Baseball Coverage

(CHICKS THAT DIG THE LONG BALL- OUR FAVORITE TEAMS- CHICAGO BASEBALL)

(PREDICTIONS THAT DON’T MAKE SENSE- JUICY ARTICLES- AROUND THE LEAGUE)

(THIS AND THAT)

OUR TWO FAVORITE TEAMS

 

WHO NEEDS WHO???

Joey Gallo will get an invite to spring training on a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. Who needs this to work more, Gallo or the White Sox? Gallo’s baseball career has hit rock bottom the last few years. You can say the same thing about the White Sox as a franchise. The last two seasons are ones fans would love to forget. You could say Gallo needs the White Sox more as he’s down to a minor league spring training invite from the worst team in baseball last season. I’m sure the White Sox would like the help from a guy like Gallo to avoid being the worst team in baseball this season and avoid being the laughing stock team in all sports. The White Sox are in rebuild. Gallo is fighting for his baseball career. They actually both need each other in a way as well.

Last year Joey Gallo played in only 76 games for the Washington Nationals. The 31 year old batting average continues to plummet as his baseball bat should be on life support. He batted .161 last year as he hit only ten home runs driving in 27 runs. He struck out 102 times in 223 at-bats which is almost half of the time he came up to bat he would get rung up.The 31 year old first baseman was originally drafted by the Rangers where he was 2 x All-star and 2 x Gold glove winner. He came out of high school and he was selected by Texas in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft number 39 overall. Gallo has 10 seasons in the MLB, seven of them came in Texas. He was then traded to the Yankees where he played parts of two seasons. Since that second season with the Evil Empire and the crowd booing his performance, he has sunk into the baseball world’s abyss.

In 2021 Joey Gallo split time with the Rangers and Yankees, & he hit 38 bombs that season. He walked 111 times. He finished with a batting average of .199 and tallied up 213 strikeouts. In 939 career games he has tallied up 1,292 strikeouts. In 2022 he split time between the Yankees and Dodgers. He batted .160 with 19 home runs as struck out 163 times. In 2023 he batted .177 and had 23 long balls for the Twins and was rung up 142 times. If he is going to have a batting average of .200 he better launch 38 to 40 balls into the bleachers. Since Texas his career has been in a terrible tailspin that’s out of control. Lifetime he’s batting .194 with 208 long balls and has driven in 453 runs.

The White Sox really don’t need Joey Gallo as this is a stupid move. Gallo is Adam Dunn reincarnated. I know Dunn is alive and well. In 2012 Dunn was in a White Sox uniform and struck out 222 times. The White Sox may need nickel beer night so their fan base will forget about the free swinging Gallo in 2025. If he’s just swinging at air not making contact, how is this going to help a White Sox rebuild. Point at Gallo for the young players and say, “Don’t be like that guy.” You’re taking at-bats away from younger guys. Gallo will not be good enough being a trade chip. Gallo is decent in the field but plays mostly first base. The White Sox already have Andrew Vaughn there. The White Sox could use Gallo as back up first baseman and DH. Gallo hits from the left side so he could platoon with Vaughn at first and they switch back and forth both players from first to DH. The problem is Gallo’s numbers are horrific at the DH spot over his career. The White Sox non-tendered a better option than Gallo in the off-season with Gavin Sheets. Same type of guy but better results with less strikeouts. Gallo lives by the home run & dies by the strike out. I think the White Sox would get better production out of a younger guy over Gallo or any other minor league invites they have going. Which seems like a list longer than Santa Clause has. Gallo is not naughty or nice, he’s just bad & not in a good way. If the White Sox bring him to the big league team, the Windy City will have plenty of wind on the lake this summer. I don’t like this move at all. I think you want veterans that can help win some games. You want to develop the prospects but at the same time win some games. I know this team will not get to 500 this upcoming season or anywhere close. However if they can manage more wins than last year with a new manager and not be the WORST team in the league, that is a step in the right direction. Gallo will not help with any of that.

NATIONALS ADD SOME POWER TO THEIR LINE UP SCOOPING UP A PAUL DEJONG AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FREE AGENT WATERS

In 2023, Paul DeJong played for three teams and hit rock bottom in his baseball career. Last year he only played for two teams. He signed with the worst team in the MLB last year but played well enough to be traded to a team that made the post-season. The 31 year old infielder had a bounce back year. Right before spring training he finds a new home in Washington. DeJong agrees with the Nationals on a one year deal worth 1 million and could earn another $600.000 with incentives laced in the contract.

Paul DeJong was originally drafted by the Cardinals back in 2015 in the 4th round of the MLB draft from Illinois State University. He has played 8 seasons in the MLB which parts of 7 seasons have been in a Cardinals uniform. In 2023 besides the Cardinals he suited up for the Blue Jays and Giants. Last year he split his season with the White Sox and Royals. The Nationals will be his 6th team he has played for and now will have played 5 different teams since leaving St. Louis in 2023. DeJong earned himself his only all-star appearance in 2019. Last year combined with the White Sox and Royals, he batted .227 racking up 101 hits. He drove in 56 and hit 24 home runs. In 8 seasons in the MLB, DeJong has a career batting average of .229 with 140 long balls and has driven 400.

Paul DeJong has been a short stop his entire career but did dabble at third base with the Royals after being traded to Kansas City. DeJong is a decent defender. The Nationals like DeJong’s power numbers and they need a guy that can hit the ball against left-handed pitching which Paul has done that well last year. DeJong is a good club house guy who’s looking for another home instead of going team to team the last two seasons. This is the same hand DeJong was dealt last year playing for a team that will not make it to the post-season. But if he plays well he could find another team in mid-season to help them with their playoff push. The Nationals are a younger team with prospects ready to blossom. They have added some veterans like DeJong in the mix. The NL East is stacked with the Mets, Phillies, and the Braves – I don’t see this team leapfrogging them. DeJong will help the Nationals with the home run swing, he can play a few positions in the infield, and could be used as a DH if needed there. The Nats may take a few baby steps in the right direction this season as they may eyeball 2026 or 2027 pushing the other teams in the division. DeJong most likely end up as a trade chip for the Nats. This is a low risk high ceiling type of move by the Washington Nationals. Even if he gets all the incentives in this deal, it will still be worth it for the Nationals.

WHITE SOX BRINGING IN TAYLOR MEANS THE END OF LUIS ROBERT IN CHICAGO?

The White Sox added another free agent piece to their outfield by agreeing to a one year deal with Michael Taylor. Taylor is a gold glove center fielder and comes cheap which is the way the White Sox do business these days. Could this be the end of Luis Robert in Chicago with the arrival of Taylor? It’s a one year deal for Taylor worth 1.95 million which is baseball couch style money in the MLB.

Michael Taylor is 33 years old and has 11 seasons in the MLB. He was drafted by the Washington Nationals back in 2009 in the 6th round. Then ten years later he helped the Nationals win their first ever World Series in 2019. He played for the Nats seven seasons & then moved on to the Royals for two seasons. The last 5 seasons the White Sox will be his 4th team. He has also suited up for the Twins and just needs the Tigers and Guardians uniform to complete every team in the AL Central. Last year he played in 113 games for the Pirates. He was good with the glove, but he had a bad year swinging the lumber. Taylor batted .193 with 5 home runs only driving in 21 on 52 hits. In 11 seasons he has a career batting average of .235 with 100 long balls while driving in 353 runs. He has racked up 748 hits in his career so far.

Besides being a bargain price, what are the White Sox going to do with two center fielders? Obviously Michael Taylor could give Luis Robert a much needed rest. Taylor could be a back up plan because Robert likes to visit the injured list frequently. Taylor could also be the starting center fielder if Robert is dealt before spring training or after. Can the White Sox play both Robert and Taylor in the same outfield? They can. If they went that direction the White Sox would have a solid outfield defensively. Taylor leads all outfielders since 2020 with 52 defensive runs saved. Robert has a great glove he brings to center when he is healthy, he may be one of the best in the league. The White Sox have also signed two other bargains in the outfield Austin Slater and Mike Tauchman. It seems the White Sox brass are adding a flux of players to many of the positions on the diamond this off-season to ensure themselves they will get a solid option at each position. This is obviously a low risk high ceiling type of move by the White Sox. I believe Taylor will have a bounce back year with the lumber and could be used as a trade chip at the deadline. We know the White Sox will not make the post-season next season. If a team wants Taylor for the playoff he did well in the past. In 21 games he has a .275 average in post-season while hitting 4 home runs and driving in ten. I like this move in general because you can be optimistic Taylor will have a bounce back year.

BREGMAN LEAVING HOUSTON FOR BEAN TOWN

If a very talented and available player is still hanging around the free agent waters, he must be represented by the snake Scott Boras. Pitchers and catchers are slowly reporting to their spring training camps while 30 year old third baseman Alex Bregman finally comes off the board and has a contract. This contract is not with the Astros, the only team Bregman has played for in his 9 year MLB career. Bregman is heading to the AL East and has signed with the Boston Red Sox on a 3 year deal worth 120 million. The snake indeed added some opt outs in the contract to perhaps double down on the payday next season or season after that. The deal also has some deferred money involved as well. Some of these contracts have become like lotto payments for life.

Alex Bregman was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2012 MLB draft in the 29th round out of high school. Bregman went to college after high school & then was drafted in the first round 2nd overall in the 2015 MLB draft from Louisiana University. Bregman has been one of the best third basemen in the AL for years. He has helped the Astros win two World Series titles. He’s a 2 x All-Star and has won a gold glove along with a silver slugger award. Last season he played in 145 games and batted .260 with 26 long balls while driving in 75. He has racked up over 1,000 hits. Lifetime swinging the lumber, Bregman has a batting average of .272 with 191 bombs and has driven in 663 runs. He should hit the 200 mark in home runs and 700 mark in RBI’s next season.

Alex Bregman definitely had some choices of teams wanting his services next season. The Astros wanted him back and offered a 6 year deal worth 156 million. Then the Tigers offered him a 6 year deal worth 171 million. If Bregman went to Detroit, he could have reunited with his old skipper from Houston, AJ Hinch. The Blue Jays were also involved as they were kicking the tires on anything that walked with a bat this off-season. The Cubs were in the mix and acquired two of Bregman’s X teammates now, in Kyle Tucker and Pressly. Bregman’s choice of Boston could have been because Red Sox manager Alex Cora was bench coach a few seasons in Houston. He was probably helping them cheat their way to the top of the baseball world. Why bring Bregman if you are Boston when you already have a third baseman in Rafael Devers. The Red Sox also have a guy at first in Triston Casas. Boston certainly could trade Casas and have Bregman man first base. The Red Sox are going to play Bregman at a new position which will be second base. The Red Sox have assembled some nice pitching additions this off-season with the trade with the White Sox for Garrett Crochet. They signed former Dodgers starter Walker Buehler. They added one of baseball’s best closers in south paw Aroldis Chapman. Now they got a big bat for that solid line up they have with a few more interesting names such as Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida. This is a big move by Boston as this team should compete in the AL East and find themselves back in post-season. You have to take this deal as a one year deal each year because of the opt outs in the contract. Bregman may not be in bean town for the long haul of the deal. Boston better plan for 2026 just in case. This year with Bregman aboard, you know you will get a solid bat. Will learning a new position become a long term liability on defense? Bregman would have to put up MVP numbers to overcome the mistakes on defense if he can’t adjust to the new position.

CONNOR JOE HEADING HOME

You can’t blame a ball player wanting to go home and play in front of his friends and family every night. That’s what Connor Joe is doing heading to San Diego to sign with the team he probably rooted for growing up. It was San Diego where Joe was born and became the ball player he was. He played his college ball at the University of San Diego that earned him being picked in the first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 MLB draft 39th overall. Joe is 32 years of age and can play multiple positions. He signs with the Padres on a one year deal, but the terms are unknown at this time.

Connor Joe was indeed drafted by the Pirates but he made his MLB debut with the Giants in 2019. Joe opted not to play in 2020 with the pandemic lingering in the states. He found himself in Colorado in 2021 and then was traded back to the Pirates by the Rockies. Joe has 5 seasons under his belt in the MLB as he played for the Pirates the last two seasons. Last yer he played in 123 games & landed 364 At-bats. He had a batting average of only .228 with 9 long balls and drove in 36 runs. Joe last year was a platoon player at first base or would come off the bench to dabble in the outfield if needed. In 5 seasons Joe has a batting average of .242 with 35 long balls while driving in 141 runs. He has racked up 333 hits in his career in 438 total games. His best season for Joe when he played a 100 or more games has to be 2023 where he batted .247 with 11 long balls as he drove in 42 runs.

The Padres have landed themselves a scrappy ball player in Connor Joe. I thought the Pirates should have re-signed him. Now the Padres have a guy that can play first base and the outfield like he did with the Pirates. Joe could probably give the Padres start at second base and if needed in the DH slot. He will probably be the team’s utility guy and with all the gloves he needs he has done a solid defensive job wherever he has played on the diamond. He is only 6′ tall as most first basemen in the league are taller or bigger targets. It would be my only knock with Joe playing first. If you need him there he will play well. Joe bats from the right side & probably is used mostly against south paws. With him coming home, you have to think he will amp up his play level to be successful in front of all his people in attendance. The Padres need every spot on their roster to be solid with no weaknesses with the Dodgers dream team to contend with. The Diamondbacks and the Giants are no easy tasks as well in the NL West. This is a great move I believe, bringing home Connor to come off your bench. Connor Joe plays like one of those unsung heroes as he comes up big in situations where you need a run. His baseball IQ is top shelf. Connor Joe is a baseball player and knows how to do the little things which will be appreciated by the home crowd. He will be a fan favorite like he was in Pittsburgh. I agree with that.

FRA-GEE-LAY: ITALIAN FOR ANGELS THIRD BASEMEN

The Angels have lost out big time with the Anthony Rendon contract for seven seasons worth 245 million. At the age of 34 Rendon has two years remaining on his contract and yet again will miss significant time with the team due to having hip surgery this season. The Angels third basemen was MVP of the Washington Nationals World Series run in 2019. Since 2021, the third basemen has had 12 stints to the injures list and three of those visits came last year. Last year with just over 200 at-bats he had an average of .218 and zero home runs driving in 14. Since signing with the Angels, he has played in only 257 games as he has missed 451 of them. The Angels answer at third base this off-season is signing another broken down player that can’t stay on the field. The Angels strike a deal with 29 year old switch hitter native from Cuba former White Sox Yoan Moncada. Both parties agree to a one year deal worth 5 million.

Last year Yoan Moncada played in 12 games as he was lost for most of the season with a strained adductor. Moncada did come back from the injury in September for the White Sox but he stayed on the bench to finish the season. In the off-season, the White Sox cut ties with Moncada and did not pick up his 25 million dollar option making him a free agent. Moncada was supposed to have been one of those solid pieces they got back from Boston in the Chris Sale trade for years to come. That deal was a Charlie Brown bag of rocks on Halloween night for the White Sox. In 12 games last season, Moncada only managed 40 At-bats as he batted .275 with zero home runs and zero RBI’s. In 9 seasons in the big leagues, the majority with the White Sox, Moncada is batting .254 with 93 home runs while driving 339 as he racked up 711 hits in just 747 games. In 9 years he has 5 seasons where he has played less than 100 games. He made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Red Sox and only played 8 games. In the pandemic shortened season of 2020, he did play 54 games which would have been a full season. Most games he played in one season was 149 and you’d have to go back to 2018. In 2021, he played in 144 games. You have to go back to 2022 where he played in over 100 games which was only 104 that season.

The LA Angels have collected the left side of the infield of the Chicago White Sox this off-season. The Angels also added short stop Tim Anderson on a minor league deal only weeks ago. Anderson and Momcada were the left side of the White Sox infielder for years and guys that were expected to create a dynasty for years to come. This with Anthony Rendon missing time this season due to the hip surgery. Zach Neto, the young Angels short stop, had shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the first few weeks of regular season. The Angels did sign Kevin Newman this off-season, a guy that can play most of the infield. Newman may be the utility guy off the bench. Moncada and Anderson have played second base. Anderson could probably give you something at third. This is an opportunity for both these X White Sox players or maybe just one of them. Moncada has a contract while Anderson still has improved himself. Anderson can stay healthy as Moncada can break a nail and be on the injured list after the first game. Anderson though has lost his power numbers and his batting average has been dipping for the last few seasons. Moncada, when healthy, can swing a solid bat. The Angels are at least trying to assemble some options for Rendon’s inability to stay healthy. Not sure either option they have here is any kind of replacement. For Rendon, always MIA, anything that can stay on the field is a better option. I’m surprised that the Angels have not just cut their losses, sent Rendon packing, and just will eat the money. The Rendon dream is dead. Bury it for good.

GAVIN LOOKS FOR A CLEAN SHEETS WITH THE PADRES

Gavin Sheets was originally one of those guys that were going to be a pillar of the last White Sox build on the south side of Chicago for years to come. Gavin was going to be that next left-handed slugger placing 20-30 balls in the seats every season. He is a tall specimen at 6’5″ tall weighing 235 LBS as he looks like a guy that will devastate the baseball and park them over the fences regularly. He was a 2nd round draft pick by the White Sox and is the son of former Big Leaguer Larry Sheets who played 8 seasons in the MLB. After 4 seasons in Chicago, the White Sox gave Gavin his walking papers non-tendering him in November. It took some months but Gavin gets an invite to spring training with the Padres on a minor league contract.

Last year Gavin Sheets played the most games of his four year baseball career which was 139 games. He had 451 At-Bats and he racked up 105 hits. His batting average was just .233 with 10 long balls and drove in 45 on the worst team in baseball. He struck out 106 times which was the most in his career. Sheets did pretty good his first two years in the league. His best year was in 2022 where he batted .241 in 124 games while hitting 15 long balls and driving in 53. In 4 years Sheets has a .230 batting average with 46 home runs and has driven in 175. He has racked up 299 hits playing in 435 games.

Gavin Sheets seems like he is working at his father’s pace in the MLB. Larry Sheets played 8 seasons in the MLB. He played six seasons in Baltimore and 1 season each with Detroit and Seattle. Larry had a career batting average of .266 in 748 games which is better than his son. Father Sheets crushed 94 long balls, drove in 339, and racked up 607 hits. If Gavin plays like he has and gets 4 more years, he could definitely be at his father’s pace with the lumber. You’d like to see Gavin do better. No offense to Larry but his son seems like a good club house guy and a person you root for. Larry could have been the same. I watched his son the last 4 years, wasting my time watching White Sox baseball the last two seasons.

The Padres could be looking for more depth on their roster by bringing in Gavin Sheets. Sheets can play first base some right field and you could slide him into the DH role. When Sheets has swung the hot lumber, he could come off the bench in a pinch hitting attempt and knock one out of the park for the team. He can give your team some solid defense at first. Right field you may get lucky at times with him out there. If Sheets is going to have a batting average of .230, he needs to hit more home runs to really stick around. I thought in the first two seasons if he had more playing time, he would have better numbers. He did get plenty of playing time and seems to have done worse. He had some weeks in his career where he was definitely one of the hottest hitters on the team, maybe in the league, in that span. Last year he did not make solid contact with many of the pitches he saw. It was the swing and miss or lazy fly ball. The White Sox from that last rebuild it was the house of Cards Rick Hahn built, the General Manager at the time. Most of these guys from those teams are signing minor league deals. Some of them are getting one year deals and not much money for them as they come cheap. Most of them are broken down and their baseball careers are hanging by a thread. Gavin Sheets stayed healthier than most of them they called the core, and they never delivered. Just two one and done post-season berths.

THE PIRATES CLAIM THE BOUNTY OF PHAM IN THE FREE AGENT WATERS

Tommy Pham hung out in the free agent waters until April of last year until the White Sox brought him to the shore. Maybe Pham’s groundhog’s clock in his mind set is thinking spring is starting earlier this year. The Pirates make a claim on one of the remaining pieces left in the free agent pond and hope they found a gem for their outfield. The 36 year old Martial Arts expert will sign with his 10th Major League team. The Pirates sign Pham on a one year deal worth 4 million to add some depth to their outfield for this upcoming season.

Tommy Pham played for three teams last year which started with the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox were desperate and needed anything that could help them at the time. Pham was looking to showcase that he still had the skills to be a serviceable member of an MLB roster. The deal worked out for both parties as Pham would see the post-season when he was traded in a deal that sent him to St. Louis where Tommy was drafted and hoping they could make a playoff run. St. Louis could not make that final march to snare a playoff spot. They released Pham who they drafted way back in 2006 in the 16th round. The Royals picked up Pham after St. Louis realized that the playoff were not in the cards they were dealt and released the 11 year veteran. The Royals did make it to the post-season as did Pham.

Last season combined Tommy Pham played in 116 regular seasons between all three teams. He racked up 109 hits and had a batting average of .248 with 9 home runs and drove in 39. In 11 years the list is never ending as he has also played for the Padres, Reds, Rays, Mets, Red Sox, and the D-Backs. Pham has been a decent hitter his entire career as he has .258 life time batting average with 139 home runs and has driven in 470 runs. He has racked up 985 hits. He can hit some milestones next season; he could reach that 150 mark in home runs, 15 more hits to 1,000, and 30 more RBI’s for 500. Pham will give the Pirates another guy with post-season experience if this current squad can do the unthinkable and make it there. Pham has reached post-season 5 times in his career. He comes cheap. The Pirates way of doing things. This is not a move that puts this team over the play off hurdle. It’s a nice depth piece. Pham can play solid defense. He is a streaky hitter and can have a few good runs with the lumber where he is on fire. His bat can go dormant for long periods as well. If the Pirates can’t make it to the post-season, Pham seems like teams want him for their own playoff push. He could be a chip at the trade deadline, or a total bust, or he could help this team the entire year reach their goals. Let’s hope it falls on door number three.

JACK IS BACK IN THE MOTOR CITY

It does not happen very often when you trade a player to another team. Then the next off-season he comes back and re-signs with the team that traded him. The Detroit Tigers were sellers at the trade deadline last season and dealt one of their free agents they signed last off-season. Maybe Jack Flaherty wants to thank the Tigers for helping him get a World Series ring with the Dodgers. The trade did work out for both parties as the Tigers did make it to-post season while Flaherty played for the LA dream team. Flaherty is back with the Tigers with a 2 year deal this go around worth 35 million. Jack has an opt out clause after the first season of this deal. He would be paid 25 million in the first year of the deal and get a guaranteed 10 million for year two of the contract. However he can earn another 10 million in year two of the deal if he starts 15 games for the Tigers.

Last season Jack Flaherty pitched well for both the Tigers and Dodgers during the regular season. Flaherty pitched well for the Dodgers during the post-season. His regular season record combined with both teams was 13-7 with 3.17 ERA as he made 28 starts. He worked 162 innings while striking out 194 batters. He has 8 regular seasons in the MLB and is only 29 years old. He played parts of 7 seasons with the Cardinals who drafted him in the first round 34th overall out of high school in the 2014 MLB draft. The Cards traded him to Baltimore at the 2023 deadline. His lifetime record is only 55-41 with 3.63 ERA as he has 159 games in the MLB out of which 153 of them were starts.

The Tigers front office was not thinking this was going to be a playoff team in 2024. They definitely knew they had an up and coming team. The Tigers had a great second half to snag one of the wild card spots in which they upset the Astros in the first round of the post-season. The Tigers have a solid rotation as it starts with their ace and the Cy Young winner of last season, LHP Tarik Skubol. The Tigers also have some young arms they have assembled in Reese Olson and Casey Mize hoping they make the next steps in their baseball career and contribute more often. The Tigers added veteran RHP Alex Cobb this off-season. Now bringing Jack back this is a savvy move to solidify the rotation from 1 through 5. Jack Flaherty could be the number two guy in this Tigers starting rotation. Which gives the young guys some better match-ups at the end of the rotation. The Tigers are looking to knock off the Guardians for the AL Central title. The AL Central had three playoff teams last year in post-season: Tigers, Guardians, and the Royals. You need to stock up on some arms to beat your own division foes.

MADRIGAL LEAVES HIS CHICAGO DAYS BEHIND HIM AND IS HEADING TO THE BIG APPLE

Nick Madrigal was slated as the next Jose Altuve, of the Houston Astros, when the White Sox drafted him in the 1st round of the 2018 MLB draft. Madrigal was small in height, very hard to strike out, and a guy who would make contact no matter what, just like Altuve. He came out of Oregon State University as he showcased his talents swinging a steady bat throughout his college days. He would never come close to a talent like Altuve as he was traded to the Cubs after his first two seasons on the southside. After 5 seasons in Chicago with two different teams, Madrigal has signed elsewhere after the Cubs non-tendered him in November making him a free agent. Madrigal is looking for a fresh start to really jump start his career. He signs a one year deal with the New York Mets worth 1.35 million to come off the bench in an utility role in 2025.

Nick Madrigal is only 27 years old and has never played 100 or more games in one season. You can say his only full season he played was the shortened season of 2020 due to the pandemic. He played in 29 games which was really half the season. His batting average was .340 in 2020. He batted .305 in 2021 but only played in 54 games as he had a season ending injury. The White Sox were able to unload him at the time to the Cubs. Which I thought was a bad idea. On the northside, injuries followed him for 3 seasons. He only would play in 51 games last year and had a batting average of .221 with zero home runs as he drove in 10. He only had 86 at-bats. He has had 3 different major surgeries. He had his shoulder and hamstring, plus fractured his left hand getting hit by a pitch. In 5 seasons he has only played in 285 games. He only has 868 career at-bats as his batting average is .274. He has racked up 238 hits. He has 4 home runs to his name while driving in 77. He has only struck out 85 times which means he can put the ball in play but does not take the free passes in walks.

Why would the Mets want Nick Madrigal who is part of that fragile house of cards that the White Sox built a few years back? One that bottomed out with injuries. The Mets have not yet re-signed Jose Igelesias, a 35 year old infielder who played a big role last year with this team as they turned their season around and made it all the way to the NLCS. The Mets farm system does not have any prospect yet ready to take that step into the majors. Madrigal can play second and third base. Igelesias may have been a better option than Madrigal because he can play short. I think Igelesias is looking for a solid deal by the Mets or any other team out there that needs his services. Madrigal may just be a bridge gap player at this time until the team replaces him if he breaks down. Madrigal needs to prove he can stay healthy and find that swing that made him a number one selection. This is pretty much a low risk high reward move. The Mets may have gotten Madrigal to agree to a minor league deal instead of giving a guaranteed one year deal. The Mets could still add Igelesias; it is not out of the question. Madrigal is only 27 years old and could be a late bloomer type of player in this league. I remember the White Sox hyped this guy up. He had some moments in those first two seasons. Injuries can deflate a player’s season. Some guys can overcome them more quickly than other guys. Leaving Chicago many players in all sports seem to thrive. The Big Apple is a tough place to play.

MAD MAX BEYOND THE BORDER

The Toronto Blue Jays are going to roll the dice on an aging pitcher to add to their starting rotation. Mad Max is heading North of the border to Toronto. The 40 year old RHP Max Scherzer has a one year deal to pitch in his 18th season for 15.5 million with the Blue Jays. Scherzer coming off a season with the Rangers where injuries sidelined him most of the year as he only made nine starts. At the age of 40, does Mad Max have any juice left in the tank to help the Blue Jays get back to the post-season?

Max Scherzer made his first start in the 2024 season on June 23rd as he was recovering from surgery where doctors repaired a herniated disc in his back. He then missed some time in August with shoulder fatigue. Then he ended his year in September with a hamstring injury. In the 9 starts he had a losing record of 2-4 with 3.95 ERA. He worked 43.1 innings striking out 40. He was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 2006 MLB draft in the first round 11th overall from the University of Missouri. He made his MLB debut with the snakes in 2008. Then he went to the motor city where his career took off and showcased why he was picked in the first round by the D-Backs. He pitched 5 seasons in Detroit. It was Washington where Mad Max spent the most time in one city which was 7 seasons where he helped the Nationals win their first ever World Series in 2019. He also helped the Rangers win their first ever World Series in 2023. He landed an insane amount of money from the Mets that paid him over 40 million per season. He also suited up for the Dodgers.The Blue Jays will be his 7th team he has played for. He has a decorated career winning three Cy-Young awards and is an 8x All-Star. His lifetime numbers have him with a winning record of 216-112 with 3.16 ERA as he has pitched in 466 games and457 of them were starts. He has worked 2,878 innings, struck out 3,407 batters, and should be a shoe-in to be enshrined in Cooperstown when he finally hangs up the spikes.

The Blue Jays this off-season have wiffed on some big names in the free agent waters. They were a part of the Juan Soto sweepstakes. They tried to land the young Japanese starter that popped up on the open market in Roki Sasaki. They saw Max Fried sign with the Evil Empire Yankees. They tried and failed with Corbin Burnes who chose the desert. Recently the Blue Jays did land a power hitting outfielder former Oriole Anthony Santander who was a free agent. If the Blue Jays can get a nice bounce back year from Max Scherzer, they will have a solid rotation from 1 through 5. The Blue Jays already have Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassit. They also have Bowden Francis, a 28 year old RHP, who pitched well down the stretch for the Blue Jays. He made 13 starts finished with an 8-5 record with 3.30 ERA in his second season in the MLB. The AL East is a very tough division with the Yankees and Orioles playoff teams from last year. The Rays are always in the mix. The Red Sox have retooled. The Blue Jays still have a powerful offensive line up. They have some pitching. If they can find post season Mad Max gives this rotation more experience in post-season play. This move is a worthwhile gamble. It’s not 40 million. It’s only a one year deal worth 15.5 million. Coming off any kind of surgery, it seems in year two is when these players find their old groove.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs come together on their second significant trade of this off-season. The two teams hatch out a deal involving two players and cash. The Cubs have found their new closer and acquire 36 year old RHP Ryan Pressly from the Astros. Houston will also send some cash to Chicago to help pay off some of Pressly’s contract. The Astros get a minor league pitcher in return. Juan Bello, a 20 year old RHP, will be heading to Houston.

In the first deal between the Cubs and Astros this off-season, Chicago landed right fielder Kyle Tucker from Houston. The last out of the 2022 World Series when the Astros prevailed over the Phillies, it was Ryan Pressly on the mound and Tucker catching the final out to seal the deal. To make this deal happen, Pressly had to waive his no-trade clause. He had a choice between the Cubs and Tigers as two trades were on the table. Pressly could have reunited with his former manager AJ Hinch in Detroit. Instead he picked the Cubs, perhaps to continue to play with his teammate Tucker. Maybe Chicago has better pizza.

The Cubs missed out on post-season last year as all signs point to their bullpen. This off-season on the Cubs to do list was sure up the bullpen. Since Pressly lost his closing role last year to Josh Hader, he had to settle for the set up role in 2024. Picking the Cubs, Pressly will be going back to the closing role in which he did well with the Astros when he got the job in 2020-23. He was originally drafted by the Red Sox in 2007 in the 11th round of the MLB draft out of high school. He made his MLB debut with the Twins in 2013 where he pitched parts of six seasons in Minnesota. He has twelve years in the MLB during which he has pitched parts of seven seasons in Houston.

Ryan Pressly is a 2x All-Star. Last season he had a record of 2-3 with 3.49 ERA in 59 games. He was called on to close some games as he converted 4 saves. He worked 56.2 innings striking out 58. His lifetime work in the MLB he has a 35-36 record with 3.27 ERA as he pitched in 623 games in the MLB. He has 112 saves. In 2020, the shortened pandemic season, he converted 12 saves. Pressly has done the job after that in full season action. In 2021 he converted 21 saves, in ’22, 33 saves, and in 2023 he had 31 saves.

The Cubs have been relatively close in the last two seasons for a wild card spot. Now having a solid guy in the closing role you should expect them to clear that final hurdle. They should still add some more arms to the pen before the season starts. If the Cubs can get into post-season, Pressly in 47 playoff games has 14 saves with an impressive 2.78 ERA. The NL Central is not a powerhouse division either. The Brewers lost their starting short stop to the Giants in free agency. The division is in reach for the Cubs. Ryan Pressly has that chip on his shoulder losing his job in the closing role last season. He did not pitch bad enough to be demoted. Josh Hader is one of the best in the game. Pressly should cash in with a solid year on the bump.

Is the Houston Astros dynasty come to an end? Hope so. Maybe the Astros call this retooling. Maybe they have enough young guys in their farm system to step up for some of the key guys that helped this dynasty for years going elsewhere. Juan Bello is in the top 30 players in the Cubs farm system. He is in his third season as a pro. He is native of Colombia. Last year he had an 3.21 ERA as a starter. He worked 89.2 innings and struck out 91 batters. What the Astros got back can be a hit or a miss. Bello is still young as he pitched Single A ball last year in Myrtle Beach. They have time to develop him as he has shown some nice things already in the Cubs farm system.

THE RETURN OF ADAM FRAZIER TO PITTSBURGH

Adam Frazier was drafted by the Pirates in 2013 in the 6th round of the MLB draft out of Mississippi State University. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates. He played his first six seasons with Pittsburgh. He was traded to San Diego before the recent rebuild where things have relatively stayed the same for the Pirates standings-wise. It’s just a new cast of characters on the Pirates ship. Frazier’s hiatus from Pittsburgh included post-season with four different teams in the last 3 1/2 seasons. The Pirates bring Frazier back on the cheap. He gets a one year deal worth 1.525 million.

Last year Adam Frazier played in 104 games for the Royals. The 33 year old infielder/outfielder had a batting average of .204 with 4 home runs and drove in 22. The Royals signed him last off-season hoping to get the numbers Frazier put up with the Orioles in 2023. That year he batted .240 with 13 long balls and drove in 60 as he played more games that year as he saw action in 141 contests. His best season came the year the Pirates traded him in 2021 when he earned his only All-Star appearance of his career. He has played for Padres, Mariners, Orioles, and Royals in that order and played in the post-season each season since he was traded. Lifetime Frazier has a .264 batting average with 60 home runs and has driven in 339. He is 97 hits away from the milestone of 1,000 which perhaps he can get that in a Pirates uniform.

This move by the Pirates signing Adam Frazier gives the team a utility guy that can play his normal position of second base and the outfield. He provides the team with another bat that can hit from the left side. He was a fan favorite. He’s a good club house guy. He has playoff experience if the Pirates make a threat for the wild card like they did last year all the way to the all-star break. Its a low risk high ceiling kind of move as the Pirates are not paying much. You get the guy that landed you Jack Suwinski in that deal with the Padres which is always a nice touch. Frazier will play with a chip on his shoulder so he can stay in Pittsburgh after this season. He has played on plenty of one year deals already. Look for home cooking it might be the meal he needs and going back to the black and gold uniform to get his MLB career back on track. Maybe at the end of regular season former players like Frazier and Andrew McCutchen with the young core of players assembled, we’ll be talking about the Pirates in post-season. The new rebuild and some former old pieces somehow come together to land a wild card spot.

TA’S CAREER HAS NOW HIT ROCK BOTTOM

Nicknamed TA or TA7, former White Sox number one draft pick Tim Anderson’s career has hit rock bottom. Usually athletes that leave the Chicago sports landscape seem to thrive. Anderson’s career started to decline last season with the White Sox. After the 2023 season, Anderson was a free agent and the writing was on the wall for him to go elsewhere as the White Sox organization hit an iceberg as a whole and was slowly sinking away. Anderson signed with the Marlins on a one year deal and would last only 65 games last season and was released as no other team picked him up with time left in regular season. Now Anderson is hoping & praying his baseball career is not done as he clamors to a minor league contract with the Angels and spring training invite to showcase his deteriorating skills are past him.

Tim Anderson is 31 years old & was once the face of the Chicago White Sox. He seemed like he was starting to be one of those faces of the MLB as well. Nine years in the Majors. He won a batting title. He has earned two All-Star appearances. He has a silver slugger award to his name. Last season in 65 games he had a depressing batting average of .214 with no home runs and drove in 9. I believe two of those RBI’s came on opening day with the Marlins. He had 50 hits. His power stroke seems to have vanished into thin air as those towering bat flips he used to showboat after he hit a long ball. Lifetime his batting average is .278 as he racked up over 1,000 hits. He has 98 home runs and has driven 347 runs. This is the guy who hit the walk off mammoth home run to slay the Yankees in the Field of Dreams game in Iowa. He is also the same guy that got laid out by the Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez in a fight that Anderson provoked.

How does Tim Anderson fit in with the LA Angels? The Angels already have a talented short stop in Zach Neto who would be playing in his third season in the MLB. Will Neto be ready for the start of the season? Neto did have shoulder surgery and may miss some time to start the 2025 season. The Angels did sign Kevin Newman, X Pirate, to help the team out at the short stop position. Newman can play third & second base and can be the Angels utility guy. Even if Anderson finds his old stroke with the lumber, he can’t slide into the DH role as the Angels acquired Jorge Soler who is a full time designated hitter. Anthony Rendon, the Angels third baseman, has been fragile since he signed the mega deal with LA. You could have Newman fill in at third and second while Anderson is starting short stop until Neto comes back. Anderson has played some second base. These are speculations. Anderson may not find his former self that made him a solid bat flipper years ago. You have to start somewhere to showcase that you can still swing the bat in the MLB and can still help a team having a roster spot with them.

SANTANDER WILL NOW FLY WITH THE JAYS LEAVING THE ORIOLES NEST FOR GOOD

The Blue Jays finally land one of the top 50 free agents in the pool. The Orioles right fielder’s big year last season pays off. When any player is playing on their last year of their contract it pays off if you have a career year like the 30 year old switch hitter had. Santander gets a 5 year deal worth 92.5 million from the division rival Blue Jays. The deal includes an opt out clause and a team option at the end for a sixth year that can bring the contract up to 110 million. The Blue Jays add power to their line up while weakening their division opponent.

Anthony Santander is a native from Venezuela and signed with the Orioles as an international free agent. He made his debut in Baltimore in the 2017 season. He has played all 8 seasons with only the Orioles. Last season Santander had a batting average of .235 with 44 home runs and drove in 102. He set a career high with home runs. Those 44 long balls was good for third place in the entire league only behind Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, which is impressive. Santander’s 44 home run outburst by a switch hitter is 5th most all-time in MLB history in a single season. The most dingers by a switch hitter since Astros’ Lance Berkman had 45 of them in 2006.

The last three seasons Santander has shown off his power numbers. In 2023 he had 28 long balls and then in 2022 he had 33 long balls. He racked up 140 hits last year and 25 of them were doubles. In 8 seasons he has a lifetime batting average of .246 with 155 long balls while driving in 434 runs.

The Blue Jays have been trying to add big name free agents to their squad this off-season. They were involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. They were in on the young Japanese starter, Roki Sasaki. They even tried to go after another former Oriole RHP, Corbin Burnes, who signed with Arizona. The Blue Jays missed the post-season last year with a 74-88 record. This may be one final gasp for the Jays if they don’t find their way back to the post-season. This will be the last year Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is under contract with the Jays. If the Blue Birds lay an egg this season, Vlad Jr. could be raking in millions elsewhere. Perhaps even traded at the deadline. The Jays may need to add more than just Santander to fill other holes they have on their roster. Santander will give the Jays’ meat of the order some power numbers definitely. Santander is not very good defensively, so the Jays may use him in the DH role. He may be able to play some first while you slide Vlad Jr. to man the hot corner. Why was Santander still out there at the end of January is something that should be kept on the back burner of your mind set as well. Some of these guys that have monster years right before free agency just go dormant when they finally receive that payday. Why did the Orioles let him walk off to a division rival? The Orioles may have already had his replacement in the works. The AL East is one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Jays need more additions to that roster. The Orioles should be doing something as well to get better going one and done in the playoffs the last two seasons. Last year, the Orioles were a wild card after winning the division the year before. Declining may not be the word right now. A pattern is happening.

2025 MLB HALL OF FAME CLASS

The votes are in for the 2025 class of the MLB Hall of Fame. Three players will be heading to Cooperstown this summer. To be enshrined in the baseball Hall of Fame you need to collect 75% of the vote to get in. You have to get at least 5% of the vote to stay on the ballot for ten years. Two players will be enshrined being on the ballot for the first time. While the other player finally gets in on his last try, the10th year being on the ballot. Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was a shoe-in to get into Cooperstown on his first try. He almost got every vote except one. Some baseball writer may need to get their voting card revoked. Then LHP CC Sabathia was the other one to get in on his first try. That left Billy Wagner finally getting enough votes to get through the finish line on his last season eligible. The south paw closer just missed getting in last year & will be dancing in the streets finally getting in at the buzzer.

ICHIRO SUZUKI: SEATTLE MARINERS (1st year) 99.7% of the vote

Suzuki will be the first ever Japanese born player to find himself in Cooperstown. He was a hitting machine in the MLB and before he arrived in the states, in Japan’s professional baseball league. If you combined his hit totals from both leagues he would be king. Combined in the states and in Japan, Suzuki had 4,367 hits while Pete Rose had 4,256. Suzuki had ten seasons in the MLB where he had 200 or more hits per season. He played 19 seasons in the Majors and 14 of them came in Seattle. Suzuki also suited up for the Evil Empire and the Marlins. He ended his playing career batting from the left side with .311 batting average as he racked up 3.089 Major league hits. He hit 117 long balls while driving in 780 runs. He swiped 509 bases. He scored 1,420 runs. He was a 10x All-star along with tallying up 10 golden gloves on defense. He was a 3x silver slugger award winner along with winning the batting title twice. He won an MVP. He was an All-star MVP as well. He also won rookie of the year.

CC SABATHIA: NEW YORK YANKEES (1st Year) 86.8% of the vote

Sabathia started his career with the Indians but he spent most of his career in the Pinstripes which was 11 seasons. He pitched in the MLB for 19 seasons and 8 of them were in Cleveland. He pitched a half season in Milwaukee where the Indians eventually traded him to Brew Town. Sabathia pitched in 561 games which one game came out of the bullpen. He finished his career with 251-161 record while posting a 3.74 ERA. He struck out 3,093 batters working 3,577.1 innings. In 19 seasons he was a 6x all-star. He won one Cy Young award. He helped the Yankees win a World Series in 2009. He also earned himself the MVP of the ALCS one year. He is one of three south paw pitchers in MLB history to have over 3,000 strike outs. Number 1 is Randy Johnson who had 4,875. Number 2 was Steve Carlton who had 4,136 K’s.

BILLY WAGNER: HOUSTON ASTROS (10th year) 82.5% of the vote

Wagner played 16 seasons in the MLB. He never started a game as he pitched in 853 games all from the bullpen. He finished his career with a 47-40 record and a solid 2.31 ERA. He was one of the top closers in the league during his playing days. He suited up for 5 teams and he wore the Astros cap the longest which was 9 seasons. He pitched in New York as a Met for 4 seasons. He also had stops in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Boston. He was a 7x all-star. He was the Rolaids relief player of the year. He converted 422 saves in 16 seasons. He is 1 out of 8 players in MLB history to be in the 400 save club.

NEXT UP

Carlos Beltran & Andruw Jones are not far off from 75% of the needed vote to get in Cooperstown. Jones has 2 years left of eligibility while Beltran is in good position only in his 3rd season on the ballot.

THE REST OF THE VOTING FOR THE 2025 FINISHED LIKE THIS

 

NAME	YEARS ON BALLOT	VOTING PERCENTAGE
Carlos Beltran	3	70.3
Andruw Jones	8	66.2
Chase Utley	2	39.8
Alex Rodriguez	4	37.1
Manny Ramirez	9	34.3
Andy Pettite	7	27.9
Felix Hernandez	1	20.6
Bobby Abreu	6	19.5
Jimmy Rollins	4	18.0
Omar Vizquel	8	17.8
Dustin Pedroia	1	11.9
Mark Buehrle	5	11.4
David Wright	2	8.1
Torrii Hunter	5	5.1

DID NOT MAKE IT

All these others in thier first year on the ballot have dropped off it in year one not getting 5% or more of the vote.

Ian Kinsler 2.5%, Russell Martin 2.3%, Brain McCann 1.8%, Troy Tulowitzki 1%, Curtis Granderson .8%, Carlos Gonzalez .5%, Fernado Rodney 0, & Ben Zobrist 0,

DODGERS STARTING ROTATION LOOKING LIKE THE JAPANESE WORLD CLASSIC TEAM

Next season Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the pitching mound this season after recovering from his elbow surgery that did not allow him to pitch in 2024. The Dodgers last off-season also signed one of the best starters from the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) team in veteran Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This after signing the big deal that landed Ohtani who is a two way player in baseball. Now the Dodgers sign another Japanese pitcher, a younger arm in 23 year old Roki Sasaki. LA is getting the band back together from the Japanese World Classic team that will now be pitching on American soil.

If Roki Sasaki pitched two more seasons in the NPB and then came to the states, he could have gotten the Yoshinobu Yamamoto money and got a 12 year deal worth 325 million from the Dodgers. If you are younger than 25 years of age, the MLB considers the player an amateur international free agent. The Dodgers will have Sasaki on a rookie deal and have control over him for six seasons. The Dodgers did include a 6.5 million dollar bonus to get his signature on the contract to lock him in on the Dodgers dynasty dream team. Sasaki has electric stuff which includes a 100 MPH fast ball. He has a wipe out splitter. He pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines in the NPB and on April 10th of 2022, he pitched an epic perfect game. He faced the Orix Buffaloes who would go on later that season to win it all. His perfect game he had 19 strike outs versus the Buffaloes. At one point of the game he rang up 13 consecutive batters. Sasaki pitched for the Japanese team that won the gold in the World Baseball Classic. In two games he pitched against two different countries. It was Czech Republic and Mexico he faced and he struck out 11 totals batters which included some MLB hitters such as Randy Arozarena and Alex Verdugo.

The Chicago White Sox actually had a reliable connection to Roki Sasaki. Former second baseman from the White Sox from Japan Tadahito Iguchi who played for the 2005 White Sox champions. Iguchi was the manager of Sasaki’s team in the NPB, the Chiba Lotte Marines. I know no way this young stud is going to join the worst team in baseball, the White Sox. Timing is never right for the White Sox. If the White Sox last rebuild was a success and the core of players they drafted and traded for were still playing in Chicago and if the team was a fixture in the playoffs. This guy could be a White Sox right now. They talked to many teams throughout the league. The final three teams it came down to were the Blue Jays, Padres, and Dodgers. The Padres have a Japanese pitcher on their roster. Yu Darvish who is the Padres ace of their staff and the best weather in the league is in San Diego. The Blue Jays, I’m not sure what they were offering to keep lingering in the Sasaki sweepstakes. One reason why Sasaki picked the Dodgers was stability of their front office and manager. Does not hurt to have two of the best Japanese stars in the game whether with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani. I will have to go back to the White Sox on this potential signing if they were a good team from that last rebuild. The stability of that White Sox front office and management in the dugout is not very stable even if they somehow kept winning from that last rebuild. The White Sox owner is a giant buffoon. The White Sox would have dropped the ball somehow even if Sasaki had the pen in his hand and was about to sign the contract. That’s the difference. When you have a dream team like the Dodgers you get the top notch ball players. The White Sox are too busy looking for their players in the gas station dollar bin with those terrible flavored bottle of waters no one wants drowning in a pool of water which used to be ice from several months before when the clerk placed them out there.

BOB UECKER LIVED LIFE THAT TASTED GREAT AND WAS LESS FILLING

Bob Uecker was nicknamed Mr. Baseball by the king of late night, talk show host Johnny Carson. Uecker won a World Series in 1964 with the Cardinals. He played six seasons in the big leagues. It was what Uecker did after his playing career was done that makes him such a great huge icon in the game of baseball. He was born in Milwaukee and became the voice of the Brewers after playing for his home town team in Wisconsin during the 1960’s, at the time the Braves, who would move to Atlanta. His comedy mixed in with his play by play commentary landed him in Cooperstown as a legendary baseball announcer. Growing up in the 1980’s, Uecker was a pitchman for those great Miller Lite commercials. With that catchy slogan & taste great less filling debate. Uecker also starred in a sitcom that lasted six seasons, Mr. Belvedere on ABC. Then maybe his best character of all-time on the big screen, Harry Doyle, as a baseball announcer for a bad Cleveland Indians team in 1989’s Major League. Then Major league II in 1994 which was a well done sequel. At 90 years old we lost one of the greats this year. Bob Uecker passes away from his battle with a spot of lung cancer.

“I signed with the Milwaukee Braves for $3,000 dollars. That bothered my dad at the time because he didn’t have that kind of dough,” he said, “but he eventually scraped it up.”

Bob Uecker had plenty of jokes about his own decorated baseball career. After serving in the U.S Army he signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956. In 1962 he made his MLB debut with the Braves. He played six seasons total, the first two seasons with his home town Milwaukee Braves. He would head to St. Louis and be a part of their 1964 team that won the World Series. He played in Philadelphia & then wound back up with the Braves, but this time they were now residing in Atlanta in 1967, his last season he played. Uecker was a back up catcher. He tallied up 731 At-Bats at the Major League level as he played in 297 total games in six seasons. He racked up 146 hits with a batting average of .200. He had 14 long balls, drove in 74, and scored 65 runs. His two best moments in his playing days he’d tell you was the intentional walk he got from Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax and the run down he escaped versus the Mets.

When Milwaukee got another baseball team, Bob Uecker became the voice of the Brewers in 1971 which was their second year. Former baseball commissioner Bud Selig purchased the bankrupt Seattle Pilots and moved them to Milwaukee to become the Brewers. Selig was a friend of Uecker’s and originally hired him as a scout. Then moved him to the broadcast booth which payed off dividends. Uecker spent 54 seasons as the Brewers radio play by play man. Uecker became one of the first color commentators on a major network, ABC, to broadcast a baseball game in the 1970’s. In the 1990’s he worked with Bob Costas and Joe Morgan doing some of the World Series games on national television. In 2003 Uecker would make it to Cooperstown as a baseball announcer as he received the Ford C Frick Award and his 20 minute speech had everyone rolling in their seats laughing. He claimed he should have been enshrined as a player.

Bob Uecker’s comedy was contagious and took Hollywood by storm. Playing the part of Harry Doyle, announcer of a bad Cleveland Indians baseball team in the movies Major League 1 & 2 left people in stitches. With lines like a, “JUST a Bit outside,” referring to Charlie Sheen’s character the Wild Thing throwing the ball a mile away from the plate.

His character was George Owens on the sitcom for Mr. Belvedere that went for six seasons tallying up 122 episodes in the 1980’s on ABC. The plot of Mr. Belvedere was an English butler played by actor Christopher Hewett who was taking care of a middle class family household with kids due to having two working parents. Uecker portrayed a sports writer and the show was set in Pittsburgh. Then Uecker would appear on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in over 100 appearances.

The Brewers have two statues of Bob Uecker, one outside Miller Park which now is called American Family Field. The other statue of Uecker is him in the nose bleed seats there. One of the Miller Lite commercials he thinks he’s sitting up close at a baseball game with his Miller Lite. The usher at the game keeps taking him further up into the stands until he’s way off into the distance in the nosebleed seats by himself.

You could say Bob Uecker’s comedy was better than when he played the game of baseball. When he used his comedy along with his baseball knowledge of the game, he became one of the best baseball announcers of all-time. Guys like Uecker are homers. Guys that get behind their team and act like a fan behind the microphone and call the game the way it is. Not sugarcoat it when the team is playing good, bad, or just ugly. The Cardinals, White Sox, and Cubs had Harry Caray. The Dodgers have Vin Scully. The White Sox also had Ken the Hawk Harrelson who is still alive but retired. These guys would bleed their team’s colors and were loved by their fan base. These guys seem like a dying breed in the game of baseball. Which is a shame. You have to like Uecker being a Homer in the town of Milwaukee where he was born and raised. Then played as a player with the Braves. Then called the new baseball team that came into town, for over 50 seasons. No one will come close to that in Brewers history. If they do it will not be legendary like all his broadcasts that he did in Brew Town. Let’s raise your glass of beer and toast the Miller Lite pitchman and Brewers long time announcer. Remember all the funny things he would say over the years. All that comedy & all that baseball he served up did taste great. All the comedy that kept us laughing we became less full working all the muscles from laughter. We will definitely miss a Bob Uecker as a great broadcaster and comedian. RIP BOB!!!

WHITE SOX ADD VETERAN STARTER TO ROTATION

One of the many things on the off-season “to do list” of the White Sox General Manager, was find a veteran pitcher to pitch for the Southsiders in 2025 in the starting rotation. Chris Getz, the White Sox GM, found his man a south paw – 33 year old veteran Martin Perez. The White Sox were the worst team in baseball. They have assembled a slew of younger arms that have tested the waters last season with many of them getting their first action in the Majors. With a guy like Perez who has 13 seasons in the MLB mostly as a starter, he could be an asset to the young guys and a guy who can possibly stop the bleeding on a long losing streak. The White Sox and Perez agree to a one year deal worth 5 million.

Martin Perez is from Venezuela and was originally signed by the Texas Rangers where he ended up making his debut. He has pitched 9 seasons in Texas which was two stints with the team. The second stint he helped the Rangers win their first ever World Series title in 2023. Last year Perez split time with the Pirates who he signed with in the off-season & then was dealt to the Padres at the deadline. He has also suited up for the Twins and Red Sox as the White Sox will be his 6th team he has played for. His best season came in 2022 when he had a record of 12-8 with 2.89 ERA and earned his only all-star appearance. In 2023, he did win 10 games for the Rangers. Last year was not so great in the first half, but he redeemed himself pitching for the Padres down the stretch with 3-1 record while posting a 3.46 ERA in 10 starts. Last year combined with the Pirates and Padres, he finished the year with a 5-6 record while posting 4.53 ERA as he made 26 starts. In 13 seasons he does have a winning record of 90-87 with a 4.44 ERA. He has pitched in 314 games making 269 starts as he has worked over 1,500 innings and struck over 1,000 batters.

The off-season rumors had a former White Sox south paw perhaps returning to Chicago in Jose Quintana. Which would have been a nice signing, but my thoughts are Quintana could be a nice option for a team that can make the playoffs. Quintana had some success with the Mets. Once you fly first class going deep into the post-season, there’s no need to return to coach and play around with a bad team like the White Sox. Quintana pitched some gems in a White Sox uniform and did not get the run support back then. Why would you want to rack up no decision after no decision or one run losses in return to the White Sox? The Martin Perez’s are really the only option unless you get lucky with a free agent signing like they did last year signing Erik Fedde after a great year in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) in 2023. Perez is 10 wins away from reaching the 100 milestone. He would get plenty of starts to achieve that goal with the White Sox. I’m sure he wants to showcase his talent with a good season to get that free ticket to the playoffs and be dealt at the trade deadline. Just like last season. Perez should be a good mentor for the young guys just preparing each season, each game as he has done for 13 years could help the rest of the rotation grow. The White Sox rotation with Perez lines up after with Jonathan Cannon, Davis Martin, and Sean Burke. Last year I liked what the team got from Cannon and Burke down the stretch. The team also is high on Drew Thorpe who has a ton of potential. This is a decent move by Chris Getz. This is the type of move we did expect as well.

VERLANDER HEADING TO THE BAY

The San Francisco Giants saw one of their top pitchers opt out his contract to head back into the free agent market to sign with the rival Dodgers. How do you compete in the NL West? The division has three stacked teams as the Giants are trying to be in the same conversation as them and avoid being the hapless Rockies that reside in Colorado. The Giants’ answer to their vacant spot in the starting rotation is to tap into Justin Verlander to bleed anything he has left in that arm to give San Francisco a chance. Verlander, a 3x Cy Young winner, will see his dreams come true pitching at Oracle Park, one of the coolest looking stadiums in baseball. The Giants bring the 41 year old RHP to the west coast on a one year deal worth 15 million.

Justin Verlander has a mile long list of accomplishments in the MLB for 19 seasons. He is a 9x all-star, won the triple crown in pitching, 2x World Series champion, 2x ERA title holder, MVP, ML POY award, and was ALCS MVP. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st round number two overall in the 2004 MLB draft from the Old Dominion University. He spent 13 seasons in Detroit. Seven seasons in Houston and then got a ridiculous 2 year deal by the Mets not long ago that was worth 86.7 million dollars. He did not survive very long in the Big Apple as he was traded back to Houston to live out the rest of that deal. Last year, he suffered shoulder and neck injuries that limited him to only 17 starts. His record was 5-6 with 5.48 ERA. In 19 seasons Verlander’s record is 262-147 with 3.30 ERA in 526 games – all starts. He has over 3,000 innings and over 3,000 strikeouts.

Can Justin Verlander reach the 300 win mark as he is 38 wins away from that milestone? He missed the entire 2021 season but came back in 2022 and was a new man. He went 18-4 with 1.75 ERA for the Astros that year. In 2023 he went 13-8 with the Mets and Astros. He may need like three seasons more, with double figure wins to achieve that goal. For the Giants, Verlander in his 20th season could be a nice 3rd or 4th guys to stable the starting rotation. The Giants have Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Kyle Harrison as their big 3 big arms in that rotation. This is only a one year deal by the Giants which is smart because of his age. If he does well and the Giants as a team doe not Buster Posey and the front office can trade him back to Houston at the deadline. The Giants seem to still need a few more pieces if we want to put them in the same conversation as the Diamondbacks and Padres. They may be several more pieces away from putting them in the same conversation as the Dodgers.

PIRATES FIND THEIR CHAPMAN REPLACEMENT IN THE PEN

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been mostly quiet this off-season. Taking last place in the NL Central last year you get that feeling you don’t have to add much to this roster. It’s the way of the Pirates to be planted in the basement and stay wilted year after year. The Pirates sign a south paw reliever for their bullpen to replace LHP Aroldis Chapman who bolted to Boston as a free agent. The Pirates ink 28 year old Caleb Ferguson to a one year deal worth 3 million.

Caleb Ferguson was originally drafted out of high school by the LA Dodgers in the 2014 MLB draft. Last year he split his time with the Yankees and Astros in his first year not pitching in LA. He has six seasons under his belt and 5 of them he wore the Dodgers blue uniform. Last year combined for the Yanks and Stros, he pitched in 62 games all out of the bullpen as he had 1-4 record with 4.64 ERA. He worked 54.1 innings, converted 1 save opportunity, and struck out 67 batters. In 2020 he helped the Dodgers get to the post-season. That year he had a 2-1 record with a 2.89 ERA in 21 games and made one start. He was left off the post-season roster due to injury. He needed the dreaded Tommy John surgery and would miss the World Series as well as the entire 2021 season. In 2022 back from the injury, he pitched lights out in 37 games and he had 1.89 ERA which is sick in a good way. In six seasons he has a 19-13 career record with 3.68 ERA in 263 games. He started 21 games over his career. He has worked 261.2 innings while striking out 314 batters while converting six saves.

Not sure the Pirates are upgrading their bullpen with this move. Caleb Ferguson is great pitching against left handed batters, but right handed batters can see him very well at times. Aroldis Chapman could do it all. He was effective against both sides of the plate. He can be used in a set up role. Situational role. Plus Chapman is one of the best closers in the game. Ferguson is a nice piece, so don’t get me wrong. He may be used more as that mercenary for hire when they need to get an out to a left-handed slugger as a situational role. I’m sure he can cover some innings as well. He had more appearances than innings worked last year. Let’s not forget your current closer David Bednar struggled last season closing the door in the 9th. The Pirates still need to make more moves here if they ever want to leave the basement of the standings in the NL Central.

WHITE SOX NET ONE OF THE RIPPLES IN THE FREE AGENT WATERS

We know the Chicago White Sox are not going to catch the big fish in the free agent market. Why would any of the top tier free agents sign with the White Sox? They are in a full-blown rebuild. These are the days which we seem to be accustomed to being a White Sox fan watching all these new prospects in hopes more than one will pan out. It is always good to add some veterans to the mix. The White Sox may have found a ripple of hope in the shallow end of the waters the south side front office likes to fish at. That is 30 year 3rd baseman Josh Rojas who played in Seattle last season.

Josh Rojas was non-tendered by the Mariners this off-season making him a free agent after parts of two seasons in Seattle. The Arizona native was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 2017 MLB draft from the University of Hawaii. He made his debut with his hometown team the Diamondbacks where he spent parts of 5 seasons before being dealt to Seattle. Last year Rojas played in 142 games for the Mariners and had a batting average of only .225 with 8 long balls and 31 RBI’s. He is a solid defender that can play second base and short stop along with what he has played the most in the majors, third base. He has 6 seasons in the Majors and has racked up 460 hits. He has a lifetime batting average of .247 with 34 long balls while driving in 189 runs.

Why is Josh Rojas a ripple of hope for this 2025 White Sox team? Rojas seems like he is the same type of guy as Nicky Lopez, a veteran slick defender who can’t really swing the lumber. Lopez was a guy that can play multiple positions and hometown guy the White Sox landed in a trade with the Braves last year. Lopez, like Rojas, was non-tendered in November by the White Sox. Rojas is an upgrade over Lopez as he can get the team more production with the lumber. Rojas bats from the left side and throws with his right arm. Rojas has played with bad teams like the Diamondbacks in 2021 who lost 110 games that season. According to some reports, Rojas turned down the Cubs to join the White Sox, which is a better team. Rojas is looking for steady playing time. If he does well he may get that instant ticket to the playoffs as a trade chip by the White Sox at the deadline. From Rojas’ interviews, he was impressed with the organization with all the young talent they have assembled and the plan they have. Could Rojas be a keeper after next season and ride out the re-build until the team wins? I’m sure he is saying all the right things and is a guy that will look for a multi-year deal next season at this time. The White Sox will have several moves like Rojas, like they had last year in one year deals or minor league invites to spring training. This one looks more promising than others. I like Rojas doing his homework on his future. My guess is the White Sox new manager Will Venable has seen Rojas play up close the last two seasons in Texas and told the front office this guy may be a nice fit this season. The Rangers and Mariners meet about a dozen times a year. That’s enough games to evaluate a player and know him in scouting reports. This move has that ripple of hope looking at all the angles on this signing.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins strike up an inter-division trade between the two teams. The deal involves 4 players. Three minor league players and one at the big league level. The Phillies acquire veteran LHP Jesus Luzardo and minor league catcher Paul McIntosh. The Marlins get back two Phillies prospects which include short stop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd.

The Miami Marlins are selling off all their pieces that are not nailed down as the franchise is in another full rebuild. The Marlins got two young speedsters that can swipe some bases. The short stop Starlyn Caba is 19 years old & played in Single A ball last year in the Phillies farm system. He is native of the Dominican republic. In two minor league seasons he has a batting average of .252 with 66 stolon bases.

Emmaarion Boyd is 21 years old and was selected in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB draft out of high school. He played at High A ball last year in the Phillies farm system. He has three seasons in the minors and has a batting average of .256 with 91 stolen bases. The Marlins traded away a veteran pitcher that has not hit his full potential and an older minor league catcher for two younger prospects. Jesus Luzardo would not be around by the time the Marlins start winning again. If one of these players can make it to the big leagues and be productive, it might be a savvy trade down the line for this Miami organization.

The Phillies are looking to solidify their starting rotation by getting Jesus Luzardo, a 27 year old south paw. Luzardo was originally drafted by the Nationals back in the 2016 MLB draft in the 3rd round. He made his debut with Oakland and has been with the Marlins the last 4 seasons. He has six seasons under his belt and only made 12 starts last year as he dealt with elbow and back issues.

Last year Jesus Luzardo had a record of 3-6 with 5.00 ERA as he tossed 66.2 innings. His best year was in 2023 where he went 10-10 with 3.58 ERA in 32 starts. His life time pitching record is 26-34 overall with a 4.29 ERA as he has pitched in 105 games of which 89 of those were starts. He has also converted two saves.

The catcher the Phillies get back in this deal is 27 year old Paul McIntosh, a guy that was drafted originally by the Dodgers in the 2018 MLB draft in the 34th round from Motlow State Community College. Motlow State, as I was curious and found out, hails from West Virginia. In 4 minor league seasons, McIntosh has a batting average of .249 with 45 long balls.

The Phillies have one of the explosive line ups in baseball. The Phillies won the NL East but once again stumbled in the playoffs. Pitching beats great hitting as you ask the Phillies line up that question when it comes to post-season play. The Phillies starting rotation is pretty solid with Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, and Christopher Sanchez. Adding Jesus Luzardo gives Philadelphia 5 solid guys. They are hoping they can tap into Luzardo’s talents to get the best out of him as he has shown some flashes of being a nice solid option every 5th day. He still has those dreaded hiccups from time to time. The Phillies have control over Luzardo for two full seasons. Luzardo may benefit with the better line up in Philly giving him the run support he needs to overcome a bad inning or bad pitch. Since he pitched for the Marlins the last few seasons, he knows all the teams in the NL East. If he can stay healthy and perhaps the Phillies tweak something, they may have added a solid piece right here.

YANKEES PLAN B OR C NETS THEM A GOLDSCHMIDT

When it comes to Paul Goldschmidt, you wonder how he is only a plan B for any organization in need of a first baseman. Goldschmidt was the NL MVP in 2022 and is a 7X All-Star with 4 golden gloves and 5 silver slugger awards. The Yankees lost in the Juan Soto sweepstakes trying to re-sign one of their own. The Evil Empire who just lost the Dodgers in the World Series needed to regroup. They needed a plan to replace that offensive production they got from Soto. They at least better come close. The Yankees acquired Cody Bellinger from the Cubs who can play first base and the outfield. Then with some chump change they found in one of their Tie Fighters’ seat cushions they were able to finagle Goldschmidt for a 1 year deal worth only 12.5 million. How were they able to make that happen is the million dollar question.

Paul Goldschmidt is getting up their in age at 37. He is coming off a down year in his own opinion about his performance with the lumber in his last seasons wearing the Cardinals duds. His average dropped to .245 as he had 22 long balls and only drove in 65. Many players would want those numbers but they are not golden in Goldschmidt’s baseball world. Goldschmidt has racked up 2,056 hits with a career lifetime batting average of ,289 in 14 seasons in the league. He has knocked 362 balls into the seats. He has driven in 1,187 runs. He was an 8th round draft pick in the 2009 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks from Texas State University. He made his debut with the Diamondbacks and played there 8 seasons. The last six seasons Goldschmidt called St.Louis home. Now he will be heading to the American League for the first time and his third organization of his career.

Paul Goldschmidt had a bad start out of the gates of 2024 and it lasted a few months. He went through a skid of 0-32 which is a nightmare for aging players and younger guys trying to stick to the major league roster. He had a game unlike himself where he struck out 4 times. His fifth at-bat of that game he singled to avoid the 5 strike out game he has never had in the majors. Many teams like to gamble on guys that had a bad season and hope they rebound. Goldschmidt actually batted .283 from late July and on, with 7 home runs driving in 25. He found his swing and betting 12.5 million on this rebound looks like a for sure guarantee. Goldschmidt will replace Anthony Rizzo at first base who the Yankees really had no plans on re-signing. This move keeps the Yankees line up deadly. This move will not get the offensive production this team had with Juan Soto. With Soto and Rizzo numbers, you will not get those same numbers with Bellinger and Goldschmidt. The Yankees may get better first base production with Goldschmidt over Rizzo with the bat and glove. In a way it’s an upgrade. It’s a low risk high ceiling upgrade with the amount they are forking over to the 2022 MVP. Goldschmidt will be playing to have a better year which is obvious. A chance to get a ring should help his own performance and help they Yankees as a team. You’re getting a guy with high baseball IQ and solid all around for a bargain price.

CHARLIE MORTON GETS BETTER WITH AGE

Charlie Morton is 41 years of age and still wanted by the contenders throughout the league. Morton was drafted way back in 2002 by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the MLB draft from high school. Nobody ever heard of Morton it seems even though he was on those good Pirate teams when they went to the playoffs from 2013-15. Since 2017, Morton has had 5 seasons where he won 14 or more games. He has won two World Series titles one with the Astros in 2017, the other with the Braves in 2021. Now he is going back to the AL East where he has pitched before with the Rays and helped them go deep into the post-season in 2019 and 2020. Now he has signed with the Orioles for a one year deal worth 15 million.

Charlie Morton has pitched for 17 seasons in the Majors. He spent the most years in Pittsburgh which was 7. He had two stints with the Braves for 5 seasons and Atlanta was where he pitched last season. It was a down season last year for Morton. His record was 8-10 with a 4.19 ERA as he made 30 starts working 165.1 innings. In 2023 he went 14-12 for the Braves with 3.64 ERA. In 2021, the year the Braves won it all he went 14-6 with 3.34 ERA. He seems to have a track record of one good year/one okay year. He may be due for a solid season in 2025. His lifetime record is 138-123 with 4.01 ERA as he pitched in 383 games of which 382 were starts. His career has been the tale of two halves. He has found success later in his career as he earned himself two all-star games.

The Orioles lost their ace Corbin Burnes as he signed with the Diamondbacks for a big monster deal. Burnes was acquired by the Orioles from the Brewers and they knew he was going to be a free agent after last season. Baltimore could not extend him. The Orioles did sign a Japanese starter this off-season in Tomoyuki Sugano. Now with the addition of Charlie Morton, they may make up the production of Corbin Burnes or at least they hope they have. Morton Sugano will join a starting rotation that features Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, and Dean Kremer. At the age of 41, Morton still throws one of the best curve balls in the league. The Orioles are a very talented team but took a step backwards last year and got to the playoffs as a wild card, not the division winners with the best record in the AL in 2023. The Yankees won the division and went to the World Series. The Orioles the last two seasons have not won a playoff series. The first team they faced in the last two seasons dispatched the birds very quickly. The AL East will be challenging with the Yankees, but the Red Sox have improved. The Blue Jays coming off a down year still have fire power in their everyday line up. The Rays find young pitching every year that keeps them winning a ton of games. Every team would like to have Burnes. Morton is no ace, but he can be a 3rd or 4th guy that can pitch every 5th day and give your team a chance every time he goes out there to win the game.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX OFF-SEASON TRADE

The White Sox and the Red Sox will do a sequel after their first deal of the off-season that sent Chicago’s ace Garrett Crochet to Boston. Knowing the White Sox luck in dealing with the Red Sox on multiple trades over the years, this will surely be another stinker like Weekend at Bernie’s Part II. This go around the White Sox land a relief pitcher for a minor league prospect in a two player deal. The White Sox will get 32 year old LHP Cam Booser from Boston. The Red Sox get RHP 18 year prospect Yhoiker Fajardo, a native of Venezuela.

The Red Sox signed veteran LHP Aroldis Chapman this off-season in free agency. That signing probably made Cam Booser expendable. The Red Sox will get one of the best pitchers in the Dominican summer league. Yhoiker Fajardo was the White Sox number 30 prospect in their farm system. He signing with the White Sox as an international free agent. He has a 95 MPH fast ball and a nice slider pitch he probably uses as his eliminator pitch to get the batter to strike out. He is only 18 years old and obviously he still needs to develop into a Major League pitcher as his body is still growing as well.

Cam Booser made his MLB debut last season at the age of 32. He became the oldest player in 77 years to debut for the Red Sox. Booser has been a career minor league player for 10 seasons. He missed three seasons along the way probably due to injuries. He has had Tommy John surgery, multiple elbow scopes, and kept going after his dream to play in the Majors. It probably started in high school where he broke his femur in a football game as he rebounded and continued playing sports .He was signed by the Twins as an UN-drafted free agent. He has bounced around ever since until he got his opportunity last year with the Red Sox. After he was promoted to the big leagues he pitched in 43 games, so he stuck. He had a 2-3 record with 3.38 ERA. All 43 games came out of the bullpen. He even converted a save. He worked 42.2 innings while striking out 43 batters. He must have did good enough for another team to trade for him. He will get plenty more opportunities pitching on the south side of Chicago as the White Sox were the worst team in the MLB last season. Booser is familiar with Chicago as he pitched for one of the local minor league teams there in 2021.

The Chicago Dogs play in the American Association, a minor league independent league. They actually were a pretty good squad that year. The White Sox will get another left handed pitcher in the bullpen which it is always good to have multiple south paws. Booser has a fast ball that reaches up to 95 MPH. His cutter hits at 88 MPH. The White Sox give up a unknown talent to get Booser. The front office also could flip Booser into something more at the trade deadline if he does well. I’m sure it’s been done in Hollywood multiple times as I think of the movie, The Rookie. Which is about a older guy who’s a baseball coach who goes back after his dream of pitching in the majors. Booser has that type of story like Rocky Balboa, a guy who overcame. I’m sure his story will be burned into the minds of White Sox fans from spring training and beyond the season.

BELL IS PLANNING TO RING IN DC

The Washington Nationals have suddenly beefed up their line up with some interesting power guys. First the Nationals made a trade with the Rangers and acquired first baseman Nathaniel Lowe who hits for average mostly but can still hit plenty of balls into the seats. Now the Nationals are bringing in another first baseman, a familiar face to Nat’s fans, for his second stint with the team – 32 year old Josh Bell. The switch hitting first baseman will probably dabble mostly at the DH position in 2025 & is coming back on one year deal worth 6 million.

Josh Bell was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2011 MLB draft out of high school in the second round. He made his debut with the Pirates & then after 5 years he was traded to the Nationals. He played parts of two seasons in DC and then was traded to San Diego with Juan Soto. Bell has also played for the Guardians & Marlins when they traded him to the Diamondbacks last trade deadline. Last year splitting his time in Miami and Arizona, he batted .249 with 19 long balls while he drove in 71. In 9 seasons he has .258 batting average with 171 home runs while driving in 613. He has racked 1,042 hits so far in his career.

Once upon a time ago you would have thought Josh Bell would be a fixture in Pittsburgh or any other organization because of being a switch hitter with power from both sides. In present day he has become that popular mercenary needed at the trade deadline for some team trying to make a playoff push. He could be expendable by July if he plays well for the Nationals. The Nats have a young group assembled and nobody knows when they will all gel together and take the next step. The NL East is very tough with the Braves, Phillies, and the Mets. You can say the Nat’s are better than only the Marlins in the division. The playoffs for the Nationals this year is unlikely. The Nationals can use Bell as their DH with Nathaniel Lowe at first. This gives you two solid guys in the everyday line up. These two guys will help them win more games. You want the younger talent on any team to learn to win as a group. Sprinkling in a few veterans in the line up and on the pitching staff can speed up your rebuild. Getting the confidence, learning the game, and preparing for the long grind of a season. It’s only a one year deal and you have a trade chip on this deal signing Bell. A guy like Bell is never unpacking the suitcase or buying any house in the city he plays for.

TAKING THE WALK FROM THE NORTH SIDE TO THE SOUTH SIDE

Mike Tauchman is staying in Chicago but not with the Cubs. It will not be the first or last time a player has played for both Chicago teams. Last two years, Tauchman has played for the Cubs which perhaps was the team he rooted for growing up as he is a local kid from Palatine, Illinois. Palatine is a Northern suburb of Chicago where fans are born in Cubbie blue. This will not be the first time a local kid has played for the White Sox and Cubs. Tauchman is seeking more playing time which is probably the biggest reason to sign with the White Sox who were the worst team in baseball last year. Tauchman gets a one year deal worth 1.950 million. It’s a deal that includes a 250,000 bonus for relocation if traded at the deadline. The White Sox are not going anywhere this year in full rebuild at the beginning stages. If Tauchman does play well, he will be a trade chip for the team at the deadline. He also has a chance to earn another million in the deal with incentives.

Mike Tauchman is 34 years old and was originally drafted in the 2013 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies from Bradley University which is located in Peoria, Illinois. Tauchman made his major league debut with the Rockies in 2017. In seven seasons, he has played for 4 different organizations that includes the Yankees and Giants. The White Sox will be his 5th team he has suited up for in the MLB. In 2022, Tauchman took his talents to the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) where he played a season with Hanwha. He then signed with Cubs when he returned to the states. Last year Tauchman played in 109 games & had a batting average of .248 with 7 home runs and 29 runs driven in. Tauchman has pretty much been a bench player his entire career where he played in 474 games in 7 MLB seasons. He has racked up 293 career hits with a batting average of .241 with 32 long balls and has 155 RBI’s in his career so far.

The White Sox are not going to get the cream of the crop in free agency by posting a record of 41-121 last year setting the mark for the worst record in the modern day era. The White Sox this off-season so far have signed Austin Slater, another career bench player that plays outfield. Adding these guys they are going to give their all in each game because they want to play more & they want to be starters in the league. They come cheap. They have chips on their shoulders. They are here to fill the gap until the younger guys can grasp the Majors. Mike Tauchman is an interesting signing because he is a local kid that would play for both professional baseball teams in town. He has built up some nice moments playing for the Cubs in unsung hero type of moments. He had a walk off home run against the White Sox at Wrigley last season to give the Cubs a 7-6 win and a sweep at the same time. On defense he stole a potential walk off home run at the end of July when the Cubs were taking on the Cardinals. He has some game on defense and with the lumber. He gives the White Sox a left handed bat for the line up. Not sure the White Sox will sell out of Tauchman jerseys next season, but as a fan this will be an interesting story to follow. Maybe the local kid lands the team a nice prospect at the deadline is all you should wish for. He will not be playing on the team the next time the White Sox have a winning season.

THE PITTSBURGH PRODIGAL SON RETURNS FOR ANOTHER SEASON

Everyone knows that Andrew McCutchen wants to finish his baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates were the team that drafted him. He was the face of the franchise of the Pirates’ last post-season streak of three straight seasons playing playoff baseball that started in 2013, ’14 and then ’15. He has played 11 seasons in Pittsburgh out of the 16 seasons he has played in the MLB. He came back to Pittsburgh in 2023 signing a one year deal. Same thing in 2024 on another one year deal. He completes the hat trick signing a one year deal worth 5 million to return in 2025.

Last year Andrew McCutchen played 120 games for the Pirates. Once a full time outfielder, he now plays most of his games in the DH role. He batted .232 last year with 20 long balls while driving in 50. McCutchen is a former MVP, 5x all-star and has won 4 silver slugger awards. The Pirates traded McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants in 2018. The Giants ended up trading him in the same year to the Yankees. He has also played for the Brewers, and the Phillies. In 16 seasons with the lumber, he has a career batting average of .273 with 319 long balls and has driven in 1,095 runs. He has tallied up 2,152 hits.

Andrew McCutchen is 38 years old and is still productive with the bat. He is a great guy in the club house. He has been a good mentor for this young nucleus that the Pirates assembled in this long rebuild. The fan base loves him. He is in the top ten in most offensive categories in Pittsburgh Pirates history. I would love to see the Pirates make it back to the post-season with McCutchen contributing on a regular basis. This is a low risk high ceiling type of move and it has worked wonders the last few seasons. I would like to see the Pirates add more to this roster to put them over the top in the NL Central which is a winnable division for any team that resides there.

SNAKES LAND THE KING COBRA OUT OF THE FREE AGENT WATERS

The Arizona Diamondbacks make a statement in the baseball world by signing the best pitcher in the free agent market. Former Oriole and Brewer, Corbin Burnes is coming to the desert, on a 6 year deal in a contract worth 210 million. The 30 year old RHP will also have an opt out in the contract after the 2026 season if he wants to return to the free agent market after two seasons. With this move, the D-backs have a solid starting rotation from 1-5 in which Burnes now will be the ace of this staff.

Corbin Burnes was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 4th round of the 2016 MLB draft from St. Mary’s College of California. He pitched six seasons in Brew Town and obviously made his debut with them. He was traded last off-season to the Baltimore Orioles where he pitched one season. Burnes did his job for the only season he pitched there setting a career high record in wins with a 15-9 record and remarkable 2.92 ERA. He made 32 starts while tossing 194.1 innings with 181 strike outs. Burnes is a former Cy Young winner as he took home the award with the Brewers in the 2021 season. Burnes is a 4x All-Star and has won an ERA title. In seven seasons he has posted a winning record of 60-36 with 3.19 ERA pitching in 199 games of which he made 138 starts.

The Diamondbacks finished last year with an 89-73 record and just missed a wild card spot on the last day of the season. The D-Backs are a young team with plenty of talent who went all the way to the World Series in 2023 but lost to the Rangers. The Diamondbacks starting rotation starts now with Corbin Burnes, along with veteran Eduardo Rodriguez, then Zac Gallen, Merril Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt. That is a solid rotation that could tame solid hitting with teams in their own division such as the Padres and the World Series champs, the Dodgers. The Dodgers are built like some kind of dream team with those 1990’s NBA loaded rosters that played in the Olympics. This is a solid move by the Diamondbacks a team that scored the most runs in the league last season which can help a pitcher on a bad day at the office. Today the D-Backs made a statement in the NL West and the rest of the National League saying they will get back to the post-season.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

Cody for a Cody – straight up in a trade involving the Cubs and Yankees. The Yankees have acquired first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Cubs in exchange for RHP Cody Poteet. It’s a two player deal between New York and Chicago with cash involved. The Cubs will fork over 5 million dollars to help pay off Bellinger’s salary.

The Yankees could not re-sign one of their own in the Juan Soto sweepstakes as they saw him sign with the cross-town Mets. That leaves a hole in the outfield for the Yankees. Some sources have said the Yankees will let their first baseman Anthony Rizzo walk in free agency. That leaves the AL champs with two holes to fill. Landing Bellinger can fill one or the other positions they need. He can play any of the outfield positions or first base.

Cody Bellinger was originally drafted out of high school by the Dodgers in the 4th round of the 2013 MLB draft. Bellinger’s first season in Dodger blue, he won rookie of the year. He helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020. He is a 2x all-star and 2x silver slugger winner. He plays solid defense as he has won a gold glove. He was clutch in the post-season as well as a former NLCS MVP. Bellinger has fallen on hard times as he batted .165 in 2021 and then .210 in 2022. He revived his career signing with the Chicago Cubs for 3 years at 80 million. He opted out after the first season with the Cubs, eventually re-signing with them last season. Last year his average was .266 with 18 home runs as he drove in 78. In 8 seasons he has racked up 942 hits. He has a .259 batting average with 196 long balls and has driven in 597 runs.

The Yankees will be his third team he will suit up for. As he spent 6 in LA and 2 in Chicago. Now going to New York he has locked in the three biggest cities and markets in the states. Cody’s father Clay played for the Bronx bombers back in 1999-2001. The Yankees will be getting a left handed bat to take advantage of that short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium. Bellinger is a guy that can hit for power and average. He is not a replacement by himself for Juan Soto. With the addition of Bellinger it still keeps that Yankee line-up deadly and they get a guy with playoff experience. I’m sure the Yankees are not done adding to this roster this-off season.

The Cubs suddenly do not need the services of their Cody in Bellinger. The Cubs made a splashy deal with the Houston Astros acquiring right fielder Kyle Tucker who is a left handed bat. The Cubs will move their old right fielder Seiya Suzuki to the DH slot. By trading Bellinger, they can give Michael Busch all the reps at first base. In centerfield, the Cubs love Peter Crow-Armstrong. With the younger guys stepping up it was time for Bellinger to go. Perhaps the Cubs found another starter for their rotation with this deal.

The Cubs are hoping 30 year old Cody Poteet is ready to pitch an entire season at the MLB level. Poteet was a 4th round draft pick in the 2015 MLB draft by the Marlins from the University of California. The Cubs’ new Cody made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Marlins where he pitched in 7 games. In 2022, Poteet pitched in only 12 games. In 2023 he was sidelined with an injury as he was recovering from surgery. He did get some action in the Royals Triple A farm team, the Omaha Storm Chasers. He was released at the end of the season as the Evil Empire picked up his services. Last year he did well for the pinstripes as he only pitched in 5 games and he made 4 starts. He had a perfect 3-0 record with 2.22 ERA as he tossed 24 innings. At the MLB level, he has 24 games to his name with a 5-4 record in 13 starts and 3.80 ERA. The Cubs could have found themselves a gem or one of those guys where injuries follow them.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals have struck a deal in a trade involving two players. The Rangers have acquired LHP 28 year reliever Robert Garcia from the Nationals. The Nationals get first baseman 29 year old Nathaniel Lowe for a much-needed position Washington needed to address this off-season. It’s two major league players being swapped by both teams.

The Rangers a few weeks back made a deal for infielder Jake Burger from the Marlins who has played some first base along with second and manning the hot corner. Some said Burger may have been thrown into the DH slot. Apparently this move made Nathaniel Lowe expendable. The Rangers get a piece for their bullpen. Every team needs a south paw. Even having multiple left handed arms in your bullpen is not a bad thing.

Robert Garcia was originally drafted by the Royals in 15th round of the 2017 MLB draft from the University of California. He has two seasons under his belt and made his debut with the Marlins in 2023 as he split time in his first season with Miami and Washington. Last year for the Nats, he pitched in 72 games & had a record of 3-6 with 4.22 ERA as he tossed 59.2 innings. He struck out 75 batters. In 2 seasons all out of the bullpen, he has a 5-8 record with 4.03 ERA in 97 games. He has a solid fast ball, change up, and slider which is most likely his wipe out pitch. The Rangers bullpen features Josh Sborz, Daniel Robert, and Hoby Milner at the back end so far.

The Nationals have been a serious rebuild since winning the World Series back in 2019. They were in need of a first baseman and with Nathaniel Lowe they have control over him for the next two seasons. Lowe will join a pretty young team that these guys may look at him as the mentor since he did help the Rangers win a World Series in 2023.

Nathaniel Lowe was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th round in the 2016 MLB draft from Mississippi State University. Lowe has six seasons under his belt as he played with the Rays two seasons and has been with the Rangers the last 4 seasons. He has won a gold glove so he plays solid defense. He can swing the lumber as he has one silver slugger award so far in his career. Last year he played in 140 games & batted .265 with 16 long balls while driving in 69 dudes. In six seasons Lowe has a batting average of .272 with 89 long balls while driving in 329. He bats from the left side of the plate but fields throwing with his right hand. In 2022 he had set a career high of 27 home runs. He can give the Nationals that presence from the left side. He has some power but hits for average as he sprays the ball all around the field. Depends how fast this team grows as perhaps Lowe could be a pillar of this team when they get good again.. If he plays well and the team is still growing, he could be a potential trade piece at the deadline for the Nationals. Flip him for another piece you need down the line.

TORRES ESCAPES THE DEATH STAR AND HEADS TO THE MOTOR CITY

After seven seasons working with the Evil Empire, the 28 year old second baseman Gleyber Torres is taking his talents to Detroit. The Tigers are an upcoming team with plenty of young talent assembled. They made the post-season last season as they knocked off the Houston Astros in the first round possibly ending their dynasty as well. The Tigers looking to add more veteran presence this off-season sign the native from Venezuela to a one year deal worth 15 million to play second base in the Motor City.

Gleyber Torres originally signed with the Chicago Cubs when the organization assembled a young core of position players to build a World Series team. Torres was expendable and part of the deal that the Cubs needed to land a closer at the trade deadline in 2016 when they acquired LHP Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees. At the time Torres was a 19 year old short stop and the Cubs top prospect. He was at the time ranked the 24th prospect in baseball according to the MLB Pipeline. Chapman would help the Cubs win the World Series and then sign back with the Yankees the next season. Torres would make his MLB debut with the Yankees as a second baseman. In seven seasons, Torres was a 2x all-star. Last year he batted .257 with 15 long balls, drove in 63, and helped the Yankees get to the World Series. In a Yankee uniform, Torres had a lifetime batting average of .265 with 138 long balls while driving in 441 runs. He has racked up 870 hits in those first seven seasons of his career.

Gleber Torres had some interest from multiple teams but chose the Tigers. I’m not sure the other teams offered Torres a multi year contract. He chooses Detroit’s one year deal as he hopes to bet on himself and turn the one year deal next season into a bigger contract with more years & more money. The Tigers will use Torres as their starting second baseman and slide Cole Keith to first base. That means Spencer Torkelson could be the Tigers full time DH or could be a guy on the trading block as he struggled last year. Torres is reunited with his former teammate from the Cubs farm system, in Javier Baez. He’s the Tigers short stop & a guy who played on that 2016 Cubs team that won the World Series. The Yankees will slide Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base to replace Torres. The Tigers are definitely looking to infuse some more offense production into their every day line up as Torres can swing the lumber. Torres had 18 errors at second base last year for the Yankees. That is 6th most in the MLB. The Yankees at one point of the season benched Torres because of his bad defense. It’s a move many teams have done before – sacrificing defense for offense. The Tigers made it to the post-season as a wild card team as they were one of the hottest teams in the second half of the season. Sometimes you are playing with fire trying to improve the following season & changing things up, forgetting how you got there. Adding veterans to a younger core has been a recipe that has worked for teams in the past multiple times. The good thing is Torres will be playing with a chip on his shoulder and on a one year deal. He may play better not being a Yankee with a magnifying glass on you all the time.

REMEMBERING BELTIN’ BILL

Beltin’ Bill Melton was the home run king in the American League in 1971. Melton played 10 seasons in the MLB from 1968-1977 with three teams he suited up for. The White Sox signed the third baseman right out of high school and he made his debut in the MLB, May 4th 1968. He played 8 seasons on the south side of Chicago. Then had one season each with the California Angels before finishing his career with the Cleveland Indians. Melton was born July 7th, 1945, unfortunately had some kind of illness, and passed away this month at the age of 79.

I never saw Bill Melton play during the 1970’s. I did appreciate after his playing career was over he did pre- and post-games for the White Sox for years including my favorite year of all. The 2005 World Series winning White Sox. I thought he was one of the better options as an analyst the team had since the days I started watching White Sox play. He had great insight and mixed in some great stories of his playing days. He was enjoyable to listen to as he broke down every game, win or loss, and was a straight shooter about how the team played that day. Or how any particular player did.

In ten seasons in the majors Bill Melton finished his career a batting of .253 with 160 home runs and drove in 591 runs. He scored 496 runs and racked up over 1,000 hits. In 1971 he was the home run king as he hit 33 long balls that seasons and earned his only all-star appearance. He hit 154 career home runs for the White Sox which was the most by any other player in the history of the organization & for over a decade he held that record. It was Harold Baines who hit his 155th in 1987 to break Melton’s record. Beltin’Bill is still in the top ten present day at number 9 on the White Sox All-Time Home Run list.

Bill Melton was born in Mississippi. He played his high school ball in the state of California. Then his journey to the south side of Chicago with the White Sox. He was traded to the Angels. Then the Angels traded him to the Indians as he finally hung up the spikes for good. He would finally go back home with the White Sox working the television broadcasts and did things in the community for the organization. He passed away at his home in Arizona. When he played he wore those red hats with the White Sox logo embroidered on the cap. The red pinstripe uniforms were awesome looking as one of the best in franchise history. It sounds like he was a fan favorite during his playing days. Mentally I have a list of guys from the White Sox past, not present & obviously you know why, of unsung heroes that played the game the right way like Melton did. I probably would have had him on my list if I was watching those 1970’s teams play. Always heard some great stories from that decade. As a fan it is not always the superstar or the highest paid player we love. It’s guys like Melton who have the cool nickname, do the little things right, and deliver the big blow in crucial parts of the game. Rest In Peace!! Thank you for all your great insight and amazing stories over the years.

THE BOSTON TOMMY JOHN PARTY

The Boston Red Sox have been on the market the last few seasons collecting pitchers who have had recent Tommy John surgery or have just recovered from it. The Red Sox are building their pitching staff with guys with new tendons that support their throwing arms. They will give one of the recent Dodgers World Series heroes a one year deal to pitch for Boston in 2025 and leave the only place he has known in the MLB, LA. Walker Buehler signs with the Red Sox for 21 million for one season after closing the door on the Yankees in game 5 of the World Series registering the final out to seal the deal for the Dodgers.

Walker Buehler had his second Tommy John Surgery in 2022 and missed the entire 2023 season. Buehler is 30 years old, returned during the 2024 regular season, and made 16 starts for the Dodgers. His regular season did not go well with a record of 1-6 and very high 5.38 ERA. When it came to the post-season, Buehler found his old groove and pitched 4 shut out innings in the NLCS in a win over the Mets. Then he tossed 5 more shutout innings against the other New York team, the Yankees, in the World Series and that was also a win for the Dodgers. Then came back on one day’s rest to lock down game 5 versus the Yankees to seal the deal. Originally Buehler was drafted out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He went to college and then was drafted a second time out of Vanderbilt University by the Dodgers in the 1st round of 2015 MLB draft. He is a 2x all-star and has helped the Dodgers win two World Series titles, the first one coming in 2020. He has been in the MLB for 7 seasons and has a winning record of 47-22 with 3.27 ERA in 131 games, which 122 of them were starts. His best season was in 2021 when he went 16-4 with 2.47 ERA as he pitched over 200 innings that season.

It is an interesting signing indeed by Boston. The Red Sox acquired Garrett Crochet from the White Sox this off-season who only had one season in the MLB as a starter. He missed an entire season in 2022 due to needing Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox also have Patrick Sandoval who is expected back by next August as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Then they expect Lucas Giolito to finally make his debut with the Red Sox in 2025, a guy that missed last season with surgery who they signed in the off-season. Giolito is another X-White Sox hurler like which they also have Liam Hendricks, another guy who missed last year with Tommy John surgery. Hendricks is a closer and he is also an X-White Sox. The Red Sox also have some holdovers from last year that actually pitched in Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford. Buehler and Crochet are risky moves but could be two big time arms next season for the Red Sox. If Buehler finds his old groove, you have to love his playoff experience. You have to love how he shut down the Yankees, the Red Sox arch rival in the World Series. This pitching staff for Boston may be broken down next year or all firing on all cylinders. If all these guys pitch like they did on the back of their baseball cards, the Red Sox could be a team you will not want to face in the post-season or the regular season.

ELOY JIMENEZ HITS ROCK BOTTOM SIGNING MINOR LEAGUE DEAL WITH RAYS

Once upon a time ago, Eloy Jimenez was the number three prospect of the MLB pipeline. A native from the Dominican Republic, he was originally going to be the next Sammy Sosa at Wrigley Field mashing the cover off the baseball sending what’s left of it out of the stadium on Waveland Avenue. The Cubs needed some pitching and they traded Jimenez to the other side of town with the Chicago White Sox. He was hyped still as the next superstar slugger penciled in at the meat of the order for the White Sox rebuild. He was going to be the pillar at the left field position and part of the future dynasty for the Chi Sox. White Sox gave him a contract extension I believe before he even made his MLB debut. It was a sure thing. Then injuries followed Jimenez around like a stalker with a plan of action. Then he was finally dealt to Baltimore last season at the deadline. The Orioles did not pick up his 16.5 million dollar option making the DH/left fielder a free agent for the first time. The Rays inked Jimenez with an invite to spring training on a minor league deal. It feels like his baseball career has gone lower than the lowest you can place the limbo stick.

Eloy Jimenez is only 28 years old and many thought he would be getting a hefty deal during his prime baseball years. I don’t blame the Orioles for not picking up his option. He played 33 games for the O’s and batted .232 with 1 long ball and drove in only 7 runs. He was left off the Orioles playoff roster. Last year combined with the Orioles/White Sox he played in 98 games. He batted .238 with 6 home runs and drove in a total of 23 runs. In six seasons he has won a silver slugger award. He has a life time batting average of .269 with 95 home runs while driving in 298 runs in six seasons. In six seasons he has only played in 534 games as he has racked up 528 hits.

The question was always with Eloy Jimenez: What if? What if he could stay healthy and play 150 games per season? His numbers would be solid. In 2019 he played in 122 games and had a batting average of .267 with 31 home runs while driving in 79. He is a great hitter. He’s not just swinging for the fences and/or striking out. He makes contact and gets singles and doubles. On defense he is a liability to himself and others in the outfield. Like telling a kid to stop running with scissors. His injuries can be bizarre trying to rob a home run to jumping over the dugout railings to celebrate a walk off home run. He loves to smile as he will speak into the cameras telling his mom, “Hi.” He is a good teammate. I’m not sure how you keep this guy healthy to avoid these freaky injuries. He still gets hurt being the DH. Unless the MLB has a guy that runs out of the box for you at home plate after he makes contact. Him running down to first base has derailed him. Maybe wrap him up in bubble wrap. You would like to see him do well because he seems like a good person. The Rays have had success in giving sluggers in the past a chance to bounce back on a minor league deal after a down year or two, and guys have done well. What everyone says is if he can avoid the injuries, this guy can be nice a DH. That’s for any team in the league that needs a power guy who can do more than just hit the ball over the fence.

GUARDIANS BRING BACK FAMILIAR FACE TO PLAY FIRST BASE

The Cleveland Guardians quickly found their first base replacement after they traded away Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks. The Guardians sign Carlos Santana to a one year deal worth 12 million. It will be Santana’s third stint with Cleveland as he has played ten seasons by Lake Erie, the team he made his MLB debut with. Santana is 38 years old & a native from the Dominican Republic who is very familiar with the AL Central. Last year he played for the Twins and he has also played for the Royals besides the 10 seasons in Cleveland. Santana turned down a two year offer by another city he played for in Seattle, but chose to return to Cleveland which is closer to his off-season home in Kansas City.

The switch hitter first baseman still has power as he launched 23 balls into the seats last year suiting up for the one and only season in Minnesota. Carlos Santana has played for seven teams in a 15 year MLB career. The other cities he has played in were Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee. Santana played in 150 games last year and batted .238 with those 23 home runs while driving in 71. Santana has a career batting average of .242 with 324 home runs while driving in 1,082 runs and racking up 1,789 hits. He has earned one silver slugger award, one golden glove award, and made it to one all-star game in his career.

The Guardians are going older rather than younger at their first base position going with Carlos Santana over Josh Naylor. Santana will give the Guardians better defense than Naylor. Santana will give the Cleveland line-up a switch hitter. Santana is a great club house leader and class act locker room guy. I’m sure the guys will miss Naylor, but some of them were teammates of Santana before Josh came to Cleveland. Naylor is the better, bat but Santana can be productive. Santana has durability because even approaching 40 he still puts up numbers and plays almost every day. This is a replacement where right now Cleveland should not miss a beat from last season.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Cleveland Guardians and the Arizona Diamondbacks strike up a deal involving two players and draft pick. The Diamondbacks will find their new first baseman as they land left-handed slugger Josh Naylor from the Guardians. The Guardians will get RHP Slade Cecconi who has only 27 games under his belt at the Big League level. The Guardians will also get the Competitive Balance Round B draft pick from the D-backs to seal the deal.

The Arizona Diamondbacks watched their old first baseman Christian Walker get scooped out of the free agent waters by the Houston Astros as they gave him a 3 year deal worth 60 million. Walker hits from the right side with power and played solid defense.

The Diamondbacks will sacrifice the Christian Walker defense, get more power, and run production out of Josh Naylor with this trade. Naylor is 27 years old and heading into the prime years of his baseball career. Naylor earned his first all-star nod last season. He will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Originally he was drafted by the Marlins in 2015 MLB draft in the first round. Naylor made his MLB debut with the Padres. He is a Canadian who has played six seasons in the big leagues, 5 of them with Cleveland.

Last year Josh Naylor had a monster year with the lumber. He had a batting average of .243 with 31 home runs which was a career high while driving in 108. In six seasons in the MLB, he has a .262 batting average with 84 total long balls and has driven in 343 runs. He joins the D-backs who led the MLB in runs with 886 of them. Naylor helped the Guardians get to the ALCS last year and they were knocked out by the Yankees. Now Naylor can try to get the Diamondbacks back to the playoffs, which they missed post-season this year by a game in the last day of regular season. The D-backs were in the 2023 World Series where they lost to the Rangers. Naylor will leave Cleveland and his brother Bo, who right now is still one of the Guardians catchers.

It has to be frustrating to be a Guardians fan. You expect Josh Naylor to be a pillar in your line up with Jose Ramirez for years to come. Now the Guardians have traded away half of their starting infield from last year’s team that went deep into post-season. The Guardians first deal their second baseman Andres Gimenez to the Blue Jays. Now they have dealt Naylor to the D-Backs. In return they get a draft pick in the Competitive Balance Round B. Then they get a young pitcher still unproven at the MLB level.

Slade Cecconi was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft as he was selected 33rd overall out of the University of Miami. He made his MLB debut for the short cup of coffee in 2023. Last year he pitched in 20 games of which 13 of them were starts. He had a 2-7 record with the devil’s 6.66 ERA. He worked 77 innings and struck out 64 batters. His lifetime record is 2-8 with 6.06 ERA. Seems not much for the talent of Josh Naylor. I give the Guardians credit because they have done well developing young pitching prospects. I imagine Slade will be slated into the starting rotation at some point if they can figure out how to get that ERA down. This is what Cleveland does. They will trade away superstar talent right before they are due to get paid. Naylor will be a free agent, so now they do not have to worry about extending him or letting him walk away for nothing in return.

WALKER TEXAS ASTRO

Many have wondered what the Houston Astros plans this off-season are. They have traded their all-star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs for a third baseman. Many are thinking they are not going to re-sign their old third baseman Alex Bregman who remains in free agent waters. Rumors around the league are they tried to pry the Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arendo away from St.Louis. Finally the Astros made a move to signal that the franchise is retooling, not exactly ending, the dynasty by addressing their first base issues they have had for the last few seasons. The Astros sign the Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker to a 3 year deal worth 60 million.

Instead of Walker Texas Ranger we now have Walker Texas Astro. Christian Walker is 33 years old and refused the D-Back qualifying offer making him a free agent after 8 seasons in the desert which included getting to the World Series. Walker is a power hitting first baseman that can play solid defense as he won 3 gloves in ten year MLB career that started in Baltimore. That was the team that drafted in the 4th round of the 2012 draft out South Carolina University. Last year Walker played in 130 games for the snakes and batted .251 with 26 long balls and drove in 84 runs. Lifetime he has a batting average of .250 with 147 long balls and has driven in 443 runs.

The Astros tried to solve their first base issues throwing money at aging veteran Jose Abreu, former White Sox slugger. Abreu was a disappointment in Houston, but once an RBI machine with power, he lost his swing and was demoted to the minor leagues. He made his way back to the big league club but eventually had the same problems as Houston pulled the plug and ate the rest of his contract. If the Astros let Bregman walk, do they have enough fire power between their new corner positions on the diamond to make up for the lost of one their pillars of the dynasty? Christian Walker is an upgrade at first. The new third baseman from the Cubs, Isaac Paredes, is a younger option than Bregman. Not an upgrade right now. Paredes did have a nice year in 2023 with the Rays/Cubs as he hit 19 long balls. The Astros should be the same if you think of it as moving Bregman to first base and having your numbers drop slightly at the third base position instead of first. Instead of Bregman it’s Walker. They both hit 26 home runs last year as Bregman had a better average by 9 points. The Astros are still weakened by trading Kyle Tucker to the Cubs leaving them a hole in the outfield. The Astros have plenty of time to patch that hole.

SOROKA HEADING BACK TO FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS

Once a promising pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, Michael Soroka was ravaged by injuries missing two consecutive seasons in a row. The Braves trade him to the White Sox last off-season. The 27 year old RHP Soroka was able to get through a full season but had some bumps in the road. As a starter, it did not go well for him. He did land on the injured list. Then came back and was very effective pitching out of the bullpen for the White Sox in the second half of the season. Soroka cashes in on his effectiveness in the pen and lands a one year deal with the Washington Nationals worth 9 million to be a starter once again. He heads back to where it all started, the NL East, where he played most of his career with the Braves.

Michael Soroka has 5 seasons under his belt in the MLB. He arrived to the White Sox with 5 others in a trade that sent Aaron Bummer to Atlanta. While the White Sox sorted through the pile of heap they landed. Soroka had a record of 0-10 as he appeared in 25 games of which 9 of them were starts. He tossed 79.2 innings and had an 4.74 ERA. From the Bullpen Soroka did well pitching 36 innings and had a 2.75 ERA which was remarkable. Back in 2019 he was a young impressive arm for Atlanta. He had a record of 13-4 with 2.68 ERA. Arm problems sidelined him in 2021 & ’22. For his career, he now has a record of 17-18 with 3.67 ERA in 69 games of which 52 were starts. He has worked 326 innings in his career.

Some articles said the White Sox should have kept Michael Soroka. Keep him in the bullpen for the 2025 season. You know he wants to be a starter and that’s why he signed with the Nationals who are in rebuild. The Nat’s have some young talented rotation that features Jake Irvin, MacKenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker, and DJ Herz. Soroka could be that veteran presence young rotations need. The Nationals know if Soroka fails as a starter he can be used in the bullpen. The Nationals are hoping Soroka has something to prove with a chip on his shoulder to find that old 2019 Atlanta form. If the Nationals are not in contention and if Soroka does well, they could flip him at the trade deadline. It is low risk high ceiling award in this deal for the Nats. As for the White Sox they did not tender and offer to infielder Nicky Lopez in the off-season. They still have LHP Jared Shuster, RHP Riley Gowens, and short stop Braden Shewmake from that Aaron Bummer trade. We will monitor that deal in the future to see if it gained any legs for the White Sox or is just still a smoldering pile of flaming compost.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros strike up a deal, two teams I can’t stand. The deal involves 4 players which three of them are established in the big leagues. The Astros get the 3 players for 1 deal. The Cubs have acquired 27 year old right fielder Kyle Tucker from Houston. The Astros will land third baseman Isaac Paredes who is 25 years old, RHP Hayden Wesneski who is 27 years old, and third baseman prospect 21 year old Cam Smith from the Cubs to seal the deal.

In my head I nicknamed Kyle Tucker the Fucker Tucker. When I first saw this right fielder in action was playoff baseball versus my White Sox. This is a guy you want on your team but hate facing him at least from a fan perspective. He will rob you blind of potential extra base hits. He will devastate your team hitting the long ball as he bats from the left side and seems he always delivers the blow in big games. SHOCKED!! Why would Houston give up on him? The Cubs will only have Tucker under control for the 2025 season as he will be a free agent and will expect to be paid. Maybe the Astros want something in return for a talent like him knowing he will go elsewhere.

Last year Kyle Tucker only managed to play in 78 games because of a shin injury. In 78 games he batted .289 with 23 long balls driving in 49. That is the kind of production you want and that is not even a full season. Tucker has 7 seasons in the MLB, all in Houston. He is a 3x All-star and gold glove winner. He has a silver slugger award to his name. He helped the Astros win the World Series in 2022. He was drafted out of high school in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft 5th overall. In 7 seasons he has a career batting average of .274 with 125 long balls and has driven in 417 runs while racking up 615 hits. It looks like the Cubs will move their old right fielder Seiya Suzuki to full time DH while Tucker will take over right field.

Not sure what the Astros are up to. Is this a total rebuild and the end of their dynasty? Will they re-sign one of their own in the free agent waters in Alex Bregman? A pillar at the 3rd base position throughout the entire dynasty. The Astros may have his replacement in Isaac Paredes.

Isaac Paredes is younger than Bregman but not an upgrade. Rather a cheaper option if they don’t get a deal hammered out. Paredes has 5 MLB seasons under his belt, a native from Mexico. He originally signed with Detroit where he made his MLB debut. The Cubs acquired him last July at the deadline from the Rays. He has only played a half of a season with the Cubs. Last year he batted .238 with 19 home runs and drove in 80 for one of his better seasons with the lumber. Paredes has made one all-star game. His life time batting average is .232 with 72 total long balls and he has driven in 234. He is young and if he keeps improving he may be a nice option for the long run.

The Astros also get a swing man type of pitcher in Hayden Wesneski. In 68 games in three seasons in the MLB, Wesneski has made 22 starts as he has worked out of the pen and is making spot starts. The Cubs acquired Wesneski in 2022 from the Yankees and he made his MLB debut with the Cubs that same year. Last year his record was 3-6 with 3.86 ERA as he pitched in 28 games of which seven of them were starts. In three seasons he has a record of 9-13 with 3.93 ERA.

The final piece of this deal may not be nothing or could be something special for Houston. The 21 year old Cam Smith was a number one pick by the Cubs just this past summer. He went 14th overall from Florida State University. He is a third baseman and in 32 games in low minor league ball he was batting .324 with 7 home runs while driving in 24. The Astros are cheats, and we know that. This franchise built a dynasty by drafting and making savvy moves. Could Smith be that savvy move here? If the Cubs don’t sign Kyle Tucker to a long term deal this entire trade will favor the Astros. Stay tuned!

PITTSBURGH PIRATES OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cleveland Guardians strike up a deal involving 4 players. It’s a 3 for 1 deal in favor of Cleveland. The Pirates think they may have their future first baseman in Spencer Horwitz who played in Toronto last season. He will be headed to Pittsburgh. The Guardians get RHP Luis Ortiz who was the Pirates swing man last season as he dabbled out of the bullpen and became a nice piece for the starting rotation. The Guardians also get two left-handed pitching prospects in Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy.

Spencer Horwitz was actually traded twice in one day. The Guardians before the Pirates struck a deal that had a trade between the two franchises. That deal involved 4 players. The Blue Jays acquired second baseman Andres Gimenez and reliever Nick Sandlin from the Guardians. The Guardians in return got first baseman Horwitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell. The Guardians already have a solid first baseman in Josh Naylor so they flipped Horwitz to Pittsburgh, a team in need of first baseman.

The Guardians main headliner in the deal with the Pirates is the 25 year RHP Luis Ortiz. He is a native out of the Dominican Republic and has parts of three seasons under his belt, all with Pittsburgh. Last year Ortiz appeared in 37 ball games and made 15 starts. He had a record of 7-6 with 3.32 ERA. He worked 135.2 innings and even converted a save. The Pirates used Ortiz as a swing man making some starts and coming out of the bullpen. In 3 seasons his record is 12-13 with 3.93 ERA in 59 games during which he has made 34 starts. He has worked a grand total of 238.1 innings and has racked up 183 strikeouts. The Guardians re-signed their ace this off season in Shane Bieber. They lost Matthew Boyd who helped them in the second half to the Cubs as he was a free agent. The Guardians starting rotation also features Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen. Not sure how they will use Ortiz in 2025. He may be a better option then some of these guys in the rotation.

The Guardians land two pitching prospects in this deal. They get Michael Kennedy who the Pirates drafted out of high school from New York. Kennedy is 20 years old and had 18 appearances last year in a lower minor league level and had a 3.66 ERA. He was drafted 4th round in 2023. The other left handed pitcher is Josh Hartle who the Pirates drafted in the 3rd round in this summer’s MLB draft. He is out of Wake Forest University and is only 21 years of age. The only action he’s seen this season in the minor leagues was one game as he worked 1.2 innings in total.

Could this trade with the Guardians be the final solution at the first base position for years to come? Spencer Horwitz was drafted in 2019 in the 24th round of the MLB draft from Radford University. He made his MLB debut in 2023 where he played in 15 games. Last year Horwitz played in 97 games for the Blue Jays as he finished the season with a .265 batting average with 12 home runs and drove in 40. He racked up 87 hits. In parts of two seasons he has 112 games under his belt and has a .264 batting average with 13 home runs and 47 RBI’s. He throws with his right hand but bats from the left side. He has high on base percentage.

The Pirates have been platooning the first base position for years. I hate to see Luis Ortiz go but getting a pillar at the first base position is much needed. Horwitz is only 27 years old and will fit in well with the guys his age who are in the same boat becoming fixtures in Pittsburgh for years to come. The Pirates could add some pitching through free agency to replace Ortiz if needed. They may have the replacement in house. The Pirates also lost Aroldis Chapman in free agency and losing Ortiz they really have two spots to fill on their pitching staff. Horwitz looks like a guy that has paved his way in the MLB for years to come so this could be a very exciting move to watch in 2025 to see this guy hit the baseball and field his position. I know the Pirates front office has much more work to do to find a way to get this team in the playoffs.

THE LATE DICKIE ALLEN FINALLY GETS HIS TICKET PUNCHED TO COOPERSTOWN

From 1964-1974, Dickie Allen was one of the most feared hitters in baseball. He was one of the premier power hitters during that span where he had six seasons of more than 30 home runs. He played 15 seasons in the MLB, nine with the Philadelphia Phillies being the team that signed him out of high school. Allen made his MLB debut at the age of 21. Somehow he fell through the cracks of the Baseball Hall of Fame voting ballot after he hung up the spikes. He missed getting in the Hall of Fame by one vote from sub-committees that vote on guys that fell through the cracks. Finally the Classic Baseball Era committee voted him this month as he got 13-16 votes from the 16 judges who have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame based on what they did in the game of baseball. The 13 votes gave Allen the 75% he needed to be eligible to be inducted and he will be a part of the class of 2025 heading to Cooperstown. Allen passed away at the age of 78 in December of 2020. When July 27th arrives and the festivities kick off that wonderful weekend at Cooperstown, his family and Allen from the baseball heavens will be watching his number being called.

Dickie Allen suited up for five different teams in his 15 year career. Besides the Phillies, he played with the Chicago White Sox for 3 seasons. He also suited up for the Dodgers, Cardinals, and the Athletics for one season each. His first season in the MLB, Allen won rookie of the year honors. He was a 7x All star. He won the MVP award in 1972. With the lumber he finished with a .292 batting average with 351 home runs while driving 1,119 RBI’s. He racked 1,848 hits and for a power hitter he actually swiped 133 bases. Could he have had played a few more seasons? Was he passed over originally not having enough hits as he is under 2,000? In baseball you have plenty of guys that had over 2,000 hits and I would not vote them in. His home runs you’d like to see in the 400’s. You can’t down him on 351 taters which is hard to accomplish in the MLB. I’m impressed with the life time batting average as power hitters are normally low averages that live by the long ball & die by the strike out. Allen was consistent. He had power but could rack up the doubles and singles.

I know the league will enshrine him wearing the Phillies cap which is the right thing to do. Two stints in Philadelphia and he played there most of his career. With the White Sox he won his only MVP award back in 1972. Then he put up monster numbers as he batted .308 with 37 long balls and drove in 113 runs. In three seasons in Chicago he batted .307 with 85 long balls with 242 runs driven in. After his MVP season in ’72 he only played 72 games in 1973 due to injuries. Allen had his share of injuries that cost him games and could have had better numbers even though most players would love to have his on back of their card. I was not around in the 1970’s watching those cool red and powder blue uniforms the White Sox wore. I love those red and white pinstripe uniforms that they had. The 1970’s White Sox were all about hitting the long ball. Allen left before the 1977 Hit Men did their damage on the green grass of Comiskey Park wearing those red and white pinstripes. As a White Sox fan I’ve only read about these guys. I always heard stories from my dad about how much fun these teams were to watch. They did not win any divisions or pennants, but they could beat the best teams on any night in a slug fest. The 1977 Hit Men came close as they took second place that year. As a White Sox fan most of the time when they signed a veteran talent like Dickie Allen they did back then, they always seem washed up since I started watching them. Allen was a different animal. Plus they had a different owner at the time. It was a different time back then as Allen and others you could see smoking cigarettes in the dug out. I’m sure the White Sox will honor him in 2025 since he will be enshrined in Cooperstown because he did great things when he did play on the south side of Chicago. I’m sure we will hear some interesting stories to come out of the wood work leading up to the ceremonies this summer. If a family member or former player friend of Allen gives the speech, it will be worth listening to. I can’t wait. Congratulations Dick, you finally made it!!!

DE LA CRUZ CAREER HAS COME TO A FORK IN THE ROAD

Bryan De La Cruz hit 21 home runs last year with the Marlins and Pirates. The Pirates acquired De La Cruz, the 28 year old outfielder from Miami, at the trade deadline on July 30th of 2024. At the time the Pirates needed an outfielder and a solid bat to make a run at the post-season. De La Cruz was supposed to be that guy. In a Pirates uniform De La Cruz’s numbers with the lumber in 44 games were not that good. The Pirates ship sank quickly in the second half of the season as they fell back down to their normal surroundings of last place in the NL Central. The Pirates had seen enough and and did not pick up the native from the Dominican Republic’s option for 2025 making him a free agent. Now De La Cruz has to prove himself next season as he latched on to the Atlanta Braves in a deal that is a non-guaranteed contract for one season that will pay him $860,000 if he makes the team out of spring training. If he stays with the Braves after being cut from the opening day roster, he can still get paid $180,000 playing in Atlanta’s farm system.

Before being traded away from the Marlins, Bryan De La Cruz was having a pretty good year despite Miami being in last place. In 105 games De La Cruz had a batting average of .245 with 18 long balls driving in 51. After he was traded in 44 games with the Pirates, he batted only .200 with 3 long balls driving in 17. He finished the season with .233 average with 21 long balls driving in 68. De La Cruz was brought up through the Astros farm system and was traded to the Marlins in 2021 when he made his debut with Miami. He has 4 seasons under his belt. 3 1/2 with Miami and the half season with the Pirates. In 4 seasons he has racked up 427 hits with a batting average of .253. He has 58 career home runs while driving in 208 runs.

The Braves will be without one of their superstar outfielders for the first two month. Ronald Acuna Jr. is still recovering from left knee surgery he had that ended his 2024 season. This is a chance for Bryan De La Cruz to prove himself and find stable footing in the Majors if he can contribute during that time table Acuna Jr. will miss. It brings him back to the division he is most familiar with, the NL East which the Marlins play in. This is a band aid cheap fix by the Braves, but it’s a move with a higher ceiling of success. De La Cruz can hit well against left-handed pitching so they could platoon him with another struggling outfielder in Jarred Kelenic who they got from Seattle last season. I originally thought this was a solid move by the Pirates as they would have had De La Cruz for the 2025 season as well. With his struggles in Pittsburgh and only mustering up a no-guaranteed contract this off-season, the Pirates could use the option money they were going to give him for something better on the free agent market. De La Cruz could have a solid year next year with the Braves. He needs to if he wants to stay in the Majors. Sometimes it’s better to cut ties quickly with a new guy that’s struggling instead of prolonging the disaster move into the following season.

A WHITE SOX OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Chicago White Sox finally did it. They have traded away their flame throwing LHP Garrett Crochet and he will be headed to Bean Town. The White Sox have been down this road before with the Red Sox in trades involving their left-handed aces. The Chris Sale trade looked promising for both teams but became one sided for Chicago. The return on Sale many thought Yoan Moncada was going to be one of the White Sox pillars in the rebuild for years to come. At the end of the 2024 season the White Sox declined picking up the option on Moncada as he is floating around free agent waters as we speak. The other piece is Michael Kopech who was the guy that was going to replace Sale in the rotation. The fireballer had flashes of brilliance in the starting rotation but was more effective in the bullpen. Kopech’s time with the White Sox was aggravating as he was up and down like a roller coaster in performances and injuries followed him. He was traded at the trade deadline this past season and we got a nobody named Vargas for the former number one pick by the Red Sox. Then Kopech went on to LA, was brilliant, and helped the Dodgers win the World Series. Why would the White Sox General Manager walk down this same road dealing with the Sox from the east coast? To rehash the past as Sale would help Boston at least win another World Series.

In present times the White Sox will send the 25 year old Garrett Crochet to Boston in a deal involving five players. The White Sox will get a nice haul back in 4 players which we hope the results are better this go around. The White Sox get a 22 year old catcher Kyle Teel, a 21 year old outfielder in Braden Montgomery, a 23 year old infielder Chase Meidroth, and 22 year old RHP Wikelmann Gonzalez.

The Red Sox have been collecting former White Sox arms. Garrett Crochet will know some of his former teammates from his days in Chicago. The Red Sox took a chance on two broken pitchers last off-season in starter Lucas Giolito and closer Liam Hendricks. Both former White Sox players did not pitch last season for Boston as they recovered from Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox starting rotation definitely needed to be upgraded as they come at you with Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito is penciled in, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford. The Red Sox whiffed on a few pitching options for their rotation this off season before they finally were able to pull the trigger on this White Sox deal.

This was the first season in the Majors that Garrett Crochet was a starter. He made 32 starts, tossed 146 innings, and had a record of 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA. He struck out 209 batters with only 33 walks. He has a devastating 97 MPH fastball. He earned his first all-star game honors last season. Let’s not forget the White Sox baby this guy because he came off his own Tommy John surgery and pitched a career high in innings. In 4 seasons he mostly came out of the bullpen as he did not pitch in 2022 because of the injury. The White Sox had him on pitch count most of the second half. Some of his starts he would only pitch 3-4 innings. Crochet was a former first round pick of the White Sox 11th overall in the 2020 MLB draft from the University of Tennessee. In 4 seasons his record is 9-19 with 3.29 ERA in 104 game total of which 32 of them were starts. He has racked up 294 strikeouts in 219 innings of work.

The White Sox get 4 players which two of them were former first round picks by the Boston Red Sox. The headliner coming back to Chicago is catcher Kyle Teel who was picked number 14 in the 2023 MLB draft from the University of Virginia.

Kyle Teel was ranked number 4 in the Red Sox farm system. He is ranked the 25th prospect in the MLB pipeline. Last year in Double A and Triple A he batted .288 combined with 13 long balls while driving in 78.

The other former number one pick is an outfielder, Braden Montgomery, who was picked number 12 in this year’s MLB draft out of Texas A&M. Originally he was projected to be in the top five, but he broke his ankle & that hurt his stock. He was Boston’s number 5 prospect in their farm system. Through the MLB Pipeline, they have him ranked number 54 overall prospect. He’s a switch hitting outfielder with power from both sides. Last year at Texas A&M he hit 27 long balls and drove in 85.

The third position player, Chase Meidroth, looks like he is a future second baseman. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2022 MLB draft from the University of San Diego. He has plate discipline as he as walked 199 times so far in the minor leagues. He has also been hit by 28 pitches. The strikeouts are too high for my taste which he has racked up 180 of those. He was ranked number 12 in the Boston farm system. Then finally the pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez is native of Venezuela and signed with the Bo-Sox in 2018. In print they say he is one of the best Red Sox pitching prospects. His fast ball hits the mid 90’s. He struggles with control as he walked 46 batters in 83.2 innings of work last season in Double A ball. However he strikes out guys and he racked up 92 of those.

Not sure why the White Sox are collecting back stops. Right now with the addition of Kyle Teel and the prospect the White Sox landed from the Angels in Edgar Quero from the Lucas Giolito trade to LA. They may have the best crop of young catchers in the league with the Royals and Dodgers. Let’s not forget about Kory Lee and what he did last season. He’s another young catcher the White Sox got from Houston in one of the many deals getting rid of guys from the last rebuild who started. He played like a future starter. A keeper in the long run.

Right now this deal looks good for the White Sox as I’m excited about the outfielder, Braden Montgomery. Again this all looks great right now with 4 intriguing prospects from the Red Sox. We have been down this road before and we thought we had the cow over the beans in the last deal with Boston. Chris Sale was a guy that pitched lights out and you knew you were giving up a stud. In this go around I hope we reap the benefits because my gut feeling is Garrett Crochet may be a bust at some point. His first season in 2020 the White Sox unleashed him in a playoff game and he got hurt. As you remember about the last rebuild, it was like a freaking MASH unit. Then Crochet missed an entire season. He came back from that and had a great year but was babied like the White Sox knew he was fragile and damaged goods. When his name was mentioned every day around last year’s trade deadline, the words he said baffled me. He is still new to the league. Still on his first contract and the way his thought process is he has been in the league for ten seasons. He demanded an extension if he was going to be traded to a team in contention that had post-season on their minds. He seemed concerned about the work load and needed compensation for it. I believe he turned down a contract extension before saying this by the White Sox. Then blah blah blah he wants to stay with the White Sox for the rest of his career. He rubbed me the wrong way and I hope we were able to fleece the Red Sox for him looking like a stud starter in the MLB. My gut feeling is he will miss more time then starts he makes where he goes 6 innings each time out.

THE COBRA WILL FINALLY BE ENSHRINED IN COOPERSTOWN

The man with one of the best nicknames in sports is heading to baseball’s mecca of the world Cooperstown. David Parker aka the Cobra played 19 seasons in the MLB starting in 1973 until 1991. He started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he played 11 seasons wearing the gold and black while helping them win a World Series in 1979. He played for six different teams and won another World Series in 1989 with the Oakland Athletics. With the Pirates, Parker was a 5 tool player who played right field for his entire career. He won back to back batting titles in a Pirates uniform. He showed the entire league he can also field his position winning three golden gloves. He won an MVP award. He was a 3x winner of the Silver Slugger award. He was a 7x All-Star. He also won MVP of one of those All-Star games. The Cobra did not make it on the regular ten year ballot as some guys fall through the cracks. It took the Classic Baseball Era committee to get it right and they gave Cobra the right amount of votes as he will be inducted in the 2025 class to Cooperstown.

Dave Parker’s career you could say is sort of two tales of two halves. His career batting average was .290 as he had 339 home runs while driving in 1,493 RBI’s. He racked up 2,712 hits as he swiped 154 bases. If he would have reached 3,000 hits and perhaps made the 400 mark in home runs which may have gotten him in the first go around. Parker had a lot of swagger and he was a black player who was proud to be black. He played in the disco era where he wore gold earrings and golden chains and was flashy playing the game of baseball. Look at the present day in the game these days where most all the Spanish players wear some shiny jewelry. He told reporters his name was David, and I’m a star. You could say he was like the Mohammad Ali of the baseball world with his trash talking. On those Pirates teams of the 1970’s he played in the same line up a few seasons which was all black players which we may never see that again. During the 1980’s his nostrils dabbled in some nose candy like many of the players of the 1980’s liked the cocaine. The Cobra was one of the first players in the game that became a million dollar a year player. Bench players probably make more than that in present days. Back then reporters with votes in their back pocket probably did not care for his cockiness. Probably did not care how flashy he was. Perhaps the drug thing was hard to swallow for certain baseball beat reporters.

He played with a broken jaw wearing a hockey mask that looked like something from those Jason movies in the Friday the 13th series. His career started with a bang. Those first ten years he was destined for Cooperstown. The second half of his career he was still contributing to his teams’ success. He went through some nagging injuries later in his career but still was very productive. Dave Parker claims he helped the Bash Brothers in Oakland learn how to win games. In 1989 it was Parker who got things started with home runs in the first game of the 1989 World Series. Two World Series rings is special especially with how many great players never got to a World Series.

Dave Parker received 14-16 ballot votes which is 87.5% from the Baseball Classic Era. The Baseball Classic Era is made up of Hall of Famers so you have respect who these guys vote in. The Cobra is still alive and is 73 years of age and will be serving up something special in his speech on July 27 of 2025. In 2012 Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson disease, so let’s hope that will not keep him from being present at the enshrinement. For sure he should be going in with the Pirates logo on his plaque. Since 2002 the Hall makes the final decision on what logo you support. Besides the Pirates and the A’s, he played for his home town team the Cincinnati Reds. He also played for the Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays. Congratulations to the Cobra for finally slithering his way up north to Cooperstown. It’s about time.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Texas Rangers and the Miami Marlins strike up a deal involving 4 players. The Marlins are in a full rebuild with their new President of Operations Peter Bendix ripping down everything the former GM Kim Ng did as this started last season at the trade deadline. The Rangers will find themselves a gem still in Miami as they acquire infielder/DH Jake Burger for three prospects. The Marlins in return will get two short stops and LHP. The Marlins return is 19 year old Echedry Varagas and 22 year old Max Acosta which are the two short stops. The LHP is 20 year old Brayan Mendoza.

The Rangers already have Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Jung as their pillars for the two corner infield positions. Jake Burger is 28 years of age and he plays mostly third base and second. Burger has played some first as well. The Rangers may use the right handed slugger as their new DH.

Jake Burger will provide meat in the Rangers line up as he has hit 63 home runs in the last two seasons with the White Sox and Marlins. Burger was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the MLB 2017 draft 11th overall from Missouri State University. He has played in the MLB for 4 seasons as he spent parts of 3 seasons with Chicago and parts of 2 seasons with the Marlins. The White Sox in a very stupid move traded Burger to the Marlins at the deadline in 2023. Last year for the Marlins he had a batting average of .250 with 29 home runs driving in 76 in his only full season with Miami. In 4 seasons he has a batting average of .251 with 72 long balls and has driven in 185. For the White Sox he left with a .230 batting average with 34 long balls driving in 81. Burger his first two seasons he was getting his feet wet as he was getting accustomed to the Majors. One of his seasons in the minors in the White Sox system he missed most of the year with an injury that set him back a little. Since 2023 he has found his stroke with the lumber and when he mashes the ball it’s BURGER TIME because he has already hit multiple clutch home runs in his 4 years into the league. The Rangers have full control over Burger for a few more seasons and he will be looking for a big deal by then. I love this move by the Rangers because it gives them a thumper in the everyday line up. He can play multiple positions at well. If you keep him at one position I think the Rangers will get better defense that way than moving him all over the diamond. This was a guy that should have been a lock to stay on the south side of Chicago like a Paul Konerko type where you fall in love with his desire to get better and works on his craft every day. I believe Burger will be a bonafide slugger for years to come with plenty of years hitting 30 or more bombs a season.

The history of the Marlins has always been how quickly they can rebound from being a play off team & then tearing it all down to rebuild. The Marlins get three countrymen they hope can be pieces of the future masterpiece they have planned. Echedry Vargas is the 17th best prospect in the Rangers farm system. Vargas is from the Dominican Republic. He had 14 long balls last year in Single A ball. Max Acosta is a native from Venezuela as he has swung the lumber well last year in double A ball and the fall league. He has 31 doubles, 4 triples, and 9 home runs combined. Then Brayan Mendoza another guy from Venezuela and through two A-ball affiliates he has tossed 101 innings and struck out 109 batters. He went 5-4 combined in 19 starts with a low 2.38 ERA. The Marlins got three for one in this deal. If one of these guys pans out it could be well worth it as Jake Burger was not in the future plans of this current rebuild. By the time the Marlins are back to winning games, Burger would have probably signed elsewhere.

MAX FRIED IS HEADING TO THE DARK SIDE OF THE BASEBALL WORLD

It did not take long for the New York Yankees to rebound after losing out on the Juan Soto sweepstakes. The Yankee Death Star has money to burn and they went in another direction and sank 118 million into their starting rotation. They will worry about the vacant outfield spot left by Soto, later. The Evil Empire has chosen former Atlanta Brave LHP Max Fried. The 30 year old who helped Atlanta win the World Series in 2021 has agreed on an 8 year deal worth 118 million to turn in the tomahawk uniform for pinstripes.

Max Fried was drafted in the 1st round of the 2012 MLB draft number 7th overall by the San Diego Padres out of high school. After getting Tommy John surgery pitching in the Padres farm system, Fried had two down seasons in back to back years. Fried was then traded to Atlanta as part of that Justin Upton deal involving Atlanta and San Diego. When the Braves got their hands on Fried, he turned into a pretty reliable starter for 8 seasons. Last year his record was 11-10 in 29 starts with 3.25 ERA. Fried is a 2x All-star and plays solid defense on the pitching rubber as he has earned 3 golden glove awards. When hitting was a part of the National league game for the pitchers, he won a Silver slugger award. In 8 seasons in the MLB he has a winning record of 73-36 with 3.07 ERA in 168 games of which 151 of them were starts. His best season was in 2019 when he went 17-6 with a higher ERA of 4.02 than his normal three something he usually has. He had a pair of 14-7 years including 2021 – the year the Braves won it all.

The Yankees are not scared to invest big money into their starting rotation as they shelled out money to Gerrit Cole and not too long ago, Carlos Rodon. The Yankees ace is Cole & then they line up with Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes, and Marcus Stroman. Max Fried would give the Yankees six guys for the rotation. One of them could get traded or be a swing starter and work from the bullpen. For Fried, pitching for the Yankees will be an entire different world from his days in Atlanta. You have to like Fried’s track record on the back of his baseball card. He has been reliable most of his career avoiding the big injuries so the Yankees fans should expect him to take the mound every 5 days. The Yankees have plenty of hitting even without Juan Soto. I expect them to add another position player with some pop on his bat. You can’t go wrong with pitching. Great pitching beats the best hitters almost every time in the game of baseball.

THE REBEL METS’ DEVASTATING BLOW TO THE EVIL EMPIRE

How many times have we seen the Yankees poach one of your team’s players by offering them more money? The Damn Yankees got a taste of their own medicine from the other team in their own town, the New York Mets. The Mets out paid the Death Star for Juan Soto’s services for the next 15 seasons. Soto was a big part of the Yankees dynamic line up that featured him and Aaron Judge. Two of the biggest sluggers in the game made it all the way to the World Series and eventually lost to the Dodgers. The Dodgers made the biggest splash last year signing the first 700 million dollar man in two way Japanese Superstar Shohei Ohtani who got a 10 year deal. That contract is the second highest now. Soto has a 15 year commitment from the Mets that is worth 765 million. The Yankees offer was 760 million for 16 years which is one more year and less money. Soto will also get a 75 million signing bonus. Soto can also opt out after 5 seasons but right now he’s looking like a Met for the rest of his baseball career.

Juan Soto is a left handed slugging outfielder who is only 26 years old. He is native out of the Dominican Republic and made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals at the age of 19. Soto helped the Nationals win their first ever World Series back in 2019. In 2022 the Nationals wanted to keep Soto in DC and build the future around him by offering him a 440 million dollar deal but he rejected the deal. The Nationals figured they needed to get something for him and traded him to San Diego. The Padres traded him to New York before the 2024 season started. This guy’s baseball resume is loaded and he’s only 26 years old. He is a 4x All-star. He has won a Home Run Derby along with a batting title. He is also a 5x Silver Slugger winner. The Mets will be his 4th team of his MLB career. Last year he batted .288 with 41 long balls while driving in 109 runs for the pinstripes. He has seven seasons under his belt and has racked up 934 hits with a batting average of .285. He has hit 201 career home runs while driving in 592 runs.

The Mets are no strangers to giving guys the big money. The owner of the Mets had a pair of 40 million dollar per season aging hurlers over the age of 40: Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Those pitchers did not work out and they were dealt at the trade deadline to contenders. The Mets last year had an impressive second half of the regular season and went deep into the post season making it all the way to the NLCS only to lose to the Dodgers. Juan Soto is no aging superstar so this money they invested into him may benefit the Mets franchise. Look at the Dodgers signing Shoehi Ohtani. In his first season they benefitted winning the World Series. The Mets get one of the best young hitters in the game. Juan Soto looks like the reincarnation of Barry Bonds. Not the performance enhancing drugs Bonds injected himself with making him look like some comic super hero. The comparisons are the bat on the ball the way he squares up with the barrel crushing the baseball. Soto also has a very high on base percentage because he has walked 769 times already which is 99 more times than the great Mickey Mantle at his age. It’s a crazy amount of money to invest in one player. Many of these guys do not finish these long drawn out contracts. The teams I root for their owners are still running their teams like from the prehistoric days in the town of Bedrock. I should be jealous. How many World Series titles justifies this contract? The Mets should be regulars in the post-season for years to come. As a fan you want that to happen. Look at the Dodgers, Braves, and Astros. They make post-season every year. Eventually they cross the finish line and win it all. You know the Mets owner will spend more money. Steve Cohen wants it bad and has already gut punched the Yankees to get them a step closer. I believe in Soto. He could be a guy that goes down as one of the best players of all-time. Maybe he will be the guy that breaks the all time home run record and sets things right by removing Bonds from the top of that list. These mega contracts can go sideways. Look at Mike Trout with the Angels. Many thought he was going to be the best player in the galaxy. Injuries have sidelined the center fielder for the last few seasons. It’s a gamble. It’s an investment into the franchise future that could send you back many light years in the future. The Mets could also reap the long term benefits of being a dynasty for years to come.

ENOUGH OF THE SMALL POTATOES AS ADAMES SEEKS RICHES GOING WEST

The two teams short stop Willy Adames has played for in his seven years in the MLB would not come up with the money the Giants offered him. Adames started his MLB career with the Tampa Bay Rays after acquiring him from Detroit in the David Price deal. Back then Adames came out of the Dominican Republic and signed a deal to play for the Tigers. In 2021 the Rays traded the young short stop to Brew Town where he has played for the last 4 seasons. Like most players that are going to get PAID, the two small markets of Tampa Bay and Milwaukee hardly ever shell out any big extensions or big deals in the free agent waters. The San Francisco Giants need a short stop and have landed their big fish. They have agreed to a mega deal that will pay Adames 182 million over 7 seasons which is the biggest contract ever for the team that resides in the bay on the west coast.

Willy Adames is 29 years old and in the prime of his baseball career. Last year in Milwaukee he batted .251, knocked out 32 home runs while driving in 112 runs. Adames has been a big part of the Brewers getting to the post season every year since his arrival in Brewtown. Adames a power hitting short stop has been consistent over the last few years with the long ball. In 2022 he had 31 home runs, ’23 only 24, and last season he got back in the 30’s with 32. In seven seasons he’s batting .248 with 150 long balls and have driven in 472 runs. He has racked up 800 hits exactly so far in his MLB career.

The Giants have been trying to find a replacement at the short stop position for the last few seasons. They had a steady short stop in Brandon Crawford who was a pillar there for 13 straight seasons. This off season for the Giants they saw one of their top pitchers Blake Snell opt out of his contract and cash in with the enemy Dodgers on a massive deal. The Giants have a new President of Baseball Operations in their former catcher Buster Posey so he and the front office wanted to make their first splash in the free agency under his watch and after losing a solid arm in the rotation. The NL West is loaded with stud teams like the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Padres. Willy Adames may not get that easy ticket to the post season like he did with the Brewers who play in the weak NL Central. The Giants do fill a gaping hole on the diamond getting a solid short stop but may have paid a high premium for a guy that has never made it to an all-star game. The one thing I do like about this move and what Adames is capable of, is hitting in the clutch. He tied an MLB record last year with the Brewers hitting 13 3-run home runs in a single season. The Giants will need more especially with all the free spending teams that reside in the NL West. If you’re a Giants fan, you may be optimistic because the deal Adames got broke the biggest contract in Giants history that was given to the new President of Operations when he played a 167 million dollar contract extension. The Giants will need to be aggressive to keep up with the Joneses, Smiths, and Johnsons of the NL West world.

SEVERINO IS ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS

After 9 seasons in the Big Apple, 8 with the Yankees one with the Mets’ Luis Severino is heading west. The Sacramento A’s, which are just plane A’s or Athletics signed their first free agent in their temporary new home in the capital city of California. Severino had a bounce back year with the Mets last season and now he’s reaping the benefits. Only reason to go to Sacramento and play for a GREEDY owner like John Fisher is to get paid. Severino will get a 3 year 67 million dollar deal guaranteed. That is the biggest contract in the A’s history books. Severino has the opt out clause after the first season pitching his home games at a minor league stadium.

The New York Mets went deep into post-season last year. You think the native from the Dominican Republic would want to re-up with the Mets to go the next step and try to get to the World Series. The 30 year old RHP last year had a 11-7 record with 3.91 ERA pitching his first season away from the Death Star. He made all 31 starts. In 2023 he went 4-8 in his last year as a Yankee and started 18 games. Severino is a 2x all-star. In 9 seasons in the MLB, his lifetime record is 65-44 with 3.81 ERA as he pitched in 172 games and 156 of them were starts.

The biggest free agent ever signed by the Athletics was Billy Butler who got a 3 year deal worth 30 million. The Athletics’ biggest contract they dished out was a 66 million dollar extension to third baseman Eric Chavez. This is what the A’s have to do if they want free agents to play for them. They have to overpay guys to play for a owner like John Fisher and to deal with playing their home games in the minor league sandlot until the new stadium is built in Las Vegas three seasons from now. These contracts do not give players a definite ticket to Vegas in years to come. Let’s face it the A’s roster right now is a young team that seemed like they were getting better as the season went on. You have to give these young guys credit to be playing games with distractions being the last season in Oakland. Every young team needs a veteran starter to anchor the rotation. This may be Luis Severino’s job being the number one guy. Besides taking the money, he may have wanted out of New York which could be a grind on any player for that many years in the city that never sleeps. I feel like Severino is that scab that just walked the picket line. He has 67 million reasons why he did it.

RED SOX UNLEASHING THEIR CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS ON THE YANKEES

The Boston Red Sox have a new weapon in their bullpen to launch on the Bronx next season. The Red Sox sign X-Yankee flame thrower Aroldis Chapman to a one year deal worth 10.75 million dollars. Chapman, a native out of Cuba, played for the Evil Empire for seven seasons and has been one of the best closers in baseball his entire 15 year career in the MLB. The left-handed Cuban is 36 years of age and still can fire off his fast ball at missile speed and can rack up the strike outs at a high speed rate getting the ball over the plate with speeds closer to 100 MPH. The thing about Chapman is he can pitch a variety of roles from the bullpen as he did in his last few stops before signing with the Red Sox.

Last year Aroldis Chapman suited up for the Pirates and pitched in 68 games. He had a 5-5 record with 3.79 ERA as he worked 61.2 innings striking out 98 batters. Chapman converted 14 saves when the Pirates’ regular closer struggled. The Red Sox will be Chapman’s 7th team in his career which started with the Reds. He has won a World Series with the Cubs and Rangers. He also pitched for the Royals. In the last few seasons, Chapman has been a gun for hire going team to team on one year deals. In 15 seasons in the MLB, he has a winning record of 55-45 with 2.63 ERA in 796 games. He has converted 335 saves. He is a 7x all-star.

I would have loved to see the Pirates keep Aroldis Chapman for another season, but obviously it was not in the cards. The Red Sox back of the bullpen featured a talented rookie in Justin Slaten who had an impressive year one in the big leagues. The Red Sox also have the Australian they signed last off-season knowing Liam Hendricks would miss the entire 2024 season following Tommy John surgery. Hendricks for the White Sox the last few seasons was one of the best closers in the game. The Red Sox have penciled in a nice back end of a scary bullpen that could protect leads late in games. In Chapman’s earlier days in the MLB, he was suspended by the league for domestic abuse. Then another time he allegedly fired a gun inside his house. The last several years Chapman seemed to have turned the corner being a good citizen unless he is good at covering up his off-the-field acts or embarrassment these days. The Red Sox will get a guy that can strike out the side, save a game, or be the set up guy, or just eliminate the slugger left handed bat. Chapman at times can still get wild which could lead to multiple walks. The Red Sox are getting a guy that knows how to get outs late in games. I’m sure they can’t wait to unleash the former Yankee on the death star in the Bronx.

BOYD TAKING HIS TALENTS TO WRIGLEYVILLE

The Chicago Cubs make their first ripple in the free agent pool and snag themselves a piece for their starting rotation. Matthew Boyd is coming to the north side of Chicago next year as the 33 year LHP agreed to a two year deal with the Cubs worth 29 million. The Cubs were impressed with what they saw in Boyd’s return from Tommy John surgery as he signed with the Guardians in June and was effective in regular season and the post for Cleveland.

Matthew Boyd is well known for pitching for the Detroit Tigers in parts of 8 seasons in his big league career. He was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012 in the 6th round of the MLB draft out of Oregon State. He debuted with the Blue Jays & then found a home in Detroit. He pitched in Seattle, went back to Detroit, and then he needed Tommy John surgery. The Guardians signed him in June as he made 8 starts & had a 2-2 record with nice 2.72 ERA. In post-season for the Guardians, he made three starts and only allowed 1 run in 14.2 innings of work. So far in ten seasons Boyd has pitched in 182 games of which 168 were starts and has a 46-69 record with 4.85 ERA. Mostly Boyd has had more losing seasons than winning seasons throughout his career. Let’s remember he played with some real bad Tigers teams during his time in the motor city.

The Cubs did not offer their last remaining World Series hero a contract as RHP Kyle Hendricks signed with the Angels after a few bad years in a row. The Cubs made a big splash to their rotation last off-season signing one of Japan’s best starters available, Shota Imanaga. Imanaga did very well his first season in the states. The Cubs also have Justin Steele who has been terrific. Then former Pirate & Yankee Jameson Taillon who has been serviceable. Bringing in Boyd gives the Cubs an LHP for the rotation. Gives the team a solid 1 through 4. Many pitchers after Tommy John surgery find new life which for some it’s like getting a brand new arm. Boyd showed in his return he was flashing some great stuff on the mound last year. The Cubs hope they benefit from it.

FRANKIE IS GOING TO RELAX IN THE BIG APPLE

Frankie Montas might not be able to relax in the Big Apple next season if he is not effective on the pitching mound. Montas is familiar with New York as he pitched two seasons for the Evil Empire Yankees and only made 8 starts and did not get the results the pinstripes were hoping for. Montas will pitch on the other side of town in New York with the Mets. The 31 year old RHP native out of the Dominican Republic gets a 2 year deal worth 34 million with an opt out clause after the first year to escape New York if needed.

Frankie Montas made his MLB debut with the White Sox for a brief cup of coffee in 2015. Montas was traded to the Dodgers but never pitched for them as he was dealing with a rib injury and missed the entire 2016 season. Montas eventually would find a stable home in Oakland if that is what you want to call that organization. After parts of six seasons in Oakland, he was traded to the Evil Empire. Last year he signed a one year deal with the Reds and was then traded to Milwaukee at the deadline as Cincinnati fell out of contention for a wild card spot. In 9 seasons in the MLB, the Mets will be Montas’ sixth team and 7th organization he has played in. Last year Montas combined made 30 starts for the Reds and Brewers and had a convenience store record of 7-11 with 4.84 ERA. In 9 seasons Montas has a losing record at MLB level of 44-46 with 4.09 ERA as he pitched in 160 games making 129 starts.

I know the Mets like to spend money, but this is a lot for a 4th or 5th starter at 34 million. The Mets figured out a way to get to the post-season with middle of the road type of guys. Three of the Mets starters from last year: Jose Quintana, Sean Manaera and Luis Severino are all free agents. The signing on Frankie Montas leaves the team with Kodai Senga the Mets ace of the staff who was injured most of last year and David Peterson giving New York only 3 guys right now for their rotation. The signing does not mean the Mets will not try to re-sign one or two of those guys. I would try to bring back back Manaera as he pitched well last year including post-season. The Mets will hope that Montas can find his old self from the 2021 season when he had his biggest year going 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA. His best year was in 2019 when he was busted for performance enhancing drugs as he was suspended for 80 games. He made 16 starts that year and went 9-2 with 2.63 ERA. Maybe the Mets found something untraceable to pump into the Montas body for the 2025 season.

ANGELS ADD ANOTHER WING TO THE ROTATION

The Angels are not spending that crazy Dodgers amount of money on their team. The other LA team has been quietly assembling their roster to compete in 2025. Their latest signing meant landing another arm for their starting rotation which in the past it’s unlike them. The Angels sign LHP Yusei Kikuchi to a three year deal worth 63 million dollars. Last year Kikuchi was acquired by the Angels division rival, the Astros, in a deal that sent the 33 year native out of Japan from Toronto to Houston. Kikuchi pitched well down the stretch for Houston helping them win the AL West. Not sure if Houston was going to resign Kikuchi, but it’s a savvy move by the Angels to get a solid arm and weaken your rival at the same time.

Yusei Kikuchi came over from Japan and debuted with the Seattle Mariners back in 2019. He has pitched six seasons in the MLB as the Angels will be his 4th team. Last year combined with Toronto and Houston, Kikuchi made 32 starts & had a 9 -10 record with 4.05 ERA. When he came to Houston he made 10 starts, had a 5-1 record and dazzling 2.70 ERA. Lifetime during his six season in the states he is six games under 500 with a record of 41 -47 with a 4.57 ERA in 166 games in which he has started 154 of them. He has one season with a winning record which was in 2023 with the Blue Jays when he went 11-6, 3.86 ERA.

The Angels rotation right now features the hold overs from last year in Tyler Anderson, Reid Detmers, and Jose Soriano. The Angels were a bad team last season so none of these guys had a winning record. Anderson went 10-15 with 3.81 ERA which means he is the Angels’ best starter right now. Then Detmers went 4-9 with a 6.70 ERA while Soriano went 6-7 with 3.42 ERA. Things can obviously still change before the 2025 season gets started. The Angels added the former Cubs veteran Kyle Hendricks through free agency. Now they have 5 guys in the rotation with the addition of Yusei Kikuchi who may be their 2nd best arm in this rotation. If this Angels team really wants to get back to post-season they need to add another solid veteran to this rotation. Even like the former Dodger Walker Buehler could make this rotation solid 1 through 5. If the Angels can invest into an ACE then it’s an even better rotation. The Angels added a big bat already in a trade with Atlanta this off-season acquiring DH Jorge Soler. Then added some bench help with veteran infielder Kevin Newman and catcher Travis d’Arnaud. Still work to be done. The Angels are trending upwards so far being busy this off-season.

THE SNELL STILL LINGERING IN THE BAY

If I was a San Francisco Giants fan, I would be pissed off at the owner & front office waking up to see Blake Snell signed with the Dodgers. The Giants had Snell, a guy they signed last year, and gave him a two year deal worth 62 million with the dreaded opt out clause. You knew he was going to use it to reenter free agency and he did. The Dodgers print money in LA and locked up the 31 year old LHP on a 5 year deal worth 182 million with a 52 million signing bonus. Your arch rival within the division just came off winning a World Series title and took your best pitcher.

Blake Snell was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays which seem like a factory for young arms in Florida. Snell came out of high school and Rays drafted him in the first round 52nd overall in the 2011 MLB draft. The Dodgers will be Snell’s 4th team he has suited up for as he spent his 9 years in the majors mostly with the Rays which was 5 seasons. After Florida, Snell has been living on the west coast which started with San Diego for 3 seasons & then last year with the Giants. Now he moves on to LA. He just needs to be an Angel at some point to lock down all the California teams. We don’t count Sacramento, the A’s temporary home, as they will be Vegas-bound in a few seasons.

What is so special about Blake Snell and why is he worth that kind of loot? Snell is a 2x Cy Young winner, his last one came in a Padres uniform. Snell has won two ERA titles but only one all-star appearance. Dealing with an injury early on into the season last year with the Giants, Snell only made 20 starts. He will be remembered mostly in the Giants uniform for throwing a no-hitter versus the Cincinnati Reds on August 2nd. Last year he finished with a 5-3 record with 3.12 ERA. In 9 seasons his record is only 76-58 with 3.19 ERA as he made 211 starts.

Blake Snell definitely used the Giants as a stepping stone. The Giants had their chances to hammer out some kind of deal like the Dodgers gave him. You hate seeing him play for the arch rival which would get me boiled. Is he worth that big of a contract? In Tampa Bay he was a guy that only went 5 innings each start because the Rays use the computer data as their manager. If Snell pitched more than 5 innings, his chances of having the one bad inning would increase a 3rd time through the opposing line up. Snell walks a lot of batters as pitches pile up because he goes deep in counts. Then he strikes out a lot of batters as well, but the pitch count is still rising. In the playoffs Snell has a record of 4-3 with 3.33 ERA. He would not be my number one guy in the post season. The Dodgers are trying to recreate the old Rays bullpen. Last year they acquired Tyler Glasnow. The X-Rays make up two spots of this LA rotation which has some Japanese flavor taking up two spots. The Dodgers signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto last year in free agency. Then the biggest signing last year for the Dodgers was two way superstar Shohei Ohtani who will go back to the rotation and pick up his pitching duties after recovering from Tommy John surgery. That 5th spot can go to Dustin May. The Dodgers may bring back their old ace again in Clayton Kershaw. The Giants now could use that vacated Snell money elsewhere to fill a few needs on their roster. That is the only bright side I have for the Bay Area at this time. The Smell will linger for awhile, but eventually it will go away.

NEWMAN EARNS A PAIR OF WINGS WITH THE ANGELS

Kevin Newman is the latest signing by the LA Angels who have been working hard to put a winning roster on the field this off-season. Newman, the former Pittsburgh Pirate, gets a one year deal to suit up for the Angels next season worth 2.5 million with a club option for 2026. He was originally drafted by the Pirates in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft 19th overall from the University of Arizona. The 31 year old infielder who can play multiple positions is set to take over the short stop duties while Zach Neto recovers from shoulder surgery.

Last year Kevin Newman played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Newman has played 7 seasons in the MLB and 5 of them were in Pittsburgh. The Angels will be Newman’s 4th team he will suit up for. When he left Pittsburgh, he played one season in Cincinnati before moving to the desert with the snakes. For the Diamondbacks last season he played in 111 games & racked up 80 hits for .278 batting average. He hit three home runs and drove in 28. Lifetime he has a .262 batting average with 26 home runs and has driven in 199 runs while racking up 539 hits. Newman will give the Angels a starting shot stop until Zach Neto is ready to go as he suffered the shoulder injury in a slide versus the White Sox late September. When Neto is back, Newman can be a nice option off the bench because he can play defense all over the diamond.

SACRAMENTO THE SIBERIA OF THE BASEBALL WORLD

The city of Sacramento is giving the greedy owner John Fisher of the Athletics a temporary home for the next few years while the new stadium gets built in Las Vegas. The A’s left Oakland after 57 seasons as the 2024 season concluded meaning it was an end of an era. The A’s will not have a city identifier when they play in Sacramento, California. They will just be called the A’s or Athletics as they will be playing at Sutter Health Park home of the Giants Triple A minor league team the Sacramento River cats. Are the A’s organization not proud to wear the city of Sacramento on their jerseys? The city that is giving them a home for three seasons. It seems like free agents don’t want to play ball in a minor league stadium lumping the town of Sacramento into the toilet along with Fisher.

It seems like the Athletics had some interest in former Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler. According to reports throughout the grapevine in the media the A’s manager Mark Kotsay was speaking at some kind of function and mentioned that they called about Buehler. Word got back quickly the RHP who helped the Dodgers clinched the World Series in game 5 would not play for a team that resides at a minor league stadium. Since when is John Fisher going to spend money on top veteran talent for his team to compete for a post-season berth? You could say Walker had a down year coming off Tommy John surgery where he missed the entire 2023 season. Walker in this past regular season made 16 starts for the Dodgers and had a 1-6 record with a very high 5.38 ERA. Walker did pitch well in the post season. In 2021 Walker went 16-4 in 33 starts with 2.47 ERA. Lifetime Walker Buehler has a 47-22 record with 3.27 ERA. These are the guys the A’s will try to land in the free agent market. Guys that were injured and need to prove themselves. Lots of teams do that. The A’s would trade a guy like Walker at the dead line if he did well for them. The A’s are not going to the playoffs next season.

Maybe we will see a trend here. I think the Athletics will land guys like they normally do in the free agency market but only the real desperate ones. The guys no other teams want. Some players would probably play for a bad team like the White Sox over a young Athletics team that is not good but better than anything right now Chicago has. This A’s team will have it tough trying to lure free agents to play at a minor league stadium for a greedy owner with plenty of baggage he’s carrying. The A’s will have to rely on trades to land veterans. Mostly salary dumps is my educated guess. When the new stadium opens in Vegas I imagine the A’s hope they have a young team ready to make the next step. That’s when things can get interesting. Will John Fisher spend money to improve the team that first year at a new ball park trying to attract a new fan base? Imagine living in Las Vegas as a player where it’s warm and being in Sin City means it could be an attractive place to sign. Who knows? Fisher and his stooges could still be gigantic misers at that time. With Fisher’s history will players shy away from signing with the A’s? The A’s have a history of trading their own players when they are about to get PAID. Will younger players groomed in the Athletics farm system seek to go elsewhere because of the bad history Fisher has created in the baseball world? Money at the end does the talking. Anyone can offer a sum of money and out bid other teams as the player will quickly forget about anything dreadful of the past with the A’s and the owner. Let’s hope a trend does occur and players continue to not sign with the A’s. The new fan base in Vegas will catch on with these bozos. When Vegas and hopefully Sacramento see only tourists visits their games the finger should wag at the commissioner of baseball, Robert the weasel Manfred, for letting this all happen under his watch. If you can have a baseball lynching, Manfred and Fisher would be the top two choices for their involvement ruining a historic franchise.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds strike up a deal involving three players. The Reds land RHP Brady Singer from the Royals. In return the Royals land two players from the Reds: second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer.

The Reds have been in need of pitching for years. The organization has assembled a nice core of young position players, but they lack arms to get over the hump and get back to the post-season. The Reds dealt with a slew of injuries to their rotation last season. You could even say in 2023 they had some injured arms and just missed a wild card spot. They were sellers at the deadline and traded veteran RHP Frankie Montas to the division rival, Milwaukee Brewers. This deal with the Royals they sacrifice offense for a young arm in Brady Singer.

Brady Singer is only 28 years of age and has 5 seasons under his belt all with the Royals. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2018 MLB draft 18th overall from the University of Florida. Singer last season made 32 starts and finished with a 9-13 record with 3.71 ERA. He helped the Royals get a wild card spot in the post season. Singer has only one winning season in his career which came in 2022 when he finished the year with a 10-5 record and 3.23 ERA. In 5 seasons he has a record of 36-44 with 4.28 ERA in 127 games of which he has started in 124 of them. The Reds get a younger arm who’s on the verge of becoming a solid rotation piece for years to come. The ceiling is high with Singer.

The Kansas City Royals starting rotation last year had the second best ERA in the entire league. Why do you sacrifice a piece of that rotation? The Royals need more offensive production after you’ve seen the lack of runs they scored in the post season versus the Yankees.

Jonathan India’s former teammate at college was Brady Singer. India was drafted also in the 2018 MLB draft in the first round 5th overall form the University of Florida. India has 4 seasons in the MLB. He’s a second baseman with some power. Last season India batted .248 with 15 home runs while driving in 58. In 4 seasons he’s hitting .253 with 63 long balls while driving in 229 runs. He was the rookie of the year in 2021 after hitting 21 home runs in his first season in the big league. He has a high on base percentage and could be a table setter for the Royals superstar short stop Bobby Witt Jr.

The Royals also get a power hitting outfielder in the deal. Joey Wiemer is only 25 years of age and made his debut with the Brewers in 2023. He’s a guy who seems to go all in on the home run or dies by the strike out. He was drafted by the Brewers in the 2020 MLB draft in the 4th round from the University of Cincinnati. In 2023 he played in 132 games for the Brewers and had a batting average of .204 with 13 home runs while driving in 42. He struck out 116 times. Last year he played for both the Reds and Brewers as he is an Ohio kid so he came home to his stomping grounds of Cincinnati. Last year he batted .154 and racked up only 4 hits as he scored 2 runs in 21 games, only two of them with the Reds. In 153 games Wiemer has a batting average of .201 while racking up 79 hits. Not sure when the Royals will unleash the Wiemer next season on the big league club. The Royals will already be his third organization since 2020.

THE 2025 MLB HALL OF FAME BALLOT

THE NEW GUYS

OF Ichiro Suzuki, INF Dustin Pedroia, INF Ian Kinsler, RHP, Felix Hernandez, INF Troy Tulowitzki, INF Ben Zobrist, OF Curtis Granderson, INF Hanley Ramirez, C Russell Martin, OF Adam Jones, C Brian McCann, OF Carlos Gonzalez, & RHP Fernando Rodney

GUYS STILL LINGERING ON THE BALLOT

LHP Billy Wagner 73.8% 10th year, OF Andruw Jones 61.6% 8th year, OF Carlos Beltran 57.1% 3rd year, INF Alex Rodriguez 34.8% 4th year, OF Manny Ramirez 32.5% 9th year, INF Chase Utley 28.8% 2nd year, INF Omar Vizquel 17.7% 8th year, OF Bobby Abreu 14.8% 6th year, INF Jimmy Rollins14.8% 4th year, LHP Andy Pettitte 13.5% 7th year, LHP Mark Buehrle 8.3% 5th year, RHP Francisco Rodriguez 7.8% 3rd year, OF Torii Hunter 7.3% 5th year, & INF David Wright 6.2% 2nd year

Each sports writer gets 10 votes each year for the Baseball Hall of Fame. My ballot was probably lost in the mail. Each guy needs 75% of the vote to get into Cooperstown.

RULE OUT THE CHEATERS/MAGGOTS OF THE GAME

My first order of voting is to rule out the cheats. I’m not voting for Alex Rodriguez or Manny Ramirez for using performance enhancing drugs when really they did not need them. Carlos Beltran is ruled out not as a player but as one of the ring leaders in the Astros saga stealing signs as a coach. Then Omar Vizquel sexually harassing a bat boy. These guys are automatically crossed off my list.

MY TEN VOTES IN NO ORDER

#1.Billy Wagner: He was an Astro before the Asterisks cheated the game. Wagner has 422 saves with 2.31 ERA and he is very close to 75%.

#2.Andruw Jones: Jones’ career seems like the tale of two halves. His career started with a bang and ended quietly. He was one of the best defensive center fielders of all-time. He had power with 434 home runs. I’d like this vote better if he reached the 2,000 mark in hits.

#3. Chase Utley: He was a solid second baseman for years. Finished with a career batting average of .275. He banged out 259 long balls. Utley did not reach the 2,000 hits mark either. He was clutch in the post season for years. This is only his second year on the ballot so his percentage might jump even higher as he almost had 30% of the vote in year one.

#4. Mark Buehrle: Being a White Sox fan I’m certainly going to vote for my guy. Mark Buehrle is a legend on the south side of Chicago. Perfect game. A no hitter. World Series hero. Fielded his position well. He won 214 games which may not be enough. He has been on the ballot for 5 seasons and has not even reached 10% of the vote.

#5. Francisco Rodriguez: This guy still has the record of most saves in one season which was 62 in 2008. He broke the old record which was 57 saves by Bobby Thigpen who set that record in 1990. Francisco closed out 437 games in his MLB career.

#6. Torii Hunter: Nicknamed the Spiderman earned from climbing the outfield walls stealing opposing teams home runs. I hate the Twins. Torii Hunter I’m shocked he does not get the love he deserves. He played 19 seasons and earned himself 9 gold gloves being one of the best center fielders in the game. By the way he can mash the baseball as well. A career batting average of .277 with 353 long balls. He racked up 2,452 hits. He was a 5x all-star earning two silver slugger awards.

#7. Ichiro Suzuki: This is a no-brainer. You could say Suzuki could have broken Peter Rose’s record of most hits. Rose racked up 4,256 hits in 24 seasons in the MLB. Suzuki played 19 seasons in the MLB and had 3,089 hits. Before playing in the states Suzuki played 9 seasons in Japan and racked up 1,278 hits. If you added up all 28 seasons of professional ball, he had a grand total of 4,367 hits.

#8. Ian Kinsler: Like Chase Utley, Kinsler was a quality second baseman for 14 seasons. He was a 4x all-star and 2x gold glover. I’m surprised Kinsler did not play at least one more season as he missed the 2,000 hits mark by one finishing his career with 1,999. He also helped Boston Red Sox win a World Series in 2018.

#9. Adam Jones: For 14 years in the MLB, Adam Jones played solid center field earning himself 4 gold gloves. He was a 5x all-star while earning a sliver slugger award. He racked 1,939 hits. If he played another season, he would have had 2,000 easy. He had a life time batting average of .277 and had some power as he hit 282 balls into the seats.

#10. Brian McCann: Someone squatting for 15 years at the catcher position is something that many can not do in baseball. McCann was a great hitting catcher as he was a six time silver slugger winner. He made it to 7 all-star games. He had power as he hit 282 home runs. McCann racked up over 1500 hits with a life time batting average of .262. I don’t like about him that he helped Houston win a World Series in 2017. I look the other way on that because he will always be a Brave where he played most of his career in Atlanta.

These are my ten guys I would vote for. I probably get my right to vote taken away based on my choices. It seem easier than it actually is. You could make a great case for some of the other guys not in my ten votes. I know some of the guys I picked will not get in. I know one thing is I stood my ground not voting for guys that tainted the game. It is sad because those guys probably did not need performance enhancing drugs in the first place. Not voting for the steroid guys some of these years will remain watered down with great players, but technically not Cooperstown material. But they did it the right way.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX OFF-SEASON NEWS

POTENTIAL WORLD SERIES FREE AGENT SIGNING

All’s I have to say is here we go again. Another award winning signing by the White Sox. The White Sox general manager fished a gem out of the dollar bin on this one. Right under the Beta tapes. The White Sox inked a bench warmer on a one year deal that played for three teams last year. Does anyone know who Austin Slater is? He gets a 1 year deal worth 1.75 million to play on the south side of Chicago. Slater is an outfielder/first baseman who is 31 years of age and has played in the MLB for the last 8 seasons. World Series or bust type of move made by Chris Getz here.

Austin Slater was drafted out of Stanford University in the 8th round of the 2014 MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants. He played parts of all 8 seasons with the Giants. Last year he also played for the Reds and the Orioles. Slater played in 84 games last year with all three teams and batted .209 with 2 home runs and drove in 18. In 8 seasons he has played in 634 games with only 1,482 At-Bats. He has racked up 373 hits. Slater is a career .252 hitter with 40 total home runs and has driven in 171 base runners. The White Sox Started the off-season landing Will Venable as your manager. I thought okay they may have hit on the right guy here. Now you are still stocking a team that had the most losses in the modern day era with cheap ass junk. It is not giving me a reason to come to the stadium next season. This move is not helping your new manager.

A KEEPER

The White Sox will hold on to their interim manager of last season in Grady Sizemore. The team hired a new manager weeks ago as they landed Will Venable who has had a nice resume after his playing career was over in coaching. Venable gained experience from some pretty good baseball managers starting with John Maddon in Chicago, Alex Cora in Boston, and Bruce Bochy the last two seasons in Texas which includes a World Series by the Rangers. Sizmore was hired by the White Sox last off-season and quickly rose up in the rankings to become the manager after the team fired Pedro Grifol.

Grady Sizemore probably did a tad better than Grifol as manager going 13-32 down the stretch. Sizemore inherited a team that was stripped of all their good players. He showed leadership with the guys he had as the team played harder for him. They had trust in him because he was a player and played the game not too long ago. He was a guy that was a 3x all-star as a player while earning a sliver slugger award and 2 gold gloves. He could relate to all the injuries all these guys had going on the injured list for the White Sox. Injuries at the end derailed his playing career. Keeping Sizemore gives the new manager insight on who he has on this White Sox roster. The White Sox have not said what he will do next season on Venable’s staff. He will have a new role. Venable and Sizemore are about the same age and both played around the same time. This could be a nice coaching tandem on the south side in the dug out for years to come. Maybe at least until they have their next winning season.

THE STASSI ERA COMES TO AN END IN CHICAGO

The White Sox declined Max Stassi’s 7.5 million dollar option for 2025. The veteran back stop has missed back to back seasons and last time he played in the MLB was in 2022 with the Angels. Last season the White Sox acquired Stassi from the Atlanta Braves in the off-season. Stassi was another guy thrown into the David Fletcher trade the Angels did with the Braves in the same off-season. Stassi missed the entire 2023 season due to family reasons. This year he played in 5 rehab games for the White Sox, then had hip surgery in June and was out for the year. The Stassi era really never started in Chicago and ends in another bad deal which will go on record for Chris Getz, the general manager.

TRAVIS d ‘ARNAUD SIGNS WITH HIS HOME TEAM

The LA Angels remain busy this off-season as they add a veteran catcher to the mix. Travis d’Arnaud is going home as he signs a 2 year deal to play for his home team, the Angels. Travis was born in Long Beach, California and went to high school only 15 miles from Angels stadium. He still has family and friends in the area as the Angels are who he grew up watching, going to the games, and saw the 2002 team win it all. The 12 year veteran gets two contracts worth 12 million to pretty much be the back up catcher. The Angels have been grooming their catcher of the future in 24 year old Logan O’Hoppe who had 20 long balls last season in his first full year in the MLB. It did not take long for Travis d’Arnaud to reach out to Logan as he is open to be the young kid’s mentor for the next two seasons wanting him to be the best Angels catcher of all-time.

Originally Travis d’Arnaud was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1st round of the 2007 MLB draft. Travis made his MLB debut with the Mets where he played parts of 7 seasons. Travis in 2019 played for three teams including the Mets, Dodgers, and then the Rays. In 2020 Travis came to Atlanta and had one of his best seasons with the lumber as he batted .321 in the shortened pandemic season as he won a silver slugger award. He was an all-star in 2022 after helping the Braves win the World Series in 2021. He has played for the Braves the last 5 seasons and last year batted .238 with 15 home runs while driving in 48 runs. In 12 seasons he has a career batting average of .248 as he racked up 753 hits while knocking 123 balls into the stands and driving in 438 runs.

The Angels added DH Jorge Soler in a trade with the Braves not too long ago. They went out and added former Cubs starter, Kyle Hendricks, and has now upgraded their back stop with Travis d’Arnaud. This move also reunites d’Arnaud with Ron Washington, now the Angels manager who was the third base coach in Atlanta. The Angels like Travis for the way he handles a young pitching staff. He is like having another coach on and off the field. His defense is not stellar, but he can be serviceable. He is a guy that can come off the bench who has some power in his bat. Mentoring the kid the Angels have at catcher could be a the gift that keeps on giving for the future of this Angels baseball team. It’s a savvy move made by the Angels. Now if they can figure out how to keep Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon healthy the entire season, you never know where this team can go with a few more moves as well.

THE ERA COMMITTEE 2025 HALL OF FAME BALLOT

The Baseball Hall of Fame ERA Committee is a baseball circle that elects super star players from the past that have went through the cracks in baseball’s mecca of Cooperstown without getting enshrined. The ERA committee concentrates on the classic era of baseball prior to the 1980’s. It includes the Negro leagues and Pre-Negro stars. In 2024 they voted manager Jimmy Leyland into Cooperstown. This year the committee has to decide between 8 players and have some hard choices to make. We will make our selection even though we do not get a say in the matter. Some interesting names I’ve seen play. Some guys I never heard of. Some of these guys have played for the two teams we cover: Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago White Sox. I promise we will not be biased. I may cross my fingers as I write this. We go through all 8 guys on the 2025 ballot and give some stats and information as they all have a nice career in the summer past time. Maybe all these guys deserve to be enshrined but the system in place means many solid guys go through the cracks when they deserved to be in Cooperstown.

Luis Tiant was a RHP who played 19 seasons in the MLB and a native of Cuba. His career started in the 1960’s and ended in the early 1980’s. Tiant pitched with six teams as he mostly remembered spending 8 seasons in a Red Sox uniform. He played six seasons as an Indian, 2 seasons with the Yankees, then 1 seasons with Twins, Pirates, and the California Angels at the time. His life time record was 229-172 with 3.30 ERA as he pitched in 573 games. He made 484 starts and he even converted 15 saves doing some bullpen work in his MLB career. As a starter you don’t see these stats in today’s game. Tiant had 49 shut outs while pitching 187 complete games. He worked 3,486.1 innings while striking out 2,416 batters. He was a 3X All-Star and won two ERA titles. Tiant had one season in Pittsburgh back in 1981. He made 9 starts that year & had a 2-5 record with 3.92 ERA. His best year was 1968 when he went 21-9 with 1.60 ERA in 32 starts for the Indians. Luis just passed away this October at the age of 83.

Vic Harris was a fixture in the Negro leagues from 1922-’47. He was born in Alabama in 1905 and went to high school in Pittsburgh. Harris was an outfielder as a player & then became a very solid manager for Homestead Grays after his playing career was over. He batted .303 during his playing days in the Negro leagues as he racked up 738 hits. He had 31 long balls and drove in 391 runs in 647 games. He was a 7 time all-star. As a manager he won 7 pennants for the Grays including one Championship. He passed away in 1978 at the age of 72.

Ken Boyer was a third baseman in the MLB for 15 seasons. He played in the mid 50’s into the 1960’s. He was known for his days in St. Louis playing for the Cardinals. He played for 4 different teams and in St. Louis, he was a main staple there for 11 seasons. He also played two seasons with the White Sox, Mets, and Dodgers. With the lumber he has a career batting average of .287 with 282 long balls as he drove in 1,141 runs while racking up 2,143 hits. His defense was solid as he won 5 gold gloves. He was an 11X all-star and won a MVP award. He was part of the 1964 Cardinals team that won the World Series. For the White Sox he played parts of the 1967 & 68 seasons. He only played in 67 games and it was the tail end of his career as he batted .245 in a Sox uniform. Boyer passed away at the age of 51 back in 1982.

John Donaldson may have been the best pitcher to pitch in the game of baseball. The only problem is many people have never heard of him. They say Donaldson played some kind of professional or semi pro ball for 42 years of his life. He started his baseball career ten years before the Negro National League was even created back in 1920. The Negro historian Pete Gorton says that Donaldson played for at least 25 different clubs. He even figured out Donaldson’s stats which consist of 413 wins, 5,091 strikeouts, and 14 no hitters of which two of them were perfect games. This started in 1908 and ended in 1949. He became the first African American scout for the Chicago White Sox back in 1958. He passed away in 1970.

I remember growing up watching baseball in the early 1980’s as a kid. I remember Steve Garvey playing for the Padres as I know he was a long time Dodger before playing in San Diego. I believe I had that baseball card of Garvey above this paragraph. In 1984, he was on the Padres team that eliminated a real solid Chicago Cubs 1984 team. The Padres would move on after the Cubs and would lose to the Tigers in the World Series that year. Garvey’s MLB career started back in 1969. Garvey played 19 years in the MLB as 14 of them were with the Dodgers and 5 in San Diego. With the Dodgers he helped LA win the World Series in 1981. Garvey’s career stats are impressive with the lumber as he batted .294 while racking up 2,599 hits with 272 long balls. He drove in 1,308 runs. He was a 10x all-star. He played well defensively earning 4 gold gloves as he played mostly first base and third. He won the Roberto Clemente award. He was a MVP. He was a playoff hero as he was a 2x NLCS MVP and 2x AS MVP. Let’s not forget his NL record which may never be broken the way athletes are today. He played in 1,207 consecutive games. He is still living and is 75 years of age.

The surgery that gave new life to pitchers is named after the first guy who ever had the surgery, Tommy John. Most pitchers’ careers came to an end when they tore their UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) in their elbow. Tommy found a doctor that was able to repair the UCL. Like everyone else, he sat out a year but seemed to come back stronger. John had three 20 game winning seasons after this procedure was done. He pitched 26 years in the Major Leagues with six different teams. He spent most of his baseball career with the Yankees (8 seasons) and the White Sox for seven seasons. He also pitched 6 seasons with the Dodgers. Talk about doing the three biggest cities in United States. He also pitched 4 seasons in California as an Angel, 2 as a Indian in Cleveland, and one season with Oakland. John missed 300 wins by 12 victories. His life time record was 288-231 with 3.34 ERA as he pitched 760 MLB games making 700 starts. He had 162 complete games and 46 shut outs. Out of the bullpen he converted three saves. Over 26 years in the MLB he worked 4,710.1 innings and had 2,245 strike outs. He was a 4X all-star. His career started back in the early 1960s and went into the late 1980’s. That’s when I saw him pitch in the 80’s. He was a solid LHP that could eat up innings. Tommy John went to Indiana State and was born in Hoosier-land. When he pitched for the White Sox from 1965-71, he left with a 82-80 record with an impressive 2.95 ERA as he pitched in 237 games making 219 starts. John still resides in Indiana and is 81 years of age in present day.

Dave Parker was one of the heroes from that 1979 World Series title team in Pittsburgh. Parker played 19 years in the MLB and he was a guy that could do damage to a baseball. Pitchers feared him as he won two batting titles while racking up three silver slugger awards. He batted from the left-handed side of the plate and has a career batting average of .290 while racking up 2,712 hits. He launched 339 home runs into seats throughout the entire MLB landscape. He drove in 1,493 runs. On defense he played mostly right field and was a 3x gold glove winner. Overall he was a 7x all-star. He even won an All Star MVP award. He took home a Home Run Derby title in the All Star festivities. Parker suited up with six teams his 19 year career as he spent 11 seasons with the Pirates. He spent 4 seasons with the Reds, 2 seasons in Oakland, 1 season each with the Brew Crew, Angels, and Toronto. He was on two teams that won it all. In 1989 he was on the Bash Brothers team, the A’s, when they won the World Series title. I remember watching his career when he played for the Reds. In Oakland as well as that team was loaded with talent. Parker was born a Pirate as Pittsburgh drafted him in 1970 and he will always have a place there. When Parker left the Pirates he had a career batting average of .305 with 166 bombs and drove in 758 runs. He obviously did damage elsewhere. Parker today is 73 years of age. If Parker gets in, he definitely would and should be wearing a Pirates cap in Cooperstown.

Dick Allen played 15 seasons in the MLB. Allen’s career started in the early 1960’s with the Philadelphia Phillies and lasted to the late 1970’s. Allen played 5 different teams over his 15 year career. He will always be remembered as a Philadelphia Phillie where he played 9 seasons within two stints with the team. Being a White Sox fan I always have seen pictures of great high ights of Dick Allen back in the 1970’s playing on the south side wearing that red and white pinstripes uniform. They also wore powder blue and red jerseys. That memorable red baseball cap with the Sox written on it in white lettering. Allen played for the White Sox three seasons. He also played a season each with the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Oakland. Over his 15 year career, he had a batting average of .292 as he racked up 1,848 hits and hit 351 long balls. He drove in 1,119 runs as he was a power hitter RBI machine back then. He played for the White Sox before I was born. In 1972 he had a monster year for the White Sox as he hit .308, 37 home runs, while driving in 113 runs. Allen played three positions on defense basically in his career. First base, third, and left field… basically you normal slugger positions. He came in winning rookie of the year. He was a 7x All-Star and won a MVP award. It was 1972 where he earned the MVP wearing the White Sox uniform. In 2020 the Phillies retired his number 15 worn by Allen. In 2014 and in 2021, Allen fell one vote shy of getting into Cooperstown. This year could be the year they get Allen in. Unfortunately Allen passed away in 2020 at the age of 78. I’m sure if he gets in this season, the baseball gods including Allen will be watching from the heavens.

WEARING THE PIRATES CAP IN COOPERSTOWN

Pittsburgh has 10 players wearing the Pirates logo cap enshrined in Cooperstown. Honus Wagner played most of his career with the Pirates as you can make him 11. Wagner wears a blank hat in Cooperstown.

PIRATES HALL OF FAMERS: Paul Waner, Fred Clarke, Arky Vaughan, Lloyd Waner, Ralph Kiner, Willie Stargell, Pie Traynor, Bill Mazeroski, Max Carey, Roberto Clemente,

WEARING THE WHITE SOX CAP IN COOPERSTOWN

Chicago has 8 players wearing the White Sox logo cap enshrined in Cooperstown. They have two players wearing blank hats. Eddie Collins and Ed Walsh played most of their careers with the White Sox.

WHITE SOX HALL OF FAMERS: Luis Aparicio, Luke Appling, Harold Baines, Red Faber, Nellie Fox, Ted Lyons, Minnie Minoso, Frank Thomas

The ERA committee has some interesting choices to choose from in these 8 names. All 8 players you can make a case they belong. Some of these players I’ve never seen play the game, especially the Negro League players. The MLB counted all the Negro League stats not too long ago. We don’t know how good these players would have done at the MLB level with a mix of different players and crowds back in those days. It is all a shame. I know Jackie Robinson was incredible. Robinson had a powerful mindset to handle the hatred. Not sure Vic Harris and John Donaldson could have done that. I’m sure they would have adapted, no problem. It never happened.

I have never seen Ken Boyer play, but the back of his baseball card looks like he slipped through the cracks. Boyer had 11-15 all-star games. Come on already with over 2,000 hits. The Cuban Native Luis Tiant had a very good career. Longevity worked for him which is not a bad thing. He was 67 games over 500 with his pitching record which is very impressive. Like to see more All-Star games. Then you have Tommy John being the pioneer of the surgery that kept pitchers pitching for decades after he hung up the cleats. Maybe if he had that surgery earlier in his career, he would have not piled up 229 losses which is a lot but he had a winning record. To me it comes down to three players: Steve Garvey, Dick Allen and Dave Parker. All great choices. To me Allen lacks the amount of hits as he is under 2,000. I know Garvey and Parker played 4 more years than Allen but they have several hundred more hits than Allen. That leaves my decision down to Parker and Garvey.

Dave Parker is my choice. I like him for a few reasons. Nicknamed the Cobra which is one of the best names in the game. He was a part of two World Series teams which sold me on selecting him. He can flat out hit the ball winning multiple batting titles. Plus he can defend his position very well. As a fan he would be enshrined wearing a Pirates hat. Tommy John most likely would select the Yankees as they always sign their soul away to the empire. You know Dick Allen is going in as a Phillie. Steve Garvey would go in as a Dodger which we’ve had enough of LA for a season already. Ken Boyer would go in as a Cardinal as they have a long list of Hall of Famers already. Dave Parker wearing the gold and black is the way I would go. I don’t have to use any of my lifelines to call a friend for this vote.

THE LAST OF THE CUBS MOHICANS FROM THE 2016 TEAM TO LEAVE WRIGLEYVILLE

The last remaining player from the 2016 Cubs World Series team has left Wrigleyville. Kyle Hendricks is not Mr. Cub, which that name goes to Ernie Banks. Hendricks did pitch 11 seasons on the North side of Chicago including doing the unthinkable. Helping the Cubs beat the curse of the Billy Goat in 2016.

The Cubs broke an over 100 year drought when the won the World Series in 2016 and Hendricks went 16-8 that season with a low 2.13 ERA. At 34 years of age the RHP finished out his contract and will head to the west coast and pitch for the LA Angels as he gets a one year deal worth 2.5 million.

Once upon a time ago Kyle Hendricks was originally drafted by the Angels in 2008 out of high school. Hendricks decided he will go to college and was drafted a second time out of Dartmouth back in the 2011 MLB draft in the 8th round. Hendricks was traded by the Rangers to the Cubs when he made his MLB debut in 2014. Last year Hendricks did not have a very good season as he had a record of 4-12 with very high 5.92 ERA in 29 games. Hendricks made 24 starts while working 130.2 innings striking out 87. The high ERA is unlike Hendricks as he has won a NL ERA title in his 11 year career. His life time record is 97-81 with 3.68 ERA as he pitched in 276 games making 270 starts. He has worked 1,580.2 innings of work while striking out over 1200 batters. His first 8 seasons with the Cubs, Hendricks had more wins than losses record-wise. The last three seasons he has had three losing records. Hendricks has dealt with some injuries over the last few seasons.

Could the Angels get positive production out of Kyle Hendricks 11 season arm? This is a low risk high ceiling type of move by the Angels. The Angels have been very busy bees so far this off season as they traded one of their starters Griffin Canning to the Braves for DH Jorge Soler. Now Canning is younger than Hendricks at 28 years of age. Last season Canning’s numbers were about the same as Hendricks. Griffen had a record of 6-13 with a very high 5.19 ERA. If you are the Angels, your rotation is still the same as it was last year and you added a power bat to the line up. The Angels are hoping that Hendricks finds his old form he once had. You have to go back to 2021 when Hendricks had a 14-7 record but still had a high 4.77 ERA. He may not find his old form of greatness. I think Hendricks can be a serviceable number 4 or 5 guy in the starting rotation. If he can win you ten games for 2.5 million, that’s a win in my book. If the Angels want to find the post-season, they still need to make multiple moves to even sniff a wild card. Not a bad beginning to the Angels off-season.

MLB OFF-SEASON TRADE

The early bird catches the worm as the LA Angels and the Atlanta Braves strike the first significant trade of the off-season. It’s a two player deal as the Angels land themselves a new DH by acquiring veteran Jorge Soler from the Braves. The Braves are all about getting down to business quickly when it comes to the off-season as they receive a starter for their pitching rotation by getting veteran Griffin Canning.

The Atlanta Braves acquired Jorge Soler for the second time at the trade deadline this past season in hopes he would get hot for the playoff run like he did in 2021. This move looks like a salary dump for Atlanta right now as they get a 28 year old RHP that really did not have a good season last year for the Angels.

Griffin Canning last season had a 6-13 record with a 5.19 ERA for a bad Angels team. For Canning, all he knows is the Angels organization as they drafted him in the 2017 MLB draft in the second round from the University of California. He has 5 seasons in the Majors as he made his debut in 2019. He did not pitch in 2022 due to an injury. Last year he made all his starts which were 31 of them as he worked 171.2 innings. His career numbers his record is 25-34 with a 4.78 ERA as he has pitched in 99 games and started 94 of them. His best season was in 2020, the shortened season due to the pandemic. He made 11 starts & had a record of 2-3 with his lowest ERA in his career, a 3.99. He has one winning season which was in 2021 when he had a record of 5-4. In 2023 he won the most games of his career with 7. He also had a losing record that was 7-8 for the year. The Braves may be looking for depth to their starting rotation with this move. They may think they could tweak something in Canning to improve his game. He may be a guy they deal to another team in a future trade this off-season. Last year they made a trade with the Mariners in a multi player deal as they got veteran LHP Marco Gonzales. Then they traded Gonzales to the Pirates. I think by getting rid of Jorge Soler’s salary, the front office could be seeking a player in free agency that would benefit their team more than a DH.

The Angels are always looking for hitting when their biggest weakness for years has been pitching and keeping their big boppers healthy.

Would the DH spot be better served to Keep Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon on the field? The Angels may be moving on from Rendon’s services as the former National MVP of the World Series can’t stay healthy. Jorge Soler definitely has a track record and has stayed healthy for the last few seasons. The Angels are getting a guy that will only be one dimensional, a DH and that’s it. Last season Soler signed a multi year contract with the Giants as he became a free agent after playing for the Marlins for two seasons. The Giants traded him to the Braves at the deadline. Last season combined, Soler batted .241 with 21 long balls and driving in 64 runs. In 2023 he hit 36 long balls for the Marlins who made the playoffs. The Angels will be his 6th team he has suited up for. Soler is a native of Cuba and signed originally with the Cubs. Soler was on that 2016 World Series team as he helped the Cubs break the curse of the goat. Soler was eventually traded by the Cubs to the Royals. In 2019, Soler hit 48 home runs in a Royals uniform. The Royals would then trade Soler to the Braves where he was MVP of the 2021 World Series. He has two World Series rings with two different teams. Soler’s numbers life time through 11 seasons he has a career batting average of .243 with 191 home runs while driving in 516 runs. He will reach that 200 mark in homers this season. Obviously that’s if he stays healthy and does not catch that Angels virus that keeps their power hitters out most of the year.

Do the Angels think having Soler is the sure ticket back to the playoffs? Is this a sign the Angels are looking to add multiple players to their roster in hopes of breaking their playoff drought? This team needs pitching, pitching, and perhaps more pitching. Maybe the Angels are planning to spend money this year and Soler is the first item to be purchased. The jury is still out with this move as we will wait and see what is next on this Angels list.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES OFF SEASON NEWS

PIRATES SUPER UTILITY GUY GOLDEN

The Pirates go back to back years with one of their guys landing a gold glove award. Last season it was Ke’Bryan Hays manning the hot corner who won his first ever gold glove. This is the 26 year old infielder who dabbled in the outfield as well, super utility guy Jared Triolo. The Pirates drafted Triolo in 2019 in the 2nd round of the MLB draft from the University of Houston. It’s only the second season in the big leagues for Triolo who wins his first gold glove being the jack of all trades guy on defense, and nails down is the best super utility guy defensively in the NL.

Jared Triolo made only three errors all season logging in over a thousand innings on defense at multiple positions. Triolo played first, second, short stop, third, and some right field. The fancy defensive stats say he had 7 defensive runs saved. He had the top fielding percentage at the hot corner in the NL with .985%. At second base he was tied for 2nd with a .995 fielding percentage in the NL, with guys logging at least 300 innings at that position. I would like to see him improve his offensive production next season. This year he only batted .216 with 9 long balls driving in 46 in 125 games. Triolo in his rookie season played in 54 games only but batted .298. The more playing time he got with the bat, his numbers went down. Solid defender and only two years under his belt mean he could put it all together by next season. We only hope. Even though the Pirates took that long losing streak right after the all star break that put the nails in the coffin for the entire 2024 season. We still can celebrate some of the good things like Triolo’s first gold glove.

The Pirates did some house cleaning as they declined a 15 million option on LHP Marco Gonzales.

Marco Gonzales was a veteran starter the Pirates added to the rotation in the off season with a trade with the Braves. The Braves got Gonzales from the Mariners in another off-season trade as Gonzales was thrown in as most likely a salary dump move. The Pirates needed a veteran presence for the rotation and Marco spent most of the season on the injured list. He did make 7 starts & had a 1-1 record as he worked only 33.2 innings. He is a 10 year veteran, but not worth 15 million as the Pirates can find another replacement in house or on the free agent market this off-season. Last time Marco pitched a full season and avoided the injury bug was in 2022, as he had a losing record of 10-15 but started 32 games. This is a good move by the Pirates saying adios muchachos!!!

SIFTING THROUGH THE TRASH

The Pirates made two moves on the wavier wire looking for a diamond in ruff from other teams’ trash.

How about some spuds with that Trey Cabbage that was dumped by Houston? Cabbage is an outfielder/ first baseman who swings the bat from the left side. He has played in 67 MLB games the last two seasons with two different teams. This year he played in 45 games with the Astros and had a batting average of .209. In 2023 he made his MLB debut with the Angels and played in 22 games for LA. He has a career batting average also of .209 while racking up 29 hits as he has 139 MLB at-bats under his belt. He has 11 doubles and two long balls while driving in 15 big league runs. He’s 27 years old and was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins back in 2015 in the 4th round.

The second pick up the Pirates know this guy because they drafted him back in 2017. Tristan Gray was selected in the 13th round back in ’17 out of Rice University. He too is a left handed bat infielder who is also 27 years old. The Pirates ended up trading Gray to the Rays for Cory Dickerson in the off season in 2018. Gray made his debut in the MLB with the Rays in 2023 as he played in 2 games and had 5 at-bats with 2 hits. Last season he split time with the Marlins and Athletics. The Athletics placed him on waivers as the Pirates picked him up. Gray has played in only 17 MLB games. He is batting .152 so far in his career as he has 5 hits in only 33 at-bats. The Pirates like his power as he has one MLB home run with a double out of those 5 hits. He played in 8 games for the A’s as he had 3 hits in 21 at-bats with them. They seem not to be impressed with Gray any more as they ditched him on the waiver list. In 112 Triple A games split between Jacksonville and Vegas, combined he batted .251 with 19 long balls driving in 64. He had 25 doubles and 4 triples which makes this move interesting.

Sometimes you can find a diamond in the ruff with waiver moves like this. The Pirates will bring these guys to spring training and see if they can develop them into full time big league players. They may not pan out. They may start in the minors. If you get one of them on your big league roster and they can help your roster, it’s a low risk high ceiling type of move. They are both right on the bubble of either staying at the big league level or treading water at the minor league levels for years to come. How many more opportunities will they get as they are both getting up there in age?

WHITE SOX CUT TIES WITH MONCADA

The Chicago White Sox are still closing the door on their recent rebuild that fell like a house of cards. The team that the former White Sox General Manager built. The latest General Manager Chris Getz has just a little over a year on the job and is still taking the old debris from Hahn’s work to the curb for the trash man to pick up every week. The latest dump, is the switch hitting third baseman Yoan Moncada, as his club option of 25 million was declined. The Cuban native will get some walking around money of 5 million so the White Sox will buy him out of the contract making Moncada a free agent. The 29 year old arrived from Boston in a trade that sent Chris Sale to Bean Town. What the White Sox got back in return for the talented LHP Sale, was Michael Kopech and Moncada. They were supposed to be anchors of the rebuild of a playoff run that would last for multiple years with a chance at World Series title. The hopes and dreams of that team have come crashing down as reality has set in as dark clouds have overcome the White Sox franchise sending them to the dark ages of the baseball world.

Yoan Moncada had 8 seasons in a White Sox uniform. He made his debut with the Red Sox for his 9th season in the MLB. Moncada was often on the injured list as he only had 4 seasons where he has played over 100 games in one season. In the worst year in White Sox history setting the record for the most losses, Moncada played in only 12 games. He only had 40 At-Bats racking up 11 hits as he batted .275. He did not hit a home run or drive in any runs. It was another year of Moncada MIA. The writing was on the wall when they activated the infielder back on the big league club with a week left in the season, he did not get any starts. In 9 seasons in the league he has a career batting average of .254 with 93 long balls and 339 RBI’s in 747 games. When Moncada arrived with the White Sox, they had him at second base. He was eventually moved to third base as he could not grasp second base defensively. He played the hot corner better than he did at second. Moncada had flashes of being that guy the White Sox thought they were getting from the Red Sox. In 2019 by far his best season with the White Sox, he batted .315 with 25 long balls while driving in 79. This was a season after he struck out 217 times in 2018. Moncada racked up 918 strike outs in those 747 games, which is a lot.

If Yoan Moncada stayed healthy and hit the ball into play more and avoided those strike outs, I would pay him the 25 million to stay in town. If you keep him on your roster, you need a back up plan because he visits the injured list like many of these guys Ricky Hahn collected to build his team which blew away on a Chicago windy day. I hate thinking that the Chris Sale trade has left us with only Miguel Vargas, another infielder who could not hit himself out of a wet paper bag. Vargas came from the Dodgers as Chris Getz made a deal in a three team trade which included the Cardinals at the deadline. As everyone saw Michael Kopech win a ring with the Dodgers, we are left with another Moncada with less inferior skills with the bat and glove. The White Sox are starting over which is a good thing as they have the new manager in place, hiring Will Venable. Now they have to finish cleaning the old Cuban smell out of the franchise and put up some sturdier walls for this next rebuild. I can’t say I will miss Moncada. The Chicago way when an athlete leaves the city for another team is he will do very well. That is just the way.

HUDSON’S  ADVENTURE ISLAND

After the Dodgers won the World Series, Daniel Hudson officially hung up the spikes for good at the age of 37. The RHP once a upon a time ago was a starter in the league. He then went to the bullpen for most of his career & signed with the Dodgers once again for this moment to go out on top. Many players in all sports can’t say they left their game as a champion. For Hudson he played in 15 seasons in the MLB and this is the second ring he has earned in his career. The first one came with the Nationals in 2019. Hudson was on the mound when the Nationals closed out the Astros for good in that series. If Hudson was inserted to do the same thing with the Dodgers and close out the series versus the Yankees, he would have made baseball history. No pitcher has closed out two World Series with two different teams.

Daniel Hudson did pitch in the World Series versus the Yankees. He saw action in two games of the World Series. In game 3 he struck out a pair of pinstripes. In game 4 he took the loss for allowing 4 runs. During the regular season, Hudson had a pretty good year as he had a 6-2 record with 3.00 ERA while converting 10 saves. He pitched in 65 games and worked 63 innings while striking out 63 batters. Hudson was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox back in the 2008 MLB draft in the 5th round. He debuted with the White Sox and only lasted two seasons on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox in 2010 were as stupid back then as they are now. They were trading young arms like Hudson for veteran hurler Edwin Jackson who seemed like he was in everyone’s club house throughout baseball at some point. The White Sox thought they were in contention and somehow thought Jackson would pan out and get them into the post-season.

Daniel Hudson would then pitch for Arizona. Hudson played for seven teams in his career. The Diamondbacks stay was the most out of any other team, with six seasons. The Dodgers he pitched for 4 seasons. He also suited up for the Padres, Nationals, Blue Jays, and the Pirates for one season. Hudson missed the 2013 season with Tommy John surgery. Right around that time he went to the bullpen and became an effective pitcher for years to come. Hudson appeared in 547 games in the MLB and made 61 starts total. His life time record is 65-45 with 3.74 ERA. He converted 43 saves. He worked 855.1 innings and tallied up over 800 strike outs. Now he can do whatever he feels like, even play the old video game I doubt was invented for him – Hudson’s Adventure Island. He made a smart decision re-signing with the Dodgers one more season. He obviously saw the team sign the 700 million dollar man and add a flux of talent on top of the talent this Dodger team already had. It would have been awesome if he closed out the World Series and made history. Earning two rings, that is a nice respectable baseball career wearing that kind of bling. How many players don’t even get one ring?

WHITE SOX FOUND THEIR GUY

Who in their right mind would take the manager job for the White Sox? Maybe the new guy likes pain and is a masochist. On the field the team is a dumpster fire. The front office is operating on perhaps 3 brain cells. The owner seems like he wants out and at the same time is the head stooge of why things are so bad on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox organization are not going to pay a veteran manager like Terry Francona to come in and fix this mess, which they might not be able to. The White Sox General Manager Chris Getz has to find a guy with no managers experience. Someone looking to get their foot in the door. Some believer thinking he can climb Mt. Everest. If the White Sox did find the right person that turned this asylum around, they could get any manager’s job with any team for the work they are about to sick their teeth in. Will Venable will either sink or swim as the guy Getz is going to hire to be the 44th manager in White Sox history. This will be the first manager hire of Getz career as the GM of the White Sox as well.

The first thing I like is the White Sox hired a Princeton grad. The intellect Will Venable has already makes him the smartest guy in the organization as the entire front office has the IQ of a gnat. Venable played nine seasons in the big leagues as he was an outfielder drafted out of the Ivy league school out of Jersey by the Padres in 2005 in the 7th round of the MLB draft. Maybe 2005 will be the lucky number as how that glory season went winning it all for the White Sox and now we are here in the dark days nearly 19 years later. Venable played most of his career with the Padres. He also played with the Rangers and Dodgers. With the lumber he had a career batting average of .249 in 967 games in the MLB. He hit 81 long balls & drove in 307 runs.

After his playing days, Will Venerable got his foot in the door with Theo Epstein & Jed Hoyer for a front office gig with the Cubs. It was 2017 & he was special assistant. In 2018-20 Venable was part of the Cubs coaching staff as his duties were first base coach and then dabbled as a 3rd base coach. In 2021 & 22 Venable climbed the ladder and became the Red Sox bench coach. Then the last two years Venable became the associate manager of the Texas Rangers as he was part of the 2023 World Series winning Rangers team. Venable has been around guys like Alex Cora manager for the Red Sox and then Bruce Bochy, manager of the Rangers. Those are two guys that have won a World Series as a manager. Bochy has won multiple titles. Venable was also a finalist for the Marlins manager job.

Have the White Sox found the right guy hiring Will Venable? Is Venable going to be around by the time this White Sox organization produce a winning team? The White Sox signed Venable to a multi year deal as the contract details have not been released. He has to be better than Pedrol Grifol as that may go down as the dumbest hire ever in the baseball world of all-time. Venable will replace the interim manager Grady Sizemore. Sizemore like Venable with the same age of 42 and both have played the game and climbing the ladder in the coaching world. Can Venerable be better than Sizemore? The White Sox through Sizemore the interim tag as manager right in a middle of the battle field. Sizemore finished with 13-39 record his first go around as a skipper. The White Sox may keep Sizemore on Venable’s coaching staff which could be an interesting idea. I like that Venable has climbed the coaching ladder and he is a young guy that can relate to both rookies or veteran players. He had to have picked the brains of Bruce Bochy and Alex Cora over the years. While Sizemore sitting by a total boob in Grifol probably does not help. I would of loved to had seen AJ Pierzynski or even Ozzie Guillen take on this challenge. Then again why spoil those two White Sox heroes legacy on the south side of Chicago.

I like they have hired someone outside the organization. Everything the White Sox will sell you is this is the best moment in history since sliced bread. They said the same thing about Grifol who was an out of the organization hire. Grifol seemed to take on too many tasks as a coach. Jack of all trades master of none of them is what Grifol was. For Venable he has now been the 2nd in command for years. Some decisions and ideas have been bounced off his mindset from guys like Cora and Bochy. I hear Venable is a good dude & solid locker room guy as a player. This all sounds like sugar plums dancing in your noggin on Christmas Day. In reality we can’t drink the Kool Aid. The front office and owner have to do their part and get this new guy the help he needs. Venable has to know if this thing fails he may never get a manager’s job again. If the White Sox only lose 90 games next season, that would be a gigantic improvement from the 121 they lost last season. I guess it can’t get worse. This hire sounds good. I’m not feeling anything because most of the guys they interviewed never managed in the league. Time will tell when the 2025 season begins. Before that we see if this front office makes moves to help this team, manager, and the supporters they completely embarrassed last year. I would not quite yet put away your paper bag.

THE NEW YORK EVIL EMPIRE FALLS

Many thought the 2024 World Series was going to be epic, including myself. The battle between West coast versus East coast – two teams that have met twelve times in the World Series. Anytime you say Yankees versus Dodgers, you expect the series to go the full seven games. Even though it did not go to the full seven, it still was an entertaining World Series as the Dodgers finish off the Yankees in 5 games for their 8th World Series title in their historical franchise. The Yankees have always been coined the Evil Empire of the baseball world as a team that can pluck any player from any team paying them a king’s ransom. This Damn Yankee franchise has won 27 World Series titles which many think enough is enough. While one regime is toppled, sometimes another evil franchise is beginning it’s baseball dynasty of hatred in the future. The Dodgers were all about World Series or bust this season as they went out and gave the largest contract in sports history to Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani worth 700 million. That is Empire bucks and none of that cheap Chuckie Cheese cash the teams I root for use. The Dodgers won the short pandemic season of 2020 as they collected the hardware that year. The Dodgers have made the playoffs for multiple years including getting cheated out of World Series in 2017 by those Houston swine. Today it may feel good that Dodger blue prevailed over the pinstripes. There is now a disturbance in the force that the torch of evilness has just been passed. Ohtani may as well be the next Tom Brady as in the year to come, the Dodgers will be stuffed down our throats like the picky eating kid that won’t eat his meat.

MY WORLD SERIES OUT TAKES

WHY THE YANKEES LOST

Aaron Judge MIA. The Yankees needed their superstar to produce like he did in regular season. Judge batted a dreaded .184 in the 2024 post-season. He had 9 hits which produced 3 long balls while driving in 9 runs in 14 games. He walked 11 times but struck out 20 times. The Yankees needed him mashing the ball like he did during the regular season which could have turned the World Series around if he had the hot bat.

I’m sorry the Yankees are paying Gerrit Cole over 40 million dollars a season and all’s he did was have two no decisions in the World Series. If I’m paying out this kind of money, I want my ace to compete until he has the game in control for his team. He should be the X-factor every time he goes out & he should go the distance if he has to in order to win the game. It’s the World Series and your ace needs to put up some W’s in a seven game series.

The fielding played a big part in game five. The one bad inning of mental mistakes gave the Dodgers the series. Overall this Yankees team needs to defend better. This Yankee team is station to station base running and they need to infuse this slugger line up with speed.

WHY THE DODGERS WON

FREDDIE FREEMAN

Freddie Freeman well deserved the MVP award for his heroics in this 2024 World Series. Freeman was playing injured and he’s legging out a triple in game one. Freeman playing on a bad wheel did his best Kirk Gibson imitation in extra innings of game one of the World Series.

Kirk Gibson hit that famous home run in a Dodger uniform way back in the 1988 World Series as he was also playing with a bad wheel. It was also game one of that series. Freddie Freeman’s blast ended the Yankees with a grand slam in extra innings in the first game of the series. Freeman had a home run in the first 4 games of the World Series. He batted .300 & hit 4 long balls while driving in 12 in the World Series. He deserves MVP or being named the Yankee slayer or the new Mr. October. In game five he drove in two big runs in a clinching game for the Dodgers.

WORLD SERIES OR BUST ROSTER

The Dodgers were missing some big arms in their staring rotation for this battle with the Yankees. The Dodgers lost four solid arms to season ending injuries which include Clayton Kerhsaw, Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, and Emmet Sheehan. The Dodgers paid big money in the off-season for another Japanese import in Yoshinobu Yamamoto who was solid in the post-season in his first year in the MLB. The Dodgers prayed and prayed that Walker Buehler would find his old form after recovering and missing the 2023 season with Tommy John surgery. Buehler pitched well in the World Series. He did it as a starter and helped in the bullpen which will cement his legendary status for years to come. The Dodgers in the off season were World Series or bust and signed big names and made trades to create this dream team. The Dodgers made some deals at the trade deadline that have proven big. Jack Flaherty ate some innings in two starts for the Dodgers. The Dodgers rotation was ailing and he stepped up and had two no decisions but kept his team in the game. The Dodgers also acquired Michael Kopech who was a big arm for that bullpen since he put the Dodgers uniform on. Then Tommy Edman flashing the leather at short stop and center field. The roster was deep where guys stepped up including finding offense production with Shohei Ohtani playing with a separated shoulder after stealing a base early on in the series.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS

Shohei Ohtani’s batting stats in his first World Series: BA.105. AB’S 19. HITS 2, 2 BB’s, 3 K’s.

SCORES

Game 1, Yankees 3-6 Dodgers Final, Game 2, Yankees 2-4 Dodgers Final, Game 3, Dodgers 4-2 Yankees Final, Game 4, Dodgers 4-11 Yankees Final, Game 5, Dodgers 7-6 Yankees Final

Dodgers win the series 4-1

Dodgers out score the Yankees 25-24

Yankees scored 13 of their runs in 4 games while scoring 11 in the game 4 win.

Dodgers as a franchise pick up their 8th World Series title.

Top 5 all-time World Series titles. #1. Yankees (27), 2. Cardinals (9), 3. Red Sox (8), 3. Athletics (8), and now the Dodgers with (8).

David Roberts as manager has won his second World Series title. (2020) & (2024)

2024 MLB WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

The 2024 MLB World Series has all the bells and whistles for an epic stand off between two storied franchises. The LA Dodgers versus New York Yankees have met 11 times in the fall classic. Once upon a time ago it was the Subway series as the Dodgers played at the historic Ebbets field in Brooklyn. The Yankees had another Yankee stadium as the new one was built pretty much identical to the old stomping grounds. This will be the 12th time Dodgers and Yankees squared off. Yankees lead the Dodgers all-time head to head in the fall classic 8-3 in the first 11. Last time Yankees and LA Dodgers met up was 1981.

That series went to the Dodgers back in ’81. This series coined as west coast versus east coast. The Yankees and Dodgers have two of the highest payrolls in baseball. Two rosters that are filled out with stardom. Two batting line ups that are a murderers row. They will have a total of 5 former MVPs involved in this series. Then you have the two biggest stars in the baseball galaxy.

The Dodgers paid a shit ton of money for Shohei Ohtani, the first 700 million dollar man in sports. Then the Evil Empire have their guy. The Judge, Jury, and Executioner in Aaron Judge.

Both superstars from each team have put up video game numbers this season as this October resembles one of the greatest monster movies.

Godzilla vs King Kong to frame it lightly. Kong is Aaron Judge for the East coast. Then you have to have Shohei Ohtani as the West coast Godzilla.

LAST TIME EITHER TEAM MADE IT TO WORLD SERIES

Who were those masked men back in 2020? The last time the Dodgers were in the fall classic it was the shortened pandemic season of 2020. Dodgers won the classic taking down the Rays in another version of East coast versus West.

The last time the Yankees made it to the fall classic was back in 2009. It was the last of those great Derek Jeter teams. The Yankees won that one versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

WORLD SERIES TITLES

The Yankees have won the most World Series trophies in the MLB with 27.

The Brooklyn/LA Dodgers have won 7 World Series trophies in the MLB.

OUR PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS SERIES RECORD(7-3)

Championship record:(2-0)

Divisional record:(2-2)

Wild card record:(3-1)

We have predicted each series every round so far in the MLB post season. Out of the ten series played we have done very well so far. This does not mean we will be able to get the World Series prediction. We will sort out all the information and see what our gut is telling us and try to make an educated guess. Maybe throwing a dart at the board would be the better way.

HOW EACH TEAM GOT HERE

The Yankees and Dodgers both had first round byes. Each squad had the best record in their respective leagues and would be the number one seed.

Yankees eliminated: Royals and Guardians to get here.

Dodgers eliminated: Padres and Mets to get here.

OUR ANALYSIS

UNSUNG HEROES

This series I predict will go seven games. I think it will be a disappointment if it does not go the full 7 games. We know both the Yankees and Dodgers have that deadly line up. In those deadly line ups: Who are the unsung heroes to worry about?

Giancarlo Stanton usually in regular season is a guy that lives by the home run & dies by the strike out. Stanton has been an October unsung hero that the Dodger might want to keep his bat in check. Stanton has already 5 long balls in the post season. Obviously he has a good eye because he has walked 5 times. Then Gleyber Torres is a guy the Dodgers want to keep off base as he has .400 On Base Percentage so far during this post-season.

One guy that always thrives in the post season for the Dodgers is Kike Hernandez. The Yankees should be familiar with Kike because he played in Boston for a few seasons until the Dodgers wanted him back and got him through a trade. Kike may be the calm presence but will be the storm in October that could beat you in a big moment. The other guy we should be talking about more is Max Muncy. Muncy’s lumber is getting hot as he set a MLB post-season record in the NLCS by getting on base in 12 consecutive plate appearances.

PITCHING

The Yankees have the better starting rotation. The Dodgers have the better bullpen. The pitching is like the tale of two cities. Can the Yankees bullpen hold down the fort when the starters are not in? The Yankees have 4 solid starters beginning with their ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil.

The Dodgers have some big arms in their bullpen to stop the bleeding or keep the lead in the game. The Dodgers bullpen features Michael Kopech who has pitched lights out since they got him from the White Sox at the trade dead line.

The other Dodger bullpen guys feature Evan Phillips, Ryan Brasier, Anthony Banda and Blake Treinen.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

The Yankees in the post season took down two teams from the American League Central that neither have that Murderers row. The Dodgers beat those solid deadly line ups twice in the post season with the Mets and Padres. Right now Shohei Ohtani is playing better than Aaron Judge. I think Mookie Betts will show up to this post season as he saves his best for the last series of the year. I just don’t trust the Yankees bullpen. I think the Dodgers starters can hold their own and get the game to their bullpen which will be the key to all of this. I also like the Dodgers because they have 10 players still on this team from the 2020 World Series team. Yankees have Juan Soto who won a World Series with the Nationals. I like the overall experience of the Dodgers even though Soto has that experience as a young pup in the league in 2019.

I have to go with Who’s the Boss actress Alyssa Milano’s team.

She is the boss.

OUR PREDICTION: DODGERS IN 7 GAMES

THE MEXICAN WORK HORSE

“If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky.” That’s what the legendary LA Dodgers play caller would say on his broadcasts after a great pitching performance by Fernando Valenzuela.

Valenzuela was the Dodgers’ ACE pitcher during the 1980’s. Right on the eve of the World Series, the Dodgers received some bad news this week about their old work horse as he has passed away at the age of 63. The Dodgers face the Yankees this Friday in game one of the 2024 World Series which is slated to be epic. Valenzuela is the best Mexican born player ever to suit up in the MLB. He pitched 17 seasons in the MLB and 11 of them were his best with the Dodgers. Valenzuela was not enshrined in Cooperstown. His 11 seasons with the Dodgers, the organization changed their tradition on only retiring numbers that were worn by Hall of Famers that played in LA. Every team has these guys where they made an impact on one of the teams they played for and not in Cooperstown. Valenzuela was still part of the Dodger family until he passed as he did the play by play in the Spanish broadcasting booth. Good ole number 34 worn by Fernando was retired in 2023.

At the age of 16, Fernando Valenzuela signed his first pro deal with the Mexican Central league. At the age 18 in 1979, Valenzuela signed with the Dodgers. At the age 19, Valenzuela made his MLB debut as a September call up. It was 1980 and he came out of the Dodgers bullpen and pitched 17 innings while converting one save and had a record of 2-0. Nobody scored a run off him. In 1981 he became a starter and he had electric stuff making 25 starts for the Dodgers that year. The manager then for the Dodgers needed a starter after his veteran pitcher Jerry Reuss got hurt on opening day. Valenzuela was like Paul Skenes this year in Pittsburgh as he made it look easy going 8-0 of which 5 of those starts were shutouts and had 0.50 ERA. Obviously he won rookie of the year finishing the year with 13-7 record with 2.48 ERA. The Dodgers and Valenzuela went on to beat the Yankees in that 1981 World Series.

Fernando Valenzuela’s 17 year baseball career featured five teams. He pitched for the Padres 3 seasons. Then pitched one season with three teams at the tail end of his career. Those teams were the Cardinals, Angels, Phillies, and Orioles. He hung up the spikes for good in 1997 last wearing the St. Louis jersey. Valenzuela’s great years came in wearing Dodger blue. He won a Cy Young award. He was a 6x All-Star. With the lumber he even won two silver slugger awards as a pitcher that could hit the ball. He had six seasons where he pitched over 200 innings which nowadays would be insane. That streak started in 1982 where he logged in 285 innings of work, ’83 with 257 innings, ’84 had 261 innings, ’85 with 272.1 innings, ’86 had 269.1 innings and ’87 with 251.0 innings. He pitched in a total of 453 MLB games during which he made 424 starts. His record at the end was 173-153 with 3.54 ERA. He had 2 saves as he struck out 2,074 batters working 2,930 innings. He had 31 shutouts to go along with 113 complete games which would kill the data world in baseball in present day. In 1990 he threw his only no hitter in his last season as a Dodger.

Fernando Valenzuela had that unusual delivery by throwing up his hands high in the air with a high leg kick on a heavy set body. He was a south paw that had a devastating screw ball that baffled many hitters. Valenzuela was also a part of the 1988 World Series Dodger team during the regular season. He did not pitch in the post season. He was teammates in 1981 with some big names such as Bob Welch, Steve Garvey, Dusty Baker, and Pedro Guerrero who played with Fernando on the ’88 team as well. The 1988 Dodger team had guys like Don Sutton, Jesse Orosco, John Tudor, and probably the best pitcher of them all that year Orel Hershiser along with Steve Sax and the great Mike Scioscia at catcher.

After Fernando Valenzuela hung up the spikes, he did the Dodgers broadcasting from the Spanish side. In 2015 Fernando became a U.S citizen. He was part of the coaching staff for his country, Mexico. in the World Baseball classic in the years 2006, ’09, ’13, and 2017. He dabbled as part owner of a Mexican league team called the Tigres de Quintana Roo. His son Fernando Jr. was president of the Mexican team and other son Ricky served as General Manager. His son Fernando Jr. never made it to the big leagues but played first base for both the Padres and White Sox farm systems.

At the age of 63, that is way too soon to pass away. Fernando Valenzuela will be missed as a person and player along with being a part of this game in many other ways. During the 1980’s, I never had the baseball package to watch whoever I wanted during the days of summer. When I did get a chance to watch the Dodgers, Fernando was must-see TV when he pitched. He was a guy you wanted when you collected baseball cards. If you saw him pitch live, you were lucky. It seemed like he was a popular guy across the country playing in a big city of LA. I did more reading about him then, not having cable back then to watch his highlights on ESPN. In the 80’s they had the game of the week. They had the post season on regular television. He was an ultimate work horse. If he pitched less innings, less pitches during that streak in the 80’s where he worked over 200 innings, would he have been better later in his career? You have to realize that was not the mentality back then. No way you take a guy out who was rolling through the opposing teams’ line up like a wood chipper. Less pitches, less innings he still may have not been better in the later years of his career. It’s ironic the Yankees are playing the Dodgers in the World Series. Maybe Fernando will pull some strings as he speaks to the gods of baseball with other Dodger greats. May the Mexican work horse RIP as he will always be remembered as one of the greatest special players of all-time in the MLB.

2024 MLB POST SEASON PREDICTIONS( CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 3)

Our predictions for the divisional round unfortunately were a split. We got the Yankees over the Royals and Dodgers over the Padres. We went wrong with our 6th seeds. The Tigers over Guardians did go the full length of the 5 game series. The Tigers are heading home. The 6th seed Mets shone brightly to move on as they took down the Phillies.

OUR PLAYOFF RECORD IN 8 POST-SEASON SERIES (5-3)

WILD CARD RECORD(3-1) DIVISIONAL RECORD(2-2)

THE FINAL 4 (BEST OUT 7 EACH SERIES)

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

#2.CLEVELAND GUARDIANS VERSUS #1. NEW YORK YANKEES

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Both the Guardians and Yankees had first round byes. In the divisional round, the Guardians took down the Tigers in 5 games. The Yankees disposed of the Royals in 4 games.

PLAYOFF HISTORY: Last time the Yankees and Guardians met up in post-season was in 2022. The Guardians took 2-3 versus the Yankees in the wild card round. Overall New York is 16-12 versus Cleveland in post-season. This will be the 7th time these two franchises have met and each of them have won three playoff series against each other.

The Yankees have the better starting rotation as they trot out their big three in Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt. The Guardians have the better bullpen and have an ace at the end, their closer Emmanuel Clase.

The Guardians bullpen can be problematic if they are ahead in one-run games. The Guardians ranked 3rd in one ru- games with 26-19 record this season.

If the Yankees actually need another powerful bat in the line up, they will get Anthony Rizzo back for this series versus Cleveland. Rizzo has plenty of playoff experience as the left handed slugger helped the Cubs do the unthinkable in 2016 and break a 100 year drought. The Yankees have a star studded line up starting with Aaron Judge. Juan Soto is another guy who continues to wreck havoc on the baseball including coming off a nice post-season performance over the Royals.

The Guardians started getting hot with the lumber in the later part of the series versus the Tigers. The switch hitting 3rd basemen, Jose Ramirez, is the Guardians’ super star. The Guardians table setter Steven Kwan can spray the ball anywhere on the field. The Guardians first base man Josh Naylor has great power and can hit the long ball. The Guardians have done things with multiple unsung heroes getting some big hits in that Cleveland line up.

I don’t see Cleveland being able to match up against the Yankee offense with the lumber. That Cleveland bullpen has to be very tired being overused. The Yankee starting rotation can go further into the games than Cleveland. The Yankees playoff history over the last ten seasons they have done well against teams from the AL Central. The Tigers were able to keep Jose Ramirez’s bat quiet in the last series. I think the Yankees can do the same thing. The heart of the Yankees line up will get it done as the Death Star is fully operational and will do the damage to Cleveland, Ohio while moving on to the World Series.

OUR PICK: GUARDIANS

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

#6. NEW YORK METS VERSUS #1.LA DODGERS

HOW THEY GET HERE: The Mets seem to have been all over the map from the end of regular season and during the post-season. The miracle Mets had clinched a playoff spot in Atlanta on the last day of regular season. Then they took 2-3 versus the Brewers in Milwaukee. Many thought they would run out of petrol when they faced the Phillies. Four games later the Mets are lingering in the championship series. The Dodgers had a first round bye. Then it took them 5 games to get by their division rivals, the Padres.

PLAYOFF HISTORY: The last time the Dodgers and Mets played in post-season you have to go back to 2015, a series New York won. These two teams have met three times in post-season and Mets have won 2-3 in the playoff series. You have to go back to 1988 when the Dodgers eliminated the Mets in post-season. The Dodgers are 6-9 all-time versus the Mets in post-season play.

The Dodgers built this dream team they have in the off-season with dishing out a few armored trucks filled with cash. The Dodgers made trades to improve their roster which was already pretty good. The Mets are the hottest team in the tournament and could make this a close series. The Mets starting rotation features Kodai Senga, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana. and Sean Manaea who has suddenly grabbed this rotation by the horns as he has pitched like an ace.

The Dodgers rotation is very thin. The Dodgers have lost two names that could have been golden right now. Clayton kerhsaw who has a ton of experience in the post-season. The Dodgers lost Tyler Glasnow who they picked up from Tampa Bay in a trade in the off-season. The Dodgers will have to rely on their Japanese stud, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Mets will have the edge in total pitching. The Dodgers bullpen came up big versus the Padres. Can the Mets pitching contain the dream team line up the Dodgers have? Starting with the 700 million dollar man Shohei Ohtani who started off hot and cooled off versus the Padres. Then regular Dodgers staples of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. The Mets have hit in the clutch with two of their super stars in Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. You can’t count these guys out.

This is a David versus Goliath type of match up. Normally I will say great pitching will defeat great hitting. The Mets are the hottest team left standing. You can make a case they are like the Rangers from last year and we know what they did at the end… win their first ever World Series. Do the Mets have GREAT PITCHING? None of their guys are in the running for the Cy Young award. I know a pitcher or two can get hot and handcuff the other team. In hockey a goalie could get hot and suddenly shut down a top offensive team. This is a long series. I really don’t think the Mets can contain this Dodgers line up for 7 games. I don’t think the Mets can sweep the Dodgers. In a long series, usually the better team wins as I think the Dodgers will take it. The series may go full seven ,but at the end Dodgers escape New York to face another New York team.

OUR PICK: DODGERS

I don’t think anyone wants to see a subway series between both New York teams in the World Series except New Yorkers. As a fan I probably will root on the Guardians since Cleveland has the longest drought in baseball from the last time they won a World Series. I would vote for the Mets as my second choice. Will Cleveland and New York Mets do it for you? I guess the best outcome would be Cleveland beating two New York teams in back to back series. If the Dodgers and the Yankees met up in the World Series? Shohei Ohtani versus Aaron Judge would be like King Kong versus Godzilla for what’s at stake. We will wait and see.

THE LEGENDARY STORY OF DUKE ELLIS

Who the hell is Duke Ellis? That’s what you may ask yourself. He is a burner who was drafted back in 2017 in the 20th round of the MLB draft by the Padres. Ellis finally got his opportunity to make his debut in the MLB this season with the Chicago White Sox. You can’t get picky who you debut for or which team drafts you. Ellis would only survive baseball’s version of Siberia for 8 games and was released. Where do you go when the worst team in the MLB doesn’t even want you? The Evil Empire came calling for the Duke’s specialty of stealing a base. Ellis has made the damn Yankees playoff roster.

Duke Ellis was drafted out of the University of Texas. He’s 26 years old and has stolen 140 bases playing in 281 minor league games. For the White Sox he only got 5 at-bats and managed to get his first MLB hit which gives him a career batting average of .200 so far. Ellis is an outfielder who can play all three positions out there in the grass. He throws and bats from the left side. In those 8 games with the White Sox he was called on as a pinch runner late in the games. He swiped 5 bags in a White Sox uniform. He makes sense to add to the Yankees roster which are mostly a power hitting team that can’t run. In the post-season you have to manufacture some of your runs playing small ball and this kid can run and could amp up his legendary status as the Yankees have made it to the championship series as they encounter the Guardians. They are the team they need to beat to get to the World Series. Ellis has only had his name called once so far, as a pinch hitter this post-season. He has not swiped any bases yet. He may be used in the championship series and beyond for the Evil Empire and could steal an important base that decides the game. I remember some of the unsung heroes coming off the bench for the White Sox in the 2005 post-season where they steam rolled their way to the World Series and beyond.

One of those unsung heroes was Pablo Ozuna who was called upon to pinch run for AJ Pierzynski in the ALCS against the Angels in game two of that series. Ozuna stole second base. Then scored the winning run off the bat of third baseman Joe Crede. The only loss in that post-season for the White Sox in 2005 was game 1 of the ALCS. Ozuna played a big part stealing second and then scoring the winning run. Can Duke Ellis do the same thing for the Evil Empire during the post-season? Ellis could be that unsung hero and we could see him latch on to big league roster permanently if he shows off his wheels.

FRANCONA TAKING HIS SKILLS TO THE OTHER OHIO BASEBALL TEAM

The last we heard about Terry Francona was in the off-season when he was stepping down as the Guardians manager right after the 2023 season concluded. Francona quoted his reasons for stepping away were health issues. It only took one full season for Francona to find a clean bill of health as he makes his way back to the MLB as manager. Francona will stay in the state of Ohio and take his talents to Cincinnati as the Reds gave him a 3 year deal with an option for the 4th season. The White Sox manager search, who they were not going to pay a guy like Francona to manage their team, could cross his name off the list. Francona guided the Red Sox to two World Series champions. He helped Cleveland win a pennant in 2016 playing as the Indians that time when they lost to the Cubs in seven games in that historical World Series.

The Reds fired David Bell after another failed season when things were looking up for this Cincinnati franchise after the 2023 season. The Reds finished 77-85 this year after going 82-80 in 2023. The Reds were in the thick of things for a playoff spot for a wild card berth but fell off the map in September of ’23. The Reds added some free agents in the off-season hoping they could get this young talented team over the hump. Bell even got an extension during the 2024 season. Injuries became a problem especially to the rotation. The Reds were only 4 games behind a wild card spot on August 12th with 60-61 record. The Reds then had a tailspin they could not recover from – losing 12 out of their next 16 games. The Reds were most of the time their own worst enemy. Bad defense. Base running blunders. They could not win the close games. Bell managed six seasons in Cincinnati and they made the post-season once. In 2020, the shortened season due to the pandemic, the MLB expanded the post-season. The Reds were dispatched very quickly by the Braves. The Reds did not even score a run in that best of three series. Bell finished with a 409-456 record as a manager of the Reds. The last time the Reds made the post-season in a full 162 game schedule was 2013.

The Reds short stop, Elly De La Cruz, is a big reason to take the Reds job. De La Cruz may already be a super star in the MLB and is getting better every year. The Reds have a solid young core in place with the others besides Cruz. They have Hunter Greene, Spencer Steer, and Andrew Abbott. Can a Terry Francona come in like gang busters like Bruce Bochy did in his first year with the Rangers? Bochy was retired as a manager for a few years and then the Rangers came calling. The move resulted in the Texas Rangers’ first ever World Series title. Francona has the experience as a skipper. His first gig was with the Phillies from 1997-2000. Then when Francona took the Boston job that was special, being there from 2004 – 2011 as he helped the Red Sox break the curse of the Bambino. Then with Cleveland he was hired in 2013 and stepped down in 2023 which is ten seasons. The Guardians right now with basically Francona’s guys are in the second round of the MLB playoffs. The Indians/Guardians were always in the thick of things for the AL Central division under Francona. The Reds are getting a well-established big league manager with a record of 1,950-1,672 which means a .538 winning percentage. Francona is 13th all-time in wins as a manager. He’s 50 wins away from becoming the 13th manager to hit the 2,000 win mark. You wonder if anybody forced Terry Francona out of Cleveland. Maybe he only needed a season to recharge his batteries. Many thought he was done managing. The Reds looks like the goose that laid golden eggs. The NL Central you could compare the division to the AL Central for years, except this season. The AL Central has three playoff teams this season. The AL Central was often up for grabs just like the NL Central the last few seasons. The Brewers are one and done every post-season. The Cardinals have been struggling. The Pirates still are the Pirates holding down last place. The Cubs are spenders but not Dodger money or the Evil Empire stocks. Certainly the Reds could run this division as soon as next season and beyond. Francona will clean up the mistakes and this team could be like the Mets, Tigers, or Padres in the post-season. Making noise and going deep into the post-season tournament. This is a solid move by the Reds.

REMEMBERING CHARLIE HUSTLE

Pete Rose may have been one of the biggest assholes in the game of baseball. We know he was the best hitter that the game of baseball has ever seen. Rose has the most hits in MLB history. The Baseball Hall of Fame does not have the home run king or the all-time hits leader enshrined in Cooperstown. Barry Bonds, it was growing the big head to match his ego with performance-enhancing drugs which many will call steroids. Pete Rose committed the cardinal sin in the MLB world and bet on baseball as a manager of the Reds. Do you remember hearing about the Black Sox scandal of 1919? Eight men out of baseball with a harsh lifetime ban. Rose got the same treatment in the late 1980’s. Rose would never admit it just like Bonds would never admit to taking the steroids. Rose may have taken it to his grave as he passed away last week at the age of 83 years old.

Pete Rose glamorized another asshole in baseball growing up, rooting for the great Ty Cobb. Rose’s father pushed his son Pete into sports when he was younger and baseball seemed to click. Rose was a throw back old school player like his childhood hero, Ty Cobb. In present days in the MLB, we could use some old school type of players in the game. Pete had that shaggy hair. Pug nose. Those forearms all muscle as he carried himself at a different playing level than most players on the field. He earned the name Charlie Hustle for his head first slides. When he drew a walk, he would sprint down to first base. He would take that extra base and had no problems knocking you down if you got his way. Some of his slides he looked like superman flying in mid air before coming down towards the base. Some will say Rose was over aggressive especially going all out in the all-star game. Rose had that mentality that he wanted to win at all costs. Rose had that cocky swagger when he first played with the Reds minor leagues. He knew he was going to take the second base position on the big league team as he even told a reporter that. Don Blasingame was traded to Washington by mid season as Rose took over.

Pete Rose had longevity as he played 24 seasons in the MLB. Rose was a native of Cincinnati where he played 19 seasons for the hometown fans. Rose played 5 seasons with the Phillies and one with the Montreal Expos. Rose was part of the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati that won three World Series titles as he was the lead off man for the 1975 & ’76 teams. Those Reds teams had many future Hall of Famers such as Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench and Tony Perez. Rose was a 17x all-star and NL MVP in 1973. In 1975 Rose was the World Series MVP. Rose came into the league and won rookie of the year. He was a 3x batting champion. He won a silver slugger award. Plus he was a 2x gold glove winner on defense as he was an all around type of player. Rose has the most hits in the MLB history with 4,256. His hero Ty Cobb had 4,191 hits. Other MLB records Rose owns is games played with 3,562 and plate appearances 15,890. Rose also has the NL hit streak record of 44 straight games. Rose finished his baseball career with .303 batting average, 160 home runs, while driving 1,314 and scoring 2,165 runs. He swiped 198 bases as well.

Pete Rose playing the game of baseball was the only thing in life he would knock the ball out of the park in. During his playing days, Rose already had things at Cooperstown the baseball mecca. The Hall of Fame has the helmet Rose wore during his MVP season of 1973. They have his bat from the 44 game hitting streak. They have those cleats he wore when he became the all-time hits leader back in 1985. Rose at one point was a player manager. Then after he was done playing, he became a full time manager. Apparently that was not enough as he had to gamble on baseball which is an MLB no no. If Rose ever admitted it publicly and apologized for the cardinal sin of baseball, perhaps he could have been enshrined in Cooperstown. If suddenly baseball enshrines him now when he just passed away, that will not be a good look. First they need to find a way to get Shoeless Joe Jackson in the Hall before Rose. Jackson did not know how to read at the time and signed something in front of him that made him guilty. Rose really did not care as he would spend some time in prison for tax evasion after being banned from baseball. That’s how they got Al Capone as well. Then in 2017, something came out of the woodwork that Rose had sexual relationship with a girl before she turned 16 during the 1970’s. Rose would say she was 16 at the time. Back then the Ohio had as law that 16 was the legal age of consent. Then you always hear Pete Rose charging people for any autograph that he gives out.

Last weekend, Pete Rose was in Nashville with former teammates Tony Perez, George Foster, and Dave Concepcion at an autograph show. Rose would return home to his residence in Nevada and was found dead by a family member. Pete Rose is one of the greatest baseball players of all-time. He never seemed to master anything else in life. I will say his work ethic playing the game is something he did very well. This guy played hard every at-bat, every strike, every ball, and every pitch. He would run every base hard. He would play the game the right way. He played every game like it was his last game he would ever play. He perfected his craft every day. He practiced hard and improved his game every way. Most people will not accomplish their dreams because they don’t put that hard work into their craft, their love. You could look at Pete Rose in that light’ a guy that got it done and made his dream come true. The other stuff in life is very hard as well. Guys like Pete Rose’s father who probably was a guy who brought his lunch box to work every day. He was a family man who had time for Pete to play the game with. To help him get better. That is very hard, but that is life and fathers do that all the time. Pete had family and not saying he did well, was bad at it. His mind had other things after he finished playing the game. I think he could not accept it. He was probably grouchy and miserable because his legacy is not enshrined in Cooperstown. He was one of the best. Such an interesting story about the life he led. Sometimes it’s the stupid things we do when thinking we are smarter than everybody one else. They come back to haunt us by making bets on baseball when he should have known better than to do. Watching a guy like Rose playing the game was incredible. Especially if you take out all that sideline noise.

THE FITZMAGIC BEARD OF THE BASEBALL WORLD IS HANGING UP THE SPIKES

In 2014 outfielder Charlie Blackmon came into the baseball world clean shaven. He’s hanging up the spikes for good after 14 seasons and may be the last one of the best beards in the game. Blackmon may have one of the the best beards in sports to be compared with guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitz-Magic, who played quarterback in the NFL for 17 seasons.

Now Fitz-Magic works for Amazon Pre and Post game for Thursday night football. Then another beard that retired not too long ago is Joe Thornton who played 24 seasons in the NHL..

Thornton had the best playoff beard on the ice. Blackmon’s wife has never seen him without a beard so if he shaves it some time in the future, she may be shocked seeing a naked face. It’s something his family may have to get used too. Blackmon played all 14 seasons with Colorado, one of the teams that drafted him out of college in the second round of the 2008 MLB draft.

Charlie Blackmon is 38 years old. He’s a guy that bats from the left side, throws from the left side, and played mostly center field in his entire career at Coors Field in Colorado. He is a 4X all-star and 2X slugger award winner. In 2017 he won the NL batting title. Blackmon batted .331 that year and set a record for a lead off man knocking in 101 runs. Blackmon was part of two post-season berths with the Rockies in 2017 & ’18. Blackmon has the most triples in Rockies history with 68. Blackmon is second to his former Hall of Fame teammate Todd Helton in doubles, total bases, and games played.

Todd Helton was enshrined in Cooperstown this year. Helton, like Blackmon, played his entire career in Colorado which was 17 seasons.

In 2023, Charlie Blackmon had to deal with injuries. He overcame a broken hand and played well. This season he batted .256 with 12 home runs while driving in 52. He played in 124 games. His 14 year career he has played in 1,624 MLB games all with one team which is impressive to me. Not many guys play with one team only their entire career; it’s unheard of. Blackmon racked up 1,805 hits and had a life time batting average of .293. It is a shame he could not reach the 2,000 hit mark. He launched 227 home runs into the seats. He drove in 801 runs while scoring 996 of them. He swiped 148 bases. He managed to play solid defense for many years in Center. He has two kids so it’s time to spend time with family. Looks like Charlie will stay in the game and work for the Rockies organization in some capacity. The Rockies are a team you somewhat forget about. Coors Field is a beautiful stadium. It is a stadium I would like to visit some day. I think the state of Colorado just sucks people in with the Rocky Mountain high. Blackmon was a player you would want on your team most definitely. I love guys that stay with your team through bad times and good. They become staples of your city. The beard has to go down as one of the best in the modern day era for sure.

2024 MLB POST SEASON PREDICTIONS (DIVISIONAL ROUND TWO)

In the wild card round we went 3-1 out of the 4 game series. We had both sixth seeds advancing into the divisional round. How will both six seeds do in round two? We have three match ups that are divisional rivals that have faced each other 13 times this season and know each other very well. Will any number one’s fall? Will the Yankees and Royals rekindle a playoff rival from decades ago? Lets see if any of our round two predictions stick.

EACH PLAYOFF SERIES IN THE DIVISIONAL IS BEST OUT OF 5

AMERICAN LEAGUE

#6.DETROIT TIGERS VS #2.CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

The Tigers and Guardians are both division rivals in the AL Central. During regular season the Tigers and Guardians met 13 times. Guardians won the season series versus the Tigers 7-6. The Tigers did out-score the Guardians 60-50 in the runs department. These two teams know each other and match up very well with each other. They have not seen each other since July. In the second half of the season is when the Tigers took off and had one of the best records in the entire league.

HOW WE GOT HERE: The Guardians won the AL Central and earned the second seed in-post season. They also earned a first round bye. The Tigers landed the 3rd wild card in their last series of the season. Then they went to Houston in the wild card round and swept one of the top teams in the tournament.

The Guardians run on like an well oiled machine when Jose Ramirez is swinging the hot bat. He is the key if the Guardians want to advance to the next round. If the Tigers can contain him, they have a great chance advancing to the next round. The Guardians have others in that Cleveland line up but Ramirez is the superstar. I like the way Cleveland can beat you. They can hit the long ball. They can play small ball. They can hit around the line up.

The Tigers ACE Ventura LHP Tarik Skubal is the key for the Tigers. Skubal should win the AL Cy Young award for his brilliant season on the mound. He had a record of 18-4 with 2.39 ERA making 31 starts. How many times can Skubal be used in a 7 game series? That is the million dollar question. The Guardians have to find a way to win one of those game he starts. If Skubal is on cruise control, he could get the Tigers 2 to 3 wins in the series if it goes the distance.

This series will be a good one because both teams know each other. The Tigers are sizzling right now. Cleveland seem to have had the AL Central under control for months. The Guardians remind me of last year’s Orioles who laid an egg in the divisional round. The Guardians manager in his first season, Steven Vogt, had done a remarkable job. AJ Hinch has the post-season experience as manager which clearly showed in the Astros series. The Tigers are young and they are just playing the game with free spirits. I like the hotter team right now over this Guardians team that has been sitting.

OUR PICK: TIGERS

#5.KANSAS CITY ROYALS VS # 1.NEW YORK YANKEES

The Yankees and Royals met seven times this season. The Evil Empire Yankees won the series and took five games out of seven. The Royals were outscored in the seven games by those damn Yankees 27-12. If you take the hot tub time machine back into time, the Yankees and Royals had some play history from 1976 through 1981. They met up four times in the ALCS where the Yankees won three of those series. The Royals did sweep the Yankees in the 1980 ALCS.

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Yankees had the best record in the American League, won the AL East, and earned a first round bye. The Royals went from the bottom of the standings in 2023 to the playoffs in 2024 as they invested their money into pitching during the off-season and it has paid off. They earned the second wild card and then swept the Baltimore Orioles who had the top wild card spot in the first round. Which is the wild card round.

The Yankees everyday line up is solid. The Yankees superstar in this deadly attack is Aaron Judge. The Royals pitching will have their hands filled with the entire New York line up. Stopping Judge can help your cause to get to the next round. Judge can swing the lumber as he has the high average of .322 and the power of 58 long balls. He is an RBI machine driving in 144.

It could be Judgement Day for the Royals in this series !!!

The Royals have their own version of Judge, Jury, and Executioner. Bobby Witt Jr. is that guy for the Royals. The 24 year old short stop third baseman has had a monster year with the lumber. He can hit for average and power. He is the Royals RBI machine. Witt Jr. has a batting average this season .332 ten points higher than Aaron Judge. He had 32 long balls while driving in 109. Bobby is the key to the Royals offense. If the Yankees stop him they will win this series.

I did not think the Royals would have gotten by the Orioles in that first round. The Royals pitching did hand cuff that Orioles line up in both games. This is a a longer series and usually the best team will win. The Royals may have the better pitching, but the Yankees have some solid arms they can throw at you. The Yankees have hit 67 more home runs in regular season than the Royals. How does the Royals contain Aaaron Judge and Juan Soto for seven games? That is the big question in this series. Soto will be seeking riches like a king after this season concludes. I can see him making a statement with his bat and being compared to Mr. October, Reggie Jackson. The Yankees offense can mash the ball but find other ways to get on base and have a very high on base percentage as a team. Royals have been a great story indeed this season. But their luck runs out. I like Yankees in  4 games.

OUR PICK: EVIL EMPIRE

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

#6.NEW YORK METS AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies are division rivals in the NL East. The Mets and Phillies know each other very well. They played each other 13 times in 2024. It was a close series as the Phillies edge the Mets in regular season 7-6. Three of the Phillies losses came when they started RHP Taijaun Walker. I expect we will not see Walker in this series.

HOW THEY GOT HERE: It took the Mets until the last day of the season to clinch a wild card berth. Due to the hurricane they had to play a double tilt with the Braves and win one of those games to make it to post season. They did with a magic home run by Francisco Lindor. The Mets then went to Milwaukee in the Wild Card round and another magic home run this time by Peter Alonso that ended the Brew Crew in three games. The Mets and the Tigers are both six seeds and both alive while playing well. The Phillies surprisingly won the NL East which usually is slated for the Atlanta Braves. This was the first time the Phillies won the NL East in 13 seasons. They earned a first round bye and now meet their New York rival, the Mets.

The Phillies have a ton of talent with the everyday line up with the lumber. The Phillies are one of the best offensive teams in the tournament. I have to believe if Philadelphia is going to slay their dragon from the last three seasons in post-season, it comes down to one man. Bryce Harper. When Harper signed with the Phillies, his old team the Nationals won the World Series back in 2019. I remember Harper and Mike Trout coming into the league and they were the best two players in the game. That has changed. Harper is the key. If he does well this Phillies line-up could out-club anyone in this post-season. Harper is like those Chicago Bulls teams in the late 1980’s that could not get past the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs. I feel winning the division this go around the Phillies slayed that Braves dragon. Now it’s up to Harper to take this team on it’s back and find a way to get back to the World Series where anything could happen when they get there.

The Mets have a few guys that can beat you if they have the hot bat. The miracle Mets so far have had different heroes in each game, each series. One guy the Phillies could key on is the Mets first baseman, Pete Alonso. Alonso is like Com Ed. He gives the Mets line up the power it needs to survive. Alonso’s average during regular season is only .240. He did have 34 long balls and has driven in 88. The three run home run versus the Brewers late in that game to win the series is a man that can do damage with the bat in big moments. Not many can do that in the game. Stopping Alonso should be the key for the Phillies.

The Mets have to be low on their batteries right now with all the traveling they have been doing. The Phillies are well rested which could be good, bad, or even ugly at times. Last year the Diamondbacks came slithering into Philadelphia and the snakes gave the Phillies their own Rocky story in the underdog mentality style. The Phillies know the Mets which should work for them this year over last year. The playoffs are a different animal than the regular season. The Phillies have that playoff experience of guys that have those big moments like Pete Alonso. Kyle Schwarber who helped the Cubs do the unthinkable back in 2016 win the World Series. Then Trea Turner was huge asset for that Nationals team in 2019. Plus he has post-season experience playing with the Dodgers and of course with the Phillies. Those three guys Turner, Harper and Schwarber will be too much for the Mets to handle in long series. The Mets batteries will die off and the magic will run out. The Phillies take care of business and win this series in 4 games.

OUR PICK: PHILLIES

#4.SAN DIEGO PADRES VS #1.LA DODGERS

The LA Dodgers meeting the San Diego Padres in the NLDS could be one of the best series of all-time. The Dodgers have always been top dog in the NL West. In the off-season, the Dodgers were already a great team but they turned their team into a dream team. The Padres have been wheeling and dealing for years to try to be in the same conversation as the Dodgers. This year the Padres may have the horses to compete against Dodger blue. These two have met 13 times in regular season and obviously division rivals. The Padres have won 8 out of the 13 match ups.

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Padres played like gang busters during the second half of the season and made a run at the Dodgers for the division. The Padres took the first wild card spot in the NL. During the Wild card round they quickly dispatched the Atlanta Braves who usually are a thorn in everyone’s side when it comes to post-season. The Dodgers upgraded their pitching staff and line up with big signings and big trades. It paid off as they had the best record in the National League and won the West. They had the first round bye and here we are.

This will be the first time ever we will see Shohei Ohtani in the MLB post season. In the off-season, the Dodgers gave Ohtani a few banks to wear Dodgers blue as he is the first 700 million dollar man in sports. At least the main 4 in North America. The Dodgers money paid off as Ohtani has had a monster year at the DH spot. Ohtani made his own club called the 50/50 being the first ever player to hit 50 long balls and swipe 50 bags. He batted .310 this season while launching 54 long balls into the seats while driving in 130. How will Ohtani do in his first October? If the Padres can limit him in the series, they have a good chance to win. The Dodgers have other guys that can definitely beat you. Containing the Japanese superstar can not hurt.

I’m biased here because I love Dylan Cease being a White Sox fan. Wait, did I say that? The Padres have plenty of thunder in their everyday line up who could wreck havoc on Dodgers pitching. Someone has to stop the Dodgers 27 Yankees line up. The Padres will be without one of their starters. Joe Musgrove got injured in the last series and will undergo Tommy John surgery. For the Padres to win this series it starts with Cease as he will be the game one starter for the Padres. Cease is 28 years old and had one of his best seasons in a Padres uniform this year. Cease had a no hitter and finished with a record of 14-11 with 3.47 ERA. Cease and Yu Darvish have to pitch lights out in this series to get by the Dodgers. Cease being the first guy up will get more starts if this series drags on. If Cease is throwing well he can be unstoppable. He can make himself a big name in October if he saws through this Dodger line up more than once.

I would love to see the Padres win this series. I would not mind seeing the Padres win their first ever World Series this year. The Dodgers would have to unhinge in a big way to lose a long series. The Dodgers have more arms than the Padres. The Dodgers line up is better than the Padres. The Dodgers roster is deeper. I know anything could happen as this is not David versus Goliath in this series. The Padres have guys like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. who could do big time damage. The Dodgers have Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez. Let’s not forget about Freddie Freeman who helped the Braves win their last World Series. I just can’t see the Dodgers bowing out in the Divisional round. I like this series to go to the full five games.. At the end the Dodgers win it and advance.

2024 MLB POST SEASON PREDICTIONS (DIVISIONAL WILD CARD ROUND)

The MLB playoffs are here. The wild card round last year was very exciting as both six seeds advanced into the divisional round. The 20024 MLB post-season looks like anything can happen especially in this wild card round. We will throw our 2 cents into round one and see if any of our predictions stick.

BEST OUT OF THREE GAMES

AMERICAN LEAGUE

#6.DETROIT TIGERS VS #3.HOUSTON ASTROS

The Houston Astros have been a staple in the playoffs since 2016. They are looking for their 8th straight AL Championship appearance. They are looking at their 3rd World Series title since 2017 and this will be their 3rd manager since 2017. The first Astros manager that ran that cheating machine is managing the Tigers. His Tigers went on a tear in the second half of the season and had a 31-13 run that helped them land the 6th seed. I like the revenge of AJ Hinch in this series. The Tigers are young, hungry and stun the Astros in the first round of this wild card round. The Asterisks dynasty will start to crumble.

OUR PICK: TIGERS

#5.KANSAS CITY ROYALS VS #4. BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The Kansas City Royals are another great story out of the AL Central as they are the third team to reach the playoffs the following year after losing 100 games. The Orioles were knocked off their perch this season as they won the AL East last year & now settle for the top wild card spot. The Royals have a superstar in Bobby Witt Jr. and some nice pitching as you can say they have the better starting rotation than the Orioles. The Orioles are deeper as a team in their roster and line up as a whole. Orioles were shell shocked in the second round after earning a first round bye by the Rangers last post-season. I don’t see this happening again as Orioles find a way in a tough series to move on to the divisional round.

OUR PICK: ORIOLES

AMERICAN LEAGUE FIRST ROUND BYES: #1.YANKEES #2.GUARDIANS

NATIONAL LEAGUE

#6.NEW YORK METS VS #3.MILWAUKEE BREWERS

The Milwaukee Brewers promoted within when Craig Counsell left Wisconsin and crossed the tracks to division rival Chicago Cubs. The Brewers won the NL Central by ten games and the Cubs did not even make the post-season. The Mets are like the Tigers. They had a very solid second half of the season and found a playoff spot on the last day of the season which was a double header on Monday with the Braves due to the hurricane. Francisco Lindor’s heroics in game one of the double header put the Mets into the playoffs. The Brewers have been winning without their MVP since August as outfielder Christian Yelich had season-ending back surgery. The Brewers are the better team and have the well-balanced roster. Even though the Mets have been jet lagged traveling all over the country to finish the season, they are the hotter team right now. They are a team with the eye of the tiger. Brewers’ bad playoff history will continue as they have been mostly one series and done.

OUR PICK: METS

#5.ATLANTA BRAVES VS #4. SAN DIEGO PADRES

The Braves still made post-season with all kinds of injuries happening to them during the year. Guys that are out for the year and will not be available for post-season. The Padres may have the best pitching staff in the tournament. This Padres team overcame some injuries during the year but come in healthy. The Braves have this year’s ACE in Cy Young winner of the NL which it has to be Chris Sale. He was scratched from Monday’s action because of back issues. Can Sale save this Braves team in a 3 game series? The Braves will only be able to use Sale once which means the Padres, who have been playing great baseball in the second half, have a deadly line up. The Braves injuries line up does not have the horses to pull off this upset against the Padres. I think San Diego could get to the World Series, that’s how well they’ve been playing. With Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Dylan Ceases that is a nice rotation to feature against any team in the tournament.

OUR PICK: PADRES

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIRST ROUND BYES: #1.DODGERS #2.PHILLIES

EMBARRASSING

The Chicago White Sox made bad MLB history on Friday night as the Detroit Tigers pinned the 121st loss of their season. The 2024 White Sox are officially the worst team in the modern day era of baseball as they surpassed the old record held by the 1962 expansion team, at the time the New York Mets, who had 120 losses that year. It was the Tigers that gave the White Sox their 100th loss of the season weeks ago. Fittingly it’s Detroit who puts Chicago over the top on a record no one wants. The White Sox had to win their last six games of regular season to avoid their destiny. Coming into Detroit they swept the Angels in their last home stand of the year. They needed to only win three more games. In the first game of the series versus the Tigers, the White Sox lost 4-1. To cement the exclanation marks on the bold capital letter word… EMBARRASSING!!!

The White Sox have their star pitcher on a short leash in pitch count for the second half of this season. Even making his last start of the year, Garrett Crochet would only pitch 4 inning versus the Tigers on Friday. Crochet even when rocking and rolling has not pitched 5 full inning in several weeks because of the pitch count. If the White Sox are winning when he comes out of the game, he can’t even get the win because he has not pitched the required amount of innings to pick up the W. As soon as Crochet left the game, the White Sox bullpen served it up for the Tigers. The Tigers scored in the 5th inning off Jared Shuster. Then more runs came in the 7th off Fraser Ellard. The White Sox could not get any more runs across the plate as they settles for their lone run and came away with the 121st loss of the season. It was the Tigers 39th win of the second half of the season as they earned themselves a playoff spot. Yes the Tigers won 39 games in one half of a season to the White Sox 39 victories for the entire year.

Only the Cleveland Spiders have more losses than these 2024 White Sox. If that is anything a White Sox fan can hang their hat on. The Spiders lost 134 games in 1899 which is not part of the Modern Day era. The White Sox are the king of losses in one season in the modern day era surpassing the Mets who were an expansion team in 1962. The Spiders team owner back in 1899 purchased another team that year, took all his talented players from Cleveland, and brought them to his new franchise called the St.Louis Browns. This 1899 Spiders team was bare to the bones in talent. In the modern day era, no way a team should lose this many games with all the technology at your disposal.

Many White Sox fans would rather flush the 2024 season down the drain with the kids’ dead gold fish. It started out of the gates very badly and lasted the entire season. The White Sox first ten games they had a record of 1-9. By May 1st the White Sox were 14 1/2 games back of the first place team in the AL Central. By June 1st the White Sox were 13 1/2 games behind the 4th place team in the AL Central. The White Sox had a 21 game losing streak. They also had two 14 game losing streaks. They fired their manager Pedro Grifol. They traded away more of their talent at the deadline. This team was last in baseball scoring runs. They had the 3rd highest ERA in baseball. The defense was not good. This is an organization that has no clue how to run a baseball team. They still have no plan in place. In 2025 this organization has given me no hope they will turn things around. They have had back-to-back 100 loss seasons. Most likely they will get a hat trick after the 2025 season. It’s embarrassing and the entire front office and the idiot owner should feel the same way. No excuses for this kind of play at a professional level.

GOOD BYE OAKLAND

The city of Oakland, California have lost their final professional sports team on Thursday afternoon. Just a few years ago they watched their professional football team at the time the Oakland Raiders leave their city and head to Las Vegas. The Athletics are following the Raiders to Sin City but first stopping in Sacramento for a few seasons while their new stadium is built in slots town. On Thursday the city of Oakland watched the last game of their beloved Athletics at the Coliseum which they called home since 1968. The Athletics, originally from Philadelphia, as the franchise started in 1901. The Athletics stopped in Kansas City before coming to Oakland and they had a packed house for the team’s final game of 46,889 fans with mixed emotions. It was their last chance to celebrate their team and let their hate out against the coward owner John Fisher who weaseled this team out of the city they called home for 57 seasons.

The Oakland fans celebrated the players on the field and hissed at the silver spoon of the heirs to the GAP clothing stores. The crowd had chants of, “SELL THE TEAM.” Many signs in the outfield showing their feelings of the unstable ground this fanbase had to go through for over a decade during which this owner and the city of Oakland could not hammer down a new stadium. Some of the signs said, “GOOD BYE MLB,” which all of the owners in the league and the true douche bag of them all the Commissioner Robert Manfred had their hands in this situation. One sign said, “LAS VEGAS BEWARE.” Another clever sign said “IT’S NOT US, IT’S YOU.” These 57 years in Oakland produced 4 World Series Trophies which include those three championships in the 1970’s with slugger Reggie Jackson. swinging the hot lumber.

Then in the late 1980’s the Bash brothers got the Athletics their 4th title in Oakland.

This last game at the Coliseum was a time to reflect all the great memories this team had for all those Oakland fans during their 57 years. Former Athletics LHP Barry Zito sang the National Anthem.

Former Oakland greats like Ricky Henderson and Dave Stewart were on hand to throw out the first pitches of the game. Henderson and Stewart, both Oakland natives, had memories of watching this franchise growing up. The game had it’s normal chants like, “LETS GO OAKLAND,” as they rooted the current team on as they won finally 3-2 over the Texas Rangers. After the game Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay spoke to the fans and thanked them for all the years of support.

Mark Kotsay also played in Oakland as a player for multiple years. He showed pure class thanking all the stadium workers at the Coliseum for their years of hard work making these games happen every day in front of the home crowd. The Oakland fans appreciate the heartful speech by Kotsay as the crowd responded with more chants of, “Lets go Oakland.”

Oakland groundskeepers did their part and gave dirt from the field to fans that wanted something to remember the Oakland A’s by. Even short stop Jacob Wilson was seen filling a cup up with dirt from the infield. The game had two stoppages, one in the 7th as someone lit some kind of smoke bomb that sent green smoke into the air. Then in the 9th some fan managed to get on the field. Other than those incidents it was an emotional day in Oakland for the fans and the players. Fans dressed in their favorite Oakland game wear as many still had those recent shirts that are green with the words sell the team on them.

Outside the stadium, independent merchandise sellers sold out of all their stuff.

It was all-star closer, Mason Miller, who closed the door on the Rangers and Coliseum at the same time. On a gorgeous afternoon it was Rangers outfielder Travis Jankowski grounding out for the final out at the Coliseum.

The Oakland Coliseum was a multi purpose stadium that hosted the Raiders and the Athletics. The memories of Bo Jackson galloping all over the grass and infield dirt of the Coliseum are priceless.The Coliseum hosted four AFC Championships with the Raiders, It also hosted six World Series championships. Next season the Coliseum will still be around as the Oakland Roots will make their home there. The Roots is the soccer team that plays in the USL (United Soccer League.) It will not be the same when the stadium had two of the major North American sports and are now just stuck watching soccer or concerts or if the minor league baseball team plays some of their games there in the future. The Oakland Ballers already play in another stadium in Oakland.

It was a great day in Oakland to do the final baseball game with a huge turn out like that. To give the players a proper send off they deserve. This should never happen again and it will in professional sports like this. No billionaire millionaire should rip away a team from a city like this. John Fisher should be arrested. I hope karma bites this silver spoon asshole right in the rear in the future. Only way it comes back to haunt him would be his bank account. It would be satisfying to see fans not show up in Sacramento or Vegas. Hopefully free agents boycott this team as well. I hope MLB finds Oakland a replacement in an expansion team. That is what they should do to make up for this colossal mistake they have made getting in the same bed with Fisher. The one thing Fisher can’t take away from the city of Oakland is all the great memories. The final game there showed that how dedicated they are. They did not deserve how they got shit on by this SOB since 2005 when he purchased the majority of this team.

ROWDY MISSES THE BONUS BY 4 AT-BATS

In life, big business freaking sucks. I remember being a salesperson for a big business and missing the next bonus level by 1 penny in sales. I had a total 2,999 gross of sales that week and needed 3,000 to get the bonus pay.

The Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman missed by that much this week. The 29 year old left-handed slugger, Rowdy Tellez, was approaching a 2,00,000 bonus in his contract that had incentives he signed in the off-season. Rowdy needed 4 plate appearances and he would have hit the bonus. Instead the Pirates designated the first baseman for assignment. It’s not John Fisher bad taking his baseball team out of Oakland and ruining the hearts of an entire city. I don’t care what reasoning Pittsburgh’s front office had. This is bad business in general.

Rowdy Tellez has been platooning the first base position with Connor Joe most of the year. Tellez has had a decent year with a batting average of .243 launching 13 home runs into the seats while driving in 56. He has played in 131 games for the Pirates and has come up big with some of his at-bats that help the team win games. Tellez has played in the MLB for now 7 seasons in a career that started in Toronto. His numbers with the lumber in seven seasons he’s batting .234 with 105 home runs while driving in 319. He is 14 hits shy of the 500 mark which he may have not gotten this season as we are down to the last handful of games.

If I were the Pirates I would probably would upgrade the first base position next season. That would leave Rowdy Tellez looking for work elsewhere. The Pirates are not going to the post-season this year so playing players who clearly don’t have a future with the team, I get it. You want to play your young guys. This move could cause a domino effect in off-season plans if the Pirates are going to add free agents to the team. Sure they get the usual guys looking to rebrand themselves after a bad year at the office. If the Pirates want to be serious about taking this young group to the next leve,l they will need help outside. They will have to pay some money if they want a nice solid option at first base or wherever in the diamond. Some players and agents will remember this raw deal that Tellez got. He signed with the Pirates and played well to get the short end of the stick at the end. He helped the Pirates, a team that was in the thick of things most of the year. This team was fun to watch and Rowdy played a part in this. It’s too bad the ten game losing streak at the wrong time of the year ending up derailing this Pirates squad. I don’t care who made this call, the General manager or the owner, it is a shitty thing to do. I know baseball money is ridiculous as Rowdy does not look like he’s a guy that misses any meals. Other players can look at this in the free agent market and then say, “no thanks,” to an offer made to them. Things come back to haunt you in the baseball world or in life in general. Look when the Pirates traded LHP Martin Perez to the Padres. A team at the time who they were contending with for a wild card spot. Perez would eventually pitch against his old Pirates squad and beat them. Moves like Perez and Rowdy always have consequences. When is this owner and front office going to get sick of having their face planted with egg? When are we going to learn from stupid mistakes? Dumb moves prevent this team from getting to the post-season.

GREEN DAY REVOLUTION

As the 2024 MLB regular season nears the end, the last home stand for the Athletics at Oakland Coliseum is upon us. The Athletics have played baseball in Oakland for the last 57 seasons dating back to 1968. The greedy owner of the A’s, John Fisher, is taking another Oakland sports franchise to sin city, Las Vegas. The Raiders left Oakland a few years back & now the baseball team has followed the football team leaving the town without a professional sports teams except minor league teams. Things did not work out well with Fisher and the city of Oakland along with the team’s fan base getting the brunt of the break up. Fisher would rather have his Athletics play at a minor league stadium in Sacramento for the next few years while the new stadium is built in Las Vegas. Over the weekend Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of Green Day, had his say about Fisher as the band was playing at San Francisco Oracle Park as part of the Saviors tour.

Billie Joe Armstrong grew up in the Bay Area watching the Oakland Athletics and was a fan of the team.

Armstrong has been a critic of the billionaire owner John Fisher relocating the team he rooted for all his life living in the Bay Area of California. During the concert the words from Armstrong, “This is a very special night. Tonight, we are home. Green Day, we are from the Bay Area. We live the Bay Area. We smell the Bay Area. We are the oil refineries. We are that cold bay. We are the mud that lives under there. This is us. We are East Bay for life. Forever. Green Day, East Bay, Forever.” We don’t take no shit from people like John fucking Fisher, who sold out the Oakland A’s to Las fucking Vegas. I fucking hate Las Vegas. It’s the worst shit hole in America.”

The Green day tour across America has had many stops playing in MLB ball parks. Billie Joe Armstrong would show his protest against John Fisher’s Athletics by spray painting a B over the old Oakland A’s logo at each ballpark. Like in the Sci-Fi series V in the 1980’s.

When the Alien invasion happened, the resistance would spray paint V on the signs telling the world to rise up against the visitors.

Maybe this is what the owner of the Athletics looks like in the morning before plotting his next devastating move against humanity. The B Armstrong is spraying on the Athletics shows solidarity for the independent minor league baseball team, the Oakland Ballers.

The Ballers play their home games in Western Oakland at historical Raimondi Park. It was John Fisher who refused the Oakland B’s of playing some of their home games at the Coliseum this season. Maybe with the Athletics moving on to Sacramento where they will play their home games at Sutter Health Park which is getting upgraded to meet MLB standards, the B’s could get some home games in the Coliseum which the city is planning on selling the stadium.

Every rock musician has some kind of cause that they believe in. I like Billie Joe Armstrong and Green Day nailing a guy like John Fisher who ripped the hearts out of many fans in the Bay Area, including the singer who was a fan of the team. I’m sure these protests or articles I write and others about Fisher will not hurt his pockets. More people should know this guy is the ultimate douche bag. You’d love to see attendance figures in Sacramento and in Las Vegas not get the crowd he would like through the gates. Eventually he will get a fan base to invest their money into his bank books. After a while he will sell the team to make a profit. With social media and everything out there, this worm will at least go to the grave in the future knowing he was an SOB in life. What Green Day is doing and everyone that was a fan of the Athletics in Oakland is trying to prevent, is the next John Fisher hijacking their team from their own city. I blame the MLB and the crooked commissioner Robert Manfred for letting this happen. I’m sure the rest of the greedy owners in baseball, who probably had a say in this, should be responsible and should help Oakland get an expansion team in the future.

OHTANI MAKES HIS OWN CLUB

The LA Dodgers gave the two way Japanese Superstar more money then God to play baseball. In his first season as a Dodger, Shohei Ohtani made his own club. Ohtani made history before the season started accepting 700 million and being the highest paid baseball player in the world. Now I guess you can say he is earning the money as he becomes the first ever player in MLB history to hit 50 or more home runs and for stealing 50 bases. Only five players in MLB history have had 40-something home runs and 40-something steals in one season. Ohtani hit the 50 mark in both home runs and steals in one of the best games by a single player in MLB history.

The Dodgers routed the Fish in Miami 20-4 to clinch a playoff berth last Thursday. It also will mark the first time ever that the Japanese Superstar Shohei Ohtani will play in the post-season, this October, since he came over from Japan. Ohtani who has been primarily the DH for the Dodgers because he needed UCL surgery last year on his throwing arm. This year he did not pitch as he plans to return to the mound in 2025. The Marlins fans and the Dodgers faithful watch Ohtani tear up Miami pitching as he went 6-6. He had three home runs, two doubles, scored 4 runs, swiped two bags, and drove in ten runs. Insane! Those home runs he hit were the 49th, 50th, and 51st. The two bags he swiped were the 50th and 51st. Now he’s above the 50/50 club by himself and still counting with 51/51.

Shohei Ohtani is 30 year old and has his third MVP of his career in sight. In his first season in Dodger blue, he’s batting .301 with 53 long balls and has driven 123. Ohtani becomes the first ever player in MLB history to hit three home runs in one game while stealing two bases. Ohtani is also eyeballing Ichiro Suzuki’s record of 56 bags swiped in one season which he did in his rookie year with the Mariners. Those 56 bags are the most by a Japanese=born player in MLB history. Now Ohtani has 55 of those. Only one season in Dodger blue & he already broke LA’s most home runs in one season.

Shawn Green set the Dodgers record of home runs in one season with 49 in 2001. Ohtani has that record now and has hit 4 more than Green did in 2001. The 10 RBI game has been done before as Ohtani has becomes the 16th player to drive in 10 runs. Last time that was done was back in 2018 when Mark Reynolds did it playing in a Nationals uniform. The best player you can compare Ohtani to is the great Bambi-no Babe Ruth who had a great career as a two way player. Ruth did end up not pitching later on in his career. Ohtani has been pretty good as a pitcher in the MLB. It’s scary to wonder can Ohtani win the MVP award and Cy Young award in the same season. He will pitch again next season. The 700 million dollar question is how much of an impact could he make in October? He never made the post-season with the Angels. The legend of Ohtani may reach Mr. October heights this post-season.

Reggie Jackson earned that nickname, Mr. October, for all the heroics he had in post-season play. I expect Ohtani to make hie own legendary tales in post-season as well. He will be must see television in the playoffs. What kind of club will he carve out for himself and himself only? That is the question.

 

The General Manager of the Chicago White Sox, Chris Getz, does not getz it. Instead of taking responsibility for putting the worst baseball team on the field in 2024, he says the team was dealt a bad hand. Getz was hired on August 31st of 2023 after the firings of Rick Hahn and the other stooge, Kenny Williams. Getz has been on the job for over a year and is the dealer of the bad hand that led to hot garbage on the baseball diamond. He has constructed the worst baseball team since before World War II. How is that possible with all the technology, analytics and knowledge at your disposal? Throw in the team of scouts and other personnel Getz has at his disposal. The poor White Sox were dealt a bad hand and they, in Chris Getz and before him Hahn, have created this mess.

Since Chris Getz has taken over, he has no plan in place. Getz has been in the White Sox front office for years and knows the injury history of guys like Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, and Luis Robert. This is common knowledge these guys live on the injured list and Getz neglected to find a back up plan for these major holes in your everyday line up. The moves Getz did make were signing bargain players thrown out by other franchises. Sometimes you find a gem or two garbage-picking but not all your moves should come from that. Then they got desperate and signed veterans like Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman after the season was several weeks in. Then at the trade deadline he kept Luis Robert and Garrett Crochet. Thinking he may get more in return from trading them in the off-season. Or is Getz building this team around Robert and Crochet? What about Andrew Vaughn, the first baseman for the White Sox? Is he a piece of the future? In some of these trades that Getz has made, the White Sox have gotten nothing significant in return as well.

Then on Friday night Chris Getz was in the White Sox broadcasting booth and dropped another bomb on the fan base. The master plan this off-season is not to spend money and go heavy into the free agency market. Then basically saying we have players on the field right now that need to improve. Like his boss trying to negotiate a new stadium after two of the worst years ever in White Sox history. The team right now is 34-115 and the man dealing the cards is saying most of these guys are coming back in 2025. What are we smoking or sniffing in the front office of this franchise that does not get it? Is he trying to infuriate the rest of the fan base that’s left? Why would he say that in the broadcast booth at the tail end of the worst team in the modern day era. Thank the lord I do not have season tickets because I would be cancelling them right now. You are stealing money with that plan. Getz could not hack running the farm system for the White Sox. Now he’s treading water in a job way over his head. He should be thrown to the street and be that bargain front office guy for some little league organization.

At 115 losses, the White Sox have tied the 1935 Boston Braves and the 2018 Baltimore Orioles. Next up is the 1917 Philadelphia Athletics at 117 losses. Then the 2003 Tigers who had 119 losses. Then the expansion team Mets in their first ever season they had 120 losses. Then my favorite squad, the Cleveland Spiders of 1899, who had 134 losses. The Spiders owner purchased another team, took all the talent from Cleveland, and stocked his new purchase. I can see an expansion team losing many games in the first season. Now that is unheard of as expansion teams have winning seasons right off the bat. Evidence includes the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. The 1917 Athletics had the worst winning percentage of all-time. The White Sox are an embarrassment to the modern day era because of tools they have to determine a player’s capability. Chris Getz needs to be held accountable. The miser owner Jerry Reinsdorf needs to be held accountable. Remember this organization never signed a free agent and paid them a contract worth 100 million or over, which seems to be the going rate of any top talent. The White Sox need to use free agency to fill some of the holes on this roster. This team will have to overpay for talent just because they let their house of cards tumble. Enough of the excuses from this front office. Look in the mirror already. I don’t think this franchise will survive another year with dark clouds hanging over the skies of the Windy City.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NEWS

I think the Chicago White Sox should think about using the Brown bag as the new team cap for the 2025 season. The remaining White Sox fans love it these days. Seems to be popular wear at the Guaranteed Rate Field where the arrow is pointing down on talent.

WHERE’S THE BEEF

Another great pitching performance by 27 year old Davis Martin that goes to waste yesterday at Fenway Park versus the Red Sox. What’s Martin got to do to earn a win for this bad White Sox team? He pitched six strong innings giving up one freaking run. His last seven outings the White Sox have scored 14 runs for him which averages 2 per contest. Martin would get the no decision. As he left the game it was all tied at one’s.

This season Davis Martin has pitched in 8 games as seven of them were starts. He has an 0-3 record with 3.29 ERA. He has worked 38.1 innings as he been making his way back from Tommy John surgery after he missed the 2023 season. This is pathetic as the White Sox have not been able to score runs when he pitches. No beef at all. If the White Sox could muster up three runs, Martin would have some wins. After Martin left the game the Red Sox took the lead in the 7th off reliever Matt Foster. Foster walked the first batter & then allowed a two run homer to the next guy. He gets the loss as that was the only two batters he faced. Martin looks better after the Tommy John surgery when he made his debut in 2022 when he went 3-6 for the White Sox that year and ended up having a 4.83 ERA making 8 starts in 14 games. Not much to root for as the White Sox just lost their 110th game of the year. Perhaps not trying to jinx things Martin could be a future piece to that starting rotation next year and beyond. He has added a change up to his mix of pitches. He was not afraid to throw inside. I really liked his demeanor on the mound. He was also Mark Buehrle-like on the mound defending his position. Chris Getz, the General Manager of the White Sox, will probably trade him and get nothing good in return during the off-season.

FIRST RBI IN WHITE SOX UNIFORM

Who is Jacob Amaya? Last night Amaya earned his first RBI in a White Sox uniform as he drove in the only run of the game for Chicago. A single that scored Lenyn Sosa from third base yesterday at Fenway Park. Amaya was a guy the White Sox claimed off waivers on August 26th. Originally drafted by the Dodgers out of high school in the 2017 MLB draft in the 11th round. He’s 26 years old & plays short and second. So far this season in a White Sox uniform he has played in seven games and collected six hits in 22 at-bats. Amaya looks solid so far on defense. He only has played in 12 MLB games in the last two seasons. Made his debut with the Marlins last year. He played in one game for the Astros this season before being thrown on the waiver wire. He has 31 official at-bats in the MLB with 8 hits batting .258 and now has three RBI. Nothing yet to write home to mom about. You never know because sometimes you do find a gem on the waiver wire that just needs playing time. He get it with the White Sox.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR TOUKI

The last two seasons we have seen a Touki sighting on the south side of Chicago. Yes, Touki Toussaint who once was upon a time ago a first round pick of the Diamondbacks back in 2014. Touki has pitched in the MLB for the last seven seasons mostly with the Braves. In 2023 he started with Cleveland, and then White Sox picked him up to eat up innings because the team traded away most of their pitching staff. Toussaint found his way back to the White Sox a few weeks back and did not last very long this go around. He had 11 appearances out of the bullpen with 1-2 record and very high 7.43 ERA in 23 innings of work as he struck out 26. The White Sox designated the great Touki for assignment days ago.

Last season Touki Toussaint pitched in 19 games for the White Sox and made 15 starts. He had a 4-6 record with a better 4.97 ERA which is still high. He worked 83.1 innings and struck out 83. Lifetime he has a 15-16 record with 5.39 ERA in 88 games of which 39 of them were starts. He has worked 280 innings and struck out 292 batters. Tiuki is 28 years old & maybe has the coolest name in the game right now. I’m sure we have not seen the last of him. We may not have seen the last of him in a White Sox uniform as we should definitely say see you next season and hope you do better then.

THE PIRATES VICTIM TO A NO HITTER COMBO WITH FRIES

The Pirates came into to Wrigley and won the first two games of the series versus the Cubs. These two teams met in Pittsburgh at the end of August at PNC park. The Cubs blew the doors off the Pirates with a hit parade and ton of runs to sweep Pittsburgh at their home stadium with humiliation. The Pirates revenge they won the first two games then fall victim to a no hitter by the Cubs in the series finale in 12-0 blow out. The Cubs registered their first no hitter since 2021 with three pitcher combo. Shota Imanaga did the heavy lifting going seven strong innings as the starter. Cubs relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge get their names in the history books with a clean inning of work.

Could have the Japanese star pitcher finish the game versus the Pirates after going 95 pitches through 7 innings? Shota Imanaga is 30 years old and is in his first ever season in the MLB after pitching a whale of a career in his home country. The Cubs are fighting to land a wild card spot which could be the reason why Craig Counsell may have taken him out. Shota Imanaga, his first season in the MLB, has been brilliant as his record now is 12-3 with 2.99 ERA in 26 starts. He is now the 3rd Japanese-born player to have a no hitter in the MLB following Hideo Nomo and Hisashi Iwakuma. It was the first no hitter pitched at Wrigley field since 1972. It was the 4th No hitter of the 2024 season.

FIRST NO HITTER

April 1st: Astros Ronel Blanco in his first start of the season no hits the Toronto Blue Jays.

SECOND NO HITTER

July 25th: Padres Dylan Cease mastery over the Washington Nationals.

THIRD NO HITTER

August 2nd: Giants Brandon Snell’s gem over the Cincinnati Reds

ELVIS RETIRES AS A TEXAS RANGER

Elvis has left the sport of baseball as he officially announces his retirement at the age of 36 years old. Wouldn’t that be nice in life to retire at 36? Elvis Andrus, a native out of Venezuela, made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers in 2009 at the age of 20. Elvis has played 15 seasons at one of the hardest positions on the baseball diamond, short stop. On Friday he signed a one day contract with the team he played 12 seasons, the Texas Rangers. Elvis came in with the Rangers and will leave the game as one.

The other three seasons away from the state of Texas Elvis Andrus split those years pretty evenly with the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox. In 2023 was the last time Elvis played in the MLB and that was with the White Sox. Last year he played in 112 games, and had a batting average of .251 with 6 home runs while driving in 44. When he was traded to Chicago from Oakland in 2022, the White Sox needed him to replace the injured Tim Anderson. He did well in 43 games batting .271 with 9 long balls while driving in 28 at a time the White Sox were trying to get back to the post-season but came up short. It was not Elvis’ fault as he hit very well in the second half of the season. You just wished his hot bat would have been used for playoff baseball. The White Sox elected not to re-sign the 2x all-star and he hooked on with the Diamondbacks in spring training of 2024. The snakes in the desert decided they did not need Elvis on their roster and he was let go. Andrus ended up not playing in the MLB this season. What did he miss? A chance of being on the worst team in baseball if he returned to Chicago?

Elvis Andrus is not going to Cooperstown in 5 seasons. He was a solid player for 15 seasons. He played his position well on defense. He was not a liability in the line up as he racked up over 2,000 hits in his career. He reached two milestones in a White Sox uniform which was cool. The 2,000 hits and the 100 mark in home runs. He was a team leader and a guy that ran the bases well. He played in 2,059 MLB games and finished with a .269 average with 102 long balls while driving in 775. He was able to get hits when it mattered, driving over 700. He scored 1,058 runs while stealing 347 bags. He will always be linked and known as a Texas Ranger. He threw out the first pitch at Globe Field in front of the crowd that he played in front of for 12 seasons as part of the one day contract. He was joined by former teammate second baseman Michael Young who was Elvis’s Double Play partner on the infield. Young works in the Rangers front office. The former manager Ron Washington was on hand to see Elvis throw out the first pitch and congratulate him on his retirement. Washington manages the Angels who were playing the Rangers that night. If I was a Rangers fan, Elvis would be on my all-time favorite Texas team.

ROYALS CLAIM A PAIR OF OLD WHITE SOX OFF THE WAVIER WIRE

Both Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman started the 2024 season with the White Sox. Both outfielders signed with the White Sox after spring training and weeks into the regular season. Both were teammates for a few weeks. Both veterans were traded away from the sinking wreck in Chicago. Grossman was dealt to the Rangers, a team he played on in 2023 and helped Texas win their first ever World Series. Pham hung around the south side longer and was dealt during the trade deadline to the Cardinals who were in the thick of things at the time for a playoff push for a wild card. Last year Pham helped the Diamondbacks in their post-season run to the World Series. Which ended up Grossman’s Rangers over Pham’s snakes in the desert to decide the World Series winner. Now once again Grossman and Pham will be in play for the Royals playoff push, be teammates for the second time this season and will be back in the AL Central where it all started this season.

This will be the 9th MLB team for Tommy Pham during his 11 year career in the league. Pham is 36 years old, has played in 94 games combined this season, and is batting .256 with 7 home runs while driving in 31. He hit better with the White Sox than the Cardinals when he batted only .202. Pham gives the Royals playoff experience. He can bat in the lead-off role if needed. He can sometimes give a team a spark with his lumber. He can be streaky with the lumber. The Royals are hoping he can get hot in this final month of regular season. For Robbie Grossman, the Royals get a guy that can come off the bench as he hits from both side of the plate as well. He can play the corner positions of the outfield. The Royals will be Grossman’s 8th team of his 12 year career. Grossman obviously gives Kansas City playoff experience as well. This year in 71 games Grossman is batting .227 with three home runs while driving in 14. The Royals have recently taken on some injuries losing first baseman Vinnie Paquantino to a broken thumb. Then Hunter Renfroe exited a game with a pulled hamstring. These are not the greatest replacement for those two guys. But Pham and Grossman could contribute and help keep this team afloat for the time being.

THE 1970 WHITE SOX TEAM HAS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE

The 1970 Chicago White Sox squad had the worst record in franchise history with 106 losses. Not any more as the 2024 White Sox now have the franchise worst with 107 losses with the loss to the New York Mets yesterday. The present day White Sox are now 31-107 and have lost ten straight. The 1970 White Sox entered the month of September with 86 losses. They finished 1970 with a record of 56-106. Now the 1970 squad, wherever they are, can uncork the bottles of champagne and celebrate in disco style.

The 2024 White Sox since the All-Star Break have a record of 4-36. This is the 3rd time this season the White Sox have lost ten straight games. The White Sox lost 21 straight this season. Then the other losing streak was 14 games. The White Sox have 24 games left on the schedule this season.

That is the not the unknown comic in the stands along with his family at Guaranteed Rate field.

Could the White Sox actually set the worst record of the modern era in the MLB? The 1962 New Mets lost 120 games that season. The Mets were an expansion team. The White Sox could match the 2018 Orioles and 2003 Tigers. Their stink was 115 losses. The next nine contests for this White Sox team are against winning teams. Three in Baltimore. Three with Boston. Then the Guardians who actually the White Sox have beaten them 5 times this year. Expect more bag families to be out at the ole ball park. Expect lots of open seats as well. The fat lady ain’t singing any time soon. Only if someone could just take this White Sox season behind the shed and put it out of it’s misery. Cheers to the 1970 White Sox squad as you were probably ten times better than the 2024 team.

WHITE SOX CASTAWAYS OF THE TRADE DEADLINE

The White Sox 2024 season is easy to describe as the Titanic hitting the iceberg. Over 100 losses and still counting with a cast of characters that resembled the Walking Dead. At the trade deadline the White Sox traded away some of their castaways from this gigantic shipwreck in the middle of Lake Michigan. Which Castaways have swam or sunk into the baseball abyss with other teams? Usually the theory is once players leave Chicago they get better as we rank five former White Sox castaways from number 1 to 5 on what they are doing with their new team. Which team is getting the most out of these former White Sox players?

#1. MICHAEL KOPECH LA DODGERS

By far the number one castaway is RHP Michael Kopech. The White Sox landed Kopech in the Chris Sale trade and he was supposed to be a bigger deal than the guy we were giving up. We saw glimpses from Kopech who was once a starter, then bullpen guy, back to starter, and then back to the pen. This season Kopech pitched 43 games for the White Sox from the bullpen. He had a 2-8 record with 4.74 ERA. He worked 43.2 innings striking out 59 batters and converting 9 saves. For the Dodgers Kopech’s record is 2-0 with 0.63 ERA. This proves the theory that says get out of Chicago and watch your career sky rocket. Must be the weather. He appeared in 14 games for the Dodgers blue as he converted 3 saves while tossing 14.1 innings in 14 games. He has struck out 20 batters. The Dodgers have a dream team, so watch Kopech pitch in the World Series.

#2. PAUL DEJONG KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Now Paul DeJong was a bargain signing by the White Sox during the off-season. One of many. DeJong was trying to redefine his baseball career after a bad year in 2023. For the White Sox he found his power stroke with the lumber. DeJong played in 102 games as he batted .228 with 18 long balls and drove in 41. I like DeJong as he is a team guy. He is a local guy originally from the state of Illinois. Since he moved on, his batting average has soared with the power. In 23 games for the Royals he’s batting .268 which is 40 points better than what he did with the White Sox. He has another six home runs while driving 14. Also heard his defense seems to have gotten better. Must be the pizza in Chicago.

#3. ELOY JIMENEZ BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Once upon a time ago in a far off galaxy, I thought Eloy Jimenez was going to be a stud offensive player devastating baseballs for years to come. Jimenez is injury prone. He can shatter like an old cheap light bulb. The type of guy who one light goes out on the string, and he is sidelined forever it seems. In 65 games for the White Sox he batted this season .240 with 5 dingers and drove in 16. With Baltimore he’s batting .296 in 23 games for the Orioles. However only 1 home run as he’s driven in 7. I find it odd Jimenez like Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu, both out of baseball, lost their power stroke. His batting average has definitely climbed the charts wearing black and orange.

The next two players landed on the St.Louis Cardinals and have not fared well.

#4. ERIK FEDDE ST.LOUIS CARDINALS

Erik Fedde was a bargain purchase in the off-season by the White Sox. Fedde redefined his game playing in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) in 2023. Before 2023 he was pitching for bad Washington Nationals teams. For the White Sox he did very well as he made 21 starts as he had a 7-3 record with 3.11 ERA. I thought the White Sox could have gotten more at the deadline for Fedde. The Cardinals were in the thick of things pushing for a wild card spot. Suddenly Fedde is not dealing like he did in Chicago. He has made six starts for the red birds and has a record of 1-4 with a higher 4.64 ERA. The playoff stress and the humidity in St. Louis must be the downfall for Fedde. The Cardinals have collapsed as they were buyers at the deadline.

#5. TOMMY PHAM ST.LOUIS CARDINALS

Everyone was excited in Cardinal nation for the return of Tommy Pham to St.Louis. He did start off like gangbusters in a Red Bird Uniform. I think he had a grand slam in his first game back. For the White Sox Pham played in 70 games as he was a body picked up which the White Sox needed at the time. Both parties knew he was going to be a trade chip. Pham hit .266 with the White Sox along with hitting 5 long balls as he drove in 19. With the Cardinals, Pham played in 23 games and with the lumber was batting .202 with 2 home runs while driving in 12. Recently Pham has been designated for assignment by the Cardinals. They may not get any takers.

Those are the 5 castaways by the White Sox. As you can see some have done wonders in the new uniform while a few have done poorly.

A JOHNNY CUETO SIGHTING

Johnny Cueto emerges into the LA Angels starting rotation. Cueto has pretty much been MIA the last two seasons in the MLB. Cueto gets his first taste of the 2024 season with the Halos as the team gave him two starts and the song lyric, “Go Johnny go,” is played inside my head and the baseball world. Johnny is not good. Johnny is pretty much bad as the Angels have seen enough and already designated the 38 year old RHP for assignment.

Last year Johnny Cueto was sidelined by injuries and made only ten starts for the Marlins. With the Angels he takes two losses in two starts working 11.1 innings as he has the exploding 7.15 ERA and struck out six. Not very Johnny like. For the Marlins in 2023 he had a 1-4 record in those ten starts but yet a very high 6.02 ERA as he worked only 52.1 innings. In 2022, Cueto redefined himself with the White Sox as he made 24 starts & had a record of 8-10 with respectable 3.35 ERA. He came into the season later in 2022 and tossed 158.1 innings of work. I thought the White Sox should have kept him. Now you see he has not done much since then. A native out of the Dominican Republic, he has a life time record of 144-113 with 3.52 ERA while appearing in 370 MLB games in 17 seasons. He once was one of the most dominating pitchers in the league as he was a 2x All Star and helped the Royals win a World Series in 2015. In 2014 he won 20 games that year. In 2016 for the Giants he won 18 games that season. That was the last season he had with double digit wins in a single season. Cueto has that intimidating look on his face when he is on the mound. He may have one of the best pitching delivery wind ups, if you want call it that, in baseball. At 38 not sure how many more opportunities he will get to pitch in the MLB. You’d like to see him collect 6 more victories to reach 150 wins at least. I don’t think he will get that or the opportunity. He had a great career. Maybe we hold out hope that Johnny finds his way back in the MLB next season and he’ll be ready to rumble.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NEWS

NOT MUCH GOOD BUT PLENTY OF BAD AND UGLY NEWS

The Pirates had their three best pitchers lined up to face the Chicago Cubs who are trying to make a last minute attempt to snag a wild card spot. The Pirates playoff hopes came crashing down as they lost ten straight a few weeks back. Before this series with the Cubs, the Pirates were starting to get back on track. The Cubs blew Pittsburgh out of the waters with a three game sweep as Chicago scored 41 runs in the three game series which is the second most they scored on a team in a series. You have to go back to 2019 when the Cubs unleashed 47 runs off the Pirates in a three game series for the franchise most all-time. In 1930, the Cubs scored 40 of the Philadelphia Phillies and at the time, the Boston Braves.

On Monday, the Cubs destroyed the Pirates 18-8. On Tuesday the Cubs won that one 9-5. Then on Wednesday the Cubs were losing 10-3 after six innings. Somehow the Cubs would score 11 unanswered runs off Pirates pitching to win 14-10 and sweep the series.

MASH UNIT

The Pirates lost their young RHP Hunter Stratton for the year after he was carted off the field during the Reds series. The 27 year old relief pitcher had surgery on Monday for the ruptured patella tendon in his knee. While covering home plate, the ball kicked off the glove as the injury occurred when he was chasing it down. In Stratton’s first full season, he had a 2-1 record out of the Pirates pen with 3.58 ERA in 36 appearances working 37.2 innings.

The Pirates lost their Gold Glove third baseman to a back injury. Ke’Bryan Hays will head for the 10 day injured list. Hays with the lumber this season has been swinging a quiet bat. His 2024 numbers he’s been batting .233 with 4 long balls driving in 25 in 96 games so far this season.

The Pirates lost one of their starters for the rest of the season. Marco Gonzales will need surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. The 32 year old LHP will have surgery early September which could be a 9-12 month period to recover. Gonzales has only made 7 starts this season in which he has a 1-1 record with 4.54 ERA. Last season in Seattle, Gonzales only made 10 starts. Injuries has followed him around like dark clouds.

BEDNAR WILL BE TAKING OUT OF THE CLOSER ROLE

The Pirates manager Derek Shelton on Friday spoke saying David Bednar will not be the closer at this time. The move is most likely to give Bednar time to find himself, clear his head, and find the right mechanics that made him a 2023 all-star. Last year, Bednar racked up 39 saves with an 2.00 ERA. This season he has 23 saves with 3-7 record and 6.32 ERA. He has blown six save opportunities. Out of the gates, Bednar struggled. He did find his old form and threw much better. Now he has resorted back to the Bednar out of the gates form which prompted the move by Shelton.

NEW CENTER FIELDER

The Pirates thought they had their short stop position locked down for years to come with O’Neil Cruz who is a freak of an athlete. Cruz, a native out of the Dominican Republic, is a force with the lumber. Cruz bats from the left side of the plate and can devastate a baseball. He’s batting .274 with 18 long balls driving in 68 so far this season. On the base paths, Cruz could steal bags with the best of them in the MLB. On defense, Cruz has one of the best arms in the game. Defending the short stop position, one of the hardest positions on the baseball diamond, is the question for Cruz. He has committed 24 errors which is second most by short stop in the entire league. Since being a freak athlete, why not center field, a position the Pirates have not cemented yet. He has the speed. He has the arm. Sure he may have some hiccups judging some of the balls hit into the gap. Could the Pirates benefit on defense in the long haul with someone else at short that can play better defense? In baseball you want up the middle of the diamond if possible as your best defenders. Could Cruz become an elite center fielder? Or is he destined to be a corner of the outfield presence? You hate to have him only as the DH because of that rocket arm he has. The Pirates season has been hit by too many cannon balls as the ship has sunk. It is a good idea right now to see if your superstar can man the anchor of the outfield. By next year, the Pirates could be defensively sound up the middle of the diamond.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NEWS

ANOTHER GETZ BARGAIN SHOWN THE DUMPSTER

When your team loses more than 100 games, it’s time to set the bug bomb off and eradicate everything on the roster. The latest victim for the White Sox to be shown the door, 34 year old reliever John Brebbia, was designated for assignment. Brebbia was one of many of White Sox General Manager Chris Getz’s cheap bargains he signed in the off-season to fill a bullpen with lifeless arms. When you scout the league on garbage night for talent, you should expect not much in return on players dumped on the curb by other teams. When you trade away most of your talented players at the trade deadline, the band-aids of the roster start to peel off from being overused.

John Brebbia is in his 7th season in the MLB as last year he pitched for the Giants as he started his career in St. Louis. In his first season with the White Sox, the RHP has a 0-6 record with high rise 6.29 ERA. He has managed 13 holds with 2 saves. He has pitched in 54 games working 48.2 innings of work while striking out 58 batters. Brebbia now has a 15-21 lifetime record in 349 MLB games. His 3.82 lifetime ERA is respectable as a reliever most years. This year Brebbia is on the worst team in baseball as losing is contagious. So he has struggled and probably could use a different uniform with a different outlook than sinking with a team that is 70 games below the 500 mark. Besides the White Sox found another gem in the Death Star’s trash bin a few weeks back.

It’s very pathetic when the White Sox hitters beat up on the Yankees RHP they designated for assignment and want him on their team. The Yankees pretty much designated Enyel De Los Santos for assignment pretty much right after the White Sox hitters had their way with him. The 28 year old former Yankee has been with six teams in six seasons in the MLB. The White Sox are De Los Santos’ third team this season as he started with the Padres. Before this season he has already pitched for the Guardians, Pirates, and Phillies. He has only so far appeared in two games for the White Sox and has pitched 1.2 innings and has an 10.80 ERA. In 2024 De Los Santos stats consist of a 1-2 record with 5.96 ERA in 51 games. He has worked 48.1 innings and has struck out 57. Just waiting for the next trash pick up as Getz will have another full can with the Dominican Republic native who goes by De Los Santos.

CONGRATULATIONS CHICAGO WHITE SOX

On Sunday the Detroit Tigers swept the White Sox and helped their division rival clinch their 100th loss of the season at the same time. The White Sox record now is a dismal 31-100 which is 71 games under 500. The White Sox on August 18th of this month were officially eliminated from post-season play. They were the fastest team to be eliminated that early in the season from the wild card and the divisional era.

I wonder if those brown bags White Sox have been wearing during the home stands originated from the great Cleveland Browns or Detroit Lions teams from the past. It would be good to know recycling is working in America. This dumpster fire on the south side will not be smoldering anytime soon as we are still in the month of August. Hope those bags have extra holes for the hot clammy weather during the dog days of summer. The White Sox fan base and the players still have to get through the month of September. Even though most fans have already checked out and will be changing to their Bears gear. The games will still go on. I expect losses to pile up and maybe this owner and the White Sox front office will be humiliated enough to set some record of the worst team ever in MLB history. Maybe then they may do something constructive together and put an actual team on the field that is competitive. Not a pile of stiffs like they have been selling us for years.

VOTTO IS HANGING UP THE SPIKES FOR GOOD

After 17 seasons in the MLB all with the Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto has decided to walk away from the game at the age of 40. Last season Votto became a free agent and finished his 12 year contract worth 251.5 million he signed with the Reds as an extension. The thoughts of latching on to the Toronto Blue Jays for his final baseball chapter playing in front of his home crowd as Votto is a native of Canada. Votto came to spring training and was ready for a new beginning in another baseball uniform. He cracked a home run off of one of the Phillies ace pitchers, Zach Wheeler, as things looked promising at that moment. Later in the game he accidentally stepped on a bat and was sidelined for three months. Votto since activated has been working in the Blue Jays triple A farm team, the Buffalo Bison, for several weeks.

The news came out on Joey’s Instragram from the Bison clubhouse. Votto spoke in a video that he was walking away from the game of baseball. In the video he thanked his family and former teammates. Later on he said the game has gotten too fast for him. Then went on to say he has gotten too slow in the interview.

Joey Votto was drafted in the second round of the 2002 MLB draft by the Reds. He played in 2,056 games for the Reds and racked up 2,135 hits. Votto was a left-handed first baseman that swung from the left side and was a 6x All-Star. He was the NL MVP in 2010 and he also won a Gold Glove for defensive play. His stats with the lumber across 17 seasons show he batted .294 which is awesome. He clobbered 356 home runs while knocking in 1,144 runners as he scored 1,171 runs. His last year in Cincinnati he only played in 65 games as he had shoulder surgery. He only batted .202. In 2022 he finished the season batting .205 so he was on the decline with the lumber for two seasons straight.

Hall of Fame for Joey Votto? If Canada does something for their country in honoring baseball players, definitely. Votto is the second best Canadian-born baseball player as he trails the great Larry Walker who has almost all the stat categories. Joey comes in at number two on most of them all-time for the Canucks.

For Cooperstown, he may come up short. However with all these steroid guys from the 1990’s not getting the love, which they should not, maybe Votto sneaks through the back door. Maybe the veterans committee way down the line. Votto does not have that stat that is an instant ticket like 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. Depending who’s on the ballot with him in 5 years and what players have been lingering multiple years, he could gain some support every year on the ballot. For sure he is not a first ballot Hall of Famer. I like that he played with the Reds all of his career, which is rare. Even though that would not be the case if it worked out with the Blue Jays. If he did play for the Jays this season, that could have been special for him. Canada and baseball ending your career in your home country. Votto was a Cubs killer as some of my friends who have strayed to the North side allegiance has told me. They did not like him as the Cubs and Reds are division rivals. Votto was on some Reds teams that could hit the long ball. Like Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion.

Those Reds teams would have won many slow pitch softball games with the power.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NEWS

PIRATES UNLEASH THEIR SECRET WEAPON GERM WARFARE

When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed veteran pitcher & an Evil Empire defector they probably thought they would have a nice weapon to use down the road. The 32 year old Domingo German signed a minor league deal with the Pirates after six years pitching on the Death Star with the New York Yankees who released the RHP. German, a native from the Dominican Republic, was not quite ready to pitch for the Pirates out of the gates of the 2024 season. He needed some seasoning as he has been down on the farm pretty much the entire season. German weeks ago opted out of that minor league deal only to come back to the Pirates organization only days later. Probably due to no takers. The Pirates front office may have thought German would come in handy down the stretch of the season to help with the playoff push that disappeared after the 10 game skid that took place recently. Now the Pirates’ secret weapon was unleashed for really no specific reason as the Pirates season has been hanging by a thread.

Domingo German’s first action of the 2024 season wearing a Pirates uniform came out of the bullpen. Not bad but nothing to write home to mom about. Yesterday German got the start for the Pirates and he looked pretty good. German pitched 6 scoreless innings in his first ever Pirates start and struck 4. German was able to get out troubles as he allowed 4 singles and walked 4. The Pirates could not give Germ Warfare any run support as the Rangers won the game 1-0. The Rangers would get their run off closer David Bednar in a non-save situation. It was Wyatt Langford with the go ahead single to drive in the only run of the game. The Pirates had the bases loaded twice and could not find away to get a run across the plate. The Pirates finished 0-6 with runners in scoring position.

Not sure where Domingo German will be next year. Most likely it will not be with the Pirates. If he pitches well like he did versus the Rangers, could he be an option for the rotation next year? With German’s history with the Yankees, that could be risky. The Pirates are the only team in the league that signed him. Then re-signed him after he opted out of the minor league deal. So far in 4 games making 1 start he has a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings of work as he struck out 8 batters. I’m sure the Pirates will give him a few more starts before the season ends. He will be working for an actual Major League contract for next season. I can see the Pirates giving him a one year deal with a players option for 2026. He should not command a ton of money either. Any other team may be thinking the same thing. He is 32 years old but has only pitched in 116 games in the MLB and has worked only 534.1 innings of work. He still flashes some great stuff when he is out there. I believe he could be a pretty good option for your 4th or 5th starter in the rotation. With the Pirates giving him a chance to shine again, he may want to stay in Pittsburgh. He probably fits with the Pirates ownership’s price tags. Dirt cheap. Only if this organization would invest in a few big names, they could really get this team over the hump. German could be a nice option to have in 2025 with some other additions that come in with big names and a positive track record on back of their baseball card.

AJ PIERZYNSKI IS MY PICK FOR NEXT WHITE SOX MANAGER IN 2025

Rumor has it the White Sox are seeking an outsider for their next manager. Perhaps that is why General Manager Chris Getz promoted Grady Sizemore to be the team’s interim manager. Sizemore has no ties to the White Sox organization when they hired him on Pedro Grifol’s coaching staff this season to work with the outfielders and help the team with base running. The last outside hire by the White Sox was Grifol and he is the worst manager in the team’s history books. If Sizemore wants to be the guy, this present team will have to do a 360 in their play level as so far Grady has a 2-7 record. Most years the White Sox like to hire guys that have played for the team at some point or has held a coaching role with the organization like Ozzie Guillen, Robin Ventura, and Tony LaRussa. The White Sox got a World Series with Ozzie and Tony’s second stint with the team resulted in a division title. Then the wheels on the the finished rebuild came flying off. Ventura had no coaching experience and did not do well. Robin did better than Grifol with a 375-435 record and had a .463 winning percentage. I normally would not go down Ventura Boulevard again. However the White Sox could differently find an edge by hiring AJ Pierzynski who has no manager or coaching experience.

AJ Pierzynski now is 47 years old and has played 19 seasons in the big leagues as a catcher. Pierzynski was a guy you hated to play against but would love him if he was wearing the same uniform as you were. Pierzynski batted from the left side of the plate and had solid numbers with the lumber throughout his career. Most catchers in the league’s teams get a limited amount of offensive production. You could rely on Pierzynski as he was a 2x All-Star, helped the White Sox win the World Series, and won a Silver Slugger award. His career numbers he has a batting average of .280 while racking up 2,043 hits. He hit 188 home runs and drove in 909 runs. He played for 6 teams in the MLB which featured the Twins and the White Sox where he played most of his career of 8 seasons and was a legend on the south side of Chicago. He also played for the Giants, Red Sox, Cardinals, and Braves.

AJ Pierzynski knows the game and has the MLB rule book. He probably memorized it from the front cover to the back. In the 2005 divisional round, there was the famous dropped third strike by the Angels catcher that led to a White Sox rally. Pierzynski waited long enough for the Angels catcher to roll the ball to the pitching mound after he thought the inning was over. Pierzynski heads up took off for first base, was ruled safe, and that the was turning play of that game. The White Sox would go into cruise control the rest of the way and won it all not losing anymore playoff games. The Angels in the 2005 post-season were the only team to give the White Sox their only loss.

This current White Sox situation will not attract any bigger names. We can’t expect Terry Francona to come out of retirement to take on this hot mess. Besides, Jerry Reinsdorf will not pay the big money for a big name. Normally I would like the White Sox to find someone that has no ties to the organization. AJ Pierzynski became an ambassador for the White Sox after he retired. He was a legend on the south side for 8 seasons and fans would back this move. Pierzynski spoke the truth and did not sugar coat things as an ambassador, the front office, and Uncle Jerry did not like. Pierzynski moved on from his duties with the White Sox and does his own podcast that he speaks the truth. He’s still a White Sox fan and has no ill feelings of any kind. He actually would love to sit down with the White Sox brass and talk about the manager’s job. He has no coaching experience but he was a catcher. The best managers in the game have been back stops during their playing days. Just the prep and work that has to be done to be a catcher in the MLB for 19 years should tell the work ethic Pierzynski has. He called a great game behind the plate with all of his pitching staffs he has worked with. On the field and in the dugout, he was a leader on those White Sox teams. I think he would be great to start with a bad team and younger players he can mold like himself. I think many teams in sports take on that personality of their manager or head coach. Pierzynski has that swagger. He would have his team playing hard and be fundamentally sound. They would be a team that would grind out each pitch of each bat. He would have them hustling and running everything out. They would be a team to get better over time. They would be a team that other teams do not want to face. His guys would know the rule book like himself inside and out. Can you imagine the strategies Pierzynski would use on opposing teams? Anything goes. AJ Pierzynski would light a fire under his guys and play the game the right way with an edge. Plus the pure entertainment as you don’t know what will happen on any given night with AJ lurking in the White Sox dugout. However at the end, General manager Chris Getz is probably threatened by an AJ Pierzynski.

THE PIRATES SEASON HAS TURNED INTO A SHIPWRECK

The Pittsburgh Pirates were buyers at the trade deadline as they were in the thick of things for a playoff push. The playoffs and Pirates are usually not in the same category. The Pirates front office did make one trade as sellers as that deal came back to bite them on the rear yesterday. Yesterday was the 10th game in a row the Pirates lost and were beaten by LHP Martin Perez who was traded to the Padres because the front office thought we had enough quality arms in the rotation.

My question is: Why would you trade Martin Perez to the Padres, a team you were going to face six times? Plus the Padres are a team that is in your way for a wild card spot. You can say Perez was only 2-5 with a high ERA and not really helping the Pirates win ball games before he was dealt. He looked great yesterday striking out 8 of his X-teammates going 5.1 innings and giving up one run. Now Perez is 3-5 for the season and the Padres have beaten the Pirates in six games out of the ten consecutive losses they have suffered. When you play with the big boys you have to beat them. This ten game losing streak started at the tail end of the series versus the Diamondbacks, another team going for a wild card spot. Then the dream… the Dodgers are the biggest measuring stick in the National league and probably in the entire league.

The Pirates were in most of these games they have lost in this ten game losing stretch of the season. They had the lead late in some of these games. They had two blown saves. They lost a few late as well. When you play playoff teams in long stretches like that, you have to ride the ship and at least go 500. Last time Pirates lost ten straight was last season from June 13th-22nd. That losing streak pretty much sunk their 2023 ship after getting off to a great start out of the gates. Before this current ten game losing streak, the Pirates record was 56-54. They were not very far from a wild card spot. Now the record is at 56-64 and are at the bottom of the NL Central where they have lived for several years now. Only the Chicago White Sox have suffered more losses in a row this season with 21. The White Sox also had a stretch where they lost 14 games. Now the Pirates are the only other team this season with the White Sox to lose double digits in consecutive losses. The Marlins and Athletics were close with a 9 game losing streak from those two franchises. The Pirates had three 11 game losing streaks in their franchise history. Two twelve game losing streaks. Three 13 game losing streaks. One 14 game losing streak in their franchise history. Before they were the Pirates, they were called the Alleghenys and in 1890 they suffered a 23 game losing streak.

Hopefully the Pirates can stop the bleeding in their next game when they welcome the Mariners to town. Unfortunately the Mariners are a team in contention for their own division in the American League so it will not be a easy series. If the Pirates could win a game and avoid a longer losing streak, they can regain some of their confidence back. The losing streak may have doomed their season intentions of getting back to post-season as they have been playing some solid baseball. They have beaten the teams they should beat and are not doing well against the teams with winning records. That is not a good playoff baseball recipe as the roster still has missing ingredients.

CAN JUDGE HONOR THE MLB HOME RUN RECORD?

