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Articles by Jordan Wevers
MLB: 2017's Best Player Values at Each Position Ranked
For now, it’s safe to assume that hot starts are translating into consistent play across breakout campaigns in MLB. Already well into June, most of the players on this list haven’t been streaky as much as they’ve been steady and productive on a day-to-day basis. By the end of April, fans were raving about Milwaukee’s Eric Thames‘ hot start to 2017. And rightfully so. He hit .345-11-19 in 24 games for the Brew Crew that month.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Closer Tony Watson deserves more praise
Tony Watson of the Pittsburgh Pirates is proving to be more than just a serviceable closer in his first full season positioned in the role. With a fastball that sits at well under 90 mph, according to fangraphs.com, Bucs closer Tony Watson hasn’t even used his four-seamer since the 2015 season. Still, the 31-year-old is getting by more than fine pitching in the latter frames of ball games.
Toronto Blue Jays: Club Will Be Okay with Aaron Sanchez Headed Back to DL
Staff ace Aaron Sanchez is set to miss at least one more start for the Toronto Blue Jays after splitting a fingernail in his April 30th outing. Will this season’s version of the Toronto Blue Jays make it to the postseason or possibly a third consecutive American League Championship Series? Probably not. But since losing some of their best players, the club has shown a little fight and are in the midst of a three game winning streak. Aaron Sanchez initially went on the DL with a blister.
MLB: 5 stats from 2016 that went largely overlooked
MLB is a game so rich in statistical analysis and selections that sometimes, for a casual fan to try and wrap their mind around the entire broad spectrum, it can seem somewhat overwhelming. However, anyone who follows pro baseball gets caught up in stats by some degree in some way, shape or form. Everything in the game’s illustrious history is tracked and compartmentalized to be referenced in future telecasts, articles, books and conversations.
Toronto Blue Jays: Staff Ace to Make League Minimum in 2017
One of the American League’s best pitchers from 2016 isn’t set to be compensated as such by the Toronto Blue Jays this season. Is that a problem? Draft picks that pan out in Major League Baseball turn into esteemed prospects within their respective organization. Any upper level MLB front office executive will tell you there’s few things more rewarding from an operations standpoint. This is something the Toronto Blue Jays are looking to improve at.
Toronto Blue Jays: R.A. Dickey's Legacy a Proud One
The Toronto Blue Jays will be without R.A. Dickey in 2017. His legacy will be riddled with differing opinions. His time there was full of highs and lows. With every offering from the mound exceeding 98 mph by Mets ace Noah Syndergaard this season, Toronto Blue Jays faithful cringed, moaned, bickered and barked displeasure.
Boston Red Sox: ALCS or Bust?
Forget simply winning the American League East — 2017’s version of the Boston Red Sox on paper are bound to establish a precedent and lofty expectation un-paralleled by any other AL club on Opening Day, even the defending AL champion Indians. When Boston acquired former ChiSox ace Chris Sale on December 6, things took a dark twist in the AL East for the likes of the Blue Jays, Yankees and Orioles — three divisional rivals hoping to build on worthwhile 2016 campaigns.
Seattle Mariners: One of MLB's elite at 3B is Kyle Seager
Much of their 86-76 season mirrored 2014, when then went 87-75. Scott Servais did an admirable job in his first season managing the M’s. Along the way, no two players provided him with more assistance than did Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager. Cano had by far his biggest season in Seattle as a Mariner since coming over in 2014.
Atlanta Braves: To trade for an ace, or not to? Weighing in
Coming off a second straight season in which they failed to record 70 wins in a season, the Atlanta Braves find themselves in a peculiar situation. A 68-93 effort this past season extended a trend many insiders saw coming a few years back when the Braves were poising themselves for a re-build. But now, the future might not look so bleak when it comes to 2017. Sure, these last two seasons were painful enough to get through.
World Series: Kipnis Wants Bartman to Throw First Pitch at Wrigley Field
Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis‘ heart may be in the right place, as are his intentions in wanting the infamous Steve Bartman to once again reappear in the public eye, but his expectations are unrealistic. The World Series heads back to Wrigley Field on Friday evening in Chicago, with the series tied at one apiece. Kipnis, as mentioned in the FOX article, grew up a Cubs fan and lived in Bartman’s neighborhood.
