Opening day is Monday for the 2014 MLB season. I will now make predictions for the upcoming season. I waited to the end of spring training in order view all the player movements and injuries. So here goes, my fearless predictions for the National League:
East:
Washington Nationals: I believe will win the division this year. After an underwhelming year in 2013, I think they will bounce back and play better as a team. The addition of Doug Fister(once he is off the DL) will benefit them also.
Atlanta Braves: The defending division champs have suffered a rash of injuries to the pitching staff this spring. The Braves still have a strong nucleus of players around them and should be able to win a wild card spot especially if B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla have bounce back years.
Philadelphia Phillies: The oldest team in the NL. They seem to be stuck in the middle of having veterans players and trying to win now with a few mix of younger stars in an attempt to rebuild. Because of the lack of direction, they will be stuck in the middle of the division
New York Mets: They have improved over the last season with additions of Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon. They still have a holes in the lineup and the loss of Matt Harvey for the season will hurt. Still a year away from contending or in consideration of contending.
Miami Marlins: They have added some legitimate MLB talent with their young talented stars and prospects. Still a lot of work needs to be done. But are heading in right direction.
Central:
St. Louis Cardinals: The defending NL pennant winners still have alot of talent. Addition of Peter Bourjos and Jhonny Peralta should offset the loss of Carlos Beltran and are still loaded in pitching. I don't see them not winning the division again this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates, They finally broke through last year and made the playoffs after suffering 20 years of losing seasons. They had a quiet off season even after losing AJ Burnett, Justin Morneau and Marlon Byrd to free agency. Gregory Polanco is name to keep an eye in Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati Reds: They lost Bronson Arroyo and Shin Soo Choo to free agency. Plus we don't know how long Aroldis Chapman will be out after suffering a line drive to the face this spring. Not sure they will have enough to make playoffs, but will field a pretty good team all year.
Milwaukee Brewers: Should have a better team than last year just having a full season of Ryan Braun in the field-provided he is not suspended again. The Brew Crew has some nice talent on the team, but not enough to compete in my opinion.
Chicago Cubs: Some of their big time prospects could make their debuts at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field in 2014. There is still work that needs to be done in Chicago before a division is within reach.
West:
Los Angeles Dodgers: The highest payroll in MLB and all the talent should lead them to another division crown in 2014.
San Francisco Giants: Many of the core players from their two World Series championships are still there. The addition of proven winner Tim Hudson in the rotation should help. A believe a wild card spot is in order here.
Arizona Diamondbacks: The addition of Mark Trumbo gives them another big bat in the lineup and pitching staff is quite young. Manager Kirk Gibson will have them play hard but not enough wins will happen.
San Diego Padres: A good group of hard nosed players who will compete on a daily basis. Similar to Oakland A's of the AL. But I don't they have as much talent as Oakland so they will not win a division.
Colorado Rockies: They have Tony Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. Couple other decent young hitters, but pitching is lacking. It will be a long season in Colorado.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Card of Week: 1991 Topps Archives '53 Joe Garagiola
First of all, I would like to apologize for my little hiatus. I had a death in the family, so I have not been a writing mood. The cause of the death was basically due to a lifetime of smoking cigarettes. I am going to get a little preachy here today.
This week's card is of Joe Garagiola from the 1991 Topps Archives set. This set was a reprint of the 1953 Topps set. This set had a couple differences from the original set. The newer version was produced in the standard baseball card size as opposed to the larger version of the original set. The 1991 set also included an additional 57 cards of players who was not a part of the 1953 set. The Garagiola is one of them.
Garagiola was a career backup catcher from 1946-1954, in which included winning a World Series with St. Louis Cardinals in 1946. After his playing days, he began a very successful career in broadcasting. Most notably working for NBC on their game of the week with fellow Ford Frick Award winner Vin Scully. Garagiola also had a co hosting stint on NBC's Today show and spelled Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show on occasion. Garagiola is also the recipient of 2014 Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award.
After Garagiola's broadcasting days at NBC was over, he visited many spring training camps and preached the health risks of smokeless tobacco. Garagiola had lost several of his former teammates and friends because of and wanted to eliminate the use of the tobacco product from the game. So the moral of today's post is....smoking. bad. smokeless tobacco....also bad.
Garagiola was a career backup catcher from 1946-1954, in which included winning a World Series with St. Louis Cardinals in 1946. After his playing days, he began a very successful career in broadcasting. Most notably working for NBC on their game of the week with fellow Ford Frick Award winner Vin Scully. Garagiola also had a co hosting stint on NBC's Today show and spelled Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show on occasion. Garagiola is also the recipient of 2014 Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award.