We all know the MLB Home Run King and the record for most long balls is tainted. Barry Bonds stole the crown from former Home Run King Hank Aaron as he did it the right way. Bonds would have made the Baseball Hall of Fame without the steroids pumping throughout his veins. Bonds wanted the attention and to be crowned king of the long ball. The head of Bonds grew partly from ego and the junk that came from the needle mutilated baseball history climbing the ladder surpassing baseball’s icons of the game. Everyone waits for the day where Bonds record falls and someone surpasses him doing it the right way. It could be another guy named Aaron. He could be the one that will certainly be the judge, jury, and executioner of Bond’s kingdom in baseball history. Which would honor the game and clean up the pollution that has drawn dark clouds on the baseball world time to time. Aaron Judge is the quickest player ever in the MLB history to reach the 300 mark in home runs.

The New York Yankee outfielder hit his 43rd home run last night in Chicago versus the White Sox. That home run hit off veteran reliever Chad Kuhl gives Judge his 300th and he did it in his 955th game breaking the quickest mark set by Ralph Kiner who did it in his 1,087th game on May 25th 1953.

Aaron Judge is the 4th player in the Evil Empire history to have hit 40-something home runs in three different seasons. He joins Yankees greats like Babe Ruth who did it 11 times. Lou Gerig did it 5 times. The great Micky Mantle did it 4 times.

In 2022 Aaron Judge set the American League record for home runs in a single season with 62. Yesterday he hit his 43rd of the season in his 122nd game of the season. In 2022 he had 46 home runs by his 122nd game. He should reach the 50 home run mark at least by the end of the season. Seven more home runs & he will have 3 seasons he has reached the 50 mark and become the 5th player to have done that three seasons or more. Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Babe Ruth have done that 4 times. The former Yankee, Ranger, and Mariner, Alex Rodriguez, has done that three times. Notice three of the players out of five were linked to the steroids or performance enhancement drugs. Sosa still denies it even years after he played his last game. I believe Judge has done it the right way as his size has been the same all 9 seasons he has played in the MLB. Judge has started hitting home runs from day 1 when he set a new rookie record for most long balls in one season with 52 in 2017. Pete Alonzo from the other New York team, the Mets, would break Judge’s record in 2019. McGuire I believe came into the league not on steroids as he had a monster year his rookie season and set the single season record of home runs in one season with 49 lately broken by Judge. The Judge and McGuire also have another thing in common. They are the only players to reach 300 home runs before racking up 1,000 hits.

Aaron Judge is still a long way away from Barry Bonds’ 762 home runs. Not sure if Judge will break Bonds’ single season record of 73 long balls which is the National League mark. At the age of 32 Judge would have to play until he’s 40 years old or beyond to really dethrone the king of home runs and put the steroid monger in the second spot on the home run list. I’m not very excited to see a Yankee back on top of the list. I will take a Yankee over the cheating Bonds on any day. Bonds did a lot of damage to the back of his baseball card late in his career because of the drugs. Judge doing it the right way would have to stay healthy and not break down in a few years to really put the scare into Barry. He may also need a few more 50 home runs seasons along the way. The story would be if Judge does the unthinkable – an Aaron getting revenge for the late Hank Aaron and making his own mark in MLB history. It would be good to have a king that is not tainted. Now if we can find a President of our country that is not tainted, we may have something going for the future to make the wrongs right once again.

THE NEW GUY

The Chicago White Sox front office reshuffled the deck of their coaching staff after firing Pedro Grifol. Along with Grifol they axed his bench coach who has manager experience in the MLB, Charlie Montoyo. What is the worst thing a third base coach could do to a team with the worst record? Eddie Rodriquez was shown the door. The assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar will not be taking the coffee orders as he will be replaced. The new guy, Grady Sizemore taking on the dirtiest job in baseball, will be the interim manager for now. The White Sox named Doug Sison as Grady’s bench coach. Justin Jirschele takes on the challenge at third base. Mike Gellinger is the new assistant hitting coach. Sizemore will have first crack at showing the White Sox front office that he may be the guy they need but is faced with a tough task in front of him. As this group may go down as the worst baseball team in MLB history.

Do you remember when the Montreal Expos were drafting some great players before they ended up having to trade them away. Grady Sizemore was drafted by the Expos in 2000 in the 3rd round of the MLB draft out of high school. Sizemore debuted with the Indians in 2004 and played ten seasons in the MLB. He was a 3x all-star, and 2x gold glove winner playing center field. He was a south paw who played 1,101 games in the MLB with 4 different franchises. With the lumber he racked up 1,098 hits with a career batting average of .265. He hit 150 home runs while driving in 518. He had some speed and swiped 143 bases. I guess he can relate with some of the White Sox players as he had his share of injuries. He missed back to back seasons with injuries in 2012-13. He was not the same player when he returned as he bounced around to Philadelphia, Boston, and Tampa Bay. He will always be known for playing for the Indians. In 2017 he helped his old organization, Cleveland, in player development. Then in 2022 he coached in the Diamondback complex league. Pedro Grifol and the White Sox front office brought Sizemore on to help the outfielders defensively and he helped the team with base running. Now he’s 42 years of age and has his first taste of being the skipper in the MLB.

In three games managing, Grady Sizemore has a 1-2 record. His first career victory coming yesterday when the White Sox beat up on the visiting Evil Empire Yankees, 12-2. Over the weekend, Sizemore and the White Sox were swept in a two game series versus the Cubs. The Friday game, his first game as manager, the Cubs scored 7 quick runs and it looked very bad for Sizemore. The team fought back and made a game out of it as the White Sox lost to the Cubs, 7-6. Then on Saturday another close loss 3-1 by the Cubs. It’s something extra as a White Sox fan feeling special if they take care of business against the city rival. Mastering the Yankees is something fans can get excited about. Sizemore is not too far removed from the game as a player. He was a hard working player when he played the game which should get respect from today’s players. I think Sizemore does have a chance to remove the interim from the manager’s title if this team responds well. I really don’t know if some of the best managers in the game could get positive results from this group. I’m not sure any big names would want to take on a project with this mess Sizemore inherited. Sizemore may be just a band aid for now to get this train wreck to the yard to finish the season. It would be typical White Sox business to just keep Sizemore this season and beyond and save big money at Menards. The White Sox owner miser does not want to pay big money for a manager. Especially with them paying Grifol going away money. I hope General Manager Chris Getz and the White Sox do an actual search this off-season for a new manager. Maybe get some insight from what other organizations do. It should be someone from outside the organization as well. I may have two names that intrigue me that have ties to the White Sox. That is going back down the same road as when this team hired Tony LaRussa. I’m feeling the football season approaching. Which usually puts baseball on the back burner. I may have to tune in and watch to see how these last two months go with Sizemore in charge. This right now is a good move and should have been done several weeks ago instead of keeping that boob Grifol in the dug out.

STOP THE BLEEDING

I feel the league said to the White Sox we do have a slaughter rule before they fired Pedro Grifol. It looked like Grifol was going to go down with the ship with that recent 21 game losing streak and the 14 game losing streak that occurred several weeks ago. I don’t know if I should be happy about this move or pissed off at this organization run by baffoons. This firing should have been done before the season even started as Grifol was way over in his head thinking he was capable of managing a team in the big leagues. The White Sox front office will for sure make Grifol and some of his cronies the scapegoat of this horrific season. General Manager Chris Getz also canned bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third base coach Eddie Rodriquez, and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar. Cutting off the head of the snake so it grows back as Getz should look at himself in the mirror. Can you put the owner on the chopping block? The White Sox give the interim label to the newest White Sox skipper, Grady Sizemore.

Not sure this move will stop the bleeding for the White Sox. Grady Sizemore, 42 years old long time center fielder for the Cleveland Indians, will get his first taste as manager. It gives the White Sox a new voice for the last two months of the season instead of the same ole song and dance with Pedro Grifol whose promises from when he was hired never materialized. The things that took place on the field are the simplest things like hitting the cut off man. Something that should have taken place in spring training is still being discussed in the second half of the season. It was Chris Getz who collected defensive players in the off-season like someone’s hobby was keeping a stamp collection. Not saying the players Getz collected give him the edge in this rotten disaster season that has gone bad. Believe me Getz is a garbage picker for the miser owner in Uncle Jerry counting his coins under the candle light to save money on electricity.

Where did it all go bad? The White Sox were a playoff team in back to back years of 2020-21. The front office is the biggest reason and finding the right guy. The bridge gap manager Ricky Renteria who got the White Sox to post-season in 2020 was fired after the season for Tony La Russa who I think they dug up from underground somewhere. La Russa’s first season got the White Sox back to the post-season. It seems like the White Sox had issues beating good teams. Then in 2022 the wheels of the bus fell off and La Russa, once a Hall of Fame manager, was in over his head. In 2023 the two boobs Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn replaced La Russa with Pedro Grifol, a guy who’s never managed in the big leagues. Raise up the red flag. Grifol was from a loser organization, the Royals, who held on to multiple jobs maybe even selling hot dogs. Bruce Bochy was available. That would have not worked because he just went on to win a World Series with the Rangers. Grifol could not handle all the veterans on the White Sox as his message was in one ear & out the other. The team played poorly. The two idiots started to gut the team at the trade deadline as almost everything must go. Finally Jerry Reinsdorf, the king moron, fired Williams and Hahn. A move that should have happened years prior. King Jerry hired Getz, another guy that is in way over his head. Getz was a bad guy running the White Sox farm system for years. How could he be the choice? Then Getz in the off-season continued to gut this team. Then picked up inferior replacements. Then gutted the team some more at the trade deadline. Grifol and others should be held accountable.

The tale of the tape here is numbers do not lie. Pedro Grifol’s record this season is 28-90 which is 62 games under 500. His two seasons in the White Sox dug out he is 89-191 which is 100 games under 500 and a .318 winning percentage. Easily the worst manager in White Sox history. The White Sox will easily get another 100 losses this season which will be the 6th time in their history they have done that. This will be the first time this franchise has gone back to back years losing a 100 or more games. The worst team in White Sox history means you have to take the time machine back to 1932. The 32 team had a .325 winning percentage with a record of 49-102-1. This 2024 team will destroy that ’32 team’s record. Maybe Chris Getz and Jerry Reinsdorf could have avoided a total mess if they handed the keys to Grady Sizemore several weeks ago. The White Sox are not an expansion team. They are in one of the biggest markets in the MLB. They should not be selling lemons year after year like this. Another kick in the groin MLB does not award the worst record with the first pick of the 2025 draft. The league has gone to the lottery system. The White Sox will still get a good player but not the best. Not a franchise changer like Paul Skenes of the Pirates. Right now the White Sox have put on a band aid and declared their scapegoat with the firing of Pedro. The bleeding is gushing right now for a franchise that is the biggest joke in the league. If I had a choice, I would love to see Uncle Jerry and his insubordinates flee the Chicago market take an expansion team in another town but leave the White Sox name. Then give Chicago a expansion team with new owner and new personelle. This franchise is an embarrassment and they don’t even realize it.

SAVE PEDRO

When will the greedy owner of the Chicago White Sox pull the plug on this bad Pedro Grifol experiment? The White Sox on Sunday versus the Twins lost their 20th game in a row. The White Sox are by far the worst team in baseball and could be challenging history as the crappiest team of all-time. The White Sox record stands at 27-87 after Sunday which is 60 games below the 500 mark. Don’t come up too quick… you will get the bends. For Pedro this is like the longest bad inning of a lifetime with nobody warming up in the bullpen. Do you let Pedro go down with the sinking of this Titanic wreck? I would say relieve him of his duties. Get a different voice in the heads of these players so you don’t become a pun in everyone’s jokes for the next decade of being the worst ever.

By firing Pedro Grifol, you’re saving him. From the beginning Grifol has been over his head taking this job. The jack of all trades for over a decade in Kansas City was only a bridesmaid, never a bride for the Royals. Taking the White Sox manager job was his first and let’s face it will be his last one he will have in the MLB. The 20th loss in a row by the White Sox on Sunday ties the 1969 Montreal Expos. Back then the Expos were an expansion team. On Monday, the White Sox made it 21 straight losses which ties the American League record of 21 straight losses that was done by the Baltimore Orioles back in 1988. The Orioles started the season off 0-21 and their first win was against the White Sox, so how fitting. The White Sox need two more losses to tie the Philadelphia Phillies team back in 1961 who lost 23 straight games in a row. The most in the modern day era of baseball. The most losses in MLB history mean you have to go back to 1889 when the Louisville Colonels lost 26 straight games. The White Sox are now 0-17 after the All-Star break. The team in the first half of the season suffered a 14 game losing streak. The White Sox roster became even weaker after the trade deadline when they unloaded some of their best players. Pedro and this White Sox team could be on the wrong side of MLB history .

You can’t blame Pedro Grifol for all of this as the house of cards was blowing down after Tony LaRussa took over and had his hands on this team. In his first season in 2023, the White Sox management were sellers at the trade deadline and took a ton of talent away from this roster. Grifol has not made good on any of the promises he has made in the introductory press conference either. As of Sunday, Grifol is in his second season as a manager and his record stands at 88-188 which is 100 games under 500. His winning percentage at the end of Sunday is .319 which is the worst ever for a manager in White Sox history. The great Terry Bevington or Robin Ventura look like Kings compared to Grifol. The White Sox new General Manager Chris Getz did Grifol no favors this off-season getting him the horses to compete. How do you lose 21 games in a row? It baffles me. You think you would run into a win here and there. The players are not listening to Grifol, and I don’t think they ever did. Why is Grifol still around? Give the White Sox bench coach Charlie Montoyo a hack at it. Montoyo was a manager with the Blue Jays for 4 seasons and has a 500 record of 236-236. Montoyo was an arranged marriage with Grifol as he was hired to be the bench coach. Give Grifol the boot and send him on his way. Make Montoyo the interim coach to see if he can jump start this team with a new voice. Make things simpler and see if he can get some play out of these guys who probably mentally have checked out already for the season. Firing Grifol you’re saving Pedro from being the town fool which he already has become. Now you are making him the joke of baseball. I know Montoyo should not be hired to be the guy next season if he suddenly takes over and wins a few games. I think change would benefit the kids on this team as more will pop up on the Major roster when the call ups take place in September. Grifol is in over his head and the Uncle Scrooge, the owner of the White Sox, does not want to fire guys in the middle of their contract. Grifol only signed a three year deal originally. What’s an extra two months in baseball money to let this guy get the hell out of dodge. Dress him up, call him Betty, and place Pedro in the boat with the rest of the women and children because I’ve seen enough of bad baseball for a lifetime with his management and this hot garbage of a team.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

A PIRATES TRADE

Add the Pittsburgh Pirates to the list of teams that are fishing Marlin at this trade deadline. The Marlins continue to clean out their waters of old game and replenishing with younger gills. The Pirates and Marlins convert on a trade involving three players. The Pirates lacking some offense acquire outfielder Bryan De La Cruz. While the Marlins get two players back in the deal, the number 17 and 18th prospect of the Pirates, in RHP Jun Seok Shim and first baseman Garret Forrester.

Bryan De La Cruz is 27 years old and a native from the Dominican Republic. He’s been in the Majors for the last 4 seasons and has some pop to his bat. De La Cruz is a switch hitting outfielder who’s batting .245 with 18 home runs while driving in 51 so far this season. He is one homer shy of breaking his career record set last year in long balls with 19. He should break that easy if he stays healthy. In 4 seasons, De La Cruz is batting .256 with 55 long balls while driving in 51. The Pirates outfield has been slacking in the production numbers. Bryan Reynolds is the only one hitting the ball regularly. Michael Taylor and Jack Suwinski have had their share struggles recently. De La Cruz could be slated at either corner spot of the outfield. He’s a switch hitter which gives your everyday line up flexibility and mismatches for the opposing team’s pitcher. I like that De La Cruz is only 27 years old and could be a possible piece for this team this year and beyond as he fits in the window of a Pirates team on the rise. He certainly is capable of helping the Pirates now in the thick of things in the playoff push.

The Marlins in return get Garret Forester who is 22 years old and was drafted in the third round of the 2023 MLB draft from Oregon State University. In 51 games so far in two seasons in the minors with the lumber, he’s batting .245 with 1 long ball and has driven in 17. At Oregon State, Forrester could rake the ball all over the field as his career collegiate batting average was .326. Only 51 games under his belt mean he will need more seasoning.

For Jun Seok Shim, the Pirates dream is dead as he’s off to Miami where he takes his talents to south beach. Shim is only 20 years old and is a native from South Korea as he signed with the Pirates as an international free agent. Shim has not yet pitched this season as he’s been out with a shoulder injury. In 2023, he only pitched in 4 games in the Pirates farm system, worked 8 innings, and gave up three runs. A bright spot is he struck out 13 batters in those 8 innings. The Marlins have torn it down and have collected multiple prospects during this trade deadline in hopes many of them will pan out. Marlins have done these rebuilds quickly and get back on track like McDonald’s putting up a restaurant on the corner of your block. They are hoping for those kind of results.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

A WHITE SOX TRADE

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to sure up the bullpen and strike a deal with the Chicago White Sox. The deal involves a two player swap. The Phillies acquire 32 year old LHP Tanner Banks from the White Sox. The White Sox get a minor league infielder prospect back in 19 year old William Bergolla. The White Sox look like they are holding on to Luis Robert and Garrett Crochet so Banks may be the last real piece on the roster that other teams would actually want. The Phillies have a surprising command over the NL East which has been owned by the Braves reservation over the last several years.

Tanner Banks has an inspiring story he has lived to finally make it to the big leagues. Banks is 32 years old and has only been in the Majors the last three seasons, all with the White Sox. Banks’ minor league career may end up longer than his actual Major league career unless he pitches until he’s 40-something years old. This year Bank has appeared in 44 games, has a 2-2 record with 3.91 ERA as he worked 53 innings, and struck out 59 batters. He has even converted 2 saves. Banks could be a nice option for the Phillies late in ball games. He has done multiple roles in the bullpen for the White Sox in his first three seasons. Banks leaves the White Sox after appearing in 11 games while having a 5-6 record with a 3.83 ERA. He converted 3 career saves so far. He has worked 167 innings striking out 159. The Phillies have had problems with their bullpen during the post-season the last few seasons being their weakness. Banks should be able to give this team some nice clean innings during crunch time games.

The General Manager of the Chicago White Sox, Chris Getz, once again gets another countryman in return from all these deals at the deadline. Getz has gotten all imports except for one player in multiple deals the White Sox have done at the deadline. We have not learned from our past rebuild with all the imported players that lived on the injured list. Now we have a fresh new crop of them. William Bergolla is native of Venezuela and is a switch hitting infielder. Bergolla was the Philllies 10th ranked prospect so it seems like Getz has gotten something higher quality for Tanner Banks than others he has shipped out. In 3 seasons combined, Bergolla has some decent numbers with the lumber. He has a batting average of .292 with 1 long ball while driving in 67 runs in 151 total games. I’m sure it will take a few more years to see if Getz got his guy in this deal with the Phillies. I liked Banks, but at 32 years old he will probably not be around when this new rebuild actually grows some legs. It is good to get something for Banks while he’s pitching pretty good. This may be one deal where Getz got it right. We will wait and see. Maybe by the time Bergolla gets to the Majors with the White Sox, Getz may not be here. It would not surprise me if he gets a pink slip at some time in the next few seasons.

A PIRATES TRADE

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

Who says you can’t be both sellers and buyers at the trade deadline? The Pirates certainly have been busy buying some pieces to help them land an NL wild card spot. It must be a shock to the Pirates management when they are suddenly in the thick of things. They are unsure what direction to go. The Pirates trade 13 year veteran LHP Martin Perez to the San Diego Padres who also are in the thick of things for a NL wild card spot. The Pirates get back an 18 year arm from the Dominican Republic LHP Ronaldys Jimenez. Why would you help a competitor you are competing with for one of the wild card spots?

Martin Perez is 33 years old and the Padres will be his 5th team. Perez is known most of his career wearing a Rangers uniform where he played 9 seasons in Texas in two different stints. He won a World Series ring with the Rangers last year. In the off-season, he signed with the Pirates to try & redefine his career as a starter. At the end of regular season Perez was pitching out of the Rangers bullpen. This season Perez has made 17 starts, has 2-5 record with 4.96 ERA. He is only 1 win over 500 life time as he has a 87-86 pitching record with 4.47 ERA as he made 260 MLB starts. The Padres need to stay afloat and have two of their arms out in Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. They give up a young arm to get a veteran and the Pirates are still on the hook for half of Perez’s salary for the remainder of this season as he only signed a one year deal. Padres hope they can get something out of Perez for a few starts at least until their two studs return.

Ronaldys Jimenez has only 3 starts established at the rookie ball level. He only has six innings under his belt and has allowed 1 run so far. Jimenez may have a solid arm but needs plenty of seasoning and is most likely years away from getting a sniff at the big leagues. Why trade a veteran pitcher then for a guy who will only help you if he makes it down the road?

Martin Perez becomes expendable for two reasons. The emergence of Luis Ortiz in the Pirates rotation. Then 27 year old Bailey Falter LHP is back from the injured list and he has made 18 starts this season and his numbers are better than Martin Perez. Falter is 5-7 so far this season with a 3.95 ERA and has made 18 starts. The Pirates still have veteran LHP Marco Gonzales in the rotation as well. So for this season the Pirates could be buyers and sellers just hope the Padres don’t get the wild card spot because of Perez. I may have traded him to the American League. Again he’s expendable for a reason as he may not have had many teams kicking the tires on him for the playoff stretch.

 

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

ANOTHER WHITE SOX TRADE

BYE BYE MOMMY

I never thought I’d see the day when the White Sox trade away Eloy Jimenez. Many White Sox fans were thinking rainbows and unicorns the day we pried Jimenez and Dylan Cease away from the Cubs for veteran pitcher Jose Quintana. Jimenez was born to destroy the baseball. A guy that can put the ball into the seats with regularity. An RBI machine. A guy who can hit for average. Injuries and injuries followed Jimenez around like dark clouds over a guy with a sunny personality. The numbers with the lumber would be off the charts if he can just play a full season. Being devastating with the bat he was fragile in all the other aspects of the game. Fielding. Running. Maybe throw in celebrating a walk off home run hit by a teammate. The Baltimore Orioles acquire the 27 year old slugger from the White Sox for minor league LHP Trevor McGough. Bye bye mommy off to Baltimore his last words would be if a microphone was thrown in Eloy’s hands the last time he wore a White Sox uniform.

The Baltimore Orioles have been very busy during this trade deadline. Their mission is defend their AL East division title from the Evil Empire the Yankees. The Orioles were the number one seed last year and earned a first round bye. Then they were quickly dispatched in the divisional round by the Rangers. Baltimore is looking to do better so they dealt Austin Hays and Kyle Stowers for some pitching. The Orioles needed some outfield help and acquired Eloy Jimenez. This season Jimenez has only played in 65 games, has a batting average of .240 with 5 long balls, and has driven in 16. Jimenez debuted in the big leagues for the White Sox in 2019 and has racked up 508 hits in only 503 games in six seasons. One of those seasons was the pandemic year which was a 60 game slate. You can tell in a normal 162 game season that Eloy has missed many games by doing the math. In 2019 he played 122 games, batted .267 with 31 long balls, and drove in 31. You’d like to see him get 120 to 130 games a season if possible. In 2020 he did manage to play 55 games and batted .296 with 14 home runs as he drove in 41. His career numbers he has a .271 batting average with 94 career home runs while driving in 292. He is in his final year of a 6 year contract that paid him 43 million. The Orioles have two option years after this season if they want to keep him beyond this season. It’s a shame that Jimenez did not work out on the south side. This is a guy you thought would be on the south side of Chicago for over ten seasons like a Frank Thomas or Paul Konerko. It shows how the White Sox rebuild before this rebuild crumpled like a house of cards with all these core pieces we thought they were moving on.

Let’s see what our White Sox savior, the Great Chris Getz as the team General Manager, netted us for Eloy Jimenez. I will tell it’s not another countryman like in all the other deals stocking the Cuban box of cigars. White Sox will get 26 year old south paw Trey McGough who originally was drafted by the Pirates in the 24th round of the 2019 MLB draft. Trey probably did not pitch in 2020 because of the pandemic and the minor league team were not operating. He’s a Pennsylvania native who was drafted out of Mount St. Mary’s University. In 5 seasons in the minors he pitched in 86 games of which 28 of them were starts. Looks like he is more of a reliever now than a starter. He has a 14-8 record with an impressive 2.96 ERA in 5 seasons down on the farm as he worked 240.1 innings and punched out 225 batters. Perhaps McGough is close to making his MLB debut. Will this be another clunker from the mad genius Getz or did we get a nice piece back? No worries. I will be watching and taking notes so I can rant and rave about our GM’s constant blunders.

MORE MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

ANOTHER PIRATES TRADE

SOUTHPAW SWAP

The New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates swap recipes in a two player deal. The Pirates acquire 29 year old LHP Josh Walker who was just designated for assignment by the Mets. In return, the Mets will get an 18 year old LHP Nicolas Carreno back for a guy they discarded from the deck.

Maybe the Pirates see something in Josh Walker they like. Walker has 24 MLB games under his belt in the last two seasons. Originally he was drafted in the 37th round of the 2017 MLB draft from the University of New Haven. This season he has appeared in ten games, all as a reliever. He has no record with 5.11 ERA, has worked 12.1 innings, and has struck out 11 batters. In two seasons he is 0-1 in 24 games with a 6.45 ERA and has worked 22.1 innings and tallied up 23 strike outs. Walker will be heading to the Pirates farm team to work on his game. Not sure if the Pirates have given up a gem in Nicolas Carreno who is a native of Venezuela. In 8 starts in the Dominican Summer League he is 0-1 with 3.74 ERA. This trade may not work out for either team. We know south paw pitchers will get multiple chances to display their stuff and work on their craft. Maybe the Pirates think Walker could be an arm and they can tweak some things to help them late in the season as they try to capture a wild card spot. Mets are just happy to get something in return in guy they sent packing.

MORE MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

The Cleveland Guardians find themselves in first place in the AL Central. The Guardians have been quiet at the deadline until now getting a deal done with the San Francisco Giants. It’s a two player deal right now in which a third player involved later. The Guardians get a veteran starter in Alex Cobb. The Giants will get a minor league prospect in LHP Jacob Bresnahan and the famous player to be named later will complete this trade in the future weeks.

The Guardians get a 36 year old starter that has not pitched in 2024. Alex Cobb has been recovering from off season hip surgery. He was a go to make his first start with Oakland until a blister happened on his throwing hand. The Guardians will have to wait for Cobb to make his debut in 2024. Cobb was an all-star for the Giants last season as he finished with a 7-7 record with 3.87 ERA working 151.1 innings. He may have had a solid first half to earn all-star nods. Cobb has been in the league for 12 seasons where he started with the Rays, went to Baltimore, suited up for the Angels, and the last few years he’s resided in the Bay Area with the Giants. Cleveland will be his 5th stop in his major league career. Cobb life time has started 230 games and is two over 500 in wins with record of 77-75 with 3.85 ERA. The Guardians right now have a comfortable lead in the Central but the Twins and Royals are coming after them. Cobb could be a nice arm to have down the stretch to secure this team a few more wins to keep their division hopes in sight.

The Guardians give up a 19 year south paw they drafted last season out of high school. Jacob Bresnahan was selected in the 13th round in the 2023 MLB draft. Bresnahan is slated to be a starter as he made 16 starts in two minor league seasons so far. He’s combined two seasons down on the farm. He has a record of 1-5 with 3.72 ERA while working 55.2 innings. Probably trying to build his arm up being only 19. The Giants will get two bodies for a guy they were not even using this season which is a win-win. If one of them pans out, it may be a trade that favors them in years to come.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

A PIRATES TRADE

The Pittsburgh Pirates seeking some offensive help strike up a deal with the team up north in Canada. The Blue Jays are selling and the Pirates find themselves in uncharted territories in a playoff race for a wild card spot. In a two player deal, the Pirates acquire veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa from Toronto. The Blue Jays in return get a minor league prospect Charles McAdoo who mans the hot corner so far throughout his minor league career.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is 29 years old and is a jack of all trades all over the diamond. He can even pitch if your team is on the wrong end of one of those lopsided games. Kiner-Falefa was drafted originally by the Texas Rangers in the 4th round of the 2013 MLB draft. He spent 4 years in the Lone Star State. Then was summoned by the Death Star of the Yankees where he played two seasons. He escaped the Death Star after the 2023 season and took a two year deal to play for the Blue Jays in the off-season. Kiner-Falefa has been enjoying a career year so far batting .292 with 7 home runs and 33 runs driven in as he played 82 games so far. With the lumber for his career in 7 seasons, he’s batting .264 with 33 long balls and has driven in 236 runs.

The Pirates will have to wait until Isiah Kiner-Falefa returns from the injured list from a strained knee. He is due back soon. This deal gives the Pirates a guy who is hitting well this season and can be inserted in the line up playing multiple positions throughout a week. He will most likely see most of his action at second base.

Charles McAdoo is 22 years old and was drafted in the 13th round in the 2023 MLB draft out of San Jose University. McAdoo was the Pirates ranked 29th prospect in their farm system. This season in 87 games combined with High A and Double A, McAdoo is batting .315. Besides third base he can play second and help you in right field. The Blue Jays are keeping their core players and collecting prospects from everything else they deal. In a year that went south for this Toronto team that have been a fixture in the post-season the last few seasons. I like the move by the Pirates as we don’t know what the future of McAdoo will be. The Pirates get a piece with moving parts that can help them right now. Plus the Pirates would have Isiah Kiner-Falefa on their roster next season as well.

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The Blue Jays were a flop this season as they are unloading many pieces of their roster. After signing the red beard in the off-season, they will flip Justin Turner in a two player trade with the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners are loading up for the division race with the Astros. Once upon a time ago it looked like the Mariners would run away with the AL West title. The Astros rebounded after a poor start out of the gates. The Mariners are getting reinforcements and are not going away quietly. Mariners will acquire Turner, a 39 year old infielder with tons of playoff experience including helping the Dodgers win it all in 2020. The Blue Jays will land a minor league prospect in return for a 16 year veteran. RJ Schreck is a 24 year old outfielder who will be heading to Canada.

The Seattle Mariners have struggled on offense with injuries and not getting production from certain positions. Justin Turner can still swing the lumber as he’s batting .261 this season with 7 long balls and has driven in 37. The Mariners will be Turner’s 6th team in a career that started with Baltimore then moved on to the Mets. He will always be remembered for playing with the Dodgers which seems like a life time in the blue and white uniforms. Last he played in Bean Town for the Red Sox. This season he signed a one year deal with the Blue Jays worth 13 million. In 16 seasons the red beard is batting .286 with 194 long balls and has driven 796 runs. He played in 9 consecutive post-seasons with the Dodgers. Seattle wants the guy who was the MVP of the NLCS. In 86 playoff games Turner is batting .270 with 13 home runs while driving in 42. Turner could be the Mariners first baseman or slide into the DH role. Seattle did not give up a lot in this deal. They get a guy with a clutch bat that may help wake up a dormant offense. They get a team guy. A great locker room guy. The playoff experience is huge.

Meanwhile the Blue Jays collect a double A player. RJ Schreck was drafted in 2023 in the 9th round of the MLB draft from Vanderbilt University. So far in 2 seasons, Schreck has played 114 games in the minors. He has a .254 batting average with 14 home runs and has driven in 59. Blue Jays were not going anywhere this season and Turner only had a one year deal so to get something for him is a smart move. The Blue Jays expected Turner to help their team in the post-season which is the reason why they signed him. Blue Jays are trying to collect as many pieces as they can and retool with the core they have assembled up north.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

The Marlins and the Diamondbacks strike up their second deal of the trade deadline. The first trade between the two teams were the Snakes acquired Marlins reliever AJ Puk. The Marlins continue to empty out their current pond as they received a call from Arizona about Josh Bell, a guy they were placing on waivers. The two teams hammer out an agreement that will send the Marlins first baseman packing and off to the desert to meet up with his former teammate Puk. The Marlins will get the famous player to be named later.

Josh Bell is no stranger to being dealt at the trade deadline like some hit man being called up to whack a baseball. Bell is 31 years old, was originally drafted by the Pirates, and has played nine seasons in the majors. The Diamondbacks would be Bell’s 6th team of his career. After Pittsburgh, Bell went to DC & then was traded to San Diego at the deadline a few years back. Bell signed a two year deal with the Indians & then Cleveland shipped him off to Miami because they were in the thick of things. Bell will be a free agent next season and has about 5.5 million left to be paid for this season. Looks like the Marlins will absorb most of that. Bell was not having a bad season this year. His average is at .239 with 14 home runs and he has driven in 49. His lifetime numbers he’s batting .258 with 166 long balls and has driven in 591. He reach the 1,000 marks in hits and now has 1,003.

The Diamondbacks are starting to peak again and are in the thick of things for the playoff race. The D-Backs lost their first baseman days ago. Christian Walker suffered an oblique injury and was placed on the 10 day injured list. They say it is not that serious so he should return this season. Meanwhile they get a switch hitting first baseman that has tons of power to fill in for the ailing Walker. When Walker returns who knows what the plan will be. Josh Bell has been in this situation before so he should be able to adapt. If he gets hot with the lumber I’m sure they can slide him into the DH role as well. If he struggles and Walker returns, the D-Backs will dump him like yesterday’s garbage at the curb. It will only cost the snakes a player to be named later or cash. This trade is a low risk high reward type of deal for the Diamondbacks. For the Marlins they will collect something for their empty pond down the road.

A WHITE SOX TRADE

The White Sox and the Kansas City Royals were playing each other and struck a deal. The Royals acquire veteran infielder Paul DeJong from the White Sox for minor league RHP Jarold Rosado. The trade happened before the game as DeJong cleared out his locker at Guaranteed Rate Field and walked across the field over to the visitor’s locker room and met his new teammates. Just like that he went from the bottom of the barrel with the White Sox to greener pastures with a Royals team in the thick of things for the playoff push.

Paul DeJong had a bad year in 2023 as he played for three different teams . The Cardinals, the team that drafted him, then he was traded to Toronto, then released and picked up by the Giants. The White Sox were signing many guys thrown to the curb looking to redefine their baseball career. DeJong signed a one year deal and has been the White Sox short stop most of the season. He has been better than Tim Anderson who the White Sox did not pick up his option and recently was designated for assignment by the Marlins. DeJong’s batting average this season was .229 but show he has power as he hit 18 home runs and drove in 41. In 8 seasons, DeJong has the same .229 batting average with 134 career long balls and has driven in 385. DeJong is a great club house guy. He’s from the state of Illinois as he hales from a town called Antioch. He went to Illinois State University. I wish he was a guy the White Sox were adding for a playoff push instead of how he became a trade chip.

The Royals obviously have Bobby Witt their all-star short stop so Paul DeJong will have to find playing time at another position. DeJong did start some games at third base for the White Sox in recent weeks. DeJong could play second base or hit in the DH spot. The Royals were looking to add some power to the line up. DeJong can put the ball in the seats. DeJong will be a free agent at the end of the season. If he can do some damage to help the Royals get back to post-season, he may be rewarded with a better contract in the off season. If not the Royals, maybe some other teams will be looking to give him more than a one year deal. The White Sox were paying DeJong peanuts this season.

The collection of countrymen, General manager Chris Getz of the White Sox loves to collect in these trades. The White Sox get back a 22 year old pitcher Jarold Rosado, a native out of the Dominican Republic. Rosado has been pitching in the Carolina league down on the farm of the Royals. Rosado was pitching for the Columbus Fire Flies. Rosado has been used as a relief pitcher and the last 3 seasons combined has 2-4 record with 4.92 ERA in 46 games. He has converted 4 saves and has 85 strike outs in 75 innings of work. Not sure Rosado will pan out for the White Sox as some of these guys you get return in all these deals. Some will be a clunker. Some may be that diamond in the ruff. Knowing that our general manager is not very good at determining what real talent is. We better be on the cautious side of things.

 

A WHITE SOX TRADE

THREE TEAM DEAL

This is Chris Getz’s first trade deadline as the General Manager of the White Sox. If I was a betting man I’d think Getz got swindled in a three team deal that involves 8 players currently. The other two teams involved are the St. Louis Cardinals and the LA Dodgers. We know the White Sox are sellers being the worst team in baseball. The Dodgers and Cardinals are buyers. The Cardinals get two White Sox players starting with outfielder Tommy Pham and RHP Erick Fedde. The Dodgers get some bullpen help and land White Sox reliever Michael Kopech. The Dodgers also get two Cardinals players starting with utility infielder Tommy Edman and a prospect RHP Oliver Gonzales. The White Sox get a major league infielder back in the deal from the Dodgers Miguel Vargas. The White Sox also get two Dodgers prospects, both infielders, Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus. Plus the White Sox will get a player to be named later or cash. Getz dealt three veterans for three players back and could be a 4th player in the future. My first thoughts are I thought the White Sox could get more for Erick Fedde.

Let’s start with the Cardinals haul first. Tommy Pham is 36 years old and has played in the Majors for 11 seasons and now has circled the wagons as he finds himself back where it all started in St. Louis. Pham was signed late in spring and I’m sure both parties knew they were using each other. Pham was unsigned and needed a team to show his stuff. The White Sox needed bodies and Pham could turn into a trade chip. Both parties probably agreed before signing the contract that a trade would occur. Pham’s stint with the White Sox was short as he batted .266 with 5 home runs and drove in 19. Pham is a career .260 hitter with 136 long balls and has driven in 456 runs. In 11 seasons he has racked up 952 hits. White Sox fans did not see Pham fuck someone up as he was about to unleash his martial arts on the Brew Crew several weeks ago. When Pham arrived he was a jolt to this White Sox team & they actually went on a winning streak. I figured Pham would get the White Sox a prospect. The Cardinals get a guy who can get the big hit with runners on. Pham has playoff experience as he played for the Diamondbacks last season. He can do a solid job at one of the corner outfield positions. Plus he has experience hitting lead off as he did with the White Sox for many games.

The Cardinals needed some help in the rotation and they found a steal with landing Erick Fedde. Fedde should have gotten the White Sox two guys at least. One of them should be a team’s top 10 prospects. Fedde is signed through next season as he agreed to a two year deal during the off-season. Fedde pitched 21 games for the White Sox & has a record of 7-4 with 3.11 ERA as he tossed 121.2 innings. The White Sox blew some games that Fedde pitched as the record should be better. Fedde comes cheap money-wise. He was originally drafted by the Nationals. Last year he redefined himself as pitcher in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization.) He was the MVP in 2023 in South Korea. The Cardinals did well giving up a utility guy that has not played yet this season and a prospect for two solid contributors.

The Dodgers wanted a flame thrower & they get Michael Kopech. The 25 year old RHP was supposed to have been the next coming of Chris Sale. Kopech has shown some flashes of brilliance on the mound. This year he pitched the immaculate inning which is really the only thing that sticks out to me. Kopech was a disappointment on the south side of Chicago. He arrived in Chicago in the Chris Sale trade from Boston years ago. Kopech was supposed to have been an ace of the staff for years to come. This season he is back in the bullpen and tried to be the closer. He has a 2-8 record with 4.63 ERA. He converted 9 saves. He struck out 62 guys in 44.2 innings of work. Maybe the Dodgers get something out of him that the White Sox staff can’t see. I Imagine a low level minor league player for Kopech.

The Dodgers get a jack of all trades guy in 29 year old Tommy Edman from the Cardinals. Edman is close to returning to the big leagues as he’s been on rehab assignment looking for his first action of the season. Edman was drafted by the Cardinals and played 5 seasons in St. Louis. His career batting average is .265 with 53 home runs while driving in 222 runs. He can play second, short stop, and outfield. He has one gold glove to his name in 5 seasons so far. Could be a nice bench player for the Dodgers the rest of the way and the playoffs. Then there’s Oliver Gonzales, a RHP from Panama and is only 17 years old. I think the Dodgers have filled some small holes on their dream team roster. Taking some chances with Edman and Kopech.

Let’s dissect the White Sox haul as many would like to dissect Chris Getz to see if he’s working with a full deck. The White Sox love their Cuban players as we must have a good health care program as they frequently are on and off the injured list. Miguel Vargas is another Cuban added to the White Sox roster. He is a 24 year old infielder who can dabble in the outfield. He has played in the majors the last three seasons with the Dodgers. This year with the lumber he’s batting .215 with 3 long balls and has driven in 9. In 132 career games in 3 seasons he’s batting 1.96 with 11 home runs and has driven in 49. I’m starting to be the fan of the player to be named later as Vargas does not impress me.

The two youths from the Dodgers are both 19 years old. Both of them are international players. Jeral Perez was actually a participant in the all-star futures game this season. Kudos for Jeral. He fits in at the number 13 prospect now for the White Sox as he will be sent to Sing A Kannapolis for the White Sox to mold him into this dream player of the Getz. Perez has dabbled all over the infield except for first base. Then Alexnader Albertus is a native from Aruba. He plays everything Perez has played except first base. Albertus will now be the 14th ranked prospect in the White Sox farm system. However he is out the rest of the season with an injury. Damaged goods… way to go Chris Getz. The cow for some beans story playing a factor inside your noggin. Albertus has a stress reaction to his left tibia.

The White Sox and Chris Getz flunked this first big deal they are involved in at the deadline. The Cardinals got the best of this deal. The Dodgers have some spare parts for their big blue and white dream team machine. The White Sox should have gotten more from all three of these guys especially Erick Fedde. Pitchers like Fedde are bringing in solid returns this deadline. Getz signed Fedde in the off-season taking a chance on a guy trying to return to the MLB after going over seas. He failed to get what he is worth right now. Three international players we still have not learned from all the previous old regime mistakes in collecting these country men who are made of glass. This is why the White Sox are in rebuild because these players live on the injured list most of the season. This organization will never learn.

MLB TRADE DEAD LINE ACTIVITY

This trade deadline I notice has many teams trading with teams in their own division. The New York Mets and Washington Nationals strike up a deal involving two players as both play in the NL East. The Mets played some solid baseball right before the all-star game and found themselves having a chance at a wild card spot. They want a bat so they acquire left fielder Jesse Winker from the Nationals. The Nats have found themselves in a selling mode since that World Series championship team of 2019. The Nats will not need a guy to get things off the top shelf anymore as they acquire a 6’9″ RHP prospect, Tyler Stuart.

Jessee Winker has had a hard time finding a permanent home after playing 5 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. Last year he played for the Brewers. In 2022 he played for the Mariners. The last two seasons the Buffalo, New York native has some playoff experience the Mets could use. Winker is 30 years old & signed with the Nationals in the off-season. He probably did think he had a good chance of being dealt to a playoff team at that moment. Winker has having a bounce back season which helps as he’s batting .259 with 11 home runs and has driven in 45 so far this season. In 8 years in the majors, Winker is a .262 hitter with 92 long balls and has driven in 311. Winker will give the Mets a left-handed bat in their line up with some pop. I like that Winker has the playoff experience in this move and he is playing well right now which should help them in the upcoming weeks to possibly land a wild card spot.

The Nationals get a skyscraper back in the deal. Tyler Stuart is 24 years old and was drafted in the 6th round out of Southern Mississippi of the 2022 MLB draft. He has 17 starts this season in Double A Binghamton and has a 3-7 record with 3.96 ERA. For the Nationals, Jessee Winker they were hoping would be a trade chip at this time. Stuart is a tall presence on the pitching rubber most definitely. The Nats will still have to develop him but he has a big arm and some of these farm boys can do well when they get up to the Majors. In 2019, the Nats had a solid starting rotation. Maybe Stuart will be one of those guys for this next Washington rotation that will make some noise.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

The Atlanta Braves are getting the band back together. The Braves are bringing back two of their own players from the 2021 World Series winning team with a deal with the San Francisco Giants involving 4 players. The Braves acquire the 2021 World Series MVP outfielder/DH Jorge Soler and get back RHP Luke Jackson from the Giants. Meanwhile the Giants get the Braves number 17 prospect in third baseman Sabin Ceballos and a major league pitcher back in the deal, LHP Tyler Matzek.

The Braves like in 2021 need outfield help and they are familiar with Jorge Soler who is the biggest name in this deal. Soler spent the last two seasons with the Marlins as he helped Miami get to the playoffs last year. The 32 year old Cuban is no stranger playing in the post-season. Soler helped the Cubs win a World Series in 2016. Soler left Miami seeking greener pastures and signed a 3 year deal with the Giants worth 42 million. The Marlins were not going to pay him that kind of money. I’m sure he was glad to leave Miami because their season sunk like the Titanic. The Giants were a better team than the Marlins this season but need to go back to the drawing board playing in difficult NL West with the Dodgers, Padres and D-backs. Soler’s batting .240 this season in a Giants uniform with 12 long balls and 40 knocked in. Soler’s lifetime batting average is .243 with 182 long balls with 492 runs knocked in 11 seasons that started with the Cubs & then was traded to the Royals. When he was traded to Atlanta in 2021 he had a worse batting average than he has today. Down the stretch he batted .269 in 2021 with the Braves and had 14 bombs driving in 33 for the playoff push. The Braves lost their superstar Ronald Ocuna Jr. for the remainder of the season like in 2021. The Braves’ other outfielder Michael Harris II is dealing with a hamstring injury. The Braves will need Soler to actually play the outfield. Soler has been comfortable for years in the DH role. Atlanta has Marcell Ozuna as their full time DH. The Braves will be sacrificing defense for offense with this reunion.

In 2021 Luke Jackson appeared in 71 games for the Braves. He had a record of 2-2 with 1.98 ERA as he was pitching lights out for the Braves. Jackson has played nine seasons in the big leagues. He started with Texas, then moved on to Atlanta, and then missed the entire 2022 season with an injury. The 32 year old has pitched the last two seasons in the bay area with the Giants. This season he has a record of 4-2 with a very high 5.40 ERA in 36 games. Can Jackson find his former self from 2021? He will be back in a Braves uniform once again. The Braves may use Jackson in low key scenarios before using his talents in close games and in the later innings. The Braves know Jackson and may be able to tweak things to help him throw the ball better than what he’s been doing so far in the 2024 season.

The Giants want the Puerto Rico native, 21 year old Sabin Ceballos, a third baseman and right fielder. Ceballos was drafted by the Angels in the 14th round of the 2022 MLB draft from the University of Oregon. This season in Class A ball Ceballos in 84 games has a batting average of .250 with 3 long balls. He has great bat speed. However some have concerns about his upper cut swing that could lead to many strikeouts. The Giants also get a broken down veteran south paw pitcher in Tyler Matzek who right now is on the injured list with elbow inflammation. Matzek this season has no record but has given up 11 runs in ten innings of work which equals out to a 9.90 ERA. Matzek missed the entire 2023 season with an injury. Originally Matzek started his career with the Rockies and moved on to Atlanta the last 4 years. He started his career in 2014 with Colorado. Then pitched in 2015. He was MIA until he resurfaced in 2020. He helped Atlanta win the World Series in 2021. He’s 33 years of age with six seasons in the MLB. He has a 16-21 lifetime record to go along with his respectable 3.72 ERA. He may need some time still to recover from the 2023 injury. He was a salary dump. Like the Giants getting rid of Jorge Soler. Meanwhile the Giants can use that Soler money next season on something else and perhaps have a future piece in Ceballos.

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What are the Cubbies doing? You can say the same thing about the Rays who won 99 games last season. The Cubs management are doing the Hokey Pokey trying to be both buyers and sellers. The Rays were not far out of the wild card hunt but suddenly management wants to break up this team and start over. The Cubs and Rays make a deal involving 4 players. The Cubs get a solid third baseman as they acquire Isaac Paredes from the Rays. Not a seller’s move. The Rays get the Cubs’ old third baseman Christopher Morel and two right-handed pitchers in Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson. The Rays get another 3 players in addition to who they’ve already collected. This for one of their own while the Cubs may be building for tomorrow like next year rather than today and this season.

Isaac Paredes, is a native out of Mexico, who the Cubs originally signed but they traded him to Detroit. Paredes made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Tigers where he played two seasons. The last three seasons Paredes has been with the Rays. Last season Paredes found his stroke with the lumber as he lifted 31 bombs to the seats all around the league. He batted .250 and drove in 98 runs for a career year. This season he is on the same pace as his batting average – a tad lower at .245 but has 16 long balls and has driven in 55 so far. In 5 seasons Paredes is a .233 hitter with 69 home runs while driving in 209. He is an up and coming third baseman that is a better fit than Christopher Morel. Paredes is only 25 years old as well. The Cubs have money invested into their roster with several veterans around the diamond that are starters in the everyday line up. The Cubs would need a miracle to make the playoffs this season. They elect not to sell off everything like the Rays and get something they like for their team now and and the future to retreat to fight another season.

The Rays always had interest in Christopher Morel. Morel is 25 years old also and is a native from the Dominican Republic. He has played three seasons with the Cubs. Defensively is a problem for Morel. The Cubs have tried him at third and second base and he is liability in the field. Morel probably should be best fitted in the DH role. This season he’s just batting under 200 at .199. The Rays like his power as he has 18 home runs this season with 51 driven in. However he has already struck out 103 times. In 3 seasons, all with the Cubs, Morel is batting .228 with 60 home runs and has driven in 168. Depending on who’s left from this Rays team, Morel may be a starting piece for the next rebuild. The Rays also get some pitching. Hunter Bigge is a 26 year old right-handed pitcher who made his MLB debut this season. Bigge has 4 games under his belt and has worked only 3.1 innings. The Rays should have room in the pen for Bigge to get a good look at what he can do for them. Some say Bigge could be slated for the starting rotation. Then Ty Johnson is 22 years old and was drafted last season by the Cubs in the 15th round from Ball State University. Johnson is a big dude at 6’6″ and may be glad to play in Tampa Bay over Chicago to really develop. Tampa Bay has been very good with young arms, getting them to the majors quickly and able to get results immediately. If this was the Cold War, the Rays are winning the deadline collecting young arms.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

The Tampa Bay Rays are having an everything must go sale at the trade deadline as they now hook up with the Seattle Mariners on a deal involving potentially 4 players. The Mariners need some spice to their everyday batting line up as they acquire outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Rays. The Rays get two lower minor league players. Outfielder Aidan Smith, and RHP Brody Hopkins will be heading to Tampa Bay and the potential 4th player of this deal, not known yet, will be the famous player to be named later.

Randy Arozarena is 29 years old, a native from Cuba, and has played six seasons in the MLB. Arozarena started his career with the Cardinals and has played the last 5 seasons in Tampa Bay. This season Arozarena is batting .215 with 15 home runs and has knocked in 37 runs. Lifetime Arozarena is a .256 hitter with 86 long balls and has driven in 291 runs. The Mariners once upon a time ago had a ten game lead in the AL West in June. Only to see that cushion evaporate it seems overnight as the Astros now lead the division. Mariners offense has struggled with their superstar Julio Rodriguez dealing with a sprained ankle. Then JP Crawford on the injury list with a fractured pinkie finger. This move by bringing in Arozarena could definitely spice up this Seattle line up. Arozarena seem to up his game on the biggest stage levels. Evidence includes the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the 2020 ALCS. His average is low, but he’s a guy that can deliver the big hit to drive in the big run which is what Seattle needs. He can give your line up some power as well. He also adds solid defense on the field.

The Rays will collect a ton of prospects from this fire sale. They get two guys that were just drafted last season by Seattle. Aidan Smith is only 20 years old out of high school. He can play all three outfield positions. So far in 77 games he has .284 batting average with 9 long balls and has some speed as he swiped 28 bases. Brody Hopkins was a two way player in college and is 22 years of age. He went to Winthrop University which is located in South Carolina. He was 6th round pick. Now he’s concentrating only on pitching. His numbers are solid so far. He has a 2.90 ERA while tossing 83.2 innings of work and has struck out 95 in Class A ball. These guys could hit or miss. The Rays will also get another guy in the future from the Mariners which can be hit or miss. The more prospects you gather, the better the hope at least half pan out.

MLB TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

The Evil Empire Yankees work out a deal with the Marlins as the fish are emptying their pond for the summer. It’s a 4 player trade between the Marlins and Yankees. The Yankees pry away a young talented second baseman who can play multiple positions in 26 year old Jazz Chisholm Jr. He will be heading to the Bronx. The Marlins get three prospects in return from the Death Star’s farm system which includes Agustin Ramirez a Triple A catcher along with two infielders. Jared Serna and Abraham Ramirez will be taking their talents to south beach.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is one of the exciting players to watch in the MLB. Playing in Miami for entire career his talents may have gone under the radar. Now playing for the Damn Yankees the baseball world will recon who Jazz Chisholm Jr. is. He is native from the Bahamas as Jazz has only played for the Marlins his entire career of 5 seasons before being dealt to the Death Star. Chisholm is a 1X all-star who bats from the left side & throws from his right side. He can play second base, short stop and center field which is the middle of the diamond and every team has their best defenders. Chisholm Jr. gives the Yankees some power, but a guy that can spray hits all over the field. He is a burner on the base paths as he has 23 stolen bases so far this season. Chisholm Jr. when healthy can do it all as he’s batting this season .248 with 13 long balls driving in 50 in 101 games this season. His batting average over his career is .246 with 66 home runs and has driven in 205. The question from Yankee fans is can he stay healthy. In 2023 he played in 97 games. In 2022 only 60 games. In 2021 he played 124 games. His first season during the pandemic shortened season he played in 21 games. Nagging injuries unfortunately follow this kid. The Yankees have not gotten the offensive production they need from second base and third base. With Chisholm Jr they can have him play center field which would move Aaron Judge back to the familiar spot of left field. The Yankees can platoon the second base position with Chisholm Jr. versus right-handed pitchers and Gleyber Torres and others versus left-handed pitching. You have to like all the intangibles on what Jazzy does to jazz that Yankee line up as you can hit him any where.

The Marlins have been busy collecting prospects as their season quickly imploded getting off to the bad start out of the gates. The Marlins already sent AJ Puk to the desert for a few prospects. This deal with the Yankees nets the Marlins with three young players. The big piece in the return is the catcher Agustin Ramirez who is 22 years old. Ramirez destroyed Double A pitching this season hitting 16 home runs & batting .290 in 58 games. He was promoted to Triple A. Jared Serna is 22 years old & has 13 long balls in 88 games in a High A affiliate. The other Ramirez Abraham is only 19 years old. Has a .348 batting average throughout rookie ball so far. The Marlins historically which drives fans crazy from other teams have tore their current team down to the bare bones. They rebuilt on the fly and have done well getting the new product winning games without the long agony wait.

THE TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

If you had the Diamondbacks versus the Marlins meeting in the NL post-season this year, you are absolutely wrong. The Marlins, the worst team in the NL, are sellers at this trade deadline after making post-season last year and were buyers at this time. Meanwhile the Snakes went all the way to the World Series & are trying to stay above water looking to improve their chances of grabbing a wild card spot by being buyers at this time. Diamondbacks improve their bullpen by acquiring 29 year old LHP AJ Puk from the Marlins. The Marlins will net two prospects back in the deal – 21 year old Deyvison De Los Santos for which I hope they have a jersey that can fit his entire last name on. The Marlins also get a 23 year old outfielder Andrew Pintar.

AJ Puk was actually drafted twice by the Tigers out of high school but elected to go to college. Then the second time, the Oakland Athletics drafted him out of the University of Florida in the 2016 MLB draft number 6 overall in the first round. Puk debuted with the Athletics in 5 seasons – the Diamondbacks will be his third team of his MLB career. Puk did not pitch in 2020 due to an injury. Puk this year has a 4-8 record with 4.20 ERA in 33 games working 45 innings. He has 46 strikeouts with one save. The high ERA this season is due to becoming a starter early on this season with the Marlins. The 4 starts were a disaster so Miami moved him back to the bullpen. As a reliever this season, it’s the tale of two cities. Puk has worked 33 innings & has a 2.08 ERA which is impressive. In 5 seasons he has a 17-19 record with a 3.83 ERA and has converted 20 saves. The Diamondbacks do not need a closer as they have Paul Sewald working the 9th. Now with Puk in the desert, the D-backs have a set up guy south paw style.

The Marlins parted ways with their old general manager Kim Ng in the off-season. As we remember, she made the right moves to help this Marlins team get to the playoffs. Now the Marlins are selling off their prize fish and heading into their familiar rebuilding practices. The Marlins get two prospects for AJ Puk. Deyvision De Los Santos is the prize out of this deal. De Los Santos is a 21 year old infielder who can play first and third and slide into the DH role. He’s a native out of the Dominican Republic and participated in the future games this season in the minor leagues. In 4 seasons playing minor league ball, he has a .293 batting average. He has hit 28 home runs in 87 games between Double A ball and Triple A. The other guy the Marlins will get is a guy that can play center field. Andrew Pintar in two minor league seasons so far has a batting average of .266. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2022 MLB draft out of BYU. The Diamondbacks usually do well at drafting outfielders, so perhaps Pintar could be that hidden gem for the Marlins in this deal.

THE TRADE DEADLINE ACTIVITY

Division East rivals swing a trade. Perhaps it could be the Rays wanting to see the Orioles take the AL East over the Evil Empire Yankees. The Rays have not been sellers in years as this season has unraveled on them as they are maybe looking at everything not nailed down must go. The Orioles need starting pitching so acquire 30 year old RHP Zach Eflin along with some cold hard cash from the Rays. The Rays get three prospects of which two are ranked in the top 30 in Baltimore’s farm system. The Rays land infielder Jackson Horvath, outfielder Matthew Etzel, and RHP Jackson Baumeister.

Zach Eflin was actually drafted by the San Diego Padres back in the 2012 in the first round. Eflin made his MLB debut with the Phillies where he pitched 7 seasons in Philadelphia. Eflin has 9 seasons in the big leagues as he has pitched in Tampa Bay the last two seasons. In 2023 it by far was the best year Eflin has had in the majors as he went 16-8 with 3.50 ERA. This season Eflin has come back down to earth and has a 5-7 record with 4.09 ERA as he made 19 starts so far. The Orioles will be getting a guy who is three game under 500 with a career record of 57-60 with 4.26 ERA as he made 165 starts in the big leagues. Orioles starting rotation has been depleted by injuries losing Kyle Brandish, John Means, and Tyler Wells. The Orioles hope Eflin can find his 2023 rhythm for the final weeks of the season to keep control of the division and fend off the fully operational Death Star of the Yankees. Eflin also has playoff experience from both playing with the Phillies and the Rays.

This will be the second starting pitcher the Rays have already dealt during this season. The Rays shipped off Aaron Civale to the Brew Crew several weeks ago. The Rays land three guys all drafted in the 2023 MLB draft. Mac Horvath, who is 23 years old, was the Orioles 10th ranked prospect as he can play third base and outfield. He was drafted in the second round out the University of North Carolina. Then Jackson Baumeister is 22 years old & was the Orioles 17th best prospect. He was drafted in the second round from Florida State University. Then Matthew Etzel is a 22 year outfield who was drafted in the 10th round as he came out of the University of Southern Mississippi. Etzel was just promoted to Double A ball. Knowing what we know about Tampa Bay is they are smooth at getting prospects that can make it to the majors quickly. Zach Eflin is a veteran pitcher really with one good season in 9 years in the league and now they have some intriguing prospects in return.

PIRATES NEWS

TWO FOR TUESDAY

On Tuesday night, Paul Skenes experienced two of his firsts in his rookie season. Skenes pitched in the 9th inning versus the red birds from St. Louis which was the first time he got that far into a game. He went 8.1 innings giving up only two runs. Skenes came into the game with a perfect 6-0 record. Unfortunately, with all the opportunities the Pirates had to score runs they were able to get one past home plate. Skenes’ perfect season is over as now he is 6-1 and the Cardinals are the first team to beat the rookie phenom. Skenes tallied up 104 pitches with 8 strike outs with no walks. Early in the game he allowed a Nolan Arendo solo home run. Pirates then tied the game 1-1. Skenes kept his team in the game, but then in the 9th Skenes would allow a base runner and be taken out of the game after getting one out. The Cardinals would get that guy home to win the game and give Skenes his first blemish in the loss column.

IN AND OUT BURGER

The Pittsburgh Pirates took a chance on former New York Yankees starter Domingo German in the off-season. German has a big arm with talent but is constantly haunted with dark clouds that follow the 31 year old RHP. The Pirates signed German to a 1.25 million dollar minor league deal with a 2025 option. German has been stuck in the Pirates farm system all season as he elected to use his opt out clause to make him a free agent once again. It did not take German too long as the Pirates remained in contact with the troubled pitcher who wants to exorcise his past demons. Like a kid running away from home, he only was able to get a block away as he returned home. Same thing happened with Domingo & he is now back with the Pirates triple A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. The possibility is he did not receive any interest from other teams and is stuck trying to pitch his way out of the minors and back to the big leagues.

Domingo German has played for the Evil Empire Yankees for 7 seasons. He has pitched in 112 MLB games making 89 starts. His career record is 31-28 with a 4.41 ERA. He missed the entire 2019 and 2020 season for violating the MLB personal conduct policy. Back then he was involved in domestic abuse violence against his girlfriend. Then stories of German’s drinking problems came out of the Death Star which made him sound like a problem in the Yankees locker room. This season he started in the Pirates single A farm team the Bradenton Marauders and made one start as he lasted 4 innings giving up 3 hits, 3 walks, and only allowing 1 run. The Pirates moved him to the Triple A team, the Indianapolis Indians, where he has made ten starts. His record with the Indians is an even 4-4 with a high 5.36 ERA. He has 28 walks with 48 strike outs. The opposing batters are only batting .225 as a group versus German. He is a little wild with the walks. He has shown some nice signs as well. Could he be a guy the Pirates can use down the stretch for the playoff push? Maybe that’s how Pirates got him to return as they may have plans for the former Yankees pitcher.

WHITE SOX NEWS

AUTOMATIC OUT IS OUT

The new White Sox General Manager of the White Sox, Chris Getz, was all about the defense this off-season. He was all about collecting other teams junk in trades. Getz was all about signing guys with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. White Sox have become the team of Misfit Toys trying to get back in Santa’s bag to play baseball. Getz signed Martin Maldonado this off-season to a one year deal worth 4.25 million with an option to be the team’s catcher. The White Sox even had an option for Mr. Automatic Out with the lumber who was not the gold glove catcher we expected. Can you say flush? Four million is chump change in the baseball world but that’s expensive for a guy that played a half a season. White Sox, making quick changes, designate Maldonado for assignment.

Martin Maldonado is a 14 year veteran catcher and now will have caught for both Chicago teams. He played in 47 games for the White Sox and had a batting average of .119. He hit 4 long balls which a few of them happened weeks ago. Maldonado racked up only 16 hits in 135 at-bats as he drove in 11 and crossed the plate 9 times. He hit a milestone reaching 700 hits & now has 701 for his career. Reaching a thousand hits for his career is a big time reach at his age of 37. He’s a lifetime .203 hitter with 115 long balls and 372 RBI’S. Can he be useful for another team down the stretch? Perhaps as he was the starting catcher for the last Astros World Series team. I was not a fan of his defense with the White Sox this season. He was not stopping wild pitches and gunning down runners stealing. The White Sox like to collect Astros back stops as you may say he helped Kory Lee with his game. Lee came last year in a trade with Houston. Lee is the White Sox number one option back stop right now. He figured out how to hit I’m sure without Maldonado’s help. The White Sox have called up Chuckie Robinson, another former Astro catcher, to be the back up to Lee. Robinson was drafted by Houston back in 2016 in the 21st round of the MLB draft. This year Robinson has two games under his belt batting .333 with one hit in three at-bats. Robinson debuted last year and has 27 games under his belt since last season. The 29 year old is batting .145 with only 62 at-bats in the Majors as he racked up 9 hits. Has 5 driven in and has scored 3 times.

Robinson I give credit to for hanging on to his baseball dreams. That many years in the minors many players may have found something else and hung up the spikes for good. I’m not counting on Robinson to be a future piece of this team’s franchise and sticking during another rebuild after the collapse of the last one.

WHITE SOX SHAKING THINGS UP

They say when you are at the bottom of the barrel, the only thing now is start moving on up. The White Sox will not get to those deluxe apartments in the sky as they are the worst team in baseball. Right after the All-Star Break, the White Sox started to shake things up on their roster. These moves will not help this White Sox team dance all night and play all day. The White Sox claim former Reds/Nationals third baseman off waivers in Nick Senzel who was designated for assignment. The White Sox sent Lenyn Sosa back to triple A as he has been manning the hot corner and dabbling at second base. Then the reincarnation of Danny Mendick could be second stint or even third he has been designated for assignment. Mendick was a jack of all trades infielder who’ll probably be back for another stint with the team sometime in the future.

Nick Senzel is 29 years old, a former first round pick of the Cincinnati Reds, and may be a bust. He was picked second overall in the 2016 MLB draft. He is in his 6th season in the Majors and with the lumber is not very impressive. He has a career batting average of .234 with 40 long balls driving in 143 in 444 games. In the off-season, Senzel signed with the Nationals a one year deal, had 213 at-bats, and racked up only 43 hits for a batting average of .202. He has 7 home runs and has driven in 18 runs. Senzel can give you solid defense at third base. In 2023 he batted .236, had 13 home runs, and drove in 42. This is one of his better seasons which was his last in Cincinnati. Over the weekend he debuted with the White Sox, played in 3 games, and is 0-7 with one strike out. Another solid move by the boy genius Chris Getz.

I’m not sure what the White Sox are thinking sending Lenyn Sosa back to the minors. Sosa seemed like he was starting to come together with the lumber. His numbers are better than Nick Senzel this season as he’s batting .237, has 4 long balls, and drove in 15. He’s only played 52 games like he did in 2023 and his number went up with his batting average. Sosa played decent at third, but at second he looked lost. He’s only 24 years old & has found some action in the big leagues the last three seasons. Let’s see what he can do, Mr. Getz. That is very confusing. I always like Danny Mendick.

He’s played in 47 games. He has done poorly with the lumber batting .197 with 3 long balls and has driven in 8. Mendick has been in the MLB six seasons, 5 with the White Sox & one with the Mets last year. He’s been good. He’s been bad with the lumber which is a given with his numbers this season. He gives you some solid defense in a few positions. At the age of 30, he is not the future of this team. He’s just a body out there the team needed to fill a position. The pick up of Senzel is the same kind of guy as a Mendick. The White Sox are trying to squeeze lemonade out of a lemon of a first round pick while letting younger guys not learn at the big league level like Sosa. I will welcome back Mendick and say so long when the team will eventually DFA Senzel.

THE 2024 MLB ALL-STAR GAME

The 94th edition of the MLB All-star game looked like a bad Sci-Fi movie with the uniforms both the National and American League had to wear.

You know the MLB is planning intergalactic games between other planets. The league has to get the fan bases used to the bright colors light years away.

TAKEAWAYS

AMERICAN LEAGUE DOMINATION OF THE SUMMER CLASSIC

The National League snapped a long losing streak of 9 games last season in a rare win versus the American League. It did not take very long for the American League to turn things around as they prevail at Globe Life Field with a 5-3 victory over the National League squad. Since 1997, the AL is 22-4-1 versus the NL. The AL has won 10 out of the last 11 contests. The AL now leads the All-Time Mid-Summer classic 48-44-2. Once upon a time ago the NL dominated the summer fun.

THE CLASH OF THE TITANS IN THE FIRST INNING

PAUL SKENES VS AARON JUDGE

The young Pirates phenom, Paul Skenes, has been dominating the league since he got the call up met most likely this year’s MVP, Judge. Aaron Judge means two monsters going at it. Everyone wants the strike out or the long ball. Instead Skenes gets Judge to roll out to end the inning after walking Juan Soto.

The Kansas City Royals long time catcher Salvador Perez played in his 9th All-Star game of his career. Only six catchers had played in more Mid-Summer classics than Perez and 5 of them are in the Hall of Fame. Now Yadia Molina should get in Cooperstown as he just retired and has to wait 5 years before getting on the ballot. The others are Yogi Berra, Mike Piazza, Ivan Rodriguez, Johnny Bench, and the great Carlton Fisk.

CLOSING OUT THE ALL-STAR GAME

The Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase closed out his second All-Star game of his career.

Clase joins a special list of closers in All-Star history. The list features some of the greats such as Mariano Rivera, Dennis Eckersley, Mel Harder, and Bruce Sutter.

Why does he play for the Oakland Athletics? Mason Miller will pitch somewhere else at some point rather than playing for that scumbag owner John Fisher. Miller dispatched Shohei Ohtani on 4 pitches with two pitches that were called strikes reaching over 100 MPH. It was the pitch from Miller to Phillies short stop Trea Turner that sizzled the All-Star record books. Miller’s pitch to Turner reached 103.6 MPH beating Aroldis Chapman who threw a fire ball in 2015’s All-Star game that reached up to 103.4 MPH. Sounds like we’re talking smooth jazz radio stations to let it rock up the dial.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE DODGERS?

The richest player in the MLB, Shohei Ohtani, hit a blast off Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck. It was a three run homer off the bat of Ohtani and produce all of the NL’s offense in one swing of the bat.

THE AL MVP

It was the home run off the bat of Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran that was the fatality of the NL. Durran’s 2 run shot broke a 3-3 tie in the 5th inning of the Summer Classic. Durran would earn the MVP. He is the first Red Sox since JD Drew in 2008 to be MVP of the Summer Classic. Duran came in leading the league so far this season in doubles and triples.

HOW DID OUR GUYS DO IN THE SUMMER CLASSIC?

WHITE SOX

Garrett Crochet making his first All-Star game pitched a scoreless inning. His highlight was striking out the Home Run Champion, Teoscar Hernandez.

PIRATES

Bryan Reynolds making his 2nd All-Star game came into the 2024 Mid-Summer Classic late in the ball game. His highlight was his first at-bat he hit a single. Reynolds would go 1-2 in the evening with the lumber as he made the last out of the game striking out.

Paul Skenes becomes the first rookie pitcher to start an All-Star game since Hideo Nomo took the rubber back in 1995 for the LA Dodgers. Skenes would pitch a scoreless inning in his debut and only surrendered a walk.

DRUNKEN NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGER SWINGS AND MISSES AT THE 2024 HOME RUNS DERBY

The Mid-Summer Classic Home Run Derby did not get off to a thunderous start. The pregame song, The Star Spangled Banner, to honor our country did not go well. On Monday the 2024 Home Run Derby mostly was a snooze fest after the butchering of the anthem by 32 year old country singer Ingrid Andress at Globe Life Field. It was a night of firsts including the Rangers new ball park hosting the MLB Mid-Summer Classic. It’s the first time outfielder Teoscar Hernandez has participated in the Derby. It would be the first time obviously he won the competition and be the first Dodger to win the Home Run Derby. Most people will be talking about the drunken singer who will go down in history with the likes of Roseanne Barr’s performance of her take on the song in a 1990 San Diego Padres game.

Roseanne Barr added the crotch grab to her performance of the National Anthem. Her voice in general raises red flags – Why would any executive higher up approve her singing our country’s song? Ingrid Andress has been nominated for 4 Grammy’s as she’s a song writer/country singer perfect for the Lone Star State. She’s originally from Colorado and resides in Music City, Nashville. She was the best new artist in 2021 as she has two songs of hers that have made it to the Billboard hot 100. She has two albums to her name & a music career that is on the rise. Everyone has a bad night. She apologized on social media saying she was drunk and will be checking herself into a rehab facility. We all have been over-served at some point. Not a smart thing to do in front of a packed house of baseball fans in the state of Texas.

The games must go on good, bad, or an ugly beginning. The end of the Home Run Derby had a battle between Teoscar Hernandez from the Dodgers versus hometown boy Bobby Witt Jr. who plays for the Royals. Both Hernandez and Witt Jr. made their Derby debut and gave the crowd a thrill with the final two standing. The Texas crowd gets the bad National Anthem song first. Then see their favorite Ranger hit only 18 home runs in the first round and went 0-3 in the bonus round. This is the second time Adolis Garcia had an early exit from the Derby. Then Hernandez hit 49 home runs and beat the local Texan who grew up 20 minutes from the stadium, Witt Jr. Hernandez and Witt Jr. had a nice battle at the end. Hernandez prevailed with 14 bombs compared to 13 by Witt Jr. Hernandez signed with the Dodgers in the off-season after playing one season in Seattle. The Dodgers added Shohei Ohtani to the ridiculous 750 million dollar deal in the off-season and were not done spending. They signed Hernandez, a slugger who’s played for the Blue Jays for six seasons and has 178 home runs in 9 seasons in the big leagues. Hernandez already has 19 home runs this season dressed in Dodgers blue. The Dodgers are off to a great start and have the World Series trophy dancing in their heads like sugar plums around Christmas. This may be only the start of the Dodgers as a team and multiple players may be collecting extra money and hardware in 2024. Hernandez is the 7th player from the Dominican Republic to win the Derby. He also pads his bank account with the million dollar prize he collected from winning the Derby.

THE PIRATES TREASURE CHEST IN THE 2024 MLB DRAFT

The Pittsburgh Pirates draft class consists of 21 players, 17 from college and 4 out of high school. The Pirates drafted 11 pitchers and 10 position players. The pitching the Pirates selected three south paws and seven right-handed pitchers. The Pirates went 4 short stops. One third baseman, 2 catchers, and three outfielders.

FIRST ROUND (Two picks)

#9. Overall: Connor Griffin, Short Stop, Jackson Prep School, Jackson, Mississippi.

#36. Overall: Levi Sterling, RHP, Notre Dame High School, LA

SECOND ROUND:

#47. Overall: Wyatt Sanford, Short Stop, Independence High School, Frisco, Texas

THIRD ROUND:

#83. Overall: Josh Hartle, LHP, Wake Forest University

FOURTH ROUND:

#112. Overall: Eddie Rynders, Short Stop, Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee

FIFTH ROUND:

#145. Overall: Will Taylor, Outfield, Clemson University

SIXTH ROUND

#174. Overall: Matt Ager, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

SEVENTH ROUND

#204. Overall: Connor Wietgrefe, LHP, University of Minnesota

EIGHTH ROUND

#234. Overall: Gavin Adams, RHP, Florida State University

NINTH ROUND

#264. Overall: Duce Gourson, Short Stop, UCLA

TENTH ROUND

#294: Overall: Derek Berg, Catcher, Army

ELEVENTH ROUND

#324. Overall: Jacob Bimbi, LHP, West Kentucky University

12TH ROUND

#354. Overall: Camden Janik, Catcher, University of Illinois

13TH ROUND

#384. Overall: Matt McShane, RHP, St. Joseph’s University

14TH ROUND

#414. Overall: Ian Farrow, Outfielder, Florida Gulf Coast University

15TH ROUND

#444. Overall: Ethan Lege, Third Baseman, Ole Miss

16TH ROUND

#474. Overall: Brian Curley, RHP, VCU

17TH ROUND

#504: Overall: Andrew Patrick, Outfielder, Wright State

18TH ROUND

#534. Overall, Jake Shirtk, RHP, Wright State,

19TH ROUND

#564. Overall: Joe Vogatsky, RHP, James Madison University

20TH ROUND

#594. Overall: Taylor Penn, RHP, Woodford High School, Versailles, Kentucky

IN SEASON TRADE

Are you buying what the Royals are selling being purchasers around the trade deadline? Royals are 7 games in back of the Guardians in the AL Central and are perched at the 3rd spot in the division behind the Twins who are in second. However the Royals have a winning record heading into the All-Star break with 52 wins and 44 losses. With three wild card spots, these days the Royals feel like they are going for it. The Washington Nationals since winning the World Series in 2019 are in their normal spot as sellers at this point. The two teams strike a deal involving two players. The Royals want to revamp their bullpen and land a relief pitcher, Hunter Harvey. The Nationals in return get a third base prospect in Cayden Wallace and a future draft pick.

Hunter Harvey is 29 years old and was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2013 in the first round of the MLB draft, 22nd overall. The RHP has been in the big leagues six seasons – 3 with the Orioles & 3 with the Nationals. This season Harvey has a 2-4 record with 4.20 ERA in 43 games all out of the bullpen. He has worked 45 innings total and struck out 50 batters. The last two previous seasons Harvey’s ERA has been under three. Lifetime Harvey has a 9-11 record with 3.20 ERA in 164 games. Harvey has converted 10 saves as he has worked 168.2 innings striking out 185. The Royals bullpen is ranked 22nd in the MLB. The last time the Royals won a World Series, back in 2015, they had a bullpen that pitched lights out especially in the late innings. I feel Harvey can help this Royals team in close games. If he can find last year’s form with the Royals, this will be a nice under the radar move for Kansas City.

Did the Royals pay too much for Hunter Harvey? Cayden Wallace is the Royals number 2 prospect and is projected to be a power hitting 3rd baseman for years to come. Wallace was drafted in 2022 in the 2nd round of the MLB draft from the University of Arkansas. He is 22 years old and was batting .282 with 3 long balls in 34 games in Double A ball this season. The Nationals collect another draft pick as they have three of the first 44 picks in the upcoming 2024 MLB draft. The Nationals are in a rebuild and this looks like a great trade for this franchise’s future.

KOPECH’S IMMACULATE INNING RESURRECTS THE GHOST OF SLOPPY THURSTON

The closer in baseball’s biggest dream is to mow down the three batters he faces with 9 pitches resulting in three strikeouts to close out the ball game for the win. Every pitcher would love to strike out three batters with nine straight pitches. It’s called the Immaculate inning and has only been done 116 times in MLB which includes yesterday and is what Michael Kopech did to the Twins. It was the first game of the double header in Chicago as the White Sox were facing the Twins. It’s Kopech’s first season ever being a closer and he has not done too well. Kopech had his best stuff yesterday this entire season as the 28 year old flame thrower ripped through the Twins line up with some blazing fast balls. The three Twins players: rookie Brooks Lee, Matt Wallner, along with Max Kepler fell victims to the strike out and now are part of this rare history that has not been done much in baseball. The last time this was done by someone wearing a White Sox uniform you have to go back to 1923. Back then Sloppy Thurston on August 22nd pitched his immaculate inning. Sloppy is one of the best nick names of all-time in the game of baseball as his actually first name is Hollis. Hollis Thurston’s name has been resurrected out of the baseball archives.

Hollis Thurston aka Sloppy played 9 seasons in the MLB and 4 of them were with the White Sox. In those 4 seasons, Sloppy made 86 starts as he pitched in 146 games total and had a 43-44 record with 4.32 ERA. Thurston also wore a St. Louis Browns uniform, the original Washington Senators, and (never heard of them) the Brooklyn Robins, tweet tweet.

Lifetime pitching numbers for Sloppy in 9 seasons he pitched in 288 games as he made 178 starts. He finished his career with a winning record of 89-86 with 4.24 ERA. He struck out 306 while converting 13 saves as he tossed 1,542.2 innings of work. Hollis Thurston would pass away before I was even born on 9-14-1973.

Michael Kopech came into the ball game in the 9th inning with the White Sox winning 3-1. This season Kopech has appeared in 40 games, all of them out of the bullpen. He has a 2-8 record with very high 5.18 ERA. He’s always been able to strike guys out as he has 55 of those in 40 innings of work. Yesterday’s immaculate inning resulted in Kopech’s 9th save of the year. The White Sox snapped an 8 game losing streak in the process. Then lost game two to the Twins in the double header. It has not been a good year for the White Sox as the bullpen is a sore subject when it comes tothis team. You can say Kopech is also a sore subject when it comes to his flashes of talent he has. He has not harnessed all the brilliance he has in that arm to be an efficient pitcher as a starter or the pen. He was drafted in the first round by the Boston Red Sox in 2014. He came to the White Sox in trade that sent Chris Sale to bean town. Kopech was supposed to have been the next Sale.

Michael Kopech has played 5 seasons in the MLB all with the White Sox even made his debut in 2018. He missed the next two seasons of baseball. Tommy John surgery sidelined Kopech all year in 2019. Then in 2020 he opted not to play baseball because of the pandemic. During 5 seasons on the south side, he has pitched in 143 games and has made 60 starts. His record is 17-33 with 4.42 ERA as he has 412 strikeouts in 372.1 innings of work. This year he has 9 saves so far. Chris Sale helped Boston win the World Series as they have won this deal as Yoan Moncada has also been a dud. The White Sox let’s face it are in another tear down/rebuild or whatever you want to call it. If Kopech can string together a few more of these outings out of the pen, perhaps the team can salvage something for him in a deal before the deadline with another team. Who does not want a guy coming out your bullpen with a fast ball that can reach over 100 MPH? It is a great accomplishment and certainly something I’ve never seen. I watched it live from my bar stool in the garage which made it special instead of hearing about it from someone else or the phone that knows everything. The last time an immaculate inning was pitched was last year on May 24th.

Johan Oviedo of the Pittsburgh Pirates accomplished the immaculate inning as he had his stuff working well early on in the season last year.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NEWS

THE 2024 PIRATES ALL-STARS

The Pirates ship is sending two of their players to Arlington, Texas for the mid-summer classic. The annual All-Star game hosted by the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Must see television pitcher Paul Skenes in his rookie season makes his first All-Star game. Then outfielder Bryan Reynolds will add his second All-Star game to the back of his baseball card. Both players will represent the city of Pittsburgh and the National League on July 16th of this month.

The last time Bryan Reynolds made the summer classic was in 2021. Reynolds is 29 years old and was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2016 in the second round of the MLB draft from Vanderbilt University. He was traded over to the Pirates in the Andrew McCutchen trade in 2018. Reynolds made his Major League debut with the Pirates in 2019. This year the switch hitting outfielder is off to another good start as he’s batting .280 with 17 long balls and driving in 56 runs. He has racked up over 100 hits so far. Reynolds in six seasons has 754 hits with .277 batting average. He has 115 lifetime home runs so far with 379 runs batted in so far.

Paul Skenes is only 22 years old and was the first pick of the 2023 MLB draft out of LSU where he helped his university win a college World Series. Skenes made his MLB debut in May of this season. Skenes has delivered the goods and has lived up to the hype of a future ace. In 10 starts so far in his rookie season, he is 5-0 with 2.12 ERA. IMPRESSIVE!!! Skenes has worked 59.1 innings of work and has 78 strike outs. He has a cannon for an arm with multiple pitches reaching over 100 MPH each start. This is a guy every baseball fan will give themselves a reason to see him pitch in the summer classic. When Steven Strassburg made his debut for the Nationals in 2010 at 21 years of age, that was a big deal. Skenes has the same kind of hoopla surrounding him and he’s living up to it.

WHITE SOX NEWS

EVERY MLB TEAM HAS TO HAVE ONE ALL-STAR REPRESENTATIVE

The White Sox in the 2024 season are the worst team in baseball. Even on horrific teams you think one or two players may be having a solid year. The White Sox lone All-Star representative this year is LHP Garrett Crochet. At 25 years of age in his 4th season in the big leagues, Crochet will make his first All-Star game of his career. It’s been a book of firsts for Crochet this season. He became a starter for the first time. He made his first ever start on opening day. With a solid first half of this 2024 season, he is going to the All-Star game in Texas.

On July 16, 2024 Garrett Crochet will be heading to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas which is the home of the Rangers. He will represent the American League and the Chicago White Sox. In his first season as starter in the MLB, Crochet so far has an even record of 6-6. The bullpen of the White Sox cost their ace a few starts in that he could have earned more victories. He has a 3.08 ERA in 19 starts while striking out 146 in 105.1 innings of work. Crochet was a first round pick of the White Sox in the 2020 MLB draft 11th overall out of the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He has done better as a starter than a relief pitcher in his career. Crochet missed the 2022 season blowing out his arm and in need of Tommy John surgery. In 2023 Crochet only pitched in 13 games, all out of the bullpen for the White Sox. The arm has healed and he wanted to be a starter then coming out of the bullpen as a relief pitcher.

This is exciting news. A guy that is only 25 and an ace of your staff making it to his first All-Star game. You have to get real here as Garrett Crochet turned down an extension from the White Sox recently. If you are a betting man, you know Crochet is heading off to greener pastures. The good thing is he should net us a nice haul of prospects. The bad thing is the White Sox are stuck in a baseball wasteland of pure hell. Many teams are interested. I heard the Padres being one of them. They acquired Dylan Cease from the White Sox right before the gates opened for this 2024 season. It could just be a pipe dream. Cease with Crochet in the same starting rotation – two of the top leaders in the league with strike outs. If the White Sox kept Cease and if Garrett still did his thing, that pipe dream could have happened for the White Sox. A very nice 1-2 punch in the rotation and two very young arms. Crochet could go on like Chris Sale and win a World Series with another team. He could also have arm problems just like Sale did. Right now trading a talent like Crochet with the team as-is, is the better move especially after turning down an extension. However that does not mean he doesn’t want to be pitching for this White Sox team. He could be betting on himself for more money in the future as the White Sox extension idea is them trying to get away without giving a guy they draft a huge pay day. It’s the White Sox way. Especially pitching.

BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE

The Pittsburgh Pirates gave their fans a firework show last night on July 5th with 7 bombs versus the New York Mets. The Pirates routed the Mets 14-2 as the fireworks went off late in this game. Rookie sensation Paul Skenes had another masterpiece as he pitched 7 innings and left the game with a 4-2 lead. Skenes is still perfect on the season at 5-0 with an awesome 2.12 ERA with 78 strikeouts in only 59.1 innings of work.

Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez continues to swing the hot bat as he hit two home runs, one of them a grand slam as he drove in 5 for the evening. Bryan Reynolds also had a grand slam as he too had two home runs and drove in 6 for the evening.

Michael Taylor, Jack Suwinski, and Yasmani Grandal were a part of the fireworks as they all added a long ball apiece. The Pirates improve their record to 42-45 for the season as they hope to get to the 500 mark right before the mid-summer classic. Last May the Pirates hit 7 home runs as a team in a game. The first time as a franchise this was done on the Pirates ship was 1947. The Toronto Blue Jays have the record for most in one game set back in September of 1987 with 10. X-Chicago White Sox outfielder George Bell had two of those ten home runs back then.

Ernie Witt led the charge for the Blue Jays with a hat trick of long balls.

IN SEASON TRADE

The search for starting pitching continues with the Milwaukee Brewers. Last week the Brewers struck up a deal with the Mariners for a broken down south paw in Dallas, Keuchal, who was lingering around Seattle’s triple A farm team. Now they have made a deal to upgrade their Keuchal deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in a two player swap. The Brewers land 29 year old RHP Aaron Civale while the Rays get Gregory Barrios, a minor league infielder who’s 20 years old.

Aaron Civale the last two seasons has been pawned off to another team in the July month of the baseball season. Civale was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians out of the 3rd round of the MLB draft from Northeastern University located in Boston, Massachusetts. Last season at the trade deadline the Guardians traded Civale to the Rays. The Rays having a surprising bad season at the office this year looking to be sellers this season rather than buyers. Civale is not having a very impressive season as he made 17 starts so far this season and his record is 2-6 with a high 5.07 ERA. Last year combined with the Rays and Guardians, Civale went 7-5 with 3.46 ERA in 23 starts. The Brewers are hoping they can get at least the back of Civale’s baseball numbers from here on out. Life time Civale is one game over 500 with a record of 33-32 with 4.10 ERA as he made 103 starts in six big league seasons. His best year was 2021 when he won 12 games lost 5 and an 3.84 ERA. The Brewers have a slew of injuries with their starting rotation with some of their arms out the rest of the year. The Brewers have a commanding lead right now in the NL Central. They picked up Dallas Keuchal from Seattle in a desperation move. Civale is a guy that can stay healthy and make his starts every 5 days. On his best days he’s a 3rd starter in rotation. This year he’s probably a 4th or 5th guy in the rotation. Before he was traded to the Rays, he was 5-2 at the time with a 2.34 ERA. The Brewers want that version of Civale. I’m sure Civale will be happy to take off the Rays jersey as he went 4-9 in about one season of action in Florida.

Meanwhile the Rays seem like they got a position player they’d like to draft on their own. Gregory Barrios was the 20th ranked prospect in the Brewers minor league system. He has the potential to play short stop every day. At High A ball he’s batting over 300. He not a guy that hits for power as he has only one home run. But has already swiped 16 bags, so should fit right in with the Tampa Bay Rays way of life. The Rays are not going anywhere this year and getting a piece for Aaron Civale is a good thing. The Rays have been a factory for young arms for several years now.

ANDERSON DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT

Tim Anderson came into the MLB with a bang and may be going out with a whimper. In the off-season the Chicago White Sox, the team that drafted Anderson, declined his 14 million dollar option making him a free agent. The last two years Anderson’s offensive numbers have been dropping drastically. Injuries plagued the White Sox short stop last year as he only played in 65 games. Anderson was looking for new life in his baseball world so he signed with the Marlins for 5 million on a one year deal. Anderson’s bat is still dormant this season and the Marlins have been one of the worst team in the league this season. The Marlins made the decision to designate the 31 year old short stop for assignment where they have 10 days to trade him. If no other teams come calling he will flat out be released and become a free agent.

Where did all the thunder go from Tim Anderson’s bat? This season Anderson has played in 65 games, has a batting average of .214 with zero home runs, and has driven in 9. I believe on opening day in a Marlins uniform he drove in two runs. He has racked up only 50 hits in 234 at-bats. Last year he hit one home run. In 2022 he had six long balls. Before that he had 5 seasons of double digits in home runs. Even the shortened 2020 season due to the pandemic he had 10 long balls that season. What happened to his power numbers? Anderson is a 2X all-star with a batting title and has won a Silver Slugger award. This because at one point he had a 300 average or over in 4 consecutive seasons. How does he find his old swing?

The Marlins might get nothing in return for Tim Anderson. Miami may end up releasing him as he will slide through waivers like the slide in Chutes and Ladders where no team will claim him. Anderson will join his former teammate on the couch at home, Jose Abreu, who was discarded by the Astros who still owe the White Sox former first baseman multiple years on the contract he signed. These are two of the biggest cogs of the White Sox rebuild that had them back in the playoffs in back-to-back years. The meltdown will be the story that everyone remembers about Anderson. How he had the biggest bat flips after hitting a home run. Irking opposing teams. The scuffs Anderson has been in over the years. Last season with Guardians 3rd baseman Jose Ramirez who gave Tim the knock out punch in that melee. Very embarrassing. The beef Anderson had with Josh Donaldson. Which might have been Donaldson who antagonized the great T.A. Then you had those moments of Anderson walking off the Yankees at the Field of Dreams game. Anderson was the face of the White Sox. He elected himself the face of all the black players referring himself as the modern day Jackie Robinson for which Donaldson poked the bear to get under his skin. The Marlins manager said Anderson was good clubhouse guy this season. Signing with Miami he just wanted to get away from all the extras that don’t involve the game itself. Anderson’s goal was to bounce back season and get a multi-year deal from some team in 2025. Now Anderson will have to accept probably a minor deal from a team to get back into the big leagues. Can he overcome his ego and place that off to the side in order to find his swing? Nobody wants to leave the game with a whimper. You wonder how these guys like Anderson and Abreu lost their skill-set overnight like this. It seems overnight. I thought Anderson would rebound with the Marlins. I thought Abreu was going to still be the RBI machine he was with the Astros. I thought these two would have the say when they walked away from the game. It could change. Right now they both look to be done.

BO KNOWS THE ROYALE WITH CHEESE

I always wondered if the tree people had an issue with Bo Jackson destroying his baseball bats. How many trees were cut down to supply lumber for one of the greatest athletes in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s? Jackson played two professional sports and was pretty awesome at baseball and football. It would be on the grid iron, a hip injury, that would pretty much derail Bo’s career. He would make a comeback in baseball as football he was no longer going to play. His comeback story is amazing to the game of baseball and just sports in general. Bo was the first athlete to play a sport and compete with an artificial hip. What if Bo never got injured? Could he have been a two time Hall of Famer in Canton and Cooperstown? I always thought he was a better athlete than Deon Sanders, another two sports star at that time. At 61 years old, Bo Jackson will get his due. It’s not Canton nor Cooperstown. It’s the Royale with cheese, the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame where he played 5 seasons. The Royals this weekend honored their former left fielder before the game between Cleveland and Kansas City.

Bo Jackson played 511 games for the Royals. Jackson batted .250 with 109 home runs driving in 313. Bo’s 8 year baseball career, his life time numbers has him with a .250 batting average with 141 home runs driving in 415 runs while racking up 598 hits. He played a total of 694 games and he was a 5 tool player with speed as he swiped 82 bases. Jackson had some amazing web gems out in the outfield.

In 1989, Bo scaled the wall in Baltimore to make an unbelievable catch. Everyone will talk about when he gunned down Harold Reynolds at home plate from left field. In 1989 was Bo’s finest season in his MLB career when he hit 32 home runs drove in 105 and earned his first all-star game. In the summer classic he hit a mammoth home run and was MVP of the game for the American League squad.

After the baseball season would end, Bo Jackson would play roughly ten games on the schedule for the Raiders. Bo played 4 seasons in the NFL all with the Raiders. In 1989 his best year in baseball was also his best in football. In 11 games that year he rushed for 950 yards missing the 1,000 mark by 50. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry that season, so no wonder he was the best player in the Tecmo Bowl video game.

In 4 seasons he had 515 rushes for 2,782 yards with 16 touchdowns on the ground. Bo also caught two touchdown passes in his career giving him 18 in 4 seasons. He played 38 NFL games and averaged 5.4 yards per carry which is outstanding. Bo had two rushes for over 90 yards in his NFL career. He also had an 80 yard run. The game where he ran over Seattle’s linebacker Brian Bozworth, aka the BOZ, was priceless.

Then it was the AFC playoffs in 1990. The Raiders vs the Bengals one play, one tackle & Bo Jackson’s football career was over. Bo’s hip was dislocated as it basically came out of the socket. During that playoff game he had six carries for 77 rushing yards. One of those plays was a 34 yard run by Jackson.

In 1993, it was Bo Jackson’s 3 run home run that helped the Chicago White Sox clinched the AL West at the time. Bo was released by the Royals after the injury in football. The White Sox signed him as he rehabilitated with the team and played two seasons in the black and white. I was in high school watching those early 1990’s White Sox play. Landing Bo Jackson was awesome. His comeback earned him the comeback player of the year award in 1993. Bo played in 109 games for the White Sox over two seasons and had a batting average of .231 with 19 long balls and drove in 59. In 1994, Bo’s baseball career ended with the California Angels at the time. You have to remember 1994 was the strike year. Bo played in 75 games for the Angels, batted .279, and hit 13 home runs. If the league did not go on strike, he could have had 20 long balls or more. For some reason, he called it a career after that season. Even with pretty good numbers with the lumber. I’m glad the Royals are honoring him in their Hall of Fame. You think he should be in some kind of Hall of Fame because he was a freakish athlete and mastered two sports playing both games at a high level. Which is very hard to do. The commercials were the best part of Bo Jackson. BO KNOWS!! You know he will never starve with those ads.

Back then Michael Jordan with the Air Jordan sneakers and Bo Knows campaigns had people buying Nike shoes.

IN-SEASON TRADE

The Seattle Mariners find a taker on some junk stashed away in their Triple A affiliate attic. The Milwaukee Brewers are desperate for starting pitching. They have acquired 36 year old veteran LHP Dallas Keuchel from the Mariners who’s been trying to get back to the MLB as he’s been in Seattle’s farm system this season. The Mariners get some cash from the Brew Crew to complete the deal.

The Milwaukee Brewers sit at the top of the NL Central standings with a comfortable lead of 6.5 games. This despite the rash of injuries they have suffered to their starting rotation. They lost their top pitching prospect, Robert Gasser, who has had a season ending elbow surgery. Brandon Woodruff and Wade Miley are done for the season needing Tommy John surgery. Joe Ross is dealing with back strain. DL Hall has a knee issue. So Dallas Keuchel right now is a body to throw out there for the time being until guys come back from the injured list or they can figure out other ideas.

The Brewers threw Dallas Keuchel out on the mound as soon as they made the deal for him. He worked 4 innings giving up five runs with two home runs in his Brewers debut. Even that performance he got a no-decision. Keuchel in the Pacific Coast league this season has started 13 games and had 3.93 ERA. The Pacific Coast league is very offensive heavy. The average ERA throughout the league is 5.42. Which was about what the Twins got from Keuchal last year. A 5.97 ERA as he made six starts and came out of the bullpen 4 times as he worked 37.2 innings of work. He has struggled the last few seasons. His last good year was 2020 with the White Sox as he went 6-2 during the shortened pandemic season with 1.99 ERA. I thought as others thought he was going to be that savvy veteran pitcher that takes a young White Sox team to the next level for several years. In 2015, Keuchal was Cy Young winning going 20-8 that season for the Astros. Keuchal’s career numbers has him with a record of 103-92 with 4.02 ERA. Since he was cut by the White Sox, he has tried to resurrect his career with the Rangers, Diamondbacks, and the Twins last year. We will wait and see how many beers he stays around for in brew town. Right now he is off to a foamy start.

MAY THE THORPE BE WITH US

He has a mustache like former White Sox hurler Dylan Cease. He arrived from San Diego in the trade that sent Cease to the Padres. Like Cease we may have found our newest Tigger’s tamer as Drew Thorpe pitches 6 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win yesterday. The 23 year old RHP pitched lights out in his third time the charm start since he made his debut vs Seattle. The White Sox snap a losing streak beating the Tigers 5-1 on the road.

Drew Thorpe was drafted by the Evil Empire Yankees in the 2nd round of the 2022 MLB draft. Thorpe was traded to San Diego in that blockbuster Juan Soto deal that brought the lefty slugger to the Bronx. Right before the 2024 season started the White Sox traded their ace Dylan Cease to the Padres and Thorpe was one of the main pieces they got in return. Thorpe has made 11 starts in Double A ball before being called up by the White Sox. He made his first start in Seattle and got a no-decision in his debut. In his second start Thorpe was rocked in Arizona as he lasted only 3.1 innings last Sunday.

Drew Thorpe struck out 5 and only gave up two hits as he evens his record at 1-1. It took three relief pitches to close out the Tigers in the last three innings as they gave up one run. White Sox catcher Kory Lee hit a home run and it was a big day for second baseman Nicky Lopez who had 3 hits & provided the south siders’ offense for the day. Jonathan Gannon in his last start earned his first victory in the MLB. Could the future of the White Sox rotation be starting to show itself with Gannon and Thorpe being main staples? This could be some kind of mirage finding a water source in the hot desert watching bad baseball and getting excited for the small things. Dylan Cease dominated the Tigers from the start of his MLB debut. You have to start somewhere. It would not be a bad thing if Thorpe goes down the same road as a Cease.

IF ONLY THE ANGELS HAD A TIME MACHINE

Everyone in life if they could have a do over in one moment, many would indeed use it. If the LA Angels could travel back in time, I’m sure they would use their do over on signing Shohei Ohtani to a big contract & then the money they shelled out to center fielder Mike Trout. Not sure Ohtani would of taken a long term contract from the Angels, but anybody may be persuaded by 750 million to stay in your current situation. The Angels were visiting the Dodgers and Ohtani got his first home run against his former team this weekend. While Trout is recovering from a knee injury that has limited him to only playing in 29 games this season so far.

In March of 2019, the Angels extended Mike Trout to a 12 year deal worth 430 million. Trout will be 39 years old when this contract is finished. In 2019, the Japanese two way superstar slugger who can pitch and hit was going into his second year in the MLB. It was probably a no brainer then to lock up Trout who at the time him and Bryce Harper were the best baseball players on the planet. Shohei Ohtani and Trout meant the Angels front office were probably thinking dynasty. Ohtani had 171 home runs in Angels uniform in six seasons. At 29 years old in his first year of that big Dodgers contract, Ohtani is batting .321 with 23 long balls as he already has driven in 57. Before Trout again found the injured list at 30 years old, he was batting .220 with ten home runs driving in 14. Lot of solo home runs for the fish that no longer can swim upstream.

If the Angels could predict the future and see what was going to play out for them they would have locked up Shohei Ohtani and let Mike Trout swim to another team. Obviously playing Monday morning quarterback you are picking Ohtani over Trout. The Angels have so much bad luck as they are stuck with a broken down third baseman in Anthony Rendon, a former MVP of the 2019 World Series team. What would have happened if Trout and Rendon stayed healthy and had years with Ohtani like the numbers on the back of their baseball card? The Angels would have been a murderers row line up like the ’27 Yankees. You wonder how many games the three of them played together and what was the Angels’ record with them all healthy on the field.

I remember when the Chicago White Sox signed outfielder Albert Belle. It was supposed to be fireworks set off all summer with Belle, Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, and an aging Harold Baines in 1997. It never panned out because of injuries where they never all played at the same time for a long span of the season. The Angels have been dealt a bad hand in the baseball world. Ohtani is hitting his prime and is turning out to be the better Babe Ruth two way player. A guy you had for six seasons. Some thought Trout would find his way to Philadelphia before he got the contract extension. Philadelphia is Trout’s hometown and can you imagine him in Bryce Harper in the same line up? It would be the Angels luck Trout would be healthy in a Phillies uniform as everyone would say how could you let him walk out the door. Would the Angels be better if they kept Ohtani and let Trout swim to another team? Obviously it takes other guys surrounding your best player. Yes the Angels would be better because Ohtani is on the field every day while Trout is sidelined. I really don’t believe that Trout and Rendon will last the entire length of their contracts. As an Angels fan seeing Ohtani in Dodgers blue must want to make you puke. As it’s the same ole story song and dance with LA’s other team. Only if you had a time machine to get that do over.

SAY HEY KID PASSES AWAY AT 93 YEARS OF AGE

Nicknamed “Say Hey Kid,” one of the best center fielders of all time in MLB history has passed away at 93 years of age. Willie Mays is a Hall of Famer and could be the definition of what a 5 tool player is all about with his picture under it. Mays can hit, run the bases, and defend his position very well as he goes down in the books with one of the best catches of all-time in a moment when his team needed him to do so in the 1954 World Series. That catch is known as THE CATCH. From starting in the Negro Leagues, to serving his country in the Korean War, his baseball career was well decorated like a 20 year General in the Military. Willie passes away this week at his home.

Willie Mays started his career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues back in 1948. His first season in the MLB was in 1951 playing for the New York Giants as he won Rookie of the Year. In 1953, he would miss the entire season serving in the Military. In 1954, the Giants would play the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. In 1958, he was still on that Giants team that moved away from the big apple to the bay on the west coast to San Francisco. Mays played 24 seasons in the Majors and 21 of them were with the Giants organization. He finished his career back in New York as he was traded to the Mets his final two seasons of his MLB career. Mays racked up 3,293 hits, 660 home runs, driving in 1,909 with a batting average of .301. On the base paths he swiped 339 bags. In 24 seasons in baseball, he was an all-star in each season. On defense he was solid as they come earning 12 gold gloves. He won a batting title. He was named MVP of the league twice. Definitely Hall of Fame career and that’s why he is enshrined in Cooperstown.

It was the catch that everyone still talks about that you can see on black & white footage. It was game one of the 1954 World Series. The game was being played at the Polo Grounds which was home to the Giants at the time in New York. The Polo Grounds’ deepest part of center field was 483. The deepest part of center field in the Majors right now present day is Coors Field which is 415 feet. The ball was hit off Vic Wertz of the Indians and Mays caught up to the ball at 450 feet. He went a long way to make a difficult over the shoulder grab like that. The Indians had runners on the base paths, and Mays caught the ball and instantly threw the ball back into the infield to keep the runners from advancing. That was heads up play as most modern players would have to bask in the moment of their own glory of their catch and let the runners move up.

Willie Mays played his last game September 9, 1973 when at the age of 42 he hung up the spikes. In 1979, Mays was heading to Cooperstown to be enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was born in Westfield, Alabama where the journey begun. He played 24 seasons in the MLB, lived 93 years, and made an impact on earth. Mays is still today 6th in all-time home runs and 13th all-time in hits. In the movie Major League, they made their own version of Willie.

Willie Mays Hays did it all for those Indians’ teams in Hollywood on the big screen in that Major league series of movies. I won’t hold it against Mays for being the Godfather of Barry Bonds either. You would think he would have had some influence on him not needing the steroids to be the best. That is a topic for another day and another time. Willie Mays will now be part of the baseball gods in the heavens playing with all the legends like himself. I never got to see Mays play in my lifetime as I was not born at the time. Those players who fought for the country and gave up a few seasons of playing baseball and still put up incredible numbers… that says it all.

WHITE SOX FOUND A CANNON THAT CAN BLOW UP THE ASTROS LINE UP

The White Sox are the last team in the MLB to earn their 20th victory of the season as they remain the worst team in baseball. On some nights the baseball gods feel sorry for the White Sox and shine down on them as something finally good happened to the Southsiders at home versus Houston. The White Sox shut out the Astros 2-0 to earn that 20th victory. It was the performance of the White Sox rookie starter that people are talking about. Jonathan Cannon went 8.2 innings giving up no runs to earn his first ever MLB victory against a pretty good Astros offensive line up. Cannon blew up the Astros line up allowing 7 scattered hits throughout the night, striking out 4 and walking one but allowing no runs is the key to his first win.

Jonathan Cannon was drafted out of University of Georgia in the 3rd round of the 2022 MLB draft. Cannon is just 23 years old and made his major league debut this season in the month of April. In his first three starts Cannon made, the RHP allowed 11 runs in 13.2 innings of work and was optioned to Triple A. Cannon was recalled from Triple A June 7th and has only allowed 1 runs in 18.2 innings of work since his return to the big league club. Cannon helped the White Sox preserve a victory coming out of the bullpen as he pitched a few scoreless innings. Last night it was Cannon’s 5th start and 6th appearance for the team this season. He threw 106 pitches of which 70 were strikes and almost had a complete game as he had two outs in the 9th inning. Then Cannon gave up two singles. The White Sox then brought in John Brebbia who was able to nail down the game for the White Sox and Cannon as Victor Carantini made the final out.

The White Sox had only had three starters all year with a win or more in their starting rotation. Garret Crochet has six wins, Erick Fedde with 5, and Chris Flexen has two. Jonathan Cannon is the first White Sox rookie starter to get his first W and 4th starter to earn a win this season. Cannon beats the best Astros starting pitcher in their rotation Framber Valdez and evens his overall record to 1-1. Andrew Vaughn drove in both runs for the White Sox. Which were the only runs of the game. You would have loved to see Cannon complete the game and earn the shutout. I can understand the pitch count was up there on a hot humid night. If John Brebbia blew this game for Cannon, it would have been typical White Sox baseball. Nobody quite knows the White Sox plan these days. What kind of rebuild we are doing. Perhaps Cannon could be stabilizing himself a spot in this starting rotation for years to come. In bad and very bad seasons, fans need a glimpse that something good is going to happen in the future with this team. Anytime you beat the Astros, it’s a good day or night in the baseball world.

KEEPER OR A TRADE CHIP

In the off-season, one of Chris Getz’s treasures he found garbage picking was a short stop, Paul DeJong. Getz the General Manager of White Sox clean up signed him to a cheap deal like those contractors who need cheap labor as they hit the Home Depot early for their new work force for the day. Last season, Paul DeJong played for three teams including the Cardinals who drafted him. DeJong played in 99 games last season with the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Giants. Combined he batted .226, had 14 long balls, and drove in 37. Since DeJong has put on the White Sox uniform so far in 67 games, he has the same amount of home runs with 14 and higher average of .240 with 37 RBI’s. DeJong provides the team with solid defense and leads the team in home runs. Is he part of this White Sox train wreck in seasons to come? Could Getz and his associates get something shiny for him at the trade deadline?

Some thought the White Sox should have kept Tim Anderson. The team had an option but refused to pick it as Anderson’s career with the White Sox came to an end. Anderson would sign with the Marlins. In 55 games Anderson is still without a home run and has a batting average of .222. Paul DeJong is the better defender so White Sox made the right decision. Many thought if Anderson found his old former self, the White Sox could have gotten something back. Could you find a team wanting DeJong by the time August 1st comes rolling around? I don’t think anyone will be calling the Marlins for Anderson anytime in the near future. I think DeJong could get you back something like a minor leaguer. Not a top prospect. Teams might not be interested in DeJong unless their own short stop gets hurt.

I would love to keep Paul DeJong. He seems like a team guy during his interviews. He’s a local guy out of Antioch, Illinois. He played his college baseball at Illinois State. Chris Getz signed a bunch of these guys this off-season with chips on their shoulders trying to continue playing baseball in the big leagues. Some have panned out. The White Sox are paying him peanuts this year. He would not cost you an arm and leg if he was extended by the team. What is the White Sox plan? Who are they building around? Are they building around anyone on this active roster? DeJong is 30 years old and if he is not traded and he reup’s with the White Sox next season, this guy is a bridge gap short stop until Colson Montgomery is ready to move up to the big leagues. Montgomery is in Triple A and he could arrive some time this season to make his MLB debut. By the time the plan comes together or the rebuild is ready to play playoff baseball, DeJong will probably be calling it a career. Sometimes guys you want to keep play well in these rebuilds and you follow them hoping they do well. They are never the long term answer. The way the White Sox train wreck season is burning out of control, he’s probably playing for the White Sox because he seems like a team guy. Deep down getting to a team that is competitive where he can use his power and defense to help them win in post-season. Not be relegated to playing on one of the worst teams in White Sox history or in the MLB. What an amazing season leading the team in home runs as he has more than Luis Robert or Andrew Vaughn. Tim Anderson ended up being a clown last season, and a guy they thought was the face of the franchise at one point. If the White Sox top prospect Montgomery can be more like Paul DeJong, he will have a better future than Anderson ever had when he played here. Maybe we get DeJong for the rest of the season and see if he leads the team at the end of the season in home runs. It is something small a White Sox fan can get behind.

THE HOUSE OF CARDS HAHN BUILT

Former White Sox Rick Hahn was supposed to be the next team’s genius to rebuild the south team from top to bottom. From all the levels of the White Sox minor league teams to the big league team. Taking a chapter out the Cubs and Astros playbook, Hahn was like a wrecking ball gutting the team with a masterplan of building the White Sox dynasty. Assembling a group of talented core players that can flat out murder the baseball. It started with a bang in 2020 when the White Sox made the post-season. It was an expanded post-season due to the shortened season due to the pandemic. The White Sox would be one and done and dispatched by the Oakland Athletics. The team came back strong in 2021 and won the AL Central. This time it was the Houston Astros who knocked out the south side team in the very first round. The thoughts in 2022 were the White Sox would rebound as this team is young and hungry. Before the paint could dry off the Hahn masterpiece, he built the house of cards which blew down that year in the Windy City. This team crumbled like the day the wrecking ball went through the old Comisky park. Eventually Hahn would get fired along with the VP buffoon Kenny Williams. You wonder how this all soured so fast with this group of guys. Yesterday the Houston Astros released first baseman Jose Abreu who still is owed money on a deal he signed after the 2022 season. Houston would rather eat the money than try to figure out what has happened to one of the best RBI machines in White Sox history.

Jose Abreu in 35 games this season is batting .124 with 2 home runs and driven in 7. He was the first baseman for the White Sox back in 2021. How does a super star slugger regress that quick? He was the AL MVP in 2020.

Remember Nick Madrigal? The second baseman was compared to the Astros’ Jose Altuve. A guy that makes solid contact and very hard to strike out. I was disappointed the White Sox traded him to the Cubs for closer Craig Kimbrel who the team used as a set up guy. Which did not make sense. Madrigal with the Cubs has not done much. Lots of injuries. The White Sox way. He’s played in 51 games this season and is batting .221 with ten runs batted in.

Tim Anderson was the face of the White Sox franchise. He hit the walk home run at the Field of Dreams to knock off the evil empire. He won a batting championship. Then suddenly Superman lost his power. With the Marlins his new home in Miami where he’s taking his talents, he is batting .221, zero home runs and has driven in 7.

Yoan Moncada has been mostly MIA this season. He has only played in 11 games but is batting .282. The switch hitting third baseman has no home runs or does not have an RBI. The flashes of talent Moncada does have with the bat and glove has been impressive when he’s healthy. He can not escape the injury bug that follows him around like a lost puppy. You can’t trust him in the future.

The White Sox opened up their wallets to sign catcher Yasmani Grandal a few years back. This guy is a complete DONG. Waste of money. Another guy that leads the league in ailments. Poor defensively. He was a catcher that can swing the lumber. He was a switch hitter which was very intriguing when they signed this bum. His first year with the Pirates he was batting .165 with 2 home runs and 12 RBI’s in 27 games.

He played outfield back in 2021 and some DH. Now Andrew Vaughn is the regular first baseman. Vaughn is only batting .224 this season but has 8 home runs and has driven in 25 in 65 games. I like Vaughn and this is one guy they should build around. He started out of the gates slow but is heating up now. He never gets injured. His average will continue to climb.

Luis Robert Jr. had a monster year last season. They say he can be the next Mike Trout as he can hit, run, and field as he is a 5 tool player. Trout is a good comparison because they both seem to spend unlimited time of vacation on the injured list. I’d like to see Robert Jr. be more like Bryce Harper than Trout. This season Robert Jr. has only played 17 games and is batting .188 with 7 long balls and has driven in 10. Not his normal numbers. Most likely the White Sox will trade him away at the deadline. After he leaves like many athletes that leave Chicago, he turned into a mega superstar. Injuries follow him around as well. So do you trust giving this guy the Harper Trout money? No way Jose!

The White Sox had a few right fielders in 2021 like Adam Engel who did not work out. Gavin Sheets, a powerful left handed slugger & a first baseman DH by trade, played some games in right. This year Sheets is getting more playing time then he ever had in his career so far. He has played in 65 games & has an average of .233 with 7 taters while driving in 28. The jury is still out on Sheets. Can he be a slugger that can park 30 or so balls in the seats playing full time? Could be an option at future DH if he’s a keeper. He may need a wait and see approach.

Eloy Jimenez leads the entire line up displayed here with injuries. They keep saying if this man can stay healthy, his years in the MLB would be monster-like. It seems impossible. This year Eloy has played in 36 games, is batting .231 with 5 long balls, and has driven in 12. If the team moves on from Eloy, you could just replace him with Sheets. You feel slighted because when he leaves Chicago, he stays healthy and has those monster years with another squad. He’s a hang nail away from a long stretch on the injured list.

I’m going to mention Jake Burger because he was a guy that was on that 2021 team. Burger was traded last season and he had a monster year with both the White Sox and Marlins. This year he has only played in 48 games and is batting .230 with 6 bombs and driven in 24. He’s like Vaughn because his numbers are going up from the slow start and getting over his injury. Burger was a guy the White Sox should have kept because he can play second, third, and first. He can hold down the DH slot. The fools kept Yoan Moncada who is injury-prone over a guy that could have been very popular on the south side in Chicago. A guy that would have seen the field more than the guy you don’t.

Kenny Williams was behind Burger getting traded to Miami. I don’t think Chris Getz is doing a whale of job as the White Sox new GM so far. I know Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn have left a complete mess for Getz. Hahn’s roster crumbled that quickly. The White Sox GM could not repair the holes quickly enough as his entire rebuild sank in Lake Michigan like the Titanic hitting the iceberg. It may now take several years for the White Sox to be relevant once again.

IN-SEASON TRADE

The Toronto Blue Jays and the LA Dodgers hook up on an in-season trade involving two players. The Dodgers acquire 29 year old utility infielder/outfielder in Cavan Biggio from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays just designated Biggio for assignment and LA has a spot for him on the dream team. Toronto in return will get some cash and 23 year old Minor league pitcher, Brayden Fisher.

Cavan is son of Craig Biggio, the former Hall of Fame second baseman for the Houston Astros.

Cavan Biggio is in his 6th year in the MLB as he was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 5th round of the 2016 MLB draft. Biggio was born a second baseman like his father, but he can man the hot corner. He can also play some right field if needed. Biggio bats from the left side of the plate as his father batted from the right side. Biggio in six seasons has a batting average of .227 with 48 home runs driving in 176 runs. His defense is better than his offense. This year Biggio has 114 At-bats & has only 23 hits which is good for a .202 batting average. When Biggio arrived in the MLB in the 2019 season, he batted .234 with 16 home runs while driving in 48 which is not too shabby. In 220 he batted .250 in 59 games with 8 long balls while driving in 28. Then his number slowly regressed after the shortened pandemic season. He has only racked up 337 hits so far in his career. He does have a good eye at the plate and will take his walks. The Dodgers are looking to bolster their bench with this move. Biggio can give you solid defense at three positions. All teams always think they can tweak something to improve a player’s offense or the pitcher’s arm angle to be more effective. Biggio has plate discipline. Maybe the Dodgers hitting coach can work on his swing. New scenery may help Biggio. He has gone from a team chasing the final wild card spot in the AL to the deluxe apartments in the sky as the Dodgers are in first place in the NL West. They are looking to win the World Series.

The Blue Jays get a RHP in Brayden Fisher. Fisher was drafted in the 4th round of the MLB draft back in 2018. Fisher is a relief pitcher and has worked all 5 levels of the Dodgers minor league system. He has an 18-14 record with 4.91 ERA through all 5 levels. The Blue Jays drafted many players who’s fathers had played the game. They have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. All these guys came in around the same time and were the nucleus of the franchise in the every day line up. The Blue Jays mind set is keeping one dimensional veteran guys like Daniel Vogelbach who can hit and can’t help the team on defense. Cavan Biggio was replaced by washed up veteran players who the Blue Jays added for their bat. Former Yankee Isiah-Kiner Falefa has taken away many at-bats away from Biggio. If the Blue Jays do make the post-season, they will be roasted in the first round because in the playoffs good pitching and defense beats great hitting. The Jays have been one and done the last few seasons.

#VOTEMALDY

The Chicago White Sox fans are in the midst of a nightmare season. Things went south last year as many thought that was the worst year being a White Sox fan in 2023. The contention window was boarded up. The fire sale happened at deadline and everything must go. The owner of the White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf, finally fired General Manager Rick Hahn and VP Kenny Williams which was delightful. It was not a full house cleaning of the front office as the buffoon owner settled for the door mat Chris Getz as the new GM. Someone fired off a gun inside the ball park. Another incident had someone thinking he was Mr. Mercedes in a Steven King novel. The driver used his car to plow through several White Sox fans. The team lost their play-by-play broadcaster in Jason Benetti as the idiot owner strikes again saying he was not funny. Benetti heads to Detroit to be their television broadcaster. Then the pile of crap on the field must mean suddenly it’s a good time for Reinsdorf to want a new stadium for his team or he will move the White Sox to another city. This season the White Sox may have the worst baseball team in their own history and possibly could be the worst ever in MLB history. Getz has stocked the roster with players tossed on the curb on garbage night from other teams. Now he wants to trade anything good we have remaining. The crops have wilted up on the White Sox farm system. As we have nothing to save us. However the fans could finally have their say and vote Martin Maldonado into the all-star game. #VoteMaldy is the hottest hash tag in baseball right now as we are several weeks away from the summer classic.

Martin Maldonado is a 37 year old catcher that can’t hit the side of the barn with one of those big red wiffle bats. Maldonado is known for his flawless defense behind the plate. Even though I have not seen the former gold glover gunning down base runners like he was advertised to do so. Maldonado was one of Chris Getz’s prize gems he found on the curb after the Astros improved their catching tantrum and let him become a free agent and placed him out front on garbage night. Getz and the White Sox are notorious for garbage picking. Maldonado is basically an automatic out when he comes up to the plate. He looks like he can hit the baseball but is batting 0.71 for the season. He has 99 at-bats and has 7 hits. He has scored 2 runs and drove in four with one home run as that pitcher is feeling like a sucker. He has played in 35 games and struck out 39 times which I thought he would have more of those. If fans have to watch this team lose 14 straight and watch their idiot manager not pinch hit for Maldonado with the bases loaded, then they should have a say in getting this guy to Texas for the summer classic.

Can you imagine Martin Maldonado standing next to Aaron Judge when they announce every all-star in pregame festivities of the summer classic? All the White Sox fans would be in stitches on their bar stools watching and rubbing their owner’s face in what he has done to this franchise. It’s like Oakland Athletic fans making their owner John Fisher’s move that much harder to Las Vegas. I’m sure the MLB will find a way to make this go away. Rigged election. Now we are bringing out the Donald Trump in everyone. I know players like Garrett Crochet or perhaps Erick Fedde should be the lone representative of the White Sox. I’m sure then the White Sox brass would trade Fedde or Crochet a franchise without a plan right after the summer classic. The fans will certainly say farewell to White Sox superstar Luis Robert. Maldonado should not be a pawn in the fans’ revenge plot. Maldonado has won a World Series with the Astros. You can surround him with talent and win. The way things are run now we won’t see the White Sox win another World Series in our life time. A vote for Maldy may get him some extra money in his bank account. His mission is to embarrass MLB and the greedy owners of society in America’s past time. So remember vote often. Vote every day. Let’s get Mr. Automatic out to the summer classic. A perfect representative for the worst team in baseball.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NEWS

THE YOUNG PIRATES FLAME THROWERS

The LA Dodgers have the deadliest offensive team in the entire MLB. The Dodgers brass has assembled baseball’s version of the dream team. The Dodgers could not escape Pittsburgh’s two young flame throwers: 22 year old Jared Jones and 22 years old Paul Skenes. The Pirates young hurlers were very impressive in back-to-back games versus the visiting Dodgers who did take one game of the three game series at PNC Park.

In the first game of the series, Jared Jones razzled and dazzled the Dodgers line up shutting them out for 6 straight innings he tossed. Jones struck out baseball super star Shohei Ohtani and three straight pitches. He got the strike out on a pitch that reached up 101 MPH. All’s the Pirates needed was one run which was provided by outfielder Jack Suwinski who went yard off Tyler Glasnow. You know things were going your way when Suwinski was just recalled from the Pirates Triple A team. Jones improved his record to now 4-5 for the season as he struck out 6 Dodgers. The bullpen held down the fort after the 6 gem innings thrown by Jones. David Bednar threw a perfect 9th inning while notching his 12th save of this season. Jones beat his childhood team as he grew up in California watching the Dodgers.

In game two of the series between the Dodgers and Pirates, LA got their first look at Paul Skenes. Skenes faced off against Shohei Ohtani and brought him down on strikes. One of 8 strikeouts Skenes had in 5 innings of work versus LA. Ohtani would get his revenge on Skenes and take one of his pitches 415 feet into the stands for a home run. Skenes allowed 3 runs over the 5 innings. Skenes was benefited with run support by the Pirates as they put 10 runs on the score board for the young right hander. Skenes would get the W and improve his overall record this season to 3-0.

The young hurlers are being compared to other tandems that started out of the gates their age or younger.

The Cubs had a pair of flame throwers in Kerry Wood and Mark Pryor. We don’t want Jared Jones and Paul Skenes traveling down the same road as they did in their careers.

The New York Mets had a pair of young aces up their sleeves in the 1980’s: Dwight Gooden and Sid Fernandez. The Mets went on to win a World Series as the Cubs tandem did not. We hope the Pirates take the high road like the Mets did with this young flame thrower tandem that have been racking up the K’s in their rookie season.

OFF WITH THE HEAD

I know the White Sox are the worst team in baseball. They have lost 13 straight games. In the recent series in Milwaukee, the White Sox had leads late in more than one game but the Brewers came back and won them late. They swallow their pride and head to Wrigley Field to face the Cubs. Their city rival with a chance to end a long losing streak. With a chance to do something for their fan base this season, to beat the Cubs at least. For White Sox fans this is our World Series. The White Sox have dominated the Cubs at Wrigley Field going 8-2 in the last ten before this week’s two game series. The White Sox got out of the gates in the last two ball games getting the lead quickly versus the Cubs. They were scoring runs and the starting pitching looked solid. Then the White Sox crumbled while surrendering the lead in both contests as the Cubs, just like the Brewers, blew up the White Sox bullpen late in these games. It took a home run by Mike Tauchman to end the game in the 13th inning on Wednesday night. The White Sox get swept at Wrigley and both games they lose 7-6. I will light the torches and you bring the pitch forks because as fan of this pathetic team Chris Getz put together, he should be the first to be stoned to death in the town square. Then the White Sox manager who knows nothing, Pedro Grifol. His head would look good on my den’s wall.

Then maybe find the gate keeper of the White Sox and hang him from one of the skyscrapers in Chicago.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf looks and plays the part of Gozer on The Ghostbusters. When the White Sox had bad teams that were not burning up the dumpster bad, they would prevail against the hated Cubs. I’m sorry when you sign up for a front office job, or skipper, it states you need to at least beat the Cubs to survive in this town. The White Sox even welcomed back Luis Robert as he had a home run during Tuesday night’s game which was what we believed was a start and good sign things might get a tad better with this team. Before the 13 losses, this team was winning some games. Grifol is so proud of his team about the effort they put in every night. Even the fat kid in tee ball gets a trophy at the end of the year. Yesterday the new guy can seem like he can actually swing the lumber on the White Sox. Cory Julks had a solo home run on the first pitch of the game. He’s batting .300 so far in a White Sox uniform.

Julks came over from Houston weeks ago in a trade with the White Sox. The thought of Cub Killer Carlos Lee was trending inside my mind.

Maybe Julks will be the future Cubbie Slayer for years to come. With bad baseball, you mix reality with baseball past. Instead we have some local yokel Chicago native from Palatine, Illinois, He probably grew up a Cubs fans and Mike Tauchman putting the fatality on this White Sox team who continue to swoon in the month of June.

The White Sox GM Chris Getz’s biggest thing in the off-season was all about defense. Fielding the ball which White Sox always have problems with over the last few seasons. Add in base running. Add in knowing the situation. Baseball IQ. Something I have never understood is why the White Sox are notorious for when their entire line up goes dormant in hitting the ball. Getz wanted to give his pitchers a chance to win games. Not having them lose games making errors late in these ball games. When you go cheap on bullpen arms. Going after guys looking to rebound from a down year. Going after arms with chips on their shoulders. Did it not occur to him you may need some solid arms to close out the other team late in ball games. The defense mistakes still happen on this White Sox team that make them unbearable to watch most of the times. Then Pedro Grifol the clueless bastard patting everyone on their back handing out juice boxes after the game. The starters that pitch well – their motivation may not be wins in their record but a ticket out of town when the trade deadline comes. The Cubs will eventually make the trip south to White Sox Stadium. When that stadium turns into a crowd of blue shirts, maybe Jerry Reinsdorf will come to the conclusion he the CEO is in over his head with his stone age ways of running a ball club in modern times. When will this losing streak end? Nobody knows. I’m not one of those guys that sends death threats in sports. It is a game. It is also part of life as we invest so much time. This owner, manager and the general manager need to be held accountable. The beer prices and ticket prices are not doing us fans any justice for them not doing their jobs.

THE PIRATES ARE STILL BARRY BONDS’ STEPPING STONE

Why would the Pittsburgh Pirates elect Barry Bonds to their own Hall of Fame? Bonds was in fact a Hall of Fame baseball player in his Pirates days. He did not have to turn his head into a blimp and pump his body filled with steroids. Bonds played seven seasons in Pittsburgh and was a 2X NL MVP winner. He was drafted by the Pirates in the first round of the 1985 MLB draft. Bonds helped resurrect this Pittsburgh franchise in the late 1980’s/early 90’s and they made it back to the playoffs. The Pirates were winning World Series titles in 1971 and again in ’79. In the 1990’s they could not get past the Atlanta Braves. Bonds used the Pirates as a stepping stone in his career. He got the big deal in San Francisco where he wanted to be all along. Where he grew up. Where his father and Godfather played for on the bay. Bonds thought his shit did not stink, but he was a stench of cancer all those years as a Pirate in that locker room.

In seven seasons as a Pirate, Barry Bonds batted .275 with 176 home runs driving in 556. He had his cake playing for his father’s team Bobby Bonds and his Godfather, Willie Mays. But Bonds wanted his ice cream too as he was jealous of all the attention Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa were getting with the home runs chase of the steroid ERA. Bonds wanted in. He played another 15 years on the bay after Pittsburgh and batted .312 with 556 home runs driving in 1,440 runs. With the Pirates, he was a gifted athlete who could do anything on the field from being a 2x all-star, on defense he was 3x gold glove and a silver slugger 3 times. He can run like lighting on the base paths. In his mind Pittsburgh would only be the first ride in the first car of his life. he had better things than give his love to Pittsburgh. In 1992 at his first chance, he walked out and never returned. He was voted the most despised Pirate of all-time.

Barry Bonds was no legend of Steel Town like Mario Lemieux, Roberto Clemente or Sid the Kid Crosby. Bonds can be compared to the likes of Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown.. Bonds broke all his fans in Pittsburgh’s hearts as he was the real deal and did not have to cheat. He cheated taking MLB’s home run king record from a guy like Hank Aaron. This is shameful as he used PED’s like a bag of skittles. Bonds called the City of Pittsburgh racist. If you look back on the crucial moments Bonds had, he was MIA on the field especially during the post-season. It’s funny Jimmy Leyand, who will be inducted into Cooperstown this summer, is also one of the names on the 2024 Pirates Hall of Fame list. Leyland was the manager of Bonds in Pittsburgh. If I recall all the confrontations these two had butting heads. Bonds had that sour grapes ‘tude where he was the best baseball player on the planet. He obviously needed help with that. I was shocked when Cleveland Cavaliers fans welcomed back Lebron James. At least James won Cleveland a basketball title. Bonds is not going to benefit the city of Pittsburgh. Perhaps some more fannies in the seats to boo him. Bonds will use the Pirates Hall of Fame as yet another stepping stone to help his case for getting into the real baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I don’t like it. I want dedicated athletes that played the game hard and loved the town. Much more than some crooked SOB like Bonds.

TOMMY PHAM WANTS TO FUCK UP SOME BREWERS

The Chicago White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham may not be a guy you want to meet in a dark alley. The Chicago White Sox season has been on life support since Chris Getz took over the General Manager duties. The White Sox have lost 11 straight and have been lovable losers to this point. Until a Sunday matinee with the Brew Crew. The Brewers were up 2-1 late in the game. Tommy Pham was standing on 3rd base looking to tie the game up. Cory Julks hits a shallow fly ball to left field as Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is on it. The White Sox 3rd base coach sends Pham the ball & beats him to the plate by a mile. The Brewers catcher, William Contreras, applied the tag… inning over. Pham slid into home as Contreras provided a lane for him to slide in which is in the MLB rules as some contact was made.

Then tempers flared. William Contreras did some taunting, hooting, and hollowing which snapped a vein in Tommy Pham’s mind set. The White Sox had to hold Pham back from giving the Brewers catcher a makeover of his face. Things did not escalate and no ultimate fighting took place at the Brewers home plate at the time. Pham is a Martial Arts expert and perhaps belongs to the Cobra Kai.

We did not mention Pham was a lethal weapon & probably has his own DOJO. Pham has mentioned it in the past. He trains in the off-season doing Martial Arts just in case he has to fuck someone up like the Brewers catcher may now be at the top of his list. This altercation reminded me of the rivalry of the Brewers and White Sox in the past. When the Brewers were in the American League at the time.

In July of 1995 the Brewers manager went at it with the then White Sox Manager, Terry Bevington, who was a turd. It was not a good look but entertaining as well. Historically the White Sox never look good with their Dukes.

Nolan Ryan clobbered a charging White Sox third baseman, Robin Ventura.

Then Cubs catcher jacked AJ Pierzynski right in the face when the Cubs and White Sox squared off in one of their inter-city rival games. Maybe it would have been nice once to see what Tommy Pham could have done. Maybe a White Sox player could have been on the right side of a bout for a change. On the White Sox television broadcast the new White Sox play-by-play guy, John Schriffen, was amped up about the taunting of Brewers catcher, William Contreras.

Schriffen turned into a fan with the microphone looking for blood in a gladiator arena. Rooting on Pham to do some damage to the Brewers team. Then saying you can’t treat us like this because the White Sox have the worst record in baseball. I believe it that homers telecasters turn into fans. Sometimes you like them to be the voice of reason. Not get him, kick his ass, or whetherTommy would fuck them up. Blame needs to go to William Contreras as well. Make the play head back to the dug out. Antics like this against a team, not the White Sox, could set a button off and come back to haunt your own team. It’s good to see the south side team in Chicago does have some kind of pulse. The baseball has been very bad this year on the south side. We need pub crawls during the game to ease the pain of where this organization has sunk. We don’t need any more beat downs from other teams with fists of fury when the team already takes it up the rear every game by their opponents. Just stop embarrassing your fan base.

DEJA BRAVE

The Atlanta Braves are living the same day over like in the old Bill Murray movie Groundhog’s Day. Only problem is when they wake up the next day, the team will have to play baseball without their star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna Jr. suffers yet another devastating knee injury in an attempt to retreat back to second base at PNC Park in a game between the Pirates and the Braves. He tore the ACL in his left knee as his leg planted in the dirt and he fell to the ground obviously in agony. Acuna has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Back in 2021, the Braves and Ronald Acuna Jr. lived out this nightmare in their first episode of the bad Groundhog’s Day script. Acuna Jr. was lighting up the league that year batting .283 with 24 home runs while driving in 52 in 82 games. The ending of this movie, even with Acuna Jr. out the rest of the year, was a World Series title for the Atlanta Braves. The Braves found themselves wheeling and dealing at the trade deadline with savvy moves to help this team get to post-season and win it all. This year the season is still somewhat young as Acuna has only played in 49 games. His average is only at .250 with 4 long balls and he has 15 RBI’s to his name so far. He will be hard to replace like he was in 2021. It can be done if you find some offensive production elsewhere in the line up.

Ronald Acuna Jr. is only 26 year old and now already has two bad knees. In seven years, he has a lifetime batting average of .289 with 165 long balls and has driven in 417 while racking up 815 hits. If he did not miss time in 2021 and the remainder of this season, he would be at 1,000 hits for his career. He will get there and beyond that. I remember one of my favorite players growing up with the White Sox, Harold Baines. Before he became a full time DH, he was a pretty good right fielder. Bad knees eventually turned him into a DH at which he was a hitting machine for another 10 years plus after the position switch.

Modern science may benefit Acuna Jr as he could return in 2025 the same old player. He may be told not to attempt any steals on the base paths as well. Ultimately his knees could lead him into the DH role. The Braves have taken on some bad injuries out of the gate this season. First they lose their best starter in the rotation, Spencer Strider, for the entire 2024 season. Now dealing with the loss of Acuna. The Braves front office will be praying they can find some way of replacing major talent they lost already. The division does not look very easy for the Braves this year as the Philadelphia Phillies are off to their best start ever. The Braves should still easily lock down a wild card slot as the roster is deep.

ANGEL IS OUT

In baseball, the good umpires you never know their name. Then you get some bad umpires where you know the man behind the mask. The ugly umpires become household names in America’s past time. One of those ugly umpires is Angel Hernandez, who is retiring after 33 years of some of the most controversial calls he has made in the game’s history. He wants to spend time with family. However the 62 year old umpire is leaving the game in a way, kicking and screaming. He did not win a lawsuit he filed versus MLB and has not appeared in many games in 2024.

Angel Hernandez was hired in 1993. He worked two World Series in his career in 2002 and 2005. He filed a racial discrimination lawsuit versus the MLB. Hernandez is Cuban and his thoughts are that the MLB rejected him for promotions to Crew Chief. Then not being able to work more than two World Series in his career. All this, his thoughts are, because he is Cuban. In 2021, a judge ruled in favor of the MLB. Hernandez decided to appeal and take it to a higher court. The U.S circuit court of appeals of Manhattan rejected Angel. His strike zone is way outside. Multiple players throughout the league have a problem or beef with Mr. Hernandez. Why would MLB need some controversial situation to occur in the World Series? As in 2017 when the league had to deal with the signs stealing scandal from the Houston Astros. This year Hernandez pissed off the Rangers as he called out their rookie third baseman Wyatt Langford on strikes. Angel rung him up with two bad pitches outside he called strikes because the catcher framed it. He framed it by bringing his catchers mitt completely outside to home plate to get the ring up on Langford.

How Angel Hernadez affected Chicago? On May 24th of 2013, the White Sox had a walk off win versus the Marlins. Outfielder Alex Rios beat out a ground ball that Marlins turned into the double play and got out of the inning because of the blown call by Hernandez who was umping first base.

Totally obvious that Rios beat the throw by a step and more. I thought the blown call was going to give the then White Sox announcer, Hawk Harrelson, an instant aneurysm after the call. His words were screamed through the microphone, “OH NO! No!,” and another “No!”

In August of 2001, the Cubs were a victim of a bad call by you know who, Angel Hernandez. The Cubs have always had celebrities singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame since the passing of their legendary announcer Harry Caray. Former Bears defensive lineman Steve McMichael, aka Mongo, was the guest singer. Before he sang, he said to the crowd about how he was going to have a talk with ole Angel about the bad call. What’s Hernandez do? He got Mongo kicked out of the ball park. Yes, umpires can do that.

Former Indians & Yankees ace pitcher CC Sabathia had words on Angel Hernandez’s retirement. Sabathia has been retired for years, but he quickly chimed in as the league is singing Ding Dong the Witch is Dead. As the wicked umpire is finally gone from the game. Hernandez alienated many players throughout the league along with managers. Bryce Harper’s ejection was a classic. Lance Lynn had his war on words with Angel in a spring training game. Kyle Schwarber’s blow out with Angel is a classic. If you read baseball every week, you always see something written about how Angel did bad to someone or some team with just bad bad umpiring. I’m glad Hernandez lost his lawsuit because in game three of the 2018 ALDS, he blew three calls in one game. This is why the league is talking about robots as umpires because of hosers like Angel who make most umpires look bad. Good riddance to Hernandez. I hope he goes back to Cuba and is never heard from again. The league is at a better place today than it was with him behind the plate or any other position on the field.

WHITE SOX IN-SEASON TRADE

The Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros the last few seasons have come together on a few trades between the two teams. They have struck up another deal involving two players on the minor league level. The Astros will get a minor league RHP, Luis Rodriguez. The White Sox get an outfielder in the deal, Cory Julks, who made his MLB debut last season with the Astros but did not make Houston’s opening day roster. Julks was designated for assignment by the Astros so the White Sox figured he was worth a prospect for his talents.

Luis Rodriguez hales out of the Dominican Republic and is only 20 years old. Rodriguez has only played in 17 games over the last two seasons in the White Sox organization. He has played in the Arizona Complex league and the Dominican summer league where combined he has posted a 3.93 ERA. He has worked in those leagues 36.2 innings of work and has 49 strikeouts. He looks like a future bullpen piece and is a guy the Astros liked in the return on their investment and basically getting something back for someone they did not want anymore.

Cory Julks is a 28 year old Texan who played his college ball at the University of Houston. The Astros drafted Julks in the 8th round of the 2017 MLB draft, and it was probably a dream come true for him. Last year Julks played 93 games with the Astros where he batted .245, had 6 long balls, and drove in 33. Julks is a left fielder as he was playing in the Astros Triple A Sugarland team. He appeared in 31 games & batted .266 with 5 long balls driving in 15 runs. The White Sox sent Julks to Triple A & then activated him recently and Julks went yard with his 1st long ball of the year with his new team. In a new state. Julks has 305 MLB at-bats as he racked up 76 hits as he played only 96 games at the big league level. With the White Sox, in three games he’s off to the races with a .429 batting average. This is the type of guy the White Sox love. A player with a chip on his shoulder which Julks has. After playing 93 games with the Astros last year, you’d think you’d be making the opening day roster the following year. It seems like the Astros fruit tree has turned rotten apples they did not want into something plump and juicy for a team looking to fill gaping holes on the amateur roster the White Sox have. Kory Lee is starting to hit the ball this season, a catcher that came from Houston in the Kendall Graveman deal. The White Sox were sellers at the deadline, needed catchers, and Lee had some MLB experience before being traded to Chicago. It’s hard for any team to pluck top talent from the same organization in back to back years. Seems the Padres have fleeced the White Sox a few times in the last few years. Right now this looks like a small potatoes deal as the White Sox early on have the edge. Let’s wait to see what Luis Rodriguez amounts to before we give Chris Getz the General Manager stooge for the White Sox. It’s never over until the White Sox give away an MVP or Cy Young candidate.

SKENES LIGHTS UP WRIGLEY FIELD IN HIS FIRST MLB VICTORY

The Pittsburgh Pirates should have a chubby watching their young phenom strike out 11 Cubs batters in his first road start at Wrigley Field. Paul Skenes was impressive in his first start versus the Cubs at PNC Park as he got the no decision in his debut. Skenes struck out the first 7 batters he faced as he was wheeling and dealing through six innings of work. Skenes pitched 6 scoreless innings and did allow a hit. The Pirates brought the lumber scoring 9 runs to the Cubs 3 they scored late in the game giving their young ACE his first MLB victory.

Paul Skenes becomes the first Pirates pitcher to strike out 11 at Wrigley Field. Skenes can join my list of Cubbie killers, a special unit of players to keep the North side of Chicago the love-able losers. Just like they’ve been most of their existence as an organization. Skenes is also now the 4th Pirates pitcher to strike out ten or more batters in a game before his 22nd birthday .That elite Pirates list Skenes will join is Bob Moose, Nick Maddox, and John Candelaria.

John Candelaria was the last Pirates pitcher to accomplish that back in 1975. Skenes is looking amazing in two starts so far. Lot to get excited for. With that 100 MPH fast ball. Then a breaking ball/sinker that can come at you from a rocket launcher. Skenes and his cannon arm will be must watch baseball every 5 days when the former LSU World Series MVP takes the mound. The Pirates suddenly have a nice starting rotation for years to come.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NEWS

THE YAZMANIAN DEVIL BOARDS THE PIRATE SHIP

The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted Yasmani Grandal to the big Pirates ship roster. Grandal played for the White Sox the last few seasons, became a free agent, and signed with Pittsburgh this off-season on a one year deal. Grandal did not make the opening day Pirates roster as he was put on the injured list battling plantar fasciitis in the foot. Grandal finally is healthy enough to play & had a rehab assignment down in the minors for the Pirates Triple A team. The Pirates starting catcher coming into the season, Henry Davis, has had struggles with the lumber and was sent back to the minors to work on his game.

Yasmani Grandal is 35 years old & can hit from both sides of the plate. He signed a big deal with the White Sox a few seasons ago and was awful. Grandal was known more for his bat than his horrific defense behind the plate. Grandal was batting .257 in 9 games in his minor league stint during which he had one long ball and drove in 9 runs. The Pirates lost their young star catcher who made his debut last season in Endy Rodriguez to needing Tommy John surgery. Rodriguez will miss the entire 2024 season. Grandal was a cheap replacement a veteran guy who is trying to save his career. The injury to Grandal forced the Pirates to use Henry Davis as catcher number one, another young prospect who also made his debut in 2023.

Henry Davis in 23 games so far this season is batting .162 with no home runs and has driven in 4 runs. Davis has struck out 29 times in 68 at-bats. Davis played games as a catcher and outfield as he was not the main back stop for the Pirates. This was because Endy Rodriguez took over when he arrived to the big leagues level. The Pirates traded for Joey Bart from the Giants several weeks ago. Bart has 17 games in and is batting .229 with 3 long balls and has driven in 8. So the Pirates turn to a guy who may be one of the problems the White Sox had headaches from in their club house the last few seasons. Grandal started off well in his new uniform & had a pair of home runs. His average has come back down to Earth as he is batting a whopping .200 in 8 games so far. The Pirates season started off once again with a hot start. Now the Pirate ship is taking on water and Grandal may be the guy that rocks this boat where the season will quickly sink away. Like many of the past Pirates seasons. It is not Grandal’s fault right now. Not yet at least. Pirate fans will know soon enough they have a bum on their boat.

THE DEBUT OF PAUL SKENES

Paul Skenes is the focus of the most anticipated debut of a young pitcher since Steven Strasburg’s first game in 2010. Skenes was the number one overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft taken by the Pirates. Skenes had just pitched lights out at the College World Series where he was named MVP for what he did on the field for LSU. He has dominated Triple A in seven starts this season with 0.99 ERA. He’s 21 years old, stands 6’6″, and has a fast ball that reaches over 100 MPH which he showcased versus the Cubs at PNC Park in his debut. His sinker is devastating at 95 MPH. Some will call it a hybrid pitch he uses as his sinker because it sinks, dives, dips, and disappears like a splitter. It’s a combination of a sinker/splitter coming towards you at 95 & then disappearing into the dirt behind home plate.

On Saturday, Paul Skenes got the call and made his MLB debut versus the visiting Chicago Cubs. Skenes would pitch 84 total pitches and completed 4 innings of work against a pretty good hitting Cubs team. Skenes went out to the mound in the bottom of the 5th with a 6-1 lead but the Cubs’ first two guys up in the inning reached base with back to back hits. Unfortunately the bullpen did not stop the bleeding as those two hits off Skenes would come around and score. Skenes would end up giving up 3 runs on 6 hits walking two battters. Skenes also struck out 7 Cub batters in his 4 innings of work. Skenes becomes the first Pirate pitcher 21 years of age or younger to record at least 7 strike outs in his MLB debut since Nick Maddox had 11 K’s in 1907 facing the Cardinals.

Paul Skenes had 17 pitches reach triple digits out of the 84 pitches he threw. Skenes had a rocket arm and could be the next Stephen Strasburg. The Pirates are hoping Skenes could have more healthy years than a Strasburg. If Skenes stays on the big league roster, his next scheduled start will be against the Cubs once again, this time at Wrigley field. Many think Skenes is the real deal and the Pirates have assembled a nice core of young hitters that are starting to cement themselves in positions all around the diamond. The pitching staff has multiple younger arms that should be main staples on this team for years to come. The Pirates starting rotation’s future with Mitch Keller and the way rookie Jared Jones has pitched this season is good. Then add Skenes & that is a hell of 1-2-3 punch to have in a future playoff series. The Pirates’ hot start has fizzled like last year. I don’t expect this team to make the post-season as they now are 6 games under 500. I expect this team to be better than last year’s squad and end up at 500 which would certainly show the rebuild is working. Skenes getting his feet wet so far is a nice start. I’m sure the Pirates brass wants to bubble wrap Skenes and monitor his pitch count for the season. I’d like to see him get about 15 more starts this season to get that MLB experience he needs. Maybe those 15 starts will help this Pirates rebuild start to take off in the right direction. Then giving this kid confidence winning a few games will go a long way next season. I think Skenes has a ton of confidence as he showed versus the Cubs he has the talent and knows how to use it.

WHITE SOX IN SEASON TRADE

The Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers make an early season trade involving two players. For White Sox fans, we hope this deal is not the Nolan Ryan punch in the noggin to Robin Ventura that is still being talked about around the baseball world. The Rangers get one of their guys back that help them win the World Series last season in outfielder Robbie Grossman. The White Sox land 23 year old RHP Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, a minor league pitcher. Can you say his last name ten times?

Robbie Grossman’s White Sox career lasts only 25 games. The 34 year old outfielder switch hitter batted .205 with no home runs as he drove in 4 while scoring 6 runs for the Black and White uni. Grossman was signed and needed with the rash of injuries the ball club sustained early on into the 2024 season. Grossman will return to Texas where he played in 2023 helping the Rangers win their first ever World Series title. The Rangers have their own rash of injuries and need help at the corner outfield positions or the DH slot. Grossman has been effective against left handed pitching as his numbers have shown so far this season. The Rangers obviously are familiar with Grossman and he will be doing the same thing he has done all year with the White Sox. Little bit of everything. Last year Grossman payed in 115 games for Texas as he batted .238 with 10 long balls and drove in 49. Grossman has played for 7 teams in a 12 season MLB career. Grossman has appeared in 1,152 games as he racked up 914 hits with a career batting average of .243. Grossman has 90 long balls while driving 419 runs.

The White Sox will need smaller lettering on the back of Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa’s jersey to fit the last name on it. I think to get a live body over a bag of dead baseballs is a win for Robbie Grossman. Hoopii-Tuionetoa was drafted originally out of high school by the Twins in the 2018 MLB draft. Then he was drafted once again in the 2019 MLB draft by the Rangers out of junior college in the 30th round. Hoopii-Tuionetoa has been pitching in Double A Frisco this season and has a 1-0 record with a save and allowed 1 run in 12 innings pitched so far. He has 16 strikeouts in those 12 innings. He has been working his way up the Minor League system levels like Super Mario. In 2022, he was named a MLB organization All-Star. In the Rangers farm system he has notched 16 total saves while striking out 146. We got a guy with a very long last name and perhaps a tongue twister name to pronounce. Grossman was the gross filler part you needed to make that hot dog work. Now the team can smoke a Hoopii and hope Tuionetoa can be something in the future for the team on the diamond.

CEASE AND DESTROY IN RETURN TO CHI-TOWN

I’m sure Dylan Cease is not complaining these days about the best weather in the country in the city of San Diego. I’m sure he’s staying classy being around beaches, looking at palm trees, and playing for a team that is not far from landing perhaps a wild card spot. With the LA Dodgers in the same division and having built themselves a dream team in the off-season. A safe bet is a wild card which is far away from being one of the worst teams in baseball with the White Sox. Cease is returning to Chicago to face the team that actually drafted him. The Chicago Cubs.

Dylan Cease was drafted by the Cubs in the 6th round of the 2014 draft. Cease was traded with Eloy Jimenez to the White Sox in a deal for the Cubs to land LHP Jose Quintana, a pretty solid starter at the time. The Cubs were looking for a dynasty after winning their first World Series in over 100 years. While the White Sox were rebuilding. The White Sox had some great teams with Cease being a nice gem to the starting rotation. The wheels fell off the White Sox bus and have fallen on hard times as Cease became a nice trade chip to land new and younger talent to do it all over again. The Padres needed another pitcher to contend with the Dodgers, Giants and the Diamondbacks. Cease has delivered for them.

The Padres have not played the White Sox this year yet. Dylan Cease returned to Chicago the team that drafted him & would make a nice story in grand fashion. Cease mowed down a pretty good Cubs line up for 7 shut out innings. Cease allowed one hit, two walks, and disposed of 12 Cubs in strike out fashion. The Padres needed two relievers for the 8th and 9th to preserve Cease’s shut out to improve his overall record this season to 5-2. Cease has started 8 games for the Padres and has an incredible 2.19 ERA working 49.1 innings & striking out 60. This will be Cease’s 6th season in the Majors – 5 with the White Sox & now his first with the Padres. He now is closing on 50 career wins as his record right now stands at 48-37 with 3.72 ERA as he made 131 starts with 852 strike outs. This is a guy I hated to give up and I blame the White Sox front office for screwing everything up. The jury is still out on the return the White Sox got for the talented RHP. I’m sure when he’s out surfing if he does he may be the happiest guy not having to be a part of the dumpster fire that is still blazing on the south side of Chicago.

MLB TRADE

The Miami Marlins are dead fish in the water this season. The San Diego Padres think they have a chance in the NL West. The two teams going in different directions made a deal involving 5 players and cash. The Padres land former batting champion second baseman Luis Arraez and 7.9 million in cash. The Padres will only have to pay Arraez the minimum this season. The Marlins get a veteran Korean relief pitcher Woo-Suk-Go along with three position player prospects: 19 year old Dillon Head, 23 year old Nathan Martorella, and 22 year old Jakob Marsee.

Luis Arraez is a 27 year old second baseman out of Venezuela who has six seasons in the MLB. Arraez could be compared to the great Rod Carew as he hits from the left side and has already won two batting titles, a career that started with Minnesota. He traded to the Marlins before the 2023 season and helped Miami land the last wild card spot for post-season. The Marlins have started out of the gates with one of the worst records in the league at 9-26. The Padres are even at 18-18 and right now are 4.5 games in back of the Dodgers in the NL West. Arraez so far this season is batting .315 with 6 RBI’S. In six seasons he has already racked up 692 hits and a career batting average of .325. The Padres need a lefty bat in the line up as they traded Juan Soto to the Yankees in the off-season. Arraez joins a solid core of super stars in San Diego that feature Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado. Many in San Diego are already comparing Arraez being the next Tony Gwynn who’s a Padres legend.

That’s a big time compliment being compared to Gwynn who was one of the best hitters in the game all-time. As long as the Padres have crops down on the farm, they are ready to deal as they once again will go aggressive and try to get back to post-season with the core they have assembled over the years.

The Marlins are headed for a tear down it looks like and hopes for quick rebuild. The new Marlins GM Peter Benix made hsi first major move since replacing Kim Ng who originally traded the Twins for Luis Arraez. The Marlins will get a 25 year old pitcher in Woo-Suk Go who signed a two year deal in the off-season to play baseball in the states for the Padres.

Woo-Suk Go has played several years in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) and in 2022 he had a hell of a year. He saved 42 games in 61 appearances and had a 1.48 ERA. In 2023, he only had 15 saves with 3.68 ERA in 61 games. Go had some injury problems in 2023. The arm problems could be still lingering as Go has been pitching in Double A ball in San Antonio. Go has worked 12.1 innings as his ERA is a tad high at 4.38.

The Marlins’ three prospects they land in this deal starts with 19 year center fielder Dillion Head. Head was a 1st round pick from the Padres 25th overall out of high school. He has been playing in Low Class A ball as he’s hitting .237 there. Nathan Martorella is a first baseman and is hitting .294 in Double A San Antonio. He was drafted in 2022 in the 5th round. Then Jakob Marsee was drafted in 2022 a 6th round pick out of Central Michigan University. Marsee has two home runs batting .185 and he also is playing in San Antonio. I’m sure more moves will follow this deal. As the Marlins will sell off pieces and acquired multiple prospects for the future. How far will they go in the tear down is the question.

THE TROUT THAT CAN’T SWIM ON THE FIELD

The LA Angels superstars definitely do not have wings. No wonder Shohei Ohtani left the Angels and headed to the Dodgers. Besides 750 other reasons he never played an entire season with a healthy Mike Trout or Anthony Rendon. On paper with Ohtani, Trout, and Renden in the same line up you have a crew that can demolition the opposing team’s pitching staffs. Once again the Angels will be without Renden and Trout for several weeks. First Renden has a high grade partial tear on his left hamstring. Trout suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, will need surgery, is and expected to miss 4-6 weeks of this season. That is the first estimate. The doctors still have to look inside to see what they are dealing with as no time table has been established.

Mike Trout was off to a slow start with the lumber this season as his batting average is low at .220 but has clubbed ten home runs while driving in only 14. Lot of solo homers. Trout felt an ache in his knee at Monday’s comeback victory over the Phillies. Trout stole second base. Then scored from second on a wild pitch and an error could which could have been the play that will derail his season. The 3X AL MVP and 11X All-Star has had a hard time staying on the field since 2018. Over the last seven seasons, Trout managed one season where he played at least in 140 games. Two out of the last three seasons Trout has played less than 100 games. In 2021, Trout was derailed by a calf injury and played only 36 games. Last year Trout had wrist surgery due to which he missed 82 games. You have to go back to the 2016 season where he played 150 games in one season.

The Angels have not made the post-season in ten years. These injuries are killing this team every year to their top dogs. Anthony Renden and Mike Trout through 2021-23 have managed to play together in 385 games. The team has played 972 games during that time span, so you do the math. Trout has played in the MLB now for 14 seasons and for the majority of that time he has been the best baseball player on the earth. He looked like a first ballot Hall of Famer, a sure thing. His batting numbers over 14 seasons he’s hitting .299 with 378 home runs and he’s driven in 954 runs. Trout has racked up 1,648 hits. If injuries continue to hamper the center fielder, his numbers at the end of his MLB career will just be short to be enshrined in Cooperstown. Trout has played in 1,518 regular season baseball games. Bryce Harper is one year younger than Trout and has played 13 seasons in the MLB and has played 1,536 games. How good is Trout compared to Harper. Harper has racked up 1,537 hits and has a career batting average of .280 with 312 home runs and driven 907. Trout’s numbers are better and he has played in less games. It has to be frustrating as a fan to be expecting the car wreck to happen season after season. Trout and Renden are getting paid big money to be sidelined almost every season. These guys would be hard to trade with the injury history and the money they make. How do the Angels win knowing at some point during the season, two of their top players will be out of the line up for several games? They have to figure out how to get Trout to swim up stream for the entire season. Put him in the DH slot for half the games. Move him to first base. Maybe not stealing bases. Trout will be fighting for his Hall of Fame invite if injuries continue to haunt him. Over the next few seasons it will tell the tale of the tape. The number one stat the Angels need from Trout the most is games played.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ AT CHASE FIELD

The snakes den in Arizona was invaded by a bee colony. The bees found a new vacation home right behind home plate – best seats in the house. The colony formed above on the protective netting behind home plate as the game between the visiting Dodgers and Diamondbacks was delayed two hours. The D-Backs found a specialist to solve their problem, local beekeeper Matt Hilton.

Matt Hilton had to work in front of a live studio audience. Can you imagine doing your own job in front of thousands of people. Hilton dressed in his beekeeper gear made it look easy as he used some type of vacuum to suck the colony up for their relocation. I promise you no bees were injured in the process. Hilton did this while the loud speaker played Bonnie Tyler’s song, “Holding Out for a Hero.” Everyone needs a little music while they work. Hilton now has a nice following with his 15 minutes of fame as he would be invited back to throw the first pitch for the Diamondbacks this week. Even Topp’s trading cards made a baseball card of Matt Hilton for this beekeeper’s heroics last Tuesday night.

Do you remember the infestation of gnats at Jacobs field in the 2007 ALDS game between the Yankees and Indians? They played that game. They called that game The Bug Game. I don’t think Matt Hilton would have been able to solve that problem with the swarming little insects invasion. Maybe a crop duster dropping insecticide on Jacobs Field off a gigantic bug zapper.

JOSE ABREU DEMOTED TO THE MINORS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

In 2022, Jose Abreu’s last year with the Chicago White Sox, his power numbers fell off the baseball map. Abreu came over from his native country Cuba at an older age & played 9 seasons on the south side of Chicago. Abreu won rookie of the year in 2014 but he was already seasoned in the game of baseball playing professional ball for years. Jose was an RBI machine in Chicago. He’s a former AL MVP. When he left the White Sox to seek greener pastures his batting average in 22 was .304. His RBI number was down to 75 but overall 15 home runs batting over 300 and driving 75. Many players would want that stat line. The change of uniform means all of a sudden Abreu is not the same guy he was in Chicago. Not the guy pitchers feared when he came up to bat. In the month of April this season, Abreu is batting under .100 and will be demoted to the minor leagues for the first time of his MLB career to work on his craft

Last year in Jose Abreu’s first season with the cheaters, he got off to a very slow start. His batting dropped major points. He had more home runs than he did in 2022, but not by many. The RBI machine was still bringing in runs with 90. With the lumber, his average was .237 compared to .304 in 2022. He had three more home runs than he did from his last year in a White Sox uniform with 18. That would be back to back years he was under 20 home runs a season. In Abreu’s entire baseball career, he was under 20 home runs once in 2020, the shortened pandemic season, as he hit 19 that year. This year he has had 71 at-bats with 7 hits which is a 0.99 batting average. Yikes! He has no home runs and has driven in 3 runs. Only two players with at least 70 at-bats have started out of the gates this poorly from 1901-2023. Don Baylor in 1981 and Greg Vaughn in 2002.

The Houston Astros signed Jose Abreu to a 3 year deal worth 58.5 million at the age of 36. Abreu said he wanted to be part of a winning franchise. He signed with the Astros as the feeling was the ship was sinking in Chicago and it was time to get the hell out of dodge. I don’t think the White Sox had offered Abreu that kind of money Houston was offering. I think the White Sox were relieved not having to deal with an older player on the decline. I don’t think the White Sox knew Abreu would hit the kind of bump in the road he has in Houston. Abreu got better later in the year, but overall he struggled like his start to this season. To be demoted, Abreu would have to give consent on a move like that since being in the league now over ten season. It would be embarrassing if no one wanted you in some kind of trade. It would be more embarrassing just flat out releasing him. He is a team player and is desperate at the same time as he will report to the Florida complex league which is a rookie affiliate minor league level. You would think he would get his swings at the triple-A Houston minor league team. This move is to get the first baseman’s timing back on his swing. The Astros have dug themselves in a hole as a team in April starting out of the gates with a record of 9-19. If they can fix Abreu’s swing, that could benefit this team later in the season. No matter what, Abreu’s baseball career right now is hanging by a thread. Has age caught up to the slugger at the age of 37? Not the first time a Cuban has lied about his age as Abreu could be older than he says he is. The Astros were thinking big when they signed him to a three year deal. A pretty good defensive player at first that can bring home big runs when needed. Its a shame that most of the time Abreu was with the White Sox, he played on more bad teams than winners. He’s a good team guy that’s always in the line up even after a game getting drilled by a pitch in the coconut, knee, or wrist. Abreu will always be the guy that you respect who played the game the right way. I’m not feeling sorry for Houston who look bad in this signing. Something about these White Sox players from a few seasons ago when they were a solid squad are now fading away in their careers like Tim Anderson last year and this season so far with the Marlins. How the hell did they forget how to swing the bat? Stay tuned for more conspiracy theories on White Sox position players gone bad. This could be the end of Jose Abreu as we know it. I don’t think the White Sox brass figured this out as they would have gotten something for them. Maybe Abreu does not want to use the Astros cheat codes. It’s only up, down, up, down, right, left, right, left, and then start.

WHITE SOX NEWS

WHITE SOX SWEEP THE RAYS

If you are a Tampa Bay Rays fan, you feel like you have hit rock bottom being swept by the worst team in baseball, the Chicago White Sox. If you’rE a Florida baseball fan you have to be feeling even worse because now the Miami Marlins are the worst team in baseball with a 6-23 record. The White Sox are 6-22 and today are no longer the pile of turd you accidentally stepped on. The White Sox have been a dumpster fire and looking like the 1899 Cleveland Spiders team. This past weekend something happened as the bats awaken, the pitching looked solid, and Pedro Grifol I’m sorry is still a turd as the manager. With the bad owner Jerry Reinsdorf and a GM in Chris Getz who has no clue. It was a weekend to forget about all the things that just piss you off about this team and this season. It took to the end of April for the White Sox to win their first series of the year which they did Saturday night in a walk off from a 2 run blast off the bat of Andrew Benitendi, a guy that gets paid the most money on this team. The guy who so far in two seasons has been a disappointment. It was a big win as the team strung together two straight W’s in the win column as they won on Friday night. The Saturday victory carried into the Sunday with a brilliant pitching performance from RHP Erick Fedde.

Erick Fedde was one of Chris Getz’s bargain bin signings in the off-season, and he may have stumbled on to something. Fedde pitched lights out on Sunday as he went 8.1 innings with which he set a new career high for himself as he never got that far in a start. Fedde gave up 7 hits, struck out nine, and gave up two runs. He got the victory as now he is 2-0 so far in a White Sox uniform in six starts with a remarkable 2.60 ERA. Fedde’s MLB career started in Washington for the Nationals, but he redefined himself playing in the KBO, the Korean Baseball Organization, last season. Fedde had a 20-6 record with 2.00 ERA while striking out 209 in the KBO.

The White Sox used Florida native Jordan Leasure to put the final nails in the coffin of the Rays as he picked up his first MLB save. Leasure was a Rays fan growing up and he arrived to the White Sox in a trade with the Dodgers at the deadline. Leasure has pitched in 12 games so far in his rookie season. He has worked 11.1 innings & has no record with an awesome 1.59 ERA so far. The White Sox purchased the contract of Tommy Pham, a veteran outfielder who recently signed with the team. Pham was in the line up all 3 games and collected 5 hits in 14 at-bats while scoring 3 runs. The team is 3-0 with Pham in the line up. The White Sox made some moves and brought up Danny Mendick from the minors. He chipped in with an RBI single in yesterdays ball game.

Robbie Grossman delivered in the clutch yesterday, being another unsung hero of this weekend series as he had RBI hit. The White Sox scored 21 runs over the weekend in 3 games. The previous 13 games they scored 13. The White Sox have been shut out in 8 games this season. The last time the White Sox swept a team was last June playing the Tigers. Now the White Sox have won 4 straight at home. I’m not a believer that suddenly this team is going to totally turn things around from this weekend beating of the Rays. It’s a nice change of pace instead of looking forward to yard work over watching good baseball. Right now for at least 24 hours, maybe a tad longer, the White Sox are not the Marlins.

PIRATES NEWS

HUNTER’S FIRST MLB WIN

When I was growing up, Detective Dee Dee McCall actress Stepfanie Kramer was a knock out in the show Hunter back in the 1980’s. The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie relief pitcher Hunter Stratton can use Fred Dryers’ words, “Works for me,” in the show Hunter to describe his first MLB victory of his career.

The 27 year old RHP drafted out of a junior college was drafted in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Last year he made his MLB debut appearing in just 8 games. All’s Statton needed was two outs in the 9th versus the Giants last night in San Francisco to send the game to extras. In the 10th inning, finally the big first baseman Rowdy Tellez for the Pirates delivered something to the team this year. Rowdy’s hit drove in the go ahead run to take a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the 10th, David Bednar pitched a scoreless inning to notch his 5th save of the season. Stratton gets the win and now is 1-0 this season with 3.07 ERA in 14 games so far. He has tossed 14.2 innings of work striking out 15 as he did save one ball game this season. Most importantly, the Pirates are back to 500 with 14-14 record.

MR. K

Jared Jones’ rookie season is already getting comparisons to guys like Spence Strider, the Atlanta Braves ace. The 22 year old RHP rookie was drafted by the Pirates in 2020 out of high school in the 2nd round. Jones made the opening day roster and has 5 starts already under his belt for the 2024 season. Jones has a record of 2-2 with a nice solid 2.79 ERA. He has 29 innings so far and has racked up 39 strikeouts. He averages already 12.1 K’s for 9 innings of work which is remarkable. If he continues to deliver, he should be a definite all-star during the mid summer classic. He could even be in the rookie of the year conversation. Stay tuned as he’s already a must see every 5 days when he takes the pitching mound.

OHTANI SLAYS GODZILLA’S MLB HOME RUN RECORD

It took Godzilla, Hideki Matsui, ten seasons to rack up 175 long balls in the MLB as he did it wearing pinstripes of the Yankees for 7 of those 10 years in the league. That was by far the most home runs ever by a Japanese born player. It took the left handed slugger 5,066 plate appearances to reach that number of bombs for the evil empire. Records are meant to be broken as now the record belongs to the two way sensational superstar, Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese slugger hit his 176th home run in the MLB on Sunday versus the Mets. It took Ohtani seven seasons with only 2,979 plate appearances to put him above any of his countrymen coming to America to play baseball in the MLB.

The 700 million dollar man obliterated a breaking ball off Mets RHP, Adrian Houser, to add another feather to his cap of greatness. Not many Japanese players coming to America dig the long ball. Only three Japanese born players have hit over 100 home runs in the MLB. Ichiro Suzuki was one of the best all around hitters in the game all-time who hit for average rather than power but still racked up 117 dingers during his days in the MLB.

Ichiro displayed in batting practice that he did have power as he put on a clinic in the cages before game time. When the lights were on and the game was in session, he was such a disciplined hitter he took what the pitcher was giving him. He would do what needed to be done at that point of the game, whatever situation he was in. With Shohei Ohtani number one all-time with 176, then Godzilla with 175, 3rd place is Suzuki with his 117. No other Japanese born player has crossed over the 50 home run threshold.

Shohei Ohtani is only 29 years old and with the big contract he could set records that may not be broken in our own lifetime if he stays healthy and continues to play well. On Sunday, that home run was the 5th by Ohtani in a Dodger uniform. Ohtani hit 48 in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters. Hideki Matsui can strut his monster mash as he had 331 bombs in Japan before coming overseas to play for the evil empire Yankees. Godzilla racked up 331 long balls for the Yomiuri Giants. That gives Godzilla 508 for a solid career and one of the game’s best nicknames of all-time. Matsui also has over Ohtani, for now, a World Series ring he won in 2009. Godzilla was the World Series MVP that year as well. Godzilla finished his baseball career with the Rays & before that he has stops in LA as an Angel and in Oakland. Then he disappeared into the waters and headed back home to Japan. Maybe to wreck havoc on the city of Tokyo. Ohtani being a two way player is compared to the Great Bambino, Babe Ruth. Ohtani came to the MLB at an earlier age than guys like Godzilla and Ichiro. Ohtani has a chance to be one of the best all-time MLB players of all-time. We know he already is the best Japanese born player in the history of the game.

WASTED PITCHING PERFORMANCE

The White Sox General Manger Chris Getz took over the reigns of the front office & said he did not like the team on the field at the time. His plan and manager Pedro Grifol’s were they wanted defense and to be fast on the base paths. The grand scheme of things have hit a snag or two. You have to be able to score runs to win games. To be fast on the bases, you have to first get safely to the bases. Yes, pitchers will feel good about the defense behind them as pitching and defense win games. The other part of the game of baseball is swinging the bat and actually putting runs on the board. The White Sox have a waiver wire roster of a team of misfits. The starting pitching this season has been pretty solid. The great efforts go down as losses most of the time on back of these guys’ baseball cards because of the lack of run support. The frustrating thing this week was to see rookie Nick Nastrini who made his Major league debut and gave up two runs in 5 innings. The White Sox scored nothing for him.

Nick Nastrini is a 24 year old RHP who was drafted by the Dodgers on the 4th round of the 2021 MLB draft out of the University of California. It’s about time the White Sox reap the benefits of being sellers at the trade deadline last year. The White Sox sent two veteran pitchers to the Dodgers, Lance Lynnn and Joe Kelly, and in return Chicago got a pair young arms in Nastrini and Jordan Leasure both on the active big league roster. Nastrini became the White Sox number 8th prospect down on the farm and had a good spring to make the opening day roster. Originally, he was slated to start versus the Braves on April 3rd, but he caught a case of pneumonia that sidelined him for a few weeks. His debut would have to wait.

This week Nick Nastrini finally got the call and made his MLB debut versus the Kansas City Royals. Nastrini would pitch in front of the home crowd as he was able to get his family and some of his friends to Chicago to watch all this unfold. Nastrini’s first strikeout came against one of the Royals’ talented offensive threats, Bobby Witt Jr. Nastrini pitched 3.2 innings of perfect baseball before he served up a hit to the opposing team. The first hit Nastrini served up was solo home run of the bat of Vinnie Pasquantino. Nastrini had 5 strikeouts in 5 innings of work as he only threw 74 pitches and gave up two runs. Unfortunately he suffered the loss in a nice pitching effort in his debut. You would think the White Sox could have at least scored two runs to give his first outing a no decision. Three runs could have been a victory for the California kid. This is where GM Chris Getz’s plan has too many flaws. How defense and running the bases being aggressive was good enough to give confidence in the young pitching staff. The White Sox pitchers have to think they need to throw a shut out every time they step on the mound as if one run they give up will cost them. The White Sox have been shut out already six times and Nastrini’s debut was the 6th of the season. How does this build up confidence for your young players? The owner of the White Sox is a cheap SOB. The new GM Getz is in over his head and did not get any solid bats to put runs on the board. The manager Pedro Grifol is a joke. This team is the laughing stock of the entire MLB world. The Cubs were the lovable losers for decades and decades. They never had a team like this. Chicago is one of the biggest markets in sports. The colors the team wears, black and white, should be the team to recon with. Not some independent farm team of guys no other teams wanted in the MLB. Nastrini looks like a keeper so far. We will see how long that lasts as this staff may ruin a talent like his. This is a trade Getz did not make as credit goes to the two previous buffoons, Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn. Sometimes even idiots get lucky once in awhile.

WHITE SOX ARE THE MODERN VERSION OF THE CLEVELAND SPIDERS

My baseball Spidey senses tell me already in 16 games that the White Sox will be the laughing stock of the MLB if they’re not already. The White Sox roster is constructed like a waiver wire gone bad. If this was your fantasy football team, the kickers would be your only assets. The White Sox stand at 2-14 for the season and have been shut out in six games already. The White Sox have the worst offense in the entire baseball landscape in every category. They have scored 34 runs in 16 games while giving up 87. The White Sox have key injuries to their core of sluggers. This may be the worst roster constructed in baseball since the Robinson brothers ran the Cleveland Spiders into the ground in 1899, and they finished with a record of 20-134 record which is good for a .130 winning percentage. Obviously the worst record in baseball history.

Back in those days, the owners of baseball were crooked like the present ones today. The Robinson brothers purchased another baseball team during the season in 1899, the St. Louis Browns, who were bankrupted. The Robinson brothers then hijacked all the talent on the Spiders roster and brought them to the Browns leaving a team gutted like a hoard of zombies feasting on your roster The Spiders were left with slim pickings of a roster that obviously could not compete day after day. Sound familiar? Jerry Reinsdorf looking for a new stadium. Hinting if he does not get another new stadium he may take his team to another town.

The Spiders played in the National League and they finished 84 games behind the Brooklyn Superbas who won the pennant. The next team above the Spiders in the standings were the Washington Senators who were 35 games ahead of them and not at any risk of being sucked into the basement that season. The Spiders won consecutive games once all season. The Spiders attendance dropped like hot cakes. Opposing teams refused to play in Cleveland. The Spiders had to play many of their games on the road and they played 112 and lost 101 of those. On offense, the Spiders as a team tallied up only 12 long balls all season. Their pitching surrendered 8.1 runs per game. The Spiders best pitchers were Jim Hughley who had a record of 4-30 and Charlie Knepper who had a record of 4-22. Knepper and Hughley were tied for the most wins on that team in 1899. The Spiders averaged 145 people in attendance – it got that bad. Eventually the NL had enough and had a mercy ruling squashing the Spiders for good along with 3 other teams as they contracted from 12 teams to 8. God save the queen as someone needs to have an American League Mercy rule for the White Sox this season. To honestly make the fan base happy would be to take the head of the snake off, bring Jerry Reinsdorf behind the shed, and find someone else that can fix this franchise. It may too late as the White Sox season and beyond are sinking like the dinosaurs in the tar pits.

MCCUTCHEN’S 300th BOMB

The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to another great start this season even with their DH being off to a slow start. Andrew McCutchen has been stuck on 299 home runs since he hit that one last August. An injury finished McCutchen’s season in early September. The organization that drafted McCutchen hammered out another 1 year deal to bring back the fan favorite for his 11th season in a Pirates uniform. This season McCutchen has been trying to stay above 200 average wise. On Sunday versus the Phillies, McCutchen finally gets that 300th bomb he’s been looking for to reach this incredible milestone since he hit his 299th on August 22nd of 2023.

Andrew McCutchen at the age of 37 becomes the 13th MLB player to rack up 2,000 hits, 400 doubles, 45 triples, 200 stolen bases, and now 300 home runs. In the 9th inning at Citizens Bank Park, McCutchen launched a Ricardo Pinto slider into the left field seats to finally get that monkey off his shoulders. McCutchen did it against his former team, the Phillies, where he played 3 seasons from 2019-21. Very rare that you are loved by both teams’ fan bases in the state of Pennsylvania. Last year in his second stint with the Pirates, McCutchen reached the 2,000 mark in hits last year in a Pirates uniform which is cool because he is a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. This year he is only batting .205 early on. Last year he batted .256, had 12 home runs, while driving in 43 runs in 112 games for the Pirates last season. McCutchen can still get it done with the lumber. This home run will hopefully get his bat going in the right direction. McCutchen gives this young Pirates team a veteran presence and a great mentor while being a great locker room guy. McCutchen will be happier with the win on Sunday and splitting the 4 game series with the Phillies instead of getting that 300th home run. McCutchen joins the great Ralph Kiner (1953), the great Willie Stargell in (1973),

and Jeremy Burnitz (2006) as the only guys to get their 300th dinger in a Pirates uniform.

WHITE SOX FIND A BAT IN THE DRIED UP FREE AGENT WATERS

The Chicago White Sox are the worst team in baseball after the first 15 games of the season. The White Sox are 2-13. The Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, and Washington Nationals are better than the White Sox. Even the Miami Marlins have won more games than the White Sox and they started off 0-9 for the season. The new General Manager of the White Sox who was hired last year, Chris Getz, went out and purchased every player that was tossed in the dollar bin at the five and dime store. Getz even traded for other teams’ junk hoping he could land some keepsakes. He preached the White Sox need defense. He brought in players with something to prove who were not very talented. The White Sox and Getz forgot about the offense. You need to score runs in this league to win games. The White Sox are the worst hitting team in baseball. Now Getz, so desperate, finally got someone that can swing the bat in left fielder Tommy Pham, who was still out there in the free agent. Why is he still out there is my next question? Pham was ranked in the top 50 free agents last off-season on the market. This is not a guy who falls into the Getz category of castaways. This is a guy that can swing the bat and hit the baseball.

Tommy Pham is 36 years old and has ten Major League seasons under his belt. Pham was originally drafted out of high school in 2006 by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th round. Last year Pham split time between the Mets & then the Diamondbacks where he batted .256 with 16 home runs while driving in 68. Pham played half of his career with the Cardinals as he also had stops in Tampa Bay, San Diego, Boston, and Cincinnati. The White Sox will be the 8th uniform of Pham’s career. Lifetime Pham has a .259 average, 130 home runs, and 431 RBI’s while racking up 876 hits.

Tommy Pham hits from the right side and will get a Minor League deal to knock off the rust down on the White Sox farm. Pham then will be promoted to the big club when he is ready to go. This is a solid move by Chris Getz. Why didn’t Getz make this move weeks ago? Now the last two weeks the White Sox have added free agent veterans Robbie Grossman, Mike Clevinger and now Tommy Pham. The White Sox should have signed about ten of these guys to solidify a roster instead of the dumpster fire Getz has constructed here. Seriously this is a GM who is clueless about what he has in broken imports with Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, and Luis Robert. Guys that are fragile like chandeliers. Guys that frequent the injured list like collecting airplane miles on your credit card. You turn on a White Sox game over the weekend, and the team is down by 5 runs already in the 3rd inning. Who wants to pay high ticket prices to see a team that can’t score a run most games? The owner and Getz should apologize to the fans because this team will not learn to win together as they’d rather be scarred for life in their baseball careers. Getting quality veterans on a young team, you can build confidence in the younger players and teach how to get it done. If the team can’t get to the playoffs, Pham could be a nice trade chip at the trade deadline. Then you reload next year with more free agents as you may find some new pieces & they bring you back. This is GM 101. Getz is way over his head taking this position with the team. The season is up in flames and no one is going to save this team now. It would be nice to see a guy hit the ball. That is Baseball 101.

KIMBREL EARNS AN MLB RECORD OF HIS OWN

Craig Kimbrel has been climbing the MLB all-time saves list as he has closed out 420 games in 15 seasons. Kimbrel is ranked number 8 all-time on MLB all-time saves list. The 35 year RHP needs two more saves to tie Billy Wagner in the 7th spot. Then Kimbrel can leap frog John Franco who has 424 saves. Kenley Jansen has 424 saves as well as he’s still pitching in the MLB for the Boston Red Sox. Right now the 4th spot belongs to Francisco Rodriguez who has 437 saves as Kimbrel would need 18 more saves to break his record. Lee Smith has 478 saves which Kimbrel will need this season and maybe two more to get past the Hall of Famer and close in on 500. Kimbrel could pass Jansen as well this season as he’s playing for the Orioles, his 8th Major League team. The Orioles won over 100 games last season. I suspect they will come close to that total again this season.

Craig Kimbrel is off to a good start in Baltimore as he pitched in 6 games for which he has a 2-0 record with low 1.50 ERA with 3 saves. In those six games, he has 11 strikeouts. Those 11 strikeouts give him 1,203 for his career. Kimbrel is the first and only pitcher to have tallied 1,200 strikeouts without making one start as a pitcher. The MLB has been around over 100 years and it’s still a sport where something new continues to occur even though you think it’s been done by now. Kimbrel, with his spread eagle pitching stance, could be in the top 3 all-time in saves by the time he hangs up the spikes for good. He has carved himself in the record books with the unique strikeouts, all as a relief pitcher. When he finally calls it a career, Kimbrel should land in Cooperstown. For what team? That is a debate for another day.

MONCADA’S SEASON HAS FALLEN AND CAN’T GET UP

Another White Sox country man has bitten the dust running the bases. Last night a very rare White Sox win came with a price as they lose their third baseman Yoan Moncada with a left adductor strain. Moncada went down in the second inning in Cleveland running out a ground ball. They predict Moncada will miss at least 3 months of baseball. The injury could keep him out 6 months as it’s too early to tell at this point. He will join Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez on the injured list. Two other guys that also were derailed by the deadly base running in the game of baseball. The White Sox recalled another Cuban player, Oscar Colas, who did not make the team out of spring training.

Yoan Moncada is only 28 years old and has a similar path to other guys on the White Sox like Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez. Yasmani Grandal was also a guy that lived on the injured list with these guys. Grandal is living on the Pirates injured list as we speak as he was derailed at the end of spring training. Moncada has 9 seasons in the big leagues as he and Michael Kopech came over in the trade with the Red Sox for Chris Sale. Moncada is a switch hitting third baseman from Cuba who has played in 746 games in the Major leagues. Last year he only managed to play in 92 games as he missed time due to a back issue. Moncada was batting better than most of the guys in the line up this year. He had a .282 average in 39 at-bats & racked up 11 hits. He had no home runs or no RBI’s. Moncada has a career batting average of .254 with 93 long balls while driving in 339 runs. He has racked up 711 hits over 9 seasons.

Yoan Moncada has 4 seasons in the Majors & he has played over 100 games. Moncada has a better track record than his other country men. In 2022 he missed time but played in 104 games. In 2020, the shortened pandemic season, he played in 52 games out of 60. In 2021 when the White Sox were a good team, he played in 144 games. In 2019 the White Sox were on the rise with this young Cuban countrymen core and Moncada batted .315 with 25 long balls while driving in 79. Moncada gives you a solid glove at third. The rebuild that Ricky Hahn and Kenny Williams engineered has shown structural damage to this Cuban architecture. The foundation is crumbling. Chris Getz, the new GM, has tried cheap band aids as players that have washed off before they left their own houses and gotten to the field. This is the core: Moncada, Robert, and Jimenez. Three guys that are supposed to carry this line up with their bats for this year and still beyond. You can not count on these guys. This is watching the same train wreck every season with the same plot. Now we are trusting a full knock down and rebuild to Getz who will just sign X-Royals that are washed up. X-Royals and broken down Cuban players – what a disaster for a recipe. Even though Jimenez is from the Dominican Republic. Close enough. You catch this team’s drift. It smells terrible. The White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf wants a new stadium done in Chicago. Maybe the smell of your team can linger with the ancient smell from the old stock yards being the destination for this new glorious building this team does not need. This team needs a new owner. Then somebody with a better plan and who has a higher baseball IQ than a yes man like Getz and his Royals cronies. I think we may have seen the last of Moncada at the hot corner with the White Sox this year and beyond.

WHITE SOX NEWS

The Chicago White Sox once again were shut out for the third time this year. This time by the Kansas City Royals. This is the 3rd time in only 8 games played so far in the 2024 season. I did not go to MIT and simple math would tell you in almost half the games the White Sox offense have not scored one run. WHERE IS THE BEEF?

Let’s start with the White Sox lead off hitter – Andrew Benintendi is batting 0.94 for the season. He’s making the most money on the team. The entire line up of the White Sox couldn’t slay a beach ball being tossed underhand to them with a big red wiffle bat. The White Sox first baseman Andre Vaughn is hitting .185. Before Eloy Jimenez went on the injured list he was batting .182. Lets talk about the new guys. The defenders that General Manager Chris Getz went out and got. They have gloves but forgot their bats whereever they came from. The second baseman Nicky Lopez batting .167. The outfielder acquired from Arizona Dominic Fletcher batting .111. The new short stop replacing Tim Anderson Paul DeJong is batting a whopping .176.

Then Mr. Automatic Out, catcher Martin Maldonado, is batting 0.67. This is the worst offense since 1968 for the White Sox. The way things are going this team may go down in White Sox history and Major League history as the worst offensive team of all-time. The White Sox have scored 13 runs in 8 games. The team is 4-38 with runners in scoring position. I’m curious about how many 1-2-3 innings they have tallied up so far. As a team, they’re batting .177 which is the worst in the Majors. The 13 runs the team has scored are also worst in the Majors so far this season.

The White Sox starting pitching have done a solid job so far. Talk about wasted performances. Chris Getz should be fired ASAP!!! This is hot garbage he has assembled on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox manager Pedro Grifol is a colossal moron managing this team. The home run by the Royals yesterday was not challenged by Grifol and his staff. The ball hit the fence first & then the mitt of the center fielder of the White Sox which should have been a ground rule double. The ball would end up over the fence and was a home run for the Royals. Like it would have mattered as the White Sox can’t hit the baseball.

PIRATES NEWS

PIRATES KNOCK OFF THE ORIOLES IN CRUZ FASHION

The Pittsburgh Pirates sunk the Baltimore Orioles in extra innings yesterday. It was Pirates short stop Oneil Cruz with the knock that brought home catcher Henry Davis for the walk off win in the bottom of the 11th. Cruz had his 4th RBI of the season so far as the Pirates improved to 7-2 for the season. The win gave the Pirates their first home win of the season as the Orioles ruined Pittsburgh’s snowy home opener on Friday. The Pirates are now 3-0 in extra inning games. Last season they went 3-9 in extra innings. This win had some unsung heroes do some nice things to get the job done.

It did not take long for the Pirates trade to start to pay off. Joey Bart’s arrival in Pittsburgh from San Francisco gets his home run in a Pirates uniform. Bart finished 2-5 for the day with a home run and a double while driving in 2 runs. Should the Pirates be concerned with their closer David Bednar who blew the save opportunity versus the Orioles in yesterday’s game? That’s the 2nd blown save already for Bednar in 3 chances so far this season. That’s the life of a closer as you take your lumps at some point of the season. Hopefully Bednar has gotten these lumps out of his system early on this season. One of the Pirates free agent signings helps bail out Bednar. Josh Fleming got the final out of the 11th inning to set up the walk off Cruz single. Fleming now is 1-0 with a save already to his name and a very nice 1.69 ERA in 4 games as the former Ray signed with the Pirates in the off-season. The Pirates have a chance to win the series versus Baltimore in the rubber game match on Sunday.

LUIS ROBERT: THE NEXT MIKE TROUT BUT NOT IN A GOOD WAY

Many have said Luis Robert of the Chicago White Sox is the second coming of Mike Trout on the LA Angels. Trout came into the league and earned himself as one of the best baseball players on the planet. Over the last several years, Trout has not been able to swim up stream the entire baseball season. Trout has seen his share of injuries piling up over the years. Robert may be the second coming of Trout in present day, not the one that was the best player on the planet when he first arrived in the league. Once again Robert will serve time on the injured list as he came up gimpy running the bases on Friday night in Kansas City trying to leg out a double. Robert hits the 10 day injured list with a hip flexor strain even though they think he will be out longer.

Last year Luis Robert managed to stay on the field for 145 games. The White Sox center fielder is only 26 years old, has played in 5 seasons in the MLB, and has only played 100 games or more in one season one time. Robert’s rookie season was the shortened season of 2020 when the pandemic hit. He played 56 games that year which was a full season. In 2021, he played in 68 games. In 2022, he managed 98 games. So far this year in 7 games he was batting just .214 with 2 long balls driving in 4 runs. Robert has played in 374 games in his career and is very productive with the lumber batting .278 with 76 home runs while driving in 214 runs as he racked up 398 hits. He’s a solid defender in the outfield as he is the total package but can’t stay on the field.

ROBERT’S AILMENTS OVER THE YEARS: In 2019 (Minors) Ankle April, Elbow July, Hip August, 2020 Light headedness July, foot September, foot October, 2021 Pectoral March, Groin July, Knee September, 2022 Hamstring April, Leg July, Elbow August, Leg September 2023 Hamstring April, Leg June, Heel August, Groin August 2024 Hip Flexor strain

Luis Robert joined his buddy, Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox DH on the injured list. Jimenez is another guy that visits the injured list more times in a season than actually games played it seems. Robert is Cuban and I’ve heard some baseball people say the lack of calcium growing up has caused players from Cuba more injuries. I guess Fidel Castro hoarded all the cows in Cuba. Former White Sox short stop and manager, Ozzie Guillen, had another perspective on the usual suspects for the White Sox getting injured all the time.

Ozzie Guillen does Pre and Post game for the White Sox games and he commented, ” You can’t pull fat.” He basically was saying players nowadays work out all year around with weights and hardly have an ounce of body fat on them. They are round, so tight things just snap when they are running the bases where most of the White Sox injuries take place. Guys back in the day when Ozzie played could eat burgers, drink beer, and never get injured running the bases. Baseball is a sport that comes in all sizes and shapes as Bartolo Colon looks like a fat slob out there on the pitching mound, but he played into his 40’s. The sport has changed where you see more gigantic ripped specimens coming out of Cuba and the Dominican Republic. All around baseball, these players fall like dominoes. You see guys come out of college ripped as well. Might explain all the pitchers with their arms falling off them across the baseball world. Why the game has pitch counts when in the past, pitchers would pitch most of the game. I know Ozzie Guillen is not a doctor or does not play one on the television, but he makes a solid point. Not sure the White Sox will ever see Luis Robert be that Mike Trout of the past, as he is already “Trouted” for the present guy.

MIAMI MARLINS MAKE MLB HISTORY

The Miami Marlins still have not won a game yet this season. Miami has lost their first 9 games of the season and it seems they can’t stop the bleeding. The Marlins made MLB history being the first team ever to lose 7 straight games to start a season after making the post-season the previous year. Last year was the first time the Marlins made the post-season in a full MLB schedule since 2003 when they won the World Series.

The Marlins did make the expanded playoffs in the shortened season of 2020 due to the pandemic.

We will never forget the year of the masks.

SACRAMENTO HARBORING BASEBALL FUGITIVE FISHER’S TEAM

The Oakland Athletics found their new temporar home starting next season in the state capital of California, Sacramento. John Fisher’s team will play their games in West Sacramento at Sutter Health Park, home of the minor league baseball team called the River Cats. The Sacramento River Cats is a triple A team of the San Francisco Giants and in 2025 through 2027, they will share the stadium with the Athletics. Sutter Health Park has about 10,000 seats with a lawn which seats an additional 4,000 people. Gives Fisher’s organization about 14,000 patrons per game which he would not be getting that in Oakland this season with all the fans’ boycotts. Staring in 2025, the A’s will drop their city name of Oakland and play as the Athletics or A’s the next three seasons until the stadium in Las Vegas is ready for their big move to Nevada.

The Oakland A’s have played baseball on the East Bay for 56 years. The A’s have won 4 World Serieses in Oakland with some memorable names dressed in the gold and green uniforms over those 56 seasons. The city of Sacramento will be the 5th home for this franchise that started in Philadelphia back in 1901. The A’s ditched the Philly Cheese Steak for BBQ in Kansas City in 1955. The A’s came to California in 1968. The Athletics have played games in Vegas as the Coliseum was under construction in 1996 while they played at Cashman Field. Now the city of Oakland will lose all their professional sports teams. The Raiders moved to Las Vegas. The NHL Oakland Seals team in the 1960’s was short lived. Then the Warriors, which has been a shared team between San Francisco and Oakland for decades. The franchise built a new arena in San Francisco and the Warriors played their first game in Chase Arena in 2019. Oakland sports teams have combined to win 10 championships to the town that will be without a professional team in 2025.

Why is the city of Sacramento helping out the Oakland A’s? The River Cats is owned by Vivek Ranadive who owns the NBA basketball team, the Sacramento Kings. You wonder how any axis of evil is formed like Russia buying drones from Iran to use on Ukraine. The Kings owner and the city of Sacramento eventually want a MLB team and are looking to eventually build up the west part of town where the historic yellow tower bridge leads into the beautiful downtown area. John Fisher and Vivek Ranadive’s partnership benefits both rich bastards. Fisher will get more money from the gates and keep his television rights in Northern California with NBC, which is worth 67 million a season. Then Ranadive will make money off the Athletics and at the same time hopes to show MLB his town should be ideal place for an expansion team. I’m sure Ranadive has the monopoly of all the property in and around his minor league stadium. You wash my hands & I wash yours kind of deal that was hammered up between greedy owners.

That leaves the die hard Oakland A’s fans getting the shank in the showers kind of a feeling. The Oakland Mayor, Sheng Thao, will still go after the rights of the Athletics and hope to keep the name in Oakland. How Cleveland won the rights to keep the Browns name as their franchise moved to Baltimore and had to change their name, which they did to the Ravens. The Oakland Mayor hopes that John Fisher will change the team’s nickname when they land in Vegas in 2028. Then Oakland hopes MLB will award their city with a new expansion team. The Mayor of Oakland is also focused on redeveloping efforts around the Oakland Coliseum. The city has a new minor league baseball team, the Oakland Ballers, who could move into the Coliseum for their home games in the future. We are not for sure that Oakland will be getting an expansion team as other cities like Nashville and Portland or even back in Montreal are some of the front runners. Being a sports fan will break your heart in some way. Either way the team losing a big game. Most of the times it comes down to the greedy SOB who takes your team or trades away your favorite player. Does not invest in the team when they are a player or two away from winning the big game. Hopefully the city of Oakland, now feeling grim, will get something in the future. Once again shame on you John Fisher for being a maggot in society. Some day he will get that feeling of a shank and hopefully the authorities arrest him for something and freeze his assets.

A NO AND A NO NO NO-HITTER

On April Fool’s Day, Ronel Blanco was no fool. The Toronto Blue Jays line up made fools of themselves not even mustering one hit against a guy making his 8th start of his career. The 30 year RHP Blanco pitches the first no hitter of the 2024 season, and the Houston Astros needed it after being swept in 4 games versus the Yankees in the opening series. Blanco only walked former Astros center fielder George Springer twice as everything else came together for the Astros’ 17th no-hitter in their franchise history.

The only reason Ronel Blanco was in the rotation was because of injuries the Astros had. No Justin Verlander. No Lance McCullers. The Astros had a few more names as Blanco looked like a plan D. Blanco came into the season only with 58 .1 innings of work as he pitched in 24 games making 7 career starts. His life time record is 3-1 with 4.14 ERA. Blanco, a native out of the Dominican Republic, was pitching a gem a week after his wife gave birth to his daughter. The Astros were 0-4 and needed to stop the bleeding. The Astros bats came to life as they scored ten runs which can make it much easier to pitch with a big lead. He walked George Spinger leading off the game and again with two outs in the 9th to really make a guy nervous at that point. Blanco was then able to retire Vladimer Guerrero Jr., which is no easy task, but he grounded out to end the game. Blanco’s no hitter became a reality as it goes down as the 323rd ever in MLB history.

PIRATES IN-SEASON TRADE

PIRATES ADD BACK-STOP WITH DEAL INVOLVING THE GIANTS

The Pittsburgh Pirates, despite being 5-0, have had problems with their catcher situation this year. At first in the off-season to find out their future starting back stop young Endy Rodriguez, who made his MLB debut, needed off season Tommy John surgery. The Pirates went out and signed themselves a veteran catcher X White Sox Yasmani Grandal to a one year deal . Grandal is dealing with Plantar Fasciitis and did not make the team’s opening day roster as he went on the injured list. That left another guy that made his MLB debut last season, Henry Davis, as catcher number 1. The back up that made the Pirates opening day roster Jason Delay is now heading to the injured list. The Pirates made a move to get someone behind Davis and that’s where San Francisco comes in. The Pirates acquire 27 year old back stop Joey Bart from the Giants for a RHP minor leaguer Austin Strickland.

Joey Bart was a former number one pick in the 2018 MLB draft by the Giants as he was selected number two overall. Bart has been a bust so far in his career that has been parts of the last 4 seasons in San Francisco. He was designated for assignment and the Pirates came calling. Bart has not played this season so far. Last year he played in 30 games for the Giants. He hits from the right side. With the lumber, he had a low batting average of .207 as he had only 87 at-bats and racked up 18 hits while driving in 5 runs. He has played in 162 games in 4 seasons as his batting average is at .219 and he has 11 career home runs so far while driving in 38. In 457 At-bats, he has 100 total hits. On defense he is a decent defender nothing off the charts. Kind of a clunker for being selected number two overall.

The Pirates give up 21 year old RHP Austin Strickland. Strickland was drafted by the Pirates in the 2023 draft in the 8th round of the MLB draft from the University of Kentucky. Strickland is still in the process at the lower levels of minor league ball as a relief pitcher. You don’t know yet what you really gave up to a potential number 1 pick that may be a bust in the MLB. Sometimes a change of scenery is what guys need. Being a number 1 pick can be a pressure cooker. Maybe Joey Bart can take that monkey off his back and just play baseball. Feel free and just go back to playing like he did in college that made him get picked high in the draft. The Pirates will not be asking a lot from Bart just to play a few games here and there until they get healthier at that position. I expect someone in the Pirates organization thought they can tweak a few things and get the best out of Bart. This move could end up as Bart’s performances of the past as well.

 

ELOY JIMENEZ IS SPANISH FOR FRA-JI-LEE THAT IN ENGLISH MEANS FRAGILE

Here we go again!! It only took the third game of the 2024 season to derail designated hitter Eloy Jimenez for the White Sox. He left Sunday’s game versus Detroit in the White Sox team’s very first three game series of the season with soreness to the left abductor. It happened when Jimenez hit an infielder grounder and as he was running to first base, he felt discomfort in the 6th inning. He left the game. The White Sox sat him out the next two games versus the visiting Braves. They think Jimenez will not have to make a trip to the injured list as his injury is day to day.

I’m not sure what the White Sox need to do to keep Eloy Jimenez healthy all year. Wrapping him in bubble wrap has been mentioned. His projected numbers as a hitter in a full season in the big leagues would give him super star status. We all know he is a liability in the field to the team and himself, and that’s why he is a DH. At 27 years old, the native of the Dominican Republic could find himself being a free agent after this season. The White Sox have an option for his services in 2025, but in 3 games he is not off to a very good start with the lumber and is sidelined yet again. In six seasons in the MLB, all with the White Sox, he has only played over 100 games in two seasons. Last year he played in 120 games. In 2020, he played in 55 of the 60 games during the pandemic shortened season. In 2021, he played 55 games. In 22, he played in 84 games. Lifetime he’s batting .274 with 89 home runs with 275 RBI’s in 439 games in the MLB. He has racked up 453 hits in those 439 games. His projections with the lumber in a 162 game season suggest he would be batting .274 with 33 long balls while driving in 101. The White Sox medical staff have not been able to put their Eloy Humpty Dumpty back together in a permanent fix. At some point, Jimenez will run out of yoke.

MIKE CLEVINGER’S RETURN TO THE SOUTH SIDE A PROBLEM OR AN ASSET

We are closing in on the end of the first week of the season in the MLB 2024 season. The White Sox are bringing back veteran RHP Mike Clevinger on a one year deal as the numbers are not quite available at this time. Clevinger pitched last year for the White Sox & then declined an option for this season making him a free agent. Clevinger thought he would get a better offer from someone else but now has decided to return to the team that stuck with him last year when word got out about being involved with domestic abuse against the mother of his children. Clevinger was never charged with any crime. MLB investigated the matters and closed the case as the league found nothing with their inquiries. The White Sox desperately need pitching. Was Clevinger himself part of the bad culture inside the White Sox locker room in absolutely one of the worst years this franchise has had on and off the field?

Mike Clevinger was originally drafted by the LA Angels in the 4th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Clevinger made his debut in the league wearing the Indians uniform for Cleveland in 2016. He has seven seasons in the MLB. Could have been 8 but he missed the 2021 season having Tommy John surgery. In those 7 seasons he has pitched parts of 5 seasons with the Indians as he was traded to San Diego in 2020. He pitched parts of 2 seasons for the Padres before signing with the White Sox last year. Last year Clevinger made 24 starts & had a 9-9 record with 3.77 ERA. Life time Clevinger has a 60-39 record in 152 games making 138 starts.

The White Sox opening day starter was Garrett Crochet who pitched very well in his first ever start of his career. Crochet is a young south paw who’s been pitching in the White Sox bullpen the last few seasons or racking up injuries. The White Sox traded their ace Dylan Cease to the Padres right at the end of spring training. The rest of the starting rotation are guys looking for that one more chance at pitching at the major league level and to stick for good. Guys overcoming injuries. Guys looking for redemption. Bargain bin prices for arms out to prove themselves. Mike Clevinger would easily become the ace of the staff. To make this move I’m not wanting to take a job from one of younger guys. You could easily remove one of those bargain bin arms to the bullpen or just get rid of the waste for good. Clevinger obtained a protective order of his accuser in the Florida courtroom. I don’t like a guy beating up the kids or the women of this world. We really don’t have much evidence to remove him from the baseball world. That’s a double edged sword we are dealing with here accusing someone that may be innocent of wrongdoing. He did not get traded at the deadline last year, maybe because of rumors of his domestic abuse. I really don’t think they would bring Clevinger back if he was one of the problems in the locker room. The new GM of the White Sox has been in the building and the locker room and Chris Getz should know if he will be an asset or liability to the younger players. I don’t see the White Sox winning many games. They definitely need to start trying to create a winning mentality. You may get some great pitching performances from Clevinger to rub off on some of the other guys, including the younger guys. Clevinger could be a trade piece at the deadline if everything goes well. The team should have signed more talented veterans to give this roster a bit of a razors edge, not just guys they hope have a rebound year and are cheap. This is about grooming these young guys but also creating the winning mentality as this GM and manager have said the entire time. Clevinger can build confidence for this team when he takes the mound every 5 days, which is a step in the right direction and needed at this time.

GARCIA IS NOT A FAN OF THE MARLINS BOOING HIM

I remember when the Chicago White Sox landed outfielder Avisail Garcia in a three team trade that involved multiple players in the deal. It was the Red Sox, Tigers, and the White Sox. Garcia arrived in Chicago in 2013 and the talk about this deal was we were getting Miguel Cabrera Jr.. Not even close. Garcia played in Chicago for six seasons & had one good season as he was all-star in 2017. Injuries haunted Garcia all his career. Lack of hustle on the base paths at times has irked fans in the past and present day. The previous Marlins ownership signed Garcia to a 4 year deal worth 53 million back in 2022. Garcia has not lived up to the deal. Last year he only played in 37 games. This year the boos have come down right out of the gates in front of the home crowd. To make things worse, he made a comment about how he does like getting booed.

This season Avisail Garcia is obviously trying to find his swing as he is rusty being out most of last year. Garcia is batting .154 in 5 games so far. Has two hits in 13 at-bats and one of those hits left the ball park. Last year he batted .185 in 37 games managing 118 at-bats. He had 3 long balls & drove in 12. He struck out 39 times. His first season in Miami he played in 98 games, batted .224 with 8 home runs, and drove in 35 as struck out 109 times in 357 at-bats. The Marlins at the time Derek Jeter was the CEO signed Garcia who was coming off a solid year in a Brewers uniform in 2021. Garcia played in 135 games for the Brewers that year and batted .262 with 29 home runs while driving in 86. Garcia is no Miggy Cabrera. He does have some pretty good years but the tail of the tape is the back of his baseball card. You don’t know what you are going to get. He is fragile as your mom’s vase.

Garcia on the booing:

“Last year, I was hurt. This year I’m healthy. Every time they put me in the line up, I want to do my best, of course, but it’s not good for players to hear that the first at-bat of the season. I strike out and they Boo? I don’t like that. It’s the first time in my career that happened. Fans are fans. The game looks easy from the stands. I understand it, but it’s not fair.”

Avisail Garcia is a native out of Venezuela and has 12 MLB seasons under his belt. He should know better not to comment on the fans for booing. They are fired up because the Marlins are paying Garcia 12 million this year. Then another 12 million next year. The Marlins money does not grow on palm trees in the south beach like that Dodger money on the west coast. The die hard fans know more than you think. They see slow jogs running down the base lines. They see a guy like Jake Burger doing the little things besides hitting the big home run. They can tell Burger plays every play like it’s his last one. When it comes to Garcia he does not get the grand scheme of things. When he fixes his swing, what else will he bring to the table in a team game? Injuries follow Garcia like dark clouds. Sometimes guys don’t go too hard on the smaller things in the game because they are afraid of getting injured. Running scared will land you boos. I find it hard to believe he has never had a fan base booing him before Miami. I booed him in front of my television striking out. Or taking the wrong path to a ball in the outfield. It does seem easy watching Gracia’s glaring mistakes from the television or the stands. The Marlins will not get a bucket of fish bait for Garcia from any other teams in the league. If he does not find his swing, Marlins will eventually eat the money left over in the contract.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS FANS BOYCOTT OPENING DAY

In some of these war torn countries around the world, it’s every man for themselves because the country is ruled by a dictator. The locals get fed up, so they rise up on their own government that has failed them. You can call it a revolution or a civil war. When a mob of people drag their government officials through the town square with pitch forks and torches, you know they have hit their boiling point. Maybe centuries ago they would stone the dictator or his henchmen to death in the town square because of what they did. This world still has that crazy. I imagine Oakland Athletics fans have dabbled in the black hole rooting on their old football team that has moved to Vegas. The baseball team in Oakland going down the same path as their football team, Vegas or bust in 2028.

I think many wouldn’t mind seeing crazy Raiders fans drag the Athletics owner, John Fisher, out of his rat nest and drag him through the streets of Oakland. I’d rather have cooler heads prevail instead of senseless violence. We are not barbaric like other war mongers who rule with a iron fist. Guys like Fisher should be put behind bars. Owners like him ruin the game we all love growing up. The American past time of baseball. To strike back at greedy scum like Fisher, you have to hurt him in the pockets. This may be the last opening day in Oakland and at the Coliseum. The fans purchased tickets. They arrived at the game but did not enter the building. The boycott by the Athletic fan base instead enjoyed themselves and from the looks of it, it was a large block party gathering in the parking lots of the Coliseum.

With all the green in the crowd, it looked like a St. Patrick’s day celebration. Those Kelly Green flags that say “SELL” were a part of a free giveaway. This boycott was planned by the Last Dive Bar and the Oakland 68’s. It looked like your average fan base tail gate fun with live music. Grilling and indulging in those adult beverages. They had food trucks just in case you did not pack the grill. You know you have to have some corn hole games going. Throwing bean bags into the face of villains, John Fisher, and the President of Baseball Operations for the Athletics, David Kaval. He’s another scum bag. The faces of Kaval and Fisher in caricatures as bean bags came down on them like bombs from a B-52 Bomber. In the top of the 5th inning of the opening day as the Athletics faced the Guardians of Cleveland, fans in the parking lot chanted, “SELL THE TEAM.”

The Athletics would lose their opening game in a shut out 8-0 lost. The tickets sold for the game was 13,522 of which the majority of them were outside having a good time even though deep down they are pissed off. It was not the lowest attendance in Athletic history because back in 1996 a few games were played in Las Vegas while the Oakland Coliseum was under construction. The opening day in 1996 resulted in 7,294 tickets sold. Last June, fans packed the Oakland Coliseum in what they called reverse boycott and made it well aware they wanted John Fisher to sell the team. The fans had shirts that were Kelly Green with the word “Sell” on them in the June boycott. The fans want to hurt the Oakland ownership where it hurts… the pockets. If money is not coming in, then how are you going to build that stadium in 2028. This will probably be the last year the Athletics are in Oakland. They are looking for a temporary home elsewhere before 2028. That can mean sharing the San Francisco Giants stadium across the bay. Sacramento and San Antonio are some ideas that have been kicked around. The city of Oakland would like to keep the name of the Athletics in Oakland by getting the rights for a possible expansion team. The Oakland 68’s have more rallies on the horizon. They are trying to raise money to fight MLB and Fisher from stealing away their baseball team. On hand was a booth called Schools over Stadiums which are a group looking to block public funding from Las Vegas to build this stadium for Fisher and the relocated Athletics team. Obviously they want the money to go to schools instead of making greedy men rich like John Fisher. Let’s hope these groups can be successful in throwing a wrench in Fisher’s plans. If that does not work, sharpen up the pitch forks and stock up on some light fluid. This will be an interesting season in Oakland as we should have more to come as the season goes on. The ending may look a lot like those Expos games in their last season in Montreal.

YO JOE

Sometimes as a baseball fan we fall in love with the unsung heroes in a ball club. The grinders. The utility role on the roster. Guys that come off the bench and give the team a lift. May not be masters of all the positions they play, but they play their best at them when they get a chance to play. If they make a mistake, they usually redeem themselves as the game goes on. The Pirates have been facing south paws in their first two games on the road versus the Marlins. This is where Connor Joe comes in to face south paw pitching. Last night it was, “YO JOE!!!” in Miami as Connor doubled off the wall as he drove in a run and collected two hits in a Pirates win.

Originally Connor Joe was drafted by the Pirates back in 2014 in the 1st round of the MLB draft number 39th overall. Joe was drafted out of the University of San Diego in his home state of California. In 2019, Joe debuted wearing a Giants uniform. He did not play in the Majors in the shortened pandemic season of 2020. In 2021& ’22, Joe moved on from the bay area and played two seasons for the Rockies. Last year he came back to the team that drafted him, the Pirates. Last year he batted .247 & had 11 home runs driving in 42 as he played in 133 games which was a career high. He has parts of 5 seasons in the majors & he has a life time batting average of .247 with 26 long balls while driving 106. He has only 252 hits at the age of 31 years old but suddenly is becoming a guy the team needs to insert in the line up. He’s a scrappy player that can play in the outfield and helps out at first base as he seems like he’s a platoon player at that spot for the Pirates. He brings energy to the Pirates line up. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get more playing time even when opposing teams have a right handed pitcher on the mound. You would love to have a roster full of Joe’s like Connor. In GI JOE the good guys scream, “YO JOE,” when they are winning the war versus Cobra. Which could be the calling card for Connor when he delivers at home at PNC Park. Of course everyone would want to scream, “YO JOE!”

Connor Joe is my guy so far early on this season for the Pirates. I’m sure I’ll have more highlights on Connor Joe’s fight for freedom in the baseball world to come this season.

Nostradamus’ 2024 MLB Predictions

MLB DIVISION WINNERS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

EAST

DIVISION WINNER: ORIOLES

2ND: RAYS

3RD: BLUE JAYS

4TH: YANKEES

5TH: RED SOX

CENTRAL

DIVISION WINNER: GUARDIANS

2ND: TIGERS

3RD: TWINS

4TH: ROYALS

5TH: WHITE SOX

WEST

DIVISION WINNER: RANGERS

2ND: MARINERS

3RD: ASTROS

4TH: ANGELS

5TH: ATHLETICS

NATIONAL LEAGUE

EAST

DIVISION WINNER: BRAVES

2ND: PHILLIES

3RD: MARLINS

4TH: METS

5TH: NATIONALS

CENTRAL

DIVISION WINNER: CARDINALS

2ND: REDS

3RD:PIRATES

4TH: CUBS

5TH: BREWERS

WEST

DIVISION WINNER: DODGERS

2ND: DIAMONDBACKS

3RD: GIANTS

4TH: PADRES

5TH: ROCKIES

WILD CARDS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

#1. MARINERS, #2. RAYS, #3. BLUE JAYS

NATIONAL LEAGUE

#1.DIAMONDBACKS, #2.PHILLIES, #3. REDS

WORLD SERIES

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VERSUS SEATTLE MARINERS

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS WIN THEIR SECOND EVER WORLD SERIES!!!

2024 PITTSBURGH PIRATES OPENING DAY ROSTER

PITCHERS

STARTING ROTATION

ACE: RHP: Mitch Keller, RHP Martin Perez, LHP Marco Gonzales, RHP Jared Jones, RHP Luis Ortiz

Jared Jones rookie, 2nd round draft pick of Pirates 2020 MLB draft.

BULLPEN

Closer: RHP David Bednar, LHP Aroldis Chapman, LHP Ryan Borucki, RHP Roansey Contreras, LHP Josh Fleming, RHP Hunter Stratton, RHP Ryder Ryan, LHP Bailey Falter

Hunter Stratton made his MLB debut with the Pirates last season where he pitched in 8 games, worked 12 innings, & had ten strikeouts.

STARTING LINE UP

Catcher: Henry Davis, First base: Rowdy Tellez, Second base: Jared Triolo, Short Stop: Oneil Cruz, Third Base:Ke’Bryan Hays

OUTFIELD: Left Field: Jack Suwinski, Center Field: Michael Taylor, Right Field: Bryan Reynolds

DH: Andrew McCutchen

BENCH

Catcher: Jason Delay, Infielder: Alika Williams, Infielder/outfielder: Connor Joe, Outfielder: Edward Olivares

MASH UNIT

These players will start the year on the injured list for the Pirates.

Catcher: Yasmani Grandal, Utility: Ji Hwan Bae, Pitchers: Colin Holderman, Carmen Mlodzinski

THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX OPENING DAY ROSTER

PITCHERS

STARTING ROTATION

1.LHP Garrett Crochet, 2. RHP Michael Soroka, 3. RHP Erick Fedde, 4. RHP Chris Flexen 5. RHP Nick Nastrini

Nick Nastrini: 24 year old rookie who was drafted by the Dodgers in the 4th round of the MLB draft

BULLPEN

RHP: RHP Michael Kopech, RHP John Brebbia, LHP Tim Hill, RHP Deivi Garcia, RHP Dominic Leone, RHP Steven Wilson, RHP Bryan Shaw, LHP Tanner Banks, RHP Jordan Leasure

Jordan Leasure: 25 year old rookie who was also drafted by the Dodgers in 2021 of the MLB draft in the 14th round.

STARTING LINE UP

Catcher: Martin Maldonado, First Base: Andrew Vaughn, Second Base: Nicky Lopez, Short Stop: Paul DeJong, Third Base: Yoan Moncarda

OUTFIELDERS: Right Field: Dominic Fletcher, Center: Luis Robert, Left Field: Andrew Benintendi

DH: Eloy Jimenez

BENCH

Catcher: Kory Lee, Outfielder: Kevin Pillar, Infielder: Braden Shewmake, Outfielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets

MASH UNIT

Players starting on the injured list: Catcher: Max Stassi

THE D-BACKS SNAKE OUT MONTGOMERY

The Arizona Diamondbacks this off-season wanted a veteran established starter for their starting rotation and landed former Tiger & Red Sox south paw, Eduardo Rodriguez. The snakes were feeling confident going into the regular season until Rodriguez was sidelined for the start of the season with a lat strain. Instead of waiting patiently in a 162 game season trying to work around Rodriguez’s missed starts with another option in house or go to a 4 man rotation, the D-Backs went out and got the guy that beat them in the World Series. The hero of the Texas Rangers starting staff Jordan Montgomery who was waiting in the weeds for his opportunity to be paid. The 31 year LHP Montgomery will get a one year deal paying him 25 million with it looks likes an option for 2025 as the details of the deal have not fully come out yet.

Jordan Montgomery was drafted by the Yankees in 2014 at the MLB draft as he was taken in the 4th round. Montgomery debuted for the Yankees in 2017 when he had a 9-7 record 3.88 ERA. It took the 2022 season for Montgomery to reach the 9 wins mark. Last year it was the first time Montgomery had double digits in wins in his career despite having a losing record of 10-11 with 3.20 ERA in 32 starts. Montgomery has seven seasons under his belt as he pitched parts of six seasons in the pinstripes of the Death Star. He was traded to St. Louis at the 2022 trade deadline where he spent probably a full season in two years. We know he was traded by the Cardinals to the Rangers at the deadline last season. Down the stretch for the Rangers Montgomery went 4-2 with 2.79 ERA in 11 starts tossing 67.2 innings. Then post season he was still pitching solidly as he tossed 31 innings, had a 2.90 ERA, and beat the team he joins in 2024 – the Diamondbacks.

Jordan Montgomery’s agent is Scott Boras and his clients were pretty much the last of the Mohicans in the free agent water holding out for the bigger deal. I can see not giving Montgomery a long term deal at 31 years old. He has made 140 starts and has a life time record of 38-34 with 3.68 ERA which is decent, but his number don’t jump out at you. He should not be getting the ace of the staff kind of money. However he has the hot hand from the trade deadline and through post-season. The Diamondbacks are smart to give him only a one year deal with an option. He may have a great year. He may go back to being average. On the back of his baseball card, he has not shown me anything special or any kind of track record that he will be worth that kind of money. Diamondbacks need a guy right now to replace Eduardo Rodriguez in the rotation. Montgomery is that guy. The flip side when Rodriguez comes back and if Montgomery has that 2023 swagger, is this Diamondbacks rotation will be deep. Maybe Montgomery is a late bloomer becoming that stud pitcher in the MLB. That has happened over the years. The Diamondbacks are hoping he will be Mr. October on the pitching rubber when the regular season concludes.

GROSSMAN FITS WELL WITH THE STINKY SOX

The White Sox are backing up their bargain bins with more guys looking to be diamonds in the ruff. Robbie Grossman played last season with the World Series Champs, the Texas Rangers, and earned himself a ring. In 2022 he played 46 games for the Braves, as he was traded from a bad Detroit team. Guess 34 year old outfielder Grossman has hit rock bottom and has to settle with the White Sox on a minor league deal. Since Grossman missed the entire spring training, he will start the year in the minor leagues and work his way back to game shape and at the same time knock off the off-season rust.

Last season Robbie Grossman played 115 games for the Rangers. Grossman is a switch hitting outfielder who throws with his left hand. Grossman can play all three outfielder positions but mostly right field. He has dabbled in some games in center. Grossman last year with the lumber hit .238 with 10 home runs, driving in 49. Originally drafted by the Pirates out of high school in the 2008 MLB draft, he was selected in the 6th round. He debuted with the Astros in 2013. If he makes the White Sox team later in the year, they will be his 6th team he has played for. Grossman is very familiar with the AL Central as he played for the Tigers and the Twins. He did two seasons in Oakland as he played 11 seasons all together in the big leagues. Career stats with the lumber he has a .244 batting average, 90 long balls, and has driven in 415 runs.

The White Sox have signed Kevin Pillar, another veteran outfielder, to be the guy on the main roster to sub in for all three outfield positions. The White Sox starting right fielder going in looks like Dominic Fletcher who they got in trade with the Diamondbacks this off-season. Fletcher will still be a rookie this season as he only played in 28 Major League games last season making his debut. Signing Robbie Grossman could be plan B if Fletcher struggles in the first few weeks. Grossman could just be a emergency plan if any injuries occur. White Sox fans know about that with all the fragile Cubans they have on the roster. Grossman can give some decent glove work out in the field. He can swing from both sides of the plate. Gives your line up balance when he plays. Nice veteran bench player to have. It’s a low risk high ceiling move the White Sox have made. All of their moves pretty much have been that way when it comes to veteran baseball players with no homes.

JD BRINGS A BIG BAT TO THE METS LINE UP

The only reason JD Martinez is not the DH of the Dodgers this season is because LA replaced him with Superstar Shohei Ohtani. Martinez had a monster year with the lumber last season. JD is pretty much one dimensional these days as he only played defense in 3 games last year. His best option is the DH role where many teams use that position as a rotational option to give guys rest. The New York Mets felt like they needed another bat for their line up and shockingly JD was still available. Mets get the 36 year old slugger for a 1 year deal for only 12 million after having a monster year in LA.

This will be JD Martinez’s 14th season in the big leagues which started with the Astros. JD was drafted by Houston in 2009 in the 20th round. He made his debut in 2011. The Mets will be Martinez’s 6th team prior to which he played for the Tigers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, and the lone season last year in a Dodger uniform. He helped Boston win the World Series in 2018. He’s a 6x all-star. He is 3x winner of the silver slugger award. Last year was a rebound year from his last season in Boston. JD had a .271 batting average with 33 home runs while driving in 103. Life time JD has a career .287 batting average with 315 long balls while driving in 1,002. He has racked up 1,639 hits over his 13 year career. Most likely he can reach 2,000 hits in a few more seasons.

The Mets live in the same division as the Braves and the Phillies. The Nationals are in a rebuild so they are not a threat. The Marlins made the post-season as a wild card last season. Three teams in the NL East made the playoffs last year leaving the Mets and the Nationals lumped together as the ones that did not get there. Adding JD Martinez to the line up with Pete Alonso, gives the team two mashers from the right side of the plate. Martinez can give the line up power and he is an RBI machine when he comes up with men in scoring position. The Mets have not went crazy with their spending like in previous years. At the trade deadline, they were able to trade away their pair of million dollar aging arms in Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Looks like the Mets new owner has learned from that crazy spending that money will not buy an instant winner. The Martinez move compared to crazy dollars on aging arms looks like a very savvy move for the Mets organization. Twelve million is cheap for a 100 RBI and 30 home run guy who hits for average and makes solid contact most of the time.

RANGERS ABLE TO FISH OUT AN ARM IN THE FREE AGENT WATERS

The MLB free agent pool these days looks like the week after spring break in Florida when the college kids head back to their universities. Abandon look. The Rangers needing a pitcher were able to still fish out Michael Lorenzen, a 32 year old RHP, who was an all-star last year wearing the Tigers jersey. Lorenzen has pitched out of the bullpen and has been a starter in his nine year career. The Rangers looking for depth to rotation with some injuries, give Lorenzen a one year deal worth 4.5 million with incentives that can turn the amount of the contract to 7 million.

Michael Lorenzen was drafted twice, once by the Tampa Bay Rays out of high school. The second time Lorenzen was drafted out of college by the Reds in 2013. He went in the first round 38th overall out of Cal State University. Lorenzen debuted with the Reds in 2015 where he pitched parts of seven seasons and signed with the Angels in 2022. Last season he started the year with the Tigers where he made the all-star team & then was traded to the Phillies at the trade deadline. Last year Lorenzen, combined with the Tigers and the Phillies, had a record of 9-9 with 4.18 ERA as he made 25 starts in 29 total games. He converted one save. Lorenzen started some games for the Phillies down the stretch but then was demoted to the bullpen. Life time Lorenzen has a 40-38 record with 4.11 ERA in 342 games in the MLB, of which 69 of them have been starts. He has some experience in the closer role as he has converted 15 saves in his 9 year career.

The Philadelphia Phillies left Michael Lorenzen off the playoff roster in the first round. Lorenzen did make the playoff roster in the NLDS when the Phillies faced the Diamondbacks. He only had one appearance out of the Phillies bullpen. The Rangers have been trying to bring back one of their own free agent pitchers from last year, Jordan Montgomery, who was rock solid especially during the post-season where Texas collected their first ever World Series. The Yankees have their tentacles all over Montgomery trying to bring the LHP to the Death Star. With the season almost a week away, the Rangers have injuries to a few starters. Max Scherzer is not expected back until the middle of summer with back issues. Scherzer has surgery on a herniated disc so not sure how he will do when he gets back. While Jacob deGrom is recovering from Tommy John surgery and his return may be sometime in August. So Michael Lorenzen makes sense for the Rangers right now. He can make some starts for the team and still be serviceable in the bullpen when help returns. Not a bad guy to get at this time of year when it’s slim pickings. Obviously Lorenzen was waiting for the right deal or he would have signed with a team weeks ago.

SNELL’S LIKE SAN FRANCISCO

The NL West is loaded with talent as every team in the division except the Colorado Rockies has a deadly line up to contend with. This off-season, the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, and Padres have been involved in an arms race. Stocking their pitching staffs and at the same time landing some big bats to add to their line ups. The Giants make one more splash as spring training is coming to an end. The Giants take one of the remaining Scott Boras clients off the board. Giants sign 31 year old LHP Blake Snell to a two year deal worth 62 million. The deal also has the popular opt out clause after the first season. Snell won the Cy Young award last year in the NL as he pitched in the division with the rival Padres.

Blake Snell was drafted by the Tampa Rays in 2011 in the first round of the MLB draft as he was the 52nd overall pick. He has 8 seasons in the league: 5 with the Rays, 3 with the Padres, as the Giants will be his third team. Last year he was rock solid as he had a 14-9 record with a 2.25 ERA in 32 games. Snell earned himself his second Cy-Young award of his career. Snell has won 2 ERA titles and has made one All-Star game. Snell’s life time numbers he has a record of 71-55 with 3.20 ERA.

The Giants starting rotation is very thin as their ace is RHP Logan Webb. The Giants landed another Cy-Young winner a few seasons ago in LHP Robbie Ray. Ray is expected to return from his injury later this summer. The Giants needed another quality starter like Webb as Blake Snell checks all the boxes. The Giants would have a nice 1-2-3 punch when Ray returns. The Giants made other bigger splashes for the everyday line up by recently signing third baseman Matt Chapman. They added power to their DH slot signing Jorge Soler. Then they signed a big import for their outfield Jung Hoo Lee from South Korea as he played professionally in the KBO, Korean Baseball Organization. The Dodgers have put together a dream team this off-season. The Padres added some nice pieces. The Diamondbacks added pieces to a younger team that made it all the way to the World Series last season. The Giants now have put their team in the conversation in the NL West.

WHITE SOX NEWS

GARRETT CROCHET NAMED OPENING DAY STARTER

Most White Sox fans including myself thought Dylan Cease would be making the start opening day. The chatter seemed to have died off about Cease being dealt as he was at spring training pitching for the White Sox. As he was getting ready for the season, the chatter picked back up and finally a deal was struck and Cease is a Padre now. Then the big question materialized. Who would now take the ball on opening day? Michael Kopech has struggled this spring and most likely will be used out of the bullpen. The rest of the staff of pitchers are misfits no other organization wanted. The White Sox recycle. Those bargain gems will get their day. The White Sox announced 24 year old south paw Garrett Crochet will start opening day and will make his first ever start of his career.

The last time the White Sox had a pitcher make his first ever start on opening day, you have to go back to 1901 when Roy Patterson did it. Garrett Crochet was drafted back in 2020 by the White Sox out of the University of Tennessee in the first round 11th overall in the MLB draft. He also made his debut in 2020 as he pitched six innings out of the bullpen and gave up no runs. Everyone remembers in 2020 the game three playoff game when manager at the time of the White Sox was Ricky Renteria, who pulled his starter Dane Dunning after 15 pitches for a playoff game. Crochet came in to finish the first inning. In the second inning, Crochet would leave with tightness in his forearm as his velocity was down. In 2021, Crochet pitched out of the White Sox bullpen as he pitched in 54 games, tossed 54.1 innings & had a 3-5 record with nice 2.82 ERA. In 2022, he missed the entire season as he had Tommy John surgery. Last season he pitched in 13 games, worked 12.2 innings, & went 0-2 with 3.55 ERA. The 6’6″ LHP in parts of 3 seasons has 72 games under his belt, all out of the bullpen. He is 3-7 life time with 2.71 ERA as he worked 73 innings striking out 85. Crochet is a flame thrower with a fast ball that blazes at 100 MPH. This spring, the White Sox have stretched him out to enter the starting rotation for the first time in his career. He has pitched well in the Cactus league in Arizona. You have to be nervous because of having Tommy John Surgery. I’m sure he will be on a pitch count. The White Sox have brought Crochet on like they did with Chris Sale. Sale never had Tommy John surgery until he was in Boston much later on in his career. This is an interesting move. Something out of left field and maybe beyond especially starting him on opening day. March 28th hosting the Tigers may not pan out with fannies in the seats with one of those bargains that GM Chris Getz picked up at the garage sale. I figured if Crochet was healthy, he would be a great choice to be the teams closer. Hope the White Sox prove me wrong and they find their ace for years to come after trading their best pitcher last week.

ADAM DUVALL HEADING BACK TO HIS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS

Adam Duvall seems to find his way back to Atlanta. The 35 year old first baseman/ left fielder is coming back for his third stint with the Braves. Duvall has ten seasons in the MLB and has worn the Braves uniform half of his career. The first time he left Atlanta after the 2020 season, he found his way back in a Braves uniform because the Marlins traded him back at the deadline. He should have been ecstatic because he had a career year and was part of the Braves World Series Championship team. Last season, Duvall played in Boston. With spring training almost over, he takes a 1 year deal worth 3 million to suit up for the Braves for the third time of his career.

Last year in Boston, Adam Duvall played in 92 games & had a batting average of .247 with 21 home runs and drove in 58. Duvall made his MLB debut with the Giants back in 2014. He was drafted by San Francisco in 2010 in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB draft. After one season with the Giants, he played in Cincinnati for 4 seasons. He has won a Gold Glove and is a 1x all-star. The Braves are probably not getting the Duvall of 2021 when he mashed 38 bombs and drove in 113 combined with Atlanta and Miami that season. Life time, Duvall is a .232 hitter with 184 home runs while driving in 536 runs. He has racked up 716 major league hits. Maybe three more seasons he can make that 1,000 mark in hits. He should reach the 200 milestone this season in home runs needing 16 to accomplish that mark.

Adam Duvall gives the Braves power from the right side. He can play multiple positions and is not a liability in the field. The Braves can use him at the DH slot to keep his power in the line up. Duvall is familiar with the Braves, and they know him very well which makes this relationship work. Obviously he has that post-season experience and it won’t take him very long to be ready when the season starts at the end of the month. The one knock on Duvall is he will strike out over 100 times each season. He will bring power to your line up. He makes more contact than your basic slugger who hits 30 bombs and has that batting average under .200. This is an inexpensive move by the Braves and with the flexibility, he strengthens your entire roster.

PIRATES NEWS

PIRATES GIVING TROUBLED PITCHER ANOTHER CHANCE

The Pirates made an interesting move signing former Yankee pitcher Domingo German to a Minor League deal. The deal will pay German 1.25 million with a team option for 2025 that would pay the 31 year old pitcher 2.25 million. The deal includes performance bonuses as the RHP is bringing plenty of baggage from his six seasons on the Yankees Death Star. If the Pirates could deprogram all the Empire out of German, a native out of the Dominican Republic, this move my be worth it.

In 2019, Domingo German won 18 games. He went 18-4 that year in 24 starts with a 4.03 ERA. Last summer, German pitched a perfect game versus the Oakland Athletics. The baggage. In 2020, the MLB suspended German for 81 games for violating the league’s domestic violence policy. German had an incident with his girlfriend as she got hit. He missed the entire season even though it was shortened by the pandemic. Then in August of last year, German was placed on the restricted list for alcohol abuse. The story that came out was he was intoxicated in the club house confronting his teammates, I imagine in a hostile way. He and the Yankees freed themselves of a six season relationship as German became a free agent in the off-season. Last year German made 19 starts & had a 5-7 record with 4.56 ERA. Life time German has a 31-28 record with 4.41 ERA in 89 starts.

This is like rescuing a bad dog about to be put down. Everyone deserves another chance in life. These types of moves have worked very well in the sporting world where guys find themselves in hot water in life. Then rebound and show remorse for their actions. The only problem is if they derail again, it could create problems in the club house. Some organizations would turn their backs on these types of players not wanting to bring the cancer to the locker room. Pitching for the Pirates is not the pressure cooker being on the mound for the Evil Empire Yankees. Another thing about signing Domingo German, is you don’t know what you will get on the mound because his career has been roller coaster ride. Obviously his stuff has been very good at times. It’s a low risk/high ceiling type of move that costs peanuts in baseball money. He may not even have the stuff anymore as we don’t know what his mind set is like. I’m sure we will find out so stay tuned.

PIRATES ADD A GOLD GLOVER TO THEIR OUTFIELD

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been trying to figure out their vacant right field spot all spring training. The front office found the missing piece still available on the free agent market. The Pirates sign center fielder Michael Taylor to a one year deal worth 4 million. Taylor is 32 years old & has ten seasons under his belt as one of the elite defenders since he arrived in Washington in 2014. Taylor has speed and brings some power to the everyday line up.

Michael Taylor was drafted by the Nationals in the 6th round of the 2009 MLB draft. Last year, his lone season in Minnesota, he batted .220 with 21 home runs driving in 51. He helped the Twins capture the AL Central division title last year. In 2019, he was part of that Washington Nationals team that won the World Series as he was one of the contributors in taking down the cheats from Houston. Taylor won his Gold Glove in 2021 with the Royals where he spent 2 seasons before signing with Minnesota. He will be known and remembered for playing for Washington for 7 seasons as the Pirates will be his 4th team of his career. With lumber life time, Taylor is .239 hitter with 95 home runs while driving in 332 runs. He has racked up 696 hits over his career.

The Pirates with Michael Taylor on board can move Jack Suwinski to right. Obviously Taylor would be the better center field option. Then the Pirates have Bryan Reynolds in left. One simple move for the Pirates as now things look promising on the grass. This move improves the Pirates line up as well as defense. The Pirates last year as a defense were pretty solid. The defense only gets better with this move. Taylor has speed to track down balls that normally will drop down for hits. His speed is also a weapon on the base paths. He’s a right handed hitter who can get you 20 home runs in a season. His average I’d like to see rise if he can avoid some of the strike outs and make more contact. He brings post-season experience. The NL Central could be a wild race at the end of the season and if the Pirates are in the thick of things, guys like Taylor will certainly come up big in these moments. I like this move by the Pirates a lot. Not costing the organization much. Shockingly not sure how Taylor is still available? Maybe the baseball gods are finally giving the black and gold a helping hand.

REDS’ MACHINE GROUNDED

The Cincinnati Reds number one prospect, Noelvi Marte, has been suspended by Major League Baseball for testing positive for Performing Enhancing drugs (PEDs.) The 22 year infielder who hails out of the Dominican Republic was slated to start at third base for the Reds on opening day. Marte now will be grounded for 80 regular season games which will start on opening day.

Noelvi Marte was the big ticket item the Reds got back for the trade that sent their star pitcher Luis Castillo to Seattle in 2022 at the trade deadline. Marte made his Major League debut last season and played in 35 games for the Reds. With the lumber he did very well batting .316 with 3 home runs driving in 15 runs while scoring 15 times. Marte hits from the right side & can play multiple positions in the infield such as manning the hot corner, short, and second. The rule when a player tests positive and when he returns from the suspension, he is ineligible to play in the post-season. That’s if the Reds make the post-season which they came close to last year getting the final wild card spot. The Reds are a young team now with some veterans sprinkled here and there on the roster and the young core of upcoming stars blossoming, which means they will be threat for the NL Central. This is a big blow for the Reds. They can overcome this bump in the road. They signed the Candy Man, Jeimer Candelario, in the off-season as he played third base for 8 seasons. The Reds can easily move Candelario to third which he was going to play there but not every day as he would been mostly slated to be the team’s DH. For Marte who started his baseball career with a big bang, now his career has been tainted. The bright side is he’s only a pup and has a future for years to come to showcase he did not need to take PEDs. Unless he finds a way not to get caught.

WHITE SOX SPRING FLING TRADE

PADRES PAID THE HIGH PRICE FOR WHITE SOX ACE

When are the White Sox going to trade Dylan Cease? It’s a question that has been asked over a million times this baseball off-season. Many experts thought the White Sox asking price for Cease was too steep. It looked like Cease would have been the team’s opening day starter and not guessing he would be dealt at the trade deadline instead. The Padres paid the price the White Sox were asking and the two teams struck a deal involving 5 players. The Padres get the White Sox Ace 28 year old RHP. While the White Sox get three of the top ten prospects in the Padres farm system. Which features two RHP’s, 23 year old Drew Thorpe & 22 year old Jairo Iriarte alongside 19 year old outfielder Samuel Zavala. The White Sox also get 29 year old RHP Steven Wilson who has two MLB seasons under his belt working out of the bullpen.

Dylan Cease originally was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 6th round of the 2014 MLB draft. The White Sox made a savvy trade with the Cubs getting Cease and Eloy Jimenez for LHP Jose Quintana. Last season, Cease had a down year with a record of 7-9 with high 4.58 ERA as he started 33 games. The White Sox in 2023 were a complete disaster. At the deadline they cleaned house. They held on to Cease perhaps planning to build around him and some of the core position players left over. The White Sox got rid of the toxic waste in the front office and Chris Getz was promoted to the new General Manager. He has a different plan which is obviously another rebuild of the original rebuild. As a White Sox fan, I can’t completely still say I’m still a fan of this joke of a franchise. I quickly recall the toxic waste and I will name the names Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams. Shame on trading Fernando Tatis Jr. to the Padres for James Shields who was no longer Big Game James.

One of the worst trades in team history. James Shields was horrific. While Fernando Tatis Jr. is on his way to being a true superstar in the MLB. Here we go again. Cease in 2022 went 14-8 with 2.20 ERA and jhad votes for the Cy Young award. He is a strike out pitcher who last year had 214 K’s in 177 innings of work. He has one of the best sliders in the game. In 5 seasons, he has 3 winning seasons in his MLB career. His life time numbers he has a winning record of 43-35 with 3.83 ERA in 123 starts and has 792 strikeouts. He will fill in for Blake Snell who is still a free agent as he was in the Padres rotation last season. Cease will join Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove which gives San Diego a nice 1-2-3 punch. Cease is not the second coming of the Messiah in the baseball world of pitching. He is 28. He is under control for two more seasons. I want something back for him. If I was the White Sox, they better hope the return is solid this go around. I will sharpen up the pitch forks, light the torches, and drag Chris Getz through the town square.

The White Sox can insert one of these guys they got in return into the opening day roster. The RHP Steven Wilson is probably now our best bullpen guy. Wilson last season appeared in 52 games & he had a record of 1-2 with 3.91 ERA. Wilson has two seasons under his belt in the Majors & only has been with the Padres. The White Sox have control over Wilson until 2028. Wilson’s two seasons in the MLB he has a 5-4 record with 3.48 ERA in 102 games. He has converted one save. Maybe he can be the closer this season for the White Sox. Wilson could be a trade chip at the deadline.

The White Sox landed three of the Padres top ten prospects in this deal. These are the guys that have to be gold for this trade to go down in favor of the White Sox. They need to at least hit on two of these guys. Drew Thorpe is the number 4 prospect of the Padres and is ranked in the top 100 in the MLB pipeline. Thorpe came from the Yankees in the Juan Soto deal. He was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Evil Empire. So far across High A ball and Double A down on the farm, he has combined a low 2.52 ERA.

The outfielder Samuel Zavala was the Padres number 6 prospect down on their farm. Zavala is out of Venezuela. He’s a left handed bat. He’s still learning & just got started as he’s been in single A and High A and has batting average at .243. He can play center or left field.

Jairo Iriarte was the Padres number 7t prospect down on their farm. He’s another guy from Venezuela. White Sox love the Cubans usually. Maybe they have changed their brand this year. He has a 3.49 ERA combined through High A ball and Double A last season.

The White Sox are not expected to be anything relevant this season. That’s saying it nicer then they will suck donkey balls. I know holding on to a great starter like Dylan Cease is just a waste of time not getting something for him as he will be pitching in his prime years. Cease I would pay money to go see him pitch. Now this season will be bleak and dark as I will be counting the days until football season starts. On paper, the White Sox got a nice haul for Cease. Until I see the results on this haul, then I can tell you if the White Sox were fleeced once again from the Padres. If I was a betting man, I would say yes the Padres won the trade. Cease will go down as one of the best athletes in Chicago sports to wear number 84. I think we have too many better mustaches in Chicago sports history to beat his.

VOTTO TRYING TO MAKE HIS HOMETOWN TEAM

Joey Votto’s career in Cincinnati ended officially in November when the Reds declined the first baseman’s 20 million dollar option. Votto was drafted by the Reds in 2002 in the 2nd round of the MLB draft. He was drafted out of high school in his hometown Toronto, Canada. The only organization Votto has played for is the Reds of 17 big league seasons. Some thought Votto would hang up the spikes as he was mounting much interest from other big league clubs. Finally his home town Blue Jays will give Votto a chance to play his 18th season and his first with another organization. The team Votto followed growing up, the Blue Jays, are bringing the first baseman home with a minor league deal and spring training invite.

In Joey Votto’s last season in a Reds uniform, he only managed to play in 65 games. Votto would only get 208 at-bats for the season. Last year with the lumber, Votto’s numbers were not very Joey-like. The left handed slugger usually hits for average and has power. He batted .202 last year with 14 home runs as he drove in 38. In 2022, he batted .205 as he played in 91 games for the Reds. You can see why the Reds were not going to pay the 40 year old 20 million this season. Votto has had a wonderful career as he is a six-x all-star. He won a MVP with a gold glove. He is a career .294 hitter & has over 2,000 hits with (2,135). He has 356 home runs while driving in over a 1,000 with 1,144 RBI’s.

The Blue Jays have a young core of mashers in the every day line up. The Blue Jays organization has lost some key veterans this off-season like third baseman Matt Chapman. They lost Whit Merrifield who was the team’s super utility guy who can swing the lumber. The Blue Jays did sign aging infielder Justin Turner who had a very good season with Boston last year. Joey Votto gives the Blue Jays another first baseman or a guy who can slide into the DH role. The Blue Jays could platoon Turner and Votto at the DH slot or first base. Turner may be the guy at the hot corner since the team could not re-sign Chapman. This is a nice story with Votto going home to Toronto as Blue Jays fans are fired up. Votto has been injury prone the last two seasons. His average has dropped massively over the last few seasons. On defense, the Blue Jays will get a better defensive option at first with Votto. It’s a low risk high ceiling move. If Votto can find his swing & stay healthy, the Blue Jays line-up could benefit with a solid left-handed bat in that line up of mashers.

WHITE SOX SIGN ONE OF TIM ANDERSON’S FORMER ENEMY

With Tim Anderson’s days on the south side of Chicago done, the White Sox in need of pitching have signed a former arch enemy. Anderson has piled up a list of enemies in his playing career so far with his antics. This spat started back in 2019 when Anderson hit a home run, did his bat flip, and yelled to the dug out and the pitcher of the Royals at the time, Brad Keller. Keller would later in the game plunk Anderson with the ball and benches would clear. This heated rivalry would go on for a few seasons with Anderson and the Royals. Keller in need of a job signs a minor league deal with the White Sox in hopes to make the club with what’s left of spring training. The 28 year old RHP checks all the boxes. Cheap. Former Royal and this organization loves those guys.

Brad Keller was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 8th round of the MLB draft. Keller made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2018. Last year with the Royals, he pitched in 11 games of which 9 of them were starts. He had a 3-4 record with a high 4.57 ERA as he tossed 45.1 innings and registered 31 strikeouts. Keller has mostly been used as a starter but has worked out of the bullpen. In six seasons, he has only two seasons where he came away with a winning record. In 2020, he thrived during the pandemic as it was his best season with a record of 5-3 with low 2.47 ERA in 9 starts and had a shut out. Keller has a pair of 14 loss seasons. His life time record all with the Royals is 38-53 with 4.27 ERA in 150 games of which 114 of them were starts and has converted 1 save.

As a fan, sometimes you never hear or read what the other party said during a incident that caused benches to clear. Tim Anderson said back then he was trying to pump up the team saying, “Let’s go,” after he hit the home run.

Brad Keller comments after this incident, “It’s like, Bro, you hit a homer. Congrats, this wasn’t a playoff homer. This wasn’t even a homer to win the game.” Then went on to say it was an April homer.

The Royals went on to eventually win that game 3-2. Keller would be tossed from the game by the umpires. Keller would take some abuse from White Sox fans on social media. Now years later how things seem to have changed. Anderson could have been trying to fire up his team. Showing up the pitcher and many more incidents after 2019, I have to believe some of them are the short stop’s fault. Never a fan of players being a hot dog out on the field. Hit the home run and run the bases. Then celebrate with the teammates. Keller plunked Anderson because of the unwritten rules of baseball he deserves that and that is the way the baseball gods like the American past time policed. The game is changing and going away from that as more players need their touch down celebrations like in football. I think the intelligent fans see that Anderson was a complete douche bag as they now are playing Monday morning quarterback. At the time, Anderson was the face of the White Sox. I’m sure some fans will gripe and boo Keller as most will not remember who he is when the season starts. What do we expect from Keller? Like all the rest of the guys the White Sox signed this off-season. Some of these guys may prove they are a worthy pick up. Most of these guys will fizzle out and be back on the scrap heap waiting to be recycled by another team that thinks they can fix this guy. It’s a low risk high ceiling if it works. It would be funny if it did work out to have one of Anderson’s foes doing well on his old team in the first year away from the organization.

DONALDSON’S RETIREMENT GOOD RIDDANCE

In life, the old saying you can’t judge a book by its cover, is certainly true in most cases. In some cases like Josh Donaldson and his mullet, I’m thinking ASS-HOLE!!! Donaldson was a savage character on the show the Vikings. It is easy to play yourself as the role fitted him.

Donaldson walked MLB locker rooms like his shit don’t stink. Yes, he was MVP in 2015. Yes, he batted .152 last year combined with the Brewers and the Evil Empire Yankees. Maybe he sensed his time as a player in the MLB was up when you can’t swing the bat anymore. Donaldson goes out like a whimper as he announce on Sean Casey’s podcast, “The Mayor’s Office,” he is hanging up the spikes for good.

Josh Donaldson played third base for 13 seasons in the MLB as he debuted with the Oakland Athletics in 2010. He was originally drafted by the Cubs in 2007. After playing 4 seasons in Oakland, Donaldson moved on to Toronto & played another 4 seasons in Canada. After Toronto, Donaldson has been all over the map as he been traded away like a hot potato. He played in Cleveland, Atlanta, Minnesota, and the Yankees as he finished up with the Brew Crew last season when they found him on the scrap heap. Donaldson was a 3x all-star and 2x silver slugger winner. His life time batting average is .261 with 279 home runs as he drove in 816 runs. He racked up 1,310 hits. These are not Cooperstown numbers. At the age of 38, he can look back and you can say he was one of the elite mashers in the league a few seasons. In 2015, his MVP season, he batted .297 with 41 home runs while driving in 123. In 2016, he followed up his MVP season with 37 long balls. In 2017, he hit 33 long balls. Then in 2019, he hit 37 home runs. He had a nice run swinging the hot lumber.

I love seeing Josh Donaldson get paid by the Yankees as he stole their money. He became a cancer in locker rooms running his mouth. Donaldson would make comments about guys like White Sox players Lucas Giolito and Gerrit Cole about the sticky substance ban in the MLB. Even if it’s true or not, you’re giving the other team extra motivation. Comments like that could lead to brawls or teammates getting plunked because of his mouth. Funny how that worked out as he became teammates with Cole years later in the Death Star. Donaldson was suspended for mocking Tim Anderson, calling him “Jackie.” That made national headlines. I’m sure it was not racist as that’s how most people will react first hearing about the Anderson situation which resulted in benches clearing between the White Sox and Yankees that day. He was definitely being an asshole like the way he walked into the Brewers’ locker room. His shit don’t stink and probably saying in his head, “I’m Josh Donaldson.” The Brewers were looking for some help & another bat down the stretch to make the playoffs and beyond. That .169 batting average and 18 strikeouts in 17 games for the Brewers does not deserve that kind of strut in any MLB locker room. Every sport has assholes. Every sport needs the villains. If they locked up Donaldson in the Arkham Asylum and threw away the key, I would not mind not hearing from this guy again.

Look at the resemblance Donaldson has with the Joker. Maybe Donaldson and Trevor Bauer can be roommates in this Asylum of exiled players no one wants to deal with anymore.

HYUN-JIN-RYU WILL CIRCLE THE WAGONS BACK TO THE KBO

How many professional baseball players can say they played professionally in three different countries? The 36 year old south paw Hyun-Jin Ryu can say that. Ryu started his baseball career in his home country of South Korea in the KBO, Korean Baseball Organization. After playing seven seasons with the Hanwha Eagles, he ventured off to the states and signed with the LA Dodgers of the MLB. His third country as he stayed in the MLB and played his last 4 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada. It would have been interesting if he went to the Japanese professional baseball league, the NPB, Nippon Professional Baseball. Instead, Ryu will circle the wagons and head back home to finish his baseball career in the KBO with the Eagles.

Last year Hyun-Jin Ryu only started 11 games in his final season in the MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays. Ryu had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and had to recover as it takes a full year which is the reason why he only started 11 games. Ryu’s record was 3-3 with 3.46 ERA as he worked 52 innings. Ryu signed with the Dodgers in 2013 and played in LA for 6 seasons. He would sign with the Blue Jays in 2020 and would miss the opportunity of winning the World Series when the Dodgers won it all in the short pandemic season. Ryu won an ERA title while earning one All-Star appearance in his ten seasons in the MLB. He played for the Blue Jays for 4 seasons. In 2019, it was his best year. His final year in a Dodgers uniform he had a record of 14-5 with 2.32 ERA. He won 14 games in 4 different seasons. His ten year career in the MLB, he finished with a winning record of 78-48 with 3.27 ERA making a 185 starts while converting one save in his only relief appearance in the MLB.

Hyun-Jin Ryu started his baseball career at 19 years old in 2006 in the KBO. He pitched for the Eagles for 7 seasons from 2006-12. In 2006, he was rookie of the year and won the MVP. He was a 7x all-star, 2x gold glove winner and won 2 ERA titles. He will be getting a 4 year deal with the Eagles who still own his rights just in case he returned to the KBO. The details of the contract Ryu is getting have not been released. The rumors that are swirling indicate he will be the highest paid player in the KBO. Four more seasons of baseball means he will be 40 years of age and have 21 years pitching professional baseball if he hangs up the spikes and finishes out the deal. He would have 11 seasons in the KBO to 10 seasons in the MLB. I’m sure he had interest from other MLB clubs as he was a free agent. The money and returning home trumped any other deal that was on his table. Interesting career though. Leaving home to play in another country is not for everyone. Then to play in two countries to see the difference between the states and Canada. Similarities definite. Different. He pitched well in the MLB to have a winning record with 78 wins compared to only 48 losses. How many players would take that over their career? Now he can bookend his career with the Eagles and share his thoughts on his ten year career in North America.

CRAWFORD FINDS A NEW HOME IN ST. LOUIS

The only organization Brandon Crawford has played for is the San Francisco Giants. The Giants drafted him in 2008. Crawford was born in the state of California. He played his College Ball at the University of California. He spent 13 seasons in a Giants uniform & now the 37 year old has to find a new baseball home. He has found one in St. Louis as he gets a one year deal worth two million to compete for a back up role with the Cardinals. This is the first time in MLB history that a long time player with the Giants made their way to St. Louis.

Jack Clark spent 10 years in San Francisco & then played 3 seasons with some pretty good Cardinal teams. In 1987, Jack hit 35 home runs in a St. Louis uniform. Then there’s Will “The Thrill” Clark, not related to Jack.

Another first baseman, Will played 8 seasons in San Francisco. He found himself ending his baseball career in St.Louis as he traded there at the deadline. He played 51 games for the red birds and had 12 long balls with batting average of .345 for St. Louis down the stretch.

Last year, Brandon Crawford only played in 93 games for the Giants as he derailed by an injury most of the season. The long time short stop for the Giants only had 283 at-bats with a batting average of .194 with 7 long balls as he drove in 38. Not great numbers by Crawford. In 2021, Crawford batted .298 with 24 home runs and finished the season with 90 RBI’s. He’s a 3x All-Star. He’s a 4x Gold Glove winner. He has won a Silver Slugger award. He bats from the left side and throws from the right. Lifetime he has a .250 batting average with 146 career home runs and knocked in 744 RBI’s.

The Cardinals have a rookie short stop that is slated to start for them this season in Masyn Winn. Signing Brandon Crawford to back up the rookie and be a mentor for Winn are the reasons for signing the Giants’ long time short stop. Crawford has played short his entire baseball career & said he’d help the team and learn another position to get more playing time. Crawford feels like he is coming in healthier than he was last year. The Cardinals could get Crawford some At-bats in the DH slot as well. He does have some pop in his bat and can deliver some clutch hits as well. He is a solid defender. Nice back up option if the rookie struggles. If an injury happens, Crawford could get you some production with the bat and be a solid glove man at short, I imagine second, and even third. I can see Crawford having a rebound season to prove the Giants wrong. Then to play hard for his new team. The Giants may not get to the playoffs in the loaded NL West. The Cardinals have a shot at the NL Central which may be the worst division in the National League. The Cardinals addressed their starting rotation with a slew of moves. Crawford could be playing in post-season while the Giants could be at home watching it unfold on their couches.

AN ELVIS SIGHTING IN THE DESERT

Elvis Andrus has left the building and is taking his stage into the desert. Andrus signs a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Andrus will get a spring training invite and will be looking for a back role with the snakes. Last year Andrus played second base for the White Sox when normally he has played the short stop position for almost his entire 15 year career. Andrus will be looking to back up Geraldo Perdoma at short and Ketel Marte at second base coming off the bench and giving those guys some rest each week.

Elvis Andrus is 35 years old & started his career with the Texas Rangers where he played 12 seasons. In 2021, Andrus was traded to Oakland. In 2022, he was then traded to Chicago to fill in for the injured Tim Anderson at short stop. Andrus played second base, a White Sox need last year. Andrus is a 2x all-star. He’s a right handed hitter who has racked up over 2,000 hits in his career. Last year he played 112 games, batted .251 with 6 home runs, and drove in 44. He spent parts of two seasons with the White Sox and batted .258 with 15 home runs driving in 72 in 155 games. Lifetime with the lumber, he’s batting .269 with 102 home runs and has driven in 775.

Elvis Andrus will give the Diamondbacks strong defense when he is called upon. He’s better at short stop than he was at second. Experience. He is not a liability at second either. Andrus seems to start off slowly with his bat. When he arrived at the trade deadline deal with the White Sox in 2022, he swung a hot bat. He played 43 games down the stretch & batted .271 with 9 long balls driving in 28. Last year late in the second half of the season, he did it again and swung the hot bat. He is streaky. This is a good move for the Diamondbacks. Low risk, high ceiling. He can be a mentor to the young Diamondbacks infield. He can steal a few bags for you if needed on the base paths. He can get the clutch hit at times. He stays in great shape to play every day if the team needs that. He can fill in nicely for an injured player and be productive.

SPRING FLING TRADE

The LA Dodgers and the Minnesota Twins strike up a deal involving three players and cash. The Dodgers have been busy this entire off-season wheeling and dealing. The Twins pretty much over slept most of the spring and we have some movement in the organization to make this team better. The Dodgers send the Twins veteran outfielder former Tampa Bay Rays center fielder, 29 year old Manuel Margot. The Dodgers have been printing their own currency all off-season and will pay most of Margot’s salary for this year and the 2025 option year. Then the two teams exchanged short stop prospects. Dodgers get 21 year old switch hitter Noah Miller from the Twins. The Twins get short stop Rayne Doncon, a 20 year old out of the Dominican Republic.

It is the second time this off-season that Manuel Margot has been traded. The Rays traded Margot with RHP Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers. The Dodgers just signed one of their own days ago bringing back super utility infielder back in the fold, Kike Hernandez. That made Margot expendable with the crowded outfielder already in place. Margot is not something you set down on the curb on garbage night as the Twins got a guy that can relieve one of their super stars in center, Byron Buxton. Margot can hit well versus left handed pitching. He can probably play all three outfield positions as his defense is slightly better than average. Last year Margot batted .264 with 4 home runs driving in 38. Lifetime Margot is a .255 hitter with 52 home runs as he drove in 283. Margot hails from the Dominican Republic and has 8 seasons under his belt as he started with the Padres where he played 4 seasons. Then the Rays he played his last 4 seasons with. Margot will give you quality at-bats as he makes contact more than swinging in missing. He has his moments on defense where he can make you some web gems.The Twins were looking like a team with an incomplete this off-season. Now they are trying to add to the roster instead of subtracting. They signed veteran first baseman Carlos Santana and now Margot to help replace some of the production from the guys that have moved on.

The Dodgers get back Noah Miller who was drafted in 2021 in the first round number 36 overall. He came straight out of Wisconsin High School. He has three seasons of minor league ball under his belt but was a first rounder. The other short stop the Twins got was Rayne Doncon, same thing 3 seasons of minor league ball under his belt. This is a good trade right now for the Twins as they pretty much have LA on the hook paying off Margot’s contract. We don’t know what Doncon will bring to the table in the future or Miller. Miller will have to be something special if the Dodgers have any chance of winning this deal.

HENDRIKS JOINS GIOLITO IN BEAN TOWN

Something about the Boston Red Sox collecting White Sox pitching. Then dying them red. Boston traded for Chris Sale years ago and he helped the Red Sox win a World Series. Boston traded Sale to Atlanta this off-season. Then Red Sox added former White Sox starter, Lucas Giolito. Now they added former White Sox closer Liam Hendriks to the team. Hendriks will get a two year contract for ten million. Hendriks won’t be able to pitch until the summer after getting Tommy John Surgery done last year during summer. The contract has incentives and bonuses that can add up to 20 million plus an option for the 2026 season.

Liam Hendriks is native of Australia, the RHP is 35 years old, and last year overcame cancer. In January of 2023, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. By April he was cancer free. Before the injury, Hendriks only pitched in 5 games last year. He had a 2-0 record with 5.40 ERA as he worked only 5 innings converting one save with 3 strike outs. Hendriks, once a starter now turned reliever, started to thrive coming out the bullpen. He earned 3 All-Star appearances. He was Reliever of the Year twice. He earned Comeback Player of the Year honors last November from coming back from cancer. The Red Sox will be Hendriks’ 6th team of his career, all in the American League. Hendriks’ debuted with the Twins & went on to play for the Royals and Blue Jays. Then found his calling as a closer in Oakland where he spent 5 seasons. In his 13 year career in the MLB, he has a record of 33-34 with 3.82 ERA in 476 games of which 44 were starts. He has racked up 116 career saves. In the last three seasons in Chicago, his record was 14-7 with 2.76 ERA with 76 saves. The White Sox declined his option in the off-season making Hendriks available to change his Sox in Boston.

I questioned White Sox management for dumping a guy like Liam Hendriks this off-season. Then my thoughts told me why would a bad team like the White Sox need an elite closer. Hendriks is definitely a fan favorite as he was in Chicago. The way he took the 9th inning like a mad man who made himself get amped up. He is a voice in the locker room that teams need as well. I think he will be a hit with the Boston faithful. He reminds me of Kevin Youkilis, the type of guy who played with the Red Sox for years. Bean Town loved him.

Youkilis came to Chicago and the way he plays & the way he conducts himself on and off the field, White Sox fans loved him. Same way with the Aussie, Hendriks. In a White Sox uniform, Hendriks saved 76 games in pretty much two full seasons which is good for number 7 all-time on the south side of Chicago. To overcome cancer was remarkable. His presence when he came back from cancer and pitched last year for the White Sox, who were very bad, seemed to inspire the team around him. At the time, the White Sox had a nice stretch of games they won and played well. A few of those games, Hendriks was called on to pitch. Then the injury occurred and the White Sox resorted back to their old ways of losing. If he overcame cancer, he will prevail from Tommy John Surgery. He may not be the closer right away knocking off rust when he returns to the mound this summer. I bet he will show us some flashes of his old self. Not sure what this Boston team can do in the stacked AL East. In 2025 and the option if they choose, means depending on how this goes they could have a top closer for their pen. Obviously the Red Sox has holes on this roster which they will need to repair. The Red Sox have some talent right now. How long it will take is the question. I hope I find myself watching a few Red Sox games and hope to see Hendriks closing the front door on the opposing team. I’m sure he will close the door on his former team the White Sox when they meet up in the future. Stay tuned.

KIKE IS IN ON THE DODGERS DREAM TEAM

When Enrique, aka Kike Hernandez, left LA the first time to sign with Boston, he did not envision coming back to wear Dodger blue. At the trade deadline last year, the Dodgers wanted Kike’s services once again and acquired the super utility infielder. Hernandez played 54 games for the Dodgers last year and played solidly both with the glove and swinging the lumber. This off-season, Hernandez has multiple options. Hernandez has seen all the big moves the Dodgers have made in the off-season. How these additions have this team World Series bound, not just a playoff team. In ten seasons in the MLB, Hernandez has been a part of the Dodgers’ big league team for parts of 7 seasons. You think the Dodgers are done adding to this lethal roster. They are bringing back Kike who was part of the 2020 World Series winning team and sign him to a one year deal worth 4 million.

Kike Hernandez batted .262 with 5 home runs driving in 30 in those 54 games he played with the Dodgers. His game got better after the trade. Last season combined, Hernandez batted .237 with 11 long balls while driving in 61. In ten seasons, Hernandez has a career batting average of .239 with 108 home runs while driving in 393 runs. He should get to the 400 mark in RBI’s this season unless some unforeseen circumstances occur. Hernandez has racked up 747 hits in his career as he’s been a guy that has come off the bench most of his career. He was drafted by the Astros in the 6th round of the 2009 MLB draft. He made his debut in 2014 with the Astros & then finished the season in Miami for the Marlins. In 2015, he became a Dodger. Then he got the contract from Boston.

The Dodgers continue to upgrade every aspect of their roster. This is a great move by the Dodgers. First they know what they got in this guy with his history with this organization. Kike Hernandez can play multiple positions to give guys a needed rest for a long grueling 162 game season. If someone gets hurt, Kike can be an efficient starter to replace them and still get quality production at whatever position. Kike has had great moments in the playoffs with clutch hits in crunch time. He is not shy about producing in big moments, which is good for a guy coming off the bench. I bet Hernandez probably had a bigger offer elsewhere. I don’t blame him for pretty much going back home with the organization he knows very well as these guys are his family. The Dodgers management is great at keeping certain veterans they know around with one year contracts. Clayton Kershaw the last 5 years makes it seem like they hammer out one year deals every off-season. Who can blame Kike for wanting to get another ring? This Dodgers team is a heavy favorite this year to win the entire thing.

CHAPMAN LANDS BACK TO HIS FAMILIAR GROUNDS OF THE BAY

After two seasons in Toronto, Matt Chapman is coming back to his state where he was born: California. Where he played college ball at Cal State University. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1st round 25th overall in 2014 where he played 5 seasons. Chapman is a Scott Boras guy, so he was still lingering in the free agent market even with spring training in session. Boras got Chapman a deal where he returns back to the Bay, this time with the Giants. The deal is similar to Cody Bellinger which Boras hammered out with the Cubs. It’s a three year deal worth 54 million for the 30 year old Chapman. The greediest agent in the game deals always come with bells and whistles as Chapman can opt out of the deal after the first season and second season to find a bigger deal elsewhere or rework another deal with San Francisco.

Matt Chapman collected his 4th gold glove last year manning the hot corner for the Blue Jays. Last year with the lumber, Chapman’s average was at .240 with 17 home runs while driving in 54 in a powerful Blue Jays line up. The knock on Chapman’s offensive production as he struck 537 times in the last three seasons of games tallying up 466. Last year, his power numbers were down. It was the first time he did not reach the 20 or more plateau in the long ball category since the Covid shortened season of 2020. His career number he is a .240 hitter with 155 home runs with 426 RBI’s racking up 754 hits through seven seasons. He’s earned one all-star appearance.

The Giants were in need of a third baseman, and Matt Chapman was a bargain for them as we know Scott Boras wanted more. Even if Chapman opts out after next season, it will work out well for the Giants because the only way he opts out is after a solid season. Giants could find another option if the money demands go sky rocketing. The Giants recently added power to their line up signing Jorge Soler. They acquired another starting pitcher from the Mariners in LHP Robbie Ray who will be ready to go in the summer as he gets over his injury. The Giants big splash was the import outfielder Jung Hoo Lee from the South Korea league, the KBO. With Chapman back in his home state, that could do wonders for anybody. His power numbers may rise back to the 20 or 35 mark. He still will strike out a lot. He will give you solid defense and always can be a threat in your every day line up.

FORMER PIRATE, WHITE SOX PITCHER PASSES AWAY AT 63 YEARS OF AGE

When they say life is too short, it’s especially true when you pass away at the young age of 63. Jose DeLeon played 13 seasons in the big leagues in the 1980’s into the 90’s and lost his battle with cancer in his home country of the Dominican Republic. DeLeon was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 3rd round of the MLB draft in 1979. He pitched for 5 teams starting with the Pirates, White Sox, Cardinals, Phillies, and then the Expos. He led the NL in strikeouts in 1989 when he pitched for the Cardinals. He was the best losing pitcher in baseball for three years in 84, 85, & 90 as he was ranked in the top ten in racking up many losses in those seasons. He was part of some interesting trades. He had some very good seasons as he worked most of his career as a starter and then worked out of the bullpen for years to finish off his career.

The White Sox originally had switch hitting slugging outfielder Bobby Bonilla. Jose DeLeon started his MLB career with the Pirates and in 1985 had a poor record of 2-19 that season. In 1986, he had a record of 1-3 with the Pirates and ERA over 8.00 as he was dealt to the White Sox for Bonilla. Back then, the White Sox front office was just as stupid as today. They gave up on Bonilla after only 75 games in the Majors. Bonilla had a .269 batting average with 2 home runs while driving in 26. Bonilla had 10 doubles and two triples. Bonilla turned out to be a very good player for years in Pittsburgh. The White Sox ended up trading DeLeon to the Cardinals and did get back a solid return in Lance Johnson.

Jose DeLeon would have two stints with the White Sox as the team got him back in the 1990’s. That involved a trade with the Phillies for their best closer of all-time at that time, Bobby Thigpen. DeLeon in 1993 helped the White Sox win the division title as he pitched in the bullpen at the time. Down the stretch in 11 games, he tossed ten innings & had a 1.74 ERA. Then in the strike year of 1994, he pitched in 42 games before the league shut operations over of course, greed. DeLeon finished the strike year with a 3-2 record with a 3.36 ERA as he worked 67 innings out of the bullpen. The White Sox were DeLeon’s only team he had a winning record with in the MLB. His 5 total seasons in Chicago he went 23-22 with 3.85 ERA as he appeared in 137 games and made 44 starts.

With the St.Louis Cardinals, Jose DeLeon probably had his best seasons as a starter. In 1989, DeLeon went 16-12 with 3.05 ERA in 36 starts and worked 244.2 innings. No pitch count back then. DeLeon led the NL in strike outs in 1989, by far the best season of his career. He followed that magic year of ’89 after going 13-10 in 1988 with 3.67 ERA as he made 34 starts and pitched 225.1 innings. In 1988-89, he had back to back seasons with 200 or more strike outs. Three seasons in a row he pitched 200 plus or more innings, which is unheard of these days. His career he has a losing record of 86-119 because he had two seasons when he lost 19 games in one year. He pitched in 415 total MLB games as he had 264 starts with a lifetime 3.76 ERA. He was a true work horse as he worked 1,897.1 innings of work. Maybe a Pac-Man eating up innings doing good, bad, or ugly. He struck out 1,594 batters. I’m sure he lost some close games as all pitchers do, but put in quality starts. I’m sure the bullpen from time to time was preventing him from racking up a few extra wins. In 1995, it was the last year of his professional career as he suited up for the White Sox & then ended up in Montreal with the Expos.

The man ate up innings in a nice respectable baseball career. Nobody wants to see anyone get eaten up by cancer. As a baseball fan, DeLeon brought up some nice memories of the glory days growing up watching the game with kid’s eyes. I probably had a few baseball cards of him as well. I promise you I never used them in the spokes of my bicycle to make the cool sounds. Rest in Peace, Jose!!!

WHITE SOX NEWS

SHOLTENS NEEDS TOMMY JOHN SURGERY

It’s a tough break for Jesse Scholtens who made his MLB debut last season for the Chicago White Sox. The 29 year old RHP was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2016 draft in the 9th round. The White Sox fire sale last season at the trade deadline resulted in many arms getting a look in the MLB. Scholtens had his first cup of coffee and more as he pitched in 26 games on the south side of Chicago. He made 11 starts. He tallied 85 innings of work. His record was not good at 1-9 with a poor 5.29 ERA. He struck out 58 batters in his first year in the MLB. Scholtens had hope for the 2024 season.

Without even getting his debut in the Cactus league down in Arizona, Jesse Scholtens tore his UCL. He is expected to miss the entire 2024 season as he is in need of that famous Tommy John surgery. When Scholtens pitched in college, he threw a no hitter at Wright State University. He and many other pitchers like himself, castoffs from other organizations, basically have an open try out for the White Sox this year. Scholtens was expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. He wanted to build off what he did last year finally getting his chance to perform at the biggest stage of his life, pitching in the big leagues. Now he will have to reset his baseball career and make a comeback from Tommy John surgery in 2025. The inspiration he can use is that many pitchers have been stronger after the surgery. Let’s hope Scholtens can get back to the mound in 2025 with either the White Sox or someone else and continue his baseball career. Many guys, when they return from this type of surgery, can be better than what they were. Scholtens will need that, to be better than his old version of himself in 2023.

PIRATES NEWS

PIRATES ACE GETS CONTRACT EXTENSION

The 2024 season for the Pittsburgh Pirates has not started yet. Spring training has just basically started. The Pirates rebuild is looking to make head way this season. One of the pieces the Pirates organization believes in is 27 year old RHP, Mitch Keller. Keller had a break out season last year as he earned his first all-star honors. He obviously is the ace of the staff going into this season. The Pirates see him in the future being the number one or two of the starting rotation for years to come. Keller gets a 5 year extension worth 77 million to stay in the black and gold uniform for the next 5 seasons.

Last season, Mitch Keller had a 13-9 record with a 4.21 ERA and made 32 starts. He was a workhorse plowing 194.1 innings of work and struck out 210 batters in his best season. Keller is a home grown pitcher as the Pirates drafted him in 2014 from high school in Iowa. He was drafted in the second round and has been in the big leagues now for parts of the last 5 seasons. Last season was the first winning season Keller posted. His lifetime stats he has a record so far of 25-38 with 4.71 ERA and has made 100 starts in his Pittsburgh career. I like this deal for the Pirates because it will be cheaper in the long run. Now you have him signed through his prime years as a player. When the Pirates start winning again, he may not be the ace of he staff but could be a solid number 2 or 3 of the staff for the next 5 years. Now he is the ace. Giving him the extension now takes any additional pressure off him this season. He can just focus on dialing it up and making all his starts every 5 days. It would be nice to see him put back to back winning records on back of his baseball card. The trend should follow with other young players the Pirates think are cornerstones of the future for this franchise getting beyond the rebuild.

CHAVEZ TRYING ON THE WHITE SOX UNIFORM FOR HIS 10TH TEAM OF HIS CAREER

The White Sox try outs for their pitching staff continue with an interesting minor league deal for an aging veteran. Jessee Chavez is 40 years old & has 16 years of experience in the big leagues. The White Sox desperately need arms to fill out the entire pitching staff and gave Chavez an invite to spring training. Chavez is a RHP who has been drafted twice and has played for 9 teams over the 16 year career.

This is an interesting signing for the White Sox because Jessee Chavez may be their best relief pitcher they have right now. The White Sox have been signing dollar bin bargains, recycling other teams’ trash in search of a viable arm and who knows… they may have tried to make their own pitcher.

Last season, Chavez only appeared in 36 games for the Atlanta Braves due to a shin injury. He tossed 34.2 innings & had a record of 1-0 with very nice respectable 1.56 ERA. He converted one save. New White Sox closer. Chavez has won a World Series with the Braves in 2021. If Chavez plays for the White Sox, this season he would have played for both Chicago teams. He has done that in LA playing for the Dodgers and Angels. He has also pitched in Oakland, Texas, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Toronto. Chavez has made 85 starts in his career as he became a starter later in his career with Oakland. Then he went back to the bullpen after a few seasons. Life time he has a 49-63 record , so maybe he has hopes of winning that 50th game to play in the big leagues in his 40’s. He has a life time 4.30 ERA in 607 total games with just over 1,000 big league innings. He has 981 strike outs, just needing 19 more for 1,000. He has converted 9 saves. He wears those wild thing goggles so the White Sox could use him in the closer’s role. He may not get much work then. I’m sure the front office is crossing their fingers on this signing.

BELLINGER SLINKS BACK TO CUBS FOR 80 MILLION

Last year Cody Bellinger signed with the Chicago Cubs to a one year deal to resurrect his MVP caliber in the MLB. Bellinger had a down year with the Dodgers, and the team was pretty much done with him so he took the 1 year deal with the Cubs. Bellinger has the shrewdest agent in the game in Scott Boras. They were looking for the big pay day. The few biggest name free agents left on the open market are represented by Boras. Even though spring training has started, Boras will wait until he can get his hands on one of the organization’s brinks trucks before they sign on the dotted line. Bellinger may have been dreaming of of the 7 year 200 million dollar deal. Instead he returns to Wrigley field with a 3 year 80 million dollar deal. However this Boras guy and this contract has opted out after the first two years of the contract in an attempt to bank this deal into something even bigger.

Last year, Cody Bellinger did very well in a Cubs uniform, his first ever team away from the LA Dodgers. His batting average was at .307 with 26 home runs while driving in 97. In 2022 ,his last year in a Dodgers uniform, his numbers were not Bellinger-like batting .210 with 19 long balls driving in 68. In ’22, he struck out 150 times. Bellinger for the Dodgers was Rookie of the Year. He helped LA win the World Series in 2020. He was MVP & a Gold Glove winner. He was a 2x All-star. He was the NLCS MVP in that big series. In 7 seasons in the MLB, Bellinger has .a 258 batting average with 178 long balls while driving in 519.

This is a great deal for the Cubs because they get their power bat in the line up. They did not have to pay Cody Bellinger a long term deal in the neighborhood of 200 million. Bellinger is loved in the club house. Last year the Cubs were in the thick of things most of the year to land a wild card spot. A rough September they finished in second place in the NL Central. This off-season, the Cubs improved their pitching staff. I’m not sure what the plan was for the Cubs if Bellinger bolted for another team in a big money deal. They may have to worry about that next year if he opts out of the contract. Bellinger gives the Cubs a left handed bat in the line up with power and hits for average if he can avoid the strike outs, which he reduced them to 87 last season. Bellinger can play center field and first base so multiple positions including the DH slot if needed for some rest. He is a solid defender. The NL Central can be claimed by any team in the division. Bringing him back, you can say this roster improved than taking a step backwards.

THE KING OF THE BAT FLIP FINDS A NEW HOME

Tim Anderson’s baseball career has been good, bad, and ugly all rolled up into one. He led the MLB with a .335 batting average. You can call being the hot dog with the monster bat flips which alienated people. Some say the bat flip like the touchdown celebrations should be part of the game. Anderson delivered in big moments beating the Yankees with a walk off home run in which the ball landed in the Iowa corn. He was the face of the White Sox organization. He seems to take the role being the face of all present and yesterday’s black ball players. The losses suddenly piled up. Anderson’s batting average plummeted like the stock market crash of 1929. He lost his Super Anderson power as had one home run last year. The White Sox cut ties with their short stop, not picking up his option as he became a free agent this off season. At the age of 30, he was expecting the big contract extension at this time. Now he has to settle for a one year deal with the Marlins for 5 million.

Tim Anderson went 4 straight seasons until last year hitting in the 300’s average-wise. He is a 2x all-star. He has one batting title to his name and a silver slugger award. In 2020, he led the AL in runs scored and finished 7th in MVP votes. Last year was rough as he finished with a .245 batting average, the one home run & driving in 25, not Anderson numbers. He was drafted by the White Sox in 2013 in the first round number 17 overall. He has 8 seasons in the MLB, all with the White Sox. He has a career batting average of .282 with 98 home runs and 338 RBI’s.

The Miami Marlins have been very quiet this off-season. They made the post season last year as an NL wild card. They lost their home run hitter Jorge Soler as he signed with the Giants. The Marlins still have a nice solid line up with their two trades they made at the deadline last year, getting Jake Burger and Josh Bell. I mention Burger because he’s a former White Sox former teammate of Tim Anderson. Burger got better in a Marlin uniform so they have hope Anderson could take the same path. Anderson should be healthy as injuries hampered his play last year. If Anderson finds his swing back, he already has one batting title. His new teammate, former Twins second baseman Luis Arraez, has won two batting titles. If Anderson and Arraez hit like the back of their baseball card says, this could be a nice 1-2 punch in the Marlins line up. I’ve been impressed with Jazz Chisholm Jr. & his bat, especially last year. A rising young star in this league. If Anderson puts his head down, forgets all the extra stuff like the face of the people or the organization, and just plays the game. Ge does not have to be that guy he tried to be in Chicago. With the glove Anderson has had up and down years on defense. He sometimes make the hard plays look easy & then bobbles the routine plays at short. This is a one year deal by the Marlins. This is a low risk high ceiling type of move. Anderson is out to prove himself and be looking to bank on the next contract after this season. This may be a one year stay in Miami no matter what Anderson does if it’s good, bad, or ugly. The Marlins may not pay him the big money if he finds his old self. Then things may get riskier for dealing with the cocky Anderson again.

CLAYTON KERSHAW THE CHERRY ON THE DODGERS DREAMSICLE

The LA Dodgers completed their dream team roster with the find piece to the puzzle; Resigning the old face of the franchise LHP Clayton Kershaw. We know the new face of the Dodgers franchise for years to come will be Shohei Ohtani, who signed the biggest deal in sports history this off-season. The Dodgers did not stop there as they added others to form their best roster ever. Off-season shoulder surgery put the return of Kershaw in question at 35 years old, 16 seasons in the MLB all with the Dodgers. Kershaw is not walking away from the opportunity to win another World Series. The Dodgers give Kershaw a one year deal for 5 million with a player option in 2025 for 10 million. Kershaw is expected back in summer from the shoulder surgery.

Last year, Clayton Kershaw made 24 starts & his record was 13-5 with another good season as his 2.46 ERA says it all. Kershaw in the post-season was rocked by the Diamondbacks in the NLDS. That’s when he found out shoulder surgery was needed. The last three seasons he has made 24 or less starts. Maybe the shoulder surgery can give him new life for the remainder of his career. Kershaw’s lifetime has a 210-92 record with 2.48 ERA in 422 starts. The man is decorated like a General when it comes to earning the top notch pitching hardware. He is 3x Cy-Young Winner. He won 1 MVP award with the triple crown in the same year. He has earned a gold glove. He has won the ERA title in 5 seasons. He is a 10x all-star. He helped LA win the World Series in 2020. These are Hall of Fame credentials. Can he win 90 more games for 300? It would be awesome to see that!

The Dodgers starting rotation is just sick. They signed the top Japanese pitcher in Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a ridiculous deal. The Dodgers landed Rays gem Tyler Glasnow in a trade. They have their best pitcher of 2022 coming back from injury, Walker Buehler, who missed the entire 2023 season. Will Buehler be the same guy? They signed veteran James Paxton who responded nicely coming back from an injury that sidelined him in 2022 as he pitched for the Red Sox last season. They have a nice piece in a young arm of Bobby Miller. Then now a back up plan like a trade line pick up in the waiting with Clayton Kershaw. I wish we had more guys like Kershaw in the MLB. Spending their entire career with one team. Over the last several years just working out one year deals in the off-season like two old friends signing up for the next fishing trip for the summer. I bet he wins ten games down the stretch for them. I like this move because this is the guy that should be a part of this dream team they have assembled in LA.

ANOTHER ROYAL SIGNING FOR THE WHITE SOX

The White Sox love collecting division rival players in their twilight years. During the 1990’s, the White Sox feasted off that World Series Indians team. The White Sox brass collected Indian players like baseball cards. At one point or another, the White Sox had Jim Thome, Albert Belle, the Alomar brothers (Sandy & Roberto,) Manny Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, and Omar Vizquel. Remember when the White Sox signed Twins first baseman Justin Morneau? That did not work. Some of these aging veterans did well for the White Sox. Many were just aging and over hill. These moves did not equal out to any World Series trophy as none of these guys were on the 2005 team. Nowadays, it’s the Royals as the White Sox are bringing in 35 year old Mike Moustakas to spring training on a minor league deal.

Last year, Mike Moustakas went the same route signing a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies and made the squad. He was good enough that the Angels wanted him at the trade deadline. Combined, the left-handed slugging first baseman batted .247 with 12 home runs and drove in 48. Moustakas was drafted by the Royals number 2 overall in the 2007 MLB draft. He helped the Royals win the World Series in 2015 and once upon a time ago, he was a good solid player. He was a three time all-star. He has 13 seasons in the league and if he makes the White Sox roster, they will be his 6th team he has played for. Moustakas, after 8 seasons in Kansas City, had stops in Cincinnati and Milwaukee that added up to 5 seasons. The White Sox starting first baseman is Andrew Vaughn. The DH slot is occupied by Eloy Jimenez. The team already has a left-handed slugger in Gavin Sheets who plays first, outfield, and DH. Eloy is frequently on the injured list so Moustakas could provide depth. The ties manager Pedro Grifol and GM Chris Getz have are never guys of a Reggie Jackson caliber. It’s guys that are close to hanging up the spikes for good. Moutsakas’ career numbers he has .247 batting average, with 215 home runs, & driving 683 runs. He has racked up 1,252 hits. This move is kind of a stretch for it to work out for both parties. The White Sox love their baseball cards so you never know.

PHILLY RINGS THE BELL WITH THE MERRIFIELD SIGNING

I follow the Chicago White Sox. Insert your joke here… The front office have collected X- Royals. The team has a former Royals jack of all trades coach & master of none in Pedro Grifol as the skipper. The Royals the White Sox sign have been “not been’s.” This is unlike 35 year old Whit Merrifield, a type of guy we should be going for. Why would Merrifield want to lose in Chicago when he can win in Philadelphia? The Phillies have been very quiet before the storm of their latest signing right before spring training, inking Merrifield to a one year deal worth 8 million with club option for 2025.

Whit Merrifield was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 2010 draft, out of South Carolina University. He is a late bloomer as he made his MLB debut when he was 27 years old. He is a 3X all-star. He has led the league in hits 3 times in his career. He led the AL in steals 3 times. Last year in Toronto he batted .272 with 11 home runs and drove in 67 playing in 145 games. Merrifield has been in the MLB for 8 seasons playing parts of 7 seasons in Kansas City as he was traded to Toronto where he has played parts of two seasons in Canada. Lifetime, Merrifield has racked up 1,184 hits with a career batting average of .284. He has 90 career long balls while driving in 470 runs with 201 stolen bases. This season he should hit the 100 milestone in homers and the 500 mark in RBI’s. If Merrifield found his game earlier in his career, he may have racked up Hall of Fame numbers by the time he hangs up the spikes.

For the Phillies, Whit Merrifield will be the super utility guy. By trade, Merrifield is a second baseman. He has played outfield for the Blue Jays and has done well defensively. He hit from the right side and he is a scrappy hitter, a guy that makes solid contact almost every time. The Phillies have a dangerous line up that features: Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, J.T Realmuto, and Trea Turner. They also have a few others I’m not mentioning and all this makes this one of the better line ups in the NL. This is a solid move by the Phillies because of all the intangibles Merrifield can do. Multiple positions, contact hitter, good base runner that can steal some bags for you, etc. His baseball IQ is very high and he wants to win. The Phillies, despite sharing the same division with the Braves, should make the playoffs as a wild card or division title.

WHITE SOX OFF SEASON TRADE

The White Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks strike up a deal involving two players. The White Sox are in need of a right fielder. The Diamondbacks manufacture outfielders in the dessert. The Snakes need young pitching to stock their farm system as they don’t seem to grow well in the heat of the night or day in the dessert. White Sox land 26 year old outfielder Dominic Fletcher who made his MLB debut last season. The Diamondbacks get 21 year old RHP Christian Mena, who is the 10th ranked prospect in the White Sox farm system.

Christian Mena is a native out of the Dominican Republic. Mena became the 17th youngest arm to make at least 15 starts at Double A ball. Also, the 14th youngest to start 3 games at the Triple A level at 20 years old over the last decade. That is a lot of arms to be counting coming up with these kind of stats. He turned 21 last December. Mena, across two levels of the White Sox farm system combined, had an 8-7 record with 4.85 ERA in 27 starts. He pitched 133.2 innings, striking out 156. For the Diamondbacks who have a flux of talented outfielders, they can give up one for a guy like Mena. He does not throw hard and the numbers are not rock solid right now. This is a pitcher with plenty of potential with all the pitches he does use in his arsenal to have piled up over 100 K’s.

The White Sox had some choices for which outfielder they could choose to get this deal done. They chose Dominic Fletcher, who was drafted in the second round of the 2019 MLB draft out of the University of Arkansas. He made his debut last year and played in 28 games. He only had 93 at-bats, but batted .301 as he racked up 28 hits. He had two home runs while driving in 14 runs and scored 10 runs. Fletcher bats from the left side. He throws with his left arm and he will be slated to compete for the right field position. He could be the starter when spring training comes to an end. Right field has been the White Sox Kryptonite for a number of years. Fletcher is a solid defender who can actually play all three positions. At the Triple A level for Arizona, he was tearing up the league batting .291 with 10 long balls and 18 doubles. On paper, this sounds like White Sox GM Chris Getz hit a home run himself on this deal. We will wait and see how both players do in the next few seasons. The direction of the White Sox means they are all in on defense and grinders with the bat. Sounds like this is one of those guys. The name Fletcher brings up a blast from the past.

Scott Fletcher is the short stop who had two stints with the White Sox. Started with them in the 1980’s. Came back in the 1990’s. Great defensive player and swung the bat well, meaning he has racked up over 1,000 hits with a career batting average of .262. He would end up playing some second base and manning the hot corner before he hung up the spikes.

GIANTS ADDING SOLER POWER IN THE BAY

The San Francisco Giants add some major power to their line up as they sign former World Series MVP Jorge Soler to a three year deal. Last season, Soler played for the Marlins. He declined the 9 million option this off-season making him a free agent. He was in pursuit of a bigger deal. The 31 year old got the years with 42 million to fatten his bank book. Soler, a native out of Cuba, has won two World Series in his career with two different teams. Last year, Soler helped the Marlins get to the post-season.

Jorge Soler started his career with the Chicago Cubs where he helped them do the unthinkable. Win a World Series in 2016 beating the curse of the goat breaking an over 100 year drought for the North side team in Chicago. Last year he batted .250 with the Marlins & had 36 bombs driving in 75. The Giants will be Soler’s 5th team of his ten year career. The universal DH was not around when Soler arrived in the league and he was a liability in right field on defense. The Cubs traded him to the American League to the Royals where his talents wilted away at the DH position. After parts of 5 seasons in Kansas City, Soler got new life being traded to Atlanta where he was MVP of that World Series team in 2021. The last two seasons he has played in Miami. Life time, Soler is a .243 hitter with 170 home runs as he has driven in 452 runs.

The Giants lost some of their power as outfielder Joc Pederson signed with the Diamondbacks this off season. The Giants’ big off-season move was signing Southern Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee who is projected to be the team’s lead off man. That means Jorge Soler will be the clean up guy batting 4th for the Giants. Soler can hit the home run as he had 36 of them last season. He only drove in 75 which makes it seem he may hit more solo home runs than clearing the bases with his long balls. Being the MVP in 2021 in the World Series, he can hit in big time situations where you want your clean up hitter to do. The Giants are in the NL West with the dream team Dodgers and the young Diamondbacks team that went to the World Series last season. The Padres still have a potent line up but lost some of that potency in the off-season trading Juan Soto to the Yankees. Many of the Padres pitchers went AWOL in the free agent market. The Giants landed Robbie Ray, a former Cy-Young winning pitcher from Seattle, a few weeks back. He will not be ready to go until after the All-Star break. Signing Soler improves this Giants team. I think they still need to make a few more savvy moves to be in the conversation with the Dodgers and the D-Backs.

SHAW HOOKING UP WITH CHI-SOX AGAIN ON A MINOR LEAGUE DEAL

Last off-season, the 12 season veteran RHP Bryan Shaw got a minor league deal with the White Sox and an invite to spring training. Shaw did not make the opening day roster for the White Sox and was cut. He managed to latch on to the team’s minor league team as he did not get any offers from anyone else in the big leagues. The White Sox at the deadline had a midnight madness sale and almost every arm was dealt at the trade deadline. The White Sox purchased the contract of Shaw and he was able to pitch his 13th season in Chicago as the team needed guys to eat up innings. Shaw now at 36 years of age is looking to find a spot on the team to pitch his 14th season. The White Sox have assembled every available bargain pitcher known to mankind for this upcoming season. Shaw could be a nice piece for that bullpen.

Last year, Bryan Shaw pitched in 38 games for the White Sox & had no record with 4.14 ERA. Shaw worked 45.2 innings as struck out 40 and converted 4 saves. Shaw was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 2008 MLB draft. He debuted in Arizona and pitched his first two seasons there. He had stops in Colorado and Seattle. He is mostly known for his work in Cleveland where he had two stints with the Indians which equaled seven total seasons. He has always been a relief pitcher and has a lifetime record of 43-45 with 3.93 ERA in 791 games. Hope he can get 9 more games to get to 800. He has 19 career saves. He has 677 strikeouts in 760.1 innings of work. I hope he makes the team. He is not your shut down reliever that he used to be, getting outs late in games to turn the ball over to the closer. He can get outs. He can pitch a few innings if needed when he comes into a game. He can be effective. He is streaky, hot and cold. He’s a veteran arm, cheap, and should find a spot on this team. I think he will benefit this season with a better defense behind him as this off-season, the White Sox’s main goal is making the routine plays on defense.

SANTANA TOURING AL CENTRAL 2024 DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED

Carlos Santana started his career in the AL Central with the Cleveland Indians. He played for the Kansas City Royals for parts of two seasons. He was an Indian for ten seasons. Santana has played for 6 different organizations. The two AL Central teams, he played with them longer than the 4 one year and done organizations. Santana at 37 years old may be looking for a little stability at his age. Probably will not get that in Minnesota as the switch hitting first baseman inked a one year deal with the Twins for 5.2 million. The Twins will be his third AL Central team as he would only need the White Sox and Tigers to sweep through the division.

Last year, Carlos Santana started the season out with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Santana was playing solid defense and swinging the lumber. The Pirates got off to a rock star start. The tour fizzled and Santana was traded at the deadline for a prospect. It was not Santana’s first rodeo being dealt at the deadline. He had a pretty good season last year as he batted .240, had 23 home runs, and drove in 86 combined with the Pirates and Brewers. He also drew 65 walks and played in the post-season with Milwaukee. Other teams Santana played for were the Phillies and Mariners as the Twins will be his 7th team of his career. Lifetime, Santana has a batting average of .242 with 301 home runs and has driven in 1,011 runs. He has racked up 1,665 hits and has walked 1,213 times.

The Minnesota Twins have lost several pitchers to free agency this off-season. They just traded away their long time second baseman, Jorge Polanco, which freed up some money to get a deal done with Carlos Santana and perhaps others to help this roster defend their division title from last season. The Twins luckily play in a bad division, but teams like the Royals and Tigers have made moves to better themselves. Yes, the Twins can still win this division. I was not impressed with last year’s team. I like Santana & he can play solid first base or you slide him into the DH slot. On defense last year, he did lead the MLB in 11 defensive runs saved. Not sure why no real contender ended up signing Santana. Once again, not buying the Twins repeating as division winners. Santana has power and can drive in runs. He is a switch hitter which helps the everyday line up. He can get on base with the walk as he has racked over 100 bases on balls 4 times in his 14 year career. He has a good eye and takes what is given to him instead of striking out like many power hitters who won’t take free passes. He’s a good locker room guy. He goes to the Twins instead of another club that has the potential to get back to the post-season.

OH, DANNY BOY, THE WHITE SOX ARE CALLING

The White Sox set up a reunion welcoming back infielder Danny Mendick on a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Mendick was drafted by the White Sox in 2015 in the 22nd round of the MLB draft. The 30 year old played parts of 4 seasons on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox cut ties with Mendick, so he went home and signed with the Mets as he is a native of Rochester, New York. Who says you can’t go home again, as Mendick’s real baseball home is Chicago?

Last season with the Mets, Danny Mendick played in only 33 games and had just 65 at bats. He did not capitalize on the limited playing time as his batting average was .185 with 1 home run and drove in 4. In 2022, Mendick played in 31 games & batted .289 with 3 home runs while driving in 15 before his season was derailed by an injury. In 5 seasons, his career batting average is .242 with 11 long balls while driving in 49. He has racked up 114 hits in 184 games in the MLB. Mendick is a scrappy player & a guy that can play multiple positions around the infield diamond. He’s a guy who if he gets his at-bats, avoids the injury & can be a nice guy off the bench. He hits from the right side and has been a streaky hitter his entire career. I think playing time can be the problem and some bad luck with injuries that limit him to only a handful of games a year. Hoping this reunion with the White Sox, a team with more questions than answers roster-wise, can help him get the playing time and be that utility guy every roster needs.

MANCINI TRYING TO LATCH ON TO THE FISH

Things were looking good for Trey Mancini not very long ago. He was traded from Baltimore where he played for many bad teams over his 7 year career in the big leagues. He was traded to Houston at the deadline where he helped the cheats win the World Series in 2022. Things were looking good for the 31 year old infielder/outfielder and DH until he signed with the Cubs last year. After 79 games with the Cubs, Mancini was released. He did not hook on with anyone else. Now he will try to latch on to the Marlins’ roster as he signed a minor league deal with Miami in hopes to make the team this spring training.

Trey Mancini was drafted out the University of Notre Dame by Baltimore in 2013 in the 8th round of the draft. Last year, he batted .234 with 4 home runs driving 28. His career numbers he is actually a .263 hitter as he has some power with 129 long balls, and 400 RBI’s while racking up 801 hits. He did not play in 2020 due to illness. He missed out only on a shortened season due to the pandemic. In 2022, he batted .239 with 18 long balls driving in 63. That’s what the Marlins are looking for. Even better, before the pandemic year in 2017 he hit 24 home runs. Then in 2018, he had another 24 and in 2019 he had 35 dingers. Maybe the missing season drained his power potential. Mancini can play multiple positions, so if he gets his swing back he could be a nice piece. This from a team that has done nothing this off-season to improve their one and done post-season trip last year. Not very expensive signing if he makes the team.

OFF SEASON TRADE

The Seattle Mariners continue to reshape their roster to the finest as they strike up another big time deal with the Minnesota Twins. The Twins who won the AL Central last year… if you are part of their fan base you have to be scratching your eye balls out of your head. This deal involves 5 players and cash. The Mariners acquire 30 year old switch hitting second baseman Jorge Polanco who has been a Twin for life to this point. The Twins will get 20 year old outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez, 32 year old relief pitcher in Justin Topa, 33 year old starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, 12 million in cash to cover DeSclafani’s contract, and 23 year old minor league pitcher Darren Bowen.

The Mariners will have control over Jorge Polanco for two seasons. Next year they have a club option for 12 million they could exercise. Polanco has ten seasons in the majors, all with the Twins. He throws from the right side and is a scrappy style player who can play short but most of his time has been at second base. Last year he had a .255 batting average with 14 home runs while driving in 48. His life time numbers he’s batting .269 with 112 long balls as he drove in 447 runs while racking up 849 hits. In 2019, he was an all-star. His only one of his career. Polanco gives the Mariners a switch hitter in the middle of their line up. He has some power and can hit all over the field. Can drive in important runs and knows the situation when he approaches the place. Seattle has added Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger to the line up so far this off season. It’s a line up that already features Julio Rodriguez, JP Crawford, Ty France, and Cal Raleigh. Up and down this entire line up is very solid. Add the starting pitching and the bullpen with some nasty relievers all of which means they could make a run at a very difficult AL West with Houston and the defending champions Texas Rangers.

The center piece of this trade the Twins are getting in this deal is outfielder Gabriel Gonzales, who is only 20 years old. Gonzales is a native out of Venezuela. He’s on the bubble ranking in the top 100 prospects in the MLB pipeline. He’s can play all three outfield positions. His bat to ball skills are very impressive as he could be a very dangerous hitter when he arrives in the big leagues. He has done well at the lower levels of the minor leagues. He has struggled on the upper levels.

The Twins also get RHP Darren Bowen. Bowen was drafted in 2022 by the Mariners out of UNC Pembrose. He has one season under his belt as he logged in 55.2 innings of work and has a 3.88 ERA.

Justin Topa finally made it after a long journey in the minor leagues, being drafted by the Reds and the Pirates. The Pirates was the last team to draft him back in 2013. He has parts of 4 seasons under his belt with last year being his first full season in the MLB. The RHP, who is 32 years old, did well out of the Mariners bullpen as he had a record of 5-4 with 2.69 ERA and even converted 3 saves in 75 games. He worked 69 innings. Before last year, he had his cups of coffee with the Brewers in 18 games. He had a 0-1 record with a high 8.35 ERA in 18.1 innings of work.

Anthony DeSclafani came to Seattle in the Robbie Ray deal weeks ago with the Giants. DeSclafani is a 9 year starter in the league with a career that started in Miami. He spent most of his career in a Reds uniform. The last few seasons he’s been in a Giants uniform. Last year he went 4-8 with 4.88 ERA making 18 starts. Lifetime he has a 54-56 record with 4.20 ERA and has made 69 starts in his entire career.

I really don’t feel the Twins got better with this deal. Losing Polanco will weaken the everyday line up. The Twins have lost pitchers in the starting rotation and the bullpen to free agency. The team gets back a starter and a guy they can use in the pen. The Twins have to be banking on the Gonzalez kid to make this deal in their favor. The Twins play in a very weak division and won it last year. With them subtracting talent off that roster, I don’t see them repeating and getting back to the post-season. Unless they have down on the farm talent as replacements and are ready to go, this team will be hovering around the 500 mark this season.

THE ROYAL ISLAND OF MISFIT PLAYERS

The Royals front office this off-season has been collecting veteran players with no stable home and bringing them to Kansas City. Players that many teams had discarded. Players who have changed uniforms every year since leaving their original home, the franchise that drafted them. They are all misfits. The Royals’ idea is to bring them together on their island to play with the young core they have assembled to make a run at the weak AL Central. This time they strike up a deal with 32 year old second baseman Adam Frazier, for which it was three years ago when Pittsburgh traded him away. Royals and Frazier have a one year deal on paper for 4.5 million with a mutual option for the 2025 season.

Last season, Adam Frazier played 141 games for the Baltimore Orioles and helped them win the difficult AL East as they were the number 1 seed in post-season. Frazier batted .240 with 13 home runs driving in 60 mostly playing second base for the birds. Frazier is a scrappy left-handed bat on defense who throws with his right hand & can also play some outfield. He has 8 seasons in the big leagues, and his career started with the Pirates where he played parts of 6 seasons in Steel Town. He was traded to the Padres at the deadline in 2021 as Pittsburgh decided they were in full tear down mode. Frazier has a career batting average of .269 with 56 long balls and has driven 317. Frazier is a 1x all-star which came back in 2021. The Royals will be the 5th team he has played for as he had a stop in Seattle after San Diego and before Baltimore.

The Royals have plans to make Adam Frazier their utility guy. The Royals have a nice young core of infielders with Bobby Witt Jr. at short, Michael Massey at second, and Maikel Garcia at third. Frazier could be asked to play multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. The Royals have added another veteran slugging outfielder, Hunter Renfroe, to the mix. Frazier reunites with his former teammate from Pittsburgh’s RHP Chris Stratton who the Royals added to their rotation with other veteran arms. Frazier is a veteran left-handed bat inserted in the line up every night. He can play multiple positions which is another benefit of this signing. He’s durable and can stay off the field as he played 140 games last year for the Orioles. He’s been on teams like the Padres, Mariners, and Orioles that have made post-season which if the Royals get there, his experience can help. By bringing in veterans with chips on their shoulder, it could help this young team get into the mix of a wild card. Sometimes this plan can implode on teams as these are guys going team to team for reasons. The pick ups that the Royals have signed are not terrible. If they play like the stats on back of their baseball card, this team could be challenging.

WHITE SOX OFF-SEASON TRADE

The White Sox and the Mariners are two teams this off-season that have been active in trades. They strike up a deal involving three players and draft pick. The Mariners are looking to make their bullpen one of the best in baseball and acquire 24 year old RHP Gregory Santos from the White Sox. The White Sox get two prospects and the 69th pick of the 2024 MLB draft. The prospects the White Sox get in the deal are Zach DeLoach, a 25 year old outfielder, and 23 year old RHP Prelander Berroa.

Gregory Santos may have been the White Sox closer in 2024 if he was not traded. Santos, out of the Dominican Republic, in his first full season in the big leagues last year pitched well. He had a record of 2-2 with 3.39 ERA in 60 games. He worked 66.1 innings while striking out 66 batters and converted 5 saves. Santos had two cups of coffee with the Giants in 2021 and ’22 that added up to 5 games. Santos has a fastball that can reach up to 99 MPH. The Mariners will have control over him for the next 5 seasons. He will fit in with two stud relievers the Mariners already have in place: Matt Brash and Andres Munoz. The Mariners gave up a lot for a guy with only one year under his belt. Santos had command of the plate last year and looks legit for years to come.

The White Sox get a flamethrower back who is also a guy out of the Dominican Republic. Prelander Berroa was the Mariners’ 15th prospect in their farm system and had a cup of coffee last year making his debut in the big leagues. Berroa pitched in 2 games out of the bullpen and gave up nothing in 1.2 innings of work. He had three strikeouts. Are Berroa and Gregory Santos seeming the same type of guy? Berroa has a fast ball that reaches triple digits. He uses a hard breaking slider as his wipe out pitch.

Zach DeLoach was drafted by the Mariners in the second round of the MLB draft in 2020. DeLoach played his college ball at the University of Texas A&M. He has not yet made his MLB debut. DeLoach can play all three outfield positions. He throws right and bats from the left side. DeLoach is the Mariners 25th prospect in their farm system. Last year in Triple A Tacoma, he batted .286 with 23 long balls as he drove in 88.

Sometimes for relief pitchers, it’s better to deal them when they are on top of their game. Looks like White Sox General Manager Chris Getz got a younger version of Santos back and an outfielder who’s close to making his MLB debut. The White Sox are still in search of a right fielder, and DeLoach could be the answer. The White Sox pitching staff they gathered this off-season are misfits that other teams don’t want anymore. So there’s no reason to hang on to Santos when it might take a year or two to fix the bullpen and starting rotation. Getting a draft pick out of the deal is a nice extra piece of this trade. That pick may be the deciding factor to determine who will win this trade in years to come. Getz may have done well getting three pieces back for Santos, who may be a middle of the road type of reliever which are a dime a dozen.

GRANDAL’S CAREER RUNNING ON FUMES ARRIVES IN PITTSBURGH

When you are a veteran of the baseball world for 12 seasons and at the age of 35 coming off a down season, you are desperate. Yasmani Grandal just ended his tenure with the White Sox after his biggest pay day of his career; after 4 seasons in Chicago basically stealing money. Grandal is looking to bounce back as his baseball career hangs by a thread. He has a deal with the Pirates on a one year deal being 2.5 million which is a close minimum wage in the baseball world. The Pirates organization is not the Rockefeller family. It’s not Colorado or Oakland so Grandal has hit above rock bottom.

Yasmani Grandal is a switch hitting catcher as he hails from Cuba. Grandal can be used at first base. Grandal’s career he was always more productive with the bat than the glove. Before signing with the White Sox, he had six straight seasons he had double digits in home runs. He started his career in San Diego, moved on to LA, played for the Dodgers for 4 seasons, & then ended up in Milwaukee. He was a 2x all-star. In Chicago he had one season in 2021 when he hit 23 long balls. Last year he batted .234 with 8 long balls driving in 33. Any breaking balls in the dirt from his pitchers have a very good chance of getting by him as he stabs at them with his glove instead of blocking them with his body. His career batting average is now .237 as he racked up 928 hits in 1,235 games. He has 185 long balls with 565 RBI’s. The last 4 seasons his average is a whopping .226 with 44 home runs driving in 149. This after receiving at the time the biggest contract in White Sox history.

