Top 5 Best trades in the 2019 MLB offseason that happened in 2018

Hey Y’all how is everyone doing on this fine ass Tuesday night? So today is the first day of 2019 and if anyone had made any New Years resolutions for 2018 I sure hope you accomplished them because it is too late now. But if you didn’t no worries. You can just hold onto those resolutions and add them to your resolutions for 2019. So it’s crazy today marks the first day of a new year. Only 364 more until 2020. I hope everyone had good new years ever last night and I hoped everyone didn’t go to crazy last night. 2019 seems like it is going to be a good year. I know everyone says it. But I feel like being totally cliche and saying it here.

So what better way to kick off 2019 by remembering the previous year 2018 with a dope ass blog post.  The MLB season has now been over for approximately 65 days and while there is still a lot more trades and signings that are going to happen for the 2019 MLB off-season since we have now entered into 2019. A lot of big trades and signings has happened in these 64 days of the 2019 offseason in 2018. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here are the top 5 best trades in the 2019 MLB offseason that happened in 2018

1.  Arizona Diamondbacks trading star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals on December 5th: Okay on December 5th the Arizona Diamondbacks traded away there star hitter and face of the franchise since 2011 first Baseman Paul Goldschmidt to the St Louis Cardinals. The Diamondbacks received starting pitcher Luke Weaver, Catcher Carson Kelly who played in 19 games with the Cardinals in 2018 as well prospect infielder Andy Young on December 5th, 2018. In his 8 years D-Backs Paul was a 6 time all star ( with his most recent one being in 2018) , a 3 time gold glove award winner, a 4 time silver slugger award winner, on the NL Hank Aaron Award in 2013 and led the NL in HRs and RBIs that same year.

In 2018 Paul Played in 158 games with the Diamondbacks getting 172 hits, 95 runs, 33 HRs, 83 RBIs, 316 total bases, 73 extra base hits, 123 weighted runs created, 145 weighted runs created plus and a 42.4 weighted runs above average. Paul also put up an amazing .290/.389/.533 slash line along with an equally amazing .922 OPS, a .243 isolated power, a 4.2-speed score, a .359 BABIP a 0.8 UBR and a .390 WOBA for the 2018 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This was definitely an amazing trade and the Cardinals didn’t have to break the bank to make it either and I am very excited to see how it will play out in 2019.

2.  The Seattle Mariners Trading Second Baseman Robinson Cano and Closer Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets on December 3rd: Okay second trade on the list is the first of the three major trades made by the Seattle Mariners this offseason that I am covering on this list. The Seattle Mariners as I have mentioned before have really cleared house and pretty much all of there star players on their rosters in 2018 are now gone. On December 3rd, 2018 the Seattle Mariners traded their Second Baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz as well 20 million dollars in cash consideration to the New York Mets.

In exchange for outfielders Jay Bruce and Jarred Kelenic. As well as for Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and Justin Dunn. The Mets signed Robinson Cano to finish out the remainder of his 10-year 240 million dollar contract that he signed with the team back in December of 2013. Robinson is 36 now and will finish his 10-year contract after 2023 when he will be 40 years old.

In 2018 Robinson Cano season was shortened to only 80 games due to the fact that he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs on May 15th. Robinson would return to the Mariners on August 14th. In his injury-shortened season, Robinson got 94 hits, 44 runs, 10 HRs, 50 RBIs, 146 total bases and 32 extra base hits. Robinson also got a very solid .303/.374/.471 slash line along with a .845 OPS in 2018 with the Mariners.

Edwin Diaz had established himself as the MLB’s best reliever in 2018 winning the AL reliever of the year award, leading the MLB in saves and making it to his first all-star game in 2018. Edwin pitched in a total of 73 games in 2018. Getting a 0-4 record, 57 saves, a 1.96 ERA, 124 strikeouts and a 0.79 WHIP. Edwin also got a 44.3 strikeout percentage, a 7.29 strikeout to walk ratio, 15.22 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 1.61 FIP and a 1.49 Skill interactive ERA in 2018.

3.  The Los Angeles Dodgers trading right fielder Yasiel Puig, Left Fielder Matt Kemp and Starting Pitcher Alex Wood to the Cinncanti Reds on December 21st: Okay for the third trade on the list is probably the biggest blockbuster trade that happened in the 2019 MLB offseason in 2018. On December 21st the Los Angeles Dodgers traded away there two star outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig as well as one of there star pitchers in there starting rotation Alex wood for the Cinnacnti reds in exchange for starting pitcher Homer Bailey ( who they released later that day) and for prospects shortstop Jeter Downs and pitcher Josiah Gray.  right fielder Yaisel Puig played in 125 games with the Dodgers in 2018 getting 108 hits, 60 runs, 23 HRs, 63 RBIs, 200 total bases and 45 extra base hits.

Along with a .267/.327/.494 slash line along with a .820 OPS in 2018. Left Fielder Matt Kemp played in 146 games with the Dodgers in 2018 getting, 134 hits, 62 runs, 21 HRs, 85 RBIs, 222 total bases and 46 extra base hits. Along with a .290/.338/.481 slash line along with a .818 OPS. Matt also made it to his third all-star game appearance in 2018. Last but not least is Starting Pitcher Alex Wood. Alex pitched in 33 games in 2018. Getting a 9-7 record, a 3.68 ERA, 135 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP. Alex also got a 21.2 strikeout percentage, a 3.38 strikeout to walk ratio, 8.01 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 3.53 FIP and a 3.90 skill-interactive ERA in 2018 with the Los Angeles Dodgers

4.  Seattle Mariners Trading Starting Pitcher James Paxton to the New York Yankees on November 19th: Okay second to last trade on the list is a trade that really needed to happen. The New York Yankees traded for a starting pitcher. As a devout Yankees fan, I can certainly say that I must not be the only fan that wishes they would go after starting pitchers more in the offseason versus going after power hitters. On November 19th 2018 the Seattle Mariners traded away starting pitcher James Paxton to the New York Yankees in exchange for top prospect starting pitcher Justus Sheffield who made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2018.

As well as another prospect pitcher Erik Swanson and prospect outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams. James pitched in 28 games in 2018. Most Notably pitching a no hitter on May 8th against the Toronto Blue Jays. In those 28 games, James got an 11-6 record, a 3.76 ERA, 208 strikeouts and a 1.10 WHIP. James also got a 32.3 strikeout percentage, a 4.95 strikeout to walk ratio, 11.65 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 3.24 FIP and a 2.96 Skill interactive ERA in 2018 with the Seattle Mariners.

5.  Seattle Mariners Trading Shortstop/Second Baseman Jean Segura to the Philadelphia Phillies on December 3rd: Okay last but not least on the list is shortstop/second baseman, Jean Segura. Jean is a really solid player who is an extremely dominant hitter who almost always posts a high batting average and a high amount of hits in the regular season. The Mariners traded Jean to the Philadelphia Phillies on December 3rd, 2018.

In exchange for first baseman Carlos Santanna and shortstop and third baseman J.P. Crawford. Jean had a very successful season in 2018 making it to his second all-star game appearance. Jean played in 144 games in 2018 with the Mariners. Getting 178 hits, 91 runs, 10 HRs, 63 RBIs, 243 total bases and 42 extra base hits. Along with an amazing .304/.341/.415 slash line along with a .755 OPS in 2018 with the Seattle Mariners.

 

Each NL West team Christmas list for the 2019 MLB season

Hey yall, how is everyone doing on this fine ass Christmas Eve? this is my second article today. I started this blog back in December of 2015. And in my three years of running the blog, I don’t think I have ever published two posts n one day so this is kind of exciting stuff. You know I am kind of tired and I am watching tv with my dad right now so I don’t feel like making much of a long intro post like I usually do. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here is each NL West team Christmas list for 2019.

1.  That Clayton Kershaw will be able to stay healthy all year long in 2019 for the Los Angeles Dodgers: Okay first team on the list is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers finished the 2018 season in first place in the NL West in 2018 with a 92-71 record in the regular season. Just like the Cubs, the Dodgers were forced to play in a one-game division tiebreaker game between the Colorado Rockies to determine who would win the NL West in 2018. They ended up beating the Dodgers 5-2 on October 1st at Dodger stadium and would advance to the NLDS where they would sweep the Atlanta Braves in 3 games and then would go on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in 7 games in the NLCS only to, unfortunately, lose to the Boston Red Sox in 5 games in the 2018 world series.

There second world series loss in a row after losing to the Astros in 7 games in the 2017 world series. By all means, the Dodgers had a good season in 2018. I mean any time that makes it to the world series whether or not they won it or lost it had a good year that year. Ironically for the Los Angeles Dodgers there biggest asset on the team is often also their biggest deterrent. There ace starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Clayton is widely known by everyone who follows baseball as the best pitcher in the game right now. I mean the guy is a future Hall of Famer and there isn’t much debate to it. Clayton has pitched in the MLB for a total of 11 years since 2008 all with the Dodgers. In those 11 years, he has made it to the all-star game 7 times, was named the NL MVP in 2014.

