The MLB Digest

Marlins Fire Guillen

2012-10-23T15:30:00.004-05:00

The Miami Marlins have announced that they have fired their first year manager, Ozzie Guillen, after a season that showed poor results after a spending spree in the offseason.
According to the Marlins president of baseball operations, Larry Beinfest "After careful consideration following the disappointment of the 2012 season, we decided to dismiss Ozzie. Our managerial search begins immediately and our hope is that a new manager, along with roster improvements, will restore a winning culture."
Now last time I checked, the Marlins have not had a winning record since 2009 and have not won their division, well, ever. The two World Series titles they won were as Wild Cards. The year after the 1997 title, the team finished 54-108 and the year after the 2003 title, the team was only 3 games over .500 and were in the middle of the pack. The ownership of this team is a disgrace and they clearly will not do what it takes to put together a winning team. They duped all of us this past offseason when they spent a ton of money on players like Mark Buehrle, Heath Bell, and Jose Reyes. Then when things get a little tough they held a fire sale getting rid of some of their best players. Everybody was on the trading bloc. Then they expect us to believe that it was the fault of Ozzie Guillen by saying they need to bring back a winning culture, one they dismantled before it got a chance to prove itself. They do not want this team to win or spend money to help the team win. They are in it to dupe the fans and pocket millions of dollars for themselves. What it comes down to for Jeffrey Loria is not caring about the fans or the team and only caring for himself. He is a disgrace to the game.

Tigers on brink of Fall Classic

2012-10-18T11:43:00.000-05:00

The Tigers are setting themselves apart from the rest of the playoff field right now. Their pitching has been dominating and their hitting coming through at just the right times, not to mention they are catching all the breaks like the best teams usually do. Max Scherzer will be on the bump today against the Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia in what I believe will be a good game to watch and to be a part of. If Scherzer can pitch a good game, not even a great game, but a good game I think will get them the W and into the World Series. The Yankees really need to get it together if they are even going to have a chance of winning this series, but needing to win 4 games in a row, and facing Verlander for one of those games, they know they need to be virtually perfect to pull this one out.

The Giants have disappointed me thus far in the NLCS. The pitching has been mediocre at best....and that is the strongest card they can play. Lincecum will really need to have a good game tonight to get them back in this series. So far it looks like the offense will have to carry them if they are going to win this series. I don't want to take anything away from the Cardinals, they are certainly a good team and deserve to be here, even if no one thought they would be. But, again, after last years world series, we should know that we can never count out the Cards. They always play hard to do the small things to win games and get the job done. Lets see if the Giants can pull it together and get their pitching on track, because if they can't do that tonight, then chances are they will not be winning this series.

Tigers pull out to a 2-0 lead while the Giants drop game 1

2012-10-15T15:01:00.000-05:00

So far the Tigers have lived up to expectations winning both of their games against the Yankees with the starting pitchers proving to be no match for the recently slumping offense of the Yankees. So far, two of the Tigers pitchers not named Verlander have shown up and gave us reason to believe they will win the ALCS with ease and give us reason to believe they should be the favorite to win the World Series. They are just looking better and better after every game. Not only are they getting better and better, but they are catching all the breaks seemingly. Instead of being up 1-0 going into the 9th, they are up 3-0. Not that it matters since the pitching has proven to be so stellar, of course with the exception of Valverde, they would have won this one 1-0 had that not happened.

The Cardinals almost pulled a Nationals in the first game of their series with the Giants. After jumping out to a 6-0 lead and scoring 4 of those runs in the 4th inning, they let the Giants right back into the game with a 4 run 4th of their own. Except the Cardinals figured out how to stop the bleeding before they bled out. The starting pitching was not stellar on either side, but the bullpens for both teams were stellar, keeping the score as is for the rest of the game allowing only two hits combined. It may not look like it by the looks of the starting pitching, but this is going to be a tight series and I think will come down to the wire.

