CarterHud

Dereck Rodriguez

            The San Francisco Giants are in a hole right now. They are the only team in the NL West that are not looking at contending this year, and they have many issues to figure out. These issues consist of their outfield, getting their rotation together, Buster Posey\’s health, getting Mark Melancon and Evan Longoria back to where they were before coming to the Giants, and having a 20 home run hitter for the first time since Brandon Crawford in 2015. All these problems are for new GM Farhan Zaidi to solve, and it looks like it will take multiple years to get the Giants back to their glory days of the early 2010s. It is an odd year, which is fitting since the Giants have been much better in even years this decade.

                Offseason additions: LHP Drew Pomeranz, INF Yangervis Solarte, OF Gerardo Parra, RHP Trevor Gott, RHP Nick Vincent, C Stephen Vogt, C Rene Rivera, OF Matt Joyce

                 Offseason subtractions: RHP Hunter Strickland, OF Hunter Pence, OF Gorkys Hernandez, C Nick Hundley, INF Kelby Tomlinson, RHP Pierce Johnson

                 Rotation
After six straight seasons of over 200 innings pitched from 2011-2016, Giants ace and postseason hero Madison Bumgarner has had two consecutive injury riddles seasons, making 38 starts combined, just four more than his 2016 total. Bumgarner still had a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts last year. Dereck Rodriguez, son of hall-of-fame catcher Ivan, had a very good rookie season, with a 2.81 ERA in 118.1 innings. Lefty Andrew Suarez and righty Chris Stratton were both very bad in 55 combined starts. Jeff Samardzija struggled in 10 starts, with an alarmingly low strikeout rate. Drew Pomeranz, who had two straight seasons with a 3.32 ERA, had an ERA over 6.00 last season. He is a comeback candidate this year.

                  Bullpen
Mark Melancon was signed before 2017 to be the closer, after four consecutive seasons of over 70 innings pitched, an his highest ERA was by far in 2015, at 2.23. In two seasons with San Fran, Melancon has pitched in just 69 innings, with a 3.78 ERA, and has lost the closer job. That has gone to Will Smith, who came back from Tommy John surgery with 14 saves and a 2.55 ERA. Tony Watson, Melancon\’s set up man from their Pittsburgh days, had a 2.59 ERA in his first season as a Giant. Sam Dyson returned to his 2016 form, with a 2.69 ERA in 70.1 innings. Rookie Reyes Moronta impressed, with a 2.49 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 65 innings. Lefty Ty Blach, the Opening Day starter last year because of multiple injuries, moved to the bullpen. Nick Vincent, signed to a minor league deal, has a 3.17 ERA in his seven year career. Rule 5 pick Travis Bergen is in play for the last spot, or it could go to whoever doesn\’t make the rotation.

                  Catching
In 2016, catcher Buster Posey hit a career low 14 home runs. Then that number dropped to 12 in 2017. Playing in just 105 games, Posey hit five home runs. He had 448 Plate Appearances, nearly 400 more than rookie catcher Arasmis Garcia, who hit four home runs. Posey had a .359 OBP, worst since his rookie 2010 season. He is still their guy, but at age 32, he isn\’t going to get much better. Garcia is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster after Nick Hundley left in free agency, but more qualified options in Stephen Vogt and Rene Rivera are in camp on minor league deals.

                   Infield
First baseman Brandon Belt had a .756 OPS, the worst in a full season for him. Belt has 15 home run power, and in his eight year career, he has never hit more than 18. Second baseman Joe Panik hit a home run in the first two games of the season, both 1-0 wins over the Dodgers, but in 100 more games in 2018, he hit just two more home runs. Brandon Crawford\’s 21 home runs in 2015 has shown to be a fluke, as he has hit 14 in each of the last two seasons and 12 in 2016. Evan Longoria came to the Giants before 2018 as a four time 30 home run hitter, and had only hit under 20 home runs in 2012, when he hit 17 in 74 games. Longoria played in 125 games, with career lows in home runs (16), batting average (.244, tied with 2011), OBP (.281) and OPS (.694). He might be the only Giant with a shot at 20 home runs.

