CarterHud

                 In another rebuilding season, the Oakland Athletics finished last in the AL West with a 75-87 record, obviously missing the playoffs. They didn\’t have that many pieces to move, besides 1B Ryon Healy. But, as rebuilders, there is always something to do. Let\’s take a look at the A\’s offseason.

                Notable additions: C Jonathan Lucroy, OF Stephen Piscotty, LHP Ryan Buchter, RHP Trevor Cahill, LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Emilio Pagan, OF Slade Heathcott, INF Steve Lombardozzi.

                 Notable subtractions: 1B/3B Ryon Healy, OF Rajai Davis, OF Jaycob Brugman, RHPs  Jesse Hahn, John Axford.

                What they did well: The Lucroy signing was a steal. So was the Piscotty trade, but it was a dump off for St. Louis.

                What they did bad: They got fleeced in the Healy trade. I know he didn\’t have a spot, but they could\’ve gotten more for him.

                 Sneaky sleeper: Right from L.A., Yusmeiro Petit had one of his best years yet with the Angels last season. Petit had a 2.76 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 91.1 innings. Those stats look more like a dominant starter (that was injured) than a reliever. He\’s already one of their top relievers.

                 Incoming outbreak: After a midseason call-up, Matt Chapman had a decent season, hitting 14 homers, but yielding a .234 average. That was just in 290 ABs. With Healy gone, Chapman will be the opening day third baseman. Chapman can really break out in 2018. Watch out for Matt Olsen as well. He has a very similar story to Chapman, and can also breakout.

                   Unsuspected slump: After a mediocre 2016 got him kicked out of San Fransisco, Santiago Castilla had an even worse 2017. With a 4.27 ERA in 59 innings, the now 37 year old isn\’t as effective as before. Castilla isn\’t closer material, and is barely a decent middle reliever.

                    Blue-chip Bopper: Even though his 195 strikeouts are ugly, Khris Davis still hit 43 homers and drove in 110 runs in 2017. A move to full-time DH will help him focus more on his hitting. That will make him more dangerous.

                    Astounding ace: This is more like spot a random pitcher. I\’ll spot Kendall Graveman, who had an average 4.19 ERA. But, since Sonny Gray is a Yankee, the A\’s don\’t have anything better. 

                Here is the A\’s projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 CF Dustin Fowler (L)
 2B Jed Lowrie (S)
 DH Khris Davis (R)
 C Jonathan Lucroy (R)
 1B Matt Olsen (L)
 3B Matt Chapman (R)
 RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
 SS Marcus Semien (R)
 LF Mark Canha (R)

                     Here\’s their rotation.

 RHP Kendall Graveman
 RHP Trevor Cahill
 LHP Sean Manaea
 RHP Andrew Triggs
 RHP Paul Blackburn
 LHP Brett Anderson

     Blake Treinen (R) is their closer, with Ryan Dull (R), Dan Coulombe (L), Santiago Castilla (R), Ryan Buchter (L), Liam Hendriks (R) and Yusmeiro Petit (R) in the bullpen.

     C Bruce Maxwell (R), 2B Chad Pinder (R) and OF Matt Joyce (L) are on the bench.

     Finally, for my prediction, I think the A\’s, a developing team, will miss the playoffs in 2018.

               With help from Rookie of the Year winner and MVP runner-up Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees finished 2nd in the AL East with a 91-71 record, which was good enough for the first Wild card spot. After beating the Minnesota Twins in that game and the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS, the Yanks fell to the Houston Astros in the ALCS. Needing to add, the Yanks had a productive offseason. Let\’s take a look at it.

                 Notable additions: OF Giancarlo Stanton, 3B Brandon Drury, 2B Neil Walker, LHP Wade LeBlanc, INF Jace Pederson, OF Shane Robinson.

                 Notable subtractions: 2B Starlin Castro, DH Matt Holliday, 3B Todd Frazier, LHP Jaime Garcia, 1B Garrett Cooper, RHP Michael Pineda, LHP Caleb Smith, 3B Chase Headley, RHP Bryan Mitchell, OF Mason Williams, 1B Ji-Man Choi.

