Trade of the offseason? The decade?

Chris Saunders gives in insight into the eleven player trade between the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and the San Diego Padres.

 

Article by Chris Saunders

With everything that has happened so far in the MLB between all of the free agent signings and trades you would think things would cool down a bit before Christmas. Don't say that to the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and the San Diego Padres. They have completed a deal with a total of eleven players being involved. Here's the details of the deal.

Padres received- Wil Myers OF (TB),Ryan Hanigan C (TB) Gerardo Reyes RHP (TB) Jose Castillo LHP (TB). Myers not only the marquee piece of this trade, but also the key player in the deal that sent James Shields to the Royals two years ago. Since that time, Myers has had one year of immense promise and one injury-marred, unproductive season. There is risk, not least of which because Myers missed significant time with a wrist injury, but then again San Diego is adding a potentially premier hitter who only just turned 24 years of age and still has five years of control. San Diego will also roll some younger arms into a system that is now without a few of its more advanced pitching prospects in Smith and Ross. The right-handed Reyes, 21, spent last year working at the low-A level from the pen. He struck out 10.6 and walked 2.5 batters per nine, en route to a 4.09 ERA in 33 frames. Castillo, an 18-year-old lefty, signed to a $1.55MM bonus out of Venezuela and has spent each of the last two years with the Rays’ Rookie league affiliate, mostly as a reliever.

Ray's received- Steven Souza OF (WSH) Rene Rivera C (SD) Jake Bauers 1B (SD) Burch Smith RHP (SD) Travis Ott LHP (WSH). In Rivera, the Friars will lose and the Rays will add a 31-year-old journeyman who broke out last year in one of the most surprising, under-reported stories in the league. Rivera posted a .252/.319/.432 line — good for a 117 OPS+ at pitcher-friendly Petco Park — and swatted 11 home runs in 329 plate appearances. He also drew rave reviews for his overall defensive contribution. Bauers is a 19-year-old, left-handed-hitting first baseman who has not yet tapped into his power in the low minors. The 19-year-old Ott was taken in the 25th round of the 2013 draft but has seemingly improved his stock since. A 6’4 lefty, Ott struggled upon being promoted to the Class A level, but apparently showed enough to draw Tampa’s interest. The bulk of the return, however, comes with the effective swap of five years of Myers for 12 (or more) seasons of Smith and, in particular, Souza. The 24-year-old Smith struggled in a brief MLB debut in 2013, missing bats as well as spots (11.4 K/9 vs. 5.2 BB/9 in 36 1/3 frames). But he was excellent in 92 1/3 Triple-A frames that year, working to a 2.63 ERA with 9.9 K/9 against 2.2 BB/9. Unfortunately, after being hit hard upon opening 2014 back in the PCL, Smith was shut down with a forearm strain and has not thrown since

Nationals Received-  Joe Ross, RHP (SD) Player to be named presumed to be (Trea Turner, SS) (SD). That brings us to the Nationals, who parted with Souza in large part because the team is locked in at the corner outfield for the next several years. In return, GM Mike Rizzo added a 21-year-old righty who was taken in the first round of the 2011 draft and has shown signs of reaching his potential. Ross (Tyson’s younger brother) currently sits at eighth on MLB.com’s list of the Padres’ top prospects, with the publication citing his strong mid-90s heater, good power slider, and still-developing change in his ranking. Taken 13th overall from N.C. State in last year’s draft, the 21-year-old has done nothing but improve his stock since. Over 321 plate appearances at the low-A and Class A levels last year, Turner slashed .323/.406/.448 with five home runs and 23 stolen bases. Of course, his college-polished bat will face bigger challenges as he moves up in the system, but he is said to be a good defender with outstanding speed. MLB.com has him at fifth amongst San Diego prospects, but he is especially important to the Nationals as they look to fill in younger options behind incumbent Ian Desmond, who is of course entering his final year of team control.

The Chicago Bears will sit starting quarterback Jay Cutler this Sunday

Patrick Higgins comes to us this week, with breaking news from the Chicago Bears.