                     Outfield
The only two outfielders left on the active roster are Steven Duggar and Mac Williamson. They combined for 69 games last year. Duggar is a center fielder, and Williamson primarily plays left. Veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra has had a good Spring Training. So has Mike Gerber, who was claimed off waivers from Detroit.

                      Bench
Unless Williamson falls, it will likely be either Gerber or Parra as the 4th outfielder, with the other playing right field. Garcia could be Posey\’s backup, but Stephen Vogt and Rene Rivera are options. Pablo Sandoval\’s first full season back with the Giants was about as good as he had with the Red Sox. Alen Hanson has played all three outfield positions and the left side of the infield plus second base since 2017 with the Pirates, White Sox and Giants. He hit a career high eight home runs and a .252 average last year.

                       Lineup
CF Steven Duggar
SS Brandon Crawford
C Buster Posey
3B Evan Longoria
1B Brandon Belt
2B Joe Panik
RF Gerardo Parra
LF Mac Williamson

                         Rotation
Madison Bumgarner (L)
Dereck Rodriguez (R)
Andrew Suarez (L)
Chris Stratton (R)
Jeff Samardzija (R)/Drew Pomeranz (L)

                          Bullpen
Will Smith (L)
Tony Watson (L)
Sam Dyson (R)
Mark Melancon (R)
Reyes Moronta (R)
Ty Blach (L)
Nick Vincent (R)
Travis Bergen (R)

                           Bench
C Stephen Vogt
UT Alen Hansen
OF Mike Gerber
3B Pablo Sandoval

                            Additional Information
Ballpark AT&T Park
Manager: Bruce Bochy
GM: Farhan Zaidi
World Series Championships: 5
2018 record: 73-89

                           Steal of the Decade
At the 2012 trade deadline, the Giants acquired outfielder Hunter Pence from the Phillies for Tommy Joseph, Nate Schierholtz and Seth Rosin. Joseph hit 21 and 22 home runs in 2016 and 2017, but didn\’t play in the majors in 2018. Schierholtz had been on the Giants for 6 years, but played just 37 games for the Phillies. Rosin wouldn\’t play for the Phillies in his first stint, pitched four innings for the Rangers in 2014, then returned to the Phillies to allow five runs in two innings in 2015. Pence was a key part of the 2012 and 2014 Giants that won the World Series, hitting 93 home runs in 772 games. Pence left this past offseason.

                            Prediction
The Giants have problems everywhere. Their offense and pitching is shaky, with a decent bullpen being their main strength. The could easily finish last in the NL West.

Kirby Yates

             The San Diego Padres entered 2019 with the league\’s best farm system. Then, they arguably added a top 10 player in baseball, Manny Machado, giving him a $300 million contract. The Padres enter 2019 brighter than ever. They have a set infield, a crowded outfield, and two good catchers. If they can figure out their pitching, they can be a very good team in the years to come.

              Offseason additions: SS/3B Manny Machado, INF Ian Kinsler, RHP Adam Warren, LHP Aaron Loup, INF Greg Garcia, OF Boog Powell, LHP Sammy Solis, RHP Garrett Richards

              Offseason subtractions: SS Freddy Galvis, 3B Christian Villanueva, LHP Clayton Richard, UT Cory Spangenberg, INF Carlos Asuaje, C AJ Ellis, RHP Walker Lockett

              Rotation
The Padres don\’t have one certain starting pitcher. Their innings leader last year, Clayton Richard, who didn\’t even qualify for the ERA title (158.2 innings), was dealt to Toronto. That leaves Joey Lucchesi as the top pitcher. Lucchesi had a 4.08 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 130 innings last year, at age 25. The Padres had 13 pitchers make a start last year, though four won\’t return, and two more will miss time with injury. The Padres thought they were adding a starter when they signed Garrett Richards, only to have him undergo Tommy John surgery before the season. Robbie Erlin, who made 39 appearances, including 12 starts, could be in place for a spot. So could Eric Lauer, a 24 year old who made 23 starts last year. Chris Paddack, who is 23 years of age, has done nothing but dominate in the minors and in Spring Training, his performance in the latter being why he\’ll make the rotation. Matt Strahm, who was very good last year in the bullpen and made five starts, seems to have won a rotation spot over Bryan Mitchell. That would leave the Padres with four left handed starters. Mitchell could still make some starts this season.

