MLB

3 Reasons Bob Melvin Is A Great Fit In San Diego

Published

11 months ago

November 1, 2021

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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Manager Bob Melvin was introduced as the new skipper of the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Clocking in at the new office pic.twitter.com/2qXDRu5NMp
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) November 1, 2021
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There are reasons to believe the fit between the two is almost perfect.

Here are three of them.

3. He Has Loads Of Experience

Before handing the keys to the clubhouse to Melvin, the Padres had experimented with Pat Murphy, Andy Green, and Jayce Tingler.

Between them, they had zero games of MLB experience as a manager at the moment of being hired.

It’s safe to say that, while some of them were competitive at times, the experiments didn’t work out.

Tingler, particularly, was given a good roster and finished under .500 this season.

The Padres were expected to fight for the National League West division crown with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but severely underachieved and weren’t even in the playoff picture in the last weeks of the season.

It was time to bring some experience, and Melvin, with 2,618 MLB games managed, provides it.

The good thing is, as we will explain below, he has a forward-thinking approach and embraces numbers and analytics, so he is willing to keep evolving with the game.

Melvin’s only weakness so far has been postseason play, but the Padres hope that with his wisdom and leadership, and with the talent on the roster, they can take the next step together.

Bob Melvin: “The next big thing for this team, this town and this organization is getting to the postseason, going deep in it, wanting and expecting to win a World Series.” pic.twitter.com/5J3GLckykW
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) November 1, 2021

2. A Players’ Manager

Melvin has been around a long time, yet his players love him and colleagues respect him.

You don’t earn that overnight.

Melvin is a four-time division winner and a three-time Manager of the Year.

The Padres, in their whole history, have four 90-win seasons: Melvin himself has six.

He just took the Oakland A’s to 10 games over .500 and had a fraction of the Padres’ payroll.

That has earned him respect and admiration in the industry.

Melvin has been described as a players’ manager, often having their back in case it’s needed.

“Bob, I’ll tell you, he’s the best I ever coached for,” Ron Washington told The Athletic (link courtesy of the San Diego Union-Tribune).

1. He Is Willing To Listen, Learn, And Adjust

Perhaps the best thing about Melvin, and the one that leads everyone to believe he can be successful in San Diego, is that he’s willing to be helped.

He is open to use numbers and analytics to gain a competitive edge.

The Padres have everything in place to contend as soon as next season.

They will still have Fernando Tatis Jr., Wil Myers, Jake Cronenworth, Yu Darvish, Manny Machado, Blake Snell, Joe Musgrove, and other stars and contributors.

Additionally, star pitcher Mike Clevinger will return to full health.

The Padres are ready to compete and only needed a guy like Melvin.

Melvin is a good manager, and he needed a great roster to aspire for more in the postseason.

It seems like a very good fit overall.

The post 3 Reasons Bob Melvin Is A Great Fit In San Diego appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Chicago Cubs

Cubs Add Wade Miley Through Waivers After Reds Gave Him Away

Published

11 months 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

11 months 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

11 months 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.