Category Archives: mlb

2015 MLB Team Preview: Houston Astros

Houston has spent the last few seasons at the bottom of the league in nearly every statistical category. They’ve just been marking time while their prospects made their way through their farm system. George Springer was one of this regime’s first blue chip prospects to be called up. He produced as advertised before getting injured.

The Astros have a long way to go to compete with the talented teams in the AL West. They could further prove that being patient and slowly building your team through the draft is the way to win in today’s game.

Could we see either Carlos Correa or Colin Moran in Houston this season?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Houston Astros.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers won the AL Central in 2014, but Kansas City was the team to make the most noise in the postseason. Miguel Cabrera has broken down late in the season in back-to-back years. He had surgery this offseason to fix his nagging ankle injury.

The Tigers let former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer walk, but added Yoenis Cespedes this offseason. He is expected to further protect Victor Martinez and Cabrera in the lineup. Detroit should light up the scoreboard this season.

Can Detroit’s bullpen hold up this season? Will Joe Nathan keep the closer job for the entire year?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Detroit Tigers.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Colorado Rockies

The NL West should be one of the best (if not the best) divisions in Major League Baseball. Colorado is in the unfortunate position of being a rebuilding team while their division is so strong.

Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki have both been hampered by nagging injuries. If both players appear in 145+ games, could the Rockies shock the world and contend? If not, should the Rockies try to move them for prospects?

Can the starting rotation hold up until top pitching prospects Jon Gray and Eddie Butler are ready?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Colorado Rockies.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Cleveland Indians

Cleveland have back-to-back winning records under manager Terry Francona. We expected him to improve the team, but didn’t expect it at this rate.

The AL Central produced two playoff teams in 2014. The Tigers won the division, but it was the Royals that made the most noise. They lost to the Giants in the World Series. The Indians were only three games out of the final Wild Card spot.

The Indians were quiet this offseason. Their only marquee acquisition was trading for Brandon Moss. They come into 2015 with nearly the same squad that went 85-77.

Can Cleveland starting rotation overachieve or will they be in trouble?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Cleveland Indians.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have been NL Central contenders for the last few years, but Pittsburgh and St. Louis have taken control of the division. The destiny of the Reds rides on the health of Joey Votto, who missed a huge chunk of time in two of the last three seasons.

The Reds will rely heavily on their starting rotation. They do have a slight edge in that category over the top teams in the NL Central. They need their offense to come back (28th in Runs Scored in 2014) in order to take advantage of having aces Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey.

Can Devin Mesoraco become an elite catcher?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Cincinnati Reds.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Chicago White Sox

The city of Chicago has a familiar face back in town. The White Sox traded Oakland for Jeff Samardzija, who once pitched on the North Side. It was one of the few specific upgrades the White made in order to compete in the AL Central.

Jose Abreu was the team MVP in 2014 and was even better than advertised. The team still only won 73 games and saw two teams from their division make the postseason. I’m sure they thought they could do what the Royals did last season with only a few roster tweaks.

Can Chicago’s bullpen get the job done?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Chicago White Sox.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are nearing the end of a long-term rebuilding plan. It feels like Theo Epstein has been working on this plan for a decade. Many of Chicago’s young, homegrown players will be called up by the end of the year.

The Cubs made a big splash this offseason by signing Jon Lester to a long-term deal and by hiring Joe Maddon after he opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay. He turned around that franchise and is one of the smartest managers in the game.

Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler have Cubs fans drooling. The trio make up the corps of young talent Chicago has been developing in the minors.

Can Chicago be a real contender this season or is it a year too early?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Chicago Cubs.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Boston Red Sox

Boston went from worst to first to win the World Series…and then went back to worst last season. They dumped Jon Lester and John Lackey at the trade deadline and then added Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval this offseason.

Boston knows the key to competing year after year in the AL East is to adapt and change what is not working. They realized last year was a wash, so they dumped contracts in hopes of landing some pieces they could flip in return. They turned Yoenis Cespedes (who they got back in the Lester trade) into Rick Porcello.

Will Boston instantly regret giving Pablo Sandoval a huge contract?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Boston Red Sox.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore managed to deal with a lot adversity and still won the AL East. When Matt Wieters and Manny Machado struggled with injuries, other players stepped up and contributed. They took the motto “next man up” to another level.

The AL East had a down year in 2014, but the Red Sox and Blue Jays added some major talent in the offseason. Baltimore will need some of last year’s magic to contend with them.

Can Wieters and Machado stay healthy in 2015?

Will Chris Davis regain the power and average he showed in 2013?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Baltimore Orioles.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are cleaning house. They got rid of Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Kris Medlen and a handful of others. They made a decision to blow up the team.

On paper, Atlanta had a great lineup. Power hitters, on-base percentage darlings, strikeout pitchers and a dominant closer. That is a formula for dominance. The team never lived up to their potential. They ended up being one of the worst scoring teams in the Majors.

Fredi Gonzalez is still Atlanta’s skipper, but can he keep his job while the Braves try to rebuild?

Which players may end up on the trading block?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Atlanta Braves.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona comes into the season with new manager Chip Hale. They fired Kirk Gibson after he went 353-375 in four and a half seasons as skipper. The expectations are low for Hale as Arizona isn’t expected to immediately compete for the NL West crown.

The Diamondbacks were dealt with injuries to many of their top stars. Paul Goldschmidt and Mark Trumbo both missed time and pitchers Daniel Hudson and Patrick Corbin didn’t start a single game in 2014 due to both needing Tommy John surgery.

Can Arizona’s young talent speed up Arizona’s rebuilding process?

How will Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas transition to the Majors?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 50 First Baseman

First base is EXTREMELY deep this season. It’s a loaded position with a lot of power and many of the rankings are based on personal preferences. Players with upside usually take precedent over consistent players with little to no upside.

Can you handle a first baseman with power, but a sub-.225 batting average? Do you want to go safe with a player like Adrian Gonzalez or Freddie Freeman?

My 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. Miguel Cabrera – Detroit Tigers – Most have Miggy as a top-five fantasy first baseman, but I think they are selling the former MVP short. He dealt with injuries for most of last year and he still knocked 25 homers and hit .313. I believe he’ll have another season of at least 35 homers and .310+. I just couldn’t pick another first baseman if Miggy is still on the board.

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