My Hypothetical 2016 Hall of Fame Ballot

There are so many sacrifices I would make in order to have a Hall of Fame vote. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it would be my lifelong dream. Tomorrow, we will learn of the 2016 Hall of Fame class, and as usual I'm glued to any videos/articles I can find about who has the best chances of being immortalized in Cooperstown. It doesn't appear that there will be a mega-class comparable to the past two years. We will at least see one or two players inducted, with potential for more.

Here is what my ballot would like if the Hall of Fame was kind enough to lend me a vote:

*Bold = Predicted Induction

1. Ken Griffey Jr.

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The Kid will be a Hall of Famer by tomorrow. If there's one thing that can be assured, it's that. The more interesting question is whether he will obtain 100% of the vote. The Hall of Fame did knock out about 150 voters in a new rule that states the writers can only be eligible to vote if they covered the game within the previous decade. This most likely eliminated many of the pompous purist voters who have been stuck in the past. The most popular Hall of Fame inductee since Cal Ripken Jr. in 2007 should have a chance at the highest voting percentage ever recorded, but there's always "that guy" that finds a way to rain on the parade. Nobody revolutionized pop culture inside and outside of baseball like Griffey, and let's not forget how incredible of a talent he was. Just imagine what he would have done without his injury history.

2. Barry Bonds

3. Roger Clemens

If you've read my blog in the past, you know that I am among the growing voting population who believes that PED users should be recognized in the Hall. I don't condone use of steroids or any form of Performance Enhancing Drugs. I don't like Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens very much, and you can use the honor system against my case if you would like (I completely understand the opposing viewpoint). Major League Baseball turned their backs on the steroid debacle in the late 1990's and early 2000's to make money off of their famed sluggers. It helped them reestablish their value among the sports industry after an embarrassing strike cut short what would have been a memorable season in 1994. Eventually, they had no choice but to put an end to the fiasco; incriminating the players they applauded for the sake of the law.

There are too many different stories and controversies involving the Steroid Era that will never be told. Players may be inducted who have cheated but were never caught. The truth will most likely not be revealed any time in the near future, and I honestly feel like this museum should incorporate all of its history: the good and the bad. I can understand Pete Rose being held out for breaking the cardinal sin of baseball and not quite seeming to have ever understood what he did wrong. But I'm not on board with the wishy-washy decision making and denouncing of players who simply did what everyone else was doing.

Look at it from this perspective: if someone is running a daycare, and one child begins to misbehave; most of the others will more than likely join in the fun. If the person in charge of keeping the children in line doesn't make a valiant effort to try and stop it, the blame should be placed on them. It is their responsibility to control the situation. Baseball players are adults, but many have been raised differently than the average person. Before you take your next jab at players from this generation for cheating the game, just remember that they weren't enforced against it, and they weren't kept in line until drug testing was rampant throughout the sport.

So, can Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens make the Hall of Fame? Without question. Will they? Eventually, yes, but not for some time.

4. Mike Piazza

5. Jeff Bagwell

These two will forever be paired in infamy for being held out of the Hall of Fame based on suspicion alone. Bagwell was one of the most consistent all around hitters of the Steroid Era, while Piazza may just be the greatest offensive catcher there ever was. I do believe Piazza will get his due this year and barely make it in, while Bagwell remains on the brink for another year. Lest we forget, innocent until proven guilty. I don't see why either of these guys should have to wait any longer; cheaters or not.

6. Tim Raines

Supposedly, Rock Raines is off to a hot start with this year's election. He will be off the ballot after next year, and is the first borderline Hall of Famer whose totals will be affected by the Hall's eligibility year decrease from 15 years to 10. He may have overstayed his welcome a bit too long, but he was productive for a very long time. He's been held out because he isn't Rickey Henderson, if we're being honest. Even Rickey would see past his own reflection and realize how unfair that is.

I hope he makes it, but I suspect that he will fall just short and will look to make a final stand next year. Bert Blyleven made it in his second to last attempt, proving that a voter's opinion can (and should) change about given players over time. The common mantra "You don't know what you've got until it's gone" applies here. We may never see a leadoff hitter as explosive as Henderson or Raines. That is all the qualification a player needs to be inducted, to me.

7. Curt Schilling

8. Mike Mussina

Two pitchers who faced off against the largest players in recorded history their entire careers should be viewed as underdogs. In fact, most of them are. But players like Schilling and Mussina were able to overpower dominant hitters with dominant stuff for a lengthy period of time. Mussina notably pitched his entire career in the AL East, what was probably the most competitive division of that time. The Hall of Fame shouldn't judge a player by what would have happened if. These two pitchers were able to put up numbers comparable to many already enshrined during such a difficult period to pitch. I fully support both of their campaigns, though I'd much rather root for Moose over the often controversial Schilling.

9. Trevor Hoffman

Hoffman is to Mariano Rivera what Raines is to Rickey Henderson. Considering several other comparable closers are already enshrined, it should make sense to induct him as well. Give me one more year to decide on Billy Wagner though. I don't think Hoffman will make it this year but he should relatively early in his balloting years. The save statistic may be outdated in today's game, but 601 saves is quite the feat.

I only decided to place 9 players on my ballot this year, but could've chosen from either Alan Trammell, Edgar Martinez, or Fred McGriff for the 10th spot. My expectation is to see Griffey and Piazza make it, but I wouldn't be surprised if Raines and/or Bagwell do too. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what results.

Who is on your hypothetical ballot for this year, and how do you feel about PED's in the Hall of Fame? Leave your thoughts and comments below!

Goodbye, Yogi Berra.

Hey everyone, Drew back here. This has been a post I haven't been looking forward to writing for years, but knew was inevitable. Yogi Berra passed away this morning at the age of 90 due to what appears to be from natural causes; leaving the baseball world in mourning. The ten time World Series champion had a heart of gold and was one of the most colorful figures to ever play the game.

Of all the current and former players I've had the good fortune of meeting, there was nobody I would have preferred to meet more than Mr. Berra. His health began to fail around the time my Dad and I started attending sports card shows, and we've come just short of meeting him on several occasions through the years. I'll never get to say I shook his hand, however he was such a humble, graceful man to the point where it almost feels like I did. He treated the Yankees fans, players, and organization like family, and given the outpour of support and love shared across the world on his behalf today I know I'm not alone in saying that we all were impacted by his life.

Yogi played 19 professional seasons, all but one for the New York Yankees. Prior to his baseball career, he served in the US Navy as a gunner's mate on D-Day and throughout much of World War II. He was called up from the Newark Bears to the Yankees in 1946, and the rest was history. He batted .285 for his career while commanding a remarkable pitching staff; guiding them into the postseason every year but 1954 and 1959. Berra was a prolific postseason offensive force, and is the all time record holder in World Series games played, at bats, runs scored, singles, and doubles (he ranks second in Home Runs and RBI, only behind Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth).