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their young talented catcher to winter ball. Endy Rodriguez dazzled us with his play his first season in the big leagues last year as he played in 57 games. He is a native out of the Dominican Republic and wanted to improve his game but suffered a setback as he will miss the entire season dealing with Tommy John Surgery. So Yasmani Grandal joins a very thin catchers department in Pittsburgh with Henry Davis, Jason Delay, and Ali Sanchez as the only options. Davis has been working on his defense as a back stop but may be better suited in the DH role or right field where he played multiple games in his first season. Davis has a promising bat and another position may be the way to go. We know he will only get bad habits off Grandal when it comes to defense. The Pirates want to contend and this team has a chance in the NL Central. This is a typical Pirates move getting veteran talent on down years hoping they pay off on the field and usually end up as a trade chip at the deadline. Can Grandal get you 20 home runs? Can he get his average in the 230’s & avoid the strike outs? It’s a low risk high ceiling kind of move. Grandal has moments when he does deliver some big hits in crunch time. I like that he can hit from both sides of the plate. He can play first as well as catch. You can slide him in the DH slot at times. As long as he’s not catching most of the games, maybe this move could pan out. Grandal is injury prone as well, so he may ride the injured list most of the year. His entire baseball career may depend on this season & what he does if he still wants his career to continue as age is catching up on the catcher.

WHITE SOX WHISTLE BLOWER SIGNS WITH THE RED BIRDS

Last season after the White Sox traded Keynan Middleton to the New York Yankees, he exposed the team’s culture of no rules. Just total anarchy was going on in the White Sox club house. The White Sox finished rebuild was crumbling as they were trading almost everything at the deadline. The 30 year old RHP Middleton was unhappy about the team’s locker room culture which makes total sense to White Sox fans. His words were backed up by former teammate Lance Lynn, another White Sox pitcher dealt at the deadline. Middleton pitched well for his new team with rules for the evil Empire after the trade. Being a free agent, he had enough of the Yankee Death Star and worked out a deal with the Cardinals where he will rejoin Lynn as he signed with St. Louis in the beginning of the free agency. Middleton has a one year deal worth 6 million with a club option in 2025 for 5 million to come out of the bullpen for the Cardinals.

Keynan Middleton has pitched in the big leagues for 7 seasons as he started his career back with the Angels. He pitched in LA for 4 seasons. Since his last season as an Angel in 2020, he has not found a permanent home. He has bounced around from Seattle to Arizona & then to Chicago who traded him to the Death Star. Last year combined he had 2-2 record in 51 games working 50.2 innings & had an 3.38 ERA. He converted 2 saves & he had 64 strike outs. For the Yankees down the stretch he appeared in 12 games & had no record with 1.88 ERA in 14.1 innings of work. Middleton’s career numbers he has a record of 10-8 with 3.84 ERA in 205 games. He has converted 15 saves with 199 strike outs.

Keynan Middleton complained mostly about the no consequences for players breaking the rules. The White Sox with a manager Pedro Grifol obviously way over his head as a manager in his very first season with the team. Grifol preached in his press conference accepting the job that his team will hustle. They will do the little things. They most importantly of all will hold players accountable. Which the White Sox denied, about rookies sleeping in the bullpen during games. No players missed meetings and practices… unheard of. Why did the owner clean out some of the dead weight in the front office after this news and the worst year in White Sox history? A year the sky fell and dark clouds are still lingering above this franchise. For Middleton he does not have to live through this state of chaos anymore. St. Louis has been a top notch franchise for decades. They revamped their starting rotation this off-season with a slew of veteran pick ups. They now are trying to improve the bullpen bringing in Middleton who is a nice option to get outs in the 6th, 7th, and 8th. Not sure he can take on the closer job. This move by the Cardinals is a nice pick up with an option for another year just in case it works out well. Obviously the Cardinals still need some pieces surrounding Middleton to have a bullpen be effective almost every night.

IF A VETERAN PITCHER PITCHES IN OAKLAND, DOES HE MAKE A SOUND?

Why would any veteran ball player want to sign in Oakland? The organization is Vegas-bound. The fans are pissed off, if they even have a following still rooting on the Athletics. The owner is terrible. The team is inexperienced and basically hot garbage. For Alex Wood, a 33 year old LHP, it’s a chance to get the ball every 5th day and go back to the starting rotation. Last year, the Giants used Wood in both roles as a starter and out of the pen. His entire career has basically been on the west coast and he gets a one year deal worth 8.5 million to stay.

Last season, Alex Wood went 5-5 with 4.33 ERA in 29 games. He made only 12 starts and had 97.2 innings of work. Wood’s been in the league for 11 seasons and has made 202 starts in his career. It was a career that started with the Braves & that lasted three seasons. Then he dressed in Dodgers blue, who he had two stints with in-between he did one season with the Reds. For the Dodgers, he pitched in parts of 5 seasons in LA and had his best season of career in 2017 when he went 16-3 with 2.72 ERA. That was when he earned his only all-star nod of his career. Wood was also a part of the Dodger team that won the World Series in the shortened pandemic season of 2020. Wood then moved on from the Dodgers and ever since went with the archrival Giants for the last three seasons. Wood has a winning record in his career at 76-65 with 3.74 ERA. Only needs 24 victories to get to the 100 milestone in wins. Suiting up for Oakland may get him closer, but he may need a few more seasons to get that number.

Nobody will care what the Oakland Athletics do on the field. It’s a young team. It’s a team that will play at home in front of lots of empty seats. Which will resemble the games during the pandemic. The big headlines for the Athletics asks when the stadium will be built in Vegas. Where will this team play beyond next season waiting for the stadium in Vegas to be ready? The fans in Oakland plan to show up on opening day at the Oakland Colosseum just to tailgate but not enter the stadium to stick it to the owner John Fisher. Alex Wood will be a guy that they will want to eat innings for sure with a young pitching staff. The coaching staff hopes Wood can provide some mentoring and guidance to his younger teammates. If Wood suddenly starts wheeling and dealing on the mound for the Athletics, he will be a trade chip they can use to land some kind of prospect for the future. Wood could see this as a ticket to post-season with another organization or better contract for 2025.

OFF-SEASON TRADE

The Milwaukee Brewers and the Baltimore Orioles strike up a blockbuster trade involving three players and a future draft pick. The Orioles have been seeking an ace for the starting rotation the entire off-season and now have acquired the Brewers top starter in RHP Corbin Burnes. The Brewers get two intriguing young pieces back, a 25 year old infielder and a 23 year old pitcher. Both players have made their MLB debuts. Infielder Joey Ortiz and LHP DL Hall will be heading to Brew Town. The Brew Crew also lands the Orioles’ 34th pick of the MLB draft. The Orioles think Burnes can get this team over the hump to the World Series. Meanwhile the Brewers get something back in return for Burnes who will be a free agent after this upcoming season.

Corbin Burnes is 3X All-Star in six seasons in the MLB, all in Milwaukee. Burnes is only 29 years old, but has already won a Cy Young award and an ERA title. Last year his record was 10-8 with 3.39 ERA as he made 32 starts and struck 200. He is a workhorse as he pitched 193.2 innings and he can rack up the K’s. He led the league in strike outs in 2022 with 243 as he pitched 202 innings that season. Burnes’ career record is 45-27 with 3.26 ERA as he pitched in 167 games making 102 starts. The last three seasons he has racked up double digits in wins. He gives the Orioles an Ace for that rotation that features two guys who were in the top three of the best ERA in the AL last season in Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez. The Orioles also have another veteran, John Means, who looked pretty good down the stretch last season coming back from an injury as he finished with 4 starts with an 2.66 ERA. The Orioles have a young core in the every day line up and solid roster up and down. They were the number one seed in the American League last season as they earned the first round bye to be quickly knocked out by the Texas Rangers. The missing ingredient they needed was an Ace. A true number one sliding the rest of the guys down in the rotation gives them a solid 1 through 5.

The Baltimore Orioles have a slew of young talented infielders on their roster. Joey Ortiz became expendable for the need of a true number one pitcher. Ortiz lit up the Triple A scene last season batting .321 with 9 long balls and driving in 58. Ortiz made his MLB debut as he had 33 at-bats for 7 hits with an average of .212. He scored 4 runs and drove in 4 runs in 15 games. Ortiz was drafted in 2019 out of New Mexico State University. He can play second, short stop, and man the hot corner. He may be slated to take over second base for Will Adams, right now the Brewers starter, who will be a free agent after this season.

The Brewers may have gotten their Josh Hader look a-like with DL Hall, an LHP who has 29 games in the MLB in parts of the last two seasons for Baltimore. Hall has pitched only as a relief pitcher out of the pen. Last season he had a 3-0 record in 18 games with 3.26 ERA. He tossed 19.1 innings of work as he struck out 23. Hall was drafted in the first round in the 2017 MLB draft right out of high school.

The Brewers will always be small potatoes with the kind of moves they make. Let’s back up the time machine as this team won the NL Central last year. They have made the playoffs 5 out of the last 6 seasons. No wonder why Craig Counsell, born and raised in Wisconsin, left for the Cubs to manage them instead of staying to see the front office dissect the roster every year & remove the talented players they need to keep. Not adding talent to a roster with talent. The Brewers non-tendered another homegrown starter in November – Brandon Woodruff. Then they sign veteran slugging first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a free agent contract a few weeks back. A nice improvement. They add something nice & then they quickly subtract something they end up needing later on. The Brewers are the teeter-totter of baseball. They get a nice return from the Orioles. When they traded Josh Hader two seasons ago, they were in first place at the deadline. We know they don’t have an ace to take the spot of Corbin Burnes. They probably did not want to pay Burnes the big money after this season. This is going to keep happening unless they get lucky and get that roster perfectly functioning all at the same time & all in the same season. They will need multiple young prospects to step up and contribute big, like in career years with the leftovers not yet traded to actually go deep in post-season. 

THE CHRIS GETZ CONNECTION

Building a roster in any sports league is difficult. Sometimes having those connections as a player or general manager are worthy of finding key pieces to that roster. The first year General Manager of the White Sox, Chris Getz, has been using his connections in some hires in the front office. His former team he played for and front office he worked for, the White Sox and him, have tapped the Kansas City Royal organization. If it only was the Chiefs organization. The luck we would have, we’d end up with a Matt Nagy hire who was a lemon when the Bears hired him for Head Coach years ago. Now this latest connection from Getz is a former teammate of his in Toronto. As the White Sox are bringing in 11 year veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar to spring training invite on a Minor League deal. Pillar, drafted by the Blue Jays and who played with Getz, will get three million if he makes the White Sox.

Kevin Pillar was drafted by the Blue Jays and played the bulk of his career in Toronto. Since leaving the Blue Jays organization, the 35 year old outfielder has played for six teams. The list features the Giants, Dodgers, Mets, Rockies, Red Sox, and last year for the Braves. In 81 games for the Braves, Pillar batted .228 with 9 home runs driving in 32. He had only 197 at-bats. Pillar bats from the right side of the plate and his career batting average is .257 with 106 long balls as he drove in 423 runs. Pillar racked up 979 hits over his career and should manage to reach the 1,000 mile stone this season. Pillar is a better defender than hitter who plays all three outfield positions, but is a center fielder by trade.

The White Sox for years have had a revolving door in right field. The White Sox are still hoping Oscar Colas, who was a rookie last year, can end the revolving door in that position. The only other back up outfielder is Gavin Sheets, who is better suited as DH or first base. If needed, Sheets has played some games in right. Kevin Pillar, if he makes the team, could be an interesting guy to have platoon the right field position with Colas since they both bat the opposite side of each other. Pillar can come off the bench to give all the outfield starters some rest. In 2022, Pillar only played 4 games as a Dodger as he fractured his left shoulder sliding into third base versus the Pirates. He managed to play 81 games last year. Pillar has some pop in his bat as he will give the team some good at-bats off the bench. Besides collecting different uniforms from town to town, he has not been in a stable situation since Toronto. He’s not the long term answer but checks the boxes that Getz likes in grinder-style players with something to prove and can play solid defense. This is a band aid right now if they find nothing else in right. I wouldn’t mind if Pillar was just the back up guy for all three positions and not be counted on to play every day.

DODGERS ADD A PAXTON

The Dodgers’ off-season dream team roster is not quite finished before the upcoming season gets started. The Dodgers add another veteran starter to their starting rotation to round everything off with a solid 1 through 5. The Dodgers will take their chances with 35 year LHP James Paxton. Paxton signs a one year deal worth 7 million with plenty of incentives to make bonuses if he can stay healthy. The front office liked what they saw from Paxton last year with the Boston Red Sox returning to the mound after missing the entire 2022 season, coming back from Tommy John Surgery.

James Paxton has ten seasons in the MLB and started his career with Seattle where he pitched parts of seven seasons. He was traded to the New York Yankees in 2019 where he did well in that first season going 15-6 with the Evil Empire and had 3.82 ERA. Paxton, before the Yankees, had back to back seasons of double digit wins in 2017 & ’18. From 2020 & ’21, he only made six starts. Five of those starts were during the pandemic in 2020 where he pitched his last season in the Big Apple. He returned to Seattle and made one start in 2021 when he was derailed for the rest of the season and would miss the 2022 season. The Red Sox gave him a chance last season as he debuted in May and made 19 starts. Paxton had a 7-5 record with 4.50 ERA. The veteran suffered some inflammation in his knee in September and was shut down the rest of the season. Paxton’s career numbers he has a winning record of 65-38 with 3.69 ERA as he made a total of 156 starts in ten seasons.

The Dodgers are supposedly not done with Clayton Kershaw as talks continue with his people and the front office. Kershaw has been the Dodgers ace of the staff and face of the franchise for over a decade. Things have changed this off-season as the Dodgers sign Japanese star Yoshino Yamamato to a big money deal. They acquired Tyler Glasnow from the Rays. The return of Walker Buehler, who missed the entire 2023 season. The young Bobby Miller has so far been impressive. Where do you fit Kershaw and James Paxton? Adding depth is a good thing for this Dodgers rotation because of the injury history to Paxton, Glasnow, and Buehler. Buehler may need time to knock off the rust. The Dodgers may have him on pitch count. Adding depth you don’t have to rush Buehler back either. One of these starters could be a swing guy. Making spot starts or being the long relief guy out of the pen. Paxton would like to win a ring and at the same time earn the extras from the incentives. So, this deal could be that under the radar kind of move that could pan out as the season progresses. You don’t lose much in Dodger money if Paxton becomes damaged goods instead of a work of art on the pitching rubber.

GIOLITO CHANGES HIS SOX

Former Chicago White Sox pitcher, Lucas Giolito finds himself a new home this off-season. The 29 year old is not joining his former teammate Reynaldo Lopez in Atlanta. Giolito and Lopez, their entire career until now, have been a package deal with 4 different teams over 8 seasons of their big league careers. Giolito will wear another color Sox, wearing Red instead of White. Giolito has a two year deal worth 38 million with the Boston Red Sox. The deal has options and incentives which could escalate to 58 million over three seasons.

Lucas Giolito wanted the big money from the White Sox. He entered his last year of his deal in 2023 and basically bombed. Giolito played for three different teams last season as he was traded at the deadline from the White Sox to the LA Angels. Then the Angels fell out of the playoff chase and Giolito was dumped on waivers claimed by the Guardians. His season numbers combined, he had an 8-15 record with 4.88 ERA in 33 starts. Giolito’s career started with the Nationals as he made his debut in DC which lasted one season. He was traded to the White Sox in a multiple player deal for outfielder Adam Eaton. Giolito in 2019 looked like the ace of the White Sox staff when he went 14-9 that year with a 3.41 ERA. Giolito had a pair of 11 game winning seasons after that and has thrown a no hitter during the pandemic. His career numbers he is one game under 500 mark with 61-62 record and 4.43 ERA.

What’s Boston getting with Giolito? Between 2016-21, Lucas Giolito had a winning record of 42-38 with 4.19 ERA. Then from 2022 until present times, his record is 19-24 with 4.89 ERA. Last year, he surrendered the second most home runs in the MLB. He is very durable and made all his starts, which was 33 of them. Giolito blames it on his mechanics for the down season last year. Since the league has been checking for sticky substances, his ERA seem to be rising. His better years, he seems to have a better spin on the ball. Before he found the spin, he was a guy that gave up a ton of home runs in his first few seasons in the league. Giolito may just be that 500 pitcher. He has shown flashes of brilliance in strike outs. New scenery. A place he chose to go. If the Red Sox can tinker and find his pitching flaws in his mechanics, he could be a serviceable guy for the middle of the rotation. Does the Green Monster scare you with him pitching all his home games in Bean Town? Could be serving up lots of baseballs in the stands. Chicks always dig the long balls, but the Boston Faithful may not like this funny.

NATIONALS FIND THEIR NEXT ADAM DUNN

Adam Dunn is ranked 3rd all-time in strike outs in the MLB with over 2,000. Dunn is a left-handed oaf who lived by the home run or died by the strikeout. The Nasty Nats are not a very good ball club as they are in rebuild. They have assembled some pieces. They play in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. For some reason, they want a free swinger in their line up with power. They struck a deal with one of the best at doing their Dunn impersonation by signing 30-year old left handed slugger Joey Gallo to a one year deal and believe it or not, he’s getting 5 million to whiff.

Joey Gallo has not done well since being traded away by the Texas Rangers seasons ago. Last year in Minnesota, he hit 21 home runs in 111 games. Is it worth it though? Striking out 142 times with a batting average of .177 as he drove in 40. Gallo has played in the MLB for now 9 seasons and parts of 7 seasons came in a Rangers uniform. He could not hack it as a Yankee as the fan base booed him out of town. He wore a Dodger uniform and survived the entire season wearing a Twins uniform last year. His career numbers with the lumber he is batting under .200 with a .197 average. He has 198 home runs and he should reach that milestone this upcoming season. He has 426 RBI’s in his career. He has struck out 1,190 times in his career. Last time Gallo’s average was in the 200’s, was back in 2019. Reggie Jackson, Mr. October, the Hall of Famer has the most strike outs of all-time.

Joey Gallo will not break Jackson’s record in strike outs because his opportunities are sparse as he is now playing for rebuilding teams. Jackson had a higher average & more hits. Gallo does not and has not done that in years. Tt’s home run or strike out and he’s close to an automatic out every time. Gallo is a decent defender who can hold down right field and first base. The Nationals could slide him into the DH role. They are a team in need of a left handed bat with power. I just think they have a better option still in free agency or down on the farm. What are younger players going to learn with him? How to swing and miss is all I can come up with. At this point, Gallo is not even a trade chip at the deadline. Why would you waste 5 million on this guy?

D-BACKS ADD A VETERAN RATTLER TO THE SNAKES NEST

The Arizona Diamondbacks have their work cut out for them this upcoming season defending their NL Championship. The snakes lost the World Series and to get back there, they have the Dodgers dream team in their way. Can a young team like the Diamondbacks overthrow the Dodger kingdom of the NL West? The Snakes were a wild card team that advanced all the way to the World Series and this go around, they want to be king cobra of the West. They add a familiar foe of the division for years in the NL West, as Joc Pederson will be swinging for the fences in the desert. Pederson, a 31 year old left handed slugger, gets a 1 year deal worth 9.5 million to bring additional power to the Diamondbacks line up. The deal includes a mutual option for 2025.

Joc Pederson, a long time Dodger, they were the team that drafted him and he played for seven seasons including winning a World Series with them. The last two seasons, Pederson wore the Giants uniform in San Francisco. Pederson has ten seasons in the MLB with stops on the North Side of Chicago with the Cubs and suited up for the Braves. He helped the Braves win a World Series in 2021. The Diamondbacks will be Pederson’s 5th team of his career for the 2x all-star. Last season in the bay, he hit .235 with 15 long balls driving in 51 runs. Pederson is a career .237 hitter who has tallied 186 home runs while driving in 485. He should hit the 200 milestone in home runs and 500 in RBI’s this season as well.

Joc Pederson will strike out close to 100 times a season. Pederson will give the meat of the Diamondbacks line up a source of power from the left side of the plate. The Diamondbacks are a scrappy bunch that can manufacture runs playing small ball. Pederson could be used as a platoon option in right field or inserted in the DH role, he could be used when facing right-handed pitching. Pederson could be an option late in a close game where you may need that guy to swing for the fences. The biggest thing about this signing is Pederson’s post-season experience. He has played in 79 post-season games. His batting average in post-season is higher than his regular season at .256. He has hit 12 playoff home runs and driven in 29. When players hit home runs in the MLB, to me it is when you hit them. Solo shots when the team is up by ten runs does not do it for me. Pederson has had some big splash home runs in the post-season. He’s helped two teams win the World Series and that’s what the Diamondbacks are counting on. The other part of this signing is he’s familiar with the NL West. It does not hurt when you get a guy that is facing two of his X-teams in the same division you play in.

THE WHITE SOX BIGGEST QUESTION OF THE OFF-SEASON

As a Chicago White Sox fan, I feel like I’m living the beginning parts of the Major League, the movie. The construction guys are wondering what that Indian team had on their roster. The groundskeepers calling this collection of misfits are shitty. The White Sox added another relief pitcher, but this time paid a little more than the thrift shop prices where General Manger Chris Getz has been shopping for most of his players this off-season. The White Sox sign 33 year old RHP John Brebbia to a one year deal worth 4 million. This bargain buster came from a legit five/dime store because it includes a mutual option for 2025 for 6 million or 1.5 million buy out. Now the problem is… Who the hell is John Brebbia?

John Brebbia is a relief pitcher who’s been in the league for six seasons. The last 3 seasons Brebbia pitched for the Giants as he pitched for the Cardinals his first 3 years in the league. Brebbia pitched in 40 games last year as he made ten starts for the Giants. Don’t get excited as he was just starting games because the Giants were doing bullpen games. He lasted at most an inning. He only had 38.1 innings of work last year which does not really say anything good about this signing. His record was 3-5 with 3.99 ERA. Brebbia missed the 2020 season during which he had Tommy John Surgery. He’s over his injury because in 2022 he went 6-2 with 3.18 ERA, made 11 starts, and tossed 68 innings of work. Lifetime Brebbia is 15-15 with 3.42 ERA in 295 games and has converted 2 saves. The White Sox need a closer!!!

The list of dead beats, broken down, has-beens or never will be list of bums Chris Getz has stocked next year’s pitching staff is never ending. Add John Brebbia with the other relief pitcher Tim Hill they found on the curb on garbage night, should help nail down close games in late innings with these two gems. Then the starters they acquired from Atlanta in the Aaron Bummer deal: Jared Schuster & Michael Soroka. The Braves were getting rid of old pairs of shoes & Getz, gets what he wanted as they fit the team’s plot for 2024. Junk!!

Let’s not forget last year’s MVP of the KBO, Erick Fedde. Then the great Chris Flexon who played for the Rockies last year. Junk and more junk. The White Sox fans are the big Dummies for paying to watch this shit show. Because this team, like the groundskeepers said in Major League, they’re shitty. Welcome to my world.

OFF SEASON TRADE

The Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants strike a blockbuster off-season trade involving three players and some cash. The Giants acquire 32 year LHP Robbie Ray who was the Cy-Young winner in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the last two seasons with Seattle. All three players in this deal had a very good season back in 2021. The Mariners will have a reunion with their former outfielder, Mitch Haniger, who signed with the Giants before the 2022 season and spent 5 seasons wearing a Mariners uniform. The Mariners will get a starter back in this deal, 33 year old RHP Anthony DeSclafani. The Mariners will also get cash from the Giants to complete the deal.

Since winning the Cy-Young in 2021, Robbie Ray landed the big contract and has not produced much. In 2022, Ray had a 12-12 record with 3.71 ERA. Last season, Ray only made one start for the season as he lost that game, only pitched 3.1 innings, and gave up a ton of runs. After that start, he would miss the entire season because of an injury. Ray would have Tommy John surgery and will be back this season after the all-star break. Ray still has 3 years on his deal worth 73 million. Ray can opt out of that deal after the 2024 season.

Robbie Ray has pitched ten seasons in the MLB starting his career in Detroit. The Giants will be Ray’s 5th team as he also suited up for the snakes in Arizona before heading to Toronto. Ray won the Cy-young award with a 13-7 record and a low 2.84 ERA as the American League may have had nothing else that year if those are the numbers to get a prestigious pitching award. Ray is a 2x All-Star. His career numbers are not very impressive as he has a 74-71 record making 222 starts with 3.96 ERA. In 2017, he went 15-5 that season with a 2.89 ERA. He had a few great seasons and the rest of his career was just average. No wonder Toronto did not want to pay him the big bucks. The Giants have Logan Webb as the ace of the staff. They could fit Ray in at number two with Ross Stripling, number 3. If Ray can find his old groove from ’21, the Giants will have a 1-2-3 punch with really nothing else stable at the back end of the rotation. They will have to wait for Ray to get healthy first.

The Mariners actually get a starting pitcher that had the same record as Robbie Ray, but pitched in the NL, in Anthony DeSclafani. DeSclafani went 13-7 in 2021 with a 3.17 ERA and did not win the Cy Young award. Last year, DeSclafani started 18 games & had a 4-8 record with 4.88 ERA. DeSclafani has nine seasons in the MLB and Seattle will his 4th team. He started his career with the Marlins & then pitched for the Reds before hitting the Bay Area. DeSclafani had made 169 career starts & has a losing record of 54-56 with 4.20 ERA. He only has one winning season in the MLB as a pitcher. The Mariners may use him in back of their rotation as a 4th or 5th starter. He could be used in the bullpen as a swing man starter just in case of an injury. Mitch Haniger is the headline for the Mariners in this deal.

Last season Haniger only played in 61 games for the Giants and he did not swing the bat great. The 33 year old outfielder batted .209 with six long balls and drove in 28. Haniger started his MLB career in a Diamondback uniform before making it to Seattle. He only played one season in Arizona whereas he has 5 seasons in Seattle in a 7 year career. In 2021, Hangiger must have made a deal with the devil as he had 39 long balls with 100 RBI’s while batting .253. He played in 157 games that year. He has been under 62 games the last two seasons while dealing with injuries. Haniger is a lifetime .256 hitter with 118 long balls & 351 RBI’s. Haniger will add power to Seattle’s line up. He could be a guy that is used in a platoon situation in right field. The Mariners know what they got in Haniger as well. This deal gets them out of a big contract as well as getting rid of Robbie Ray. The Mariners do have a slew of younger starters, but they could try to see if they can sign a free agent Blake Snell or go after another starter in another deal.

TURNER HEADS NORTH OF THE BOARDER TO SHOW THE BLUE JAYS HOW TO HIT THE BALL IN POST SEASON

Matt Chapman is still lingering in the free agent market and is who manned the hot corner for the Blue Jays last season. Toronto is still interested in bringing Chapman back even though they struck a deal with another third baseman, veteran Justin Turner. Turner, a third basemen most of his career played more games at first, for the Boston Red Sox last season. Turner also can slide in to the Blue Jays DH slot as the 39 year old with his red beard set a new career high in RBI’s in his lone season in Boston with 96. The Blue Jays get a guy that can hit the baseball in post-season as the last two seasons, Toronto bats have gone cold in October. The Blue Jays and Turner agree on a one year deal worth 13 million with incentives. If Turner hits the bonuses, he can to add another 1.5 million to the deal.

The Blue Jays will be Justin Turner’s 5th team of his career. Turner has 15 seasons in the MLB as most will remember him wearing the Dodgers uniform for 9 seasons. His career started in Baltimore and he has played for the Mets for 4 seasons. The red beard will need only the Yankees and the Rays to wear every uniform of the AL East. The Yankees would make him cut off that beard and with his age getting up there, it may not happen. Turner had a solid year last season in Bean Town as he batted .276 with 23 long balls, driving in 96 runs. Turner’s career numbers are solid as he has a .288 batting average racking up 1,461 hits as he is closing in on the 1,500 mark which he will get in a Blue Jays uniform. He has a career of 187 long balls, and he needs 13 more which he also should be able to do in a Blue Jays uniform. Turner has driven in 759 runs and is a good guy to have with runners in scoring position.

If the Blue Jays get Matt Chapman back, think about the addition of Justin Turner and all the other younger talented pieces this team has. This will be a line up that would be hard to tangle with. The playoff numbers and the experience is what makes this a beautiful signing in my book. Turner has played in three World Series. He has played in 5 NLCS from which he was MVP in that series in 2017. Turner has 86 playoff games under his belt and he’s batting .276 in the post-season with 19 doubles, 13 long balls, and has 42 RBI’s. This guy will be a weapon in the post-season that this team needs. Sometimes hitting is contagious. Sometimes it takes the big hit in a series to change the outcome. I like the fact that if the Blue Jays can get him in the line up, he can play 3 positions. He’s familiar with the pitching in the division after playing in Boston last season. This guy will be a fan favorite as he always has a nice following wherever he plays. The playoff beard is what these Blue Jays need, even if it’s not the team’s colors.

THE HADER ASTROS

The hated Houston Astros land the best closer on the free agent market. Just when you think you have fully went to the brink of hating a particular franchise in the Astros. They make a splashy move signing LHP Josh Hader. Now the hate for the Astros is beyond the brink. Hader gets a 5 year deal worth 95 million with a full no trade clause in the deal. The Astros have some of their core players hitting the free agent market after the upcoming season. Who knows if they will be able to keep Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, who will demand big money. Signing Hader give this team one last effort to win another World Series with the usual suspects in place.

Josh Hader is 29 years old and has pitched in seven seasons in the MLB. Originally he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles back in 2012. Hader debuted with the Brewers where he pitched parts of six seasons in Milwaukee. The Brewers traded him to San Diego despite being in first place at the trade deadline in the 2022 season. Hader and the Padres made it all the way to game 7 of the NLCS as they missed the World Series by 1 game. Last year, the Padres had a set back and could not make it to the post-season. Hader did his part as his record was 2-3 with a remarkable 1.28 ERA in 61 games while converting 33 saves. Hader struck out 85 batters in 56.1 innings pitched. His career numbers he has a 20-21 record with 2.50 ERA in 349 games while converting 165 saves with 648 strike outs. Hader is a 5x all-star. He was reliever of the year in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

The Astros needed another back end reliever when Kendall Graveman went down as he needs off-season shoulder surgery. Graveman expected to miss the entire 2024 season. The Astros lost a reliable arm in Hector Neris who signed with the Cubs this off-season. Will Hader be the closer for the Astros? The Astros already have Ryan Pressly in that role who has tallied 90 saves in the last three seasons for Houston. Since 2019, Hader leads the MLB in saves as he tallied 153 of them. His 437 strike outs since 2019 leads all relievers by over 50 K’s. Hader uses a sinker/slider combination as his wipe out pitch which is just filthy. The Astros may move Pressly to the Graveman role and use Hader as the first option as closer. I don’t think he signed in Houston to be the set up guy. Hader’s desire to win the World Series is why he signed with the Astros and I’m sure he has 95 million other reasons. This is a great move by Houston. Most of the baseball world will be Haders on this Astros team.

OFF SEASON TRADE

The Atlanta Braves have had a busy off-season as they are loading up their roster to win another World Series. The Boston Red Sox have been dormant most of this off-season. The two teams strike a deal involving two players and some cash. The Braves acquire LHP Chris Sale who helped Boston win the World Series back in 2018. The Braves also get 17 million dollars to help pay part of Sale’s contract. Sale waived his no-trade clause as a chance to win another World Series seemed better than where Boston will be lurking in the 2024 season. The Red Sox get one of the Braves’ top prospects in short stop Vaughn Grissom who is 23 years old and has 64 Major League games under his belt. This trade is definitely one of the blockbusters this off-season.

When Chris Sale came into the league as he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox back in 2010, he looked and acted like a stud of the rotation. His pitching delivery always came into question as his funky mechanics meant his throws look like they come on an angle. Somewhat of a side winder. He started coming out of the White Sox bullpen for some starts as he would be a great closer as he actually saved 12 games in his career. In 13 big league seasons, Sale pitched 7 seasons in Chicago and had a record of 74-50 with 3.00 ERA. The White Sox were not a playoff team. Sale went Edward Scissors Hands on all the throw back jerseys he did not like one night before the game. Chicago went in to re-build mode and were happy to ship him off to Boston.

Chris Sale’s 6 seasons in Boston he had a record of 46-30 with 3.27 ERA. Sale helped the Red Sox win the World Series as he is a 7X all-star over his career. Sale’s lifetime numbers he has a record of 120-80 with 3.10 ERA. Last season Sale made only 20 starts & had a record of 6-5 with 4.30 ERA. The funky mechanics injuries piled up and have derailed Chris Sale. He has slowly fallen off the pitching map since the 2019 season. Since 2019, his record has been under 500 as he has gone 17-18 in those years. He missed the 2020 season due to having Tommy John Surgery. Can the veteran find a shell of his former self? He joins a Braves starting rotation that is stacked. The rotation features Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Charlie Morton. The Braves signed Reynaldo Lopez, RHP former White Sox starter, who has worked the last few seasons out of the bullpen. Lopez could be the 5th guy or an option out of the Braves pen. The Braves think Sale is worthy because they gave him a extension and reworked his contract for another two seasons at 38 million. If Sale can stay healthy. If he has his old stuff. He could be a number 4 in the rotation and if he becomes back to Ace form, watch out NL and maybe this move can upend the Dodgers who’ve been busy building their dream team

The Red Sox find themselves in the basement of the AL East and there’s really no light at the end of Fenway Park’s tunnel. No sunny days in the forecast of playoff bound baseball in Boston. The team has some nice pieces on the roster. They are stuck in the middle is the problem with clowns to the right & jokers to the left of them. Sale’s contract ends after next season & they land a nice future bat in Vaughn Grissom. In parts of two seasons, Grisssom is batting .287 with 5 long balls and drove in 27. When Dansby Swanson left the Braves in free agency after the 2022 season, the short stop position was going to Grissom. Orlando Arcia won the job in Spring Training. The problem is Grissom is bad on defense. Most of the year, Grissom played in the Braves Triple A farm team to work on his defense. He batted .330 down on the farm. He was drafted by the Braves in the 11th round of the 2019 draft. He has become expendable because the Braves are looking for more World Series titles and he does not fit the plan. Grissom may be suited for second base more than short stop for the Red Sox. He’s 23 years old and this kid will be a great hitter. This upcoming season the Red Sox are not really going to be picked to get a wild card. No way on the division.This franchise can afford to take the lumps on Grissom’s defense and have him play every day and see what he can do swing the bat an entire season. Last resort there’s the DH slot if he can’t handle second base.

CHAPMAN’S TICKET TO THE POST-SEASON THIS YEAR IS A PIRATES SHIP

The Pittsburgh Pirates sure up their bullpen with one of the hardest throwers in the MLB. The Pirates sign 35 year old LHP Aroldis Chapman to a one year deal worth 10.5 million. Chapman has been one of the best closers in baseball as he coverted 321 saves in 14 seasons which is good for 21st all-time in the MLB. Last year, Chapman only had six saves as he split time with the Royals and the Rangers as he was used more in other innings to get outs late in the games. The Royals’ one year deal he took last off-season, was a ticket for Chapman winning another World Series ring with the Rangers being dealt at the trade deadline. Could the Pirates be a ticket to THE post-season for Chapman either getting there as a team or being dealt at this years trade deadline to be a contende?

Last season, Aroldis Chapman did better during the regular season wearing a Royals uniform over the Rangers. Chapman with the Royals had a 4-2 record with nice low 2.45 ERA. In a Rangers uniform, he went 2-3 with 3.72 ERA. All together his combined numbers had him with a 6-5 record with 3.09 ERA in 61 games as he logged 58.1 innings and struck out a 103. Chapman can still throw the heater Ricky if the team needs a strike out. Chapman did pitch in 9 post-season games last year for Texas. He allowed 2 runs racking up 8 innings of work. He did strike out six and walked 5. Chapman’s life time numbers he has a record of 50-40 with impressive 2.53 ERA in 728 games and striking over a thousand batter with 1,148 K’s. The Pirates will be Chapman’s 6th team as he played for the Reds and Yankees most of his career. He won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016 as he was traded to Chicago at the trade deadline from the Yankees.

Aroldis Chapman’s days are done being MIA for the Yankees at the end of his tenure in the Big Apple. I hope he does not beat up his wife or girl friend like he did back in his Cincinnati days. He can still close games, but he seems to be a guy used in the late innings when needed in any of the roles. Not being the closer, playing in smaller markets probably makes sense for Chapman. The Pirates already have an established guy who can close the door in the 9th inning in David Bednar. Bringing in Chapman gives the Pirates another guy from the other side of the pitching rubber to get outs and helps to sure up the end of the bullpen. The Pirates have to trade for Marco Gonzales, a veteran starter. The team added another veteran starter and Chapman’s teammate in Texas last season in Martin Perez. I like this move by the Pirates front office bringing in Chapman. The bullpen can shorten up the game for the starters if they can get outs. Chapman and Bednar can do that. With Perez and Gonzales, the starting rotation looks better going into this season than last season. If the Pirates ship sinks as we are accustomed to seeing, then Chapman could be a trade chip for a contending team.

THE CUBS ADD SOME STRIKE OUT PUNCH TO THE BULLPEN

The Chicago Cubs have not done much this off-season. The only splash so far the team has made is signing an import starting pitcher from Japan, in Shota Imanaga. The Cubs just beefed up the end of their bullpen with the best reliever still on the free agency market in Hector Neris, an RHP from the Dominican Republic. Neris is 34 years old, has played in the MLB for ten seasons, and is coming off his best year of his career with the Houston Astros. The Cubs sign Neris for a one year deal for 9 million. Both parties have an option beyond the 2024 season. If Neris reaches 60 games which he has done the last 6 out of 7 seasons, he gets another year at 9 million with a chance to earn more incentive bonuses along the way.

Hector Neris started his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched for 8 seasons. The last two seasons, Neris has pitched for the Astros and helped them win the World Series in 2022. Last year, Neris had a 6-3 record in 71 games with a 1.71 ERA & is pitching lights out. He logged in 68.1 innings of works striking out 77 batters while converting two saves. Neris’ lifetime numbers have a 33-36 record in 546 games with 3.24 ERA as he converted 89 saves with 676 strike outs.

This is a great move by the Cubs. Hector Neris could close some games for you. Neris will definitely be an option in the late innings pitching either the 7th, 8th or 9th. He could be used as the team’s set up guy. Hector is a guy that can come in and get the strike out you need to get out of the inning. His strike out rate is incredible as he averages 11.2 punch outs per 9 innings pitched. The Cubs were in the thick of things last year in the Wild Card race. A guy like Neris gives your team a chance to hold a late inning lead and shortens the game for the starting rotation if the bullpen can get outs. Hector seems durable with all the games he has pitched in during the last 7 seasons and no signs of slowing down. Plus, he will be pitching for the players option in 2025 so you can expect he puts up another solid season. Neris is a two pitch pitcher as he relies on the fast ball and the wipe out pitch is his splitter. The Cubs will still need to add another bat if they can’t resign Cody Bellinger, who is still out on the market. It looks like the Northsiders have improved their pitching with two key free agent signings.

BREW CREW ADD A POTENT BEER TO THE LINE UP

The Brewers add some power to their line up through free agency after mostly staying intact this off-season. The Philadelphia Phillies are moving on from their old first baseman, Rhys Hoskins, who they drafted back in 2014 in the 5th round. Hoskins missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his ACL in his left knee during Spring Training. The 30 year old had a monster year in 2022, helping the Phillies get all the way to the World Series. The Phillies decided they will move Bryce Harper to first base and spend their money elsewhere. With Hoskins still on the free agent list, the Brewers decided to pull the trigger on the power hitting slugger and gave him a two year deal worth 34 million to play in beer town. Hoskins has a player opt out clause he could use after the 2024 season if he decides to re-enter the free agent market to get the bigger contract.

Rhys Hoskins has played six seasons in the MLB, all with Philadelphia, at first base. Hoskins’ life time numbers through 667 games he played in the MLB, he has racked up 588 hits with 689 strike outs. He’s a career .242 hitter with 148 long balls and has 405 RBI’s. His last season in Philadelphia in 2022 he batted .246 with 30 home runs while driving in 79. He still struck out 169 times. Hoskins hits from the right side and in 2018, mashed 34 home runs which was his career high. The Brewers can slide him into first base as they lost their options in free agency. Hoskins can also man the DH slot as well.

The Brewers won the NL Central last year and have been to the playoffs 5 times in the last 6 seasons. The Brewers lost their manager to their rival, the Chicago Cubs, Craig Counsell. The Brewers have some pitching that can keep this team competitive. Their line up has some veteran bats like Chistian Yelich, William Contreras, and Willy Adams. The Brewers will be relying on younger guys like Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, and Jackson Chourio to step up their game. Adding a guy like Rys Hoskins in the meat of your line up will add power, RBI production, and takes pressure off other veteran guys who think they have to be the hero every night. Most importantly, the younger guys can do their thing and grow with the additional pressure to swing for the fences. Hoskins is a guy that swings for the fences as he lives mostly by the home run and dies by the strike out. Hoskins can get you doubles and is a guy that has a higher average than most of those sluggers who are all about the home run or nothing else. Hoskins, coming off an injury, will be a guy looking to rebound and have that chip on his shoulder as his old team is letting him walk out the door. A big year by Hoskins can get him a sweeter deal next season if he takes the road to opt out. The Brewers playing in the NL Central with their pitching, can be an easier road for Hoskins to get back to post-season as well. This is a nice move by Milwaukee. Brewers fans would like to add more pieces. They are a small market team for whom this is a bigger move than most of their deals they have done in the calendar year.

STROMAN’S CHILDHOOD DREAM SIGNING WITH THE EMPIRE COMES TRUE

The baseball world knows the New York Yankees, AKA the Evil Empire Death Star, is not fully in operation mode. The pin stripes have holes on their roster they need to fill. Some of those glaring holes are in the starting rotation. The Yankees have been kicking the tires on many big name free agent pitchers like Blake Snell. The front office has come up with a trade package for White Sox Dylan Cease, but Chicago wants more. Then 9 year veteran Marcus Stroman offered his services as he became available as he opted out of his final year of his contract with the Cubs. Stroman is no stranger to New York and the AL East. Stroman is from Long Island and has played for the Mets. He started his career in Toronto for the Blue Jays, who are in the same division as the Yankees. Stroman had more social media posts to the Yankees on signing him. At first it is like the Empire did not want one of their own. As the season is getting closer while the free agent market is drying up, they pulled the trigger on Stroman just to get someone. Stroman will be inserted in the Empire’s rotation as the 32 year old RHP gets a 2 year deal worth 37 million.

Last season, Marcus Stroman played for the Chicago Cubs and was selected as an all-star for the second time in his career. He opted not to play in the game so he could rest up. He had a good year, but injuries sidelined him during the second half of the season. For the Cubs, he finished the season with a 10-9 record with 3.95 ERA pitching in 27 games which 25 of them were starts. His best season was in a Blue Jays uniform in 2017 when he went 13-9 with 3.09 ERA. He played parts of six seasons with the Jays until he was traded to the Mets. He was mad about being traded to the Mets as he wanted to go pitch for the Yankees. He pitched parts of two seasons for the Mets until he signed with the Cubs. Stroman opted out not to play in 2020 due to the pandemic. His career numbers he has a record of 77-76 with 3.65 ERA as he started 223 games.

The Yankees ace of the staff we all know, is Gerrit Cole. They also have Clarke Schmidt who made all his starts last season as he finished with a 9-9 record. The other two slated in the Empire’s rotation are last year’s big fish in the free agent market, Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes. Cortes and Rodon missed time due to injuries. You can see why the Yankees need some arms in that rotation. Stroman, playing for his home town, is a guy who is not scared to voice his own opinion. It can be good, bad, or just ugly. It depends on how well he pitches and you know he will give it his all including the kitchen sink. The money may be a tad too high for his services, but this is a guy that can be the 3rd or 4th guy in the rotation and stabilize it every 5th day. His injuries with the Cubs were not serious arm problems. He did look like one of the best pitchers in the NL before injuries derailed his season. Should fans and other players worry about his mouth causing problems in the club house? He seems to direct his opinions about management, ownership, and politics rather than chiming in on his teammates. I like that he is familiar with all the teams in the AL East and the ball parks with their fan bases. The players and managers have changed, mostly since he last pitched for the Jays. The uniforms stay the same. Not giving the Yankees any other ideas just because of the injury history of some of these guys, I may seek another arm for the rotation to give them some depth. We all hope the pinstripes’ Death Star falls on hard times, maybe even blown out of the sky, which is not a bad thing.

GROUND HOG’S DAY IN PITTSBURGH AS MCCUTCHEN EXPECTED IN SIX WEEKS

The Pittsburgh Pirates are living the same day as last off-season. The Pirates will have another reunion with a fan favorite, Andre McCutchen, who will return to the Pirates for the second straight season. The terms of the contract are the same as the 37 outfielder/DH will get a one year deal worth 5 million. This will be McCutchen’s third stint with the Pirates as he was drafted by the organization and has played in Pittsburgh 10 seasons, so this will be his 11th wearing the black and gold. McCutchen was traded to San Francisco in 2018 as he had stops in New York for the Yankees, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee to round off a 15 season career so far in the MLB.

Last year Andrew McCutchen played well in his first return to Pittsburgh as he played most of the season in the DH slot. McCucthen had 100 hits for the season as he reached and went over the 2,000 mark for his career. It was special for him to accomplish that in a Pirates uniform. Last year, he was productive swinging the bat batting .256 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI’s and swiped 11 bags. McCutchen’s career numbers are respectable as his life time average is .276 with 299 long balls and has driven 1,045 runs. Next season, one more home run off McCutchen’s bat means he can reach the 300 milestone in that category wearing a Pirates uniform.

The Pirates rebuild has gone slowly but the team is showing signs of a breakthrough season. Last year, the first month and half the Pirates got off to a great start. The team eventually fizzled, but fans started to see pieces all over the diamond that give this Pirates team hope. McCutchen is not the MVP caliber player like he was in 2013 when he had a monster year to win that award. McCutchen, who is a 5X all-star gave this team last year some juice in their line up as he was a difficult out to get. The veteran leadership he provides and on and off the field is what you like to see .The face of the old and last of those playoff teams help this team find the post-season. McCutchen’s season came to an end in September as he was legging out a double and had a partial tore in his achilles that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He did play in 112 games last season. He should be ready to go by spring training as well. I liked to see the Pirates front office make a few more moves before Spring Training. This reunion is a good idea for both parties because McCucthen is a guy you want those young players to see. They need to see how he prepares himself everyday to play the game we all love.

ARIZONA LOCKS UP THEIR COBRA VIPER

Last off-season, the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondback trade involves outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr heading to the desert and Daulton Varsho heading to Canada. Lourdes, a native out of Cuba, was probably thinking he was headed to a young team rebuilding while Varsho’s thought process was this Blue Jay team made the post-season. The Blue Jays did make the playoffs which resulted in another early exit. The Diamondbacks made it all they way to the World Series but lost. Part of that magic Diamondback run was the purple hair of Lourdes Gurriel Jr and his bat. The Diamondbacks are not letting him get away and re-signed their outfielder slugger to a 3 year 42 million dollar deal with a club option for a 4th year. Lourdes also can opt out of the deal after two seasons. We know the Snakes have him for two definite seasons to hopefully get the job done.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is 30 years old in his prime and can mash the ball from the right side. Last season, Lourdes made his first ever all-star game wearing a Diamondbacks jersey. Lourdes has six seasons in the MLB and all before the trade last off-season, his only team he had known in his big league career was the Blue Jays where he played his first 5 seasons. Last year, Lourdes batted .261 with 24 long balls while driving 82 runs. He struck out 100 times in over 500 bats last season but racked up 35 doubles. Lourdes has power but speed which the Snakes love to use to steal bases. Lourdes only had 5 stolen bags but legged out two triples. Lifetime numbers, he’s a .279 hitter with 92 long balls while driving in 336 runs.

This is a great move by the Diamondbacks bringing back a veteran who has impacted the locker room and the field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. gives the Snakes a source of power in the line up they need. Most of all he’s an RBI producer in the meat of the order for the Diamondbacks. He’s got a solid arm in the outfielder to get some needed outs throwing guys out trying to take that extra bag. The Diamondbacks like his work ethic which a younger team need veterans to do. Lourdes is a great guy in the club house as well. His reasons for coming back were all the relationships he had built. Then the unfinished business this team has, as the next go around they want to win the World Series not just be there. His purple hair brings back memories of Dennis Rodman playing on the hardwood back in his NBA days. I’m sure fans love the hair and feed off that passion and energy he brings to the field every game.

CUBS ADD A FANCY IMPORT TO THEIR STARTING STAFF

The Cubs have been quiet so far this off-season. Too quiet. The calm before the storm. The Cubs find their storm overseas and found themselves a shiny used LHP import for the rotation. This season, the entire league seems to be exploring overseas free agents. The Cubs land Shot Imanago out of the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball League) out of Japan. The 30 year old Imanago has 8 seasons in the NPB and will get a big contract to come to the states and pitch for the Cubs. The deal is 4 years worth 53 million. After year 2 and year 3, the Cubs have an option to extend this contract another 5 seasons for 80 million. If Cubs decline, Imanago could play on the original deal or opt out of the first deal and become a free agent. The Cubs are also on the hook paying Imanago’s former team, Yokohawa Baystars, posting fees.

The Cubs could use a left handed starter for the rotation. The Cubs have Justin Steele and Kyle Hendricks who are the top two pitchers of the staff last season. The Cubs also have Jameson Taillon who could slide into the 4th spot of the rotation. I’m sure the Cubs plan is to have Shota Imanago right in between Steele and Hendricks. This is the second player the Cubs have signed over the last few seasons from Japan. The Cubs have Seiya Suzuki playing in the outfield. Coming to the Cubs besides the money with multiple teams involved Suzki could have played a factor.

What are the Cubs getting for their money? Shota Imanago had an impressive 2.96 ERA throughout his 8 seasons pitching in the NBP. Imanago’s life time record is 74-55 in the NPB. The knock on Imanago is he gives up lots of long balls. When the winds come out at Wrigley Field, many of Imanago’s pitches may end up on Waveland Avenue. The NPB is not known for their power like the sluggers that play in the MLB. In the World Baseball Classic, Imanago beat the United States and faced many power hitters while winning that game. Imanago will wear number 18 because of Ben Zobrist and how he made an impact in the 2016 World Series for the Cubs. Obviously, Imanago has done his homework on luck and curses which is the Cubs’ rich history in the baseball world of achievements. I wonder does he know it took the Cubs over a 100 years to win that World Series in 2016. I don’t think Imanaga will live another 100 years & yet pitch at that age. He may go back to his number 21 if he struggles with the Cubs. The Cubs overall were in the thick of things last year for a wild card spot but fell short. They have not yet signed one of their own, Cody Bellinger, who was a big reason why the team was in the thick of things. Imanaga comes expensive. We won’t know what his impact will be, especially if this team stays with what they have now on the roster.

RICHES TO RAGS

It was only a season ago when the Mets were giving future Hall of Fame pitchers like Justin Verlander, 40 million per season. The Mets already had a 40 million a year pitcher on the payroll before signing Verlander, in Max Scherzer. Both Verlander and Scherzer were dealt at the trade deadline. The Mets are trying to fill out their starting rotation this off-season and not forking out the big contracts for free agents. They signed Luis Sevino, former Yankee RHP, for a 1 year deal. Now they added an LHP in 31 year old Sean Manaea to a two year deal worth 28 million. The deal has an opt out after the 2024 season. Both veteran pitches are rags compared to the big guns that needed to be paid the big riches.

Sean Manaea last year struggled most of the season in his lone season in San Francisco. Manaea was drafted by the Royals back in 2013 in the first round number 34 overall of the MLB draft. Manaea has 8 seasons in the MLB as he debuted with the Athletics and spent six seasons in Oakland. After the Athletics, he stayed on the West coast with San Diego where he played one season. Last year with the Giants, he pitched in 37 games and made only ten starts. Manaea, a starter most of his career, pitched 27 games out of the bullpen last year. He finished the season strong and had an overall record of 7-6 with 4.44 ERA. He converted his first all-time save last season. Manaea’s life time numbers he’s nine games over the 500 mark with a record of 65-56 with 4.10 ERA as he made 166 starts.

The Mets rotation front line starter is Kodai Senga and they have another LHP in their top three spots in veteran Jose Quintana. They added Luis Severino and Sean Manaea so far this off-season which gives them a decent starting staff of veteran arms. Manaea had a pair of 12 win seasons back in 2017-18. In 2021, he won 11 games in his last year in Oakland. If Manaea can stay healthy, he should be able to crack the double digits in wins next season for the Mets. The rotation is well balanced with a pair of lefties lurking to go in a three game series. The Mets are in very tough division with the Phillies and the Braves. Last year the Rangers filled their roster out with middle of the road veteran arms and it worked for them. They had in place an opt out year in the middle of this deal just in case this move does not pan out after the season. If the Mets find themselves not in the thick of things of a wild card spot, they could trade Manaea at the deadline. Obviously he would be pitching well to be dealt. Drafted by the Royals, born in the Midwest, and pitch all your MLB career on the west coast. Now Manaea will find out what the east coast is all about.

DODGERS BUILDING THE DREAM TEAM

Do you remember the 1992 NBA dream team that represented the U.S. in basketball during the Olympics?

The LA Dodgers are building that style of dream team and spending big money at Menards, doing so. The Dodgers spent 700 million on the two way phenom that is Shohei Ohtani. Then they splurged on the best Japanese imported pitcher, signing Yamamoto to a huge deal. The Dodgers acquired another veteran starting pitcher from the Rays in Tyler Glasnow. Remember the Dodgers were a playoff team last year. They won the World Series back in 2020. The team has not missed the playoffs in several years. They added another slugger to their outfield mix in 8 year veteran Teoscar Hernadez. Hernandez is jumping on this gravy train for a ring as he’s taking a one year deal worth 23.5 million to be a part of this MLB dream team.

Teoscar Hernandez is 31 years old, hits from the right side, and last year played for the Mariners. Everyone knows Teoscar from the Blue Jays with whom he played six seasons before going to Seattle. He actually started his career off in Houston before being dealt to Toronto. Hernandez, a native out of the Dominican Republic, batted .258 last year with 26 bombs while driving in 93. Hernandez has hit at least 20 or more home runs in 5 out of the 8 seasons he has played in the MLB. In 2021, he hit his career best of 32 balls he launched into the seats. Teoscar has a career batting average of .261 with 159 long balls while driving in 473 runs.

Where are the Dodgers getting all this money from and how come my teams I root for, cry poor? Obviously this year it’s win the World Series or die trying. The Dodgers line up is fully loaded if you are an opposing pitcher. The line up features Mookie Betts, now Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith. Adding another source of power to line up with Teoscar Hernandez means the Dodgers will be SICK!! Hernandez did strike out over 200 times last year. It should be a concern because it is a career high for him. Hernandez is not your typical live by the home run and die by the strike out guy as his average was at .258, not in the low 200’s or below. Any team can live with that. He drove in 93 runs so he’s not hitting just solo home runs. Last year in Seattle, which is a pitcher’s park, he still hit for power & definitely more home runs on the road than at home. At Dodger Stadium, Teoscar should be able to generate a high number of home runs this upcoming season. I’m sure many teams wanted to sign Teoscar, but at 23 million, he may be just a tad over too much. Let’s face the facts, Hernandez is a hired bat to do his job for one season and most likely part ways after the champagne toast in the locker room in October.

SALE AT PENNEY’S, WHITE SOX ARE THERE

Do people still buy the newspaper to look at the classified ads? We know the White Sox front office is all about a sale at JC Penney. That’s about what White Sox general manager is paying these days for pitching in baseball money pennies. The latest bargain deal, price buster, garage sale gem, or the art of haggling the price down at the flea market meant the White Sox found another piece for their starting rotation. Former Colorado Rockies ace Chris Flexen RHP is coming to the south side of Chicago. Flexen, like all the other washed up arms pretty much this off-season, gets the whopping 1.75 million dollar deal for 1 season. The hopes that Chris Getz finds that diamond in the ruff with a bounce back year. You know the owner of the White Sox is filling out the rebate card on Flexen as you read this.

So who the hell is Chris Flexen? He is a 29 year old who has mostly been a starter his entire six year career in the big leagues. Last year he split time in Seattle and Colorado as he had a 2-8 record in 16 starts as he pitched in 29 games. His 6.86 ERA he may blame the Colorado air for that inflation. With Seattle he had a record of 0-4 with 7.71 ERA before finding his way to Colorado. Flexon started his career with the Mets for parts of 3 seasons & then moved on to Seattle where he pitched there parts of 3 seasons. Flexen has had only one winning season as a pitcher which was in 2021 when he was 14-6 with a 3.61 ERA. Lifetime, Flexen has a losing record of 27-34 with 4.95 ERA in 120 games of which 80 were starts. He also has two saves & maybe that’s the back up plan to be the team’s closer.

This move does not excite me. This move does not want me to buy any tickets to see this team who is part of an organization that stoops this low. The White Sox rotation seems like a public try out more than anyone in the front office thinking of winning the division. The team ace is still Dylan Cease. He will most likely be dealt. That leaves only Michael Kopech from last year. He is a sneeze a way from a visit to the injured list. The rumors of another injury prone arm, LHP Garrett Crochet, cracking the starting rotation which is crazy. What kind of pitch count will he be every few weeks when he makes a start? In the Aaron Bummer deal, we got broken down Mike Soroka who the team is hoping will bounce back from an injury. The White Sox also got a LHP Jared Shuster who has only one season under his belt. Then they signed Eric Fedde, the MVP of the KBO. Why did he go to South Korea in the first place? Because Fedde was dreadful with the Nationals. Other options are Nick Nastrini and Jessee Scholtens. Scholtens was mostly a guy out of the bullpen for the White Sox last year. Then Touki. Touki Toussaint I’m rooting for for the cool name. He started some games after the deadline because they traded away most of their rotation. This is a heap of garbage the White Sox are trying to sell to their fan base that they have something in the works here. Chris Flexen may be that one year wonder back in 2021, which is not very long ago. In baseball that seems like a life time ago. In sales, the more people you talk to, the better chance of sales. The White Sox stocking up on bargain bin arms means perhaps 5 of them could pan out because that is all a team needs.

PADRES NOT BUYING AMERICAN

The San Diego Padres signed their second foreign model of the off-season. The Padres have added only imports to their roster this off-season. Both moves were to address the team’s bullpen. Several weeks ago the Padres signed one of the top closers in the Japanese baseball league. Their second pick up is one of the top closers of the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization.) The Padres have a two year deal bringing RHP Woo Suk Go to America. Go, has pitched for the LG Twins of the KBO for the last seven seasons and the 25 year old gets a two year deal worth 4.5 million. The LG Twins get 20% of the guaranteed money of the contract for posting fees.

Last year Woo Suk Go had a 3-8 record with a 3.68 ERA and converted only 15 saves. If Go came to America after his 2022 season, maybe the pay day would have been different. In 2022, Go led the KBO in saves converting 42 of them and was un-hittable posting a 1.48 ERA that season. Go’s lifetime numbers from his homeland, he has converted 139 total saves. His record stands at 19-26 with a 3.18 ERA. The Padres play the Giants,which they do quite a lot being both in the NL West. Go and the South Korean outfielder the Giants signed this off-season, Jung Hoo Lee, are brothers-in-law. Go married Lee’s sister so a family reunion could take place either in San Diego or San Francisco.

The Padres have some foreign blood on their roster before they signed these two snazzy imports. Yu Darvish, who hails from Japan, is the ace of the Padres rotation. Then Ha-Seong Kim from South Korea is the starting short stop. The Padres have two guys from Asia who could close the door for them this upcoming season. The Padres also have Robert Suarez as another late inning option. The Padres paid Yuki Matsui the big money. My gut feeling is telling me he will close out ball games for the team next season. Woo Suk Go could be a set up guy or could be used as a closer if needed. Go is not being paid the Yuki money and it is only a two year deal if the experiment fails. The first Go around for Woo Suk, the league will be baffled. Let’s wait and see how Go does when the league makes the adjustments.

THE ROCKIES MOUNTAIN IS HIGH ON VINTAGE PIRATES CATCHERS

The Colorado Rockies… are they still in the MLB? In 2023, the Rockies’ lone All-Star representative was their catcher, former Pittsburgh Pirate Elias Diaz. The Rockies are on the market for another catcher to back up Diaz next season. The Rockies pull the trigger on 34 year old back stop Jacob Stallings, who played the last two seasons in Miami. Stallings and Diaz were former teammates back in their Pittsburgh days. Stallings gets a one year deal worth 1.5 million. The Rockies get the old Pirates back stop tandem back together and now have the market cornered on X Pirate catchers.

Jacob Stallings has played in the MLB for 8 seasons, six of them in Pittsburgh. He was traded to Miami and the Pirates got the better end of that deal. Last year, Stallings not a very productive offensive threat. He hit .191 with 3 home runs and drove in 20 in 88 games for the Marlins. Stallings has 451 games on his knees as he has a career batting average of .235 with 24 home runs and has driven in 148. Stallings is a defensive guy who set the Major League modern day record for most consecutive games in a row without giving up a pass ball. Stallings worked well with the Marlins ace of their staff in the 2022 season. He caught every pitch by Sandy Alcantara, who was won the Cy Young that year.

Jacob Stallings with the Marlins had his offensive stats decline, if that’s possible. His defense lost a little of it’s luster from his Pirates days. Stallings was traded to Miami, so he now has new scenery with his new team, the Rockies. Stallings, looking to bounce back this season, took a pay cut to sign with the Rockies. The Rockies are not going anywhere next season and play in a difficult division with loaded teams in the NL West. This is a bargain bin move and it’s a move that gives Colorado depth at the catching position. Stallings is not the best back-up option in the league but not the worst either. He can probably work well with the younger arms of the Rockies calling a fair game. Give Diaz some rest or some time in the DH slot. Maybe the thought process for Stallings seeing Diaz become an all-star in Colorado is clear. He was not one in Pittsburgh, that’s for sure. Maybe he can find that same path.

MONTAS LEAVES DEATH STAR TO PAINT THE TOWN REDS

Frankie Montas’ time on the Death Star, while wearing the pinstripes, has come to an end. Two years pitching for the Evil Empire Yankees has been a nightmare for Montas. In two seasons, he made only 8 starts. Last year coming out of the bullpen, he pitched in one game and logged in only 1.1 inning. Montas in 2021 was 13-9 as he made 32 starts & had a 3.37 ERA. This was by far his best season in the majors. In 2022, his ERA was pretty good in 19 starts with a 3.18. He was pitching for a bad team in Oakland so the record was not good. The Yankees acquired him in a trade and for them he went 1-3 with 6.35 ERA in 8 starts down the stretch. Montas was injured in 2023. Montas as a free agent was not interested in returning to the Death Star, so he signed a one year deal with the Cincinnati Reds. The 30 year old RHP will get 14 million this upcoming season and a mutual option for the 2025 season which could be worth 20 million.

The Reds have been active signing some free agents as they have a young team who were in the thick of things all the way to the last weekend of regular season. They were trying to land one of the wild card spots. They knew they needed some pitching this off-season. The Reds upgraded their bullpen with a pair of veteran relievers in Emilio Pagan and Nick Martinez. They added another bat, signing infeilder Jeimer Candelario. The Reds’ starting rotation features Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo. None of these guys have had more than 2 seasons in the big leagues. Adding Montas gives them a veteran presence and he comes in healthy. The Reds think he will be able to bounce back after missing basically all of the 2023 season.

Frankie Montas has pitched in 8 seasons in the MLB. Montas started his career with the White Sox. He was traded in a deal with more than one team and the White Sox landed a young outfielder at the time. Avisail Garcia, from the Tigers, came in hyped up. More injuries than home runs for Garcia. Montas should have been the arm to keep as Oakland landed his services where he pitched parts of six seasons. Montas has a 37-35 career record with 3.90 ERA in 130 games, of which 99 of those games were starts. Montas needs a less stressful place to pitch, and Cincinnati is a good place for that. Plus, new scenery should benefit the 8 year veteran as now he picked the place he thinks he could do well at. Montas should be motivated to do well and cash in after this year with a nice pay day in 2025 with that option. Which will benefit the Reds. You can paint the town red a few times with 20 million.

PLESAC LOOKS TO EARN HIS WINGS WITH THE ANGELS

Zach Plesac looked like another Cleveland pitcher groomed on the farm that has a bright future in the MLB. Zach is the nephew of Dan Plesac, who played 18 seasons in the MLB with multiple teams. Dan’s present day gives us great insight on the MLB network.

Last year Zach had 5 starts with the Guardians & then was demoted to the minor leagues. Zach did the return to the Guardians’ big league club and became a free agent. The Angels, looking to add some depth to their starting rotation, add Zach on a one year deal worth 1 million dollars.

Zach Plesac is RHP as his uncle Dan was LHP. Zach is 28 years old and has 5 seasons in the MLB, all with Cleveland. Last year, Plesac in those 5 starts, had a 1-1 record with a 7.59 ERA. Plesac, in triple A for the Guardians, did not really do any better as he had a 6.08 ERA in 19 games. Zach thrived during the pandemic as he was 4-2 that season with a 2.28 ERA in 8 starts. In 2021, he made 25 starts & had a record of 10-6, but the ERA floated up to 4.67. In 2022, the wheels on the bus started to come off as he had a 3-12 record & 4.31 ERA in 24 starts. Life time numbers, Zach has a 26-26 record with a 4.20 ERA as he made 83 starts.

Zach Plesac will be looking to earn his wings as the Angels have some starters penciled in for the rotation. The Angels have three lefties: Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, and Tyler Anderson. The other two are RHPs: Griffin Canning and Chase Silseth. Signing Plesac for one million is like finding a quarter in the couch in the baseball world. This move is low risk and maybe a higher ceiling kind of move. If Plesac could bounce back, he could be a guy slated in the 4th or 5th spot in the rotation and making one of those other guys a bullpen piece for the Angels. Plesac has had injuries, but now is healthy. He’s a prime candidate with his age and coming from a baseball family to bounce back. The Angels most likely are not going anywhere in the stacked AL West. Plesac could be a trade chip at the deadline. Plesac, if he finds his old groove, might get a contract extension for the long haul, being only 28 years old. Angels have been searching for pitching for several years now. Maybe they found an arm under the rock with this Plesac signing.

HITLESS CATCHERS IN CHICAGO

The White Sox off-season has been a collection of bargain bin players. A slew of minor league deals . All the Misfit Toys from Moon Racer’s island are coming to Chicago. The team is hoping for bounce back years. Getting guys with chips on their shoulders. Giving guys coming off injuries a chance to play again as we have stooped to the Oakland Athletics’ level of doing things. The White Sox continue to collect catchers which is maybe an idea the Chicago Bears should do at the quarterback position. The White Sox at the deadline made deals that involved two catchers. This off-season they traded for a veteran catcher. Now the team has signed a 13 year veteran back stop giving Martin Maldonado, former Astro, a one year deal worth 4.25 million with an option for 2025. All the catchers the White Sox have assembled have the same thing in common – a gigantic hole in their bat to be that automatic out in the line up almost every at bat. Sounds promising.

Martin Maldonado has caught over 1,000 games and is one of the best defensive catchers in the MLB. If your team wants to stop the opposing team’s running game, Maldonado is the man. Maldonado works well with pitchers. He calls a great game and can help younger arms which the White Sox are collecting like stamps. Maldonado can dig balls out of the dirt. Maldonado can frame the plate with the best of them to get his guy the strike he may need to get out of the inning. Last year with the lumber, it’s a different tale. Maldonado has some power as he hit 15 home runs last year. Only drove in 36 so those long balls are solo shots. Maldonado batted .191 and struck out 139 times. It’s the third season in a row he has batted south of 200. Maldonado’s life time batting average is .207 as he has 685 hits and may need to play another ten seasons to get to 1,000. He has 111 long balls and 361 RBI’s.

The White Sox will be Martin Maldonado’s 6th team of his career as he started his playing career in Milwaukee. Houston and Milwaukee Maldonado called mostly home in his career. Other teams are the Angels, cross-town with the Cubs, and of course these days the Royals connection which is so fun. Maldonado will be reunited with his former teammate and back stop Korey Lee who the White Sox got at the deadline last year from the Astros. The White Sox landed another veteran back stop, Max Stassi, in a trade with the Braves a few weeks back. Stassi and Maldonado may be the next tandem of catchers in hopes they groom Lee. The White Sox had one of the worst catching tandems in the league last year with Yasmani Grandal and Seby Zavales. Maldonado and Stassi improve the team’s defense at the back stop position definitely. Maldonado as the Astros starting catcher meant that each year the pitching staff ERA improved with him behind the plate. I like this signing having a guy that has the defense like Maldonado. It is very clear with the laziness we had behind the plate last year with those two morons that stabbed at the breaking pitches in the dirt instead getting down to block them. Maldonado will help the younger arms. It will be an automatic out most of the time when he hits or he’ll be a rally killer. You have to sacrifice in something. I would like to see the team add some offense in another position since we will be sacrificing a spot in the line up every at-bat. Maybe he can groom the young catchers who hope they can bring the bat to the ball park besides the mitt only. Overall can’t get really get excited because these moves are not going to help this team win that crap of a division they play in.

PEREZ WILL REDEFINE HIS BASEBALL CAREER IN PITTSBURGH

Martin Perez’s entire 12 year career has been in Texas with the Rangers. The 32 year old LHP out of Venezuela was a part of last year’s World Series winning team. Perez, a one time All-Star, found himself moved to the bullpen last year after the team acquired veteran starters like Maz Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery. Perez would help the Rangers out of the bullpen making 15 appearances as a reliever after winning ten games as a starter for the 2023 season. Perez’s only organization he knows is Texas, which is moving on with the log jam of starting pitching the team has to defend their championship this upcoming season. Perez is moving on to Pittsburgh as he gets a one year deal to prove himself, but a chance to redefine himself as a starter in the MLB.

Last season, Martin Perez had a record of 10-4 with a higher ERA than most pitchers wouldn’t want, a 4.45. It was a down year for Perez, who in 2022 had a 12-8 record with low 2.89 ERA . This was one of his best seasons of his career. His career numbers have him with a record of 85-81, just 4 games over the 500 mark. Only 15 wins away from the 100 mark which would be nice achievement in a Pirates uniform. Perez has pitched in 288 games of which 243 of them were starts as he has 4.44 ERA. He has pitched over 1,000 innings and has struck out over a thousand batters.

The Pirates are desperate for starting pitching. The Pirates’ ace of their staff Mitch Keller, a first time all-star last year, seems to be the last man standing right now from the 2023 season. The Pirates will lose their number two guy, Johan Oviedo, to Tommy John Surgery & is expected to miss the entire 2024 season. The Pirates traded veteran hurler Rich Hill to the Padres at the deadline. The rest of the guys are question marks for the rotation for now. The Pirates did land a veteran LHP, Marco Gonzalez, from the Braves who Atlanta got in a deal with Seattle earlier this off-season. Now adding Martin Perez, the team has a pair of lefties and Keller filling in their first 3 spots of the rotation. Perhaps we could see the first overall pick from last season in the entire MLB draft Paul Skenes who makes his debut for the Pirates. I hope Keller can be that guy and repeat his performance from last year. Perez is definitely a bargain. Perez is a veteran out to prove himself, so with a one year deal he could give you everything including the kitchen sink. If Pirates can’t get over the hump, he could be a trade chip at the deadline if he does well. Pirates have had luck over the last few years cruising down the allies at night finding a veteran LHP abandoned by other clubs. I would like to see the Pirates add another veteran arm before the season starts to their rotation. Then at least you have 4 guys that know what they are doing and have been through the trenches of the battle on the diamond. It beats having two question marks at the end of the rotation.

GARVER TIME IN SEATTLE

Mitch Garver was a big bat for the Texas Rangers last year as he only played in 87 games for regular season. Garver was the team’s back up catcher and got most of his at bats at the DH slot. Injuries have haunted Garver’s 7 year career as he has only played over 100 games in one season back in 2018 in a Twins uniform. Garver has power. He can take his walks. He can get you the clutch hits like he did in the post-season for the Rangers last year. Garver will take the ring and take his talents to his rival up north with the Seattle Mariners as he has a two year deal worth 24 million and option for 2026. Garver may see more playing time as he will be the team’s DH and still catch a few games but now with the Rangers division rival.

Mitch Garver is 32 years old and had 344 plate appearances during regular season last year. He batted .270 with 19 home runs and drove in 50. He hit three home runs in the playoffs and one that cleared the bases for grand slam versus the Baltimore Orioles. If Garver can stay healthy and get more action, it would be good. He once hit 31 home runs in a Twins uniform back in 2017. They are the team that drafted him in 2013 in the ninth round out of New Mexico State University. He played 5 seasons with the Twins and was traded to Texas in 2022. In 2022, Garver only batted .207 and played in only 54 games with the Rangers his first season. Last year was definitely a bounce back year for the right handed slugger. His life time stats, Garver is a .252 hitter with 82 long balls while driving in 228 as he played in only 450 total regular season games.

This off-season, the Mariners traded away their slugger third baseman Eugenio Suarez to the Diamondbacks. They traded outfielder Jarred Kelenic to the Braves. The Mariners front office slash the team’s pay roll with those moves and strike outs in the line-up. Mitch Garver will back up Cal Raleigh behind the plate. Garver took 44 walks last season so he gives the line up power and he’s a guy that finds his way on base more than he strikes out. Garver adds clutch-hitting as he did damage in the post-season. The grand slam he hit versus the Orioles, he ended up driving 5 runs that game. In the World Series, he got the dagger hit in game five that broke up a scoreless tie in the 7th inning . That RBI single from Garver helped the Rangers clinch the World Series over the Diamondbacks. It is always helpful to take a weapon away from your division opponent, which Seattle did. If Garver can stay healthy, the Mariners were so close at making the post-season in back to back years. The Mariners should be right back in the thick of things in 2024, and Garver will deliver the sauce.

DODGERS WENT GUNG HO ON YAMAMOTO

Do you remember the band the Vapors & their song, Turning Japanese? This off-season you can say the LA Dodgers don’t buy American. The Dodgers are printing money or have control of Fort Knox as they continue to buy the top of the line Japanese models in the baseball world. Dodgers went Gung Ho and paid 700 million dollars, the highest contract in sports, for two way player super star slugger Shohei Ohtani. Dodgers are going Gung Ho on 2024 season and beyond as now they plucked and out bid the competitions for the best Japanese pitcher on the market in 25 year old, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Dodgers had to pay Yamamoto’s old team 50.6 million dollars in posting fees to land Yamamoto who played 7 seasons for the Orix Buffaloes. Yamamoto’s coming to America on a 12 year deal for 325 million dollars. The free spending Dodgers already have spent over a billion dollars on the free agency market this off-season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is an RHP who is only 5’10” tall & about 176 pounds but can get his blazing fast ball up to 99 MPH. Yamamoto has dominated the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) league in Japan. Yamamoto has won 3 MVP awards in three straight seasons and collected the Sawamura award three seasons in a row. The Sawamura award is essentially what the MLB call the Cy Young award for best pitcher. In seven seasons, Yamamoto has a record for the Buffaloes of 70-29 with 1.82 ERA as he worked 897 innings with 922 strike outs. That’s 41 wins over 500 for his pitching record. Last year he was 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA. Lights out pitching.

The Dodgers definitely needed starting pitching going into this season. The Dodgers know that Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in 2024 as he is dealing with Tommy john surgery, so he will do his damage with the bat next season. The team went out & made a deal with the Rays and landed Tyler Glasnow in a trade. The team will get their best pitcher of 2022, Walker Buehler, back after he missed the 2023 season with Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers also have a pair of young arms that have shown promise in Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan. The Dodgers could bring back the old face of the franchise in Clayton Kershaw as well. Now they have the best Japanese pitcher to really solidify the starting rotation and basically buy themselves a future World Series trophy. Spending one billion… you better get at least one World Series trophy out of it.  

MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL

I’m not going to make a mountain out of Tim Hill, the obviously Aaron Bummer replacement move of the off-season. The White Sox dealt Bummer to the Braves and found another LHP that has the side arm delivery as they sign 33 year old Tim Hill to a one year deal worth 1.8 million. Another move with former Kansas City Royals ties. Another bargain bin move by the White Sox. Another move and they are hoping the player has a bounce back season is the pattern here for new General Manager Chris Getz.

Last season Tim Hill had a down year with the San Diego Padres. Hill’s record was 1-4 with an exploding 5.48 ERA in 48 games as he pitched 44.1 innings striking out 26. Hill has been around for 6 seasons, a career that started with the Royals. Hill pitched for the Padres the last 4 seasons and did well in 2021 and ’22. In 2022, Hill’s record was 3-0 with a 3.56 ERA. Hill’s life time numbers he has a record of 16-14 with 4.16 ERA in 320 games with 4 saves and 208 punch outs.

I would like this move by the White Sox better if they were making this roster to contend next year. I would be fine having Tim Hill as me replacement for Aaron Bummer. This move may be one of the better one’s for the White Sox GM Chris Getz. The Padres were not good last year as a team in 2023. It was not long ago, in 2022, when Hill had success. Every team can thrive on moves like this hoping the player will have a bounce-back year. White Sox seem to live on that boulevard only with moves like this and ties to the Royals who have done nothing for years since they won that World Series back in 2015. Hill looks to have more control than Bummer as walks won’t pile up as he is a ground ball pitcher. Bummer definitely had more strikeouts than Hill with 78 last year. This is a low risk high ceiling type of move because it could easily work out. I don’t think the White Sox will contend. Hill, if he does well, could be a trade piece for another X-Royal from the trash bin.

RANGERS SECURING THEIR BULLPEN

Going into the post-season, the Texas Rangers’ weakness was their bullpen. Obviously the bullpen held up as they won the Rangers their first World Series in franchise history last season. The Rangers addressed their bullpen at the trade deadline last year. It worked as a temporary band aid. This season, the Rangers lost Will Smith to the Royals in free agency. The Rangers spent big money last off-season as this one would be more of a freeze in spending and just concentrating on the team’s needs. The Rangers are bringing in Kirby Yates who pitched for the Braves last season on a one year deal worth 4.5 million, a RHP to help get outs late in ball games.

Kirby Yates is 36 years old and did very well with the Braves last season. Yates bounced back from “not a very good season” in 2022 as he missed the entire 2021 with an injury. Yates had a 7-2 record as he pitched in 61 ball games with 3.28 ERA. Yates converted 5 saves in 60.1 innings of work. Yates, who was drafted by the Red Sox back in 2005, made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2014. In 9 seasons in the MLB, the Rangers will be Yates’ 6th team of his career. Yates wore Yankee pinstripes, and played also for the Angels and the Padres on the west coast. His career numbers stand with an even record of 19-19, 3.52 ERA, 62 saves, 486 strike outs in 361 MLB games.

The Rangers landed Aroldis Chapman from the Royals at the deadline last year. The Rangers used Chapman as a late inning set up guy from the left side. The Rangers’ main closer last year was Jose Leclerc who had 27 saves. The Rangers could use Kirby Yates as a set up guy from the right side late in games. They could even use him to pitch the 6th or 7th innings of close games. Yates pitched in the post-season for the Braves, which the Rangers are hopeful for and with a stacked roster should be able to defend their championship by making it to post-season next season. Yates has had 60 saves in his career and could be used as an emergency closer if needed. It’s only a one year deal they have invested in Yates just in case he has a down year. In baseball money, 4.5 million is chump change. It’s a good signing for the Rangers as it gives them depth and options late in the game and a veteran who has post-season experience.  

HEY MALLORY, I’M HEADING TO DC

If Nick was a baseball player, he certainly would let Mallory Keaton, in the sitcom Family Ties, know where he’s playing next season. There is a Nick heading to the nation’s capital next season to play for the Nationals. Nick Senzel, a first round pick back in 2016 from the Reds number two overall, gets a one year deal with Washington to man the hot corner. The 28 year old utility man was non-tendered by Cincinnati back in November, making him a free agent. The Nationals are in a rebuild and can use some veteran players sprinkled around the diamond to help the youth development.

The only organization Nick Senzel knows is the Reds, where he has played the last 5 seasons. Senzel can play center field, third base, and second. Last season, Senzel batted .236 with a career high 13 home runs driving in 42 in 104 games played. Senzel has 377 games under his belt as his career numbers he is a .239 hitter with 33 long balls while driving in 125. These are not numbers you expect from a guy drafted in the first round number two overall. Senzel is a decent player to have with some potential to be better as he gives your team solid defense and can play multiple positions. The Reds probably think they can do better.

The Nationals have been looking for a third baseman since they traded their old one, Jeimer Candelario, to the Cubs at the deadline. Candelario this off-season signed with the Reds to be a utility type of guy like Senzel had to a 3 year deal worth 45 million. So why Washington for Senzel? Playing time. Plus, he will reunite with childhood friend back in the days where he grew up in Knoxsville, Tennessee playing baseball with his bestie, Lane Thomas. This is a budget move by the Nationals. The move has a high ceiling for an organization that has assembled lots of young talented pieces over the last few seasons with fire sales. If Senzel does well, he could be used as a trade chip. Could Senzel be a future piece of the rebuild when it takes off? Yes. You have to remember Senzel was number one pick. At times, some of these guys find their game later on in life. Sometimes it takes another team where he puts it all together. Sometimes he finds the right coach to use his skill set the right way. In this case, he may be the everyday third baseman for the Nationals.

OFF SEASON TRADE

The LA Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays made a deal involving 4 players. The Dodgers, looking to improve their starting rotation, land RHP Tyler Glasnow and a veteran outfielder, Manuel Margot. The Rays land two young players from the Dodgers that have had a cup or two of coffee in the big leagues. They get a young RHP, once a top 100 prospect, in Ryan Pepiot who has 10 MLB starts under his belt. Then the other guy is Jonny DeLuca, an outfielder who has some power. The Rays will also send the Dodgers 4 million in the deal. The Dodgers cranked out a contract extension for Glasnow, a 5 year deal worth 136 million, as LA is all in World Series or bust for years to come. It was not very long ago they landed superstar two way Shohei Ohtani in that 700 million dollar deal. The Dodger franchise is printing money.

Tyler Glasnow is 30 years old and has been in the league for 8 seasons. Glasnow’s career started with the Pirates organization as he was drafted by them in the 5th round in 2011. He came over to the Rays in a trade and has pitched parts of 6 seasons in Tampa Bay. Glasnow made 21 starts as he was injured for part of the season last year. Glasnow had a 10-7 record with 3.53 ERA. Last year was the first time Glasnow reached double digits in wins in one season. Glasnow’s life time record is 30-27 with 3.89 ERA in 127 games of which 88 of them were starts. He struggled with the Pirates as he had a record of 3-11 with 5.79 ERA in 17 starts.

Manuel Margot is a guy out of the Dominican Republic. He is 29 years old, plays center field, and hits from the right side. Last year he batted .264 with 4 home runs and drove in 38. He too has 8 seasons in the MLB in a career that started with the Padres. He has played for the Rays the last 4 seasons and has 788 games under his belt. He is a career .255 hitter with 52 home runs while driving in 283.

Jonny DeLuca is 25 year old outfielder who made his debut last season for the Dodgers. He was drafted out of the University of Oregon by the Dodgers back in 2019. DeLuca looks like a guy who has some power as he racked up 65 home runs in the minors. He had 42 at-bats with 11 hits at the MLB level and two of them left the park. His batting average was .262 as he drove in six runs in 24 games.

Ryan Pepiot is 26 years old and was slated to be in the Dodgers rotation this upcoming season. Pepiot last year pitched in 8 games, made 3 starts for the Dodgers, had a 2-1 record with a 2.14 ERA. Pepiot made his MLB debut in 2022 and went 3-0 down the stretch for the Dodgers. His career numbers he is 5-1 with 2.76 ERA. The Rays would have control over Pepiot until 2030 when he becomes a free agent.

The Dodgers have not confirmed yet the return of their own free agent, the old face of the franchise in Clayton Kershaw. They will have Walker Buehler returning to the rotation who missed the entire 2023 season with Tommy John Surgery. Buehler was the team’s best pitcher before he went down.The Dodgers have veteran Ryan Yarbrough who could anchor the middle of the rotation. The team likes the promise of a pair of young starters in Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan. The Dodgers know that Shohei Ohtani will not pitch next season as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Tyler Glasnow gives the rotation a much needed veteran. The Dodgers have plenty of outfielders. Manuel Margot who plays well in the outfielder defensively could be a guy they trade. Margot could play all three outfield positions as he is center fielder. Watching some Rays games, he does come up with some big hits in big moments when the game is on the line. He’s a solid base runner & seems like a great team guy. Some of those strengths you can’t teach. If Margot is a bench guy, that outfield is stacked. Ohtani will be the full time DH. Margot to me is more interesting than Glasnow who seems to be made out of glass with injuries that follow him throughout his career. The extension the Dodgers gave him is bat shit crazy as he only has won double digits in wins once and that was ten victories last year.

For the Tampa Bay Rays, you can never say they made a bad trade because these types of deals work well for them. The Rays are always slashing pay roll and getting rid of guys when they are doing well, right before their careers head south. In 2018, the Rays traded Chris Archer to the Pirates for Tyler Glasnow and also got Shane Baz and Austin Meadows in that deal. In 2011, Matt Garza went to the Cubs & the Rays in return landed Archer. It would not surprise me if Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Pepiot are inserted into the Rays roster like light bulbs. The team will not miss a beat. Pepiot is a guy that could be the next Glasnow or Archer. The Rays will get what they want from Pepiot and unload him when his stock is high for the next young arm in years to come. This trade should be looked at by the end of next season to see who gets the better end of the deal. It could be a trade totally lopsided in the Rays’ favor.

BREWERS REPLACE THEIR MISSING BARREL AT THE BACK STOP POSITION

The Milwaukee Brewers find their replacement for the back up position as Victor Caratini signed with the Astros. The Brewers sign veteran back stop Eric Haase to a one year deal. Last year, Haase played for the Tigers and Guardians as he’s been in the MLB for six seasons playing in 323 games. This off-season has been musical chairs for back up catchers as Haase stays in the midwest & the only place he has played in the majors.

Eric Haase is 31 years of age and your typical guy that can back up your starter known better for his defense than his bat. Last year Haase, who bats from the right side, batted .201 with 4 home runs driving in 26. Haase was drafted by the Indians in 2011 where he played his first two seasons in Cleveland. Then he went to Detroit and played parts of 4 seasons in the state he was born and raised. Haase with the lumber is a career .225 hitter with 41 long balls and 137 runs driven in. This may not be an upgrade by the Brewers as Victor Caratini had better offensive production than Haase. The Brewers starting catcher is William Contreras, so you don’t need a stud behind him as he will play most of the games for the Brewers next season. Haase gives Milwaukee another veteran catcher who can help work the pitching staff and groom any youngsters in the organization while giving the Contreras some rest time to time.

PADRES IMPORT A CLOSER

The Padres have not been very active this off-season besides trading away outfielder Juan Soto to the Yankees. The Padres have many free agent pitchers that have gone elsewhere this off-season. Last year’s Padres closer Josh Hader remains unsigned but the Padres found his replacement and are importing him in from Japan. After ten seasons in the NPB, Japan’s professional baseball league, Yuki Matsui is coming to the states to close the door for the Padres next season. The 28 year old LHP signs a 5 year 28 million dollar deal with opt out options after the 3rd and 4th year.

Last year Yuki Matsui had 39 saves in 57.1 innings of work with a remarkably low 1.57 ERA. Matsui had 72 strikeouts in those 57 innings as his wipe out pitch is a diving splitter that reaches up to 87-90 MPH. Matsui has converted 236 career saves in his ten season career in the NPB. Matsui also leaves his country having a career 2.43 ERA which is a job well done, especially as a closer.

I remember when the Chicago White Sox signed a closer from Japan. In 2004 on the Southside of Chicago, it was Shingo time in the 9th inning. Shingo Takatsu only lasted two seasons in the MLB as he pitched in 99 games. Takatsu saved 19 games for the White Sox in 2004. In 2005, he saved 8 games for the team, that White Sox team that won the World Series. The White Sox released Shingo during the 2005 season as he caught on with the Mets to finish the year out. Shingo, those two seasons, had an 8-6 record with a 3.38 ERA and converted 27 saves. He had that Frisbee slow pitching slider as his wipe out pitch. Shingo took the league by storm his first go around. The league caught up to him when they saw how he pitched. Yuki Matsui will probably have success early, but the league will figure him out. Matsui will have to make adjustments if he wants to live out the entire contract. The Padres have several pieces in place on their roster. With all the players leaving in free agency, and trading away Juan Soto, are they better than they were? The Dodgers, Giants and Diamondbacks have improved themselves in the off-season. The Padres will need a few more moves to get them back in the conversation.

WHITE SOX TRADE

OFF SEASON TRADE

This is the second time the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox have hooked up with an off-season trade. The first go around, the White Sox received 5 players for LHP Aaron Bummer. This go around the White Sox get a veteran catcher former Angels back stop, Max Stassi. The Braves will also pay most of Stassi’s remaining salary of 7 million. The Braves acquired Stassi with David Fletcher from the Angels in a trade with them a few weeks back. The Braves have been flipping guys they have acquired from other teams in some of these deals because they are not the headliner in the trade. Braves already have two talented catchers as Fletcher was the guy they wanted. The White Sox are need of a back stop as they are desperate-like so the Braves unloaded Stassi on them. The Braves will get that famous player to be named later from Chicago to complete this deal.

Max Stassi is 32 years old & has played in the MLB for ten seasons. In 2023, Stassi did not play due to a family matter as his son was born three months premature. In 2022, Stassi with the lumber batted .180 with 9 long balls driving in 30. Sounds like a White Sox guy. Stassi is more of a defensive catcher than what he will give you with the lumber. Stassi was drafted by the Astros and probably helped them cheat in the 2017 World Series win over the Dodgers. In 2017, Stassi batted only .167 and played in 14 games for the Astros that year as he played parts of 7 seasons in Houston. The last few seasons he was with the Angels. In 403 games, the White Sox have a back stop that has a career batting average of .212 with 41 home runs while driving in 128.

The White Sox catching tandem of Yasmani Grandal and Seby Zavales was one of the worst in the league last year. In some moves at the trade deadline, the White Sox acquired two catchers in those deals. One was a young prospect from the Angels, Edgar Quero, who is not ready yet for the big leagues as he needs work in the minor leagues to develop. The other guy from Houston, Korey Lee, who’s 25 years old, had the power arm who can stop the running game. Lee had 65 at-bats and had 5 hits which is a 0.77 batting average. One of those hits was a home run as he drove in 3 runs. In one game, Lee was benched for the lack of hustle down the line. The White Sox are thinking Max Stassi could mentor a young Lee. Hopefully not with lumber because Stassi seems to be another White Sox catcher with a hole in his bat. With all the broken down pitchers the White Sox have. With all the young prospects the team has acquired or maybe developed a few of their own, they will need a back stop that can call a good game with the young arms. They will need a defense in place for all these young arms and that’s what first year Chris Getz is doing as the General manager. Mixing defense with young arms with all the other core of the rebuild that have not been dealt yet in some kind of stew that might blow up or simmer the fan base which is very unlikely. Ticket prices will go up. Beers will go up to watch these dollar buster moves save the day. Not impressed yet.

THE KELLYS WIN A NEW CAR

Before the LA Dodgers opened up their bank vault and off shore accounts to bring their Japanese Superstar across town, they re-signed one of their own. Last year the White Sox traded Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn to the Dodgers at the deadline. Kelly was familiar with the Dodgers, playing in his second stint with the team for the playoff push. The Dodgers let Lynn walk and chose to bring back Kelly for next season on a one year deal worth 8 million. This is chump change compared to the money that LA signed Shohei Ohtani for. Kelly however was able to double down and give up his number 17 he wore, to the Hollywood superstar. Kelly reaps in the benefits as Ohtani gives his wife Ashley a brand new silver Porsche for her husband giving up the number to him. Kelly now will be the Wild Thing out of the Dodgers bullpen wearing number 99. Can his specs be impressive like Ricky Vaughan from the movie Major League?

Last year Joe Kelly was splitting time with the White Sox and Dodgers. He had a record of 2-5, and a 4.12 ERA with 1 save in 42 games while working 39 innings. For the Dodgers, the 35 year old RHP pitched in 11 games down the stretch for LA and was 1-0 with 1.74 ERA. Kelly was a disappointment in two seasons in Chicago where he was 2-8 with 5.59 ERA. Kelly has 12 seasons in the MLB in a career that started in St. Louis as he has also pitched for the Red Sox. His career he has a 53-37 record with 3.95 ERA in 450 games. He came into the league as a starter and has become a veteran guy that can deliver in the late innings erasing the opposing teams meat of the order.

Joe Kelly is a 2X World Series Champion and those are two of the bigger reasons why the Dodgers re-signed his services. They know Kelly as he pitched for the Dodgers three seasons including in 2017 when the Astros cheated LA out of the World Series. Kelly was very vocal about his dislike for the Dodgers and how the league gave that team a slap on the wrists when Houston was exposed for stealing signs.

Kelly threw close to Houston hitters after everything came out. Kelly’s facial expression says it all as he was very vocal about it. I was excited when Kelly came to the White Sox. He had some great innings making hitters look foolish. He had very bad innings where his stuff could not find the plate. More bad than good in his White Sox days. Obviously when the team is doing good, Kelly is doing well. When he was traded to the Dodgers, he suddenly found the plate with his pitches. The Dodgers are all in. Kelly throws lots of junk out on the mound and when the stakes are high, his pitches get lots of swings and misses, especially in the post-season. The Dodgers should just bubble wrap him and open him right before the post-season starts. Kelly gets 8 million, a car for his wife, and could ride that into his third World Series ring. Not a bad year for a guy who may not have enough in the gas tank in every outing he takes the mound.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE KANSAS CITY

The Kansas City Royals this off-season have the Moon Racer plan in full force scooping up unwanted veterans and signing them to baseball’s version of Misfit Island. The Royals improved their pitching staff by bringing two starting pitchers and a closer, guys who seem like they have gone team to team in the last few seasons. The Royals sign a Misfit slugger in Hunter Renfroe, who last year played for the Angels. Then he was dumped on waivers and finished his 2023 season in a Reds uniform. Renfroe will add power to the Royals line up as they agree on a 1 year deal worth 5.5 million with an options for 2025.

Last season, Hunter Renfroe’s numbers were lower than the two prior seasons. The 31 year old right handed slugger batte .233 with 20 home runs and drove in 60 in 140 games as 14 were in a Reds uniform. The Royals are looking for what Renfroe did in 2022 and 2021. In ’21 Renfroe had 31 bombs in a Red Sox uniform. In 2022, he had 29 home runs in a Brewers uniform. Renfroe has been in the league 8 seasons as he was drafted by the Padres. The Royals will be Renfroe’s 6th team since leaving San Diego. Renfroe has a career batting average of .239 with 177 long balls while driving in 454 RBI’s.

Hunter Renfroe will be slotted in the right field position for the Royals. Renfroe has a strong arm but is an average defender at best in the outfield. The Royals would like to see him get his average up to the 250’s at least and get his home runs tallies closer to the 30’s, like he did 2 out of the last three years. Renfroe, like many sluggers, have to live by the home run & die by the strike out as he has tallied 821 of those in his career in which a 125 came last year. You wonder why he goes team to team is another question because after the career year in Boston he was traded to Milwaukee. The Brewers chose not to resign him so he did a one year deal in LA. Then was released in a salary dump by the Angels & then again at the end of September by the Reds for not putting up good production with the lumber. This move is a gamble by the Royals as they hope Renfroe has a chip on his shoulder and has a comeback year which can help this team challenge the weak AL Central for the division title or use him as a trade chip at the deadline. If Renfroe looks like the same guy from last year, he will be released once again. I like power, but I hate strike outs. 

TIGERS TAKING A FLYER ON FLAHERTY

The Detroit Tigers finished second in the AL Central with a 78-84 record. The good: It’s been awhile since they finished that high in the standings. The bad: It’s the Tigers’ 7th straight losing season. The Tigers feel like they must be on the verge of a breakthrough giving their skipper, AJ Hinch, a contract extension. The AL Central is wide open. The Tigers have some solid young pieces in place with some veterans sprinkled in. This off-season, the team has been concentrating on pitching. Veteran arms. The Tigers are giving 28 year old RHP Jack Flaherty a whirl, with a one year deal worth 14 million with some bonus incentives that can reward him with another million.

Jack Flaherty has pitched 7 seasons in the MLB all with St. Louis until he was traded to Baltimore at the deadline last season. Flaherty’s first game in an Orioles uniform, he was remarkable. He finished 1-3 with a high 6.75 ERA in seven starts. Last season combined with both Cardinals and Orioles, he had a record of 8-9 with 4.99 ERA in 29 games of which 27 of them were starts. Flaherty’s best season came in 2021 when he only made 15 starts & had a 9-2 record with 3.22 ERA. Flaherty has made 125 total starts during his career, and he has a winning record of 42-35 with 3.75 ERA.

The Tigers starting rotation has some young staples they like. Jack Flaherty will be the second veteran starter they have added. A few weeks back they signed former Twins RHP Kenta Maeda to a two year deal. The Tigers are taking a risk on Flaherty, but it’s a risk with a high ceiling kind of deal. If Flaherty first can stay healthy throughout the year, he could be nice pick up for this Tiger team. He does not have to be the ace of the staff. If you slot Flaherty in the 4th spot of the rotation, you have a chance to get 10-11 victories out of him. That is if he stays healthy, which is the key to this deal. The Rangers last year went out & signed veteran middle of the road type of guys that helped them win the World Series. You are seeing this a lot this off-season, teams stocking their rotation with veteran starters to sure up their starting staff. The Tigers play in a bad division. A few moves adding veterans and if everything comes together, you never know. Detroit could win their division as the other teams in the Central have not done much except the Royals are on the rise and doing what the Tigers are doing. Stocking their shelves with veteran starting pitchers.

CLEVELAND’S REUNION WITH HEDGES IS NOT BECAUSE OF HIS BAT

After the Guardians shocked the baseball world capturing the 2022 AL Central and making a playoff run, as do all teams, they make changes to try to top what good things they did. Sometimes it works and sometimes you can screw with the team chemistry. The Guardians went in a different direction on their catcher, letting Austin Hedges walk out the door and signing a veteran, Mike Zunino, a guy that could give the team better offensive numbers. Hedges went to the Pirates & then won a ring with the Rangers. For the Guardians, they did not make the playoffs and Bo Naylor became the starting catcher. The Guardians are bringing back the voice of the 2022 team, signing Hedges to a one year deal where as he put it, ” It feels like coming home.”

Last season, Austin Hedges played in 81 games for the Pirates and Rangers. He put up the usual numbers with the lumber batting .184 with 1 home run driving in 16. The Pirates fell out of contention and wanted to see what they had with their younger options at the catcher’s position so they traded Hedges to Texas. The Rangers had injuries at the back stop position and wanted a veteran. Hedges started 16 games for the Rangers from the time he was traded. Hedges did get an at-bat in the World Series. He will get a ring. He did get to soak in the winning atmosphere Texas had which kind of reminded him of that 2022 Cleveland team. In nine years, Hedges is hitting .189 with 67 long balls and driving in 223. It’s his defense and working with pitchers is why he’s still in the game. His is a career that started with the Padres & now at 31 he will be back with Cleveland for his second stint with the team and 4th season.

Austin Hedges’ job is to become one of the leaders once again in the Guardians club house. He will also mentor the young Bo Naylor and take on the back up duties for the Guardians catching tandem. He will work with the pitchers and help Naylor call better games behind the plate. The Guardians will get the guy that runs the card games in the locker room, which will be good for team morale. His experience in Texas, he and the club hopes, means the young Guardians team could soak in that knowledge and use that next season. This is good move for Cleveland bringing in a guy that has all the tangibles of another coach/friend and can handle the bench role. Only a 1 year deal worth 4 million which does not break the bank of baseball money. Hedges played a big part on that 2022 team. The AL Central is up for grabs. This could be the under the radar move that helps this team, that no one sees in the box scores.

ROYALS ADD A HIRED GUN

Since leaving the only organization he knew in the big leagues, St. Louis, Michael Wacha has been a hired gun since the 2020 season. In the last 4 seasons, Wacha has pitched for a different team each year after spending seven seasons in St. Louis, the team that drafted him. Last year Wacha pitched for the Padres. The Padres decline his off-season option making him a free agent. The Royals need an arm, so they called the Wacha for his services. Wacha will get a two year deal worth 32 million dollars. In the deal, if he’s like many hired guns not wanting to stay in the area too long, he can opt out after the first season.

Last year, Michael Wacha’s lone season in San Diego, he had a record of 14-4 with 3.22 ERA and made 24 starts. Why would a team decline his option is my biggest question. Wacha is a RHP who is 32 years old, been in the MLB for 11 seasons, and has made 228 starts. His best season was with the Cardinals in 2015 when he made 30 starts and had a record of 17-7 with 3.38 ERA. In 2022 in a Red Sox uniform, Wacha did well & made 23 starts, had a 11-2 record with a 3.32 ERA. The Royals will be Wacha’s 6th team as he also suited up for the Mets and the Rays. Wacha has a career record of 88-54 with 3.96 ERA. Only 12 wins shy of 100.

The Royals finished last place in the AL Central and they know their weakness has been pitching. Signing Michael Wacha means he will rejoin his former teammate Seth Lugo from last year, as the Royals signed a pair of the Padres starting pitchers so far. The Royals also added Will Smith, a closer from the World Series Rangers, this off-season to close the door for the Royals next season. All the teams in the AL Central have really done nothing special this off-season. The AL Central was the weakest division in baseball. Suddenly the weakest team in the division thinks they can win it next season by going out and bringing in some veteran arms. I hope they do to show teams like Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Minnesota and their respective organizations are a bunch of dopes standing still with their thumb up their rears.

OFF SEASON TRADE

The San Diego Padres are looking to replant the farm system and contend as they traded away many prospects over the last few seasons for a trip to the NLCS. Juan Soto was one of those guys that the Padres thought would put them over the top in that series of deals. The Padres are shipping the 25-year-old outfielder who’s in his last year of his contract to the Evil Empire. This in a seven player deal in which the Padres will get 5 players for two which includes Soto. The Yankees will finally get the left-handed slugger they’ve been looking for in Soto and Gold Glove centerfielder, Trent Grisham. The Padres land a back up veteran catcher in 33-year-old Kyle Shioka. The Padres also receive 4 pitchers in the deal, all right-handed. The Padres could get three pieces for their starting rotation in Michael King who’s 28 years old, 25 year old Jhony Brito, and 25 year old Randy Vasquez. Then the other arm is a prospect which is Drew Thorpe, who has shown some promise in his abilities in the future.

Juan Soto is a super star outfielder, who has six seasons under his belt, from the Dominican Republic. Soto helped the Washington Nationals capture their first World Series in his second season in the big leagues. Soto was drafted by the Nationals and played a big part in that 2019 team as he was very productive in the post-season. You have to remember Bryce Harper left the Nationals and got the big pay day in Philadelphia. Soto helped produce that Harper offensive production that many thought they would miss, leaving through free agency. Soto has made an impact in six seasons during which he is a 3X All-Star. Soto has won 4 Silver Slugger awards. He has led the Majors in walks the last three seasons. Last year for the Padres, he batted .275 with 35 home runs, while driving in 109 and scoring 97 runs. His lifetime numbers are spectacular as he has racked up 768 hits in 779 games. Soto is batting .284 for his career numbers with 160 long balls while driving in 483.

Juan Soto is a huge piece for the Evil Empire, but they also get two time Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham. Grisham is another left handed bat that has some power but does not hit for average. Grisham started his MLB career in Milwaukee and has played in San Diego the last 4 seasons out his 5 years in the league. Grisham last year batted just under 200 with .198 batting average but had 13 long balls driving in 50. His career batting numbers he is .216 hitter with 61 long balls. Grisham is only 27 years old and a guy that can help the Yankees sure up games on defense in late innings. He has played in over 500 games, and he definitely has been a starter most of his career. He can drive in runs which you have to like. He can add some power to the line up when he starts. He could have a chip on his shoulder if he is utilized off the bench and improve his game overall when he does get his chance.

The Padres will get Michael King who they can slide into the team’s starting rotation. Padres are losing three starters in free agency, so King could be the 4th or 5th guy in next year’s rotation. King last year in 49 games had 9 starts. His record was 4-8 with a nice 2.75 ERA and six saves. King looked good as a starter when they needed him in the second half of the season to start games. King has played with the Yankees parts of 5 seasons and has career record of 13-17 with 3.38 ERA as he made 19 starts.

The Padres get a back up catcher in this deal – Kyle Higashioka who has played his entire career with the Yankees which is seven seasons. Higashioka is a guy who has a master at his framing abilities getting his pitchers much needed strike calls. Last year with the lumber, he batted .236 with ten home runs while driving 34. He’s a decent guy with the bat for a back up catcher as he is a career .210 hitter with 40 home runs and has driven in 121 runs.

The Padres also get a 25 year old right handed pitcher out of the Dominican Republic in Jhony Brito. Brito made his debut for the Yankees as he had 13 starts and pitched out of the bullpen. Brito season stats have him with a 9-7 record with 4.28 ERA in 90 innings of work with 72 strike outs. Brito could be slated into the Padres’ starting rotation. Brito pitched very well out of the Yankees’ bullpen last year. Padres may be considering using him in their pen next season.

The Padres also get another guy that was a rookie from last year out of the Dominican Republic who may be able to crack the starting rotation of the Padres. Randy Vasquez made his MLB debut last season and pitched in 11 games of which 5 were starts. Vasquez had a record of 2-2 with 2.87 ERA which is impressive. The final pitcher that has some promise in this deal is Drew Thorpe. Thorpe is a 23 year old right handed pitcher and is very close to the Major League ready as he posted a nice 2.52 ERA last year. He was drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB draft by the Yankees.

New York Yankees have been looking for a consistent left handed slugger that can take advantage of the short porch in right field at Yankees Stadium. Juan Soto can hit the long ball. He can serve them up to any spot in the outfield. Soto will give the Yankees a guy with a high on-base percentage as well. The Yankees with all the big names they had, the team was one of the worst in the American League with their on base percentage. The Yankees paid a steep price for Juan Soto basically in this deal. They have a throw-in outfielder who has some nice things in Trent Grisham. This deal will not look good if the Yankees can’t come up with a long term deal with Soto who could be a very expensive rental for this season. If the Yankees don’t win the World Series and Soto walks, it will be worse because of all the potential arms they have given up in this trade. Soto has a big year he could get some crazy amount of money like Shohei Ohtani. The Padres still have a line up with some meat and potatoes to carry them without Soto. The pitching is what the Padres need because Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, and Micahel Wacha are free agents leaving only Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish as your two starters. If one of these arms can take at least one spot in the rotation, the team avoids paying Soto’s contract. They have full control over three of these guys for years to come. Then 4 out of the 5 guys have MLB experience coming in. Years from now depends on how these pitchers do. It could look really good for the Padres.

THE 700 MILLION DOLLAR MAN

The baseball world knew that this generation’s Babe Ruth, 29 year old Shohei Ohtani, was going to get a big pay day when he hit the free agent market this season. Everyone knew only certain teams were going to be in the mix to pay the two-way superstar, that can pitch and swing the lumber, the riches he wanted to play a game. The Dodgers and Ohtani make history on the biggest contract in the sporting world. The Dodgers are paying Ohtani 700 million dollars over the next ten years. Which is just SICK!!! The former Japanese star has been playing in the MLB for six seasons & will be the highest paid player in MLB history making 70 million a season surpassing Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer who are getting over 40 million a season just to pitch. The beers and hot dogs will be triple the price at Dodgers stadium.

Shohei Ohtani since coming over from Japan has only played with the LA Angels so that should cut down on any moving expenses. Ohtani last season was the MVP of the American league which is his second in six seasons. Ohtani is a 3 X all-star. Easily earned the rookie of the year when he first arrived to the states in 2018. Ohtani is 2 X silver slugger winner. Last year with the bat he batted .304 with 44 home runs driving in 95. He started 23 games on the mound had a record of 10-5 with 3.14 ERA. With the bat Ohtani life time numbers in the MLB he’s only batting .274 with 171 long balls while racking up 681 hits and driving in 437. Pitching Ohtani has missed one season due to Tommy John surgery. In 5 seasons he pitched he has made 86 starts has a 38-19 record with 3.01 ERA. In 2022 Ohtani set a career high of 28 starts that year had a record of 15-9 with 2.38 ERA. He will have his second Tommy John surgery and will not pitch until the 2025 season while he recovers.

The Dodgers add a big left-handed bat to their line up and next year Shohei Ohtani will only bat in the DH slot. Which now the league has adapted to the universal DH so the Dodgers will pay a high price for a guy just to swing the bat. They add a bat that has power and can hit for average. Ohtani’s money is sickening as he will make $1.35 million per week. By day he will earn $191,780. Per minute he will earn $133.18. How many hours does it take the average American to earn 100 bucks? He will be paid $2.22 a second. The Dodgers line up already had in place Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy. Adding Ohtani means this line up is stacked. The Dodgers are a staple in post-season and last time winning it all was the shortened season of 2020 due to the pandemic. The Dodgers were knocked off by the Diamondbacks in the NLDS as they were swept by one of their division rivals. If the Dodgers want to win it all, they will need to add pitching for next season and beyond. Not just wait for Ohtani to take the mound in 2025.

The Angels had established the murderer’s row with Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, and then adding 2019 World Series MVP third baseman, Anthony Rendon. These three guys could not stay on the field together for an entire season. The Angels paid Trout the big money and no way could afford to keep Ohtani. The Angels lacked pitching and they tried at the deadline to trade for pitching to make that one last effort to get to the playoffs with Ohtani. Hoping the team would find post-season and thinking Ohtani would come back to the Angels. Injuries happened once again. All the trades the Angels made were not very good as they gave away some talented prospects for rentals. You could see why Ohtani, besides the money, went to the other side of town to be in the post-season every season. Money can’t buy love. Money spent well like the Rangers last season can win the World Series. This 700 million just buried all the small market teams in the MLB. Those owners that try to pretend they are small market living teams in the bigger markets will feel they need to stop spending as their profits they like might dwindle. For the fan a ticket to a game will put a burning hole in the wallet. The price of everything will rise, so it will be hard to take the family to see the home team play or even if you want to see a superstar like Ohtani come to your town. Because owners will always screw the people that pay their bills and give them that sick money they roll around in. Many teams in the MLB will not pay a player like Ohtani to come to their town. The White Sox gas bag owner said he’s not entering the Ohtani sweepstakes. I know big spending teams are not guaranteed to win it every season. Bad owners make everything a challenge to play on an even level. Now 700 million contracts, if they become the norm, mean many teams can’t afford or won’t keep their superstars in town. Which leaves the usual suspects playing post-season baseball.

PIRATES PLUCK A FIRST BASEMAN AT THE THRIFT SHOP

When will the Pittsburgh Pirates be serious about contending? The Pirates rebuild has assembled a nice young nucleus of players. The team last year had some moments of playing solid baseball. In one of the first moves of the off-season, the team signs 28 year old left handed first baseman Rowdy Tellez on a one year deal worth 3.2 million. The former Brewer was hanging on a hanger at the thrift shop next to the stained Hawaiian shirt no one wants. Last season’s bargain hunting produced Carlos Santana, who the team traded to Milwaukee to replace an injured ineffective Tellez. Let’s at least live the same Groundhog day from ’22 and re-sign Santana who makes sense over this deadbeat.

Rowdy Tellez has six seasons under his belt at the MLB level. Tellez last year played in 105 games for the Brewers and batted .215 with 13 long balls driving in 47. Last year Carlos Santana played in 146 games, batted .240, had 23 long balls, and drove in 86. The tale of the tape. Tellez started his career in Toronto where he was drafted by the Blue Jays and Ben Cherington was working the front office at the time now the GM of the Pirates. The Pirates are hoping for Rowdy’s 2022 year in Brew Town where he unloaded 35 long balls into the stands. Lifetime numbers, Tellez is batting .233 has 92 long balls while driving in 263 runs. Tellez has struck out 429 times in 533 professional games.

The Pirates probably plan to platoon the first base position with utility man Connor Joe. Rowdy Tellez can’t hit left handed pitching. I know Carlos Santana is ten years older than Tellez, but you’re only signing Rowdy to a one year deal. I think the Pirates could have gotten Santana back on a one year deal. Another crazy idea is pay money for an actual starting first baseman to nail that position down instead of the grand scheme of platooning the position out, hoping Tellez homers more than he strikes out. Santana had leadership in that Pirates locker room which is not a bad thing to have with this young team. This first move for the Pirates is big a whiff and they need to go back to the drawing board.

RICE-A-RONI THE SAN FRANCISCO TREAT

The Giants the last two seasons have tried to make a splash hit in the free agency market and have come up empty until now. The Giants land one of the most sought out imports on the market, outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, who was the MVP of the KBO Korean baseball organization in 2022. Lee is a 25 year old outfielder who has seven seasons of professional baseball under his belt playing for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO. Lee was born in Japan & has baseball in his blood as his father played professional baseball in both Japan and South Korea. Lee will come to the states and make his home at the bay for 6 seasons being paid 113 million. Lee can opt out after 4 seasons and 72 million if he feels like he wants something different.

Jung Hoo Lee can play any of the outfield positions. Lee bats from the left side & throws with his right arm. Last year Lee’s season was cut short as he suffered a broken ankle. In 86 games he batted .318, six home runs, and drove in 48 runs. In 2022, his MVP year, Lee batted .349 with 23 long balls while driving in 113 runs. In the World Classic last Spring for South Korea, he batted .429. His defense is lights out earning him six gold gloves. Lee is following in his father’s foot steps in a way going from one professional league to another in a different country. His father Jong Beom Lee was MVP in 1994 in the KBO. Jong left the KBO and played in Japan from 1998-2001. Like father like son, I imagine the experience of the old man can help Jung adapt to life in the states.

The Giants last year had short stop Carlos Correa with a verbal contract agreement and a massive deal depending on his physical. The physical and x rays were because the Giants were worried about Correa’s surgically repaired lower right leg. The Giants had to pass on this wonderful talent. The Mets said the same thing about Correa. He eventually went back to the Twins. The Giants won 107 games in 2021. Then have suddenly taken a back seat to their arch rival Dodgers and now the Diamondbacks in the NL West. If Jung Hoo Lee can have the success he had over in South Korea, the team will get a guy that hits for high average and makes contact no matter what. Every team wants a solid left-handed bat in their line up. They get a stellar player on defense that can play all three spots in the outfield. If you are a Giants fan, you hope the front office will add more talent like Lee. Especially seeing the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks being active this off-season.

ROYALE’S ADDING SOME CHEESE TO THE ROTATION

The Kansas City Royals look like they have a plan to improve their pitching staff from last year. First the team inked a closer bringing World Series champion Will Smith back for his second stint with the team. The Royals now have added a veteran piece to their starting rotation. The Royals sign 34-year-old Seth Lugo to a three year deal worth 45 million. The deal has an opt out clause for Lugo after the 2025 season. Lugo, a long time Met, last year pitched for the Padres.

Seth Lugo is definitely not your ace of anyone’s staff but a serviceable starter as he made 26 starts last year in San Diego. Lugo had an 8-7 record with a 3.57 ERA as he logged in 146.1 innings. Ideally Lugo would be a good guy to have at your 4th or 5th guy in the rotation. With the Royals, he may be ask to be the 2nd or third guy up; it depends on if the team decides to add more arms before the season starts. Lugo is a RHP drafted by the Mets and he has pitched in the majors for now 8 seasons. His career numbers stand with a 40-31 record & 3.50 ERA as he pitched in 301 games and has made 64 starts. Lugo has pitched in the bullpen as he converted 16 saves over his career.

The Royals are desperate right now for pitching. Only the Reds, Rockies, and the A’s had worse ERAs in the entire MLB last year. The Royals have tried really hard investing their draft capital on pitching. Down on the Royals’ farm, pitching is not the top crop they produce. Many of their top draft picks that they took for a young arm, have failed over the last several years. One of their better pitchers last season was Jordan Lyles who is an inning eater and only pitches for bad teams. His record was 6-17 with a very high 6.28 ERA but pitched 177 innings and made all his starts. Right now Seth Lugo is looking like the cream of the crop of the staring rotation for the Royals. The Royals have plans to add even more arms. They will need more weapons and probably have to over-pay veterans to come to Kansas City, it’s the only way. Lugo is being over-paid. He will have to have a career year if this team thinks Lugo will be a trade chip at the deadline. That is if the Royals falter at the half way point of the season which is the most likely thing to happen to this baseball team.

REDS ARMING THEIR BULLPEN

The Cincinnati Reds last year were in the thick of things in the playoff chase. The team did not address their needs and add some pitching at the trade dead line. The Reds eventually fell short of the final wild card spot. Despite having the sixth highest ERA in the league, the Reds finished with a winning record of 82-80. It’s only two games above the 500 mark, but they missed the final wild card spot by two games. The Reds have assembled a nice everyday line up with lots of young talent all around the diamond. The team added another position player this off-season, signing third basemen Jeimer Candelario to a three year deal after having a career year splitting time with the Nationals and the Cubs. Candelario will improve that Reds line up and gives the team more power. The team did finally add some pitching by signing two veteran relievers to help sure up that bullpen next year.

The Reds signed 33 year old RHP Nick Martinez to a two year 26 million dollar deal. Last two seasons, Martinez has pitched in San Diego with the Padres. Last year, Martinez had a record of 6-4 as he made 9 starts with a 3.43 ERA as he appeared in 63 games and converted 1 save. Martinez has six seasons in the MLB – a career that started with the Rangers back in 2014. After 4 seasons with Texas, Martinez pitched in Japan from 2018-21, came back to the states, and signed with the Padres. Martinez can be either a starter or work out of the bullpen. His lifetime numbers he has a 27-38 record with a 4.31 ERA making 87 starts and has converted 9 saves.

The Reds land another RHP for their bullpen, Emilio Pagan, who is 32 years old and pitched for the Twins last year. Pagan gets a two year deal for 16 million from the Reds who will be his 5th team of his 7 year career. Pagan started out on the west coast pitching for the Mariners & then went to Oakland. In his third year, he did one year with the Rays. Then he went back west and found some shelf life with the Padres. That lasted two seasons before ending up in Minnesota for two seasons. Last year, Pagan had a record of 5-2 with a 2.99 ERA pitching 69.1 innings of work and converting one save. Pagan helped the Twins win the AL Central last year. Lifetime, Pagan has a 22-18 record with 3.71 ERA with 32 saves under his belt as he saw action in 369 games.

The Reds find themselves early in free agency on a spending spree. The team may be overpaying for some of these guys. The market for pitching throughout the MLB is in big time demand and teams are willing to pay a hefty prices. Both these guys, Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagan, will help their bullpen next season. The Reds have upgraded with these two moves, so they should be better. They could use another arm to really shore up the late innings. The team could also use another arm or two in the starting rotation as well. It is still early and the Reds could address their needs with more moves in trade or through the free agency route they’ve been doing so far. The NL Central, so far the teams in red, Cincinnati and St. Louis, are stocking their shelves with arms. The Pirates are kicking the tires on budget buys. The Cubs are looking to spend. The Brewers losing their manager could take a step back and roll with what they’ve got. Stay tuned to see if Cincinnati continues to paint the town red this off-season. Just as long as the bank book does not go red they should be in good shape.

ASTROS CHANGING UP THEIR BACK STOP TANDEM

It looks like the Houston Astros had made a decision on re-signing Martin Maldonado. The Astros are going in a different direction and signing switch hitting 7 year veteran Victor Caratini to back up to starting catcher Yainer Diaz. This move leaves Maldonado looking for another team this off-season. He’s a guy who is one of the best defensive catchers in the league but an instant out with the bat. Diaz gets the Astros’ better offensive production. While Caratini can be an adequate back up, give some decent defense, and can provide some spark with the bat. The Astros give Caratini a two year deal worth 12 million to take his services to Houston.

Victor Caratini is 30 years old and was drafted out of Puerto Rico by the Braves and started his MLB career with the Cubs. Last year, Caratini played for the Brewers and saw 62 games of action as he had 201 at-bats and batted .259 with 7 long balls driving in 25. The Astros will be Caratini’s 4th team as he played one season in San Diego. On defense, Caratini has caught two no-hitters – his first in a Cubs uniform in 2020 catching Alec Mills’ gem. Then again in 2021 with the Padres catching Joe Musgrove’s gem. In 7 seasons, Caratini has played 519 games and has a batting average of .236 with 38 home runs while driving in 171.

Last season, Dusty Baker and the Houston front office had disagreements over who should catch the most games. Baker liked Martin Maldonado who’s been in Houston since 2019. The front office like the offensive of Yainer Diaz. Baker is out so things will shake up a little different this season with long time Astros bench coach Joe Espada tak oingver the manager duties. The Caratini moves give the Astros a nice back up option for the catcher position and he has played some first base. Caratini has always worked well with the teams’ pitching staffs calling a solid game. He also can get you some production with the bat and is not an automatic out when inserted in the line-up. This is a nice move by the Astros. It gives them a guy with flexibility to play multiple positions and a bat that can hit both ways in the line-up. I always like his defense. Caratini is a guy that I’m surprised is not some team’s starting catcher. He has to be better than a few of all the starting catchers around the league.

OFF SEASON TRADE

Is the old host of Let’s Make a Deal, Monty Hall, working the Atlanta Braves front office this off-season? Another off-season trade for the Braves this time with the LA Angels. The deal involves 4 players as each organization will get two guys. The Angels are sending two veteran players to the Braves, 29 year old infielder David Fletcher and 30 year old catcher Max Stassi. The Angels get two Minor League players back in the deal, LHP 27 year old Tyler Thomas and 27 year old first baseman Evan White, who has some MLB experience back in 2021.

THE ANGELS HAUL

In case the name Evan White sounds familiar, he was already traded once this off-season in the Mariners deal with the Braves that involved outfielder Jarred Kelenic and LHP Marco Gonzales. Gonzales was dealt to the Pirates not very long ago. White signed a million dollar deal before even playing one game in the MLB. White has played parts of two seasons for the Mariners in 2020 and 2021 where he has only 279 at-bats at the Major League level with batting average of .165. This while hitting ten home runs and he has driven in 35 runs. White has not returned to the Majors since. The Angels also get a pitcher who has not made his debut in the Majors. Tyler Thomas rocked at Double A, but when he was promoted to Triple A he struggled. Thomas was drafted by the Cubs in the 7th round of the 2017 draft.

THE BRAVES HAUL

David Fletcher is like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, high paid players that have been plagued by injuries. Fletcher can play multiple positions in the infield such as second, short, and third. Since signing the big contract extension in 2021, Fletcher has had a hard time staying healthy as he played in only 94 games the last two seasons. Last year, Fletcher only had 89 at-bats as he hit .247 with two long balls while driving in 12. Fletcher’s career batting numbers he has a .277 average with 16 long balls driving in 168 runs in parts of six seasons all with the Angels. In 2020, Fletcher batted .318 which was a shortened season due to the pandemic. In 2021, he played the entire season and finished with a .262 batting average.

Max Stassi has played in the Majors as a catcher for ten seasons, a career that started in Houston. Strassi missed the entire 2023 season due to a family emergency as the birth of his son Jackson had some complications with his health. Strassi had to step away. Stassi was drafted by the Oakland Athletics back in 2009. Stassi is known for his defense over his offensive production. Stassi with the lumber has a career batting average of .212 with 41 home runs while driving in 128 in 401 games. Stassi has struck out 379 times which is not that good. Stassi has one year left on his 3 year deal he signed a few years back.

For the Angels, this is a move to get rid of the dead wood that has cost this team just pay roll especially last year. The trade will save the Angels about six million for next season. The Braves really don’t need a catcher already having Sean Murphy and Travis d’Arnaud, two veterans that make a solid tandem. Max Stassi, like Evan White and Marco Gonzales, could be shipped off to another team as this has been the common trend so far for the Braves. David Fletcher has some upside if he can stay healthy. Fletcher is playing multiple positions and when healthy, a guy that makes contact with the wood. They keep stats on everything in the MLB. How close are the Braves to setting some kind of off-season record with trades being made?

WILL SMITH GET HIS 4TH RING IN A ROW SIGNING WITH THE ROYALS?

Will Smith has won three World Series rings in the last three years. The 34 year old relief pitcher has won those three World Series with three different teams. In 2021, Smith wore the Braves uniform. In 2022, he was with Houston & then last year completed his Texas tour with the Rangers. How will signing with the Royals get Smith his 4th ring in four years? Smith returns to where it all started in 2012 when he first broke into the MLB with Kansas City. Smith will become the Royals’ new closer next season in his second stint with the team as he gets a one year deal worth 5 million.

Will Smith has played for 6 teams during his 11 year career. Last year with the Rangers was not very impressive for the left handed closer as he had a record of 2-7 with a high 4.40 ERA in 60 games & had 22 saves. The Rangers closed out games by committee last year. Smith did not do well in the post-season for the Rangers, but the team was able to win even when he struggled to get outs. Smith in ten series in the post-season life time has done well with 4-2 record ,a low 2.91 ERA, and has 6 saves in 21.2 innings of work. Lifetime in regular season, Smith has a record of 33-41 with 3.67 ERA and has converted 113 saves in 57.1 innings of work. His best regular season came in 2019 with the Giants – he had 34 saves with a low ERA of 2.76 and a record 6-0. In 2021 with the Braves, he saved his most games in one season with 37.

The Royals bullpen was one of the worst in the league last season. They need everything and you may start with the closing position and get someone you are familiar with, and Will Smith is the guy. Smith still wants to close out games and Royals may not get any big name closers that want to pitch for them when their needs are longer than Santa’s naughty list. So Smith is the man. I don’t see the Royals going to the World Series unless they get down and dirty, open up their bank book, and start signing multiple players to fill in the holes on the team’s roster. Smith could still find his 4th World Series as a trade chip. The Royals traded Aroldis Chapman to the Rangers at the deadline last year and he was teammates with Smith. The Royals are still rebuilding and it really seems like every team in the AL Central is rebuilding in a way. It is the worst division in baseball, so you wonder if the Royals add more veterans like Smith will they have a shot against teams like the Twins, White Sox, Guardians and the Tigers. None of those teams should frighten anyone. Bring it on… maybe the Royals are going for it all and it starts with three time World Series champion, Will Smith. Slap me if you heard this before.

PIRATES OFF SEASON TRADE

MARCO POLO, GONZALES POPS UP NOW IN PITTSBURGH

The Atlanta Braves and the Pirates have an off-season trade involving right now one player and that player to named later or cash considerations down the line. The Pirates acquire some starting rotation help as they acquired LHP Marco Gonzales from the Braves. The Braves just acquired Gonzales from the Mariners in the 5 player deal involving outfielder Jarred Kelenic, the headliner of that deal. The Braves flip Gonzales, a guy they obviously had no need for, but took him to get the deal done with the Mariners.

Marco Gonzales is 31 years old & has 9 MLB seasons under his belt as a starter. Last year Gonzales made ten starts & had a 4-1 record with 5.22 ERA. His season was cut short due to a nerve issue in the left forearm that needed surgery. Gonzales started his baseball career in St. Louis & then was traded to Seattle in the 2017 season at the deadline. Lifetime Gonzales has made 155 starts & has a winning record of 65-49 with 4.14 ERA.

This is a textbook move the Pirates like to make collecting veteran soft throwing left handed pitching. Last year Rich Hill & then Jose Quintana, both of whom became trade chips and were traded at the deadline. The Pirates want to contend this season, so we will see if Gonzales helps the playoff cause or becomes the regular play at the deadline for the Pirates. The Pirates have Gonzales locked up through 2024 and have an option on his services in 2025. This is a perfect Pirates move because they are not on the hook paying Gonzales’ full salary in this deal as the Mariners and the Braves are chipping in. Gonzales, a nice veteran arm for the back end of the starting rotation, can help you win maybe 10-12 games if everything goes right. It always means depending factors play into things like if the trade has made him have a chip on his shoulder looking to show his best stuff, especially coming to the end of his contract. This trade will cost the team cash or a prospect that’s not in your top ten players down on the farm. The Pirates will need multiple moves if they want this current young roster to contend the entire season.

LEURY GARCIA RESURFACES

Former Chicago White Sox utility guy, Leury Garcia, is trying to return to the MLB with the Atlanta Braves. Garcia, jack of all trades all over the diamond (not really master of any) gets a Minor League deal with the Braves and invite to Spring Training Camp. Garcia was released by the White Sox during the 2023 Spring Training and not picked up by any team. The ten year veteran quietly missed the entire 2023 season. Missing the game and still wanting to play, Garcia played in the Dominican Winter League and at least impressed the Braves enough to get the Minor League deal.

Leury Garcia now is 32 years old and started his career with Texas before being traded to the White Sox where he had played parts of ten seasons. Garcia is a switch hitter who can play most of the infield positions and be serviceable in the corners of the outfield. Garcia in 2022 played in 97 games for the White Sox, had 300 at-bats, and a batting average of .210 with 3 home runs driving in only 20. He struck out 65 times. Garcia, when he played well, was a guy that came off the bench or give your starter a day off once or twice a week. He would be a decent defender. He would get you a few hits. When he played too much due to injuries piling up with the team, then he becomes that easy out in the line up or can’t make the routine play at whatever position. When Tony LaRussa was Manager of the White Sox in his second stint, Garcia must have had blackmail pictures of his skipper. Garcia seemed to become a regular starter for long periods of time during the regular season. He had a nice few seasons. In 2019, he batted .279 with 8 long balls driving in 40, but he still should not of been playing in 140 games that season either. The Braves are starting to collect former White Sox players as they traded for Aaron Bummer this off-season and recently signed Reynaldo Lopez, so Garcia would know some guys if he can make the team. Garcia gave every game his best is what you can say about him. I hope he makes it back to the Majors because he can help a team. The less games the better.

KBO MVP SIGNS WITH THE WHITE SOX

The new General Manager of the White Sox, Chris Getz, has been turning over every stone around the world looking for talent to fill the team’s roster. This rock Chris gets is reigning KBO MVP of the league last season in the Korean Baseball league. Not actually a Korean decent as he is an American player RHP Erick Fedde who played six seasons in Washington before playing the lone season in the KBO. The White Sox actually out bid the New York Mets for Fedde’s services. I find that hard to believe. However, Fedde has hit his biggest pay day of his career – a two year deal worth 15 million.

Erick Fedde is 30 years old and was drafted by the Nationals out of UNLV in 2014. Fedde in 2022 made 27 starts & had a record of 6-13 with a very high 5.81 ERA. Fedde’s career numbers in the MLB are a record of 21-33 with 5.41 ERA in 102 games of which 88 of those games were starts. This sounds like a guy the White Sox love. Last year in the KBO, Fedde found himself and pitched the best year of his life as he may have a deal with the devil. For the NC Dinos of the KBO, he made 30 starts & had a 20-6 record with 2.00 ERA as he was the MVP of the league and earned himself an All-Star appearance as well. He received the Choi Dong-Won award which is compared to the states’ Cy-Young award for pitchers. Fedde earned one million last year in the KBO. In six seasons in Washington, he had a total of 6.2 million that he was paid throughout his six seasons in the MLB. This contract he has tripled his earnings with a 2 year pact for 15 million.

How does the White Sox starting rotation shape up for the 2024 season? It depends on if the White Sox keep Dylan Cease as he would be the number one starter. The way things are going, the team most likely will trade Cease & that leaves a rotation with many question marks. From last year, we still have Michael Kopech, a guy who we are waiting on to be the next Ace of the staff. Instead, Kopech may be better off in the bullpen. Kopech last season went 5-12 with 5.43 ERA and is very injury prone. The White Sox also have a hold over Touki Toussaint, a cast off who went 4-7 in 16 starts with a 4.97 ERA. The White Sox landed two pitchers from the Braves that features damage goods Michael Soroka and an LHP with only one season under his belt, Jared Shuster. Where does Erick Fedde fit in? He could be anywhere from 1 through 5 with this lump of flaming heap the White Sox has assembled. Fedde is another gamble like Soroka, but they have hopes he finds his old form after dealing with injuries the last few seasons. The KBO MVP in the MLB is most likely going to be an average player. Out-bidding the Mets, I think maybe New York came to their senses. I love the story about Fedde, a guy who goes overseas to improve his game, just like when I saw the movie Mr. Baseball. This move is a reach for Chris Getz who is probably handcuffed by the miser owner Jerry Reinsdorf and has to pray these moves pans out. This is amateur hour on the south side of Chicago. Grow a pair you cheapskate, put on your man pants, act like you are in the third largest market of the MLB, and put together a team that can win. Owners like Reinsdorf should be marched out into the ocean and fed to the sharks.

OFF SEASON TRADE

The Mariners and the Braves have been two of the busiest teams so far this off-season. The two teams come together on a trade involving 5 players. The Braves have acquired three players from the Mariners which includes 24-year-old outfielder Jared Kelenic, 31-year-old LHP Marco Gonzales and 27-year-old first baseman Evan White. Meanwhile the Mariners in return get a pair of RHP’s 20-year-old Cole Phillips and 27-year-old Jackson Kowar.

THE BRAVES BOUNTY

Jared Kelenic is a left-handed slugger. Last year he hit a monster home run at Wrigley Field. The ball traveled 482 feet. When you swing for the fences, you are prone for many strikeouts. Last season, Kelenic played in 105 games for Seattle. He had a batting average of .253 with 11 home runs driving in 49 but struck out 132 times. Kelenic has some spunk inside him as he missed time for kicking a water cooler breaking his foot. The Braves get a young guy who has only parts of three seasons under his belt so far as he played in 252 games. His career batting average is .204 with 32 home runs and 109 runs driven in. Last year his average did go up. In 252 games, Kelenic has struck out 299 times which is not good.

Last season, Marco Gonzales made only ten starts for the Mariners. Gonzales missed time with an alleviate nerve issue in his arm. He has addressed it with off-season surgery. Gonzales’ record last year was 4-1 with a high 5.22 ERA. Gonzales has 9 seasons in the MLB, a career that started in St. Louis as he has been in Seattle parts of seven of those seasons. His best year was in 2019 when he had a record of 16-13 with 3.99 ERA making 34 starts. Gonzales’ career numbers he has a record of 65-49 with a 4.14 ERA as he made 155 starts.

The Mariners had high hopes for Evan White as they gave him a 6 year 24 million contract before he even made his MLB debut. White throws with his left arm but bats from the right side. White has only played in 84 games and has only 279 career at-bats. The hitting stats do not look good with a batting average of .165 ten long balls and 35 RBI’s throughout two seasons. He has played in the Majors since 2021 as he still has been working on his game in the Mariners farm system.

THE MARINERS HAUL

Cole Phillips was the Braves’ second round draft pick of the 2022 draft. Phillips went through Tommy John surgery and has yet to throw a professional pitch. Baseball scouts have always been intrigued by his abilities. This prospect is a wait and see for the Mariners.

Jackson Kowar has pitched parts of three seasons for the Kansas City Royals and came to the Braves in a trade. Kowar never pitched for the Braves as he was sent to the Minors when he arrived. Kowar last year pitched in 23 games & had a 2-0 record with 6.43 ERA as a relief pitcher logging in 28 innings of work. His career numbers he has a record of 2-6 in 39 games he has made 8 starts but has a high 9.12 ERA in 74 innings of work. Kowar also has 75 strikeouts in those 74 innings he has pitched.

For the Seattle Mariners, this trade is to shed salary. They traded Eugenio Suarez to the Diamondbacks as another salary dump move weeks ago. The team may opt not to resign Teoscar Hernandez who’s a free agent as they traded for him last off-season. Hernandez is an offensive force and part of the meat of the order for the Mariners last year. Perhaps these moves could mean something bigger for the team down the line on other moves. Maybe landing some top of the line free agents.

For the Braves, Jared Kelenic and Evan White are projects right now. Kelenic could be slated in the Braves outfield on opening day as he could add more power to their line-up. Then you have Marco Gonzales that could be slated in the rotation as your 4th or 5th starter. The way the Braves are wheeling & dealing, some of these guys may be dealt to another team for another player the Braves do want on their roster next season.

D-BACKS GEARING UP FOR WORLD SERIES RETURN SIGNING RODRIGUEZ

The young Diamondbacks found themselves in the World Series last season. This off-season, the Snakes have plans to take the World Series and they are stockpiling arms and bats to lug some weaknesses and strengthen the roster to make another run. The Diamondbacks acquired a slugging third baseman from Seattle in Eugenio Suarez. Now the Snakes address their starting rotation and get a veteran arm to add to the young mix. The Diamondbacks make a splash signing land 30-year-old LHP Eduardo Rodriguez. Rodriguez is coming to Arizona on a 4-year-deal worth 80 million with a 5th year option. The D-backs are investing 20 million a year on a guy who helped Boston win a World Series a few years back.

Eduardo Rodriguez is a country man out of Venezuela. Last two seasons, he pitched in Detroit and was supposed to be one of the key cogs of the Tigers rebuild. Last year Rodriguez vetoed a trade that would have sent him to LA to pitch for the Dodgers. Rodriguez had a no-trade clause in his deal so he would not have to move his family in the middle of a season. Last year, Rodriguez made 26 starts & had a record of 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA. Rodriguez started his career in Boston where he pitched for six seasons. In 2019, it was by far the best season for Rodriguez. He made 34 starts & had a record of 19-6 with 3.81 ERA as he pitched over 200 innings. Rodriguez did not pitch in 2020 due to the pandemic. Rodriguez’s career numbers has him with an 82-53 record and 4.03 ERA as he has made 196 starts.

The Diamondbacks have Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly as their 1&2 punch. Bringing in Eduardo Rodriguez gives the Diamondbacks three solid guys to take the hill in a playoff series. All three guys can eat up innings and save the team’s bullpen. Last year’s rookie starter, Brandon Pfaadt, can be slotted in the number 4 spot. The Diamondbacks can find a number 5 by next season to fill out the rotation. Rodriguez gives the Diamondbacks a guy that has experience in the post-season. Rodriguez has pitched deep into October which includes taking the rubber in the World Series. I like this move by the Diamondbacks as they have addressed two positions so far this off-season where they have upgraded.

THE CANDY MAN HITS THE JACK POT WITH THE REDS

The Cincinnati Reds add an offensive weapon to their every day line up who can play multiple positions in the infield. The Reds are gambling on the Candy Man, one of the streakiest hitters in the game to join the young talent the team has established from last season. The switch hitting infielder, Jeimer Candelario, will get a 3 year deal from the Reds worth 45 million. The Candy Man is 30 years old in his prime now and coming off a career year last season splitting time with the Nationals and the Cubs. The Reds could work Candelario into the line up every day at either of the corner positions of the infield or the DH slot.

Jeimer Candelario debuted with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Candelario was traded to the Tigers in 2017 after really only a cup of coffee in the Majors with the Cubbies. Candelario has 8 seasons in the Majors and six of them were in Detroit. Last year, he left the Tigers, signed with the Nationals, and then was traded back to the Cubs at the deadline. In 2023, Candelario batted .251 with 22 long balls while driving in 70 with both teams. His numbers were better in Washington than Chicago overall. The Candy Man’s career numbers he has a batting average of .243 with 88 home runs while driving in 318 in 746 games.

The Reds are paying a lot of money for a guy who’s up and down like a roller coaster during his 8 year career. Jeimer Candelario has a track record and he can be hot or cold. In his first 27 games as a Tiger, he batted .330. After he was traded last season to the Cubs, he came off like gang busters with the hot bat putting up some big numbers. Then the last 32 games last season, he faded away hitting .154. In 2019, his average for the season was .203. Then during the shortened pandemic season, the Candy Man played 52 games and batted .297. He led the league in doubles in 2021. If he can hit, he joins a young and up coming team the Reds have with guys like Jonathan India, Noelvi Marte, and Elly DeLa Cruz, who may be the Reds’ next superstar. I like the addition of the Candy Man. I don’t like the contract. I think the Reds over paid for this type of guy’s talents.

KIMBREL WILL NOW SPREAD HIS WINGS IN THE ORIOLES NEST

Last season, the Orioles entered the post-season without their lock down closer, Felix Bautista. Bautista’s season was derailed by a late season injury. He will miss the entire 2024 season after having Tommy John surgery. One of the Orioles’ top priorities this off-season was putting a check mark on adding a closer. The Orioles add a guy who’s 8th all-time in MLB history with 417 saves under his belt. The Orioles sign 35 year old Craig Kimbrel to a one year deal worth 13 million with an option for the 2025 season.

Last season, Craig Kimbrel was in Philadelphia and earned his 9th all-star appearance of his career. Kimbrel pitched in 71 games & had an 8-6 record, 3.26 ERA while converting 23-28 save opportunities. The Orioles will be Kimbrel’s 8th team of his career that started with Atlanta. Kimbrel has pitched in Boston, both teams in Chicago, Padres, and Dodgers. Kimbrel is a guy Baltimore likes due to his post-season experience during which he recorded 10 saves in 30 innings of October baseball. Kimbrel’s life time numbers are solid with a 49-42 record and a low 2.40 ERA with 417 saves.

Craig Kimbrel struggled in the NLCS last post-season as the Diamondbacks made him look like he has not converted over 400 saves in his career. Kimbrel the last few seasons has been up and down, so I would be worried not knowing what I will get if I was the Orioles. Last year the Orioles were the number one seed in the American League. It’s a team assembled with young talent and late in ball games they did not fear the door would be closed on the opposing team by Felix Bautista, who pitched lights out in those 9th innings. Kimbrel can be wild at times where he can’t find the strike zone. Not many clean innings as a good portion of his saves are tight rope acts where even Circus people would not walk his line. I would like a back up option just in case this move goes south on this Orioles team.

CROSSING THE TRACKS

Luis Severino built by the Death Star Evil Empire Yankees is crossing the tracks over to the other New York baseball team. Severino, not soured by the Big Apple, gets a 1 year deal with the Mets for 13 million. Severino can earn earn an extra two million dollars on the deal with performance incentives like amount of starts he has during the season.The 29 year old RHP is a 2-time All-star and has played his entire career wearing the pinstripes.

Last season for the Yankees, Luis Severino made 18 starts & had a record of 4-8 with a very high 6.65 ERA. In 2022, Severino had19 starts as his record was much better at 7-3 with a respectable ERA of 3.18. His best years of his career came in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, he started 31 games & had a record of 14-6 with 2.98 ERA. In 2018, he started 32 games & had a record of 19-8 with 3.39 ERA. Over parts of 8 seasons, Severino’s career numbers have him with a record of 54-37 with 3.79 ERA in 125 starts. Injuries have followed Severino around like dark clouds. In 2019, Severino suffered a rotator cuff strain. Then in 2020, he had Tommy John surgery.

The Mets had a pair of 40 million dollar a year front line starters going into last season. The Mets season last was an absolute failure so they traded Justin Verlander back to Houston and dealt Max Scherzer to Texas. The Mets this off-season had two spots in their rotation cemented with Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana. Adding Luis Severino gives them a 4th or 5th guy in the rotation. For the Mets, this is a low risk deal/high ceiling award on taking a flyer on Severino’s talents. Signing Severino keeps him in familiar territories of the Big Apple in the last 8 seasons but gives him a new beginning in another uniform & a different organization. If Severino can avoid any set backs due to injuries, he can hit the bonus incentives in the deal and could hit the lottery in 2025 with a better deal if he can find his old groove as well. If the Mets season goes in the crapper and Severino does well, he could be used as a trade chip. This signing dots all the I’s & crosses all the T’s in a move that could be a savvy one as we see how it plays out.

TIGERS ADDING SOME ASIAN TO THEIR ROTATION

The Detroit Tigers played well in the second half last season as they had a record of 39-34 as they play in one of the worst divisions in baseball. They finished in second place with a record of 78-84. The Tigers have not finished this high in years as they have a young team with some veterans in place and they feel their manager, former Astros skipper AJ Hinch, is the guy to get Detroit back to the playoffs. The Tigers signed a starter from the division rival Twins, a team they looked up to in the standings and stood nine games behind the AL Central Champs last season. The Tigers improve their starting rotation signing 36 year old Japanese star Kenta Maeda to a two year deal worth 24 million.

Last year Kenta Maeda had 20 starts for the Twins with a record of 6-8 with a 4.23 ERA. Maeda missed the entire 2022 season with an injury and looked solid last season in his return. Maeda is originally from the NPB Nippon Professional Baseball league that played in Japan. Maeda pitched years for the Hiroshima Carps before coming to the states where he started his MLB career with the Dodgers in 2016. In Maeda’s first season in the MLB, it was his best year finishing with a 16-11 record starting in 32 games in a full Major League season. In the pandemic shortened season of 2020, Maeda pitched lights out that year with a 6-1 record in 11 starts and 2.70 ERA. During seven seasons so far in the MLB, Maeda’s record is 65-49 as he made 155 starts with 3.92 ERA.

The Minnesota Twins have now lost two guys in their starting rotation from last season. Sonny Gray signed with the Cardinals & now Kenta Maeda joins the rival Tigers. The Tigers are seeing the Guardians who look like they are on a spending freeze and may deal some of their pitching away this off-season. The White Sox are in shambles trading away guys and looking like a rebuild instead of a retool. Then the Royals are still the Royals. The Tigers took a guy from their rival and now have a rotation that lines up with Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson, Matt Manning, & now Maeda. The Tigers rotation could be the best in the Central by the time the season starts. Depending on other teams’ moves or if the Tigers will add another arm. Maeda gives the Tigers a much needed veteran presence as Eduardo Rodriguez opted out of his deal and heads for free agency. Maeda may not be an upgrade over Rodriguez. Maeda did throw the ball well last year after missing a year. I’m sure the Tigers are not quite done adding some more players to a roster that is trending in the right direction.

THE CARDINALS ARE STOCKING THE NEST WITH ARMS THIS OFF-SEASON

The St. Louis Cardinals last year had a 71-91 record which was last place in the NL Central. Very un-Cardinals like. The pitching staff of the Cardinals in 2023 gave up 829 runs. Very un-Cardinals like. The 829 runs averaged out to 5.1 runs per game they were allowing which was second worst in the NL. Very un-Cardinals like. The Cardinals, taking a script out of the World Series champion Rangers book, have gone out and signed three veteran hurlers to improve their starting rotation for the 2024 season. The Cardinals sign Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, and Lance Lynn in hopes all three right-handed pitchers could be the start of fixing the entire St. Louis staff.

Last season Kyle Gibson, in his lone season in Baltimore, had a nice record of 15-9 with 4.73 ERA and helped the Orioles win the AL East with the best record in the league. The Orioles bring in Gibson on a one year deal worth 13 million. Gibson, at the age of 36, made all his starts last season which was 33. The Cardinals will be Gibson’s 5th team of his 11 season career in the MLB. His career started in Minnesota, and then Texas, Philadelphia, and last off-season he signed a one year deal with the Orioles. Gibson’s career numbers have him with a winning record of 104-100 with a 4.54 ERA. Last year, Gibson allowed the most hits in the AL.

The Cardinals reunite with one of their own former pitchers, Lance Lynn. Lynn will get a one year deal in his second stint with St. Louis for 11 million. Last year split between the White Sox and Dodgers, Lynn had a 13-11 record with a very high 5.73 ERA in 32 games. Lynn started his career in St. Louis and moved on to Minnesota, then New York Yankees, followed by Texas & then the White Sox who traded him to LA. The 36 year old has been traded three times in his career. Over 12 seasons in the MLB, Lynn has a record of 136-95 with a 3.74 ERA. Last year, Lynn gave up the long ball. Lynn gave up 44 home runs and was the 2nd worst in the entire MLB. Those 44 dingers were sixth most surrendered by a pitcher in MLB history in one season. In Lynn’s last outing in the post-season pitching for the Dodgers, he gave up 4 home runs in one inning versus the World Series-bound Diamondbacks.

Sonny Gray is by far the best arm the Cardinals signed so far this off-season. The 34 year old Gray will get a 3 year deal worth 74 million. Last year with the Twins, Gray had an even record of 8-8 as he made all 32 starts with a respectable 2.79 ERA. Gray has pitched in the majors for 11 seasons starting with the Oakland A’s. The Cardinals will be Gray’s 5th team as he also pitched for the Yankees and the Reds. Gray only allowed 8 long balls last year which was the best in the AL.

The NL Central is not a very strong division team-wise. Adding aging veterans could help you this season. All three starters were healthy last year. I worry about Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. With these two, you need an offense to score runs if you want to win those games they start. Could they be washed up? That is the biggest question. Maybe St. Louis can get the best out of those guys if they tweak something here. They are only one year deals as no team would give Lynn and Gibson more years on the contract. The Sonny Gray signing is a nice pick up. Gray has stayed healthy his entire career, so the years are okay on this deal. This plan signing free agents for St. Louis tells me they have no young arms ready at this time to pitch for them. The Cardinals have always been known for building their teams with home grown talent and making those few savvy trades to get them over the top. Obviously they need more pieces to fill in the other holes on the roster. This St. Louis plan looks more like a one year scheme to win next year as beyond then, we’ll wait and see.

WHITE SOX BARGAIN BIN TRADITION STILL THRIVING

It does not matter who the General Manager of the White Sox is. It’s always the same way of doing things as Chris Getz, new GM of the White Sox, is following his predecessors Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn on building a baseball team. Rebuilding, irritating the fan base, and going cheap are the three key ingredients for the South Side mentality of building winning baseball. The new Sheriff in town rejected the option on Tim Anderson, setting him free. Getz finds Anderson’s replacement in the bottom of the bargain bin dusty next to the Weekend at Bernie’s, straight to Beta copy. White Sox splash free agent move is for 30 years old 7 year veteran Paul DeJong on a one year deal worth 1,75 million with 250,000 incentives included in the deal.

Last year, Paul DeJong played for three teams as he sounds like a perfect guy for the White Sox roster. DeJong started his career with the Cardinals and played parts of seven seasons with them until he was traded to the Blue Jays last year at the deadline. It did not take DeJong long to be released by Toronto as he then caught on with the Giants. Last season with all the uniforms DeJong wore, he played in 99 games, batted .207 with 14 long balls driving in 38. DeJong’s career numbers with the lumber he has a batting average of .229 & 116 home runs while driving 344 runs. His rookie season DeJong batted .285 and had 25 home runs. In 2019, he hit 30 bombs as his average dipped to .233. The last few seasons DeJong has lost his swing batting .197 in 2021 and .157 in 2022.

Why the hell do the White Sox want him as the team’s next short stop? Besides collecting players this off-season who have roots in the state of Illinois. DeJong went to Antioch High School and played his college ball at Illinois State University. The White Sox having DeJong will be an upgrade on defense over Tim Anderson. DeJong had 13 more home runs than Anderson’s one dinger he hit last year. The White Sox neglected not to re-sign Elvis Andrus either. Andrus batted .255 with 6 long balls driving in 44 and in my opinion is a better defender than DeJong. This is a new regime out with the old in with the new. We are doing it Chris Getz’s way now as he took the job because he never liked the team the White Sox had the last few years. DeJong, like other players the team got in the Aaron Bummer trade, are castaways and the team thinks they will be playing with chips on their shoulders. That they’ll be out to prove to the world they can play the game at a high level. I like the idea of improving the defense up the middle of the diamond. Not sure what the White Sox direction is. What the feeling is behind a complete tear down and rebuild. If they are trying to contend right now, they have to get better talent than the bargain bin because after awhile, this is embarrassing being a fan of this team. Even though I have been embarrassed for years. The White Sox way, if DeJong does good or bad, it’s a bargain deal. If the team is terrible next year and DeJong has a rebound year, he may be a nice trade piece. Small market team playing in the third biggest market of the country. Only the White Sox.

MIKE SHILDT GETS ANOTHER CHANCE TO MANAGE

The St.Louis Cardinals fired Mike Shildt as their manager after getting the team to the playoffs 3 out of the 4 years after the 2021 season. Shildt became the interim manager in 2018 after the Cardinals fired Mike Matheny. Shildt went 41-28 the rest of the way which earned him the manager spot as interim was crossed off his title. In 2019, the Shildt-led Cardinals won the NL Central with a 91 win season. In 2020 and 2021, the Cardinals found the playoffs as a wild card selection. Shildt’s record in St.Louis was 252-199 which averages out 91 wins per season of 162 game schedule. Shidt did not get his team deep into the playoffs as he had a 4-9 record in the post-season. The Cardinals elected to go with pitching coach Oliver Marmol instead and fired Shildt as he hooked on to the Padres as a consultant to their player development.

The Padres last season were supposed to make the playoffs as the owner went all in with a huge pay roll. The Padres went deep into post-season in 2022 with Bob Melvin in his first year in San Diego. The Padres let Melvin walk to division rival Giants this off-season which created a vacancy for a new skipper for this team. The Padres finished 82-80 which was not good enough. The Padres could not win the close games. Last season, the Padres went 9-23 in one run games. In extra inning games, the Padres went 2-12. When third base coach Matt Williams was recovering from hip surgery, Mike Shildt filled in for him. Shildt saw with his own eyes and knows these guys coaching them and being involved with the organization how the team regressed after almost making it to the World Series in 2022.

The Padres feel Mike Shildt deserves a second chance as a manager and promoted him to solve their vacancy. Shildt is 55 years old and the Padres may lose a few of their high end pitching to free agency. Blake Snell who won the Cy-young award for the NL in Padres uniform last season will test his market value. Josh Hader, former Brewer the Padres landed in a trade, will also seek riches in the free agent market. The Padres may not want more big contracts on this team as the front office have discussed trading young outfielder Juan Soto instead of extending him with a massive deal. AJ Preller, the Padres GM, did not see eye to eye with Bob Melvin. You could say that Shildt and Preller have probably formed a nice working relationship because they let Melvin walk out the door rather easily. Then the Padres really did not have a long drawn out interviewing process with multiple candidates. I think Shildt deserves another shot as his record in St. Louis was solid. He inherits a team with a ton of talent in place. The job will be challenging because you still have the Dodgers in the division. The Diamondbacks, a young team that made it to the World Series last year, will not be going away any time soon. The Giants will most likely be better if they spend money, which they are rumored to do so. This is the old NL Central with mostly bad teams from Shildt’s Cardinals days. I think it’s a hire you can wrap your brain around in a positive way.

OFF SEASON TRADE

The Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks strike up an off-season trade involving three players. The Mariners sending 32 year old third baseman slugger Eugenio Suarez to the desert. The Diamondbacks sending 30 year old back up catcher Seby Zavala and 24 year right handed reliever Carlos Vargas to complete the deal. The Diamondbacks looking to stabilize the hot corner while Seattle clearing some salary and adding depth to their roster.

The Diamondbacks actually get younger at third base by trading for Eugenio Suarez. Last year, Evan Longoria manned the hot corner. Longoria is 38 years old, heading to free agency, and only played 74 regular season games due to injuries. Longoria did manage to play 16 out of the 17 post-season games for the Snakes. Suarez is an upgrade that will bring power to line up and is a good club house guy. What comes with power is strike outs as Suarez is one of the league leaders, with 214 of them last season and another 196 in 2022. Suarez has been in the league for ten seasons starting in Detroit. Then he went to Cincinnati where he played most of his career at for 7 of those seasons. The Reds traded him to the Mariners now he’s moving on to the desert. Last year, Suarez batted .232 with 22 long balls while driving in 96. Suarez’s career numbers, he has a .248 batting average as he racked up 1,154 hits with 246 dingers and has driven 730 runs. Suarez had a monster year in 2019. That year he had 49 long balls while driving in 103. He was all-star in 2018 when he hit 34 home runs. The Diamondbacks would have their new third baseman under contract for the 2024 season with an option in 2025.

The Mariners bring back a career back up catcher, Seby Zavala, who has parts of 4 seasons under his belt. Zavala played most of his career with the White Sox, last year was designated for assignment, and the Diamondbacks picked him up off the scrap heap. Zavala played seven games for the Diamondbacks & had 5 hits in 14 at-bats. For the entire 2023 season with the White Sox/ Diamondbacks, Zavala hit a smooth .171. Zavala is a career .210 hitter known for his defense which baffles me because I watched him with the White Sox. I thought he was lazy on breaking balls not blocking them with his body, but just stabbing them with his mitt. The other guy the Mariners get is a 24 year old pitcher out of the Dominican Republic who made his MLB debut last season. In 4 games, Vargas tallied 4.2 innings of work & had a high 5.79 ERA but did have 7 strike outs. Obviously the Mariners will clear some salary with this move and have a hole at third. Perhaps they have a planned move to fill that position on the diamond. They address their need for a back up catcher. They add a young arm that may have a high ceiling type of move and at some point or this upcoming season could make an impact.

BRAVES COLLECTING WHITE SOX PITCHING THIS OFF SEASON

So far this off-season for the Atlanta Braves, it’s all about collecting White Sox pitching. The Atlanta Braves organization has always had their own factory for right and left handed arms. The Braves do hire some outside work as they signed former White Sox starter/reliever Reynaldo Lopez to a three year 30 million deal. The Braves recently acquired Lopez’s teammate Aaron Bummer from the White Sox, a left handed reliever for the back end of the pen. With the signing of Lopez, does this mean Lucas Giolito will be coming to Atlanta as they have been a package deal their entire career? Maybe not as the Braves plan on using Lopez this season as a starter for their rotation.

Reynaldo Lopez started his career in the NL East pitching for the Nationals. Then Washington traded Lopez and Giolito to the White Sox, so the both of them spent parts of seven seasons on the south side. Lopez has 8 years of service in the MLB as he started 97 games over his career but struggled and became useful in the bullpen. Last year the White Sox struggled as the team exploded in a bad way. Lopez was part of the struggles as he went 2-5 last year with a 4.29 ERA as he converted 6 saves but also imploded on other save opportunities. The White Sox shipped Lopez and once again Giolito in a package deal to the Angels. For the Angels, Lopez improved as he had a 0-2 record, but his 2.77 ERA he was getting outs again. The Angels fell out of contention and it was well past the trade deadline so they released players hoping other teams would claim them and take their salary off their hands. The Guardians claimed both Lopez and Giolito. Once again these two have found each other. Lopez in 12 games for the Guardians was 1-0 and did not give up a run as he had 0.00 ERA in 11 innings pitched. Lopez’s numbers his entire career look like this with a 39-49 record in 241 games with a 4.32 ERA as he pitched a total of 679.2 major league innings with 617 strikeouts. It started out a bad year for Lopez, but he went 3-7 for the 2023 season with a 3.27 ERA in 68 games.

I think Reynaldo Lopez jumped on this deal for two reasons: being slated into the starting rotation and the money. Not sure Lopez was getting multiple offers for multiple year deals on the table. Lopez is like a box of chocolates, you just don’t know what you will get. Lopez can look dreadful for parts of the season. Then he can pitch lights out for long periods of time. It was the same way when he was a starter, you’d think he turned the corner and suddenly he goes back to his old ways of struggling. The man has good stuff, and if the Braves can help him harness this stuff on almost every outing, this could reap the benefits of paying him up to 30 million. The Braves as an organization are no dummies and they have the smarts to tweak or make an adjustment to Lopez’s mechanics and have this guy firing on all cylinders. The money is a little too high for my tastes. The good thing is the Braves get a versatile-style pitcher who can start games and deliver in the pen in a pinch. The entire league loves White Sox pitchers from last year as they are high in demand. As a group, all these pitchers on the south side of Chicago did not deliver as a group. How will Lopez do without Giolito if they become separated their first season away from each other? This is the most important question of this entire signing

BREWERS GOING WITH MURPHY’S LAW NEXT SEASON

The Chicago Cubs plucked former manager of the Brewers, Craig Counsell, for their manager. The Brewers strike back promoting Counsell’s old bench coach and friend, Pat Murphy, as their next manager. Murphy will be 65 years old at the end of the month and will get a three year deal to be the team’s next manager. You can say this is a small market style of move by the Brewers, not really generating any kind of deep search for the job. Murphy has been Counsell’s side kick for years and you could say he knows the team better than any outside voice coming in. Murphy has a 37 year relationship with Counsell that goes back to him coaching Craig at University of Notre Dame as a player from 1989-92. Now these friends will face each other in the same division for years to come and who will win is the biggest question.

Pat Murphy did have one stint as a manager for the San Diego Padres when the team fired Bud Black in 2015. Murphy became the interim coach and under his thumb the Padres went 42-54 to finish the 2015 season. After Notre Dame Murphy coached at Arizona State from 1995-2009. In 2009 NCAA had a investigation into the Sun devils for numerous violations in the program. Murphy was then hired by the Padres to managed their minor league teams as he coached single A levels and Triple A and from 2011-15 compiled up a 273-230 record.

Pat Murphy has been around, knows this game, and seen it on many levels. They say Murphy has that sense of humor and can relate to all his players, but at the same time shifting gears on what they need to change to get better. You might say Murphy has taught Craig Counsell all he knows about managing in the big leagues. It will be interesting seeing the sensei Murphy, versus his student, Counsell, when the Cubs and Brewers square off. The bench coach is different from managing the team because every day you have lots of duties to tend with. The Brewers also brought in former team second baseman Richie Weeks to join Murphy’s staff as the associate manager. Weeks had a long career as a player which included spending years playing with the Brewers & was already working for the teams front office. The Brewers want to keep the culture the same with this team as they hope they can still contend without Counsell and not miss a beat. This hire looks like more Murphy grooming Weeks to be the future skipper of the Brewers. The Brewers are like that high school in a small town who some years they have the talent and can compete for the state finals. Some years the town is not producing enough talent so they have to wait until the next crop.

THE 2023 MLB HARDWARE

MVP AWARD

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Shohei Ohtani DH/P LA ANGELS

Hitting: BA: .304, HR 44, RBI 95

Pitching: Record (10-5) 3.14 ERA

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Ronald Acuna Jr. OF ATLANTA BRAVES

Hitting: BA .337, HR 41, RBI 106

CY-YOUNG

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Gerrit Cole RHP NEW YORK YANKEES

Pitching: Games 33, Record: 15-4, IP 209, 2.63 ERA, 222 K’S

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Blake Snell LHP SAN DIEGO PADRES

Pitching Stats: Games 32, Record: 14-9, IP 180, 2.25 ERA, 234 K’S

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Gunnar Henderson SS/3B BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Hitting: BA .255, HR 28, RBI 82

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Corbin Carroll OF ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Hitting: BA .285, HR 25, RBI 76

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Brandon Hyde: BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Record: 101-61

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Skip Schumaker: MIAMI MARLINS

Record: 84-78

A BAG OF ROCKS

A WHITE SOX TRADE

The Chicago White Sox and the Atlanta Braves strike up a deal in a trade involving six players. In the first big trade of the off-season, the White Sox send 30 year old veteran left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer to Atlanta. The White Sox get 5 players in return. The White Sox get three pitchers and two infielders. The pitchers the White Sox get in the deal are headlined by 26 year old Michael Soroka a RHP, 25 year old Jared Shuster an LHP, and minor-league RHP 24 year old Riley Gowens. The White Sox also get 5 year veteran infielder Nicky Lopez who is 28 years old who plays short, second, and some third base. The other infielder the White Sox get is Braden Shewmake who is a 26 year old short stop who made his debut in the MLB last season.

Aaron Bummer was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2014. Originally Bummer was drafted by the Yankees in 2011 out of high school, but Aaron decided to go the college route. Bummer last season was not very good with a record of 5-5 and exploding high 6.79 ERA in 61 games of 58.1 innings of work. Bummer had the most walks last season out of his 7 year career all with the White Sox. The Braves get a guy that can strike out anybody with a sweeping breaking ball that can disappear on the hitter as he had 78 strikeouts last season. Bummer makes things difficult for left-handed hitting as the Braves most likely use his talent against the stock pile of sluggers in the NL East in late innings. Bummer could be like Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde as you don’t know what you will get. He can strike out the side or load the bases with walks. The Braves are hoping Bummer would be the star reliever like he was in 2022 with 2.36 ERA. Bummer in 2020 despite being the shortened Covid season, he pitched in 9 games with 0.96 ERA and was pitching lights out. In 2019 his ERA was 2.13. When Bummer is right, he can be one of the best in the game. Career numbers Bummer has a 14-15 record in 289 games with 3.84 ERA along with 5 saves and striking out 309 batters in 272 innings of work.

Last season, Michael Soroka returned after missing 2021 and 2022 due to injuries. Last year Soroka made 6 starts in 7 games & had a record of 2-2 with 6.40 ERA. Soroka’s life time numbers has him with a career of 17-8 with 3.32 ERA in 44 games through parts of 4 seasons. All his numbers come in 2019, by far his best season, when he went 13-4.

Nicky Lopez was drafted by the Kansas City Royals who traded the slick glove infielder to the Braves at the deadline last season. Lopez has 5 seasons under his belt of Major League time and is a guy who plays solid defense and can play multiple positions in the infield. With the bat, you’re not going to get very much offense production out of him. Last season splitting time with Kansas City and Atlanta, he batted .231 with 1 long ball driving in 25. His career batting average is .249 with 6 long balls driving in 131 runs. He has played in 544 games and is a guy on a good team coming off your bench to play defense.

Jared Shuster is a starting left-handed pitcher who made his MLB debut this season and had 11 starts for the Braves. Shuster had a 4-3 record but very high 5.81 ERA. Shuster was drafted in the first round by the Braves in 2020.

Braden Shewmake had a cup of coffee last season in the Majors for two games making his debut. Had 4 At-Bats & did not record a hit. Shewmake is a short stop who could be the gem of this group as he was drafted in the first round in 2019.

Riley Gowens was drafted in the 9th round of last year’s draft, so the jury is still out on this young right handed pitcher. Gowens was drafted out of the University of Illinois so he’s a local kid who grew up in the Chicagoland burbs. He may know the White Sox are a complete disaster.

In Chris Getz’s first trade as the General Manager, he got 5 players for one. Getz landed two players with Chicago roots. Getz found a broken down pitcher as the headliner in this deal in hopes he will make a full recovery and find his old groove. Then one player is a former Royal & suddenly this will be the trend as we have a former Royal coach as a manager and former player and front office guy from the Kansas City Royals in Getz. Could we pick a winning organization when it comes to collecting their left overs? Some of these guys Getz landed were probably on their way out the door as Atlanta had already non-tendered them and made them free agents. The White Sox think they have two pitchers for the rotation next year with Jared Shuster and Michael Soroka. Then is the future short stop going to Braden Shewmake who will replace Tim Anderson? Nicky Lopez will be a jack of all trades just like Leury Garcia coming off the bench. It’s ok. Lopez is another local guy. Watch… the best part of this deal will be the local kid Riley Gowens. Not sure what the grand scheme of things is with the White Sox. Aaron Bummer, I feel like keeping him gives the team one guy with a track record that can get late inning outs. I trust Bummer rebounding from a bad season more than the box of rocks the White Sox got in return here. Bummer was also a guy the team had control of the next few seasons. Could the White Sox got more from Bummer at the deadline in 2024 if he was having a good season, if the team struggled as we know it will.

COUNSELL LEAVES BREW TOWN FOR THE ARCH ENEMY IN CHICAGO

When the Chicago Cubs believe they are about to contend for the next few years, they become vultures. Before the Cubs broke the curse of the billy goat, they needed a manager when the contention window was about to be opened. The Cubs found a clause in Joe Maddon’s contract that made him available to get out of the Tampa Bay Rays job. The Cubs paid Maddon a hefty price as they fired the bridge manager Ricky Renteria, like taking the recyclables to the curb. Maddon slayed the goat curse and the Cubs broke a World Series drought over 100 years old in 2016. Last year the Cubs won 83 games as they are reaping the benefits of the core from that 2016 team they sold off. The Cubs feel they are ready as they pounced on division rival manager, Craig Counsell, when he came available because his contract came to an end with the Brewers. Counsell is now the highest paid manager in the game. This while David Ross, the former Cubs skipper, will be looking for another job as he was canned the same way like Renteria years prior.

Craig Counsell’s last season, the Brewers won the NL Central with a 90-70 record. Counsell has gotten the Brewers to the playoffs 5 out of the last six seasons. Counsell managed the Brewers the last nine seasons and leaves the Brew town with most games managed and most wins. Counsell’s record as Brewers manager is pretty respectable with 707-625. The Brewers let his contract expire as they were willing to work out a deal. Counsell interviewed with the Guardians and the Mets, & then the Cubs came calling. The best way to get someone to leave the town where they were born and raised. To leave an organization where you played for as a player than a manager… is 40 million. That was the price that Counsell took to leave his home in Milwaukee as he gets a 5 year deal in Chicago worth 40 million of which he will be paid 8 million annually. Counsell now is the highest paid coach in the MLB.

I don’t blame Craig Counsell for leaving Milwaukee as the Brewers knew his contract was going to end. They could have worked out some kind of deal & they had plenty of time to do so. The Brewers rumors has the organization perhaps leaving town because Miller Park is not suitable for their baseball needs. Now the stadium is called American Family Field and the Brewers want the state of Wisconsin to pay the taxes on upgrading the stadium. The Brewers stadium is not that old, but nowadays it’s a tear down society. The Brewers run operations like a Lemonade stand because they are small market team. The year the Brewers did not make the playoffs in the last six seasons was because ownership were selling off a few players at the deadline with the team in first place. The Brewers and Counsell are not getting the few guys to put them over the top. Now you head to Chicago where money is no object for them.

Craig Counsell becomes the 56th manager of the Chicago Cubs. During the introductory press conference, Craig said the Cubs organization is in great health overall and throughout. Counsell believed in General Managers of the Cubs, Jed Hoyer, and his vision of what they have now and what they would like to add to the mix. The money is the main thing. Counsell, one of the brightest baseball minds in the game, now can take the reigns of an organization that will spend money on roster needs. With Counsell growing up in Milwaukee, he is not far from home coming to Chicago. Unless he is black-listed and an enemy of the state in Wisconsin. Counsell went to Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana which is not far from Chicago. He’s close to everything. Being in the same division he managed 9 seasons, is a plus. Going back to Milwaukee may be a sticky situation at first as he’s considered a traitor by some of the cheeseheads. I thought the other team in Chicago should drop their idiot manager and sign Counsell. Maybe the White Sox instead will sign David Ross like they did when the team signed Ricky Renteria. The lovable loser name for the Cubs may just be a distant memory these days. The organization is ruthless like a very small space station status to the Evil Empire Yankees’ Death Star.

HAPPY TRAILS DUSTY BAKER

Dusty Baker should have walked away from the game last season when the Astros won the World Series. Baker won his first ever World Series as a manager after a long career as a baseball manager. Baker could have walked away into the sunset whistling Dixie and not leave town on a sour note. Baker decided to come back this season and try for another World Series ring and it did not happen. The Texas Rangers delivered the final blow to the Astros and Baker’s managerial career at the same time. Typical Baker alienates another franchise and blames everyone else outside the baseball world for not getting the job done and officially retires from the game of baseball as a manager.

Dusty Baker will probably get to the Hall of Fame as a manager. Baker at 74 years old guided the Astros to their 3rd consecutive AL West title as they won the division with a 90-72 record. Houston once again were deep into the post-season making it once again to the ALCS. Baker in 26 seasons as manager has led 5 different teams to the post-season. His regular season record as a manager is 2,183-1,862-1. Baker was three-time manager of the year. Baker has 3 pennants & one World Series title as the skipper. Baker took the Astros job & was the perfect candidate for the job. He’s a guy many fan bases hate like all the cheating Astros players. Together they would take the abuse of every fan base on every road game due to the sign stealing scandal. The league suspended Astros manager AJ Hinch and the General Manager for their part in not stopping anything as they knew what was happening. Dusty came to the rescue. Dusty did his thing as he always starts off with any team he signs on, they start off out of the gates strong and the team gets to the post-season. As years go on, Baker wears out his welcome as he did in Houston.

I give Dusty Baker credit because he sticks to his guns when it comes to managing his team. The Astros front office wanted him to play the offensive hitting catcher. Dusty wanted his guy Martin Maldonado known for calling a great game behind the plate and the best defensive back stop in the game. Only problem is Maldonado can’t hit the baseball as he’s usually an automatic out for the opposing team. The Astros front office wanted to see young outfielder Chas McCormick get more playing time. Dusty likes to play the veterans. Dusty is old school coaching with the feel of the game. Making calls from his gut feeling. Many owners in baseball want their managers using analytics. Baker is not that guy. Baker obviously knows about bloggers and tweeters saying 30 year old people behind a computer screen are challenging every choice he made on the field this season. Baker mentioned on a podcast some late summer articles about his baseball IQ and his regular game day strategies were being questioned. If Baker does not like all the scrutiny in his job, someone should tell him to go to market and stock shelves if he does not want every two bit with a computer to have opinions. Maybe Baker should buy a team and he can be the one who scrutinizes. Owners are also targets of these tweeters, pod-casters and bloggers. Maybe worse for owners than coaches at times. Baker will have to head for the golf course in hopes no one hurts his feelings on the 16th hole.

Nobody wants to be graded on their job performance every day. Dusty Baker played the game for decades. Baker has managed for decades and knows how this all works. I don’t feel sorry for him because he deserves to be a target with all the questionable moves he has done. Using his kid to dodge questions at a press conference by reporters as the boy sat on his lap. Baker is a guy that wants everyone to praise him like he walks on water. Baker has burned out pitchers’ arms in post-season. During the 2003 playoffs, he let Moises Alou blame a fan, Steve Bartman, for interference on an obvious foul ball piss hands would not be able to get. I remember his pitcher Mark Prior was all worked up for the Cubs in that Bartman game between the Cubs and the Marlins after that foul ball. Baker did not send out the pitching coach or even bother to go out there himself to calm the storm as the levees would break right after that moment. When Baker was coaching the Giants, all his pitching moves worked against him as San Francisco blew a huge chance to win the World Series as they had control of that series. The Nationals won the World Series right after Baker was fired. Baker was a good manager but not a genius. Baker is like a bridge type of a manager, a guy that can help a team get over a hump. Sometimes organizations had to revamp the entire operation when he left kicking and screaming from every city he’s managed. I will not miss his tooth pick in his mouth with multi colored wrist bands. I will not miss him wearing batting gloves or plastic looking cleaning gloves in the dug out. I would not put him in Cooperstown as a manager. He’s a baseball villain. He’s was a mercenary taking jobs for the money and did what he wanted. His work was short term only, not with longevity. Happy Trails, Dusty we don’t trusty, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

MELVIN WEST COAST TRIP TAKES HIM HOME

The San Diego Padres called up Oakland and asked them about the status of their manager, Bob Melvin, after the 2021 season. The Athletics let Melvin walk right out the door and did not ask for anything in return. After two seasons with the Padres, the Giants called up the Padres asking them about the status of their manager Melvin. The Padres, like the Athletics, let Melvin walk out the door. Melvin returns home where he grew up by the bay and rooted for the Giants as a kid. Then he played for the Giants in the 1980’s. Now Melvin is finally home after 20 seasons up and down the west coast managing 4 different franchises. In 2024, Melvin will manage his home team the Giants.

Bob Melvin’s managing career started with Seattle in 2003 & then went to Arizona in 2005. After guiding both franchises to the playoffs, he found some stability in Oakland where he managed 11 seasons from 2011-21. Melvin has been named manager of the year three times in his career. He has guided 4 different franchises to the playoffs as he racked up 8 post-season trips total in his career. In his first season with the Padres, he helped guide them to the NLCS in 2022. With a 258 million dollar payroll, the Padres missed the playoffs. In two seasons in San Diego, Melvin had a record of 171-153. Melvin is 61 years old & in 20 seasons his regular season record is 1,517-1,425.

The last time the Giants picked up an X-Padres manager, they won three World Series titles. I don’t think Bob Melvin is any Bruce Bochy. Bob Melvin time in Oakland came to an end because the owner wanted and was plotting to move the team to Las Vegas. The Padres situation is a little different as General Manager AJ Preller did not see eye to eye with Melvin. The best thing the Padres could do is sever ties and let the Giants have Melvin. Melvin went to California Berkeley University by the bay and obviously his playing career for the Giants knows this organization. He knows the fans and his family has roots. Melvin is a re-tread manager, but the Giants think he’s an upgrade over Gabe Kapler. Kapler led the Giants to 107 victories and the NL West division title in 2021. The Giants were one series and done in the playoffs. Since that post-season, the last two seasons the Giants have been non-relevant in the division. The Giants front office thinks a local guy with loads of manager experience in the MLB could get this San Francisco team back to the post-season. The Giants may open up their bank account and shop until they drop in the free agency market this off season. Melvin just needs to be Melvin. This move is vanilla for the Giants. I agree it is an upgrade over Kapler. It all depends on the off-season, who the Giants land. The Dodgers will be good. The Diamondbacks are good and young. The Padres spend money like drunken sailors. This is a wait and see. If I was a Giants fan, I’d be worried two teams let other teams pluck their manager for nothing in return.

Ronny Boom Boom Washington Heading Back to His Ole Stomping Grounds

The Rangers finally won their first ever World Series in their franchise history after 63 seasons. Now the manager that guided the Rangers to their first two ever American League pennants in team history, has found another job as skipper in another team’s dugout. Ron Washington managed the Rangers from 2007-2014 as he left town with a winning record as a manager going 664-611. Washington had the Rangers very close to winning their first World Series in 2011 that went to St. Louis in seven games. Washington, after the 2014 season, never mangage another team but did help the Braves win a World Series in 2021 as a third base coach. Washington is heading back to the AL West, this time with the Angels.

Ron Washington played ten seasons in the MLB with 5 different teams during the 1980’s. Washington was an infielder that could play short, second base, and some third, and was a guy that came off the bench most of his career. In 564 games, Washington racked up 414 hits for a career batting average of .261 with 20 long balls while driving in 146. Guys like Washington that come off the bench most of their career, and catchers, usually make great managers in the big leagues. Washington also had his problems as he was a cocaine addict in which he tested positive when he was managing in Texas. During the 1980’s, coke was it. Washington like others in the 80’s love the white candy. Washington fought through his demons and has done well with his old habit. Washington spent seven seasons after Texas coaching the Braves, and the organization said he was a big part of why the team had so much success. He has slayed his demons now getting another chance in the dug out as the man. Washington will be the oldest manager in the game now at 71 years old. For you counting at home, he will be the second black manager throughout the MLB as Dusty Baker retired leaving the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts as the only black skipper for a short period. Both LA teams have the black hires. It should not matter what the skin color is as wins and losses are my measuring stick for how good a manager is.

Why the Angels? Ron Washington may be inheriting the worst team in the AL West. I know you are thinking Oakland, and that could be true. It depends on how the young talent they have pans out. Oakland seems to rebound quickly after trading away all their assets. The Angels had the two best position players in the game on their roster last year. They still finished with a losing record of 73-89. Is Mike Trout still one of the elite players in this league with his injury history? Black clouds follow Trout upstream, and every single season he misses games with some kind of ailment. Many think Shohei Ortani’s days in an Angels uniform have ended as he will be a free agent and will command big bucks. The Angels have given out the big contracts like Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon. These guys get paid big money and if they sneeze, they head to the injured list. The Angels are lacking pitching. The roster is like a slice of Swiss Cheese with too many holes to fill. The AL West has the champs from the last two seasons playing in the Angels division: the Rangers and the Astros. Then the Mariners are no slouch to play as they have a roster with a ton of talent and are looking to add on pieces. I feel like Washington has his work cut out for him taking this job. Washington may need to get some of that Disney magic from that baseball movie, Angels in the Outfield. Does Tony Danza still have his fast ball? Sometimes you can’t get picky about your next opportunity managing in the MLB. Hope the Angels organization have a plan in place which may mean they have to start over and go through a rebuild. Whatever they do, hope Washington is on the same page and he gets a fair shot in whatever direction this team is going in. The Rangers hired an older veteran manager that has been around last off-season. Bruce Bochey delivered. Maybe Washington could find that same kind of success, but I just don’t see it happening in 2024.

KE’BRYAN HAYS MAYS GOLDEN AT THE HOT CORNER

The Pirates third baseman, Ke’Bryan Hays, may not run like Willie Mays Hays from the movie Major League. The 23 year old Pirates third baseman can sure play some defense like legendary Giants outfielder Willie Mays. Willie Mays played center field and is a Hall of Famer who was a complete player with the bat and the glove during the 1950’s through the early 70’s. Ke’Bryan Hays completed his 4th season in the majors and perhaps is going down the same path as a Mays, but making his own legacy of Hays. Ke’Bryan is the first ever Pittsburgh Pirate to win a Gold Glove manning the hot corner.

Ke’Bryan Hays arrived in the majors during the pandemic shortened season of 2020. Hays played in 24 games that season, had 85 at-bats, hit .376, and looked like a solid piece for the Pirates rebuild. In his second season, due to an injury, Hays only played in 96 games and batted .257, but his glove work was solid. In 2022, Hays played in over 100 games & had the stellar glove work but his average dipped to .244 for the season. Last year Hays had his best season with the lumber and the glove. Hays’ defense out-shined Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arendo and broke his streak of 10 straight Gold Glove awards at third base in the National League. Hays’ strikeouts dropped from the year before and brought his average up to .271. Hays showed some power hitting 15 long balls this past season. This was the first season Hays hit double digits in home runs. Hays only hit 18 long balls for his first three seasons in the majors. Hays signed an 8 year extension in 2022 so the Pirates have faith in him and his abilities to be that guy to get it done with the glove and bat. Hays is one of many bright spots of the Pirates rebuild that is starting to come together as some of the pieces are in place like third base is a lock.

ANOTHER WHITE SOX SOB BITES THE DUST

In 2021, Tim Anderson’s moment with the walk off home run to end the Evil Empire Yankees that night in the Field of Dreams in Iowa was something special. Anderson was a former batting champion and a guy that came up from the White Sox farm system as they drafted him back in 2013. Anderson was an all-star short stop and became the face of the franchise. He was going to be the pillar of the team’s rebuild. At 30 years old, Anderson had his worst year of his baseball career. The Chicago White Sox, as a team and a franchise, had their worst year ever on and off the field. Anderson’s team option for the 2024 season was denied by the White Sox and he will be shoved out the door and become a free agent for the first time in his career.

Tim Anderson played 8 seasons on the south side of Chicago as he racked up over 1,000 hits for the White Sox. Anderson has a career batting average of .282 with 98 long balls, driving in 338 runs, & scoring 528 runs while stealing 117 bases. Anderson had his moments on defense with some years better than other. Anderson would make some incredible web gems playing the short stop position but at the same time muff the routine plays. Last year, nothing went right. His defense was poor. His offense he swung a cold bat only producing 1 home run while batting .245 after batting .300 in 2022. Anderson missed games due to injuries. He also was suspended for his fight with Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez.

The writing was written all over the wall with Tim Anderson’s days numbered on the south side of Chicago. Last year, cameras caught him saying, “I hate this place,” to his former teammate Jose Abreu who was playing first base for the Astros. Then the fight he started with Jose Ramirez at second base versus the Guardians was a huge mess as Anderson ends up being knocked out by the Cleveland third baseman. We witnessed huge bat flips by Anderson over the years which resulted in wins and benches being cleared with the Royals. Then Anderson said he was the modern day version of Jackie Robinson. Josh Donaldson on the Yankees chimed in during the game on that comment which did not fly well with both teams causing yet another bench clearing incident. When things are great, Tim Anderson could be the toast of the town. When things are bad, he is like a cancer of rust eating away at the body of your team. I don’t know if 21 year old prospect Colson Montgomery is ready to take the reigns of short stop next season. I know Anderson offered to take second base next year for the White Sox if they had a short stop they wanted to use. The new GM Chris Getz for the White Sox, thinking enough is enough, says both parties can move on. I know Anderson will find another home. I know he will bounce back. You know he will have a big game when he faces his old team with whoever. I think you have to say good riddance to Anderson because he more the problem than the solution at this time for this team.

WHITE SOX NEED SOME COUNSELLING AT MANAGER

The White Sox cleaned some of their house in the front office a few months back, firing General Manager Rick Hahn and VP of Baseball Operations, Kenny Williams. The boob that is the White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf promoted within Chris Getz as the new GM of the team. Somehow in the mix, last year’s hire at manager, Pedro Grifol, survived. He’s a jack of all trades type of guy and master of none from the Royals organization. Grifol was in over his head last year in his only season so far as a manager. It may have been the worst year ever in White Sox history as Grifol’s team went 61-101. Now is the time to fix that glaring problem everyone can see except over on 35th and Shields who drinks the White Sox kool-aid. The Brewers manager, Craig Counsell, has his contract up, is a free agent, and it’s time to get his signature on the dotted line and get rid of Pedro.

If the Milwaukee Brewers were not a small market team and spent money, they would have had a World Series trophy with Craig Counsell by now. The Brewers organization have never won a World Series title in their history as their fans saw the Texas Rangers win their first title a few days back. Counsell, born and raised in Milwaukee, has played for the Brew Crew as a player and now has managed the team for nine seasons. Counsell grew up a Brewer fan going to County stadium to see Robin Yount play and the original Bernie sliding down the slide after a home run.

As a player, Counsell played in the majors for 16 seasons with 5 different teams. He played for his home team for six of those years. Counsell was an infielder who was a career .255 hitter who played solid defense at multiple positions on the diamond. Counsell as a manager has the most wins in Brewers history. Counsell has a .531 winning percentage as a manger with a record of 707-625. Counsell has gotten the Brewers to the playoffs 5 times in the last six seasons. The Brewers reunion with Counsell is not out of the question as his contract expired. Counsell will not accept the home town discount, so Milwaukee might resort to their small market ways and not pay to keep him in their dug out.

It did not take long for Craig Counsell to have some interest around the league. Counsell is one of the best minds in baseball in the dugout throughout the entire league. The Cleveland Guardians have thrown big money at Terry Francona for years, who just retired after this season & had a interview with Counsell. Then the Mets want an interview with Counsell after they fired Buck Showalter several weeks ago. The Mets owner Steve Cohen likes to spend money and Counsell could be well-paid. The Astros have interest as Dusty Baker hit the bricks after their World Series loss. What the hell are the White Sox doing? Why are we waiting?

As White Sox fans we have no clue what this team has planned this year. The plan changes it seems year to year. One thing I do know is Pedro Grifol only worked one year of his multi-year contract and owner Jerry Reinsdorf does not fire problems that early on, which is a problem that will linger. Grifol’s baseball decisions strategy-wise in his first season were horrible. Grifol had no clue how to use the bullpen. The man’s words to the media in press conferences were nothing inspiring to write home to mom about. Like the White Sox brass before and probably today, when he spoke to the press he comes out like he’s smarter than everyone in the room when he is not. My biggest pet peeve is allowing issues in the club house to run wild. Chicago is one of the biggest markets in the game as the White Sox want to act like the Brewers and not pay a Craig Counsell what he is worth. They will stand by & let a team in their own division upgrade their situation with one savvy move. Chicago is not far from Milwaukee where Counsell has roots. Chicago is not far from where Counsell went to college at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. If the White Sox do not want to close the window on this past rebuild they worked on for several years, they need a savior. For Chris Getz to start his tenure off with a savvy move and the move that could save this core they assembled, and at the same win back some of their disgruntle fan base. It would be signing Craig Counsell to be your next manager and dropping the dead weight of Pedro Grifol.

WILL SMITH’S HAT TRICK OF BLING

The Texas Rangers won their first ever World Series knocking of the snakes from the desert in 5 games. For one Ranger, it was not his first rodeo winning a World Series title, earning his first ever ring like most of the guys on the team. For 11-year veteran left-handed reliever Will Smith, it was his 3rd ring of his career. Matter of fact, the 34 year old Smith makes baseball history by winning his 3rd ring three years in a row with 3 different teams. During the off-season, Smith signed with the Rangers as a free agent.

Will Smith has pitched now for six different teams over his MLB career. Last year he was in Houston when the Astros knocked off the Phillies to win the World Series. The year before in 2021, Smith pitched for the Atlanta Braves as they knocked out the Astros in 2021. Smith gets the hat trick of rings suiting up for three of the six teams he played for in a career that also featured the Brewers, Royals, and Giants. Smith missed opportunities early on in his career coming after the Giants won three World Series titles. He started his career with the Royals so he saw some of that team growing. When he left, Kansas City would win the entire thing in 2015.

Only two other players in MLB history played for three World Series teams in three consecutive seasons in a row.

Don Baylor during the 1980’s had a nice streak of teams he played for. Baylor played for the 1986 Red Sox, then 1987 Twins, and followed that up with the 1988 Athletics. Baylor would win one ring with the Twins in ’87 out of those three teams.

Eric Hinske would ride the coat tails of the AL East teams for three consecutive seasons making it to the World Series. Hinske suited up for the Red Sox in 2007, Rays in 2008, then the Yankees in 2009, Hinske would win two rings as the Rays were the only team not to win the entire thing during that span.

Will Smith pitched in two games of this World Series as he came out of the bullpen getting 2 outs in each appearance. Smith helped the Rangers in the bullpen all season long saving 22 games for Texas. His record was only 2-7 but pitched in 60 games logging in 57.1 innings with an 4.40 ERA which is kind of high. Smith did convert 22 saves which is a big deal. Career-wise, Smith has a 33-41 record with a 3.67 ERA in 573 games under his belt in the MLB while converting 113 saves. Three rings over 100 saves is not a bad career so far for the left-handed reliever who I suspect will continue his career a few more seasons at least.

TEXAS RANGERS FINALLY WIN THEIR FIRST EVER WORLD SERIES!!!!!

Rangers beat the Diamondbacks 4 games to 1 in a best out of seven series.

GAME 5. Rangers 5-0 Diamondbacks Final

Texas First World Series in 63 seasons

It took 5 stadiums, two dozen managers, and 10,033 games for the Rangers to win it all.

WORLD SERIES MVP

Corey Seager wins his second World Series MVP award. Seager won his first in a Dodgers uniform in 2020. Seager joins only three others who have won this prestigious award twice: Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson.

LUCKY 13

With the expansion of the MLB post-season and being a 6th seed, Rangers won 13 playoff games to clinch the World Series, which is a new record.

The Rangers won 11 road games to clinch the World Series which is the most wins away from home in the 4 major North American sports ever in one post-season.

ONLY 5 TEAMS REMAIN

The Rangers winning their first ever World Series leaves only 5 other franchises looking for their first.

San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays

RECORDS IN WORLD SERIES

Rangers all-time (1-2), Diamondbacks all-time (1-1)

Bruce Bochy wins his 4th World Series title as a manager. Bochy won three with the San Francisco Giants: 2010, 2012, and 2014. Bochy becomes the 6th manager to win 4 titles or more in the MLB. He joins Hall of Fame managers Casey Stengel (7), Joe McCarthy (7), Connie Mack (5), Walter Alston (4) and Joe Torre (4).

GARCIA UNFREESES PLAYOFF RBI RECORD

Nicknamed El-Bomi, he is also known in the baseball world as the Astros slayer. Adolis Garcia has struck again with an 11th inning bomb, & a walk off home run on Friday night to complete the Rangers epic comeback win over the Diamondbacks in game 1 of the World Series. That home run breaks the most RBI’s record in one post-season set in 2011 by St. Louis Cardinals third baseman, David Freese. It also sends all the fans from Globe Life Field happy with a playoff win.

In 2011, David Freese swung the lumber with a remarkable post-season driving in 21 runs throughout the tournament setting a new record at the time for most RBI’s in one playoff run. The Cardinals went on to beat the Texas Rangers in the World Series. Freese was the MVP of that 2011 World Series. It is interesting how the 2011 World Series and the 2023 have connected ties with each other. Adolis Garcia started his career with the Cardinals and ends up having one of the best post-seasons of all-time as he breaks the RBI record held by a former St.Louis player. Garcia’s walk off home run gives him that 22nd RBI to break & unfreese the RBI playoff record. It is the 5th straight game Garcia has a homer in. It’s the 7th straight game that Garcia has recorded at least one RBI. Garcia was undrafted. Garcia was designated for assignment twice in his MLB career. In Texas, he has new life as he’s a two time all-star and may help the Rangers win their first ever World Series title.

BOBBY JENKS IS COMING BACK TO HIS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS

If you are a White Sox fan these days, you have to go back to the past to find good news. On Thursday the news of the day was the return of Bobby Jenks to the south side of Chicago. One of the 2005 heroes of that World Series winning team, Jenks was the closer who pitched lights out during the post-season during which the White Sox broke an 88 year drought capturing the title. It seems as a White Sox fan we are back on that 88 year pace for the next one. Jenks will not be wearing the White Sox cap this go around; instead he will be wearing the manager’s hat of the Windy City Thunderbolts. Jenks has been hired as the new manager of the Thunderbolts. A minor league team in the Frontier league which is an independent league. The Thunderbolts play their home games in the south side suburb called Crestwood.

Bobby Jenks played seven seasons in the big leagues, six of them with the White Sox and the others with the Red Sox. Jenks had a big barrel shaped body as many will remember a manager back in 2005 making a pitching change. He gestured with two hands that he needed the wider guy instead of doing the normal left or right handed gesture of the pitcher you wanted at the time.

Jenks pitched on the south side from 2005-10. Jenks was a two time all-star in the black and white uniform. Jenks saved 40 games in one season, twice the first time in 2006 with 41 and then followed it up with 40 in 2007. Jenks career numbers as a closer he had a record of 16-20 with 3.53 ERA in 348 games with 351 strikeouts and converted 173 saves. His 172 saves in a White Sox uniform are still good to this day at number two all-time for the organization. Only Booby Thigpen has more with 201. Roberto Hernandez is 3rd on the all-time saves list for the White Sox with 161. Everyone will recall 18 years ago what Jenks did in the World Series as he converted two saves versus the then National League Houston Astros. Jenks had a 2.00 ERA in post-season in seven total games as he converted 5 saves. Jenks was also part of the 2008 playoff team that was knocked out by the Rays in the first round that year.

The Windy Thunderbolts are not hiring Bobby Jenks just for his history with the White Sox. Jenks is 42 years old now and has done some coaching in the minor leagues the last few seasons. In 2022, Jenks was the Pioneer League manager of the year as he had the Grand Junction Rockies finishing the season with a 62-33 record. Last season, Jenks took the pitching coach job for the Princeton Whistle Pigs of the Appalachian League. This is great move by both parties. The Thunderbolts will get more fannies in the seats with this hire. The Thunderbolts may also have a guy that is working hard climbing the ladder as a manager in professional baseball. Jenks’ short history has shown he may be a pretty good coach and have a bright future in this kind of work. This works out for Jenks as well. You know the closer will feel at home in front of his fans. His mentality means he will want to do a great job for his fans. This is a feel good story in the off-season that White Sox fans can enjoy after the horrible 2023 season. I may have to see more Thunderbolts games next season over that delusional ownership/ front office over on 35th & Shields that made my 2023 baseball season miserable.

2023 WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS

A.L. #6.TEXAS RANGERS VERSUS N.L #6. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Rangers history: Originally the Rangers were the Washington Senators from 1961-1971.

The Senators moved to Texas and became the Rangers in 1972.

World Series Titles: None

AL Pennants (3) 2010,2011, 2023, (0-2 in World Series play)

West Division titles: (7) 1996,1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016,

Wild Card berths (2) 2012, 2023,

Diamondbacks history: Established in 1998 as an expansion team

World Series Titles: (1) 2001

West Division Titles: (5) 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011

Wild Card berths (2) 2017, 2023

In 1999, and in 2011, both the Rangers and Diamondbacks made the playoffs in the same year. The third time is the charm as they face each other in the 2023 World Series.

HEAD TO HEAD

2023 REGULAR SEASON: Diamondbacks took three out of 4 games over the Rangers

ALL-TIME: Rangers record versus the Diamondbacks is 28-25

2023 POST SEASON RECORDS SO FAR: Both Rangers and Diamondbacks are 9-3 coming into the World Series.

BREAKING IT DOWN

MANAGERS

Bruce Bochy has a ton of MLB experience as a manager. Bochy has managed for 26 seasons & has a regular season record of 2093-2101. Bochy has won 5 pennants and three World Series titles. Started with the Padres & won his first pennant in San Diego. Then with the Giants, he led them to three World Series titles. In his first season with the Rangers, he has his first American league pennant. His post-season record life time including this season is 53-36.

Tory Lovullo has managed only the Diamondbacks for the last seven seasons. In seven years he has a 495-537 record in regular season. This is the second time he has gotten the Diamondbacks to the playoffs. The first time was 2017 as a wild card. Lovullo has a 10-6 post season record as he won nine of those games with this Diamondbacks team.

EDGE: RANGERS

STARTING PITCHING

The Diamondbacks 1-2-3 punch is Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfalt

The Rangers 1-2-3 punch is Nathan Eovaldi, Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer

Mad Max is a question mark because he’s the weakest link right now. However Mad Max has been here and done that and could be the X-factor. Both staffs have pitched well. The Rangers by numbers had done better this post season.

EDGE: RANGERS

BULLPEN

The Rangers bullpen as a group has 3.72 ERA in the playoffs. The Diamondbacks late innings guys Paul Sewald and Kevin Ginkel have combined for 17 scoreless innings. In critical parts of the games, the Diamondbacks relief pitchers have pitched lights out.

EDGE: DIAMONDBACKS

DEFENSE

Both teams are equal. The Rangers and Diamondbacks have both played solid defense all year long including the post-season.

EQUAL

THE POWER NUMBERS

The Rangers came into the post-season as the top slugging team in the tournament. The Rangers crush the ball hard and can hit the ball out of the park on a regular basis. The Rangers MVP this entire year Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Adolis Garcia, Mitch Garver and others can mash the baseball.

The Diamondbacks line up is closer to the average of the power numbers throughout the entire league. They do not hit the ball hard.

EDGE: RANGERS

SMALL BALL

The Diamondbacks can create problems versus their opponents on the base paths. The Snakes have swiped 16 bags in 12 playoff games this post-season.

The Rangers rely mostly on their power numbers as their offense is a beer league softball team. The Snakes will make things happen and on the base paths they do, they can steal better than most bank robbers.

EDGE: DIAMONDBACKS

FINAL THOUGHTS

I think if anyone has predicted both two six seeded teams facing each other in the World Series, you better play the lotto now. The Rangers have scored 71 runs in 12 games which is ridiculous having that kind of offensive production in October. Look at the Diamondbacks who already have 18 long balls this post season in 12 games. The Rangers eliminated the Rays who everyone thought they would win that series. The Rangers took out the number one seeded Baltimore Orioles then knocking out the defending champs the Astros. The Diamondbacks have trophies to brag about as they knocked out the Brew Crew followed by the Dodgers & then last year’s National League champs, the Phillies.

This series will feature small ball by the Diamondbacks, a team that is young and hungry. Experience-wise, the Rangers have Corey Seager who has been there with all those Dodger teams. I like Bruce Bochy who is very familiar in managing World Series games. I like this series going the distance. The Rangers though have the home field advantage with 4 games in Texas. When you’re young, the good things you don’t care and just play the game as the Diamondbacks are not over thinking, just playing the game like they did when they were kids which was not very long ago. The Rangers have veteran guys that could over think. Then you have Max Scherzer who is a 45 million dollar arm who’s aging, but could give it his finest outing of his career. In 2019 Scherzer was dealing it for the Nationals. He could be the X-factor. Will history be a factor where some teams franchises don’t have that luck winning the title? The Diamondbacks waltz in the league in 1998 and win the World Series in 2001. I believe the baseball Gods will be out. They will be proud to help the Rangers win their first ever World Series because of what they did beating the Astros. I like how they came back in the series after Houston won three in a row. I like how they were able to win road games. I think the Rangers can win this series versus the Diamondbacks getting to the Snakes starting staff and wearing them out with their bats.

PREDICTION RANGERS IN 7

The Rangers deserve a World Series title after saving baseball from the Astros winning back to back World Series titles.

THE ASTROS SLAYER

Most of the baseball world became very excited over the Texas Rangers taking the first two games of the ALCS against the Houston Astros. Then the Astros won three in a row and were one game away from their third World Series in a row. The Rangers were in first place most of the year in the AL West until the Astros stormed back and took the division by the last day of regular season. It’s an instate rivalry as well. In game 5 of the series, both benches cleared after Adolis Garcia was hit by a pitch from relief pitcher Bryan Abreu. This after a three run home run by the Rangers. That pitch was the smoking gun of the series as the 30 year old outfielder Garcia used his bat in the next two games to slay the dragon of the baseball world, the Houston Astros.

The Texas Rangers traveled to Houston for games 6 and 7. Adolis Garcia, the right handed slugger originally from Cuba, struck out 4 times. The fifth at-bat was the big blow for the Astros in that game as he cleared the bases with a grand slam. The Rangers would tie the series at 3 games a piece. Then in the deciding game 7, Garcia put on a hitting clinic in front of the crowd that booed him every time he came up to bat. It’s like all the teams around baseball booing every Astros hitter when they come up to at bat on the road. Garcia had 4 hits, of which two of them were home runs, as he was basically a one man wrecking crew. The Rangers would demolish the Astros 11-4 in that game 7 decider and move on to the World Series. To rub salt in the wounds, Garcia did an elite bat flip while staring down some of the booing fans. While circling the bases, he held up his hand to his ear as the boos poured down as to pretend he can’t hear them. It was a delightful moment in baseball.

Adolis Garcia had two multi home run games. He had at least one long ball in four consecutive games. Garcia made history in the series driving in 15 runs which is a playoff record. During his first 12 playoff games, he had 20 runs driven in. His award for knocking off Houston is the ALCS MVP. Garcia maybe single handedly ended the Astros dynasty for good. Not seeing Dusty Baker win another World Series is priceless as he may retire from managing. To see all those Astros players, that everyone hates, lose is even better. Garcia has only played 5 seasons in the Majors – a career that started in St.Louis in 2018. Garcia did not play in the MLB in 2019. During the pandemic year in 2020, he played in only 3 games for the Rangers. This year he batted .245 with 39 long balls driving in 107. His career numbers he is a .244 hitter with 97 career bombs. Garcia played some ball in Japan before arriving in the states. It will be interesting if he helps the Rangers win their first ever World Series title. Right now he has won the hearts all around baseball for slaughtering the Astros like he did. For Rangers fans winning that series was special because these two teams are in the same state and division rivals. Especially after how the Astros took the division on the last day of regular season when you planted roots there the entire season.

MAY-DAY SENDS OUT HIS LAST STRESS SIGNAL

Most people in the world, when they quit a job, will leave kicking and screaming about management or the owner. Some may stay mute, and will not burn any bridges to maybe use the former company as a reference. When you retire from the job or career, it really does not matter what you say or do because you’re not coming back and not looking for anything else, unless you like the place you spent most of your time at. The Oakland Athletics closer is hanging up the spikes and out the door. He had plenty to say about the team’s owner. You may never heard the name Trevor May, but Athletics fans will probably will write a folk song or two about his rant and raving about owner John Fisher when he finally packs those moving trucks to Vegas.

“Now that my retirement is official: To the A’s organization and every single person who’s a part of it, I love all of you. Every single one of you except for one guy. And we all know who that guy is. Sell the team, dude. Let someone who actually takes pride in the things they own, own something. There’s actually people who give a shit about the game. Let them do it. Take mommy and daddy’s money somewhere else, dork.

“And also, if you’re gonna just be a greedy fuck, own it. There’s nothing weaker than being afraid of cameras. So that’s one thing I really struggled with this year, was not just eviscerating that guy. Do what you’re going to do, bro. Whatever, you’re a billionaire, they exist, you guys have all this power…you shouldn’t have any because you haven’t earned any of it, but anyway, whatever..the reality is, you got handed everything you have, and now you’re too soft to stand in front of fans and the team and take any responsibility for anything you’re doing. You’re putting hundreds if not thousands of people out of work, that have worked somewhere for decades. And you haven’t acknowledged that at all. Just be better. That’s all we’re asking. Just be a human being.”

Trevor May was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school in 2008. May’s MLB debut was with the Twins in 2014. May pitched nine seasons in the Majors with three teams starting with the Twins, Mets, and finishing with Oakland. May began has career as a starter & then became a relief pitcher out of the pen. His best year as a starter came with the Twins in 2015 as he had a record of 8-9 with 4.00 ERA and made 16 starts. In 2019, probably May’s best year out of the pen, he had a 5-3 record with a nice 2.94 ERA while converting 2 saves. The lone season in Oakland he became the closer as he had a 4-4 record with 3.28 ERA and converted 21 saves. May’s career numbers he pitched in 358 games of which 26 were starts. He had a 36-28 pitching record with an ERA at 4.24 and converted 33 saves. May hails from Washington state and in the off-season wanted to actually play for the Mariners, but that did not work out for him.

John Fisher was born with a sliver spoon in his mouth as his parents were founders of the clothing store, The Gap. With the inheritance, John Fisher probably has done multiple things he invested in. In 2005 though he purchased a small stake in the Oakland franchise. By 2016, Fisher pretty much took over. Oakland had the lowest payroll in baseball with 56.9 million. The record of 112 losses reflects the money invested in the team. This has been going on for a longer period of time in Oakland. When players finally get developed in Oakland, as a team they will make the playoffs and most of the time will get knocked out very early due to inexperience. Instead of investing in that young team, the Athletics would trade off assets and start over.

Trevor May is not a big name in the game of baseball. You love to see more players say their views about owners like John Fisher. Imagine playing for a team like Fisher’s and seeing it for yourself, the angry fans. The Oakland fans had their own protests with shirts telling the dirt bag Fisher to sell the team. May is right that Fisher should sell the team to someone who cares about the game. Somebody who wants to keep the team in Oakland. The Athletics’ low attendance this season is because the team is moving to Vegas. Other years, it was the failure to give younger teams a chance to grow as a team. May and other players probably visit local restaurants and talk to the fans as they live in the city for half the year as people air out their grievances. Then players grow bonds of the people behind the scenes that make a baseball team tick. All the workers who they know and talked to will be let go. I don’t blame May for finishing out the year and hanging up the spikes as the owner left a bad taste in his mouth. Many players leaving a team go kicking and screaming because of their bank accounts. This guy May grew a distaste in this pond scum and had to let it out. People like Fisher are garbage and should be taken to the curb side. They don’t love the game. They love what the game brings them in dollar signs as Vegas has the high rollers over a town like Oakland. To hide like the Wizard of Oz and not be seen or heard is a sign this guy in fact has no soul. May Day’s stress signal is loud and clear as in retirement he does not have to deal with the likes of a John Fisher who puts a black mark on the baseball world.

THE WHITE SOX NEED TO TAKE A LEAP FOR NG’S SERVICES

The White Sox organization may not be the dumbest in the MLB. We have another candidate that stepped into the ring, the Miami Marlins. The Marlins let their current General Manager, Kim Ng, walk away as her contract expires this year and she turned down the mutual option for 2024. The White Sox can’t hop in the Delorean and go back to the future, which is the past, when they promoted Chris Getz after firing Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn. Now the White Sox could strive to put right what once went wrong as I borrow part of Quantum Leap’s introduction. The White Sox could right the ship hiring Ng as the President of Baseball Operations and still keep Getz. Just have him on a short leash. This is the time to make a savvy move for your baseball team, Jerry Reinsdorf, to get this closing window of this rebuild to open and Kim Ng is the answer.

Kim Ng was a trail blazer when she was hired by the Marlins in November of 2020. She was the first female GM of a men’s team in the 4 major sports on North American soil. She is the first Asian American GM in the history of the MLB so you would think she knows what she is doing. She does. The last time the Marlins made the playoffs in a full season, you’d have to go back to 2003 when they won their last World Series. The Marlins did make the playoffs in 2020 in the shortened pandemic season with expanded playoffs. This year’s Marlins team won 84 games and you have to give credit to Ng. The Marlins had some nice pitching prospects, before the arrival of Ng. She hired new Marlins manager Skip Schumaker who looks like a solid choice for years to come. In free agency, she added slugger Jorge Soler who just came off being MVP of the World Series for the Braves. She has made solid trades landing a left handed starter from Oakland, Jesus Luzardo, for an average veteran, Starling Marte. Luzardo won ten games for the Marlins this season. She also made a savvy trade with the Twins sending Pablo Lopez who is maybe a number 3 guy in most rotations. Pablo is the Twins ace however the Marlins got back a Rod Carew with the bat in second base Luis Arraez, a guy who was flirting with a .400 average. The team needed power at the trade deadline, so she landed White Sox infielder Jake Burger and Guardians first baseman, Josh Bell. Then she was able to sign their Ace of their staff, Sandy Alcantara, to a long term extension. She has put up a solid baseball resume and she has a very high baseball IQ which is what teams need to be successful.

The encouraging thing I see is Kim Ng has White Sox ties as she started with Chicago’s front office. We all hope that ended on good terms with the buffoons she was dealing with every day and an owner that has no clue as he runs his team like kid running a lemonade stand. The kid can do better. Ng has worked for the Yankees and Dodgers so she knows big market from small market and the Jerry Reinsdorf cheap ways of building baseball. Ng is 54 years old and still has plenty in the tank with something to prove because of Bruce Sherman, the Marlins owner who couldn’t get on the same page with Derek Jeter. Him being the CEO who also had a stake in the Marlins and departed in 2022. Jeter’s the Captain and I have to bet my house he knows more baseball than a Sherman. Sherman wanted to hire a President of Baseball Operations and obviously had one right under his nose. Sherman and Ng had discussions of the direction of Marlins baseball but the President thing was not in that conversation. Sounds like a slap in the face knowing she can get that job somewhere else. The White Sox need to be that team. Bringing in somebody with credibility can go a long way and the start of be things to win back a disgruntled fan base. Chris Getz’s job prior from his promotion was running the White Sox minor league system which he did a bad job at it. The team can keep Getz, but bringing in a mind like Ng can create a better think tank and actually fix this rebuild instead of going back to the drawing board. Maybe Ng could help fleece the Marlins if we get her to bring back Jake Burger. Ng would give the White Sox an infinity amount of baseball intellect that you lack with Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn sharing one brain cell. Jerry Reinsdorf is a business man and loves a baseball team to win, you would think. Ng will help his business by getting fannies in the seats to watch a baseball team actually play baseball the right way instead of the crap we’ve been forced to digest like when you were younger & your mother or father trying to make you like liver and onions. Opportunity knocks, so Mr. Reinsdorf it’s time to answer the door and make it happen.

2023 MLB CHAMPIONSHIPS PREDICTIONS

The Wild Shamrock has not done well in predicting the MLB 2023 playoffs. Out of the 8 series played so far from round 1, we are 3-5. We are hoping to get the championship series correct in both leagues to pull to the 500 mark. Don’t count on it. Could we have a rematch of 2022 between the Phillies and Astros? Nobody wants the cheaters to win and see Dusty Baker and his rubber gloves manage from the dug out. Would you want to see the young Diamondbacks in the big series? I know then your thinking, why can’t the team I root for get these types of players. I hear you sister… I follow the White Sox and the Pirates. I don’t know if my picks will stick, but I least know who I will be rooting for in some cases that will not matter. It’s the thought that matters.

THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

#6.TEXAS RANGERS VS #2.HOUSTON ASTROS

2023 HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: Astros 9-4 Rangers

RANGERS: Have won two AL Pennants. They have never won World Series 0-2

ASTROS: Have won 5 pennants 1 in the NL, 4 in the AL. Astros have two World Series titles and are 2-3 in the big series

2023 POST SEASON RECORDS: Rangers (5-0) Astros (3-1)

Rangers eliminated: Rays and Orioles

Astros eliminated: Twins

The launching of the civil war has happened in the state of Texas and it’s not football, it’s baseball. The Rangers led the AL West most of the season until the Astros fought back and took it from them. Astros are the only team that had a first round bye and are still alive to this point. The Rangers being the 6th seed has no effect on them as they are humming at the right time. Will this series have a pair of 40 million dollar arms face off against each other former teammates as well with two teams?

The Astros traded to land the services of once again Justin Verlander who helped the Astros win last year. Verlander had an impressive first start of the post-season against the Twins. They got the win and pitched 6 scoreless innings. Career wise in the post-season, Verlander is 17-11 with 3.54 ERA.

Mad Max Scherzer was traded to the Rangers at the deadline. Maxy Pad has dealt with some injuries so has not pitched yet for Texas in the post-season but could in this series. Scherzer is nothing special in the post-season with an even record of 7-7 with 3.58 ERA.

These teams match up very well with each other. Both line ups have thunder throughout. The Rangers can kill you with Josh Jung, Corey Seager, and Marcus Semien. While the Astros can clubber you with Jose Altuve, Jose Abreu, Kyle the fucker Tucker, Yordan Alvarez, and Alex Bregman. I would say the Rangers have the slight edge. Both teams have pitching as Texas Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi have been wheeling and dealing making the Texas rotation with quality 1-2 punch. The Astros have studs in their rotation with Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez. The bullpen is the Rangers weakness while Houston has a nice solid back end. Aroldis Chapman could be an X-factor for the Rangers as he has playoff experience with the Cubs and Yankees. The Rangers crush the ball in their own ball park. While Houston has had problems winning at home. No banging on the trash cans could be that factor. Just saying. Picking against the Rangers so far during the playoffs, I’m 0-2. The Astros I picked that series right to beat the Twins. I like Bruce Bochy managing the game over Dusty. I don’t trusty Baker and I don’t care if he finally won the World Series last year. Experience goes to the Astros.

AS A FAN I’M ROOTING FOR THE RANGERS

I hope it’s a Texas Chainsaw Massacre seeing the Astros just get bombarded.

MY PREDICTION: RANGERS IN SIX GAMES

I see the Rangers avenging their rival stealing the division away from them as they seem focused and ready to advance to the World series.

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

#6.ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS #4.PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

2023 HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: Phillies 4-3 Diamondbacks

DIAMONDBACKS: Have won 1 NL Pennants and 1 World Series title. The Snakes 1-0 in the big series

PHILLIES: Have won 8 NL Pennants, two World Series titles, and have a record of 2-6 in the World Series.

2023 POST-SEASON RECORDS: Diamondbacks (5-0) Phillies (5-1)

Diamondbacks eliminated: Brewers and Dodgers

Phillies eliminated: Marlins and Braves

The National League has come down to a young team on the rise, the Snakes out of the desert. Then the veteran team built for this series and beyond, the Phillies. The Diamondbacks went 84-78 during the regular season as you can throw records out the windows because they are better than that in this post-season. The Phillies dispatched the number one seed and probably the best team in baseball, the Atlanta Braves who are archrivals. The Diamondbacks took out their archrivals, the Dodgers. The Phillies have the best 1-2 punch of starting pitching they can throw at anybody in Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola. The Diamondbacks fixed their bullpen during the trade deadline and a few moves in-house to shore up a weakness that has paid off in post-season.

Corbin Carroll has been swinging the hot bat for the D-Backs in 5 games in post-season. He’s hitting .412 with 7 hits, 2 long balls, 4 RBI’s, and crossed the plate six times.

The Phillies hot bat is Nick Castellanos who has 4 long balls with 9 hits while driving in 5 in 6 games this post-season.

Rob Thomson has hit all the right buttons so far this post-season. The experience the Phillies has goes very deep, especially in Championship games. For instance, left handed slugger Kyle Schwarber has a career of 6 long balls in the NLCS all-time. The Diamondbacks base running the way they manufacture runs is very impressive. Bryce Harper has the eye of the tiger for the Phillies as he is seeing the ball like it’s a grapefruit. The Phillies been here and did that last year and have a ton of experience over this Snakes team that has nothing to lose. The Phillies are built deeper for the longer series as well. So far both teams I’m 1-1 picking them or picking against them.

AS A FAN I’M ROOTING FOR THE SNAKES

MY PREDICTION: PHILLIES IN 5 GAMES

JOSE ABREU TURNING INTO MR. OCTOBER

Look who is getting hot at the right time. Jose Abreu, the former White Sox slugger, left the team during free agency and wanted to go to a place where post-season baseball is played deep into the month of October. Abreu signed with the last year’s champs taking his talents to Houston. The regular season was not very kind for the first baseman who played 9 seasons in Chicago as he hit .237. Many thought the big contract he signed in Houston was not worth it as his power numbers were down. Here we are now finishing the second round of the playoffs as the Astros had first round bye and just dispatched the Minnesota Twins because of Abreu’s bat. The power is back as Jose went yard three times in the series which one of them, a 2 run shot, was also the fatality blow for the Twins in game 4 of the ALDS. The White Sox as a franchise are in disarray, home for the post season, while Abreu is part of the 7th straight appearance for the Houston Astros in the ALCS.

The White Sox had too many first basemen/designated hitters on their roster. Some of these guys you can find a corner spot for in the outfield. Then your defense becomes a liability. The White Sox figured Andrew Vaughn could easily replace their all-star first baseman Jose Abreu. Especially in 2022, his power number went down as he only had 15 home runs, but his average was still high. From the eye test, I give Abreu the edge slightly over Vaughn for defense. On offense, Vaughn this season batted .258 & had 21 long balls while driving in 80 runs. The numbers for Jose in his first season with the Astros have him batting .237 with 18 long balls and driving 90. The numbers are pretty equal as the argument you can use is Vaughn is younger as Jose is 36 years old. The White Sox could have used both of these guys and had them in the line-up every day. They did in the past. Then what about guys like Gavin Sheets, Eloy Jimenez who they had and traded away Jake Burger. All this looks good on paper, but Abreu was also the team’s face of this franchise even though they tried to give it to Tim Anderson who did not know how to handle that kind of responsibility. Abreu was the oil in the car, the blood in the body, that kept the White Sox pumping. An RBI machine.

The one thing Jose Abreu knew was the White Sox franchise was sinking like a dinosaur in the tar pits about to be extinct. The team made a half ass effort to sign him, maybe to please the media and it’s fan base, or to spin it where Jose just wanted to leave. You look at the season the White Sox have had and all the problems. Jose looks like a genius. The White Sox as an organization thought they’d be in the post-season with basically the roster as is from a disappointing 2022 season and did not see Jose for that grand plan. In the end, any team would want Jose Abreu on their playoff roster. Some of these numbers go back to the games Abreu played for the White Sox in post-season. You combined all Abreu’s post season batting stats with him hitting .318 with 14 hits, 13 RBI’s, & 5 runs in only 11 games. Jose has 4 long balls which three of them came against the Twins recently in the ALDS. I remember Jose would have stretches of three weeks where his numbers were exactly like the post-season numbers he has put up. In 9 seasons, the White Sox had Jose and only made the playoffs twice. From looking at what Jose left and knowing how the White Sox front office owner works from the present day and in the past, it tells you they are a shoddy organization. One of the worst run in sports. Mr. Jose’s October in Houston story will go on as this script has not been finished as the ALCS looms. How fitting that the White Sox can only watch. In the end, just another shit storm at 35th and Shields and the White Sox will have their sorry ass excuses ready to pop out of their mouths like a politician backed up into the corner on the latest scandal.

TYPICAL LANCE LYNN POST-SEASON OUTING

Lance Lynn made history last night in a Dodger uniform serving up 4 home runs in one inning to the Arizona Diamondbacks in game three of the NLDS. The bad inning made history and basically ended the Dodgers’ post-season at the same time. Lynn is a 36 year old veteran and has 12 big league seasons to his name. He has been dreadful in the post-season over the last several years. I noticed two patterns which I saw Lynn do in Chicago as he comes in hot to his new team &then fizzles out by the time the post-season starts. This season Lynn struggled in most of his starts but found a nice groove of course right before the trade deadline. The White Sox traded him to the Dodgers, and the blowhard had a 7-2 record down the stretch for LA. Then the real Lance was once again a no show in post-season as he was with the White Sox.

In the 4th inning, the Diamondbacks became the first playoff team in MLB history to hit 4 long balls in one inning. It started with the 9th batter of the Snakes line up, Geraldo Perdoma. Then the top of the Snakes line up continued the chicks dig the long ball conga line as Ketel Marte hit number two of the inning. Then Christian Walker took the third ball out of the park on Lance Lynn. The 4th was from the Snakes catcher, Gabriel Moreno, who thought he had one in the first few pitches of the at-bat but video showed it was foul. Then Lynn served up another meatball as Moreno hit the 4th one of the inning straight in-between both foul poles that basically delivered the final blow to the Dodgers’ season. The Diamondbacks are moving on to the NLCS.

Lance Lynn lead the league this season in the most home runs with 44. Lynn can eat a lot of innings for your team during the regular season and have his cake and ice cream. The last time Lynn produced during the post-season, he was wearing a Cardinals uniform. In 2021, he lasted 3.2 innings for the White Sox versus those cheating bastards from Houston. Before Lynn arrived in Chicago and before Texas, he was awful for the Evil Empire Yankees in 2018. When the White Sox only won one game against the Houston Astros in the ALDS in 2021, you tend to remember Lynn’s 12.27 ERA. Lynn’s career post-season numbers have him with a record of 5-6 with 5.64 ERA in 9 starts as he also had some appearances from the bullpen. The Dodgers may let Lynn walk as a free agent during the off-season that now has come more suddenly than expected. Lynn should not be a starter in post-season. I would take him for a one year deal just to be the 4th or 5th guy to eat up innings and hopefully he gets hot as he can be streaky. He may be good for whatever new city he pitches for next season if the Dodgers don’t pick up his option. If you like seeing home runs, Lynn will deliver them & then walk around the mound barking at himself for serving up another meatball.

2023 MLB DIVISION SERIES PREDICTIONS

In the first round, we predicted the National League match ups right. The American league first round predictions did not go our way. Out of the two match ups in the National League, we got one of those series where we had the winner and we had the games correct on how that series went. It was the most obvious series between the Marlins and Phillies. Now we will chime in on the second round and see what we can get right with our predictions in the divisional round. The stakes are higher as the pressure is on. Hopefully picking out of the hat this round will pay off.

MLB Playoffs Round 2 (Divisional)

Best out of 5

AMERICAN LEAGUE

#6.TEXAS RANGERS VS #1.BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The Rangers quickly dispatched the Rays in the wild card round. Some could say the Rays dispatched themselves. The Orioles waited for the winner of that series as they are the number one seed in the American League. This match up consists of young versus old. The Rangers have the best line up one through nine with lots of veteran presence. The Orioles have the youngest team in the American League with the best starting rotation. The Rangers have been the streakiest team all year as they should have won the division, had it twice, and then gave it back. The Orioles have not been swept since May of 2022. The Orioles will be without their closer in this series as Felix Bautista still remains out with an injury. The Orioles still have the better bullpen as the Rangers led the league with the most blown saves. The Orioles led the league with the most come back wins. The Rangers shock me beating the Rays. I don’t think they can get by the Orioles. The pitching. This team is young, has energy, and it’s contagious.

PREDICTION: ORIOLES IN 4

#3.MINNESOTA TWINS VS #2.HOUSTON ASTROS

I hate both the Astros and the Twins. The Astros, like everyone in the baseball world, because they cheated the game. The Twins are an arch rival and in the same division of the team I root for. Could Carlos Correa, former Astro now Twins short stop, be the X-factor in this series and deliver the blow against his former team and knock out the defending champs? The Twins did exercise their own demons breaking a playoff drought when unable to win a post-season series. The Twins swept the Blue Jays. If the Yankees made post-season would this have been a different story? The Astros rallied late in the season to take the AL West and got the first round bye being a number two seed in the AL. The Twins have the better ERA head to head versus the Astros. You have to like the Twins power arms in their bullpen. The Twins are not lined up in this series as the Astros are having the bye. They have their rotation ready to go in this best out 5 series. Does Sonny Gray and Pablo Lopez put the fright in you? The Astros can get you with their ace Framber Valdez and if Justin Verlander can do what he did last year in the post-season, the Astros have the better pitching. The Twins weakeness throughout their line up is breaking balls. The Astros are very good at throwing breaking pitches. If I had to pick my poison, I would want the Twins to win this series. The Astros line up is dangerous. The experience in the playoffs goes the Astros way. I can see the Astros flipping the playoff switch on mentally and it will not look good for the Twins.

PREDICTION: ASTROS SWEEP

NATIONAL LEAGUE

#4.PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES VS #1.ATLANTA BRAVES

The Phillies and Braves is the series to watch in the divisional round. Both teams know each other very well as they are division rivals. The Braves had the best record in baseball and earned the first round bye. The Phillies last season came in as a number six seed and went all the way to the World Series to end up losing to the Astros. This year, the Phillies were the top wild card seed and show that by sweeping another division rival, the Marlins, in the first round. Both the Phillies and Braves met 13 times over the 2023 season & Atlanta had the edge 8-5. The Braves are the most complete team in baseball. Could the Braves starting rotation be banged up? Charlie Morton may be out with an injury, Max Fried dealing with a blister on his throwing hand. Then how would the work load effect young Spencer Strider. The Phillies 1-2-3 in the rotation are dealing right now. Phillies have Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez. The Phillies have some interesting power arms in the bullpen. The Phillies have a solid every day line up that can rack up some runs. Usually, the post-season has a power outage but the Braves may change that as they are the first MLB team in history to have slug percentage over 500 as they are at .501. The Braves line up is, “Danger, danger Will Robinson!” I like the Braves playoff history on the back of their baseball cards over Bryce Harper who finally got to the World Series but lost. His track record, like Mike Trout, shows the two best players on the planet have not won a world series. Harper left DC, the Nationals won their first, and without their supposed super star.

PREDICTION: BRAVES IN 5

#6.ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS #2. LA DODGERS

The Diamondbacks slithered easily by the Brew Crew in the Wild Card round as they swept them to get to this point. The Dodgers are always going to be one of the top 4 teams in baseball. The Dodgers won the NL West and had the second best record in the league to get the second seed which has a bye for the first round. The Dodgers line up has plenty of headaches for a younger team like the Diamondbacks. You have to deal with guys like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman that can end your night with one swing of the bat. The snakes play small ball with the best of them. The Snakes running game is one of the best in the league. They can scrap and manufacture much needed runs throughout a 5 game series or chip away at a large lead throughout a nine inning game. Both the Dodgers and Diamondbacks faced each other 13 times. LA has the 8-5 series edge over the Snakes. Dodgers have some youth in their starting rotation with rookie Bobby Miller and the inexperience of Ryan Pepiot. The Dodgers also have their staple, Clayton Kershaw, and veteran Lance Lynn. Guys on the Diamondbacks like Merril Kelly and Zac Gallen are young arms and will have to pitch the game, or games, of their lives if they want to take this series. When the Dodgers did beat the Snakes in those 8 games this season, the scores were lopsided with the numbers favoring LA. I think the Snakes may need their Cobra Commander to invent something that can control the weather to end up winning this series. The Snakes had a nice run & they managed to win one of these games as well.

PREDICTION: DODGERS IN 4

2023 MLB WILD CARD PREDICTIONS

We welcome the 2023 MLB post-season wild card round. Last year it was a very exciting round with the new format, best out of three series and each league’s top two teams with the first round byes. As always, we take a stab at predicting each series that most likely will blow up in our faces. No worries, put some ointment on the burns, and power through as we dissect the wild card round like an 8th grade science experiment. We are hoping something sticks.

MLB PLAYOFFS (Round 1 Wild Card)

Best out of three

AMERICAN LEAGUE

#6.TORONTO BLUE JAYS VS #3.MINNESOTA TWINS

How will either one of these teams get out of the first round? That is the biggest question. The Blue Jays bats were quiet last season in the post-season. The Twins did not make the post-season last year. Minnesota’s’ history is not good years prior to last season. I know they are not playing the Yankees which is automatically out for the Twins. The Twins pitching has improved over the last several weeks. I think the Blue Jays got their first taste of post-season last year with the same group of guys ready to make the next step. Normally I would say good pitching will ice down any bats. The Twins struggled most of the season in a bad division, the AL Central. The Blue Jays bats will come to life in this one and have the better team and deeper roster with a pitching staff that can compete with the Twins line up.

PREDICTION: BLUE JAYS IN 3

#5.TEXAS RANGERS VS. #4 .TAMPA BAY RAYS

The season that the Rangers had and the Rays were the tales of two halves. The Rangers were camped out in the AL West most of the season & then finally were caught from behind. Then the Rays got off to their best start in team history to finally be tracked down by the Orioles. The Rangers have a difficult line-up to face. The Rays have the better pitching and defense. I question Mad Max Scherzer being my ace in playoff baseball.

Scherzer has a record in his post-season career wise with a record of 7-7 with 3.58 ERA. This series I will say better pitching along with side order of solid defense, will beat the Rangers big dogs in the line up.

PREDICTION RAYS IN 2

WAITING

First round byes #1.Baltimore Orioles #2.Houston Astros

NATIONAL LEAGUE

#6.ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS #3. MILWAUKEE BREWERS

The Brewers have the pitching. The Diamondbacks are young, restless, and it’s unknown what they are capable of doing in a three game series. I like the way the Diamondbacks match up with the Brewers. The Brewers… you can question their playing most of their games in a weak Central division. Brewers have made it to the post-season five times in the last ten seasons and come away with one series win. The Diamondbacks can manufacture runs and play small ball to get those important runs home. It may take extra scratching and crawling, but in the end they will end the Brewers by a few runs in this series. I like the Diamondbacks who started off hot during the first half of the season. Then the snakes went into a tailspin and looked like they would not make the post-season. The snakes have played solidly down the stretch and it benefit in the opening series.

PREDICTION SNAKES IN 3

#5.MIAMI MARLINS VS #4.PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

This is a way better Phillies team that was the number six seed last year and went to the World Series. I like the Marlins’ savvy trades that landed sluggers Josh Bell and Jake Burger for the stretch run. The Marlins have played up and down in the second half of the season and got that last gasp of air to land them into post-season. The Phillies team has the best team in the wild card round. This roster is fully loaded. The Marlins have that “feel good underdog” story, but Phillies have solid pitching and a murderers row from 1 through 9 in the line up. Marlins are thin in their pitching. The Phillies sweep this series and move on to bigger and better things.

I like Trea Turner being the X-factor for the Phillies. A guy with a padded resume in post-season will come into handy in this series.

PREDICTION: PHILLIES IN 2

WAITING

First round byes #1.ATLANTA BRAVES, #2.LA DODGERS

ORIOLES CAPTURE THE AMERICAN LEAGUE BEAST

The American Beast is not some folk tale story about Big Foot eating a few apples from your tree in the backyard. The American Beast some would say is the best damn baseball division in baseball. It’s loaded with the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rays, and the up and coming Orioles. Many baseball experts or who think they are, probably picked a few of these teams to make it to the post-season. That can still happen. We know one team was going to actually win the division and punch their ticket to the post-season but many did not think it was going to be the Orioles. Maybe a wild card slot for a young team playing out of their minds. A year seeing Boston and the Evil Empire at the bottom of this division in the standings is priceless!!! It must make ESPN cringe not talking about their East coast darlings. Congratulations to the Baltimore Orioles winning the East which is the beast of all baseball.

On Thursday, the Orioles captured the division winning their 100th game of the season. In 2021, this bunch lost 110 games and still have about 9 guys from that team playing on the current squad. The Orioles have the best record in the American League and will go on to try to get the top seed and have home field advantage throughout the post-season tournament. The last time the Orioles won the East, you have to go back to 2014. The Orioles swept the Tigers in the ALDS. Then they were swept by the Royals in the ALCS. In 2014, they won 96 games in regular season. The last time the Orioles won 100 games in one season, you have to back to 1980. They did not win 100 regular season games in 1983, the last time Baltimore won the World Series. The Orioles’ best regular season records go back to 1969 when they won 109 games, then in 1970 they won 108 wins, 1971 – 101 wins, and 1979 when they won 102 games. In 1970, they also won the World Series. The Orioles have three championships with the first ever being 1966.

The Orioles are a well balanced team with good pitching, defense, and they can swing the bat. You can say the youth have gone wild.

The two youths have been studs for this Orioles team. Let’s start with the Orioles’ back stop, a switch hitting catcher in his second season. Adley Rutschman can manage the pitching staff and simply rake it from both sides of the plate. Rutschman has a batting average of .277 with 20 long balls and has driven in 79. In 1983, the Orioles had switch hitting first baseman Eddie Murray who was one of the best Orioles of all-time and the best hitters from both sides of the plate all-time in baseball. Then up the middle, the Orioles have another young superstar Gunnar Henderson who can play short and third, is solid with the glove, and can swing the lumber. Gunnar, you have to love the name, has 28 long balls to go along with 82 driven in.

I love the Orioles center fielder, Cedric Mullins, who I watched in one game this year steal a home run from the opposing team. Then he came up to bat and hit a home run of his own to put the Orioles up for good in that contest. Great defender and Mullins has some power with 15 long balls. The pitching has been solid with Kyle Bradish taking the next step, as a starter he has won 10 games this season. The team also got John Means back in play as he returned from an injury. Then the bullpen with all-star Yennier Cano pitching lights out. Then Felix Bautista can close the door in the 9th. Of course I’m missing some guys because the roster is up and down solid. When the Orioles took over first place, you thought the Rays would eventually catch them. The Rays will get a wild card spot. This Orioles team is fun to watch and must see television in the post-season is my bet.

ROBERT’S SEASON ENDS WITH KNEE SPRAIN

If you googled natural disaster, the first thing that should pop up on your screen is the 2023 Chicago White Sox. Not enough clouds in the skies to fully explain the rotten taste the White Sox organization left in my mouth this year. Vile tasting. The lone bright spot for the team this season was Luis Robert who will be heading to a familiar grounds, the injured list. Robert left during the second inning at Boston on Sunday with an MCL sprain in his left knee. Robert will need a few weeks just resting the knee which will end his regular season as the team as a whole can see daylight at the end of the tunnel ending this nightmare for good. Robert set a career high in games played with 145 in one of the worst years ever in franchise history as a whole.

The 26-year-old right-handed slugger on Saturday was able to slice a solo home run right around Pesky’s pole at Fenway Park which turn out to be the game winner.

That was Robert’s 38th home run and it was the only run of the game and gave the White Sox a rare victory in general. Hitting a home run right around Pesky’s pole is one of the cheapest ones you will get and definitely not the furthest Robert has hit one. It takes it as he set a record in home runs with 38 as he was number two in the American League this season. Robert by far had his best season in a White Sox uniform as he was the team’s lone All-Star representative as he batted .264 and drove in 80. Robert played his normal stellar defense in Centerfield. Now you have to consider Robert as now the number guy from this rebuild that is headed in the wrong direction today. This is the guy you are building the everyday line up around because he has finally played a full season and we knew he was capable of putting these kinds of numbers up during a season.

Luis Robert now has played in 4 seasons with the White Sox. Robert’s first season in a White Sox uniform came in the shortened 2020 season due to the pandemic. Robert played in 56 games that year. In 2021, Robert only played in 68 games due to injuries. It was the same thing in 2022 when Robert only played in 98 games due to injuries. As a White Sox fan, you get nervous because it seems like the entire roster has stints each year on the injured list. Robert seems like all those other players, injury prone. You want your superstars to play in every game. If your best guys stay healthy and play 145 games out of 162, that’s pretty good & you will take that as a manager or a fan. Over the 4 year span, Robert has a .279 career batting average while racking up 392 hits with 74 home runs. Next year he should get to that 100 mark. Robert has 210 runs batted in as well. His defense is awesome. He has speed to run the bases it seems like when he wants to, which we’d like to see that end. Robert has become the new Cubs vilian which the team needs in the Chicago crosstown classic.

Hope this is the turning point Robert and the fans of the White Sox need, a superstar on the rise while staying on the field most of the season. Now let’s hope the new team’s front office can surround him with talent and get this rebuild from completely being a teardown.

ALL 200 DONE IN CARDINALS RED

When it comes to playing meaningful baseball in the month of September, the St. Louis Cardinals always seem involved. The red birds are either jockeying for a playoff spot as a wild card or simply wrapping another division title. This year the Cardinals have had one of the worst seasons it seems in their history as I can’t remember when I saw St. Louis living in the sub basement in the NL Central standings. The Rams left St. Louis a few years ago, so it’s not as simple to switch channels and watch your city play football and forget about your baseball misery. Before St.Louis fans put their Cardinal red jersey in the hamper for the off-season and switch to wearing their blue Blues hockey colors, they finally were able to squeeze a positive moment from this bad year. One of the greatest fan bases in the game of baseball finally got to see one of their favorite players make history in the Cardinals organization and MLB history. Adam Wainwright at 42 years of age reaches a milestone and collects his 200th victory of his career pitching a gem versus the Brewers.

Adam Wainwright was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2000 MLB draft. The Cardinals got Wainwright in a trade and in 2005 he made his Major League debut. Wainwright helped St. Louis win a World Series in 2006. Wainwright is a 3X All-star. Wainwright led the NL in wins twice in 2009 and 2013. Wainwright is a 2X gold glove winner and even has a silver slugger award before the NL went to the DH rule. Wainwright was the winner of the Roberto Clemente award in 2020. Wainwright won 20 games in one season twice. Wainwright has also won 19 games in a season twice. In 2009, Wainwright’s record was 19-8, 2010 was 20-11, 2013 was 19-9, & 2014 was 20-9 which looks like Hall of Fame type numbers by the right-hander. In 2021, Wainwright’s last big year was when he went 17-7. Wainwright has played all 18 seasons in a Cardinals uniform.

It was Adam Wainwright’s last season going into this season as he was going to hang up the spikes for good after 2023. The year like the Cardinals as a whole started off with injury where he missed several starts. Coming into the season, Wainwright just needed 5 wins to reach 200. After Monday night’s 1-0 shut out of the Brewers, Wainwright landed his 5th victory which is good for 200. On the season, Wainwright is 5-11 with 7.40 ERA as he has made 21 starts. For three months this season, Wainwright was stuck on 198 victories. In the last two starts, Wainwright has found his old form and picked two victories to reach this incredible milestone. If the Cardinals were in the playoff hunt and Wainwright was struggling, there’s a good chance he may have not gotten the starts he needed to finish this off. It may be a blessing in some way that the St.Louis Cardinals as a team struggled to help one of their own get over a major hump.

Not sure Adam Wainwright will get another start this season. He may want to go out on a high note beating the Brewers, a first place squad, especially shutting them out. Wainwright right now with career numbers has a record of 200-128 with a 3.53 ERA. Wainwright is the third Cardinal in history to reach 200 wins. Bob Gibson is number one in St. Louis history with 251 victories and Jessee Haines is number two with 210 victories. Wainwright becomes the 5th active pitcher to be at 200 or more victories. Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw are the big names still out there. Wainwright became the oldest Cardinal pitcher to throw 7 or more shut innings in one game as he passed Jim Kaat’s great work in June of 1980 when he was 41 years old. Wainwright made 29 appearances in the post-season and did some work out of the bullpen. Wainwright has a record of 4-5 in post-season with a respectable 2.83 ERA and out of the pen converted 4 saves. Wainwright’s numbers are not Cooperstown bound. They are definitely St. Louis bound as his jersey number may be retired, but he’s definitely one of the best arms of all time to wear the Cardinals uniform. Wainwright had some injuries that derailed a few seasons. You also had the shortened season in 2020 due to the pandemic which could have added up to multiple starts he could not make throughout his career. I respect Wainwright most for staying with one team his entire career… you just do not see that anymore.

DONALDSON NEW GIG IS A MERCENARY WITH A BAT

The Milwaukee Brewers did not claim right-handed hitting slugger Josh Donaldson off waivers for his award winning personality. The Evil Empire New York Stinking Yankees found themselves unable to take control of the galaxy this season and figured to drop some dead weight off the death star. In August, the Yankees put the 37 year old third baseman on waivers in a basic move to dump salary. The Milwaukee Brewers, looking for some additional offense for the latest playoff push, put the claim on Donaldson as he passed through waivers. The Brewers sent Donaldson to their triple A team to get some at-bats down on the farm. On Monday, the Brewers purchased the Donaldson contract and brought him up to the big club.

Last year the Brewers had a few game lead over the Cardinals at the trade deadline and instead of being buyers, they sold off a few of their pieces like their closer, Josh Hader. The Brewers this season have been in first place in the NL Central now for several weeks. Only problem is the Reds and the Cubs are still in their rear view mirror. The Brewers, like other playoff contenders after the trade deadline, scope out the waivers and look for improvement on the ball club that way. Late August, many teams waved the white flag and threw their high priced players on the waiver wire in hopes someone would take them. Josh Donaldson only played in 33 games this season in pinstripes and batted .142 with ten long balls driving in 17. The former MVP of the league, who guest starred on the series Vikings years ago, this season has been injured most of the year. The action Donaldson has gotten this season means he looks like guy who is washed up as he has 13 seasons of MLB under his belt. Donaldson is a career .262 hitter with 277 long balls while driving in 807 in 1,368 games played. The Brewers will be Donaldson’s 7th team of his career.

On Monday, in Josh Donaldson’s debut, he had an RBI and runs scored. On Tuesday, Donaldson had two hits including a solo home run, his 11th of the season, and he walked twice. The Brewers claimed him just for this reason giving the team some power in the line up and hoping he gets hot for the month of September and help them win the Central. Since Donaldson was claimed in August before the 31st, he can be on the Brewers playoff roster. A good month for Donaldson and some good swings in the post-season could also save his baseball career if he feels like continuing to play throughout his late 30’s. Donaldson has a track record and he is a guy that can get hot with the lumber. Donaldson also can be that guy that rubs his teammates the wrong way. This relationship could help both parties as Donaldson’s career will continue and the Brew Crew can win the division. Donaldson can play some third or slide into the DH role and be a factor. The Reds claim some bats at the deadline to try to leap frog over the Cubs and eventually top the Brewers. The Brewers are using Donaldson as a mercenary with a bat and next season the former Yankee will be annoying some other team with his stupid comments and antics. They will get him in trouble with guys in the club house and opposing players on the other teams. Donaldson is flat out one of the biggest assholes in the game.

HE GONE!!!!

I’m not going to jump on the Chris Getz bandwagon as the new General Manager of the White Sox, but I do like the move he made with one of his catchers. The White Sox DFA (designated for assignment) 30 year right hand hitting catcher Seby Zavala is who I’m talking about. I doubt anyone will take a chance on the 4 year veteran back stop unless they are desperate. Zavala returned from the injured list as he suffered a strained oblique on August 6th. The White Sox still have the other yo-yo veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal but have been using the rookie Korey Lee, who they got from Houston in a trade at the deadline that sent RHP Kendall Graveman to the Astros. The White Sox want to see what they’ve got in Lee, which made Zavala expendable.

Seby Zavala was 12th round draft pick by the White Sox in 2015 out of the University of San Diego State. Zavalla has played parts of 4 seasons with the White Sox as he was batting .155 before he went on the injured list this season. Last year, Zavala did better with the lumber as he hit .270 with two homers while driving in 16 – all as pretty much a back up role. This season he was a disgrace at the plate, but did hit more long balls with seven. In 4 seasons, he’s a career .205 hitter. Zavala is not going to play that stellar defense behind the plate either. His strong suit is framing pitches, but he is also known for mental lapses in his defensive game. This season he said something to Pirates short stop O’Neil Cruz after he slid into home plate & fractured his ankle on collision. This almost started a brawl as the benches cleared. The White Sox tandem behind the plate this season with Yasmani Grandal and Zavala, are one of the worst in baseball. This to me is a great move by Chris Getz; getting rid of a problem and hopefully finding a solution with one of the younger catchers the team acquired at the deadline.

THE PACKAGE DEAL

A former pair of White Sox pitchers get picked up from waivers and return to the AL Central with the Cleveland Guardians. It will be the 4th different team Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez have been teammates on. We all know Lopez and Giolito come in a package deal as they arrived from Washington in 2017 in a trade with the White Sox after they both pitched one season for the Nationals. After seven seasons on the south side, in a horrible year the White Sox traded both Lopez and Giolito to the LA Angels at the trade deadline. The Angels were buyers at the trade deadline in an effort to get to post-season and in hopes of their MVP Shohei Ortani playing in the post-season as well. Also returning to LA in the off-season as he will be a free agent. The Angels as buyers at the deadline had most of the moves blow up in their faces. The Angels quickly went from buyers to waving the white flag as they dumped players on the waivers in hopes other teams would grab them to save money at Menards. The Guardians think they have a chance to catch the Twins with a month left of the season and claim both Lopez and Giolito to improve their chances.

At one time, Lucas Giolito was the worst pitcher in the American League as a starter & then turned himself into the Ace of the White Sox staff. This season Giolito has been up and down for the White Sox as he had a 6-6 record with 3.79 ERA but was pitching better around the trade deadline. For the Angels, Giolito was not very good. Giolito in six starts for the Angels went 1-5 with a 6.89 ERA, yikes. Now with Reynaldo Lopez, you never know what you are going to get with him as it could be good, bad, and plenty of ugliness. With the White Sox this season, he was horrible as the team tried to make him a closer and the results were horrific. Lopez did manage to bring his ERA down, but he went 2-5 for the White Sox with a 4.29 ERA before he was shipped off to LA. In LA, Lopez was pretty good with a respectable ERA of 2.77 in 13 games, but did have a 0-2 record.

The Guardians looked like they were waving the French surrender flag at the trade deadline by dealing one of their hottest starters, Aaron Civale, to the Rays for a top prospect. The Guardians also traded first baseman slugger Josh Bell to the Marlins. The organization landed “Thor” Noel Syndergaard from the Dodgers, but gave away their starting short stop, Amed Rosario. Thor lost his hammer power, was released, and may be done for his career. The Guardians were hoping to get some of their injured pitching back for the playoff run. The pitching never came back as the Guardians still hung around like a floater in the toilet that won’t go down after the original flush as they remained only 5 games back of the Twins. The Guardians reloading the rotation with their waiver activity hope to regain control over the AL Central with a pivotal 3 game series left with the Twins this month.

WHITE SOX GETZ WHAT THEY WANT

The Chicago White Sox have hired another Pope at their General Manager position to take over the reigns for another two decades. The owner of the White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf, went with a man inside the organization. When Reinsdorf fired the two morons, Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams, Chris Getz was promoted to acting GM. Now it’s official, the interim tag is removed & the White Sox’ new pope is Getz. He is only 39 years old, a former player, and has worked in the front office with the White Sox and Royals. Here’s the owner of the White Sox’s explanation for his thinking in hiring Getz.

“You lose a year with an outside hire. And here I had somebody on the inside who was very competitive. I then came to the conclusion that if I had someone on the inside who can do the job, why not do it inside and save a year. That’s basically how I got to Chris.”

Who is Chris Getz? Chris Getz was actually drafted by the White Sox as a second baseman twice – once after high school, the second time after college where he played for the Wolverines at the University of Michigan. Getz was born and raised in the state of Michigan. Getz played seven seasons in the majors during which two seasons he suited up for the White Sox. Getz also played for the Royals and Blue Jays. Getz played some solid defense and batted left-handed, but he threw the ball with his right hand. Getz only played in 459 MLB games, so he was a guy who for most of his career, came off the bench. Getz a career .250 hitter racking up 352 hits while driving in 111 runs. Getz could steal some bases as he swiped 89 in his career. He did not have much power & he has had three long balls. Getz has some front office experience as well, as he worked under Dayton Moore during the Kansas City Royals championship run several years ago. The last seven seasons, Getz was working for the White Sox as he was in charge of the team’s minor league operations and player development.

Chris Getz will be the White Sox General Manager who has replaced Rick Hahn, who was fired over a week ago. The VP of Baseball Operations position that Kenny Williams held on to is still vacant. The common trend going on in the White Sox world is the Kansas City connections. The White Sox hired Pedro Grifol as their manager last year as he was a jack of all trades in the Royals organization and master of none of them. Getz played in Kansas City and has worked there in the front office. The White Sox may be looking to hire Dayton Moore, the architect of that Royals run. Moore would be more of an advisor for Getz than being his boss and not have the final say. Grifol looks to be returning next season as the White Sox manager, a guy that barked out promises of change to this White Sox team and nothing ever happened as it was the same ole song and dance on the south side. This master plan looks like we’re getting the Royals band back together.

I think Jerry Reinsdorf is an ASS!!! Why did he not interview other candidates from outside the organization? Even if he had his heart set on Getz, he could still have picked some brains of other baseball people in this league. Reinsdorf could have gotten opinions from people that are not drinking the company’s kool aid. Maybe perhaps you could have found someone better as well. This is just lazy work for a guy that has no clue and is over his head in running a baseball team. Why are we hiring a guy that sucks at his job? The White Sox farm system the last several years have been awful. What players have Chris Getz helped develop? Reinsdorf says a new guy would waste a year by getting things organized his own way. Reinsdorf thinks his rebuild window is still open for some reason when it has been pretty much nailed shut. If the White Sox want to fix this thing that Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams destroyed, he needs to open up his check book for Getz to bring in talented players to surround some of the core guys the team will hold on to. You need to add depth to this roster filled with holes. You can’t just run the same guys out there and adding a few pieces on the cheap. On the fly. This team needs leaders. This team needs baseball players. Enough with the Cuban imports. I don’t like this move by the White Sox. I think they should have cleared the deck & started new with a top baseball guy with a solid history of being a top baseball executive. Only way Getz does a good job and saves this rebuild from being a tear down, is he needs to be off the training wheels and not be handcuffed with half in half out like this idiot owner does to his own people. I loved the firings of Ricky Hahn and Kenny Williams. With the White Sox, it’s one foot forward two steps backwards and the Getz move just sent them back a few steps. I feel at this point he’s going to free fall down the the big slide in the game of Chutes and Ladders. Reinsdorf, I will never buy what you’re selling because sir, you’re not a fan of this team like you say you are.

 

 

WANDER FRANCO IS THE R.KELLY OF THE MLB

The Tampa Bay Rays have been always known for producing some of the greatest young arms in the game. How many position players do you know that were drafted by the Rays and played the game at a high level wearing the Tampa Bay uniform? Everyone will think of third baseman Evan Longoria who manned the hot corner for several years wearing a Rays uniform. The team is starting to develop some nice solid position players as one stands out t& hen the others and that is short stop Wander Franco. Franco is only 22 years old and in his third season with the Rays. He was drafted by Tampa Bay and was Rookie of the Year. This year, Franco is having his best season of his career which has just started as he was named an all-star this season playing the short stop position. The Rays need Franco in their line up if they want to make a deep post-season run this season. Franco is suddenly in some hot water with the league and his native country, the Dominican Republic, because allegations have him in relationships with underage girls.

We heard all the dirty details of pop singer R.Kelly’s, in his own mind, epic sexual episodes with teenage girls. Two underage girls have come out and said they are involved or were involved with Wander Franco. One girl has posted pictures of the two of them all over social media. While the other girl has confessed to authorities in the Dominican Republic about the relationship she has had with the Rays short stop. The first report was filed in July. The second girl has not contacted the authorities. However these sticky situations brings others out of the wood work as a third girl has filed a complaint about Franco. The Dominican Republic is not a country that is lackadaisy about their customs and laws as they frown on adult exploiting the young people being sexual predators. Franco’s homeland has hired a special prosecutor to get to the truth of the situation and bring justice to Franco if the allegations are true from three in total girls. Franco has been a legal adult for only about 4 years and this does not sound like two high school sweethearts, one 18 the other 16.

Franco Wander will not play baseball while his own country investigates his dealings with 3 minors. The MLB put Franco on Administrative Leave while they investigate and wait for what the Dominican Republic authorities find out, and if he gets prosecuted in his homeland for wrong doing. If that is the case, I’m sure his contract with the Rays will become voided out. If Franco is guilty it could end his baseball career. Jail time. Which team would want the nightmare of a guy like Franco on their roster giving their organization bad publicity. Look at Trevor Bauer. That nut case will never pitch again in the states. Bauer had to head to Japan and play the game overseas because nobody wants to jump into a cesspool like this with grown men athletes thinking they can do what they want and get away with what they want. Most of these talented athletes have been coddled all their lives and knowing right from wrong is not programmed into their mindset. This is a blow to the Rays as they probably will still make the post-season, but Franco could help the team get them further. This kid was probably going to be the face of the Rays if he wasn’t already. Right now baseball is not important as these girls’ innocent world could be tainted in some way or a way that would haunt them while it lingers into their adult lives. If Franco is innocent, shame on these girls for ruining a man’s livelihood. In life, I’ve heard if there is grass on the field, play ball. Some baseball players or scum of the earth like R.Kelly would use that term to bring innocence to the dark side of life in general. These girls are someone’s daughter, granddaughter, cousin, friends, or niece. Wander Franco’s story could go down as another wasted talent trying to play both ends of a double hitter in life as two different personalities that he may not be able to control.

MAYOR OF OAKLAND STRIKES BACK

The Oakland Athletics owner, John Fisher, can be compared with other owners of sports teams that have broken your city’s heart by moving the franchise to another city. Like scum of the earth Stan Kroenke moving the Rams out of LA to St. Louis and then back to LA. Little weeny Art Modell moved the Cleveland Browns out of town in the middle of the night and headed for Baltimore. The city of Cleveland was able to keep the name of the Browns while Modell set up camp in Baltimore, took a new name, and called themselves the Ravens. This is what the mayor is trying to do in Oakland as Fisher has worked out a deal to move the Athletics out of Oakland and follow the Raiders to Las Vegas. The Mayor of Oakland, Sheng Thao, has laid out his guidelines and he wants the name to stay in Oakland as Fisher can take everything else not bolted down, including the players. Cleveland would get their team back a few years later from the NFL in 1999 as the Ravens started play in 1996. The Mayor of Oakland hopes to keep the name of the Athletics who have made a home on the West coast since 1968 and the MLB in the future rewarded his town with a new franchise called the A’s. Fisher’s team in Vegas could come up with something snake-like in a name to match his slithery style of running a team into the ground while breaking your heart at the same time.

The Athletics name originated in Philadelphia back in 1901. The Philadelphia Athletics played on the East coast until 1954. In 1955, the Athletic franchise moved to Kansas City where they’ve played since 1967. Both cities the Athletics played in have teams that have planted roots in their town and should not leave any time soon. Philadelphia has the Phillies and Kansas City has the Royals. Both franchises have established some nice history while building a solid fan base. Since 1968, the Oakland Athletics have won 4 World Series titles which include three in a row during the 1970’s with those Reggie Jackson teams.

Then in 1989, the Athletics had one World Series title with the Bash Brothers.

Even though Jose Canseco was the Godfather of steroids and Mark McGuire, another user, they had some monster years on the west coast dressed in green and gold. Those Athletic teams during the 1990’s had a solid fan base as they were in the thick of things every season. The Athletics are a mutt organization with many cities in their history and they won 5 World Series titles when they in Philadelphia. Many teams in the MLB do not have 4 titles since the 1970’s. Then you had the Billy Beane years, which they have made a movie about regarding how to construct your roster and make game time decisions using sabermetrics. Let the computer do all the heavy lifting. Beane also was on budget with a cheap cheap payroll & had to do his players’ stockings at the local Aldi of baseball.

Money ball has won Oakland seven division titles since 2000 and 4 wild card berths. This franchise has some rich history built up as they plan to make Las Vegas their 4th home.

Since the Athletics have come to town ,they have played pretty much all their games in one stadium, the Oakland Coliseum. The Athletics played some games in 1996 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas when the Coliseum was being renovated. Over 50 years in one stadium seems to be unheard of these days. Look at the White Sox and Brewers looking to abandon their stadiums which are much younger than the Coliseum. Then you think of baseball treasures like Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Dodgers stadium. Oakland is on the poor side of the golden gate bridge compared to the Madonna model of San Francisco. I like the look of the Coliseum on the television as I know I have not been there but it looks historical. It sounds like something out of the Roman days as the locals are blood thirsty watching the gladiator fights. I know my team does not play very well there. I’ve heard it is not one of the best stadiums in the league, more towards the bottom of the barrel. How does the city of Oakland and a greedy owner come up with a deal for a new ball park without them leaving town?

How does an owner like John Fisher, a guy with his group that does not put money into the team, expect the city to jump for him? The Money Ball movie was awesome & the theory of building teams by the numbers is interesting. The lack of money brings on rebuild after rebuild. This Oakland ownership never keeps the core of their team together. Once contract extensions come up, the player is traded away and the rebuild is on. How many jerseys do you buy for your kid’s favorite players? That is unless the name and number tear off and can be replaced like the Wheel of Fortune game. How many of these Oakland teams if they stayed together longer and continued to achieve greatness in the standings, would team have another few titles?

John Fisher purchased a stake in the Oakland Athletics in 2005. By 2016, Fisher had become the sole owner of this franchise. Fisher is worth 2.3 Billion dollars and this season, Oakland has the lowest pay roll in the MLB. It’s been like that most years since Fisher became the man. The success Fisher has had is all because of what Billy Beane has done to find the right bargains and get the big prospects back in trades. Oakland Athletics have one of the lowest attendance stats in the league because they are sick of dealing with a difficult owner like Fisher who doubled the ticket prices in 2022. The Golden State Warriors owner, Joe Lacob, wanted to buy the Athletics, keep them in town, and spend some money to bring in free agents. I’ve heard X Athletics also had a group that wanted to buy the team off Fisher and keep them in Oakland. The city of Oakland had an idea for a stadium by the waterfront. The Great Fisher wants to rape the tax payers and city of Oakland as they have to pay for most of the new stadium without help from the owner who probably makes more money than most countries in the world. Fisher wants out of Oakland and has purchased land in Las Vegas. The low attendance probably helps his case with the MLB. All the other owners agree with the Athletics moving to Vegas as it’s a done deal. It would take time to build the new stadium. The Mayor of Oakland knows the lease runs out for the Athletics at the end of 2024. The team would have to play somewhere and Mayor Sheng Thao laid his deal on the table for Fisher’s team to play until their new stadium is built in Las Vegas. Leave the name Athletics behind when you are done. Hopefully MLB could agree to bring Oakland another team which would be an expansion team called the Athletics Reborn. Hopefully the miser Fisher can just do that leaving the name to the city of Oakland. In a few years, Oakland would get that waterfront stadium with a new owner. Someone that cares about the city and the team to keep Green and Gold alive. I hope they beat the stuffings out of that snot-nosed Vegas team who will end up being just a tourist attraction in the state of Nevada. Look at the Raiders example A as teams’ outdraw them vacationing in Las Vegas. Money is money for Fisher’s pockets. Guys like Fisher don’t belong in the game. Too many bad owners in sports if you could just march them all off into the ocean. Eventually the conga line would meet up with the first guy you pushed in. If Mayor Sheng Thao saves the Athletics name from being used in Sin City, this guy needs to be voted back into office his next term.

CUBS SANK MY BASEBALL FLEET

You know when your baseball team is having a bad season just by looking where they stand in the standings. You could say it’s another Pittsburgh Pirates year like the annual bad rummage sale you may have to attend. For the White Sox, they’ve been sinking the last two seasons and quickly are becoming the laughing stock of the baseball world. Both the Pirates and White Sox have one common enemy… the Chicago Cubs. The White Sox share the same city as the Cubbies. The Pirates share the same division with the Cubs. The Cubs have dominated both the White Sox and Pirates this season with a record of 12-2 combined.

Once upon a time ago, the Cubs had not won a World Series in over 100 and something years.

In 2016, the Cubs broke their own curse of the billy goat and won the World Series. The Cubs however never repeated and failed to be that dynasty all those Wrigley bums dreamed about. The core of that team was ripped apart and traded away across the MLB. The Cubs should be going through a rebuild. It looked like it from the start of the year. The experts thought the Cubs would have another down year. If the season ended today, the Cubs would be in the playoffs.

The Cubs record is 71-62 and today they would have the number two wild card spot. The Pirates gave the Cubs 9 victories while the White Sox gave them three this season. Looks like the White Sox shot themselves in the Sox once again looking above. The Pirates lost 9-10 games versus the Cubs which even the Generals have better odds beating the Globe Trotters than only winning once in ten tries. The Pirates won their first game versus the Cubs only last week on the August 25th. Going 1 for 10, the Pirates batting average is .100 versus the Cubs. The White Sox were swept at home by the Cubs in a two game series. Then The White Sox were able to win one in Wrigley in another two game series this season. The White Sox are batting .250 because they only played the Cubs 4 times. If the Pirates and White Sox split their series versus the Cubs, they are not in a wild card spot today. The Cubs record would be 66-67, one game under 500 and out of wild card contention. We better pray that the Brewers hold on to the NL Central league and the rest of the wild card teams in contention for a wild card spot find a way to leap frog the Cubs. I can take bad baseball by both the White Sox and Pirates. But when you help the Cubs get into the playoffs, it’s a different ball game.

RAINING BULLETS AT GUARANTEED RATE FIELD

It’s been quite a week for the Chicago White Sox as an organization. It started with the news that owner Jerry Reinsdorf may move his team to Nashville or have a new stadium built somewhere in the Chicago-land area. Then the firing of his two lackeys, GM Rick Hahn and VP of baseball operations Kenny Williams, in an effort to clean up the mess these two idiots caused. You think things can’t get worst for this organization with a team on the field that each night flat out stinks this entire year. On Friday night, it was raining bullets inside Guaranteed Rate with two women shot inside the stadium while the team on the field were being pummeled by one of the worst teams in the AL. The game went on but the Rap concert featuring one hit wonders after the game was cancelled due to a police investigation. Maybe the conspiracy theory on this night’s acts of violence inside your stadium is a ticket for your franchise to move to a safer neighborhood and venue. Or you chalk this up to this could only happen to the White Sox.

The Police and White Sox security still don’t know where the bullet came from. Were shots fired inside the stadium or did bullets come down like the rain and strike two women? One 42 years old & the other 26. The shooting happened in the left field bleachers as the 42 year old was struck in the leg and she was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center. The 26 year old sustained a graze to her abdomen and refused medical attention. This incident occurred in the 4th inning of the game between the Oakland Athletics and the home team White Sox. The game went on with not even an interruption like nothing happened. One witness says she heard a loud popping noise and when she got home, she found a bullet lodged in her sweatshirt she had tied around her waist.

At 8:12pm, the Chicago Police Commander on the scene told the White Sox to stop play to ensure public safety. The mall security at White Sox park did not believe they had an active threat. The Police had to wait until the game was over to investigate the scene & that’s when the announcement came over the jumbotron that Vanilla Ice and Tone Loc’s show was cancelled due to technical issues. This was to avoid a panic is my guess in the lies. The Police investigation is ongoing. The Police are still baffled as to where the shots came from. That is the million dollar question.

The world is a vampire and has been getting worse since the summer of 2020 with wide spread violence across the country. The city of Chicago before 2020 was one of the top cities in gang violence and the streets are not safe. Baseball parks all around the MLB since 9/11 have tougher security with pat downs and metal detectors which makes it hard to get a gun inside. I’ve been to White Sox park and waited in lines to get in the game because of the security checks. However, anything is possible. Could bullets come into the stadium like rain drops fired from outside? Maybe shots were fired from another building in the area. Several weeks ago, a driver plowed through people right out in front of Guaranteed Rate Field on purpose because he hated waiting in traffic. The Chicago Police finally got him on the expressway as he had a body draped in the sun roof of the car as he took whoever for a joy ride. Who do you blame? I’d love to throw all the idiots under the bus. The owner of the team, the politicians, and the people they hire to keep inside and outside safe. Perhaps the politics of some of these states where Police can’t do much. Violence acts are like a slap on the wrists to these thugs. I’m glad no one was killed. How can you enjoy going to ball park looking over your shoulder every other second? Bullets fired in crowds your like a fish in a barrel trapped. I’m embarrassed. The City of Chicago should be embarrassed. Yes, Mr. Reinsdorf should be embarrassed as well as it happened on your watch as the chairman. No slimy rich old dude is getting out of this squeaky clean as he should be held accountable. What a week the White Sox had as they lost 12-4 to the Athletics that night. A team filled with Triple A guys just in case you’re wondering. I need to change my Sox.

ALL FLAMED OUT

In 2010, Stephen Strasburg’s debut in the Majors was must see television. Strasburg was drafted in 2009 by the Washington Nationals out of San Diego State University, number 1 overall in the entire draft. Strasburg was a flame thrower RHP who lit up batters at the college level. His debut he struck out 14. In 13 seasons in the MLB, Strasburg’s pitching record is 113-62 which is 51 games over the 500 mark in 247 starts. Only 247 starts in 13 years in the big leagues is very low because injuries haunted him over his career. It seems like Strasburg has been MIA since helping the Nationals win the World Series in 2019. The fact is he pretty much has, as the flame thrower has flamed out and has pitched in only 8 games since 2019. Now the 35 year old is hanging up the spikes for good.

Stephen Strasburg, when healthy, had amazing stuff. Any team would pick him to pitch a game seven of the World Series for them. Many thought he could be the next Nolan Ryan with a fast ball that sizzled past the batter’s bat as he racked up 1,723 regular season strike outs in his career. In 2019, Stasburg showed the entire baseball world why he was picked number one in his best year of his career as he went 18-6 in regular season with 3.32 ERA. In the post-season, Strasburg went 5-0 with 47 strikeouts in 36.1 innings of work. That includes the relief appearance in the wild card game where he pitched three scoreless innings. In the NLDS and the NLCS, he was combined 4-0. Strasburg was named MVP of that World Series as his Nationals defeated the Astros in which it took the full seven games to do so.

The last time Steven Strasburg took the mound was in 2022 & he only survived one game that season. Out of 13 seasons in the MLB, Strasburg has had 4 seasons where he pitched under ten games. This season he has not pitched at all. It did not take long for Strasburg to blow out his arm as he did in his rookie year and had the pitcher’s worst nightmare – Tommy John surgery. Maybe not worst nightmare because these days a pitcher gets Tommy John surgery & they are good as new. The aches and pain and news has to sting at first. Strasburg did return late in the 2011 season to pitch 5 games. When he was healthy, he had back-to-back years of 15 win seasons in 2016-17. When his arm felt good, the Nationals felt like they were going to win on any given night he pitched.

Injuries and a limited amount of games will not get Steven Strasburg to Cooperstown unless he drives his own self. The Nationals will retire his number 37 at some point. The World Series ring and how Strasburg delivered the first and only championship in the history of the Nationals will forever be remember in DC. For many years, the Nationals had loaded teams with tons of talent and were one and done in the playoffs. The Nationals won that championship after Bryce Harper left town to head to Philadelphia. If Harper stayed and Strasburg left, I don’t think the Nationals would have won a World Series. I like the fact that Strasburg stayed with one organization his entire career. Every organization has those players that are not Hall of Famers in the sense of Cooperstown. For Strasburg and all those guys that made an impact for their teams, they are Hall of Famers for their own organization. That says a lot. In crunch time, guys like Strasburg delivered. How many Hall of Famers had that marvelous career and failed during crunch time? When you find the answer, let me know. Strasburg was fun to watch and when healthy, he had some of the best stuff of all time.

WHITE SOX MOVING TO HONKY TONK TOWN

The White Sox made national headlines on Tuesday night as owner Jerry Reinsdorf fired his VP of baseball operations and his current General Manager. The baseball world was shocked to see Reinsdorf give Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams the boot. Many White Sox fans were dancing in the streets naked when they heard the news as the team was cleaning house and moving into a different direction. The team on the south side of Chicago also made some disturbing news before the firings of the two flunkies. Reinsdorf is considering moving the team to Nashville, Tennessee before the six year lease runs out at Guaranteed Rate Field in 2029.

They say timing is everything. Not sure why the White Sox organization would leak news they would be considering moving to Nashville in one of their worst years on the field in the history of one of the original MLB teams. It takes stones for an owner that has let his goons run this rebuild into the ground before finally manning up to grow a pair and remove the cancerous tumors in the front office. Was this the plot all along for Reinsdorf? For an 87 year owner of the White Sox and the Bulls to dish out the bad news first which the fans would ignore and like the good news of the firing of Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn. Perhaps he misread the signs telling him to sell the team before the season started as his fan base is pissed and they have the right to be.

“Sell the team, Jerry” signs have been popping up all over the south side this season.

Guaranteed Rate Field once was U.S Cellular and in 1991 when it opened, it was called Comiskey Park. The original stood right next to it before the wrecking ball knocked it over.

The new Comiskey Park could have been like the Indian’s field, Jacobs Field, or Camden Yards. These are other stadiums that looked awesome and were built during the 1990’s. The White Sox had the first stadium built in the 1990’s and they had to do it Jerry’s way which ended up looking like a mall. It did not take long for the stadium to go under renovations to make it fan friendly which in present days it is. I hate all the naming rights as local fans mostly call it Sox Park. Right now it is a good ball park and it has only been on the grounds just over 30 years. You’ve got to be kidding me now that this SOB wants something different. Jerry Reinsdorf is thinking of relocating to Nashville or would like to be somewhere local with something brand spanking new in the greater Chicagoland area. Could the team purchase another plot of land on the south side of Chicago? Could the White Sox choose the path of what the Chicago Bears are trying to do as they want to leave Solider Field and set up camp in the North burbs as they already purchased Arlington Park horse track and began work on the land. Could the White Sox share something with the Bears? Jerry’s fan base lives on the south side of the tracks. Chicago has two baseball teams and the Cubs, let me puke in my mouth first, are the first love of the town. The White Sox play the second fiddle in Chicago. The White Sox need to win and play well on the diamond to draw fans in the indy city. Not much of that lately. The Cubs are known as lovable losers as they play in the mega beer garden they call Wrigley Field and draw fans whether good, bad, or ugly. Cubs are playing better ball these days than the White Sox whose recent rebuild has crash landed and we are still looking for the owner’s common sense in what you call a bloody wreck and call for help now with this crazy talk.

Back in the 1980’s when Jerry “Scooge McDuck” Reinsdorf purchased the White Sox, he eventually used the same ploy to move the team out of Chicago. Back then it was St. Petersburg, Florida. Florida at the time did not have any teams as the Marlins and Rays were years away from playing their first games in the MLB. Suddenly Nashville has become the gold rush of modern times. Besides the White Sox thinking about relocating there, news out of Milwaukee is the Brewers had the same interest. Former MLB pitcher David Stewart has a group that is in line to bid for the next baseball expansion team and they want their team to be located in Nashville. The Brewers Triple A team, the Nashville Sounds, already have footing in Honky Tonk land and are a big draw. Over the years, Nashville has done well with the pro sports added to their city. The Predators in Hockey of the NHL and the Titans of football who play in the NFL. Both franchises have done well which is why Uncle Jerry and others have money signs in their eyeballs with a brand new stadium in Honky Tonk town. Right now just the way things go down in sports, nothing is ever permanent. Best case scenario would have Jerry sell the team and the new owner keeps them in Guaranteed Rate. Perhaps the city of Chicago can negotiate something with Uncle Jerry to keep the team in Guaranteed Rate. Suburbs or another location in Chicago would be hard at first before eventually caving in. If the team moves out of Chicago, no way I would still be a fan. It’s the owners that kill sports because winning games most of the time is not important. The players want too much of the pie as well. The beer prices continue to soar. All the time invested into your team goes by the wayside.

DING DONG THE WITCHES ARE DEAD 

When I heard the news on Tuesday night about the White Sox cleaning up the front office, someone had to pinch me because I thought I was dreaming. Great moments in sports history came to my mind like the call in the 1980 Olympics game, in when the U.S. beat the Soviet Red Army team on the ice. The call was “Do you believe in Miracles” by Al Michaels… a quote heard around the world. 

On Tuesday night when the White Sox fired dumb and dumber Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams, I may have giggled. I did a little dance. Two pink slips heard all around the baseball world when news got out that owner of the White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf, finally came to his senses. Williams and Hahn many thought were untouchable in the White Sox organization doing a crummy job and still collecting pay checks. In the worst year of watching White Sox baseball, these two moves are my World Series this season. I know why they were fired, and both should have been fired a long time ago. Right now, I don’t care who they hire as I will enjoy the moment. I have ideas. It would not shock me if the next hire to replace the two morons will be another stupid move to obsolete the two good moves made today. 

Kenny Williams is the Son of Sam to Jerry Reinsdorf. Williams as a player played most of his six-season career on the south side of town. Reinsdorf called Williams like a son in his announcement as he kicked him out of the doors. Williams, after his playing days, worked himself up the company ladder starting off as a scout for the White Sox. Williams eventually moved up to the deluxe apartments in the sky as he was the team’s general manager from 2000-12. Rick Hahn was his assistant when he started in 2002. Together Williams and Hahn helped the White Sox achieve something the city has not seen in 88 years, winning a World Series. Some say most of the players the White Sox had were guys from the last regime, former GM Ron Schueler. The two clowns had a base. They did make some savvy moves to help the 2005 White Sox win it all. I really think they did not see that coming as the team and the moves panned out luckily. After winning it all, the next time the White Sox made it to post season play was 2008. Then in 2012 the reigns were handed over to Hahn as Williams became VP of baseball operations.  

Since Ricky Hahn took over, a local guy who grew up in the North burbs, the team record has a record of 834-970. If you are counting at home, that record is ranked 26th in the MLB from 2012 until present times when they are having a disastrous year with a record of 49-76. Under the Hahn regime, the team made the playoffs twice in back-to-back years which was the first time in team history they accomplished that. In 2020, the season was shortened due to the pandemic. MLB expanded the post-season & thus, many teams made it. The White Sox fell to the Oakland Athletics 2-1 in best out of three. In 2021, the White Sox won the AL Central. Then the team was quickly dispatched 3-1 in a best out of 5 series by the Astros. Hahn’s teams have never won a playoff series and has only two victories after a full rebuild that started in 2016. Since 2005, the White Sox have only had six winning seasons. This year the team will most likely finish 4th or 5th in the division of AL Central which will be the 7th time they have finished that low in the standings in the last 11 seasons. 

I hope from now on, Kenny Williams stays out of White Sox business which is something he said to reporters. Williams and Rick Hahn thought they were smarter than everyone in the room when they were in it. Williams feuded with Ozzie Guillen when he was manager. Egos got in the way as Guillen left town so Williams could still be able to work with the organization. Guillen by far still is the best manager the team has had since he left town. Then there’s Hahn not knowing what talent is. Hahn traded the cow for a can of beans to give away Fernando Tatis Jr. For veteran pitcher ,Big Game James Shields, he lost his game years prior. Then Hahn traded away another stud infielder, Marcus Semien, leaving us with disgruntled Tim Anderson as the team’s short stop. Then how the team tried to land Manny Machado was so embarrassing. How they low-balled Machado in years with incentives and bonuses. Padres gave him a straight offer deal down in free agency & the White Sox looked like fools. Before making the offer, the White Sox signed Machado’s best friend Jon Jay and his brother-in-law Yonder Alonso. Two veterans at the end of their baseball life and the team were stuck with them because Machado went west. Let’s not forget the recent trade sending Jake Burger to the Marlins. The Pedro Grifol move, as manager a guy who was jack of all trades in the coaching world and master of none, is why he has never had a job as manager until Hahn came knocking. The rebuild looks like a tear down suddenly. Attendance is down. White Sox fans are PISSED OFF!!! 

I wish the fans could drag these two idiots through town square with torches and pitch forks. They are gone and I hope we can forget them very quickly as fans, when a master plan comes into place. Can a new leader salvage some of this rebuild? We need a new manager ASAP. Right now, the front office will be led by Jeremy Haber and Chris Getz. The clueless owner of the White Sox should have done this years ago & says he wants a new guy in place by the end of the season. That kind of scares me Jerry Reinsdorf might have a list of names he thinks are fitting. Let me enjoy this moment right now. I don’t have to see Hahn’s and Williams’ smug look on their face as the reporter’s fire on them difficult questions they think they should not be asked because we all are stupid. Finally, the fans get the last laugh as both idiots are out the door. 

JEFFREY LORIA THROWING ROCKS AT GLASS SCULPTURES 

Recently a story came out in an interview with former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria saying Derek Jeter ruined Loan Depot stadium, Miami’s home stadium. Jeter, former Yankee captain, was part of a group that purchased the Miami Marlins off the greedy Loria who was the guy that ruined the Montreal Expos. Talk about throwing rocks at glass houses. Before baseball, Loria made his money in the art world. Under the Loria regime, he installed a strange sculpture in the outfield stands which only a person on drugs could get down with. It was Jeter’s group that removed that sculpture and other amenities around the ballpark that Loria thought was a great idea at the time.   Jeter stepped down as the CEO of the Marlins in early 2022. Why the questioning about the sacred sculpture in present times? To sell books. As former owner of the Expos and Marlins, he has written a book about being a flat-out douche bag, I hope. 

Jefferey Loria made his fortune in the art world and wanted to buy a baseball team with his earnings. It all started when Loria purchased a minor league Triple-A team in Oklahoma called the 89ers. Loria quickly dispatched them when the Baltimore Orioles came up for sale in 1994. Loria did not get the Orioles. Then in 1999, Loria became the city of Montreal’s worst nightmare. Loria had purchased a minority of the Expos and began telling the city of Montreal the team needs a new stadium and we will not play in the Olympic stadium. The city still was paying for that stadium designed to land the Olympics a years prior, which they did. Then the city of Montreal caved in and had a plan for a new stadium to open in 2002 called Labatt Park, after the brewery in Canada. Loria demanded the city pay a higher percentage of the building costs as he had no intentions keeping this team in Canada. The deal was suddenly dead. Loria weaseled out of Montreal as he purchased the Marlins while their former owner, John Henry, bought the Red Sox leaving the 29 other clubs to purchase the Expos who were on the contraction list. Talk about the razzle dazzle Loria had to do to make that happen. It’s the same thing the Oakland Athletics owner is doing moving them to Vegas in the next few seasons. Some money exchanged, a wink, a handshake deal set and a town without its baseball team. The Expos survived contraction and MLB installed puppets to run that organization which was a farm system for the entire league as they traded a ton of talent to other clubs. The Marlins would win a World Series under the new Loria regime in Florida. The Expos would finally move to Washington DC and become the Nationals. 

Jeff Loria did get his new stadium, and he decorated it like the art world. The huge sculpture he added to the outfield concourse was made by his friend, Red Grooms. The sculpture would come alive if the Marlins hit a home run or win the ball game. The Sculpture lights up with mechanical marlins spinning while white seagulls suddenly start soaring and flashing. Add some dancing pelicans. Then a fountain spewing out water like a volcano but it’s fancy electronics not an actual fountain. Each Sculpture show lasts about 30 seconds. This was a 2.5 million contract for this sculpture which involved the artist and Miami Dade County.  Loria treated the stadium like it was an art museum as he had special European tiles decorating the inside of the stadium. Behind home plate he had fish tanks he claims are for the kids. How many kids do you see behind home plate throughout the baseball world? All Richie Rich seats. 

When Derek Jeter’s group took over the Marlins in 2018, his first order of business was to remove that sculpture that looked like something the artist Nick Moore created on the sitcom Family Ties. The fish tanks were removed. The European tiles could have been used for clay shooting. Loria said, “Destroying public art was horrible thing to do.” 

Jeter’s group did not tear it down like the U.S forces bringing down Saddam Hussain’s statue in Iraq. The sculpture is down the block from the stadium outside the Plaza. The weather could put little wear and tear on the dancing flamingos. I have a feeling it will survive a zombie apocalypse as Walking Dead Next Century could do a scene in front of the flying Marlins. In my opinion, the sculpture is tacky. All baseball stadiums are unique in their own way. The Cubs have ivy on the brick walls. The Red Sox have the green monster. The Diamondbacks have a pool. The Rays have a sting ray aquarium. Then the Royals have water coming down in their actual fountains in the outfield. Some people may like the sculpture. What would LaBatt Park have?   

Looks like an awesome skyline and a stadium that if you can’t build, they will run out of town. Loria, like most owners in sports, is awful. Jeter I’m not a fan of because he played for the Evil Empire Yankees all those years. Jeter was the captain of those teams, and you must respect the way he played the game. From the television, Marlins stadium looks great on television these days. Jeter may have not done well being a CEO as he resigned. The captain has taste. Jeffey Loria is a blowhard scum bag who took baseball away from the city of Montreal and decorated his stadium like a Richard Simmons video.   

WHITE SOX SCAVENGING OTHER TEAMS’ NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICKS 

I feel Rick Hahn, General manager, is so desperate as the rebuild is crumbling around him. He’s looking for any kind of talent other teams don’t want. I picture Hahn with a bandana over his head going out with Kenny Williams & scrapping on garbage night. The White Sox found a former number one draft pick in the Pirates’ recycling cart – 25-year-old outfielder Travis Swaggerty. The Pirates DFA’d Swaggerty a month ago as he has only made it to the majors for like a half of cup of coffee and didn’t even have a chance to even add cream or sugar into the cup. Swaggerty went through the drive-thru of the Majors and was back in the Minors after only 5 games.  

Travis Swaggerty was drafted overall number ten in the 2018 MLB draft out of University of South Alabama. Swaggerty is an outfielder who can play all three positions in the outfield. Swaggerty is a left-handed-bat who also throws with his south paw.  In 5 games during the 2022 season, Swaggerty had 1 hit out of 9 at-bats. This season injuries limited him to only 72 plate appearances at the Triple A level for the Pirates. Swaggerty has a batting average of .200 with 1 long ball as he has driven in 5. Before the 2019 season, Swaggerty was ranked as the number 87th prospect throughout the entire league. Scouts were high on Swaggerty’s keen eye at the plate with incredible discipline to hit quality pitches while laying off the junk. Swaggerty had a good glove in the outfield with pretty good speed around the bases. In 314 games in the Minor Leagues, Swaggerty has swiped 59 bags. Swaggerty never topped 11 home runs in a season as he was going to be a guy that could hit for average and steal some bags. Injuries piled up and trying to find his groove in the Pirates organization was not in the cards. 

The White Sox have now had garbage & picked 4 different players off waivers since selling off many of their pieces at the trade deadline. The White Sox are trying to resurrect any of these projects they have found on the curb. The former Pirates outfielder Travis Swaggerty would be a gold nugget out of the strainer if they can turn his baseball career around. Swaggerty and all the others also add depth to the depleted farm system of the White Sox, which many prized crops have died on Rick Hahn’s watch. The White Sox can’t draft talent in the first round. Look at some of the names like catcher Zack Collins & starting pitcher Carson Fulmer who turned out to be bums, draft busts. Then the team was so hyped up on Nick Madrigal who has been riding the Cubs bench fighting off injuries. Then Garrett Crochet was a perfect player for the White Sox because he, like others, spends more time on the injured list than the actual Major League roster.  I like to see a guy like Travis Swaggerty turn his career around with the White Sox.  It is always good to gamble on a few projects. This is the White Sox way. Picking up other people’s junk. Filling out their roster with dollar bin veterans. These baboons, dumb and dumber, Kenny Williams and Ricky Hahn, are grasping for straws right now. Any other organization, these two would have been fired a long time ago. I’m not thrilled with any moves these two make because they are never golden.  

CHEESEBURGER, CHEESEBURGER, CHEESEBURGER 

I really hope the Jake Burger trade haunts the White Sox General Manager for the rest of his baseball career. Working for Jerry Reinsdorf, the chairman of the White Sox, Hahn can hold on to his job that he has sucked at the same amount a time the Pope holds down the fort at the Vatican. Look at Kenny Williams, another loser still being employed by the White Sox, as he is Hahn’s boss. The Burger meister strikes again with another big hit. Another Burger time moment as Jake’s RBI single beat the Yankees for his first walk off hit with the fish. Burger had two walk off hits with the White Sox this season as Jake notched his third cheese burger of his young career. 

The White Sox gave up on young slugger Jake Burger, a first-round draft pick who’s only 27 years old. He was traded to the Marlins at the deadline for a broken-down left-handed pitcher who is only a prospect. Burger had 25 bombs for the White Sox this season, his first where he played almost every day. Many White Sox fans fell in love with Burger because he played almost every day without stints to the injured list. The White Sox don’t like to keep around healthy players the last several years as the same guys go on the injured list multiple times each year. In a horrible season on the Southside, Burger’s game winning hits like yesterday where he had 2-1 count and served a change up into the outfield to give Marlins the game and the series versus the Evil Empire were the season highlights for White Sox fans. Burger in 11 games in a Marlins uniform is batting .317 with 1 long ball and has drove in six. Burger has only struck out 8 times in over 40 at-bats with the fish. It shows you how quickly guys do well when they leave Chicago. Could it be the coaching staff the White Sox have in place who have no business even coaching a pee wee baseball team? Burger playing in Miami should be referenced in Cheeseburger in Paradise, a song written by Jimmy Buffet and his parrot heads living on the sandy beaches of which some are in the state of Florida. The Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, and cheeseburger is a Chicago thing, which are tavern burgers served up at the Billy Goat Tavern. I hope White Sox General manager Rick Hahn can’t stomach a cheeseburger ever again so he can remember how stupid he really is. 

 

FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 

I wonder how many players in the MLB want to punch the White Sox short stop in the head. I even at times want to punch Anderson through the television. I’m sure all White Sox fans have the same feeling as they watch him play each night feeling like you’re stuck to him. He’s like an anchor tied to your leg seeing your team and the rebuild sink like the Titanic hitting an iceberg. Then seeing the Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez knock Anderson to the ground with a right hook. Suddenly it’s what’s on the name on the front of jersey that is more important than the names on the back. More scuffles broke out as the benches cleared. The White Sox did end up winning the game after many ejections. At the end of the day, this incident defines the miserable season of the White Sox as a fight between two superstars in the baseball world and brings out a graveyard of skeletons for the south side team in Chicago. This team may have no choice in bringing in the bulldozer once again to tear down the recent rebuild, clean house, and start over.  

It started when Jose Ramirez hustled into second base with a headfirst slide. The Guardians third baseman was safe after Anderson gave him a hard tag and stood over him which got the blood boiling. Ramirez from the ground had words. Anderson did not back down as he had words.  

Suddenly this baseball fight looked more like an ice hockey fight. Anderson dropped his glove, and his dukes went up after Ramirez stood up. The umpire tried to stop it. Then like in hockey, the umpires stepped away and let it go as the two squared off exchanging punches, basically hitting air at first.  

Then teammates rushed over to the melee in the middle of the diamond. That’s when Ramirez liked the way he hits the ball, threw a punch, it landed on the sweet spot of Anderson’s face, and down he went. Anderson was restrained by teammates and taken to the White Sox dug out. On the field, the scuffle continued as tempers flared between these two teams which still have bad blood spilling over from last season. Anderson somehow escaped back on the field and tried to go after Ramirez again, but teammates dragged him back to the team’s dug out.  

Both teams’ managers and coaches exchanged heated words with each other. The Guardians closer, Emmanuel Chase, had heated words and tried to pour more gasoline on the fire, getting involved in some pushing and shoving with of course many nice words. Six were ejected in total after everything was broken up. White Sox Tim Anderson and manager Pedro Grifol were tossed from the game. The Guardians had 4 total ejections which included Jose Ramirez, manager Terry Francona, third base coach Mike Sarbaugh and closer Emmanuel Clase.  

This entire fiasco seems from the Guardians’ standpoint to have started because Tim Anderson was accused of yelling at Cleveland’s rookie short stop Gabriel Arias. Anderson, who is notorious for his bat flips when he hits a big homerun, as you could ask the Royals about that a few seasons ago, as tempers flared, while the benches cleared. Then last season Josh Donaldson called Anderson “Jackie” after Tim said he is the Jackie Robinson of modern times. Donaldson is one of the biggest SOBs in the game of baseball. Anderson and Donaldson had a scuffle as benches cleared. Anderson can’t be Mr. Innocent in all of this. Then the Guardians won the AL Central using the White Sox as bulletin board material to win the division.  Nothing wrong with that, but the Guardians made a video basically F-ING the White Sox which is not good sportsmanship rubbing salt on your enemies’ wounds. Obviously, the White Sox and Guardians have a heated rival going and by next year I hope Chicago has a pulse of some kind. The White Sox did not use the Guardians video as motivation this season. The White Sox would win the game and take the Sunday rubber match of the series. It’s a bad season for the White Sox, but they did take the season series versus their rivals 8-5 in 13 games. Anderson will be suspended for 6 games which means nothing because the White Sox are out of contention. The Guardians will be without Ramirez who got a three-game suspension which could hurt them, as the team is still alive in the playoff hunt.  

It’s embarrassing that the entire baseball world is laughing at Tim Anderson and the White Sox. Sometimes a fight or a brawl can bring your team closer, and the locker room starts gelling. If the White Sox would use stuff like this and then win games, I would let every team beat up on Anderson. Make it like the 7^th inning stretch during, “Take me out to the ball game.” In the grand scheme of things, I don’t see a hot dog like Anderson being the team leader and the face of the franchise with such a short wick. The White Sox front office commented on the players that broke up the fight and how important that is for their team. Management is the major problem on this team and the coaching staff they have in place is problem two. Since the shit hit the fan with Anderson and Ramirez, all kinds of stories are coming out of the woodwork that paint a bad picture for this White Sox organization. No comments from the chairman of the White Sox. Jerry Reinsdorf is letting the crazies run the asylum and I’m not talking players. The White Sox owner should sell this team because the fan base is angry. The bad baseball we had to watch to get through the rebuilding years. Now the team looks like a flaming wreck on the side of the highway which we can’t help looking at but turn our eyes away. Maybe the fans need to march down to the White Sox stadium with pitch forks and torches and drag all these idiots into the town square for lynching. Maybe let Anderson have first crack at them. We all know he would miss and then get knocked down once again. It’s the White Sox way.  

TRADE

THE PIRATE WAY

A PIRATES TRADE

The trade deadline for the Pittsburgh Pirates is like Christmas giving away crazy bunco gifts hoping to get that lucky package of socks that all match in return. The San Diego Padres should be sellers as the year has been a disappointment in Southern California. Instead the Padres are holding out for something of a miracle turn-around or their front office is smoking something funny. The Pirates move two veterans and collect some prospects as you think the Padres would have run out of them by now over the last 5 seasons. In a five player deal, two of the guys the Pirates got in return have made it to the big leagues. The Padres get 43-year-old LHP Rich Hill who continues to collect different team’s jerseys and veteran first baseman, Ji Man Choi. The Pirates get LHP Jackson Wolf along with two position players: outfielder Estuar Suero and first baseman Alfonso Rivas

Rich Hill has to be thrilled that teams still want him. I would say teams trying for the post-season still want him, but the Padres are delusional right now. The Padres need another starter after taking on some injuries, so Hill’s rubber arm got the call. The Padres will be Hill’s 13th MLB team in his 19th season in the big leagues. Hill has made all his starts this season for the Pirates which is 22 of them, as he has a record of 7-10 with 4.76 ERA. Hill is trying to end his career hitting the 100 mark in victories as he is 11 away with a life-time record of 89-70, with most of his his career he has been a starter. Hill has gone a few seasons just pitching out of teams’ bullpens.

Ji Man Choi is a 32 year old first baseman who has played 8 seasons in the majors, mostly with the Rays. Choi signed with the Pirates like Rich Hill did in the off-season. Choi has only played in 23 games for the Pirates this season due to injury. Choi has a .205 batting average with 6 long balls while driving in 11. The Padres need some bats at the bottom of their line-up and they think a healthy Choi could be the answer. The biggest question is whether Choi and other additions will help the Padres land a wild card. The Jury, Judge, and Executioner have already ruled against them. Do you like the Padres ownership not giving up and rolling the dice yet again? The depleted farm system will come back to haunt this team eventually.

The Pirates get three guys in this deal. One of the three guys has been in the majors for parts of the last three seasons. He is first baseman Alfonso Rivas, who is 26-years-old, and a a former Chicago Cub who debuted for them in 2021. Rivas is a left-handed bat and was originally drafted by the Oakland A’s in the 4th round of the MLB draft, out of the University of Arizona. In three seasons, he has played in 127 games for the Padres. He’s played in only 8 games this season hitting .200. Pirates once again are in need of first basemen as they traded away Choi and Carlos Santana. Rivas has himself a try out for the rest of the season.

Jackson Wolf was the Padres 16th prospect, is 24-years-old, and has one game under his belt from a start a few weeks back in July. Wolf lost the game as he gave up three runs in five innings of work. Wolf was drafted out of the University of West Virginia in the 4th round of the 2021 MLB draft. Wolf is definitely the headliner out of this deal for the Pirates and could be a nice piece for the future starting rotation. The third player the Pirates get is outfielder Estuar Suero, a switch hitter who has played 35 games of rookie ball and has a batting average of .216 with 4 home runs and 23 driven in. Suero is only 17-years-old and out of the Dominican Republic. This three player addition to the Pirates organization right now looks real promising for two veterans that should not be worth this much.

TRADE

I find it amazing that the Baltimore Orioles are perched in first place in a very tough AL East division. Then you have to laugh because the New York Yankees are in last place in the East along with Boston who are just above the Evil Empire. The Red Sox and Yankees are two teams that dominated that division for years as the Orioles were bottom feeders for what seems like decades. The Orioles record is one of the best in the entire baseball world and to stay on top, they need pitching and to strike a deal with St.Louis. Shocking that the Cardinals are sellers at any trade deadline, but they are stocking the shelves with prospects as they get three of them from the Orioles. The Orioles get a nice veteran starter in Jack Flaherty from St.Louis in a 4 player deal. The Cardinals get minor league Infielder Cesar Prieto, along with two pitching prospects: LHP Drew Rom and RHP Zack Showalter.

Jack Flaherty seemed like a Cardinal for life. The only franchise Flaherty has pitched for was St.Louis for parts of seven seasons. The 27 year old starter RHP this season in 20 starts for the Red Birds has a 7-6 record with 4.43 ERA in 20 starts. The last few seasons shoulder injuries have caught up to Flaherty. In 2021, Flaherty was 9-2 in 15 starts with 3.22 ERA. Last season, Flaherty only started 8 games with a 2-1 record. In 2019, by far the best season of Flaherty, he was 11-8 in 33 starts with an awesome 2.75 ERA. This season Flaherty is healthy and is a nice addition to the top bird teams in the league who need another starter to keep this team rolling. Flaherty could be the key in helping this Orioles team win the AL East. Flaherty has 4 games under his belt in post-season experience, so you know Baltimore will give him the ball in a best out of seven series.

The Cardinals are stocking up on prospects with multiple deals during this trade deadline. They got two of the Orioles top 20 prospects. Let’s start with infielder Ceasr Prieto, the 16th prospect of the Orioles who Baltimore signed as a free agent from Cuba with their international bonus money. Prieto is 24 years old and is killing it across all the Orioles minor league levels hitting .349 in 85 games. Prieto is a left handed bat who is very hard to strike out. Both pitching prospects the Cardinals got were drafted out of High School. Drew Rom was Baltimore’s 18th ranked prospect who is 23 years old. The left handed Rom has a 7-6 record in 18 starts with a 5.34 ERA with the Orioles Triple A team. Rom was drafted in the 4th round of the 2018 draft. Then Zack Showalter is only 19 years old was drafted in the 11th round of the 2022 draft. The Cardinals always have done well with their own prospects drafting them, coaching them, and teaching them their way of fundamentals. You have to respect the Cardinals front office looking and scouting for the best talent, in their minds, of guys they want if they strike a deal with another organization.

TRADE

The Cleveland Guardians – who you trying to fool? The surrender at the trade deadline is obvious and make the French during the World Wars look like warriors in a Gladiator fights. The Marlins want power in the line up and Cleveland has the guy for them as they ship first baseman Josh Bell to Miami. He’s a guy who just signed with the Guardians in the off-season to a free agent deal to help this team be repeat winners in the AL Central. The Guardians get 20 year old infielder prospect Kahil Watson and veteran infielder 33 year old Jean Segura in return.

This is the 5th team in the past 4 years for 8 year veteran Josh Bell, who is 30 years old. Last year Bell was traded from Washington to San Diego at the trade deadline. Bell did get some playoff experience with the Padres who went deep in the post-season and ended up losing to the Phillies, who went on to lose in the World Series. Bell started his career in Pittsburgh where he played parts of 5 seasons wearing a Pirate uniform. This year in Cleveland, Bell played in 97 games & batted .233 with 11 home runs driving in 48. Last season, splitting his time in Washington and San Diego, Bell batted .266 with 17 long balls while driving 71. Bell is a switch hitter who plays first base and can slide into the DH role if needed. The Marlins were able to pry Jake Burger, another power bat, away from the White Sox who has 25 long balls. The Marlins, at the bottom of the league in home runs, are hoping that adding these big bats can help them land a wild card spot as the Atlanta Braves are running away with the NL East. Bell’s career numbers have him batting .259 with 142 long balls and driving in 519. The Marlins quickly give up on a veteran of their own they signed in the off-season in Jean Segura and only have to give up a 20 year old prospect. The Marlins will have Bell the remainder of this season and in 2024 unless they trade him away.

The Guardians ownership is in the state of denial about what their real plan at the trade deadline is. The first trade Cleveland made, they traded away their starting short stop Amed Rosario to the Dodgers for injured veteran pitcher “Thor,” former Mets starter Noah Syndergaard. You could argue that Syndergaard could be a guy that can help your team with your playoff push. Then Cleveland traded away one of their best starters in the last two months with a few guys still on the injured list. Aaron Civale goes to Tampa Bay for a first baseman prospect not ready for the MLB yet. Now they trade away a slugger first baseman they just signed this season for veteran Jean Segura who was officially released after this trade. Segura, 33 years old, helped the Phillies last year at second base and he hit very well down the stretch to get Philadelphia in the post-season and he did pretty good in the playoffs. Segura got awarded with a two year deal with the Marlins in the off-season as the Phillies went in a different direction. This season, Segura has not swung the bat well, only batting .219 with 3 home runs and driving in 21. Last season Segura hit .277 with 10 long balls driving in 33. The Guardians have to eat some money but get a 20 year prospect Kahil Watson who was drafted in 2021 16th overall. This season Watson has played at a few of the lower levels of the Marlins farm system and has played in 60 games combined, has 9 home run,s and 14 stolen bases jump out at me. The Guardians are only a few games behind a bad Twins team in a very bad division. Instead of repeating as division champions, they will settle for second place and home for the post-season. Which is a Big F U to the fan base and veteran manager, Terry Francona.

TRADE

They say cheaters never win. Yet the Astros whaled on trash cans, stole the 2017 World Series, and won one last year. Then you think perhaps the Astros take a step back this season. Suddenly Houston is getting the band back together. First the team struck a deal and got their Gravedigger back for the back end of the bullpen. The White Sox saw the Grim Reaper this season and made the first deal with the enemy sending Kendall Graveman back to Houston after signing him to a three year deal as his stay was half the contract. You know things are going right when the Astros bring back their ace from last year. The Astros sent shock waves throughout the baseball world as they bring back Justin Verlander in a deal with the Mets. The Mets get two of Houston’s top prospects in two outfielders: Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. To acquire this type of talent, the Mets send Verlander back to Houston and help pay part of his salary for the next two seasons in 35 million out the 86.6 million he got from New York in the off-season.

Last time Justin Verlander was traded at the deadline was in 2017, when the Tigers sent him to Houston. Verlander went a perfect 5-0 for the Astros down the stretch and with help from some trash cans Verlander was part of his first World Series winning team. Last season for Houston at 39 years old, Verlander was awesome with a record of 18-4 and a 1.75 ERA. His pitches suffocated hitters all season as he once again helped Houston to their second World Series. Verlander has won three Cy-Young awards of which two of them were in Houston. This season Verlander has only made 16 starts for the Mets as he missed some time with an injury. Verlander had a 6-5 record in a Mets uniform with 3.15 ERA. Houston needs depth to their starting rotation with injuries to veterans Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia. The Astros now can march their two studs of Framber Valdez and Verlander, giving Houston a nice 1-2 punch. The Astros also have Christian Javier and two decent rookie options to fill the rotation out.

The Mets were able to bring Justin Verlander to New York for obviously the money and to pitch once again with his former teammate from the Detroit days, Max Scherzer. That did not last long as the Mets sent Mad Max to Texas & now Verlander to Houston as they put their finger prints on the top two teams in that division. The Mets get the number prospect from Houston in Drew Gilbert, who is ranked number 68 out of 100 prospects in the MLB Pipeline. It was because of the cash they paid in this deal that helped the Mets get this kind of talent back for both Scherzer and Verlander. Gilbert is only 22 years, can play all three outfield positions, and is a left handed bat. Gilbert was drafted in 2022 in the first round by the Astros out of the University of Tennessee. In Double A ball, Gilbert has a .274 batting average with 12 home runs so far this season. The other outfielder the Mets get was the Astros number 4 prospect in Ryan Clifford. Clifford is another left handed bat who is only 20 years old. Clifford was in the 11th round of the 2022 draft by the Astros out of high school. In Class A ball for Houston, he was batting .337 with 2 homeruns driving in 15. The Mets owner came into the off-season throwing huge money for more veteran talent and it did not work out for him. The Mets may have recovered by bringing back talented top prospects back to their farm system, could still reload next season, and try to contend with all the veterans they still have on their roster.

TRADE

A PIRATES TRADE

The Pirates way of doing things is signing veterans to one year deals & then flipping them at the trade deadline. The bad veterans that do not produce, the Pirates make them walk the plank in waters infested with sharks. Pirates catcher Austin Hedges was walking a very thin line, especially since the newbies like the catching prospects are making noise in the majors with their performances so far. The Texas Rangers came calling at the last minute needing a back stop with their guy Jonah Heim going on the injured list. The Pirates gladly took some international bonus pool money for a nine year veteran who would have been shark food in days to come.

I can see the Pirates tight wad using the bonus money for his morning swim.

The Pirates signed Austin Hedges in the off-season. The former Guardian took a one year deal worth 5 million to catch in Pittsburgh. Hedges has playoff experience with the Guardians who made the post-season last year winning the AL Central. Hedges started his career in San Diego as Texas will be his 4th team of his career. The 30 year old Hedges had to know if you sign with the Pirates you’re destined for a free ticket to the playoffs in another uniform. Texas has one of the best offenses in the entire MLB and they don’t need Hedges’ bat. Thank the lord Hedges’ lone season in the gold and black is batting .180 with 1 home run driving in 14. Hedges has not been a good hitter his entire career as his life time average is .188 with 67 long balls and 221 RBI’s. Hedges is known for his defense. Hedges is one of the best pitch framers in the league. The Rangers will win games despite Hedges’ weakness with the lumber.

Meanwhile, the Pirates catching tandem has really gotten exciting with two youngsters that are worth watching every night while we wait for the Steelers to start their season. Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez were top prospects coming into this season and both have shown some nice things in their game so far. Both have played well on offense and defense and it’s better than watching Austin Hedges swing at flies and missing night after night. A bag of balls would have been enough for me to make this Hedges deal work. Instead we take the Chuckie Cheese bucks and spend it on a foreign ball player. Doesn’t anybody buy American anymore?

TRADE

A WHITE SOX TRADE

BURGER TO GO

What on earth are the Chicago White Sox doing? The team’s front office should all receive pink slips for trading away Jake Burger aka Burger Bomb with his big home runs in big moments of the game. Burger is finally getting his opportunity to play every day and starting to show off his power to be a premiere slugger in this league. Rick Hahn, and I’m throwing Kenny Williams under the bus because he has a relationship with the lady GM of the Marlins, traded the cow away for a broken down can of beans. Marlins get a Burger to go while the White Sox settle for a can of who-hash, a 24 year old LHP, another Jake, with the last name Eder who is getting over Tommy John surgery.