Won the triple crown award in 2011 as well as a gold glove award that year as well, has won the NL Cy Young Award 3 times, has led the NL in wins and strikeouts 3 times, has lead the NL in ERA 5 times, pitched a no-hitter in 2014, won the Roberto Clemente award in 2012, won the Marvin Miller Man of the year award in 2014 and has won the Warren Spahn Award for best left-handed pitcher in the MLB that season 4 times. Clayton had a very good season in 2018 however he missed a lot of it due to injuries. Clayton spent a lot of time on and off the DL for the Dodgers in 2018. Mainly due to problems with back pain that he has been plagued with since 2016.

Clayton pitched in 26 games in 2018 and in those 26 games he recorded his lowest amount of wins in a season with a 9-5 record. Clayton also got a 2.73 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 155 strikeouts. along with a 23.9 strikeout percentage, a 5.34 strikeout to walk ratio and 8.65 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched. As well as a 3.19 FIP, a 3.45 Skill interactive ERA and a 3.5 WAR in 2018 with the Dodgers. Now keep in mind Clayton is like pizza when he’s good he’s amazing and when he’s bad he’s still pretty amazing. However, if the Dodgers are going to see better results in 2019 Clayton is going to have to stay healthy all year long and continue to be the Matt Ryan of baseball. Where he will dominate in the regular season and then choke harder than Eminem in the first rap battle in the movie 8 mile ( the movie has been out since 2002 so I think I am past the time where I have to warn you about spoilers.)

2.    That Trevor Story stats will keep going up in 2019 for the Colorado Rockies: Okay second team on the List is the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies finished the 2018 season in second place in the NL West with a 91-72 record. The Rockies would make it to the postseason in 2018 for the second straight year in a row advancing to the 2018 NL Wild Card Game where they would beat the 2-1 in an electrifying 13 inning game at Wrigley Field on October 2nd. One major area of success was from the offensive power coming in the infield. And I’m not talking about Nolan Arenado.

I am talking about the Rockies Shortstop Trevor Story. Trevor had a career year in 2018. Making it to his first all-star game appearance this year and winning the silver slugger award at shortstop in the NL for the 2018 season. Trevor played in a career-high 157 games in 2018. Getting career-high stats as well. Such as 174 hits, 88 runs, 37 HRs, 108 RBIs, 339 total bases, 85 extra base hits, 114 weighted runs created, a 127 weighted runs created plus and 37.0 weighted runs above average.

Trevor also got a stunning .291/.348/.567 slash line along with a .914 OPS, a .276 isolated power, a 6.3-speed score, a .345 BABIP, a -0.9 UBR, a .384 WOBA and a 5.0 WAR in 2018. Trevor has been in the MLB since 2016 and just like a vintage comic book his value keeps going up year after year. The Rockies do have a lot of offensive power to deal with going forward in 2019.

Not just from Trevor but from Nolan Arenado at third base, Charlie Blackmon at center field, D.J. LeMahieu at second base and with the signing of free agent second baseman Daniel Murphy there should be no lack of star power in the Rockies lineup in 2019. However, if Trevor can play even better in 2019 then he did in 2018 there is no telling where he could help take the Rockies to this upcoming MLB season.

3.   That they can find an underlooked and undervalued free agent to replace Paul Goldschmidt at first base in 2019 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Okay, the third team on the list is the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks finished the 2018 season in third place in the NL West with an 82-80 record in the 2018 season. There definitely was a lot of power in the Diamondbacks in the 2018 season. A lot came from there lights out amazing starting rotation in 2018 that featured the likes of Zack Godley, Patrick Corbin, and Zack Greinke who all combined for 41 wins in 2018. Now while the D-Backs regular season was pretty good. The current offseason has been very interesting as well. They really cleaned house this offseason granting free agencies to Centerfielder A.J. Pollock, starting pitchers Patrick Corbin and Clay Bucholz. As well as there closer in 2018 Brad Boxberger.

Without a doubt there biggest move this offseason was trading there star first baseman since 2011 to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Cardinals pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly and minor league infielder Andy Young on December 5th. Now shortly after the Diamondbacks completed the Paul Goldschmidt trade to the Cardinals Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen announced that he plans on having Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb to play first base in 2019. However, there are several problems in this plan. Jake has been in the MLB since 2014 and in that time he has only started at first base in 8 games his 500 career games in the MLB.

Jake also missed a significant amount of playing time in 2018 due to him requiring a shoulder injury. Now coming off at the shoulder injury in 2019 it doesn’t seem like a great idea to stress his body out by putting him at a position he is not used to and not comfortable with like he is at third base. Now while there isn’t a huge abundance of star free agents first baseman the Diamondbacks do have two good options to work within 2019. And those are Logan Morrison and Wilmer Flores. Logan played in 95 games with the twins in 2018. Getting 59 hits, 41 runs, 15 HRs, 39 RBIs, 117 total bases and 28 extra base hits. Along with a .186/.276/.368 slash line and a .644 OPS.

Wilmer Flores played in 126 games with the Mets in 2018 getting 103 hits, 43 runs, 11 HRs, 51 RBIs, 161 total bases and 36 extra base hits. Along with a solid .267/.319/.417 slash line and a .736 OPS in 2018. Both Wilmer and Logan both have a lot of talent in them and both of them are very underrated and undervalued players so they both should be steals for the Diamondbacks and would both make fine replacements at first base for Paul Goldschmidt in 2019.

4.  That they play like its an even year even though is an off year in 2019 for the San Francisco Giants: Okay second to the last team on the list here is the San Francisco Giants. The Giants finished the 2018 season in fourth place in the NL West with a 73-89 record in the 2018 season. Unfortunately for the Giants in 2018 their failures out weighted all their success and they were forced to deal with many problems on their team that included both a lack of hitting and pitching.

It seems hard to remember that the giants were once a dynasty during the first half of the 2010s. From 2010-2014 they won three out of the 5 world series in that time. In 2010, 2012 and 2014. They were known as the even year dynasty in that time. In 2010 the San Francisco Giants on there first world series since 1954 and there first as the San Francisco Giants and not the New York Giants.

Now unfortunately for the San Francisco Giants there even year dynasty seemed to come to a crashing end in 2016 when they lost in the NLDS in 4 games to the Chicago Cubs.  And 2018 marked a crushing blow to there even year dominance with there 4th place NL west record. While the even year dynasty of the 2010s may be over it doesn’t mean that they cant end the 2010s with a bang. There is still a lot they can accomplish in 2019. And I really think 2019 can be a redemption year for them.

5. That they improve there base running and hitting in 2019 for the San Diego Padres: Okay last but not least on the list is the San Diego Padres. The San Diego Padres finished the 2018 season dead last in the NL West with a 66-96 record. 2018 for the San Diego Padres was pretty much the definition of Murphys Law meaning that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In 2018 they were dead last in almost every single major offensive category in both hitting and pitching. But I think their base running and hitting was the biggest disappointment for them in 2018.

In 2018 the Padres ranked 27th in hits with 1289, 28th in runs with 617, 24th in home runs with 162, 28th in RBIs with 583, 28th in total bases with 2085, 28th in extra base hits with 442, 28th in weighted runs created, 27th in weighted runs created plus with 84 weighted runs created plus and 28th in weighted runs above average with -106.7 weighted runs above average.

The Padres were also ranked 28th in batting average with a .235 batting average, 30th in on-base percentage, 27th in slugging percentage with a .380 slugging percentage, 28th in OPS with a .677 OPS, 27th in isolated power with a .145 isolated power and 28th in WOBA with a .294 WOBA for the 2018 season. The Padres are definitely going to need to do a lot of work in 2019 5o help undo there awful the last place 66-96 season in 2018 for the upcoming 2019 MLB season.

each NL central team Christmas list

Hey y’all how is everyone doing on this fine ass Christmas Eve. So tommorow is Christmas I truly can’t believe it. Time is truly flying by. Opening day is approximately 94 days away I definitely can’t believe it. Okay I am on a bit of a time crunch and I really want to get straight to blogging. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here is each NL central team Christmas list

1.  That Lef5 Fielder Christian Yelich will play as well in both halves of the season and not just the first one in 2019 for the Milwaukee Brewers: Okay first team on the list is the one and only Miluwakee Brewers. The brewers finished the 2018 MLB season in first place in the NL Central with a 96-67. The Brewers were forced to play a tie breaker game with the cubs on october 1st after both teams were tied at the end of the 2018 regular season on september 30th. The Brewers really had an amazing season in 2018.

The brew crew managed to make it to the playoffs and win he division title in 2018 for the first time since 2011. The Brewers made it all the way to the NLCS in 2018. Unfortuantetly only to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 7 games in the series.  Alot of there success in 2018 can be attribuated to there signining of Left Fielder Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins. On january 25th 2018 the Marlins traded Yelich to the Brewers for several top prospects from the Brewers organazation.

