2018 MLB Home Run Bore

Boy, do I hope I am wrong about this, but my first impression after looking at the field for the 2018 State Farm Home Run Derby is… what a bore this is going to be. Again, I hope I am wrong and, again, this is just a first impression… but wow. I guess we have been spoiled over the years with the likes of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton in the event, but the names we will go over below just do not excite me right off the bat. I’m sorry but they don’t, and I can’t be the only one.

(#1) Jesus Aguilar – MIL

(#8) Rhys Hoskins – PHI

(#4) Alex Bregman – HOU

(#5) Kyle Schwarber – CHC

(#2) Bryce Harper – WAS

(#7) Freddie Freeman – ATL

(#3) Max Muncy – LAD

(#6) Javier Baez – CHC

So, who wins? I guess I will go with Max Muncy, just because. I may not even watch it, truth be told.

Daniel Burch’s Bold Predictions for the 2018 Season

I have to admit, and a bit of an ICYMI here, when I read Bryan Van Dusen’s bold predictions for the 2018 season here on the blog I immediately thought about potentially doing a similar post of my own. When I read the article and then the subsequent comments about how Bryan was “high on shoe polish” or whatever the exact terminology was I, for one, laughed because who says that? And two, I then decided I wanted to do one of my own, so I could see what kind of “your trade proposal sucks” comments I could get myself. So here we go, my bold predictions for the 2018 season.

As it has been stated basically everywhere on the Yankees blogosphere and on Twitter, the New York Yankees need either a second baseman or a third baseman. The free agent market is dry and/or too expensive for the Yankees blood as they try to remain under the $197 million luxury tax threshold (according to reports the team is sitting at $178 million after the CC Sabathia signing that could pay him an additional $2 million leaving the total payroll for the Yankees at $180 million) so it looks like the only realistic option for the Yankees going forward is the trade market. Enter Ninja Cashman, as Bryan Van Dusen and many others call him.

While I like a deal that could potentially add Michael Fulmer to the stable of young Yankees pitchers I feel like the Tigers don’t have a reason to HAVE to trade him, thus making him really expensive. Fulmer could easily bridge the gap during the Tigers rebuild and would have immense value for the team going forward, plus I would rather get this whole infield situation rectified first before I add a sixth starting pitcher anyway. With that said I can see Brian Cashman calling up his old buddy Theo Epstein in Chicago and swinging a deal with him. Who would the Yankees be acquiring? Both Javier Baez and Ian Happ are young, cheap, controllable, versatile and could conceivably be grabbed if the Yankees sweeten the pot enough. The Cubs need bullpen help, especially in the closing department, and the Yankees have a few options including Dellin Betances and David Robertson. Giving up one of these two pitchers, preferably Robertson because of salary, and a prospect that is MLB ready or close or two like Billy McKinney or Jake Cave and a Domingo Acevedo (basically anyone but Clint Frazier or Estevan Florial at this point) could likely get one of these two infielders in the fold for New York.

Yes, I am well aware that the Cubs are high on Happ and I am also aware that the team plans on having Happ play center field as soon as next season, but one must also consider the fact that the Cubs still have Albert Amora Jr. waiting in the wings, Jason Heyward on the books and Bryce Harper in their line of site for the 2019 season. Happ played five different positions in 2017 while hitting 24 home runs at just age 23. Yes, Happ strikes out a lot. Aaron Judge does too and so does Giancarlo Stanton. In the era of sabermetrics and advanced metrics though a strikeout counts almost the same as a 400 foot fly out to center field inside Yankee Stadium, you can deal with those. Plus, Happ is left-handed which would be a great compliment to the aforementioned Stanton and Judge who are both right-handed along with fellow slugger Gary Sanchez.