The Marlins are in the thick of things trying to land a wild card spot in the NL East as the Braves should easily run away with the division. The Marlins needed some power in the line-up. As a team, they are third from last with the fewest home runs in the entire MLB. The Marlins home run threat comes off the bat of Jorge Soler, who has 25 bombs. Jake Burger has the same amount in a White Sox uniform and is a guy that can play second base and man the hot corner, or the team can slide him into the DH role. Burger is only batting .214 in his first full season in the majors, but with those 25 home runs he has driven in 52. Sometimes it seems like Burger could live by the home run and die by the strikeout as he has 102 of those. In baseball, it’s when you hit the home run. Burger has been one of the exciting things going on in the south side of town in the Windy City, in a very disappointing season. If Burger played a full season, what would his number be? I’m kind of curious. In a White Sox uniform, he played in 154 games in parts of three seasons. Each season every team plays 162 games. Burger in 154 games has a batting average of .230 with 34 long balls driving in 81 but striking out 173 times. Overall I’d like to see the strikeouts down and the average up at the .250 mark, but you’ve got like 34 bombs and 81 RBI’s. Burger is only 27 years old as well.

Jake Eder was originally drafted by the New York Mets out of Vanderbilt University in 2017 in the 34th round. Eder is the number 4 prospect in the Marlins farm system. However, the White Sox like having guys with injury history over healthy specimens. I know Tommy John surgery pitchers come back brand new like nothing ever happened. Still waiting on the great Michael Kopech who the White Sox have in their starting rotation to be that super star number 1 starter as he had the Tommy John surgery a few years back. Jake Burger was getting playing time because Yoan Moncarda has been hurt and was on the injured list. Moncarda seems like he lives on the injured list. Moncarda is another guy we continue to wait on as he will rise into a super star but can’t stay healthy. It makes sense to trade away a healthy up-and-coming talent like Jake Burger who has not gotten to his prime years yet for a left handed guy who may turn out… we don’t know whether good, bad, or just ugly. Why is this organization continuing to make foolish moves? Ricky Hahn trading away Fernando Tatis Jr. to the Padres for a washed up James Shields. I know Burger could be just a gut who lives by the home run and dies by the strikeout. Burger could also be an every day slugger in this league that can drive in 80 to 90 runs per season and hit 30 bombs a season. That is a lot of production that you’re giving up for a broken down pitcher who has not established anything yet. Eder this season in the Marlins A ball in Jupiter is 0-2 with 466 ERA. In Double A, Eder has a 2-1 record with 3.94 ERA in Pensacola. I could be totally wrong on Eder’s case. The way the White Sox front office rolls, their track record is horrible. Case closed.

OTHER TRADES

The Brewers and Diamondbacks make a wife swap. Brewers and Diamondbacks swap bullpen help. Brewers get LHP 33 year old Andrew Chafin who has so far a record of 2-3 with 4.19 ERA with 8 saves. The Diamondbacks get 28 year old RHP Peter Strzelecki, who has 3-5 record and 4.54 ERA this season.

The Rockies and Braves make their second deal of the trade deadline. The Braves get another relief pitcher from the Rockies, and this time it’s Brad Hand. Hand is a 13 year veteran in the Majors who is a LHP who is 33 years old and has played for multiple teams. Hand has a record so far this season of 3-1 with an ERA of 4.54. The Rockies get a Double A relief pitcher 25 year old RHP Alec Barger. Barger was drafted in 2019 in the 17th round by the Braves out of North Carolina State University. Barger has pitched for the Braves Mississippi affiliate and has a 3.29 ERA coming out of the bullpen in 30 appearances.

TRADE

A WHITE SOX TRADE

The White Sox keep stooping to even lower levels with the teams they are dealing with during this year’s trade deadline. First they helped the Houston Astros out by sending them relief pitcher Kendall Graveman. Now they have ties with the Evil Empire New York Yankees. The White Sox front office think of themselves as “Oh God you devil.” If only Rick Hahn could be smoking a cigar like actor George Burns to gloat about his power and insult the team’s fan base once again. White Sox seem to be clearing out their entire pitching staff as they deal another relief pitcher, Keynan Middleton. This time will be heading to the Death Star for 21 year old pitching prospect Juan Carela.

Keynan Middleton is 29 years old & becomes expendable for the White Sox with his contract ending at the end of this season. The right-handed pitcher in his only season with the White Sox appeared in 39 games had 2-2 record with a 3.96 ERA with 2 saves in 36 innings of work. Middleton, believe it or not, was one of the better relief pitchers in the White Sox bullpen that the devil himself, Ricky Hahn, paid big money for, which has been very bad. The Yankees will be Middleton’s 5th team in the last 4 seasons, part of a career which started with the Angels. In 7 seasons in the big leagues, Middleton also pitched for the Mariners and Diamondbacks. Middleton’s career numbers have him with a 10-8 record in 194 games while converting 15 saves and an ERA of 3.98. He will join another former White Sox player in the Death Star’s bullpen, “No Sleeves” Jimmy Cordero who pitched two seasons on the south side.

The White Sox get RHP Juan Carela from the Yankees. A pitching prospect who’s been working in the Yankees High A Hudson Valley affiliate. Carela is out of the Dominican Republic and projected to be a starting pitcher. Carela this season at Hudson Valley has a 2-4 record in 16 starts with 3.67 ERA. My favorite Juan in my lifetime that has played in a White Sox uniform has to be Uribe, the short stop from the 2005 World Series winning team.

Keynan Middleton is a guy I liked this season because of how bad everyone else was. These veteran relievers are a dime a dozen. Next season, Middleton may have a bad year. Some of these middle of the road relievers are wishy washy and unpredictable. I can see unloading a guy like Middleton and getting something like a prospect back who may not turn out to be anything for the White Sox. If Carela turns out to be a future piece for the White Sox rotation, it would be a good thing. The bad thing will have to deal with the smug look on Rick Hahn’s face saying he told us so. The General manager who should been fired when this dumpster fire started last season.

TRADE

A PIRATES TRADE

THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

The state of Pennsylvania had some baseball business on the agenda between the Phillies and Pirates. The Pirates have been doing their norm around this time of the year trying to deal players to help their current rebuild. The Phillies are trying to get back to the post-season coming off the loss in the World Series. They need some help and getting it in state. The Pirates send veteran infielder Rodolfo Castro to the Phillies. The Pirates get a veteran LHP Bailey Falter who has fallen on hard times. Confused? Let’s see if we can sort all this out as both players in this deal will become free agents after this season.

The Phillies need a guy to back up the middle of their infield and the 24 year old Rodolfo Castro can serve that purpose down the stretch for Philadelphia. In Castro’s third season as a Pirate, he saw the most action he has ever seen in the majors as he played in 78 games so far and counting. Last season, Castro only played in 71 games and in his first year, only 31 games. The Pirates starting short stop this season, O’neil Cruz, was injured and out for the remainder of the season. Castro has filled in all over the Pirates infield and had to fill the void not having Cruz in the line up for the rest of the season. Castro this season batted .228 for the Pirates with 6 long balls and drove in 22. Castro will fill in now for Phillies short stop Trea Turner and second baseman Bryson Scott. Castro is a nice jack of all trades type of guy for the infield. Castro can get you some big hits in situations with runners on. He’s a guy that can fill the line up card here and there and the team won’t miss a beat.

The Pirates are thinking Rodolfo Castro is expendable for an intriguing left-handed project. Bailey Falter is a project who had flashes of being a quality arm last year for the Phillies. Falter is only 26 years old and helped the Phillies get into the playoffs as he had a record of 6-4 in 16 starts last season. Falter’s ERA was 3.86 and he looked like a guy who would be in the starting rotation for years to come as a 4th or 5th starter hoping he improves over the years. This year Falter faltered as he made 7 starts for the Phillies & had a 0-7 record losing all his starts with an exploding 5.15 ERA. Falter has only pitched three seasons in the big leagues & has a career record of 8-12 with 4.56 ERA. I can see the thinking here if you can adjust or find the problem Falter is having & maybe tweak a few things. Could he find his 2022 form? Left handed arms are very valuable in the baseball world as they will get all the chances to stick in the MLB. If the Pirates could fix Falter and could possibly extend him with a contract for next season, they could always find a replacement for Rodolfo Castro. The Pirates probably have a guy in place on the roster that can do what Castro has done in a Pirates uniform. The Pirates are not contending this season can work with Falter in their minor leagues and bring him up when rosters expand in September and give him another whirl in the big leagues.

TRADE

Only a few weeks back, many thought the Chicago Cubs were going to be sellers at the trade deadline. The Cubs players had some say in that as they wheeled off 8 straight wins and find themselves right back in the thick of things. The Nationals last season at this time sold everything that was not bolted down in a mega fire sale. The Nasty Nats did have one trade chip, a third baseman they signed a one year deal with in the off-season. The Cubs came calling when they heard the news about their old prospect in a Nationals uniform being one of the hottest hitters during the month of July and had to have him. The Cubs add third baseman Jeimer Candelario and send the Nationals two minor league prospects in a 3 player deal. The Nationals get LHP DJ Herz and a young short stop from the Dominican Republic named Kevin Made.

Jeimer Candelario is a 29 year switch hitting third baseman who has been in the league parts of 8 seasons. Candelario started his MLB career with the Cubs in 2016. In parts of three seasons going up and down, Candelario had a few cups of coffee with the Cubs as he managed to play in 16 games & then was traded to Detroit around the trade deadline. Candelario played six seasons in Detroit until the team non-tendered him in the off-season. Candelario would then sign with the Nationals for a one year deal worth 5 million. Candelario has figured things out and is a guy that can hit for power without relying on the home run every at-bat and not dying by the strike out in every other at-bat. This season, Candelario was batting .258 with 14 long balls and has driven in 53. Career-wise, Candelario is batting .245 with 82 long balls and 302 RBI’S. The Cubs already had a power hitting third baseman in Patrick Wisdom. Candelario is a switch hitter – a guy that can balance out the line up card every night and right now he’s swinging the hot lumber. Cubs think he can help the team win games now to make a playoff push and put the North siders back into the post-season.

The Cubs gave up their 19th prospect to the Nationals to make this deal happen. DJ Herz is 22 years old was drafted in the 8th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. This season Herz has been striking out batters like putting wood in the wood chipper as he has 80 in only 59 innings of work. Herz has been in Double A ball where he has posted a 3.97 ERA. The other guy the Cubs gave away is a 20 year old from the Dominican Republic and is in single A ball this season in South Bend, Indiana where he’s batting .241. At 20 years old, he’s a guy with talented skills on the baseball diamond as we will wait and see if the Nationals can harness and get this kid to the majors. Not a bad day for a team in rebuild to get two players for a rental.

TRADE

The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of the best teams in the entire league in the first half of the season. Now the young Diamondbacks team has fallen down in the MLB standings to third place in the NL West. The Diamondbacks may not be able to knock the Dodgers off the top rung in the division, but this team has a chance to grab a wild card spot but need help. This brings us to Seattle a team floating in no man’s land on the bubble of giving it up. Or could they make a run for it?

Seattle’s making a run for the border instead as they trade their closer to Arizona. The Mariners send 33 year RHP Paul Sewald to the desert for three players – two of them with some MLB experience. The Mariners get three position players – infielder Josh Rojas, outfielder/first basman Dominic Canzone and infielder Ryan Bliss.

Paul Sewald is a 33 year old relief pitcher who has 7 seasons under his belt. He’s a guy who started his career with the Mets. It was not until Sewald arrived in Seattle when he started to close out ball games for the Mariners. The last three seasons, Sewald has closed out 55 games and the last two seasons he has 20-plus save seasons under his belt. Last season, he helped the Mariners break the worst playoff drought in baseball. This season, he was doing his part once again as he has a record of 3-1 with a lights out ERA of 2.93 and has 21 saves this season. The Diamondbacks need help on the back end with a young club getting a guy that can get outs late in the game. Someone who can help win ball games and keep this playoff push alive and well.

Winning comes at a steep price as the Mariners added three players on closer closing in on his mid 30’s in next few seasons. The Mariners can throw Josh Rojas right on their major league roster as he’s a left-handed bat who’s 29 years old and has 5 seasons under his belt out of the University of Hawaii. Rojas has played in over 300 games this season. With the snakes he’s batting just .228 in 59 games. Last season, Rojas finished the season batting .269 with 56 RBI’S. Then the other guy that has some MLB experience is Dominic Canzone who made his debut this season and in 15 games batted .237. Canzone is 25 years old & another left-handed bat who was the 19th prospect in the Diamondbacks farm system. Then Ryan Bliss, a potential future second baseman of the Mariners, was the 29th prospect in the Diamondbacks farm system. Bliss is 23 years old and was batting .358 down at Amarillo the Diamondbacks double A team. The Mariners I believe are waving the white flag trading away their closer. Some front offices want to believe they can have your cake and eat it too.

TRADE

The Guardians and the Rays make a deal as Cleveland is waving the white flag and Tampa Bay needs pitching for their playoff run. These are two franchises that had to change the nick name of their team as the Devil Rays went to just Rays, while the Indians turn into the Guardians.

Taking the devil out of the Devil Rays and making your franchise, a “Rays” of sunshine. They could hire the sun from two scoops of Raisin Bran to be the spokesperson of the team.

Then in present days, there’s the pressure to remove Indian warriors from the equation in the sports world. As of now, Cleveland sounds like an insurance agency going with the Guardians over the Indians.

Cleveland waves the white flag as the ball club is only a few games back of a bad Twins team in the worst division in baseball. The Guardians send probably their hottest starting pitcher at this time to the Rays for a big time Rays’ prospect in first baseman, Kyle Manzardo. The Rays and Guardians’ number one thing is both teams harvest the best down on the farm in starting pitching. The Rays need an arm with the slew of injuries they have in their starting rotation while the Guardians look like sellers rather than buyers at the trade deadline. This at a time when they are still in playoff contention.

Aaron Civale is a 28 year old RHP who has played his entire career with the Cleveland organization. In Civale’s last 11 starts since he returned from the injured list, he’s raking it out there on the pitching rubber. Civale has been lights out with a 2.24 ERA. For the year, Civale has a 5-2 record with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts. Civale has pitched parts of 5 seasons in Cleveland uniform as 2021 was his best year maybe until this season. In 2021, Civale had a 12-5 record with a 3.84 ERA. Lifetime, Civale has made 76 starts & has a 29-23 record with a 3.77 ERA. The Rays starting staff took a hit with two of their pitchers out for the rest of the year as they lost Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs. The Rays were hoping their rookie starter, Taj Bradley, would be ready, but he’s been riding the struggle bus. The Rays were in first place most of the year until the Orioles knocked them down a peg. Civale could be a nice piece for the Rays going down to the finish line & either regaining first place or grabbing a wild card slot.

The Guardians may be thinking if they did win the AL Central, whether they even have a chance to get deep into the post-season. The Guardians won the AL Central last season & then got past the first round knocking out the Rays. Maybe they owe the Rays, and Aaron Civale is the payment in full. The Guardians are getting the 37th Minor League prospect with 23 year old Kyle Manzarda. Manzarda is a left handed slugging first baseman who hit 23 bombs last season and was the Minor League player of the year in 2022. Manzarda was selected out of the second round of the draft in 2021 out of Washington State University. This season in 73 games for the Triple A team, the Durham Bulls, he’s batting .238 with only 11 bombs. Guardians have a ton of pitching and getting a top prospect as a position player to be inserted into the line up with Jose Ramirez is what they are thinking. They’ll get better for the future and still build around the core Cleveland has assembled.

TRADE

How would you like to be traded for cash considerations or the dreaded player to be named later? Maybe better than the guy that got traded in the minor leagues for the crate of lobsters. The Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants made a trade in what seems like was dealt the ole Wimpy way of doing business.

San Francisco plucked outfielder AJ Pollock & minor league with some cups of coffee in the big league’s utility man Mark Mathias. The Mariners will get the famous player to be named later or even cash considerations… or a nice cheese burger.

I was not impressed with AJ Pollock’s one year on the south side of Chicago in 2022. Pollock hit .245 and never delivered with runners in scoring position when he came up to bat. Pollock gives the Giants a Golden Glove outfielder who can handle all the positions in the grasslands. The Giants need help with Mike Yastremski missing 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury. Pollock will be coming back from his stint on the injured list with the same problem that Yaz has. Pollock has played in only 49 games for the Mariners this season and with lumber, not very impressive batting .173 with 5 long balls as the 12 year veteran is 35 years old and maybe on his last legs as a ball player. Pollock opted out of his contract with the White Sox during the off-season and signed for half the amount of the option with Seattle. Pollock is moving on and will be back to his ole stomping grounds in the NL West where he has played for the Snakes in Arizona and the LA Dodgers.

Mark Mathias has played every position on the field except catcher and short stop as he is a jack of all trades when it comes to his defensive skills. Mathias has played in parts of three seasons with three different teams in his career. This season, Mathias played in 22 games in Pittsburgh where he hit .231 with 4 RBI’S. Mathias has been fine tuning his game in Triple A for the Seattle Mariners, and in the meantime as of now he will be headed to the Bay Area in California. Mathias has 68 games total under his belt with 169 at-bats, as he is a .249 career hitter so far with 6 long balls driving 28 runs.

Seattle broke the longest playoff drought in sports last year as they finally made it to the post-season. The Mariners did get past the offensive juggernaut of the Blue Jays in the first round of the playoffs. Then their division rival Astros quickly dispatched them in round two. The Mariners are a dozen games out of first in the AL West and 3.5 games in back of the third wild card spot. Mariners reloaded in the off-season to make another playoff run this season. Getting rid of AJ Pollock and a triple A utility guy is not folding up shop for the season. Everyone in the AL West is pretty good except for Oakland. Seattle will have to come to their senses quickly and may have to fold unless they find a deal that can get a jolt into this team in a instant.

TRADE

This is a trade for the birds at a time when the Toronto Blue Jays are still soaring high in the skies these days trying to get back to the post-season, while the Cardinals are flying further south for the winter. How many times can you say you saw the Cardinals selling off pieces at the trade deadline? The Cardinals are not having a fire sale, but some of their about-to-expire contracts could get them back some future pieces to replenish their farm system. The Cardinals send the Blue Jays, veteran hurler Jordan Hicks for two right handed pitching prospects in Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein.

The Blue Jays closer, Jordan Romano, landed on the 15 day injured list with some back inflammation. The Blue Jays needed a late inning guy to reinforce the back end of their bullpen and 26 year old 5-year Jordan Hicks is the guy. Hicks this season has pitched in 41 games & has a 1-6 record with 4.01 ERA. Hicks started off the season very badly and has turned things around the last three months. Hicks has been one of the best relievers in the game the last 3 months during which he has converted 8 saves. Hicks gives the Blue Jays a power arm whose heater can reach over the 100 MPH mark on any given appearance. Hicks would be a rental for the Blue Jays as his contract runs out at the end of this season. Hicks did not pitch in the 2020 season as he elected not to play due to the pandemic. Only team Hicks knows is the Cardinals.

The Cardinals actually get the Blue Jays’ number 7th prospect in their farm system in Sem Robberse. Robberse is only 21 years old and was born overseas in the Netherlands. Robberse is a kid in Double A ball and is projected to be a starter. Robberse pitched this season for New Hampshire & has a 3-5 record with a 4.06 ERA. Adam Kloffenstein is another pitcher from the New Hampsire Double A team who is a starter and is 22 years old. Kloffenstein was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round of the 2018 MLB draft out of his Texas high school. Kloffenstein has a 5-5 record this season with a 3.24 ERA. The Cardinals always have a very savvy front office as this trade may turn out golden for St. Louis in years to come. Hicks is a guy the team may have let walk at the end of regular season if he stayed in town.

TRADE

A WHITE SOX TRADE

I was not around for the LA Dodgers World Series win over my Chicago White Sox in 1959. I was around when the current White Sox front office dealt in a colossal mistake, closer Craig Kimbrel, to the Dodgers for outfielder AJ Pollock before the collapse of the recent Chicago rebuild before the 2022 season. First of all, Kimbrel should have never been traded for already having a closer in place in Liam Hendriks. Then we get an outfielder who pretty much did not want to be in Chicago as he escaped the ship with the women and children when Rick Hahn’s full rebuild hit an iceberg. He opted out before the 2023 season began. Now at the deadline, the White Sox are sellers and as always, the Dodgers are buying. Let’s hope we can get the edge in this recent 5 player deal between the two teams that share the same Spring Training facilities. The Dodgers get two veteran right-handed pitchers in Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly. The White Sox have already dealt three pitchers before this trade as they get two right-handed pitching prospects, Nick Nastrini & Jordan Leasure, and welcome back veteran outfielder Trayce Thompson for his third stint in a White Sox uniform.

When the White Sox signed Joe Kelley, I thought we were getting the guy who helped the Dodgers and Red Sox win a World Series. I thought we were getting that guy who had no problem calling the Astros a cheat, or throwing at them, and even making a classic funny face mocking them that was shown all over baseball nation’s networks.

Kelly has an arsenal of pitches and is a guy that can get crucial outs late in the games. The two seasons in Chicago, Kelly was good, bad, and just ugly when he injured himself leaving the bullpen for a potential bench-clearing brawl with the Pirates. The good was not enough in a White Sox uniform for the big money the moron GM of the White Sox overpaid for his services. In two seasons with the White Sox, Kelly was 2-8 with a 5.59 ERA. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out as another bad signing has left the building.

Now Lance Lynn was a very exciting move I thought when he arrived in Chicago. Lynn came over from Texas as part of a deal in which we sent young pitcher Dane Dunning to the Rangers. This season, Dunning has a nice record of 8-4 and respectable 3.28 ERA. Lynn brought energy to the starting rotation. An attitude which the team needed to show the younger guys how a workhorse gets the job done every 5 days. Lynn’s first season in the black and white uniform, he had a record of 11-6 with a very nice ERA of 2.69 in the 2021 season. In 2022, Lynn had knee problems as he went 8-7 with an ERA that went up to 3.99. This year, Lynn had a record of 6-9 & 6.42 ERA in 21 starts. Lynn has done well in the last several weeks and he will be useful for the Dodgers who want and are desperate for pitching. Dodgers have a better team, but mistakes by Lynn could still put the 36 year old starter in the win column. For Joe Kelly, he is 35 years old and has pitched in LA. He could find his game down the stretch for this Dodger team and get those big outs late in ball games.

Trayce Thompson is now a 32 year old outfielder and has been in the league for 7 seasons of which he started his career with the White Sox in 2015. Trayce’s brother is Klay Thompson a splash brother of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA who has won multiple championships with Stephen Curry. In Chicago, we always get the brother of a famous athlete who has not done much in their career and sit at the kids table even at their own family dinners because of the sibling. Thompson was thrown into this recent deal, a guy who right now is on the injured list. Thompson was traded in a deal in 2016 in a three team trade that sent him to LA, and the White Sox landed Todd Frazier from the Reds. In 2018, Thompson came back to the White Sox and played in 48 games & batted .116 with 3 long balls. This season for the Dodgers, Thompson is batting .155 and has 5 home runs in 36 games. I think three of those home runs came in one game in the very first week of the 2023 season for the Dodgers. Thompson even had a stint with the Cubs in 2021. In 333 games, Thompson has a .216 batting average with 44 long balls while driving in 123. Thompson, when he gets off the injured list, will have a chance to show what he is capable of: getting a look in the future and being used as a 4th outfielder to give guys rest.

Now the pitching prospects are the guys that will make this a good or bad trade for the White Sox. Let’s start with right handed pitcher Nick Nastrini who is 23 years old & drafted out the University of California in 2021 by the Dodgers in the 4th round. Nastrini was born and raised in California as he hails from San Jose. Nastrini was the Dodgers number 9th prospect in their farm system. Nastrini was on the Dodgers Double A team in Tulsa and is projected to be a starter when he does arrive in the big leagues. This year in 17 starts, Nastrini has a record of 5-3 with 4.03 ERA. The knock of Nastrini is he does not throw enough strikes.

Jordan Leasure is the pitching prospect who is 24 years old and was drafted out of University of Tampa in the 2021 draft in the 14th round. Leasure is another kid out of the Dodgers Double A team down in Tulsa. Leasure however is a relief pitcher who has a 2-2 record this season with 3.09 ERA in 29 appearances out of the bullpen.

This trade, the White Sox may not get much out of. Obviously, Nick Nastrini is the main piece in this deal and if he succeeds, could make this an instant success for the White Sox front office. I have no qualms dealing two aging pitchers in their late 30’s. Especially in the disastrous season this team has had. Joe Kelly, I would take a bag of balls for. Lance Lynn has an option for next season as a result of which he could be replaced by a younger arm in the free agent market. In three trades the White Sox have made so far, the front office has traded away 5 pitchers. Two starters, three guys out of the bullpen. The White Sox as a team has had dreadful pitching this season, but it seems like every team in the league wants our guys.

TRADE

MAD MAX TAKING HIS ROAD WARRIOR ACT TO TEXAS

Does Mad Max Scherzer have another playoff movie on the horizon beyond the Thunderdome? In one of the biggest deals of the MLB trade deadline, the New York Mets send Scherzer who waived his no trade clause to Texas for Ronald Acuna’s younger brother, short stop Luisangel. The Mets also will pay 36 million of Scherzer’s hefty contract to make this deal happen. Scherzer is 39 years old and landed a crazy amount of money from the Mets that pays him 43 million per season. The Rangers have a hefty payroll already & will be responsible for 23 million of Mad Max’s expenses.

The Rangers’ other New York Met pitcher they signed in the off-season, their former ace Jacob Degrom, is injured surprisingly. The Rangers have 5 starters in Jon Gray, Martin Perez, Andrew Heaney, Martin Perez, and former White Sox Dane Dunning who is 8-4 this season with a 3.28 ERA. Dunning was part of that Washington trade that sent Lucas Giolito & Reynaldo Lopez to the White Sox in 2016. Dunning was then traded to Texas for Lance Lynn while Giolito and Lopez has moved on to the Angels a few days ago from the White Sox. It is a crowded starting rotation for the Ranger,s but even at 39 years old, Scherzer can still wheel and deal as he has a record of 9-4 with an ERA of 4.01. It’s not his best, but he can still be helpful for a playoff push. The Rangers are trying to stay at the top of the AL West with the Astros creeping up on them in the home stretch of the season. Scherzer has been a hired hit man before helping the Dodgers in 2021 at the trade deadline as he went 7-0 with an ERA 1.98. Scherzer is a 3 time Cy Young winner and helped the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 2019 over the Houston Astros. Can Scherzer slay the demon Astros once again?

Meanwhile the Mets are a team that opened up their wallets in the off-season to sign former teammate pitcher of Scherzer, Justin Verlander, another guy who New York pays 40 million a season. The Mets have not done well as the Atlanta Braves, the best team in baseball, and lead New York by 18 games. It is interesting that the Mets now have Ronald Acuna’s brother which could make Atlanta and New York an even more must-watch series in the future. The Mets are receiving the Rangers’ number two prospect in short stop second baseman and centerfielder, Luisangel Acuna. Luisangel is only 21 years old and is hitting .315 this year in Double A ball in the Texas farm system with 7 long balls and 51 runs driven in. Luisangel, out of Venezuela, flashes speed on the base paths as he swiped already 42 bases this season. Luisangel has good bat speed and a nice eye to get the bat on the ball as he makes contact to avoid striking out. The baseball experts say in the future that Luisangel’s power could be a guy that can hit 15-20 home runs per season. The Mets are dumping away a lot of money on this trade in hopes it pans out with a future super star.

ANOTHER WHITE SOX TRADE

Not sure what is most annoying about the White Sox. Maybe that they are selling off pieces after they completed a full rebuild of the organization and got zip for it. Perhaps dealing with the scum of the league and sending players to teams like the Houston Astros to make them better. Rick Hahn looks like the type that would supply weapons to Iran or arms to the Evil Empire Yankees as he has stooped lower than pond scum this season. The White Sox trade their set up man in Kendall Graveman to the Astros for a catcher. White Sox indeed has a problem right now with their catching position which they are trying to address as this is their second trade in days. The team has acquired a back stop. This time the White Sox get 25 year old catcher Korey Lee, a first round draft pick of the Astros back in 2019.

The White Sox signed Kendall Graveman as a free agent before the 2022 season. The team gave him a three year deal as he pitched for Houston in 2021 and helped the Astros eliminate the White Sox from the playoffs. It was the kind of move Rick Hahn made, if they beat you then sign them as they did the same thing with Liam Hendriks who helped the A’s beat the White Sox in the 2020 post-season. Last year, Graveman pitched well for the south side in his first season with a respectable 318 ERA in 65 games. This season, Graveman has stretches of brilliance as he inherited the closer job with Hendriks being out most of the season. Graveman has made 8 saves but has blown some ball games as well pitching a few clunkers in a role he’s not done very often in his 9 year career. Graveman this season has a 3-4 record with 3.48 ERA in 45 games. This will be the second stint for Graveman with the Astros since Seattle traded him to Houston at the deadline in the 2021 season. Graveman started his baseball career up North with the Blue Jays & then went to Oakland while having some productive years in Seattle. The Astros need to sure up their bullpen for the Stretch run to get in the post-season and defend their title. The Astros will have Graveman in his familiar role as a set up guy in the late innings. The Astros would still have Graveman under contract through the 2024 season as well.

The White Sox have to be frustrated with Yasmani Grandal and Seby Zavalla who make the worst catching tandem in the league. The White Sox wasted a number one pick on Zack Collins years ago who turned out to be a dud. Korey Lee played his College ball with the University of California where he showed off his cannon arm and raw power he has with the lumber. Lee has had a cup of coffee in the big leagues. Last season with the Astros, he played in 12 games & batted .160 in 25 at-bats while collecting 4 hits with 4 runs driven in. Lee earned himself a World Series ring being on the Astros active roster for a slim part of the season. This season in triple A he started to use his raw power to hit the ball out of the park as he racked up 25 long balls but also struck out over a 100 times. Lee’s strength on defense is the cannon arm with which he can control the opposing team’s running game. Not sure Lee will be the answer to the White Sox’s problems behind the plate. I do notice the Rickster is working hard collecting back stops in hopes of finding the next Carlton Fisk or AJ Pierzynski.

WHITE SOX TRADE

DIRTY SOX SALE

They came to the White Sox as a few building pieces of an all out rebuild on the south side of Chicago in 2016. The White Sox grand plan was foiled and it’s back to the drawing board for General Manager Rick Hahn and the entire front office of idiots who could not execute the greatest scheme since slicde bread as we were supposed to buy in. Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez came to Chicago in the Adam Eaton trade that sent the veteran outfielder to the Washington Nationals. In the middle of one of the worst seasons in Chicago White Sox baseball history, Hahn, the head moron, has shipped Lopez and Giolito to the Angels for catching prospect Edgar Quero and pitching prospect Ky Bush. As the White Sox will have their annual dirty Sox sale where all veterans of the rebuild will be cleaned off in some other team’s laundry basket.

The LA Angels are on a mission from God. The Angels’ god being their own Babe Ruth version in two way player superstar Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani will be a free agent next season and has mentioned he’d like to be involved in playoff baseball which the Angels have not been in the post-season since 2014. Crazy with the two best baseball players on the planet in Ohtani and Mike Trout, you would think the Angels would be in post-season every year. The Angels are going all in to make post-season this season which hopefully opens the door for the return of Ohtani next season and beyond. The Angels need pitching & Lucas Giolito may be the best starter available out there on the trading block. Giolito this season has a 6-6 record with a 3.79 ERA in 21 starts. The last few starts Giolito has had, he has been impressive. Only problem is the White bullpen can’t hold a lead to save their own lives. The Angels also get Reynaldo Lopez, who has a blazing fast ball that can reach 100 MPH. Lopez was rock solid out of the bullpen last season for the White Sox. This season, Lopez has been awful with a 2-5 record in 43 games with a 4.29 ERA. Lopez is a guy with whom you don’t know what you’re going to get each night. He can be good, bad, or just ugly, which all those 5 losses were.

The genius general manager of the White Sox finally noticed how bad the two catchers this team has on the active roster are. Yasmani Grandal and Seby Zavala have been hot garbage as they may be the worst catching tandem in the league. Not sure Rick Hahn even knows what a quality catcher looks like. The White Sox get back the Angels’ number two prospect in 20 year old switching hitting back stop, Edgar Quero. According to the MLB pipeline, Qero is ranked 65 out of the 100 best prospects coming into the game. Only problem is Quero is from Cuba and the White Sox roster is full of Cubans in and out of the line up every year with injuries. White Sox also get a 6’6″ LHP, 23 year old Ky Bush, who has struggled in the Angels Double A farm team this season. Bush was drafted in 2021 in the 2nd round by the Angels, 45th overall. Bush is a three pitch pitcher who has excellent command. Could Bush be the next Aaron Bummer out of the White Sox bullpen? Could Bush be the next broken left handed pitcher like Garrett Crochet was surely used in the wrong way his first season with the White Sox.

Both Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez will be free agents next season. Both Lopez and Giolito had their moments when you would think these guys are here to stay and will anchor the pitching staff for years to come. Lopez, when he’s pitching well, he has filthy stuff. However he can’t do it all the time. Lopez has stretches where he pitches lights out. Then the next stretch he looks like he does not belong in a big league uniform. Too much Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for my taste. Gavin Floyd’s day with the White Sox, he was the Lopez of the present domination one night. The next time out you wonder what just happened here.

You could say keeping Giolito with Dylan Cease you have two solid starters for the rotation. Gillito was awesome in 2019 as he went 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA after allowing the most home runs in the league in 2018. Giolito was one of the worst pitchers in the AL in 2018. Then in 2020, Giolito pitched a no-hitter versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. The best game ever that my cardboard self saw live at the ball park. Since the league has been checking for the sticky substance on the mitt, Giolito has lost some of that magic in the last few seasons as he was a number 1 guy. Now he’s 3 or 4. We know Giolito wanted a contract extension and demanded big bucks. I’m not sure he is worth the big contract. If he acted like a number 2 on the pitching staff every year, then he would be worth it. My playoff roster every team has better guys at number 2 and 3 than Giolito. However, Giolito won one of the playoff wins the team had which were not many in the two playoff series over the last few seasons. Giolito wants number 1 pay which I can’t see happening as he is not that guy. Giolito is 59-53 with a 4.26 ERA in his 8 season career. Maybe Giolito will solve the team’s catchers problem for us and we can remember he did something nice on the way out of town. My final thought is will Lopez and Giolito sign with the same team next season when they become free agents? Bosom Buddies!!!!

TRADE

PIRATES TRADE

When the Pirates originally signed 37 year old veteran first baseman Carlos Santana in the off-season, everyone was thinking potential trade chip at the deadline. When the Pirates started off hot out of the gates, we quickly forget they were 20-8 at one point leading the NL Central. Santana was the voice of the Pirates locker room. Santana was crushing the baseball. Santana was playing some solid first base which in Pittsburgh they have not seen in quite some time. Then the Pirates came crashing back down to earth and here we are again selling off pieces at the trade deadline, hoping to improve the ball club in the future. The Pirates are helping out brew town to keep them in first place as they ship Santana to Milwaukee. The Pirates get an international player back, a 18 year short stop out of the Dominican Republic who goes by Jhonny Severino.

The Brewers need a first baseman as the guy they’ve been using is injured and has not done well for Milwaukee. Bringing in Carlos Santana, the Brewers are upgrading over veteran Rowdy Tellez who’s out with an injury. Tellez has hit the same amount of home runs as Santana with 12, but he swings for the fences and dies by the strikeout. Tellez is only hitting .212 with 69 strikeouts. Santana’s average is better with a .235 batting average and has the same amount of strikeouts as Tellez but a 100 more at-bats then him. Santana improves the Brewers defense as his defense has been best in the NL all season long. Santana is a switch hitter and has playoff experience from his days on the Indians. Plus last year he was traded from the Royals to the Mariners. Santana in 14 seasons in the Majors has .242 average with 290 long balls, 978 RBI’s, while racking 1,614 hits. Santana could reach some milestones in a Brewers uniform as he needs 22 RBI’s to reach 1,000 and ten home runs shy of 300.

What did Carlos Santana get the Pirate ship for his half season services in Pittsburgh.? Jhonny Severino so far has shown patience in rookie ball as a kid who can work counts until he gets his pitch. Severino was a kid the Pirates were looking at when he became available to sign with teams from the states. Only so much Chuckie Cheese bucks to go around in each team’s international pools. Severino in 12 games in the Arizona Complex League is hitting .250 with 10 RBI’s, 4 home runs, a triple, and 2 doubles. The kid has speed as he swiped 5 bags and is perfect 5-5 on the base paths. Severino has raw power and is a switch hitter as the right side is his natural side. The Judge, Jury, and executioner on this trade will have to wait at least a few seasons for judgement. One day, Pirates fans will say Santana netted us a big fish that saved Pittsburgh.

Or the song, “go Jhonny go” will be played at PNC Park for years to come.

 

TRADE

KIKE CAN’T ESCAPE LA

The jack of trades and master of none of them, Kike Hernandez, is heading back to LA. Hernandez spent 6 seasons in LA before signing with the Red Sox after the 2020 season as he helped the Dodgers win a World Series. Kike is the guy that can be inserted in almost any position on the diamond and can be very productive with the lumber in the every day line up or a few days a week. Kike did pretty well his first season in a Red Sox uniform, but the last two seasons his offensive production disappeared and his defense has always been average if best. The Red Sox were most likely going to designate the ten year veteran for assignment when LA called. Kike is heading back to LA while the Red Sox get two Triple A pitchers; one of which had a cup of coffee in the Majors this season for LA.

Kike Hernandez is 31 years of age & started his career in Houston as the first year being in the majors he split his first season with the Astros & then the Marlins before finding a permanent home in a Dodgers uniform. This season Kike is batting .222 which he batted that in 2022. Kike has six home runs this season with 31 RBI’s. Last year Kike only played in 93 games and pretty much had the same production as he does playing in 86 games so far this season. In the last 725 plate appearances, Kike is batting once again three 2’s. In 2021, Kike was batting .250, had 20 long balls, and drove in 60 playing 134 games. Life time Kike has batting average of .238 with 103 long balls and driving in 363 runs. Kike is not going to be that guy that should be in the line up every day. Kike’s services should be as a guy used in three or 4 games a week. Him being a guy that faces left handed pitching is why he is heading back to LA. The Dodgers’ gambles at trade deadlines over the last several years have turned out well. The Dodgers knew how to use Kike when they won the World Series and all those post-season games before the 2020 year. Kike has gotten some big hits during the post-season and regular season.

The Red Sox have a winning record but find themselves above only the Yankees in the AL East division. The Red Sox have a better chance to grab the third wild card as they are 3 games back for the third overall spot and 8 games out of the AL East. The Red Sox may not be sellers right now as they intended to DFA Kiki Hernandez. They did generate two arms for a guy they may have released if no other team came knocking. The Red Sox get two right handed pitchers. The one with some MLB experience is Nick Robertson who is 25 years old & made 9 appearances for the Dodgers this season. Robertson had a record of 0-1 with a high 6.10 ERA and tossed ten total innings. Robertson has been pitching for the Dodgers Triple A team. Then the other arm Boston got was Justin Hagenman who is 26 years old and has yet to make it to the big league club. Hagenman has done well this season for the Triple A team. He has a nice low 2.78 ERA so who knows, he could be a guy the Red Sox bring up at some point this season as an option for the bullpen.

TRADE

The Atlanta Braves suddenly have the best record in baseball and they once again are going through a rash of injuries. In 2021, the Braves were chasing teams in their own divisions and at the trade deadline they had to replace the entire outfield due to injuries. Those savvy moves resulted in a World Series Championship in 2021. This year the Braves need pitching so they have a dealer with some of the best Colorado Rocky Highs in powered arms ready to be harvested. The Rockies send the Braves one of their power arms out of the bullpen in 6 year veteran Pierce Johnson. The Rockies will collect some young buds to develop from the Braves and get two pitching prospects to develop on their farms, in 23 year old Victor Vodnik and 25 year old Tanner Gordon.

Pierce Johnson is a RHP who was the Rockies’ closer to start the season and he did convert 13 saves. However, Johnson lost the closer role by June and has a 1-5 record this season with a very high ERA of 6.00. Johnson has pitched in 43 games and has 39 innings logged in so far. This is the first year Johnson suited up for the Rockies. He’s a guy who started his Major League career with the Cubs in 2017 during which he appeared in only one game. Since the Cubs, he did a season with the Giants & then moved on to San Diego where he has pitched three seasons for the Padres. Johnson has been mostly a reliever all his 6 seasons although he did make 2 starts. Johnson is not a house hold name as he has an 11-14 record in six seasons with a 4.48 ERA in 183 games. Johnson gives the Braves a veteran pitcher for their pen who has closed some ball games this season. The Braves may have some insight on Johnson and perhaps can tweak a few things in his game to access this power arm to do good things for Atlanta down the stretch.

Meanwhile the Rockies are selling off some of their crop on the main roster as it’s another year the Rockies will not make it to post-season. The Rockies traded away another veteran they picked up in the off-season, sending veteran infielder Mike Moustakas to the Angels. The Rockies get the Braves #14th prospect in Victor Vodnik who has a 3-1 record with a nice 3.10 ERA in Double A ball coming out of the bullpen. Then Tanner Gordon has split his time this season in the Braves farm system starting in Double A and moving up to the Triple A level. Gordon combined is 5-9 with 5.86 ERA in 17 games. We will see how these new buds grow in the Colorado Rockies high environment instead of the hot sun of the south.

ANOTHER PIRATES ROOKIE GOES YARD

The Pittsburgh Pirates this season have had one of the worst catching tandems in the big leagues. The Pirates signed former Guardians catcher, Austin Hedges, in the off-season hoping the veteran would be productive with the bat and behind the plate. It has not worked out. Several weeks ago, the Pirates brought up one of their first catching prospects in Henry Davis. In 28 games, Davis has done some nice work with the lumber hitting .286 with 4 long balls and 11 RBI’S. Davis can play some right field as well. The Pirates activated their other highly touted catcher, Endy Rodriguez, who was an international free agent signed by the Mets. The Pirates landed Rodriguez from New York in a trade. Rodriguez, in his 5th game of his pro-career, gets his first jack of the year off the Angels as he also caught his first shut out of his career.

Endy Rodriguez hails from the Dominican Republic and is only 23 years old. Rodriguez will remember the name Geraldo Reyes from when he worked a 3-2 count off him & then took him yard on the next pitch for his first ever home run in the Majors. Rodriguez is a switch hitting catcher who was batting from the left side and tagged the pitch off Reyes. Rodriguez becomes the youngest catcher to hit a home run since Jason Kendall hit one when he was 23 off the Marlins in 1997.

In five games so far, the young rookie catcher is only batting .188 with 3 hits so far. In 16 at-bats, Endy Rodriguez has struck out 9 times and you hope that can change rather quickly. In the three hits, one of them is a double and we know he has his first long ball. Only 5 games in the big leagues and the kid behind the plate had his best game so far as he hit the home run in a win. He also called a nice game behind the plate as the Pirates shut out a pretty good offensive juggernaut in the Angels. It was also a day the Pirates used a bullpen type of day versus the Angels, in which they used 5 pitchers to shut down the Angels line up. The pitchers were executing their pitches as the rookie was keeping them in a nice rhythm the entire game. You want your catchers to work well with the pitching staff. You want your catchers to be defensively rounded and control the opposing team’s running game. If Rodriguez checks all those boxes, we know this kid has some bat speed to be a productive offensive player. He definitely needs to cut down on the strikeouts. Once again its only 5 major league games under the kid’s belt, but right now you have to like what you see so far.

TRADE

When it comes to being the worst baseball team in the entire league, you think the Oakland Athletics would have slim pickings to offer any other team at the trade deadline. The Athletics have done their spring cleaning of all their valuable assets in the off-season and in last year’s trade deadline. However, the Orioles found a nice Japanese model left on the A’s lot and now they have a new sedan for the bullpen. The Oakland Athletics sent 29-year old rookie RHP, Shintaro Fujinami, to Baltimore in exchange for a minor league prospect LHP, Easton Lucas.

Shintaro Fujinami played ten seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers before he arrived in the states. Fujinami signed with the Oakland Athletics as a starter. It did not go over well for Fujinami in his first starts, the league quickly figured his stuff out and he had an 0-4 record with a very high ERA. Eventually, the Athletics used Fujinami in the bullpen and since that move in the start of June, he has pitched well. In the month of June in 17 appearances out of the pen, Fujinami has 19 innings of work with 20 strikeouts while his ERA has been solid with 3.26. In July in seven appearances, his ERA is 2.25. Overall, Fujinami’s record this season is 5-8 making 7 starts in 35 games & still shrinking that ERA which is at 8.58.

For the Athletics, they found themselves another future arm that they hope they can insert on their roster very soon. Easton Lucas was originally drafted in the 14th round by the Marlins in 2019. The Orioles got Lucas in an off-season trade. Easton has been pitching well for the Orioles Triple A team out of the bullpen. Lucas is 26 years old and has a nice ERA of 2.73 in 20 appearances this season splitting time in Baltimore’s double A farm team, and he got promoted to the Triple A team during the season.

The Orioles are in battle with the Rays in the loaded AL East division. Baltimore has some talent in the back end of the pen, but they need some fillers to get to those talented pieces they have. Shintaro Fujinami can help the Orioles as he becomes the 2nd Japanese born player to suit up in Baltimore. Back in 2009, Koji Uehara became the first ever Japanese born pitcher to suit up for the Orioles.

Uehara pitched three seasons in Baltimore and did 9 seasons with 4 different teams in the majors. Uehara concluded his MLB career in 2017 with the Cubs. Meanwhile, the Athletics hope they have a future piece for their rebuild. The way their franchise is run, he’s a future trade chip as well for Easton Lucas who has a baseball name going by the bat maker Easton as a first name.

NAYLOR BROTHERS

Josh Naylor has been a thorn in the side of the Chicago White Sox during the last few seasons on his Guardian team in Cleveland. Josh has a brother who’s a rookie this season named Bo Naylor, a catcher. The Naylor brothers made some baseball history last night versus the Rangers in Texas. Both Naylor brothers hit a home run in the same inning for the same team which they both play for. This has been done before so it is not brand new in baseball history. Since the modern era according to great baseball statisticians, it has happened 5 times before the Naylors did it last night.

1962: BRAVES – Hammering Hank Aaron and Tommie Aaron July 12th

1990: ORIOLES – Billy Ripken and Cal Ripken September 15th

1996: ORIOLES – The Ripken brothers again May 28th

2013: BRAVES – BJ Upton and Justin Upton April 6th

2013: BRAVES – The Upton Brothers April 23rd

Josh and Bo have a cool baseball last name, Naylor. You could say they could be carpenters with a last name of Naylor as well. Josh Naylor hit his 11th home run of the season as he’s hitting over .300 this season. Little brother Bo, who played 5 games last season for the Guardians, now has 16 games under his belt this season. Bo did not get a hit in 2022 in 8 at-bats. This season Bo is batting .218 as he hit his 2nd home run of his career and gets in the record books with his older brother Josh at the same time.

THE 2023 ALL-STAR GAME

The 2023 All-Star game was played in Seattle, home of the Mariners. Seattle is a city on my bucket list to go see a baseball game up there as it looks like, and I’ve heard it is, a gorgeous stadium.

Mariners legends Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez threw out the first pitches of the All-Star ceremonies. My favorite Mariner all-time.

Jay Buhner is 15 years in the MLB with the Yankees & Mariners. Buhner spent 14 seasons in Seattle. Buhner is a life-time hitter of .254, while racking up 1,273 hits with 310 long balls and driving in 965 runs.

The Mariners play in the same division as the Astros so the Houston players were booed by the Seattle crowd. Every stadium & every fan base except Houston will rain down boos on those cheating Astros as it is not going away.

The Seattle fans know what they like as they gave this generation’s Babe Ruth an invite to come play for the Mariners next season. Shohei Ohtani is in his last season of his contract with the Angels. He will deserve a big arse contract from somebody this off-season. The Mariners fans chanted, ” Come to Seattle,” when Ortani came up to bat.

THE GAME

The National League broke a 9 game losing streak as they beat the American League 3-2 and win the baseball classic for the first time since 2012.

It was 32 year catcher Elias Diaz who had the big hit of the all-star game. Diaz earns MVP in hia very first ever all-star game of his career as he a hit two run home run off Orioles Felix Bautista in the 8th inning to put the NL team up 3-2. They would hold on to the lead to eventually win the game. Diaz representing the Colorado Rockies had a nice first half of the season. Diaz batted .277 with 9 home runs while driving in 45 in the first half of this season. Diaz is a 9 year veteran who started his career in Pittsburgh where he played 5 seasons.

HOW DID WE DO?

THE PIRATES ALL-STARS

Mitch Keller was the only All-Star that got some action as he pitched the second inning. Keller surrendered one run off the bat of Rays first baseman, Yandy Diaz, who had a solo home run. Keller pitched one inning & had one strike out in his first appearance in the All-Star game.

David Bednar: Was not used by the NL team.

THE WHITE SOX ALL-STAR

White Sox outfielder had calf stiffness after the Home Run Derby and did not play in the All-Star game.

CLOSE IT OUT

The Bird Man, Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel, strikes out Guardians Jose Ramirez to end the game which gives the NL their first win since 2012 off the AL squads of the last several years.

DAVID BEDNAR AN ALL-STAR AGAIN

The Pittsburgh Pirates closer is once again an All-Star as the NL add David Bednar to the 2023 roster. Bednar made his first All-Star game last year and will join his Pirates teammate Mitch Keller to represent Pittsburgh in Seattle on Tuesday night. Bednar is 28-years old and has pitched lights out this season as he has a 3-1 record with a very limbo low ERA of 1.27 in 34 games so far this season. Bednar has notched 17 saves and has 35 innings of work meaning he will make a nice addition to the NL all-star team. In 5 seasons that started in San Diego, Bednar has a 9-8 record with a respectable 2.62 ERA while converting 39 saves. Bednar should be a guy that sticks around the Pirates young talented team on the rise to help this team get back to the post-season.

2023 HOME RUN DERBY RECAP

THE 8-MEN DERBY CHALLENGERS

FIRST ROUND RESULTS

#5. Randy Arozarena (Rays) 24-17 #4. Adolis Garcia (Rangers)

#1.Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox) 28-27 #8. Andy Rutschman (Orioles)

#6. Vladimir Guerrero (Blue Jays) 26-11 #3. Mookie Betts (Dodgers)

#7.Julio Rodriguez (Mariners) 41-21 #2 Pete Alonso (Mets)

COMMENTS: My first take is Mookie Betts had a pathetic performance and you want to be my latex salesmen.

The home town kid, Julio Rodriguez, crushes the two time Home Run Derby champion by 20 bombs.

SEMI FINALS RESULTS

#5. Randy Arozarena (Rays) 35-22 #1. Luis Robert (White Sox)

#6. Vladimir Guerrero (Blue Jays) 21-20 Julio Rodriguez (Mariners)

COMMENTS: Luis Robert’s reign of terror comes to an end as he loses in the second round to Arozarena, who now will be out of the all-star game with stiffness in one of his calves.

Typical as this would only occur to anyone these days playing in a White Sox uniform.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

#6.Vladimir Guerrero (Blue Jays) 25-23 #5. Randy Arozarena (Rays)

WINNER: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. become the first father and son combo to have won a Home Run Derby each.

PAST HOME RUN DERBY WINNERS FOR WHITE SOX AND PIRATES

White Sox: In 1995, Frank Thomas won the Home Run Derby at Arlington Park, which was the Texas Rangers’ stadium.

Pirates: The Pirates have never had a player win the Home Run Derby. Last Pirates players that participated in a Home Run Derby was Josh Bell in 2019.

TIME TO SEND TIM ANDERSON PACKING

I have had enough of watching Tim Anderson on the south side of Chicago. The last two seasons he has played, his talents are regressing. The 30 year old short stop with his mammoth bat flips and competing for the seasons batting titles, seems like a long time ago. Anderson, with a face only Jay Cutler would make, has been going through the motions this season with a smug look on his face. Even commenting to his ole buddy, Jose Abreu. earlier this season saying he hates this place. The player with the winning home run in the corn fields of Iowa over the Evil Empire Yankees. Once his own thought was he would be the next Jackie Robinson in this league. The face of the White Sox. The face of the black population in the entire MLB. The family man who had a baby out of wedlock. Anderson’s entire world is crumbling and right now no other team would take him.

I never was really a fan of the bat flip to show up the opposing team. I know it’s the common thing in the baseball world. I was a guy who likes Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears when he scored a touchdown. He’d hand the ball to the referee and act like he had been there before. When things are going well when Anderson was hitting home runs at the top of the order and the team was winning, sometimes you look the other way on the bad sportsmanship. It caused altercations with the opposing teams with benches being cleared in a few games. Teams would suddenly target your soccer hooliganism. How quickly did Anderson fall as he has not hit a home run all season? His last bat flip going yard was in 2022 in July at some point coming on a year. The injuries are piling up for the short stop in the last two seasons as he only played in 79 games last season and in only 66 this season so far. The man, the face of this team, has a bullseye on him. He has had a few stints on the injured list and missed several games so far.

Tim Anderson’s bat is ice cold and on the diamond the 8 year veteran has been a liability for the team as the routine defensive play has not been easy. Anderson had a big error late in that game versus the Marlins several weeks ago. It could have been a White Sox win, but the mistake opened up the flood gates. That was during the time the White Sox were climbing the standings in the AL Central as the team was playing its best ball of the season. Which is not saying much. Anderson was taken out of the lead off spot and placed in number two of the batting order which is still a great spot to swing the bat in. Anderson has started to hit the ball in the number two spot. The short stop still struggles when runners are in scoring position and he is up to bat to drive them in. Last year in 79 games, Anderson struck out only 55 times. This season he has struck out already 60 times in 66 games. Putting the ball in play was what Anderson was all about as the batting average has plummeted to the .227 mark. The lowest Anderson ever batted was .240 in 2018. Anderson once was the man with the bat would take this team on his shoulders in years past. The man is deflated out of him this season as he’s just a shell of his former legendary self. The White Sox are probably better off to hold on to Anderson until his stock rises again. It will happen when the White Sox playoff hopes completely shut off as the bulb is dim now. By next season, Anderson should be dealt and the team will be exploring someone else at the short stop position. Anderson is not the entire problem. Other guys on this roster have to go as well. White Sox will be looking to rebuild the rebuild at this year’s trade deadline and beyond.

TRADE

What in the world did the Kansas City need a legitimate closer for this off season? Not to close out games, as the Royals are in last place in the worst division in baseball – the dreaded AL Central. The 35-year old left handed closer Aroldis Chapman has over 300 saves and settled for a one year deal for 3.5 million to play with the sorry arse Kansas City Royals this season. Chapman has only two saves this season but is pitching lights out in the Royals bullpen with 2.45 ERA in 31 appearances so far. The Royals knew they would not be able to contend with a younger roster of I don’t know but still signed Chapman for this reason. A trade chip. The Royals cashed in their trade chip and send Chapman to Texas for LHP Cole Ragans and a 17 year old outfield prospect, Roni Cabrera.

The Rangers find themselves on top of the AL West with of course Houston in their rear view mirror not going away any time soon. The Rangers thoughts they needed to address their bullpen and bringing in Aroldis Chapman could address the end of their bullpen by sliding the big left-hander into the closing role. Chapman is 35 years old & can still get the job done as he has 53 strike outs in 29 innings of work. Chapman has gotten the job done everywhere he has gone starting with the Reds, Yankees, Cubs, and back to the Yankees. Chapman has 14 seasons under his belt with a 48-37 record and low 2.46 ERA while racking up 317 saves. Chapman has post-season history as he helped the Cubs win a World Series and is coming out of the bullpen for the Yankees all those playoff games they have been involved in. Chapman does come with baggage as he was in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend by choking her back in his Cincinnati days. Last season, Chapman was MIA & then left off the Yankees playoff roster because Chapman did not return from his home in Miami. The Rangers are betting that Chapman’s problems are behind him as he signed a one year with the Royals, went back to work, and did his job.

Meanwhile the Royals get a 25-year old LHP Cole Ragans who has been on the Rangers MLB roster parts of this season and last. Ragans was drafted by the Rangers in first round of the 2016 draft in the first round. Ragans instantly was the minor league pitcher of the year in the Rangers organization. Ragans has had two Tommy John Surgeries and is healthy. Ragans this season in 17 games has a 2-3 record with a 5.92 record. Ragans is projected to be a starter at some point. He has 9 career starts in the MLB all last season. In 26 career games, Ragans has a 2-6 record with a 5.32 ERA. The Royals also get a guy with a high ceiling of talent, with an intriguing skill set, in 17 year old free agent signing Roni Cabrera. Can the Royals tap into the talented Cabrera and harness his talents for the good of their roster some day? The Royals got two players just by being the only team on the market to give Aroldis Chapman a chance.

CONGRATULATIONS 2023 FIRST TIME ALL-STARS

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Starting pitcher Mitch Keller

Mitch Keller is the Pirates’ lone all-star representative. The 27-year old right-handed starter has had his best year in Pirates uniform that started in 2019. Keller in his 5th year with the team that drafted him, has already set a new record for himself in wins with 9 in the first half of this season. The most games Keller has won was 5, and he did that last season and in 2021. This year, Keller has established himself as the Ace of the staff as he right now stands with a record of 9-4 with 3.52 ERA in 18 starts this season.

Career numbers for Mitch Keller: 21-33 record with 4.63 ERA in 88 starts.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Center fielder Luis Robert

Luis Robert is the White Sox lone all-star representative. The 25-year old center fielder & right-handed slugger is off to his best start of his career in his 4th season with the team that drafted him. Robert has already set a new career high in homeruns (25) when in 2021. his best was only 13. In the month of June, Robert has 11 long balls & 5 doubles while driving in 16 while making the usual web gems in the outfield. Robert was name AL player of the week from June 19th – 25th. Robert is batting right now .276 with 25 long balls while driving 49.

Career numbers for Luis Robert: batting .286, 61 long balls and 179 RBI’S.

HENRY DAVIS BAT BRINGS CANNON BALL SHOTS TO THE PIRATE SHIP

The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted their number one draft pick of 2021 to the majors. The Pirates, looking for any kind of production out their back stops this season, bring up Henry Davis in hopes to add some juice to the everyday line up. The Pirates have been one of the worst teams in the MLB for getting production from the man behind the plate. Davis has only played at the Pirates Triple A level a few weeks and has tallied up only ten starts behind the plate. Davis, coming into the season, ranked number 48. He was the best prospect in baseball & gets the call up as he batted .286 at the triple A level. Most of the year, Davis has played at the Pirates double A farm team and deserved to be promoted to a higher level. Is the team rushing Davis to the majors too soon?

Henry Davis was the number one pick in the entire 2023 draft as the 23 year old right handed hitting catcher comes out of Louisville University. The Pirates as a team started the season off like gang busters finishing the month of April with 20 wins. Then came a long losing streak as the Pirates slowly fell in the standings in the NL Central. The Pirates quickly came back down to earth as the organization is looking for a jolt right now. Davis, in 13 games, is batting .304. He has one homerun while driving in six and scoring six runs while racking up 14 hits so far. Not too shabby. The Davis first homerun came off Marlins reliever Andrew Nardi as the ball left the yard very quickly off Henry’s bat. The Pirates have been doing great things with the young talent they assembled from the rebuild. Davis is going to be one of those permanent fixtures of that rebuild as the front office picked a good time to bring him up. This because he’s hitting the ball at all levels including right now in the majors which may keep him here if he keeps hitting the ball. You would like to see the Pirates try to grab a wild card spot if they can as they are 5.5 games back of Milwaukee with the All-Star Break approaching. I would settle for a winning record by the time the season is over which would be huge for a young team, with some of these veterans you may want to keep past the trade deadline and next season. I think the Pirates as a team are growing something and will be up and down. If Davis can lock down the catcher’s position, then you have another young guy in that rebuild ready to go. Plus, Davis seems like he has already improved the catching position as a whole in his first ten games in a Pirates uniform. This season’s top pick, the Pirates, could add another top of the line starter in the rotation to go along with all-star Mitch Keller. The second half of this season should get Davis nice experience this season with playing time to show off his athleticism and show the Pirates future will be bright.

FREDDIE BOOM BOOM FREEMAN

Former Atlanta Brave, now Dodger’s first baseman, becomes the third player this season to reach the 2,000 hit mile \stone. Elvis Andrus of the White Sox and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates were the first two players in the 2023 season to accomplish this special milestone. Freeman, a left handed slugger, is 33 years old in his 14th season in the big leagues. Of which he has played 12 seasons in Atlanta helping them win a World Series a few seasons ago. It’s Freeman’s second season wearing Dodger blue as he notched an RBI double off Astros RHP Rafael Montero for number 2,000.

Freddie Freeman becomes the 295th player to reach the 2,000 hit mark in MLB history. Freeman is the 6th active player to have reached the 2,000 hit club. Freeman, a 6x all-star, is carving up some numbers for the back of his baseball card. Freeman is one of 98 players in baseball history to have 300 homeruns while racking up 2,000 hits. Freeman is one of the good guys in baseball even though he left the Braves and signed with the Dodgers. Freeman has a career batting average of .299. He should be able to add more numbers on some of those key stats which should get him to Cooperstown by the time he hangs up the spikes for good.

ANGELS REPLACEMENTS

The LA Angels find themselves in second place behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West. The Angels have a winning record, are in the mix, and could definitely make a playoff run and be buyers at the All-Star break. This instead of selling off pieces trying to figure out how to win with the two best players on the planet, Mike Trout and Shoei Ortani. The good news is Trout is not on the injured list at this time of the year. The question everyone wants to know is whether this is Ortani’s last year as an Angel. Going all in with Ortani on the roster right now may be the best plan at this time. But first if the Angels want to stay in the Rangers rearview mirror, they will have to deal with their infield dealing with injuries. Once again Anthony Rendon, the Angels third baseman, is missing time with another injury. This time a contusion on his wrist. Last off-season the Angels made a trade with the Twins to land veteran infielder Gio Urshela to solve any of Rendon’s injured list stints. Urshela suffered a broken pelvis and is most likely out for the season. Then the Angels short stop Zach Neto is out with a strained Oblique. The Angels strike early on two trades bringing in two veteran infielders to help stabilize things for now.

The Angels send two pitching prospects to the Big Apple for 34 year old Eduardo Escobar. Mets get Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux for a guy that lost his job at third base. Escobar was knocking the ball all over the field when he was in a Diamondbacks uniform in 2021 and was targeted by multiple teams at the trade deadline. Last year for the Mets, Escobar hit 20 homeruns. This year, Escobar has 4 long balls and batting .236. The Angels are hoping the 13 year veteran can find his old swing again. The Mets have been a train wreck all season long and may sell off other pieces by the time the trade deadline ends early in August.

The Angels worked out another deal this time with the Colorado Rockies.

The Angels land another 34 year old infielder in Mike Moustakas as the former Royal has been building up the travel miles the last few years going team to team. Moustakas signed a minor league deal with a Spring training invite with the Rockies this off season.

Moustakas made the team and becomes a nice trade chip for the Rockies who once again are not going any where. Colorado gets 23 year old RHP, Connor Van Scoyoc. Van Scoyoc was the Angels’ 11th round pick from 2018. Moustakas can play both corner positions in the infield for the Angels. It gives the Angels a left handed bat in the line up card. Moustakas this season is swinging the bat for the Rockies. He has been respectable as he’s batting .270 with 4 long balls. I don’t think the Angels envisioned the Moustakas of 2019 with the Brew Crew when he had 35 long balls that year. Moustakas could be a nice platoon piece for this Angels team to help this team keep pace with the Rangers and perhaps leap frog them or even grab a wild card spot. Something about Trout and Ortani playing in October could be exciting.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR BUS DRIVER DOES IN THEIR FREE TIME?

Everyone knows when it comes to driving the bus in Pittsburgh, it’s Jerome Bettis, the former Steeler great running back. Who’s driving the Pirates bus from Chicago to Milwaukee? Not an employee of the Pirates, as the organization contracted a bus company to get the team to their next three game series after they completed the series versus the Cubs. Apparently the Pirates had a saucy driver behind the wheel and during the Police escort up Interstate 94, they noticed erratic driving. The Illinois State Police pulled the bus over and made the driver walk the line imagine. The Sta-ties probably even made the bus driver say the alphabet backwards, of course without singing as who could do that sober? Perhaps Rain Man.

The Pirates lost to the Cubs and probably wanted to slink out of town because they lost to the Cubs. The Illinois State Police at first thought the driver of the bus, 61 year old Robert E. Funderburke, needed medical assistance. Funderburke had the bus traveling away from the Police escort. When Funderburke pulled over, they found that he had a little too many. Funderburke is a resident from Shelby, North Carolina. Nobody was hurt in this adventure. I’m sure this can’t be the first time in baseball history the bus driver got loaded and was taken out for a bullpen driver. How many times have these bus drivers got away a little tipsy? I’m sure they just replaced them and called it a day without Police being involved. In the movie League of Their Own, Tom Hanks’ character Jimmy Dugan who was the manager of the girls professional baseball team, woke up from a drunken stupor and had to drive the bus because the driver couldn’t take it anymore.

The state Police said Funderburke had multiple signs of impairment which nobody on the Pirates team noticed, it seems. Funderburke will be charged with a DUI and may never drive a bus again. Meanwhile, Pirates did make it to Milwaukee Friday morning and lost to the Brewers on Friday night.

IT’S A BIRD, NO IT’S A PLANE, NO IT’S SUPER REMILLARD 

Yesterday’s White Sox game started off very grim as short stop Tim Anderson left the game early due to shoulder soreness. I’m sure there’s another trip to the injured list for Anderson on the horizon. Anderson was demoted to the number two spot in the batting order. The White Sox skipper, Pedro Grifol, gave the lead-off duties to Andrew Benintendi. The best move of the day which was spur of the moment, was putting the 29-year-old rookie infielder at second base. Elvis Andrus slotted over to short stop and suddenly the White Sox were in business. Zach Remillard was called up when third baseman Yoan Moncarda headed back to his regular spot on the injured list. Remillard is a guy nobody has heard about since 2016 when the White Sox drafted him. Remillard makes his MLB debut a memorable one by tying the game up in the 9^th inning with a single. Then Remillard is clutch once again as he drives in the winning run with a single in extra innings.  

This never happens for the White Sox guys coming up from triple-A having an impact like this in their very first game. It seems like it happens from the opposing teams that play the White Sox. Zach Millard had his wife and some family on hand watching his debut in a beautiful Seattle stadium, and they had to be stoked by what they saw. Remillard was perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with a walk, three singles, and drove in two runs. On defense, he made all the routine plays at second base unlike Tim Anderson who always seems to have some kind of mishap on defense this season. Remillard showed cool, calmness, and collectiveness in his first at-bat drawing a walk like a veteran who’s been there & done that for years. Then the baseball IQ Remillard showed in his second at-bat executing a perfect bunt down the third base line as he saw Seattle’s third baseman playing deep on the infield. The infield hit would be the first of Remillard’s career. Then Remillard came up to bat in the 9^th in a pressure cooker as he delivers a single off the Mariners closer which is not an easy thing to do. Then in extra innings like the milk man, he delivered once again with what would be the game winning hit as the White Sox would escape the bottom half of the inning unscathed for the win. 

Zach Remillard becomes the first player in the modern era since 1901 to tie the game in late innings. And then win the game with his bat later in the game and beyond in his MLB debut. Remillard is the first White Sox player since Johnny Callison in 1958 reached base 4 times in his debut. Callison was a 3X all-star. 

Ernie White did the same thing in his debut in 1940 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Remillard was 10^th round draft pick by the White Sox in 2016 out of Coastal Carolina University. Remillard only reached Triple A in 2021 when he was 27 years old. Remillard missed the 2020 season due to the pandemic as all minor league systems were shut down. I’m sure Remillard, his family, and the White Sox organization thought he was a career minor league guy playing in 694 games down on the farms. What a wait to finally make it to the big leagues because I’m sure he thought about quitting or told to give up on his dream. Many people don’t even have this kind of day at their first day on the job they may hate or even love. I hope that Remillard is not a one game wonder. To me, Remillard is a baseball player and the White Sox lack them. He knows the situation of the game. In yesterday’s game, many of the White Sox players could not get a man at second over to third base with no outs. Remillard seems like the pedigree that can do the little things and come up clutch when in the moment. The team needs more guys like that. Not just a bat flipper when things are going good & then a sour puss act when things are not. Tim Anderson could learn from the rookie.    

MCCUTCHEN GETS HIS 2,000th HIT IN PIRATE UNIFORM

On Sunday afternoon, Andrew McCutchen makes history in his first at-bat of the day. The Pirates were hosting the New York Mets so the home faithful at PNC Park witnessed something special as Andrew McCutchen joins the 2,000-hit club. McCutchen led off the inning with a line drive single to left field off Mets starter Carlos Carrasco. The crowd erupted with a standing ovation for one of their favorite Pirates of all-time as McCutchen took off his helmet to recognize the special moment. McCutchen, the 36-year-old veteran outfielder/DH who is a 15-year veteran, becomes the 5th active player to join the 2,000-hit club.

Andrew McCutchen returned to Pittsburgh this off-season on a one-year deal after 5 seasons elsewhere. McCutchen played his first nine seasons in Pittsburgh and was part of those teams that broke the team’s long playoff drought as the Pirates had a stretch of few years playing baseball into October. The Pirates traded McCutchen to San Francisco in 2018 because ownership knew they would not sign him to a costly contract when rebuilding was the future for Pittsburgh. McCutchen was then traded by the Giants to the Yankees in the same year. Then McCutchen got a nice deal with the Phillies. Last year, McCutchen played for the Brew Crew.

The Pirates have been relevant this season while clinging to the top two spots of the NL Central division. Most people thought McCutchen would be a nice trade chip at the deadline at least, when he signed on to play this season. Many did not think the Pirates rebuild were ready to compete. McCutchen was a fan favorite in his first stint with the Pirates and the face of the franchise. The organization and the fans have to be ecstatic to see the guy they drafted make history and at the same time help this team get back to the post-season. Entering Sunday’s contest, McCutchen has done a nice job swinging the bat for the Pirates with a batting average of .264, 8 homeruns, while driving in 23 & playing most at the DH slot. McCutchen has 1,515 hits in a Pirates uniform which is good for number 12 all-time with the organization. McCutchen needs 88 more hits to tie Tommy Leach for 11th all-time. The top three Pirates in hits with the organization we all know are: #1. Roberto Clemente with (3,000), #2. Honus Wagner (2,967), and #3. Paul Waner (2,868).

This year, Elvis Andrus of the White Sox reached the 2,000 mark several weeks ago. The active leaders in hits are: #1. Miguel Cabrera (3,110), #2. Joey Votto (2,093, #3. Nelson Cruz (2.043), and then Elvis with (2.027). Andrew McCutchen should be able to add more hits to the back of his baseball card as the season is not even half over. McCutchen needs only 5 more homeruns to reach the 300 milestone. If the Pirates continue to stay on top of the NL Central, some of these hits off the bat of McCutchen could be even more special. Most teams that draft guys like McCutchen and other talented players make history in another uniforms. We know Scrooge McDuck owns the Pirates, so not paying their own these guys leave town. It is nice to see that Pirates fan indeed got lucky with a reunion with one of their favorites, Andrew McCutchen. It’s nice not to see them trade him away after he came back and made some history while helping this young team win games.

GREAT BALL’S THE FIRE

Looks like the Canucks up North have discovered fire. The MLB had to postpone two games due to the Canadian wild fires on Wednesday night because the air quality was very poor. The Chicago White Sox are in New York visiting the Yankees. This while the Tigers were in Philadelphia visiting the Phillies. The skies were hazy and the league had concerns for health issues of their players, ball park workers, and fans. The National Weather Service issued warnings for air quality alerts. The Skies in Philadelphia smelled like smoke. The New York State Department of health recommended people limit their outdoor activities until everything passed.

The sports world had a domino effect in the cities of New York and Philadelphia because of the air quality from the wild fires. The Giants and Jets of the NFL rescheduled practices. The WNBA rescheduled one of their games. Even a women’s soccer game was called off. Some races at the Saratoga Horse Track were rescheduled. The air also affected the training at the Belmont Track at which the big race is scheduled for the weekend to complete the three big horse races for the season. This was not the first time a baseball game was called off due to wild fires and poor air quality. In September of 2020 in Seattle, a two game series between the Mariners and the San Francisco Giants was moved to the Bay Area to complete. Double headers were scheduled for both baseball games on Thursday since Chicago and Detroit do not come back to Yankee Stadium or Citizens Bank Park. The Tigers and Phillies did play in somewhat hazy conditions on Tuesday night which got wore by Wednesday. This is not the first time the White Sox have played in Yankee Stadium with some kind of situation out of their hands occurring to postpone a game or even a series. White Sox were in New York on 9/11, and we know how that went down.

WILD PITCHES COULDN’T DRAG ME AWAY

Last weekend in Saturday’s day time affair between the Detroit Tigers versus the Chicago White Sox, both teams had no RBI’s. I know you are going to ask yourself how can it be in every baseball game, there has not even one single run driven in by a player to earn an RBI. This game had three runs combined by both the Tigers and White Sox. All the runs were scored by the wild pitch. The White Sox would win the game at home 2-1 and win it with the walk-off wild pitch as the bases were loaded which took ten innings to decide.

The White Sox drew first blood on their first wild pitch run of the game. It was left fielder Andrew Benintendi who got on with a single. Then Benintendi stole second base. Then a wild pitch got Benintendi to third. Finally Benintendi scored the first run of this game with another wild pitch from the Tigers starting pitcher, Michael Lorenzen. The Tigers equalizer came in the 6th inning with a lead off triple by Zach McKinstry. Then Yasmani Grandal, one of the worst defensive catchers in the league, could not get to Dylan Cease’s slider. He got some mitt on it, but it rolled to the wall as McKinstry would tie things up at ones.

This game would enter extra innings as the White Sox were able to escape the top of the tenth with that automatic runner on second to start the inning. White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncarda was the automatic runner for the White Sox in the bottom half of the tenth. Romy Gonzalez batted first and was successful placing a sacrifice bunt to get Moncarda to third. One out in the inning. The useless Yasmani Grandal grounds out to third for out number two leaving Moncarda at third. The Tigers elected to intentionally walk Gavin Sheets to set up a forced play. Then Jake Burger comes up which means you’re expecting Burger time. The Tigers relief pitcher, Jose Cisneros, plunked Burger in the wrist. Bases loaded? No!! Home plate umpire Cory Blaser rules that the ball hit the bottom of the bat, not Burger’s wrist. Let’s remember the saying – what comes around goes around. Instant replay rules the pitch hit Burger and bases are loaded and Blaser is overruled. Then Tim Anderson comes up to bat. The next pitch Tigers catcher Eric Haase sets up low as Cisneros pitches high as the ball clunks Blaser in the head and rolls away. Moncarda comes down third base line and scores the winning run while Anderson and Haase try to help Blaser, who’s on the ground seeing stars imagine. That’s the game winner. No RBI’s

The last time a game like this occurred, was probably a 100 years ago when they chiseled out the stats on stone tablets where two teams had no RBI’s in the game. The last time the White Sox won a game without driving in a run, you have to go back to 1990 versus the Yankees at the old Comiskey Park. It was the last year of the old Comiskey Park as the new one was still being finished at that time. It was July 1st, 1990 when the White Sox scored 4 runs without an RBI. The White Sox did not even have a hit as Yankees starter Andy Hawkins threw a no-hitter and got the loss. All the runs came on errors for the White Sox victory.

LIAM HENDRIKS CLOSES OUT CANCER

In life we all know someone who had to deal with cancer. Either they survived or we have lost someone special & close to our hearts. Cancer is like rust in an automobile as it spreads on the body just deteriorating your health. The Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks found out he had stage 4 cancer Non-Hodkins Lymphoma in early December & we forgot about the game of baseball. Instant prayers went out to the 34-year-old RHP who born in Australia. A very vocal leader of the team who backs it up on the mound. Hendriks’ mindset, support from his family, and his baseball brotherhood meant Liam had to be stronger than ever fighting a unpredictable disease such as cancer. Nobody could have ever predicted that Liam would be back on the mound in late May only missing two months of the 2023 baseball season.

From the Month of December, the doctors gave Liam Hendriks a plan of attack and with his mindset, the Aussie accepted the challenge. Hendriks went through rounds and rounds of Chemotherapy with immunotherapy. During all these treatments, Hendriks still practiced the game he loved playing his livelihood at White Sox facility in Arizona. Liam took the ball and through sessions with his body battling the cancer, he overcame fatigue and pressed on. His last day of Chemotherapy was on April 3rd, the White Sox home opener. The battle was officially over as Liam closed out cancer and was set to return to regular duties closing the door in the 9th inning for the White Sox. Before he joined the big club, Liam headed to Charlotte and fine-tuned his game with the team’s Triple A team the Knights.

Then May 29th, Liam Hendriks got the call and was promoted to the big club. The White Sox were at home facing the Angels as Hendriks was activated for the game. He was quickly used out of the bullpen by skipper Pedro Grifol. Hendriks would make his first appearance by picking up a random inning before he takes his usual closer spot. The fans saw him warming up as excitement grew throughout Guaranteed Rate. Then the announcement came over the loudspeaker that Hendriks was entering the game. It was like Wild Thing entering the game in the movie Major League. Lights of the stadium went off and on flashing as the Aussie came out of the gate to standing ovation. This would be a big moment in Hendriks’ career as finding out you have cancer the thoughts may have been processed in his mind that he may never pitch again. Cancer is very unpredictable or if you catch it in time, can be controlled. This moment looking around seeing his fans standing cheering and waving many signs appreciating their closer and showing him the love. Hendriks would not fare well in the first inning of work. Hendriks would give up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk, pitching 27 pitches which only 16 were strikes as the White Sox would lose the game. It did not matter the outcome of this game. Only thing that mattered was seeing number 31 on the mound doing his thing again.

It did not take long for Liam Hendriks to bounce back from his first appearance after closing out cancer. In Saturday’s game versus the Tigers, Hendriks would once again not pitch his usual role in the bullpen. Hendriks was flawless in his second appearance pitching a perfect inning and recording his first strikeout of the season. Hendriks would save that ball as it will always be special to him as the home crowd once again showed their closer the lover. Then in the final game of the three-game series versus the Tigers, Hendriks would pitch the 9th but not with the lead as the game was tied. Once again Hendriks put up another goose egg as the White Sox would win the game with a walk off grand slam by Jake Burger in the White Sox’s last at-bats. Hendriks would get the win which will be even more special than the other day’s strikeout because it happens on National Cancer Survivors Day.

Then yesterday in New York, the White Sox were holding on to a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. They called on their closer which meant Liam Hendriks gets his spot back. Feeling confident on the road, Hendriks’ first pitch to Josh Donaldson goes out of the ballpark to make the 9th very interesting as it’s now 3-2 with the White Sox holding on for dear life versus the Evil Empire. Hendriks quickly forgets about the homerun hit by Donaldson and gets the next batter out. Then he manages to get the next three batters out to record his first save since last October.

The White Sox have gotten off to a poor start this season & at one point they lost ten in a row. As rumors fly that everyone is on the trading block. Could Liam Hendriks be the boost this team needs? More like the kick in the rear this team needs. The White Sox have suddenly won 4 in a row. It took the White Sox a very long time to win a series this year. We are in June and the team is only 4 1/2 games in back of Twins. Thank the baseball gods for having the White Sox play in one of the worst divisions in baseball. In any other division, the white flags would be waving surrendering the 2023 season. Instead of watching awful Reynaldo Lopez try to close out ball games, now with Hendriks back everyone can slide into their normal role in the bullpen. This White Sox team could get back in the race because of the boost of Hendriks beating cancer. This team could use that kind of motivation to their benefit. Winning for Hendriks beating cancer and winning for each brother in your fox hole on the diamond of the field. In the off-season, Hendriks was rumored to be traded by the idiot White Sox General Manager. The fans would burn Ricky Hahn at the stake in downtown Chicago even if this team are sellers at the deadline. Hendriks may have been born on another continent, but he has true southside blood flowing through his veins. That is why he is the fan favorite on this team even before closing out cancer. Now his legend has grown even bigger. Imagine if the White Sox could win a world series with him closing the door; he would be on the Chicago baseball Mt. Rushmore. Let’s see if the team can get to the 500 mark before we get crazy and talk anything about the post-season. What a great story and you don’t need to be baseball fan to appreciate the road Liam Hendriks went down and how he got back.

ABREU’S FIRST HOMERUN IN AN ASTROS UNIFORM

Does the Houston Astros management have buyer’s remorse after signing the former White Sox first baseman, Jose Abreu, to a three-year contract. I’m sure the White Sox front office are glad Abreu’s offensive numbers have been in the crapper as he’s batting in the lower 200’s and has not hit a homerun since he wore the black and white uniform for Chicago. Besides, the White Sox front office has enough complaints piled up on their desk from all the bone headed mistakes they have made just in the off-season. The homerun drought for Abreu has come to an end over the weekend as Jose connected in the 8th inning off Sam Long of the Oakland Athletics. If you hit a homerun these days at the Oakland Coliseum, does it actually make a sound?

The Coliseum has been a ghost town this season and the rumor mill is swirling that the Athletics are relocating to Las Vegas at some point. The Athletics team is horrific on the field. Luckily, it’s modern times because Jose Abreu first Astros homerun obviously recorded with the telecast in Houston and the entire league got to see a grown man act like a little leaguer running the bases. There was no question that Abreu got the bat on Sam Long’s pitch as the ball left the yard quickly into the seats. Abreu sprinted around the bases like a kid running home to his parents to show them the high grades on his report card to perhaps get that new bike he bartered for. It took Abreu 50 games in an Astros uniform with 192 at-bats to get his first homerun. When Abreu rounded third, he came home to touch home plate and sprinted towards his Astros teammates who were out of the dugout like proud parents of their own kid. That’s when Jose slides feet first at them like he’s doing a slip and slide as the mob of orange shorts piled on their teammate in rejoice as the monkey was finally off his shoulder.

What happened to Jose Abreu’s power numbers? Last year Abreu played in 157 games for the White Sox as his power numbers went down drastically. In 2022, Abreu only had 15 homeruns but batted .300. In 2021, Abreu had 30 long balls. In 9 seasons playing for the White Sox, Abreu had 243 long balls which is good for number three all-time on the White Sox homerun list. Only Frank Thomas, who had 448 long balls, and Paul Konerko with 432 long balls, had more than Abreu. This season Abreu’s batting numbers have not done him justice for signing a three-year deal with Houston as his power has disappeared and his eyes getting the bat on the ball & being a productive hitter is not there. Can things change for Abreu? Yes, usually after droughts or slumps, players will find their groove again and get their numbers up around their lifetime stats of their baseball card. We have plenty of baseball left on the docket. I would have never believed someone if they told me Abreu is hitting .216 with 1 homerun and has only driven in 19 at the end of May for whatever uniform this guy wore. I think the average will go up. I think his power numbers will continue to drop. Something has been off on his swing the last two seasons because he’s not getting the launch angle he used to. You can tell one thing – everywhere Jose goes he is well liked as he has the respect of his new teammates in Houston. Still can’t get used to seeing number 79 wear orange which is his new black.

THE BIRD-MAN NOTCHES HIS 400TH SAVE

The Philadelphia Phillies closer, Craig Kimbrel, yesterday notched his 400th save of his career as he closed the door in the 9th to secure a 6-4 victory. The 34-year-old RHP with the unorthodox pitching style, as he leans in with both arms extended, looking like a bird. He joins an elite club which only 7 others have done saving 400 or more games in their MLB career. Kimbrel becomes the 8th member of the 400 save club. Kimbrel makes history against the team that drafted him in 2008, the Atlanta Braves. It’s the second year in a row where a closer notched their 400th save at the Braves’ home park. Last year Kenley Jansen recorded his 400th save at Truist Park, wearing a Braves uniform.

THE ALL-TIME MLB SAVE LEADERS

#1.Mariano Rivera 652, #2. Trevor Hoffman 601, #3. Lee Smith 478, #4. Francisco Rodriguez 437, #5. John Franco 424, #6.Billy Wagner 422, #7. Kenley Jansen 401, #8. Craig Kimbrel 400

Craig Kimbrel started his career with Atlanta back in 2010. Kimbrel would pass legendary Brave pitcher Hall of Famer John Smoltz, who had 155 saves for the team’s number one closer. Kimbrel pitched for Atlanta from 2010-14 where he notched 186 saves and still ranks number one in the Braves’ organization today. In 2015, the Braves traded Kimbrel to Boston before the season started. Kimbrel would notch a save for 7 different teams over his 14 seasons in the MLB.

SAVES BY TEAM

#1.Braves 186, #2.Red Sox 108, #3. Padres 39, #4.Cubs 38, #5.Dodgers 22, #6.Phillies 6, #7. White Sox 6,

In 2021, the White Sox genius front office gave up too much for Craig Kimbrel in trade with the Cubs when they already had a closer. The GM Ricky Hahn, in another bad move of his, thought Kimbrel could be the set-up guy and that did not work out.

This is the first season Craig Kimbrel is pitching for the Phillies. The team started him off as a set up guy which did not work well as his ERA is very high. The Phillies did not look at the footage of Kimbrel pitching for the White Sox in 2021. They must have a Ricky Hahn in their organization. The Phillies then put Kimbrel back in the closer role and he has been perfect 6-6 in saves this season. The White Sox traded Kimbrel to the Dodgers right before the 2022 season. Kimbrel started off as the Dodgers closer that season, but eventually lost his job by the end of the season in LA. This season Kimbrel in 21 games has a 3-1 record with a 5.62 ERA with the six saves logging in 19 innings and has struck out 30 batters. Kimbrel’s career numbers are better as he has a 44-37 pitching record, but a very respectable ERA of 2.40 and now has made it to 400 saves. Out of the 8 closers, only three of them are in Cooperstown. The King Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman are obvious choices. Lee Smith finally made it, getting in by the Veterans committee. Billy Wagner is still on the ballot and has reached 68.1% of the vote so he would need to get 75% to get in as he still has 2 years to make that happen. Kimbrel has not pitched well since he played for the Cubs in that first half of the 2021 season when he was lights out. Kimbrel would need to find that version of his old self if he wants to make a case for the hall of fame in the future.

MOST SAVES IN WHITE SOX/ PIRATES HISTORY

Bobby Thigpen White Sox 201 saves. Roy Face Pirates 186 saves

WHITE SOX GIVE FRAZIER A WHIRL

The White Sox this season are so desperate for bodies to fulfill the injury prone roster that it’s like a game of musical chairs. The White Sox had stocked up their minor league team with veteran bodies this off-season. Mostly castoffs from other teams that need to be dropped off on the island of misfit toys rather than on any team’s roster in the MLB. Trying to find one veteran to stick to the roster has been troublesome for the White Sox as either they get derailed by an injury or their play on the field is not very good. The speedster outfielder, Billy Hamilton, suffered an injury when he was called from the White Sox triple A team in Charlotte. Veteran outfielder, Jake Marisnick, and RHP, Alex Colome, gave performances & when they finally got the call were immediately designated for assignments or misfit island. The White Sox now will give outfielder Clint Frazier a whirl to see if he can help the team.

Last year Clint Frazier played 19 games for the other Chicago team, the Cubs. Frazier has played most of his baseball career with the New York Yankees as he wore pinstripes 5 out of his 7 seasons he has played in the MLB. Frazier is only 28 years old and injuries have haunted his baseball career with inadequate play on the field. Should be a White Sox keeper as they have an entire hospital of injured players the last few seasons. Frazier’s most games he has played in one season is 69 games with the Bronx bombers in 2019. It was by far his best season in the big leagues. Frazier had over 200 at-bats and hit .267 with 12 long balls while driving in 38. Frazier can’t stay healthy and shows flashes of being a productive player. However, at the same time will regress and his production will drop. In parts of seven seasons, Frazier has a .238 batting average with 29 long balls while driving in 98 in only 247 games.

One of the White Sox starting pitchers, Mike Clevinger, went on the injured list and will miss 15 days with his right wrist nagging him. The team promoted Clint Frazier because he’s been hitting the cover off the baseball down at Charlotte. In 16 games for the Knights, Frazier was batting .375 with 7 long balls while driving in 13. Frazier does have some power in his bat & when healthy can hit the ball a long way. The Yankees at one point thought Frazier would be a guy hitting 25 to 30 homeruns a year, driving in close to 100 runners if he stayed healthy. Frazier earlier this season was released by the Texas Rangers where he only had a minor league deal. The White Sox hope to get some kind of spark from Frazier’s bat. Not sure how long that spark will last as it may flicker on and off, he will be the next weakest link, and the team will say goodbye. Then the music will start, and another veteran cast off will replace Frazier’s locker.

HOUSE OF CARDS BUILT BY RICK HAHN

The Chicago White Sox season has been a complete disaster. Worst start ever. I do not see any kind of way this team could pull themselves out of the hole that was dug by the White Sox front office. The recent rebuild is in flames as the window of any championship future has been permanently boarded up. Who do you blame? The General Manager Rick Hahn, who built this flimsy roster of cards that any bad wolf opponent can come in and blow down your house with one blow. The master plan is a complete disaster and as a fan, I don’t like this team and this organization.

Let’s start with all the injuries that happen year in & year out with this White Sox team. You would think red flags would have been raised in the 2020 and 2021 seasons where the team dealt with injuries but still went on to make post-season play. Last year the team blamed things on injuries and this season same story on the south side as everyone seems to have a stint on the injured list. Fragile is not French like in the movie, A Christmas Story. These guys on the White Sox are fragile, like stems of wine glasses they can break doing dishes. Look at relief pitcher Joe Kelly getting hurt leaving the bullpen to rumble with the Pirates. They say Cuba lacks cows which means all these Cuban players the White Sox have did not get enough calcium growing up. Look at Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Marcarda, Yasmani Grandal, exhibit A, B and C. Then hearing if Eloy can play a full season his numbers would be off the charts. Not buying it. If Eloy sneezes, he heads for the injured list. With all these injuries every year. why hasn’t Hahn backed up his bench with players that stay on the field?

“Show me the money,” should be shouted out as owner Jerry Reinsdorf should sell this team to someone that wants to win and win now. The White Sox did not go after bigger free agents that landed massive deals. The penny pincher miser gave his GM a change purse to get free agents like starting pitcher Mike Clevinger and left fielder Andrew Benintendi. The team needed more than those two additions. Rick Hahn has not spent the money he is allowed to use on weaknesses the team needs. Hahn has spent money on the bullpen which is a major concern because these guys are not getting the job done. Remember when the team tried to land Manny Machado. The organization offered the slugger a contract with all kinds of moving parts and San Diego gave the third baseman money with no attachments or hidden clauses. Kenny Williams at the time said it was such a wonderful deal. You sir are a gigantic moron. Williams is another guy who should be tossed out on his rear as they moved him up to President of Baseball Operations. We have dumb and dumber running this rebuild into the ground.

In the off-season, Jose Abreu left in free agency as he probably knew what was going on in this organization. My thoughts are Jose leaving was good and bad. Bad because Abreu is an RBI machine. Good is the White Sox have a ton of guys that can play first base and DH. For Abreu, he felt the writing was on the wall for him to leave town. I think the White Sox gave him a shove out the door. Then when Ricky Hahn hired his pick for manager, Pedro Grifol, he wanted Jose on this team. The front office faked and tried to make an offer to Abreu but it was too late. This organization is always known for players leaving this team with a bad taste in their mouth. This is the kind of culture the three unwisemen, Jerry Reinsdorf, Kenny Williams, and Ricky Hahn, have installed on the south side. Even their star short stop, Tim Anderson, was recorded at first base mouthing, “I hate this place.” Typical Sox Math. Anderson should learn how to field an easy grounder before his bat flips trying to show up the opponent on the field.

This summer the White Sox will suddenly start playing well and suck back in the pissed off fans. The team will have a fire sale on guys like starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, with one year remaining on his deal who will be traded. How about sending Yasmani Grandal to another team for a bag of balls? The worst defensive catcher in White Sox history. Grandal, known for his offense, never brought his bat when he signed a big deal to come here. Not a big deal over 100 million dollars because ownership will not pay that kind of money for talent. Instead, they find bodies that will accept deals and coupons. Whatever Rick Hahn is trying to sell about this organization that is headed to the rock bottom of the baseball world. Giolito has not been good since the league started cracking down on sticky substances on the mitts. This organization needs to realize that defense, pitching, and clutch hitting wins championships. We have none of the above. We don’t even have players that can stay on the field for the entire season. Then the musical chairs of managers. This rebuild started with Ricky Renteria who laid out the bridge work for this team to make the step for the post-season. Then the organization tried to make a right over the wrong of the past and bring Tony LaRussa out of hibernation. The Tony experiment resulted in one playoff win. Even Renteria won one playoff game. Then the Hahn choice, the jack of all trades of Pedro Grifol, which right now shows you he is master of none. White Sox fans should be lighting the torches, sharpening up the pitch forks, and heading down to 35th and Shields to rebuild the front office. You will see signs saying, “Sell the team, Jerry.” Scrooge McDuck charges ten dollars a beer and calls himself a die-hard baseball fan. Not buying what your gaping fat hole on your face is selling me. White Sox fans deserve more than investing in paper bags when they go to the ball game.

 

NOT PROPERTY OF THE EMPIRE

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ all-star outfielder will not be The Empire’s property at least for this year. In Spring Training, Bryan Reynolds wanted out of Pittsburgh as he requested a trade from the only team he has played for at the big-league level. The rumors had the Yankees like vultures all over Reynolds as the galaxy knew a Pirates-Yankees trade most likely would occur. The Pirates would have probably got a nice treasure chest in return sending Reynolds packing, a guy who is 28 years old and starting his prime years in baseball. With the Pirates hot start. The young core being established. The Pirates added some nice veterans to the mix. All of sudden the tides had changed on the Pirates ship as Reynolds has signed the richest contract in team history with a 7-year extension. Finally, the miser owner shelling out some cash to keep talent in town instead of trading it away for mostly fool’s gold.

The switch-hitting outfielder Bryan Reynolds, in 2022, had a great season on a bad team as he was the Pirates’ lone all-star selection. Reynolds batted .262 with 27 homeruns driving in 62 on a team that did not score a lot of runs. This season, the Pirates are off to one of their best starts in a very long time as Reynolds’ bat is providing a nice spark as he has others around him hitting the baseball very well so far after a month of baseball in the books. Reynolds is batting .296 with 5 long balls driving in 23. Reynolds, over his 5-year career, has racked up 540 hits, all with the Pirates. Reynolds has a career batting average of .282 with 79 long balls while driving in 262.

Bryan Reynolds gets a 7 year deal worth 100 million. He gets a 2 million signing bonus with a club option in 2031 worth 20 million, or he can be brought out for 2 million which sounds right up the Pirates’ owner’s alley. Reynolds may never be Empire property if he listed the Yankees on a six team no trade provision. The Pirates could still trade Reynolds to the other teams not on the list. Right now, it’s a nice extension because the Pirates are keeping talent on the ship instead of letting them walk the plank. Reynolds, like any other Pirates player, probably will fall in love with the city of Pittsburgh. Which player would not want to play in PNC park for all their home games. It’s just a beautiful stadium & one of the best in the league. Players want stability like normal citizens want to know if they will be with the same company the next 5 seasons. Now Reynolds can play baseball as his family, and he knows they should be in Pittsburgh the next several years. This is a smart move by the Pirates because Reynolds is a nice fit with this rebuild starting to get its wings. Reynolds is definitely one of the cogs making the Pirates machine work. Young players working hard like Reynolds should be rewarded.

PIRATES PROMOTE THEIR OWN VERSION OF CRASH DAVIS 

The Pittsburgh Pirates superstar outfielder, Bryan Reynolds, heading to the bereavement list. The Pirates transferred their first baseman Jiman Choi to the sixty-day injured list, due to an Achilles strain. The Pirates need some bodies on their big-league roster and made a call to one of their affiliates to bring up a 33-year-old career minor league infielder Drew Maggi. Maggi finally gets the call to the show after 13 seasons in the minor leagues playing for six different organizations.  

Drew Maggi is not the same player as the character Crash Davis in the movie Bull Durham. Both Crash and Maggi had different paths to the big leagues. Maggi has played 1,155 games in the minor leagues, a guy still chasing his dream to play in the majors. Maggi is a second baseman who can also man the hot corner on the diamond. Maggi is a career .254 hitter in the minor leagues racking up 978 hits with 45 homeruns while driving in 354.  This season Maggi has been playing for Altoona the Pirates double A team. Maggi has only played in 8 games and has just 31 at-bats as he is batting a whopping .194 with 6 hits driving in 3. 

Drew Maggi was originally drafted by the Pirates back in 2010 out of Arizona State University in the 15th round of the draft. Many players would have given up on their dream of playing baseball after so many seasons in the minor leagues. Maggi heard the news from his manager & he got the call in a team meeting. He was in shock at first & then the excitement took over. All his minor league teammates were ecstatic with him. Usually, organizations keep older minor league players who are not prospects as depth pieces. Maggi will wear number 39 which the Pirates 1978 MVP Dave Parker made famous playing the outfield in Pittsburgh during their hey days. Maggi may not have much time as Reynolds is expected back soon. Making it to the majors for a cup of coffee is very special as a player will always remember that for the rest of his life. It’s what Maggi does with any playing time he gets, it could be a dream come true or coming back to the minors knowing he may not have another chance to get back. The Pirates are in first place in the NL Central as all their off-season moves have been working out as this team is coming together. Will Maggi be the Davis that crashes the opponent in his cup of joe? The entire Pittsburgh year so far is a Cinderella story to really enjoy watching them win games.      

DEVASTATING BLOW TO THE PIRATE SHIP 

Being a Pittsburgh Pirate fan is one of the hardest jobs in the baseball world and perhaps in sports. All those bad baseball teams. All the rebuilds. Bad owner. All the Iron City beer you need to get through a 162-game season. This year the Pirates got off to a hot start and suddenly it feels good to be watching the black and gold and not have to wait for the Steelers in the fall. Where are the dark clouds? They usually follow when things start to feel good. It would be the collision at home plate that was heard around the world when reality comes back to bite you on the rear. The Pirates star young short stop breaks down the third base line on ground ball as the White Sox third baseman has easy play at home. When the ball arrived in the White Sox catcher’s mitt, Seby Zavala knew contact would be made as O’Neil Cruz came crashing into the catcher. One of the dangerous plays in baseball was outlawed years ago because of what happened to Giants catcher Buster Posey.  You can feel the heart skip a beat as Cruz most likely will miss the rest of the 2023 season with a fractured ankle on the 6’6” frame of the face of the franchise. 

After the collision it appeared White Sox catcher Seby Zavala said something that irked the hell out of Carlos Santana as the benches cleared between the White Sox and Pirates. Cruz in obvious pain lays out on the field being attended too. Eventually cooler heads would prevail as the scuffle between both teams became heated but in the end like most baseball brawls, it’s your typical high school fight in the hallway which most of the time is broken up by teachers before punches are thrown. No one ejected. Santana was sticking up for his teammate, the 24-year-old short stop who was wincing in pain as most Pirates fans expect disaster and it was right under their nose on their home turf at PNC Park. More Iron City beers would be needed before going to work that following Monday morning. 

O’Neil Cruz would have surgery on his ankle. The surgery done by doctors stabilized the fractured fibula and predicted the short stop will be out for 4 months. Cruz in his third season with the Pirates only had 32 bats so far this season with 8 hits in which one was a homerun while batting .250 driving in 4. Last year Cruz played in only 84 games as he was called up and he managed to stay on the roster and played well. Cruz batted .233 with 17 homeruns, driving in 54. In 2021, Cruz had his cup of coffee in the 2021 season with 9 at-bats, three hits, & one of them left the ballpark. The Pirates would win the game versus the White Sox and take the three-game series as well. It was a costly series win early on for the Pirates losing a young talented short stop like that. You hope the Pirates can stay afloat with the rest of the guys who have been playing well at the start of this season. You must like a veteran like Carlos Santana sticking up for his fallen Comrade in his first season in Pittsburgh. That comradery could be infectious to the rest of the locker room which could make this team stronger coming together. Hopefully the dark clouds lead to sunny skies the rest of the way for the Pirates ship.   

WHITE SOX HAVE FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES  

The White Sox are in desperation mode for any kind bullpen help they have reconnected with an old friend RHP Alex Colome. Before Liam Hendriks Colome was the guy who shut the door in the 9^th inning. Colome last pitched on the Southside back in 2020 as the team elected to go bigger and get the best reliever on the open market that year with the signing of Hendriks. Colome had a good year and signed with the White Sox archrival Minnesota Twins. Colome did not have the same stuff as he struggled ever since he left Chicago. Last year he pitched for the Colorado Rockies and struggled. This year Colome was with the Nationals in Spring training and was released before the 2023 season even started. Can the White Sox and Colome find that cutter that made him one of best closers in the league? 

Alex Colome has ten years in the big leagues & at the age of 34 he’s looking for a rebound season and sometimes your ole stomping grounds could be the answer. Colome spent two seasons with the White Sox after they got him from the Mariners in a trade. In 2021, Colome made 30 saves. In the shortened covid season of 2020, Colome converted 12 saves. In two seasons with the White Sox Colome has been rock solid. Colome has a record of 6-5 with a very impressive ERA of 2.27 with 42 saves. When Colome went to Minnesota his ERA went up to 4.15 in 67 appearances, he converted 17 saves but lost the closer job. Last year for the Rockies the ERA went up to 5.75 with only 4 saves in 53 appearances and walked 22 batters.  Colome started his career in Tampa Bay where he pitched six seasons before heading to Seattle. Colome career numbers has him with a 34-34 record with 3.34 ERA in 446 games while converting 159 saves. 

I don’t know how long it will take Alex Colome to find his game working through the White Sox minor league triple A affiliate The White Sox have been without Liam Hendriks who has been dealing with cancer, but a story recently mentioned he had one more round of chemo to do before he can get serious about a return. The time table is unknown.  

RUIZ DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT 

The Chicago White Sox are trying to stop the bleeding with their pitching staff. Only about ten days into the 2023 season the pitching has been a glaring weakness for the team. The White Sox made a move before the Pirates series and designated 28-year-old Jose Ruiz for assignment in which the team has ten days or so to trade him or he will be released. The RHP veteran from Venezuelan has been in the MLB for the past 7 seasons which six of them were with the White Sox. Ruiz was converted from starting off as a catcher to pitcher by the San Diego Padres who signed him did all the leg work then released him as the White Sox plucked him off waivers after the 2017 season was over.  

Jose Ruiz has been a decent arm coming out of the bullpen the last six seasons. Ruiz best year was 2021 when he had a record of 1-3 with 3.05 ERA in 59 games. This year he just did not have it. In 4 games Ruiz has been shell shocked by the opponents. Ruiz has given up 9 runs, 8 hits, 4 walks with an ERA of 22.09 yikes. Ruiz has given up three homeruns as teams are batting .421 against him. Ruiz career he has 3-7 record with 4.53 ERA as he pitched 178 games and recorded 181 strikeouts. Ruiz, a strikeout pitcher, only had three this season. Ruiz has had some great outings over the year. He was rarely used in tight games when the White Sox had the lead in the late innings of the game. Ruiz was most likely the first guy in the ball game from the bullpen in the 5^th or 6^th.  

The White Sox replace Jose Ruiz with career minor leaguer Jessee Scholtens. Scholtens also former Padre farm hand as he was picked in 9^th round in 2016. Scholtens has 154 appearances down on the farm making 105 starts with a record of 27-39 while posting a 4.29 ERA as he tossed over 600 innings. Scholtens pitched the first ever perfect game in school history at Wright State University. Scholtens is a band aid right now for the bullpen or he can be used to start a game if needed. Scholtens hopes he sticks with the big-league club and does not peel off in the first shower after a Ruiz type of outing this season. The White Sox had Bryan Shaw in Spring training on minor league deal as the veteran did well but did not make the team. Shaw former Indian was released right before the start of regular season. It shows what kind of intellect in the front office the White Sox have. Ruiz will be back with somebody else as he tinkers and finds out what he’s doing wrong on the pitching rubber. Hopefully Jessee Scholtens does well, and White Sox make me eat crow. 

EAT CROW MR. ECKERSLEY 

They say sticks and stones may break my bones, but names would never hurt. It seems words will always linger. Last season Dennis Eckersley, former MLB player, hall of fame pitcher and at the time Boston broadcaster, had some choice words about the Pittsburgh Pirates.  

Eckersley would call out the Pirates roster, “You talk about a no-name line up.”  

“There’s no team like this.” 

“Hodge podge of nothingness,” and then would go on saying, “It’s ridiculous, it really is. Pathetic.” 

Last year, the Pirates finished 62-100 and only two teams had more losses. The Pirates visited Fenway Park this week, which was a 3-game series with the Red Sox. The Pirates swept the Boston Red Sox in their own back yard. The Pirate’s twitter was tweeting with messages intended to Mr. Eckersley. 

“A HODGE PODGE OF VICTORIES” 

Dennis Eckersley retired from the broadcast booth before this season started. I’m sure his quotes came back to haunt them as the Pirates man handled the Red Sox in the sweep. The Pirates rebuild is making some early noise in this 2023 start. While the Red Sox look more like the Pirates of old. Eckersley provided bulletin board material as the Pirates capitalized. If the Pirates were Michael Jordan, Eckersley’s words would be bloody war from your Airness. In The Last Dance, Jordan had battles with small potato quotes compared to what Eckersley muttered on his broadcast. Pirate fans don’t get to gloat that much. The Hall of Fame pitcher, Eckersley, will be choking down crow for a while as his words have backfired. I hope he has some tums in the medicine cabinet because crow can cause heart burn.  

MR. 2,000 

In his 15^th season in the league, Elvis Andrus reaches the 2,000 club in hits in a White Sox uniform. Andrus started his MLB career with the Texas Rangers where he played 12 seasons. Before coming to Chicago, Andrus did two seasons with Oakland. Andrus singled against the Giants this week, making him the 289^th player in MLB history to reach this special milestone. At 34 years old, Andrus is the 4^th active player in the league that has 2,000 or more hits. He joins Miguel Cabrera with (3,089), Joey Votto (2,168), and Nelson Cruz (2,018).  

It was done in front of the White Sox faithful at Guaranteed Rate where Elvis Andrus signed a one-year deal this off-season to come back to the team and play second base. Andrus will give the ball to his mother as his entire family is happy for this huge accomplishment along with his teammates. Andrus wanted to accomplish this milestone in Houston with his family on hand watching when the White Sox opened the season versus the Astros. Elvis’ mother was watching when he checked the phone after the game, she had texted saying she wanted that baseball. You must be a very durable player and play many games to reach a milestone of 2,000 hits. Elvis is only 34 years old, so could he reach the 2,500 mark by the time his career comes to an end? Could he play another 5 to 6 years? If Elvis plays another 5 seasons after this one, he will reach the 20-year mark playing in the MLB. Could you put Elvis in the Cooperstown building?  

SPLASH BROTHER’S BROTHER MAKES SOME WAVES 

Trace Thompson is the brother of Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson in the NBA. Klay and Seth Curry are known as the splash brothers on the basketball court because they can drain the 3-point shot from downtown or basically anywhere on the court. In the baseball world, we had the Bash Brothers in Oakland during the 1990’s. The Bash Brothers consisted of two ‘roid mongers, Mark McGuire and Jose Canseco, who could hit a long ball on the baseball field.  

Trace Thompson is not a household name on the baseball diamond as he is still learning and improving his game overall and waiting for the right opportunity where he can play more than 80 games a season. Thompson in his second stint with the Dodgers found himself in the line up over the weekend and hit three homeruns in one game being the first to accomplish that in the 2023 season. The Dodgers went on and smoked the visiting snakes from the desert for a 10-1 victory. 

Trace Thompson is 32 years old and has seven seasons in the MLB. The right-handed swinging outfielder has only played in 300 games with 791 At-bats. Thompson started his career with the White Sox and was very promising in his first season batting .295 with 5 long balls, driving in sixteen runs, in only 44 games. Thompson was valuable in a three-team trade deal that sent Thompson to the Dodgers while the White Sox got Cincinnati’s third baseman, Todd Frazier. While the White Sox were in a rebuild in 2018, Thompson had his second stint with the White Sox in which he batted only .116 as he struggled. In 2018, Thompson played with the Athletics & then the White Sox. After the White Sox, Thompson would miss the entire 2020 season. Then Thompson resurfaced on the other side of town with the Cubs in 2021. Then he played six games with the Padres in 2022 before heading back to the Dodgers. Last year, Thompson did pretty good coming off the bench for the Dodgers. He batted .268 with 13 long balls driving in 39. Thompson may never be a permanent starter for any team in the MLB. Thompson may have found his nitch making a splish splash off the bench. An average outfielder that has some power could have a few big games giving your starter some rest.   

RENDON GOES HANSON ON OAKLAND FAN 

Your parents always tell you if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Something about being at a sporting event means guys have a few beers. Start getting those beer muscles. Since they purchased a ticket, they think they can say anything they want to. On opening day in Oakland, the visiting Angels were in town. Third baseman Anthony Rendon has an altercation with the fan. I will remind you it’s Oakland who did not pack the house for their Athletics, as the team may be following the Raiders to Vegas. No new stadium in the works. Oakland fans had enough with current ownership so even when their team won on opening day, it was not enough. One Oakland fan called Rendon a bitch. Rendon apparently did not like that and challenged the fan. Then called him Mother Klucker and they were not talking about getting a bucket of chicken after the game. The fan denies saying anything to Rendon. Rendon then goes Hanson on the fan grabbing his shirt through the guard rails. Rendon tried to take a swipe at the fan but missed and then proceeded to walk away down the tunnel to the visiting team’s locker room.  

The altercation was caught on video as everyone has a phone. Along with big brother in the skies, no conversation with some shirt tugging is private. The league suspended the Angels third baseman originally for 5 games for his part. Anthony Rendon appealed the suspension, and the league reduced it to a 4-game suspension after apologizing to the fan for reacting to the situation like that. Rendon was able to contact the fan through the phone and apologized. Rendon, after the incident, did come back out on the field to look for the fan, but the security guard said he left.  

Anthony Rendon will start serving the 4-game suspension versus the Mariners in the Angels home opener. Rendon has not had any luck in LA after leaving DC where he helped the Nationals win the World Series in 2019. Rendon has only played in 159 games for the Angels since signing the big deal right before the 2020 season. Rendon has only batted .249 with 20 homeruns while driving in 90 in an Angels uniform. The Angels are hoping Rendon can find his swing from the Nationals days and stay healthy at the same time. The Angels manager Phil Nevin and the team are moving forward as the incident has concluded itself with both parties. Rendon remains one of the club house leaders, is well liked, and he just let his emotions get the best of him. Rendon admits he lost his cool and put himself in the shoes of a fan when he watches other sports. Rendon did not go down the same path as Tony Phillips back in 1996. 

Tony Phillips was getting heckled in Milwaukee by a fan. The fan said stuff about his mother as well. When Tony was done playing for the night, he changed his clothes and walked out of the club house. Then Tony found the heckler and punched him in the face. Sounds like Tony’s way would work well these days with the entire world crazy. Mistakes happen, no one got hurt, and guys like Anthony Rendon lose his cool but ended up doing the right thing as both fans and players put their pants on one leg at a time.    

THE BOMB SQUAD 

During the late 1960’s and 70’s, quarterback Daryle Lamonica earned the nickname the Mad Bomber for throwing the deep ball. On Thursday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates were visiting the Cincinnati Reds on opening day of the MLB. The Pirates short stop, Oneil Cruz who stands at 6’7”, crushed the ball. It was a bomb off the left-handed slugger’s bat which landed in the stands like an explosive tying up the game. The Pirates rebuild mean Cruz is the number one attraction you want to see with this team. Last season, Cruz was in his first full season in the MLB. It was not the entire year as he only played 87 games being called up after opening day. Cruz only batted .233 getting his feet wet in the majors. Cruz also had 17 homeruns while driving in 54. Pirate fans feel like they have something special unveiling in front of them. 

It will be interesting what the 24-year-old short stop does in a full 162 game season starting from opening day where Cruz heroics helped the Pirates seal the deal with an opening day win on the road. Cruz also drove in another key runner with a sacrifice fly late in the game. Cruz finished 1-2 with two runs batted in, a homerun, and two walks in 5 plate appearances. Cruz showed discipline at the plate, and if he can do that this entire season, he will be on base very often. Cruz will also be the most productive hitter in this Pirates line up. Cruz should demolish about 30 to 35 baseballs this season. The Pirates ownership should get a head start and extend this kid before that awkward moment comes when these players walk out of town getting disrespected with the Pirates front office offer, which is usually peanuts. Cruz should not be wearing another uniform other than black and gold. We don’t need Cruz turning into a villain and coming back to town like the Green Goblin putting the kaboom on our beloved Pirates at PNC stadium. 

GARCIA EXPENDABLE 

The White Sox cut ties with their longest tenured player to shape up their 2023 roster. Leury Garcia, jack of all trades on the diamond & master of none, has to find himself a new team this season as the White Sox will eat the remaining 2 years of his contract. Garcia will get 11 million which anyone would take to go away. The White Sox like the other talent they have assembled to strengthen their roster & made Garcia expendable, a guy who struggled last season.  

The 32-year old utility guy, Leury Garcia, struggled at the plate last season and as a fan, you cringed when he came up to the plate. Garcia played in 97 games last year and it seemed like he was in the line-up every day with all the injuries. Garcia batted only .210 with 3 homeruns and drove in 20. Garcia in 2021 batted .267 in 126 games with 5 homeruns while driving in 54. Garcia had miscues on the field as his defense seemed to slip and was just an easy out when he came up with the bat. Garcia was very valuable for the White Sox for so long, as he played on the team through the rebuild and continued when the roster became relevant again. Garcia played multiple positions and is a switch hitter. Garcia came over in trade from Texas in 2013 where he only played 25 games for the Rangers in his rookie year in the MLB – he split between them and the White Sox. In 676 games, Garcia batted .254 with 34 homeruns driving in 200 in parts of ten seasons on the southside. Garcia was a definite, a main staple on the southside where he did get a long-term deal to come back as the team knew what he would bring every season. The White Sox usually don’t like to shell out money for players to walk out of town. You feel like they could not find another team to trade away Garcia to. Last year and in Spring training Garcia looked like he was on the downside of his career. Garcia is a guy who played hard and you like to see players like him stay. It’s smart if you have a better replacement to make the right choice and go with him instead of gambling that Garcia would find his swing down the line. I can see Garcia finding his way back to the majors with somebody else if he fine tunes his swing. 

MY WHITE SOX THOUGHTS OF OPENING DAY 

Last season, watching the Chicago White Sox was like swallowing razor blades. It did not feel good from the start, and we know how the end looked like. In the second year of Tony LaRussa, a Hall of Fame manager, the White Sox derailed and took about three steps backwards. The White Sox could not drive in the big run. Wasted pitching efforts. The defense of the Bad News Bears. The bone-headed base running. The team elected to hire Pedro Grifol, a staple of the Royals organization for over a decade, and someone outside the organization. Like politics in baseball, when the new hire talks for the first time, he will promise the people that things will change. No more shenanigans. Clean up the mistakes. Get that swagger back that the team was missing last season. Grifol was a manager who most likely would not get some shut eye in the dugout during the games. This hire, the brass thought they would be back on track.  

Yesterday the White Sox did win the game on the road versus the World Champion most hated team outside of Texas, the Houston Astros. Pedro Grifol gets his first win as a manager. Oscar Colas got his first MLB hit. Andrew Vaughn drove in two key runs with a double late in the game to put the White Sox on top to win the game.  Dylan Cease had ten strikeouts, and looked to be and now going forward, the White Sox ace of the staff. Cease tied Blackjack McDowell’s ten strike out performance back in 1991. The opening day start was the most ever by a White Sox pitcher. The White Sox broke the Astros’ ten game winning streak on opening day. It was the first opening day the Astros have lost since they came to the American League. 

Why so glum… then I thought? I see the same things happen last year and the front office and this coaching staff has not figured it out to fix these things. The first thing that jumped out was bad base running. Elvis Andrus on third with no outs gets caught in a run down between third and home. The run down does not last very long to get the runner at second to third. Then Yoan Moncarda smokes a ball right in between the wickets of former White Sox first baseman, Jose Abreu. Instead of settling for a double, Moncarda tried to get the triple and take the extra base but was gunned down and made the first out of the inning. Then Yasmani Grandal looks like he has been working harder to block pitches behind the plate. How do the Astros score their first run with the bases loaded a ball thrown by Aaron Bummer in the dirt? Grandal, like old times, lets it get past him. Grandal would get redemption by tying the game with a homerun. Andrew Vaughn had a sure out in foul territory in the 9th inning on a pop fly, but the ball came out of his mitt and gave Jose Abreu new life. Then having the Astros ace Framber Valdez on the ropes for most of his night to watch him get out of all those jams unscathed. The White Sox again like last year would get the base runners on, but nobody would get the big hit to drive in the big run or open those flood gates for the huge inning.  

I know it’s game one of the season and the team has 161 more games to play. I must give the new White Sox skipper a chance to show me the improvement from the Tony LaRussa era. The White Sox gave up one hit to Jose Abreu, a single which they pretty much had him under control. Reynaldo Lopez came in as the closer as Liam Hendriks is dealing with cancer. He had a flame throwing 100 mph fast ball but made the game too interesting for my taste. Getting the first out & then giving up a solo homer of the bat of Yordan Alvarez. Lopez would get the outs to put away the Astros and get his first save. I like the fact they won a one run ball game in which last season they were on the opposite side of the tracks in close fought games. It’s too early to judge, jury and executioner this team, but I don’t want to invest time into watching the reruns from last year when I have the cable channels to get me something with a better plot. I’m not sold yet on the team, but the sky is not falling. I always should be concerned because these are the Chicago White Sox we are dealing with.  

OSCAR’S BAT WILL TALK THE TRASH 

When was the last time the Chicago White Sox rookie made the team’s roster on opening day and was an instant impact in the lineup? When’s the last time the White Sox had the right field position figured out? When was the last time the White Sox had a left-handed slugging outfielder? After tearing up the minor leagues in all levels in 2022, Oscar Colas has made the big club and will be the team’s starting right fielder in the 2023 season. When was the last time the White Sox had an Oscar on their team? 

I only recall Oscar Gamble, Mr. FRO, from the 1977 South Side Hitmen who were a group of mashers with lumber. Gamble hit 31 homeruns in his lone season playing for the White Sox. Gamble was just a hired assassin and much different than the rookie Oscar Colas who’s only 24 years old making his MLB debut.  The White Sox and their angry fan base are hoping Colas checks all the boxes mentioned above. 

Oscar Colas is another talented Cuban player that will join the White Sox cigar box. Before Colas defected from his country of Cuba, he played for their national team. Colas also got experience overseas in the Japanese baseball league, the NPB, playing in their minor league systems. Then finally in January of 2022 he was able to sign with a team in the states and have a chance to play in the MLB. Colas this Spring was invited to camp as the White Sox brass were hoping and I’m sure giving Oscar all the chances to make this team when they left Arizona to head north. Colas had 66 plate appearances this Spring, batted .262 with 3 long balls, and drove in 6 which was good enough to make the opening day roster of the White Sox.  

This was a big moment when Oscar Colas got word, he made the opening day roster he had to call home to tell his mother the good news. Which is a special moment for these players who work hard to make their dreams come true. Most of the time it’s the mothers who give their son a kick in the arse when they sway away from their goals.  When the chips are down, the mum picks the son off the campus to fight another day. White Sox fans are hoping this kid comes in with a bang and stays the course like guys like Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez who started day one from their debut with the ball just flying of their bats. 

It would be even better if Colas followed the same footprints of Jose Abreu who came from Cuba with a bat already seasoned and older than Oscar. If Colas can provide the same production on offense as Abreu who left in free agency and signed with the Cheaters in Houston. That would be asking a lot for a young guy. It could happen as it seems like these things occur all the time for other teams in the league except the White Sox. Colas gives you left-handed bat in the line up with speed on the bases. If Andrew Vaughn, a pure hitter, can get his production up playing his natural position first place Abreu’s replacement. If Colas is productive, then this line up would shape up better than it was last season with Jose Abreu. 

The name Oscar, Oscar, and more Oscar will be chanted all over the Southside watching Colas crush the ball into the beer cave on home stands more than once. The White Sox brass will breathe a sigh of relief. The fans are like an Elephant and will not forget how ownership did not do much this off-season making this team better.  

THE WILD SHAMROCK 2023 MLB PREDICTIONS  

DIVISION PREDICTIONS 

AMERICAN LEAGUE 

AL EAST 

Division winner: Toronto Blue Jays 

2nd: Rays 

3rd : Yankees 

4th: Orioles 

5th Red Sox 

AL CENTRAL 

Division winner: Chicago White Sox 

2nd: Twins 

3rd: Guardians 

4th: Tigers 

5th: Royals 

AL WEST 

Division Winners: Houston Astros 

2nd: Angels 

3rd: Mariners 

4th: Rangers 

5th: A’s 

NATIONAL LEAGUE 

NL EAST 

Division Winner: Atlanta Braves 

2nd: Marlins 

3rd: Mets 

4th: Phillies 

5th: Nationals 

NL CENTRAL 

Division Winner: St. Louis Cardinals 

2nd: Cubs 

3rd: Brewers 

4th:

5th: Reds 

NL WEST 

Division winner: San Diego Padres 

2nd: Dodgers 

3rd: Diamondbacks 

4th: Giants 

5th: Rockies 

PLAYOFFS 

WILD CARDS 

AL 

#1. Angels, #2. Mariners, #3. Rays 

NL  

#1. Dodgers, #2. Marlins, #3. Mets, 

AL CHAMPS 

TORONTO BLUE JAYS 

NL CHAMPS 

SAN DIEGO PADRES 

WORLD SERIES WINNER 

SAN DIEGO PADRES WIN FIRST EVER WORLD SERIES!!! 

TWIN MISTAKES 

During the off-season, the Minnesota Twins traded away infielder Luis Arraez who won the American league batting title. The last time a team traded away a player that won the batting title the following season was the Twins in 1978.  

They traded Hall of Famer Rod Carew to the Angels after he led the AL in batting average. These are the same Twins that let David Ortiz walk out the door. He signed with the Red Sox in 2002 and three World Series titles and a trip to Cooperstown, Minnesota did not get past the divisional rounds in the playoffs. Are the Twins repeating their own bad history giving up on a player only 25 years old and has a knack for getting the bat on the ball in almost every at-bat? Every team needs pitching as the Twins traded Arraez to the Marlins for starter Pablo Lopez and a pair of prospects. This trade could work out for both the Marlins and Twins. It feels like the dark road the Twins traveled down when they just let Big Papi take his talent to Bean Town. 

David Ortiz was a left-handed slugger who had power and did not live by the homerun and die by the strikeout. Ortiz debuted for Minnesota in 1997 and played six seasons up North. During those six seasons, Ortiz was getting better but a player trying to establish himself like he did in Boston as an RBI machine and player that could carry the team on their back for long period of time. Ortiz, in six seasons for the Twins, he had a batting average of .266 with 58 long balls and drove in 238. The Twins had great teams back in the late 1990’s and into the new century. Ortiz’s last season, the Twins made it all the way to the AL Championship series, and they never got back there since. Ortiz’s last year in a Twins uniform he batted .272 with 20 homeruns and drove in 75 as he was improving. The General Manager at the time, Terry Ryan, thought they could do better and just did not want the Big Papi’s services no more. Ortiz’s numbers skyrocketed when he got to Boston. In 2003, Ortiz batted .288, hit 31 homeruns, and drove in 101 in his first season in a Boston uniform.  

In 14 seasons for Boston, Ortiz batted .290 with 483 homeruns and drove in 1,540. Ortiz would end up racking up 2,472 hits with 541 long balls driving in 1,768 runs in a 20-year career. 

Luis Arraez is a left-handed hitting infielder who only struck out 43 times in 603 plate appearances. Arraez is one of the hardest batters to strike out in baseball. Arraez has 4 seasons under his belt all with the Twins. In his first season in 92 games, Arraez batted .334 as a rookie. Arraez does not hit for power as he has only 14 homeruns in 4 seasons. Ichiro Suzuki blasted homeruns in batting practice all the time, but when the game started it was all about getting the clutch hit for the team in whatever situation arose. Arraez might be the same way – a guy who could hit homeruns, but instead has better results getting the single double or triples to help his team win games. Last year, Arraez won his first batting title hitting .316 with 8 homeruns and driving in 49 in the most games he played in one season, which was 144. Arraez will leave Minnesota batting .314 as he racked 444 hits and drove in 132.    

The Twins got Pablo Lopez, a starter for the Marlins the last 5 seasons. Lopez is a right-handed pitcher who made all his starts last season as he finished 2022 with a 10-10 record with 3.75 ERA. Lopez’s career numbers he has a losing record of 28-31 with 3.94 ERA. Lopez is only 27 years old and about to pitch in the prime of his career. On paper of this trade, I hope the prospects the Twins got are worthwhile. The Twins added the strikeout king in Joey Gallo to their lineup this off-season. It will not make up for the production Arraez gave them. Lopez right now looks like a 3^rd or 4^th starter for the rotation. It would be the Twins’ luck to see Arraez become the all-time hits leader passing up greats like Ty Cobb and Pete Rose and watch another guy they got rid of become a hall of famer like David Ortiz or Rod Carew. I’m going on the record right now and telling you the Marlins fleeced the Twins in this trade.   

BAUER EXILED TO THE JAPAN LEAGUE 

Every team in the MLB wants nothing to do with Trevor Bauer. Bauer last pitched in June of 2021 when a San Diego woman accused him of sexual assaulting her. The 32-year-old RHP was placed on administrative leave for the remainder of the season. Eventually other women came out of the woodwork about Bauer’s game in the bedroom. The MLB suspended Bauer for 324 games. An arbitrator in December of 2022 reduced the suspension to 194 games and reinstated Trevor Bauer. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who Bauer last pitched for, released him in January but are on the hook to pay him the 22.5 million final year of the contract. Bauer will have the double bubble happening getting money by two teams in 2023. He is taking his talents to the NPB Nippon professional baseball in Japan and signed a 0ne year deal with the Yokohama Dena Bay Stars for three million. 

In 2020, Trevor Bauer won the NL Cy-Young award pitching for the Cincinnati Reds. In 2021, which possibly could be his final year in the MLB, Bauer was 8-5 with 2.59 ERA. Bauer has pitched ten seasons in the MLB getting his feet wet with the Diamondbacks. Then he went on to Cleveland for 7 seasons and helped the Indians get to the World Series in 2016 versus the Cubs. Bauer’s antics as he rubbed teammates the wrong way mean the Indians traded him across the state of Ohio to Cincinnati. The Reds would not have the money to keep Bauer, thank the lord on that. Bauer would get the big three-year deal with the Dodgers and are now basically paying him to go away. Bauer has become a pretty good pitcher as he could spin the ball with the best of them, as he has a lifetime record of 83-69 with 3.79 ERA. Teams would want Bauer’s arm and talent as a pitcher, but then he talks and ruins it.  

Trevor Bauer makes his own YouTube videos as a hobby and has claimed pitching in Japan would be a dream or something out of the bucket list. The Bay Stars have not won a championship in 25 years since 1998 in the NPB. The country’s baseball experts think Bauer could be the X-factor in getting a pretty good team now that the Bay Stars are over the hump. Could we have a sequel to Mr. Baseball? Who plays a good villain? This move going to Japan is about the survival of Trevor Bauer, the pitcher. Bauer will want to showcase that he still has the stuff on the pitching rubber. What leagues are out there after NBP? The Koreans? I see Great Britain has a team in the WBC tournament. Come back to the states with your tail in between your legs and play for some independent league.  If Bauer off-the-field wants to play his Criminal Minds sexual games with the locals, he may be castrated. I hope he does not cut his finger before a big game on his toy drone which is very Bauer like. Then let’s hope Bauer does not chuck the ball into the stands on a pitching change to embarrass the country. If he does well, some slimy organization will bring him back to the states. Playing right into Bauer’s hands.   

COLORADO RETREAT 

Usually, most baseball players trying to find whatever is left of their career sign a cheap deal with the Oakland Athletics. What if Oakland does not offer you a deal? How bad does it feel that the Cincinnati Reds released you in January because they could not find a team that would pay the 22 million left on the contract that was signed in 2020 that totaled 64 million? In 2019, Mike Moustakas hit 35 bombs and drove in 87 with a batting average of .254 wearing a Brewers uniform. He got the big contract after being traded to Milwaukee as the Royals went into a rebuild.  Moustakas, is a 3-time all-star who helped the Royals win a World Series. What happened in Cincinnati that he could not hack it? Now Moustakas must find his baseball career with the Colorado Rockies who gave the first baseman, third baseman, and DH a lifeline inviting him to Spring Training on a Minor League deal.   

In 2020, in the short season due to the pandemic, Mike Moustakas played 44 games that year out of a 60-game season, in his first year with the Reds. Last year in 78 games, Moustakas batted .214 with 7 homeruns while driving in 25. In 2021, Moustakas played only 62 games. Injuries have plagued Moustakas in Cincinnati. In 184 games in three seasons with the Reds, Moustakas has a batting average of .216 with 21 homeruns while driving in 74. The Reds are definitely not getting what they paid for. In 12 seasons in the majors, Moustakas has a career .247 batting average with 203 homeruns and has driven in 635.  

The Colorado Rockies is not going to be a very good team this season. They are a team that does not have a direction. They look like they are going into a series rebuild; they trade a few players away & then go out and sign a Kris Byrant. The NL West is a loaded division with the Padres and Dodgers who have all-star teams. Then San Francisco found a way to win over 100 games in 2021. It seems like the Diamondbacks even improved their team which has been harnessing young players who could be on the rise. This could be a good opportunity for the 34-year-old left-handed slugger to find his old swing in the Rocky Mountain High. Mike Moustakas could take advantage of the altitude in Denver that makes balls fly out of Rockies Stadium and regain his confidence. The Reds are still on the hook and owe Moustakas 22 million. If Moustakas makes the team in Colorado, he gets the minimum players make in the MLB. If Moustakas can’t make the Rockies, he could always go on tour with John Denver and find that Rocky High.  

ELVIS IS BACK IN THE WHITE SOX BUILDING 

I’m not sure why it took this long for the White Sox to bring back Elvis Andrus. When the White Sox picked up Elvis last season after being released by the Oakland Athletics, he did very well for the team. The White Sox needed a short stop because Tim Anderson was hurt. Elvis was an upgrade defensively. When the season came to an end, Elvis, knowing Anderson would be the lock at short stop in 2023, said he would play second base as he wanted to come back. The White Sox waffled at the idea for several months and luckily Elvis was still swimming laps in the free agent waters. The White Sox brass finished scratching their behinds and finally signed the short stop now second baseman bringing Elvis back to the team on a one-year deal worth 3 million. 

In 43 games last year for the White Sox, Elvis Andrus swung the lumber as he posted a .271 batting average. In 106 games for the Oakland Athletics, he had a batting average of .237. The entire year of the 2022 season, Andrus batted .249 with 17 long balls while driving in 58. Elvis in a White Sox uniform went on a tear in those 43 games as he had 9 homeruns, 28 RBIs, 25 runs, and swiped 11 bags. Elvis is 34 years old and spent most of his 14-year baseball career with the Rangers playing in Texas for 12 seasons. This includes going to two World Series with them in which both times came up short. Andrus played in Oakland for two seasons before coming to the White Sox. Andrus’ lifetime numbers with the bat are solid. His batting average is .270 with 96 homeruns while driving in 731. Elvis is three hits away from the 2,000 milestone as he has 1, 997 coming into the 2023 season.  

The White Sox bringing back Elvis Andrus makes their line up a lot better. Andrus can be a top of the order guy or give you great production turning over the batting order at the bottom of the lineup card. Andrus adds speed to a line up with mostly station to station hitting plus he’s a smart base runner which the White Sox have lacked in for years running stupid. I think playing short stop his entire career Elvis can easily adjust to the second base role. I do like the idea of giving Tim Anderson some rest as Elvis can still play some short stop, when needed. Elvis is an instant upgrade defensively. Perhaps he can give Anderson some pointers to help his defensive play. Elvis gives the team another voice on the field to rally the troops while getting the team motivated during bad stretches of the season. I still don’t know why this move took so long as I have lost my faith in the General Manager, Rick Hahn.            

WHITE SOX TRY TO SHAW UP THEIR BULLPEN WITH X-CLEVELAND HURLER 

The White Sox signed one of the most durable relief pitchers in the game during the span of 2013-17. Last year, the 35-year-old RHP Bryan Shaw’s ERA ballooned over 5.00. In 2021, Shaw had decent stuff with a respectable ERA and 80 appearances. The White Sox are banking on the year 2021 as they try to sure up their bullpen by adding some depth and take a flier on a 12-year veteran on minor league deal. If Shaw makes the squad, the White Sox will have another X-Indian/Guardian on their pitching staff as they signed Mike Clevinger in the off-season to face the enemy of Cleveland with their own guys. 

Last year, Bryan Shaw went 6-2 with a 5.40 ERA wearing the Guardian jersey as he appeared in 60 games and had one save in the record book. Shaw has had two stints with Cleveland for 7 years out of the 12 he has played, including losing to the Cubs in the 2016 World Series. Shaw started his career in Arizona, has played in Seattle, and signed the big deal to pitch in Colorado which did not work out for him like many pitchers. Career numbers, Shaw has a 43-45 record with a 3.92 ERA while logging in 15 saves. Shaw has pitched in 753 games in his career. Can Shaw catch the great reliever, Jessee Orosco with 1,252 games he pitched in a Major League record. 

The White Sox took a flier last year with Johnny Cueto and it worked out well for the team, especially with all the injuries they have dealt with over the last few seasons. Adding depth is not a bad idea if you’re the White Sox front office. Bryan Shaw has not lost any octane on the fast ball and his arm is healthy enough to pitch in 60 games last season. Shaw has a lot of innings in that arm but has always stayed healthy. With Liam Hendriks dealing with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, his return is unknown. Then Garrett Crochet after coming off Tommy John surgery may not be ready to start the season with the big club. If Shaw can get that ERA back to the 3’s, this is a low-risk high ceiling kind of move for the White Sox.  

BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY 

Every Major League ballpark has its own characteristics that make the place special. Besides the team on the field, a fan or someone who works at the ballpark can give the experience of being there something extra special. It could be the opera singing beer vendor. In the Old Comiskey Park and at the newer ballpark on the southside, Nancy Faust whaling on the organ just turned the place electric. In Cleveland, the sound of the drum echoed through two stadiums for half a century. It was the war drum for the Indians & the rally cry heard throughout was played by a fan, John Adams. He was not paid to thump that bass drum. He did it for the love of the game and his team that started back in 1973 at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. 

When the new Indians stadium was built in 1994, it was called Jacobs Stadium. Then the name changed when they went corporate now and is still Progressive Stadium. The drummer John Adams still beats his drum in his new surroundings. Over 3,700 home games, Adams lugged his second bass drum to the game to rally the troops, the tribe, to victory. Adams passed away at the age of 71 years old while battling multiple health issues.  

John Adams’ death made people from all over the baseball world take notice. Players from Indians’ past like Sandy Alomar and Kenny Lofton said some nice words; two classy guys who both had stints with the White Sox. Adams banging the drums with two mallets believe me was noticed while he attended Indians games for decades. The local brewer Great Lakes Brewing named a beer after John Adams called Rally Drum Red Ale.  

The Indians honored Adams with his own Bobblehead. Adams threw out the first pitch in the World Series and hit the first pitch with his drum at some point. 

The Indians honored John Adams by inducting him in their Distinguished Hall of Fame, which is for people making an impact, but not playing on the diamond. Adams was the 12th person to be selected in that Distinguished Hall of Fame they have. It was after the 2019 season when ailments kept him away from the game. Adamas suffered a broken hip, cracked rib, and went through heart surgery. 

Even at the Hospital, Adams showed his heart was still with the Indians. I’m not sure what he thought of the name change from the Indians to the Guardians. The Indians have had many bad teams over the years, so you know Adams would have been loyal and probably would still beat his drum while still wearing the Indians swag. Cleveland has lost a staple to their stadium ball club and team. You know he’s still beating the drum slowly as Spring Training is upon us in the baseball Heavens. Maybe even trying to finagle a deal with the Lord to pull the strings to help Cleveland break their longest World Series drought in the Majors.   

 

WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW IN A WACHA OF A DEAL 

The San Diego Padres add another starter to their rotation as they pluck out a Wacha in the leftovers of the free agent waters. The 31-year-old RHP, Michael Wacha, has signed a one-year deal with the Padres with lots of moving parts. In 2023, Wacha would be paid 7.5 million. Then in 2024, two options are on the table for the Padres and Wacha. If the Padres like what Wacha does this season, they have an option in 2024 and would extend Michael two more years’ worth – 32 million. WIN! Wacha has a player option and if Padres refuse the option, he will get a three-year contract worth 18.5 million. LOSE (Padres)! Then Draw if both parties go their separate ways, Wacha would walk and become a free agent in 2024. 

Last year, Michael Wacha had a rebound season as he went 11-2 with the Red Sox. Wacha had a 3.32 ERA, made 23 starts, and logged in 127 innings. In 2020 & 2021, Wacha had a combined record of 4-9 with the Mets and Rays. Wacha is a ten-year veteran who is remembered mostly for days pitching in a Cardinals uniform. Wacha made his only All-Star with the Red Birds in 2015 when he finished the year 17-7. In Wacha’s rookie season in 2013, Wacha was the MVP in the NLCS the year the Cardinals played the Red Sox in the World Series and lost. Wacha’s lifetime numbers he has 74-50 record with a 4.05 ERA. 

The Padres have a solid 1-3 in their starting rotation that features Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Blake Snell. The Padres had three guys battling it out for the two remaining spots. Now adding Michael Wacha to be the number 4 in the rotation, the Padres can use Nick Martinez back to bullpen. Then let Seth Lugo and Adrian Morejon battle it out for the 5^th spot in the rotation. The Padres are in World Series or bust mode right now.  If Wacha can win 11 ball games this season wearing a Padres uniform pitching in the number 4 spot, this team will most likely be in the post-season or overthrow the Dodgers for the division title.    

WHITE SOX MAY NEED A TRASH CAN FOR THE MARISNICK SIGNING 

The White Sox it seems are just throwing darts at the outfield position to see what sticks. The White Sox have signed 32-year-old Jake Marisnick to a minor league deal. If the ten-year veteran outfielder makes the team, he would be paid 1.3 million. Since leaving Houston, Marisnick has not found a home as he has been with 4 teams including on the North Side of Chicago with the Cubs in 2021.  

Last season, Jake Marisnick played for the Pirates as he appeared in 31 games. Marisnick only got 77 at-bats with the Pirates & he batted .234 with 2 homeruns driving in six runs. Marisnick’s best year was in 2017 which is typical – the year the team whaled on the trash cans and stole the other team’s signs. Marisnick batted .243 that year, had 16 homeruns, and drove in 35. If Marisnick makes the White Sox, it will be his 6th team of his career as he played six seasons in Houston. Marisnick also had stops in San Diego, and the big apple with the Mets. Career numbers for Marisnick is a .228 hitter with 63 longballs while driving in 213.  

The two things I like about if Jake Marisnick makes the White Sox are he can handle the corner positions of the outfield defensively.  Marisnick also has 23 post-games under his belt. Five of those games came in the 2019 World Series where Houston lost to Washington in seven games. The White Sox may need to hit the Ace Hardware store for a few sturdy trash cans out of the petty cash drawer to help Marisnick swing the lumber.        

JOHNNY STILL GOOD 

Last season, Johnny Cueto proved he still had rocket fluid left in the tank as he latched on to the Chicago White Sox with a minor league deal. Everything panned out for both parties as the White Sox suddenly needed a starter for their rotation, and Johnny showed he was healthy and able to get back on track from the past few seasons when he was derailed by injuries. Johnny with his game face and intimidating wind-up, dressed in the White Sox black uniform top, made 24 starts & pitched 158 innings. Cueto has not put in that kind of work since 2017 wearing a Giants uniform. The White Sox brass never agree with me as I thought the team should have re-signed Johnny to a deal this off-season. Instead, the White Sox went with Mike Clevinger, another pitcher trying to rebound from an injury. Clevinger would have been fine even with adding Johnny because the White Sox piled up a ton of injuries. With the White Sox passing on Cueto, go Johnny go will be heading to the Marlins on a 1-year deal worth 6 million. The Marlins also have a team option for the 37-year RHP in 2024 for 10.5 million. 

Last year for the White Sox, Johnny Cueto had an 8-10 record with a respectable 3.35 ERA as he had a few cases of hard luck in some of his starts he should have won. Cueto is a 15-year veteran who started his career with the Reds in 2008. Cueto helped the Royals win the World Series back in 2015. Cueto then signed the big deal with the Giants and in his first season with them went 18-5. Cueto is a 2x All-Star and has a career record of 143-107 with a 3.35 ERA. The Marlins will be Cueto’s 5th team. 

Johnny Cueto will have his work cut out for him in the stacked NL East where the Marlins play. No easy teams like the Tigers or Royals he faced last season in the AL Central. The NL East has the Phillies, Braves, and Mets who all made the playoffs. The Nationals may be the easy team Cueto faces as they are still in a rebuild. Cueto will reunite with his former teammate Skip Schumaker who goes back to their Cincinnati days. Schumaker is now the Marlins manager. The Marlins are stocked with starting pitching and especially the return of Sixto Sanchez who missed the last two seasons due to a lingering shoulder problem. The Marlins could potentially trade pitching for hitting if needed. Cueto gives the Marlins a solid number 3-4-5 in the rotation as he’s shown he’s healthy. When you’re facing talented teams in the division, Cueto is a guy to count on because he elevates his game facing difficult lineups.   

MAZARA WAS WHITE SOX PANDEMIC OF 2020 

Every time I hear the name Nomar Mazara, I cringe. In 2020, the White Sox brain trust, cough, cough… Rick Hahn thought trading for Mazara was a good idea. The move had more holes than Mazara’s swing. During the year of the pandemic, having this guy in right field drove me crazy. The White Sox would make it to the post-season in that shortened season where we witnessed this bum strike out 44 times playing in 42 games. I still feel the gusts of winds till this day. Mazara has a minor league deal with the Orioles. If he makes the squad, he will be paid 1.5 million to swing at the Baltimore air. 

Last year, Nomar Marzara played in 55 games for the Padres. Mazara’s average actually went up to an astounding .264 which is much better than his norm of lower 220’s. Mazara still struck out 40 times in those 55 games as he hit two homeruns drove in 18. In 2021, he played 50 games for the Detroit Tigers. Mazara has not played in over 100 games since coming from Texas. In seven seasons, Mazara has a career batting average of .256 with 85 long balls while driving in 360. During his entire career, Mazara has struck out 592 times. If Mazara can find the ball with his bat, he is a lefty and could be valuable off the bench for an upcoming Orioles team. I say good luck on that. 

TONYA HARDING KNOWS PEOPLE THAT CAN TEST CARLOS CORREA’S ANKLE 

Carlos Correa left Houston in free agency and signed a deal with the Twins for a three-year deal worth 105.3 million with an opt-out clause after the first year. The Twins did not make the playoffs as Correa’s old team, the Astros, won their second World Series & their first without Carlos. Correa was an original cheat with the 2017 Astros team that cheated and won the World Series. Astro fans on social media rubbed salt in the wounds of Correa who missed the second go around as their replacement rookie short stop, Jeremy Pena, played well. You wonder if the Astros winning it again set in motion the opt out clause for Correa to seek a better team and richer pastures. Correa would circle the wagons and find himself back in Minnesota all because of a surgically repaired ankle he had done when he was still in the minor leagues. 

The 28-year-old short stop, Carlos Correa, immediately got the riches he was seeking as the Giants had a 13 year 350-million-dollar contract on the table depending on the physical. The Giants medical staff had concerns with the ankle. Many people threw their 2 cents into the ring some saying San Francisco were absolutely nuts or finding a way to back out. Then like a vulture, the New York Mets came in to swoop in on the short stop with a 12-year deal worth 315 million. The Mets medical staff had the same opinion as the Giants on Correa’s ankle. Like a kid running away from home only gets a block away because he or she can’t cross the busy street, so gives up on the idea and heads home. All of that drama, Correa returns to Minnesota and gets a new contract, a six-year deal worth 200 million which is still a big chunk of cheddar.   

I would rather have seen Tonya Harding’s people come by with a lead pipe and whack Carlos Correa’s ankle to see how much it could take. Last season, Correa batted .291 with 22 homeruns and drove in 64. Correa is an 8-year veteran who has played seven seasons in the big leagues with 7 of them in Houston. Correa’s lifetime has a batting average of .279 with 155 homeruns while driving 553. The Twins regressed with Correa last year as a team. The Twins are hoping with additions of Joey Gallo and Christian Vazquez behind the plate, having Correa back in the fold could launch this team back in front on the AL Central. The Twins better hope Correa’s ankle makes it through the contract. Correa’s ankle could be like that tree in your backyard holding on to dear life before that gust of wind blows it down. The Twins could end up paying out a guaranteed contract and not get their money’s worth if the ankle problem lingers over the years.    

SPEED KILLS 

Chicks dig the long ball. When a team has speed on the base paths, it can create havoc on the opposing team. Speed can be an instant game changer. Most of the White Sox teams I’ve watched over the years have been station to station running the bases including last year. Like a beer league softball league where it takes four straight hits to produce one freaking run. I notice on some of the better teams the White Sox had, they always had some guys that can steal a bag when needed. In 1983, outfielder Rudy Law had 77 stolen bases for the winning ugly team that won the division that year. 

Then everyone’s favorite year as a White Sox fan was 2005 when Scotty Pods tortured opposing teams with his Grand Theft Auto of stealing bags.  

Scott Podsednik stole 59 bags in 2005 to help the White Sox win the World Series. 

The White Sox are bringing back Billy Hamilton to the southside as they have a minor league deal in place with the centerfielder. Hamilton ironically was on the White Sox 2021 team who he helped win the AL Central. Hamilton is 32 years old and a fan favorite even though he only played one season on the southside. Hamilton brings the White Sox team instant energy. Hamilton wins over the locker room with his personality. Fans love Hamilton’s hustle and the way he defends the outfield like a puma.  

Last season, Billy Hamilton split time between the Twins and Marlins. Hamilton only played in 37 games and still stole ten bags. Hamilton only had 20 at-bats which gave him a .50 batting average for the year. In 2021 for the White Sox, Hamilton played in 71 games, batted .220, had two homeruns, 3 triples, and 8 doubles. Hamilton managed to steal 9 bags for the White Sox as most of them were probably in big moments needed at the time to win the game. Hamilton has played in the big leagues for ten seasons as he started his career with Reds, and was there for six years. After Cincinnati, Hamilton had stops all over which include the Royals, Braves, Mets, Cubs, Twins, and Marlins last year. Hamilton has stolen 324 bases in his career. Hamilton has a career batting average of .239 with 24 homeruns while driving in 324. 

The White Sox have done nothing really exciting this off-season. With Adam Engel gone, the White Sox need some additional outfielders. Billy Hamilton can be that defensive replacement late in the game. Hamilton can be that pinch runner late in a game to steal a few bases for the team. If the White Sox can get Hamilton some at-bats, I’m sure he can be productive like he was in 2021 when he had some big hits in crunch time. This move will not break the White Sox piggy bank if Hamilton does make the team. Last year, the White Sox base running as a team was hot garbage on a humid day. Hamilton should teach his teammates how to run the bases. That might break the White Sox budget by hiring a coach/player. Unless Hamilton gets paid only one salary, it might work for ownership.   

TOM BRADY CLOSES THE BOOKS ON THE MONTREAL EXPOS ACTIVE PLAYERS 

Tom Brady hung up the football spikes for good and retired from the game, or we think he did. The jury is still out as Brady has been down this road before and retired to come back and play again. The Montreal Expos drafted Tom Brady out of high school in 1995. Teams in the MLB knew he had a scholarship to play football for the University of Michigan. The Expos threw up a Hail Mary in the draft in the 18^th round and selected Brady who was actually a pretty good left-handed hitting catcher. The Expos are gone and have become the Washington Nationals as Tom Brady’s baseball career will never materialize as he chose football. Brady would be the Expos’ last active draft pick and now retiring from football closes the book on Montreal baseball. 

Tom Brady did make the right decision playing football over baseball as we can say that now like Captain Obvious or Monday morning quarterback. Brady has won 7 Superbowl rings as he was MVP in five of those victories. Brady is the NFL all-time passer in touchdown passes with 649, and passing with 89, 21,4 and he made a ton of money. Brady married a Brazilian model and has divorced a Brazilian model.  

Some scouts in baseball thought Tom Brady would be a good catcher in the MLB. The scouting reports said Brady had good instincts for the game of baseball, and we know he’s got a catcher’s arm to fire it down to second base. Brady was a rare left-handed hitting catcher with some pop in his bat. Many great athletes played multiple sports in high school. Would Brady have been the best at his position like he was in football? Brady being better than Johnny Bench or Carlton Fisk would be a hard sell. Michael Jordan was at the top of his game in basketball but could never find those baseball skills he once had playing back in high school. Both Jordan and Brady were the goats in their sports. Only goats in baseball curse the Chicago Cubs.  

Brady could have met a French-Canadian model. She may have a little hair on her chest, HEY!!! Picturing Tom Brady playing baseball at Olympic Stadium in Montreal with no fans. The Expos and the Patriots share some of the same colors in their uniforms. Brady drinking Molson with some stubble on his face trying to bring the Expos together to try win games North of the border. Some teammates would have mashed up Brady in the locker room with bats like how Cubs players did to Sammy Sosa’s boom box. In baseball, opposing pitchers not getting penalized for hitting the left-handed douche bag like in football. All those Patriots wins versus the Bills could have turned into victories for Buffalo. Bill Belichick would be out of football with no Brady. Fire up the hot tub time machine and let’s change history for the better.

MC CUTCHEN COMING HOME 

The Pittsburgh Pirates welcome back one of their best players of all-time by bringing back Andrew McCutchen. The 36-year-old outfielder last year was used more in the DH slot for the Brewers & signs a one-year deal worth 5 million after a 5-year hiatus from Pittsburgh. McCutchen started his career in Pittsburgh and played 9 seasons in the black and gold while helping the Pirates get back to the post-season breaking one of the longest playoff droughts at the time. McCutchen was a fan favorite and was the franchise’s best player at the time, earning 5 all-star trips while winning the NL MVP award. McCutchen could swing the lumber and was a solid defender earning a Gold Glove during his time patrolling centerfield all those years at PNC Park. 

Last year, Andrew McCutchen still had some power as he hit 17 long balls for the Brewers in 136 games while batting .237 and knocking in 69. McCutchen was traded after the 2017 season to the San Francisco Giants right before the 2018 season. The Giants fell out of contention & then traded McCutchen to the Yankees who were making a run at the playoffs at the time. McCutchen then became a free agent and got a nice contract with the Phillies where he played 3 seasons. Last year, he signed with the Brewers where he played most of his games in the DH slot for Milwaukee. McCutchen’s career numbers have him batting .277 with 287 homeruns while driving in 1,002 runs. 

Can the Pirates be that sleeper team in the NL Central? The Pirates have added several veterans to this roster of young talent assembled during the rebuild. McCutchen will add some juice to this line up. He will also bring energy to the locker room. McCutchen will get plenty of At-bats to help his team and his own cause. During his nine seasons in Pittsburgh, McCutchen had 202 homeruns, 292 doubles, and 171 stolen bases. In his tenth season in Pittsburgh, and his 15^th season overall, McCutchen can reach some plateaus with the lumber that can eventually get him into Cooperstown. McCutchen is 52 hits shy of 2,000. He needs 8 more doubles to reach the 400 club. If McCutchen hits 13 homeruns, he would reach the 300 level in bombs. I would love to see McCutchen get his stats. The coolest thing would be if McCutchen’s second stint in Pittsburgh results in a playoff spot.   

HARRISON REVS HIS ENGINES ROUNDING INTO PHILADELPHIA 

Josh Harrison last year was notorious for pretending he’s riding a motorcycle after each hit. Like a wide receiver in football pretending he’s a referee signaling first down after a catch. The White Sox declined Harrison’s 5.5-million-dollar option & instead chose to buy Josh out of his contract with a 1.5 million pay day. The 35-year-old Harrison rides into Philadelphia with a one-year deadline worth 2 million to come off the bench for the Phillies. The Phillies will be Harrison’s fifth team since 2018 after playing most of his 12 year career in Pittsburgh. 

Last season Josh Harrison played in 119 games for the White Sox. Harrison was hot and cold with the bat all year mostly cold as he batted .256 with 7 homeruns while driving in 27. Harrison is a 2x all-star. He spent 8 seasons in Pittsburgh before moving on to Detroit, then had stops in Washington, Oakland, & then headed to Chicago. Harrison was part of that Pirates ride where the team broke their long playoff drought and made it to the post-season a few years wearing the Pittsburgh black and gold uniform. In 2014, it was by far Harrison’s best year as he batted .315 with 13 homeruns. Harrison is a career .272 hitter as he hit 71 homeruns while driving 378. 

The Phillies get a guy that comes off the bench to fill in at the second base position and the hot corner. Josh Harrison can give his team a solid defense as he can make some awesome web gems during a season. His defense can save your team from giving up runs. With the bat, Harrison is very streaky. The more games he swings the bats, he goes through bad stretches and has great stretches where he sees everything hits well. The White Sox had many injuries last season, so Harrison played almost every day. Several weeks he will look like an easy out. Harrison is a great club house guy. This is a good move for the Phillies to bolster their bench. Hopefully the team can harness Harrison’s good play and use when needed if possible.       

LA STELLA’S STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE HEADING TO EMERALD CITY 

The San Francisco Giants signed former Mariner outfielder Mitch Haniger to a contract when free agency opened up. The Giants released infielder Tommy La Stella after two seasons of injuries playing only 136 games and hitting .245. The Giants did not get what they paid for when they signed La Stella to a three-year deal worth 18.75 million. It did not take the Mariners that long to swoop in and sign La Stella to one year deal to be the team’s utility guy. They took one of our guys so we take one of yours, it sounds like. 

Last season Tommy La Stella played in 60 games in the bay area as he batted .239 with two homeruns while driving in 14. The Mariners will be La Stella’s 6^th team of his career that started with Atlanta. La Stella was part of the 2016 World Series when the Cubs did the unthinkable, winning the whole thing & beating the goat. After playing for the Cubs for 4 seasons, La Stella would go on and have his best year of his career with the Angels in 2019. La Stella was an All-Star, his first ever as he hit .295 with 16 bombs while driving in 44. Once again, the injury bug derailed his season as he only played in 80 games. La Stella would then head to Oakland right before getting the big money from the Giants. The 33-year-old 9-year veteran has a career batting average of .267 with 40 homeruns while driving in 204 in 667 games. 

The Mariners would be adding a left-handed bat in the line up off the bench by bringing in Tommy La Stella. The Mariners like that La Stella has playoff style. La Stella gives the Mariners flexibility all around the diamond even if you slide him into the DH role once in a while. If La Stella can find that 2019 swing that he had with the Angels, Mariners fans and the front office will yell “Stella” at the top of their lungs. This move is only a one-year deal which you have to do as dark clouds follow La Stella even playing half of his career on the West coast. La Stella has broken his leg, had neck spasms, multiple trips just on the Covid list, and that’s naming a few ailments. Sometimes a new scene could help a player turn their career around. You can say the bright side of things was that he did not have to sign with Oakland in hopes of reviving his career. La Stella has to be amped up playing with a Mariners team that made the post-season last year and has hopes of going back there this season.

TWO FACE KIMBREL LANDS IN PHILADELPIA  

The Birdman has landed in Philadelphia. One of the best closers of all-time who stares down the opposing batters spreading his arms out like some kind of condor bird on a perch ready to pounce at your caucus. The 34-year-old 12-year veteran, Craig Kimbrel, RHP has signed with the Phillies on one year deal worth 10 million. Now what will the Phillies get from Kimbrel in a flip of coin? A good season or a bad season as nobody knows what to expect. 

Last season, Craig Kimbrel pitched for the Dodgers after he traded by the White Sox before the season even started. Kimbrel pitched in 63 games for the Dodgers and he picked up 22 saves with a 6-7 record and 3.75 ERA. Kimbrel lost his job as a closer late in the year. The White Sox landed Kimbrel at the trade deadline in the 2021 season from the Cubs. White Sox used Kimbrel in the set-up role and it did not work out. Before switching sides in Chicago, he was pitching lights out for the Cubs closing ball games on the North side. Kimbrel has been up and down since that awesome season he had in 2018 helping Boston win the World Series. Kimbrel lingered around and did not sign a contract until June of 2019 with the Cubs. The Phillies will be the 7^th team of Kimbrel’s career. Kimbrel started off in Atlanta & then did a season in San Diego before landing in Boston. Kimbrel’s career numbers are pretty solid with a winning record of 41-36 with low ERA of 2.31. Kimbrel is six saves from 400 as he stands at 394. 

Dave Dombrowski, head of Baseball Operations for the Phillies, was part of the front office in Boston that brought Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox in a trade. The Phillies went all the way to the World Series and lost to the Astros. They are looking to get back there with a solid off-season of moves in hopes to be back, and this time win it. Kimbrel has 23 playoff games under his belt pitching for the Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, and White Sox. Will Kimbrel be the closer in the bullpen when it comes time for the season to start? Last year, Seranthony Dominguez was the closer for the Phillies in the playoffs and at the end of regular season. If the Phillies can manage to get a good year out of Kimbrel, the team can use Dominguez in the set-up role or in late inning situations. If Kimbrel can’t find the strike zone, it is when he does not pitch well. Then Dominguez can step in and resume his closer duties is my sense of the plan going down in Philadelphia. Let’s not forget the one and only time Kimbrel was not closing games was in a White Sox uniform for half a season and he did bad. I’m sure history will not repeat itself with the Phillies’ grand plan.    

AWOL CHAPMAN FINDS A NEW HOME IN KANSAS CITY 

Why would Aroldis Chapman sign with the Kansas City Royals? Perhaps Chapman is a Chiefs fan hoping to get some free tickets at the 50-yard line at Arrowhead Stadium. Last season, Chapman had a down year according to the stats on the back of his baseball card. Chapman completed his 7th season with the Evil Empire Yankees last season as he burned the bridge with his former team walking out on the Death Star and never returning. On October 7^th, Chapman missed a mandatory work out as he stayed home in Miami. The Yankees told him to stay home during the post-season and did not add Chapman to the playoff roster. Chapman became a free agent and was still available when the Royals would kick the tires on one of the best all-time closers in the game. The Royals thought they may be able to get one of the best closers in the game for cheap. Like stealing candy from a baby as Royals sign Chapman for a one-year deal worth 3.8 million – the ultimate bargain selection next to that director’s cut of Weekend at Bernie’s Two in the dollar bin.  

Last year, Aroldis Chapman pitched in 43 games and had a record of 4-4 while converting nine saves and logging in only 36.1 innings of work. It was Chapman’s ERA that was not his usual work, which was very high at 4.46. Chapman leaves New York making three all-star games for closing the door for the pinstripes. Chapman started his career with the Reds back in 2010 where he pitched six seasons. In 2015, Chapman was traded to the Dodgers before allegations came out after the deal that police were called to his house. Chapman’s girlfriend said she was thrown against a wall and choked. Chapman was so mad he fired his gun in the garage multiple times. Chapman was never charged with a crime, but the Dodgers did not want any part of Aroldis. Chapman then was traded to the Death Star. Then Chapman was traded from the Yankees to the Cubs during the 2016 season. The Cubs worked Chapman like a Clydesdale horse that year as Aroldis helped the Cubs beat the curse of the goat and win the World Series. Chapman would then return to the Big Apple the following season. The Yankees were able to get pieces back for Chapman and used the big LHP to help them win many ball games from 2017 on. Chapman’s career numbers as a closer are pretty impressive with a 44-35 record in 667 games and converted 315 saves with a light out ERA of 2.48.  

The Kansas City Royals are a team in a rebuild and most likely will not make the playoffs. Bringing in Aroldis Chapman, they are hoping to flip him at the trade deadline like finding that vintage car in someone’s garage that been stored for years and never used. The little old lady basically gives the car away for nothing. Chances are you shine him up, slap that for-sale sign on Chapman, & the Royals will have many callers wanting him for the playoff run. The Royals have a young pitching staff with a guy like Chapman saving these ball games. A young guy in line for a victory can have it help with their confidence when they earn a win over a no-decision. If Chapman’s career goes in the crapper, the team only bet 3.8 million on your services.   

THE POWER OF GRAY SKULL  

San Diego infused some homerun power to their roster signing two aging sluggers to round out their roster. The Padres are all about World Series or bust. Last season, Matt Carpenter found his homerun swing as the Death Star got their hands on the 37-year-old infielder. Carpenter gets a one-year deal with the Padres with a player option in 2024. Then the Padres sign Nelson Cruz, a baseball mercenary goes usually to highest bidder, but the 42-year-old had a down year and gets what he gets. Padres sign Cruz to a one year deal worth 1 million. The monks are hoping these He-Man sluggers can bring the power to their Gray Skull castle in Petco Park. 

Matt Carpenter was laying on top of the heap when the Rangers released the infielder in May. Many thought Carpenter’s career was over with down years as he batted .169 in 2021 & then .186 in 2020. Last year Carpenter added power to the Yankee lineup as his average shot up .305 with 15 homeruns while driving in 37 in 47 games. Carpenter suffered a broken foot in August that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Carpenter was able to play in the post-season for the Yankees. Carpenter is a 12-year veteran 11 seasons of which he played for the Cardinals. Carpenter has over 1,000 hits in his career with a lifetime batting average of .263 with 170 homeruns while driving in 613.  

Nelson Cruz has not been the same since the Twins traded him to the Rays during the 2021 season. Cruz was hitting .294 in a Twins uniform and only .226 in a Rays uniform. Last season, Cruz took his talents to the nation’s capital, DC. Cruz only batted .234 as his power numbers dropped as he only hit ten homeruns, but he did drive in 64 playing in 124 games. Cruz is 41 homeruns shy of 500 as he comes into this season with 459. Cruz has had a remarkable career with a lifetime batting average of .274 while racking up 2,018 hits and driving in 1,302 runs. The Padres will be the 8^th team of Cruz’s career. Cruz is known for all those years playing in Texas. Cruz started in Milwaukee and played in Seattle & Baltimore as well. 

I like both these moves by the Padres. Nelson Cruz will most likely have the full time DH duties. Cruz brings the team power from the right side. Cruz can come off the bench to pinch hit late in games. For Matt Carpenter, the Padres get more for their buck as he can play 3 different positions in the infield. Carpenter brings power from the left side of the plate. Carpenter could be used in the DH slot and a guy that could be used in the pinch-hitting role late in games. Both Cruz and Carpenter have a ton of playoff experience. Cruz is still looking to be on a team to actually win the World Series. Cruz came close in a Rangers uniform. Adding these guys to the thunderous line up the Padres already have will give opposing pitching night terrors.     

POLLOCK TAKES LESS TO SIGN WITH THE MARINERS 

A.J. Pollock had a player option with the Chicago White Sox he declined to become a free agent. It was a 13 million option to return to play another year on the Southside of Chicago. Many thought no way he will get that kind of money on the free agent market. Pollock is a 35-year-old outfielder who can defend and play all three positions in the grass. Pollock can hurt left-handed pitching with the bat, but is not a guy who would get that type of money on open market. Either Pollock did not like his time in Chicago or prefers perhaps playing on the west coast. Pollock signs a one-year deal with the Mariners for 7 million with incentives to make an additional three mil. Even if he hits all the bonuses, he would have made more with the White Sox. 

The White Sox landed A.J. Pollock right before the season started with a trade to the Dodgers. Last year Pollock played in 138 games batted .245 with 14 longballs while driving in 56. Pollock has played 11 seasons in the MLB in a career that started off in Arizona for seven seasons. Pollock played three seasons with the Dodgers helping them win the World Series in 2020. Pollock’s career numbers have him batting .276 with 140 long balls while driving in 470. Pollock has racked up over 1,000 hits. 

The Mariners get a guy that has post-season experience as AJ Pollock has 34 post-season games under his belt. The Mariners made it to the post-season last year and expect to be back as they’ve been busy adding on this off season. The Mariners can platoon Pollock with Jarred Kelenic who bats left-handed. Pollock can hit left-handed pitching while Kelenic can hit right-handed. Pollock can also be inserted in all three outfield positions and is a guy who can defend all three positions well while doing damage with the bat, which is very rare. Pollock is probably a team guy, and I’ve never heard anything bad about him in the locker room atmosphere. My question is still: Why did he leave Chicago? Unless he foresees the White Sox team like the Titanic about to hit the ice berg and does not want to bother being a part of that at his age. Right now, if I was a betting man, my money would be on the Mariners making post-season over the White Sox.  

RANGERS GM IS AN ARMS DEALER 

Is Chris Young an arms deal that goes by the code name Destro working for Cobra? Young is the General Manager of the Texas Rangers, and his plan seems etched in stone like the tablets of ten commandments of pitching wins at baseball games. Destro Young is stockpiling arms like it’s the cold war in Texas. The Rangers added another starter to their rotation by agreeing to deal with former Red Sox hurler Nathan Eovaldi on a two-year contract worth 34 million. The contract also has a third-year option for both parties. The Rangers have always spent big money on the position players like they did last off-season. It was the Texas way. This year they spent big money on free agent pitching as they added Mets former ace Jacob deGrom and signed former Dodger Andrew Heaney and made a trade for veteran hurler Jake Odorizzi who pitched for the Braves last year.  

Last season, Nathan Eovaldi started 20 games for the Boston Red Sox. Eovaldi has a 6-3 record while posting a 3.87 ERA. This will be the 6th team of Eovaldi’s career which started with the Dodgers with stops in Miami, & then wore the pinstripes for the Evil Empire, Tampa Bay, & then spent 5 years with Boston. Eovaldi has 11 years of experience as he is 32 years old and was an All-Star in the 2021 season. The RHP career record is 67-68 with a 4.16 ERA. In 2015, Eovaldi went 14-3 for the Yankees which was the most wins he has ever had in one season. Eovaldi will always be remembered mostly for how he pitched in the 2018 playoffs for the Red Sox, the year they won the World Series. Eovaldi had two wins as a starter as he pitched 22.1 innings of work posting a 1.61 ERA. Eovaldi won a game in the ALDS and a game in the ALCS. Then in the World Series, he came out of the bullpen in that 18-inning marathon and helped his team by pitching 6 scoreless innings. 

Everyone in the Rangers division except the Oakland Athletics, have a loaded lineup of offensive talent. The Athletics are in another rebuild. The Rangers have to deal with the Houston Astros they share the state of Texas with, who just won the World Series. The Angels have the two best offensive players on the planet. The Mariners were a playoff team last year. The Rangers rotation is projected next year with the new guys in no order except we know Jacob deGrom will be number one with Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, and Jake Odorizzi. The Rangers have holdovers last season that feature Jon Gray, Dane Dunning and Martin Perez. That’s a lot of arms gathered as Destro has done well stockpiling like people did with the toilet paper during the pandemic. The Rangers can trade one of their holdovers from last season if needed. They also can insert them in the bullpen. I never thought I would see the day when the Rangers actually had pitchers that have household names.   

ANOTHER SECOND BASEMAN OPTION BITES THE DUST FOR THE WHITE SOX 

The White Sox can cross off another option they may have had at the second base position. Jean Segura had a very nice post-season for the Philadelphia Phillies last year, helping them get to the World Series. Segura is an 11-year veteran in the league, can swing the bat, and plays solid defense. The Phillies went all out and landed one of the top short stops available as Trea Turner will be paid big money in the free agent market. With the emergence of infielder Bryson Scott, who the Phillies plan to use at second base as he played short, this means Philadelphia will no longer need Segura’s services. It would have been a nice upgrade for the White Sox, but instead Segura heard nothing from Chicago and signed with the Phillies’ division rival Marlins on a two-year deal worth 17 million which comes with an option year in 2025.   

Jean Segura is 32 years old, and the Marlins will be his 5^th team of his career. Segura first appeared in the majors in 2012 in an Angels uniform and he ended up in Milwaukee the same season. After Milwaukee, Segura went to Arizona for a season & then made his way to Seattle where he lasted two seasons until he was shipped off to Philadelphia in trade involving J.P Crawford and Carlos Santana. Segura spent 4 seasons in Philadelphia and last season batted .277 with 10 homeruns while driving in 33. Segura is a two-time all-star and batted over three seasons in a row as he is a guy that can put the ball into play. Segura’s career numbers have him batting .285 with 107 long balls while driving in 492. 

Why do the Marlins need Jean Segura when they have a younger version of him in Jazz Chisholm Jr? Chisholm is only 24 years old and played in 60 games last season due to injuries and batted .254 with 14 longballs while driving in 45. Either Marlins will trade Chisholm, or use him to play short stop, or make him a utility guy on the Marlins. Chisholm has only played in parts of three seasons and could be a nice talent as he is still developing. The Marlins added a nice bat in the lineup as Segura has a knack for making the clutch hits when the team needs one in crunch time. Segura can defend his position well. This gives the Marlins two guys in the line up if they choose to play them both at the same time who can run the bases well and steal a base or two if needed. Both guys have some power as well. If Chisholm is the guy on the way out, the Marlins certainly can get something for him to help their current roster get better in other spots on the field. Maybe the White Sox.   

LONGORIA’S CAREER LEFT IN THE DESERT 

Evan Longoria came into the league with a bang as Rookie of the Year for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008. Many thought, Longoria’s career would forever be in Tampa Bay. No player lasts long in Tampa Bay, the only exception is that Longoria stayed there ten seasons. All good things come to an end as Longoria found a new home on the other side of the country, in the bay with San Francisco. At 37-years old, it seems injuries follow the third baseman Longoria. The older he gets the more he has to settle for a deal like teams like the snakes in the desert. The Diamondbacks signed the decorated third baseman over his career on a one year deal worth 4 million with a chance to earn another million in incentives. 

Last year Evan Longoria played only 89 games for the Giants, as injuries limited him. Longoria batted .244 with 14 homeruns while driving in 42 in his final year in San Francsico. He lasted 5 seasons. Longoria has played in 15 seasons in the majors racking up 1.883 hits with a lifetime batting average of .265. Longoria has 331 long balls while driving in 1.131 runs. Longoria earned 3 Gold Gloves and is a 3x all-star. Longoria once upon a time ago was one of the best all rounded third basemen in the league.  

The Diamondbacks are heavy with left-handed hitting batters. Bringing Longoria gives the Snakes a right-handed hitter with some power as he had 14 bombs in only 266 at-bats. The last time Longoria played in over 100 games, you’d have to go back to 2019 when he played in 129. Longoria did manage to play 53 out of 60 games during the pandemic in 2020. This is a risky signing but not a big investment with a high rewards ceiling. Sometimes playing with a bad team in the standings could help his career as he only needs 117 hits for 2,000 and 19 long balls away from the 350 Mark. Longoria could mentor the younger guys the Snakes have mostly on their roster. If Longoria does well, he could be a trade chip for the team at the deadline. Longoria started his career with one of the 1998 expansion teams in the Rays. If he ends his career in Arizona, he will have both expansion teams from 1998 as the book ends his storied baseball career.   

KLUBER LANE RUNS THROUGH THE AL EAST 

After his Cleveland days, Corey Kluber has not been able to find a permanent home. Kluber was traded to Texas in 2020 and in his first game… His first start with another team. In the first ever inning pitching for the Rangers, he was derailed by an injury. In 2020 during the pandemic, small injuries could derail your season due to the 60-game schedule compared to the normal 162 games. After Texas, Kluber has been taking his talents to almost every team in the AL East. Last year, he pitched for the Rays the year before he wore the storm trooper pin stripes for the Evil Empire. This year Kluber is heading to Boston as he has a one-year deal worth ten million.  In 2024, possibly the Blue Jays could be on Kluber’s radar. Then Kluber can complete the entire division with the Orioles in 2025. 

In 2019, Kluber’s last year in Cleveland he made only 7 starts. In 2020, Kluber pitched only one inning. In 2021 for the Yankees, Kluber made 16 starts before an injury wiped out the remainder of his season. Last year, Kluber made 31 starts for the Rays. You’d have to go back to 2018 which was the last time he made over 30 starts. In 2018, Kluber won 20 games and collected the second Cy-Young award of his career. For the Rays last year, Kluber had an even record of 10-10 with a higher ERA than his norm at 4.34 but tossed 164 innings. Kluber lifetime has a record of 113-71 with 3.31 ERA. Kluber’s record in Cleveland was 98-58. After Cleveland, Kluber’s record has been 15-13.  

The Red Sox starting rotation is the team’s biggest weakness. The Red Sox may finally have a healthy Chris Sale, the Ace of the staff returning. The Red Sox also have Nick Pivetta. Then the rest of the staff is moving parts of relievers trying to be stretched out into starters. They may have some young arms on the verge of making the jump into the majors. Kluber gives the team a number 4 or 5 piece for the rotation. Kluber these days has to rely on his cutter over a fast ball that has dropped some MPH. Kluber is 36 so a one-year deal is all you can risk with his history of injuries happening in his 30’s. If Kluber can take the bump every 5 days and win you 10 or 11 ball games, this is a nice small move to help this team figure out what they have to do with the other vacant spots in the rotation. 

OVER THE HILL 

I don’t know which will come first: Rich Hill getting to 100 Mark in wins or playing for half of the teams in the MLB. Hill needs 18 more victories to reach 100. The Pittsburgh Pirates will be Hill’s 12^th team he has played for in his career that started back in 2005 with the Cubs. After this season, the 43-year-old LHP will need three more uniforms to get to 15 which is half the league. Just hope expansion teams don’t come around the corner any time soon. The Pirates added Hill to their rotation on a one-year deal worth 8 million. Hill can earn more money with additional bonuses like winning the Cy-Young award or finishing in the top three for that prestigious pitching award. Hill can get extra scratch if he wins a Gold Glove or makes it to the All-Star game. Are the Pirates going to the playoffs? Hill can earn money if he wins MVP of the championship series or the World. 

Last season, Rich Hill finished up his third stint in Boston. Pitching at 43 years of age, you have to be durable. Hill made 26 starts and had a record of 8-7 with a 4.27 ERA. Hill pitched for the Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox 3-times, Yankees, Athletics, Angels, Dodgers, Twins, Rays, and Mets. The Boston native has both LA teams and both New York teams he has pitched for. If Hill can pitch for the White Sox, he can wrap up Chicago. If Hill pitched for the Giants, he could wrap up the Bay Area. Lifetime, Hill has an 82-59 record while posting a 3.85 ERA. Hill has been mostly a starter in the league but has years he worked out of the bullpen. 

The Pirates have made multiple moves this off-season, bringing in veterans to help their young team. Not sure these low budget rentals will be enough to sneak the Pirates through the back door to the post-season when the bouncer goes to the bathroom. Rich Hill has a rubber arm at his age and can eat up innings every 5^th day when he takes the mound. Hill is a nice veteran to have for the young arms the Pirates have. If Hill is needed in the bullpen, the Pirates can insert him there at any part of the season. If the Pirates are not going anywhere, they can sell Hill off for kindling.      

TWINS UPGRADE THEIR BACK STOP POSITION 

Last off-season, Minnesota thought they may have gotten their catcher in a trade with the New York Yankees that involved multiple players. Long time Yankee, Gary Sanchez, a decent defender who lived by the homerun died by the strike out, did not doing anything well as he hit for a low average as the Twins just had a bad year. The Twins went in a different direction and signed two-time World Series champion Christian Vazquez to a 3-year deal worth 30 million. Vazquez helped the Astros win the World Series last season as he was traded from the only franchise he ever played for, the Boston Red Sox where he helped Bean Town win a World Series in 2018. 

Christian Vazquez is a 32-year-old right-handed hitting back stop that has 8 seasons of baseball under his belt. The Twins will be Vazquez’s 3^rd team of his career. Last year in 119 games, Vazquez combined for both teams hit .274 with 9 homeruns driving 52. Vazquez’s lifetime batting average is .261 with 55 long balls while driving in 276. Last year, the Astros used Vazquez as the backup catcher for their defensive stud, Martin Maldonado, who can’t hit a lick with the bat. Vazquez would be used at first base, the DH slot and late in games as a pinch hitter.  

The Minnesota Twins upgraded their catching position with this move. Vazquez has improved his overall defense behind the plate and has become a solid defender over the years. Vazquez works well with the pitching staff and is a good club house guy. The Twins cut down their strike outs in half when you compare Vazquez to Gary Sanchez. You will get more power with Sanchez over Vazquez. Vazquez because he could put the bat on the ball and his batting average is 69 points higher than Sanchez last season. The Twins already have a guy they signed that strike outs and hits homeruns in Joey Gallo. You don’t need multiple guys in line up that are easy targets for the strikeout. The Twins are looking to get back to the post-season and the team has to love that they have a guy with tons of playoff knowledge. 

WHITE SOX ENGLE, NICKELS AND DIMES 

If Adam Engle’S swing of the bat could keep up with his glove in the outfield, he would be a Bonafide starter for every single team in the MLB. The 31-year-old Engle’s only franchise he knows is the Chicago White Sox, the team that drafted him, & the team he has played for the first six seasons of his career. Engle, one of the best defensive outfielders in the game, was non-tendered by the White Sox this off-season, making him a free agent. Engle has found a new home in San Diego where he will defend the green grass in Petco Park for the Padres. The Padres have World Series sugar plums dancing inside their heads and Engle will give the team depth on the roster as they have a one-year agreement with now the former White Sox Engle.   

Last year, Adam Engle played in 119 games for the White Sox but only had 245 At-bats. Engle was mostly used by the White Sox as a defensive replacement late in games. Engle batted .224 with 2 long balls while driving in 17 coming off the White Sox bench. Engle leaves Chicago with a career batting average of .225 while hitting 30 homeruns driving in 123 in 523 games. Engle, who has some good wheels, stole 47 bases while legging out 65 doubles and 11 triples. Engle is known for flashing the weather where he has 5 career thefts of stealing opposing hitter homeruns bringing them back into the field of play after climbing the fence. Engle can play all three outfield positions very well including center, where he came into the league playing. 

Adam Engle will probably play the same role he did in Chicago for the Padres, be used off the bench. Engle will get some starts to give the others some rest. He will fill in for injured players as well. Engle has post-season experience that will help as the Padres are gearing up for another deep run into the post-season. When Engle first arrived in the league, he could not hit a barn with a bat standing right next to it. Engel had some decent years with the bat as he batted .295 in the shortened season during the pandemic filling in for injured players. Then in 2021, Engle batted .252 with 7 homeruns coming off the bench which is what you want. At times, Engle can get hot with the lumber and help your team with big hits in clutch situations. I hate seeing guys like the Engles go elsewhere, but the penny-pinching White Sox strike again. They avoid paying their guy they drafted like 2 million which is chump change for any baseball team. Obviously, a playoff team like the Padres have interest in Engle. Since the White Sox playoff run is over, maybe the team could lower the beer prices if we are going backwards. We should pay the price of yesterday instead of modern baseball ages.   

ANDREW BENINTENDI IS RICHIE RICH IN WHITE SOX FOLKLORE  

This off-season the Chicago White Sox have been too quiet. The only addition to the team has been a gamble on former Indians & Padres pitcher, Mike Clevinger, who returned last season from Tommy John surgery. The White Sox lost their top RBI machine, Jose Abreu, to the enemy: the Houston Astros. It has been a glim glum off-season until now as White Sox signed left fielder Andrew Benintendi. I’m not dancing in the streets naked as Benintendi missed the playoffs dealing with a broken bone in his wrist for the Yankees. You can say Benintendi will fit right in with the White Sox team as the walking wounded, with a rash of injuries piling up the last two seasons. The White Sox signed the 28-year-old Benintendi to a 5-year deal worth 75 million which includes an additional 3 million dollar signing bonus.  This is the biggest free agent contract in White Sox history breaking current catcher Yasmani Grandal’s deal of 73 million. This is very White Sox-like as other teams are getting the top talent in the league for multi-year deals that are worth 150 million or even more with the amounts going up to the 300 million level. 

Last year Andrew Benintendi was an all-star, splitting his playing time with the Royals and the Yankees. The Royals traded Benintendi to the Yankees at the deadline. Last year, Benintendi batted .304 with 5 homeruns while driving in 51 in 126 games for both teams. Early September, Benintendi suffered a broken bone in his wrist and he would miss the post-season for the Evil Empire.  Benintendi started his career with the Boston Red Sox where he helped Bean Town win a World Series in 2018. Then Benintendi went to the Royals where he played a season and a half in Kansas City. In seven seasons in the Majors, Benintendi’s career batting average is .279 with 73 long balls while driving in 384. 

Andrew Benintendi will not replace the production that Jose Abreu has each season. Benintendi could be a top of the order guy with Tim Anderson setting the table for the White Sox. It gives the White Sox a legit left-handed bat in the lineup. Benintendi has won a Gold Glove at the left field position, so it improves the White Sox outfield defense. It moves Eloy Jimenez to full time DH where he belongs as long as he does not play with matches in the dugout. The White Sox are getting Benintendi during the prime years of his career. Usually, the White Sox front office get their wish list guys during their washed-up times of their career as I use Ken Griffy Jr and Roberto Alomar as examples. You may have to chalk this off-season move of credit to new White Sox Manager Pedro Grifol who coached in Kansas City and has ties to Benintendi. If Benintendi finishes his career with the White Sox, he could follow in the footsteps of the Commander Carlton Fisk who started red & finished wearing White Sox. 

Missing games is my concern with Benintendi; he has stayed relatively healthy most of his career but only played 16 games in 2020. Missed the playoffs last year. I hate this team I root for because they are penny pinchers, and they need another one or two moves to make me feel better about the pitching and the misssing production the White Sox has to make up for losing Abreu. Abreu did not miss games. Abreu seems like the only guy to drive in runs. Plus, I want more pitching.  

DODGERS 2.0 

Has Boston nation suddenly become the place for Dodgers cast offs? It started when super utility Kike Hernandez left LA as a free agent and signed with the Red Sox in 2021. This off season, the Red Sox may need to change their name from Red Sox to the Boston Dodgers as they have collected 3 players that LA would not sign. The Red Sox signed two relief pitchers and one position player to get the band back together on the East coast. All three players are 35 and up in age. The Red Sox fan base has turned ugly on many of their team’s off-season moves including not re-signing Xander Bogaerts. They may not like any of these aging veterans from the Dodgers either. The Red Sox strike a two-year deal with 36-year-old Chris Martin, a RHP for the pen worth 17.5 million. The Red Sox landed a veteran closer in Kenley Jansen who is the youngest veteran X-Dodger they signed. The 35-year-old gets a two-year deal worth 32 million. Then a staple in LA for 9 seasons, the Red Sox add another infielder to the mix and bring the red headed lumber jack to bean town. The 38-year-old infielder Justin Turner gets a one-year deal worth 10 million. 

Last year Chris Martin split his season between the Chicago Cubs and the LA Dodgers. The Cubs traded Martin to the Dodgers at the deadline. Martin has pitched seven seasons in the MLB and two overseas in Japan. Last season, Martin had a good year as he had a 4-1 record with a nice respectable ERA of 3.05, logging in 56 innings of work while converting two saves. The Red Sox will be Martin’s 7^th team as he is a guy that gets around in the MLB. Martin is not a household name as he has a 9-16 record with a 3.84 ERA in 269 games with 9 saves his entire MLB career. Martin’s career started in Colorado, then the Yankees and he then headed to Japan and played two seasons there. Then Martin came back to the states where he had stops in Texas, Atlanta, & then Chicago last year.  

Last season, Kenley Jansen closed the door for the Atlanta Braves where he left LA and took a one-year deal. Jansen last season pitched in 65 games & had a 5-2 record with a 3.38 ERA as he tallied 41 saves in Atlanta. Jansen led the NL in saves last season. Jansen pitched 12 seasons in LA helping them win the World Series in 2020. Jansen is one of the best closers in the game right now as he is a 3x all-star. In Jansen’s 13-year career, he has a 42-28 record with impressive 2.46 ERA with 391 saves. He should have 9 saves for the Red Sox in the first month of the season to get 400 total. 

Justin Turner has even admitted he wanted to return to the Dodgers, but the plan suddenly changed. Turner is a fan favorite as he played nine seasons in LA and helped them win the World Series in 2020. In 2017, Turner was the MVP of NLCS as the Dodgers made it to the World Series only to lose to the cheats from Houston. Last season, Turner started off slowly but found his groove in the second half of the season. In 128 games, Turner batted .278 with 13 homeruns driving in 81. Turner was born and raised in the state of California, and I thought he never left there in his baseball career, but it all started in Baltimore. Then he played for the Mets before putting on the Dodger blue. Turner’s career numbers he has a .289 batting average with 164 homeruns while driving 663.      

LA ADDS THE FINEST BOTTLE OF J.D MARTINEZ TO THEIR CELLAR  

The LA Dodgers won 111 games last season as the team took the AL West. This off-season, the Dodgers have some kinks in their armor, losing players to free agency. The Murderer’s row lineup that once had Trea Turner, Cody Bellinger, and whatever Joey Gallo contributed besides the usual strikeout, is gone. That’s a chunk of offensive production out the door for the Dodgers. The Dodgers are now trying to restore some of that production lost with a fine bottle of J.D Martinez wine which gets better with age. The Dodgers signed 35-year-old 5x all-star DH J.D Martinez to a one-year deal worth ten million to play the same role in LA.  

The last 5 seasons J.D Martinez has been swinging the lumber in Bean Town for the Boston Red Sox. Martinez, a twelve-year veteran and a 3x Silver Slugger award winner can still swing the hot bat. Last year, Martinez batted .274 with 16 homeruns driving in 62. The Dodgers will be Martinez’s 5^th team in which his baseball career started in Houston with stops in Arizona & Detroit before heading to Boston at which he helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2018. In 2018, Martinez led the AL in RBIs with 130 as J.D. is a run producer machine with runners on base. Martinez becomes the 2^nd player in history signing with a team he hit 4 homeruns against. Previously, he did this versus the Dodgers in 2017. Only Chuck Klien in 1936 playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, hit 4 homeruns versus the Pirates at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, ended up playing for the team he did so much damage to. The Phillies released Klein and Pirates picked him up. Martinez will join the Dodgers six seasons later. Martinez lifetime has a .288 batting average with 282 homeruns while driving in 899.  

These days, J.D. Martinez’s role on anybody’s roster is the DH role in which the Dodgers will slide him right into. Martinez will join one of his former teammates, Mookie Betts from the Boston days, which should make J.D. feel like he’s at home. This is a good move by the Dodgers who need to add some juice back into that everyday lineup. They will get an RBI machine, a guy that can make contact in each at-bat.  Martinez returns to the NL where he played three seasons on the other side of the tracks. In 2017, Martinez hit .302 for the snakes in the desert. In Martinez’s first two years in Houston, the Astros were still playing in the NL. This move, bringing in Martinez, is a one-year gamble where the odds favor the house of Dodger blue.  

ANGELS ADD THE DRURY SWISS KNIFE TO THEIR TOOLBOX

When it comes to the Angels on the diamond every year, they look like they have one of the best teams on paper. Then the injury bugs get more swings than some of their big-name position players. This off-season, the Angels are adding depth to right the wrongs of past seasons. The Angels had a jack-of-all trades guy in Brandon Drury. Drury is a 30-year-old utility guy that can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield. Coming off a career year splitting his time in Cincinnati and San Diego, Drury gets a two-year deal worth 17 million to play for the team he rooted for growing up in the state of Oregon.

The Angels will be Brandon Drury’s 7th team in an 8-year MLB career. Drury started his career in the desert, with the Diamondbacks. Then in 2018, Drury started with the Yankees & then went up North to Canada to play for the Blue Jays in the same year. In 2021, Drury then went back to the Big Apple & played for the Mets. Last year, Drury won the Silver Slugger award for utility players in the NL. Drury batted .263 splitting time with the Reds and Padres with 28 homeruns while driving in 87. Drury’s career numbers he has a batting average of .252 with 79 homeruns and has driven in 277. Last year, he had a big chunk of those career longballs. In the NLCS during which the Padres lost to the Phillies, Drury went 6-15 which included a homerun while driving in 5.
This off-season the Angels have been stocking their shelves with position players. The team, through trades, landed infielder Gio Urshela from the Twins. The Angels landed slugging outfielder Hunter Renfroe from the Brew Crew. The Angels have the best two players on the planet in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. The Angels have been able to get a full season out of Anthony Rendon, former Nationals slugger who helped DC win their first World Series of all-time in 2019. Trout seems to always have a stint on the injured list or two each season. Bringing in Drury, who can play all these positions, can help keep the Angels flying through rough patches of the season. Drury’s family used to go to Disneyland for vacations when he was a kid, which is when he fell in love with the Angels. Drury, hoping to build on the career year he had last season, would like to put up those same numbers or better for the team he rooted for as a youngster. If you’re an Angles fan, you have to like the team dotting their I’s & crossing their Ts on the diamond and the everyday lineup. The diehard Angels fans know they could use more pitching.

 

HOMERUN OR BUST 

Once upon a time ago from a far-off galaxy of the Lone Star state, outfielder Joey Gallo was the pride and joy of the Texas Rangers. The left-handed slugger had back-to-back years hitting 40 or more homeruns in one season in 2017-18. Gallo, like your typical homerun hitter, lived by the homerun but died by the strikeout. Gallo was a 2x All-Star, a 2x Gold Glove winner, and when he made contact, it was like watching Roy Hobbs hit the baseball in the movie, The Natural. The ball would orbit into the stands. The Rangers traded away Gallo at the right time. Gallo bombed in the Big Apple and the fans in LA are glad he escaped their city. The Twins are looking for that cheaper alternative guy who will play on a one-year deal to prove their stock is still worthy in the MLB. It worked with Nelson Cruz on multiple one-year deals for the Twins. Now the twins are hoping they can at least get the Texas version of Gallo with a one-year deal for 11 million.   

Joey Gallo played about one full season in the Big Apple. Gallo played 140 games after being traded by the Rangers where he hit .159 and had 194 strikeouts. Last year, Gallo was booed off the stage in New York as he played in 82 games, batted .159 as he had 12 homeruns, driving in only 24. The Yankees had to cut ties with Gallo as they got nothing in return for him. Gallo was picked up by the LA Dodgers as they hoped they could salvage something out of a guy only 29 years old who is about to play in his prime years. For the Dodgers, Gallo batted 3 points better with a .162 average in 44 games while hitting 7 long balls driving in 23. In 2022 with both teams Gallo hit .160 and had 19 homeruns while driving in 47. This should not shock anyone as he struck out 213 times in 2021. Gallo’s best season average-wise came in 2019 when he only played in 70 games at that time for the Rangers but batted .252 and hit 22 long balls while driving 49. That season in 2019, Gallo still struck out 114 times. In 8 seasons, Gallo has struck out 1,048 times. Gallo’s career numbers have him at a .199 batting average with 177 homeruns while driving in 386.   

Many organizations’ philosophy when signing a player like Joey Gallo is to think a change of scenery can help. Markets like LA and New York can be pressure cookers for most players. The Yankees fans will chew you up and spit you out without hesitation. The Twins have had luck and Nelson Cruz at the age of 38. That year he hit 41 homeruns. The Twins were able to trade Cruz years later at the deadline to Tampa Bay and got something in return. If Gallo can improve his average, strike out less, and still put balls in the seats, this would be a win-win situation for the Twins. The Twins could flip Gallo if they are not doing well. Gallo could help the Twins win if they are doing good. If Gallo fails, it’s only a one-year deal. Eleven million is chump change in baseball.    

MEYERS OPENS UP SHOP IN CINCINNATI 

Wil Meyers was supposed to be something special as he was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2012 for the Tampa Bay Rays. Meyers can play multiple positions in the infield and came up as an outfielder. In his second year, Meyers’ batting numbers dropped from his rookie year & then he was traded in a 3-team deal to San Diego in 2014. Many experts questioned the Rays for trading a talent like Meyers after two seasons. In 2016, Meyers became an all-star as he hit 28 homeruns while driving in 94, and that season was his only appearance in the summer classic. The Padres thought at the time Meyers finally has arrived and was awarded a six-year extension worth 83 million that came to an end when San Diego declined his option, making him a free agent. Injuries and up-and-down production best describe the 30-year old’s playing career to this point.  Desperate times come to players like Meyers as they have to find themselves and redefine their career in places going through rebuilds like the Cincinnati organization. The Reds give Meyers a one-year deal worth 7.5 million with an incentive clause if he reaches a certain amount of playing time. Then the deal would pay him 9.5 million. The deal also has an option for the 2024 season. 

Wil Meyers has played in ten big league seasons, two with the Rays and 8 with the Padres. Last year, Meyers was limited to just 77 games during which he batted .261 with 7 homeruns while driving in 41. Meyers leaves San Diego etched in their record books in the organization’s top ten stat categories. Meyers was 6^th in homeruns, 7^th in RBI’s, 8^th in doubles, 8^th in runs and 8^th in games played. Meyers had 4 seasons when he played under 100 games, including the pandemic season of 2020 where he played 55 of the 60 games on the schedule. If Meyers avoided some of those injuries, he could easily be at the top of the Padres offensive categories. Some can say the Padres’ record books are kind of pathetic. The Padres as an organization were only established in 1969. Wil Meyers’ lifetime numbers have him with a batting average of .254 with 153 longballs while driving in 521. 

The Cincinnati Reds had a full-blown fire sale at the trade deadline last season. The only veteran survivor is first baseman Joey Votto, who this organization will never get rid of. Wil Meyers can play the hot corner and first base. Meyers can play the corner outfield positions as well. The Reds are penciling Meyers to set up camp in right field. Meyers will be looking to redefine himself and could be valuable in mentoring younger players who the Reds are counting on. If Meyers does well, he could be a trade chip at the deadline and flipped for a prospect.  Meyers might be like the fruit of the month club, the gift that keeps on coming for the Reds.   

CARLOS RODON FINALS GETS THAT LONG TERM DEAL 

Most of Carlos Rodon’s career has been followed by dark clouds as the LHP could not stay healthy. Rodon had Tommy John surgery and after his recovery, he’s been a new pitcher. In 2021, his final year with the White Sox, the team that drafted him in 2014, he had the best year of his career. The knock-on Rodon’s year is he never pitched over 5 innings the final two months of the season. The San Francisco Giants then gave Rodon a contract with an opted-out clause after the first season. Rodon with the Giants had another career year and did better than he did in 2021. Rodon opted out of the contract to track down the mega multi-year deal and he got it. Rodon signs his soul away with the Evil Empire Yankees. The Yankees will pay the 30-year-old veteran hurler 162 million over six seasons.  

Carlos Rodon has been in the majors for 8 seasons, 7 with the White Sox & 1 with the Giants. Do you trust Rodon staying healthy is always the biggest question? Only 5 seasons out of the 8, Rodon has made 20 or more starts. Rodon has pitched three seasons & he pitched in only 12 games or fewer. Rodon has 4 winning seasons out of 8 with the last two seasons & have been career years. Last year, Rodon had a 14-8 record with the Giants making 31 starts & tossing 178 innings while posting a low .288 ERA. With the White Sox in 2021, he made only 24 starts while tossing 132.2 innings of work. Rodon’s workload went up with the Giants. Rodon’s lifetime record is 56-46 with 3.60 ERA, ten games over the .500 mark.  

The New York Yankees fell victim to the Houston Astros last post-season. The Yankees re-signed their face of the franchise in Aaron Judge to a big mega deal which was the first order of business. Yankees wanted to shore up starting their rotation, so Rodon will give the team a solid 1 through 5 they hope can put the Evil Empire back on top in the galaxy. The Yankees starting rotation features their ace Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino, and last year’s pick up at the trade deadline, Frankie Montas. If Rodon can stay on track like he’s been pitching the last two seasons, this may be money well spent for the Yankees. Which team would not want an LHP that can pitch lights out on most of his starts? If those dark clouds come back in Rodon’s life, this long-term deal will go south, and the Yankees will have cake in their face.      

PITCHING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE STANDINGS 

The pitching career of Trevor Williams will be marked for playing on many bad teams. It all started out being drafted by the Team Under the Stairs organization, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Williams would move on to the loveable loser Chicago Cubs. Have the Cubs gone back to their old ways since winning the World Series in 2016? The Cubs would trade Williams to the New York Mets. The Mets are probably the best team he has played for in his entire baseball career. The Mets used Williams out of the bullpen as he’s been mostly a starter his entire career. Then Williams became a free agent and now signs with a team he is familiar with, the Washington Nationals. Williams goes first to last by signing a two-year deal with the Nationals for 13 million. 

Last season in a Mets uniform, Trevor Williams made nine starts as he pitched in 30 games. The 30-year-old RHP had a record of 3-5 with a 3.21 ERA as he tossed 89.2 innings while saving one game. Williams has pitched in the big leagues for 7 seasons of which 5 of them came in a Pittsburgh uniform. The best year Williams had on the mound was in 2018 when he had a record of 14-10 with 3.11 ERA. When Williams signed with the Cubs, it made his father’s dream come true. It was a team and stadium he visited living in Chicago when he was growing up. Williams did decent in a Cubs uniform on a bad team. He was 4-2 in 12 starts. The Cubs had a fire sale and Williams was out the door with everything else not bolted down. Lifetime, Williams is not even at the .500-mark record wise. Williams has a lifetime record of 38-44 with a 4.27 ERA in 118 starts. 

The Nationals need a veteran guy to eat innings for them as the team is in the middle of a rebuild. Washington may have been the only team interested in using Trevor Williams as a starter. Williams most likely would have gotten a one-year deal with most teams while Washington went two seasons. Williams wants to be a starter so Washington is a chance to prove to the league he can be a starter every 5 days. If the young guys in Washington start pitching well in the rotation, they can always use Williams in the bullpen like the Mets did. If Williams does well, he could also be flipped at the trade deadline.     

DANNY MENDICK IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE METS, NOT THE WHITE SOX 

In an off-season move I totally disliked; the Chicago White Sox are not tendering utility man Danny Mendick. In the second half of the season, Danny Mendick was involved in a collision with teammate outfielder Adam Haseley and tore his ACL, ending his season and his time with the White Sox as well. The 29-year-old infielder has only played in 151 games his entire MLB career but has shown some nice flashes as a nice player to have on your roster. The Mets think Mendick will be a nice player to have on their roster and have a one-year deal in place worth 1 million.  

Last year Danny Mendick played in 31 games, batted .289, and had 3 homeruns while driving in 15. Mendick only had 97 at-bats. Mendick has been up and down from the big leagues to the minor leagues his entire 4-year career with the White Sox. Lifetime, Mendick has a .251 batter average with 407 at-bats at the Major League level. Mendick racked up 102 hits with 10 long balls and 45 runs batted in. Mendick has never played 100 games during the regular season. In 2021, Mendick played his most games with 71. Mendick played in 33 games for the White Sox during the shortened pandemic season.  

The New York Mets will get a utility infielder for their bench. Danny Mendick is a solid defender and can fill in at short stop or play his natural position of second base. Mendick is a right-handed bat that can put the bat on the ball. In small glimpses, Mendick has driven in some big runs for the White Sox over the 4 seasons he has seen action. I like Mendick over anybody we have now on the current White Sox bench to do the job he does. I think if Mendick can get regular playing time, he will stick to a team the entire season and never be sent back to the Minors as long as he stays healthy. The White Sox are in need of a full time second baseman and they had one right under their nose as Mendick is better than any of the options in-house right now. The Mets are spending big time Monopoly money for players this off-season. This Mendick deal is like a pack of gum at the cash register for them.  

DODGERS HOPING SYNDERGAARD STILL HAS SOME AVENGER IN HIM 

This is the second year in a row that Noah Syndergaard, aka Thor, has signed with an LA team. Last year Thor, coming off a Tommy John Surgery a year prior, took a one-year deal with the Angels. This year Syndergaard is heading to Dodger-land and gets another one-year deal worth 13 million. The contract also has incentives through which Syndergaard can earn an extra 1.5 million if he hits the bonuses on the contract. 

Noah Syndergaard lost some speed on his hammer throw in MPH but made 24 starts with the Angels and Philadelphia, where he was dealt to at the trade deadline. Syndergaard went 10-10 with a 3.94 ERA with both teams. For Philadelphia, Thor went 5-2 down the stretch for the Phillies and saw some post-season action. The Phillies made it all the way to the World Series, eventually losing to the Astros. Thor racked up 8 scoreless innings during the playoffs. Most importantly, Syndergaard stayed healthy last season as injuries followed him around during his six seasons pitching for the Mets. Syndergaard’s lifetime record now is 57-41 with 3.42 ERA.  

The Dodgers are doing their typical retooling of their roster. The team lost two starters to free agency. Tyler Anderson went across town to the Angels while Andrew Heaney went to Texas. The Dodgers brought back old faithful Clayton Kershaw on a one-year deal. Now adding Thor, the Dodgers starting rotation shapes up with Kershaw, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, and Noah Syndergaard. This is a good move by the Dodgers because Syndergaard can be a nice option as a number 4 or 5 guy in the rotation. The Dodgers can score runs so Syndergaard does not have to be always his best. The Dodgers just need Thor to stay healthy, eat up innings, and it’s only a one-year deal. The great hammer thrower has to show case himself another year to get a multi deal at the age of 30, and if he stays healthy he can get that. It may be with someone else. This year the Dodgers will reap the benefits.   

THE CUBS LOVE TRIANGLE 

When the Chicago Cubs had their World Series core assembled of position players, they never paid them the big bucks. During that time, the Cubs did pay the big money to another former Brave outfielder Jason Heyward who was not worth that type of cheddar. The Cubs finally cut ties with Heyward. Now the team has another X-Brave they will give the big money to. The Cubs had a seven-year deal in place for short stop Dansby Swanson, and the X-Brave will get a deal worth 177 million. The market on short stops this off-season has gone up apparently. No one knows about the Cubs plan this off-season, but they did not see this happening. Now the Cubs love triangle is assembled because Dansby is going to get paid more money and will play his natural position while Chicago is constructing an under the radar style of team. Plus, the last piece to this triangle offense is Mallory Pugh who plays professional soccer for the United States women’s league and her team she plays for is in Chicago with the Stars. Always a Chicago connection in everything the Windy City has their grubby fingers on. 

Dansby Swanson has played in the big leagues for seven seasons, all with the Atlanta Braves. In his contract year, the 28-year-old short stop had the best season in his career. Swanson batted .277 as he had 25 homeruns driving in 96 runs. Last year, Swanson earned his first All-Star appearance while winning a gold glove. Swanson has a .255 career batting average and 102 homeruns while driving in 411 runs. The last two seasons, Swanson has averaged 26 homeruns a year, so he is starting to have a track record on the back of his baseball card. 

Dansby Swanson might not be the best short stop on the open market this off-season but could be a solid piece for the Cubs to build on. The Cubs will move Nico Hoerner to second base which gives the Cubs a solid double play duo. That middle of the field defense could be one of the best in the NL. The Cubs also signed Cody Bellinger, who could be the team’s centerfielder, and now the entire middle of the diamond the Cubs defense looks flawless on defense. Then right fielder Seiya Suzuki has won three Gold Gloves back in his Japanese days playing in the NPB. The NL Central is not the strongest division in baseball. With another move or two, can the Cubs start to creep up on their archrival Cardinals?

TIS THE SEASON FOR X-INDIAN CATCHERS 

I think Pittsburgh Pirates fans think their team gives them that same crappy gift every year, slipper socks. The Pirates continue to give X-Indian or shall I say Guardians’ catchers a contract. Last year it was long time veteran Roberto Perez. This season the Pirates shell out 5 million and give a one-year deal to Austin Hedges.  

The Pirates are in need of a catcher and really did not have a back stop with MLB experience. Austin Hedges has 8 years of experience as the Pirates will be his third team. Hedges started his career in San Diego and went to Cleveland in a trade in 2020. The 30-year-old right-handed hitting catcher has done well defensively but is a liability with the bat. Last year Hedges batted a whopping .163 with 7 homeruns while driving in 30. Hedge’s lifetime batting stats are not very impressive as he’s batting only .189 with 66 long balls while driving 207 runs. 

The Cleveland Guardians wanted more power in their line-up and gave up defense to get it by not signing Austin Hedges. The Pirates will get a guy that can put the ball in play as Hedges is not going to strike out and call it a night with the lumber. I like Hedges as a leader on the field as he showed his skills last year helping the Guardians win the AL Central. The Guardians had a very good pitching staff as Hedges can work well with the young arms the Pirates have. Great defense behind the plate is overlooked as Hedges should be able to help his pitchers with limiting the running game while getting his guys a strike by framing the pitches. Hedges is 30 years old, a much different signing than a washed-up Roberto Perez. You know the Pirates love the one-year deal with veterans they can trade at the deadline if the season goes south.  

MANAEA’S WEST COAST TRAVELS NOW INCLUDE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO 

Sean Manaea was born in Valparaiso, Indiana and his job has been kept on the west coast his entire seven-year career in Major League Baseball. Manea started his career in Oakland as the LHP pitched for the Athletics for 6 seasons. Last Spring, the Athletics dealt Manaea to the San Diego. Manaea, free as a bird, flies back to the Bay Area and signs a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants worth 25 million. 

Sean Manaea is like many former Oakland Athletics of the past. Born in Oakland’s farm system. The team developed Manaea into a big-league pitcher and milked him for all he was worth when he was not being paid the big bucks. Then Oakland dumped him off to another team in a trade to get some new seed for the farm system. The Oakland way. Last year away from Oakland, Manaea did not do real well in a Padres uniform. Manaea had a record of 8-9 with a high ERA of 4.96 in 28 starts. Manaea’s career numbers through 7 seasons he has an 58-50 record with 4.06 ERA. Manaea’s best year in the big leagues was when he went 12-9 with 3.59 ERA in 2018.  

Sean Manaea has won double digits in wins 3 out of 7 of his seasons he has pitched in the Majors. Manea gives the Giants a left-handed pitcher for the back of their rotation that has shaped out nicely this off season. The Giants rotation features Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, Alex Wood, and the team signed Ross Stripling, the former Blue Jay. Now the Giants added Manaea to give them a nice solid rotation 1 through 5. The Giants will give Manaea that home away from home feeling but not quite having to live in Oakland across the Bay as he may like the scenery like most people better in San Francisco. The Giants needed some good arms to compete against the heavy weights like the Dodgers and former team of Manaea’s, the Padres, in the NL West.       

A RAY, NOW A JAY 

Kevin Kiermaier has done something many Tampa Bay Rays players do not do, which is play for that organization for ten seasons. It’s the only organization Kiermaier knows, and somehow, he stayed way past his Rays shelf life. The Rays finally drop the hammer on Kiermaier and declined his option for 2023, making him a free agent. The Toronto Blue Jays are looking for some out-field help and swoop in and sign a player from a division rival. The 32-year-old Kiermaier will head to Canada on one year deal worth 9 million.  

Kevin Kiermaier is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game in which he is a 3x gold glove winner. When it comes to swinging the bat, Kiermaier is decent, but nothing to write home to mom about. Last year Kiermaier batted .228 with 7 homeruns while driving in 22. That’s not very Toronto-like as their lineup is an offensive powerhouse. Kiermaier’s career batting average is better than what he hit last year at .248 which is 20 points better. Kiermaier has hit 82 career homeruns and driven 316. Those numbers are low for a 10-year guy as you think he rode the bench most of the time. The problem is Kiermaier can’t avoid injuries as he has played less than 100 games in the 5-10 years he played in the majors. 

The Blue Jays looked to improve their pitching as they dealt their left fielding slugger, Teoscar Hernanadez, to Seattle. The Blue Jays need another outfielder as Kevin Kiermaier can play all three outfield positions if needed. The Blue Jays starting center fielder, George Springer, has been a liability at times due to injuries missing huge chunks of time during the seasons since coming over from Houston. Having Kiermaier gives Springer some rest in his center field duties. If Springer gets injured, the Blue Jays will not miss a beat throwing Kiermaier out there. The Blue Jays may add another outfielder and use Kiermaier’s skills as a utility outfielder or late inning defensive specialist.  Kiermaier gives the team another left-handed bat as well. The Blue Jays found out the hard way in post-season that pitching and defense win playoff games rather than outslugging them. Kiermaier checks all the boxes.     

FUNDING NIMMO 

The New York Mets do not let their Nimmo fish escape the bowl into free agent waters. The Mets are bringing back their 29-year-old outfielder and re-sign Brandon Nimmo to a monster deal. The Mets have been giving away money like they print their own currency this off-season. Nimmo returns to the only team he knows and agrees to an 8-year deal worth 162 million. It’s the kind of deal that might keep him as a New Met the rest of his career which playing for one team these days is very rare. Nimmo has been developing into a nice offensive weapon. Last year, the left-handed hitter Nimmo batted .274 with 16 homeruns while driving in 64. In seven years in a Mets uniform, he has a .269 batting average with 63 long balls while driving in 213. Nimmo is getting better with his prime years, so with this coming up the Mets did not want to lose him to another franchise to reef the benefits. 

WORLD SERIES OR BUST 

Since the San Diego Padres won the Manny Machado sweepstakes, they have been all in on winning a World Series. The Padres have been trying to be the Evil Empire of the West. Do whatever it takes to get their man. The Padres have pulled the trigger more than once on multiple trades to improve their team. The Padres have not been scared to open their check book and shell out blank checks for the best talent in the league. The last World Series the Padres were in was in 1998, to be swept by the Yankees. Last season the Padres made the playoffs without having their best player Fernando Tatis in the lineup. The team went deep into the playoffs. Not good enough! The Padres brass took swings at Aaron Judge and Trea Turner offering them more riches than King Tut had. Neither Turner nor the Judge took the money and signed elsewhere. Third time is the charm for San Diego as they found someone to take their money. The Padres signed 30-year-old short stop Xander Bogaerts to a monster 11-year deal worth 280 million.  

Xander Bogaerts is one of the many superstars in the baseball world. Bogaerts only knows Boston where he has played ten seasons in Bean Town. Bogaerts leaves the Red Sox as a 4-x all-star and helped Boston capture two World Series titles. Last season Bogaerts batted .307 with 15 homeruns while driving in 73 runs. Bogaerts can swing the bat and defend the left side of infield with the best of them. Bogaerts’ lifetime numbers are impressive with a batting average of .292, & 156 homeruns while driving in 683 runners. 

Where on the field will the San Diego Padres put a Xander Bogaerts? Will the Padres trade away Fernando Tatis Jr.? Bogaerts can play short or third base like Manny Machado. The Padres will keep Machado at third and have Bogaerts play his normal position at short. Last year, Ha-Seong Kim took over the short stop position for the absence of Tatis Jr. Kim will move to second base. Then Jake Cronenworth will take over the Padres’ first base duties. That would move Tatis Jr. to the outfield. The Padres will be playing musical chairs all over the diamond. The short stop position was always where your best player played growing up. The Padres have four players that have been short stops on the diamond at the same time. I think the team will do pretty well defensively. Hitting the team added a .300 hitter to the top of their lineup card. Maybe not bust this year.  

THE GHOST FORK ARRIVING IN THE BIG APPLE 

When it comes to a pitch called the Ghost Fork, you think the Evil Empire Yankees would have that weapon of mass destruction in their pitching rotation. The Ghost Fork will be blazing at Shea Stadium as the Mets have done some overseas shopping. 

Koda Senga is RHP out of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League who can throw a 100 MPH splitter he calls the Ghost Fork. The Mets added another arm to their starting rotation as they signed Senga who has played 11 years in the NPB and is coming to America on a 5-year deal worth 75 million. 

Kodai Senga will be the youngest arm in the Mets’ revamped pitching staff at the age of 29 years old. The Mets starting staff collectively got a little younger with the Senga deal. The Mets staff features Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander who are closing in on their 40’s. Then the Mets added 34-year-old LHP Jose Quintana not too long ago from the free agent market. Senga has played 11 years with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in the NPB where he mostly was relief pitcher. Senga pitched for his country of Japan in many international games as well. During his 11-year career, Senga has a record of 87-44 with a very low 2.59 ERA. Senga’s Ghost Fork pitch has piled up 1,252 victims. That’s a lot of strike outs. The Mets are another team that is on a spending spree and all-in on buying themselves a World Series trophy.    

RUNNING DOWN A BUFFALOE

The Boston Red Sox are investing their money into the next Ichiro Suzuki. The Red Sox struck a deal with a snazzy Japanese import. Does anybody buy American is what is usually asked now. Masataka Yoshida is coming to Boston. Yoshida is a 29-year-old outfielder who bats from the left side and agrees to relocate on a 5-year deal worth 90 million. Yoshida has played in the Japanese League (NPB) for 7 seasons with the Orix Buffaloes. The Red Sox will also have to pay the Buffaloes shipping and handling fees which is the landing rights to Yoshida at 15.4 million as fees rack up to 100 million. Boston should sign up and be a prime member. 

The Red Sox got a guy that batted .335 last season. Masataka Yoshida can put the bat on the ball which means he probably wears out pitching fouling of the tough pitches. Yoshida’s good eyes mean he can draw walks. What jumps off the charts the last six seasons is Yoshida has gotten on base 40% of his plate appearances which is very Ichiro-like. Yoshida is not just a single hitter as he has some pop in his bat. The last 4 out his last 5 seasons, Yoshida has hit 21 or more homeruns. The last 5 years Yoshida has hit over 20 or doubles per season. The Red Sox may lose all-star short stop Xander Bogaerts in free agency. That’s a lot of pressure for Yoshida to replace Bogaerts’ production. The Red Sox definitely hope they have a top of the order type of guy with this signing.

JAYS ADOPT A BASSITT FOR THEIR ROTATION 

The Toronto Blue Jays found out the hard way last year that pitching beats great hitting. The Blue Jays came into the wild card weekend as an offensive juggernaut that was basically tamed by Mariner’s pitching. The Blue Jays bullpen gave up a huge lead to Seattle’s offense that cost them the series and bowed out of post-season early. The Blue Jays improved their starting rotation with the signing of 8-year veteran Chris Bassitt to a 3-year deal worth 63 million.  

Last year the 33-year-old RHP, Chris Bassitt, pitched in the Big Apple for the New York Mets. Bassitt pitched well in New York going 15-9 in 30 starts while posting a respectable 3.42 ERA. Bassitt started his career in the American League with the White Sox. Typical White Sox brass, trading a nice young arm to the Oakland Athletics where he pitched for six seasons.  Bassitt has a career winning record of 46-34 with a 3.45 ERA making 123 starts.  

Last year the Blue Jays had a nice 1-2 punch in their rotation that featured Alex Manoah and Kevin Gausman. The team lost their long-time ace, Hyun Jīn Rhu, to Tommy John surgery early in the year. Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi had a disappointing 2022 with their ERA over 5.00. Ross Stripling left the team as a free agent. Chris Bassitt gives the Blue Jays a middle of the rotation guy that can eat up innings as he logged in 181.2 last year. He also has a very durable arm that never misses a turn in the rotation. He is no flame thrower out on the mound but has a pitching arenol of six different pitches as he can change the speed with the best of them. It’s a nice move for the Blue Jays as now they have 3 good arms and are hopeful to get Rhu back at some point next season. That gives this team a nice solid rotation. With the great offense solid rotation, they might be able to get further into post-season.  

GUARDIANS ADDING MORE POWER TO THEIR BACK STOP POSITION 

Last year the Cleveland Guardians had Austin Hedges behind a plate. Hedges was a guy who made solid contact and played stellar defense. The Guardians are taking a gamble on power hitting catcher 31-year-old Mike Zunino. Last season, Zunino was sidelined with injuries and only played in 36 games for the Tampa Bay Rays where he has played the last 4 seasons. The Guardians elect not to re-sign Hedges and have a one-year deal in place with the ten-year veteran Zunino for six million.   

Cleveland will be Mike Zunino’s third team he has played for in a career that started in Seattle where he played six seasons for the Mariners. Last year, Zunino only had 115 At-Bats as he batted a meager .148 with 5 long balls and drove in 16 runs. The Guardians are hoping Zunino can find his 2021 form where he was an All-Star for the Rays. In 2021, Zunino crushed 33 long balls while driving in 62 and batting .216. Zunino is a career .200 hitter with 146 homeruns while knocking in 361 runs. 

The Guardians change up their philosophy after winning the American League Central. Austin Hedges was always able to put the ball in play. The Guardians made solid contact and are a team that was very hard to strike out. The Guardians are giving up defense and solid contact hitting catcher for a guy that strikes out and is an average defender. However, Mike Zunino has a better on-base percentage than Hedges. Cleveland is looking to insert some homeruns in their lineup, which is a big reason why they signed first baseman Josh Bell. If Zunino can stay healthy and find his swing from 2021, well then, the Guardians can cross adding power to their off-season list.  

GIANTS USE CONNECTIONS TO LAND STARTER STRIPLING TO THEIR ROTATION 

It’s always good to know someone that has connections as they can open a lot of doors in your life. The Giants agree to terms with 32-year-old RHP Ross Stripling on a deal worth 25 million over two seasons. Stripling gives the Giants another starter for their rotation and guy that could be used out of the bullpen. Stripling picked the Giants because of his old Dodgers connections with current guys working for the Giants. The Giants manager, Gabe Kapler, worked with Stripling in the Dodgers farm system as a minor league coordinator. Stripling was roommates with left-handed slugging outfield Joc Pederson back in their Dodgers days riding the bus together down on the farm. Stripling also has a connection to the Giants executive, Farhan Zaidi. These connections made Stripling decide to leave Toronto and head to the bay area. 

Last year Ross Stripling had a nice year for the Blue Jays setting a career high in wins with a 10-4 record while posting a 3.01 ERA. Stripling made 24 starts with the Jays and went 9-4 with a nice low 2.92 ERA. Stripling came out of the Jays bullpen in 8 relief appearances & was 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA. Stripling has pitched for 7 years in the big leagues while starting his career in Dodger Blue for parts of 5 seasons. Then Stripling was sent to Toronto where he pitched parts of three seasons up North. In 204 games, Stripling has made 104 starts and his career record stands even at 38-38 while posting a 3.78 ERA. 

The Giants missed the playoffs last season after they won the division in 2021. With the Dodgers, the Giants’ archrivals, and the Padres fully loaded, San Francisco will need to stock up pitching to deal with all the great hitters both teams have. Ross Stripling joins Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, and Alex Wood. Right now that makes up the Giants starting rotation which is pretty solid 1 through 4. The team could use another arm in their rotation to add more depth.    

 ORIOLES UPDATE THEIR ROTATION MENTOR

We all know the Baltimore Orioles are a young and upcoming team. The birds proved that last year by almost grabbing a wild card spot, even after getting rid of veterans at the trade deadline. The Orioles kept one veteran mentor of their young starting rotation. Jordan Lyles would survive the season but not the off-season. The Orioles declined to pick up Lyles’ 11 million option. The Orioles will save a million and ink another veteran pitcher to replace Lyles. The Orioles signed 35-year-old RHP Kyle Gibson to a one-year deal worth ten million.  

Last year, Kyle Gibson was a part of the Phillies team that went all the way to the World Series. Last year, Gibson went 10-8 making 31 starts for the Phillies while posting a very high ERA of 5.05. Gibson played in the majors for ten years starting his career in Minnesota where he pitched seven seasons. Gibson then went to Texas where he was then traded to the Phillies where he has two seasons. Gibson is basically a .500 pitcher of which his lifetime record is 89-91 while logging in a 4.52 ERA as he made 261 starts in his career. 

Kyle Gibson is like the same pitcher as Jordan Lyles, but three years older. Lyles went 12-11 last year and had a lower ERA of 4.42. Both Lyles and Gibson are very durable and never miss their turn in the rotation. Gibson’s best years came in 2014 and 2019 where he reached 13 victories during each of those seasons. The young arms of Baltimore liked the mentoring skills of Lyles. Gibson, who is the oldest guy on the team, knows he will have some big shoes to fill by taking the mound every 5 days and helping his younger teammates develop good habits and preparation to pitch many years in the game. Basically, the Orioles saved one million dollars on this move. 

FRAZIER HEADS BACK EAST WITH BALTIMORE

Last year, the Baltimore Orioles made some noise as a young team, came together and fell short of the wild card spot for the post-season. The Orioles made some deals at the deadline to get rid of some of their veteran talent. The young Oriole team kept winning despite the front office not adding to the existing roster. The Orioles play in a loaded AL East where every team except them played in the post-season the last few seasons. The Orioles are looking to add depth to their roster as they take a flyer on veteran second baseman Adam Frazier on a one year deal worth 8 million.   

Adam Frazier is in search of a multiyear deal with some team, he will have to settle for a one-year deal with the Orioles. Frazier is 31-years-old and was an All-Star for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. Frazier has not found a home since leaving Pittsburgh where he played for six seasons. The Pirates were in a rebuild and traded Frazier to the Padres. The Padres did not make the playoffs in 2021 and retooled the roster as the traded Frazier to Seattle. Last year in Seattle, Frazier got off to a slow start but got better as he finished with a .238 batting average with 3 homeruns and 42 RBI’S. Those numbers are way down from when Frazier hit .305 with 5 homeruns, 5 triples, and drove in 43 in 2021 splitting time with the Padres and Pirates. Most of that damage in 2021 came in the first half of the season in a Pirates uniform. Lifetime, Frazier has a batting average of .273 with 43 homeruns while driving in 257. 

Adam Frazier brings the Orioles a left-handed bat that can hit in a few spots of the batting order. Frazier can provide good defense and can play multiple positions. Last season, he started games at 5 different positions. Frazier can play infield and outfield. The Orioles have younger guys at most of the positions around the diamond.  By signing Frazier, Orioles may use him as a utility type of player using him in different positions the entire season. This is a small time deal that can be awarded to both parties this season. Frazier is looking for a permanent home somewhere by getting a multi-year deal while the Orioles look to make the playoffs or use him as a trade chip at the deadline. Last season, Frazier’s numbers were not up to par in a contract year. The Orioles gamble on a guy that might turn it around in a one-year prove-it deal. Frazier did get the winning hit versus the Blue Jays in that comeback win the Mariners had in the Wild Card series. Frazier was on the team that snapped the longest playoff drought last year playing in Seattle. Maybe he can be the good luck charm for the Orioles as well. 

JUDE PRESIDES IN NEW YORK 

Last year’s MVP is not leaving New York. The Judge will be back on the bench in right field at Yankee Stadium as fans breathe a sigh of relief. The common thing this off-season has been teams opening their vaults for the best baseball players on the planet. The San Diego Padres tried to land the Judge at 400 million. The San Francisco Giants were hoping for a homecoming bringing back the Judge to the state of California, where he originates from. Aaron Judge will get paid wearing the pinstripes as he agrees on a 9-year deal worth 360 million. Judge will be another ball player in the New York baseball landscape averaging 40 million per season to play a sport. Last year, Judge set the AL record for homeruns hit by a player with 62, breaking the record of former Yankee, Roger Maris. Jude’s numbers with the lumber were remarkable as he hit .311 with those 62 bombs while driving in 131. That’s just sick. Lifetime, the Jude will rule the Big Apple just with the numbers he has put up in 7 seasons in the league. The Judge is batting a career wise of .284 with 220 bombs and has driven in 497. His numbers will even get better as his career goes on. Judge has a chance to go be something special along the lines with Babe Ruth and other Yankee greats. 

TRADE  

Seattle continues to define their roster with trades this off-season. The Brewers are another team busy reshaping their roster through the trade. Both Seattle and Milwaukee come together with a deal that they hope will help both parties. 

The Seattle Mariners, in need of a second baseman, get ten-year veteran Kolton Wong from the Brewers with cash. Wong, a long time Cardinal, signed with the Brewers just last year and his Milwaukee journey comes to an end after one season. Wong has been known as a great defender at the second base position but has swung the bat better as his career has gone along. The 32-year-old second baseman gives the Mariners a left-handed bat that has some pop to it. Wong batted .251 last season with 15 homeruns and drove in 42.  

The Brewers get two players from Seattle, left fielder 6-year veteran Jessee Winker and young infielder, Abraham Toro. Winker is no stranger to the NL Central as the 29-year-old started his career in Cincinnati. The Reds traded Winker to Seattle last off-season. Jessee Winker, like Kolten Wong, only lasted one season in their temporary homes. Last season, Winker had a down year with the bat as he hit .219 with 14 homeruns while driving in 53 in Seattle. The Brewers are hoping they get the Winker from 2021 who hit .305 with 24 homeruns and 71 runs driven in. The Brewers traded away Hunter Renfroe who provided the lineup with power. The Brewers are hoping Winker’s left-handed-bat can provide the same production or even more than Renfroe from last year. The Brewers also have themselves a young project in Abraham Toro. Toro is a 26-year-old infielder that has played in the majors for 4 seasons with the Astros and Mariners and is a guy still developing his craft. Last year, Toro batted .185 with 10 homeruns while driving in 35 for the Mariners. Toro is a switch hitter so if he can improve offensively, the Brewers may have found themselves a guy they have control over for the next few seasons.     

PIRATES BOOTY SHOWING OFF TOO MUCH JUNK IN THE TRUNK 

Vince Velasquez is lingering with my favorite baseball teams as he is haunting me. Last year the White Sox loved to adventure at the bottom of the dollar bin. They found Velasquez and a rare copy of Surf Nazi Ninja’s Must Die on Beta. The White Sox got what they paid for, an inconsistent RHP. It was only a one-year deal as the White Sox tossed him to the curb at the end of the season with the stale Cracker Jacks. Another team’s junk is another’s treasure as the Pirates are going to see if they can fix their new clunker, Vince Velasquez, who they found in the Recyling can. The 30-year-old 8-year veteran gets another 1-year trial deal worth 3.15 million.   

Vince Velasquez started his MLB career in Houston. The majority of his career he pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2021, Velasquez split time with the Phillies and the Padres. Last year for the White Sox, Velasquez had a 3-3 record with 4.78 ERA while pitching in 27 games of which 9 of them were starts.  Lifetime, Velasquez has a 34-47 record with a very high 4.93 ERA as he pitched in 183 games of which 139 have been starts. Velasquez has had only one winning season on the mound when back in 2016 for the Phillies he went 8-6. 

The Pirates will probably use Vince Velasquez as a starter and if needed they could add him to their bullpen at times or vice versa. The Pirates are hoping Velasquez can turn things around like the last 11 games he pitched for the White Sox as last season he had 2.92 ERA with 24 strikeouts in which mostly he came out of the bullpen. The Pirates are mostly looking to flip Velasquez at the trade dealing like they did with Jose Quintana last year. If the Pirates find themselves in contention and Velasquez is doing well, it makes this move look even better. Last year Velasquez pitched a few gems but mostly clunkers. Velasquez spent time on the injured list like most players on the White Sox team. Quintana at least has a track record on the back of his baseball card. Velasquez’s seasons have been too Herky-Jerky for my taste. Not enough good to balance out the bad performances. This is a dime store move by the Pirates which most of the time doesn’t pan out because it’s that type of move.  

GIANTS BRINGING HANIGER HOME 

This off-season for the San Francisco Giants is all about bringing players home to their roots. The Giants have been rumored all over the baseball world to be looking to open up their vault to bring Aaron Judge back home to the state of California. The Giants, still trying to pry Jude away from the evil empire, made a move and brought another player back to California. The Giants have signed Seattle’s long-time outfielder, Mitch Haniger, to a 3-year-deal worth 43.5 million. Haniger hales from the San Jose area of California as he comes back to where it all started for him. 

Mitch Haniger has played in the big leagues for six seasons after starting his career in Arizona. Then in 2017, Haniger arrived in the Emerald City and played 5 seasons in Seattle. Last season, Haniger was derailed by a sprained ankle and was limited to only 57 games. Injuries have haunted the 32-year-old outfielder as he missed the entire 2020 season due to having surgeries done. Probably a great year to get things like that taken care of due to the season being shortened by the pandemic. Last year, Haniger batted .246 with 11 homeruns, driving in 34. When Haniger is healthy, he can hit the ball. In 2018, Haniger was selected as an All-star and finished number 11 in the MVP ballot that year as he batted .285 with 26 long balls and drove in 93. After being cleared back on the field in 2021, Haniger had another monster year by hitting 39 bombs while driving in 100 and had a batting average of .253. Haniger’s seasons are like a roller coaster. In 2019, he had only 15 homeruns. Lifetime, Haniger is a .261 hitter with 112 homeruns while driving in 323.  

If the Giants do not land Aaron Judge, they will still have a talented outfield. The Giants have Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater. Last year, Joc Pederson had a monster year in San Francisco. The Giants can platoon Mitch Haniger and Pederson at left field and the DH role. If Haniger can stay healthy, the Giants will get a right-handed hitter that can crush left-handed pitching. Haniger, when he is swinging a hot bat, can do well versus right-handed pitching as well. The Giants are trying to rebound from a letdown year as they missed the playoffs. In 2021, the Giants had the best record in the National League and won the NL West. The Padres will be free spenders because money is no object for them. The Dodgers are still the Dodgers. The Giants have to turn up the heat just to compete with those two power houses or fall to the bottom of the barrel of the NL West with the Rockies and Diamondbacks.   

THE TRAVELING QUINTANABURIES 

After playing on both sides of Chicago, Jose Quintana has been like The Traveling Wilburys since 2021. Quintana has played for 4 teams in the last two years. After Quintana left the Cubs after being traded to the North side by the White Sox, the LHP went west to the Angels. The Angels traded him to the Giants at the trade deadline in 2021. Then after a down year in 2021, Quintana signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh last season. The Pirates then flipped Quintana’s talents to St. Louis at the deadline after he found his old form that has been missing the last few years. Hello Big Apple, as Quintana lands a two-year deal with the Mets for 26 million and may have found some stability.  

St. Louis Cardinals fans are disappointed that management did not come up with a deal to keep Jose Quintana in Missouri. Quintana pitched well with the red birds going 3-2 while posting a low ERA of 2.01 in 12 starts. Last year, Quintana the 33-year-old redefined himself taking the one-year deal with the Pirates. Quintana finished the year with a 6-7 record with a 2.93 ERA and made 32 starts. Quintana has always been a tough luck pitcher not getting run support in his outings. The record has never been eye popping as the ERA certainly has been. In Quintana’s 11-year career in the majors, he is only two games over the .500 mark with an 89-87 record in 289 starts. Quintana’s career ERA is 3.75. 

The Mets went all in on Justin Verlander as they are paying last year’s big catch Max Scherzer monster money. The Mets lost Taijuan Walker to the Phillies. Jacob deGrom signed with the Rangers. Chris Bassitt remains a free agent. The Mets need somebody after their pair of 40-million-dollar arms. The Mets staff so far has gone up in age as all three guys are North of 30. The Mets do get a reliable starter in Jose Quintana who will take the mound every 5 days no matter what. Quintana gives the staff an LHP and a nice 1-2-3 punch for now. I don’t think the Mets are quite done as the owner is willing to shell out big bucks to get his team the World Series trophy.    

WALKER WALKS OFF TO DIVISION RIVAL 

The Philadelphia Phillies made it all the way to the World Series with only two quality starters. Every team needs pitching as the Phillies starting rotation has a few guys that have entered the free agent market. Are guys like Zach Eflin, Kyle Gibson, and Noah Syndergaard worth bringing back? Instead, Phillies want to upgrade at that position and pluck a better arm for their rotation and at the same time weaken one of their rivals. The Phillies signed 30-year-old RHP Taijuan Walker to a four-year deal worth 72 million. Walker pitched last year for the Mets. 

Last season Taijuan Walker started 29 games for the New York Mets & had a record of 12-5 while posting a 3.49 ERA. Walker had 132 strikeouts in 157 innings of work. In 2021, Walker earned himself an All-star appearance. Walker has had ten seasons in the Majors with a lifetime record of 54-50 in 167 starts while posting a 3.89 ERA. Walker started his career in Seattle in 2013. The Phillies will be Walker’s 5^th team as he also had stops in Arizona, Toronto, and the last two seasons in a Mets uniform. 

The Phillies starting rotation is shaping up nicely adding Taijaun Walker to the mix that features Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez. The Phillies also added Trea Turner to their everyday lineup a few weeks ago. Turner makes that lineup for the Phillies even deadlier. Walker will wear number 99, the same number Mitch Williams wore in the 1990’s as the Phillies closer. The Phillies snuck into the playoffs last year. This team will not be able to go under the radar this year. The Phillies know the Mets will spend big money at Menards. They know Atlanta is always going to have a playoff-ready team. The Phillies need to retool the pitching staff if they want to get back to the World Series. 

DESPERADO  

The Texas Rangers know they need pitching to deal with all the powerful lineups in the AL West. If you can’t develop your own pitching down on the farm, then you must pay the hefty price on the open market. The Rangers have done that by signing former Mets ace, Jacob deGrom, to a monster deal. The Rangers have also found pitching through trades. The Rangers are so desperate to reshape that starting rotation, they have to gamble on injury prone pitchers like Andrew Heaney.  The Rangers strike a deal with Heaney, a 31-year-old LHP, for a two-year deal worth 25 million. The deal has incentives that if met can reach up to 37 million. 

Andrew Heaney’s big league career started off in Miami for one season in 2014. Since then, Heaney has been cemented on the west coast of his nine-year career, mostly with the Angels. Last year, Heaney pitched with the Dodgers and made 14 starts and went 4-4 while posting a nice low 3.10 ERA. Heaney has been followed by dark clouds his entire career as injuries have derailed him multiple times including having Tommy John surgery in 2016. Heaney’s career numbers mean he has a record below 500 which is 36-42, as he made 137 starts while posting a high ERA of 4.56.  Heaney’s only winning season came in 2015, his second season in the majors. First was with the Angels he went 6-4.  

Unless the father in the movie of Christmas story is right that Fragile is an Italian word. The Rangers pitching staff is fragile and not Italian. Can the Rangers get a full season out of Jacob deGrom and Andrew Heaney? The Rangers starting rotation will now feature deGrom, Heaney, Jon Gray, Martin Perez, and Jake Odorizzi who came from Atlanta in a trade. This leaves Dane Dunning as 6^th starter or long relief out of the bullpen. Odorizzi is average but will take the pitching rubber every 5 days. The other teams in the AL West should really not be worried about the Rangers’ starting rotation right now.  

CLEVELAND RINGING IN BELL 

In Cleveland’s first year under the new name, the Guardians found themselves winning the AL Central. The franchise scalped their old Indian name and maybe their bad baseball history as the team was able to win their first round series and push the Yankees to the brink of that series. The biggest reason the Guardians did so well was pitching. The Guardians were a scrappy bunch when it came to scoring runs as small ball paid off huge dividends and running the bases well. Cleveland is looking to ring the bell next season as they added some power. The Guardians land one of the best first basemen in the open market, Josh Bell, as they ink a two-year deal worth 33 million and an opt-out clause after the first year of the contract.  We do know Bell will be the Guardians’ first baseman next season. 

Josh Bell is a 30-year-old switch hitting first baseman who has so far played seven seasons in the majors. Bell started his career in Pittsburgh where he played 5 seasons before being traded to the Washington Nationals before the 2021 season. Last season at the deadline, the Nationals had a fire sale and Washington traded Bell and Jaun Soto to the Padres. In 2019, Bell was an All-star as he hit 37 home runs that year. During the pandemic with the virus lurking, Bell thrived in those conditions hitting 27 bombs in a shortened MLB season. Last year, Bell batted .266 as his home run total was down to only 17 but he drove in 71. Lifetime, Bell is a .266 hitter with 130 home runs while driving 468 runs. 

Josh Bell being a switch hitter would give the Guardians’ best player in the line-up, Jose Ramirez, protection batting behind him. Bell gives the Guardians line-up so much needed power. Can Bell dial it up the entire season with the lumber? Last year, Bell batted .192 for the Padres after being traded. Bell did get a home run in the playoffs for the Padres.  In 2019, 27 out of those 37 homeruns came in the first half of the season. If every season was like the pandemic, Bell would be the best slugger on the planet as he hit 27 homeruns in 57 games. The Guardians are hopeful that Bell’s tale of two halves will not bite them on the rear for trying to repeat as AL Central division champions.   

THE LAST OF THE CUBHICANS  

Once upon a time ago, the Cubs had a group of core positions that were untouchable. Guys like Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Byrant, and catcher Wilson Contreras. The group that conquered the jinx of the goat. The Cubs did the unthinkable and won the World series in 2016, breaking out of a 100-year slump. Afterwards, none of these guys got the extension from the Cubs worth the big money. The last of the Cubhicans has flown the coop. Wilson Contreras has signed with the Cubs’ public enemy number one, the Cardinals. Wilson will be starting a new chapter in a 5-year deal worth 87.5 million with a club option for 2028. The Cub fans are left with memories and what ifs. It was supposed to be a dynasty that collected multiple World Series trophies but ended in only one. 

The St. Louis Cardinals were in need of a catcher this off-season when Yadier Molina finally hung up the spikes for good at the age of 40. Molina has been a staple in St. Louis for 19 seasons as the Cardinals always had an easy button for the back stop position. The Cardinals go out and sign the best hitting catcher in free agency and take a player away from their rival in one swoop. Last season, Wilson Contreras batted .243 with 22 long balls while driving 55 for the Cubs. In seven seasons on the North Side of Chicago, Contreras’ lifetime batting average is .256 with 117 long balls while driving in 365 runs. Contreras is a 3-X all-star and will bring some juice to the middle of the Cardinals lineup. Contreras can play some solid defense by controlling the opposing team’s running game. Contreras’ only weakness on defense is framing the pitches for his pitcher.  

The Cubs had a nice second half last year and they have made some moves to improve their team this off-season. Through the eyes of Wilson Contreras, seeing how the Cardinals every year come to play like a team. The Cardinals as an organization are always in the thick of things. The Cardinals have to be favored to win the NL Central next season as Milwaukee’s off-season moves look more like they are waving the white flag. Contreras saw the seas of red fans in St. Louis and how they invaded Wrigley Field. The Cubs during the last few seasons have traded away the core and not offered one of those guys a long-term deal. Contreras sees guys like Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols get the royal treatment in St. Louis. It becomes an attractive destination for a ball player. Contreas now has that job security, so the next 5 years he will become a pain in the ass for the Cubs. With the Cubs if he took the qualifying offer, he would have been lucky if he was traded to another team by the deadline. This way he chose his path and St. Louis got better at the same time.   

CUBBIES FEEDING OFF SOME FISH IN THE SHALLOW END OF FREE AGENT WATERS 

At least you can say one team is taking some steps to improve themselves in one of the biggest markets in the league known as Chicago. The City of Chicago is called The Second City. Third biggest market. The Windy City is home to two baseball teams. Both teams run things like a small market team. The Cubs are looking to build on a nice second half from last year and added two free agents to the roster. The Cubs added 31-year-old RHP Jameson Taillon to the starting rotation with a 4-year deal in place for the former Yankee for 68 million. Then the Cubs added a bigger name in Cody Bellinger, but he’s a guy trying to bounce back from two down years. Bellinger is 27 years old, can play outfield/ first base, & gets a one-year deal worth 17.5 million. 

Cody Bellinger has played six seasons in the majors, all with the Dodgers. The LA Dodgers non-tendered him by making him a free agent. Bellinger came into the league as a potential superstar as he was rookie of the year in 2017 and made the all-star team. Bellinger, a left-handed bat, can play solid defense and run the bases well. After that 2020 homerun he hit in the NLCS, Bellinger has never been the same. The Dodgers won the World Series that year. Bellinger celebrated that big blow, but at the same time he hurt his non-throwing shoulder in the process and has never been the same. Last year, Bellinger batted .210 with 19 bombs while driving in 68. Last two seasons, Bellinger in 239 games has a batting average of .193 with 29 long balls driving 104. Bellinger’s lifetime numbers he’s batting .248 with 152 homeruns while driving 422. Bellinger is looking to flip the script taking a one-year deal & then get the bigger contract testing the free agent waters next year. Bellinger gives the Cubs a left-handed bat in their line up and an outfielder. Both parties could get what they want. If the Cubs start out of the gates poorly and Bellinger does well, he could be a nice trade chip. If the Cubs make the playoffs Bellinger is a guy with experience. This could be a deal where Bellinger uses the Cubs as a steppingstone and takes his riches & talents elsewhere to the highest bidder. 

Meanwhile Jameson Taillon has a different story than Cody Bellinger. Cubs are looking for Taillon to be a piece in their rotation for the next 4 seasons. Taillon was down Bellinger Road last year being traded from the Pirates to the Yankees.  Taillon flipped his own script and had a career year in Yankee pinstripes. Taillon had the best year of his career as he started 32 games while logging in 171 innings pitched, had a 14-5 record with respectable ERA of 3.91, and struck out 151 batters. Taillon was drafted by the Pirates in 2010 number 12 overall. Taillon had a great year winning 14 games in 2018 but came back in 2019 to only make seven starts. Taillon missed the 2020 season recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Then the Pirates went into a rebuild Taillon was no longer needed in Pittsburgh. Taillon lifetime numbers in six seasons has a record of 51-35 in 143 starts with a 3.84 ERA. I like this move by the Cubs adding Taillon to their rotation. The Cubs rotation features Marcus Stroman & Kyle Hendricks with two up and coming youngsters, Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson. Adding Taillon to the mix gives the Chicago Cubs a pretty good rotation from 1 through 5.  

BOSOM BUDDIES REUNITE IN THE BIG APPLE 

The New York Mets love the oldies when it comes to pitching. It will be the second year in a row the Mets will pay an aging veteran arm over 40 million a season. Last year, the Mets signed Max Scherzer to a three-year-deal worth 130 million. This year, the Mets are looking for a reunion and getting the old band back together. The Mets sign 39-year-old RHP Justin Verlander to a two-year deal worth 86 million with an option in 2025. The Mets will now have reconnected the Tigers’ old one two punch from 2010-12 years with Verlander and Scherzer on the same staff. Both pitchers won World Series titles away from each other and Motor City. Can the two of them share an apartment without driving each other crazy? 

Last year, Justin Verlander helped the Houston Astros win their second World Series. Verlander won the AL Cy-Young award and had a sensational season on the mound. Verlander started 28 games after missing the entire 2021 season recovering from Tommy John Surgery. In 2020, Verlander only pitched one game in that short season due to Covid and then needed surgery. Verlander had an 18-4 record and led the entire baseball world with a stingy 1.75 ERA. Besides comeback player of the year, that gave Verlander his third Cy-Young of his 17-year baseball career which started with the Tigers. Verlander helped the Astros win two World Series trophies. Verlander’s lifetime has made 482 starts and has a 244-133 record while posting a 3.24 ERA. Those are Hall of Fame numbers and Verlander has a chance for 300 wins if he keeps pitching like he did last year. 

The New York Mets were quickly dispatched in the baseball post-season’s first round of Wild Card weekend. The Mets had an impressive starting rotation last season but had to make some moves because they lost three of their arms to free agency. Long time Mets ace, Jacob deGrom, signed a big deal with the Rangers. Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker will most likely not return and get scooped up by other teams. Adding two 40 million dollars a season pitchers mean the Mets have a very nice one two punch. Both Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have had awesome careers. Neither pitcher has fared well in the World Series as Verlander finally won his first game ever. Game five, Verlander punched that first win versus the Phillies several weeks ago.  This is a nice story bringing back two friends that their careers playing together are bookends. You have to worry about these guys because they have a lot of innings on their arms and are one pitch away from being done. I think the Mets invested too much money in two guys for whom age may catch up to them. What about the rest of the rotation? Will the Mets still have money to add to the rest of the roster? These Guys never won a World Series together in their prime in Detroit. What makes the Mets think they will win the World Series with them?    

RANGERS ADDING ARMS LIKE SOVIETS IN THE COLD WAR 

Last season, the Texas Rangers made a splash during the off-season signing Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to big deals. The results were a 4^th place finish in the AL West. Not enough pitching to compete with the vicious batting lineups every team in the division has besides the last place Athletics. The Rangers’ first order of business was hiring a new manager. The Rangers brought in legendary Bruce Bochy out of retirement as he was a 3-X World Series champion with the Giants. The Rangers sell a few of their oil rigs and splurge on one of the biggest arms in the free agent waters. Former New York Met ace Jacob deGrom is heading to another country, Texas. The Rangers and deGrom’s people have a 5-year deal hammered out for 185 million. 

The only team Jacob deGrom knows is the New York Mets, the team that drafted him as he played 9 seasons in the Big Apple. The 34-year-old RHP has only made 26 starts in the last two seasons. Last year deGrom made 11 starts and had a 5-4 record with a 3.08 ERA. Lifetime, deGrom’s numbers are ace-like as he has an 82-57 record while posting a low 2.52 ERA. What is Texas going to get for their money: the pitcher that has won the CY-Young award twice, a 4-X All-star or damaged goods? This is a risky signing, but all pitching in baseball is pricey so teams like Texas have to roll the dice and open up their pocketbooks.   

Jacob deGrom obviously becomes the ace of the staff. The Texas Rangers made a deal with the Atlanta Braves in November for another veteran pitcher as the team landed veteran Jake Ororizzi. Ordorizzi is a 32-year-old RHP who was born a Ray and now has traveled around the league over the last few years. Ordorizzi is durable as he made 22 starts with a 6-6 record with a high ERA of 4.40. With deGrom and Ordorizzi on the Rangers, the rest of their starting staff shapes up with guys from last season with Martin Perez, Jon Gray, and Dane Dunning. Not sure the Rangers rotation right now can hold off the Astros, Mariners, and the Angels lineups all season long. The team is in better shape than it was last year, but if you’re a Ranger fan, you have to pray deGrom is not still fragile and some other guys stand up and have career years.  

TURNER AND HOOCH 

The Philadelphia Phillies last season were a team that was not supposed to make the post-season. The Phillies were dealing with a loaded Mets team coming off a shopping spree of big contracts. Then there’s the reigning champs, the Atlanta Braves. How were the Phillies going to even sniff the post-season? The Phillies went all the way to the World Series to defy the odds. We all know what the Houston Astros did to them. The Phillies want to make amends and gobble up one of the top short stops on the open market. The Phillies signed 29-year-old Trea Turner to an 11-year deal worth 300 million. Yikes, that’s a lot of cheddar.  In the past, the Phillies have cracked open their piggy banks as they signed Bryce Harper to a huge long-term contract. Now Philadelphia has the sequel to Turner and Hooch 2 as Trea and Bryce were teammates and friends from their Washington days. 

Trea Turner, in place at short stop, gives the Philadelphia Phillies one of the most potent lineups in the National league. The Phillies’ Murderer’s Row features not in any particular order: Byrce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Rhy Hoskins, J.T Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, and now Turner. Last year, Turner batted .298 with 21 homeruns while driving in 100 in a Dodgers uniform. For the Dodgers, Turner batted in the three hole. The Phillies could have their new investment batting leadoff position which would bring left-handed slugger Kyle Schwarber to the middle of the lineup to be more of a run producer instead of setting the table. Turner has a higher on base percentage than Schwarber who can be a victim of strikeouts more often than Trea. Turner has been in the league 8 seasons and the back of the baseball card says it all. Turner started his career in Washington and then was traded to the Dodgers in a fire sale in 2021.  Turner has a lifetime batting average of .302 with 124 bombs while driving in 434 runs. Very impressive numbers.        

With Trea Turner on board, the Phillies can move Bryson Stott, last year’s rookie short stop, to second base. The Phillies let last year’s second baseman, Jean Segura, walk off into the sunset of free agency. Segura is a good hitter, but with Turner at short stop & Stott at second, their defense has improved while getting better offensively. Turner has improved his game defensively over the last few seasons. Turner has great speed on the basepaths with great slides as he should teach a class. Turner won a World Series with Washington in 2019 and has played deep in the post-season with the Dodgers, so the Phillies get a guy experienced in the post-season. Turner was offered more money to stay West and sign with the San Diego Padres, but instead he went with brotherhood, his old pal Bryce Harper. Maybe these two can win a World Series together as Harper left & then the Nationals went on to win their first ever World Series.  

NO WAY JOSE 

It sickens me to be a White Sox fan. The front office is clueless when it comes to building, sustaining, and being a permanent playoff fixture in the baseball world. The Houston Astros won the World Series and are a franchise that has been cemented in the playoffs for what seems like the last ten years. The World Series champs not signing a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery means they are poaching your team’s best hitter, Jose Abreu.  The White Sox once again went through the motions coming up with some fake offer to try to bring back their first baseman. Abreu instead joins a team that will be in the post-season and have a chance to repeat rather than waste his last few years trusting the White Sox front office to get this team past the first round. The White Sox may not even make the post-season. At 36-years-old, Abreu gets a three-year deal worth 60 million.  Abreu, a White Sox fan favorite going to Houston, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I guess it’s better than him signing with the Cubs. Even those dirt bag Indians who go by the name Guardians tried to lure Abreu services to Cleveland. So, aggravating!! 

Jose Abreu was an RBI Machine with the White Sox, a guy you can count on in big situations to get the job done. Abreu arrived from Cuba in 2014 to the Southside of Chicago and instantly earned himself Rookie of the Year. Abreu played professional ball in Cuba, so I don’t think that award really counts. Should be awarded to players who worked through the Minor League system. That year though, Abreu was a must see every time he came up to bat. It was like the rebirth of Frank Thomas, a first baseman bigger type of guy that can hit for power and average. Abreu played nine seasons mostly on bad White Sox teams. Abreu in those nine seasons etched himself in the White Sox record books. Abreu in a White Sox uniform hit 243 bombs which is good for number 3 on the franchise All-time Home Run list. Abreu is 10^th all-time in hits. Abreu is 5^th all-time on the White Sox All-time RBI list. Only Abreu and Dickie Allen did it first to lead the AL in RBIs as Jose did that in 2019 with 123. Then Abreu led the league in RBI’S in 2020 to be the first player to accomplish back-to-back seasons since David Ortiz did it in the 2005 & 2006 seasons. Abreu played 60 games in 2020 and drove in 60 runs. The only players to drive in the same amount of RBI’S while playing the same number of games was Sammy Sosa with 160 and Juan Gonzalez did it with 140, both in 2001. Let’s not forget Jose Abreu earned MVP honors in 2020 which is only the 5^th player in White Sox history to do that. Abreu’s final numbers in a White Sox uniform are he batted .292 with 243 home runs driving in 863. 

There are pros to Jose Abreu walking away. The Chicago White Sox have a log jam at guys that can play first or slide into the DH slot. The team would rather Eloy Jimenez stay in the DH slot to stay healthy instead of getting injured in the outfield. Then finding playing time for Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets gets tricky with Jose Abreu in the mix. With all these guys, it looks like a slow pitch softball team going station to station on every hit. Now the White Sox could find guys for the vacant outfield positions with some speed on the base paths and insert them into the lineup to balance things off. Which is not a bad thing. That is how the team did it in 2005 by letting Maggio Ordonez walk and trading Carlos Lee away to add speed and defense.  

How do you replace the Jose Abreu production? That is my biggest question to General Manager Ricky Hahn. The White Sox bats as a team were in a deep freeze most of the year last season. At times, Abreu was the only offense the White Sox had. Abreu’s home run totals were down last season, but he still hit over .300 and was able to drive in runners in scoring position. The White Sox faced multiple injuries last year. Over the last two seasons, injuries have piled up. The White Sox are letting a guy go that stayed on the field for them. Last year I saw Abreu get plunked in the head with a fast ball and stay in the game. Many of the other fragile players on the White Sox roster would be done for the year. It was amazing & Abreu had a really old school mentality. He did not take days off because he wanted to be in the line up every day. The White Sox let their face of their franchise and leader of the team walk away. Where in the dollar bin do you get a Jose Abreu replacement? The only off-season move the White Sox have made so far was signing Mike Clevinger, a guy returning from Tommy John Surgery last year. Clevinger is a question mark move. If the White Sox fall on hard times, the front office will be to blame following the Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf way. They have run things like a six-year-old kid doing a lemonade stand. The team is still behind the 8 ball of not knowing how much players are worth. The team had all the time in the world to hammer out a deal with Abreu and his representatives. The team waited and waited and got shell shocked as he walked. The Indians, or they call themselves the Guardians, have now pulled ahead another 5 games of the White Sox with Abreu going to Houston. Let’s wait and see how the pathetic White Sox retool this team the rest of this off-season. I know I will be disappointed.   

WHITE SOX TRYING TO BAND AID THEIR STARTING ROTATION 

I’m sick of these dime store moves the Chicago White Sox make in their stale attempts to win another World Series. In the White Sox first move of the off-season to improve the team, they sign 31-year-old RHP Mike Clevinger who pitched for the San Diego Padres last year. Clevinger coming off Tommy John surgery in 2021 missed the entire season. Last year Clevinger made 22 starts, had a 7-7 record, and posted an ERA of 4.33, the second highest in his career since his rookie season. The White Sox bring Clevinger to the southside on a one-year-deal guaranteed 12 million. 

Mike Clevinger started his baseball career with Cleveland as the White Sox are very familiar with him, making us look foolish all those years facing the long hair in the AL Central. In six seasons, Clevinger has a 51-30 record in 114 starts. In 2020, the White Sox tried to trade for Clevinger, but the Indians dealt him to the Padres to refuse to send him to a division rival. Clevinger made 4 starts for the Padres after the deadline going 2-1 with 2.84 ERA during the pandemic season. Being slated to make the Padres first playoff start is when Clevinger was put up on the shelf which led to Tommy John surgery. Clevinger’s rookie season with the Indians was in 2016 where he played in the World Series and came out of the bullpen versus the Cubs in that epic series. 

If the White Sox starting rotation had three studs 1-3 and Mike Clevinger was going to be the 5^th starter, I like this gamble. The White Sox have one stud in Dylan Cease; the rest don’t scare me in any playoff series. Lance Lynn had knee issues last year. Lucas Giolito has taken a step backwards from the two great seasons he had. Then Michael Kopech still has training wheels with pitch count and the amount of starts he can make. I just don’t have faith Kopech can stay healthy throughout one season. Johnny Cueto is a free agent, a guy that pitched well for you and ate up innings last year. The Tommy John surgery does help many arms get back on the mound and pitchers feel like they have a brand-new arm after the recovery period. This is a gamble that Clevinger will be productive and stay healthy next season. I like the idea of getting an X-Indian to help fight this division rival next season. I want a guy like a Justin Verlander type. A guy with a track record that can win big games in the playoffs and take care of business in the regular season. A guy who can step up and end a losing streak. The White Sox should bring back Cueto because one of these guys will hurt himself at some point. The White Sox are treading water with their post-season window open right now but starting to close. Many teams in the American league have improved their teams as the White Sox don’t even belong in the same conversation. The penny-pinching small market mentality of the White Sox will close off this rebuild they worked so hard on for many grueling years of bad baseball. For what? When it’s all said and done, we will have two first round playoff exits winning only two games because the team refuses to add solid pieces to the core.  

SANTANA PERFORMING ALL-SUMMER LONG IN PITTSBURGH 

The band Santana may not be touring in Pittsburgh this summer. The Pirates will have Santana performing on their diamond all summer long. The Pirates brass smash open the piggy bank and sign 37-year-old slugging first baseman/DH, Carlos Santana to a one-year deal worth 6.7 million. We haven’t seen the Pirates spend that kind of cheddar since 2016. General Manager Ben Cherington wanted to address the weakness at first base, and he has dotted his I’s and crossed his T’s. Pirates recently landed the Tampa Bay Rays’ first baseman Ji-man Choi in a trade. With the universal DH in place, the Pirates can play both these guys every day with a platoon system.  

Carlos Santana has played in the Majors for 13 seasons. Started his career with the Indians where he spent ten seasons in Cleveland. Santana has had stops in Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Seattle as the Pirates will be his 5^th team. Last year Santana split time in Kansas City and Seattle where he hit 19 long balls in a year his average dipped as low as .202. Santana career batting average is .242 as he has 278 home runs with 925 runs driven in while racking up 1,533 hits. Santana could hit some milestones in 2023 with 300 homeruns and 1,000 RBI’s. 

Carlos Santana even in a down year like last year, brings Pittsburgh instant respectability in that everyday lineup. Santana is a switch hitter and also helps balance the Pirates’ everyday lineup that now has the looks of something promising. Not in any order, but the Pirates have young and upcoming stars in shortstop O’Neil Cruz and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hays with all-star outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Now adding Ji-man Choi and Santana means things have just got interesting. They say Santana is a great clubhouse guy. Santana helps mentor younger players which Pirates have many of those hanging around. Until the Pirates start winning, they also can use Santana as a trade chip at the deadline. I like the Pirates staying busy through the holidays because a few more savvy moves like this in weak NL Central mean you never know if time has arrived a tad early.   

PIRATES TRADE 

The Pittsburgh Pirates found a trade partner after designating Hoy Park for assignment. Pirates send the 26-year-old South Korean to the Boston Red Sox for a minor league prospect. The Red Sox need a guy with Hoy’s talents, a guy that can bring more than one mitt to field and play multiple positions. The Pirates get back an 18-year-old South Paw, Inmer Lobo, out of the Dominican Republic.  

Hoy Park has only played two seasons in the Majors. Park only played in 23 games last season for the Pirates. Park can play solid defense at multiple positions including the outfield, but his bat is most likely a guaranteed out. Last season Park batted .216 with 2 homeruns, driving in 6. In the two seasons in which his career started with the Yankees, he has a batting average of only .205 with 5 homeruns driving in 20. Hoy gives you a left-handed bat in the lineup, but you hope he can improve his hitting down the line. If he could even get his average up to .250, I would say he’s a keeper. Pirates have other plans for their bench. The Red Sox need a guy like Park so a deal came through. 

Most of the time these deals will not get you back a superstar to your roster. Inmer Lobo is only 18 years old and has pitched very well in the Dominican Summer league in 2022. Lobo’s numbers were outstanding in 5 starts. Lobo went 2-0 while posting a 0.82 ERA with 28 strikeouts. It’s only a summer league, but it’s a start. The Pirates could take their time and develop this kid into a Major Leaguer. Most of the time it does not work out as organizations have multiple prospects they need to develop or move on from taking the ones with a higher ceiling of talent. The team was dumping Park, so you get a South Paw back that’s a good deal at the end of the day.  

POLLOCK HITTING THE BRICKS 

A.J. Pollock is taking his talents elsewhere as he declined the $13 million player’s option to remain with the White Sox in 2023. Pollock came to the south side in a trade with the Dodgers right at the end of Spring training of 2022. The White Sox unloaded veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to get Pollock. The 35-year-old can play anywhere in the outfield. Pollock is a solid defender who has won a gold glove. In an 11-year career that started in Arizona, & then won a World Series with the Dodgers in 2020, he is looking for something different for him and family. 

I really don’t think A.J. Pollack will get 13 million from some other team. Pollock did not impress me last year in the White Sox uniform. Pollock hit only .245 with 14 homeruns in 138 games and left many runners on base. The White Sox team was completely flatlined with the lumber, so it did not matter. I was happy to get rid of the bum we got from the Cubs which was a bad trade bringing in Craig Kimbrel in the first place. To land Pollock, I thought was a great move at the time. I think 13 million is overpaying for his talents. I think Pollock will get a two-year deal from somewhere he wants to be which I suspect is out West. He will not get the money, but he can get a contract in years to bring his career to an end. I will miss Pollack’s defense more than his offense. I think the White Sox can find someone else cheaper in the open market with an edge. Somebody with a better bat that can drive in runners in scoring position. The White Sox are usually penny pinchers, so this frees up some money to add a piece somewhere else like second base or pitching.

THE QUEST TO CATCH THE ASTROS 

Early on, every team in the American League West has been having a very busy off-season to chase down the World Series & those no-good S.O.B. Houston Astros. The Rangers hired 3x World Series champion, Bruce Bochy, as their manager. The Mariners traded for slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernandez when striking up a deal with the Blue Jays. While the Angels are collecting third basemen as they made a trade with the Twins to land Gio Urshela. The Angels continue to stay busy beavers. 

The Angels’ problem they have been having for decades is the team never has pitching. The Angels added a piece to their starting rotation as they signed LHP Tyler Anderson to a three-year deal worth 39 million. Anderson comes over from the other team in LA where he had a monster year in his lone season dressed in Dodger blue. Anderson rejected the Dodgers’ qualifying offer making him a free agent. The Angels will forfeit a second-round pick. The Dodgers will pick-up a 4^th or 5^th round selection in the next baseball draft. 

The 32-year-old Tyler Anderson has been well traveled in his major league career. The Angels will be his 6^th team heading into his 8^th year.  Anderson’s career started in Colorado in 2016. Anderson has mostly played on the West Coast except for half of the season in Pittsburgh. Anderson’s West Coast tour featured San Francisco, Seattle, and then last season he signed with the Dodgers. Before the career year Anderson had last year, he only had one winning season as a starter. That season for the Giants in 2020 was shortened due to the pandemic. Last season, Anderson’s record was remarkable at 15-5 while posting a low 2.57 ERA in 28 starts. Anderson logged in 178 innings of work. For Anderson’s career numbers, his record is one game over 500 with a 44-43. Anderson’s lifetime ERA is 4.16. 

The Angels are obviously hoping Tyler Anderson has finally figured it out late in his career to be a top piece in their rotation. The Angels think they have their first complete rotation since the 2014 season. The Angels rotation starts with their ace, Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani has dealt with arm injuries in his career. Anderson now is the oldest starter in the Angels rotation. Can the rest of the staff that features Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, and Jose Suarez overthrow Houston’s reign of terror in the AL West? Can Anderson duplicate the success he had last year with the Dodgers?  As always, Angels still have questions lingering.  

TRADE

The Angels added a big bat to their outfield striking a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers sent well-traveled right fielder Hunter Renfroe to the Angels. The Brewers got back three pitchers, one with partial Major League experience. Janson Junk made his debut in the 2021 season for the Angels. The other two hurlers the Brewers got are minor leaguers, Elvis Peguero and Adam Seminaris, to complete the 4-player deal. 

Like Tyler Anderson, Hunter Renfroe gets around the league to the point which the nickname suitcase could be applied. The 30-year-old Renfroe has been on a different team the last 4 seasons.  His career started in San Diego and had stability playing there 4 years. Then the traveling started for Renfroe with stops in Tampa Bay, Boston, & then Milwaukee where he was traded last off-season. Renfroe will be a free agent after the 2023 season so he may be in another uniform in the 2024 season. Renfroe will play alongside the best player on the planet, Centerfielder Mike Trout.  In a Milwaukee uniform, Renfroe played in 125 games, batted.255, and hit 29 long balls while driving in 72. Renfroe’s numbers are always consistent, you know what you are getting. Renfroe’s career numbers mean he has a batting average of .240 with 157 long balls while driving 394 runs. The right-handed slugger gives the Angels some much-needed power in the middle of the line-up and a right fielder with a great arm. It also gives the Angels more time to develop their top prospect Jo Adell, who will be relegated to the 4^th outfielder on the depth charts. Angels added Twins third baseman Gio Urshela a few weeks back and have now constructed a deadly lineup from 1 through 9.  

Meanwhile the Brewers, you never know what direction they are going. When you look up small market teams in the dictionary, the search will conclude with Milwaukee and Tampa Bay. The Brewers were leading the NL Central last year when management traded their closer, Josh Hader. Brewers then plummeted in the standings. Hader and Hunter Renfroe have expiring contracts, so the team wants something in return before they bounce out of beer town. The Brewers have assembled a very nice starting rotation with the big club. You can never have too much pitching as the Brewers collected three arms in this deal. The RHP Janson Junk is 26 years old and has 6 starts under his belt with a 1-2 record while posting a 4.74 ERA. The other two pitching prospects will need some work and major seasoning. Elvis Peguero is another RHP who is only 24 years old as he pitched 19.2 innings at the highest level of the Angels farm system and posted a very high 9.15 ERA. Then the LHP, Adam Seminaris, is another 24-year-old who reached Triple A last season and has made 39 starts in the minor leagues. Brewers are probably glad they got three players for Renfroe as they will try to squeeze the talent out of these guys and make something out of at least one of them. Brewers will fix their vacant outfielder position by dipping into the free agent dollar bin.  

RETURN TO ME 

The Yankees are bringing X-Cub bozo Anthony Rizzo as both parties have agreed on a two-year pact.  

The 33-year-old will get 17 million in the next two seasons with an option in 2025 of 20 million.  

In a no shock move, Clayton Kershaw re-ups with the only franchise he played for his entire career.  

The Dodgers and Kershaw agree on another one-year deal. The amount not yet mentioned. It’s believed to be around 17 million. The 34-year-old south paw has played 15 seasons for the Dodgers.   

ALL SAUCED UP 

I was in the dairy state of Wisconsin and heading back to the dreaded state of Illinois state lines, so I stopped at the Mars Cheese factory.  

I needed to stock up on New Glarus beverages and of course blocks of cheese. I came upon a bottle of sauce during my shopping adventure. The jar had a picture of an X-Brewer on the jar which was autographed. 

I love it when players dabble in other ventures, so I purchased a bottle of this mustard-based sauce called Gorman Thomas’ Stormin’ Sauce. Gorman Thomas was your prolific homerun slugger in the late 1970’s early 1980’s. Thomas played 15 seasons in the majors and 11 seasons was in Milwaukee in two stints. Thomas was your typical live by the homerun and die by the strikeout. Somehow as baseball fans, we are fascinated with these guys. Thomas also played in Seattle, and it seems like many players spend only one season in Cleveland.  

Gorman Thomas played most of his career in the outfield as he slid into the DH slot later in his career. Thomas, a big barreled type of a specimen that had the great mustache at times. He had the intimidating beard with the look in his eye showing he wanted to crush whatever the pitcher served up.  

I remember having Gorman Thomas’ baseball card when he played for the Mariners. Loved those old Mariners uniforms back in the 1980’s. Thomas was an all-star in the 1981 season for the Brewers. Thomas was a 2X Homerun King of the American League. The Brewers oragnaization has Thomas on their wall of honor. Thomas racked up 1,051 hits in his career with a low batting average of .225. Thomas hit 268 bombs while driving in 782 runs in 15 seasons in the MLB.  

The Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, made his own beer. Gorman Thomas’ wife Susie makes this Storming sauce with the Slugger’s name on it. The couple’s deep south roots of Charlestown, South Carolina created this sauce for pulled pork. The sauce has a nice sweetness with a little spice to it which means it can go in multiple things as they list a variety of things on each jar.  

Usually, other companies pay the sports legend for his name and face to put on their product. I like the fact that the Stormin’ sauce is a family recipe. It looks like the sauce is sold all over the Milwaukee area. Thomas’ career was all sauced up back in 1986, his final year playing baseball. Now there’s a new chapter in Thomas’s life as he has hit a grand slam with me on this Stormin’ mustard sauce which I added on my brats right off the grill.     

PIRATES TRADE 

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been wheeling & dealing as they already made their second trade in the off-season. Pirates strike a deal with division rival Cincinnati Reds on a two-player deal. Pirates are sending their longest tenured player to the Reds, which in rebuild is not saying much. The Reds will get short stop Kevin Newman from Pittsburgh. The Pirates in exchange get themselves a relief pitcher. The Reds will send RHP Dauri Moreta to Steel Town.

The writing was on the wall for Kevin Newman with the arrival of Oneil Cruz at the big club. The idea of Newman playing second base next season was not in the cards for the Pirates brass. The Pirates tendered Newman for the 2023 season and then flipped him to the Reds.  Newman was drafted back in 2015 out of Arizona University. Newman spent 5 seasons in a Pittsburgh uniform where he was a solid defender and had a hot and cold bat. Last season, Newman batted .274 with two homeruns while driving 24 as he only played in 74 games. Newman’s best season of his career came in 2019 where he went .308 with 12 bombs and driving 74 while playing in 130 games. In five seasons in Pittsburgh, Newman batted .260 while racking 402 hits, with 20 bombs while driving in 143. The 29-year-old short stop will head to another bottom of the barrel team in Cincinnati who are rebuilding too. The Pirates most likely will leapfrog the Reds in the Central as they are further along in their rebuild.  

Let’s face the facts. The Pirates got themselves a project for their bullpen. Dauri Moreta is a 26-year-old hurler with one year’s experience in the league. Moreta debuted in 2021 and was only around for a cup of coffee pitching in 4 games with only 3.2 innings of work. Last year, Moreta appeared in 35 games in which only one contest he started the game. Moreta had a 0-2 record with a very high ERA of 5.40 in 35 innings of work. Moreta converted one save opportunity as he struck out 39 guys. Pirates must have seen something they can tinker with in his mechanics. Pirates would have control over the reliever for the next six seasons.  

This is a small potatoes type of deal that can go either way for each team. Kevin Newman might be a rental for one season for the Reds rebuild. Having a decent short stop that can defend, can help young pitchers out while developing their confidence with solid defense. The Pirates have other options they can use at second base. Dauri Moreta could be a piece of the Pirates bullpen for years to come. Moreta could be flipped for something else. If Moreta is a bust, it did not cost much because the Pirates probably had no intentions of having Newman on the squad past this upcoming season.  

TRADE 

The Minnesota Twins and the LA Angels have worked out a two-player deal. Minnesota is sending their third baseman, Gio Urshela West. The Angels are sending Minnesota a pitching prospect, 19-year-old Alejandro Hidalgo. It’s a weird deal as Angels already have a third baseman while the Twins’ left side of their infield has completely disappeared. Both the Angels and Twins fan base never can figure out what their team is up to as they do things strangely. Leaving them wanting to scratch out the owner’s eyeballs. 

This will now be Gio Urshela’s 5^th team he has played for entering his 8^th season in the big leagues. The 31-year-old third baseman started his career as an Indian & then had stops in Toronto, New York, & then Minnesota. Last off-season, the Yankees traded Urshela to the Twins in a multi-player deal. Last season, Urshela’s numbers were pretty good for the Twins with the lumber. Urshela played in 144 games and batted .285 with 13 long balls while driving in 64. Urshela, has a career batting average of .275 with 62 homeruns, while driving in 256. The Angels already have a third baseman in Anthony Rendon. Once again, Angels who need pitching are trading it away for bats. Rendon has not stayed healthy since arriving from the Nationals after helping them win the World Series in 2019. Rendon may have less games at the hot corner and could find himself moved into the DH slot to try to keep him from going on the injured list. Urshela could platoon with Rendon at either the DH slot or the hot corner. Angels may have Urshela play a few positions as he is a solid defender.  

Twins retooled the deck last year with the big trades and landing the fish on the open market. This offseason Twins short stop Carlos Correa opted out of his contract and hit the free agent market. The Twins then traded their starting third baseman Gio Urshela for what? Alejandro Hidalgo is RHP who was the Angels 22^nd ranked prospect in their farm system. Hidalgo already has two years in the minor leagues as a starter. Last year Hidalgo pitched in the Angels High-A farm system as he came away with 39 innings of work with a 4.62 ERA. Hidalgo has smooth change up that can baffle opposing batters is what scout rave about this kid. Along with the change up Hidalgo has a fast ball that can go up to 93 MPH. Twins could be just rearranging the furniture for the time bean then waiting out the market to pounce on some players that have slashed their price tags. Small market mentality as Gio Urshela becomes a free agent after this season.  

TRADE 

The Toronto Blue Jays strike a deal with the team that eliminated them from the past post-season. The Seattle Mariners knocked out the Jays in the first round of the post-season. The Mariners then fell to their division rival, the Houston Astros, in the divisional round. Both teams come up with a trade deal involving three players that can help each side. Mariners get a big bomber for the middle of their lineup. Right fielder Teoscar Hernandez is heading to the Emerald City. Blue Jays get pitching help. Jays need bullpen help. They get a solid arm for theirs, next year landing Right-Handed Reliever Erik Swanson. Jays also get a pitching prospect to solidify the deal. 

The Blue Jays feel like they can give up a big bat to get their bullpen a shutdown relief pitcher next season. The Blue Jays could find a right fielder in the free agent pool which has some interesting choices. Erik Swanson is 29 years old. Swanson has played in the big leagues for parts of 4 seasons as this year he had a career year. Swanson had a 3-2 record with a low 1.68 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings of work. In 2021, Swanson’s ERA was 3.31 as he had 35.1 innings of work. Swanson came into the league as a starter & then was converted to a relief pitcher. Jays also get a young left-handed pitcher that has a high ceiling as a starter. Adam Macko, a 21-year-old kid born in Slovakia, who has a fast ball in the mid 90’s. Macko went to high school in a very small town in Canada where the Mariners drafted in 2019 in the 7^th round.  

Meanwhile, the Mariners add a 2x slugger winner to their everyday lineup. Teoscar Hernandez is 30 years old and due to make about 14 Million this season in Arbitration. The right fielder batted .267 last season with 25 bombs while driving in 77 in one of the scariest lineups in the AL. Hernandez has played in the big leagues for 7 seasons, which started his voyage in Houston. Hernandez has a life-time batting average of .262 with 133 bombs and has driven in 380 runs. Hernandez does strikeout but does not live by the homerun and die by the strikeout like many sluggers do. 

Clearly this is a trade that can help both teams. The trade looks great on paper. For the Blue Jays, Erik Hanson could be a one-year wonder. Bullpen help these days is very expensive, but many relievers pitch lights out one year & then struggle the next season. If this trade works out for the Blue Jays, they get a guy that can stop or contain the bleeding late in the game.  Swanson will be counted on putting up zero each frame he comes in when the team has the lead. For the Mariners, you get a guy that started his career with your archrivals. Guys also have something to prove when a club gives up on you. Hernandez, facing the Astros 19 games in a season, could be the weapon that flips the script in this rival. The Mariners outfield has rookie of the year honors, Julio Rodriguez, then placing Hernandez in right gives this team one of the best hitting outfields in the league. The only problem with this trade Hernandez becomes a free agent if they don’t hammer out an extension after this season which could be a one-year rental.  If the Mariners offer him a qualifying offer next off-season, they could get a high draft pick if he does bolt to another team. Both teams hope they don’t face each other once in post-season where the person they traded away comes back to haunt them.  

PIRATES TRADE 

The Pittsburgh Pirates are out of the gates quickly by striking a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Pirates’ revolving door at first base may have come to an end. At least temporarily because in a two-player deal, Pirates land 31-year old veteran left-handed hitting first baseman, Ji-man Choi. The Rays will get a minor league pitcher back in Sam Hartman. Pirates are looking to upgrade the roster. Rays are turning over their roster like they do every year. 

The Pirates have not solved their first base situation since they dealt Josh Bell to the Washington Nationals. Ji-man Choi is a 7-year veteran who started his career with the Angels. The Pirates will be Choi’s 5^th team of his career which has featured stops in New York for the Yankees, then Milwaukee, and then found some stability the last 4 seasons in Florida with the Rays. Last season, Choi batted .233 with 11 home runs driving in 52 in 113 games. Career numbers, Choi has a .239 batting average with 61 bombs and 225 RBI’S. Choi went on social media & said his farewell to the two Rays fans as he thought he would retire in his Tampa Bay uniform. Like any player retires as a Ray. 

Meanwhile the Rays get the Pirates 4^th round draft pick from 2020. Sam Hartman is another pitcher who has had Tommy John surgery which these days is compared to rotating the tires on the car. Last season, Hartman appeared in 22 games in the Pirates Single-A farm system. Hartman was 0-1 with a very high ERA of 6.27 with 19 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings of work. Hartman had 16 walks as he had a hard time finding the plate at times. Tampa Bay is a factory when it comes to producing pitching. The Rays brass may see something they can tweak to turn Hartman into a major leaguer. 

Pirates are still in a rebuild, but now fans are seeing some permanent fixtures on the diamond. Last year, some of the Pirates’ bigger prospects the team has assembled got their feet wet and made some huge strides. Bringing in Ji-man Choi brings the team an everyday first baseman on the diamond. Choi improves the Pirates defense. Choi plays solid defense. Choi brings a left-handed bat to the lineup which will give the team balance. This deal the Pirates made is definitely not the big splashy move the fans wish for. It is a deal to improve the current team in hopes they can make the next step. This is the Pirates… everything is baby steps. The team will need more seasoning if they want to improve in the standings and not escape the dungeon of the NL Central.   

PEDRO CERRANO NEXT WHITE SOX SKIPPER 

The idea of the Pedro Cerrano character from Major League using Kenny Williams as a sacrificial lamb to cleanse the bad White Sox omen would be Priceless. Cerrano will not be the new Pedro in the dugout for the White Sox. Instead, the White Sox have elected to go with 52-year-old baseball lifer Pedro Grifol who last year was the Kansas City Royals bench coach. The White Sox made a hire with no south side ties which is shocking. White Sox bringing in an outsider. Who the hell is Pedro Grifol? Usually, you poach managers from winning organizations, not from the sorry Royals. Perhaps this move will help us be able to beat the Royals as the Tigers seem the only squad in the division we can beat regularly. 

Pedro Grifol is a jack of all baseball trades, but I’m unsure he is the master of any. Grifol was a member of those Royal teams that went on to win two AL pennants and one World Series title. Grifol has been on the Royals coaching staff for the last ten seasons. Grifol was the bench coach the last three cruddy seasons the Royale with cheese has had. Before Kansas City, Grifol worked with the Mariners farm system and front office for 12 years. Grifol may have done everything in 22 years not being the Man. The White Sox General Manager, Rick Hahn, loves that Grifol because he’s a modern baseball thinker. Grifol is bilingual which comes in handy speaking to the box Cubans the White Sox have on their roster. Hahn thinks he has found the diamond in the ruff with this hire. Grifol has two decades of experience and has done it all in the game of baseball. Grifol was also a hitting coach, winter ball plus minor league manager. In the front office, Grifol has held positions like Director of Development plus scouting. Grifol may have sold beer and hot dogs at the ball game when things got busy. 

I still don’t know what to think about the White Sox going with a guy with no experience as a manager at the big league level. I knew Rickey Renteria was going to be the bridge gap manager once the rebuild was in its final stages. Then the White Sox broke Tony LaRussa out of his retirement home to be the guy to push them over the top. The White Sox failed miserably this past season. LaRussa is out due to health reasons which was a perfect excuse not to fire him again. The White Sox could have gone with another former White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, who was interviewed. I even liked the idea of the White Sox bringing Bruce Bochy out of retirement. Could Joe Maddon have that same magic he had on the North side? White Sox interviewed the Astros bench coach, Joe Espada. The city already has the Jesse White Tumblers who can play the drums on buckets. Other candidates the White Sox interviewed were Ron Washington, Carlos Mendoza, and interim coach Miguel Cairo. All bad. I did like Cairo’s fire. The team started playing well for Cairo with that kick in the butt attitude, but then quickly fizzled to their old ways. I don’t think Guillen and Maddon would have that luck again like they did in Chicago past. How can you tell your fan base that you are hiring another dinosaur and bringing them out of retirement? Bochy is out. Would former White Sox and Cleveland coach presently, Sand Alomar, have been a good choice? White Sox ties once again.  

I know Ricky Hahn, White Sox GM, had no choice when the chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf, stuck his fat face into the equation and forced his old buddy Tony LaRussa on him to get the job. I thought LaRussa, a Hall of Fame coach, was a good idea. This time Hahn has the say and moves into a different direction and goes with a guy who saw the White Sox from the other dugout. Royals and White Sox play each other 19 times a year. Pedro Grifol noticed the White Sox lost their eye of the tiger. In 2021, Grifol said the White Sox played with high energy. This season, White Sox were the walking dead. Grifol wants to get that edge back and have his players bring that kind of energy to the ballpark every game. Like any new hire, it all sounds great. The team smells like roses as the bad stench is completely eradicated from the locker room. I like to see the White Sox hit like those Royal teams who won two pennants. They were a contact team that hardly struck out, which I like to see. The White Sox need to stay healthy. Hahn needs to make some moves to help this roster. The window of talent on the southside is still half open. Uncle Jerry better not get cheap on us. The team should hold on to the core and cut off the fat. Give this new manager a chance to win games. Maybe the new Pedro can exercise the White Sox demons and help get the team back to the playoffs and win a series for a change. Not sure if this is a good move, but it might not be a bad one. It seems like we are just doing the hokey pokey dance continuously and turning our self around after every season we get our hopes up for.       

ASTROS: THE BLACK HOLE OF BASEBALL  

Sometimes the bad guys do win. The baseball world is morning as the Houston Astros are the 2022 World Series winners. They defeated the last hope of the rebel alliance during which the Philadelphia Phillies failed us. It was asking a lot from the Philadelphia freedom fighters who were a number six seed team that was not supposed to be there in the first place. Houston was by far the best team in the American league which made this World Series setting a David versus Goliath story. Phillies made it interesting. At the end, the Astros had the better team and took the best out of seven series in six games.  

I’m a true believer that usually the best pitching staff prevails in a seven-game series. Houston had the better starting rotation as they come at you with their two aces of their staff: Justin Verlander and LHP Framber Valdez. Verlander was spotted a 5 run lead in game one as the Phillies tied the game and chased the Astros’ top ace out of the game. Verlander would come back and win his first World Series game ever in game 5.  Lance McCullers last year’s Ace for the Astros was non-relevant as Phillies were able to knock him around for their second and final win of the series. Then you had Christian Javier’s masterpiece that resulted in a 4-pitcher combination of a no-hitter. Phillies only had two horses in their stable that had good enough stuff. One of them did not have his best stuff in the World Series action. Zack Wheeler was the Ace of the Phillies but did not pitch lights out. Aaron Nola did not bring his game to the World Series. Astros bullpen was ten times better than a Phillies bullpen that looked like the sky was falling most of the time. 

Before the World Series between the Phillies and the Astros, I thought about who would get their ring first. Would it be Astros manager Dusty Baker or one of the best players on the planet, Bryce Harper. Baker has been to multiple World Series and has failed miserably. Baker has guided 5 different franchises in his managerial career to the post-season and has never come away with a World Series trophy. For Bryce Harper, he left Washington as a free agent and signed with the Phillies for a big contract. Then in 2019, the Nationals won their first ever World Series beating the Astros. Before this season, Harper’s post-season was the usual one and done series. Harper will have to wait another time to earn his first ring. Meanwhile Baker has the monkey off his back but probably is still wearing the Isatoner gloves and wrist bands. 

The only thing I enjoyed about the Astros was that the young short stop, Carlos Pena, was awarded the MVP of the World Series. After last season, the former Houston short stop bolted out of town for the money. Carlos Correa did not even sniff post-season play this season regarding how things went for the Twins in the last three months of their season. Pena batted .400 in the series which included a homerun. In game six, Pena went 2-4 to help his team win their first maybe legit championship.  

Astros still have a few members of that 2017 World Series team on this year’s roster. The roster of Houston has turned over with many new faces playing on this team that were not involved in that sign stealing saga. Many believe the players from that 2017 team got off way too easy. 

In 1919’s Black Sox scandal, the eight men out were not convicted of a crime throwing the World Series in the court of law. The White Sox won it in 1917. Back then justice was served and that team was quickly dismantled by the MLB Commissioner who threw down the gauntlet of his own baseball law. Astros lost some money. Some draft picks. Lost their old manager who now is in Detroit as the skipper, A.J Hinch. The team had to axe their General Manager. Slap on the wrists, hire a new general manager and have him hire a new manager for the team. Develop a few players in the farm system. Make a few trades. Sign some free agents. Astros did not miss a beat as they made three World Series appearances since 2017. They are 1-2 in those three appearances. No wonder the entire world hates them. It’s not just banging on trash cans. Half teams in baseball… it takes them decades just to get one team to the World Series. That is not always winning the World Series either. Sometimes bad people get away with murder. Here’s hoping in 2023 that Houston will get derailed in the playoffs or the team goes to shambles in regular season and maybe it will be the end of them for good.       

LAWSON NEVER NEEDED THE SIDE ORDER OF FRIES TO COMPLETE HIS APPETITE FOR PERFECTION 

In game three of the World Series, Astros were beating with the sticks from the Phillies offense like Rodney King getting whacked multiple times by the LAPD during the 1990’s. Astros shutout by Phillies pitching. Suddenly, the series momentum in favor of Philadelphia. The Phillies at home were thinking of terms in Mortal Kombat, FATALITY!! Finish them!! Astros pitching pulls the silence of the lambs on Philadelphia’s offense. Astros record the second no-hitter in World Series history. Houston starter Christian Javier was excellent. Javier could not finish what he started as the Astros needed training wheels of relievers to complete the no, no. This performance drums up baseball past which is so much better than baseball future when Don Lawson pitched a perfect game in 1956. 

Christian Javier is only 25 years old & out of Dominican Republic. During the Summer, Javier was pitching another gem versus the Yankees and allowed no hits. Those damn Yankees did record a hit that day off the Astros bullpen. In game four of the World Series, Javier pitched six innings during which his pitch count tallied up to 97 pitches. The same amount back in August versus the Yankees. This go around, the Astros bullpen were lights out. Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly who recorded the save each pitched a perfect frame to secure the combo no-hitter.   

In 1956, Don Lawson pitching in the pinstripes needed 97 pitches for a perfect game. It was an intergalactic series between the New York Damn Yankees versus Brooklyn Dodgers. Perfection is 27 batters up, 27 batters down. Baseball was a completely different animal back then. Going the distance meant more. MLB had 16 teams back then with each playing 154 regular season games. The league had 758 completed games. Present baseball times, you’re lucky you get three different pitchers each completing a game. In 1956, 61% of the regular season contests resulted in complete games. Winners or losers of those 758 games.  

The Astros needed to win a game in Philadelphia and tie up the series. The pitching performance by Christian Javier helps Houston get the momentum back in the series. Especially with a pivotal game 5 coming up. If Houston manager Dusty Baker let Javier continue his quest for the complete game and Astros lost or another pitcher on Dusty watch went down, his balls would be roasted on an open fire throughout the baseball world. It is all about winning the World Series more than someone’s individual merits. The no hitter by Don Lawson should not be in the same record book as the Great Gatsby team that took 4 guys to get the same result. I’m surprised these days with medical science how far they have achieved since the 1950’s that pitchers are held to pitch count. Present day most players’ bodies are built like a tempo with healthy foods and exercise with hardly an ounce of fat on their frames. Back then, players may have eaten a hot dog during the game. Injuries in present days happen & pitchers come back good as new. The league had no Tommy John surgery back then. Pitchers with injuries meant career was over or you would play another position. I pride myself for not yet being that old guy yelling get off my grass. Javier pitched a whale of a ball game against a great Philadelphia line up. The perfect game thrown by one person is in a league of their own compared to any combo meal with a side of fries and these days, a diet soda.     

MARSH WOULD FIT IN WITH 1993 PHILLIES 

The Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline needed some help in the outfield. The team acquired center fielder Brandon Marsh from the LA Angels. Marsh looks like a guy who arrived at the ballpark on a Viking ship. Marsh has long greasy hair supporting a Ryan Fitzpatrick beard. The Beard is scraggly like something out of a ZZ-Top music video. The look alone means Marsh would fit into the 1993 group of guys the Phillies had when they played the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series. 

The 1993 Phillies were a rag tag group.  Phillies had the “Wild Thing” as a closer, Mitch Williams. First baseman John Kruk was a guy that believed baseball was not a sport. The team had bad hair cuts. It was business in the front & party in the back as they supported the mullet. They were beer guzzlers. They were tobacco chewing SOB’s. Center fielder Lenny Dystra  would have half a bag of Red Man stuffed in his cheeks each at-bat.  

Most people would mistake these Phillies for bikers, not baseball players. The Phillies of the 1990’s probably used the look as an edge. Most likely they did not care what people thought. They played the game hard-nose-style grinding out victories and finding themselves in the World Series only to lose to Toronto on Joe Carter’s mammoth homerun to end the series. 

Brandon Marsh, the 24-year-old outfielder’s last hair cut was right before he was dealt to the Phillies. Marsh likes the greasy look as he puts no product in his hair. Not even shampoo which sounds disgusting. In between innings, Marsh likes the wet look on his hair. Marsh will pour water over his head to maintain that wet look during an entire baseball game.  Marsh probably averages about 15 pours a day keeping his hair moist. Other players in the league that play the game with the wet look like Marsh are not as many as the guys that wear the sparkling gold chains around their necks. Players like Colby Rasmus, Clay Buchholz, and Brandon Crawford like to have the Marsh look, but it may not be the same way as the Phillies outfielder.  

Brandon Marsh has only played in the majors for two seasons with the Angels and Phillies. The Angels were quick to give up on the outfielder and got a prospect in return in the trade. Marsh has a career batting average of .248 in two seasons. Marsh’s numbers improved in a Phillies uniform where he hit .288 in 41 games with 3 homeruns and driving in 15. Marsh has had some big moments in the post-season including a big homerun versus the Atlanta Braves that helped Philadelphia move on. Marsh runs the bases well and plays center field just about well as some of the top defenders in the league. Philadelphia freedom is what Phillies team has. Phillies have some characters this season and that includes Rys Hoskin, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos. The team told Marsh, “Be yourself,” when he arrived from LA. Marsh has done that. If Marsh was a time traveler he could have easily played with guys from the 1993 squad like Curt Schilling, Bobby Thigpen, Mickey Morandini, Dave Hollins and you can’t forget Darren Daulton. 

The 1993 Phillies, like the 2022 group, are free spirited. If the Phillies end up losing to the Astros, they may be in the same boat as the 1993 Phillies. Two teams that fans root for because each guy was a character. If Marsh sticks around in Philadelphia, he may be one of those players that becomes a fan favorite just because Marsh plays hard and looks like a Viking. But you can’t judge a book by its cover because he’s probably a great guy & great teammate.  

SIGNS, SIGNS, SIGNS EVERYWHERE SIGNS  

We all know that the Houston Astros are the villains in the baseball world. The Asterisks were busted for sign stealing on their way to the top of the food chain in 2017, when they won their first World Series title ever. The Astros still have a few players from that team. I don’t think the baseball world will ever forget or forgive the Houston franchise for cheating. In 2020, the Astros escaped the fans’ justice due to the empty seats in each franchise’s stadium due to the pandemic. If I had only taught my cardboard cutout twin to spit that famous lougie like Roger McDowell in that Seinfeld episode.

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, welcomed the Astros to town with billboards on the highway saying you stole my sign. 

Even the locals had funny signs out in front of their businesses.  

Philadelphia is known for fans being tough on their own sports teams. The fans in Philadelphia are even crazier when it comes to the enemy. In 1999, Eagles fans were very happy their team knocked out Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin at Veteran’s stadium.

I hate the Cowboys, and I am not a fan of Michael Irvin. Irvin would catch his last pass, his 750^th of his career as he laid on the Veteran’s stadium turf mangled. An added bonus later for Eagles fans, is Irvin’s football career would be over. These are the same fans that booed Santa Clause. The Philly faithful are perfect to get under the skin of Astros players. 

Besides all the loud boos, great heckles and all the good signs at Phillies stadium expressing their hatred for the Astros, who came to town for three games for the 2022 World Series. Philadelphia restaurants got involved in their dislike for the Astros.  

In South Philly, Angelo’s Pizzeria is my hero who refused to cater to the Houston Astro’s needs. You can say that’s a bad thing like when people did not want certain immigrants in this country.   

I use my own nationality, so I do not insult someone else’s. Those were terrible things to put signs up saying a certain group is not welcomed. Astros found grub elsewhere. I just like the thought process of Dusty Baker eating White Castles instead of great restaurant food. In the television sitcom called Coach, back in the 1990’s they had an episode about fans welcoming the visiting team. It was the defensive coordinator Luther Van Dam who gets the tainted wings from the local Buffalo pub for the entire team. It was a playoff game between the Bills and the made-up team in the show called the Orlando Breakers. The Breakers ate the wings and got food poisoning. Bills would prevail. Not hoping for bodily harm to the Astros. If the Astros like being the villains, they should be treated like they are. I don’t want the other team to cheat to beat the cheaters. The Astros should always be uncomfortable on the road. Show me you’re a road warrior, not a princess is what I say to Dusty Baker.  

WORLD SERIES (2022)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES VERSUS HOUSTON ASTROS

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES REGULAR SEASON RECORD (87-75)

CLINCHED A NL WILD CARD

THE ROAD TO THE WORLD SERIES FOR THE PHILLIES

Phillies went 3-0 in playoff series in the NL post-season to find themselves in the World Series.

TEAMS PHILLIES ELIMINATED

HOUSTON ASTROS REGULAR SEASON RECORD (105-56)

CLINCHED THE AL WEST DIVISION BEST RECORD NUMBER 1 SEED WITH FIRST ROUND BYE.

THE ROAD TO THE WORLD SERIES FOR THE ASTROS

Astros went 2-0 in playoff series in the AL post-season to find themselves in the World Series.

TEAMS ASTROS ELIMINATED

PHILADELPHIA WORLD SERIES HISTORY

First World Series appearance since 2009

8^th Appearance All-Time

(2-5) World Series All-Time

Years Phillies appeared in the World Series: 1915, 1950, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009, & 2022

Years Phillies Won it All: 1980 & 2008

HOUSTON ASTROS WORLD SERIES HISTORY

First World Series since last year 2021

5^th Appearance All-Time

(1-3) Record All-Time

Years Astros appeared in the World Series: 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, & 2022

Years won it all: 2017***

THE SKINNY

This World Series is David versus Goliath which features the best team in the American League number 1 seed versus the last seeded team in the National League. Astros have been favorites all year to get to the World Series and even win one. While the Phillies took third place in the NL East and landed the last wild card spot in the NL to be the final 6^th seed. Phillies definitely are the underdog as they have made an incredible run through the NL post-season knocking out three teams, including last year’s champions, the Braves. Astros have been rolling through the post-season and have not lost a game.

HITTING

The Astros are the best team in the league at making contact. They are very hard to strike out. The Astros line up is just sick. Jose Altuve is second in post-season history with homeruns hit. Yordan Alvarez is a left-handed slugger that can end your season on one swing. Just ask anyone in Seattle about him. Alex Bregman is one of the core from the 2017 team who remains lighting up the scoreboard as his bat sizzles even hotter in post-season. Kyle “the Fucker” Tucker who came on last year with his bat is thorn in many teams’ sides. Tucker left-handed bat has had two years in a row hitting 30 homeruns.

The Phillies are no slouch either. Phillies have guys in their line up that can wreck a team’s dreams with one swing of the bat. Bryce Harper may still be one of the best baseball players on the planet. Kyle Schwarber had the most homeruns in the NL this season with 46. Phillies line up also features Nick Castellanos and Rhys Hoskins. Phillies have a talented catcher that can swing the bat well in J.T. Realmuto.

Realmuto may be one of the best overall catchers in baseball with his bat and defense.

EDGE: HOUSTON

PITCHING

Astros starting rotation is deep. Phillies will start off by facing the Ace Ventura of the Houston rotation, veteran Justin Verlander, who everyone has heard of. Verlander will most likely win the Cy Young in the AL this regular season. Then Houston trots out Framber Valdez, a very talented south paw who will eventually be the team’s Ace in the future. Lance McCullers was last year’s Ace of the staff who Dusty Baker broke during the White Sox series. Christian Javier if needed.

Phillies have 2 guys that are the anchor of their starting rotation. Aaron Nola is the longest tenured Phillie on the roster. Then Zack Wheeler who has been wheeling and dealing this post- season. Wheeler has a 1.78 ERA in 4 starts this post-season. After Nola and Wheeler, Phillies are very thin.

STARTING ROTATION: EDGE HOUSTON

BULLPEN

Astros bullpen this post-season is 0.82. That’s just wrong. Opposing teams are just hitting .127 against Houston arms. Ryan Pressly, Houston’s closer, is perfect at closing the door 4-4 in save opportunities. Bryan Abreu, coming out of the Astros bullpen in six appearances, has held the opponent to zippity do dah zippity day.

Phillies bullpen seems to be scrambling, adding veteran closer David Robertson to the World Series roster. Robertson was hurt early on in the NL post-season games. The Phillies bullpen has gotten the job done as they are 5-0 while posting a 3.19 ERA this post-season. The anchors of the bullpen doing most of the dirty work has been done well by Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez. Phillies had been created as starter Ranger Suarez has started a game and closed out a game so far this post-season.

BULLPEN EDGE: HOUSTON

This series most of the world will be rooting against the Astros. They will be tarnished for a lifetime as the sign stealing saga of that 2017 World Series the team won, will not go away whatever they do. It’s a dark cloud that will follow this team from city to city. Astros on paper have the better team. Up and down the roster, Astros have all the edges. Phillies have holes in their pitching overall.

THE X-FACTOR

It looks like a bad voting card for President. Which guy on top will get their first ring? Dusty “We Trusty” Baker as a manager. Baker has been down this same road many times. Does Bryce Harper win his first ring? Thought both Harper and Mike Trout, 2 of the best players in the league, were only about regular season or bowing out early in the post-season. Harper left Washington and the Nationals went on to win their first ever World Series trophy. Who will power through, Dusty or Bryce?

FINAL THOUGHTS AND PREDICTION

I hate the Astros. Houston has been smooth and silky all post-season, but now the World Series is when Dusty Baker’s gloves are on too tight and his toothpick he chews on is down to a splinter. Great empires collapse as Houston will fall once again. Phillies should not have gotten this far. Philadelphia are playing carefree and don’t suddenly have that monkey on their backs. Like Houston’s Dusty Baker and then the dark clouds that follow the Astros. Something magical is going down in the Philadelphia Freedom sports landscape.

OUR PREDICTION: PHILLIES IN SEVEN   

DUMB DUMBER & THEN THERE’S DONALDSON  

I like when bad things happen to bad people. In game one of the ALDS between the Guardians and Yankees, Josh Donaldson thought he had hit a homerun in game one of the series only to be tagged out at first base. The Yankees third baseman connected off Guardians pitcher Cal Quantill, as the ball sailed to right field which looked like it was going to land in the seats for homerun. Meanwhile Josh Donaldson is thinking he can go into his homerun trot. The ball hit off the top of the wall and came back into the park. The hero in the Wild Card series was Oscar Gonzalez, who hit the walk off homerun versus the Rays to send Cleveland to the next round playing right field gets the ball in quickly. Gonzalez throws a dart and hits the cutoff man, Armed Rosario, who then tosses it to Josh Naylor, playing first base, who tags Donaldson trying to get back to first base for the out. 

While Cleveland was making a play, Josh Donaldson is busy high fiving his first base coach, Travis Chapman. Quick question. Is it one of the duties of first base coaches to watch the ball so he can send the base runner to second base if the ball stays in the yard and far enough from the outfielder? Now we have Chapman in the same boat as Donaldson. Donaldson being the friend you mother told you not hang out with. Donaldson rounds second and as he sees Armed Rosario with the ball, instantly becomes a deer in head lights. Donaldson, now like those old cartoons, turns into a jack ass hung out to be dry as he goes headfirst back into first base.  

Resulting in Naylor nailing the former guest star on the Vikings because in his Toronto days he looked like a guy out of one of those Mad Max movies. Suddenly in disbelief, Donaldson was still thinking the ball was gone as he has a face full of dirt from the slide trying to get back to first. Yankees feel like it should be a homerun, even a double, perhaps a fan interference pleading the case for many Donaldsons that needed Chico’s Bail Bonds in their lifetime. The instant replay ruled no fan touched the ball. It is simple; the ball did not go over the wall. Donaldson has slunk away after the umpires called him out. Oscar Gonzalez was part of two big plays for the Guardians in the post-season. Yankees would go on to eventually win this game. Donaldson is just as bad as those guys that watch the ball and practically take a picture of their work. Those guys at least see if the ball left the yard before doing their homerun trot. Any time I see a guy like Donaldson eating dirt. PRICELESS!!!  

MLB DIVISIONAL ROUND PREDICTIONS

ROUND TWO MLB PLAYOFFS

Round two of the MLB postseason we bring on the top two teams with first round byes in each league.

WILD CARD WEEKEND RECORD (3-1) predicting each series

Out of the 3 series I predicted right, I only got one with the right team winning and the correct amount of games they won that series by. My round two predictions have the same baseball flavor in the past few post-seasons but I have an upset as a bigger seed will get knocked out according to my Spidey senses.

AMERICAN LEAGUE (Best out 5 series)

CLEVEALND GUARDIANS VERSUS NEW YORK YANKEES

Do they make another Major League movie series like the vintage one that featured the Indians and Yankees? Since Hollywood has nothing to do except making remakes of movies from the past. Substitute Guardians over the Indians to make the Amish Happy.

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

Yankees: Earned a first round bye.

Guardians: Swept the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round.

RECORD HEAD TO HEAD IN REGULAR SEASON: Both played each other six times. Yankees 5-1 Guardians

I’m always a big believer in “pitching beats great hitting.” The Guardians have the better pitching staff versus the Evil Empire Yankees. Yankees have a pretty good pitching staff themselves from top to bottom. Yankees can mass produce runs like SkyNet can mass produce terminators from the factories. Yankees offense can do damage with the long ball and has a solid line up that can hit for average as they are one of the deadliest line ups in the post-season. Can Aaron Judge be the next Reggie Jackson in October baseball?

The Guardians have one all-star hitter in their line up which is third baseman Jose Ramirez. Guardians produce most of their runs playing small ball. Sometimes they have a hard time scoring in general. Guardians cannot win a slug fest against the Yankees. Defense, running the bases well, and pitching-wise, the Guardians do well. If they want to upset the Yankees, they will have to do everything perfectly with the timely hitting.

OUR PREDICTION Yankees in 4

Playoff experience goes to the pinstripes along with baseball history between Cleveland and New York.

SEATTLE MARINERS VERSUS HOUSTON ASTROS

Now I think the entire world will be rooting for the Mariners over the Astros as nobody will forget the sign stealing saga. What’s the over and under on how many pitchers Dusty Baker burns out by the time this series is ended?

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

Astros: Earned a first round bye.

Mariners: Swept the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card round.