Many of you know Lawrence Peter Berra for his famous "Yogi-ism's". Although he famously said "I never said most of the things I said", we all know he was responsible for "It's dèjá vu all over again", "It ain't over 'til it's over", and "Baseball is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical". My personal favorite quote of his was when he was asked how many slices he would like his pizza divided into and he responded "You better cut the pizza in four slices because I'm not hungry enough to eat six." Some even view the man as a philosophical figure; while others just find him as humorous as they come.

I never got to watch him play, although I've seen plenty of his highlights over the years. My dad even said this morning that Yogi's playing career was overlooked by his cultural significance, which is a rare feat in baseball given the importance and relevance of statistics, stories, and history in general. Berra is at the forefront of such history, having connected generations of famous athletes who played generations apart. How many people got a chance to meet Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter?

As he departs, I want to remember Yogi Berra for all he was, on and off the field. He was the complete package, and the epitome of why we play and love this game. It's to root for people like him.

We're going to miss you, Yogi. Rest in Peace.

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And PS, if you're reading this up there: He was out.

MLB Trade Deadline Recap and Thoughts

Hey guys, Drew back here! The trade deadline has once again come and gone, and despite a surprisingly quiet final day, the past week has been complete and utter mayhem across Major League Baseball. Over 30 trades were made, sending players and prospects all over the country to places we couldn't even fathom. The only team that didn't make a move was the Arizona Diamondbacks, who flirted with making a trade for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman all week but couldn't get anything done.

So, with all this, I'm going to jump in my mini Time Machine and take you back a little over a week ago, where July's big moves began to take place. Along the way, I'll offer my thoughts on the most impactful acquisitions and where I feel like some teams went wrong.

July 23rd

1. Pittsburgh Pirates acquire Aramis Ramirez and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers for prospect Yhonathan Barrios.

2. Houston Astros acquire Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics for prospects Daniel Mengden and Jacob Nottingham.

Houston, we have a problem. The Astros are leading the AL West in shocking fashion thus far into the season by 2 games over the Angels, and with their addition of the Texas native southpaw, they only got better. Kazmir has not allowed a run yet over his first 14 2/3 IP in his new digs, and is ready to build on what has been a remarkable career turn around.

July 24th

3. New York Mets acquire Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson, and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects John Gant and Rob Whalen.

4. St. Louis Cardinals acquire Steve Cishek from the Miami Marlins for prospect Kyle Barraclough.

Cishek could use a change of scenery after collapsing early on in 2015, and might be a rebound candidate in the 2nd half with the great pitching personnel St. Louis provides.

5. Los Angeles Angels acquire Conor Gillaspie from the Chicago White Sox for cash.

July 26th

6. Kansas City Royals acquire Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds for prospects Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, and Cody Reed.

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This could be the biggest game changer of all deadline moves this year. Last season, the Royals' pitching got by with their incredible bullpen, but their starting pitching wasn't close to as dangerous. With James Shields gone and Yordano Ventura struggling immensely in his sophomore season, it was critical for last year's pennant winners to add someone of Cueto's caliber for a postseason run. The righty is set to become a free agent after the year concludes, and it seems hard to believe that Kansas City will hold onto him for years to come. But, if he helps to bring a World Series title home to Kansas City, this trade could never look bad on their part.

This reminds me of the Brewers move in 2008, bringing CC Sabathia in for a rental run. Sabathia pitched phenomenally, not only bolstering his contract value (that the Yankees are now suffering through) but leading them further into the playoffs than expected. This is a win-win-win. A win for the Royals, gaining an ace. A win for the Reds, gaining some solid pitching prospects knowing they won't be able to resign their ace next year. And, a win for Cueto, who, with a big second half, could end up with a huge reward this offseason.

Cueto gave up 3 runs on 7 hits over 6 innings in his Royals debut against the Blue Jays last night.

July 27th

7. Los Angeles Angels acquire Shane Victorino and cash from the Boston Red Sox for Josh Rutledge.

8. New York Mets acquire Tyler Clippard and cash from the Oakland Athletics for prospect Casey Meisner.

Clippard should become an important piece of the back end of the Mets bullpen, and is next in line for the closer role if Jeurys Familia continues to struggle. He has become one of the more dependable relievers in the game in recent years and will most likely lower the risk of manager Terry Collins having a heart attack mid-game.

July 28th

9. Los Angeles Angels acquire David Murphy and cash from the Cleveland Indians for prospect Eric Stamets.

10. Los Angeles Angels acquire David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays for prospect Eduar Lopez.

Over a two day span, the Angels added 3 decent outfielders in Victorino, Murphy, and DeJesus. You can't help but wonder what their thought process was behind this. Matt Joyce has been offensive in left field, batting .178 at the moment, and maybe their hope is that either one of the 3 new players will be good enough to sustain a starting role.

11. Washington Nationals acquire Jonathan Papelbon and cash from the Philadelphia Phillies for prospect Nick Pavetta.

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Oh, it's so nice not having to hear Papelbon complain any longer. The All Star closer is one of my least favorite players in baseball, however, I must give credit where credit is due. Despite crotch grabbing, a bad temper, and not being afraid of saying what's on his mind (a scary thought), Pap is has been one of the top closers over the past decade. Drew Storen got the raw end of this deal, losing his closer role despite saving 29 of 31 games with a miniscule 1.64 ERA (sorry to all of you Storen fantasy owners out there). Papelbon wouldn't take the deal unless he knew he would have the closer role, and sure enough, the man got his way.

A critical part of why the Nationals most likely made this move was because of Papelbon's excellent postseason reputation. He has allowed 3 runs over 27 innings pitched in October, pitching to a 1.00 ERA and has had the honor of closing out a World Series victory in his past. Storen, meanwhile, in 5.1 IP, has allowed 5 runs, and was known for blowing a key save in Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS against the Cardinals that sent his Nationals home for the winter. Experience is behind this move, and it should be interesting to see how Papelbon will perform when the Nats need him most.

12. Kansas City Royals acquire Ben Zobrist and cash from the Oakland Athletics for prospects Aaron Brooks and Sean Manaea. 

Ben Zobrist is an extremely nice fit in Kansas City. While I disagree with Brian Kenny and the folks at MLB Network who view him as one of the biggest star players in recent memory (I don't care how high his WAR is), he is a consistent, versatile option that will come in handy in the postseason. It's difficult to say anything bad about the guy today, since he has two home runs against the Blue Jays right now and is making the right kind of impact on a fantastic fanbase that will be fully supportive of him in no time. And, if Kansas City does decide to bring him back next year, he'll have an almost guaranteed chance of starting in the All Star Game!

I am seeing several people online debating whether the Royals gave up too much young talent for these players they may not necessarily need to make the postseason. It appears as though they would have already run away with the AL Central title without Cueto and Zobrist, but I think having these players will be a decision they will not regret. As much as I want to see my Yankees make the World Series this year, their biggest challenge would've been Kansas City before the moves and even more-so now. GM Dayton Moore and Manager Ned Yost are back for blood, and are poised to come home with the World Series trophy this season. For their sakes, let's hope Madison Bumgarner isn't on the mound again.

