Category: MLB

MLB

MLB: Free Agency-mania.

Posted on by Jimmy Simonis

We are about two months removed from the Nationals winning the World Series, and this off-season has not disappointed (like last year). Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon, and Stephen Strasburg capitalized on the market and cashed in big time. Let’s evaluate these three deals.

Photo credit: Mike Ehrmann

Stephen Strasburg: Cole and Rendon were expected to land massive contracts, but Strasburg opted out of his prior contract with the Nationals because his value could not get any higher. He came through big time in the playoffs with a sub-3 ERA and winning World Season MVP. This resulted in him landing a 7 year/$245 million deal to stay in D.C., and keeps the core of Scherzer, Corbin, and Strasburg intact. My only question is how long Strasburg will play at a high level, and he will 38 when the contract ends. Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera are two examples of players making a lot of money with lackluster production.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Anthony Rendon: The goal for the Nationals was to retain at least one of the two. Both wanted contracts that may cost just too much to retain both, and that seemed to have been the case as Anthony Rendon. He is moving West to become an Angel, and is a huge addition to a team that lacks consistent production behind Trout. What got him his deal was the fact that he is one of the best and most consistent hitters and defenders in the league. A fun trio to watch this year will be Rendon, Trout, and Ohtani. Fun fact, his contract is the same as Strasburg’s (7 yr/$245 Million).

Gerrit Cole: The highly touted pitcher was expected to have a monumental deal, and who else than the New York Yankees to break the bank? He received a 9 year/$324 Million to join the dark side, and he walks in being the ace for the Yankees. The biggest problem with the Yankees is that they did not have a good starting rotation and had to do something. Bringing in Cole now creates a strong 4 with Tanaka, Severino, and Saxton. By no means elite, but not having to consistently rely on J.A. Happ and Jordan Montgomery is a bonus. Especially for the bullpen. My only concern is that Cole is pitching in a smaller ball park, and his velocity is high; therefore, he has to find a way to avoid hard contact or he may give up more runs than the team will hope for.

Comment below which team will benefit most from their signing!

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MLB

MLB: The Washington Nationals. I was wrong.

Posted on by Jimmy Simonis

Just when I turn my back to a team that I thought was not ready to win, then go on a run and are now up 1-0 in the World Series…

Quit pretending, Nationals are not ready for October.

There is one thing the Nationals have been good at, and that is winning baseball games. Now, if we said this entering the postseason, there might be some laughs and insults because no one saw the Dodgers getting beaten. Then…the Nationals run the table, and despite taking two bad losses against LA (10-4 and 6-0), they overcame what seemed a huge problem all year in their bullpen by using Strasburg, Scherzer, and Corbin in tough situations.

Just when the Nationals beat the Dodgers, the Cardinals came surging in as they obliterated the Braves in Game 7 of the NLDS. An unlikely matchup in the NLCS with the Cards and Nats was intriguing, and it felt apropos to every other Cardinals postseason where they run the table, yet that was not the case. In 4 games, the Cards scored 6 runs… that got them zero wins. Season over. On to the World Series…

Oh, you get to face the best team in the league, the Houston Astros. Good luck.

Nationals: the who?

Photo Credit: USA Today

First game of the World Series was predominantly Juan Soto (I mean Nationals) as they beat the Astros 5-4. In a match-up of two of the best pitchers, Scherzer versus Cole, it was expected to be a low-scoring game, but Juan Soto had some other ideas. Him and Ryan Zimmerman countered a 2-run Astros first inning with solo shots, then Soto went on and hit a 2-run double along with an Adam Eaton single to go up 5-2. George Springer tries to rally the team with a two-run double but it is not enough.

I have stated I am a Nationals fan, and I am so excited to see Max Scherzer get his chance at the World Series (I know he was on the 2012 Tigers team). Not to mention his teammate from the 2012 team Anibal Sanchez is still throwing at a good pace. He has really helped the starting rotation by giving Mad Max, Corbin, and Strasburg an extra day to rest.

If baseball could be summarized into one season, look no further than the 2019 Washington Nationals. They lose their top star, start out 19-31 and on the verge of firing their manager Dave Martinez, to completely wiping the floor (with some fortunate bounces *cough* Trent Grisham *cough* ) and making it to the World Series.

Photo Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports – 13521510

Baseball is not the most fun to watch, but it has to be the most bizarre sport. Let me know if you can make an argument!

Sources: Pro Baseball Reference

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MLB

Quit pretending, Nationals are not ready for October.

Posted on by Jimmy Simonis

You can run, but you cannot hide. This year, there have been pleasant surprises in the MLB landscape. For example, the Miami Marlins are not the worst team in the league. That distinction goes to the Detroit Tigers, and it has been painful to see Miguel Cabrera play on a bad team. Let us not dwell on the negatives, and focus on the positives! 

Teams like the Rangers, Giants, and Mariners (for their first 15 games) definitely made the year interesting. Problem is, there is no chance an offense lead by Hunter Pence can beat the Yankees or Rays team. That is alright though, they make for good stories. Now, teams that are pushing for the postseason have to be firing on all cylinders, and I am going to talk about one team that is doing well, but cannot fake it much longer.

Washington Nationals

This one comes with a heavy heart, because I really like this team. Positives: The starting pitching is a stout group, and would definitely be a tough group to face. Another positive for the team has been that they are ninth in the league in Total Runs Scored (619), and fifth in On Base Percentage (.339). Between these two facets, it has driven the Nationals to win 68 games and be one game ahead in the wild card race. 

Now, there is one key piece that is missing from this equation to make the Nationals a GREAT team. To put it nicely, the bullpen has been a dumpster fire.

They rank second to last in ERA (6.08) have the most losses (30), and rank last in strikeouts (389). When it comes to postseason, every year the teams with a good bullpen gets far. 

One example of many…

Think about the previous World Series winners, Red Sox, Royals, and Cubs all had top 10 bullpens in ERA. The Astros ranked 16th with an elite offense with elite starting pitching. The Nationals have 3 great starters, and a good lineup, but it is not enough especially when the bullpen is as horrendous as the Nationals have been all year. There is a lot of good going for this team, but shut down relievers HAVE to be the main focus for Washington heading into free agency. 

Quit pretending, Nationals are not ready for October.

Lastly, Juan Soto is a superstar in the making…

Sources: Baseball-Reference, FanGraphs, and Major League Baseball

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MLB

One of the best stretches for a hitter ever?

Posted on by Jimmy Simonis

In the world of baseball, there have been rookies that have been showing out this year. Rookies Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Fernando Tatis Jr, Bo Bichette, and Pete Alonso to name a few, have been playing like they have been in the game for years. There is one rookie missing from this list that has swung a bat like no other, and that is Aristides Aquino. He has a .385 batting average in 39 at-bats, out of the 15 hits, he has EIGHT homeruns. To put that into context, he holds the MLB record for most home runs in twelve games. Wow.

After Yasiel Puig was traded to the Indians, Aquino was called up and was expected to be a guy who fills in and provides decent production, but the Reds are relishing the rookie as he continues to produce. He was never an elite prospect which makes this a rather mind-boggling event. He has been in the minor league system for eight years and was not able to find his rhythm until this year. His adjustment was that he moved his front foot out and has a very open stance. It is unique to say the least.  

No one should expect him to hit at this level forever, but he has proved his worth, and will be an important part of the Cincinnati Reds for years to come.

One of the best stretches for a hitter ever?

Sources: Pro Baseball Reference  

Major League Baseball

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