Pitching around baseball is at a premium, and many starting pitchers are netting lucrative deals from clubs looking to add established arms. This offseason, a plethora of starting pitchers hit the open market and so far, teams have focused on signing a top-of-the-rotation type. Here is a look at the five biggest contracts, in terms of average annual value, given to starting pitchers this offseason.
Zack Greinke -- $206.5 million over six years with the Arizona Diamondbacks -- $34.4 million AAV
After signing with the Dodgers in 2012 on a six-year, $147 million contract with an opt-out clause, many speculated that Greinke would exercise his opt-out at the end of 2015. Greinke did exactly that, and struck it rich. The two contracts combined have Greinke earning $282.5 million over nine seasons. He was helped by his stellar 2015 in which he posted a 19-3 record, 200 strikeouts and a 1.66 ERA, the lowest ERA for a starting pitcher since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux's 1.63 ERA in 1995. The 2009 American League Cy Young Award Winner finished second only to Chicago's Jake Arrieta in the 2015 National League Cy Young Award voting. Over the last four seasons, Greinke has been a model of consistency, winning at least 15 games in the past four seasons, and accruing at least 200 innings and 200 strikeouts in three of the last four. Although the Diamondbacks paid a lot for the right-hander, they now have a bona fide ace as well as a mentor to righty Shelby Miller and lefty Patrick Corbin.
David Price -- $217 million over seven years with the Boston Red Sox -- $31 million AAV
Price is no stranger to the American League East, having pitched parts of seven seasons there with the Rays and the Blue Jays. He has a career record of 104-56 and a career ERA of 3.09. Of his seven full seasons, Price has won at least 10 games in all seven, and has made 31 or more starts in five of the seven. The 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner finished second to Dallas Keuchel in the 2015 AL Cy Young voting while splitting the season between Detroit and Toronto. Price will bolster a Red Sox rotation that struggled mightily in 2015, as they posted the third worst starter's ERA in the AL at 4.39. He will provide the Sox with an ace, which was just what they lacked as their rotation featured No. 3 starters such as Rick Porcello and Joe Kelly. The Red Sox, having previously acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the Padres to bolster the bullpen, have now made the move needed to solidify their rotation to be able to contend in 2016.
Johnny Cueto -- $130 million over five years with the San Francisco Giants -- $26 million AAV
After an outstanding 2014 in which he went 20-9 with a 2.25 ERA, Cueto took a step back in 2015, finishing with a record of 11-13 with a 3.44 ERA. His numbers with the Reds were very good, as he posted a 2.62 ERA in 19 starts, but they dropped off with the Royals, as he posted a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts. Moving back to the National League will help Cueto, especially when making his home starts at the spacious AT&T Park. Over his career, Cueto has accrued a 96-70 record with an ERA of 3.30. What Cueto provides for the Giants is innings. Besides Madison Bumgarner, the Giants have not had a starting pitcher throw 200 innings since Matt Cain did so in 2012. Cueto has posted more than 200 innings in three of the past four years. With the D-backs signing Greinke and acquiring Miller in a trade with the Atlanta Braves, signing Cueto was the perfect move for the Giants to respond.
Jordan Zimmermann -- $110 million over five years with the Detroit Tigers -- $22 million AAV
Zimmermann has been a model of durability over the past four seasons, posting at least 195 innings and 12 wins a season in that span. He owns a career record of 70-50 with a 3.32 ERA. The 29-year-old righty went 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 2015 and reached the 200 strikeout plateau for the first time in his career. The Tigers, having traded David Price and having lost Max Scherzer to free agency over the past year, have solidified their rotation with this move, as their top three will consist of Justin Verlander, Zimmermann and Anibal Sanchez.
Jeff Samardzija -- $90 million over five years with the San Francisco Giants -- $18 million AAV
Samardzija had a rough 2015, posting the third worst ERA in the Majors at 4.96. This though, was due to a mechanics breakdown in addition to an overuse of the cutter. After addressing the issues, Samardzija had showings of his old self in his last two starts of the season, which included a complete game one-hitter against the Tigers. Samardzija will never be a low ERA guy, nor an ace, but he brings tremendous value due to his competitiveness on the mound, character and the ability to eat innings. San Francisco is a perfect landing spot for the veteran righty, and just like with Cueto, Samardzija will benefit from pitching at AT&T Park.
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Don't count the Atlanta Braves out
The Atlanta Braves endured a miserable 2015 season that included inconsistencies from young players, trades of fan favorites and numerous injuries. The front office of the Braves -- led by general manager John Coppolella, team president John Schuerholz and president of baseball operations John Hart -- has shifted the team into a rebuilding mode with eyes on contending when SunTrust Park opens in 2017.
Over the past 13 months, the Braves' front office has been busy piecing together trades to net big prospect returns. In this time, they have acquired 12 of their top 17 prospects (according to MLB.com) via trade. Although many fans are frustrated with the rebuilding process, the Braves have a very bright future ahead of them, as they are looking to bring back the formula of success that worked so well through the 1990s and early 2000s: stockpile young arms.
Here is a look at the Braves' offseason moves, as well as prospects to watch in 2016.
Although the Braves have traded some of the fan favorites over the past year, these deals were constructed to build around young talent, especially young arms. Last November, the Braves traded right fielder Jason Heyward and right-hander Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for righty Shelby Miller and righty Tyrell Jenkins. Although the move was not popular with some at first, there was a lot of value in acquiring a Major League starter who had four years of control and a Minor League arm who was still developing, in exchange for an outfielder who was one year away from hitting the open market, and an oft-injured reliever. Miller would go on to have a terrific 2015 campaign, although his 6-17 win-loss record didn't say so.
Recently, trade rumors swirled around the 25-year-old Miller, but Coppolella was firm on his word that he wanted impact talent in return. The Braves would end up striking a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sending Miller and left-hander Gabe Speier to the D-backs in exchange for shortstop Dansby Swanson, righty Aaron Blair and outfielder Ender Inciarte.
Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft, is from Kennesaw, Georgia, and attended Marietta High School. He has tremendous upside as well as makeup, and is ranked No. 10 overall on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list.
Blair is also in the Top 100 Prospects, ranked at No. 61 overall. He projects to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter and should be seen in Atlanta's rotation sometime this year.
Inciarte is a 25-year-old outfielder who can hit for contact as well as bring speed to the basepaths. He is also a premium defender who can play all three outfield spots. 2015 was a breakout year for Inciarte, as he hit .303 with 27 doubles and 21 stolen bases in only his second year in the Majors.
Overall, this trade was set up by dealing Heyward to the Cardinals last year. If the Braves didn't trade Heyward, they would've only received the 35th overall pick in the 2016 Draft, nothing compared to the haul that they received from the Diamondbacks in addition to Jenkins.
Andrelton Simmons has been the best defensive shortstop in the game over the past three-plus years. He had become a fan favorite in Atlanta, and often appeared on highlight shows dazzling with his defensive wizardry. Simmons, though, is below average in the offense department, posting a combined 1.4 offensive WAR over the past two seasons. The Braves, looking to add pitching, saw this as an opportunity to sell high on Simmons' defense, and they were able to acquire the No. 19 overall prospect in baseball (according to MLB.com), Sean Newcomb, a future middle-of-the-rotation starter in Chris Ellis and veteran shortstop Erick Aybar in exchange for Simmons and Minor League catcher Jose Briceno.