Jeter Out for the Seaon and Valverde makes it interesting

2012-10-14T03:17:00.003-05:00

I have said it before, the Tigers need to cut Valverde loose. He is just not cut out for being a closer. He makes too many mistakes and every time he comes into the game I feel like the opposition has a good chance at winning the game. Fister certainly showed up for this game, although he walked 4 batters, he only gave up 6 hits and pitched the way he needed to for his team to win, and he deserved to get the W. The Tigers earned this win and I think we will see more games like this out of this team, but hopefully with less excitement at the end from Valverde.
Now onto the big story of the game, Derek Jeters ankle. This is a huge blow to the Yankees already anemic looking offense. Jeter had been hitting about .360 during the postseason and solidified his place as possibly the best hitter ever in the playoffs after knocking out his 200th career postseason hit before he was injured. I already thought the Tigers were gong to win this series, but now it becomes even more apparent that they will be the team to come out on top unless the Yankees can rally around this and step up and make up for the loss of their captain. If they can do it, that alone will make them a difficult team to beat simply because of the emotion involved in their game. But lets remember they still have to face Justin Verlander probably twice, Fister twice, and Scherzer twice. That is quite the uphill battle to face without the best player in postseason history.

Nationals choke and the Yankees squeeze out a tight one.

2012-10-13T13:18:00.004-05:00

So as it turned out I was wrong about when the Nationals inexperience would come up and bite them. It is not very often that you see an epic collapse like that. When a closer like Drew Storen comes into the game with a two run lead and he gets two outs after a leadoff double, that is a situation where you need to throw strikes and not try to paint corners and just let the batter make contact and put the ball in play and let your defense take care of it. In that situation Storen needs to make sure he does not walk anybody and give them free base runners. Despite the fact that Storen seemingly blew the game for the Nationals, the fact that they were once up 6-0 cannot be overlooked either. This game was not just lost by Storen even though he will get most of the heat for this, but also the rest of the pitching staff of the Nationals. But lets not forget that the Cardinals are also a good team and should never be over looked. They put together some good at bats and earned themselves the right to advance to the next round. With the way they came back in the World Series last year, I expect a hard fought series going 6 or 7 games.

On the other hand, despite the fact that the Orioles lost their series, I believe they showed great poise under pressure despite being a very inexperienced playoff team. In none of the games were they blown out, they went into extra innings for two of the games and had a chance to win all of them. The pitching staff kept the Yankees potent bats in check for the entire series which will always give you a chance to win. But in the end they just didn't have enough in the tanks to get by Sabathia and his almost two complete games in this series. When you have a guy like Sabathia that can pitch that well for almost 18 innings in a 5 game series, chances are you will win the series. For the Yankees to beat the Tigers, the offense will certainly need to wake up, especially since the pitching staff of the Tigers is superior to the staff of the Orioles.

One thing is for sure, both the ALCS and the NLCS will be tough series lasting 6 or 7 games. But in the end the Giants and the Tigers will pull it out and end up playing in the World Series. Lets see how it plays out. Thoughts?

MLB Playoffs 2012

2012-10-12T11:46:00.000-05:00

With the 2012 playoffs well underway, I thought it was time I say something about it. I have not been around for much of the season this year as I have moved to Budapest, Hungary and have not been able to watch very much baseball this year. First of all, I want to say that I like the new system with the second wild card team in each league. It adds a huge sense of excitement as if it were a game seven in the LCS or World Series with the win or go home mentality. That excitement should be a boost for the game in my opinion.
One thing that I don't like is that the team with the better record plays the first two games on the road. They have earned the right to home field advantage, and even though that ultimately means playing the majority of the games on their home field, it also should mean they get to begin a series at home and have the last game of the series at home if it gets to that point.
Now to get to each series, and I know I am a bit behind so we have already seen the Tigers and Giants advance to their respective LCS series, but we still have two left. I have been surprised at how poorly the Nationals have played this series so far. I do believe that it was a mistake to shut down Strasburg for the season. If anything, they should have had him skip a start occasionally throughout the season and had him on the roster for the playoffs. They are certainly a better team with Strasburg. I do believe they will pull this series out with Gio Gonzalez on the hill tonight.
The Orioles and Yankees also play their game 5 tonight. I believe the Yankees will pull this one out with the superior pitcher on the bump and the experience of having been here before and the Orioles just are not experienced enough, even though they have hung tough so far, I believe the Yankees just have too many weapons for the Orioles to handle.

