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Who Owns October (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 19, 2017
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
So 40 years and a day after Reggie Jackson sunk the Dodgers with 3 homers, Enrique Hernandez picked the Dodgers on his back with 3 homers of his own.
The Dodgers are World Series bound and it wasn’t even close tonight. The player known as Kiki etched his name into Dodger lore and Clayton Kershaw is now 4 team wins away from erasing any doubt of his Cooperstown legacy.
Meanwhile the Cubs… well, they showed just how hard it is to repear.
So who owned October?
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 19
2017 NLCS Game 5:
Receiving 1 WOO
Enrique Hernandez tied single game post season records with 3 homers and 7 RBI, including a grand slam, to mash the Dodgers into the World Series with an 11-1 drubbing of the Champion Cubs.
Clayton Kershaw threw 6 strong innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run, striking out 5 Cubs to earn the 11-1 decision for the pennant winning Dodgers.
Receiving 1/2 WOO
Kris Bryant homered to provide all the Cubs offense as they were hammered by the Dodgers, 11-1.
Brian Duensing was the only Cubs pitcher to prevent the Dodgers from scoring, tossing a pair of shutout innings as the defending champs saw their reign end in an 11-1 blowout.
Current WOO Totals MLB 2017
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,
Aaron Judge – Yankees 3, Justin Turner – Dodgers 2 1/2, Jose Altuve – Astros 2, Carlos Correa – Astros 2, Greg Bird – Yankees 1 1/2, Alex Bregman – Astros 1 1/2, Jay Bruce – Indians 1 1/2, Kris Bryant – Cubs 1 1/2, Yuli Gurriel – Astros 1 1/2, Anthony Rizzo – Cubs 1 1/2, Gary Sanchez – Yankees 1 1/2, Michael Taylor – Nationals 1 1/2, Ryan Zimmerman – Nationals 1 1/2, Javier Baez – Cubs 1, Cody Bellinger – Dodgers 1, Willson Contreras – Cubs 1, Logan Forsythe – Dodgers 1, Brett Gardner – Yankees 1, Yan Gomes – Indians 1, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1, Enrique Hernandez – Dodgers 1, Ketel Marte – Diamondbacks 1, Yasiel Puig – Dodgers 1, Hanley Ramirez – Red Sox 1, Chris Taylor – Dodgers 1, Albert Almora Jr. – Yankees 1/2, Andrew Benitendi – Red Sox 1/2, Starlin Castro – Yankees 1/2, Daniel Descalso – Diamondbacks 1/2, Brian Dozier – Twins 1/2, Todd Frazier – Yankees 1/2, Paul Goldschmidt – Diamondbacks 1/2, Jason Kipnis – Indians 1/2, Sandy Leon – Red Sox 1/2, J. D. Martinez – Diamondbacks 1/2, Addison Russell – Cubs 1/2, Carlos Santana – Indians 1/2, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1/2, Trevor Story – Rockies 1/2, Christian Vazquez – Red Sox 1/2, Ben Zobrist – Cubs 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,
Masahiro Tanaka – Yankees 2 1/2, Yu Darvish – Dodgers 2, Kenley Jansen – Dodgers 2, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 2, David Robertson – Yankees 2, Justin Verlander – Astros 2, Sean Doolittle – Nationals 1 1/2, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1 1/2, David Price – Red Sox 1 1/2, Stephen Strasburg – Nationals 1 1/2, Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Trevor Bauer – Indians 1, Archie Bradley – Diamondbacks 1, Wade Davis – Cubs 1, Ken Giles – Astros 1, Sonny Gray – Yankees 1, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 1, Jon Lester – Cubs 1, Brandon Morrow – Dodgers 1, Jose Quintana – Cubs 1, Robbie Ray – Diamondbacks 1, CC Sabathia – Yankees 1, Josh Tomlin – Indians 1, Carlos Carrasco – Indians 1/2, Brian Duensing – Cubs 1/2, Carl Edwards Jr – Cubs 1/2, Jaime Garcia – Yankees 1/2, Zack Godley – Diamondbacks 1/2, Tommy Kahnle – Yankees 1/2, Collin McHugh – Astros 1/2, Lance McCullers Jr – Astros 1/2, Andrew Miller – Indians 1/2, Chris Rusin – Rockies 1/2, Chris Sale – Red Sox 1/2, Max Scherzer – Nationals 1/2,
Who Owns October (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 6, 2017
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers scored as many runs before a single batter was retired as the Red Sox have in 2 whole games. Stephen Strasburg went from throwing a memorable masterpiece to a heartbreaking loss and Joe Girardi made one of the great managerial blunders in post season
Yup… it was an amazing day of baseball as only the playoffs can give us.
So who owned October?
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 6
2017 National League Division Series Game 1
2017 American League Division Series Game 2:
Receiving 1 WOO
Kris Bryant broke up a no hitter in the 6th with a 2 out RBI single and would later come around to score as the Cubs blanked the Nationals, 3-0.
Carlos Correa homered, doubled and walked, driving in 4 as the Astros rolled again over Boston, 8-2.
Yan Gomes got on base 3 times including a dramatic walk off single in the bottom of the 13th in Cleveland’s wild 9-8 win against the Yankees.
Kyle Hendricks threw 7 shutout innings to earn the 3-0 decision for the Cubs over Washington.
Clayton Kershaw pitched into the 7th, allowing 5 hits and striking out 7 at the Dodgers took the opener against Arizona, 9-5.
Dallas Keuchel struck out 7 Red Sox in 5 2/3 innings to get the 8-2 victory for the Astros.
Josh Tomlin came out of the bullpen in the 12th and retired all 6 Yankees he faced, striking out 3 and setting up the walk off 9-8 finale in Cleveland.
Justin Turner homered in the first inning, reached base 4 times altogether, driving in 5 runs to lead the Dodgers past Arizona, 9-5.
Receiving 1/2 WOO
Zack Godley was pressed into service in the second inning and gave the Diamondbacks 5 frames of relief, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 5. But it was too little too late as Los Angeles took the game, 9-5.
J. D. Martinez got 3 hits, including a homer, in the Diamondbacks 9-5 loss to the Dodgers.
David Price came out of the bullpen to throw 2 2/3 shutout innings and stop the bleeding. Nothing else worked however and the Astros clobbered the Red Sox, 8-2.
Gary Sanchez hit a startling 2 run homer off of Kluber in the first inning and added another hit. But the Yankees had an equally shocking meltdown and fell in 13 innings to the Indians, 9-8.
Stephen Strasburg took a no hitter into the 6th and allowed just 2 unearned runs and 3 hits over 7 innings, striking out 10 Cubs along the way. He would be charged with the hard luck 3-0 decision for the Nationals.
Christian Vazquez reached base 3 times and scored but the Red Sox were once again pounded by Houston, 8-2.
Current WOO Totals MLB 2017
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,
Jose Altuve – Astros 1, Jay Bruce – Indians 1, Kris Bryant – Cubs 1, Carlos Correa – Astros 1, Brett Gardner – Yankees 1, Yan Gomes – Indians 1, Ketel Marte – Diamondbacks 1, Justin Turner – Dodgers 1, Starlin Castro – Yankees 1/2, Brian Dozier – Twins 1/2, Sandy Leon – Red Sox 1/2, J. D. Martinez – Diamondbacks 1/2, Gary Sanchez – Yankees 1/2, Trevor Story – Rockies 1/2, Christian Vazquez – Red Sox 1,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,
Trevor Bauer – Indians 1, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 1, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 1, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1, Robbie Ray – Diamondbacks 1, David Robertson – Yankees 1, Josh Tomlin – Indians 1, Justin Verlander – Astros 1, Jaime Garcia – Yankees 1/2, Zack Godley – Diamondbacks 1/2, David Price – Red Sox 1/2, Chris Rusin – Rockies 1/2, Stephen Strasburg – Nationals 1,
Who Owned Baseball September 21, 2017 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2017 #WOB Standings
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
Cole Hamels dominated the Mariners with 8 innings allowing 3 hits and 1 run to give the Rangers hope with a 4-2 final.
Joe Mauer got on base 4 times, including a double, driving in 2 and scoring 2 as the Twins pounded the Tigers, 12-1.
Clayton Richard blanked Colorado into the 8th, finishing with 7 1/3 innings and 8 strikeouts while earning the 3-0 decision for San Diego.
Kris Bryant reached base 4 times including a tie breaking homer in the 10th to inch the Cubs closer to a division title with a 5-3 win over the Brewers.