As i mentioned before in my previous article In 2018 Christian became the face of the National League in 2018. In 2018 Christian made it to his first all star game apperance, was named the 2018 NL MVP, was the 2018 NL Batting champion, won the 2018 NL Hank Aaron award, won his second silver slugger award and hit for the cyclye twice in the 2018 MLB season. For the 2018 season Christian played in 147 games for the brewers. Getting 187 hits, 118 runs, 36 HRs, 110 RBIs, 343 total bases, 77 extra base hits, 133 weighted runs created and 166 weighted runs created plus.

Christian also put up a spectalor .326/.402/.598 slash line along with an amazing 1.000 OPS, a .272 isolated power, a 6.8 speed score, a .373 BABIP, a 4.2 UBR and a .422 WOBA in 2018 for the brewers. However as phenominal as those stats are the majority of them came from the second half and not the whole season. In the first half of the 2018 regular season christian got 93 hits, 60 runs, 11 HRs and 40 RBIs. Christian also got a .292/.364/.459 slash line along with an .823 OPS.

Now dont get me wrong those are some amazing first half stats. However his second half stats really outdo his first half stats. In the second half christian got 94 hits, 58 runs, 25 HRs and 67 RBIs. Christian also put up an out of this world amazing .367/.449/.770 slash line along with a 1.219 OPS for the second half of the 2018 season. If Christian can play like this in both halfs of the upcoming 2019 season he can take the brewers reach heights theve never reached before in 2019.

2.  That 2016 Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant will show up in 2019 for the Chicago Cubs: Okay second team on the list is the one and only Chicago Cubs. the cubs finished the 2018 Season in second place in the NL central with a 95-68 record in the regular season. 2018 was the cubs first season sinc 2015 when they didn make it to the NLCS. The cubs did techinally make it to the postseason in 2018. Making it to the 2018 NL wild card game after losing to the brewers in the aformentinoed one game tie breaker series. They unfortunatetly lost the game 2-1 to the Colorado Rockies at wrigley field on october 2nd. 2018 was an very solid season for the Cubs however it was no 2016 season. Now i know that it isnt exactly fair to compare seasons i mean the cubs finished the 2016 season with a 103-58 record and broke the 108 year world series victory drought known as the curse of the billy goat in 2016. They beat the Cleveland Indians in 7 games after being down 3 games to 1 going into game 5 of the series.

I know so much has changed however the one thing that hasnt is who they had on first and third base in 2018. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and Third Baseman Kris Bryant were an electrying duo that always had you on youre feet in 2016. However unforunatley the Anthony Rizzo/Kris Bryant show seemed to have been cancelled in 2018. In 2018 the duo played in a total of 255 games with Kris playing in 102 and anthony playing in 153 respecitvley. Between the two of them they both got 266 hits, 133 runs, 38 HRs, 153 RBIs. 445 total bases and 99 extra base hits. This is a far contrast between the duos 2016 stats. The two of them played in a total of 310 games between them in 2016. With both of them playing in 155 games each in 2016. Now in the 2016 season the duo got 346 hits, 215 runs, 71 HRs and 211 RBIs. I gotta a huge amount of respect for the Cubbies and i think there number one way to success in 2019 is to like will and grace renew the Anthony and Kris show in 2019.

3.  That the addition of Paul Goldschmidt will help propel them to a top 10 offense and a postseason apperance in 2019 for the St Louis Cardinals: Okay third team on the list is the St louis Cardinals. The Cardinals finished the 2018 MLB season third place in the NL central with an 88-74 record in the regular season. 2018 marked the third consecutive season that the cardinals didnt make it to the playoffs. Thelast time that happened was from 1994-1997. The cardinals as a team had a lot of talent and put up a lot of great numbers. The Cardinals main source of power came from utility infielder Matt Carpentar who got 145 hits, 111 runs, 36 HRs and 81 RBIs along with a very good .257/.374/.523 slash line plus a pretty great .897 OPS in the 2018 season with the Cards. This month the Cardinals pulled off probally one of the best trades in the current MLB offseason trading starting pitcher Luke Weaver and catcher Carson Kelly along with minor league infielder Andy Young for star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. In 2018 Paul got a 172 hits, 95 runs, 33 HRs, 83 RBIs, 316 total bases, 73 extra base hits, 123 weighted runs created and 145 weighted runs created plus. Paul also put up an amazing .290/.389/.533 slash line along with a .922 OPS, a .243 isolated power, a 4.2 speed score, a .359 BABIP, a 0.8 UBR and a .390 WOBA for the 2018 season with the Diamondbacks. If paul can play as well with the Cardinals in 2019 as he did diamondbacks in 2018 there is no doubt that the cards will end there current three year playoff draught in 2019.

4.  The addition of Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop in 2019 for the Pittsburgh Pirates: Okay second to last team on the list is the Pittsburgh Pirates. The pirates finished the 2018 MLB season in fourth place in the NL Central with a 82-79 record. Pittsburgh had a very subpar and almost mundane season in 2018. 2018 was there the first season without there face of the franchise Centerfielder Andrew McCutchen who had been with the team for a total of 9 years from 2009-2017. Now not much has happened for the pirates this offseason besides signing Jordan Lyles pitcher Joran Lyles from the Miluwakee Brewers.

The one thing that the Pirates are in need of in 2019 is a shortstop. Since they relesed there shortop of the 2018 season Jordy Mercer to free agency on october 29th this year. Now i know the person i am going to suggest for this list may seem a little crazy. do to his long history of injuries but bare with me. I am suggesting that the Pirates go after troy tulowitzki to replace Jordy Mercer at shortstop in 2019. So you know how in pretty much every global catosphi thriller movie where like the sun is going to crash into the earth or aliens are about to kill all of mankind.

There is that one scientist who is like we do have one option. And the option is a very good option but there is a lot of risk in it. And if the option fails it will fail spectorly. Well Troy is that option. Now i am not saying he would be the savior of the Pirates and led them to a world series win. But Troy is someone who you should take a shot on.

Now while i will admit i probally wouldnt draft him in a fantasy baseball draft do to his huge and lng history of injuries. I do think troy could be a risk worth taking. I mean granted he did miss the entire 2018 MLB season with a bone spur in his right ankle. He also only played in 66 games due to a hamstring injury and a sprained right ankle. However i should mention that troy has been in the MLB since 2006 and despite the fact that in those 12 years he only played in at least 125 games just 6 of those years.

He did make the all star game 5 times, win 2 gold glove and sliver slugger awards. And he also hold the MLB record for career fielding percentage at shortstop with a .985 career fielding percentage. Troy is a risk but i think he is one worth taking. Also besides there isnt a huge market of free agent shortstops that the pirates have to work with going into the 2019 MLB season.

5. That the Blockbuster trade with the Dodgers will pay of for them in 2019 for the Cinncanti Reds: Okay last but not least on the list is the Cinncanti reds. The reds finished the 2018 season dead last in the NL Central with a 67-95 regular season record. Despite having a very unsatisfactory season the reds did have a lot of offensive talent in there roster. Including the likes of all star first baseman Joey Votto, breakout star second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza. However they did lack alot in pitching in 2018. But they did take notice of there flaws in pitching in 2018 and traded to the Washington nationals pitcher Tanner Railey for Tanner Roark on December 12th this year. Tanner had a pretty bad 9-15 record along with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 2018. however the Reds did acquire the much better Starting Pitcher Alex Wood on December 21st in a blockbuster trade that included not just alex wood to the Reds but outfielders Matt Kemp and Yaisel Puig and catcher and third baseman Kyle farmer in exchange for pitcher homer bailey and two top minor league prospects starting pitcher Josiah Gray and shortstop and second baseman Jeter Downs. Alex had a 9-7 record along with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 2018. While those stats aren’t phenomenal he did get a 16-3 record along with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP the previous season in 2017. I really like these kinds of high value low risks trades. And from the looks of it this trade is going to be a win for the reds in the upcoming 2019 mlb season

each NL East teams 2019 Christmas list

Hey yall, how is everyone doing on this fine ass Christmas Eve Eve. So the big day is in two days. I don’t know about you but I sure as hell can’t believe it. God, where did 2018 go this year just flew by. While I am kind of upset 2018 is almost over I am excited about the upcoming MLB season. And with Christmas being right around the corner I thought I would talk about the one thing every baseball team wants for Christmas. I have covered all of the AL teams so now I am gonna discuss all of the NL teams. Starting off with the NL East. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here are each NL East teams 2019 Christmas list.

1.  Playing well in April, May, June, July and August and not just in September for the New York Mets: Okay first team on the list are the Yankees crosstown rivals the New York Mets. The Mets are known for there subpar performances in the MLB season. And unfortunately, if you’re a Mets fan you rarely to never get to watch any baseball in October. Now the met have been dealing as of recently they traded for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners. They also signed outfielder Rajai Davis, catcher Wilson Ramos, and outfielder Gregor Blanco.