                 Bullpen
The Padres surprisingly had a very good bullpen last year, even after trading top two relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber at the deadline. After that trade, Kirby Yates moved to the closer role, making 12 saves and finished with a 2.14 ERA. He also had a 12.9 K/9 rate. Craig Stammen, who is getting up there in age, had a sub-3.00 ERA in 79 innings last year. The Padres signed Adam Warren, who has been good in his career, excluding a 2016 Cubs stint. Phil Maton returns, but he struggled with a 4.37 ERA last year. Robert Stock was successful in a short period of time last season. Lefty Jose Castillo and righty Brett Kennedy are both injured, opening up spots. One could go to Trey Wingenter, who came to the team and was decent in \’18. Or, Aaron Loup could get that spot. Loup is a lefty that has played with Toronto and Philadelphia in his career. Bryan Mitchell will be in the bullpen if not starting. Luis Perdomo will be in the bullpen after a failed 2018.

                 Catching
In the Hand and Cimber trade, the Padres received Francisco Mejia. Mejia, the top catching prospect in baseball, could either open the season in AAA or be the backup catcher. That is because the team trusts Austin Hedges, who hit 14 home runs last year.

                  Infield
The Padres made a splash last offseason, signing first baseman Eric Hosmer. So far, Hosmer has been a failure, hitting just .253 with 18 home runs and a weak .720 OPS. The team signed veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler, who has played in the last 13 years and won the World Series last year. Shortstop prospect Luis Urias will start the season with the team. Machado is a natural shortstop who switched to third base until last season, where he went back to short. He\’ll play third in San Diego. He has hit at least 33 home runs in each of the last four seasons, including 37 last year.

                  Outfield
The Padres have a very crowded outfield. But, it will be easier to make decisions now because of an injury to Travis Jankowski. Wil Myers was moved from first to left when Hosmer was signed, and was supposed to play third base this year, but Machado prevents that. He had a very bad 2018, rattled by injuries. Manuel Margot isn\’t good offensively, and hasn\’t gotten past 20 stolen bases yet. Hunter Renfroe hit a team leading 26 home runs last year. Right fielder Franmil Reyes slugged 16 home runs in 87 games last campaign, but won\’t be a starter to start.
 
                   Bench
The Padres don\’t have a serviceable backup catcher, so it will likely be Mejia, unless they think Chris Stewart can still backup. Greg Garcia is the backup infielder, with Reyes and Franchy Cordero as reserve outfielders.

                    Lineup
2B Ian Kinsler
3B Manny Machado
1B Eric Hosmer
LF Wil Myers
RF Hunter Renfroe
C Austin Hedges
CF Manuel Margot
SS Luis Urias

                    Rotation
Joey Lucchesi (L)
Eric Lauer (L)
Matt Strahm (L)
Chris Paddack (R)
Robbie Erlin (L)

                    Bullpen
Kirby Yates (R)
Craig Stammen (R)
Adam Warren (R)
Phil Maton (R)
Robert Stock (R)
Bryan Mitchell (R)
Aaron Loup (L)
Luis Perdomo (R)

                      Bench
C Francisco Mejia
INF Greg Garcia
OF Franchy Cordero
OF Franmil Reyes

                      Additional Information
Ballpark: Petco Park
Manager: Andy Green
GM: AJ Preller
World Series Championships: 0
2018 record: 66-96

                     Steal of the Decade
In 2016, the Padres had James Shields on their team. Shields had a 4.28 ERA so far that season, and with a big contract that would end after 2018. The Padres unloaded some of the cash to the White Sox for Erik Johnson and a prospect named Fernando Tatis Jr. Johnson let up 20 runs in 19.1 innings for the Padres after the trade, and never would play again in the MLB. Tatis Jr. has developed into one of the best prospects in baseball, currently ranked by MLB.com as the second best. We could see Tatis Jr. in 2019, and he heads a strong San Diego farm system. Meanwhile, Shields had a 5.31 ERA in parts of three seasons for Chicago.

