Blog Archives

Talking Cardinals with Moose Michaels: Locked on MLB – June 26, 2019

30EA939B-7D44-4176-96C0-42242F502ECDMoose Michaels, host of the Locked on Cardinals podcast, joins the show to discuss the state of the St. Louis pennant hopes and its stumbling pitching staff.

This is the Locked On MLB Podcast hosted by me, Paul Francis Sullivan. Please call me Sully.

To hear the episode click HERE

Sully Baseball Podcast – The Brewers Get It… and Jim Kaat Lost His Damn Mind – September 1, 2018

maxresdefault

MLB Network

It is September and a bounce here or a bounce there will be the difference between playing in October or not. The Brewers get that and are fortifying their team in any way they can.

Meanwhile Jim Kaat wrote a surreal tweet.

 

Not only does it make Kaat look like a factually incorrect bitter old man, but it also illustrates a problem of how MLB markets and presents itself.

Appreciating yesterday AND today in this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the NEW In Memoriam video.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Podcast – Andy Van Slyke and memories of the 1985 Cardinals – March 28, 2018

 

s-l1600

Fleer

Former All Star Centerfielder Andy Van Slyke returns to the podcast to remember his role on the dynamic 1985 National League pennant winning St. Louis Cardinals.

There is speed on the basepaths in this episode of Sully Baseball.

Check out his new podcast, View from Centerfield.

Neither winning nor losing on this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Podcast – I have a vision about the 2018 World Series – March 3, 2018

YADIER-OLINA

Jeff Curry – USA Today

In my sleep, I saw a clear and specific vision regarding Game 7 of the yet to be played 2018 World Series. Was it a prophecy? Was it a dream? Should I play PowerBall?

Seeing images of the future on this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Podcast – The Red Sox should NOT covet Giancarlo Stanton plus Remembering 1985 Cardinals – August 23, 2017

Giancarlo+Stanton+Miami+Marlins+v+New+York+CJDkOwmpP2vl

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

Giancarlo Stanton is having an unbelievable season playing for the Miami Marlins. Should the Red Sox try to trade for him?

HELL NO!!!

Would YOU sign an injury prone player in his late 20’s to an 11 year contract? At the cost of one of your core players?

I hope not.

That plus I call for the name to be changed for Yawkey Way and I figure out which Cardinals team should have won.

Correcting mistakes of the past on this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball July 18, 2017 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

WACHA

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

 

Michael Wacha threw a complete game 3 hit shutout, striking out 8 Mets and giving the Cardinals a much needed 5-0 win.

Brad Peacock struck out 9 Mariners in 7 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run to earn the 6-2 decision for Houston.

Bryce Harper went 4 for 4 with a homer and 2 runs scored as the Nationals squeaked past the Angels, 4-3.

Nicholas Castellanos got 4 hits, including a pair of homers, driving in 5 runs as the Tigers beat the Royals 9-3.

They all owned baseball on July 18, 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.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast -February 15, 2017

alexreyescincinnatiredsvstlouiscardinalsvzcjfxpydmel

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America

Alex Reyes looks like he is going to have Tommy John surgery. These Tommy John surgeries are driving me crazy. Perhaps this is a case for good, clean PEDs.

Get a legal edge on this episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 8, 2017

randalgrichukstlouiscardinalsvcolorado8dds8qq_tlvl

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images North America

The Cardinals may have missed the post season last year (barely) and have flown under the radar this off season. But sleep on this team at your own peril. They have a combination of veterans, young players, and a bunch of comeback candidates poised to make 2017 fun for the Red Birds.

Two little birds are perched on a bat for this episode of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2017 MLB League Pennants: You Will Never Guess Who May Have The Best Value

No teams in the AL would be faoored against the Cubs should they face the reigning Champs, so it mau be easier to bet them just to win the Pennant

No teams in the AL would be favored against the Cubs should they face the reigning Champs, so it may be easier to bet them just to win the AL Pennant.

There is a reason why these odds value favorites are not any real difference for the Odds To Win The World Series and these will be any different. 

Basically, you could just go ahead with a World Series bet for anyone you think that can win the Title, and then simply hedge when it comes  to the Fall Classic.

I always say that MLB Power Rankings should have a lot to do with odds to win any type of Division, League Pennant or World Series.