They all owned baseball on September 21, 2017
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owned Baseball May 21, 2017 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
Alex Gallardo – AP Photo
Clayton Richard went the distance, allowing 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 6 Diamondbacks to earn the 5-1 Padres victory.
Kris Bryant went 3 for 3 with 2 homers and scored 4 times as the Cubs topped the surging Brewers, 13-6.
Marco Estrada struck out 11 Orioles in 7 2/3 innings, allowing a singe run and got the 3-1 decision for Toronto.
Mike Trout reached base 4 times, homered, stole a base, drove in 3 and scored 2 as the Angels mashed the Mets, 12-5.
They all owned baseball on May 21, 2017
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owned Baseball April 15, 2017 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2017 #WOB Standings
Jim Mone – AP
Ervin Santana threw a complete game 1 hit shutout, striking out 8 White Sox and earned the 6-0 decision for the Twins.
Tyler Chatwood took a perfect game into the 6th and finished with a complete game 2 hitter as the Rockies blanked San Francisco, 5-0.
Jose Ramirez collected 10 total bases including a pair of homers and 6 RBI as a match up of aces turned into a 13-6 slugfest win for the Indians over Detroit.
Nolan Arenado went 3 for 5 with a homer to help Colorado beat San Francisco, 5-0.
They all owned baseball on April 15, 2017
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Officlal Bets For The MLB Reports In 2017
At the MLB Reports, we put our money where our mouth is. We have won over $2100 in the last 3 years from all bets. We have made several wagers to begin the season in 2017.
Keep in mind these are not official predictions in any regard, however they are best value picks, and we often hedge bets later on with position of strength projected wins.
Do yourself a favor and go to betdsi.com and find some props to play for yourself, along with several future bets and over/under win season totals for the campaign.
2017 All-Value Team: Baseball’s Top Pre-Arb Players at Each Position
When it comes to the baseball diamond, we hear a ton about the ballplayers who are taking home the most money — whether it’s over the life of a certain contract or a singular season. After all, if we put together a lineup with the highest-paid players at each position, it’d be pretty expensive.
But with the youth movement that’s happening throughout baseball, there are a bunch of players providing top-tier production for just a fraction of the price.
Some teams have already locked up their young talent to extensions — Rougned Odor‘s deal with the Texas Rangers is the latest example — yet there are still plenty stuck in between while waiting to become eligible for arbitration. Until that happens, organizations can get an incredible deal when a player’s salary is compared to their actual on-field production.
With that in mind, we set out to find the game’s best pre-arbitration players at each position. The only criteria: they can’t be eligible for arbitration yet or be signed to a long-term extension. So, is this list somewhat subjective? Yes, it is.
Some 2017 contract figures haven’t been released yet, but we can at least make some rough estimates on what they will be.
Without further adieu, here is the 2017 All-Value Team.
2017 MLB Regular Season Player Prop Bet Odds Part 1
On this list of player over/unders it may be worth a well solution to wager over on all bets across the board and go for about a 60 percent win factor. I did bet a few unders on the sheet towards the end. I continue to find value on the whole gambling aspect of listed odds. I will throw down some more money on these selections. I am just hoping that I don’t become too over-confident for my own good.
With less than 2 months until the regular season begins, we are starting to see some prop bets show up online and in Las Vegas.
Come back by the start of March to see Over/Under wins for all 30 MLB clubs, and also when they decide to implement individual player prop bets.
With so many MVP candidates and Cy Young type pitchers, we are favoring Over a lot more than Under yet again in 2017.
We compiled a 6 – 0 individual player bet prop record, and were not so hot on these props listed, but we still managed a .500 record even for those.
part 2 will be at the end of February.. Read the rest of this entry
With No Top 50 ALL – Time Contracts Signed This Winter – Who Is Next To Make The List?
Signing Cespedes has signed the biggest contract of the offseason thus far at 4 YRs/$110 MIL. it is ranked tied for 60th ALL – Time even though the Annual Average Value is tied for 2nd ALL – Time among position players. With power having been devalued and a firm new set of penalties for Luxury Tax Threshold Abusers, it may take until the winter of 2018 – heading into 2019 – for another player to ink a contract that places them in the top 50 ALL – Time Salaries.
The winter has seen a lot of great Free Agents sign like Yoenis Cespedes, Aroldis Chapman, Dexter Fowler, Kenley Jansen, Ian Desmond, Mark Melancon and Edwin Encarnacion, however none of them were historic by any means.
While Cespedes’s $110 MIL pact over 4 years is $27.5 MIL per year, which ties him for the 2nd best AAV ALL – Time for a position player with Alex Rodriguez, (trailing Miguel Cabrera‘s 8 YR/$248 MIL extension that started in 2016) – only brings him in for a tie for about 60th on the ALL – Time Biggest Contracts list.
To crack the top 50 list ALL – Time right now, you need to bring in a deal that makes at least $120 MIL for the life of the contract.
During last years offeseason, David Price ($217 MIL), Zack Greinke, ($206.5 MIL) Jason Heyward, ($184 MIL), Chris Davis, ($161 MIL), Justin Upton ($132.8 MIL) and Johnny Cueto ($130 MIL) all inked pacts in excess of that.
Early in the season, Stephen Strasburg shocked the world with his new 7 YRs/$175 MIL deal soon afterwards. Read the rest of this entry
Chicago Cubs Payroll In 2017 + Contracts Going Forward
Look, there is no way to sugar coat it, the Jason Heyward contract is about the biggest dumpster fire of a contract there may ever be. Having said that, everyone receives one mulligan.
Even 3 time World Series winning GM Brian Sabean has had a horrible Matt Cain contract to contend with the last half decade.
Theo Epstein hasn’t made too many blunders – and winning a World Series with both the Red Sox and now the Cubs has solidified a position for him in Cooperstown.
Also lucky is the brilliant signing of Anthony Rizzo of a 7 YR deal prior to 2013, and when he asserted himself as a perennial MVP contender.
Despite carrying a projected payroll in 2017 of around $171 MIL – the team has plenty of expiring contracts in the name of Jake Arrieta, Wade Davis, Jon Lackey, Jon Jay, Pedro Strop, Miguel Montero and Koji Uehara. to replenisg te talent again in 2018 – and going forward
There are only 4 players signed for $79.2 MIL so far.
The Rizzo longterm deal a perfect contrast to the Heyward pact. Should Rizzo’s Team Options be picked up for 2020 and 2021 (for $16.5 MIL each year), then the club will still only have paid him $74 MIL from 2013 – 2021, spanning 9 years at an Annual Value of $8.2 MIL. That is completely lights out for the organization going forward.
The one factor of brilliantly drafting and then rostering a club full of guys the same age is that they are all on entry level contracts for a few years before the squad becomes increasingly expensive before Arbitration rights kick in.
2018 will see Kris Bryant, Kyle Hendricks and Addison Russell all hit 1st year Eligible on Arbitration, and then 2019 has Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras and Carl Edwards JR. hit the 1st year.
it will be at this point the team shoots up the salary page.
Other than Jon Lester, Heyward and Ben Zobrist, there are no real big salaries on the table for the team to digest.
The biggest dilemma will be the status of Jake Arrieta. My guess is that he will want too much money and walk away from the Cubs.
More important than that even is simply signing Free Agents (not named Arrieta) by Epstein.
Epstein is creative. It is okay to figure out a Starting Pitcher in Free Agency, and also add another Closer if need be. Who knows, by 2018, Hector Rondon and Carl Edwards JR. may be able to lock down that role.
There is still money to spend in the 2017 and 2018 winter markets for sure.
Also playing in the NL Central provides them with security of being able to outspend all the other teams – with the Cardinals only being in the atmosphere.
It is not like they are fighting in the tough NL West with the Giants and high spending Dodgers. It will still mean facing off against those clubs. and contending with the aging Nationals roster, and New York Mets young staff for a few seasons.
Wrigley Field will be sold out, the revenue streams will break out to record levels, all freely flowing cash into the Ricketts family pockets.
The good news is they are not in cap hell yet The bad news is that it would only take one more bad deal/paired with Heyward, in order to prevent the club from signing all of their young superstars to extensions.
Epstein is too smart for that. Look for high value Annual Average Value’s that have expiring contracts before the 2018 and 2019 seasons. I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade for an existing ace pitcher.
Think Zack Greinke now, or a guy like Justin Verlander in 2018 or 2019, where the other club may eat some of the salary, ask for a high level prospect, and then have a legitimate Starter to lug some innings in the playoffs.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if the brass orchestrates a trade for a guy like Chris Archer – or Sonny Gray (midway through this year if he has healed himself).
