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The Greatest Detroit Tiger By Position: First Base
Moving on from naming our greatest catcher of all-time for the Detroit Tigers, we take on naming the greatest first baseman of all-time. If choosing a catcher was difficult, this proves to be one of the biggest battles outside of the right field discussion.
With the only criteria of playing for the Tigers for five seasons, with a majority of games at that position, we have seven candidates. They include: Norm Cash, Hank Greenberg, Miguel Cabrera, Rudy York, Lu Blue, Cecil Fielder, and Tony Clark. The only two players that I am going to eliminate from this list right away will be Clark and Fielder, as Clark’s the .277 average and 156 homers aren’t going to cut it with this group, although the numbers are respectable. Fielder, I was intending to write about until I looked at his numbers as a first baseman and realized a third of his homers came as a DH.
We’ll start in chronological order…
Odds To Win The 2017 MLB World Series
Jon Durr/Getty Images North America
With the Chris Sale deal the Red Sox went fro co-favorites with the Indians t0 near the Cubs stratosphere for overwhelming odds on winners to take home the League Pennants in either league.
While I have no issue with these two squads holding the edge against the rest of the pack, it is just not that much of a discrepancy.
One may argue that the Nationals path of resistance is actually a lot easier than the Cubs for the Division.
The Mets Starting Pitching is suspect for health reasons, and there are holes all around the positional lineup when it comes to lack of a Centerfielder. and 3 men in the Infield who could suffer back injuries all year.
Here is the funny thing though. the Mets still made the WildCard play in game in 2016 despite all of the turmoil that presented itself.
Miami has taken a setback with the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez. This will be felt in the standings in my opinion.
The biggest X factor is if Giancarlo Stanton could remain healthy for 145 Games, but odds dictate he will not, therefore this Division should be beat up pretty bad by the Nats and Mets.
Atlanta and Philly are just a year away from solidly competing. Read the rest of this entry
Early 2017 MLB Team Win Projections
Having a great offsesson despite David Ortiz retiring. Are the deepest all around team in the American League, with the greatest collection of veterans and young players. The biggest other move in the Division so far was the Yankees signing Aroldis Chapman, and that may just help the Bombers stay above .500 – and have a chance to compete.
Following the recent Winter Meetings, the new CBA being signed. and then the subsequent few weeks after, the projections are win totals based on the teams if over/unders were to be placed.
From the onset. the Boston Red Sox are the clear favorite in the AL East – with adding Chris Sale, Mitch Moreland, Tyler Thornburg to their ALL – Star cast, while David Ortiz (retired), Travis Shaw (traded) Koji Uehara (Signed with the Cubs), Brad Ziegler (Free Agent) are off the postseason roster that lost to the Tribe.
The players going back to the White Sox were not from the Major League Roster for the most part.
With the Jays having Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, Michael Saunders. R. A. Dickey, Brett Cecil off the 25 man roster, to replacing with Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce for the most part as main transactions. this is a far cry from an even trade. However the club will still likely make some more moves.
Cleveland stands to benefit for the rest of the division all seeming to rebuild. but the Tigers have only dealt Cameron Maybin away – so they are sitting on the cusp of challenging for the AL Central again. Detroit may want to explore going for it one more year based on what the Royals have done, and the fact the White Sox and Twins might be the worst clubs in the Junior Circuit.
Houston has been super progressive with signing Josh Reddick and Carlos Beltran as Free Agents, while also flipping for Brian McCann. This was a squad that started 7 – 17,before reeling off a nice 77 – 62 mark down the stretch to fall just short of the playoff bar.
Seattle is also positioning themselves upward just by how bad the Rangers have fared this winter. Not only that, but they added strength to their worst 2 weaknesses in adding Jean Segura at SS. and Carlos Ruiz as a viable backup Catcher. Read the rest of this entry
Once Again: Why The MLB Should Consider A Geographical/Market Size Re-Alignment For The Next CBA:
The new CBA has been a godsend for the mid – market teams, and not so great for the 10 top markets, but even more devastating for the 10 lowest markets. One thing the CBA did address was to give the players an additional 4 days off during the league year – stretching from 183 Days to 187 – in lieu of expanding the rosters of 25 to 26.
This website has continued its stance since day 1, that while the economics have been a lot more fair to teams in the last 15 years, there is still much work to do. The best small market teams we have seen in the last 7 years have been the Oakland A’s, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and of course the 2015 World Series winning Kansas City Royals. Only one of these teams actually were a decent franchise for some time before they took off.
Pittsburgh lost for 22 years before they finally made 3 straight postseason appearances. With the new CBA not giving them 1st RD Draft Picks for departing players in future seasons like Andrew McCutchen, Gregory Polanco, Starling Marter and Gerrit Cole, this is a sure fire way for the brass to cut the cord on their service team a lot of time ahead of them hitting Free Agency.