RECORD HEAD TO HEAD IN REGULAR SEASON: Both played each other 19 times. Astros 12-7 Mariners

Astros did not slow down this regular season after losing to the Braves in the past World Series. Dusty Baker and Astros look better than last year with more balanced pitching staff thanks to the return of their ace, Justin Verlander. Astros hitting did not regress after the loss of Carlos Correa, their long time short stop in Houston. Astros still have cheats from the 2017 squad that can still mash the baseball. Astros have younger guys that stepped up last season for them while taking even bigger strides this year. Like outfielder Justin Tucker, who I refer to as Tucker the Fucker, due to what this lefty can do to your team. Then Yordon Alvarez has proven he may be the most terrifying players to face if you’re a pitcher.

Astros added depth to their powerful offensive attack by bringing in Trey Mancini from Baltimore at the trade deadline which gives the cheats another tough out in that line up.

Mariners broke their playoff drought as they assembled a solid team that can contend with the big dogs. Mariners shut out one of baseball’s best line ups against the Blue Jays. They were riding their new horse they got at the trade deadline Luis Castillo from the Reds in game one of the Wild Card weekend. Mariner offense showed some fight coming back against the Blue Jays in game two to win being down 8-1 late in that wild series. Mariners have a good starting rotation. Three solid starters. I question the Mariners bullpen. They have two guys that closed out games during the regular season. Manager Scott Servais will use his bullpen helter skelter where any pitcher can come in at any time or inning. Nobody is used to a certain job in that bullpen. I like the Mariners line up as they can put up runs on the score board. Plus, the team has a solid defense.

OUR PREDICTION: ASTROS IN 5

Astros are seeking their 6^th straight appearance in the AL Championship game. They are no stranger to the Mariners as they know them very well being in the same division.

NATIONAL LEAGUE (Best out of 5 series)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES VERSUS ATLANTA BRAVES

HOW THEY GOT HERE?

Braves: Earned a first round bye

Phillies: Swept the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card round

RECORD HEAD TO HEAD IN REGUALR SEASON: Both teams played each other 19 times. Braves 11-8 Phillies

Braves you can never count out. Last year they were dealing with injuries and a team under 500 approaching the trade deadline. Braves made a few savvy trades and came away with an entire new outfield and went all the way to the World Series and won the entire enchilada. Braves this season were down several games behind the first place New York Mets. Braves tracked down the Mets like a hunter searching for food and took the NL East at the end of regular season earning them a first round bye. Braves will defend their title with timely hitting, flawless defense, and top flight pitching. Braves succeeded after losing their best player Freddie Freeman who signed with the Dodgers.

The Phillies were not playing good baseball during the first few months of the season. Phillies management made a choice, pulled the trigger, and fired their manager, Joe Girardi. Phillies were 22-29 when Girardi was fired in early June. Phillies found their groove along the way, made some deals at the deadline and eventually snagged a Wild Card spot. Last weekend Phillies advanced from the Wild Card round beating the Cardinals in St. Louis. Phillies now play their division rival, the Braves. How did the Phillies overcome Girardi’s Mistakes? Bench coach Rob Thomson took over as the skipper of the Phillies and let the kids play. That simple. Thomson let the young arms in the bullpen do their stuff as Girardi never liked to play the young-ins. Thomson got results.

OUR PREDICTION BRAVES IN 5

Braves will be battle tested in this one. Phillies will make this a series, Braves will win their first series defending their title as they will regroup from the a scare they need. Watch the Phillies be the top team in the NL East in the next two years getting there before the Mets.

SAN DIEGO PADRES VERSUS LA DODGERS

HOW THEY GOT HERE?

Dodgers: Earned a first round bye.

Padres: Took the Wild card series in New York versus the Mets and won it 2-1.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD IN REGULAR SEASON: Both teams played each other 19 times. Dodgers 14-5 Padres

Is anyone sick of seeing the Dodgers blue in the playoffs? You can say that about a few teams in this year’s post-season. Dodgers once again are the best team in the National League, The every day line up got even better with the addition of Freddie Freeman, the guy that beat the Dodgers during last post-season. Freeman wore the Braves uniform last year. Dodgers have been murdering teams most of the year as they let the bats do the talking, Most of the time the Dodgers do not even need a closer as they already have too many runs for a guy out of the bullpen to get a save opportunity.  Dodgers have solid pitching, and with that powerful offense they will be looking at another NL Championship appearance. This Dodger dynasty to me has to prove they can play 162 games in regular season and then win the World Series. Dodgers collected their last and only World Series trophy with this dynasty in the shortened pandemic season of 2020.

Could the Padres come together at the right time and get hot during post season. Padres are the only team to advance and not sweep their series during the Wild Card weekend. You can’t take away anything from the Padres as they beat some star-studded pitching on the road in the Big Apple. Padres have some guys that can pitch out of the starting rotation. Yu Darvish when he is wheeling and dealing is hard to hit; even the Dodgers line up would have problems. Bob Melvin as the manager of the Padres has had some success in the past as a manager. For Melvin, this is the first playoff team that will not be fully dismantled after the season is over. I can see Melvin having a pep in his step with this fully loaded Padres team over all those Oakland squads. Padres line up has more than just an overpaid Manny Machado.  Juan Soto could be the next Miguel Cabrera type how he had to jump ship after winning a World Series for the Marlins earlier in his career. Soto did the same thing in 2019 helping the Nationals win their first ever World Series and he was and still is at a young age. Soto gives the Padres a left-handed bat that can single handedly beat a team in a short series.

OUR PREDICTION:PADRES IN 5

I need one upset. I like the upset being San Diego Padres finally gets over the hump and takes down the division rival Dodgers with class in the post-season.

GUARDIAN HISTORY PREVAILS OVER INDIAN HISTORY

When it comes to the Cleveland sports landscape, many will say they their teams are mistakes by the lake. It took the return of Lebron James to Cleveland to finally give the fans their first ever NBA title in 2016. You have to go all the way back to 1964 when the Browns won the championship for any major title to the city of Cleveland. The Indians were up 3 games to 1 on the Chicago Cubs in the World Series in 2016. It was the best of seven series. Alls Cleveland needed was one more win to clinch their first World Series title since 1948. The Cubs and the Indians had the two longest droughts in baseball.  Cubs have not won a World Series in over 100 years. The Cubs were cursed by a goat to make their history even grimmer.  The Cubs eventually would prevail in that 2016 World Series coming back from 3 games to 1 and win game 7 in Cleveland.  Does a name change from Indians to Guardians change all that bad baseball history?  

All baseball experts in the game had the Guardians written off before the season even started. Nobody in their right mind had Cleveland winning the Central except the players in that locker room. The Guardians would get the home field advantage versus the visiting Tampa Bay Rays in the wild card weekend. It was a best out of three series. Since Cleveland won the Central division, they would host all three games versus the Rays who clinch a playoff berth as a wild card team. On Friday, Cleveland would prevail taking the first game of the series. Then Saturday, the Rays and Guardians would play the longest post-season game scoreless that went all the way to the 15^th inning with both teams having no runs. Everyone in Cleveland thought no way the Guardians would win a game like that. Indians never would be able to pull that off.

In the 15^th inning, Indians’ history took the pitching rubber. Former Indian Corey Kluber wearing a Rays uniform, who pitched 9 seasons with the Indians, was called out to keep the game at zeros. Kluber won 98 games in an Indians uniform. Kluber was a big part of why the Indians had a 3 games to 1 lead on the Cubbies in that 2016 World Series, as he won 2 out of the 3 games Cleveland won in that series.  Kluber in his third start of that series did not have things go well as the Cubs finally were able to get to him. Kluber pitched lights out in that post-season until that final game. It would be typical Indian history for Kluber to pitch a scoreless inning or two to watch the Rays pull off the victory to tie the series. Kluber would be awarded the victory as well. Let’s not forget the name change to the Guardians. Then Cleveland rookie outfielder Oscar Gonzalez came up to the plate and faced Indian bad history. Gonzalez had a nice regular season for the Guardians batting .296 with 11 homeruns while driving in 43. Gonzalez would not look like a rookie in his at-bat against Kluber. Gonzalez ends the game with a walk off homerun. The homerun ends the game and ends the series at the same time as the Guardians sweep the Rays and move on to face the Yankees in the divisional round. Is this a sign of new baseball history in Cleveland? Indians have never had success facing the Yankees in post season. At times during regular season, Indians teams have beaten some Yankee teams. Overall Yankees own the Indians. The Indians’ history is dead as the Guardians will look to exercise more demons that old Chief Wahoo could not do at the reservation. 

 

MLB WILD CARD WEEKEND PREDICTIONS

Baseball first round of the post season is the wild card weekend. This years first round MLB playoff post season features 4 match-ups best out three series. MLB expanded their post season so the two top teams in each league will get a first round bye. This years post season has 12 teams making it to October. Three division winners and 3 wild cards in each league. The American League Yankees and Astros will have first round byes. In the National league the Braves and Dodgers will have first round byes. The first round action has the best out of three only in the better seeds home ball park. The team on the road will need to be Road warriors if they want to move on to the second round. Our regular season predictions before the season did not go well. We don’t want to talk about that. We will take it round by round and give you our predictions in each match up of the baseball post season.  

WILD CARD WEEKEND

AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS (First Round Best out of three series)

TAMPA BAY RAYS AT CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

In the off season the Indians changed their name to the Insurance company Guardians. When the Tampa Bay Rays got rid the Devil in their name they have suddenly become a staple in the MLB playoffs.

Rays have been the David in the story of David versus Goliath. Rays win games with their pitching and timely hitting. Tampa Bay baseball is all about analytics making moves by data than gut feeling. Rays offense of late has been in deep freeze and the team went 2-9 down the stretch.

The Indians, oops I mean Guardians have solid starting pitching and lock down bullpen. Indians have been playing that underdog mentality all year with chip on their shoulders with season predictions by the experts. On offense Indians do not strike out often and one best contact hitting clubs in the entire league.

OUR PICK: GUARDIANS IN 3 GAMES

The X-factor Guardians can find all different kinds of ways to score runs. Terry Francona experience in post season helps Cleveland get by the Rays in the first round.

SEATTLE MARINERS AT TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The Mariners have broken their playoff drought which was the worst in the 4 major sports. This could be the beginning of a permanent stay in the post season for the Blue Jays with a line uploaded with young sluggers.

 

Seattle dug themselves in a hole early on as they started out of the gates 29-39. Seattle been one hottest teams since and have gone 61-33 since. Seattle has own the Blue Jays winning the last 5 contests versus the North border squad. Mariners have the better starting rotation than the Jays and have three guys that can help Seattle take 2 out of 3 in which that is all you need. Seattle has a solid line up and can score runs with sensational rookie Julio Rodriguez leading the way.

The only team to have put up more runs than the Jays is those Dam Yankees. It’s going to be the Blue Jays offense versus the Seattle pitching.  I would like to see how rookie Blue Jays pitcher Alex Manoah does in first post season action. Manoah in his last 8 starts of regular season has a 1.00 ERA which is pitching lights out. BO KNOWS!!! Bo Bichette has been hot with the lumber in the month of September finishing the season with 48 hits. Blue Jays will need to have the hot bat in the playoffs.

OUR PREDICTION: MARINERS IN THREE GAMES

Pitching always beats powerful lineups like the Blue Jays who lack starting pitching.  

NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS (First Round Best out three series)

SAN DIEGO PADRES AT NEW YORK METS

They say you can’t buy love but in baseball you can buy your team. Both Padres and Mets have wheel and deal to get their teams to the post season. World Series or Bust!

The Padres road to the World Series could have them trying to get through 3 teams with over 100 victories. The Mets, Dodgers, and Braves. If the Padres do come to life in the post season they have some boom in their line up with Manny Machado , Josh Bell, and Juan Soto. Padres have playoff experience in their starting rotation throwing Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Sean Manaea at you. Bob Melvin Padres manager has a track record in the post season.

The Mets have own first place in the NL East almost the entire season to finally give it away to the Atlanta Braves. Down the stretch the Mets could of won their division if teams like the Cubs did not bite them on the rear losing to teams they should beat. Mets have a lot of money thrown to Mad Max Scherzer. Mets can come at you with Scherzer and Jacob deGrom in short series two pitchers that can wipe out the opponents batting order. Mets can hit the baseball. Jeff McNeil won the NL batting title. They have power as well in that line up to make things harder on the opponents pitching staff.

PREDICTION: PADRES IN 3 GAMES

Juan Soto hits very well in Mets stadium. Soto as you remember a member of the Nationals in 2019 was very hard out in that post season. Mad Max Scherzer struggles in some of these playoff games in the past which Padres may be able to strike first blood on the 40 Million dollar arm.   

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES AT ST.LOUIS CARDINALS

Can a Bryce Harper team get out of the first round? Cardinals fired their manager last season for being knock out in the first round. Lets wait and see what happens this go around.

If the Phillies don’t want to be a team one and down their pitching has to be the key to them winning versus a difficult Cardinal team. Zack Wheeler in last two starts in Bush stadium has posted a 0.60 ERA. Phillies other top arm Aaron Nola last start against the Astros he was dominating an all-star line up. Can Bryce Harper show he is one of the best baseball players on the planet? October is the perfect time. Can Phillies homerun slugger Kyle Schwarber have that presence like he did in Cubs uniform in the 2016 post season.

Is this Albert Pujols last stand? Pujols has been a force in the Cardinals line up the last few months. Cardinals have some hard outs with Pujols, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. Of course the Cardinals defense one best in the league with a very deep pitching rotation.

PREDICTION: CARDINALS IN THREE GAMES

Not ready for it to be Albert Pujols last playoff series. I think Cardinals have one of the perfect baseball recipes for success when it comes to winning games in the post season.   

JUDGE, JURY, AND EXCECUTIONER

As of last Tuesday night, we have a new home run champion in the American League. Aaron Judge breaks the single season homerun mark set in the AL by Roger Maris who hit 61 bombs back in 1961. It was the second game of a double header between the Yankees and the Texas Rangers.  It took Judge’s first at-bat of the second game to launch his record breaking 62^nd  homerun of the season in the last series of the year for the pinstripes. Rangers stadium, Globe Life Field, opened during the pandemic of 2020 & now has some MLB history. It was a 27-year-old from Venezuela, a RHP Jesus Tinoco who served up the record who has only 48 games under his belt in the majors. It took another Yankee to break another Yankee’s record just like Maris did when he broke Babe Ruth’s homerun record in 1961. I’m not a Yankee fan. I can feel good about this accomplishment because Judge did not have to cheat the game of baseball to set this record.

Those steroid mongers in the National league rewrote MLB record book when it comes to being Homerun King. In 2001, the steroid king Barry Bonds broke the single season record by hitting 73 bombs in a Giants uniform. Bonds would also pass Hank Aaron, the former homerun king with the most bombs of all-time. Mark McGuire was the first ever to hit 70 homeruns in one season as he hit 65 in the 1999 season. McGuire admitted to being juiced in a Cardinal uniform. Sammy Sosa denies being on steroids like former U.S President Bill Clinton denying he had sexual intercourse with a staff member. Sosa reached 60 homerun plateau three times in his career. In 1998, Sosa hit 66, in 1999 and then added 63 more, and then in 2001 hit 64. All three seasons in a Cubs uniform, Sosa passed Roger Maris’ 61. All these guys are tainted with steroid use. All of them played in the National League when they set these video games numbers during the steroid age of baseball.

It was supposed to have been the great Mickey Mantle back in 1961 as the guy to break Babe Ruth’s record he set back in 1927 with 60 homeruns. Roger Maris was not born a Yankee as he played in Cleveland and Kansas City before arriving in the Big Apple. Mickey Mantle had 54 homeruns in 1961. Actor Billy Crystal helped direct a movie called 61 in which Mantle and Maris chase for Babe Ruth’s record. Maris didn’t want the record as fans gave him death threats about breaking the record. Baseball experts would argue that Roger Maris played in more games that year than Babe Ruth did when he originally set the thing. Maris would pass away at 51 years of age in 1985. Maris held on to the record for several decades like Ruth did before Maris eclipsed his.

Aaron Judge came into the league big as he stands at 6’7” and 282 lbs. Judge & Frank Thomas both were bigger guys coming into the league, so they never needed the steroids to hit. Judge is not just a homerun guy as he can hit for average and was trying to go for the Triple Crown as a hitter. Judge has played in the league 7 seasons and has hit 220 bombs with a career .284 batting average. Judge’s mother had made every game since Judge hit his 59^th homerun. Roger Maris Jr. was on hand for 12 straight games as he welcomed Judge to break his father’s record. Maris Jr. liked the idea of another Yankee breaking his father’s record. Most importantly Maris Jr. wanted a guy like Judge, who is clean, to break the AL record. Judge’s 62^nd homerun ball has been taken ransom as the fan will probably want King Tut’s treasure for it to return it. Judge will be a free agent after this season and will have treasure like King Tut from either the Yankees or some other team in baseball will pay him a huge contract. It’s nice Judge is the new American League homerun champ. Now it will be bittersweet to see the Yankees get knocked out of the post-season quickly. Justice served.

ROIDS OR RING WORM

At the trade deadline, San Diego was constructing a Super Power in the baseball world by making some big time trades. The Padres were hoping to have their own super-star, Fernando Tatis Jr., back in the mix for a playoff run with the new faces. “Stay classy San Diego,’” because that plan is immediately scrapped due to Tatis Jr. testing positive for performing enhancing drug in his system. The MLB found a drug in Junior”s system called Clostebol which is on the list of banned substances. The Tatis family tried to blame this on a drug Junior used to cure his ringworm he got from a hair cut gone bad. The league is not buying what Fernado Tatis Sr. former MLB player is selling as his son will be handed a 80 game suspension.

The drug Clostebol is antibiotic steroid which is not used to cure skin defects. Fernando’s circle or family who tried googling the name of the drug he got caught on did not do him any kind of favors. The drug that is used to cure skin defects such as ring worm is spelled close to the steroid called Clostebol. The skin drug is spelled Clobetasol and is spelled C-l-o-b-e-t-a-s-o-l instead of C-l-o-s-t-e-b-o-l. Close but no cigar as your circle did not fool anybody. Nice try in the google attempt to find something that was close to the drug name he actually took.  Tatis Jr. has not played the entire season dealing with a wrist injury that occurred in the off-season from a motorcycle accident. Tatis Jr. was close to starting a rehab stint in the minor leagues to knock the rust off and get back to the big club. The timing sounds right trying to use the steroid to heal the body faster.

 

The Tatis family were in denial including Junior as they tried to make the league and the fans believe he did this drug accidentally. Read the label wrong for and steroids you can’t just walk into a pharmacy or GNC and get. Finally Tatis Jr. and nixed what the family excuse was and apologize to the league and the Padre fans as he could only thread water for so long. Junior will serve 48 remaining games this season and the first 32 next year to complete the 80 game suspension. The good news is Tatis Jr. will have that shoulder surgery that bothered him last year when he only played 130 games and was on the injured list three different times. The bad news is Fernando Tatis Jr. could have helped this Padre push for the playoffs and beyond this season. Padres have not been playing lights out style of baseball since getting some big names at the deadline. All the prospects sent to other teams in these trades and San Diego still trying to hold on dearly for a wild card spot. Tatis Jr. is only 23 years old in which the Padres gave this young man a 300 Million dollar deal that could back fire in the long run. Lets not forget the Padres are tied into Manny Machado sweepstakes in his big deal. Juan Soto will need his fair share. The Tatis Jr. Deal looked like a steal as the Padres fleeced the White Sox years ago for Big game James Shields who lost his game years prior. Now the face of the Padres franchise joins the list of cheats who has tarnished the game over the years.  Tatis Jr. is he never comes back from this will known for having a bad hair cut that got him ring worm then found out he was busted for taking steroids. Quit falling off your bike and play the game like the MVP you were but lose the steroids and tell senior enough is enough.

WHITE SOX ALL SHOOK UP AT THE SHORT STOP POSITION

How do you replace Tim Anderson if you are the White Sox? Anderson is the face of the White Sox franchise. Anderson is the main cog in the Southsiders wheels to the post-season play. Tony LaRussa’s favorite choice to replace Anderson is Leury Garcia. This will not work because he is out with back strain. Garcia is the jack of all trades all over the diamond while selling hot dogs in between innings, but master  of none of them. Danny Mendick is out for the season. White Sox minor league options are just a soggy band aid already peeling off. Elvis has left the building in Oakland. White Sox are like a vulture plucking Elvis Andrus, the former Rangers all-star, as he cleared waivers.

Elvis Andrus was a staple in the Texas Rangers line up for 12 seasons. Andrus has a career .270 batting average so he can swing the bat. Elvis brings his glove to the short stop position where he can make all the routine plays and then dazzle you with some web gems that for sure have made ESPN over the years. In Oakland, the team is in another rebuild. The Athletics have been gutting out the regular line up since the off-season. Andrus with 500 plate appearances this year would hit an extra bonus in his contract for another 15 Million. Oakland is a lemonade stand type of a franchise and will not pay that kind of money to Andrus who is a 14 year veteran in the league. He’s a 33 year old who still can play the game well but not the all-star he used to be when he was a kid. I don’t think any team would pay Andrus that kind of money as his playing time has pretty much vanished. Andrus complained about it then & was served his release. Elvis would leave the building of one of the worst teams in the league to the White Sox, fighting tooth and nails to get back to the post-season for the third straight year.

Elvis Andrus can not replace Tim Anderson’s offensive production. However Elvis is an upgrade on defense over Anderson. White Sox have had defensive mishaps all season long. Andrus gives the team a solid glove at the most important position on the field. White Sox injuries all season long have been a long line at the DMV. Anderson is expected to miss 5 weeks due to a finger injury. Andrus is the fix this team needs at a perfect time down the stretch with the playoffs in sight. Andrus is batting .237 this year with 8 homeruns and 30 RBI’S with a bad team. Lifetime Andrus’ batting average is .270 with 87 long balls and an impressive 703 runs driven in. Andrus could get you a few key hits which the White Sox need because the team strands many baserunners almost every night. I like that Andrus has worked with Josh Harrison as they were teammates last year in Oakland. The double play combination with the short stop and second base has gotten better. This is a great move by the White Sox especially because Oakland will pay most of his salary just to go away. It’s a move that will not cost you much and benefit the team in many ways. Now if we can get the rest of the guys on the team to fall into place and make a run to overtake those Indians Guardian rust proofers, and the Twins up in Minnesota which both teams have been a thorn in the sides of the White Sox all season long.

ASTROS SECOND SEASON IN A ROW TRYING TO BURY THE CHI-SOX

Yesterday, the Houston Astros probably put the final nail in the Chicago White Sox season. It was a brutal game for the White Sox as they were blown up by the Astros in the fourth game finally of the series, 21-5. White Sox came into the Houston series winning three in a row versus a bad Tiger team. Then the Astros came into town and the White Sox actually won the first game of the series. White Sox have been awful all season in the first game of each series. White Sox would prevail on Monday with a  comeback win late in the game. A game that felt like a playoff atmosphere. Finally the White Sox may have turned the switch. The revenge against the team that knocks you out of the first round of the playoffs. Then on Tuesday came the White Sox with another late comeback in the same inning, the 8^th. And with the same guy driving in the winning run, Yoan Moncarda, two nights in a row hitting a single to drive in the go-ahead run.

White Sox suddenly have won 5 in a row. The third game of the series between the White Sox was another one fought tooth and nails until the end. This night the Astros would extinguish the White Sox threat late in the game and prevail, snapping the rise of the White Sox and perhaps bringing them back down to earth. Then yesterday the horror movie on the southside during the day, during which fans prayed for slaughter rule as they saw their team lay a clunker. The Astros hit parade started early and went all afternoon as they piled up 25 hits scoring 21 runs. Some of the Astros runs were scored late off position player for the White Sox, Josh Harrison. The Astros beat the daylights out of White Sox starter Lucas Giolito who looked like the old version of himself before he turned things around, the guy that led the league in homeruns allowed. Chas McCormick for the Astros had 5 RBI’S.  Third baseman of the Astros, Alex Bregman, had a monster day as he had six RBI’S. Vince Velasquez was rocked. I still think the White Sox made a horrible decision signing him in the off-season. He’s nothing but hot garbage.

The Astros managed to split the 4 game series and send a message to the White Sox at the same time. Like Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears, the Astros own this White Sox team. Totally glad we beat those Astros in the World Series in 2005. That Astros team I respected, this Houston team I just can’t stand. From the manager Dusty Baker and the midget that plays second base for them. The thoughts I had after the first two games of the series now are crushed after the second two. Now the White Sox head to Cleveland to play the Indians or Guardians Auto Insurance whatever they go by. They’re the team leading the AL Central now with their tail in between their legs. Fire everyone!!! Trade everyone! The sky has fallen on the southside of Chicago.

Then to add salt to the wounds, the Cubs win another series. After baseball, the pathetic Bears. The sporting landscape in Chicago is very grim.

If the White Sox do not make the post-season, this was the series versus Houston that will be the final nail of the White Sox coffin in 2022.  

WHO YOU GOING TO CALL?

These days, the next generation live in their cell phone. You can say most people are controlled by their phone. At a sporting event, the phone is used in the stands by the fans for multiple reasons. But on the field, it’s sacred grounds where only the game matters on the field. Rodolfo Castro of the Pittsburgh Pirates did a head first slide into third base versus the Diamondbacks and something that is a first ever on the baseball diamond. Castro’s phone popped out of his back pocket on the slide leaving the third base umpire and Pirates third base coach wondering what this UFO is coming out of this guy’s pocket. It was a UFO because it popped out in the middle of the play and then landed on the dirt of the infield. It could have should have been maybe a pair of batting gloves, Big League Chew, has MLB banned chewing tobacco? Perhaps a wallet to purchase a hot dog in-between innings. Instead it was a cell phone. I wonder if the guy from that phone commercial can hear me now.

Rodolfo Castro is a second baseman for the Pirates, is only 23 years old, and was just called up from the minor leagues. Castro’s debut last season had him playing in 31 games. Castro is a switch hitter and so far has played in 29 games this season with a batting average of .232, 2 long balls and 5 RBI’S. In 60 games in the last two seasons, Castro is a .216 hitter with 7 longballs and 13 RBI’S. Castro is trying to stick in the majors as a guy out of the Dominican Republic. Castro showed some hustle when he walked and then got to third base on Oneil Cruz’s single. Castro claims he placed his oven mitt sliding glove in his pocket and forgot the phone was there. Deep pockets. Pirates manager even said it was just a mistake by a young kid trying to stay with the big club. It was a mistake and the MLB fined Castro and will suspend him for 1 game for making the mistake. MLB has gone through the Houston Astros bringing electronic devices to the field and we know how they cheated their way to become the 2017 World Series champions. MLB takes technology on the field very seriously, but understand this kid made an honest mistake. It was not like Joe Horn hiding the cell phone in the goal post and then picking it up and using it as a prop for his touchdown celebration when he played for the Saints.

 

You call someone stupid for bringing their phone out on the field. Something like that I can see happening in a beer league. I’m sure all the players have to keep their phones in the locker room. It should be common sense. This is why every product has warnings and cautions. Somebody tried to trim their hedges with a mower. Castro probably did make a mistake, but how many players probably have had their phone in their pocket while playing but never got caught? Castro will be the first ever in weird stories in baseball history with the phone flying out of his pocket. Just hope this story with the phone is not the main highlight in the career of Rodolfo Castro or it will be what people will remember him by.  

MEGA TRADE

Nothing good has been going down in Washington DC with sports and Presidents. Suddenly the San Diego Padres think they are a Super team as they make a Mega deal.

After the Nationals won their first World Series ever, the organization has been in a tailspin. Last season, Nationals had a fire sale at the trade deadline as they unloaded many of their big names. This year they unload two more superstars as they trade first baseman Josh Bell and the guy they were hoping to build around, future superstar Juan Soto. Both Bell and Soto are heading West to San Diego. Last two seasons, San Diego has harvested every crop they have on the farm in all kinds of trades. You’d think their farm system would be exposed to a drought after trading many of their young prospects to other teams to get terrific talent back. The Padres had to have something inside the barn because they made a deal with the Nationals and landed two sluggers. Padres are sending six players to Washington to complete the deal. It’s not all prospects, as they send some guys with some experience in the majors. The Nationals haul in this is LHP Mackenzie Gore, RHP Jarlin Susana, OF Robert Hassell III, SS CJ Abrams, OF James Wood, and veteran first baseman Luke Voit.

Juan Soto is a left handed slugger who can hit for power and average and is only 23 years. Soto a few weeks back won the Homerun Derby. Soto is going down the same path as Miquel Cabrera. Cabrera helped the Marlins win a World Series at a young age and then was traded to Detroit. Soto helped the Nationals win their only World Series and now after 5 seasons in DC, Soto will be heading West. Soto is only a few seasons away from earning the mega bucks as some experts predict this kid could be the highest paid player in the league and get some deal that can reach up to 440 million. This season Soto is batting .246 with the Nationals with 21 homeruns while driving in 46. Soto’s career numbers are even better with a .292 batting average with 120 long balls while driving in 361. This deal gives the Padres a huge left-handed bat in the meat of the order.

The Padres also land first baseman Josh Bell who is an upgrade over the current guy in San Diego, Eric Hosmer. Hosmer was original part of this Mega deal with the Padres and Nationals. Hosmer vetoed the trade but agreed to being shipped off to Boston. This is the second time Josh Bell has been traded with organizations going into total rebuilds. Bell, a former Pirate, will be a free agent after this season so he can pick where he’d like to stay for once. Bell is 30 years old, a switch hitter, and one of Washington’s best hitters. Bell this season had a .301 batting average with 14 long balls and has driven 57. Bell has played 7 seasons in the MLB and had a career .264 batting average with 127 long balls while driving 456. Padres have Josh Bell and Juan Soto in a line up that already features Manny Machado. San Diego is hoping to get their young superstar back in the line-up, Fernando Tatis Jr. Dodgers may be looking over their shoulders now.

Once upon a time ago Mackenzie Gore was untouchable for the Padres. Gore was going to be something special; a guy you would not trade unless a Juan Soto came to your door. Gore is 23 years old, a left-handed starter and made his Major league debut with 13 starts. Gore has a record of 4-4 with 4.50 ERA before being sidelined with an elbow issue. Gore could be a nice piece for the Nationals to build around.

Nationals also get Robert Hassell III, who is a 20 year old outfielder who has been hitting .299 in High A ball this season. Hassell was the 8^th pick in the 2020 draft. Hassell III has some raw power which the Nationals hope they can tap into. Another outfielder the Nationals will get in this deal is James Wood, a 19 year old who was drafted in the second round in the 2021 draft. Wood is a 6’7” specimen with massive raw power which the Nasty Nats are hoping they can tap into as well. Jarlin Susana is an 18 year old RHP who is another big dude. Susana has a rocket fast ball and pretty good breaking ball he has been developing.

Nationals get a short stop who made his major league debut with the Padres. CJ Abrams is 21 years old, and a left-handed bat who has played in 46 games so far. Abrams is only batting .232 with 2 long balls while driving in 11. Luke Voit, former Yankee, is the most seasoned guy in the majors who the Nationals would be getting back. Voit is 31 years old and this season played in 82 games while batting .225 with 13 longballs and 48 RBI’S. Voit has been in the league for 6 seasons, has a career batting average of .257 and is 11 long balls away from the 100 mark. Voit probably will not last long in the Nationals rebuild as he will not be part of their future plans and will be in a different uniform next year.  

WHITE SOX TRADE

The pair of Sox finalize a trade involving two players. The Red Sox land 27-year-old catcher Reese McGuire from the White Sox. The White Sox get a left-handed reliever from Boston. Jake Diekman, a 35-year-old south paw, will be coming to Chicago. The Red Sox will also get cash considerations in the deal, or the famous player to named later.

Reese McGuire is no master batter. McGuire would not even be master of his own domain. In 2020 down in the state of Florida, McGuire had some urges he wanted to deal with in his SUV in a Dollar Store parking lot. Police were called like a mother coming on their teenager in mid-stroke and busted Reese for public masturbation. Reese gave up without a fight. This is the third time that McGuire has been traded. McGuire started his career in Pittsburgh and then was dealt to Toronto in a multiple player deal. Last season, the Blue Jays and the White Sox swap back up catchers. Boston is getting a really good defensive catcher who can limit the opposing team’s running game. McGuire seems like he can call a good game as he works well with the pitching staff. McGuire is a left-handed batter who has a lifetime .248 batting average and is not very productive from the offensive side. This season, McGuire batted only .225 for the White Sox with no homeruns driving in ten in 53 games.

White Sox, trying to get the band back together, called the 2020 Oakland bullpen. Jake Diekman will join his former teammate, Liam Hendriks, as two guys that close out many games in Oakland at the time. Diekman is an 11-year veteran south paw who has post-season experience playing in Oakland and Texas. The White Sox were in need of a south paw for the back end of their pen since Aaron Bummer, still out with a lingering injury, is not expected back until September. Diekman is a durable guy for anyone’s pen as he already has made 44 appearances this season for the Red Sox with a 4.23 ERA. Diekman’s lifetime numbers are better as he has a 25-27 record with 3.77 ERA and is credited for 15 total saves. Reese McGuire came expendable with the emergence of Seby Zavala’s play. This is the only White Sox move they have made at the deadline. I like this move because Zavala is a better replacement for McGuire while the team got a pretty good arm for a catcher who is one-sided. I think the front office should have added another bat for the dormant offense that has been sleepwalking this entire season.  

REDS MIDNIGHT MADNESS SALE

For the Cincinnati Reds, the MLB trade deadline was about getting rid of everything not bolted down. From players to even Pete Rose red gnomes, Cincinnati went all in after they made their first trade to the Mariners. Sending their ace pitcher Luis Castillo to Seattle for 4 players. After that, the Reds’ garage sale turned into the Filene’s Basement Christmas sale.

Pete Rose Red Gnomes

Only $19.99

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Padres land: Brandon Drury UTL BA .274-20 HR-59 RBI 2022 Reds

Reds receive: SS Victor Acosta

Marge Schott blow up doll which comes with a free pack of smokes.

Only $9.99

MINNESOTA TWINS

Twins land: Tyler Mahle SP 5-7 record, 4.40 ERA in 19 starts 2022 Reds

Reds receive: SS Spencer, Steer, P Chritian-Encarnacion Strand, P Steven Hajiar

Vintage Johnny Red benches

$100.00 EACH

BOSTON RED SOX

Red Sox land: Tommy Pham OF, BA .238, 11 HR, 39 RBI 2022 Reds

Reds receive: INF/OF Emmanuel Vladez, OF Wilyer Abreu

Joey Votto still a Red. Votto must know the secret ingredient in Cincinnati’s favorite Skyline bowl of chili

TRADE

The Eagles band had a falling out years ago. They said when Hell freezes over they’d get the band back together. It happened. The band did get back together. The Eagles even named the album Hell Freezes Over. It seem like the Kansas City Royals had the same kind of feeling about one of their own players. Whit Merrifield was always untouchable according to the Kansas City front office. Maybe Hell froze over in Kansas City. The Royals pulled the trigger and traded away their second baseman that dabbles in right field and also other positions on the diamond. Royals trade Merrifield to Toronto. Blue Jays send the Royals two young players. Samad Taylor is a 24 year old second baseman prospect. The second player the Royals get from the Blue Jays is a pitcher, Max Castillo, a 23 year old who made his Major League debut this season.

Whit Merrifield in seven seasons with the Royals batted .286 with 74 homeruns, driving 387, racking up 1,001 hits, and stealing 174 bags. Royals picked the worst year of his career to trade him as Merrifield this season is only batting .240 with 6 long balls and driving in 42. Merrifield is 33 years old, and a guy that is a contact hitter. He’s hard to strike out as he defends many positions well on the diamond. Royals probably envisioned building around Merrifield when he first arrived on the scene. Year after year the Royals have had a hard time trying to build a roster that can contend like the World Series team that took it all in 2015. Merrifield arrived in 2016. Royals still manage to get two players for a fan favorite. Second baseman Samad Taylor is the Blue Jays’ 16^th prospect of their farm system. Taylor is batting .258 in 70 triple A games this season with 9 long balls and can steal some bases as he has 23 thefts. Max Castillo has pitched in 9 games this season in Toronto. The right hander has logged in 20 innings only, no record with an ERA 3.05

Whit Merrifield playing in Canada with Toronto will now have to get vaccinated for the Covid virus. Merrifield and other teammates did not make the recent trip to Canada when the Royals visited because they were unvaccinated. Now suddenly you are playing on a contending team. It’s a different story as players now are happy roll up their sleeve to get a Covid shot. Toronto has one of the most dominated lineups in baseball. Adding a guy like Merrifield who can play multiple positions and can swing the bat well gives this Blue Jay team depth. Plus, they can rest players and not miss a beat.   

PIRATES TRADE

 

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to flip some of their properties. Pirates and Cardinals, in a rare division trade, make a deal involving 4 players. Cardinals, same as almost every team in the league, always want pitching and Pirates had some arms to give up. Cardinals will get LHP starter Jose Quintana and RH relief pitcher Chris Stratton. Pirates get RHP Johan Oviedo and a third base prospect, Malcom Nunez from the Cardinals, to complete the deal.

St. Louis will be Jose Quintana’s sixth team he will suit up for. The Cardinals will be Quintana’s third team just in the NL Central that Quintana has played for. The 33 year old pitcher started his career with the White Sox where he played for six seasons before getting dealt to cross town rival Cubs with which he helped his former team net a nice bounty for his services. Quintana then went west & pitched for the Giants and Angels where he struggled. In the off-season, Quintana signed with the Pirates where he has enjoyed a nice comeback season with a record of 3-5 with a respectable 3.39 ERA as he has made 21 starts. Cardinals need another arm in their starting rotation as Steven Matz may miss the remainder of the season with an injury.  Quintana checks all the boxes and can help the Cardinals give the Brewers a ruin for the division crown or secure a wild card slot.

Chris Stratton’s 4 year stint with the Pirates would end as Cardinals add a veteran relief pitcher of 7 seasons that started with the Giants with a stopover with the Angels before coming to Pittsburgh. Stratton is 31 years old and has a 5-4 record with a 4.85 ERA in 42 appearances while logging in two saves. Stratton’s career numbers have him with a 30-23 record with a 4.58 ERA while logging in 11 saves. Stratton is a guy that can come in almost every game if needed. Stratton gives the Cardinals another veteran that can pitch in a few different roles in the bullpen if needed.

Pirates will get a young arm with some major league experience back in this deal. Johan Oviedo is 24 years old and has gotten some action in the Majors the last three seasons. Oviedo has worked out of the bullpen for the Cardinals and has made a few starts as well. This season Oviedo has pitched in 14 games, made one start with a record of 2-1 logging in 25.1 Innings with 26 strikeouts and has a respectable ERA of 3.20. Oviedo has definitely turned the corner this season compared to last season where he went 0-5 with 4.91 ERA, but he made 13 starts. In 2020 Oviedo debut for St. Louis and made 5 starts had 0-3 record with ERA over 5.00. Pirates will have to figure out if Oviedo is a starter or destined for the bullpen.

Pirates also land a Cuban third baseman, the number 10 prospect in the St. Louis farm system. Malcom Nunez is only 21 years old and has already played in 276 minor league games under his belt. Nunez’s batting average is at .280 with 41 long balls. Nunez has played in Double A Springfield this season for the Cardinals and could make the jump to Triple A at some point really soon. Nunez could be one of those future pieces for the Pirates when the rebuild is finished.

TRADE

The Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins made a trade while the two teams square off against each other in a three game series. Tigers trade away their best arm in their bullpen in Michael Fulmer as he literally walked over to Twins clubhouse when he was notified he was traded to them. Tigers get a 24 year old pitching prospect, Sawyer Gipson Long, who has a name that sounds like a law firm. Long will no doubt be heading to a Detroit Tigers farm system.

Sawyer Gipson & Long has made 17 starts between Single A and Double A ball for the Twins minor league system. Long has an 8-6 record with a 4.23 ERA while striking out 87 batters.

How would you like to be Michael Fulmer going on a road trip and not returning? Bright spot is Fulmer gets to escape Detroit, a city that is crawling with a cesspool smothering a bankrupt city. Plus Fulmer climbs the ladder in the standings going from a bad baseball team to the first place team, the Twins, in the AL Central. Fulmer is a flame thrower right-handed pitcher who handcuffs opposing batters. Fulmer is 29 years old and played his entire career in Motor City, which has been six seasons. This season Fulmer in a Tiger uniform has a 3-4 record with 3.20 ERA while converting two saves. Twins trying to steal back the AL Central crown from the White Sox and strengthening their bullpen at the deadline is one of the team’s top priorities.        

TRADE

Many thought the Los Angeles Angels’ weak pitching rotation is the reason they did not contend. Angels took a gamble on Thor in the off-season signing the former Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard to a one year deal after sitting out the entire 2021 season coming off Tommy John surgery. Angels got off to a hot start. Then the team turned into Red Bull without the wings as the owner fired Joe Maddon. Anthony Rendon would have a season ending injury. Mike Trout has swum in and out of the injured list stream. Angels turn in sellers at the trade deadline as they flip the Mighty Thor for some Philadelphia freedom fighters in the outfield.

Noah Syndergaard’s hammer has been healthy all season long as he has made 16 starts for the Angels. Syndergaard’s comeback season from his injury has a record of 5-8 with an ERA 3.83 which is not the dominating numbers he accomplished in Mets universe. The 29 year old career numbers still look good overall as Syndergaard has 53-39 record with a 3.40 ERA. Syndergaard will be coming back to where it all started his ole stomping grounds in the NL East where Mets fans may be a tad nervous about Thor’s former team. Phillies improve their starting rotation with the addition of Thor and can line up with other teams with a potent 1 thru 3 in a playoff series that also features Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Can the Phillies mascot forgive Syndergaard for stealing his ride?

I’m sure Syndergaard can tread the Phanatic for a meal that involves beer and Cheese steaks.

The Angels refused to trade away one of their Superstars in Shohei Ohtani. Can the Angels lock him up before Ohtani hits the open market and will and should get the big money? Mike Trout money? Trout they say is the best baseball player in the galaxy. Ohtani could be giving the Trout an upstream battle for that honor which means nothing because Angels can’t win with both of them in the everyday lineup. Angels get two prospects in return. Both outfielders. You would think the Angels would try to acquire some pitching. Mikey Moniak, a former number 1 pick by the Phillies, will be heading to LA-LA land. Moniak is 24 years old and had a great Spring training but suffered an injury from which he has not recovered yet. The other prospect is Jadiel Sanchez, a guy drafted in the 12^th round in the 2019 draft by the Phillies.

The Angels and Phillies do their best Weekend at Bernie’s sequel trade involving both clubs. Phillies land Angels centerfielder Brandon Marsh. Angels send Phillies a catching prospect 22 year old Logan O’Hoppe, who is one of the Philadelphia’s top prospects in their system.    

Brandon Marsh may be more beard than player. Marsh is 24 years old & gives the Phillies a left handed bat in their everyday line up. Marsh can lock down the centerfield position as well where the Phillies were weak at that position. Marsh is in his second season in the majors. Marsh with the bat is batting .226 with 8 homeruns while driving in 37 this season so far. Phillies are in position to land a wild card spot. Adding some guys at the deadline could sure up a playoff appearance in October.

TRADE

The New York Yankees take the trade deadline like the Cold War stocking up on arms. The Oakland Athletics are always wheeling and dealing like some carnival act going town to town finding their new and improved livestock while getting rid of the old. This is the not the first time the Athletics and Yankees agree on a trade. Yankees land 29 year old starting pitcher Frankie Montas who was the big name discussed around the league that was going to be dealt by the deadline with lots of teams interested in his services. Yankees also pick up another arm for their bullpen as they land the Athletics current closer, Lou Trevino. The Athletics get 4 prospects in return of which three of them are pitchers. Athletics once again in a rebuild they get their haul that features LHP JP Sears, RHP, Luis Medina, LHP, Ken Waldichuk, and infielder Cooper Bowman.

Frankie Montas was drafted by the Chicago White Sox as he pitched in a few games and then was dealt to Oakland. Another swift move by the White Sox organization. Montas is a RHP that had a career year in 2021 going 13-9 with 3.37 ERA. This year the record is worse for Montas but the ERA is lower. Montas is 4-9 with 3.18 ERA as he pitches for a bad team that has dealt away most of their talented players. Montas will be an asset to the Yankee starting rotation that already has Ace Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino, and former Pirate, Jameson Tailon. Luis Trivino is a 30 year old RHP who has spent his entire career in Oakland. Trivino started out of the gates poorly for Oakland this season. Since the Athletics made Trivino their closer, he has done well converting 9-10 save opportunities. Trevino stats this season has him 1-6 with a high 6.15 ERA. Career-wise Trevino is 20-23 with a 4.01 ERA with 36 saves under his belt. Montas is the big prize for the Yankee empire as they will try to hold on to the tough AL East with his services. He should give them good outings the rest of the way that will help this franchise seal the deal.

The Athletics are the quickest team that can go from worst to first as money ball has made this organization tear down rebuild faster than McDonalds can put up a restaurant down the block from your home. Athletics get 4 out of the Yankees’ top 25 prospects. The Cadillac of this deal is 24 year old Ken Waldichuk who was ranked number 5 in the Evil Empire’s farm system. Waldichuk has 116 strikeouts this season in the minor leagues in only 76 innings of work. Luis Medina is the 10^th Yankee prospect in their system. While JP Sears is number 20 and Cooper Bowman is number 21. You know one or two of these guys from Oakland’s haul from the Yankees will be dealt at the deadline in the future after they help the Athletics get back to the playoffs. Maybe it will be the Yankees who come calling.  

TRADE

Why would the Milwaukee Brewers trade away their all-star closer when they lead the NL Central division by 3 games? Looks like the Brew Crew wants to have their cake and eat it too. Brewers are working both ends of their ball club with a trade to the Padres by getting talent in the farm system while trying to win a World Series. Padres land Brewers all-star closer Josh Hader. Meanwhile Brewers in return get 4 players. Brewers get the Padres closer Taylor Rodgers to replace Hader. Brewers get another veteran pitcher, Dinelson Lamet. Padres also give the Brewers two prospects. One is pitching prospect Robert Gasser. The big part of the deal for the Brewers in this deal is outfielder Esteury Ruiz which would be the “eat it too” part of the deal.

Despite Taylor Rodgers having saved 28 games, the Padres have struggled closing out games even though the team is perched on the wild card spot presently. Rodgers has struggled with a sky rocketing ERA of 5.59 in June and 9.31 ERA in July. Padres needed to sure up their back end of the rotation and Josh Hader gives San Diego one of the best closers in baseball. Hader is 28 years old and the left handed closer has racked up 125 saves in his career which has been 6 seasons. Hader has 29 saves this season under his belt for the Brewers. The left hander can come right after hitters with the heat and has the longevity to go more than one inning to get saves. Hader is a 4X All-star. Hader has won three out of the last four NL Reliever of the Year awards. After 2023, Hader does become a free agent. Padres are in win mode now.

Since Taylor Rodgers has blown 7 save chances with a 1-5 record with an ERA ballooning, the Brewers could move him out of the closer role. Brewers set-up man Devin Williams could step in the closer role, a guy that has not allowed a run since May which has been 30 games of lights out pitching. Dinelson Lamet is just a pitcher thrown into the deal. A veteran who has been dealing with a number of injuries. Robert Gasser who has a pitcher’s last name if he can throw the GAS. Gasser is 2^nd round pick in 2021 daft. In high A ball looks like Gasser does throw some sizzling heated up GAS as he has 115 strikeouts in 90 innings of work. The gem of the deal is outfielder Esteury Ruiz who did make his major league debut last month. Ruiz in triple A is tearing the cover off the ball with a .344 batting average. Can Ruiz be one of these September call ups for the Brewers? If Ruiz shows he can hit major league pitching, could he be a guy that suddenly sneaks on that playoff roster? Would be interesting if the Padres meet the Brewers in post-season.

TRADE

Sometimes nothing ever changes in the game of baseball. The Cubs are busy flipping houses in baseball terms, using players to acquire prospects. Then you have the Phillies trying to figure out their bullpen which seems like a neverending honey-do list. Cubs and Phillies work out a trade. Phillies get the Cubs closer, David Robertson. Cubs land a pitching prospect from the Phillies in Ben Brown.

The 37 year old veteran David Robertson signed with the Cubs right before the 2022 season started in the month of March. Robertson can cross off playing for both Chicago teams on his bucket list as he accomplished that by putting on the Cubbie blue this season. Just gives you the willies, anything Cubs. Robertson was one of my favorite closers we had on the southside of Chicago when he pitched three years in a White Sox uniform converting 84 saves signing with the team after he played in New York. Robertson will be going back to Philadelphia where he signed to play before the 2019 season. Hope Robertson likes Philly Cheese Steaks. Last season Robertson only made 7 appearances for the Phillies due to an elbow injury. Phillies saw Robertson rebound from the injury as he pitched very well this season having a 3-0 record with a low 2.23 ERA while converting 14-19 saves for a bad baseball team. Phillies are familiar with Robertson so it makes sense since the team right now is in a wild card slot to sure up that pen.

The Cubs get a 23 year old power arm in Ben Brown. Brown is the Phillies’ 26^th ranked prospect in their farm system. Brown is a big dude at 6’6” who can dial up a fast ball from 95-98 MPH. Brown has a slider of death at 90 MPH. In 2019 Brown had Tommy John surgery which is now-a-days new life for pitchers. Cubs are most likely having another fire sale as everything must go like last season as they will continue to rebuild with prospects. They could mix and match their future roster with young prospects sprinkled in with veterans. General Manager Jed Hoyer and his think tank will have plenty of decisions to make in the next few days or perhaps use the waiver wire to push a deal through after the deadline is over. Will the Cubs resign their all-star veteran catcher Wilson Contreras? Stay tuned to that same Batman channel at the same Bat time.  

TRADE

The writing was on the wall for outfielder Joey Gallo when the Evil Empire New York Yankees hooked up with a deal with the Royals to summon Andrew Benintendi to the Death Star. Gallo arrived in New York in last year’s trade deadline from the Rangers. Gallo has played in 140 games for the Evil Empire and has a low batting average of .159 with 25 long balls while striking out 194 times. Putting up dreadful numbers like Gallo’s gets you dumped into the death star trash compactor.

Then eaten by the trash compactor monster who devours all the storm troopers who ride on the struggle bus. Gallo will survive because the Dodgers actually gave the Yankees some kind of prospect that will send his services to Hollywood.

Most of the time Joey Gallo looked like a deer in headlights wearing the New York pinstripes. Gallo was untouchable at one point wearing a Texas uniform when he played seven seasons in the Lone Star state. Gallo’s numbers career wise as a Ranger are better than his New York days most definitely. Gallo in 7 seasons as a Ranger batted .211 with 145 homeruns while driving in 317 but still struck out 797 times. Dodgers are hoping getting Gallo out of the New York pressure cooker could help him find his Texas form. Gallo is a left handed bat that can help a team with the long ball. For Gallo it’s all about the home run or strike out. If the 28 year outfielder could raise his average up in the 200’s and still mash some balls into the seats, this deal could benefit the Dodgers. Gallo can play a corner outfield position, or slide into the DH role, or come off the bench and pinch hit. Dodgers only give up a pitching prospect, Clayton Beeter, a 23 year old RHP born in Texas. It’s a low risk move by the Dodgers but they have a high ceiling at the same time. Meanwhile the trash compactor monster will find some other Yankee to chew on as they will hope Beeter turns into something down the road in New York.    

TRADE

It’s not the splashy move the Tampa Bay Rays made last year acquiring slugger Nelson Cruz from the Twins. Rays need a bat in their line up with injuries piling up on the roster. Rays first trade at the deadline mean they check a box in the outfield and get a deal done with the Snakes in the dessert. The Rays land 34 year outfielder David Peralta from the Diamondbacks. In return, Arizona gets a catching prospect, 19 year old Christian Cerda.

David Peralta is a 9 year veteran who has played his entire career with the Diamondbacks. Peralta gives the Rays a left handed bat they can insert in the everyday lineup. Peralta has a career batting average of .283. In 87 games this season Peralta is batting .248 with 12 long balls while driving 41. Peralta can play left field or slide into the DH role for the Rays and give the team some offense to tread water while they wait for guys to return from injuries. Rays get a guy who will be serviceable for the rest of the season and will not have to pay him next season as Peralta hits the open market in free agency.

The Diamondbacks are in the NL West basement with no hopes of making it to the post-season. David Peralta will be a free agent at the end of the season and most likely bolt to another team if he even stays the remainder of the season. Diamondbacks get something for him. Christian Ceda is so far doing well in rookie ball batting .314 with 2 long balls and 12 driven in. Ceda will go to the Diamondbacks rookie ball team and hope they can develop him into a future piece for the big club in the desert in a few seasons.  

TRADE

The Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds once again worked out another big deal between both clubs. Mariners are starting to look like the Reds 2.0. While the Reds are stocking up their farm system with Seattle crops. In the off-season, Seattle landed two of the Reds’ sluggers in Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez. This go around is not first baseman Joey Votto; instead Seattle wanted pitching and they paid a hefty price for starter Luis Castillo. Seattle gives up 4 players including two of their top prospects. Reds get two infielders in Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo who are two of Seattle’s gems in their farm system. Reds also get two right -handed pitching prospects Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore.

Luis Castillo is 29 years old and has played six seasons in the majors, all of them with the Reds. The RHP Castillo only has one winning season going back to 2019 where he went 15-8 with a 3.40 ERA. Castillo’s career numbers have him as a losing pitcher with a record of 44-53 with an ERA of 3.62. Castillo is a 2x All-star including this season as he has gone 4-4 with 2.86 ERA for a very bad Reds team. Why would you give away the entire farm for a guy who has only pitched two good years? Seattle right now in the standings would have the second AL Wild card spot if the baseball season ended today. Seattle is very desperate to make post-season as they have the longest post-season drought of all the 4 major sports. Castillo gives the Mariners a pretty good starting rotation which features free agent pick up Robbie Ray in the off-season. Mariners also can trot out Logan Gilbert who is the Mariners ace of the staff who has a 10-4 record so far this season with a low 2.78 ERA. Castillo gives the Mariners a good 1-2-3 punch in a playoff series. If the Mariners do not extend Castillo, they will only have control over his services for another season after this one. Mariners are going all in for this season. My question… Is this gamble worth a few playoff games giving up some big talent for a guy with track record like Castillo? The back of the baseball card usually tells you the tale of the tape on these players.

The Reds are loading up with prospects and they netted a king’s ransom for Luis Castillo.

Noelvi Marte is a 20 year old short stop ranked in the top 50 in the baseball pipeline prospect list. Marte is a 5 tool player who has raw power and hits for contact. Marte is very hard to strike out. In High A-ball this season, Marte is batting .275 with 15 long balls. Marte’s defense is a liability.

Edwin Arroyo is another short stop who is only 18 years old and another top prospect in the minor leagues. Arroyo has been mashing the ball all over the yards in Low A-ball. Arroyo has a batting average of .315 with 13 long balls and 18 doubles.

Reds get two arms in the deal. Levi Stoudt has a big arm with a fast ball that can dance into the mid-90’s. Stoudt has struggled this season but has 82 strikeouts in 18 starts. Stoudt has piled up a lot of walks so has some control issues.

Andrew Moore has done nice this season in Low A ball. Moore is a reliever who has an ERA under 2.00 with a good fast ball and a breaking ball that helps him strike out many opposing hitters.

Getting two great prospects and 4 players in the deal for one player will help your rebuild get off the ground quicker. Reds are a team that should trade anybody right now including fan favorite Joey Votto. Reds have made it known they are in rebuild as soon as they pulled the trigger with the Mariners the first time in the off-season.

ANDERSON NEEDS TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE

White Sox short stop Tim Anderson expects the Michael Jordan treatment when it comes to getting the calls during the game. Home plate umpire on Friday night, Nick Mahrley,  did not get the memo calling a high pitch a strike that sparked a fuse on the short wick of Tim Anderson. Anderson would plead his case to the home plate umpire that the pitch was a ball.  It did not take long as tempers flare and Anderson ends up bumping the umpire as he let his emotions get the best of him. Anderson would be tossed out of the game along with skipper Tony LaRussa who threw his two cents into the ring defending one of his guys. The league came down on Anderson by suspending him for three games. Anderson will appeal the suspension for now.

Tim Anderson is the face of the White Sox franchise. Anderson seems like he became the face of his race throughout the league. Anderson wears his emotions on his sleeves as he is not shy about any topic even if controversial. Anderson is in his 7^th year in the league and becoming a superstar in the league with his bat and glove. If Anderson wants the Michael Jordan treatment to get the calls, he has to have a cooler head on his shoulders. Jordan earned that right to get the benefit of the doubt with the referees on the hardwood floor. Jordan would not find himself getting kicked out of the game if something went against him. Sure you would see his emotions, but inside Jordan would use that bad call, bad play against the opposing team. Anderson on Friday gets kicked out of the game when his team was down 5-3 late in the game versus the Oakland Athletics, a last place team.

Tim Anderson has the killer instinct as we all remember his game winning blast at the Field of Dreams game in Iowa to finish off the Yankees a few seasons back. It disturbs me when he gets himself kicked out of the game arguing a bad call, which was high. Anderson leaves the game with a 0-1 count. A count during which he still had two bullets left and a chance to get redemption with the umpire and the opposing team. Instead, Anderson was replaced by Leury Garcia which resulted in an out. Not saying if Anderson stayed in the game it would have resulted in a win. White Sox ended up losing in that game Friday night to a bad Athletic team that is now suddenly playing their best baseball of the year. White Sox have struggled all year to get over the 500 mark. White Sox, who had high hopes coming into the season to go deep into post-season play, will have to play well this second half to make it back to post-season. If the White Sox fall short 1 to 3 games, whatever the amount of Anderson’s suspension is, from the playoff spot, how is that going to look? If you are going to do the monster bat flips and be the face of the franchise and captain of the ship, Anderson will need a cooler head to get the southsiders to prevail and repeat as division champs. Anderson has to be like Michael Jordan and know what it takes to win the game first and control your angry urges from hurting the team. Fans will always remember what Paul Konerko did in 2005 to help the team win it all. If Anderson wants to shoulder the load, he will have to replace that short wick and look at the big picture and think of his team before satisfying his own lust to express his opinion on a bad call. Get over it and just win baby!!! Remember there’s no crying in baseball.  

TRADE

Andrew Benintendi probably thought his days of playing in the AL East were long over after the Red Sox traded his services to Kansas City right before the 2021 season. You think you’re out & then something or someone drags you back in… those Damn Yankees!!! Royals trade 28 year old outfielder Benintendi to the Yankees for three pitching prospects. When the Empire wants you, let’s face it, there’s nowhere to hide in the galaxy. Benintendi will be going from nice BBQ food in Kansas City to vax and booster shots with a shaving kit in New York. Benintendi agreed he would get the Covid vaccination shot especially with the Yankees going to Canada to play the Blue Jays with playoffs on the line. Yankees could also meet the Blue Jays in the post-season play. Canada does not allow unvaccinated people in their country.  Some could look at it as going from last place to first place. Now Benintendi can walk that fine line of that Red Sox Yankees rivalry playing for both sides. ESPN just got an instant chubby.

The New York Yankees have grown tired of outfielder Joey Gallo, the former Texas Rangers slugger who the team traded for last Summer at this time. Gallo is a low average type of guy who lives off the homerun and mostly dies from the strikeout. Gallo will likely be shipped off somewhere with the arrival of Andrew Benintendi. Benintendi is a left-handed bat, but the opposite of Gallo. A guy that can hit for high average as his power numbers are down this season with only three long balls. Last season Benintendi hit 17 homeruns. Benintendi made his first all-star team this season as he has a .320 batting average and looks like he found his 2018 groove when he played for the Red Sox and helped them win the World Series. Benintendi played well that year in the post-season for the Red Sox. Yankees see this move as an upgrade defensively and offensively.

The Royals should be trading anything that is not bolted down. Royals get three pitchers in the deal. Chandler Champlain who is a 22 year old RHP, Beck Way who is a 23 year old RHP and LHP pitcher T.J Sikkema, a 24 year old who will all be headed to the Kansas City farm system. Way is the cream of the crop in the deal, who is projected to be a middle of the rotation type of guy. Way should be getting promoted to Double A some time in the near future. Way is a strikeout pitcher who has brought his walks down. Sikkema, since being promoted to the Hudson Valley Renegades of the Yankees farm system, has had 54 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. Champlain is a wild card right now but another big arm that can strike out opposing hitters. Last time the Royals won a World Series, they had that lights out bullpen that shut down the opposing team late in the game with the lead.

BLUE JAYS PUT UP A FOOTBALL SCORE ON THE RED SOX

Last Friday, if the Blue Jays would have went for the two point conversion instead of being satisfied with the extra points after the touchdowns, Toronto could have made MLB history in runs scored in one game. Blue Jays put up 28 runs on the road in Boston versus the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The record still belongs to the Rangers of 2007 who put up 30 runs in 2007 versus the Orioles. It seems like Baltimore always has the record for any losing stats. Three teams are tied for second in the modern day ERA after they scored 29 runs in a game. The Braves scored 29 runs versus the Marlins during the pandemic year of 2020. In 1955, White Sox scored 29 off the Athletics. Then the Red Sox in 1950 scored 29 off the Browns. The Browns in baseball were so bad they decided to be bad in football and move to Cleveland. Two different Browns teams, but that would have been cool if that did happen.

Blue Jays would break their old records of runs scored back in 1978 when they scored 24. Last Friday everybody in the Blue Jays starting line up had at least 2 hits. Blue Jays scored in every inning except for the 7^th and 8^th as the game was well over by then. Blue Jays big innings came in the 3^rd when they piled up 7 runs. Then in the fifth, Blue Jays added 11 more runs after which the MLB should have called it due to slaughter. It was a slow pitch softball score. Lourdes Gurrriel Jr. had six hits in this contest for the Blue Jays. Danny Jansen hit two homeruns for Canada North. While Raimel Tapia had an inside the park grand slam. To add more salt to the Boston wounds, it was done by a division rival. The bright side if you’re a Boston fan is it was not the Yankees. If the Blue Jays get enough pitching, we know they can mash the ball and be a solid World Series contender. I know the Blue Jays was a kind of sexy pick before the season started. If the Birds are heating up, watch out.    

GRUMPY OLD MEN

The great late Walter Payton would score a touchdown and then hand the ball back to the referee. Payton’s AKA Sweetness’ thoughts were act like you have been there before. In baseball when you hit the ball, you run to first base no matter what. Even if you know how hard you hit the ball. Some players will crush the ball, admire their work of art, and watch the ball head for the seats. If the great Walter played the game of baseball, he would not work like this. What if you are losing big & then admire your homerun? The one play watching bad Bears teams throughout the last few decades was seeing the guy celebrate a sack as they losing to the Patriots by 40 points in the second half late in the game. Lamarr Houston of the Bears tore his ACL on that dance. In yesterday’s game between the Nationals and the Diamondbacks, Victor Robles hit his third homerun of the year off Arizona’s ace Madison Bumgarner.

The Nationals were losing 7-1 to the Diamondbacks in the 8^th inning. Robles’ solo homerun made it a 7-2 ball game. Robles basically took a picture of his work as he watched the ball sail out of the park that got Bumgarner hot under the collar. After the game, a Diamondbacks win, Bumgarner had words for Victor Robles.

Bumgarner told reporters, “He’s a clown. Golly… No Shame. Like its 7-1 your 3^rd homer of the year and act like Barry Bonds breaking the record. Clean it up. I don’t care about giving up the run. Hell, we won 7-2, 8-2 whatever it was. Its frustrating. I’m the old grump.“

This is your typical old school versus new school argument. Every time someone gets a hit, they are clapping their hands, pumping their fists, pointing at the dugout & maybe even putting down some gangster signs trying to rally their own team. It’s like in football where almost every receiver that catches the ball to advance to pick up the first down has to get up and point the first down gesture. This as if we did not know while watching the game. These days bat flips, like end zone celebrations in football, are part of the game. We hate it when the other team scores, but you may like it when your own team does it. When you hit a solo homerun late in the game when your down by a lot and celebrate it like it’s the winning run or tying run, I have to agree with Bumgarner on that. Some players admire their own work like Robles did because they are selfish. It’s all about their own selves stats and how to make more money from the game. At the time of the game, down by six runs, Nationals need base runners. Nationals were not going to win that game with one swing of the bat. Robles does not hit many homeruns so he may have been shocked how it felt when the ball came off his bat. Still should be some kind of sportsmanship in the game. Players need to know what the score is. Lamarr Houston celebrating that sack with his team and then losing big means karma bit him right in the ass. In every sport we have clowns to the left of us and jokers to the right. Play the game somewhere in the middle and you should be fine.   

A PIRATES TRADE

The General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ben Cherington, made a nice savvy move with the New York Mets. Pirates unload left-handed slugger Daniel Vogelbach to the Mets for a 26-year-old rookie pitcher, Colin Holderman. Mets are looking to hold on to their division lead by upgrading their DH slot. The Pirates have been exciting to watch at times this season as they are making big strides in the rebuild. Landing a rookie pitcher with some success for the future while moving on from the veteran that was signed to fill a position in hoping he would turn into trade bait.

Daniel Vogelbach over the last few seasons has been like a traveling carnival. Vogelbach is 29-years-old and started his career in Seattle. Since leaving Seattle during the 2020 season, Vogelbach went north to play for the Blue Jays and then found his way to Brew-town in Milwaukee before signing with the Pirates. Vogelbach can hit right-handed pitching. Vogelbach is mostly a platoon type of player who will get most of his At-bats versus right-handed pitching. Vogelbach is a slugger as he has 12 bombs this season  in a Pirates uniform. Expect lots of strike-outs and a low batting average with the power numbers. Vogelbach is an upgrade over the Mets’ Dominic Smith.

The Pirates get a local guy from my neck of the woods in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Colin Holderman’s first season in the Majors as a right-handed reliever has been impressive in 15 games for the Mets. Holderman has a 4-0 record with a 2.04 ERA. Plus, he has the perfect last name for a relief pitcher in baseball. Holderman!! Holderman’s numbers look good now but can change once the league catches up to him. In rebuilds, you’re always flipping veterans and Pirates might find this deal as a steal. If Holderman continues to pitch well and becomes a staple in the bullpen, Pirates would have control over his services for years to come. If it does not work out the Pirates will find other Vogelbachs laying in the dollar bin at some superstore.  

LEFT IN THE DESERT

How do you remove a bad player from your baseball roster? Cement baseball spikes and throwing the player in one of the waterways? For the Arizona Diamondbacks, they have lots of sand and cacti stretching for miles and miles. If you’re a pitcher in four starts with your new team and have a record of 0-2 with 9.64 ERA, you may be headed for a new home in the hot desert.

The Diamondbacks had seen enough of the 34-year-old lefty, Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel could be walking through the desert right now looking for a spark of any residue of his former baseball career. Diamondbacks did not bury the former Cy-Young winner, but DFA’d him instead which means designated for assignment. Which means Keuchel will be a free agent once again and may be thinking to hang up the spikes for good. Keuchel has been DFA twice this year as the White Sox saw enough of the beating he would take every fifth day when he toed the pitching rubber.

Dallas Keuchel’s numbers combined this year in both White Sox and Diamondback uniforms are dreadful. Keuchel has a 2-7 record while logging in 50.2 innings of work in 12 games with an exploding ERA of 8.53. When Keuchel signed with the White Sox in that first season pitching during the pandemic in 2020, he looked like a great signing. Keuchel was one of the best arms in the starting rotation. In the second half of the 2021 season, Keuchel fell apart as he hit rock bottom. Keuchel was left off the playoff roster. White Sox hoped he would turn things around as he started the season off well as he won his 100^th game in an 11-year pitching career. Career-wise Keuchel is 101-89 with a 3.92 ERA. I know we will not see him find a roster spot on some team in the second half of this season. Unless something drastic happens in some team’s locker room thus wiping out an entire rotation. Keuchel looks washed up. Could this be the end of Keuchel’s career? Maybe fine-tune his game in an independent league. Maybe head to another country to find his game. I can see him getting a minor league deal from some team giving him a slim chance to make a roster in Spring Training. Keuchel had a nice career in the MLB which you can’t take away from him. I’m sure Keuchel is not happy right now at the end of his career. Stay tuned.     

It was another Summer classic between the American League versus the National league with the same results. American League wins a close contest and picks up their ninth straight win over the National League. This in one of the oldest stadiums in baseball, Dodger stadium was treated to a classic 3-2 game that featured the long ball.

I’m sure the beautiful Alyssa Milano was there who is the Dodgers’ number one fan. As usual, all the LA fans were fashionably late to even the Summer classic. Things started off good for the NL. Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt hit a homerun to get the NL on the board first.

Did LA fans that showed up late miss Clayton Kershaw picking off Angels superstar, Shohei Ohtani? Ohtani, this generation’s Babe Ruth, did his thing. He singled and then quickly was erased by home team Dodgers’ Ace Kershaw. It was the first pick up since 2008 where Crazy Carlos Zambrano picked off another nut job, Milton Bradley.

I always root for the American League in the Summer classic. The AL came back to tie the ball game when Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton hit a two run bomb to tie the game. The AL would then take the lead for good with back-to-back homers as Twins slugger Byron Buxton follows Stanton with a solo shot. It was a low-scoring affair, but the hard part to swallow was guys from the Twins and Yankees winning that game for you. Then to rub some salt in the wounds, Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez gets the win. Bright spot is Tong Gonsolin takes the loss. He’s another hometown pitcher for the Dodgers that made the All-Star squad.

AMERICAN LEAGUE 3-2 NATIONAL LEAGUE

HOW DID OUR GUYS DO?

White Sox short stop Tim Anderson went 1-2 with the lumber and started the game for the AL at short stop.

The Mad Max Australian closer for the White Sox, Liam Hendriks, pitched 0.1 of an inning giving up nothing.

Pirates Ace David Bednar pitched a scoreless inning.     

METS RETIRE THE PRETTY BOY’S JERSEY

Most people will remember Keith Hernandez played first baseman for the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets. Hernandez razzled you with that pretty left-handed swing which he hit for average. Hernandez also dazzled you in the field with web gems on regular basis. Some may remember Hernandez as one of the spitters playing himself in a few episodes of Seinfeld. Having a run-in with good ole Newman.

Many forget Keith Hernandez started his career as a Cardinal and played most of his career in St. Louis. Hernandez’s arrival in New York was through a trade in 1983. It seems like Hernandez has been associated with the Mets for a lifetime. Hernandez would only wear number 17 in a Mets uniform for 7 years in a 17 year career in the majors. His popularity in the Big Apple would grow as he was a baseball player on a  team with some questionable characters who had many bad habits. Hernandez smoking cigarettes in the dugout is a good habit compared to what else was going on in the Mets dug out. Winning the World Series in 1986 playing the game the right way means Hernandez will see his jersey number retired and be part of Mets folklore for eternity in the Big Apple.

Keith Hernandez is not part of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Hernandez is in the Cardinals and Mets Hall of Fame. His numbers throughout 17 years are pretty good. Hernandez was a career .296 hitter with 162 long balls while tallying up 2,182 hits. Hernandez drove in over one thousand as he finished with 1,071 RBI’S while scoring 1,124 runs. Defense-wise, Hernandez was even better as he accumulated 11 Golden Gloves compared to two Silver Slugger awards. Hernandez won two World Series Championships: one with St. Louis the other with the Mets. Hernandez was MVP in 1979 and made 5 All-Star teams. The Big Apple remembers Hernandez seven seasons getting 5 Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger award and making the All-Star game three times. Hernandez in 5 years batted .297 for the Mets with 80 long balls and 159 doubles.

At 68 years old, Keith Hernandez is still in the Mets organization calling games. The Mets were once very picky about whose number they retired. Mets like to retire members of the Baseball Hall of Fame of whom they retired Tom Seaver’s number 41 and Mike Piazza’s number 31. Mets have changed their ways and retired Jerry Koosman #36, Gil Hodges #14, and Casey Stengel #37. With Jackie Robinson’s number 42 retired by every team in the Majors, Hernandez will be the 6^th Met to have their number retired as Robinson would make it 7 numbers on the wall. Look for some of those others from that rag tag bunch of Mets that may see their number retired right after Keith’s. Dwight Gooden and Daryl Strawberry, I would count them out. Hernandez, born in California, may not have dreamed he would be one of the Biggest Apples in New York. Hernandez probably never thought he would be linked as one of most memorable characters in Seinfeld history playing himself in one of the best comedies ever made. Hernandez probably did not think he’d end his baseball career in an Indians uniform where veteran players go to die. Cleveland is where a double spitter would have been needed.

MERCEDES SPOTTED RIDING ON THE WEST COAST

Last time we saw Yermin Mercedes swing the bat on the south side of Chicago, it was the 2021 season. Mercedes only had one At-bat in the majors prior to the 2021 season. In 2021, Mercedes’ arrival as a 26-year-old rookie was sleek, sporty and a luxury to have on the roster as he exploded on the scene in the month of April for the White Sox.  Being the team’s Designated Hitter, hitting over 400, he became a local cult hero to fans. You could say it was Mercedes that carried the White Sox that first month of the season to get off to a great start, which they did. Nicknamed the Yerminator, he even had a beer named after him. Maybe even a sandwich at the local spots. Then suddenly the wheels fell off the Mercedes as the DH catcher rescinded on a deal with the devil. He went into a huge season slump as the sleek ride suddenly need Maaco as the Yerminator was not rust-proof.

Yermin Mercedes would only last 68 games in a White Sox uniform that 2021 season. Mercedes would be sent down to the farm hoping the mechanics could fix his flaws. In 68 games, Mercedes batted .271 with 65 hits & 7 long balls while driving in 37. Most of Mercedes’ damage was done early on in the season. Mercedes would fall on hard times after landing in Skipper Tony LaRussa’s dog house. Mercedes would struggle then in the minor leagues and he even thought about actually wanting to walk away from the game of baseball. It was the shortest retirement ever, an entire day. White Sox brass convinced the Mercedes to come back and work out his problems on the field. Mercedes would roll back to the farm and fine-tune his engine.

The White Sox could not fix their 27-year-old Yermin Mercedes, so he eventually would be on blocks in back of the barn down on the farm. It was June 18^th of 2022 when the White Sox would call for the tow as Mercedes was off to the junk yard and put on waivers. The San Francisco Giants would salvage the Mercedes before the car compacter crushed it for good. Giants are in need of a boost in their line-up especially with the Brandon Crawford injury. Then Covid landed some Giants position players on the injured list. Giants have been bringing their new older ride up and down from the minor leagues. It had to feel good for Yermin Mercedes facing his old team coming off the bench and hits a double. The game was a blow out as the White Sox were mopping up the Giants late with a double digit lead. The next day, on Independence Day, the Giants were playing the Diamondbacks and Mercedes got the nod. Mercedes showed he still had some gas left in the tank as he went 2-4 with another double as Yermin may have found his old stroke with some firecrackers coming off his bat. In seven games so far, the Yerminator has 4 hits in 16 At-bats. Not quite the hot start he had in the 2021 season. However Mercedes has found his independence away from the White Sox organization and now can ride solo away from the dealership. He’ll find his game to eventually stay riding the big city highways instead of the dirt back roads. Mercedes are meant to be driven in upper echelon of the baseball world.   

BACK TO BACK TO BACK JACKS

The Pittsburgh sports landscape these days is just blah. The Steelers will be replacing Big Ben Roethlisberger with a Bears reject, in Mitch Trubisky. Penguins made another early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs. As for the Maulers of the USFL, seeing that logo back in the fold gave you a glimmer of hope until you saw the product on the field. The Pirates have been in another rebuild that has a slightly different feel, but ownership is the same. Besides, the Pirates lost their last 11-12 games. Better cut the lawn. On Father’s Day, dads had something to cheer about at PNC park, and for a change it was the home team being cheered for. Rookie outfielder Jack Suwinski made MLB history with a three homerun day versus the San Francisco Giants.  

Many rookies have hit three homeruns in one game in baseball history. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger outfielder, Jack Suwinski, hit three Jacks with one of them being the walk off dinger and a 4-3 victory for the Pirates. The walk off homerun with the other two of the game is baseball history. No rookie ever did that in baseball history. Suwinski faced a submariner pitcher Tyler Rogers in the bottom of the 9^th, found something he could hit, and mashed it. Suwinski is the second rookie in Pirates history to hit 3 homeruns in one game. Andrew McCutchen did it in 2009. To remember the last Pirate to hit three homeruns in one game, you have to go back to 2019 to first baseman Josh Bell.

The Adam Frazier deal is already paying off. Frazier was dealt to the Padres at the deadline of last season for Jack Suwinski. Suwinski is the first rookie in baseball this season in double digits in homeruns hit. Suwinski is out of Chicago and went to Taft High School before the Padres drafted him. Suwinski’s monster day at the plate on Father’s Day with his dad, Tim, in the stands, makes the story even better. I love seeing higher numbers being used by players today. Many of these higher numbers don’t have any history for some of these franchises as Suwinski wears 65 on the back of his Pirate jersey. Pirates will not make the playoffs this season. The Pirates will lose many games. This rebuild, you’re starting to see some glimpses of the future. Pirates have done some nice things this season already with of course a few clunkers mixed in as well. During a rebuild, we look for a young player to start finding his stroke to actually go to a game or give us fans a reason to turn the game on at home. Which team would not want a guy from the left side of the plate raking the ball into the stands and beyond? How many water landings will we see the rest of the year off the bat of Suwinski? Pop open an Iron City and let the kids play.     

POPE DONN PALL

When it comes to Evergreen Park, Illinois, you have to say the most famous person ever to live in that town is Ted Kaczynski. The same Ted Kaczynski who went to Evergreen Park High School. The same Ted Kaczynski who went to Harvard. Unfortunately, the same notorious Ted Kaczynski that liked to blow up people. The Unabomber!!!

The town of Evergreen Park does not have a sign at the outskirts of town saying “Welcome to the Home of the Unabomber.” Before the Unabomber was uncovered, the local town of Evergreen Park had an athlete to look up to. Not talking about the traitor Chris Chelios, who wore the Redwing sweater from Detroit of the NHL, and was probably technically born in Chicago rather than the burb of Evergreen Park. The Pope. Former Evergreen High School great who pitched for the Mustangs and went on to play college baseball at the University of Illinois. Donn Pall was then drafted by the Chicago White Sox and pitched ten years in the majors. The Mustangs of the EP High School retired Pope Donn Pall’s number 20. The right-handed reliever, at the age of 60, will always be remembered in his ole stomping grounds: the EP.

Donn Pall pitched for 5 teams in the majors in ten seasons. Pall was drafted by the White Sox & pitched on the south side for 5 of those ten seasons. Pall would also wear the Marlins, Phillies, Yankees, and pitched in a few games for the Northside team, the Cubs. Despite this, we do not want to tarnish our local hero. Pall was drafted by the White Sox in 1985. Pall debuted in the majors in 1988 as a relief pitcher and pitched in 328 games. He finished his career in 1998. Pall would help the Marlins win a World Series in 1997. Pall’s numbers in ten seasons, the local yokel in my neighborhood, had a winning record of 24-23 with 3.63 ERA as he converted ten saves while striking out 278 in 505.1 innings of work, so not too shabby. Most of the Pope’s stuff came in a White Sox uniform. The uniform he’s wearing on the baseball card I’m proud of.  He had a record of 21-19 with a respectable ERA of 3.45 pitching in the American league.

In the small town of Evergreen Park living on the southside, you feel like a crop of some vegetable that is rooted permanently in the community. It’s not Friday Night Lights in the state of Texas. Close. You always remember the great athletes from the local school of Evergreen Park or the Catholic High schools in the area. Donn Pall is special because he would pitch for the Southside’s team, the White Sox. You know Evergreen Park is special because it is a blue collar town where hard work was rewarded on and off the field for Donn Pall. Pall’s number 20 would be retired at Anthony Vacco’s field, home of the Mustangs and named after the former Mayor of the town. A mayor who loved to dine at the local Barraco’s  restaurant where he had no problem eating with his people that put him into office for over a decade. Donn Pall, like Ted Kaczynski, is a graduate of the EP High School. Pall graduated in 1980. Pall would pitch in the majors during the time the Unabomber would use the U.S mail service for his packages. The Unabomber, for his carnage of blood he has caused, will be known across the country for what he did. A brilliant mind gone bad. Locally in the EP, we hang on to the feel-good stories and legends of the Pope Donn Pall and his gospel about striking out that slugger in the late innings to close out a game for the White Sox.

DRIVING COUSIN EDDIE OFF INTO THE SUNSET WITH A WHIMPER OF FUMES

The 68-year-old skipper for the Los Angeles Angels, Joe Maddon’s, latest off-the-wall scheme could not end the team’s terrible losing streak. Maddon tried the Mohawk hair due to loosen things up in the Angels club house & send some good vibes while praying to the baseball gods for a win. Joe Maddon was fired in his old stomping grounds, where his coaching career took off & led him to get the manager job in Tampa Bay working as Mike Scioscia’s side kick. Maddon had the Angels off to a great start before the team went off the rails with a long losing streak of 12 games. The Angels had fallen in the standings. Maddon’s Winnebago which he named Cousin Eddie, probably sat for weeks on some drive way as it is more of an off-season ride for a guy that has been coaching for 19 seasons in the Majors. The hipster Maddon can now enjoy a PBR anytime at some trendy ole tavern along the coast lines. This as he heads out of the town where it all started with a whimper rather than a big bang like he did in other towns.

Joe Maddon is the 31^st manager in baseball history in wins as his record stands with 1,382 wins with 1,216 losses & one tie with three different organizations. Maddon has a .532 winning percentage in regular season, but in the post-season he is three games under .500 with a record of 32-35. Maddon has made the post-season 8 times as a manager. He took sorry ass franchises like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Chicago Cubs deep in post-season as he has two pennants. The Devil Rays would make their first ever World Series under Maddon’s leadership only to end up losing in that one. Maddon was hired by the Cubs to do the unthinkable. Maddon helped the Cubs beat the curse of the goat and helped one of the sorriest franchises in sports labeled born losers win the World Series after going 108 years without winning one. Maddon has won three Manager of the Year awards for his work on the Northside of Chicago and in Florida.

Why has Joe Maddon not won in LA with a loaded Angels team? Mike Trout is the best player in the league. Shohei Ohtani might be runner up in the American league. The Angels also have a former Washington National superstar in Anthony Rendon. Angels have a huge payroll invested in big time veteran names. Maddon won with the Cubs and the Rays with mostly younger players & some sprinkles of veteran players. Veteran players might not buy into Maddon’s petting zoos in the club house or dress up in costumes for the plane. The Cubs were supposed to have the dynasty like the New England Patriots in football. The core group in Chicago got older after the 2016 miracle year and the team could not hit squat in the post-season and were quickly dispatched in round one. I know nobody has won with Mike Trout in the Angels dugout. Phil Nevin takes over the manager duties since the Angels got rid of Maddon; he will have his work cut out for him. Maddon has that outside the box thinking when it comes to manager strategies. Maddon’s handling of his bullpens over the years do come into question. I think Maddon will return to the game after his let down, back to where it started. Maddon will get time to enjoy his life while he travels America. He’ll stop off to do some hiking or ride a bike. He’ll find a little place where he can belly up at the bar. Maddon leaves the game doing some impressive things in the dugout. Right now he is not Hall Of Fame material where he stands. Maddon will need one more run somewhere in the league with a younger team about to raise their level of play as a group. This Angels job might not work because you have Mike Trout. Bryce Harper left Washington for Philadelphia before the Nationals won it all. The two best players in the league and no manager can go deep into the playoffs or even make the post-season on a regular basis. Maddon is probably smoking a joint out in mother nature following some type of Grateful Dead cover band, not missing a beat & enjoying life every day.  

RESURRECTING KEUCHEL IN THE DESSERT

When the Chicago White Sox signed Dallas Keuchel before the 2020 season, I thought it was a great move. The move reminded me of when the Cubs inked Jon Lester to deal a veteran pitcher joining a younger team on the rise, with hopes of winning the World Series. The Lester move would pan out for the Cubs as he helped the Northside team beat the Jinx of the Billy Goat and win their first World Series in over 100 years. The White Sox invested three years at 55 Million for Keuchel’s services, a 2x all-star and Cy-Young winner in 2015. Keuchel was a guy who was going to help the White Sox in post-season as he did with the Astros and one year with the Braves. During the pandemic season of 2020, Keuchel made the White Sox brass look intelligent going 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA. Keuchel made a post-season start in the same year versus the Athletics but did not have his best stuff as the White Sox would be one and done in the playoffs.

In 2021, Dallas Keuchel’s ERA ballooned up to 5.28 as he went 9-9. It was the second half of the season when Keuchel was just dreadful. The White Sox had a huge lead in the Central with no worries of any opponent catching them. What would the team do with the struggling Keuchel before the post-season? White Sox tried to use Keuchel in the bullpen, but the veteran could not get anybody out. Keuchel would be left off the post-season roster. This season the White Sox hoped that the 34 year old veteran would have a bounce back year and recapture some of that magic he had in 2020. Keuchel would start off solid by picking up his 100^th career victory. In 2021 Keuchel came back with a stench, as in 8 starts the veteran had a 2-5 record with 7.88 ERA giving up 28 runs in 32 innings of work. Yikes!!! May 28^th White Sox designated Keuchel for an assignment from which he was eventually released, as no other team wanted to trade something for a guy who looks washed up.

 

Left handed pitching in baseball has basically nine lives. Some teams would give Dallas Keuchel a chance thinking they can fix a flaw in the pitcher’s mechanics. The Arizona Diamondbacks have some injuries to their starting rotation and signed Keuchel to a minor league deal where Dallas will try to find himself for the Snakes Triple A farm team. Keuchel has an opt out if the Diamondbacks don’t think at a certain time he is ready to make the jump back to the majors. Keuchel’s White Sox career ends with him going 17-16 with a 4.79 ERA. Keuchel is a vocal leader in the clubhouse where you need a few of those guys. How do you back up your words when your stuff has gone south? White Sox could not risk the wear and tear on their bullpen with short outings every fifth day that Keuchel was giving the team. Signing veteran pitching in 30’s can be risky like in Dallas’ case. He could not finish the contract even though the White Sox are on the hook for the remainder of the three-year deal. Signing pitching in their 30’s does work as well. Keuchel could have been the Lester gem signing of the White Sox for the future World Series victory at some point that we hope to see. In reality, Keuchel would only be a one year wonder on the Southside in a shortened pandemic season. Just like the musician Vanilla Ice with his only hit song, “Ice Ice Baby,” if you even consider that a smash.    

DOMINATION OF THE DODGERS

In the NFL, many times the cream of the crop in the league might overlook the doormat of a opponent. Looking ahead to the next opponent before even playing the inferior competition. The next opponent is the challenge as this week’s game should be a walk in the park. In baseball you can lose to anybody, as anybody can beat you on any given night or day especially with so many games to play. The LA Dodgers, the best team in the National League, could have been thinking about the rise of the New York Mets series over the weekend. Somehow the Dodgers would overlook the Pirates in a three game series in Pittsburgh.

The Pirate fans got to bring out the brooms and sweep away the Dodgers who came to town. Yes, the Pirates took all three games. The same Pirates who were destroyed in a game by the Cubs earlier in the season when they gave up over 20 runs. The same Pirate team the Cardinals destroyed in a game where Albert Pujols took the pitching rubber in mop-up duty. How do you explain a decent Pirate team getting better, but still one of the bottom feeder teams in the NL, beating a loaded Dodger team? Let’s not forget the Pirates took two out of three and Escape LA with a series win.

Not many teams can hang their hats on winning a series in LA versus the Dodgers. Pirates did a version of Jake “the Snake” Plissken in LA and tagged three more losses on the Dodgers before they went to New York. That is a 5-1 record the Pirates have against the best team in the NL. The Dodgers and Pirates will not meet again this season. Should be some sighs of relief from the Dodger faithful. Sometimes you chalk these things up as some teams have your number. Even if one team on paper is much better than yours. Sometimes just facing that certain uniform plays tricks on the other team’s mind, even having your best guy out there on the mound. In the end, the Dodgers can’t escape Pittsburgh with a win. For the Pirates, a team that’s not going to make it to post-season, they have won a badge of honor like a boy scout or prospect finally making it into the club. Small victories with big meaning.

LET’S FACE THE FACTS DONALDSON IS AN ICE HOLE

White Sox short stop Tim Anderson looked a lot like Roman Moroni last Saturday night when the benches cleared between Chicago and the dreaded New York Yankees. Anderson and the White Sox did not like what Josh Donaldson was saying as he referred to the White Sox short stop as Jackie. In a 2019 interview, Anderson said he was like the modern day Jackie Robinson as he is a black guy playing a sport many of his own people don’t play in present times. Anderson may think he is carrying the torch for the entire black population. Donaldson over the weekend in New York started calling Anderson “Jackie” on the field as the visiting White Sox had a three game series with the Yankees. Many thought this was a racist comment by the white third basemen veteran who’s been in the league over ten seasons with multiple teams. Donaldson said he called Anderson Jackie because of that 2019 interview and for some odd reason thought it was an inside joke between the two. Is Donaldson a racist or just an A-hole? Donaldson will get a one game suspension from the league because of his part in the incident over the weekend.

The love affair between Josh Donaldson and the White Sox goes back to 2021. It was Donaldson who was very vocal about pitchers who used a foreign substance on the mound to get a better spin rate. The league has cracked down on foreign substances as they monitor pitches constantly. After each inning the umpires do a check. Donaldson made a comment about White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, saying he got better by spinning the ball and assumed he used something as he turned his career around. Once Giolito was the worst pitcher in baseball, and now he is the ACE of the White Sox pitching. Wonder how Donaldson gets along with the king of sticky fingers as his new teammate in New York, Gerrit Cole? Then a week prior to the clearing of the benches in New York and Chicago, an incident occurred between Tim Anderson and Josh Donaldson. Anderson slid head first back into third base in Chicago when Donaldson received the ball from the Yankees catcher & then swiped at Tim’s hand which was on the bag. Donaldson then would go further and push Anderson off the bag. The third base umpire was on it and even told Donaldson that Anderson was safe and that he pushed him off the bag. It is obvious that the White Sox and Josh Donaldson don’t write each other Christmas cards in the off-season.

I don’t think Josh Donaldson was trying to use this Jackie comment as a racist comment. Seriously, is this what we have come down to as a society that any word said comes down to the race card? However I do not see Donaldson’s action as a private joke between the two of them. Private jokes usually involve two parties that like each other and are friends. It took White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal to confront Donaldson when he came up to bat saying he was wrong for continuing to say “Jackie” to Tim Anderson. I did not see any Yankee teammates stand up for Josh Donaldson. Even the JUDGE made a ruling. Yankees outfielder and the face of the Yankees, Aaron Judge, said Donaldson should not say that kind of stuff. White Sox closer Liam Hendriks had to chime in and say Donaldson has truly never been liked in many locker room club houses that he has been in over the years. Another of the many White Sox teammates standing by and having Tim Anderson’s back. The Yankee fans chanted “JACKIE” when Tim Anderson came up to bat. Yankee fans are not rooting Donaldson on as they root for the front of the jersey. Fans will use anything they can get to heckle the opposing players on the team their team is facing. I would not call the Evil Empire fans racist, but they probably do have some in the litter like the White Sox fans and every team in the league. Any racial group has bad apples in them. In the end we learn something about the White Sox coming together to take the series in New York winning 2 out of three and sweeping the double header on the Sunday. Donaldson started the entire saga with his fat mouth. Donaldson should not be suspended. However, Donaldson should be eyeballed as a cancer that could disrupt the Yankees chemistry. He is a pure Ice hole and Yankees are all about winning championships. Donaldson is all about his own agenda. Tim Anderson gets the last laugh shushing the Yankee crowd with his finger to his nose after he hits another big homerun to put the White Sox up for good in that game.

Anderson probably takes pride in his game and feels like he can relate to the great Jackie Robinson. Perhaps play his own part to pave the way for others in a time that is tough in society where hate is on the rise. Everyone in life wants to play and be like the hero they looked up to in a game they love. Donaldson is ignorant and a school bully on the playground. Not everything is a racist remark. It’s good to see good prevailed over evil for at least one weekend.       

BRING YOUR OWN BEER TO THE REDS GAMES

When I was in my 20’s, a sporting event with beer was like sausage on a pizza… a great combination. Bringing your own beer in a ball park is definitely a “no and a no, no, no!!!” These days you can’t get away with it as security guards pat you down like they were the convicts getting out of jail for a cheap thrill looking for a warm body that doesn’t smell like prison. Chicago Bears games used to be the best because with the heavier coats, you can sneak a six pack of cans inside the stadium. Hate being cheap like that, but all these sporting events and concerts are highway robbery with what they charge for a watered down draft. When I read the Cincinnati Reds ran out of beers and hot dogs on one of their promotion nights by the 4^th inning, I was mad even though I did not go to the game at Great American Ballpark.

The Reds are the worst team in baseball this season. Bad baseball teams need to find ways to get fannies in the seats. When the White Sox recently were in their complete rebuild a few seasons back, it was all about the drink and food. Craft beer venues all over the stadium. Felt like you were going to that one local place by the house that has every beer that is made in the entire world. The food was not your typical hot dog as they had everything from pub grub to even upscale types of food. The product sucked on the field, so you might as well drink and eat well was what the White Sox brass were thinking. The White Sox did their giveaways and promotion nights as well. The Reds did a $3.00 dollar beer and $2.00 dollar hot dog night on Tuesday evening and dropped the ball miscalculating the amount of fans coming to the game with the number of kegs and wieners they had in stock. Running out of beer and hot dogs by the 4^th inning is like running out of champagne before midnight on New Year’s Eve. What is the excuse a team or business would have? That the wieners are still on a cargo ship coming from China? Those would be the real McCoy dogs coming from Asia, poor Sparky did not go to the farm upstate, little Jimmy. Reds are not serving imported beer for that kind of price at $3.00 a cup. The Reds front office mathematicians are probably in the ticket booths because no sports team would slash their ticket prices. If Reds can’t keep the beer in stock, fans should be able to bring their own “just in case” beer inside. Unless the entire town of Cincinnati is going back to 1920’s prohibition days and decides to go dry.  That means the Reds would have to actually find players that can play the game if they want fans to watch this hot garbage play without any booze.   

QUINTANA CONQUERS A HAT TRICK FULL OF HEXES

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been surprising many teams with their competitive play so far this 2022 season. Yes, the Pirates have lost to the Reds. The Pirates were blown out in one game by the Cubs a few weeks back. Pirates ended up taking 3 out of 4 against the North side team in Chicago. On Monday Night, Jose Quintana exercised some demons that have followed him and the Pirates around. The LHP Quintana took the bump for the Buckos and pitched 6 scoreless innings versus the Dodgers which resulted in a 5-1 victory for Pittsburgh. Three things were snapped with just one outing.

The 33 year old veteran signed with the Pirates this off-season in hopes of turning around his career. Last season Quintana spoiled time on the West coast with the Angels and Giants as his numbers were not very good. Quintana came into Monday 0-1 but has pitched well this season. Quintana first helped the Pirates snap a 16 game losing streak versus an all-star cast in the Dodgers. Their last win against the Dodgers came in 2018. Quintana did get the win in his performance which is the very first win by any of the Pirates’ starting rotation. It took the Pirates until the 28th game of the season to get one of their starters in the win column. Last time it took this long for a starter to win their first game, you’d have to go back to the 1989 Baltimore Orioles who started the season 0-21. Pirates have more wins than the 1989 Orioles. The Bullpen for Pirates combined have a record of 11-6 while now the starters for the Pirates have a record of 1-11.

Jose Quintana started his career in Chicago for the White Sox. Quintana was known as a tough luck starter with poor run support. Last time Quintana won a game on the mound goes back to the 2019 season, when he was in a Cubs uniform and beat the Brewers on September 5^th of that season. That last win was 20 starts ago in 42 appearances as he logged in time in the bullpen. Maybe the Pirates organization is a sudden wakeup call as Quintana knows the Pirates have been in the midst of rebuild. Quintana knows if he does well he could be dealt to a contender before the trade deadline. Quintana evens his record to 1-1 for the 2022 season while posting a 2.70 ERA which is not too shabby. Quintana collects his 84^th career victory as it would be nice to see him get 16 more to hit the milestone of 100. It is also just exciting to see a Pirates pitcher shut down the LA Dodgers. Who would not want to see that?  

MODERN DAY REDS ALREADY A BIG RED MESS

 

The members of the original Big Red Machine in Cincinnati have to be embarrassed by their old franchise starting the season with a 3-22 record. Some of those Reds greats have to be rolling in their graves seeing what management put on the field this season. I think of the groundskeepers in Major League, the movie, working on the field in Cleveland talking about the team.

The Reds are now the Bumbles in the town they share with the Bengals. The Bengals played bad football for decades until last season when they would shed the skin of that Bumbles name. Reds tied the Detroit Tigers of 2003 with the second worst record in history of the game after 25 games to begin a season with a 3-22 record. Reds have lost 9 straight games which resulted in three straight sweeps. The 1997 Cubs started 0-14 out of the gate to start the season, but that was not the worst start in MLB history. It was the Baltimore Orioles who lost their first 21 games in 1988. I remember that because the birds got their first win over the White Sox, as always happens to the teams I root for. The 1988 Orioles would start 2-23 after the first 25 games of the season.

The Reds front office seems like a man without a plan. Before the lock out, the Reds did nothing to add to the team. Then after the lock out, they slice and dice their team getting rid of some of their best players just leaving a little less of a skeleton crew to man the fort. Even President Phil Castellini apologized to the Reds fan base before the season even started. Why is Joey Votto still in a Reds uniform? That’s my first question. If the Reds are doing a complete tear down, Votto should be traded right now or even before the season even started. The Reds just can’t build around their veteran first baseman because a rebuild can take years to finally get the right product on the field. Sometimes you think some of these owners couldn’t even run a lemonade stand. Fans were probably already locked into their season tickets before the ownership came up with a late plan of shedding pay roll. Reds will tank the season and be awarded with high draft picks. In the meantime, these Reds fans have to watch this garbage on the field play out all Summer long. Meanwhile the Reds could really make some history they don’t want and finish out with the worst record in baseball history for a regular season. Do you remember the Cleveland Spiders of 1899? I don’t and I’m sure the 120 year old Asian woman is not reading my blog right now.

The Spiders went 20-134 in 1899 which is a .120 winning percentage. Sounds like my softball teams over the years. Maybe this team in 1899 is the reason that the Indians went with Guardians instead of the Spiders of old. In the modern day era, the Reds could find themselves in the same boat of the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics and finish with a 36-117 record. That will be fun to watch like a burning wreck alongside the highway and you just can’t take your eyes off it. Opposing teams will be seeing Red versus Cincinnati to pad their stats as teams can find their winning ways once again versus this sloppy pile of heap that they will parade out there every day.     

AROUND THE LEAGUE TID-BITS AND BITS

THE 3,000 CLUB

Miguel Cabrera made history over the weekend as he racked up hit #3,000 versus the Colorado Rockies. The 39 year old right handed slugger in his 20^th Major League season joins an elite club in baseball history. Cabrera becomes the 33^rd player in MLB history to have 3,000 or more hits in a career. Cabrera is only the 3^rd player in MLB history to have a .300 batting average, 3,000 hits and over 500 homeruns. Cabrera joins only Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as the only other two players in baseball history to have those kinds of numbers.

Just hope MLB counted Miguel Cabrera’s total hits right. Cabrera does not want to be like Bernie Mac in Mr. 3000 coming back to the baseball world in search of 3,000 hits after he thought he accomplished that before stepping away from the game.

Albert Pujols comes in at number 5 all-time on the MLB Homerun list

ALBERT PUJOLS HOMERUN TALLIES FOR 2022 (2)

PUJOLS MLB CAREER HOMERUN TALLIES (681)

CHASING 700 PUJOLS NEEDS (19)

TYING A-ROD Alex Rodriguez for number 4 Pujols needs (15)

LEAP FROGGING A-ROD Alex Rodriguez  for 4^th spot  Pujols needs (16)

THE JAPANESE RIDE

Seiya Suzuki, the Chicago Cubs biggest free agent signing of the off-season came out of the Japanese waters. Suzuki catches fire right away for the Cubs as he started the season off with a nine game hitting streak.

Seiya Suzuki’s 9 game hitting streak to start the season ties former Rays infielder Akinori Iwanmora all-time for a Japanese-born player to come overseas and catch fire from the start of his MLB career.

WE ARE ALL GUNG HO OVER THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!

BANKS LIFE SAVINGS TO THE MAJORS

With the shortened Spring training this season in baseball. Most of the starters around the league are using the first few games to stretch out their arms for the long haul of a 162 game season. Most of the time, barring injuries in Spring Training, your arm would be stretched out ready to go. Early on especially this season, relievers matter. RLM Relievers lives Matter. Let’s face the facts that starters just in general over the last decade just don’t go long in games any more. MLB expanded the rosters for the month of April early on so teams could add some extra arms to the roster. White Sox 30 year old rookie Tanner Banks gets his first taste of the big leagues from the extra roster space and a few injuries in the White Sox club house makes Banks’ dream finally come true.

Tanner Banks, a native out of Utah was drafted by the White Sox in 2014 in the 18^th round. The only organization Banks knows is the White Sox as he has lasted down on the farm since he was drafted as he continued to develop and learn. Banks has made 115 starts in the White Sox farm system. Manager Tony LaRussa has not ruled out Banks being able to make a start in the big leagues. Banks is LHP and south paws in  the baseball world are given far more chances than the right handed pitchers. Banks sounds like his story has been done before with Dennis Quaid playing LHP Jim Morris of the Rays in the movie, The Rookie. Banks and Morris’ plots are much different. Banks has never stepped away from the game as he takes it one inning at time in trying to climb the baseball ladder and make his way to the big leagues. The thought to give up, perhaps even people he knows told him to do something else, may linger as age is your worst enemy when it comes to sports. Eventually all his work paid off and he made a team that has World Series goals.

Tanner Banks had a Spring training that turned heads. Banks’ big moment came when he pitched two shutout innings versus the Dodgers and struck out guys like Max Muncy, Trea Turner, Austin Barnes and Cody Bellinger which is not some Triple A Idaho team. Dodgers players even talked about Banks after the game in the desert of Arizona. Banks last year posted an ERA of 4.98 in Triple A Charlotte. Banks would make the opening day roster & then would appear in the first series of the year for the White Sox in Motor City playing the Tigers. Banks was lights out in his major league debut coming out of the bullpen. So far Banks has tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in three games in the big leagues with 6 strikeouts. It’s way too early for any kind of judgement. Banks received a beer shower after his scoreless debut; it’s a memory etched in the 30 year old’s mind. Many would have packed up years ago and moved on to another dream. Last April we talked about the arrival of Yermin Mercedes who came on with the lumber with a big bang making the opening day White Sox roster. Some say Mercedes carried the White Sox offense in April, helping team get out of the gates quickly despite all the injuries to some of their big names. Mercedes would eventually fizzle out while being sent back down to the farm as he still has not recovered. Hopefully Banks can keep dealing on the mound and helping the White Sox win games in whatever role the Skipper needs him in. These stories have been done in Hollywood. Stories like this to overcome, keep trying, and finally get there, never get tiresome. Hope Tanner Banks’ arrival is a cemented piece for years to come for Chicago White Sox baseball. I hope we can write more about a 30 year Banks who right now in life is a kid in a candy store enjoying every moment of it.  

TAPPING OUT THE REST OF THE VOGELBACH

When your baseball team is in full rebuild like the Pittsburgh Pirates, the front office has to fill in the roster with leftover veterans not signed. It’s like the Island of Misfit Toys in the Christmas animated Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer. The Pirates brass are driving around in their Sanford and Son rusted out 1950’s model pickup truck and came across an interesting artifact. Brew town was done drinking the kool-aid out of the Vogelbach keg. Another man’s junk is another man’s treasure and that’s where the Pirates came in. They picked up the 29 year old Daniel Vogelbach, dusted him off, and signed the left handed slugger to a one year deal worth 1 million dollars with an option year to a man shaped like a keg.

Dan Vogelbach has played in the big leagues for parts of seven seasons in a career that started in the Emerald city of Seattle. Vogelbach did get some At-bats up North in Toronto and then made his way to Brew-town. Last season for the Brewers, Vogelbach played in 93 games & had a batting average .219 with 9 homeruns while driving in 24. The last time Vogelbach played in over 100 games was in 2019 in a Seattle uniform. The left handed slugger hit 30 bombs driving in 76 in 144 games. Vogelbach’s average was only .208. He’s your typical homerun or nothing hitter. Life time numbers has Vogelbach batting .211 with 50 homeruns while driving in 133 which includes what he’s done so far in a Pirates uniform.

I think these days the Pirates and the Athletics are the two teams where you find yourself in a crossroads of your career. The two teams that will give a veteran a chance to redeem his baseball career. Pirates are not expected to make the playoffs so a guy like Dan Vogelbach could become expendable at the trade deadline and flipped for a prospect if he can find his homerun stroke. Maybe in the back of Vogelbach’s mind is a pipe dream of him helping the Pirates capture a wild card slot & then staying with the finished product from the rebuild. Pirates needed a DH with the Universal Designated hitter in place in the National league as Vogelbach checks all those boxes. Pirates can also slide Vogelbach on the diamond as he can play first base. The season is very young and Vogelbach has done a nice job so far batting .318 with 22 At-bats with seven hits, one of them leaving the ball park. As a Pirate fan you could dream as the team is 4-4 tied for second with the Cubs in the NL Central chasing the Cardinals who are perched in the first place slot coming in on Easter weekend. If you’re Ben Cherington, the General Manager of the Pirates, you may be thinking if this keeps up with Vogelbach swinging the hot bat the team may get a nice shiny object in return. There is a lesson in this before you throw out what you think is junk. See what EBAY has on that item listed. Meanwhile the Vogelbach suds keep coming out strong. I just hope the finish does not leave a bitterness in the mouths of Pirates fans.   

MLB POWER RANKINGS (AFTER WEEK 1)

#1.  LA DODGERS (4-2)

I get why Clayton Kershaw was taken out before he could finish his pursuit for a perfect game. Short Spring training due to the lock out. Kershaw has injury history even dating back to last season. However, I don’t have to like it.

#2.TORONTO BLUE JAYS (4-3)

I guess Canadian Chicks dig the long ball as well. Blue Jays are off to a record pace of hitting the ball out of the ball park.

#3. NEW YORK METS (5-2)

The Mets’ big off-season moves are paying off so far. It looked like a few pitchers for the Mets were nicked up a bit coming out of Spring training. Only problem is this is not the first time the Mets came out of the gates like gang busters. Those teams fizzled quickly after they sizzled in the first week of the schedule.

#4.CHICAGO WHITE SOX (4-2)

How long can the White Sox winning ways continue with the injuries piling up?  White Sox lost two of their best pitchers in their rotation. Good sign is Dallas Keuchel looked good in his first outing of the year. Keuchel was a complete disaster in the second half of last year and was left off the playoff roster. Keuchel earned his 100^th career victory in his first outing of 2022.

#5.NEW YORK YANKEES (4-3)

I like to start the New York teams off high on the list in hopes they fail and completely fall off the baseball map as the season goes on.  

#6.TAMPA BAY RAYS (4-3)

Rays did not look like the normal Tampa Bay AL Eastern Champs we normally are used to seeing. The Athletics came into Tampa and took 3 out of 4 games. Now the Rays head to Chicago to play the White Sox this weekend.   

#7.HOUSTON ASTROS (4-2) Has Houston figured out how to infiltrate the new head set technology getting signs from the catcher to the pitcher? Maybe Carlos Beltran can look into things since he’s not doing anything these days.

#8.MILWAUKEE BREWERS (4-3)

Brewers, stunned by the Cubbies in the opening series, rebounded nicely. Thank God for playing the Orioles. Is Christian Yelich starting to heat up?

#9.SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (4-2)

The Giants third base coach pulled the race card on former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt who is on the Padres coaching staff. The old “tastes great, less filling” argument.

Enough of the Padres and the Giants… a bunch of crybabies.

#10.SAN DIEGO PADRES (5-3)

Manager Bob Melvin does not like teams bunting on him when they have a lead. Another unwritten rule of baseball I just don’t care about. Come on Bob, your team has trouble fielding the bunt. LHP Blake Snell heads to the injured list with a pulled groin. Melvin may not like the pull my finger bit.

#11. BOSTON RED SOX (3-3)

Red Sox had a slow start but now pulled even at 3-3. Is Rafael Devers heading down the same path as Mookie Betts? Why can’t Boston find a long term solution with their star players?

#12.ST.LOUIS CARDINALS (3-2)

Albert Pujols gets his first homerun in his second go around with the Cardinals. Pujols is chasing some big names in baseball history this year in offensive stats.

#13.OAKLAND ATHLETICS (4-3)

Can you say Money Ball? Oakland traded away all their stars in the off-season. After a week of the season, the Athletics are in the thick of things in the AL West keeping up with the rival Astros.

#14.COLORADO ROCKIES (4-2)

Waiting for the Colorado Rockies high to go up in smoke.

#15.CHICAGO CUBS (4-2)

When will the Cubs’ new toy, the Seiya Suzuki, run out of gasoline?

#16.CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (4-2)

The team name has changed in Cleveland, but the pitching has not. Wow extending Jose Ramirez was a very good move for the old Indians organization.

#17.SEATTLE MARINERS (3-4)

Slow start. I like how the Mariners are playing so far. The new additions are helping the team right off the bat. This team needs to not hover around the 500 mark. They need to get ahead of Houston in the standings and quickly.

#18.PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (3-4)

Are the Phillies faithful mellowing giving their third baseman Alec Bohm a standing ovation? It was a three error game for Bohm previously who was showered with boos when he got caught saying, “I hate this fucking place.”

Perhaps the Philadelphia fan base already has too many bodies of former players buried under the old Veterans stadium.

#19. ATLANTA BRAVES (3-5)

The champs are still hung over from the parade last year.

#20. DETROIT TIGERS (3-4)

Great Javier Baez. Striking out Javier Baez. Missing in action Javier Baez. Any questions?

#21. LA ANGELS (3-4)

Can Mike Trout play the entire season for the Angels? How many doobies does Joe Maddon smoke in the Angels dugout every week? Maddon’s old stomping grounds have not gone well so far.   

#22.PITTSBURGH PIRATES (3-3)

Have the Pirates ownership been compromised? Dishing out long term deals to Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hays. Happier dugout in Pittsburgh these days.

Pirates found a gem in the signing of Daniel Vogelbach who’s swinging the lumber very well so far.

#23.MINNESOTA TWINS (2-4)

The new additions mean the Twins play like the old Twins from last year. Like looking in a mirror.

#24. MIAMI MARLINS (2-4)

Is this the season that Sandy Alcantara becomes that permanent fixture in the Marlins rotation for years to come? Nice start.

#25.KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2-4)

Zack Greinke looked good on the pitching rubber back in his former Royal Blues uniform. The Royals sloppy defense is the trigger spot so far.

#26. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (3-5)

The Nationals are up for sale.

I think I’d rather buy the Charlestown Chiefs.

#27.TEXAS RANGERS (2-4)

The Rangers recipe for their Texas Chili for the 2022 season wanted spice. The Rangers went out and purchased the hottest peppers around in Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. The  Rangers forgot the most important ingredient… the meat, the pitching. The chili turned out spineless vegetarian meaning the worst pitching staff in the league is my educated guess.  

#28.CINCINNATI REDS (2-5)

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is better with the Tik Tok videos than the lumber. Reds might as well trade him.

#29.ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (2-4)

The Snakes need a new voice and a new leader of the organization.

Cobra Commander has some wild and crazy ideas. I feel he can turn around the Snake organization in the dessert and have those devious plans to take over the World Series, not as a baseball team but terrorist organization. We can then say finally Arizona has a stranglehold on the World Series.

#30.BALTIMORE ORIOLES (1-5)

Orioles were the worst team back in my little league days and still are in present times. How long will the Orioles ACE be out? Losing John Means is a big blow to the Orioles rotation.

HERE’S JOHNNY

The Chicago White Sox pitchers have been dropping like flies. Before the 2022 season even started, veteran Lance Lynn gets sidelined by a knee issue that has him out almost certainly for the next two months. Then Lucas Giolito went 4 innings in the season opener in Detroit & will now miss time on the injured list with a problem with his abdomen. Lynn and Giolito are the White Sox two best pitchers in the starting rotation. Last week the White Sox struck a deal with RHP Johnny Cueto, former Giant and Red. The Cueto signing at the time looked like an insurance policy just in case the White Sox would need a veteran arm for the rotation. Now the Cueto signing means instead of “Here’s Johnny,” we should be calling “Where’s Johnny?”

Last time the 36 year old Johnny Cueto was relevant in the league, you have to go back to the 2016 season when he went 18-5 with the Giants and posted a 2.79 ERA. In 2014 Cueto was a 20 game winner. Last season Cueto had a 7-7 record in San Francisco while posting a 4.08 ERA as he pitched 114 .2 innings in 21 starts. Cueto’s services were being asked about around the league by a few teams and the Twins were one of them who play in the White Sox division. The White Sox factor for Cueto links to the team’s pitching coach, Ethan Katz, who was working in the Giants organization before coming to Chicago. Cueto will need time to build his arm strength back up as he did not have any Spring Training practices before accepting the deal with the White Sox. Cueto has been working in Arizona throwing to some live batters. Cueto will have to get a few starts in the White Sox Triple A Charlotte team before he finds his way to the big leagues.

Lifetime, Johnny Cueto has a record of 135-97 while posting a 3.45 ERA. Cueto has had a pretty good career as like most pitchers, he’s been up and down but 38 games over the 500 mark is something to be proud of. Last year Cueto made 21 starts so he still has something left in the gas tank. Cueto will make 4.2 million if he can find his way to the Major League level for the White Sox. That’s 4.2 incentive reasons to find his way back. Cueto has pitched 14 seasons with three teams starting with the Reds, then Royals for part of season, before getting the deal with the Giants. White Sox may be Cueto’s final opportunity to get back in the post-season. I like this signing. Cueto can definitely help this team once he gets his arm ready to go. I like Cueto being a guy that can help during these trying times with injuries, especially when the weather is still cool out he can help. When the temperatures get humid and hot during the Summer, Cueto might not do well in Chicago’s home ballpark as he may surrender too many homeruns. If the White Sox don’t need his services, Cueto has an out in the deal. By the middle of May he can become a free agent. I don’t think we will see the Cueto of 2016 or the year he won 20 games. Cueto could succeed especially with the link he has with pitching coach Ethan Katz at the Major League level for the White Sox. Right now I would take the 2021 version of Johnny and hope he will Be Good right now.    

CRICKETY CRICK

Kyle Crick is back in the big leagues as he latches on to the White Sox and makes their opening day roster. Crick is a 29 year old RHP who was drafted number 11 in the first round of the June Amateur Draft by the San Francisco Giants in 2011. Crick debuted in 2017 for the Giants and had no record in 30 games his first season while posting a decent 3.06 ERA. The Pirates traded Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco and in return Pirates got Bryan Reynolds and Crick in 2018. Crick has always been a bullpen guy as he posted a 2.39 ERA in 2018 in his first season wearing a Pirates uniform. Crick was clicking in 2020 during which he had 1.59 ERA in only 7 games dealing with an injury. Last season Crick went 1-1 for the Buckos in 27 games as his ERA ballooned to 4.44. Pirates released him. In July Crick was signed by the White Sox to a minor league deal. Crick would not pitch further than Triple A Charlotte to finish out the 2021 season.

Kyle Crick, once upon a time ago, was high on the list as a highly sought prospect. Crick has pitched in parts of 6 seasons and now has a lifetime record of 7-11 with 3.56 ERA in 181 games with two saves to his credit. Crick and the White Sox hooked up again in the off-season in January as he was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. In Cactus league play in this abbreviated Spring training which resulted from the lock out, Crick pitched 7 scoreless innings for the White Sox with 5 strikeouts which is good enough to make the big club. Crick maybe should not be used in tougher situations to get outs in the late innings until he proves himself. If Crick can rack up outs on the opposing teams, he’ll stick around. Sometimes these non-roster invitees are diamonds in the ruff. Many bullpen arms seem to always be a gamble anyways. Crick can be a guy dealing it one moment and then fall apart in the next as you might not even get a complete season of good out of him. Say you do? Hopefully more Crickness than Crickety this season in the White Sox bullpen.   

IT’S BURGER TIME

The Chicago White Sox take on another devastating injury to their third baseman, Yoan Moncarda, on the eve of opening day. The switch hitter third baseman Moncarda will be out at least three weeks on the injured list with a strained oblique. Moncarda, a great defender at the hit corner, can also balance the line up with his bat being a switch hitter. Moncarda is one of the core members of the everyday lineup that can conflict pain on opposing pitchers when he’s swinging the bat well.

The White Sox answer at third for now is Burger Time. Jake Burger, recalled from triple A, will be manning the hot corner for the time Moncarda misses.

Last season Jake Burger was able to get his feet wet in the Majors as he played in 15 games for the White Sox. Burger was drafted in the first round of the 2017 MLB Amateur draft 11^th overall out of Missouri State University. Burger in the 15 games last season batted .263, racking up ten hits in only 38 At-bats while hitting one homerun, driving in three. Burger has been behind the 8 ball due to injuries during opportunities to make it to the big leagues. In 2018 Burger would miss the entire season when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon. Then in 2019 a bruised left heel sidelined Burger from developing in the minor leagues.

You know the White Sox manager Tony LaRussa will platoon the hot corner in Yoan Moncarda’s absence. LaRusso will use Jake Burger, Danny Mendick, and super utility guy Leury Garcia. This will be the second opportunity for Burger at the major league level. A loaded Burger with cheese and perhaps bacon of a performance rather than a slider from White Castle could keep Jake on the roster. I would like to see what we got from some of these other talented pieces General Manager Rick Hahn acquired during the rebuild instead of trading them away or cutting ties to see them blossom with someone else. Any player needs more than 38 at-bats. The problem though about having your window open for championship aspirations is you don’t have patience like you would if the team was still in a full rebuild. I know it is very hard to get all this talent regular playing time day after day. I just want a Cheeseburger in Paradise without seeing Burger time being played at another arcade venue.    

2022 MLB TEAM PREDICTIONS

Opening day has finally arrived. Every team coming into opening day is in first place right now with no wins or losses. Then we have the stupid people, like myself, who pretend they know what they are talking about when it comes to the game of baseball. They try to predict where each team will end up after the regular season. Then have the audacity to try to believe who is going to make the playoffs and perhaps we throw our favorite team as the one winning everything. The balls these sports writers have. Some years these writers have bad years predicting where teams will finish, like a weatherman calling for snow on a hot Summer day.

As baseball fans, is it not fun to belly up to the bar and chat with the guys the locals about the destination of your team? We are doing the same thing as sports writers, only  sitting on a bar stool. Sports writers can get egg on their face at the end of the year with their predictions  gone bad because their work is in the clouds or on print. My work is in the clouds as well. The three people who read my stuff and don’t like my predictions can always buy me a beer and tell me where I went wrong. I may even know already.

DIVISION PREDICTIONS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

DIVISIONS

AL EAST

2^ND TORONTO BLUE JAYS

1^ST TAMPA BAY RAYS

3^RD BOSTON RED SOX

4^TH NEW YORK YANKEES

5^TH BALTIMORE ORIOLES

AL CENTRAL

1^ST CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2^ND DETROIT TIGERS

3^RD CLEVELAND INDIANS

4^TH MINNESOTA TWINS

5^TH KANSAS CITY ROYALS

AL WEST

1^ST SEATTLE MARINERS

2^ND HOUSTON ASTROS

3^RD TEXAS RANGERS

4^TH LA ANGELS

5^TH OAKLAND ATHLETICS

NATIONAL LEAGUE

DIVISIONS

NL EAST

1^ST ATLANTA BRAVES

2^ND PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

3^RD NEW YORK METS

4^TH MIAMI MARLINS

5^TH WASHINGTON NATIONALS

NL CENTRAL

1^ST MILWAUKEE BREWERS

2^ND ST.LOUIS CARDINALS

3^RD CHICAGO CUBS

4^TH PITTSBURGH PIRATES

5^TH CINCINNATI REDS  

NL WEST

1^ST LA DODGERS

2^ND SAN DIEGO PADRES

3^RD SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

4^TH COLORADO ROCKIES

5^TH ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

WILD CARDS AMERICAN LEAGUE

TORONTO BLUE JAYS, BOSTON RED SOX, NEW YORK YANKEES

WILD CARDS NATIONAL LEAGUE

SAN DIEGO PADRES, PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES, NEW YORK METS

CHAMPIONSHIPS

ALCS CHICAGO WHITE SOX OVER TAMPA BAY RAYS

NLCS ATLANTA BRAVES OVER LA DODGERS

WORLD SERIES

WHITE SOX OVER ATLANTA BRAVES

TRADE

White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays make a trade before the 2022 regular season gets on its way. Both Jays and Sox swap backup back stops like some key party in the 1970’s.

Zack Collins heads North to Toronto. Reese McGuire heads South to Chicago. Collins was optioned to Triple A while McGuire had no more minor league options. Both catchers were drafted in the first round. Both McGuire and Collins were born in 1995 and are 27 years old. Both catchers bat lefty & throw righty. Both back stops have underachieved so far in their major league career as they both were expected to be top catchers in the league.

Zack Collins was supposed to be one of those first pieces in the White Sox rebuild that cemented their position for years to come. Collins, drafted in 2016, never lived up to that catcher that was going to hit for power from the left side of the plate and make the home field scoreboard. The one who was supposed to light up hitting bomb after bomb on the South side of Chicago all Summer long. Last season Collins played a career high in 78 games hit .210 with 4 homeruns driving in 26. In parts of three seasons playing for the White Sox, Collins has appeared in only 114 games racking up 58 hits with 7 homeruns while hitting .195. It was the offense that was going to carry Collins to stardom in the majors. Collins’ defense was suspect and at times dreadful. Collins’ biggest highlight on the southside of Chicago was catching Carlos Rodon’s no-hitter last season. Collins did not improve this Spring training and was sent down before he was traded to Toronto. Collins will most likely start in the minor leagues for the Blue Jays to start the 2022 season.

Reese McGuire was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013. McGuire’s debut was in 2018 where he has played parts of 4 seasons all with the Blue Jays. Last year McGuire appeared in 78 games as he batted .253 with 1 homerun while driving in 10. McGuire has a career batting average of .248 with 9 homeruns while driving 26. McGuire, known more for his defense with a strong arm, can call a pretty good game while getting the pitchers the strikes they need with the art of framing. However McGuire is not master of his domain.

McGuire is like Kramer of Seinfeld and is not master of his domain.  McGuire was arrested in Florida in 2020 in his car in the afternoon as he could not wait to get home. He whipped it out and gave his little Reese a tugging. McGuire needs some tinted windows as he was found with his pants down. Police were called in, I hope not in mid-stroke, and he was arrested. At Least Pee Wee Herman was unleashing his in a dirty movie, but he still was caught red handed. I know you are, but what am I?

Maybe the Blue Jays will find that Zack Collins likes to wear women’s clothes. With the roster expanded to 28 players, in April the White Sox can have three catchers. The White Sox also have Seby Zavola who played some games last year for the big club and is out of options. The White Sox also have another left-handed hitting catcher in Nick Ciufffo, who most likely will start the season in the minor leagues due to having some options left. Maybe new scenery will help Collins or McGuire. These guys now can just play the game and take the extra pressure off them of being the guy with high expectations. It does happen when you have that draft pick that turns out to be a bust. It stings when it is a first rounder.  

TRADE

You would think the San Diego Padres are running out of prospects down on the farm as bargaining chips. Then you think the Oakland Athletics have traded away everything they have in guys that are due for fatter bank accounts. Padres still have some prospects that teams are interested in as they shipped off a ton of them last year trying to be a playoff team, which they failed miserably at. The two California teams came to a deal that involves 4 players. Padres get another veteran starter for their starting rotation in 30 year old LHP, Sean Manaea. Padres also get a pitching prospect from Oakland, 22 year old Aaron Holiday. Oakland’s Christmas reshuffling of the deck gets two prospects, a 25 year old RHP Adrian Martinez from the Padres along with 19 year old infielder Euribiel Angeles.   

The Padres rebuilt their starting rotation last off-season with additions of Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell and Mike Clevinger. Clevinger is expected back after missing the entire season with Tommy John surgery. Clevinger will start the 2022 season on the injured list with a knee issue. Padres have traded prospects to land all of these guys. Padres land a work horse in Sean Manaea who last made 30 starts for the Athletics. Last season Manaea went 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA. Lifetime, Manaea has a 50-41 record with 3.86 ERA in six seasons as he has been a productive guy for Oakland’s starting rotation since day 1. The Padres are hoping Manaea will bring his work horse mentality to San Diego to help their team which is highly invested in being able to jump over San Francisco and LA for the AL West crown. They are hoping they can get the guy that went the distance versus Boston in 2018 with a no-hitter. Padres also get a flame thrower in Aaron Holiday with a fast ball that can reach 100 MPH. Holiday is a pure relief pitcher, a guy that probably needs some seasoning before he arrives in the majors and to be penciled in to pitch in late innings to get crucial outs. Holiday is out of Old Dominion University.

The Athletics find guys in these trades that come up to the majors and do well quickly. Oakland’s money ball rebuilds are quick as the team pops back to the playoffs like McDonalds adding a burger joint down the block while you were sleeping. Athletics get the 12^th and 26^th best prospect in this deal from the Padres. Adrian Martinez experts think he will be ready to play at the big league level. While the young 19 year old has been tearing the cover off the ball in Single and High A ball, as Euribiel Angeles hit .330 last year at all those levels combined in 500 plate appearances. That is rather quick for a guy that age.   

TRADE

The White Sox finally solved their right field dilemma. While the Dodgers solved their closer problem. Both the Dodgers and White Sox make a deal that will benefit both teams right now. The Dodgers will get 33 year old Right handed closer Craig Kimbrel who has a career 372 saves under his belt. While the White Sox will get AJ Pollack, a 34 year old golden glove outfielder that can play all three spots. It’s a trade that involves only swapping players as the money is close. Kimbrel has one year left on his deal worth 16 million while Pollack has one year left on his deal worth ten million. Pollack has a player option for 2023 for another 10 million.

Last year the White Sox were fleeced by the north side team they share a city with. The Cubs got the best of the deal so far when they traded the birdman Craig Kimbrel to the Sox for a young second baseman who might be a stud for years to come, Nick Madrigal. Included in that deal the Cubs received a relief pitcher with a young arm, Codi Heuer. Kimbrel was pitching lights out for a Cubs team that were not going to make it into the post-season. Kimbrel had 0.49 ERA for the Cubs in 2021. Cubs had a fire sale and the General Manager did not need a closer but wanted an arm at the end of the bullpen. White Sox used Kimbrel as a set up guy for their all-star closer, Liam Hendriks. Kimbrel was horrible in that role in 24 games for the White Sox. He posted a 5.09 ERA as he gave up 13 earned runs and at times he had a hard time getting outs. The White Sox exercised Kimbrel’s option for this season in hopes they could trade him. Dodgers lost their long time closer Kenley Jansen to the Atlanta Braves in free agency. Dodgers are hopeful that moving Kimbrel back to his normal closer role duties and having him back in the National League, which he is most familiar with, will be the golden goose they need to get back to the World Series.

The White Sox may have found the key to salvaging this bad deal from the Cubs by getting rid of Kimbrel and solving their right field problem by bringing in AJ Pollack from the Dodgers. Pollack is a great defender in the outfield and is a solid piece in the batting order. Last season with the Dodgers, Pollack played in 117 games and batted .297 with 21 homeruns driving in 69. In ten seasons in the majors, Pollack has a life time batting average of .281 with 126 long balls driving in 414. His career started in Arizona where he played 7 seasons and now has been a part of three seasons with the Dodgers, as he was on that 2020 World Series championship team in LA. Pollack has played in 34 play-off games. The young White Sox team needs a guy like Pollack that’s seen and knows how it’s done in October. White Sox bullpen is stacked and losing Kimbrel, who struggled in his role last year, means now gaining Pollack is a very good deal. Pollack makes that White Sox line up even more frightening. This move will help guys like Andrew Vaughn and Larry Sheets play in more comfortable positions than outfield like first and DH. Plus Eloy Jimenez is your only outfield liability on defense with Pollack, not some other guy trying to learn right on the fly. This might be the best deal for both the Dodgers and the White Sox. Both teams fill a weakness and have another guy to replace the one they traded away.  It’s rare that a trade may work out for both parties. Maybe the Dodgers and the White Sox will meet once again in the World Series like in 1959. Let’s hope it goes in Pollack’s and the White Sox’s favor rather than Kimbrel and the Dodgers.

WHITE SOX MAKING A HASELY DECISION AT RIGHT

The entire off-season, many experts and fans have pointed it out that the White Sox need to address their right field position. In my opinion, the answer to the White Sox right field problem lies right under their nose with players they already have. The White Sox could actually platoon the position if they wanted to with players they already have. Andrew Vaughn is not an outfielder by trade but was one of the options for right as he just went down with hip pointer injury which is the Latin term for bruised pelvis right side. White Sox make that hasty decision and make a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. This is a low volume type of deal as the White Sox get 25 year old outfielder Adam Haseley as Phillies get minor league pitcher McKinley Moore, a man with two last names.

McKinley Moore was ranked the 27^th White Sox prospect down on the farm. McKinley Moore in 2021 went 2-2 while posting a 4.20 ERA in 37 relief appearances for Class A Kannapolis and Winston Salem. Moore is a 23 year old right hander out of the University of Arkansas. White Sox landed Moore in the 14^th round of the 2019 MLB Amateur draft. Adam Haseley is a left handed bat who can play all the outfield positions and was on the Phillies opening day roster as a centerfielder last year. Haseley is out of the University of Virginia and was drafted number 8 in the first round of the June 2017 MLB Amateur draft. Haseley started the season with the big club and played only nine games in 2021 as he batted .190 and was 4-21 during that stretch. Haseley played the rest of the year in the minor leagues. In parts of three seasons, Haseley has played in 116 games batting .264 with 5 homeruns while driving in 39.

The best scenario for the White Sox is if you have a left handed bat 5 tool stud to fill the right field position. White Sox have super utility Leury Garcia but you can’t expect him to take over that right field position on a permanent basis. The role of the super utility is a guy that can take a different position when needed. Adam Engel is solid defensively in any of the outfield positions and his bat has been coming around. Gavin Sheets is a first basemen by trade who also has played some outfield last season for the White Sox. What about Micker Adolfo? Adolfo’s minor league options are running out. Adolfo has fought through some injuries over the years which probably slowed down the development. Is Jake Burger an option for right field? Burger, Sheets and Vaughn are born infielders. It’s asking them a lot to learn a new position on the job. Then the White Sox have some young talented options who may need more seasoning before throwing them to the Wolves of the big leagues, not ready. Yoelqui Cespedes and Oscar Colas who are both outfielders. The new guy Adam Haseley is a left handed bat. A young guy trying to establish a foot hold in the MLB as he showed some signs of good stuff but has regressed. Can the White Sox help him find his stroke with the bat? I like the idea of taking on a project and fixing a guy in trade where they did not give up very much. I like Adam Engel as the best option. I’d like to see Micker Adolfo get a shot. I think he’s ready and too difficult to give up on just yet. You can mix in other guys but start the season off and see what materializes. It’s just a shame not to see some of these other pieces they got from rebuilding years ago go to waste. At the trade deadline if the team still can’t find an answer, then trade for somebody. I’d rather fix a problem in house rather than try to trade for just a guy. Get more pitching. That’s what I would like to see the White Sox go out and get. You can never have too much pitching.   

LITTLE PIRANHAS NIPPING ONCE AGAIN AT THE WHITE SOX HEELS

Last season the Chicago White Sox won the AL Central with ease. The only competition that was predicted to compete with Chicago was the Minnesota Twins. Twins finished last in the division with a (73-89) record. At the trade deadline the Twins were busy slinging their pieces for prospects. Before the MLB lock out in December, it was all quiet on the home front in Minnesota. Then the lock out ended and all of a sudden the Twins came back to life.

Twins struck a deal with the Texas Rangers to acquire a new shortstop. Twins were able to land Isiah Kiner-Falefa who came expendable after the Rangers went out and signed former Dodger Corey Seager to big bucks. The 26 year old Kiner-Falefa led a bad Rangers team in 2021 in hits. Kiner-Falefa would never put on a Twins jersey as he was dealt again this time to the Evil Empire, the dreaded New York Yankees.

The Twins and the Yankees make a deal. Twins unload third baseman Josh Donaldson, the highest player they have on the roster, along with short stop Isiah Kiner-Falefa who they just got from Texas, and catcher Ben Rortvedt. Twins get back third baseman Gio Urshela and slugging hitting catcher Gary Sanchez.

YANKEES GET…

Josh Donaldson will have to get a hair cut and not look Viking-like when he plays for the Pinstripes. Donaldson starred in the show Vikings when he played for Toronto. These Days Donaldson has been more of a rent-a-goon than somebody looking for a permanent home. At the age of 36 Donaldson is a three time all-star. Two time Silver Slugger winner and was MVP in 2015. Donaldson batted .247 last season with 26 homeruns while driving in 72. Donaldson was very vocal about pitchers using foreign substances on the ball to improve the spin rate. Donaldson and new teammate pitcher Gerrit Cole could be riding the tandem bike to work singing, “My buddy.” The Yankees will be Donaldson’s 6^th team he’s played for.

Ben Rortvedt is a 24 year old back stop that debuted last season for the Twins. Rortvedt is the best defensive catcher the Twins had in their organization. Rortvedt had 15 hits in 89 At-Bats.

TWINS GET…  

Twins get a right handed slugging catcher who’s only 29 years old. Gary Sanchez is the fastest player to reach 100 Homeruns in the American League. Sanchez has played all 7 seasons in the Majors with the pinstripes while earning the Silver Slugger award in 2017 with two All-Star appearances. Last season Sanchez played in 117 games & batted .230 with 23 homeruns while driving in 54.

 

Gio Urshela will take over the hot corner for the vacated Josh Donaldson who was a part of this deal as the Yankees and Twins swap third basemen. Urshela is a right handed bat who had a .267 batting average playing in 116 games for the Evil Empire. Urshela had 14 long balls while driving in 49. Urshela started his career in Cleveland, then went to Toronto, and has called New York home for the last three seasons. The Twins will be Urshela’s 4^th team coming into his 7^th season in the big leagues.

MIA AT SHORT

The Yankees could not land one of the free agent big name short stops which is the reason why they made a trade with the Twins. However the Twins landed one of the big dogs at the short stop position former Astro, one of the cheats Carlos Correa. Twins had to open up their bank account and basically gave Correa the pin number because they paid a fortune to get Correa signed to play in the Twin Cities. Correa gets a three year deal worth 105.3 million dollar deal. That is 35.1 million a year just in case you are keeping track at home.

Now the AL Central has some interesting personalities at the short stop position. Tim Anderson and his bat flips for the White Sox. Javier Baez and his secret sign of saying FU fans for showing up while paying for the ticket to boo your performance. Baez signed with the Tigers before the lock out. Then you have Carlos Correa, part of that cheating scandal banging on the trash cans in Houston. Correa is a guy who if he does not play on the team you like, he’s an A-Hole. Correa batted .279 last season with 26 homeruns driving in 92. During 7 seasons, Correa has a life time batting average of .277 collecting 781 hits with 133 long balls while driving in 489. Correa is a huge bat and glove for the Twins’ everyday line up.

CAN ARCHER HIT A BULLSEYE?

Everyone needs starting pitching. Twins are taking a gamble on Chris Archer, former Ray and Pirate. Archer has been dealing with injuries the last few seasons. The Pirates released Archer last off-season. Archer latched on to his former team, the Rays. Archer only pitched in 6 games for the Rays in 2021 as he had a 1-1 record in 5 starts while posting a 4.66 ERA. Archer’s career numbers have him with a 61-81 record in 215 starts with 3.87 ERA. Archer’s last winning season on the pitching rubber was in 2014 when he was on the Rays he went 10-9 with a 3.33 ERA. Twins have Archer on a 1 year deal worth 3.5 million with incentives to make more and an option for the 2023 season.

With all the moves the Twins have made, they should be way better than the last place team they were in 2021. The Twins pitching is a concern. The Twins will have a solid line up every day with the additions to give problems to opposing pitchers. When you think you are done with the Twins and hope they are just a bottom feeder of the AL, they suddenly emerge from the depths of the water. Ozzie Guillen once coined the Twins as little Piranhas because they bite and fight and bite some more until they suddenly have control of the division for the next 5 seasons. The off-season moves the Twins made after the lock out might just bomb. White Sox fans are cringing.

TRADE

In Toronto, it’s that time of year to add a former Oakland Athletics slugger to the mix. Last season the Jays struck a one year deal with infielder Marcus Semien. This off season the Jays had to replace the departed Semien’s production. Jays counter with Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman in a trade. In Oakland it’s a time of year to tear down and remodel with all new young and hip flavoring. Blue Jays build their super batting order. The Athletics gather a wheelbarrow of prospects for the new paint job. Athletics deal Chapman to the Blue Jays for 4 prospects.

The Toronto Blue Jays add a right handed hitting third baseman who is 28 years old in Chapman who has power and is a very good defender. In the past 4 seasons, Chapman has won three gold gloves at the hot corner in 5 seasons in the Majors, all with Oakland. In 2019 Chapman was an all-star with a great year all around with the lumber and the glove work. Chapman hit a career high that year with a .278 batting average. Since 2019, Chapman’s average has dropped every year. Last season his batting average was .210 but he still hit 27 homeruns driving in 72. In 5 seasons Chapman is a lifetime .243 hitter racking 509 hits along the way with 111 homeruns driving in 296. Blue Jays hope Chapman can mash the ball like he did in 2019. Chapman will be in the line-up that features young superstar hitters such as Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Lourdes Gurriel, and everyone knows Vladimir Gurrero Jr. The Jays brought in outfielder former Astro George Springer through free agency. Chapman does not have to be his best with such a potent line up. The Jays will definitely improve their overall defense with Chapman at third base.   

In Oakland it’s Christmas time for Billy Beane, the General Manager for the Athletics. Nobody is better at tearing down a team and rebuilding it to playoff level like Billy Beane. Beane lands three pitchers and an infielder, an impressive haul for Chapman. Gunner Hoglund has Beane very excited as he is the Blue Jays number four prospect. Hoglund, a pitcher out of Ole Miss, was drafted 19^th overall in 2021. Hoglund has not debuted yet as he had Tommy John surgery and should be good as new and ready to go. Beane gets a pair of lefty arms that have had a cup of coffee in the Majors. Zach Logue combined last season in Double A New Hampshire along with Triple A Buffalo, went 12-4 with 3.67 ERA in 24 starts. Logue made 7 relief appearances for the Jays and posted a 2.35 ERA . Kirby Snead, another lefty hander, had 64 strikeouts in 47.2 innings pitched combined with triple A and the Major league level. Kevin Smith, the lone infielder in the deal, even had some coffee in the Majors. Smith 25 years old went 3-32 in Major League pitching. Smith mostly plays the hot corner and was at one point ranked 9^th as a prospect in the Jays farm system. Billy Beane in a few trades made has already collected multiple prospects while singing Jingle Bell Rock.  

BRAVES EYE FOR AN EYE

The Braves and Dodgers cold war this off-season makes me think of the Untouchables movie. Actor Sean Connery plays character cop Jim Malone and he tells you how to beat Al Capone. The Braves may have a similar process. “They Pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue.”

Dodgers pried Freddie Freeman away from the Champs giving him the 6^th year he wanted in the contract. Braves come back and take the Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen by giving him a one year deal worth 16 million.

Last season Kenley Jansen had another great year closing out ball games for LA. Jansen had a 4-4 record with 38 saves in 69 innings of work posting a very nice low ERA of 2.22. Jansen is a 34 year old RHP with some wicked stuff: a powerful arm with a blazing fastball .In 12 seasons all with the Dodgers Jansen has a 37-26 record in 701 games pitched with a 2.37 ERA and saving 350 games. Lights out at the end of bullpen with Jansen as your closer.

Freddie Freeman and Kenley Jansen will both leave the only teams they know. Dodgers building the ultimate batting order. The Braves once again building things on the fly this off-season by changing up their bullpen with a paint job and the state of the art closer. The champs rebuild their outfield on the fly at the trade deadline which worked very well for them. In the end we will see who won the cold war between these two National League juggernauts this upcoming season.  

PUJOLS RETURNS HOME TO ST. LOUIS

Who says you can’t go home again? At the age of 42 years old Albert Pujols is going to play one final season and he’s going to play with the team his career started with, the Red Birds. Pujols has a one year deal as his career circles back to St. Louis for which he will get 2.5 million to once again wear the Cardinal uniform.

Pujols almost finished out the ten year deal he signed with the Angels. Angels released the right handed slugger last season, but Pujols found work in the same city only with the Dodgers. Last season combined with both LA teams Pujols hit .236 with 17 long balls driving in 50 in 296 plate appearances. Pujols can still crush left handed pitching as he hit .294 with 13 homeruns in 136 At-Bats versus the south paws. With the universal DH in place, Pujols could be a platoon option versus left handed pitching. Pujols also can be used in late game situations where a homerun is much needed.

During his first 11 seasons in a Cardinal uniform, Albert Pujols was MVP three times and earned two World Series rings. Pujols was drafted by the Cardinals in 1999 and debuted in 2001. Pujols was rookie of the year, made the all-star team and finished 4^th in the NL MVP race when he was only 21 years old. In 21 seasons in the MLB, Pujols has a lifetime batting average of .297 racking up 3301 hits with 672 doubles while knocking 679 balls in the seats. Pujols has driven in 2,150 runs while scoring 1,872. Pujols will be a for sure first ballot Hall Of Famer. He’s a guy that did not go on the juice to pad his numbers.

I like the idea of Albert Pujols reaching some milestones in a Cardinals uniform. Pujols is 12^th all-time in hits and needs 19 more to pass up Paul Molitor and be in the top ten in that category. Pujols needs 64 RBI’S to pass up Babe Ruth for number two all-time. Pujols needs 17 homeruns to tie up A-Rod Alex Rodriguez for 4^th all-time. If Pujols hits 21 long balls, he joins the 700 club in that category which has only  Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and the cheating Barry Bonds. Cardinals did make the playoffs last year by winning a wild card berth. Having Pujols playing can only help you win some more games. With the universal DH in the NL, Pujols’ return to St. Louis can happen. Let the farewell tour begin. Hoping we can see some playoff At-Bats as well and see Pujols go out on a high note.  

CUBS SOUPED UP THEIR BATTING ORDER WITH AN JAPANESE IMPORT

Last season, the Cubs had a fire sale blowing up their 2016 World Series championship team. Once upon a time ago, the core of untouchable position players they built their World Series team around became expendable.

Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and others not bolted down were dealt to other teams around the league. The Cubs collected a group of prospects and up and coming players from all those deals. The Cubs had some young guys as well making strides. Rebuild or retool… the jury is still out on that until we see what happens this season. The catcher, Wilson Contreras, is the only one not dealt. Contreras’ deal is about to expire, so he certainly as well can be traded in any given week. The Cubs go fishing overseas in another free agent pool from the Nippon Professional Baseball League, which is in the country of Japan. Cubs find a big fish with a big swing and land a homerun hitter in Seiya Suzuki.

The best homerun I’ve ever seen by a Chicago Cubs player was Glen Allen Hill at Wrigley Field where he hit the ball out of the park across the street onto the roof top of the building. Cubs have a deal in place with Seiya Suzuki, a 27 year old infielder, who will play third base and short stop for 5 years, for which the contract pays out 85 Million. The right handed slugger Suzuki hit 38 homeruns last season for the Hiroshima Tokyo Carp.

Seiya Suzuki is a former Homerun Derby champ and may be the next Cub to hit a mammoth homerun like Glen Allen Hill. In 9 seasons in the Nippon League, Suzuki has tallied 182 long balls. Last season, Suzuki hit .319 so he can also hit for average. He’s not like your typical homerun guys who live by the long ball and die by the strikeout. Suzuki gives the Cubs a big tough out in the middle of their line up. Suzuki is a 4 time all-star overseas and won the batting title in 2019. Suzuki has a full no trade clause so the Cubs are stuck with him if he does not adjust to his move to the states. Last big player the Cubs signed that played professional ball in Japan was Kosuke Fukudome.

Fukudome was a decent player and fan favorite as he also went across town and played some with the White Sox. Suzuki should have better success than Fukudome just by the numbers coming into the big leagues. It is an interesting signing for the Cubs. The Cubs still have plenty of questions coming into the season. It could be a sleeper team that could snag a wild card spot as well if everything comes together. The NL Central is not a very tough division as the Reds and Pirates will not be contending. It’s Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals. Suzuki definitely improves that batting order.

TRADE

The Oakland Athletics make a deal with the Mets involving three players. Mets add another starter to their star studded rotation. The Athletics were doing their money ball thing, getting rid of players about to be paid the big bucks while collecting prospects. Billy Beane, General Manager of the A’s, gets two pitching prospects while the Mets land 33 year old RHP Chris Bassitt. Both prospects who will be heading to Oakland are right handed pitchers. J.T Ginn (22 years old) and Adam Oller (27 years old) both are very close or even ready to make their way to the big league roster.

Chris Bassitt was part of the deal that included short stop Marcus Semien with others in a bad trade by the Chicago White Sox in 2014. Last season Bassitt made his first all-star game as he had a terrific year by going 12-4 with a 3.15 ERA as he tossed 157.1 Innings while striking out 159 opposing batters. The only scar for the 2021 season was left on his face in August taking a line drive off it, but Bassitt would only suffer a fractured cheek with bruising & no brain damage. During parts of six seasons, Bassitt’s lifetime numbers have him with a 31-25 record while posting a 3.47 ERA. Bassitt will be joining studs like Max Scherzer and Jacob DeGrom in the Mets starting rotation that also includes Carlos Carrasco. Bassitt has one year left remaining on his contract.

Mets give up their number 5 prospect in J.T Ginn. Ginn was a second round pick in 2020, who has a fast ball that can reach up to 95 MPH. Ginn’s lone season in the Minors which was Low A to High A , did pretty well. Ginn posted a 3.03 ERA as he tossed 92 innings striking out 81. Adam Oller was drafted by the Pirates in 2016 and also spent time in the Giants organization. Mets landed Oller in the Rule 5 draft and had him protected on their 40 man roster to keep him away from potential vultures. In 2021 between Double-A and Triple-A, Oller went 9-4 in 23 starts while posting a 3.45 ERA. Oller had 138 strikeouts in 120 innings of work. Billy Beane might have two fixtures in his rotation for years to come as Bassitt would be a free agent expecting to be paid but is north of 30 years old as well. Mets are in “win now” mode. The Oakland tear down of their card house is in full action.

KATZ-MAN A COMING

All those years on the South side of Chicago, pitching coach Don Cooper held on to his job like a Pope for the White Sox. White Sox brass always had a project for Don Cooper. Usually a pitcher with a power arm that can’t get it over the plate. Cooper was finally let go by the White Sox and on came Ethan Jatz who was actually Lucas Giolito High School’s baseball coach. Katz has proven he has some talent as the pitchers whisperer. Nothing has changed for the White Sox as they always have some kind of special pet project for their pitching coach. White Sox take a risk signing 29 year old RHP Vince Velasquez to a one year deal worth 3 million.

Vince Velasquez’s career has been a roller coaster in his 7 years in the majors that started in 2015 with the Houston Astros. Velasquez pitched mostly for the Philadelphia Phillies for parts of 6 seasons which came to an end late in the season. Phillies released Velasquez as the Padres picked him up in September. Last season, Velasquez’s record combined with the Phillies and Padres was 3-9 with a high 6.30 ERA.  However in 25 games in 94.1 innings of work, Velasquez had 101 strike outs. His career numbers have him with a 31-44 record with 4.95 ERA in 156 games in which 127 of them were starts. In 651 career innings logged for Velasquez, he has 716 strikeouts which averages out to 9.90 punch outs per 9.0 innings pitched. Impressive lively arm. Velasquez has only one winning season during his times in the majors coming in 2016 when he went 8-6 with a 4.12 ERA as he made 25 starts logging 131 innings with a shutout and complete game.

Can Ethan Katz address Vince Velasquez’s issues on the mound? Velasquez reminds me of Reynaldo Lopez who the White Sox currently have. Lopez has been good or bad, nothing in the middle, his entire career. In 2020 Lopez was quite the disaster. Lopez was able to turn things around last season. Lopez has had more success so far in his career than Velasquez. Both pitchers have the arm and stuff. The problem is they can’t put it all together consistently. Both these guys could be very valuable for the White Sox this year if Ethan Katz can simplify things and get their heads on straight. Both could be guys in the bullpen. Or they both could be in the starting rotation just in case of any injuries. Will Dallas Keuchel rebound from a disaster season he pitched in 2021 as he did not even make the post-season roster? How will Michael Kopech do after getting promoted to the starting rotation this season?  White Sox have some questions with the back end of the rotation as Carlos Rodon left in free agency to San Francisco. Velasquez could end up being an under the radar type of move by the White Sox if Katz can fix him.

TRADE

The Atlanta Braves act quickly as they’ve seen Freddie Freeman, the face of their franchise, play with the West Coast darlings & enemy of the state, LA Dodgers. Another California city pulling the plug on their squad & ready to blow things up to start new, came calling. Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane to the rescue as they send Atlanta their all-star first baseman, Matt Olson. When Oakland blows things up, their tear downs do not last long. It’s the cost and Atlanta had to pay with their top two prospects. Oakland would get 4 players back in the deal. Athletics get two positions players who are the top 2 prospects of the Braves farm system. Number 1: Outfielder Christian Pache and number 2: Catcher Shea Langeliers. Billy Beane also gets two pitchers, Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes.

This deal for Atlanta, Matt Olson is the younger version of Freddie Freeman. Olson is 27 while Freeman is 32 years old. Braves have control over Olson for two more seasons and can work on extending that further if they choose. Olson is about to hit his prime while Freeman could be feeling old age settle in halfway through that contract with the Dodgers. Olson coming off a monster year in Oak Town as he batted .271 with 39 homeruns while driven in 111 runs. Olson hits from the left side like Freeman and has played in the big leagues for six total seasons all in Oakland. Olson has a career .252 batting average with 142 homeruns to his credit with 373 RBI’S all numbers on the rise. Olson was an all-star last year and is a great defender as he is a 2-time Gold glove winner.

Meanwhile Billy Beane has been down this road before called Money Ball getting a lot back for guys arriving at their high ceiling and about to be paid the bigger money. Beane is like a Hit-Man these days with a hit list of guys that he will deal and collect bounties from all of them. Christian Pache is the only prospect that has some Major League experience out of the deal as he has 67 At-Bats with only 8 hits. Pache is only 23 years old and has lots of potential. Shea Langeliers is a 24 year old catcher who was voted player of the year in 2021 in Double A ball. Langeliers played for the Mississippi affiliate of Atlanta’s farm system and in 92 games had 22 homeruns while driving 92. Langeliers was drafted out of Baylor 9^th overall in the 2019 MLB amateur draft. Then Beane has two pitchers with potential. Ryan Cusick is a 24 year old arm of Wake Forest University who was 24^th overall in the first round of the 2021 MLB Amateur draft. Then Joey Estes is 20 years old and has been dealing it in low A ball making 20 starts for August while posting a low 2.91 ERA.   

FREEMAN SIGNS HIS SOUL AWAY FOR THE DODGERS

The LA Dodgers are using the theory that “if you can’t beat them, go out and sign them to your roster.” Dodgers were eliminated from last year’s post-season by the Atlanta Braves. One of the reasons for the Braves success last season was because of first baseman Freddie Freeman. The 32 year old left handed slugger Freeman is walking away from the only team he has ever played for and signing with the loaded & very talented Dodger team. It seem the 6^th year in the contract was the sticking point for Freeman’s final decision. Braves offered a 5 year deal worth 135 million, and Freeman turned it down after the all-star break. Braves still could not commit to the 6^th year in the off-season. Dodgers give Freeman a 6 year deal worth 162 million as the Dodgers line up is a Murderers Row like something from the 1927 Yankees.

Freddie Freeman has played 12 seasons in Atlanta as he made his 5^th all-star team while winning his third Silver Slugger award. Freeman was the NL MVP in the 2020 season. In 2021, Freeman had another great year as he batted .300 with 31 homeruns while driving in 83. Freeman was the face of Hot Atlanta baseball as he finished his Braves career racking up 1,704 hits with a .295 batting average with 271 homeruns driving in 941. Definitely Hall of Fame numbers. In the NLCS versus the Dodgers, Freeman hit 2 homeruns in the series. Freeman’s post-season numbers have him playing in 42 games  with a .290 batting average, and 9 long balls while driving 20.

Braves legend Chipper Jones said Freddie Freeman should take less to be at a place comfortable and happy, which is Atlanta.

Chipper went on to say the Dodgers are those hot girls that use you while luring you into an eventually unhappy place. Freddie Freeman should always be in a Braves uniform. Face of that franchise. It is sad that the Braves could not add another year on their offer. However Freeman is playing in a line up with Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, Trea Turner and let’s not forget Max Muncy who did not play last post-season due to an injury towards the end of regular season. Freeman got a taste of winning the World Series last year earning his first ring. Once you fly first class you don’t want to go back to coach. Braves will be the hunted team this season. Many of the teams being hunted will regress. Dodgers will be hungrier since they wanted to repeat after winning in 2020 but failed in the NLCS versus Atlanta. Dodgers weaken their playoff rival taking away a big piece from their everyday lineup.   

ANGELS PITCHING WINGS IN THEIR BULLPEN

I always thought why Mike Trout has not been a regular contestant in the post-season was because the LA Angels lacked pitching. Angels always go after the hottest position player in the free agent pools. Then all the injuries start mounting up with all these high price talents they have in that every day batting order. The pitching still sucks. Angels manager Joe Maddon has not had that managing success like he did in Tampa Bay and what he did in 2016 bringing the Chicago Cubs to newer heights with a World Series title. Angels have been quiet. As the lock out ends, Angels are trying to rebuild their bullpen on the fly. Angels land two veteran hurlers who may help them get some outs in the late innings.

Last season Archie Bradley was pitching in Philadelphia on a one year deal. The 29 year old right hander Bradley had 53 appearances in 20121 with a record of 7-3 and posting an ERA of 3.71 while saving two ball games. Bradley has pitched in the big leagues for 7 seasons as he started in Arizona where he pitched in the dessert for parts of six seasons before he was traded to the Reds in 2020. Bradley is still trying to find a permanent home once again as he has another 1 year deal worth 3.75 Million now to fly across the country and pitch out of the Angels bullpen. Bradley lifetime has a 30-28 record with a 3.89 ERA with 30 saves.  

Last season, Ryan Tepera pitched for both Chicago teams. The 34 year old right hander Tepera started his career in Toronto where he pitched North of the border for 5 seasons before arriving to the North of Chicago. Tepera pitched for the Cubs for a season and a half before he was dealt to the cross town White Sox in a trade at the deadline. Tepera pitched very well for both Chicago clubs last season as his record was 0-2 with and ERA of 2.79 in 65 games. Tepera also notched two saves and had 74 strikeouts in 61.1 innings of work. For the White Sox down the stretch, Tepera pitched in 22 games with a lower ERA of 2.50 in which he had 18 innings of work. Life time Tepera has a 12-14 record with a 3.48 ERA and has notched 12 saves.

Ryan Tepera, I wished the White Sox would have re-signed for this upcoming season. Tepera was the best pitcher out of the White Sox bullpen in that first round series with the Astros. Tepera told the media he thought the Astros were still stealing signs because of the strikeouts in Chicago by the White Sox pitching staff. It was higher on Houston hitters compared to the first two games of the series back in Texas. Ruffling Dusty Baker and those cheats’ feathers to me showed Tepera to be a team guy who stands up for what he believes in winning games. Screw the Astros. Both Tepera and Archie Bradley will help this Angels team in the late innings. Let’s see now how many times the Angels starters can turn it over to either of these guys late in the game.        

HERE’S THE STORY OF A MAN NAMED TREVOR

The Evil Empire Yankees are probably disappointed they could not add another X-Rockies player to their everyday lineup. The story book ending is not very Yankee like. Their arch rival, the Boston Red Sox, invest in their new story that many fans in Bean Town are very excited about. The Red Stockings sign 29 year old short stop Trevor Story to a mammoth 6 year deal worth 140 million. Story will move to second base as Boston already has Xander Bogaerats cemented on the left side of the diamond. Then Kike Hernandez who played second is a jack of all trades type of player on the field. He could find himself in center field most of the time in this upcoming season.

Trevor Story is another talented player that has left Colorado and their brass who seem Rocky Mountain High for letting talent just walk out the door. Especially you have to scratch your head after the Rockies just went all in on Kris Bryant’s services with bringing him to Colorado. I guess it is not good for their World Series chances to retain guys like Story, DJ LeMahieu, and Nolan Arendo. The story on Trevor is he is a right handed hitting short stop with some power. With six seasons in the big leagues, Story is a career .272 hitter with 158 long balls while driving in 450. Last season Story’s numbers had him batting .251 with 24 bombs and 75 driven in.

Last season the Boston Red Sox were ousted by the evil cheats out of Houston in the ALCS. The addition of Trevor Story gives the middle of the Red Sox lineup card some beef & Iron. This is also an insurance type of move done by the Red Sox brass as Xander Bogaerats only has one year left on his deal and could leave in free agency next season. Adding Story helps the Red Sox get some of those homeruns back after they dealt outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Brew Crew. The Renfroe move gave Boston better defense in the outfield with Jackie Bradley Jr. back in the mix from his one year in Milwaukee after leaving the Red Sox in free agency to Beer Town. Bradley Jr. gives the Red Sox a left handed bat which helps balance the everyday lineup. The biggest question is can Trevor Story hit well without having half the games played in the thin air of Coors field. Story could take advantage of some perks in Fenway Park.   

MARLINS ADD SOME SOLER POWER

When you win the World Series and are the series MVP, where do you want to go? Many people would reply “Disney World!!” The Braves MVP of last year’s World Series, Jorge Soler, instead is going to Miami to play for the Marlins. The 30 year old right handed slugger Soler gets a 3 year deal worth 36 million. The Soler deal has opt-outs after year one and year two as maybe both parties do not trust each other. It’s the Marlins you might want out after losing 95 games once again for the 3^rd straight season, not counting the 2020 shortened season of a 162 game schedule.

After winning his first World Series ring in Chicago, the team that signed Jorge Soler out of Cuba, he was traded to Kansas City where he hit 48 homeruns in the 2019 season. Last season Atlanta was in desperate need for outfield help due to injuries. The Royals traded Soler to Atlanta at the deadline. Last season combined, Soler played in 149 games & batted .223 with 27 homeruns. For Kansas City, Soler’s numbers were not that bright as he was batting .192 with 13 long balls in 94 games. The lights came on when he arrived in Hot Atlanta as he batted .269 and knocked out 14 balls into the stands in 55 games. Post-season is when Soler became the hero especially in the World Series as he hit two big homeruns in crucial times to knock off the cheats from Houston. Soler’s post-season numbers had him batting .242 with three homeruns in 11 games which was good enough for MVP honors and collecting his second ring. Quite some history for Soler who has played in 8 seasons in America and being a part of the World Series team, the Chicago Cubs when beating off the goat and the longest drought in the history of sports. Then being able to put down those cheats from Houston to prevent them from getting any kind  of credit they could have won without banging on the trash cans all day long.

Marlins always to me will be one of those questionable ownerships even though they have a new one in place. Yankee great, Derek Jeter, was part of that group & stepped down recently from the Marlins ownership group. Marlins find themselves in a tough division that has the Braves that won it all last year. Then seeing the Phillies and Mets spend big bucks this off-season on some top talent free agents. Even Washington after selling off most of their pieces at the trade deadline as they added some talent and collected a slew of prospects with those trades. Marlins before the lock-out signed slugging outfielder Avisail Garcia who came off a pretty good year in Brew Town. The Marlins made a trade with the Pirates for veteran catcher Jacob Stallings. Marlins have some young pitchers that are on the rise. Adding Jorge Soler gives the Marlins some beef in the lineup especially with Garcia. Both Soler and Garcia can play outfield or slide into the DH role. Both guys will give the Marlins about 50 or more homeruns combined this upcoming season.   

BASEBALL IS BACK

PHILLIES BEEF UP MIDDLE LINE UP WITH A PAIR OF X-CUBS

When the Braves at the trade deadline last season made a slew of trades on the fly to improve their outfield that sustained injuries, the plan worked and led to a World Series champion for Atlanta. The New York Mets have been dishing out mega bucks on pitching along with some new faces in the everyday lineup. Even the Nasty Nats added some thunder with the Nelson Cruz signing. Phillies now have made their moves adding two X-Cubs outfielders that can also be used at the DH slot. Kyle Schwarber, a liability in the field, who should get the most swings at the DH position gets a 4 year deal with Philadelphia worth 79 million. Then Phillies add 30 year old Nick Castellanos to the mix with a 5 year deal worth 100 million. Talk about adding some powerful cheese steak to the middle of the batting order.

Nick Castellanos had a monster year in Cincinnati as the 30 year old was an all-star. Last year Castellanos hit .305 hitting 34 homeruns while driving in 100. Castellanos is a right-handed hitting slugger that plays both corner outfield positions and can man the hot corner if needed. Castellanos was drafted by the Tigers where he played in parts of 7 seasons & then was traded to the Cubs.  Castellanos hit the free agent market where he signed a deal with the Reds where he has played the last two seasons. In 9 seasons Castellanos is a career .278 hitter with 168 homeruns driving in 594 runs.

Kyle Schwarber was one of those Cub heroes back in 2016 who helped break the curse of the goat that haunted Chicago’s North side team for over 100 years. Schwarber at 29 years old is a left handed slugging outfielder who probably will find himself playing mostly in the DH slot for Philadelphia who finally finds a home. Last off season the Cubs non tendered the big fellow as Schwarber became a free agent & then signed with the Washington Nationals on a one year deal. Schwarber caught on fire as he had a month of mashing balls over the fence at a steady pace. Schwarber would then find himself on the injured list with a pulled hamstring for six weeks. The Nationals had a fire sale and dealt Schwarber to Boston at the trade deadline who were making a run at the playoffs. Despite missing six weeks of the season, Schwarber had 32 long balls, 25 in a Nationals uniform and 7 after he came back off the injured list for Boston. Schwarber helped Boston go deep into the playoffs, but the team failed to beat the Astros in the ALCS. Schwarber has 7 seasons in the big leagues with 153 long balls driving in 350 but a batting average of 2.37.

The last time the Phillies made post-season was back in 2011. Now with the additions of Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos with Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins gives Philadelphia a potent line up. Schwarber and Castellanos does not help this Philadelphia team on defense which was glaring a weakness in 2021 for the team. The Phillies line up reminds me of a slugging slow pitch softball team. Homerun or going base to base on each hit. It’s not a very well balanced line up that lacks a lead off guy. The team will have plenty of fireworks with the lumber. Castellanos is a solid hitter. Schwarber can carry a team when he is red hot swinging the stick but when he’s not he dies by the strikeout. Philadelphia adds two more bigger contracts on the ones they already have in place. I’m still not convinced teams that have the best two players in the game, Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, what has that won for the Angels or the Phillies? When Harper left Washington they won the entire thing.       

BASEBALL NO-MAN LAND

When it comes to trying to figure out Kris Bryant I don’t even know if he knows what he is thinking. Once upon a time ago Bryant was the face of the Chicago Cubs. Bryant was one of the untouchable position players the Cubs had. Bryant did the unthinkable and helped the Chicago Cubs beat the curse of the billy goat. Bryant fielded the ground ball to end the curse and take down the Indians in Cleveland that year for the final out that made history in that 2016 season game 7 in extras. Cubs would not create the dynasty and win multiple championships like they dreamed about. Cubs never paid any of those position players they called untouchables. Cubs fire sale last season took Bryant to San Francisco in a trade. Rumors always had Bryant teaming up with his longtime hometown friend, Bryce Harper. Instead Bryant gets a six year deal with the Colorado Rockies paying him 182 million. Confused? I am.

Kris Bryant is the type of guy that will be the face of your franchise as he will be for the Rockies. Bryant gives the Rockies a bona-fide all-star in their line up who can play third base and all the outfield positions if needed. Last season Bryant played in 144 games combined for both the Cubs and Giants. Bryant batted .265 with 25 homeruns driving in 73. Bryant played in 51 games for San Francisco and batted .262 with 7 homeruns driving in 22. Bryant would help the Giants win the NL West only to fall to the Dodgers in the playoffs. Bryant has seven years under his belt as he played in 884 games racking up 914 hits. Bryant has a lifetime batting average of .278 with 167 homeruns driving 487. Bryant won the NL MVP in the 2016 season. Bryant is also a 4 time all-star.

I figured Kris Bryant would try to sign with a team on the rise or him being the final piece of the puzzle. If he was not going to team up with Bryce Harper, I figured Seattle or San Francisco to be closer to his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. The home part is right as Colorado is not that far to get some family cooking. Playing for San Francisco, did he not see the Colorado organization? What is the Rocky Mountain plan? They seem like they are going into a rebuild trading third baseman Nolan Arendo to the Cardinals last season. This off-season they are letting a talented short stop, Trevor Story, walk away in free agency. Bryant is 30 years old so he will be 36 when the contract concludes as he has a full no-trade clause. Rockies division is very difficult with the Giants, Dodgers, and the Padres wanting to play with the big boys. Rockies are better than the Snakes from the desert. Bryant should be able to put up big numbers in the thin air of Colorado, a hitter’s paradise. No guarantee this new organization will be contending any time soon. Maybe after winning the World Series with the Cubs, he is fine with that. Now Bryant will be like John Denver and play Rocky Mountain High baseball and head home on off-days to Vegas.  

BASEBALL IS BACK

WHO’S ON SECOND FOR THE CHI-SOX

In the grand scheme of things for the Chicago White, Sox coming into last season Nick Madrigal was going to be the staple at the second base position for over a decade. Madrigal’s season ended with a season-ending injury. Madrigal is only in his second major league season with one being a shortened one due to the pandemic. So White Sox would address the situation in house for the rest of the season and Madrigal would return next year. White Sox wanted bullpen help down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs, so they had to make a deal. The White Sox had to cough up a very young talented piece in Nick Madrigal to the Cubs for the Bird-man Craig Kimbrel. White Sox did make another trade to land another second baseman from the Indians in Cesar Hernandez. Hernandez was a disappointment. Finally after the lockout, the White Sox address their second base vacancy signing veteran Josh Harrison to a one year deal worth 4 million with a club option year in 2023.

Josh Harrison is 35 years old & has 11 seasons of experience in the MLB. Harrison spent most of his career in Pittsburgh where he started as he played in Steel City for 8 years. Harrison was a part of that little run of playoff teams the Pirates had back in 2015, the last time they made post-season. Harrison is familiar with the AL Central as he played one season in Detroit before moving on to Washington last year. The Nationals had a fire sale and Harrison ended up in Oakland. Combined last season, Harrison hit .279 for both the A’s and Nationals with 8 long balls and drove in 60 runs. Harrison is a 2 time all-star with a career .274 average, 64 homeruns, 351 RBI’S and he’s 40 hits shy of 1,000.

Josh Harrison gives the White Sox versatility. Harrison is a good defender and has played mostly at second base throughout his career. Harrison also can man the hot corner and dabble a little at a corner outfield position if needed. Harrison this season mostly will play second, keeping Leury Garcia free to roam the diamond as the super utility guy. I like Harrison with the bat because he does not strike out a lot and gets contact often. Nick Madrigal was very hard to strikeout and the best in the league to make some kind of contact with two strikes on him. Harrison can give you productive at-bats and has some pop in his bat as he can knock a few balls into the seats. I can see the White Sox putting Harrison in the 9^th position of the batting order. Harrison, a career .274 hitter in the 9^th spot, is a pretty solid batting line up. I think the White Sox needed a veteran at either Right Field or second base and they have one now. Right Field the White Sox have better options as they can go with Andrew Vaughn, Adam Engel or Gavin Sheets.  

BASEBALL IS BACK

TRADE

Seattle Mariners are trying to break the longest playoff drought in sports at this time. The Cincinnati Reds are looking to slash pay roll and get rid of some of their power numbers. Mariners get two key  position players that combined for 55 homeruns. Left Fielder Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suarez will be heading to the Emerald City.

Reds will get back 26 year old RHP Justin Dunn, outfielder Jake Fraley, LHP prospect Brandon Williamson, and the famous player to be named later.

Reds look like they may be heading for a full rebuild as they get rid of a huge amount of money off their books. Brandon Williams is the key to the deal; a 23 year old left handed pitcher with a high ceiling in his future. Williams was second round pick for Seattle in 2019 and is moving up the minor league levels. Reds will also get two 26 year olds with some experience in the big leagues. Justin Dunn a RHP has played parts of 3 seasons for the Mariners last year making 11 starts going 1-3 with 3.75 ERA. Dunn has made 25 career starts so far and has a winning record at 5-4 with 3.94 ERA. Dunn could be inserted into the Reds rotation this season. Then outfielder Jake Fraley who hits from the left side played in 78 games last season for the Mariners with just over 200 At-bats. He racked up 45 hits for a batting average of .210 launching 9 long balls into the seats while driving in 36 runs.

The Mariners have tried to lure the big fish in the free agent pond. No nibbles. Mariners won 90 games last season despite ranking number 11 in total offense in the American league. Mariners are trying to break a playoff drought that started in 2001. Mariners find a trade partner and bolster their offensive needs. Jesse Winker is 28 years old, a left handed hitting outfielder who has been one of the best hitters in the league the last two seasons. Winker probably will play in the outfield for Seattle but could be seeing some time at the DH slot. Winker batted an impressive .305 last year with 24 long balls driving in 71 for the Reds.

Then Eugenio Suarez is 30 years old, a right handed slugger who hit 31 balls out of the ball park last season. In 2018 Suarez was an all-star and in 2019 hit 49 balls into the stands. Last season Suarez’s batting average plummeted to .198 as he struck out 30% of the time. His life time batting average is .252 in 8 seasons & if he can get back to that number I think Seattle will be happy. Suarez has 193 homeruns to his credit and can play the hot corner and is a guy you can DH as well.   

BASEBALL IS BACK

CRUZ CONTROL IN DC

Nelson Cruz is a mercenary with a baseball bat. Cruz I would compare to the A-team. If you have a problem hitting the ball out of the ball park and you can find him, teams will hire him. Cruz will turn 42 years old in July and he can still mash the baseball. If Tom Brady can play at 45, why can’t Cruz continue his services? Plus with the Universal DH in place, Cruz has a bigger market for his services. Cruz will be heading to the nation’s capital as he struck a deal with the Nationals on a one year deal worth 15 million with a mutual option in 2023.

Last season Nelson Cruz split his time in Minnesota and Tampa Bay. The Twins dealt their home run king to Florida. Cruz last season combined with both Rays plus Twins hit .265 with 32 home runs along with driving in 86 runs. Cruz has played 17 seasons in the big leagues he is closing in on 2,000 hits. He has racked up 1,913 for his entire career so far. What about home runs? Cruz sits at 449. Could Cruz reach 500 home runs? Cruz has been on a wicked pace in the long ball department. In 2014 Cruz hit 40 & in 2015, 44. In 2016: 43, 2017: 39, 2018: 37, and in 2019 he hit 41. In the short season in 2020, Cruz had 16 and then last season had 32. Two more productive seasons and Cruz can cement his legacy as an offensive juggernaut in this league.

I thought the Rays trading for Nelson Cruz would be the move to get them over the hump in the playoffs. This is an interesting move by the Nationals signing Cruz. Last season the Nationals had a fire sale and got rid of everything not bolted down. Cruz makes the Nationals middle of their line-up very interesting. With Juan Soto, Josh Bell and the addition of Nelson Cruz, that’s a tough 1-2-3 punch that pitchers will have to deal with. Nationals still have some of their pitching intact. Nationals received a boatload of prospects in all those deals. Are they ready to play at the MLB level? Cruz’s goals are likely to reach new milestones. Maybe this all comes together, and the Nationals find a Wild Card slot. If not, Cruz could be on demand at the trade deadline and get another mercenary job with another team.   

BASEBALL IS BACK  

MCCUTCHEN BACK IN THE NL CENTRAL

Andrew McCutchen was born in the National league Central and played with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 9 seasons. McCutchen will return to the NL Central at least for one season as he signs a one year deal with the Brew Crew. The right-handed hitting outfielder turns 35 years old coming off his final year with the Phillies. He had signed a three year deal with them in 2019. The Pirates traded McCutchen to the Giants and received Bryan Reynolds and Kyle Crick. It’s a nice return for a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. Giants traded him in the same season of 2018 to the Yankees, which would be the only season McCutchen played in the American League.

What does Andrew McCutchen have left in the tank? McCutchen’s first season is Philadelphia he was mostly sidelined with an injury. In 2020 McCutchen played in 57 games hitting .253 with ten homeruns driving in 34 runs. Last season McCutchen played in 144 games as his average dipped to .222, but he still hit 27 long balls driving in 80. McCutchen can still crush left-handed pitching. McCutchen can play any outfield position. Maybe not as well as when he was younger, but he’s a guy that can get the job done. Brewers won the NL Central last season. Brewers landed Hunter Renfroe, another outfielder, in a trade with Boston. Brewers also have Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, and Tyrone Taylor. Crowded outfield indeed. With the Universal DH back in the National League, you can get plenty of At-bats for all these guys. McCutchen is still loved in Pittsburgh.

BASEBALL IS BACK

THE UNIVERSAL DH IS A THING NOW

The MLB in 2020 implemented the Universal DH. All the pitchers in the National league did not have to grab a bat. All the pitchers in the American League did not have to bat in National League ball parks. It was a shortened season due to the invasion of the Covid-19 Virus. MLB was using the Universal DH as a safety measure because it was a short season. Like the McRib Sandwich at Micky D’s, the Universal DH is back now and will be a permanent fixture as that was one of the easiest things to agree on during the baseball lock out between owners/players.

I’m a baseball purest most of the time when it comes to America’s past time. I loved seeing a Bartolo Colon or one of my all-time favorite pitchers, Mark Buerhrle, take a pitch downtown. The pitcher hitting a home run was rare. When it did happen, it’s like the right fielder Timmy Lupus in the movie Bad News Bears catching the ball. These are moments like in the movie, Rudy. Magical moments in a sport. I always liked the fact that both the AL and NL were different. In inter-league play or the playoffs, both leagues had to make adjustments to other leagues’ home ballpark. National League, who would be slotted in the DH position which might not be your typical slugger like most guys that play that position in the American League. Then the American league pitchers having to bat comically.

The most important thing about the DH position that I loved is it was a very easy way to extend many players’ careers when they became older and unreliable in the field. The DH position has helped players with nagging injuries be able to still contribute late in their careers. Now both leagues have the DH & everything is on a level playing field as you might say the AL probably had the advantage over the NL. Playoff series best out of seven I have to think the best team prevails most of the times. In a few seasons of the universal DH, we will see if one league trumps the other as you know some stat geek is breaking down the numbers right at this time I’m writing this. I can go either way on the Universal rule. It sucks because it takes away some interesting moments. Overall it does not ruin the game. When I played baseball when I was younger, it seemed like the pitcher was Universal and the best player on the team most of the times.

BASEBALL IS BACK

RODON’S GIANT CONTRACT

My jaw dropped hearing what the San Francisco Giants are going to pay Carlos Rodon. 22 Million dollars to pitch this season on the West coast. I guess the former White Sox left hander at 29 years old was not going to take a friendly home discount like he did last season in his return to the South side at 3 million. Rodon gets a two year deal worth 44 Million from the Giants after spending his entire career in a White Sox uniform for seven seasons. Giants and Rodon have an escape clause after one season if they want to go in different directions. They can opt out of the contract. Rodon will make more money this season in a Giants uniform than his entire career with the White Sox.

Last season by far was the best year of Carlos Rodon’s career. Rodon made his first all-star game while throwing his first ever no-hitter in his career in the 2021 season. Rodon made 24 starts by far the most since his 2016 season. Rodon may have sold his own soul to the devil last season because he was unhittable as his record was 13-5 while posting a 2.37 ERA. In Rodon’s very first season in the league in the 2015 season, he had an ERA lower than 4.00 as he posted 3.75 ERA. The rest of the seasons, Rodon’s ERA was 4 or higher. In seven seasons he has only had three winning seasons. In 4 of those seven seasons, Rodon has only reached 100 Innings pitched or more as arm and shoulder problems have followed him around like dark clouds. Lifetime, Rodon has a 42-38 record while posting a 3.79 ERA with 710 strikeouts in 121 games.

Giants long time catcher Buster Posey retired after the season as he made roughly 22 Million. The same amount the team has paid Carlos Rodon. The Giants won the NL West last year only to fall to their arch rival Dodgers in the post-season. Rodon joins a pretty good group of guys in the starting rotation that features Logan Webb, Anthony De Sclafani, Alex Wood and Alex Cobb. I would have loved to see Rodon back in a White Sox uniform but for that type of money the Giants are giving him, I have to say no way Jose. Rodon only pitched in 28 Innings the last two months of the season. In the playoffs, Rodon was used last season for 1 game during which he did not last very long. Most games last season Rodon only pitched an average of 5 innings a game because of his arm problems in the past. Rodon missed a few starts with soreness in his arm in 2021 which was why he was not used much down the stretch. Rodon would only pitch in 4 games in the 2020 season after coming off Tommy John Surgery. In 2019 Rodon only pitched in 7 games before he was put on the shelf with season ending injury. Maybe Rodon has turned the corner and all his injuries are in the rear view mirror. Tommy John surgery these days feels like a brand new arm for these pitchers. I wish Carlos luck and I’m glad he did not stay in the White Sox division. Hope he mows down the Dodgers line-up with regularity.

BASEBALL IS BACK  

KERSHAW DOES NOT WANT TO ESCAPE LA 

This off-season was the first time Clayton Kershaw entered the free agent market as a player. The 33-year-old left-handed pitcher only knows LA as he was drafted by the Dodgers and has toed the pitching rubber for 14 solid seasons wearing blue and white. I had the feeling this was going to happen as the Dodgers bring back their one-time ACE of the staff on a one-year deal. If the lock out did not happen, this deal would have been done months ago.  

I feel like a one-year deal is perfect between both parties, the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw last season was sidelined in July with inflammation in his left forearm. Kershaw tried to come back in September but still felt pain. Kershaw would finish the season with a 10-8 record and 3.55 ERA not his normal stat line. Kershaw pitched 121 Innings in 22 games as he did strike out 144 batters. Kershaw in another uniform would be awkward as his career numbers in Dodger blue have him with a record of 185-84 with a low 2.49 ERA. Kershaw is a 5-time ERA Champion. Add 8 all-star games, 3 Cy-Young awards and an MVP. Kershaw has been a part of 9 straight NL West titles. Three NL Pennants and the World Serie champion in the 2002 season. 

Let’s face the music… Dodgers need pitching as all teams do. Dodgers are still dealing with Trevor Bauer as MLB put him on administrative leave once again. Bauer’s problems off the field were cleared related to some touchy incidents with him and females. Something out of Penthouse magazine or some kind of underground issue of Whips and Chains. Then the Dodgers starter, Dustin May, is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Does David Price have anything left in the gas tank? Bringing back Kershaw makes sense and it just seems like a family move to make. If only they can deal with the adoptive Bauer.  

BASEBALL IS BACK 

DID YOUR TEAM FIND A SPONSOR YET?  

The MLB baseball lockout has finally come to an end after 99 days. Players and Owners finally got over the hump of greed and came up with a package of agreements to get America’s pastime back on the diamonds. One of the agreements in place, which is a money maker, is advertisements on the jerseys. Like coaching a little league team, the manager has to go out and find a local sponsor for them to pay for the shirts, hats, and pants for each kid on the roster. I would want my team to call dibs on Chico’s Bail Bonds. 

Looks like the Cubs beat my team to it. MLB plans to have patches of advertisements on the jersey itself. Then advertising decals on the helmets. It’s basically another cash cow for all the greed in the sport to line their pockets. 

Many sports have gone this route for years or in the beginning stages. Across the pond in Europe all those soccer teams have advertisements on their jerseys. The MLS back in the states followed suit with their league in 2007. Last Summer in August, the NHL went down the same road and agreed to add advertisements on their jerseys and helmets. The NBA, as someone has to pay King Lebron James his salary, have an advertising patch on their jersey. NBA insiders said that the patches on the jersey made the league 225 million in 2021-22. They crunched the numbers and doubled the league’s original estimates.  

Sell outs? Perhaps. This is the future of sports. What about the NFL? The NFL, out of the 4 major sports, is the only league left that does not have advertisements on their jerseys and have no plans to do so. The NFL is the biggest cash cow of all sports in America. More people gather for a football game than a baseball game, and that was coined America’s past time. Stadiums naming rights have been going on for decades as it’s very rare to find a team name on the park. It will take some time to get used to seeing whichever big companies that want to make a deal with baseball. As long as the uniforms don’t look like something from NASCAR. 

I’d rather the uniforms be authentic and  more traditional. 

We may cringe at first at the look of the hillbilly Walmart logo on your team’s jersey. I’d rather have Joe Camel. Eventually the fan’s will be brainwashed, and it’ll feel like these advertisements were there all along. Where do you stop if extra money is funneling into the sport? Any owner of baseball could decorate the inside of their stadium like Roger Dorn In the movie Major League when he took over ownership of the Indians. 

You can laugh about it. Next time you go to the ballpark and see the listings of the yellow pages on the stadium fence, you’ll know why. Anyone need a lawn care service? Check out right centerfield.    

RANKING THE NEW SKIPPERS FOR THE 2022 SEASON

For the upcoming MLB season in 2022 if the lock-out is ever lifted, four teams have new managers. Two of the skippers will be making their debut in the manager role. While the other two have been around. I will rank all the new hires from worst to first. All four have different scenarios. I’m going to base it on the entire contract given to each guy. Some of these new hires might change their team right away. Some of these guys might take longer. New versus old. Old School versus the new math of baseball.  

NEW YORK METS

#4. BUCK SHOLWALTER (65 YEARS OLD)

I know the Mets need discipline and Buck Showalter is an old school no shenanigans type of guy. Showalter has a ton of experience as this will be his 5^th team as the skipper in his 21^st MLB season. Showalter is a three time manager of the year award holder. Showalter has done that with three different teams: 1994 Yankees, 2004 Rangers and 2014 Orioles. Last time he managed was with the Orioles in 2018 where he finished with a 47-115 record.

Glad the Mets owner and MLB believe in recycling, which is what the Buck Showalter hire is. In Baltimore Showalter had 4 out of 8 winning seasons. Showalter has winning records with only two teams he coached and that was the Diamondbacks and the Yankees. Showalter’s all-time MLB Manager record is 1551-1517-1 which is just a .506 winning percentage. Never won a World Series. Showalter is 9-14 in post-season play.

I like the fact that Buck Showalter has worked in the media and has worked in New York with the Evil Empire. I can see the Mets having a winning record. Maybe a chance at the second wild card slot. Are the Atlanta Braves shaking in their shoes with this hire? I don’t think he was the Mets’ first choice. Showalter is a guy that can come in, win quickly, and then fizzle in the post-season. Then year two and beyond hover around the 500 mark.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

#3.MARK KOTSAY (46 YEARS OLD)

Mark Kotsay will make his debut as a manager in the 2022 season. As a player Kotsay played 17 seasons in the big leagues and he was a grinder. Kotsay did the little things right in the game while playing multiple positions and had some big hits during his career. Kotsay has played in Oakland for four seasons. Kotsay’s last season was as the Athletics’ 3^rd base coach and has been the team’s bench coach. You could say he was groomed to take over as skipper. Then Bob Melvin fled to San Diego as the Athletics let him out of his contract to do so. Part of Billy Beane’s plan all along?

In Oakland you seem like you have to walk over sizzling hot coals to be a manger there. It can be heaven with lots of great teams over the year making the post-season. Then you’re dealt a bad hand when Billy Beane blows everything up and starts over. Many think Beane will trade all his talent that will need to be paid at some point with extensions or let go into free agency after the lock out is lifted. Kotsay should be used to living Moneyball – it’s in his clubhouse every year. Can Kotsay manage younger guys? Can Kotsay deal with Beane looking over his shoulder? I like this hire of Kotsay. Will he have a short leash? I feel if Kotsay had the same opportunity with another team, he can win right away. Kotsay may struggle out of the gates in Oakland and wait until the new future crop rises out of the farm fields.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

#2.BOB MELVIN (60 YEARS OLD)

The Padres took a gamble on Jayce Tingler and it backfired on them. Padres call up the Athletics to see if they can pry Bob Melvin away from them. Before Billy Beane of the Athletics hung up the phone, Melvin was in San Diego. Melvin has 18 seasons under his belt managing, 11 of which came in Oakland. Melvin started in Seattle, and did a tour in Arizona before landing the Oakland job. Melvin’s career record as the skipper is 1,346-1242 which is a .514 winning percentage. This is 8 points better than Buck Showalter. Melvin’s record in post-season is 10-17.

Bob Melvin over 11 seasons could have been Billy Beane’s puppet. Melvin may have sat on the bench like a cigar store Indian as he was programmed by Beane’s computer graphics on every single situation that can take place on the field. No gut feelings. I can see Melvin wanting to rid the monkey, Beane, off his back and taking over the Padres he can do it his way. This could benefit the Padres. Melvin is used to working with younger guys with a small payroll. Mix in some veterans that want to turn their career around. The Padres will be a different animal with a roster of high rollers that did not play to their capabilities last year. How will Melvin find a way to put the Padres in front of the Dodgers and Giants in the NL West? Not impressed with Melvin’s record in post-season. However Melvin can get teams to the playoffs.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

#1.OLIVER MARMOL (35 YEARS)

Not sure why the Cardinals cut loose their former manager, Mike Shildt. Shildt last season with all the injuries to the Cardinals pitching staff, especially the starting rotation, helped St. Louis make the post-season as a wild card. Cardinals were quickly dispatched by the Dodgers in a one-game take-all series. Cardinals went 90-72 in 2021 with a remarkable second half. It was not the regular season that Cardinals brass frown upon when it comes to Shildt. Shildt’s post-season record is 4-9 in four seasons. Shildt had a 252-199 record in 4 seasons as a Cardinals skipper during regular season. Cardinals will hand the keys to Oliver Marmol, who is only 35 years old. Oliver will be the youngest manager in baseball since Eric Wedge took over the Indians skipper duties in 2003. Does the name Sean McVay ring a bell?

Cardinals fans will hate me mentioning the Rams. Sean McVay has been to two Superbowls, winning one at 36 years of age. Oliver Marmol has been the Cardinals bench coach the last two seasons. Marmol was drafted by the Cardinals in 2007 even though he never got past Triple A. Marmol  knows the Cardinals organization well. Cardinals’ moves like this pan out. It seems like Cardinals always have replacements from the farm with players taking over for washed-out veterans. Cardinals will deal those washed-out guys just in the nick-of-time as well. I think the Cardinals have a plan as this was a strategic move on their part this off-season. Plus the division the Cardinals play in the NL Central means they have a chance.

BRETT NETZER BURNED DOWN ALL HIS BASEBALL BRIDGES

Who is Brett Netzer? According to Twitter, Netzer has been a very busy beaver. “I am a racist. I do sometimes make assumptions based on person’s ethnicity/ culture. Glad this is out of the way.”

To sum that up, he judges a book by its cover. In 2017, Netzer was drafted in the 3^rd round of the MLB draft out of the University of North Carolina. Netzer is a 25 year old infielder with roots in South Carolina. Netzer better get used to his home roots as the Red Sox cut him for sending out tweets that involved all kinds of racist thing towards Chaim Bloom, a Chief Red Sox officer. Netzer’s tweets had Anti- Semitic remarks while he says he has nothing against the Jews. Homophobic rants and how closeted Transgender people are rapists, he says.

Red Sox brass read Brett Netzer’s rant stating, “Chaim Bloom is a bad actor went to Hebrew school and studied the Torah growing up, but sold his soul to Sodom and race groups. It’s a good thing he is good at whatever he does in baseball.”

Other tweets by Brett Netzer have him ranting on about black people. “Go back to their roots and start to re-establish their true black culture.”

Last time Brett Netzer played games in the Boston Red Sox minor league system, goes back to 2019. In 2020, Minor Leagues were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Netzer did not play for undisclosed reasons. Maybe getting fitted for his sheets.

In 2019, Netzer played in Double A ball for a Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs. Netzer hit .247 with 8 homeruns in 130 games played.

Brett Netzer pretty much threw his baseball career away with these tweets. Maybe perhaps his thoughts were he was done playing the game and was going to hang up the spikes anyway so he lashed out on social media. People turn into dumb and dumber when they use social media as their own personal soap box.  Where are these rants going to get you? Sounds like Netzer unveiled a transgender on his own time. Going after the Red Sox Chief officer maybe because he was not promoted to the next Minor League level. Ranting on the Twitter is not going to help you get promoted. Netzer has not played since 2019, and that should be the end of the debate. I really don’t think any baseball organization would want him on their roster. Even Independent leagues. Say your roster has black players. Say your roster has someone that prefers guys over gals. I believe in Freedom of Speech. Some of these people that are so mad with groups of different people gets exhausting. Bad apples in every bunch, even his bunch. It’s common knowledge that anything you say in this kind of text, your Employer is going to can your ass.  Hope this is the last we hear about Brett Netzer. Your 15 minutes of fame are up and you are an idiot. Good for the Boston Red Sox to cut ties with morons like this.  

WHERE WAS THE GUARDIAN WHEN THE INDIANS PICKED THEIR NEW NAME?

Since 1915, for 106 years, the baseball team in Cleveland were called the Indians. The Indian tribes were originally the Native Americans before the settlers came to this country.  Back then the settlers pushed  the Native Americans Westbound. Some probably thought erasing them completely from society was the way. Now it seems people want to erase any kind of Native American history from the Sports world. Abolish the warrior wearing a head dress wearing brightly colored feathers with war paint on their face. Why did all these schools & all these professional sports teams pick anything to do with the Native American? Tradition, pride, respect and winning games in the sporting world with something you can get behind. This is not a beer rec league. This is not a fantasy team nickname. The world is changing, and I get that. The name “Indians meant a forager & a fighter. Now one by one all these Native American names are being wiped out. Replaced by names like Cleveland chose, the Guardians.

The name Guardians makes my skin just crawl. I understand these are different times we live in. The Guardian name instead of a popular choice around town, the Spiders, which the Cleveland baseball club was called for a short time before the Indians name. This Guardian logo looks like something the Angels were using with the wings in the year they were trying find themselves.

Many people will say the movie Guardians of the Galaxy. How many times are we not rewatching that on the SCI-FI channel, if that is even still around? A channel that talks about Aliens. People could get offended. Some will say the Guardians is more of an insurance name than a baseball team. The Guardians name is like that modern name for a team or office. In the past the popular names for a boy would be John, Paul, Luke, Matthew, Brian and Phil. Now the popular current names for a boy sound like a last name or a name for insurance office: Harrison, Jasper and Silas. I will say that the Cleveland Brass did not misspell their new name for their baseball team. Like Candy with an I. I still feel like the brass of Cleveland saved money going to Guardians rather than any other name. Both Indians and Guardians end with d-i-a-n-s. The Cleveland brass has not changed color schemes. Now maybe with the money saved, the Guardians can go out and sign a hitter for their line up. Like that will happen. Even typing guardians gives me the wet willies.

I never liked the name change on stadiums. Even though I’d rather change the name of the stadium instead of the name of the team. People in Chicago don’t call White Sox Park, Guaranteed Rate Stadium. It’s either Comiskey or Sox Park. I think the Indians will always be the Indians in my book. Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt. The Chief Wahoo logo Cleveland once wore on their sleeves is not supposed to be the face of every single Indian Native American. The Chief Wahoo logo looks more like Scottie Pippen than any Native American I ever met. I’m sure the Chief looks like at least one or two Native Americans. No, we can’t get past things like this. Not every Irish person looks like a Leprechaun. Some do. What next after all the Native American team names gone. Angry animals? Generations from now it will be the Unicorns battling the Giraffes for the World Series.

It will be the Cleveland Guardians coming to a local ball park near you, if you are not from the Ohio area. Maybe I can get an auto quote in 15 minutes or less before batting practice when they do arrive in town. I would like to see how many people buy Guardians shirts after the first season. I think Guardians are the worst name in the game of baseball right now. I get the pressure to change the name due to the way the world is reacting to most things and anything questionable in the past. The Guardians is what they picked. The Cleveland Brass dropped more than the Indian name on this choice. What about the Browns? Charlie Brown might still be offended by that name. What about the brown people? Or is it once you go brown, you come around? Cleveland now has two of the worst nicknames in two of the biggest sports out of the popular 4 in the states.    

DELMONICO GOING TO TAKE A SWING AS HITTING COACH

The Chicago White Sox are like the families that welcome their kids back after they left the coop. Kids like Nicky Delmonico, 29 years old, who will now live in the basement of the White Sox household. Delmonico’s baseball career has quietly come to an end. Like most kids whose college days come to an end, and then they return home to work at their parents’ company. Delmonico feels like the White Sox organization is home as the team raised him through the farm system and into the big leagues. Delmonico will give coaching a try. Delmonico is slated to be the new hitting coach for the Class A Winston-Salem team. 

Nicky Delmonico played in 158 games in the big leagues, all with the White Sox. Delmonico batted from the left side of the plate while throwing right-handed. Delmonico is an outfielder by trade but dabbled at first base a few games. From 2017 through 2020, Delmonico played in parts of each season. In 2017, by far Delmonico’s best year, he came up like gang busters as he saw everything & hit everything. In 43 games his first season, Delmonico ended up hitting .262 with 9 homeruns with 23 RBI’S as he tallied off. In the second season with the White Sox, Delmonico’s average plummeted, but he managed to play in 88 games and had 8 homeruns. Injuries followed Delmonico as in 2019 he only played in 21 games as his average even got lower. In the short season due to the Covid-19 Virus, Delmonico only appeared in 6 games in 2020 and the average continued to drop. Delmonico’s career is defined by the injury bug as he went back and forth to the minors & then back to the Majors over 4 seasons. You have to say Delmonico was a fighter because he always picked himself off the mat, rehabbed the injury, and fought his way back to the big league roster more than once.

In 2021, Nicky Delmonico signed with the Cincinnati Reds on a minor league deal. Delmonico would play 19 games for the Reds Triple A squad and eventually be released in May of 2021. Delmonico reached out to Chris Getz, White Sox Assistant GM of Player Development, and told him he’d like to get into coaching. White Sox welcome back another one of their own as he will work for the organization that gave him a chance to get to the Majors. Now the White Sox will give Delmonico a chance to start his coaching career. Delmonico always thought he would be coaching after his playing days as he did some throughout his playing days. Coaching is in the Delmonico blood. Delmonico’s father was a baseball coach for over a decade. Delmonico has always thought he had the mind set to be a coach as he looked at the game through the X’S and O’s. He saw the small details of hitch in someone’s swing and tried to help another teammate. Even though you can play the game for so long, most players can’t catch somebody’s small detail flaws as a hitter. Delmonico was a bright spot during the White Sox rebuild, and a guy that I rooted for. I wish he could have played more years as a player. I wish him luck being a coach. Players like Delmonico, who have had a cup of coffee in the Majors and then turn to coaching, become more successful in the dugout than on the field playing the game itself.   

DOWN A DARK ROAD OF LIFE

The world is becoming a tougher place to live life every day as trouble just follows you everywhere. Your mind is wrapped around things that it cannot shake. Sadness makes your heart ache while finding yourself in a corner that you can’t escape. Former major leaguer, Jeremy Giambi dies at the age of 47 years old, in what the Los Angeles County Medical examiner ruled a suicide. Death by gunshot wound to the chest and Jeremy was found dead at his mother’s house in Southern California. Jeremy is the brother of Jason Giambi, who was a five time All-star and MVP in 2000. Both Giambi brothers played on the same team, the Oakland Athletics. Both Giambi brothers have admitted they used steroids at some point in their career and apologized for going down that road.

Jeremy Giambi played six seasons in the big leagues from 1998 – 2003. Giambi started his career with the Kansas City Royals, and then went to Oakland where he played with his older brother, Jason. Jason would leave Oakland and sign a huge deal with the Yankees. Jeremy would move on from Oakland with stints in Philadelphia and Boston. His best days were in an Oakland uniform. Giambi in 2001 would hit a career high .283 with 12 homeruns, driving in 57. In 2002, Giambi’s average would dip down to .259 but did hit 20 homeruns. Giambi swung the bat from the left side and threw the ball lefty as he played first base and some outfield. Giambi finished his career batting .263 with 52 homeruns, driving in 209. Giambi had one stolen base to his credit as well. Giambi played for the Dodgers and the White Sox farm systems after the 2003 season, as he tried to get back to the big leagues. Giambi would hang up the spikes for good in 2005.

Jeremy Giambi might have played in the shadow of his big brother, Jason. Younger brother Giambi made some of his own success helping California State University Fullerton’s team win the College World Series in 1995. Born in San Jose, Jeremy Giambi played his best baseball in the state of California. Jason Giambi was a character in the book, and movie, Moneyball, which was a true story with General Manager Billy Beane.  Actor Nick Porrazzo played Jeremy Giambi in Moneyball. Jeremy was probably more famous for the play he was involved in during the post-season. It was game three between Yankees and Athletics of the ALDS when Derek Jeter chased down a ball that missed the cut off man. He flipped it to home plate on the move, and the catcher was able to put the tag on Jeremy Giambi of the Athletics, who was trying to score.

Only Jeremy Giambi knew what was going on with himself when he decided to leave this world, for whatever reason. Maybe some family or friends knew he was having problems. Some people would be happy to play in the Majors even if was for a cup of coffee. Did steroids make or break Jeremy Giambi? Did getting caught, like many other players from the steroid era, have lingering effects that follow him around like dark clouds? Maybe he had the talent his brother Jason had, who went on to make millions of dollars and hit over 400 homeruns. Could he have regrets thinking he could have been the same kind of player as his brother, or better? This may have nothing to do with baseball. Sometimes in life you get dealt a crappy hand and some can’t overcome things. Many players said Jeremy Giambi had a heart of gold and that’s where we will leave it at. It sucks to lose somebody who takes their own life. Somebody is probably thinking they could have done something. Some people are that good at hiding problems bigger than life. Let’s hope the world becomes a better place in general for everyone to live life without dark clouds of feelings taking over your entire mindset. Just a shame.        

THEY HAVE FALLEN AND CAN’T GET UP

The Homerun King Barry Bonds, The Rocket Roger Clemens and Slamming Sammy Sosa are all three players who would have a spot on my steroid Mt. Rushmore. All three players were on their 10^th year of the Baseball Hall Of Fame Ballot and failed to get the 75% of the vote needed to earn a ticket to Cooperstown. Bonds was 36 votes shy as he finished with 66% of the vote. Clemens was 39 votes shy and finished with 65.2% of the vote. As for Sosa, only in his mind does he consider himself a Hall Of Famer as he finished with 18.5%. All three players fell off the ballot voted by the BBWAA, Baseball Writers Association of America. All three guys have been linked to some kind of performance enhancement drugs at some point. The eyeball test does not lie with some of their gigantic craniums under a small baseball cap. The steroid argument has been going on for years with some people saying it should not prevent them from getting in. I believe using performing enhancing drugs is a game changer and makes for an unfair playing field. Will Bonds, Clemens and Sosa get in the Hall of Fame from another committee down the road?

Barry Bonds earned 7 MVPS in his career, and would go to 14 All-Star games in his career. Bonds obviously broke Babe Ruth’s record of Homeruns hit to be King with 762 bombs. Bonds set the record of most homeruns in one season, which was 73. Then Roger Clemens was an 11 time All-Star. The Rocket had 7 Cy Young awards. Clemens finished 9^th in wins all-time as a pitcher and is 3^rd all-time with striking out batters. Some will say Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire saved baseball with that one magical summer in 1998 when these two just were tattooing baseballs into the stands at a record pace. Sosa finished his career with 609 homeruns and racked up 2,408 hits. All three players on paper with stats alone, and not knowing they were juiced, should get into the Hall of Fame. I believe Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens did not need steroids. Both Clemens and Bonds could have done the same thing they were doing in the beginning of their career, just playing the game. Clemens probably used to get through injuries and/or wear and tear on his pitching arm. Bonds used because Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire were mashing balls out of the ballpark and he was jealous with all the attention they were getting. Sosa came into the league as a twig. Sosa with the White Sox had the bat speed to hit some home runs. Sosa was a guy who could get mostly 20 bombs in one season. Then suddenly in 1993, his body is the Marvel Superhero type and knocks 33 balls into the stands. Sosa then lived by the homerun & died by the strikeout. Sosa had a decent average. Sosa got caught with a cork bat. Suddenly Sosa forgot how to speak English in front of Congress. Sosa did not get that body by eating Flintstone vitamins. If all three of these guys did not do anything to their bodies and did not cheat the game, Bonds and Clemens would be in the Hall and Sosa’s numbers would be cut in half.

Up next for these Steroid Monsters is the Today’s Game Era Committee. This is a committee of 16 members, who look at a ten-player ballot every year and decide on players that slip through the cracks. If Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens can get 75% of that vote, they can still get into Cooperstown. After that, both Clemens and Bonds would have another committee decide their faith if they are still not in the prestige baseball club. That is another 16-member committee called the Golden Era Committee. That committee would be several years later before they vote on Bonds and Clemens.

The Baseball Hall of Fame is designed to award the best players in the game. Besides being the best at their craft, it’s about players who respect the integrity of the game itself. I know some players probably got in through the cracks or the back door with some being questionable citizens. Some probably have done steroids or many players were hopped up on the Amphetamines (speed). Many would argue that Clemens and Bonds did not need the stuff. Why take it in the first place, is my simple question. Steroids can extend your baseball career and help you heal faster. The steroids help both Bonds and Clemens put up better numbers. Kind of sucks for a guy that did it the right way and then have either Clemens or Bonds have better numbers at the end of their careers. When Jason Giambi won his MVP award using steroids, the guy behind him in the vote was Frank Thomas who could have had another trophy for his man cave. What if a player could have used an MVP award, had a pretty good career and did it right, but maybe was sidelined by injuries. Perhaps that MVP award could jave gotten him the votes to make it into the Hall of Fame. These Steroid guys got the money, got the fame, and screwed a lot of people in the process out of getting contracts or extensions on their deals. It’s like the Houston Astros sign stealing saga. How many players got screwed out of money facing those cheating bastards? It’s an unleveled playing field. It’s that simple.

Some reporters will ask what kind of league does not have the homerun king or the all-time hits leader in their Hall of Fame. I’d rather have Pete Rose gambling on baseball as a manager, than Barry Freaking Bonds. What about Shoeless Joe Jackson who was paid money to throw the World Series back during the Black Sox scandal of 1919? Jackson should have been a lock for the Hall Of Fame. All’s you want to do is keep things fair for the Johnny Hustle who enjoys the dream of playing baseball and works hard on his craft each day. Down the line years from now, maybe decades, people who get the vote for the Hall of Fame will have never seen Bonds or Clemens play. They will be like, “Steroids no big deal…” when robot umpires take control of the calls on the field. Players will be manufactured in the factories like terminator droids in the future. When your head grows several sizes and muscles are stretching your shirt, like a Slim Fast commercial, people can see your career before and after.  It’s not Jenny Craig who did that. To sum it up, all these steroids guys signed a deal with the devil for their souls. They got what they wanted at the time they made the deal with themselves. Consequences mean you will not be making a speech at Cooperstown.     

THE CUBAN COMET WILL BE FLYING ABOVE COOPERSTOWN THIS SUMMER

Nice to be named the Cuban Comet. The baseball gods have finally spoken as Minnie Minoso finally will get enshrined in Cooperstown this Summer. It took the Golden Era committee to finally get it right to make up for the writers that did not vote Minoso in decades ago. The Golden Era committee is made up of 16 members and Minoso received 14 votes which is good enough to finally get the job done. It’s too bad Minoso cannot live his moment as he passed away March 1^st of 2015. I bet he will be watching in the heavens with other great baseball ghosts of the past to relish his long journey into the American dream playing Major League Baseball. Coming from La Hahana, Cuba to the states to fulfill the American dream. He was inspired by Jackie Robinson, the original trailblazer being the first black player in the game. Minoso was half black & half Cuban as he had to open some doors to break through the barriers as a trailblazer himself. Minoso played 20 seasons of professional baseball in which three of those seasons he played in the Negro National League. MLB now counts all of those stats from that time, that league where hatred ran wild. People judged skin color or nationality as the states were where freedom was about getting away from the tyranny of other countries. It seems like it came with a price. Minoso’s heart says it all as he kept getting up & eventually the good days would prevail over the bad days.

The journey started for Minnie Minoso in 1945 as he arrived in the states. In any dream you have to start somewhere, and Minoso played for the New York Cubans of the Negro National League. Minoso played three seasons with the Cubans and helped them win a World Series. In 1949, Minoso made his debut in the Major Leagues for the Cleveland Indians. It was only for a cup of coffee as Minoso would play only 8 games. In 1951, he played in 8 games with the Indians as he was then dealt to the Chicago White Sox and that is where Minoso proved he belonged in the big leagues. In 1951, Minoso would be the first Afro-Cuban to put on a uniform for the White Sox. In his first At-bat in a White Sox uniform in Comiskey Park, he homered off Vic Raschi on May 1, 1951. Obviously Minoso could swing the bat as pitchers nailed him 16 times his first full season. Minoso would finish second in the AL Rookie of the year vote. Minoso would play 12 seasons with the White Sox and parts of 4 seasons in an Indians uniform. Minoso also played one year in St. Louis and 1 year for the Washington Senators.

Not sure how the writers missed on Minnie Minoso, not giving him enough votes when he first appeared on the ballot. Minoso’s numbers speak for themselves. Minoso  batted and threw right-handed. He was a nine time all-star. Minoso on defense won three Golden Gloves for playing outfield and third base. Minoso’s career numbers with the lumber have him lifetime batting .299 with 195 long balls driving in 1,093 RBI’S. Minoso scored 1,225 runs while stealing 216 bases. Minoso led the AL in triples and stolen bases 3 times. Minoso also led the league getting hit by the pitch 9 times.  Not sure anybody wants to have that stat, but his on base percentage had to be pretty good.

Minnie Minoso was traded before the White Sox appeared in the 1959 World Series, which they lost to the Dodgers. Minoso was traded back to Cleveland for pitcher Early Wynn before the 1958 season. Wynn would have a monster year in 1959 going 22-10 while posting a 3.17 ERA. Minoso was one of the keys for the Chicago White Sox to be relevant again in the 1950’s after a 40 year hiatus. Minoso was a 5-tool player who actually played in 5 different decades. The renegade owner of the White Sox at the time, Bill Veeck, in 1976 activated Minoso for 3 games. Minoso would get one hit in 8 at-bats. Then in 1980, the crazy Veeck who did crazy stuff at the ball park on a regular basis activated Minoso once again. Minoso would play in two games with only two at-bats and no hits. Minoso played baseball in the 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s and the 1980’s: 5 decades. Maybe those two stints in the 70’s and 80’s was more about publicity than actual baseball. Even though I don’t think that should tarnish anything.

I know stuff happens like this in every sport where players will get overlooked for what they accomplished in their era. Minnie Minoso had solid numbers and actually better numbers than others that made it to the World Series. Minoso and the White Sox had a great friendship after he hung up the spikes. White Sox made Minoso an ambassador. Minoso is the biggest key to the Cuban connection the White Sox have had over several decades that is still going on today. All these Cuban players over the years look up to a guy like Minoso and want to like him. White Sox are by far the most Cuban-friendly in the entire league. Minoso I never saw play, but I heard about him. My father would tell me stories about Minnie Minoso and how he played the game. I even got an autographed ball years and years later in my life, that has Minnie Minoso’s signature on it. As a White Sox fan, I knew what Minoso was all about from watching and reading all about Chicago sports. I hate these things when they figure it all out after the person passes away. Minoso’s family can enjoy the ceremonies in Cooperstown and know that Minnie was one of the best. Even though they probably knew that before. Minoso always had that award winning smile on his face in all the pictures you see him in. Everything you read about him tell you he was truly a great human being. It’s about time. Now let’s get Shoeless Joe Jackson in the Hall Of Fame and the world can still spin in its regular orbit.

THE BIG PAPI LANDING IN COOPERSTOWN THIS SUMMER

The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame already has the Big Hurt (Frank Thomas) enshrined at Cooperstown. Everyone knew in due time the Big Papi (David Ortiz) would have his day. Like Frank Thomas, David Ortiz makes it on the first ballot as he is the lone player voted in for the 2022 class by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Ortiz would get 77.9 % of the vote and 75% qualifies you. Both Thomas and Ortiz would live up to the “Big” part in their nickname as well producing with the lumber in “Big” moments. Ortiz, now 46 years old stands at 6’3, with 230 pounds of raw meat power for the left-handed slugging DH. Ortiz, born in the Dominican Republic, becomes the 58^th first ballot Hall of Famer in the club. Ortiz is the 14^th player to get in on the first ballot vote since 2014. Ortiz would also be the first solo player selection by BWAA since short-stop Barry Larkin in 2012.

David Ortiz will go down as DH (Designated hitter) where he played the most games at  that position. Oritz played in 2,408 games and his was the highest percentage of other guys in the Hall Of Fame that did well at the DH slot. Ortiz’s baseball accomplishments speak for themselves as he was a 10x all-star and won 7-Silver Slugger awards. Ortiz played 20 seasons in the big leagues with two teams, the Twins and Red Sox. Ortiz will be known for his days in Boston where he spent most of his career in Bean Town, which was 14 seasons. Ortiz helped the Red Sox beat the curse of the Bambino and was a part of three World Series championships: 2004, 2007 and 2013. Ortiz was the Red Sox version of Mr. October as he took it to the Evil Empire New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. Any Boston fan would salivate over the numbers and the damage Ortiz did in that 7 game series. Ortiz went 12-31, 3 bombs, and 11 RBI’S with two game winning RBI’S in games 4-5 of that series.

His life-time numbers are awesome. Career-wise Ortiz had a batting average of .286 with 541 home runs while racking up 2,472 hits. Those 541 home runs mean Ortiz is 17^th all-time on that list. Ortiz has scored 1.419 runs while driving in 1,768. Ortiz has ten seasons, which is half of his career, with at least 100 RBI’S. Ortiz had the good eyes at the plate as well and avoided the strike-out when he could walk 1,319 times which is tied for number 41 all-time. In post-season, Ortiz has 85 games under his belt. Ortiz’s numbers are a tad better with the batting average in the post-season with .289, compares to regular season .286. Ortiz has 17 long balls, 22 doubles and legged out two triples in his post-season resume. Ortiz also has scored 51 runs and driven in 61.

Why did the Seattle Mariners trade David Ortiz? Seattle perhaps did not know what they had. The all-time blunder, a major head-scratcher, is the Minnesota Twins who designated Ortiz for assignment after the 2002 season. Ortiz played six seasons in the Twin Cities and at 27 years old in the 2002 season he batted .272 with 20 homeruns while driving in 75 in 125 games. Ortiz did not even hit his prime yet. The Twins could not find a trade partner with those numbers? The biggest bone-headed move, maybe in sports history, by a GM. Terry Ryan the General manager of Twins somehow thought that was a great idea. Twins have not won a playoff series since letting Ortiz go. Maybe it’s “The Curse of the Big Papi,” perhaps while the Red Sox would win three World Series. Ortiz was a great locker room guy. Ortiz was the face of the franchise giving an inspirational speech while backing it up on the field during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. His smile will say it all this Summer when he makes his speech at Cooperstown, probably with some great words. Ortiz was a for-sure bet to get in on his first ballot as the sports writers got this one “write.” I would have liked to see a higher percentage of voting because Ortiz was a for-sure thing. Congratulations Big Pappi!    

OSCAR, OSCAR, OSCAR

The Chicago White Sox continue their domination on the Cuban market of international free agent signings. Nicknamed the Cuban Ohtani because he can pitch and hit for power like the Angels superstar, Shohei Ohtani. The 23-year-old out of Santiago de Cuba, Oscar Cola’s, will be coming to the South side of Chicago as he commits to a 2.7 Million dollar deal. Cola’s bats left and throws left and could be invited to Spring training. If Cola’s starts in the minors for the White Sox, he should be one of the top prospects in the White Sox farm system.

Oscar Cola’s has a fastball that can steadily hit the 90’s mark. Cola’s fastball even got up to 95 MPH. Cola’s is expected to be a position player only as he take a corner outfielder spot. The left-handed slugger has put up big numbers so far in the Cuban baseball league and swung the lumber well in Japan. In 187 games playing on foreign land, Cola’s has a batting average of .282 with 28 bombs while driving in 116 over 4 seasons. The White Sox are filled with his countrymen on the White Sox roster that features Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, Luis Robert and Yoan Moncarda. White Sox have a few guys from Cuba in the farm system as well featuring Yoelqui Cespedes and Micker Adolfo. Both Cespedes and Adolfo are outfielders that bat from the right side. White Sox are in need of a right fielder, so could Oscar Cola’s have an inside track batting from the left side? The arrival of Cola’s to the Major leagues will be must watch television. Maybe he’ll tattoo a few balls of the Goose head in right field. Instead of splash homeruns or a roof top, White Sox could have a Goose Island counter.

THE BLOODY SOCK IS OFF THE BALLOT

The shit hit the fan this week as some controversial players fell off the map of the Major League Hall Of Fame ballot. Some of the all-time greats known for being on performance-enhancing drugs during parts of their career will have their fates decided by the ERA committees in the future. Down the line, the Seniors committee will get their say if the ERA Committees pass on them. For now some of the Roid-Mongers and the bloody sock have fallen short of the 75% vote they need to get to be a member of Cooperstown. All of them had been on the ballot for ten years and failed to get in by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Curt Schilling in year ten only was able to muster up 58.6% of the vote. Schilling is not lumped in with the Steroids guys. Taking all the baseball merits alone that Curt Schilling has accomplished on the diamond without knowing what kind of guy he was, he should have already been in Cooperstown. Writers and fans don’t like what Schilling says off the field which to me is the reason he is not being enshrined in Cooperstown.

The RHP Curt Schilling has played 20 seasons in the major leagues. Schilling has played for five different organizations starting with his days in Philadelphia when he was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox. Schilling had stops in Arizona, Boston, Baltimore and Houston. Schilling’s pitching earned him a spot on the Phillies Wall Of Fame and enshrined in the Red Sox Hall Of Fame. Schilling’s regular season numbers have him pitching in 569 games, logging in over 3,000 Innings with a record of 216-146 while posting a 3.46 ERA. Schilling made 436 starts in his career while saving 22 games out of the bullpen. Schilling is part of the 3,000 strike out club as well. In the post-season,  Schilling’s numbers are off the chart with an 11-2 record posting a 2.23 ERA and let’s not forget pitching with one of his socks soaking from the blood coming out of his right ankle.

Curt Schilling was a big part of three World Series titles. Schilling made history pitching and being a part of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ first ever title. Schilling made history with the Red Sox in 2004 when the team finally broke the curse of the Bambino and the second longest, at the time, World Series drought. Schilling a six time all-star. Schilling was World Series MVP in 2001. Schilling was NLCS MVP in 1993. Schilling won the Roberto Clemente award in 2001. Schilling was a 2 x MLB wins leader in the years 2001 and 2004. Schilling was also a 2x NL strikeout leader in 1997 and 1998. That’s quite a loaded baseball career right there in achievements.

In the show the Honeymooners, Ralph Kramden, played by actor Jackie Gleason, had a big mouth. Curt Schilling has a big mouth along with his social media posts which probably sunk any hopes that he had of getting into Cooperstown. Everyone knows that certain person on Facebook that uses it as their own personal soap box. Many people have friends and family members that can argue tooth and nails over politics, which is sticky topic and especially these days. I know someone that does believe the Holocaust, back in World War two, in his mind never existed. Schilling has a World War two collection that he spends his money on. Schilling has some Nazi memorabilia that he has found, purchased, and added to his collection. Schilling I would say is a history buff. Tweets made by Schilling gets people crawling out of their skin thinking he believes in Nazism. Schilling is throwing stats that proclaim 5-10 % of Muslims become Extremists while 7 % of the German population were Nazi’s on the twitter. Where do you find stats like that? The Nazi party had their country held hostage back in World War II. Citizens were scared. Citizens were brainwashed. I’m sure they also had a following and still do to this day. Like Extremists, they are not born to raise hell. The surroundings does it. What is happening around them? Other controversial things that came out of Schilling is words that Donald Trump said about a teenager saying in ten years he would date her. Schilling would rant and rave about thinking how someone is beautiful as a teen female or male will probably be a possible knock out when they reach the age of 18 and beyond.  Most people are going to look at a rump on someone younger. Most people will notice perky breasts on younger people. Sounds sick looking at a teenager. Most of the time, it is hard to determine the age of anybody. However noticing how someone younger looks it can bring an adult back to their past about someone they knew. Not everything is, “I’m going to take your teenager on a date tonight and have my way.” You know certain people are going to grow up breaking many other hearts because of their looks.  

Curt Schilling is not shy on anything he has said over the years. Schilling has said negative things about former players he has played with  On a variety of things he thought that were wrong about the way they played the game and criticized them on it. Throwing players under the bus is not going to win you many votes. Schilling wanted to lynch most of the journalists. Writers could bend his words and change his phrases around making it look and feel like words that will hurt others, rather than just the truth. Schilling gets people riled up because he is a Donald Trump backer. Schilling has backed other republicans but took a stand against his own party as well on things and what Presidents of the past have said and done. These days many people don’t have tough skin. Historical statues throughout the United States of people that were celebrated as heroes at one point, have been taken down. Someone found something he or she believed in or said in another period of time. A different world we were not a part of. The pen is mightier than the sword. Words do hurt. People do change. People do say stupid things at some point they’d like to take back. We are Human. I’m just afraid the younger generation will vote in cheaters like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemons for cheating the game by doing steroids. Curt Schilling will not get in because he says things that get people talking. Freedom of speech you agree with or disagree. The freedom of speech card or the freedom to vote how you want to is what this country is all about. If you did not know the person and went by the stats and achievements by the individual, Schilling should have landed at Cooperstown years ago. The Hall Of Fame is not perfect in all the members they do have. Some have landed in Cooperstown through the cracks. Curt Schilling on the field and on the field only, should get him in.       

THE BEATING OF THE GONG

Shingo Takatsu was pretty much a one-year-wonder in his brief MLB career that lasted two seasons. He’s known as Mr. Zero in the Japanese league for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, who racked up 260 saves as a closer.

In 2004, Takatsu came to the states and signed with the Chicago White Sox. Takatsu did not impress you with his 86 MPH fast ball. Takatsu would baffle hitters with his turtle pace change up that went at speeds as low as 68 MPH. It was the frisbee pitch which Takatsu used as his wipe out pitch. The frisbee Takatsu threw with a side arm delivery and just buckled the knees out of the opposing batters. Takatsu made the ball pretty much do tricks like a kid using a yo-yo. The RHP Mr. Zero became like Red Dawn on the south side of Chicago; a cult classic where he was must-see television. In the movie Major League, Ricky Vaughan walked out of the bullpen in a save situation with his theme song, “Wild Thing” blasting in the background. When it was Shingo time, the beating of the gong let you know who was coming in. Takatsu is now a manager of the former team he played for in Japan all those years ago. Takatsu as manager won the 2021 Japan World Series leading his Tokyo Yakult Swallows to the promised land.  

In 2004 in Shingo Takatsu’s first season, he pitched back then for Ozzie Guillen who at the time was manager on the South side. His first season many never heard of Mr. Zero or even saw him. Advantage goes to the pitcher in these cases. Takatsu’s first season he finished second in votes for rookie of the year. At 35 years of age, out of the White Sox bullpen, he pitched in 59 games & had a record of 6-4 with 19 saves racking up 50 strikeouts in 62.1 innings of work. Takatsu’s ERA was an impressive 2.31. In his second year at the age of 36, it seemed the league caught on to Mr. Zero. In 2005 the White Sox would go all the way and win their first World Series in 88 years. Shingo Takatsu would not be around for that terrific playoff run made by the White Sox. Takatsu did chip in with 8 saves that season as the White Sox had three different closers in that championship season as we all know Bobby Jenks became a legend closing the door on the regular season action and into the post-season. Mr. Zero would pitch in 31 games in 2005 for the White Sox but posted a 5.97 ERA in 28.2 innings of work as he gave up 9 long balls with 1-2 record. Takatsu would latch on to the Mets at the end of the 2005 regular season and pitched in 9 games and posted a better ERA than with the White Sox. Takatsu pitched 7.2 innings posting a 2.35 ERA. In 2006 he tried again in the MLB with other clubs and never pitched again. In two seasons, Shingo Takatsu finished up with a 8-6 record overall while posting a 3.38 ERA in 99 games. Takatsu threw 98.2 innings while striking out 88 guys and saving 27 ball games.

Shingo Takatsu did not know what to expect when he arrived in Chicago at the time. Takatsu did get a World Series ring which he displays on his mantel back in Japan. Takatsu loved his time with the White Sox and the attention he got from White Sox fans. The former closer wishes he could have been a part of the team’s playoff run. In two seasons Takatsu soaked in Ozzie Guillen’s style of managing as he loved playing for him. Takatsu as manager back in Japan used some of the same styles Guillen did back when he managed and it helped him reach an ultimate goal. Winning the Japanese league as a manager. It was the first time the Tokyo Yakult Swallows had taken the title since the 2001 season.  Shingo Takatsu’s frisbee pitch will always be remembered by the White Sox faithful. Songs like “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” from Steam, and the banging of the gong will be played in heads of the White Sox faithful until they pass away and beyond. It’s a great story what Mr. Zero has done as a player & now a manager. For the White Sox he will always be the first Japanese born player to play baseball for the White Sox organization. Like Red Dawn, Shing Takatsu will always be a cult classic in Chicago.       

THE MELK-MAN HAS STOPPED DELIVERY

Before Melky Cabrera arrived on the south side of Chicago, you thought “another damn Yankee.” Cabrera earned a World Series ring with the Evil Empire Yankees in 2009, the team he began his MLB career with. Thoughts of another steroid junkie busted in 2012 while playing for the Giants, by far his best year, as he made his first all-star team which would be his only appearance in the mid-Summer classic. Cabrera would not even make the Giants post-season roster in 2012 after serving the 50 game suspension. Sometimes when you judge a book by its cover, you’re totally wrong. Cabrera was a switch hitter with the lumber fun and came up clutch. With his stint with the White Sox, he did a little bit of everything. Cabrera was fun to watch and a great locker room guy. After 15 seasons, 8 towns, & multiple routes, at the age 37 Cabrera is handing his keys to truck and is done delivering on the baseball diamond.

Last time Melky Cabrera played was the 2019 season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cabrera’s lone season in black and yellow, he played in 133 games & had a batting average of .280 with 7 long balls while driving in 47. Pretty good numbers for many teams that could use an outfield that can man both corner pieces in the grass. Cabrera would hook on with the Mets’ minor league team in 2020 in the shortened pandemic season but never got the call. Cabrera has played some winter ball in his home country of the Dominican Republic the last two years. With the lock out going with no time line when things would get ironed out, perhaps it is time to hang up the spikes for good. Cabrera played 5 seasons with the Yankees and three with the White Sox. Then he did parts of two seasons with the Royals and Blue Jays. For the Indians, Giants and Braves, he was in uniform for only one season with them.

It is a shame because Melky Cabrera missed on some of his own milestones with the bat. Cabrera played in 1,887 games and racked up 1,962 hits. Cabrera could have easily had 2,000 games played with 2,000 hits if he played another season. Cabrera finished his MLB career with a .285 batting average while hitting 144 home runs and driving in 854 runs. Cabrera easily could have hit 6 more long balls for 150 if he had another season to do that. Cabrera swiped 101 bags so he was a guy that did a lot for your everyday lineup. For the White Sox, Cabrera played in 407 games on the southside racking up 464 hits with 39 home runs while driving in 219 with a respectable batting average of .287. Cabrera played in 25 post-season games throughout his career. Cabrera was short and stout as he was shaped like a milk truck. Cabrera was durable and put a lot of miles on the threads doing his route for 15 years. Melky delivered in my book. The switch-hitting outfielder can walk away from the game with his head held up high. Cabrera was a guy that enjoyed the game and showed it every day living a dream many youngsters have.     

IMPOSTER OF THE DARK SIDE

How would you like to see your mug on the Tonight show? Host Jimmy Fallon, on The Tonight Show, does a segment where he tries to look like exactly like a certain person in whatever photos he gets that would work. In this case, Jimmy Fallon was trying to be White Sox season ticket holder, Jake Von Esh. Fallon gets the look down perfect including the two Modelo beers on the helmet.

Sports writer Allen Bell submitted the photo of Jake Von Esh to Twitter in hopes that Jimmy Fallon would use it in his look-alike segment. Jake Von Esh will get his 15 minutes of fame, as he is a White Sox season ticket holder. Von Esh tows that long line of great Chicago mustaches that seem to never go out of style.

Actor and Chicagoan Denis Farina, was also a former police officer and in those Old Style beer ads. Then the Chicago Super Fans supported the ‘stache.

Jimmy Fallon is a great comedian with a great late night show to cap the night off. Fallon has now doubled-dipped his Sox alliance on National Television.

Jimmy Fallon was a Red Sox fan in the romantic sports movie, Fever Pitch. Jimmy Fallon’s real alliance is to the… Don’t say it…

Damn Yankees. Looks like the Dark side has gotten another member for their fully-operational Death Star, and his name is Jimmy Fallon. Now when Jimmy comes on you may have something wrong with your television. Don’t let the Dark Side suck you in through your television screen.  

THE DEATH STAR ADDING SOME NO-SLEEVES TO THEIR PEN

When Jimmy Cordero took the pitching rubber, people had to think, “Look at the pipes on this guy.” Cordero, like many blue collar workers, would roll up his sleeve on his pitching arm and flash the pipes. The 30-year-old RHP missed the entire 2021 season due to the elbow on his pitching arm that resulted in Tommy John surgery. The White Sox did not have room for Cordero on their 40-man roster hoping they could stash him away in their farm system. No dice… the Yankees are taking a chance on Cordero’s recovery and bringing him to the Death Star on a minor league deal. Codero is expected back at some time during the first few months of the 2022 season.

Jimmy Codero has pitched with three teams in 3 different parts of three seasons to start his major league career. Cordero started with the Nationals in 2018. Then in 2019, the Dominican Republic native did not pitch well up north of the border for the Blue Jays. When the White Sox got their hands on Codero later in 2019, he pitched lights out. In 36 innings, Cordero had a record of 1-0 while posting a very nice 2.75 ERA in a White Sox uniform. In 2020, Cordero had an ERA that rose to 6.08 as he pitched in 30 games of that shortened season. Was he overused? Cordero pitched in the post-season in that first round in Oakland as well. His career numbers so far have him with 3-5 record in 83 games with a 4.55 ERA. I like that Cordero has 65 strikeouts in 83 Innings pitched. Cordero has a great sinker that induces many ground ball outs. His fast ball can reach up to 97 MPH.  Many pitchers after Tommy John surgery bounce right back to where they left off. Obviously, Yankees are looking for the Cordero of 2019 as this could be a nice pick up from one of last year’s playoff teams. I know in baseball it is hard to keep everyone protected as teams can pluck guys not on your 40-man roster. This may be a move the White Sox would like to have back. Cordero is a guy that can be used in the 6^th or 7^th inning. Cordero could pitch multiple innings if needed. I trust him coming in to close games. I trust him to come in and clean up a bad inning that went wrong. Cordero’s pipes now will be showcased on a bigger stage in New York.

REMEMBERING LAMARR HOYT

The two pitchers I’ve seen just dominate one baseball season for the Chicago White Sox, in my time watching them as a fan, are LaMarr Hoyt and Jose Contreras. In 2005, Contreras was pitching lights out around the halfway point of the season that continued in the post-season and into the 2006 season. I remember the White Sox starting rotation in 2005 post-season versus the Angels pitching 4 complete games. Something unheard of nowadays as bullpens have taken over half the games in the post-season it seems. Jose Contreras was one of those guys who was dealing nasty stuff, just unhittable, in those playoffs. When I was younger & playing Pee Wee baseball, as a fan I saw LaMarr Hoyt’s magical year of 1983. One of the most beloved teams of all-time on the south side. Winning Ugly was what they called that team. Hoyt baffled hitters all year long as he won the American League Cy-Young award with a record of 24-10 with 3.66 ERA. In the playoffs, Hoyt got the White Sox off to a great start in the series versus the Orioles, a five hit gem. White Sox won 2-1 and game one in the best of the five game series. Hoyt beat the Orioles’ best starter in that series, Scott McGregor. Orioles would then win three straight games to take the series. Hoyt would never see the post-season again. The memory of that year of LaMarr Hoyt pitching with no fear will be etched in the memory banks for a lifetime. I was sorry to hear of LaMarr Hoyt passing away at the young age of 66 years old.

 

LaMarr Hoyt was originally drafted by the New York Yankees, all the way back in 1973. Hoyt would never play for the Yankees as he was taken in the 5^th round of the Amateur draft. In 1977, the White Sox and Yankees swung a multi-player deal that involved Hoyt coming to Chicago. Yankees would get Bucky Dent who would become a legend for the pinstripes years later. Hoyt came up for the White Sox as a September call up and pitched two scoreless innings in his first cup of coffee in the majors. In 1982, Hoyt’s first full season, he led the American league in wins finishing the season with a 19-15 record posting a 3.53 ERA in 39 games of which 32 were starts. Then things changed for Hoyt and the White Sox in 1984. The team and Hoyt had a disappointing season as he finished 13-18 with 4.47 ERA. Carlton Fisk would make a crack at the pitcher’s weight as he was a husky type of guy. White Sox would deal the pitcher to the San Diego Padres in 1985. Hoyt was involved in another multi-player deal. The White Sox would get shortstop Ozzie Guillen and White Sox fans know what he did as a player and a manager of the team. Hoyt would pitch well for the Padres in his first season going 16-8 in 31 starts posting a 3.47 ERA and making the all-star game in which he was the starter. Hoyt would pitch only 8 big league seasons. Hoyt finished his career with a 98-68 record with 3.99 ERA. Hoyt had 48 complete games, 10 saves, and had 8 shutouts as well.

LaMarr Hoyt’s career would only last 8 seasons for multiple reasons. Doctors believed Hoyt’s arm was completely shot before the 1986 season. Off the field, Hoyt’s problems piled up. Hoyt crossed the California border, and as he tried to return from Tijuana, Mexico, he was pulled over with drugs. The border patrol found Valium, Quaaludes and Marijuana. Hoyt would pay a fine. It did not take long for the problems to pile on in Hoyt’s world. His marriage fell apart and he was served divorce papers. Hoyt ran a red light, & then was busted with possession of Marijuana and a switchblade knife. Padres management had no other choice and sent Hoyt to rehab. Hoyt would head to a clinic in Minnesota for rehab for drug and alcohol abuse. Hoyt would pitch for the Padres in 1986, by far his worst season in the big leagues. Even though, Hoyt made 25 starts in his final season, & had a record of 8-11 while posting a high ERA of 5.15. Then in October of the same year, Hoyt would get busted again for crossing the border. The 31-year-old RHP would be busted with over 500 pills stuffed in his pants and socks. Hoyt would get the charges reduced to misdemeanors. Hoyt had to pay a $5000.00 fine. Plus, he had to forfeit his Porsche as part of the plea bargain agreement. The war on drugs in the 1980’s meant they loved taking your possessions in any kind of drug bust.

It’s a shame when anybody goes down the dark roads of drugs. LaMarr Hoyt’s demons cost him his baseball career and killed many relationships with friends and family. It is a sickness that some people walk down a road and have very hard time turning the corner. It was your typical Chicago thing when your team has a dominating year as the White Sox had a hell of a pitching staff that year, with LaMarr Hoyt, Richard Dotson, Britt Burns, and Floyd Bannister. The White Sox had plenty of offense as well. In 1984, the team failed big time with a down year. Winning Ugly would be a one-season wonder. It is a shame because in game 4 of that playoff series in 1983 with the Orioles, the White Sox would lose that one in extra innings to a Tito Landrum game-winning homerun. Orioles knew they needed to win that game because LaMarr Hoyt was on deck to pitch game 5 of that series. Would history itself have changed if the White Sox managed to win that game four? As a White Sox fan or a sports fan, we tell ourselves all the time, “If this or that would have happened, it would change our team’s outcome.” The change we see with our team is them winning the entire thing.

The 1983 Winning Ugly team will go down as one of my favorite White Sox teams of all-time, as a fan watching them from the start of the 1980’s. That team in the early 1980’s was the first time the White Sox won anything since their last time in the post-season, which was losing to the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series. LaMarr Hoyt was a thrill for a seven-year-old lad at the time. I became a pitcher myself in little league and wanted Hoyt’s no-fear mound presence. Great teams don’t last that long. Hoyt was one of many players I loved on that team which gave me great memories and turned me into a dedicated fan of the White Sox until this day. You just knew when Hoyt took the rubber in any start, something special was going to happen. The big burly guy with a beard at times, or just a great mustache, would razzle and dazzle the opposing team as us fans watched every pitch from the edge of our seats. Hoyt would get his life back together after his baseball career. Hoyt died of a lengthy illness in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. This is the second player from that 1983 team to pass away. Dick Tidrow pitched out of the White Sox bullpen in that Winning Ugly year. Thanks for the memories, Mr. Hoyt. 66 is far too young. Rest in peace.    

SOME SIGNIFICANT TRADES BEFORE THE MLB SHUT DOWN

TRADE:

BOSTON RED SOX & MILWAUKEE BREWERS

The Red Sox and Brewers swung a deal at the last minute before the league went into a shutdown. It’s a four player deal involving both teams. Boston sends outfielder Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee along with two infielder prospects, David Hamilton and Alex Binelas. Milwaukee sends Boston their former outfielder, Jackie Bradley Jr., who left in free agency last season and signed a two-year deal in Brew Town. Hunter Renfroe was a free agent that the Red Sox signed last off-season. Both Renfroe and Bradley Jr. are the headliners of this trade. Both have one year remaining on their deals. Brewers get some extra pieces to do this trade to improve their farm system at the same time.

Jackie Bradley Jr. spent 8 seasons in Boston before leaving town last season. The Red Sox drafted Bradley Jr. as he went through Boston’s farm system. Bradley hits from the left side and has some power. Bradley Jr. did not do well with the lumber in his lone year in Milwaukee as he played in 134 games and had an average of .163. Bradley Jr. is known for his glove work & then his bat hit .283 in his last season in Boston before he hit free agency. Boston is giving up offensive production for defense in this move. Bradley Jr. is 31-years-old and in his lifetime numbers, he has batted .230 with 104 long balls and 405 RBI’S in nine seasons. That was his worst year with the bat in his hands. Boston feels like they know their guy and he should get back to career numbers ,or being back home Bradley Jr. may have a bounce-back year with the lumber.

Hunter Renfroe started his career with the San Diego Padres. Renfroe would play his first 4 seasons in San Diego. Renfroe is a right-handed hitting slugging corner-outfielder. The last three seasons, Renfroe has not even bothered unpacking his suitcases. In 2020, Renfroe had a down year with the Rays. Last season, Renfroe had a bounce-back year as he hit .259 with 31 bombs and drove in 96. Renfroe will slide into Avisail Garcia’s spot, who left in free agency and signed with the Marlins. With this move, the Brewers would get the same production in one of their corner-outfielder spots to keep their everyday lineup intact.

Brewers also improve their farm system in this deal at the same time by netting two prospects. David Hamilton is 24-years-old and was selected in the 8^th round of the 2019 draft. Hamilton by trade is a short stop who bats from the left side and has good hands. Hamilton becomes the Brewers’ 15^th top prospect in their system. Then Alex Binelas is only 21-years-old and plays third baseman by trade. Binelas was drafted last season in the third round.

TRADE:

SEATTLE MARINERS & SAN DIEGO PADRES

San Diego Padres were possessed last season wheeling and dealing many deals to get their team to the post-season. Mariners meanwhile just missed getting the second wild card in the American League as their long playoff drought continues. Padres depleted their farm system working all those deals before the season and at the deadline with the results being finishing third in the NL West. Not making the playoffs, Padres fire their manager. Padres unload one of the pieces they got at the trade deadline last season in a deal with the Pirates. Padres send second baseman Adam Frazier to Seattle. Padres get two prospects back in return. The Mariners send the Padres a hard throwing LHP in Raymond Kerr and an outfield prospect, Corey Rosier.

Adam Frazier, the 30-year-old second baseman, who can dabble in the outfield as well, made his first all-star appearance of his career for the Pirates. Then Frazier was dealt to the Padres at the deadline. Frazier finished 5^th in hits in the National League last season. Frazier combined for both the Pirates and Padres, batted .305 with 5 long balls and drove in 43.  It was the best season of his career to this point. Frazier did better with the Pirates than the Padres last season. For the Padres in 57 games, Frazier hit .267, with 1 home run and 11 driven in. Frazier has six seasons in the Majors under his belt and his lifetime numbers have him batting .281 with 40 bombs driving in 215 as a table setter in the line-up. Mariners get a guy for the top of their lineup card who bats from the left side and is a contact hitter. Frazier can play some solid defense so the Mariners will not lose anything on defense.

Padres probably feel like they have a replacement in mind for Adam Frazier in-house. This trade gives the team a chance to replenish the farm system. Raymond Kerr is the interesting piece that Padres got in return. Padres get a LHP in Raymond Kerr who is 27-years-old and is a flamethrower. Kerr can bring the heat at 100 MPH on his fastball. Corey Rosier at 22 years of age was 12^th round pick in the 2021 amateur draft. Rosier is out of UNC Greensboro where he played his college ball. Rosier turns some heads in his first season in the minors.    

HUDSON’S ADVENTURE ISLAND

Daniel Hudson’s career in the MLB has been an adventure. Perhaps you can name it Hudson’s Adventure Island, like the Nintendo video game. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox, Hudson has already had 12 seasons under his belt. The RHP Hudson, 34 years old, has traveled and played for 7 different organizations. Once he was a starter in the league that won 16 games in a season, and then turned into a jack-of-all-trades reliever in the bullpen. Hudson’s adventure now is heading back to LA in his second stint with the Dodgers organization. Hudson gets a one-year deal worth 7 million with a club option to return to the Dodgers.

You look at trades your team made years ago, and sometimes you have to scratch your head. Why did the White Sox need starter Edwin Jackson at the time? Jackson was on the Diamondbacks that year. It was 2010 & the White Sox thought they may have been in a playoff chase and dealt Hudson for Jackson and received another minor league pitcher. Hudson was impressive when he first took the bump. Hudson went 7-1 for the snakes to finish that 2010 season. In 2011, Hudson went 16-11 for the Diamondbacks with a 3.49 ERA.  Then injuries would plague Hudson in 2012 with some shoulder issues as he made only nine starts. Hudson would miss the entire 2013 season due to injuries. In 2014, Hudson returned to action as a relief pitcher and threw three more years out of the Snakes bullpen. In 2017, Hudson went to Pittsburgh & had a bad season there. In 2018, he joined the Dodgers and had a bounce-back year. In 2019, Hudson went back to the American league and pitched Up North in Canada for the Blue Jays. Jays traded Hudson to the Nation’s capital. For Washington, Hudson pitched lights out down the stretch. Hudson had a 3-0 record with a 1.44 ERA. Hudson helped the Nationals win the World Series that year. Hudson struggled in the shortened 2020 season. Last season, Hudson pitched well for the Nationals & then was traded to the San Diego Padres. For the Padres, Hudson allowed 11 runs in 19 innings pitched. Last season combined, Hudson had a record of 5-3 with a 3.31 ERA. Hudson’s career numbers give him a 57-40 record while posting a 3.86 ERA and he has 27 saves to his credit.

The Dodgers have a few of their own relievers who have entered the free agent market. Kenley Jansen and Joe Kelly could both be questionable to return to LA. Dodgers need some arms in the late innings and Daniel Hudson has taken that job since becoming a reliever. Hudson has 27 saves under his belt so he can close the door if needed. Hudson is mostly a guy that takes either the 6^th or 7^th inning of the game or at times can be the set-up guy in the 8^th. Hudson, like most relievers, has years where they are good & then some seasons could be subpar. Hudson does not have any bad years unless you count the 2020 season’s pitching during the pandemic. Hudson was unfairly criticized by fans in 2019 because he skipped a playoff game to see the birth of his first kid. You have to like a guy that cares and thinks, “Family first.” The more family-oriented guys you have on a team, I think it builds a better chemistry on a team. Right now, Dodgers addressed a need they have and crosses something off the list.   

THE BAT LICKING TOUR HEADING TO THE KBO

Yasiel Puig’s tour of baseball leagues is now heading to Korea. Puig, AKA the bat-licker, has a one-year deal with the Kiwoom Hereos of the KBO, Korean Baseball Organization. Last season, Puig played in the Mexican league. Once a promising slugging outfielder who defected Cuba, his home country, at the age of 21, he has had maturity problems follow him from league to league. Puig intended to come back to the majors in 2022, but took a one-year deal with the Hereos for right now, worth 1 million. Foreign ball players in their first season in the KBO have a limit. The maximum teams can pay them is one mil.

Last season for Mexico’s El-Aguila, Yasiel Puig played in 62 games and batted .312 with ten long balls. Puig has not played in the Majors since 2019 when he suited up for the Indians. It was the season he split time with the Ohio teams as the Reds dealt him to Cleveland at the trade deadline. Puig started his career in Dodger Blue where he played parts of six seasons. Dodgers thought he was a head case but talented, and dealt him to the Reds before he did something that would hurt his trade value. Puig has put up good numbers in the MLB in 7 years. Puig has played in 861 games while racking up 834 hits with a batting average of .277. Puig has hit 132 balls into the seats & scored 441 runs while driving in 415. In 2020, Puig signed with the Braves, but he was a victim of Covid that killed that contract. Teams like the Marlins and the Orioles kicked the tires on Puig, but nothing happened as he probably turned them down.

Maybe Yasiel Puig is trying to find himself in life. Puig has settled a Civil sexual suit that has been haunting him. The accuser has accused him of sexual assault & intentional imprisonment. Puig has denied these accusations and paid off the party to go away. The bat licker is 31 years old, and he has talent enough to play the game of baseball at a high level and be paid like a professional. Puig‘s antics such as bat flipping, bat licking and watching his homeruns in the batter’s box sail into the seats, can damper a locker room. These antics have led to more than one bench-clearing brawl. The KBO could just be the road back to the MLB. Get away from everything and block out all the noise to just play baseball. Clearing his thoughts & getting a perspective on life. Maybe in 2022 after the KBO season, or in 2023, Yasiel Puig may resurface somewhere in the MLB.      

LYLES CONTINUES HIS SWIM IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL OF THE MLB

In one of the episodes of Seinfeld, Elaine needed help getting rid of the stumps of the muffins. Elaine was running a muffin shop, and their deal was selling the tops of the muffin in her bakery. The homeless did not want to eat just the stumps. Elaine called in a specialist.

Yes, Newman!!! Newman’s like a hit-man, someone needed to eradicate something was called in on a special mission. A mission to wipe out all the remaining stumps from the muffin tops.

The Baltimore Orioles are in the same boat as Elaine. The Orioles need pitching. The Orioles have been rebuilding, it seems for decades. Orioles have a young team. A lot of young prospects. The birds of Baltimore need a guy in their rotation that can eat some innings up. The 31-year-old RHP, Jordan Lyles, got the call for this mission. Lyles gets a one-year deal worth 7 million to get the job done. Lyles can earn another 11 million if he gets the job done right, as Orioles have a club option in the deal for 2023.

No one swims in the bottom of the barrel teams in the MLB better than Jordan Lyles. Last season, the Rangers were in a complete tear down and selling off most of their merchandise not bolted down. Lyles’ job was to eat up innings in a young rotation the Rangers had with some guys getting their first cup of coffee in the big leagues. Lyles made 30 starts, had a record of 10-13, with an exploding ERA of 5.15. It’s not the ERA, wins, or losses that mattered to Texas. They just needed a body to go there and pitch every 5 days. Lyles helps the bullpens for some of these bottom dwellers in the league not to get over-worked every day. Lyles started his career in Houston when they were no good. Cheating was not even on their radar at the time. Lyles has pitched 11 seasons in the MLB. Lyles is 20,000 Leagues under the sea in the MLB featuring: the Astros, Rockies, Padres, Brewers, Pirates, Rangers, and now Orioles.

Brewers may be the only team in Lyles’ resume that was at the time in some kind of playoff chase. Most of Lyles’ career has been with teams playing in the dark times of their organization. His career numbers tell you the tale of the tape, 54-79 record with an ERA posted over 5 which is 5.21 exactly. Lyles will give some mentorship to the young-ins on the Orioles roster. His job is a specialist like Newman to do one job. Make his starts every 5 days and eat up innings. Maybe Lyles can break the rut and pitch well for the Oriole birds. He could get traded at the deadline and be in some kind of playoff chase. Either way, this move should work well for Baltimore.

CUBS PLAYING HOKEY POKEY WITH THEIR FAN BASE

Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts has said the Cubs are in and will make a splash this off-season. Cubs tore things down last season as they traded away their core position players. Once they were the Untouchables.

Contracts were not extended for this Untouchable group. Out the door went Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and Kris Bryant. The writing was on the wall. The fire sale was sizzling. Cubs got plenty in return. What was the next plan? The next step after the Cubs had their first losing season since 2014. The Cubs brass have been playing the famous wedding song, the Hokey Pokey. The Cubs put their one hand in, shook it all around, and signed outfielder Clint Frazier, a former Yankee. Then they did the Hokey Pokey explaining that. Cubs brought their hand in quickly because this is a guy with his concussion problems and can’t stay on the field. Then the Cubs put their other hand in to sign a veteran catcher, Yan Gomes. What’s the Hokey Pokey on this signing? No one knows because Wilson Contreras is the only core member of that Untouchable group still left with a year remaining on his deal. Have the Cubs finally actually put their entire body into the Hokey Pokey circle, shook it all around, and found a pitcher? Cubs have a deal with 30-year-old RHP Marcus Stroman on a three-year deal worth 71 million.

Marcus Stroman started his career in Canada for the Toronto Blue Jays. Stroman has pitched 7 seasons in the Majors. Stroman did not pitch in 2020 due to the Covid-19 virus. In 2019, Stroman made his first all-star team & then was traded to the New York Mets. In the same year, Stroman won his first Gold Glove. Last season for the Mets, Stroman made 33 starts, pitched 179 innings, & had a record of 10-13. Stroman’s career numbers consist of a 61-60 record with a 3.63 ERA. 2017 was Stroman’s best year all together winning 13 games. Stroman finished 2017 with a 13-9 record and 3.09 ERA.

Cubs need pitching, pitching, and pitching. Cubs as a team have one of the worst ERA’s as a group last season. The team posted a 4.87 ERA. Marcus Stroman gives the Cubs a bona-fide top three starter in the rotation. With Kyle Hendricks already in place and the addition of Stroman, it gives the team a nice 1-2 punch. If the Cubs can find an ACE & then have Hendricks followed by Stroman, there’s nothing Hokey Pokey about that. Cubs could add another piece before the season. Cubs found a Wade Miley on waivers by the Reds. Then Cubs still have guys they had last year coming back. Do any of these guys scare you? Alec Mills, Adbert Alzohay, Justin Steele, or Keegan Thompson? Some of these guys are young arms. Can some of these young arms make the next step? Stroman can make all his starts and eat up innings for you. Stroman is basically a 500 pitcher. Stroman can razzle and dazzle the opposing teams in some of his starts where he looks like an ACE. Stroman is a vocal guy who could help a locker room or at the same time be a problem with a few guys for maybe too much social media stuff. It’s a nice addition, but I feel like the Cubs will continue to dance in circles where we have more questions and less answers by their front office.  

A TAYLOR FIT FOR LA 

The LA Dodgers are not letting their Taylor walk out the door. Dodgers and their super utility guy Chris Taylor have a deal hammered out. The 31-year-old jack of all-trades has a 4-year deal in place. Taylor lands a 60-million-dollar commitment with a club option year that can bring this deal up to 73 Mil. The Dodgers watched Mad Max Scherzer, who they landed in trade from the Nationals, get a mega deal with the Mets. Then they saw one of their own home-grown players, Corey Seager, hit the road. Seager also landed the big bucks in Texas. Two big pieces gone in a blink of an eye. Inking Taylor became a must do before any other team came in taking another of their guys.  

Chris Taylor started his career in Seattle. The Dodgers brought Taylor over from the Mariners in a minor deal. Taylor was pretty much a guy off the bench for the Mariners that could play multiple positions. Taylor arrived in LA and quickly became a guy needed in the line up every day. Taylor has played every position on the diamond except catcher and first base. Taylor is primarily a second baseman and a center fielder. Last season Taylor batted .254 with 20 long balls and drove in 73. Taylor had a monster year in the post season. Taylor hit 4 homeruns of which one was the walk off victory over the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card game. Career numbers have Taylor batting at .261 with 79 long balls and driving in 309 runs in 8 major league seasons. 

Chris Taylor is a right-handed bat and keeps that Dodger line up potent. Dodgers can use Taylor at second base now most of the time. With Cory Seager gone, Trea Turner who they also got in the Mad Max deal with the Nationals will play short stop. Taylor can fill in for the three starting outfielders the Dodgers have which are AJ Pollock, Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts. Gavin Lux will get some time at second base as well which makes Taylor very valuable to this Dodger team. Dodgers are batting .333 with their own free agents so far. Will the Dodgers bring home Clayton Kershaw in their next move? This is a good move by the Dodgers. I’m sure teams had some interest in Taylor. Every team needs at-least one of these guys.  The numbers Taylor can put up while playing different positions plus big hits in crunch time mean this money is well worth it.   

RED SOX DUSTING OFF SOME OLDIES HOPING THEY ARE STILL GOODIES 

The Red Sox made it all the way to the ALCS last season. Red Sox Ace Chris Sale returned from Tommy John surgery during the regular season. Sale was not his usual Ace Ventura stuff as the stud of the rotation like he was basically his entire career. The team still went deep into the post season. In the start of free agency, the Red Sox lost one of their starters that helped this team do well last season. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez signed a deal with the Detroit Tigers. Red Sox brought in some replacements as they went antique shopping. The return of Rich Hill brings a nice 42-year-old lamp. Then going with a Paxton. A broken-down James Paxton at 33 years old. Both pieces are LHP who been used quite a lot over the years.  

This will be the 7^th stint with the Red Sox for Rich Hill. Hill has played for 17 seasons in the big leagues with multiple teams. Hill has been a reliever and a starter in his career. It was a stint in 2015 with the Red Sox when he was turned back into a starter and went on to have some productive years with his rubber arm. Last year he split his time between the Rays and the Mets. Hill went 7-8 making 31 starts with 3.80 ERA for both teams. In 17 years, Hill has a record of 74-52 while posting a 380 ERA. You would think Hill would have 100 wins by now but we have to remember he did dabble in the team’s bullpen for years. Hill’s traveling circus features the Cubs who drafted him. Hill started his career way back in 2005. Hill played for the Orioles, Angels, Indians, Yankees, A’s, Dodgers, Twins, Rays, Mets, and obviously the Red Sox and he is a native of Massachusetts. Hill gets a 1-year deal worth 5 million. Hill can earn an extra 3 million with incentives.  

James Paxton I’m thinking is a security blanket option for the Red Sox. Paxton returned to the Mariners last season, blew out his elbow, and was limited to 1 start in 1 game while only lasting 1.1 innings of work. Paxton had Tommy John surgery and is expected to be back in the middle of the season next year. Paxton with the Yankees in 2020 had forearm issues and only made 5 starts that year in which he went 1-1, but had a high ERA. Red Sox are hoping Paxton can return to or get close to the guy he was in 2019 for their rival Yankees where he was 15-6 with 3.82 ERA. Paxton has played for only two teams, the Mariners and the Yankees during parts of nine seasons. Paxton’s career numbers stand at a 57-33 record with a 3.59 ERA. Paxton gets a 1-year deal to come to Bean-town. Paxton will get 10 million guaranteed. Paxton gets an interesting and rare two-year club option. 

Red Sox are taking a page out of the St. Louis Cardinals play book. Cardinals at the trade deadline went for two oldies. Cardinals landed Jon Lester and JA Happ. Both pitchers did well for St. Louis as they treaded water until some of the other starters returned from injuries. Both Rich Hill and James Paxton are guys at the end of your rotation. These moves give the Red Sox experience and can get you some wins while eating up innings. Hill could be used in the bullpen. Taking a flyer on Paxton could pay off. Guys returning from Tommy John surgery as soon as they knock off the rust trust their stuff… it’s like business as usual. It gives the Red Sox depth just in case someone struggles or gets injured. The money is not a lot in the baseball world. Only one-year deals if the deals go south.     

ONCE AN INDIAN, NEVER A GUARDIAN, NOW A PIRATE

The Pittsburgh Pirates were without a catcher with major league experience since they dealt Jacob Stallings to the Marlins. Pirates ink former Indian, Roberto Perez, to be the team’s back stop this upcoming season. Perez will get a one-year deal worth 5 million. Perez will get 1 million more than what the team was paying Stallings. Perez, at 32, is one year older than Stallings. Perez may give you a notch better defense than Stallings. Stallings does better with the lumber than Perez. Overall, both these guys are the same type of back stop.

Roberto Perez has played his entire career in Cleveland, which is 8 seasons. Perez has won two Golden Gloves in back-to-back years of 2019 and 2020. Perez’s last season he only played in 44 games for the Indians. Perez struggled with the bat last season batting .149 with 7 long balls driving in 17. In 2020, Perez was not very good with the lumber. In 32 games of the Covid shortened season in 2020, Perez played in 32 games and hit only .165 with 1 homerun driving in 5. Pirates are hopeful they can get the 2019 version of Perez where he hit 24 bombs, batted .239, drove in 63, and caught 119 games.

Roberto Perez may have the slight edge over Jacob Stallings due to his play calling. The Indians have done very well in rolling out young pitching every year. The Pirates used 17 different starters last year. The Pirates are thinking if Perez can help the young pitching staff develop with the good defense, they can look the other way on his hitting. Maybe Perez will give the team a 2019 version of himself. It will all come down to keeping Perez healthy and on the field. The Pirates should have a plan B at catcher just in case. It’s only a one year deal if it does not work out.

CUBS ARE GOING TO GIVE IT A GOMES

The Chicago Cubs made another interesting move by signing a veteran catcher, Yan Gomes, to a 2-year deal worth 13 million. The deal has a club option for a third year. Is this the end of Wilson Contreras on the north side of Chicago? Contreras was the only guy from the “CORE” of position players the untouchables once said, that were not traded away last season in the team’s everything must go sale. The Cubs set a record of guys backing up Contreras’ last season. Cubs had nine different guys who caught at-least one game. Bringing in Gomes could be an insurance policy if Contreras bolts after his final year under contract. The Cubs’ best catching prospect, Miguel Amaya, had Tommy John surgery and will be out a very long time.

Yan Gomes is 35-years-old and still very productive. Gomes has caught 813 games in the big leagues. Gomes was a victim of one of those “Everything Must Go” sales with the Nationals last season. Gomes split time with the Nationals and the A’s. Gomes is a solid defender as he ranked in the middle of the pack just on his defensive skills. Gomes can swing the bat as he hit .252 with 14 homeruns driving in 52 combined with both teams he played for. Gomes has racked up 742 hits in his career with batting average at .247 with 117 bombs while driving in 416. Gomes started his career in Toronto and then went to Cleveland, Washington, Oakland, & now Chicago. Gomes was all-star in 2016 with that Indians team, the same team that blew the World Series to the Cubs. Gomes was part of that 2019 Washington Nationals team that won the entire thing over Houston that went the full distance of seven games.   

Ideally, I would like a Yan Gomes on my playoff roster. Not sure the Cubs are making strides to become a playoff team again. Gomes has options where you can play him. Gomes played some first base and the NL should be getting the DH role back in the fold. You can platoon both Gomes and Contreras at the DH slot and catcher to keep them fresh for the longevity of the long baseball season. Both of these guys in the same line up every day would make this team better. Just one guy, it would not be potent if the Cubs intend to trade Wilson Contreras. The Cubs are taking a stab with Clint Frazier for their outfield. Some of those leftover position players, young guys, did very well for the Cubs. The corner infielders, Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel, had some nice power numbers. Then the trade that brought second baseman Nick Madrigal from the White Sox to the Cubs will be a move to haunt the Southside for years. Cubs should add some pitching, and you never know with the group they are assembling right now.

THE BUCCO REVIEW

YOSHI IS ON FIRST

The Pittsburgh Pirates like what they saw last year in Yoshi Tsutsugo’s play. Pirates bring back the Japanese first-baseman on a 1 year deal worth 4 million. Tsutsugo played a decade of professional ball in his home country of Japan before coming to the states. In an odd year to relocate, Tsutsugo signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. In the start of 2021, Tsutsugo found himself wearing Dodger Blue. Tsutsugo like Jake the Snake Plissken escaped LA. Tsutsugo then latched on to the Pirates and got the playing time he wanted. The 30 year old left-handed hitting first baseman popped 12 home runs into the stands batting .268 in a Pirate uniform. In 132 games in the big leagues, Tsutsugo is a .209 hitter with 16 bombs driving in 56.

I like this move by the Pirates. Does not cost you a lot. Playing time is the key for this former Japanese star. More At-bats & Yoshi Tsutugo will be a productive bat in the Pirates everyday lineup. Tsutsugo can play some right field as well. The DH may be returning to the NL as well. Left handed hitters are very valuable and a player who can play in a few spots is nice to have on your roster.

TRADE: JACOB STALLINGS TO MIAMI

For some reason I thought Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings was going to be a part of this rebuild. The 31 year old back stop is taking his recently won gold glove to South Beach. In return Pirates get three guys. Two pitchers in Zach Thompson and Kyle Nicolas. Then outfielder Connor Scott. Three players for one guy is what you want. Or is it?

Jacob Stallings was drafted by the Pirates in 2012. Stallings came onto the Pittsburgh scene in 2016 as a back up back stop. It wasn’t until 2019 when Stallings emerged as the everyday catcher. Stallings is not that offensive power house catcher that everyone in the league wants. Stalling last season hit .246 with 8 homeruns driving in 53 with 92 total hits. Stallings only hit a total of 9 homeruns before the 2021 season. Stallings is getting better at swinging the bat. He is not a liability like Houston Astros back stop Martin Maldonado who’s an automatic out most of the time. Stallings’ defense is excellent, and he calls a nice game behind the plate. Pirates have no up and coming back stop in the minor leagues. This move is a head scratcher. You can say that Stallings is north of 30 in age. Some catchers have dog years when it comes to the length they can play that position.

Pirates get in return from the Marlins a pitcher with Major League experience. Zach Thompson is a 28 year RHP  who has one year under his belt. Last year for the Marlins in 26 games Thompson made 14 starts, and had a 3-7 record with a nice low 3.24 ERA.

Zach Thompson could be the Pirates swing man next season who comes out of the bullpen and makes some starts if needed. Thompson may be penciled in at that number 4 or 5 slot in the rotation.

The other pitcher, Kyle Nicolas, was drafted by the Marlins in 2018. Nicolas has only pitched in Lower Minor League levels so far. Nicolas is another prospect that the Pirates have collected in hopes they can develop into something.

The outfielder Connor Scott was rated the number 16 prospect in the entire Marlins farm system. Scott harnesses raw power & he needs to learn how to use it. Scott is a speedster as well with powerful arm and has a good glove. Scott might be the big piece in this trade with the Marlins.  

WALKING THE PLANK

Pirates DFA three 29 year olds from their roster. No 30 year birthdays on the Pirate ship.

RHP Chad Kuhl pitched 5 seasons for the Pirates. His entire career has been wearing a Pirates uniform. Kuhl last season went 5-7 with a 4.82 ERA. Life time numbers for Kuhl in a Pirate uniform are he has a 25-30 record with a 4.44 ERA.

LHP Steven Brault pitched six seasons for the Pirates. Only team Brault has played for is the Pirates. Last year Brault went 0-3 with a very high ERA at 5.86. Brault life time numbers in a Pirate uniform consist of a 12-18 record with 4.77 ERA. Brault’s arm tattoos will be missed. In a way he has the look of a real pirate.

First baseman/third baseman Colin Moran with his red beard made him look like an Irish Pirate if there is such a thing. Moran started his career in an Astros uniform. Moran has played 4 seasons with the Pirates. Last year Moran hit .258 with ten homeruns driving in 50. Moran’s life time Pittsburgh numbers have him batting .269 with 44 bombs and 211 driven in. The re-signing of first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo ended Moran’s hope to return to the Pirates for another season.  

RANGERS BRINGING SOME COLOR TO THEIR PITCHING STAFF

The Texas Rangers are painting their rotation Gray. In Jon Gray. Rangers land their third free agent of the off-season by signing Jon Gray, the former Colorado Rockies RHP, to a 4-year deal. The deal is worth 56 million. Rangers last season were trading away anything not nailed down for prospects. This year they are throwing money at big names in the free agent pool. Rangers addressed the middle of their infield with the signings of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to huge deals. Rangers finally got to the starting rotation bringing in the 30-year-old veteran who spent his entire career in Colorado.

The Texas Rangers had the worst ERA out of any starting rotation in the Majors in 2021. The Rangers have a lot of young arms & some of them got their feet wet last year in the Rangers rotation. Some of them got seasoned and took their lumps out there on the bump, pitching for a bad team. Jon Gray since coming into the league in 2016 in his first season has been one of the NL leaders in innings pitched, strikeouts and wins. Gray pitched all his home games in Coors Field, a homerun paradise for hitters. Last season Gray did better at home than on the road as he posted a 4.02 ERA at Coors Field. On the road Gray posted a 502 ERA. Last season Gray pitched for a bad Colorado team and had a record of 8-12 with 4.59 ERA. Gray in six seasons has a career record so far of 53-49 with the same ERA he had last season at 4.59.

The Rangers rotation is the youth gone wild. A bunch of guys still learning the game but who have promise. Dan Dunning in his second season since having Tommy John Surgery came over in the Lance Lynn deal with the White Sox. Dunning went 5-10 with 4.51 ERA in his first season in a Ranger uniform. Kolby Allard, who the Rangers like, is a lefty that did better in the 2^nd half of the season. Allard’s record does not tell you everything as he went 3-12 with a 5.41 ERA. Spencer Howard in 8 starts went 0-3, with a 9.70 ERA. Then Taylor Hearn did both the bull pen and started some games for the Rangers. He had an even record of 6-6 with a 4.66 ERA. Jon Gray will be the wily veteran of this group.

Rangers always have to really open up their wallet if they want any kind of pitching. I think they are overpaying for Jon Gray’s services. The Rangers’ new stadium Globe Life Field is more pitcher-friendly than Arlington Park, the Rangers’ old home. Jon Gray may have better numbers than he is used to. Gray was pitching in the high altitude of Denver, Colorado in Coors Field. How long will it take all these young arms to be major league ready who played last season? Rangers do have some interesting pitching prospects as well. The off-season is not done, so if the Rangers want to get crazy and compete, they need another top arm to go with Gray and hope some of these young arms can be major league pitchers by next season. Not sure of the time period the Rangers are looking at to contend. The team has been very busy. A lot of money has been spent. How far do their check books stretch? That is the next question.    

DOWN GOES FRAZIER

When I think of anyone having the first name Clint, he must be a country singer haling from Nashville,  Tennessee. The Cubs have added a Clint to their outfield mix. Clint Frazier, former Yankee, agrees to a one year deal with the Cubs worth 2.1 million. The Cubs General Manager Carter Hawkins in his first year in the hot seat makes an intriguing move bringing Frazier to Chicago. It’s a low risk kind of high ceiling type of move. Frazier was Cleveland’s number one pick fifth overall in the 2013 MLB draft. Frazier was traded to the Yankees in 2016 as part of that Andrew Miller deal. Since being a New York Damn Yankee, Frazier has shown some flashes of being a slugging outfielder. The struggles to stay on the field have haunted Frazier all 5 seasons in a Yankee uniform.

Howard Cosell had the legendary call in the boxing ring when Muhammad Ali knocked out Joe Frazier in a heavy weight bout.

For Clint Frazier it was an outfield wall he crashed into in 2018 at a Spring training game. Since that play going head first into the left-field wall and suffering a concussion, Frazier has a hard time staying on the field. In 2021 Frazier was limited to 66 games because of dizzy spells and vertigo symptoms. Frazier has faced other injuries besides the regular everyday wear and tear playing the game of baseball. That one play you can say has slowed down his career. In 2019 Frazier played in 69 games & batted .267 with 12 homeruns while driving 38. In the shortened Covid season due to the pandemic, Frazier played in 39 games & batted .267 again with 8 homeruns and 26 RBI’S. Last year in those 66 games Frazier batted only .186, 5 long balls driving in 15. Career numbers has Frazier batting .239 & racking up 169 hits with 29 bombs driving in 97 in parts of five seasons dressed in pinstripes. That’s only 228 games Frazier has played in.

The Cubs had the ultimate Midnight Madness sale at the trade deadline last season. Almost everything in stock was traded off and that included the untouchable core position players that helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016. The Cubs did get some nice pieces back from all those trades. Adding a gamble like Clint Frazier could be a very savvy move if it works out. First of all a change of scenery for Clint Frazier to get out of the pressure cooker of New York would be the best thing for his career. Frazier is only 27. Vertigo can affect a player for years. Just look at the former goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford retired because of concussions and dealing with vertigo. If the Cubs can find a way to keep Clint Frazier on the field, they could have a middle of order guy that can make an impact in the everyday lineup. If the National League gets the DH back that most experts are thinking is coming back, Frazier can catch his breath while not playing the field. If it does not work out in a one year deal of that type of money, Frazier will be getting change found in a couch in baseball terms. If Cubs are doing bad and Frazier does well, they could possibly flip him at the trade deadline.      

TRAVELIN MAN / BEAUTIFUL LOSER

Corey Seager will be a traveling man leaving LA while being a rich beautiful loser signing with the Texas Rangers. Last time the Rangers signed someone to a contract of ten years, it did not work out. In 2001, Rangers broke the bank and signed short stop Alex Rodriguez to a big deal for ten years. Rodriguez would last three seasons in Texas as he was MVP in 2003. All three seasons A-Rod played in Texas, the team was under 500 each year. Rodriguez would be sent to New York and become a Stinking Yankee. Will history repeat itself two decades later as Rangers are throwing out big money and a big amount of  years and sign former Dodger short-stop to a ten year commitment at 325 Million.

The Rangers never added players to surround their ten year investment back then when the team landed the big fish that year in Alex Rodriguez. The Rangers have a better plan this go around as their first big fish they landed  was Marcus Semien, a short-stop by trade but played second base for Toronto last year. Semien and the Rangers agree on a seven year deal worth big money. The Rangers were horrible last year. In two moves opening up their piggy banks, they have already rebuilt their entire middle infield with two huge splashes in free agent pool. That is 61 homeruns between Seager and Semien they have added to their lineup.

Corey Seager is 27-years-old and bats from left side and throws from his right side. Seager was the MVP of the World Series helping the Dodgers win their first World Series since the late 1980’s. In that same post-season, Seager was also MVP of the NLCS as he batted .328. It was the Covid year so Texas was the bubble for the World Series games. Seager did very well at Globe Life Field. Seager has played his entire career with the Dodgers who drafted him as he spent seven seasons in LA. Last year, Seager only played in 95 games in regular season due to taking a pitch off his wrist but still hit .306. In seven seasons Seager has played in 636 games and has a life-time batting average of .297 racking 718 hits with 104 bombs driving in 364. Besides the big deal, Seager has some ties to the Texas organization. Manger Chris Wooward was once a third base coach in LA from 2016-18. Then Rangers hired Tim Hyers to be the team’s new hitting coach as he was working in LA in the 2016-17 seasons.

I never like these ten year deals. It’s very rare that players ever play out the entire contract which will end when Corey Seager is 37 or 38 years old. Albert Pujols came close but was cut loose last year by the Angels and got picked up by Seager’s former team the Dodgers. The Rangers have said more moves will be make so the team is looking to make a run next year. Rangers have plenty of holes to fill. These are two big moves the Rangers made. The Corey Seager move I have to question the length of the deal because of his injury history. Seager in the last 5 seasons has played in 452 games out of a possible 709 which seems like a lot of time off the field. Seager could be a traveling man if his injuries come back on regular basis which will lead the Rangers who have never won a World Series the beautiful losers.

HAIL THE CESAR

The Washington Nationals make their first off-season move by plucking Cesar Hernandez out of the shallow end of the free agent pool. The Nationals blew up their roster last season by wheeling and dealing almost anyone that had value to bring back a slew of prospects. Hernandez will head to his ole stomping grounds in the National League where he started with the Philadelphia Phillies and is very familiar with the NL East. Hernandez, a second baseman by trade, can play other infield positions around the diamond such as short and the hot corner. Hernandez was a utility guy in Philadelphia but won a gold glove at second base for the Indians in 2020. Nationals sign the 31-year-old Hernandez to a one year deal worth 4 million. The deal also has an extra million of incentives if Hernandez can reach it, it could go up to 5 million.

Cesar Hernandez is a switch hitter who set a career high in home runs last season splitting time with the Indians and the White Sox with 21 bombs. The Indians dealt Hernandez to the White Sox at the deadline. Originally I thought this was going to be a great deal for the White Sox who needed a second basemen and guy with experience for the stretch and post-season. Hernandez was the vanilla flavor for the White Sox in 53 games batting .232 with 3 bombs driving in 15. Hernandez’s defense was good, but nothing memorable. This off-season White Sox declined to pick up Hernandez’s option. Hernandez in seven seasons in the majors has racked up 1,005 hits with a life-time batting average of .270. Last season his average went down to .232 as he found his power stroke.

The Nationals need some experience in the infield so veterans like Cesar Hernandez are temporary answers. Washington is in a rebuild as a few veterans sprinkled in can help the younger players get their feet wet in the Majors. Hernandez’s defense and flexibility can help a young pitching staff get outs needed and build confidence at the same time. Hernandez could find himself as a trade chip once again. If he does well, someone may be calling the Nationals for his services at the deadline. I’m sure the Nationals would not mind flipping a veteran like Cesar into a prospect.

BUNDY TAKING HIS SHOES TO MINNEAPOLIS

During the pandemic of 2020, RHP Dylan Bundy thrived in that environment. Maybe it was playing in front of cardboard cut outs. Perhaps just empty stadiums. If a zombie apocalypse of some kind ever went down, some people rise up during that kind of environment.

Dylan Bundy may have been the Governor of the Covid-19 shortened season. Bundy went 6-3 in 11 starts for the LA Angels with a 3.29 ERA in 2020. By far Bundy’s best year pitching in the majors. Last season the 29-year-old Bundy had a rude awakening when the fans returned to all the stadiums. Bundy went 2-9 in 19 starts with an ERA off the charts high at 6.06. YIKES!!! Bundy late in the season would be sidelined by a nagging shoulder strain and go the injury list. Desperate for pitching of any kind, the Minnesota Twins came calling. Twins bringing Bundy to Minnesota on a one year deal worth 4 million. Both parties agree to a club option in 2023 which would hike up Bundy’s salary to 11 million if everything goes well. Twins have a buy out option if things go South.

The Minnesota Twins are hoping that Dylan Bundy has a bounce back year. It was a bad year for Bundy, but he did have six quality starts in him. Bundy started his career in Baltimore. Bundy’s first full season he had 14 starts for the Orioles & he went 10-6 with 4.02 ERA. Bundy was 23-15 after two full seasons in Baltimore. Bundy has a track record. Bundy in 2018 came unhinged and fell off the rails going 8-16 with 5.45 ERA. In 2019, the last year in Baltimore, Bundy had another down year going 7-14 with a 4.79 ERA. Then new scenery meant Bundy did well in his first year with the Angels in the Covid-19 season of 2020. Twins had a very down year last year. Twins traded away players. The team got some pieces back in those trades. Mostly prospects. Twins are a team whom I’m not sure what direction they are headed. The Bundy move this off-season is so far the only move meaning I would not be excited to be a Twins fan in 2022. Bundy’s life time has a 46-57 record with 4.72 ERA. I can see Bundy having a bounce back year in his first year in a Twins uniform as he also playing for a contract. Bundy could be a trade piece at the deadline if that happens & if Minnesota does not do well. The option year will be tricky and is a sticky situation because of Bundy’s track record. It’s like Love and Marriage at some points. What do you do when things go south? Don’t want to end up selling women’s shoes.

BLUE JAYS ADD GAUSMAN TO STARTING COOP

Kevin Gausman has pitched in the Majors for nine seasons. The right-hander has been mostly a guy teams use in the back end of their starting rotation. Gausman signed with the Giants in 2020 where he had an even record of 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA during the pandemic. In 2021, he accepted the Giants’ qualifying offer. Gausman returned to San Francisco and had his best year of his entire career at the age of 30. Gausman and the Giants tinkered with his splitter to form a 4-seam fastball wipeout pitch. Gausman went 14-6 in 33 starts with an ERA of 2.81. He made his first All-Star game and helped the Giants win the NL West as the team won 107 games. The thanks the Giants get is takes a 5-year-deal worth 110 million and heads north to Toronto.

Toronto gave Kevin Gausman pretty much the same type of deal that Robbie Ray got in Seattle. Ray is the former Blue Jay who won the AL Cy-Young award last season. Blue Jays also lost another veteran hurler from their rotation from last year, Steven Matz, who left in free agency and signed with the Cardinals. The question many have is whether Gausman is a one-year wonder. His career started in Baltimore and he pitched there for six seasons. This gave him a record of 39-51 posting a 4.22 ERA. Gausman then went to the National League where he did two seasons in Atlanta, one in Cincinnati, and had a combined record of 8-12. In two seasons in San Francisco, Gausman has gone 17-9 record. Add all the number of Gausman’s career & you get a pitcher under 500 with a lifetime record of 64-72 and an ERA of 4.02. Are the Blue Jays desperate for starting pitching? Can you trust that Gausman will be the same guy from last season in a Giants uniform. Blue Jays also lost one of their slugger infielders in Marcus Semien, who was a cherry on the top of the sundae when they signed him last season, still available late. Blue Jays have plenty of offense with the young up and coming talent they have in position players. When your team loses half of their starting rotation, sometimes General Managers will panic and give guys like Gausman bigger deals that they don’t deserve because of their track record. You never know… this signing might work out well. Sometimes players find their game late in their career; in this case fine-tuning a pitch or two might be the key to success for Kevin Gausman. At least in the bank account it will look that way.

MATZ SPURNS THE METS TO BE A RED BIRD

The New York Mets traded Steven Matz to the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2021 season. I guess the Mets wanted Matz back as he became a free agent. The Mets owner called out Matz’s agent. Called him unprofessional. Matz is originally from Long Island, New York and was drafted by the Mets. Matz pitched for the Mets from 2015 through the 2020 season. Maybe Matz was thinking of returning to his ole stomping grounds. Perhaps someone should let the Mets owner know, “If you wanted to keep Matz on your team, why did you trade him in the first place?” Drama!!! Matz will not be returning to the Big Apple, and instead he strikes a deal with the Cardinals. The 30-year-old LHP Matz and the Cardinals have a 4-year agreement worth 44 million.

Steven Matz had a career year with the Blue Jays last season. Matz’s record was 14-7 in 29 starts for the Blue Jays. Matz posted a 3.82 ERA in Canada in his only season. In six seasons in a Mets uniform, Matz went 31-41 with a 4.35 ERA. That is ten games under the 500 mark. In 2020, he had a horrible year going 0-5 with an ERA that sky rocketed to 9.68. Chalk that up to the pandemic year as he rebounded in 2021 after being traded. In 2019, Matz went 11-10 and posted a 4.21 ERA making 30 starts.  In parts of six seasons in New York, Matz has had 3 winning seasons.

Steven Matz joins a St. Louis team with one of the best defenses in the entire MLB. Matz joins a pretty good rotation which features veteran hurlers Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty. Cardinals also have Dakota Hudson and the lizard king, Miles Mikolas. Last season, the Cardinals had a few injuries to their starting rotation as the team had to make trades at the deadline for older veterans such as Jon Lester and J.A Happ. Those aging veterans did help the Cardinals tread water while they got their guys healthy. Both Happ and Lester pitched very well down the stretch for the Red Birds. Cardinals found their way to playoffs grabbing the last wild card spot. Matz is a nice addition as a left-hander who can be the team’s 3 or 4 in the rotation. Matz gives the Cardinals, if everyone stays healthy, a starting rotation that can compete with the Brewers as the best in the NL Central. Matz also gives the Cardinals a guy who has stayed relatively healthy most of his career. In the last three out of four seasons, Matz has pitched over 150 innings. Nobody pitched 150 innings in 2020. The Matz signing checks a lot of boxes for St. Louis’ rotation and gives the team depth just in case injuries haunt them in 2022.

ROBBIE RAY OF SUNSHINE TO THE EMERALD CITY

The Seattle Mariners last season went 90-72 and just missed getting that second wild card spot.

Mariners are that close to breaking their 20-year playoff drought. So what do you do the next off-season? Mariners go out and sign the winner of the AL Cy-Young award. Robbie Ray pitched his best season ever in the majors, won the AL Cy-Young award, and is now heading to the Emerald City. The Mariners land the 30-year-old LHP Ray, a former Blue Jay, and sign him up for 5 seasons for 115 million. Ray had a 13-7 record with a 2.84 ERA last season. Ray led the American League in strikeouts, ERA, innings pitched, and games started. Ray turned down the Blue Jays’ one year 18.4 qualifying offer to become a free agent. Mariners will now have to forfeit a draft pick to Toronto for signing Ray.

Is Robbie Ray a one-year wonder? Ray was not even an all-star candidate halfway through the regular season. Ray must have had one amazing second half justifying him receiving the prestigious award. Or was the rest of the competition just bad? Ray has 8 Major League seasons under his belt. Ray started his career in the Motor City, which lasted one season, and he only pitched in 9 games for the Tigers. Ray then found himself in Arizona, where he pitched most of his career, for parts of six seasons. Best year in Arizona was in 2017 when Ray went 15-5 with 2.89 ERA for the Diamondbacks. Ray was then traded to Toronto in 2020. Ray has a lifetime record of 64-58 with an ERA at 4.00.

Robbie Ray instantly becomes the Mariners’ ace in their rotation. Is Ray a #1 guy? Ray has 4 winning seasons record-wise in 8 total years in the majors. Do you subtract the Covid season and his first year with the Tigers only playing in 9 games? 6 of them were starts. At 115 million, that is not Mad Max Scherzer money that Ray is getting. If Ray goes back to being the middle of the road type of pitcher, that money is kind of high. Ray is a power pitcher. Do you worry about that arm in the long haul? He will be dealing with these next 5 seasons, north of 30 years old. This league has many power pitchers over the years that look unhittable. Unbeatable in a short span & then their arms wear out. Mariners are banking that Robbie Ray is a guy who with age has figured out everything. Many guys find their best baseball later in their careers because they figure it out. The AL West teams have a lot of talent assembled on these teams. Mariners are better today with the addition of Ray, but tomorrow can be a different story.

GARCIA OF ALL-TRADES RESIGNS WITH WHITE SOX

Leury Garcia’s go ahead homerun versus the Astros in game three of the post season series versus the Astros, still gives me goosebumps. It was the only game the White Sox won in the ALDS. It seems forever ago, that playoff series when the White Sox bats caught on fire. White Sox bring back their Super Mario Jack of all trades utility guy and agree to terms with Leury Garcia on a three-year-deal worth 16.5 million. Garcia will still be the longest tenured player on the Southside as he will play his tenth season in a White Sox uniform in 2022.

Leury Garcia was very important last season for the White Sox especially with all the injuries the team had. Unsung heroes like Garcia had to fill in and keep the team afloat until their guys came back healthy. It’s the flexibility that Garcia brings to the table on defense. All the positions he can play at any given time. Last year Garcia manned six different positions on the diamond for the White Sox in 2021.

INNINGS GARCIA LOGGED IN AT ALL THE POSITIONS HE PLAYED IN 2021

SECOND BASE 277 2/3 INNINGS

SHORT STOP 156 1/3 INNINGS

HOT CORNER 74 INNINGS

RIGHT FIELD 235 INNINGS

CENTER FIELD 164 1/3 INNINGS

LEFT FIELD 110 2/3 INNINGS

With the lumber, Leury Garcia is a switch hitter. At the age of 30, Garcia swung the bat well last season filling in or coming off the bench. Garcia batted .267, racking up 111 hits with 5 long balls and driving 54. It was the trade with the Texas Rangers back in 2013 that sent Alex Rios to the Rangers & landed us Garcia. Career numbers for Super Utility Garcia has him batting .259 racking up 497 hits with 31 long balls and driving in 181.

This is a simple and well done move by the White Sox getting Leury Garcia back in the fold. Guys like Garcia do not grow on trees. Garcia does all the little things for a team. Garcia is a great locker room guy. He plays where he is needed and many guys can’t do that. Plus Garcia has big moments, such as hitting a walk off homerun to beat the Red Sox in regular season play. In the playoffs this season with the White Sox bats going dormant most of the time, Garcia had that homerun in game three and drove in 4 runs in that series versus the Astros. This move was probably an easy one by both parties. To get it done before the lockout just checks something off that off-season list for the White Sox. Three more years with Garcia locked in on the southside will give him double digits in years played for the franchise. Not many players in the game these days can say they played over ten years with one team. This is not wasted money because Leury Garcia brings his lunch box to work. He’s the type of guy who will earn every penny of the deal without a complaint.

IT’S TIME IN MOTOR CITY

The Detroit Tigers in their first season with AJ Hinch as the manager, went 77-85 in the AL Central last season. Tigers have a young starting pitching staff in place as the team feels like the building blocks of the foundation is set. Detroit have been very busy adding pieces in the free agent market and making a trade as well to take the next step.

The Tigers’ first free agent move was landing a veteran starter, Eduardo Rodriguez, to go with their young rotation. Many remember Rodriguez mocking the Houston Astros short stop, Carlos Correa, in the ALCS by looking down at his pretend wrist watch saying, “It’s our time.” Eduardo Rodriguez and the Red Sox would win that game he pitched, but the Astros would go on to the World Series. Red Sox manager did not like what Rodriguez did as Alex Cora told his starting pitcher at the time, “We don’t need to give them bulletin board material.” Even though Correa does that to other teams all the time. Perhaps Rodriguez did not like that talk with his manager and fled Boston to Detroit to be managed by the former manager of the Houston Astros, who is friends with Correa. Alex Cora came over from the Astros to take the managing job in Boston. Cora they say was the ring leader of the cheating scandal. Rodriguez can make history being coached by two guys that were suspended for one season because of the sign stealing saga.

Eduardo Rodriguez gets a 5 year deal worth 77 million to come to Motor City. Rodriguez is a 28-year-old LHP who had a record of 13-8 last season for the Red Sox with a 4.74 ERA. Rodriguez did not play in 2020 due to the invasion of the Corona Virus. In 2019, Rodriguez had his best year of his career going 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA. In six seasons, all with Boston, Rodriguez has a 64-39 record with a 4.16 ERA.

TRADE

The Detroit Tiger swung a deal with the Cincinnati Reds and landed themselves one of the best defensive catchers in the game right now, Tucker Barnhart. Reds get an infield prospect from the Tigers, Nick Quintana.

Tucker Barnhart is a 30-year-old back stop who throws righty bats lefty and has played in the league for 8 seasons, all with the Cincinnati Reds. Barnhart is a two time Gold Glove winner. Barnhart is an above average pitch framer which should help the young arms Detroit has. Barnhart works well with the pitchers and calls a pretty good game. Tigers’ young arms are on the rise which features Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, and Matt Manning with the addition of veteran Eduardo Rodriguez. A defensive catcher that calls a good game. This staff could be problems for opposing teams in 2022. Barnhart last season with the lumber hit .247 with 7 long balls driving in 48. Barnhart does well against right handed pitching. Career numbers has Barnhart hitting .248 with 51 homeruns while driving in 261.

WHICH HEADCASE AT SHORT STOP WILL THE TIGERS GET?

Will the Tigers land Javier Baez or Carlos Correa?

Both Baez and Correa I don’t like. They are very talented players at their position and with the lumber in their hands. Most people thought the Tigers were going to end up with the former Houston Astro, Carlos Correa, who was having lunch with AJ Hinch, his former manager, not too long ago. Both are friends and will not reunite at this point as manager and player in another city. Instead the Tigers land Javier Baez the former Cub who was shipped off to New York last season at the trade deadline. Baez wore out his welcome in the Big Apple as he played second base alongside his ole friend Francisco Lindor who plays short stop. Javier Baez has played both short and second base in his career. Baez was born and bred to play shortstop. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs, Baez played 8 seasons on the Northside. Baez helped the Cubs break the goat curse of over 100 years not winning a World Series, which they did in 2016.

Javier Baez gets a six year deal from the Detroit Tigers worth 140 million. Baez is a two time all-star who won a Gold Glove in 2020 and is in his prime at 29-years-old. Last season with the Cubs and Mets, Baez a right-handed hitting slugger batted .265 with 31 long balls while driving in 87 in 138 games. While he was in a Mets uniform, Baez started off slow but ended batting .299 with them with 9 homeruns and 22 RBI’S in 47 games. Baez’s career numbers has him at .264 hitter with 149 long balls and 465 RBI’S.

The baggage that Javier Baez will bring to the table is he led the NL in strikeouts last season. In 3,040 at-bats, Baez has racked up 953 strike outs. Then you have to deal with Javier Baez’s antics. At times Baez lacks hustle and plays the game when he really wants to. The team will have to deal with him hot dogging it with bat flips showing the other team up. Baez and gestures to the other team’s pitchers or players that result in some heated confrontations with benches clearing at times. Last year in New York, he criticized the New York faithful for booing him and the team. Baez and his buddy Francisco Lindor even came up  with their own gesture as a way of saying F-you when they got a big hit.

Javier Baez when he’s playing at a high level is capable of taking the team on his shoulders. In post-season for the Cubs many times, he helped carry that team doing plenty of damage to the opposing pitching staffs like a one-man-Army. Baez is a five tool player and can do everything right when he wants to. Baez is a slick fielder who can make all the routine plays plus getting some balls robbing the other team of hits. On offense, Baez can hit for power or average. On the bat paths, Baez can steal a bag and has pretty good speed.

The Tigers this off-season so far with these three additions have gotten better. AJ Hinch had to deal with big personalities like Carlos Correa, and so should not have a problem getting the best out of Javier Baez. The fact that Miguel Cabrera is still playing for the Tigers & his presence alone should get the best out of Javier Baez. Bringing in talent like that should help a Cabrera feel rejuvenated to have a chance to once again make it to post-season. The Tigers’ young arms with a defensive catcher and a veteran pitcher in the mix can help these kids grow. The Houston Astros have maybe the best defensive catcher in the league with Martin Maldonado who can’t hit himself out of a wet paper bag . Maldonado was catching when AJ Hinch  was in Houston managing. You can start to see the Tigers are doing some things that Houston has been doing well for years.

 

MAD MAX HAS A NEW THUNDERDOME

Mad Max Scherzer’s brief LA Dodgers career has come to an end. Scherzer will be getting that Uncle Scrooge money in the Big Apple. Not the Evil Empire Yankees, but the other team in town that’s grabbing all the headlines so far this off-season. The Mets. Look out World Series-winning Braves, the Mets are in and they have anted up with all their chips bringing Scherzer to New York and the NL East for 3 years at 130 million. Mad Max is 37 years old and will get 43.3 million per year of the contract. That breaks last year’s insane amount the Yankees pay RHP Gerrit Cole per year, which is 36 million. The contract features a no-trade clause. It also features an opt-out clause after the second year. The rest of the division hopes that happens as signs would point this shopping spree the Mets are on did not work.

This will be Max Scherzer’s fifth team of his career in 15 years of Major League services. The right-hander it’s hard to believe he once was a Diamondback and pitched two seasons in Arizona to start his career. That General Manger back then for the Snakes should have been hung in the town square. Scherzer pitched 5 years in the motor city. It’s hard to believe Scherzer pitched most of his career in Washington where he went after Detroit. Scherzer helped the Nationals win their first ever title in franchise history pitching in DC for seven seasons. At the trade deadline last season, the Nationals traded Mad Max to LA. Mad Max escaped LA going a perfect 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in regular season for the Dodgers. The Dodgers went 11-0 in all 11 starts made. During post-season Scherzer had 2-4 starts he made for the Dodgers while posting a 2.16 ERA. Scherzer’s best season came in a tigers uniform when he went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 2013. Mad Max’s numbers all-time have his life time record at 190-97 while posting a 3.16 ERA in 398 starts under his belt adding 3,020 strikeouts in over 2,500 Innings of work.     

Scherzer give the Mets another top front line starter in the rotation as the team expects their Ace of the past, Jacob deGrom, to be fully healthy for the 2022 season. The Mets let injury prone starter Noah Syndergaard walk out the door as he signed on with the Angels. RHP Marcus Stroman is a free agent if the Mets are even thinking of bring him back. The rotation behind the two big studs of the Mets rotation feature Carlos Carrasco, former Indian, Taijuan Walker, and Tylor Megill. Mets have been very busy this off-season as they signed three position players to bolster their everyday line-up. Three veterans which include Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar. Looks like the Mets are going all in going with guys North of 30 years old. Are the Mets done shopping for the Christmas season or are there more moves to come? The money is absurd on this deal for Scherzer. I feel like Max Scherzer will stay healthy throughout the three seasons and be Max Scherzer. Age has not slowed him down. Scherzer in post-season scares me. His track record. Mad Max is 7-6 with 3.22 ERA in the post-season all-time. That is not a track record that will gobble up two games in each round of the post-season. Gerrit Cole was a failure last year for the Yankees in the post-season when the series was on the line in an elimination game. All that money and I want that guy to be lights out when the game and series is on the line.

RANGERS LASSO A BIG GAME OFF THE FREE AGENT BOARDS

Last season the Texas Rangers were downsizing their roster. Rangers empty out their shelves of veteran players any other team wanted. Rangers received pieces back along with prospects. Before the season started, RHP Lance Lynn was traded to the Chicago White Sox. Short stop and longest tenured player Texas had, Elvis Andrus, left the building. Andrus was shipped off to Oakland. Then fan favorite Joey Gallo was sent to the dark side of the baseball galaxy, the Yankees. Everything they collected from trades & all the losses they took, now the grand scheme has arrived as the Rangers are shelling out the big bucks. The Rangers lasso in a big piece off the free agent board signing infielder slugger Marcus Semien to a 7 year deal worth 175 Million.

The Texas Rangers are very familiar with Marcus Semien playing for one of their division rivals for six seasons. In 2020 like many, Marcus Semien had a down year which was his final year in Oakland as he rejected a one year qualifying offer from the Athletics. Semien waited it out most of the free agent period until he accepted a one year deal to play second base for the Toronto Blue Jays. Semien, a short stop by trade, went along with the Blue Jays idea playing second and he had a monster year as he bet on himself. In 2019 Semien had a great year with the lumber, the right handed slugger hit .285 with 33 bombs driving in 92. In 2020 the pandemic year, Semien’s batting average went down to .223. Last season Semien played for this Texas contract he’s got right now and hit .265 with 45 bombs driving in 102. Semian in his first season playing second base was 3^rd in the MVP ballots in the AL. Semien collected a Gold Glove for his defense with a Silver Slugger award. In 2019 Semien was third overall in the MVP ballots for the AL as well. Semien started his career with the White Sox & then was traded to Oakland as he went North to Canada for one season. Now the Rangers will be his 4^th team. Semien has played nine seasons in the majors and so far is a lifetime .256 hitter with 1,003 hits tallying 160 home runs with 482 RBI’S.

As a White Sox fan, I think of what could have been an infield that consisted of Fenando Tatis Jr, Tim Anderson and Marcus Semien. Then moving Yoan Moncarda to the outfield with Jose Abreu at first. In 2014 another stupid trade by the White Sox just like when they traded away Fernando Tatis Jr. for James Shields to the Padres. The Athletics fleeced the White Sox and received Marcus Semien, Chris Bassitt (a very good pitcher right now) and catcher Josh Phegley. White Sox in return got starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija who had only one year remaining on his contract and was just awful. Heard some rumors that the White Sox were eyeballing Marcus Semien in a possible return to the south side. Not for that type of money. White Sox act more like Uncle Scrooge than a major player in a major market in the baseball world.

Meanwhile this is just the start for the Texas Rangers as more moves are coming. Rangers likely to add on more big names before the December 1^st work stoppage in the MLB. Marcus Semien can play either position of short or second next season. Semien’s defense is not a liability. Rangers get a guy that can bat in the middle of the line up. A run producer which any team can use. Rangers who were in  last place last season need more than one Semien in their line up if they want to climb out of the basement in the AL West. A division in which every team has thunder in their line up in the division. Rangers need pitching as well. If money is no object in Texas, look for Rangers to stock their shelves before the Holiday season.  

AVISAIL GARCIA WILL BE SWIMMING WITH THE FISH NEXT YEAR

Avisail Garcia is leaving Brew-town and taking his talents to South Beach as he’s getting a 4-year deal from the Miami Marlins. The deal Garcia will land is a 4-year, 53 million deal. This will be Garcia’s 5^th team of his career and his 2^nd team he played for in the state of Florida. He can check that state off the list of states he completed with MLB teams located and played for. Garcia played for the Rays in 2019. Started his career in Detroit & then was traded to the Chicago White Sox. From Chicago to Tampa Bay and the last two years he called Milwaukee home. By far the 2021 season was the best year stats-wise for Garcia in his career. He lifted 29 bombs into the stands with 18 doubles, driving in 86 with a batting average of .262.

The Marlins need a right fielder and Avisail Garcia checks all the boxes. Garcia is a 30-year-old right-handed slugging outfielder who has played most of his career in right field. Marlins have needed another outfielder for years. When they made the post-season in 2020, they went out and traded for Starling Marte. Marlins even tried to extend Marte, but he wanted to see what he could get on the open market so he was quickly dealt since Miami were in their familiar surroundings in last place in the NL East division. Garcia brings a decent glove to right-field. At times Garcia goes all out for balls he should not even try for and is prone to injuries. This past year, Garcia has played in 135 games and in the shortened season of 2020 he played in 53 games, so he has stayed healthy over the last few years. Marlins will have Garcia in right with their outfield shaping up nicely with him aboard in Miami. Marlins would keep Brian DeLaCruz in center with Jesus Sanchez playing strictly left field.

The Milwaukee Brewers have now lost two of their free agents so far, the other being second baseman Eduardo Escobar who signed with the New York Mets. In 2019 when Avisail Garcia played for the other Florida team, the Rays, he did well hitting 20 long balls & driving in 72 with a .282 batting average. Garcia has always had the talent. Maybe at the age of 30 he has found it and could get better with age as this could be a nice under radar type of move the Marlins did here. Garcia did strike out 121 times last season with the Brewers, but his average was in the 260’s. Garcia is not living by just the home run and dying by the strikeout as he can get contact most of the times. Garcia’s career numbers has him hitting at .270 average with a 127 long balls driving in 475 while racking 926 hits. Marlins have the starting pitching but maybe a few more moves & who knows what this team can be capable of.  

TOUGHEN UP BUTTERCUP

What is the criteria for a person that you need if you want to play for the Houston Astros? Thick skin!!! Does playing in Philadelphia count? Philadelphia fans are a different animal. Houston has found a replacement for Kendall Graveman who left for the Chicago White Sox. Philadelphia Phillies closer Hector Neris gets a two year deal from the Astros worth 17 million. The 32 year old right hander from the Dominican Republic was signed by the Phillies in 2010. Neris has spent his entire MLB career in a Phillies uniform, which has been 8 seasons.

Hector Neris can pitch anywhere in the Astros bullpen. Neris will probably be slotted in Kendall Graveman’s slot as a late inning guy. Last season the Phillies had the most blown saves in the majors. Neris has closing experience in which he did notch 12 saves in 2021. Neris was also the problem with 7 blown saves last season. Neris’ numbers in 2021 are he had a record of 4-7 in 74 games as he tossed 74 1/3 innings with 98 strikeouts, 11 holds, and posted 3.63 ERA. Career numbers for Hector Neris have him logging into 405 games with a 21-29 record posting a 3.42 ERA, 520 strikeouts with 84 saves. and has over 400 innings pitched. I don’t think Houston got better with this move bringing in Neris from Philadelphia. What it does bring to Houston is another guy in the pen with closing experience, just like Kendall Graveman had, who can pitch other innings. Just in case the Astros closer Ryan Pressly is overworked & does not have his stuff on a certain night. Neris can fill in.  

RAYS PURCHASE A USED KLUBER OUT OF THE FREE AGENT LOT

The Tampa Bay Rays add a former two-time Cy-Young award winner to their starting rotation. Rays sign Corey Kluber to a one-year deal worth 8 million. The deal includes incentives that can reach up to a total of 13-million.The right-handed Kluber is 35-years-old and pitched for the Yankees last season. Kluber was sidelined with a right shoulder strain for 3 months of the season and only made sixteen starts. Kluber had a 5-3 record with 3.83 ERA in the Empire uniform. Kluber tallied 80 innings and had 82 strikeouts. Last May, Kluber tossed a no-hitter versus one of his former teams, the Rangers.

Corey Kluber has not pitched a full season since 2018. The Rays have always done well in the past giving guys who are looking for a rebound in their careers one year deals. Kluber has played in 11 seasons in the Majors, and most of those years he was with the Indians. Kluber is a three-time all-star all from when he pitched in Cleveland. Kluber in 2020 played in one game, making 1 start & lasting 1 inning for his brief Rangers career. Kluber has a career record of 103-61 and a lifetime ERA of .319. The Rays like to have at least one veteran pitcher in their rotation that has a ton of experience compared to all the other arms they bring up from their own farm system. The Rays are taking a gamble on Kluber’s services because of his medical history the last few years. It’s only a one year deal so if it does not pan out, it’s only 8 million, which is chump change in baseball dollars. If Kluber succeeds, you’re taking a former Yankee and playing him against them. If he does well, it’s even better since the Rays right now have had the Yankees’ number the last few seasons.  

METS DOING THEIR BRAVES IMITATION

The Atlanta Braves overtook the Mets and won the NL East division title with a slew of moves at the trade deadline. Braves would go on to win the World Series. The New York Mets hired a new General Manager in Billy Eppler. Many other big names turned down the Big Apple’s other team, not called the Yankees. Eppler has his foot on the gas pedal since taking the job as GM and being aggressive in the free agent market like the Braves did last season at the trade deadline. Eppler and the Mets add three position players to bolster the Mets’ everyday line-up. Mets land two outfielders, Starling Marte and Mark Canha. Then Mets also add infielder Eduardo Escobar. The three veterans last season hit a combined 57 home runs, which they will be bringing to the Mets table in 2022.

Starling Marte, at 33-years-old gets a 4-year deal worth 78 million, and is coming back to the National League where he spent most of his career. Starling Marte started his career as a Pirate and played 8 years in Pittsburgh. Pirates went into a full rebuild and traded one of their fan favorites to the Diamondbacks. Arizona traded Marte to the Marlins in 2020 for their surprising post-season appearance. Marlins actually tried to lock Marte’s services to an extension. Marte turned the Marlins down & then he was traded at the deadline last year to the Oakland A’s. Marte almost single handedly rallied Oakland into the post-season last year. Mate, a right hitting outfielder with great speed, can play all three outfield positions.  Marte in his 2021 season between Miami and Oakland hit .310 with 12 home runs in 120 games. Marte showed he can still steal bases & racked up 47 of them for the year. Career numbers, Marte has a .289 batting average with 1,256 hits and 126 home runs.

Mark Canaha, at 32-years of age, gets a two-year deal worth 26.5 Million with an option for a third season. Canaha can also can play all three outfield positions. Canaha can play some first base as well. Canaha hits from the right side and played in 141 games last season and had a low batting average of .231 with 17 long balls driving in 61. Canaha has played his entire career in Oakland, which has been parts of seven seasons. Canaha has 89 career home runs with a life time .244 batting average. In 2019, Canaha went deep 26 times which set a career high in single season for him.

Eduardo Escobar, at the age of 33-years-old, gets a 2-year deal with Mets worth 20 million and an option for a third season. Escobar can play all four infield positions making him an ultimate utility guy. Escobar played second base the most out of any other position he has ever played. Escobar is a switch hitter who has power as he hit 28 bombs last season between the Diamondbacks and the Brew Crew. Escobar started his career in a White Sox uniform, & then was traded to the Minnesota Twins. After the Twins, he went to the Diamondbacks and then was traded to the Brewers last year at the deadline. Last season, Escobar batted .253 with those 28 homeruns driving in 90. Escobar has mostly been a guy coming off the bench in his career until the last few seasons. Escobar has played in 11 seasons with 1,001 hits with a batting average of .256, 138 home runs and 536 driven in.

All three moves the Mets made here are older guys, as New York is in a win-now mode approach. Eduardo Escobar gives the Mets some flexibility on defense and being a switch hitter in the line-up, he’s the most valuable of all the three guys they’ve got here. Mets brass are hoping Escobar can make people forget about Javier Baez, who was a headache more than his production on the field last year for the Mets when the landed him in trade with the Cubs. Esobar has been a guy off the bench for most of his career. Can he maintain a starting job every game? Can Starling Marte produce duplicate seasons in back-to-back years? Can Marte stay healthy ? Now Marte has got the contract, can he live up to it? Canaha is a late bloomer in his career and lives by the home run, dies by the strike out. Do all three of these guys have to have great years for the Mets to get over the hump? Mets still need to invest in pitching if they actually want to get deep into post-season or even overthrow the Braves. Braves needed to make these moves at the deadline bringing in veterans because of the injuries. Mets will have to hope the guys they got can play the entire year well, including the post-season. These moves are a gamble by the Mets and the years of the contract are too long, especially Starling Marte’s deal. I would rather have one-year deals on some of these guys with options for second years because of their age. 

