As with past deadline deals these will be highly scrutinized for many years. Instantly we see and decide who got the better end of the deal, but we really won’t know until at least two or three seasons down the road. The only way to know in real time is if the team getting the established major leaguer goes on to win a World Series. Time will tell if that happens this year with the flurry of names (a few marquee ones) being dealt this July. Continue reading
Awards
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
NL MVP – OF Bryce Harper Washington Nationals
AL Cy Young – Chris Sale Chicago White Sox
NL Cy Young – Zack Greinke Los Angeles Dodgers
AL Rookie of the Year – SS Carlos Correa Houston Astros
NL Rookie of the Year – 3B Kris Bryant Chicago Cubs
AL Manager of the Year – Ned Yost Kansas City Royals
NL Manager of the Year – Clint Hurdle Pittsburgh Pirates
Report Cards Continue reading
Now in its 85th year the Midsummer Classic is appearing at the Cincinnati Reds ballpark Great American Ball Park. Now every year there is always a lot of discussion and some of it a little dated about how the teams are put together. No system will ever be perfect. Fans don’t always get it right and managers won’t either. The fact that the players are able to vote for participants was a great choice and they know who is deserving. Regardless of who should or shouldn’t be in the game lets just accept that the best players will always be involved one way or another. Here are my all-stars keeping with the rules that every team be represented and a total of 34 players for each league. Continue reading
* – indicates new to team
1. Los Angeles Angels
Without a repeat of last years injury issues in their rotation, they should remain atop the division.
2. Seattle Mariners
An infusion of power supplied by Nelson Cruz puts the Mariners into a possible Wild Card spot.
3. Oakland Athletics
Their wild offseason has them seeing a lot of new faces, but that shouldn’t take them out of the postseason equation.
4. Texas Rangers
Losing Yu Darvish will hurt more than you think.
5. Houston Astros
It will be tough for them to finish at or above .500 this year. Continue reading
This has been one of the most unpredictable seasons in baseball. I had all the division winners correct in the National League, but only one Wild Card winner. As for the American League the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics were my only correct predictions. That’s not to say this won’t be an interesting postseason. The San Francisco Giants will be looking for their third title in five years. The St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers have been among the best teams this season. Make no mistake about the Pittsburgh Pirates chances of making another October run. In the American League the Los Angeles Angels were the hottest team in baseball down the stretch to claim the best record in baseball. The Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers were tops in their respective divisions and the Kansas City Royals would not give up their chance of ending a 29 year postseason drought. With that said this is where anything goes and those 162 other games make it worthwhile. Continue reading
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