Kansas City was a laughable organization from the mid 90’s to 2013 as well, and despite winning back to back pennants in the AL< and being the first small market team to win the World Series since the 2003 Marlins, they will soon start to see their team ripped apart under the same Free Agent terms like the Bucs – with Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Danny Duffy and Mike Moustakas likely all not re-signing with the franchise. Dayton Moore already had to trade ace Closer Wade Davis this past week.
The Tampa Bay Rays were awful from 1998 – 2007, and were able to stockpile #1 overall picks to build up the franchise. The Joe Maddon era ensued for 6 straight quality years where they competed beautifully, including a World Series Loss in 2008, but now they are at a crossroads again from a 68 win campaign. and teams all spending double what they can. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2017 World Series: Nats/Giants/Astros Great Value – Bounce On KC/NYY
For a second straight week we love the Nationals with the best odd value of the week. They have some financial flexibility to bring in a few more ALL – Star Caliber players and also possess the prospects in order to get it done. If you believe (like I do) that the Nats are serious about trading for guys like Andrew McCutchen and Chris Sale, than it is imperative you get this club at their odd this week.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
The Nationals are really making noise about trying to land Andrew McCutchen and Chris Sale. Even if they don’t fulfill the need, I still think they will add more depth via trade for another good Starting Pitcher and also add an impressive CF, and reliever.
We shall wait and see whether or not that could be the likes of Dexter Fowler or a reunion with Ian Desmond to play CF, Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen to be added to for late inning work. At +1200 the Nats are full value for the best odd of the week.
The NL East may be easier to win than the NL West and NL Central if you think the way that most good handicappers are right now. The Mets are dreaming if they think they can contend with 3 Infield Starters with bad backs, and a declining metrics Shortstop, added to not a true CF, and a horrible Catcher offensive situation.
I am trying not to bag on the Mets too much here, as I think they could still rally to win 85 – 90 wins again next year based on the strength of the rest of the Division, it is just the health concerns that would frighten me to pieces. Read the rest of this entry
6 MLB Teams That Will Benefit The Most By The New CBA
The Toronto Blue Jays have had to contend with the overspending in the last 25 years by the Yankees and Red Sox. With stiffer penalties now imposed on the higher payroll clubs. coupled with their recent back to back ALCS Appearances, the franchise draws enough to spend more money on total team salary in the next few years. It will come down to the management’s ability on player personnel that should determine their success for the next 5 years and not sheer finances.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Tomorrow we will point out the clubs that were hurt most in the short term. today we talk about the winners of the new deal.
I am calling the Nationals, Mariners, Astros, Jays, Cardinals and Giants the immediate victors under the new format.
When i was thinking about more the past two days, the new structure seems to favor mid level payroll teams more than the lower or higher payroll clubs.
With the new penalties for spending way more money than the Luxury Tax Threshold, the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox and Tigers are going to find that the impact will run pretty steep on their roster decisions for the next 5 years.
Being that that all of those franchises are still going to dole out the kind of money on player contracts they are, I am not calling them losers for the new CBA either. Read the rest of this entry
The New Luxury Tax Threshold Means The Top 11 Salaried Clubs Will All Be Affected In The Present + Future
The Dodgers have spent over $300 MIL on salary in back to back years, and are the clubhouse leaders in Luxury Tax penalties paid in that time frame. At a 50% penalty currently until falling under the limit for a year, the Los Angeles forked out $40 MIL in Luxury Taxes in 2016. With an estimated $193 MIL payroll already is signed and team controlled players – considering there are several roster holes now created by departing guys, the team will need to spend around $235 MIL in 2017 total payroll in order to be competitive.. With a 50% penalty – and an additional 45% hit for going $40 MIL over the new $195 MIL limit in 2017, I highly expect the organization will be less willing to spend 90 cents extra for every dollar spent beyond that.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With the new CBA being tentatively signed yesterday through 2021 – the lower payroll teams will finally see some steeper enforcement of higher payroll squads.
With several penalties that range up to a 90% max penalty for spending over the limit, the dollars finally make sense for the MLB to curtail a team going rogue on their payroll spending.
Under the new deal, the format will jump from a team’s AAV (Average Annual Value) limit of $189 MIL to $195 MIL in 2017, $197 MIL in 2018, $206 MIL in 2019, $208 MIL in 2020 and $210 MIL on 2021.
The penalty for a 1st year abuser went from 12.5% to 20%, The 2nd year Still remains at 30%, the 3rd season escalates from 40% previously to 50% already. Each campaign the team is over following 3 years, the team is nailed for 50% of money spent over the limit.
Additionally, the franchise will pay a fee of 12% for spending between $20 MIL to $40 MIL over the Threshold.
If a organization goes $40 MIL over, they are faced with a surcharge of 42%.
3rd time abusers will pay 45% for every dollar doled out past $40 MIL over.
This means a 1st time penalty would still spank a team to the tune of 60% if a club spends more than $40 MIL over the limit. Read the rest of this entry
Top Detroit Tigers Prospects For 2017 & How They Fared In 2016
Baseball America and numerous other baseball prospect sites are moving through the process of naming each team’s top prospects for next season and BA just released Detroit’s last week. The list is based on potential and Baseball America is considered the go to when it comes to prospects.