The Mets finished the 2018 season in 4th place in the NL East with a modest 77-85 regular season record The interesting thing about the Mets in 2018 was that they got off to such an amazing start in the 2018 MLB season finishing the month of April with a 15-9 record and even had a 9 game winning streak from April 3rd-April 13th. Unfortuatnetly for the mets there wins began to decrease steadily. In may they were 10-18, In June they went just 5-21, in July they were 12-12, in august they were an even 15-15 and in September they finished out the 2018 MLB regular season strong achieving an 18-10 record.

Now I think we can all admit that had the Mets not had the god-awful June where they won just 5 games that they had they might have finished the 2018 season with a much higher record. However, interestingly enough the Mets have always played there best baseball in the final month of the regular season. However, if they want to bring there record up in 2019 they are going to have to learn to play well in all months of the regular season.

 

2.  Being able to adjust without there superstar and face of the franchise Right Fielder Bryce Harper in 2019 for the Washington Nationals: Okay for the second team on the list I am talking about the one and only Washington Nationals. Before the Nats were the in Washington they were in Montreal as they expos The nats have come a long way since first becoming a team after relocating from Montreal where they spent a total of 35 years there from 1969-2004. When the Nats first started in 2005.

They had a lot of struggles. For Example in the teams first 8 seasons they only finished the season above .500 just once (in 2005). The Nats played so bad in there first 8 seasons that they had two back to back 100 loss seasons in 2008 and 2009. The Nationals last subpar season came in 2011 when they finished the season 80-81. The next season would mark the first MLB season of young and upcoming future MLB superstar Bryce Harper.

Bryce Harper was drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2010 as the first overall pick out of Southern Nevada Community College at the age of 17. On April 27th, 2012 Bryce made his MLB debut with the Nationals. That same season Bryce would not only be named NL rookie of the year but also would help lead the franchise to a 98-64 regular season record and there first postseason appearance as a franchise.

In Bryce’s 7 seasons with the Nationals, they have finished above .500 in each of them. A sharp contrast to how they were playing before him. In 2018 the Nationals finished the regular season second place in the NL East with an 82-80 record in the regular season. I don’t know how they are gonna do in their first season without him. But since it is strongly indicated that Bryce does not plan on resigning with them they will have to make do without him.

3. That the rookie phenom left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr will be able to stay healthy all year long in 2019 and won’t get stuck in a sophomore slump for the Atlanta Braves: Okay third team on the list are the Atlanta Braves. The Braves finished the 2018 MLB season in first place in the NL East with a 90-72 record in the regular season. They made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 but unfortunately lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games in the NLDS.

Overall the Braves had an excellent roster to work with. For pitching, they had starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz who finished the 2018 season with a 13-10 record and a 2.85 ERA. For hitting they had the Likes of first baseman Freddie Freeman who hit .309 in the 2018 season, right fielder Nick Markakis who got 185 hits, second baseman Ozzie Albies who hit 24 Home runs and finally left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr who was named the 2018 NL Rookie of the year.

Ronald made his MLB debut with the Braves on April 25th with the braves. In his rookie season, he got 127 hits, 78 runs, 26 HRs, 64 RBIs, 239 total bases, 56 extra base hits, 86 weighted runs created and 143 weighted runs created plus. Ronald also put up an amazing .293/.366/.552 slash line along with an equally amazing .917 OPS. As well as a solid .259 isolated power, a 6.3-speed score, a .352 BABIP, a 1.6 UBR and a .388 WOBA for the 2018 season with the Atlanta Braves.

Another important thing to mention is that Ronald only played in 111 games in 2018 with the Braves due to the fact that he was dealing with a mild ACL sprain in his left knee as well as a back contusion. If Ronald can force himself to stay healthy in 2019 and force himself to not endure the infamous sophomore slump he can definitely help out the Atlanta Braves greatly in 2019.

 

4.  That they will be able to bring out the big bucks and give a big fat contract to either top free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado for the Philadelphia Phillies: Okay second to the last team on the list is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies finished the 2018 MLB season in 3rd place in the NL East with an 80-82 regular season record. The Phillies had a very decent season in 2018 finishing just below .500 with a .494 average for the 2018 MLB regular season. Not great but not bad either. 2018 marked a break out year from left fielder Rhys Hoskins who made his MLB debut with the Phillies the previous season on August 10th, 2017. Rhys would become the fastest player in Phillies franchise history to reach 30 career home runs on June 27th, 2018. reaching the feat in just 120 games.

Rhys would finish the season with 34 HRs, 96 RBIs, 137 hits, 89 runs, 277 total bases, and 72 extra base hits. Rhys also got a solid .246/.354/.496 slash line along with a .850 OPS in 2018. The Phillies also had a lot of talent coming from there Ace pitcher in there starting rotation Aaron Nola who not only made it to his first all-star game appearance in 2018 but also finished the season with an amazing 17-6 record, a 2.37 ERA, 224 strikeouts and a 0.97 WHIP for the 2018 season. Now the current offseason has certainly not been a quiet offseason for the Phillies.

They signed free agent Centerfielder Andrew McCutchen and they also traded infielders Carlos Santana and J.P. Crawford for star hitter shortstop Jean Segura from the Seattle Mariners. However, there work in the offseason is far from being over yet. There are still two players that they could try and go after. And those are top free agents Third Baseman/Shortstop Manny Machado and Right Fielder Bryce Harper. Now the Phillies do have Maikel Franco at third base.

and while he isn’t Manny Machado good he still is good enough to stay at that position so ideally, it would be best for the Phillies to put Manny up at shortstop. Now for Bryce Harper that is someone that they can hypothetically have a lot of need for in the outfield. They can put him at either center field or right field and have either Oduebel Herrera and Nick Williams platoon with him in 2019 in the Philadelphia Phillies outfield.

5. That they will be able to start putting up more runs up on the board in 2019 for the Miami Marlins: Okay last but not least for the NL East I am putting up the Miami Marlins on the list. The Marlins played atrociously in 2018 and finished in the last place in the NL East with a 63-98 record in the regular season. Going into the 2018 season the Marlins really cleared house. 2018 was the first season with New York Yankees icon shortstop Derek Jeter as the CEO of the team and he sure made some pretty questionable trades.

Such as trading away Second Baseman Dee Gordon to the Seattle Mariners, the 2017 NL MVP Left Fielder Giancarlo Stanton who led the entire MLB in HRs in 2017 with 59 to the New York Yankees. They also traded away another left fielder Marcell Ozuna who was an all-star with the team in 2017 and hit 37 HRs with them and had a .312 batting average in 2017 to the St Louis Cardinals. There final trade that would really come back to bite them would be when they would trade another outfielder Christian Yellich to the Milwaukee Brewers. To be fair Christian did have a pretty average year in 2017.

Getting 18 HRs, 81 RBIs, 170 hits, 118 runs. However in 2018 out of nowhere. He would end up having such an amazing season not only just making it to his first all-star game with the Brew Crew. But also being named the NL MVP, winning a silver slugger award, the NL Hank Aaron Award, being named the NL batting champion and hitting for the cycle not just once but twice in the 2018 season. So with all the trades, the Miami Marlins ended up being decimated in both power and talent. The one area they were most hurt in for the 2018 season was run production.

in 2017 the Marlins ranked 11th in runs with 778, 19th in home runs with 194 and 10th in RBIs with 743. Sabermetrically wise they were 11th in weighted run created with a 111 and 8th in weighted runs created plus with a 102 and were 12th in weighted runs above average with a 13.3 weighted runs above average in 2017. Now in 2018, the Marlins were dead last in, runs, home runs and runs batted in with 589 runs and 128 HRs and 554 RBIs.

The Marlins were also dead last in weighted runs created and weighted runs above average with 581 weighted runs created and -130.3 weighted runs above average. They were also ranked 29tth in weighted runs created plus with 83 weighted runs created plus in 2018. If the Marlins are going to go past there hideously awful 63-98 2018 record in 2019 they are definitely going to need to put a substantial increase of runs in 2019 then they did in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

each AL West teams 2019 Christmas list

Hey Y’all how is everyone doing on this fine ass Thursday night? I hope everyone has already done their Christmas shopping since it is now less than a week away. 2019 is now 11 days away. Its pretty crazy just how much time flies. But a new year is a blessing because with each new year there is a new MLB season. A chance for each team to have the start off on a clean slate and have their previous season record wiped away. Basically a chance to start over. That is what each team wants. But before new years there is Christmas. And Christmas is a time of giving and receiving gifts. And I know that there are specific things that every MLB team would want to get for Christmas. And today I will be covering the one thing each team in the AL West would want to receive for Christmas. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here are each AL West teams 2019 Christmas list.