13. Toronto Blue Jays acquire Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins from the Colorado Rockies for Jose Reyes and prospects Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman, and Jesus Tinoco.

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While the Johnny Cueto move was probably the most important for any of this year's contending teams, this move was clearly the most fun. Tulowitzki would have never admitted it, but he was unhappy as ever in Colorado. Heck, last year he even was spotted at a Yankees game on an off day. He didn't see this move to Toronto coming, and Canada was exactly where he dreamed of heading off to, but I have a feeling he's going to grow to love playing at Rogers Centre in the most dangerous right handed lineup the game has to offer.

At the moment, I was confused as to why the Blue Jays would make this move when their clear objective at the deadline was to add a top notch starting pitcher. Also, Tulo has had bad hamstring and leg history, and the turf in Toronto may not be helpful to the length of his career. Plus, moving a still more than capable offensive cog in Jose Reyes, while declining defensively and still as big of an injury threat as anyone, didn't click for me. Reyes is a switch hitter who was supposed to and has gotten on base for their big bats to drive him in. Tulowitzki is not an ideal leadoff hitter, but later on we'll see how Toronto overcame this deficit.

There were rumors surrounding Reyes being moved from Colorado following the deal, but it appears that he will be staying put at Coors Field for now. On an interesting and strange side note, I lucked out with my main fantasy team this year and had Tulowitzki and Reyes as my 2B and middle infield positions. It was bizarre that they were flipped for each other!

July 29th

14. Cleveland Indians acquire prospect Jayson Aquino from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash.

New York Mets (almost) acquire Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers. More on that one later.

July 30th

15. Toronto Blue Jays acquire David Price from the Detroit Tigers for prospects Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, and Jairo Labourt.

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This was the move I was terrified of seeing after the Blue Jays added Tulowitzki. No GM in baseball would have been done after not addressing the main focus at the deadline, and I knew either Hamels or Price had a great chance of being the next to travel across the border. Price is possibly my favorite pitcher in the game at the moment (always subject to change), and he appears to be an excellent addition to a team with playoff desires. He will not only eat innings, but he will eat them better than a majority of pitchers in the American League. Toronto has not made the playoffs since their World Series victory in 1993, and a Wild Card spot looks promising after these two moves.

But after losing Jose Reyes in the Tulowitzki trade, what is their plan for the top of the lineup? Read on. And, what if this year doesn't go as planned for GM Alex Anthopoulos? Price becomes a free agent after this year, and Daniel Norris has the potential of becoming a fantastic pitcher within the next couple of seasons. I understand attempting to win while Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion are towards the end of their prime, but within these two moves alone they lost a majority of their top prospects. It will be interesting to see if they will be able to add Price next year, who, along with Cueto, could seek a contract totaling over $200 million.

16. Houston Astros acquire Carlos Gomez, Mike Fiers, and a pick in the International Pool from the Milwaukee Brewers for prospects Josh Hader, Adrian Houser, Brett Phillips, and Domingo Santana.

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So, does Carlos Gomez actually have a bad hip or not? I mentioned when recapping the previous day that the Mets came very close to adding their former center fielder and now All Star in exchange for Zach Wheeler and Wilmer Flores (who has since become a fan favorite after hitting a walkoff home run in his "return" to the Mets). It turns out the Mets decided against the trade at the last minute because they were afraid of a hip injury that came up in a medical report. Gomez has not produced at the same level as he did in 2014 for the Brewers, so a hidden injury could have been kept under wraps, though he has denied any sort of health issue.

I thought Gomez would be a great fit for the Mets, but it appears that he'll fit even better patrolling center field in Houston. The Astros were able to add Scott Kazmir and Gomez for a slew of prospects, bettering their chances of not only making the playoffs but making a run for the World Series. The scariest thing about this team is that they are just getting started.

Love him or hate him, Carlos Gomez has played his entire career with his heart on his sleeve. His Brewers teammates and coaching staff loved his compassion and spoke of him much more highly than you would expect of a player whose tirades and fights on the field have made him a tough character to like. A player of his caliber can be a make or break addition to a team, and the Astros were right to have taken this risk.

17. Pittsburgh Pirates acquire Joakim Soria from the Detroit Tigers for prospect JaCoby Jones.

18. Chicago White Sox acquire Justin Sellers from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash or a PTBNL.

19. Three Team Deal between Dodgers, Marlins, and Braves.
Dodgers acquire Mat Latos, Michael Morse, Alex Wood, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan, Jose Peraza, Bronson Arroyo, and cash
Marlins acquire prospects Victor Araujo, Jeff Brigham, Kevin Guzman
Braves acquire Hector Olivera, Paco Rodriguez, and prospect Zach Bird.

This was a weird trade, but after a few days of negotiating, it finally came to be. The Dodgers appear to be the heavy winners on paper, but it appears that the other two teams accomplished their goals of clearing some salary while gaining some young players. GM John Hart of the Braves has done a nice job reloading the Braves organization for the debut of their new stadium, set to arrive in 2017. Hector Olivera is a highly regarded Cuban prospect, and could have the most upside of anyone in this deal.

As for right now, Los Angeles stocked up on starting pitchers to fill out the back end of their rotation. Following the dynamic duo of Kershaw and Greinke, they will now have Brett Anderson, Mat Latos, and Alex Wood round things out. Latos is my personal favorite talent-wise of the three, but all five pitchers are more than capable of helping them down the stretch.

20. New York Yankees acquire Dustin Ackley from the Seattle Mariners for prospects Ramon Flores and Jose Ramirez.

I was intrigued by the Yankees' plan for this year's deadline. GM Brian Cashman made it clear that he wasn't willing to move any of these four prospects: Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Greg Bird, and Jorge Mateo. I certainly agreed on the first two, and while it would be convenient to have the latter two players as well, I wouldn't have been too upset to see them moved for assets they could use right now. Heck, they are in first place, but with the Blue Jays now breathing down their neck, you would think they would push for a little extra.

After flirting with every possible pitcher, starter or reliever, they ultimately only ended up moving two prospects for Dustin Ackley. Ackley was a highly regarded prospect several years ago who never really worked out in Seattle. About the only awesome thing about him was his beard, which of course now ceases to exist thanks to the Steinbrenner way. I can't say there's a whole lot I'm looking forward to with this move.

21. St. Louis Cardinals acquire Brandon Moss from the Cleveland Indians for prospect Rob Kaminsky.

I had to double take when I saw this trade. I'm no prospect connoisseur, but when I saw "Cardinals top prospect Rob Kaminsky" involved in a straight up trade for a struggling Brandon Moss, I was confused. This may end up being the worst trade of the entire deadline, unless St. Louis knows more about their prospect than we do.