                What they did well: Giancarlo Stanton

                What they did bad: Frazier should of been re-signed, but traded for Drury instead, but that\’s okay because Drury is much younger.

                Sneaky Sleeper: One of baseball\’s best relievers, Chad Green had his first full season in the bullpen in 2017 (he gets credit for one spot start early in the season, but it was only about 2 innings of work for him). Green struck out 103 batters in 2017 in just 69 innings, allowing just 14 runs in that time (1.83 ERA). They considered moving him to the rotation in 2018, but it won\’t happen for now. Green is really good, and not everyone knows it.

               Incoming outbreak: If I told you to name one player who blossomed with the Yankees after an Arizona stint, you\’d name Didi Gregorius. The same thing could happen to Brandon Drury. Featured in a late offseason three team trade, Drury hit 13 homers and had a .267 average in 2017, I\’d say about league average. Maybe a change of scenery to a better team could help him.

               Unsuspected slump: This will hurt to say as a Yankee fan, but their fourth best reliever is Dellin Betances. It goes David Robertson, Green, Aroldis Chapman, then Betances. Betancces has had late season troubles in his career, and struggled in the postseason. His stats show a career 2.29 ERA, and a 14.4 K/9. His postseason numbers show a 4.76 ERA, and though he still strikes guys out, his ERA has risen the last two seasons. I think he\’s just slightly overrated.

               Blue-chip Bopper: Though Stanton led the league in homers and was the NL MVP, Aaron Judge is still the team\’s best player. Judge hit 52 homers in his rookie season, and still maintained a .422 OBP. Judge is one of the best players out there.

                 Astounding ace: In his big breakout season, Luis Severino rebounded big in 2017, with a 2.98 ERA and 230 strikeouts, and finished third in CY Young voting. One of baseball\’s youngest aces, Severino still has many years to dominate.

             Here\’s the Yankees\’ projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 LF Brett Gardner (L)
 RF Aaron Judge (R)
 DH Giancarlo Stanton (R)
 SS Didi Gregorius (L)
 C Gary Sanchez (R)
 1B Greg Bird (L)
 CF Aaron Hicks (S)
 2B Neil Walker (S)
 3B Brandon Drury (R)

                Here\’s their projected rotation.

 RHP Luis Severino
 RHP Masahiro Tanaka
 LHP C.C. Sabathia
 RHP Sonny Gray
 LHP Jordan Montgomery

  Aroldis Chapman (L) is their closer, with Chad Green (R), David Robertson (R), Dellin Betances (R), Tommy Kahnle (R), Adam Warren (R), Chasen Shreve (L) and Domingo German (R) are in the bullpen.

 C Austin Romine (R), 2B Tyler Wade (L) and INF Ronald Torreyes (R) are on the bench.

   Finally, for my prediction, I think the Yankees, a rising but very good team, will make the playoffs in 2018.

            In a season hurt drastically by injuries, the New York Mets finished 4th in the NL East with a 70-92 record, missing the playoffs. With the Marlins and Braves falling and the Phillies rising, plus the Nats keeping their powerhouse status, the Mets had some work to do. Let\’s take a look at what they did this offseason.

             Notable additions: 3B Todd Frazier, RHP Anthony Swarzak, LHP Jason Vargas, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, OF Jay Bruce, C Jose Lobaton, OF Matt den Dekker.

             Notable subtractions: LHP Josh Smoker, RHP Chasen Bradford, OF Nori Aoki, LHP Josh Edgin.

             What they did well: They overpayed for Swarzak, but they still got good deals on Vargas, Bruce and Frazier. It\’s a win for them.

             What they did bad: There was nothing bad to do, since everyone was shipped out at the deadline.

             Sneaky sleeper: In 2017, it was clear who their best left handed pitcher was. It was Jerry Blevins, who had a 2.94 ERA in 49 innings, striking out 69. It\’s not amazing, but neither was this Mets team.

                Incoming outbreak: With an injury to Michael Conforto (the reason him and Jason Vargas aren\’t in the projected roster below), Brandon Nimmo will get his big shot. He will probably be the starting LF, and his .379 OBP last year shows he can start.