Maybe it would cost you a Javier Baez, or a combinations of Carl Edwards JR./Albert Almora JR. to do it, however with Ben Zobrist still in town, defense alignment can be configured in a lot of different ways for at least the next 2 – 3 years.
Like I stated in the Giants Payroll article, the new CBA has also reeled in the Dodgers spending $300 MIL on team payroll. The best thing that could happen for the Cubs is if Clayton Kershaw were to opt out of his deal beyond 2017.
That would either bring up the price for the Dodgers to sign him, or even give them the chance to sign the guy themselves. Yes. the Cubs have more flexibility than the Dodgers for at least a couple of offseasons.
Guaranteed Contracts/POS/AGE:
Jason Heyward – OF (28): With a grand sum of $184 MIL from 2016 – 2023 ( 8 years) this is a brutal deal – and the club is lucky to have already won a World Series in season 1 of this pact.
Heyward will make an astonishing $28.2 MIL for both the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Epstein at least frontloaded the contract to erase some of the burden by the time the young talent comes up for raises.
This deal is the 13th richest in history for a guy who carried a .631 OPS. in 2016 I tend to think that Heyward will be closer to his Career OPS of .761 the next few years with the pressure somewhat off him now.
Hit him 7th or 8th and let him work out his kinks. Defense is at least not a problem here with him winning a 4th Gold Glove.
This could end bad in 2017 – with Heyward riding pine for some of the year – if the club opts to use Zobrist, Schwarber and the tandem of Jon Jay and Almora JR. as the OF.
You also have to think that Joe Maddon won’t hesitate to find Willson Contreras reps as well.
Jon Lester – SP (33): Lester is in the 3rd year of a 7 YR/$165 MIL deal, and is set to reel in $25 MIL in 2017. The deal calls for $27.5 MIL in both 2018 and 2019, before scaling back to $20 MIL in 2020.
There is a 2021 Club Option as well. Details on that: $25M Team Option, $10M Buyout option guaranteed with 200 innings in 2020 or 400 IP in 2019-20.
With the Buyout that large, the man would have to fall from grace hard, to not get the Option. Although he would be nearly 40, $15 MIL extra will probably not be that bad.
Lester is worth every dollar the club has spent so far. It is hard to find playoff proven commodities on the open market.
Ben Zobrist – UT (36): Zobrist is the only player in the MLB who was won 2 straight World Series, as also being a member of the 2015 WS Champ KC Royals.
With the availability to play 5 defensive positions, Zobrist was the perfect compliment to the Cubs defensive roster in 2016 – although he played predominantly at 2B.
With the emergence of Baez in the playoffs, he will likely rove more around in 2017.
Zobrist earns $16.5 MIL in both 2017 and 2018 – before retreating back to $12.5 MIL in 2019. He will be in his Age 39 season at that point, and it may not look so hot at that point, but one can’t argue at his flexibility on the Roster providing so many options in the title run.
You can even say that his positional switching gives the club a better chance to hold onto Kyle Schwarber (instead of trading him in the American League).
John Lackey – SP (38): Lackey joined Lester, David Ross. and Epstein as guys who have won World Series in 2013 with Boston and the Cubs in 2016. He will make $16 MIL in 2017 before hitting Free Agency in 2018.
Lackey lugged 188.1 IP and gave the Cubs a 3.35 ERA in the process. It doesn’t even matter that he was being pulled in the early innings of the postseason.
Jake Arrieta – SP (31): Arrieta earns a tidy $15.6 MIL this year and will likely head out into Free Agency as a Scott Boras client. Unfortunately the man is going to be 32 heading into 2018.
I would not offer him higher than a 4 year deal at $20 – $21 MIL after, yet that will not get the job done when he hits the open market. Someone will pony up 5 YRs/$125 MIL for him, you watch.
Miguel Montero – C (34); Montero will make $14 MIL in 2017 – and I am not sure he will Catch more than about 60 games. Contreras at last is on an entry level contract to offset this salary. I am surprised the team has not ventured out to trade him.
Wade Davis – CL (32): It cost the club Jorge Soler and 4 years of Team Control, yet this was the way to go. $10 MIL for one year of Davis (who Closed for the 2015 wS Champion Royals) is smart business practice.
To acquire an elite Reliever such as this is a great move – when you consider the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants spent $86 MIL, $80 MIL and $62 MIL to sign Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon respectively.
Soler was going to be their 7th option as an OF. Davis, by the way, has a 0.83 ERA in 32.2 IP for his postseason career – and has carried a mid 1 ERA from 2014 – 2016 as a late inning Reliever – spanning 183 IP.
I would also think the club will extend the Qualifying Offer to him this winter ( $17.5 – $19 MIL range for one year), so they may even recover a 2nd or 3rd Draft Pick back all for just $10 MIL.
Jon Jay – OF (32): Has a 2017 contract or $8 MIL to play OF. He has a career .352 OBP, so could hit 1st or 9th for Maddon, working as an on base guy for the big boppers. Brilliant little move.
Anthony Rizzo – 1B (28): Rizzo will take him $7 MIL for 2017, coming after the heels of an ALL-Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and top 4 MVP season in which he clubbed 30+ HRs and added 100 RBI for a 2nd straight season.
Rizzo also makes $7 MIL in 2018, $12 MIL in 2019, and two Team Options in a row call for $16.5 MIL and $2 MIL Buyouts for both 2020 and 2021.
It is contracts like this that setup championship caliber clubs for the organization.
Other valued deals that compare to it last decade or so. Paul Goldschmidt (5 YRs/$32.5 MIL), Madison Bumgarner (6 YRS/$35.6 MIL) and Andrew McCutchen ( 6 YRs/$51 MIL) that coincided with 4 straight top 5 NL MVP finishes.
Rizzo should challenge for an MVP every year of that remains on this deal.
Koji Uehara – RP (42): $6 MIL for one year seems like a lot or a guy of his age, but Uehara has plenty of playoff/Closer experience that is invaluable to a club like this. I would take it easy on him in the regular season and save the bullets for playoffs.
Hector Rondon – RP (29): $5.8 MIL for this former Closer is not a bad deal in 2017. Rondon has one more year left of Arbitration before hitting Free Agency in 2019. He has 77 Saves and a career ERA of 2.97.
Brian Duensing – SP/RP (33): Makes $2 MIL in 2017 and a Free Agent in 2018. A spot start here and extra Bullpen arm,
Justin Grimm – RP (29): Avoided Arbitration with a $1.8 MIL, has 2 more years left of Arbitration before he is a Free Agent.
Total Money for this Category for 2017: $157.5 MIL (13 Players)
Arbitration Eligible/POS/AGE
3rd year
Pedro Strop – RP (33): Is projected to to earn $5.5 MIL in Arbitration, and is a Free Agent in 2018.
Total Money for this Category for 2017: $5.5 MI: Total money is now $163 MIL
Pre-Arbitration – Entry Level Contracts:
Tommy La Stella – INF (28): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.
Kyle Hendricks – SP (27): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.
Kris Bryant – 3B Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2021 as a “Super 2” and a Free Agent in 2021. Bryant is only 25 Years old, and will have 4 years of Arbitration kick in starting next season.
Since the club opted to start his 2015 after the 10 days of service time, they wll retian his rights until the end of 2021. Bryant is on pace to end up recording Arbitration cash if he keeps his career trajectory.
The club should really look to extend him similar to the Mike Trout 6 YRs.$144 MIL deal he got.
Addison Russell – SS (23): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2021 as a “Super 2” and a Free Agent in 2022.
Comparisons to an extension similar to what he may get are: Jason Kipnis and Matt Carpenter (6 YRs and $52 MIL)
Matt Szczur – UT (28): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Javier Baez – 2B/3B (24): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Mike Montgomery – SP/RP (29): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Kyle Schwarber – OF (24): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.
Willson Contreras – C (25): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2022 – 2022 and a Free Agent in 2023.
Albert Almora JR – OF (23): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2022 – 2022 and a Free Agent in 2023.
Rob Zastryzny – RP (25) Is Arbitration Eligible from 2022 – 2022 and a Free Agent in 2023.
Total Money for this Category for 2017: $6.0 MIL MIL Toral Money Oveall – $169.0 MIL
Buyouts/Dead Money
Jason Hammel – $2 Million Buyout for 2017 that was agreed to in a gentleman’s deal. There is no dead money on he books past 2017 thus far.
Conclusions:
Despite the Heyward mistake of a deal, Epstein has done everything right. It will be a constant maneuvering of the incoming talent – to surround the plethora of young superstars the club has.
