Friday, February 19, 2016

Another Week Another Friday


Who doesn't love Fridays? The first week of baseball has ended, and we're now only 44 days away from opening day. For Yankees fans, it's 45 days. The week is finally over, after a week full of quizzes and tests; well I think it seems that way every week. Either way, it's Friday. I started the book, Baseball's Flawed Genius, which is an interesting autobiography about Billy Martin; I never realized how interesting Billy Martins life was, so I decided to watch the Yankeography documentary on Billy Martin. Even though I just started the book, I highly recommend it; World Series championships, firings, brawls, the book has everything about Billy Martin you'll ever need to know.

Enough talking about what I'm doing, time to start talking about the start of baseball season!

The Yankees have a lot of work to do in 2016 if they want to compete for another division title, but they're certainly capable of doing it. But, they'll need help from both the old and young. After a strong 2015 season, Luis Severino will be looking to repeat what he did in 2015. Unless Tanaka can make a strong comeback, or Sabathia can turn back the clock 5 years, than it looks like Severino will be the Yankees ace. The Yankees starting rotation could be great, or it could be awful. Lets hope it's great.

The Yankees top prospect struggled in AAA last year, but he has a ton of potential; proving that at spring training last year. Judge is now a year older, and will get the chance to experience better pitching. It has been made loud and clear that Aaron Judge will be the replacement for Beltran in 2017, or if Beltran gets hurt it could be sooner.

Mason Williams made his debut last year once Ellsbury went down, but he wasn't very successful. Ellsbury will be the Yankees center fielder for many years to come, but Williams could have a shot somewhere else in left field if Gardner leaves in 2 years. Than again, Williams could also just be trade bait.

Jacoby Ellsbury had an awful 2015 season, after having a hot start. If a player gets payed that kind of money, than they should perform to their expectations. Hopefully both Ellsbury and Gardner will be able to have a comeback season.

Kris Bryant, Kris Bryant, Kris Bryant... He's the most talked about player in baseball! He was National League rookie of the year last year, and he certainly deserved it. The Cubs will be the best team in baseball this year, and with all the talent they have I wouldn't be surprised if they won the World Series.

The Phillies on the other hand... Well... At least they have Maikel Franco.

The AL East will be very interesting this year; it looks as if all teams will have a shot at the division. The only questionable team is the Rays, but even they have a shot. Manny Machado will probably slug 40 home runs, and have a shot at American League MVP. If both the Orioles and Rays fall quickly, the division race will probably be between the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays.

2016 marks the year that David Ortiz leaves baseball. As much as I hate Ortiz, it's hard not to respect the effort he puts into each game.

Giancarlo Stanton probably would have lead the majors in home runs if he hadn't been bit by the injury bug. Led by Don Mattingly, the Marlins will most likely be struggling to stay out of last place. Who knows though, baseball is a strange sport.

The Dodgers? The Giants? The Diamondbacks? It should be an interesting NL West race.

The Diamondbacks made an awful trade. AWFUL! They sent over Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair, and first overall pick Dansby Swanson. Sure, Shelby Miller was good last year, but is he worth the first overall draft pick? I really don't think so. Aaron Blair isn't too bad either, and will probably fit into the Diamondbacks rotation at some point in the future.

It's an even year!

The Astros had a magical 2015, but can they do it again this year? Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa will be the biggest factors; can Correa build off of last year? Evan Gattis will certainly have to contribute, along with many other Astros. It'll be a battle between the Astros and Rangers.

An interesting story in 2016 will be the Mets. Last year, they surprised everyone and won the division (lets not forget the division they were in though). They lost a few key players during the offseason, but did manage to resign Cespedes, and they will have Steven Matz a full year. We all know what the Mets pitching can do, it's a matter of what the offense will be able to do. David Wright is going to have to step up if he wants to lead his team to a division title.

The Red Sox are also apart of the terrible AL East. The first place team will probably not have above 90 wins, which gives the Yankees a solid shot at the division. It would be fun to see the Yankees and Red Sox fighting for the division.

The Cubs. What a story they were in 2015. The rookie of the year, Kris Bryant; Cy Young award winner, Jake Arrieta. Not to mention all the young talent, including Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, and Kyle Schwarber. This year they'll also have Jason Heyward, along with starting pitcher John Lackey. Let's be honest... Which team is actually going to beat the Cubs?

As for the Angels and Mike Trout, it's a different story. Trout had another stellar year last year, and will probably do the same again. That's not the question though; the question is whether or not the Angels will be able to keep up with the Astros and Rangers.

And of course I'll end with the reigning National League MVP, Bryce Harper. Not because he was last years MVP, but because in a couple years he'll be putting on the pinstripes everyday, and he'll become the highest payed player in major league history. If the Yankees don't sign any major free agents for the next couple years, this may just happen. Harper has always said he has always wanted to be a Yankee, so why not? Could you imagine the short porch in right field for Harper? In his prime? Wow.

As you all know, I made this my new blog picture up at the top. I got both Corona and Monster Truck on my bed, and took another picture. Which do you prefer? This one?

Or this new one that I took? Please let me know your opinions!
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Thank you for reading!


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