                Unsuspected slump: With more injury issues, Steven Matz struggled again in 2017, with a 6.08 ERA in 66.2 innings. Matz is 26, so this season is a make-or-break one for him. He needs to make something good happen.

               Blue-chip Bopper: Since his 2015 trade to the Mets, Yoenis Cespedes has been outstanding for the team, with a .285 batting average and 65 homers in 1000 ABs exactly. He\’s been their best hitter in that span.

                Astounding ace: Since Noah Syndergaard missed most of 2017, Jacob DeGrom goes here. DeGrom was just about the only good Mets pitcher in 2017, with a 3.53 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 201.1 innings. That\’s definitely ace material.

                 Here\’s the Mets projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 LF Brandon Nimmo (L)
 2B Asdrubal Cabrera (S)
 CF Yoenis Cespedes (R)
 RF Jay Bruce (L)
 3B Todd Frazier (R)
 1B Dominic Smith (L)
 SS Amed Rosario (R)
 C Kevin Plawecki (R)
 Pitcher

                      Here\’s their rotation

 RHP Jacob DeGrom
 RHP Noah Syndergaard
 LHP Steven Matz
 RHP Matt Harvey
 RHP Zack Wheeler
 RHP Robert Gsellman

        Jeurys Familia (R) is their closer, with AJ Ramos (R), Jerry Blevins (L), Paul Sewald (R), Anthony Swarzak (R), Seth Lugo (R) and Rafael Montero (R) in the bullpen.

       C Travis d\’Arnaud (R), INF Jose Reyes (S), CF Juan Lagares (R), INF Wilmer Flores (R) and 1B Adrian Gonzalez (L) are on the bench.

        Finally, for my prediction, I think the Mets, a falling team, will miss the playoffs in 2018.

              In 2017. the Minnesota Twins surprised everybody by making the playoffs in the Wild Card game, by finishing 2nd in the AL Central with an 85-77 record. But, they were eliminated by the New York Yankees in the Wild Card game. With the team now established as contenders, the Twins had some work to do this offseason. Let\’s take a look at what they did.

             Notable additions: RHP Lance Lynn, RHP Addison Reed, RHP Fernando Rodney, RHP Jake Odorizzi, 1B Logan Morrison, LHP Zach Duke, RHP Michael Pineda, OF Jake Cave, INF Erick Aybar, OF Chris Heisey, C Bobby Wilson.

            Notable subtractions: RHP Bartolo Colon, RHP Matt Belisle, LHP Hector Santiago, RHP Dillon Gee, DH Kennys Vargas, C Chris Gimenez, LHP Glen Perkins.

             What they did well: They had one of the best offseasons in the league with one of the most boring offseasons happening around them. Plus, they got Lynn, Reed and Morrison, who were projected to get big multiyear deals at the beginning of winter, for cheap deals. It was good for them in many ways.

               What they did bad: Nothing, really. They just got unsexier with their most notable subtraction.

                Sneaky Sleeper: Truthfully one of their best players, Eddie Rosario had an insane season in 2017, with a .290 batting average and 27 homers. But, everyone will always just look at Byron Buxton, and forget about Rosario.

                Incoming outbreak:After securing himself the starting SS spot, Jorge Polanco had a decent season, stealing 13 bases, hitting .256 and knocking in 74 batters. The 24 year old can have a big breakout campaign this year.

                Unsuspected slump: Despite a really good first year in Minnesota, Phil Hughes\’ next three seasons, and especially his last two, have been a monstrosity. Hughes hasn\’t pitched over 60 innings in them, and has an ERA in the 5.80-90 range. Hughes might not even make their rotation.

               Astounding ace: In 2017, Ervin Santana showed everyone he was still good. In 211.1 innings, Santana struck out 167, and had a 3.28 ERA. Really, really good for a 35 year old. He\’s not in my projected rotation due to an injury, but he\’ll be back eventually.

                Blue-chip Bopper: Through his Minnesota days, Brian Dozier has escaped all the trade rumors, and is still in the twin cities today. Dozier hit 34 homers. stole 16 bases and still hit .271. He\’s baseball\’s 2nd best 2nd baseman, which is kind of fitting for #2 on the Twins.