Article by Patrick Higgins

Breaking news, the Chicago Bears will bench their starting quarterback Jay Cutler this Sunday. Jimmy Clausen will start in place of Cuter against the Detroit Lions. Clausen was a second round draft pick in 2010, and started 13 games for the Carolina Panthers before Cam Newton was named the starter. Cutler is the highest paid offensive player in the NFL, but is having a terrible season. He leads the NFL in interceptions with 18, and total turnovers with 24. The Bears head coach Mark Trestman commented that the whole offense, not just Cutler, is the pressing issue. Trestman think that the offense hasn’t been able to get what they need to get done, on a week to week basis. He also said that he hasn’t been able to get the best out of Cutler this season. If I had to guess, Jay Cutler won’t be the starting quarterback in Chicago next season.

UConn/Notre Dame again

Art Benedict has the preview of the UConn Women's Basketball team, against one of their biggest rivals, the Notre Dame fighting Irish!!!!


Article by Art Benedict

It was what everybody wanted and what everybody waited for. UConn-Notre Dame women's basketball.  They can say that this matchup doesn't matter and that its only the regular season and it counts as nothing. Bah- Hum-Bug!! Anytime Notre Dame and UConn meet the intensity level goes through the roof. Its UConn vs Notre Dame. Its the Huskies vs the Irish. Its Geno vs. Muffet. However you cut it, this matchup has the whole world watching in women's college basketball. For all intense and purposes this meeting could have been for the National Championship in April. That's the kind of game this was set up to be. It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for the Husky faithful as the Irish, led by the hot shooting of the newest Husky killer Jewell Lloyd couldn't miss and Notre Dame was up by 10 midway through the first half. But like any good prize fighter worth spit, UConn got up off the mat and not only caught the Irish with a blow to the body, but followed it up with a right to the jaw and a left to the side of the head and came away with a relatively easy  76-58 victory in front of a stunned packed house Purcell Pavilion. Geno's comments after the game? " We played really well today and won in a place that's very hard to win, against a team that is hard to beat, and our players feel really good about it". Another Geno-ism.

Morgan Tuck, who a year ago was a spectator watching the 2013-2014 team go undefeated and win yet another National Championship while recovering from knee surgery, scored 25 points and pulled down 9 rebounds in 35 minutes, shooting 12 of 19. But the X-Factor (no reference to my show on Thursday nights) was Kiah Stokes. She  had a game high 18 rebounds while playing just 24 minutes in front of her parents and brother Darius, who ended up playing against the Notre Dame men as a member of Fairleigh Dickenson University that night. Breanna Stewart who has been double teamed and sometimes triple teams in past games, broke loose for 15 points and 9 rebounds of her own. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Kia Nurse had 12 points each to round out the scoring. And just like Stanford stopped UConn's winning streak of 43 games a few weeks ago, the Huskies stopped the nation's longest active home court winning streak at 34 games. They also had won 60 straight regular season games. You think this game didn't matter to both teams? You couldn't be farther from the truth. Muffet's comments? "We went soft. It was very disappointing".

So how far have the Huskies come since losing to Stanford in overtime back on Nov. 17th? Over the next four games, the Huskies allowed an average of 47.3 points and held opponents to 30.3 percent shooting. And to put an exclamation point on this victory over Notre Dame, the Irish led the nation in scoring (94.8) and scoring margin. (43.6).

 And as far as Geno and Muffet are concerned, well, they shook hands at center court before and after the game, but make no mistake about it, they respect each other but there is no love loss between these two.

In last years National Championship game against UConn the Irish were without Natalie Achonwa. This game they were without freshman Brianna Turner. Folks it wouldn't have mattered either way. The Huskies were laser focused both then and now.  Could this be a preview of the National Championship game in 2015? We will have to wait and see. For now the Huskies are the top dog against the Irish. There is a lot of season left. Stay tuned.

Next blog: Another trip down memory lane with UConn/Duke.

NHL, 30 Games in The Bruins and Islanders Are Surprising Us; In The Opposite Direction

Hello WAPJ Sports fans, this is John Basso's article on the Boston Bruins, and the New York Islanders.

