Saquon Barkley recently signed with Roc Nation Sports agency, the company that was started by world famous rapper, Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter. It was a huge acquisition for the organization with Barkley widely considered to be the number one running back prospect ahead of this year’s NFL Draft. If Barkley is selected as top choice, it will be the third time in just four years that the agency has represented the first pick running back in the league. With Jay Z having already conquered the music world, it seems as though he now has his sights set firmly on professional sports, and rising stars from everywhere are lining up to be a part of the Roc Nation team. Let’s take a look at five of the company’s biggest signings to date.
Category Archives: Yoenis Cespedes
2018 MLB Season Preview: New York Mets
The New York Mets didn’t make any big money additions this offseason. They opted to spend frugally and sign some veterans to team-friendly contracts.
The Mets starting rotation hasn’t been able to stay healthy. They had a stockpile of young starters, but they keep falling apart. Nearly every starter has had Tommy John at this point. That surgery is rarely a career-ender, but Matt Harvey keeps finding new ways to get injured. Hopefully they all have healthy and productive seasons.
The NL East have two of the worst teams in the Majors. Can the Mets pad their win total enough to steal a Wild Card spot?
Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the New York Mets.
2017 MLB Season Preview: New York Mets
The Mets didn’t make any huge free agent additions this offseason, but were able to re-sign their stars this offseason (as you can tell by us having to use a picture of Yoenis Cespedes as the article photo).
The Mets starting pitching will be the key to how their season go. If they have to deal with a lot of injuries, the Mets could fall under .500, but if the starters stay healthy and are able to strikeout hitters, they could win the NL East.
A team could have the best pitchers in the Majors, but if you can’t score runs, they are useless…so Cespedes must keep hitting like this season is another ‘contract year.’ Also, the Mets need David Wright to stay on the field. His bat may not be as lively, but he’s still a great defensive third baseman.
Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the New York Mets.
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.
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.
2014 MLB Team Preview: Oakland Athletics
The Oakland A’s always surprise us. Even with all the major additions the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels have made the last two seasons, they are back-to-back AL West division champions. Do we need another ‘Moneyball’ movie to explain how this happened? Jonah Hill has gained most of his weight back, so he’s ready to reprise his role as Peter Brand.
Oakland’s young pitching staff is one of the major reasons they keep winning. They also have a knack for getting the most of their players. I mean, Bartolo Colon looked ten years younger last season.
The A’s didn’t make any budget-destroying free agent signings this offseason. They bring back the same starting lineup and all but one of their starting pitchers (Scott Kazmir replaces Colon). Can they hold off Texas and Los Angeles again?
Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Oakland Athletics.
2013 MLB Team Preview: Oakland Athletics
The Oakland A’s were one of the major surprises in 2012. Not only did “Moneyball” do well at the box office, but the A’s made their first playoff appearance since 2001.
The A’s have a few breakout performances last season. Josh Reddick, Yoenis Cespedes, Jarrod Parker and Ryan Cook pushed Oakland to the next level. Manager Bob Melvin really outdone himself with his roster.
Can Oakland repeat last year’s performance or was it a case of being lucky in one-run games?
Are the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers too talented to surpass in the AL West?
Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Oakland A’s.
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2012 MLB: American League Predictions
The American League had a productive off-season, in which they added two of the best players in the game, Albert Pujols & Prince Fielder. If you rank the best teams in the Majors, most of the best teams are in the AL. You have the mainstays like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers, but you have up-and-coming teams like the Royals and Blue Jays. This league has a nice combination of young talent and established veterans. The teams are deep and can pick guys out of their farm system to fill any holes, which is a huge luxury. The AL isn’t all great, since the Orioles and Twins expected to have bad seasons. Which teams will make the playoffs? Who will win the AL Cy Young and MVP awards? Will a mid-season call-up win the Rookie Of The Year?
AL Cy Young – Jared Weaver
AL Rookie Of The Year – Jacob Turner
AL MVP – Robinson Cano
AL East
New York Yankees – 97-65
Boston Red Sox – 95-67
Toronto Blue Jays – 85-77
Tampa Bay Rays – 84-81
Baltimore Orioles – 60-102
The biggest surprise here is that the Rays are in 4th place. I think the Blue Jays are a better team this year and will be able to win close games. This is not a knock on the Rays, it is more about how much I like Toronto. The Red Sox will bounce back and contend with the Yankees for the division crown.
AL Central
Detroit Tigers – 99-63
Kansas City Royals – 82-81
Chicago White Sox – 80-82
Cleveland Indians – 74-88
Minnesota Twins – 59-103
The Tigers are going to be a beast this year and they will run away with the division. There will be a crowded middle of the division, in which I like the Royals young roster to finally start to peak. The Indians will come back to life and fall down a few spots. The White Sox and Twins will end up about where they were at the end of 2011 season.
AL West
Texas Rangers – 94-68
L.A. Angels – 92-70
Oakland A’s – 76-86
Seattle Mariners – 70-92
The Rangers and Angels made some moves this off-season and this race will be cut-throat. Pujols and C.J. Wilson will help the Angels, but the Rangers return a great team that nearly won the World Series. Yoenis Cespedes will help Oakland, but they are still a work in progress. I expect the Mariners to sell off a few pieces at the trading deadline and keep adding young talent.
AL Wild Card – Red Sox & Angels
AL Champions – Los Angeles Angels
They don’t have the best rotation 1 thru 5, but I really like a short 3-man rotation in the playoffs. This is one of the many cases where a wild-card winner will make the World Series.
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A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.