The 1st thing that jumped out to me here was that the LA Angels are at 35/1 for the Junior Circuit.  Should they face any of the Senior Circuit’s top clubs, they would probably all be +150 underdogs.

If you were to pick the Angels at +3500, and then parlay that into a +150 wager in the World Series, than the overall odd shoots +8750 rather than the +7500.

Personally, the Angels have had a great winter to shore up the defense – and have addressed a few roster spots with a deeper bench. 

Is it that foreign to think that the Los Angeles Angels could jump out quickly if Mike Trout can carry them?

In their 1st 60 games of the season, the Halo's effectively miss the Indians and Red Sox on the docket, and only have to play 3 games versus the Tigers as well. Yes, they play a huge chunk of their games vs the AL West, but they have improved against all of the clubs as of right now. Mike Scioscia's squad gets to play 4 games at Tampa - and 4 games vs the Twins, 3 vs Toronto and Atlanta at home, with 3 at Kc and Miami. The club are slated to host the Braves for 3 games. Did I mention they play the A's 10 times in their 1st 60 contests as well? I could see them with 34 or 36 wins at the 60 game mark In an exhausting stretch from Apr 3, to May 15, the team also plays 43 games in 46 nights, with 20 of them at home, but that is a great itinerary to kick off the campaign.

In their 1st 60 games of the season, the Halo’s effectively miss the Indians and Red Sox on the docket, and only have to play 3 games versus the Tigers as well. Yes, they play a huge chunk of their games vs the AL West, but they have improved against all of the clubs as of right now. Mike Scioscia’s squad gets to play 4 games at Tampa – and 4 games vs the Twins, 3 vs Toronto and Atlanta at home, with 3 at KC and Miami. Did I mention they play the A’s 10 times in their 1st 60 contests as well? I could see them with 34 or 36 wins at the 60 game mark In an exhausting stretch from Apr 3, to May 15, the team also plays 43 games in 46 nights, with 20 of them at home, but that is a great itinerary to kick off the campaign.

Lets say they are 8 or 10 games over at that point, I could actually see the organization spending a little bit more money in the 2nd half to acquire talent. 

Also if they can withstand until Albert Pujols gets back healthy everyday as the permanent DH.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the Astros, M’s and Rangers still better for the Division, but the gap is not that much….Particularly if the Astros don’t add a Starting Pitcher, the Mariners don’t add a slugging First Baseman, and Texas is hesitant to spend more money on payroll.

The Angels did win 98 Games in 2014 and 85 games in 2015, before receding to 74 victories last campaign. 

Mike Trout is due for one of those just carry the club on his back seasons, (not that he hasn’t been awesome individually in that time span.

If the Cubs make the World Series, than only the Boston Red Sox or Cleveland Indians may even come close to an even match for an opponent, with the reigning champs still holding a distinct advantage.

Boston’s +270 is a brutal look at an odd for the AL.  I am not infatuated with the odd of +600 for the World Series either.  They play in a tough AL East where all 5 teams could compete.

Both the Indians and Astros are fairly pitted for their odds towards the AL Pennant.

Texas continues to be the oddball 2nd favorite in the AL West despite having a poor winter thus far. 

News that they will probably sign Mike Napoli should buoy some spirits, and I am willing to acknowledge that when it happens, yet I feel they still need more.

If the Rangers also swing a Jurickson Profar for a Tampa Bay starter like Jake Odorizzi, then I could par them up with Houston.  As of right now, they are two players short.

I still love the odds for the Nationals even though I wish they wouldn’t have come to near Spring Training without a proven Closer.

The more we draw near to the regular season, the less I like the Yankees too in 2017.  They are going to be way too dependent on Gary Sanchez setting the world on fire to contend in my opinion.

New York’s rotation does not instill confidence despite having a lock down Relief Core.  Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner are in their mid 30’s now – where the speed doesn’t play as good.

Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius clubbed 20 HRs each in 2016, but so did 116 other players last campaign. 

These guys never walk either with OBP’s of .300 and .304 respectivelY.  Chase Headley is average at best.

For the Bronx Bombers to duplicate even their 84 win season last year, I think Sanchez will have to destroy 40 – 50 Jacks into the seats. 