After Garagiola's broadcasting days at NBC was over, he visited many spring training camps and preached the health risks of smokeless tobacco. Garagiola had lost several of his former teammates and friends because of and wanted to eliminate the use of the tobacco product from the game. So the moral of today's post is....smoking. bad. smokeless tobacco....also bad.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
In Case You Missed It: What Are the Odds?
Wednesday's opening day of spring training games likely produced the best defensive play we are going to see this spring. Josh Reddick of the Oakland A's climbed the right field wall and robbed San Francisco Giant's Mike Morse of a home run.
Later in the same game, Morse tried again for a homer opposite field. Yet again, Reddick came through and robbed Morse of a roundtripper. Here is the video of the catches:
I have no idea how often this has happened in a regular season game. Has one player ever robbed another of two home runs in one game? I am guessing it has happened less than a perfect game(23 times), 4-HR game(16 times) or an unassisted triple play(15 times).
Regardless, it is cool and nice to show new baseball highlights. This also falls in the category of "If you think you saw everything in baseball, there is always something new." One of the beauties of baseball, you will never know what can happen.
Later in the same game, Morse tried again for a homer opposite field. Yet again, Reddick came through and robbed Morse of a roundtripper. Here is the video of the catches:
I have no idea how often this has happened in a regular season game. Has one player ever robbed another of two home runs in one game? I am guessing it has happened less than a perfect game(23 times), 4-HR game(16 times) or an unassisted triple play(15 times).
Regardless, it is cool and nice to show new baseball highlights. This also falls in the category of "If you think you saw everything in baseball, there is always something new." One of the beauties of baseball, you will never know what can happen.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Voice of the Turtle by Ernie Harwell
Every year prior to the Detroit Tigers' first spring training game, Ernie Harwell opened up his broadcast by reciting the poem, Voice of the Turtle.
Since spring training games are beginning this week, I will carry on the tradition. No, I will not be reciting it. Thanks to YouTube, Ernie Harwell will do it himself:
Since spring training games are beginning this week, I will carry on the tradition. No, I will not be reciting it. Thanks to YouTube, Ernie Harwell will do it himself:
Saturday, February 22, 2014
A Heartwarming Story of Lost Friendship, New Friendship and Recognition
As a lifelong baseball fan, card collector and consumer of any information baseball related, I have acquired a fondness of the old Negro Leagues. Maybe because it is largely a part of baseball history that is forgotten and under appreciated. Or just learning about a part of the game that a lot of people don't know about. It is kind of like rooting for the underdog I guess.
One of my proudest collecting memories was when I attended a Negro League autograph show/fundraiser back in college. A friend and I went to the show, got some autographs and listened to some of the old ballplayers tell some stories. Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe was especially enjoyable, I might add.
About this same time, Ken Burns made his documentary, "Baseball". In it, he told stories and history of the Negro Leagues. Over the almost twenty years since the release of "Baseball", the Negro Leagues and it's players has been appreciated much more. There has been museums opened, Negro League appreciation days at MLB games and MLB has set up pensions for the players also. But there is so much more that can be done to help out the old players and learn about the Negro Leagues itself.
Here is a story about a teenager, through his hobby, has picked up on this cause:
I was a bit like him as a kid. I wish I had the thought and wherewithal to do something like that as a youngster. I suppose growing up in the internet age sure does help.
Regardless, I hope for many more successes for Mr. Perron. I would like to see some the old players being helped out financially or just have some joy and recognition brought in their lives before it is too late.
One of my proudest collecting memories was when I attended a Negro League autograph show/fundraiser back in college. A friend and I went to the show, got some autographs and listened to some of the old ballplayers tell some stories. Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe was especially enjoyable, I might add.
About this same time, Ken Burns made his documentary, "Baseball". In it, he told stories and history of the Negro Leagues. Over the almost twenty years since the release of "Baseball", the Negro Leagues and it's players has been appreciated much more. There has been museums opened, Negro League appreciation days at MLB games and MLB has set up pensions for the players also. But there is so much more that can be done to help out the old players and learn about the Negro Leagues itself.
Here is a story about a teenager, through his hobby, has picked up on this cause:
I was a bit like him as a kid. I wish I had the thought and wherewithal to do something like that as a youngster. I suppose growing up in the internet age sure does help.
Regardless, I hope for many more successes for Mr. Perron. I would like to see some the old players being helped out financially or just have some joy and recognition brought in their lives before it is too late.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Andrelton Simmons Signing is Biggest Steal This Offseason
On Thursday, Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons signed a 7 yr/58 million contract extension with his team. I believe this is biggest steal in terms of long term( 4 yr+) contracts for the 2013-14 off season.