IF YOU CAN’T BEAT THEM, HAVE THEM JOIN YOU

The Chicago White Sox, for the second straight year, have signed a relief pitcher they have faced in post-season. Last off-season, the White Sox unloaded their piggy banks and plucked the top reliever off the market in Liam Hendriks, who helped Oakland knock off the White Sox in the 2020 post-season. This off-season brings the same type of plan by General Manager Rick Hahn, as he lands 30-year-old right-hander, Kendall Graveman, from the free agent market. Graveman helped the Astros beat the White Sox this last post-season. White Sox strike quick and add Graveman to their bullpen with a three-year commitment for 24 million.

White Sox signing a former Astro would make anyone’s stomach curdle. Kendall Graveman did not go to the Astros by choice like seeking women at the Sip and Go. Graveman was traded to Astros by the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline. Mariners players were pissed off at that move because Graveman was the team’s closer doing well, but to trade a guy to the archrival when you’re still in contention did not go over very well. For the Mariners in 30 games, Graveman had ten saves with a low 0.82 ERA. White Sox saw these kinds of numbers when Craig Kimbrel came over from the North side. He also had lights out numbers. Graveman however adjusted on the fly and worked out of the bullpen for the cheats in Houston, but was not the closer. Graveman finished up the season with a 5-1 record while throwing 56 Innings and posted a 1.77 ERA between both the Mariners and Astros. In the post-season Graveman tossed 11 Innings all together posting a 1.64 ERA & had 11 strike outs.

Kendall Graveman has 7 seasons under his belt by pitching in a lot of different spots. Graveman started his career in Toronto where he got his feet wet coming out of the bullpen. Graveman then moved on to Oakland and became a starter in an A’s uniform. By far the best season Graveman had as a starter was in 2016 with a 10-11 record. He posted 4.11 ERA and pitched the most innings of his career, 186. After Oakland, Tommy John surgery derailed his 2019 season. Then in 2020, Seattle signed him where he made two starts and then pitched from the bullpen. In 2021, Graveman became the closer for Seattle.

White Sox get another big arm with the Kendall Graveman signing for the late innings. Graveman I like as a ground ball pitcher. Graveman’s fast ball can be clocked most times around 96 MPH. Adding Graveman when you have Liam Hendricks as the closer, who was once again the American League reliever of the year, an award he won the last two season. Then White Sox have left-hander Aaron Bummer who can just buckle the knees of opposing hitters late in the game. What about Craig Kimbrel? White Sox did pick up the option on Kimbrel, but most likely they will trade him this off-season. If you can guarantee me that Kimbrel could pitch another inning besides the 9th and be lights out, I’d love to have him back. I’d rather the White Sox re-sign the other reliever they got from the Cubs, Ryan Tepera. He did very well down the stretch for the team. Some of these bullpen guys can be one-year wonders, especially if you award them with a big contract. On paper this looks like a good move by the White Sox. The fact that Graveman is a ground ball pitcher, can get the team out of many late inning jams. The Liam Hendricks signing worked after he tamed the bats of the White Sox in the 2020 post-season. If you can’t beat them, give them a contract and bring them aboard.

QUINTANA TRYING TO FIND HIS OWN BOUNTY IN PITTSBURGH 

The Pittsburgh Pirates get out of the gates fast and add a starting pitcher from the free agent pool. Not a huge splash, but it’s the Pirates way as they ink a 32-year-old lefty starter for their rotation in Jose Quintana. It’s the Pirates way because Quintana, a veteran pitcher coming off his worst year in the big leagues, wants to prove he still has some gasoline left in the tank. Pirates need a guy to eat up innings next season. Quintana pitched his first ever season away from the city of Chicago, where he played for both White Sox and Cubs. Quintana signed with the Angels last off-season and his former Cubs skipper, Joe Maddon. By the end of August, Quintana was DFA. Those famous words in baseball which as a player you don’t want to hear, designated for assignment. The San Francisco Giants snatched Quintana off waivers. Quintana finished the 2021 season on the west coast with a 0-3 record in ten starts pitching 63 innings, 85 strikeouts, but had a high ERA of 6.75.

Jose Quintana started his career with the White Sox and was known as a hard luck pitcher. Many games he did not have the run support but pitched very well. Either the bullpen blew the game late or he walked off the mound in a tie ball game after a quality start. Quintana was also the type to lose 1-0. Quintana was all-star in 2016 for the White Sox, his only ever appearance in the mid-Summer classic. Quintana after six years on the south side of Chicago finished with a record of 50-54 with an ERA of 3.51. Quintana will be remembered most for being the golden goose that helped the White Sox land slugger Eloy Jimenez and a young starter in Dylan Cease from the Cubs. Two big pieces that are currently helping the team today make strides to achieve the ultimate goal winning the World Series.

The Cubs coming off their 2016 World Series title in over 100 years needed starting pitching in 2017 to defend their title and struck a deal with the White Sox to bring Jose Quintana, North. Quintana that year did well for the Cubs  as he went 7-3 with 3.74 ERA down the stretch. Four years on the North side of town and Quintana would have a winning record for the Cubs going 33-23 ten games over. Quintana’s ERA over the 4-year-span was 4.24 which might be ok in the American league, but in the National league you would like it lower. Especially facing a pitcher with a bat every time you go out. The Cubs had visions of a dynasty that Quintana would be one of those locked down starters in the post-season. Cubs would end up winning one title while the cross town team has two of their young guys they drafted and playing well now.

Does Jose Quintana get you excited in present times? Quintana’s numbers in his career are the tale of two cities. His first 5 seasons, Quintana’s ERA was 3.41. Then the last 5 seasons his ERA is a 4.51. Overall Quintana’s record career wise is 83-80 with 3.84 ERA. Can Quintana at 32 find a way to get 17 more victories to get to that 100 mark in wins in his career? I’d like to see him achieve that. Pitching for the Pirates it gives Quintana a chance to revive his career. Quintana would not have that pressure early on because Pirates are not a playoff team or close to being a playoff team. Quintana could spring board his stop in Pittsburgh to a team in a playoff chase at the deadline. Pirates are looking for innings being eaten up by having a lot of young guys in the rotation learning the game. If the Pirates will be able to flip Quintana in a trade with some other team and get something in return, it would make this signing well worth it. It’s a you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours type of deal.     

VERLANDER RETURNING TO ASTRONAUT CITY

If Justin Verlander had been able pitch for the Houston Astros last season, would the World Series outcome be different?  Astros lost the best out of seven series to the Braves 4 games to two. Could a healthy Verlander have won two games in that series? When Verlander is pitching his best, he is an ACE in anyone’s staff throughout the majors. In 2019, Verlander’s last full season of action, he was dominating with his electric stuff going 21-6 with 2.58 ERA. In 2020, Verlander won his only start in the only game he would pitch in the Covid short season. Verlander would miss the entire 2021 season due to having Tommy John surgery. Recently in a workout, Verlander showed no signs of slowing down at 38 years old. Verlander showed the surgery went well and he would be ready to take the mound in 2022. Verlander quickly turned down the Astros qualifying offer of 18.4 Million for one season. Some thought Verlander would return to Detroit where he started and played most of his career in motor city.

The Tigers manager is AJ Hinch, who used to manage the Astros, and Justin Verlander. At 38 years old, Verlander probably likes the Astros chances more than the Tigers these days so he rolled the dice and gets a one year deal to come back to Houston for 25 Million. Astros should add another arm to their rotation as well. Bringing Verlander back is a good start for the Astros this off-season. Will the Astros be looking for a new short stop if Carlos Correa bolts town in free agency? Or is this Houston dynasty of cheaters crumbling bit by bit in front of our own eyes. As you fix one crack another appears.

THOR GETS HIS WINGS

Noah Syndergaard could use some wings, as Red Bull has not given the right-handed flamethrower any kind of help on the elbow the last few seasons. Syndergaard’s long hair blowing in the breeze, probably created by his fastball, sits under his cap when he pitches. The hair is probably why he was nicknamed Thor, after one of the greatest Avengers of all-time. Thor and the Mets comic books had the other Big Apple team winning multiple World Series, not those Yankees with their dream pitcher blowing away gigantic sluggers from throughout different time dimensions. Dreams burn up in an instant as Thor’s hammer dropped from his right elbow. The 29-year-old needed Tommy John with reconstructive elbow surgery meaning Syndergaard would miss the entire 2020 season. Setbacks in 2021 derailed Thor’s comeback. Syndergaard would only pitch two starts for a grand total of two innings with an ERA that sky rocketed to 9.00.  The LA Angels are desperate for starting pitching slap some wings on Syndergaard and sign him on one year deal worth 21 Million.

Sometimes it’s tough to see guys from your own farm system grow up & play for years, and then leave the team. In six seasons for the Mets, Noah Syndergaard pitched in 121 games and had a record of 47-21 with a 3.32 ERA. Syndergaard turned down a one year 18.4 million dollar qualifying offer from the Mets. Now they will receive a second round draft pick from the Angels in 2022. The writing was on the wall as the Mets did not really want Syndergaard back. If they did, you’d think they would have made some kind of attempt at a two year deal with an option year. Maybe some kind of contract with incentives included. This can work well for the Mets as Syndergaard may be damaged goods. Some of these flame throwers do flame out with all the stress they put on their arms. Mets get an extra pick and now have money that can go elsewhere with a roster that needs some help.

Meanwhile the Angels are taking a gamble on Noah Syndergaard. It’s only a one year deal but comes with hefty price of salary and forfeiting a pick for next year on guy that might never be the same. Last year the Angels starting rotation were the 22^nd worst in baseball with 4.78 ERA as a group. My biggest question every year for the Angels is where is the pitching going to come from. Angels always scavenging at the bottom of the bargain bin for starting pitching, either through free agency or trade. It’s always guys that are on the down side of their careers. Angels have the best player in baseball, Mike Trout. People might say now Shohei Ortani might be the best player in the game. Let’s not forget about the big price the Angels paid for third baseman Anthony Rendon after his last season in Washington, helping the Nationals win their first World Series.  Rendon has not really lived up to his new contract.

All these sluggers dressed to kill for the Angels, but there’s nobody to pitch the ball. Unless the Angels would rather have Ortani toe the pitching rubber every night. I hope Syndergaard is not plan A for the Angels pitching staff. They will need more arms and better options if they want to make the post-season. They want to use Ortani less on the pitching rubber in years to come, and just let him hit in the line up every day to avoid injuries. Ortani can pitch if needed. It would be the best scenario that means the Angels have put together a solid rotation. 

2021 MLB WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS

HOUSTON ASTROS VERSUS ATLANTA BRAVES

THE ROAD TO THE SERIES IN 2021

ASTROS: DISPATCHED BOTH SOX (WHITE SOX & RED SOX)

BRAVES: OUT DRANK THE BREW CREW AND ESCAPED LA: ( BREWERS & DODGERS)

WORLD SERIES RECORDS

Houston 4^th appearance

ASTROS 3 APPEARANCES RECORD 1-2

Last time Houston won it they were the Asterisks in 2017

Last World Series appearance: 2019 loss to Washington Nationals

Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta 18th appearance

Braves 17 appearances Record 3-14

Braves world series titles happened in three different cities

1914 Boston Braves. 1957 Milwaukee Braves, 1995 Atlanta Braves

Last World Series appearance: Atlanta Braves lost to the Yankees in 1999

FAVORITE PLAYERS ALL-TIME FROM EACH TEAM

ASTROS

JEFF BAGWELL

BRAVES

DALE MURPHY  

THE SKINNY

The Astros were busted for cheating in their only World Series win in 2017. MLB punished the Astros, but some would say it was a slap on the wrists for the Houston franchise after their loss to the Nationals in 2019. Dusty Baker was hired to replace AJ Hinch who was suspended one entire season. In 2020, Houston played in front of empty seats with no fans due to the pandemic. Astros made it to the ALCS but lost. This season, instead of the wild card in 2020, Houston won the AL West division. This year Houston has been tormented on the road in front of a live studio audiences and Dusty Baker has the team back to the World Series. It’s Dusty Baker’s second World Series appearance as a manager. Houston will be out to prove they did not have to cheat in the first place. Dusty Baker will be looking for a bigger ego, like the hat size of Barry Bonds .

The Braves last year lost to the Dodgers in the NLCS and took them all the way to game seven. In 2021, it looked like the Braves were going to miss the playoffs due to injuries to some of their big name superstars. Plus Marcell Ozuna beat up his wife, is facing criminal charges, and has been out most of the year. The Braves had to make up production on offense and rebuilt on the fly. Some names with playoff experience include Joc Pederson, former Dodger. Former Cub, Jorge Soler, was part of that Chicago Cubs team in 2016. Then Eddie Rosario has been part of those one and done Twins teams that had early exits to the Yankees the last few seasons. Braves would catch fire and eventually win the NL East title once again.

THE WILD SHAMROCK RECORD IN POST SEASON SO FAR

THE WILD CARD GAMES (1-1)

DIVISIONAL SERIES (2-2)

CHAMPIONSHIPS (1-1)

ANALYSIS

Lance McCullers is out for this series. McCullers is Houston’s best starting pitcher. Charlie Morton, a former Astros starter, now is one of the Braves’ top pitchers in their staff. Morton played for the 2017 World Series team. I think the Braves have the deeper starting rotation over Houston. Is Zack Grienke even still on the Houston Astros? Framber Valdez is the best pitcher Houston has. Braves also have Max Fried behind Charlie Morton. Two solid starters that could win 4 games in the series.

I have a feeling this World Series will turn into a bullpen marathon like the entire playoffs have been so far.  Dusty Baker has used his bullpen a lot this post-season. Give Houston tired arms. Braves have three arms that stand out to me in that pen, who can wheel and deal. Will Smith, Tyler Matzek and A.J Minter can mow people down. Ryan Pressley, the closer for Houston, has a tightrope act every time he pitches late in the game in post-season.

Astros line up features a solid murderers row. Guys like Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are legit.

Tough outs. Astros is a team that is hard to strike out. It’s a team that always makes contact. Kyle “the Fucker” Tucker has been having a great post-season so far. He gives Houston another hard out in that line up.

Braves are no slouch. Freddie Freman is a super star in this league. Let’s talk about the replacements.

Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson and Eddie Rosario have been mentioned. What about slugger Adam Duvall? He’s a former Brave, a guy they brought back in a trade from the Marlins.

PREDICTION

I will be honest, I hate the Houston Astros. Atlanta Braves, sometimes you say not again as they’ve won their division for ten straight years. I think the Braves can match the Astros in hitting. I give the edge to the Braves pitching staff over the Astros staff. Dusty Baker will screw things up in some way. Never Trusty in Dusty.

Never trust a clown wearing bright wrist band colors. I always like good pitching beating good hitting. Braves knocked out last year’s champ. They will knock out the Astros and win the entire thing.

OUR PICK AS WORD SERIES CHAMPION: THE BRAVES IN SEVEN  

RICKY, YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO

I love how General Manager, Rick Hahn, for the White Sox constructed this Chicago White Sox team, presently. White Sox are a young team and their window is wide open for years to come. Rick Hahn was savvy during the rebuild when it came to trading players. At the time, he had to land the talent he has now. The White Sox was rebuilt to perfection. The hardest part now is trying to mix the young team with veteran players to help put them over the top. Landing pieces for your team, you have to give away some of the young prospects you traded for in the first place. At the trade deadline, Rick Hahn failed miserably to get help to get this White Sox team over the top. The playoffs measuring stick versus the Astros, mean Ricky has some explaining to do.

The Craig Kimbrel trade is going to haunt Rick Hahn like his stupidest move he made, bringing Big James Shields to Chicago years ago. Can you imagine having an infield with Yoan Moncada at the hot corner, Tim Anderson at short stop and Fernado Tatis Jr. at second base? Then of course Jose Abreu at first base. Rick Hahn traded away Tatis for a guy who was 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA. Big Game James lost his game AND the White Sox still wanted him. James Shields would be paid number one starter money for three seasons on the southside and have a record of 16-35 and 5.31 ERA. Meanwhile, Fernado Tatis Jr. has been in the MVP discussion most of the year for the Padres. Rick Hahn clearly was fleeced by the Padres. This year the White Sox gave up on Nick Madrigal, a young promising second baseman.

Craig Kimbrel was pitching lights out for the Cubs before he was traded to the Northside. Kimbrel had a 2-3 record with 0.49 ERA and 23 saves. Impressive. In 2019, Kimbrel was hot garbage with a 0-4 record and an ERA of 6.53. White Sox were enticed and pulled the trigger. Kimbrel was 2-2 for the White Sox this season in 24 games with a 5.09 ERA. In the playoffs, Kimbrel was still awful. White Sox had the idea to have a two-headed monster at the end of their bullpen. Like those great bullpens the Kansas City Royals had a few years ago. However, forcing Kimbrel to be the set-up guy instead of closer, some pitchers you cannot convert like that. Some would say why can’t these guys pitch the 8^th just as well as the 9^th? Just get outs. Some people have different mindsets. Kimbrel has an option for 2022 or the White Sox will buy him out, not pick up the clause, and he will become a free agent. White Sox will probably pick up his option and trade him to try to salvage something out of this bad move.

The White Sox organization was very high on Nick Madrigal. Experts compare the young second baseman to Jose Altuve. The same Jose Altuve who destroyed White Sox pitching this post-season. Madrigal was one of the hardest players to strike out in the MLB this season before he got hurt with two strikes in the count. Madrigal batted .305 with 2 long balls, 61 hits, and 21 RBI’S in 54 games before an injury sidelined him. In the shortened Covid season, Madrigal hit .340 in 29 games. The Cubs will get a 300 hitter for years to come. A guy who potentially can sit at the top of the batting order for years to come. Would be nice to have more tough outs in the line-up and have a guy that might be the next Jose Altuve. I questioned this move right when I heard who they gave up. It’s like Rick Hahn owed the Cubs something because years before, the White Sox dealt Jose Quintana to the Northside for Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease. That was a move during the rebuild which was genius-like.

The White Sox’s best move was getting another Cubs reliever, Ryan Tepera, a guy I’d like to see them keep next year. Then the other move the White Sox made, acquiring second baseman Cesar Hernandez from the Indians, seems to have not worked very well. In 53 regular season games, Hernandez hit .232, one point better than he hit for the Indians this year. In Cleveland, Hernandez hit 18 homeruns for the White Sox with just three knocks. In the post-season, Hernandez did not even start the first game of the series versus Houston. Not sure what the prospects will end up doing, in the trades the White Sox made to get Hernandez and Tepera. Knowing the White Sox, the Cubs will get another gem out of the deal. Let’s not forget the White Sox threw in a major league ready reliever in the Kimbrel deal. The Cubs have Codi Heuer who went 3-3 with a respectable 3.14 ERA out of the pen on the Northside.

The White Sox have something special going. To keep it special, stupid trades like giving away top of line players for pieces that don’t fit are just shameful. The White Sox, in the off-season, signed the best closer on the market in free agency, Liam Hendricks. Not electing to sign last season’s closer Alex Colome was genius as he was horrible in Minnesota. White Sox could have gotten another reliever like Ryan Tepera in a move that would not have cost them Nick Madrigal. The White Sox looked like they have all kinds of problems other than just their bullpen. The White Sox starting rotation is a concern with the bullpen. The catching game that can’t stop the opponent’s running game. Now the White Sox still need a second baseman and a right fielder. With a young team, you have time to be patient. Down on the farm they have some interesting pieces that could fit in this team. Make this team a contender for years. If Ricky Hahn is going to swing like Adam Dunn and miss wide with trades like the Craig Kimbrel trade, this team will implode quickly. Bringing Tony LaRussa out of the retirement home sped things up for this organization which might be a bad thing because Hahn will try to make trades that will come back and haunt them over and over. This off-season will be very important to avoid Ricky in becoming a Lucy and getting into some kind of caper being caught up in a stupid trade. Another head scratcher move. We will need more than your explanation, as “I hate Ricky” will be airing 24/7.  

MLB PLAYOFFS PENNANT PREDICTIONS

Wild Shamrock prediction record coming in.

WILD CARD GAMES (1-1)

DIVISIONAL ROUND SERIES (2-2)

National league predicted perfectly. American league zilch. Beginning of the season we predicted Tampa Bay Rays would win the entire thing in 2021.  How’s that working out for us?

ALCS

BEST OUT OF SEVEN

BOSTON RED SOX VERSUS HOUSTON ASTROS

THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHEATERS CHAMPIONSHIP

We all know the 2017 World Series, won by the Houston Astros, was tainted by the whaling on the trash cans all day, and not working for the victories at home. The league punished the Astros for their cheating ways, but eventually it is just a slap on the wrists. The ringleader was Alex Cora, the manager of the Red Sox. Cora was the bench coach and some say architect of the cheating ways of Houston. Cora would move on from Houston. Cora then became manager in Boston and he led them to a World Series title in 2018. Boston was another team under investigation, but nothing was ever turned up by the MLB. Cora stepped down as skipper & the league suspended him for an entire year. Red Sox were horrible without Cora. When the suspension was over, Cora got his job back as skipper of the Boston Red Sox. This series should be played under the Thunderdome in an apocalyptic world with no rules. No umpires. Winner goes to the World Series.

POST SEASON HISTORY

This will be the third time the Red Sox and the Astros have met up in post-season play. In 2017, the Astros defeated the Red Sox in the ALDS 3-1 in a best out of 5 series. Astros would cheat their way through the ALCS and eventually the World Series, which now has asterisks next to it in my world. Then Boston would get revenge in 2018, take down Houston in the ALCS, and they would go on to win the World Series.

ANALYSIS

Houston embarrassed Chicago in every way winning the ALDS in 4 games. Boston playing the underdog role found late heroics in back to back games to defeat Tampa Bay, the best team in the American league for the entire year. Has starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. become the latest victim of Dusty Baker grinding down his starting rotation? McCullers pitched well in the ALDS versus the White Sox, but could miss the entire ALCS. Then for Boston my concern is Chris Sale. Sale came off an injury and was activated late in the season. Sale only lasted one inning in his start in the ALDS versus the Rays.

There are two key players in this series that will make a difference. I like Martin Maldonado doing what he does best in stopping opponents’ running game. Maldonado made the White Sox base running non-existent in the ALDS. Looking to play every day, Kike Hernandez signed with Boston. Kike’s post-season experience over the years came up with big hit after big hit for the Dodgers in a limited role. Look for Kike to stay hot with the bat and make some damage happen to the Houston pitching staff.

Boston magic will run out. Houston’s line up is just too damn good for the Boston pitching to contain in a series best out of seven. Especially Houston at home, they look like they got the Seattle Seahawk faithful going nuts in that juice box. The noise & the cheating Houston ways will get the job done at home. Boston will need Alex Cora to become a kingpin, a ringleader of some new scandal to turn the trends their way. I hate both of these teams. Houston especially. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and that fucker Kyle Tucker are very difficult outs.  All three on fire. Houston’s line up only really has one weakness, the catcher, Martin Maldonado. Only way to stop Houston is top tier pitching, which Boston does not have.

OUR PICK: ASTERISKS IN 5 GAMES

NLCS  

ATLANTA BRAVES VERSUS LA DODGERS

POST SEASON HISTORY

This will be the fifth time the Braves and Dodgers have met up in the post-season. Dodgers have won 3 out of 4 series versus the Braves coming in. The Braves’ only series win versus the Dodgers was their 1996 team that swept LA in the NLDS. Last time these two teams met was last post-season. The series  went to game seven as Dodgers prevailed in the NLCS and went on to the World Series to win it. In 2018, Dodgers beat Braves 3-1 in the NLDS. Then in 2013, Dodgers did the same thing in 2018 and took the NLDS 3-1.

ANALYSIS

Was the Giants and Dodgers series the real National League championship series? Dodgers survive going the distance with the Giants in the NLDS. The Braves lost the first game & then win three straight to dispatch Milwaukee. Can the Braves second shifters they acquired at the trade deadline to revamp their everyday lineup, be enough fire power to keep up with the Dodgers Nuclear arsenal?

Freddie Freeman’s bat can do vital damage to the Dodger pitching staff. Freeman had a game winning dong versus the Brew Crew in the NLDS. The Beard or mop, whatever you want to call the Dodgers’ third baseman. Justin Turner, in the post-season for the Dodgers, will have a big moment once again in the as he thrives every October. Braves will be without Jorge Soler who is out with Covid. The Dodgers will still be without their best hitter, Max Muncy.

I like Joc Pederson coming up big against his former team and helping the Braves slay the dragon that are the Dodgers. I think Pederson and Freeman with the Braves Pitching will extend this series and win at least two games. The Dodgers overcame the Giants who were a thorn in the side of LA all year and in the playoffs. No offense to the Braves this series, the Dodgers should have a bump in the road for one or two games, but at the end Dodgers win convincingly. Dodgers are a deeper team. The Braves Superstars are out and it could be different story if those guys were playing.

OUR PICK: DODGERS IN SIX 

THE WHITE SOX SORCERER

Abraham Setrakian, in the FX series called The Strain, had a bad ass looking walking cane. Some may call a cane a walking stick. Setrakian’s cane turned into a sword made out of silver that killed vampires in an instant. The cane’s handle, or sorcerer stick, had a snake’s body with a wolf’s head as the handle.

I know the show is all Hollywood and fantasy. Watching the Strain, Abram Setrakian was my favorite character, using that cane which transformed into a sword. He’d slice vampires heads cleanly off their shoulders. Then on Sunday night, a new Sorcerer turned up in my world at Guaranteed Rate field that we call Sox Park. White Sox versus Astros playoff baseball the ALDS game three best out five series. This sorcerer is known to all White Sox fans as Rob Holt, the cane guy.

Rob Holt’s son calls him Gandalf because he put a hex on the cheaters from Houston. Rob Holt’s weapon, just like Abraham Setrakian’s, was the cane he walked with. The 71-year-old Rob Holt has been a die-hard White Sox fan his entire life and a season ticket holder for 30 years. Holt needed the walking cane for his sprained knee. Holt’s wife said, “You better take the cane for walking those steps at the ball park, so you do not fall.” Holt did as his wife said, and little did he know he had a weapon of mass destruction against a line-up of cheaters who don’t strike out and are contact hitters. The cane man, now known around Chicagoland, unveiled it when things looked grim for the White Sox and pointed the cane at an Astro At-Bat. Like a voodoo charm, it instantly worked as Rob Holt aka the White Sox Sorcerer aka Gandalf put a hex on that Houston team. White Sox fans around him saw the power of this walking stick and suddenly the cane got even more powerful as the Astros were swinging at thin air most of the night. This in a game where the White Sox needed to stay alive in the series.

The White Sox would rally in that game three and win their first game of the series. The organization took notice and gave Rob Holt 4 free tickets. The seats were by the White Sox dugout instead of where Holt put on his spell. Which was the Astros dug-out.  Superstitious people would say that moving Holt could have weakened the cane’s magic. On Monday, the game was postponed due to weather. Which could have played a factor. On Tuesday, the White Sox would lose game 4, and the playoff series, to the Astros. Rob Holt got his 15 minutes of fame. Rob Holt, the White Sox Sorcerer, was a great ride while it lasted. Holt definitely should be one of those unique fans you remember at certain ballparks. He used his cane as a prop, and maybe he did have some voodoo power in that stick. Rob Holt and Abraham Setrakian are guys you need to stand by if the world gets over run by vampires or cheats. The power of the cane is like the power of Grayskull from Masters of the Universe. Next year that cane will help the young White Sox team get to that World Series and beyond. 

NOT THE FASHION POLICE – I KNOW THE REAL DUSTY BAKER BEHIND THE MASK

When it comes to Dusty Baker, I can flat out say I don’t like him as a manager. I probably would not like him as a person, if I met him. The baseball announcers on the FS1 network paint Dusty Baker as a guy who you’d meet and think he’s a must-like. Baker’s hobbies include making his own wine. Not that Dusty is a real wine guy, but when he drinks it the announcers said Baker says his is the best. The announcers said Dusty hunts game as another hobby. The guy is so full of himself that his wrist bands have pictures of his face on them.

Little caricatures of Dusty Baker on his wristband, so little Dusty can wipe big Dusty.

Plus, what’s with the numerous amount of wrist bands on Dusty’s wrists? Reminds me of the thief with all the watches on his arm showing you what he has in stock, in the back of an alley.

Besides the multiple wristbands, he has those rubber bracelets that usually have some kind of saying on each one. Now it’s multiple colored wrist bands and multiple color bracelets. The Houston Astros uniform is multiple bright colors as well. Let’s not forget the gloves. Dusty Baker used to wear batting gloves as a player & then as a manager. Why does a manager have to wear batting gloves and wristbands? These gloves look like disposable gloves. Like gloves that were popular during the first wave of the Covid-virus. Rubber gloves that the grease monkeys use when changing your oil at the local Jiffy Lube.

Sometimes you can see Dusty wearing gloves of different colors. Does Baker get the multiple colored package of dish-washing gloves? Does Baker use oven mitts to wash the dishes? Does Baker have evening-wear gloves? Remember when George Costanza was a hand model in Seinfeld?

Inside the mask, does Dusty Baker still chew on his toothpicks like he’s done at all his stops as skipper in the MLB. Dusty Baker has won many games as a manager. Dusty Baker has been successful with all his teams getting them to the playoffs. Some of his teams have gone deep into the playoffs. Baker will probably get into the Hall of Fame as a manager. Baker always wears out his welcome with each team. From his managing of all the pitching staffs that he wore down, wearing them out until their arms fell off. Dusty Baker’s many questionable calls means he may have gotten away with a few in the White Sox series that could have haunted them. Baker has not been offered an extension for next season with the Astros. I knew Baker would be a good bridge manager for the Astros after the cheating scandal. Longer he is sitting on the bench in Houston, the sooner Baker will wear out his welcome once again. Baker will do stupid things besides getting things wrong in the game and being out-managed in big games. Baker once sat his little son on his lap meeting the press after a game to avoid the tough questions. The way Baker handled the Steve Bartman saga in 2003. How that kid got blamed for over ten years was shameful. Why didn’t Dusty Baker calm down the situation after the game? Instead, Dusty added fuel to the fire. Baker never even went out to calm his pitcher down, Mark Pryor, who was heated up after Moises Alou made a big deal over a ball he would never have caught.Instead Bartman becomes the scape goat. That is the Dusty Baker that I know and hate with a passion. Hiding behind his techno-colored dreamcoats costume as an Astros manager. Trying to be the players’ best friend. Dusty, the players manager. Dusty, a manager without a World Series because he thinks he’s the smartest, when many know he is not. The Astros will fall down and will not be able to get back up until Dusty Baker has left the building.

2021 MLB POST SEASON PREDICTIONS

DIVISIONAL ROUND

ALDS

BEST OUT OF 5 SERIES

CHICAGO WHITE SOX VERSUS HOUSTON ASTROS

POST-SEASON HISTORY

In 2005, Astros then were in the National League. White Sox prevailed to win their first World Series in 88 years.

The Astros versus White Sox playoff series involves two of the oldest managers in the league: Tony LaRussa and Dusty Baker. Both managers have history and really don’t like each other. Astros have been living with the cheating scandal the last two seasons and are out to prove they did not need the trashcans to win in 2017. The White Sox rebuild is complete. The Chicago team bursting on the scene last post-season, are young and very talented. White Sox making back-to-back post-seasons for the first time ever in their franchise history. Both teams have solid 1 through 9 line-ups. Astros are still a team that is very hard to strike out.  White Sox have some firepower in their line-up as they can score runs in bunches. The starting pitching is about equal. Bullpens should be interesting. White Sox bullpen looks amazing on paper but has not yet come together in the regular season. In Dusty We Trusty with the Astros bullpen, being always a burning question and major head scratcher. I think this series will go the distance. I think it looks one-sided and the script will flip, kind of series. In the end, Dusty Baker will screw it all up.

OUR PREDICTION: WHITE SOX IN 5 

BOSTON RED SOX VERSUS TAMPA BAY RAYS

Red Sox and Rays will square off in post-season for the third time in both teams’ history. In 2013, Red Sox starting pitchers, Jon Lester and John Lackey, pitched a few gems to beat the Rays in the ALDS 3 games to 1. In 2008, both teams met in the ALCS as Rays prevailed in that series and made it to the World Series. That series went the distance.

Red Sox got their cheating manager back in 2021, Alex Cora, and like that Boston was back in the post-season. Even if the Red Sox lose to the Rays, they wiped out the Yankees in the wild card game which is something you can hang your hat on. The Rays were the best team in the American league. This after losing to the Dodgers in the World Series last season. Can the Rays join the Tampa Bay championship landscape with the Lightning and the Buccaneers who have won their sporting championships? Will the Rays computer spit out the right data this season over any hunches the manger has. Or do the Rays management put computer chips in all their coaches’ minds so hunches are not needed. Live by the data, die by the data. Red Sox have an everyday line-up that can crush the ball. Red Sox pitching is not deep enough to continue going deep in the post-season. Chris Sale has not been Sale-like. The Rays have made some improvements over their line-up from last year’s team. Bringing monster slugger Nelson Cruz over from the Twins to be the team’s every day DH. Rays outfielder, Randy Arozarena, has put up Reggie Jackson numbers in the post-season. Look for him to continue that. The Rays’ young pitching will contain the Red Sox bats long enough to escape this series with a win and move on to the ALCS.

OUR PREDICTION: RAYS IN 4

BEST OUT OF 5 SERIES

LA DODGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

POST-SEASON HISTORY

Both the Giants and Dodgers once played in New York and left for the West coast. Both teams never faced off in the post-season. Both the Giants and Dodgers have had some do-or-die games as this heated rivalry played extra games in their history to decide the faith of the division title.

Both the Giants and the Dodgers have won over 100 games this season. Giants did one game better than the Dodgers to win the NL West. Dodgers got past the Cardinals in the Wild Card game to get to this point. Dodgers as you all know won the entire thing in 2020. Giants will not be an easy task to get by in a best out of 5 series. Who are the Giants? Giants have been awesome since the beginning of the season. It’s a team that has an impactful line-up that features old and young talent. Giants have Buster Posey, Evan Longoria, Mike Yastrzemski, Tommy La Stella, Brandon Crawford and the team acquired Kris Bryant from the Cubs at the deadline. The Giants are playing without Brandon Belt who is hurt, another great bat. Dodgers are no slouch as they have a Murderer’s row for their line-up. Dodgers have piled up a ton of playoff experience. Can the Dodgers win without their ace, Clayton Kershaw? Dodgers have Walker Buehler & Mad Max Scherzer, who they acquired at the trade deadline from the Nationals. Let’s not forget goggles: Julio Uria’s. Giants will not be a push over for the Dodgers. This series to me will have the World Series representative in the National league. At the end, Dodgers prevail.

OUR PREDICTION: DODGERS IN 5

ATLANTA BRAVES VERSUS MILWAUKEE BREWERS

POST-SEASON HISTORY

Brewers and the Braves have never faced each other in the post-season. The Braves originated from Milwaukee.

The Atlanta Braves had to rebuild on the fly due to the injury bug biting a few of their players. One of them being Ronald Acuna. Then the team lost another outfielder to domestic violence. Marcell Ozuna used his wife as a punching bag. Braves made multiple trades to try to replace the production they lost. The Brewers success has been all about their starting rotation. The Brewers rotation features Brandon Woodruff, Corin Burnes, and Freddy Peralta. All of them have had very good years to this point. Then the Brewers have the best closer in the game in Josh Hader. Braves have pitching. It seems like Atlanta always has pitching. Charlie Morton, former Ray & Astro, has plenty of playoff history on his resume. Max Fried is a very talented hurler. Brewers lack that thump in the line-up. What happened to Christian Yelich this season? Yelich used to carry this team with his bat for years when the team acquired his services from the Marlins. I like the Braves in a battle to the end series, in this one. Braves find ways to go deep in post-season almost every season.

OUR PREDICTION: BRAVES IN 5  

2021 MLB POST SEASON PREDICTIONS

WILD CARD GAMES

AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD GAME

NEW YORK YANKEES AT BOSTON RED SOX

Both teams 92-70 in 2021. Red Sox get the home game because they won the season series against their rival 10-9 in 19 games in the 2021 season.

PITCHING MATCH-UP

Gerrit Cole (16-8) 3.23 ERA versus Nathan Eovaldi (11-9) 3.75 ERA

Gerrit Cole versus the Red Sox in 2021: 5 starts,  2-2, 4.91 ERA allowing 5 home runs

After the All-star break in 12 starts 4-4 record with 4.14 ERA

Nathan Eovaldi versus the Yankees in 2021: 6 starts 3.71 ERA

After the All-Star break in 14 starts 3-4, 3.84 ERA

POST-SEASON HISTORY BETWEEN YANKEES AND RED SOX  

Red Sox versus Yankees are one of the biggest rival in sports. It goes back to the days the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees for cash. 2004 was the last time these teams met in the playoffs. It was the ALCS winner goes to the World Series. It was the year the Red Sox came back from being down 3-0 in a best out of 7 series. Red Sox won 4 in a row and then went on to win their first World Series since 1918.

In 2003, both Yankees and Red Sox faced off in a best out of 7 series in another epic post season battle. Yankees won the series 4-3 and went on to lose to the Marlins in the World Series.

In 1999, another ALCS between the Yankees and the Red Sox. Yankees won that best out seven series, 4-1, and went on to beat the Braves in the World Series. Then in 1978 there was the Bucky Dent game. It was the Yankees versus Red Sox in a tie breaker. The game winner would take the AL East title which went New York’s way.

GAME PREDICTION

I can give you 321 million reasons why the Yankees should win the wild card game. Gerrit Cole!! Cole signed with the Yankees for a 321 million dollar contract and it’s time to reap the awards of that investment. The Evil Empire will expect Cole to be that big game pitcher for games like this. Boston will be without one of their sluggers for this Wild Card affair. J.D Martinez is out. If the game is close, I trust the Yankees bullpen over the Red Sox bullpen. Boston does have the home field advantage. I just don’t think the Red Sox pitching can contain the Yankees line up in a big game like this. If I were the RED Sox, I think I’d rather have Chris Sale pitching this one.

OUR PICK: YANKEES

NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD GAME

ST.LOUIS CARDINALS AT LA DODGERS

RECORDS:

ST.LOUIS CARDINALS 90-72 (SECOND WILD CARD SPOT)

LA DODGERS 106-56 (FIRST WILD CARD SPOT)

2021 HEAD TO HEAD

Dodgers have won 4 out of the 7 meetings this season facing the Cardinals.

PITCHING MATCH-UP

Adam Wainwright (17-7) 3.05 ERA versus Max Scherzer (15-4) 2.46 ERA

Adam Wainwright: Career 2.89 ERA in the post season

Max Scherzer: (7-0) record in 11 starts with a 1.98 ERA since coming to LA at the trade deadline.

POST SEASON HISTORY BETWEEN CARDINALS AND DODGERS

This will be the sixth time the Dodgers and the Cardinals square off in the post-season. Their last meeting was back in 2014 when Matt Adams hit a three-run home run off Clayton Kershaw and Cardinals won the series 3 games to 1. Cardinals have won 4 out of the 5 playoff series these two teams have faced each other in all-time.   

GAME PREDICTION

Cardinals down the stretch are one of the hottest teams to enter the playoffs. Dodgers are without one of their best hitters in this game, as Max Muncey is hurt and will not play. The starting pitching match-up in this one could make this game epic. I like Mad Max giving up one less run than Adam Wainwright.

I think Max Scherzer will have an easier time containing that Cardinals line up than Adam Wainwright has, versus that solid Dodgers murderer’s row they offer. Remember the Dodgers won 106 regular season games which would have won any other division in baseball. Dodgers are last season’s champs and no way they bow out this early. Dodgers have too much talent for St. Louis to handle.

OUR PICK: DODGERS   

WHITE SOX 2021 AL CENTRAL CHAMPIONS

I remember when winning a division in baseball was a big deal. The Chicago White Sox captured the American League Central last week very quietly. Some would think the White Sox won the division back at the All-Star break. White Sox had a commanding lead and sat at the top of the AL Central since early May, building a 20 lead. With 5 games left versus the Indians, the White Sox just needed one game from them with the magic number at one. The White Sox dispatched the Indians quickly in game one of the double-header series last week. They clinched the division and game two, or the rest of the series in Cleveland, would not matter. It was not a huge celebration like a walk off home run where players mob each other at home plate. White Sox win the division like they’ve been in the end zone before. They handed the ball to the referee and congratulated each other with the regular handshakes, just like after any victory. White Sox end up losing game two of the double tilt. Then the team would celebrate inside the locker room with no reporters giving you live feeds. Due to the pandemic, they are not allowed in the locker room. If a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound? It could be the slogan of this 2021 division.

In 1983, the first time I ever saw the White Sox win the division, it was Julio Cruz crossing home plate in the Winning Ugly season.

That year, the White Sox found themselves down by a ton of games back in the division after two months of the season. Then the team went on a tear and eventually would win the division. It was the first time the White Sox made it to the post-season since their loss to the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series.

BO KNOWS DIVISIONS

In 1993, Bo Jackson was finally available to play after having hip surgery. Bo Jackson’s home run helped the White Sox clinch the division. It was one of the best moments in White Sox history. That game too, was versus the Seattle Mariners.

THE BLACK OUT GAME

In 2008, it took the White Sox to the 163^rd game to dispatch the Minnesota Twins for the division. This game was known as the Black Out game. Fans turned U.S Cellular Field aka Sox Park into to something out of the Black Hole of Raider nation.

It was Jim Thome’s blast that was the only run of the game. It helped the White Sox prevail over the Twins that night.

In 1983, 1993, and 2008 there were the most exciting division clinching moments.

THE 2000 TEAM

In 2000, the White Sox had a hell of a season unexpectedly.

It was a fun year and fun team in 2000. It was a team that you knew was not going to go anywhere. A Cinderella team that peaked at the right time while having a lot of their guys have career years at the same time. That team did not last long as the Seattle Mariners quickly dispatched them and the following year the team tried to improve with trades. It did not work, as the team did not make the post-season in 2001.

RICKY’S BOYS

In 2020, we had a shortened season due to the pandemic. The White Sox made the post-season for the first time since 2008. Ricky Renteria, many thought would be the bridge manager for the White Sox. Which Renteria turned out to be, but he did guide the up and coming White Sox to a post-season berth. This was due to the expanded playoffs because of the pandemic.

White Sox were the first team in the American league to clinch a playoff spot and at the time were tops in the division. The White Sox the last few weeks… the team put up a clunker full of losses that dropped them all the way to the 7^th seed. Renteria would be fired after that horrible game three loss to the Athletics in the very first round.

WORLD CHAMPS

In 2005, you have to make the same comparison as the 2021 squad because both teams had the big lead at the All-Star break in the division. In 2005 however, the Indians chased down the White Sox and made it interesting in the second half of the season, in late September. It was way too close for comfort. White Sox finally flipped the switch and steamrolled to the finish line, clinching in Detroit. Then sweeping the Indians before entering the post-season. The post-season where magic took place.

The 2021 White Sox did not win the division in style like the teams in the past. How many injuries did the White Sox overcome this season? In 2005, how many closers did the team need to finish the season? In 2005, the White Sox traded away slugger Carolos Lee. The team did not sign one of their own free agents, Magglio Ordonez, who was a superstar on the southside for years. In 2021, the White Sox made trades to improve their team as the rebuild was complete. Dumping their bridge manager and waking up Tony LaRussa, were signs the White Sox were ready to make the next steps. In 2005, the moves by the front office left you scratching your head until you saw it play out on the field that year. In 2005 and 2021, teams seemed very similar in that they did not have that one set play that defines White Sox history, clinching the division like other years in the past.  Both teams struggled in the second half of the regular season after remarkable first halves. The tale of two cities. Both teams at the end of September closed the season out strong.

The 2021 team overcame multiple injuries. The team had help from many players that stepped up their game when the team was without Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and Yasmani Grandal for long periods of the season. Tim Anderson was on the shelf for a few stints on the Injured list with some of that great starting pitching. The White Sox built a lead that the Twins and Indians could not catch up to. The Twins fell off the map of baseball post-season teams. The Indians pitching is always good, but the team lacked offense to sustain any kind of challenge to the White Sox. The year of 2021 had the game in the field of dreams where the White Sox knocked off the Yankees with a walk-off homerun into the corn crops in Iowa. Shoeless Joe would be proud. Then the MVP Jose Abreu, a walking target by pitching staffs around the league, getting hit multiple times over the year and once right in the coconut. Abreu even survived a collision early in the season on the first base line. The MVP of 2020 kept peeling himself off the canvas like Rocky Balboa in the ring. Then Abreu would strike with the way he know how with his bat. Then the trades with the Cubs trying to get some bullpen arms. Then striking up a deal with the Indians. Places you would not expect the White Sox would get help from. It all turned out ok as the end result is the post-season for the Chicago White Sox. It’s the first time in history that the White Sox will make back-to-back post-season appearances in their entire existence. It should be an exciting post-season to see what this team can do and what they are capable of doing.

THUMBS DOWN

The New York Mets were in first place in the NL, East in the month of July. The Mets even made deals to improve their team for a post-season run. Mets even acquired Cubs Superstar Javier Baez to play second base for them. New owner of the Mets, Steve Cohen, started his ownership off with a splash with the front office landing a big name at short stop from the Indians in Francisco Lindor, right before the 2021 season started. Mets fans had to be feeling pretty good with how things were going down. Especially since division rival Atlanta Braves are having problems with injuries and Marcell Ozuna being removed from their line-up the rest of the season for attacking his wife. The Mets had their own closet full of skeletons as the wheels on the bus came off completely. Mets fans showed their emotion by booing. Some Mets players showed the fans where they ranked in their hearts with a simple gesture… thumbs down.

Javier Baez and New York Fans are from the same cloth, so they wear their emotions on their sleeves. You would think that something has to give. Baez can be a one-man Army like John Rambo. Instead of Rambo’s M-60 machine gun, Baez can do his damage with a bat. Baez with the Mets this season has played in 40 games, has 43 hits, and is batting an impressive .305. Baez has hit 9 home runs with 19 driven in for the Mets since being traded from the Cubs. Baez started off slowly like most players when they come to a new team. You just can’t turn things on like a light switch. Thought the one good thing coming into this trade was that Baez was good friends with Francisco Lindor, going way back. New surroundings mean you have to move your life to another city, perhaps with family. You have to fit in with an entire new group of teammates. New places to eat. New everything including getting ready for each game. Baez was a slow starter for the Mets as the wheels on the bus were losing their lug nuts. New York fans do what they do. They rain down the stadium in boo’s. Baez and other teammates came up with their own “F-You” and that involved a gesture of thumbs down when they got a hit to quietly jab at the fans in a way they did not know about. It was a simple thumbs down, like if the Fonz from Happy Days did not like what was going on. Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor are a double play combination digging balls out of the dirt on defense and making a dig at the fans of New York at the same time. It seems they have resorted to Ross and Monica’s gesturing scheme in the show Friends of that secret middle finger not being used.

Before the 2021 season, the Mets had to get rid of their General Manager, Jared Porter. Evidence that linked him back in 2016 with the Cubs showed he sent some raunchy images to a female co-worker. Porter was fired as Zack Scott took over the GM duties. Zack Scott would get a DUI after he left the owner’s party in Connecticut. Scott resurfacing is still unknown. Mets fired their hitting coach, Chili Davis. Davis making his rounds as hitting coach throughout the league it seems. Pete Alonso did not like the front office getting rid of Chili Davis. Then you add a string of injuries to the team as the season went into a fiery downspin type of helicopter crash with huge flames engulfing the wreck of the craft. The Braves overhauled their team and quickly regained control of the NL East, as Mets fans can move on to the upcoming football season.

Meanwhile, Javier Baez is an artist of showmanship. Some would call it being a hot dog. Baez will most likely move on from the New York scene, as this was his final year from the Cubs contract. Where will he go? Back to the Cubs? Baez with his actions on the field can lead to hostile situations on the field with other teams. Baez is a guy you love only when he plays for your team. Some would say you have to because he wears your team jersey. Baez is a guy that can turn it on at any given time. Some say he does not give 100 percent every day to the ballpark. Baez can live by the home run and die by the strike out. In Chicago, Baez is a cult hero for what he did in 2016 for the Cubs. Baez is definitely a buyer beware type of purchase. Any team he goes to would have a strong clubhouse to let Baez be Baez and still be able to contain the Legend of Wrigley Field. For the New York Mets, I give their season a thumbs down The new boss is the same as the old boss for the Mets. Hope in 2022, Mets fans won’t be fooled again.  

GRANDAL VERSUS MCANN PART II

Some might think I’m still crying in my beer that the White Sox parted ways with James McCann. I thought if the White Sox could have kept McCann and already had Yasmani Grandal locked up, they could platoon them at Catcher while having them play some first base and in and out of the DH slot. I still stick to my guns today. I just could not pay McCann the money he received in free agency from the Mets. Part one of Yasmani Grandal versus James McCann was featured in May. We wanted to compare both backstops to see if the White Sox made a mistake by letting James McCann walk where he signed a big deal with the Mets. In May, both Grandal and McCann’s stat lines were running even. Both of them out of the gates were nothing to write home to Mum about. Grandal’s batting average was at .136 while McCann was better, but still not good at .202.

STAT LINES BY BOTH BACK STOPS AT SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

STAT LINE: YASMANI GRANDAL 79 GAMES, 237 AB’S, HITS 55, 20 HR, 57 RBI’S 71 WALKS, OBP .410 BA .232

STAT LINE: JAMES MCCANN 110 GAMES, 343 AB’S, HITS 110, 10 HR, 41 RBI’S, 30 WALKS, OBP .300 BA .236

Durability definitely goes to James McCann playing 110 games to Yasmani Grandal’s 79 games. Grandal, like many White Sox players this year, has had stints of the injured list. In my opinion, McCann is the better defensive option over Grandal. McCann can frame pitches with the best of them. The eye test shows me McCann can get down and dirty, stopping balls in the dirt. Grandal has missed balls that rolled through his legs. Both catchers are Men at Work doing the dirty work only certain can do.

Offensively, both James McCann and Yasmani Grandal had their batting go up since the month of May. McCann’s average went up 24 points. Grandal’s average has went up a 100 points. McCann has more At-Bats & more games played so a stat I like is On Base Percentage. Grandal has .410 OBP while McCann has OBP .300, a 110 points difference. Walks. Grandal has 71 while McCann has drawn only 30. Walks do not count for At-Bats. In less games and less hits, Grandal has more RBI’S and more homeruns than McCann. Everyone in Chicago remembers when Grandal returned from the injured list, his two home run 8 RBI night versus crosstown rival Cubs. Grandal was the first catcher ever in the MLB to record multiple 8 RBI games. Grandal, a switch hitter, can do Van Damage from both sides of the plate making him the better offensive player.

Many Mets fans wanted their team to sign J.T Realmuto in the off-season. The Mets’ new ownership wanted James McCann and gave him big money. Realmuto would have demanded bigger money on the free agent market. Many New Yorkers think McCann’s stats are not Starting Catcher’s worth. They think McCann has gone down the road before he came to the White Sox, his Detroit days which were not impressive. McCann hit very well in a White Sox uniform. Many players get the big deal in the game of baseball, but do not live up to the contract. Hope McCann can turn things around in The Big Apple.

My final category for these two back-stops is calling a game behind the plate. Mets most of the season were in first place in the NL East. The Braves overhauled their team and the Mets went in a tailspin. This does not help James McCann even though it is not his fault.  Yasmani Grandal has been a part of a first place team the entire year and the White Sox are double digits in games ahead in the AL Central.

Part two of Grandal Versus McCann goes to Yasmani.

SACRIFICIAL LAMB

My X-girlfriend once told me when she and her brother were kids, the parents brought home live lobsters. She remembers playing with them and even naming them. Until the pot of boiling water was ready & then suddenly these temporary pets turned into dinner that night. Jake Lamb is one of those lobsters. The White Sox were done playing with Lamb and when the others came back from their injuries, he was the sacrificial lamb thrown into boiling water. White Sox designated Lamb for assignment.

Jake Lamb was picked up by the Blue Jays. Lamb’s low .212 batting average was not very impressive during the 43 games he wore a White Sox uniform. Lamb drove in 13 with six long balls mostly coming off the bench filling in for guys needing rest. Lamb is a left-handed bat and can play multiple positions on the diamond, which is why he was picked up fast. Blue Jays can use Lamb on the corners of their infield or the outfield corners. Lamb started the season trying to make it on the Atlanta squad and was cut loose at the end of Spring Training. Lamb lasted one year in Oakland in 2020. All the travel miles for Lamb after spending his first seven seasons in Arizona. Maybe someday this lobster will find a home instead of being thrown into a pot of boiling water. 

SNAKES NO HITTER TURNS INTO A MLB SEASON RECORD

The 2021 season in the MLB has been about the No’s No’s. This season has been about the spin rate as pitchers have been wheeling and dealing. The American past time has been all about living by the homerun and dying by the strikeout. Pitching seems to be on the rise while arms around the league have tossed 7 no-hitters rather quickly. Then MLB had the umpires checking the pitchers for any foreign substances in between innings & then suddenly things cooled off. Rookie Diamondback Tyler Gilbert then threw a no-hitter in his first start in August. It was the 8^th no-hitter pitched in baseball in 2021. Eight no-hitters is a new MLB record in one year in modern times.

Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the worst teams in the entire MLB. Diamondbacks were selling off pieces of their roster at the deadline. Arizona fans were probably shifting their attention to the upcoming football season. The 27-year-old left-hander Tyler Gilbert looks like a complete steal for the Diamondbacks in the rule 5 draft last winter. Plus, Gilbert was a Dodger unprotected and now the Diamondbacks snaked a nice piece away from a division rival. Gilbert in his 4^th appearance in the majors in his first ever start, pitches a no hitter and he becomes the 4^th ever to accomplish that in MLB history. Theodore Breitenstein (1891), Bumpus Jones (1892), and Bobo Holloman (1953).

Love these pitchers’ first names: Bumpus and Bobo.

Tyler Gilbert pitches the third no-hitter in Diamondbacks history. Gilbert’s performance was not the perfect game Randy Johnson had in a Diamondback uniform in 2004.

Gilbert’s no-hitter was way better in Edwin Jackson who walked like 7 batters in his big night in 2010. Gilbert did allow 3 walks, had 5 strikeouts and threw 102 pitches as Diamondbacks shut out the Padres 7-0. 

Many pitchers that come into the league on fire will eventually fizzle out. Diamondbacks hope that Tyler Gilbert becomes a permanent piece in the Snakes bullpen for years to come. In MLB history, pitchers you have never heard of, have had their night and pitched out of their minds. Then they never recapture that moment ever again. Sometimes that no hitter is their career moment as they hang up the spikes for good because they can’t find that magic again. Let’s hope Tyler Gilbert does not go down the same road. Interesting no hitters overall have been pitched this season and a rookie doing it in their first start is very special. Also, against a pretty good hitting team in the Padres. 

SCUM OF THE EARTH

If you are the baseball teams in Ohio, the Indians and the Reds, your organization should be happy not having to deal with Trevor Bauer. The Indians and Reds would not dish out a 102 million dollar contract for three seasons like LA did. The contract Bauer signed in the off-season included multiple opt out clauses. It tells part of the story why he’s the ultimate douche bag. Bauer won the National League Cy Young award in the pandemic season pitching for the Reds. This season, besides being a little critical to his teammates as they were the champions in 2020, Bauer was doing pretty good on the mound in 17 starts but his words are not very team-like. Bauer’s record was 8-5 with a low 2.59 ERA. Then Bauer had to go Criminal Minds on a woman in Pasadena, California. This prompted a leave of absence by Trevor Bauer as everyone wants to investigate these allegations brought on to find the truth of the matter.

Years ago, I thought Trevor Bauer was a dumb kid with too many hobbies making so much money. Especially Bauer slicing his finger in the post-season for the Indians playing with his drone. It was game two of the American League Championship Series. Maybe you could build a time machine and go back to that drone cutting Bauer’s finger and maybe start up the machine while he was cleaning to cut his arm off. It would prevent this SOB from what he allegedly did to this girl in California. Then the crybaby Bauer threw the ball over the center field wall from the mound because the Cleveland manager Terry Francona wanted to take him out of the game. Nice throw. Act like a grown up. Then being a little creepy showing up to the ballpark & being a fan after being traded for your outburst. Watching the Indians on the field like some kind of sniper watching its next kill. These are the signs we all missed.

Then in Cincinnati, Bauer’s cockiness saying the Cy Young award should be given to me today before the 2020 season even ended. Yes, he won the award. Act like you’ve been in the end zone before. In the off-season, he toyed with baseball fans about where he was going to sign. Sounds innocent, but even having his teams narrowed down to two. Like he’s the ultimate king goat Lebron James and his program is the decision. Cleveland really gets some big-headed athletes coming out of that town. Bauer even had himself in a Mets jersey to tell New York fans that happened on accident when he actually signed a deal with the Dodgers. Then the contract with all the opt out clauses Bauer signed with the Dodgers. Opting out to get more money from the same team or another is why Bauer wanted them in the deal with the Dodgers.

Now we get back to present times as Trevor Bauer has been on administrative leave since July 2^nd of the 2021 season. None of the LA Dodgers players want this bum to return. Dodgers cannot release Bauer until the investigation is over. If Dodgers did release him, then they are on the hook for that contract he signed as a free agent. In August, a judge in LA county denied a request to extend a restraining order on this hot piece of garbage. The woman accused Bauer of taking things too far. She agreed initially to consensual sex. Bauer went above and beyond to turn this into a complete nightmare. Bauer punched her face which explains the black eyes in the picture. Beside this, Bauer punched her in the buttocks and vagina like some kind of savage. The report also read Bauer stuck his fingers down her throat plus strangling her until she lost consciousness. Multiple times, it said. Another woman came out and said things about Bauer’s actions in Ohio. Bauer said, “That one is trying to extort money off me.”

I know it takes two to tangle. Even if this woman that is accusing Trevor Bauer consented to the rough sex, afterwards changed her mind, and has regrets now. Trevor Bauer is still hot garbage. The world is full of whack jobs, especially these days, that make Adolf Hitler look like a saint. Something is very wrong where you bring violence like that into the bedroom. Rapists!! Bauer and his accuser took the bedroom to a twisted level if they thought this was what they wanted. If this was just Trevor Bauer doing his own thing fulfilling his own fantasy, I hope he never plays baseball again. Bauer comes off as if he thinks he is the smartest person in the room. The guy is like that friend on Facebook who uses it as his own personal soap box. When you’re a celebrity or athlete and have money, you think you can get away with anything. If Bauer gets off, he may never play baseball because he has alienated everyone around him. If this incident had never taken place, Bauer would have done something else to divide the locker room as he is the cancer in the arena.

WELCOME TO THE STONE CUTTERS CLUB

Miguel Cabrera finally gets his 500^th homerun during the dog days of August in the 2021 season. Cabrera makes history at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. In the sixth inning, the 38-year-old slugger hit his 13^th homerun of the season off left-hander Steven Matz of the Blue Jays. That homerun means Cabrera becomes the 28^th member of the 500 homerun club in the MLB. Joining a list full of mostly hall of fame players that have already been enshrined in Cooperstown. Only 28 players can say they accomplished this in a game that has been around for over 100 years. It has that feeling of joining a secret society of a group like the Skulls or the Stone Cutters. Cabrera’s .311 career batting average ranks 5^th out of the 28 members of his elite club.

It’s been a turtles pace for Miggy Cabrera to get to the 500 club as he had 446 long balls at the end of the 2016 season. Dealing with injuries over the last few seasons definitely slowed the first Tiger ever to hit their 500^th in a Detroit uniform. Throw in the 2020 season, which was shortened due to Covid, and it takes some At-Bats from the slugging first baseman. Cabrera now needs only 45 hits to reach another huge society of 3000 hits. If Cabrera can tackle that, he will become only the 7^th player ever to have 3000 hits and over 500 homeruns. Cabrera will for sure be a first ballot hall of famer when his career ends. Cabrera wants to play two more seasons after this year to finish out his contract. Playing in the MLB for over 20 seasons is another accomplishment that many can’t do.

Miguel Cabrera had a standing ovation of 14,685 fans, mostly Blue Jays fans, as they recognized a historical milestone. Cabrera becomes the first Venezuelan player to hit 500 bombs. Cabrera’s first career homerun was hit in a Marlins uniform back in June of 2003. Nineteen seasons the slugger made his bat do the talking. The Indians were Cabrera’s biggest victim hitting 50 of his 500 against them. Phil Hughes will be the guy Cabrera hit the most homeruns off of, which is 7. Cabrera has 41 games where he hit two dingers in. Cabrera has two games where he hit three homeruns in. Add in two MVP’S, 11-all-star games, 7 silver slugger awards and 4 batting titles to a homerun threat is amazing. Cabrera made history in 2008 winning the triple crown as he led the league in homeruns, RBI’S, and batting average. Carl Yaztremski, aka YAZ, was the last player to win the triple crown in 1967.

I remember when Miguel Cabrera first came on the scene in a Marlins uniform. Cabrera had some big hits in that playoff series in 2003 that the Cubs blamed on Steve Bartman touching that foul ball. It was the year the Cubs thought they would break the curse of the goat. Cabrera played third base and killed the Cubs faithful that year. Then Cabrera went on to help the Marlins win the World Series versus the Yankees. Cabrera hit a huge homerun off the Rocket Roger Clemons in that series. Cabrera has been in two World Series, the other one with the Tigers, but they lost. Watching Tigers and White Sox all these years, Miggy was always a tough out. I remember Cabrera was a drinking buddy of Sweaty Freddie on the White Sox. Freddie Garcia and Miguel Cabrera painted the town red more than once over the years. That led to some problems for Cabrera, but he got his head on straight and continued to have a monster career. In the end, Cabrera will get 3000 hits. You wonder if he could have stayed healthy over the last few seasons. Would Cabrera have gotten to the 600 mark in homeruns? It’s still an impressive career hitting that many home runs with a high average and not being the typical strike out victim. The low average of bigger guys in the game that only hit long balls or get rung up.       

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

After 8 seasons and now during a rebuild, the Pittsburgh Pirates have had enough of Gregory Polanco’s services. Once upon a time ago in 2009, Gregory Polanco out of the Dominican Republic was a future bright spot for the Pirates for decades to come. The 29-year-old outfielder has not been the same since the end of the 2018 season. In 2018, Polanco had 23 homeruns and played 130 games for the Buckos. Then late in the season, he was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder that needed surgery. Since then, Polanco has struggled. In 2019, Polanco only played in 42 games. In the shortened season in 2020 due to the pandemic, Polanco played in 50 games. He only batted .153 with 7 long balls and 22 runs batted in. This season, Polanco has played in 107 and has a .208 batting average while striking out 104 times. Pirates pulled the plug on Polanco giving him a chance to maybe jump onto a possible playoff team by giving him his release.

Gregory Polanco was the longest tenured Pirate as he will move on to uncharted waters. Pittsburgh has been his only home in the MLB. Polanco, a left-handed hitting right fielder, played in 823 games for the Pirates since coming up in the MLB in the 2014^th season. Polanco will be missed by players and coaches as he always brought positive energy to the ballpark on a daily basis. It was a tough decision by the Pirates front office, but the team is in full tear down and rebuilding. During the last month of the season, they want to see what they have in Cole Tucker, a prospect that has been up and down with the club a few times. Polanco even still had two more options for two more seasons with the Pirates, but in the grand scheme of things, Polanco does not fit in with the final plan of the rebuild. 

Gregory Polanco is a guy you rooted on. Polanco’s career numbers have him finishing his Pittsburgh career batting .241 with 696 hits in Pirates uniform. Polanco hit 96 long balls and is 4 away from the 100 mark. Polanco led the team in stolen bases this season and has 98 career thefts. The most games Polanco played in one season were 153 games back in 2015. Polanco played 144 games in 2016, but the games continue to slope down even though he played most of the shortened season in 2020. It’s a shame the Pirates could not get something back for Polanco. His numbers tell the tale of the tape even though he has started to hit better in his last dozen games. I’d like to see Polanco catch on with someone and help a team in post-season. Seems like the Pirate way as many X-Buccaneers have done well for other teams. Especially the core from the Pirates last playoff run. Polanco showed some flashes of brilliance in a Pirates uniform and overall is a great guy to have on any team. He just never put it all together season after season. Injuries derailed him. Polanco is still trying to find that magic he had in 2018.  Polanco may never be the same guy in 2018. Hopefully, he can still be productive enough for someone else to stay in the majors.

GO ON, TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

I thought former slugger Chris Davis was done years ago. Davis, over the last few years, has just been a shell of his former self. Plagued by injuries & at least 5 different ailments since 2017, Davis, who makes big money, has not lived up to contract he got from the Orioles before the 2016 season. Davis hangs up the spikes for good as he has not played in the 2021 season due to hip injury. Davis, will still be paid the remainders of that 7 year 161 Million dollar deal in installments during his retirement. Orioles will have their own Bobby Bonilla day. 

Chris Davis came on the scene with the Texas Rangers and was your typical left-handed slugger. He lives by the home run & dies by the strike out. Rangers dealt Davis to Baltimore as the Orioles at the time were a playoff team. Seems like the Orioles are either really bad or a playoff team, nothing in the middle. Davis helped the birds make it to three playoff berths. Davis then averaged 39 long balls a season from 2012-16. Davis had a monster year in 2013 where he launched 53 balls into the seats. Davis in a Baltimore uniform led the majors twice in Homeruns. Davis played ten seasons in Baltimore as he remains on the top 15 in many offense categories all-time for the Orioles. Those offensive categories are homeruns, RBI’S, runs, walks, and even games played. The numbers are hard to imagine because he has missed parts of seasons.

Chris Davis leaves the game at 35 years old. Davis played 13 seasons in the MLB with two teams, the Rangers and Orioles. Davis on defense played most of his games at first base. Davis did see some action in the outfield and manning the hot corner. He was a left-handed hitter but threw the ball with his right hand. Davis’ lifetime numbers in the MLB have a batting average of .233 with 1,160 hits & 780 RBI’S while hitting 295 balls into the seats. Five home runs shy of 300. Davis struck out 1,852 times and you can say, “Ouch.” Last time Davis played in a game is back in 2020. Davis played in only 16 games during the shortened Covid season and only had 52 At-bats racking up only six hits. Davis had only 1 RBI and no home runs. In 2019, Davis hit his last home runs in the Majors. Davis finished up with only 12 long balls as he played in 105 games that season.

The thing in baseball is all contracts are guaranteed. If the Orioles were going to give me that kind of money, I would have signed the deal and not returned any of the loot. Davis, who has a reputation as a good guy, was nominated three times for the Roberto Clemente award. This award is giving for a player’s involvement in the community. Injuries have derailed the slugger’s career as he had the following ailments signing his new rich deal. Davis had experienced problems with his oblique, hip, knee, and the worst… the dreaded back injury. To recover from injury takes hard work to go through the diets and grueling workouts and mindset to get back in the game. Davis’ numbers would say he robbed the Orioles like a bank robber. Davis’ average went south. In 2018, Davis batted .168, in 2019 it was .179, and in 2020, .115. In his first year of the deal, Davis struck out 219 times in 2016. In 2015, Davis had 208 strike outs. This would teach teams not to give these kinds of sluggers big time money and long terms. If I was an Orioles fan, I’d be waiting for the day that Chris Davis is off the books. Look at Nelson Cruz, who is tearing the cover off the ball in his 40’s. Teams have only offered one-year deals because you don’t know when age and injuries will catch up to these veterans. Davis had some great years and he is a very rich man because of those years. Now like the Steve Miller song, “go on take the money and run” is Chris Davis walking away from the stadium’s walk away song.  

MOWING DOWN THE SCRUBS

The Chicago Cubs put an end to the best team they ever had in over 100 years by having a fire sale at the end of July at the trade deadline. Cubs are now just a skeleton of their former selves as teams now are just bullying the reborn loveable losers. The Brew Crew beat up on the Cubs like a rag doll on a bad Aerosmith video, on August 11^th. It was 7-0 Brewers before their starting pitcher even took the mound. The Wrigley faithful have seen these dark days before from the bleachers. Perhaps beer sales will drastically go up in the next few months. Then finally, Corbin Burnes took the rubber and just threw the ball up by a touchdown, an extra point, and went 8 scoreless. Burnes would get the win, and also tie a few records in the process.

In the second, third, and 4^th innings, Corbin Burnes struck out the side. In the fifth, Burnes struck out Frank Schwindel for his 10^th consecutive strikeout that ties a major league record with two other pitchers. In June of this year, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola did the same thing Corbin Burnes did and struck out 10 New York Mets in a row which tied Tom Seaver’s record set in 1970. Tom Seaver then pitched for the New York Mets and he struck out ten Padres in a row to set the MLB record. That is pretty good company that Corbin Burnes will join on that accomplishment.

In the 8 innings that night, Corbin Burnes pitched versus the Cubs. He racked up a total of 18 strikeouts. Those eighteen strikeouts by Burnes ties a Milwaukee Brewer record of punch-outs in one game by a pitcher. Former Brewer Ben Sheets set the 18 mark back in 2004. Burnes needed only 41 pitches to get the Cubs swinging at thin air for the ten consecutive strikeouts. Three of those strikeouts, Cubs whiffed on 3 pitches. It was a bad night when none of the 10 in row were more than 5 pitches. Burnes is only 26 and is having a great year improving his record this season to 7-4 with a low ERA of 2.23. Burnes has made the Brewers staff look solid from 1 through 3 in the starting rotation. Burnes has played a big part of the Brewers running away with the NL Central right now. It was all because Burnes added a cutter into his pitch mix.

The Scrubs did have some big league guys in the line-up, taking swings versus Corbin Burnes that night. David Bote, Wilson Contreras, and Ian Happ have all had successful years with the lumber. Frank Scwindel was a guy that struck out twice and his second strikeout tied the record. Matt Duffy broke up the Cubs misery after Burnes fanned ten in a row by singling to right field. In the end, Brewers beat a team they should have and continue to roll towards the NL Central. The Cubs gathered a lot of pieces from trading away their core. We will see what pans out in years to come. Maybe in another 100 years, the Cubs can mow down the Brew Crew.    

MONTH OF JULY

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

GAMES IN JULY (25)

JULY RECORD (11-14)

SEASON RECORD (40-64)

LAST PLACE IN NL CENTRAL

HOME RECORD (23-29)

AWAY RECORD (17-35)

PIRATES RECORD VERSUS THE ENTIRE LEAGUE:

NL CENTRAL (11-29)

NL EAST (12-11)

NL WEST (9-17)

INTERLEAGUE (8-7)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

GAMES IN JULY (26)

JULY RECORD (14-12)

SEASON RECORD (61-44)

FIRST PLACE IN AL CENTRAL

HOME RECORD (36-18)

AWAY RECORD (25-26)

WHITE SOX RECORD VERSUS THE ENTIRE LEAGUE:

AL CENTRAL (34-21)

AL EAST (13-7)

AL WEST (9-11)

INTERLEAGUE (5-5)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX TRADE DEADLINE REPORT CARD

WHITE SOX TRADE NUMBER 2 WITH THE CUBS

 

WHITE SOX SEND THE CUBS SECOND BASEMAN NICK MADRIGAL ALONG WITH RHP RELIEVER CODI HEUER.

CUBS SEND WHITE SOX CLOSER CRAIG KIMBREL

White Sox departing with Nick Madrigal in this trade baffles me. Madrigal was drafted 4^th overall in the 2018 draft and he can hit the baseball. Madrigal is very difficult to strike out as he had the lowest whiff rate in the MLB. At the plate, Madrigal finds a way to put the ball in play especially with two strikes on him. Madrigal will be a career .300 hitter as in two seasons in 300 At-Bats so far, he’s hitting .317 with 96 hits in only 83 games.  Madrigal is only 24 years old and the Cubs will have control over him through 2026. Unfortunately, Madrigal’s season ended with a torn hamstring in June. If Madrigal does not tear his hamstring, the White Sox don’t trade for Cesar Hernandez and Nick would still be with the team. This trade will come back and sting the White Sox.

Codi Heuer is another young player that is in his second year in the MLB. Heuer is a tall right-handed pitcher who has been effective coming out of the bullpen. You can’t say Heuer is expendable in trades, because he’s only 25 and has put up some decent numbers with two seasons under his belt. In 2020, Heuer ERA was lower than any limbo stick winner. Heuer had a 1.52 ERA in 2020 and this season it has risen to a 5.12 ERA. Overall in two seasons with the White Sox, Codi with an I has a 7-1 record in 61 games out of the bullpen. His ERA in both seasons combined is 3.75 and has one save to his credit pitching on the south side.  Heuer has shown flashes of brilliance when he comes into play during the late innings.

Rick Hahn, General Manager of the White Sox, has created a two-headed monster in his bullpen to close out a baseball game. White Sox already have one of the best closers in Liam Hendricks who they signed in the off-season. Craig Kimbrel by far was the best reliever in the game this season in the National League. Kimbrel led all relievers in the NL in strikeouts. Kimbrel converted 23-25 save opportunities this season on the North Side of Chicago with a 0.49 ERA. Yikes… very impressive. Kimbrel made it to his 8^th All-Star game this season. Kimbrel ranks number 9 all-time in the MLB in saves with 371 so he knows a little about closing the door on other teams at the end of the game. For the White Sox, Kimbrel will slide in the set-up role and pitch the 8^th inning while Hendricks pitches the 9^th. Plus, manager Tony LaRussa could flip the script on both his closers; do Hendricks in the 8^th & then Kimbrel in the 9^th. Maybe just ride the hotter hand.

GRADE: C… Not a big fan of giving up a young superstar talent like second baseman, Nick Madrigal. This seems like when Rick Hahn fleeced the Cubs years ago with the Eloy Jimenez/Dylan Cease for Jose Quintana trade. It’s like Ricky owes Cubs GM Jed Hoyer something because of that deal. I love players that can make contact at almost all times like Nick Madrigal. You need this type of guy inserted in the line-up and not just rely on the homerun ball. Believe me, I like the idea of having a two-headed monster in the post-season. Can Kimbrel and Hendricks both coexist if taken out of the game for the other? Who gets the bulk of save opportunities? Would Kimbrel be ok with being the setup guy?  Kimbrel does have an option for 2022, which is good. Kimbrel can be more than just a rental this season. All the years the White Sox had control of both Madrigal and Heur, two young pieces getting better each day, are hard to swallow. I think the White Sox could have found another bullpen arm from another team at a price that is not steep like this deal Hahn and Hoyer worked up with some drinks on Rush Street.   

WHITE SOX TRADE WITH INDIANS

WHITE SOX SEND INDIANS MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER, KONOR PILKINGTON

INDIANS SEND WHITE SOX SECOND BASEMAN CESAR HERNANDEZ

When your team is in contention and expectations are going deep in the playoffs, sometimes you have to give up some of your farm gems. White Sox depart with a 6’3” hoss out of Mississippi State University who they drafted in the 3^rd round of the 2018 draft. The 23-year-old Konor Pilkington is not lighting the league on fire in Double-A ball in Birmingham. The left-hander has a 4-4 record with a 3.48 ERA in 14 starts. Pilkington is still learning, but he’s a physical lefty that has a fast ball between 90-93 and has 4 pitches in his arsenal. The Indians know pitching very well. Pilkington has a high ceiling and could be a stud in Cleveland, years from now.

White Sox were in need of a second basemen when Nick Madrigal suffered a hamstring tear on June 10^th. The injury to Madrigal would sideline him for the rest of the season. White Sox get a gold glove second basemen in Cesar Hernandez from the Cleveland Indians. White Sox at the trade deadline finding interesting teams that are helping them. First, the cross-town rival the Cubs. Now a deal with division rival Indians. I guess what comes around goes around. In 1997, the White Sox were three games back of the Indians at the deadline. It was the great white flag sale for the White Sox as they dealt many of their players. As the team gave up their season. This year Cleveland is in second place multiple games back as they felt like they were not going to catch the first place White Sox. Plus, the Indians brass knew the White Sox would eventually find a second basemen from some other team. Indians get a pitcher & White Sox get a guy that can help their current team go beyond the thunder dome, the World Series.  

Cesar Hernandez is a 9-year veteran who started his career in Philadelphia while moving on and playing in Cleveland for the last two seasons. Hernandez, at 31 years old, improves your overall defense and can be a top of the order type of guy with the bat. Hernandez adds another switch hitter to the White Sox daily line up. Hernandez, in 96 games in an Indians uniform, was hitting .231 with 18 long balls so he can mash some balls into the seats. His batting average is usually higher as his home run total is a career high for Hernandez this season.

GRADE: A… I really like this move done by Rick Hahn. I think Cesar Hernandez is an upgrade at second base over the young Nick Madrigal because of defense. Madrigal is prone to make a boo-boo on his throw or in routine play. Madrigal, a solid contact hitter, will be the better hitter in the long run. Hernandez gives the White Sox more experience at the position, especially in the post-season. This move solidifies the second base position instead of having a rotation of players in and out of the position, which can be harmful turning the double plays. The White Sox have a 6 Million dollar option on Cesar Hernandez in 2022, so he will be more than a rental.   

WHITE SOX TRADE WITH CUBS

WHITE SOX SEND CUBS MINOR LEAGUE LEFT-HANDER BAILEY HORN TO THE CUBS

CUBS SEND WHITE SOX RHP RELIEVER RYAN TEPERA

White Sox depart with pitcher Bailey Horn, who was drafted in the fifth round in the 2020 draft out of Auburn University. Horn is a southpaw at the age of 23. He did not get any work done in the minor leagues last year due to the pandemic. This season in Single-A ball, Horn has split his time with two of the White Sox affiliates, Kannapolis and Winston Salem. In 14 games so far in the minor leagues, Horn has 10 starts in 14 games with 5.63 ERA.

White Sox land a much-needed relief pitcher for their bullpen. Ryan Tepera is a 33-year-old veteran who has been in the league for seven seasons. Tepera started his career up in Canada with the Blue Jays. The last two seasons, Tepera has pitched on the Northside of town with the Cubs. This season with the Cubs, Tepera has pitched very well out of the Cubs bullpen. Tepera has a 0-2 record but a very low ERA of 2.91. Tepera has a very devastating slider in his pitching arsenal; he has rung up 50 batters this season. In seven seasons in the MLB, Tepera has a 12-14 record with 3.49 ERA in 289 games. Tepera also has 11 saves to his credit as well.

I only like cross-town trades when they work for the White Sox. Last cross-town trade, the White Sox definitely fleeced the Cubs. Cubs needed a starting pitcher and it cost them heavy for Jose Quintana. White Sox made out like bandits with two key pieces that are helping the team at this point, in outfielder Eloy Jimenez and pitcher Dylan Cease. Last time the Cubs and White Sox had a deal which involved a reliever and a pitching prospect, straight up like the Tepera Horn deal, was 1998. White Sox traded reliever Matt Karchner to the Cubs for Jon Garland. Garland helped the White Sox win it all in 2005.

Matt Karchner did ok for the Cubs, but nothing like how Garland became a staple in the White Sox rotation for years. Are the Cubs due for a cross-town trade that will work for their side of town for years to come?

GRADE: A… Evan Marshall was put on the 60 day injured list and the White Sox needed someone Marshall-like. Right now, the Matt Tepera deal only cost the White Sox a fifth rounder. Unless this deal comes back to haunt the White Sox and Bailey Horn is legit. The White Sox bullpen going into the year was looking solid on paper. The bullpen has been struggling lately. Plus, with injuries the entire year the bullpen for the White Sox has been a roller coaster going up and down. The White Sox need a guy who can take an inning and shut down the team. I think Tepera can do that as he has pitched well the last two seasons with the Cubs. Tepera is a rental player unless the White Sox can re-sign him next season. I think Tepera with that slider can be helpful in the playoffs, getting some key outs if called upon.  

THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES TRADE DEADLINE REPORT CARD

PIRATES TRADE WITH PADRES

PIRATES SEND SECOND BASEMAN ADAM FRAZIER TO THE PADRES

PADRES SEND PIRATES THREE PROSPECTS

(IF TUCUPITA MARCANO, OF JACK SUWINSKI, RHP MICHELL MILIANO)

Will Adam Frazier become that second baseman with legend status in Pittsburgh, like when fan favorite Neil Walker left town? Adam Frazier had a monster first half for the Pirates. You just knew he was going to be the best trade chip for GM Ben Cherington and the Pittsburgh front office. Frazier batted .324 with 4 home runs driving 32 and had 125 hits setting the table for the Pirates this season. Frazier made his first all-star game. Frazier played some great defense in the all-star game and all season long for the Pirates. In a rebuild, it is tough to see the Adam Fraziers of the world be dealt. Frazier always had the talent playing in six seasons in Pittsburgh. Some injuries derailed Frazier in some seasons, but he finally showed his peak at 29 years old. Frazier leaves Pittsburgh playing in 608 games and racking up 571 hits with 39 long balls and 204 runs driven in. Frazier had a .283 batting average in a Pirate uniform.

Let’s see what kind of presents the Pirates have got under the tree for an Adam Frazier. Tucupita Marcano is the headliner of the trade in what the Pirates got back for Frazier. Marcano is an infielder who can play some outfield. Marcano’s normal position is second base. Marcano has had a small taste of the major leagues. In 44 At-Bats with the Padres, Marcano had 8 hits for a meager .182 batting average. Drove in three runs with the big club. At Triple- A, Marcano is hitting .272. Marcano has no power, but a guy that can get you solid contact. Only 21 years old and probably a kid that needs a lot of at-bats to be successful.

One of my all-time favorite players in the MLB named Jack, was Jack Clark.

Jack Clark played with some great Giants and Cardinals teams in his career. Clark was a guy who can hit the homerun. Pirates get a similar Jack. Jack Suwinski is a left-handed power hitter who you can compare to Joey Gallo, now a Yankee. Suwinski will get a lot of love from Pittsburgh’s Polish neighborhoods. Suwinski plays outfield and has a good glove, as he’s having a career year at the Minor League level this season. At 23 years old, Suwinski is hitting .269 with 15 long balls in double-A ball.

The third prospect the Pirates got for Adam Frazier is a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher. Michell Miliano has some raw talent and will probably be destined for the bullpen since he’s a two pitch pitcher. Miliano is from the Dominican Republic. So far, Miliano’s minor league stats have him with a 3-2 record with two saves and 3.62 ERA. Miliano has raw talent and the Pirates organization will have to find some way to harness everything out of this arm.

GRADE: B… I think the Pirates could have done better with Adam Frazier than what they got. The Padres have been trading all their prospects, especially in the off-season, and some deals they made at the deadline. I feel like the Pirates are looking through the last pickings of some super sale that no one really wants. It is a good haul getting three guys for one player. Hope they all turn out as quality players on the Pirates roster. Pirates need at least one of these guys to pay off for them. I would have rather had a top prospect in a deal involving Adam Frazier.

PIRATES TRADE WITH RED SOX

PIRATES SEND LEFT-HANDED RELIEVER AUSTIN DAVIS TO THE RED SOX

RED SOX SEND PIRATES UTILITY MAN MICHAEL CHAVIS

I’m surprised the Pirates got something for relief pitcher Austin Davis. I imagine a bag of balls would be a plus for any deal involving Davis. That is asking a lot. Austin Davis has been in a Pirates uniform for two seasons and has only pitched in 15 games. In 2020, Davis pitched in 5 games & had 2.45 ERA in 3.2 Innings of work. This season, Davis only got in 9.2 Innings of work. Davis’ ERA is sky high at 5.59 this season. Plus, Davis had walked 5 batters and allowed two home runs in those 9 innings of work. On the bright side, Davis has 11 strikeouts in those nine innings of work. Boston may see something in Davis they can adjust to get him more productive. Davis, who has been in the league for 4 years, started his career in Philadelphia. Davis will always find some kind of work as a pitcher being a southpaw. Southpaws indeed are in demand and every team thinks they can fix one if they are having problems with location.

The Pirates get back a major league player for Austin Davis. The Pirates and Red Sox were swapping young projects that are riding the struggle bus. Pirates get utility man, Michael Chavis. Chavis came into the league in 2019 like a bat out of hell. Chavis had 18 long balls driving in 54 with a batting average of .254. During the Covid outbreak season with the shortened schedule, Chavis played in only 42 games and the average dipped down to .212. This season Chavis is batting .190 in only 31 games played so far. This kid has some talent as he has shown the Pirates just have to harness it somehow.

GRADE: A…   This is another remarkable trade by General Manager Ben Cherington. I have to believe that Cherington knows Michael Chavis really well and helped draft him in 2014 when he was working in Boston. Chavis was a first round pick that year. To get that kind of talent instead of a bag of used balls for Austin Davis, is a big step for Pirates baseball. New scenery may benefit Chavis. In years to come, Chavis will have more production than Davis

PIRATES TRADE WITH THE BRAVES

PIRATES SEND RIGHT-HANDER RELIEF PITCHER RICHARD RODRIGUEZ TO THE BRAVES

BRAVES SEND PIRATES TWO PITCHERS

(MINOR LEAGUER RHP RICKY DEVITO)

(MAJOR LEAGUE RHP BRYCE WILSON)

Richard Rodriguez has been in a Pirates uniform for four seasons. Rodriguez started his career in Baltimore and has been in the league for 4 seasons. With the Pirates in a full rebuild, Rodriguez took over the closing duties this season. Rodriguez has had a pretty good year as the Pirates full-time closer. In 2021, Rodriguez has delivered with 14 saves with a 4-2 record in 38.1 innings pitched with a very low 2.82 ERA. Rodriguez is not your typical closer with overpowering stuff. Rodriguez relies on spinning the ball & making it dance for hitters to chase. With the foreign substance checks going down, Rodriguez has not had that first half success like he did. You knew someone would come calling for his services. Hot Atlanta, in the thick of things, needed an arm for the playoff race to shore up the pen and the deal was swung.

Pirates land two young pitchers. One of them with MLB experience and the other a young pitching prospect. The young pitching prospect is Ricky Devito who is a tall right-handed pitcher standing at 6’3” & weighing in at 195. Devito is 22 years old and was the 8^th round pick by Atlanta in 2019. Devito is the Braves’ 23^rd best prospect in their farm system. Devito can get his heater in between 92-95 MPH regularly. Sometimes Devito can whirl one at 97 MPH. Devito has pitched 20.1 innings so far in the Minors this season and has a low 2.66 ERA.

The Pirates also get a pitcher who has been up and down from the minor leagues and has pitched in 22 games in the last four seasons. Bryce Wilson is only 23 years old, a right-hander who has made 14 big league starts for the Braves over that 4 year span. This season Wilson was 2-3 in nine starts with a 4.83 ERA. Over 4 years, Wilson has a 5-4 record with 5.45 ERA.

GRADE: A… This is another great trade made by Pittsburgh. Richard Rodriguez was not in the future plans. Rodriguez had a good season pitching in situations when the game is on the line, most definitely. Rodriguez will not be a closer as his career goes on. Pirates get a high prospect pitcher from Atlanta. Plus, another young arm with experience. Pirates could eventually flip Bryce Wilson if they can get his stuff on a consistent track. Wilson is young and if the Pirates can get him pitching well, he could be a future piece if he has electric stuff. In the meantime, Wilson can eat up innings and the Pirates coaching staff can see what they have.

PIRATES TRADE WITH YANKEES

PIRATES SEND RH PITCHER CLAY HOLMES TO YANKEES

YANKEES SEND PIRATES TWO MINOR LEAGUE INFIELDERS TO THE PIRATES

(HOY JUN PARK & DIEGO CASTILLO

I never thought the Pirates would get two prospects for Clay Holmes, especially from the Yankees. Yankees are desperate to make the playoffs and think Clay Holmes can help them in the bullpen. Holmes was the ninth pick by the Pirates in 2011. Holmes has had some arm problems only pitching in one game in 2020. Holmes was out of minor league options so the Pirates put him on this year’s roster. Holmes has control issues, which is his biggest problem. Holmes went 3-2 with the Pirates with a high 4.93 ERA in 44 appearances. The 28-year-old right-hander, Clay Holmes, has a career record of 5-7 with the Pirates in 91 games, of which 4 of them were starts. In 4 seasons in Pittsburgh, Holmes’ ERA was 5.57. Maybe the Yankees saw something they could tinker with to make Holmes a more productive piece out of the pen.

Pirates get two infielders back for a guy who was most likely heading for the waivers in Clay Holmes. Hoy Jun Park is a very interesting piece in this deal. Some people are shocked the Yankees gave up on him. Park leads the Triple A Eastern league with a batting average of .327. Park has only played in 58 games in 2021 and has hit ten long balls and driven in 32. Add 8 thefts on the base paths for Park who is a left-handed bat and only 25 years old out of South Korea. Park ranked number 13 in 2014 out of the potential International players coming to the MLB.

The other infielder the Pirates got is 23-year-old Diego Castillo from Venezuela. Castillo is a middle infielder and shortstop looks like his natural position. Castillo ranked number 21 in the Yankees farm system. Castillo has found his swing this season hitting .277 with 11 long balls and he has also driven 32 runs.

GRADE: A… I think Pirates have fleeced the Evil Empire in this trade. The Pirates could bring up Hoy Jun Park to the big club ASAP and he could get that experience. In the next two months, he should get plenty of playing time. Diego Castillo seems to be on the rise with the bat and the glove. This for a pitcher that was not in the team’s plans when the rebuild is complete.

JULY TRADE

BREWERS AND DIAMONDBACKS

The Chicago White Sox were kicking the tires on one of their old players. Many experts thought the White Sox were going to land the Diamondbacks second baseman, Eduardo Escobar. Some news outlets had reported the trade final between the White Sox and the Diamondbacks. The deal hit a snag and Escobar played on in Arizona. Weeks later, the Brew Crew give the Snakes what they wanted and ship Escobar to Milwaukee. The snakes in Arizona land two prospects, and it is just what they need to improve their team in the future by creating a new row of crops in the desert.

Why do the Brewers need another middle infielder? Brewers have Willy Adames and Kolten Wong up the middle for them on the diamond. Eduardo Escobar brings the Brewers versatility. Escobar can play multiple positions on the diamond and give players rest. With Escobar playing on the field, you don’t miss a beat defensively. It’s Escobar’s bat which will make the Brewers line up much better. Escobar is a switch hitter and can hit for both power and average. The Diamondbacks are one of the worst teams in baseball & Escobar has 22 long balls. The Brewers look like they are running away with the NL Central and Escobar could be that guy who can help this team get further into the playoffs instead of one and done in the first round of post-season. Escobar is 32 years old and will be a free agent after this season. If the Brewers like him after this season, they could strike up a reasonable deal and keep him in a Milwaukee uniform. If things don’t work out, Escobar is a free agent and they can’t let him walk right out of beer town.

The Diamondbacks continue to get players plucked on their roster. Diamondbacks land Cooper Hummel who is 26 years old and is playing Triple A ball. Hummel plays multiple positions as he dabbled at first base and behind the plate and can catch some balls in the outfield. For Triple A Nashville, Hummel was hitting .254. The other prospect the Snakes get is 18-year-old undrafted free agent Alberto Ciprian. Ciprian signed with the Brewers in 2019. So far in the Dominican Summer league, Ciprian is hitting .378 in 12 games with 8 runs batted in. Diamondbacks get something from a guy they were not going to keep as soon as the season went south. Diamondbacks play in the NL West which is loaded with the Giants, Dodgers, and the Padres. Rockies seem to be in limbo on a plan for the organization. Diamondbacks can take their time and rebuild and years from now these other teams could be aging or heading down the down slope.  

CUBS AND YANKEES

The Chicago Cubs continue to make a deal with anybody, including the Evil Empire. The New York Freaking Yankees, the most hated team in the entire league, are doing anything to make post-season. Yankees have already made multiple deals and are looking for more pieces. Cubs and Yankees ironing out a deal is compared to the Ewoks dealing with Darth Vader and the Empire. Another core position player once untouchable is going to New York while the Cubs land two prospects. Anthony Rizzo is heading to the big apple. Yankees have been adding left-handed sluggers at the deadline to take advantage of the short porch in right field and Rizzo checks all those boxes. Meanwhile the Cubs land two minor leaguers, a pitcher and an outfielder.

Anthony Rizzo, to me, is one of those players that you like when he’s on your team that you’re rooting for. I think Rizzo is an above average player. Not by much though. In Rizzo’s mind, he thinks he is one of the best first basemen in the league. Rizzo has been a key contributor to the 2016 Cubs World Series team. Cubs landed Rizzo for hardly anything with the San Diego Padres making that one of the best trades the Cubs made in setting up that championship team. Rizzo is a three-time all-star. In 92 games, this season with the Cubs he was batting .248 with 14 long balls and 40 driven in. Rizzo has had recurring back issues plus can live by the home run and die by the strikeout. Rizzo is a streaky player and could carry the team for a while. I would not pay Rizzo a big contract extension for big money at the age of 32 years old. This deal could help the Yankees big time as they have added Joey Gallo and now Anthony Rizzo gives the Death Star a balanced line-up. Rizzo becomes a free agent at the end of the year and they just need his bat to sizzle down the stretch. Yankees can let Rizzo walk next season and add somebody else in free agency, perhaps younger.

The Cubs are tearing down the 2016 World Series team brick by brick. The Cubs are rebuilding their farm system and collecting prospects like a kid collecting baseball cards. The Cubs land a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher in Alexander Vizcaino. Kevin Alcantara is a 19-year-old outfielder. Vizcaino was the Yankees #9 prospect in their farm system. Alcantara was the Yankees #12prospect in their farm system. Two high prospects for a rental player is not too shabby by the Cubs brass. Rizzo, a guy they got for some beans, is now being flipped for two potential big league players.

JULY TRADES

CUBS AND METS

The Chicago Cubs sold its biggest hot dog they have. A Baez dog with plenty of un-sported peppers. Another core member of the untouchable position players for the Cubs, gone. Mets land Javier Baez and pitcher Trevor Williams from the Cubs. While the Cubs get one of the Mets top outfielder prospects, Pete Crow-Armstrong. Cubs continue to gut their best team of the century while the Mets are looking for help to hold the lead in the NL East. The Braves and Phillies are right in New York’s rearview mirror and won’t go away.

I’m not a Cubs fan, nor do I play one on TV. So, it is easy to say, “So long, Muchacho. Don’t let the door slam on the way out of Chicago. Baez is definitely a talent. Baez is also a head case. Baez is a streaky hitter. It is easy the home run or the strikeout with him. Baez leads the National league in strikeouts. Baez can carry a team with his bat and has the great glove where he can play both second base and shortstop. Its Baez’s antics that get opposing teams upset and can be quite annoying. For a playoff run, this trade may just be what the doctor ordered for the Mets. Baez will be up for that as he plays the game hard when he wants to. Baez will reunite with Francisco Lindor, another head case. Both Baez and Lindor are friends. Both played ball in high school in Florida. Both Lindor and Baez make one of the best double play combos in the league as the Mets will probably have Baez at second base most of the time.  Baez leaves the Cubs after helping them achieve the ultimate goal a World Series title in 2016. Baez was a two time all-star with a gold glove in 2020. Baez is a free agent after this season. Baez’s season with the Cubs have him batting at .248 with 22 long balls and 65 RBI’S.

The Cubs also threw in one of their starters in this deal, Trevor Williams the former Pirate. The Cubs signed Williams in the off-season. The Mets need some pitching as the rotation has been depleted by injuries. Williams has a 4-2 record this season with the Cubs in 12 starts with a high ERA of 5.06. Williams could be a serviceable starter until the wounded heal up. Williams joined the Cubs, the team his father grew up watching when he was younger living in Chicago. Williams’ dad did get to see his son pitch at Wrigley earlier in the year, which was probably an awesome feeling for the Williams family.

The Cubs get the Mets top draft pick in 2020. Pete Crow-Armstrong is right out of high school. Last year with the Covid, Crow-Armstrong did not get much experience as the farm systems were shut down. Crow-Armstrong is an elite defender or so it says on his book jacket. He is a left-handed thrower. So far so good as the kid was hitting .417 in Class A Lucie in Mets system going 10-24 in which he had two doubles. A bum shoulder has Pete Crow Armstrong sidelined but nothing serious. Cubs get a number one draft pick in this deal. They need it to collect top prospects from all these teams during this tear down.

DODGERS AND NATIONALS

Nationals wave good bye to more players from that 2019 team. Dodgers and Nationals strike up a huge deal involving six players. Dodgers land Mad Max Scherzer, adding another stud to the rotation.

Dodgers also get shortstop Trey Turner who will be another big bat in the Dodgers lineup. Washington Nationals continue to gut their 2019 championship team. Dodgers looking to repeat as champions, but this trade comes with a hefty price. Nationals get four players in this deal. Nationals get the Dodgers top pitching prospect, Josiah Gray, along with their top catching prospect Kiebert Ruiz. The other two minor leaguers are right-handed pitcher Geraldo Carrillo and outfielder Donavan Casey.

The Dodgers look like the 1927 Yankees with this deal. You may be able to compare them to an All-star team. Max Scherzer will be the 4^th Cy Young winner to appear in a Dodger uniform in a single season. With the Dodgers acquiring Mad Max, it surely ends Trevor Bauer in LA who’s having lady problems. Scherzer is in his final year of a 210 Million dollar deal over seven seasons. The Nationals obviously have been struggling this season, but Scherzer has been wheeling and dealing. Scherzer has an 8-4 record with the low 2.76 ERA. Dodgers Scherzer brings plenty of post-season experience to the table. Scherzer has 18 starts in the playoffs going 7-5 with a 3.38 ERA. Everyone remembers Scherzer pitching with neck spasms in game 7 of the World Series in 2019. It sickens me that the Dodgers starting rotation 1 thru 3 in the playoffs features Mad Max, Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.

Don’t the Dodgers already have a great shortstop in Corey Seager? Adding Trey Turner now… where do they put everyone? A good problem to have. Scherzer is a big deal, but Turner is even a bigger deal in this trade. Scherzer can walk after this season as he will become a free agent. Turner is under the Dodgers control through 2023. Will this be the end of a Corey Seager at the end of this season? Dodgers may work something out to keep both these guys in the mix for years to come. Turner has playoff experience and is a guy you may have thought the Nationals would rebuild around. Turner is having a great year batting .322 with 18 long balls and 49 RBI’S. Turner can also be a pain in the arse on the base paths as he swiped 192 bases so far in his career. Opposing catchers have to be aware of both Trey Turner and Mookie Betts. Pass the tums if you’re a back stop. The Dodgers also landed the Royals’ Danny Duffy, a veteran left-handed starter. This Dodgers move is one that can get this team over the hump and take first away from the Giants and stay above the Padres in the AL West.

The Nationals continue their fire sale and sell off anything that is not bolted down. The Nasty Nats traded Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester, Yan Gomes, Josh Harrison, and whoever is the next phone call for the Washington General Manager. The Nats get a good haul from the Dodgers as they continue to collect prospects in a sudden rebuild. For the Nationals, it’s good they are getting top prospects from teams in these trades because you have a better chance of them panning out. Plus, being able to contend again sooner than later.

JULY TRADE

YANKEES AND RANGERS

For the New York Rangers, it seems like they have been on the Search for Spock when it comes to left-handed power in their lineup. The Death Star as Yankee stadium has not taken advantage of that short porch in right field. Yankees have tried in the off-season with guys on minor league deals, old veterans such as Jay Bruce. Yankees came away empty as these veterans would have nothing left in the tank. Yankees find themselves in a pickle in the standings, trailing more than one team for the division lead and obviously wild card spots. The deadline has arrived with Yankees still in this thing as buyers not sellers.  They land a left-handed power hitter from the Rangers in a six player deal. Yankees land Joey Gallo and a left handed reliever, Joely Rodriguez, to add more depth in the bullpen. Rangers were heading down this road as sellers, in a season that has gone grim very fast. Rangers land 4 minor league players which is a  good haul to get the ball moving on a rebuild and strengthen the farm system in the meantime.

Joey Gallo will bring power to the Yankee line up every day. Gallo will be able to take advantage of the right field short porch at Yankee stadium. Gallo lives by the home run or dies by the strikeout.  Gallo does lead the American league in walks. Gallo hits are a low average as he’s hitting .223 this season with 25 long balls while driving in 55. Gallo’s career batting average reeks at .211. Gallo is only 27 years old and he is not a rental, as the Yankees will have control over him until after the 2022 season. On defense, most power hitters are liabilities out there. Gallo can play some decent left field and he has 9 outfield assists. Yankees land a 29-year-old left-handed reliever in Joely Rodriguez who in 31 appearances has a high ERA of 5.31. Maybe new scenery can help Rodriguez, or coaches on the staff may think they can tinker with him so he can be more productive. Rodriguez has a 2-3 record with one save with the Rangers.

The Rangers get a nice haul with 4 young guys who seem to all be having a pretty good year in 2021. Trevor Hauver is a 22 year old, picked in the second round out of Arizona State in 2020. Hauver can play both infield and outfield. Hauver is hitting .288 with 9 homeruns and has driven in 49 runs. Then a second basemen in Ezequiel Duran who is 22 years old & hitting .290 with 12 bombs and 48 RBI’S for class A Advanced Hudson Valley.  Rangers also land a 23-year-old shortstop, a second round pick in 2019. Smith is batting .324 with 9 long balls and 24 runs batted in. Then a right-handed pitcher out of the University of Rice Glenn Otto who is 25 years old. Otto was a 5^th rounder in 2017. Between double A and Triple A, Otto has a 7-3 record this season with a 3.33 ERA. You hope at least one out of the 4 pan out to be a piece of your ball club for years to come, especially trading away a fan favorite down in Texas, Joey Gallo.

JULY TRADES

CUBS AND GIANTS

The Chicago Cubs are pushing the reset button on their 2016 World Series team as they have dealt one of their core members from that team. The thoughts of a forever Cub, with Kris Bryant as perhaps the new Mr. Cub, started on a rocky relationship with service time. A business decision that the Cubs gained one extra year of Bryant’s service time by a year which they activated a day before the deadline. This move by the Cubs caused frosty tension between Cubs brass and Kris Bryant’s representatives. Even the World Series did not cool things off. Meanwhile, unable to lock a Superstar into a long term deal and only a year left on his current deal. The Cubs turned into sellers with one bad month of horrible baseball. The writing was on the wall and the team with the best record in baseball came calling. San Francisco lands a big piece by acquiring Bryant and sending the Cubs two prospects in the meantime.

The San Francisco Giants have the best record in baseball. The Giants lead the NL West loaded division that features last year’s champs, the Dodgers, and a loaded Padre team. Giants have been relatively quiet watching the Dodgers and Padres make move after move. Landing Kris Bryant is a statement by the Giants brass. Especially since Bryant can play multiple positions. Plus, the Giants need someone at the hot corner since Evan Longoria is down right now on the injured list and third base is Bryant’s normal position. Bryant gives the Giants a superstar to their lineup instantly. I would like to see Longoria back in the lineup healthy. With both Bryant and Longoria down the stretch and the playoffs could be a very exciting next few months. Giants have a chance to re-sign Kris Bryant as San Francisco was his favorite team growing up in Vegas. Watching and admiring Barry Bonds, who Bryant liked growing up. Now Bryant in a Giants uniform could lead to more than a rental player. Giants would get a guy coming in with a career .279 batting average, a total of 161 bombs, and over 800 hits. Bryant is only 29 and was MVP of that 2016 season. The bay area is new scenery for Bryant, close to home, and the Giants have not screwed him like the Cubs did. Plus, Giants know how to win World Series titles. They won three titles in the last decade.

The Cubs officially are bulldozing their best team in over 100 years. Wrigley faithful will not be very happy. The Cubs get something back instead of just letting Kris Bryant walk out the door for nothing. Alexander Canario is a 21-year-old outfielder who was the number 9 prospect in the Giants organization. Canario is in Class A San Jose and has played in 65 minor league games. He is batting .235 with 9 long balls and 29 runs batted in. The right-hander pitcher is Caleb Kilian who is 24 years old and having a nice year with Class A Eugene/ Double AA Richmond. Kilian has 15 starts, a 6-2 record with a low 2.13 ERA. I like that Kilian has 96 strikeouts in 84 Innings pitched. Cubs need to collect as many prospects as they can and rebuild that farm system.

INDIANS AND BRAVES

Two baseball teams that some Native Americans cringe at from their nicknames. The Cleveland Indians name will be officially scalped by the end of the year. Will the Braves be the next to get the tomahawk chop?  Both the Braves and Indians come to an agreement in a trade. Cleveland Indians send outfielder Eddie Rosario to the Atlanta Braves. Indians receive “the kung fu Panda Bear” in return.

Pablo Sandoval seems to only do well in San Francisco. The former Giant was Mr. October in the playoffs. That is when the Kung fu Panda Bear gets the bat on the ball and does very well. Sandoval this season has been not doing well except eating three solid meals a day. Sandoval is hitting .178 with only 4 home runs while driving in 11. Sandoval’s days in Cleveland were like Atlanta BBQ on a hot night. Cleveland dumped the Panda Bear like a bad habit. Sandoval was cut loose and put on waivers. The reason for the trade was a cash dump. Hopefully Sandoval gets another shot with the San Francisco Giants. Perhaps Sandoval can team up with Bartolo Colon and hit a few food buffets.

Atlanta Braves have been stocking up on outfielder help. The Braves have acquired Joc Pederson and Jorge Soler to try to make up for the production without their superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. Plus, the Braves lost a key bat in Marcell Ozuna who beat up his wife and is in hot water right now. Ozuna may be serving time in jail and be suspended by the MLB, then swinging a bat in the Braves line up. I’m so happy Eddie Rosario is out of the AL Central. Rosario, the former Twin, signing a one year deal with the Indians in the off-season swung the magic wand versus the White Sox. Everything Rosario hit versus the White Sox found a hole. Rosario is coming off the Injured list and will provide the Braves a left-handed bat that has some thunder. Rosario this season is batting .254 with 7 long balls but has driven in 46 for the Indians in 2021. Last year in a short season due to Covid, Rosario had 13 bombs in regular season for the Twins. In 2019, Rosario had a career high of 32 long balls. The Braves are counting on Rosario to find his swing of 2019. Braves are like that fantasy football team owner with a pile of injuries. One loading up on the waiver wire and finding some nice pieces. Let’s see if it all comes together for the Braves who are still in the thick of things.

JULY TRADE

CARDINALS PLAYING THE OLDIES

CARDINALS DEALS FOR SOME OLD TIME PITCHING WITH TWINS/NATIONALS

Before the Minnesota Twins season completely sinks into the abyss of the baseball world, they are getting rid of any extra fat off the bone. Twins dealt their steak in Nelson Cruz. Now the Twins get something back for J.A Happ who the team signed in the off-season on a one-year deal. Cardinals are in dire need of pitching, and gave Minnesota two players for the old lefty, Happ. Twins get a minor leaguer left-hander pitcher, Evan Sisk. Plus, Twins get a bonus veteran pitcher out of the deal, John Gant. Gant will turn 29 years old and has pitched in the majors for six seasons. The right-hander Gant has been a reliever and a starter for the Cardinals this season with a record of 4-6 and a 3.49 ERA. Lifetime, Gant has a record of 23-21 with a 3.49 ERA.

The Cardinals also had time to peruse the Nationals garage sale in Washington. As the Nationals strike up another deal and send the Cardinals Jon Lester, who signed with Washington in the off-season on a one-year deal. Nationals have been collecting prospects so far, but now get a guy with some major league experience from the Cardinals, Lane Thomas. Thomas has played in a handful of games the last three seasons for St. Louis. Thomas is an outfielder who can man all three positions. Thomas is only hitting .172 with 5 long balls and 15 RBI’S over the span of three seasons. Thomas will probably get a bulk load of playing time with the Nationals this season to get in a groove and show his new team what he can do.

The Cardinals’ birdhouse is filled with injuries to the starting staff. Cardinals Ace Jack Flaherty along with Miles Mikolas, Carlos Martinez, and Dakota Hudson, have gone down for St. Louis. Cardinals are expected to get some of their guys back from the injured list. Cardinals need bodies and they hope two veterans, J.A Happ and Jon Lester, can find their old form that once upon a time ago made these guys one of the top pitchers in the league. Both have high ERA’s. Happ has made 19 starts this season with a 5-6 record, but his ERA is off the charts at 6.77. Meanwhile, Lester has not fared better. Lester this season has a 3-5 record in 16 starts with the 5.02 ERA. The thing I think is funny is that Jon Lester, the great Cub, is the first big free agent the team signed to launch that supposed dynasty of the young core of position players. Lester helped the Cubs win the World Series. But, what happened to that dynasty the Cubs were supposed to have? Now Lester pitches for the archrival Cardinals as the Cubs World Series team is about to be broken up. Cardinals need a miracle just to get back in the playoff race. Cards find themselves 7 games in back of the wild cards and ten games behind the Brewers in the NL Central.

NATIONALS AND ATHLETICS

The Washington Nationals are having a Midnight Madness sale where everything must go on their roster. The Oakland Athletics are adding reinforcements to the diamond as they strike up another deal landing two more veterans. The Nationals will send one of their heroes of 2019, Yan Gomes, along with utility man Josh Harrison to Oakland. The Athletics will send Washington three minor league players. Two Right handed pitchers: Seth Shuman and Richard Guash. The Nationals will also get a switch-hitting catcher, Drew Millas, which turns out to be a 5 player deal.

Yan Gomes will give Oakland a very good catching tandem with Sean Murphy. Gomes is a 34-year-old back stop who can hit and plays a solid game behind the plate. Gomes can minimize the running game. Gomes can swing the bat and come up with big hits in big games. This year Gomes is playing well. Gomes is batting .274 with 10 long balls and 38 RBI’S. I like the playoff experience he brings to the table.

Another former Pirate on the move. Josh Harrison will join his former Pirate teammate Starling Marte who also came to Oakland in trade days before. Harrison gives the Athletics depth all around. Harrison is a jack of all trades who can play multiple positions and make your line up strong wherever they put him. Harrison has a good bat.  Harrison, who also is 34 years old, has a .292 batting average with 6 long balls while driving 38 so far this season. Harrison was a guy the Nationals signed in the off-season on a one year deal and since the team went south, they will get something in return.

The Nationals net three guys in this deal. All three players are 23-years-old. All three players the Nationals acquired are from High A-Lansing. Drew Millas is batting .259 in 59 games so far this year. Millas is the best defensive catcher in the entire Oakland farm system. Richard Guash is Oakland’s number 30 prospect and he has the best slider in Oakland’s farm system. Guash is 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA so far this season. Seth Shuman is having a very good year. The right-hander Shuman is 2-3 with a low ERA of 2.25. The Nationals full rebuild is in overdrive.   

JULY TRADES

MARLINS AND ATHLETICS

Last year, the Covid cancelled the Marlins’ Annual Summer Garage Sale. Instead, the Marlins were out antiquing and purchasing a Starling Marte. Marlins made the playoffs!!! This season, Marlins are back to their annual fire sale. The Oakland Athletics picked up the Marlins’ golden goose from last year as Starling Marte is heading west. Athletics are sending the Marlins a young pitcher who has some big league experience the last three seasons. Left-hander pitcher Jesus Luzardo will be heading to South Beach.

Last season the 23 year old Jesus Luzardo made nine starts for the Athletics and went 3-2 with 4.12 ERA. This year Luzardo has made 6 starts so far and has 2-4 record in 13 games with a higher ERA of 6.87. Marlins tried to give Starling Marte a extension but nothing materialized by both parties. Marlins find themselves once again in the basement of the NL East so trading Marte made plenty of sense. Marlins already have some young arms that have establish themselves in the big leagues. With a little tinkering the Marlins are hoping they could get better results with Jesus Luzardo than Oakland had. Luzardo is also in control of the Marlins now until 2025 so they have time to work with him.

Seem like yesterday when the Pirates had Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte in their outfield. Marte was traded by the Pirates to the Diamondbacks until the Snakes sent him to Miami last summer. The Athletics get a talented outfielder in Marte who has a .306 batting average with 7 long balls while driving in 25. Marte can steal some bags and brings you a good glove in the outfield. Marlins will pay the rest of Marte’s contract which is very Oakland like in these deals. Starling Marte will try to help the Athletics get back to the post-season and in the process they need to hunt the Houston Astros who are perched at number one in the AL West standings. Marte could be a perfect piece for the Athletics in which they land a guy who wants a long term contract by someone next off-season. Oakland always gets the best out of veterans who have a chip on their shoulder. Especially after Marte turned down whatever the Marlins were offering him. Marte will bet on himself, and Oakland just got better.      

DIAMONDBACKS AND BLUE JAYS

Veteran pitcher Joakim Soria is like a traveling carnival when it comes to this time of year. Soria always finds his way to a playoff team as he was traded for the fifth time in his career. The Blue Jays, like all the other vultures around the league, are pecking at the dead snake team in Arizona for anything valuable. Soria gets plucked away by the birds for that famous player to be named later. Everything must go in Arizona while the Blue Jays are trying to make a run to the border back to Canada and hope they can make a run at a wild card spot. Soria will help the bullpen.

Joakim Soria pitched in the post-season for Oakland. Soria then signed with Arizona in the off-season. The Blue Jays will be Soria’s ninth team in 14 seasons for the 37-year-old right-hander. Soria’s numbers don’t look good on paper this year with a 1-4 record and high 4.30 ERA. Soria has six saves to his credits this season as well. Soria has 229 saves in his career and has done almost everything in a bullpen from closer to set up guy or just eats up innings. Blue Jays pick up a guy who has playoff experience and Soria has only given up one run in his last 12 appearances. Diamondbacks will get something back and continue to pile up as many prospects as they can and build something for the future.

JULY TRADES

ROYALS AND BRAVES

Another former Cub, from the 2016 World Series team, has been dealt. Jorge Soler was traded after that magical season in Chicago, to the Royals for closer Wade Davis. This will be the second time Soler is traded in his career, as the Atlanta Braves came calling previously. Braves with all sorts of injuries are rebuilding their team on the fly for the playoff race. They send the Royals a minor league pitcher, Kasey Kalich, to complete the deal.

It seems like the Kansas City Royals have been holding on to their veteran players for years for really no reason, as the team has played average baseball and is nowhere close to the playoff race. Royals get a young 23 year old with a big arm that can get the ball to the plate in the upper 90’s. Braves drafted Kalich out of Texas A&M in the 4^TH round in 2019 draft. Kasey Kalich is a big kid at 6’3” with a 220 pound frame. Jorge Soler has struggled most of the year with the lumber but has been heating up lately. Season numbers, the 29 year old outfielder is batting .199 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI’S. Braves are hoping they can get the 2019 version of Jorge Soler where he clubbed 48 home runs that season. Those 48 bombs Soler hit that year is still a season record for the Kansas City Royals. Royals dump 2.8 Million off their books and the team may have a plan for the future. The Braves are trying to replace production they lost with injuries. The Soler move could pay off in their quest to make it back to the post-season once again.    

ROYALS AND DODGERS

The World Series Champs LA Dodgers are no strangers to making some impact deals at the trade deadline. With Trevor Bauer a question mark of ever returning to LA LA Land, they added a piece to their starting rotation. Dodgers land veteran left-hander Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals. The Royals will get the famous player to be named later, to conclude this deal.

Danny Duffy only knows the Royal organization, as he was drafted by Kansas City in 2007. Duffy was part of the 2015 team that won the World Series. The 32-year-old veteran is on the injured list currently due to a flexor strain. Dodgers hope Duffy can contribute in the stretch run. Duffy had a 4-3 record with a low 2.51 ERA with 65 strike outs in 61 innings of work before he was sidelined by the injury. Duffy has a career Even-Steven record of 68-68 in 11 seasons in Kansas City. Duffy is a guy that could eat up some innings and help the Dodgers win some games down the stretch.  

NATIONALS AND RED SOX

In the off-season, the Washington Nationals’ front office was retooling their roster to make another run at a World Series title. Nationals added former Cub free agents in veteran pitcher Jon Lester, and a World Series hero in 2016 slugger, Kyle Schwarber. The Boston Red Sox were at the bottom of the barrel in the standings last year. It was a bad year to be a Boston fan. At least the Boston Nation can say it was a shortened season in a pandemic year. Maybe the best year to have a bad year at the office. It’s the tale of two cities as Washington finds themselves as sellers at the trade deadline while Boston is looking to add to their roster and keep their lead in the AL East.

Red Sox land a left-handed slugger, Kyle Schwarber, from the Nasty Nats out of Washington. Washington lands a 20-year-old pitcher, Aldo Ramirez, who has a 2.03 ERA in Class A Salem. Boston will have to wait until Schwarber comes off the injured list due to a hamstring issue. Schwarber was red hot before he landed on the injured list July 3^rd. Schwarber’s tear included 16 long balls in 18 days for the Nationals. Schwarber puts another big bat in that Red Sox line up. Red Sox will probably insert Schwarber in left field or the DH spot. Schwarber was born a DH as he is a liability in the field. Surprising that Schwarber did not sign in the American League team after the Cubs cut him loose in the off-season. Schwarber definitely was dialed in before the injury, having a rebound season from last season. Schwarber was batting .253 with 25 bombs while driving in 53. This move also give the Red Sox a guy who has played in the playoffs and has played well. Schwarber in 2016 had a season ending injury that took place early that year. Schwarber got healthy and then was activated for the playoffs. During which he played well and helped the Cubs do the unthinkable. Boston would like to have that version of Kyle Scwarber. Then they most likely would pick up his option in the off-season of 11.5 Million, instead of buying him out.

JULY TRADES

Chicago Cubs left-hander reliever mustache is a thing of Chicago’s past.

The 31-year-old veteran lefty, Andrew Chafin, will not finish the 2021 season with the Cubs as he was dealt to the Oakland Athletics.

Chafrin’s mustache brings up memories of the Goose Gossage. Memories of Rod Beck. Not just the mustache, but the antics as well.

The Cubs have been reshuffling the deck as they recently traded away left-handed hitting slugger former Dodger, Joc Pederson, to the Atlanta Braves who the team signed in the off-season. The Athletics send two minor leaguers to the Cubs of which one of them is in Oakland’s top ten prospects. The Cubs get 26-year-old outfielder, Greg Deichmann, and a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher, Daniel Polencia.

The Athletics lost half of their bullpen to free agency in the off-season. The dollar bin replacements have not done well as Oakland’s pen is ranked 10^th in the majors with a 3.78 ERA. Jake Diekman has been the Athletics only southpaw who has been consistent. Andrew Chafrin, who played most of his years with the Diamondbacks, has been very awesome for the Cubs this season. Chafrin in 43 games for the Cubs had a low 2.06 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings pitched. Chafrin might do well with the Oakland mustaches of the past as well.

The Oakland Athletics are in a dogfight with Seattle and are chasing Houston for the division. Chafrin should help Oakland close some doors in the late innings.

Meanwhile, the Cubs get a 26-year-old outfielder who has been hitting 300 in triple AAA. Greg Deichmann’s name may be called sometime soon in the second half of the season if he keeps hitting. The right-handed pitcher Daniel Palencia is a guy Oakland signed out of Venezuela in February of 2020. Cubs now look like they are rebuilding, more than retooling. When will the core of position players that helped win the 2016 World Series be dealt? That is the Cubs’ biggest questions. Pederson and Chafrin are small potatoes compared to Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Byrant, and Wilson Contreras. We will wait and see about other Cub potential trades. 

THE STORM TROOPERS ARE GETTING RESTLESS IN THE BIG APPLE

The New York Yankees have not lived up to their season expectations. Yankees have that pressure cooker every year on their team, as they believe in World Series or bust. The natives are getting restless as the New Yorker does not want to see the last place rival, Boston Red Sox, come waltzing into their stadium and beat up on their team. Then to make matters worse, the Red Sox lead the division, the AL East. More fans in the stadium. More beers consumed as the credit card system at every stadium for concession purchases may be starting to work. The Yankee fans lashed out at Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo. One Yankee fan threw a ball from the stands that hit the Boston outfielder. The fan was taken by security for his actions. The Yankees banned him from their stadium for life. Maybe the fan will become a Mets fan. The MLB stepped in and banned this guy from every stadium in baseball. Will this guy’s name be on the board at each stadium? Just like the unwelcomed people at the local rowdy bar that stays open till five AM.

Could the fan put on a fake mustache to sneak into the stadium like a former Mets skipper did getting back into the dugout after being kicked out of the game. In the movie Slap Shot, the Hanson Brothers without Chief players invaded the stands after a fan hit one of the brothers with an object.

 

Maybe the Red Sox players should get a free pass and be able to climb into the stands and start beating up on all the Yankee fans.

My all-time favorite Red Sox Yankee melee is New York’s bench coach, Don Zimmer AKA Popeye. Especially going after pitcher Pedro Martinez.

Years ago in Chicago, two fans invaded the field and beat the crap out of Royals first base coach, Tom Gamboa. The white trash father and son combo, William Ligue Sr and William Ligue Jr., ruined it for all fans. You could not walk around the stadium like you used to. Upper deck tickets meant you had to stay up there. Could not enjoy all the attractions on the main concourse.

The Yankee fan should have been charged with something as well for striking Alex Verdugo with the ball. He was let go, and the punishment will be being banned from going to the games throughout the MLB. That’s it.  Will this Yankee fan still root for his team? This after Yankee skipper Aaron Boone ripping the fan at a press conference for his actions. Does this guy get to go to minor league games such as independent leagues? Maybe the old ICE unit still has some guys dispatched in New York. ICE can deport the guy to the Mexicano baseball leagues.

Someone in Mexico would love to take it upon himself to deal with a Yankee fan. These road rage baseball fans need justice for their soccer shenanigans.   

JULY TRADE

BRAVES AND SNAKES

The Arizona Diamondbacks may be the worst team in the league. The Snakes from the desert have some interesting pieces they could deal at the deadline. All the contenders, even pretenders, will circle like vultures looking for any decent snake in the grass that could be a helping hand to one of these clubs. The Atlanta Braves came calling and found a catcher. Diamondbacks deal veteran catcher Steven Vogt to the Atlanta Braves for a minor leaguer, first basemen Mason Berne.

Atlanta Braves lost their starting catcher, Travis D’Arnaud, who has torn ligaments in his thumb and is on the 60 day injury list. Braves tried to fill their backstop needs with the likes of Kevan Smith, William Contreras and suddenly well-traveled player, Jonathan Lucroy. All three veterans have not cut the mustard for the Braves, filling in for D’Arnaud. Steven Vogt is another veteran who can give the team some better numbers. Vogt, 36, was a two time all-star with the Oakland Athletics. Vogt’s bat is ok, but nothing special batting .225 with 5 long balls and 18 RBI’S. Vogt can get you a big hit once in a while. Vogt can call a good game behind the plate. I like how he can throw base runners out trying to steal on him. Vogt has nailed 10 out 30 base runners trying to steal off him so far this season. Vogt and outfielder Joc Pederson the Braves got from the Cubs, but can’t replace what the team lost. Both guys can contribute and help the Braves stay in the playoff hunt for October.

The Diamondbacks need to collect prospects. Many prospects mean the more the merrier as the team needs an entire face lift. Mason Berne is 25 years old and was drafted in the 33^rd round in 2018. Berne was playing college ball at UNC-Wilmington. The pandemic last year probably slowed Berne’s development in the minor leagues. Mason Berne is playing still at the lower minor league levels. The kid probably has not had enough bats professionally yet to see what kind of prospect he will be. This is why the Diamondbacks need to bring in big haul and find some diamonds in the snake pit ruff.

JULY TRADES

RAYS AND TWINS TRADE

When it comes to the Tampa Bay Rays wheeling & dealing, they become the Devil Ray in fleecing teams through signature deals over the years. I hoped that Nelson Cruz would go down with the Win Twins’ ship with the captain instead of resurfacing in the post season. Twins realize they can wave the white flag and sell off some pieces in hopes of restocking their farm system. The Rays were looking to add a big bat to the lineup, and the deal is set in stone. The Rays will land a big-time slugger in Nelson Cruz and a right hander minor league pitcher, Calvin Faucher. The Twins get two interesting pitching prospects from the Rays. Both right handers & both 25 years old, Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman.

The Tampa Bay Rays in this trade are looking to get back to the World Series, and this time win it. The Rays are the only sport in town who could not seal the deal last year as they witnessed the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups and Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to glory. Nelson Cruz makes the Rays’ line-up dangerous. It solidifies the DH slot, which the Rays use as a rotation position that featured eleven different guys. The Rays have been missing a guy that can hit the ball into the stands almost every time he comes up to bat. Nelson Cruz will make the guy in front of him, and in back of him, in the line-up much better. Opposing pitchers will have to now get through Brandon Lowe, Austin Meadows, and Nelson Cruz. It could be a tough task for even the greats. If rookie Wander Franco starts swinging the bat, the Rays with their pitching will get back to the World Series and could win it. Nelson Cruz also provides a ton of playoff experience from his days playing in Minnesota and going back to those great Texas teams. Cruz is having a monster year batting .294 with 19 home runs in 85 games. In his second bat in a Rays uniform, Cruz went deep versus the Indians. Don’t look back Boston, the Rays are going to sting you from behind and take the top perch in the AL East standings before the season runs out.

The Minnesota Twins 2021 season officially blew up months ago. Twins trail the White Sox in the AL Central by light years instead of games back. Twins will not have to worry about going one and down in the post-season this season. Twins will turn into sellers or will they? Twins trading Nelson Cruz who only signed with the team on a one-year deal makes sense to sell him off. Cruz has done the one-year deal for years with the Twins. Could Nelson Cruz return for another season next year and come back to Minnesota? If Twins keep their roster intact and fix the problems they had this year, could they rebound and become a playoff team once again?  This would not be the first time a player traded to another team returns the following year to the team he played for the previous season.

Minnesota does get a nice return for Nelson Cruz’s services. They get two pitchers who immediately become top prospects in the Twins farm system. Both pitchers were delayed last year from the pandemic while getting in reps and game experience. Drew Strotman had Tommy John surgery, but has recovered as he has a 7-2 record this season with 3.39 ERA in Triple AAA. Joe Ryan has 75 strikeouts in 57 inning pitched so far on his minor league resume. Ryan is in Tokyo as we speak, pitching for the USA team in the Summer Olympics. The Twins, and everyone named Sally, are thinking that landing two prospect pitchers from the Rays farm system has to be a great move. The Rays make pitchers like the factories manufacturing Terminator machines. This is where the Devil comes back to the Rays. Why are the Rays giving up a Joe Ryan and a Drew Strotman?

LYNN INKS A TWO YEAR EXTENSION

In a very smart move by the Chicago White Sox, Lance Lynn was given a contract extension. Lance Lynn was spectacular over the first half of the 2021 season for the White Sox, earning him his second All-Star Game appearance. Lynn, by far, has been the Ace of the pitching staff by going 9-3 with 1.99 ERA in the first half of the season. Lynn came to the White Sox in a trade with the Texas Rangers the off-season.  White Sox sent young arm Dane Dunning to the Rangers. At age 34, Lynn will be on the Southside another two years in a deal worth 38 Million. Plus, a club option in 2024.

In the off-season to do list, number one on the list was to add another veteran arm. As we all remember the bullpen game. Game three, of the first round of the playoffs versus the Oakland Athletics, still stings. So, Lance Lynn checked all the boxes. With the slew of injuries all year long for the White Sox, it’s been the pitching that has kept the White Sox afloat on top of the AL Central. Especially the starting rotation. With the emergence of Carlos Rodon in this magic season he’s having. Already in place was Dallas Keuchal. The White Sox have three guys you want to have take the bump in any playoff series.

Lance Lynn has not done well on the free agent market. After the Cardinals days, he signed with the Twins to be shipped off to the Yankees. Then he signed with the Rangers only to be traded to the White Sox. Being reunited with his former manager, Tony LaRussa, and being on a young team stacked with talent. Plus, having his own success on the mound made it easy for Lynn to sign on the dotted line. Whatever happens, playoffs or bust, the White Sox this off-season will not have to concentrate on finding a replacement for Lance Lynn. Plus, they avoid a bidding war for Lance Lynn’s services. White Sox can now pursue other ways of improving an already stacked roster in the off-season. Will the next move be to figure out how to extend Carlos Rodon. That will be a tricky situation determining what to pay him. Is Rodon a one-year wonder, or will he go back to his former self being injury prone? Maybe Lynn was an easier box to check off for the White Sox brass. No matter what, it is a good move. The Adam Eaton trade getting Dane Dunning, Lucas Giolito, and Reynaldo Lopez years ago will still have some nice thick branches growing.

1983 WINNING UGLY THEMED WHITE SOX LOSE A MEMBER

In 1983 I attended my first ever baseball game at the old Comiskey Park with my dad. At the time I was playing Pee Wee baseball that our town called Little League. The team I was on was the White Sox. My favorite team in the MLB was the White Sox. This combination seem to work for me as an 8-year-old living in a south suburb in the Chicagoland area. My favorite players were on that Winning Ugly team that got the nickname for winning tight games on anything that goes with many late game heroics. Ron Kittle, Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk, and Lamar Hoyt were some of my favorite players in 1983. When you were kids, you knew every player on the roster of the team you rooted for. I remember all the unsung heroes on the team that did the little things as well. I remember the high leg kick and the handle bar mustache of relief pitcher Dick Tidrow, a guy who only played one year on the southside but did multiple things for the team as a pitcher. In a very special year for the Chicago White Sox as they made the playoffs for the first time since losing to the Dodgers in the World Series in 1959. Certainly, I collected baseball cards and had a Dick Tidrow card even though he came from the north side rival Cubs. At 74 years of age, Dick Tidrow passed away last week in a unexpected death.

Dick Tidrow pitched 13 seasons in the MLB. Tidrow was born on the west coast in San Francisco. Tidrow was a guy who first served his country with the U.S Marine Corps. Then Tidrow played the game he loved after he was a Marine before mowing down opposing teams line ups. Tidrow pitched for 5 teams in his career. How many players can say they played for both teams in New York and both teams in Chicago? The Indians was Dick’s first team. Then Tidrow played for the New York Yankees winning two World Series rings in 1977 and 1978. Tidrow would then be traded to the Cubs where he pitched on the Northside for 4 season. Then the Cubs traded Tidrow to the Southside in the 1982 season. Tidrow would head back to New York and play for the New York Mets after the lone season on the right side of town in Chicago. Dick Tidrow’s career numbers in 13 seasons meant he had a 100-94 record where he pitched in 620 games. Tidrow racked up 1,746 Innings striking out 975 batters. Tidrow did about everything where he made 138 starts in his career and closed out 55 games for 55 saves. His ERA was respectable at 3.68 lifetime. In 1983 I watched almost all the games that I could and Dick Tidrow had a 2-4 record appearing in 50 games for the White Sox with 7 saves in 91.2 Innings pitched making one start but an high ERA of 4.22.

Not sure as a Monday morning quarterback, I would have approved the trade that brought Dick Tidrow from the Cubs to the White Sox. It was a six player deal that involved the Cubs getting starting pitcher Steve Trout and relief pitcher Warren Brewster who also had a handle bar mustache. Both Brewster and Trout made the Cubs a better team in 1984 where they won the division. The White Sox got the one-year rental out of Dick Tidrow. Infielder Scotty Fletcher would be the valuable asset they got back in the deal. Pat Tabler would go to Cleveland and never suit up for the White Sox. The other, the guy the White Sox got in the deal was Randy Martz. At the time I did not know about that trade between city rivals. I remember a big 6’4” burly guy with a cool ‘stache coming into the game to get outs for a White Sox team managed then by Tony LaRussa.

Dick Tidrow would be a decent pitcher his entire career as a player. Tidrow, after he played the game, worked for the front office and has an interesting time line in baseball history. As a player, Tidrow helped the Yankees win two rings as a player. After he hung up the spikes, Dick Tidrow was a special scout for the Yankees from 1985-1997 where he saw and was a part of the organization of some great teams. Then being a part of the 1983 team for the White Sox, a team that broke a playoff drought in 1983 that lasted over 20 years. Tidrow would go home and work for the local team, the San Francisco Giants. Part of the Giants front office, Dick Tidrow would be part of all three of those World Series winners they had in 2010, 2012 and 2014. The 2010 World Series was the first trophy the Giants won in San Francisco after their move from Brooklyn in 1958. Dick Tidrow has his prints in some very impressive baseball history. The 1983 team will always be one of my favorite teams of all time and Dick Tidrow will always have a spot in my heart. Rest in peace and thanks for the memories as your baseball card is packed away safe somewhere in my hoarder’s closet.

JULY TRADES

CUBS AND BRAVES TRADE

The one night the Billy Goat took a night off when it comes to Chicago Cubs baseball, was game 7 of the 2016 World Series. Some will say maybe the mistake by the lake, the city of Cleveland, has a bad jinx of their own in that 2016 World Series. One bigger than the Cubs goat jinx. Ever since the Cubs won the entire thing in 2016, which took over 100 years, it seems like the goat is back. For the Atlanta Braves they are struggling but somehow find themselves still in the thick of things. The Cubs went on an 11 game losing streak not too long ago and many of the CORE position players group will be traded away or become free agents and test the market after the 2021 season. The Braves agree with the Cubs to a trade that sends them 29 year old year old outfielder Joc Pederson, a left handed bat & former Dodger, for a prospect. Cubs land one of the Braves prospects in first basemen Bryce Ball.

Joc Pederson was clutch last year in the post season for the Dodgers. Pederson helped the Dodgers win their first World Series since the 1980’s. Pederson, a lefty bat, is usually a platoon player for the Dodgers as he scorched right handed pitching and was weak versus south paws. Rumors over the years always had Pederson landing in Chicago with the White Sox. However, Pederson signed with the Cubs in the off season on a one year deal worth peanuts in baseball money for 4.5 Million with a mutual option year in 2022, worth ten million. The Cubs find themselves not going anywhere and dealt their first pieces of the grand plan of retooling. Whatever that means. Cubs land an absolutely huge specimen in a 6’6” 240 lb Bryce Ball who is 23 years old. Ball is a left-handed bat who is a power hitter. A Power hitter can mash a ball if they are not striking out most of the times. Ball is destined for a DH position or at first base. Cubs are a National league team and the DH is no longer a universal position like it was in 2020 if they know that. Former President Theo Epstein resigned and left town. Braves were high on Ball’s talents as he was part of their taxi squad in 2020. Bryce Ball will be a project. Ball could be nice pick up from only getting rid of the guy you signed for a one year deal and a guy that most likely would have been on another team in 2022.

The Braves find themselves still in the playoff race. Even with the Braves superstar, Ronald Acuna Jr., lost for the rest of year with a torn ACL. Plus, playing without another big bat in the line up  Marcell Ozuna who has to deal with battery charges for beating his wife. Braves have had other injuries, but are willing to mortgage the farm for some outfield help and get back to the post-season once again even with a weaker line up. Joc Pederson in 73 games this year with the Cubs is batting .230 with 11 long balls and drove in 39 so far. Nothing special so far from Pederson. Braves are hoping Pederson can get hot like he did last post-season as he was like Rambo at times, a one man Army. Pederson is a very streaky hitter. Maybe the Braves know their prospect Bryce Ball is someone they can give up for a veteran left handed bat like Pederson. A guy they might  still throw to the curb next off season or even trade him again if the team struggles in the next two weeks. Braves have had a history where they have made wise decisions and a prospect like Bryce Ball might be a guy that will not come back to haunt Hotlanta like the Walking Dead. Watch the Braves make it to post-season still and get further without their big bats. Braves baseball pitching and defense will win you games.

MAZARA OFFICIALLY HITS ROCK BOTTOM

Where do you go when the Detroit Tigers don’t want your services anymore? Former White Sox, Ranger Nomar Marzara, has been DFA by the Detroit Tigers on Friday. Designated for assignment as the Tigers have a week to trade the 26-year-old outfielder or release him through waivers where anybody can claim him. Even in a shortened Covid season of baseball, Mazara’s play still stings this year. What in the world was Rick Hahn, the General Manager of the White Sox, drinking at the 2019 winter meetings where he agreed with Texas to bring Mazara to Chicago. We all know the GM of the White Sox, Rick Hahn, and his worst move ever was trading away Fernando Tatis Jr. for Big James Shields who had no game when he played for the Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr.is a superstar and could win the National League MVP this season or a season coming up very soon. Mazara was let go in the off-season by the White Sox and then he agreed to a one year deal with the Tigers.

Nomar Marzara was a top prospect when he first came on the scene for the Texas Rangers. At 21-years- old, Marzara hit .266 with 20 home runs with 64 runs knocked in. Pretty impressive start in Marzara’s rookie year. In year two in Texas, Maraza’s season average dropped to .253, but he hit another 20 long balls & this time he drove in 101. In 2018, his average went up 5 points with another 20 bombs but the runs batted in decreased. In 2019, Marara was more of a platoon guy in right field but did get 19 long balls. The White Sox gave Texas a young prospect named Steele Walker for Nomar Mazara in the offseason. The White Sox thought they could fix Marzara. Marzara could not hit a lick versus left-handed pitchers and his defense was below average. In 2020, I don’t give Marzara a hall pass. Marzara started the season sidelined with Covid. Marzara hit one regular season homerun in 2020. Plus, I remember him striking out in game three of round one versus the Oakland where he was the final out of the season. That game three was probably the best he played the entire season. Marzara striking out is etched in my mind which cancels anything good he did in that game earlier.

The Tigers took a chance on Nomar Marzara’s services in the off-season. Tigers in a full rebuild collected some veteran players to play with some of their young guys. If Marzara did well, the thought was they could use him as trade chip. Marzara is still a young guy so if he did well, could he have been a brick in the new foundation they are trying to build like outfielder Robbie Grossman? After 50 games of Marzara, the Tigers have seen enough. Marzara’s average is at a depressing .212. The power numbers are up to 3, way over the 1 dinger he hit for the White Sox. One of those home runs did come against the White Sox. The Tigers thought process is now they can’t waste at-bats for Marzara now more than half way through the 2021 season. The Tigers have young guys who they want to see what they can do in the second half of the season. Meanwhile, a once upon time ago big time prospect Nomar Marzara will have to find his game, or BUST will be stamped all over his moving boxes. The Marzara trade may be GM Rick Hahn’s second worst trade he ever made. That’s just at the top of our heads. Let’s hope the White Sox GM stays away from the winter kool-aid at this season’s trade dead line so we can avoid any more Marzara’s in the future dugout.

NO MORE EATON IN BETWEEN THE SHEETS

In an off-season move by the Chicago White Sox bringing back Adam Eaton on a one-year deal, I thought it was savvy. The first month of the season, Adam Eaton’s second stint with the White Sox, looked like a genius move. Adam Eaton was traded to the Nationals for a big haul for the White Sox back then. It was a trade that netted a starting pitcher, Lucas Giolito. It was rebuild time on the south side and Eaton was a very nice trade chip for Chicago. Eaton would go on to help the Washington Nationals win their first World Series in 2019. The rebuild is over. Adam Eaton was available. Bringing him back to help the White Sox win the World Series sounded like a good idea at the time. However, it appears if you are Eaton crackers on the new sheets, you are expendable. In baseball terms, he is DFA which means designated for assignment and goodbye. This go around the White Sox could got nothing for Adam Eaton as he cleared waivers and signs with the LA Angels who need outfielder help. Rookie Gavin Sheets is the new warmth in the dugout.

Adam Eaton, well maybe the writing was on the wall in 2020, his last year in a National uniform. Last season in the shortened Covid season, Adam Eaton played 41 games and batted only .226 with 4 homeruns and 17 RBI’S. This year in 58 games, Eaton’s numbers continue to plummet batting .201 in 58 games with 5 home runs and 28 RBI’S. In 2019, Adam Eaton had a .279 batting average with 15 bombs driving in 49 runs. Coming into this season, I thought Adam Eaton would shore up a defensive position in the outfield, and I would say he did. I thought Eaton could be valuable as a leadoff hitter if needed or a permanently top of the order guy. Maybe he’d be in the second hole with Tim Anderson batting leadoff. Anderson and Eaton as a one-two punch. I was shocked the White Sox gave up on him only after 58 games, a guy who also has playoff experience. Eaton had some big post-season moments in a Nationals uniform. All the talent the White Sox have, it just got too crowded to wait until Adam Eaton finds his swing again. It did not take Eaton long to find a job. Eaton will join other ex- Chicago ties on the west coast on a team that is exciting, but does not have a lick of pitching except two-way superstar Shohei Otani. Not enough to find a post-season spot.

White Sox will have plenty of options replacing a slumping Adam Eaton. With Adam Engle healthy and able to swing the bat now. Engle has always been a guy who can track any ball hit in his area code on defense. Engle has been swinging the bat better the last two seasons and needs at-bats as he also drives in big runs. Let’s not forget veterans Brian Goodwin, Billy Hamilton and Leury Garcia. The glue that has been holding the White Sox team together in the outfield. Then the youngsters are rising to the top and are ready to play at the big league level. Jake Burger and Gavin Sheets are legit. Both can play some outfield. Andrew Vaughn has shown he is no slouch playing left field for the first time in his baseball career. Then Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert are coming back from injuries and starting to find their game in the minor leagues. Gavin Sheets already has 5 home runs in 16 games including a game winning walk off home run versus the Twins. Sheets, a left handed bat, has made some big time noise that he should be a guy that stays on this roster and gets some at-bats in the playoffs. This has the making of mass weapons of mass destruction using wooden bats and would be on George W. Bush’s radar back in in his heyday at the White House. Adam Eaton is no supermodel, so when his bat is cracked, why dirty up your clean sheets? White Sox kicked Eaton out of their bed for eating crackers on clean sheets that came fresh from the farm. It’s time to move on from the X for good if you’re the White Sox. We will always remember Eaton gave us Lucas Giolito and a guy named Dane Dunning, who helped the team land Lance Lynn in a trade. Eaton will have 7 million dollars from the White Sox. It’s not like we wined and dined him and got nothing back.  

2021 ALL STAR COVERAGE

The MLB All-Star game is back from a one year hiatus due to the pandemic. Originally, the game was slated to be played in Atlanta. MLB took it away from the Braves because of the state of Georgia’s voting rules. Which make it harder for the urban areas to vote. In the movie The Stand, the good people are summoned in a dream to Colorado. MLB summoned their best players to Coors Field in Colorado, leaving the Braves and Georgia with many questions.

THE GAME

AMERICAN LEAGUE 5- 2 NATIONAL LEAGUE FINAL

American league wins their 8^th straight over the National league.

MVP: Vladmir Gurerreo Jr. (Toronto/Buffalo Blue Jays)

I love baseball history. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s mammoth home run on Tuesday means he becomes the second youngest player in the All-Star game history to hit a home run. Guerrero Jr. is only 22 years old. He goes deep off Corbin Burnes, Brewers Pitcher, and earns himself the MVP of the Summer classic in his first appearance of his career.

Two way superstar, Shohei Ohtani of the LA Angels, is the first ever in All-Star game history to start the game on the mound and at the DH position. Ohtani pitched a scoreless inning and went 0-2 on the night with the lumber.

HOW THE WHITE SOX AND PIRATES ALL-STARS DID?

White Sox Carlos Rodon: Did not see any game action.

White Sox Tim Anderson: Was on the field for defense and did not get an at-bat.

Pirates Bryan Reynolds: 0-2

BRIGHT SPOTS

White Sox Lance Lynn: Scoreless Inning pitched with a strikeout.

White Sox Liam Hendricks: Pitched the 9^th & I guess you credit him with the save. Hendricks gave up two hits, had a strikeout, and allowed no runs.

Our MVP: Pirates Adam Frazier: 1-2 with the lumber and some defensive gems at second base. One play robbing Shohei Ohtani of a hit.

TERRIBLE UNIFORMS (NIKE)

The shoe company that used kids for slave labor overseas in their hay day, created some very ugly uniforms. They call it their brand. The logo of the team with the cities’ initials. If the younger generation is eating up this goop, we are all in for a rude awakening. Isn’t Nike the company that put out a pair of shoes for a very bad quarterback in Colin Kaepernick? Just saying. The company needs to check their eyes, putting out this garbage.

THE GOAT OF THE GAME

My definition of “Goat of the Game” is not awarded for an outstanding performance.

Once upon a time ago, Kris Bryant was going to be the next Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. Bryant was part of the core. One of the untouchables. Which uniform will Bryant be wearing in two weeks? Bryant went 0-2 in the Summer classic both times, with runners in scoring position which he failed to drive in. Perhaps one hit could have been a different outcome for the entire game.

HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPION

PETE ALONSO (NEW YORK METS)   

2021 ALL STAR GAME ROSTERS

POSITION	STARTING PLAYER	TEAM
C	Salvador Perez	Royals
1B	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Blue Jays
2B	Marcus Semien	Blue Jays
3B	Rafael Devers	Red Sox
SS	Xander Bogaerts	Red Sox
OF	Mike Trout	Angels
OF	Aaron Judge	Yankees
OF	Teoscar Hernandez	Blue Jays
DH	Shohei Ohtani	Angels
POSITION	RESERVES PLAYER	TEAM
C	Mike Zunino	Rays
1B	Jared Walsh	Angels
1B	Matt Olson	Atheltics
2B	Jose Altuve	Astros
2B	Whit Merrifield	Royals
SS	Bo Bichette	Blue Jays
SS	Carlos Correa	Astros
SS	Tim Anderson	White Sox
3B	Jose Ramirez	Cleveland
IF	Joey Wendle	Rays
OF	Michael Brantley	Astros
OF	Joey Gallo	Rangers
OF	Adolis Garcia	Rangers
OF	Cedric Mullins	Orioles
DH	Nelson Cruz	Twins
DH	J.D. Martinez	Red Sox
POSITION	NAME	TEAM
P	Shohei Ohtani	Angels
P	Gerrit Cole	Yankees
P	Lance Lynn	White Sox
P	Shane Bieber	Cleveland
P	Nathan Eovaldi	Red Sox
P	Kyle Gibson	Rangers
P	Yusei Kikuchi	Mariners
P	Carlos Rodon	White Sox
P	Aroldis Chaoman	Yankees
P	Liam Hendriks	White Sox
P	Ryan Pressly	Astros
P	Matt Barnes	Red Sox
P	Gregory Soto	Tigers
P	Chris Bassitt	Athletics
P	Tyler Rogers	Twins
P	Andrew Kittredge	Rays
TITLE	NAME	TEAM
Manager	Kevin Cash	Rays
Coach	Terry Francona	Cleveland

 

POSITION	STARTING PLAYER	TEAM
C	Buster Posey	Giants
1B	Freddie Freeman	Braves
2B	Adam Frazier	Pirates
3B	Nolan Arenado	Cardinals
SS	Fernando Tatis Jr.	Padres
OF	Ronald Acuna Jr.	Braves
OF	Nick Castellanos	Reds
OF	Jesse Winker	Reds
POSITION	RESERVES PLAYER	TEAM
C	J.T. Realmuto	Phillies
C	Yadier Molina	Cardinals
C	Omar Narvaez	Brewers
1B	Max Muncy	Dodgers
2B	Ozzie Albies	Braves
2B	Jake Cronenworth	Padres
SS	Brandon Crawford	Giants
SS	Trea Turner	Nationals
3B	Kris Bryant	Cubs
3B	Eduardo Escobar	Diamondbacks
3B	Justin Turner	Dodgers
3B	Manny Machado	Padres
OF	Mookie Betts	Dodgers
OF	Bryan Reynolds	Pirates
OF	Kyle Schwarber	Nationals
OF	Juan Soto	Nationals
OF	Chris Taylor	Dodgers
POSITION	NAME	TEAM
P	Jacob deGrom	Mets
P	Yu Darvish	Padres
P	Brandon Woodruff	Brewers
P	Corbin Burnes	Brewers
P	German Marquez	Rockies
P	Kevin Gausman	Giants
P	Trevor Rogers	Marlins
P	Craig Kimbrel	Cubs
P	Zack Wheeler	Phillies
P	Mark Melancon	Padres
P	Josh Hader	Brewers
P	Alex Reyes	Cardinals
P	Walker Buehler	Dodgers
P	Freddy Peralta	Brewers
P	Max Scherzer	Nationals
P	Taijuan Walker	Mets
TITLE	NAME	TEAM
Manager	Dave Roberts	Dodgers
Coach	Bud Black	Rockies
Honorary Coach	Reggie Smith	Dodgers

WHO MADE IT FOR THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES AND CHICAGO WHITE SOX?

WHITE SOX HAVE 4 ALL STARS

Carlos Rodon has been a great story for the White Sox during this first half of 2021. Rodon pitched a no-hitter versus division rival Indians. Rodon’s option was declined by the White Sox last off-season. Rodon was pretty much on the scrap heap. The White Sox re-signed Rodon right before the season started. Rodon has been magnificent. Rodon has a 7-3 record with low 2.31 ERA and made all 15 starts for the season so far. Rodon may end up being the comeback player of the year if he finishes the second half strong.

 

Lance Lynn was a guy the White Sox needed this off-season. Lynn ia a guy at the front of the rotation who can eat up innings and win big games. Lynn was acquired in a trade with the Texas Rangers for young pitcher, Dane Dunning. In his first year with the White Sox, Lance Lynn has been the Ace Ventura of the staff just wheeling and dealing on the bump. Lynn has a 9-3 record in 16 starts with a 1.99 ERA so far this season. Meanwhile Dane Dunning has made 17 starts for the Rangers and has a 3-6 record with 4.22 ERA.

Before the season started, I thought the White Sox should resign their closer for the last few seasons in Alex Colom’e. Colom’e was one best closers in the American League last season. The White Sox went out and took the best closer off the market. The Aussie, Liam Hendricks, who was incredible for the Oakland Athletics the last few seasons. Hendricks has 23 saves in the first half of the season with the White Sox. Hendricks just blew a save versus the Orioles. Hendricks blew a few saves with opposing teams going deep on him with the long ball. Hendricks has found ways to keep the game tied after giving up the tying runs as his record is 4-2 for the year. The ERA is a fine 2.75. Meanwhile, Alex Colom’e is not doing well in the Twins bullpen. Colom’e is not even the closer anymore. Colom’e has pitched in 34 games in a Twinkie uniform with a 2-4 record a very high ERA of 4.83, and only converted two saves. Talk about dodging a bullet or the White Sox Front brass got lucky and moved on from his services just in time.

Astros short stop, Carlos Correa, was chosen as an All-Star Reserve. Correa was put on the injured list of MLB’S health and safety protocols on Friday. Which means the American League now has Tim Anderson on their roster. Which is not a bad thing. Anderson was the batting champ in 2019. This season so far, the short stop Anderson is batting .310 with six long balls driving in 32. Anderson did most of his damage in the leadoff spot where he also has 14 thefts as well on the base paths. 

PIRATES HAVE 2 ALL-STARS

Adam Frazier, by far, is having his best year in his MLB career. Frazier was voted in as the starting second baseman for the National League. Numbers don’t lie and Frazier has swung the bat well in 2021. The left-handed hitting second base has a .330 batting average with 115 hits so far. Frazier has 4 long balls and drove in 29 runs while scoring 53. Frazier makes his first all-star game at 29 years old. Frazier is the first Pirates second baseman to make the all-star game since Bill Mazeroski who made ten all star appearances for the Pirates. Adam Frazier also is working on his third career gold glove. Will Frazier end up getting that award with another team at the trade deadline?

Bryan Reynolds did not play well last season. The sophomore jinx is in as Reynolds’ rookie season was very promising. Last season, Reynolds batted .189 in the Covid shortened season after hitting .314 in his rookie season. Reynolds is back hitting in the 300’s with a .302 average so far in the first half. Reynolds has 16 long balls with 96 hits driving in 51. Great turn around for the Pirates outfield who could be a solid piece to build around for years to come in Pittsburgh. This will be Reynolds’ first all-star game. With Reynolds and Adam Frazier making it to the all-star game, it gives the Pirates multiple representatives at the summer mid classic for the 8^th time in the last 10 seasons. 

MONTH OF JUNE

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

GAMES IN JUNE (26)

JUNE RECORD (9-17)

SEASON RECORD (29-50)

LAST PLACE IN THE NL CENTRAL

HOME RECORD (16-21)

AWAY RECORD (13-19)

PIRATES VERSUS THE REST OF THE LEAGUE IN 2021

NL CENTRAL RECORD (10-23)

NL EAST RECORD (4-7)

NL WEST RECORD (7-13)

INTER-LEAGUE RECORD (8-7)

IF ONLY THE PIRATES PLAYED IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE. ONE GAME OVER 500.

PIRATES RECORD DAY/NIGHT IN 2021

DAY RECORD (13-24)

NIGHT RECORD (16-26)

PIRATES VERSUS THE ARMS IN 2021

RIGHT HANDED PITCHING RECORD (24-37)

LEFT HANDED PITCHING RECORD (13-29)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

GAMES IN JUNE (25)

JUNE RECORD (14-11)

SEASON RECORD (47-32)

FIRST PLACE IN AL CENTRAL

HOME RECORD (30-14)

AWAY RECORD (17-18)

WHITE SOX VERSUS THE REST OF THE LEAGUE IN 2021

AL CENTRAL RECORD (26-12)

AL EAST RECORD (10-7)

AL WEST RECORD (7-10)

INTERLEAGUE RECORD (4-3)

BEATING UP THE DIVISION FULL OF CRAZIES

WHITE SOX DAY/NIGHT RECORD IN 2021

DAY RECORD (18-15)

NIGHT RECORD (29-17)

WHITE SOX VERSUS THE ARMS IN 2021

RIGHT HANDED PITCHING RECORD (29-25)

LEFT HANDED PITCHING RECORD (18-7)

HE GONE

Last Sunday at the Rate, Guaranteed Rate Field, the live studio audience got a treat seeing the first pitcher ejected from the game using a foreign sticky substance. It was a former southpaw for the White Sox, Hector Santiago, who these days pitches for the Seattle Mariners. MLB has implemented checks on pitchers to crack down on foreign substances in-between innings by the umpire crews. The men in Blue check the pitcher’s glove, hat, belt buckle… anything they can use to dab on the ball to increase the spin rate. On Sunday, the umpire crew, led by Tom Hallion, were the head of the witch-hunt and he and the crew found something inside the palm of Santiago’s glove. Which led to the famous Hawk Harrelson’s words inside my head he used on his play-by-play calls… “HE GONE!!!”  However, Hawk’s words that echoed inside my head would not be used for a strike out call, instead it was for when Hector Santiago got tossed from the game.

Now with the Covid restrictions lifted in the city of Chicago, the stadium had full capacity capability. Many fannies in the seats standing up and bringing loud boos and jeers down on the ejected pitcher. Hector Santiago’s face showed him in disbelief of the umpire allegations as he walked off and headed to the dugout, it felt like he was leaving the arena of gladiator fight.  Meanwhile, the glove was put in a plastic bag. It reminded me of a CSI investigation finding the loaded gun to bring down to the lab for analysis.

The 33 year old, Hector Santiago, last pitched for the White Sox in 2019 in his second stint with the team where he split the season with the Mets and Chicago. Santiago did not do well in 11 games for the Sox that year; he had a 0-1 record with an ERA of the devil 6.66. Santiago started his career as a White Sox and pitched in 138 games both as a starter and in relief had 14-14 record with a 3.93 ERA. Santiago also has pitched for the Angels, Twins and in ten season has a 48-51 record with 4.11 ERA. Santiago did not pitch in 2020. In a Seattle uniform, maybe the sticky stuff has been working for Santiago who has a 1-1 record with a low 2.50 ERA so far this season.

Hector Santiago most likely will appeal the MLB suspension that may be coming to him for whatever he had inside the glove. Santiago claimed it was sweat and rosin, which can be compared to the excuse that my dog ate my homework. If Santiago is found guilty from the MLB investigation, he will miss ten games. Plus, the Mariners will not be able to replace him on the active roster. The Mariners would be a man down in the rotation for ten games. It will be interesting if the MLB does find something inside his glove and the suspension is upheld. Will other pitchers follow? Seeing the first domino fall, will other pitchers quit cold turkey on their sticky substance abuse? Like to see the men in blue take down a huge fish like Gerrit Cole. Love to see the Umpires have the wand like those TSA agents at the airport when they meet and greet the pitcher in between innings. I want to see the game become pure again if that can be said as a true statement in history of America’s past time. I want to see more than the strikeout and the home run. The double play and the old-fashioned way of manufacturing a run would be nice to see more of. Let’s do more shake downs, bust these varmints, and clean up the game the best we can.

“EL PATR’ON”: TRANSLATION WILLIE MAYS HAYS

When is the last time a Tampa Bay Rays fan got excited about a top prospect that was not a pitcher? Tampa Bay Rays know all about pitching. Rays, one of the best in the league, drafting young pitchers, growing them on their farm and inserting them into the Tropicana stands on game day. Position players that put on Rays or Devil Rays uniforms that were as exciting as the young 20-year-old infielder, Wander Franco, and his arrival to the Big Leagues. First person I thought of is the third baseman Evan Longoria who looked like a Ray staple for life. Let’s not forget outfielder Carl Crawford who may be the Rays’ best hitter of all-time. Since 1998 when the Devil Rays came into the league as an expansion team, its been a collection of mostly veteran position players many of them on their last legs. The Rays were the safe harbor for outcast veterans needing some place to prove to the world that they still have some petrol left in the tank. Tampa Bay East was like Oakland West two bookends on the map where a player could have safe passage to the big leagues and know they take a huge pay cut. Wander Franco aka “EL Patr’ron or “The Boss” arrives at the Trop in style being called up to play his first ever game in the MLB.

The kid has style pulling up in a Rolls Royce. Wander Franco’s arrival is like George Jefferson moving on up to those deluxe apartments in the sky, leaving Bunkerville in a big limousine. Wander Franco did not disappoint the few hundred sleeping Ray fans as his stellar defense at the hot corner shows us why scouts think this kid is a 5-tool player. With the Lumber in his first game versus Boston Red Sox, Franco hit a clutch 3-run home run as he went 2-4 in his debut. Most important “EL PATR’ON” added some juice to that Rays line up a team that was scuffling at the time. It is a great start for the kid who the Rays hope can be a big bat in the lineup all year. Wander Franco can help the Rays in many ways defensively, a legit glove that can play a few positions. On the base paths, Wander could become a problem for opposing defenses because he acts and plays the game like Willie Mays Hays.

The league will figure out Wander Franco as his numbers will go up and down. The energy level will be a nice thing for the locker room of the Rays. Plus, having an “EL PATR’ON on the playoff roster this October, he may be a guy that can steal the show. You know the Yankees will be salivating watching this kid thinking of ideas how to land him when his contract runs out in years to come.

MAD MAX NOT BEYOND THE THUNDERDOME

If you were a major league pitcher making your MLB debut and just stonewalled the other team, would you be a happy camper? Most players would be happy pitching one scoreless inning in their debut. The player would immediately call home after the game excited to ask, “Did you see me?” What if you pitched 5 scoreless innings in your debut? What if you shut down everyone you faced? They call that a perfect game in progress, if he faced 15 batters. To witness the last time someone debuted and pitched a perfect 5 innings without allowing a base runner or a hit, you have to go back in the Delorean time machine to 1893. Pirates pitching prospect Max Kranick did the same thing last week in his debut versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Kranick faced all 15 batters he saw and retired all of them in order. What happened to the perfect game?

It was not the pitch count that derailed Max Kranick’s quest for perfection. It was not the guy with the red Mohawk looking to chop Max’s head off in the movie, The Road Warrior.  Kranick did not pitch in the 6^th so he still has never given up a hit at the MLB level. Mad Max Kranick was done in by the thunder in a lengthy rain delay. The skies open up and when the game resumed, Kranick would not go back out to continue his pursuit for the perfect game. The Pirates skipper said if the rain delay did not happen, Kranick would have been marched back out to the mound to continue his brilliant debut. Pirates ended up winning the game versus the Cardinals that night when play continued. Cardinals ended up scoring two runs, but the Pirates had 7. Kranick would still get his first big league win in that fantastic debut. What if’s will be playing in the mind of the youngster as his consolation prize is a ticket back to Triple A. We don’t know if Mad Max should get the nickname of the road warrior for only one outing. During a rebuild we look for anything to get excited about. Kranick may not be the next Gerrit Cole.  The 23 year old right-hander made it very exciting to watch him baffle the Cardinals from St. Louis. I get excited when I see young pitching on the rise. If Pirates strike gold on a few of these young prospect arms, the rebuild would end sooner rather than dragging out for years. Look at the Tampa Bay Rays with all the young arms they have stockpiled over the years. Pirates need a Mad Max in the rotation that can dominate the rivals of the NL Central for years to come.

HOW MANY CUB PITCHERS DOES IT TAKE TO THROW ONE NO HITTER????

The Chicago Cubs now have recorded their 17^th no hitter in team history. It took four pitchers for the Cubs to complete the seventh no hitter of the 2021 season. It’s the first time in Cubbie history they have a combined no hitter to their record books. With the 7^th no hitter thrown this season, which was the first one combined, it is the most teams going blank in one season before July 1^st . Zach Davies, the former Brewer who came over in the trade from the Padres this offseason in the Yu Darvish deal, pitched six scoreless innings on 94 pitches. After Davies left the game, the Cubs bullpen nailed everything down versus the champs from last year, the Dodgers, in a 4-0 no hit shutout. Relievers Ryan Tepera and Andrew Chafin pitched the 7^th and 8^th. Then the closer, Craig Kimbrel, closed the deal in the 9^th and the Cubs, once again, no-hit the LA Dodgers. In 2015, the Cubs last no-hitter, it was Jake Arrieta who blanked the Dodgers by himself.

The Cubs no-hitter versus the Dodgers was very sloppy as they walked 8 batters. It reminded me of the Edwin Jackson no-hitter he pitched with the Diamondbacks during which he walked a ton in that game. Jackson, you can say, at least finished the game himself as he tallied up 149 pitches that night for Arizona. Zach Davies was taken out for a pinch hitter in the 7^th after throwing 94 pitches after six innings. Cubs skipper David Ross even admitted he took Davies out because of the high pitch count. The concern is if you keep your guy out there he may have tallied up 140 pitches to finish the game. With that many pitches, you could blow out the guy’s arm. How about the confidence level? If Davies went the distance, could he use that and turn that into a big contract for next season? The what-if’s could get in his head as well. I get the injury risk. Sometimes it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for a pitcher to pitch a no-hitter on the biggest stage or even come that close and give up a hit late in the ball game. Especially against last year’s champs, the Dodgers. That is story you tell your grandchildren and they would tell theirs. Regrets and regressing could result in the next few starts for Davies.

It’s still a nice accomplishment to get a no-hitter, even though walks were issues and it took more than one arm to do it. It’s still a win. The Dodgers now have been no-hit for their 20^th time in their franchise history. With the no-hitter, the Cubs move into 4^th place all-time in team no-hitters with a few other teams. Red Sox are third all-time with 18. The White Sox are second all-time with 20 gems. The Dodgers have thrown the most no-hitters of any other team in MLB history with 23. You have to give credit to the Cubs bullpen coming in, knowing the circumstances and getting the job done. The Cubs bullpen has been a very bright spot for that team this year. Coming into the season, the pen was a question mark. Now their bullpen unit is pitching lights out in crucial situations keeping this team in the playoff hunt.    

WHITE SOX VERSUS PIRATES

The Chicago White Sox once again squared off against the Pittsburgh Pirates this week at PNC Park for a two game series. Pirates versus White Sox is not the cream of the crop when it comes to inter-league play. Pirates never played the White Sox until 1997 as both teams never met in a World Series. Only inter-league play between both these teams, as they met up a total of 40 times since National league and American league teams played regular season games together. The 40 times includes the two game series in which both teams took one game, earlier in the week. Pirates are a last place team playing better baseball of late versus a slumping first place team in the White Sox. The two games were close. No Lucas Giolito and no hitter like last year. White Sox were able to break their losing streak and salvage one game. While the Pirates played well versus a top team. Which franchise all-time has the better record, head-to-head, between these two teams?

White Sox 21-19 versus the Pirates all-time

Pirates 19-21 versus the White Sox all-time

White Sox have the two game edge over the Pirates all-time. Over the years, both these teams have played tough against each other, as the head-to-head records are very close. Next year, maybe the Pirates will have a two game edge.

JOSH ALLEN’S FIRST PITCH

These days, Sahien Field is home of the Toronto Blue Jays instead of the Buffalo Bison due to Canada’s Covid rules in their country. The Bison is the Toronto Blue Jays triple AAA affiliate and they have been playing in New Jersey while the big club plays their home games in Buffalo, New York for a second straight year. As we all know, Buffalo is a football town. Home to the Buffalo Bills, and many people in the city of Toronto root for the Bills. On Thursday night, Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Bills, made an appearance at Sahien field and threw out the first pitch that excited all the locals at the game. Buffalo’s sports landscape has been exciting with the Bills making it all the way to the AFC Championship last year. The Bills’ team is well stacked to make another run this season. The Sabres have the number one draft pick in the NHL draft. Let’s hope they can use it wisely. Watching a superstar slugger on the rise, in Vladmir Guerrero Jr., right in your backyard, is something awesome that you can see with your own eyes.

MADRIGAL DONE FOR SEASON

The White Sox originally hoped they’d get their second basemen back in the fold at the end of regular season. Season ending surgery on Nick Madrigal’s hamstring will end the 24 year old’s 2021 season. Madrigal suffered the terrible injury versus the Blue Jays on June 9^th, trying to beat out a grounder at the Guaranteed Rate field. The hamstring did not hold up and Madrigal was carried off the field. This is the third significant injury the White Sox have suffered, this season alone, from one of their young superstars. Slugger Eloy Jimenez was injured in Spring Training while Luis Robert was injured in May running to first base like his teammate Madrigal.

The White Sox will miss Nick Madrigal as the kid can flat out hit the ball. In the field, Madrigal can make some plays. He’s not the worst defender in the league but can make some wild throws at times where you scratch your head. Madrigal came on the scene last year in the shortened season, and he was able to get 100 At-bats and had an average of .340 when the season ended. This year, Madrigal was hitting .305 and as a contact hitter he was hard to strike out especially when he had two strikes on him in the count. Madrigal’s good eye at the plate can make pitchers throw lots of pitches each plate appearance. Madrigal drove in the winning run in the series versus the Rangers. Madrigal showed he has some power as he hit two long balls, driving in 21 so far this season. Madrigal was 4 hits away from a milestone of 100. The 4^th pick of 2018, if he can stay healthy and we avoid virus seasons in the future, could have enough hits to get him into the Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile the White Sox answers at second base on the roster would be Danny Mendick and veteran jack of all trades, Leury Garcia. Both Mendick and Garcia mean the team will be better off defensively. Garcia has done a nice job in centerfield stepping in for Luis Robert. Garcia has his moments at the plate from time to time & can get the team a big hit. Garcia is batting .249 with 24 RBI’S this season playing wherever he’s asked to fill in for guys injured or who need rest. Danny Mendick is an interesting guy who has been up and down from the farm club. Every time he gets playing time, Mendick can swing the bat but is a streaky hitter. Mendick so far this season has two long balls with 13 driven in, but the average is going south at .221. Can the White Sox use the Mendick/Garcia combo the rest of the year at second base? Will General Manager Rick Hahn find a trade partner for an infielder? Do the White Sox have an answer at second base in the minors? Rumor on the streets is young prospect Jake Burger was inserted into the second base position down at the farm. We will wait and see how the team addresses this situation long term.

D’OH !!!!

Instant replay comes back to haunt the Pirates and young third basemen, Ke’Bryan Hays. Hays clearly knocks the ball into the seats for an opposite field home run versus the LA Dodgers. It’s a very special moment for the kid to hit one into the seats versus last year’s champs and one of the best teams in the league. Hays pulled a Homer and did not tag first base. Dodgers threw the ball to first, tagged the base before the next pitch to the batter, Hays was called out, and the home run was taken off the board. Dodgers could have saw it in live action that he missed the base, but with instant replay they had their evidence and got the call when they threw the ball to first base in which the umpire called Hays out. Hays has three long balls so far this season as he hit 5 last season & only had 60 at-bats in 2020. Instead of needing one long ball for double digits, he needed two more to reach that milestone. So far, Ke’Bryan Hays looks like real deal and should be wearing the Pirate head for a long time to come. One of the bright spots through this rebuild so far. 

GOODWIN’S SOX DEBUT WAS NOT GOOD BUT AWESOME

Brian Goodwin had a chip on his shoulder as he finally made it back to the Majors. Goodwin has played in the biggs for 5 seasons with 4 teams. This year was a gut punch to the 30-year-old outfielder who suddenly found himself in the minors. Adding fuel to the fire playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates who are in full rebuild and one of the worst teams in the league. Goodwin found light at the end of the tunnel opting out of his Pirates minor league commitment. Goodwin and the White Sox found each other when Luis Robert, the superstar centerfielder, went down in early May. Goodwin still had to showcase his talents to the White Sox as he agreed on a minor league deal with them. It took until June, and Goodwin’s debut in a White Sox uniform was heard all around the league.

Over the weekend, it was the second game of the series on Saturday when Brian Goodwin appeared in the starting line up versus the Detroit Tigers. Manager Tony LaRussa is very familiar with Brian Goodwin’s play from when both of their paths crossed in LA with the Angels. LaRussa inserted Goodwin in the number two slot in the line-up; the move was golden. Goodwin’s second at-bat in a White Sox was a three run home run. Now that is playing with a chip on the shoulder like an angry man proving to a list of people to never doubt him. Goodwin finished the day 2-5 with a walk, driving in 5 runs. A very memorable debut in which White Sox routed the Tigers at the Rate in Chicago.     

Ceasing the Tiggers

The trade between both Chicago baseball teams will go into history as one-sided. You could even say this trade will be legendary for the White Sox. The Southsiders fleeced the Northsiders by taking the Cubs’ young slugger, Eloy Jimenez. They even got a middle of the rotation starter in Dylan Cease out of the deal for left-hander Jose Quintana. Quintana did not do much in a Cubs uniform, & is now with the Angels. Jimenez has lived up to history, but he is hurt at this time. Dylan Cease, a young right-handed pitcher, has done a nice job so far at least versus the Detroit Tigers in which he is 8-0 all-time.

Over the weekend Dylan Cease became the first pitcher in White Sox history to win his first 8 starts against a single opponent, who are the hapless Tigers. Last few seasons, I noticed Dylan Cease has mastered the Tiger line-up as he continues the 2021 season domination over a division opponent. Tigers are in rebuild, but it is still impressive what Cease has done to them. Sure, you’d rather see Cease dominate the Indians or the Twins. Both of which are other threats in the division. The Twins look dead in the water at this time. Could Minnesota resurface at some point during this season to be a thorn on the sides of the White Sox?  Cease has a 5-2 record this season so far in 13 starts with a 3.38 ERA. Lifetime, Cease’s record is 14-13 with a 4.45 ERA. Take those Detroit starts out of the equation. Cease is 6-13 record versus the rest of the league. Now his numbers don’t look that good, feasting on the Tiger carcass like a vulture in a uniform.

Dylan Cease, in his third big league season, can’t pick who he pitches against. Everyone who has played any sport at any kind of level knows that it seems like you have that one team you do the best against for whatever reason that is. Cease has the Tigers’ number. Cease has some history under his belt in his young career by winning all those starts. Cease is getting better each season, especially this year he has done well versus other opponents besides those pussy cats from the motor city. Maybe it will be Dylan Cease that wins the White Sox a key playoff game, this post-season. Cease will have to beat someone that matters to raise his stock and confidence levels. Like that undefeated college team looking to defy themselves with a show down versus a bigger school. Right now, Cease will continue to mow down whatever team is in front of him even if the Tigers keep popping up. For the Cubs, this intercity trade will haunt them like when the White Sox traded Sammy Sosa to the Cubs for George Bell. Five hundred home runs later, the trade was still talked about. Steroids may have watered down that trade talk of the past as Sosa is still in denial. Sosa is forgotten by almost everyone. Only memory is someone breaking his boom box in the locker room, which lingers like the blowing kisses he did after each long ball he smashed. Eloy Jimenez will come back and be that slugger we all know. Could Dylan Cease be that extra piece of that trade that drives Cub fans coo coo for cocoa puffs?  I hope so.

MONTH OF MAY

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

GAMES IN MAY (28)

MAY RECORD (10-18)

SEASON RECORD (20-33)

LAST PLACE IN THE NL CENTRAL

HOME RECORD (10-15)

AWAY RECORD (10-18)

PIRATES VERSUS THE REST OF THE LEAGUE

NL EAST (1-3)

NL CENTRAL (7-19)

NL WEST (7-7)

INTERLEAGUE (5-4)

PIRATES HAVE DONE WELL VERSUS THE AMERICANS IN THE AL

PIRATES VERSUS THE ARMS

RIGHT HANDERS (17-25)

LEFT HANDERS (3-8)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

GAMES IN MAY (29)

MAY RECORD (19-10)

SEASON RECORD (33-21)

FIRST PLACE AL CENTRAL

WHITE SOX VERSUS THE REST OF THE LEAGUE

AL EAST (6-5)

AL CENTRAL (18-10)

AL WEST (6-4)

INTERLEAGUE (3-2)

WHITE SOX VERSUS THE ARMS

RIGHT HANDERS (20-18)

SOUTH PAWS (13-3)

TIM ANDERSON LOVES HITTING SOUTH PAWS

MORE MAY DAY MALONE PERFORMANCES

When your team is in a full rebuild, you look for the little things to hang your hat on. Most of the time Detroit Tigers baseball is going to be pure draining on the soul. However, Spencer Turnball throws the 8^th no hitter in Tigers history. Yes, the same 28-year-old who led the league in losses in 2019 with an abysmal 3-17 record. It was the first Tigers no hitter thrown since Justin Verlander did it May 7^th of 2011. Turnball has only been around for 4 seasons in the majors, all with the Tigers. Turnball has also played for some very bad Tigers teams, and you may consider the Detroit being bad this year as well. Last season, Turnball in a short Covid season, pitched better and finished with a 4-4 record. Besides throwing the no hitter, Turnball is off to a good start this season and may be cementing himself in the rotation for years to come. Perhaps Detroit would use him as a trade chip to land some interesting prospects from another team. The Tigers blanked the Mariners in Turnball’s start. It’s the second time the Mariners have been no-hit this season. Turnball throws the 5^th no-hitter, already this season in the MLB.

Corey Kluber was conducting a bullpen session this off-season in front of 2/3rds of the teams in the league. He was hoping to show them he still has gas in the tank and was over his injuries. Kluber suffered 3 separate injuries in 2019 and 2020. Last season in the very first inning of his very first game in a Rangers uniform, an injury sidelined him for the entire season. The Evil Empire New York Yankees liked what they saw and gave a contract to the 35-year-old right-hander. He was the Indians Ace for years helping the team get to the World Series in 2016. He almost helped win that single-handedly. Kluber shows he still has the Motts as he no-hits the team he had a cup of coffee for the Texas Rangers. Kluber’s first career no-hitter of his career to go with already the many accomplishments the right-handed veteran as done over the years. Kluber has the 6^th no hitter thrown already in the MLB in the 2021 season.

In 1884, MLB record for most no hitters thrown in one season was 8. In the modern day ERA the most no hitters thrown in one season was seven. Which was done 4 times in 1990, 1991, 2012 and 2015.

SICK PUPPY

In movies or on the television, the old story about the farmer’s daughter was off-limits. The scene always plays out with her playing footsie with the guest at the farm. The daughter’s bosoms popping out of some kind of small flannel shirt that does not cover those beauties very well in the first place. Throw in the long legs wearing daisy dukes and blonde hair in a ponytail. Holy Cannoli, Batman!!!

When you go after the farmer’s daughter, you may get a shotgun pointed at your head. What if the farmer’s gal is a minor? What if the farmer’s daughter is just half the age of the guest of the farm? It’s big trouble in Pittsburgh. Former Pittsburgh Pirates closer, Felipe Vazquez, is that guy who likes to eyeball your teenage daughter’s development. Vazquez was arrested in 2019, and his court day was this week as he was guilty of statutory sexual assault, sexual abuse of children and child pornography in Pennsylvania. The former Pirate was guilty on 15 counts. Plus, Vazquez has additional charges in Florida and Missouri.

Felipe Vazquez started his career with the Nationals in DC. Vazquez played in 5 seasons in the MLB with 4 of them in Pittsburgh. In those five seasons, Vazquez’s lifetime numbers as a relief pitcher have been very good. Vazquez had a 17-13 record with 89 saves and a low 2.69 ERA. Vazquez is a left-handed pitcher who would have easily had many more years in the MLB, even if he did bad being a southpaw. If Vazquez continued down the path he was going on the pitching rubber, and been a good citizen, he would have had a nice bank account even though he probably did pretty good in the 5 seasons in the Majors already.

I know people can look older, especially women with makeup. You wish you could chalk this one up to mistaken age. Felipe Vazquez’s mind works grass on the field play ball. With the money a baseball player makes, they could pay for the top call girls in any place the team traveled. Vazquez chose to dip his pen in the company’s ink, the girl was a teenage Pirate fan. Vazquez even went by the kid’s house and knew she lived with her parents. This did not send up any red flags in his mind. Vazquez continued a relationship with her by texting her. The mother found out from her daughter’s phone, which is how this thing blew up. The young Pirate fan was not the only one this Predator preyed on. They arrested Vazquez and authorities found other stuff the pitcher was involved in when it came to the youth. It’s a shame a guy that talented on the pitching mound threw away his career on an addiction that would send a young person to therapy for the rest of their lives for his fetish. During olden times, a guy like Felipe Vazquez would be off with his head and I’m not talking about the one on his neck. To wish another guy to the guillotine with his manhood is horrible. This guy, to think and prey on the youth like he did, is even worse. This is when we need farmer’s justice.        

GRANDAL VERSUS MCCANN

Roughly, it has been two months of the 2021 season. I was wondering how our old friend James McCann was doing in New York. Many people thought McCann should still be on the Southside. McCann wanted to be a full-time starter, and so was going to need to be paid. The price would be too steep for the White Sox checkbook. The White Sox invested in Yasmani Grandal on a big contract, who played his first season on the Southside last year. Grandal is historically the better offensive catcher over McCann. I like McCann’s defense over Grandal, especially balls in the dirt and the way he handles the pitching staff. McCann has swung the bat the last few years getting his first all-star appearance. It was a pipe dream to have kept two dueling piano players, especially with Zack Collins, a number one pick, waiting in the wings. My thought was both Grandal and McCann could rotate behind the plate or in and out of the DH slot. This was before the Yerminator (Yermin Mercedes) came on the scene who is another catcher but with stronger trait hitting. It makes sense for the DH slot. Grandal and McCann can both play some first base as well. In the grand scheme of things, it was too crowded so one had to go. McCann would be that guy.

STAT LINE: Yasmani Grandal 33 games, .136 BA, 6 HR’S, 12 HITS, 18 RBI’S

STAT LINE: James McCann 34 games, .202 BA, 2 HR’S, 22 HITS, 9 RBI’S

We will monitor both backstops throughout the year to see if the White Sox made a mistake not re-signing James McCann. Both catchers with the lumber have not fared too well. Yasmani Grandal’s six homeruns jump out at me. Half of his hits this season come from the long ball. That will not cut the mustard if he rides that track all year long. McCann RBI’s tell me he may not be hitting with men on base, or he’s not getting that big hit like he did in a White Sox uniform. McCann usually gets off to a fast start. Both, we can say number-wise, have not swung the bat very well. Maybe Zack Collins is the best option. We’ll check back in every month or so before the all-star break on these two guys and see where their season is.  

FLOWERS SPIKES ON THE WALL

In 2009, the White Sox landed Tyler Flowers from the Atlanta Braves. Flowers was a catcher at the time, for whom both the Braves and White Sox had high expectations. Atlanta gave him up to get him back years down the road. The White Sox thought Flowers would be the guy to take over behind the plate for the Southside legend, AJ Pierzynski. Flowers never lived up to that stud-hype behind the plate. Flowers could hit the ball a long way if he connected with one. Flowers was a career .237 hitter being a backup most of his career. His defense was Flowers’ strong suit, especially framing pitches. With that, he was one of the best in the league. Flowers was available to any team this off-season after playing in 22 games for the Braves in the shortened Covid season. Braves reached out to him in need of a catcher from injuries, giving Flowers a minor league deal. Flowers signed the deal and then a week later hung up the spikes for good in order to retire.

Tyler Flowers’ best year in a White Sox uniform came in 2014 where he hit. 241 with 15 bombs, driving in 50. Flowers would do better in an Atlanta uniform. In 2016, Flowers batted .270 with 8 bombs and drove in 41. The next season in 2017 was probably his best season with the lumber, hitting .281 with 12 bombs and driving in 49. Then Flowers would regress back to old ways in 2018 and beyond. Flowers’ career numbers has him batting .237 with 86 bombs racking up 582 hits while driving in 301 runs. In 12 seasons, he also struck out 852 times as he could bite you with his bat in the lineup with runners on base. Flowers did play in 802 games, which you have to respect, and most of them were behind the plate. At the age of 35, Flowers walks away from the game probably from all the wear and tear on the body. This after playing 12 seasons in the MLB in which the catcher’s position is the hardest in baseball from all the punishment they take. Flowers had a respectable career. Not a starter, but a nice back up option. Flowers was born in Roswell, Georgia. He may have followed the Braves and now played for them. Playing for the hometown team is always special. When Flowers arrived, he had tensions in the clubhouse with AJ Pierzynski.  I was not a big fan of the idea replacing Pierzynski because he was still putting up good numbers. That is tough position to be in Flowers’ shoes. Added pressure trying to replace a World Series hero. Especially in Chicago where we do not see that very often. Once a century. Flowers was a Joe Six-pack type of guy who brought his lunch pail to the job and ground it out. Good, bad, or ugly – you have to say bravo for giving it his best when he played on the Southside.

JUST DON’T HIT ME IN THE FACE      

I remember playing organized baseball when I was a kid. They had different age levels starting off with Little League, which some would call Pee Wees. Pee Wee may not be ideal for political correctness since Mr. Herman liked to play with himself at the local movie theatre. Was the theatre playing the type of movies like that Bad Cinema section that Blockbuster Video used to have in big hits like Loose Screw and Hard Bodies, which actually had a sequel. Little League, followed by Majors, and then Babe Ruth finished your career unless you played high school ball. It was great organized fun, especially if you loved the game. Since each level was like a 3-year age group, when you started you had to play with older kids. Kids that went to your school in higher-grade levels. Which was fine except when you’d face the school bully and he had the ball on the pitcher’s rubber. He’d be staring down at your innocent face with a Joker smirk that made hairs stand up on the back of your neck under those trucker hats. The ones that just had a shade of color on them with no team name or logo. It was the 1980’s. Back then you’d get hit by a pitch, no worries and you take your base. Every league had the one guy with a wicked fastball and wildness. Perhaps it was not wildness as you felt like a duck in a shooting gallery in a carnival game. All the while avoiding getting hit on purpose from the guy that wanted your lunch money. Many thought getting hit by that certain guy resulted in how Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar took a fast ball to the face. Talk about your amateur nose job.

It was the New York Mets versus the Atlanta Braves when Kevin Pillar came up with the bases loaded against reliever Jacob Webb. Obviously, it was unintentional with men on base in a tight game. Webb felt bad about the 95 MPH pitch coming out of his hand weirdly, he told everyone after the game. It was supposed to be a high pitch, but it sailed on him and hit smack dab right in the face of the 32-year-old veteran outfielder, Kevin Pillar. Talk about taking one for the team, especially getting an RBI on the one play. Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures, but is in good spirits and knows it was an accidental part of the game. Pillar signed with the Mets in the off-season and is a nice piece to have off the bench. He’s a journey man who could be a serviceable starter in the outfield.

Pillar was batting .250 so far this season with 2 long balls and 8 driven in. The nine-year veteran started his career in Toronto and then has been to a few places since the 2019 season trying to find a new home. Meanwhile Mets injuries have piled up for their outfielders this year. The Mets will be looking to make a move of some kind. Pillar will be back this season after things heal properly. Will the memory of the ball hitting him linger on and mess with his swing mentally? As a kid in Little League, being hit meant you’d rub some dirt on it & take your base on almost anything. If the unfortunate fastball hit you in the face, I think most kids would walk away from the game. You see kids’ teams wearing the facemasks on their helmet. You see professional teams having helmets that guard the one side of your face facing the pitcher. What about Jacob Webb? Will he be able to get over it mentally? Pillar seems to be a stand up guy who reached out to Webb and holds no hard feelings. In baseball, you have to quickly forget about the last pitch/last inning last game. There’s always another pitch, inning and a game. As for the bully, the Gooch, the headhunter… you try to stay off a crazy like that’s radar or hope for the best. Kids’ leagues, you hope, these days don’t put up with that kind of shenanigans. For example, don’t them more chances to play after trying to maim someone on the baseball field.     

MAY DAY TRADES

CUBS GET A SPLISH NOT A SPLASH FROM THE SNAKE GARDEN

The Chicago Cubs, in need of some outfield help, make a deal with the Diamondbacks and land Trayce Thompson for cash considerations. Trayce’s brother is Splash player Klay Thompson who is part of that Golden Warrior dynasty with Seth Curry.

Seth and Klay’s performances on the court all these years earned them the nick name Splash brothers. Trayce had a little splish when he first arrived in the big leagues by the other team in Chicago. Trayce Thompson originally was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2009. Thompson came on the scene in 2015 where he hit .295 with 5 home runs in his first stint. While Thompson was relatively a hot prospect, and he was traded in a three team deal in which the White Sox got third baseman Todd Frazier from the Reds. Thompson went to the Dodgers.

After being Part of 4 seasons with the Dodgers, Athletics and White Sox, Trayce Thompson in over 500 At-bats has tallied up 110 hits with 22 home runs driving in 59. Thompson MLB batting average lifetime is .206. Last time Thompson was playing in the big leagues was in 2018 where he started with the Athletics and then came back to the White Sox. Since then, he has played Triple AAA ball and that’s what he was doing for the Diamondbacks before the Cubs pried him away from Arizona. In the Minors, Thompson has not been lighting it up as he has the same average he has in the big leagues, just a little over 200. Cubs may think they can squeeze something out of Thompson like that last drop of toothpaste in the tube. Maybe the Cubs just need a body, just in case, where Thompson checks that box. Thompson will report to Iowa, the Cubs Triple AAA affiliate, to improve his game and get back on the field he had the most success at in Chicago.

MAY DAY MALONE PERFORMANCES

TWO NO HITTERS

Baltimore Orioles’ Ace Ventura, John Means, tosses the third no hitter of the year in this baseball season that is only a month and a half old.  Means the 28-year-old lefty becomes the first Oriole to pitch a solo no hitter since Jim Palmer did it for Baltimore in 1969 versus the Athletics. Means almost had a perfect game versus the Mariners, but a dropped 3^rd strike ruined it. Sam Haggerty, the Mariners outfielder, with a heads up hustled down the line to get first base. This after he swung and missed while the Orioles catcher could not make a clean play out of it. Haggerty was the only base runner that night allowed by Means. Means, who never was a top prospect for the Orioles in their system, almost walked away from the game. With hard work and dedication, Means has made it to the bigs and then became an all-star. Now he is the team’s top pitcher.

Who is Wade Miley? Miley is a left-handed pitcher who may have pitched in your city at one point. Miley has been in the league 11 years and pitched for seven teams. Miley is like your team’s 4^th or 5^th starter in the rotation. Miley is a 500 pitcher in his career as he has a lifetime record of 89-88 with a 4.23 ERA. Miley pitches a gem in the battle of Ohio as he blanks the Cleveland Indians line-up wearing a Reds uniform. Miley was short of perfect game by allowing a walk and Nick Senzel had an error in the field at second base to allow a Indians base runner. Miley’s big day is the 4^th no hitter tossed this season in 2021. Miley, at 34 years of age, is the oldest pitcher to toss a no hitter since the big lefty Randy Johnson threw one at the age of 40 in Diamondbacks uniform in 2004.  

GOODWIN IS NOT A BAD WIN

White Sox quickly found some outfield help after Luis Robert went down with an injury last Sunday in Chicago. Robert expects to miss between 12-16 weeks with a hip flexor strain. The White Sox have reached for help from Brian Goodwin, the 30-year old left-handed hitting outfielder. Goodwin timed this out perfectly, right after he opted out of his minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Goodwin will be climbing the ladder from a team at the bottom of the ladder to a team at the top of the ladder. Goodwin will first report to the White Sox Triple AAA farm system, get a 1 million dollar deal, and be on the 40-man roster.

Brian Goodwin has been a well-traveled outfielder in his 5-year big league career. If Goodwin makes it on the White Sox big league roster, it will be his fifth team in six big league seasons. Goodwin, once upon a time ago, was drafted by the White Sox but decided to stay in school another year at North Carolina University. Goodwin would break into the league with the Washington Nationals. Then Goodwin found himself in Kansas City, then went west to play for the Angels, and then came back to the Midwest with the Reds. Last season, he split his time in an Angels uniform and a Reds. Last season with both teams, Goodwin hit .215 with six long balls driving in 22. Lifetime numbers, Goodwin has a .250 batting average racking up 252 hits with 42 bombs driving in 129. Goodwin has 22 stolen & 22 bags as well.

Brian Goodwin will never replace the Luis Robert production on the field or in the batter’s box. With Adam Engel having a set back with his injury, the White Sox desperately need outfield help. The White Sox lost Eloy Jimenez early in Spring Training for the entire season with his injury of a torn pectoral muscle. Brian Goodwin is a veteran that can come in and give a few guys some rest while holding down an outfield position. Goodwin is a left-handed bat that can get you a long ball time to time. Goodwin is a contact hitter with good speed. At this point of his career, Brian Goodwin may have a lot to prove especially starting this season in the Pirates minor league system. For the White Sox who are looking like one of the best teams in the league, if Goodwin thrives it could be his ticket to staying in the big leagues. And for good, instead of being back on the farm after how hard it was to get into the big leagues the first time. I like the signing. It’s a veteran body who could help produce more runs than relying only on the home run as the White Sox find themselves doing time to time leaving too many guys on the base. 

THE BAD NEWS WHITE SOX LOSE THEIR KELLY LEAK

Many people thought if White Sox centerfielder Luis Robert was going to have a long-term injury to keep him out multiple weeks, it would be caused by Eloy Jimenez accidently running his teammate over for the ball. Luis Robert finds himself on the IL for running the bases. Yes, running hard to first base Robert felt excruciating pain after passing the base at first. Robert has a strained hip flexor that could need surgery and the timetable, with or without going under the knife, is 12-16 weeks. This is bad news for the White Sox losing their Kelly Leak who can track any ball down hit in the outfield. A guy that can crunch the ball when he’s at the plate. White Sox now have lost 2/3^rd of their starting outfield projected on paper for the 2021 season. Slugging left fielder Eloy Jimenez was a big blow in Spring Training.

How do you replace a guy’s production like a Luis Robert who is so valuable on defense and offense? Adam Engel makes the most sense, a guy that can put up his own web gems and has seemed to find his swing last season. Only problem with Engel is he too was injured. Plus, Engel had a set back with the injury so his return has been pushed back as he was due to return in early May. Do you move Adam Eaton over to centerfield where he used to play in his first stint with the White Sox? I imagine Tony LaRussa wants to keep his one outfielder Eaton where he is as he is the only projected starter left in that outfield. Besides, he is a better right fielder than center. White Sox have veteran, and seemingly journeyman of late, Billy Hamilton on the bench. Is Hamilton an everyday guy these days? The White Sox will probably platoon the position with Hamilton and jack of all trades, Leury Garcia, for the time being. It would be too early to have a guy in the minor leagues ready to jump aboard as their season is only ten or so games in. General Manager Rick Hahn will probably monitor the waiver wire or look to make a trade down the line for another player. Imagine the White Sox will see how everything plays out with the team before giving away talented prospects for a veteran about to be washed up.

Luis Robert’s home run that he crushed in the playoffs I remember in the playoffs last season versus the Oakland Athletics. Could Robert return and be effective late in the season? It could solidify another playoffs spot. Last season, Luis Robert was close to becoming rookie of the year in the shortened Covid season where he batted .233 with 11 long balls and 31 RBI’S. The league made adjustments on Robert where he had some slumps last season. This season in 95 At-bats, Robert has 30 hits with 1 homerun while driving in 8 runs which is a .316 batting average. Luis Robert has adjusted to the league this season. If the White Sox are involved in another playoff appearance in the 2021 season. If Luis Robert is available and semi healthy, not even 100% but close, he will need to be added to the starting line up of that playoff roster. Luis Robert 80% may be better than most in the league as we know this guy is something special and a 5 tool player in the MLB. Right now, the White Sox are treading water in the standings. Holding their own. If the team succeeds without Robert, then his return would be the cherry on the sundae.   

MONTH OF APRIL

MONTH OF APRIL

PITTSBURGH PIRATES RECORD

GAMES (25)

RECORD (12-13)

4^th PLACE IN THE NL CENTRAL

HOME RECORD (5-5)

AWAY RECORD (7-8)

PIRATES RECORD VERSUS REST OF THE LEAGUE

NL CENTRAL RECORD (5-8)

NL EAST RECORD (0-0)

NL WEST RECORD (2-2)

INTERLEAGUE RECORD (5-3)

DOMINATION OF THE TWINS AND BREWERS IN APRIL (4-2)

TAPPING THE BREW CREW WITH TWINS GOOD MONTH ON THE PIRATE SHIP

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

GAMES (25)

RECORD (14-11)

2^ND PLACE IN THE CENTRAL

HOME RECORD (8-5)

AWAY RECORD (6-6)

AL CENTRAL RECORD (6-5)

AL EAST RECORD (2-2)

AL WEST RECORD (6-4)

INTERLEAGUE (0-0)

DOMINATATION OF THE RANGERS IN APRIL (3-0)

 

APRIL TRADE

How would you like to be a Rebel and your Commanding Officer tells you they
have traded you to the Death Star. YIKES!!! The San Francisco Giants send
29-year-old left-hander reliever Wandy Peralta to the Evil Empire aka Yankees.
The Giants get 30-year-old outfield Mike Tauchman in return. Yankees also will
get that famous player “to be named later” in this deal. This is a deal that
helps both teams. Both players have struggled this season and new scenery may
help. It’s also a deal that helps the team’s needs. Yankees needed another
relief pitcher for their pen with Zack Britton going down. While the Giants
needed another outfielder because Mike Yastrzemski went down.

Mike Tauchman is a former Rockie. It’s where he started and then he wore the
Yankee pinstripes. He has struggled the last two seasons with the Evil Empire.
In 2019, Tauchman’s coming out party featured a batting average of .277 with 13
long balls driving in 47. Tauchman has not had a homer since 2019 and is
batting a low .214. With a crowded Yankee outfield, he becomes expendable.

Wandy Peralta’s ERA so far out of the Giants pen this season has rocketed to
up to a 5.40. Peralta has two saves to his credit this season. Peralta started
his career with the Reds where he pitched parts of 4 seasons with Cincinnati.
In six seasons, Peralta has pitched in over 200 games so he is a serviceable
arm the Yankees could use to get by on.

THE
BAT LICKER RESURFACES IN THE MEXICAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Last time we talked about the former slugger Yasiel
Puig, aka the Bat Licker, was when he tested positive for Covid-19 right after
he signed with the Atlanta Braves. Puig would miss the shortened Covid season
in the MLB of 2020 because of the positive test. In 2019, Puig played for Ohio
basically, both the Reds and Indians. Combined, Puig put up good numbers in
2019 batting .267 with 24 long balls and 84 RBI’S. Started his career with the
Dodgers as he defected Cuba and wore out his welcome in LA as they passed him
off to the Reds in a trade in the off-season after the 2018 season. At the
trade deadline of 2019, the Reds were tired and out of contention as they
shipped the Bat Licker and his bats to Cleveland, who desperately needed some
offense as they have been trying to make the playoffs down the stretch of the
season. No offers from any teams result in Yasiel Puig going back to his ole
stomping grounds, the Mexican Baseball League as he resurfaces for El Aqula de
Veracruz.

The Mexican league is where Yasiel Puig played before
he signed with the Dodgers, and after he left his homeland of Cuba. No one in
the MLB could use a guy that has 132 long balls in seven seasons in the Majors?
Puig is not your typical slugger who lives by the home run or dies by the
strikeout. In seven seasons, Puig has tallied 834 hits and has a career batting
average of .277. Any team could use his bat in the everyday lineup. It’s not
like he is a liability on defense as he plays pretty good outfield and has a
power arm out there. Teams are scared to sign the bat licker long term because
of his antics. When Puig was with the Dodgers, off the field he had two
reckless driving incidents besides his regular antics licking his bat on the
field. In a Reds uniform, Puig was a big part of those bench-clearing brawls
that took place with the Pirates. Could Yasiel Puig be running from a woman who
filed a civil lawsuit claiming the bat licker got too friendly at a Lakers game
in 2018? Sexually assaulting a bat happened more than once, but now this is a
woman trying to watch a basketball game. For now, his saliva will drip off his
bat on Mexican soil or some local Chiquita. You can never rule out some team
bringing Puig back to the states to play for them. At the age of 30, Puig is in
his prime years of baseball and the ball may fly off his bat at a steady pace.
Some team will think the bat licker is the last piece of the puzzle for a
championship. Stay tuned because we may have more bat Licker theatre to pass on
in the future, because I’m certain this story has not ended.

THE RISE OF CARLOS RODON

In 2020, Carlos Rodon’s season is best described as road kill. Rodon’s White Sox career was on life support. We, the fans, have seen enough. Everyone knew Mitch Trubisky would be done with the Bears after this season. White Sox even were done with Rodon by non-tendering him a contract and releasing the third overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft out of NC State. Rodon had multiple injuries including Tommy John surgery in 2019. Rodon was predicted to come back in 2020 by the middle of summer. In 2020, the season started in the summer due to the Pandemic. Rodon’s numbers tell the tale of the tape, pitching 7.2 Innings with an 8.22 ERA. White Sox re-signed him as he was still on the scrap heap in free agency on February 1^st. In April, Carlos Rodon pitches the second no hitter in the MLB, blanking the Indians’ bats in an 8-0 White Sox romp.

Carlos Rodon has shown some flashes of brilliance on the mound over the years. Just like the Bears quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, who had his moments. Rodon’s problem is he could never escape the injury bug that has bitten him multiple times. In six seasons, Rodon’s record is 29-33 with a 4.14 ERA before the 2021 season. I knew the White Sox needed a fifth starter. Michael Kopech, I thought, would be the solution. Kopech opted out last season and he too was coming off an injury with Tommy John surgery. That was in 2018 when Kopech was injured, so two years without any action is the set back there. Kopech, you have to bet, would be on a short leash. Another choice was Reynaldo Lopez, Mr. Jekyll and Hyde, with whom you did not know who you would ever get.  Last year, Lopez was horrible. Lopez looked bad in spring training. The White Sox took another flyer on Rodon on the cheap. It was very White Sox-like instead of dipping their toes in free agent waters for pitching. Rodon had a throwing session where many teams were on hand watching. Could you imagine if the Cubs signed Rodon? That would be the ultimate kick in the head.

White Sox jumped all over the Indians and put up a six run spot in the first inning in a Carlos Rodon masterpiece. Rodon in his first game of 2021 versus Seattle. He pitched 5 scoreless innings in that one but gave up a few hits and won the ball game. Rodon spotted six runs, let it rip, and followed up his first gem with something even better. He only missed the perfect game plunking the Indians catcher, Roberto Perez. If you want to call a plunking a toe ball. Rodon had 7 strikeouts versus the Tribe. The Indians hit some rockets but newly getting adjusted rookie Andrew Vaughn was there playing left field and Johnny on the spot. Vaughn had 5 put outs. The White Sox catcher, Zack Collins, was behind the plate. It was a strange line up for sure as it was strange to see Carlos Rodon in the 9^th inning with the lead still pitching the heat. The final out was a laser to Yoan Moncarda who sucked it up, threw to first, and like that Carlos Rodon has a no hitter and was 2-0 for the season. Then Rodon won his third ball game this week versus the Indians in Cleveland as he did five innings throwing his normal type of game. White Sox had the lead and kept it. Rodon is 3-0 in 3 starts with a 0.47 ERA as he pitched 19 Innings so far.

The best thing about Carlos Rodon pitching well is he is doing it with the White Sox. It’s the Chicago way most of the time that when players leave town they suddenly become a lot better. Rodon was around for some very bad teams in his career especially during the rebuild. When the White Sox called him in February Rodon was ready sign up right on the phone. Without discussing money. Rodon has played with all his brothers, his teammates he shared a foxhole with. Rodon knows they have a talented team and he wanted to be a part of it. Most of all his Chicago career. Rodon being inserted in crucial parts of games from the bullpen last season by Ricky Renteria and fail. Rodon did not want to be the guy known with all the ailments. You know that person where every day in your life they have some new ailment they tell you about. How somehow they are so unlucky but they catch it. They more like track it down and catch it. If Rodon continues to pitch like he has and stays healthy the rest of the year, the White Sox certainly will have one of the best rotations in the game. Love seeing guys that the team drafts doing well. Hopefully, after the long wait we will see Carlo’s Rodon’s career take off in the right direction. Maybe a shut out or another no hitter in the playoffs. If Zack Collins can call a no hitter behind the plate, Rodon can do some damage in October. A fine year from Rodon and everyone will forget about his struggles of 2020 and all those injuries.   

WALKER WALKING AWAY FROM THE GAME

At the age of 36, Neil Walker is walking away from the game of baseball. Walker looks older in that picture above. As he looks like a broken down catcher, over the second baseman he played his entire career. After 12 seasons and 7 of them playing for his hometown team, Neil Walker officially retires from the game of baseball. Neil Walker was born in a suburb called North Hills, which is a half hour from PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Walker played baseball locally at Pine Richland High School. Then “Pinch me like I’m dreaming” happened, and Neil Walker was drafted by his hometown team in 2004, at number 11 overall.

Neil Walker was drafted as a catcher, but the Pirates turned him into a second baseman. Walker made his MLB debut in 2009, where he became an instant hit for the Pirates a left-handed bat with some pop. In 2010, Neil Walker finished in the top five voting for Rookie of the Year. In 2014, Walker won the Silver Slugger award. Neil Walker also made MLB history by starting the first triple play that finished 4-5-4, and it was the first time it went down that way back in 2015 versus St. Louis. Walker was part of the last three playoff appearances by the Pirates. The first one, in 2013, ended one of the longest playoff droughts in sports that went back to 1992 of bad Pirate baseball.

Neil Walker played the first 7 seasons with his Pirates. Then the next five seasons, Neil Walker played for 5 different teams. Last season, Walker played for Philadelphia last season and appeared in only 18 games. Walker batted .231 with only 39 At-Bats in which he had 9 hits with 3 RBI’S. Walker also played for both New York teams. Walker has uniforms from Milwaukee and Miami as well. When Walker came back home, he was still a fan favorite even dressing in the enemy’s uniform.

In 7 seasons in Pittsburgh, Walker batted .272 with 93 long balls driving in 418. In a Mets uniform, Walker hit his 100^th long ball. Overall, Walker had a pretty good career in 12 seasons. Walker lifetime numbers include a .267 batting average with 149 long balls while driving in 609. Walker had over 1,000 hits as he finished with 1,224 total. Walker says the game has changed for him and wants to be with family for the reasons to hang up the spikes for good. Rumor is he may return to the game of baseball as a broadcaster. He always had some great insight on the game his team and he were in. Any time a hometown kid does well playing in front of family and friends, it is very impressive with that kind of pressure. Fans of the Pirates did not like the move when Pittsburgh decided to go in another direction. Those 7 seasons which included 3 playoff trips and some really good hitting with some nice defensive gems even though Walker was a better offensive player than gloveman. Let’s hope Walker returns to the game and give his hometown some great calls over the radio or on television. Maybe when the rebuild concludes and the Pirates are ready to make their opponents walk the plank again, the former second baseman will have the microphone.

YANKEE FANS GOT BALLS

I imagine being a Yankee fan inside the Death Star compares to a Nazi rally backing Adolf Hitler. Yankee fans are vocal. Yankee fans are vocal and passionate for their team. Nazis were passionate about taking over the world. I’m sure Adolf had to deal with some non-believers. Those cage rattlers were quickly dispatched and never seen again. At the Yankee rally last Friday at the Death Star, some bad storm troopers took their frustration at the Evil Empire product on the field. Do Storm Troopers even speak during the games? I suspects boo’s with a slurry juicy swear word. Against the Tampa Bay Rays, who owns the Yankees, these storm troopers littered the field with baseballs. Where did they get the baseballs is the first question on everyone’s mind.

It seems like the Yankee fans were showing their displeasure for the team’s slugger, Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton is batting .176 this season as the Yankees live in the basement of the American League East with the disappointing record of 5-10. The Rays won the division last season. The Rays went to the World Series last season. The Rays knocked out the Evil Empire in post-season last season as well. The Yankees payroll is ten times bigger than the small market Rays. Rays have the recipe for beating the Yankees as last Friday showed you. When these two teams met on Friday the stoppage of the game in the 8th inning Yankees were down 8-2. The field was littered with baseballs by storm troopers gone bad or rogue as Yankees were being destroyed in this battle on their home planet.

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If the fans that threw the baseballs on the field last Friday were able to get off the Death Star, they may head North.That would change their uniform from white pin stripes to red stockings and become a part of Red Sox nation. The Red Sox are currently perched at the top spot in the AL East. The team the Yankees have could turn things around with the talent on their roster. It’s great seeing the struggles of the Evil Empire early on. Like to see them ride the struggle bus the rest of the year. It makes good poking fun. Lucky it’s only a small capacity of Storm Troopers allowed into the Death Star due to living in a pandemic. If the Death Star was at full capacity, some fans might have gotten hit on the noggin with a ball.

Steroids can do things like this to your game above. Everyone’s head is not as rock solid as Jose Canseco. Can’t believe he wrote two books with words, not pop up puppets. Yankees could enforce safety, wearing your mask under your storm trooper helmet in each home game. Let’s not judge the entire fan base by a few bad apples. However, Darth Aaron Judge better watch his back after he sees his teammate, Gincarlo Stanton, taken away with the mob carrying pitch forks and torches riding speeder bikes. It’s only April, but early games gone bad can damage the infrastructure of the master plan to take over the entire galaxy with that Murderer’s row they have for an everyday lineup.  

STAY CLASSY SAN DIEGO

The San Diego Padres organization has been around since 1969. The Padres were the only franchise in the entire MLB to not have one of their pitchers throw a no-hitter. Finally In the 8,206^th game in Padre history, it took a local kid to be the first ever in San Diego baseball history to no-hit an opponent. When no hitters are thrown, some kind of history is made and Joe Musgrove made some history last Friday night. The 28-year-old right-hander, Musgrove, no-hit the Rangers in Texas at Globe Life Field. Musgrove tosses the first ever no-hitter for the Padres. Plus, Musgrove is the first ever to toss a no-hitter at the Rangers new stadium. It was the 34^th game played there as it opened up in the pandemic year of 2020.

The Padres were all in this off-season, revamping their entire starting rotation. Padres were good enough to make the playoffs last season, but this season the organization wants to knock the LA Dodgers off their perch. Joe Musgrove was one of the trades that brought the local kid home to Southern California as the Pirates are in full rebuild. Musgrove, by far, was the Pirates best pitcher last season; a guy that played in Pittsburgh for three seasons. Musgrove originally was an Astro as he played on that 2017 Asterisks team that won the entire thing banging on the drums all day, or should I say garbage cans. Musgrove, on Friday, shut down the Rangers in order through the first three innings. Musgrove then hit Joey Gallo, which was his only blemish of the contest to ruin the perfect game. Musgrove razzle and dazzled the Rangers hitter all night long as he baffled 15 of them into swing and misses. Every batter in the Rangers line up struck out at least one time as Musgrove brought his wicked stuff. Musgrove picked up his 2^nd win of the season, as the Padres have been making some noise early with one of the best records in the National league but still trailing LA in the NL West.  

The last time the Texas Rangers were no-hit was back in 2007 in Chicago by the White Sox. One of Mark Buehrle’s gems he threw in a White Sox uniform. In 1994, Kenny Rodgers was the last pitcher to toss a no-no back in Arlington Stadium. Meanwhile Musgrove is the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter this season. It was the first ever no-hitter Musgrove has thrown. Musgrove already has doubled his win total from last season as the Pirates were horrible and he did manage to squeeze out one W in the Covid shortened season. The Padres will be an interesting team during this full season to see if they have enough weapons to take down the Dodgers. Musgrove continues to pitch well and the Padres should grab a wild card because they are stacked in talent. The game of baseball has been around for over 100 years and history can be made at any night or day game. Who will be the first Padre pitcher to throw a no-no at Petco Park? It could be Jetson Stadium by the time that happens.

LOCASTRO ZARTAN’S A RECORD SETTING BASE FOR THE SNAKES

Outfielder Tim Locasto may never make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame as a player. However, Locastro’s shoes have made it to Cooperstown. Last Saturday Locastro swiped his 28^thcareer bag as the Diamondbacks were battling it out with the Reds. Locastro… you’re asking who the hell this guy is.  Locastro started his career in the outfield for the Dodgers in 2017. Locastro has been mostly a bench player his entire 5-year career, during which he played his first two seasons in LA and the last three seasons in Arizona. The 28^th bag Locastro stole broke an MLB record set by Hall of Famer Tim Raines who had 27 stolen bases in 27 attempts from 1979-81 to start his baseball career without getting caught. Raines played for the Montreal Expos at the time. Locastro is a perfect 28-28 in stolen bases in his 5-year career and perhaps looking to add on as he’s never been caught stealing.

Tim Locastro has more career stolen bases than RBI’S in his baseball career. Locastro has only played in 156 games in his career. One season out of the 5 seasons was a shortened season due to Covid last year. Locastro is still 6 games shy of 1 full regular season of 162 games. Locostro has been getting more playing time lately for the Snakes since Ketel Marte has been sidelined with an injury. It’s a great story because Locastro is a guy off the bench and in the sport of baseball, anybody can be a part of the history of such a great game. The Diamondbacks gave Locastro second base for his record stolen base. Locastro gave the base to his mother. Cooperstown got Locastro’s spikes he wore in the game, and they will be heading East to the baseball mecca shrine. Locastro was born in Auburn, New York which is only two hours away from Cooperstown. Just in case he’d like to pop in and looked at those magic spikes he made history with.

MY FAVORITE THIEVES ON THE BASE PATHS

Lance Johnson (226 THEFTS) and Scotty Podsednik (141 THEFTS)

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Eddie Collins (368 Thefts) White Sox number 1 all-time

Andy Van Slyke (134 thefts) Andrew McCutchen (171 thefts)

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Max Carey (688 thefts) Pirates number 1 all-time

BURLEY #33’S

In the White Sox home opener, Lance Lynn reminded me of another veteran pitcher White Sox got in a trade late in his career.

Remember when the White Sox made a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire David Wells in 2001? Fans were stoked about landing the big hoss left hander veteran who was just coming off a season when he won 20 games for the Blue Jays. This off-season the White Sox made a trade with the Rangers to land Lance Lynn, a veteran who came off a 6-3 record for a bad Rangers team in a shortened season due to Covid. Fans were stoked about the idea of landing a guy with a very good track record. A guy who gives the starting staff a much needed piece to make the White Sox rotation solid, one through five. Lance Lynn in the White Sox home opener was lights out in a complete game shut out versus the Royals. It was the play that broke up Lance Lynn’s no hitter in that contest which made me think of David Wells’ one year on the Southside. It was a routine ground ball which Jose Abreu, first basemen, went out to get. Only problem is Lynn did not cover first base, resulting in breaking up the no hitter and perfect game.

That could have been a lapse in judgement by Lance Lynn not covering the bag. I remember big burley David Wells trying to field a bunt versus the Cubs where he threw his back out on the play. Lance Lynn might be aware of him running to first on play like that, which could be disaster with injury written all over it. Both Wells and Lynn have a lot in common. Both are fat guys where the pin stripes show their guts hanging over their belt buckle when they pitch. They both wear number 33 for the White Sox. Wells is a left-hander while Lance Lynn is a right-hander. Both pitchers came to White Sox in a trade involving younger pitchers given up by the team. White Sox traded Mike Sirotka, damaged goods at the time, for David Wells. The 29-year-old left-hander Sirotka would pass the first physical, but then the Blue Jays discovered he had a torn labrum on the second opinion. The White Sox did send the Blue Jays other players to make that trade final. Last off-season, Dane Dunning was impressive for the White Sox. This was after coming off Tommy John surgery the year before. Dunning is remembered more for being taken out of the third playoff game versus Oakland in inning number one, only getting two outs with two base runners on. That turned into a complete disaster as the White Sox Manager, Ricky Renteria, marched out every pitcher he had that day. This resulted in a Oakland winner knocking the White Sox out of the playoffs.

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Both David Well and Lance Lynn would be in their last year of the contract they signed with the previous team. Wells would play out the year and not be re-signed. While Lynn could do his year on the Southside and head somewhere else next season. Wells started off good for the White Sox, but his season did not end up too well. Wells in 16 starts would go 5-7 with 4.47 ERA. Wells’ year included him criticizing Hall of Famer Frank Thomas’ injury. Wells’ big mouth was as wrong as Frank Thomas’ injury was legit. Wells probably did not want to stay in Toronto or pitch for the White Sox. In 2002, Wells would go back to the Evil Empire Yankees where he pitched before. Typical Wells started 31 games for the Yankees and would go 19-7 with a lower ERA than the previous year with the White Sox. On paper, many thought Wells would come in and win you at least 15 games that year. That’s why they play the games as this turned out to be a bad trade. A bad trade for both the Blue Jays and White Sox.

Lance Lynn could most definitely turn out differently. Lynn and Wells are not the same dude even though they both might like to eat the same thing. Lynn started his career in the Cardinal uniform and Tony LaRussa was the manager then and now. Lance Lynn I think is more of a Midwest guy, as he was born in Indianapolis. Lynn was traded by the Twins to the Yankees. Lynn did not stay with the Evil Empire, pitching a few games for them down the stretch before going to Texas when the contract came to an end. If Lance Lynn has a successful year with the White Sox, he may be that type of guy to stay because of the ball club and manager. Because the White Sox are located in the Midwest. Where with David Wells, you kind of had that feeling he wanted to purchase that first flight out of here when his contract ended. Baseball comes in all sizes and shapes. Let’s hope the White Sox finally got the perfect fat guy in this go around.

MR. MERCEDES

When most people think of the name Mr. Mercedes, they think of the character Brady Hartsfield mowing down multiple people driving you guessed it… a Mercedes Benz. How the character Hartsfield, out of one of Steven King’s masterpieces, stalks his prey driving an ice cream truck. Some people will think anyone called Mr. Mercedes is some yuppy stock broker, lawyer, or doctor driving an arctic silver fancy foreign car. If a lady has the name Mercedes, she most likely could be a stripper. The last person you would think of with the name Mercedes is some 28 year old rookie catcher for the Chicago White Sox. Yermin Mercedes is not acting like he is some rookie playing his first ever season in the big leagues. The Yermin, in black and silver, Mercedes is taking the league by storm and he is doing it with his bat in the first week of the 2021 season.

Yermin Mercedes had one career at-bat at the MLB level before this season.  It was last season in the Covid shortened season that Mercedes went 0-1 and was never heard from again. The Mercedes would make some noise in Spring Training as he once again knocked the cover off the ball in Arizona like he did in 2020, but only to stay in the big leagues for a sip of coffee. Mercedes has a career .300 batting average in the minor leagues. The White Sox is the third organization that Mercedes has parked in. The Nationals saw something in Yermin Mercedes. The Orioles kicked the tires of the Mercedes. The White Sox had a slew of catchers on their roster, but the DH slot was not cemented down. Just enough wiggle room to drive the Mercedes out of the garage and onto the 2021 opening day roster. Now the question would be how many miles would Yermin Mercedes get to ride in the big city before he gets sent down to the rural roads?

Last Saturday night, the catcher was in the DH slot with his gold chains around his neck like a spruce tree around the rear view mirror. Yermin Mercedes got his first ever MLB hit. Mercedes felt like he was finally unleashed and did 0-to 60 in 3 at-bats all hits. Yermin Mercedes got the start the next night and started the season 8-8. Welcome to the majors. Those are numbers that can keep you in the majors as that has not been done in the game of baseball starting off with 8 consecutive hits since 1900. Then Yermin Mercedes brought his big bat home in the White Sox home opener in his first at-bat in front of the home fans. He mashed a solo home run with a rocket exit strategy. In six games early on in the season, the Mercedes is batting .556. Sure his numbers will come back down to Earth. Look at his Pluto numbers for the Mercedes in 27 At-bats, he has 15 hits two long balls with 5 runs scored driving in 7. Those are Arctic Silver type numbers like the color Dr. Frazier Krane’s Mercedes is. Many have said the White Sox needed to go out and sign a DH elsewhere in the off-season. White Sox may have found their permanent DH on accident. If Mercedes can be a force the rest of the way, can Yermin provide that type of Eloy Jimenez production that the line up was missing from his injury? Always great to have some hot bats and another weapon of mass destruction brewing around, especially with injuries piling up. Tim Anderson out for little while. It’s great where Tony LaRussa can insert another bat in the line up like changing a light bulb. Right now, let the gold chains dangle and ride in style with the Mercedes.    

ODOR IS HEADING TO THE DARKSIDE

The New York Yankees are in need of a left handed bat in their all righty murderer’s row line up. Yankees strike up a deal with the Texas Rangers and landed second base Rougned Odor. The Rangers had designated Odor for assignment in which the 27 year old did not make the Rangers opening day roster. Rangers land two minor league outfielders and will be still on the hook paying most of Rougned Odor’s 27 million he had coming in the last two seasons on his contract. The Rangers get 20 year old Antonio Cabello who has a .251 batting average with 8 home runs and 40 RBI’S in two minor league seasons. Then they get 24 year old Josh Stowers who also has two minor league seasons under his belt. Stowers has a .268 average with 12 long balls while having driven in 68 so far.

Rougned Odor has three seasons in his career during which he launched 30 or more long balls in those seasons. Last time coming in 2019. Last season, Odor performance’s did not grant him a free pass where he hit a dismal .167 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI’S in the shortened Covid season. The Yankees are hoping with the short porch in Yankee Stadium, Odor can find his old stroke and exploit the Death Star dimensions. Odor in seven seasons all with Texas has had 146 long balls. The Yankees have tried every available veteran that swings the bat lefty in hoping one of them sticks to their everyday line up to balance out their attack. Right now, Jay Bruce, a former Red outfielder, is one of those guys filling in for the injured Luke Voit. Odor though has gone down the road most home run hitters go. It’s a high rate of strikeouts with a low average or home run and pretty much nothing else in production. Odor does not have the strong defense prowess to his game. Yankees are hoping they can adjust his swing so at least Odor will have more contact and lead to more long balls. Once again they are hoping something sticks. Worse comes to worse, you can always count on Odor to punch the lights out of a Blue Jay.

2021 MLB PLAYER HARDWARE PREDICTIONS

MVP

AMERICAN LEAGUE

MIKE TROUT (ANGELS)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

RONALD ACUNA (BRAVES)

CY YOUNG

AMERICAN LEAGUE

TYLER GLASNOW (RAYS)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

WALKER BUEHLER (DODGERS)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ANDREW VAUGHN (WHITE SOX)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

KE’BRYAN HAYS (PIRATES)

COME BACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

AMERICAN LEAGUE

JAMESON TAILLON (YANKEES)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

TREVOR WILLIAMS (CUBS)

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

AMERICAN LEAGUE

CHARLIE MONTOYO (BLUE JAYS)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

CRAIG COUNSELL (BREWERS)

OUR 2021 MLB PREDICTIONS

THE AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGS

AL EAST

1^ST Tampa Bay Rays

2^nd Toronto Blue Jays

3^rd New York Yankees

4^th Baltimore Orioles

5^th Boston Red Sox

AL CENTRAL

1^ST Chicago White Sox

2^nd Minnesota Twins

3^RD Kansas City Royals

4^th Detroit Tigers

5^th Cleveland Indians

AL WEST

1^st Oakland Athletics

2^nd Houston Astros

3^rd LA Angels

4^th Seattle Mariners

5^th Texas Rangers

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS

NL EAST

1^ST Washington Nationals

2^nd Atlanta Braves

3^rd New York Mets

4^th Miami Marlins

5^th Philadelphia Phillies

NL CENTRAL

1^ST St. Louis Cardinals

2^nd Milwaukee Brewers

3^rd Chicago Cubs

4^th Cincinnati Reds

5^th Pittsburgh Pirates

NL WEST

1^ST LA Dodgers

2^nd San Diego Padres

 3^rd Arizona Diamondbacks

4^th San Francisco Giants

5^th Colorado Rockies

WILD CARDS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees

NATIONAL LEAGUE

San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves

CHAMPIONSHIPS

 AMERICAN LEAGUE

TAMPA BAY VERSUS TORONTO

NATIONAL LEAGUE

LA DODGERS VERSUS WASHINGTON

WORLD SERIES

TAMPA BAY VERSUS WASHINGTON

2021 TAMPA BAY RAYS WORLD SERIES CHAMPION

SOUTHSIDE WEEKLY

HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW

With the signing of infielder Jake Lamb, the White Sox had to get rid of someone on their roster. Nik Turley has become that fantasy player bounced around the league and shared by everyone. The White Sox claimed Turley off waivers, not too long ago. The Athletics released the left-handed reliever and this was after they made a trade with the Pirates to get him this off-season. Turley was out of minor league options so no team could stash him away for a rainy day. Turley pitched last season in Pittsburgh. Then in 2017 with the Twins. Career numbers 0-5 with 7.78 ERA in 39.1 innings pitched. Turley has started three games and has 33 career strikeouts with a save. Turley is just having a problem sticking to a major league roster. He’s still around because he is a left handed pitcher at the age of 31. It came down to Nik Turley and Jose Ruiz, who was with the White Sox last season for the final spot in the bullpen. Turley had a brief appearance in Spring Training for the White Sox. Brief because he walked people and did not last very long in the outing. Ruiz was out of minor league options as well. White Sox probably made the right choice sticking with one of their own.

HITTERS	POSITION
Yasmani Grandal	C
Jose Abreu	1B
Tim Anderson	SS
Leury Garcia	SS
Jake Lamb	3B
Nick Madrigal	2B
Yoan Moncada	3B
Andrew Vaughn	1B
Adam Eaton	RF
Billy Hamilton	CF
Luis Robert	CF
Zack Collins	DH
Yermin Merecedes	DH
PITCHERS	HAND
Aaron Bummer	LHP
Dylan Cease	RHP
Garrett Crochet	LHP
Matt Foster	RHP
Lucas Giolito	RHP
Liam Hendriks	RHP
Codi Heuer	RHP
Dallas Keuchel	LHP
Michael Kopech	RHP
Lance Lynn	RHP
Evan Marshall	RHP
Carlos Rodon	LHP
Jose Ruiz	RHP

GIO GONZALEZ CALLS IT A CAREER

Once upon a time ago, Gio Gonzalez was drafted by the White Sox. Gonzalez would never pitch for the Southsiders until last season in the Covid shortened season as he sign with the team as a free agent. White Sox passed Gonzalez around like a hot potato, trading him away the first time and getting him back. However, the White Sox traded him away again and he never pitched for them until last year. Last season, White Sox signed Gio Gonzalez and it was like riding a broken down Geo Tracker that has seen better days.

Gonzalez’s record in 12 games last season was 1-2 with a high 4.83 ERA. Gonzalez would latch on to the Marlins this Spring, but after a few appearances decided to walk away. Gonzalez’s career numbers feature a 131-101 record with 3.70 ERA. Gonzalez will be remembered for his playing days in Athletics’ and Nationals’ uniforms. In 2012, by far the best year Gio had wearing the Nasty Nat’s jersey, he had a 21-8 record with a low 2.89 ERA. Gonzalez’s career with the Sox are just bookends holding in all that production elsewhere.

BUCCO WEEKLY

PIRATES ADD VETERAN TREVOR CAHILL TO THE PIRATE SHIP

The Pirates make an interesting move bringing in the former Giants pitcher right before the season. The Pirates agree on a one-year deal with Trevor Cahill, worth 1.5 million. The 33-year-old right-hander can make another million dollars in incentives. Many teams sought out Cahill this off-season. Nothing guaranteed. With the Pirates, Cahill could be a starter or a reliever. Cahill has been mostly a reliever last season in San Francisco but made a few spot spots for the team as well. Innings pitched and other stats are part of the incentives in the contract. Will Trevor Cahill be able to bank the extras? That is the question. Cahill last year pitched in 11 games for the Giants, six of them starts. Cahill had a 1-2 record with 3.24 ERA. Lifetime, Cahill has a record of 85-94 with a 4.20 ERA. This will be the ninth team Cahill has played for. Cahill has uniforms from the A’s, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Royals, Giants, Braves, Padres, and Angels.

YOUR 2021 OPENING DAY PITTSBURGH PIRATES ROSTER

HITTERS	POSITION
Michael Perez	C
Jacob Stallings	C
Phillip Evans	IF
Adam Frazier	IF/OF
Erik Gonzalez	IF
Ke’Bryan Hayes	IF
Colin Moran	1B/3B
Kevin Newman	IF
Anthony Alford	OF
Dustin Fowler	OF
Gregory Polanco	OF
Bryan Reynolds	OF
PITCHERS	HAND
Tyler Anderson	LHP
David Bednar	RHP
Steven Brault	LHP
JT Brubaker	RHP
Trevor Cahill	RHP
Kyle Crick	RHP
Wil Crowe	RHP
Michael Feliz	RHP
Sam Howard	LHP
Mitch Keller	RHP
Chad Kuh	RHP
Luis Oviedo	RHP
Cody Ponce	RHP
Richard Rodriguez	RHP
Chris Stratton	RHP
Duane Underwood Jr.	RHP

FRAZIER IS IN ONCE AGAIN

Todd Frazier opted out of his Minor League deal when he found out he would not make the Pirates opening day roster. Frazier signed a Minor League deal weeks ago with the Pirates. The veteran third baseman explored his options with other teams and did not get offers from any other team. Todd Frazier decided to ride with the Pirates again but will be in a holding pattern as part of the taxi squad of players waiting for an opportunity to get back to big leagues from injuries or players catching the Covid virus.  

WHITE SOX ADD A SACRIFICIAL LAMB TO THE ROSTER

White Sox add an actual sacrificial lamb to their roster by signing veteran infielder, Jake Lamb. The Braves gave Lamb the tomahawk chop off their roster a week ago. Braves prefer a Panda Bear over a Lamb that goes, “bah.” Braves like former Giant infielder, Pablo Sandoval, for their roster then cutting ties with Lamb who they just signed in the off-season. Lamb last season played 31 games with the Diamondbacks and the Athletics. Arizona cut their Lamb Chop in half as the Athletics pounced all over the leftovers. Jake Lamb’s season with the lumber was not very impressive in 2020 as he batted .193 combined with three long balls and ten runs driven in. Lamb will add depth for the White Sox at the corners of the infield first and third, where he has rotated his entire career.

Jake Lamb is not the replacement for injured Eloy Jimenez. White Sox will use a rotation of players to fill the left field position probably until Adam Engel gets back from the injured list. Lamb, who is 30 years old, brings a left handed bat off the bench from which he can man a few positions and the DH slot. White Sox are hoping Lamb can find his mojo with the bat in 2016 and 2017 where he knocked 59 balls in the seats in two seasons. Lamb started his career with the Diamondbacks where he played parts of 7 seasons until last season where he played in Oakland to finish the year. Lamb is career .239 hitter with 84 homeruns and 312 RBI’S. Injuries have derailed Lamb in some seasons. If he is healthy and finds his groove, maybe Lamb will not be sacrificed into Gyro meat by the all-star break.

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS

Where were the parents when Eloy Jimenez was trying to climb the fences in a Spring Training game to try to rob a home run? White Sox coaching staff and front office letting their children cross the street without looking. Running with scissors. Where is the parenting, Tony LaRussa? Quit acting like a grandfather offering the youngsters a butterscotch candy deep from the pockets of your Dickies pants. Eloy Jimenez is a liability out in left field. A liability to others but mostly his own self. Eloy is the guy that got himself caught in the netting at White Sox Park trying to track down a ball.

Now the season for the White Sox is in jeopardy after losing one of their sluggers for 5 to 6 months which basically wipes out Eloy Jimenez’s entire 2021 season. Jimenez ruptured his left pectoral tendon which will need surgery to repair. Why have the White Sox learned that Eloy Jimenez should be the DH? How many injuries does Jimenez have to suffer before they open their eyes? It was Eloy Jimenez celebrating Lucas Giolito’s no hitter that landed him on the DL for jumping up and down in excitement and came up gimpy. That should tell all the information right there. Not even the almost collision with Luis Robert had the White Sox thinking, “wait a minute here” which was before he tried to snag the home run ball off the Oakland Hitter right before regular season play.

How will the White Sox replace the impact that Eloy Jimenez brings with the lumber? In 55 games, Jimenez batted .296 with 14 long balls, 41 driven in. This production off Jimenez’s bat was produced in the Covid shortened season after his rookie season. In 2019, Jimenez hit 31 long balls with 79 RBI’S with a batting average of .267 IN 122 games. This is a big bat to lose with World Series sugar plums dancing inside your head. Jimenez bats in the meat order of the lineup card, usually protecting last season’s MVP, Jose Abreu. Plus, the personality Eloy brings to the ballpark every day helped the White Sox have a tight chemistry in the clubhouse.

Without Eloy Jimenez, will the White Sox find someone to help replace some of that production on the outside? Could the bat licker be the guy, Yasiel Puig? That might be too rich for the White Sox blood. Could the White Sox seek a trade with another team? Will that trade result in the next Nomar Marzara? Do the White Sox have a replacement in-house? Puts a lot of pressure on rookie slugger Andrew Vaughn whose trade is as a first baseman. Vaughn was looking good for the DH slot. Adam Engel is out for a few weeks and he would have been a nice idea. The White Sox will probably platoon the position with multiple players until someone steps up and takes left field. That may be Adam Engel when he heals up after an injury, though he will miss opening day. I understand players want to play both offense and defense. Last year, Eloy Jimenez bumped his head against the wall knocking him out of the game with a concussion going for a ball. Frank Thomas should share his recipe for being a DH after not playing solid defense at first for years. Sometimes I just wish we had some sharp tools in the White Sox shed instead of these old cavemen style tools that are dull and broken inside their heads. I would think somebody would have said aloud, “Hey, we have Kelly Leak AKA Luis Robert in center. Just get the hell out of his way. He can catch anything.” Eloy Jimenez should have been the fat guy from Teen Wolf, standing out of Robert’s way as the wolf, eating an apple while admiring his teammate’s glove work.

SOUTHSIDE WEEKLY

When it rains, it pours as White Sox are dealing with some injuries this Spring Training in Arizona. The feeling as a fan was so much excitement with this team from last year and into this year with high expectations. Now, suddenly the forecast is chilly and feels like a cold beer of suds poured right over your head like Al Smith back in the 1959 series. The MASH Unit will be very busy trying to get some of these guys back on the field for the start of the season.

JIMMY CORDERO

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Relief pitcher Jimmy Cordero has the best set of pipes since Robo Cop James Thornton was catching balls for the Chicago Bears. Last season, Jimmy Cordero may have been over used by Ricky Renteria pitching in 30 games. In the playoffs versus Oakland, Jimmy’s name was called more than once in that 3 game series. This Spring, in only two appearances, Jimmy Cordero’s season comes to an end. March 9^th versus the Padres, Jimmy Cordero did not finish the inning. This is a big blow to the White Sox bullpen as Jimmy was the guy that was used in the 6^th or 7^th inning to shut down things or put out a fire or two. Cordero underwent Tommy John surgery. The surgery went well. Cordero will still be missed this season. The White Sox hope Cordero will come back stronger as many pitchers have done after this type of surgery.

ADAM ENGEL

Remember Adam Angel could not swing a bat to save his own life. Engel dazzled you with incredible web gems game after game. Last season he found his stroke with that defense as his average went up to .295. In 2019, it was Engel’s best year as he batted .242. So far this Spring, Engel still has his stroke batting .278 with 3 long balls, 2 triples and 1 double. However on defense, Engel flashes the leather, but comes up gimpy on his leg which means he will be out 2-4 weeks. Engel most likely will miss opening day but will be a welcome addition when he gets back on the field.

YASMANI GRANDAL

Yasmani Grandal has been dealing with an inflammation of one of his knees. Grandal finally got back on the field in Arizona after dealing with the knee issue on the first week of action.

REINFORCEMENTS

NIK TURLEY

White Sox claim Nik Turley off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. Oakland traded for Turley this off-season with the Pirates. The 31 year-old left hander Turley pitched 21.2 Innings for the Buccos and had a high 4.98 ERA. Turley was out of minor league options so the Athletics could no longer keep him on the 40 man roster unless he made the big league roster. Turley could replace Jimmy Cordero if he can make the roster.

SPEED KILLS

White Sox sign veteran Billy Hamilton to a minor league deal. Hamilton, if he makes the White Sox roster, is a very dangerous man on the base paths as he has 305 thefts.

Hamilton, who played for the Cubs last season, will try to be one of those players who play both sides of Chicago in baseball. Hamilton split time last year with the Cubs and Mets and played in 31 games overall with a poor batting average of .125. With the Cubs, Billy batted .300. If Hamilton makes the White Sox, it will be his 6^th team of his career that has stretched 8 years. Hamilton played most of his years with the Reds. White Sox are in need of outfield help so Hamilton could be a nice pick up. Especially because Hamilton is a guy that can manufacture a run on his own and gives the White Sox another option to score without relying on the home run ball.

CUB’S PROSPECT JACK OF ALL TRADES MASTER OF NONE

Those white bars above don’t look like baseballs from that Chicago Cubs bag. Did Jesus Camargo-Corrales get hoodwinked, thinking he was carrying rosin bags to a baseball clinic in Denver? Maybe Jesus’ nickname can be Cargo-Corrales instead of Camargo-Corrales as the Cubs prospect was busted in Vail, Colorado for about 23 pounds of drugs as he came up from Arizona. That is a lot of snow at this time of year in the Richie Rich ski resort of America. Jesus Cargo-Corrales was driving a silver BMW on interstate 70 as he was zooming at high speeds while drifting in between lanes, trying to get to that baseball clinic for the kids or so he told officers. The BMW also had two passengers who did not know about the drugs and had different stories about what they were doing in Colorado. The Cubs duffel bag contained Methamphetamine and oxycodone, which Cargo said was his gear for the baseball clinic.

Jesus Camargo-Corrales is a 25 year old pitching prospect for the Cubbies. Jesus Camargo-Corrales was signed by the Cubs in 2014 to their minor league affiliate in South Bend, Indiana. Cargo-Corrales has  been working on his game ever since, trying to make the majors. The minor leagues do not pay as well as the big leagues. Cargo-Corrales maybe was looking ahead to improve on his retirement nest egg by picking up some side work by driving some product on a road trip. Cargo-Corrales will be charged with unlawful possession and distribution of Meth and oxycodone, which are class 1 and class 4 felonies. The Cubs have no comment. The bond was set at 750,000 which is a lot of cheddar that Cargo-Corrales might not have, or he may owe someone a few slices. The arrest will end Cargo-Corrales’ baseball career. I don’t see Cargo- Corrales even landing a driving job such as Uber if he gets out of prison any time soon. How long do you wait for a pizza with this guy behind the wheel? Poor guy in Denver probably still waiting on his order. Jesus Carmargo-Corrales wasted a gift that many do not have in this world. An arm to pitch professional baseball. To be greedy like that for some extra scratch, cost this kid a dream many had when they were little and never came close. Baseball is not everything in this world. To do something like play a game and get paid, is something truly special. Selling your soul away by getting into the drug world is just a shame.

THIS IS THE YEAR I SEE MORE GAMES THEN MY CARDBOARD CUTOUT

Last season, my cardboard cutout of myself was able to see every home game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Which the locals, and myself, call White Sox Park. Last year every stadium in the MLB had no fans due to the pandemic. Some teams, like the White Sox, had cardboard cutouts in the stands. Originally, this purchase of the cardboard cutout in the stands was only for the opening day weekend. Instead, the White Sox kept all the cutouts the entire shortened season. Which is still more games my cutout saw than my own self. Finally, fans will be able to attend games this upcoming season. Perhaps this is the year I will see more games than my evil twin dressed in cardboard.

Every baseball stadium in each town could be different regarding how many fans can attend games. In Chicago, the mayor is allowing 20% capacity. At White Sox Park that will come out to 8,000 fannies in the seats. New rules will apply to see a game at the ole ballpark.

SOCIAL DISTANCING A MUST (6 FEET APART)

LIMITED CONTACT ENTRIES

Al Capone’s vaults might be useful after all, in other ways in and out of the stadium.

MASKS WORN AT ALL TIMES

A common theme night all year long at the ballpark.

CASHLESS CONCESSIONS

People wearing masks with cash laying around is not a good idea.

ADDITIONAL BATHROOMS

Poor patrons at Wrigley Field are not going to be able to play their urinal games with the annual slip n-slide in the 8^th inning of each contest. Less urine to make those yellow Old Style waves.

Additional bathrooms should have been in the works since day one when they opened up baseball stadiums to fans. The long lines waiting. Felt my pipes were going to burst more than once.

All the food at each ballpark will probably be wrapped in foil.

Putting on the foil coach.

Time to go to Spencer’s to pick up your nipple for your beer at the ballpark.

I know my cardboard cutout did not have to go through anything like this last year. New rules at the ballpark will be hard to adjust to. I know I will not go to all those games my cardboard self went to, even in a full season. Tickets could be very hard to get, especially if the team is very good and having a limited amount. With only 8,000 fans, it reminded me of the olden days at White Sox park when the team was not good, but ok. You knew you would have your own personal beer guy. Maybe if you are lucky your own personal urinal. I may still beat my cardboard self by perhaps just one game. My cardboard self will brag he saw Lucas Giolito’s no hitter versus the Pirates. That he saw Luis Robert hit a ball that is still orbiting the Solar system. Imagine if my cardboard self was in the nosebleed seats and a gust of wind blew him into the box seats behind home plate. That is typical. While I will pay through the nose for a stinking ticket. Then wearing a mask drinking a beer out of straw while munching on cold movie style hot dog. I can still say I went to more games than my cardboard self. It might be better watching the games at home or at a bar. The ball park experience may be tainted for years to come because of the virus. My Cardboard self will tell me all those stories and games on the southside in the summer of 2020. He may have partied with the team after the games. It’s not easy being human in a cardboard cutout world.

POPE DON PAUL COOPER

Don Cooper held on to the pitching coach duties on the South Side of Chicago like a Pope. Don Cooper’s middle name is James, not Paul. Going with Paul just fits the 3 decades of his sermon in the White Sox organization. In 1988, Cooper perhaps we could say was a young priest then. Cooper first started with the Single A South Bend Silver Hawks of the White Sox minor league system. By 2002, Don Cooper was with the big club. In 2005, Don Cooper played a big part of the White Sox World Series team that broke an 88-year drought from their last title. Cooper’s job was always safe as he was part of four different regimes that lasted 19 years. Cooper had the longest tenure at pitching coach in the MLB. Then last offseason, the White Sox parted ways with Ricky Renteria. They followed that up with ending ties with Don Cooper, who you might say was like your Uncle Buck of the family. That jolly fat guy who was a straight shooter. Coop said, “Bottom line, it hurt,” about his parting ways with the White Sox.

 Don Cooper did not have much of a playing career when he pitched in the big leagues. In 1978, the New York Yankees in the 17th round drafted Don Cooper. Cooper is a New York native. Yankees lost Cooper in the rule 5 draft to the Twins. Cooper played in parts of four seasons with the Twins, Yankees, and Blue Jays. Cooper ended his playing career in New York. Coop pitched in 44 games in which three of those contests he was the starter. Cooper finished with a record of 1-6 with a high ERA of 5.27. Cooper also rung off 47 batters in his career. In baseball, sometimes players that really don’t have a successful track record in their playing days turn out to be good coaches. Cooper would find his gift to the game in helping pitchers find their way to make their path in the MLB. Cooper would interact and bond with the youngsters. Fix their flaws. Coach them up. Cooper was very good and able to get his message through younger pitchers. Cooper’s message and coaching would be needed at the big league level. When Cooper arrived on the Southside, he became a fixture in the White Sox dug out.

Don Cooper was like the horse whisperer when it came to his pitchers. In 2005, you have to credit Don Cooper for developing Mark Buerhle and Jon Garland, both who stood on their own that year. Jose Contreras was not wanted anymore by the Evil Empire New York Yankees. White Sox got Contreras in a trade and Cooper helped turn him into a stud. White Sox had 4 complete games versus the Angels in the ALCS which is unheard of these days. The work Coop did with a young Bobby Jenks coming in late in the 2005 year to take over the closer duties. No hitters by Mark Buerhle, and an unknown in Phillip Humber who pitched his best game that day versus Seattle. Chris Sale an ace. Plus, the Lucas Giolito 360 turn around. All the projects that came to him that he made respectable. The White Sox and the Seattle Mariners exchange young players that were high draft picks but not doing well in each of their careers. Mariners got switch hitter slugger Joe Borchard while White Sox received flame thrower Matt Thornton. Cooper turned Thornton into a great relief pitcher for years to come. While Borchard’s career would never get on track.

Why did the White Sox part ways with a Don Cooper? The biggest reason is the White Sox wanted the next manager to be able to pick his own pitching coach. At the time, the White Sox felt their youth and the rebuild had finally arrived. They felt this team needed a new direction and a new voice as they dumped Ricky Renteria, who is your typical bridge-type manager as it showed how out-managed he was versus Oakland in that first round of the playoffs. They wanted a new voice with the pitching staff as well. Parting ways is just a nice way to say to Don Cooper, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Don Cooper went quietly with no kicking or screaming. Cooper eventually resurfaced as Spring Training is in full bloom at this time. Cooper was blunt and said, “The team did not want me,” in an interview. Cooper will still be angry as the White Sox brass. It will take time for such a relationship to heal itself. When Ozzie Guillen went out kicking and screaming, Don Cooper managed the last two games for the White Sox. Cooper’s managing record lifetime is 1-1. Cooper is over it even though he does like it. Cooper has better things to do. Life to live. Family fun.

I remember getting an autographed bottle of wine he made and was selling when things were still Sox crazy in this town. Maybe he should turn those sour grapes into a creation of Merlot. Maybe the Chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf, will give Coop a statue in the future for his work. Maybe the Chairman will hire Coop to take over to make up for wrong he did with his new hire, Tony LaRussa. Don Cooper had the pitching coach duties like a Pope out of the Vatican. How do you fire a pope? Part ways? Coop did a wonderful job. I hate exits like this. Hope the White Sox could bring him back as an ambassador of some sort. You know the reunions; at some point Coop will be back. It was sad last year with the pandemic and no fans along with a short season. It’s not fair to be shown the door after a year like that. Cooper was an icon on the Southside as he was like one of several typical patrons at any given bar stool in the city talking life and baseball. A guy that everyone would be friends with at your local watering hole. Coop should be remembered for all the good his coaching has done. Staying in a job like being a pitching coach that usually has a shelf life of a running back in football is impressive.

BUCCO WEEKLY

PIRATES LAND SOME UNDERWOOD FOR THE BULLPEN FIRE

Wheeling and dealing is the norm in life as a Pirates baseball fan. The rebuild continues even into Spring Training. The Pirates add a bullpen arm as they strike up a deal with the Cubs. Pirates get the 26-year-old right-hander, Duane Underwood, who was designated for assignment by the Cubs. Cubs get a 20-year-old first basemen, Shendrik Apostel. Apostel was a kid the Pirates signed in 2017 out of Curacao. Apostel hit .252 in the Summer Dominican league with 13 doubles, 11 long balls and 45 RBI’S in 68 games.

Duane Underwood has run out of minor league options as the Cubs had no room for him on the 40 man roster. Underwood has a heater that can reach up to 95 MPH and can tally up many strikeouts. Underwood can serve up many long balls and has a high ERA, as he has experience in the big leagues over the last three seasons. Last year in 17 games, Underwood had a 1-0 record with 5.66 ERA in 20.2 Innings pitched. In parts of 3 seasons, Underwood has a 1-1 record with 5.20 ERA in 30 games as he tallied up 36.1 Innings. In those 36.1 Innings, Underwood has 43 strikeouts. Pirates are hoping they can find a way to bring Underwood’s ERA down because he has a big power arm and can ring up opposing batters. Plus, at 26, he’s very young still with a high ceiling of potential. That’s what the Pirates are thinking with this move.

CARSON FULMER DUMPED ONCE AGAIN ON WAIVERS

Carson Fulmer finds himself the odd man out since the Pirates brought in Duane Underwood. Fulmer was once a highly touted prospect drafted in 2015 out of Vanderbilt by the Chicago White Sox, 8^th overall. Fulmer was going to be a fixture in the White Sox rotation for years to come.  Fulmer had one decent year in 2017 when he pitched in 7 games. Fulmer has shown some nice flashes of a talented arm. It’s been more bad than good for Fulmer, who was released by the White Sox. Last season, Fulmer pitched a few games for the Orioles and Tigers. The Pirates had picked up Fulmer twice since then as they hope they could find his flaw in his game and fix it. Fulmer has a career 6-9 record with a high 6.34 ERA in 54 games, 15 of them were starts.

DUSTIN FOWLER

Weeks ago, the Pirates made a trade with the Athletics for outfielder Dustin Fowler for cash considerations. Fowler, a left-handed bat, has not played in the majors since 2018 where he played in Oakland. The 26-year-old Fowler, once upon a time ago, was a top prospect of the Yankees. Fowler only played one game in a Yankee uniform as he suffered a knee injury. Fowler was traded to Oakland and was a piece in that Sonny Gray deal between the Yankees and A’s. In 2018, Fowler had 192 At-bats and batted .224 in 69 games while hitting six long balls driving in 23. Fowler has a chance to make the Pirates, especially since the team is in need of outfielders. So far, Fowler has been impressive with the lumber. In two Spring training games in 5 At-bats, he has two hits which one was double and drove in three runs. This is under the radar move by the Pirates. Little moves like this become a big deal if they stick for any kind of rebuild to be successful.

ASTROS FIND REPLACEMNT FOR VALDEZ

Can you say the best time to take on an injury is early Spring Training? Astros lost their best pitcher from last season, and the left-hander Framber Valdez is fielding a comebacker on the mound. The ball fractured the pitcher’s ring finger, and he will need surgery. How long will Valdez be sidelined? Time table on his injury is still undetermined as to when he will be back in action. With the injury happening early on, Astros pounced on remaining free agents still in the pond like a vulture and landed 30 year old right hander, Jake Odorizzi, who played for the Twins last season. Odorizzi gets a two year deal with an option for the third season which will add up to 30 million if everything plays out in the deal.

Last season was not pretty for Jake Odorizzi, only making 4 starts and being limited to only tossing 13.2 innings with a very high 6.59 ERA. Odorizzi dealt with his own injury. The pandemic year is an instant bye for any kind of bad year at the office for everyone. Like the trump card that prevails over everything. In 2019, the Astros are hoping the Jake they signed will be that guy as he was an all-star for the Twins that year. Odorizzi had an impressive 15-7 record with 3.51 ERA and tallied 159 innings. The Astros will be his  4^th team in a 9 season career that debuted in Kansas City in 2012. Odorizzi was then traded to the Rays in the deal that  brought James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City. Odorizzi pithed 5 seasons in Tampa Bay. He then headed to Minneapolis where he played the last 3 seasons. Career-wise Odorizzi has 192 starts under his belt with a 62-56 record and 3.92 ERA.

If the Astros get lucky and Frambar Valdez returns where he can pitch most of the season and Odorizzi does well, this could be a nice move by the Astros. Astros obviously still have Zack Greinke. Justin Verlander had Tommy John surgery at the end of 2019 so his return to the rotation is unknown. Both Greinke and Verlander will be free agents after the 2021 season. By bringing in Odorizzi, you can have him in the rotation for the next three season. It’s a good amount of money the Astros will invest in Odorizzi, but I guess good things happen to those that wait it out patiently. I think for the Astros you’re hoping Odorizzi can stay healthy and at least win you double digits in wins in each season. This will be a good signing then. If the Astros find themselves out of contention, maybe Jake Odorizzi gets you something at the deadline if he does well this season or year two in the deal.   

 MARZARA WAS NEVER RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO OR RIGHT NOW WITH THE TIGERS

 I remember the last out of that deciding game three of the wild card series between the White Sox and Oakland Athletics last year. Nomar Marzara came up to bat with runners on and White Sox were rallying as they had runners on in the 9^th inning. I said to myself, “Mazara I forgive you right now for the bad season and lack of production all season if you can dial one up right here right now.” In two playoffs games, Nomar Mazara had 3 hits in two games with an RBI coming up to this at-bat in this short series. My Van Halen reference did not pay off or even forgiving the White Sox for even trading for this guy. Remember the name, Steele Walker, who the White Sox traded to acquire Mazara before the 2020 season. Walker was a prospect, a second round draft pick from the University of Oklahoma. The luck the White Sox will have is Walker will turn out to be the next Fernando Tatis Jr., who is a superstar in San Diego. Thank God we picked up Big James Shields in that deal. James, without the game in him left, is what we got trading the prize cow away for some spoiled beans. The dented can of beans you saw on the shelf at Aldi after the first wave of the Corona virus. Shields never returned to the game after his contract expired.

Nomar Marzara was quickly nontendered in the off-season making him a free agent. If Steele Walker has one good week in the majors, the Rangers will outright win that trade. Mazara can haunt his former team as he signed a one year deal with the Tigers. Mark my words, the White Sox will be the only team Marzara  can hit off of next season. The Tigers are in a rebuilding stage as they have inked some veterans to their roster to play with their youth they have assembled. Marzara, if he plays well, could be a trading chip for the Tigers if the team falls out of contention. Does everyone get a bye in the shorten Covid season? Yes. Am I going to miss the slump in September where Marzara went 7-40 with 16 strikeouts in 11 games? Will I miss the one home run he hit in 2020? To hit .228 he stunk, stank, and deserves to be shown to the door. Marzara’s scouting report showed he could not hit left handed pitching. The numbers were dreaded even though he bats left handed, but totally lopsided from hitting righties to hitting lefties. Mazara was an average defender and I thought he did well last year in right field. Why waste time with picking up a guy who obviously would need to be platooned with another player to split his position and waste a prospect on? Adam Engel was way better than Marzara last season, as his bat caught up with his glove. Now the White Sox have brought back Adam Eaton, who has more tangibles then Marzara. Good riddance to Marzara going to Detroit; it is where he belongs. Now I hope GM Rick Hahn got the stupid out of his system and we can move in the right direction from right here right now, to a deeper run in the playoffs and beyond.   

BREWERS SHOWING ME SOME SUDS

The Milwaukee Brewers are showing me some suds with a last minute purchase before the regular season gets underway. Brewers land 30 year old Jackie Bradley Jr. on a two year deal worth 24 million. The former Red Sox Centerfielder, hard to believe he was even still out there, puts bean town  in his rear view mirror. It’s the only place he has played in his 8 year career. Bradley Jr. can opt out after the first year of the contract. This gives the Brewers a very good defender in the outfield and left-handed bat who’s been a streaky hitter his entire career.

Jackie Bradley Jr. will forever be etched in Red Sox nation with web-gem after web-gem on the green grass of Fenway Park. Bradley Jr. was part of that 2018 World Series team when the Red Sox won. It was Jackie who earned MVP honors in the ALCS with two huge home runs in that series. One of them was a grand slam breakfast combo at Denny’s. The Red Sox have now lost their entire outfield from that team in 2018. Trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. Then weeks ago trading Andrew Benintendi to the Royals. Last year in Jackie’s final season in Red Sox uniform, he batted .283 in 55 games with 7 long balls while driving in 22. Career numbers in 8 seasons, Bradley has a .239 batting average with 98 long balls while driving in 376. Not sure what Boston is thinking not re-signing Bradley  Jr.

Meanwhile the Brew Crew are trying to get their 4^th straight playoff berth as they clinched the 8^th seed in the expanded playoffs in 2020. Brewers play in the NL Central, from which every team made the post-season except for the Pirates. The NL Central has no clear favorite to win that division, meaning it’s anyone’s for the taking. Brewers have been quiet pretty much all off-season. The team did make a savvy move adding a defensive stud at second base, signing former Cardinal, Kolten Wong. Now Brewers bring a gold glove to their outfield with Jackie Bradley Jr. who won that award in 2018. Brewers have a crowded outfield with Lorenzo Cain back in the fold, who opted out last season. Brewers have superstar Christian Yelich. Plus Avisail Garcia who most likely will be the odd man out. With no DH in the National League, Garcia is a liability in the outfield. He’ll probably be traded or used off the bench, but he can only be asked to do so much. The Brewers with Cain, Yelich and Bradley Jr. – that is solid defense in the outfield and a guy that can hit for both power and average. Bradley Jr. also gives the everyday line up a difficult out for opposing teams. When Jackie is hitting, he can carry a team for 2 weeks. Hopefully, others will hit if Jackie does have the hot bat at certain times.  A solid last minute move by the Brew Crew.

SOUTHSIDER WEEKLY

VAUGHN MAKING A STATEMENT FOR DH ROLE

The 22 year old number one prospect of the White, Sox Andrew Vaughn, just demolished a ball he put over the fence a few days back. Many fans and experts wanted the White Sox to seek out help at the DH spot this off-season. With good ideas like Nelson Cruz, a White Sox killer. What about a guy like Marcell Ozuna? Sounds good, but expensive to the White Sox brass. Maybe they know something we don’t. I’m not agreeing with management, it’s the last thing I want to do. The 3^rd overall pick in 2019, Vaughn has shown he can hit the baseball. With no minor leagues last year due to the pandemic, Vaughn worked on his swing with the taxi squad.

Andrew Vaughn has only played single A ball as his highest level. Vaughn has participated in two Spring Trainings as last year he knocked the ball out of the park before Covid shut down things. The question is can he play at the Major League level? Vaughn is a first basemen by trade. Can he be a platoon type of guy? Swinging the bat every day bouncing from first base to give Jose Abreu some rest and back to the DH role where he might be the man there? Guys like Luis Robert, Yoan Moncarda, and Eloy Jimenez have shown you from day one how good they are. Could Vaughn be that type, like a Ron Kittle in 1983?

Tony LaRussa was the manager of the White Sox back then when he brought up Kittle in 1983. Could Tony LaRussa make a similar move and bring Andrew Vaughn to the Southside on opening day? Vaughn might hit moon shots like Ron Kittle did his rookie year. That’s a lot of fireworks to keep in stock for the exploding scoreboard. We will wait and see, keeping an eye on our Ricky who goes by Andrew Vaughn. Possibly a hitting wild thing coming soon to a park near you in 2021.

THE WHITE SOX ARE THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

The White Sox continue to stock up on Cuban players as they continue to import talent from the country of Cuba. This time they land a young talented 19 year old Cuban pitcher named Norge Carlos Vera. He’s the son of former Cuban superstar player, Norge Luis Vera. White Sox have an agreement with Vera for 1.5 million as he defected from Cuba last Summer. MLB declared Norge Carlos Vera, a free agent in January of this year.

The White Sox have a pipeline running from Chicago to Cuba from the past to present day. You can say Minnie Minosa was the very first, back in the 1950’s. Two Cubans played a big factor in the starting rotation in 2005 with Jose Contreras and Orlando Hernandez. Remember shortstop Alexi Ramirez?

The White Sox presently have young super star Cubans on their roster which features Luis Robert and Yoan Moncarda. Let’s not forget Jose Abreu. Plus, White Sox signed Yoenis Cespede’s brother Yoenis this off-season.

Norge Carlos Vera stands tall at 6’4” with 185 pounds on his frame. Vera’s fast ball is clocked between 94-97 MPH. They say Vera has a high baseball IQ, which the best pitchers in the league usually have. Vera will be slated in as a starter. His other pitches he features are a slider and curve ball. Little seasoning and some more experience, this could be great move for the White Sox bright future.    

KELVIN HERRERA HANGS UP THE SPIKES

Once upon a time ago, Kelvin Herrera was an elite weapon out of the bullpen. A right handed pitcher who threw flames of fire at the plate. Herrera was part of that awesome bullpen the Royals had when they went to two Word Series. After ten years in the league with three teams, Herrera is hanging up the spikes for good. Herrera made 2 All-Star games, 2 World Series teams, in one of which the Royals won it all versus the New York Mets. Herrera was born in Tenares, Dominican Republic as he thanked the Royals for giving him a chance. Plus, Herrera thanked the Nationals and the White Sox where he ended his career the last two seasons.  

For the White Sox, Herrera is one of those many veterans the White Sox find at the curb that lost a few steps. As the White Sox brass drives their Fred Sanford truck around the baseball alleys the night of garbage day, they could not resist a Herrera doll covered in Mac and Cheese. Rick Hahn and the big dummy Kenny Williams cleaned him off and put him in a White Sox uniform. For the White Sox in two seasons, Herrera had a 3-3 record with 6.94 ERA in 59 games with one save. Last year, clearly Herrera was done with an off the charts exploding ERA of 15.43 in only two games and was released. I think the Cubs kicked the tires on Herrera after that. Nothing materialized. Herrera’s lifetime numbers are pretty solid. Herrera was mostly a set up guy but did chip in 61 career saves with a record of 23-27 and good ERA of 3.21.

THE AMERICAN LEAGUE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OFF-SEASON REPORT

AL CENTRAL

GOOD: Landing the best closer on the market in Liam Hendricks. Bringing back Adam Eaton. Acquiring Lance Lynn from Texas for the rotation.

BAD: One more move and another pitcher for the rotation.

UGLY: How will the young team respond under old school Tony LaRussa?

GOOD: Adding free agent slugger Eddie Rosario.

BAD: Trading away a young up and coming super star shortstop in Francisco Lindor

UGLY: Not enough offensive production. It’s a shame with so much young pitching talent.

GOOD: Re-signing Nelson Cruz. Signing up shortstop Adrelton Simmons. Twins now have one of the best defenses up the middle.

BAD: Going cheap once again and adding another aging pitcher instead of making a splash to the starting rotation.

UGLY: Twins are just maintaining their one and done status in the playoffs instead of flipping the script.

GOOD: A nice hire in AJ Hinch as the new skipper.

BAD: Why is Miguel Cabrera still on this team? With Tigers rebuilding, you think they can get something for the slugger first baseman destined for the full time DH role.

UGLY: Can Hinch do well managing without banging on the trash cans?

GOOD: Landing a young outfielder piece in Andrew Benintendi in a trade with Boston.

BAD: Retooling instead of rebuilding.

UGLY: Instead of cleaning house if the retooling bringing in veterans on top of veterans does not work. It could take them a long time to dig themselves out of this type of hole.

AL EAST

GOOD: Bringing back Chris Archer after trading him. I can see the Rays fixing him.

BAD: Rich Hill and Chris Archer are your replacements for Charlie Morton and Blake Snell.

UGLY: If the Rays computer is hacked they can’t manage a game without the incoming data every inning.

GOOD: Re-signing DJ LeMathieu, one of the best hitters in the league, to a long term deal.

BAD: Relying on some comebacks from injuries in that starting rotation: Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon.

UGLY: Overall health. Still not finding right the recipe to beat the Rays.

GOOD: John Means turning into the ACE Ventura of the staff.

BAD: Chris Davis is still on the active roster and still swinging at air.

UGLY: Longest rebuild has to be in Orioles history.

GOOD: Best two Super Utility players in the game, the Red Sox own: Marwin Gonzales and Enrique Hernandez

BAD: Pitching too many questions.

UGLY: If Chris Sale does have his nasty stuff coming off Tommy John Surgery.

GOOD: Signing George Springer and Marcus Semien, adding them to the young talented position players who are establishing themselves into superstars.

BAD: When will the Jays have their home nest in Toronto available to play home games?

UGLY: Do the Jays have enough pitching to overtake the Yankees or the Rays in that AL East?

AL WEST

GOOD: Acquiring an interesting young hurler from the White Sox in Dane Dunning.

BAD: Young players don’t make strides.

UGLY: Texas stumbled out the gates last year with some Covid Cases. Texas lifting the masks restrictions in the state. Will Covid haunt them again this year?

GOOD: Still plenty of talent on this Astros roster.

BAD: Losing George Springer who is your lead-off hitter.

UGLY: Dusty Baker’s second year as a manager historically can be bad. Plus crowds to deal with on the road this year. Even smaller crowds on the road will be heard as they get their chance to boo the Astriks as they have not forgotten.  

GOOD: Adding Dexter Fowler through trade and signing Jose Quintana.

BAD: Pitching is always the problem. Did the Angels add enough?

UGLY: The Surrounding cast around Mike Trout has not been the right recipe.

GOOD: Still a young talented group assembled in Oakland.

BAD: Will the dollar bin replacements replace guys this team lost especially in the bullpen?

UGLY: When will GM Billy Beane pull the plug on this group?

GOOD: The rebuild is moving in the right direction.

BAD: Mariners longest playoff drought in sports.

UGLY: If somehow the rebuild regresses this season with the full 162 game schedule.

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OFF-SEASON REPORT

NL CENTRAL

GOOD: Fleecing the Rockies in the trade that landed 3B Nolan Arenado.

BAD: Only getting a player to be named later in the Dexter Fowler trade.

UGLY: Lack of moves this off season. Especially in a up for grabs division.

GOOD: The signing of Kolten Wong improves overall defense.

BAD: Not adding pitching.

UGLY: Brewers are turning into the Christian Yelich bad Marlins teams.

GOOD:Reds line-up could win any Beer softball league.

BAD: Sean Doolittle was your big off season move. (Reds could communicate with with animals with Dr. Doolittle.)

UGLY: Trevor Bauer was captured by the Russians.Who’s the next Ace of the staff?

GOOD:The rebuild is in motion.

BAD:Could more trades had happened?

UGLY:The play on the field this year.

GOOD:Cutting ties with some big names that lost a few steps. Trading Yu Darvish.

BAD: What is the plan in Wrigleyville?

UGLY: “THE CORE LAST DANCE” Will Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Wilson Contreras and Javier Baez be extended beyond this season? Will the Cubs be able to get something in return?

NL EAST

GOOD: Hiring the first female General Manager in MLB History.

BAD:Adam Duvall is the biggest off-season move.

UGLY:Every team in the NL East got better this off-season.

GOOD: Adding Charlie Morton to the rotation. Re-signed Marcel Ozuna and gave him a long term contract.

BAD: Braves should have added another starter to that rotation with Charlie Morton.

UGLY: No doormats in the division.

GOOD: Landing shortstop Francisco Lindor in a trade. Signing catcher James McCann.

BAD:Unable to convince Trevor Bauer to play in New York as you had the highest offer on the table.

UGLY:Rotation staying healthy. Injuries have soured the apple for the Mets.

GOOD: Resigning shortstop DiDi Gregorius. Adding Archie Bradley to your bullpen.

BAD:Is Archie Bradley enough to improve a very bad bullpen the Phillies had last year?

UGLY:Bryce Harper and Mike Trout are two of the best players in the galaxy. Equals no World Series titles.

GOOD: Landing Left handed slugger Josh Bell in a trade.

BAD: Turning the team into Cubs 2.0 adding Kyle Schwarber and Jon Lester.

UGLY:Did the Nats add enough pieces to make this team better? Last season the big three pitched in the same rotation. Mad Max Scherzer in the last year of his contract.

NL WEST

GOOD:Young core of position players starting to come together: David Peralta, Nick Ahmed, and Christian Walker.

BAD:Madison Bumgarner might be a free agent bust.

UGLY:Dodgers and Padres in the same division.

GOOD:Trevor Story is the only story in Colorado.

BAD:Nolan Arendo dealt to the Cardinals. Are you serious? Bamboozled is the word of the day.

UGLY:This team has no plan right now. What direction are they going in?

GOOD: Trevor Bauer signing has made you favorites to repeat. Top notch rotation in the league.

BAD:Will Dodgers miss the little guys, Joc Peterson and Kik’e Hernandez?

UGLY: The Monks knock you off your perch.

GOOD:The story of YAZ. Mike Yastrzemski is the grandson of the great YAZ. A good solid player.

BAD: Aging badly Evan Longoria and Johnny Cueto.

UGLY:Buster Posey last year in San Francisco? Remember Posy opted out last season.

GOOD:Revamped their entire starting rotation. Padres acquired Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove.

BAD:This new starting pitching implodes.

UGLY:All the big contracts. All the prospects traded away. All the mounted pressure to win now. If this goes south it might be hard to come back from.,

BEAM ME UP SCOTTY

Scott Kazmir, the 37 year old left-hander, who has not pitched in the MLB since 2016, is attempting a comeback. Scotty is hoping to be beamed up by the San Francisco Giant Enterprises with out any meltdowns.

Kazmir has a Minor League invite from the Giants this Spring training, and is hoping to crack the starting rotation by opening day. Kazmir in bullpen sessions has his fast ball at the 92-93 mark on the radar game. Kazmir last pitched for the LA Dodgers in 2016. In which he made 26 starts with a 10-6 record with a 4.56 ERA. Kazmir would miss the entire 2017 season with a hip injury. Then Kazmir was dealt to the Braves in 2018 and could not crack their rotation in Spring training. He disappeared from the game to resurface this season.

Scott Kazmir was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004. This was at a time where you could say the word “devil” without depositing money into the swear jar. Kazmir has 12 years on the pitching rubber, and if he makes the Giants roster it will be his 7th team. Kazmir would just need the Padres uniform after this season to complete all the California teams. Kazmir started in Tampa Bay and has pitched for both LA teams and Oakland. Plus, Cleveland and Houston. Kazmir is a 3 time all-star. In 2014 with Oakland, he won his most games in a single season by having a 15-9 record with 3.55 ERA that year. Lifetime, Kazmir has a record of 108-96 with a 4.01 ERA. Giants probably don’t have a chance at winning the NL West next year with loaded Dodger and Padres teams stockpiled with talent all over their rosters. Everyone loves a good comeback story. If Scott Kazmir does make it on the Giant Mothership and gets beamed up on the roster, he could be a trade chip at the deadline. That is if San Francisco totally flops, which they probably will be predicted to do.

UNDER THE RADAR MOVES

My three under the radar moves this off-season are all pitchers. Three pitchers that have had a lot of success in the MLB in their careers. This might be the year all three have a comeback season and show the league what kind of game they still have left in their arms.

Anyone could have signed Corey Kluber as he held an open look at how his shoulder healed up after throwing one inning for the Texas Rangers last season, in only one game. The pitching session in front of multiple teams got to see Kluber, who will turn 35 in April, back to his old form. It earned the right-hander a one year contract from the Yankees worth 11 Million dollars. In 2019, Corey Kluber pitched his last year in Cleveland where injuries limited him to seven starts. Kluber went 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA that year. Can Kluber get anywhere close to his 2018 year when he won 20 games and finished with a record of 20-7 with a 2.89 ERA? On a one year deal, I could see him having a big year and showing the league he’s back. Plus, Kluber needs two wins to reach the 100 mark as he comes into this season with a 98-58 record.

Is the King still ruling his throne these days? Can Felix Hernandez find his old self that made him the Ace of the Mariners staff for over ten seasons dominating in the American league? In 2019, after going 1-8 with 6.40 ERA in 15 starts, the Mariners and the king put a moat in between themselves with ferocious man eating gators. The 34 year old right-hander Felix Hernandez lifetime with the Mariners has 169-136 record with a 3.42 ERA in 419 games. Last three seasons in a Mariners uniform, the Kings record is 15-27. King Hernandez did not pitch last season. Hernandez had a minor league deal like he has this season with the Braves. This season it is with the Orioles. The Covid year in 2020, Hernandez decided not to play and opted out. I like a year off for the body and his arm gets to recharge his battery. Orioles are not losing anything here with a minor league invitation. If he makes the team, the Orioles may get a prospect for him at the trade deadline if he finds his old groove.

Will the Dark Knight rise again in Matt Harvey? Everyone has been waiting for Matt Harvey to find his old groove like fans waiting on the next great Batman movie. Sometimes it takes a long time for a pitcher, and for a good picture on the big screen of the Dark Knight.

Matt Harvey has a minor league invite again to the Baltimore Orioles, with nothing to lose. Last season, Harvey was sighted in Kansas City where in seven games four of the starts had a 0-3 record with a bad exploding ERA of 11.57. The 31 year right-hander in 2019 was better than last year with a record of 3-5, but still with a high ERA of 7.09. Harvey, you’d love to see him get to his level when he was pitching for the Mets. If he can find his form he even had in 2018, it would do. For the Reds that year, he started 24 games with a even record of 7-7 with a ERA under 5 with a 4.50. If Harvey does well, it gets you a piece at the trade deadline. If Harvey pitches decently, at least you have a guy taking the ball every 5 days and eating innings. It also means you don’t have to throw all your young arms into the fire of the storm in that AL East division.

TAKING THE LONG CHOO CHOO HOME

After 16 seasons in the MLB, Shin-Soo Choo is heading home and taking his talents to South Korea. When I hear the name Choo, I always thought of the cat in the cartoon called Top Cat, a childhood classic.

Shin-Soo Choo has always wanted to play professional baseball in his own country, and he will as he starts a new chapter in his life. Choo has signed a one year deal with the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). The Wyverns are from Incheon, South Korea, and have new ownership, so the team will make a name change. As a new ownership group, they have landed the 38 year old outfielder on a one year deal worth 2.4 Million.

Shin-Soo Choo started his career in Seattle where he played his first two seasons. Choo then went to Cleveland where Indians fans thought they had their Asian version of Isuro Kamikazi, from those Major League movies.

I remember Choo playing for Cleveland watching plenty of Indians versus White Sox games. Choo was a left-handed hitter who was difficult out in that Indians line up. If Choo came up with runners on, he knew what to do – either move them along or drive them in. Choo had that solid contact every time to put the ball in play and avoid striking out, especially in crunch time situations. Choo could hit for power or average. On the base paths, Choo swiped 157 bases in his career. Choo played outfield very well and defended his position with honor as he brought the full package to the field every game. Choo would leave Cleveland and have a stop over in Cincinnati before signing a big deal with the Rangers. Choo played for the Rangers for seven seasons. Last year, Choo, in his final year with the Rangers and the league he played in 33 games with 110 At-Bats had 26 hits with a batting average of .236. These are un-Choo like numbers. Choo drove in 15 and had 5 long balls. Lifetime numbers for Choo he has compiled over thousand hits with 1,671 in 16 seasons with a pretty good batting average of .275. Choo had 218 long balls with 782 RBI’s. Those are pretty good numbers.

About 8 teams reached out to sign Shin-Soo Choo, this off-season. Choo has his heart with his family instead as he will finally have his parents watch one of his professional games in person, rather than just on television. Sixteen seasons Choo could not get his parents over to the states to watch him play until last season. The plan failed because of the invasion of the Virus. The story of Choo’s farewell from baseball in the states also has him donating some of the money he will make this season to charity. It is a story that no matter what will have a happy ending as Choo ventures home, ending a respectable career in the MLB. Choo was not a super star player. If you were a coach and you had nine Shin-Soo Choo’s on the diamond, there’d be no need for any superstar players on this team.

WALKING OFF INTO THE SUNSET

I noticed four interesting names in the game of baseball that are walking off into the sunset this off-season.They are hanging up the spikes and calling it a career as a player for good. None of them are leaving on the highest note of their careers.They may still have some gasoline left in the tanks to play another season or two. I don’t think any of them will make it into the hall of fame when their name appears on the ballot for the first time. All four players have made a long lasting imprint in the game. Joe Walsh singing “Life’s been good to me…,” could be their exit strategy song walking on to other things in their lives. While stil leaving all kinds of great memories for the teams they play for, and the fans that rooted them on.

Cody Allen has been one of the most reliable closers in the game. Allen leaves the game at the age of 32. Played 8 seasons in the MLB, seven of them were in Cleveland. The right-hander finished his career in an Angels uniform in 2019, during which he did not do well. Last in Texas, Cody Allen could not find the field. Allen was a part of that Cleveland team that blew a 3 games to 1 lead to the Cubs in that historic 2016 World Series. Allen’s best season was in 2015 when he notched a career high in saves of 34.

Allen leaves the game as the all-time save leader in Indians history.

CLEVELAND’S TOP 5 SAVE LEADERS ALL-TIME

#1.Cody Allen 149 #2. Bob Wickman 139 #3. Doug Jones #4. Chris Perez 124 #5. Jose Mesa 104

Cody Allen career numbers: 24-31 record, 3.14 ERA, 481 games, 463.2 IP, 593 Strike outs, 153 Saves

Brian Dozier was a slugging second basemen which you don’t see many from that position. Dozier played 9 seasons in the MLB and hangs up the spikes at the age of 33. Dozier started his career in Minnesota where he played 7 seasons. Doziersuited up for the Dodgers and the Nationals. Ended his career with the Mets playing in only seven games last year in a pandemic shortened season where his numbers were not good. Brian Dozier was an all-star in 2015. Dozier won a gold glove in 2017. In 2019, Dozier hit 20 regular season home runs for the Washington Nationals helping them win the World Series for the first time in their history. Dozier had 28 lead off home runs for the Twins which is still tops in the Minnesota record book. In 2016, Brian Dozier had 42 long balls for the Twins in regular season. Only Roger Hornsby was the only other second basemen to do that in a season. Only Harmon Killebrew in Twins history hit 42 home runs or more in one season, and he did that 6 times.

Brian Dozier career numbers: .244 BA, 192 Home runs, 1,055 Hits, 561 RBI’S

Howie Kendrick was a better hitter than he was a fielder in his career. Kendrick played 15 seasons in the MLB and he hangs up the spikes at the age of 37. Kendrick started off his career with the Angels, and played 9 seasons in LA. Stayed in LA and played with the Dodgers after the Angels. Then Kendrick played a season in Philadelphia. Kendrick played mostly second base in his career. Kendrick also dabbled at the hot corner as well. Kendrick will best be remembered for his recent heroics. In 2019 Kendrick was part of that Washington National team that won it all. During that playoff run, Kendrick’s bat was the story for the Nasty Nats. Kendrick was the MVP of the NLCS Series. Plus it was Kendrick’s big time clutch home run that helped the Nationals prevail in game 7 of the World Series. Last season Kendrick played in 25 games and had a .275 average but was sidelined with an injury to end his season and now his career.

Howie Kendrick career numbers: .294 BA, 127 Home runs, 1,747 Hits, 724 RBI’S

If Manny Manchardo in a Orioles uniform does not slide hard into second base knocking Dustin Pedoria out from under his feet, would Pedoria still be playing? It was 2017 when that play happened and Pedoria has dealt with knee issues ever since. Pedoria would only play 9 games combined in 2018 and 2019. Pedoria would tell you that slide could have happened his rookie year. Machardo historically is a dirty player. Sliding hard into defenders to break up the double plays was part of the game of baseball. Pedoria’s knees could not hack another season. The knees could not take the punshment of another 162 game season. The knees probably can’t hack the rehab it would take to get back in the game. At the age of 37, Dustin Pedoria calls it a career after 14 seasons with only one team, the Boston Red Sox.

Dustin Pedoria is one of those players that has a chance to make it to the Hall of Fame with the numbers he already put up. If he did not get injured, his numbers would have even been better and probably gotten him in on his first ballot. Pedoria has three World Series rings. Pedoria was the MVP in 2008. Pedoria collected four golden gloves at second base. Pedoria was a 4 time All-star and was rookie of the year in 2007. That career to me has Hall of Fame written all over it.

Dustin Pedoria career numbers: .299 BA, 140 Home runs, 1,805 Hits, 725 RBI’S

OAKLAND FINDS MORELAND

Oakland Athletics make another last minute purchase as they add Mitch Moreland to the mix. The 35 year old Moreland can play first base and right field. The A’s will probably insert Moreland in the DH slot most of the time. It’s a one year deal worth 2.25 million. Oakland will get a left-handed bat that has some power to its every day line up. Last season, Moreland split time between the Red Sox and the Padres. Boston was not even close to sniffing the playoffs so at the deadline, Moreland was traded to San Diego. The Padres declined to pick up Moreland’s option this off-season making him a free agent.

Mitch Moreland did not do well in San Diego as his batting average was just a meager .203. Before the trade, Moreland was hitting .328 with the Red Sox. Overall, Moreland had a pretty good year and put up his usual numbers with a .265 average and ten long balls driving in 29 in 42 games. Moreland’s overall numbers in his career, during which he has 11 seasons under his belt, has a .252 average with 176 long balls and drove in 588. Oakland will be Moreland’s 4th team as he started in Texas and played in seven seasons down there before moving on to Boston for parts of 4 seasons. Moreland helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2018, so he has post-season experience. This is another low budget move costwise for Oakland. It’s a good move because of the cost and you’re getting a good player that can play a few positions. Plus Oakland is getting a left handed hitter who can hit for power, has a decent average, and not lives only by the home run and dies by the strike out. Moreland will fit nicely in the line up of younger talent that the A’s have assembled.

WHAT’S EATING IAN DESMOND

Ian Desmond is the first player in the MLB to opt out for the 2021 season. In 2020, twenty two players opted out of the shortened season due to the invasion of the Corona virus. Players found it unsafe to play the game of baseball. The uncertainty about their own health was a major concern. Plus, the health of their own families had players from all sports sitting out a season. The 35 year old outfielder Desmond has played for the Colorado Rockies the last three seasons before forfeiting 5.6 Million last season not playing. Desmond would forfeit another 8 million dollars this season opting out, but he left that door open for now. Desmond’s reasons for this season beside the Covid reasons last year, is racism in the game of baseball and in general society, which he has experienced as a biracial person. Desmond’s heart is with his family and then returning to play the game of baseball. Desmond will train, stay in game shape, and watch things unfold to decide if he feels like returning.

Ian Desmond started his career with the Washington Nationals and played 7 seasons with DC. Desmond played one year in Texas before signing a 5 year deal with Colorado for 70 million dollars. This year would be the 5th and final year on that contract. Desmond has played three seasons for the Rockies before opting out last year. Desmond has played 11 seasons and has1,478 games played under his spikes which has been a pretty good career. Desmond’s lifetime numbers have him with a batting average of .263 with 1,1432 hits, 181 long balls, 711 RBI’S and has scored 724 runs. Desmond is not the best player in the line up, but he is a good player in your everyday line up as he would be the starter on many teams throughout the league, unless they already have a murderer’s row assembled.

I understand players opting out for their own safety and the family, especially with the uncertainty of a pandemic. Does opting out solve racism in the game of baseball? Ian Desmond has been gifted to play the game of baseball and made a lot of money doing that. Would Desmond be opting out if he was laying brick or digging holes? If he wants to walk away from the game as he and his family most likely are set for life, then he can at 35 years old. BRAVO!!!! To use the excuse of racism is very weak. Would Jackie Robinson or Hank Aaron use that excuse? If the Colorado Rockies were a playoff team, would Desmond’s decision be different? The whole world is freaking racist in some way. Look at this country from the Indians until every group arrived, they received no red carpet and parade. Stories of “Irish, go home,” with signs on the windows of local businesses. Each group has had some problems getting targeted by hate. Ian Desmond sounds like a deep thinker. All the stuff that occurred in 2020, I think many people became deep thoughts by Jack Handy thinkers. Racism needs to be talked about to be fixed. Walking out of something you loved because of it, solves absolutely nothing. Bad things in life happen and you must go on. Quitting can’t change a problem that has been around since humans have inhabited this world. Do your thing and be your own person. Talk about the problems to other people and work together to stop the madness. If you don’t feel like playing baseball, then retire. Racism will not fall away this season. Things will get better slowly. Using it as a crutch to get out of the game is pretty weak if you ask me.

BILLY BEANE FINDS A VINTAGE ROSENTHAL LAMP AT LOCAL GARAGE SALE

The tight budgeted A’s may have put their final touches on their bullpen for 2021 with a great find between old records and some baby clothes. The Athletics find Trevor Rosenthal to solve their vacant closer spot. Oakland lost two of their key bullpen members this off-season. Joakim Soria, the set up man, last year signed with the Diamondbacks while the closer Liam Hendricks, the talented Australian, signed a big deal with the White Sox. Last week they found their new set up guy striking up a one year deal with Sergio Romo. Trevor Rosenthal, the 30 year old right-hander has 132 saves under his belt. A’s have a one year deal with Rosenthal worth 11 million.

Trevor Rosenthal was brilliant last year as he split time between the Royals and the Padres. Rosenthal converted 11-12 saves last year in the pandemic shortened season. Rosenthal had a record of 1-0 with a very low ERA of 1.90 as he pitched in 23 games. The closer had 38 punch outs in 23.2 Innings of work. This will be Rosenthal’s sixth team as he has 8 seasons under his belt in a career that started in St. Louis where he had the most success. In 2018, Rosenthal missed the entire year having Tommy John surgery. In 2019 it was a bad year to stop sniffing glue; his worst year as he split time with the Tigers and the Nationals.

Rosenthal’s career numbers feature a record of 12-25 with a respectable 3.36 ERA with those 132 saves. This is how Oakland does things, taking a guy who’s had a track record of success. He went in a downwards spiral in his career, but his stock is on the rise. Perfect for this season. Billy Beane will get a guy that will show he still has his stuff from the Cardinals days which will help Oakland this year. Some other team in 2022 will help line the pockets of Trevor in cold hard cash with a multi year deal. It’s the Oakland way.

BOSTON STOCKING UP ON SWISS ARMY KNIVES

What is going on in Red Sox nation? The team has traded away a fan favorite and a productive outfielder, Andrew Benintendi, to the Royals. Last season, it was a miserable year in Bean Town. They welcomed back manager Alex Cora who was part of the sign stealing saga that went on in Houston. Maybe Boston? Jury is still out on that one. Red Sox Ace returns to action this season as Chris Sale had Tommy John Surgery and missed Stephen King’s 2020 storied season. Boston has been making moves as they have collected two guys that are Swiss Army Knives. Enrique Hernandez, aka Kik’e, and Marwin Gonzalez are two Super utility men in the game these days. Both can play multiple position and both probably have multiple gloves in their locker room. Both have lots of playoff production on the back of their baseball cards.

Enrique Hernandez, Kik’e, has just came off winning the World Series for the Dodgers. Instead of Disney Land, Kik’e is off to Bean Town. For years, Hernandez has been a valuable piece for the Dodgers long run in the post season. Dodgers are a stacked team with talent up and down the roster. Sometimes bad decisions come into play after you win the entire thing because guys like Kik’e who played huge roles with timely hits on the big stage, become expendable. These guys are the unsung heroes that teams don’t have a good replacement for in line. Hernandez last season had an average of .230 in 139 At-Bats in 48 regular season games. He had 32 hits with 5 long balls while driving in 20. Hernandez is coming to Boston for Alex Cora. Both Cora and Kik’e have history that goes back to when Hernandez was ten years old. His father coached Alex Cora’s winter ball team he was on in Puerto Rico. Both Cora and Hernadez have maintained a friendship since. Hernandez might be slated for second base in a Boston uniform. I’m sure he will be asked to play a few other positions as the year goes on. Seven seasons in the Majors and Boston will be Hernandez’s 4th team. Kik’e’s first season was split between Miami and Houston back in 2014. Ki’ke then found a home the last six seasons in LA. Career numbers for Hernandez, he has a .240 average with 430 hits, 71 long balls while driving in 227. The 29 year old Kik’e is a right-handed bat Super Utility defender and has a two year deal worth 14 million.

Marwin Gonzalez is another Swiss army knife the Red Sox have added to their team this off-season. Gonzalez has ties to Alex Cora in his Houston days where Marwin played his first seven seasons as Alex Cora was a coach and one of the ring leaders of the sign stealing saga. Gonzalez and Hernandez’ paths probably crossed in 2014 in Houston as teammates. Last two seasons, Gonzalez has played in Minnesota. Last year Gonzalez had a poor year with a low batting average of .211, not like Marwin’s norm. Last season in 175 At-bats, Marwin had only 37 hits with 5 long balls, driving in 22 in 53 games for Minnesota. Lifetime in 9 seasons Marwin is a .261 hitter in average with 96 long balls, 799 hits while driving in 369. Gonzalez was part of the 2017 World Series won in Houston which is filled with asterisks after it. Gonzalez has been a fixture in the post-season throughout most of his career with Houston and in both years with the Twins as they won the AL Central in both seasons he played there. Gonzalez gets a one year deal worth 3 million, and with one more he could earn incentives. Marwin is a 32 year switch hitter and has played almost everywhere except catcher and pitcher.

Both Gonzales and Hernandez are great guys to have on the roster. However usually teams carry one of these Super Utility guys that are jack of all trades. Many teams do not even have one of these guys on their roster. With Boston assembling two of these guys on their roster, what does that tell you they have on their roster coming in. Red Sox also signed outfielder Hunter Renfroe. Jackie Bradley Jr is still out there on the open market as well. Could he return to Boston this season? If Bradley Jr returns, the Red Sox may have a surprise sleeper team in the works. Depends on their pitching staff. Depends on lots of other factors as the AL East has the Blue Jays Yankees and the Rays. Not sure Boston is better than those three teams. We could say the Red Sox are better than the Orioles. The Orioles were better than the Red Sox last season. Th Red Sox may need another tool in the shed to get over the hump.

THE YANKEE DEATH STAR ADDS ANOTHER REDS EMPEROR GUARDSMEN

Yankees now have added two former Reds sluggers to minor league deals with an invite to Spring Training. Jay Bruce is on board and familiar, already playing in New York as he has done time with the Mets. Either of the left-handed sluggers, Jay Bruce and Derek Detrich, can be inserted into the line up after the Judge bats and give him the protection that he needs.

The 33 year old outfielder, Jay Bruce, played with the Phillies the last two seasons after being traded there from Seattle. Bruce only had 96 At-Bats for the Phillies and played in only 32 games. He did poorly average wise with a .198 average. Bruce launched 6 balls out of the park and drove in 14 in the shortened pandemic season. If Bruce makes the Yankees, this will be his sixth team in his 14th year in the MLB. It was a career that started with the Cincinnati Reds with whom he played 9 years and was a 3 time all-star. Bruce also played in Cleveland to complete the state of Ohio’s teams. Bruce’s career numbers feature a life time batting average of .245 with 318 long balls while driving in 948 runs. The Yankees going in to Spring Training have a heavy dose of right-handed hitters in that line up. If Jay Bruce can make the team and does well, he could hit a lot of dingers with that short right field porch they have in Yankee Stadium. If just one of these left handed sluggers pan out, either Bruce or Dietrich, for the Yankees it’s a low cost move that could solve one of their problems.

KIPNIS HOME COMING WITH CUBS LASTS ONE SEASON

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The long time second basemen, Jason Kipnis, for the Cleveland Indians got to go home last season and play for the team that he rooted for growing up. Kipnis was born in the suburb of Northbrook, a northern suburb in the Chicagoland area. Kipnis played baseball locally at Glenbrook North High School, where his game took off. Kipnis would go to play College ball and then was drafted by the Indians. Last season during the pandemic his dream came true playing for the Cubs. However, with no fannies in the seats would anybody know you actually played. Kipnis would miss out on familiar faces he knows rooting him on at Wrigley. This was the same Jason Kipnis who was on the Indian team when the played the Cubs in the World Series in 2016. Would he be allowed to come home if the Indians prevailed in that Fall Classic?

The 34 year old long time second baseman played in 44 games last season for the Cubs. Kipnis’ numbers were not very impressive. Kipnis had 114 at-bats and hit a low .237 while striking out 41 times. Kipnis had 18 walks, three home runs, and drove in 16. The last time Kipnis had a solid year with the lumber was 2016 for the Indians when he had a .275 average with 23 long balls. In 2015, Kipnis finished with a .303 batting average. Ever since 2016, Kipnis’ numbers have been on the decline. Kipnis was never a strong defender. Kipnis’ numbers in 10 seasons mean he has tallied over 1,000 hits with 126 long balls and a career batting average of .260. The Atlanta Braves have a Spring training invite for Jason Kipnis as he tries to make it on the team in a bench role. If Kipnis can reduce his strikouts and find his old form with the lumber, he could be a nice left-handed bat off the bench for the Braves.

THE BUCCO WEEKLY

THE PIRATES TRUCK HAS ARRIVED AT THE SPRING TRAINING SITE IN FLORIDA

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SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

Pirates traded away another pitcher this off season. This time the 31 year old left-hander reliever Nik Turley is heading to Oakland for straight up cash. Turley pitched only one season in Pittsburgh. Last season, Turley came out of the bullpen for the Pirates and did notch a save. Turley record was 0-3 with a high ERA of 4.98 in 25 appearances. He pitched 21.2 Innings last season, had a lot of walks at 11, but did have 20 punch outs. Turley pitched in Minnesota before Pittsburgh, which was only one other season in 2017. The Twins tried him out as a starter and it did not go too well.

MAKING A CLAIM

Pirates claimed Troy Stokes Jr., a 24 year old right handed hitting outfielder, off waivers from the Tigers. A career minor leaguer who was drafted by the Brewers in 2014. Last season Stokes Jr. did well in Tigers Spring training for the Tigers. In 11 games he was 6-22 with 5 doubles before Covid shut down everything. Stokes Jr. returned to Summer camp to fracture his hand. In 2018 Troy Stokes Jr. was all-star in the Southern League. He won a gold glove playing for Double A Biloxi. Stokes Jr. career numbers at the minor leagues in 554 games and has a .250 average, 57 home runs, 115 doubles and 18 triples. It’s a rebuild. Sometimes these claims turn into gold and the Pirates like the idea of a bounty working in their favor.

TODD FRAZIER INKS A SPRING TRAINING INVITE TO THE PIRATE SHIP

I was excited when the White Sox landed Todd Frazier years ago. Frazier was that Home Run slugger who could play some great defense at the hot corner. Frazier made his mark wearing the Reds uniform where he has played his first 5 seasons of his career. Since then he’s been hovering over New York, which he can not escape as he played for both Yankees and Mets. Last season started with the Rangers, then the Mets got Todd Frazier back in a trade for his second stint with the team. Last season Frazier batted .236, had 4 long balls, and 12 RBI’S with nine doubles combined with the Rangers and Mets. Frazier plays more first base than the hot corner these days.

The Pirates can use Todd Frazier because he can provide depth at two positions on the infield. Frazier could still crank it versus left handed pitching so the Pirates could platoon him at first with Colin Moran. Frazier could also give Ke’Bryan Hays some rest at the hot corner. Pirates could use him in a pinch hitting role or at the DH slot playing in American League parks. Frazier does very well at PNC park as he carries a .307 batting average with 8 long balls while driving in 23 in 39 games there. Frazier is a power hitter, but he will strikeout. However it’s not home run or the strikeout with him as he can get quite a few doubles in a season. This is a guy that I think just loves the game. Frazier wanted to stay with the White Sox through the rebuild. Frazier probably liked to stay in one spot if he could. I think he will be great with Pirate youngsters. The 35 year old has played in two All-Star games and won a Home Run derby. His career numbers are a batting average of .242, 1,056 hits, and 242 home runs, while driving in 636 RBI’S in ten seasons. If he makes the Pirates it will be his 6th team. I think Frazier does have a chance to get to that 300 mark in Home Runs before he hangs up the spikes. Frazier could also be a trade chip at the deadline when the Mets call wanting him back for the third stint with the team

THE NEW ACE OF THE DECK

Is Mitch Keller ready to take the ball on Opening day? The 24 year old Mitch Keller has only two seasons under his belt in which one was a shortened season due to the pandemic. The first season in 2019 was not exactly a full season for the young hurler as he made 11 starts. In 2019 Keller was 1-5 with a very high ERA of 7.13. Last year in 5 starts Keller looked sharp with a record of 1-1 with a low 2.91 ERA in 5 starts. Has Keller arrived on a permanent basis in the majors? The kid has the talent. Would be nice to see the Pirates have a young pitcher lock one of those rotation spots for the long haul. They would just need 4 more Kellers.

METS CONTINUE TO COLLECT OUTFIELDERS

The New York Mets are stocking up on outfielders like the crazies who stocked up on toilet paper in the first wave of the virus. The Mets recently signed former Cub cast off, Albert Almora Jr. Now the Mets ink a deal with Kevin Pillar on a one year deal to play some outfield in the big apple this season. Pillar was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays where he played in parts of 7 seasons, as he was traded to the Giants in 2019. Last year Pillar signed with the Red Sox and then was traded to the Rockies. The Mets will be Pillar’s 4th team in the last two years.

Kevin Pillar was best known for his defense for his entire 8 year career. Last season in the pandemic, Pillar thrived in that style of environment as he played in 54 games and hit for a career high .288 with the Red Sox and the Rockies. In 24 games with the Rockies, Pillar batted .308. Pillar knocked 6 balls in the stands with 26 driven combined with both teams last season. Lifetime Pillar has a .262 average with 82 long balls and has driven in 344. Pillar can steal some bases as well. Five times in Pillar’s career he has reached double digits in stolen bases. Pillar had 25 thefts in 2015. The Mets have a lot of left handed hitting outfielders so Pillar may be an asset with the team hitting from the right side.

FRIARS ADD ANOTHER ARM TO THE FLEET

San Diego is going to war with LA. The Padres added another arm to the fleet of their bullpen. I borrowed the logo from the old football team that San Diego had in the AAF. The town of San Diego does not need their football logos anymore, it’s a baseball town. Padres add a veteran closer in Mark Melancon who pitched for the Braves the last two seasons. The 35 year old has a one year deal worth 2 million with a mutual option for 2022 or buyout. Melancon would get guaranteed money either way. Padres have been busy bees this off season revamping their starting rotation with the additions of Yu Darh, Blake Snell, and Joe Musgrove. Now the Padres have 3 options next season closing out a ball game with Drew Pomeranz, Emilio Pagan, and now Mark Melancon in the mix.

Last season with the Braves, Mark Melancon appeared in 23 games and had a 2-1 record with 11 saves with a low 2.78 ERA. Melancon in the post season for Atlanta converted two save opportunities. San Diego will be Melancon’s 8th team in a career which started with the Yankees. Melancon also played in Houston, Boston, Pittsburgh,Washington, and San Francisco. Melancon was a three time all-star. All three years came in Pittsburgh in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Melancon was the NL reliever of the year in 2015. Melancon, over his 12 years in the league, has a record of 30-27 with a respectable 2.85 ERA with 205 saves converted. This move gives San Diego another arm to put up goose eggs in the late innings of games. The starting rotation is strong. The Dodgers will have their hands filled this year with the Padres continuing on the rise in the War of the World’s in the West.

THE ART OF THE HOME RUN

When I first ever heard the name Derek Dietrich, I thought immediately of the Detective in the sitcom Barney Miller. Actor Steve Landesburg played Detective Arthur Dietrich, a character who knows more than anyone else in the room with all the knowledge soaked in his head. A genius. Chose the Police department because Medical School was not doing it for him, as if he was bored. A character who is cool, calm, and collected in all situations. Has that dry sense of humor in a smart arse way. Has a lot of interests that he admires.

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Then we have Derek. Derek Dietrich is that guy that can hit a baseball very far. Dietrich can crush the ball. Dietrich has the monster bat flips for all his mammoth home runs. Dietrich admires his work like an artist named Michelangelo looking at his paintings of the chapels. Dietrich’s admiring has led to bench clearing brawls. Dietrich stands there like Michelangelo and paints the picture in his head of the ball he crushed before he trots around the bases. It shows up the other team’s pitcher. This is why the man has been hit by so many pitches. What’s a better team to join when most people do not like the way you conduct your self on the field. The Freaking New York Yankees!!! Derek Dietrich has a minor league invite to Yankee camp this Spring training.

Last season Derek Dietrich was out with Covid for two weeks with the Reds. Dietrich was released later on by the Reds and then was picked up by the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs had Dietrich on their taxi squad, but ended up releasing him in August. Dietrich finally caught on with the Texas Rangers and got to swing the bat. Last season, Dietrich finished with a very poor batting average of .197 in 61 At-bats in 25 games. Dietrich had 12 hits which 5 of them were home runs while driving in 8 runs. In 2019, Dietrich’s lone season in Cincinnati had 18 home runs before the all-star break. After the all-star break, he just hit one dinger as his average plummeted to .187. Before playing for the Reds, Dietrich had a better average his first six seasons playing in a Marlin uniform where he hit .254 in Florida. Lifetime, Dietrich has a .245 average in 8 seasons in the MLB with 84 long balls, 536 hits while driving in 255.

If Derek Dietrich can make the Yankees, he could exploit that shorter shelf in right field as a left handed power hitter. The biggest reason why they are bringing him to Spring training. Dietrich can play multiple positions which includes both corner positions on the diamond. Dietrich has dabbled at second base and has played left field. Yankees would probably use Dietrich as a DH. Dietrich lives off the home run and dies off the strikeout but can draw walks. Plus, pitchers like to beam him. We will see if another Dietrich enters the 12th Precinct at some point if he makes it on the roster of the Yankees and is part of that operational Death Star for the Evil Empire. Arthur Dietrich might be the real Yankee.

ROMO’S BEARD RESURFACES IN THE BAY AREA

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Does Sergio Romo have that Fitz-Magic in that beard of his? Who has the better beard, Sergio or Ryan Fitzpatrick? Romo’s beard and Sergio’s have resurfaced in the Bay Area. However this time with Oakland rather than San Francisco. Romo started his career in San Francisco where he helped the Giants win three World Series titles and pitched his first nine seasons with them. The 38 year old veteran is heading back to the West coast and has a one year deal in Oakland for 2.25 million. It will be Sergio Romo’s third California team as he also pitched for the Dodgers for one season. Romo will need to have stops in LA with the Angels, then San Diego after Oakland, to complete the California tour.

Sergio Romo looks like one of Bin Laden’s Lieutenants played for the Twins these last two seasons. Overall, Romo has not had a bad year as his record last year was 1-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 24 games. Romo was mostly the set up guy last season coming out of the pen and also closed the door for the Twins as well and had 5 saves. In 13 seasons, Romo has 134 saves under his belt with 188 holds and only blew 31 chances. Romo’s fast ball has lost some of his MPH over the years, but the veteran still has a nice change up and that deadly slider, which is his wipe out pitch, still works really well. Romo can be the closer or the set up guy as he did that after San Francisco with both Florida teams and the Twins. Romo can come in and clean up if runners are on as he thrives in these situations to get out of the inning unscathed. Romo has a life time record of 41-34 and that ERA is still low at 2.95.

Oakland has lost two of their main pieces from last season. Liam Hendricks, the closer, signed with the White Sox while their set up guy, Joakim Soria, signed with the Diamondbacks. Billy Beane, Mr. Money Ball, and the front office of the A’s have been assembling a bullpen on the fly as they brought back one of their own in Yusmeiro Petit on a one year deal. The Athletics also made a trade with the Dodgers and landed a lefty for their pen in Adam Kolarek. Romo could replace Soria. The Athletics could make Romo the closer as well, depends who else is out there. This is a good move signing Romo because he is very dependable and does not get hurt. Plu,s he is perfect for the amount of money Oakland likes to pay out. Romo’s beard can stretch the buck in Oak Town.

DELMONICO LATCHES ON TO REDS CAMP WITH A MINOR LEAGUE INVITE

Nicky Delmonico’s first time up in the big league with the White Sox, he was a difficult out by opposing pitchers. Sometimes guys just being called up have the advantage because teams have no scouting report on you. Delmonico played in 43 games in 2017 and batted .262 with 9 home runs and knocked in 23. Those are pretty good numbers for a player just coming up. Delmonico got more at-bats as the White Sox were in full rebuild in 2018, and he played in 88 games. Injuries that year limited Delmonico or he would have played in more games. The batting average dipped down to .215; the home runs and RBI’S about the same in his second year, but he played more games and had more At-Bats. The third season injuries limited Nicky Delmonico to only 21 games. Last year Delmonico only played in 6 games as he got three hits, 3 RBI’S, and batted a depressing .150. Four years in Chicago, Delmonico had 114 hits, a batting average of .224 with 18 long balls, and 57 RBI’S.

Nicky Delmonico was a guy I rooted for since day one. In Spring training, before the White Sox even brought Delmonico to the big club, he was hitting and slashing. A left handed hitting outfielder who seems to always make contact. Delmonico was pretty good in the field as he made some nice catches. Injuries slowed his young career down. Delmonico was probably put on waivers multiple times by the White Sox and went through untouched and re-signed with the team. Delmonico worked on his game and waited for his next opportunity, trying again and again. Every time peeling himself off the mat from an injury or being released. Delmonico has that underdog story. I think Nicky Delmonico will eventually make a team and stick. Delmonico would be a nice player off the bench for whatever reason. The Reds already have a slew of outfielders so Delmonico might have problems making it on Cincinnati’s opening day roster. Maybe he’ll find his way once again returning to the White Sox organization. I hope the 28 year old outfielder does well and plays a ton more years for somebody who’ll give him a home.

SEATTLE SWINDLES THE YANKEE DEATH STAR

Any time you get the better end of the deal when your dealing with the Yankees, it’s a great thing for the game of baseball. How many times have we seen the Yankees place a suitcase of money down and buy your player’s soul away from your team? Yankees have ended many teams’ dreams by plucking players away that you want or one of your own you want back. The Seattle Mariners get to live and tell about how they pulled one over on the Evil Empire of baseball we call the New York freaking Yankees. In 2018, Mariners traded away their ace at the time, left-handed pitcher James Paxton, to the Yankees in the off-season. The Mariners receive the Yankees top pitching prospect who also is a left-handed pitcher, Justus Sheffield. Plus, Mariners received another right-handed pitcher Erik Swanson and outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams. James Paxton in two seasons with the Yankees had a 16-7 record with 4.16 ERA. Paxton did have one win in the post-season. Last season, Paxton dealt with injuries as he only made 5 starts in the pinstripes. Paxson went 1-1 with a very high ERA with 6.64, but that was not good enough for the Yankees to re-sign. Paxton now is coming back to Seattle where he started his career and pitched in the Emerald City for six seasons. He gets a one year deal worth 8.5 million.

