CarterHud

        This past offseason, the New York Islanders needed another star player in their lineup. They needed a winger who could score. So, they traded for Edmonton Oilers winger Jordan Eberle. But first, let\’s back up a little bit. Eberle, a now 27 year old Regina native, was drafted 22nd overall by the Oilers in the 2008 NHL draft. In the World Junior Championships, he played with Isles superstar John Tavares. Eberle had a very good career in Edmonton, scoring 165 goals and 217 assists for 382 points in 507 games. He reached 20 goals five times, and 30 once. As the Isles needed a winger, they acquired Eberle from the Oilers in exchange for Ryan Strome. In his first year in New York, Eberle has scored 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points in 64 games. In total, that\’s an NHL career of 187 goals and 241 assists for 428 points in 571 games.

          At teammate Anders Lee\’s kan jam event, I was able to talk with Jordan about getting the trade rumors past him, the team and more.

           Carter LaCorte (me): After being rumored in trade talks for over a year, what was it like for that to finally end this summer?

           Jordan Eberle: Yeah, for sure. I think with social media and everything being out and the open now, your name gets thrown around. I was excited to get traded to Long Island, and get a new opportunity and put that all behind me and start fresh.

            CL: You are the only one to play with Connor McDavid and Mat Barzal in the NHL. Is there any similarities in their game.

            JE: They are both very exceptional skaters. Connor [McDavid]\’s breakaway speed surpasses anyone in the league. [Mat] Barzal, right to left he\’s one of the top in the league. Coming out of junior, Connor was highly touted, probably a lot more than Mat. Mat\’s done very well this year. I think he\’s got a lot more to go.

             CL: Who do you think would win in a race between them?

              JE: That\’s a great question. I think I still have to go with Connor. Just because Mat\’s head is pretty big so I don\’t want to make it too big.

              CL: You seemed to struggle in your final year in Edmonton, but have played much better this season. Was that because of a change of scenery or a change in your game?

               JE: I think I\’ve had a lot more confidence playing here. I love playing here, I enjoy it. It\’s a fresh start, that\’s for sure. I think with the struggles last year and not playing and not the best [season]. I still had an okay production season, I scored 20 goals and 50 points but I consider myself a lot better than that. I\’ve enjoyed playing hockey here a little more.

                CL: The team has been outstanding on offense but has struggled on defense. How can the forwards help prevent more goals from scoring?

                JE: I think we can do a better job blocking shots, for sure. We\’ve struggled getting in [shooting] lanes, and have been giving up too many shots. It\’s that simple. That for sure and making right decisions and not turning pucks over.

                  CL: What\’s it like being here at Anders\’ kancer jam?

                   JE: It\’s a new experience for me. I\’m pretty excited. It\’s always great when you can mix fans in with something like this.

                   CL: If the NHL expands, and you could name the new team, what would you name it?

                   JE: First of all, I don\’t know where it would expand or what name. I probably would\’nt of named the Vegas team the Golden Knights, but they\’ve done well so far.

            In a very disappointing season, the Baltimore Orioles finished in last place in the AL East, with a 75-87 record. Only the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers finished with less wins in the AL (they tied with the A\’s). With their division top two teams getting more competitive (Red Sox and Yankees). To at least try to make their team better, GM Dan Duquette had his work cut out for him. Let\’s take a look at his most recent offseason.

            Notable additions: RHP Andrew Cashner, OF Colby Rasmus, OF Jaycob Brugman, C Andrew Susac, OF Alex Presley, RHP Jhan Marinez, LHP Josh Edgin.

            Notable subtractions: C Welington Castillo, OF Seth Smith, SS J.J. Hardy, LHP Wade Miley, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, RHPs Jeremy Hellickson, Tyler Wilson, INF Ryan Flaherty.

             What they did well: Cashner is a nice addition to a falling bullpen. They are also trying to trust the kids, and didn\’t add too much.

               What they did bad: They let Castillo walk without a substitution. He\’s a very good catcher. Unless Chance Sisco is ready to catch full time, their catching situation will look ugly with Caleb Joseph starting.

                Sneaky sleeper: You won\’t see too many middle relievers on these categories, but for the O\’s they have one, and a lefty at that. In just two seasons for the O\’s and Yankees, Richard Bleier has posted a 1.98 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. But, there is one thing about Bleier that puts him in a different category than other relievers. He doesn\’t strike guys out. In his 86.1 innings of MLB time, Bleier has just 39 strikeouts, for a pity 4.1 K/9 rate. Luckily, he\’s been able to get guys out other ways, and get past many people\’s eyes, including mine.