If you are unfamiliar with Simmons, the 2013 season was his first full season in MLB at the age of 23. He hit 17 HRs and knocked in 59 RBIs while batting .248. He also had an on base percentage of .296 and slugging of .396. But Simmons' fielding is his best attribute. For the 2013 he won his first Gold Glove award and is already considered one of the best defensive shortstops in all of baseball.
This contract extension locks up Simmons for the Braves until his age 30 season with average of over 8 million per. This will enable the Braves to have one of the best players up the middle throughout his prime years and before age starts to catch up to him. Simmons' detractors will mention his low .248/.296/.396 offensive splits. But, I believe he will improve on them as his career moves along. Probably not by a huge margin, but an improvement nonetheless. Even if these numbers are his average during his career, it isn't terrible if you include his glove also. Simmons did wind up with a WAR of 6.8 last season, which was 8th best for hitters in MLB last season. I think the Braves will take that on a yearly basis for 8 million/yr in a free agent market that becomes more expensive each year.
Lets see how Simmons' contract compares with the others from this off season. Here are the other contract extensions:
Craig Kimbrel(25 yrs old) Closer Braves 4 yr/42 million
Julio Teheran (22 yrs old) Pitcher Braves 6 yr/32.4 million
Freddie Freeman(23) 1st base Braves 8 yr/135 million
Homer Bailey (27) Pitcher Reds 6 yr/105 million
Clayton Kershaw(25) Pitcher Dodgers 7 yr/215 million
Michael Brantley (25) OF Indians 4 yr/25 million
It appears that the Kimbrel and Freeman deals could end up very well. As for Kimbrel and all the pitchers, one can never predict if and when he will get injured. Because pitchers are more prone to injuries, their contracts have more risk.
Freeman's deal is good also. He a solid middle of the order bat and has a good glove also. His contract is longer and more expensive, so there is more risk here also. In addition, with all things being equal, I will take a shortstop over a 1st baseman because every successful team is solid up the middle of the diamond. And as for Brantley, he is a nice player, but not in Simmons' class and his contract mirrors that.
Here are the big long term free agent signings this off season:
Masahiro Tanaka (25) Pitcher Yankees 7 yr/255 million
Robinson Cano (31) 2nd Base Mariners 10 yr/240 million
Shin Soo Choo (30) OF Rangers 7 yr/130 million
Brian McCann (30) Catcher Yankees 5 yr/85 million
Jacoby Ellsbury(30) OF Yankees 7 yr/153 million
Curtis Granderson(32) OF Mets 4 yr/60 million
Jose Abreu (27) 1B White Sox 6 yr/68 million
Ubaldo Jiminez (30) Pitcher Orioles 4 yr/50 million
Matt Garza (30) Pitcher Brewers 4 yr/50 million
Jhonny Peralta (32) SS Cardinals 4 yr/52 million
Ricky Nolasco (31) Pitcher Twins 4 yr/49 million
Jason Vargas (31) Pitcher Royals 4 yr/32 million
As you can see, all but two of these players are in the 30-32 age range. Which means at some point in their respected contract there is likelihood that the player's production will show decline. The other two, Tanaka and Abreu will be playing in the USA for the very first time. They are unknown commodities and will have more risk attached to them.
After comparing Simmons' contract with all the others this season, it looks like a bargain. 8 million a year for one of the best young shortstops in the big leagues and to have it last through his prime years.
 |
| 2014 Topps |
If you are unfamiliar with Simmons, the 2013 season was his first full season in MLB at the age of 23. He hit 17 HRs and knocked in 59 RBIs while batting .248. He also had an on base percentage of .296 and slugging of .396. But Simmons' fielding is his best attribute. For the 2013 he won his first Gold Glove award and is already considered one of the best defensive shortstops in all of baseball.
This contract extension locks up Simmons for the Braves until his age 30 season with average of over 8 million per. This will enable the Braves to have one of the best players up the middle throughout his prime years and before age starts to catch up to him. Simmons' detractors will mention his low .248/.296/.396 offensive splits. But, I believe he will improve on them as his career moves along. Probably not by a huge margin, but an improvement nonetheless. Even if these numbers are his average during his career, it isn't terrible if you include his glove also. Simmons did wind up with a WAR of 6.8 last season, which was 8th best for hitters in MLB last season. I think the Braves will take that on a yearly basis for 8 million/yr in a free agent market that becomes more expensive each year.