Newcomb, a 6-foot-5, 22-year-old lefty, immediately became the Braves' No. 1 prospect. Newcomb should be a future No. 1 starter for the Braves, and is projected to be in the Majors by 2017.
Ellis, a third-round pick in 2014 out of Mississippi, is another quality arm that should also be ready by 2017.
Aybar, who turns 32 on Jan. 14, posted an oWAR of 6.7 over the past two years, and will provide an upgrade offensively over Simmons. Given time, this trade could be one of the most influential for the Braves moving forward.
So far, the 2016 Braves seem to be shaping up to be better than the 2015 version. Coppolella has focused on adding even more of a veteran presence to the squad as well as adding to the bullpen, which ranked 29th in the Majors in bullpen ERA (4.69) in 2015. In the bullpen, the Braves have added Jose Ramirez (trade with Mariners), Jim Johnson, David Carpenter and Ian Krol.
Ramirez, 25 years old, can dial it up to 100 mph, but has lacked consistency so far in his career. In 16 career Major League games with the Yankees and Mariners, he is 1-2 with an 8.66 ERA and 15 strikeouts compared to 17 walks. If he can harness his stuff, Ramirez can be a great piece to the bullpen.
Johnson, who signed a one-year deal last year with the Braves, is back after a mid-season trade with the Dodgers. Last year in 49 games with the Braves, Johnson went 2-3 with a 2.25 ERA, and will benefit by reuniting with pitching coach Roger McDowell.
Carpenter, who signed a Minor League contract with an invite to spring training, posted a 2.63 ERA over 126 2/3 innings with the Braves over 2013 and 2014, and could be just the low-risk, high-reward deal the Braves need.
Krol was acquired from the Tigers in the deal that sent Cameron Maybin to Detroit. The 24-year-old lefty has posted a 4-4 record with a 4.91 ERA in 88 innings in his career. Although still unproven, Krol can add depth to a bullpen that struggled in 2015. With Jason Grilli and Shae Simmons coming back from injuries, the Braves will look to add a few more mid-tier pieces to round out the bullpen.
The Braves lacked veteran presence in the rotation in 2015, and to fill that void, they signed veteran righty Bud Norris to a low-risk $2.5 million contract. This could turn out to be very beneficial to the Braves if Norris can bounce back to his 2014 form that saw him win 15 games with the Orioles.
On the position player side, the Braves have brought back veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski on a one-year deal to help continue the growth of Christian Bethancourt. In 113 games in 2015, Pierzynski hit .300, with nine home runs and 49 RBIs after taking the starting catching position from Bethancourt early in the season.
For the bench, Georgia native, and former first-round pick Gordon Beckham has signed a one-year deal with the Braves to provide defensive help all around the infield. Beckham had a .209 average, 6 home runs and 20 RBIs for the White Sox in 2015. Although he hasn't produced as many would've liked, a change of scenery could be beneficial to the 29-year-old utility man.
The Braves have also signed catcher Tyler Flowers, who is no stranger to the Braves organization, as they drafted him in the 33rd round in 2005. Flowers attended Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia, and like Beckham, he is a Georgia native who was enticed by the opportunity to play at home. In 2015, Flowers posted a .239 average with 9 home runs and 39 RBIs in 331 at-bats with the White Sox. He has been praised for his game-calling abilities, his relationships with pitchers and his pitch-framing skills. The right-handed-hitting Flowers will be a perfect fit to platoon with the left-handed-hitting Pierzynski.
Prospects are just what their name suggests -- prospects. They are not finished products, but they have the potential to become something great. The Braves have done a great job of restocking a farm system that was barren under former GM Frank Wren. Here's a look at four Braves prospects who could make their debut in the 2016 season.
RHP - Blair - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 4 overall prospect
Blair can reach 95 mph with his fastball and has two quality secondary pitches. In 2015, he posted a 13-5 record with a 2.92 ERA in 26 games, 25 of them being starts, between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno. He also posted a 120/50 K/BB ratio. Blair is deemed very close to being Major League ready, and he should be in the rotation sometime during the 2016 campaign.
RHP Jenkins - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 7 overall prospect
Jenkins thrived in 2015 with the Braves, posting an 8-9 record with a 3.19 ERA in 25 starts between Double-A Mississippi, and Triple-A Gwinnett. At 23, Jenkins has bounced back nicely from shoulder surgery in 2013, and will only continue to get better as he continues to get innings under his belt. Jenkins will have to improve his command if he wants to stay in the big leagues, as evident by his 88/61 K/BB ratio. Overall, he is a talented young arm who will be a nice middle-of-the-rotation type arm in the future.
3B Rio Ruiz - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 12 overall prospect
Ruiz was acquired by the Braves in the Evan Gattis deal with the Astros last January, and spent his first year in Double-A in 2015. Although he struggled at times (.233/.333/.657), Ruiz still showed he can get on base and use the whole field. As he continues to develop, Ruiz should fit nicely in the Braves' lineup, and with another Spring Training with the Braves this spring, he should be more consistent in 2016.
OF Mallex Smith - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 17 overall prospect
Smith had a terrific 2015 campaign with the Braves after coming over from the Padres as part of the Justin Upton deal. Between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, Smith had an average of .306 with a .373 OBP and was 57-for-70 in stolen bases. It was the first season that Smith had played above Single-A, and he showed tremendous growth, as well as provided the Braves with a reason to believe he could take over center field at some point in 2016.
The Braves are not finished making moves, as they are still looking to add a few bullpen pieces and possibly another veteran starter. Overall, they are putting together a pretty good club, even with the future in mind, and they are definitely aiming to win more than 67 games in 2016. The Braves aren't too far away from contenting either, and although it may take a season or two to get there, it should definitely be worth the wait as a copious amount of talent is on the rise in Atlanta.
Over the past 13 months, the Braves' front office has been busy piecing together trades to net big prospect returns. In this time, they have acquired 12 of their top 17 prospects (according to MLB.com) via trade. Although many fans are frustrated with the rebuilding process, the Braves have a very bright future ahead of them, as they are looking to bring back the formula of success that worked so well through the 1990s and early 2000s: stockpile young arms.
Here is a look at the Braves' offseason moves, as well as prospects to watch in 2016.
Although the Braves have traded some of the fan favorites over the past year, these deals were constructed to build around young talent, especially young arms. Last November, the Braves traded right fielder Jason Heyward and right-hander Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for righty Shelby Miller and righty Tyrell Jenkins. Although the move was not popular with some at first, there was a lot of value in acquiring a Major League starter who had four years of control and a Minor League arm who was still developing, in exchange for an outfielder who was one year away from hitting the open market, and an oft-injured reliever. Miller would go on to have a terrific 2015 campaign, although his 6-17 win-loss record didn't say so.
