Trade rumors, baseball in Venezuela, who’s hot, who’s not, and other MLB news and notes from around the FanSided network.
We’re just six weeks into the season, but attention has already turned to the trade deadline for many fans.
Our FanSided team, always willing to consider the possibilities, has already explored a wide range of options for potential trade deadline buyers and sellers. Among them, Ynal Al-Ouri took a look at five moves the Cardinals should make, Corey Francis outlined five trades that make sense for the Cubs, and Joshua Sadlock explored five potential deals the Red Sox should make, in addition to the annual discussion as to whether or not it is finally time to trade Mike Trout, and if so, which teams make the most sense?
But in addition to the fun that comes with attempting to play matchmaker, we also attempt to shine some light on other stories that need to be told.
Some of baseball’s biggest stars, including Miguel Cabrera and José Altuve, hail from Venezuela. In addition to the political and social mayhem the country is going through today, the current civil unrest in the country has had a major impact on the baseball community, and has damaged the pipeline to become a professional player in the United States. Derek Helling spoke with Venezuelan journalist Broderick Zerpa about how the unrest in the country is killing its baseball industry.
Elsewhere around the FanSided network, the Dodgers have both the money and prospects to make a big move this summer, and the team at Dodgers Way has laid out some options. Cesar Becerra listed four Dodgers that could be on the trade block. Also, Evan Shin outlined five in-house moves the team must make.
The Nationals have been the best team in the NL East by far this season, and the team has an opportunity to blow the division race wide open with several struggling teams on the upcoming schedule, as Drew Douglas noted for District on Deck.
At Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks, Gavin Tramps profiled five under the radar prospects in the AL West.
The Pirates have not been very good this season, and the team’s most recent 2-5 western road trip fell into the same pattern of underperformance. Joe Smeltzer graded each aspect of the team over the week for Rum Bunter.
An off day is no excuse to ignore reading or writing about your favorite team, especially when that team is on a hot streak. After winning six of seven games, Kings of Kauffman’s Colby Wilson explored the good news, bad news, and #FakeNews related to the Royals on their recent off day.
At Wahoo’s on First, Michael Smith ran down five Cleveland Indians that have been disappointing through the first six weeks of the season.
MLB news and notes from the FanSided network
Listen up Cubs fans: As Erik Mauro laid out for Cubbies Crib, reliever Pedro Strop hasn’t been that bad this season. Also, stop worrying about how Strop wears his cap while pitching. On another topic, Jacob R. Misener made his case that the Cubs don’t need to make a big-time trade this season.
The exciting young Yankees are off to a great start, but it’s likely the team will need to make a move or two to make a World Series run, and the front office has been open about that. However, owner Hal Steinbrenner says the team won’t trade its top prospects. Steve Contursi explored Steinbrenner’s recent doublespeak for Yanks Go Yard.
The St. Louis Cardinals are alive and well in the NL Central, though the team has had to succeed largely while Adam Wainwright struggled. At Redbird Rants, Josh McDonald explored what Wainwright’s solid Sunday start means moving forward.
The Minnesota Twins are on the clock. The MLB Draft begins June 12, and the Twins hold the first pick. Not drafting Los Angeles-area two-way star Hunter Greene would be a mistake for Minnesota, according to Jackson Bruce of Puckett’s Pond.
Benjamin Chase has been mocking the draft for Tomahawk Take (and thinks the Twins will select Vanderbilt pitcher Kyle Wright No. 1). Chase’s most recent mock draft offers reports on some of the Braves likely targets.
The New York Mets have now lost seven games in a row, including a 0-6 road trip to Milwaukee and Arizona. New York was a complete mess against the Brewers, as Matt Agosta pointed out at Rising Apple.
A World Series contender currently looking up in the standings, the Red Sox have suffered a power outage this season. At BoSox Injection, Rick McNair blamed the club’s recent fiscal restraint.
The Giants are playing better in May than they did in April, but there’s still a lot of work to do to get back in the Wild Card race. However, a single game can provide that spark, and as Vince Cestone pointed out for Around the Foghorn, Friday’s 17-inning marathon win over the Dodgers may be the turning point in the season.
The Brewers have succeeded in 2017 in spite of their starting rotation, and improvements are needed if Milwaukee has any realistic hope to compete for a postseason spot. One option is lefty prospect Josh Hader. At Reviewing the Brew, Matthew Dewoskin explored whether or not Hader is ready for the big leagues.
Just how good has Dallas Keuchel been for the Astros this year? Cody Poage discussed the lefty at Climbing Tal’s Hill.
The Diamondbacks have been successful through the first six weeks of the season thanks to hot offensive starts from some of their lesser-known position players. Now, star slugger Paul Goldschmidt is heating up, according to Joseph Jacquez of Venom Strikes.
The Rockies have been great, and outfield prospect Raimel Tapia is expected to be a big part of the future of the lineup, however, despite being called up May 12, Tapia hasn’t been utilized. Basically, Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry asked what’s up with that?
Rays DH Corey Dickerson has increased his chances of making the AL All-Star squad recently, as Althea Pashman described for Rays Colored Glasses.
Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels could see himself back in Philadelphia one day. But, would the Phillies want him? John Town attempted to answer that question for That Ball’s Outta Here.
What can the Marlins do to turn around the team’s recent misfortunes? Michael Napoles made the case for trading Marcell Ozuna, among other moves, for Marlin Maniac.
Billy Hamilton has long been one of the most exciting players in baseball, but he’s never been great at the plate. However, as Nick Vorholt explained for Blog Red Machine, Hamilton has been an offensive force in May following a slow start.
Looking for a new favorite Detroit Tiger? At Motor City Bengals, Cal Larsen told fans to get excited about catcher James McCann.
Nolan Ryan’s time with the Angels is often overlooked, however as Jon Huskey noted for Halo Hangout, Ryan’s first no hitter came as a member of the Angels.
The good folks around the FanSided MLB network don’t concentrate solely on the field. At Jays Journal, Kirsten McKernan offered a rundown of ways fans can save time and money going to Blue Jays games.
On a somewhat similar note, Michael Corbett of Friars on Base compared the fan experience at Petco Park to Yankee Stadium.
The FanSided network offers more than 30 baseball sites, including team-specific communities for every MLB club. Interested joining the team? Apply now.