With that being said, I am predicting a World Series of Tigers and Giants with the Giants winning it all. The Tigers beat the Yankees because they have a deeper pitching staff and they have an explosive offense that can show up at any time. Even though they have been on and off this season, I believe they will come through at the right time and they should be able to take advantage of the lack of pitching depth of the Yankees. I believe the Giants will win their LCS for the same reason, their pitching. They have many of the same pitchers from when they won it all in 2010 and they have experience and the talent to get to the World Series again this year with the Nationals not having the experience and the pitchers not having been extended much in the past.

I see the Giants taking the World Series from the Tigers. Their offense is not as good, but with Verlander the only playoffs tested pitcher I believe Fister and Sanchez will struggle and the Giants will be able to take advantage of that. With the pitching of Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, and Vogelsong, they have the deepest rotation in the playoffs. This depth and some timely hitting will be why they win the World Series.

What are your thoughts?

Cubs sign Marmol

2011-02-14T12:31:00.002-06:00

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Cubs have signed Carlos Marmol to a 3 year deal worth $20 million. Marmol serves as the teams closer. Marmol posted a 2.55 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP with 38 saves over 77 2/3 innings last season with the Cubs.

Indians to sign Cabrera

2011-02-10T13:16:00.000-06:00

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Indians have agreed to sign SS Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera hit .263 with a .303 OBP over 537 plate appearances last season with the Reds.

Rangers sign Hamilton

2011-02-10T13:14:00.000-06:00

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Rangers have reached a 2 year agreement worth $24 million, avoiding arbitration. This has worked out well for both sides. Hamilton is coming off of an AL MVP season in which he hit .359 with a .411 OBP, 100 RBI's and 32 Home Runs.

Nationals sign Cintron

2011-02-08T21:06:00.000-06:00

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, The Nationals have signed infielder Alex Cintron to a minor league deal. The last time Cintron played in the major leagues was in 2009 with the Nationals. He spent last season with the Mets organization playing with their Triple-A team. Cintron has a career .275 average and .313 OBP.

Red Sox sign Aceves

2011-02-08T21:01:00.000-06:00

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, The Red Sox have signed pitcher Alfredo Aceves to a Major League deal. Aceves will earn $650K and could earn $100K more in incentives. Aceves is coming off of a year where he pitched in only 10 games due to a back injury, but in 2009 he posted 3.54 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP over 84 innings that year.

Twins sign Liriano

2011-02-05T15:43:00.003-06:00

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Twins have signed pitcher Francisco Liriano to a one year, $4.3 million deal. Liriano posted a 3.62 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP over 191 2/3 innings last season with the Twins helping them win the AL Central title.

Orioles sign Guerrero

2011-02-04T17:58:00.000-06:00

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, the Orioles have agreed to a one year deal worth $8 million with slugger Vladimir Guerrero. The deal is pending a physical. Guerrero hit .300 with a .345 OBP with 29 home runs and 115 RBI's in 643 plate appearances last season with the Rangers.

Garcia signs with Yankees

2011-01-31T20:08:00.004-06:00

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Yankees have signed pitcher Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal. Garcia posted a 4.64 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP over 157 innings last season with the White Sox. Garcia will earn $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster and will be worth $5.1 million if he makes 30 starts. The Sox had interest in Garcia but Garcia thought he would be better suited with the Yankees. The White Sox seem to have a full rotation and Garcia would have been used mainly to fill the hole Jake Peavy will leave until he returns from a detached latissimus dorsi muscle injury. That would have given Garcia roughly 6 starts with the White Sox and then an undefined role from there. With the Yankees, Garcia can compete for the 5th starters spot for the season.

White Sox sign Ramirez to Extension.

2011-01-31T18:46:00.000-06:00

The White Sox have agreed to a contract extension with shortstop Alexei Ramirez. The deal will pay Ramirez $32.5 million over four years, and there is also a $10 million team option for a fifth year. This extension covers Ramirez's last two arbitration years and at least his first two years of free agency. Ramirez hit .282 with a .313 OBP with 18 homers last season in 626 plate appearances. Ramirez earned his first Silver Slugger Award in 2010. Ramirez has spent his entire 3 year career with the White Sox and plans on being their shortstop for many years.

Braves sign Lopez

2011-01-31T18:40:00.000-06:00

The Braves announced that they signed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Lopez posted a 5.00 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP over 200 innings last season with the Diamondbacks.