Recently, trade rumors swirled around the 25-year-old Miller, but Coppolella was firm on his word that he wanted impact talent in return. The Braves would end up striking a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sending Miller and left-hander Gabe Speier to the D-backs in exchange for shortstop Dansby Swanson, righty Aaron Blair and outfielder Ender Inciarte.
Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft, is from Kennesaw, Georgia, and attended Marietta High School. He has tremendous upside as well as makeup, and is ranked No. 10 overall on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list.
Blair is also in the Top 100 Prospects, ranked at No. 61 overall. He projects to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter and should be seen in Atlanta's rotation sometime this year.
Inciarte is a 25-year-old outfielder who can hit for contact as well as bring speed to the basepaths. He is also a premium defender who can play all three outfield spots. 2015 was a breakout year for Inciarte, as he hit .303 with 27 doubles and 21 stolen bases in only his second year in the Majors.
Overall, this trade was set up by dealing Heyward to the Cardinals last year. If the Braves didn't trade Heyward, they would've only received the 35th overall pick in the 2016 Draft, nothing compared to the haul that they received from the Diamondbacks in addition to Jenkins.
Andrelton Simmons has been the best defensive shortstop in the game over the past three-plus years. He had become a fan favorite in Atlanta, and often appeared on highlight shows dazzling with his defensive wizardry. Simmons, though, is below average in the offense department, posting a combined 1.4 offensive WAR over the past two seasons. The Braves, looking to add pitching, saw this as an opportunity to sell high on Simmons' defense, and they were able to acquire the No. 19 overall prospect in baseball (according to MLB.com), Sean Newcomb, a future middle-of-the-rotation starter in Chris Ellis and veteran shortstop Erick Aybar in exchange for Simmons and Minor League catcher Jose Briceno.
Newcomb, a 6-foot-5, 22-year-old lefty, immediately became the Braves' No. 1 prospect. Newcomb should be a future No. 1 starter for the Braves, and is projected to be in the Majors by 2017.
Ellis, a third-round pick in 2014 out of Mississippi, is another quality arm that should also be ready by 2017.
Aybar, who turns 32 on Jan. 14, posted an oWAR of 6.7 over the past two years, and will provide an upgrade offensively over Simmons. Given time, this trade could be one of the most influential for the Braves moving forward.
So far, the 2016 Braves seem to be shaping up to be better than the 2015 version. Coppolella has focused on adding even more of a veteran presence to the squad as well as adding to the bullpen, which ranked 29th in the Majors in bullpen ERA (4.69) in 2015. In the bullpen, the Braves have added Jose Ramirez (trade with Mariners), Jim Johnson, David Carpenter and Ian Krol.
Ramirez, 25 years old, can dial it up to 100 mph, but has lacked consistency so far in his career. In 16 career Major League games with the Yankees and Mariners, he is 1-2 with an 8.66 ERA and 15 strikeouts compared to 17 walks. If he can harness his stuff, Ramirez can be a great piece to the bullpen.
Johnson, who signed a one-year deal last year with the Braves, is back after a mid-season trade with the Dodgers. Last year in 49 games with the Braves, Johnson went 2-3 with a 2.25 ERA, and will benefit by reuniting with pitching coach Roger McDowell.
Carpenter, who signed a Minor League contract with an invite to spring training, posted a 2.63 ERA over 126 2/3 innings with the Braves over 2013 and 2014, and could be just the low-risk, high-reward deal the Braves need.
Krol was acquired from the Tigers in the deal that sent Cameron Maybin to Detroit. The 24-year-old lefty has posted a 4-4 record with a 4.91 ERA in 88 innings in his career. Although still unproven, Krol can add depth to a bullpen that struggled in 2015. With Jason Grilli and Shae Simmons coming back from injuries, the Braves will look to add a few more mid-tier pieces to round out the bullpen.
The Braves lacked veteran presence in the rotation in 2015, and to fill that void, they signed veteran righty Bud Norris to a low-risk $2.5 million contract. This could turn out to be very beneficial to the Braves if Norris can bounce back to his 2014 form that saw him win 15 games with the Orioles.
On the position player side, the Braves have brought back veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski on a one-year deal to help continue the growth of Christian Bethancourt. In 113 games in 2015, Pierzynski hit .300, with nine home runs and 49 RBIs after taking the starting catching position from Bethancourt early in the season.
For the bench, Georgia native, and former first-round pick Gordon Beckham has signed a one-year deal with the Braves to provide defensive help all around the infield. Beckham had a .209 average, 6 home runs and 20 RBIs for the White Sox in 2015. Although he hasn't produced as many would've liked, a change of scenery could be beneficial to the 29-year-old utility man.
The Braves have also signed catcher Tyler Flowers, who is no stranger to the Braves organization, as they drafted him in the 33rd round in 2005. Flowers attended Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia, and like Beckham, he is a Georgia native who was enticed by the opportunity to play at home. In 2015, Flowers posted a .239 average with 9 home runs and 39 RBIs in 331 at-bats with the White Sox. He has been praised for his game-calling abilities, his relationships with pitchers and his pitch-framing skills. The right-handed-hitting Flowers will be a perfect fit to platoon with the left-handed-hitting Pierzynski.
Prospects are just what their name suggests -- prospects. They are not finished products, but they have the potential to become something great. The Braves have done a great job of restocking a farm system that was barren under former GM Frank Wren. Here's a look at four Braves prospects who could make their debut in the 2016 season.
RHP - Blair - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 4 overall prospect
Blair can reach 95 mph with his fastball and has two quality secondary pitches. In 2015, he posted a 13-5 record with a 2.92 ERA in 26 games, 25 of them being starts, between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno. He also posted a 120/50 K/BB ratio. Blair is deemed very close to being Major League ready, and he should be in the rotation sometime during the 2016 campaign.
RHP Jenkins - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 7 overall prospect
Jenkins thrived in 2015 with the Braves, posting an 8-9 record with a 3.19 ERA in 25 starts between Double-A Mississippi, and Triple-A Gwinnett. At 23, Jenkins has bounced back nicely from shoulder surgery in 2013, and will only continue to get better as he continues to get innings under his belt. Jenkins will have to improve his command if he wants to stay in the big leagues, as evident by his 88/61 K/BB ratio. Overall, he is a talented young arm who will be a nice middle-of-the-rotation type arm in the future.
3B Rio Ruiz - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 12 overall prospect
Ruiz was acquired by the Braves in the Evan Gattis deal with the Astros last January, and spent his first year in Double-A in 2015. Although he struggled at times (.233/.333/.657), Ruiz still showed he can get on base and use the whole field. As he continues to develop, Ruiz should fit nicely in the Braves' lineup, and with another Spring Training with the Braves this spring, he should be more consistent in 2016.
OF Mallex Smith - ETA 2016 - Braves' No. 17 overall prospect
Smith had a terrific 2015 campaign with the Braves after coming over from the Padres as part of the Justin Upton deal. Between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, Smith had an average of .306 with a .373 OBP and was 57-for-70 in stolen bases. It was the first season that Smith had played above Single-A, and he showed tremendous growth, as well as provided the Braves with a reason to believe he could take over center field at some point in 2016.