The Cubs have the availability to sign an elite pitcher in Free Agency in the year or 2, or trade for one. Beyond that, the team can’t make another top 50 ALL – Time Salary roster mistake.
The brass should also investigate early extensions for Bryant, Ruseell and Contreras immediately while they may afford to wait for Hendricks and Schwarber yet.
Some sort of guaranteed money to the budget would be wise
As for Arrieta, he is just too old – an unorthodox in order to grant him the cash he will seek. Epstein has to find creative ways to bring in a #1 or $2 beyond this campaign.
Chicago is fantastic shape financially to spend as much as it takes to ensure a dynasty in the next half-dozen years.
If I were in charge I would try to limit any big historic contracts to their own young superstars from this point forwards.
Also don’t be afraid to trade one of the premiere young offensive players for a quality Starter (#1 or #2 Starter)like Baez, Contreras or Almora.
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*** 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***
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2017 Top-400 Dynasty League Fantasy Baseball Rankings
Below you will find my personal top-400 dynasty league baseball rankings. In order to be eligible for this list, a player must have over 200 career MLB at bats or 50 innings pitched.
To see my top-100 prospects and players under those limitations stated above, please click the following link: https://mlbreports.com/2017/01/11/2017-top-100-major-league-baseball-prospects/. If you have any questions, please follow and tweet me @dynasty_digest.
| Rank | Player | Position | Team |
| 1 | Mike Trout | CF,UT | LAA |
| 2 | Mookie Betts | RF,UT | BOS |
| 3 | Kris Bryant | 3B,LF,RF,UT | CHC |
| 4 | Manny Machado | 3B,SS,UT | BAL |
| 5 | Bryce Harper | RF,UT | WAS |
| 6 | Nolan Arenado | 3B,UT | COL |
| 7 | Clayton Kershaw | SP | LAD |
| 8 | Jose Altuve | 2B,UT | HOU |
| 9 | Paul Goldschmidt | 1B,UT | ARI |
| 10 | Carlos Correa | SS,UT | HOU |
| 11 | Anthony Rizzo | 1B,UT | CHC |
| 12 | Corey Seager | SS,UT | LAD |
| 13 | Trea Turner | 2B,CF,UT | WAS |
| 14 | Francisco Lindor | SS,UT | CLE |
| 15 | Josh Donaldson | 3B,UT | TOR |
| 16 | Madison Bumgarner | SP | SF |
| 17 | Xander Bogaerts | SS,UT | BOS |
| 18 | Noah Syndergaard | SP,RP | NYM |
| 19 | George Springer | RF,UT | HOU |
| 20 | Chris Sale | SP | BOS |
| 21 | Starling Marte | LF,CF,UT | PIT |
| 22 | Max Scherzer | SP | WAS |
| 23 | Freddie Freeman | 1B,UT | ATL |
| 24 | Christian Yelich | LF,CF,UT | MIA |
| 25 | Giancarlo Stanton | RF,UT | MIA |
| 26 | Gregory Polanco | LF,RF,UT | PIT |
| 27 | Charlie Blackmon | CF,UT | COL |
| 28 | Miguel Cabrera | 1B,UT | DET |
| 29 | Corey Kluber | SP | CLE |
| 30 | Jake Arrieta | SP | CHC |
| 31 | Alex Bregman | 3B,UT | HOU |
| 32 | Rougned Odor | 2B,UT | TEX |
| 33 | J.D. Martinez | RF,UT | DET |
| 34 | A.J. Pollock | CF,UT | ARI |
| 35 | Brian Dozier | 2B,UT | MIN |
| 36 | Wil Myers | 1B,UT | SD |
| 37 | Miguel Sano | 3B,RF,UT | MIN |
| 38 | Joey Votto | 1B,UT | CIN |
| 39 | Daniel Murphy | 1B,2B,UT | WAS |
| 40 | Carlos Martinez | SP | STL |
| 41 | Ryan Braun | LF,UT | MIL |
| 42 | Jose Abreu | 1B,UT | CHW |
| 43 | Andrew McCutchen | CF,UT | PIT |
| 44 | Edwin Encarnacion | 1B,UT | CLE |
| 45 | Kyle Schwarber | LF,UT | CHC |
| 46 | Addison Russell | SS,UT | CHC |
| 47 | Jacob deGrom | SP | NYM |
| 48 | Yu Darvish | SP | TEX |
| 49 | Stephen Strasburg | SP | WAS |
| 50 | Robinson Cano | 2B,UT | SEA |
| 51 | Anthony Rendon | 3B,UT | WAS |
| 52 | Jonathan Villar | 2B,3B,SS,UT | MIL |
| 53 | Chris Archer | SP | TB |
| 54 | Yoenis Cespedes | LF,CF,UT | NYM |
| 55 | Buster Posey | C,1B,UT | SF |
| 56 | Carlos Gonzalez | RF,UT | COL |
| 57 | Eric Hosmer | 1B,UT | KC |
| 58 | David Price | SP | BOS |
| 59 | Carlos Carrasco | SP | CLE |
| 60 | Julio Urias | SP,RP | LAD |
| 61 | Jason Kipnis | 2B,UT | CLE |
| 62 | Johnny Cueto | SP | SF |
| 63 | David Dahl | LF,UT | COL |
| 64 | Jonathan Lucroy | C,UT | TEX |
| 65 | Trevor Story | SS,UT | COL |
| 66 | Stephen Piscotty | CF,RF,UT | STL |
| 67 | Kyle Seager | 3B,UT | SEA |
| 68 | Jon Lester | SP | CHC |
| 69 | Hanley Ramirez | 1B,UT | BOS |
| 70 | Justin Upton | LF,UT | DET |
| 71 | Matt Carpenter | 1B,2B,3B,UT | STL |
| 72 | Justin Verlander | SP | DET |
| 73 | Jose Quintana | SP | CHW |
| 74 | Chris Davis | 1B,UT | BAL |
| 75 | Danny Salazar | SP | CLE |
| 76 | Gerrit Cole | SP | PIT |
| 77 | Kyle Hendricks | SP,RP | CHC |
| 78 | Byron Buxton | CF,UT | MIN |
| 79 | Masahiro Tanaka | SP | NYY |
| 80 | Maikel Franco | 3B,UT | PHI |
| 81 | Julio Teheran | SP | ATL |
| 82 | Zach Britton | RP | BAL |
| 83 | Aaron Sanchez | SP | TOR |
| 84 | Gary Sanchez | C,UT | NYY |
| 85 | Michael Brantley | LF,UT | CLE |
| 86 | Jackie Bradley Jr. | CF | BOS |
| 87 | Jean Segura | 2B,SS,UT | SEA |
| 88 | Billy Hamilton | CF,UT | CIN |
| 89 | Kevin Gausman | SP | BAL |
| 90 | Rick Porcello | SP | BOS |
| 91 | Aaron Nola | SP | PHI |
| 92 | Aroldis Chapman | RP | NYY |
| 93 | Jameson Taillon | SP | PIT |
| 94 | Todd Frazier | 3B,UT | CHW |
| 95 | Ian Desmond | LF,CF,UT | COL |
| 96 | Kenley Jansen | RP | LAD |
| 97 | Matt Harvey | SP | NYM |
| 98 | Willson Contreras | C,LF,UT | CHC |
| 99 | J.T. Realmuto | C,UT | MIA |
| 100 | Dee Gordon | 2B,UT | MIA |
| 101 | Lance McCullers Jr. | SP | HOU |
| 102 | Roberto Osuna | RP | TOR |
| 103 | Evan Longoria | 3B,UT | TB |
| 104 | Nelson Cruz | RF,UT | SEA |
| 105 | Craig Kimbrel | RP | BOS |
| 106 | Nomar Mazara | LF,RF,UT | TEX |
| 107 | Khris Davis | LF,UT | OAK |
| 108 | Lorenzo Cain | CF,RF,UT | KC |
