BY WADE MCMILLIN, Couchsideshow.com editor
After the Texas Rangers signed japanese phenon Yu Darvish last month, all eyes shifted to Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to make the next big overseas signing in professional baseball.
It seemed like the young outfielder’s decision wouldn’t be made until Spring Training rolled around and it appeared like the Miami Marlins had the bait to sway Cespedes to Florida. But in a surprising move, the Oakland Athletics shocked the baseball world by signing Cespedes to a four-year, $36 million deal Monday. For the entire offseason, the A’s looked as if they were going to settle into their ways of dumping young talent while trying to build a competitive roster with a very low payroll. This signing was the complete opposite of that, throwing the entire MLB a major curveball that not a lot of people saw coming. (more…)
February 13, 2012 | Categories: MLB | Tags: Andrew Bailey, Baltimore Orioes, baseball blog, Cespedes signing fans reaction, Cespedes signs with As, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Whitesox, Cuba baseball, David Dejesus, Gio Ginzales, Hideki Matsui., Josh Willignham, Kendry Morales, Kurt Suzuki, Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Trewvor Cahill, Yoenis Cespedes, Yunel Escobar | Leave a comment
BY WADE MCMILLIN, Couchsideshow.com editor
With the departure of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder from the National League Central, fans are probably wondering who will be the team to emerge for the pennant next year.
The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t automatic favorites anymore with Pujols not in the picture. And the magic will have probably left Milwaukee — along with Fielder — when the final months of the 2012 season unfold. There’s no doubt the N.L. West will never be the same. But don’t be discouraged. The largest division in baseball should still create some late-season drama. The Cards and the Brew Crew did lose some big bats, but have bright stars in the waiting. And don’t count out the Chicago Cubs or the Cincinnati Reds, either. As usual, those four teams should be in a dead heat toward the end of the season for the division crown. Each club definitely has a shot and the division should be as competitive as ever.
Here’s Couch Side’s early preview of the N.L. Central and the top four clubs could finish out 2012:
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January 11, 2012 | Categories: MLB | Tags: Albert Pujols, Allen Craig, Anthony Rizzo, Aramis Ramirez, baseball blog, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, David Dejesus, David Freese, Mat Latos, Matt Holiday, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, N.L. Central, NL Central, Prince Fielder, St.. Louis Cardinals, Theo Epstein | Leave a comment
