The top story of the hour is President Trump's decision to remove top adviser Steve Bannon from the National Security Council. This passage from the report in Bloomberg is quite striking:
A White House official said that Bannon was placed on the committee in part to monitor Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and never attended a meeting. He’s no longer needed with McMaster in charge of the council, the official said.
If in fact the sole purpose of Bannon's presence on the NSC was to monitor Flynn then why the hell did President Trump appoint Flynn as his NSA in the first place? Clearly there were misgivings about Flynn whether it be his relationship with Russian officials, as a lobbyist for the Turkish government or Lord knows what else (and by Lord, I don't mean Jeffrey Lord). Whatever the reason, what was Trump thinking? The better question might be if he was thinking.
I wonder if new NSA H.R. McMaster gave the Trump White House an ultimatum - either remove Bannon from the NSC or appoint your third NSA in less than 2½ months into your term?
Actually, it could have been the fourth because if you remember Trump offered the position to Admiral Robert Harward who immediately declined and reportedly didn't want to dine on a "shit sandwich". Under the circumstances, who could blame him?
But let's make no mistake. Bannon might not be on the NSC anymore, but he's still in the White House. For a man who's legacy it is to legitimize white supremacist thought, his cancerous influence will be felt elsewhere and will probably not be so easily treated.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Trump's Criticism of Obama on Syrian Chemical Attack is Correct -- and Completely Meaningless
As of this writing, 72 civilians including children in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun are dead as a result of a chemical weapons attack yesterday by the Assad regime (Predictably, the Russians blame Syrian rebels and not their client).
President Trump did not hesitate to assert that former President Obama bears responsibility for the attack:
These heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime are a consequence of the past administration’s weakness and irresolution. President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a ‘red line’ against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable attack.
To those who are shocked, shocked that President Trump would publicly blame President Obama should not throw rocks from glass houses. After all, there were numerous occasions when President Obama was more than happy to publicly blame President Bush for his troubles where it concerned Iraq, the debt and the VA scandal among other things. President Trump isn't the first Commander in Chief to blame his predecessor nor will he be the last.
At least in this instance, President Trump is correct. A very reasonable argument can be made that if President Obama was prepared to enforce his red line that yesterday's attack would not have taken place.
However correct President Trump's statement might be, it is also completely meaningless.
President Obama's incompetence and ineptness notwithstanding, Syria is President Trump's problem whether he likes it or not. If Obama's response to Syria was characterized by weakness and irresolution then the onus is upon Trump to show strength and resolve. The question is how will Trump show strength and resolve.
The fact is that in August & September 2013, Trump did not support military intervention in Syria. At one point, he tweeted, "What I am saying is stay out of Syria." Will he follow this credo and say how high when Vladimir Putin tells him to jump? Or will Trump bring pressure to bear on Russia to lean on Assad from carrying out further attacks using chemical weapons? I am inclined to believe that it will more likely be the former than the latter.
When a regime uses chemical weapons against innocent civilians, I am only interested how the President of the United States, whoever that might be, will use his power to stop further attacks. I am not interested in his critique of former Presidents. Such critiques do nothing to save the lives of innocent civilians.
President Trump did not hesitate to assert that former President Obama bears responsibility for the attack:
These heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime are a consequence of the past administration’s weakness and irresolution. President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a ‘red line’ against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable attack.
To those who are shocked, shocked that President Trump would publicly blame President Obama should not throw rocks from glass houses. After all, there were numerous occasions when President Obama was more than happy to publicly blame President Bush for his troubles where it concerned Iraq, the debt and the VA scandal among other things. President Trump isn't the first Commander in Chief to blame his predecessor nor will he be the last.
At least in this instance, President Trump is correct. A very reasonable argument can be made that if President Obama was prepared to enforce his red line that yesterday's attack would not have taken place.
However correct President Trump's statement might be, it is also completely meaningless.
President Obama's incompetence and ineptness notwithstanding, Syria is President Trump's problem whether he likes it or not. If Obama's response to Syria was characterized by weakness and irresolution then the onus is upon Trump to show strength and resolve. The question is how will Trump show strength and resolve.
The fact is that in August & September 2013, Trump did not support military intervention in Syria. At one point, he tweeted, "What I am saying is stay out of Syria." Will he follow this credo and say how high when Vladimir Putin tells him to jump? Or will Trump bring pressure to bear on Russia to lean on Assad from carrying out further attacks using chemical weapons? I am inclined to believe that it will more likely be the former than the latter.