| 109 | Carlos Santana | 1B,UT | CLE |
| 110 | Edwin Diaz | RP | SEA |
| 111 | Michael Fulmer | SP | DET |
| 112 | Wade Davis | RP | CHC |
| 113 | Marcell Ozuna | LF,CF,UT | MIA |
| 114 | Ian Kinsler | 2B,UT | DET |
| 115 | Cole Hamels | SP | TEX |
| 116 | Andrew Miller | RP | CLE |
| 117 | Dellin Betances | RP | NYY |
| 118 | DJ LeMahieu | 2B,UT | COL |
| 119 | Kenta Maeda | SP | LAD |
| 120 | Jon Gray | SP | COL |
| 121 | Orlando Arcia | SS,UT | MIL |
| 122 | Felix Hernandez | SP | SEA |
| 123 | Brandon Belt | 1B,UT | SF |
| 124 | Adam Jones | CF,UT | BAL |
| 125 | Albert Pujols | 1B,UT | LAA |
| 126 | Danny Duffy | SP,RP | KC |
| 127 | Joe Ross | SP | WAS |
| 128 | Yasiel Puig | RF,UT | LAD |
| 129 | Mark Trumbo | RF,UT | (N/A) |
| 130 | Justin Turner | 3B,UT | LAD |
| 131 | Mark Melancon | RP | SF |
| 132 | Javier Baez | 2B,3B,SS,UT | CHC |
| 133 | Sonny Gray | SP | OAK |
| 134 | Odubel Herrera | CF,UT | PHI |
| 135 | Ken Giles | RP | HOU |
| 136 | Jose Bautista | RF,UT | (N/A) |
| 137 | Jonathan Schoop | 2B,UT | BAL |
| 138 | Michael Conforto | LF,UT | NYM |
| 139 | Nick Castellanos | 3B,UT | DET |
| 140 | Steven Matz | SP | NYM |
| 141 | Aledmys Diaz | SS,UT | STL |
| 142 | Dallas Keuchel | SP | HOU |
| 143 | Jerad Eickhoff | SP | PHI |
| 144 | Yasmany Tomas | LF,RF,UT | ARI |
| 145 | Devon Travis | 2B,UT | TOR |
| 146 | Blake Snell | SP | TB |
| 147 | Jake Lamb | 3B,UT | ARI |
| 148 | Yordano Ventura | SP | KC |
| 149 | Anthony DeSclafani | SP | CIN |
| 150 | Troy Tulowitzki | SS,UT | TOR |
| 151 | Adam Eaton | CF,RF,UT | WAS |
| 152 | Jeurys Familia | RP | NYM |
| 153 | Yasmani Grandal | C,UT | LAD |
| 154 | Cody Allen | RP | CLE |
| 155 | Dustin Pedroia | 2B,UT | BOS |
| 156 | Zack Greinke | SP | ARI |
| 157 | Jurickson Profar | 1B,2B,3B,SS,LF,UT | TEX |
| 158 | Tony Watson | RP | PIT |
| 159 | Sam Dyson | RP | TEX |
| 160 | Taijuan Walker | SP | ARI |
| 161 | Marcus Stroman | SP | TOR |
| 162 | Kelvin Herrera | RP | KC |
| 163 | Salvador Perez | C,UT | KC |
| 164 | Joc Pederson | CF,UT | LAD |
| 165 | Ben Zobrist | 2B,LF,RF,UT | CHC |
| 166 | Kevin Kiermaier | CF,UT | TB |
| 167 | Adrian Gonzalez | 1B,UT | LAD |
| 168 | Drew Pomeranz | SP,RP | BOS |
| 169 | Carlos Rodon | SP | CHW |
| 170 | Evan Gattis | C,UT | HOU |
| 171 | James Paxton | SP | SEA |
| 172 | Drew Smyly | SP | SEA |
| 173 | Jay Bruce | RF,UT | NYM |
| 174 | Matt Kemp | LF,RF,UT | ATL |
| 175 | Jake Odorizzi | SP | TB |
| 176 | David Peralta | RF,UT | ARI |
| 177 | Kole Calhoun | RF,UT | LAA |
| 178 | Brad Miller | 1B,SS,UT | TB |
| 179 | Jose Ramirez | 3B,LF,UT | CLE |
| 180 | Victor Martinez | UT | DET |
| 181 | Mike Moustakas | 3B,UT | KC |
| 182 | Sean Manaea | SP,RP | OAK |
| 183 | Elvis Andrus | SS,UT | TEX |
| 184 | Jorge Soler | LF,UT | KC |
| 185 | Dexter Fowler | CF,UT | STL |
| 186 | Justin Bour | 1B,UT | MIA |
| 187 | Garrett Richards | SP | LAA |
| 188 | Neil Walker | 2B,UT | NYM |
| 189 | Ender Inciarte | LF,CF,UT | ATL |
| 190 | Jung-Ho Kang | 3B | PIT |
| 191 | Jose Berrios | SP | MIN |
| 192 | Tanner Roark | SP,RP | WAS |
| 193 | Jordan Zimmermann | SP,RP | DET |
| 194 | Vincent Velasquez | SP | PHI |
| 195 | Randal Grichuk | CF,UT | STL |
| 196 | Seung-Hwan Oh | RP | STL |
| 197 | Raisel Iglesias | SP,RP | CIN |
| 198 | Marco Estrada | SP | TOR |
| 199 | J.A. Happ | SP | TOR |
| 200 | Adrian Beltre | 3B,UT | TEX |
| 201 | Jeff Samardzija | SP | SF |
| 202 | Brandon Kintzler | RP | MIN |
| 203 | Matt Moore | SP | SF |
| 204 | Joe Musgrove | SP,RP | HOU |
| 205 | Trevor Bauer | SP,RP | CLE |
| 206 | Max Kepler | RF,UT | MIN |
| 207 | Ryon Healy | 3B,UT | OAK |
| 208 | Domingo Santana | RF,UT | MIL |
| 209 | Corey Dickerson | LF,UT | TB |
| 210 | Adam Duvall | LF,UT | CIN |
| 211 | Collin McHugh | SP | HOU |
| 212 | Starlin Castro | 2B,UT | NYY |
| 213 | Jason Heyward | CF,RF,UT | CHC |
| 214 | Brandon Crawford | SS,UT | SF |
| 215 | Eric Thames | 1B,UT | MIL |
| 216 | Russell Martin | C,UT | TOR |
| 217 | Rich Hill | SP | LAD |
| 218 | Brandon Maurer | RP | SD |
| 219 | Micahel Pineda | SP | NYY |
| 220 | Hunter Pence | RF,UT | SF |
| 221 | Daniel Norris | SP,RP | DET |
| 222 | Tommy Joseph | 1B,UT | PHI |
| 223 | Alex Colome | RP | TB |
| 224 | A.J. Ramos | RP | MIA |
| 225 | Kendrys Morales | UT | TOR |
| 226 | Dylan Bundy | SP,RP | BAL |
| 227 | Eduardo Rodriguez | SP | BOS |
| 228 | Chris Carter | 1B,UT | (N/A) |
| 229 | Matt Wieters | C,UT | (N/A) |
| 230 | Brian McCann | C,UT | HOU |
| 231 | Shelby Miller | SP | ARI |
| 232 | Jose Peraza | 2B,SS,CF,UT | CIN |
| 233 | David Robertson | RP | CHW |
| 234 | Robbie Ray | SP | ARI |
| 235 | Jacoby Ellsbury | CF,UT | NYY |
| 236 | Josh Harrison | 2B,UT | PIT |
| 237 | Matt Shoemaker | SP | LAA |
| 238 | Carlos Gomez | LF,CF,UT | TEX |
| 239 | Tyler Skaggs | SP | LAA |
| 240 | Marcus Semien | SS,UT | OAK |
| 241 | Tim Anderson | SS,UT | CHW |
| 242 | Chris Tillman | SP | BAL |
| 243 | Jaime Garcia | SP,RP | ATL |
| 244 | Archie Bradley | SP | ARI |
| 245 | Didi Gregorius | SS,UT | NYY |
| 246 | Aaron Blair | SP | ATL |
| 247 | Josh Reddick | RF,UT | HOU |
| 248 | Matt Wisler | SP,RP | ATL |
| 249 | Adam Conley | SP | MIA |
| 250 | Brandon Drury | 2B,3B,LF,RF,UT | ARI |
| 251 | Stephen Vogt | C,UT | OAK |
| 252 | Mike Napoli | 1B,UT | (N/A) |
| 253 | Tyson Ross | SP | TEX |
| 254 | Logan Forsythe | 2B,UT | TB |
| 255 | Gio Gonzalez | SP | WAS |
| 256 | Hector Neris | RP | PHI |
| 257 | Mike Fiers | SP,RP | HOU |
| 258 | Eduardo Nunez | 3B,SS,UT | SF |
| 259 | Danny Velancia | 1B, 3B, RF, UT | OAK |
| 260 | Cam Bedrosian | RP | LAA |
| 261 | Kyle Barraclough | RP | MIA |
