USA Today’s Week One MLB Power Rankings

Ladies and gentleman we are barely three games into the 2017 regular season and the USA Today is already updating their weekly MLB Power Rankings. This is the first official set from the actual season as the first batch was a preseason ranking and the New York Yankees are on the way up.

The biggest rise of the week went to the New York Yankees who rose two spots from the 18^th spot overall in the league to 16^th overall. Good job Baby Bombers! The biggest fall of the week went to the Miami Marlins who fell two spots from a week or so ago dropping to the 21^st spot from 19^th overall. Obviously this early in the season these mean little to nothing, remember people… sample size, but it’s still good to see the Yankees trending in the right direction regardless.

The Top Five teams in the league according to the rankings are the Chicago Cubs at the #1 spot followed by the Cleveland Indians, the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals. The New York Mets are 9^th, the Toronto Blue Jays are 10^th, the Baltimore Orioles are 12^th, the Seattle Robinson Cano’s are 14^th, the Tampa Rays are 19^th and the San Diego Padres currently occupy the 30^th spot in the league. For the complete rankings head over to the USA Today to check out their post. 

Things to Do on a Yankees Off Day

So the New York Yankees are off again today leaving me with a burning question… what in the world are we going to do with ourselves to pass the time? Here are a few suggestions for you if you find yourself in the same conundrum.

Go outside. I know it sounds crazy but vitamin D deficiencies are no joke.

Read a book. I plan on picking up the “Thirteen Reasons Why” series as I have begun watching the show on Netflix.

Speaking of Netflix…. Netflix and chill. Or just chill. Cardio is healthy for you and it’s something I am a firm believer in doing as often as humanly possible. Especially in the rain.

Listen to some new music. There’s plenty to choose from. I have been on a Ed Sheeran kick here lately, and it was a Weeknd kick before that and I played the absolute hell out of J Cole’s album “For Your Eyez Only” before that but there is so much more that I am sure I’m missing out on. The Chainsmokers are releasing an album tomorrow I believe, which means it’s probably been on the internet for weeks now and I just missed it, and so much more I could name. Music is a release. 

TGP 2017 MLB Predictions: The MVP’s

Here we are finally, the big one. The Most Valuable Player Award in Major League Baseball is considered the highest honor an individual position player can achieve and there is only one for each league. Who wins it for the American League and the National League? Well my American League pick won’t shock many as it’s probably the consensus and the popular pick but that National League pick though… that one could turn some heads. I mean it shouldn’t but it still might anyway. Read on to see what and who I am talking about.

American League MVP: Mike Trout

There isn’t much explanation that needs to go into this one. Mike Trout is arguably the best player in the American League right now followed closely by the Boston Red Sox’s outfielder Mookie Betts, who I honestly considered putting here… but rivalries, and is fresh off winning the award in 2016. Trout is still young and shows no signs of breaking down or slowing up his game so I’m simply going to keep picking him until he gives me a reason not to. I know this isn’t the risqué pick by any means but sometimes the safe pick is the best pick because it’s a safe pick for a reason.

National League MVP: Nolan Arenado

Nolan Arenado has been one of the best young hitters and third baseman in the National League for a few seasons now but somehow there are still people out there that don’t know about him. Is that because he plays for a rebuilding team that’s west of the Mississippi River in the Colorado Rockies? Maybe but it certainly isn’t his production that’s doing it. Arenado, now just 25-years old, heads into 2017 fresh off his fourth straight Gold Glove Award at third base for Colorado as well as his second straight season in which he led the National League in home runs. The Rockies will live and die by the bat of Arenado next season and they will ride him all the way to an MVP Award and quite possibly an NL West Division crown or at the very least a trip to the postseason as a Wild Card. I didn’t predict they would but I won’t be the one to bet against them either. 

Can We Have a 2013 Off-Season “Do-Over”?…

In a recent interview, GM Brian Cashman indicated that the Yankees should have traded 2B Robinson Cano at the trading deadline during his last year in 2013.  

I still don’t get the math…  

I would gladly take 10 years at $240 million for Cano’s continued production (despite the injuries in his first couple of years with the Seattle Mariners) over 7 years at $153 million for Jacoby Ellsbury.  Cano is still considered among the best at his position (a few notches below Houston’s Jose Altuve), whereas Jacoby Ellsbury is not on anybody’s top ten list (except maybe for prospective Disabled List candidates).  Ellsbury and Cano are linked because the Yankees opted to sign the former the year they wouldn’t budge from their offer for Cano and he subsequently signed with the Mariners with Jay Z’s help.  