22. Pittsburgh Pirates acquire Joe Blanton from the Kansas City Royals for cash.

July 31st

23. San Francisco Giants acquire Mike Leake from the Cincinnati Reds for prospects Adam Duvall and Keury Mella.

Mike Leake was the most underrated starter on the market, and the Bay Area welcomed him in for a couple of prospects. I love that despite winning 3 of the past 5 World Series', the Giants aren't letting this even numbered season go to waste. Leake is 9-5 in 2015 with a 3.56 ERA, and has been particularly hot this summer. He is a rental, but even for a few months he appears to be worth the small haul.

24. Baltimore Orioles acquire Gerardo Parra from the Milwaukee Brewers for prospect Zach Davies.

The Orioles found themselves a leadoff hitter having the best season of his career. Parra is batting .328 this year with 9 home runs and 9 stolen bases. This allows Buck Showalter to move Manny Machado down the batting order, where he will drive more runs in for a team that is in need of an extra offensive boost.

25. St. Louis Cardinals acquire Jonathan Broxton and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers for prospect Malik Collymore.

26. Texas Rangers acquire Cole Hamels, Jake Diekman, and cash from the Philadelphia Phillies for Matt Harrison and prospects Jorge Alfaro, Nick Williams, Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff, and Jake Thompson.

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Who is the idiot for waiting so long now? GM Ruben Amaro may have taken absolutely forever to deal his ace and officially begin Philadelphia's rebuilding process, but he got back six players in return for him! Four of the Rangers prospects were part of their top 10 best prospects, and the biggest name in the deal outside of Hamels is catching prospect Jorge Alfaro. A scout told ESPN's Jayson Stark last week that Alfaro reminded him of a bigger Pudge Rodriguez, which is about the highest praise you could receive as a young catcher. The Phillies now have a lot to look forward to, but will miss Hamels, who has been a part of their organization since he was first drafted in 2002.

It will be an uphill battle for the Rangers to make the playoffs, currently 7 games out of first place in the AL West and 3 games out of a Wild Card spot. With Hamels, however, there may be a sliver of hope that they can make that late season run. Up until his recent no-hitter, Hamels has struggled in 2015 more than usual, but a lot of that could have been attributed to being miserable in Philadelphia.

The best part about this deal for Texas is that he is far from a rental. Not only will they have their lefty for the remainder of 2015, but they will also have him for 4 additional years for a little over $90 million dollars. For a pitcher of his caliber, they are getting a bargain. Next season, their rotation will begin with Hamels and recovering Yu Darvish, and it will be hard-pressed to find a better one-two punch in the American League.

27. Minnesota Twins acquire Kevin Jepsen from the Tampa Bay Rays for prospects Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia.

28. Oakland Athletics acquire Felix Doubront from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash.

29. Toronto Blue Jays acquire Ben Revere and cash from the Philadelphia Phillies for prospects Alberto Tirado and Jimmy Cordero.

Ben Revere was the final piece necessary to complete the Blue Jays puzzle. After losing their lead off hitter in Jose Reyes and creating some confusion regarding their very right handed heavy lineup, it was critical for them to find someone capable of starting a rally. Also, Bautista, Encarnacion, and Tulowitzki can all hold their own defensively, but they needed a Ben Revere to balance out all of their strength. He is one of the better contact/speed hitters in baseball, batting .298 this year with 24 steals.

30. Toronto Blue Jays acquire Mark Lowe from the Seattle Mariners for prospects Nick Wells, Jacob Brentz, and Rob Rasmussen.

31. Chicago Cubs acquire Tommy Hunter from the Baltimore Orioles for Junior Lake.

32. Chicago Cubs acquire Dan Haren from the Miami Marlins for prospects Ivan Pineyro and Elliot Soto.

33. Boston Red Sox acquire Ryan Cook from the Oakland Athletics for cash or a PTBNL.

34. San Diego Padres acquire Mark Rzepcynski from the Cleveland Indians for Abraham Almonte.

35. Texas Rangers acquire Sam Dyson from the Miami Marlins for prospect Thomas Telis and Cody Ege.

36. Pittsburgh Pirates acquire J.A. Happ from the Seattle Mariners for prospect Adrian Sampson.

37. New York Mets acquire Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers for prospects Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa.

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As the clock struck 4:00, the final major deal of the deadline was revealed: The Mets, who earlier escaped from trading for Carlos Gomez, went and grabbed a different bat. Two time Home Run Derby champion and All Star caliber outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was the final rental player moved. This will now be Cespedes' fourth team in 2 years, and there have been rumbles in the past that he isn't the best teammate. However, coming from his background, I can easily envision having a difficult time fitting into any big league locker room.

The Mets may have surrendered a bit much for a rental, as Fulmer has been regarded to be a good right handed pitching prospect. They have plenty of pitching in my eyes, and being able to add an impact bat as big as Cespedes' without surrendering any of Harvey/deGrom/Syndergaard/Matz is an impressive feat. He may not save all of their hitting woes, but he can't hurt, can he?
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After reviewing all of the deadline, here are my biggest winners and losers:

Winners
Toronto Blue Jays - Now a big time contender for a Wild Card spot and could possibly chase the Yankees down and out from the AL East if they don't play their cards right. And if they make the postseason, watch out for their new ace.

Houston Astros - Kazmir and Gomez made a good team even better. They have a young enough team where they can afford to surrender good prospects and still have a bright future.

Kansas City Royals - The American League's best team now has a bonafide ace. There is nothing scarier than that.

Jonathan Papelbon - He couldn't have possibly asked for a better situation to move into from a team he seemed to hate playing for.

Philadelphia Phillies - This year may end as a disaster, but it will soon be sunny in Philadelphia once more.

Wilmer Flores - Because, c'mon man. We live for moments like this.

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Losers
San Diego Padres - Yesterday's biggest storyline was where current Padres Justin Upton, James Shields, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, and Craig Kimbrel could go. Their offseason strategy has been a failure thus far, as Fangraphs currently gives them a 4% chance of making the playoffs. Four percent is apparently enough for GM AJ Preller to continue to hold on, as he kept all of his players in hopes that they can make a run this year. Power to you, AJ, but good luck with that.

New York Yankees - It isn't necessarily anyone's fault, as they did try to make a move with a majority of the big names. In nontypical Yankee fashion, they couldn't pull through with anyone but Dustin Ackley. Craig Kimbrel appeared to be close to coming to New York to make the nastiest bullpen combination of this era, but Preller's decision to keep things the way they are kept that from happening. After the Blue Jays did everything they did, Cashman may regret not pushing a little harder for top pitchers, considering how much of a revelation Teixeira and A-Rod have been for what could be the final time.

There you have it everyone. I hope you enjoyed my full recap of this year's Trade Deadline, and I would love to hear all of your opinions in the comments below!

See Ya!