1.  Finally ending the longest playoff drought in North American sports for the Seattle Mariners: Okay first team on the list is the one and only Seattle Mariners. For some odd reason, I think if I were to have to pack up everything and move to another American city that had an MLB team I would choose Seattle. I don’t know what it is about Seattle. Maybe its because I love Macklemore and the show Frazier probably. But either way the last time the Seattle Mariners made it to the playoffs was in 2001 George Bush hadn’t even finished his first year as president and the show friends was still on.

That is a total of 17 years. As I mentioned in the title the Seattle Mariners now hold the longest playoff drought in the all four major professional sports leagues in the united states ( the MLB, NFL, NHL, and the NBA). The second-longest playoff drought in American professional sports belongs to the Cleveland Browns who last qualified for the playoffs in 2002. The Seattle Mariners finished the 2018 season third place in the AL West with an 89-73 record. The Mariners started off the season hot and had an amazing first half of the seasn. The Mariners entered the month of July in 2018 in second place in the AL West just one game behind the Houston Astros with a 54-31 record.

Then after that, the Mariners began to rapidly fall more behind in the season standings and unfortunately for the M’s in 2018 there hopes and dreams of ending the playoff drought in the first half of the season quickly ended in the second half of the season. Now, this offseason the Mariners have been dealing and making moves. In November they traded their ace of the season James Paxton to the New York Yankees on November 19th. They also traded there star Second Baseman Robinson Cano and there phenomenal closer Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets on December 3rd.

They even traded away there star power hitting shortstop Jean Segura to the Philadelphia Phillies that same day. Now while a lot of people view trades like that as stupid and reckless giving away your best players and sabotaging yourself in the upcoming season. And while I definitely didn’t agree with a lot of these trades I do think the Mariners Benefited from them. For the James Paxton Trade, the Mariners received several top prospects from the Yankees including Starting Pitcher Justus Sheffield. for the Robinson Cano and Jean Segura trade, the Mariners received Mets right fielder Jay Bruce.

They also received DH, third and first baseman Edwin Encarnacion from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for first baseman Carlos Santana who they had received in a trade from the Phillies along with infielder J.P. Crawford for Jean Segura. Now while the Mariners have certainly cleared house with these trades I don’t think it is safe to view them as out of playoff contention for the upcoming 2019 season.

2.  An MVP caliber season from Left Fielder Khris Davis: Okay second team on the list is the Oakland Athletics. The A’s had a killer season in 2018 finishing the season finishing the season in second place in the AL West with a 97-65 record for the 2018 regular season. The A’s have been pretty silent in the whole offseason when it comes to signing players. However, I’m not here to discuss any offseason stuff with the A’s. I want to talk about one current player on their roster who I think has the potential to not just make it to his first all-star game in 2019 but even become a candidate for AL MVP.

I am talking about A’s Left Fielder/Designated Hitter Khris Davis. Khris had a really amazing season in 2018. Leading the MLB in Home Runs with 48. He also came in second place in RBIs in 2018 right next to J.D. Martinez with 123. Khris also got 142 hits, 98 runs, 316 total bases, and 77 extra base hits. Khris also got a solid not spectacular but still pretty impressive .247/.326/.549 slash line along with a .874 OPS for the 2018 season. While those are some pretty dope stats they are still not the kind of stats that could get him to be able to play with the big boys in AL like Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Mike Trout, and Jose Altuve for AL MVP consideration.

Khris has a ton of untapped potential and the one thing he is known for is being reliable. Khris has been called the most consistent hitter in MLB History because for the past 4 seasons since 2015 Khris has gotten exactly .247 batting average. If Khris can break that level of medicrotiaty and hit over .300 i honestly think he could become the face of not just the Oakland Athletics but of the AL West in 2019.

 

Landing JT Realmuto as there starting catcher for the Houston Astros: Okay third team on the list is the Houston Astros. Houston had another amazing season in 2018. While they didn’t win or make it to the world series in 2018 they still did finish the 2018 season in first place of the AL West with a 103-59 record. So the Astros have been making some moves recently in this current offseason. A bunch of players entered into free agency this offseason.

Including the likes of Catcher/DH Evan Gattis, Utility Player Marwin Gonzalez and starting pitchers Dallas Keuschal and Charlie Morton. Now since the Astors day to day starting catcher in 2018 and 2017 signed with the Atlanta Braves on November 26th after entering into free agency at the end of the 2018 MLB season. The Braves could really use another catcher.Now I know what you are thinking wait they already signed catcher Robinson Chirinos on the 6th of this month.

Yes, they did but however, J.T. is not just any kind of catcher J.T. is a 5 tool catcher who can not only be a superstar defender behind home plate but he can also really knock the ball out of the park. For the 2018 season, J.T. got 74 runs, 132 hits, 21 HRs, 74 RBIs, 231 total bases and 54 extra base hits. J.T. also got a phenomenal .277/.340 .484 slash line along with a .825 OPS in the 2018 season. Those stats are absolutely amazing for a catcher. Another thing is with Evan Gattis gone J.T. can serve as DH if the astros do decide to make Robinson the Starting Catcher in 2019

4.  Fewer injuries to deal with for the Texas Rangers: Okay second to last team on the list is the other team that plays in Texas the Texas Rangers. The Ranger were dead last in the AL West in 2018 with a god awful 67-95 record for the 2018 regular season. There were a lot of problems with the Texas Rangers in 2018 However I think the one major outlining problem for the team in 2018 was the injuries they were forced to deal with. Almost all of the texas rangers best players faced injuries that sidelined them for significant amounts of time during the season.

In fact, no player on the Rangers roster in 2018 played more than 148 games in 2018. Players who were affected by injuries include the likes of Shortstop Elvis Andrus who was placed on the DL for the first time in his 10 year career in the MLB and missed 6-8 weeks for a fractured right elbow. Future Hall of famer and texas rangers third baseman in 2018 Adrian Beltre who spent the 2018 season on and off the injury list in 2018. Another key injury was left fielder Nomar Marza who was forced onto the DL in 2018 for a sprained right thumb and ended up only playing in 128 games in 2018. I think the Rangers do have the potential for success in 2019 but the only way that potential can be unleashed is if they can manage to stay healthy.

5.   That Matt Harvey will be worth the 11 million for the Los Angeles Angels: okay last but not least is the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels finished the 2018 season in fourth place in the AL West with an 80-82 record in the 2018 MLB regular season. The angels had a pretty basic season. Not great but not god awful either. Kind of like smack dab in the middle. There was, of course, huge performances by center fielder Mike Trout who once again proved to everyone that he is the best player in baseball in 2018 with another dominant out of this world all-star season.

Other good performances came from shortstop Andrelton Simmons who posted 162 hits in 2018. As well as a big performance from left fielder Justin Upton who hit 30 HRs. One thing that held the angels back in 2018 was a lack of star starting pitching. In the 2018 offseason, they had gone all out on young Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani and had signed him on December 8th, 2017. Shohei can both hit and pitch earning him the Nickname the Japanese Babe Ruth. However, while Shohei got off to a great start for pitching wise he was placed on the DL in June for a UCL sprain and didn’t pitch again until September.

Last October it was announced by the Angeles the Shohei had gotten Tommy John surgery as a result of the aforementioned UCL sprain. The Tommy John surgery will potentially keep him off the mound until 2020. So, as a result, the Angels realized that they will need solid and reliable starting pitching in 2019. They had unsuccessfully gone after Patrick Corbin. J.A. Happ and Nathan Eovaldi in the recent past couple of weeks. After failing to sign the aforementioned starting pitchers the Angels decided to make a risky and bold move and sign the former New York Mets Dark Knight AKA Matt Harvey.

Matt made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 2012 at the age of 23. Matt would amazing first full season in the MLB in 2013 making it to his first and only career all-star game. Matt would lead te Mets to the world series where they lost in 5 games to the Kansas City Royals. Matt performance would drastically go downhill after the 2015 season. And then he would become sidelined by injuries and piss poor pitching performances and he was designated for assignment by the New York Mets on may 4th 2018 and then traded to the Cincinnati Reds on May 8th.

Matt would definitely redeem himself greatly with the Reds and would get a 7-7 record in 24 games with the reds along with a 4.50 ERA, 111 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP. Matt will be 30 years old going into the 2019 season. So he is definitely no spring chicken and unfortunately, his recent history of injuries and subpar performances would make most people think that he is gonna be a huge waste of 11 million dollars in one year. And you know what I say to you. Have you seen any sports movie ever?

