This was half written when Reds ownership traded for every available left handed starting pitcher on the market, so we have since re-written. In a dog fight with the Devil Rays and Marlins, the Reds are on fire in July with a .875 winning percentage. The offense is humming and the rotation is improved, so the focus here should be… Need: Bullpen 9th in bullpen ERA, this is an uninspiring group after Arthur Rhodes. Ironically enough, nearly all...
Toronto started the season red hot, having the best record in the league for a couple of sims. Although they have cooled slightly, they’re a threat. Looking at their roster, there are a couple of places that they would benefit to upgrade, most notably the bullpen. Of every contender, they would benefit most from a top reliever. That being said, their biggest need in this esteemed writer’s mind is… Need: Cap Space Credit where credit is...
Arizona spent the offseason selling off some pieces and have gone through this season so far not missing a beat. Although their division lead has shrunk, they’re still in first and squarely a team to beat. The pitching staff, like usual, has worked its voodoo magic and is one of the best in the league, despite moving on from guys like Myers and Sebra. Offense on the other hand… Need: Center Fielder The revolving door that has been center...
This writer is curious to see whether the Rangers see themselves as a buyer or a seller (or both), but at .500 with good veteran pitchers and Carlos Delgado and Chipper Jones leading the offense, it would be unwise to rule them out. Need: Designated Hitter John Kruk is a fun player. John Kruk has had a good career. John Kruk should no longer be playing regularly. Kruk is worth -1.2 WAR this season, making him one of the worst regulars in the...
A series through July looking at needs of contenders The Seattle Pilots started their season slowly, only showing a .500 record after the month of May. Thanks to a strong June, they find themselves 1 game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. Need: Middle Infield The middle of their infield, Aaron Ledesma and Scott Fletcher, have combined for -0.4 WAR, while the rest of their offense is ranked in the top third of nearly every major category....
It’s that magical time of year when everyone’s undefeated, every GM thinks they’re a genius, and fans start convincing themselves that their team’s fourth outfielder is “about to break out.” Let’s cut through the optimism fog with nine predictions that are actually worth remembering: 1. One of the Big Boys Goes BustEvery season, a “can’t miss” top-10 team… misses. This year? Circle the Marlins and Twins. Both are riding...
With much already written about the Toronto Blue Jays acquisition of Derek Jeter, I don’t feel the need to add many more words. That being said, this humble sports writer sees Derek Jeter and the Toronto Blue Jays as the perfect match — overhyped, over-talked about, and with nothing of consequence to show for it.
When the New York Yankees changed hands this offseason, skepticism followed. The Bronx Bombers had long been synonymous with star power and tradition, but few knew what to expect from their new owner, TigerWolfe. In just a matter of days, he’s given the league an emphatic answer: he’s here to play chess, not checkers. The early returns have been nothing short of brilliant. First, TigerWolfe pulled off a stunner by flipping Derek...
The DBL has had its fair share of quirky off-the-field sagas—stadium disputes, mascot controversies, questionable walk-up music choices—but few have the staying power of the Toronto Blue Jays’ long-running fight over the Florida Marlins name and logo. And here’s the twist: that fight is already over. The Logo Lapse For years, it’s been whispered that Toronto still “owned” the Florida Marlins identity—a holdover from their brief...
The Toronto Blue Jays may have shipped Carlos Delgado to the Texas Rangers, but he’s still dominating the conversation in the clubhouse — thanks to a batch of T-shirts and a front office move that has some players laughing… and others looking over their shoulders. According to multiple sources, GM Jose Mata was the one who handed out shirts reading “Carlos Who?” to Blue Jays players shortly after the trade was finalized. While the...