When a regime uses chemical weapons against innocent civilians, I am only interested how the President of the United States, whoever that might be, will use his power to stop further attacks. I am not interested in his critique of former Presidents. Such critiques do nothing to save the lives of innocent civilians.
Is Don Lemon Saying Eli Lake's Reporting on Susan Rice is a "Diversion"?
Lemon is correct to say that this story doesn't substantiate President Trump's claim that former President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign. I made that very point a couple of days ago.
But Lemon is wrong to call this story a diversion and wrong to say he will not "aid and abet the people who are trying to misinform you, the American people." While I firmly believe that Mike Cernovich should be taken with a grain of salt, Eli Lake has an impeccable track record as an investigative journalist. Is Lemon saying Lake's reporting on this story is a "diversion"? Is Lemon saying Lake is trying to misinform the American people? If he is then Lemon is doing Lake a grave disservice. After all, Lake stated in his report that this story did not substantiate Trump's claims that Trump Tower had been wiretapped. If one reads Waldman's WaPo piece, he doesn't deny Lake's story and argues that Rice was justified in her actions.
Whether Don Lemon likes it or not, Susan Rice's actions with regard to persons associated with President Trump is a legitimate news story - Mike Cernovich or no Mike Cernovich. Lemon's efforts to suggest that it isn't only contribute to the distrust of the mainstream media in this country.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Roy Sievers: A Great Player on Some Really Bad Teams
Former MLB player Roy Sievers passed away yesterday at the age of 90.
In 17 big league seasons, Sievers hit .267 with 318 HR and 1147 RBI and was named to four AL All-Star teams.
A native of St. Louis, Sievers is probably best remembered for being named the first AL Rookie of the Year with the St. Louis Browns in 1949. He was the lone bright spot on a team that lost 101 games.
Sievers was a great player who had the misfortune of playing on two of the worst teams in MLB history. After playing five seasons with the Browns, he would spend six seasons with the Washington Senators. The Browns were first in shoes, first in beer and last in the American League while the Senators were first in war, first in peace and last in the American League. This is only a slight exaggeration as I will illustrate in a moment.
Truth be told, Sievers had his most productive seasons in D.C. driving in 100 or more runs in four of his first five seasons in a Senators' uniform. His best season came in 1957 when he led the AL in home runs (42), RBIs (114) and total bases (311) and finished third in AL MVP balloting behind Ted Williams (who hit .388 at the age of 38) and Mickey Mantle who won the second of his three AL MVPs.
Believe it or not, at his peak, Sievers' production was comparable to Mantle's. Between 1954 and 1963, Sievers blasted 275 HR and had 921 RBI. Over this same period, Mantle blasted 362 HR with 943 RBI. OK, Mantle had nearly 100 more HR than Sievers, but their RBI production is nearly identical. Indeed, while Sievers had four 100 plus RBI seasons during this period Mantle had three.
Of course, while Mantle was winning World Series titles left, right and center, Sievers was lucky if his team didn't finish last. Between 1949 and 1959, Sievers never played on a winning team. In six of those seasons, his team finished last. The highest any of his teams finished was sixth.
That was until 1960 when Sievers joined the Chicago White Sox. The previous year the Chisox had won the AL pennant. The Chisox wouldn't reach those heights again in either 1960 or 1961, they were contenders. Perhaps this rubbed off when Sievers became part of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962. An 81-80 record isn't anything to write home about, but it was a 34 game improvement over their 1961 season which featured a 26 game losing streak.
The Phillies would sell Sievers to the Washington Senators in the middle of the 1964 season. These were the new Senators (the original Senators moved to the Twin Cities in 1961). But they were no better than their predecessors losing 100 games. But at least Sievers was spared the indignity of watching the Phillies collapse that September. Sievers would finish his big league career with the Senators in 1965.
Sievers was part of the Cincinnati Reds coaching staff in 1966 and would do some minor league managing before returning home to St. Louis. R.I.P.
In 17 big league seasons, Sievers hit .267 with 318 HR and 1147 RBI and was named to four AL All-Star teams.
A native of St. Louis, Sievers is probably best remembered for being named the first AL Rookie of the Year with the St. Louis Browns in 1949. He was the lone bright spot on a team that lost 101 games.
Sievers was a great player who had the misfortune of playing on two of the worst teams in MLB history. After playing five seasons with the Browns, he would spend six seasons with the Washington Senators. The Browns were first in shoes, first in beer and last in the American League while the Senators were first in war, first in peace and last in the American League. This is only a slight exaggeration as I will illustrate in a moment.