 

Article by John Basso

The NHL is now 30 games deep and we are seeing some surprises at the top of the divisions, especially in the east.  In the Atlantic division we see both Tampa Bay and Detroit sitting on top tied with 41 points each.  Although most experts picked the Boston Bruins to run away in this division, I have a feeling they have their work cut out for them.  They’re 9-6-2 at home, 6-7-0 on the road and they only won 3 out of their last 10 games.  Captain Zdeno Chara has returned from a knee injury and center David Krejci should be back within a week.  Both guys hoping to add some much needed spark into the Bruins lines.  A team that led the season last year with a +84 point differential has so far seen a dismal -2 differential thus far.  

The New York Islanders are making a lot of noise so far this year.  A team that finished last in the Metropolitan Division in 2013-2014, ending their season with only 79 points and a -42 goal differential, they now see themselves only two points behind the division leading Pittsburgh Penguins.  With an incredible 11-3-0 record at home, right winger Kyle Okposo and Captain John Tavares lead the team with 27 points each.  Second year man Brock Nelson showing his talent with a team leading 13 goals and 11 assists in 30 games.  Goaltender Jaroslav Halak who has been traded from Montreal to St. Louis, then to Washington and now with the Islanders has certainly found a home in New York.  An impressive 15-6 record, 2.38 goals against average and a .916 save percentage; the Islanders how have filled a much needed hole between the pipes. 

The three Heisman Trophy finalists, have been named.

Here is Patrick Higgins' post about the Heisman trophy. Patrick gives you the three finalists statistics for this season, and his pick to win the Heisman. You can catch his show, Friday Morning Sports Talk, Friday mornings from 10-11am.


Article by Patrick Higgins

The three college football players that will be traveling to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony are, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Amari Cooper this season set an SEC record with 115 catches for 1,665 yards, and 14 touchdowns. He is the fourth Heisman finalist for Alabama.

Melvin Gordon this season led the nation with 2,336 yards rushing, and 179.9 yards per game. He has also accounted for 29 total touchdowns. Gordon broke the single-game FBS rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska, a record that stood only one week. He has also announced that he will enter this year’s NFL draft.

Marcus Mariota this season is the nation’s top rated passer, with a 186.3 passer rating. He has thrown for 3,783 yards, and 38 touchdowns, with just 2 interceptions. Mariota has also rushed for 669 yards and 14 touchdowns. He led the Ducks to become Pac-12 Champions. He is the third Heisman finalist for Oregon.

 I believe that Marcus Mariota will win the Heisman, and it’s not just because I am a huge Oregon fan. He has gained over 4,000 yards this season, and is responsible for total 53 touchdowns this season. That is a Pac-12 record, and it leads the nation. Mariota has more total touchdowns, then Gordon and Cooper combined. I just think what he has done this season, is greater than the other two players. His Heisman moment in my opinion was when he accounted for 5 touchdowns in the Pac-12 Championship game. Big players deliver in clutch moments.

Has The Bark Gone Out of These Huskies

Hello everyone, in this article our own Art Benedict has a great analysis into the UCONN Men's Basketball Team's performance this season. He knows what he is talking about, when it comes to the Huskies!!!! You can catch his show the X Factor, on Thursday nights from 5 to 6pm.

Article by Art Benedict

3 seems to be a number that the UConn Men’s basketball is seeing in their sleep lately. Their record after six games is 3 -3 after losing 3 straight to West Virginia, Texas, and the latest loss to instate Yale. And for the second straight game it was a 3-pointer that put the dagger in the heart of UConn. Jonathon Holmes hit a 3-pointer as Texas nipped UConn last week and then on this past Friday night Jack Montague hit a 3-pointer from almost the same exact spot as Holmes hit his as Yale beat the Huskies 45-44 at Gampel Pavilion.

I know there is a lot more basketball to be played this season, but let’s be realistic. Shabazz Napier is in the NBA and Neils Giffey is playing overseas. Do you think with those players missing that the Huskies were going to be as good a basketball team? Don’t get me wrong. Ryan Boatright is doing his part and carrying the load for this team. And let’s face facts. Transfer Rodney Purvis only played eight minutes and was 0-3 against Yale while recovering from a high ankle sprain, and Omar Calhoun are is  sitting on the bench with his own injury. . If these two players are at 100%, maybe these close losses become five or ten point victories. Freshman Daniel Hamilton (8 points on 3 -11 shooting ) and Redshirt Sophomore Sam Cassel Jr. (12 points on 4- 6 shooting can’t shoulder the load until Purvis and Calhoun get healthy.

