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
For the 88th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Nationals Park in Washington D.C. This will be the first MLB All-Star game played at Nationals Park and the first in the nation’s capital since 1969 at RFK Stadium, the home of the then Washington Senators. 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 32 players for each league.
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves
BAA – Batting Average Against
WHIP – Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched
K – Strikeouts
Stats are accurate as of July 13
* – asterisk indicates starter Continue reading
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. New York Yankees
With the addition of Stanton, the Bronx Bombers have become more formidable.
2. Boston Red Sox
There’s a nice mix of young talent and veterans to compete for at least a Wild Card spot.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
This looks to be a transition year for the Jays and a lot depends on the health of their best players.
4. Baltimore Orioles
The last hurrah for the current roster with a power driven lineup, but a suspect rotation.
5. Tampa Bay Rays
They dismantled the roster and are preparing another crop of young players for the big leagues. Continue reading
For the 87th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. This will be the first MLB All-Star game played at the Miami Marlins new ballpark. It was first opened back in 2012. 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. Boston Red Sox
A stellar rotation instantly makes them World Series contenders.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
Their lineup is still among the best, but will the bullpen be able to keep a lead?
3. Baltimore Orioles
There are too many question marks in the rotation to put them anywhere past a Wild Card spot.
4. New York Yankees
While a Wild Card spot isn’t out of the question, giving their young nucleus a season to grow could help them in the long run.
5. Tampa Bay Rays
They could certainly be an interesting team to watch if they played in a different division. Continue reading
