NL East Offseason Rankings: #2 Washington Nationals

I said at the beginning of this series, that this division was probably the hardest of all in the MLB to distinguish between 3-5 and also 1-2. The bottom three teams could be in any particular order, and the either of the top two teams have a chance to win. However, I feel like the Washington Nationals, with new manager Matt Williams will come up just short, and possibly make the playoffs in a wild card position.

Doug Fister has postseason experience
that a lot of the Nats players need.

What sets the Nationals so far apart from the previously 3 listed teams? Easy. Pitching. Their staff, as a whole is among the top 10 in the league in ERA (8th), quality starts (9th), and WHIP (4th). The top part of their starting rotation alone, made of Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, and Stephen Strasburg, is good enough to sweep any three game series they come to. Add to that rotation a #4 Doug Fister. Yes, Doug Fister is lower in this rotation than he was in Detroit! Those guys alone can almost guarantee 12-15 wins EACH.

Then we move to the bullpen. Say that the team decides that they need the bullpen to work, for some odd reason. They have a closer in Rafael Soriano that has been a solid closer, haveing 40 saves in 3 of the past 4 seasons. Add to him Drew Storen, a guy that has had an ERA over 3 one time in his short career, and Craig Stammen, who has had ERAs the past two seasons of 2.34 and 2.76, it sounds like the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings are pretty much safe when it comes to this team.

Where most teams at the bottom of the division have a hitter or two, this team has a lineup full of guys that can just simply hit. It's scary when you look at it top to bottom and see little to no holes. They have speed at the top of the lineup with Denard Span, then guys like Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, and Ian Desmond. Any holes there? No. Wilson Ramos will catch for the team and he will hit .275 and 15 home runs and then Danny Espinosa will NOT struggle like he did last season.

It's scary to look at a team as good as this and believe they can finish in second place in their division, but come September, I see them flying into the playoffs with a wildcard birth and still a contender for a World Series Title.

Robinson Cano: My Thoughts

Robinson Cano has moved on from the Bronx and away from his former double play partner, Derek Jeter. For once, the Yankees seem to be the smart team in this scenario due to the huge 240 million dollars that the Seattle Mariners will have to pay Cano over the next 10 years. Before I talk about what I think about Robinson Cano and the deal he signed, I wanted to show some comparisons between him and some of the greatest second basemen that have ever played the game.

(I will be comparing the players by their 162 game average)

Batting Average:                                                  Home Runs        

Robinson Cano: .309                                             Robinson Cano: 24

Eddie Collins: .333                                                Eddie Collins: 3

Rogers Hornsby: .358                                           Rogers Hornsby: 22

Joe Morgan: .271                                                  Joe Morgan: 16

Jackie Robinson: .311                                           Jackie Robinson: 16

Roberto Alomar: .300                                           Roberto Alomar: 14

Rod Carew: .328                                                  Rod Carew: 6

Hits                                                                           RBI

                      Robinson Cano: 194                                                 Robinson Cano: 97                

     Eddie Collins: 190                                                     Eddie Collins: 75

      Rogers Hornsby: 210                                                Rogers Hornsby: 114

Joe Morgan: 154                                                       Joe Morgan: 69

   Jackie Robinson: 178                                                Jackie Robinson: 86

        Roberto Alomar: 185                                                Roberto Alomar: 77

Rod Carew: 200                                                        Rod Carew: 67

Slugging Percentage                                              On Base Percentage

               Robinson Cano: .504%                                                 Robinson Cano: .355%         Eddie Collins: .429%                                                       Eddie Collins: .424

      Rogers Hornsby: ..577%                                                Rogers Hornsby: ..434%

Joe Morgan: ..427%                                                       Joe Morgan: .392%

        Jackie Robinson: .474%                                                  Jackie Robinson: ..409%

     Roberto Alomar: .443%                                                   Roberto Alomar: .371%

Rod Carew: ..429%                                                        Rod Carew: .393%

I know, blah blah blah...numbers. But those numbers should scream at what people are saying. Robinson Cano is clearly the best second basemen in Major League Baseball today. However, where does he actually stack up against the greats of all time and how is he worth 24 million dollars a year? It's easily seen that Cano is arguably the most productive of the guys that I listed. He doesn't have the power that Jeff Kent had in his prime (Kent would average 26 home runs per 162 games), but 24 a season will put him among the all time home run leaders by second baseman. 

Cano gets as many hits as the guys that were listed, but notice that his On Base Percentage is almost 40 points lower than Joe Morgan's, while Cano has 40 more total hits.This could be due to the fact that Cano doesn't walk as much as he should, or that he gets more at bats than former players did. However, offensively, Cano will go down in history as probably the all-time home run leader for second basemen.

Kiss the World Series goodbye, Robinson.