Here’s the list and how that player fared in 2016…
- Matt Manning, RHP – Manning was the 9thoverall pick in the 2016 draft and I guarantee one of the first things you will read about him is about his athleticism and his father Rich who played in the NBA. What I like is the kid is 6’6” at 18-years old and could grow another inch. What I am afraid of, is that from all reports, he may remain lanky and unable to add weight to his frame for durability purposes. After being drafted, Manning went to rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League, where he made 10 starts, was 0-2, with a 3.99 ERA, a 1.159 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 rate, and 14.1 K/9 rate. Expect Manning to move up to West Michigan to start the 2017 season.
MLB Reports Bettting Results For The 2016 Year: We Made A Profit For The Third Straight Campaign!
I take my betting style from a philosophy used from a few decades of research. This book was one of the templates followed for success.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Disclaimer: All bets were made in the State Of Nevada, or via Canada (by Chuck Booth) where bets are legal online.
So it was an interesting wager year. I nailed the World Series winner, but never did place on money on them in any futures. I was able to hedge bet because I had the Dodgers at a 15/1 Odds from the previous winter.
I absolutely killed it on Player Prop Betting – running the whole table. I was on fire in the playoffs. My best regular season wager for wins ( TB Rays under) was nice, but I took a beating on the rest of the over/under on victories across the board.
My pick of the Baltimore Orioles at 28/1 – to win the American League Pennant – set me up to hedge bet enough of the Junior Circuit playoffs, that I could help rescue my wagering season.
Chuck Booth and I combined for all of these picks, and we use the same gambling template for how we put down cabbage.
The real difference of profit came down to our perfect prognostication of Giancarlo Stanton winning the Derby helped us in breaking even and winning some cash at the end of the campaign.
Read the rest of this entry
Cleveland Indians State Of The Union For 2017: The Tribe Better Not Trade Andrew Miller!
The Cleveland has ridden great drafting, trades and salaried contracts to put themselves into contention for the AL Pennant over the next couple of years. The last thing they need to do is try to deal the one Bullpen member who helped pushed them over the top in the Junior Circuit in 2016. At worst, start the season with Andrew Miller – and if things go horribly, you can always trade him midway through the year with ome other guys as well.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
The 2016 season showed us just how valuable that a Relief Pitcher like Andrew Miller can be. Loaded with an arsenal of great Bullpen guys, Terry Francona flipped the coaching book on its keester by bringing back the old way that Relievers used to be implemented late in the games. I was a kid who would watch Goose Gossage mow down hitters as a hired gun late in contests.
We all saw it before our very own eyes. Now comes the most ridiculous notion ever of considering trading him? Really Cleveland?? You better not even fathom this until at least midway through the 2017 campaign.
I understand it is tough for a mid market club doling out $9M a year for a guy who might log 70 Innings – and not save the games he is in, but they just need to look at how good they fared in 2016.
The Tribe was without its best player all year in Michael Brantley, and also without Danny Salazar/Carlos Carrasco for the majority of the playoffs too. There is no way this club should have gone this far, and pushed the Cubs to the brink of elimination in the Fall Classic, before the reigning champs came back to ruin the party in Cleveland.
If I were in Chris Antonetti’s shoes I don’t start any dialogue about 2017’s roster without Andrew Miller on the opening day squad.
$9 Million is not earth shattering cash when you consider Andrew Cashner – and his bloated ERA of 5.25 just backed up his dome into Texas and settled for a cool $10 MIL for the 2017 season. If Cleveland can’t afford the guy they might as well pack up town in the middle of the night and head elsewhere (something that has happened in Cleveland before.) The 6 FT 7 – 31 Year old-fashioned a 10 – 1 record this year. with an incredible 123 Ks and just 9 BB in his 74.1 IP worth of work. Miller then fanned 30 batters, walked just five, while sporting a 1.40 ERA in 20.1 IP in the postseason, winning the ALCS MVP honors and nearly helped lead his team to Cleveland’s first WS win since 1948. If the goal is to win in the playoffs you can’t trade this guy right now. He is money there, and you have a chance to go back to October baseball again in 2017.
This 2016 AL Pennant squad should be conceivably better with a healthy Michael Brantley coming back, equaled with more seasoning from Tyler Naquin, and topped off with the emergence of Francisco Lindor/Jason Kipnis as an awesome double play combination.
it may be hard to fill the 34 HRs and 101 RBI that Mike Napoli brought forth, but one could still find a few cheap replacements to pull in some nice numbers. They could employ another DH full time like Pedro Alvarez on the cheap, and work in some against LHP – by bringing back Rajai Davis who crushes southpaws. Davis could act as a 4th OF in the midst of Naquin, Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall.
The Indians still also have Brandou Guyer – who can handle a stick against LHP as well – and act as a DH/OF.