                Here\’s the Twins projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 CF Byron Buxton (R)
 2B Brian Dozier (R)
 3B Miguel Sano (R)
 LF Eddie Rosario (L)
 1B Joe Mauer (L)
 DH Logan Morrison (L)
 RF Max Kepler (L)
 C Jason Castro (L)
 SS Jorge Polanco (S)

             Here\’s their rotation

 RHP Jose Berrios
 RHP Lance Lynn
 RHP Jake Odorizzi
 RHP Kyle Gibson
 LHP Albaderto Mejia

  Fernando Rodney (R) is their closer, with Addison Reed (R), Zach Duke (L), Ryan Pressly (R), Taylor Rogers (L), Tyler Duffey (R) and Trevor Hildenberger (R) in the bullpen.

  INF Eduardo Escobar (S), C Mitch Garver (R), OF Robbie Grossman (S) and OF Zack Granite (L) are on the bench.

 Finally, for my prediction, I think the Twins, a good team, will contend for a Wild Card spot but ultimately miss the playoffs.

             After surprising the entire league and finishing second in the NL Central with an 86-76 record, the Milwaukee Brewers still missed the playoffs. But, determined for more, they had some work to do. Let\’s take a look at what they did this offseason.

               Notable additions: OF Christian Yelich, CF Lorenzo Cain, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, RHP Matt Albers, RHP Yovani Gallardo, LHP Boone Logan, LHP Wade Miley, RHP Ernesto Frieri, RHP J.J. Hoover, 1B Ji-Man Choi.

                Notable subtractions: OF Lewis Brinson, 2B Neil Walker, RHP Matt Garza, RHP Carlos Torres, RHP Jared Hughes, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Wily Peralta, RHP Michael Blazek.

                Sneaky Sleeper: Until the time of this writing, I didn\’t know about how good the year Chase Anderson had was. Anderson was third on the team in innings pitched, and led all starters with a 2.74 ERA. His 8.5 strikeout/9 isn\’t too bad either.

                 Incoming outbreak: A call-up sparked excellence for Josh Hader, who had a 2.08 ERA and 68 strikeouts in just 47.2 innings. At 23, that\’s pretty good. Expect Hader to really breakout this year.

                   Unsuspected slump: With the acquisition of Cain and Yelich, plus no one\’s departure, a big jam has come. Face-of-the-franchise LF Ryan Braun might move to 1B, signaling an end for Eric Thames\’ Milwaukee days. Despite an insane start, Thames finished with a subpar .247 batting average. The acquisitions aren\’t good for him, unless there is a trade.

                      Blue-chip Bopper: straight out of Miami, Christian Yelich goes here. Yelich had a setback in 2017, with a .282 batting average, and 18 homers. Though, at least his OBP is still a very good .369. Yelich is a star, and now their future with Brinson traded for him.

                        Astounding ace: Well, with Jimmy Nelson injured til June, I\’ll just list Corey Knebel. Knebel took on the closing job mid-season, and was my reliever of the year. Knebel had a 1.78 ERA and struck out 126 batters in 76 innings! That is a 14.9 K/9! Knebel was insane, for both Milwaukee and my fantasy team.

                 Here\’s the Brewers projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 2B Jonathan Villar (S)
 CF Lorenzo Cain (R)
 LF Christian Yelich (L)
 1B Ryan Braun (R)
 3B Travis Shaw (L)
 RF Domingo Santana (R)
 C Stephen Vogt (L)
 SS Orlando Arcia (R)
 Pitcher

                      Here\’s their rotation.

 RHP Zach Davies
 RHP Chase Anderson
 RHP Jhoulys Chacin
 LHP Brent Suter
 RHP Yovani Gallardo

   Corey Knebel (R) is their closer, with Josh Hader (L), Jeremy Jeffres (R), Matt Albers (R), Oliver Drake (R), Junior Guerra (R), Brandon Woodruff (R) and Boone Logan (L) in the bullpen.

   U Hernan Perez, (R), CF Keon Broxton (R), 1B Eric Thames (L), 2B Eric Sogard (L) and C Many Pina (R) are on the bench.

   Finally, for my prediction, I think the Brewers, a rising team, will make the playoffs in 2018.