Detroit has better Starting pitching and a world-class offense compared to the Pinstripers, yet are behind them in the odds?

Speaking of Detroit.  For being the 2nd favorite team in the AL Central, they possess the 6th place odd out of all 2nd place listed clubs. 

The Tigers can beat up the White Sox and Twins all years, and the Royals are all of a sudden not looking as good either,  I am all over the Motown Boys.

St. Louis, for the record, are the 5th out of 6th 2nd place listed odds, and are fully valued at +1250.

The Cubs are the cream of the crop, but wagering the club for +180 is not worth it.  You are better off wagering them to win the Fall Classic at +370 instead. 

There is no AL team that Chicago would be an underdog against.  Having said that, the money is not there to plunk down any cabbage for this.

I only wish you could bet the field in the NL vs the Cubs.  The Dodgers are also not a good at +435, mostly because Chicago sits in their path.

If I were to bet the Mets ever to win the NL Pennant, it would be in the mid season when I could see their rotation in action and remain healthy.

Odds To Win The American League

Blue Bold Means Good Vale with #value confidence in parenthesis

Maroon Bold Means Bad Vale with # value confidence in parenthesis

Boston Red Sox +270 (3)

Cleveland Indians +445

Houston Astros +680

Texas Rangers +900 (1)

Toronto Blue Jays +960 (3)

Seattle Mariners +1250

NY Yankees +1350 (2)

Detroit Tigers +1550 (5)

Baltimore O’s +1550

KC Royals +1850

LA Angels +3500 (1)

TB Rays +3700

Oakland A’s +7000

Minnesota Twins +7000

Chicago White Sox +7000

Odds To Win The Nationals League

Chicago Cubs +180 (5)

Dodgers +435 (4)

Washington Nationals +600 (2)

NY Mets +735

SF Giants +740

St.Louis Cardinals +1250 (4)

Colorado Rockies +2400

Pittsburgh Pirates +2400

Miami Marlins +3800

Arizona D’Backs +5000

Philadelphia Phillies +6000

Cincinnati Reds +7500

Atlanta Braves +9000

Milwaukee Brewers +10000

SD Padres +10000

Odds courtesy of betdsi.eu

AL vs NL

*** 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.

To Subscribe and listen daily to  ‘Our Lead Personality’  Sully’s 20 Minutes Daily (every day since Oct.24, 2012) Podcast click here.  Guaranteed listening to the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast will be the best time you invest in online!

All 2430 MLB Games Schedule In 2017 On One Page Post

 

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)

There are no Interleague Games On this Day

Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):

Marlins @ Nationals 1:05 Nationals Park Home Opener, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)

Braves @ Mets 1:10 Citi Field Home Opener, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)

Pirates @ Red Sox  2:05 Fenway Park Home Opener, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)

Rockies @ Brewers 2:10 Miller Park Home Opener, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)

Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park  (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD  (Baltimore Orioles)

Tigers @ White Sox 4:10 Guaranteed Rate Field Home Opener, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)

Royals @ Twins 4:10 Target Field Home Opener, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)

Phillies @ Reds 4:10 Great American Ball Park Home Opener, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)

Dodgers @ Padres 4:10 Dodger Stadium Home Opener, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers)

Indians @ Rangers 7:05 Globe Life Park Home Opener, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)

M’s @ Astros 8:10 Minute Maid Park Home Opener, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)

Angels @ A’s 10:10  O.co Coliseum Home Opener, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)

Tuesday Apr 4  (8 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 7:10

Rockies @ Brewers 7:40

Indians @ Rangers 8:05

M’s @ Astros 8:10

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ D’Backs 9:40

Angels @ A’s 10:05

Padres @ Dodgers 10:10

There are no Interleague Games On this Day
Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule For MLB In Sept/Oct Of 2017 On One Page Post

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

SEPT/OCT

Friday  Sept 1 (15 Games):

Braves @ Cubs 2:20

Red Sox @ Yankees 7:05

Reds @ Pirates 7:05

Blue Jays @ O’s 7:05

Indians @ Tigers 7:10

Phillies @ Marlins 7:10

Angels @ Rangers 8:05

Mets @ Astros 8:10

Royals @ Twins 8:10

Rays @ White Sox 8:10

Nationals @ Brewers 8:10

D’Backs @ Rockies 8:40

Dodgers @ Padres 10:10

A’s @ M’s 10:10

Cardinals @ Giants 10:15 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule For MLB In Aug Of 2017 On One Page Post