Cleveland is currently slated to pay around $105 MIL to all of its current guys. Maybe there is only a few million in the coffers to play in Free Agency this offseason, yet this teams strength is its Bullpen – so don’t trade from that position of strength.
Terry Francona should be given all ample bodies to begin the campaign. If it all goes awry during the season you can always trade some players midway through the year if it looks like it will not be their year.
Furthermore, I would ride the beginning of the year just like they ended the playoffs. I would not change anything at all out of the gate. I would start the year off by playing with a huge sense of urgency.
The way the rest of the AL Central is looking, with the Tigers and white Sox talking a bot cutting payroll and maybe going for a rebuild, combined with KC potentially selling on their pending Free Agents in the next couple of years like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Wade Davis, then you could see how a quick Cleveland start could discourage the rest of the pack.
The Dodgers just set a record for innings logged into the playoffs and it served them well. The good news is the Indians can rely on their starters to provide some much needed rest for their late inning arms, by logging some of their own innings.
Go into frontrunner mode and let Francona figure out a way to get the likes of Miller, Allen and Shaw enough rest – so they can patchwork it through the end of the season.
Winning a bunch of games early, added with an awesome 2016 season – should see the Indians organization see a rise in attendance through the wickets to start the year. An early lead would only help the situation out. Cleveland should go all out to win in 2017. Go the way of the 2014 Royals turning a World Series loss into a repeat trip the next year.
Cleveland will need Miller’s skill set when it comes time for the playoffs too. This guy just seems to get better the more work he gets. Keep riding the horse.
The franchise is so lucky that they have Lindor in Pre-Arbitration status – and that despite missing almost all of the 2016 season – that Michael Brantley is criminally underpaid for his services on the board.
Kipnis, Kluber and Carrasco were also extended contracts at the exact perfect time. Having all these guys not cost a boatload is the reason you could have afforded Miller in the 1st place
Bryan Shaw and Carlos Santana are the only guys that are free after the 2017 year anyways. Those guys while vital to the team this year, can be replaced – whereas a guy like Miller is a game changer in his role. If they really need to keep the finances in line, they would be better served to dangle these players as trade bait first.
Terry Francona has won 2 Manager of the Year Awards in his 4 seasons in Cleveland. He is also underrated in his Bullpen management. The organization should let him have all of the weapons in the Relief Core. I think he should also run with the style he used in the playoffs to start the year. Worry about resting the guys later in the year if they come flying out of the gates early. This way of thinking could have us return to what Relievers used to be implored for in game use.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***
A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.
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Odds To Win The 2017 World Series:
The Nationals feature 3 potential MVPs and 2 Cy Young Pitchers as their top talent – while the rest of the Division struggles with overcoming roster hauls, rebuilding and tragedy. The Cubs are the expected overwhelming favorite, however they don’t pay nearly enough, and nothing is ever certain in the playoffs. Give me the Nats as the best on the board currently.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
If you bet with your mind and not your heart in the last 12 months, than you would have lost on the World Series predictions. I prognosticated in my yearly preseason bets that I thought the Cubs would win the Fall Classic, but profusely hated the odds of +500 to begin the campaign.
I still fully capitalized on my preseason wager of picking the Dodgers at +1500 for $50, along with the Mets and Nationals at +1100 for $50 a piece as well.
That, coupled with my Baltimore Orioles AL pick to win the AL Pennant at 28/1 Odds served to put me into a position to hedge several bets in the playoffs to turn a nice profit. Later in the week we will delve into the websites entire wagers for the whole calendar season.
The reigning champions are also extreme favorites again heading into 2017 – at a +280 clip. I may pick them to win another World Series again in my actual predictions, however those are still horrible odds to throw some cabbage down on.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 17, 2016
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America
The Cy Young results came in. While Max Scherzer is a solid choice, Rick Porcello’s election is as strange as any as we have seen this month… and that is saying something.
It is a “Let me see that ballot” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 12, 2016
Daniel Shirey/Getty Images North America
The Tigers need to make some tough decisions, and one that could mean the end of Justin Verlander’s career in Detroit.
I discuss that and discover that Baseball Reference.com (the single greatest website in the history of the planet Earth) showed I am not as clever as I think I am on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
6 Non-Playoff MLB Teams Under the Most Pressure to Compete in 2017
The 2016 MLB postseason is officially in full swing as the remaining eight teams battle for the right to hoist the World Series trophy within the next few weeks. This also means that 22 other squads are already turning the page with their eyes set on making a run at October in 2017.
Every organization goes into a season with the best of intentions, but a lot can happen over 162 games – both good and bad. For a number of teams, the bad outweighed the good, which is why an invitation to play in the postseason never arrived in their respective mailboxes.
Here are six teams feeling a ton of pressure to compete and secure a spot in the playoffs next October:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 2, 2016
AP Photo – Nam Y. Huh
Labor Day weekend is upon us. A few sweeps this weekend could put the baseball world on its head.