A few more years of high productivity will place Cano into Hall of Fame consideration.  It’s too bad that he won’t do it in Pinstripes.  I don’t entirely blame the Yankees because there was fault by Cano too, but I do think they could have found common ground.  The Yankees never valued Cano like they did for the former Core Four players even though he remains a middle of the order bat.  

The ascent of Gleyber Torres to second base in the Bronx is probably the only thing that will ever ease the pain of Cano’s loss for me (assuming, of course, that Torres gets moved to second).  

I know it was only one start but Jose Quintana did not fare well with his first Opening Day start for the Chicago White Sox.  He gave up 6 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in the loss to the Detroit Tigers.  One start does not a season make, but he is human.  Of course, if we base one start for the season, CC Sabathia should be the Cy Young Award winner!  Now, we know for sure that’s not going to happen.  I suspect that Quintana, the future Mr Astro or Brave, will be better the next time out.

David Schoenfield of ESPN identified his list of “Must Watch Players” on every major league team.  Surprisingly, he chose Greg Bird over Gary Sanchez.  Nothing against Bird, but I still find Sanchez to be the most intriguing player for his combination of offensive and defensive skills.  But Bird, in two games thus far, has showed more defensive prowess than I expected even if the bat has not come around to his Spring performance yet.  Schoenfield stated “he’s probably not the next Joey Votto, but maybe he could be?”.  No pressure.  It’s a little early to start comparing Bird to first base greats but I certainly feel that he has a chance to make a name for himself.  Maybe he’ll be the next Greg Bird?  I am confident that whatever version he turns out to be, it will be a good one.

Because of weather conditions, both Jordan Montgomery and Chad Green are scheduled to pitch in Tampa today in preparation for a possible start on April 16th as the fifth starter in the rotation.  Assuming that Bryan Mitchell is not the choice, the odds certainly favor Green considering he’s on the 40-man roster.  But if it was up to me, I’d make room to add Montgomery.  I think he brings so much more promise and potential to the rotation than Green does, and he adds the dynamic of being a second left-hander to go with CC Sabathia.

It has been reported that Derek Jeter is part of an ownership group interested in buying the Miami Marlins.  If successful, that would make him Don Mattingly’s boss.  One Yankees Legend reporting to another.  It would be odd, but Jeter has long desired to get into ownership.  Better that he does it in the National League and away from the Yankees.  

So, the Tampa Bay Rays series is over, and the Yankees depart Florida with a 1-2 record.  Masahiro Tanaka underperformed, CC Sabathia overperformed, and Michael Pineda pitched kinda like we’ve come to expect (3 2/2 innings, 8 hits, and 4 runs).  While he did strike out 6 batters, he was ineffective and continues to be the puzzle that is Michael Pineda.  Very disappointing.  Of course, Pineda wasn’t helped by Yankees offense.  The only run scored in the 4-1 loss was a second inning home run by Jacoby Ellsbury.  Outside of Ellsbury (3-for-4) and Chase Headley (2-for-3), the bats were very quiet.  The young Core of Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Aaron Judge was a combined 1-for-12.  So, even if Pineda had pitched a quality start, it was a night they probably would have still left with the loss.  

The Yankees now need to re-group as they head to Baltimore to take on the Orioles for a three game series that begins on Friday night.  Let’s hope that Luis Severino pitches more like Sabathia and less like Pineda.  The Yankees get another shot at the Rays next week when they open Yankee Stadium.  

Have a great Thursday!

TGP 2017 MLB Predictions: Cy Young Winners

If you’re a pitcher coming up as a kid in Little League, as a High School player, a college player or even as a professional in the minor leagues your ultimate goal is always to reach the Major Leagues and win a Cy Young Award. There’s only one per league every single season so most pitchers will never get that honor but in my opinion these two men from the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers respectively will reach that ultimate goal and have that ultimate honor bestowed upon them. Keep reading to find out who I’m talking about although I have a feeling by naming the teams that you already have an idea of who I am going to choose.

American League Cy Young Award: Corey Kluber

So I've already predicted that the Cleveland Indians would win the American League Central Division with the best record in the American League and I've already predicted that all those wins would equate into manager Terry Francona winning the AL Manager of the Year Award but who is going to carry the team to that over the course of a 162-game schedule? His name is Corey Kluber and he is an absolute animal on the mound. Kluber was one of the best starters last season, although he lost out on the award to 20+ game winner Rick Porcello of the Boston Red Sox, but he will not be denied in 2017 as he is set up to put up another strong campaign this season. 