                   Incoming outbreak: He may or may not get many ABs in 2018, but with Smith\’s departure, OF Austin Hays could get a chance to be the opening day right fielder. If he can beat out Joey Rickard, plus non-roster invitees Jaycob Brugman and Colby Rasmus for it. Hays was a September call-up in 2017, but struggled in 60 ABs, with a .217 batting average and .238 OBP. Still, I have faith in Hays.

                     Unsuspected slump: With 26 homers in 2017, Chris Davis wasn\’t very effective, as his power numbers fell. We all know his contract was a bad one. If a guy has hit under .220 in the last two seasons combined, with over 400 strikeouts in that time, you know his numbers can\’t be too much more positive in one year.

                     Blue-chip Bopper: Once a top three third baseman, a move back to shortstop, his original position, makes Manny Machado now a top three shortstop. We all know he can play the position. His arm and defensive skills will back that up. Also, you know you\’re doing well when you\’ve hit over 100 homers and had a stable batting average in each of the last three seasons. Even with a career worst .259 mark in 2017, Machado is still a top infielder.

                        Astounding ace: With a really bad pitching staff, plus all-star closer Zach Britton to be injured for about the first half of the season, it\’s hard to find an ace here. I\’ll go with Kevin Gausman, right in his prime. Gausman had a setback year in 2017, with a 4.68 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 186.2 innings. But, his stellar 2016 suggest Gausman isn\’t too far away from leading a pitching staff, like he\’ll be forced to do in 2018.

       Here is the 2018 projected roster for the Baltimore Orioles, starting with their lineup.

 3B Tim Beckham (R)
 SS Manny Machado (R)
 1B Chris Davis (L)
 2B Jonathan Schoop (R)
 OF Adam Jones (R)
 DH Mark Trumbo (R)
 LF Trey Mancini (R)
 C Chance Sisco (L)
 RF Austin Hays (R)

           Here\’s their rotation.

 RHP Kevin Gausman
 RHP Dylan Bundy
 RHP Andrew Cashner
 RHP Chris Tillman
 RHP Alec Asher

  Brad Brach (R) is their closer, with Darren O\’Day (R), Donnie Hart (L), Richard Bleier (L), Mychal Givens (R), Miguel Castro (R) and Jimmy Yacabonis (R) also in the bullpen.

  OF Joey Rickard (R), C Caleb Joseph (R), OF Colby Rasmus (L) and INF Ruben Tejada (R) are on the bench.

 Finally, for my prediction, I thin the O\’s a right handed dominant team in a strong division, will not make the playoffs in 2018, and finish 4th in the East.

             In one of the worst divisions in baseball, minus the Washington Nationals, the Atlanta Braves finished 72-90, once again disappointing their fans. Even though superstar 1B Freddie Freeman showed MVP potential in the start of the season, an injury kept him out for the middle of the year. With Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies expected to get extended playing time, the Braves have a developing year ahead of them. Let\’s take a look at their offseason.

              Notable additions: RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Scott Kazmir, INF Charlie Culberson, RHP Peter Moylan, INF Christian Colon.

               Notable subtractions: OF Matt Kemp, 2B Brandon Phillips, 3B Adonis Garcia, 1B Matt Adams, INF Jace Peterson, U Emilio Bonifacio, RHP R.A. Dickey, LHP Ian Krol.

              What they did well: They unloaded the Kemp contract, but took on Kazmir\’s and Adrian Gonzalez (who was DFA\’d)\’s deals. The trade frees up more money for the future, but tighter on them now, when they don\’t need it as much.

               What they didn\’t do well: Their outgoing players, Kemp, Phillips and Garcia, weren\’t replaced by anyone. That means they are leaving it to the young guys, Acuna, Albies and Johan Camargo to get it done. I\’m surprised they didn\’t add a vet like Chase Utley to back up Camargo and Albies, plus a Jarrod Dyson or Rajai Davis to play, since Acuna will probably miss the first six weeks (thus is why he isn\’t on the projected roster below) so they can keep a year of arbitration on him.

                  Sneaky Sleeper: He may not even be starting on opening day, with a battle between him and Kurt Suzuki going on, but Tyler Flowers quietly had a fine 2017. In just 346 at bats, Flowers hit 14 homers, pretty good for a catcher. If given the starting job, Flowers could challenge twenty homers.

                  Incoming outbreak: There\’s two 21 year olds I considered putting here, so I\’ll put them both. As their second baseman, Ozzie Albies was decent as a 20 year old in a short 2017 stint. He hit .286 and stole eight bases in 244 Plate Appearances. One of two young guns expected to make the rotation, Luiz Gohara wasn\’t as good as Albies in 2017, with a 4.91 ERA in 29.1 innings. More innings, and Gohara will succeed.