Meanwhile the Giants are somehow as bad the second half as they were good the first half.
Nothing is what it seems on episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Christian Yelich, Byron Buxton, Jose Urena, Ervin Santana, Jose Abreu and Hunter Pence all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
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Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks for Fanduel, Draft Kings, and FanPicks 7/5/16
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (7/5/16): MLB DFS Advice
Fanduel Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (7/5/16): MLB DFS Advice
Fanpicks Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (7/5/16): MLB DFS Advice
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Daily Matchups for 7/5/2016
Pitcher
STUDS
Carrasco, Price, and MadBum…… All with sketchy match ups. I’m personally fading all three, if I had to choose one, I’d go Carrasco. He’s kept the Tigers in check with exception of Miggy, but the Tigers can blow up at any time. More of a tourney play.
MID RANGE
Masahiro Tanaka– Whitesox hitting a combined .224 vs him and he’s been pretty reliable this year.
AJ Griffin– Current Sox 9-38 off him and he’s limited the HR’s this year. Sox do appear to be heating up, so there’s some risk but he could pay off nicely,
VALUE
Tim Lincecum- Rays have made a lot of below average pitchers look good this year, they K a bunch vs righties and its in the Trop. Not high upside here, but 6 innings, 2 ER with 5-6 K’s and the W is a reachable line. And his price could allow you some big bats.
CATCHER
STUDS
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The Most Recent Cycle Hit For All Teams (Updated for Freddie Freeman, 6-15-2016)
KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES
The First Cycle of the Year!
And true to 2016 Atlanta Braves style, the team almost lost the damn game. It took extra innings, but Freddie Freeman made the list. This might be the highlight of Atlanta’s season!
Here is the list, updated for today’s action!
MLB Fantasy Daily (DFS) Picks For DraftKings – 5/17/16
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
We are ramping up our coverage on DFS play at MLB Reports, and will include some strategy articles in the forthcoming days and weeks. We come from a high level of handicapping backgrounds, and have been given the go ahead from the braintrust at MLB Reports to start sharing some of these with you.
Of course Chuck Booth and I spearheaded this movement back in a few years ago with just regular baseball futures. We were not sure if we wanted to go ahead with the MLB DFS Fantasy at all, but were finally convinced for demand by a couple of our BBBA writers (Josh Robbins and Trey Rose). The need is there and we are looking to deliver.
I have played DFS long enough to be the guy who writes the posts here. The gambling philosophy championed by Booth in the 90’s is brilliant for any sources of tournaments or gambling period. It weaves the Martingale Betting System (progressive betting with the double up theory) and it fosters it with several other techniques so you don’t bet against yourself.
One of the biggest blunders made by many gamblers is betting against themselves. We are going to simplify the process, so if you win, you can really win – none of this barely break even nonsense.
Look for that in coming days. Now here is what we are going to do for today’s MLB DFS Draft Kings style.
We Will Give You – Daily
5 team stacking options ( We are going to draw most of our players from these 5 squads).
3 Pitching candidates (High level, midlevel and budget).
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 17, 2016
Kirthmon F. Dozier – Detroit Free Press
The Twins and Tigers are playing an ugly series against each other. Neither team looks good this year. And yet somehow the Twins may be a more hopeful team than Detroit.
It is a “Glass Half Empty/Glass Half Full” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
J.D. Martinez, Sean Manaea, Matt Joyce, Robbie Ray, Kurt Suzuki and Trayce Thompson all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
MLB Power Rankings 2016: Week 7 – May
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
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MAY 15, 2016
Well not much has changed from this week as compared to last week. Detroit carried its free fall to 4th in the AL Central, the Yankees took 5 of 7 contests – and 7/10 in their homestand to save their season for now.
Miami and Philadelphia continue to stick around in the NL East, and the Giants and Dodgers finally had winning weeks to make the NL West Division Leader respectable.
Nobody looks scarier right now than the Boston Red Sox offense, who led by David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley JR. and Xander Bogaerts, plated 10 runs or more in 5 of the last 6 games, after going their 1st 32 games without doing so.
I am still awaiting for a Jays big winning streak. Houston has not played winning baseball since the 1st 6 weeks of the 2015 – and are tending to resemble the 2007 Tampa Bay Rays more than anything.
All offense and little pitching and defense.
There is nobody struggling worse than Logan Morrison, Russell Martin, Carlos Gomez and the consortium of LF’s in Anaheim! Recently bouncing out of this list are Jason Heyward and Chase Headley.
We are nearing the quarter pole and rapidly approaching Memorial Day Weekend, so it is not early anymore.
Read the rest of this entry
MLB Daily Fantasy Picks (DFS) For FanDuel – 5/15/16
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Sunday is always a crapshoot with everything involved, so make sure you check your starting lineups, weather and backup Catcher roles.
The game I am keying on more than others today is the game at Camden Yards. With contests in Coors Field, Chase Field and Miller Park also featuring on massive hitter friendly venues, I will be playing a roster on all of them.