UConn will need more of what they saw from sophomore center Amida Brimah who scored  14 points in the loss to Yale and will need more support from Philip Nolan who only scored 2 points on Friday. UConn head coach Kevin Ollie has stated that his team has got to find some toughness in their locker room. So where does this toughness come from? Boatright proved his toughness against Yale by getting off the deck after his own ankle sprain, but was ineffective against the Bulldogs with only 6 points in 35 minutes. So who is the next big Husky to stand up and be the Shabazz Napier of this 2014-2015 defending national championship team?

They only have 6 days to figure it out as they will take on Coppin State on December 14th  and that will be followed up by Duke at the Izod Center on the 18th. For this week its exam week for these Huskies, but they need to find their bark and they need to find it soon. Kevin Ollie is not used to losing and will make his bark heard in these upcoming practices. Stay tuned Husky fans, there is a lot of basketball to be played yet.

Next Blog: UConn Women’s Basketball team.

Winter Meeting Thus far

Hello WAPJ Sports fans, here is another great article from our own Chris Saunders!!!!


Article by Chris Saunders

Chicago White Sox- What has happened in the last 24/48 hours in the city of Chicago has fans thinking this year could possibly be different. Late last night Chicago acquired not just an all star closer (David Robertson 4 Years $46 Mill dollar deal), but also acquired an All Star Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland A’s. Righty Michael Ynoa is going with him in return for infielder Marcus Semien, righty Chris Bassitt,  catcher Josh Phegley and infielder Rangel Ravelo(Only being the true prospect traded back to Oakland). With Samadrzija going to the windy city that gives the White Sox probably the second best (to the Dodgers Kershaw/Greinke) LHP/RHP starting rotation combo in the game. David Robertson gives the Sox a much needed reliable bullpen piece even more so as a closer. The White Sox had one of the worst ERA’s in the MLB when it came to bullpens as well as Walks/Strikeouts per game. If Chicago could add just a couple more bullpen pieces to go with an already improving offense and what seems to be at least on paper as a one of the best starting rotations in the A.L; people could be thinking of World Series aspiration which hasn’t been thought of since 2005 during the Ozzie Guillen days.

Cleveland Indians- In a widely anticipated swap, the Athletics have officially agreed to ship outfielder/first baseman/DH Brandon Moss to the Indians in exchange for minor league second baseman Joe Wendle. Brandon Moss has an accomplished power bat, with a 135 OPS+ and 76 home runs over the last three years.  The Indians will gladly roll the dice on a recovery, especially since the club will have a chance to decide whether to tender Moss after the season. Moss’s manageable salary offered the chance for Cleveland to add the big bat that many felt they needed, while his health questions lowered the ask.  Wendle, a 24-year-old prospect, did not rate among the Indians’ top ten prospects in the recent estimation of Baseball America but did land at ninth on MLB.com‘s most recent list. Wendle’s calling card is his hit tool, with which he combines decent power and solid defense. A broken hamate bone cut the 24-year-old’s season short, but he had put up a .253/.311/.414 line over 370 Double-A plate appearances and owned even an even more robust slash the prior year at High-A.  

                                                                           Rumors

Jon Lester- A decision could be coming in either today or tomorrow according to sources, with his likely destination to be either the Cubs or the Giants. John Henry of the Red Sox did meet with Lester, as did the Giants with their All Star Catcher Buster Posey. Lester is rumored to have at least 6 Yrs at $150 mill on the table thus far

OF-Matt Kemp Justin Upton -/LHP-C.J Wilson/C/OF Evan Gattis/ RHP Greg Holland- All rumored to be in trade talks at this time with multiple clubs. Kemp to Padres is one; Greg Holland has been rumored to the Blue Jays. When it comes to Justin Upton and Evan Gattis it seems to be that if you want one the other comes along with it. C. J. Wilson is new to the trade rumors, but he could be someone that can either be a mid rotation starter or possibly a closer, having started his career in the bullpen with the Texas Rangers early in his career. 