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

Tuesday Aug 1 (15 Games)

Reds @ Pirates 7:05

Tigers @ Yankees 7:05

Royals @ Tigers 7:05

Indians @ Red Sox 7:10

Nationals @ Marlins 7:10

Dodgers @ Braves 7:35

Cardinals @ Brewers 7:40

D’Backs @ Cubs 8:05

M’s @ Rangers 8:05

Rays @ Astros 8:10

Blue Jays @ White Sox 8:10

Mets @ Rockies 8:40

Giants @ A’s 10:05

Phillies @ Angels 10:07

Twins @ Padres 10:10 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule For ML:B In July Of 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

JULY: 

Saturday July 1 (15 Games):

Red Sox @ Blue Jays 1:07

Rangers @ White Sox 2:10

Twins @ Royals 2:15

Braves @ A’s 4:05

Giants @ Pirates 4:05

Rays @ O’s 4:05

Cubs @ Reds 4:10

Marlins @ Brewers 4:10

Phillies @ Mets 4:10

Indians @ Tigers 7:15

Yankees @ Astros 7:15

Nationals @ Cardinals 7;15

M’s @ Angels 10:07

Rockies @ D’Backs 10:10

Dodgers @ Padres 10:10 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule In June 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

JUNE

Thursday June 1 (8 Games):

A’s @ Indians 1:10

Brewers @ Mets 1:10

Dodgers @ Cardinals 1:45

Rockies @ M’s 3:40

Red Sox @ O’s 7:05

Yankees @ Blue Jays 7:07

D’Backs @ Marlins 7:10

Twins @ Angels 10:07 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule In May 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

MAY

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

Week 5

Monday May 1 (11 Games):

Blue Jays @ Yankees 7:05

Rays @ Marlins 7:10

Indians @ Tigers 7:10

O’s @ Red Sox 7:10

Pirates @ Reds

Mets @ Braves

Phillies @ Cubs 8:05

Rangers @ Astros 8:10

White Sox @ Royals 8:15

Brewers @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ Dodgers 10:10 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule In April 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)

There are no Interleague Games On this Day

Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):

Marlins @ Nationals 1:05 Nationals Park Home Opener, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)

Braves @ Mets 1:10 Citi Field Home Opener, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)

Pirates @ Red Sox  2:05 Fenway Park Home Opener, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)

Rockies @ Brewers 2:10 Miller Park Home Opener, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)

Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park  (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD  (Baltimore Orioles)

Tigers @ White Sox 4:10 Guaranteed Rate Field Home Opener, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)

Royals @ Twins 4:10 Target Field Home Opener, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)

Phillies @ Reds 4:10 Great American Ball Park Home Opener, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)

Dodgers @ Padres 4:10 Dodger Stadium Home Opener, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers)

Indians @ Rangers 7:05 Globe Life Park Home Opener, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)

M’s @ Astros 8:10 Minute Maid Park Home Opener, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)

Angels @ A’s 10:10  O.co Coliseum Home Opener, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)

Tuesday  Apr 4  (8 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 7:10

Rockies @ Brewers 7:40

Indians @ Rangers 8:05

M’s @ Astros 8:10

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ D’Backs 9:40

Angels @ A’s 10:05

Padres @ Dodgers 10:10

There are no Interleague Games On this Day
Read the rest of this entry

1st 2 Weeks Schedule Of The 2017 MLB Season (Includes All Home Openers + Interleague)

Hosts the 1st ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME of the year,,

Busch Stadium Hosts the 1st ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME of the year vs the World Series reigning champs the Chicago Cubs.

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)

There are no Interleague Games On this Day Read the rest of this entry

St. Louis Cardinals 2017 Keys: Aledmys Diaz

diaz1

St. Louis Cardinals 2017 Keys: Aledmys Diaz
By Bill Ivie

The dawn of Spring Training is just around the corner. Coverage for the last few months has focused on changes. Now, the focus becomes projections. What are the keys to success? Who can a team rely on.

For the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the biggest keys is Aledmys Diaz.