                       Prediction
The Padres are a young team. They added a star in Machado, but they still have a weak rotation and their bullpen is a work in progress. The Padres are likely to finish near the bottom of the NL West in 2019.

Joe Musgrove. Photo from the Post-Gazette

               This offseason couldn\’t have been bad for Pirates fans. Well, not as bad as it was last year. The Pirates made two necessary but tough trades, dealing face of the franchise Andrew McCutchen and ace Gerrit Cole. But, on a positive note, the team had a winning record. The Pirates can keep themselves in games, but they don\’t have the team that others in their division have.

                Offseason additions: RHP Jordan Lyles, OF Lonnie Chisenhall, INF Erik Gonzalez, RHP Brandon Maurer, LHP Fransisco Liriano, OF Melky Cabrera, OF JB Scuck, LHP Tyler Lyons, INF Nick Franklin

                Offseason subtractions: RHP Ivan Nova, INF Josh Harrison, SS Jordy Mercer, UT Sean Rodriguez, Max Moroff, Jordan Luplow

                Rotation
The Pirates had two 14 win pitchers last year, a rare feat for them. It hadn\’t happened for them since 1978. Those two pitchers were Jameson Taillon and Trevor Williams, the former establishing himself as the Pirates\’ ace. Taillon and Williams had a 3.20 and 3.11 ERA, respectively, though both struck out far less than their innings pitched. The Pirates acquired Chris Archer at last year\’s deadline for two of their best prospects, Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows, who were both MLB ready, and 2017 first rounder Shane Baz. The trade doesn\’t seem to work out for them yet, as Archer struggled struggled in 10 starts after the trade. Archer has\’t had a truly dominant season since 2015, but was an all-star in 2017. Joe Musgrove, acquired in the Cole trade, made just 19 starts last year, but wasn\’t bad in them. Jordan Lyles, signed after opening eyes in the bullpen with Milwaukee late last season, is the favorite for the 5th spot. Nick Kingham, who made 15 starts last year as a rookie, also has a chance.

                 Bullpen
Felipe Vazquez made his first all star team, but his ERA rose just over a full run to a 2.70. He made 37 saves with 89 strikeouts in 70 innings. Along with acquiring Archer last deadline, the Pirates also brought in Keone Kela. Kela, Texas\’ closer at the time, was good in 16 games after the trade. In his rookie season at age 28, Richard Rodriguez\’s strikeout and innings pitched were the same as Vazquez\’s, and he had a lower ERA. The fourth of a quartet of promising relievers for the Pirates is Kyle Crick, a product of the McCutchen trade. Crick had a 2.39 ERA in 64 games last year. Both Chad Kuhl and Edgar Santana, who could have put significant bullpen innings in this year, will miss the season with Tommy John surgery. lefty Steven Brault and righty Nick Kingham can start and come in relief, but they will be in the bullpen to start the season. Another part of the Cole trade, Michael Feliz, won\’t make the 2019 team after a disappointing 2018. The only two other pitchers on the 40 man left are Nick Burdi and Dovydas Neveraukas, but I\’d rather pencil in former Pirates ace Fransisco Liriano and former Padres closer Brandon Maurer in.

                     Catching
2018 will likely be Fransisco Cervelli final season with the Pirates. He could be traded later this season, because he will be a free agent after the season. Cervelli had career highs in homers (12) and OPS (.809) last year. As the backup catcher, Elias Diaz hit 10 home runs with a .286 average. He\’ll likely be the catcher when/if Cervelli leaves. He will start the season hurt, though, so Jacob Stallings, the only other catcher on the 40-man, will be the backup until then.

                       Infield
First baseman Josh Bell had so much potential last year, coming off of a 26 home run season. But, his power checked out, as he hit just 12 home runs, and hit .261. With second baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jordy Mercer both signing in Detroit, two spots have been opened. Adam Frazier, who had a .798 OPS last year, will play at second. Light-hitting shortstop prospect Kevin Newman got a taste of MLB action last year, but struggled. In a four player minor league player trade, the Pirates acquired Erik Gonzalez, Fransisco Lindor\’s backup in Cleveland. Gonzalez will likely play short. Colin Moran, the main part of the Cole trade, was decent in his first Pirates season. But, he is rivaled at third by Jung Ho Kang. Kang has played in just three games over the last two seasons due to legal issues, visa issues, and injury issues. But a strong Spring Training could have him as Opening Day\’s third baseman.