National League Cy Young Award: Clayton Kershaw

I could go on and on about all the numerous reasons why Clayton Kershaw will once again find a way to get better and find a way to win another Cy Young Award for the National League but I have a better idea. Name a reason or two, and yes there are including his injury history as of late, of why he won't win the award at this point in his career. Leave them below in the comments section or drop us a line on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes. 

So it Seems the Mega Prediction Game Has Begun…

And I missed the first series. What a great example I am setting here, huh? My apologies, AGAIN. Life is complicated and life is hectic right now and my days of staying up until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning just to update the blog are over. I’m sorry but they are, I’m getting too old for that stuff and too old for that stress.

Anyway we have run a Mega Prediction Game on the blog in every season of its existence and this year will be no different. The details and rules can be found on the prediction game tab at the top of the blog and that is also where you can play the actual game. I hope to see you all there.

I am the defending champion so I guess I should be at least participating in the game rather than being Kari’d every day all season long, huh? I’ll get right on that Kari because I love you.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/6: Ron Blomberg

In 1973 the Yankees Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in major league history. In his first plate appearance the DH drew a walk off of Luis Tiant in a 15-5 loss at the hands of the bitter rival Boston
Red Sox.

TGP Predicts 2017: The World Series

The drought is over and the Cleveland Indians are your 2017 World Series Champions!! Short, sweet and to the point but that’s how I feel. The Indians are a young team, a deep team and an experienced team after taking the Chicago Cubs to the brink in seven games in the 2016 World Series. Behind the arms of Corey Kluber, Danny Salazar, Andrew Miller and others the Cleveland Indians are just going to be too tough for anyone to handle in my opinion this season.

Don’t get me wrong, the Washington Nationals are tough and they will let the Indians know that they have been in a fight but the bullpen for the Nats may be the difference maker. Without a true closer and without a deep and dominant bullpen that is capable of giving five-plus shutout innings of work on any given night I find it hard to believe that Bryce Harper and company will be able to keep up over a seven game series.

I think this series goes at least six games and may go seven games but at the end of the day I think the World Series championship goes back to Cleveland, finally. The Indians paid their dues last season as the watched Chicago celebrate breaking their curse and drought and now it’s time for redemption. Let me be the first to congratulate the 2017 Cleveland Indians on their World Series victory.

It's Just Money...

A few days ago, the Associated Press reported that the New York Yankees had fallen to third in total payroll behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers.  The AP report put the Yankees 2017 Payroll at $195 million.

Researching another sports contract site (spotrac.com), it appears that the Yankees may still hold second place by a few million.  Spotrac has the total Yankees payroll at $201,539,699.  The figure includes not only the dead contract for Alex Rodriguez (referred to as Retained Salary) of $21 million, but also $5.5 million that the Yankees are paying toward the contract for Houston Astros starting catcher Brian McCann.

There is also money allocated to Ruben Tejada and Ji-Man Choi that count toward the total payroll even though they are not on the major league roster.

CC Sabathia is the highest paid Yankee at $25 million.  But the killer is the total of $34,142,857 the Yankees spend to have the luxury of carrying Jacoby Ellsbury and Chase Headley on the roster (ugh!).  

According to Spotrac, the Boston Red Sox actually have the third highest payroll (just more than $50,000 above the Tigers).  The Red Sox carry the most dollars for “buried” contracts (players currently in the minor leagues) at just over $22 million for Rusney Castillo and Allen Craig.

I had assumed that the Yankees had the most dead contracts with the heavy A-Rod cost, but I was wrong.  The Dodgers have over $38 million, with the majority going toward former outfielder Carl Crawford who is slightly more expensive than A-Rod).  

When you look at just the 2017 cost of the 25-man roster, the Yankees fall to fourth at $168 million although just a couple of million dollars separate them from the leaders (Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Detroit Tigers).  The Dodgers fell to seventh with just under $156 million.  

It’s amazing but as of right now, the Yankees are tenth on total payroll for 2018 with $104 million committed.  The plan is playing out exactly as prescribed by Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner.  As long as the young Baby Bombers continue to thrive, it should make the possibility of Bryce Harper in Pinstripes more than just a Pinstriped Dream.

CC Sabathia did it.  He pitched his finest opening start in eight seasons with the Yankees to pick up his first win of the year, 5-0 over the Tampa Bay Rays.  CC went 5 strong innings, while only allowing 3 hits, no runs and 2 walks.  He struck out 2.  By the 4th inning, CC was sweating so profusely, it seemed liked it was raining inside of the domed Tropicana Field.  Whatever it takes.

Ronald Torreyes was the unlikely first Yankee to homer this year when he connected for a two run shot off Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi in the 3rd inning.  I would have guessed anybody but Torreyes, but I am glad that he is proving me wrong.  