The Braves are not finished making moves, as they are still looking to add a few bullpen pieces and possibly another veteran starter. Overall, they are putting together a pretty good club, even with the future in mind, and they are definitely aiming to win more than 67 games in 2016. The Braves aren't too far away from contenting either, and although it may take a season or two to get there, it should definitely be worth the wait as a copious amount of talent is on the rise in Atlanta.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Party like it's 1985 -- A recap of what turned it around for the Royals' franchise
The Kansas City Royals have had an amazing two seasons, but it all started with player development, key trades and having a plan for their roster construction. General manager Dayton Moore has done a great job of putting this team together to be a cohesive unit. He has also built it under the principles of putting the ball in play, manufacturing runs, and playing good defense. Here is a look back at the timeline of the Royals since 2010.
It all started on Dec. 19, 2010. The Royals, seeking young talent while an asset was at its peak, dealt 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to the Brewers for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi, and Jeremy Jeffress. At the time, Escobar, had just completed his first full season with the Brewers at age 23. Cain, 24, had also gotten some time with the Brew Crew, playing in 43 games. Odorizzi, 20, was considered as one of the top pitching prospects in the game, and was the key chip in the deal. Jeffress, the former first-rounder, and only 23, had a blazing fastball and loads of potential as well. This was the deal that forever altered the course for the Kansas City Royals, and it was a trade that would ultimately set them up for years to come.
The next big step for the Royals took place in 2011, with Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez all making their Major League debuts. Third baseman turned left fielder Alex Gordon also had a breakout year, finally living up to the hype that garnered him comparisons to Royals great George Brett. Gordon went on to hit .303 with 23 home runs and 87 RBIs while being named a Gold Glover, an award he would win for the next three years. Even with all of the young talent on the team, the Royals would still lose 91 games.
The following season was yet another growing year. After a terrific rookie campaign that saw him hit .293 with 19 home runs in 523 at-bats, Hosmer struggled in 2012, hitting only .232. Moustakas enjoyed some success, hitting 20 home runs and 34 doubles, but his average was just .242. Cain showed some promise on the basepaths and in center field in 61 games, and Perez hit .301 in 76 games. Although there were some bumps in the road in 2012, players continued to develop under manager Ned Yost.
It would be the offseason of 2012 that would yield another franchise-changing move. The Royals, needing a bulldog at the top of the rotation, dealt top prospect Wil Myers, pitchers Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery, and third baseman Patrick Leonard to the Rays in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis.
The Royals took a big step in the right direction in 2013. They won 86 games, finishing third in the AL Central behind the Tigers and Indians. Shields brought exactly what Kansas City asked for, a change of mentality of the whole staff. Shields emphasized reaching 1,000 innings between the starters, and they came close. Between Shields (228 2/3), Guthrie (211 2/3), Santana (211) and Davis (125 1/3), the Royals staff combined for 776 2/3 innings, only 23 1/3 away from the four main starters each pitching an average of 200. Hosmer bounced back, hitting .302, with 17 home runs while setting career bests in most offensive categories. Perez hit .292 in 138 games, while earning his first Gold Glove and All-Star nod. Moustakas, though, didn't have the same success as these other two, hitting .233 with only 12 home runs and 42 RBIs. Escobar also had a down year, but was a perfect 22-22 in the stolen base department. The Royals were left with hope and a desire to make it further after being left out of the postseason party despite winning 86 games.
The Royals featured a new level of confidence in 2014. Shields once again led the staff with 227 innings pitched, and the rotation this year would post 949 innings as a staff. The bullpen became the three-headed monster of Holland, Davis and Kelvin Herrera, with many saying, "Just get to the sixth with the lead." Greg Holland posted a 1.44 ERA while locking down 46 saves in 48 chances, and striking out 90 in 62 1/3 innings. Davis, moved to the bullpen in 2014, and he found immediate success, being able to throw harder over a short period of time. Davis posted a 1.00 ERA and struck 109 batters in 72 innings. Herrera also dazzled, posting an ERA of 1.41. On the hitting side, the Royals thrived with a contact approach. The Royals were last in baseball in home runs, but had the fewest strikeouts, 985, in the league. Cain had a breakout season as he hit .301 and stole 28 bases. Escobar also enjoyed a breakout campaign, hitting .285 with 31 stolen bases. Hosmer had a bit of a down year, but still drove in 58 runs. The Royals would sneak into the AL Wild Card Game, defeating the A's, and would eventually come within 90 feet of scoring the tying run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the Giants.
The Royals were just happy to be in the 2014 World Series, but had their eyes on the ultimate prize in 2015. The Royals would get off to their best 81-game record, 48-33, since 1980. They would go on to win the division by 12 games, winning 95 in the regular season. The playoffs is where they really broke out. Seven times, the Royals came back from a deficit of multiple runs to win the game. They were five outs away from elimination in Game 4 of the AL Division Series in Houston, but refused to back down. In the World Series, they trailed in the eighth or later three times, but would win those three, becoming the only team ever to do so. They did a great job of sticking to their approach at the plate, consistently put the ball in play, even against Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom.
When you look at the base of the Royals' roster, it starts with their homegrown talent. Of the players on the World Series roster, 12 are homegrown, including Perez, Christian Colon, Hosmer, Moustakas, Raul Mondesi, Jarrod Dyson, Gordon, Cain, Danny Duffy, Herrera, Luke Hochevar and Yordano Ventura. That doesn't include Holland (DL) and Terrence Gore (left off roster).
The trade on Dec. 19, 2010 will be forever remembered as the one that helped the Royals set up for success. Without that trade, the Royals wouldn't have had their center-fielder (Cain), their shortstop (Escobar) or their closer (Davis), all of whom had a big impact on the Royals' success.
The Royals, being a small-market team, can't afford to make mistakes in player development, and they have made the most of their opportunities. The Royals also had a plan, one that defies modern baseball thinking: put the ball in play. Their whole roster was built this way, and teams should take note. It's one thing to strike out here and there, but when you can't put the ball in play, your chances for success decrease. Myers was so highly regarded, but struck out too much for their liking, so they dealt him for other key pieces.
The Royals have brought back a lost brand of baseball, putting the ball in play, one that is refreshing to watch, and one that ultimately led them to becoming 2015 World Series Champions.
It all started on Dec. 19, 2010. The Royals, seeking young talent while an asset was at its peak, dealt 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to the Brewers for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi, and Jeremy Jeffress. At the time, Escobar, had just completed his first full season with the Brewers at age 23. Cain, 24, had also gotten some time with the Brew Crew, playing in 43 games. Odorizzi, 20, was considered as one of the top pitching prospects in the game, and was the key chip in the deal. Jeffress, the former first-rounder, and only 23, had a blazing fastball and loads of potential as well. This was the deal that forever altered the course for the Kansas City Royals, and it was a trade that would ultimately set them up for years to come.
The next big step for the Royals took place in 2011, with Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez all making their Major League debuts. Third baseman turned left fielder Alex Gordon also had a breakout year, finally living up to the hype that garnered him comparisons to Royals great George Brett. Gordon went on to hit .303 with 23 home runs and 87 RBIs while being named a Gold Glover, an award he would win for the next three years. Even with all of the young talent on the team, the Royals would still lose 91 games.
