Category Archives: fantasy baseball

2016 MLB Season Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have had a few rough years in a row as they wait for Ryan Howard’s huge contract to expire and rebuild the team from top to bottom.

Manager Pete Mackanin will serve his first year without the “interim” label. He took over last June when Ryne Sandberg stepped down. Mackanin was the bench coach for the Phillies from 2009-2012 and was then re-hired to be their third base coach in 2014. He knows the franchise inside and out, but hiring him as the manager doesn’t seem like a smart long-term move…but perfect for a team rebuilding.

How will this young Phillies team fare this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Oakland A’s

The Oakland A’s was far from their ‘Moneyball’ days last year. They faced an uphill battle from the start with Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin and other pitchers fell victim to major injuries.

The AL West could be one of the most dominate divisions in baseball. Houston has come of age and are now the favorites, Texas is always looking to get better, the Angels have Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, and Seattle could make a move with a new manager.

Does Oakland finally pull the trigger and trade ace Sonny Gray for a huge load of prospects?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Oakland A’s…and enjoy our #BadMSPaint Khris Davis picture.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees championship window is closing shut. They were quiet this offseason when it came to free agents, but they made two important trades to acquire shortstop Starlin Castro and closer Aroldis Chapman.

The AL East is expected to be one of the most contested divisions in Major League Baseball. Boston added some big free agents, Toronto’s offense is a beast, Baltimore is always dangerous and Tampa Bay is on the rise.

Does A-Rod, Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira have one more championship run left in them?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: New York Mets

Not only were the New York Mets a dark horse contender last year, but they made it all the way to the World Series.

How did the Mets make such a huge leap? Pitching. You knew they would eventually have a stacked young rotation with so many young arms in their farm system, but everything just fell into place last season. It’s scary to think that they didn’t even have one of their best young starters (Zack Wheeler) at all last season. Could their rotation even be better in 2016?

The NL East is top heavy this year with the Mets and Nationals expected to battle for the division crown. Do the Mets have enough offense to keep up with the Nationals?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the New York Mets.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins are a team on the way up in Major League Baseball. They have young talents that are maturing into stars. Prospect Byron Buxton was actually ranked ahead of Kris Bryant coming into the season last year. He has all the tools and should develop into a really good player for the Twins.

The Twins were only expected to win around 70 games last season, but finished with a 83-79 record. They come into the season with just about the same roster. They added some power by signing Byung Ho Park, who hit over 50 homers in each of the last two seasons in the KBO. Can his success in Korea translate to the Majors?

The Twins aren’t too far away from being a legit pennant contender in the American League. Could they win the AL Central this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Minnesota Twins.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers are a long way away from the team that once had a deep farm system. The Brewers didn’t win any championships with Prince Fielder and company, but they did bring this franchise back from the dead. They do have some gems in the minors ready to be called up in the next few years, but their current Major League roster is a bit thin.

The Brewers currently have nine players in camp trying to win the starting center field spot. All nine players are somewhere in-between a Four-A player and a washed-up veteran. Their outfield defense will not be pretty.

Chris Carter and Domingo Santana both have a ton of power, but opposing pitchers will rack up plenty of strikeouts against them this season.

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Milwaukee Brewers.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Miami Marlins

The Marlins are one of the most schizophrenic teams in professional sports. They constantly go from trying to ‘win it all’ to ‘full-blown rebuilding mode’. I’m not sure which side of the spectrum they are now since they did give Giancarlo Stanton a huge payday last season, but hasn’t spent a dime since on anyone that can help them win now.

Miami will benefit from being in one of the most mediocre divisions. The Nationals and Mets will run away with the division with the Phillies and Braves solidly holding camp in the basement. Miami will cut their teeth with some very winnable division games.

Will Miami make some moves this season by trading Stanton or Fernandez at the trade deadline?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a bottomless pile of money to spend and some of the greatest baseball minds working in their front office. It’s probably only a matter of time before they win a World Series, right?

I believe the Dodgers will win at least one World Series during Andrew Friedman’s tenure as team president, but some changes were needed to be made this offseason.

Don Mattingly was on the hot seat for nearly his entire run as manager. They finally let him go in favor of Dave Roberts.

Will the Dodgers make any other big moves this season as the front office continues to improve the roster?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels made one of the biggest trades this offseason by acquiring the defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves. The move that was quite unexpected, but they needed to do something bold to keep up with the young Astros.

As long as the Angels have Mike Trout, they will be in the conversation for the AL Central crown. The division has gotten stronger over the last few years with both Houston and Seattle making moves to contend. The Angels will need to battle if they want to make it to the postseason this year.

The Angels need a corner outfielder, will they make a move or keep a weak platoon in left field?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Kansas City Royals

It has been a long time since the Kansas City Royals won a World Series. George Brett was playing third base and Ronald Reagan was President. 30 years later, the Royals did it again. I’m happy for the city and the organization.

Kansas City spent the offseason trying to keep their own on the team. They signed a few new arms, but their biggest splash was when they re-signed Alex Gordon. Most thought his price-point would have been out of the Royals price-range at the beginning of the offseason.

The Royals have been winning games with defense, smart base-running and a solid bullpen. All of the same pieces are still in place, so could we see a third-straight World Series for the Royals?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Kansas City Royals.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Houston Astros

Houston has spent most of the last decade picking at the top of the MLB amateur draft. They made no apologies for taking this strategy. Houston was finally heralded for their decision when the Astros made their first postseason appearance since 2005.

The Astros are in a similar situation as the Chicago Cubs. They both have a roster full of young talent and still have strong farm systems. They have the extra benefit of trading some youth for established talent or they could always just sit on them and keep developing. It’s a decision both teams will struggle with as they contend.

Could Carlos Correa or George Springer turn into potential MVP candidates?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Houston Astros.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers went from AL Central division winners in 2014 to basement dwellers within a calendar year. Al Avila took over as general manager and spent the offseason correcting some of the wrongs former GM Dave Dombrowski made.

The Tigers have more firepower on their roster right now than the roster that made it to the World Series a few years ago. That’s a scary thought…but their starting rotation isn’t up to that level.

Can Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera play in more than 120 games this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Detroit Tigers.

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