Mariners sign Wright, Mets sign Pagan

2011-01-31T18:36:00.000-06:00

The Mariners have announced that they have re-signed right-hander Jamey Wright to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. Wright posted a 4.17 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over 58 1/3 innings last season with the Indians and Mariners.

The Mets have announced that they have signed Angel Pagan to a one year extension worth $3.5 million avoiding arbitration. Pagan hit .290 with a .340 OBP with 37 steals in 46 attempts last season. The Mets have also avoided arbitration with R.A. Dickey signing him to a 2 year, $7.5 million deal with a club option for a third year. Dickey posted a 2.84 and a 1.19 WHIP over 174 1/3 innings last season.

Marlins sign Dobbs

2011-01-31T11:57:00.000-06:00

According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. the Marlins have signed Greg Dobbs to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Dobbs hit .196 with a .251 OBP last season as a utility player for the Phillies.

Reds sign Volquez

2011-01-31T11:52:00.000-06:00

According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, the Reds have avoided arbitration with Edinson Volquez after agreeing to a one year deal speculated to be worth about $1.6 million. Volquez recently had Tommy John surgery and returned from that last season to post a 4.31 ERA and a 1.5 WHIP over 12 starts and 62 2/3 innings.

2011-01-31T11:48:00.000-06:00

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN, the Rockies have agreed to a one year extension with Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt is under contract for the 2011 season and the extension guarantees him $4 million in 2012 and includes a $4.25 million mutual option with $250,000 for Colorado to buy him out. If he denies his half of the deal there is no buyout, but if he is traded, the buyout is guaranteed. Betancourt posted a 3.61 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP over 62 1/3 innings last season with the Rockies.

Orioles sign Duchscherer

2011-01-31T11:42:00.000-06:00

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Orioles have signed Justin Duchscherer to a one year deal worth as much as $4.5 million. He will get $700,000 guaranteed with the base salary being $1.1 million when he makes the team. He will have to make 30 starts to make the full $4.5 million. The deal is currently pending a physical. Last season he was only able to make 5 starts before he had surgery to repair his hip posting a 2.89 ERA in 28 innings.

Cubs sign Looper, Ojeda

2011-01-31T11:37:00.000-06:00

The Cubs have announced that they have signed pitcher Braden Looper and infielder Augie Ojeda to minor league deals. Looper took last season off after playing for the Brewers in 2009 while posting a 5.22 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP over 194 2/3 innings that year. If Looper makes the team, his deal will be worth $1 million with an additional $2 million in incentives available. Ojeda began his career with the Cubs in 2000 serving as a middle infielder. Last season he hit .190 with a .258 OBP over 92 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks.

Stewart, Kotchman, Beimel sign.

2011-01-28T14:34:00.000-06:00

The Rockies and Ian Stewart have agreed to terms avoiding arbitration. Stewart will earn $2.22875MM, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. If Stewart stays healthy and reaches his incentives next season he will earn $2.35MM. Stewart hit .256 with a .338 OBP in 441 plate appearances last season.

According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have agreed to sign first baseman Casey Kotchman to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Kotchman hit .217 with a .280 OBP in 457 plate appearances last season with the Mariners.

The Pirates have announced that they have signed LHP Joe Beimel to a minor league contract. The deal includes an out clause that allows Beimel to become a free agent if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster. Beimel posted a 3.40 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP over 45 innings last season with the Rockies.

D'Backs sign Montero, Rockies sign Amezaga

2011-01-26T18:28:00.000-06:00

The Diamondbacks have announced that they have signed catcher Miguel Montero to a one year deal worth $3.2 million, avoiding arbitration. Montero hit .266 with a .322 OBP in 331 plate appearances last season.
The Rockies announced that they signed Alfredo Amezaga to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training. The last time Amezaga played consistently was back in 2008 when he hit .264 with a .312 OBP that year and missed most of 2009 and all of 2010 after knee surgery.

Reds sign Cueto

2011-01-26T13:06:00.000-06:00

The Reds have announced that they have signed pitcher Johnny Cueto to a four year extension worth $27 million with a club option for 2015. Cueto posted a 3.64 ERA with a 1.28 ERA over 185 2/3 innings last season with the Reds helping them win the NL Central division title. This deal buys out the remaining 3 years of Cueto's arbitration eligibility and one year of free agency.