Ten for Tuesday - Worth the Price of Admission

Hey guys, Drew back here! A lot has been said over the past few years how baseball has lost some of its magic among the younger crowd. Kids these days seem to gravitate towards quicker paced games such as football and basketball because this generation has been prone to a lack of attention span. However, the game appears to be at its purest since the Golden Eras of the 1950's and 1960's, thanks in part to the collection of excellent prospects debuting practically every year. Prospects such as Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant have generated more interest before their MLB debuts than the best players in the majors at the time such as Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols. The only piece missing to the game is the peaked interest of young kids, which is vitally important towards keeping our beloved game going strong for years to come.

This week's list will be meant as suggestions of players to perhaps show your kids (or, if you are a kid, to check out) that could make them the fan you are in the future! All of the players on this list are below the age of 27, because I felt like the list needed to be capped at some point, so you won't see Clayton Kershaw, Buster Posey, or Andrew McCutchen on this countdown. Also, this list is not based solely upon statistics and talent, but additionally focuses on the likability and excitement factors.

10 Most Exciting Young Players to Watch in 2015

Honorable Mentions - Nolan Arenado, Masahiro Tanaka, Anthony Rizzo, Manny Machado, Billy Hamilton

If you're looking for premium five tool talents, watch out for Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado. They are big power seasons away from debuting on this list, but in the meantime, check out some of the glovework they've displayed recently. And if you're in a need for speed, Billy Hamilton is the best in the business. If he improves at getting on base, he will easily crack the top 10.

10 - Madison Bumgarner, SP, San Francisco Giants (Video)

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There is nothing about this man that appears to be 25 years old, but sure enough, "Mad-Bum" is only a quarter century of age. His long hair and beard adds to his intimidation, and although he isn't a flamethrower he still knows how to overpower his opponents. The 2014 World Series MVP carved his name into baseball lore with his epic postseason performances; practically winning the World Series for the Giants. His performances also landed him "Mad-Bum" underwear, a Jimmy Fallon Late Night appearance, an endorsement with Carhartt, and 2014's Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. And, if that isn't enough; he can crush the ball at the plate when he's called upon to do so.

9 - Mookie Betts, CF, Boston Red Sox (Video)

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Mookie Betts, as painful as it is to say being a Yankees fan, is extremely good. His talent has surplanted everything he was expected to fulfill thus far for the Red Sox, and he keeps getting better. It may look like an overreaction to have him this high on my list after a huge Spring Training and hot start to 2015, but it's more than just the numbers with Betts. He's a human highlight reel in center field, and last week he stole two bases on a single play; a brilliant baseball play most young players don't seem to pick up on. He's no longer rookie eligible, but you can bet he'll be bringing home hardware in the not so distant future.

8 - Chris Sale, SP, Chicago White Sox (Video)

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Chris Sale has been arguably the best pitcher in the American League the past three years when healthy, but health has been the question mark at times. His lanky, side arm delivery is menacing towards opposing batters; reminiscent of Randy Johnson's legendary mechanics. If he is able to sustain that delivery in the future without suffering a serious shoulder or elbow injury, he may continue to be the most fun pitcher to watch in the league.

7 - Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs (Video)

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Number 7 belongs to a player who has been all the talk lately on social media and throughout baseball. Kris Bryant has been a mega prospect ever since he was drafted 2nd overall in the 2013 Draft by the Cubs. This spring, he was in the middle of a difficult financial position by Theo Epstein and Chicago's front office, but this past Friday he was called up to make his MLB debut! I don't believe he will be as advertised in his rookie season, but I still think he'll either win or come close to winning Rookie of the Year. In the future, this mammoth of a bat has the potential to be a Hall of Fame caliber player, although it would be helpful if he could develop a little better on the defensive end. I have all the respect in the world for Bryant for how he handled the demotion after crushing home runs nearly every at bat in Spring Training. It's difficult for any rookie with his potential to immediately fulfill expectations, but he is a must watch player every time he steps into the batter's box.

6 - Jose Fernandez, SP, Miami Marlins (Video)

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The 2013 NL Rookie of the Year had made an impressive splash down in Miami, but unfortunately Tommy John Surgery brought his career to a halt. When Fernandez returns in June/July of this season, baseball fans hope he can retain the talent he showed off before. His absence from the game for over a year has diminished some of what he did before, but his electric stuff should bring him right back to the top of the game, where his personality and skill belongs. Plus, he works his tail off biking and training, and is still in tip-top shape despite having the surgery.

5 - Yasiel Puig, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Video)

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The next two players on this list are two of the most electric and exciting players in the sport, held back on this list by inconsistency and injury problems. The first is Yasiel Puig, who, in two full seasons had become one of the most fun players to impersonate and watch. Puig plays the game the way it is meant to be played (let us remember, this is a kid's game after all), with passion and exuberance that is hard to replicate. But sometimes he has a bit too much fun, to the point where he's been arrested for reckless driving and frequently arriving late to the ballpark. At 24 years old, I envision Puig growing up more as he gets older and hopefully making smarter choices. But when he's on the field, and all is going right, he has a larger than life persona that even landed him on the cover of this year's MLB The Show video game.

4 - Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals (Video)

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Bryce Harper always seems to go hand in hand with Yasiel Puig, to me. Both players have the potential to dethrone Mike Trout as the best all around player in the game, but haven't quite gotten there yet. Harper was a prodigy, and has faced more pressure than perhaps any other player in baseball history, and I would say that he's done a superb job of handling it all. With new waves of talent being unleashed in the show today (Kris Bryant), Harper has had some of the weight lifted off of his shoulders, which could mean big things for the remainder of 2015. Thus far, he's been off to a hot start, and he absolutely mashed a ball to center field versus the Phillies this past weekend. I love watching Harper play because he gives 110% effort on every single play. It often results in injury, but I love the reckless demeanor he has towards the game and that he gives his heart and soul towards the team. I don't ever see him becoming someone mentioned among the likes of Mays and Mantle, but I think there are many great years to come from the nation capital's biggest star.

3 - Matt Harvey, SP, New York Mets (Video)

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He's back, and just as good as ever before. Matt Harvey, Gotham's new "Dark Knight", may not be off to the start he became famous for in 2013 before also needing to undergo Tommy John Surgery, but he's going to perform. I watched the E60 documentary on Harvey's return from surgery, and realized just how big of a star he is, especially coming from New York. Harvey is the highest ranked pitcher on this list because of the spotlight he receives, and because he can deliver in high pressure situations. His ego may be aggravating to the Mets front office, but ultimately he just wishes to do his job and do it well. Jacob deGrom has been phenomenal too in a larger sample size, but Harvey is New York's finest star at the time (sorry, A-Rod).

2 - Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels (Video)

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You bet your butt that Mike Trout is not #1 on my list. I feel like everyone likes Trout, but some, myself included, can tend to get bored of his consistent excellence. He seems to have mastered the art of the big leagues, despite having led the AL in strikeouts last season. The strikeout has been the kryptonite to his Superman status (you can tell by the past two paragraphs how excited I am for Batman vs. Superman), but like everything else, watch him defeat that too. However, if you are looking to get into the game, just go to YouTube and search his name. The guy is on his way to becoming the next face of the game and ambassador similar to that of Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr., and he's perhaps the most dynamic player we've seen since the turn of the century. If you want to learn how to play baseball, watch this guy (but watch Victor Martinez for plate discipline).

