First-half of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is in the books. That means it’s that time of year when debate will rage on about who made the All-Star teams and who should have made the All-Star teams. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars”
July 31st is always a great day for me because I get to see players move around like someone is playing speed chess. Continue reading “Major League Baseball Trade Deadline 2014: David Price, Jon Lester, And Other Thoughts On Deadline Deals”
What a second-half it is shaping up to be.
I saw the other day a statistic that said for the first time in Major League Baseball’s history four divisions are separated by no more than a game and a half. Four! So where does that put things for those contenders who are, not only fighting to avoid the Wild Card play-in game, but fighting for the opportunity to be in that playoff conversation? Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: The Division Races and Other Second-Half Predictions Pt. 2”
We’ve passed the point of its early. You’re either a “contender” at this point or you’re not. Of course there are teams that can put together a run, but generally they have the talent on their roster to be considered a team to watch as we head into the All-Star break in the next four weeks. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Five Contenders And What They Need To Fix For A Playoff Push”
In the American League Central one thing is clear: you’re only as good as the sum of your parts, and the Detroit Tigers are as good as anyone in baseball. Their lineup features the best hitter in baseball (Miguel Cabrera), the last two American League Cy Young award winners (Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer), and the last three American League MVP award winners (Justin Verlander (2011), Cabrera (2012 and 2013). They traded for Ian Kinsler, get Victor Martinez for another full season, and their bullpen now features Joe Nathan who has 80 saves in 86 opportunities (93%) the last two years. They are the only team in this division who boast those kinds of parts all around.
Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview: American League Central”
” I don’t think it’s the Cardinals’ responsibility necessarily to be the morality police.” -John Mozeliak, GM, St. Louis Cardinals Continue reading “MLB Offseason 2013: How The St. Louis Cardinals Lost Their Way With Peralta Signing”
In 1999 the Atlanta Braves had a budding superstar in Chipper Jones. That season he hit 45 home runs with 110 RBI’s, and a .319 batting average on his way to the National League most valuable player award and a National League pennant. Continue reading “2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Snubs, Oddities, And Thoughts”
Last season the Detroit Tigers took the division and this season I don’t see much difference. Although, I do see a surprise team that (if all the chips fall correctly) could make a run at a Wild Card spot and possibly the division. Continue reading “The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: American League Central”
Wil Meyers, Tampa Bay Rays, 2012 Minors: 37 home runs, .314 BA, 109 RBI’s, .387 OBP; Analysis: Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2013 Preview: Top-5 Rookies In Baseball”
**Update (9:36 p.m., 2/7/2013): Reports have the agreement between Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners as a five-year extension (beginning in 2015) worth $135.5 million dollars ($27.1 million dollars annually will make him the highest annually paid pitcher in baseball history)**
For the sake of the article lets assume that Jack Zduriencik, general manager of the Seattle Mariners, is a smart man.
While I personally do not understand what he is doing with this franchise, lets all assume that the reported seven-year, $175 million dollar deal they have with Felix Hernandez was necessary for them as a team and that it will be good for them in the long run. Continue reading “Seattle Mariners Deal With Felix Hernandez Will Set Off Major Free Agent Movement For Young Pitchers”