Does that make him worth 24 million dollars a year? To me, no way. First off, there are very few, if any players that I would remotely consider to signing for 10 years OR 200 million dollars. Is he worth a million dollars every time he hits a home run (see about chart)? There's no way. The Seattle Mariners have little to nothing around Cano, and will just put more pressure on guys around him. I agree that the team has one of the best pitchers in the league in Felix Hernandez, and one of the best young pitchers in Taijuan Walker, but one bat isn't going to change your fate. 

If the Mariners did this to put fans in the stands, it will work. Until the All-Star Break when the team is more than 9 or 10 games out of first place. Then what is Cano good for? Taking your money? 

Speaking of taking money, what in the world was Robinson Cano thinking? You leave the New York Yankees. The most hated, despised, winning, prestigious team in the HISTORY OF BASEBALL, for simply more money. Now, some will say that the Yankees aren't going to win this year and you're right. They won't win this year. But the Mariners are guaranteed to finish 4th in their division this year. Write it down. 4th in the AL West. 

So does money make up for winning? Has it come to a point in professional sports where players want money more than they want to win? What would the great Pete Rose or Ty Cobb say? Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig would be ashamed of a Yankee turning his back on his team for just money. I want to see guys start playing more for their pride and winning a World Series than having to pack up for a few more million dollars a year. Especially when you are set financially for the rest of your life. 

NL East Offseason Rankings: #3 New York Mets

The NL East has been a pretty quiet division as far as free agency is concerned this year. The Braves, Nats, and Phillies have made little to no moves and the Marlins did pick up Saltalamacchia. The number 3 team on my division list has made the biggest splash among the 5 teams is the New York Mets, and I think those moves could push them up to finish 3rd in the division.

Shrek, I mean Bartolo Colon will have a lot to
teach the young rotation in 2014.

The team went out and signed Bartolo Colon to their starting rotation, which was better than average last season. After going through a few tough seasons in 2009 and 2010, Colon had two great seasons in Oakland for a 38 and 39 year old guy. In 30 starts last season, he won 18 games and had an era of 2.65. Him putting those numbers up again at the age of 40 does seem quite unlikely. The signing of Colon rang bells though, in the thinking that Matt Harvey will not pitch in the 2014 season. Soon after his Tommy John surgery late during last season, he said that his rehab was "ahead of schedule" but most seem to think that he will not pitch in the majors again until 2015.

Other than Colon, the starting rotation is pretty solid. Dylan Gee, Zack Wheeler, and Jonathan Niese will receive loads of help from the veteran pitcher and could be better than they were last season. If you figure them equally, the 3 of them had an average ERA of around 3.53, which is pretty good for a group of two 27 year olds and a 23 year old (Wheeler). If Bobbly Parnell can get any help from his other bullpen mates, this entire pitching staff could be something that all teams dread when they play the Mets.

The talk of their pitching was exciting in 2013, but we know what is coming this year. Now, in order to win, they have to hit.They ranked 29th in all of baseball in total batting average and slugging percentage last season, and 25th in on-base percentage. That is almost Miami Marlins bad there. They only had 5 guys hit double digit home runs, and lost their home run leader from last season, Marlon Byrd. They lost another one of their home run hitters in John Buck to free agency. While giving up Buck, they have given the starting job to Travis d'Arnaud. I'll admit that I'm excited to see this guy catch a full season. In just 31 games, the young man hit only .202 but I feel like he has had some growing up to do and will succeed at his position.

David Wright hit 18 home runs in 112 games, and you must assume that he is going to get his hits if he can play a full season. However, Ike Davis has proven himself, well, bad hitting only .205 last season even when the Mets sent him to AAA to "figure his swing out." If he can return to his 2012 ways of hitting 30 home runs, I think the team will be quite pleased.

If healthy, Granderson can be a game-changer
for the Mets.

Another addition that may add to the production of the Met's lineup is Curtis Granderson. This was a huge signing, considering that Granderson is coming off of a contract with the New York Yankees and was asking for 4 years and 60 million dollars in a contract. That is huge considering that he just came off a season where he missed 101 games due to an injury. However, at his best, Granderson can give the Mets 25+30 home runs, steal a few bases, and play decent-to-good center field. If he doesn't produce, this team is in trouble financially and at the plate during the 2014 season.

With their moves and their potential, the Mets have gotten me to believe in them somewhat. Not winning the division, but out of 4th and 5th place this season. They may contend up until September or they may be out of the race before the All-Star break, but this is a team to watch this coming season with the young talent they have.

NL East Offseason Ranking: #4 Philadelphia Phillies

Yesterday I talked about the Miami Marlins and why I believe that they will finish last in the division. Today, I'm talking about the team that I believe will barely beat the Marlins out in that race for last place.