Things got a little dicey in the 8th.  Jonathan Holder allowed a couple of baserunners and was pulled for Dellin Betances who walked the first batter he faced to load the bases.  Fortunately, he worked out of trouble and the Yankees escaped the inning without allowing any runs.  

I don’t want to criticize Manager Joe Girardi, but I would have gone with Bryan Mitchell for a second inning rather than bringing in Tyler Clippard in the 7th.  Mitchell, in relief of Sabathia, only needed 9 pitches to record three outs in the 6th.  Bringing in Clippard felt too “formula driven”.  I would have pitched Mitchell in the 7th to give me the option of Clippard or Betances in the 8th.  Plus, if Mitchell is in competition for the fifth rotation spot, it's best to keep him stretched out.  Oh well, it worked out so I’m not going to complain and Girardi knows the pen better than I do.

Aroldis Chapman was his usual stellar self in the 9th even though it was a non-save situation.  It was his first regular season game since winning the World Series last fall.  He looks much better in the Yankee Road Gray uni over Cubs gear.

For the game, Matt Holliday added a RBI in the third.  It was an unusual play in that the Rays left fielder Peter Bourjos, a newcomer to Tropicana Field, lost sight of the ball in the rafters and it fell for a double.  Chase Headley also homered and drove in a total of 2 runs.  Gary Sanchez had another 0-for-5 day, with 2 strikeouts.  The strikeouts that Aaron Judge has eliminated have seemed to found their way to Gary’s bat.  

The Yankees can take the 3-game series in today’s getaway game with the Rays.  Michael Pineda gets the start and will face right-hander Alex Cobb in the 7:10 pm EST game.  Good thing the Yankees have the day off tomorrow with the travel to Baltimore, Maryland.

Have a great Wednesday!

Can CC make it 2 opening wins in a row?…

Today could very well be the start of the final season in pinstripes for Carsten Charles Sabathia, Jr.  With his contract expiring at the end of the year, I can easily see the Yankees opting to pay a cost-controlled young pitcher to take Sabathia’s spot in the rotation as opposed to shelling out the $10 million or so that it will take to re-sign the soon-to-be 37-year-old Sabathia.

CC has been one of the most revered members of the Yankees clubhouse and he’s made his mark on a franchise that will ensure he’s invited to many future Old Timer’s Days.  

CC was an undisputed ace when he originally signed with the Yankees prior to the 2009 season.  His arrival, along with A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, helped power the Yankees to their last World Championship. 

Credit:  Andrew Theodorakis, New York Daily News

The first four years of CC’s contract were good.  He had records of 19-8, 21-7, 19-8, and 15-6, respectively.  Then age and injuries hit.  In the last three years combined, CC has won less games than he did in any single year between 2009 and 2011. 

Until last year, CC had never won his first start of the season.  I took a look back at his first starts and the results are ugly.  In his first seasonal starts covering eight years, CC is 1-4, with 3 no decisions.  It doesn’t bode well for today but like last year, he could surprise or at least I hope he does. 

April 6, 2009

Baltimore Orioles 10, New York Yankees 5

4 1/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 0 SO (Loss)

April 4, 2010

Boston Red Sox 9, New York Yankees 7

5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO (No Decision)

March 31, 2011

New York Yankees 6, Detroit Tigers 3

6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO (No Decision)

April 6, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays 7, New York Yankees 6

6 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO (No Decision)

April 1, 2013

Boston Red Sox 8, New York Yankees 2

5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO (Loss)

April 1, 2014

Houston Astros 6, New York Yankees 2

6 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO (Loss)

April 9, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays 6, New York Yankees 3

5 2/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO (Loss)

April 9, 2016

New York Yankees 8, Detroit Tigers 4

6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO (Win)

If CC plays true to form, he’ll go about 6 innings and give up approximately 8 hits and 5 or 6 runs. 

I hope Gary Sanchez has better results waiting in his bat than an 0-for-5 performance like Opening Day.  We’ll need the offense.

Given this may be CC’s last year, I am hopeful that he provides one of his best season opening starts for his time with the Yankees.  I know that Mark Spitz once said “Past performance speaks a tremendous amount about one’s ability and likelihood for success”, but it doesn’t have to be.  I prefer the quote “Do not give your past the power to define your future.”  If this is indeed CC’s farewell season in Pinstripes, here’s hoping that he provides us with some vintage Sabathia (just not the 'first start of the season' variety).  

Turn back the clock, and let’s go.  

Have a great Tuesday!  A winning Tuesday works for me.