                          Outfield
Gregory Polanco led the team last year with a mere 23 home runs, but he will miss at least the first month. Until then, Lonnie Chisenhall will take up right field duties. Chisenhall, a former Pirates draft pick that never signed with the team, hit .321 in 29 games for Cleveland last year. He has a .747 career OPS over eight seasons. Starling Marte hit 20 home runs and stole 33 bases, and enters 2019 as the best hitter on the team. In his first season in Pittsburgh, Corey Dickerson went from defensive liability to Gold Glove winner. He hit just 13 home runs last year, but hit .300 with a .804 OPS.

                           Bench
Due to Diaz\’s injury, Stallings will start the season as the backup catcher. Assuming Kang is the third baseman, Moran will be on the bench. Newman will as well. He hit .209 in 31 games last year. Jose Osuna has played both corner infield and outfield spots over his two year career.

                           Lineup
2B Adam Frazier
CF Starling Marte
LF Corey Dickerson
1B Josh Bell
C Fransisco Cervelli
3B Jung Ho Kang
RF Lonnie Chisenhall
SS Erik Gonzalez

                            Rotation
Jameson Taillon (R)
Trevor Williams (R)
Chris Archer (R)
Joe Musgrove (R)
Jordan Lyles (R)

                             Bullpen
Felipe Vazquez (L)
Keone Kela (R)
Richard Rodriguez (R)
Kyle Crick (R)
Steven Brault (L)
Nick Kingham (R)
Fransisco Liriano (L)
Brandon Maurer (R)

                               Bench
C Jacob Stallings
UT Jose Osuna
3B Colin Moran
SS Kevin Newman

                                Additional Information
Ballpark: PNC Park
Manager: Clint Hurdle
GM: Neal Huntington
World Series Championships: 5
2018 record: 82-79

                                Steal of the Decade
The Pirates\’ closer, Mark Melancon, was a free agent at the end of 2016. They traded him to the Nationals for Felipe Vazquez (then Felipe Rivero) and Taylor Hearn. In parts of three season with Pittsburgh, Vazquez has a 2.35 ERA, with with 58 saves and a 11.3 K/9. While Melancon was what Washington needed and Hearn hasn\’t played in the majors yet, this trade gifted the Pirates their best reliever, and he was just 24.

                                Prediction
The Pirates have a decent team. But, in a very strong NL Central that could see every team finish over .500, the Pirates don\’t have a great playoff chance.

Seranthony Dominguez

            The Philadelphia Phillies entered August 1st in the NL East, and on August 7th had a 64-49 record. Over the next two months, the Phillies completely collapsed, and didn\’t even finish over .500. With the NL East getting stronger, the Phillies adapted, and brought in stars in the infield, outfield, and in the bullpen. The Phillies\’ lineup is stacked, and if a young rotation and bullpen can adapt to the big leagues, then the Phillies will succeed.

             Offseason additions: OF Bryce Harper, C JT Realmuto, SS Jean Segura, RHP David Robertson, OF Andrew McCutchen, RHP Juan Nicasio, LHP James Pazos, LHP Jose Alvarez, UT Sean Rodriguez, C Drew Butera, OF Lane Adams, OF Shane Robinson, UT Andrew Romine, INF Gift Ngoepe, INF Phil Gosselin, C Rob Brantly

            Offseason subtractions: 1B Carlos Santana, C Jorge Alfaro, SS JT Crawford, C Wilson Ramos, INF Asdrubal Cabrera, RHP Luis Garcia

            Rotation
Aaron Nola transformed from ace to superstar in one year, with a 2.37 ERA, 224 strikeouts and a 3.01 FIP in 212.1 innings. That had him finish third in NL Cy Young voting. Jake Arrieta disappointed in his first Philly season, with a career low 7.2 K/9 rate and a 3.96 ERA in 31 starts. Nola and Arrieta have both proven themselves as pitchers, unlike the remainder of the rotation. Vince Velasquez was so promising in 2016. His strikeouts were still there in 2018, but his ERA rose to 4.85, which was actually better than the 5.13 he had in 2017. Zach Eflin showed promising numbers in his first full season, though he pitched in just 24 games (all starts). Nick Pivetta had a very high 4.77 ERA, especially for a qualifier, but his 10.3 K/9 rate still has people excited for the pitcher entering his age 26 season. Jerad Eickhoff started just one game last year because of a mix of injuries, but is still an available spot starter if healthy.