The following season was yet another growing year. After a terrific rookie campaign that saw him hit .293 with 19 home runs in 523 at-bats, Hosmer struggled in 2012, hitting only .232. Moustakas enjoyed some success, hitting 20 home runs and 34 doubles, but his average was just .242. Cain showed some promise on the basepaths and in center field in 61 games, and Perez hit .301 in 76 games. Although there were some bumps in the road in 2012, players continued to develop under manager Ned Yost.
It would be the offseason of 2012 that would yield another franchise-changing move. The Royals, needing a bulldog at the top of the rotation, dealt top prospect Wil Myers, pitchers Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery, and third baseman Patrick Leonard to the Rays in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis.
The Royals took a big step in the right direction in 2013. They won 86 games, finishing third in the AL Central behind the Tigers and Indians. Shields brought exactly what Kansas City asked for, a change of mentality of the whole staff. Shields emphasized reaching 1,000 innings between the starters, and they came close. Between Shields (228 2/3), Guthrie (211 2/3), Santana (211) and Davis (125 1/3), the Royals staff combined for 776 2/3 innings, only 23 1/3 away from the four main starters each pitching an average of 200. Hosmer bounced back, hitting .302, with 17 home runs while setting career bests in most offensive categories. Perez hit .292 in 138 games, while earning his first Gold Glove and All-Star nod. Moustakas, though, didn't have the same success as these other two, hitting .233 with only 12 home runs and 42 RBIs. Escobar also had a down year, but was a perfect 22-22 in the stolen base department. The Royals were left with hope and a desire to make it further after being left out of the postseason party despite winning 86 games.
The Royals featured a new level of confidence in 2014. Shields once again led the staff with 227 innings pitched, and the rotation this year would post 949 innings as a staff. The bullpen became the three-headed monster of Holland, Davis and Kelvin Herrera, with many saying, "Just get to the sixth with the lead." Greg Holland posted a 1.44 ERA while locking down 46 saves in 48 chances, and striking out 90 in 62 1/3 innings. Davis, moved to the bullpen in 2014, and he found immediate success, being able to throw harder over a short period of time. Davis posted a 1.00 ERA and struck 109 batters in 72 innings. Herrera also dazzled, posting an ERA of 1.41. On the hitting side, the Royals thrived with a contact approach. The Royals were last in baseball in home runs, but had the fewest strikeouts, 985, in the league. Cain had a breakout season as he hit .301 and stole 28 bases. Escobar also enjoyed a breakout campaign, hitting .285 with 31 stolen bases. Hosmer had a bit of a down year, but still drove in 58 runs. The Royals would sneak into the AL Wild Card Game, defeating the A's, and would eventually come within 90 feet of scoring the tying run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the Giants.
The Royals were just happy to be in the 2014 World Series, but had their eyes on the ultimate prize in 2015. The Royals would get off to their best 81-game record, 48-33, since 1980. They would go on to win the division by 12 games, winning 95 in the regular season. The playoffs is where they really broke out. Seven times, the Royals came back from a deficit of multiple runs to win the game. They were five outs away from elimination in Game 4 of the AL Division Series in Houston, but refused to back down. In the World Series, they trailed in the eighth or later three times, but would win those three, becoming the only team ever to do so. They did a great job of sticking to their approach at the plate, consistently put the ball in play, even against Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom.
When you look at the base of the Royals' roster, it starts with their homegrown talent. Of the players on the World Series roster, 12 are homegrown, including Perez, Christian Colon, Hosmer, Moustakas, Raul Mondesi, Jarrod Dyson, Gordon, Cain, Danny Duffy, Herrera, Luke Hochevar and Yordano Ventura. That doesn't include Holland (DL) and Terrence Gore (left off roster).
The trade on Dec. 19, 2010 will be forever remembered as the one that helped the Royals set up for success. Without that trade, the Royals wouldn't have had their center-fielder (Cain), their shortstop (Escobar) or their closer (Davis), all of whom had a big impact on the Royals' success.
The Royals have brought back a lost brand of baseball, putting the ball in play, one that is refreshing to watch, and one that ultimately led them to becoming 2015 World Series Champions.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Rookie of the Year races
2015 has been another great year for the rookie. Many have thrived in their first season and are up for recognition for their performances. Here is a list of the top four AL and top three NL rookies for Rookie of the Year voting.
American League
2015 Stats: 94 Games, .281 Average, 21 Home runs, 22 Doubles,
61 RBIs, 12 Stolen Bases
When Carlos made his debut on Jun. 8 of
this year, many thought he would just be up to fill in for the injured Jed
Lowrie. Correa has flourished on the field and in the batter’s box, making the case
to the Astros that he is indeed ready for this. Only 20 years old, Correa plays
with a maturity of a veteran and does everything the right way. He has
thrived producing a .281 batting average, 21 home runs and 61 runs batted in, and has been a catalyst in the Astros' playoff push.
2. Miguel Sano – Third Baseman – Minnesota Twins
2015 Stats: 74 games, .275 Average, 17 Home runs, 17
Doubles, 51 RBIs, .388 OBP
Although Sano has played the least number of games of the four AL candidates on this list, he has made the same impact as the others. Sano debuted
on Jul. 2, and began hitting for a decent average from the word go.
It was August when his power really showed, hitting nine long balls in 28 games.
He has 2/3rds the at bats of Correa, but is almost matching him in
home runs and RBIs. Sano will be a big part of the Twins' playoff push.
3. Francisco Lindor – Shortstop – Cleveland Indians
2015 Stats: 93 Games, .319 Average, 11 Home runs, 21 Doubles, four Triples, 49 RBIs, nine Stolen Bases
Lindor has been a highly touted prospect for years and has shown why he has the chance to be an impact big league player. The switch hitting middle infielder has hit .319 over 93 games, and has shown some pop in his bat as well, totaling 36 extra-base hits. His defense has been solid, but it will continue to get better as he realizes more and more that he belongs at the big league level. With Jason Kipnis and Lindor up the middle, the future is bright for the Indians.
4. Billy Burns – Center Fielder – Oakland Athletics
2015 Stats: 121 Games, .297 Average, five Home runs, 18
Doubles, nine Triples, 42 RBIs, 26 Stolen Bases
Burns has the largest sample size of the four AL players on this list,
and has shown tremendous consistency at the plate. The Atlanta native and
Mercer Alum has really helped ease the burden for A’s fans in what has been a
disappointing 2015 campaign. It was too bad that he had some hamstring issues near the end of the season that slowed him down, or else we could've seen him steal 30 plus bases. Overall has wowed on the bases and in the field, and doesn’t get
the attention he deserves. He will be fun to watch on A’s teams down the road.
National League
1.