| 262 | Ervin Santana | SP | MIN |
| 263 | C.J. Cron | 1B,UT | LAA |
| 264 | Eugenio Suarez | 3B,UT | CIN |
| 265 | Travis Shaw | 1B,3B,UT | MIL |
| 266 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | SP | LAD |
| 267 | Cameron Maybin | CF,UT | LAA |
| 268 | Wilmer Flores | 1B,2B,3B,UT | NYM |
| 269 | Matt Duffy | 3B,SS,UT | TB |
| 270 | Adam Ottavino | RP | COL |
| 271 | Luis Severino | SP,RP | NYY |
| 272 | Addison Reed | RP | NYM |
| 273 | Denard Span | CF,UT | SF |
| 274 | Jeremy Hellickson | SP | PHI |
| 275 | Zach Davies | SP | MIL |
| 276 | Matt Bush | RP | TEX |
| 277 | Carlos Beltran | RF,UT | HOU |
| 278 | Nathan Karns | SP,RP | KC |
| 279 | Jarrod Dyson | LF,CF,RF,UT | SEA |
| 280 | Shawn Kelley | RP | WAS |
| 281 | Rajai Davis | LF,CF,UT | OAK |
| 282 | Zack Wheeler | SP | NYM |
| 283 | Mike Leake | SP | STL |
| 284 | Gerardo Parra | 1B,LF,CF,RF,UT | COL |
| 285 | Jason Hammel | SP | (N/A) |
| 286 | Wei-Yin Chen | SP | MIA |
| 287 | Luis Valbuena | 3B,UT | (N/A) |
| 288 | Lucas Duda | 1B,UT | NYM |
| 289 | Kevin Pillar | CF,UT | TOR |
| 290 | Nate Jones | RP | CHW |
| 291 | Braden Shipley | SP,RP | ARI |
| 292 | Kolten Wong | 2B,UT | STL |
| 293 | Leonys Martin | CF,UT | SEA |
| 294 | Chris Devenski | SP,RP | HOU |
| 295 | Tyler Thornburg | RP | BOS |
| 296 | Tyler Naquin | CF,UT | CLE |
| 297 | Lance Lynn | SP | STL |
| 298 | Hunter Strickland | RP | SF |
| 299 | Mitch Moreland | 1B,UT | BOS |
| 300 | Yunel Escobar | 3B,UT | LAA |
| 301 | Ryan Dull | RP | OAK |
| 302 | Alex Cobb | SP | TB |
| 303 | Arodys Vizcaino | RP | ATL |
| 304 | Asdrubal Cabrera | SS,UT | NYM |
| 305 | Derek Law | RP | SF |
| 306 | Francisco Rodriguez | RP | DET |
| 307 | Michael Lorenzen | RP | CIN |
| 308 | Jose Reyes | 3B,SS,UT | NYM |
| 309 | Huston Street | RP | LAA |
| 310 | Mike Foltynewicz | SP | ATL |
| 311 | Byung Ho Park | 1B,UT | MIN |
| 312 | Brett Gardner | LF,UT | NYY |
| 313 | Patrick Corbin | SP,RP | ARI |
| 314 | Jeanmar Gomez | RP | PHI |
| 315 | Will Harris | RP | HOU |
| 316 | Trevor Plouffe | 1B,3B,UT | OAK |
| 317 | Corey Knebel | RP | MIL |
| 318 | Jeremy Jeffress | RP | TEX |
| 319 | Zack Cozart | SS,UT | CIN |
| 320 | Wilson Ramos | C,UT | TB |
| 321 | Joe Panik | 2B,UT | SF |
| 322 | Darren O’Day | RP | BAL |
| 323 | Angel Pagan | LF,CF,UT | (N/A) |
| 324 | Curtis Granderson | CF,RF,UT | NYM |
| 325 | Brandon Phillips | 2B,UT | CIN |
| 326 | Mike Montgomery | SP,RP | CHC |
| 327 | Brad Boxberger | RP | TB |
| 328 | Adam Wainwright | SP | STL |
| 329 | Ian Kennedy | SP | KC |
| 330 | Marwin Gonzalez | 1B,2B,3B,SS,LF,UT | HOU |
| 331 | Fernando Rodney | RP | ARI |
| 332 | Alcides Escobar | SS,UT | KC |
| 333 | Dan Straily | SP,RP | CIN |
| 334 | Yadier Molina | C,UT | STL |
| 335 | Brandon Finnegan | SP | CIN |
| 336 | Ketel Marte | SS,UT | ARI |
| 337 | Wellington Castillo | C | BAL |
| 338 | Steven Souza Jr. | RF, UT | TB |
| 339 | Blake Treinen | RP | WAS |
| 340 | Scott Kazmir | SP | LAD |
| 341 | J.J. Hardy | SS,UT | BAL |
| 342 | Jim Johnson | RP | ATL |
| 343 | Hector Santiago | SS,UT | SF |
| 344 | Sandy Leon | C,UT | BOS |
| 345 | Steve Cishek | RP | SEA |
| 346 | Micahel Feliz | RP | HOU |
| 347 | Hisashi Iwakuma | SP | SEA |
| 348 | Martin Prado | 3B,UT | MIA |
| 349 | Trevor Rosenthal | RP | STL |
| 350 | Michael Wacha | SP,RP | STL |
| 351 | Hyun Soo Kim | LF,UT | BAL |
| 352 | Clay Buchholz | SP,RP | PHI |
| 353 | Jhonny Peralta | 3B,SS,UT | STL |
| 354 | Brett Lawrie | 2B,UT | CHW |
| 355 | Matt Adams | 1B,UT | STL |
| 356 | Michael Saunders | LF,RF,UT | PHI |
| 357 | Mychal Givens | RP | BAL |
| 358 | Melky Cabrera | LF,UT | CHW |
| 359 | Mike Zunino | C,UT | SEA |
| 360 | Pablo Sandoval | 3B,UT | BOS |
| 361 | Ivan Nova | SP,RP | PIT |
| 362 | Carson Smith | RP | BOS |
| 363 | Derek Dietrich | 1B,2B,3B,UT | MIA |
| 364 | Kendall Graveman | SP | OAK |
| 365 | Travis d’Arnaud | C,UT | NYM |
| 366 | Justin Wilson | RP | DET |
| 367 | Drew Storen | RP | CIN |
| 368 | Brock Holt | 3B,LF,UT | BOS |
| 369 | Freddy Galvis | SS,UT | PHI |
| 370 | Yovanni Gallardo | SP | BAL |
| 371 | Ryan Madson | RP | OAK |
| 372 | Sean Doolittle | RP | OAK |
| 373 | Keon Broxton | CF,UT | MIL |
| 374 | Brad Hand | RP | SD |
| 375 | Hector Rondon | RP | CHC |
| 376 | Jordy Mercer | SS,UT | PIT |
| 377 | Francisco Cervelli | C,UT | PIT |
| 378 | Tyler Chatwood | SP | COL |
| 379 | Blake Swihart | C,LF,UT | BOS |
| 380 | Alex Wood | SP,RP | LAD |
| 381 | Jayson Werth | LF,UT | WAS |
| 382 | Yan Gomes | C,UT | CLE |
| 383 | Chad Kukl | RP | OAK |
| 384 | Brandon Moss | 1B,LF,RF,UT | (N/A) |
| 385 | Derek Norris | C,UT | WAS |
| 386 | Shin-Soo Choo | RF,UT | TEX |
| 387 | Brad Ziegler | RP | MIA |
| 388 | Henry Owens | RP | MIA |
| 389 | Andrelton Simmons | SS,UT | LAA |
| 390 | Cameron Rupp | C,UT | PHI |
| 391 | Luke Gregorson | RP | HOU |
| 392 | Ryan Schimpf | 2B,3B,UT | SD |
| 393 | Kevin Siegrist | RP | STL |
| 394 | Brad Brach | RP | BAL |
| 395 | Steven Wright | SP | BOS |
| 396 | Steve Pearce | 1B,2B,UT | TOR |
| 397 | Devin Mesoraco | C,UT | CIN |
| 398 | Daniel Hudson | RP | PIT |
| 399 | Tony Cingrani | RP | CIN |
| 400 | Ryan Zimmerman | 1B,UT | WAS |
Bold Predictions For The MLB In 2017
Every year we do an article called “Bold Predictions”. I love this concept as most of these ideas are so preposterous that none of them will actually happen. I liken it to the “Riverboat Gambler Theory” where you can really get rich quick if it were to come to fruition.
There may not be too many secrets in the National League where the clubs seems to be either really good or really bad. The American League has a lot more parity.
