The pitching market has been on the front burner so far during the MLB Hot Stove season. David Price signed a seven-year, $217 million ($31 million AAV) deal to be the ace of the last-place Boston Red Sox, only to see his deal be one-upped by Zack Greinke’s six-year, $206 million ($34 million AAV) contract with the — surprise!
With the MLB trade deadline just a little more than a week away, the hot stove is starting to heat up as teams are looking to make deals for an October run or to unload bad contracts for a better future. There are several teams that are ready to trade away big names and start planning for 2016 and beyond.
It’s amazing how much perspectives can change in one year. The Reds were expected to win the NL Central in 2013 and challenge for the league pennant but fell short, settling for a spot in the wild card game against Pittsburgh.
Youth is being served in MLB. Don't believe me? Look at last year’s awards voting. Besides running away with the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year award, 21-year-old Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout finished second to Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera in the AL MVP voting.
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Spring Training camps are open and many players will compete against teammates for jobs before taking on other teams in April. Here are some postion battles to keep an eye on this spring.</p>
2013 Spring Training camps are open and many players will compete against teammates for jobs before taking on other baseball teams in April. Here are some position battles to keep an eye on this spring.
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A’s
A’s, as in the Oakland Athletics, are in a pennant race for the first time since 2006. We have the second wild card to thank for this, but the no-name A’s have been the hottest team since July 1. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when you assemble a competent pitching staff.
If you were trying to win a championship this season, would you rather have youthful talent? Or seasoned experience? Consider a roster of players age 25 and younger vs. a roster of veterans age 35 and older. Here’s my 25-man roster of players who were age 25 or younger on Opening Day (April 4). Next week, I’ll showcase the veterans.