Tag Archives: mlb

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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?

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 30 Catchers

It’s time to kick off our yearly preseason fantasy baseball rankings.

The catcher position looks fairly top-heavy this year in fantasy baseball. You have a young group on their way up and a few prominent catchers that look to be transitioning to first base (Joe Mauer), so this may end up being their last season with catcher-eligibility.

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. Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants – Posey had a down year by his standard, but he’s still the #1 overall fantasy catcher. He gives you average, power and plenty at-bats to stack your roto categories.

2. Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals – The once defensive-minded catcher has turned into one of the most consistent fantasy catchers in baseball. You know what you’ll get and he’s a safe pick.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

2014 MLB Team Preview: Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals have been in the basement of the AL Central for a long time. They have picked near the top of the draft for the last decade, but it never translated into Major League success. Some of their top picks have worked out (Alex Gordon) and others did not develop into All-Star level talent (Luke Hochevar).

Kansas City had their first season over .500 since 2003 and their best overall season since 1992. The young talent is the reason why they are having success. Building through the draft is the only way a small market team can contend today.

Will Mike Moustakas have a breakout season? Can Jason Vargas adequately replace Ervin Santana in the starting rotation?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Kansas City Royals.

Continue reading →

2014 MLB Team Preview: Houston Astros

There isn’t much to cheer about in Houston. Their football team was horrible and the Astros are just as bad. At least they have the Rockets, right?

The Houston Astros are a team a few years away from competing and they know it. They’ve been picking near the top of the draft for a few years and they’re farm system is now loaded. Unfortunately, many of those players are still a year away from appearing in the Majors. Outfielder George Springer and former #1 overall pick, starter Mark Appel could both see time on the team at some point soon.

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Houston Astros.

Continue reading →

2014 MLB Team Preview: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers were one groin injury away from winning the World Series last year. Miguel Cabrera’s injury couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Even with Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander having down years (Verlander still managed to land Kate Upton, so much respect), they still won the AL Central.

Detroit made some big moves this offseason. They traded Fielder to Texas for Ian Kinsler and bolstered their bullpen by signing closer Joe Nathan. They’ll miss Jhonny Peralta, Omar Infante and Doug Fister, but they are replacing them with above average talent. The impact of losing them shouldn’t hurt them much. The AL Central isn’t a hard division to win this year.

Can Max Scherzer repeat last year’s Cy Young performance if Verlander has another average season?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the Detroit Tigers.

Continue reading →