Lets see how Simmons' contract compares with the others from this off season. Here are the other contract extensions:
Craig Kimbrel(25 yrs old) Closer Braves 4 yr/42 million
Julio Teheran (22 yrs old) Pitcher Braves 6 yr/32.4 million
Freddie Freeman(23) 1st base Braves 8 yr/135 million
Homer Bailey (27) Pitcher Reds 6 yr/105 million
Clayton Kershaw(25) Pitcher Dodgers 7 yr/215 million
Michael Brantley (25) OF Indians 4 yr/25 million
It appears that the Kimbrel and Freeman deals could end up very well. As for Kimbrel and all the pitchers, one can never predict if and when he will get injured. Because pitchers are more prone to injuries, their contracts have more risk.
Freeman's deal is good also. He a solid middle of the order bat and has a good glove also. His contract is longer and more expensive, so there is more risk here also. In addition, with all things being equal, I will take a shortstop over a 1st baseman because every successful team is solid up the middle of the diamond. And as for Brantley, he is a nice player, but not in Simmons' class and his contract mirrors that.
Here are the big long term free agent signings this off season:
Masahiro Tanaka (25) Pitcher Yankees 7 yr/255 million
Robinson Cano (31) 2nd Base Mariners 10 yr/240 million
Shin Soo Choo (30) OF Rangers 7 yr/130 million
Brian McCann (30) Catcher Yankees 5 yr/85 million
Jacoby Ellsbury(30) OF Yankees 7 yr/153 million
Curtis Granderson(32) OF Mets 4 yr/60 million
Jose Abreu (27) 1B White Sox 6 yr/68 million
Ubaldo Jiminez (30) Pitcher Orioles 4 yr/50 million
Matt Garza (30) Pitcher Brewers 4 yr/50 million
Jhonny Peralta (32) SS Cardinals 4 yr/52 million
Ricky Nolasco (31) Pitcher Twins 4 yr/49 million
Jason Vargas (31) Pitcher Royals 4 yr/32 million
As you can see, all but two of these players are in the 30-32 age range. Which means at some point in their respected contract there is likelihood that the player's production will show decline. The other two, Tanaka and Abreu will be playing in the USA for the very first time. They are unknown commodities and will have more risk attached to them.
After comparing Simmons' contract with all the others this season, it looks like a bargain. 8 million a year for one of the best young shortstops in the big leagues and to have it last through his prime years.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Trivia: Who is the All Time Winningest Latino Pitcher in MLB History?
On this day, I thought I will have a little fun and do a trivia question. Who has the most all time wins in MLB history among Latin American pitchers?
I will give the answer at the end here in order to give you all a time to think.
Got an idea?
Is it the only Latino pitcher in the Hall of Fame, Juan Marichal? Nope. The Dominican Dandy won 243 big league games in his career.
How about a sure fire Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible next year? Pedro Martinez is also the wrong answer. He won 219 career games.
Luis Tiant? Also wrong. The 3x time All Star and Red Sox World Series hero finished his career with 229 wins.
Fernando Valenzuela? Nope. The 6x time Dodger All Star won 173 games.
What about the active leader in this category? Bartolo Colon has 189 career wins and his 40 years old so he is unlikely to break the record.
The answer? It is none other than El Presidente, Dennis Martinez. The Nicaraguan born righthander won a total of 245 games.
His career spanned from 1976 to 1998 pitching primarily for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians. The 4x time All Star also pitched a perfect game on July 28, 1991 against the Dodgers while pitching for the Expos and a World Series title in 1983 as an Oriole.
By the way, did you see what I did there? Having El Presidente as an answer to a trivia question today.
I will give the answer at the end here in order to give you all a time to think.
Got an idea?
Is it the only Latino pitcher in the Hall of Fame, Juan Marichal? Nope. The Dominican Dandy won 243 big league games in his career.
How about a sure fire Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible next year? Pedro Martinez is also the wrong answer. He won 219 career games.
Luis Tiant? Also wrong. The 3x time All Star and Red Sox World Series hero finished his career with 229 wins.
Fernando Valenzuela? Nope. The 6x time Dodger All Star won 173 games.
What about the active leader in this category? Bartolo Colon has 189 career wins and his 40 years old so he is unlikely to break the record.
The answer? It is none other than El Presidente, Dennis Martinez. The Nicaraguan born righthander won a total of 245 games.
His career spanned from 1976 to 1998 pitching primarily for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians. The 4x time All Star also pitched a perfect game on July 28, 1991 against the Dodgers while pitching for the Expos and a World Series title in 1983 as an Oriole.
By the way, did you see what I did there? Having El Presidente as an answer to a trivia question today.
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