2018 MLB Season Preview: San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants are one of the most well-run sports franchises in American sports. They always seem to be competitive, you never hear about them having a barren farm system and they always get the most out of their roster. They had a down year last season, but made some trades this offseason to get back into the postseason.

The Giants should battle for a playoff spot this season. I just like what they did as they improved the bullpen and added some proven veterans on offense. 

They have one of the best ballparks in the country. I need to make it out to see a game at AT&T Park before that area gets too gentrified and I can afford ‘cheap’ hotel.

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the San Francisco Giants.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres are currently in the dead period during the rebuilding process. They spent some money this offseason by signing former World Champion first baseman Eric Hosmer for eight-year/$144 million contract. In any other offseason that contract would seem like a bargain, but looks bloated in such a ho-hum, lukewarm stove offseason. 

The Padres needed to acquire a front-of-the-rotation starter this offseason. They failed and now find themselves with one of the worst starting rotations in the National League. 

Will any of the Padres young hitters develop into someone that can help protect Wil Myers in the lineup?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the San Diego Padres.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates disappointed last season and only won 75 games. It didn’t help that former All-Star outfielder Starling Marte was hit with an 80-game PED suspension early in the season. The wheels just came off and they ended up sellers at the trade deadline. They continued the selling trend this offseason by sending Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen elsewhere for prospects.

 

The NL Central is expected to be controlled by the Cubs and Cardinals for the next few years. Can the Pirates get back in the playoff mix soon?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have been sitting on their checkbook as they rebuild. They actually made a notable signing this offseason when they signed former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta to a three-year deal worth $75 million.

One player everyone should watch this season is Rhys Hoskins. He lit the world on fire when he was called up late last season. He only played in 50 games, but hit 18 homers and drove in 48 runs. He has always hit for power in the minors, but no one expected that kind of output so early. How will he fare in a full season in the Majors?

Are the Phillies a .500 team this season?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Oakland A’s

The Oakland A’s aren’t too far away from their ‘Moneyball’ days. They still rely on young homegrown talent and basic sabermetric strategies that Billy Beane helped usher into baseball. They just lack some of the star power like when Miguel Tejada, Jason Giambi and Barry Zito were first breaking into the big leagues.

Another issue with this A’s team is that their best young pitchers are either not quite ready for the Majors or will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery.

Can Billy Beane compete with this group of players or will they need to add another starter to get through the year?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Oakland A’s.

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The Hobbies For The Adrenaline Junkie

There is something about that adrenaline rush that can have you hooked. Your heart racing, feeling pumped and having the confidence as if you could take on anything. Some people experience this during periods of their lives but there are some people who live for it and seek out experiences to keep that great feeling coming. There are hobbies that can give you that sheer Adrenaline rush each and every time, I thought I would share with you what some of them are.

Paintballing

Paintballing is a great way to get the Adrenaline going. The main principles behind the game and hobby is to be in teams and hunt out the opposition. It could be as simple as doing something like captions the flag, or defending your teams honour. Websites like PaintballSpace.com have more details on places to do it. You can get a real thrill out of hiding yourself and camouflaging into your surroundings. Thinking strategically with your next move to avoid being caught. It can be a great hobby especially with friends who share the same interest.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are once again making the biggest moves in baseball. They traded for the best power hitter in the Majors and only gave up Starlin Castro and some ‘okay’ prospects. The Marlins just wanted to get rid of Giancarlo Stanton’s massive contract and the Yankees obliged.

Youth is a huge key to the Yankees success. They need their future stars like Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez to keep improving. Judge was making hard contact with every ball that met his bat, but strikeouts were a huge issue down the stretch. Can he cut down on strikeouts and keep his power stroke?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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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.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have yo-yo’d between being competitive and ‘on-the-cusp’ the last few seasons. Everything lined up and their young players made advancements in their progression. They won 85 games and earned the second Wild Card spot in the American League.

Most teams sat on their wallets this offseason, but the Twins made an effort to add some veteran pitching to their team to surround all the youth. They were able to find some deals and signed Lance Lynn late in the offseason for a fraction of his going price.

Can Byron Buxton and Jose Berrios build on last season’s breakout performances?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Minnesota Twins.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

The NL Central is a tough division to navigate for the Milwaukee Brewers when the Cubs and Cardinals are two of the best teams in the National League. They bolstered their offense this offseason with two big additions of outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain.

Milwaukee needed to add to their starting rotation this offseason, but they whiffed at adding any top-of-the-rotation starters. They just added a few veteran ‘fifth starters’ with no upside. 

The Brewers have a ton of speed and will have the green light to run, like last year. Milwaukee could ‘steal’ a few games if they can easily get runners in scoring position.

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Milwaukee Brewers.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins were sold to a Derek Jeter-led group was made official late last year. He took over as CEO of the team and is in control of the baseball decisions. I’m sure it wasn’t totally his call, but he spent the entire offseason getting rid of payroll.

The Marlins are expected to call-up a lot of young talent to fill the large void the former plays left. Unfortunately, the farm system isn’t stocked with enough young blue chip talents to adequately step into those roles.

There are still a few Marlins players on the roster that could fetch a decent return. Will Jeter pull the trigger on deals to send JT Realmuto and others elsewhere?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers come into the season with a payroll of $178 million. That amount is due to rise soon with ace Clayton Kershaw in a contract opt-out year and a few young players due to hit arbitration in the coming years. The front office may need to make some hard decisions when it comes to money.

Those decisions are at least a year away, so the Dodgers just need to use their resources to improve this year’s team. They could be in the market for bullpen help as they get closer to the playoffs.

Can the Giants or Rockies catch them in the NL West? 

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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