I suppose I could start off by saying that the NL would win the Interleague series versus the AL, but that it is probably not going to happen based on a 13 year losing streak.
Giancarlo Stanton will crack 50+ HRs
Jose Bautista will not be signed until after the June 2017 draft.
A Right Handed Pitcher will start a game for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Read the rest of this entry
Projected Top 5 Home Run Hitters In Major League Baseball For 2017
Having nothing to do with the ALL – Star Game, and a ton to prove after inviting himself to the HR derby in San Diego, we placed a $125 bet on Stanton to win the event at +325 odds – and he won the whole thing. Now only if he could refrain from beingthe DL for 1 campaign. It was another injury plagued season for the veteran in 2016, but I still claim he will lead the league in HRs one of these years and possibly challenge 50 HRs in the process. He is our #1 pick to win the overall MLB HR crown in 2017.
With apologies to the pending Free Agents who cracked 40+ HRs in Mark Trumbo (47) and Chris Carter (41), I just don’t see them duplicating their 2016 campaigns.
I also foresee a bunch of changes to the top 6 Home Run hitters in the American League in 2017.
Newly signed Indians player Edwin Encarnacion is quite possibly the only returning top 5 guy that will be in there back to back seasons for the Junior Circuit.
Chris Carter. actually tied was the co-leader for the HR title with Nolan Arenado in 2016. and then was promptly non-tendered by the Brewers for his efforts.
Mark Trumbo hasn’t been able to parlay his HR title into a Free Agent deal either. I think this may play a huge factor in a 2017 regression of sorts.
Don’t get me wrong. i fully expect these gentlemen to eclipse 30+ HRs each still in 2017.
Since the top 5 overall Major League HR totals all resided in the AL in 2016 – I suspect this won’t be the case next year.
Ultimately, career years from Khris Davis and Brian Dozier will be hard to do again.
(RELATED – Top 5 Saves Leaders Projected For The MLB in 2017) Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 18, 2016
Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America
Mike Trout and Kris Bryant are the MVPs. Both good choices.
Mike Trout is half way to his Hall of Fame clinching.
Kris Bryant has already gotten some of the hard parts over with.
Now just imagine a World Series match up featuring the two.
It is a “New Generation of Superstars” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
3 Cubs and an Indian owned the 2016 World Series
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports, Jason Miller – Getty Images
Wows indeed.
My tally for Who owns the World Series had one hitter and 3 pitchers with the lead. And how strange is it that the ACTUAL World Series MVP, Ben Zobrist, was not one of them?
Ah the strangeness of a daily tally!
Kris Bryant’s late surge put him past Jason Kipnis, MVP Zobrist and Rajai Davis. Arrieta’s two starts were not dominant but took the evening. Kluber shut down the Cubs for a pair of games while Lester redeemed his bad Game 1 start with a win as a starter and a solid relief appearance.
Let’s look at the final totals.
Hitters ‘WOWS’ MLB 2016,
Kris Bryant – Cubs 2, Jason Kipnis – Indians 1 1/2, Ben Zobrist – Cubs 1 1/2, Rajai Davis – Indians 1 1/2, Coco Crisp – Indians 1, Roberto Perez – Indians 1, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1/2, Mike Napoli – Indians 1/2, Jorge Soler – Cubs 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOWS’ MLB 2016,
Jake Arrieta – Cubs 2, Corey Kluber – Indians 2, Jon Lester – Cubs 2, Andrew Miller – Indians 1, Cody Allen – Indians 1/2, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 1/2, Bryan Shaw – Indians 1/2,
Who Owns October and Who Owns the 2016 World Series (#WOO and #WOWS) Tallies Updated For October 30, 2016
(Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Well, this is the last game of October… someone will own NOVEMBER! Should I create WON? Hell no. I do too much of this stuff as it is!
So who owned October and the World Series?
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
But the World Series deserves its own stats. WOWS (Who Owns the World Series.)
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter. The WOWS total will be kept separately. Each game now counts towards both tallies.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 30th.
2016 World Series Game 5:
Receiving 1 WOO’s and WOWS
Kris Bryant ignited a dormant Cubs attack with a game tying homer in the 4th. He would add a walk as he helped top Cleveland, 3-2.
Jon Lester kept the Cubs alive with 6 strong innings allowing 4 hits and 2 Cleveland runs to earn the 3-2 decision.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s and WOWS
Rajai Davis collected a pair of hits, scored a run and stole 3 bases in the Indians 3-2 loss to the Cubs.
Bryan Shaw kept Cleveland in the game by retiring all 4 batters he faced, 3 by strikeout. But the Cubs would hold on to win 3-2.
Current ‘WOWS’ Totals MLB 2016:
Hitters ‘WOWS’ MLB 2016,
Kris Bryant – Cubs 1, Coco Crisp – Indians 1, Jason Kipnis – Indians 1, Roberto Perez – Indians 1, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1, Rajai Davis – Indians 1/2, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1/2, Mike Napoli – Indians 1/2, Jorge Soler – Cubs 1/2, Ben Zobrist – Cubs 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOWS’ MLB 2016,
Corey Kluber – Indians 2, Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Jon Lester – Cubs 1, Andrew Miller – Indians 1, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 1/2, Bryan Shaw – Indians 1/2,
HCurrent WOO Totals MLB 2016
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Josh Donaldson – Blue Jays 3 1/2, Francisco Lindor – Indians 3, Adrian Gonzalez – Dodgers 2 1/2, Kris Bryant – Cubs 2, Coco Crisp – Indians 2, Jason Kipnis – Indians 2, Daniel Murphy – Nationals 2, Addison Russell – Cubs 2, Justin Turner – Dodgers 2, Javier Baez – Cubs 1 1/2, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1 1/2, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1 1/2, Conor Gillaspie – Giants 1 1/2, Mike Napoli – Indians 1 1/2, Roberto Perez – Indians 1 1/2, Ben Zobrist – Cubs 1 1/2, Mookie Betts – Red Sox 1, Brandon Guyer – Indians 1, Yasmani Grandal – Dodgers 1, Shawn Kelley – Nationals 1, Miguel Montero – Cubs 1, Joe Panik – Giants 1, Joc Pederson – Dodgers 1, Anthony Rizzo – Cubs 1, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1, Troy Tulowitzki – Blue Jays 1, Jayson Werth – Nationals 1, Elvis Andrus – Rangers 1/2, Jose Bautista – Blue Jays 1/2, Andrew Benintendi – Red Sox 1/2, Gregor Blanco – Giants 1/2, Rajai Davis – Indians 1/2, Ian Desmond – Rangers 1/2, Curtis Granderson – Mets 1/2, Rougned Odor – Rangers 1/2, Buster Posey – Giants 1/2, Carlos Ruiz – Dodgers 1/2, Michael Saunders – Blue Jays 1/2, Corey Seager – Dodgers 1/2, Jorge Soler – Cubs 1/2, Mark Trumbo – Orioles 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Corey Kluber – Indians 4, Jon Lester – Cubs 4, Andrew Miller – Indians 3, Kenley Jansen – Dodgers 2 1/2, Kyle Hendricks – Cubs 2, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 2, Roberto Osuna – Blue Jays 2, Josh Tomlin – Indians 2, Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1 1/2, Marco Estrada – Blue Jays 1 1/2, Madison Bumgarner – Giants 1, Aroldis Chapman – Cubs 1, Rich Hill – Dodgers 1, Derek Law – Giants 1, Mark Melancon– Nationals 1, Ryan Merritt – Indians 1, Mike Montgomery – Cubs 1, Aaron Sanchez – Blue Jays 1, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1, Travis Wood – Cubs 1, Johnny Cueto – Giants 1/2, Matt Moore – Giants 1/2, Darren O’Day – Orioles 1/2, Max Scherzer – Nationals 1/2, Bryan Shaw – Indians 1/2, Noah Syndergaard – Mets 1/2,
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 21, 2016
Jason Miller/Getty Images North America
With no playoff games today, I decided to spend the dark day giving my choices for the off season awards.
Corey Kluber, Jose Fernandez, Mike Trout, Kris Bryant, Michael Fulmer, Corey Seager, Terry Francona and Dave Roberts all will show up with some hardware.
It is a “Blue Ribbon” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
For the up to date standings of Who Owns October, click MLB Reports.
What is “Who Owns October”? Click HERE for an explanation.
Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 9/10/16
P- Masahiro Tanaka (vs. Tampa Bay Rays): $10,800. Over his last six starts, Tanaka is 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA. That includes a start against the Rays which he gave up four runs over seven innings and struck out eight. While that start isn’t fantastic, Tanaka has pretty much dominated this team over his career. In 84 career at bats against Tanaka, the Rays’ offense is batting .179, with 19 strikeouts, and a .188 OBP.
P- Adam Wainwright (vs. Milwaukee Brewers): $8,100. It looks like Wainwright has finally snapped out of his funk. Over his last three starts, he has a 1-1 record, 3.71 ERA, and 15 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. That includes a start against Milwaukee where he went seven innings, giving up only three hits, seven strikeouts, and one earned run. In 144 career at bats against Wainwright, the Brewers’ offense is batting .215, with 37 strikeouts, and a .245 OBP.
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Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 9/9/16
P- Tanner Roark (vs. Philadelphia Phillies): $9,300. Roark has dominated the Phillies this year. In four starts against Philadelphia, Roark has a 0.64 ERA. In his last start against the Phils, he went seven scoreless innings. Over his last three starts, he has a 1-2 record, 3.18 ERA, and 12 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.
P- Yordano Ventura (vs. Chicago White Sox): $8,600. Over Ventura’s last three starts, he has a 2-0 record with a 2.20 ERA. He has struggled with control at times, but if he can limit his walks, he has the potential to put up a huge game on Friday. In 115 career at bats against Ventura, the White Sox offense is batting .209, with a .264 OBP, and 29 strikeouts.
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Kris Bryant Could Be Better Than Mike Trout In 2017
I think it is a fair argument to say Kris Bryant is the best player in baseball. Yes, most people will say Mike Trout should be given that title, but let me tell you some reasons why Bryant could take over the crown in the 2017 season.
Versatility: Kris Bryant has played 54 games in left field, 13 games in right field, 1 game in centerfield, 6 games at first base, 1 game at shortstop and 87 games at third base in 2016. This provides the Chicago Cubs and their manager, Joe Maddon, with incredible flexibility when setting their lineup. It also provides ample opportunity to give players a rest day and cycle around your lineup to provide the best chance to win. Advantage: Bryant
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Who Owned Baseball August 26, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
CHRIS YOUNG/AP
Justin Smoak went 3 for 5 with a homer and 5 RBI to help propel the Blue Jays into first place by themselves with a 15-8 thrashing of Minnesota.
Kris Bryant scored all 3 times he reached base including a key 8th inning homer and a go ahead homer in the 10th as the Cubs came from behind to top the Dodgers, 6-4.
Justin Verlander pitched into the 8th, striking out 8 Angels in 7 2/3 innings and walking just 1, earning the 4-2 victory for Detroit.
Braden Shipley threw 7 strong innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, setting p Arizona’s 4-3 extra inning win over Cincinnati.
They All Owned Baseball on August 26, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 8/26/16
P- Justin Verlander (vs. Los Angeles Angels): $10,400. Verlander has been absolutely dominant since the All-Star break. Over his last three starts, he has a 1-1 record, 2.25 ERA, and 17 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched. In 72 career at bats against Verlander, the Angels’ offense is batting .153, with a .247 OBP, and a .256 slugging percentage. In his last start against the Angels, Verlander went 7.1 innings, giving up four runs, and he struck out seven batters.
P- Bartolo Colon (vs. Philadelphia Phillies): $7,600. Colon has been very consistent all year long. During his starts in August, he owns a 2.25 ERA. In three starts against the Phillies this season, Colon has held them to a .206 batting average. In 117 career at bats against Colon, the Phillies’ lineup is batting .231, with a .272 OBP, and a .372 slugging percentage.
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2016 MLB Playoff and Yearly Award Predictions
With only about a month left in the season, it’s time to take a look at playoff and yearly award predictions. These are obviously subject to change, but below are my predictions. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @dynasty_digest.
Playoff Prediction
AL East: Boston Red Sox
AL Central: Cleveland Indians
AL West: Texas Rangers
Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers
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Who Owned Baseball August 18, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
KEVIN LILES/GETTY IMAGES
Reynaldo Lopez struck out 11 Braves over 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 run, earning the 8-2 decision for Washington.
Kris Bryant went 5 for 5, including 2 homers and 2 doubles as the Cubs outslugged Milwaukee 9-6.
Dillon Gee allowed 1 run over 7 innings, striking out 7 Twins as the Royals rolled to an 8-1 victory.
J. J, Hardy homered twice and doubled as the Orioles topped Houston, 13-5.
They All Owned Baseball on August 19, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 8/17/16
P- Homer Bailey (vs. Miami Marlins): $8,900. Bailey looked really good in his last start. He went six innings, giving up three hits, one walk, and 11 strikeouts. He will be facing the Marlins on Wednesday, who just recently lost Giancarlo Stanton for the year. Over the last seven games, the Marlins have a .686 OPS, which ranks 26th in Major League Baseball.
P- Yordano Ventura (vs. Detroit Tigers): $7,800. In his three starts against the Detroit Tigers in 2016, Ventura has put up 15.85, 24.65, and 18.35 points in DraftKings. He has also not allowed more than three runs in a start since July 3rd. In his last three starts, he has a 2-0 record, 2.89 ERA, and 15 strikeouts. Over the last seven games, Detroit has a .693 OPS, which ranks 24th in Major League Baseball.
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Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 8/14/16
P- Jake Odorizzi (vs. New York Yankees): $8,200. Odorizzi entered his last start with a 20.2 inning scoreless streak. Unfortunately, he lost that streak, but he still pitched decent. In his last three starts, he is 2-0, with a 1.00 ERA, and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched. In two starts against the Yankees in 2016, he has a 1-1 record, 1.12 ERA, and 11 strikeouts.
P- Tom Koehler (vs. Chicago White Sox): $8,600. Koehler has been lights out recently. Over his last three starts, he has a 2-0 record, 0.47 ERA, and 18 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched. With that said, he is going up against a pretty weak Chicago White Sox lineup. Over the last seven days, the White Sox have a .695 OPS, which ranks 20th in Major League Baseball.
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Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 8/10/16
P- Jose Quintana (vs. Kansas City Royals): $10,300. Over his last three starts, Quintana has a 1-0 record, with a 1.74 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in 20.2 innings pitched. He is one win away from his 10th win, so he should be amped to succeed. Over the last 10 games, the Royals rank 26th in OPS with .654, so clearly they are struggling offensively. Quintana should have no problem taking care of business on Wednesday.
P- Jason Hammel (vs. Los Angeles Angels): $8,000. In 66 career at bats against Hammel, the Angels’ offense is batting .212, with two XBH, and a .286 OBP. Over Hammel’s last 21 starts, he has given up one or zero runs in 10 of those starts. He is also very effective at home this season, which is a plus for Wednesday night.
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Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings – 7/27/16
P – Jon Gray (vs. Baltimore Orioles): $10,500. The Orioles have been horrendous over the last seven games. They are ranked last in OPS with a .599. Meanwhile, Jon Gray has been absolutely filthy over his last few starts. In his last three starts, Gray has struck out at least eight batters and he has only given up three runs in 20.1 innings pitched. Over his last 11 starts, he owns a 2.93 ERA.
P – Matt Moore (vs. Los Angeles Dodgers): $7,500. Over his last nine starts, Moore has thrown at least six innings. He is facing a Dodgers’ lineup who has struggled mightily against left-handed pitching. In 831 at bats against lefties, the Dodgers are batting .218, with a .295 OBP, and a .350 slugging percentage.
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Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 7/24/16
P- Jon Lester (vs. Milwaukee Brewers): $10,600. In four career starts against the Brewers, Lester holds a 2.22 ERA with a 2-2 record. Lester has been impressive all year long. He currently owns a 10-4 record, with a 2.89 ERA, and 111 strikeouts in 118.1 innings pitched. Milwaukee ranks in the bottom third in the MLB against left-handed pitching this year, so this favors Lester on Sunday.
P- Rick Porcello (vs. Minnesota Twins): $9,200. Porcello has been on fire over his last four starts as he is unbeaten. In his last time out against the Twins, he gave up only one earned run over seven innings pitched. Throughout the last five years, Porcello has dominated every hitter in the Twins’ lineup, so I don’t see anything different happening on Sunday.
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Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 7/22/16
Thank you for taking the time to view my daily fantasy picks. You can find my picks for pitcher for tomorrow and a link that forwards you to the rest of the picks. If you have any questions or comments, please send me a message on Twitter (@dynasty_digest).
P – Trevor Bauer (vs. Baltimore Orioles): $8,900
P – Gerrit Cole (vs. Philadelphia Phillies): $7,400
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