10/7/15

Wild Card Game Analysis: Who Are The Real Losers?

Tonight, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs squared off in the National League Wild Card Game. The Cubs won the game by a score of 4-0. The Pirates were eliminated from the playoffs for the second consecutive season in the Wild Card Game. Though the Pirates lost the game, we should ask ourselves who the real losers are. First of all, the Chicago Cubs are real losers. Look, I know that they won the game, but Jake Arrieta had no business throwing up and in to Francisco Cervelli and Josh Harrison. The fact that he said that "the balls were slick tonight" is a pathetic excuse. He is a Major League pitcher and he is 29 years old. That is one of those lame excuses that you would hear from a 12-year-old in little league. Also, the Cubs had no business reacting like that after Arrieta was hit by the pitch. The Pirates had every right to be angry. Francisco Cervelli and Josh Harrison were both hit up high, but Chris Coghlan took out Jung-ho Kang while attempting to turn a double play in a game last month. If you look at the replay, Coghlan blatantly lifted his leg up. THAT is a dirty play. The Chicago Cubs get no respect from me and they are my least favorite team in Major League Baseball. To all of you Cubs fans who are reading this, I do not care that you think that the Pirates are a dirty team. Look at your team. The Pirates had every right to show their frustration towards your team. I am not pulling for your precious Cubs whatsoever. Also, Major League umpires are losers as well. Can we please get a computer to call balls and strikes? Umpires always get those calls wrong and they play a major impact on the game. This needs to stop. Finally, Robert Manfred is a loser. He took over as Major League commissioner after Bud Selig resigned. All he did was continue where Selig left off. I believe that they should do away with the one-game playoff. It is not fair for a team like the Pirates to win 98 games in the regular season and get eliminated after one game in the playoffs. If Major League Baseball continues to have a Wild Card Game, they should have a best of 3 series. One game is not fair. Major League Baseball has a lot of problems and there are many things that need to be changed.

10/6/15

Marlins Re-Sign Ichiro Suzuki

The Miami Marlins re-signed outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year contract with an option for the 2017 season. Suzuki, 42 on October 22, has played in 2357 career games for the Mariners, Yankees, and Marlins. He has a career batting average of .314 with 113 home runs and 738 runs batted in. He is a 10-time All Star selection, 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner, the 2001 American League MVP and the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year.

10/6/15

Nationals Fire Matt Williams

The Washington Nationals have fired their entire coaching staff including manager Matt Williams. Williams, 49, served as the manager of the Nationals for two seasons. He has compiled a record of (179-145) as manager of the Nationals.

10/6/15

Dan Haren Retires

Long-time MLB pitcher Dan Haren has retired. Haren, 35, pitched in 391 career games for the Cardinals, Athletics, Diamondbacks, Angels, Nationals, Dodgers, Marlins, and Cubs. He has a career record of (153-131) with a 3.75 ERA and one save. He pitched 16 complete games in his career and six of them were shutouts. He was a three-time All Star selection.

9/30/15

Angels Designate Grant Green for Assignment

The Los Angeles Angels designated infielder/outfielder Grant Green for assignment. Green, 28, has played in 109 career games for the Athletics and Angels. He has a career batting average of .249 with three home runs and 31 runs batted in.

9/30/15

Blue Jays Designate Donn Roach for Assignment

The Toronto Blue Jays designated pitcher Donn Roach for assignment. Roach, 25, has pitched in 17 career games for the Padres and Cubs. He has a career record of (1-1) with a 5.35 ERA.

9/29/15

Greg Holland to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Kansas City Royals' pitcher Greg Holland will miss the remainder of the 2015 season, as he will be undergoing Tommy John Surgery on Friday. Holland, 29, has pitched in 309 career games for the Royals. He has a career record of (18-12) with a 2.42 ERA and 145 saves. He is two-time All Star selection.

9/28/15

Angels Sign Mat Latos

The Los Angeles Angels signed pitcher Mat Latos to a Major League contract for the remainder of the 2015 season. Latos, 27, has pitched in 175 career games for the Padres, Reds, Marlins, and Dodgers. He has a career record of (64-55) with a 3.51 ERA. He has pitched four complete games in his career and one of them was a shutout. He was recently released by the Dodgers.