 

MLB Offseason

Hello everyone, check out Chris Saunders coverage of the MLB offseason. Chris gives his insight into some of the best hitting players, that have been signed this offseason. Check it out here on the WAPJ Sports Blog.


Article by Chris Saunders

Third Baseman- Pablo Sandoval
Sandoval has proven to be a useful player who hits for average with slightly above-average pop and surprisingly solid defense given his physique.  He’s a better hitter than Chase Headley and is much younger than Aramis Ramirez, so Sandoval is the best third baseman available.

Strength- Useful hitter who can hit for average, depending on the ball park his slightly above average power can play bigger or smaller with different dimensions. When under the correct weight he is agile with almost cat like reflexes both to his arm side/glove side at Third Base. Always has had an accurate strong arm and able to make all the throws. When it comes time to the postseason is as clutch in the game right now as it comes, always a calm demander. Pablo can fit in any clubhouse with his loving attitude, non selfish ways, and will to win/perform in the big spot.

Weakness- One thing with Pablo has been his weight, as in some years he hasn’t come to Spring Training in the best shape, thus reflecting poorly on offense, but also defensively as well. If he cannot stay under the proper weight, especially has he enters the latter part of his career, he could be looking at a DH role sooner rather than later. That’s what scares some teams, because the amount of money he is looking for 5+ years at over 100 million+, to a guy who has had trouble controlling his weight makes teams wonder if motivation will be a problem.

                                    Possible teams- Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Tigers Mariners

                                    Destination- Signed with The Red Sox 5 years 95 million

   DH- Victor Martinez

 Martinez had been on fire all year, hitting .344/.433/.526 in 180 plate appearances.  He’s been among the best hitters in all of baseball this year, and no other free agent comes close to his 2014 production.  Martinez is mostly a designated hitter at this point, and he’ll turn 36 in December.

 Strengths- Although he isn’t a catcher anymore, Victor has really grown into a player who can play the role of DH very well as you have seen by his numbers last couple of years with Detroit averaging 16 Hr’s, 96 RBI’s, over .300 batting average in his three years with Detroit. Victor is a dangerous hitter because he doesn’t have a weakness anywhere around the plate, thus making his power/ walk totals sky rocket. Although he is going on 36 of age, he has been healthy throughout his time with the Tigers, minus the one year he had surgery on his legs. Victor would be a great clubhouse leader both on the field with his hitting, but also teaching the young hitters how to be a “professional hitter”.

Weakness- As with any player you look at age, and Victor’s body has been though a lot between surgery’s, being a catcher for a portion of his career, and you wonder how much one team could give him before you start to question is that too much for a 36 year old DH. Whatever team that signs him probably might have to take their chances on a three-year deal, possibly in excess of the $45MM.

 Destination- Signed with the Tigers for 4 years 68 million dollars

 

Catcher- Russell Martin

 Russell Martin. Perhaps Martin can’t maintain his .271 batting average, but he’s in the midst of another solid campaign and doesn’t turn 32 until February.  Teams are also placing more and more emphasis on catching defense, and Martin has gunned down 37 percent of attempted base-stealers while ranking sixth in extra strikes added via pitch framing.

 Strength- Martin has always been known as a player who puts his heart/soul into catching and it shows. Pitchers love throwing to him, coaches like having him back there calling the game and he won’t kill you at the plate. With teams putting more stock into stealing bases and speed (A la royals game plan the whole postseason), you need to have a backstop who can throw runners out at a steady pace.

Weakness- You always has to add a couple years in age when it comes to catchers, because the wear and tear on one’s body runs its course eventually. Martin has been someone who cares about being in the best shape possible, and with martin playing Third Base before moving to catcher in the minors (Dodgers System), he might not have as old of legs as one would think. Obviously the bat will slow down especially with a Veteran catcher, but martin could hit in the .250 range and still be an effective every day catcher. Martin will be looking in the range of 3-4 year deal, worth 30-35 Million.

Destination- Signed with the Blue Jays five years 82 million