1 - Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Miami Marlins (Video)

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Everyone loves the long ball, and Giancarlo Stanton is perhaps the most talented young player in that facet of the game. Stanton has a great personality, and has proven his insane skill time and time again. Watching this guy hit in batting practice and launch balls into the goofy display in center field of Marlins Park will make you a baseball fan; almost a 99.9% guarantee. I really hope the Marlins can turn their rough start around so we can see him play meaningful games down the stretch, and here's to hoping he doesn't get the same treatment he got last September, which involved a trip to the hospital and multiple operations. Any of these upper tier players are capable of making people who previously hated or were indifferent towards baseball a fan, but Stanton is the most exciting player to watch even when he's not crushing the ball. Every pitch he watches at the plate has the potential to leave the stadium, and that is must-see TV.

Alright everyone, that is how I would rank the most exciting young players in baseball. There are so many guys who barely missed the cut, and I can see this list being completely rearranged. I know I don't have all the answers, but I like to spark conversation, and with the recent promotion of Kris Bryant, I thought this would be a fitting theme for the week.

Who did I miss? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

See Ya!

2015 National League West Preview + Predictions!

Hey guys, Drew back here! After a bit of a delay, we are back on track with my 2015 Baseball Preview! We have covered each of the first five divisions thus far in our series, and following this post I will conclude it with Playoff Predictions and Award Predictions! I may be completely wrong with this picks, but I like to have a little fun with my choices while making sure to look into each team's strengths and weaknesses.

If you've missed any of my prior rankings and wish to take a look, click on the links below:

AL East          NL East

AL Central          NL Central

AL West

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1 - Los Angeles Dodgers

X-Factors: Joc Pederson, Brett Anderson, Yasmani Grandal

The Dodgers have been the talk of baseball ever since Magic Johnson and Co. took over the reins in 2012. But with all the talk of the Washington Nationals super pitching staff, they have flown a bit under the radar going into 2015. This past offseason, they rebuilt their front office, hiring former Rays GM Andrew Friedman, and his impact was immediately felt. They rebuilt their middle infield, bringing in Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick; two established veterans to improve their clubhouse environment. They also traded longtime Dodger Matt Kemp to the San Diego Padres, opening up the center field position to mega prospect Joc Pederson. Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig will remain the threats of the offense, but the real danger of the Dodgers is their lethal pitching staff. Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball, and Zack Greinke is the best #2 starter in any pitching staff around. I don't see how this team misses the playoffs; how deep into the playoffs they'll get another story. (PS: Happy Birthday Kershaw!)

2 - San Francisco Giants

X-Factors: Casey McGehee, Matt Cain, Angel Pagan

Uh oh, it's an odd year season, which is about the worst thing the Giants could ask for. San Francisco has won each of the past three even year World Series, despite being overshadowed by the massive payroll and superstars with the Dodgers. They've got three reasons to feel better than the Dodgers, but in 2015 they're already off to a scary start. Hunter Pence fractured his forearm and will miss the start of the season. Casey McGehee will be replacing fan favorite Pablo Sandoval, who left the team not because of money considerations but of some sort of "disrespect". Madison Bumgarner hasn't looked great in Spring Training, and yes, I understand the "it's only Spring Training" thing. I expect last year's hero to have a good 2015, as long as he doesn't feel too much wear from the excessive amount of innings he pitched. The Giants have become my second favorite team after visiting San Francisco last season, and I'll be rooting for Joe Panik to build off his successful rookie season at second base. However, I see them just missing the playoffs, because so many teams have improved around them. But if anyone embraces negativity, it's this team, and if they can make the playoffs, perhaps they could conquer the odd year!

3 - San Diego Padres

X-Factors: Wil Myers, Jedd Gyorko

I will credit San Diego for their great overhaul this past winter. It was a lot of fun watching their new young GM AJ Preller completely start over with one of the more embarrassing franchises in recent history. He was able to add Matt Kemp, James Shields, Wil Myers, Justin Upton, and Derek Norris to a team in desperate need of leadership and star power. Shields will bolster the rotation into one of the National League's finest, as he will join Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross; two extremely promising right handers. My biggest concern is chemistry. There hasn't been a team rebuild of this caliber that has worked since the 2009 Yankees, showing that it takes so much more than name value to create a winning team. Wil Myers has been traded twice now and is 24 years old. For a player with as much potential as he is said to have, it makes you wonder if there's something about his game that other teams don't want to bother with. He will be taking his talents to center field, where he has played 9 games in his career. And what's a baseball without worrying about Matt Kemp, who this time goes into the year with two arthritic hips. If they don't win this year, will they try to sign Justin Upton long term, or will this be a one year colossal failure? We have yet to see, and until we do, I can't say they'll be making the postseason.

4 - Colorado Rockies

X-Factors: Carlos Gonzalez, Young Pitching Staff

Will the Rockies ever solve their pitching conundrum? It is so rare to see a pitcher succeed at Coors Field, which is especially scary for big name prospects Eddie Butler and Jon Gray, who will be at an unfair advantage from the get-go. But luckily for them, they won't have to worry about run support, as this team is chock full of productive hitters. Last year brought Nolan Arenado, Corey Dickerson, and Charlie Blackmon to the forefront, and they should be expected to bring much of the same to the table in 2015. The key to the Rockies is the health of their two superstars, Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. With big seasons from each of them, they could be a surprise team surviving the stretch run. Unfortunately, too much would have to go right for that prediction to make any sense.

5 - Arizona Diamondbacks

X-Factors: Yasmany Tomas, Archie Bradley, Jeremy Hellickson

A few years ago, this would not have been a last place team. The Diamondbacks have acquired some pieces over the years to help advance the rebuilding phase, yet they still are a little bit behind the rest of the West. A healthy season from one of baseball's best, Paul Goldschmidt, could catapult this time in a few years with other players stepping up alongside, but he appears as if he'll have to carry much of the load in 2015. Yasmany Tomas, the recent Cuban player to become part of Major League Baseball, does not seem to have an established position. It will be difficult for him to make strides at the plate until he is comfortable in the field, because frustration does carry over to different parts of the game. Overall though, the D-Backs are not yet relevant, but give it a few more seasons and I feel like they could contend once again.

Division MVP: Troy Tulowitzki

Division Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw

Playoff Teams: Los Angeles

The NL West has potential to be one of the more interesting divisions in 2015, but I feel like it will be a bit underwhelming. Can the Giants, and even the Padres make the playoffs? Probably, if things go their way more often that not. But instead, I chose the Marlins and Cardinals to beat out these teams as Wild Cards. My predicted division MVP was Tulowitzki, but it could easily be Paul Goldschmidt, Buster Posey, or even Kershaw as well. Tulo is one of the more fun players to watch when healthy, and I would love to see him make a run for NL MVP, although it will be hard to win on a poor Rockies team.