9/28/15

Nationals Suspend Jonathan Papelbon

The Washington Nationals have suspended pitcher Jonathan Papelbon for four games due to his role in an altercation with outfielder Bryce Harper in yesterday's altercation. He will be serving the four games on top of a three-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Baltimore Orioles' infielder Manny Machado. Papelbon, 34, has pitched in 652 career games for the Red Sox, Phillies, and Nationals. He has a career record of (39-32) with a 235 ERA and 349 saves. He is a six-time All Star selection and he won the World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 season.

9/27/15

Reds Claim Tyler Holt Off Waivers

The Cincinnati Reds claimed outfielder Tyler Holt off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Holt, 26, has played in 45 career games for the Indians. He has a career batting average of .231 with no home runs and two runs batted in.

9/23/15

Yogi Berra Dies

Long-time MLB catcher Yogi Berra has died. He was 90 years old. He played in 2120 career games for the Yankees and Mets. He had a career batting average of .285 with 358 home runs and 1430 runs batted in. He was a 15-time All Star selection, 3-time American League MVP, and 10-time World Series Champion. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. May he rest in peace.

9/22/15

Walter Young Dies

Former MLB first baseman Walter Young has died. He was 35. He made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in the 2005 season. In 14 career games, he hit .303 with one home run and three runs batted in. May he rest in peace.

9/22/15

Billy Hamilton to Miss Rest of Season

The Cincinnati Reds announced that outfielder Billy Hamilton will miss the rest of the 2015 season because he is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right shoulder on Friday. Hamilton, 25, has played in 279 career games for the Reds. He has a career batting average of .242 with 10 home runs and 77 runs batted in.

9/21/15

Cardinals Designate Xavier Scruggs for Assignment

The St. Louis Cardinals designated first baseman Xavier Scruggs for assignment. Scruggs, 27, has played in 26 career games for the Cardinals. He has a career batting average of .246 with no home runs and nine runs batted in.

9/17/15

Jung-ho Kang to Miss 6-8 Months

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that infielder Jung-ho Kang will miss six to eight months after sustaining a knee injury in this afternoon's game against the Chicago Cubs. While trying to break up a double play, Cubs' infielder/outfielder Chris Coghlan slid hard into Kang. Kang sustained a fractured tibial plateau, a torn MCL, and a torn meniscus. Kang, 28, made his Major League debut with the Pirates this season. In 125 games, he has hit .287 with 15 home runs and 58 runs batted in.

9/17/15

Dodgers Designate Mat Latos for Assignment

The Los Angeles Dodgers designated pitcher Mat Latos for assignment. Latos, 27, has pitched in 175 career games for the Padres, Reds, Marlins, and Dodgers. He has a career record of (64-55) with a 3.51 ERA. He has pitched four complete games in his career and one of them was a shutout.

9/16/15

Carlos Pena to Retire

Long-time MLB first baseman Carlos Gomez is going to sign a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. Pena, 37, played in 1493 career games for the Rangers, Athletics, Tigers, Red Sox, Rays, Cubs, Astros, and Royals. He has a career batting average of .232 with 286 home runs and 818 runs batted in. He was selected to his first All Star Game in the 2009 season as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. He also won a Silver Slugger Award in 2007 and a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2008.

9/16/15

Josh Johnson to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

The San Diego Padres announced that pitcher Josh Johnson will undergo Tommy John Surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2015 season and is expected to miss the entire 2016 season as well. Johnson, 31, has pitched in 170 career games for the Marlins and Blue Jays. He has a career record of (58-45) with a 3.40 ERA. He has pitched four complete games in his career. He is a two-time All Star selection. He has not appeared in a Major League game since the 2013 season.

9/15/15

Pirates Designate Radhames Liz for Assignment

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated pitcher Radhames Liz for assignment. Liz, 31, has pitched in 42 career games for the Orioles and Pirates. He has a career record of (7-12) with a 6.94 ERA.

9/13/15

Blue Jays Acquire Darwin Barney

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired infielder Darwin Barney from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Barney, 29, has played in 566 career games for the Cubs and Dodgers. He has a career batting average of .245 with 19 home runs and 153 runs batted in.

9/11/15

Mark Teixeira to Miss Rest of Season

The New York Yankees announced that first baseman Mark Teixeira will miss the remainder of the 2015 season with a fractured right shin. Teixeira, 35, has played in 1746 career games for the Rangers, Braves, Angels, and Yankees. He has a career batting average of .272 with 394 home runs and 1254 runs batted in. He is a three-time All Star selection, five-time Gold Glove winner, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he won the World Series as a member of the New York Yankees in the 2009 season.