Kris
Bryant – Third Baseman – Chicago Cubs
2015 Stats: 146
Games, .281 Average, 26 Home runs, 31 Doubles, 99 RBIs, 13 Stolen Bases
When Kris didn’t
make the team out of Spring Training, fans scratched their heads, blaming
ownership that it was only to keep him under another year of control (MLB
Service Clock Rules). Well 10 games into the season, Bryant forced his way up
and never looked back. The 6’5” Bryant is first among all rookies in home runs
(26), RBIs (99), runs (86), and 5th in stolen bases (12). He has
been a force in the middle of the Cubs’ line-up that already features first
baseman Anthony Rizzo. Without Bryant, the Cubs don't clinch a playoff spot.
2. Matt
Duffy – Third Baseman – San Francisco Giants
2015 Stats: 143
Games, .298 Average, 11 Home runs, 28 Doubles, 74 RBIs, 11/0 SB/CS
Pablo Sandoval who? That
is the effect Matt Duffy has had on the Giants all year, smoothly transitioning
in to replace the beloved Pablo Sandoval who left via free agency. Duffy has
excelled against big league pitching as seen by his .298 average. Manager Bruce
Bochy has even penciled in Duffy in the 3rd spot in a line-up filled
with the likes of Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, and Brandon Belt. Duffy helped
carry this Giants team for a while, but even though the Giants don't seem to be in the hunt for a playoff spot, he has had a terrific year worth celebrating.
3. Jung Ho Kang – Third Baseman – Pittsburgh Pirates
2015 Stats: 126
Games, .287 Average, 15 Home runs, 24 Doubles, 58 RBIs, .355 OBP
Not too many were
sure how the Korean import Kang would fare adjusting to America, but he has
thrived in the opportunities he has been given. His versatility has allowed his
bat to be in the lineup, most recently filling in at third for the injured
Josh Harrison. Kang got off to a rough start, but really turned it on in the
month of July when he won NL Rookie of the Month honors hitting .379 with eight doubles and nine RBIs. A takeout slide by Chris Coghlan ended his season
prematurely, but that shouldn’t compromise his vote total. Kang, just like the
Pirates have been under the radar, but are both can’t miss stories of 2015.
Friday, August 7, 2015
The underrated NL Rookie of the Year candidates
It seems like the young talent just keeps coming. As of Aug. 7, there are 21 rookie position players and 18 rookie pitchers who are first year eligible in the National League. There is no clear cut rookie of the year, and you can make a case for each of them. The stat categories are led by many different candidates. Matt Duffy currently leads all rookies with a .309 average, Joc Pederson leads with 21 home runs and Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Kris Bryant is the leader in RBIs, with 61. This just makes the vote even harder. What is impressive too, is that most of these rookies are performing in the middle of pennant races. On the mound, Giants' righty Chris Heston, and Mets' Noah Syndergaard have both put up strong numbers and seem to be the two pitching favorites. Milwaukee's Taylor Jungmann has also impressed in his 11 starts this year.
Although Bryant and Pederson have received the most hype, they have struggled mightily since the All-Star break. Fans need to be exposed to the other rookies, so that the other rookies can receive recognition for their solid campaigns. Here are three very underrated rookies who have put up very good numbers, and make good cases to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Matt Duffy - 3B - San Francisco Giants
Duffy has been one of the more quiet rookie performers this year. He doesn't get the same attention as Bryant, or Pederson, but he has definitely been as good or better. Remember just this past offseason marked the departure of Pablo Sandoval, and many were wondering who could replace the beloved third baseman. The Giants first tried veteran Casey McGehee, but after that didn't work out, they gave the job full time to Duffy, who began to stand out from the beginning. Through his first 95 games, Duffy has batted .309 (1st among rookies) with 108 hits (1st), nine home runs (7th) and 51 RBIs (2nd). Duffy has always been a high average hitter, hitting .332 at Double-A Richmond last year, but the power has only developed recently. In his college career at Long Beach State, Duffy didn't hit a single home run, but has hit nine in the big leagues this year. His run production has allowed manager Bruce Bochy to deepen his lineup, penciling in Duffy to the third spot on a Giants team that already features Buster Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt in the middle of the order. Duffy has definitely made an impact in San Francisco, and he should not be overlooked in the NL ROY race.
Randal Grichuk - OF - St. Louis Cardinals
Many may not know that Grichuk was taken by the Angels 24th overall in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft, the pick before reigning AL MVP Mike Trout. Although he didn't get to the big leagues as fast as Trout, Grichuk is a very talented outfielder with solid tools across the board. He is 5th in average (.288), 2nd in doubles (20), 1st in triples (seven) and 6th in RBIs (40). He, like Duffy, has performed on a playoff contending team, and has filled a huge hole in the lineup with Matt Holliday down with a quad injury. He is projected to finish with around 20 home runs (13 at the moment), and has been a big part of the Cardinals. Grichuk consistently hits the ball hard as he ranks 4th in average launch speed (94.7 mph), behind only Giancarlo Stanton (98.7 mph), Kyle Schwarber (96.8 mph), and Miguel Cabrera (94.8 mph). The harder the ball is put in play, the more good things happen for a hitter. Look for Grichuk down the stretch as he looks to continue to help the Cardinals to the playoffs and beyond.
Odubel Herrera - CF - Philadelphia Phillies
Who? That is what most say when they hear the name of this 23 year old rookie outfielder. After being selected by the Phillies from the Rangers in this past Rule 5 Draft, Herrera had a chip on his shoulder, but also an opportunity to play in the big leagues. He has made most of the opportunity so far, hitting .288 with five home runs and 29 RBIs. He currently leads NL rookies with 22 doubles, is 5th in runs with 41 and 3rd in hits with 90. Herrera has also made a nice adjustment to the outfield after being a middle infielder for most of his professional career. Although the Phillies are not contending in a playoff race, Herrera is making his case that he should be in the future plans of the Phillies. He could turn out to be a Shane Victorino like story, as Victorino was also a Rule 5 Draft pick. Paired with Maikel Franco (who has put up a stellar rookie campaign so far.), Cody Asche, and Cesar Hernandez, the Phillies have some nice young pieces moving into the future, and hopes that Herrera will roaming center field in the years to come.
Although Bryant and Pederson have received the most hype, they have struggled mightily since the All-Star break. Fans need to be exposed to the other rookies, so that the other rookies can receive recognition for their solid campaigns. Here are three very underrated rookies who have put up very good numbers, and make good cases to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Matt Duffy - 3B - San Francisco Giants
Duffy has been one of the more quiet rookie performers this year. He doesn't get the same attention as Bryant, or Pederson, but he has definitely been as good or better. Remember just this past offseason marked the departure of Pablo Sandoval, and many were wondering who could replace the beloved third baseman. The Giants first tried veteran Casey McGehee, but after that didn't work out, they gave the job full time to Duffy, who began to stand out from the beginning. Through his first 95 games, Duffy has batted .309 (1st among rookies) with 108 hits (1st), nine home runs (7th) and 51 RBIs (2nd). Duffy has always been a high average hitter, hitting .332 at Double-A Richmond last year, but the power has only developed recently. In his college career at Long Beach State, Duffy didn't hit a single home run, but has hit nine in the big leagues this year. His run production has allowed manager Bruce Bochy to deepen his lineup, penciling in Duffy to the third spot on a Giants team that already features Buster Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt in the middle of the order. Duffy has definitely made an impact in San Francisco, and he should not be overlooked in the NL ROY race.