You’ve no doubt heard of Diaz by now. The casual fan probably couldn’t say the same thing this time last year. His unexpected arrival in 2016 changed that.

This time last year, Diaz was still just a minor league player, brought in on a free agent contract after defecting from Cuba. The Cardinals signed him in hopes that he was the future as their shortstop. An injury to Jhonny Peralta seemed to open the door. The signing of Miguel Tejada seemed to close it just as fast.

READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE

Odds To Win The 2017 MLB Divisions

chicago-cubs-logo

It is coming to that time where we all start making our predictions, and also plunk down more cabbage on the yearly bets. The 1st week of the February usually will come out with Player Prop Bets, and Teams Win Totals of Over and Under.

I don’t need to remind our long term readers that we have excelled in this foray since the beginning of introducing Gambling 101 as a category to mlbreports.com.

We look to continue our 70% best bet percentage.  I am looking to bounce back in the regular season in particularly as I made up the most of the money in player props, HR Derby and World Series Odds.

Today we are focusing on the MLB Divisions.

The AL East is the strongest Division in the game as 4 clubs are at least half decent. and even Tampa Bay is not that bad. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 18, 2017

190px-curt_flood_letter_to_bowie_kuhn

While sitting listening to 1970’s songs at the airport, I honor Curt Flood, who basically sacrificed his career to usher in the Free Agency era.

Waiting at the gate on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Read the rest of this entry

Who Will Win The 2017 National League Divisions Polls? Your Chance As A Reader To Vote

The National League is a very top heavy league with the Nats, Dodgers, Cardinals and Pirates having the best odds to qualify for the postseason in 2015. With parity at an all time high in the Senior Circuit, we may a squad break the worst record ever to qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card seed this campaign.

The National League is a very top heavy league with the Nats, Dodgers, Cubs Mets, Giants and Cardinals and  having the best odds to qualify for the postseason in 2016. With 6 teams possibly challenging the 100 loss barrier in the Senior Circuit (Padres,  Reds, Brewers, Braves and Phillies),

Since it is the middle part of January, we will offer these polls for all teams in all of the Divisions.

MLB Teams Taking A Powder In 2017 So Far

Some MLB Teams have had a tough winter so far, and we take a look at why this is. We understand that not all clubs have to be in win mode, and some mabe rebuilding, however the process and mindset is what we are questioning here

Some MLB Teams have had a tough winter so far, and we take a look at why this is. We understand that not all clubs have to be in win mode, and some maybe rebuilding, however the process and mindset is what we are questioning here.  For a team that is not going all in and should be based on their limited window of winning opportunity, we also call them to the carpet.  Stop taking a powder in 2017 and give your head a shake!

MLB Teams Taking A Powder In 2017 So Far

There are certain clubs who have done a nice job improving their clubs year over year, some that have done nicely in maintaining, well, and there are teams that are not looking so hot in 2017.

Let me also qualify this in saying that the Toronto Blue Jays are dangerously close to falling into this pegging themselves.  You guys can’t seriously think that you can enter into the 2017 campaign with the Outfield trio of Melvin Upton Jr., Kevin Pillar and Ezequiel Carrera can you?

Give Jose Bautista a 1 Year Deal worth $15 MIL – with a 2nd year Team Option of $19.4 MIL – or a Buyout Clause of $2.2 MIL  The Player could also opt out if he wants to after 2017.  You may risk losing a Draft Pick at all with the way this is going Toronto.

With the 1st ED pick attached to Joey Bats. and the looming future QO’s never receiving as much again,  how could a team justify losing that high of Amateur Draft Selection for an aging 36 year old slugger.

Here is the thing though Blue Jays brass:  You need him..Both at the turnstiles and in the lineup.  He doesn’t cost you anything but money – and the guy still carried out a .815 OPS despite a rough down year.

With a chip on his shoulder, I think he will bounce back big time.  You can defensive replace him every night if you wish, or use Kendrys Morales at First, and let Justin Smoak ride pine for some DH AB to open up for Bautista.

Losing Edwin Encarnacion, Bautista and Michael Saunders is not made up by Morales and Steve Pearce fellas!  You drew 3.4 Million Fans in 2016.  Toronto will keep the faith if you bring back #19 for one more year. 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

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

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 22, 2016

proxy

SNY

Will the Ender Inciarte catch be one of the moments that haunts the Mets? Will it be totally forgotten in 2 weeks?

