MLB

3 Free Agents Yankees Should Sign This Offseason

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2021

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees should be able to bring in some reinforcements for the 2022 campaign after a Wild Card exit in 2021.

Fans are getting anxious, as the franchise hasn’t won a title since 2009.

They need a few talented players in specific positions to gain a competitive edge.

These free agents can provide that extra the team is missing.

3. Carlos Correa

The New York Yankees need a shortstop.

General manager Brian Cashman said it himself: the team will look for a shortstop this offseason because Gleyber Torres, who opened the season there, is a better fit at second base and will stay there.

Torres, who hit .259/.331/.366 in 2021, was much better after moving to second, presumably because he was more loose and relaxed without the pressure of handling a position that it’s obviously not his best.

The Yankees have Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe in the minor leagues, but they likely won’t be ready for the start of the season and will need more seasoning on the farm.

The Yankees also need an impact bat and a superior defender in short, and Carlos Correa fills those needs.

He hit .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs, 104 runs, and 92 RBI in 2021, and was one of the best defensive shortstops in the league.

Granted, there is some beef between Correa and the Yankees from his playoff appearances with the Houston Astros (and the 2017 sign-stealing scandal), but if New York wants to win, they need the best players.

Correa is one of the best players available, and fills a position of need.

The final four shortstops of the 2021 season.
Carlos Correa: 134 wRC+
Corey Seager: 147 wRC+
Xander Bogaerts: 130 wRC+
Dansby Swanson: 98 wRC+
Two are available. The Yankees need to get one. pic.twitter.com/U71PsrN6uV
— Joe (@Yankeelibrarian) November 3, 2021

2. Chris Taylor

The Yankees need a center fielder, because there are no guarantees about Aaron Hicks’ health and Brett Gardner doesn’t profile as a regular anymore.

Chris Taylor is a well-above average hitter (.254/.344/.438, 20 homers, 13 steals with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021) who can play lots of positions defensively, including center field.

If they sign Taylor (or a worthwhile alternative, albeit more expensive, in Starling Marte), the Yankees shouldn’t need to play Aaron Judge or Joey Gallo at center should something happens to Hicks.

They can also send Hicks to a corner if his defense isn’t good.

Taylor can provide the Yankees with some much-needed stability without damaging their offense or defense.

He also performed very well in the playoffs, and has lots of experience there.

He should definitely be a name to watch for the Yankees.

1. Kevin Gausman

The Yankees have Gerrit Cole, Jordan Montgomery, Domingo German, Nestor Cortes Jr., Jameson Taillon, and Luis Severino under contract for 2022.

However, there are workload concerns with Severino, since he hasn’t pitched a lot since 2018, and injury issues with Taillon, who may not be ready for Opening Day.

The Yankees need more depth anyway, but given Sevy and Taillon’s situations, they need to make sure to bring in at least a top arm.

Robbie Ray and Carlos Rodon are options, but they should be very, very expensive as Cy Young candidates.

Kevin Gausman was brilliant for the San Francisco Giants, and his mediocre second half (4.42 ERA) could actually lower his value.

He was brilliant in the first half (1.73 ERA in 114.2 frames) so he could have just shown the effects of fatigue.

In any case, his full season numbers were very attractive: 2.81 ERA in 192 episodes, and he was brilliant in 2020 too (3.62 ERA).

Kevin Gausman has to be a Yankees free agent target this winter, he’s familiar with the AL East from his years in Baltimore, has a track record of good health
— Isaac (@isaacfromFL) October 11, 2021

The Yankees should be interested in him if the price (and, above all, the commitment length) is right.

The post 3 Free Agents Yankees Should Sign This Offseason appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Chicago Cubs

Cubs Add Wade Miley Through Waivers After Reds Gave Him Away

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2021

nigemord@gmail.com

(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

In a very positive development for Chicago Cubs fans, the franchise already made its first big move toward being competitive in 2022.

The Cubs, who have been rumored to be willing to spend some money this winter to field a competitive team, added left-handed starter Wade Miley via waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds had a $10 million club option on Miley for next year, with a $1 million buyout.