Seattle got their guy back who they traded to the Death Star. Can the 32 year old James Paxton get back to his old form in a Mariner uniform where he has a record of 41-26 with a respectable 3.42 ERA playing on the West coast? Paxton will be closer to his home where he takes up residence in the British Columbia across the border from the state of Washington. Now Paxton will be in the same rotation as Justus Sheffield who was the big piece the Mariners were getting back. Last time, Sheffield started 10 games for the Mariners and went 4-3 with an ERA 3.58. Erik Swanson has gotten some time in the majors as they are still working on him; the right-hander has started and came out of the bullpen. Swanson has a 1-7 record with 6.58 ERA. While Williams has not yet had a cup of coffee in the big leagues. If Paxton does find his old groove, the Mariners fans would love to see another no hitter like he tossed against the Blue Jays in May of 2018. Seattle has been in a rebuild for a few years now. The team is on the rise going 27-33 last year which was good for third in the AL West. For Seattle…

At the Yankees expense PRICELESS!!!!!!

THE TRAVELING HILL-BURY SET TO TAKE STAGE IN TAMPA BAY

The vintage one man band officially set up his tour dates in Tampa Bay this Summer. Rich Hill, soon to be 41 years old, will be one of the leading acts for the Rays rotation. The Rays will be Rich Hill’s 10th team and this will be his 17th year in the MLB. Hill’s career started with the Chicago Cubs in 2005. Hill has had stops in Boston, both LA teams (Dodgers, Angels), New York Yankees, Baltimore, Oakland, Cleveland, and last year pitched in Minnesota. Rays give Hill a one year deal worth 2.5 million to perform every 5 days.

Rich Hill career has been haunted by multiple injuries. Hill has pitched pretty well in the late stages of his career. Last season for the Twins, Hill had a 2-2 record in 8 starts and tallied up 38.2 Innings with a respectable 3.03 ERA. Hill has pitched well for some of those Dodgers teams that got deep in the playoffs and were on the wrong side of the World Series twice. Especially in 2017 with the banging of the trash cans in Houston. In 16 years, Hill has a 67-44 record with a 3.79 ERA. Some of those years he missed time with injuries plus he pitched only from the bullpen a few seasons of his career.

The Rays traded one of their top pitchers this off-season, Blake Snell, to the San Diego Padres. Then they refused to pick up the option of Charlie Morton making him a free agent who was picked up by the Braves. The Rays needed some help in the rotation as they picked up Chris Archer who started his career in Tampa Bay, was released by the Pirates, and did not pitch last season due to injuries.

Archer was traded to Pittsburgh in 2018. Archer did not do well in Steel City as he has a 6-12 record with a 4.92 ERA, dealt with injuries, and missed a complete season. The Rays are hoping Archer could find his old form that he had in his first stint with the Rays. Archer had a 54-68 record with a much better ERA at 3.69. Does Archer and Hill even come close to the production Charlie Morton and Blake Snell did last season? When they helped the Rays get all the way to the World Series? Rays always have a slew of young arms just waiting to get to the big leagues if these off-season pick ups don’t pan out. It is risky with both Archer and Hill being injury prone pitchers. Morton and Snell are always on the pitching rubber every 5th day. These are the Rays, a low budget team, that seems to find a way to be very competitive every year. This, even though you might scratch your head in the off-season on some of their moves.

ATHLETICS ONCE AGAIN HITTING THE RESET BUTTON

I feel like the Oakland Athletics are similar to the old Atari 2600 game system. Actually any old vintage game system will work. Every time the Athletics are doing well, they then suddenly lose. It’s back to the drawing board in a instant. Like playing that video game and you lose your first guy right away; you hit the reset button because no way you’re starting off like that. The Athletics were the number two seed last year and got past the White Sox in the first round. They then fell to the Astros in the second round. This off-season the Athletics let a bunch of guys go by not re-signing them. Plus Athletics have not been busy this off-season trying to replace the guys they lost.

Oakland A’s lost their statring short stop, Marcus Semien, as he signed with the Blue Jays. Semien, an Oakland native, a leader on this Athletic team. Semien last year was a down year for him, but a guy that is capable of knocking 30 balls out of the park in one year. Then the team let Robbie Grossman walk out the door, a switch hitting left fielder that has had some big hits for the team the last few seasons, another veteran. Grossman left to play with a bad Tiger team instead of playing with a playoff team in Oakland. Then Tommy La Stella heads across the bay to San Francisco. La Stella, a veteran, can play multiple positions in the infield and can get you some big hits with some power to get that ocasional home run. The Athletics then lost two key components in their bullpen. Liam Hendricks is the Australian closer who was one of the best in the league at closing the door late in the game during the last few seasons. Then long time reliever Joakim Soria is heading to the desert to play with the snakes in Arizona.

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The Athletics finally came to life to repair the middle of their infield by striking up a deal with the Texas Rangers. The Athletics get long time short stop of the Rangers Elvis Andrus and a catching prospect Aramis Garcia. Plus 13.5 Million in cash. Oakland gives up home run slugger Khris Davis, another guy that wanted to stay in Oakland, but I don’t know why. I would not buy any property in Oakland and have a suitcase standing by because no one is safe. Rangers also get right handed pitcher Dane Acker and catcher Jonah Heims. Davis had some injury problems last season where the slugger only played in 30 games and hit a low .200 with only two home runs. Davis hit 158 home runs with 418 RBI’S with a .240 batting average in 5 years playing in Oakland, which is a long time.

Oakland Athletics did re-sign the whistle blower of Houston Astriks in the sign stealing saga. Mike Fiers returns to the starting rotation on a one year deal. Last year Fiers went 6-3 for the A’s with 4.58 ERA. Then A’s bring back a familiar face Jed Lowrie for his third stint with the team on a minor league deal. That’s one thing about Oakland. When you’re at the cross roads of your career, they are the team that will take you. Oakland is a place to relaunch your career on the cheap. If you do well, do not expect to be paid. It’s the Oakland way.

Lowrie last played in Oakland in 2018. Lowie went to New York and played for the Mets in 2019. Lowrie did not play last year. This is why the GM of the Oakland A’s, Billy Beane, got a movie about him called Money Ball. This is not new losing talented veteran players. It’s like out with the old and in with the new in replacing them. Then the A’s will make savvy moves and bring in veterans on the cheap out of the dollar bin to help their team for a season or could be flipped at the deadline for young prospects. Oakland will once again be in the thick of the race as they never run out of talent. You just wonder if the team stuck to the same roster for a few more years, could they eventually gel together and win the entire thing. Just hold off from hitting that reset button. Try to play the game with one wrong and see how far you get. Maybe Pit Fall Harry will surprise you jumping that pond of gators.

Not going to happen.

MARINERS THINKING BEYOND 2022 WITH THE GILES SIGNING

The Mariners are dealing with an interesting signing of a closer that will not help the team this season, due to having Tommy John surgery in October. Former Blue Jay Ken Giles gets a two year deal with the Mariners, the amount unknown. Giles had elbow issues last year limiting the right-hander to 3.2 innings. Giles appeared in only 4 games and had one save with an ERA high of 9.82. Mariners are hoping they get the Ken Giles of 2019 when he was unstoppable like a freight train coming at you full speed with an average of a 97 MPH fast ball. Giles had a 2-3 record in 2019 with a low ERA of 1.87 and 23 saves.

The Mariners will be Giles’ 4th team in 7 seasons in the MLB. Giles started his career in Philadelphia, and then pitched in Houston. Next he went North to Canada in 2018. Giles has a pretty good track record for his career numbers. Giles’ record lifetime is 14-18 with a respectable low 2.74 ERA with 115 saves. Mariners have been in a rebuilding stage for quite awhile. Sometimes gambling on projects could pay off dividends for this team in the future. If Seattle turns things around by 2022, they may have a nice piece for that bull pen with the addition of healthy Ken Giles. Tommy John surgery has shown nowadays that the pitchers come back a year after the surgery and do very well. If Giles finds his old form, he could be a trade chip if the team has not turned the corner from the rebuild.

MIAMI ADDS SOME POWER TO THE AQUARIUM

Last season the Marlins found a way to make it to the post season. With a very young team, the Marlins were dealing to get better at the trade deadline and then throwing their catches back in the waters of the league. The team made the expanded post season and won their first series versus the Cubs. Marlins have not done much this off season. With Spring training looming, the team added some power on the cheap. Former Atlanta Brave Adam Duvall is taking his home run swing to South Beach. Duvall has a one year deal worth 2 Million for this season. Duvall has an option in place for 2022. If the Marlins decline it, they will have to buy Adam Duvall for 3 Million. Either way, Duvall is guaranteed 5 Million or more with this deal.

Last season the Marlins only hit more home runs than 4 other teams in the league. The 32 year old Adam Duvall has hit 105 home runs since 2016. Last season, the outfielder/first baseman played in 57 games and hit 16 balls into the seats with a .237 batting average while driving in 33. Duvall is a guy projected to hit 30 something home runs a year in a full season. In 2016 & 2017, Duvall had back to back years where he hit 30 or more home runs in each season as he was playing for the Cincinnati Reds at the time. Originally, Duvall started his career with the Giants as he has played seven seasons with 3 teams and has tallied 113 Home runs. The Braves non tendered Duvall in the off season making him a free agent as he played parts of 3 seasons in Atlanta. Duvall missed only 3 games last season for the Braves, but he only played in 41 games in 2019. Marlins could use Duvall versus left handed pitching and can use Corey Dickerson versus right-handed pitching and platoon both of them at one of the corner outfield positions. Life time, Duvall only has a .164 batting average in Miami with 4 home runs in 63 At-Bats in which he will have to get better in South beach to play full-time. Marlins are hoping for his power numbers to reach the 30’s like in the Cincinnati days.

JAKE WITHOUT THE SNAKE ARRIETA RETURNING TO CUBDOM

It was Jake Arrieta who scoffed at the Cubs’ six year 120 Million dollar offer to return to the Northside of Chicago. Arrita thought he should snake at least somewhere in the ball park of 150 Million for somebody to take his services in the 2018 season and beyond. Arrieta wanted to be paid like Steven Strasburg of the league. This was a guy that lost some zip on his fastball and his ERA was on the rise. The Cubs instead chose Yu Darvish. The Arrieta camp settled for a three year deal with Philadelphia worth 75 Million which is some pretty good cheddar. However, Jake was not worth 75 Million as he finished his Philadelphia tour with a record of 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA in 3 seasons. Now he’s like the the kid who knew more than the parents. Jake Arrieta is returning home to a child size bedroom and signs a one year deal with the Cubs worth six million.

2015 was a long time ago, but by far the best year Jake Arrieta had, as he won the Cy Young award with a 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA. Not too bad for a guy the Cubs fixed and landed in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles in 2013. Then in 2016, Jake Arrieta had another great year this time going 18-8 with a higher ERA at 3.10 which is still good. Arrieta helped the Cubs conquer the jinx of the Billy Goat as the Cubs broke a drought of over 100 years of not winning a World Series. It’s like, “Pinch me if this really happened” as most Cubs fans were dazed and confused making history, winning game seven in Cleveland that year.

Right now the Cubs are putting on band aids for any holes on their roster.. The Cubs traded away their ace Yu Darvish to the Padres and in return received Zack Davies, a veteran middle of the rotation type of guy. Jon Lester, Tyler Chatwood, and Jose Quintana were not re-signed. The Cubs have added Trevor Williams on the cheap as a free agent and added him to the ones that vacated. The Cubs still have Kyle Hendricks who is the Ace, and probably has been their best pitcher even with Yu Darvish throwing well the last two seasons. Arrieta in 9 starts last season was 4-4 with a high ERA at 5.09 as he missed a few weeks at the end with a strain on his hamstring. The rotation shapes up with Kyle Hendricks, Zack Davies, Trevor Williams, Alec Mills, and now adding Arrieta. The NL Central is still very weak. The Cubs still have their core of Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and Wilson Contreras who all have one year left on their deals. A few of them have been in trade rumors. It might be Custer’s last stand on the Northside with this group. Perhaps if Jake has some Snake left in him and of course the Cubs will need lots to occur to repeat as winners of the NL Central. The Cubs are rolling the dice on many one year deals left, in the hopes they pan out and have big years. It could be the last dance or a fire sale at the deadline. Fans in Chicago hope this Cubs last stand does not turn into the Alamo.

WHITE SOX INK JONATHAN LUCOY TO A MINOR LEAGUE DEAL

White Sox have not yet figured out their back up catcher situation. Bringing in veteran Jonathan Lucoy on a Minor League deal could be a savvy move or a Hail Mary pass hoping it pans out. White Sox had the best tandem back stops in the league last year with James McCann and Yasmani Grandal. They could not keep them both as James McCann signed with the Mets to be their full time starter something he has not been able to do in his baseball career and got paid. The organization hopes that Zack Collins can finally make the big step to stick on the major league roster for good. White Sox have another youngster in Seby Zavala who has had a cup of coffee so far in the bigs. Then Yermin Mercedes fans remember him launching the ball all over the field in that short Spring training that was shut down last season due to the pandemic. Mercedes had a cup of coffee in his cup holder in the bigs as well. The 34 year old Jonathan Lucroy is finally healthy which could make this a very intriguing signing. It’s a gamble with Lucroy, but if you lose, it will not cost you since being only a Minor League deal.

Jonathan Lucroy appeared in only one game for the Red Sox last season and did not even get an At-Bat. In 2019, Lucroy split time with the Angels and the Cubs where he batted .232 with 8 homeruns driving in 36. If Lucroy makes the White Sox team, it would be his 8th team in his Major League career. Lucroy started his career with the Brewers where he played 7 seasons in Brew Town. Then Lucroy had stops in Texas, Colorado, Oakland and LA Angels, with the Cubs and Red Sox last season. Lucroy has been solid defensively when healthy. Can call it a pretty good game. With the bat, Lucroy can help your line up when he comes in with a life time batting average of .274 with 108 long balls while driving in 545.

If you can’t beat them, then join them is what Jonathan Lucroy is doing. Years in a Brewers uniform mean Lucroy remembers the Tony LaRussa Cardinals getting the better of his team in some of those years Milwaukee and St. Louis battled it out for the NL Central. I like a scrappy veteran who still has some gasoline left in the tank and is the ideal back up which Lucroy can be. Is it too early to give up on a Zack Collins who has only 36 games under his belt in the majors? Collins has only 102 At-Bats as he’s hitting a low .167 with 17 hits which three of them left the park while driving in 12. Collins is a top draft pick, a left handed bat that will get many chances. Maybe one more season in the minors to get more seasoning could help a Collins. If Zack Collins does find his stroke, the White Sox could insert him in the DH position while keeping Lucroy as the back up catcher. It’s always easier to try to speculate these types of movement before the season starts, without seeing anybody play. Would be great if you can take the parts off all these back up catchers and take their strenghts and emerge them all on one body and put Jonathan Lucroy’s head on top it. Make your own Optimus Prime back stop instead of trying to develop all of them. Just need Kenny Williams to pass the hack saw and start with who has the strongest arm because Catchers and pitchers are reporting to Arizona soon.

THE MADDON DISCIPLES

The Angels continue rounding up some of Joe Madden’s former disciples for the 2021 season. Joe Maddon has a cult following like the movie Red Dawn. Is it the dress up in costumes for the plane flights? Is it the reptile zoo in the locker room? Pajamas day? Could be the cool, calm, and collected approach Maddon brings to the table as a manager. A manager that can solve problems in the locker room by having a beer and pulling up a stool to the bar. Angels landed two pitching disciples, one each from the old and new testament of Joe Maddon. Jose Quintana signed a one year deal as he parted throught the red seas from Chicago. Then in a trade, the Angels land Alex Cobb from the Orioles who Maddon had in Tampa Bay. The Angels picked up utilityman Robel Garcia on waivers who was let go from Noah’s Ark in the Metropolitan part of New York. Then the Angels of LA make a deal with a Saint. St. Louis trades Dexter Fowler to the Angels for that famous player to be named later.

Dexter Fowler, the former Cardinal, played with the Cubs in 2015 and 2016. Fowler will reunite with his former manager Joe Maddon who was the skipper who led the team to the unthinkable, a World Series Trophy for the Cubs in 2016. Fowler was a lead off hitter during his stint in Chicago and their only World Series trophy over a 100 years. The Cubs could never fill that void at the lead off position as Fowler departed Chicago for St.Louis and signed a six year 82.5 Million dollar deal. The 34 year old Fowler waived his no trade clause to accept the deal to come to California. Fowler is in his last year of that six year contract. This will be Fowler’s 5th team as he came up out of the Colorado Rockies organization then went to Houston for one season and then Chicago. The switch hitting Fowler, usually a centerfielder, will play right field for the Angels.

Dexter Fowler did not have a great year in 2020 like many players with the shorteedn season from the pandemic. Fowler played in only 31 games and hit a low .233 with 4 long balls and drove in 15. Fowler’s career numbers and track record weremuch better. Fowler has a lifetime average of .259 with 127 long balls while driving in 516. With the addition of Fowler the Angels do not have to rush their top outfield prospect Jo Adell. Plus with Fowler in right, the outfield shapes up nicely with the best player on the planet, Mike Trout, in center and Justin Upton the other book end in left. It gives Maddon a switch hitter in the line up that could lead off. Then with additions of Alex Cobb and Jose Quintana it should strengthen the starting rotation which was a weakness last season for the Angels. Robel Garcia Maddon liked in his last season coaching the Cubs in 2019. Robel Garcia did not have many at-bats. Garcia had 15 hits in which 2 were doubles, 2 triples and 5 homeruns while driving in 11. Last year Garcia did not play on a major league roster. Maddon’s first year with the Angels in a short season was nothing to write home to mom about. Maybe with some familiar faces in the club house guys Maddon knows will help this team do better this upcoming season. Maybe the plane rides will be better at least with dress up day. Adding some guys that can costume it up.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

These are players that are back in the saddle with their former team. These players may have tested the open market but decided to return to the homestead. They did not like what other teams were selling them. Perhaps they were only wanted by their former team. Some of these guys were destined to go back to their former teams. Probably agreed they’d get something done after the team concluded it’s off season business.

Marcell Ozuna finally finds a permanent home in Atlanta. Ozuna has been doing one year deals the last few seasons. Ozuna has a 4 year 65 Million dollar deal to stay in Atlanta.

Is Mike Fiers the only Oakland Athletic free agent returning to the team? Fiers gets a one year deal worth 3.5 Million to return. Fiers can keep an eye on division rival Astros to see if they are up to no good.

Yadier Molina is like Santa Clause for the Cardinals. A jolly old catcher who likes to give it to the Cubs players who are naughty in his book. For the Cardinals, Molina has brought St. Louis World Series trophies. Molina returns to St. Louis on a one year deal worth 9 Million.

Is 4.5 Million dollars enough to come back and play for the Detroit Tigers? Jonathan Schoop believes so, as he take a one year commitment and gives motor city another chance.

Didi Gregorius returns to Philadelphia for a 2 year deal worth 28 Million. That’s a lot of Cheesesteaks with that kind of cheddar.

Is that Donald Trump’s head in right field? The Evil Empire, with the return of DJ Lemahieu, means the death star should be fully operational. Lemahieu gets a 6 year deal worth 90 Million.

24 LEGACY NEW LA CHAPTER

When the name Trevor Bauer trickles off someone’s tongue, people have different thoughts. Is Bauer a lose cannon? Bauer was being taken out of the game and the pitcher throws the ball over the wall in Centerfield from the pitching rubber at the end of his Cleveland days. Many will say, including Bauer himself, he can spin the ball with the best of them. Some fans might remember he hurt himself in a drone accident slicing a finger on his pitching hand doing maintenance on his fly spy. Last year Trevor Bauer won the CY Young award piching for the Cincinnati Reds, during which he was very impressive. Bauer’s videos on YouTube he makes said that the Cy Young award should be his before the season even ended. His videos can be damaging to his own self as he made a mistake and had video of him coming to the New York Mets. Bauer said that was a mistake. Bauer apologized to Mets fans. As the Mets did offer Bauer more money and were one of the finalists on his website. Can you compare his decision to what Lebron James did taking his talents to Miami? Maybe it’s the Cleveland thing to do. The California native instead is coming home a very rich man as he just made the Dodgers much better if that is possible with a three year deal. This sets up another LA Chapter of 24 as the Dodgers land a weapon of mass destruction.

Trevor Bauer is 30 years old and gets a three year deal with the Dodgers worth 102 Million dollars. The contract has two option for opt-outs after year one and year two just in case Bauer gets bored or even wears out his welcome. He could take his talents somewhere else. In 2021, Trevor Bauer will be the highest paid player in the game as he will get 40 Millions dollars from LA. In one year, Bauer will be paid higher than three teams’ entire 26 man rosters in the league. The Pirates entire roster 3is 0 Million projected. The Orioles’ entire roster is 34.2 Million projected. Then Bauer’s former team, the Indians, have an entire roster of 36.5 Million projected. In 2022, Bauer will get paid even more. Year two of the contract is 45 Million. If the contract gets to year three without any opt-out, it would be the cheapest year.

Trevor Bauer has a life time record of 75-64 with a 3.90 ERA in parts of 10 seasons. Bauer made only one all-star game, and in 2018 he had a 12-6 record for the Indians with a 2.21 ERA. Last year, Bauer finished with a 5-4 record with a low ERA of 1.73 in 11 starts for the Reds. Bauer led the NL in strikeouts with 63. Bauer also had two shut outs. Bauer started his career with the snakes in the desert. After one season in Arizona, Bauer went to Cleveland. Bauer then has spent 9 seasons in the state of Ohio with parts of seven seasons with the Indians before getting dealt to the Reds.

The Dodgers before Bauer featured one of the top pitching staffs in the league. It’s a pitching staff that got it done winning the first World Series for the Dodgers since 1988. Top three spots of the rotation feature Clayton Kerhsaw, the Dodgers ACE. Then Walker Buehler who has been lights out the last few seasons, some will say he was the best pitcher on the Dodgers staff. Then veteran David Price who has some miles on his arm but has been an ace from the past. Dodgers also have one spot available with the addition of Bauer with three choices between Julio Urias, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin for the last spot in the rotation. Some good options. Bauer instantly makes the Dodgers the favorite to repeat as Champs. By far the Dodgers have the best rotation in the league. On paper, this Dodgers team could be one of the greatest teams of all-time. Could Bauer’s antics bring this team to a boiling point like a nuclear reactor? Jack Bauer saves the day at the end, but he is still being held in an undisclosed Russian prison. Pitching with the pressure of the contract with all the money involved is a lot to shoulder if you’re Trevor Bauer. Bauer is like that person that uses Facebook as a soap box. Bauer has harassed people on the open media. Bauer has publicly criticized the MLB Commissioner more than once. A bad year performance-wise with public remarks could torpedo the Dodgers as well. This is why they still play the games.

ALMORA JR. NEW KING OF QUEENS IN THE METS OUTFIELD

The 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series team is going to soon be the “Where are they Now” show. Albert Almora is the latest member of that team to be moving on to greener pastures. The New York Mets ink the 26 year old Centerfielder to a contract with the details unknown at this time. The Cubs non-tendered Almora Jr. after the season ended making him a free agent. 2020 was not very kind for Almora Jr. in 30 At-Bats hitting only .167 while driving in one run. The writing was already on the walls of the Wrigley Field’s brick as Ian Happ emerged as the team’s Centerfielder. Almora Jr. was the first draft pick of the man that walked on water in his arrival to Chicago, Theo Epstein. He took over the Cubs ugly history when he came to the second city and did a complete tear down. Almora Jr. after 5 years in Chicago mostly coming off the bench has a career batting average of .271 with 332 hits, 28 Home runs, and 134 RBI’S.

The New York Mets get a guy that will bring his glove to the ball park every day. Almora Jr. can play defense and he can track most stuff hit out his way. Almora Jr. has a decent bat but hardly ever draws walks and many thought he would be able to hit for power. Almora Jr. did hit his career high in home runs in 2019 with 12. On the base paths he’s not a guy that will steal bags. Almora Jr. has good baseball IQ on the base paths especially to be remembered scoring the winning run in the 2016 World Series. His run, he helped beat the goat that jinxed the Cubs for decades. It was the 10th inning Almora Jr. came in as a pinch runner. Almora Jr. then tagged up and made it to second base. He then later scored on a double by Ben Zobrist. Almora Jr. will always have a spot in the Chicago Cubs fans hearts for what he did. Especially scoring that run after the feeling like the goat was going to crush their dreams from the dark skies of Cleveland that night.

COLORADO FRONT OFFICE A LITTLE ROCKIES MOUNTAIN HIGH IN THE ARENDO DEAL

The saying “taking candy from a baby” should be mentioned in the trade between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies. Colorado traded the cow away for some lousy beans that may not sprout. Plus Colorado gave St. Louis money to haul the cow away from their organization. Maybe the Rockies should sign up for Amazon Prime. The Cardinals get the Rockies best player third basemen Nolan Arendo. Plus the Cardinals have the Rockies paying 50 Million dollars off the remaining six year contract of Arendo that is worth 199 Million. Rockies get five players. Pitchers Austin Gomber who’s a left handed pitcher with two right handed pitchers in Tony Locey and Jake Sommers. Plus Rockies get two infielders in Mateo Gil and Elehuris. Who are these guys?

The Cardinals get a bonafide Superstar inserted in their everyday line up which they need. Nolan Arendo improves the Cardinals defense and they get a guy that can hit the ball into the stands regularly. Nolan Arendo is a 5 time All-star who has 8 Gold Gloves to his name already and is only 29 years old. Arendo has a high power low strike out rate in 3,000 plate appearances. Arendo is the 12th guy on this list which includes some big names in baseball history such as Albert Pujols, Stan Musial, Todd Helton, Shoeless Joe Jackosn, Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio who have power with a low strike out rate. Plus some others I did not mention. The pandemic year was not kind to Arendo, but he did ok. In 48 games his average was down to .253 with 8 long balls and he drove in 26. Arendo over 8 seasons in the big leagues has a career batting average of .293 with 235 long balls while driving 760.

I’m not sure what the Rockies are thinking in this deal, from which they should have gotten at least one major prospect back from the Cardinals. Austin Gomber, the left handed pitcher, is the center piece of the return the Rockies got from the Cardinals. Rockies should just head into a full rebuild, start from scratch and do a complete tear down. Meanwhile the Cardinals beef up their line up and opposing pitchers could face a Paul Goldschmidt and then a Nolan Arenado or vice versa.

Goldschmidt came in a savvy trade the Cardinals made a few years ago with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cardinals did make the playoffs last season due to the expanding of post season letting more teams in. The NL Central is not very good, and it could be any team to win it in 2021. Except the Pirates, the only team in that division who did not make post season last year. Cardinals were quickly dispatched from the first round like all the Central teams in both leagues. Adding Arendo could be the start of the Cardinals back on the rise with the best of the best of the National league. I think they still need to add a few more pieces to get there.

TWINS WHITE SOX RIVALRY HEATING UP

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The Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox have been having a cold war between two cold winter cities this off-season. Both teams are division rivals in the American League Central, in which the Twins have owned the last few seasons. The White Sox rebuild has concluded and the kids are ready to play and rising into superstars. Both the Twins and White Sox were quickly dispatched from the playoffs in the very first round months ago. When the off-season started, the White Sox made a splash with multiple moves to improve their team. While the Twins stood by and watched and it looked like the White Sox were going to win the off-season. Perhaps those moves would be the ones the White Sox needed to surpass the Twins and win the AL Central. Hold the phone!!! Twins have suddenly come alive at the end of the off- season with Spring Training on the horizon with multiple moves themselves. Could the biggest move the Twins just made be signing the White Sox closer from the last few seasons in Alex Colome? Does Colome switching sides heat up this division rivalry that goes back to the days when Ozzie Guillen called the Twins little piranhas?

White Sox came out like gang busters as they made a trade with Texas to land former Twin, Cardinal Lance Lynn. Lynn gives the White Sox a third reliable starter they need for their rotation and he has played one year with the Twins. Which might not stir up any trouble in this rivalry, but on paper he still played there. Then the White Sox brought back Adam Eaton who they traded away and will add him to their outfield. Then the biggest move is the White Sox dished out big money for a new closer former Athletic Liam Hendriks who replaces Alex Colome. Colome had good numbers, but the White Sox let him walk. The Hendriks deal was done last month. Hendriks was the best closer on the free agent market by most experts. Colome is not too shabby himself.

Twins suddenly came to life as they quietly added a piece to their starting rotation. An oldie but a goodie as they signed former Blue Jay and Yankee JA Happ, a left hander veteran who is 38 years young. Then the Twins made a stealth move and signed the best defensive short stop on the free agent market, Andrelton Simmons, which improves the team defense up the middle with a former Angel. Then still hanging out there was a White Sox killer Nelson Cruz at the age of 40 years. Has been playing on one year deals for the last two seasons in Minnesota. Nelson hit 16 home runs last season and I think half of them were against the White Sox. Twins bring back Cruz on a one year deal worth 13 Million. Then Minnesota got ballsy. Inside the Twins brass they said “Checkmate” with the signing of Alex Colome to the White Sox. Colome, an angry man on the pitching rubber, would love to close the door on his former team. Colome gets a one year deal for 5 Million with an option year in 2022. Colome in 8 seasons with the Mariners, Rays, and White Sox have a 2.95 ERA with 138 saves under his belt.

I’m not sure the signing of Alex Colome has that sting like when the White Sox signed former Twin AJ Pierzynski. Pierzynski helped the White Sox win the World Series in 2005. The Twins have given the White Sox fits since 2005 and before especially when the team was nicknamed the Piranhas by Ozzie Guillen. All those years that crazy things happened in the Metro Dome when the White Sox came to town. Piranhas were built at that time for the dome of horrors. They would bite you & nip at you every inning ripping flesh off your body until you walked away losing 3 games in the series and you don’t know how it happened. Can the White Sox’s young team mixed with veterans catch up to the Twins this season? Will more moves be added before the season starts between both these teams? In 2021, James McCann from the White Sox and Eddie Rosario have found new homes so they will not be a part of this rival in 2021. Will either team have any new dragon slayers to rise up and help their team win? Will it be the usual suspects stepping up and putting their team on the top. Right now the Twins are still king of the mountain of the AL Central as they are the two time champs of the division two years in a row. The recent moves the Twins have made I think have the edge over the White Sox moves they have made in the beginning of the off-season. It should be an interesting year when these arch rivals duel it out this Summer. Colome versus Hendriks will be compared all year especially if one of these pitchers throws better.

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THE KOLTEN OF WONG IN BEER TOWN

Not sure Kolten Wong will be the Sultan of Swing in Brew Town. Wong will be bringing two gold gloves to the Brewers as he has a two year deal worth 18 Million with an option for a third year to play second base this season. The 30 year old Wong has played his entire career for the Cardinals which is 8 seasons. In October, St. Louis did not pick up Wong’s option for 12.5 Million for the 2021 season making him a free agent. Wong is a left-handed bat that’s an average hitter who has some speed to swipe a few bags when he gets on. Defense is Wong’s jam as he is one of the best in the league at second base defensively. Wong’s career numbers in the batters box has a .261 average with 53 long balls and 281 RBI’S. Wong has swiped 88 bases. Last season Wong hit better than his career average which was 4 points higher at .265.

This is the first move the Brewers have made all off-season and it’s a move that has tightened up the defense. With Kolten Wong at second base, the Brewers are very solid up the middle on defense. Brewers have Orlando Arcia at short stop and Lorenzo Cain in Centerfield – two really good defenders. Arcia and Wong should be one of best double play combos in the league. Now the Brewers can move Keston Hiura from second base to first base. Hiura is young player who is decent defender but can hit. Brewers did make the playoffs with MLB expanding the post season last season. Brewers have been turning over their team as last off season lost a good amount of offense in their line up. The replacements were not as productive, but the team found a way into post season. The NL Central is not that strong. Like to see the Brewers add some more pitching to give them a better chance at the Central.

DR. DOOLITTLE WILL CALM THE REDS PEN

It has been a very quiet off season for the Cincinnati Reds. Almost too quiet. Some rumors had the Reds involved in some trades. The Reds traded reliever Raisel Iglesias to the Angels. They did not tender the contract of Archie Bradley. Maybe finally someone came up with an idea that they lacks arms in the Bullpen. No Worries… the Reds plucked Dr. Doolittle: The Entire Series from the Goodwill store. SCORE!!! Reds have a closer, former Washington National closer Sean Doolittle for the back of their bullpen. Doolittle was injured most of 2020 with a knee issue and only tallied up 7.2 Innings in 11 games for the Nasty Nats with an exploding ERA of 5.87. Reds get Doolittle on the cheap side in the hopes he has a bounce back year as it’s a one year deal worth only 1.5 Million.

Sean Doolittle has pitched in Washington for 4 years which included being a part of the 2019 World Series team. In 2019, Doolittle had 29 saves as he pitched 60 Innings with 4.05 ERA. Doolittle and that Washington bullpen, which was a weakness going into post season in 2019, pitched very well all the way up to the deciding game seven of the World Series. Doolittle was an all-star in 2018, so the Reds think this is one of those signings where he’s in a bounce back year. This will be Sean Doolittle’s third team coming into his 10th year in the majors as he started off in Oakland and pitched there for parts of six seasons. Doolittle has a lifetime record of 23-23 with 111 saves under his belt with not too shabby of an ERA at 3.07. Reds were very busy last off-season and did make the playoffs due to the expansion of the post season. This season, Trevor Bauer has departed and still is a free agent. The team has mostly stood still watching the world go by. I can see the Reds filling in some needs with moves like this. They’ll be bringing in free agents on the cheap with one year deals.

SOUTHSIDE WEEKLY

BUEHRLE HAS ANOTHER QUALITY START

Mark Buehrle’s career has been all about the quality starts. If Buehrle gave up a early lead in a game he pitched, he’d still keep his team in the game by finding a way to stay in the game and get outs to give his team a chance. Mark Buehrle’s first time on the ballot for the 2021 Baseball hall of fame is not one and done. Buehrle stays on the ballot as he nets 44 votes to easily pass 5% of the vote to stay on the ticket for the next nine seasons.

Buehrle gets 11 % of the vote which is a pretty good start and gives him a fair shot to one day get to that 75% of the vote and get into Cooperstown. Buehrle’s long time teammate, Paul Konerko, was one and done on the ballot just recently.

ANOTHER CUBAN TO THE CIGAR BOX

White Sox are the official team of Cuba, it seems. White Sox add another Cuban player as they lead the league in them. White Sox sign Yoenis Cespedes’ half brother, Yoelki.

Yoenis Cespedes defected Cuba and played in the MLB for 8 seasons with 4 different teams which are the Athletics, Mets, Tigers, and Red Sox. Cespedes walked away last season after 8 games with the Mets and hung up the spikes for good. Cespedes had some pretty good career numbers batting .273 knocking 165 balls into the seasts while driving in 528.

Yoelki Cespedes has 15 more pounds of muscle on his frame compared to his half brother Yoenis. The 23 year old Cespedes gets a two million dollar international bonus from the White Sox. Which is one of the highest signing bonues of an international player. Yoenis has a similar swing to his brother only with quicker bat speed, that some say is explosive. The scouts think Yoelki will be a 5 tool player when he arrives to big league stadium in your neighborhood.

THE NEW LENNY AND SQUIGGY TEAM ON SOX

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Len Casper is bolting the Chicago Cubs television booth to join the White Sox radio booth. Len Casper has been the play by play guy for the Chicago Cubs the last 16 seasons in which he called all the games when the Cubs did the unthinkable winning the World Series in 2016. The White Sox will be moving to ESPN 1000 on the local radio dial and team up with former Cub & White Sox player, Darren Jackson, who has just come to his 13th year on Sox radio. Jackson has been with the White Sox organization for 22 years total and once upon a time ago did the White Sox TV broadcasting with Ken “the Hawk” Harrelson. Last year Jackson partnered with Andy Massour who was hired to fill in for his long time partner Ed Farmer who passed away.

Casper’s reasoning to do radio instead of television is because it has that old school feeling of describing the game to the audience each play and painting the picture throughout the broadcast. It brings Casper fond memories of his father listening to games on the radio with him when baseball became his passion as a youngster. Casper can also fill in for guys like Steve Stone and Jason Benetti on the TV broadcast. Stone misses games during the regular season for Jewish Holidays. While Benetti calls College sports games for ESPN and the MLB playoffs on the radio.

RODON RETURNING TO THE SOUTHSIDE

Left Handed pitchers get more lives than cats, who they say have 9. The return of a South Paw to the Southside as the White Sox welcome back Carlos Rodon. It’s only a one year deal worth 3 Million dollars as the White Sox will give Carlos another shot in the rotation. Rodon was selected number 3 in the 2014 Amateur draft by the White Sox. Carlos Rodon is that bird that can’t fly by himself. That teenager who leaves the nest but comes right back. Rodon has dealt with many injuries during his 6 years on the Southside. You think Rodon will finally have that year with no injuries and then something happens and it’s back to the drawing board with him. White Sox declined Rodon’s option in November but bring him back to the nest to fly fly again.

Carlos Rodon is only 28 years old. Rodon’s best season was his very first season in the league in 2015. Rodon went 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA in 23 starts. In 2016, Rodon made 28 starts and matched his win total from the year before with 9 but had 10 losses and higher ERA of 4.04. Rodon has only made 20 or more starts 3 out of the 6 years he played in the league. Last season was bad for Carlos Rodon. Rodon was expected back in July, coming off Tommy John surgery after the 2019 season. In 4 appearances Rodon went 0-2 with a 8.22 ERA. Rodon had some shoulder soreness as well. In 2017, Rodon only made 12 starts as he dealt with bursitis in the shoulder and left biceps. Career numbers for Rodon he has a 29-33 record with 4.14 ERA.

Last season White Sox thought they had enough starting pitching and by the time playoffs came and went, they only had two good options. Game three versus Oakland, the decidee of that series, saw a bullpen day occur and it was not good. Oakland moved on and the young White Sox team’s first experience in post season was rather quick. White Sox starting rotation locks are Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and Dallas Keuchal. The final two spots are up for grabs. I thought the White Sox should add like a Trevor Bauer to the mix and make their rotation one of the best in the league. The final two spot options for the White Sox are Reynaldo Lopez who was just horrible last year. Lopez is either on or off with nothing in the middle. Dylan Cease should take one of those spots. The youngster has some good stuff but regressed late in a shortened season due to Covid. Then Michael Kopech is a wild card. Kopech opted out last year due to the virus. Kopech also was coming off Tommy John surgery so he had more time to heal. Kopech how much will be asked of him? Kopech stuff is electric with a wicked fast ball. Then Carlos Rodon, whose injuries follow him like a dark cloud. White Sox have options. Are they options that will pan off? I like to feel more secure on my rotation than hope and pray the options can get through a long season and playoffs. Love to see Carlos Rodon do really well in a White Sox uniform. When he is healthy he has some flashes of being a quality pitcher. Like having depth. Overall, I think White Sox are being cheap as they have other options out there to make this thing for real. Make this team a scary team if they went out and add another reliable arm instead of budget buying.

NO SOUP FOR YOU

The last time the Baseball Hall of Fame did not elect a player into Cooperstown was in 2013. Eight years later to present day, the baseball hall for the 9th time in it’s history has failed to induct one player. The closest player, pitcher Curt Schilling, who had a 71.1 % of the vote. You need 75% of the vote and Schilling fell 16 votes shy of getting in. Other years the Hall of Fame came up empty was in 1945, 1946, 1958, 1960, 1971 and in 2013 now 2021.

In 2013, guys improved their own standing as their votes went up and eventually got in years later. Craig Biggio was the leading vote getter who had 68% of the vote. Biggio finally gets in with the 2015 class since the 2014 class was stacked with guys getting in on their first appearance on the ballot. Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.

Other guys on that 2013 ballot that were on the rise were Biggio’s teammate Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Mike Piazza. All of them made it in years later.

In 2022, imagine it would be the year of the blood sock story with Curt Schilling getting the nod finally. Could Roger Clemons and Barry Bonds get in next year on their last year on the ballot? Bonds had 61.8 % of the vote and Clemons had 61.6% of the vote. If either Clemons or Bonds gets in next year, would that be like opening up the pandora box?

The 2020 class was cancelled due to the pandemic. Without any players entering this year, the Baseball Hall does not miss a beat and just does ceremonies as usual which would include last year’s class. The 2020 class features Derel Jeter, Larry Walker and Ted Simmons.

Also, a part of the 2020 class is labor leader, Marvin Miller.

BLACK BEARD IS SAILING TO CUBBIE LAND

The Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates will have a different rotation landscape this upcoming season. For the Chicago Cubs they have let Tyler Chatwood , Jose Quintana and Jon Lester walk away. The Cubs traded their ACE from last season as Yu Darvish is heading to the beaches of San Diego. Cubs did get veteran Zach Davies in return with the Darvish trade. The rotation is a little thin with Zach Davies, Alec Mills and Kyle Hendricks. The Cubs add Trevor Williams to the rotation. He’s the former Pirate who was designated for assignment in November. Pirates rotation will be totally different as they let Williams walk away. The Pirates also traded away Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon this off-season. Cubs ink the 29 year old right-hander, Williams, to a one year deal worth 2.5 million.

Trevor Williams had a bad day at the office, the entire 2020 season. Williams had a 2-8 record with a skyscraper sized ERA of 6.18 in 11 starts for the Pirates last season. Williams’ best season he pitched in his 4 year career all with Pittsburgh was in 2018, when he went 14-10 with a 3.11 ERA. Lifetime, Williams has 31-37 record with a 4.43 ERA. Sometimes things could be meant to be as Williams’ father was an usher at Wrigley Field and grew up in Chicago in his younger days. Once, Mr. Williams cut school to watch Ernie Banks hit his 500th Home run. Pirates are in full rebuild so a new scene for Trevor may be perfect timing in his baseball career. Not sure what the Cubs plan is, as they continue to pick at the dollar bin to shape their roster. It’s a skeleton roster of their 2016 World Series team. They might just be in a holding pattern for the time being to see what happens next in what direction this organization will go.

RAMOS BECOMES THE TIGERS VERSION OF CRASH DAVIS

Last season, the catcher position was a weakness for the Detroit Tigers. In rebuild, most of the positions are pretty bad. Tigers had Austin Romine, Jake Rogers and Grayson Greiner who could not hit a lick even if they had the big red whiffle bat in their hands. Tigers have some nice young pitchers assembled. To get the best out of your young arms, every team needs their own Crash Davis. Wilson Ramos will be that guy. A guy that can call a good game and swing the bat as well. Ramos comes cheap and has a one year deal worth two 2 Million dollars with the Tigers.

The 33 year old back stop, Ramos, will be playing for his sixth team in 11 years in the bigs. Ramos is mostly remembered for a year as a National, as he has played in Washington most of his career. Ramos has bounced around and has played for the Rays, Twins, Phillies and last season with the Mets. Ramos is a two time all-star, in 2016 for the Nationals and then again in 2018 with the Rays. Last season for the Mets, Ramos had .239 batting average with 5 home runs and drove in 15. Before last season, Ramos had seven straight years with double digit in home run tallies. Ramos has 128 career home runs in his career. Tigers signed veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman earlier this off season and still have Miguel Cabrera. Then with the young arms and other position prospects the Tigers have assembled, Detroit fans have some reasons to watch their team in 2021. Maybe Ramos becomes a fixture to end his career in Detroit and help the rebuild get off the ground, especially with the young staff. Ramos could be a guy the team can flip at the trade deadline if teams need a veteran catcher for the playoff run.

CUBS ADD SOME JOC SUPPORT

Joc Pederson is coming to Chicago. It’s not the Southside where Pederson has been linked to the White Sox in trades with the Dodgers for years. Pederson will be taking his talents to the Northside of town as he gets a one year deal worth 7 Million dollars and will be wearing Cubbie Blue instead of Dodger blue. White Sox did offer Pederson a one year deal worth ten million but Jockstrap turned them down. That was early on as Pederson misread the market, so he settles for the second team in Chicago. White Sox moved on and brought in Adam Eaton, which is the better option and a player who could do more than a Joc Pederson.

The Cubs have not done much this off-season. The Joc Pederson signing is the team’s biggest move of the off-season. The Pederson signing is a cheaper version of Kyle Schwarber, who the Cubs nontendered and he signed with the Nationals. Pederson is a 28 year old left handed slugger who lives by the home run and dies by the strikeout. Pederson hits for a low average and can’t hit lefties. Last season, Pederson hit .190 with 7 Home runs and 16 RBI’S for the Dodgers in regular season. In post season, Pederson found his stroke and hit 3 long balls with a batting average of .382, helping the Dodgers win the World Series. Pederson has played his entire career in LA, during which he was an all-star in 2015. Pederson’s career numbers in seven years in the MLB has a batting average of .230 with 130 long balls driving in 303. Pederson also has 609 strikeouts. The Cubs outfield features Pederson in left, Ian Happ in Center and Jason Heyward in right. The Cubs may be looking at some more dollar bin items before Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training.

INDIANS ADD SOME SCALP TO THEIR TOMAHAWKS

Cleveland finally added some fire power to their everyday line up. A line up gutted with the trade of Francisco Lindor to the Mets. Then losing Carlos Santana through free agency to the Royals. The Indians pitching staff from top to bottom is stellar. The everyday line up looked weak and you wonder how they would even score runs during this 2021 season. Indians sign former Minnesota Twins Left Fielder Eddie Rosario to a one year deal worth 8 Million dollars. The 29 year old slugger Rosario played his entire career in Minnesota which is six seasons. The Twins declined Rosario’s option, making the power hitter a free agent in December.

Not sure exactly what the Twins are thinking letting go of a talented player like Rosario. Last season Rosario hit 13 home runs while driving in 42 with a batting average of .257. Rosario’s career numbers are pretty good. In six seasons for the Twins, he has a life-time batting average of.277 with 119 long balls and driving in 388. Rosario was part of the Twins’ deadly offensive attack that loved to hit the long ball. As a team, the Twins were oneof the top teams to hit the ball out of the ball park. For the Indians, this last minute shopping is part of trying to fatten up the everyday line up which has been sticks with hardly any stone to it. Indians add a left handed slugging outfielder for the first time since the team had Grady Sizmore playing Centerfield for the Tribe. Plus, if you can’t beat them let them join you as the Indians could not get Rosario out when he was on the Twins. Rosario has 22 career home runs versus Cleveland. This is a nice addition for the Indians who could flip him in at the trade deadline, if the Indians fall on hard times during the season. It’s only a one year deal as well, if things do not work out.

REMEMBERING DON

2020 was a horrible year for the passing of multiple baseball hall of famers. Six iconic players enshrined in Cooperstown were taken away from the world and are playing baseball now for skipper John the Baptist in the heavens. Hopefully 2021 does not follow the same trend as 2020, as we already lost a Hall of Fame pitcher in the first month of the new year. Don Sutton passed away at the age of 75. Sutton brought life to the game of baseball on and off the field as a player and a broadcaster. Sutton was a guy that baseball was his entire life as he was a fixture for so long and too so many people.

On the field Don Sutton was a Dodger since the team drafted him and he played 16 out of 23 seasons with the LA Dodgers. Sutton would play for other ball clubs and would make an lasting impression with each team. Sutton played for the Astros, Brewers, Atletics, and Angels to do a full circle and end his playing days with the team that drafted him, the Dodgers. Off the field Don Sutton was the voice for the Atlanta Braves for 28 seasons which is an entire generation of fans that listen to every word Sutton said about their team in every game he was their broadcaster. Sutton had the great head of hair for the television and he entertained you every game. Sutton was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2002 but did not miss a beat from his broadcasting duties. That includes having his left kidney and part of his lung removed. Eventually a fractured left femur ended his broadcasting days. I remember seeing Braves games on TBS and watching and listening to Don Sutton do those broadcasts. He gave some great insight about the game and the team. It was not about him it was about the Atlanta Braves which you think he pitched for them for 20 years.

Don Sutton’s accomplishments on the field started from day one. Sutton did only one season in the minors, and then joins a pitching staff that features Sandy Freaking Koufax and Don Drysdale. I remember Drysdale as a announcer with Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson on my small television set in the early 1980’s, watching my White Sox

Sutton would make his own niche for the Dodgers as he still owns the franchise in wins with 233 of those and strike outs with 2,696. Sutton went on to win 324 games at the MLB level. Sutton never missed a start as he had 756 of those in his career. Only Cy Young and Nolan Ryan have made more starts than Don Sutton. Sutton is also 7th all-time in baseball history in strike outs and Innings pitched.

Don Sutton on the mound was all about location, location, and location because like owning a store… it needs a good location. Sutton was all business on the pitching rubber as he changed speeds and baffled hitters for 23 years. Sutton’s baseball resume includes one 20 game winning season. Sutton earned 10 or more victories in each season he pitched except for two. Sutton threw 58 shutouts. Five one hitters. Ten 2 hitters.

Sutton helped the Brewers win their only pennant in 1982. Brewers would lose to the Cardinals in the World Series which went the distance. Don Sutton came to Milwaukee in a trade at the deadline in 1982 and helped the Brewers get to the playoffs and beyond. Sutton would pitch two of those games in the World Series for the Brew Crew.

Sutton played with guys like Robin Yount, Rollie Fingers, and Ted Simmons who played on that very talented Brewer team in 1982. The Houston Astros traded Don Sutton that year to the Brewers

Astros got a nice return for Sutton as Kevin Bass came from the Brewers and was a fixture for the Astros in the outfield for a long time. When Don Sutton was with the California Angels at the time, the team changed their first name many times since then. Sutton did a cameo for the show Fantasy Island.

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In 1988 Don Sutton did the full circle and played where he started with the Dodgers. That was the year Don Sutton was part of a World Series winning team, his only ring he would get in his magnificent career. In 16 starts that year, Sutton went 3-6 with 3.92 ERA as he walked off into the sunset at 43 years of age. Then a season after he would start his broadcasting career. To start his career with guys like Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Then end his career with guys like Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela.

Then to be a part of that World Series with the Dodgers where Kirk Gibson hit that magical home run coming off the bench hurt in a pinch hitting role.

Don Sutton has definitely seen a lot as a player and a broadcaster. Sutton will always be a part of baseball history in so many ways. A class act guy. A guy who will be missed in America’s past time.

PIRATES SEND THE DEATH STAR A BROKEN BOTTLE OF JAMESON

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue their tear down with another trade. The Pirates net another 4 prospects for their second starting pitcher they have dealt in the last few weeks. This time Pirates send their broken bottle of Jameson Taillon to the New York Yankees for for two pitchers, and two position players. Last time Jameson Taillon pitched for the Pirates was in 2019. the 29 year old right-hander is coming off his second Tommy John surgery in his career and missed the entire 2020 season. Pirates get a pair of arms in Miguel Yajure, a 22 year old from Venezulela, and 21 year old Roansy Contreras from the Dominican Republic. Then a promising outfielder from Texas, Canaan Smith, who is 21 years old. The final piece IS another kid from the Dominican Republic who is only 18 years old and aN infielder.

Yankees HAVE been busy revamping their starting rotation and will be hoping guys like Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon can rebound from their injuries last season. Taillon was the second overall pick in the draft in 2011, selected by the Pirates. When Jameson Taillon is healthy he has some good stuff. In 2018, Taillon won 14 games in his best season of his career. As for Jameson Taillon’s career numbers, in 82 starts he has made has 29-24 record with a respectable 3.67 ERA. Too many injuries in his 4 year career have prevented him from pitching, but he continues to peel himself off the mat and get back up. Two Tommy John Surgeries, a hernia issue, and fighting testicular cancer have not stopped his career. The Big Apple loves guys that can prevail facing sticky situations. Jameson Taillon will be reunited with his former teammate, pitcher Gerrit Cole.

Pitcher Miguel Yajure is the only prospect the Pirates are getting that has any MLB experience. Last season Yajure pitched 7 innings from the Yankee bullpen and had a low 1.29 ERA in his first experience in the big leagues. Yajure was a starter in the minor leagues so the Pirates may be inserting him in their starting rotation. Roansy Contreras was the number 8 Prospect the Yankees had in their system after the 2019 season. Infielder Maikol Escotto made his Yankee debut in 2019 which was the Dominican Summer league where he did hit a promising .315 in average. The Texan outfielder was the 21st Yankee prospect and in 3 seasons in the minor leagues, has tallied up 50 doubles and 19 triples.

In three trades since Christmas, the Pirates have netted 10 prospects. Josh Bell landed two prospects from Washington. Then the Pirates in the deal with the Padres and the Mets received 4 prospects for starter Joe Musgrove. Then this Jameson Taillon trade with the Yankees means they landed 4 more prospects for a guy that has been mostly hurt in his career ,but very productive when he did play. Depends what prospects pan out, but if the guys they got back in the Yankees deal produce then that will be Ben Cherington’s finest trade because of Jameson’s injury. Even the Musgrove deal could be the best deal just because they got so many prospects back for a guy who would not be the number 1 or 2 guy in most of the starting rotations throughout the league. Josh Bell’s bad 2020 season did not help his trade value this off season. After the 2019 season, he may have gotten the team way more. Could Adam Frazier be the next Pirate to walk the plank and be traded away in an empty treasure chest? The Rebuild now has been shifted to full throttle.

RACK-EM UP ANOTHER TWIN KILLING

I remember when the White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, compared the Minnesota Twins to Piranhas. Fish with teeth that keep ripping flesh from your bones during a nine inning game. All this until you eventually can’t take it any more and take the loss. The Twins played those days in the dome and they were built for their dome. Great defense and speed. Contact hitting they had all the little bites in baseball. The Twins have been very quiet this off season. They signed veteran JA Happ for their rotation. A very interesting move now, Piranha-like since they just inked a 4 time gold glove to a one year deal. Former Angel & Brave, Andrelton Simmons is coming to the Twin Cities on a one year deal worth 10.5 Million.

The 31 year short stop, Andrelton Simmons, gives the Minneosta Twins somethingimpressive up the middle defense. Twins should be sliding Jorge Polanco from short to second base. They already have Bryon Buxton in Centerfield, who can get to the ball with the best in the league. Simmons is one of the best short stop defenders in the league. Plus his bat is improving with age. Last season, Simmons hit .297 in 118 at-bats as he dealt with an ankle injury that sidelined him for a few weeks. Simmons is a scrappy hitter, hard to strike out, and gets the bat on the ball… very piranha like. Simmons has 67 home runs to his credit so he can knock about ten balls out of the park during a full season. Twins have been more about power hitting the last few years as they been one of the top teams in the league the last few seasons. Those seasons spent knocking the ball out of the park. Home runs may not get your team out of the first round of the playoffs, which has been the Twins’ problem over the last few seasons after winning the division. Adding defense and pitching may be the plan to get the Twins deeper in the post-season. The team should be able to rack up many Twin killings with Simmons and Polanco.

SEMIEN ADDED TO TORONTO’S BIRD HOUSE

When I hear the name Marcus Semien, I think of another White Sox trade gone bad. It was 2014 and the White Sox had an aggressive off-season which did not work out. The White Sox sent Marcus Semien, Catcher Josh Phegley, and pitcher Chris Bassitt to Oakland for starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija. The brain trust were thinking the rotation that featured Chris Sale, Jand ose Quintana with Jeff Samardzija would be the start of good things to come on the Southside. In 2015, Samardzija went 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA. White Sox only had Jeff Samardzija for a year and gave away multiple players. Chris Bassitt beat the White Sox in the wild card series just a few months back. Marcus Semien finished third in the MVP voting in 2019. Giving up so many players for a one year bust is why bad baseball has been played on the Southside for years. I’m sure the White Sox had other options over Samardzija that year. Ones where they did not have to pay a king’s ransom for a guy whose record is 26 games below 500 with a career 80-106 in 13 years of average. Meanwhile Semien is headed to Toronto and leaving the Bay Area where he played six seasons for the Athletics.

The Blue Jays sign the 30 year old short stop, Marcus Semien, to a one year deal worth 18 Million dollars. Semien may have not been able to land a multiple year contract because of the down season he had last year. Semien played in 52 games during which he saw his batting average drop to .223. He did hit seven home runs and drove in 23. In 2019, Semien’s average was .285. Does Semien get a hall pass in a pandemic year where he saw a drop of multiple points? Toronto is hoping Semien can find that 2019 form where he knocked 33 balls into the seats while driving in 92 as he played in all 162 games. Semien finished third that year in MVP voting. Semien has improved year to year except for last season. His defense improved playing short stop and some third base his entire career, but he is not the top tier in the league in defense. Semien has done better not striking out, but has racked up 731 of them so far in his career. Semien’s lifetime batting average is .254 with 115 Home runs and 380 RBI’S.

Blue Jays were third in the AL East last season and made the playoffs in 2020 playing in Buffalo. The expansion of post season got them in. The last few weeks the Blue Jays have been like vultures picking at the leftovers in the free agent pool. They plucked a big fish in outfielder & former Astro, George Springer. The Jays also added former Padres reliever Kirby Yates to the mix recently to help their bullpen. Semien is expected to move from short stop to second base this season, which will give him shorter throws and less to worry about on defense. Semien joins a young core of position players with loads of talent to give this everyday line up the Jays have, a pitcher’s nightmare. Young Guys like Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with George Springer, and now Marcus Semien is a good balance of power plus speed. This is a good move for the Blue Jays because why not… Semien is out there. Plus Semien is ok moving to second base so you can fit him in. Plus, it’s a “prove it” deal for Semien where he can help you this season and you can find a replacement next year if he does not fit the mix or wants too much money.

THE RETURN OF RYAN ZIMMERMAN

The Washington Nationals bring back the face of the franchise with the re-signing of Ryan Zimmerman. The 36 year old first baseman opted out of his contract last season due to the Corona Virus. Before last season, Zimmerman played his entire career with the Nationals. That has been 15 seasons as he was drafted in the 2005 amateur draft, right when Washington moved from Montreal. The Nationals have nothing to lose with the deal which is only a one year commitment for one season worth 1 Million with some incentives included.

Ryan Zimmerman was part of the 2019 team that won the World Series. Zimmerman only played in 52 regular season games in 2019. He batted .257 knocking 6 balls into the seats and driving in 27. Zimmerman has dealt with multiple injuries over the years which is why he once played the hot corner and then the team moved him to first base. So where will Zimmerman play in 2021? Nationals brought in Josh Bell in a trade with the Pirates, who plays first base. If the universal DH sticks in the National League ,you could have Bell and Zimmerman rotate from the DH slot and First base. Zimmerman could easily find himself coming off the bench or in a pinch hitting role, if the DH is eliminated in the NL.

Sometimes a year off could help somebody physically and mentally. Besides the Corona virus scare, taking a year off meant Zimmerman’s body got a chance to heal up. Plus the year off will get Zimmerman’s baseball juices flowing as he probably missed the game. If Zimmerman still can swing the bat, they have a guy who can be clutch in big situations like he has in the past. Zimmerman was a 2 time All-star and has 1,784 hits in the majors. Zimmerman has hit 270 long balls while driving in 1,015 and hitting a respectable .279 for his career. Zimmerman is a fan favorite. Plus Zimmerman is a good clubhouse guy and a good baseball player to have on your roster with tons of experience. Love the fact it will be his 16th year in the league and he’s still playing on the same team which is very rare these days.

THE BUCCOS COLLECT A NICE BOUNTY FOR MUSGROVE’S HEAD

The Pirates rebuild finally hit pay load as they land a nice haul of five players for Joe Musgrove. It took a three team deal as Ben Cherington swung and made by far his best trade since taking over the Pirates as GM. Joe Musgrove will head home to San Diego. The Mets get southpaw pitcher Joey Lucchesi from the Padres. Mets send Catcher prospect Endy Rodriguez to the Pirates. While the Pirates also net 4 interesting prospects from the Padres making this 3 team 7 player deal happen.

Let’s start with the Mets. They get a young southpaw pitcher with Major League experience that may need some fine tuning. Last season Joey Lucchesi only pitched in 3 games and only tallied up 5.2 IP with a 0-1 record. Lucchesi does have two full big league years under his belt as a starter. In 2018, Lucchesi’s first season, he had an 8-9 record with his lowest career ERA at 4.08. In 2019, Lucchesi won ten games with a 10-10 record during which his ERA went ten points higher at 4.18. For the Mets, the thought process is you added a guy to your starting rotaion who could be the number 4 or 5. Mets only gave away a catcher prospect, and with the right seasoning they could have a young starter for years to come who is a left hander.

The Padres obviously are going for it all this season. They have traded away a ton of prospects this off-season as the farm has to be at the bare minimum at this point.

Padres have revamped their starting pitching staff this off-season. The team has traded away 12 prospects and two pitchers from their rotation from last season, in Zack Davies and Joey Lucchessi. Now the Padres have Yu Darvish, Brandon Snell and a Joe Musgrove to their starting staff. Plus, the leftovers from last year’s starting staff.

Out of the Pirates haul, the biggest attraction is outfielder Hudson Head. Head was the 7th best Padre prospect down on the farm. Head was third round draft pick in 2019 of the Padres. Some say Head should have been drafted in the first round that year. Head is projected to be a 5 tool player who can play Centerfield. Quick bat speed which lets him hit for both power and average. Plus, Head has speed and the power arm.

Omar Cruz was signed by the Padres in 2017 from Mexico. Cruz is 22 years old and has a fast ball projected in the low 90’s. Cruz also throws a curve ball with a change up. Cruz was making strides in the minor league levels. Interesting stat for Cruz is he pitched over 100 Innings and has allowed only 1 home run. David Bednar is coming home to Pittsburgh where the right handed pitcher is a native from Steeltown. Bednar has a flame thrower fast ball that gets into the high 90’s. Bednar can get strike outs as 33% of batters he faces and he rings them up. Bednar could find his way on the Major League roster this season for the Pirates. Bednar has had a cup of coffee so far in few appearances on the big league roster for the Padres.

Pirates also get another 22 year old right handed pitcher in Drake Fellows. Fellows was also a 2019 pick by the Padres. Fellows is out of Vanderbilt University ,and the MLB Pipeline had him the 152nd best prospect in the 2019th draft. The final piece is a catcher from the New York Mets, Endy Rodriguez. Rodriguez is projected to be a prospect on the rise according to Baseball America. The Pirates like the way he plays the catcher position, as he shows off that he is very Athletic as he moves like a cat back there.

It took the Pirates rebuild awhile to get off the ground as the Pirates did some house cleaning with the front office and the pervious coaching staff. You could say Joe Musgrove was the Pirates ACE of the staff. The Pirates had many injuries, and were just a bad team with a dormant offense last season. Musgrove’s record in 5 years with the Astros and the Pirates is below 500 with 29-38, with a high ERA at 4.33. Musgrove has not had one season where he won more games than lost. In 2016, his first season in the bigs, he went 4-4. Many believe in the trade of Gerrit Cole, the Pirates did not get back enough in return for that deal with Houston. For Ben Cherington to flip Musgrove for 5 players, makes that Cole deal easier to handle years later. The Pirates got more for Musgrove who is a number 3 or 4 on most rotations, than they got for slugger Josh Bell and outfielder Sterling Marte. Now let’s hope some of these pieces become fixtures in the Pirates organization for years to come while winning many games in the future.

TWIN’S OFFICIAL GROUND HOG’S DAY IS OLD AND LEFTY

Seems like the Minnesota Twins at this time of the year are living out the same day. Last off-season, the Twins addressed their starting rotation with the signing of 40 year old left hander, Rich Hill. Hill was dealing with an injury that projected him a return in the middle of the season, at the time. With Covid delaying the season, Rich Hill’s timetable of recovery was dead on. Hill did OK with a 2-2 record in 8 starts and had a 3.03 ERA. This year the Twins go a tad younger with the signing of left hander J.A. Happ, who is only 38 years old. It’s a one year deal worth 8 Million dollars.

Last season, Happ pitched for the Yankees where his stay there was short at 2 1/2 seasons. Happ’s record last season in 9 starts was the same as Rich Hill at 2-2. Hill had the better ERA than Happ as his was 3.47 for the 2020 season. Happ has been around 14 seasons in the MLB as the Twins will be his 7th team. Happ started with the Phillies. Then he moved onto the Astros with stops in Pittsburgh, Seattle, Toronto, and last year with the Evil Empire of baseball, the Yankees. Happ’s best days were in Canada as he went 20-4 for the Blue Jays in 2016. Then Happ was traded to the Yankees in 2018 where he went 7-0 for them down the stretch and finished the season with both teams and a 17-6 record. In 2019, Happ had 12-8 record with high 4.91 ERA.

Happ will join the Twins starting rotation which features Jose Berrios, Kenta Maeda, Michael Pineda and Randy Dobnak. Twins can insert Happ as the number 4 guy. This is a one year gamble by the Twins adding Happ to the mix like last season adding Hill. Happ should be productive, but he is an aging arm with a wishy washy track record. The year after Happ won 20 games for the Blue Jays, he followed that up with a 10-11 record. Yankees did not re-sign him for a reason. Twins have been very quiet this off-season. They still have not worked out a deal with their aging slugger, DH Nelson Cruz, who made that Twins line up explosive. Twins won the AL Central last season yet again which resulted in another early exit out of the playoffs. This time it was the Astros, not the Yankees. White Sox are the objects in the mirror that seem closer than they appear in this Twins ride. The young superstars are rising in Chicago while off-season additions have to be making Minnesota a little nervous about their future.

WHITE SOX NEED TO GO 24 ON THE LEAGUE

Pitching wins playoff games. The White Sox lacked pitching down the stretch, last season. Not in the bullpen, which was very solid. Starting pitching became a problem when the White Sox were first to clinch a playoff berth in the American League, but fell to the seventh seed. In the first round versus the Athletics, Lucas Giolito came up big for the White Sox in game one of the three game series and got the win. In game two, Athletics beat game two starter for the White Sox Dallas Keuchal. Was a bad time for Dallas to have his worst game of the year. In game three, we remember bullpen day which is still branded in our minds. White Sox did not have a trustworthy third starter. This off-season so far, the White Sox traded for Lance Lynn from Texas and he is a very nice piece to have in the rotation. From 1 through 3 not bad, but one more piece and one more arm could print those World Series tickets. That piece is Trevor Bauer, so now you have your complete CTU. You would have the best strike team and Counter any Terrorist from any Unit in baseball.

Can you imagine your number one now being Trevor Bauer? Your number two can still be Dallas Keuchal, a lefty in the middle to break up the righties. Then number three, Lucas Giolito who has been the White Sox ACE the last few seasons. Then Lance Lynn at number 4. Your fifth, you have three options. The young Dylan Cease who has shown some flashes that he could be a future piece in the rotation. Do you trust Reynaldo Lopez? Can he be fixed? The best would be another young power arm in Michael Kopech, who opted out last season due to the Covid virus. Kopech taking a year off does not bother me because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Now with the addition of Trevor Bauer, you could slowly bring Michael Kopech along and not rush him throughout the 2021 season. Plus you have two extra pitchers that can jump into the rotation if anybody gets hurt or needs to be skipped in the rotation from wear and tear.

By signing Trevor Bauer then next year, if Lance Lynn is not to your satisfaction you can go your separate ways since he only has one year left on his contract. With both Bauer and Lynn added to this year rotation, do you dare compare it to that awesome rotation of 2005? Yes, I’m going down that road.

Mark Buehrle, Sweaty Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland and Jose Contreras – 4 complete games in a row in the playoffs that nobody will ever do again. If the White Sox added Bauer, it would be a similar staff to the 2005 staff. Dallas Keuchal and Mark Buehrle are your two lefties. Jon Garland and Lucas Giolito, your two young right handers of the staff. Now you can say Contreras and Lynn with their chunkiness. Then Bauer and Garcia with filthy stuff. The number 5 in 2005 was EL-Duque Orlando Hernandez. He was best remembered for the inning in the Boston series during the very first round of the playoffs. He came in as a reliever with bases juiced and got out of the inning with no outs when he entered. The jury still will be out regarding who would play EL-Duque in 2021.

I did not think the White Sox would march through regular season in 2005 and go all the way and win the entire thing. Been a White Sox fan all my life and I know the White Sox will not ante up for a guy like Trevor Bauer who will demand a shit ton of money and years. Jerry Reinsdorf, the chairman of the White Sox, does not like giving pitchers big contracts. It’s like U.S Presidents not dealing into the demands of terrorists. You could question Bauer’s character. However Bauer and Tim Anderson, on the same team, with both their love and antics for the game of baseball would be awesome. How many bat flips and U-Tube videos would surface between the two? It would be nice to get an X Indian player still in his prime. Sure you can say Albert Belle, but he broke down quickly after his White Sox stint. Jim Thome was awesome but was not the player from his Indian Hey day. Trevor Bauer addition gets you past the Twins and beyond. Does not help that Bauer might have a chip on his shoulder versus his former team the Indians who jumped ahead of you at the end of regular season and got a better seed in the playoffs. It would take about 24 hours to draw up a contract and revive the series at the same time, as Trevor Bauer saves the White Sox every season from nuclear disaster.

BLUE JAYS NO LONGER A JERRY SPRINGER ACT

Blue Jays make a statement and land one of the biggest free agents on the open market. It takes the largest contract ever offered in Toronto history to sign former Astro, George Springer, especially with the New York Mets getting in on the bidding of the 31 year old center fielder. Springer, a 7 year veteran all with the Houston Astros, will get a six year deal worth 150 Million dollars, as all the drinks will be on him. The Toronto Blue Jays who played in Buffalo last season did make the playoffs last season with the expanding of post-season. Last off season they addressed their pitching staff with some nice pieces in the free agent market to add to their core of young position players of whom some will be potential super stars. Adding Springer gives them a guy who played in post season and is one of the best lead off hitters in the game right now.

George Springer debuted in Houston in 2014 for the Astros. Spark plug with power, without the stolen bases you could compare him to a Rickey Henderson who knocked 297 balls into the seats. Henderson used his power in the very first at-bat of the very first inning and hit 81 balls for home runs in his entire career.

George Springer in seven seasons has 39 home runs already in his career hit in very first at-bat in the first inning. Those 39 dingers in the first inning by Springer are good for 4th all-time in American League history. As a leadoff hitter since 2014, Springer is second in home runs with 136 among all table setters. Springer is third in RBI’S with 352 during that span. Blue Jays get a solid defender in the outfield. Plus, Springer is a three time all-star.

The Toronto Blue Jays should be called the Sons of Anarchy. Not because they are from a biker gang causing mayhem. Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are sons of fathers who played in the MLB and can use the bat like Anarchy on the baseball field. Blue Jays got a sniff of the playoffs last season as they clinched the 8th seed in the expanding 2020 post season. Jays were knocked out by the Rays in the first round. Adding George Springer gives them a guy among these young and up and coming super stars that knows October very well with his days in Houston. Springer was World Series MVP in 2017. Which your thinking should be followed by astrisks. Last Season Springer had 4 post season bombs in post season. Springer has tallied 19 post season home runs which is good for 4th all-time. Springer post season credits also have him sixth all-time in slugging percentage .546, 7th in extra bases with 34, and tied for 14th in runs scored with 43. This move bringing in George Spinger, the Blue Jays want to be a regular team in the post season for years to come. Plus this move makes the Jays line up quite dangerous and perhaps has visions to knock off the Evil Empire Yankees off their orbit path of the AL East. Today is a good day in Toronto or should I say Buffalo.

QUINTANA RECEIVES HIS WINGS

Jose Quintana’s days in Chicago have come to an end for now as the 32 year left hander inks a one year deal with the LA Angels worth 8 Million dollars. Quintana still has the Chicago connection in his blood as he will reunite with his former manager Joe Maddon, who was the skipper for the Cubs and now has the same job with the Angels, in his second year in Hollywood. Quintana played for both Chicago teams as he started his career on the Southside of Chicago, and in a very rare trade was dealt to the Northside. After nine years in the city of Chicago, Quintana will have to find some boxes and perhaps hire a moving company as he heads West to try jump starting his career.

I’m surprised the White Sox did not try to re-sign Jose Quintana and add him to the 2021 starting rotation. Quintana was dealt because the White Sox were tearing things down and went into a full rebuild. Adam Eaton was one of those guys dealt, and the White Sox are having a reunion with him after he helped Washington win the World Series in 2019. Quintana, I thought, would be a good addition to the number 4 spot for the White Sox 2021 rotation. Quintana pitched six seasons for the White Sox and finished with a 50-54 record with 3.51 ERA. Quintana was a tough luck pitcher as his record could have been better, but never had the run support as he would leave pitching deep into games either leading by a run or the game tied. The bullpen blew some of his chances at wins. Quintana was an all-star in 2016 and was a solid trade chip that landed a pure thoroughbred stud slugger in Eloy Jimenez. A young starter who has been showing some nice flashes in Dylan Cease from the Cubs. Quintana might be remembered for what we got for us then; what he did on the Southside.

For the Cubs, getting Jose Quintana and trading away one of their top prospects at the time meant they were looking to repeat and win back to back World Series titles since they broke the drought in 2016. Some of these trades the Cubs did make, and those win-now mode signings were the down fall to the Chicago Cubs. This off-season, many of their guys from those teams have gone elsewhere and not resigned, including Jose Quintana. The Cubs are looking to go down another path right now, not taking on salary. Quintana went 7-3 down the stretch for the Cubs in 2017. Then Quintana’s ERA jumped up in 2018 and 2019 as he did win 13 games in each of those seasons to finish off his Cubs career at 33-23 with a 4.24 ERA. This is compared to the White Sox six seasons where he had a 3.51 ERA. Last year’s washing the dishes accident meant Quintana missed most of the short season for the Cubs as he pitched in only ten innings, made only one start. In 4 games, Quintana finished with a 4.50 ERA. Northside fans overall will be kind of disappointed in Quintana’s performances through his stint on the Northside. The fans will mostly remember what they gave away, so much, for his services. Eloy Jimenez playing on the Southside will be a daily reminder.

For the Angels, last season they had a starting rotation that was not very good under Joe Maddon’s first year there. Quintana gives Maddon, a guy he knows from his Cubs days. Quintana getting out of Chicago might be the best for him. Especially the 2020 year with the fluke injury at home with the pandemic in a shortened season its been a year with a hall pass. Quintana should have a chip on his shoulder to get back to his old form, especially with the Angels only giving him a one year deal. Quintana may have not had any more than one year deals offered to him. Quintana joins a younger staff and could be inserted in the 3rd or 4th spot. Depends on the health of Shohei Ohtani, but a two-way player could give the Angels a six man rotation. Which could be good or bad. Quintana picking the Angels and knowing Joe Maddon, he probably likes the familiarity with his old skipper which could help him have a nice comeback year from a miserable 2020 year most of us had.

THE CAPITAL IS TURNING CUBBIE BLUE

The Washington Nationals have been invaded by the Cubbie Blue. Started with the signing of a slugger, Kyle Schwarber. Then the goat made his presence known in the state capital. Will the Nasty Nats be jinxed by the goat? Not sure if Joe Biden is a Cubs fan, but the White House will change Presidents from red with a Raccoon’s tail hairdo to Old Man Blue.

Now the Nationals have added former Cub, Jon Lester to their starting rotation on a one year deal. Details have not been disclosed yet.

Jon Lester was, by far, the biggest free agent the Chicago Cubs have ever added. Lester turned into the face of the rebuild that helped get the Cubs their first World Series in over 100 years. It is the longest drought in baseball, and all sports, at the time in 2016. Lester helped slay the jinx of the goat in Chicago, which hung over the Wrigley Field for decades. Lester was signed to be the ace of the staff, take the ball in game one of the playoffs, and set the stage for each series. Lester in his career has always done great things in October. Lester won game 5 in the World Series, which was the turning point of that series in 2016, versus the Indians who were up 3 games to 1 at the time. Lester came back in game seven and pitched 3 more innings in relief to help the Cubs seal the deal. Lester has always been a big game pitcher as he helped Boston win two World Series titles. Lester pitched a no-hitter for the Red Sox in 2008. Lester made five All-Star games in his career. During six seasons on the north side, he went 77-44 with the Cubs with a 3.64 ERA. Lester is 7 wins away from 200 as he stands with a 193-111 record life time with a 3.60 ERA.

Besides teammate Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester will reunite with one of his former coaches. Manager of the Nationals and former Cubs bench manager, Dave Martinez. Lester’s last season started off very poor. Lester finished strong and evened his record at 3-3. The ERA ballooned to a career high 5.16 in a total of 12 starts. The Cubs were quickly dispatched out of the playoffs by the Miami Marlins sweeping them in round one, giving Lester no appearances in post-season. At 37, Jon Lester joins one of the best starting rotations in the game with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin. The Nationals will slide Lester in the number 4 spot, which will even make this rotation stronger. The Nationals won the World Series in 2019, and want to get back to the playoffs in a very tough NL East. Add a veteran arm that can take the ball every 5 days and do well in post-season. Lester made all of his starts last season on the Cubs, a team that lacked the offensive numbers. Nationals added Josh Bell from a trade with the Pirates and Kyle Schwarber to add more runs to the score board. Some savvy moves the Nationals have done bringing in some good character guys that still have lots to prove in their careers, and with post-season experience. I think Lester does not have that pressure to be the number one guy in Washington like he did in Chicago, so that can help him have a very productive season. Plus, it’s only a one year deal if it does not work out. If Lester can get the team 12 wins from the 4th spot in the rotation, all signs may tell you it will be a good baseball year in DC.

BLUE JAYS PERCH ON THE CHATWOOD BRANCH

In 2018, I thought the Chicago Cubs had a Rocky Mountain High when they signed former Rockie, Tyler Chatwood to a 3 year 38 Million guaranteed contract. Chatwood’s record was an abysmal 8-15 with a high 4.69 ERA in 2017. Cubs brain trust thought perhaps the Colorado air inflated Chatwood’s numbers. Bring him to Chicago Chatwood would do a total 360. Chatwood could spin the ball with the best of them as he has a high ceiling of potential, which comes with intrigue and that EGO of the teams pitching coach. They always think, “I can fix him”. In Chicago it was control problems and elbow issues which meant Tyler Chatwood could not hack being a starter most of the time. Chatwood would find himself most of the time in the Cubs bullpen during his time in Chicago. Blue Jays sign Chatwood for their bullpen in a one year deal worth 3 million dollars.

Blue Jays will be looking to get more production, than potential out of Chatwood. The 31 year old right hander is hoping a new place to pitch may help his career. Blue Jays could use Chatwood as a spot starter just in case injuries happen to any of their starting rotation. Last year in 5 starts with the Cubs, the numbers were not kind to Chatwood. Once again with an even record of 2-2 with a sky rocketing ERA of .530. Chatwood was sidelined in September with elbow issues. The Blue Jays will be Chatwood’s 4th team which started with the Angels move on to the Rockies after one season in a Halo’s uniform. Blue Jays, who were a playoff team last season, will hope Chatwood’s veteran presence could help anchor their bullpen. The Cubs hope Chatwood would anchor their starting rotation at the time, as they were a playoff team as well. Blue Jays will be throwing a Hail Mary pass in hopes Chatwood is due for a comeback type of season.

ARCH IS NO STARCH FOR THE PHILLIES

The Phillies added a bullpen piece agreeing to terms with 28 year old right-hander Archie Bradley, with a one year deal worth 6 Million dollars. Bradley split last season with the Diamondbacks and the Reds. Cincinnati needed a relief pitcher for the playoffs and traded 2 players away to land Bradley. Bradley pitched in six games during the regular season for the Reds and posted 1.17 ERA. Basically only giving up one run. For the entire season of 2020, Bradley’s numbers were solid with a 2-0 record in 16 games with six saves and a low 2.95 ERA. Bradley did surrender a run in post-season. The Reds decided not to tender him December 2nd, making Bradley a free agent.

The Phillies bullpen was horrific last season. Some say it may have been one of the worst performances by a group of relief pitchers in Phillies history. Archie Bradley came into the league as a starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Since going to the bullpen, Bradley has done very well with a 2.95 ERA since 2017. Bradley’s lifetime numbers in six seasons has a 23-25 record with a 3.91 ERA and 28 saves. The Phillies are adding a guy that can do multiple things. Bradley has done the closer and set up roles. Plus a guy that can stop the bleeding is what the Phillies could not do last season.

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR WHITE SOX, AND ADD A CLOSER

Last year’s closer for the Chicago White Sox, Alex Colome, finished out his contract and hit the streets as a free agent. Colome’s numbers last season wERE 12 saves in 21 games with a meager 0.81 ERA with a 2-0 record. Why wouldn’t you bring Colome back? Last two seasons, Colome has converted 42-46 save opportunities. A no-brainer, right? Not exactly!!! Instead, the White Sox go with the Aussie Liam Hendriks, who was born in Perth, Australia. Most of the baseball experts say Hendriks is the best relief pitcher on the market and the White Sox anted up with a guaranteed 54 Millions dollars. Hendriks, most of you remember, ended the White Sox post-season pitching for Oakland.He was seen striking out right fielder Nomar Mazara, in game three of the first round of post-season, sealing the deal for the Athletics. I guess you can say he ended Nomar Mazara’s career on the south side as well. I think Nomar did that himself.

The right hander, Liam Hendriks, will turn 32 this year and will be pitching for his 5th team in his Major League career. Hendriks came in as a starter for the Minnesota Twins. Hendriks has played for the Blue Jays and Royals before landing in Oakland, where he pitched the last 5 seasons with two of them as a closer. It took Hendriks over 8 years to find what he was actually great at, because he bounced around as a starter and a relief pitcher before closing the door on the game in the 9th inning. Last season, Hendriks earned himself the AL Reliever of the Year. Hendriks’ numbers were brilliant as he converted 14-15 save opportunities. Hendriks had a 3-1 record with a low 1.78 ERA. What the White Sox love about him, is the 37 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings pitched. In 2019, Hendriks’ numbers in full season were dynamite. Liam had the low ERA at 1.80 with 25 saves and the high strike out rate of 124 in 85 innings pitched. The Hendriks career numbers don’t tell the story of the last two seasons. His record all-time is 19-27 with a 4.10 ERA in 344 games 44 of them starts. Last two seasons, Hendriks has 40 saves being in the closer position.

The contract is a guaranteed 54 Million which when you break it down, it’s your typical White Sox math. The first three years is 39 out of the 54 Million. Then the team has an option on the 4th season. If Hendriks is in a White Sox uniform, he gets the 15 million, like always. If Hendriks is not in a White Sox uniform in his 4th season, he gets a 15 million dollar payment plan where his kids’ kids will be paid monthly or whatever. Remember when the White Sox tried all those payment plans and clauses with Manny Machado on their offer? It did not work as he took the guaranteed money yearly from San Diego.

Hendriks over Colome is like a horse race coming down to the finish and one winning by a nose. Colome gets more of his outs by the ground ball. Colome has been a closer much longer than Hendriks, and has a track record. I liked Alex Colome’s face when he pitched. Pitched angry like he needed a snickers bar.

Colome had the eye of the tiger. Or that Mike Singletery-look playing linebacker for the Bears. I think Colome would have been a cheaper deal to bring back. Hendriks I like, because he could pitch more than one inning if needed. The big strikeouts are huge as we saw Liam blow one by Nomar Mazara, which ended a young team;s hopes. They say if they beat you, let them join you. The jury will be out for awhile, at-least until the end of the regular season in 2021 to see who’s better: Colome or Hendriks. Colome has not signed with anyone yet, so he needs a team as well.

LISTEN TO THE MONEY TALK

When it comes to the Houston Astros these days, many people have a dislike for those sign stealing cheats. The LA Dodgers may have calmed their heat towards the Astros since winning the World Series in the 2020 season. I’m sure the Dodgers fans and players still have hate for what the Astros did to them in 2017. Cheated them out of a World Series. Money cures all hate as Astros sign former Dodger relief pitcher, Pedro Baez, to a two year deal worth about 12.5 Million with a club option for the third year.

Pedro Baez has only been a Dodger in his career and has been with the organization for 14 years. Baez came into the Dodger organization as a third baseman and eventually was converted into a pitcher. Last season the 33 year old right-hander had no record in 18 games with 3.18 ERA during the regular season for the Dodgers. Baez had 3.52 ERA in the post-season for the Dodgers as well, throwing 7 2/3 innings. Baez has 31 post season games under his belt in his career with the Dodgers. In 7 years in Dodger blue, Baez’s pitching record is 21-15 as he made 355 appearances out of the bullpen. Baez tallied up 356 Innings pitched striking out 369 with an ERA of 3.03.

Let’s face it, the Dodgers were not going to pay Baez a high price for his services. Baez is a nice piece to have in a bullpen, but Dodgers could spend that money elsewhere and find a cheaper alternative to take Pedro’s role next year. It kind of sucks if you’re a Dodger fan. You built this kid up, and made him into a pitcher because he had an arm and was not cutting the mustard at the hot corner. Then he thanks you, gets the walks out the door, and signs with public enemy number one. I guess Pedro Baez fought the power and is rewarded with a nice thicker bank roll. Meanwhile, the Astros goal was to sure up the bullpen this off season by adding Baez and weeks before they signed 29 year old Ryne Stanek to a one year deal worth 1.1 Million. Stanek played his entire career with both Florida teams. Last season, Stanek pitched with the Marlins and he didn’t have much action. He found himself on the Covid list and did not play for a few weeks in a shortened season. Astros will get back two bullpen pitchers that opted out because of the virus. Joe Smith and Ryan Pressly will be welcomed back with open arms, as the Astros’ hope they have assembled a pretty good back end of the rotation this off season.

THE KING OF THE KNUCKLE BALL

2020 has been a brutal year for most people throughout the world with the invasion of the pandemic. Cooperstown lost their 7th member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, a day after Christmas, in the passing of Phil Niekro the King of the Knuckleballers. The MLB have lost more of their family members of other players, and people associated with America’s past time that increases this number of deaths. Losing seven members is by far, the most in one year MLB has lost. Maybe the two World Wars you have to go back to for the highest numbers of MLB personnel and players lost in one season. Phil Niekro puts the final explanation mark on a year in the MLB where you want say FUCK!!!! Baseball might never see a dominating knuckle ball pitcher ever again. The MLB might never see two siblings in the same era that can throw the knuckleball like the Niekro Brothers. Yes, Phil had a younger brother, Joe Niekro, who died in 2006 with a brain aneurysm. The longevity and victories both these brothers had is very special and a fascinating story during their era.

A knuckle ball is a slow pitch which is rotationless. It dances at the plate and can just about do anything. Pitcher Tom Candiotti, a knuckle ball pitcher himself, became teammates with Phil Niekro in 1986. Candiotti said the way Phil talked about the knuckle ball, it was like chatting with Thomas Edison about the light bulb. Phil Niekro was a one pitch pitcher, the knuckleball which earned him the nickname “Knucksie”. However to earn his 300th victory on the last day of the season back in 1985 pitching for the Yankees, he threw other pitches to get through the last inning to show that he was a complete pitcher. That day he ended the game using the knuckleball, like the way he came into the league. Phil Niekro pitched for 24 seasons, most with the Braves from Milwaukee and Atlanta. Niekro had stints with the Yankees (obviously), Indians and Blue Jays. Phil Niekro piled up 318 wins in his career. Niekro logged in over 5,000 Innings pitched. To be exact 5,404 IP which only three pitchers in baseball history have more. Phil Niekro was a five time all-star who had 3 twenty game winning seasons. Niekro had 121 wins after 40 years of age as you can see knuckle ballers have longevity and avoid injuries. Phil pitched until he was 48 years of age. Phil Niekro made the Hall of Fame in 1997, and passed away at the age of 81 with a battle with cancer.

Phil’s younger brother, Joe Niekro, pitched for 22 seasons mainly for the Houston Astros. Joe Niekro used other pitches in his arsenal and used the Knuckle ball as a wipe out pitch. Joe Niekro was drafted by the Cubs and besides the Astros, he pitched for the Yankees, Braves, Twins, Tigers and the Padres. Joe Niekro pitched in 702 games and had a record of 221-204 with a 3.59 ERA and 16 saves to his pitching credits. The older Niekro brother had the better career numbers as he pitched in 864 games with a record of 318-274 with a 3.35 ERA and had 29 saves to his credit. The Niekro brothers were teammates in the MLB twice. The siblings played together in Atlanta in 1973-74 and the Yankees in 1985 where Joe got to see older brother win his 300th game. The Niekro brothers faced each other over their careers. Younger brother had a 5-4 slight edge over older brother going head to head. The biggest game these brothers faced against each other was Joe was in Houston and Phil was in Atlanta. They both had the same amount of victories with 21 each. Joe, the younger Niekro’s home run, off his brother was the difference. How did the Thanksgiving go that year for these two brothers? By far, MLB’s most successful siblings was the Niekro brothers who combined for 539 victories.

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Have not been many knuckle ballers since the Niekro brothers. Charlie Hough I remember, pitching two seasons with the White Sox later on in his career in the early 1990’s. Hough finished his long career with over 200 wins and ended up playing with the Marlins in 1994. Turning to the turn of the century, you have to say Tim Wakefield was the best knuckleball thrower as he piled 200 victories in 19 seasons and retired in 2011. Steve Sparks started in the late 1990’s. He ended his short career as a knuckleballer after only 9 seasons, getting 59 wins with the Rays and Tigers. I remember the White Sox in 2005 were thinking of bringing up Charlie Haeger a knuckleballe they drafted who was in the minors to get practice hitting the slow pitch as they would face Wakefield in the playoffs for Boston. Haeger would win only two games in 5 seasons with 3 different teams as a starter/reliever. Last October, Haeger shot his girlfriend in Arizona. Then Charlie Haeger turned the gun on himself at the Grand Canyon. It was Phil Niekro Sr who taught his sons the knuckle ball. Phil Sr. was a laborer and pitched part time in the semi-pros. Phil Senior had an injury to his arm, and to continue to pitch after that, he learned the knuckle ball to stay in the game. These days it’s all about the 100 MPH fast ball. The cutter and the change up. Living by the homerun, and dying by the strikeout. In the years to come, the knuckleball pitcher if it hasn’t already, will be like the dinosaurs in the baseball world EXTINCT!!! That’s why the Niekro brothers are so important in baseball history. Especially Phil, who used the knuckle ball as his only pitch. I was a kid and saw both Niekro brothers pitch in the 1980’s. I may still have two or three of their baseball cards from both brothers from their late stages of their career. The king of the knuckle ball is dead but not forgotten.

INDIANS CONTINUE TO SCALP THEIR OWN SELVES WITH A TRADE INVOLVING THE METS

As a White Sox fan, I love seeing Cleveland trade away two of their main staples on that roster which has weakened them to this point of the off-season. Indians who are coming off a post-season trip last season in the expanded playoffs, were immediately dispatched by the New York Yankees in the very first round. Indians traded their young all-star short stop, Francisco Lindor, the face of their franchise with starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets. Mets give the Indians 4 young players back to make this deal happen. Two infielders: Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario. One pitcher, Josh Wolf. Plus, one outfielder in Isiah Greene.

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New York Mets owner, Steve Cohen, continues to make a splash this off-season trying to make the Mets into a permanent fixture in the playoffs. Mets plan on extending Francisco Lindor’s contract which meant he would become a free agent after this season, and Indians had no desire to extend him for big money. Lindor is 27 years, not even in his prime yet, and is a 4 time All-star. Lindor’s skill set is a 5 tool player. The kid can hit. Hit for power. Lindor, one of the best glove men in the league, playing the toughest position at short stop. Plus, Lindor has speed. In six seasons in Cleveland, Lindor has tallied up 896 hits, 138 home runs and 411 RBI’S. Lindor has a career batting average of .285. Then the Mets add another piece to their starting rotation which was pretty good already. Carlos Carrasco, a right handed pitcher, is 33 years old. In 12 starts last season, he had a record of 3-4 with a very low 2.91 ERA. Lifetime, Carlos Carrasco has an 88-73 record with a 3.77 ERA. Carrasco overcame Leukemia and still was pitching pretty well on that day when he came back from his battle.

Indians get some young pieces back in this trade which could be some nice building blocks. Andres Jimenez can play short, third and second base. Jimenez is the number three prospect for the Mets and 84th overall in baseball. Jimenez has 49 games under his belt in the majors hitting .263 3 dingers and driving in 12. Amed Rosario, another young infielder, has 46 games under his belt in the majors over 4 seasons and has hit 15 dingers while batting .252. Josh Wolf is 20 years old, a right handed pitcher and a 9th prospect in the Mets farms. The 4th guy is an outfielder with speed and raw talent that needs to develop in 19 year old Isiah Greene.

Indians fans can not be too happy about their current situation. Getting rid of two fan favorites. Getting rid of a young all-star who could have been a guy to play his full career in your city and perhaps a potential Hall of Famer. The Indians team in 2016 had a 3 games to 1 lead in the World Series and blew that series versus the Chicago Cubs. The Indians have the longest drought in the MLB of years from their last World Series title. Indians have been able to mass produce young talented pitchers like livestock and have nothing to show for it. The Indians continue to trade young talent away and avoid long term contracts as this deal shed 30 million off the books. Indians also face what the Washington Redskins in the NFL face, a name change. The state the world is in right now, all the Native American names are going away. The Indians have always been a small market team, but are getting even smaller like the Tampa Bay Rays. Keep bringing up young pitchers after young pitchers, see what happens, and build on the fly. In off-season, trade away pieces and repeat. Rays made it to the World Series and this off-season, have traded away a young pitcher Brandon Snell and have let a few players walk right out the door to avoid paying them.

NASTY NATS ADD ANOTHER B-52 BOMBER TO THE FLEET

Once upon a time he was part of the core of the Chicago Cubs. These days, the former Cub core, on the open market, are not getting paid the amount they expected. The Washington Nationals ink former Cubs slugger, Kyle Schwarber, to a one year deal worth 10 Million. Is Schwarber on the decline? Last year in 59 games Schwarber hit a low .188 with 11 home runs and driving in 24. It seems like 2020, the year of the Corona not in cervesa but the pandemic, can be chalked up as just a bad year for all. It’s an iron clad excuse because the pandemic limited the MLB to a 60 game season. It also disrupted Spring training with a long delay in between to the start of the season. The Nasty Nats are hoping they get the Schwarber of 2019 when he knocked 38 long balls into the seats.

By adding Schwarber to the Nationals every day line up, and with the trade from the Pirates landing Josh Bell. If they both repeat their 2019 totals, the 2019 champs have added 75 home runs to their yearly total. These two guys have improved the meat of the Nationals line up. Adding a Bell and Schwarber with Trea Turner and Juan Soto, that is impressive. 1-4 and they still have another X Cub Satrlin Castro as the Nationals are trying to reload and get back to post season with their good starting rotation still intact. As Ace Max Scherzer is in his last year of his contract.

Kyle Schwarber has only been with the Chicago Cubs his entire career, as he will reunite with one of his former coaches Dave Martinez who served as a bench coach for Joe Maddon. Schwarber is best remembered for coming back from a very early in the season injury that sidelined him the rest of the 2016 year. Schwarber did miss the rest of the regular season and playoffs. Schwarber worked hard and was able to make it back to play in the 2016 World Series. Imagine not seeing live action for months and hitting .412 in the World Series versus Cleveland. A tough pitching staff and helping a team with the longest drought at the time win the World Series. The Schwarber legend status story will be told to generations to come, on how he got back and was able to contribute in a series fought all the way to the end.

For the Nationals, the best situation is if the universal DH came back. Schwarber is a liability in the outfield, but inserting him into the DH role can keep your defense strong. National fans will have to live with the home runs or the strike out when it comes to Kyle Schwarber’s play. Schwarber has struck out the 12th most in the MLB since 2017. Schwarber’s lifetime career batting average is .230 over his six seasons. Schwarber has 121 home runs with 279 RBI’S in his career. He is your typical power slugger. It’s nice to have a left handed power bat in the line up as the team could do more things on everyday basis with Schwarber in it. A one year deal at only 10 million is baseball-cheap. If this does not work for the Nationals, it is just chump change in baseball terms. If Both Schwarber and Josh Bell repeat their 2019 performances, bombs will be launched in this upcoming 2021 season at a ball park near you. At least your cardboard cutout self will get to see it live.

TIGERS GETTING DOWN AND GROSSMAN

The Detroit Tigers add a corner piece to their outfield, striking up a two deal with Robbie Grossman worth ten million dollars total. Grossman will reunite with his former manager, AJ Hinch, the new skipper for the Tigers. Grossman was drafted in 2008 by the Houston Astros and started his career with them as Hinch then was the manager. Grossman is 31 years old and a switch hitter who played for the Oakland Athletics last season. The Tigers will be Grossman’s 4th team as he played for the Twins, after the Astros and before Oakland.

Grossman’s game is well balanced with both his defense and offense. Tigers are in need of some corner outfielders. Robbie Grossman checks this box as he played the majority of his games last year for Oakland in left field. Grossman is a guy that can get on base with some speed and pop to his bat. Grossman batted .241 last season and launched 8 balls into the seats. Grossman is also a solid base runner as he did steal 8 bases for the Athletics last season. Career-wise Grossman has a .252 batting average with 596 hits knocking in 254 while hitting 50 even in home runs in an 8 year career. Grossman is not a splashy type of a signing, but is a nice piece to have. Grossman has playoff experience with the Athletics. Grossman will solidify one position on the field for your team. Grossman could be a guy you may be able to flip at the trade deadline. Grossman may just be the bridge guy to train a young replacement. It just depends what road the Tiggers are going down.

PADRES ADD SOME KOREAN HOT-SAUCE TO THE MIX

Lately this baseball blog is turning into all San Diego Padre news, all the time. The Padres over the last few weeks have been very busy while the rest of the league seems to be in hibernation. Padres were involved in two huge trades that brought two starters to their rotation. Yu Darvish from the Cubs. Plus landing Blake Snell from the Rays. San Diego seems to be turning over every stone as they continue with a flurry of off-season moves. This time Padres were looking overseas and landed a talented infielder. Ha-Seong Kim is a free agent who has played seven season for the Kiwoom Hereos of the KBO, the Korea Baseball Organization.

When the first wave of the Covid virus invaded the states, that shut everything down including most of the sports. I remember desperately trying to get my live baseball fix, staying up in the wee hours of night to watch the KBO. Yes I could have DVR’d the games. Something about staying up having a few beers on Saturday night just to watch some games sounded like a good idea. It was a nice fix, but it did not cure the itch. Seemed everyone had the last name Kim, and I’m not trying to sound like an Archie Bunker here. I remember seeing the Kiwoom Heros and watching as the entire league had some talented players. Former Pirate Jung-Ho Kang and former Twin Byung-Ho Park were very productive players in the MLB who came from the KBO.

Ha-Seong Kim is a 25 year old who plays on the left side of the infield. Kim may be one of those moving parts of the Padres playing most of the infield positions giving guys rest like your stars, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. Plus if the universal DH stays in the National League you could be rotating all three of these guys. Kim is very athletic with good instincts, especially at the short stop position. At which you have to be one of the best to play that position every day for whoever. Kim in 7 seasons in the KBO has a career batting average of .294 with 133 Home runs. Plus Kim has speed, and in fact he stole 134 bags in the KBO in seven seasons. Obviously has some power as experts think he can average 12-15 long balls each season. Rumor around the sand castles on San Diego beaches is Kim will get a 4 year deal neighboring in the high 20’s of Millions.

PADRES ADD A YU TO THEIR LANDSCAPE WITH DEAL WITH THE CUBS

It did not take long for the San Diego to strike again this off season in pursuit of a starting pitcher. A few days ago the Padres made a deal with the Rays and landed Blake Snell. Now the Padres strike a deal with the Chicago Cubs who will sending Yu Darvish, clearly the Cubs ace last season, to the Padres. This in addition to his personal catcher, Victor Caratini, and some cash to San Diego. The Cubs get veteran pitcher Zack Davies from the Padres starting rotation with 4 young prospects which makes this a seven player deal.

Not sure what the exact plan for the Chicago Cubs is. We know their President of their operations jumped ship as Theo Epstein walked away from his final year of his contract. Theo was the architect who rebuilt the Cubs from the ground up. The Cubs broke the Jinx of the Billy Goat in 2016 and won the World Series. Without any fans last year, the Cubs created their own network. The payroll has been sky high with big contracts and that does not include the “core of position players that have grown up and grew together and have not been paid the big money yet”. The Cubs did not tender slugging outfielder Kyle Schwarber as he became a free agent this off season. Jed Hoyer, the Cubs GM last season and Theo Epstein’s right hand man, now runs things. Cubs have had success with trades with San Diego, prying first baseman Anthony Rizzo from them years ago. A guy who is still a big part of what the Cubs are doing and helped them win the World Series in 2016. They say in Wrigleyville the Cubs should be printing money over there. Bad contracts have handcuffed the Cubs, and Yu Darvish will help this team shed some money. I like this deal because Yu Darvish’s career is a roller coaster and right now at his highest peak you can get a better return. They can get out of the big contract, under which he has three years 59 Million left on the six year deal he signed in 2018. The Cubs get back a younger starter in Zach Davies who is 28 years old and went 7-4 with 2.37 ERA in 12 starts last season. Pairing Davies up with Kyle Hendricks who is 31 years old is not a bad start to rebuilding your starting rotation. I liked catcher Victor Caratini, the switch hitting catcher who is only 27 years old, and has not reached his full potential or his prime years. The Cubs are in much need to get that farm system restocked with talent. The Cubs farms have been totally depleted over the years by bad trades and some good trades that have helped this team win that World Series. I think Cubs checked some boxes on this trade. Slash some of the payroll. Getting Zach Davies back, you’re still about the same before the trade happened. Now you have some plants in young prospects that can help get a good crop in the future.

The Padres are putting all their eggs in the same basket and sending the LA Dodgers a message. We are gunning for you is what the Padres are doing in a full win now mode.

Padres have traded away 8 prospects in two trades. Padres had to get rid of one of their pitchers because it was getting a tad too crowded. So I imagine the weakest link is a Zach Davies who came from Milwaukee where he pitched 5 years in Brewtown before being a Padre. Yu Darvish had electric stuff last season in 12 starts. Darvish had a 8-3 record and a low 2.01 ERA. Over three years with the Cubs, Yu Darvish compiled up a 15-14 record with a 3.60 ERA. Take out last season’s record that is a 7-11 record. In a shortened season due to Covid, Yu Darvish finished second in voting for the NL CY Young award. Can Darvish duplicate his nasty stuff from last season in a full season? Padres envision Yu Darvish, the oldest spokesman, would be the number one ACE of the staff because he has the most experience and pitched in the playoffs. Darvish could probably help some of the younger guys with his wisdom that are slotted in that starting rotation. Darvish has been there done that. Padres would line their rotation using Yu Darvish and Brandon Snell 1 & 2. Then the Padres have Dinelson Lamet, Chris Paddack, Andrien Morejon and Joey Lucchesi for the final 3 spots. Let’s not forget the Padres number one pitching prospect, Mackenzie Gore.

I think this trade will work for both teams. Cubs slashing payroll and stocking the farm system will be the keys of success. The Padres getting the switch hitting catcher Victor Caratini, to me, is an under the radar move in this entire trade. Caratini could be a starting catcher in this league. Obviously Caratini is good at calling the game as he was Yu Darvish’s personal catcher last season. Caratini, a switch hitting catcher, could give you a valuable bat off the bench. Or if the universal DH stays in the NL, you could insert his bat in the line up almost every day. In 2019, Caratini knocked 11 balls into the seats in his part time role. The entire trade will depend on how Yu Darvish does. I think Zach Davies is like a number 3 or 4 guy in a rotation that will win you double figures in games. Yu Darvish was up and down, but now the Cubs have a guy with a nice track record in Davies. Yu Darvish’s track record is on and off the rail, and he is paid very well. Darvish is injury prone. I never thought the signing of Darvish was a good move in the first place with the Cubs, because in big games Darvish has a history of choking especially most of his playoff starts. You can ask the Dodgers that because he pitched one season with them years ago, when they got him in a trade. Eight prospects and one of your own starters, the Padres have two pitchers that could be Aces of your staff with too many question marks. Yu Darvish is too erratic. Brandon Snell… can he pitch more than six innings a game? Cubs may have pulled another Anthony Rizzo victory dance over the Padres once again.

SOME SNELL COMING OFF THE BEACHES IN SAN DIEGO

The San Diego Padres add some Snell to their locker room in a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. I guess if you don’t bend him, he won’t break. That is what the Rays have been doing with Blake Snell, the team’s Ace. Snell is not broken and now able to be traded. The last time we spoke about Snell was in game six of the World Series. Rays had the 1-0 lead and Blake Snell had a low pitch count in the sixth inning when he was taken out. According to the Rays computer printout, Snell does not do well facing the same line up for the third time of any game. Once again the Rays continue to trade their talent at their highest peak as they ship Blake Snell to the Padres and net back 4 prospects. Rays land two right handed pitchers, Luis Patino and Cole Wilcox. I guess Rays want these pitchers to have their own catchers. The other two players are catchers: Blake Hunt and Francisco Mejia.

The Padres feel they are in win mode right now after making the playoffs last season. Padres have invested 4 brinks trucks into Manny Machado. Fernado Tatis Jr. is a rising super star. Padres were able to land Mike Clevinger from the the Indians at last season’s trade deadline. Unfortunately Clevinger needed Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2021 season. Padres can insert Blake Snell in the number 1 or 2 spots of their rotation. Padres already have Dinelson Lamet, Chris Paddack, Zach Davies, Adrian Morejon, and Joey Lucchesi in place which is young talented staff. Plus Padres have the top pitching prospect in the league, Mackenzie Gore, who may be ready to make the leap to the “bigs”. Padres got a Cy Young winner in 2018 out of Blake Snell who had 21-5 record that year. Last season for the Rays in the shortened season, Snell had a record of 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA. Overall, Snell is 12 games over 500 in his career with a 42-30 record.

The Rays operate a budget like they are from the depression. This method of madness has been working for them as they have one of the best farm systems of young talent in the league, especially arms. The Rays just made the World Series and now have lost two of their starting pitchers in their rotation. Charlie Morton, they refused to pick up his option and now he’s with the Braves. Then you trade away a young arm in Brandon Snell. This is what the Rays do and as you can see, they get 4 guys for 1 in deals like this. The Rays are like those people that buy a new car, use it and it still looks new but has some miles. Then they trade it in right before the value drops and move on to a newer model right off the factory line with no miles.

Pitching wins games, and I understand that. Padres get a starter and a nice piece to their rotation. I don’t like giving up so many young prospects after it took some years to improve your entire farm system. I know the Dodgers are the team to beat in the division and in the entire National League. Mortgaging the future to try to catch up with the loaded Dodgers is like putting all your eggs in one basket. Last year’s trade, Mike Clevinger only pitched 4 games and he’s out for next season. Will Clevinger be the same when he returns after the 2021 season? Blake Snell is a guy that only pitches six inning tops in each start, has no complete games, and is one of your top two guys? Maybe the computer is right about him going past the sixth inning. Teams can get to him. Snell has a friendly contract which takes him under Padre control through 2023. Then what Snell said before the season started with Covid in it’s first wave, wanting his entire payday to work in these conditions. To me, Snell sounds like a complete moron if you listen to him speak. Snell didn’t realize no fans would be in the stands, and all the people that lost their jobs. I don’t think Snell is worth 4 prospects. If Snell goes bad, the Padres probably will make another trade with the White Sox for the next Fernando Tatis Jr. It’s like how they got him for Big Game James Shields, another Ray who lost his game years prior. Wouldn’t Trevor Bauer have been a better idea for the Padres and not waste any prospects? It just takes money to land last season’s Cy Young Winner.

MY FAVORITE ALL-TIME WHITE SOX BACK STOP

The catcher on the baseball diamond is a very key position for a variety reasons. Catchers do all the dirty work on the diamond. To be a catcher you have to be in physical condition to take the grind of punishment that is involved with this position. There is a reason why they wear all that equipment. The right catcher is another Captain of the field. The Catcher duties are working with all the pitchers by calling the game. As a catcher, your job is to limit the running game. Gunning down runners behind the plate is one of my favorite plays in the game of baseball. Your defensive skills involve stopping balls in the dirt, especially a breaking ball that drops in front of home plate. Then to catch a ball and tag out a base runner that could end up in a football type collision. I know they have taken the assault on the catcher out of the game, but to make a bang bang play on a catch with a tag is not always easy as collisons can still be involved. Some catchers can frame pitches and help get their pitcher out of innings, and these days keep their pitching count low. Then the catchers still have to bat. It’s hard to find the total package behind the plate that can play defense and swing the bat well. Recently with James McCann signing with the Mets, I wonder where he would fall on my list of White Sox catchers over the last few decades I have been a fan of, and why I rank them one through ten as I came up with my own version of power rankings. The box below is years they played with the White Sox only, with their hitting stats they piled up in Chicago. Below the box rankings I will tell you why I like each catcher.

Ranking	Name	Years in White Sox Uniform	Batting Average	Home Runs	RBI’s
1.	CARLTON FISK	13	.257	214	762
2.	A.J. PIERZYNSKI	8	.279	118	460
3.	JAMES MCCANN	2	.276	25	75
4.	CHRIS WIDGER	2	.221	5	18
5.	RON KARKOVICE	12	.221	96	335
6.	SANDY ALOMAR	5	.257	19	94
7.	BROOK FORDYCE	2	.290	14	70
8.	KEVAN SMITH	3	.281	7	51
9.	MARK JOHNSON	5	.216	9	48
10.	YASMANI GRANDAL	1	.230	8	27

#1.CARLTON FISK (THE COMMANDER) Hall of fame catcher. Yelled at Deion Sanders for hotdogging it. Tagged two runners out on the same play, guarding home plate like a goalie in the net in hockey.

When Fisk arrived in Chicago, he helped the White Sox win the division title. “Winning ugly” was the team’s slogan. That ended a playoff drought since 1959. Fisk’s number. 72, was retired for 13 seasons on the Southside. White Sox even put a statue of Fisk in the outfield concourse. Fisk still to this day has his home in a Chicago south suburb.

#2. AJ PIERZYNSKI World Series trophy in 2005 is what A.J. helped bring to the table. The AJ Pierzynski signing at the time reminded me of when the Chicago Bulls signed Dennis Rodman. A type pf guy you hate when he’s on the other team, but love when he plays for your squad.

AJ Pierzynski knows the rules of the game as he is remembered with the heads up drop third strike call in the playoffs versus the Angels in 2005. The Angels catcher thought the inning was over, but AJ Pierzynski saw him heading to the dug out. He then broke for first base to be safe and the inning was deadly after that.

AJ Pierzynski always brought the high level energy versus the cross town rival Cubs. AJ Pierzynski was a left handed bat who had some power. A very hard out especially to strike out, and he was a contact hitter who worked deep counts.

#3.JAMES MCCANN McCann was a guy the White Sox signed to be a back up catcher who came from Detroit. In two seasons with the White Sox, he turned into an all-star catcher. McCann did wonders with the pitching staff especially the way he frames pitches and gets his guy out of the inning quicker. McCann helped turn Lucas Giolito into an Ace of the staff. Let’s not forget McCann caught Lucas Giolito’s no hitter this past season.

#4. CHRIS WIDGER Widger was the back up catcher for the White Sox in that 2005 year when the team won the World Series. Widger was playing in a beer softball league when he got the call from the White Sox. Ive been waiting for my call for the last 20 years and too many beers to count for somebody to eyeball the talent I don’t have in softball. Widger played hard and chipped in with some big hits in his short time on the southside. Most importantly, Widger helped the White Sox break a World Series drought of 88 years. Widger and that entire team forever will be in my heart.

#5.RON KARKOVICE (KARKO) Do you remember the song from Jane’s Addiction, Been Caught Stealing? Ron Karkovice was the law tracking down base runners. Trying to steal on him was a big fat no.

Karkovice was best defense catcher that wore the mask in my opinion, since I’ve been watching the White Sox play. Karko’s bat was kind of flat most of the time. A few seasons Karkovice brought the lumber with defense. Karkovice was part of those great 1990’s teams.

#6.SANDY ALOMAR Sandy Alomar Jr. came to the southside after his heyday in Cleveland. Seemed like the White Sox collected aging Indians position players from those good 1990’s teams Cleveland had, which included a loss in the World Series. Alomar was a class act and had like 3 stints with the White Sox to tally up to 5 seasons.

Sandy Alomar Jr. was a leader on and off the ,which led to coaching after he hung up the spikes. Sandy Alomar Jr. even coached some seasons with the White Sox. Now he’s in Cleveland as a bench coach and Terry Francona’s right hand man. Sandy Alomar Jr. played good defense even late in his career with the White Sox and could get some big hits when he was behind the plate.

#7.BROOK FORDYCE When Brook Fordyce arrived from the Reds in 1999, he brought his bat with him. It seemed for a few seasons until Fordyce arrived on the Southside, we had catchers that could not swing the bat. Fordyce’s stay was only two seasons, and then he was dealt to Baltimore. In 1999, Fordyce hit close to .300 finishing with a .297 average in 105 games played.

#8. KEVAN SMITH Kevan Smith was a catcher the White Sox brought up from their own farm system. Smith played three seasons on the South Side and he’s your typical blue collar worker bringing his lunch box to work every day. Smith might be a back up catcher on someone’s roster his entire career as he is still playing. In 2017, he played the most games in his career which was 87. Smith’s batting average was .281 in 2017. Smith played three seasons during the White Sox re-building years. Smith was one of a few players that generated some excitement in those dark times when the big prospects were still in the minors. Smith was put on waivers and claimed by the Angels. Last season he played for the Rays.

#9.MARK JOHNSON Mark Johnson was a decent back up catcher who was a left handed bat and played on the southside for 5 seasons. I had to like him because one of my best friends I grew up with had the same name Mark Johnson, and we both like the White Sox. Still hang out with that Mark Johnson in present times. Since the sandbox days, we both still root for the White Sox in adulthood. Eight seasons in the big leagues coming off the bench, Mark Johnson did manage to get 100 big league hits. Johnson was better on defense than offense.

#10.YASMANI GRANDAL Grandal, I hope, moves up these White Sox catcher power rankings of mine. Grandal is switch-hitting catcher who can swing the bat from both sides. Grandal has some pop in the bat from both sides of the plate as well. Only have seen Grandal’s White Sox career in this past shortened Covid season, and he does come up with big hits. I liked James McCann better than Grandal on defense and handling the pitching staff last season. McCann is off to the big apple. Grandal, to me, needs to get better stopping balls in the dirt and use his body to block them. Not just stab at them with his glove. I’m hoping Grandal will become that well rounded player like Jame McCann, Carlton Fisk or AJ Pierzynski.

HONORABLE MENTION MARC HILL

Marc Hill was Carlton Fisk’s back up when I first started watching baseball when I was kid. Years later, I played softball with a Mark Hill who I’m friends with. They both spell their first name different. The last name is dead on. The White Sox Marc Hill was a big guy with the intimidating beard which was kind of cool seeing as a youngster.

THE BELL WILL BE RUNG IN DC AS PIRATES BEGIN TEAR DOWN

The face of the Pirates franchise, Josh Bell, is the first chip to fall in Pittsburgh. Ben Cherington, GM of the Pirates, sends the slugger to Washington and nets two young pitchers in return. The Nationals get a switch hitting first baseman power bat to improve the middle of line up. The Pirates have been waiting to start this rebuild after cleaning out the front office and hiring a new skipper. Those items were the the first scratched off the to-do list. Then last season was shortened because of the Covid invading the country. Pirates did not find any offers they liked, so stood intact and dealt with pretty much only small stuff. Pirates get 26 year Wil Crowe, the Nationals top pitching prospect, who debuted this past season. They also got a young 19 year old arm, originally from the Dominican league in Eddie Yean.

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Josh Bell is only 28 years old and will be an upgrade, for the Nationals at first base, from last season. The Nationals platooned the position with Eric Thames and Asdrubal Cabrera, and obviously did not like the production the team was getting. Josh Bell this past season did not have a good season with the lumber. Bell hit a career low of .226 and had only 8 home runs. The Nationals are hopeful and think Bell will quickly rebound to his 2019 version, when he was an all-star. The Covid shortened season for players that did not do well, is like a pass. Josh Bell did have a monster year in 2019 where he batted .302. He launched 27 balls into the seats and drove in 84 runs. Bell thought he might be a piece the Pirates would build around. Bell is excited to be a part of the Nationals that are loaded and it has only been 14 months since the team won the entire thing in 2019. Bell appreciated the Pirates drafting him and giving him a chance to play. After 5 seasons, Josh Bell leaves with a career batting average of .261 with 86 long balls and 309 RBI’S. Josh Bell, a good guy on and off the field, will be missed. However, a full rebuild is the best and only way.

This move by the Pirates clears 4.8 Million off the books which is the second highest salary on the team. The Pirates net two pitchers which adds to their fleet of young arms. Ben Cherington is maybe going the Tampa Rays or Cleveland Indians direction of building this team on pitching. Wil Crowe made three starts for the Nasty Nats last season and took some lumps indeed with an 11.88 ERA. Crowe’s record was 0-2 in those three starts in the big leagues. Ben Cherington and the Pirates like what they see as Crowe has a solid fast ball that clocks in the low 90’s. Crowe features several other secondary pitches in hopes the Pirates and Wil can develop and season. Eddie Yean was an undrafted free agent and played some games in the lower minor leagues. The Pirates like Yean’s nasty slider and he has a good change up in his arsenal.

I know pitching prospects could hit or miss like in a game of Battleship. A few years back when the White Sox dealt Adam Eaton to the Nationals, they landed Lucas Giolito out of that. Also, they landed Dane Dunning, a piece that was shipped to Texas for Lance Lynn weeks ago. Reynaldo Lopez was the other piece in that trade and probably was going to be the best chip coming back for Adam Eaton. Lopez has been up and down with no middle ground. When he’s up, Lopez is awesome. When he’s down, Lopez looks awful. Not saying the Nationals are the team to get the bang for your buck and get the better part of the deal. They could be like the Pirates of old, which would mean getting nothing good in return. Josh Bell is a talent and had to go. Let’s hope the Pirates snaked some future long term pieces, the Nationals may have overlooked because their starting rotation right now is loaded. More deals have to be made to get his construction project on its way. I finally feel like we have a plan and a direction to be walking towards, which is positive right now. The blue prints look good now tell me how they are going get the wet bar built in this project?

SUITCASE RENFROE ON THE MOVE

Originally, Fred Dryer, who became Hunter, was going to be the original “May Day” Malone on the sitcom Cheers. Instead Ted Danson got the part on Cheers and Fred Dryer guest starred a few times before he became the LA detective Hunter on Saturday nights. Boston finally got a Hunter of their own. Well-traveled the last few seasons in Hunter Renfroe. The 29 outfielder played for the Tampa Bay Rays last season and was designated for assignment last month. Renfroe finds a new home in the AL East division called Fenway Park, as he agrees to a one year deal worth 3.1 million with the Red Sox. Boston philosophy is if you can’t beat them, let them join you. Hunter Renfroe last season, wearing the Rays uniform, was 4-11 at Fenway Park in two games with 2 long balls and 2 doubles. One of those long balls went over the green monster and may still be airborne.

Hunter Renfroe was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox, but instead he went to Mississippi State University and got an education while playing baseball. The San Diego Padres ended up drafting him years later. In 2019, Hunter Renfroe had a monster year with the Padres hitting 33 balls out of the park. In the off-season while he was a hot commodity, the Padres sent him to the Rays. Last season for the Rays during a Covid shortened season, Renfroe had a down year as he hit a low .156. Renfroe played in 42 games and only had 19 hits which 8 of them were home runs while driving 22. Renfroe did help the Rays win one of those World Series games chipping in with a long ball to help his team beat the Dodgers. Renfroe had two post season home runs all together. Career numbers in 5 seasons played between the Padres and the Rays Renfroe include a career .228 batting average. Renfroe has power as he hit 97 long balls driving in 226 during his 5 seasons so far.

The Red Sox like Renfroe because they think with the bat, he’s a perfect fit for Fenway Park. Renfroe is a power hitting right handed bat that will strike out. However Renefroe is a power hitter who can play a corner outfield position and not be a liability. Sure you can insert him into the DH slot as well. In the outfield in 2019, Renefroe was in the tops of the league with assists throwing base runners trying to get that extra base. Boston had a disastrous year as they were in the basement of the AL East which usually goes to the Orioles. Red Sox need a lot of help filling in the holes of their roster and Renfroe might be a cheap piece as the team hopes they get the San Diego version of Hunter Renfroe of 2019. If Red Sox do bad and Hunter does well, you could see “Bean Town” flip their cheap investment and try to land some prospects for this guy.

MCCANN HEADED TO THE BIG APPLE

New owner of the New York Mets, Steve Cohen, wants to make a splash this off season in the free agent market. The Mets’ first big move is the team “hook, line, and sinker’d” one of the top catchers available in the pond. Mets have a 4 year deal with former White Sox back stop, James McCann. The 30 year old McCann agrees to a 40 million dollar deal bringing him to the Big Apple. With Wilson Ramos, last year’s catcher for the Mets, hitting the open market, the Mets needed a starting catcher. With McCann aboard, the Mets have upgraded that position and will be looking to add additional pieces.

McCann was picked up by the White Sox two seasons ago as he started his career in Detroit. For the Tigers, McCann was a back up catcher. In 2019, James McCann had a great first half for the Chicago White Sox, and was selected to his first ever All-Star game. McCann numbers went down in the second half of that season. Overall it was his best season in the big leagues. Last year with the signing of Yasmani Grandal, McCann saw less action for the White Sox in 2020. In a shortened season, McCann played in only 31 games in a 60 game schedule. McCann at the plate batted .289 driving in 15 and had 7 long balls. In two years with the White Sox McCann’s numbers were pretty good batting .276, with 25 long balls and driving in 75.

As a White Sox fan I wanted the team to re-sign McCann and make him the starting catcher and I’m sure many fans on the Southside would agree with me. I would have then inserted Yasmani Grandal as my every day DH. McCann’s bat is good, but the way he handles the pitching staff to me was very important. McCann helped Lucas Giolito turn into an ace of the staff instead of what he was before McCann arrived to the Windy City. Giolito was a guy serving up home runs with one of the highest ERA’S in the league in 2018. In 2019 Lucas Giolito did a 360 and became the ace of the staff with his best year of his career. In 2020, Lucas Giolito continued to thrive. It was McCann who caught Giolito’s no hitter this past season.

McCann will help the Mets pitching staff get better in many ways. McCann helps the pitchers by being one of the best framers in the league. He gets his guys the strikes they need to get out of bad situations and less pitches. Plus, McCann can control the running game by throwing out base running trying to steal. I think McCann helps pitchers with their confidence like what he did for Giolito. McCann with the bat comes up with big hits with base runners on. The two years on the Southside he played himself into a bigger contract and an everyday starter. White Sox probably did not want to pay all that money and could not promise him a ,majority of the starts at catcher. For the Mets McCann becomes the everyday guy and plays most of the games behind the plate. It will be McCann’s show in New York and who would not want to play every day. This is a solid move by the Mets. It’s a move that pays off in so many ways. McCann is a pure baseball player. Guys you need to do the dirty work and help lead the team to post season and beyond.

GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER

The White Sox this off season have been working on getting the band back together. First the White Sox give Tony LaRussa a unexpected pop in during his bingo game before lights out. Then the White Sox bring back one of the rock stars they traded away, to help the team get pieces in the rebuild by welcoming back right fielder Adam Eaton. Now we getting the old Cardinal choir back in business by trading for pitcher Lance Lynn, which renites him with his former manager Tony LaRussa. White Sox could add back up drums player, former Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who is familiar with both Lynn and LaRussa in the Cardinals days. We will wait and see if Molina comes to the Southside. Meanwhile the White Sox land Lance Lynn from Texas, in exchange for pitchers Dane Dunning and Avery Weems.

White Sox are in need of another top tier pitcher for the starting rotation this off season. The 33 year old Lance Lynn checks that box. Adding him with ace Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchal makes a nice 1-3 punch which the team lacked in that 3 game first round playoff matchup versus the Athletics only months ago. Lynn finished in the top six in the AL. Cy Young voting in the last two seasons as he was obviously the Rangers Ace Ventura in their rotation. Last season in a shortened year Lynn had a 6-3 record with a 3.22 ERA. Lynn is a true work horse if you looked it up in the dictionary. What jumps out to me from last season was the 89 strikeouts he tossed in 84 Innings. Lynn has been a long time Cardinal in his career but he has been pitching in the NL for the last few seasons with the Twins, Yankees and the Rangers. Lynn’s career record is 104-71 with a 3.57 ERA.

Any trade GM Rick Hahn makes leaves me nervous. Last off-season, Texas fleeced out a prospect for outfielder Nomar Marzara. I tend to wonder if this is another Fernando Tatis Jr. for Big Game James Shields who lost his game years prior. Avery Weems is still unknown and is a prospect. Dane Dunning, a young arm at only 25, showed me something last season. Dunning, who recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2019, made his White Sox debut this past season. Dunning had 7 starts in this magical year on the Southside in a bad year overall for the world. Dunning was 2-0 with a 3.97 ERA. Dunning had more strikeouts than innings pitched with 35 in 34 innings he tallied. One game Dunning left throwing a no hitter because he had a high pitch count coming off surgery, so he was pulled. The youngster is probably scarred for life because he started game 3 of the playoffs in round one versus Oakland. Yes, that horrible game three from which I still have the awful taste in my mouth. Dunning had 2 outs, two men on, had thrown 15 pitches, and Ricky Renteria pulled him in the very first inning of that contest. From that point we’ve seen an army of White Sox pitchers march in and out of that game. I’m sure in Dunning’s mindset he can get over that experience.

Obviously, the White Sox are pulling out all their guns, and are going for it next year with the hire of the old guy as manager. Also by bringing in Lynn, who only has one year left on his contract. This is good and bad which makes these moves very risky. Dunning is a youngster, you’re not paying him that much, and the team has years of control. I would rather have gone for a free agent pitcher like Trevor Bauer. Bauer probably is too rich for the White Sox blood in money and what will he say or do during a long commitment. Ozzie Guillen like. Kenny Williams’ blood pressure would sky rocket. I bring up Atlanta Braves because they have youngsters established, and always land a veteran pitcher on a one year deal. Just in case the veteran breaks down or does not have the stuff, you don’t have to pay him beyond the one year. The pitching prospect Avery Weems, you never know what he will do even if he gets to the show or may just be a name in a trade for his wiki profile. If the White Sox win next year and do well, maybe Lance Lynn will come back on another one year deal with a club option. Look at Adam Eaton. Maybe Jose Quintana will be back after trading him to the Cubs. I hope Dunning does well. I hope Lynn does well. If Dunning turns into a Cy Young winner and becomes one of the best in the league for years, it’s the Chicago way. I’d rather go down free agent road and add the young talent in as we go along. This is what the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves did, and still do.

EATON BACK IN BLACK

The White Sox have a reunion, and Adam Eaton has 7 million reasons to attend. White Sox bring back the 32 year old outfielder Adam Eaton on a 1 year deal worth 7 million. Eaton has a second year option for 8.5 million if things go well. Eaton is responsible for landing Ace pitcher, Lucas Giolito. When the White Sox went into full rebuild, the team got a nice haul for Adam Eaton. Besides Giolito, the White Sox got Dane Dunning and the roller coaster of Reynaldo Lopez from the Washington Nationals. Eaton spent 4 seasons in DC while helping the Nasty Nats win their first ever World Series beating the cheats from Houston in 2019. Eaton became available when the Nationals declined his 10.5 million option making him a free agent.

In beer league softball, teams usually put their weakest link in right field. The White Sox weakest link was right field last year, and they tried to address that position during the last off-season. GM Rick Hahn wasted a prospect on Nomar Mazara in a trade to Texas that looked horrible on paper. Adam Engel became a better option during the season, than Nomar Mazara. Eaton gives you a left-handed bat and has played right field regularly. Eaton can play all three outfield positions if needed. He can provide you that great Aaron Rowand run-into-the wall defense mentality.

Last season, Adam Eaton dealt with some injuries and only batted .226 with 4 long balls, but still played in 41 games out of 60 on the slate. Eaton does have a history with injuries. In 2019, Eaton played well for the Nationals during that AMAZING post season. During the regular season, Eaton batted .279 with 15 bombs. In three years with the White Sox in his first stint, Eaton was a table setter and batted .290 with 29 long balls and 150 RBI’S in three seasons on the south side. Eaton hits well at Guaranteed Rate White Sox Park.

The White Sox are going down the Atlanta Braves road with the one year deals with veterans. I like this reunion with Adam Eaton because if it goes well, they have the option to bring him back in 2022. If this reunion does not work out, it’s only a one year deal. Eaton provides you good defense. In the line up, he can be positioned in few spots. Eaton has lead-off experience as he’s done that with the White Sox. You could place Eaton number one with Tim Anderson number two, followed by Jose Abreu. This gives you an impactful top three in your line up. If the team likes Anderson at the top, Eaton could still lead off on Tim’s days off. I would love to see the White Sox still pursue another outfielder or bring back James McCann as back up catcher. McCann is back in the fold and Eaton; you could move Yasmani Grandal to first or insert him into the DH slot when he’s not catching. Eaton can also give Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez time off in the outfield and keep their bat in the line up in the DH slot. Right now Eaton gives this team more flexibility on offense and defense. Plus, Eaton gives the team post-season and World Series experience. Plus I still have a tee shirt with Eaton on the back of it from his White Sox days, I can wear now. I have to dig it out of the back of the closet, but it’s a win-win bringing this reunion together.

KANSAS CITY ADDS A LITTLE CHEESE TO THEIR ROYALE

Not sure what direction the Kansas City Royals are going. Not quite in a full rebuild as the Royals add a silver slugger to their line up. Royals wanted a full time first basemen and some middle-of-the-line-up presence. Carlos Santana checks all those boxes. Santana inks a two year deal worth 17.5 Million to stay in the AL Central as he leaves Cleveland for the second time in his career and heads to rival Kansas City. The 34 year switch hitter has called Cleveland home during 10 out of the 11 seasons he played in the league. The one year away from Cleveland in Philadelphia did not go well, and he was traded back to the Indians.

In 2019, Carlos Santana launched 34 balls into the seats scoring 110 runs batting .281. Santana is a very disciplined hitter as he led the AL walks, just this past season. However, last season Santana’s average dipped down to an all-time low of .199 with only 8 home runs. Santana did play all 60 games in the shortened season due to the Covid virus invading North America. You could chalk 2020 up to Covid as not a normal year. There are too many parameters to deal with while trying to master your craft at the same time. Royals get a guy that can play multiple positions as Santana can play first, third, and has caught. You could insert him into the DH slot as well. Santana gives your everyday line up a power hitter that has a high on-base percentage which Royals like.

THEO FIRST, THEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Cubdom is slowly crumbling down, and the man who walked on water nine years ago is jumping ship while the organization is sinking.

Last month, Theo Epstein, the Cubs President of Operations is leaving the Cubs after nine years, with one year remaining on his contract. Theo is a great believer in the great 49er head coach Bill Walsh’s theory that a decade in a place is long enough. Theo Epstein needs to recharge his batteries, use the family card, and get away from the game before his next adventure. Theo Epstein rebuilt the Chicago Cubs organization from scratch, ending their label of “born losers”. Epstein pretty much had to use a bulldozer to get the Cubs back to the World Series. The Cubs eventually snapped a 100 year drought and won the holy grail in 2016. Epstein has ended two out of the three longest World Series droughts in baseball history. Maybe sports history. Epstein did it in Boston before arriving in Chicago. Epstein beat the odds, ending two curses for these two franchises that were haunted by the great Bambino and a goat. After nine years, has he left the Cubs in the same position as when he arrived? A total mess? Epstein left Boston in a mess as well when he jumped that ship to take the Chicago project. Thought the Cubs were going to be a dynasty? All those promises. If you’re a Cub fan, this kind of feels like a one night stand. Someone getting dressed in a hurry and fleeing the cheap motel room, while you are in a deep slumber. Perhaps he took your watch after the night of bliss. Next season, as a Cub fan, what do you have to look forward to?

Let’s start with when the window of the Cubs was opening. The big free agent Epstein landed to go with the young core of position players, was Jon Lester. Lester served his purpose for the Cubs as he was a big game pitcher as advertised. Lester was the guy that would get other free agents to Chicago. Lester won games in both regular season and the playoffs. Playoffs were where he thrived. The veteran contract ran out, Lester is aging, and moving on. Lester does not have that great stuff every start like he once had. This is a move you expect because that is a chunk of money coming off the pay roll. At a time when the Cubs ownership cried poor with a huge payroll the last few years and did not add any pieces. Lester goes out paying for a bar tab, and the fans got some free beers as left Chicago in style. I never got one. As the beers were brought around Wrigleyville. I don’t want to drink there.

The core of position players were going to be the foundation for the Cubs for a very long time. That was the grand plan for Epstein and the Cubs brass. Notice none of them have gotten that long tern deal. Addison Russell was the first one out the door due to domestic violence. The short stop, last I heard, was playing in the Korean baseball league. Kyle Schwarber, the World Series hero and slugger, was non tendered and let go last week, making him a free agent. The Cubs could not get something for a left handed slugger? A prospect… a bag of balls. Kris Bryant and the Cubs battled it out last season with his years of service in his contract. The year the Cubs brought Bryant up right after the date in which it would not count as a year of service in the majors. Bryant,who was tendered a contract, has one year left remaining on his deal. Bryant’s agent wanted him to be a free agent this season. Will Bryant get a long term deal with the Cubs? Bryant may be dealt before or at the trade deadline in 2021. Wilson Contreras has been shopped around the league as the catcher’s numbers have been going south. Javier Baez had a down year in 2020 and is still without a long term deal. Anthony Rizzo’s option was picked up for 2021 and he is another one without a long term deal.

The Cubs launched their new network in a pandemic year. The Cub’s new manager & former catcher on the 2016 team, David Ross, out of the gate last year had the team catching fire. Cubs ended up winning the NL Central by playing 500 ball for most of the season. if the hot start did not happen they probably would have still got in because of the expanding of the playoffs to 8 teams in each league. The Pirates were the only team from the NL Central not to get in. Then the Marlins quickly dispatched the Cubs in the playoffs, a team that looks old and has run out of gas. The core of position players are regressing. The starting rotation has aged. The bullpen was horrible. The Cubs are still paying Jason Heyward a fortune who finally is starting to play much better, but the money they give him he is not worth with the numbers he puts up. The farm system has no pitching. The rest of the farm is gutted with bad trades and players that helped you win the one World Series, and then were gone.

Cub fans look across town and see the White Sox have one of their biggest prospects slugger, Eloy Jimenez. One of the bad trades done by Theo Epstein. They see a serviceable youngster pitcher in Dylan Cease that the Cubs included in that Jose Quintana deal. Quintana did not tack on another World Series trophy. Most of the time Quintana has been hot garbage in his Cubs uniform. The White Sox are a young team on the rise just like the Cubs were when they started. Did the White Sox do a better job so far than what Theo Epstein did at the time the Cubs were doing when they ended their full rebuild?

The Cubs have promoted Theo Epstein’s friend and right hand man Jed Hoyer who has been the Cubs GM through all this. Will Jed run the operation like Theo built it? Will Jed Hoyer retool and have the Cubs continue down the road with the same guys? The Cubs have holes on this roster and a very high payroll. The owner does not want to spend to add more payroll. No fannies in the stands in 2020 does not help. Wrigleyville feasts off that as the Cubs have their hands in everyone’s pockets in that neighborhood. Should the Cubs start another rebuild and do it all over once again? Epstein promised multiple playoff berths. The Cubs did make it to the playoffs multiple times in nine years. In the playoffs, a few of those appearances made the team looked pretty bad. Cubs fans feel gypped. They feel like this group should have won more titles and made a dynasty. Especially after all the years you paid money and watched bad baseball. Now you have to go back to the drawing board and do it all over, which seems heart breaking. Once you feel the taste of first class, nobody wants to go back to coach.

The Boston Red Sox eventually rebounded after Theo Epstein orchestrated bad deals in landing Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to big contracts. These contracts were Jason Heyward-crazy amounts of money. Theo Epstein could be backpacking in Europe with his family as he has all the money in the world he has earned from Cubs and Red Sox. Not a care in the world thinking of his next Bill and Ted’s Excellent Baseball Adventure. Maybe since he is a numbers guy, he will take a coaching job. Maybe he will own a team in the MLB. Epstein has done the unthinkable. If you really think about Theo Epstein, it seems like you made a deal with the devil. You got what you want but the nine years gave you more annoying times than good. The rebuilding years and the bad performances does that equal the one World Series? Some will say yes. Some feel like there should have been more. If the White Sox do a better job at what Theo Promised, and with those prospects the Sox raped away from the Cubs… the fans of North side will get years of salt in their wounds. Especially if their team presently continues to fall down the baseball chutes and ladders. The Cubs Television announcer of 16 years split for the Southside to take the White Sox radio gig. If Cubdom aint sinking with that tidbit of news, then Theo in a dress jumping into life boat is what should have originally sent red flags in your brain.

ATLANTA WINNING THE COLD WAR SO FAR THIS OFF SEASON

Despite winning their third division in a row, Atlanta still thinks they do not have enough arms. The Braves still won the division and went deep in the playoffs with a starting staff that lost some key arms. It’s like the cold war in the NL East, at least that is how Atlanta goes about their business by plucking two free agaent pitchers out of the waters. Maybe the Marlins, Nasty Nats and the Phillies need to set up their spies in the Atanta area or get some home grown spies to infiltrate the Braves front office.

I can’t believe the Tampa Bay Rays are not picking up starter Charlie Morton’s club option. One game away from winning the World Series and you get rid of a veteran that has playoff experience. I scratch my head on the situation, but the Rays will replace Morton with young and up-and-coming arms they grew on the farm. Morton, the former Astro who helped Houston win the World Series in 2017, moves on to Atlanta in the National League. The 37 year right hander will get a one year commitment from the Braves who like one year deals with veteran talent. Morton will get 15 million, which he would have gotten if the Rays picked up his option. Morton, in two seasons with the Rays, finishes 18-8 with 3.33 ERA. He joins some nice young arms the Braves have raised from pups. Max Fried, Ian Anderson and Mike Soroka as well as Morton is a solid 1 thru 4. Plus Morton was credited for his help with some of the Rays young pitchers. Morton gives the rotation depth, and a guy that can win you games in regular season and playoffs.

Drew Smyly could be a guy you can insert at number five in the rotation. Braves still have Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson who they can insert in the rotation as well. Smyly spent most of his days in Detroit and can be valuable as a relief pitcher or guy that can make a few spot starts for the club. With so many injuries last season, the Braves have replacements if needed in worst case scenarios. Smyly is 31 years old, pitched for the Giants last season, made five starts, and came out of the bullpen a few times. Smyle finished 0-1 with a 3.42 ERA and will ink a one year deal from the Braves worth 11 million.

THE HARDWARE OF THE APOCALYPSE

WHO THRIVED IN THE PANDEMIC APOCALYPSE SEASON OF 2020?

Written by Steven King?

The 2020 MLB HARDWARE

WORLD SERIES TROPHY

Who’s the Boss? Not Tony Danza. Alisa Milano and the Dodgers are your 2020 World series Champs

ROOKIES OF THE YEAR

American league Rookie of the year (KYLE LEWIS SEATTLE MARINERS)

Thought Luis Robert should have won Rookie of the Year for the White Sox.

National League Rookie of the year (DEVIN WILLIAMS MILWAUKEE BREWERS)

Honestly never heard of Devin Williams. Brew Town needs more arms

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

American League Manager of the Year ( KEVIN CASH TAMPA BAY RAYS)

Shouldn’t the Rays locker room computer get the manager of the year? Maybe the guy from the Geek Squad.

National league Manager of the Year (DON MATTINGLY MIAMI MARLINS)

Mattingly had to deal with a Covid outbreak in the beginning of the season in his locker room. Despite this, he still got the Marlins into the playoffs. Could Don have prevented the outbreak by telling his players not to paint the town red and make smarter decisions? Maybe wear a mask.

CY YOUNG

American League Cy Young winner (SHANE BIEBER CLEVELAND INDIANS)

Is Shane Bieber, Justin Bieber’s brother? Quite the family if so.

National League Cy Young Winner (TREVOR BAUER CINCINNATI REDS)

Trevor Bauer predicted this award for himself in his third start of the season. Bauer an X Indian and Bieber winning the AL Cy Young, Cleveland has a pitching factory. It’s baffling that the Indians have not won a title since the 1940’s. The Indians even handed the Cubs their first World Series in 2016 being up 3 games to one in that best out of 7 series.

MVP

American League MVP (JOSE ABREU CHICAGO WHITE SOX)

Surprised they did not give the AL MVP to Mike Trout. Trout seems to get that award just by showing up.

National league MVP (FREDDIE FREEMAN ATLANTA BRAVES)

No one took away his tomahawk chop.

JAMES MCCANN PRIORITY NUMBER

While the new White Sox manager, Tony LaRussa, deals with his DUI. While Tony LaRussa assembles his brain trust coaching staff around him. The White Sox GM, Rick Hahn’s first state of business should be bringing back one of their own. The White Sox need to bring back catcher James McCann, the former Detroit Tiger back stop they signed two seasons ago. McCann was a big part of the rebuild. McCann is a solid piece to have on your roster, and brings so many intangibles to the table. It would be a shame to let him walk away to another team.

Two seasons ago, the the White Sox were in need of another catcher on the roster. They agreed to a deal with James McCann. McCann played in Detroit for 5 seasons before playing on the southside and mostly was a back up catcher. In the 2019 season, James McCann had his best year in his career. McCann earned himself his first ever all-star nomination for a great first half of the season that year. McCann played in 118 games, and finished with a .273 Batting average while knocking 18 balls into seats and driving in 60 RBI’S. McCann was a great story on a bad team in a rebuild.

Besides his bat, James McCann was very valuable with the White Sox pitching staff. McCann has been credited for helping Lucas Giolito become a top of the rotation kind of guy. Before McCann, in 2018 Giolito was being knocked around by opposing teams and had one of the worst ERAs in the entire MLB with 6.13. In 2018, Giolito finished up with a 10-13 record. In 2019, with McCann as primary back stop, Giolito’s ERA dropped to a respectable 3.41 and his record improved to 14-9. Let’s not forget who caught Giolito’s no hitter in 2020, it was James McCann.

In the off season of 2020, the White Sox signed former Brewer, Dodger back stop slugger Yasmani Grandal a switch hitting catcher, to a big deal. White Sox said James McCann would still be get playing time at catcher and other positions such as first base or DH. In a shortened regular season, McCann played in 31 games which is a little over half of the scheduled 60 game regular season. McCann’s numbers were very good; once again hitting .289 with 7 long balls and drove in 15. Again, McCann did very well with the pitching staff.

McCann will get some offers to be the starting back stop on the free agent market this off season. McCann will get paid more for his services then he ever has gotten in his career. McCann is the type of guy that wants to play every day. With Yasmani Grandal in the fold and the Sox’s young catching prospects the team’s hopes that are on the rise could make McCann expendable. The money that it might cost to bring back McCann is not what the team wants to spend on that position. These are the reasons the White Sox will pass on James McCann’s services in 2021.

The White Sox should not let pure baseball players escape. Guys like McCann have a high baseball IQ like A.J Pierzynski had in 2005. McCann is that team guy everyone loves and is key in a locker room, in a 162 game schedule. McCann works well with Giolito. Why would you ruin that tandem? McCann I think works better with the pitching staff than Yasmani Grandal. McCann can frame pitches better than Grandal and get his pitcher a much needed strike out, to get out a inning quicker. I like McCann’s ability to block balls in the dirt better than Grandal. You can split both of them at catching. The White Sox did not pick up the option on DH Edwin Encarnacion who was dreadful in 2020. Make Yasmani Grandal the primary DH and part time catcher and first basemen. Bring back McCann and make him the everyday catcher. This gives the White Sox’s young catching prospects a chance to grab the back up spot. Then you get a solid back stop that can drive in big runs with the bat. Plus, you do not let all of McCann’s other intangibles walk right out the door. To me, the more pure baseball players you have on your roster, the more games you will win. McCann, I think, would be a guy Tony LaRussa would like, a total grinder.

DEAD FROM THE NECK UP

Shake down, break down, and you’re busted. Not once, but twice now, Robinson Cano has tested positive for Performance Enhancing drugs in his system. PED is the brief term they use to describe a player using a substance that has been banned from MLB. This go around, MLB labs found Stanozolol in Cano’s system, which is a steroid. Steroids are used to build muscle mass, boost acceleration and recover quicker. It is a big no-no in the baseball world.

In 2018, Robinson Cano was playing for Seattle and tested positive for Diuretics in his system. He did not know it was on the MLB naughty list. It was Cano’s first offense, and he was suspended for 80 games. December of that year he was dealt to the New Mets for their top prospect, Jared Kelenic. Getting busted for a second time means the Mets can forget about him being penciled in the starting line up because he will miss the entire 2021 season. The second time being flagged in the MLB, and the penalty is one entire season of 162 games.

Robinson Cano is 38 years old and has already played 16 seasons in the MLB. Cano started with the Yankees and then got the big money from Seattle in a ten year deal worth 240 million at the time. Cano, on and off the ‘roids who knows, has a career batting average of .303. Add Cano’s 334 long balls and over 1,300 RBI’S and now in jeopardy of missing 3,000 hits. He has 2,624. Three thousand hits is a sure thing to make Cooperstown. Since being on the juice and being busted more than once, Cano may not have to worry about preparing a speech. Steroid guys of the past have not done well on the ballot and some of these sluggers on the juice in the 1990’s have far better crooked numbers than Cano.

The best thing for the New York Mets is Robinson Cano was caught before the season even started. The New York Mets have time to find a replacement at second base. There are a few bad things about this. The Mets gave up a top prospect. However that was the old regime since the Mets have a new ownership. Cano had a bad year in 2019 in his first year in a Mets uniform. In the pandemic year of 2020, Cano’s numbers were backed to his old self hitting in the 300’s in a shortened season. Maybe steroids back in the body got his swing back. Maybe Cano thought with all the Covid testing, no one had time to be looking for ‘roids. Baseball contracts are guaranteed so after he gets done serving his year suspension, will he just be a former shell of himself at 39 with no PED’S flowing through his system? Not sure if Cano used steroids his entire career, but you have to be dead from the neck up to use them again after getting caught the first time. Maybe Cano used to justify the 240 million dollar contract, and to finish the ten year deal to get every cent banked. If Cano comes back and plays well and gets to 3000 hits, he should be denied at the gates of Cooperstown. You made your money, you wet your bed, and you can’t have your cake too.

THE BUCKO WEEKLY

ARCHER NOT A BULL’S EYE

The Pittsburgh Pirates decline to pick up the 11 million dollar option on pitcher Chris Archer, making him a free agent. The trade bringing Chris Archer from Tampa Bay Rays was the deal that was supposed to be the start of great things to happen in the Pirates organization in 2018. Archer was on the 60 day Injured List this season and did not throw one pitch. He was dealing with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which is a compression of the brachial plexus. Archer dealt with nerves from the spinal cord and control with his muscle movements and sensation in the shoulder arm or hand. It caused him to miss the entire season.

Before acquiring Archer from the Rays to the Pirates, the team was doing well. In the deal, the Pirates sent Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows and the famous player to be named later to the Rays. Glasnow has pitched pretty well for the Rays. Austin Meadows was an all-star in 2019. The player to be named later was a pretty good prospect in Shane Baz. Pirates got a 6-12 record with a high ERA in the two seasons Archer actually pitched, before the injury derailed in for the whole year. It goes down as another bad trade in Pirates’ history. Pirates brass have left the door open a nudge if Archer wants to come back on a cheaper deal, but it is mostly unlikely. It’s better to probably just cut your losses and move on from older deals the new Pirates front office did not make.

NOTABLE 40 MAN ROSTER CUT’S

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Pirates had to make some decisions to get their roster down to 40 players on Friday. Two veterans were shown the door and designated for assignment. I always thought designated for assignment, as a younger lad, meant the players would find themselves playing baseball with the Eskimos in the arctic

Of course minus the women in the movie Spies Like Us.

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Long time starter, Trevor Williams, and off the bench Jose Ozuna, will have to find work elsewhere. Both were arbitration eligible. Both were unlikely to get deals where they would return.

Jose Ozuna has been interested in playing overseas in Asia. Ozuna showed some power in 2019 with ten long balls coming off the bench. The 27 year Ozuna only played in 26 games this season and hit a low .205 with only 4 long balls.

Meanwhile Trevor Williams pitched 5 seasons for the Pirates. Williams was unable to duplicate his 2018 season when he went 14-10 that year. In the second half of the 2018 season, Williams was unhittable with a low 1.38 ERA. Last season Williams in 11 starts was basically lit up. Williams’ ERA ballooned to 6.18 and his record was a miserable 2-8. Williams career numbers in the black and yellow was 31-37 record with a 4.43 ERA in 94 starts.

Pirates GM Ben Cherington probably could not get anything from either of these guys in the trade market. Pirates these days want to restock the organization with prospects. Then the talented prospects the Pirates do have, have to be on the 40 man roster so they do not fall into the wrong hands. Trevor Williams may be a guy you bring back cheaply and flip him at the 2021 trade deadline. Can he find that 2018 magic he once had?

A WOMAN’S MARLIN JOB IS NEVER DONE

The Marlin organization has been a speeding train with no brakes. They will either derail immediately or stay on course to derail eventually and implode on contact. The Florida Marlins arrived in 1993 and have already won two World Series trophies. At the time, the Chicago Cubs were looking for their first trophy in over 100 years. Marlins beat the Cubs to move on to the World Series in 2003, which had that famous Steve Bartman game. Marlins tore down the World Series teams like changing your underoos the next day. This is a franchise which has had a slew of bad owners. The Marlins finally got a new stadium, changed Florida to Miami, and put something weird in the outfield field stands. Looks like some psychedelic display of marlins swimming around brightly colored lit palm trees. Like the Marlins personnel should pass out the fungus, with the program before the game, to all their fans. If you stare too long, you’ll burn your corneas like looking into an eclipse.

The Marlins fired their manager, Ozzie Guillen, for talking smack about Fidel Castro. The same year, the team quickly traded all the free agents they recently signed for this new team Ozzie was running in the year they opened up the new stadium in South Florida. Then new ownership comes in once again, years later, and I do believe the Marlins were maybe ran by the MLB for awhile and they traded all their talented players. Marlins are still a team that has not won a division and until this year never lost a playoff series. They once again were a wild card this season. The shortened season and expanded playoffs helped them get in the playoffs this season. In a year, the team suffered the first outbreak of the virus in their own locker room. They rebounded and had a very good season under those conditions they went through early in the season. Then the Marlins swept the Cubs in the first round of the playoffs, finally losing to the Braves in the second round. First playoff series loss in Marlin history, and it took until 2020 for that to happen. Marlins’ new ownership group led by Derek Jeter, might be the foundation this franchise needed all along. Since we all know Derek Jeter, as a Yankee Captain when he played, was a winner in his entire career. Jeter, the CEO of the Marlin group, has made another splash and hired the first female ever at the General Manager position, in MLB History. The 51 year old Kim Ng will take over the Marlin day to day operations.

Kim Ng graduated from Chicago University and played softball there. Ng’s degree was in public policy as her passion was the love of the game of baseball. In the 1990’s, Kim Ng became an intern for the Chicago White Sox. In the 1990’s, the White Sox won a lot of games as they took second place more than first, but still tallied many victories each year making them one of the winning teams in that decade. Kim Ng then moved on from Chicago and worked in the Yankees and Dodgers organizations. Ng was assistant GM for both cities of New York and LA, helped them win many playoff games, and was a part of some Yankees World Series titles which Derek Jeter was a part of. Between the White Sox, Yankees and Dodgers, that is 21 seasons of front office experience she has. Kim Ng moved on and took a job with MLB for nine years and became Senior VP of baseball operations. Kim Ng is the highest ranking Asian American female baseball executive. Another fact about this hire is Kim Ng’s the first female GM in the four major North America sports leagues. Kim Ng will also be the second person of Asian descent to lead a MLB team. Farhan Zaidi was the first.

Kim Ng inherits a young team with lots of talent. The Marlins are one of the lowest teams in the league payroll wise. It’s a younger team so the payroll will not have to sky rocket as she can build slowly and let the prospects grow. Kim Ng gets a team that actually went out looking for players to add to the team for their playoff push this season instead of subtracting at the deadline like the old Marlins did on a regular basis. Marlins have never made it back-to-back years to the playoffs. Next year with some additions and continued growth on the roster, that could change in 2021. Kim Ng is a hard worker who has very good leadership skills. Her record of achievement makes her a person that can put your team over the top instead of making this just about being the first to do this in the history of the game. Plus Derek Jeter is a type of person that does not want egg on his face with this hire. Jeter had to have thought about this hire for some time. The pros of hiring Kim Ng outweighed the cons of not hiring her. Jeter probably knows Kim Ng is the best leader for this franchise at this time. It is sad that women still have to prove themselves in this world in the United States. 2020 has been very dark and grim for most parts with the pandemic flowing in the air. Evil people bringing their craziness out of the woodwork which resulted in widespread violence. The female gender now has made it to the White house. Kamala Harris is the first woman ever as the VP of the United States. Now Kim Ng makes history as the first woman in the MLB leading a team. It might not take her long to put the Marlins on the map for good and challenge all those stacked teams which reside in the NL East.

SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY

TONY LARUSSA DUI

Did the White Sox know about Tony LaRussa’s DUI in Feburary, before they hired him? I feel like they did. Many still do not like the hire of Tony La Russa on the south side. Many using a DUI as the Anti-Christ. Not saying I approve of drunk driving. I do know that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. White Sox have no comment at this time about the LaRussa DUI. Most likely the team will wait until after the court case is over. Meanwhile, remember the words of Kenny Williams years ago.

I would like to know how many times Tony LaRussa got away with driving and drinking by telling the officer about his real Hall of Fame ring. Perhaps his World Series rings. I remember dropping another Police officer’s name that worked in the same department of the office that pulled me over. That cop told me the guy was fired even though he still worked there. You have to try sometimes. You never know if a name, a ring, or tickets can get you out of a traffic stop.

JOSE JOSE JOSE

I remember all the local yokels that thought the White Sox should not resign Jose Abreu last off-season when he became a free agent. Shame on you as Jose Abreu has capture the AL MVP award for his monster year in 2020. Abreu could set his new hardware next to the Rookie of the Year trophy he earned his first season with the White Sox, years ago.

The 33 year old veteran, Jose Abreu, helped the White Sox break a 12 year playoff drought with his overall play. The three game series at Wrigley stands out versus the Cubs. Abreu hit six homeruns versus the Cubs on that weekend, and helped the Sox take two out of the three games. Plus, Abreu had the longest hitting streak in the entire MLB this season, of 22 games.

Abreu led the entire MLB in RBI’S with 60. His 76 hits and .617 slugging percentage was the best in the AL. In a short season due to the Virus Jose Abreu played in every single game. Abreu finished up batting .317 with 19 long balls.

GOOD BYE AGAIN, YOLMER

Last season, White Sox did not pick up Yolmer Sanchez’s option and he became a free agent. Yolmer, a great personality in the club house with a excellent glove, can get some big hits in crucial situations. He was picked up by the White Sox during the season. Sanchez again chipped in with some hits and played his normal stellar defense this season for the White Sox. Coming off the bench or delivering in a few starts, Sanchez is a great guy to have on the roster.

With the White sox stacked roster and all the young talent growing down on the farm, Sanchez became expendable. Not a big fan of this move since Sanchez brings lots to the table. Sanchez was picked off waivers by the birds in Baltimore.

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HE GONE!!!!!!!!!!

White Sox declined to pick up options on two veterans who they signed as free agents in the off season. DH Edwin Encarnacion, who hit a disappointing .157 with ten long balls in 44 games. Add the strikeouts and he was not worth paying to come back in 2021.

The wait for Gio Gonzalez to finally actually throw a pitch in a White Sox uniform could have been longer. Not impressed with the veteran who hardly has any gasoline in the tank left. Gonzalez pitched in only 12 games. 4 of them starts went 1-2 record wise and a high ERA of 4.23. Gio’s struggles included games he had to mop up as the team had the lead.

HINCH NOT EXACTLY A CINCH TO WIN IN THE MOTOR CITY

The Detroit Tigers were like one of those guys in your fantasy football league ,hovering over the waiver wire while waiting for it to open up. The Tigers waited with anticipation watching the World Series and hoping it would end. They counted the outs. They had AJ Hinch’s number programmed in their phone ready to press send when the game finally concluded. After the World Series concluded, AJ Hinch, the former Astros manager, would be done serving his time. Hinch was suspended by the MLB for his part in the Astros sign stealing saga. Astros fired him and moved on with the hire of Dusty Baker. The year suspension was over when the Dodgers knocked off the Rays in game six of the 2020 World Series. Tigers were the first to call Hinch. Tigers may have been the only team to call Hinch. Days later, a deal was hammered out, and the Tigers have a new skipper in the dug out.

AJ Hinch, as a player, played for the Tigers. Hinch was a part of that 2003 team that lossed 119 games in Detroit. Veteran manager Ron Gardenhire retired after this season to open up a vacancy in Detroit. Tigers may not be the complete mess they were in 2003, but it’s a team that did take last place in 2020. Tigers lost 19 out of their last 25 to cement last place in the AL Central. Tigers have been in rebuild mode the last 5 seasons. The Tigers still have future Hall of Fame, Miguel Cabrera, on their roster. The Tigers also have some young talent on the rise. Are the Tigers ready to take the next step? Is the next step a 500 record?

In Houston, AJ Hinch took over a young team ready to take the next step. Former Houston manager Bo Porter was the bridge manager at the time as he helped get all the young talent established at the time the Astros assembled in a total tear down rebuild. AJ Hinch took over and Astros won two pennants while going 1-1 in the World Series in two trips. In five regular seasons in Houston, Hinch had posted a 481-329 record. Hinch made the post season 4 out of the five years in Houston.

The Tigers will be Hinch’s third team as people forget he managed the Arizona Diamondbacks for two seasons. In 2009, Hinch took over for the Diamondbacks in mid season. In 2010 Hinch did not complete the entire season as he was replaced in mid-season. The snakes record in two shorten season under Hinch was 89-123 during his first manager go around.

Hinch knew about sign steal saga in Houston which was right under his nose. Obviously he turned a blind eye to the situation is the reason he was suspended by the MLB and eventually fired by Houston. The Astros had a ton of talent did they need to steal signs? How long did the Asterisks steal signs during Hinch’s time in Houston? Hinch served his time, but all of his accomplishments will be tainted because of the scandal. Hinch served his punishment and deserves another chance. Is it too soon for Hinch to jump right back in the dugout? Remember fans were not allowed in the stadiums in 2020. In 2021, Hinch will be booed every stadium he goes to. The players from those teams will easily get more harsh treatment then Hinch.

Detroit will be a different situation than Hinch’s time in Arizona and Houston. This stint with Detroit will tell you how good or how bad of a manager Hinch is. Tigers are not quite where Houston was when Hinch took over for Bo Porter. Hinch is not taking over for the bridge guy this go around. Hinch will need to be the bridge guy and beyond. Hinch will need to use all his skills to develop players and keep everyone motivated at the same time, which may take a few seasons. Detroit likes Hinch as he knows and understands the analytics part of the game, but he can also use the eye and gut test. Hinch will be the 39th manager in Tiger history. I give him credit jumping back in the saddle again. I think Hinch could have been better off to sit another year and wait for a better opportunity. Let the heat die down from the sign stealing scandal. Hinch played for the Tigers so he knows the organization and he probably felt comfortable signing with them rather quickly. Pressure will be on him, because the Tigers have not won a title since 1984. This year, the Dodgers broke their drought that went back to 1988. Tigers, I imagine, will be patient with Hinch so I think he will have a few years to bring a younger team together. Can he bring another younger team together and go beyond, without the noise of whaling on the trash cans?

WIN BY THE LARUSSA OR DIE BY THE LARUSSA

When the news broke that the White Sox axed Ricky Renteria after that dreadful game three perfomance in the first round of the playoffs, I was excited as a White Sox fan. The endless possibilities for your new skipper. I did hate seeing Ricky get screwed by both sides of town, but the numbers and his moves do not lie. Renteria’s great with young baseball minds. Renteria’s game management can be baseball stupid. The White Sox found their replacement and only interviewed one candidate. They hired 76 year old Tony LaRussa who they brought out of retirement. When I heard the news my jaw dropped, and I did not have that Christmas day feeling running down the stairs to the tree with my jaw opened up in pure excitement.

Everyone wanted the White Sox to interview the cheaters like Alex Cora and A.J Hinch, who was the popular choice. Both serving a one year suspension because of the cheating scandal in which their punishment was over after the World Series. Both Cora and Hinch involved in that scandal means I;d rather say no thanks. Ozzie Guillen would have been my sleeper choice. Ozzie is a maverick and a winner, but when will he go too far and step over the line. Besides Kenny Williams us still with the White Sox front office who don’t need him in the fetal position sucking his toes in the corner of his office if Ozzie returned. I thought A.J Pierzynski would be an excellent candidate. Pierzynski, a former catcher, is a guy that knew the rulebook cover to cover and was part of the 2005 World Series championship on the Southside. I did not want to go back down Ventura boulevard. When the Sox went with a fan favorite, Robin Ventura, with no manager experience it did not go well. Sandy Alomar I would have thought would have gotten a jingle from the Sox brass. Alomar also a catcher and he also played a few years on the South side who has coaching experience. Alomar has been working under Terry Francona in Cleveland which has given him a very nice baseball resume and someone to soak knowledge from. Even Alomar managed a few games when Terry Francona took some time off. I thought a former Padres & Giants skipper, to me, was the guy I would have pryed out of retirement. Bruce Bochy is a winner of three Giant World Series trophies and is younger than Tony LaRussa.

What does Tony LaRussa bring to the ball park? He is a Hall of Fame manager inducted into Cooperstown in 2014. LaRussa has been managing the game of baseball for 33 years which started on the South side of Chicago. LaRussa led the Winning Ugly 1983 White Sox to a division title. LaRussa did 8 seasons on the South side. LaRussa did ten seasons in Oakland and 16 seasons in St. Louis where he last managed in 2011. LaRussa’s credentials include six pennants and three World Series titles. Tony LaRussa has piled up 2,728 career victories which is the third best of all-time as a skipper. Trailing the great Connie Mack and John McGraw.

The problems with Tony LaRussa many will say the game has passed him up. That is a way to say he is too old at the age of 76 years old. Last time LaRussa coached was in 2011. Since then has the game changed that much? Analytics and sabermetrics are a big part of the game. Baseball seems like games are won from the computer printouts. The bat flip is like the touchdown celebration in football could blow the top off an oldschool guy like Tony. The game likes the trot out, the power arm after power arm. It’s a game where players live and die off the strikout or homerun. Can Tony LaRussa at 76 years old find common ground with this younger generation?

Some will say this Tony LaRussa hire was just a way for the owner of the White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf, to correct the wrong that he wants to make right. This a way to drive the DeLorean back in the past when Hawk Harrelson left the announcer booth for the White Sox and fired Tony LaRussa in the one year he was the GM of the Sox in the 1980’s. Would Tony LaRussa have held on to the White Sox skipper job like a Pope on the south side if he was not fired in the 1980’s? Would Tony have won all those World Series trophies on the South Side? Sometimes managers or even players need to get fired or traded to become that legend they turn out to be. If this is the reason to bring Tony back, it is Owner Stupid.

My first reaction to this hire was very glum. Then I thought about Jack McKeon who was in his 70’s and led the Florida Marlins to a World Series title. Then the firing of Ricky Renteria for being baseball stupid in his game management is immdiately rectified with Tony LaRussa, who knows how to manage a game. Tony is a Hall of Famer, he should know, or the Coopertown committee is baseball stupid. I listened to interviews of former players over the years about Tony LaRussa. LaRussa was ahead of his time using data before they called it analytics. LaRussa uses the eye test first in situations in games not like the Rays manager Kevin Cash taking out Brandon Snell who was pitching a whale of a game because the data suggested it. I want a guy with the eye test, the gut feeling and uses the data. LaRussa was the first to use different baseball shifts. LaRussa was the first to use a left handed specialist out of the bull pen for one batter. Plus the White Sox left a lot of baserunners on the base paths in the playoffs and regular season. Tony LaRussa will be able to help manufacture more runs and get the runners home in key situations especially late in games or in the playoffs. A well blanced offfense is better then swinging for the fences every other at-bat.

Why can’t Tony get along with all the young talent assembled on the Southside? Tony LaRussa coached the Bash brothers in Oakland. LaRussa coached Albert Pujols in St. Louis. LaRussa is bilingual so he can talk to all the players the Sox have, that really know more Spanish then English. I think Tony LaRussa would allow his players to have their bat flip fun. Tony LaRussa can police the locker room and keep everyone in line unlike Renteria in the last two weeks of regular season when the Sox fell from number one seed in playoffs to the number seven seed. The Sox young core have a big window at this time. Not sure Tony LaRussa has the same opening. This tells me two things. The White Sox could add a future manager candidate to LaRussa’s staff to take over in a few years. Plus the Sox could be in win-mode now. Players like a Trevor Bauer and George Springer need to be scooped up as free agents and added to the Sox puzzle and complete this mission.

SKY NET TERMINATES THE RAYS

The game of baseball today, is being ruined by the numbers game. They call it analytics. It includes every stat known to mankind in America’s pasttime, even what the player ate that morning it would seem. In Texas Tuesday night, game six between Dodgers and Rays, analytics doomed the Rays of possibly sending this series to a game 7. If you can’t get to game 7 being down 3 games to 2, how do you expect to win the World Series? Manager of the Rays, Kevin Cash, looked at his data and pulled his starter Blake Snell who was in cruise control. Snell left the game pitching a shut out and the bases were emptied. Snell had 9 punch-outs and had only given up 2 soft hits through 5 1/3 Innings. What happened to the eye test? What happened to the gut feeling? Even rolling the dice for all the marbles.

Analytics helped the Rays get to the World Series. Kevin Cash and his Rays have a set plan in each game they play. Right off the handy computer, printing off graphs and charts with all kinds of data of each hitter, pitcher and scenario. Kevin Cash’s reasoning was he did not want Blake Snell facing the Dodger line up for the third time of the game. The top three in the Dodger line up that features Cory Seager, Justin Turner and Mookie Betts were 0-6 facing Snell who was wheeling and dealing it. Kevin Cash who might be a droid himself took his pitcher out because Skynet forecasted the Rays star reliever Nick Anderson would do better. Dodger players, including their manager Dave Roberts, were jumping for joy seeing the exit of Blake Snell. Dodgers bats awakened and like that… the game was tied as analytics haunt the Rays.

Obviously the Sky-net did not have the right bat angles and solutions for the Rays hitters as they only scored the one run. The way Blake Snell was pitching, he may have pitched a shut out. Snell had a low pitch count if that means anything to Sky-net. The concern I have with analytics is the toll you put on your arms in the bullpen, especially getting this far. Blake Snell in his last 21 starts has not completed six innings in those outings. Every fifth day the bullpen is expected to pick up 3 to 4 innings in Snell’s starts. Plus what does this do to the pitcher’s confidence not able to take off the training wheels after twice through the line up? Whatever happened to giving your bullpen a breather?

Analytics are nice to have some key stats to help you in certain situations. If Kevin Cash makes all his decisions from the computer print out, what the hell do we even need a manager for? Replace them with cardboard cut outs like the fans. The game of baseball has come down to the power arms and the batter either strikes out or hits the home run? Where’s the manufacturing the run with the bunt or the stolon base? The Blake Snell outing on Tuesday should be determined by the eye test. Always ride the hot hand. If you’re blinded by the light, then the gut feeling. Talk to your guy before you go to the data. Love seeing the pitchers looking at the index cards of info of the batter from their back pocket. Then they lose focus on just pitching the ball. Skynet strikes again. Eventually the machines will rise and Skynet will eliminate all the human contact in the game. This may help us as a nation to practice social distancing. Do the Rays need another Geek Squad for next season?

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2020 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

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OUR PICK: RAYS IN 7

The Dodgers are loaded with talent compared to the Rays. The Dodgers have multiple position players people know and have heard of. Guys like Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger are super stars in the league. The Rays’ everyday players make you wonder who the hell these guys are. These guys on the Rays that are not household names, are pure baseball players and get the job done as a team. Every night a different hero. Every World Series comes down to pitching. The Rays are stacked in that department. Dodgers have quality arms as well. Rays pitching is the team’s backbone. This series should go the distance.

My brain says it’s obvious and I should go Dodgers. My gut tells me the Rays. Overall, I like the idea of a small market team like the Rays winning their first championship versus a big market team where the Rays former GM bolted to. Andrew Friedman has fingerprints on both teams, as a GM. Friedman wanted his pockets lined with cash and not to be strapped for cash when it came to buying and trading for big buck talent. Dodgers have been here the last few years. They came away empty each time. Until they complete the whole circle, then I will pick them. I’m wearing a Devil Ray’s hat in support of Tampa Bay to take down their X and Golliath at the same time.

RENTERIA BRIDGES FALLEN DOWN

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Ricky Renteria probably feels like he has been prison raped by both baseball teams in Chicago. Renteria is looking like a specialist in the baseball world in the manager’s seat in the dugout. This is not a lefty that comes out of the bullpen to get the other team’s lefty slugger out. As a manager of any sport, you do not want to be the bridge guy. In football, the bridge guy is the veteran quarterback that is hoping he’ll continue to start in the league while looking over his shoulders at the high draft pick the team picked. Sometimes these quarterbacks groom the rookie. In baseball, the bridge manager gets the younger team that’s in a rebuild on the verge to take the next step then the team pulls the plug on them as their job is complete. After the growing pains and all the hard work another guy comes in and finishes the job. Is Ricky Renteria this guy?

In 2014, Ricky Renteria was managing the Chicago Cubs and the team finished up with a record 0f 73-89. Renteria had the team playing very hard. The team was showing flashes of a team on the rise. The mastermind of the Cubs, Theo Epstein in the off-season, found an out clause in Joe Maddon’s contract with the Rays. Joe Maddon was in and Ricky Renteria was out the door. The Cubs went on to win the World Series in 2016 with Joe Maddon being the guy who broke the over 100 year drought the franchise had. Who will ever remember Ricky Renteria?

The White Sox hired Ricky Renteria to be Robin Ventura’s bench coach. In a move, the White Sox were thinking when Robin’s contract expired, Renteria could take over. In 2017, Ricky Renteria became the White Sox manager and the team went into a full rebuild that year. White Sox traded away all their talent on the roster for prospects. They signed veterans and flipped them at the trade deadline for more prospects. Renteria in 4 seasons went 236-309 which is a .433 winning percentage on the southside. Renteria did get a contract extension in 2018. That was the same year White Sox suffered a 100 loss season. In 2019, Ricky Renteria had the team showing signs they were ready and on the verge to win with more talented players coming up in the 2020 season. In 2020, Ricky Renteria finally got his first winning season as the skipper. It took the pandemic a shortened season to do that, but he guided the exciting young White Sox to the playoffs that broke a 12 year playoff drought.

Why did the White Sox fire Ricky Renteria after a very good season? It was the White Sox collapse in the last two weeks of the regular season. It was how Renteria handled the X’s and O’s, in the playoffs especially the bullpen. The White Sox were the first team in the entire league to clinch a playoff spot in a year they had thy expanded post season to 16 teams. White Sox were sitting high on the number one perch, but in the last two weeks they have free fallen to the 7th seed in the American League. If the playoffs were not expanded, the White Sox would have missed out. The White Sox, instead of having a home series in the first round, had to travel to Oakland. White Sox won the first game versus the Athletics in the best of three and then the wheels fell off. The bullpen day in game three versus the Athletics was the final straw for the White Sox brass which proved Renteria was easily out-managed by the Oakland manager. Renteria’s handling of the pitching staff in that game three of that series made him look like he was in over his head. That was not the first time he mismanaged a game as he’s done that regularly, even in the bad years. The flop in the last two weeks of regular season, were too lackadaisical in the club house. I think the White Sox originally were happy to have Ricky Renteria take the team all the way to the World Series. Seeing what happened in the last two weeks of regular season and playoffs, the change had to happen. Renteria is not the game type of manager with strategies. He was a great motivater as the players played their hardest for him. In the long run I’m sure Ricky Renteria could get a very talented team like the White Sox to the playoffs every year. In regular season with a great team, your mistakes as a manager are hidden and teams are able to be overcome with a 162 game season. In playoffs you need a manager to make the right calls especially when it comes to the bullpen. The postseason is where managers become legendary or what they should have done in that particular situation would be under the microscope if they fail. As a White Sox fan, I appreciate what Ricky Renteria has done for the White Sox. Ricky did get a raw deal. The main goal is to win a World Series or a few of them, and Ricky is not the fast machine that could accomplish that.

MLB CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREDICTIONS ROUND THREE

The final four has basically the usual suspects team-wise, even in a shortened season.

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OUR PICK: RAYS

It’s time to dispatch the Houston Astros. The mission us against the world for the Astros is getting very old. Astros did the crime and some how the rest of the world has to do the time. Rays pitching is the key of the series. Especially no trash cans available for the Houston hitters. I like how the Rays play as a team. Any night can feature a different hero for this team. For the love of the game baseball players prevail over the cheats.

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OUR PICK:DODGERS

Love to see the Braves eliminate the Dodgers. The Dodgers are fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. Seems like the year the baseball God’s give LA a pass and they win the whole thing. Especailly the Dodgers in their minds known the Astros cheated them out of title in 2017. Mission from God year Dodgers find their way back to the World Series.

THE MARLIN PLAYOFF RUN FINALLY ENDS WITH A LOSS

It took a pandemic to get the Miami Marlins into the playoffs for the first time since they won the World Series in 2003. The Covid-19 virus almost wiped out their locker room in the beginning of this 2020 shortened season. A group of them went out painting the town red in Atlanta, and many were exposed. Have to give Manager Don Mattingly credit as he got this team through that crisis and the Marlins ended up with a wild card berth.

This was the first time in decades that Marlins were making deals to improve the team at the trade deadline. At that time they landed veteran outfielder, Staling Marte, from the Diamondbacks. 2020 was good and bad for the Marlins. The expanded playoffs meant they were able to land the 6th seed. The Marlins have never won the division in their history of this franchise. This Wild Card berth was their third in this franchise history. The previous Wild Card berths won them two world series titles. The Marlin franchise came in having never lost a playoff series. The bad was the Marlins finally lost a playoff series to their archrival, the Atlanta Braves. Marlins made it interesting and knocked out the Cubs in the first round to be swept by Atlanta in round two.

The Marlins were the new kid on the block and stuck to franchises in the playoffs that were on decades of the World Series drought. In 1997 the Marlins ran through the NL and faced a very good Cleveland Indian team loaded with talent.

Indians had guys like Jim Thome, Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez and the Alomar Brothers all in their prime. For sure it looked like the Indians were going to win a World Series and break that drought from their last title in 1948. Pitcher and MVP of the 1997 World Series, Livan Hernandez, pitched lights out in the series. That year the Marlins had a great skipper as well, Jim Leyland.

I remember as a kid, Jim Leyland was a coach on my 1983 Winning Ugly White Sox team. The Marlins’ two World Series titles always had great managers running the show. Like Jack McKeon in 2003. The 1997 team and the 2003 team were totally different teams. The Marlins have had multiple owners in this franchise. The Marlins may have finally gotten it right with former Yankee great, Derek Jeter, running the show with his group that owns the fish-heads. The Marlins would scrap their teams after they won and it seemed like their farm system grew talent. Kind of like those farmers at farm stands who have tomatoes bigger then your heads.

In 2003 the Marlins brought up a young talented 19 year old third baseman, Miguel Cabrera, who for sure will be in Cooperstown.

Marlins had others like speedster Juan Pierre and slugger Mike Lowell which became a group that could score runs with either the small ball or the long ball. The Marlins had great pitching as well. Josh Beckett, the MVP of the 2003 World Series, and rookie of the year, Dontrelle Willis, with that high leg kick in his pitching wind up.

The Marlins ended up beating the Evil Empire New York Freaking Yankees in the series that year. However the story was how the Marlins got to the World Series. The Marlins faced the Chicago Cubs, a team in a 100 year drought from winning the World Series. A Chicago Cub team that was jinxed by a Billy Goat. Throw in a black hat in the collapse of 1969. The 2003 Cubs team may have been their best team they had to get over the hump of the goat and advance to the Series. I think the Cubs in 2003 were a better team than the Cubs team that won it in 2016. In 2003, the Cubs manager was Dusty Baker and in 2016, the Cubs had Joe Maddon. Maddon gets the nod over Dusty “We don’t trusty” in my handbook. In 2003 the entire world wanted Cubs and Yankees in the Series. This Cub Series versus the Marlins turned into the Steve Bartman series.

Shame on the Cubs fans to blame Steve Bartman going for a foul ball that Moises Alou was not going to get. Alou threw a cry baby tantrum and the wheels fell off the Cubs dream that year. Marlins prevail in the series and knocked a very good Cubs team out of the playoffs. Some say their best chance to break the longest drought at the time in sports history.

We know the Cubs eventually would win the World Series in 2016. That 2016 team brings us back to present times. The Cubs squared off against the Marlin team in round one, the best out of three series. Marlins swept the Cubs in Wrigley to advance and keep their record perfect for winning playoff serieses. With this Marlin win, we could see many changes to the Cubs roster in the upcoming months. You may see the Cubs core of that 2016 traded off as a rebuild could be in the works. The Marlins not only knocked off one the Cubs best teams in a very long time in 2003, but may have ended the group that did the impossible and won the entire thing in 2016. Marlins once fired their new hire coach Ozzie Guillen for his opinions on Cuba’s Castro. All the teams in Marlin history that got no chance and were scrapped immediately. Marlins ae still thorns in the side of many teams. Even being swept by the Atlanta Braves, this team is young and hungry and could be kept together by their new ownership and have time to grow. Time to evolve and could be a thorn in the sides of many teams for years to come. Maybe the Cubs had enough and will go back to their old ways and avoid the Marlins in the future.

MLB ROUND TWO PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

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#1.TAMPA BAY RAYS VS #5.NEW YORK YANKEES

OUR PICK:RAYS

Rays were 8-2 versus the power house Yankees in regular season play. Young pitching, young pitching and young pitching quiets that Yankee thunderous line up.

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#2.OAKLAND A’S VS #6.HOUSTON ASTROS

OUR PICK:ASTROS

These two teams hate each other. They should just go out and rumble like in the movie Warriors.”Cheaters come out to play” would be heard echoing throughout the stadium. I can dig that. Was not impressed with Oakland play versus the White Sox. I think the cheats move on to next round which sucks.

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#1.LA DODGERS VS #4.SAN DIEGO PADRES

OUR PICK:DODGERS

Dodgers are just too talented and have depth on the roster. Padres are young and hungry and will be a regular staple in the post season for years to come. I have to go with experience and take Dodgers moving on.

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#2.ATLANTA BRAVES VS #6.MIAMI MARLINS

OUR PICK:MARLINS

WHY NOT? Marlins have never lost a post season series in their history. If a team is going to lose it’s first post season series lets make it the conference championship for the young fish heads.

YOU ARE THE WEAKEST REGION “GOOD BYE”

Dealing with the Covid-19, MLB divided the league into three different regions to cut down traveling for each team. In a short 60 game season, each team would play their own division multiple times as usual. Then each team would play inter league games with the division in your region to make up a 60 game schedule. The West region features the AL and NL western divisions. The East Region had the AL and NL Eastern divisions and the Central had the AL and NL Midwest teams they call the Central. Which region was the weakest link when it came to crunch time? The Playoffs.

The Central region had the most teams in the playoffs with seven. Four out of the five teams from the NL Central made it to post season leaving only thePittsburgh Pirates in that division going home after regular season. The Eastern region had five teams in the post season. While the Western Region had the fewest teams in the post season with four teams total. The MLB expanded the playoffs with 16 total teams in all 8 from each league. After round one in the best out of three series only the Western Region remained perfect as Houston, Oakland, in the AL and San Diego and LA from the NL made it to the second round. The Eastern Region only lost one of their teams which was the Toronto/Buffalo Blue Jays. The Yankees, Rays, Marlins, and Braves moved to the second round. The Weakest link is the entire Central Region. You can say out loud, “Goodbye”.

Seven Central teams were dispatched in the first round by the rest of the league. Rather easily as well as only two teams won at least one game, leaving five teams swept in the best out three series. Only the White Sox and Cardinals were able to go the distance with their opponents by winning the very first game they played. Both the East and West Regions went 8-2 overall while the Central was a disappointment with a 2-14 overall record combined. It makes you wonder whether if you played a regular entire season with no virus lurking how your team would have done against foes from the other divisions. Plus, a normal year does not have expanded playoffs with 16 teams. The 60 game season brought excitement to your world, like for me watching the White Sox play. In reality, I know my team has lots of work to do to get better when the norm comes back in the baseball world. The White Sox did not win the division. The way they played at the end of regular season, they probably would have missed being a wild card if it was a normal year. It shows that the entire Central has to improve using this year as a measuring stick. When playoffs started and they began playing different teams, the results were very bad.

WHITE SOX GIFT OF THE MAGJI TO THE ATHLETICS

If the White Sox had another capable starter to their starting rotation, would things have been different versus the Oakland Athletics? The White Sox gave the Oakland Athletics game three, the best out of three in the playoff series on Thursday. I thought of the young stud arm Michael Kopech opting out this year because of the pandemic. Could Kopech have been the X-factor in a short season where the White Sox had a magical year without him? Besides lacking the arm, the White Sox gave Oakland an early Christmas gift with all the walks in the ball game that came back and haunted the Southsiders. I can also ask where the clutch hitting was in the entire series for the White Sox. Too many base runners left stranded. Not bringing in runs in a scoring position with less then two outs is another thing you can point out. Oakland was a higher seed but they were not scary. This series will always be remembered as what could have been and what should have been.

Game one of the series started off so well for the White Sox versus the Athletics. Pitcher Lucus Gilito was flirting with a perfect game. The White Sox bats came to life early. The bullpen closed the door and White Sox had the 1-0 series lead with Dallas Keuchal taking the mound for game two. The White Sox won without one of their dangerous bats in the line up, Eloy Jimenez who hurt his foot at the end of regular season. You can say the Oakland Athletics were without their star third baseman, Matt Chapman. I was feeling good after game one even though the White Sox could have pushed more runs across the board. I quickly forgot about the horrible slide the White Sox had in the regular season with two weeks to go. Once the number one seed, the White Sox fell down the slide of Chutes and Ladders and tumbled away from winning the division title to the number seven seed. This is the playoffs and it’s a clean slate. I liked where the White Sox were placed in this playoff tournament, even though they flopped at the end. No Yankees and no Rays in the first two brackets which made me think perhaps this team can go deep into post season.

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In game two of the series between the White Sox and A’s, Chicago was haunted by some of their own. Ghosts of the farm’s past beat the White Sox in game two to even things in the series at one game a piece. In the 2005 playoffs, ex-White Sox players helped their old team. Josh Paul catching for the Angels on that famous drop third strike rule where A.J Pierzynski extended the inning going to first after Paul toss the ball to the side, thinking the inning was over. Then in the Boston series in the 2005 playoffs, the ball going through Tony Graffanino’s legs. No such luck in present times as pitcher Chris Bassit, whom they call the hound dog, pitched a gem against his old team in a very crucial part of the season. Former Short Stop Marcus Semien had a big game two and overall a great series versus his old organization. You can even throw in Frankie Montas getting out of some jams pitching in relief. Game two starter Dallas Keuchal was not what I expected he would do. Thought Keuchal would have more of a Lucas Gilito type of perfomance than what he did. This is why the White Sox signed Dallas Keuchal to win playoff games. Errors did not help Keuchal’s cause. The bats were silent until the late innings, but it was too late. Oakland sealed the deal and evened things up.

Game three was just a mess. Now you think back to the trade deadline. Should the White Sox have went out and got a starter, giving up a prospect? I think no because my brain instantly goes to Big Game James Shields who lost his game coming from the Padres. The Sox gave up N.L. MVP this year most likely, Fernando Tatis Jr. Oh the humanity!!! Then in the off season the brain trust for the White Sox traded prospect Steele Walker to Texas for Nomar Mazara who was terrible this season.

Steele Walker I will keep tabs on, believe me. I will give Nomar Marara credit because he did have a good game in game three. I was thinking of forgiving his bad play for the entire season, but he struck out looking at the end of the game which ended the season. Going down and looking, he’s back on my list. The White Sox starter in game three was Dave Dunning who was on the shortest leash in the history of the game, throwing 15 pitches and getting two outs in the very first inning. With two guys on, in came rookie Garrett Crochet. It was a bullpen day for manager Ricky Renteria. Renteria’s plan for this bullpen day was absolutely horrible. Plus down the stretch of regular season, his management skills cost the team a few wins. Crochet did the job and got out of the first inning unscathed. However Crochet would leave with an injury. Plus, Eloy Jimenez was back in the line up since that foot injury and he had to leave the game after hitting a double. Bullpen day the White Sox had a 3-0 lead and then Oakland came back to score 4 in one inning to take the lead. Two of those runs walked in by White Sox pitching. Renteria putting rookies in spots where the situation is a pressure cooker. Oakland is a very patient team and takes walks. The White Sox were getting on base. The team had plenty of base runners but they could not get the clutch hit they needed. Luis Robert had a mammoth home run earlier in the game.

Late in the game, Oakland got Luis Robert out with breaking balls. Oakland pitching was able to get out of jam after jam late in the ball game until they finally closed the door on the White Sox season. I will grumble about this series for a long time ago for what could have, what should have happened for the White Sox. I will remind myself this is a young team and will have many years to get the job done and win a World Series. The overall White Sox season was exciting, especially during a bad year with the pandemic and just violence that has swept through our country. It was a nice outlet to have come home after work and watch a young and fun team do well. In the off-season, I have a wish list for the White Sox that starts with a bonafide starter for the rotation. My faith in manager Ricky Renteria is at a low level. A new manager would be nice. I don’t see the White Sox going down that road. I would like another quality outfielder as well. We will see. This series did sting because I would love to have beaten the Dusty “we don’t trusty” Baker Astros in the next round. Next year going to the games eating a hot dog and seeing my White Sox grow and get better, will be the recipe to get over this disaster playoffs. Hope the Athletics enjoy the gift we gave to city of Oakland. I expect a player to be named later.

MLB FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

ROUND ONE (BEST OUT 3)

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#1.TAMPA BAY RAYS VS #8.TORONTO BLUE JAYS

OUR PICK: RAYS

Rays pitching will baffle the young hitters from Toronto.

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#4.CLEVELAND INDIANS VS #5. NEW YORK YANKEES

OUR PICK:YANKEES

Indians have been playing out of their minds in last two weeks. It’s simple Indians run out of gasoline. Yankees will wear out Cleveland’s pitching staff.

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#3.MINNESOTA TWINS VS #6. HOUSTON ASTROS

OUR PICK:ASTROS

Twins thanking the baseball Gods not to be facing Yankees in the very first series. However I see the same ole song and dance Twins choke in the playoffs. Plus Dusty Baker manager of the Astros always has luck in his first year on the jobs he’s done.

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#2.OAKLAND ATHLETICS VS #7.CHICAGO WHITE SOX

OUR PICK: WHITE SOX

White Sox first team to clinch a playoff spot in the A.L. After that they played bad baseball down the stretch to be the 7th seed. White Sox hit the playoff switch and come back to life. Same story for the 2005 White Sox. Oakland history in first round not very good in the last ten years.

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#1.LA DODGERS VS #8.MILWAUKEE BREWERS

OUR PICK:DODGERS

Dodgers are by far the best team in the playoffs. Would the Pirates been a better choice than the Brewers to face the Dodgers? Brew Crew looks like skunk beer this year. The their crafty self in others years.

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#4.SAN DIEGO PADRES VS #5. ST.LOUIS CARDINALS

OUR PICK:PADRES

Padres are the new kids on the block for these playoffs. Cardinals fought off Covid-19 and still made it to the playoffs is a great story. Padres will make some noise and go deep into the tournament. The Padres will show you why they have the MVP of the league playing for them.

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#3.CHICAGO CUBS VS #6.MIAMI MARLINS

OUR PICK:MARLINS

Marlins have never ever lost a playoff series in their history. Marlins never have won a division in their history. The Marlins are young and hungry and will kick the old men of the Cubs to curbside in this series. In with the new out is the Cubs dynasty that did win one title.

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#2.ATLANTA BRAVES VS #7.CINCINNATI REDS

OUR PICK:REDS

Reds have been playing some great baseball in last few weeks. Atlanta comes in riddled with holes from injuries. The Reds pitching staff scares me. Braves will bow out early.

THE TROPHY CASE

16 TEAMS IN 2020 SEEK THE WORLD SERIES TROPHY

What team will add to their collection? Will one of the teams that have never won a World Series get their first? Will the Marlins remain unbeaten in their playoff history?

NEW YORK YANKEES	40 PENNANTS	27 WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
ST.LOUIS CARDINALS	23 PENNANTS	11 WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
OAKLAND A’S	15 PENNANTS	9   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
LA DODGERS	22 PENNANTS	6   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
CINCINNATI REDS	9 PENNANTS	5   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
MINNESOTA TWINS	6 PENNANTS	3   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
CHICAGO WHITE SOX	6 PENNANTS	3   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
ATLANTA BRAVES	9 PENNANTS	3   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
CHICAGO CUBS	11 PENNANTS	3   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
CLEVELAND INDIANS	6 PENNANTS	2   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
MIAMI MARLINS	2 PENNANTS	2   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
TORONTO BLUE JAYS	2 PENNANTS	2   WORLD SERIES TROPHIES
HOUSTON ASTROS	3 PENNANTS	1   WORLD SERIES TROPHY ***
SAN DIEGO PADRES	2 PENNANTS	0   WORLD SERIES TROPHY
TAMPA BAY RAYS	1 PENNANT	0   WORLD SERIES TROPHY
MILWAUKEE BREWERS	1 PENNANT	0   WORLD SERIES TROPHY

THE BUCKO REVIEW

If you’re a Pirate fan, you’d like to invent some kind of pill to erase the agony of 2020 from your memory banks. Going in you knew it was going to be a rough year in general. Fans had hopes for some clever trades to net in some prospects and get some excitement for the future. Instead all your bargain chips are in down years with their performance on the field. Last year’s rookies show promise and they to are in the midst of a sophomore jinx and their numbers are down. Then suddenly the team shows a pulse and had swept the Chicago Cubs and has a three game winning streak going into the final three game series versus the Indians. Pirates could say they are lined up for a good draft pick while half the league is getting their own rotation set for the expanded playoffs.

OVERALL RECORD 18-39 (LAST PLACE IN NL CENTRAL)

LAST BUCKO REVIEW RECORD AFTER 11 GAMES WAS 2-9

RECORD SINCE THE LAST REVIEW HAS BEEN 16-28

JULY RECORD 2-5

AUGUST RECORD 8-17

SEPTEMBER RECORD 8-17

PIRATES RECORD VERSUS THE NL CENTRAL

CUBS 4-6

REDS 3-7

BREWERS 5-5

CARDINALS 4-6

1-3 VERSUS WHITE SOX

HOME RECORD:13-19

ROAD RECORD:5-20

The Chicago White Sox number one draft pick was number eight overall. Carson Fulmer was picked up by the Pirates. Fulmer was cut by the White Sox early this season and since then, Carson has been making his rounds all over the league. Fulmer had stops in Baltimore and Detroit.This will be Carson Fulmer’s second stint in Pittsburgh this month. Fulmer had some flashes when he pitched well for the White Sox. Fulmer has not been consistent enough to stay on the major league roster for the entire season. It’s a gamble worth taking. If you can get him right, then it might be that diamond in the ruff. Fulmer has the stuff, but does not know how to use it on every pitch.

MINOR TRADE

International signing of 2015-16 pitcher Joel Ceasar is the player to be named later in that deal that sent Austin Davis from the Phillies to the Pirates in late August.

PIRATE BRIGHT SPOT

In 2019, pitcher Chad Kuhl missed the entire season due to Tommy John Surgery. Kuhl started nine games this season for the Pirates in his comeback season. In Kuhl’s last start of the season, he pitched seven strong and shut out the Cubs to earn his second win of the season. Chad Kuhl finished with 2-3 record and 4.27 ERA going 46.1 IP.

ROOKIE WATCH

I have been impressed so far watching Ke’Bryan Hayes defend the hot corner. Hayes hitting .329 in 73 AB’S with 4 long balls. Hayes has driven in 9 and has scored 12 runs. I like Hayes getting some major league action this season which will go a long way towards his future.

. LETS NOT STOP NOW BOYS

I’m not sure what home run call I want to use by former White Sox announcers. “YES YOU CAN PUT ON THE BOARD,” by future hall of fame announcer Hawk Harrelson.

My second choice is “LIGHT IT UP” by the great Ed Farmer who passed away this season.

Most White Sox fans would pick either one to celebrate the White Sox being the first American League team to clinch a playoff spot in 2020. It’s been 12 long grueling years watching bad baseball on the south side. Plus, a good amount going through a rebuild. The young superstars have arrived and GM Rick Hahn has done a great job sprinkling a few veterans in place to get this team ahead of schedule. They’ve been fun to watch and may be that scary team in the post-season that nobody wants to deal with.

In 2008, it was the black out game that got the White Sox into post season and the tie breaking game versus the Twins. That 2008 team did not have that 2005 team feel when they won the World Series. In 2008, the Tampa Rays dispatched the White Sox relatively quickly in that first round. The 2020 team is in already in and will not need a tie breaker. The 2020 has that 2005 team feeling vibe going on.

In this shortened season, it did not seem like the White Sox would get past a thorn in their side, the Minnesota Twins. The Twins, once nicknamed the Piranhas by Ozzie Guillen, always had the White Sox’s number for the last 20 or so years. The Metrodome in Minneapolis was the house of horrors for White Sox teams this season. The opening three game series versus the Twins this season looked like the same results were going to happen for the Southsiders. Then the second meeting between the White Sox and the Twins was the same result, with the Twins winning each of those series. If the White Sox could not overcome the Twins, they had other roads to take to get in the 2020 playoffs. Especially with MLB expanding them to 8 spots in each league. The White Sox could land second place and get in. The last shot would be the best two records out of the remaining bunch, not getting the one or two spots in each of the divisions. White Sox beat up on all the bad teams as some pointed out. The last 4 game series versus the Twins White Sox finally fought back and took out the bully Twins winning three games out of four. This landed them a definite spot this upcoming post season.

Yes, I am excited about post season, but the team and fans and I want more. With games left and in the number one seed seat, now I want to stay there. Twins and Indians are still in the rear view mirror. They say objects are closer than you expect. Hopefully the riddled with injuries pitching staff for the White Sox can have enough arms step up in these situations. Enough to hold off the teams that want to knock Chicago off the top of the hill. It is easier to go out hunting than defend and be the king of the hill. In a very bad year in 2020, the stuff that is going on in the world can make anyone’s head spin. The White Sox have been a very nice outlet to leave the bad stuff at the doorstep when the day is over. Let’s keep the big inning alive and go for the gold. “Don’t stop now boys,” as the Hawkaroo would say

TOM TERRIFIC THE CHICAGO CONNECTION

The Chicago White Sox were always collecting aging super stars. Future hall of famers. Players the White Sox seemed unable to draft. Players the White Sox avoided paying big contracts to. Some of these players were acquired to help put the team over the top and perhaps go deep into the playoffs. Some of these players, the Sox brain trust had hopes they’d put more fannies in the seats. Some of them had no gasoline left in the tank. In 1984, after Winning Ugly in 1983, the White Sox signed 39 year old Tom Seaver who was nick named Tom Terrific.

Tom Terrific came from the team who drafted him, the New York Mets. He was part of the Miracle Mets of 1969 where Tom Seaver helped them win their first ever World Championship. In 1992, Tom Seaver made it to Cooperstown. In 2020 in a very horrible year for the entire world due to Covid-19 virus, Tom Seaver has passed away at the age of 75. Tom Seaver had dementia and then eventually the fight against Covid finished him as he becomes another stat for this Steven King type of story, which is still happening presently in 2020.

Tom Seaver served in the U.S Marine corps and then was drafted by the Mets in 1966. Seaver quickly showed the National league he was a legit arm as he won rookie of the year in 1967. Tom Seaver pitched from 1967-1986 with four teams that started with the Mets and then the Reds in the NL. Seaver then played with both the White and Red Sox in the American League. Seaver won 311 major league games with a career meager 2.86 ERA and an impressive 3,640 strike outs. Seaver was a 12 time all-star. Seaver led the NL in wins three times. Plus ERA three times and 5 times in strikeouts. Add three CY-Young awards to Seaver’s resume and it was a very easy first ballot to Cooperstown for the man coined Tom Terrific.

When Tom Seaver signed with Chicago in 1984 I was just a kid and in 1983 I was all about that winning Ugly team. I remember my heart broke losing that playoff game in extra innings versus the Orioles in the best out of five playoffs series that ended that special season for my White Sox. Seaver joined a talented South Side starting rotation that featured Britt Burns, Lamar Hoyt, Richard Dotson and Floyd Bannister. In 1984, the White Sox led the division in July. The wheels fell off the bus and the White Sox went down in flames like most Chicago sports teams trying to repeat. That year Tom Seaver led the White Sox with 15 wins in his first season in the AL.

In 1985, the White Sox window was closed making it to the post season. In Tom Seaver’s second year with the team he was marvelous winning 16 games with a 3.17 ERA. On August 4th of 1985, I was able to watch baseball history as Tom Seaver won his 300th game in Yankee stadium. I watched it at home on TV and saw Tom Seaver pitch a gem. Watching Met fans in the Bronx cheering the guy that used to wear their cap was pretty cool.

Tom Seaver finished his White Sox career with a 33-28 record with a 3.67 ERA in 81 appearances before he was traded to Boston in 1986 for Psycho Steve Lyons.

Steve Carlton came to the White Sox in 1986 and had a 4-3 record in the lone season on the Southside. Manny Ramirez was horrible dressed in black and white. Ken Griffy Junior had a quarter of a tank of gasoline and did a few things to help the White Sox capture the division in 2008. Jim Thome was very impactful when he arrived. Even though we never made it to post season with Tom Seaver, he still played well in Chicago and was worth watching when your team was not going anywhere. It’s probably what Washington Wizard fans got to watch when they brought Michael Jordan out of retirement as he was approaching 40 years of age. Tom Terrific was a competitor and to play 20 seasons in professional baseball keeping your arm from not falling off is hard work he put into his game every year. Tom Seaver is probably in the baseball heavens right now throwing against greats like Babe Ruth and Shoeless Joe Jackson. Thanks for the great memories, Mr. Terrific. Players like Tom Seaver keep the game of baseball very special. Especially the way he played on the field and the way he handle himself off the field. Seaver was a family man. Seaver donated a good amount of his stuff to Cooperstown for fans of all ages to enjoy for decades to come. Seaver sounds like a childhood hero that would not scar your child from lack of autographs. Seaver probably has 400 or more wins at life just by being Tom Terrific.

TOP ANGEL FISH

Mike Trout is probably the best baseball player in the entire universe, presently. Last Saturday night, the Los Angeles Angel makes history with his 300th home run of his career. This makes Trout the 151st player in the history of the game to reach the 300 mark in home runs. With that home run, Trout swims upstream and passes the previous top Angel fish, Tim Salmon who finished with 299 home runs in his career with the Halos.

Tim Salmon played with the Angels his whole career, which was 14 seasons. It took Salmon 1,672 games to hit 299 home runs with the California Angels, who renamed their team the Anaheim Angels. Salmon did get get to play one season under the new Los Angeles Angels name as well. Mike Trout is only 29 years old and in ten seasons, it only took him 1,235 games to surpass an Angel great in the long ball department. However, Tim Salmon has won a ring with the Angels. Mike Trout will be missing the playoffs this season because the team has not played as well as they had high hopes for, before the season started.

Mike Trout 300th home run was his 15th of this season which came off Astros pitching. The three time MVP leads the league in home runs this season. Trout is also the 16th player only to reach the 300 mark before the age of 30. Could Trout catch a Barry Bonds, the home run king who has plenty of Houston asterisks next to his name on top of the charts? If Trout logs in another ten seasons and prays that Covid will not affect the American past-time beyond this season, he has a chance.

Angels’ top five in Home runs all-time is interesting.

#1.Mike Trout 300 #2. Tim Salmon #3. Garret Anderson #4.Brian Downing 222 Then Albert Pujols at #5 with 214.

I did not think Brian Downing had that many long balls with 222. Thought of Downing as more of a doubles guy. Just a guy that made contact and got on base. Garet Anderson was a long time staple and fan favorite of the Halos. Albert Pujols could end up at number two all-time for the Angels, when that freaking long ass contract finally ends.

WHEELING AND DEALING AT THE TRADE DEADLINE

ATHLETICS MAKE A FEW MINOR DEALS

Oakland Athletics were looking to add more depth on the roster at the trade line. Athletics added a starter to their rotation and a veteran bench player in hopes these deals will be enough to defend off the Astros. Houston is heating up while Oakland started out of the gates red hot.

STELLA!!!! Oakland worked both deals from their own division as Tommy La Stella comes from the Angels. Maybe the whole division hates Houston and threw Oakland a piece to help them win the division over those dirty cheats. La Stella came from the Cubs to Anaheim, one of Joe Maddon’s guys. La Stella was a pinch hitter and guy that came off the bench to fill in for players in Chicago. Tommy’s play improved where he was an everyday player. La Stella can play a few positions in the infield and has some pop to his bat including that he can hit a few balls out of the park from time to time. The Angels get a minor league infielder from Oakland, Franklin Barreto.

Last year, Mike Minor was awesome for Texas. Minor was an all-star. This season he has been horrible. Maybe with Oakland he will find last year’s mojo. Oakland is gambling on Minor’s past history rather than the now. They land Minor for which Texas loves the player to be named later. Minor gets the Rangers two of those. Plus some speedy rewards cash. 133,000 international bonus bucks, right into the Rangers overseas account. If Minor pitches like he did last season for Oakland, this last month of the season this trade may turn out to be very savvy and a big deal around playoff time.

METS CLOSING IN ON THE 8TH SPOT OF THE NL

The New Mets made some moves to bolster their roster at the trade deadline. The Mets are chasing that final playoff spot and trail their division rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, by two games. Mets got a big arm for their bull pen and some much needed bench help. The arm from the Orioles was their biggest move, landing Miguel Castro. Castro has 25 punch outs in only 15 2/3 innings of work in this shortened 2020 season.

Mets had to give up their number 12 prospect in the organization to Baltimore to get Castro. Kevin Smith, a nice young piece, will head to Maryland with either cash or a player to be named later to complete that deal. Mets will use Castro towards the end of games while Baltimore will hopefully pray they collected a talented prospect for the future.

These days, ex-White Sox, Todd Frazier, can not escape New York. I guess you can say he is no Jake The Snake Plissken. Frazier signed with the Rangers in the off- season and is leaving New York after three seasons. One with the Yankees in 2017 and the Mets must have missed him because he was there last season and in 2018. Mets lost J.D Davis to an injury so Frazier can take over the hot corner. Frazier with Rangers only had two long balls with a .241 batting average.

Rangers also gave up one of their catchers to the Mets. Robinson Chirinos will head to New York and come off the bench with a back up role. Chirnos is having a terrible time only batting .119. Maybe playing in another state will help him with his game. Rangers will get two players to be named later from the Mets organization down the road.

PIRATES AND WHITE SOX

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed veteran outfielder Jarrod Dyson in the off season on a one year deal worth 2 million. Pirates needed a body in the outfield. If the team stunk they can always ship him to a contender. Jarrod Dyson has not been good, only batting a whopping .154 for the season. Dyson, the former Royal, only scored 5 runs and drove in six with a very pathetic Pirate offense this season. The Pirates found a taker… the White Sox.

White Sox are in contention this season and wanted to improve their bench. They found a way to not give up any of their young prospects. White Sox land Dyson for cash. International bonus pool money worth 243,300 right in the Pirates’ bank account. That’s a lot of Iron City beer. At least Dyson was not traded for a cooler of lobsters; that occurred between two minor league teams a few years back. Jarrod Dyson gives the White Sox a defensive repacement late in games. Dyson can give players a rest with a few starts. Plus pinch running in late innings gives the White Sox some speed on the bases with Jarrod Dyson in the mix.

MARLINS AND DIAMONDBACKS

2020 has been a crazy year with the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Black Lives Matter versus the Blue Wall. The protests. People just angry and resorting to violence. Looting and rioting have been ravaging through the nation. Now you’re going to tell me the Miami Marlins are not sellers at the trade deadline. While the Arizona Diamondbacks are sellers. The 2020 Steven King story continues as the ‘Fish’ land Starling Marte from the Diamondbacks. The same Starling Marte ex- Pirate who was dealt to the snakes only months ago before the season even started.

Last time the Marlins were buyers at the trade deadline was when the team won the World Series in 2003. I thought the Diamondbacks, with all the off-season activity they did, would give the Dodgers a challenge for the division. Diamondbacks have lost 10 out of their last 11 games and now they become sellers. The Marlins earlier this season had to deal with Corona Virus spreading through their locker room because the team was careless and went out in Atlanta. The Marlins were off quite awhile but have overcome that and find themselves in the mix for a playoff spot. Diamondbacks receive two pitchers: Caleb Smith and Huberto Mejia. Plus, the Snakes receive that famous player to be named later.

You have to feel bad for a Starling Marte. First being traded to the Diamondbacks from the Pirates. Diamondbacks seem on the rise while the Pirate ship was sinking. Then Starling Marte’s wife died in the off-season. Marte could of easily opted out but may need baseball as his safe place. Marte then is going to Miami which is not a very upstanding organization in the league. Marte is off to a good start this season batting .302 in this brief 60 game season. Marlins may have found their key to the playoffs in Marte. Marte has an option next year if the Marlins want to keep him in 2021. It probably depends on whether the Fish swim up stream in 2020. Marte could be thrown back in the waters after his use this season, and on to another city.

GRACE UNDER FIRE

I never thought Mark Grace would mend fences with the Chicago Cubs. When Mark Grace helped the Diamondbacks win the World Series in 2001, he never held back any words for the organization he played for from 1988-2000. Grace made sure Andy MacPhail and the Tribune Company, who owned the Cubs at the time, knew how winning the whole enchilada was never going to happen in Chicago. Andy MacPhail was the reason for Mark Grace’s bad exit. The Chicago Tribune Company era continued the Cubs’ losing ways. It took time, but things changed when Tom Ricketts purchased the Cubs. The Cubs actually broke the curse of the billy goat and finally won a championship in 2016. Mark Grace became a pretty good baseball announcer after he hung up the spikes. Looked like the relationship between Grace and the Diamondbacks was going to last forever. DUI’S piled up for Grace and he was officially out in Arizona. Cubs get a new network. Mark Grace was hired by the Marquee Sports Network – all Cubs, all the time. It did not take long for Grace to land a five game suspension for just telling an old story.

Baseball announcers are always telling stories on the air about their playing days. Some of these announcers have repeated their old stories like a new audience was tuned in on the rerun. In Mark Grace’s rerun, he mentioned his X-wife and brought up the show, “All In the Family”. Archie Bunker, when mentioned these days, can probably upset some people as he was known as a bigot on the show. He had harsh words for every race and creed. Thicker skins prevailed in those days, as now the word ‘Dingbat’ gets people in an uproar. In 2020, the world is filled with an airborne virus. Police unjustified shootings. A Black Lives Matter spokesperson in Chicago said it’s OK to take a Gucci bag while looting. Looting and rioting has scared many. Protesting the right way gets polluted by the people out there looking to make mayhem. Native Americans finally achieved a small victory getting rid of the Washington DC football team’s historic nickname, the Redskins. Why Ding Bat?

Archie Bunker’s wife Edith was nicknamed ‘Dingbat’ for some of her moments as a ditzy house wife on “All In the Family”. Mark Grace told a story about his wife driving him to County Stadium, which at the time was home of the Milwaukee Brewers. How she dropped him off and then parked the car in Bud Selig’s spot. At the time, he was Commissioner of Baseball and a former owner of the Brewers. On the air he called his ex a ding bat for making the mistake and parking his car in Bud’s spot.

Has society sunk to an all new low in political correctness? I get no woman should be called a name or considered a man’s slave. Women are equals and should be treated with respect. You could say Mark Grace should not air dirty laundry on the air. Whoever Mark Grace’s ex-wife is, her name was not mentioned. If Grace said she was a ditz for parking in Bud’s spot, would that make a huge difference? Calling someone a dingbat one time should not get Grace a suspension or fired. All in The Family made television history in many ways and should not be banned like people that wanted to ban books in the 1980’s, like Huck Finn. What do kids call each other these days? Turd head or booger… are these words that can hurt? What ever happened to “sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me?”

Mark Grace played 16 seasons in the majors and was a four time gold glover. Grace was very good with the bat. Grace likes to drink some beers as he headed out to the taverns after playing those day games at Wrigley for over a decade. On the air he probably feels like he pulls up a bar stool and tells old stories. How many people do you have in your family that tell great stories? Perhaps your uncle. Your grandfather. Perhaps a friend. They probably use words which are totally worse. Grace is just telling something about one person he knows, and like your uncle or grandfather, is not attacking the whole female gender or race. Especially a word like dingbat. Imagine if he used the term MEAT HEAD. The people up in arms about that, well… we would know they are dead from the neck up.

BLUE JAYS NOW PART OF BUFFALO BASEBALL HISTORY

The Toronto Blue Jays had to fly the coop as the lone Canadian team was rejected to play any games in their own homeland in the 2020 baseball season. Blue Jays had to find a home rather quickly as the short 60 MLB season was starting and the team at one point looked like they were going to be on a 60 game road trip, like a traveling circus going from town to town. With Covid cases on the rise, options like Pittsburgh closed their borders to the Blue Jay,s like Canada having MLB teams going in and out of the city of Toronto without quarantining. Would Donald Trump put up high netting in the sky to prevent a bird flying in a certain state? Florida was a one minute idea where the Blue Jays have their spring training facility, but the beach goers are turning zombie-like with Covid symptoms with a bad sunburn. Baltimore was on the table as a home for the Blue Jays. That idea was nixed. Who would want to play baseball in Baltimore? I’ve seen the show on HBO called the Wire. The Jays settled for old reliable, the city of Buffalo, New York. Home to Toronto’s Triple AAA the Buffalo Bison.

It’s been a very long time since Buffalo, New York had a professional baseball team in its city. The city of Buffalo has some interesting baseball history that is worth talking about. The last time a professional team took the diamond in Buffalo, New York was the Buffalo Blues back in 1915.

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The Blues played in that renegade league they called the Federal league, which was competing with the American and National league at the time. The Federal league ended up folding their operations after only a few seasons. After the Blues, Buffalo had a spot in the Continental baseball league in 1960. The league never got off the ground and folded without even playing a game. Then in 1969, Buffalo was pursuing a team in the MLB, as an expansion team. They were one of the finalists. San Diego and Montreal were awarded teams, and Buffalo was still out in the cold shoveling snow.

The original Buffalo Bison played seven seasons in the National league in the late 1800’s. It was the last time an MLB game was played in upper New York state. From 1879-85, the Bison played in what was at that time, an 8 team league. The Bison never got higher than third place. After the Bison’s stint in the National league, they attempted to get into the American league, but the Boston franchise called the Americans at the time got the spot instead of Buffalo. The Bison had some players that made it to Cooperstown from those seven seasons. Dan Brouthers played first baseman for the Bison and batted .351 with 38 home runs in five seasons. Home runs in those days were harder to hit. No fences in and hitting golf balls back in the days. Brouthers also played for the Detroit Wolverines, Boston Reds, and Brooklyn Grooms. Then Pud Galvin as a pitcher for the Bison did things on the mound no one can do at present times. Galvin had two straight 46 win seasons and pitched over 600 innings. In 1884 the Bison played in 115 games and Galvin pitched in 72 games. The man completed 71 games. Maybe extra innings were involved in some of those. Galvin went on to be the first pitcher to win 300 games. Galvin started his career at the time for the St. Louis Brown stockings. I love some of the old names for these teams. 

Let’s not forget the movie, the Natural. Some of the scenes from one of or even the best baseball movie of all-time were filmed in Buffalo. The man named Roy Hobbs played by Robert Redford swinging the bat, was in an emptied out Buffalo War memorial stadium. Then in 1979, Pilot Field had the reincarnation of the Buffalo Bison, who were a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate at the time playing double AA games. The Bison became a triple AAA affiliate in 1985. Then in 2013, Buffalo Bison became a triple AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Sahlen Field opened up in 1988 a retro style type of stadium that many say is a must see venue for those baseball gurus who love to hit multiple minor league stadiums throughout the states.

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The Blue Jays will only be playing 29 games in Sahlen Field, in front of probably cardboard cut outs. Can the city of Buffalo adopt the Blue Jays since taking them in? Can you imagine the Bills mafia having some great summer fun before the games with their legend-ok wait for it-Legend-ary tailgate parties. You might ask, what about the Toronto die hards who watched Blue Jay baseball through thick and thin? I remember when the Buffalo Bills were for sale and rock star Bon Jon Jovi was one of the potential buyers, rumored to wish to move the team to Toronto. Toronto fans would not feel sorry for Bills fans if that happened. For right now in present times, Buffalo has MLB playing in their backyard as we can add that to the already small amount of baseball history in Buffalo. Some interesting history as well.  Just not enough for the city of Buffalo, which should be a place that the MLB has a big league team.

NEW MANAGER POWER RANKINGS

The MLB has ten new skippers running teams in 2020. Houston, Boston and New York Mets had to do some last minute replacements for their old skipper, due to the Houston Astros sign stealing saga. Would the Cubs new hire do a better job than the Cubs old hire who runs the Angels? Joe Maddon versus David Ross… could that ever mean something? Since Covid has delayed some teams in terms of the amount of games so far, we will judge the managers by winning percentage in our New Manager Power Rankings after roughly 14 games. It seems to be the common number for these new hires at this point. 

RANK	MANAGER	NEW TEAM	RECORD	WINNING %
1	David Ross	Cubs	10-3	.769
2	Jayce Tingler	San Diego	8-6	.571
3	Dusty Baker	Houston	6-7	.462
4	Joe Giraldi	Phillies	3-4	.429
5	Gabe Kaplen	Giants	6-9	.400
6	Ron Roenicke	Red Sox	5-8	.385
7	Luis Rojas	NY Mets	5-9	.357
8	Joe Maddon	LA Angels	5-9	.357
9	Mike Matheny	Kansas City	5-10	.333
10	Derek Shelton	Pirates	3-11	.214

SOUTH SIDER WEEKLY

2ND IN AL CENTRAL

8-6 RECORD

HOME RECORD:2-4 ROAD RECORD: 7-3

LAST TEN GAMES: 7-3

On the south side of Chicago, fans are very happy to have baseball back during the dog days of summer. What makes it even better is finally some meaningful baseball games for the White Sox at this time of the year. Out of the gate, being crushed by the Twins two out of three games in the opening home stand makes you want to stick your finger down your throat. Then, losing both games of a double header to the Indians in your first games on the road was quite annoying and Sox-like, over the last few years. Then the team got it together and went on a six game winning streak. As fans of the White Sox, the very few, we can always social distance no matter what. Finally something to root for.

The youth the White Sox have are very scary.

Luis Robert is the real McCoy. Robert is a 5 tool player, you may want to say seven tool player just not to miss anything. Robert plays center field and you can compare his stunning defense to Kelly Leak’s play on the Bad News Bears. Seems like Robert will take control of fly balls that may be the corner outfielder’s. Luis Robert has blazing speed and 4 steals. The man can hit. 14 games, .327 average, 18 hits, 3 doubles and two long balls. 

Then Nick Madrigal was brought up and played in 5 games before he separated his shoulder. You have to get excited about Madrigal who showed you some nice defense at second base. Plus, Madrigal is a contact hitter who is going to hit for high average. Madrigal in 5 games had 5 hits which is good for a .294 batting average. Not bad so far just for being in the bigs so far for a cup of coffee.

DEFENSE

I knew coming into this season the White Sox defense was going to be a sketchy subject. A weakness.

In left field, you always put your slugger there. The ones that can hardly field a lick. White Sox versus the Brewers at White Sox park, Eloy Jimenez is chasing a routine fly ball. He miss-judges it and gets trapped in the netting like a spider’s next prey. Meanwhile the ball bounce fair and Brewers slugger, Christian Yelich, gets a rare inside-the-park home run.

INJURIES

In only 14 games under the White Sox belt, injuries have been mounting up. The White Sox have lost two of their starters from the rotation. Carlos Rodon and Reynaldo Lopez both have looked horrible early on. Reynaldo Lopez was awful in one start.

Position players on the injured list: Tim Anderson, Edwin Encarnacion and Nick Madrigal.

RETURN: Nomar Mazara, who was out the beginning of the season battling Covid, returned.

UNSUNG HERO’S

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Having depth on your team is very important to over come injuries to starting players. White Sox have had some players stepping up big time to help this team. Danny Mendick has one of the best mustaches in the game. Mendick filling in at short and basically all over infield and is hitting .318. Leury Garcia is another utility guy who can play multiple positions has knocked three balls into the stands and is hitting .304, knocking in 8. Adam Engel, usually known for his defense, has two long balls and is batting .296 so far.

The cardboard people love what they have seen so far on the southside of Chicago.

MARKAKIS WAS OUT NOW BACK IN

Right before the 2020 baseball season even started, Atlanta Braves Nick Markakis decided to opt out and not play. Markakis is 36 years old and has played in the league for 14 seasons. In 2020, a shortened baseball season was finally going to happen. Delayed because of the Covid-19 that put the ‘Sports’ on hold. Markakis witnessed his teammate Freddie Freeman become positive with the virus. After a conversation with his friend and teammate, he decided it was not worth catching Covid so he opted out. Markakis decided 2021 might be a safer year to come back and play his 15th season. The total # of MLB players throughout the league that have opted out, is in the teens.  Freddie Freeman was able to get through his fight with the Covid and is back on the field. Braves games went on without Markakis as time did not stand still. The season went on as scheduled. Markakis watched his teammates from afar, performing night after night. At home something did not feel right for Markakis as he changed his mind and opted back to the fold for the Atlanta Braves 2020 season.

Atlanta Braves went out and tried to find Nick Markakis’ replacement as they had a one year agreement with slugger Yasiel Puig. Puig then tested positive for Covid-19 and both the Braves and Yasiel had to walk away from each other. Atlanta then looked through the dollar bin for some kind of bat they could use at the DH position. They found a copy of Yonder Alonso next to the Weekend at Bernies 2 VHS tape. Alonso lives by the home run and dies by the strike out. These days Yonder Alonso has more swings at air than makes contact as his better days were years ago. Nick Markakis gives the Braves a much better line up when he returns after he fine tunes his skills with the taxi squad players.

Nick Markakis’ second thoughts came from watching his teammates play every night, from home, on TV. Markakis saw them dealing with their surroundings and still getting to the field every day. From dealing with their own game. Playing as a team and trying to win games. Plus, in the back of your mind wondering if players on the opposing team have guys infected. What about your own comrades? What did they do last night? How they felt about preventing their family from getting the virus? Markakis saw they were doing it. Markakis probably felt like a wounded soldier itching to get back to the unit who were on the battlefield fighting without him. The thoughts of abandoning the team may have crossed Nick’s mind. The queasiness in the pit of the stomach. The guilt. The love of the game. Maybe all of these reasons. Makakis changed his mind and opted back just in time when Atlanta could use a lift, after they lost one of their starting pitchers. Mike Soroka has torn his achilles and will be out the rest of the season. Markakis is not a pitcher. Markakis’ return should renew the Braves confidence level.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

The Pittsburgh Pirates season of 2020 is off to a very bad start. Fans may have wanted live sports back, which includes baseball. Pirate fans are already regretting watching the same plot this team had in the second half of 2019, where injuies mounted up and the team play was dreadful.

Pirates fans may need a pipeline of meth the way things have started.

(2-9) record after 11 games

Lost six in a row

Last in the NL Central

Same old story and the same old song and dance is going on with the Pirates’ health. In the first 11 games, the bullpen arms are breaking down at a rapid pace.

Michael Feliz (Forearm) out for season

Kyle Crick (Shoulder) Clay Holmes (Forearm) on Injured list

Nick Burdi now is dealing with some elbow issues. Burdi was placed on the 45 day injured list.

Good news: Closer Keone Kela returning to the team after dealing with Covid

Coming in to 2020, starters Chris Archer & Jameson Taillon were out for the year with injuries.

WALKING THE PLANK

In season with hardly any good, just bad and ugly. No steady pitching. No hitting as the Pirates team has been ice cold during the dog days of summer with the lumber.

The Pirates’ best player has been veteran Colin Moran, who has played mostly DH for the team. Colin Moran has hit 5 home runs driving in seven runs with 9 hits so far. This is in just a tad over ten games so far this season. Moran’s average is only .243 which is better than the rest of the Pirate ship.

BRIGHT SPOT

On defense, Bryan Reynolds already has chipped in with 4 outfield assists with his arm throwing runners out, from the grassy part of the field.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Pirate fans may be OK because they have the Penguins in the NHL playoffs. As long as you do not spill their Iron City beer, they will get through this hot mess they find their baseball team in.

MARLINS GUTTED BY COVID

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The Miami Marlins had to be shut down due to an outbreak in the team’s locker room. The MLB has had protocols set up for each player to follow, to help prevent Covid from entering a team’s locker room. The Marlins have over a dozen players and personnel that have contracted the virus. It is stiill haunting the world and does not care whose body it enters. During an exhibition game in Atlanta, Marlin players were seen at their hotel bar drinking and having a whale of a time. Some reports say Marlin players went out from there and painted the town red. Manager Don Mattingly of the Marlins blames small spaces during rain delays that mean players and staff members can not social distance. Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said the same thing when Chicago had a rain delay in Cincinnati. You’d think MLB would have a plan for every scenario like what teams should do in a rain delay, besides wait it out. Marlins outfielder Harold Ramirez told a Spanish station that MLB should do the bubble idea like the NBA or have hub cities like the NHL.

Years ago I thought Bud Selig was a bad baseball commissioner, for not opening up his eyes to see his players were growing mammoth size craniums. Didn’t see body builders coming to the plate which made their bat look like a toothpick. Rob Manfred is absolutely a terrible commissioner; he’s a man without a plan. Instead of arguing money with his league between owners and players, you’d think they would have every scenario covered in months of meetings about how to keep the players and personal safe. This week Manfred told every team they need to hire a compliance officer to help enforce the protocols in place.  These officers should have been in place during the Summer Camp. Plus social distancing in a stadium with no fans should be easy. Open up a sky box or one of the multiple establishments inside any typical stadium, instead of having the visitors crammed in a locker room like sardines in a can. Seems like baseball is doing things on the fly instead of putting some deep thought into small details that are very important. Whatever happened to dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s?

I will not just throw Rob Manfred under the bus. What about the Marlins management? Sorry Mr. Yankee, Derek Jeter, you’re the owner of this team and you speak your mind on everything else throughout the league. What’s Jeter doing about his own house that is not quite in order? Don Matting, another former Yankee, is the manager of these Renegade Marlin players who don’t see the big picture. Plus Miami Marlins being from Florida, one of the states that has the most Covid cases, still on the rise. Does your team not know what’s going on in your own back yard? The Marlins players may have given some of the Philadelphia players a few positive tests as these two teams played each other over that first weekend. Phillies have been shut down and both teams will reschedule all the games they miss.

I love seeing live sports again on television. Only so many reruns of old baseball games I can watch all summer. I did notice my teams in those rebroadcasts went undefeated. The NHL playoffs seem to be going off without a hitch. NBA has had some turbulence of players needing fast food or boobs while stuffing some money down some dancers G-string. Can you do that in a strip club these days? Do patrons have plastic clubs to feed a dancer money in those bikini under garments? Some hand sanitizer on the stage as well. NBA and NHL are doing playoffs. I can not envision a whole baseball season being played out in certain hub cities. I could see playoffs being done that way. The MLB has done well with teams in their regions paying only the other teams in their regions. This reduces travel. To make this work, players have to follow the guidelines. Owners have to keep a watch on their own guys. It would be nice if the MLB would get their heads out of their arses and cover every situation instead of coming up with something deep inside their ice hole after the fact. I know positive Covid tests will happen throughout the season. Now if everyone follows the rules and stays on the same page, no more outbreaks should happen. It’s always a few bad apples that ruin things for everyone in life. These bad apples are the Marlins and the idiot Rob Manfred, who calls himself the baseball commissioner.

KELLY’S HEROES

LA Dodgers have not forgotten what the Houston Astros stole from them in 2017. A World Series trophy!!! Without fans in the stands, many thought the Astros were getting away with murder for how they earned that 2017 World Series trophy. How the Astros stole signs to earn their franchise first ever MLB championship. How the commissioner of the MLB, Rob Manfred, went easy on the punishment for what the Astros did to the integrity of the game of baseball. In the game of baseball sometimes justice is served on the diamond. Pitcher Joe Kelly, of the Dodgers, on Tuesday night made it known that no player in baseball has forgotten about the Houston Asterisks. Kelly’s action on the mound led to a bench clearing altercation of verbal abuse thrown between the Dodgers and Astros who have bad blood with eachother rising to the boiling point. Rob Manfred and the MLB came down hard on the reliever suspending him for 8 games in a shortened 60 game season. Joe Kelly was not thrown out of the game or even warned as his pitch sailed towards the head of Alex Bregman of the Astros.

Joe Kelly’s connection to the Houston scandal did not come from playing for the Dodgers. Kelly pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 2017 where the Astros knocked out his team in the first round. However Kelly was on the Red Sox team in 2018 and his team knocked off the Astros in the American League Championship series and eventually won the World Series. When you join another team, it’s like when you get married and his or her family comes with the package deal. Their problems and history become your problems and history. Sometimes in life you face a common enemy which is the Houston Astros. Plus, Joe Kelly and players throughout the game may think the Astros stole money right out of their pockets. Like at your own job one group, for example the sales people, cheated the company and still got paid; everyone knows what they did to collect that extra money. The company only fires the sales manager while the vultures with a smirk on their face, walk around free as a bird.

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When management and ownership don’t put their foot down, sometimes others have to remind the scandalous people that we have not forgotten. In baseball, the best dish served cold is a little chin music to get the blood pumping. This is what Joe Kelly did with a fast ball that sailed close to Alex Bregman’s head. Then Kelly gave Carlos Correa a brush back from the plate style of pitch. Joe Kelly denied any intent. Then Kelly struck out Correa, walked off the mound while making a pouty face, and mocked good ole Carlos. Of course Dusty Baker, now the Astros manager who I hate even more as a manager and a person, said Kelly made an inappropriate comment. Baker has to stick up for his guys, and I understand that. It’s like trying to tell me a serial killer is a better person because he can prove that the guy killed only 18 people instead of 19. The bench clearing incident meant both managers from each team were dinged with a one game suspension for unlawful assembly out on the field.

Meanwhile Joe Kelly’s actions ges him an 8 game suspension. Eight games in a short season is 13% of the season which while realistic is very harsh. Kelly did not get warned by the umpires. Plus, was not ejected and he actually did not plunk any one. Perhaps Joe Kelly was just a little wild that day. We know that was not true. The commissioner of baseball has lost his marbles as no Astro players in the sign stealing saga get suspended or got money taken out of their wallet for their actions. It’s like those bottom feeders in the drug world that get busted for dealing have to give up the big fish, a supplier, to get off the hook. Joe Kelly will appeal the charges. Maybe baseball needs a Judge Judy to run what’s fair and what’s not for MLB. Kelly is the hero of the week to send Houston, you have a problem that is not going away. Plus, Kelly did not ruin the win by the Dodgers that day as they beat the Astros 5-2. This week it was Joe Kelly, and another week it may be somebody else. Astros will serve baseball justice this year on the diamond. The Astros are lucky with no fans in the crowd. They get to escape the constant jeers they would have all year on the road. Rob Manfred thinks suspending guys for so many games will cut down retaliation on the the Asterisks. The Astros will get their punishment, and hopefully the bruising will not be too bad. Hopefully, pitchers could spread those golf balls they call baseballs in different areas of the body when these Asterisks come up to the plate and get plunked. Yes, it’s that easy to get plunked. It’s like stealing a sign whaling on a trash can.

THE RISE AND FALL OF A MATT DAVIDSON

When the Chicago White Sox went into a full tear down and traded all of their assets for prospects, fans knew bad baseball was on the way.  It was a full rebuild on the Southside of Chicago as they brought up their own players up from the farm. The White Sox signed some veterans to fill the roster in hopes they would do well and become a bargaining chip for some other teams at the trade deadline. Watching games, you watched certain players to see if they would be good enough to hang around until all the young talent they received would be ready to play with them. One guy I was a fan of was Matt Davidson, a third baseman the White Sox got from Arizona way before they thought about a complete rebuild. I remember going to the second game of the regular season on a very cold day at Sox ball park. White Sox versus Tigers and Matt Davidson knocked two home runs into the seats off Tiger pitching, that afternoon. I thought this guy should be on this future team. Davidson could be that power hitter at one of the corner infield positions, I envisioned

Nothing was ever easy for Matt Davidson, I’ve noticed over his career of baseball. In 2013 he had a cup of coffee when he made the Majors and broke in with the Diamondbacks. Davidson only had 76 At-bats and hit only .237, but showed off his power and knocked three balls into seats driving in 12. Davidson was traded to the White Sox and did not make it back to the majors until 2016, where he played 1 game, had only 2 at-bats, and then got hurt . Davidson was done for the year. In those two at-bats with the White Sox he drove in one run with a hit. Davidson had to work on striking out less and fielding before he finally got that call in 2016.

In 2017 Matt Davidson finally got to play the whole year for the White Sox. In Davidson first entire season in the bigs he played in 118 games batted .220 for the year and banged out 26 home runs while driving in 68. Davidson still struck out too many times as he whiffed 165 times in 118 games. Davidson in 2017 would set career highs in RBI’S and home runs. In 2018 Davidson average went up 8 points to .228 and he played in more games. 123 games to be exact. In 2018 Davidson hit only 20 long balls as he drove in 62. Strikeouts for Davidson were the same at 165 again. Matt Davidson even pitched a few innings for the White Sox when they were getting blowing out. Some say Davidson had a wicked curve ball.

Matt Davidson wanted to be a two way player and pitch and play the field like Shohei Ohtani. Only problem is in 2019 it was not going to happen for the Chicago White Sox. White Sox  non-tendered Matt Davidson as he became a free agent. Matt Davidson tried to land with other teams but in 2019, Davidson did not get one at-bat with any MLB team. In 2020,, Matt Davidson had an invite for the Cincinnati Reds to come to Spring training. Davidson did well enough as he had hopes to make the team as a position player. Then Covid hit and shut down all baseball operations. Then the return of baseball, and Matt Davidson still had to prove himself in summer camp. Davidson did well and was rewarded and made the Cincinnati Reds opening day roster.

With the National league getting the Universal DH, Matt Davidson had a perfect position to do his thing as a power hitter. Davidson was the team’s DH on opening day versus the Tigers. Matt Davidson only had two at-bats, but he was back in the Majors after a year of hiatus. No hits in his first game back, but it had to feel good just being there. Just when you are feeling like you got your life back together, somebody pulls out the rug underneath you. Davidson, now after one game, is heading to the Reds Injury list as he tested positive for the Corona Virus. You think Davidson will be able to bounce back and play after he gets better? Will Davidson be the same player when he is able to return? Will it be too late with a shortened season in progress?  Will it be two years without playing a full season at the highest level in the game he loves? Whenever Matt Davidson returns, he will have another mountain to climb to get back to the majors. He’ll have hopes this go around that he avoids the big slide in the game of chutes and ladders of life. I give him credit, every time this kid falls, he gets back up. Let’s hope Davidson gets back to the majors and and has a full baseball career. Davidson just needs a few breaks to go his way for once.

THE MISFIT ISLAND OF EXILED WHITE SOX PLAYERS

The New York Mets, before the 2020 season started, released a pair of ex-White Sox players that were trying to make their ball club. Melky Cabrera and Gordan Beckham are now available to anyone who wants them. Gordon Beckham was trying to make the Mets as a utility guy. Melky Cabrera was trying to be the Mets’ DH. Both Beckham and Cabrera played last year for other teams. Gordon Beckham is 33 years old and played with the Tigers last season. He came off the bench for them and had 240 at-bats. Beckham hit a low .215 while knocking six balls into seats. Beckham did also have 12 doubles and two triples. Melky Cabrera, 35 years old, played in Pittsburgh last season. He hit .280 with 7 home runs and drove in 47. Both players will most likely stay available, and hope a team will need their services down the stretch.

I picture an island of exiled players from the White Sox, like the Island of Misfit toys in Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. The lion, Moon Racer scoops all the misfit toys and brings them to his island. This in hopes that Santa Clause, some day, will take them to kids for them to enjoy. On the Island of Exiled White Sox, an agent finds a place for them to play ball in hopes he can find a team for them to go back to. Gordon Beckham had an impressive rookie year when he first arrived from the farm system of the White Sox. Beckham could never find himself again and has made a living coming off teams’ benches the last few seasons, even having a second stint with the White Sox. For Melky Cabrera, he played three seasons with the White Sox, as a fan favorite. Then he was traded as the team was looking for assets during a losing season. The White Sox eventually went into a full mode rebuild. Cabrera played another stint with the Royals, the team the White Sox traded him to. Both Cabrera and Beckham are like Radio DJ’s working their way up and down the dial.

White Sox Exiled Island would have some vintage old toys like a Joe Borchard train with a caboose with square wheels.

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Lance Broadway would be like the cowboy who rides an ostrich from Misfit Island.

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Melky Cabrera could be like Charlie in the Box with both having the faces of a Jack in the Box.

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Gordon Beckham would match up as the gun that shoots jelly, like his hitting, at times.

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White Sox Exiled Island is full of players we once adored. Players we may have loved and just put them deep into the bottom of the toy chest of our minds, while they tried to play with other teams. Maybe the baseball agent, Moon Racer, will find forever homes for our fallen heroes on the diamond. Now both players play ball by a corn field on White Sox Exiled island. Maybe Cabrera and Beckham will run into Shoeless Joe Jackson and other exiled Sox players from the past.

2020 MLB PREVIEW

DIVISION PREDICTIONS

NL EAST

PREDICTED DIVISION WINNER: ATLANTA BRAVES

When the Atlanta Braves start winning divisions, it’s very hard to take away their tomahawk chop. Look at the the 1990’s when they camped out in first place for like ten straight years. Atlanta has the youth with a taste of the playoffs in their system. It’s an up and coming team that the Braves have as a whole. Adding Marcell Ozuna in free agency means this team is better. A guy that beat them in the playoffs may be the X-factor.

A POTENTIAL WILD CARD: DC NATIONALS

The nasty Nats can not get off to a slow start in a 60 game season, like they did last year. Nationals lost some lumber in Anthony Rendon, and Ryan Zimmerman opted not to play due to Covid-19. Is Starlin Casto and Eric Thames enough replacement offense for this team to thread water with the rest of the division? The Nationals starting rotation will get this team at least a wild card game. In the Playoffs facing Mad Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin in a short series… good luck to the other team.

A POTENTIAL WILD CARD/ SLEEPER: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Phillies with the star power they have, are not going to sneak up on you. They added veteran starter, Zack Wheeler. They added Yankees short stop DiDi Gregorious to the mix. The have a healthier Andrew McCutchen returning. The delay of the season helped him get better. The biggest move was bringing in Joe Giraldi as Manager. The pitching is still a question mark but the team will score runs. Wild card I can see. Giraldi will give this team an edge.

NEW YORK METS: Are the Mets replacement players for the ones they lost in free agency, better? Every season this team has too many moving parts. Seems like they can’t establish a chemistry. In a short season, I can’t seeing that getting established quickly enough. Too streaky. They can string a lot of wins together. They also can string a bunch of losses.

FLORIDA MARLINS: The Marlins are like that fish you struggle with a lot to get in the boat. At the end, a blunt hit to the head ends the game with maybe some bruises and scratches. The fish are in a tough division. Still growing in their tank and surroundings.

NL CENTRAL

PREDICTED DIVISION WINNER: CINCINNATI REDS

The best starting rotation in the Central. They bring a Trevor Bauer, Sonny Gray, Wade Miley, Luis Castillo, and a Anthony DeSclafani.

Reds had no problem with the lumber last year. This off season they added a potent deadly line up. Bringing in Mike Moustakas and Nicholas Castellanos, while weakening their division foes at the same time. Then adding a Japanese star in Shog Akiyama makes this lineup solid from 1 thru 9.

A POTENTIAL WILD CARD: CHICAGO CUBS

The Cubs are a team on life support. They chased out Joe Maddon as manager and hired their former catcher David Ross who has no experience as a skipper. Pitching was an issue last season and they have lost a few arms in free agency. For the core, the team has no clue who to re-sign. This is still a veteran team in a division where everyone seems to be on equal footing except the Reds. A David Ross is a guy to put his foot up your rear when you do something wrong. A kick in the arse may be the perfect way to get this type of team to respond in a short season as the Cubs could grab a wild card.

A POTENTIAL WILD CARD: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

The Cardinals won the Central last season. They lost Marcell Ozuna, a big bat in their line up. The red birds did not do much in the off-season. They signed a Korean pitcher to take one of the starting rotation spots. These are the St. Louis Cardinals. They could, and probably will, be in the mix because they will replace free agents with one of their own. Like changing a light bulb.

A POTENTIAL WILD CARD:MILWAUKEE BREWERS

I do not like the Brewers replacements for the guys that walked off into the sunset with other teams. Love the Brewers manager Craig Counsell, and he may get the best out of the replacements. Brewers still have star quality on this squad. The depth is not as deep as it once was. Christian Yellich will have to carry the heavy load this entire season.

A POTENTIAL SLEEPER: PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Many will think I’m crazy for picking the Pirates as a sleeper. The Pirates last season were riddled with injuries. At the all-star break, the Pirates were only a game or so behind division leading Cardinals. Sure, the wheels fell off completely in the second half. This year they pretty much have the same team coming back, but with a new skipper in Derek Shelton, who was bench coach with the Twins. The Pirates have not traded away all their  veterans and have some talent. Chris Archer, Joe Musgrave, and Jameson Taillon are three pretty good starters. Josh Bell had a monster year last year. Brian Reynolds and Kevin Newman did well in their rookie year. The Pirates still have veteran outfielder Gregory Polanco. If this team stays healthy, the Pirates may not be ship wrecked in a shortened season.

NL WEST

POTENTIAL DIVISION WINNER: LA DODGERS

The Dodgers come in stacked with a very lethal lineup card that added a Mookie Betts to it.  Making this team even more dangerous.

Betts was the Boston Red Sox MVP and helped them win it all in 2018. Dodgers pitching staff is well stocked with arms through both the starting rotation and the bull pen.This may be their best team on paper before a season starts in the last few years.

POTENTIAL WILD CARD: ARIZONA  DIAMONDBACKS

D-Backs went out and did some shopping in the off season. They landed Giants ace, Madison Bumgarner. They signed Kole Calhoun from the Angels. They traded and got Starling Marte from the Pirates.

Diamondbacks took second place last year in the west with 85 wins. These three additions should get the Diamondbacks a wild card or give the Dodgers a run for their money.

POTENTIAL SLEEPER SAN DIEGO PADRES

Pardres are always the sexy pick for many experts. Padres have a young up and coming starting rotation. They have the great Manny Machado. Plus the superstar the White Sox gave away for James Shields in the down slope of his career. Fernado Tatis Jr. looked awesome last season. Can Tatis and Machado be a one two punch knockout machine in 2020?  Again, in a short season anything can happen.

COLORADO ROCKIES:

What happened to the Rockies? Seemed like only a few seasons ago they made the post season. Then disappeared from the baseball world. Rocky Mountain’s High may have not have worn off yet.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS:

The Giants Hall of Fame manager retired. The ace of the staff has left for Arizona. The Giants’ superstar face of the franchise Buster Posey opted out of not playing this season Panda bear is overweight which is nothing new, but has moved to first base.

Now they have that idiot who was manager of the Phillies, as the team’s new skipper. Gabe Kappler would not be the Gabe I would welcome back or welcome as my leader on the field.

AL EAST

PREDICTED DIVISION WINNER: YANKEES

The New York Yankees have a loaded roster. Adding Geritt Cole to the starting mix has made the Death Star even scarier. The Rays are the only team in the division that will give the Yankees a threat. Playing games versus the NL East will eventually make the Yankees even better.

A POTENTIAL WILD CARD: TAMPA BAY RAYS

Rays have the pitching to keep up with all the Joneses. Rays are a very creative team and have pitched bullpen days all of last year. In a short 60 game season they’ve already been there, done this and probably will continue to do it and be better at it than anyone else.

Blake Snell should never speak. His rant in the off-season makes this kid sound like a complete moron.

A POTENTIAL SLEEPER: TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The Blue Jays have been kicked out of Canada due to the virus. This team could potentially go through bloody hell, being Road Warriors every game this season. The Government of Pittsburgh has turned down the Blue Jays from sharing PNC park. I like that the Blue Jays assembled a nice pitching staff. They have lots of young talent. A permanent suitcase will take a toll on this team.

BOSTON RED SOX: Chris Sale is out for the year. The team is desperate for pitching. Trading for Dylan Covey has Bean Town wishing the 2020 season would have just went away.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Worst roster in baseball.

AL WEST

PREDICTED DIVISION WINNER: HOUSTON ASTROS

The Astros have a lot to prove; like they actually needed to cheat to win the World Series in 2017. The Astros have a chip on their shoulder and do not have to deal with fans harassing them at every away game, because they will be playing in empty stadiums. 

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Now coaching the Astros is Dusty Baker. Every team he goes to, the first season his teams always do well.

POTENTIAL WILD CARD: OAKLAND A’S

I wish the A’s had some extra money laying around. We all wish we did. The A’s have assembled a very talented young roster. Adding some free agent talent to put this team over the hump would especially help them get further into the playoffs. Watch Khris Davis rebound and have a year like he did in 2018 where he mashed out 48 bombs into the seats.

Oakland is very balanced. In a 60 game season, they could leap frog the Astros if they ride the struggle bus for any time period.

POTENTIAL SLEEPER: LA ANGELS

Angels have dynamite in the everyday line up card. Mike Trout is the best in the game. Shohei Ohtani from Japan is a very nice slugger in the line up. An aging Albert Pujol could still do some damage. The signing of Anthony Rendon in the off season gives this team a murderer’s row every night. However Rendon might not play in the beginning of this shortened season with an injury. Plus the LA Angels’ pitching is not something to write home to mom about. Shohei Ohtani will pitch again, and for sure will have a pitch count every start. The pitching will doom the Angels.

POTENTIAL SLEEPER: TEXAS RANGERS

Rangers have improved their starting rotation. Getting Corey Kluber from the Indians was their biggest move in a trade.

The Rangers added some veterans to the mix as well. with Lance Lynn already in place, they brought in Jordan Lyles and Kyle Gibson. The Rangers added Todd Frazier to their infield. Rangers seem to have what the New York Mets have tried and failed. They are adding veterans to and already veteran type of team in hoping all the pieces mesh together and very quickly. In a short season, this ragtag bunch may take too long to come together.

SEATTLE MARINERS:

AL CENTRAL

PREDICTED DIVISION WINNER: MINNESOTA TWINS

Adding Josh Donaldson to the everyday line up, gives the Twins their most feared line up ever.

Twins will outslug teams on almost any given night. However does this team have enough pitching to get by? Relying on an unproven Homer Bailey, who is up and down. Pitcher Michael Pinda is suspended for the first 36 games which is a big blow in a short season.

POTENTIAL WILD CARD:WHITE SOX

Wild Card or sleeper, the White Sox are stacked with young talent from the free agent market. They could make some loud noise in a very short season. Veteran lefty Dallas Keuchal gives your rotation depth. Adding a slugger like Edwin Encarnacion as your every day DH, makes that line up card no easy outs. Let’s not forget an all-star catcher in Yasmani Grandal. Plus finally the unveiling of Luis Robert, a young slugger who can do some real Van Damage to opposing pitching staffs.

CLEVELAND INDIANS : Some will say the Indians will not go away and will remain in the mix. With the Indians you sometimes wonder if they are in or out. It’s like in the movies. Major League management wants them out at times, but this management will help the team before the trade deadline for help if they are in the mix. I think this year the wheels fall off completely. Will this year be the last year with their team name, the Indians?

The Chief Wahoo or as I call him, Chief Scottie Pippen, was shown the door a year previously.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS:  Some question some of the trades the Royals have done as being head scratchers. Do Jorge Soler, Whit Merrifield, and Alex Gordon find new homes?

DETROIT TIGERS:

The Tigers number 1 pick is something to get excited about.

THE SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY

OPENING DAY ROSTER

POSITION PLAYERS

CATCHERS: Yasmani Grandal, James McCann, & Zack Collins

FIRST BASE: Jose Abreu

SECOND BASE: Leury Garcia

SHORT STOP: Tim Anderson

HOT CORNER: Yoan Moncarda

DH: Edwin Encarnacion

OUT FIELDERS: Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, & Nicky Delmonico

BENCH: Adam Engel, Danny Mendick, & Cheslor Cuthbert

ARMS

STARTING LOCATION: Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Keuchal, Carlos Rodon, & Reynaldo Lopez

BULLPEN: Aaron Bummer, Stev Cishek, Alex Colome, Jimmy Cordero, Ross Detwiler, Jace Fry, Kelvin Herrera, Codi Heuer, Jimmy Lambert, & Evan Marshall

TAXI SQUAD

ARMS: Zack Burdi, Ryan Burr, Matt Foster, Brady Lail, Alex McRae, Jonathan Stiever, Garrett Crochet, Bernardo Flores Jr., Jacob Lindgren, Adalberto Mejia, & Bennett Sousa

CATCHER: Seby Zavala

OUTFIELDERS: Micker Adolfo, Luis Gonzalez, & Blake Rutherford

THE BUCKO REVIEW

OPENING DAY ROSTER

POSITION PLAYERS

BACK STOP: JACOB STALLINGS & JOHN RYAN MURPHY

FIRST BASE: JOSH BELL

SECOND BASE: ADAM FRAZIER

SHORT STOP: KEVIN NEWMAN

THE HOT CORNER: COLIN MORAN

OUTFIELD: BRYAN REYNOLDS, JARROD DYSON, & GUILLERMO HEREDIA

BENCH: JOSE OSUNA, ERIK GONZALEZ, PHILLIP EVANS, &COLE TUCKER

ARMS

STARTING ROTATION: Joe Musgrove, Trevor Williams, Mitch Keller, Derek Holland, Steve Brault, & Chad Kuhl

BULLPEN: Nik Turley, Kyle Crick, Richard Rodriguez, Michael Felix, Nick Burdi, Chris Stratton, Clay Holmes, & Robbie Erlin

TAXI SQUAD

INFIELDERS: Ji-Hwan Bae, Rodolfo Castro, Will Craig, O’Neil Cruz, & Mason Martin

CATCHER: Christian Kelly

OUTFIELD: Jason Martin

PITCHERS: Cody Bolton, Nick Mears, Sam Howard, Max Kranick, James Marvel, & Brandon Ogle

BLUE JAYS LOOKING FOR A NEW BIRD HOUSE IN 2020

OH CANADA, still has its borders closed due to the Covid-19 and the Toronto Blue Jays will have to find a new home in the 2020 season. The Blue Jays are the only team that plays in Canada. Plus the Blue Jays start on the road this season. The Canadian government does not want U.S teams flying into their country without quarantining. Quarantines take weeks so this puts the kibosh on having games played in Toronto. A schedule is already made and it’s a short season that took forever to get to this point.

Options for the Blue Jays include the closest U.S city, Buffalo, New York where their triple AAA team plays their home games. The stadium may need some upgrades to house a full major league game even without crowds. Club houses need to be extended and some sky boxes added for team personnel and reporters. Blue Jays also could set up camp in Florida where their spring training facility is located. Florida is one of the hot spots with Covvid-19 and the MLB has said they have the right to remove a team if Covid runs wild.

Blue Jays have some major league options as well. This would result in sharing a stadium with another team. Baltimore and Pittsburgh have offered their hospitality to their neighbors to the North. Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, makes a lot of sense because they play the Blue Jays ten times this season in the Eastern region. Now you have to figure out 25 home games for the Blue Jays instead of 30. The Pirates and the town of Pittsburgh said hosting the Blue Jays in their city will help crate some jobs and should give its city a boost economically. The downfall to that is the Pirates play in the Midwest region. Due to the Covid-19, MLB has scheduled the regular season in three regions to cut down on travel. Pirates seem like a city on the bubble of both the East and Midwest region, so it may work.

Both PNC and Camden Yards are very nice ball parks. In Maryland, I love Annapolis and the east coast will bring you some nice seafood choices in the summer. I think of some of the city of Baltimore as being one wrong turn; the show The Wire comes to mind. In Pittsburgh, perogies and Iron City beer speak to me. The people in Pittsburgh are terrific. Blue Jays may be more interesting than the rebuilding Pirates. Could cities trade team owners and teams in 2021? Buffalo wings are no door prize number three. Summer in the city of Buffalo is fun always had. Plus the food at all those restaurants and pubs and keep those wings in mind again, it’s for real and your stomach will be one happy camper. I doubt the people who make the decisions think with their stomachs like I do and what they will be doing when baseball is not being played and downtime arrives. The Blue Jays have some nice alternatives as their parents send them away for summer camp this season. Where will the Blue Jays land? They better figure it out soon because the season starts this week. 

THE BAT LICKER GETS THE TOMAHAWK CHOPPED

For a moment the Atlanta Braves had an impact bat inserted in their line up. They found Yasiel Puig off the streets and brought him home like a stray dog. They fed and tested him, and the outcome was positive. Not the positive anyone these days is looking for as Puig has the Covid-19 inside his body. Like the stray dog being diagnosed with rabies. Any kind of deal between Puig and the Braves instantly voided like a cancelled check.

The Braves, desperate for another bat, reached a deal with Yonder Alonso. The White Sox made a trade to get Alonso from the Indians last year in hopes his brother-in-law, Manny Machado, also signed with the White Sox. The White Sox signed everyone who was associated with Manny only to see him sign elsewhere with the Padres. Yonder Alonso was just bad, as he was released later and picked up by the Rockies where his numbers improved from those awful numbers he put on the southside of Chicago.

The Braves line up, with Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman, Marcell Ozuna and the signing of the 29 year outfielder Yasiel Puig, sounded dangerous. Fans and players were probably very excited. This season every team will be dealing with something they have never been through. It’s whatever team could keep their players on the field which will survive and win this short baseball season. Guys like Yonder Alonso will become the X-factor and maybe thrive in this kind of enviroment. In The Walking Dead, Neagan was a gym teacher. In a zombie apocalyptic world, he lead a group of thugs called the Saviors. Meanwhile Yasiel Puig will have to quarantine himself, get healthy, and take a year off from the game. Puig will get some interest in 2021, find his swing, and still be a dangerous slugger like he can be. The Braves will hope and maybe pray, that Yonder Alonso can find his swing from back in his Oakland days where he put the balls in the seats regularly. 

A BRAVE NEW WORLD OF A SIGNING

Did the Atlanta Braves just become a better team with the signing of Yasiel Puig? Veteran Nick Markakis opted out and decided not to play in 2020 because of the virus still lurking. Markakis was penciled in as the Braves DH . With Yasiel Puig still on the market, the Braves found a better replacement for Markakis on a one year deal and brings the bat licker to Atlanta.

The bat licker last year played with the Reds after being dealt from the Dodgers in that off season. In Cincinnati, Puig will mostly be remembered for starting two brawls with the Pirates. The Reds then traded Puig to Cleveland, who wanted Puigs’ bat to help them catch the Twins in the Central. Puig responded and hit .297 for the Indians since the trade dealine. Puig then became a free agent this off season and waited patiently until he found the offer he was looking for. The Baltimore Orioles wanted Puig’s services as did other teams including the Korean baseball league. The Atlanta Braves are a proven winner and with a very good roster Puig’s waiting game pays off.

The Atlanta Braves’ everyday line up has young superstar slugger, Ronald Acuna Jr. He’s a solid first baseman with Freddie Freeman. Plus the Braves inked slugger Marcell Ozuna in the off season who helped the Cardinals last season make it to the post season. With the addition of Yaseil Puig, if you can deal with his wild antics of licking his bat, you have another tough out in the line up. Puig is only 29 years old and can hit for power and average with a strong arm to man a corner outfield position if needed. Plus it’s a one year deal in a shortened season. If it goes sour, then it is very easy to part ways. Puig is searching for a long term deal so this may work well for both parties. In a 60 game schedule, if Puig gets locked in early, he could get very hot and stay red-hot through a short regular season. In a short season, MVP is not out of the question. Puig is far better than Nick Markakis. Markakis is a better team guy than a Puig. Puig is very durable and played in 149 games last season. Durability, plus Puig has playoff experience with the Dodgers. These are some other things a Puig will bring to the table. Anything can happen in a short season. Atlanta may be getting rid of the Chop, but their line up has that judo chop chop in it, which will scare opposing pitchers around the league in 2020.

BASEBALL RETURNING 2020

60 GAMES

It took a very long time for MLB and all the players to agree on what it would take to have some kind of a season in 2020. With Covid-19 still lurking, you would think that the virus was the major cause for the delay. The safety of all the players, you would think.

However it was all about the Benjamins, and that delayed America’s past time.  It’s a game that you think would be easier to social distance than all the other sports. In the MLB, it has always been SHOW ME THE MONEY. This season so far not happening, has been way better than the movie “The Happening.” The season brings back memories of the strike year of 1994 where the season was cancelled during the dog days of summer. It was the same year a few players guest-starred on Married with Children.

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The episode was about Al Bundy’s softball team, called Cleavage. Guest stars included Joe Morgan as a reporter. Brett  Saberhagan delivering pizzas. Frank Thomas doing security. Millionaires needed side gigs to make ends meet. Somehow after squabbling between the millionaire players and the billionaire owners, they were able to hash out an agreement to actually play the 2020 season. The agreement is 60 games. Now the 2020 season is a sprint, not the regular marathon of 162 games. Now the question is whether all these teams will be able to keep their players healthy during this 40 yard dash.

ALL ABOUT THE DIVISION PLAY

The key to the playoffs in any sport is to simply win your division. Sounds easy. Can be complicated for many teams. To win your division, you must beat the teams in your division. In 2020, division play has become bigger in the MLB due to regional scheduling. The MLB wants to cut down on teams traveling so during the 60 game schedule, you play your divisional rivals and the teams from the other league that are located in your region. The Midwest region will be all the Central teams from the AL and NL divisions. Interleague play will happen only with teams located in your region. The Eastern region will have the AL East and NL East teams. Then the West will feature all the AL and NL West teams. Your team will not play any other team from the other two regions. Unless you meet in the playoffs.

In 2020, beating the divsion foes is the X-factor because your team will get a heavy dose of them in the 60 game schedule. Then you sqaure off with the other teams from the other league, which makes up the rest of your schedule. All the divsions stay intact with wins and losses being tracked in the standings every night. This schedule could help certain teams and hurt others. In the AL East and NL East, those divsions are both loaded with the Yankees, Rays, Braves, Mets, and your 2019 champions Nationals. Plus a young and upcoming Blue Jay team. Are the Marlins the easy part of the schedule in that region? Marlins are ok, but not exactly a doormat to put an automatic win in the column. The Western region will not be a picnic either. Dodgers, Angels, Astros, A’s and Diamondbacks have improved. As a White Sox fan, the nightmare history of West Coast trips is taken away, which is a good thing. The new scheduling gives some teams some hope, while other teams will not reap the benefits. It is a 60 game schedule, so if your team gets hot, you can beat anybody on the schedule.

TAXI SQUADS

In 2020, a crack Commando unit is standing by. These men escaped Covid-19 and are held up in an undisclosed location near your ball park. Today or tommorrow, stll wanted by their team and fans, they survive on streaming and waiting patiently. If the team has a problem with which no else can help, and if you find them, you can activate the Taxi Squad.

Since 2020 will have no minor league affiliates playing under the MLB, each team will have a pool of their own players they can use to help the roster if needed from injuries or if Covid 19 sidelines a few guys. Thie elite unit will be close by in another facility, sharpening up on their baseball skills in case they are called into action.

RULE CHANGES

PITCHING

THREE BATTER RULE

The Three batter rule has been talked about for quite some time over the years. The gist of it is any pitcher who starts the game or comes out of the bullpen, has to face a minimum of three batters. Unless the pitcher is injured or ill which gets him off the hook. This rule big time cuts down all the pitching changes late in the game. Sometimes baseball can be like the game of basketball in the last two minutes on the hardwood, both teams have a slew of timeouts all of a sudden. What does this do to those specialists that come out of the bullpen and are used for one out and one out only?

Besides a closer, my choice for a great relief pitcher is the Andrew Miller type of pitcher from the St. Louis Cardinals. Especially when he played for the Indians, how he pitched multiple innings in the playoffs facing whatever oppossing hitter that came up to the plate. Miller got outs. If you make it to the major leagues, you should be able to pitch at least one inning in each appearance. Specialists will have to learn how to get left-handed hitters and right-handed hitters out consistently. They usually can pitch more than one batter, but at times you find yourself at a job where somehow you fall into a role you may or may not like. This rule will favor the offense because in a close game, you may be able to stack the deck on pitchers just coming in. However this rule may help the defense because have you ever watched a game and said out loud… Why are you taking him out of the game after he did well? The Manager is taking the pitcher out for match ups only after he got two batters out with ease. Guys that have the stuff on any given night, you may like that he rolls that into three batters instead of one and two. The next guy could come in, be wild and put your team in a bigger hole with walks. This rule should be a keeper. 

GIVE ME THE WEATHER NOT THE NEWS

In any sport, bad calls are going to occur. In 2020 you will not see any up-in-your-grill style of arguing between umpires and a manager. You know, where spit will fly from both persons’ mouths as they yell obscenities at each other. Which results in the manager being tossed out of the game.

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Imagine getting showered in rants and raves in broken English combined with some spittle, if you had to deal with a feisty Ozzie Guillen back when he was the skipper. How many swear words do you think Ozzie got in with a little Spanish spoken in one of those face to face encounters. Managers used the ejection to rally their own team as the manager has your back. Plus some managers are very good at defending their own players. Arguing will occur at a safe distance in 2020. We will have a season where we will miss some of these managers taking their argument to a theatrical levels. No close talking will be prohibited.

NO SPITTING

We must protect the game of baseball, especially for players trying to play this Summer during a pandemic. The MLB put the kibosh on smokeless tobacco and seeds. Basically outlawing spitting; if you first observed America’s past time, you would have thought they had to spit as a required part of the game. Keeping body fluids inside your body will help protect everyone around you on the diamond. Will Covid-19 put some seed and smokeless tobacco companies in the red since baseball players are big business to them?

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Sunflower seeds are much safer than smokeless tobacco. The guys that clean up the dugouts should be happier, rather than sweeping up bags and bags of sunflower seed shells after each game.

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Does Red Man chew have protesters on their door stop to change their Indian logo on the bags? We will not see a wad of chew hanging out of players mouths like Lenny Dystra in his days. Puffing out the cheeks with smokeless tobacco and then sending a dark loogie to the outfield grass.

No chew in baseball is sacrilegous. It’s like one of those unwritten rules of the game.

Chewing in baseball is up there with no tears on the field.

Chewing gum is ok but you can’t spit. You can’t wrap your smokeless tobacco in the big league chewing gum as well. Modern baseball. Me, I’d rather chew Bazooka Joe.

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What fancies you a baseball card or a comic strip with your gum of choice ?

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NO BRAWLS

Baseball is not hockey where you drop the gloves almost every night on the ice. At times, tempers do flare and fists are thrown, usually immediately after a batter getting plunked by the baseball. MLB will come down hard on players that take their emotions and suddenly charge the mound like a bull going after the matador. If baseball can not deal a harsh enough punishment for the sign stealing saga, I’m not sure they will come down hard on players that brawl. With Covid-19, to stop this and try to prevent this from happening for the safety of all players is a good thing. The one good thing for the entire league is Yasiel Puig is not presently on any team’s roster. The bat licker Puig I believe led the league in starting brawls last season.

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EXTRA INNINGS

Last year the MLB experimented with extra innings through some of their minor league levels. The purpose of the experiment was to make the extra innings go quicker. To avoid marathon type games. What they did in extras was put an automatic runner on second base to start the inning. The visitors would get the runner first in the top half of the inning while the home team in the bottom of the half of the extra inning would get the same thing. Home teams would get last at-bats if the visiting team scored first in the extra frames. The outcome stays the same; whomever is leading after the inning is played out, wins the game.

This scenario, with the man on second with no outs, creates some different strategies for both the offense and the defense. Does the offense bunt the runner over to third and sacrifice an out to get the runner closer to home? Would the defense intentionally walk the first batter to set up the double play? Teams on offense can do a hit and run to advance the runner. Plus offenses can get the runner over hitting the ball to the right side of the field. Does the defense bring an outfielder in and set him up at short center? 

With only 60 games in the regular season and with expanded rosters, do you really need to add this kind of gimmick to your game? I know this rule would not be used in the playoffs like the shoot-out is not used in the NHL overtime in the playoffs. One reason is to save your pitcher’s arms from too much work, especially if you are playing a night game and have a day game scheduled immediately after. Expanded rosters should fix that problem having more arms to use. You invest your time watching 9 innings of baseball and then they change the rules. Extra innings or overtime equals an extra beer or two.  I’m surprised they did not think of a homerun derby as the game decider. I’d rather play the game the same way you play in regulation to decide the winner. Should boxing go less rounds and then declare a thumb war? NBA plays overtimes until a winner is determined. The NFL… many do not like their overtime rules. However at least they are playing the same rules as regulation. Not a fan of the new extra innings rule, and that is my take on that chapter.

THE UNIVERSAL DH

The 1970’s was the arrival of the DH in baseball. Old school baseball with both the National League and the American League having the pitcher bat, went on for decades when the game was born. In my lifetime, the DH was established in the American League, and the National League pitchers still had to bat. In 2020, the MLB is going with the universal DH designated hitter. This means no pitcher will bat for both leagues, as the National League will now have another slugger in the line-up on a full-time basis. This is a rule that could stay after the 2020 baseball season.

With the universal DH in both leagues, it takes away some good things from the game. Always thought the American League had the advantage over the National League when they played each other. In a seven game series, the National team playing in the American park could insert their best hitting bench player to get by. Vice versa, an American team playing in a National park, the slugger is taken out of the line up for the AL team. Unless he can field a position out on the diamond. This weakens the AL team defense most likely having the DH on the field. Plus seeing American League pitchers take swings in the box, is priceless.

Now sometimes we will miss amazing things like Mark Buerhle’s first home run he hit versus the Brew Crew in Milwaukee.

Taking the bat out of the pitcher’s hand also takes the art of pinch hitting basically out of the game. You can still pinch hit anytime you want. Some guys made pinch hitting an art form, coming off the bench almost every day to hit for the pitcher and deliver a hit in crunch time. Less bunts will occur in the game because pitchers usually sacrifice themselves more than anybody else. Bunting in the AL is hardly ever done. Some teams do it well and often. National league might go down the same road with a slugger in the line up instead of a pitcher thinking big innings over bunting. The unversal DH takes everyday strategies out of the equation for NL teams.  Where these teams placed the pitcher in the line-up. Some mangagers had strategy placing them 8th in the line-up rather than the regular 9th. Where does it leave those pitchers that can hit? Some, which is very few, can help their own cause with big hits when they take the rubber every 5 days.

The DH position is good for many possibilities. The first thing is that for aging superstars, that can’t play the field, it obviously extends their career. In Chicago, Harold Baines and Frank Thomas the DH, helped their career as both made it to Coooperstown. Any player that has been a liability in the field of play, now these NL teams can have them be full time DH instead of interleague play at AL parks. Plus the DH can be a rotating spot for your team to give some players rest, especially during a shortened season.

In a shortened season with only 60 games, I like the Univeral DH because it saves your pitching. Pitchers need to focus and get their arms ready for a fast paced action packed season, and don’t need to be thinking about swinging the bat. If they keep this Universal DH intact on a permanent basis, I think baseball particularly becomes too vanilla flavored. With both leagues doing exactly the same. Interleague and playoffs become nothing out of the ordinary. In games when both leagues play each other, we all have a coach in our brain. We think what the team should do, just like the manager in the dugout. What player he should pinch hit or whether he should keep the pitcher in because he’s delivering a masterpiece. More strategies taken out of the game of baseball the sport, becomes Hungry Hungry Hippos over the strategic game of Risk.

Plus moments like Bartolo Colon going yard, will be abolished in the game for good.   

ADDISON RUSSELL YOU’RE MY HERE0

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Once upon a time ago, the young slick fielding short stop, Addison Russell, was part of the young core of the Chicago Cubs. In 2016, Addison Russell helped the Cubs do the unthinkable. Yes, win a World Series. Russell’s defense at short stop was a key part of that championship team. With the lumber that season, Addison Russell only had a .238 batting average. However, Russell drove in 95 runs and chipped in with 21 home runs. They say in baseball, “when you hit, make it count.” Russell had many big hits for the Cubs in late innings, driving in big runs that year during which you can say he was clutch. Then the closet door came off the hinges and let all his skeletons out. The toast of the town was being suspended by the MLB for domestic abuse. Addison Russell was suspended 40 games in 2018. In 2019, Russell served 28 games to complete the punishment. Russell went back to the minors but found his way back on the team in 2019. In the off season, Addison Russell was non-tendered by the Cubs and the 26 year old became a free agent. No interest in the league for Russell’s services in the off season. The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) came knocking.

The KBO has been playing games in front of no fans for weeks now. The Kiwoon Hereos threw Addison Russell a bone. It may perhaps be his only life line to revive his baseball career. Russell accepted and has a one year deal worth 530,000 big ones. The team originally wanted Yasiel Puig,  the bat licker’s services as he too is a free agent. Puig denied their offer as he hopes to be back with the MLB when the league resumes later in the summer. It’s like another man’s junk offer is another man’s treasure. If Yasiel Puig accepted, perhaps Russell would be skipping baseball in 2020 period. The KBO is only allowed three foreign players per team. If the bat licker accepted, Russell may have not gotten any offers this season.

With the Coronavirus lurking, the MLB is limited to a very short season. Every team in the league has released many of their minor league players due to the shortened season, which was doomed by the virus. Many of the independent leagues have folded up shop for 2020. The options for Addison Russell to resurface are not out there. KBO gives him a whole new serenity now. Playing over seas without a crowd will help. Even if the KBO does let fans in, nobody will harass Addison Russell for what he did back in the states. Last season, his final year in Cubbie-land, he did play in 82 games and hit .237 with 9 home runs and drove in 23 RBI’S. Injuries brought him back to the big leagues last season. The Cubs’ thought process was they were hoping Russell would rot away in triple AAA. Then they could quietly release him in the off season.

The KBO is on in the wee hours of the morning on ESPN. I have watched a few innings just wanting to see a live sport that I enjoy. It’s hard because I either get too tired or have had too many beers at that time, which makes it sleepy time for me. Addison Russell may be the biggest name in the KBO from the MLB. Russell is replacing a former big leaguer in Taylor Motter, who I have not ever heard of. The KBO has a former White Sox utility guy, Tyler Saladino. Seems like Chicago rejects are the best foreign players in the KBO. Playing baseball again for Addison Russell will help his overall psyche after not playing the game now for awhile due to the virus. It could also be his road back to the big leagues. Work on his craft and stay away from the women in Korea. Abuse the women over there and they may send him to North Korea to help Kim Jong Un’s Nuclear program. He’d be working on digging the trenches 7 levels below sea water. Addison Russell’s services I thought would be good for a young team up and coming because of his defensive skills at short. The Hereo’s want his bat more than his glove. This trip could be the beginning comeback to the majors or may be the ending of Addison Russell’s baseball career.

2020 PIRATES AND WHITE SOX FINAL DRAFT RESULTS

ROUND	PICKED	NAME	COLLEGE	POSITION
1	11	Garrett Crochet	Tennessee	LHP
2	47	Jared Kelly	Refugio HS (TX)	RHP
3	83	Adisyn Coffey	Wabash	RHP
4	112	Kade Mechals	Grand Canyon U.	RHP
5	142	Bailey Horn	Auburn	LHP

ROUND	PICKED	NAME	COLLEGE	POSITION
1	7	Nick Gonzales	NMS	INF
2	44	Jared Jones	La Mirada HS (California)	RHP
3	79	Nick Garcia	Chapman	RHP
4	108	Jack Hartman	App State	RHP
5	138	Logan Hofmann	NW St	RHP
Competitive Balance A Pick	Carmen Miodziwski	SC	RHP

WHITE SOX MAY HAVE FOUND THEIR CHRIS SALE CLONE

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The White Sox got a huge return when they traded away Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox. In the 2020 MLB draft, the White Sox found the Sale clone with the 11th overall pick by selecting Garrett Crochet out of the University of Tennessee. Similarities include that both Sale and Crochet have the big explosive left handed arm. It can blaze a fast ball by you clocking over a 100 mph. Both pitchers can rack up strike outs at a high rate. The big difference is Crochet does not have that “herky jerky” delivery that Chris Sale has. Which might be a good thing.

Garrett Crochet is 20 years old, born and raised a Southern boy from Ocean Spring Mississippi. In 2019, Crochet made 18 appearances for the Volunteers with six starts. Crochet racked up 81 strike outs. Crochet also pitched 2 1/3 innings of shut out ball to help Tennessee win their first NCAA tourney game since 2005. Crochet struck out four versus North Carolina Wilmington that day. This coming off a fractured jaw from getting hit in the face with a line drive weeks prior.

The White Sox are looking to make Garrett Crochet a starter at some point who has the capability to throw three different style of pitches. The White Sox may start him in the bull pen like how they first used Chris Sale in the big leagues. If baseball is played in 2020, which would be a shortened season, the White Sox could unleash this weapon of mass destruction late in games. It would be nice to see him being used in the expanded playoffs as well. I’m hoping the White Sox can get hot with way less games than in a normal season. A future with Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet going one and two in a playoff series, in your starting rotation, gives you goose bumps. Goose Island Beer may have a new ad campaign with Honkers Ale.  Plus, the kid has toughness. Lots of praise for his athleticism on the pitching rubber. Plus I do not see him running with scissors like that numbskull Chris Sale. The White Sox have a core of young position players with many about to make the leap into the big leagues. Pitching and pitching is like location, location. I like the White Sox going after arms in this five round draft this year.

PIRATES 2020 FIRST PICK IS AN AGGIE

The MLB 2020 draft is only five rounds this year with the Corona Virus lurking and not going away anytime soon. The norm each year in the MLB is 40 rounds in the draft. Ben Cherington is the new GM driving the Pirates ship. With only five rounds, each pick is crucial. The Pirates have a sub-par farm system looking to improve with a collection of young prospects on the rise. Right now baseball in limbo for the 2020 season, means trades are not going to happen in netting prospects like the Bucko’s thought process had in mind before Covid entered the picture. With the first pick of the Pirates in round one and the 7th overall selection, Cherington lands the best all around hitter at the college level. From New Mexico State, Nick Gonzales is an Aggie.

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Nick Gonzales is an infielder. A second basemen by trade who can play short stop. Gonzales bats right, throws right, and many had him as a top five pick by experts across the nation. Many thought he was the best all-around hitter in the draft as well. In 2019, Gonzales led the NCAA in hitting with a .432 batting average which was his Sophomore season at New Mexico State. From there, Nick Gonzales made some noise in the Cape Cod league.

Gonzales was MVP of that Summer league. This pick reminds me of when Ben Cherington was working in the Red Sox front office when they took Dustin Pedroia, who was also a second baseman.

Pedroia was a very scrappy hitter that made contact and hardly ever struck out. Nick Gonzales seems like the same type of player. A top of the order type of guy to help set up the sluggers in the line up. Plus putting the ball in play with both these guys who can hit for a high average. Pedroia helped the Red Sox win another World Series. Maybe Nick Gonzales is that first pick down the long road to help the Pirates win another championship. That we have been waiting for since the 1970’s. Only five picks to get the best hitter in the draft and it is a huge night for Cherington and the Pittsbugh Pirates.

BANG ON THE ASTROS CANS ALL DAY

With the Covid 19 sweeping the nation, there are protests, riots, and looting for the injustices that occurred in Minneapolis with George Floyd. Baseball has been in limbo regarding returning, due to the money part of the sport. Has the Houston Astros cheating scandal suddenly been swept under the rug? Just like an Irish mum from the old country covering up a family secret. If baseball returns, most likely the games will be played in front of empty seats. Astros players will not get peppered with insults and chants of their cheating ways from fans. In the brief Spring training earlier this year, Astros were getting heat on them with fans being very vocal about how they tarnished the game. A small brewery in New Jersey has created a beer so the Astros will not be forgotten during these days with no basball being played on diamonds across the nation.

Departed Soles Brewing has one of  their IPA’S that pokes great fun at the Astros cheating scandal of 2017. They call this masterpiece, Trash Can Banger beer. Yes, a beer you feel like you can bang on all day long not being at work. A can you can bang on letting someone know that Amazon guy pulled up with a package; sending different warnings and pitches through the neighborhood from your drinking perch. Departed Soles has this Astros garbage painted in team colors from what Houston wore from 1975-93. Those white, orange, and yellow uniforms are something from the makers of the old Tampa Bay Buccaneer creamsicle uniforms. Not sure how the Trash Can Banger will taste from this Jersey brewery. I want a six pack just for the novelty of things and have it on hand not to root for the Astros. Just a reminder Astros were Top Cat, in 2017, in the alley.

Then to remember how these Houston Asterisk cheating scandal has dropped them to the bottom of the can of life. Lower than Oscar the Grouch in the baseball alleys around the nation. Cheers to you Departed Soles Brewing for not letting us forget those dirty rotten cheats in Houston. I would like to buy you a drink.

THE BAT LICKER

We do not know when the MLB 2020 season will begin. Owners and players are debating about money and the overall health of the players during these scary times battling Covid 19. These are the hot button topics that will either make or break the 2020 season as we know it will be a shortened season. We know the league will play in empty stadiums at least in the start. Ideas of expanding the playoffs for this year only and universal DH in both leagues will happen if the millionaires and the billioniares can play nice in the sand box and agree on money as always. Plus a way to keep everyone safe that is involved in making this pipe dream happen for this season. The universal DH is interesting because now NL teams may be looking for an impact slugger to insert in their every day line up. This is where the Bat Licker comes in. Yasiel Puig is that player and he is on the open market.

If the 2020 baseball season does happen with the expanded playoffs, this could be the year for a sleeper team to take advantage of the short season. If your team gets hot at the right time, it could just bulldoze through the competition like gang busters. Like those wild card teams before the one game playoff match up would immediately knock out division winners in a best out of five series. Signing Yasiel Puig brings you a very nice bat in the middle of anybody’s line up. When Puig was traded from the Reds to the Indians last year, he hit .297 with 23 RBI’S in 49 games in Cleveland. An addition of Puig will get you a guy that will hit in the .270’s with 20 something long balls and he drive in 80 runs. Having Puig at DH or he is a nice corner piece out fielder with a strong arm, where you can rotate him in and out of both positions. 

Why is he still out there? Yasiel Puig is the bat licker and brings his mohawk, something out of the road warrior, and his antics to the ballpark every night. Puig was involved with two bench clearing brawls with the Reds last season that invoved the same team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cuban has a sketchy past which involves high speeds in his automobile; in fact, he was busted for reckless driving in Florida and Chattanooga, Tennessee. He may even flip you off if he does not like you. Throw in admiring his long ball and perhaps a bat flip or two, and this is the guy you have to deal with in the locker room.   

If you have a manager that can deal with multiple personalities from players like Yasiel Puig, he may be a nice gamble. You definitely want a strong locker room to handle this guy’s antics as well. That wouldn’t hurt. A one year deal in a short season might be the ticket for one club to post-season and beyond. For the White Sox, I’d rather have Yasiel Puig then the guy the team picked up from Texas. The left handed Nomar Mazara who is one dimensional and can’t hit left-handed pitching. The White Sox already have Edwin Encarnacion penciled in as their DH. I think having Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Yasiel Puig gives you a terrifying outfield in the line up card. If I was the White Sox, I would add Puig on a one year deal just to have him platoon with Nomar Mazara.  Puig would eventually just take the right field position away from Mazara by his play in the field. Can you imagine the Bat Licker with fireworks on the south side of Chicago during the dog days of summer?  Will they still light fireworks after a home run with no one in the bleachers? At least we know the bat will stay moist.  

THE FAN PERSPECTIVE WILL CHANGE

With the Covid 19 most likely still in its first wave of destruction, we do not know when America’s past time will return. Most likely it will begin play with games in front of empty seats. When the fans do return to the game, it will be a very good thing. The return of the fans will mean getting used to a whole new world watching your favorite team play. The experience of the game as a fan will drastically change at your ole ballpark. Things will be different for a very long time to come. Things of old might not ever come into play and may be abolished from the stadium for good. 

After 9/11, all the ballparks quickly got up to speed with new security regulations in place. Especailly entering the building as you empty out your pockets and are scanned through the medal detectors to see if you have any explosives or weapons to cause deadly harm. After all, the planes crashing through the World Trade Towers are forever etched in a person’s mind. Women’s bags are also searched as anybody could be a cowardly terrorist. When things do go back to the norm, if they do, will there also be medical personal looking at you? Looking for symptoms of the virus. Perhaps a quick temperature check. A swab test. A finger prick test. Something that you will have to wait in line for before each game. Obviously something that can get a reading and a result on what your body is doing right at that moment. Someone looking at you from a hazmat suit giving your experience a nervous feeling.

 In the begining when they do let fans come back into each ballpark, I can not imagine they will have some advanced technology to test each pereson that walks through the turnstile. Social distancing will take place and fans will be scattered allover the ballpark with seats in between you and your group of either family or friends that came with you. These moments would remind me of days at White Sox Park before 2005. Everybody in the place had their own personal beer guy. During my 20’s, it was nice sitting back knowing your ball park beer guy by name. Seems like he would just stand there until you needed another one. The beer guy would be pouring even with your hand not even yet reaching for your wallet. Foul balls might be easier to get with that social distancing seating. That playoff crowd will be missing. The roar of the crowd on the edge of your seat yelling and screaming like you’re in a concert seeing your favorite rock band. Maybe the Montreal Expo fans had it right the whole time.

Vendors going up and down the stairs at the ball park might be different. The vendors, I imagine, would handle your food choice or beer with gloves of some kind. Plus they might look like they want to rob you twice. Wearing a mask like a hold up. The prices before the virus were high so imagine what kind of stick em up job they will do to you and your bank account in present times. What about will they handle your dirty money? Beer would not be poured into cups like the olden days of the aluminum touching the plastic cup. The aluminum screw top cans of beer might be the only suds this new game has to offer. Food items might be doubled wrapped not to keep warm, but so money can be transferred. No hot dog or beer will be passed down like five seats being touched by strangers and handed off to the next person until it arrives to the one who ordered it. 

Bathrooms are always the worst nightmares in any time of ball game from any sport. Are the bathrooms close? Does the facility have too little? The bladder always thinks so. With social distancing, will lines be too long? Will people be only allowed to use every other stall or urinal? One way is having partitions in between every toilet, especially urinals. The Cub fans and their old trough could be a problem. Think about the Cub fans years ago using the trough as a slip and slide.  

Yep, only Cubs fans exactly. Depending how many people they can let in the stadium at one time. More bathrooms might need to be added in stadiums across the league.

 Things have been changing in ballparks forever as a fan. Once upon a time ago you could light up smoke in your seat. Then you were pushed to the concourse. Then now you seem to be pushed out of stadiums several blocks away. What about the Diamond Backs swim parties?

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The pictures above are not from Arizona, but Covid 19 may have put the kibosh on the back stroke during the 7th inning stretch in Arizona. No breast strokes and no wet t-shirt contests.

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In Tampa Bay, the Rays have always had no problem social distancing. Will touching the sting rays be allowed at the Tropicana field? Covid 19 will probably take all the cool stuff and attractions in each stadium, and put that in a holding pattern to figure out if it will be safe to operate during these bad times. A vaccine will help get the fans’ perspective somewhat back to normal. With the uncertainty of the Covid 19, AKA Coronavirus, it could linger a long time and changes coming up might stand for years to come. It will take time to get used to. Some times you reflect back to the glory days when life was easier, but the price of a beer was still outrageous.           

NO CRYING IN BASEBALL

 It seems all I do these days  is write about the passing of some former baseball player. Their legend lives on as we share what they did on the baseball diamond. This one I don’t think you can chalk it up to the Covid-19, which has been sweeping through our nation and creating havoc with the elderly and much more. This one may have been natural causes as Mary Pratt passes away at her Connecticut home at the young age of 101. If you’ve ever seen one of the greatest baseball movies of all-time,  A League of Their Own, which had Tom Hanks and many well known female actresses back in 1992, you will know about the American girls professional baseball league. It was a professional league for females established during World War II, as Archie Bunker used to always say… the BIG ONE.  Mary Pratt was a pitcher and an original member of the Rockford Peaches, a team portrayed in that 1992 film.  Plus she may be the last known original Peach player from that 1943 team.

Most of the players from the MLB went on to fight the Nazis oversees and stop Adolf Hitler’s reign in Europe. The theory of having a women’s professional league was to keep ballparks busy and provide the people back at home with entertainment. Mary Pratt was contacted by the league’s personnel in Chicago and in 1943 she became a Peach. She was a left-handed pitcher who eventually went on from the Peaches and pitched for the Kenosha team. In 1944, for the Kenosha Comets, Mary Pratt had her best season on the mound. Pratt had an impressive 21 wins season with a low 2.50 ERA. Pratt is also credited for throwing a no-hitter. Mary Pratt’s suitcase is very patriotic with American flags on it and is displayed in the National Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown. In the Diamond Dreams section of the museum, you can also see miniature pennants on the suitcase, of teams she played against. Perhaps her own pitching hit list of some kind.

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Mary Pratt had a full life conquering many impressive things besides playing on the diamond. Pratt has a degree from Boston University in Physical Education which she taught for 40 years. Pratt was involved in other sports as she was into officiating them and coaching. From softball to basketball, she also took on Lacrosse and Field Hockey games enforcing the rules while in play. She coached softball and her girls won a few championships.  During the 1960’s, Mary Pratt was an assistant professor and a coach at Salem State College. In 2013, she wrote and published her memoirs of her playing days called A Peach of the Game. She created a program for the American Girls Professional league to keep track of all the players’ whereabouts. 

Almost every kid in life dreams of playing professional in some kind of sport they love. Mary Pratt did that and done that. Especially in a league that made history back then and at the time she probably thought it was cool just to play the game she loved. A bonus getting paid for it. The league eventually did not last that long, but Mary Pratt pitched five seasons for Rockford and Kenosha. The movie was a big part of resurrecting this time in our history that previously may have been forgotten. The Women’s League gives you another prospective on baseball in general. Another sex giving it all on the diamond. I remember my sister was very good at softball and competing with her made me a better player at the game of baseball that I loved. Athletes come in all sizes and shapes, and can be either female or male while excelling on the field of dreams. Mary Pratt showed that life can be a peach and if you live life to the fullest you can be the brightest comet in the galaxy.       

THE WILD SHAMROCK ALL-TIME FAVORITE PIRATES

 I have gathered up my all-time favorite Pittsburgh Pirates and came up with a roster of my own. These players I selected might not be the best all-time in Pirates history. These are just players that I enjoyed throughout the years watching the good, bad, and the ugly Pirate teams over the years. Barry Bonds was a definite Hall-of Famer when he played for the Pirates. Then he got nasty and ‘roided up as his head grew bigger than a watermelon. He didn’t need the ‘roids but went down that path anyways. Plus Bonds’ sunny personality rubs me the wrong way. Instead I chose players that I think have  worked their hardest and played the game the right way.  Players that you wanted to see in the line up card on a daily basis. I went with players from the 1980’s and beyond when I became a fan of the game of baseball and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

My roster consists of all the position players and bench players. I have a starting pitching staff. I have a bull pen as well.

POSITION PLAYERS

FIRST BASE

SID BREAM: Great mustache. Played six seasons in steel town. 1986, Bream hit .286 with 16 home runs driving in 77 for by far his best season in Pittsburgh.

WILLIE STAGELL: A PIRATE LEGEND. AKA POPS. 22 SEASONS Willie Stargell played in steel city. Pirates retired his number. Number 8 will forever be Willie Stargell. Stargell was a part of two World Series winners with the Pirates in 1971 & 1979. Stargell was a 7 time all-star, 2 time NL Home run leader. Stargell finished batting .282 with over 2000 hits and launching 475 balls into the seats. In 1988, Willie Stargell headed to Cooperstown.

SECOND BASE

JOHNNY RAY: Switch hitter who was very tough to strike out. Ray was 1982 rookie of the year. A silver slugger winner in 1983 at second base. Played seven seasons with the Pirates hitting .285 through those years.

NEIL WALKER: Born in Pittsburgh. Played seven seasons in his hometown. A fan favorite. In 2012, Walker had a great year hitting .280, driving in 69 and clubbed 14 home runs.

SHORT STOP

JAY BELL: Great bunter who could hit for power. Eight seasons with over 1000 hits. Won gold glove in 1993.

JACK WILSON: Nine seasons in a Pirates uniform. In 2004 he was an all-star and won the silver slugger award at short stop. Wilson was the 9th NL short stop to get 200 hits in one season. Led all NL short stops in defensive categories on the field during his days.

HOT CORNER:

BILL MADLOCK: Mad dog was his nickname and he was 4 time NL batting champ. Seven seasons playing for the Pirates he had .297 batting average.

BACK STOP

TONY PENA: Pena had a catching stance that was unorthodox, extending one leg out behind the plate. Pena was 4 time gold glove as a Pirate back stop. Pena made 5 all-star teams as well.

JASON KENDALL:Pirates all-time leader in games caught. Kendall was the first Pirates player ever to hit for the cycle at 3 Rivers stadium. That game he drove in five.

OUTFIELD

JASON BAY: Bay was rookie of the year in 2004. Bay was the first Canadian-born player to get rookie of the year. Six seasons in Pittsburgh Bay hit .281.

BRIAN GILES: Giles was a power hitter who could also hit for average. Giles had at least 35 or more home runs for 4 straight seasons in Pittsburgh. In 5 seasons he mashed 165 balls into the seats.

JOHN CANGELOSI: Former White Sox. Cangelosi known for his speed. In 1987 he became the first Pirate in 21 seasons to swipe home plate on the base paths. Cangelosi was the first ever hitter to face the BIG Unit Randy Johnson. Cangelosi, primarily a bench player during his time in Pittsburgh, was a great pinch hitter hitting .275 during his time in steel city.

DAVE PARKER: The Cobra. 11 years in Pittsburgh. Part of the 1979 World Series Champs. Parker actually knocked the cover off the ball in one game. Parker racked up 166 home runs as he made 7 all-star teams and earned three gold gloves.

ROB MACHOVIAK: A Chicago kid growing up in Oak Lawn on the southside of town. Played with the White Sox.  Spent 5 seasons with Pirates hitting 52 long balls in a Pirates uniform.

Andy Van Slyke: Earned 5 gold gloves for outfield play in Pittsburgh. Van Slyke is remembered for peeling off the Maple leaf Canadian flag on his helmet in 1991 during the Gulf War.

ANDREW MCCUTCHEN: NL MVP in 2013. McCutchen earned 4 silver slugger awards plus 5 all-star appearances in Pittsburgh. 

PITCHING STAFF

STARTING ROTATION

THE CANDY MAN, JOHN CANDELARIA: A left and member of the 1979 World Series team. In 12 seasons pitching for the Pirates he had a record of 123-87 with 3.17 ERA.

DOUG DRABEK: Former White Sox. Drabek won the NL CY YOUNG in 1990 with an impressive 22-6 record with a low 2.76 ERA that season. In Pittsburgh he tallied up 92 wins with 62 losses with a respectable ERA at 3.02.

RICK RHODEN: A great hitting pitcher during his days in steel city. Rhoden drove in 75 and knocked nine balls into the seats. Rhoden went 79-73 with 3.51 ERA in his Pirate days. Rhoden went on to be a pro golfer after his baseball days.

BOB WALK: Nicknamed Whirley bird pitched 10 seasons in Pirates uniform. Had a 82-61 record with a 3.83 ERA. Has been after his playing career concluded, working as a broadcaster for the Pirates radio calling games.

GERRITT COLE: Rich Rich these days. Figures he learns another pitch in Houston and becomes even better on the mound. Now part of the Evil Empire Yankees’ Death Star. Went 59-42 with 3.50 ERA as a Pirate before they traded him away.

BULLPEN

JOEL HANAHAN: My Dos Equis guy out of the bullpen. The bearded man on the mound nailed 82 saves with two all-star appearances in only a few seasons in Pittsburgh.

BILL LANDRUM: In 1989 Landrum was lights out 26 saves with a low 1.67 ERA

MATT CAPPS: A great pitcher on bad teams through 2005-09.

JASON GRILLI:Grilli made the 2013 all star game because the league needed a Pirate to hit the quota having all teams with a representative on hand. Former White Sox. In his Pirates day, Grilli had an impressive 12.4 K’S per 9 innings pitched.

KENT TEKULVE: The accountant look with the eye wear on the mound with a wicked side arm motion from the tall lanky guy on the mound.  Tekulve was the guy out of the bullpen that saw through the opposing team’s line up every night. In 1979 Tekulve had three saves in the World Series. 

EVERY DAY LINE

2B JOHNNY RAY

C JASON KENDALL

1B WILLIE STARGELL

3B BILL MADLOCK

RF DAVE PARKER

CF ANDREW MCUTCHEN

 LF BRIAN GILES

SS JACK WILSON        

 P THE CANDY MAN 

MY TEAM HAT

THE REAL NUKE LALOOSH FIELD OF DREAMS

In the movie Bull Durham, Tim Robbins plays a character named Nuke LaLoosh, a pitcher with a scorching fast ball. Bull Durham was written and directed by former minor leaguer Ron Shelton who played in the Baltimore Orioles system through 1961-1971. The Nuke LaLoosh character was based on a teammate that played with Ron Shelton who was a left handed pitcher named Steve Dalkowski. Dalkowski was a career minor leaguer who some say with his sling shot pitching motion, could sling a ball over hundred MPH with speeds consistently in  between 110-125 MPH. In the movie Bull Durham, Nuke LaLoosh was a young prospect that had control issues. Crash Davis who was played by Kevin Costner was the washed up catcher who has played in the bigs at one time and was to help this young arm find the strike zone. Dalkowski never made it to the majors like Nuke LaLoosh the character that was based off his life. Steve Dalkowski passed away at 80 years old last month. Diagnoased with Alcoholic dementia as he’s been living in assistant living since 1994. The Coronavirus finished him off at the end.

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In 1957 Steve Dalkowski signed with the Baltimore Orioles right out of high school. Dalkowski in one minor league game struck out 24 batters and walked 18, but obviously control problems prevented him from moving up to the Majors. When he was able to get the ball over the plate, legendary Hall-of Famer Ted Williams says, “that was the fastest ball I have ever seen thrown,” referring to Steve Dalkowski. Cal Ripken Sr. was a catcher in the Orioles minor league system and caught many of Dalkowski’s games and by his estimate, the left hander was getting it up there with speeds between 100-115. Dalkowski first season in 1957 for Kingsport which was class D ball at the time, he averaged 17.6 K’S and 18.7 walks per 9 innings pitched. I can imagine the position players hardly saw action with Dalkowski on the mound. All outs were from the strike outs. In 1960, Dalkowski struck 262 batters in 170 Innings pitched. Also had 262 walks. Dalkowski’s career minor league numbers in 956 innings logged, had 145 wild pitches. Can you picture Wild Thing, in the movie Major League, throwing at the card board batter in the box? Charlie Sheen’s character, Ricky Vaughn’s, pitch takes the head off it. 

Steve Dalkowski ‘s story has a sad ending, and he probably used alcohol to wash away the memories. In 1963, he injured his elbow pitching in a Spring training game versus the Yankees. The elbow never recovered. Surgeries at the time did not happen like they do nowadays, where they fix it immediately and pitchers make a full recovery. His flame thrower fire ball lost velocity. His inability to get the ball over the plate regularly, ended his career by the time 1965 rolled around. I imagine the drinking got worse. Dalkowski could not find a job and eventually drank himself until he erased his mind of his story. Nuke LaLoosh found his control and made it to the big leagues in the movie Bull Durham. I think Nuke getting laid by an older stunning looking character, played by Susan Sarandon, helped him more than a Crash Davis did behind the plate.

I remembered playing little league and a kid one year older than me had a wicked fast ball that he could not control and hit many batters. Maybe many kids had that type of guy in little league like that. Rumors of the guy in my life I’m talking about were that he had control, but just liked to nail people for kicks. That guy did pitch in college so my theory could be correct. Steve Dalkowski had a 46-80 career minor league pitching record. Some games he threw could have had a few master pieces in there with 46 victories. Dalkowski fanned 1,324 batters while walking 1,236 in his career down on the farm. That’s more strikeouts than walks in his career so that’s a win. Dalkowski ‘s story did contribute to one of the best baseball movies of all-time. Now Dalkowski can pitch again on the field of dreams in the clear blue skies with no rain outs.

BLAME IT ON THE BELL BOY

The MLB commissioner and his rag tag group of investigators concluded their findings into the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox were investigated for their role in sign stealing in the 2018 season. The same season where Bean Town took home the World Series trophy. The Commissioner’s office did find something. The findings so minscual that the Boston Red Sox only lose one draft pick, a second rounder in 2020. The findings came down to a person behind the scenes going rogue. Yes, the Red Sox will hold their heads up high because they have a fall guy. Instead of blaming it on the bell boy, they threw the video replay operator under the bus. 

J.T Watkins’ position with the Red Sox is that of video replay room operator. Watkins’ main job was being a replay official to help the Red Sox challenge a play, if needed. Watkins was an expert at decoding signs using video. Any team can use video to steal signs before and after the games but not during. Watkins used his skills beyond that. Watkins was able to tell if the opposing teams changed their signs during the games. He was able to tell using video feed and notice the sequences were different. Then Watkins would update the reports and hand them back out to the players.

Baseball Commisioner, Rob Manfred, talked to 34 current and former Red Sox players while offering immunity if they spoke the truth. The league findings were that only a handful of players had the information. The league thinks Boston used this information when they had a runner on second base.  The league says the Red Sox did not use the video man’s intell during the playoffs. This is why the team was not fined.  Alex Cora, the mastermind from his days in Houston, apparently was not involved in any cheating as the manager of the Red Sox. Meanwhile Watkins is suspended without pay in 2020. Watkins can not return at the same position in 2021. Perhaps he will be relocated as a hot dog vendor. Just hope he does not steal all the other vendors’ moves when it  comes to dishing out the most dogs during the ball game. I’m sure he will still have a job in the Boston organization because his father is a scout. The scout that landed a Mookie Betts. Which is quite a big fish.

Where does Boston find these guys? In the movie the Town, based in Boston, they  grew bank robbers like some annual crop. Does Bean Town have their own suburb for ball deflaters and video operators gone dark? In 2017, the league warned the Red Sox because that year they were caught stealing signs. Then the league sent out their new ten commnadments on stealing signs, how the punishment will be swift and severe. I don’t buy that Alex Cora who was labeled mastermind of the Astros scandal turned over a new leaf in the Boston dugout. Would Al Capone stop cracking skulls if he moved his crime oranization to another city back in the dark days of prohibition?

If Rob Manford wants sign stealing to stop, he has to come down harder on these teams. I thought Houston got off easy as well.  If you’re a team in the league and cheating is only going to get a draft pick taken away from you while you keep the World Series trophy, it is nothing but a joke. Who knows if baseball will actually return in 2020?  By the time Coronavirus is dealt with, and by the time fans get back in the seats at the stadium to actually watch a game live, who will remember the Boston Red sox bell boy J.T. Watkins? Houston Astros might get some razzing when play is back. They say cheaters never win. They say that crime does not pay. Two of the last three World Series winners have the golden goose while the rest of the league has nothing but goose droppings.     

MY ALL-TIME WHITE SOX ROSTER OF UNSUNG HEROES

 Everyone always remembers their favorite players on the baseball team they root for. The “for sure” Hall-of-Famer like a Frank Thomas, Carlton Fisk or Harold Baines when it comes to Chicago White Sox baseball.  Fans recall the guy that played with the team his whole career, even though this is unrealistic nowadays. If a player has played at least a decade on your team, he will be remembered. It always comes down to his performance on the field to be talked about and admired. How many times did the player make the All-Star team? What kind of impact did he make for the team and the city of Chicago? Championship players always will be carved in stone inside the minds of fans for that wonderful year that was accomplished. Those years up and down the roster, fans could rattle off names of who played and what they brought to the table. Especially in Chicago where championships in baseball are rare. Fans could probably name the bat boy for the year the White Sox broke a 88 year old drought in 2005.  What about those players who  at times we forget about? The ones that may have not been in Chicago that long. The great players coming off the bench to fill in for a starter. Even the one year wonders who contributed with magical years and they sucked you in. Unsung hereos that made an inpression on you at one point because of their impact on a game. I have constructed my White Sox roster of the misfits. My favorite grinders that have been forgotten and  did some nice things for those White Sox teams over the decades. I have some names that have risen from the dark years when the team was not good.

I’m even using one of the late 1980’s/early 1990’s hats the White Sox used for like one year, maybe possibly two years, to represent my ragtag roster. All the players I have chosen have played in the 1980’s and up.  

POSITION PLAYERS

ON THE FIELD GENERAL (CATCHER)

Chris Wider: Played 2 years on South side (2005-06). Back up catcher on the 2005 World Series team. White Sox grabbed him off the scrap heap as he was playing softball in a beer league.

Brook Fordyce:Played 2 seasons on South side (1999-2000). Great hitting back stop who batted .290 in the two seasons he played.

FIRST BASEMEN

Jerry Hairston Sr. : Played 14 seasons on South Side (1973-77 & 1981-89) Hairston played some first base and outfield, known for his pinch hitting. Hairston was very good at coming off the bench and providing the team with a key hit. Pinch hit king of White Sox baseball.

Ross Gload:Played 3 seasons on the South side (2004-06). In a limited amount of play, Gload hit .308 with the White Sox filling in here and there.

Steve Lyons:Played 5 seasons on the South side(1986-1990) AKA Psycho. By trade a third baseman or outfielder. I have Lyons at first because he played every position versus the Chicago Cubs in an exhibition game. Each inning a different position. Lyons would be remembered for dusting himself off after a slide by pulling down his pants accidentily. 

SECOND BASE

Tony Graffanino: Played 4 seasons on the South side(2000-03). Tony had the short quick swing and could come off the bench and make an impact with a swing of the bat after sitting most of the game. I thought Tony should have been a starter most of his career.

Willie Harris:Played 4 seasons on the Southside(2002-05). Willie played outfield and second base. Willie Harris stole 49 bases during his days with the White Sox, mostly coming off the bench.

SHORT STOP

Craig Grebeck: Played six seasons on the South side(1990-95), AKA Little Hurt. Cranked two home runs off flame thrower Randy Johnson.

THIRD BASE

Herbert Perry:Played two seasons on the South side(2000-01), AKA the Milk Man, and he delivered. Perry had a huge year where he came up and delivered big hits in the clutch to drive in a big run over and over.  Two years he played in a Sox uniform and he batted .286 driving in 93 runs with 19 long balls.

OUTFIELD

Pablo Ozuna: Played 4 seasons on the South side(2005-08). Ozuna had a big stolen base in the World Series and in many games. Always did something awesome on the base paths. Was a nice utility player to have who could play both infield and outfield. 

Timo Perez:Played 2 seasons on the South side(2004-05). In 2005, filling in for players on days off or due to injuries, Timo Time became big with huge hits all year especially in 2005.

Warren Newsome:Played 5 seasons on the South Side(1991-95). Earned the nickname “The Deacon” as he was a very hard out to get coming off the bench. In a part time role,  the Deacon drove  in 58 RBI’S in a Sox uniform.

Michael Huff:Played 3 seasons on South Side(1991-93). In 1991 Huff batted .268 coming off the bench for the Sox. Key hits and played some great defense late in games.

Dave Gallagher:Played 3 years on South Side(1988-90). First ever autograph I ever had from a player was from Dave Gallagher at a card show. Gallagher was the inventor of the stride tutor. A tool used to get your stride down in the batters box. Gallagher hit .280 with the Sox and played Center field.

Dwayne Wise: Played 4 seasons on the South side(2008-09 & 2012-13) THE CATCH !!! Dwayne Wise will go down in White Sox history for his effort making that heroic catch to keep Mark Buehrle’s perfect game intact.

PITCHING

My starting rotation consists of 4 starters from the 2000 division champs. After that year they all seem to have went MIA.

Mike Sirotka: Pitched six seasons on the South side(1995-2000). Was traded to the Blue Jays who landed Dave Wells. Mike Sirotka never pitched for Toronto because he was hurt and damaged goods as his career was over. In 2000 Mike Sirotka was 15-10. Career he had 45-42 career pitching record

James Baldwin: Pitched 7 seasons on the South side(1995-2001). Baldwin had a 69-53 pitching record on the Southside. Baldwin was traded in 2001 and was never the same.

Jim Parque:Pitched six seasons on the Southside(1998-2003). In 2000 Parque was butter as he went 13-6 that year. After that season, injuries hampered the left hander.

Cal Eldred:Pitched 2 seasons on the South Side(2000-01). In 2000 won ten games and did not finish the season due to injury

Eric King:Pitched 2 seasons on the South Side(1989-90). King went 12-4 in 1990.

MY BULLPEN

My Bullpen consists of two local Chicago guys.

Donn Pall:Pitched six seasons on the South side(1988-1993) Pall grew up in my home town of Evergreen Park. Donn Pall had a 21-19 record for the White Sox coming out of the bullpen.

Juan Agosto:Pitched six seasons on the South side(1981-86). Juan was a part of that 1983 winning ugly team. Agosto had 15 saves with White Sox coming out of the bullpen. He was a left handed arm used in all situations.

Dan Spillner:Pitched 2 seasons on the South side(1984-85). Maybe it was because I seemed to land a Dan Spillner baseball card in every other pack I purchased. Spillner went 5-3 and had a 3.66 ERA in his two years coming out of the bullpen for the Sox.

Neal Cotts:Pitched 4 seasons on the South side(2003-06). Cotts was the second local guy born and raised in Lebanon, Illinois.  Cotts was wicked coming out of the bull pen for the White Sox in 2005. Cotts had a low 1.94 ERA that year the team won the World Series. 