Have you not watched the movie Cinderella man where a down on his luck past his prime former boxer James Braddock who was given a title fight against world heavyweight champion Max Baer. You know who won that fight, James Braddock. So Matt Harvey will be the Angels cinderella man in 2019 and I think its safe to say everyone loves an underdog in sports. So I will definitely be loving seeing Matt Harvey play in 2019.

each AL Central team Christmas wish list

Hey Y’all how is everyone doing on this fine ass Tuesday night? So I am back at work now and wishing I could be sleeping in every day but i need to make that money . So in football news my New York Giants got shutout by the Tennessee Titans 17-0 giving them a 5-9 record for the season with two games left to play for them. But enough about football. I wanna talk about baseball. And I was thinking that with Christmas being 7 days away I was thinking about what every MLB team should want/ask for Christmas. Today I am covering what was the worst division in the MLB during the 2018 regular season the AL central. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here is each AL Central team Christmas list.

1. A better farm system for the Cleveland Indians: Okay first team on the List is the one and only Cleveland Indians. Since 2016 the Indians have been the kings of the otherwise god-awful American League Central Division. The Indians Led the AL Central in standings in 2018 with a 91-71 record in the regular season. While the Indians did win the division in 2018 they were unfortunately swept in the ALDS 3-0 by the Houston Astros. The Indians currently have a very star-studded team. With the Likes of Star infielders Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor. As well as star starting Pitchers Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer. However, the one major area the Indians Have been lacking in is in there farm systems.

The Indians were ranked as having the 24th best farm system in the MLB at the end of the 2018 MLB season by bleacher report (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2794480-re-ranking-all-30-mlb-farm-systems-at-the-end-of-2018-milb-season#slide6) Currently the Indians best prospect is RHP Triston McKenzie. Triston at 21 years old was drafted by the Indians in 2016. Triston spent 2018 dealing with a forearm injury in spring training that would sideline him until June when he would once again return to the mound.

Pitching for the Indians Double-A team affiliate the Akron`RubberDucks. Getting a 7-4 record, a 2.68 ERA, 87 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP in 16 games for them. Triston was ranked as the 38th best prospect for the 2018 MLB season by MLB pipeline prospect watch The Indians also have another top prospect third baseman Nolan Jones who was ranked as the 84th top prospect by that same list.

2.   A better producing offense for the Detroit Tigers: Okay second team on the list is the Detroit Tigers. Detroit finished third place in AL Central Standings for the 2018 MLB regular season with a 64-98 record. 2018 was the first season for Detroit under manager Ron Gardenhire who had previously served as the manager for the Minnesota twins from 2002-2014. One main reason the Tigers had such a subpar record for 2018 was due to the fact that they were not putting up big numbers offensively.

For the 2018 season, the Tigers were 26th in runs with 630, 21st in hits with 1326, 28th in HRs with 135, 26th in RBIs with 597, 27th in total bases with 2085 and 25th in extra base hits with 454. The Tigers also ranked 21st in batting average with a .241 team batting average. 27th in on-base percentage with a .300 OBP, 28th in slugging percentage with a .380 slugging percentage and 27th in on-base plus slugging percentage with a .680 OPS. Currently, the Tigers best hitter is right fielder Nicholas Castellanos. Who led the team in nearly almost every offensive category in 2018. However, he alone cannot bear the load and other players are definitely going to have to step up in 2019 if the Tigers want any shout of having a respectable season and to possibly be playing in October.

3.  Fewer Inconsistencies and fewer injuries from the players for the Minnesota Twins: Okay the third team on the list I am putting up the one and only Minnesota Twins. The twins came in second in AL Central standings in 2018 finishing the 2018 MLB regular season with a 78-41 record. The twins failed to make the postseason in 2018. They had managed to make it to the wild-card game in 2017 after having finished the 2016 regular season with a 59-103 record.

Becoming the first team in MLB history to make it to the playoffs after having lost more than a 100 games in the previous season. 2018 would also be the final season for longtime Minnesota twin first baseman and catcher Joe Mauer who had spent a total of 15 seasons with the twins from 2004-2018.

The twins would also trade there all-star second baseman since 2012 Brian Dozier to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30th. The one major thing that held the twins back in 2018 was injuries. For example, third baseman Miguel Sano who was an all-star with the twins in 2017 was sidelined for almost the entire month of May and played so poorly that he was sent down to the minors in June.

Other key injuries included centerfielder Bryon Buxton who was sidelined to just 50 games in 2018 due to a toe injury and bad migraines. The main devastating injury was with Eddie Rosario who missed virtually all of the month of September with a quad and thumb injury. One more notable disappointment for the Twins in 2018 came with the signing of Logan Morrison from the Tampa Bay Rays who hit 38 HRs with the rays in 2017 and only hit 15 with the rays in 2018.

4.  More star power from the young guys that came in the month of September for the Kansas City Royals: Okay in 2018 let’s just say the Kansas city royals performed royally bad. ( i literally had to make that pun) with a 58-104 regular season record, the Royals had the second-worst season in the MLB right next to the kings of sucking in the MLB for 2018 the Baltimore Orioles. At 58-104 I don’t think I need to express to you how badly they performed in 2018. However, despite the god-awful season, the Kansas City Royals did go out with a bang in 2018.

By having an amazing month of September and getting a 15-13 record for the final month of the regular season. There key performances in the month of September came from rookie first baseman Ryan O’ Hearn with him getting 21 hits, 11 runs, 5 HRs, and 11 RBIs along with a .266/.370/.595 slash line and a .965 OPS in 23 games in the month of September. The next big performance came from shortstop Alberto Mondesi who got 31 hits, 20 runs, 8 HRs, and 17 RBIs along with a .282/.322/.564 slash line and a .886 OPS in 26 games in the month of September. Another big performance came from center fielder Brett Phillips who was traded to the team on July 27th from the Milwaukee Brewers. In just 12 games Bret would get 6 hits, 4 runs, 1 home run, and 1 RBI along with .194/.265/.323 slash line as well as a .587 OPS for the month of September.

5.  Better Pitching for the Chicago White Sox: Okay last but not least is the final team on this list the Chicago White Sox. The Chicago White Sox finished the 2018 MLB season in 4th place in the AL Central with a 62-100 record. Not much better than the Royals in 2018 but still technically better. But a 62-102 record is nothing to write home about. And with that kind of record at the end of an MLB season sherlock holmes isn’t needed to deduce the fact that there were a lot of problems with the team that season. The White Sox main problem for the 2018 season was their lack of pitching talents. The white sox lacked star pitching in there starting rotation for the 2018 season. The white sox star pitching was so bad that they only had one pitcher with more than 10 wins (Lucas Giolito who had a 10-13 record for the 2018 season).

In the 2018 season the White Sox were 26th in ERA with a 4.85 ERA, 23rd in strikeouts with 1259, 27th in saves with 34, 28th in WHIP with a 1.43 WHIP, 26th in strikeout percentage with a 19.9 strikeout percentage. As well as being 28th in FIP with a 4.73 FIP, having the worst team skill-interactive ERA with a 4.63 skill-interactive ERA and last but not least being 26th in WAR ( wins above replacement) with a 7.3 WAR. There is a lot that needs to be done and a lot that needs to be done. So far this offseason they have signed Ivan Nova from the Pirates and Alex Colome. I have also heard the white sox are one of many teams that are actively trying to sign New York Mets star starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard. And I think if there is any team that could be in need of his excellent pitching in 2019 it’s the white sox.

christmas list for each American League East team for the 2019 MLB season

Hey Y’all how is everyone doing on this fine ass Friday? I hope everyone is getting ready for the weekend I know I certainly am. So recently my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas. And it got me thinking I know what I want but for Christmas. But I don’t think a lot of teams know what they want. So I figured I should write about what I think each time should wish for the upcoming 2019 MLB season. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here is the Christmas list for each AL East team for the 2019 MLB season.

1.  Another ace in there starting lineup for the New York Yankees: Okay it is no secret the New York Yankees have lacked a solid ace in there starting lineup. I mean don’t get me wrong in 2018 they did have Luis Severino who got a 19-8 record, a 3.39 ERA, 220 strikeouts and a 1.14 WHIP for the 2018 season. However, in the second half of the season, his stats plummeted greatly. With him getting a 5-6 record in 12 games, along with a 5.57 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP and 76 strikeouts. The Yankees did reportedly resign JA Happ to a 2 year 34 million dollar contract recently. As some of you may remember the Blue Jays traded J.A. Happ to the Yankees on July 26th, 2018. And in his time with the Yankees, he started in 11 games with them and got an amazing 7-0 record along with an even better 2.69 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and 63 strikeouts.

As I mentioned before in my previous article I strongly hope the Yankees will go make a deal with Indians Starting Pitcher Trevor Bauer. I know they have also expressed interest in New York Mets Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard and Cleveland Indians Ace Starting Pitcher Corey Kluber. But sources have stated that it is unlikely for the Yankees to trade with Mets for Noah Syndergaard and since they weren’t able to go big with a deal for Diamondbacks Starting Pitcher Patric Corbin then I sure as hell doubt that they would make a huge effort for Corey Kluber. I sure wish they would however at this point they should try and go all out on Trevor Bauer despite how much of a dick he is and that he blocks fans on Twitter in the middle of the game. The Yankees need another starting pitcher

2.  A much better season for the Baltimore Orioles: Okay Unless you didn’t follow the MLB at all for the 2018 season. You would know that to put this lightly the Orioles sucked ass in 2018. They had by far the worst season in the MLB getting a 47-115 record in the 2018 MLB regular season. Which was the worst record in the franchise 118th season. As a result of the god awful season there general Manager Dan Duquette who served as the Orioles GM from 2012-2018. He was replaced by Houston Astros assistant General Manager Mike Elias for the GM spot on November 16th, 2018.