Randal Grichuk - OF - St. Louis Cardinals
Many may not know that Grichuk was taken by the Angels 24th overall in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft, the pick before reigning AL MVP Mike Trout. Although he didn't get to the big leagues as fast as Trout, Grichuk is a very talented outfielder with solid tools across the board. He is 5th in average (.288), 2nd in doubles (20), 1st in triples (seven) and 6th in RBIs (40). He, like Duffy, has performed on a playoff contending team, and has filled a huge hole in the lineup with Matt Holliday down with a quad injury. He is projected to finish with around 20 home runs (13 at the moment), and has been a big part of the Cardinals. Grichuk consistently hits the ball hard as he ranks 4th in average launch speed (94.7 mph), behind only Giancarlo Stanton (98.7 mph), Kyle Schwarber (96.8 mph), and Miguel Cabrera (94.8 mph). The harder the ball is put in play, the more good things happen for a hitter. Look for Grichuk down the stretch as he looks to continue to help the Cardinals to the playoffs and beyond.
Odubel Herrera - CF - Philadelphia Phillies
Who? That is what most say when they hear the name of this 23 year old rookie outfielder. After being selected by the Phillies from the Rangers in this past Rule 5 Draft, Herrera had a chip on his shoulder, but also an opportunity to play in the big leagues. He has made most of the opportunity so far, hitting .288 with five home runs and 29 RBIs. He currently leads NL rookies with 22 doubles, is 5th in runs with 41 and 3rd in hits with 90. Herrera has also made a nice adjustment to the outfield after being a middle infielder for most of his professional career. Although the Phillies are not contending in a playoff race, Herrera is making his case that he should be in the future plans of the Phillies. He could turn out to be a Shane Victorino like story, as Victorino was also a Rule 5 Draft pick. Paired with Maikel Franco (who has put up a stellar rookie campaign so far.), Cody Asche, and Cesar Hernandez, the Phillies have some nice young pieces moving into the future, and hopes that Herrera will roaming center field in the years to come.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Winners of the trade deadline
This was one of the more memorable trade deadlines of recent years. Big prospects were moved as well as All-Star bats and front line starters. The trade season began with Scott Kazmir being dealt to the Astros on Jul. 23 and ended with the Mets acquiring the power bat of Yoenis Cespedes in the final minutes leading up to the deadline. Most of the teams that needed to get something done, got something done. Many of these deals will impact the already tight races across the league and only time will tell if these deals will have paid off. Here is a look at the winners of this years trading deadline.
Winners
1. Toronto Blue Jays
This is a no brainer. When you acquire the best shortstop in the game in Troy Tulowitzki, an ace in David Price, and fill a few holes with Ben Revere and Mark Lowe, you did something right. In his first eight games with the team, Tulowitzki has gone 8 for 28 with two home runs and five RBIs, while getting on-base at a .412 clip. He has also dazzled defensively making numerous difficult plays, and showing Toronto why he is the best all around shortstop in the game. Price was also brilliant in his debut with the Jays, pitching eight innings, while surrendering only three hits and one earned run in a win over the Minnesota Twins. He will be a key stopper down the stretch, and will also help all of the pitchers around him get better. Alex Anthopoulos did a terrific job of making moves this year, something he didn't do last year and was highly criticized for. Now the Blue Jays have an even more potent offense, and pitching to support the attack. There is also a buzz around the ballpark that hasn't been there in a while. Hopefully they can party like its 1992 and 1993.Thumbs up to the Jays front office for the creativity and the names that they brought in.
2. Houston Astros
The Astros made a statement from the beginning that they believe that this is their year by acquiring Kazmir. Kazmir has been brilliant in his last seven starts going 2-2 with a 0.96 ERA. Imagine in a postseason series having to face Dallas Keuchel and Kazmir back to back. They wouldn't be done there as they would also acquire outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Brewers. Gomez is a great addition as he brings the energy of George Springer, who is currently on the DL. Hopefully there is no issue with his hip and he performs like the 2014 version of himself. When healthy, he is one of the best power, speed, and defense combos in the game today. The Astros also received a good arm in Mike Fiers in the Gomez trade, to solidify the back end of the young rotation. It was a great job by the Astros to realize that they were ahead of schedule, and to go for it now.
3. New York Mets
What was thought, wasn't. I am referring to the infamous trade that didn't happen of Carlos Gomez to the Mets for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. At first, it looked like this would be another dwelling point for New York fans, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Flores would hit a walk-off solo home run to push the Mets past the Nationals just a day after he was thought to be traded. The Mets would end up trading for Cespedes, who provides a much needed impact bat in what was an anemic offense. A trade that went really under the radar though, was for utility man Kelly Johnson, and Juan Uribe. Both are great clubhouse presences and bring a winning attitude to the team. When the trade was made, Lucas Duda asked Terry Collins if Johnson was here to play first. Collins basically responded that how you play will determine that. Duda would go on to win player of the week ending August 3rd, as he went 9 for 19 with seven home runs from Jul. 26 to Aug. 3. Dating back to the Jul. 25, Duda has nine home runs in that span. It is safe to say that this trade lit a fire under Duda, which significantly helps this offense. The atmosphere of Citi Field has also changed, evident in the weekend series that saw the Mets sweep the Nationals. The fans are behind this team and are very alive in the stadium. They too will be a key cog in this postseason hunt for the Mets. The Mets went from a cute story, to a contender in the matter of days, look out for them as they look to win the division over the disappointing Nationals.
4. Texas Rangers
No, they didn't make a flurry of moves, but they did make the big one, acquiring Cole Hamels from the Phillies. This was a great move for now and in the future as next year Hamels and Darvish will be at the top of their rotation. The Rangers have also made a push recently, and Hamels could put them over the hump. As of Aug. 6, the Rangers are five games back in the division, and two games back of an AL Wild Card spot. If their offense keeps firing, and the pitching can be consistent, this may be a very dangerous playoff team, especially with a proven postseason pitcher like Hamels.
Winners
1. Toronto Blue Jays
This is a no brainer. When you acquire the best shortstop in the game in Troy Tulowitzki, an ace in David Price, and fill a few holes with Ben Revere and Mark Lowe, you did something right. In his first eight games with the team, Tulowitzki has gone 8 for 28 with two home runs and five RBIs, while getting on-base at a .412 clip. He has also dazzled defensively making numerous difficult plays, and showing Toronto why he is the best all around shortstop in the game. Price was also brilliant in his debut with the Jays, pitching eight innings, while surrendering only three hits and one earned run in a win over the Minnesota Twins. He will be a key stopper down the stretch, and will also help all of the pitchers around him get better. Alex Anthopoulos did a terrific job of making moves this year, something he didn't do last year and was highly criticized for. Now the Blue Jays have an even more potent offense, and pitching to support the attack. There is also a buzz around the ballpark that hasn't been there in a while. Hopefully they can party like its 1992 and 1993.Thumbs up to the Jays front office for the creativity and the names that they brought in.