9/11/15

Red Sox Claim Roman Mendez Off Waivers

The Boston Red Sox claimed pitcher Roman Mendez off waivers from the Texas Rangers. Mendez, 25, has pitched in 42 career games for the Rangers. He has a career record of (0-2) with a 3.02 ERA.

9/11/15

Scott Feldman to Miss Rest of Season

The Houston Astros announced that pitcher Scott Feldman will miss the remainder of the 2015 season with a sprained shoulder. Feldman, 32, has pitched in 281 career games for the Rangers, Cubs, Orioles, and Astros. He has a career record of (64-73) with a 4.42 ERA. He has pitched four complete games in his career and two of them have been shutouts.

9/10/15

Athletics Acquire Daniel Coulombe

The Oakland Athletics acquired pitcher Daniel Coulombe from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations. Coulombe, 25, has pitched in 10 career games for the Dodgers. He has not registered a decision, but he has a 6.39 ERA.

9/10/15

Brewers Claim Daniel Fields Off Waivers

The Milwaukee Brewers claimed outfielder Daniel Fields off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Fields, 24, made his Major League debut with the Tigers this season. In his only game of Major League action, he went one for three with a double for a batting average of .333.

9/8/15

Marlins Claim Tommy Medica Off Waivers

The Miami Marlins claimed first baseman/outfielder Tommy Medica off waivers from the San Diego Padres. Medica, 27, has played in 121 career games for the Padres. He has a career batting average of .246 with 12 home runs and 37 runs batted in.

9/8/15

Orioles Claim Andy Wilkins Off Waivers

The Baltimore Orioles claimed first baseman Andy Wilkins off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wilkins, 26, made his Major League debut with the Chicago White Sox in the 2014 season. In 17 games, he hit .140 with no home runs and two runs batted in.

9/8/15

Blue Jays Claim Matt Dominguez Off Waivers

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed infielder Matt Dominguez off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Dominguez, 26, has played in 357 career games for the Marlins and Astros. He has a career batting average of .233 with 42 home runs and 152 runs batted in.

9/5/15

White Sox Claim Mike Olt Off Waivers

The Chicago White Sox claimed infielder Mike Olt off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Olt, 27, has played in 111 career games for the Rangers and Cubs. He has a career batting average of .158 with 13 home runs and 39 runs batted in.

9/1/15

Dodgers Acquire Chris Heisey

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Chris Heisey from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations. Heisey, 30, has played in 560 career games for the Reds and Dodgers. He has a career batting average of .246 with 50 home runs and 147 runs batted in.

9/1/15

Rays Sign Jose Constanza

The Tampa Bay Rays signed outfielder Jose Constanza to a minor league contract. Constanza, 32, has played in 112 career games for the Atlanta Braves. He has a career batting average of .273 with two home runs and 17 runs batted in.

9/1/15

Giants Designate Ryan Lollis for Assignment

The San Francisco Giants designated outfielder Ryan Lollis for assignment. Lollis, 28, made his Major League debut with the Giants this season. In five games, he has hit .167 with no home runs and no runs batted in.

9/1/15

Giants Acquire Alejandro de Aza

The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Alejandro de Aza from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Luis Ysla. De Aza, 31, has played in 656 career games for the Marlins, White Sox, Orioles, and Red Sox. He has a career batting average of .267 with 45 home runs and 221 runs batted in. Ysla, 23, has compiled a record of (3-6) with a 6.21 ERA in 33 games with Class-A San Jose this season.

9/1/15

Dodgers Acquire Justin Ruggiano

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Ruggiano, 33, has played in 434 career games for the Rays, Marlins, Cubs, and Mariners. He has a career batting average of .255 with 45 home runs and 140 runs batted in.

8/31/15

Royals Acquire Jonny Gomes

The Kansas City Royals acquired outfielder Jonny Gomes and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for infielder Luis Valenzuela. Gomes, 34, has played in 1190 career games for the Rays, Reds, Nationals, Athletics, Red Sox, and Braves. He has a career batting average of .242 with 162 home runs and 522 runs batted in. He won the World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox in the 2013 season. Valenzuela, 22, has split the 2015 season with Rookie League Idaho Falls and Class-A Lexington. In 55 games. he has hit .364 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in.

8/31/15

Cubs Designate Mike Olt for Assignment

The Chicago Cubs designated infielder Mike Olt for assignment. Olt, 27, has played in 111 career games for the Rangers and Cubs. He has a career batting average of .158 with 13 home runs and 39 run batted in.