The Tigers are still criminally underpriced on FanDuel right now, as their losing streak has a ton more to do with their horrific Late Inning Relief of late.
I am waiting for Justin Upton to start cracking the ball, and will play him on a roster for 2 – 3 weeks once he starts rolling. He is a type of guy who will bash 10 HRs in a month at least once in a baseball year.
In the same game, I am running with Jonathan Schoop, who clubbed 2 jacks Saturday – and could easily go yard again on Sunday.
Adam Jones is also on fire – after early season struggles, and is a nice bargain at $2800. Manny Machado took a goose egg for FPP – and I simply can’t think he will do this two games in a row.
Tentatively, I also have put Nolan Reimold into the lineup, should he not be played, I am going to use Yasiel Puig on a wildcard throw out there at $2400.
I would have loved to have implored the Jays lineup – however they were all way out of whack for the price – so I am only going to use Troy Tulowitzki.
The Tigers are facing Kevin Gausman, yet have several hitters that just lace fastballs.
As for my pitcher – I am going with Masahiro Tanaka. The White Sox have guys that whiff in their lineup something fierce, and I like Tanaka over Miguel Gonzalez in this matchup.
MAY 15, 2016…All Day Slate – Camden Heavy
P – Masahiro Tanaka, CWS @ NYY, $9800
C – Victor Martinez. DET @ BAL, $3500
1B – Miguel Cabrera. DET @ BAL, $3700
2B – Jonathan Schoop. DET @ BAL, $2800
3B – Manny Machado, DET @ BAL, $4200
SS – Troy Tulowitzki, TOR @ TEX, $2800
OF – Justin Upton, DET @ BAL, $2900
OF – Adam Jones, DET @ BAL, $2800
OF – Nolan Reimold, DET @ BAL, $2600 (Or Yasiel Puig, STL @ LAD, $2400, vs Mike Leake)
$35, 000, 000 ($0 Left)
2nd Sample Lineup – Coors Field Stack
P – Danny Duffy, ATL @ KC, $6800
C – Victor Martinez, DET @ BAL, $3500 or Buster Posey SF @ ARI, $3400
1B – Lucas Duda, NYM @ COL, $3800
2B – Neil Walker, NYM @ COL, $3500
3B – Danny Valencia, OAK @ TB, $2400
SS – Marcus Semien, OAK @ TB $2200
OF – Yoenis Cespedes, NYM @ COL, $5000
OF – Curtis Granderson, NYM @ COL, $3700
OF – Carlos Gonzalez, NYM @ COL, $4000
$35, 000, 000 ($0 Left)
If you’re not familiar with the points breakdown, here’s the format utilizing a $35 million salary cap.
Scoring System: https://www.fanduel.com/spring-training?t=lobby
1 Starting Pitcher (SP)
1 Catcher (C)
1 First Baseman (1B)
1 Second Baseman (2B)
1 Third Baseman (3B)
1 Short Stop (SS)
3 Outfielders (OF)
Game Types: https://www.fanduel.com/how-it-works
50-50s
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Stephen Strasburg Ties Felix Hernandez For 17th On The MLB’s ALL – Time Top 50 Contract List With Extension
Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America
Chuck Booth (MLB Reports Majority Owner/Lead Analyst)
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Stephen Strasburg shocked he baseball world the other day – by inking a 7 year extension worth from $175 – $180 MIL. It ties him for 17th All – Time with Felix Hernandez to start with, but he can earn an additional $7 MIL with $1 MIL per year bonuses for reaching 180 IP.
The deal pays him $15 MIL annually from 2016 – 2023, and then the deferrals kick in from 2023 – 2030, in 7 installments of $10 MIL each.
Some will say his deal is worth more like $162 MIL in present day dollars, however we do not operate our top 50 contracts list like that. The deal is guaranteed at $175 MIL for now, and we will change it if bonuses are hit.
With this contract, the Nats have 4 current players that are on this ALL – Time List with Scherzer (10th), Strasburg (T 17th), Zimmerman (37th) and Werth (Tied 44th).
This signing is a great move to open a 3 year window for Washington, as they also have Bryce Harper under team control until after the 2018 season, however it also may seal the fate the of the young reigning NL MVP to move elsewhere for 2019.
Werth’s contract does end at the end of the 2017 year. but Zimmerman is still on the books until at least 2020.
It will be tough to come up with the dough necessary to drop a 11 – 13 years contract worth $35 – 40 MIL per annum when it comes to Harper.
Even with Scherzer’s and Strasburg’s deals both containing a ton of deferred money- all of them will still run simultaneously to Harper’s deal – even if they are not on the roster each after the 2023 season.
I think you couldn’t risk trying to outbid everyone for Harper’s services, yet to pay Strasburg market value makes sense.