Howard hasn't been healthy in a few years.
He has to be for the team to succeed.

The Philadelphia Phillies were pretty much the main team in the East in the mid 2000's. They won division titles from 2007-2011, and won a World Series in 2008 while going back and losing in 2009. But baseball is cruel and time moves on. For Philadelphia, time has really been one of their main opponents.Ryan Howard in now 35, as is Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins is 36. In baseball terms, these guys are on their last legs. Can the three turn this year into a winner and produce? Yes, they have that ability but Howard hasn't played a full season since 2011 (yes that was 3 years ago) and Utley hasn't since 2009 (unless you count missing 30 games last season).If this team is going to succeed at all, these guys have to be healthy.

As far as the offense goes, they will need Dominic Brown to have a season unlike any other season. Even if Ryan Howard hits 35 home runs, while him and Utley have 100 RBI each, they will be pitched around in order to get to the guys not named Howard, Rollins, Brown, Utley. They did sign Marlon Byrd to a 2 year contract, and if he hits like he did in New York last year, that could be the guy that can change the lineup on it's feet.

Jonathan Papelbon may have complained
his way straight out of Philly

Ah, the pitching. This is going to be fun. This Philadelphia Phillies pitching rotation in 2013 was simply amazing. They finished 9th in all of baseball with 91 quality starts (well over half of the 162 games played). It is worth noting that they will have to do without Roy Halladay, who was better than any other pitcher in the 2000's. They still will have Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Kyle Kendrick. Those three guys all have the stuff to win 15 games, which is more than most other teams in the division have.

 However, the teams ERA, batting average against, and WHIP were 27th, 27th, and 26th in the league, respectfully. It get's as simple as this, they have a..how do you say this..bad bullpen. And guess what? They are attempting to get rid of their best piece in that bullpen, Jonathan Papelbon. He has been outspoken against the fans of Philly and it seems like they are willing to let him go, and even pay part of his contract for him to just not be there anymore. That would leave Antonio Bastardo and John Lannan as the two guys in the bullpen that would have to carry the load.

Word is, if the Phillies aren't in contention come mid-summer, that a Miami Marlins fire sale could happen here. Think of the names, Howard, Utley, Rollins, Lee, Hamels, Brown. Those names could be on the market come June or July. However, the news burst yesterday that the team just signed a TV deal with Comcast that will pay them over 2 billion dollars until the contract ends. Yes, 2 billion. I'd say even with a fire sale this year, they will be able to rebuild somewhat like the Yankees of the 1990's.

Offseason Rankings: NL East #5 Miami Marlins

So far, outside of the New York Mets, no NL East team has made that big of a splash this offseason. Let's be honest, this division is not as good as some people give it credit for. I've been a NL East fan since I can remember, but I just don't see how they will compete in the big picture. The top 2 of this division are easy to choose, but the bottom 3 are tougher to separate.

The Miami Marlins are going to be the bottom feeders of this division, as they have for the past few seasons. In the 2013 season, the Marlins were 30th in the league in runs (tied for least runs scored in a whole season in history), batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Let's just say that their offense was one of the worst offenses in MLB history in 2013. Add to that fact that they lost Logan Morrison to the Seattle Mariners, then it can be assumed that those number may still suffer next season even if Giancarlo Stanton hits 40 home runs. Very little can be expected from this team with a lineup that looks like this:

Stanton will have to carry the offense

C     Jarrod Saltalamacchia
1B   Garrett Jones
2B   Donovan Solano/Rafael Furcal
SS   Adeiny Hechavarria
3B   Casey McGehee
OF   Giancarlo Stanton
OF   Christian Yelich
OF   Brian Bogusevic

Yeah, you see those names. This offense is doomed.

 In this offseason, so far, they have went out and picked up a good catcher from the World Champion Boston Red Sox, Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He adds a good arm behind the plate, and experience from a World Series team. I can't imagine how it will be for him going from a World Series title to the worst team in the NL East.

They also went out and nabbed Pittsburgh Pirate Garrett Jones, who is a lifetime .254 hitter with 103 home runs in just over 5 seasons in the major leagues. He is not a guy that will be able to carry this lineup, or be a top 3 or 4 threat there. Not a guy that is going to help much at all.

Then there was Rafael Furcal. Former rookie of the year, former fastest guy in the division with the Braves, and has won 2 World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals. Coming off of Tommy John surgery at 36 years old, I see Furcal playing more second base than making the long throws from his normal shortstop position. With his age, he isn't going to have the same speed that he had in his hay-day, but he will bring in experience that they are losing in free agency with Placido Polanco and Juan Pierre. Even with the guys that are coming in, I don't see this offense helping out the pitching staff, which is better for this team that the offense.