Truth be told, Sievers had his most productive seasons in D.C. driving in 100 or more runs in four of his first five seasons in a Senators' uniform. His best season came in 1957 when he led the AL in home runs (42), RBIs (114) and total bases (311) and finished third in AL MVP balloting behind Ted Williams (who hit .388 at the age of 38) and Mickey Mantle who won the second of his three AL MVPs.
Believe it or not, at his peak, Sievers' production was comparable to Mantle's. Between 1954 and 1963, Sievers blasted 275 HR and had 921 RBI. Over this same period, Mantle blasted 362 HR with 943 RBI. OK, Mantle had nearly 100 more HR than Sievers, but their RBI production is nearly identical. Indeed, while Sievers had four 100 plus RBI seasons during this period Mantle had three.
Of course, while Mantle was winning World Series titles left, right and center, Sievers was lucky if his team didn't finish last. Between 1949 and 1959, Sievers never played on a winning team. In six of those seasons, his team finished last. The highest any of his teams finished was sixth.
That was until 1960 when Sievers joined the Chicago White Sox. The previous year the Chisox had won the AL pennant. The Chisox wouldn't reach those heights again in either 1960 or 1961, they were contenders. Perhaps this rubbed off when Sievers became part of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962. An 81-80 record isn't anything to write home about, but it was a 34 game improvement over their 1961 season which featured a 26 game losing streak.
The Phillies would sell Sievers to the Washington Senators in the middle of the 1964 season. These were the new Senators (the original Senators moved to the Twin Cities in 1961). But they were no better than their predecessors losing 100 games. But at least Sievers was spared the indignity of watching the Phillies collapse that September. Sievers would finish his big league career with the Senators in 1965.
Sievers was part of the Cincinnati Reds coaching staff in 1966 and would do some minor league managing before returning home to St. Louis. R.I.P.
Monday, April 3, 2017
Susan Rice is a Political Hack, But It Doesn't Mean Obama Wiretapped Trump Tower
Less than two weeks ago, former Obama National Security Adviser & Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice wrote this in an op-ed for The Washington Post:
So, when a White House deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts, its actions pose a serious risk to America’s global leadership, among friends and adversaries alike.
Can you say Benghazi? Can you say Bowe Bergdahl?
Now, thanks to Eli Lake, let's add, "Can you say unmasking?"
In an article for Bloomberg, Lake reveals it was Susan Rice who was responsible for requesting the identities of persons collected in electronic surveillance connected to the Trump campaign:
The intelligence reports were summaries of monitored conversations -- primarily between foreign officials discussing the Trump transition, but also in some cases direct contact between members of the Trump team and monitored foreign officials. One U.S. official familiar with the reports said they contained valuable political information on the Trump transition such as whom the Trump team was meeting, the views of Trump associates on foreign policy matters and plans for the incoming administration.
Not surprisingly, Trump's supporters have taken to Twitter to say that their man was right all along under the hashtag #SusanRice and that the Obama Administration was, in fact, spying on him.
There's no question Susan Rice is a political hack of the lowest order and is in no position to lecture the Trump Administration, much less anyone else about telling the truth. But these damning revelations notwithstanding there is still no evidence that President Obama actually wiretapped Trump Towers. This is what Trump asserted and this has not been substantiated. For his part, Lake specifically states:
Rice's requests to unmask the names of Trump transition officials do not vindicate Trump's own tweets from March 4 in which he accused Obama of illegally tapping Trump Tower. There remains no evidence to support that claim.
Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't put it past Obama to do such a thing. But just because the Obama Administration could do such a thing doesn't mean it actually did.
Whatever ill-motives the Obama Administration might have had, the Michael Flynn matter also demonstrates the Trump Administration needs to get its own house in order before casting stones.
So, when a White House deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts, its actions pose a serious risk to America’s global leadership, among friends and adversaries alike.
Can you say Benghazi? Can you say Bowe Bergdahl?
Now, thanks to Eli Lake, let's add, "Can you say unmasking?"
In an article for Bloomberg, Lake reveals it was Susan Rice who was responsible for requesting the identities of persons collected in electronic surveillance connected to the Trump campaign:
The intelligence reports were summaries of monitored conversations -- primarily between foreign officials discussing the Trump transition, but also in some cases direct contact between members of the Trump team and monitored foreign officials. One U.S. official familiar with the reports said they contained valuable political information on the Trump transition such as whom the Trump team was meeting, the views of Trump associates on foreign policy matters and plans for the incoming administration.