This club could even save some payroll by trading Gio Gonzalez, as they have Joe Ross and Tanner Roark starting in the rotation for depth, and Lucas Giolito has not started his time service clock. Read the rest of this entry
Red Sox + Padres Have Completed 2016 MLB Runs Scoring Survivor, 23 Teams Left
Waited 32 games to score 10 or more runs, then did the feat 2 times in 3 nights thanks to the heroics of Jackie Bradley JR. and a crazy good lineup.
Chuck Booth (MLB Reports Majority Owner/Lead Analyst)
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We are starting to get down to the nitty gritty of this contest. 7 of the 23 clubs have now completed their 11 different run variations, now that the Red Sox and Padres have accomplished the feat over the last few days.
Boston finishes 6th, and unless the Indians knockout run scores of 8 and 9 runs in any order over the next 2 contests.
San Diego looked to end as one of the last to finish this category early in the year being shutout 3 straight games to start the campaign, and also 5 of their 1st 11 matches. They have been better as an offense of late.
The Padres swept a twinbill versus the mighty Cubs on Wednesday, and are just 2.5 Games Behind the Giants and Dodgers for the NL West lead at 15 – 20. Good rally for these guys to finish in the top 10.
The Red Sox waited until game 32 to score more than 10 runs, and then they did the maneuver 2 nights later versus the A’s yet again, with another 2 HR, 6 RBI game from Jackie Bradley JR.
Most of the teams now have 9 or 10 variations covered, with the trailing squad in the whole MLB being the Philadelphia Phillies with just different 7 totals.
The Phightins’ are at least one of 4 rosters still alive in the MLB Shutout Survivor (A’s. Rockies and Pirates). Read the rest of this entry
MLB Daily Fantasy Picks (DFS) For FanDuel – 5/12/16
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Clayton Kershaw won me a lot of money last start, and I will use him every time he is Starting.
I like using an affordable stack alongside the LHP, so I am using the struggling Tigers at hitter friendly Camden Yards tomorrow night.
Again, love FanDuel with using Victor Martinez as a Catcher. he can go in a 4 player stack with J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Upton.
In order to afford this lineup, I am using the KC Royals in another mini stack, imploring the use of Alcides Escobar, Alex Gordon and Omar Infante. All 3 men are decent contact free swingers, who can do damage against Nate Eovaldi.
Since Aaron Hill crushed it last Saturday night with Kershaw’s start in the same day – I put him in the lineup again. Not bad value for $2100 the way he has performed recently.
Time To Face The Facts Tigers Fans; This Team Is Not Good
Shane Kay (Featured BBBA Writer Owner – sonsof84tigers.mlblogs.com)
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Well Tigers fans, after 31 games and the Tigers sitting at 14 – 17 and 8 games out of first, it’s time for a reality check…the Tigers just aren’t that good.
This isn’t to say that they are absolutely terrible either, but the inconsistencies will continue to haunt them all season long. During this 7 game losing streak, it seems when you get good hitting, then starting pitching is poor, or when you scrape enough runs to support good pitching then the pen blows it, and then there are just times when the team doesn’t hit.
There have been some positives with out a doubt so far an include:
READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY
MLB Power Rankings 2016: Week 6 May
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
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MAY 8, 2016
Disclaimer: We based these rankings on best strength to win the World Series. Therefore some teams that have an easier division to play in, with the least path of resistance to the postseason overall may be ranked a lot higher than a club who is equally talented, yet may play in a juggernaut of a division.
Rank – Team Record (Last week rank) (Up down) (W – L Record Last week)
(1) (1) Chicago Cubs (E) (24 – 6) : A real bad day for the Cubs is battling with a team like Washington on Sunday, to see whether or not they are going to sweep them or go 3 – 1 in a series.
Yep, they swept the 4 game set in a 13 inning walk off HR by Javier Baez – to cap a 7 – 0 week. They are on pace for about 129 wins right now.
Depth of the Starting Rotation is looking solid with Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Jason Hammel (Killer J’s) and Kyle Hendricks.
Hector Rondon is not even needed in most leads, with the team almost at a +100 differential through 30 games,
(2) (3) Chicago White Sox (+1) (22 – 10) ( 4 – 2): Chris Sale is 7 – 0, and may go Ron Guidry (circa 1979 on us). If anyone will win 25 games in a year, it would be him or Jake Arrieta.
Bob Welch won 27 games in 1990 for the A’s was the last guy to do that.
Has anyone noticed that Brett Lawrie has an OBP closer to .400 – than his usual .310 – .320?
Jose Quintana is finally receiving some run support. If Todd Frazier and Jose Abreu start hitting for BA, than look he the hell out. We could see a “Windy City” World Series for the 1st time since 1906. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Power Rankings 2016: Week 5 – May
The Bucs have the best Batting Average and OBP in the majors this year, and are waiting for the Starting Pitching to join them. Considering they have talent in the Minor Leagues to address this, and won 98 Games last year, it is not surprising to see them jump 10 spots in the rankings on a great week of play – where so many of their fellow NL clubs (besides the Nats and Cubs struggled so mightily).