Happ plays second and the Yankees stopgap at third base until Gleyber Torres is ready and his service calendar is delayed a season, the infield is set. The bench is set with Tyler Wade, Austin Romine or Alex Avila (remember we saved money by trading away David Robertson), Clint Frazier and Tyler Austin. I know what you’re asking, where is Jacoby Ellsbury? I am also eating his salary, up to about two-thirds of his salary, and I am also sending him to the San Francisco Giants but not along with Jordan Montgomery. That, I have to agree with “little p” patrick, is crazy talk. We are eating the salary, or we are sending a good prospect or MLB-proven player, not both. Bryan, himself, showed us that Ellsbury can still be useful and valuable so I don’t see a need in sending a proven player along with him. If the Giants want another player or two that most of us probably have never heard of, fine. Sweeten the pot and take the chance, but you don’t give them Montgomery and you don’t give them anyone who has a chance of making the team during the 2018 season in my opinion. Maybe send a couple of those fringe players that the team was unsure of adding to the 40-man roster for Rule 5 Draft protection, the who is not as important as the fact that Ellsbury and at least all but $7-10 million of his salary annually is gone while Frazier is still on the team.

The Yankees have plenty of arms to survive the loss of Robertson and to survive the season until either Chance Adams or Justus Sheffield or ready, or until the July 31^st trading deadline arrives. Whichever comes first. If a need arises before-hand then you adjust just like any other team filling the slot with Chad Green or Adam Warren who are both coming to camp as starting pitchers, although likely to end up in the bullpen when all is said and done, and Opening Day is upon us. With the luxury tax threshold a real thing and the plan to get under it finally coming to fruition for the Yankees the time to “get greedy” has come and passed. The team has to be smart and they need to assess what is a want, like a sixth starting pitcher, and what is a need, an infielder and maybe a bullpen arm if my trade happens.

So what exactly is my boldest prediction of all? In a world where every wants the Yankees to go crazy, get greedy and acquire someone like a Michael Fulmer, Gerrit Cole or Patrick Corbin I am just sitting here expecting the five pitchers currently on the roster to be the starting five on Opening Day. Save some money and some ammo, i.e. prospects, for the trade deadline and get more for your buck. I expect, and boldly predict, the Yankees heavy lifting to be done aside from an infielder. Here’s to hoping Ian Happ or bust in the Bronx.

What are your bold predictions for the 2018 season?

Quick Hit: Most Popular Jersey Sales & Gary Sanchez

The most popular jersey’s to be sold in Major League Baseball have been released from the league recently and the New York Yankees have a player in the Top 10. In less than a year Gary Sanchez has gone from a prospect to the leader of the Yankees which has equated to his #24 jersey being the ninth most popular jersey sold in all of Major League Baseball and the highest selling jersey in all of the American League. Congratulations to him.

Here is the complete Top 10 List:

Kris Bryant, Cubs

Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Javier Baez, Cubs

Kyle Schwarber, Cubs

Noah Syndergaard, Mets

Corey Seager, Dodgers

Buster Posey, Giants

Gary Sanchez, Yankees

Mike Trout, Angels

Cubs Scouting "No Runs DMC" & Could Trade Jorge Soler

According to George A. King of the New York Post and Baseball America the Chicago Cubs were in town over the weekend to scout the Yankees three-headed monster in their bullpen. The Yankees sport "No Runs DMC" but this trio is more commonly referred to as Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances but regardless of their name the team with the best record in Major League Baseball this season has taken notice. The Cubs reportedly want at least one of the three-headed monster and may be willing to trade outfielder Jorge Soler to do it.

Kyle Schwarber would not be included in any potential deal nor would Javier Baez according to the Chicago Sun Times, and why would they since Hector Rondon is 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season, but the name Jorge Soler continues to pop up in trade rumors and talks.

The Yankees would be buying low on Soler who is in the third year of a nine-year deal worth $30 million that pays him no more than $5 million in any season but for a rental like Chapman that may be the perfect match for both clubs. Soler is currently on the disabled list right now but if any trade went down he would bring an immediate 20 home run power threat and right-handed bat to the Yankees outfield. Can you say bye-bye Aaron Hicks?

Nothing is imminent, these are all rumors and speculations at this point, but this is something we will and we all should keep a very close eye on.

Fantasy Baseball: Who Are the Chicago Cubs?