All narratives, good and bad, are written in retrospect.

It is a hindsight episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

 

Gary Sanchez, Paul Goldschmidt, Felix Hernandez Chad Kuhl Brad Miller, Jose Peraza, Aaron Sanchez and Bartolo Colon all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.

See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports

 

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 21, 2016

11 games to go and 3 teams have identical records in the Wild Card Game. Who will win it?

It is an 11 game sample size for a trip to October.

It is anyone’s guess on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Jose Fernandez, Matt Boyd, Odubel Herrera, Edwin Encarnacion, Tanner Roard, Edinson Volquez, Yunel Escobar and Asdrubel Cabrera all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.

See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports

 

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 14, 2016

zcx5a8eri

I had an exchange on Twitter with a listener that did not go well.

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Instead of fighting, I stood in his shoes and realized the two teams I am rooting for, the Red Sox and the Giants, are the two contenders with the least amount of urgency in baseball.

So @AllenSpeir … please accept my olive branch. I seek peace, not fighting.

It is an attempt to mend fences episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

 

Taijuan Walker, Jorge Polanco, Noah Syndergaard, T. J. Rivera, Danny Duffy, Gorkys Hernandez and Jose Altuve all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.

See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports

 

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 2, 2016

1024x1024

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

ORDER SPACEMAN ON iTUNES BY CLICKING HERE

 

Read the rest of this entry

Midseason Top 100 Prospect Rankings Analysis (61-70)

Below you can find my analysis for the prospects ranked between 71-80 for the 2016 midseason top prospect list. If you want to see the full top 100 list, please visit the following link: SEE THE TOP 100 PROSPECT RANKINGS. I will be posting daily analysis of every player listed in the top 100, so please follow my blog and other social media for updates.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ANALYSIS OF THE PROSPECTS RANKED 71-80

  1. Kyle Lewis (SEA, 20 Years Old, OF): Kyle Lewis was drafted 11th overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2016 MLB Draft. Lewis went to a small college named Mercer University, but nothing about Lewis is small. He puts up HUGE numbers at the plate, he is a massive human being, and he is going to be a big-time prospect. He stands 6’4 and weighs about 210 pounds. He currently plays centerfield, but as he fills out, he is expected to play one of the corner spots in the outfield. In his last season at Mercer, Lewis hit .395, with 20 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a .525 OBP. In his short time in the minors, he hasn’t been overmatched at all, which is a great sign. Lewis has immense potential and could be a serious home run threat down the line.

SEE THE REST OF THE ARTICLE

Where Would the St. Louis Cardinals be Without Matt Carpenter?

Each year, there are normally one or two players on each MLB team where fans think, “Man, where would this team be without this guy on the roster?”

Here are some examples:

  • How much worse would the Washington Nationals have been in 2015 without Bryce Harper’s MVP performance?
  • Where would the New York Mets be right now without Yoenis Cespedes’ bat andNoah Syndergaard’s arm?
  • Would the Houston Astros already be back over .500 if Jose Altuve wasn’t their second baseman?

That’s the kind of impact infielder Matt Carpenter has had on the St. Louis Cardinals.

It’s been an uphill battle for all contending NL Central teams not named the Chicago Cubs in 2016, and even with their small slump over the past week, things probably won’t get much easier. For most of the year, manager Mike Matheny has watched his club produce ho-hum results with a 39-36 record. Still, the Cards find themselves right in the thick of the NL playoff picture.

Overtaking the Cubs appears tough – they’re already 10 games back of Chicago – but they’re only 1.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot. Although he’s not that prototypical “superstar” player, St. Louis wouldn’t be where they are without Carpenter’s contributions in the leadoff spot.

READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 21, 2016

larryscan0002

Topps

Larry Herndon was my guest today. We talked about his early days with the San Francisco Giants and playing in the Cardinals organization during the 1970’s.

That and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Justin Upton, Doug Fister, Mark Reynolds, Clayton Kershaw, Steven Wright, Ketel Marte, Marcell Ozuna and Madison Bumgarner all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.

See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports

Follow Past Pros by clicking HERE

Read the rest of this entry