Category Archives: mlb

2015 MLB Team Preview: San Diego Padres

San Diego was quite busy this offseason. Yonder Alonso and Jedd Gyorko are the only starters from last season that will be in the starting lineup for San Diego. They’ve traded a lot of youth to acquire players like Justin Upton, Matt Kemp and Wil Myers, but they now have a team that could make the postseason.

The Padres are in the unfortunate position of being in the same division as the Dodgers and the defending World Series champions, the Giants. San Francisco doesn’t look as opposing, but the Dodgers might be the best team in the Majors. The road to a postseason berth will be a difficult one.

Can San Diego contend this season or will they face the same growing pains the 2013 Toronto Blue Jays faced after completing so many offseason trades?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the San Diego Padres.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off back-to-back postseason appearances, but have yet to win the NL Central. Manager Clint Hurdle knows winning the division is more important than ever. Pittsburgh would avoid a Wild Card play-in game. They lost to the eventual World Series champs (San Francisco) in the WC play-in game last season.

The Buccos might possibly have the best young outfield in the Majors. Andrew McCutchen is a perennial MVP candidate, Startling Marte is an all-round offensive and defensive weapon and Gregory Polanco hopes to repeat the numbers he had in the minors before last year’s call-up. All three are under the age of 28 and should be stars in Pittsburgh for a long time.

Can the Pirates hold off the Cardinals and win their first division title since 1992?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies got old in a hurry. In a span of four years, they went from a World Series contender to possibly being one of the worst teams in the league. They signed all their stars to lucrative long-term contracts during that time. The worst-case scenario played out and they are all nearly immovable in a trade.

Manager Ryne Sandberg took over after Charlie Manuel was fired mid-season in 2013. He’s great with younger talent, but he might not be able to keep his job during the transition. They need to move the big contracts for a few decent prospects, but dumping money is more important.

Can the Phillies find a trade partner for Ryan Howard?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Oakland Athletics

The Oakland made a lot of moves this offseason. Some signings/trades made me scratch my head. I understood the Ben Zobrist trade, but I feel like they should have targeted a power-hitting outfielder in free agency. Can an outfield with Sam Fuld, Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick make the playoffs?

Oakland’s starting rotation lost Jon Lester, Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija. The A’s traded San Diego for Jesse Hahn and they hope to get a full season from Drew Pomeranz. Also, they should get Jarrod Parker back in June from Tommy John surgery.

Can Oakland make the postseason for a fourth season in a row?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Oakland Athletics.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: New York Yankees

Derek Jeter? Nope. Hiroki Kuroda? Nope. Alex Rodriguez? Ugh…yes.

The Yankees will have issues this season with age, but they do have some young players to help keep them competitive. It will be interesting how GM Brian Cashman deals with the older players going forward. They are on the hook for a lot of money. I doubt they will get much in return for some of their high-priced veterans.

The AL East is expected to be very competitive. Toronto and Boston were very active this offseason with trades and free agent signings. Can the Yankees keep up with them?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: New York Mets

The Mets have been the butt of many jokes the last decade. Their owner got hammered in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme and their name right’s owner on their ballpark was one of the architects of the 2008 financial collapse. It’s about time for something to go right in New York.

I actually have a crush on the New York Mets this season. I have been known to fall in love with prospects, especially pitchers, but there’s a lot to like on the Mets. Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler showed promise in 2014 and Matt Harvey is set to return from Tommy John surgery. They also have pitcher Noah Syndergaard waiting in Triple-A for a call-up.

The Mets even have defense on their side. Juan Lagares is possibly the most underrated defensive outfielder in the Majors. They also still have David Wright manning the hot corner. Opposing teams will have a low BABIP against the Mets this season.

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the New York Mets.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have one of the best farm systems in baseball. It took a blow with Miguel Sano needing Tommy John surgery last season, but he’s already impressing everyone at Spring Training.

The Twins are only expected to win around 70 games this season, but if a few of their young players catch fire, they could make some noise.

The AL Central is top-heavy with Detroit looking like a lock to win the division. Chicago and Kansas City made a lot of moves this offseason and Cleveland brings back their entire core group of players. Can Minnesota squeeze their way into that group in the standings?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Minnesota Twins.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

On paper, the Milwaukee Brewers have one of the most talented starting lineups in the National League. Unfortunately, they are thin on depth. It could be a long season if something unforeseen happens.

Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura are two of the best defensive players in the National League. Their bats aren’t too shabby either. They should both be All-Stars in 2015.

Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse anchor a starting rotation that is a bit top-heavy. Mike Fiers was hot at the end of the year, but he hasn’t been able to put together an entire season. The back of the rotation could have trouble.

Khris Davis struck out in nearly 25% of his at-bats in 2014. Will he be more patient this season?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Milwaukee Brewers.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Miami Marlins

Watch out, guys. The Miami Marlins opened their checkbooks this offseason. This happens once a decade, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Miami paid Giancarlo Stanton to a big contract and traded for some legit talent. They didn’t acquire washed-up players. They acquired guys like Dee Gordon and Mat Latos. Players who are just now hitting their prime.

Miami will be without their ace Jose Fernandez for the first few months of the season. He needed Tommy John last May. He is already throwing off a mound, so they are circling June as a possible return date.

Can they compete for the NL East crown?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best rosters in the Majors. They are loaded with established veterans, enthusiastic youth and one of the best starting rotations in the league. This could be a big season for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have deep pockets and have been throwing money at players since they signed their lucrative TV deal. They didn’t splurge this offseason on free agents, but they did do some targeted trades. They knew what they needed and went out and filled holes.

Don Mattingly has been on the hot seat since the Dodgers hired him. He has dealt with lofty expectations and um, Yasiel Puig’s antics. Can he corral Puig’s shenanigans and keep him in line this season?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels had a fantastic regular season in 2014. Mike Trout won league MVP and Albert Pujols bounced back from a below average 2013 season. The Angels postseason wasn’t as spectacular. They were swept in the ALDS by Kansas City.

As long as the Angels have Mike Trout, they will be a World Series contender. He does need help and their current roster is more than suitable for the job.

Pitching is a strong area for the Angels. Their rotation has established All-Stars and young talent that could eventually become top-of-the-rotation starters.

Josh Hamilton is expected to miss some time this season due to a drug relapse. How many games will he miss?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 40 Second Baseman

Second base was one of the thinnest positions last year, but due players like Anthony Rendon and Brian Dozier, it’s now extremely deep. There is a group of young second baseman in MLB that have surpassed guys like Chase Utley and Brandon Phillips. The position should be deep for quite some time.

How will Javier Baez and Rougned Odor fare in their first full seasons in the Majors?

My 2nd base fantasy baseball rankings are based on a standard 5×5 league. If you have any specific questions about a different league, email me BobbyMcrib@gmail.com.

1. Robinson Cano – Seattle Mariners – Cano has been the consensus #1 second baseman for quite some time. He proved last season that getting a fat paycheck didn’t affect his on-the-field performance. He’s good for .300+ with double-digit power and the ability to drive in 90 runs.

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