Fantasy Baseball is just around the corner and it’s never too early to start doing your homework on your league and your team specifically. We went over a team already that I personally thought many wouldn’t know in the Atlanta Braves so I wanted to go back into your comfort zone with today’s team, the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs added a few key pieces to an already young and stacked team as they look to not only compete in the National League Central Division but as they look to break that Curse of the Billy Goat. 

You know the names of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist and what they bring to the table but what about the rest of the team? There’s plenty of talent on this Cubs team that you may want to draft but one pitcher you may want to stay away from, at least early on, is John Lackey. Lackey pitched brilliantly in St. Louis last season posting a 2.77 ERA with the Cardinals but the peripherals and other stats paint a different story. Lackey left an amazing 82.6 percent of his batters on base last season and is not likely to duplicate that in 2016, especially with the smaller dimensions inside Wrigley Field and especially with the wind blowing out during all those day games. Lackey also posted the lowest strikeout rate in his last three seasons in 2015 and will be entering his age 37 season in 2016. Stay clear unless it’s late. 

Addison Russell took over for Starlin Castro last season and will have the starting shortstop job until he loses it in 2016. Russell is just 22-years old and has a long way to go in his development but he did show signs of life in the second half of 2015 posting a .259 average with seven home runs in August and September alone. Russell has the potentially, maybe not necessarily in 2016 but soon, to his 30 home runs and steal a ton of bases. Who wouldn’t want that on your fantasy team, especially at the second base position? 

Adam Warren should get a ton of opportunities in Chicago both as a starting pitcher and as a reliever but how will he stack up in fantasy? Well he was easily the Yankees most consistent starter last season outside of Luis Severino and will presumably finally get a shot at a starting gig all season in 2016. For that reason alone Warren should see an uptick in his stats as he struggled in both the bullpen and rotation the first couple appearances after switching from the other. The Yankees tinkered with a pitcher and hurt his value in doing so? Joba, say it ain’t so. 

The final piece to the Cubs piece of the puzzle is right fielder Jorge Soler. Soler is not going to steal you 30 bases a season nor is he going to hit for a .300 average and knock in 120 RBI. He does have the power to hit 30 home runs though as he has shown an ability to hit the ball far when he makes contact. Soler won’t go in the first 10-15 rounds in my opinion unless it’s a pretty deep league so it might be useful to add his occasional power to the end of your draft to boost your team and power your way to another league victory. 

Those are the Chicago Cubs in all their glory. Can they help your team? Absolutely, just be smart about it though and don’t reach for the Soler’s, the Lackey’s or the Javier Baez’s too awful early and you should be just fine.  

Okay So I Don’t Want to Trade Andrew Miller But….

During the offseason before the 2015 season many fans, bloggers and beat writers wondered if the New York Yankees would create the super bullpen that Brian Cashman has been trying to emulate for years now. The Kansas City Royals turned their franchise around with young players and a three-headed monster at the back end of the bullpen that Cashman, and many executives around the league to be fair, wanted to emulate. When New York signed Andrew Miller last offseason many wanted and wondered if David Robertson was also on his way back to the Bronx to complete the monster. Robertson ended up going to Chicago and Miller turned into a great closer for the Yankees which makes you wonder why now the Yankees went out and got another closer, Aroldis Chapman. I am not saying I want to trade Miller, that’s the exact opposite of the case in fact, but the New York Yankees may now be in a huge position of power with his services.

The New York Yankees could, and in my opinion should, hold onto Miller and throw out one of the best bullpens in all of Major League Baseball in 2016. And why wouldn’t they? The starting rotation is riddled with question marks and the team struggled to get length out of their starters all season long last year. Having a deep bullpen could alleviate these problems a bit, especially when most of the team’s current relief pitchers can pitch multiple innings while getting both left-handed and right-handed hitters out in any given occasion. It is interesting to think about what the Yankees could potentially get for Miller though, isn’t it?