Orioles also were forced to fire legendary manager Buck Showalter who had been an MLB manager for a total of 20 years from 1992-2018 managing the New York Yankees from 1992-1995, the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1998-2000, the Texas Rangers from 2003-2006 and then the Baltimore Orioles from 2010-2018. The Orioles Hired  Chicago Cubs Bench Coach Brandon Hyde to replace buck at the manager spot in 2019. Brandon has served as a bench coach in for the Florida Marlins from 2010-2012. He was also named the interim head coach for the Marlins on June 19th, 2011 when the then manager Edwin Rodriguez had unexpectedly resigned.

Brandon was hired to serve as the Chicago Cubs bench coach on November 22nd, 2013 and served as the Cubs bench coach from 2014-2018 helping lead the franchise to there third world series win in 2016 and the first world series win since 1908. I am really rooting for the Orioles in 2019. Obviously, I am not hoping that they do better than my Yankees. But I would be happy to just see them get to 70 wins for the upcoming 2019 season. And I really think the new additions of Mike Elias at GM and Brandon Hyde at Manager are really going to help them out greatly in 2019.

3.  Finding and having good relievers to replace Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel: Okay while I certainly do hope that they have one I know for sure most red sox fans don’t want them to have one. The Boston Red Sox had such an amazing season in 2018. Getting a 108-54 record in the regular season. The best in franchise history. And they got there 9th world series title as a team. However, there is one thing that the Sox are desperately in search of. And that is another reliever. With their reliever Joe Kelly having recently signed with the LA Dodgers and with there star closer Craig Kimbrel having entered free agency after the 2018 season it is unlikely they will resign him.

Mainly due to the fact that he is wanting a 6-year contract that is worth more than a $100,000,000 from any potential team. I have a strong feeling the red sox aren’t gonna wanna go all out with him so they will have to venture out to find another key reliever for them. So far they have expressed interests in a lot of star-studded relievers such as Adam Ottavio who got a 6-4 record along with 6 saves, a 2.43 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP and 112 strikeouts with the Colorado Rockies in 2018. And David Robertson who got an 8-3 record, 5 saves, a 3.23 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and 91 strikeouts with the New York Yankees in 2018.

4. Top MLB prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr to make his MLB debut and possibly shine with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019: Okay so there must be a special baseball gean in the Guerro Family because as you all know Toronto top prospect third baseman Vladmir Guerro Jr is the son of MLB hall of fame right fielder and Designated Hitter Vladimir Guerrero. Vladmire Guerro Jr is just 19 years old but is well regarded as baseballs top prospect. Vladimir signed with the Blue Jays as an international free agent from Canada with the blue jays in 2015.

Vladimir started the 2018 season in the blue jays minor league double a team the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and was later promoted to the blue jays triple a team the Buffalo Bisons. Baseballs Scouts have long fawned over his incredible hitting talents. He was given 80 percent grade by scouts for his hitting. Which is the highest grade a baseball prospect can get from an MLB scout. He was also the first prospect to receive an 80 percent mark from scouts. Vladimir is widely expected to make his MLB debut sometime early on in 2019. The real question is will he be able to live up to his hype.

5.  A power hitter to take over C.J. Cron place for the Tampa Bay Rays: Okay last but not least my final team for the AL East the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays had the third best record in the AL East in 2018 finishing the season with a 90-72 record. But they, unfortunately, weren’t able to make the playoffs. 2018 was the first season for the Rays without there star franchise player third baseman Evan Longoria who had been with the rays for a total of 10 years from 2008-2017. The rays had a lot of luck in 2018 with pitching obviously having the 2018 AL Cy Young winner who also led the AL in both wins and ERA Blake Snell.

The rays have also recently signed starting pitcher Charlie Morton who was an all-star pitcher in 2018 with the Houston Astros. However, the one thing the rays need is power hitting. Last year the rays were 27th in total home runs in the MLB with just 150 home runs. There star home run hitter DH CJ Cron who led the team in HRs in 2018 with 30  was recently traded to the Minnesota Twins last month on November 26th. The rays next home run leader in 2018 was catcher Wilson Ramos who had 14 in 2018. I can’t say for certain I know who will be the next rays HR leader in 2019 but all I do know is someone is gonna have to step up to the plate for the rays in 2019.

top 5 trades and signings I want to see happen at the 2018 MLB winter meetings

Hey Y’all, how is everyone doing on this fine ass Sunday night? So as you know the 2018 MLB winter meetings start tonight at 8 in Las Vegas and will last until next Thursday. The winter meetings are the most important week for every MLB team in the offseason. Reps from all 30 MLB teams will be duking it out for the next week trying to come up with all the best trade deals and try to make as many meaningful transactions that will greatly help each team for the upcoming 2019 MLB season. Its quite a busy week and a lot is gonna go down. But before that, I wanna talk about my personal the top 5 trades and signings I want to see happen at the 2018 MLB winter meetings. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here are the top 5 trades and signings I want to see happen at the 2018 MLB winter meetings.

1.  Cleavland Indians Starting Pitcher Trevor Bauer to the New York Yankees: Okay first guy on the list is Indians Starting Pitcher Trevor Bauer. Okay as a lot of you know I deeply despise Trevor Bauer. I think he is extremely full of himself and is a huge douche. None the less both Trevor and Corey Kluber. The Indians two main starting pitchers for 2018 season both became free agents after the 2018 season ended. Trevor is kind of like the poor mans Corey Kluber meaning while he is an ace pitcher he doesn’t have the same stats, talent or fame that Corey does. However, that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have an abundance of talent when it comes to being a starting pitcher.

The New York Yankees starting rotation has been plagued by both a lack of production and talent in it. For the 2018 season with the Indians, Trevor pitched in 28 games and 175.1 innings. Getting an amazing 12-6 record, a 2.21 ERA, 221 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP. Trevor also got an amazing 30.8 strikeout percentage, a 3.88 strikeout to walk ratio, 11.34 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 2.44 FIP, a 3.21 skill-interactive ERA and a 6.1 WAR. With the Yankees having just added Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton to there starting rotation and with Trevor coming off his best season in the MLB in 2018. Trevor makes for a perfect choice for the Yankees to go after.

2.  Miami Marlins Catcher J. T. Realmuto to the Houston Astros: Okay for the number two guy on the list I am putting up Marlins All-star catcher J.T. Realmuto. Everyone knows that catchers typically aren’t big offensive studs and tend to be more defensive oriented players. Well with J.T. that surely isn’t the case. As of recently, J.T. has gone on to establish himself as baseballs most dominant catchers. Going even above the likes of Buster Posey and Gary Sanchez. 2018 was an amazing season for J.T. with him making it to his first all-star game and winning a silver slugger award.

For the 2018 season, J.T. played in 125 games for the Miami Marlins. Getting 132 hits, 74 runs, 21 HRs, 74 RBIs, 231 total bases, 54 extra base hits, 79 weighted runs created and 126 weighted runs created plus. J.T. also got an amazing .277/.340/.484 slash line along with a .825 OPS, a .208 isolated power, a 4.1-speed score, a .312 BABIP, a 3.8 UBR, a .353 WOBA and a 4.8 war for the 2018 MLB season. J.T. makes perfect sense going over to the Houston Astros with their regular starting catcher Brian McCann having just been recently traded back to his original team the Atlanta Braves and there other go-to catcher Evan Gattis currently being a free agent. J.T. would just fit in so perfectly in the already star-studded Houston Astros Lineup.

3.  Free Agent Shortstop/Third Baseman Manny Machado to the New York Yankees: Okay I will admit I am being biased here by putting up two guys I would like to see play for the Yankees on the list. But just hear me out on this one. As everyone knows manny along with Bryce Harper ( who I will get to in a second) have been baseball’s two biggest free agents heading into the 2019 MLB season. Manny at just 26 years old is at the perfect age for teams to target as a free agent. He is young and he already has plenty of MLB experience having first made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles back in 2012 at the age of 19. Manny has played a total of 7 seasons in the MLB and has made it to the all-star game 4 times, won two gold glove awards and a platinum glove award back in 2013.