              Bullpen
What the Phillies were lacking last year was a true closer. Hector Neris was the closer in 2017, and started 2018 in that role, but was so inconsistent that he was sent to the minors. Seranthony Dominguez was the primary closer while Neris was gone, and had a very good rookie season, striking out 74 in 58 innings. I say primary closer because manager Gabe Kapler scrambled his relievers, with nine different pitchers recording saves, with seven of them returning. David Robertson was signed, and could put more of an order into the bullpen. Robertson has a 2.88 ERA and 137 saves over his 11 year career. After those three, it is an eight way race for five spots. Both Victor Arano and Edubray Ramos excelled last year in an extended period of time. Lefty Alex Morgan had a career season, as did fellow lefties James Pazos and Jose Alvarez, acquired in trades. Veteran righties Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek return. Acquired in the Pazos trade was Juan Nicasio, who struggled last year but has a decent history. All of struggled in a very short amount of spring time, except Hunter, who hasn\’t played to due to an injury. That could put him out of the conversation, and though he was really good last year, allowing 17 runs in three innings can\’t help Arano.

                Catching
The Phillies ended last year with two good catchers in Wilson Ramos and rookie Jorge Alfaro. Both are now gone. Ramos left in free agency, and Alfaro was traded. But, he was traded for JT Realmuto, the league\’s best catcher. Realmuto hit .277 with 21 home runs last year. Andrew Knapp is the backup.

                Infield
One of the Phillies top prospects entering 2018 was Scott Kingery, a utility infielder who failed to due much. Another utility infielder, Cesar Hernandez, was much better, with 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases, solidifying the second base job. The Phillies traded first baseman Carlos Santana for shortstop Jean Segura. That was so Rhys Hoskins can move back to first, his natural position. Hoskins hit 34 home runs last year. Segura hit .304 with 10 homers and 20 steals last year. Kingery can play second and third, and can see time at third base. The third baseman is Maikel Franco, who is inconsistent at times, but still finished 2018 with 22 home runs.

               Outfield
The Phillies were reportedly interested in slugger Bryce Harper all offseason, and eventually signed him. It was a 13 year, $330 million deal, which was the highest of all time but won\’t be for even a month, as Mike Trout reportedly got $100 million more than that. Harper is a former MVP winner, and hit 34 home runs last year. The team also signed Andrew McCutchen, another former MVP. But, McCutchen is declining and hit just 20 home runs last year. Center field is Odubel Herrera\’s. Herrera hit 22 home runs last year. Harper takes the spot of Nick Williams, who hit 17 home runs last year. Aaron Altherr had a breakout 2017 but was terrible in 2018 and wasn\’t getting much playing time. Speedy outfielder Roman Quinn also will get some time.

              Bench
This part will be very short, since the Phillies bench has already been mentioned. Knapp is the backup catcher, with Kingery as the backup infielder, and Altherr and Williams in the outfield.

              Lineup
2B Cesar Hernandez
SS Jean Segura
RF Bryce Harper
1B Rhys Hoskins
C JT Realmuto
3B Maikel Franco
LF Andrew McCutchen
CF Odubel Herrera

              Rotation
Aaron Nola (R)
Jake Arrieta (R)
Nick Pivetta (R)
Zach Eflin (R)
Vince Velasquez (R)

              Bullpen
David Robertson (R)
Hector Neris (R)
Seranthony Dominguez (R)
Pat Neshek (R)
James Pazos (L)
Edubray Ramos (R)
Adam Morgan (L)
Victor Arano (R)