Shingo Takatsu: Pitched 2 seasons on the South Side(2004-05). Shingo closed the door for the White Sox in his two seasons. Shingo accumulated 27 saves until he was sidelined with an injury. Shingo had many different arm angles he used on the mound. Had an arsenal of slow roller junk he would baffle hitters by. The league did catch up with the Japanese cult hero on the South side.

Not sure this roster I mustered up could do a lot of damage if they all played on the same team and were from the same era. I probably missed a lot of interesting names as well since I went back to the 1980’s constructing this unsung hero roster. The names I do have all made an impact in White Sox history. Plus it was fun going down memory lane and remembering the type of guys that played hard all the time. Guys that brought their lunch pail to work every day. Guys that would played the game of baseball for free.           

HOME RUN OR WHIFF

When I was a young fan of the game of baseball, I used to love the guy that could put the ball in the seats on any given at-bat. Perhaps it was the expolding scoreboard at the old Comiskey Park. Seeing exploding rockets high in the sky with pretty colors on other days besides Independence Day. I was just an innocent kid who did not know better. Just a student of the game. Guys who are swinging for the fences or bust, hit multiple solo home runs with nobody on base. They might even hit most of their taters when the team is losing by ten runs late in the game. Sure a few of these mashers hit the decisive home run that will win you the game that night. Most of the time with these bigger hulking guys, it’s homerun or whiff. Usually the strike out comes with men in scoring position. Of course the league has sluggers that provide the big bat in all key situations. I’m talking about the guy who hits in the low .200’s and hits 30 bombs, but strikes out over 100 times a season or even gets in that 200 plateau.

This week Mark Reynolds announced after 13 seasons he is hanging up the spikes for good. The 36 year old has suited up for 8 teams in his career. Reynolds played in both the American and the National league. You can classify guys like Reynolds as hitmen. In the underground world, a Reynolds type will be an assassin killing humans for money. Reynolds in the baseball world is hired to kill baseballs. As all hitmen like to travel town to town, Reynolds had stops in Arizona, Baltimore, Cleveland, New York as a Yankee, Milwaukee, St.Louis, Colorado and DC. That’s multiple states and multiple kills for Mark Reynolds. 298 kills. That’s 298 baseballs he has torn up as they landed over the fences. These home run kills come with a deadly price for the team he plays for. Reynolds has accumulated 1,927 strikeouts in 13 seasons playing in the MLB. That is good for 9th overall in league history, a stat nobody wants to be number one at. 

I have looked at a couple guys that are in the same boat as Mark Reynolds over the years. Rob Deer is remembered mostly for playing in Brew Town as a Brewer. Deer played for 11 seasons and belted out 230 home runs hitting a low .230. Mark Reynolds’ life time batting average is at .236. Deer racked up 1,409 strike outs in his days.

Then a guy with a perfect name for hitting lots of home runs. Dave Kingman was the king at the long ball for 16 years swinging for the fences. Kingman launched 442 balls into the bleachers. Kingman whiffed 1,816 times in his career. Kingman also had the lifetime batting average of .236. Then my favorite homerun or whiff guy played on the southside of Chicago, Adam Dunn. Perhaps the windy city of Chicago got windier with  Dunn’s mammoth swing missing most pitches by a mile. Dunn knocked 462 home runs into the seats. Dunn’s batting average is a tad better than the others with .237 lifetime. Adam Dunn struck out 2,379 times.

In 2017, Mark Reynolds hit 30 home runs, but still tallied 175 strikeouts for the Colorado Rockies. That was Reynolds’ last decent year. In 2018-19 for the Nationals and the Rockies, Reynolds hit only 17 home runs in a limited amount of games played. Reynolds’ best year was in 2009 for the Arizona Diamondbacks where he hit .260. If you can get your average in the 260’s and cut down your strikeout rate, then I would keep you on my team. In 2009, Reynolds launched 44 bombs with 30 doubles and drove in over a 100 runs. Reynolds even swiped 24 bags. However that year Reynolds still led the league in strikeouts. I was excited when Adam Dunn came to the White Sox. I think he ruined this type of guy for me though. To see Dunn be retired with men on base multiple times, it seemed like the opposing pitcher was happy to see the big oaf lumber up to the plate. It was like the key to getting out of the inning. Besides playing the DH position most of the time, these type of guys that are home run or strike out are also liabilities in the field. If all these guys would have put the ball in play in half of those at-bats they struck out in, you’re talking about a lot of different outcomes. I’d rather have a guy that can make contact and put the ball in play over these home run or die swingers. When the Kansas City Royals won their title years ago, that team made contact. Those Royal teams were very hard to strike out. Baseball these days has turned into the home run or strikeout mentality. New guys like Dunn and Reynolds will resurface to add their swing to the mix.       

 THE DEMONS THAT FOLLOW JOSH HAMILTON

 It seems like everyone in life has a story about somebody they know or even knew at one point in their life that had all the talent in the world. A talent in something that just came natural to them. Some craft it would take yourself decades of practicing over and over, sweating and spitting out blood just to become average at your desire. To see these talented individuals squander their gift. Either by picking up bad habits or bad vices. Seems some of these talented people that squander what they are good at, are trying to always find themselves. In the sports world, devastating injuries ended many talented players’ dreams. This is all about the player, the individual who surpasses any set backs with an injury. They nonchalantly go about their lives playing the game most would love to play in a heartbeat. They play the game because they know they can, but they love the distractions off the field. They get sucked in. Could a guy like Josh Hamilton have been the greatest baseball left handed bat to ever play the game? Hamilton has similar story lines to the movie, The Natural. Josh Hamilton you could say would go down in history as having the most demons haunting your life than maybe any other player in the history of the game. This week Josh Hamilton was indicted on a felony charge for injury to a minor.

Josh Hamilton is now 38 years old and last time he played in the majors was back in 2015. Hamilton was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as the number one draft pick in 1999. Hamilton finally made it to the big leagues in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds. Like in the movie, The Natural, where Roy Hobbs is shot as he was seeking to be the best ever pitcher as a young man. Then Roy Hobbs returned to play baseball as a slugger years later with a missing gap of time in-between. Josh Hamilton’s career in 2001 hit a very bumpy road as he was shot. More like shots in the substance category not a six shooter. Then came the drugs. Injuries as well. When it rains, it pours. Plenty of relapses as well. Josh Hamilton returned like Roy Hobbs. Hamilton played nine seasons in the big leagues starting with the Reds in 2007. Hamilton made big noise with the Texas Rangers as he was the American League MVP in 2010. During the nine seasons with the Reds, Rangers, and the Angels, Hamilton had over a thousand hits. Hamilton was an all-star in 5 out of those 9 years. Hamilton won 3 silver slugger awards in those 9 seasons. Josh Hamilton was a career .290 hitter with 200 long balls, he even swiped 50 bags. If Hamilton could have maintained his good play after 2015 and perhaps played before 2007, he could be a guy with over 400 home runs and over 2000 hits. Maybe we are talking a future Hall of Famer.

For guys like Josh Hamilton, when you think you have life figured out, like most people someone is always throwing a wicked curve ball at you. In 2011, Josh Hamilton tossed a foul ball into the stands in Texas. A father wanted the ball for his son. Hamilton obliged and threw the ball up to him, who was a 39 year old firefighter in Brownwood Texas. What a great moment this could have been. Shannon Stone getting a ball tossed up by Josh Hamilton for his six year old son Cooper. Instead Shannan is able to catch the toss, but leaned over too much and fell over the rail plummetting to his death hitting the concrete from a 20 foot fall leaving Cooper with an image from hell. That type of story from the movie Backdraft where the fire fighter who is a father brings his son on a call to watch him in action on a burning house. An explosion happens in the house leaving his son without a father looking at his dad’s helmet that came toppling out of the inferno.

This is not Josh Hamilton’s fault with the father falling from the higher seats. Stuff like this tends to follow you. The memory of these types of moments you most want to erase with alcohol. This stuff can lead a Josh Hamilton or anybody back down the wrong path of addiction.

Injuries occurred in the last two seasons of Josh Hamilton’s career where he played in less than 100 games in both seasons. Even coming back to Texas after spending two season playing for the Angels was not the key to finding success with his home run stroke.  After 2015 the baseball dream was turning into reality of being over for Josh Hamilton. Hamilton continued to try out for the Texas Rangers.  Hamilton settled for some minor league games in hopes he could find his way back in to the majors. Many can’t come to terms with the way their career ends. Especially in sports. Look at Michael Jordan with a story book ending winning his sixth NBA title. Walking away a winner. Jordan came back because he was not finished and played for the Washington Wizards. The way most would not like to walk away injured and perhaps just broken inside because of the ending.

Many nights I imagine Hamilton reminisced about his life. The great moments. The not so great moments that did and probably would haunt many, especially thinking about what he could have done.  What he should have done.  Then to continue to fight the demons of substance abuse. Add the drugs as well and many things can be going on inside the mind of a Josh Hamilton. Josh is an angry man. Last October throwing a filled bottle of water at his daughter that hit her chest. Then to throw a chair at her. Finish her off by pinning her to the bed and hitting her on the back. Striking her on the legs. The ex-wife filed a temporary restraining order on her daughter’s behalf. Josh Hamilton has three children all together. Many would think having three children with the same women should equal happiness. Ride off into the sunset with your family. It could of been a nice ending showing how he overcame his addictions to still play the game. Some people, no matter what, can not find happiness. For Josh Hamilton and some we may know from the past or present, they always need or want something else while they already have it under their nose. Maybe like in the movie The Exorcist, some need to get the devil or demons eradicated from their bodies. Hamilton will have to forgive himself which will be now his hardest obstacle he will face, in order to get some kind of closure in his life from his troubled past.  Hamilton needs to find some kind of happiness where ever he is off to in his next chapter of life.                  

LIGHT IT UP

“When it rains, it pours,” is that old saying that many can use to describe their lives from time to time. With the invasion of the Coronavirus, all around the world people are in A sad state right now. No sports, your favorite establishments shut down as you might have cabin fever being locked up in your house. Like on house arrest as you get some yard time going to the grocery store. Then on a bright sunny day, people are driving around dazed and confused in their eyes with a make shift type of mask covering their face. In the daily news you hope for something good that can put your mind at ease temporarily. Maybe some nice weather will do the trick. No, not this week when the rain fall turned into a thunderstorm. We were taken aback with the news about the passing of Ed Farmer, former White Sox broadcastor and player. Farmer’s home run call echoes in your mind. “Light it up” meaning a home run that sets the White Sox exploding score board  off with sky rockets of fireworks in the air with spinning pin wheels and flashing lights. It was not Coronavirus that doomed the former relief pitcher.  It was the battle with polycystic kidney disease that kills a young man of 70 years of age with so much more life to live. 

Ed Farmer was a southsider who played for the southsiders. Farmer was born in the same town I was born in, Evergreen Park, Illinois. A town the Unabomber lived in. It is a town where Roseangla’s tavern delicious pizza is. Farmer grew up on 79th and Francisco where he probably indulged in Fat Johnnies Famous Red Hots. Which is another eating institution on the South side of Chicago. Ed Farmer went to St. Thomas More, a Catholic grammar school which had great traditions until it was shut down because of  lack of funds. Farmer went to St. Rita, a Catholic high school that  eventually moved closer to Farmer’ s old neighborhood when it took over Quigley. There Ed Farmer played both baseball and basketball, and he was good at both sports. In 1999 the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame enshrined Ed Farmer’s great merits in the games. Obviously baseball was his game as he made it to the pros being involved in America’s past time.

Ed Farmer aka Farmio pitched in the MLB for 11 seasons. Farmer played with seven teams during those years. Teams that included the Phillies, Indians, A’s, Rangers, Tigers, Orioles, Brew Crew and 3 seasons with the White Sox. In 1980 with the White Sox was the only year Farmer was selected for the all-star game. That year he pitched in 64 games and saved 30 games with a 3.34 ERA.  Most of Farmer’s career he was a relief pitcher. During his three seasons on the southside out of the bullpen he had 13-19 record with a 3.31 ERA. Farmer’s career he went 30-43 with a 4.30 total ERA. Farmer pitched in 370 games with 395 strikouts and saved 75 games. 

I know Ed Farmer as a White Sox radio broadcastor more then a player. In 1991 Ed Farmer started in the Sox radio broadcast booth. This season Farmer would have done his 29th year in the White Sox booth which is three decades of White Sox baseball listening to him on the radio. Earlier this year before the Coronavirus made its presence known to the states, Farmer broadcasted  one Spring training game. For health reasons he returned home to California. I still remember trying to get home from work to watch the White Sox in the playoffs versus Boston in 2005. It was the longest inning ever. It was one of the most memorable innings ever that had the bases loaded as El-Duque Orlando Hernandez pitched out of that mess. It was Ed Farmer as the analyst at the time with his play by play partner John Rooney that painted the picture of that inning. The Farmer and Rooney combo went 14 seasons. It was one of my favorite combos of all-time in Chicago sports. Ed Farmer then turned himself into a play by play guy. Farmer paired up with Steve Stone for one year and Chris Singleton for two seasons. Former White Sox player and TV announcer Darrin Jackson partnered with Farmer for 12 seasons and they were another great combo that made it fun to listen to from your car or at work.   

I listened to sports radio most of the day after hearing of his passing. The Chicago stations shared great stories of Ed Farmer. The Mully & Haugh show had Farmer’s good friend Mitch Rosen on, who worked with Ed for a very long time. Mitch shared quite a few stories with the public. How Ed Farmer would tell you how cold it is and share he was not wearing socks or underwear.  Perhaps Farmer learned these habits living  in California. Farmer was big on Notre Dame. If the White Sox were playing a night time game, Farmer would go to South Bend and watch part of the Notre Dame football game. Then Farmer raced down the sky way at high speeds to make it on time to get ready for the baseball game. The story about Yankee Stadium was my favorite. When Farmer was young, his mother and his brothers were in New York. Yankees were on the road. Farmer’s mother asked a security guard if her kids could take a quick gander at the inside of Yankee Stadium. The security guard was rude. Farmer remembered he had one thumb. Years later Farmer was picked up by that same security guard as he drove the golfcart to take relief pitchers out to the mound. That day the guard with one thumb was in for a rude awakening. Ed Farmer told him off in the cart on the way to the mound from years ago making his mother and brothers feel like pond scum. 

In 1997, the Chicago Sports Hall of fame elected Ed Farmer. Which is well deserved because of playing sports in the toughest league in Chicago being from St. Rita in the old black and blue Catholic league divsion. Then making it to the majors. Playing for his home team of Chicago. Then being there for many White Sox moments doing the radio broadcasting. For me Ed Farmer and the Hawk Harrelson who recently retired from the game as a announcer have been guys that I associate with the White Sox for most of my baseball life. I came out of the womb loving the game. These are guys that painted the behind scenes of the game. Told stories of theirplaying careers. Insight that made me follow the game at a deeper level. This season has not been a can of corn like Hawk would say, since the season is being delayed by the virus. With a young White Sox team of super stars ready to take their game to the next level. I have hope for when the dark clouds pass for good, and baseball is back in full swing. I hope the players light up the score board all year for the recently departed great southside icon, Ed Farmer. I will miss all his great tales on the radio.  I will miss his distinct play by play voice. Plus all the great insight he added to the mix. .Never met Ed Farmer. He sounds like a great guy and a person that most people would like.  A straight shooter that would be honest but not hurtful. Maybe he will tell God in the heavens what the actually darn score is. Light it Up!!! We will miss you…  

HARD TO FIND THE NATURAL

 Why is it so hard for the Chicago White Sox to find that left handed power bat? A bat that consistenly hits the ball into the seats. In the current White Sox every day projected line up for this season, excluding the second baseman because we have no idea who he will be, the White Sox have switch hitter Yoan Moncarda and the guy the White Sox they got from Texas Nomar Mazara batting lefty in the line up. Moncarda can place the ball in the seats, but he’s more a doubles guy in my book. Mazara averages close to 20 home runs a season. Mazara can’t swing the bat well versus lefties. The White Sox have had a hard time finding their next Jim Thome, a guy that has power and hit versus righties and lefties. A guy that can knock the cover off the ball. Is it asking a tad much to see a guy knock a ball into the lights? That’s Hollywood. Last season and for a long time the White Sox have had problems finding their own version of the Natural.

In 2018, I thought the White Sox found their slugger. A left handed right fielder who the White Sox claimed off the scrap heap, Daniel Palka. Palka was once from the Twins organization and in 2018 he knocked 27 balls into the seats driving in 67 runs. I was like wow this was some kind of find. 

In 2018, it was not a very good White Sox team. The team had its moments. Palka was hitting some of these home runs in crunch time that made them exciting to watch. Game on the line to tie it or actually win a game. Palka was the man. Then in 2019 the Natural of 2018 was just a shell of his former self. In 2018 Palka batted .240. In 2019 Palka’s average dipped down to the 100’s. Most of 2019 Palka  was sent down and brought back up from the minors and he was hitting below the mendoza line almost the whole season.  Palka managed to get that average up to the .107 mark before the season ended. Palka finished with 2 long balls and only driving in 4 runs in 2019. The White Sox still have Daniel Palka who is a non-roster invitee. White Sox jumped on another left handed bat released by the Astros in 2019. AJ Reed will get many more chances with other teams, but with the White Sox he hit .136 1 long ball driving 4 runs. Left handed bats and left handed pitching players will get more chances. Especially south paws that pitch because they are a dime a dozen. 

In 2001 I was a fan of Jeff Liefer a young left handed bat that played first and third. Liefer played some outfield as well. In 2001 with the White Sox Leifer hit 18 long balls and that year looked like a break out season for him. Liefer batted .256 with 39 driven in. He looked like a young piece that was going to be around awhile. In 2002 his numbers dropped drastically. Liefer then bounced around from team to team up and down from their farm systems. Liefer might be remembered mostly because he locked himself in the bathroom somehow during a minor league game as a player.

When I was younger in the 1980’s I loved Harold Baines. The Hall-of Famer I have  many fond memories of him hitting the game winning home run and sending home all the fans happy.

When Harold came up to bat, the chants of “Harold, Harold” erupted through the crowd. I always noticed some wrappers at the old Comiskey swirling around in the corner as you eagerly watch every pitch to Baines from the pitcher. It was like the same watching Paul Konerko with the chants “Paulie, Paulie.” These were two guys that fans loved and they gave you their best all the time. They put lots of balls into the seats as well.

In the 1990’s I loved the guy nicknamed the Hammer. Dan Pasqua came over from the Yankees and played seven seasons on the south side. Pasqua was a guy who was a part of those 1990 teams that played in the playoffs in 93 and should have played in the playoffs again in the strike year of 1994. 

Pasqua was a guy that hit 75 long balls in those 7 seasons he played in Chicago. He played first base and some outfield. Pasqua was a career .240 hitter but had some pop off his bat. Towering home runs and lots of doubles that hit the gaps. Big hits in clutch situations as well. Pasqua did not fare well in the playoffs in 1993. Frank Thomas could not play the field in the playoffs with an injury so he was relegated to DH duties while Pasqua manned first base. As a team Frank Thomas was the only one hitting well it seemed that year in the playoffs. No matter what, I would still want a Dan Paqua in my line up. 

The White Sox were expecting big things out of Adam Dunn in 2011 when they landed him through a trade. Dunn’s first season in a White Sox uniform he hit .177 with only 11 home runs from a guy that came in averaging 40 a season.  A 5’11” utility infielder, Brent Lillibridge ,out slugged Adam Dunn his first year on the south side with 13 home runs.

Adam Dunn went on to slug 41 home runs the following year and his average went up to .204 as well. Dunn’s career on the south side was disappointing and more strikeouts are remembered than balls in the seats. Comments like “big oaf” were tossed out more than”there goes one of the best ever to hit one to put the home team on top.”

In 2006, after the White Sox won the World Series in 2005, the team landed Jim Thome. Only If you were mentally crazy you did not like Jim Thome. It was hard to give up Aaron Rowand to pry Thome away from the Phillies. Thome did not help the team repeat in 2006. Who would expect three teams in the same division to win 90 games and you’re the team staying home with no chance to defend your World Series title that year? In 2008 Thome helped the White Sox get into the playoffs hitting the home run versus the Twins in the black out game. The game was the tiebreaker for the AL Central. Thome’s home run was the game winner and the only run of the game and sent the White Sox to Tampa Bay to face the Raysin round one of the playoffs.

You can win games in this league without having the power bat from the left side. Having one in a well balanced line up makes opposing pitching staffs work extremely hard to beat you. An opposite field blast by a left handed power hitting just looks awesome. Maybe Zack Collins will be the next White Sox power bat from the left side. Maybe Nomar Mazara will be able to crank it up versus lefties as well as righties. That right field in White Sox Park is a nice launch pad. Would be nice to exploit that in your own back yard. A left handed power hitter is so hard to find. It’s like a diamond in the ruff. If you get one you have to hold on to it.

THE BOYS OF SUMMER MAY BE THE LAST SPORT STANDING 

The Corona Virus is , sweeping through the nation and wiping out everything in the sports landscape including baseball. No March Madness. The NBA and NHL suspend play for right now. Both leagues hope to continue their seasons hoping the virus can be controlled and contained. When? We do not know. Both NBA and NHL were in the midst of closing out the year as teams were making their last push for the playoffs. Playoff basketball, playoff hockey and March Madness are things we look forward to every year. Baseball was in preseason action down in the desert and in Florida. The regular season for now has been delayed as no one can predict when this Corona Virus will pass. When will the United States be in control of this virus that has wrecked havoc arcross the world?

Our government has no clue when all its citizens will be safe to be out in masses. Baseball might be the sport that brings the nation together. The new football league the XFL had half of the season completed as they suspended operations. Then the XFL  called it a year and will pay off their players and let them walk away and get contracts from NFL teams. XFL will relaunch next year in 2021. Delay in a football season for more than one week is hard to come back and play without risking severe injuries. If the NBA and NHL get delayed longer than the time table they have in mind, both leagues may follow and cancel the rest of the season. Would these leagues have like a two week window to knock the rust off? Then you have to think about the draft in these sports. Plus scheduling. Most of these stadiums have concerts and other venues scheduled down the road due to hockey and basketball being over for summer vacation. Besides March Madness the game of basketball for both women and men, the NCAA cancelled all their spring sports.

That leaves baseball as the sport that can make the right adjustments. They can wait this out and still have plenty of time to complete the season and playoffs. In baseball the players need less time to knock the rust off then let’s say a hockey player or baskeball player trying to get their legs under them again. The pitchers are the ones you have to worry about the most. Baseball can adjust the regular season if needed and play less games if that’s the case. Baseball could still have a window to complete spring training as well since the season is long. I’m sure all those players will work out on their own and hope they do not catch the lingering effect of the Corona Virus.

The first baseball game back maybe like those first NFL games after 9/11. That was the last time in my life I saw a pause in the sports landscape. I know things in life are bigger than sports. Especially with dealing with something many people can say they have never been through this or seen it either. It’s getting uglier out there in the world every day. When we finally get through this as a nation, as a human around the globe and we will. People will be pointing fingers at others on what they should have or could have done. By then you will be quite sick of hearing about this virus, and you will need the American pasttime to get you back to familiarity of your daily life of yesterday. The Boys of Summer will be critical for the mind psyche whether good, bad, or ugly. I would take a season of my favorite team playing stupid baseball every night rather than having to deal with the Corona Virus that right now is interfering with what you and I love. Sports. Especially the game of baseball.             

SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY

MONCARDA EXTENSION

The White Sox strike up a deal with another extension to one of their younger players. This time it’s third baseman Yoan Moncarda who is shown the love with a 5 year 90 million dollar deal. Moncarda is 24 years old and it keeps him on the southside guaranteed 5 years with an option for a sixth year. Yoan Moncarda is the third player the White Sox have extended this spring training. Relief Pitcher Aaron Bummer. Plus their highly touted prospect Luis Robert. Last season White Sox locked up Eloy Jimenez. As you can tell the White Sox have marked their young core and they expect to keep this band togther on the south side of Chicago for years to come.

Yoan Moncarda is one of the prospects the White Sox received in the Chris Sale trade. Last season he switched positions on the diamond. Moncarda went from second base to the hot corner. Then Moncarda, a switch hitter, had a break out year with the bat hitting .315 knocking 25 into the seats while driving in 79. Playing third base he did better with the glove than he did at second the year before. This is the performance the White Sox were expecting when Yoan Moncarda was acquired from Boston.

FLAME THROWER BACK

On March 11th Michael Kopech made his first appearance on the mound for the White Sox after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Last time Kopech pitched was in September of 2018. He missed the whole year in 2019 due to the Tommy John surgery. On his first action in Spring training versus the Texas Rangers, Kopech threw 11 balls in one inning pitched. Six of those pitches hit the 100 MPH mark or higher.

Kopech threw a perfect 1-2-3 inning which included striking out Greg Bird. In 2018 Michael Kopech was called up to the big league roster by the White Sox. Kopech went 1-1 in 4 games with 5.02 ERA before he was put on the shelf that year. Kopech was another prospect that came to the White Sox from that Chris Sale deal that seems to have struck gold.

THE RETURN OF ZACK PUTNAM

White Sox bringing back relief pitcher Zach Putnam on a minor league deal. Putnam from 2014 thru 2017 was a pretty darn good relief pitcher for the White Sox. Putnam had a very low ERA of 2.71 through that stretch, pitching over 100 innings from the bullpen. The 32 year old was derailed by injuries. After having Tommy John surgery he recovered and came back to have hamstring problems. When it rains it pours. If Putnam still has good stuff he could be a nice piece for the bullpen this up and coming season.

THE BUCKO WEEKLY

PIRATES, MARLINS AND RAYS LINKED TOGETHER

When your team continues to be associated with the two Florida teams it’s a very hard pill to swallow. Once again the Pirates join the Rays and Marlins as three teams the MLBPA filed a grievance against. The Major League Baseball Players Association is accusing the Pirates of not trying to be competitive. Not using the revenue sharing money that small market teams receive. In 2016 the Pirates had a 99 million dollar pay roll that year. This year Pirates can’t even win at being cheap. The Pirates have the third lowest pay roll in the league at 51 million.

In 2018 the Pirates were on the same grievance list filed by the MLBPA with three other teams that year. The same three as this year but the Oakland Athletics this go around is not on that list. The President of the MLBPA Tony Clark says these teams have violated the basic agreement they use for revenue sharing. When teams’ payrolls in baseball are too high they get taxed. That luxary tax is shared. Especailly shared with small market teams. The teams generally use the money to improve their performance on the field. Such as players salaries. Bonuses for draft picks to get players to sign. It goes into international bank roll as well. Teams could use it for more scouts or other staff members. Teams use the extra scratch to upgrade player development systems throughout their minor league system. The result is the Pirates and other teams are not being competitive. Pirates are kind of in and out of rebuild ideas. They may not know what they are quite doing yet. Now they made the dreadful list being linked to the Rays and Marlins.

Drink plenty of Iron City beer and hope the Pirates sell to somebody who actually cares about the team. Cares about the city of Pittsbugh. Puts a team that can compete on the field every year.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Whispers heard around the city and down in Florida Pirates might be giving some players extensions.

Keep on the down low. Pirates are looking to extend some of their younger players. Last year rookie Bryan Reynolds who played outfield had a remarkable first year in the bigs. Hitting .314 with 16 bombs driving in 68 runs.

Then short stop Kevin Newman who played in his first full season in the bigs did very well. Newman hit .308 with 12 bombs and drove in 64.

The Pirates think the 27 right hander Joe Musgrave can be a fixture in the rotation for years to come. Musgrave has 4 years of experience with a 28-33 life time record on the mound. Musgrave pitched 170 innings last season when multiple arms broke down on the Pirates last season.

Pirates are also linked to giving one of their top prospects an extension like the White Sox did this off season with Luis Robert. Ke’Bryan Hays a third baseman by trade could have a crack at the big league roster at some point this season. Not sure how the PIrates are going to find this money for all these extensions especailly how tight they are with a wallet in need of oiling to be opened.

They may have to hold up a few banks. Perhaps they have some revenue sharing money laying around that was going to be used for a new pool for the owner.

Maybe the pressure from the MLBPA put this extensions in motion to establish a young core and keep the young group intact.

TEBOW IS LIVING THE DREAM EITHER WAY BASEBALL OR BUST

Will Tim Tebow ever make it to the big league roster? Tim Tebow entered his 4th Spring training camp since deciding he was going to play baseball instead of football. Tebow was a part of the first wave of cuts at the New York Mets camp. Tebow will head to the farm league and work on his game after getting two hits in spring training. One of Tebow’s hits was a home run in 13 at bats. Tebow continues to strike out at a high rate. Tebow did have some walks. It was not enough to keepTebow present in spring training while the Mets figure out their opening day roster for the 2020 seaon. How long will Tim Tebow pursue this baseball dream? Will he ever make it on a big league roster by his baseball talents alone?

Tim Tebow is 32 years old and last season in Triple AAA it was not very stunning for the former Heisman trophy winner. Tebow’s season was cut short with an injury to his pinky finger. A deep laceration that sidelined him in July. Tebow appeared in 77 games for the Syracuse Mets where he hit a meager .163. Tebow drove in 19 with 4 long balls. Those are pretty bad numbers considering he worked his way up to the Triple AAA level as he was progressing at the lower levels. Tim Tebow is not part of the Mets 40 man roster or never has been. Tebow could be where he left off last season in Syracuse or perhaps demoted to a lower level. Would another organization take a Tim Tebow under their wings?

Many thought when Tim Tebow was not going to be the starting quarterback in the NFL, perhaps he should try the tight end position. Tebow did not go down that road and instead hung around longer running the wild cat package offense as a quarterback for the Jets. Tebow ended up being cut and that’s when he decided to give baseball a try. Is it too late for Tebow to make the switch back to football? In the XFL there are lots of running quarterbacks behind center in that league. Maybe tight end could be an option as well in the XFL. Something about going back to football and getting your bell rung because some unknown wants their name to be recognized because of Tebow’s celebrity status. Plus 32 years old trying to get back in football shape might not be the problem. I think knocking off the rust and getting back to the grindstone of 24/7 football and getting the mechanics back down is the hard part. Plus Tim Tebow had one pretty good season in the NFL and that was a very long time ago.

It’s up to Tim Tebow on how long he will go with playing baseball. Tebow made some money in the NFL. More money than most of us will ever see in a lifetime. Tebow has made money off endorsements as well. I see plenty of opportunities Tebow will have after he hangs up the spikes in baseball. Tebow’s celebrity status and being set financially can help him stay the course playing baseball. Most minor league baseball players have to give up and go back to the real world to make money. To support their families. To establish other roots of career opportunities before they get too old especially with other things they would like to pursue. Tim Tebow might make it to the big leagues at some point. Will he have earned it? The hard work he put in I can see. I could see the September call up. Will his numbers though justify the call up? The call up will sell lots of jerseys. The call up will put many more fannies in the seats. Business stance it makes sense. Even though whatever road Tim Tebow goes down in his baseball career it will be a huge profit for him at the end of it. A movie or a book deal is in the cards. The story on the road Tebow took and switched sports is something to write about. If Tim Tebow gets a hit in the big leagues Disney will cash in even more. Tim Tebow could also have the type of story like a Crash Davis as well. Davis made it to the bigs. Tebow played in the NFL. Then Davis played until he hit the most home runs in minor league history. Tebow could quietly play minor league baseball until no one offers him a job. No matter what Tebow is like a cat with nine lives he can use for this baseball dream. Crash Davis left unnoticed. When Tebow is done playing baseball his whole story will become even bigger then his religion beliefs.

SALE NO LONGER A BARGAIN

Chris Sale for seven seasons on the southside of Chicago was electric. Sale was the ace of the staff and went 74-50 with an ERA at 3.00 during those years. Sale was a south paw with a wicked fast ball and a slider more deadly than anything White Castle had to offer. Many people said with his funky wind up as a pitcher, Sale most likely would have arm problems down the line. Some thought his arm would just be far off. Years went along my thought process I just put a blind eye to the situation thinking it would of already happened and he should be good. Chris Sale’s 4th season in Boston at the starting gates of Spring training has soreness in his elbow. Is this just a bump in the road for pitchers with normal wear and tear? Could this have been what people thought all along? That arm problems will haunt the south paw?

Chris Sale was shut down and an MRI was done. The Red Sox and Sale will avoid Tommy John surgery so far. The Red Sox say it’s a flexor strain. Sale also had other opinions done as well including Dr. James Andrews who has seen this and done this many years for lots of players from the MLB. The Red Sox and Chris Sale will try to do a throwing session in a week and see where they are at in hopes the elbow soreness dissipates on it’s own after resting it and icing it down. Chris Sale is 30 years old and dealt with the elbow last season. Sale was eventually shelved last season after by far his worst year in the big leagues. Sale’s record was 6-11 with a very high ERA at 4.40.

I look back at those days before the White Sox tore it all down. The team had two great pitchers in Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. With two pitchers like that you should be able to get to the playoffs if you build around them. The White Sox never won with these two guys. Both pitchers got the White Sox a lot back in trades. Yoan Mancarda, Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech and Eloy Jimenez. These four could be staples a very long time on the southside of Chicago. Chris Sale has helped the Boston Red Sox win a World Series in 2018. Will that World Series be tainted with an asterisk for cheating? Red Sox are under investigation. Jose Quintana has been growing tiresome in the Cubs organization as the production they have not received for what they gave up to pry him away from the Southside of Chicago.

Watching Chris Sale pitch was very special. Every team wants an ace on their staff. To watch them pitch every 5 days keeps you watching even when your team is not that good. I thought if Chris Sale stays healthy he could of been the next White Sox enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Obviously if he pitched most of his career on the Southside. I bet I was giving the blind eye as well to his funky wind up and delivery back then. Sale kind of turned fans off when he’s cutting retro jerseys in the locker room on game day. Because he did not like them. I moved on from Chris Sale. Right now his 145 million dollar extension starts this season. If these arm problems linger that would drive me crazy being on the hook for a contract like that if he was still playing on the Southside. You want your team to trade people at the right time for value wise. Many times you are stuck and heavily invested and it takes a few years to recover from bad contracts. I’m not saying the White Sox are geniuses like they knew when to get out of the Sale ads. White Sox like to usually linger in the funnies. If the White Sox build something special with this team they have just formed since the rebuild then Sale will be remembered and thanked for what he brought to the table not how he pitched on the Southside. When the White Sox won it 2005 Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee were very easy to forget. The only Sale I need to worry these days about is what JC Pennies has to offer then if Chris Sale will be the Boston Red Sox ace down the road.

SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY

NOT A BUMMER OF A DEAL

White Sox continue to build their future core as they strike up a long term deal with left handed relief pitcher Aaron Bummer. Both parties agree to a five year deal worth 16 million for the 26 year old. The White Sox also added club options at the end of the deal. Bummer was one of the best relief pitchers in the American league. You can probably say throughout the entire league as well. In 58 appearences he had no record with 67 Innings pitch with a very low ERA of 2.13. Bummer had 60 punch outs in those 67 innings. Bummer also contributed one save to his credits.

Bummer could become the future closer on the south side. I’d rather have him in same role as a late inning guy to come into the game as needed to preserve the lead and get the game to the closer. Bummer is one of the best at getting the ground ball. Bringing Bummer in any kind of situation that has gone wrong he can be valuable getting the team out of those kind of jams late in the game. Overall the extension keeps Bummer long term and now he’s part of the core of players the White Sox have extended. Guys like Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson, and Luis Robert.

THE MAN WITH MORE THAN ONE GLOVE

Leury Garcia is another guy the White Sox are keeping around. They added a one year deal worth 3.5 million with a club option. Garcia is that swiss army knife of the team. Hecan play any outfield position. He can fill in on the infield as well. I thought he was a decent option as a lead off hitter last season. Garcia batted .279 last season scoring 93 runs driving in 40. Slugged 8 home runs with 161 hits. Great player off the bench. Garcia can do lots of things like steal a few bases as he swiped 15 last year. Anybody goes down, he’s a nice player to have fill in. Plus I think he will be used a lot as a late inning defensive replacement.

YOLMER LANDS IN THE BAY AREA

Yolmer Sanchez lands in San Francisco on a minor league deal. Sanchez has a chance to land the second base position for the Giants in an open competition. Word is he had some guaranteed offers with other teams but wanted a starting position so he’s betting on himself. Let’s hope we see him pouring gatorade on himself in a Giant win over the Cubs.

26TH MAN

MLB has expanded the rosters of every team in the league to 26 players, rather than the normal 25 roster spots. One big guy making some noise early on in Spring training is no domestic. He’s an import. He’s a Mercedes. Not Benz. He’s a Yermin Mercedes a 27 year from the Domincan with no big league at-bats yet. Mercedes was plucked away by the White Sox in the rule 5 draft in 2017. Mercedes has been slashing and putting the big part of the barrel on the bat in the minors for the White Sox farm system. He’s a catcher by trade but you may be able to play some first base as well. Plus throw him in the DH role to keep his bat on this roster. In spring training he has a grand slam and a mammoth shot that he hit that may be traveling still as I type this sentence. We will keep tabs on our new fancy ride out in the desert.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

“EL COFFEE” FULLY CAFFINATED

Gregory Polanco arrives to spring training with a clean bill of health. Polonco has been derailed the last two seasons with a shoulder injury he suffered from an awkward slide. The injury limited him only to 42 games last season. Polanco only had 153 At-bats as he hit .242 during that span with six long balls and 17 driven in. In 2018 Polanco was having a productive year hitting .254 with 23 long balls driving in 81 as he played in 130 games. Can Polanco stay healthy for his seventh season in a Pirates uniform? Will the 28 year old outfielder be a part of this team for the long haul or possible trade bait?

Gregory Polanco is the last man standing from the Pirates 2015 playoff team. When healthy he is a nice addition to any team’s line up. Polanco is a solid left handed bat to have in the line up. If you insert a right handed hitter inbetween Polanco and Josh Bell, it makes a tough middle of the order for opposing pitchers. Pirates’ grand plan seems to be in a holding pattern. In no rush to trade everyone. Just the wait and see approach. Either way a healthy Polanco will help your ballclub right now and the future if he can stay healthy. Polonco could net some prospects if traded and obviously healthy.

A HORSE IS A HORSE OF COURSE OF COURSE

Pablo Reyes is the latest Wilbur of the week busted for a positive test of PED’S. Reyes is suspended for 80 games as he was caught on the stuff they use on horses called Boldenone. Obviously he needs something because the 26 year old utility infielder in 71 games in 2019 only hit .203. He drove in 19 and scored 18 runs. Reyes has been a part of the Pirates oragnization now for 8 seasons. He debuted nicely in September of 2018. In 63 at-bats he batted .293 with three long balls and 7 knocked in. He ate his wheaties that year or he had a nice undected horse injection that year.

DEREK HOLLAND TRYING TO LATCH ON

Derek Holland finished his Chicago tour last season playing for the Cubs. Former White Sox for a season was traded to the Cubs from the Giants last season. His better years are way behind him from his Texas days. Holland is on a minor league deal with the Pirates in hoping he’ll crack the starting rotation. He is a left hander that could come out of the bullpen as well. He could be a spot starter/relief pitcher. If he makes the team a possible trading chip, the team has nothing going for them around the trade deadline.

AN ASTERISK OF A STORM BREWING

Houston Astro mania has been sweeping through baseball nation like a natural disaster and it’s getting bigger. It’s getting ugly. Players are lashing out. Death threats have been mailed, hopefully with the proper postage. The Astros press conference was a joke like Jose Altuve’s tattoo on his chest. Lawsuits have been filed. Managers saying the punishment does not fit the crime. Ideas being tweeted out there to take the Astros’ piece of metal away. Piece of metal referring to the Commissioner of baseball that called the sacred World Series Trophy. Like Sammy Sosa later on he apologized for and provided a statement apology for saying it was just a piece of metal. Lebron James even chimed in. Shut Up Lebron, who cares what your opinion is? Jessica Mendoza stepped down from her Mets gig. ESPN demoted her job from the baseball world. Fire up the pick-up trucks. Use your bats, gather up the torches and pitch forks and let’s go hunting for some Astro meat.

Players around the league have been outraged at the slap in the wrists the Astros got. Dodger players especially because their the team lost in the 2017 World Series. Cody Bellinger ripped the Astros. Justin Turner ripped the commissioner of baseball for calling the World Series Trophy a piece of metal. Most players have looked at video of themselves and their team playing games in Houston. They wonder before how a players from Houston took a nasty pitch without even check swinging like obviously they knew to lay off.. Probably heard the whaling of the garbage cans as well. It’s not just the players from the notable teams that have played the Astros in the playoffs over the years. Your star players in the league like Mike Trout from the Angels have chimed in. It’s like the Astros are OJ Simpson getting away with murder.

The Houston Astros owner fired their manager and general manager even though they were going to be suspended for one year. They hired Dusty Baker to guide them in this transitional period for the Astros. Baker has already opened up his trap saying the league has to come down on retaliation for safety of his players. Baker wants the league to give a stern warning to the rest of the league. Throwing at Astro players will result in big consequences. Will the league go to an extreme level for punishment on a pitcher plunking a Astros player? Hey Dusty and the MLB why don’t you protect Mike Fiers from death threats before the poor Astro players get beamed with a baseball.

The commissioner of baseball, Robert Manfred Jr.’s, punishment for the Astros scandal is something compared to saying the LA Police officers did not use extreme force on Rodney King as they swung billy clubs at him over and over. In 1919 during the Black Sox scandal, the eight men out for the White Sox went to the court of law. They were found not guilty. Then the new commisioner had to clean up the sport and banned those players for life. Pete Rose’s punishment was severe. The Steroid ERA was a joke by the time all the evidence became public. I know it would be hard to prove what player was on steroids in which at-bats. I know it would be the same thing for the Astro players in what signs did they steal in what at-bat as well. You can’t just ban every player that has played for the Astros the last three seasons. If you did ban all those players for one year that were on the Astros rosters, then you’d be banning the whistle blowers and any former Astro player that is on another roster. If they did ban them for one year and without pay would this ever happen again? That idea would affect more than one team which is not fair. The best thing to prevent this sting on the sport is probably take away what they earned, the World Series piece of metal. Olympics do it all the time for positive doping tests revealed years later. Ask Trump’s buddies from Russia and they will tell you. Just need a commissioner that can call the shots when needed.

The MLB should have the Astros pay for all the damages that were caused in this sign stealing storm. What about the players that were demoted or personnel for teams that were let go because of Astrogate? Would Joe Giraldi still be in New York if his team got past the Astros in the playoffs? Joe obviously liked a cat and landed on his feet in Philadelphia. What about Mike Bolsinger who filed a law suit versus the Astros and MLB? His outing in Houston pitching for the Blue Jays sent him back to the minor leagues. He is accusing the Astros of unfair business practices. Plus Negligence and intentional interference with contractual economic siputations. Bolisinger does want the money for himself. He wants the Astros World Series bonuses to go to a charity or two. Astros should be opening up their check books and pay for their actrocities. Houston owner should take the money out of their players checks if desired.

The thing about this that makes my blood boil about the Astros is their players and their owner. It took former Astro players on other teams to apologize for their actions of stealing the signs. Then AJ Hinch admitted what was going on in his first interview since he was fired by the Astros. Then the Astros do their own press conference and apologized. Then after the fake apology a few of their players get on their soap box and tell whoever cares to be listening, we will prove to the whole baseball world we are as good as advertised and don’t need to steal signs to win the whole thing. If that is the case then why did you do it in the first place?

THE BIG SEXY EAST BOUND AND DOWN

Bartolo Colon was MIA in 2019 in the baseball world. This was not Bartolo’s first time he disappeared from baseball. His second stint with the White Sox he went missing for a day and his whereabouts were unknown. Colon ended up finding his way to the White Sox Triple-A team eventually to make a rehab start. Nicknamed the “Big Sexy” Bartolo Colon has resurfaced in the baseball world. Not in the MLB. The 46 year old has a one year deal in the Mexican league. Tell me if you’ve seen this script play out before.

Monclova Acereros will insert the Big Sexy into their starting rotation. The Acereros are the current champions of the league and clearly there is no evidence they have stolon signs to earn their championship.

Bartolo Colon debuted in 1997 for the Cleveland Indians. He has pitched 21 seasons in the majors with 11 different teams. His last year in the majors he pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2018. It was not one of Colon’s best years with a record of 7-12 and very high ERA at 5.78. Colon is a four time all-star. His last all-star appearance he was 43 years old pitching for the Mets at the time. Colon won the Cy Young in 2005 with the Angels as he earned 21 wins that year with 3.48 ERA. Career wise Colon has pitched in 565 games. 552 were games he started. His lifetime record is 247-188 with a 4.12 ERA.

In 2003 during his first stint with the White Sox, I remember he blew one by Barry Bonds when the Giants came to Chicago. Bonds eventually tattooed one late in that game off Colon but that was two monsters in a heavy weight fight that night going at it against each other. Every at bat and each pitch were magnified. Colon still at that time had the blazing heat and was considered an ace of most teams’ staffs. That year he went 15-13 record on the south side with 3.87 ERA.Then he took the big money the following year as the Angels nabbed him in the open market. In 2009 his best days were over I thought when he signed again with the White Sox. He proved that his days were not over and went on and pitched almost another 8 seasons after 2009.

When he first came into the league he was a flame thrower and a scary pitcher to face. At the end of his career he had that rubber arm that kept him going out to the mound each season. He lost some of his sizzle of his fast ball. Like many older pitchers that stay in the league, he adapted how he pitched and located his fast balls. Bartolo Colon has the most wins by any Dominican born pitcher. Plus most wins by any Latin pitcher in MLB history which are probably his most proud achievements.

Bartolo Colon will turn 47 in May. Colon has nothing to prove to anybody. I believe he’s pitching in the Mexican league for the love of the game. Not trying to make a comeback to the Majors. I remember what John Kruk once said when a lady told him he should be ashamed of himself being a athlete and drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. Kruk came back with something like, “I’m not an athlete I play baseball.”

Baseball is the best sport because anybody can play the game no matter what size you are. The Big Sexy Bartolo Colon has been overweight almost his entire career. He’s still out there pitching like it’s a Sunday beer league. He may pitch till he’s 50. I think this signing will work well for the Monclova squad. He will attract fannies in the seat. He has developed that gentle big giant teddy bear thing with his fan following. Plus he will help the team win some games on the mound. The Acereros get the best of both worlds bringing in the Big Sexy.

NAZI’S RESURGENCE IN SAN DIEGO

Are the Nazis resurfacing in America? Using America’s past time to slowly sink sublinimal messages that Nazisim still exists and is not going away. It’s like a girlfriend who takes over a drawer and then invades your home. At a snap of your fingers you have a roomate not going away. Her familly photos plastered all over finally makes you scratch your head. It’s too late. The San Diego Padres’ new cap resembles the hated Nazi symbol, the Swastika. Navy town a great place to strike first with your propaganda. In the whole league, every team has multiple hats. This year the whole league has hats with their team’s logo and block letters in the logo of the city. The Padres hat done by New Era have one that some believe looks like the symbol of hate in the history of civilization.

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You see the Padres logo with the monk, some call it a friar, swinging the bat. Over the logo you have the interlocking letters. The way the “S and “D” are formed into each other with the top of the “S” cut off, it has a resemblance to the Swastika.

There is an episode of All In the Family where Archie wakes up to find a Swastika painted on his front door. In the episode Edith Bunker, Archie’s wife, asked him “Why do they call it a Swastika?

Archie’s response. “Look at the damn thing. What the hell else would you call it?”

Is this hat the Padres had done just another case of Political Correctness? I do not think New Era’s plan was to hide a subliminal message in a baseball cap. The person who came up with the new logo on the cap probably did not even think of anything related to hatred. It’s a freaking baseball cap, not a symbol from decades ago. However people see that symbol unintentionally branded in the hat like that, and it still hits a nerve to this day. Plus all the people that adopt the Swastika still to this day in their lives. You do not want to throw a blind eye on something either.

As a society we don’t want to go down the Schultz path of thinking. Baseball brings people together and should not bring hate or political ties to the game we love. The Padres will be scrapping this hat. They can pick one of the other thousand logos of the friar monk thing swinging a bat. Spring training is upon us. It’s time to put me in coach, I’m ready to play.

SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY

Our White Sox Oscar nominee for his play in the 1970’s. Oscar gamble…..

We know the White Sox love to collect Cubans. Cigars I would not doubt. Cuban players the White Sox have a pipeline for over the years. Current Cubans and without the Dominican wrappers on the White Sox are sluggers Yoan Moncarda, Jose Abreu. Let’s not forget the arrival of Luis Robert which is expected to happen on opening day. In the past White Sox Cubans Jose Contreas and Orlando Hernandez, aka ELDuque, were a part of that 2005 World Seres team.

Then lets not forget the White Sox legend Minnie Minosa.

It will not be official until July 2nd when the new international signing period begins, but the White Sox landed Norge Carlos Vera, an 18 year old pitching phenom. Vera pitched for the Cuban national team. Vera has athletic ability in his blood as his father was a star on the Cuban national team. Vera’s father won many olympic medals as well. White Sox in my opinion seem to evaluate young pitching better than hitting. Norge Carlos Vera has a high ceiling with a 90 mph on his fast ball. Vera towers over 6’3″ and can get his pitch speed all the way up to 97mph. Vera has a deadly slider and a change up to his arsenol. The White Sox are hoping he can be a fixture in the starting rotation in years to come. It’s a 1.5 million deal with the Cuban. White Sox have interest also in highly coveted outfielder defector Oscar Colas. A full box of Cubans will be the future roster on the South side.

THE SOX DEFENSES

The White Sox projected line up on defense is very concerning. Pitching and hitting has improved but the defense to me has raised some red flags The outfield on the corner positions with Eloy Jimenez and the new guy from the Rangers Omar Mazara are liabilities. Not sure what Luis Robert will bring to the table on defense in center field. Then in the infield the left side has Yoan Moncarda and Tim Anderson. Moncarda has only one year at third under his belt. Tim Anderson is still improving his defensive skills but the errors are still very high. At second, sure glove Yolmer Sanchez is gone. That position can be a few different guys, from top prospects Nick Madrigal and Danny Mendrick. Both might be ok out there. I would not compare their defense to Sanchez. That position will also have weakened.

Only position on the diamond the White Sox got better defensively is the catchers position. Yasmani Grandal defensively has the edge over James McCann. Jose Abreu gives the team pretty good defense at first. The signing of Edwin Encarnacion as your primarily DH and get some games at first base. Even one of the catchers can relieve Jose Abreu. These options behind Abreu will not improve the defense. They may weaken it and bring down another notch on the peg leg. Plus Edwin Encarnacion as mainly your DH makes it hard to move Eloy Jimenez to that position from left field. Time to time or late innings, an Adam Engelcan comes in handy. Right now the pitching will have to overcome and the bats will have to bring in the grade A type of lumber almost every night.

NOT A GIANT MOVE

The San Francisco Giants bring back a familiar face. After a one year hiatus, Hunter Pence returns to the city by the bay and signs a one year deal worth 3 million. Pence rediscovered his old swing after a subpar year in 2018. He worked on his mechanics and retooled his swing that worked very well for the 36 year old. Last year in Texas he was voted to the All-Star game. He played in 83 games last season. His average was just below .300 at .297. He knocked 18 balls into the seats driving in 59.

Hunter Pence is a big fan favorite in San Francisco. He spent parts of seven seasons in the bay area as he was part of two World Series championship teams in 2012 & 2014. San Francisco has a much younger team these days. Especailly in the outfield. Bringing in a veteran like Pence is good for the locker room. Plus his work ethic everyday can help the youngsters. Pence brings a lot to the table as well for the Giants. He can fill in for anybody who gets injured. Give players a day off. Plus it gives the Giants a very impactful bat off the bench. Bring him up to pinch hit late in games with runners on and he is a nice weapon to have.

KENDRY MORALES WALKS OFF STANDING 

The Cuban-born slugger Kendry Morales has called it a career in the MLB. After 13 seasons with seven different teams the 36 year old is walking away from the game. Last season was just dreadful for Morales as the Yankees released him in July. Morales had 201 at-bats with Oakland and New York and just hit a meager .194 with two long balls. He defected from Cuba in 2004 and landed with the Anaheim Angels. His career started off with a bang and ends with a whimper. In 2010, one defining moment would change Morales’ whole career.

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A walk off grand slam to end the game vs the Mariners. Morales, and whoever would be very excited, as they won the game rounded the bases. As his team waited for him at home plate he jumped up in the air to get their embrace and landed awkwardly on his leg. It was like snap, crackle, and pop as Morales broke his right leg. He would end up missing the rest of the 2010 season. Morales only played in 51 games until that point. Morales was off to a great start that year hitting .290 driving in 39 and the grand slam was his 11th long ball of the season. That freak injury would sideline him for the 2011 season as well.

Morales then came back in 2012 for the Angels and batted .273 with 22 home runs for the season. It was his last year as an Angel. After that he would play for six other teams which included the Mariners, Blue Jays, Twins, A’s, Royals, and finally the Yankees. He would win a ring with the 2015 Royals. He would finish his career with 213 home runs driving in 740 runs. A life-time batting average of .265. Would things have been totally different if he did not suffer that injury in 2010 for him? No way to tell. Imagine the thought of the leg breaking again took some time after recovery. We do not know how many times it crossed his mind over the years after that. Morales was a left-handed bat that could hit the long ball but with a respectable average. Most left handed power hitters strike out a lot and live or die by the home run and hit in the lower .200s. Morales was able to do other things with the bat. It’s a nice career Morales had, but it could have been even sweeter without the injury.

IN DUSTY WE TRUSTY – SHORT TERM ONLY

My three candidates for the new Houston Astros manager would be either one of these guys below.

What the hell do I know as Houston went with 70 year old Dusty Baker? My line of thinking is the Astros had a big mess in front of them and needed a guy to clean it up. Is Dusty Baker the guy that can come into a tricky situation like the Astros are in? Can Baker steer the ship with a big hole on the side of it? Would Baker’s ego and his way of doing things just add more fuel to the Astros fire? Does he have grandchildren these days to use as human shields versus the press? Baker gets a one year deal with an option for 2021 as the Astros may not be fully into trusty the old Dusty.

Dusty Baker has been managing in the big leagues for 22 seasons. With four different teams. The Giants, Cubs, Reds, and the Nationals as the Astros will be his first American League job. He has been manager of the year three times. He has piled up 1,863 wins. He led the Giants to the World Series in 2002. He had the Chicago Cubs very close to their first World Series appearance in about a gazillion years. Each franchise Baker has guided his teams to at least one playoff berth.

Baker has quite a resume as a manager. Dusty Baker also has a lot of demons in the closet as well. Lots of playoff horrors that would make a waste eating Carp fish throw up. From wearing down the pitching staffs all the way down to the threads of the bald tire exposing those arms down to the bare bone. The mishandling of the Steve Bartman situation at Wrigley field.

Fires were not put out by Dusty Baker that night. From Moises Alou’s tantrum to Mark Pryor on the mound worked up because of the Bartman situation. Then the loaded Washington National teams with all the talent in the world. Baker could not do anything with it. Dave Martinez wins the World Series without a Bryce Harper, by far the team’s best player. That’s a 3-9 record in playoff series Dusty Baker has if your keeping track at home.

Dusty Baker might have his best team ever on paper with the Houston Astros. He has already said he will have no sign stealing on his watch. Dusty Baker is a players’ manager. He will be able to get the players to buy what he is selling. Home games should be no problem as the Astros with the talent they have in place and the Houston faithful in their corner half of their games will be played without a hitch. On the road is where the Astros will find it difficult. Instead of the one or two town rivals that hate your guts and boo your existence. Astros will face a hostile crowd on every road trip. How will this team react?

Plus for sure media will be talking about those road games. Plus the press will be asking them every week about the sign stealing scandal. It will start in spring training. Can Dusty Baker diffuse the media enough to have it not effect his players? Can he bring these guys together enough where they can play baseball and ignore the surroundings? This will not be an easy job for the man munching on his toothpicks like he just quit smoking. The only good thing is Dusty Baker’s track record as a manager. Every where he goes he always starts off strong the very first year with a great season. With that set in stone, Houston may have solved a temporary problem. This Baker hiring could work only as a short term solution. If they try to extend Dusty Baker too long, it will back fire just like it has in all of his other stops he’s as a manager.

BORN IN CHICAGO WALKED THE PLANK WHILE WEARING WHITE SOX

Charlie Tilson signs a minor league deal with the Pirates this week. Tilson played for his hometown team, the Chicago White Sox, last season. Not sure how many players in the MLB were born in Chicago and have played for both the White Sox and Pirates. When I read the signing of Tilson I thought of another player that was born in Chicago and played for the Pirates, then he was traded to the White Sox. This was Rob Machowiak. These two might be the only ones in MLB history to have this same type of combo. The MLB has been around for a long time so I could be wrong. Charlie Tilson still has to make the big league roster to ride down the same road as Machowiak.

Rob Machowiak was born in the suburb of Oak Lawn, Illinois not to far from where I live. He played in nine seasons with four different teams. He started with the Pirates and spent 5 years with them. Machowiak missed the World Series parade in Chicago as he arrived in Chicago during the 2006 season. Perhaps he could of caught a playoff game or two if he was actually living in Chicago in the off season. He might of been present. Machowiak was a nice left handed bat to have in the line up. In 2006 Machowiak probably did a lot for the White Sox playing all over the outfield that year. Filling in for an ineffective Brian Anderson who could not swing the bat if you even gave him one of those big red whiffle bats. Machowiak spent two seasons on the southside hitting .285 with 11 long balls and driving in 59. For the Pirates his average was .258 with 52 long balls and 221 RBI’S. After the White Sox he faded away with the Padres and then ending his career with the Nationals. Always like how he played hard and was a great guy off the bench who’d come up big with some important hits.

Meanwhile Charlie Tilson came from the Cardinals oragnization to the White Sox. That sent south paw reliever Zach Duke to the Red Birds for a highly touted prospect with blazing speed. Tilson said he was a White Sox fan even growing up north of the City. These days Chicago baseball has been integrated. White Sox fans have moved up North. Believe it or not a virus of growing Cubs fans have polluted the South Side blue collar image. Tilson grew up in Wilmette. Tilson’s debut in 2016 ended his day badly and tore his hamstring. Multiple leg injuies after that followed him around and his days of swiping 40 bags in the minor leagues were over. Tilson played well in the field. He was a scrappy left handed hitter as well. Last year for the White Sox he did get 144 at bats. His average was low at .229. He hit his first career home run last year as he drove in 12. Career wise during three injured seasons, Tilson is a .246 hitter with 62 hits and the one and the only Homerun hit last season. He has driven in 23 during that run on the south side. If he is healthy he should latch on to the Pirates opening day roster especially if Pittsburgh is going into a full rebuild. Tilson just needs to stay healthy and I think eventually be a guy that can stay on the roster and be a valuable asset off the bench. Perhaps works himself into the everyday line up as well. Tilson is only 27 so his White Sox days could be the bump in a road for him. New scenery and a chance to play every day inPittsburgh could revive his whole career. Good luck in steel city. The pierogis are just as good in Pittsburgh as they are in Chicago is my advice.

TWO UNDER THE RADAR MOVES MAY TURN INTO GOLD

There are two moves I like under the radar by two teams this off season in free agency. First Atanta Braves bringing in the King. King Felix Hernandez on a minor league deal. Then the Washington Nationals with the signing of Starlin Castro. Both teams were playoff teams in the National league. Washington as you know won the World Series. These moves could be very valuable for each team next season. Two sleeper moves that could pay high dividends at the end and result in playoffs once again. Perhaps they come up big in post season as well.

Some will say that the king is done and has left the building. Plaqued by injuries in 2019 the King Hernadez was just a shell of his former self. The 33 year old only pitched 71.2 innings with a ERA that has sky rocketed to a 6.48. Resulting in a 1-8 record in 2019. You can say the last three years the King has not been in control of his castle. In 2018 he was 6-14. In 2017 he went 6-5. Injuries. Lots of innings under his belt. Does he have gasoline left in the tank? If he does have something left, the Braves inked him to a minor league deal. If he makes the squad after spring training it’s only a million dollars in baseball money. Chump change in the couch compared to you and me. If he does not make it, the King rides off into the sunset and the Braves owe him nothing. If the King is healthy, and I don’t expect him to be the ace ventura he once was. The coaching staff might even have to tweak his mechanics. He could be a good 4th or 5th starter. Could be that guy in the bull pen that can make some spot starts for you. Plus he’s a guy that wants to prove himself. He may be done. If not maybe new scenery. No pressure being the ace of the staff and if he just pitches and is healthy, maybe Atlanta with a roll of the dice gets ten wins out of him.

Starlin Castro was going to be the next Ernie Banks. Even better. All the talent and hype coming up with the Cubbies. He showed you flashes of how good this kid really was. He also showed you he liked to take plays off. When Theo Esptein came to Chicago and took over the operations, some thought they might build around Castro. Castro was traded out of town. Yankees had him for a few years. He was around when the Death Star was on the rise. When the Yankees got really good they did not hesitate and traded Castro to Miami. Playing for the Marlins is compared to the Cubs teams during those 100 years as lovable losers.

The Nationals lost Anthony Rendon in free agency. They need to replace that offense in some way on the cheap. They signed Eric Thames. They Brought back Howie Kendrick. The signing of Starlin Castro to a two year deal is very intriguing. Castro’s numbers are not the same as Rendon. Castro hit .270 last year with 22 home runs and drove in 86. Castro did not start off the season very good. In the second half Castro found his swing and took off from there. Nationals won the World Series so Castro is coming into a winning situation. He will not be on the verge like when he wore the pinstrips. He will not be on losing teams like the Marlins and the Cubs. Imagine the Nationals have a great locker room presence. Manager Davey Martinez does not deal with shenanigans from his players. Castro is only 29 years old. He may finally have grown up. If he has, with the winning enviroment Davey Martinez might be able to get the best there ever was from a guy named Starlin Castro. Plus 29 years old and a player in his prime. This signing may be the sleeper move of the year.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

THE PIRATES TEAR DOWN HAS BEGUN

The Pirates finally start their rebuild trading their first asset away. Longest tenured Pirate heading to the desert. Starling Marte dealt to the snakes for two prospects. Marte spent 8 years in Pittsburgh. Marte has won two gold gloves in his Pittsburgh days. He can play all over the outfield. His life-time batting average is .287 with 108 home runs and 420 RBI’S. He has speed due to which he has 239 stolen bases to his credits. Last year he had career highs in homeruns with 23. Also career high in RBI’S with 82. He was part of that 3 year span on those teams that made the playoffs three years in a row. His only knock is he was suspended for 80 games for steroids in 2017. He has a good bat and provides you with great defense which he will do for Arizona in 2020.

Starling Marte will be missed. He nets the Pirates two very young prospects who are both 19 years old. A right handed pitcher Brennan Malone and short stop Liover Peguero. Malone was the 33rd pick overall in the 2019 draft. Malone is a hard thrower as he can get it up there to the high 90’s with his heater.

Brennan Malone is one of the Diamondbacks’ top two prospects. Malone had 1-2 record in class A ball with a 4.50 ERA in 7 appearances. Liover Peguero is from the Dominican Republic. A short stop who hit .326 in the minors last year. He had 74 hits in 60 games. What intrigues me about his batting stats is he had a little bit of everything down the stat line. Eleven doubles, five triples, and knocked 5 balls in the stands. Plus he drove in 38. A pretty good start for the youngster. The Pirates’ Ben Cherington is excited about the prospects he got back for Marte. Cherington also got some international bonus money with the trade in amount of 250,000 in pool money. That excitement can be compared to a lady with a credit card going shopping for purses.

Pirates have finally started this slow rebuild off somewhere. It’s usually one of your super stars that head out the door first. As you can see the first chip being Marte, we do not know who will be the second chip to fall. Pirates should not be in any kind of rush and get the best deal they can get from all their trading chips. Even if it means waiting until the trade line during the season where you may be able to drive up the price from a desperate team wanting a player for their late season push to the playoffs.

LIRIANO HEADS TO PHILADELPHIA

Free agent Francisco Liriano loves Pennsylvania so much he has a minor league deal with the Phillies. Liriano, mostly a reliever these days, can make some spot starts as well. He came back to the Pirates last year on a minor league deal in which he made the team. Liriano made 69 appearances last year with a 3.47 ERA.

PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE DEALS

Pirates agreed to two minor league deals with two players who have played sparingly over the last several years. Outfielder Jake Elmore who played last season with the team for a cup of coffee. He batted a measley .213 with ten hits and drove in four runs.

Pirates needing a back stop bring in John Ryan Murphy on a spring training invite. Murphy has been in the league for seven years. Last year he split his time with the Diamondbacks and the Braves. Had only 63 at bats for the season. Had 11 hits and drove in seven. Lifetime a .175 hitter. Hope defense and calling a good game is his cup of tea.

THE NEW BIG RED MACHINE FORMING IN CINCY

The NL Central last year came down to a three team race. Reds and the Pirates were the two teams not involved. Pittsburgh looks to follow the same path with last season’s misery except with a new manager. They will eventually go into tear down mode with the new GM on board. Then the three teams two of which two made the playoffs. The Cubs and Cardinals have done nothing. Cardinals lost a weapon in Marcell Ozuna. Cubs lost some bullpen arms and right now are over the cap paying off luxury taxes and to be honest have some bad contracts on the books. Kind of stuck with what they have in Chicago. Milwaukee lost a ton of players. The replacements don’t equal the talent they lost. Then standing in the weeds the Reds have been building the atomic bomb, the Big Red Machine Two. With the latest addition of Nicholas Castellanos.

Nicholas Castellanos was acquired by the Cubs from the Tigers last season at the trade deadline. He played very well down the stretch for the Cubs. Cubs could not afford his services so the Reds land him a 4 year deal worth 64 million. Castellanos has an opt-out clause after 2020 season. The 27 year old is a doubles machine with 58 of those last season with the Tigers and Cubs. He finished last year batting .289 knocking 27 balls into the seats and driving in 73 runs. He’s a right handed hitter who plays either one of the corner outfield positions. He has played seven seasons in the Majors all with Detroit except the 1/2 season with the Cubs. He has 120 home runs in his career as he has a lifetime .277 batting average. Tigers park is very hard to hit home runs. Those numbers should go up in Cinncinnati. He is also in the prime of his baseball career. Only knock on him is his defensive skills are not the best.

This move by the Reds takes a weapon away from the division rival. The Reds have another big bat in their lineup with the addition of Castellanos. They added Mike Moustakas earlier in free agency. They landed a Japanese centerfielder free agent. Shogo Akiyama who played for the Saitama Seibu Lions. The 31 year old Akiyama is a career .300 hitter. He has been in multiple all-star games and won some golden gloves in Japan with over a thousand lifetime hits. Let’s not forget first baseman Joey Votto. Plus rookie outfielder Artistides Aquino’s debut in the majors last season shows he can mash the baseball as he had 19 long balls in a little over 200 at bats. Plus the big bopper in the line up last year with 49 bombs, Eugenio Suarez.

Reds have also been stockpiling pitching. Landing Trevor Bauer last year from the Indians. Then getting Sonny Gray and Wade Miley to build a nice rotation. With the lineup the Reds will put on the field every day, this staff can give up some runs and still win plenty of games. Reds line up they will be trotting out every day, on paper is the best in the division. It’s well mixed. This will be a team that will be hard to strike out. Plus they do not have to rely on the home run to beat you. This Castellanos move right before spring training might be the final piece in this reforming of the Big Red Machine Two. Just hope it does not bomb like Weekend at Bernies two at the box offices.

FIRST ROCKIE CAP IN THE HALL

Larry Walker getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame should be compared to the Cuban Missile crisis. Walker was on the brink of being wiped out in his tenth year on the ballot. Last minute as the votes came pouring in before the buttons were pushed to fire the missiles. Larry Walker gets in and the whole world went on with their life as Larry breathed a sigh of relief. All the 53 year old had to do is clear 75% of the vote. Walker gets a 76.6%, a C grade in school. That was 304 votes total. Walker’s voting percentage rose 22% from the year before. Now the Canadian born slugger has to think about which hat he’d like to wear in Cooperstown. Would it be Montreal, the team that drafted him, or would it be the Rockies where he put up the most damage stats wise? We know it will not be the Cardinals where he ended his playing days. Walker went with the Colorado Rockies as his choice.

Would the Montreal Expos possibly still be around if the 1994 baseball strike never happened? The Expos were having a monster year. The Expos record was 74-40 at the time baseball pulled the plug on all of their operations.

Some say the Expos could have won the whole enchilada that season. I think they are wrong as I liked the White Sox that year. Larry Walker that year was having a fantastic year. Expos drafted the Canadian and they landed a five tool player as he could do everything from running, a rocket arm, spectacular web gems on defense and knocking the cover off the ball. He won a sliver slugger award and a pair of gold gloves before 1994. If you go back in the time machine and somehow they played the end of that season. If the Expos would have won it all, Larry Walker might have never been a Rockie. Expos could still be playing in Montreal. Larry Walker’s years in Montreal could have doubled. He would have most of his stats in an Expo uniform. Plus more awards. Plus a ring would not be out of the question. Expos would have been the cap Larry Walker would of worn. Some cities get dealt lemons and baseball moves out of their town like carney workers in the night.

I love to see players wear an Expo hat in the Hall of Fame. I understand why Larry Walker wanted to wear a Rockies cap instead. First things first, Larry Walker will be the first one ever in the history of the MLB to wear a Colorado Rockies hat in Cooperstown. Being the pioneer in a game that has been around over a 100 years is always something special. Walker put up huge numbers at Coors field in Colorado.They will say it’s a hitting paradise in Colorado. The high altiude makes the ball fly further. On the road Walker was just as good. He won four batting titles with the Rockies. Half of the games are on the road. He was a 4 time all-star in Colorado. He won the NL MVP award in 1997.

Larry Walker only played in one post season before his arrival in St. Louis. He was traded to the Cardinals after ten seasons in Colorado. In St. Louis he was a hired hitman. His weapon of choice is a bat they needed to help with their playoff push. In Colorado the Rockies made it to the playoffs once with Walker in 1995 and were quickly dispatched by the Braves. The Cardinals’ Larry Walker got to play in the World Series in 2004 versus the Red Sox. They lost. He played two years with the Cardinals and saw post season play in both seasons.

Walker played for three teams in 17 seasons he played in the MLB. Lifetime batting of .313. Over 2000 hits with 383 long balls. Looking at the numbers I think all the experts would put Larry Walker in a Colorado hat. Ten seasons he spent in the mountains. He is most remembered for his time in Colorado as the Expos have been mostly forgotten by most. Colorado first season was in 1993. History will be made when Larry Walker will be enshrined in Cooperstown this summer with a Colorado hat on. He will be forever the first Rockie in wearing the cap. He may have company with Todd Helton who is slowly climbing up the charts just like Larry did it. Will Helton have to wait until his last year on the ballot? Hope not, let Larry be the one with that story especially being the first.

HALL OF FAME 2020 VOTING FINAL TALLY

PLAYERS NEED 75% OF THE VOTE TO HAVE THEIR TICKET PUNCHED TO COOPERSTOWN

*MEANS IN

X MEANS OUT

ON THE BALLOT OVER TEN YEARS WITHOUT GETTING 75%OF THE VOTE

FIRST TIMERS ON THE BALLOT NOT ABLE TO GET 5% OF THE VOTE

NAME	VOTES	% OF VOTES	CHANGE	YEAR
DEREK JETER *	396	99.7%	———	1st
LARRY WALKER*	304	76.6%	UP 22%	10th
CURT SCHILLING	278	70.0%	UP 9.1%	8th
ROGER CLEMENS	242	61.0%	UP 1.5%	8TH
BARRY BONDS	241	60.7%	UP 1.5%	8TH
OMAR VIZQUEL	209	52.6%	UP 9.85	3RD
SCOTT ROLEN	140	35.3%	UP 18.1%	3RD
BILLY WAGNER	126	31.7%	UP 15.0%	5TH
GARY SHEFIELD	121	30.5%	UP 16.9%	6TH
TODD HELTON	116	29.2%	UP 12.7%	2ND
MANNY RAMIREZ	112	28.2%	UP 5.4%	4TH
JEFF KENT	109	27.5%	UP 9.4%	7TH
ANDRUW JONES	77	19.4%	UP 11.5%	3RD
SAMMY SOSA	55	13.9%	UP 5.4%	8TH
ANDY PETTITTE	45	11.3%	UP 1.4%	2ND
BOBBY ABREU	22	5.5%	———	1ST
PAUL KONERKO X	10	2.5%	———	1ST
JASON GIAMBI X	6	1.5%	——–	1ST
ALFONSO SORIANO X	6	1.5%	———	1ST
ERIC CHAVEZ X	2	0.5%	———–	1ST
CLIFF LEE X	2	0.5 %	———-	1ST
ADAM DUNN X	1	0.3%	———-	1ST
RAUL IBANEZ X	1	0.3%	———-	1ST
BRAD PENNY X	1	0.3%	———-	1ST
J.J PUTZ X	1	0.3%	———–	1ST
JOSH BECKETT X	0	0%	———–	1ST
HEATH BELL X	0	0%	———-	1ST
CHONE FIGGINS X	0	0%	———–	1ST
RAFAEL FURCAL X	0	0%	———-	1ST
CARLOS PENA  X	0	0%	———-	1ST
BRIAN ROBERTS X	0	0%	———–	1ST
JOSE VALVERDE X	0	0%	———–	1ST

OZUNA HEADING TO LAND OF WALKING DEAD

Atlanta Braves were busy woodchucks when the free agent market opened up for business.

Chucking wood all over the market to improve their pitching staff. With inking starter Cole Hammels. Then resigning Chris Martin. Then a bigger big bullpen move signing the former Giants closer, Will Smith. They signed another catcher, Travis D’Arnaud. Then everything went quiet over the holidays until now. They bring in a player that beat them in the playoffs. If you can’t beat them sign them and the Braves land another outfielder piece Marcell Ozuna, former Cardinal.

This could have been a move to replace Josh Donaldson’s bat since he took the deal the Twins offered him. Marcell Ozuna could not find the big deal on the free agent market this off season so he settles for the one year deal worth 18 million. He will hope the bet on himself will pay off in a bigger deal next off season like how former Brave Josh Donaldson did the one deal last year. Donaldson turned that into a 4 year 92 million dollar deal. Ozuna, a 29 year old right fielder, hit .429 with two long balls versus the Braves in post season last year. He helped the Cardinals knock the Braves out of the playoffs. Ozuna is a 2 time all-star who hit .241 with 29 bombs and drove in 89 runs. Last season he was the leader of an interesting stat. According to stat cast he had the most hardest hit balls whatever that means. Most shots right at people.

Marcell Ozuna played two years in St. Louis after being traded there from the Marlins. In Miami he played 5 seasons for the Marlins. Ozuna brings a nice bat to the middle of the line up for the Braves. Which already features Ronald Acuna Jr and Freddie Freeman. The Braves will get a guy with playoff experience. They will also get a guy who will be looking to turn his play into a huge pay day. Can his personality mesh with a guy like Ronald Ocuna Jr.? Both have the flare for the dramatics. Ozuna seems to fit in the Cardinals locker room so he is coachable. This is a good move overall because he can replace the lost production of a guy like Josh Donaldson. Plus Ozuna is in the prime of his career and the Braves seem like they get the most out of players on one year deals. This move will keep the tomahawks sharp and the wood keeps on being chucked in Atlanta. No wonder they keep making it to post season every year.

2020 WILD SHAMROCK HALL OF FAME SELECTIONS

Each writer that is able to vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame gets ten votes. We do not have a vote. However we will throw our hat in the ring and pick the guys we think should be heading to Copperstown. You could agree or disagree. We will warn you, steroid guys have no love with us.

OUR TEN VOTES

1.DEREK JETER: NO BRAINER

2.CURT SCHILLING: Bloody sock. His Post season record. Won 216 games in regular season.

3.LARRY WALKER: Over 2000 hits. Batting average of .313, 922 walks . 400 OBP and 383 Home runs. Plus a Expo and a Rockie. That’s quite a combo.

4.OMAR VIZQUEL: 2877 HITS. His defense has to be right up there with the Wizard of Oz, Ozzie Smith. HOF for the Cardinals.

5.JEFF KENT: Stood his ground versus the big headed monster Barry Bonds in the dug out. His offensive numbers compared to other second basemen in the Hall of Fame. Close to 2,500 hits and 377 Home runs.

6.SCOTT ROLEN:He has to be in the conversation as one of the best third basemen of all-time. Great defender. Over 2,000 hits. Knocked out 316 long balls.

7.BILL WAGNER: Giving the Astricks some love. Wagner was before the banging of the drums in the garbage can band. A left hander closer. 422 saves. A low 2.31 ERA.

8.PAUL KONERKO: A big part of helping a historical franchise win their first title in 88 years. Chicago has two teams and if you combined the drought at the time on both sides of two of not winning a championship the numbers are off the charts. Paulie was close to 2,500 hits. Knocked out 439 long balls. Played a good first base. Has his number retired by the White Sox and a statue to go along with it. He was clutch in the playoffs and the World Series in 2005 as well.

9.TODD HELTON: Helton has those Larry Waker numbers. Life time batting average of .316. 2,519 hits. 369 home runs.

10.ANDY PETITE:Enough of the Yankees already. 256 wins in regular season. Another guy that shined in post season. Helped the Evil Empire collect trophies.

BIG HEADS, CHEATS, & NO WAY JOSE ON MY BALLOT

ROGER CLEMENS: Did not even need steroids. Everyone is doing it mentality.

BARRY BONDS: Did not even need steroids. Stole the Home run title away from a great guy who earned it, Hank Aaron. Jealous of guys like Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire. Look at the size of your head late in your career. Ginormous.

ASON GIAMBI: Admitted to cheating. Took away a MVP award from my guy Frank Thomas.

SAMMY SOSA: CORKED BAT. Skinny as a rail coming into the league. Amazon when he left the league.

GARY SHEFFIELD: JUST SHUT UP

MANNY RAMIREZ: Looked very ordinary off the juice.

ON THE BEER BUBBLES

These are guys I’m Intrigued by. Some of these names are on the ballot for the first time. I keep these guys on the back burner or put them in the freezer for another day and see if and how the leftovers keep.

Andrew Jones: First ten years in the league were AMAZING. Has 434 Home Runs. One of best defensive center fielders of all-time in his hey day.

Raul Ibanez: Tough out. Over 2000 hits.

Alfonso Soriano: Over 2000 hits, 412 home runs, Rocket arm in the outfield

Bobby Abreu: Almost 2,500 hits, 288 home runs, a career .291 Batting average, Toughest scratch

These are the guys on the ballot that we think have no shot to make it to Copperstown.

Cliff Lee, Rafael Fucal, Eric Chavez, Josh Beckett, Brian Roberts, Carlos Pena, Chone Figgins, Brad Penny, Adam Dunn, J.J Putz, Jose Valverde, and Heath Bell.

FIERS & MENDOZA MADLY IN LOVE

Does everyone even understand the sacred hidden rules of American’s past time? The game has changed to where some of those hidden rules have gone obsolete. Just like pitching inside of the plate. The bat flip is the new thing. The home run trot is slower and filled with more antics of kisses and waving to the skies. Would these things be considered bad sportsmanship? The days of throwing at the next batter for those rubbing in the wounds are slim to none. The game has always policed itself. Now things have drastically changed. What did they say on the playground when we were all kids? That snitches end up in ditches. If most of the hidden rules not exactly in the rule book have changed, why can’t being a whistle blower status change?

Why does ESPN worker Jessica Mendoza call out Mike Fiers? Who the hell is a Jessica Mendoza and why is she the voice of reason? Jessica Mendoza also works for the New York Mets. The Astro gate of sign stealing is getting bigger by the day and is formed into a hurricane wrecking everything in its path. Which has now affected the New York Mets who hired Carlos Beltran as their manager. However he was part of the problem when he played for Houston in 2017. He stepped down as did the Boston Red Sox manager the ring leader Alex Cora which both him and management parted ways. Mike Fiers pitched for the Astros in 2017 which Mendoza said he benefited from. Sounds more like sour grapes from Mendoza because she said it’s OK that Fiers tells his new teammates in Oakland about what goes down in Houston only when they are playing them and not the rest of the world. What if those Oakland teammates told people in the media or other teams? Mendoza thought baseball was not investigating anything about sign stealing. Why should we say anything? Her theory is if we see someone murdered on the streets, why should we be a witness. Plus let the cheaters keep doing what they’re doing. What if the Mets were playing the Astros in the World Series? We live in modern times with social media. It’s going to get out if not from Mike Fiers then someone else.

Why would you keep your mouth shut for your old employer? What ever happened to take this job and shove it? Houston Astros still owe Mike Fiers a 2017 World Series ring. Jessica Mendoza and others will call the former Astro a turncoat. A hypocrite for using the Astros technology in 2017 and then coming out against them. Here we go again in baseball… why can’t a player bunt when the pitcher is throwing a no hitter? You need baserunners and need to stop the groove of a pitcher that is hot. Astros know they are cheating.They have been awarded very well with their cheating. A World Series. What about the players that walk in and out of the organization? Are they still getting paid by the Astros when they leave? If the Astros wanted their dirty secret kept they should have ironed out the details with everyone who leaves like hush money.

Baseball has changed with the times and that is obvious with the slap on the wrists the Astros got. It is not banning players and management from the game. Pete Rose and players from the 1919 Black Sox scandal were punished to the extreme level. Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson have cases that their punishment was beyond that. Baseball will always have some form of cheating involved in it. If it goes on beyond the realm of things like steroids and sign stealing, it is not good for the game. What about the LA Dodgers? I’m sure Jessica Mendoza does not care about that franchise or their fan base. They were involved in the World Series in 2017 versus the Astros. Then again in 2018 versus Boston who are being investigated. What about players and workers and management who might have made more money in LA and had contract extensions if they won at least one of those World Series? The poor Mets thought they had their new skipper. Sorry back to the drawing board for the Mets. Next time do your home work. Jessica Mendoza probably feels sorry for a Barry Bonds and not Hank Aaron. The league has changed. If you can flip the bat after a home run you can tell the world the old team you were on are just a bunch of cheaters like Mike Fiers for that one season. If baseball can change, can’t Mike Fiers have a conscience? Seems more players are mad at the Astros, not Mike Fiers.

HOUSTON WE HAVE A TRASH CAN

The American pasttime is rocked by another scandal uncovered. Houston, you have a problem and the league has busted you like a cat burglar robbing a doughnut shop filled with cops. Sign stealing? Knowing what the pitcher is about to throw to you. This is not the kind of thieving from the runner at second looking at the catcher and relaying a signal to the batter. This is CIA modern technology on how the Astros knew what was coming down the plate. This is a system they had in place in 2017. The same year they won the World Series. They also uncovered the Astros continuing to thieve teams’ signs in 2018. They must of quit cold turkey in 2019. The league came down on the Astros. Was it strong enough? Boston Red Sox have the ring leader as their manager. Bill Belichick also has to be linked if there is a Boston connection. Two World Series teams in the last three years have big trouble in little China heading their way with only a month to Spring training.

The commissioner of the MLB, Robert Manfred Jr., fined Houston 5 million dollars which is chump change for the owners of baseball. That’s a wily veteran utility player on a one year deal. That is the max set in the baseball scriptures. Manfred also suspended GM Jeff Luhnow and AJ Hinch for a year and they can not be around the game in any way. The professional game, not if one of them are attending their kids game. The baseball police will not raid the field. They also suspended Brandon Taubman, former Houston executive, who was fired for his stupid comments to the female reporter last year. MLB also mandated the Astros will forfeit their first and second round draft picks for the next two seasons.

The Houston cheats were very clever on how they went about stealing signs from other teams in their home stadium. This was high tech sign stealing. They used illegal equipment to steal the signs. Technology was used to decode and deliver the pitching signs and relay it to the dug out. Astros arranged for the video room technician which they will call the low level employees, to install a monitor displaying the center field camera feed right outside the Houston bench. Former Houston coach Alex Cora was very slick and called the replay room on a relay phone to obtain sign info. They even whaled on trash cans as well to give the batter the heads up.

This was all done on the Astros home field. Talk about having the 12th man advantage of the crowd they refer in football to but to have the inside insight on what is coming, created a home team domination for the Astros. Scouting reports will tell you certain batters are prone to swing at the slider for your wipeout pitch. Perhaps those balls in the dirt the batter can not resist. Houston batters suddenly had the eagle eye as they held back on pitches they might have swung at if they knew what was coming. Obviously baseball stats is the lifeline of the game. You can tell tale of the tape difference from the Astros hitting on the road to at home as the numbers were totally off from just the swings at different pitches. In the 2017 World Series, Dodgers Ace dominated the Astros line up in LA. A few days later he pitchesin Houston and gets shell shocked. The league found many scenarios like that.

The owner of the Houston Astros was proactive after hearing the news on what MLB came down on his club with. He held a press conference and fired his General Manager and Manager. AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhrow will get a year off. Then they will be looking for other employment in baseball or elsewhere after that. Meanwhile through the grapevine the league heavily looking in to the Boston Red Sox as well. Manager Alex Cora and the Red Sox agreed to part ways as the storm will be blowing into Bean Town at some point soon. Both the Astros and Red Sox will now have to find another manager only a month away from spring training. Obviously the Astros will be looking for a new GM as well.

MLB says the league will come down even harder if any team wants to walk the same line as the Astros. The league needs to protect the integrity of the game. In 1919 the league came down very hard on the players from the Black Sox scandal. Banning all of them for life for throwing the World Series. Astros are a very talented team and probably did not need to steal signs with their roster. The Astros made it an uneven competition versus the Dodgers in the World Series. An uneven playing field ruins the integrity of the game taking the Dodgers chances of winning out for the title. If the Dodgers won it, players and coaches contracts could be extended. The team could make history with a dynasty by repeating as champions. World Series heroes may help certain players’ resumes and put them in Cooperstown. When you screw with the game it sends a chain reaction throughout the league of others you screwed out of money and merits.

The Steroid ERA screwed so many players that were pure to the sport of baseball. If your Hank Aaron, you should be the homerun king. Barry Bonds stole that from you. Frank Thomas was a first ballot hall of famer. But one year Jason Giambi, a steroid user, won the American league MVP as Frank Thomas took second that year. Obviously Frank Thomas did not need that award to be enshrined. You can make many more cases like that. Perhaps these steroid mongers not getting the votes is the ultimate revenge as they keep the cheaters out. Sure some will slither through the cracks. I don’t see MLB taking away any titles from these teams for stealing signs. They say the next team caught will get a worse punishment. Maybe they should take away some team’s title. Would the Red Sox be that team or are they in a same boat as the Astros if they are involved in this kind of shenanigans? The Astros will play in 2020 with shame on their shoulders. Can that type of monkey on their backs fuel this team to win another title? Look at the Patriots in the NFL. Does not sound like it will ever even itself out as the Dodgers and other teams will get the short end of the stick. Sometimes the baseball gods come through and will align everything right again in the sport we all love. Right know it looks like the cheaters got a slap on the bum.

TWINS NOT GOING AWAY AND LAND DONALDSON

The Minnesota Twins led the MLB in home runs hit last year. They set an all new MLB record for home runs hit by a team in one season with 305 . They were an offensive juggernaut last season. They won a very crappy AL Central division with three teams in rebuilds and the Indians half in half out. They encountered the same results in the playoffs ousted by the the Yamkees. This song and dance has been going on too long as the Yankees are always in Minnesota’s way when it comes to post season. Twins want to defend their division title. They want to get past the death star and go further in the playoffs. They have made a big splash and gave warning to the rest of the league that theTwins are not going away. They land Josh Donaldson.

The Twins have a new third baseman and their offense just got scarier. The 34 year old veteran inks a big deal to come to Minneosta. Donaldson will get four years worth 92 million. Donaldson is a 3 time all-star and was the 2015 AL MVP. Last season he played for the team he rooted for in the Atlanta Braves and helped them win the NL East for the second year in a row. Donaldson took a one year deal last year after having two straight years of dealing with injuries. He rebounded nicely hitting .259 knocking 37 balls into the seats and played in 155 games. He was also a gold glove finalist at the hot corner. Looks like he has fully healed from the injuries as he brings a quality glove on defense and is another weapon of mass destruction the Twins have in their line up.

PROJECTED MINNESOTA 2020 LINE UP

MAX KEPLER RF

JORGE POLANCO SS

NELSON CRUZ DH

JOSH DONALDSON 3B

EDDIE ROSARIO LF

MITCH GARVER C

MIGUEL SANO 1B

BYRON BUXTON CF

LUIS ARRAEZ 2B

Twins have solidified thier line up to bring Donaldson to Minneoata. Then lets not forget the Twins still have super utility man Marvin Gonzalez on the bench. With Josh Donaldson in the fold they will move Miguel Sano to first base. Twins have also added some pitching this off season signing Rich Hill and Homer Bailey. They added some arms to their bullpen in Tyler Clifford and bringing back Sergio Romo who they acquired at the trade deadine last season.

Twins offense will have to keep the Twins afloat until they get starter Michael Pineda back from suspension. Plus Rich Hill will not be ready to go opening day with an arm injury. Josh Donaldson creates a murderers row line up which will help a pitching staff with holes survive. When everyone returns and stays healthy this team could be a sleeper team to get very deep into post-season. Josh Donaldson has helped teams get to post-season and beyond. The Blue Jays he helped break their drought from their last post-season appearnace in 1993 in his MVP year in 2015. Twins hope Donaldson can do the same thing he did for the Blue Jays and more. Donaldson should fit in well in Minnesota as they do have Viking blood in their state. Many Norwegians live in Minnesota. Plus the football team is nicknamed the Vikings. Donaldson acted in the show Vikings that is on the History channel. Perhaps he can show the world how he can sacrifice a virgin to start the season. Like baseball needs that going down, with all the other problems going down.

THE WILD SHAMROCK FREE AGENT TRACKER

TOP FREE AGENT POSITION PLAYERS

TOP 25 POSITION PLAYERS
# NAME POSITION	LAST YEAR PLAYED FOR	SIGNED
1.ANTHONY RENDON 3B	NATIONALS	ANGELS
2.JOSH DONALDSON 3B	BRAVES	TWINS
3.YASMANI GRANDAL C	BREWERS	WHITE SOX
4.MIKE MOUSTAKAS 3B	BREWERS	REDS
5.DIDI GREGORIUS SS	YANKEES	PHILLIES
6.MARCELL OZUNA OF	CARDINALS	BRAVES
7.YASIEL PUIG OF	REDS/INDIANS
8.NICHOLAS CASTELLANOS OF	TIGERS/CUBS	REDS
9.BRETT GARDNER OF	YANKEES	YANKEES
10.CORY DICKERSON OF	PIRATES/PHILLIES	MARLINS
11.HOWIE KENDRICK UTL	NATIONALS	NATIONALS
12.BEN ZOBRIST 2B/0F	CUBS
13.EDWIN ENCARNACION DH/1B	MARINERS/YANKEES	WHITE SOX
14.JOSE ABREU 1B	WHITE SOX	WHITE SOX
15.JUSTIN SMOAK 1B	BLUE JAYS	BREWERS
16.ROBINSON CHIRINOS C	ASTROS	RANGERS
17.TRAVIS D’ ARNAUD	METS/RAYS	BRAVES
18.ALEX AVILA C	DIAMOND BACKS	TWINS
19.HUNTER PENCE OF	RANGERS	GIANTS
20.KOLE CALHOUN OF	ANGELS	DIAMOND BACKS
21.ERIC THAMES 1B	BREWERS	NATIONALS
22.SCOOTER GENNETT 2B	REDS/GIANTS
23.JOSE IGLESIAS SS	REDS	ORIOLES
24.TODD FRAZIER 33	METS	RANGERS
25.AVISAIL GARCIA OF	RAYS	BREWERS

THE ARMS RACE(TOP FREE AGENT PITCHERS)

TOP 24 PITCHERS
# NAME	LAST YEAR PLAYED FOR	SIGNED
1.GERRIT COLE	ASTROS	YANKEES
2.STEPHEN STRASBURG	NATIONALS	NATIONALS
3.MADISON BUMGARNER	GIANTS	DIAMONDBACKS
4.ZACK WHEELER	METS	PHILLIES
5.HYUN-JIN RYU	DODGERS	BLUE JAYS
6.COLE HAMMELS	CUBS	BRAVES
7.DALLAS KEUCHEL	BRAVES	WHITE SOX
8.RICH HILL	DODGERS	TWINS
9.WILL SMITH	GIANTS	BRAVES
10.WILL HARRIS	ASTROS	NATIONALS
11.DELLIN BETANCES	YANKEES
12.JAKE ODORIZZI	TWINS	TWINS
13.CHRIS MARTIN	BRAVES	BRAVES
14.KYLE GIBSON	TWINS	RANGERS
15.TANNER ROARK	REDS/A’S	BLUE JAYS
16.JULIO TEHERAN	BRAVES	ANGELS
17.MICHAEL PINEDA	TWINS	TWINS
18.WADE MILEY	ASTROS	REDS
19.ALEX WOOD	REDS	DODGERS
20.RICK PORCELLO	RED SOX	METS
21.GIO GONZALEZ	BREWERS	WHITE SOX
22.IVAN NOVA	WHITE SOX	TIGERS
23.JORDON LYLES	PIRATES/BREWERS	RANGERS
24.DREW POMERANZ	GIANTS/BREWERS	PADRES

RANGERS ADD MORE PITCHING

exas Rangers continue to collect middle of the road arms for its rotation in 2020. Putting them all behind their new ace they got from Cleveland in a trade, Cory Kluber. This time they add 32 year old Kyle Gibson from the Twins. Gibson inks a three year deal worth 30 million. Gibson last season went 13-7 for the Twins but ran out of gas before the finish line. He went to the bullpen after the ERA went up sky high as he finished the season with 4.73. Gibson joins former Twin teammate Lance Lynn who had a brief cup of coffee with the team in 2018 & then was dealt to the Yankees at the trade deadline. Also the Rangers landed Jordan Lyles this off season. Kyle Gibson has a career 67-68 record with a 4.52 ERA. Plus the Rangers have Mike Minor in their rotation. Rangers rotation definitely on the upswing.

WOOD COMES BACK TO THE DODGERS

Alex Wood was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in the Yasmiel Puig deal. Wood returns to LA, as the 29 year old agrees to a one year deal worth 4 million with incentives that can reach ten million. Dodgers lost one of their top starters as Hyun-Jin-Ru bolted to Canada to the Jays. After his arrest at the Patriots football game in Boston, Rich Hill got a deal with the Twins. Alex Wood did not pitch in that many games for the Reds last year. He was 1-3 with a very high ERA at 5.80. Back injuries kept him sidelined in 2019. The Dodgers are hoping Wood can return to his 2017 from a year he went 16-3 for LA. Lifetime Wood is 54-43 with 3.40 ERA.

TWINS KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES IN CHICAGO

Minnesota won the AL Central last season. With Cleveland Indians continuing to sell off pieces and Cory Kulber heading to Texas in a trade. A second year in a row seems doable for Minnesota to repeat as division champs. However the White Sox are in the shadows constructing something big on the rise. A slew of young talent has already been assembled for the hated team in black and white. Plus they collected a pair of arms in veterans Dallas Keuchal and Gio Gonzalez. Twins then saw a pair of their own starting pitchers leave in free agency. Kyle Gibson to Texas. Martin Perez to Bean Town.

Twins strike back with a pair of signings to their starting rotations. As the free agent pitching bin is at the bottom of the barrel now. Both signings are one year deals. Homer Bailey the former Red who played for the Royals and Athletics last season comes to Minnesota with a one year deal worth 7 million. The 33 year old Bailey went 13-9 last season with a high ERA at 4.57.

Then they land former Dodger, Rich Hill. Hill who just turned 40 only made 13 starts last year for the Dodgers. Injuries have plagued his career as he was out with left forearm strain for two months. His time table when he will be available this season is in question. Could be at the all-star break. When he gets healthy and is ready to go he could help put the Twins over the top as he was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA before he was hurt. He will get the a one year contract worth 3 million. Hill also has incentives in this one year deal that could add up to ten million if he stays healthy and makes a certain amount of starts for his new team.

CAN’T BEAT THEM JOIN THEM

Will Harris could either go down with the sinking ship of Astrogate or get the hell out of dodge and not be a part of the drama that will continue to unfold in Houston. You might as well go with a team that you can’t beat as Will Harris chooses the World Series winners the Nationals. The Nationals should give Will Harris a ring this upcoming spring. His pitches late in games versus the Nationals were hit out of the ballpark that helped Washington prevail over Houston. The Nationals came into the playoffs with their weakest link being their bullpen. Their bullpen survived in the playoffs and did respectably. If you’re going to defend your World Series title, more pitching may help. Nationals agree with a deal with the former Astro Will Harris on a 3 year deal worth 24 million. Harris will instantly upgrade this bullpen. He pitched in 68 games last season and he wheeled and dealed on the bump. His ERA was lower than pond scum at 1.50. He went 4-1 and even chipped in with 4 saves.

DOWN GOES FRAZIER TO TEXAS

Former home run derby champion tour in the Big Apple has concluded and is on the move to another team. In need of third basemen, Texas came calling. The two parties agree on a 1 year deal worth 5 million with an option for 2021. Todd Frazier is a two time all-star who hit .251 last season with the Mets. He knocked out 21 bombs driving in 67 in 133 games for the Metropolitans. I remember the time he spent on the South Side of Chicago. In 2016 he mashed 40 long balls. His home runs have gone down the last few seasons. His average is decent. He’s a decent glove man at the hot corner which Texas finally addressed this season. He seems like a good teammate. Except Adam Eaton might say different. Rangers will be his fifth team. He seems like a temporary fix these days.

SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY

CISHEK FINDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF TOWN IN CHICAGO

Steve Cishek makes his way to the south side of town on a one year deal worth 5.2 million. He also has a club option for 2021. The 33 year old pitcher played with the hated Chicago Cubs for the last two seasons. White Sox doing their final touches on their 2020 roster in much need of some bullpen help which Cishek will provide. Cishek is a right handed sidearm submariner who had a 4-6 record for the Cubbies last season. He can be one of those late inning guys that can get people out from both sides of the plate as he had 2.95 ERA last season. He had 70 appearances all together and if needed he had 7 saves. He’s a veteran who has been around with multiple teams over his career. You have to like his career 2.69 ERA with 132 saves in his career as well.

Steve Cishek makes this bullpen scary good.

Jimmy Cordero, Alex Colome, Kelvin Herrera, Evan Marshall, & Aaron Bummer

DYLAN COVEY

Stop pulling your hair out when I mention Dyan Covey. To make room on the 40 man roster for Steve Cishek, the White Sox designated Covey for assignment. I’m sure with the White Sox love for Dylan, somehow he will find his way back on the roster at some point in 2020. The White Sox way.

THE ARRIVAL OF LUIS ROBERT

The arrival of Luis Robert to the big league club looks to be happening on the south side this spring. Finally the wait will be over. The White Sox gave Luis Robert a six year extension on his contract for 50 million. The same kind of deal and way they did for Eloy Jimenez when they gave him a six year contract extension and he was on the opening day roster last season. Luis Robert is a 22 year old native of Cuba. He is the real deal. He swung the lumber with a .328 batting average, 32 bombs in 122 games. That was at two different minor league levels where he excelled in each level.

YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD

Ken “the Hawk” Harrelson is the winner of the Frick award. Which means a for sure ticket to the Baseball Hall of fame for him. The Frick award is awarded to Harrelson for 42 years of broadcasting the American past time. The Hawk was a player as well and had some pretty good years in his playing days. After his playing days were over, he went into broadcasting. He even was a GM for a few years. Luckily his managing a team does not affect his broadcasting achievement into Cooperstown.

Ken Harrelson is 78 years old. He retired from the TV booth in 2018 with the Chicago White Sox. Hawk spent 33 of those 42 years calling games on the South Side of Chicago. One of the biggest of the Homer-style of broadcasting which is begining to go extinct in American’s past time. The Hawk had many sayings as he was a very creative hometown homer announcer that will leave home run calls repeated like folk songs on the south side of Chicago for decdes to come. Ken “the hawk” Harrelson is the fifth broadcaster from Chicago to win the Frick award.

Milo Hamilton (1992), Harry Caray (1989), Jack Brickhouse (1983) and Bob Elson (1979)

MINOR LEAGUE SIGNING

White Sox bring back Nicky Delmonico as he gets a minor league deal and an invite to spring training. Delmonico was released last June after shoulder surgery. He’s a left handed bat who plays outfield and first base. In three seasons with the White Sox, in 152 games he batted only .227. He launched 18 balls out of the park driving in 54. Like to see Nicky make the team. When the White Sox first brought Nicky up from the minors he was hitting everything. Injuries he suffered have sidelined him during the three year stretch. He’s worth giving another chance, especially if he’s healthy. Could be a nice bat off the bench.

TIGERS BUY A USED NOVA

A former Pirate and White Sox will be jump starting his engine in Detroit next season. Ivan Nova gets a one year deal by the Tigers worth 1.5 million. Where do X-Pirates go? Detroit is the X-Pirate safe haven. Last year Tigers signed Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer. Nova was traded to the White Sox last season where he went 11-12 for the year with a 4.72 ERA. Tigers are in full rebuild so Nova will be an inning eater as he gobbled up 187 of those for the White Sox in 2019. I did like how Nova pitched last season. He did have some stretches where he pitched very well. He had some clunkers as well. White Sox addressed their rotation with the signings of Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Keuchal.

IGLESIAS BACK TO THE AMERICAN LEAGUE

The 30 year old short stop Jose Iglesias makes his way back to the American league, where it all started for him. Same division when he first appeared in the Majors as a Boston Red Sox, now he’ll be wearing the Orioles costume. Baltimore, in much need of a short stop after trading Jonathan Vilar to Miami last month, signs Iglesias to a one year deal worth 2.5 million with a club option for 2021. Jose Iglesias, is more known for his glove than his bat and an all-star in 2015. Last season though he had some thump in his bat as he knocked 11 into the seats with the Reds. Hit .288, by far his best year with the bat. Orioles are rebuilding and one thing you can really use on an inexperienced team is a good defensive short stop. That’s where Jose Iglesias checks all the boxes.

BLUE JAYS WINNING THE COLD WAR

Blue Jays continue to pick up arms this winter as if they are going to war versus the Yankee Death Star and the rest of the teams in their division. Blue Jays sign Hyun-Jin-Ryu to a four year deal worth 80 million. Not sure what the Dodgers are thinking leaving Ryu to escape LA via free agency. Hyun -Jin-Ryu has been one of the best pitchers in the last two seasons for the Dodgers. This year Ryu had 14-5 record with 2.32 ERA which is the best in the entire league. Ryu is originally from Korea where he pitched seven seasons for the Hanwha Eagles. Then the Dodgers brought him to the states. Now Ryu will head North and play in the same league, but another country in Canada, the only team that resides up North of the border in the league. Blue Jays have been busy bees this off-season in constructing almost a brand new rotation. They acquired Chase Anderson from the Brewers. They signed Tanner Roak to a two year deal. They even brought in a veteran pitcher from Japan in Shun-Yamaguchi. They already had veteran Matt Shoemaker in place as a holdover from last year. It’s a veteran pitching staff that might go well with all the young talent they have in place all around the diamond in position players. Guys like Bo Bichete and Cavan Biggio. Let’s not forget the young superstar Vlaimir Guerrero Jr..

THAMES HEADING TO DC

Another former Brewer plucked off the free agent boat by another team. Brewers decline Eric Thames’ option year that made him a free agent this off season. Nationals looking to make up some of its offense production losing Anthony Rendon to the Angels this off season. Champs hoping a power left handed bat could help them defend their championship this upcoming season. Eric Thames is that typical power bat from the left side that can crush the ball out of the park versus right handed pitching. He does not do well versus lefties. He strikes out a lot. Last season Eric Thames hit 25 balls out of the park for the Brew Crew. He drove in 61 with only a .247 batting average. He can play a corner outfield position or first base. His defense is not very good. Once upon a time ago he revived his baseball career in Korea and Brewers brought him back to the states. If you can’t beat them, then join them is what Eric Thames is doing. Brewers lost to the Nationals in the first round of the playoffs last season in the Wild Card game.

CHIRINOS FOREVER TEXAS

Last season Robinson Chirinos left the Texas Rangers. He never left the state of Texas as he signed with the Houston Astros. Chirinos got to play in the World Series with the Astros. He actually had one of his best years in the majors with the Astros both defensively and with the lumber. Now he’s going back to where his career started with the Texas Rangers who are in dire need of catching help. Robinson Chirinos played for the Rangers from 2013-18 until he took the one year deal with the Astros. The 35 year old will get another one year deal worth 6.75 million to come back to his old stomping grounds. Maybe the Rangers used the Astros to develop one of their catchers for a year since he will return a much polished back stop he never was in a Rangers uniform.

STORM TROOPER RETURNS TO THE YANKEES

Outfielder Brett Gardner returns to the death star on a one year deal worth 12 million. The 36 year old Gardner showed he still gas left in the tank with a pretty good 2019 campaign with the lumber. He lifted 28 balls into the seats. Drove in 74. Stole some bases. Played in 141 games as well as he showed durability. Yankees had some injuries last season. Bringing Gardner back makes sense and is a good move for a guy that’s been a Yankee since 2008.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

Pirates have still been very quiet over this off season. No free agent signings. No trades have been executed. The Pirates have completed Derek Shelton’s coaching staff so the team has shown a slight movement in activity. We know the Pirates organization is alive but barely.

BENCH COACH:DON KELLY

FIRST BASE COACH:TARRIK BROCK

THIRD BASE COACH:JOEY CORA

HITTING COACH:RICK ECKSTEIN

ASSISTANT HITTING COACH:MIKE RABELO

PITCHING COACH:OSCAR MARIN

BULLPEN COACH:JUSTIN MECCAGE

MAJOR LEAGUE COACH: GLENN SHERLOCK

COACHING ASSISTANT:HERBIE ANDRADE

BULLPEN CATCHER:JORDAN COMADENA

Joey Cora & Rick Estein are the only holdovers from Clint Hurdle’s staff.

Once upon a time ago, Elis Diaz was the future Pirates catcher. In 2018 he showed solid defense and had some pop to his bat. He knocked ten balls into the seats that year as the future was bright for the international free agent who signed way back in 2008. Last year, Diaz regressed big time. His defense was shaky. What pop in the bat he had disappeared as he batted .241 with only 2 home runs and 28 RBI’S in just a miserable year for him and the Pirates team overall.

In early December after 11 seasons in the Pirates organization, he was non tendered and let go. This week Diaz has found a new home. The Colorado Rockies signed Elis Diaz to a minor league deal that will bring him to the Rockies spring training with a chance to make the big club.

TIDBIT PIRATE NOTES:Last year Pirates traded Corey Dickerson to the Phillies. Dickerson became a free agent this off season and now has signed a deal with the Miami Marlins.

UNCLE JULIO’S OPENING UP SHOP IN LA

Angels finally address their pitching problems by picking up Julio Teheran on a one year deal worth 9 million. Angels historically like to pay big money for their position players. They struck one of the richest deals in baseball with their MVP Mike Trout. They paid a hefty price bringing in Anthony Rendon as a free agent this off season.They are still over paying at the Alebert Pujols pumps. They were rumored to be on Gerrit Cole which did not happen. Julio Teheran is not going to the key to the gate keeper to get back to the playoffs. It’s a start though. The 28 year old right hander made six consecutive opening day starts for the Braves. Last season he went 10-13 with 3.81 ERA. He is a two time all-star. They say his fastball is on the decline. He was left off the Braves post season roster a few months back. An injury inserted his services for the post season where he came out of the bullpen in game 4. He was tagged for the loss in that game which the Cardinals tied the series 2-2 in the best out of five. You know the rest.

METS PICK UP A SPARE WHEELER

The New York Mets lost one of the Wheelers in their starting rotation. They purchased a 31 year old replacement in Rick Porcello on a one year deal worth ten million. Once upon a time ago Porcello was a Cy Young winner back in 2016 for the Red Sox. That year he led the majors in wins with 22. Last season for the Red Sox, Porcello went 14-12 but his ERA ballooned to a whopping 5.52 which is good for the highest in the majors. Porcello who is from New Jersey grew up rooting for the Mets, his childhood team.

THE MONSTER MASH

Will the White Sox fans be doing the Monster Mash this summer with the signing of Edwin Encarnacion? Did GM Rick Hahn do a graveyard smash with this signing? It’s a Merry Christmas Happy New Year type of signing as baseball is still months away and with the holidays we have not wrapped our heads around what to think of this move, bringing the slugger to the southside on a one year deal. This could be a very exciting move or just another dark road the White Sox have gone down before with veterans they sign at the tail end of their career. It is a cost effective move, a White Sox signature over the years as they are paying the soon to be 37 year old 11 million for his services in 2020, with a club option for 2021.

Last year with the Mariners and the Yankees, Edwin Carnacion hit .244 with 34 long balls driving in 86 runs. In the playoffs he did very well for the Yankees versus the Minnesota Twins. Not so well versus the Astros. Encarnacion has plenty of playoff highlights over his career. In 2016 he launched a 11th inning 3 run bomb to help his team, at that time the Blue Jays, beat the Orioles in a wild card game. He was a big part of those two Blue Jays teams in 2015 & 16 that went back to back appearances in the ALCS. Encarnacion has averaged 37 home runs a year since 2012 and 106 RBI’s. Encarncion’s career numbers have him batting .263, 414 long balls and 1,242 RBI’S.

This is an instant upgrade at the DH signing from last year that was just a revolving door for manager Ricky Renturia. You throw Edwin Encarncion into the everyday line up that features last year’s RBI leader in Jose Abreu. Last year’s winner of the AL batting title in Tim Anderson. The rise of Yoan Moncada. The big free agent signing of Yasmani Grandal. Then two capable youngsters that can swing the big lumber in Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert. This line up is the new creation of the 1977 Southside hit men.

This move also can effect the White Sox in bad way as well. Edwin Encarncion has played for multiple teams over his career. The list features the Reds, Blue Jays, Indians, Mariners and Yankees. Never heard anything that he’s a bad teammate. Would he be a good fit around the young nucleus already assembled in the White Sox locker room? What does this mean for extra at-bats for back up catcher James McCann? McCann worked very well with starter Lucus Giolito last season in a year of his coming out party as he became an all-star for the first time in his career. What about the high draft pick Zack Collins who could have had some at-bats at the DH position? Yes another year in the minors may help out a guy like Collins as last season he was not what we thought we were going to see from him. The worse scenario is this move turns out to be a dud like the Adam Dunn move a few years back. The White Sox for decades have gone down this road with washed up veterans. From George Foster to Steve Carlton in the 1980’s. The Steroid King Jose Canseco. Ken Griffy Jr. not so griffy like. Manny Ramirez is still a head scratcher.

WINNING the great words of Charlie Sheen does not mean anything when your winning in the off season. I do like a big bat inserted in this line up. If Edwin Encarnacion can just hits his regular career numbers down the line, this move will do wonders for the line up. The White Sox can still rotate a few pieces and keep guys fresh on a weekly basis. It’s better to have problems finding at bats for good hitters on your bench than not have anybody that can sub in and keep the train on the tracks if an injury occurs . The everyday line up card looks complete. The starting rotation is stacked. Can the White Sox make one more key move to help that bullpen? Like in the game of Mortal Kombat “FINISH IT”.. Don’t suffer another Fatality, another year of not making it to the playoffs.

SNAKES SLITHER OUT ANOTHER DEAL FOR SOME OUTFIELD HELP

Who says you can’t go home again? Kole Calhoun is heading back to his home state and playing for the Diamondbacks next season. Former Arizona State Sun Devil gets a two year deal for 16 million total with a club option for the third season to play right field. The 32 year old has a power arm as you don’t want to stretch extra bases if he’s out there. Gives the Diamondbacks a left handed hitter in the line up with some pop. Last season he launched 33 balls to the seats. His strike out rate went higher. However Calhiun does walk a lot. Angels paid big money for their new third baseman Anthony Rendon this off season which makes Calhoun expendable. Angels can use that money for pitching. Diamondbacks are in need of another outfielder since Adam Jones departed to Japan to play baseball there.

BLUE JAYS ADD AN ARM TO STARTING ROTATION

Toronto Blue Jays this off season have been working on building a solid starting pitching rotation. Earlier in the off season they wheeled and dealed to bring Chase Anderson from the Brew Crew to Canada. Now they ink the bearded man Tanner Roark who split time last seasons with the Reds and Athletics. The 33 year old righty will get a two year deal worth 24 million to play in “Oh Canada.” Last season he had a 500 record going 10-10. He’s 10 games over the 500 mark for his career at 74-64 with a 3.71 ERA. Durabilty is the best word that describes Roark. He’s a guy that will take the ball every 5 days and eat up some innings and keep you in the game. Does not get hurt. He has some playoff experience as well as he started his career with the Nationals his first six seasons.

THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT

You can finally say if you’re a Chicago White Sox fan. It’s about time this team opens up their wallet and get marquee free agents. The White Sox came out this off season making a big statement and signing free agent catcher Yasmani Grandal to a free agent deal that is the biggest in team history. After that it’s been back to business as usual. Coming away with few projects. No team collects more project players in baseball than the White Sox. White Sox failed to land Zack Wheeler as they offer him the biggest deal. They did get cute and give incentative laced contracts in years or sign the family up. They gave their home run swing and lost. Team desperately needs starting pitching. You thought they’d stay with what they got. They passed on Madison Bumgarner. Then before Christmas they blow you away with a deal that lands them Dallas Keuchel, a bonafide starting pitcher.

Dallas Keuchal accepts a three year deal pact worth 55.5 million dollars to come to the South Side of Chicago. He also has an option in 2023. Dallas Keuchal is a 32 year old left handed starter who has quite the baseball resume. He pitched seven seasons for the Houston Astros where he helped that organization win their first ever World Series. Keuchal won the Cy Young in 2015 going 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA. He is a two time all-star. He has 4 golden gloves. Last year he was signed late to the Atlanta Braves. No spring training as he signed with them in June and started 19 games as he went 8-8 with 3.75 ERA. Overall his career numbers stand at an 84-71 record with an ERA of 3.67.

This signing gives the White Sox another veteran in the starting rotation. Gives them another left handed arm. Gives them a number one starter. Also gives them another arm who has pitched in the playoffs as they landed Gio Gonzalez not too long ago. Now the White Sox rotation looks very strong rolling out Dallas Keuchal with the rise of Lucas Giolito last year, a good 1 & 2 punch. Then they have Reynaldo Lopez if he can put a complete season together instead of the tale of two halves, they’ll have good stuff. Gio Gonzalez makes a nice 4 or 5 guy. Then you have a young arm in Dylan Cease who showed some nice flashes. Now you do not have to rush your arms that are recovering from big injuries in Michael Kopech and Carlos Rodon. When they are ready and back healthy, holy cats Batman!

You could say the White Sox rebuild has been somewhat the blueprint of the Chicago Cubs. Tore everything down. Then when the young guys started to establish themselves, they brought in a big veteran left handed pitcher in Jon Lester. You can say Dallas Keuchal is the White Sox version of Jon Lester. It might actually be the Yasmani Grandal signing that helped the White Sox land their ace. Dallas Keuchal loved how Grandal handles a pitching staff. Gio Gonzalez’s big reason he came to the White Sox was to play along side Grandal as well. As both of them teamed up in Milwauee last year. Dallas Keuchal also played college ball with James McCann at Arkansas. However it is getting done and the White Sox are putting the pieces into place. Dallas Keuchal has that Mark Buehrle feeling to it. The defense on the mound. The rubber arm. Like to see the White add a few more pieces before they head to spring training. Another arm in the bullpen. Perhaps another hitter. Right now I’m blown away with a few of these moves.

MIAMI ADDS A FISH TO THEIR AQUARIUM

Marlins pick up a corner outfielder. They land 30 year old Corey Dickerson who split time with the Pirates and Phillies last season. I thought this guy should have been on the White Sox radar. He was hurt last season, but Dickerson is a great hitter which will give the Marlins a lefty bat. A bat with which he swatted 12 balls into the seats as he hit at a high average of .304. He nets a two year deal worth 17.5 million.

BREWERS ADD SMOAK TO THE LINE UP CARD

Milwaukee Brewers continue to replace the craft beers they lost in the off season to free agency with a low priced Natural Light style of players. The Brewers lost Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas, two middle of the order guys with lots of thump in the line up. The replacements have weakened this team’s roster. First Avisail Garcia from the Rays. Now they get 33 year old first baseman Justin Smoak who played with the Blue Jays last season. It’s a one year deal worth five million and a club option in 2021. Smoak, a switch hitter, knocked out 22 balls into the seats, but his average was a meager .208.

THIRD TIME AROUND FINALLY THE MOUND

The White Sox, in desperate need of starting pitching, finally add a pitcher from the free agent pool. The White Sox missed on Zack Wheeler as he wanted to be closer to home instead of gobbling up some of the White Sox riches. The White Sox passed on Madison Bumgarner. The stakes were way too high for a Gerritt Cole or Steven Strasburg. Instead of thinking big, the White Sox went down one of their familiar paths and went with a veteran hurler who is on the downside of his career and struck a one year deal with the former Brewer. Another Brewer free agent who is a familiar face to the Chicago White Sox, Gio Gonzalez, will be coming back to Chicago for the third time and has never actually pitched on the big league team.

Gio Gonzalez was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox. He then was traded to Philadelphia in 2006 that sent Aaron Rowand and him to the Phillies for slugger Jim Thome. Then the White Sox got Gonzalez back a few seasons later when the White Sox sent Sweaty Freddie Garcia to Philadelphia. That brought back Gio Gonzalez and Gavin Floyd. Then the White Sox, yet again traded Gio Gonzalez to Oakland to net Nick Swisher.

The Oakland Athletics was where Gio Gonzalez finally did get his career going in the MLB. The two time all-star left-hander has gone 130-99 with 3.68 ERA over his 12 year career in the majors. He pitched for Oakland, Washington, and Milwaukee throughout those 12 seasons. In Washington, Gonzalez pitched his best in his career. Gonzalez finished third in the voting for the NL Cy Young in 2012. He then finished sixth in 2017. In 2018 Washington Nationals traded Gonzalez to the Brewers where he helped Milwaukee to the playoffs. Last season in 19 appearances Gonzalez pitched in only 87 1/3 innings. He made 17 starts and had a record 0f 3-2 with 3.50 ERA. He struck out 79 in those 87 innings he tallied.

The rise of Lucuas Giolito happened last season. The tale of two cities with Reynaldo Lopez, the Sox are desperate for an improvement in the starting rotation. Beyond Lopez and Giolito, question marks go up with the remaining spots in the rotation. Dylan Cease, a young righty, was up and down. He was great versus a bad Tiger team. The White Sox have two young starters recovering from surgery. Michael Kopech and Carlos Rodon will return at some point. Ivan Nova departed for free agency and may not return.

Gio Gonzalez gets a one year deal for 5 million with a 2021 option year. The 34 year is looking to have a bounce back year. Pitching coach Don Cooper is a guy that could get Gio back on track. Is Gio Gonzalez an upgrade over Ivan Nova? Nova ate up more innings than Gonzalez. Gonzalez is only 34 years of age, but he seems to be an older 34 year old as he has a lot of miles on him. I do like the fact that the White Sox new catcher, former teammate of Gonzalez last year, knows him. Yasmani Grandal caught Gonzalez last year with the brew crew. Gonzalez looked good down the stretch for the Brewers as well. The White Sox hope on a few factors of this signing. Don Cooper and Yasmani hope that they can get Gonzalez to carry over his September into the 2020 season. I like the fact he has playoff experience. This is a decent signing if Gonzalez is slated the 4th or 5th starter. They will have to go out and add another arm in free agency or through a trade. Finally 16 years after the White Sox drafted Gonzalez, the fans and if the scouts are still working for the team they will see their man pitch for them.

THE SNAKES LAND A COBRA

Some would say Madison Bumgarner is the third best pitcher on the market this season. He could be the 4th best. Diamondbacks are always proactive when it comes to starting pitching in the free agent market. Curt Shilling, Randy Johnson to name a few.. They got Zack Greinke. They know how to bring starters with good history to Arizona. Madison Bumgarner is probably the best World Series pitcher of all-time. The Snakes ink Madison to a 5 year deal worth 85 million. Now Madison can shove it down the Giants’ throats when they meet multiple times each season for the next five years.

BREW CREW ADD A PIECE

Brewers lost many players through free agency already. Part of the makeover is signing outfielder, Avisail Garcia. Former White Sox, last year with the Rays, goes to beer town on a 2 year deal worth 20 million. The contract is laced with incentives for more money and an option year. Garcia’s problem is just staying healthy. Plus he is very streaky. When he is doing well he looks like an all-star. Needs to be consistent.

DEATH STAR LOOKING FULLY RELOADED

The evil Empire of baseball now has their death star fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. They plunked down a few golden bars and a few Brinks trucks of cash to sign Gerritt Cole in a monster deal. They say if you can’t beat them then go out and get that guy to join you. Yankees could not beat Cole in the post-season as he was in an Astros uniform. The Astros went on to the World Series after they eliminated the Yankees.

New York Yankees originally drafted Gerritt Cole in 2008. Cole chose college over professional baseball at the time. Gerritt Cole went to UCLA and then was drafted by the Pirates number one overall in 2011. Pirates fell out of contention after they had a three year run in the playoffs so they traded him to Houston. In Houston, Gerritt Cole learned some new tricks from Justin Verlander, especially how to spin the ball more. In 2019, Gerritt Cole was practically unstoppable. He led the league with 326 strikeouts. He pitched 212 innings total which averages 14 k’s per 9 innings pitched. Cole also led the AL in total ERA at 2.50. Cole career record is 94-52 with 3.22 ERA.

Gerritt Cole gets a 9 year deal worth 324 million. That surpasses the 7 year deal the Washinton Nationals paid to bring back their ace Steven Strasburg. Some say the Astros should of pitched Cole in that game seven of the World Series versus the Nationals. Cole was a big part of what got Houston to the World Series. Plus he got flashed with boobs from the stands. In 2019 it was a perfect year for Cole as it might be that kind of year with a sold your soul to the devil type of season.

Gerritt Cole should be the number one guy of the Yankee staff. Number one gunner of the death star as the locals like to call it. He joins a pretty good established staff already intact for the pinstripes.

Yankees have seen the pitching staffs in the World Series for both the Nationals and the Astros. Yankees are not looking too shabby either. They have Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and Domingo German as they add Cole. They still have J.A Happ who they will probably use for trade bait. The Empire already has a murderers’ row intact, one of the feared line ups in the league. Now with a scary starting rotation to go along with that. Looks like the Empire will strike back in 2020.

REDS ADD ANOTHER ARM TO ROTATION

Reds creating a nice starting rotation. As they pluck Wade Miley from Houston. He will get a two year deal worth 15 million. He joins a rotation that includes Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer, and Luis Castillo.

TWIN PICK UP’S FOR MINNESOTA

Twins pick up two free agents. They bring back one of their own free agents in Michael Pineda. They ink him for a two year deal worth 20 million. Last season as a starter for the Twins, Pineda had an 11-5 record with a 4.01 ERA.

Twins also sign a catcher who is no stranger in the AL Central. Alex Avila, the 32 year old back stop, willplay for his third team in the division. Tigers, White Sox and now the Twins. Last season Avila played for the Diamondbacks. He will get a one year deal worth 4.25 million.

ANGEL IN THE HOT CORNER

LA Angels pay big money at Menards. They wheel and deal, landing the biggest position player on the market. Yes, position player, no typos. They don’t need no stinkin’ pitching. They land Anthony Rendon on a 7 year deal and another big contract on the books at 245 million. Angels already have the best player on the planet in Mike Trout. They have the best Japanese star in Shohei Ohtani. With Justin Upton and the aging Albert Pujols, when is that contract going to end. Yikes they are creating a west coast version of the murderers’ row.

REPEAT CHANCE INTACT WITH STRASBERG BACK

Thought this off season for the Washington Nationals was going to be another nightmare. Last season Bryce Harper, born and raised a National, one of the best players in the league, left you. Broke your heart into a million pieces. It took most of the season to glue everything back together like some CSI techs putting back together a plane after a crash. But you come to grips with reality or at least tell yourself that. Then your team makes it to the playoffs. Well, you’ve seen this before. They get past the first round. Then find their way into the World Series. Your ears perk up. Your tail wags like a dog about to get their daily treat. Then the unthinkable happens and your team that broke your heart wins the whole enchilada.

After you win one your greedy self needs another. Suddenly your MVP pitcher opts out of his contract heads to free agency. You already know your third baseman, Anthony Rendon, is a free agent. Once more the Harper feeling is back again two years in a row. Then Like Michael Jordan when he said he’s back after his first retirement to go play baseball. After the first three championships with the Bulls as a fan you were left with an ending that was not satisfying. Now Steven Strasbug is back and gives you hope to defend the only title you have.

Steven Strasburg is returning to the Nationals on a seven year deal worth 245 million. The 31 year old right hander was the Nationals’ first overall pick in 2009. He had a cannon for an arm coming into the league. He has compiled up 112 wins with only 58 losses with 3.17 ERA in regular season as National. He went 18-6 last season. National fans have watched him grow up. They have been through pitch counts with him during seasons. They have been through the thick of things with surgeries for their flame thrower. Most importantly he was World Series MVP not that many weeks ago. He pitched 36 1/3 innings this post season with 1.98 ERA. Life time in the playoffs he has 55 1/3 innings pitched with a 1.46 ERA.

Nationals said they could not afford both of their big free agents, Strassburg and Rendon. If you had to pick just one they obviously did and picked the right choice going with the pitcher. His signing keeps the Nationals starting rotation intact which include Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez. Pitching can beat great hitting. Plus the Nationals have brought back Howie Kendrick and Yan Gomes. Losing Anthony Rendon is tough but he is easier to replace than losing Strasberg.

It’s usually about money in professional sports especially how a player opts out of an old deal that would set you and I up for a lifetime. Everyone in their own job wants to be promoted or paid more money for what we are good at. Stephen Strasburg could have probably even broke the bank somewhere else. He could have held out longer in free agnecy and got some other team to pay him more than Derek Cole is going to get. He came back to where he was drafted from.Where he won his first World Series. Being a part of history where he helped a franchise win their very first championship in their existence. Now he gives this team their best chnce to defend their title and possbly repeat which is hard to do in basball and most sports. Right now if you’re a National fan, bringing back Strasburg is an early Chritmas gift from Santa. While the baseball Gods are still looking upon you.

WHITE SOX HEADING DOWN TATIS AVENUE AGAIN 

White Sox come up big with the addition of Yasmani Grandal, signing him to the richest deal in franchise history for a free agent. Then they give the best money offer to free agent pitcher Zack Wheeler. They swung and missed, but they went all in. Rumors had them in talks with right fielder Marcell Ozuna. The team is in need of a right fielder. Which the free agent market has some options if you don’t like Ozuna. White Sox make a trade instead of going the free agent route. They land Nomar Mazara, a 24 year left handed bat who plays right fielder. The Sox give up their 8th ranked prospect in Steele Walker. A guy with lots of potential down the line as he was only drafted in 2018. Not sure what the White Sox are thinking in this trade.

Nomar Mazara has four seasons already under his belt and is only 24 years old. White Sox like him because as a defender he made only one error last season. They like his arm. He’s a big guy at 6’4″ with a 215 pound frame that can run well. He is a guy that bats well versus righties, but against lefties he is absolutely horrible. Right away you’re thinking you have to get someone you can platoon him with. He has a career batting average of .261 and is a very agressive hitter. Does have some pop off his bat. Some balls can fly 505 feet as he launched one off Reynaldo Lopez in the past. His first three seasons he had 20 home runs each season. Last season he had 19. In 2017 he drove in a career high 101 runs.

Steele Walker is now a Walker Texas Ranger. Walker went to the University of Oklahoma where he played outfield and put up some great numbers. He won quite a few awards for collegiate play. He was drafted number 46th overall in the second round of the MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox. Last season as he played in two leagues, as he was promoted he hit ten homeruns with .284 batting average. He does a little bit of everything as he has some nice speed to leg out 5 triples. Hits for average and has some power. Drove in 62 runs. He’s a guy that is getting better and better each season and the more pitches he sees and more games he logs in, he could be someone special. Definitely will be a starter at some point. Obviously not with the White Sox.

To me this has Fernando Tatis Jr. written all over it. The balls and the stupidness Rick Hahn had when he dealt a very valubale piece to get James Shields who had lost his big game mentality years prior. Nomar Mazara looks like a project. Do the White Sox have a hitting coach named Don Cooper? Nomar is an aggressive hitter which most times means a stupid hitter. A hitter that probably does not take many pitches. Big deal when he makes contact because he can hit it far. Is he a baseball player? What can he do with runners on base is the biggest question. Plus he can’t hit versus lefties. He made one error last season and many sources say his defense needs work.

Why are we trading prospects anyways? Especially for a project. The White Sox can get their needs from the free agent market and be competitive next season without trading away the future. I’d rather them do nothing than trade prospects that could develop into something. Rather let all of them all play and gel together than see them give away high prospects for nothing. This irks me because they have money to spend. I figured a few free agents picked up. Did not have to be the big fish on the market. But a few guys to complete the line up card and the pitching staff. Steele Walker will end up being some team’s staple for years to come. While Nomar will be on his fifth team by then. Let these guys get better and developed so you can get more out of a deal. If you have to deal which should be the only reason. White Sox are following the Chicago Cubs rebuild like a carbon copy. Let’s not trade away all the chips on the farm and be the Cubs these days with no farm system that took years to grow.

RANGERS PICK UP PITCHING

Rangers add a piece to their starting rotation. They sign Jordan Lyles to a two year deal worth 16 million. Lyles split last season with the Pirates and then was traded to the Brewers. Started off hot for the Pirates and then went very cold to frigid degrees. Was traded to beer town where he did very well and helped the Brewers land a wild card spot.

PHILLIES ADD ANOTHER

Phillies continue to spend what they call stupid money. They land themselves a short stop. DiDi Gergorius leaves the death star and is heading to Philly. He gets a three year deal at 42 million package. The seond big signing this offseason for the Phillies. They plucked Zack Wheeler from the Mets. Shopping in the “Big Apple” is the Phillies’ big plan this off season.

NATIONALS FREE AGENT PICK UP

Nationals are getting the band back together. Mission to defend their World Series title. You have to start somewhere. Might as well start gathering up your own. Not the big National pieces in Steven Strasburg or Anthony Rendon. They brought back catcher Yan Gomes on a two year deal. Then they inked one of their playoff hereos with a one year deal. Nationals bringing back Howie Kendrick with his big bat. Especially the Van Damage he did with a late grand slam versus the Dodgers. Then he was named MVP in the NLCS versus the Cardinals. It took only 6.25 million to bring back the second baseman.

SOUTH SIDER WEEKLY

SWING AND A MISS

If you’re going after some of the bigger pitchers on the market, the White Sox need to go big or die trying. I like the attempt to land Zack Wheeler as they offered a deal worth 5 years for 125 million which was the highest offer on the table. Wheeler signed with the Phillies rather then coming to the south side of Chicago. His excuse was he would be closer to home playing in Philadelphia. It was a swing and a miss, but it was not last year’s stupid deal they offered to Manny Manchado with incentives instead of guaranteed money.

OTHER PITCHING TARGETS IN FREE AGENCY

I know the White Sox will not go for the big fish in the lake of pitching. Gerritt Cole, well the Yankees are offering the world to him. Stephen Strasburg will be looking for his own island, I imagine as well. Madison Bumgarner intrigues me. The wear and tear on him scares me. I would kick the tires on him. He might want more than what Zack Wheeler got. It makes you think it could work going down the same road as the Cubs did in their rebuild, luring Jon Lester to Chicago. You think of Madison Bumgarner’s playoff experience. You think of that one year he may have pitched the best post season in MLB history where he just dominated. Whether or not he pitched too many innings is the biggest question and concern regarding a big deal for this guy.

OTHER STARTING PITCHING TARGETS FOR THE WHITE SOX

Dallas Keuchel former Brave and Astros.

Dodger Hyun-Jin Ryu

WHITE SOX WAIVE YOLMER SANCHEZ

Yolmer Sanchez is a defensive specialist. As he won a gold glove for his work on defense in 2019. He was due to make six million. They non-tendered him so Yolmer has become a free agent. I’d rather the six million go somewhere else then bring him back. His offensive stats have been on the decline. He was always prone to make key mistakes in a game that would cost the team in a big way. Close games & dumb mistakes would open up the flood gates for other teams. Love him as a great guy in the locker room. He will find work somewhere else. Plus I loved how Danny Mendrick played last season, in 16 games he hit .308 and played a few different positions. Plus you have big time prospect Nick Madrigal who could be thrown into action this season.

Wellington Castillo was traded weeks ago to the Texas Rangers for like a bag of balls of a player in return. Good riddance getting rid of that mope behind the plate. Expendable because of James McCann and young catching prospects. Plus the signing of Yasmani Grandal put this guy as just a bad memory gone. Played better on the juice. His highlight on the Southside is the 80 game suspension he got for getting busted for the banned substance.

JOSE JOSE JOSE

Love that the White Sox brought back Jose Abreu. First thing is he leads the league in RBI’S. He plays first base well, not horrible. You can DH him. He brings the offense to the middle of the line up which is always good to have. Because you have to score runs. Driving them in is very hard in the sport of baseball. Plus he’s a countryman, a big brother to many of the young guys on the squad. He reminds me of Paul Konerko as well, how he wanted to come back to the White Sox. Took the one year qualifying offer. Then hammered out a three year extension after that.

BRAVES FREE AGENT PICK UP

Atlanta Braves continue to be very active this off season. First they addressed their bullpen by signing the Giants closer Will Smith.Then they brought back reliever Chris Martin. Now they add a starter to their rotation coming to terms with Cole Hamels, on a one year deal worth 18 million. He pitched last year for the Cubs. He pitched most of his career with the Phillies.

PHILLIES FREE AGENT PICK UP

Phillies continue their pact to spend stupid money as they land their first big fish of the off-season. Last year they won the Harper sweepstakes. This season they grab one of the best starters available. The Phillies continue to grab free agents out of their own division as they pick up Zack Wheeler from the Mets. Wheeler had a few teams interested, but goes with the Phillies for a five year deal worth 118 million.

REDS FREE AGENT PICKUP

12-4 -19 All the Milwaukee Brewers free agents continue to be scooped up in the first few weeks in the open market. This time Brewers division rival Cincinnati Reds land Mike Moustakas. They sign the third baseman to a 4 year deal worth 64 million. Reds’ biggest contract ever in franchise history.

PIRATES FINALLY ADDRESS THEIR SKIPPER VACANCY

Pirates finally get their new manger. The last opening in the MLB was filled as the Pirates hired their 41st manger in franchise history. Derek Shelton has been announced as the new sheriff in town at PNC park. The last two seasons, he served as the Minnesota Twins bench coach. Last year with Manager of the Year, Rocco Baldelli, and the year before that, Paul Molitor. Pirates finally got the manager position filled because the organization cleaned house when the regular season expired. As the newly hired General Manager, Ben Cherington’s first order of business was to fill the manager position for the Pirates. He did it with a guy he has known for 15 years.

Derek Shelton has quite a baseball resume. He was a catcher which seems the position that makes many great managers. He never made it to the big leagues as a player. His playing career only lasted two seasons 1992-1993 playing in the Yankees’ minor league farm system. Elbow surgery derailed his playing career. His coaching career has been far longer than his playing career. He served as the hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians from 2005-09. Then went to Tampa Bay and did the same thing with the Rays from 2010-16. Then Derek went North and took a Blue Jays position which was called Quality Control Coach. The Blue Jays was where he crossed paths with GM Ben Cherington. Then he made his way over to the Twins organization.

Derek Shelton is a baseball guy. Ben Cherinton said his work ethic, curiosity and desire to learn were three keys to bring him to Pittsburgh. Roco Balderlli, Twins manager, said that Derek Shelton was involved with all aspects of the team as the two of them shared an office. He was prepared and well organized. Imagine the type of guy who is the first person in the building and last to leave. He probably coached the players and was teaching them the right way of things while always interacting with them.

Derek Shelton replaces Clint Hurdle who was fired at the end of the season. Hurdle was the Pirates skipper for 9 seasons. He guided the team to the playoffs for three straight seasons. Clint Hurdle came in when things were a mess and the team did not have a winning record for over 20 years. He leaves with the team that went 69-93 and were basically a mess last year. You could say it was rash of injuries in 2019. Pirates led the league in injuries. You could blame the front office not creating more depth on the roster. Derek Shelton and Ben Cherington have inherited another mess they will have to clean up.

The Pirates are most likely going down the road in full rebuild model. They will be looking to trade all assets for prospects. Building up the farm system will be the main focus. They might add veterans on minor league deals to flip at the trade deadline. The hiring of Derek Shelton is perfect for this job. He’s a guy that has worked in these small market teams like the Twins, Rays, even sometimes the Indians cry poor. He has coached many young players throughout his years as a coach. Being the bench coach, I’m sure he has learned the x’s and o’s of the game itself. This is what the Pirates had to do… find a guy that has baseball sense and is willing to be a part of a rebuild with young players. I think Ben Cherington all along had a list of mangers he would hire mentally if he became a General Manager. Derek Shelton may be the guy that leads them back to the playoffs. Most likely he may just be the bridge gap guy that gets a core of young guys on the verge of greatness and hands it off to someone else to guide them back to the playoffs. Pirates right now are heading in a good direction as all the hires have been very solid.

PADRES FREE AGENT PICK UP

11-27-19 Padres ink left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz to a 4 year deal, worth 34 million. Last year, Drew was split between the Giants and Brewers. Pitched better for the Brewers down the stretch. This is the second Brewer free agent to leave “Beer Town.”

BRAVES FREE AGENT PICK UP

11-24-19 Atlanta Braves land catcher Travis D’Arnaud.The 30 year old played a split season with the Mets/Rays. He gets a two year deal that pays him 16 million.

2019 WHITE SOX OFF SEASON MOVE

Finally the White Sox land one of the bigger fishies in the free agent market. They did it without signing the guy’s family. Not bringing in their friends. The White Sox grab the top catcher on the market in Yasmani Grandal, former Milwaukee Brewer. Last season they tried everything in their minds to land Manny Machado. Even with the friends and family, they tried to lure Manny with an big contact. The contract had the years Manny’s camp wanted, but some of the money was incentive laced. Padres gave Manny and Manny only, the full Monty. The first significant move of the off season, and the White Sox open up their piggy bank and spurge. They land Grandal for 4 years at 73 million dollars, the largest free agent contract in White Sox history.

Yasani Grandal at 31 years of age brings a lot to the home plate and with the lumber. He’s a switch hitter that can get on base and hit for power from both sides of the plate. In 2019, Grandal batted .246 knocking out 28 balls in the stands. He drove in 77 while scoring 79 runs. Grandal likes to see a lot of pitches when he bats. He has a high on-base percentage drawing 109 walks which was good for 4th in the entire league. With the good eye each at bat, it raises the opposing pitchers’ pitch count. Plus the White Sox as a team walked the fewest as they ranked at the bottom of the barrel in the whole entire league with only 378 base on balls. On defense he is what you call a wall behind the plate. Pitch blocking. Ability to gun down runners. The fancy defensive stats have him second in the majors framing runs.Then tied for second in runs from extra strikes. He has the ability to handle a staff as the Brewers were not the best pitching in the league, but they made the playoffs last season.

Last season the White Sox took a flyer on free agent catcher James McCann from the Tigers. That deal turned out well last year as McCann made his first all-star game. He was a guy that could drive in big runs. The White Sox still have James McCann on the roster which gives the team a very nice catching tandem. Plus you can rotate them in the DH position and keep them fresh when they go behind the plate. I would consider both McCann and Grandal baseball players as they play the game the right way. All about the effort on the field and big on team concept. Plus having two guys like this in the same line up makes it difficult for pitchers to get two spots out, in key situations especially. Then it gives the young high draft pick from a few seasons ago, Zack Collins, another year to develop his game. Maybe when he improves his game with his lack of defense behind the plate, he could be play some first base or DH especially because he’s a left handed bat in your line up.

I can compare this Grandal move to the one the White Sox made in 2005 by signing free agent AJ Pierzynski. As a White Sox fan, with that signing back then, you know very well how it worked out. They got a hard nosed style of player which you can see in Yasmani Grandal. Last year in free agency, he refused a three year deal with the New York Mets. He bet on himself and signed the one year deal with the Brewers. Then enters free agency again and gets his deal for all the hard work he put in. At the age of 31 he’s playing very well, the same as AJ Pierzynski played in his 30’s. I like that he has played in the playoffs with the Dodgers and Brewers. Bringing that experience to a young and hungry team will be helpful. Yasmini Grandal is excited about all the young arms in the rotation. Love to see the White Sox grab a starter on the market as well. This move might be the one move that can bring others which is very important. Don’t want to see players using the White Sox, like I believe happened last year, as a pawn just to get more money from another team. Still lots to do on the Southside, but I give them credit for a pretty good start.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

2019 RECORD 69-93 (LAST PLACE NL CENTRAL)

The Pittsburgh Pirates had a horrible year. The team looked like it went back to their old ways before the 2013 season. Before 2013, it was 20 seasons of non-winning baseball in Pittsburgh. The Pirates this off-season have been handing out pink slips like Santa Claus delivering gifts to kids. They have cleaned house pretty much. The President of Operations was not impeached, but parted ways. Maybe that is the polite way of Frank Coonelly stepping down. Most likely forced. The Pirates gave their general manager the axe. Neal Huntington is headed to the unemployment line. Then the skipper. Clint Hurdle is done in a Pirates uniform. Most would have loved to have seen Bob Nutting, the owner, walk away too.

NEW PRESIDENT

It seems like most in town like the hire of the new President of Pirate baseball operations. It’s a familiar face. It’s a face that helped the Penguins win three Stanley Cups. Travis Williams spent 11 seasons with the Penguins. He however comes from the New York Islanders where he was President of Business Operations. His first business was hiring a new GM. That, he checked off his list.

NEW GM

The Pirates hire Ben Cherington as their new GM. Ben was part of that brain trust from Boston.

Pirates could use some money like the cash Boston has to spend. Ben Cherington was a part of that group that has helped the Boston Red Sox win 3 championships. As the Pirates have seen Theo Esptein’s work in the division for the Chicago Cubs. Breaking a 108 year drought. They are hoping the same style of philosophy will work for them with Ben Cherington. First part of business will be find a new skipper. The Pirates will also rebuild their farm system. Ben Cherington specialized in scouting. Which is huge having someone strong at identifying talent and developing the talent at the same time. This will help build the farm system up quickly.

CLINT HURDLE RETIRES FROM THE GAME

Clint Hurdle came from Colorado in 2011 after leading the Rockies to the pennant in 2008. Nine seasons as the skipper for the Pirates he went 735-720-1, which is good for 4th all-time in Pirate managers. Clint broke the Pirates drought of not making the post-season in 2013. From there he got the Pirates to 4 consecutive post season berths. He was 3-5 for the Pirates in the postseason. Pirates missed the playoffs the last 4 seasons including the nightmare of the 2019 season.

The Pirates are doing things slowly. Probably to make sure they get things right. Obviously this team is going to into a full rebuild mode, is my best guess. They could go with a younger hire as their new skipper. A guy that can learn and grow on the job. A guy with no experience. Like a new trend that is going on in the league. I would rather have a guy with some experience. Like when the Rays hired Joe Maddon, he had years as a bench coach under Mike Scioscia. Hire a guy who is good with young players. A guy on the rise who has never been a manager.

Hiring Ben Cherington, who might go in the direction of knocking everything down and building from scratch. If that is the case they will probably hire a guy that can relate to the young guys. A guy that can get them to play at the MLB level. This manager may be the bridge type of skipper. Once the talent is already established at the Major League level, they might fire him and bring in an experienced type of guy to get them to the next level. Playoffs and beyond. We will keep you posted on the Pirates’ off-season moves and where they are going. So far so good.

PAULIE,PAULIE PAULIE

As a die hard White Sox fan, I’m very excited that Paul Konerko is on the ballot for the hall of fame. How time flies. It was just yesterday in my mind, I still get goose bumps thinking of the Chicago White Sox winning the World series in 2005. I would feel like a New York Yankee fan if Paulie gets in on his first shot. That would be two years in a row that a White Sox player makes it to Cooperstown. Yankees seem like they have someone every season. Last season, my childhood hero, Harold Baines. This season, one of the guys that helped deliver Chicago something they had not seen in 88 years at the time, a World Series. Plus, Paulie is a fan favorite and one of mine that played the game on the South Side of Chicago for over two decades.

Years ago, I was not sure Paul Konerko would have a chance to get in the Hall. Paul Konerko has some similar numbers to Houston Astros first baseman, Jeff Bagwell. Plus if you really take a look at Paulie’s numbers compared to people already enshrined, he does have a chance. Especially since in my opinion those steroid guys will not get in any time soon. Plus they will start falling off the map in the next few years. Only hopes for them will be the senior committee down the line. As we know, Paul Konerko played with those steroid mongers and we know Paulie played the game the right way. He was clean from that poison those guys put in their bodies.

Paul Konerko is 43 years of age and played 18 seasons in the majors. Played sixteen of them with the White Sox. You have to like the dedication to the team that gave him a chance and which he grew with. He is a six time all star. He was MVP of the 2005 American League Championship Series versus the Angels. All’s he did in that series is drive seven runs with two home runs in 5 games. He had 439 career home runs. Only 43 players in MLB history have more than Paulie. He has hit 20 or more home runs in one season 13 times. He is one of 34 players in MLB history to accomplish at least 20 something home runs in 134 plus seasons. He drove in 100 RBI’S or more in six seasons. In his career, Paul Konerko drove in over 1,412 runs. That’s better than Robin Yount at 1,406. Johhny Bench only had 1,376. That’s better than his former teammate Carlton Fisk who drove in 1,330. All these guys are in the hall as we speak. Plus some names I did not mention. Paulie finishes his career with a .279 batting average, .354 on base percentage and .486 slugging percentage. He finished with 2,340 hits.

Playing 16 years for one franchise Paulie, earned his number #14 retired on the South Side of Chicago. They also built him his only statue on the left field concourse at the ole Rate. These things would not just be done because of his playoff numbers in 2005. He put up some big numbers for a storied franchise. The White Sox have been around for over a 100 years and they are not like the Marlins or the Rays. He hit 432 home runs for the White Sox which is second all-time to hall-of-famer Frank Thomas. Twenty five players in MLB history have hit 400 home runs for one franchise. Out of the 25, 20 are in Cooperstown. The others on the ‘roids.

THE WHITE SOX LIST WHERE PAULIE STANDS IN SOME BIG STATS

SECOND IN RBI’S 1,383

THIRD IN HITS 2,292

4TH IN RUNS 1,141

3RD IN DOUBLES 406

Paul Konerko has seven post season home runs which is number one all-time. He had 29 multi home run games playing for the good guys. Two times in his career he hit over 40 home runs. Which was done in 2004 and the magic year of 2005. Those 81 home runs in a two year span is a White Sox record . Albert Belle could have played another season for the White Sox after his last monster year, but he opted out of his contract. He would have needed to have stayed healthy the next year as well, and that might not have beat Paulies record. That is the way the cookie crumbles for Albert.

The 2020 MLB ballot does not have many names that will jump out at you. I know Derek Jeter for the Yankees is the only shoe in. Take out all the steroid guys and it gets very interesting indeed. It is possible Paulie could land in Cooperstown on the first ballot. Only problem I see is the Chicago White Sox are not the Cubs. They do not play on the east coast. Some writers might not know all about Paul Konerko, as he does not get the publicity he deserves playing second fiddle to the Cubs and not on the east coast. I can see Paulie getting a good percentage of votes this year and perhaps be on the bubble for the 2021 ballot. I did venture off to see Harold Baines’ speech last season. I did go to Cooperstown for Frank Thomas when he was voted in on the first ballot. To go back to Cooperstown again in back to back years would be something incredible. Yankee fans must have their second home in that heavenly town. As a fan of the White Sox, these things do not happen often. I hope the writers see what I see and get Mr.Konerko enshrined because in my book, if not next year, he should be in the year after… period.

HARPER’S REVENGE

We know the Washington Nationals won the World Series. We know the team did it without their superstar. The superstar they drafted. The same superstar they wanted to have stay in DC. You can say, “Grow old with them.” The Nationals watched him grow up. They wanted to be there when he did his speech in Cooperstown. They even wanted him back and gave him an offer. In this case it was an offer he refused. The Nationals moved on without Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper did the same with his bank account filled with stupid money. Phillies did not make the playoffs. Nationals went to the World Series and won it.

Meanwhile Nationals fans have been riding a roller coaster of emotions in 2019. They saw their young superstar leave town for a division rival. The Nationals started poorly out of the gate. Phillies started much better. National fans did get to boo Bryce Harper on his return to Washington. Dressed in a Phillies uniform, Harper at the time felt nothing. He saw the traitor signs. People probably shouted Judas at him. Harper probably got some hits versus his former team. He probably drove in a few runs. The fans cheered when the Nationals struck him out. Fans were able to express their feelings at the time. Kind of like a therapy. Both parties left the ballpark without closure on their long relationship.

The closure does come to the National fans. They win the World Series and they have not forgotten Bryce Harper. But now the fans have a trophy wife and they are feeling much better. Bryce Harper did not have a care in the world about what the DC fans said about him. The trophy probably opened his eyes. Sure he played coy with the media. He said all the right things as he was happy the Nationals won. Sometimes jealousy kicks in. You leave for a better situation and you know the old situation will not do better than you. The tables have turned in one season of baseball. Some will say that can be like a dog year with 162 games plus playoffs. Don’t forget spring training.

How can Harper get back at his former team? In a broken relationship with jealousy involved, anything can go down. Tires slashed. Ranting and raving on the Facebook. That is a lot of tires in DC and your former organization to deal with. Since originally it was your fault you left them. Stupid money is not enough, as prestige rich people want your soul as well. If the Phillies are convinced by their billionaire they pay for advice from, regarding who else they should sign this off season. Do the Phillies have enough stupid money left in their account? Can they go out and sign two former teammates of Bryce Harper? What if Philadelphia went out this off season and landed Anthony Rendon and MVP of the World Series, Stephen Strasburg, to their mix. Bryce Harper might have the last laugh after all. He would hold the beating heart of all National fans in the palm of his hands like some Hannibal Lector from Silence of the lambs.

Those two cogs would instantly weaken the Nationals who could be losing those players anyways to whoever. This year’s World Series they might have to soak in as long as they can, because next year they might be in for a rude awakening. If they see Anthony Rendon in the Phillies line up playing alongside Bryce Harper, the sound of nails on the chalkboard will be heard throughout the Nations capital. Jaws would drop. Stomachs would get queasy if Steven Strasburg is mowing down the National line up. Add more insult to injury if these three together win a World Series together. At least they may impeach Donald Trump. However the way things will be going, Trump will serve another term and live in DC another four years. While Bryce Harper will be like Scrooge McDuck swimming in his pool of gold with a new sparkly World Series and thinking how he got his revenge and the last laugh.

THE ROAD WARRIOR

The 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals was a very exciting series. It had a little bit of everything. It went the distance all the way to game seven. It featured some will say the best starting pitching in World Series history. Both teams had the same record all the way to the end, if you started the season at the end of May. It was a World Series where the underdog won it and many people root for the little guy. It was the Series that had a first ever World Series for the Washington Nationals, who once were the Montreal Expos. To here what the French are saying about the situation, “I think yes, I will take a pastry with my French vanilla espresso.” It wasn’t just the Nationals winning and beating a Houston Astro team that won 107 regular season games and were looking to create their own dynasty. This series made history because the road team won every game.

We do not count professional football because they play one game playoffs where winner moves on and loser goes home. In the three other major sports that have a playoff format set up with the best out of seven series, this is the first time this has ever happened where the road team won all the games going the distance. Never happened in the NHL, NBA or the MLB until this year, 2019. That is a lot of games over decades in which the 2019 MLB World Series is so unique. Like Haley’s comet that you have a chance to see every 17 years.

In two World Series, the closest to seven Playoff road wins was five. Which happened in 1906 and then again in 1996. Nationals struck first in Houston and won the first two games. Then Houston went into DC and swept the three games there. This left the last time the home team won a play off game in the nations capital was the Washington Senator team. With the Astros up 3-2 I figured it was all over for the Nationals. Astros have been to the World Series in 2017. They must have just had a hiccup or something at home in the first two games. That did not happen as you know and I know history was made. Nationals won the final two games in Houston. That was game six and game seven and that is the end of that chapter.

History was made as that completed the World Series where the road team won each game.The road warrior outscored the home team 49-14 in the series. In something we may never see again in any of the three major sports, it is that type of once in life time thing.             

IT TIGURES

The Detroit Tigers this season have been in a full rebuild mode. Their 2019 regular season was dreadful with a 47-114 record. If you do not believe me then ask this Tiger fan.

Last time the Tigers were in the playoffs was in 2014. They were quickly ousted by the Baltimore Orioles in the divisional round, best out of five as they were swept. They had a very good starting pitching staff that year. Those arms failed in the playoffs and that was last time the Tigers were in the post-season.

As we go down memory lane, that was only five seasons ago. In baseball one season could mean drastic changes for any ball club. Players want to get paid. Players might get traded. The team might go in another direction and sometimes you can not keep everyone. If losing seasons pile up, then you’re scrapping the old and going young. In 2019 that is what the Tigers have been doing. Selling off pieces for prospects.

What ever happened to that starting staff of 2014? All of them went to other teams. All of them have now won a World Series with another team. It Tigures. Fan favorite Justin Verlander was traded to Houston. In 2017, Verlander was a key part of that Houston Astros team that won their first ever World Series. I can see the Detroit fans liking to see Verlander get a ring for all his great years in the motor city and being a fan favorite. Then in 2018, Rick Porcello and David Price got their ring playing for the Boston Red Sox. David Price you got in a trade. However Rick Porcello you watched grow, as he came from your farm system. Some mixed emotions.

Then to pour gasoline on the Tigers’ open wounds this season, you watched Anibal Sanchez and one of your ACE Ventura’s for you, Max Scherzer, win the World Series for the Washington Nationals. That completes the five man rotation from 2014. Both Scherzer and Sanchez came from other teams, but still played many years for your city. Some fans wished they would have paid Scherzer to stay in Detroit. Now the anger will be pointed in the owner’s direction.

Being a Detroit sports fan has to suck. Because you watch baseball and you know the Tigers suck. Most fans look forward to the other sports in their town. Lions have been disappointing fans longer than any other team they have in motor city. The Pistons play in the NBA and they have players that are not good buddies with all of the other superstars in the league. Recruiting is an issue for most NBA teams. Never mind the draft like all other sports do it. NBA plays red rover and lets Lebron come over. Then the Red Wings used to be the easy choice, the old reliable. Deep in the playoffs every season. Hockey has fizzled out like all of the sports teams in Detroit.

I feel the tiger statue lost its stripes in Detroit. Maybe it is a common theme in cats, as the Bengals in Cincinnati have no growl either. If you are a pure baseball fan in Detroit and you like to watch the World Series no matter what. It’s great rooting for former players that have played on your team. But a whole starting staff of talented Pitchers winning a championship in the last three years for other teams is very unlucky. You watched them all pitch every 5 days for you. It made you excited for the possibility of playing in the World Series. But no dice. It Trigures that then another year of bad baseball is on the horizon. When will the madness end?

NOT ALL BOOBS IN DC ARE BAD

Houston Astros pitcher Gerritt Cole, is having the year of his life. He was the top pitcher in the American League in the regular season. He’s done pretty well in the playoffs. Plus while he’s on the mound on Sunday versus the Nationals in Washington, three models show him their boobies from the stands.

Perhaps these three gals could be distracting the Astros’ ace, so the Nationals could come back in the game. The three girls, Julia Rose, Lauren Summer and Kayla Lauren were immediately escorted out of the stadium.

It turns out these three girls did not have a player as a target. This stunt was for a digital magazine called Shag Mag. It was intended strictly for business. Like a stripper dancing around the pole naked to raise money to pay for her Law degree. This stunt violated the Nationals’ fan code of conduct. Which resulted in the Nationals banning all three girls for life from their stadium. The girls also said they got documentation from MLB that they are banned for life at all stadiums.

If Slick Willy Bill Clinton was still President, all three of these girls would be up in his personal sky box at Nationals stadium.

Is lifting up your shirt to show off your proud boobs equal to a life ban in all of the stadiums across the league? Seems like they are being prosecuted for murder over a littering violation. I know baseball is a family atmosphere. Kids are watching and witnessing what adults do on the weekends. When I was younger everybody had the one kid who landed a Playboy magazine. Probably swiped it from the adult in the house they lived with. Seeing Dolly Parton’s boobs just made your eye balls bulge out like they were the best thing you ever saw. These girls lifting up their shirts are not going to scar young kids or other adults around them. If you’re old enough, maybe these ladies are not the type to bring home to meet your mum. However, your father might like them very much. 

I know you want a clean game. I know you want your atmosphere to be wholesome. However look at some of your other fans. The piercings and tattoos all over the body. People in pajamas. People wearing practically nothing and they are let in. I’ve seen a person with a dog collar around his neck for crying out loud. How about the body that should be covered up like a Muslim? Talking about the clothes, not the religion. But these people are proud and they have body blubber oozing out of their shirts, bouncing and waddling while doing the 7th inning stretch. Throw in some people that need to get a hotel room with all the PDAs, practically doing it in the seats. You’re going to need a dress code to get into the ballpark. No shirts, no shoes, no boob showing, no service types of rules.

Meanwhile this stunt was a genius business idea as Shag Mag Digital Magazine got a lot of lookie-lous. Players like Gerritt Cole who are due for a big payday after this season, can continue to live the life of Reilly. Sure the flashers did not have a target, but some people in this world have a lucky horseshoe jammed up their cheeks to be a part of this. I would get dog collar harry, man. Meanwhile MLB over reacts. Just kicked them out of the game. If they do it again then perhaps you come up with something a tad stronger. You overreact with documentation on the ban ,it just adds fuel to the fire. Adds more perverts looking at the Shag Mag.

Plus you might alienate baseball fans that love some boobs while drinking a beer and watching a game.  

2019 WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS

(SOME HISTORY OF BOTH TEAMS)

This is the third appearance to the World Series for the Houston Astros. First time they made it was 2005 when they played in the National League.

They were swept by Jermaine and Dye and the White Sox that season. In 2017, Houston Astros won their first World Series beating the LA Dodgers. That same year, Houston became the first team in baseball history to have a National League pennant in 2005. Then an American League pennant in 2017.

The Washington Nationals use to be the Montreal Expos.

Montreal Expos never made it to the World Series. In 1994, probably their best team was taking the National League by storm. We will never know if that team would have gotten there due to the whole league going on strike the year without a Santa to some. The year with no World Series.

This year Washington Nationals will be making their World Series debut as they have not made it either, since coming from Canada. Last time a World Series was played in Washington, was back when the Senators took the field in the Nations capital.

Looks like the Chicago Cubs took their stupid W flag from the Senators logo.

I like this one better. The Senators became the Twins. Before they left DC, they were in three championships. They went 1-2 in the World Series winning in 1924 representing the American league.

THE ROAD TO THE SERIES

Houston won the American League West. Then took down the Tampa Bay Rays in five games. Then blew up the Death Star of the Yankees to find their way to the World Series twice in the last three seasons.

Washington Nationals won the first wild card. Then won the wild card game beating the Milwaukee Brewers. Then they went five with the LA Dodgers finally knocking them out. Dodgers were trying to get to their third straight World Series and which they went 0-2. Then the Nationals beat up on the red birds. Sweeping St.Louis Cardinals to advance to the World Series.

PITCHING

This World Series might have the best starting pitching of all time. Both teams are stacked. Both teams are number one and two in the league spending money on their starting pitching.

HOUSTON TROTS OUT: GERRIT COLE, JUSTIN VERLANDER, & ZACK GRIENKE

WASHINGTON TROTS OUT: MAX SCHERZER, STEPHEN STRASBURG PATRICK CORBIN & ANIBAL SANCHEZ

I wish Justin Verlander was going to face his old teammate, Max Scherzer, in one of these games. If you are a Tiger fan watching two pitchers you had a few years ago get Detroit to the World Series. But they could not win it for motor city. The way the Tigers are playing these days, you might be in the fetal position sucking your thumb waiting ’til baseball is officially over.

When it comes to the starting pitching, both teams look pretty even. I would give edge to the Astros just because of the way Gerritt Cole is pitching for them. He has not lost since May. He did not have his best stuff in his start versus the Yankees and shut the murderers row down.

THE BULLPEN

I give Houston the edge on the bullpen. Astros have gone with a three man starting rotation. They have more arms in the bullpen which gives them more options. Washington’s weakness was going to be their bullpen coming into the playoffs. The Nationals have pitched well. However it’s been mostly two guys. Can Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson continue doing well in the World Series?

HITTING

Both the Nationals and Astros have some great hitters that will come through in this series.

THESE ARE THE TWO GUYS, ONE FROM EACH TEAM, THAT WILL CREATE THE MOST HAVOC.

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Jose Altuve and Juan Soto will each put up the big numbers in this series, is my prediction. Astros also have George Springer and Alex Bregman. Howie Kendrick has to stay hot.

I give the Astros the edge on hitting because they have a complete line-up with some depth on the bench. The Astros have struck out the fewest in baseball, so they hit for contact. Very hard to strikeout.

MANAGERS

You have to give AJ Hinch from the Astros over Dave Martinez from the Washington Nationals, the edge there. It’s not AJ Hinche’s first rodeo and he has more experience than Dave Martinez.

THE PREDICTION

This series should go the distance all the way to game seven. It will well fought series. I like the Nationals being a team of destiny. They lose their best player to free agency because Bryce Harper wanted the money. Uncle Scrooge did get the payday in Philadelphia. Many thought this team was dead after he bolted in the off season. Dave Martinez was rumored to be fired in his only second year as the skipper. The Nationals looked like a team dead in the water in May.

Houston Astros are on a mission. They want to get their second World Series trophy to build, most would call it a dynasty. A team they built from scratch years ago by building from the ground up. Selling off all their pieces and waiting until the crop grew up. The crop has been here. The second trophy will be a nice addition to all the growing pains this franchise and fans went through waiting for this moment after watching years of bad baseball.

I love that the Washington Nationals play the most small ball out of any team in the MLB. Especially the year of the home run and the strike out. This team knows how to manufacture runs. They can mash the ball. They are big on getting key hits with runners on.

I think Houston is the complete team. I think the Astros have too many talented players for any team to handle. The Astros led the majors in striking out people from their pitching staff. Plus their hitters struck out the fewest, which I said earlier. They see many pitches. Pitchers can not rely on junk to get them out.

THE X FACTOR goes to Houston, which will be the key to the series. Gerrit Cole is pitching out of his mind, which will help the Astros put the Nationals away in this long drawn out series. Like two Gladiators fighting to the death.

OUR PICK:ASTROS IN SEVEN

GIRALDI SHOULD BE NEXT CUBS MANAGER

The Chicago Cubs’ first priority this off season is finding a new skipper. The Cubs recently broke ties with the only manager that guided them to their only championship they have won in 108 years. That is Joe Maddon who left out of town in his Winnebago, he named it his Cousin Eddie. Usually your next search for Spock will be a guy that is totally opposite than the last guy you had. The Cubs will need a guy that will hold players accountable for the mistakes they make on the field. Mistakes that will not continue to occur on a regular basis. They need a guy that will not be the players’ buddy. A guy that will not have dress up parties. They need a guy that has been there and done that. A guy named Joe Giraldi.

The first thing is, Joe Giraldi makes perfect sense because he knows the Chicago Cubs. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. He was developed by the Chicago Cubs in their minor league system until they brought him up to the big show. He is a local kid, born in Peoria, Illinois. He went to Northwestern University so we know he is very intelligent. Playing catcher his whole career shows you his work ethic. Most catchers make the best managers in the game because they are running the show from behind the plate. Shifting the defenses. Working with all the pitchers and knowing the opponents weaknesses to get them out.

Besides the local stuff, his managing resume is off the charts. Joe Giraldi got his first job in managing from the Florida Marlins. Everyone has to start somewhere, and as we all know, the Marlins organization were the worst run organization in the game. Joe Giraldi lasted only one season with the Marlins in 2006. Joe liked to do things his way and this did not go well with management, so he was fired. He was fired and he was named manager of the year in that lone season because he had the Marlins competing for a Wild Card. Joe Girladi then was hired by the New York Yankees, some will say the best job in baseball. Also the hardest job in the sport in the biggest city with the biggest media. Joe Giraldi brought the New York Yankees another World Series trophy, and had several trips to the playoffs.

Theo Epstein, the President of the Chicago Cubs operations is the master mind that built the Chicago Cubs from the ground up. He was the one that found the loop hole in Joe Maddon’s contract and snagged him right under the Tampa Bay Rays’ noses. It was his hard work that resulted in a Cubs World Series in 2016. Theo Espstein’s work has beaten two major curses that nobody thought could be beat. The Curse of the Bambino in Boston. Then the Curse of the Goat in Chicago. Many thought this team should have been a dynasty. You have to win more than one championship to be a dynasty. With two years left on the Messiah contract, what direction will the Cubs go in with this new skipper? Cubs core position players once untouchable, that now look like they have been brought back to earth. Many of them will be looking for their big payday. The Cubs are in need of pitching really bad. With so many bad contracts on the books, can they resalvage what they’ve got and still have eyes on the prize? The Cubs’ minor league system is so depleted with all the bad trades. With two years remaining in Theo Esptein’s contract, will he stay past ten years? When he was hired he even said he only liked to stay in places for ten years.

Can Joe Giraldi and Theo Epstein even work together? Theo Esptein is very hands on. He wants to be in on everything. From the line up. To all the coaches on the staff. Look at Joe Maddon’s staff when he was here. They had coaches in and out every single season like rotating players in at a volleyball game. Meanwhile Joe Giraldi likes to do his own thing. He does not want management in his locker room. He does not want to be called and told what guy they think should be in his line up. Theo Esptein is all about the numbers. All that sabermetrics and analytics jazz. Joe Giraldi is more old school. Joe used numbers, but mostly it was all about hunches and what the gut was telling him. Once nicknamed Binder Joe with his binder filled with data. Probably most of it scribbled with handwritten notes about certain players and their tendencies he recalls from the past.

I do not think the Cubs will hire Joe Giraldi. He will demand more money than anybody else out there. Even though they are printing money in Wrigley, the Cubs will go with Dave Ross. Who also is a former catcher. He is also a guy who played on that 2016 championship team. He has no experience in managing. Sometimes these non-experienced hires have worked. Most of the time it does not work. The biggest key I see is David Ross can be controlled by Theo Esptein, a guy that has had it his way the whole time. A guy that has built everything from scratch and would not allow a guy like Joe Girladi to steal away his credit. I think Joe Giraldi would give the Cubs their best chance to win with what they’ve got. However I can see them getting back to the playoffs, but they do not have enough horses to win the whole enchilada. I think the Cubs need to go in another direction. Not a complete tear down, but removing the bad deals and trading off pieces, then taking a step back with a younger team with some of your core-players intact. I believe Joe Giraldi can work with a younger team like in the Marlin days. That direction you need to give the man a longer contract. You would need to give him control and trust that he can lead your team back to the playoffs and beyond. Whether or not Joe Giraldi wants to clean up this mess the Cubs have on their hands, is another question. Overall in the grand scheme of things, can Theo Esptein swallow his pride and let things be run by Joe? We will find out. My prediction is David Ross will be the guy. Joe Giraldi will be bringing the Phillies or the Mets back to the playoffs.

2019 MLB CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREDICTIONS

LAST ROUND OUR RECORD WAS A SPLIT:2-2

AMERICAN LEAGUE

HOUSTON ASTROS AT NEW YORK YANKEES

Yankees breezed right through Minnesota in a 3 game sweep. Houston we had a problem versus the Rays. It took five gamse for the Astros to dispatch the Rays. By far these two team were the best in the American League during the regular season.

The Yankees have a very scary line up 1 thru 9, a line up that can simply mash the baseball. Houston Astros can mash the baseball too. Pitching will be the key in this series. Great pitching always beats great hitting. Astros have that. I think Astros starting pitching will be far too impressive and you will see the Yankees bats suffer from Verlander and Cole. I think the bullpens are even. I think this series will go the distance. The X factor will be the starting pitching.

OUR PICK:ASTROS TAKE THE SERIES IN SEVEN

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

WASHINGTON NATIONALS VERSUS ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

You have to give the Cardinals credit all season long. The experts said the Central was supposed to belong to the Cubs. Some said the Brewers. But they won the division out of spite. Then they fight back in the best out of five series versus the Braves. Win game five and now they make it to the next round. One series away from the World Series.

The Nationals come in as the top wild card. Then they fight their demons from the past playoff performance and come back versus the Brewers late in that contest to advance to the next round. Next round is one of the best teams in the league, the LA Dodgers. They somehow found a way to fight back in that series and bring it to game five, which they won. Now they face the red birds.

The Cardinals have the defense and the better bullpen. The Nationals have the starting pitching and a shaky bullpen. A shaky bullpen that has done very well in the playoffs though. I give the edge to the Nationals in swinging the lumber. Lots of guys in that lineup are seeing the ball very well.

I think the Nationals have the confidence level at a sky high limit beating one of the best teams in baseball. That series under their belts, they are hungry for this next series to advance to the Wolrd Series. The Nationals starting pitching will be the key for them winning the series. I love how the Nationals play small ball to manufacture runs when needed and not just rely on the long ball. The Cardinals bullpen will be over used. I think the St. Louis starting staff will run into problems early in the games to make their bullpen become an issue. I think the Nationals quickly end the Redbirds season as the Cardinals simply run out of gas.

OUR PICK:NATIONALS IN FIVE

WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING HARPER

Yesterday the Washington Nationals eliminated the Dodgers from the playoffs. It was the Nationals’ Howie Kendrick who hit a grand slam in the tenth inning to help his team take the deciding game in the best out of five playoff series. It was the unthinkable for three huge reasons and left people having a hard time quite believing what happened. Reason number one is upsetting the team that has represented the National League in the World Series the last two seasons. Reason number two, the Nationals winning a playoff series. Reason three, winning a playoff series without their best player. Yes, the same Bryce Harper who took a few more Brinks trucks more that Philadelphia offered than the team that drafted him.

Bryce Harper came into the league hyped up to be one of the future stars of the game of baseball. He did not disappoint. He was a left handed batter that could hit for power and average. He was an outfielder that played well on defense. He is a five tool player. Unless some severe injury occurs, Bryce Harper will be a first ballot Hall of Famer with no questions asked. Seven years in DC came to an end when Bryce hit the open market.

The Philadelphia Phillies showed Bryce the money. It’s 13 years for $330 million dollars that will set up the Harpers for generations to come with that kind of loot.

Last season, Bryce Harper played his last season in a Nasty Nats uniform. The Nationals did not make the playoffs after that crazy exit in 2017 versus the Cubs when Dusty Baker was seated in the managers chair in the dugout. The Nationals hired Dave Martinez who was for a long time, Joe Maddon’s sidekick. In 2019, without their best player, the Nationals stumbled out of the gate. In May it looked like a team that would be selling at the trade deadline. In a very tough division, Nationals rebounded from the slow start and stormed back to get back in the thick of things. Eventually they clinched the first wild card to get back to the playoffs. In the Wild Card game, they had to come from behind late in the game to beat the Brewers. Then they advanced to play the best team in their league.

Every year the Nationals did make the playoffs when they had Bryce Harper, most people thought they were a legitimate threat to any other team in the playoffs. Experts thought they would not just make it to the World Series, but win the darn thing. They had great pitching. They had a very talented line up including Harper who was their best hitter. With all of this on paper. With all the games they had won in the regular seasons. It all resulted in early exits from the playoffs, year after year.

This season it must have been very hard to be a National fan. Bryce Harper did not take the team’s offer which was indeed a lot of money. Then to see your best player you watched grow up, head to a division rival. When he comes back to visit, all you can do is boo the man that was once your hero.

Things looked black for National fans in 2019. In baseball 162 games can make things change quickly. Phillies don’t make the playoffs as they just fired their manager. Rumors early in the year were you were going to fire your manager. However Dave Martinez continues to lead. Continued to play small ball which the Nationals are the best in the league at manufacturing runs. They also can hit the long ball like Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto did versus one of the best pitchers in the league, Clayton Kershaw. Two back-to-back home runs off the Dodgers’ ace to tie things up in an elimination game. Then we know what Howie Kendrick did.

In the sport of baseball you need some superstars. One or two superstars are not going to win the World Series for you by themselves. It takes all nine people on the diamond. This is not basketball where the superstar just takes over the game by himself. To win the World Series you need your whole roster, everyone doing their part. The Nationals without Harper are baseball players and playing the game the right way as Dave Martinez’s message has gotten through. Nobody is bigger than the game. I think the Nationals have a shot to make it to the World Series.You knocked out the best National League team. The Nationals have a different hero every night with the bat. That starting pitching is still very scary. Plus the black mark on your squad coming in to the playoffs was your bullpen. Which seems fixed because the arms in the pen are dealing it. The ultimate scenario would be the Nationals winning everything without that stinking Harper on their roster taking up the whole salary cap. Whatever Washington had in mind is what they could spend. With baseball players you spread around the wealth as you win as a team. You try to keep everyone and have depth. Nationals can spread that money around and keep this team in business. Philadelphia with the cracked bell already in place, they will have to crack into some more piggy banks to build around Uncle Scrooge Harper. Maybe things are looking brighter in the National skies these days. Because they can’t turn to football like every other city that hates their baseball team.

2019 MLB PLAYOFF PREVIEW

OUR PREDICTIONS TO START THE SEASON

DIVISION WINNERS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

CENTRAL:MINNESOTA TWINS

EAST:NEW YORK YANKEES

WEST:HOUSTON ASTROS

WILD CARDS:TAMPA BAY RAYS & OAKLAND ATHLETICS

We were perfect in the A.L.

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

CENTRAL:MILWAUKEE BREWERS

EAST:PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

WEST:LA DODGERS

WILD CARDS: ATLANTA BRAVES & WASHINGTON NATIONALS

The National league we only got the the Nationals right and Dodgers. We did have the Brewers and Braves in the playoffs but in wrong spots.

OUR WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

MILWAUKEE BREWERS VERSUS HOUSTON ASTROS

OUR WINNER: MILWAUKEE BREWERS

We might have had a few that day when we predicted our picks for the playoffs before the regular season.

WE did not make any predictions on the wild card games.

THE WILD CARD GAMES

AMERICAN LEAGUE

TAMPA BAY RAYS AT OAKLAND ATHLETICS

These two cities should of put a wager on this game. Winner gets the other city’s fan base. The one team would have had over a 100 fans.

RAYS WIN

NATIONAL LEAGUE

MILWAUKEE BREWERS AT WASHINGTON NATIONALS

I would of figured Washington would of blown this game because if they win the game they move on to the next round. Brewers play out of their minds in the month of September without their best player, and then blow this game in the late innings.

NATIONALS WIN

THE FIRST ROUND

AMERICAN LEAGUE MATCH UPS

MINNESOTA TWINS VERSUS THE EMPIRE NEW YORK YANKEES

This is the game if you do enjoy the long ball. These two teams should not even play one game.They should just have a cut throat home run derby like on all-star week.

Yankees line up is facing murders row. Every player in their line up is a threat to knock the cover off the ball. The Twins rotation is not a 100 percent healthy. The pitching staff for the Twins does not have much depth. Yankees starters need to get further in the game to help salvage their big arms in the bullpen.

OUR PICK: YANKEES

Since 2003 the Yankees have knocked out the Minnesota Twins in the playoffs five times.

TAMPA BAY RAYS VERSUS HOUSTON ASTROS

Tampa Bay Rays have gotten to playoffs because of their pitching. It’s been like that since they dropped the Devil out of their name.

Houston Astros by far is the best team in the American league. They could be the best team in the entire league. They have everything covered from defense and offense. Throw in the great pitching staff this team is eyeballing the World Series or bust.

OUR PICK:ASTROS

The Rays will keep some of these games intersesting with their pitching. The Rays offense has been good but areprone to strike out. One of the categories you dont want your team to be at the top of. Houston will be able to score and hold down the Rays line up to their liking.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ATALNTA BRAVES VERUS THE ST.LOUIS CARDINALS

I scratch my head trying to figure out how a St.Louis team made the playoffs. Won the National Central. They have the best bullpen in the playoffs. They also have a guy name Paul Goldschmidt.

Atlanta Braves have lots of young talent.

That talent indeed is very impressive. However the Braves are a young team with up and coming super stars like Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. They could be young and hungry or could be young and stupid. Ronald Acuna Jr. better stop admiring his work in the batters box. Instead “run Forest run no matter what.” Tell this guy they are in the playoffs.

OUR PICK:BRAVES

I think the yutes will be too much for the Cardinals. However the Braves better play hard every play as the Cardinals are the best defensive team. A team that does not make mistakes as they are very fundamentally strong with the little things that it takes to win games.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS AT LA DODGERS

Washington has the best three starting pitchers in the game. The Nationals also are the best team at small ball. They don’t have to rely on the home run for runs.

The Dodgers are the best team in the National league. They have a team that is deep in depth. Not sure where they grow their talent, but one guy goes down and the Dodgers have a replacement. That’s pitching and hitting.

OUR PICK:DODGERS

Winning a playoff series is the NOT the Nationals cup of tea. Dodgers have been on this road in the playoffs for quite awhile and not hit a speed bump in the second round of the playoffs. I like the Dodgers pitching staff as a whole. I think from top to bottom they will give the National hitters fits, the whole series is the X-factor.

THE CUBBIE COLLAPSE

Theo Esptein came to Chicago as the messiah. One Chicago newspaper had him walking on water. He gutted out the Cubs organization from top to bottom. He gathered up all kinds of young prospects and constructed a core of talented position players. He even found a loophole to steal manager Joe Maddon away from the Rays. Cubs rebuild was finished and they made the playoffs in 2014. They won the unthinkable and broke the billy goat curse, taking the Series in 2016. The dynasty was created. Everyone expected at least one more World Series from this group. It never happened as they made the playoffs, but they were quickly eliminated. Every year you felt the Cubs organization represented a tower of jenga. In 2019, the tower has been very wobbly. Then finally this month a breeze blew the jenga tower over as all the pieces scattered all over. It was the collapse heard around the world as the Cubs would end their playoff streak and this team might be completely gutted with lots of changes on the horizon.

Who do you blame for the Chicago Cubs collapse? Last September the Cubs blew a five game lead. They were forced to play a 163rd game and were at home for the division title. They lost that and a few days later, lost a wild game at home. Is this management not giving the manager enough horses to finish the race? Can you say Joe Maddon was out coached in crunch time? The Cubs had a 3 1/2 game lead over the Cardinals, August 9th. Last week they were in striking distance of the second wild card but lost 9 in a roll. Swept by rival St. Louis at home. It goes deeper than that. This team was just awful on the road. How were they going to fare if they did make the playoffs but could not win one game on the road. This team has played .500 ball since May 31st. You can put blame on both sides of the equation.

The Chicago Cubs made their choice and let Joe Maddon go on the last regular season weekend. The Cubs, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, are going in another direction. They feel Joe Maddon is not in their future plans. The same Joe Maddon who guided the Chicago Cubs to their only World Series in over 100 years. The feeling that I get from listening to Theo and around baseball is… Joe had a problem holding his veterans accountable for the mistakes they made. Joe would have conversations with them. Mistakes continued to mount especially on the base paths. Cubs led the majors the last two seasons in running the bases blunders. Especially not coming down on repeat offenders of not hustling down the base paths. Javier Baez comes to mind. Did the Cubs lack the hunger after they won it in 2016? When the young core grew up and became veterans, did Joe’s message fall to the wayside? Perhaps Joe Maddon’s best managing is younger teams like Tampa Bay Rays and when the rebuild was done for the Cubs.

This collapse, if you want to call it that, definitely has more scape goats. Look in the mirror Theo Esptein and we can throw Jed Hoyer under the bus as well. Every year you switched the coaching staff around Joe Maddon like cleaning the gutters. Many of your moves that you have made were not savvy. You could say many of them were very stupid in general. You are paying Jason Heyward the type of money for someone that hits 35 bombs and drives in over 100 runs. You over paid for Yu Darvish. He did well this season but last year he was broken hot garbage. Why Brad Brach? Then you signed a broken down closer in Brandon Morrow. Then you had to get Craig Kimbrel which the jury still out with him as he looked like flaming hot garbage. Tyler Chatwood from Colorado a bust. White Sox fleeced you out of two big prospects for Jose Quintana which he has been good bad and ugly.

If the Cubs would stand pat the line up, they could have right now…

A MURDERERS ROW:

Gleybar Torres, Eloy Jimenez, Anthony Rizzo, Wilson Contreras, Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber, and Javier Baez

Addison Russell is scum so I left him out.

Yes I know you have to trade some of your prospects to help you land veteran players like Adrolis Chapman who they overpaid for as a rental player in 2016. However this trade helped slay the goat that jinxed this team for over a 100 years. Did the Cubs and the higher ups have to mortgage the farm on just bad deal after bad deal? Now all the sweat and tears of hard work in the original rebuild are just gone.

After 2016, most of Theo Esptein and his side kick Jed Hoyers’ moves did not pan out. These moves wiped out their whole crop down on the farm. The Cubs have one of the biggest payrolls in baseball. They have most of their money tied up in players that are not worth it. Plus the core of position players you claim you built around, are due for more money and perhaps contract extensions. The Cubs will have to trade some of their core to retool and at the same time rebuild that farm. They have a two year window according to Theo Esptein for changes will come. Two years is when the man that walks on water’s contract ends. Will he install a yes man at manager to go with his new scheme? He should hire the right guy instead. Help the team not just now but in the future.

The start of the year, the Cubs owner’s son had written racist emails that were reported and found by the media. Written years ago. Then they had the Adam Russell suspension from spousal abuse they had to deal with.Kris Bryant’s words about the town of St. Louis. Some people think the Cubs did get lucky winning the World Series in 2016. Especially being down 3-1 in a best out of seven series. The deciding game and a rain delay helped slow down the Indians. They could have been eliminated earlier in the playoffs as they got by that series. That year worked out for them. If they did not win that year this thing would have been worse. The core position players you developed once were untouchable. Now they are breaking down and still have some big numbers. Is it time to scrap them and do it all over? Can the Cubs ride the ship and retool and get another World Series to create some type of dynasty? Many expected more than one World Series trophy. Or are they too deep in the hole to get out? Is this why Theo Esptein left Boston to come to Chicago? Sometimes you’re in too deep and need new blood to get you out.

DUMB AND DUMBER TRADED AWAY FERNANDO TATIS JUNIOR

Can you imagine what the White Sox rebuild would be like if they had held on to Fernando Tatis Junior? The infield would be stacked with young talent. Having Yoan Moncarda at third with Tim Anderson as short and placing Fernado Tatis Jr. at second. You could even rotate all three positions with all three players, like three card monty. Fernado Tatis, the dark day when the White Sox foolishly traded away this young prospect for pitcher, James Shields. It was June 4th, 2016 the same year the Cubs eventually won the World Series on the other side of town. It was the beginning of dark times and no light at the end of the tunnel for the south side baseball team.

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The Chicago White Sox originally signed Fernando Tatis Jr. in 2015. He was the son of former major leaguer, Fernando Tatis Senior. The White Sox signed the international free agent at the time, when he was only 17 years old. Before he ever played a professional game. Obviously, the scouts saw something in the kid, to ink him at such an early age. Plus he was the son of a former big league player so baseball is in the blood.

The White Sox philosophy before the rebuild was to add middle of the row veterans to mix in with some of the young talent they had already in place. They never went out and landed a big fish on the open market. Most of the times they added players through trades. In 2016, the White Sox were probably in the thick of things for a wild card or close in the division race to call the San Diego Padres to check on Big Game James. James Shields was riding the struggle bus in San Diego as his ERA was ballooning at an all-time high. His record was pathetic. The Padres were paying him big money. The Padres still were able to fleece the White Sox. The White Sox sent the Padres Fenando Tatis Junior and a pitcher named Erik Johnson who is irrelevant. The White Sox land James Shields, a skeleton of his former self. Plus they had to pay him the contract he had. In my opinion, the worst trade in franchise history. Might be the best trade in San Diego history. Stay Classy, San Diego.

Fernado Tatis Junior finally made it to the big leagues in 2019. Just like Eloy Jimenez for the White Sox. Fernado Tatis Jr’s season is over as an injury derailed his rookie season. A rookie season where he is batting .317 with 22 home runs and drove in 53 on 106 hits. At short stop he has been brilliant, making incredible plays night after night for the Padres. You could say he was in the running for the rookie of the year in the National League in the 2019 season. If he did not get the rookie of the year, he would just be a few votes shy behind New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso.

The White Sox have made some nice moves in gathering up lots of talented prospects. In 2019, you can see pieces that are in place in positions all over the diamond. In the back of my head, I still think the White Sox brass is still in place. The same idiots that traded Tatis to the Padres for James Shields, who was untradeable. The White Sox finally were rid of him when his contract ran out. Which was the same time Fernando Tatis took the field in the bigs.

Then you think how the Padres swooped in last minute to land Manny Machado as a free agent. Padres probably knew the White Sox would low-ball Manny and just offered the guaranteed years instead of the White Sox with their incentive-laced contract. The White Sox could have had a line up with Tatis followed by Anderson, followed by Moncardo. Then you have Eloy Jimenez, and Luis Robert who is almost ready and a very dangerous slugger. That would have been five solid position players going into 2020. You wish you could get the Delorean out of the hock shop, go back to the future and stop the White Sox brass, Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn aka Dumb and Dumber, from pulling the trigger on that trade. With all the rest of the talent the White Sox have in the minors, I’m sure we have another Tatis in the mix. Just hope when all the pieces are in place they don’t give up another young piece for a bag of rocks like Shields. I’d rather see the White Sox add veterans through free agency, instead of giving away the next Tatis for a rental player. Keep your farm system strong like the Atlanta Braves.

THE ROMERO’S DAY AT THE PARK

What would you do if you took your family to a baseball game and got harassed by a fan? Not the kind of harassment because you are wearing a visiting jersey at the home park. One of your own that is rooting for the same team you are, is the one creating problems. His beef is not because of the Texas Rangers hat you’re wearing. His hatred goes deeper. You can say darker because he hates the way you look. Not because you wear a do-rag on your head. Not because your underwear is shown as your pants hang down below your butt. This family looks like your typical baseball fans. Do they not put their pants on one leg at a time? Did they buy their tickets underground? Are beers cheaper for them? This man’s beef is because the Romero family were Hispanic. A Mexican family to be exact.

The Romero family brought tickets to the Rangers game last minute. Not their usual spot where they like to sit in Globe Life Park, stadium home of the Texas Rangers. The husband, Ramon, likes to get in the seats and first thing take a selfie of him and his family at the ballpark. Here are the words he heard behind him, that he thought had nothing to do with him or his family. “Let me see how I can fuck up their picture.”

A total class act as you can see he has his middle finger extended up, to ruin a nice moment for the Romero family. That was the start of this dark day at the ballpark for the Romero family. This white Ranger fan with an IQ less than a thumb tack, brought the 1950’s back to the ballpark. He was not shy about how he complained about all the Hispanics sitting around him. How they were all illegal immigrants. Of course President Donald Trump was mentioned, how he should get the wall up on the border faster. I was not at the scene, but I sense in a way it was like a typical day for legendary Jackie Robinson as the first black person to play in the MLB.

The wife, Jessica Romero, wrote in her facebook more highlights that were not on the field. How a little boy accidentally kicked this man’s chair and set him off even more. He referred to him as little Speedy Gonzalez. How he should go back to Mexico for this atrocity. After five innings, it was enough for the Romero family as they left their seats to get away from the Texas redneck with hatred and venom flowing in his body. As a day at the ballpark is ruined, not from the outcome on the field, but in the stands.

Texas is a whole new country they say. Many people have told me about their visits to Texas. How the people in the lone star state were very nice. How the show Friday Night lights portrayed the state as little towns that like their high school football. Could this be just one ignorant person at a baseball stadium expressing his own hatred at his own frustrating life? In El Paso, Texas, Patrick Cousins went Mexican hunting at the local Walmart. Twenty two dead and many injured, many being latinos. Could Texas be a melting pot ready to explode even more?

When I went to my first baseball game as a kid in the early 1980s, at the old Comisky Park, it was magical. My father and I watching a sport we loved together. The bond and the memories forever. Night games will bring out some interesting new swear words as beers are flowing. Directed at the game or the opponent. Think about the Romero’s kid remembering this game. This game where one arse drove his family out of his seats. I remember a 11-0 White Sox shut out of the Angels. I give Ramon credit for walking away. You wonder where were the ushers, the security. Violence does not solve things. However for attacks against your family, this gringo should be stuffed in a barrel and thrown in the lake where he belongs with all the pond scum. The Romero family will get the royal treatment by the Texas Rangers with their story out there. They have a lot of support from the community and beyond. Hope the Texas Rangers and the rest of baseball can create their games as a safe haven for all the communities. A place to go and get away from the everyday worries a family has. My final thought is why does this redneck root for the Texas Rangers? Last time I checked, their whole roster is mixed with all kind of Hispanics. The Rangers are not all white with sheets over their heads.

THE TRADE DEADLINE AROUND THE LEAGUE

MLB changed the rules this year when it comes to getting players after the July 31st trade deadline. Usually during August and into September, teams could make trades through waivers. You still can. However any player you get will not be able to join your post-season roster. This year’s trade deadline was very quiet. We go through the league and see which teams did well with adding significant pieces to their roster for the playoff run. See which teams improved for their future. See which teams were slashing their prices and everything must go.

Plenty of teams did nothing. Plenty of teams did nothing and perhaps should have done something.

THE WORST

BOSTON RED SOX: They did absolutely nothing. Yes, they won it last year. They most likely will not even get a wild card to defend their title. Chris Sale does look like an ACE. Looks like he’d not playing with a full deck these days. Maybe he needs a hobby to calm himself. Like knitting or cutting up jerseys. The Red Sox manager does not even know the rules of the game, as the Rays baffled him.

NEW YORK YANKEES: The Evil Empire does not believe great pitching beats great hitting. The Empire has assembled “Murderer’s Row II: The Revenge of Bernie” from his weekend. However that starting pitching is deep in the playoffs.

ST.LOUIS CARDINALS: The red birds find themselves in first in the NL Central. They are only a game up on the Cubs. They are a few games ahead of the Brewers. You are telling me the Cardinals had nothing to improve on their roster. To stand pat. No needs for some more arms. No need for another bat. NOT BUYING WHAT THEY ARE SELLING!!!!

MILWAUKEE BREWERS: Brewers pitching is in shambles right now. They added reliever Jacob Faria from the Rays. They added again Jordan Lyles from the Pirates who could start or be bullpen help. This team needed a bonafide starter and they did not get one. Are Lenny and Squiggy running operations in Brew town?

LA DODGERS: Dodgers did nothing at the trade deadline. They have the best record in the majors. You would have thought they would do some shopping for the bullpen. Every year they make significant moves at the deadline. Maybe they are going to be George Costanza and do the opposite, which landed him the job with the Yankees. Will the Dodgers be a show about nothing in the World Series?

I could put down many teams that are in rebuilds that did not do much. But, who wants to talk about Baltimore and others?

THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

CHICAGO CUBS: Getting rid of Carl Edwards Jr. should have been business a very long time ago. Hearing Hippie Joe Maddon explain why he continued to bring in Edwards late in games, in between his hits from the bongs to get the right words to explain his mind set. Cubs could not be splashy because their farm system is drained. They added some low key bats in Tony Kemp and Nicholas Castellanos. The reliever they did add was from the Blue Jays in David Phelps. The Cubs were busy. But they did not improve their bull pen. Not sure these moves will address their road issues. We do know the Brewers and the Cardinals did nothing. Will that be the red carpet to the playoffs? A carpet of dead Cardinals soaked in beer from teams that helped the Cubs move past them from not being able to pull the trigger.

CINCINNATI REDS: Reds went crazy in off-season with some huge additions this. The team showed no fight in the first half of the season. Except versus the Pirates. I like how they traded Tanner Roark to the Athletics to get something for him after he was one of the guys they traded for in the off-season. This team is too screwy. Like they are in “no man’s land.” Should they rebuild or improve the roster? They traded away Scooter Gennett to the Giants. Another team in the same situation. That’s a guy I would have kept. I do like getting rid of the bat licker, Yasiel Puig. They pick up Trevor Bauer from the Indians. This gives the Reds an Ace Ventura of their staff, which they have not had in some time now. Puig will be a free agent next season. Can Trevor Bauer save the Reds team in 24 hours? No, but they do have control over him for next season and I believe a year after that.

TAMPA BAY RAYS: I would have loved to see the Rays pull out something huge at the deadline.Like they don’t have enough pitching at the factory to trade and get a slugger?

They did a sneaky, low under the radar, move and got Jesus Aguilar from the Brewers. If the Rays can harvest any of his magic from last season, this might be a good move. Right now Agilar is riding the struggle bus and can’t get off because the bus cannot go under 50 MPH.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS: They snagged a pitcher from the Reds in Tanner Roark. Oakland never makes the big splash at the trade deadline. Moneyball you have to think. This move will get them a wild card you watch.

MINNESOTA TWINS: Twins were walking on sunshine most of the first half. Not a worry around them. The team was winning lots of games. The team is mashing the ball out of the park. They had a commanding lead on the Central. Then you feel the Tribe breathing down your neck. Smell some type of pierogi soup from Great Lake Brewing which is very tasty. Yes, Cleveland Rocks and wants their division back. Twins respond in improving the pen with the additions of Sergio Romo and Sam Dyson. Will that be enough? They should have went after a starter as well.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS: The Nasty Nats have been a very hot team. They went after arms in the bullpen at the deadline. They scooped up Daniel Hudson, Hunter Strickland and Roenis Ellis. Can you imagine if the Nationals get one of those wild cards, especially with the Phillies falling apart with injuries? National fans would like to take something away from Bryce Harper.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Phillies added a nice bat in Corey Dickerson from the Pirates.They also added a soft tossing left handed pitcher who goes by Vargas. Jason Vargas. VARGAS, I picture Jerry Seinfeld saying. “HELLO NEWMAN.”

The Phillie faithful have to be cringing while they say “VARGUS.” Really that is the answer.

NEW YORK METS: Seems like the whole division is fighting for something except the pathetic Marlins. Mets have been another team from this division that has been hot. They went out and added another starter. One of the best starters available in Marcus Stroman. You think you get traded at the deadline, you’d be helping a team that will make it to the playoffs. Mets stood pat and did not trade others like most experts thought. You have to like the Mets starting five. Is this move enough to overcome the bad start? Or will Marcus Stroman be home for Halloween?

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: It was supposed to be a fire sale in San Francisco. Giants started winning. But they still traded away one of their big bullpen arms and his contract to the Braves in Mark Melancon. Then they get Scooter Gennett from the Reds. Giants are playing the Hokey Pokey, putting one foot in taking it out and shaking it all around. Perhaps they do grab a wild card in Bruce Bochey’s last season coaching, that will make a great story. Seeing Madison Bumgarner pitch in the playoffs would be very exciting.

THE BEST

ATLANTA BRAVES: Before the deadline, love the Braves for signing Dallas Keuchel who was still available. Braves added lots of arms to the bullpen: Mark Melancan, Shane Greene, and Chris Martin. Braves look like a scary team before adding these arms.

HOUSTON ASTROS: Astros seem to always make the biggest splash of them all. They land Zack Grienke from the Diamondbacks. Now your starting three in the playoffs are Justin Verlnader, Gerritt Cole and Zack Greinke.Would they still have to make a starting pitching move if they held on to Charlie Morton and Dallas Keuchel? Seems like the Astros never run out of trading chips. They must grow a half acre of prospects more than any other team to land big pitchers at the trading deadline or off-season.

CLEVELAND INDIANS: The off-season, the Indians looked like they were checking out for the 2019 season. They were trading away their sluggers. They were telling their fans to enjoy the young guys while you still have a chance. The Indians should have won the World Series in 2016. Beaten by the Cubs to break the curse, means your team is cursed. The team has made the playoffs every year since. Rumors had it they were going to trade away big pitching names. They did end up trading one of them in Trevor Bauer. This trade nets them the thunder they lost in the off season as they get Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes. Indians have been rolling and caught back up to the Minnesota Twins, to get back in the thick of things.The Tribe has plenty of pitching even without disgruntled Bauer. The Indians still have Corey Kluber from the injured list. Adding Puig and Reyes who both have already twenty something homers hit this season, you have added big time power. The line up looks like another murderer’s row, beware Yankees Indians also have pitching.

PIRATES AND WHITE SOX QUIET AT THE TRADE DEADLINE

Many people thought both the Chicago White Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates should have been way more active at the trading deadline. Both teams have many assets that contenders could have used to improve the depth of their roster, trying to make a post season run. Both the White Sox and the Pirates were in the thick of things right before the all-star break. Then the second half of the season, both teams have been in a terrible tail spin. Like in the movie Blackhawk Down, the helicopters spinning out of control as both these teams’ seasons in 2019 have come to a crash landing. The year will be another burning wreackage to chalk up again at the drawing board.

THE PIRATES

The Pirates got rid of two players whose contract runs out at the end of this year. They traded pitcher Jordan Lyles to the Milwaukee Brewers. This is the second straight year the Brewers have inquired Jordan Lyles. Pirates picked up Lyles as a free agent in the dollar bin at Target during the off season. Jordan Lyles pitched well in the beginning of the season as a starter for the Pirates. Then he was riding the struggle bus as his ERA ballooned and losses piled up. The Pirates get a double A pitcher in return, Cody Ponce from the Brewers. I like this trade because you got something in return for picking a guy out of the dollar bin. Cody Ponce may not work out. But if he does, that would be huge. If he does not, no loss.

The second trade they sent Cory Dickerson to the Philadelphia Phillies for that famous player to be named later. Plus the Pirates will get some international pool money to be banked for rainy day shopping for some foreign players. Overall I’m not sure what the Pirates are planning for next year. This was a team that needed some pieces in the off season. They hardly did anything. A guy like Cody Dickerson who can swing the bat might be better to keep on your roster if your plans have you going into next year with pretty much the same roster. Even though Cody Dickerson was hurt this year, which many Pirates were. You think you would resign a left handed hitter who has been batting in the 300’s since you got him from the Rays.

THE WHITE SOX

This experiment with Nate Jones has gone on too long. He has been on the south side for eight seasons and has only been healthy for three of them. His career numbers were pretty good, that’s why they gave Nate so many chances. His record was 22-13 in 284 relief appearances with 3.12 ERA in the American League with nine saves. Nate was a flame thrower right-handed pitcher who had glimpses like a lights out back of the bull pen kind of guy. In 2014, Tommy John surgery. After that the list goes on and on.

Looks to me with both teams pretty much standing pat, they will go into 2020 with the roster they have and you imagine adding on other pieces. Both teams had other guys they could have easily traded. The offers were probably not to the teams’ liking. White Sox, I expect the rebuild will be to the next level in contending next season. They will add some free agents. They will bring up more of their young talent such as Luis Robert. They will also get their young starters back from season ending injuries. This is a good deal because it was time to move on. Perhaps a change in scenery for Nate Jones might be what the doctor ordered.

The Pirates you hope have a plan of some kind. This year both the White Sox and especially the Pirates have faced a rash of injuries. Healthy, the Pirates probably would have hovered around a little longer in the Central before sinking completely like they have. Pirates still could have used some free agents to fill their holes they had coming into the season. They still will have the same questions and same work to do this off season. If they are not going to help their own roster they have now, they should have went in a rebuild mode at the trade deadline.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

The roller coaster ride continues in Steel Town. The Pirates looked like they were abandoning ship as they went on a very long losing streak. Injuries kept piling up for the Pirates as they were running out of wooden peg-legs and hooks. They have placed over 25 players on the injured list. The starting pitching took a huge hit. With multiple losing streaks of 7 and 8 games, somehow this team patched up its ship and crept back into the thick of things. At the all-star break, they were only 2 ½ games out of the jumbled up Central.

The starting pitching was coming back slowly. Josh Bell was still carrying the team on offense launching home runs, 27 to be exact in the first half. He also leads the majors in doubles and RBI’S at the halfway point of the season, which is technically not exactly half way through the season.

Bryan Reynolds has been quite a surprise. The 24-year-old outfielder was called up to fill in with all the injuries. He’s hitting in the 300’s with 7 long balls in 67 games. He came from the Andrew McCutchen trade with the Giants. Originally, he would have been a September call up, but he arrived earlier and looks to be not wanting to go back to the farm team.

The second half of the season held another losing streak. The Pirates have fallen ten games under the 500 mark with a 46-56 record coming in with the trade deadline on the horizon. It will appear they will be sellers if they can find someone not injured to trade. Reliever Keone Kela is the big name on the block. Corey Dickerson who is going to be a free agent after this season will probably be walking the plank since Reynolds looks like the permanent staple in the Pittsburgh outfield.

The Pirates in my crystal ball, which has been broken for most of the season, will start playing better after the trade deadline. They are so streaky they make some kind of run during the dog days of summer. They will suck you back on the couch watching their games. Then they will self-implode and sink in one of the three rivers out there in Pittsburgh. Then the attention will go on Big Ben and the Steelers. Which it probably has already.

SHOULD THE WHITE SOX TRADE OFF THEIR VETERAN ASSETS AT THE DEADLINE?

At the end of the first half, beating the Cubs, the second half looked promising to the Chicago White Sox. They even had three all-star representatives. The White Sox found themselves only two games under 500. Which has been a mountain all year the team has climbed. They sometimes will be one foot away from the top of the mountain, only to slide down it quickly like in the board game of Chutes and Ladders. Sometimes this season they actually made it to the top, breathed in the fresh air, to only lose footing and fall back under the 500 mark with a tumble fashion. In the second half, they opened up losing the first six games they played on the road to find themselves in a hole they might not be able to get out. You could say the 2019 season RIP and wave the white flag. You could just be playing to have a better record than last season so you feel the rebuild is in the next stage. Should the White Sox trade some of their assets that are not part of the future? Or could some of these guys be a part of that future team when the rebuild is over?

The White Sox have some players other teams could use. Like the closer, Alex Colome, who has pitched lights out most of the season closing the door in the ninth. Then you have James McCann who you picked up cheap. No one thought he would put up the numbers he did this season. No one would bet he be in the all-star game. Then you have the first baseman, Jose Abreu, another all-star representative. He’s been the franchise’s best player since he signed with the team. He is in his last year of his contract. All three of these guys could net you some prospects. Some more fish to add to your crowded lake of prospects you already have. If you kept all three of these guys and have them in your future plans, wouldn’t your rebuild get to the final hurdle quicker?

You can say closers such as Alex Colome are streaky each year. This year he is pitching great, next season he might not be the same. So trading him while he is at top of his game can net you something good. Every team is looking for bullpen help. However If you trade him at the deadline, then you will be back to the drawing board looking again to add another closer in the off-season. Keeping Colome makes more sense to me than trading him. He is under control for the next few seasons. Plus his track record shows no injuries. Moreover, his track record shows he’s pretty steady and could anchor that bullpen for years to come. The biggest thing you have is a young pitching staff. To hold up their great performances and getting them the win late in the game when they exit, is better for their confidence than some reliever blowing the game in the ninth. Why add another closer to the to do list?

Wellington Castillo behind the plate is hot garbage. He seems like he needs his ‘roids, p-e-d’s or Flintstone vitamins as Sammy Sosa would call them, to be effective. The team brought up young Zack Collins and he started off with a big bang theory, a home run. After that… nothing. He was sent down. Saying all that, James McCann, the White Sox should keep. He is only 28 years old. Looks like he has found his stroke with the bat. You have to get excited about the way he calls a game. Lucas Giolito is striving this season, partly because of McCann behind the plate. The way he plays defense. The way he frames the pitches and gets the pitcher a few extra strike outs per game. He has a quality arm to prevent any kind of running game on the bases. Back to his offense, he drives in big runs with big hits in crucial situations.

Finally, this leaves me with Jose Abreu. This guy has been a first class type of guy since he signed from Cuba. He is the team’s best hitter. His numbers have been consistent since he came to the MLB. You could say one season his numbers dipped. His bat gives this team lots of production. Especially this season as he made the all-star game once again. Infield, I will not complain about his defense. I like his throw from first base to second base to get the double play in order. Most important he is very good with the young guys such as Eloy Jimenez and Yoan Moncada, two of your future pieces that are doing very well. You have to credit their development from Jose Abreu. Plus, he wants to stay in Chicago.

To the White Sox brass, it’s time to stay intact. You do not have to trade these three guys. We know they will not trade their young pieces such as Eloy and Yoan. I’d rather the White Sox find a deal where they could get a young guy, kind of established in the league, but not quite there yet. Like a pitcher Don Cooper could fix. Small deals out of the radar from the league. Deals that could pay off when this sucker gets into high gear. Wellington Castillo you might be able to get a bucket of balls for. Patience is a virtue as the young prospects will grow. Having the veteran presence there now is the key to this thing. Because you know they add veterans all the time when the young guys come together and get good. Does not hurt to have some as the rebuild continues to climb the mountain and eventually stay on top.

CRASH DECKER THE BULL DURHAM SEQUEL

Cody Decker’s walk off home run earlier this month goes down as a Hollywood story already done. Cody Decker’s home run won the game for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ triple AAA team called the Reno Aces. It was also Cody Decker’s walk off of his baseball career. The same way Crash Davis, in the movie Bull Durham, went out. Exactly the same way for both of them, last at-bat home run was a record setting home run in the minor leagues. It was the quietest home run hit throughout baseball. Neither will be hated like Barry Bonds, the current home run leader in the MLB. They will not be loved like the man who had the record doing it the right way, Hank Aaron. Cody Decker’s, the record for the most home runs hit in the minors, will just be a small foot note at the bottom of the sports page.

In the movie Bull Durham, Kevin Costner stars as one of the most exciting characters in Hollywood baseball movies. Yes, Field of Dreams is remarkable. Crash Davis in Bull Durham is even better than “if you build, they will come.” Crash Davis is pretty much a lifetime veteran minor league baseball catcher who had played some games in the major leagues. The plot has him bouncing around team to team trying to get back to the big show, as he calls it. He was only signed by the Durham team who had hopes he could help a young pitcher get to the majors. Eventually he helps that pitcher get to the majors. He then finds himself cut from the team so he finds another team. Playing for them, he sets the record for most home runs hit in the minors on the big screen.

Cody Decker was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2009. He did make it to the big leagues in 2015, for a brief cup of coffee. Cody played first base and after going 0-11 with one RBI he was sent back to the minors. Most players seem like they go through the Bermuda Triangle as they are never heard from again when that happens. They hang up the spikes after a few more seasons knowing they will not get back. Cody Decker never did make it back to the bigs. But he kept on truckin’ as he played for 13 different professional teams. He bounced around in 6 different MLB organizations. He played in the Kansas City, Boston, New York Mets and Colorado Rockies affiliates. Obviously drafted by San Diego and hit the home run in Arizona affiliate team when he walked off into the Minor League sunset.

Earlier this month, Cody Parker hit his 206th home run at 32 years of age. He walks off into the sunset as the active leader in home runs in the minors which took him 1,033 games to do. That’s 11 seasons batting .260 and driving 645 runs. He had his eight games in the big leagues that might have only lasted a few weeks. Did Cody have some tales of ecstasy from some minor league groupie like a Susan Sarandon type? A marathon of sex to fix your baseball swing. He may not have those stories like Crash Davis in the movie. Cody Decker is married and he has already has a plan for after baseball, with his wife Jennifer Sterger. Maybe she is the Susan Sarandon of this story as the two of them will be hosting a national radio show. It’s for a non profit organization in El Paso, Texas. Maybe this Bull Durham remake is rated PG. As we know, Crash Davis came back, and you know had some more rolls in the hay. Perhaps in-between his new position, coaching baseball after his playing days came to an end.The sequel is always worse than the original.

YANKEES DEATH STAR ALMOST FULLY OPERATIONAL

In spring training, Yankees GM said they are not operating with a fully loaded death star. Yankees just landed the American League home run leader, Edwin Encarnacion, from the Mariners. The Yankees death star now has to feel very close to fully operational with this latest move. Mariners have been in rebuild from the start of the season.They landed Edwin Encarnacion in a deal with the Indians who have been half in half out with their 2019 season. Mariners took Encarnacion for the reasons to flip him during the regular season. They flipped for a 19 year old prospect. The 27th overall prospect from the grapevine, the MLB pipeline. Juan, then a young right handed arm, could be a future piece of the Mariners starting rotation for years to come. While the Yankees have created another Murders Row with a line stacked one through nine with no easy batters to face.

This season Edwin Encarnacion is hitting only .241 with 21 home runs tallied in 65 games. The Indians brought in Edwin Encarnacion hoping he was the missing piece to get the tribe back to the World Series. Before the Indians he was part of those Blue Jays teams from 2009-2016 that made the playoffs. It was a team filled with sluggers as Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bastista made their line up scary as both of them could really mash the baseball. Encarnacion has over 400 home runs in his career at 36 years old and has a few more years where he most likely will hit over 500 long balls.

The Yankees just activated Aaron Judge from the injury list. They have Giancarlo Stanton on rehab assignment with their triple A team in which he could be back soon. Then you add Encarnacion with all the young prospects they have on the diamond this team and line up will be hard to deal with if you’re pitching against them. The Yankees have such a log jam of talent they had to send Clint Frazier down to the farm. Not for his play as he has 11 home runs this season. With this deal the Yankees are putting the finishing touches on their death star.

People will say the Yankees could use more pitching than offense. The trade deadline is a month away and they could still add some pieces to their pitching staff. The current pitching staff right now is pretty good. One or two more arms can give you that fully loaded operational death star that can blow away the competition one ball park at a time. Clint Frazier I imagine will be trade bait. He might net you a good arm for the bullpen. It just got scarier thinking what else the Bronx bombers could add to this team now, that easily should get deep in the playoffs.

When suddenly your town has an Eclipse you may not want to look at the sky. The death star will be blocking the view as they have their weapons of mass destruction pointed on your city and ballpark. Houston you have a problem. In Minnesota the Twins will send a pair to Noah’s ark to survive the Yankee clipper. Can Chris Sale of the Red Sox be the savior, the Jedi knight to save the galaxy? Or will Sale not like what he’s wearing and be too busy ripping up his clothes to defend Fenway Park? At least the Rays have another city to go to in Montreal. Yankees might be turning your ball park into a gaping hole across the league unless someone can deliver a plan to stop it.

ELOY COULD BE THE NEW EL CABALLO ON THE SOUTH SIDE

It’s been a few years that the White Sox and Cubs rivalry has not meant much, like it did in the past. It could be due to the White Sox in the middle of the rebuild. While the Cubs have won the World Series in 2016. They have made it to the playoffs since then, and before they beat the goat curse. The civil war in Chicago used to be something you looked forward to as a baseball fan. Many years before either team won the World Series, the “Crosstown Classic” was the series in Chicago. This was a way to have bragging rights obviously throughout the city. However some years, whoever took the season series seemed to always put the other team in a tail spin for the season.

This year the White Sox rebuild has progressed in many ways. Some of the talent is on the field. Most of the talent is still being developed. The team overall is looking to make that next step and get over the 500 mark. Perhaps get a winning record. The team gets to the 500 mark and can’t get over the hump. It’s like watching that classic Vietnam movie, Hamburger Hill, where the soldiers have to get over the hill to win the battle. It’s a dog fight, but the White Sox have been in plenty of them this year. They are ready to play to the next level of compettition. So bring on the Cubs. They spanked the Yankees and won the season series against a really good opponent there.

Could they beat the Cubs? Who will be the new players like a Frank Thomas, a Robin Ventura and Paul Konerko? Guys that gave the Cubs problems over the years. Perhaps the White Sox faithful would love to see a player rise up and be the ultimate Cubs killer. El Caballo, Carlos Lee, had a marvelous career in and out of the White Sox uniform. He’s last remembered for bring Scott Podsednik to the South Side when they traded Carlos to the Brewers. That was a key trade for the Sox and that 2005 championship team. Thank you El Caballo for that and all the years he took it to the Cubs.

Carlos Lee was the next Mike Schmidt, who played with the Phillies for decades. Both of these players wrecked havoc versus the lovable losers at the time, the Chicago Cubs. I remember when Carlos Lee hit a walk off grand slam versus the Cubs in the Crosstown Classic years ago which was one of my favorite all-time White Sox memories. Carlos Lee hit 39 of his 358 career home runs versus the Cubs. He drove in 109 runs and batted close to .300. If he played like that against the rest of the league, Carlos Lee would be a hall of famer on his ranch, somewhere on the outskirts of Houston, I believe.

On Tuesday night, Eloy Jimenez hit the game winning home run versus the Cubs at Wrigley. The game was tied, the White Sox had a player on base, it was the ninth inning and the Eloy home run which broke his bat put the Sox up 3-1. That was the game winner. Eloy Jimenez, who was drafted by the Cubs. Eloy Jimenez, who was the Cubs number one prospect for years before they traded him for a starting pitcher, Jose Quintana, who pitched for the White Sox.

Perhaps this is the Marvel superhero story like the Punisher. Instead of the Punisher with a skull on his shirt, it’s Eloy with a black shirt and white lettering that says Sox. His revenge to punish the Chicago Cubs for trading him, which in baseball or any sport, players want retribution for what their former team did. Could this motivation become a weapon of mass destruction versus his old team for years to come? Could Eloy be the next Carlos Lee and be the guy that put the shank in each Cubs back for years to come. Punishing them and the baseball as he mashes it more than 39 times like Carlos Lee. Cub Fans are thinking this in the back burner in their minds. White Sox fans are out for blood. To make the Cubs south side road kill once again. For now Cubs fans can watch their team on top of the National League Central. Deep down they know what is materializing on the Southside. Deep down Eloy will haunt the Cubs Faithful. Like Freddy Krueger and it will be a nightmare all over again on Clark and Addison. Carlos Lee’s ghost now is running through Eloy Jimenez, the new El Caballo. Cub Fans be aware.

ANGELS MAKING HISTORY AT THE TROP

If a record is set at the Tropicana, home of the Devil Rays, does it make a sound ? I owe ten dollars to swear jar for saying Devil Rays. If the Tampa Bay Rays ever move out of the Trop and get a new stadium atleast the Angels have made history, in the worst ballpark in baseball. On Thursday night two Angels made history against the Rays and it was not Mike Trout.

First Albert Pujols, former Cardinal who is still playing out his very long contract, probably into his 50’s. His home run he hit on Thursday night joined a small list of players in baseball history. He becomes the sixth player to hit 200 home runs with two different teams. Well worth the money the Angels spent on this guy. No world series trophies, but tee shirt sales could be on the rise.

Then the record that will overshadow Albert is what the young 24 year Japanese phenom did in the DH slot. Shohei Ortani in his second year with the Angels a two way player who can pitch and bat in which he is pretty good at both. His pitching led to Tommy John surgery. Which resulted his 2019 season was delayed from his recovery. Looks like the Angels will only play him in the DH slot while his arm recovers. No pitching is planned for the 2019 season.

On Thursday Shohei Orthani hit for the cycle which is one of hardest things to do in one game. It’s been done to death most will say. In baseball history that goes back a very long time, new records can come out on any given day or night at the ole ballpark. Thursday night versus the Rays at the Trop of all places. Shohei Ohtani becomes the first Japanese born player to accomplish hitting for the cycle. Last time an Angel player hit for cycle was you know it, Mike Trout in 2013. Chone Figgens last Angel on the road to hit for the cycle, back in 2006. Meanwhile Ohtani has 8 home runs for the season in 31 games. Im sure Trout and Ohtani will have many more records for the Angels together as teammates. Albert Pujols will also rack up a few more records, when he finishes out his life term in the Angels system.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

The June swoon is happening in Pittsburgh as the Pirates 2019 season is slowly sinking. The first two months of the season, the Pirates’ starting pitching has kept this team threading water. The front office, with their bandaid job in the off season, was hoping this team would stay afloat. Water has quickly broken through and cheapness is reflecting off the terrible owner’s face in Pittsburgh. A team that needed some pieces to keep up with the rest of the National League Central. It was a team that showed you some flashes of great baseball last season. But they needed to fill in the holes and create some depth on the roster. As you can see, the dollar bin way of things has failed.

The biggest key to the Pirates belly flop has been injuries. The wheels on the bus have come off, losing their key to their success in starting pitching. Jameson Tailon and Trevor Williams, two anchors of the staff, landing on the DL. Then Jordan Lyles, who has done well, has found his way on the DL. Suddenly your ACE is not Ventura-like, as Chris Archer is getting roughed up. Pirates now have the fourth worst ERA in baseball. The Bullpen has the third highest ERA in baseball. Injuries have gutted this team as they have had 12 pitchers this season already on the DL. The Pirates have 23 appearances on the DL report which has to be the highest in MLB this season.

The offense has not been great either. Many of the position players have been the walking wounded. Gregory Polanco has finally made it back from dealing with his own injuries and is still trying to find his swing. Jung Ho Kang has been horrible. It took Starling Marte a long time to get his swing back in the right form. Too many injuries have this team in the bottom of the league in runs scored. Guys like Dickerson and Frazier help set the table for the middle of the order, but they have been sidelined with injuries.

In terrible seasons, you usually do have a few players that have a great seasons. The few bright spots to inspire one to go out to watch this team play.

Josh Bell has already belted out 19 home runs and has driven in 61 in 2019. He is batting .325 for the year as well.

Pirates find themselves in last place in the Central at 30-38.They have lost seven straight. They are only 2-8 in their last ten contests. If this keeps up, the Pirates will be selling off more pieces by the trade deadline. The way the owner runs this team, it is a shame because this team could have been in the thick of things, if they would have opened their wallets. They could have improved the depth of this team and filled in their holes without doing it on the fly and the cheap. Can you build around a few of these guys like Chris Archer and a Josh Bell? Or do the Pirates need to go in full rebuild, tear everything down and start from scratch. Last time they did that, it took this organization a very long time to build something good. Can you trust they can do a good job? Maybe the team will have a sudden resurgence when they get a few of their pitchers back in the next few weeks, to get things back on track. Don’t hold your breath because the 2019 season was doomed from the start.

PAIR OF FREE AGENTS FINALLY SIGN

Two quality free agent arms finally found homes this week. Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel stayed on the free agent market all winter and into the 2019 season. Two guys that wanted a big deal to get done. Two guys that wanted years and the big money added to their future nest eggs. The deals both of them were offered over the winter, must have been small potatoes. The amount of money they signed for in June with their new teams, is obviously not what they wanted either. With the draft compensation not attached to either player from their original team, it was all about money now to get one of these players. Neither the Chicago Cubs or the Atlanta Braves will have to give up one of their own draft picks because that expired, since a few months of regular season has gone by.

The Atlanta Braves find themselves only two games out of first place. Clinging on to the Phillies’ back like one of those pilot fish that attach themselves to sharks. With a younger pitching staff with some talent, a much needed veteran starter like Dallas Keuchel makes sense. In parts of the seasons, every team falls on hard times. A veteran like Dallas Keuchel can teach the young arms how to avoid bad pitching outings for longer periods of time. To refocus on what has been working. It also brings a talented piece to your rotation right now. A guy that can win big games. Former Cy Young winner. The Braves were a playoff team last season, and this gives them one spot in the series. This is the guy that pitches a few of those big games. He can pitch over 200 innings a year, that allows your bullpen not to be overused. It’s only a one year deal so this is not a risky move, which has a higher ceiling of working well rather than not working at all.

The Chicago Cubs desperately needed a closer and the signing of Craig Kimbrel is a big move. This move just cost money which the Cubs cry poor, but they are printing money in Wrigley. They do not have to get rid of any of their prospects whereas other deals have emptied out their farm system in other deals over the years. The Cubs are in a dog fight with the Brewers for the Central. This move keeps the Brewers from getting Kimbrel, who was kicking the tires on the spread eagle pitcher wind up. Most importantly, this gives the Cubs somebody in the back of the rotation to close the door in the ninth inning. All year, the Cubs bullpen has ridden the struggle bus with a rotating door of arms trying to win close games, but falling short. In 2016 the Cubs had Aroidis Chapman, a one year rental, who they used to get through the second half of the season and playoffs. Finally through the World Series. This time around they have Craig Kimbrel for three years at 42 million dollars.

Both moves by both teams in this situation are very good. You have two pitchers with chips on their shoulders. Two big arms that did not get a deal in the off season that they expected. They are not getting chump change this year. You could say in the baseball world this is chump change in their pockets. Dallas Keuchel can showcase his talents this season because he is going right back out on the free agent market when the season ends. Will he put up better numbers than his record at 12-11 and 3.74 ERA? The Yankees were seeking Keuchel’s talents and it is good to see they struck out. Remember when the Yankees could get whoever they wanted at any time? I like Dallas Keuchel going to the National League too. He should put up better numbers not having to pitch to the American league DH.

Craig Kimbrel might even have a bigger chip on his shoulder than Dallas Keuchel. You help the Boston Red Sox win the World Series. During the World Series, the Red Sox had Chris Sale close out a game. Then your former team, the Red Sox, probably never even called you in the off season. Like waiting for that girl to call you after the one date you thought went so well. Craig Kimbrel had 42 saves last year in the American League. He had a low 2.74 era to go along with that. Those are pretty good numbers and nothing to sneeze at. I can see Craig Kimbrel using what happened in Boston and looking to prove, to them and himself, that he is one of the best closers in the game. Walk on water Cubs President of operations, Theo Epstein, has moves like this usually work well. In the next few weeks we will see how these moves pan out. We probably will see more free agents not get the money they expect. Will this be better for the game of baseball? It probably will not lower the price of a beer at the stadium. However more players may sign longer extensions that could keep your team intact longer.

BILL BUCKNER DEFINITELY HAS THE MOST CONTACTS 

The MLB lost one of its greats this week in Bill Buckner, at the age of 69. If you looked up “baseball player” in the dictionary, it would show his picture. A first baseman left handed hitter who was a pure contact hitter and hardly ever struck out. You can’t say that in today’s game of baseball. Bill Buckner died from his battle with dementia and was taken from earth way too soon. He played 22 years in the majors as he came out to play every game no matter what. He showed, in his career, grit and determination playing through aches and pain. He was career .289 hitter with over 2715 hits in the majors. His legacy will always be remembered for the ball that went through his legs in the 1986 World Series.

It was the Mets versus the Red Sox in the World Series that year. Red Sox needed one more win to beat the great curse of the Bambino set back in 1918. It was an October night with Bill Buckner playing first base for the Red Sox, on road at New York’s Shea Stadium. Mookie Wilson came up to bat and hit a slowly rolled ground ball. Billy Buckner just made a mistake on it, it went through his legs and scored the winning run. Mets took game six. The Mets eventually took game seven. It was the play of Bill Buckner that actually helped the Red Sox get that far in the first place. The man was harrassed by fans and the media. For years later, Bill Buckner had to be constantly reminded about that one stinking ground ball. The play that people marked his legacy by. The sad way in life, how people can be so cruel. All the threats and jokes just because of a mistake in a game.

Bill Buckner I saw close up, as he was hitting coach for the team I rooted for in the White Sox in the late 1990s. As a kid I saw Bill Buckner play for the Chicago Cubs in the early 1980’s. He was the batting champion in 1980, the year he made his only all-star appearance. Over the years the Cubs had some pretty good first basemen. They won the World Series with Anthony Rizzo who still plays for the Cubs presently. You could say he was not playing with a full deck of cards, calling out pitchers who throw to him. Gets riled up like a wrestler as he’s about to be interviewed by Mean Jean. Then you had Rafael Palmeiro who wagged his finger to Congress and denied his steroid use. Later he was busted with a positive steroid test. Then Leon Durham, another firstbasemen, the ball found its way through his legs in game less importance than Bill Buckners play. He loved sniffing the candy. Then Mark Grace who finally won in Arizona. He had a great career in Chicago, but always has parting shots about the Cubs organization. He racked up some DUI’s that cost him a job in broadcasting. So you can say Bill Buckner was, from the 1980’s on, probably one of the best firstbasemen the Cubs had. At least the one with the most common sense.

If you look at Bill Buckner’s numbers they are quite impressive. His numbers in certain categories are better than players enshrined in Cooperstown. With the career .289 batting average and 2715 hits he drove in 1208. He scored over a thousand runs. In 1980, the year he won the batting champion as he only struck out 18 times in 615 plate appearances. He never struck out more than twice in any game he played throughout his career. From 1977 to 1982 he only averaged 21 strikeouts in a season of 162 games. That is a lot of contact. In his whole career he never struck out more than 39 times in a season. Good things happen when you make contact. The Kansas City Royals won it a few years ago because they had a team of Bill Buckners, always putting the ball in play. These days most of the the player’s offense is the home run or they will strike out. The numbers of strikeouts are on the rise each year. The stat to me that I was very impressed by regarding Bill Buckner and his hitting clinic was in the 1970’s and 1980s. He had the second most hits in both of those decades. The king of hits, Pete Rose, was number one in those two decades.

Finally in 2004, the Red Sox nation finally forgave Bill Buckner since they broke the curse of the great bambino. They beat the Cardinals that season. Then won again in 2008. Bill Buckner had his day as he forgave those people that constantly were on his case. He should have never had to apologize for that one play, which he would have made 9 out of ten times. The man showed his determination through the thick and thin times of his playing career. Then to walk back out in Fenway park and let bygones be bygones, shows he is better in his heart than most people in society. So many people take America’s past time to a level of hate and anger. Some take it to a violent stage. It’s the old “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt” him. Bill Buckner, as a player, as a husband, and father will be missed. He is probably in heaven playing in a few pick up games with the greats like Babe Ruth and Shoeless Joe Jackson. I think I have to put him on the list as one of the best mustaches in sports as well.

THE WILD SHAMROCK FIRST OUTING OUT IN  2019 AT THE OLE BALL PARK

Our first baseball game of 2019 had us in Chicago at the ole Guaranteed Rate field. Known as the Cell, previous to the arrow going down as the rate logo and then the new Comisky Park before then. Home of the Chicago White Sox. It was a big matchup between two heavy weights in the American league. Toronto Blue Jays invading the good guys at the rate. Both teams are in the middle of full rebuilds.The White Sox have been in their own rebuild quite awhile, and Toronto is more at the beginning of theirs.

It was a very cold spring Friday night with rain in the forecast. We knew coming in, the White Sox are that team that can be off one night and on the next night. They won on Thursday night so on this Friday we were thinking we might be in a world of trouble. However we knew the Blue Jays are nothing special so we had some high hopes it was going to be a pretty good game.

We were very wrong. It was one of those games where you feel like you wasted your money and time. The very first inning, Justin Smoak hit a towering home run in the right field bleachers not too far from where we were sitting. For the White Sox, Ivan Nova was on the bump and he came off a previous outing versus the Blue Jays where he was very impressive. The former Pirate was awful on this night as the Blue Jays owned him as they scored off him in the first three innings of this contest. In rebuilds, you need beer. Thank God for the goose head in right field. The holy grail to keep warm. The stuff that would make the game better especially in a blow out where your team is getting destroyed. This was by far classified as a def-con 4. Drink craft beers and drink plenty.

WHAT EXCITED US IN THIS MATCH UP?

The two guys I wanted to see play in this game were the two biggest prospects, one from each team. Eloy Jimenez from the White Sox. Vlad Guerrero Jr. for the Jays.

Eloy Jimenez would have to wait another time for us to see him live as he is currently on the DL. My other choice for the White Sox was Tim Anderson who is off to a great start this season. Saw him grab one in the hole at short and threw out a Blue Jay runner on very nice defensive play. Also got to see local kid Charlie Tilson who played out in right where we were sitting. He had one hit in this lopsided affair.

Vlad Guerrero Junior who could be called chunky butt. Looks like a Tony Gwynn style of body. I saw Valad Guerrero play in Montreal years ago. Thought he was something special. Like father like son, Vlad Guerro Junior launched a mammoth fly ball to center. It probably would have stayed in the park but bounced off the White Sox outfielder’s glove and went over the fence for a home run. Leury Garcia made a nice effort but it was that kind of night as the Blue Jays dominated.

THE GAME

Both starting pitchers for both teams did not last that long. Both each pitched three innings. White Sox were down 7-0 and finally got on the board in the bottom of third with a pair of runs. Toronto scored a pair in the top of the next inning to let the air out of the sails in that comeback attempt.

The White Sox 3rd 4th and 5th batter in line up, the meat of the order was 0-11.

The Blue Jays lineup, I only recognized two names Justin Smoak and Vlad Gurerro Jr.who both did well. The whole lineup managed 10 runs on a cold night with two long balls.

After the skies opened up and the rain came down in this contest, we quickly retreated to the Craft Kave.

We finished the game under the right field stands in the bar where you watch the game looking out on to the field from the fence level. You are looking through glass and the fence in right to see the action. When it is warmer, it’s very cool and they have the glass doors up.

Nothing changed as the Blue Jays continued to hold on to this game that was over before the rain came down. We did get some nice pictures of the Blue Jay outfielder making a nice play at the fence in right field. We were surrounded by many Blue Jay fans.

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Did not think they even had that many fans. The three horsemen stayed the whole game. Thanks to the help of great food and plenty of craft beers to wash out the bad tase in our mouths, we watched our own team performing the way they did.

After the game we went bar hopping. Even peed in a keg urinal at a bar named Turtles by the ballpark.

It was that kind of night at the ole ball park. Win lose we drink and eat until we are kicked out of the establishment. It’s our motto.

THE SOUTHSIDER  WEEKLY REVIEW

The month of April has been like a roller coaster ride for the White Sox. They finish the month with a 12-14 record. Out of the gates they started an awful 3-5 and gave a few games away. Since then they have been playing 500 with a 9-9 record. However they are still giving away games which they should have and could have won. They are 5-5 in their last ten games which should be better. Especially when the White Sox have been playing teams like the Orioles, Tigers and Royals. Against those teams the White Sox need a much better record. When they start playing better teams, will they crumble like they did with the Rays and Mariners? I did like what they did in New York. Taking the series in the Bronx against a team expected to get deep in the playoffs.

The month of April has good, plenty of bad, and some ugly moments all lumped up. Let’s try to dissect this team to see what’s working and what needs to be blown up. Can we get mad because the White Sox are in a rebuild? Some of their players do not think they are in a rebuild mode. Especially the way this division has played that they call the American Central. When the White Sox have been playing well they look like a team that could compete in the Central. Not buying what the Twins are selling. Indians want to be in a rebuild. Tigers and Royals are in a full rebuild. Lots of roster shuffling the first month on the Southside, which could be a good thing.

THE UGLY

Yolmer Sanchez’s defense is a gate to another world of bad.

He makes an error and it opens up another portal for bad demons that come out and torment the White Sox.

Dan Palka

Last season I compared Dan Palka to one of my favorite White Sox greats, the hammer Dan Pasqua. Last year Palka was knocking the cover off the ball. Huge home runs in crunch-time. I thought for sure he was going to stick on the roster, start off slow, and get his groove. He could not hit a ball the size of a beach ball if it was thrown to him. He was sent down to the minors to work on the swing.

THE BAD

Sometime you go fishing in the dollar bin at the store and you think you may have found a gem. When you get home, you’re totally disappointed. There’s a reason why it is in the dollar bin in the first place. White Sox picked a Ervin Santana and already brought it out to the curb to junk it.

In three starts, Ervin Santana pitched 13 innings. Surrendered 19 hits in which 14 runs were scored. Sanford and Son may salvage him for another day. Now who’s the Big Dummy? The White Sox have money. Ahem… Dallas Keuchel is available.

TOO FRAGILE

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WHITE SOX PROSPECTS?

Every number one prospect the White Sox bring up gets hurt. Last year Michael Kopech looked good then blew out his arm. This year Eloy Jimenez was exciting to watch every time he came upto the plate. He hit only .241 in first month. His first month with the big club 19 hits.Three long balls. Eight driven in. Then he gets hurt high ankle sprain. We will have to wait and see how he does when he comes off the injured reserve list in probably six weeks.

THE GOOD

Tim Anderson is playing exceptionally well. Not a big fan of the bat flip. He still has hard times with some easy routine plays on defense. He makes many web gems out at short stop, which he makes look easy. With the bat he has been a force to reckon with. Out of the gates he is batting .375 with already six long balls. He has scored 21 runs while driving in 18 in the month of April. He can steal some bases. He can get your team in a brawl. Ask the Royals.

It took Tim Anderson a very long time to arrive to the Majors. You can see improvement from him every year. You can see him becoming a team leader. He is also coming up with some huge hits as well. He already has a walk off. He’s definitely the MVP of the month of April. You have to feel good that the White Sox have one of the hardest positions solidified in this “rebuild not rebuild” as the players call it. Having the short stop position for years to come is huge thing off the to do list. Maybe it’s a blessing the incentive laced contract the Sox offered, did not lure Manny Machado.

Overall I do like how the White Sox seem never out of game. You have to give them credit, when they are down they seem to make some kind of a comeback. Sucks to get down by so many runs with some of the starting pitching throwing garbage. I loved how they came back when down 8-1 versus the Tigers and won that 12-11. The White Sox so far are very fun to watch. If they can figure out how to to tweak a few things, they could make some noise in the Central.

THE BUCKO REVIEW

The Pirates have been quietly having a pretty good month to start the 2019 season. They have sneaked into first place in the Central with a 12-6 record. They are 7-3 in their last ten games. They have a five game winning streak going on. What has been their recipe for success so far this season? It’s been all about their starting rotation that has this team succeeding early on. It seemed like the only team they could beat early on was the Reds. Now they have shown they are beating any team they play that’s on their schedule.

We know the Pirates have two studs in their rotation. Chris Archer and Jameson Taillon are ace venturas. The other three guys in the rotation have done awesome. Joe Musgrove has been pitching lights out. Trevor Williams is off to a good start. How about the performance of Jordan Lyles? The Pirates picked him up in the off season at the flea market, haggled the vendor down, and he has shown you he’s a bang for the buck they are paying him. He is 2-0 with 0.53 ERA in three starts. Musgrove has 0.81 ERA. The Pirates by far have the best starting five in the National League. They have the second best ERA in the league at 1.97. Only the Tampa Bay Rays are better then the Pirates’ starting five.

The Pirates need their starting five to continue to do well because they have their own MASH unit. The latest Starling Marte is heading to the DL. He is off to a slow start, but he is so valuable to the everyday line up. The good news is Gregory Polanco is starting a rehab assignment. Polanco was the Pirates’ biggest offensive threat last year as he lead the team in just about everything. Hopefully the Pirates’ position players can get well soon and get back in the lineup. Meanwhile the starters need to hold down the fort while their big bats heal.

JUNG HO KANG: Kang is the beast of the week with his bat heating up. Three home runs and he has driven in seven so far. Kang started off slow and looked like he needed a few stiff drinks.

THE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

JORDAN LYLES: The Pirates traded away Nova in the off season. They pick up Lyles from the dollar bin and he looks like a CY young candidate.

MY DOG CARLOS

When Carlos Zambrano was pitching for the Chicago Cubs, I compared him to Roy Munson from Kingpin. Especially the part when Roy Munson, who is played by Woody Harrelson, is sitting at the bar. Then Munson suddenly lashed out to a complete stranger next to him.

“Who you callin’ a psycho?” he asks.

Carlos Zambrano was a three-time all-star in his major league career. He won 132 games in the big leagues. He was a part of back to back playoff teams in 2007 and 2008 with the Chicago Cubs. No one remembers that. They remember a guy like Roy Munson lashing out at people for no reason. Last time he pitched was back in 2012 with the Marlins. You think you’re done hearing about guys like Carlos Zambrano. If Jason can come back to life and do almost a dozen movies of him chasing people around in hockey masks, then why not let these X Cubs names resurface. This is not about if Sammy Sosa finally learned English again that he had forgotten in front of congress. This is about crazed dog foaming at the mouth, Carlos Zambrano, wanting to pitch again.

Carlos Zambrano has seen the light. A youth conference he attended in Venezuela, started his inner faith with the lord. He has climbed the mountain and got stoned with Moses. Maybe he hung out with Jonah inside the Whale on Noah’s Ark. God is in the man’s life and told Carlos baseball is where you belong. You can say Carlos is on a mission from God. The 37 year old who turns 38 in June is on a comeback to get back in the game. He has already started his journey and pitched in Winter ball in the Mexican league. He does not want to be a starter like he once was. He wants to come out of the bullpen and get back to the Majors, possibly play for the Cubs again.

You do not go from pitching Mexican winter ball, right to the Majors. Zambrano is coming back to Chicago to pitch for an independent league team in Rosemont, Illinois. They even named the team after him and call themselves the Dogs. Originally it had a logo of a hot dog. Zambrano, who probably has a cult following still in Cub Land, is hoping he will get support from those fans. He’s hoping the second part of his journey will lead him back to the majors.

Will Carlos Zambrono have to pack enough prozac to get through even a Minor league schedule? Does the pitching coach have to talk nice and calm and slow when he goes out to the mound to tell Crazy Joe Davola what he should pitch to the next batter.

This is the same guy that had a fist fight with his own catcher. Marty Barrett, I bet you is not his facebook friend, for that incident in 2007. Carlos even went after other teammates. The biggest black mark he left in his career was when he abruptly retired after getting ejected from a game versus Atlanta. He drilled Chipper Jones. He then proceeded to scream at the umpire. Then he assaulted the Gatorade jug and left. Like a little kid taking his ball and going home. Then Theo Espstei,n one of his first ever moves was ridding the Cubs of this mental distraction that plagued the Cubs. I would consider since the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, Zambrano and those teams were some of the dark days of that organization.

The Chicago Dogs will be adding a pure junkyard dog to their roster. A junk yard dog who has probably been neutered several times over. The Dogs will have more fannies in the seats with this move. They will probably sell more hot dogs as well. This does not have that feel good story of one of those athletes you root for in a comeback attempt. It has the feel of wanting the car wreck in a race. Wanting the two goons on the ice to drop the gloves. Like Mike Tyson chewing off someone’s ear. Not sure how many people will be looking at how many players Carlos strikes out. Would Vegas have a line set up for how many melt downs over and under? I will bet on over as Carlos will lose his mind at some point, I’m guessing around the festivius pole, in July fireworks will explode.

MLB RECORD BROKEN

The thing I love about baseball besides the game is the rich history of the sport. It’s a sport that has been around and America’s past time for it seems forever. Every season you still see some old record be broken. The 2019 baseball season has just started as it is not even two weeks old yet. The Seattle Mariners already broke a team record. Yes it looked like the Mariners were on a rebuild trading many of their great players. The stuff they got back in return and the players they kept, the Mariners have started this season off with a 13-2 record right out of the gates. In each game at least one player has hit a home run. That is 15 games which is a new record breaking the 2002 Cleveland Indians who had 14 consecutive games to start a season.

Chicks would love the Mariners right now.

Remember Jay Bruce? The former Red. Now he is like a DJ on WKRP in Cincinnati traveling up and down the dial.

Jay Bruce is not Dr.Johnny Fever. However Jay Bruce has been traveling from team to team. This year he is with the Mariners and he already has seven long balls. Jay Bruce has friends in low places as his teammate Dan Vogelbach has 5 homeruns. The Mariners have three guys that have 4 homeruns. You might recognize Edwin Encarnacion. Also Domingo Santana and Tim Beckham. Mitch Hanniger tied the team record with one of his three homeruns in game 14. Former White Sox catcher was traded to Mariners in off season, Omar Narvaez, already has two home runs. Then Dee Gordon rarely hits a home run. He got a lead off homer that led off the game and broke the team record held by the Indians as now the Mariners own it.

THE RECORD BOOK

1. 2019 SEATTLE MARINERS 15 GAMES

2. 2002 CLEVELAND INDIANS 14 GAMES

3. 2017 DETROIT TIGERS/ 1957 CHICAGO CUBS 13 GAMES

4. FIVE TEAMS WITH 12

2013 NEW YORK METS, 2001 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

2007 TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (PUT A DOLLAR IN THE SWEAR JAR YOU SAID DEVIL), 1997 COLORADO ROCKIES, 1986 CINCINNATI REDS

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

In 1987 the folks of Lake Forest a suburb outside Chicago witnessed man versus nature. It was not the Texas chainsaw massacre. It was the Lake Forest chainsaw massacre. Well known actor Mr.T had a chain saw and he pitied the fool that would mess with his mission to knock down over a 100 trees on his own 7 acre property. The town was in an uproar. Decades later we now have another celebrity, a baseball player, making trouble in neighborhood . It’s not what is being knocked down, it is all about what is going up in a suburb outside Chicago, Evanston, Illinois. Yu Darvish’s installation of the cedar Berlin wall around his mansion is making his neighbors hostile. Perhaps they might be Cub fans and may now walk to the Sox side of town.

Yu Darvish was a free agent pitcher signed by the Chicago Cubs in 2018. He was paid an Ace Ventura type of money in a six year contract worth 126 million dollars. Maybe Donald Trump could use some of his money for his wall on the borderof Mexico. Perhaps Yu can recommend his contractor too. Yu Darvish is not off to a great start in Chicago. He seems like he is in the same boat with Steve Bartman as the hatred of this guy is really growing intensely. This was before he installed his fence around his mansion he built. Arm problems in 2018 sidelined Yu Darvish most of the season. This year if he gets through 4 innings with under six runs, people in the Cubs organization think he’s bouncing back to his old self. Things not going well for him, he might need protection from the locals who could come after him with pitch forks and torches.

In Evanston, Illinois the town is very strict on their zoning laws especially when it comes to fences on your own property. For the Darvishes to be able to get a fence in the first place, they needed approval by the neighbors. Evanston has water front properties by Lake Michigan that gives your back yard a breathe taking view. The Darvishes did get an agreement with their neighbors the Eylers for them to build a fence. The Eylers believed the Darvishes were going to install a wrought iron fence. Which makes sense because it’s a fence that is not going obstruct their view. In the end the Darvishes bamboozled their neighbors who were thinking a wrought Iron fence the whole time. Instead the Darvish cedar wall came up and now blocks the Eylers view. It’s like when the Cubs block the rooftop owners with the new renovations of the ballpark.

Like Ronald Reagan said to the Russian President, “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall.”

Craig and Alexis Eyler want the Darvishes to please tear down this fence. Feeling like they were treated, the Eylers are taking this to court. The Eylers have a pretty good case for the Darvish wall to fall. Eylers have a cited easement on their property. It dates back to the 1940’s. It says and grants the Eylers property an unobstructed view of the lake. Maybe Judge Judy will have this case in her court when it takes place in July. That sucks for the Eylers because that is all of spring and most of the summer looking at the Darvish wall. If the Eylers win their case in court versus the Darvishes. If Yu Darvish continues to struggle on the mound. Can you picture all those angry Cub fans throwing things and spitting on Steve Bartman when that incident took place? The rage of the Cubby blue will be over at Eyler’s house with their sledge hammers knocking over this cedar fence. Perhaps they use the wood after with a bonfire off the lake. Darvishes will need a tank of some kind to defend their mansion. The best scenario would give Mr. T another chainsaw and have him go to work on the fence. I like when a plan comes together.

THE SOUTHSIDERS WEEKLY REVIEW

In week one on the Southside of Chicago, I have seen some good, bad, and very ugly things going on with this team. The White Sox failed to land one of the big fish on the free agent market. They were very busy in the off season retooling the roster with all sorts of moves. I expected a better start than what I have seen from the Chi Sox performances, off to a 3-5 start.

White Sox record 3-5 after the first 8 games.

The first thing I will get to is the bad followed up with the ugly. I save the good news for last.

THE BAD

Looking at the 2019 roster and the depth of the starting line up the team still has holes.

The Bullpen young guys are unproven. They brought back most of their young guys from last season. The inexperience they have is a glaring weakness. Some of these guys did well last season with no pressure on them. In the first 8 games with something to play for, their lefties who are their specialists, are not frightening. Stand there with the bat on your shoulder and you will be walked. It is time to say good bye to Nate Jones. This guy is living off the one great inning he threw five thousand years ago.

On the field this team has holes. In center field, Adam Engel can’t hit a lick. Leury Garcia, your average utilty guy, is nice with the bat but on the field, prone to a few mistakes. He also strikes out too much in key situations. Yolmer Sanchez can earn the bone headed player of lots of games so far. Yolmer has made some great plays. He has come up with big hits. Do the mistakes cost the team more than his heroics? This everyday line up has too many weaknesses. Too many strike outs.

THE UGLY

The ugly has arrived early this season like last season. It’s not winning ugly, this is the Bad news Bears style… what’s going on after 8 games. Yolmer Sanchez, easy plays he did not make and opened up big innings for the opponents. Plus the team is getting blowing out again. It’s a streak of games during which the White Sox have gotten their arses kicked. This happened last year where I thought this team needed the rule of the slaughter it was so very bad.

Then managing the game. Do the White Sox have another wrong guy as their manager? Ricky Returia is far better than Robin Ventura in managing. But in the game versus the Indians, the team took a 3-1 game lead in the 8th inning on the road. The White Sox back end of the bullpen looks marvelous. The brass went out and got a set up reliever in Kelvin Herrera and traded for Alex Colome, a closer. Ricky throws in one of his young specialist lefties who walks the first batter and all hell breaks out and the team loses the game. Why the hell did you go out and get guys for the 8th and 9th inning if you’re not going to use them?

THE GOOD

The presence of Eloy Jimenez in the line up is well worth watching. He is taking his lumps but at the same time he is being productive. He’s getting experience every game he plays. He will eventually learn the pitchers in the whole league. He’ll get better as time goes on and the more pitches he sees, he will be able to improve his weaknesses. I have a great feeling Eloy will have a steady improvement after each week and become the superstar the White Sox want him to be.

Alex Colome is a very angry man. He looks angry on the mound when he comes in to pitch. He has nasty stuff and he is one hell of a closer that the White Sox need with young pitching staff. He gets my player of the week.

Out of the White Sox two wins, Alex Colome has two saves. He has five strike outs and he goes after the best hitters on the opposing teams. Just hope he will get more opportunities. Hate to see a closer rot away on the bench as the team can’t get a lead late in the game.

MIA

Still waiting on Jon Jay debut as he is on the DL. Plus Manny Machada pet groomer is due in at Sox Park at some point to make his debut on dog day. All the Machado family minus the meat in Manny.

THE BUCKO WEEKLY REVIEW

After the first week of the 2019 baseball season Pirates find themselves in second place in the NL Central.

5-3 record after eight games.

The fist week in Pirate land has been all about their pitching staff early going. Then add in beating up on the Reds with a 4 game sweep and that is why the record is at 5-3.

Yesterday the Pirates concluded their 4 game sweep of the Reds. Plus had some altercations with the men from Cincinnati. Tempers flared with some hit batters and some throwing behind the batter. Derek Dietrich of the Reds admiring his two home runs watching the mammoth shots he hit, flying out of the stadium and into the river. Yasiel Puig was very feisty as he was one of the ejected players in this melay. In the end, the Pirates prevailed while the Reds live with the people under the stairs in last place.

ALL ABOUT THE PITCHING

Pirates starters have been impressive so far. Joe Musgrave with a stellar performance in his first start. Chris Archer and Jameson Taillon, the two aces of the staff have razzle and put the dazzle on batters. The bullpen is off to a great start preserving the lead or keeping the score the same as the starters exit.

BATS HAVE NOT HEATED UP TO THAT STEEL TYPE TEMPS YET

The Pirates bats have been hot and cold. Too cold in my opinion. Starling Marte has been off to a slow start as the team’s best player by far. Jung Ho Kang who looks like he needs a drink or two in the batters box. Erik Gonzalez is still trying to find his swing as he too is off to a slow start.

The power has been coming from the big man Josh Bell who has two home runs. Adam Frazier is swinging a good bat with his first home run in the lead off spot yesterday. The signing of Melky Cabrera, the Melk man, is still delivering with a .391 batting average.

I give Melky as my player of the week for the Pirates. The way he is swinging the bat. Plus how his security in crowd control in yesterday’s melay with the Reds.

MIA

Pirates have three guys they could use on the DL. Cory Dickerson who swung the bat well last season is out.Gregory Polanco has been out for awhile. Plus Pirates are waiting on Lonnie Chisenhall debut.

It’s a shame the Pirates did not add more to this roster already in place. This team could use some help in a few positions. Maybe the return of the injured will help put this team in a better position. However I would have loved to have seen another player or two with what they have and the injured players back forming a nice solid team . Then I think things would really get interesting in the NL Central.

THE WILD SHAMROCK 2019 MLB PREDICTIONS

DIVISION WINNERS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

AL EAST: NEW YORK YANKEES

AL CENTRAL: MINNESOTA TWINS

AL WEST: HOUSTON ASTROS

DIVISION WINNERS

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL EAST: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

NL CENTRAL:MILWAUKEE BREWERS

NL WEST: LA DODGERS

WILD CARDS

AMERICAN LEAGUE: OAKLAND ATHLETICS/TAMPA BAY RAYS

NATIONAL LEAGUE: ATLANTA BRAVES/ WASHINGTON NATIONALS

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

HOUSTON ASTROS VERSUS NEW YORK YANKEES

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

MILWAUKEE BREWERS VERSUS ATLANTA BRAVES

WORLD SERIES MATCHUP

MILWAUKEE BREWERS VERSUS HOUSTON ASTROS

WORLD SERIES WINNER

THE BREW CREW

PLAYER AWARDS

MVP’S

AL: MIKE TROUT ANGELS

NL:CHRISTIAN YELICH BREWERS

CY YOUNG

AL:GERRIT COLE ASTROS

NL:JACOB DEGROM METS

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

AL:ELOY JIMENEZ WHITE SOX

NL:FERNADO TATIS JR. PADRES

HOME RUN KING

JOEY GALLO RANKERS

HOME RUN DERBY WINNER

AARON JUDGE YANKEES

MANAGERS OF THE YEAR

AL:KEVIN CASH RAYS

NL:CRAIG COUNSELL

THE CHEAPER PAIR OF SOX

The White Sox this off season was the ultimate tease to the fans. Rumors had the second team in Chicago involved in all sorts of free agents. The team brought in some guys from trades such as Ivan Nova from the Pirates. Plus Yonder Alonso from the Indians. They even showed some razzle with acquiring Alex Colome and then they hooked line and sinker you with the signing of Kelvin Herrera, one of the top relievers in the game. Then White Sox acted like your X-girlfriend playing you like a fool. Your brain was full of mush. You only thought about the good stuff. The bad history between your relationship with this team was suddenly forgotten. Your heart was rapidly pumping with joy that something good was going to happen. Your mind was in a trance from her breasts. At the end, those two boobs Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams, did it again. Ripped your heart out and stole your baseball season like the Grinch stealing your Christmas.

White Sox showed they have no dazzle as they had a chance to make a big splash for this team and its fans. They could not land either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, both of them 26 years old. Both of them in their prime of their careers. Either one of them would have taken your full rebuild into another gear. Either one of them would have put fannies in the seats. Who knows, with the addition of one of them it could have possibly propelled you to win the worst division in baseball. With the Tigers and the Royals in their own rebuilds. The Royals catcher, their all-star, is out for the year. That leaves you with the Indians and the Twins. The Indians were selling off pieces and then adding them in the off season. Meanwhile the Twins last season came down to earth from the previous season when they made the playoffs as a wild card. The Twins added some veterans. Their roster is still not scary.

The White Sox history shows the same thought process that is going on today. In 1997 the team found themselves only 3 games behind Cleveland. The great white flag sale occurred before the trade deadline and they gave up the rest of the season. The White Sox’s biggest free agent signing was Albert Belle. At the time the thought process was Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, and Albert Belle in the same line up. That was one hell of a splash, but injuries occurred. The White Sox had an opt out clause on the Albert Belle deal and this beef of the order never really played together on the field all at once. Albert went to the Orioles and the White Sox did not make the playoffs. You could say Albert Belle’s Orioles days were not that long after he left. It tells me their contract offers are always half in half out. Example: Manny Machado they had an opt out clause and a contract laced with incentives for less years. The White Sox offered 8 years instead of the ten years Manny got from the Padres. When the White Sox signed Albert Belle, the team could have used more pieces. Again half in half out.

In 2005 the White Sox pulled out the unthinkable. A World Series. It was because of some of the trades they made in the off season. Moves like slugger Carlos Lee to the Brewers that brought you Scotty Pods. Then not resigning Magglio Ordonez. Both moves were a head scratcher but both moves panned out. After that World Series, finally this baseball team for a brief moment became a first class citizen in a two baseball team town. Then to not even make the playoffs the following season is just shameful while the team won 90 games. Finally in 2008 the White Sox found themselves in the playoffs once again as the team was just a skeleton of their former selves in 2005. The soap operas with Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen went on for years. They were not lucky on any of the moves they made during that span. They did not have anything special going down on the farm either. Could of there been a move to get a few pieces that could have kept things rolling during that window? Again nothing splashy. They hold back and stay away from splashy moves. Maybe a splash or two could have kept this group going more than one thrill ride.

After the parade in 2005, the White Sox gave the spotlight back to the Cubs, known as lovable losers. The White Sox have not made it to the playoffs since 2008, as the Tampa Bay Rays bounced the good guys that wear black relatively with ease. Since then the Cubs made it to the playoffs. Then they scrapped everything and went in full rebuild. Then in 2016 the Cubs did the unthinkable and won the World Series. They beat the curse of the goat and came back down in seven game series to beat the Indians that season. The White Sox then followed the Cubs and Astros blueprints and went into their own rebuild. A full rebuild. The Cubs still been making the playoffs every year after they won it in 2016 but it looks like they have fallen on hard times especially the way the season ended last year. One and done in the wild card game. Before that to see the Brewers steal the division from you late in September. To see the Cubs cry poor in the off season and not spend. Could you imagine what a Bryce Harper or Manny Machado would have done if the White Sox landed either of them? A chance to kick the Cubs while they’re down and control the baseball buzz in your own town. The White Sox say they don’t care about the Cubs. Both teams do not play in the same league or obvious divisions. I think it does affect the White Sox. Deep down they hate what the other side of town is doing. It feels like a knife wound deep into your chest. You can taste the blood in your mouth. Most of the fans feel the same pain.

The White Sox have lots of prospects. Lots of talent gathered over this rebuild. We do not know if it will pan out. Chances are the team has a lot of key pieces assembled that makes things very exciting. Do you trust this organization with the keys to a brand new car? History tells you they do not have the brain power to grow all these prospects and develop them. To plug them in at the right place where their talents will thrive. They had ace Chris Sale. They also had Jose Quintana. Two great young pitchers and they could not find enough talent around them to make the playoffs one time. They have two wild cards these days. Not even close to the second one.

Why are they still scared of Scott Boras? I’d rather have Bryce Harper than a Manny Machado. Both are very talented players. If you had to pick one, Byrce Harper would have been my choice. The bad history with the agent tells you they put all their efforts into the one basket of Manny Machado. Especially signing his inner circle. Harper a left handed bat which is very valuable. Future hall of famer. Plus a guy that fans want to see. Manny Machado is a great player. His head is not screwed on very tight though. Admits he will never be Charlie Hustle. That would not go well on the blue collar side of town. Plus Manny Machado is a cheap shot artist while he plays the game.

The White Sox went 0-2 on the swings for the superstars this off season. One, I tell you the truth they probably did not even get to the showroom to even kick the tires on Harper’s sports car because of fear of the Boras. What about the next wave of talented free agents? Love to say the White Sox will win just with the prospects and only the prospects. We know that is hard to do. They will have to splurge and find a talent to help lead by example. Somebody that has done it before and can lead a young group to the promise land. Can the White Sox open up their wallets and make an offer without the moving parts? Do they not have some parents in this organization to tell these morons that looks ridiculous on their ideas of what a good offer is so they can’t leave the house dressed like that. Then when their prospects finally grow and are represented by Scott Boras, are the White Sox going to let their own Harper they grow walk out the door? Maybe it will be the Cubs that gobble up an Eloy Jimenez when he finally becomes a free agent. Hope this off season will be a lesson to learn and the next superstar out there on the waters will be different. Next time the White Sox will have a bigger boat to land the shark of all talents. Leave the boat with the holes in it, aka Kenny Williams.

THE WILD SHAMROCK FREE AGENT TRACKER

TOP 25 POSITION PLAYERS

#	NAME/POSITION	LAST YEAR PLAYED FOR	SIGNED
1.	BRYCE HARPER OF	NATIONALS	PHILLIES
2.	MANNY MACHADO SS	DODGERS	PADRES
3.	AJ POLLOCK OF	DIAMOND BACKS	DODGERS
4.	JOSH DONALDSON	BLUE JAYS/INDIANS	BRAVES
5.	YOSMANI GRANDAL C	DODGERS	BREWERS
6.	NELSON CRUZ DH	MARINERS	TWINS
7.	ANDREW MCCUTCHEN OF	GIANTS/YANKEES	PHILLIES
8.	MICHAEL BRANTLY OF	INDIANS	ASTROS
9.	WILSON RAMOS C	PHILLIES	METS
10.	JED LOWRIE SS	A’S	METS
11.	MIKE MOUSTAKOS 3B	BREWERS	BREWERS
12.	MARVIN GONZALES UTL	ASTROS	TWINS
13.	DJ MAHIEU 2B	ROCKIES	YANKEES
14.	ADAM JONES OF	ORIOLES	DIAMOND BACKS
15.	BRIAN MCCANN C	ASTROS	BRAVES
16.	DANIEL MURPHY 2B	NATIONALS/CUBS	ROCKIES
17.	STEVE PEARCE 1B	RED SOX	RED SOX
18.	KURT SUZUKI C	BRAVES	NATIONALS
19.	NICK MARKAKIS OF	BRAVES	BRAVES
20.	ASDRUBAL CABRERA IF	PHILLIES	RANGERS
21.	JOSE IGLESIAS SS	TIGERS	REDS
22.	JOSH HARRISON UTL	PIRATES	TIGERS
23.	LONNIE CHISENHALL	INDIANS	PIRATES
24.	JUNG HO KANG IF	PIRATES	PIRATES
25.	EVAN GATTIS DH	ASTROS

THE ARMS RACE (TOP 25 PITCHERS)

#	NAME	LAST YEAR PLAYED FOR	SIGNED
1.	PATRICK CORBIN	DIAMOND BACKS	NATIONALS
2.	DALLAS KEUCHEL	ASTROS	BRAVES
3.	CHARLIE MORTON	ASTROS	RAYS
4.	CRAIG KIMBREL	RED SOX	CUBS
5.	JA HAPP	BLUE JAYS/YANKEES	YANKEES
6.	NATHAN EOVALDI	RED SOX	RED SOX
7.	HYUN JIN RHU	DODGERS	DODGERS
8.	ADAM OHAVINO	ROCKIES	YANKEES
9.	ANDREW MILLER	INDIANS	CARDINALS
10.	DAVID ROBERTSON	YANKEES	PHILLIES
11.	CC SABATHIA	YANKEES	YANKEES
12.	GIO GONZALEZ	NATIONALS/BREWERS
13.	KELVIN HERRERA	NATIONALS	WHITE SOX
14.	GARRETT RICHARDS	ANGELS	PADRES
15.	CODY ALLEN	INDIANS	ANGELS
16.	JOE KELLY	RED SOX	DODGERS
17.	ZACH BRITTON	ORIOLES/YANKEES	YANKEES
18.	WADE MILEY	BREWERS	ASTROS
19.	TREVOR CAHILL	A’S	ANGELS
20.	LANCE LYNN	TWINS/YANKEES	RANGERS
21.	CLAY BUCHHOLZ	DIAMOND BACKS
22.	ERVIN SANTANA	TWINS	WHITE SOX
23.	MATT HARVEY	METS/REDS	ANGELS
24.	JOAKIN SORIA	WHITE SOX/BREWERS	A’S
25.	SHAWN KELLY	A’S

PHILLIES STUPID MONEY LANDS THE FISH THAT SAVED PHILADELPHIA

The Philadelphia Phillies owner came out and said they were going to spend stupid money this off season. They made some trades. Landing J.T Realmuto. They landed Jean Segura. They went out and signed Andrew McCutchen and David Robertson. They were rumored to be involved in the Harper and Machado sweepstakes. They lost out on Machado. To get both of these superstars would have taken a miracle. In the midst of spring training. The Phillies hit a walk off homerun… the front office… they land Bryce Harper in a mega deal worth 330 million dollars for 13 years. Are the Phillies the National League Yankees or Red Sox? They definitely have entered the conversation.

Bryce Harper will get the biggest contract in baseball history. Harper is only 26 years old and he will be 38 years old when this contract comes to an end. I guess you can say it’s a better deal than Albert Pujols where the Angels will be paying him into his 40’s. Harper did not want any opt out clause like Manny Machado gets after 5 years in San Diego. Harper will only get 25 million per season compared to Manny Machado’s 30 million per season. However Harper gets 13 years, over the total ten years if Manny Machado does play out that contract.

Barring any set backs, Harper for sure will be a hall-of-famer. At 26 years old, he already has one MVP. He’s coming off a season where he hit 34 home runs for the Nationals. His average was lower than usual at .249. He did drive in 100 runs. His on base percentage is very high as he does walk a lot. Bryce Harper in seven seasons in Washington has a career batting average of .279. This season he should get to the 200 mark in long balls as he had 184 of those with the Nationals. In seven seasons, he already has 922 hits and has driven in over 500 runs.

Last season, the Phillies were in the thick of things with Atlanta. The team ran out of gas and and fell out of contention. The division will be stronger as everyone has improved unless you’re a Marlin fan. Washington added pitching. But the loss of Harper, will that set them back? Mets revamped their roster making many moves in the off season. Will that be enough to catch up to the Phillies? Were the Braves just a fluke last year that peaked too early? They have lots of young talented players and also added pieces to their roster. The division is stacked unless you’re a Marlin fan.

Being able to land big free agents and winning the off season does not mean the Phillies will win the World Series. Teams that have the big pocketbooks definitely have better chances than small market teams. The Nationals had a great team over the last few years. A roster with loads of talent and they did not win with Harper. The Philadelphia Eagles won the Superbowl with the arm of Nick Foles, not their number one draft pick, Carson Wentz. Teams can get red hot when it comes to the playoffs. All star teams with many big names fall hard at times. Looks good on paper but that’s why they still play the games.

A team with the off season the Phillies had, it has to make the fans feel good about the upcoming season. To be a pretty good team last season. Then to net the biggest fish on the market with lots of other talent, gives your team a better shot at winning. Plus the pipe dream of Mike Trout, another big fish coming home when he hits the free market. If they land Trout playing along side of Harper, it would give the Phillies the two biggest super stars in the game. Obviously the biggest goal is a World Series. They might be seeking more with paying out that kind of loot and having ideas to add on more. They are definitely on the road to be the Yankees of the National League. If they do not win at least one World Series, perhaps you could say two in the next 13 years, this was not well spent money. If they win like the Yankees when they used to buy World Series trophies, the Phillies off season will be remembered for years to come.

ANOTHER PIRATE WALKS THE PLANK AND HEADS TO MOTOR CITY

The rebuilding Tigers have been stocking up on former Pirates. First it was Jody Mercer. Now the Tigers added Josh Harrison, as they need help at second base. It’s only a one year deal worth two million dollars. It was an offer that was getting dusty on the table, as it was offer some time ago. Josh Harrison obviously could not find anything better. With spring training in action he finally took his only deal. Josh Harrison became a free agent when the Pirates declined his 2019 option, for S10.5 million dollars.

Josh Harrison is a two time all star. Spent his whole career in Pittsburgh of 8 years. He has a life time batting average of .277 with 52 long balls. Last year he only played in 97 games. He was on the shelf with broken hand for six weeks. The same hand he broke in the 2017 season. In 2018 Josh Harrison drove in 37 while hitting 8 long balls with a .250 batting average.

The Tigers fill a need in a rebuild. They get Josh Harrison on the cheap. With a chance to flip him at the trade deadline for a prospect. This gives Josh Harrison a chance to get back to his all star form. If he can keep his hand healthy and have a good year, he can get a longer deal from another team next season. If he gets traded late in this season and helps a team in a playoff run that can help his cause to stick with a squad.

The penny pinching pirates made a good choice not paying him $10.5 million for this season. They have a better option with Adam Frazier taking over the second place position. I could say the Pirates could use the 10.5 million dollars on filling another hole on the roster, but we know that is a crazy thing to say. Rather stupid thing to say. Perhaps if the team is in contention for a playoff spot, they might add to the team then. Lets not hold our breath on that either.

WHO NEEDS MACHADO WHEN WE HAVE  AN ERVIN IN THE FOLD

It did not take the White Sox long to get over Manny Machado. Most teams would of turned their attention to Bryce Harper. Some would of taken a stab at Marvin Gonzales. Twins signed him to a two year deal. If you can not find the right position player then stocking up on pitching, is always a good thing. You can’t have enough arms. Do you think the White Sox would go after big guns, the likes of a Dallas Keuchel or even the eagle man, Craig Kimbrel ? White Sox found themselves a nice used Yugoslavian tank, still leaking oil. White Sox nabbed an Ervin Santana to minor league deal.

The fourteen year veteran pitcher is 36 years of age. He has pitched for four teams, recently with the Twins. Last year the right handed only had 5 starts. Only pitched in 24 innings, due to tendon in his right hand. Surgery derailed him for the remainder of the season. Then the Twins declined his 14 million option this off season, making him a free agent. In 2017, Ervin Santana was remarkable. His record was impressive 16-8 with only a 3.28 ERA. In 2016-2017, Santana was a work horse. He was ranked number 11th in the game, total Innings pitched. During that span he only had 3.32 ERA, which is good in the American league. Santana has career record of 149-125.

The White Sox rotation right now include Carlos Rodon, Ivan Nova, Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolto. Dylan Covey and Manny Banuelos are options for the fifth and final spot of the rotation. We have seen what happens to Dylan Covey, after once through the line up. Manny Banuelos is a wild card anything can happen with him. Adding Ervin Santana, if he makes the team he would be paid only 4.4 million, on a one year deal. If he repeats his performance in 2017, it is a great deal. If the White Sox are bad and out of contention by the trade deadline, Santana if he doing well, could be flipped. These are the type of deals the White Sox are good at. Finding those cheap dollar bin deals at the MLB dollar store. When it comes to the bigger deals. The likes of Machada or a Harper, the White Sox come out like the people that shop at Walmart.

DARKER DAYS CONTINUE ON THE SOUTH SIDE

The first pitch of regular season has not even been thrown yet. If I could only fast forward this upcoming season on the South Side of Chicago. The 2019 White Sox should be better with the moves they have made during this off season. No way they can lose another 100 games in back to back seasons. It’s the whole Machado deal that suddenly went south. Not the south that fans wanted in Chicago. But to see Kenny Williams, Rick Hahn and the White Sox brass bring a knife to a gun fight is extremely exhausting. Then the deal blows up in their faces, they take their ball home, and go crying home to mommy. Exactly, “No crying in baseball.”

Finally, the wait is over. Finally someone opened up their piggy bank and splurged on a Manny Machado, aka Mr. Charlie ‘Not hustle.” It is not the Evil Empire. Yankees used to get anybody they wanted. People thought the Phillies would get him. Philadelphia has been adding pieces and wanting to spend stupid money. Then people were thinking the White Sox because they signed Manny’s inner circle. Perhaps they even signed his dog groomer. It was a team out of the woodwork at that end. Spring training just started and San Diego Padres are making some noise.They land Manny Machado in the biggest free agent contract in American Sports. The money just sickens you. Ten year deal worth 300 million dollars.Manny Machado was one of the biggest fish on the free agent market. It was going to take a big offer to land him on your squad. Padres will be paying him $30 million per year. The contract has an opt out clause after 5 years. If Manny wants more money or does not like the way things are going in San Diego, he can flee after 5 years. He would only be 31 years old and still have plenty of baseball years left. Padres are getting a guy only 26 years old, and he’s just about to hit his prime years. In seven seasons, he has a career batting average of .282. He already has over a thousand hits. Drove in over 500 runs while racking up 175 long balls. Last year with the Orioles and Dodgers, he hit .297 with 37 long balls while driving in over a 100 runs. Manny can play either third base or short stop. He is not a defense liability. He is definitely an impact player on both sides of the ball. Known for the big bat over the glove work.Manny Machado can fit whereever your team is at in the standings. If you have an elite team, he can help you get to the championship level. If you’re one of those teams that are always on the bubble, but not making it into the playoffs he should put you over the top. He can be the center piece of the rebuild. He can be a big piece of a team in a rebuild jumping to the next level, and that’s where the Padres stand.  Last year they invested long term with Eric Hosmer, former Royal, on a 144 million dollar deal. The Padres have talented prospects. The team only won 66 games.  Adding Manny with Hosmer gives you two big bats in your line up everyday. Plus Fernado Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias are two prospects that are ready to go this year. The Padres have a core of position players established to play along side of each other for years.Since the San Diego Chargers left town, you are down to one major sport in your town out of the big four leagues. The Padres are the only game in town. Bringing in Manny Machada to a team on the rise with young talent, is a huge deal for this town. Last time the Padres had someone hit 30 home runs in one season, was back in 2010 with Adrian Gonzalez. Last time the Padres were respectable, was when Tony Gwynn had the lumber in his hand. The Padres are not the Red Sox, Dodgers or the hated Yankees, where free agents are knocking at their door. They will have to overpay like they did for Eric Hosmer. They will have to dish out a few hundred brinks trucks for the talent of Manny Machado. San Diego has the best weather in the league, but it’s not enough to get players wanting to go there. The young prospects the Padres have assembled, look great. Everyone needs pitching. With Manny in the house, more players may follow. Right now the future looks bright in sunny San Diego. Which is always a good reason for San Diego to stay classy.

PIRATES HOPING THE MELK MAN IS NOT EXPIRED YET

Attention ladies and gentlemen we have a blue light special on X Cleveland outfielders in aisle five. Another budget buy for the Pirates as they stock up on Cleveland Indian outfielders. Melky Cabrera joins his former teammate, Lonnie Chisenhall, in Pittsburgh on a minor league deal with an invite to Spring training. This is the second veteran within a week that the Pirates have signed to a minor league deal. Last week was Francisco Liriano.

Melky Cabrera is a switch hitting outfielder at the age of 34. This will be his seventh team for the 14 year veteran. Last year in 78 games for the Indians, he hit .280 with 6 long balls while driving in 78. He’s a career .286 hitter who has some pop from both sides. He’s an average defender who has a strong arm and is able to throw people out from the outfield. He is a guy that has served a 50 game suspension for PEDs. He is a good clubhouse guy who is a team player.

I imagine the Pirates are thinking Melky Cabrera would come off the bench for the team as the fourth outfielder. With Cory Dickerson and Starling Marte already in place for two of the three spots. Lonnie Chisenhall would probably get the other spot. I like this signing a lot. I think you have plenty of options to use a guy like Melky Cabrera. He can rotate in and out of the line-up each week . He is a switch hitter which would help in certain match-ups facing other teams’ pitching.  He is insurance just in case because Lonnie Chisenhall has a history of getting injured. He can provide pop with the bat coming off the bench, either pinch hitting or double switches. In American League ballparks, he can DH.

I’m surprised Melky is available and did not have your typical one to two year offer from somebody. You could have still got him on the cheap. I know he is better than a minor league type of deal invite to spring training. The Pirates have many holes on the roster. The Melkman will be able to help patch up one of them. At this point, you wish the Melkman was just icing on the cake rather than the foundation. Still many free agents available to fill in your roster needs. Still time to improve the team. Will the Pirates brass actually open up their wallets and get some of the bigger fish in the pond? Probably not with more bargain players flooding the market, it’s not the Pirates style. Dollar bin or bust is the yearly slogan in Steeltown.

  WHITE SOX ADD MORE OUTFIELD DEPTH IN INKING GUYER

White Sox are still believed to be in on some of the big fish still out there in the pond . It did not stop them adding a guppy to their tank. White Sox improve their outfield depth with the signing of Brandon Guyer. Brandon Guyer played with the Indians last season. Indians acquired him from the Rays in 2016. He has been placed on the White Sox 40 man roster. If he makes the team he will get a 1.6 million dollar deal for one year. If he does not make the big club, then he starts the season in the minors and will get only $150, 000 clams.

Brandon Guyer’s stock dropped last season where he played in 103 games, only hitting a meager .203. Brandon Guyer is remembered for his post season play in 2016. He hit off the charts in the ALDS. A .750 batting average. In the Series versus the hated Chicago Cubs, he hit .300. He was part of the rally that tied the game up late in game seven. He hit a double with two outs driving in a run to make it a 6 to 4 game. He was on base when Davis tied the game with a two run home run. In extra innings, he drew a walk. Give him an extra million dollars since he is a Cubs killer. Can’t hurt to improve the depth of the outfield and bench as this is a safe roll of the dice type of move. If it pans out, great. If it does not, no one will even remember this article ever existed.

RIP FRANK ROBINSON

This week, the MLB lost one of its greats. Frank Robinson passed away at the age of 83 years old.

Frank Robinson has one hell of a baseball resume of all the things he accomplished in America’s past time. He played for 21 seasons in the Majors. He was a first ballot Hall-of-Famer in 1982 as the numbers tell the tale. Frank Robinson was deadly with the lumber. He knocked 586 balls out of the park. The stat I like is he hit a home run at 33 different ball parks during his time. That was like Fred McGriff had practically every stadium he hit a home run in when he played for multiple teams. Frank Robinson played for five teams during his career: Reds, Orioles, Indians, Dodgers and Angels. The Indians, he became a player manager.

Chicks dig the long ball, that’s why I threw those home run stats at you first. Frank’s bat racked up 2,943 hits driving in over 1,812 runs. He made twelve all-star teams. He was MVP in both leagues and still to this day, is the only person to ever do that. He was drafted by the Reds and won Rookie of the Year in 1956. The Reds traded Frank Robinson at the age of 30. They thought he was too old. Frank had no problem with that as he won the triple crown that year when he racked up his 2nd MVP award for the Baltimore Orioles. Might want to pencil in the Reds and put them on that list of stupidest trades of all-time. Frank was also the World Series MVP that year in 1966. Talk about Reds in the face of that GM.

Players and managers always said Frank Robinson played with no fear. Earl Weaver, former coach of Frank, would say he played with guts and probably spit a wad of chew out his mouth right at your feet since he’s a feisty manager. Maybe he did have guts because he dared pitchers to hit him as he hugged the plate when he batted. Pitchers did hit 198 times which is still good for 9th overall all-time.

Frank Robinson was also a trailblazer for the game of baseball. He was the first African American manager in the majors. He actually managed 16 seasons. His winning percentage was only a .475 as his record was 1065-1176. Definitely under .500, however a thousand wins is very impressive. He even took honors as Manager of the Year with the Orioles. As manager, he got around like he did as a player. He coached in Cleveland, San Francisco, Baltimore, then made his way up to Canada and coached the Expos, and came back to coach the Nationals when they moved from Montreal to Washington.

Frank Robinson also worked in the front office. He worked for the MLB. I remember he was working in the Orioles front office and the team started off 0-6. They looked horrible. Frank Robinson took over the duties of the manager. The losing streak reached 21 games. I remember their first win against my White Sox. They were due and they beat the White Sox for their first win of the season. He managed to get the team to play better. The following year the team won 87 games and Frank Robinson again earned himself another award winning manager of the year honors.

Frank Robinson was born in Texas, 1935. Beaumont, Texas to be exact. His family moved to Oakland, California where Frank played basketball and baseball at McClymonds High School. His teammate in basketball was NBA great Bill Russell, who probably collected awards like Frank did. In 2005, to throw in a Forrest Gump feel to Frank Robinson’s life story, he was giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom award. President George W. Bush gave him that award in person.

Never got to see Frank Robinson play live. He would be a player I would love because he played the game the right way. He was a very talented individual. He loved the game. His passion for the game was most of his life. Probably born with a bat in his hands. Probably as I write this he is talking to some of the other greats that have passed away, and were at one time great baseball players themselves. He’s probably comparing his swing with the likes of Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Babe in the field of dreams. Perhaps the game of running bases with Jackie Robinson. He will be missed as a great person in his lifetime. Plus, just the game of baseball is not the same without people like Frank.

PIRATES PULL OUT A LIRIANO FROM THE DOLLAR BIN

Did you ever look through one those bins of DVDS at Best Buy? A variety of them marked down to really low price. Most of the DVDS you never heard of. Obviously the store wants clear their old stock. The penny pinching Pirates found themselves an old classic. It might not be up to snuff with, the likes of a Weekend at Bernies. But What is? The Pirates found a 35 year old pitcher they are familiar with. Francisco Liriano is coming back to Steel town on Minor league deal, in hopes of making the team this spring.

The 13 season Veteran pitched for the Pirates from 2013 through 2016. In 3 years, he compiled up a 41-36 record with 3.67 ERA in 107 starts. His best year was in 2013, where he won 16 games. He also was the winning pitcher in the wild game versus the Reds that year. The Pirates going into spring training have all right handed pitchers, dueling it out for the starting rotation. If Francisco can make the squad, it would give that rotation a different look with at least one left- handed pitcher. He could also be a bullpen option as well. Long relief guy. Left-handed specialist. Can make those emergency starts, due to injuries.

Last year Francisco Liriano pitched for a bad Tiger team. A team that suddenly went into a rebuild and selling off it’s pieces. Last year Francisco pitched 133 Innings going 5-12, with a high 4.58 ERA. He also made 26 starts for the Tigers last year. Pitching in the American league your ERA will balloon up, especially on a bad team. He made 26 starts though, which you know he stayed healthy the whole year.

Francisco Liriano will never be the all-star pitcher he was in 2006, with the Minnesota Twins. He is the type of pitcher that has a good year followed by a bad year. His career record is 107-111, 4 games under 500. Since the Pirates are not going after the top or even middle tier free agents, you might as well take flyer on a pitcher your familiar with. He cant be the worst 5th starter in the entire league. Maybe he becomes that Genie out of the bottle for you and has one of his good years. He’s coming off a bad year. He might be due for a good year. I do like he is coming back to one of his old stomping grounds. He is familiar with the situation in Pittsburgh and will be comfortable. With those factors he could have a good year. Another factor I like he was part of the 2017 World Series Champion, Houston Astros. The stories, his wisdom can help the young pitching staff get better, that the Pirates have assembled.

DAVIDSON HEADING TO LONE STAR STATE

Matt Davidson was another White sox player not tendered an offer this off season, was simply let go. No one plucked the third basemen/ First basemen who also can throw a wicked curve ball on the pitching rubber. Texas Rangers agreed to minor league contract that will bring Matt Davidson to the Rangers spring training, in hopes he makes the squad in 2019.

First time I ever seen Matt Davidson play up close was the 2017 season. It was cold day on opening day week in Chicago. The cold only brought out a few people that day.I was one of those idiots that braved the temps to an early April game. I was able to wheel and deal for some box seats a gentleman offer me looking to unload them. I got them at a steal. On that Day the White sox won the game. The offense had sizzling hot bats versus the Tigers pitching that cold day. Matt Davidson hit two home runs on that cold  day which was pretty impressive.

Matt Davidson was always known as power hitter that could strike out a lot. Last year he struck out 165 times. The White sox acquired Davidson from the Diamondbacks. It took Matt Davidson a few seasons to work on his craft to finally make it to big club. He had a cup of coffee for the Diamond backs. When he finally made it to the big league for the White sox it only lasted for a cup a tea, due to a injury. In 2017 his first full year he 26 long balls. He drove in 68, hitting .220. His batting average went up 8 points in 2018 ,but his home runs went down to 20 and he only drove in 62.

In 2018 it was his pitching that was most talked about when it came to Matt Davidson. He pitched three scoreless innings. He has a wicked curve ball that baffled hitters. The innings he tossed were in games the team was getting blowing out. He wants to become a two way player. Coming out of the bullpen when needed . Plus playing the hot corner and he also logged in some games at first base. Plus he is a power hitter so you have in the DH slot for many games, perhaps to rest his arm for the bull pen.

The White sox are going in another direction as the prospects are coming up from the minors .Plus they are looking at up grading talent by trade or through free agency. Rumors have it they are trying to seek a Manny Machado. They already traded for Yonder Alonso a well established power hitter with less strikeouts. The White sox have no more room for developing or waiting on guys like a Matt Davidson. Davidson needs many at-bats as power hitter and the White sox can not give him those at- bats.

Texas Rangers are in rebuild and can test the waters on a Matt Davidson. The Rangers rebuild is in its first stages, while the White sox are looking to make a leap into the next level, competing. I like Matt Davidson I think he is good player to have since he is jack of all trades. He a streaky player with the bat. Seems to hit most of his home runs very early in the season.  He needs to cut down on the strikeouts. It depends when you hit the home run when it counts or in garbage time. Cutting down on missing the baseball will get more positive results no matter what for the likes of Davidson and others.

The idea of a player pitching and playing a position on other days is very interesting. Pitching in blow outs is different then coming in when the game is on the line. Teams make adjustments. It’s good to be jack of all trades. Only thing Davidson has not mastered any of them yet. Could working on pitching ruin what he has done hitting? Texas will be a good place for him to find himself. A place that give him a chance to sharpen up all the tools in his shed. Or a chance to pick his poison and go with it.

AVISAIL GARCIA NOW A RAY

He arrived with a bang, but went out with a whimper on the Southside. Avisail Garcia was mostly hype during his six years playing for the White Sox. The White Sox thought the 22 year old was going to be their next 5-tool player when they got him in a three-way team trade. The White Sox sending Jake Peavy to the Red Sox. Tigers gave up a young 6’4″ power hitting beast that can do it all on the field. Tigers compared him to Miguel Cabrera, their all-star first baseman.  They thought of him as Miggy junior.

Avisail showed flashes of greatness during his stint with the White Sox. Nagging injuries were his krytonite as he could not stay healthy on aregular basis. In 2017, he put together a very fine year as he made it to the all-star game. It was his best season on the south side. Last year his stock bottomed out. More injuries. Only played in 93 games as his average dropped to a meager .236, whereas he was in the low .300’s the year before.  He was pulled from a few games by his manager Ricky Renteria for not hustling down the baseline.   Avisail was quick to apologize as he admitted he was in the wrong. The White Sox non-tendered him when the season came to end and he became a free agent. The White Sox are planning to go in a different direction in 2019.  They have plenty of prospects on the horizon that could be making their debuts in 2019. Meanwhile Avisail finishes his White Sox career hitting .274 with 74 long balls.

The Rays desperately need some power influxed into their line up. They have tried to sign Nelson Cruz. The Twins landed him. They tried to get Paul Goldschmidt in a trade, Cardinals sealed that deal. They have been rumored in the J.T Realmuto sweepstakes. They did add Mike Zunino and Yandy Diaz. They get Avisail Garcia on the cheap.  He will get  a one year deal for 3.5 million with incentives to made another 2.5 million. This is a great deal for the Rays. If Garcia can stay healthy and avoid the strikeouts, he could have a rebound type of year especially with incentives on the line. If he has a bad year,  a one year deal with that type of money in baseball is like losing $20.00 dollars in the slot machine out of Joe Sixpack’s wallet. Plus he was an all-star not too long ago.

I think Avisail Garcia needed new scenery. I think the White Sox have no room for him as he is expendable with all the prospects and the guys they have in place already. Plus they are rumored to be involved in free agents far more talented and that are outfielders, such as Bryce Harper. I think the Rays have problems signing big name free agents, so they need to get their weapons through trades. Gambles like Garcia have paid off in the past for the Rays. They are rumored also to be kicking the tires on Matt Davidson, another White Sox free agent who also has power. The Rays always have pitching. If they can fill their hitting needs any way they can get them. If these moves all pan out they could snag a wild card because of the pitching they assembled.

WHITE SOX ADD A FLAME THROWER

I’ve been skeptical so far this off season with some of the White Sox moves. Rumors have it they are involved in almost everybody out there. Even the big fish, the sharks of the pond like Harper and Machado. When have the White sox plopped down a ton for a player? They are used to the dollar bins at Target for their diamonds in the rough. Perhaps the year they signed Albert Belle to that big deal that had an escape clause. They are very lucky because that escape cause saved them a ton of money from Menards that year. They signed Jose Abreu to a big deal, but he was not a guy the whole league was going after that year.

Many of the deals have been small potatoes. Guys with only 1 to 2 years on their present deals. Bridge player types. They made a formal offer to the Manny Machado people. They also signed all his neighbors and friends. Plus they are in touch with the Harper people. The one move that has opened my eyes to think finally this team is serious. It took a signing of one of the top 50 free agents to get me hooked, line and sinker. The signing of Kelvin Herrera reshapes that bullpen. It gives them a look with Alex Colome, a guy they got from the Mariners, along with Nate Jones, into something to actually stop other teams from getting runs late in games. Three solid options.

Kelvin Herrera was one of the best relievers in the game from 2014 thru 2016. He was part of the light out bullpen the Royals had, that got them to two World Series. One of them the Royals won. Last year he pitched in 48 games for the Royals and Nationals. He had an ERA of 2.44 with 38 strike outs in 44 1/3 innings pitched. He had good numbers even though he suffered through a shoulder injury very early in the season. He also tore his Lisfranc ligament in his left foot at the end of August, which sidelined him for the rest of the year. Both injuries he will be able to get back to normal health from, and will be ready for spring training. White Sox have him for two years at an 18 million dollar deal with a third year option.  Herrera will be a late inning guy. He has the stuff  to be the closer or the set up guy. He can come in, shut down any of your opponents’ top guys and preserve the lead.

If the White Sox were not seriously wanting to improve in 2019, they would have never signed this guy and paid him this type of money. They could easily continue the rebuild and find cheap options like they normally do and fill in spots in the bullpen. Or plug young guys in those spots and hope they come up with a fix. This tells Manny Machado and Bryce Harper they are ready to build this thing and get it going in 2019. They have added short bridge-type players as they await on the army of big time prospects to rise out of crops. Right now without counting on any of those prospects, this team looks way better than they did last year, after losing 100 games. Plus a few teams in the Central division in full rebuild. Indians are half in mode, half selling mode.  Twins are the only team that seems to be in to compete for the Central. If the Sox can land one of the big fish in either Harper or Machado. Insert one of them in a line up, that is pretty good right now. The Central could be there for the taking.

BOSOM BUDDIES

White Sox continue to bring in the whole entire Manny Machado circle. The White Sox just inked veteran outfielder, Jon Jay, to a one year deal. Jon Jay is one of Manny’s closest friends. In December, the White Sox landed Manny’s Brother-in-Law ,Yonder Alonso, in a trade with the Indians. All three guys work out together in the off season and are a very tight group. White Sox will also go very hard at Manny’s barber and his pet groomer. The team hopes to have them all in the fold as well. Bring Manny’s whole world to the south side in hopes he signs with the team. The White Sox have made Manny Machado a  formal offer. Will the money be enough?  Will the team need to throw big money at the barber and the pet groomer to relocate them to really seal this deal?

Jon Jay brings the team another outfielder. A potential lead off hitter. A good glove man who can play all three outfield positions. The 33 year old turns 34 in March and will join his sixth team in five seasons. Last year he hit .268 and scored 74 runs splitting time with the Royals and Diamondbacks. Jon Jay is a left handed hitter who could split time with right handed center fielder Adam Engel, who is basically known for his glove and not the bat.

White Sox did not pick up Avisail Garcia’s option this off season, letting him walk into free agency. Going in, the team only had Adam Engel, Leury Garcia and Nicky Delmonico on the big league roster in the outfield . Jon Jay could be a rotating piece and gives you a veteran 4th outfielder. This is very valuable especially if none of the big prospects are ready to take their next big step to the show.  Plus, you do not have to rush them if they are not ready. A one year deal is peanuts as he can be traded at the deadline if needed. However he could be that one chip that will land you the big fish in Manny Machado.  The White Sox are going in the direction of the movie, Field of Dreams, if you built it they will come. Perhaps the White Sox’s new slogan should be, if you sign them he will come.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

White Sox continue their wheeling and dealing this off season. They acquire first baseman Yonder Alonso from the Indians. Indians get an outfield prospect from the White Sox, Alex Call. Lots of things jump out at you with this trade. Trading with a division rival. You already have an All-Star first baseman in Jose Abreu. The thing that will blow you mind away is, Alonso happens to be Manny Machado’s brother-n-law.

We know the Indians are shredding salary like the kid in Christmas story wants to shred the rabbit outfit he is forced to wear. Jose Abreau has one year remaining on his contract. Many teams could be interested in his talents. Another idea you keep both of them and rotate them in and out of the DH slot and out in the field. Would be a way better line up, if both sluggers were in it every day. Yonder Alonso definitely has some pop in his bat.He only hit .250, which is good for a slugger. Left handed power hitters are very good to have, especially more than one. The White Sox already have Daniel Palka, who has power and hits home runs in crunch time. This line up suddenly does not look like a 100 loss team.  We know Abreu and Palka can hit for power. Add Yonder Alonso 23 long ones and his 83 RBI’S to the mix. Something is starting to happen on the South Side.

The X-factor about the whole trade, is the link to Manny Machado. Manny Machado is married to Yonder Alonso sister. Both live in the same neighborhood in the off season. They only live a few blocks from each other. Both are very close. Yonder Alonso now jack of trades for the White Sox. Obviously he is a player and you can add front office recruiter to his resume. Could he help land one of the biggest fish out there on the free agent market? Yonder Alonso said he love to be neighbors with Manchardo on the South side of Chicago too. Can you imagine a line up with Manchardo, Alonso, Palka, and Abreu in, on a daily  basis?  It will also take a few brinks trucks to complete the deal. Keeping it all in the family might not be such a meathead idea. If it does not work out people will be yelling Ding bat at the organization, especially if the bats go ding, even if you landed the big fish.  However ten years from now, you could be singing those were the days on the South side of Chicago.

JODY MERCER INKS A ONE YEAR DEAL WITH THE TIGERS

Looks like the Pirates will be going in with the young out with the old. Free agent Jody Mercer leaves the Pirates ship and signs with Detroit. Mercer known more for his defensive skills than his bat, gets a one year deal. He will be a stop gap bridge type player, while the Tigers are in a full rebuild. If he plays well, perhaps he can be used as a trade chip for the Tigers, to get a prospect or two at the trade deadline. Jody Mercer played seven years for the Pirates. Played in 800 games. Had a .256 batting average with 55 long ones, while driving in 277, during that span. He will be remember most for his defense, during his time on the Pirate ship.

WHITE SOX ADD ANOTHER BACK STOP TO THE MIX

After trading Omar Narvaez and letting Kevan Smith get picked up from waivers, by the Angels. The White sox catching position seem kind of depleted. Only Wellington Castillo left, with some interesting prospects to choose from, in the minors. Just in case the prospects were not ready the Sox added a veteran to the mix. James McCann signs a one year deal with the White sox.

James McCann spent five seasons in the motor city. Originally was drafted by the White sox, back in 2008. James McCann chose to go to college instead. After Arkansas state the Tigers, drafted him in 2011. In five seasons playing for the Tigers, he has a career batting average of .240 with 40 bombs, 177 RBI’S in 452 games. In 2017, James had by far his best season with the bat, as he tallied 13 bombs driving in 49. Last season in a 118 games he batted a low, .220 with 8 bombs driving in 39, on bad Tiger team.

James McCann is only 28 years old. He is known for his defense when it comes to his position, as a catcher. He’s one of the best in the business controlling a running game. This has been a weakness for the White sox, for a very long time. He could be asset against teams that are known for stealing bases. He could be used in late innings, to help close out games, if the closer finds himself in a jam of some kind.

I do not think this signing will rule out Zack Collins and Seby Zavala from being called up. If they are ready you could definitely add them to the mix. Will both Castillo and McCann be all star catchers in the future ? With the McCann signing it gives those young prospects mores seasoning in the minor leagues. Your not rushing them. It gives them a chance to have unlimited amount of bats down on the farms. If their ready you can always dump one of these veterans, without blinking an eye.

Overall I like the signing of McCann. Is Castillo off the juice? Not sure Wellington Castillo is a guy to get excited about. He seem to be better on the juice, then when he came back off the juice, as he served his 60 game suspension last season. The McCann signing gives the catching position depth. It’s only a one year deal. If the team is bad, its  another guy you could flip at the trade deadline.  I think defense and pitching win lots of games. Love the idea about a catcher keeping base runners at large. Take pressure off the pitchers. Only if you combined both Wellington Castillo and Jame McCann talents into one catcher. Perhaps an all star in the making.

DECEMBER 11TH TRADE

WHITE SOX AND PIRATES MAKE A DEAL

Both the White Sox and the Pirates, so far have been fiddling with their own rosters. Reshaping their roster, into some kind of direction. The jury is still out with what direction either team is going, or if they even have a plan. Both teams become trade partners, at the baseball winter meetings.

The big name in this trade, White Sox land pitcher Ivan Nova. Meanwhile, the Pirates land a pitcher also. Yordi Rosario, a young prospect and the Pirates receive some international bonus pool money. Monopoly money for some out of states talent to build up the account. For the next available Cuban that escapes.

Ivan Nova is in his last year of his contract. The Pirates save 9.2 million dollars shipping him to Chicago. With that money coming off the books, they could look into adding other pieces in free agency, to fill in their holes. They also can slide one of their up and coming young pitchers into the rotation. The rotation so far has some talented young starters in place. Chris Archer, the big catch of the summer from the Rays. Plus Jameson Taillon and Trevor Williams.

The White sox are looking to fill their rotation, perhaps with a veteran or two. Ivan Nova fills the need as an inning eater. A guy that will make every start when his turn is called. The White sox have three younger pitchers already in place. Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito. The team also has some young prospects that could make the jump to the majors, at some point next season. Last season the team had a big blow, when Michael Kopech injured himself. He was pitching well in the Majors from the time he was called up. The injury, needs your typical Tommy John surgery. He will miss all of 2019.

Will the Pirates invest the money they do not have to pay Nova?  Invest into something that will help their team get better, in the 2019 season. The Pirates were up and down last season. They did win 82 games. They had a streaks at times, where they looked like they would be contending for a wild card. The Pirates  payroll is pretty low. If they chose to go on spending spree and get the missing players to complete their roster. They could make a run at the NL Central. So far they been digging in the dollar bin, for players like Lonnie Chisenhall. Those are good to do because they do pan out. You might find a Weekend at Bernie’s. However you never know when you will get a Weekend at Bernie’s two. Then losses pile up. Obvious the penny pinching theory would not work that year. Plus other years the team has been down this road.

From the White Sox side of things the Nova trade is a cheaper version of Jame Shields. Ivan Nova achieved a better record at 9-9, with the Pirates. Novas ERA, is very high for a NL pitcher, at 4.19. Ivan Nova pitched better at home, at PNC park than on the road. His ERA, much lower at 2.99, in 14 starts. On the road, he was horrible, in 15 starts with a 5.42 ERA. Then the stat that scares me the most, he gave up 26 home runs. How many will he serve up at Guaranteed Rate? White Sox stadium is way home run friendly than PNC park. This year things could be better for the White Sox. You might not need a Nova to eat 200 innings, like James Shields did.  If things go south Nova has never pitched 200 innings. James Shields sounds better for some reason.

The Nova deal from the Pirates prospective is good. They can always replace him with a cheaper veteran, that can produce a 500 record.  For the White sox this deal is stupid. I know the needs for a veteran pitcher in the rotation. They need a guy that is better than what Jame Shields did last year, for the ridiculous amount of money he got. I still don’t know what direction this rebuild is going. They traded and landed a younger closer from the Mariners. They let two younger catchers go elsewhere, to keep an older veteran ,in Wellington Castillo. If the White sox are bad and Nova is good they could trade him at the deadline. Rumors are swirling the White sox are interested in many big fish this year, in the free agent pool. They could at least come up with a starter, that has a lower ERA and a winning track record than the heaps they had or are getting.  Most of all what heaps are they thinking to add? Both teams need something better than what we are getting.  It is still early. I have growing tired of that excuse.

MCCUTCHEN IS MOVING BACK TO PENNSYLVANIA

Andrew McCutchen, the former Pirate, is moving back to Pennsylvania. This go around, not the Steel City. He is heading to Philadelphia and joining the Phillies in 2019. Pirates traded McCutchen in the off season before the 2018 season. In 2018 Andrew McCutchen spent time in the Bay Area with the Giants. Then the Giants traded him to the Yankees at the trade deadline. At the age of 32, he batted .255 combined with both teams. He hit 20 bombs while driving in 65 with both teams combined.

Andrew is not a fine wine as he gets older. His numbers are decreasing with age. The Phillies are rumored to be after everyone that has a pulse, including the big fish. Andrew McCutchen is the first piece of many they are seeking. McCutchen gets a three year deal worth around 50 million and a club option.

Phillies were in the thick of things last year for the division. They were definitely in the race for the Wild Card as well. Late in the season the team ran out of gas. Phillies were a very young team that signed some bigger names last year in free agency. With the McCutchen signing, the Phillies might be forced to trade away some of their younger talent to strengthen other positions. Since the outfield could be a log jam.  If McCutchen’s numbers continue to drop after each year of this new deal,  it could set a team that built a nice young foundation back. Especially if they move young guys that are up and coming. The three year deal gives  McCutchen some stability. Which could ease his mindset and get back to his good days when he played with the Pirates years ago. Either way, this move is a gamble and will be a wait and see approach.

THE HALL CALLS TWO CHICAGO GUYS

On both sides of Chicago, fans of each baseball team should be happy. It is the off season and most fans are counting the days until spring training. They are waiting for their team to make a trade, or sign a free agent to make their team better. Neither team has not signed Bryce Harper yet. However each team has a blast from the past going into the hall of fame in 2019. Imagine both of them will be wearing Chicago hats and they give their speeches this summer.

“HAROLD, HAROLD, HAROLD!”

The chants of “Harold, Harold,” filled the stands when Harold Baines came up to bat. The old days of Old Comiskey Park on the Southside of Chicago. The smell of hot dogs in the air. Swirling wrappers scattering around in the right field corner. Nobody cares as it is late in the game and the man up to bat with the high leg kick in the batter box, will deliver for the home team with late innings heroics once again. Yesterday, the 16 person committee, who call themselves Today’s game committee, elected Harold Baines in the 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame.

As a White Sox fan you knew Frank Thomas was a first ballot hall of famer.  After the Big Hurt you wondered who would make it into the hall wearing a  White sox cap. Paul Konerko is definitely in the White Sox hall of fame. The team even retired his number. His overall numbers I think might come up short. Other heroes from the 2005 World Series, numbers would definitely come up short. Further away than Paulie’s numbers. Perhaps Chris Sale if he stays healthy and pitches well. Will that pitching style delivery he has come into play and shorten his career? All of that is thrown out the window because he ended up being traded to the Red Sox.  A World Series with Boston and you will forget about ever wearing White Sox.

Harold Baines never did well on the main ballot. He never even came close to get the right amount of votes to get into the hall of fame. Reasons of being a primary DH most of his career, was the main factor. Harold had a major knee injury that slotted him into the DH position. The DH position kept his baseball career alive. He thrived in his new position. Harold  had 2,866 hits in a career which is 134 short of the usual automatic shoe in of 3000 hits that gets you immediately elected. Players like David Ortiz and Frank Thomas have changed people’s minds about these sluggers that have played most of their games as a DH. Harold Baines only played two innings in the field during his last nine seasons in the Majors. Teams need a DH which is important in the AL. Plus both leagues need pinch hitting in late innings. Harold Baines played 22 years and has been through some labor strikes. In 1981, plus1994 where the league cancelled the playoffs and the World Series and part of the 1995 season. That’s 56 games he did not get to the batters box. That’s 56 games with which he probably could have gotten the 134 hits to get to 3000.

Harold Baines was originally drafted number one by the White Sox. He is only the third player who was drafted number one overall to make it into the hall. He joins two well known sluggers already in placed  Cooperstown: Chipper Jones and Ken Griffey Junior. Harold played 22 years in the Majors. He did 14 of them with the White Sox. He had a few stints as he was involved in a trade that sent him to Texas for Sammy Sosa. Besides the White Sox and Rangers, Baines suited up for the Indians, A’s, and his home town team, the Orioles. Baines retired in 2001 and finished with 384 home runs with a life time batting average of .289. Harold Baines went into coaching after he retired. He was one of the coaches that helped the White Sox win the World Series in 2005

When I was younger and a diehard baseball fan. The White Sox winning ugly 1983 team was what I was brought up on. Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk and Ron Kittle were my favorite players when they won the division back then. It was the first division title in Chicago from either baseball team in decades.  The early 1980s I played baseball for the White Sox little league team. I collected baseball cards and my dad brought me to my first ever ballgame at the Old Comiskey Park. When the beaded man with the high leg kick on each swing came up. Chants of “Harold” filled the crowd. It was like the wave. Or standing up to sing, “Take me out to the ballgame.” It came naturally and stayed with you the rest of the Sox games Harold played. It was branded inside my head like a catchy jingle on the television.

Some experts probably do not think Harold Baines has any business entering the hall. They will break down all the stats and dissect it a thousand times over and tell you he does not belong there. All those fun new stats which baseball is all about these days. It’s all about numbers and percentages and pie graphs and charts. To me it’s all about the eye test. I do not care how long he played for. How many at bats he had. Or what he had for dinner that night. I’ve seen him tie up games and send it to extras. During a late school night game, the adult we were with  walked us out early because one of the kids with us was sick so we had to leave early. It was during extra innings. Got to the car and Harold Baines sent everyone home happy with a game winner. Later in life I met a guy at a job who was actually my boss. Hated the White Sox. He was Brewer fan.  Before the Brewers went to the NL they were in the AL and a rival of the White Sox. Now the Southside faithful root for the Brew Crew. My boss hated Harold Baines for the reason that he’d come up to bat and came up with the right leg kick each time and put the bat on the ball with power. Resulting in a game winner after game winner. Would you give a man a statue while he was still in the league if he was a bad player or an average player? Welcome to Cooperstown #3, sorry for the long wait.  See you this summer .

CLOSE THE DOOR LEE