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_Hunter21
Follow The MLBreports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Disclaimer: We based these rankings on best strength to win the World Series. Therefore some teams that have an easier division to play in, with the least path of resistance to the postseason overall may be ranked a lot higher than a club who is equally talented, yet may play in a juggernaut of a division.
Game Records were before the results of the ESPN Sunday Night Game was played
Gone are the days right now where a Yankees and Red Sox Sunday Night matchup wasn’t important in the pantheon that are the weekly MLB Power Rankings.
Boston is still going to be in the top 10 as the AL East lone representative on the heels of their offensive output.
Every time I look up the Beantown Boys are into the double digits in hits for the game, and David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia are in the thick of it.
While they also didn’t make the biggest movers and shakers either, John Farrell‘s club is looking poised to be cracking the top 5 soon.
The NL West have all teams .500 or worse, and I am shocked at how that has translated for the Dodgers and Giants. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Fantasy Daily (DFS) Picks For FanDuel – 4/30/16 + Bonus 2nd Lineup
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
The Tigers have definitely heated up their lineup in the last week – and are perhaps still vastly underrated on FanDuel right now. Looking to capitalize on low values for Miguel Cabrera, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez.
I also believe in the NY Yankees getting the better of Rick Porcello on Saturday with LHB Brett Gardner and Brian McCann. I added Starlin Castro to the fold at Fenway Park.
For some reason, the Yankees do well at Fenway for batting anyway. Plus I can’t think that Porcello will keep up his success either.
There is a lot of frontline pitchers throwing on Saturday, so I am steering clear of a a ton of cash on FanDuel. I do love Francisco Liriano vs the Reds. Heck, I love anyone against the Reds – who are starting their freefall.
The Yankees and Tigers are kind of an old unconventional duo for a couple of stacks, and that is what I am hoping for. I may play a Chase Field lineup as well – and just call it a day. Read the rest of this entry
Trio Of Teams Blanked WED (WSH/TOR/LAD) Leaves 6 Clubs Remaining In 2016 MLB Shutout Survivor
Toronto were the two time reigning champs heading into this season, but will not win for a 3rd straight year, but will still finish in the top 10. The Jays lineup is not firing on all cylinders yet. and it has contributed to a 10 – 13 start.
Chuck Booth (MLB Reports Majority Owner/Lead Analyst)
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The biggest favorites were taken off the board, and perhaps 2 of the strongest contenders also followed suit Wednesday night. 2 time reigning champions, the Toronto Blue Jays were swept by the White Sox, and bageled courtesy of Jose Quintana.
Canada’s only franchise still will finish no worse than 7th, as this was still their 23rd game of the year.
Washington automatically ends at 9th – while the Dodgers will finish at 8th in an likelihood, unless the Phillies (1 of 6 clubs remaining: OAK/SEA/PIT/COL and ARI) lose Thursday by 2 – 0 or less. Maybe it could happen, but not banking on it.
The A’s still hanging around this competition is a pretty good testament to their scrappy play this year at 11 – 11.
Philadelphia itself has a winning record at 11 – 10, and one reason is they haven’t been zeroed yet in a game.
With the Jays out, the favorite will turn to the Rockies – who play at Coors Field, and have a great lineup.
Seattle is a precarious team left in the field.
Houston is struggling at 7 – 15, but their offense has not been that bad at all. They should change it around. They and Oakland are the hopes of the AL to win the category. The AL East joined the AL Central in having all teams be eliminated with the Toronto exodus. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The MLB 2016 World Series
The RedBirds are 11 – 6 since the 1st series sweep against them was levied by the Bucs. The oddsmakers are placing too much faith in the Cubs with the astronomical favorites that they are in being 5 times the favorite to the Cards, and 7 times to the Pirates. Injuries could happen,…Trades…Heck, either club could avoid them until the NLCS and be on a roll. I believe that one of Washington or New York will be the 1st wildcard slot, with the Cards or Pirates being the 2nd team. They are both among the best bets this week – with the STL #1 for value wagering
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
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What a bunch of movement on the odds to win the World Series. There is plenty of value for a lot of plays here. The Mets are just a few games behind the Nats and absolutely owned them in head to head action last year down the stretch. New York is 10 – 2 over their last 12 contests, and their offense has been huge.
I don’t see almost double the odds for New York as opposed to Washington. At last check, the Nats were ahead of the Mets by 4.5 games, and now the gap is just 2 games.
I almost did a double take when I see the confidence of the A’s and Rays on this list. The two squad vaulted up the rankings with ferocity. Settle down gamblers. Oakland is 11 – 10, and Tampa is just 10 – 10, and their lineup is still highly suspect.
The Rays should be somewhere in the +3300 range with new York. in no way should they be projected higher than the Indians and the Pirates – and on par with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Equally as weird is the faith in the Angels at +2500. Really? Look the AL West is wide open, with anyone being able to win this, but to have Seattle and Oakland tied is dumb The Mariners have the better roster all the way around, and have actually played better of late. Read the rest of this entry
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