               Bench
C Andrew Knapp
INF Scott Kingery
OF Aaron Altherr
OF Nick Williams

              Additional Information
Ballpark: Citizens Bank Park
Manager: Gabe Kapler
GM: Matt Klentak
World Series Championships: 2
2018 record: 80-82

               Steal of the Decade
The Phillies acquired both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee recently, but were both just out of the 2010s. They don\’t have a real steal right now, but there is two players that could turn into steals. Both are part of their current rotation. In the first one, the Phillies parted with longtime shortstop Jimmy Rollins, sending him to LA for Zach Eflin. In the second trade, closer Jonathan Papelbon went to Washington for Nick Pivetta. Eflin pitched in 128 innings in 2018, and had a 4.36 ERA, both career highs. Pivetta did have a 4.77 ERA, but qualified for the ERA title with 164 innings pitched, and struck out 188 batters. Meanwhile, Papelbon faltered with the Nats, with a 3.84 ERA in parts of two seasons, and his 4.37 ERA in 2016, which ended up as his final MLB season, was by far the worst of his career. Trading Rollins was tough. He won the MVP for them in 2007 and was a key part of the World Series winning 2008 team. In 15 years, he never stole less than 17 bases, and that season, 2010, he played in just 88 games. But in his one season in LA, he stole 12, hit .224 and hit 13 home runs, though the latter wasn\’t bad considering Rollins\’ numbers in his final Philly season. Both Eflin and Pivetta will be key rotation arms for the 2019 Phillies.

              Prediction
The Phillies were good last year. At least before August. Adding players like Harper, Realmuto, McCutchen, Segura and Robertson helps their team. As of now, the Phillies are the favorites in the East. 

Yusmeiro Petit

                 Every die-hard baseball fan knows about moneyball, the book and movie based on the Oakland Athletics of the early 2000s. Well, A\’s fans almost got a moneyball sequel this season, when the A\’s surprised everybody by making it to the playoffs. They were built off of a strong bullpen and two star corner infielders. The A\’s enter 2019 as playoff contenders, but they are far back of some of the teams in the league.

                 Offseason additions: INF Jurickson Profar, RHP Marco Estrada, RHP Joakim Soria, OF Robbie Grossman, C Nick Hundley, LHP Jerry Blevins

                 Offseason subtractions: INF Jed Lowrie, C Jonathan Lucroy, RHP Jeurys Familia, RHP Trevor Cahill, OF Matthew Joyce, RHP Edwin Jackson, RHP Emilio Pagan, RHP Kendall Graveman, RHP Santiago Castilla, LHP Danny Coulombe, RHP Chris Hatcher

                 Rotation
The biggest question mark going into the wild card game last year and now into 2019 was the Oakland rotation. Sean Manaea was the ace of the rotation, with a 3.59 ERA in 27 starts, but missed most of the second half due to shoulder surgery, which will also limit him this year until after the all-star break. 2018 trade deadline acquisition Mike Fiers was brought back, after allowing 22 runs in 53 innings (3.74 ERA) with the team. Marco Estrada has had two horrid seasons in a row with Toronto, and signed with Oakland this offseason. But, his first two seasons in Canada, 2015 and 2016, were very good. They are the only definites. Rotation candidates Paul Blackburn, Daniel Mengden, Andrew Triggs and Daniel Gossett won\’t make the team (Gossett is hurt, the other three were optioned). Veteran lefty Brett Anderson struggled in 17 starts last year, and on average, didn\’t make it to the fifth inning. Chris Bassitt is the favorite for the fourth spot. He had a 3.02 ERA in 11 games (seven starts) last year. The fifth spot will likely go to the bullpen, as the A\’s have jumped on the opener bandwagon. They used Liam Hendriks to start games, and did that in the wild card game. Frankie Montas (who could also make real starts), Hendriks, and maybe even Lou Trivino, who started one game, could get opener duties. We could also see 21 year old top prospect Jesus Luzardo sometime this year.

