Tag Archives: Albert Pujols

The 10 Worst Contracts in Sports Right Now

When a team has ample salary cap space, general managers tend to make poor decisions.

Most of the worst contracts are in the NBA and Major League Baseball. It’s really hard to have a bad contract in the NFL since nearly every deal is basically a series of one-year deals with team options. Bad contracts still happen in the league when guaranteed money gets out of control.

Many of the worst NBA contracts right now happened when the salary cap ballooned before the 2016-17 season. Many of those deals have teams already looking for relief by trading draft picks to teams just to take on a bad contract.

Here are the the ten worst contracts in sports.

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2018 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels made the biggest move this offseason when they won the sweepstakes for the Japanese phenom, Shohei Otani. He will be in the six-man starting rotation and will be their designated hitter most games. It has been a long time since a starting pitcher could hit as well as Otani. You would probably have to go all the way back to some black-and-white footage.

The Angels have a lot of talent around superstar Mike Trout, but his teammates are getting long in the tooth. Ian Kinsler and Albert Pujols have both seen better days and newly-signed infielder Zack Cozart might end up being a bad signing.

Can the Angels make the postseason in 2018?

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

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2017 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels will get asked the same question until they get this team back on track, are you willing to trade Mike Trout to improve your farm system?

I know that’s the last thing you want if you’re an Angels fan, but it might be their only option to jump-start this team. He is under team control through 2020 and it might be that year before this team competitive again.

The Angels made some minor improvements to the team this offseason. They filled some holes with veterans like Cameron Maybin and Danny Espinosa and signed some candidates to round out the back-end of their rotation.

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels made one of the biggest trades this offseason by acquiring the defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves. The move that was quite unexpected, but they needed to do something bold to keep up with the young Astros.

As long as the Angels have Mike Trout, they will be in the conversation for the AL Central crown. The division has gotten stronger over the last few years with both Houston and Seattle making moves to contend. The Angels will need to battle if they want to make it to the postseason this year.

The Angels need a corner outfielder, will they make a move or keep a weak platoon in left field?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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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 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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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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2014 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels

After their lost 2013 season, the Angels may want a re-do and avoid signing Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton. Both deals look horrible after one season. They still have many more seasons with both players, so there’s still hope they can turn it around.

Mike Trout had arguably the best two full seasons to start a career. He’s not expected to slow down and most still think his best days are ahead of him, which is scary. He could end up being baseball’s first $300 million dollar man.

Oakland is coming off a playoff appearance and Texas came up a game short of a Wild Card spot. Both come into this season with improved rosters. Can the Angels bounce back and compete for the AL West division title?

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

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2013 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels

After signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson last offseason, Angels’ fans expected a World Series ring last season. They struggled out of the gate and once they righted the ship, Oakland and Texas had a grip on the playoffs spots.

This offseason they upped the ante even more by adding Josh Hamilton, Ryan Madsen, Jason Vargas and Tommy Hanson. The Angels are built to win now and it’s hard not to pick them to win the AL West and represent the league in the World Series in October.

Can Mike Trout repeat his rookie campaign or will he fall victim to a sophomore slump?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Continue reading →

2013 Fantasy Baseball: Top 30 First Baseman + Sleepers

First Base is the deepest position in fantasy baseball this year. A first baseman who swing for the fences are not hard to find in 2013. You add that group with the recent trend of young catchers playing their off days at first base and you understand why this area is so deep.

Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are in the second year of their American League switch. Will they see a stat increase or will pitchers figure them out?

A group of young first baseman are entering their prime. Will Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo, Eric Hosmer or Ike Davis jump to the next level?

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. Continue reading →