San Francisco Giants: Casilla Disappointed to Not Be Used in Collapse
While it was hardly the blemish on San Francisco Giants manger Bruce Bochy‘s postseason career as a similar inaction was earlier in the month for O’s skipper Buck Showalter, it begs the question — could Santiago Casilla have helped his club escape safely from a Game 4 collapse at the hands of the Cubs in order to force a deciding Game 5? Showalter, of course, previously failed to use the best closer in all of baseball during the one-and-done Wild Card playoff game versus the Toronto Blue Jays.
Boston Red Sox: Can David Price be trusted with Postseason starts?
Upon signing his mega-deal with the Boston Red Sox on December 4, 2015, starting pitcher and hopeful club ace David Price declared the following: A smirk crossed his cheeks and the audience of BoSox journalists and bloggers had a chuckle. The laughter eventually broke into applause. It was indeed a funny and clever thing to say back then in the moment, but now… maybe only Blue Jays fans are the ones laughing somewhere. The entire press conference can be viewed here.
MLB: 5 AL clubs on the search for a DH in 2017
MLB clubs that certainly used this spot properly in their lineup throughout 2016 were of course Boston with Big Papi, Toronto with mostly Edwin Encarnacion, Seattle with Nelson Cruz, Cleveland with a healthy blend of Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana and lastly, Baltimore with a combination of Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo. All five of those MLB teams finished in the top five of the league when it comes to fWAR productivity by a designated hitter.
Toronto Blue Jays: Gibbons should not start Stroman in WC playoff
Before the 2016 regular season began, many fans and insiders within the Toronto Blue Jays‘ organization envisioned Marcus Stroman emerging as the clubs young ace of the future. The cookie did not crumble that way. The Stro Show got the nod for an Opening Day start on April 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 25-year-old right-hander turned in an admirable effort, lasting eight full innings with three earned runs allowed while punching out five.
New York Yankees: Is Gary Sanchez a Legit AL RoY Candidate?
The short answer is yes, Sanchez deserves serious consideration. But let us take a look at how we get to that conclusion. Gary Sanchez had a very brief stint with the New York Yankees in 2015. He registered only two plate appearances, striking out once. Upon returning to the minors, he hit .295 with six home runs and 26 RBI in Triple-A over the course of 35 games.
Toronto Blue Jays are imploding in September
At this time in August, the Toronto Blue Jays were tied for first place in the AL East division with the Baltimore Orioles, 15 games above .500 and had winning records at home (36-26) and on the road (31-26). What a difference 30 calendar days have made. Now mid-September, playoff contenders hope to be playing their best baseball during the stretch run. Instead, the Blue Jays are stinking worse than your overweight uncles gym bag that hasn’t been cleaned out in over a month.
Chicago Cubs Lack of Defensive Shifts are Proving Beneficial
Over the last few seasons in Major League Baseball, many managers have found themselves caught up in a frenzy regarding the use of defensive shifts on the field. It’s definitely been a trend on the rise in recent times. Second year Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon was adamant earlier in the season about staying away from such exaggerated shifts on a regular basis. It looks as though his research and evaluation of the shift is discrediting a lot of praise surrounding the trendy strategy.
MLB Preview: Ranking the top shortstops for 2016
The shortstop position seems to be in a renaissance period, with young talent like Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Addison Russell and Corey Seager making their MLB debuts last season. There are still some quality veterans, but there is a clear shift going on at the shortstop position, especially the many intriguing shortstop prospects making their way up through the minor leagues. Without further adieu, here is the list of the top ten shortstops for the 2016 MLB season.
Where does Javier Baez fit into Chicago Cubs plans?
Chicago Cubs prospect Javier Baez will be 23 years of age when grounds thaw out and Spring Training once more rejuvenates the landscapes of ball parks around Arizona and Florida in 2016. For the time being, the bygone trade deadline offered a glimpse into the short-term future of the Cubs’ infield predicament. Chicago currently occupies one of the two Wild Card spots in the National League.
A.J. Burnett Takes Less Money, Wisely Returns To Pittsburgh Pirates
After one year away from the Pittsburgh Pirates, A.J. Burnett is on his way back. The veteran RHP has officially agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates worth $8.5 million. This comes after Burnett declined a player option to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies that would have paid him $12.75 million in 2015. It’s refreshing to see a player take less money and value winning.
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