                   Bullpen
The A\’s got to the playoffs mainly because of their bullpen. While Jeurys Familia went back to the Mets, the A\’s brought in Joakim Soria as the set-up man. Soria has closed for many teams, including Chicago for the first half of 2018 before a trade to Milwaukee. Another man who has closed for multiple teams, Fernando Rodney, re-signed after a 3.92 ERA for the A\’s last year. Rodney enters this season at age 42, and has played for seven different teams since the start of 2015. Closer Blake Treinen didn\’t just save 38 games. He struck out 100 batters in 80.1 innings, with a 0.78 ERA. That 0.78 ERA was the best in history for a pitcher with at least 80 innings pitched. But, it rivals his teammate, Rodney, who in 2012 had a 0.60 ERA in 74.2 innings, and finished 5th in Cy Young voting as a reliever. Treinen finished sixth. Yusmeiro Petit was a workhorse, with a 3.00 ERA in 74 games, and 93 innings. Lou Trivino had a very impressive rookie season, with a 2.92 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 74 innings. Lefty Ryan Buchter stranded 93.33% of inherited runners in 2018, which was highest in the league for pitchers that inherited at least 30 runners. But Buchter, who pitched in just 39.1 innings in 54 games last year, will be hurt by the 3 batters rule in 2020. The final spots go to Montas and Hendriks, who are openers and relievers. Ryan Dull has been on the team since 2015, and JB Wendelken had a 0.54 ERA in 13 games last year.

                    Catching
The A\’s have just one catcher on their 40-man currently. It is Josh Phegley, Oakland\’s backup catcher with a .255 OBP in each of his last two seasons. Nick Hundley is in camp on a minor league deal. He has hit 39 home runs over the last four seasons as a backup catcher, which is good. He\’s an upgrade compared to Phegley.

                     Infield
The A\’s were powered by their young corner infielders, Matt Chapman and Matt Olsen. They both won Gold Gloves, had an OPS over .800, and hit well over 20 home runs. Second baseman Jed Lowrie is gone, but in comes Jurickson Profar, who hit 20 home runs in a breakout 2018. Shortstop Marcus Semien went from defensive liability to Gold Glove finalist, and hit 15 home runs with 14 SBs. Franklin Barreto is the backup.

                      Outfield
Stephen Piscotty hit 27 home runs in his first season in Oakland. Center field goes to Ramon Laureano, whose defensive play last year caught many\’s eyes. The wild card\’s starting left fielder was Nick Martini, who will miss the first month. Power hitting outfielder Mark Canha will play left in the present.

                      DH/Bench
No surprises, Khris Davis once again hit .247. But Oakland fans will be more focused on his 48 home runs, a career high. He is one of the few guarantees for 40 home runs in the majors. Chad Pinder can play seven positions, and hit 13 home runs last year. Also on the bench is Barreto, Phegley and Robbie Grossman, an outfielder with a .751 OPS for Minny last year.

                      Lineup
SS Marcus Semien
RF Stephen Piscotty
1B Matt Olsen
DH Khris Davis
3B Matt Chapman
2B Jurickson Profar
LF Mark Canha
CF Ramon Laureano
C Nick Hundley

                        Rotation
Mike Fiers (R)
Marco Estrada (R)
Brett Anderson (L)
Chris Bassitt (R)
Frankie Montas (R)

                        Bullpen
Blake Treinen (R)
Joakim Soria (R)
Fernando Rodney (R)
Yusmeiro Petit (R)
Lou Trivino (R)
Ryan Buchter (L)
Liam Hendriks (R)

                       Bench
C Josh Phegley
UT Chad Pinder
OF Robbie Grossman
INF Franklin Barreto

                       Additional Information
Ballpark: Oakland Coliseum
Manager: Bob Melvin
GM: David Forst
World Series Championships: 9
2018 record: 97-65

                      Steal of the Decade
Looking for bullpen help, the Washington Nationals acquired Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from the A\’s for Blake Treinen, Jesus Luzardo and Sheldon Neuse. While Madson was ok with Washington and Doolittle is still their current closer, the return is what matters. Treinen had one of the best seasons ever for a reliever, with a 0.78 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. While Luzardo and Neuse haven\’t made the MLB yet, Luzardo is Oakland\’s top prospect, and the MLB\’s top left handed pitching prospect. He can make an impact this year.

                      Prediction
The A\’s have a decent team. But, not a great team. They aren\’t a favorite in the American League, and are apart of a race for the wild card spot.