Apparently, they decided to waive him in what is a confusing move.

A Puzzling Decision

It was a puzzling decision, to say the least, by a franchise that held a Wild Card spot late in the second half of the season.

The soon-to-be 35-year-old pitcher will surely appear on some Cy Young ballots in a few weeks, when season awards are handed out.

He had a fantastic year in Cincinnati, with a 12-7 record, a 3.37 ERA, and a 1.33 WHIP.

He wasn’t the most dominant pitcher out there, as his strikeout ability (18.1 strikeout rate) was below-average, but he relied on contact management to be one of the most dependable left-handers in baseball.

His average exit velocity was 85.7 mph, and his hard-hit rate (percentage of balls hit at 95 mph or more) was 34 percent, both above-average.

That kind of production certainly deserved $10 million or more, but the Reds appear to be entering a cost-saving period.

No matter which source you use, Miley was highly valued by the numbers: he was worth 2.9 Wins Above Replacement, or WAR, according to FanGraphs’ calculations, while Baseball Reference had him rated even better at 5.7 WAR.

The Reds recently traded catcher Tucker Barnhart, too, in addition to shedding Miley’s salary.

One would think that picking up Miley’s option and then trying to trade him would have made a lot more sense for Cincinnati.

Miley has $10M club option for 2022. Reds could have picked it up, traded him and still accomplished their obvious goal of saving money. https://t.co/TJb5lRyHQU
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 5, 2021

C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reported that Reds general manager Nick Krall said the organization attempted to trade Miley, but couldn’t find a taker.

The Cubs Net A Solid Starter At A Fair Cost

For the Cubs, Miley’s addition is a breath of fresh air.

Chicago reportedly wants to spend some money to field a competitive club that may fight for a Wild Card berth or, in a best-case scenario, the National League Central division.

Miley is the perfect addition for them at this point.

The Reds could have picked up a $10 million option and then traded Miley.
Instead he heads to a division rival in an effort to ensure the clearing of payroll.
Good pickup by the Cubs here. Confusing move by Cincinnati. https://t.co/8GOIauJ6xO
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— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) November 5, 2021

They will now exercise the club option and enjoy him for at least one year.

Even if Chicago falls from the race at some point in June or July, like what happened this year, they may try to flip Miley at the trade deadline.

Perhaps Cincinnati did try to trade him in 2021, but didn’t like the packages they were getting.

That doesn’t justify just giving him away and risking him going to a division rival, like it happened in the end.

It’s actually not that hard to translate: Cincinnati may enter a rebuild, or at least, won’t spend so many resources trying to be competitive.

The post Cubs Add Wade Miley Through Waivers After Reds Gave Him Away appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Facts

Randy Arozarena is Already 1 of the Greatest Postseason HR Hitters of All-Time – Pro Sports Outlook

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2021

nigemord@gmail.com

Postseason legends become household names and Randy Arozarena is joining that elite category that features names such as Mariano Rivera and Reggie Jackson. Arozarena is quickly becoming one of the greatest postseason HR hitters of all time despite technically being a 2021 rookie. The rise of Randy Arozarena has been one of the best stories in 2020 and 2021 and he has become a prominent player due to his October heroics that continued in ALDS Game 1 vs. Boston.

Tampa Bay #Rays OF Randy Arozarena is the 1st player with a HR & SB toward home plate during the same postseason GP in MLB history pic.twitter.com/BoDWvilauz
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 8, 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

Randy Arozarena is the 1st player with a HR & SB of home plate in 1 postseason GP in MLB history
Wander Franco is the youngest player (20y, 220d) with an XBH in his MLB postseason debut since 1974
Franco and Nelson Cruz are 1st duo 40+ & 20 years old with 1+ RBI in an MLB postseason
TBR is the 1st playoff team with multiple rookie XBH (Franco, Arozarena) & 5 scoreless rookie IP (McClanahan)
Randy is the franchise career playoff HR leader (11) and would lead 21 other teams in postseason HR
Franco is the 1st player with multiple XBH in a regular-season debut and playoff debut in MLB history
Wander is the youngest (20y, 220 d) player with multiple Hits during his postseason debut in MLB history

