, and Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Signing all of these veteran players were significant but their biggest move was acquiring pitching prospect Trevor Bauer and center fielder Drew Stubbs in a three team deal. This trade gives the Indians two young, talented players with high ceilings that will help them now and most importantly in the future to be competitive.
Many people do not give the Indians a chance to compete for the playoffs because they are unsure of how the Indians starting pitching will perform. If the Indians starting pitchers are able to perform up to their potential, do not be surprised if they make the playoffs.
3rd - Kansas City Royals:
After years of having a deep farm system, the Royals traded away some of their top prospects to acquire solid major league pitching. The Royals acquired ace James Shields and Wade Davis from the Rays and Ervin Santana from the Los Angeles Angels. These three players along with resigning Jeremy Guthrie will give the Royals a solid pitching staff to go along with their young core of hitters. The improvement of their pitching staff could give the Royals an outside chance of making the playoffs in 2013.
4th - Chicago White Sox:
The White Sox had a quiet offseason and did not do enough to improve their team from last year. Their biggest move this offseason was the decision to not resign catcher A.J. Pierzynski. The Sox also allowed veterans Brett Myers, Kevin Youkilis, Francisco Liriano and Phil Humber to leave via free agency.
Jeff Keppinger was signed to a three-year deal to fill the void at third base, and Matt Lindstrom will provide the White Sox with another veteran out of the pen. These two moves will not be enough for the White Sox to be a competitive team this year.
5th - Minnesota Twins:
The Twins biggest need this offseason was starting pitching. Speedy outfielders Denard Span and Ben Revere were both both traded this offseason. Span was traded to the Nationals for pitching prospect Alex Meyer, while Revere was traded to the Phillies for pitcher Vance Worley.
Besides trading for pitching the Twins signed veteran hurlers Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey. These two players will help provide some stability to their young pitching staff, but they will not make a significant impact. The Twins have a talented core of players, but the lack of solid pitching will hurt their chances of being a competitive ball club.
1st - Detroit Tigers:
The Tigers were relatively quiet this offseason signing only Tori Hunter and Anibal Sanchez. Tori Hunter was signed to a two-year deal to play in right field, where the Tigers have had troubles finding a player to play on a regular basis and produce consistently. Anibal Sanchez was resigned to a massive five-year, $80 million deal, to give the Tigers one of the best rotations in baseball.
Entering this season the Tigers biggest question mark will be their closer situation. As of now, flame-throwing prospect Bruce Rondon is slated to close out the ninth inning for the Tigers. Questions surround Rondon and whether or not he is ready to be the closer for the Tigers on Opening Day because he has never pitched in the majors and has struggled throughout Spring Training.
If the Tigers are able to remain healthy and their bullpen is able to perform up to their potential, the Tigers will run away with the American League Central.
2nd - Cleveland Indians:
The Cleveland Indians surprised everyone this offseason when they were big spenders throughout free agency. Everyone expected them to be sellers this past winter but instead they were the complete opposite. The Indians added many veteran pieces including Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Mark Reynolds and veteran pitchers Brett Myers, Scott Kazmir, and Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Signing all of these veteran players were significant but their biggest move was acquiring pitching prospect Trevor Bauer and center fielder Drew Stubbs in a three team deal. This trade gives the Indians two young, talented players with high ceilings that will help them now and most importantly in the future to be competitive.
Many people do not give the Indians a chance to compete for the playoffs because they are unsure of how the Indians starting pitching will perform. If the Indians starting pitchers are able to perform up to their potential, do not be surprised if they make the playoffs.
3rd - Kansas City Royals:
After years of having a deep farm system, the Royals traded away some of their top prospects to acquire solid major league pitching. The Royals acquired ace James Shields and Wade Davis from the Rays and Ervin Santana from the Los Angeles Angels. These three players along with resigning Jeremy Guthrie will give the Royals a solid pitching staff to go along with their young core of hitters. The improvement of their pitching staff could give the Royals an outside chance of making the playoffs in 2013.
4th - Chicago White Sox:
The White Sox had a quiet offseason and did not do enough to improve their team from last year. Their biggest move this offseason was the decision to not resign catcher A.J. Pierzynski. The Sox also allowed veterans Brett Myers, Kevin Youkilis, Francisco Liriano and Phil Humber to leave via free agency.
Jeff Keppinger was signed to a three-year deal to fill the void at third base, and Matt Lindstrom will provide the White Sox with another veteran out of the pen. These two moves will not be enough for the White Sox to be a competitive team this year.
5th - Minnesota Twins:
The Twins biggest need this offseason was starting pitching. Speedy outfielders Denard Span and Ben Revere were both both traded this offseason. Span was traded to the Nationals for pitching prospect Alex Meyer, while Revere was traded to the Phillies for pitcher Vance Worley.
Besides trading for pitching the Twins signed veteran hurlers Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey. These two players will help provide some stability to their young pitching staff, but they will not make a significant impact. The Twins have a talented core of players, but the lack of solid pitching will hurt their chances of being a competitive ball club.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Trade Yovani Gallardo?!
In the current issue of ESPN The Magazine, they predicted the Milwaukee Brewers to finish fourth in the NL Central. If the Brewers do struggle this season, should they trade Yovani Gallardo? The earliest Gallardo can become a free agent is in 2015, so he would have some value on the trade market. If the Brewers are able to acquire two talented pitching prospects to added to their solid young core, this would be a smart trade for the Brewers to make.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Aroldis Chapman Needs to Be the Reds Closer
Aroldis Chapman is the most dominating closer in baseball, but entering Spring Training the Cincinnati Reds wanted to try him as a starter. With three weeks left in Spring Training, the Reds have not made a decision, but Aroldis Chapman has. He wants to be the closer.
The left-handed 25-year-old Cuban Missile, has the most electric arm in baseball, with his high strike outs per nine innings ratio and high whiff rates.
Last season was Chapman's first season as the Reds closer, and he was an instant success. He appeared in 68 games and went 5-5 with 38 saves and an ERA of 1.51. His most impressive stat was his 122 strikeouts in 71.2 innings, which translates to an overwhelming 15.32 strikeouts per nine innings.
Putting Chapman as a starter would be a huge mistake because he has been so dominant coming out of the 'pen. The main reason he has been so good is because of his electric fastball, that has been clocked over 100 mph. Besides throwing a fastball, he also throws a slider. Both pitches have extraordinarily high whiff rates of 33% for the fastball and 58% for the slider, but to be a successful starter, you have to be able to throw at least three pitches. The two pitches he throws are great, but not enough for him to be a successful starter.
The Reds should not put Chapman as a starter because it would weaken their entire pitching staff. Aroldis Chapman has been a relief pitcher over his entire three-year career, and has proven to be successful. If it is not broken, do not fix it.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
The Vikings Overpaid for Greg Jennings
After trading away Percy Harvin, the Vikings needed a down field threat. The Vikings have found their man, signing veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings.
The Vikings overpaid for Jennings, even though they needed a number one receiver. At 29 years old and his durability in question, Jennings was not worth the contract the Vikings gave him.
He has missed 11 games due to various injuries over the last couple seasons, and in 2012 he was a non-factor for the Packers. Last season Greg Jennings only played in eight games, and caught a career-low 36 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns.
Over Jennings' career, he has proven to be a number one receiver, but that was with Aaron Rodgers passing him the ball, not Christian Ponder. Unless Jennings is able to remain healthy and produce at a high level, the Vikings overpaid for him.
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