That will conclude the division by division previews for you all. I hope you enjoyed reading each blurb about your favorite team(s) and be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts on how I did with these and if you would like me to try to do them next year as well! Playoff and Award predictions are coming soon to drewscards, and I hope to see you all there!

See Ya!

2015 National League Central Preview + Predictions!

Hey guys, Drew back here! Moving right along; here is our fifth division preview of the season. Since I started this series, I've had to make two changes thanks in part to pitcher injuries that were critical to the hopes of two teams. I first moved the Rangers from third to fourth in the AL West due to Yu Darvish's impending Tommy John Surgery. Texas will still have a solid team, but Darvish would've made them a contender, and it really sucks that he won't be around in 2015. Also, I just recently decided with the tragic torn ACL young Blue Jays righty Marcus Stroman suffered to lower the Blue Jays to second in the AL East. I had them winning the division due to a breakout year for Stroman, and since this is my blog and I get to do what I want, the Blue Jays will now be a Wild Card team while the Red Sox will now take the division in my opinion. Injuries have been brutal this spring already, and I know it's drastic to move an entire team based on one player, but that just goes to show how competitive baseball should be next year.

If you've missed the beginning of this series, check out my predictions for:

AL East                    AL Central                   AL West                      NL East

2015 NL Central Standings Prediction:

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1 - Pittsburgh Pirates

X-Factors: Gregory Polanco, Pedro Alvarez, Gerrit Cole, Jung-Ho Kang

The Cardinals have barely bested Pittsburgh two years in a row now, and I don't believe they can do it again. This year will be the first time since 1992 that the Jolly Roger will be raised at the top of the division, and the first time they ever win the Central (at that time they were in the NL East). Mike Trout may be younger and slightly more talented, but that is no reason to put down Andrew McCutchen. Cutch is in the thick of his prime, and should be primed to lead his time into the playoffs for the third straight year. Their young outfield of McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco has tremendous potential, and should be explosive on offensive and defense. They were able to sign back A.J. Burnett, who clearly proved that PNC Park was a great fit during his first stint with the team. Francisco Liriano was re-signed, and young fireballer Gerrit Cole will continue to prove that he's their future ace. If this team can continue to play like they have in recent time, they will only get better. And to the rest of the division; that's awfully scary.

2 - St. Louis Cardinals

X-Factors: Michael Wacha, Kolten Wong, Jason Heyward

This has been one of the most consistent teams of recent time, always doing things the right way ("The Cardinal Way"). Led by catcher Yadier Molina, the Birds will be looking to build off their division win and Championship series loss to the reigning champion San Francisco Giants. What the Cardinals have that the Pirates don't have is age, which could be viewed in two different ways. It is great to have players that know how to win, but it's not great having a group of players deteriorating and more susceptible to injury. Molina's performance has declined, but his impact on the team is far beyond his bat, but he's not the only one. Matt Holliday's performance is gradually decreasing, and ace Adam Wainwright is going into a year already with injury concern. But this isn't to say this is a bad team, their potential on paper just doesn't quite seem to top Pittsburgh's at this point. Newly acquired Jason Heyward will be worth every bit of the trade they made involving Shelby Miller and prospects. Heyward may not have reached his offensive ceiling quite yet, but he's considered the best right fielder defensively in the game, and he's only 25 years old. The return of Michael Wacha should balance the pitching rotation while Wainwright battles through what may be a difficult season, as well. Mike Matheny is a fantastic manager, and he'll find a way to get this team to the playoffs; I just don't expect them to win the Central with their stars slowly fading away.   

3 - Chicago Cubs

X-Factors: Jorge Soler, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant

Who in their right mind would bet for this team to win the World Series? Considering it's been over a hundred years since they last won, the odds are clearly not in their favor. And while yes, they did improve significantly this offseason adding Jon Lester, Dexter Fowler, Miguel Montero, and manager Joe Maddon; it's not their time yet. People aren't even sure if Kris Bryant is going to make the Opening Day roster due to money reasons, so that alone could set the team back. This core of young talent is unmatched on any other team in the game, and I do agree that they can become at least a Wild Card contender as early as this year. However, I think most of their success is still a few years away. It has to be tough on developing outfielder Jorge Soler, third baseman Bryant, and second baseman Javier Baez hearing all of these World Series talks. Vegas may think it's their time, but the average baseball fan should be able to see that there are far too many already established teams that will be more prepared this year. I'm as excited as the next guy to see these young stars make names for themselves in the big leagues, don't get me wrong. But I don't see them making the playoffs this year.

4 - Cincinnati Reds

X-Factors: Health

Choosing between the Reds and Brewers for this spot was more difficult than just about anything else I've attempted to predict this year. But, given that this Reds team is currently healthy, I can't help but put them ahead for now. If this team could stay relatively healthy this year, I can see them even making a playoff run. Even though they lost Mat Latos, they still have a lot to offer. Jay Bruce and Joey Votto were absent in the lineup for most of last season, and they should provide a spark guys like Todd Frazier, Devin Mesoraco, and Billy Hamilton needed. Johnny Cueto will most likely be pitching his final season for the Reds, and will be performing for a big contract. He will once again make a case for the Cy Young Award, and now healthy Homer Bailey and Tony Cingrani should contribute too. This team's devastating 2014 paralleled the Rangers in the American League, and like I said for them (before they lost Darvish of course)... how much worse could it get? 

5 - Milwaukee Brewers

X-Factors: Ryan Braun, Jean Segura, Adam Lind

The Brewers won 82 games in 2014, and I just ranked them in last for this upcoming season. And I do not feel comfortable with this decision at all, because this does not feel like a last place team. I just don't know how else to go about this, and thus here we are now. Ryan Braun has been going through Tiger Woods Syndrome ever since his PED scandal, and we may never see the old Braun again. This will be their third baseman and model of consistency Aramis Ramirez's final season, and he can't man the hot corner all that well anymore. Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Lucroy will provide the major spark of the lineup; both being potential MVP candidates, but it still isn't enough for me. Why is that, you ask? It all comes down to pitching, and they simply do not have what any of the other teams in the division have. They traded Yovani Gallardo to the Rangers this past winter, and it's going to hurt them not having a dependable ace in the staff. The offense can be as good as it was last year, but the other four teams here have all improved. If anything, the Brew Crew took a step back.

Division MVP: Andrew McCutchen

Division Cy Young: Johnny Cueto

Playoff Teams: Pittsburgh, St. Louis

I ended up choosing the Marlins and Cardinals as my two Wild Card choices for the National League, which means that the defending champion Giants, or the always popular choice, the Dodgers, will NOT make the playoffs at all. Stay tuned to see what I have to say about the West, and shortly after that I'll have my playoff and award predictions! 

Do you agree, disagree? Feel free to start up some baseball chatter in the comments below, I've enjoyed hearing your feedback so far and I'm glad this new series has been appealing to some people so far! I can't wait for the season to begin!