                  Unsuspected slump: In his career, Nick Markakis has always been an iron man, playing in 1,839 games in his 11 year career. He played 147 games in his rookie year, and that is still the lowest amount of games he\’s ever played in. Plus, he\’s always had a good batting average, with the career mark standing at .288. But, he\’s lost his power. Most players also lose their ability to keep a high batting average as they age. Markakis might be one of those players this year.

                   Blue-chip Bopper: We all know the answer, I\’ll say it five times: Freddie Freeman, Freddie Freeman, Freddie Freeman, Freddie Freeman, oh, and Freddie Freeman. Freeman hit 28 homers and had a .307 batting average in just 440 at bats in 2017. He\’s arguably the second best first baseman in the league, behind Paul Goldschmidt.

                   Astounding ace: Despite a rough 2017 where he had a 4.49 ERA, and was a disappointment to my fantasy team, Julio Teheran is still their best starter by far. He has pitched at least 185 innings in each of the last five seasons. Not many starters can boast of that. He still has a career 3.59 ERA, after an ugly year.

                   Here is the Braves projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 CF Ender Inciarte (L)
 2B Ozzie Albies (S)
 1B Freddie Freeman (L)
 C Tyler Flowers (R)
 RF Nick Markakis (L)
 SS Dansby Swanson (R)
 3B Johan Carmago (S)
 LF Lane Adams (R)
 Pitcher

               Here is their rotation:
 RHP Julio Teheran
 RHP Mike Foltynewicz
 LHP Sean Newcomb
 LHP Luiz Gohara
 RHP Brandon McCarthy

  Arodys Vizcaino (R) is their closer, with Scott Kazmir (L), Peter Moylan (R), Aaron Blair (R) and Sam Freeman (L) also in the pen.

 C Kurt Suzuki (R), U Danny Santana (S), INF Charlie Culberson (R), 3B Rio Ruiz (L) and eventually OF Ronald Acuna (R) are on the bench.

 Finally, for my prediction, I think the Braves, a team on the rise, will not make the playoffs in 2018.

              In 2017, the Arizona Diamondbacks finished with a record of 93-69, and they ended up running away with the 1st wild card spot in the National League, with a six game lead over the Colorado Rockies, who the D-Backs beat in that game. But, the Los Angeles Dodgers swept Arizona in the NLDS. With star rental J.D. Martinez heading free agency, like all rentals, GM Mike Hazen had some moves to make. Let\’s take a look at what the D-backs did last offseason.

             Notable additions: OF Steven Souza, RHP Yoshihisa Hirano, OF Jarrod Dyson, C Alex Avila, RHP Brad Boxberger, LHP Antonio Bastardo, RHPs Neftali Feliz, Michael Blazek, Kris Medlen, Fernando Salas, OF Ramon Flores.

             Notable subtractions: OF J.D. Martinez, INF Brandon Drury, C Chis Iannetta, RHPs Fernando Rodney, J.J. Hoover, RHP David Hernandez, OF Gregor Blanco, INF Adam Rosales, LHP Anthony Banda.

              What they did well in the offseason: They didn\’t try to replace Martinez with an overpayment of Martinez or someone else. Avila and Souza might hit less homers combined in 2018 than Martinez, but with an already completed outfield, and no DH, it\’s understandable to let him walk. Also, the Added some relievers looking for redemption to minor league deals. See: Bastardo, Blazek, and especially Feliz and Medlen. Those are guys who could break the opening day roster. Hirano is coming from Japan, and should be a better closer than Rodney was.

              What they did bad: Not much. It would be nice to re-sign Martinez, but spending over $100 million for a guy when you already have your team set isn\’t worth it. It was a smart pass.

               Sneaky Sleeper: Expected to be the fifth starter with Shelby Miller still recovering with Tommy John surgery, Zack Godley had an underrated 2017, with a 3.37 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 155 innings. If he can get enough innings and stay healthy, Godley can be a good 5th starter for them.

               Uncalled for choke (it\’s the first preview, give me a break): After a very successful 2016, Yasmany Tomas hit just .241, and a .294 OBP. Entering his prime, I still don\’t think Tomas will come close to the 31 homers he hit in 2016. Plus, the addition of Souza could limit his playing time.

               Incoming outbreak (give me time to work on these names): Ketel Marte didn\’t play too much in the first half, but an increase in second half games led him to a still light 255 Plate Appearances. His .345 OBP is something he\’ll look to keep going. Even though he has a career .265 batting average, he has a very good career .314 BABIP. That is a stat that can be great one year, and be horrible the next, but if Marte can maintain his success there, it\’ll be a fine year.With the trade of Drury, he\’ll get more ABs in 2018.