8/31/15

Cubs Acquire Austin Jackson

The Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Austin Jackson from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later and a $211,100 international signing slot. Jackson, 28, has played in 831 career games for the Tigers and Mariners. He has a career batting average of .273 with 54 home runs and 286 runs batted in.

8/31/15

Nationals Sign Scott Sizemore

The Washington Nationals signed infielder Scott Sizemore to a minor league contract. Sizemore, 30, has played in 166 career games for the Tigers, Athletics, and Yankees. He has a career batting average of .240 with 14 home runs and 74 runs batted in.

8/31/15

Blue Jays Release Phillippe Aumont

The Toronto Blue Jays released pitcher Phillippe Aumont. Aumont, 26, has pitched in 46 career games for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has a career record of (1-6) with a 6.80 ERA and two saves.

8/31/15

Padres Make Two Moves

Pitcher Chris Rearick is back with the Padres. Rearick, 27, was claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers, who had claimed him off waivers from the Padres. He made his Major League debut with the Padres this season. In five games, he has not registered a decision, but he has a 12.00 ERA. To make room, the Padres designated pitcher Caleb Thielbar for assignment. Thielbar, 28, has pitched in 109 career games for the Minnesota Twins. He has a career record of (5-3) with a 2.74 ERA.

8/30/15

Phillies Claim Ken Roberts Off Waivers

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed pitcher Ken Roberts off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Roberts, 27, made his Major League debut with the Rockies this season. In nine games, he has compiled a record of (0-1) with a 5.79 ERA.

8/29/15

Mets Acquire Addison Reed

The New York Mets acquired pitcher Addison Reed from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitchers Matt Koch and Miller Diaz. Reed, 26, has pitched in 236 career games for the White Sox and Diamondbacks. He has a career record of (11-15) with a 4.20 ERA and 104 saves. Koch, 24, has pitched in 35 games for Double-A Binghamton this season. He has compiled a record of (4-8) with a 3.46 ERA. Diaz, 23, has pitched in 23 games with Class-A St. Lucie this season. He has compiled a record of (5-12) with a 4.71 ERA.

8/29/15

Blue Jays Claim Danny Dorn Off Waivers

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed first baseman/outfielder Danny Dorn off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dorn, 31, made his Major League debut with the Diamondbacks this season. In 23 games, he has hit .167 with no home runs and three runs batted in.

8/28/15

Denard Span to Miss Rest of Season

Washington Nationals' outfielder Denard Span will miss the remainder of the 2015 season after undergoing hip surgery. Span, 31, has played in 950 career games for the Twins and Nationals. He has a career batting average of .287 with 37 home runs and 336 runs batted in.

8/27/15

Cubs Designate Brian Schlitter for Assignment

The Chicago Cubs designated pitcher Brian Schlitter for assignment. Schlitter, 29, has pitched in 78 career games for the Cubs. He has a career record of (3-6) with a 5.40 ERA.

8/27/15

Cubs Acquire Fernando Rodney

The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. Rodney, 38, has pitched in 686 career games for the Tigers, Angels, Rays, and Mariners. He has a career record of (35-55) with a 3.77 ERA and 236 saves. He is a two-time All Star selection.

8/27/15

Dodgers Release Alberto Callaspo

The Los Angeles Dodgers released infielder Alberto Callaspo. Callaspo, 32, has played in 1093 career games for the Diamondbacks, Royals, Angels, Athletics, Braves, and Dodgers. He has a career batting average of .265 with 59 home runs and 369 runs batted in.

8/27/15

Braves Release Jason Frasor

The Atlanta Braves released pitcher Jason Frasor. Frasor, 38, has pitched in 679 career games for the Blue Jays, White Sox, Rangers, Royals, and Braves. He has a career record of (35-35) with a 3.49 ERA and 36 saves.

8/26/15

Shane Greene to Miss Rest of Season

The Detroit Tigers announced that pitcher Shane Greene will miss the remainder of the 2015 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery. Greene, 26, has pitched in 33 career games for the Yankees and Tigers. He has a career record of (9-12) with a 5.38 ERA.

8/26/15

Chris Perez Retires

Former MLB closer Chris Perez has retired. Perez, 30, pitched in 393 career games for the Cardinals, Indians, and Dodgers. He compiled a career record of (16-24) with a 3.51 ERA and 133 saves. He was a two-time All Star selection as a member of the Cleveland Indians.