In the NL East, their pitching staff did strike out the least amount of batters than the rest of the division, had the lowest amount of quality starts, and the 4th highest WHIP (walks+hits per inning) out of the 5 East teams. I do expect Jose Fernandez to be a stellar performer in this rotation throughout the 2014 season. Their second best starting pitcher, Ricky Nolasco is gone to Minnesota, and they also lost starter Wade LeBlanc to the Angels. The Marlins do not have the star power nor the winning reputation to pick up any star pitchers to help the staff pick up their awful offense.

Hall of Fame Discussion Pt. 2

Now, yesterday I told you that I had four guys possibly getting into the Hall of Fame this 2014 year. My two guys that I think are automatically in are Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. Their statistics stand alone for pitchers in the era they threw the ball in, but the other two players I feel that have a chance to get in did none of their work on the pitchers mound.

The "Big Hurt" Frank Thomas

When we think of 1990's-2000's hitters, we think of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodriguez. Some of the more die hard, old school guy think of a tainted era, but out of the guys eligible for the Hall this year, the number one hitter I see is Frank Thomas. Now a lot of voters have said "No way, no how" to voting for hitters from this era, but I see no reason to leave out guys that were never "convicted" or suspected of using PEDs. Thomas is a guy that has rarely, if ever, brought up with PEDs. His numbers, let them talk please. Start with this fact: even though he hit 521 home runs, he also hit .301 in his 19 year career. Add along with that 1,704 RBI, you have a guy that hit for average, power, and knocked in runs every time he stood at the plate. With all of these statistics, he also won the AL MVP award in 1993 and 1994 and won a battling title in 1997. He was one of the most dominant forces during his major league stay.

Oh, he also looks just like Tom Brady!

Now, Frank Thomas was a huge guy, 6'4" and weighed 240 pounds to be exact. Think more like 5'11" and weighing 185 pounds. Yeah, you know now: Craig Biggio. This guy was the best second baseman in the MLB during his time in the league, and clearly a class guy that belong in the hallowed Hall. He knocked out 3,060 hits, 291 home runs, and 414 stolen bases. He also holds a record that many baseball fans remember: he was hit by more pitches than any one player that has ever played the game (285 times). This doesn't tell the whole story about Biggs though. He was a 5 time Silver Slugger award winner and a 4 time Gold Glove award winner. He also stands 5th all time in the MLB in doubles with 668 (behind
Cobb, Rose, Musial, and Tris Speaker). A classy figure that hit well, fielded well, and set records belongs in the Hall. Easily.

It's a New Year! Hall of Fame Discussion

So, I haven't written in a while. I'm aware, and I've missed it. Truth is, I got plain lazy and didn't write for a couple of months. Let's change that though?

Boston Red Sox celebrate their 2013
World Series victory over St. Louis.

A ton has gone on in Major League Baseball since I last wrote, especially the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series. We also have stories like: Who is going to sign Japanese star Tanaka? Are the Texas Rangers becoming American League favorites? And then my favorite, When did the Yankees become...responsible spenders?

However, one topic has stood out to me the past few days. What is the best thing that happens every year, between Winter Meetings and Spring Training? Come on, you know it! The Hall of Fame voting is tallied and we find out who (if anyone) will be in Cooperstown this year. Personally, I have 2 clear favorites to make it, and 4 total players who have a good possibility. I'll discuss the latter two in a future post, but here are my two favorites to make it in.

My first clear favorite is a first ballot guy, which pushes some voters away, but I think he gets in easy: Tom Glavine. How in the world does he not get in? He is the last lefty to tally up 300 wins and a .600 winning percentage. During his prime, from 1991-1998, he had an ERA over 3.20 only once. He also won 140 games during that stretch of time. He also tallied 2,607 strikeouts during his fine career, which is higher than 49 pitchers in the Hall. When you think of pitching in the 1990's, Tom Glavine always comes up, but it's one of his teammates that is talked about the most.

Greg Maddux, my favorite player in the 1990's, has to get into the Hall of Fame. 355 wins, 3,371 strikeouts, 3.13 career ERA, 5,000 innings pitched, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.37. Holy cow. Put it this way, there are only 2 men that have 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts that aren't in the Hall, and one of them isn't eligible: Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens. Now, I have heard rumors that some voters aren't voting for Maddux simply because Clemens was "better" than him, yet Clemens won't be voted in due to his link to steroids during his playing career. I feel like that should be looked over, because Mad-dog was an absolute beast in his career, and deserves the first ballot honors.

Glavine (left), John Smoltz, and Maddux (right)
hope to all be in the Hall together soon

These two guys are automatically in if I was a Hall voter. Two of the best pitchers in an era where hitting was dominant, and they put up numbers that other guys would have given anything for. Other players, like Clemens, turned to steroids to be what these two gentlemen were. It will be a travesty if they do not get to give a speech on induction day in 2014.