                Blue chip Bopper (okay, this might come from a fantasy magazine, but I don\’t see anyone complaining): Paul Goldschmidt has made the last five all-star teams. He\’s hit thirty homers three times, and would\’ve hit it four times if not for injuries. He\’s reached 100 RBIs those three years. He\’s undoubtedly not just their best player, but the best 1st baseman in the league.

                Astounding ace (Yay, redemption!): A really bad first season in the desert had some questioning the $206.5 million deal the D-Backs signed Donald Greinke to (you may know him by his middle name, Zack). But, Greinke rebounded in 2017, with a 3.20 ERA and 215 strikeouts in 202.1 innings. Even a year worse than 2017 should still leave Greinke as their ace.

               This is probably what you came for, but here is the D-Backs projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 2B Ketel Marte (S)
 CF A.J. Pollock (R)
 1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)
 3B Jake Lamb (L)
 RF David Peralta (L)
 LF Steven Souza (L)
 C Alex Avila (L)
 SS Chris Owings (R)
 Pitcher

             Here is their rotation.

 RHP Zack Greinke
 LHP Robbie Ray
 LHP Patrick Corbin
 RHP Taijaun Walker
 RHP Zack Godley

 Yoshihisa Hirano (R) will be their closer, with Archie Bradley (R) and Brad Boxberger (R) in the set-up roles. Neftali Feliz (R), Antonio Bastardo (L), Michael Blazek (R), Andrew Chafin and Randall Delgado will also be in the pen.

 OFs Yasmany Tomas (R), Jarrod Dyson (L), C Jeff Mathis (R), INFs Nick Ahmed (R) and Daniel Descalco (L) are on the bench.

 For my prediction, I think the Diamondbacks will make the playoffs once again, and even be a dark horse World Series contender.

            At age 38, new Anaheim Ducks forward Jason Chimera has had a long NHL career. The Edmonton native was drafted by his hometown Oilers in the 1997 NHL draft, 121st overall. He played for the Oilers for parts of four seasons, until a trade including draft picks sent him to the Phoenix Coyotes. The NHL lockout caused him to play in Italy, and Chimera never played in Phoenix since he was traded to Columbus in the Geoff Sanderson trade that included Chimera, Cale Hulse and Mike Rupp going to Columbus for Sanderson and Tim Jackman. Chimera played in parts of five seasons with the Jackets, and was a veteran presence on a line with Derick Brassard, who has had a good career so far, and Jakub Voracek, a player who\’s had an even better career than Brassard, when they were rookies. Chimera, though. was traded in the middle of the 2009-10 season to the Washington Capitals for Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina. Chimera played in parts of seven seasons for them, and is most known for his time spent in Washington. Before the 2016-17 season, Chimera signed a two year deal with the New York Islanders, but at the deadline of the next season (which is about two days before the day I\’m writing this), Chimera was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Chris Wagner. Chimera will soon make his Ducks\’ debut. In his NHL career, Chimera has a grand total of 185 goals and 228 assists for 413 points in an astounding 1,091 games played. During his time with the Islanders, Chimera was a locker room presence. When I asked about the entire team who had the biggest personality on the team, Chimera was the leading vote-getter and one of the two players to get multiple votes (defenseman Johnny Boychuk finished in second place). Also, a quick note. This interview was conducted before his trade to the Ducks, so some of these questions might not be accurate anymore.

              Carter LaCorte (me): In your 17th season of a long NHL career, plus free agency approaching, how many more years do you think you can play for?

                Jason Chimera: I don\’t know. Hopefully as long until the kick me out. When you play a sport for a living, it\’s pretty fun, so I want to keep playing for as long as possible.

                CL: You are the oldest player on the team, but the only one to stay healthy in the last two seasons. Do you have any advice to the younger players on how to stay durable?

                JC: I think eat well. Maybe get married to a nice women (laughs). She cooks good for me, she\’s always keeping me in check with the healthy eating.

                 CL: The team has been very good on offense, but has struggled on defense. How can the forwards help prevent more goals from scoring?

                JC: Well, everything\’s a team [effort]. We need to get back and help out the defense. Everybody starts from the zone out, and that\’s we have approach it.

                 CL: What\’s it like being back here at [teammate] Anders [Lee]\’ kan jam event?

                 JC: It\’s awesome. He\’s a great guy so we\’re willing to help him out. He\’s a loyal guy. It\’s a great cause too. It was a no-brainer for all of us to help out.

                 CL: If you could name the next NHL team, in Seattle, what would you name it?

                 JC: That\’s a good question…I don\’t know. The Bears. Let\’s call it the Bears.

                 CL: Who has the biggest personality on the team?

                 JC: Anders [Lee] is personally a big, big person. I think I\’ll go with him.