2. Houston Astros
The Astros made a statement from the beginning that they believe that this is their year by acquiring Kazmir. Kazmir has been brilliant in his last seven starts going 2-2 with a 0.96 ERA. Imagine in a postseason series having to face Dallas Keuchel and Kazmir back to back. They wouldn't be done there as they would also acquire outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Brewers. Gomez is a great addition as he brings the energy of George Springer, who is currently on the DL. Hopefully there is no issue with his hip and he performs like the 2014 version of himself. When healthy, he is one of the best power, speed, and defense combos in the game today. The Astros also received a good arm in Mike Fiers in the Gomez trade, to solidify the back end of the young rotation. It was a great job by the Astros to realize that they were ahead of schedule, and to go for it now.
3. New York Mets
What was thought, wasn't. I am referring to the infamous trade that didn't happen of Carlos Gomez to the Mets for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. At first, it looked like this would be another dwelling point for New York fans, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Flores would hit a walk-off solo home run to push the Mets past the Nationals just a day after he was thought to be traded. The Mets would end up trading for Cespedes, who provides a much needed impact bat in what was an anemic offense. A trade that went really under the radar though, was for utility man Kelly Johnson, and Juan Uribe. Both are great clubhouse presences and bring a winning attitude to the team. When the trade was made, Lucas Duda asked Terry Collins if Johnson was here to play first. Collins basically responded that how you play will determine that. Duda would go on to win player of the week ending August 3rd, as he went 9 for 19 with seven home runs from Jul. 26 to Aug. 3. Dating back to the Jul. 25, Duda has nine home runs in that span. It is safe to say that this trade lit a fire under Duda, which significantly helps this offense. The atmosphere of Citi Field has also changed, evident in the weekend series that saw the Mets sweep the Nationals. The fans are behind this team and are very alive in the stadium. They too will be a key cog in this postseason hunt for the Mets. The Mets went from a cute story, to a contender in the matter of days, look out for them as they look to win the division over the disappointing Nationals.
4. Texas Rangers
No, they didn't make a flurry of moves, but they did make the big one, acquiring Cole Hamels from the Phillies. This was a great move for now and in the future as next year Hamels and Darvish will be at the top of their rotation. The Rangers have also made a push recently, and Hamels could put them over the hump. As of Aug. 6, the Rangers are five games back in the division, and two games back of an AL Wild Card spot. If their offense keeps firing, and the pitching can be consistent, this may be a very dangerous playoff team, especially with a proven postseason pitcher like Hamels.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
It's that time of year again
It's that time of year again, when
the rumors begin to pick up, and players begin to change uniforms. All 30 clubs
will have to decide if they are buyers or sellers at the deadline, but this is
not as easy as in years past. Ever since the expansion of the 2nd Wild Card,
more and more teams are in it as of Jul. 31. As of Jul. 20, 13 teams are
either leading their division or within five games of 1st. 11 teams are within 5.5
games of a wild card spot. This can put pressure on a team to make a move in
order to contend, even if they are not realistically in the race. There
are some big names that could be on the move, and many needs that have to be
filled.
Definite Sellers
The Reds and Phillies are two teams
who are definite sellers, and rumors have already begun to swirl around them.
Both of them have lock down closers to trade as well as a front line starter. Aroldis Chapman’s name has already come up, and the Nationals, Blue Jays, and even the
Dodgers would make sense for the powerful lefty. Jonathan Papelbon of the Phillies is a
very intriguing player as many teams seem hesitant because of the animosity he
creates in a clubhouse. So far it seems that the Blue Jays are still a possible
target. The Brewers are another team that will likely be sellers at the
deadline. They have some pieces that will fit nicely on contending teams. Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Gomez, Jean Segura, Gerardo Parra and even Ryan Braun all
seem to be expendable, but only for the right price. The Rockies should also be
sellers, but it will hinge on whether they will trade Troy Tulowitzki or not. Billy
Beane should also be busy this trade deadline, but not in the way he has in the
past. After trading away many top prospects to get starter Jeff Samardzija last year, the A’s
need to get back some more major league ready talent, and restock for 2016. Ben
Zobrist as well as Scott Kazmir are the two most likely be dealt.
Let's Make a Deal
Here are a few possible scenarios that could go down this trade deadline...
Chapman to the Nationals for
A.J. Cole and Trea Turner.
Steep price? Yes, but no one compares to Chapman in the 'pen, who by the way just became the fastest pitcher to 500 strikeouts. The Nationals would be trading from
an area of surplus, pitching, and an area that is a question mark past this
year (shortstop). If they are still unsure about shortstop for the future, then
we could see Joe Ross, or even Tanner Roark go to the Reds instead of Trea
Turner.
Johnny Cueto and Skip Schumaker to
the Houston Astros for Mark Appel, Colin Moran, and Brett Phillips.
The Astros would be getting a
frontline starter as well as a veteran 4th outfielder. Mark Appel
hasn’t developed as planned, so the Astros will be less hesitant than before in giving him up. Their
outfield will be ok with dealing Brett Phillips as they will have Preston Tucker,
Jake Marisnick, and Domingo Santana as their future outfield. The Reds on the
other hand could have a replacement to Jay Bruce in Phillips, and will get back
a future top to middle rotation guy in Appel.
Papelbon to the Blue Jays
for Devon Travis and Jeff Hoffman
The Phillies will be landing a
quality second baseman in Devon Travis and a good rotation arm in Jeff Hoffman. The Phillies
need to make sure that they get the most that they can though as they have
gotten minimal return in years past. The Blue Jays on the other hand, will be getting a lock down closer. This is their year to go for it. They have a powerhouse offense that leads the bigs in runs (by 80, with 498), but its been their pitching that has let them down. Going for Papelbon would definitely make a statement to the AL East as well as the players. Last year Alex Anthopoulos came under a lot of criticism for not making a deal, but he learned his lesson, and won't make the same mistake.
Cole Hamels to the Dodgers for Corey
Seager, Jose De Leon, and Zach Lee.
The Dodgers will have to give in and
give up one of the big three (Joc Pederson, Julio Urias, Corey Seager). Although they will have
to give up a lot for Cole Hamels, it won’t be as much because they will most likely
be paying some of his contract.
Gomez to the Mets for Steven
Matz and Gavin Cecchini -- or -- Gomez and Parra for Steven
Matz, Dominic Smith, and Akeel Morris.
Steven Matz would be the center piece that
the Brewers would want, and Cecchini could also be future big leaguers. Another player that could be seen on the
move in this deal is the first base prospect Dominic Smith. Smith will really only be a first baseman, so with Lucas Duda solidifying his case as an everyday player, Smith will be expendable. The Mets desperately need offense, and Carlos Gomez gives them a little bit of everything.
Ben Zobrist to the Yankees for Rob
Refsnyder and Ian Clarkin.
The A’s will be getting back two
mid-tier prospects, but two future big leaguers at the least. Rob Refsnyder even
made his debut this year and the A’s can plug him straight into the lineup.
It is always fun to throw ideas out
there, but these trades could be a possibility based on the needs and wants of
each team. Some may be more outrageous than others, but we’ve seen crazier
things happen at the trade deadline in years past. Expect this deadline to be
no less exciting than the last.
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