Tag Archives: mlb

2014 MLB Team Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

As a Cubs fan, I really hate seeing the St. Louis Cardinals do well. They’re so stacked and seem to have a bottomless pool of elite pitchers they can call up from the minors.

Shelby Miller and Michael Wacha could both be at the top of the rotation for the next decade. Also, Matt Adams, Kolten Wong & Oscar Tavares could all be future All-Stars. They pick at the bottom of first-round in every MLB Draft. How do they always have one of the best farm systems?

The NL Central will be one of the most competitive divisions in the Majors. The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates both have playoff-caliber teams. Can either team knock off St. Louis?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the St. Louis Cardinals

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2014 MLB Team Preview: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners went on a spending spree this offseason. The started the offseason by giving Robinson Cano the ‘godfather offer’ and couldn’t refuse. They then added Corey Hart, Logan Morrison and Fernando Rodney.

The AL West is loaded this season (if you omit the Houston Astros). The Rangers, A’s and Angels are all expected to battle for the division crown and AL Wild Card spots. Is there room for Seattle in that race?

Players often have a down year immediately after they sign a huge long-term deal. Will Robinson Cano be an exception?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Seattle Mariners.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: San Francisco Giants

Going into last season, the San Francisco Giants were the defending World Series champions. Well, things didn’t line up perfectly and they fell flat on their faces. Buster Posey missed some time with an injury and pitchers Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum pitched poorly.

They come into this season healthy (sort of) and with a chip on their shoulder. Every baseball talking head has already given their rival Los Angeles Dodgers the NL West crown. They will do everything possible to keep that from happening. The Dodgers will have to fight for the division.

Can Pablo Sandoval keep his weight under control during the season?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the San Francisco Giants.

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2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 100 Outfielders

Since most of us play in fantasy leagues that start five outfielders, I decided to super-size my rankings for outfielders. We all know Mike Trout is the best fantasy player in baseball, but the rest of the field is very deep. There are a dozen guys who can help you in every category in a 5×5 standard roto league.

My outfield 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. Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels – Trout is the consensus #1 overall fantasy player this season. He’s a yearly threat to be a 30/30 player and who knows, he could be a 40/40 player at some point. He’ll be an MVP candidate and be near the top of every major offensive category.

2. Andrew McCutchen – Pittsburgh Pirates – The reigning National League MVP should meet or exceed last year’s numbers. He’s in his prime and could even top 30 home runs this season.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: San Diego Padres

The injury bug bit the head off the San Diego Padres last season. It started with Cameron Maybin and just started taking out every position player one-by-one.

They couldn’t even make it through Spring Training injury-free. Maybin will start the season on the disabled list with a ruptured biceps injury. Also, Chase Headley suffered a calf strain, but should be ready for Opening Day.

San Diego didn’t make many offseason moves. Their roster is nearly identical to the one they ended the season with in 2013. It’s hard to evaluate your team when most of them are in the trainer’s room getting treatment. If they have similar issues again, expect changes to be made.

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the San Diego Padres.

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2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 40 Shortstops

It was once hard to find power at the shortstop position, but now there are a dozen options who could hit 20+ homers this season. You have all the usual suspects (Hanley Ramirez & Troy Tulowitzki) and a few emerging stars (Andrelton Simmons & Jean Segura).

This will be Derek Jeter’s farewell season. Does he go out with a relevant fantasy season?

My shortstop 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. Hanley Ramirez – Los Angeles Dodgers – Before the injury bug hit Ramirez, he was once the #1 overall fantasy player. He has missed an average of 50 games each of the last three seasons. He only appeared in 86 games, but he hit .345 and smacked 20 homers. If he can stay healthy, I expect some big numbers from Ramirez.

2. Troy Tulowitzki – Colorado Rockies – Tulo had a few injuries that kept him from playing, but they were random injuries. His injuries weren’t any associated with someone breaking down. He came back from core muscle surgery last season and put up decent numbers in only 446 at-bats. If he gets near 550 at-bats, he should have another 30/100/.305 season. That is worth #1 or #2 on this list.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their 20-year streak of finishing under .500. They were close the last two seasons, but ran out of gas at the end of the year.

Andrew McCutchen lead the team into the playoffs and won the National League MVP. He’s entering his year-27 season, which is when most players begin to hit their peak. If McCutchen puts up the same numbers he had in 2013, he could easily win another MVP.

The Pirates bring back most of their starters this season. The Cardinals and Reds made a few moves, but Pittsburgh chose to wait for their top prospects to eventually appear in the Majors. Was that a mistake or the right move?

Gerrit Cole was brought up last season and looked like a future ace. Is he ready to replace A.J. Burnett in the rotation?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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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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