2014 MLB Team Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies championship window has officially closed. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins may be playing their last season together. They should be busy at the trade deadline this season, because they need to get younger.

Manager Ryne Sandberg took over after Charlie Manuel mid-season. He’s great with younger talent, which leads me to believe they are about to blow up this team. I doubt Ryan Howard is going anywhere with his bloated contract on the books through 2016.

Can Rollins and Sandberg squash their beef and get along this season?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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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.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: New York Yankees

The Yankees made the biggest splash this offseason by signing Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka. A dozen teams were vying for his services and the Yankees had to pay through the nose to get him. They definitely need him since the rest of their rotation leaves a lot to be desired.

Since Boston won the World Series last season, the “we’re trying to cut payroll’ excuse they’ve been using, well, it went out the window. They opened up their deep pockets and signed Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran. If the Red Sox didn’t win, who knows if they would have spent as much.

The AL East is expected to be great and the race will be competitive until the end. Will the Yankees send Derek Jeter out a winner?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 40 Third Baseman

You want power numbers from your third baseman. It’s a position that is loaded with players with 30+ home runs. There are even a few with .300 batting average and major power. If you get the right player at third base, you could be in a nice position to win your fantasy baseball league.

Will Miguel Cabrera contend for another Triple Crown?

My 3rd 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. Miguel Cabrera – Detroit Tigers – This was a no-brainer. He’s the #2 overall best fantasy baseball player right behind Mike Trout. I expect another MVP-caliber season from him.

2. Adrian Beltre – Texas Rangers – Beltre is one the most consistent players in baseball. He consistently hits 30+/100/.305+ hitter, year after year. I’m interested how his numbers will improve with Prince Fielder hitting around him. There isn’t much more room to improve, but he should see better pitches.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: New York Mets

The NL East is expected to be a two horse race with the Nationals and Braves battling for the division. The other teams just hope to be competitive and continue to develop their young talent.

The Mets will be without their ace Matt Harvey this season. They still tried to make the impression they are going for it this year by signing Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon. I personally think they should have used that money elsewhere.

Can Granderson still put up big numbers without having the Yankees’ right field short porch to boost his home run total?

Bartolo Colon hasn’t pitched in the National League since he was on the Expos in 2002. Does he still have one more good season left in him?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the New York Mets.

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2014 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, but Byron Buxton and Alex Meyer should see some time in the Majors this season. Their future is very bright.

The Twins are only expected to win 70 games this season, but I’m more optimistic than that. The AL Central is down as a whole and could squeak out some victories against the bottom half of the division.

The Twins spent some money this offseason by signing Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes. Should they have spent significant money on those pitchers when they are at least two seasons away from contending?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Minnesota Twins.

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2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 30 Second Baseman

The pool of available second baseman is never deep. It’s one of the thinnest positions in fantasy baseball. This year is no different. After the first 15, you’re picking through the scraps of platoon players and young players who haven’t proven themselves in the Majors.

Does Jason Kipnis have a shot of dethroning Robinson Cano has the best fantasy second baseman?

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 got PAID (yes, capital letters) this offseason. I usually predict regression once a player signs a long-term deal worth the GDP of a small country, but Cano is as consistent as they come.

2. Jason Kipnis – Cleveland Indians – I love Jason Kipnis. He helps you in every category. Not only does he hit near 20 homers, but he bats .280 and steals 30 bases. I will definitely be targeting him in nearly every fantasy baseball league I’m in this year.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

It’s easy to point the finger at Ryan Braun for the Brewers sub-par season, but they had other issues. They were trying to move on from Prince Fielder and new players were pressured to contribute right away.

Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura had breakout seasons and look to improve further in 2014. The ceiling is high for both players and they could both find themselves on the National League All-Star team.

Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Cincinnati are all projected to battle for the NL Central crown. Where does that leave Milwaukee?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Are Newly-Signed Pitchers and Catchers Key to Dodgers Success?

The Dodgers were very busy this offseason. They had two specific needs to address, pitching depth and a quality backup catcher. Their new pitcher and catcher acquisitions should help them add a half dozen wins toward their over/under betting win total.

What are the betting expectations for the MLB lines for this season? Click here for the best MLB lines for the season.

The Dodgers’ over/under win total is high, but the sky is the limit for the Dodgers this season. The NL West is top-heavy and the bottom half of the division are easy wins. Win totals are easier to hit when you have a few dozen easy wins within your own division.

Which pitchers and catchers did the Dodgers sign and why are those signings so important?

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2014 MLB Team Preview: Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins have become the farm system for every other Major League team. They draft well and once those players get too pricey, they flip them for even younger talent.

They are in the process of rebuilding (once again), but with Jose Fernandez and Christian Yelich now in the Majors, they could be competitive within the next two years. The further development of those two players will determine their future.

The NL East is top heavy with Atlanta and Washington expected to battle for playoff spots. Unfortunately, Miami has to play them a few dozen times this season. Those games could be ugly.

Can Jose Fernandez repeat last season’s NL Rookie of the Year performance? Will Giancarlo Stanton be traded before the All-Star Break?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t look like a very good team early in the season. Manager Don Mattingly actually looked like he was about to be canned. They called up Yasiel Puig and suddenly became the best team in baseball.

The Dodgers have deep pockets and have been throwing money at players since they signed their lucrative TV deal. They signed Clayton Kershaw to a long-term deal and have a half dozen players making more than $15 million this season.

Can Yasiel Puig repeat last season’s breakout season? Will Matt Kemp be moved before the end of the season?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 40 First Baseman

Putting together fantasy baseball first baseman rankings is always difficult. It’s a loaded position with a lot of power and many of the rankings are based on personal preferences.

Can you handle a first baseman with power, but a sub-.225 batting average? Do you want to go safe with a player like Joey Votto 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. Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks – If Chris Davis didn’t have such an amazing year, Goldschmidt would have been the run away #1 overall first baseman this season. The addition of Mark Trumbo helps protect him better in the lineup. I expect another 35/120/.300 season from Goldschmidt.

2. Chris Davis – Baltimore Orioles – We all knew Davis had power, but he surprised everyone with his output in 2013. At one point in the season, he looked like he could surpass the Roger Maris home run record (I have a hard time acknowledging those who broke his home run record). Davis may see a slight decline since pitchers will do their best to avoid pitching to him.

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