Odds vs. BOS: TB -140 (Spread -7.5)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

RANDY AROZARENA IS ALREADY 1 OF THE GREATEST POSTSEASON HR HITTERS OF ALL-TIME

COLORS KEY | FULL RAYS OUTLOOK

Randy Arozarena continues to dominate in October and is one of the most prolific postseason players in MLB history. His performance during the 2020 playoffs was outstanding and his success has continued into the 2021 playoffs. While he was one of MLB’s most unheralded players just a year ago, his rise continues to amaze, especially given that he was a throw-in for Minor League prospect Matthew Liberatore in a trade with the Cardinals, who has yet to pitch in the MLB.

One of the best things about baseball is how insignificant players can flip the script and become some of MLB’s best players. Justin Turner bounced around the league before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. Randy Arozarena has found a home in Tampa Bay and is solidifying himself as an elite postseason HR hitter as he’s already Tampa’s all-time postseason HR leader and would lead 21 other franchises as well. Arozarena looks to provide the push Tampa Bay needs to win their first World Series championship in 2021.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Randy steals home in Tampa

RANDY STEALS HOME!!!!! pic.twitter.com/c9aKjhCZme
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2021

Shane has legit skills

Tonight’s first out was GROSS pic.twitter.com/PeNmvBR0tV
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2021

Arozarena’s history of playoff dramatics

Share this Randy Arozarena postseason article with friends and follow for more great sports content!

The post Randy Arozarena is Already 1 of the Greatest Postseason HR Hitters of All-Time appeared first on Pro Sports Outlook.

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Facts

Astros 7th Inning Avalanche is an Example of How Potent Their Lineup is – Pro Sports Outlook

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2021

nigemord@gmail.com

Houston Astros have been one of the MLB’s best teams recently, reaching the ALCS in each of the last four years and are now one win away from making it five straight. Though their pitching has been terrific, it’s their offensive lineup that has been the primary reason for their success and continues to knock around opponents’ pitching, regardless of a cheating scandal surrounding their 2017 season.

The Astros led the league in AVG, OBP, Hits, and Runs this past regular season and have not slowed down so far in the postseason. Through two ALDS games against the Chicago White Sox they have scored 15 runs to go along with 20 hits and are leading the series 2-0 going back to Chicago on Sunday. Game 2 was tied 4-4 in the 7th inning until a 5-run explosion showed how potent their lineup can really be.

FIVE-RUN INNING. pic.twitter.com/SoFGciteMj
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

Tim Anderson recorded the most Hits (13) through a player’s 1st 5 career playoff GP in MLB history
Luis Robert is the youngest player to record 3+ Hits during 1 postseason GP in Chicago White Sox history
Chicago White Sox are the 1st team with 15+ Hits & 0 XBH during their 1st 2 games of a postseason in MLB history

Odds vs. CHW: HOU +110 (Spread +1.5)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

ASTROS 7TH INNING AVALANCHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW POTENT THEIR LINEUP IS

COLORS KEY | FULL ASTROS OUTLOOK

The Houston Astros have gone to the ALCS each of the last four seasons and are one game away from doing the same this October. They have taken a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Chicago White Sox behind key players Yordan Alvarez (3 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI), Michael Brantley (3 H, 3 RBI), and Carlos Correa (3 H, 2 RBI), who just recorded his 52nd postseason RBI, good for seventh most in MLB history.

In Game 2, the Astros rode a five-run 7th inning highlighted by clutch hits from Alvarez and Correa, along with a two-run HR from Kyle Tucker to give them a commanding 9-4 lead going into the 8th inning. The Astros pitching shut the door the rest of the way as they have all series, with the White Sox becoming the first MLB team to have more than 15 hits and 0 XBH through two postseason games. Though their pitching has been dominant, their explosive 7th inning was a reminder of just how good the Astros’ offense can be in case anyone forgot after their incredible 2021 regular season.