If the Yankees made Miller available, and I mean truly available not this “he’s available but only if you blow me away” kind of available, there would be many teams that would show immediate interest. The Chicago Cubs would likely show the most interest and would likely have the most interesting pieces available in trade. The Cubs lack the young starting pitching that the Yankees would likely command for Miller but the outfielder pair of Jorge Soler and Javier Baez may be too good to pass up in the end. Another team that may be interested in Miller’s services would be the Washington Nationals and they very much have the young starting pitching that could intrigue Brian Cashman to make a deal. Names like Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez could start the discussion while a Tanner Roark could end it for the Bronx Bombers in any hypothetical trade.

The Yankees don’t need to trade Miller and honestly with six or seven starting pitching options and adequate depth the Yankees shouldn’t trade Miller. It is the offseason though and it’s interesting to see who the Yankees could get or may get in a potential trade. The sky is the limit right now and it is the time for new hopes, dreams and resolutions. I hope and dream that Cashman is resolute enough to keep Andrew Miller though. 

If the Cubs Start Selling...

We have done quite a few of these "if the (fill in the team name) start selling) posts here on the blog and today we throw you readers a little bit of a curveball. Instead of showcasing teams that are preparing for rebuilding processes and instead of showcasing teams that are selling off any and every arbitration eligible player or beyond player they have on the team I figured we could also look at a team that now has a bit of a surplus at one position. The Chicago Cubs grabbed the best free agent on the market in Jason Heyward and may not start selling off an outfielder or two, specifically Javier Baez or Jorge Soler. Should the Yankees be interested?

Of course they should. Once the outfield position and their best free agents start to fall the second tier guys will begin to come off the board. That's when you will get optimal value out of a 32-year old Brett Gardner in a trade. Essentially cornering the market and making a trade for either Baez or Soler only to trade Gardner for a substantial haul later makes sense on paper but do the Yankees have the pieces to get it done, and are they willing to give them up?

If you're looking at Baez I think the Yankees are a bit of a stretch in the running for him. The Tampa Bay Rays have been discussing a trade for either Matt Moore or Alex Cobb to get Baez back and unless the Yankees are willing to part with one of their better starting pitchers in an already weak and question mark ridden rotation they are not going to get Baez. What about Soler?

Jorge Soler is right-handed, something the Yankees are looking for, he's young, another check in the box for the Yankees, and he's cost-controlled for the next five seasons. Soler signed a nine year deal with the Cubs worth $30 million that will keep him under team control through the 2020 season. Soler is just 23-years old and projects to be a 15-20 home run guy, or more, at the peak of his MLB career. Truth be told he may not be a huge offensive or defensive upgrade over Gardner but he is nine years younger and much cheaper. Soler fits the mold of what the Yankees are trying to do, rebuild on the fly but still compete in 2016.

I don't pretend to be an expert on the Chicago Cubs needs or farm system but you would have to think they would want pitching back for Soler. Either in the starting rotation or in the bullpen. The Yankees match up decently here with one of Ivan Nova, Bryan Mitchell, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda available with a plethora of bullpen arms that are MLB ready and that could be included. I'm not saying a deal will be made but this would be the perfect deal for the New York Yankees, Brian Cashman... are you listening?

Yankees & Cubs Still Need To Make A Trade

The New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs could not work out a deal for either Jeff Samardzija or Jason Hammel but that doesn't mean these two teams can't still match up in a trade. The Cubs have a plethora of young shortstop depth and the Yankees have a guy named Derek Jeter retiring at the end of the season, let's make a deal?

The Cubs have Starlin Castro at shortstop already and recently acquired the Oakland A's top prospect, a shortstop, Addison Russell. On top of that the Cubs have Javier Baez, one of their top prospects who is also a shortstop, and Arismendy Alcantara at short.

Baseball America ranked Baez as their 5th best prospect, MLB.com had Baez ranked 7th, and Baseball Prospectus had Baez ranked 4th in their preseason rankings. Alcantara was ranked 100th by BA, 89th by MLB.com, and #83 by BP before the 2014 season.

Starlin Castro is blocking them all with a contract that goes through the 2019 season with an option for the 2020 season. Castro is being paid $59 million after this season including the option so he seems like the least likely of the bunch to be traded. Will the Cubs move Baez to another position, second or third base, or will he be the man that we traded Luis Severino for and the man that replaced the great Derek Jeter?

Stay tuned...