Manny split the 2018 MLB season with the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manny also played in all 162 regular season games in 2018. Getting 188 hits, 84 runs, 37 HRs, 107 RBIs, 340 total bases, 75 extra base hits, 119 weighted runs created and 141 weighted runs created plus. Manny also got an out of this world .297/.367/.538 slash line along with a .905 OPS, a .241 isolated power, a 4.4-speed score, a .304 BABIP, a 1.4 UBR, a .377 WOBA and a 6.2 WAR for the 2018 MLB season. With Didi Gregorius set to miss at least half of the 2019 MLB season due to Tommy John Surgery Manny can be used as there primary starting shortstop for the 2019 MLB season. Manny’s primary position is at third base so the Yankees can use Manny in a platoon like a system with Miguel Andujar for the 2019 season if they do end up signing him.

4.  Japanese Starting Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to the San Franciso Giants: Okay second to last guy on the list is NPB star pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. Yusei is 27 years and has played in the NPB (japans version of the MLB) since 2010. Yusei spent his entire career in the NPB with the Saitama Seibu Lions. In his time in the NPB he has made it to the NPB all-star game 3 times and led the Pacific league (one of the two main leagues in the NPB) in both ERA and wins in 2017. In his time in the NPB Yusei pitched in 163 games getting a 78-48 record along with a 2.81 career ERA, 925 strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP. For the 2018 season with the Lions Yusei pitched in 23 games and got a 14-4 record, a 3.08 ERA, 153 strikeouts and a 1.03 WHIP. Since Yusei is a foreign player from Japan there is a lot of risks.

The NPB is a whole different ballgame and playing atmosphere over than it is in the MLB. But there has been a lot of success with Japanese pitchers coming to America recently like Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish, New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Pitcher Kenta Maeda and Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher and Designated Hitter Shohei Ohtani. Yusei has until January 2nd to sign with an MLB team. If he does not sign with a team by then he will remain in Japan.

Yusei would make the perfect fit in the San Francisco Giants starting rotation due to the fact that with Madison Bumgarner most likely leaving the team to sign with another team in this winter meeting the Giants starting pitching will be horribly depleted and in 2018 the San Francisco Giants finished 22nd in strikeouts, 15th in WHIP, 13 in ERA and 22nd in wins in the 2018 MLB season.

5.  Free Agent Right Fielder Bryce Harper to the Philadephia Phillies: Okay last but not least on the list is the one and only Bryce Harper. Bryce has played in the MLB for a total of 7 years first making his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals in 2012 at the age of 19. In his time in the MLB Bryce has gotten 6 all-star game appearances, won the NL MVP in 2015, the NL Rookie of the year in 2012, got a silver slugger award in 2012, won the NL Hank Aaron Award in 2015 and most recently won the MLB home run derby in 2018. Bryce played in 159 games with the Nationals in 2018. Getting 137 hits, 103 runs, 34 HRs, 100 RBIs, 273 total bases, 68 extra base hits, 116 weighted runs created and 135 weighted runs created plus.

Bryce also got a very good .249/.393/.496 slash line along with a .889 OPS, a .247 isolated power, a 3.7-speed score, a .289 BABIP, a -2.8 UBR, a .376 WOBA and 3.5 WAR for the 2018 MLB season. I think Bryce would make a good fit for the Phillies because of the fact that he would not only be remaining in the National League but he would also stay in the NL East. Bryce can also add a lot of depth to the Phillies outfield that already has Rhys Hoskins and Odúbel Herrera in it.

 

 

top 5 best relief pitchers for the 2018 MLB season

Hey Y’all, how is everyone doing on this fine ass Monday? I hope everyone is trying to get back in the hang of the work/school week. My New York Giants beat the 8-3 Chicago Bears 30-27 in over time. Bringing them to now a 4-8 record. So back to baseball news a lot of trades, signings and acquisitions have been going on recently. Such as the New York Mets getting both Second Baseman Robinson Cano and Relief Pitcher Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielders Jay Bruce and Jarred Kelenic as well as pitchers Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and Justin Dunn.

So this is my final post in my annual report card series. I have to admit that I really love and look forward to making these posts after each season. I have a lot more content that i am going to be producing in the upcoming year so please keep on reading my blog. I really appreciate it a lot. So enough chitchat how about we jump right into this. So without further adieu here are the top 5 best relief pitchers for the 2018 MLB season.

1.  Oakland Athletics Relief Pitcher Blake Treinen: Okay the first guy on the list is A’s reliever, Blake Treinen. Blake has been in the Majors since 2014. Making his big league debut with them in 2014 before being traded to his current team the Oakland Athletics in July of 2017. 2018 was by far his best year in the MLB making it to his first all-star game appearance.

Blake pitched in 68 games with the athletics in 2018. And in those games, he got a 9-2 record, a 0.78 ERA, 38 saves, 100 strikeouts and a 0.83 WHIP. Blake also got a 31.8 strikeout percentage, a 4.76 strikeout to walk ratio, 11.20 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched a 1.82 FIP, a 2.46 skill-interactive ERA and a 3.6 WAR for the 2018 MLB season with the Oakland Athletics.

2.  Seattle Mariners Relief Pitcher Edwin Diaz: Okay the second guy on the list is current New York Mets reliever, Edwin Diaz. as I mentioned before Edwin and Robinson Cano were traded from the Seattle Mariners to the New York Mets. Edwin is a pretty young guy. At just 24 years old Edwin has been in the MLB since 2016. Making his MLB debut with the Mariners on June 4th, 2016. Since then Edwin has really become a real stud in the Mariners bullpen. This year with the M’s Edwin had an absolutely phenomenal season with the Mariners.

Making it to his first all-star game appearance, being named the AL reliever of the year and leading the AL in saves in 2018. This year with Edwin played in 73 games with the Mariners and in those games, he did some pretty amazing stuff. Like getting a 0-4 record, a 1.96 ERA, 57 saves, 124 strikeouts, and a 0.79 WHIP. Edwin also got phenomenal 44.3 strikeout percentage, a 7.29 strikeout to walk ratio, 15.22 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 1.49 skill-interactive ERA, a 1.61 FIP and a 3.5 WAR for the 2018 MLB season with the Seattle Mariners.

3.  Milwaukee Brewers Relief Pitcher Josh Hader: Okay for the third guy on the list i am putting up brewers reliever Josh Hader. Josh like Edwin is also 24 years old. Although Josh hasn’t been in the MLB as long as Edwin has made his big league debut with the brew crew on June 9th, 2017. 2018 was definitely very friendly to Josh. I should also note that in 2018 some old tweets from Josh’s twitter account from 2011-2012 resurfaced and a lot of them had racist, sexist and homophobic material in them. Now josh did issue an apology and did delete his twitter account.

Now I do not agree with what he tweeted at so by me putting him in this post I am in no way shape or form endorsing or supporting his previous actions. So back to talking about Josh’s baseball life and not his personal one Josh did have a really solid 2018 season. He made it to his first all-star game appearance and was named the NL reliever of the year.

For the 2018 season with the Brewers, Josh pitched in 55 games with the brewers. And in those games, Josh got a 6-1 record, a 2.43 ERA, 12 saves, 143 strikeouts and a .220 WHIP. Josh also got an amazing 46.7 strikeout percentage, a 4.77 strikeout to walk ratio, 15.82 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 1.70 Skill interactive ERA, a 2.23 FIP and a 2.7 WAR for the 2018 MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers.

4.  Boston Red Sox Relief Pitcher Craig Kimbrel: Okay so the second to last guy on the list is current MLB free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel. Craig is by far the most decorated and experienced reliever on this list. Craig spent the 2018 MLB season with the world series champions the Boston Red Sox who finished the 2018 season with an absolutely spectacular 108-54 regular season record and they also won there 9th world series championship in franchise history.

Craig was definitely an intricate part in helping the red sox get there 9th world series title. In 2018 Craig not only got his first world series ring in 2018. He also made it to his 7th all-star game appearance. Craig pitched in 63 games with the red sox in 2018. Getting a 5-1 record, a 2.74 ERA, 42 saves, 96 strikeouts, and a 0.99 WHIP. Craig also got an excellent 38.9 strikeout percentage, a 3.10 strikeout to walk ratio, 13.86 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 2.71 skill-interactive ERA, a 3.13 FIP and a 1.5 WAR for the 2018 MLB season with the Boston Red Sox.

5.  Cleveland Indians Relief Pitcher Brad Hand: Okay last but not least on the list is Indians reliever Brad Hand. Brad has been in the MLB since 2011 but didn’t really have a star-studded season until last year in 2017 with the Padres. Brad spent half of the 2018 season with the San Diego Padres before being traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 19th. Brad would make it to his second all-star game appearance and his second one in a row.

Brad pitched in 69 games for the Padres/Indians in 2018. Getting a 2-5 record, a 2.75 ERA, 32 saves, 106 strikeouts, and a 1.11 WHIP. Josh also put up a stellar 35.2 strikeout percentage, a 3.79 strikeout to walk ratio, 13.25 strikeouts per every 9 innings pitched, a 2.60 skill-interactive ERA, a 3.20 FIP and a 1.2 WAR for the 2018 MLB season with the San Diego Padres and the Cleveland Indians.