See Ya!

2015 American League West Preview + Predictions!

Hey guys, Drew back here! We have already covered the AL East and AL Central, and today we'll have a look at my thoughts on this year's AL West.

2015 AL West Standings Prediction:

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1 - Los Angeles Angels
X-Factors: Matt Joyce, Andrew Heaney

I could not find any possible way to keep the Angels from the top of this division. They finished with the best regular season record in baseball last year, only to eventually succumb to a sweeping by the red hot Royals. Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and even the almighty Mike Trout struggled immensely throughout the beatdown. But this year, even with the tragedy surrounding Josh Hamilton (I wish he and his family the best of wishes with a hope for recovery), the Angels are still one of the more intriguing teams in the game. Their pitching staff reemerged last season with the help of future stars Garrett Richards and Matt Shoemaker, and it can be argued that if Richards didn't hurt his knee last year they may have been able to advance further into the postseason. Even after losing Howie Kendrick at second base in a trade for young left handed pitcher Andrew Heaney, they were able to also make a move to add Josh Rutledge to replace Kendrick. Between Rutledge, Heaney, and new fill in right fielder Matt Joyce, I'm not too worried about the Angels falling from first quite yet.

2 - Seattle Mariners
X-Factors: James Paxton, Taijuan Walker, Seth Smith

If the Mariners are going to become the contender many think they can be, this is their year to prove it. Fresh off of issuing a $57 million dollar deal to slugger Nelson Cruz, they now have the right handed power bat to place between Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the lineup. Although Safeco Field may lower Cruz's chances of hitting 40 home runs again in 2015, his power bat will certainly improve a lineup that needed an extra boom. They shipped out Brandon Maurer for Seth Smith, which should also supply some additional offense. Cano now has what he said he needed last year, and with the best pitching rotation in the division led by perennial Cy Young Award candidate Felix Hernandez, this could easily be their year. Young pitchers James Paxton and Taijuan Walker will need to stay healthy and take strides to give the M's a legitimate shot, and I think they will do what it takes to pick up the 2nd wildcard spot and make the postseason for the first time since Ichiro Suzuki's rookie season in 2001 (want to know how long that's been?)!

3 - Texas Rangers
X-Factors: Prince Fielder, Derek Holland

This Rangers team has the most "if's" of any team in the American League. If Yu Darvish is healthy, he can potentially be a Cy Young candidate. If Prince Fielder, Derek Holland, and Shin-Soo Choo can rebound from their injury plagued 2014 campaigns, they can be key contributors to the team as well. If father time hasn't caught up to possible future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre, he will be a huge piece of the Texas sized puzzle. They already lost former top prospect Jurickson Profar for the second year in a row, so Rougned Odor will be taking his place once again in their everyday lineup. Newly added starters Yovani Gallardo and Ross Detwiler might come in handy in picking up the pieces if chaos ensues in Arlington, but I'm going to go with an optimistic approach and say: how much worse could it get? If half the players lost in 2014 are injured again this season, they still will win more than their AL low 67 games.

**UPDATE: Yu Darvish may undergo Tommy John surgery as it was revealed today that he has suffered a UCL sprain in his elbow. This is a huge blow to a team that had more than enough injuries to handle in 2014. With this news, I will flip my predictions and put the Rangers in 4th and the Astros in 3rd for the season.**

4 - Houston Astros
X-Factors: Dallas Keuchel, George Springer

I was so tempted to rank Houston above the Rangers on this list, but ultimately I held off and put them right behind. I didn't actually list predicted W-L totals because I think that's as unpredictable as it comes, but if I were to I'd have the two Texas teams neck and neck in the middle of the division. Neither are ideal playoff candidates, but although they are from the same state, they don't have much else in common. Where the Rangers field a team of former superstars similarly to the Yankees, the Astros are taking the youth approach, which has been known to work lately in St. Louis and San Francisco especially. The Astros may be a fun team to watch in 2015 thanks to budding star George Springer in particular, but also because of their offseason acquisitions. Evan Gattis may be a bit of a defensive liability, but "El Oso Blanco" can and will mash balls into the left field bleachers time and time again at Minute Maid Park. Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek will stabilize what was a shaky bullpen, and lend helping hands to the very young pitching rotation the team has built over years of development. But the player to watch in Houston turns out to be the shortest player in a state loaded with size: Jose Altuve. If he can come close to his MVP-type 2014 season statistics, we'll be in for some fun in this division. Chances are, he will.

5 - Oakland Athletics
X-Factors: Brett Lawrie, Jesse Hahn

Three years in a row Billy Beane has assembled playoff teams, in light of the box office smash Moneyball. But this year, I believe his run has come to a halt (temporarily). Over the winter the team made 9 trades including almost 30 players; and leading that list are 2014 All Stars Brandon Moss, Derek Norris, and Josh Donaldson. Both Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija, who were traded for midseason in hopes of bringing playoff success, left Oakland as well. I still have no idea what his mindset was in moving Donaldson so soon, as he could've easily been affordably held for 4 more years before hitting free agency. For all they lost, they came back with almost a completely new team featuring Ben Zobrist, Billy Butler, Tyler Clippard, Jesse Hahn, and Brett Lawrie. It may work out, and Beane tends to be a magician with these sorts of moves, but I don't see what they did as enough to have a successful 2015. The prospects gained will be of great value for the future, and maybe this is all part of his scheme to get back to the playoffs (if so, well played), but we won't know how he did this offseason until years down the road. He could either be building a Hall of Fame legacy, or tearing it apart. None of that seems to matter much in 2015.

Division MVP: Mike Trout
Division Cy Young: Felix Hernandez
Playoff Teams: Los Angeles, Seattle (Wild Card)

I hope these three posts have helped you understand that the competition in baseball is at a whole new level. I picked the Orioles to finish 4th in the AL East, the Tigers to finish 3rd in the Central, and the A's to finish last in the West. All three of these teams seemed to have no difficulty reaching the playoffs in 2014, and I picked them to completely miss out this year. Whether or not I look like a genius or an idiot is to be determined, but for now it just goes to show that there is so much talent in the game today, and any team can be made or broken within a matter of a single offseason. You can't base a team off of solely what they look like on paper, but some GM's are starting to learn from past mistakes and only signing players that make actual sense. There isn't one horrible team in this entire league, and it was tough for me to even put the Rays, Twins, and A's in last place. The Red Sox went from worst to first to worst again, thus, any team could face any outcome no matter what people say they're going to do.

I'll have the National League posts coming up soon, and I'll wrap things up with a couple of postseason predictions just to round up all the fun. I've had a blast writing these posts so far, and I hope a few people out there are enjoying them too. It's been tough to afford a lot of what I want lately because I've been looking for a job and paying for college, so I've had to think of some new ways to keep you all interested, and baseball is an absolute passion of mine and I love getting to share it for you.

With all that in mind: agree or disagree? Feel free to leave any comments below; they're greatly appreciated.

See Ya!