MLB News and Notes: Best from around the FanSided network
Top prospects, trade rumors, bullpen use, roster construction and a wide range of MLB news and notes from the FanSided baseball network.
The first two months of the 2017 season are in the books, and the signs of summer are out in full force. As the temperatures rise and days get longer, trade talk similarly intensifies.
Midseason trades usually involve one contending team and one rebuilding team. Rebuilding teams typically sell off their best players in exchange for prospects. With that in mind, at FanSided, we ran down both the top prospect in every MLB farm system, as well as the top trade chip available for every club.
Our team sites also explored trades, and from every angle. Around the Foghorn gave a terrific, in-depth view on the current trade options for the San Francisco Giants, including which players might be available this summer. One, Johnny Cueto, could be a target for the Rockies, according to Rox Pile.
Rays Colored Glasses offered a similar run down on what players Tampa Bay may make available this summer. The Giants may not be the perfect trade partners for the Cardinals, but Redbird Rants described four other teams that would. Meanwhile, Jays Journal took a look back and played the “What If?” game with the Josh Donaldson trade.
MLB news and notes from the FanSided network
Likewise, other sites sites around the network offered a wide range of in-depth analysis, offering historical, statistics-based research as well as theories on topics of past, present and future. Want to know the top 10 active starting pitchers in terms of their career WHIP? Call to the Pen has you covered. Which Cubs are nearing career milestones? Cubbies Crib knows.
Puckett’s Pond made note of the 40 best players in Minnesota Twins history in terms of career WAR, including a look at the top five. Following Edinson Volquez’s no-no, Marlins Maniac ranked the no-hitters in Miami franchise history. Volquez’s performance was one of a few things that made baseball fun this week.
As for other countdowns, District on Deck explored the top five quotes manager Dusty Baker made during the month of May. Dodgers Way described the biggest surprises of the season so far. Looking ahead, Rox Pile made five guaranteed for the remainder of the 2017 campaign.
Roster construction is always a hot topic. Utility roles have evolved in baseball in recent years, and players capable coming off the bench, or of playing multiple positions as a member of a rotating starting lineup, have increased in value. Royals utility man Whit Merrifield has showed his value, but Kings of Kauffman wondered if Merrifield should still be considered simply a “utility” player. White Sox utility man Leury Garcia has been a revelation, according to Southside Showdown.
Bullpen use is also changing constantly. The Red Sox have used Craig Kimbrel early and often recently, which, as BoSox Injection pointed out, is a concern. On the other hand, Rum Bunter questioned Tony Watson’s presence in high leverage situation, while Rising Apple pondered the possibility of Matt Harvey taking over the ninth inning eventually.
As always, sites around the network shared their frustrations on a wide range of topics. That Ball’s Outta Here fears Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco is the next Dominic Brown. BoSox Injection declared Boston as the place fat contracts go to die. Dodgers Way called for a solution to the speculation surrounding Kenta Maeda and his struggles. Nolan Writin’ wondered whether or not this year’s Rangers are worse than the 2014 edition of the club. And, the Padres have a long, rocky road to a World Series, as acknowledged by Friars on Base.
On the other hand, the Reviewing the Brew is pleasantly surprised with Eric Sogard, and Call to the Pen dove into the details surrounding Justin Smoak’s breakout performance at the plate. Blog Red Machine named Joey Votto the greatest Canadian (baseball player) in history, while Yanks Go Yard simply called for Brett Gardner to finally get some respect.
Elsewhere around the network, and speaking of the Yankees, Call to the Pen helped us to understand what it means to be Yankee captain. Halo Hangout explained how the Angels can survive while Mike Trout is on the DL, and Motor City Bengals explored Just Verlander’s mechanics, and how his recent groin injury impacts them.
Tomahawk Take offered a look at prospect Sean Newcomb, who will be called up to start this weekend. Wahoo’s on First offered a look at the best hitters and pitchers in the Cleveland minor league system during the past month.
Finally, Venom Strikes shared thoughts from the MLB commissioner on potential upgrades at Chase Field. The Astros finally lost a game, and Climbing Tal’s Hill offered a statistical take on the end of the 11-game winning steak – though CTH offers such insight after every game.
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