Not surprisingly, Trump's supporters have taken to Twitter to say that their man was right all along under the hashtag #SusanRice and that the Obama Administration was, in fact, spying on him.
There's no question Susan Rice is a political hack of the lowest order and is in no position to lecture the Trump Administration, much less anyone else about telling the truth. But these damning revelations notwithstanding there is still no evidence that President Obama actually wiretapped Trump Towers. This is what Trump asserted and this has not been substantiated. For his part, Lake specifically states:
Rice's requests to unmask the names of Trump transition officials do not vindicate Trump's own tweets from March 4 in which he accused Obama of illegally tapping Trump Tower. There remains no evidence to support that claim.
Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't put it past Obama to do such a thing. But just because the Obama Administration could do such a thing doesn't mean it actually did.
Whatever ill-motives the Obama Administration might have had, the Michael Flynn matter also demonstrates the Trump Administration needs to get its own house in order before casting stones.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
MadBum Hits 2 HRs, Strikes Out 11 But Giants Bullpen Blows It Twice to D'Backs
If San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner isn't the best pitcher in the game, he is certainly its most complete.
In seven innings pitched, MadBum fanned 11 batters and began the game by retiring the first 16 Arizona Diamondbacks hitters he faced.
But if that wasn't enough MadBum became the first pitcher in MLB history to hit two home runs on Opening Day. The second HR put the Giants back ahead 4-3 after Bumgarner had given up a game tying HR to AJ Pollock.
Unfortunately, there is the Giants' bullpen which has been an albatross around the team since the second half of last season. They blew leads in both the eighth and ninth innings. The ninth inning lead was blown by newly signed closer Mark Melancon. After retiring the first two hitters he faced, he gave up a double to Jeff Mathis, a game tying single to pinch hitter Daniel Descalso and a walk off single to Chris Owings to give the D'Backs a 6-5 victory.
MadBum will get his share of wins and will add to his home run total. However, I don't this will be the last time the Giants bullpen will blow a lead in the ninth inning. As great as he is, MadBum cannot do it all by himself.
In seven innings pitched, MadBum fanned 11 batters and began the game by retiring the first 16 Arizona Diamondbacks hitters he faced.
But if that wasn't enough MadBum became the first pitcher in MLB history to hit two home runs on Opening Day. The second HR put the Giants back ahead 4-3 after Bumgarner had given up a game tying HR to AJ Pollock.
Unfortunately, there is the Giants' bullpen which has been an albatross around the team since the second half of last season. They blew leads in both the eighth and ninth innings. The ninth inning lead was blown by newly signed closer Mark Melancon. After retiring the first two hitters he faced, he gave up a double to Jeff Mathis, a game tying single to pinch hitter Daniel Descalso and a walk off single to Chris Owings to give the D'Backs a 6-5 victory.
MadBum will get his share of wins and will add to his home run total. However, I don't this will be the last time the Giants bullpen will blow a lead in the ninth inning. As great as he is, MadBum cannot do it all by himself.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
My 2017 MLB Predictions
In less than 24 hours, the 2017 MLB regular season will get underway. Those of you who read me when I was at The American Spectator will recall that no year was complete without my annual MLB predictions. I might not be at TAS anymore, but I won't stop this tradition.
As you know the Cleveland Indians faced the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series. I predicted these two teams would meet in the Fall Classic - only that prediction came in 2015.
Will the Cubs, who won their first World Series since 1908, make it back to back titles? Can the Indians win back to back AL pennants and win their first World Series since 1948?
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AL East
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees*
Toronto Blue Jays*
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Rays
The Red Sox no longer have Big Papi, but they have a great nucleus with AL MVP runner up Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Xander Bogaerts along with mainstays like Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez. The addition of Chris Sale to a rotation that includes reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello and David Price. The Yankees have a powerful young lineup with the likes of Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Aaron Judge along with veterans Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and ex-Cardinal Matt Holliday. There are question marks about the Yankees rotation after Masahiro Tanaka, but the return of Aroldis Chapman restores the tandem of Chapman and Dellin Betances. Tyler Clippard might not be Andrew Miller but he should be a strong addition to the bullpen. The Toronto Blue Jays will miss Edwin Encarnacion, but Kendrys Morales should be pick up the slack in a lineup that still has Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki. The Jays have a solid starting rotation of J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada, Aaron Sanchez, Francisco Liriano and, fresh off his WBC triumph, Marcus Stroman. Closer Roberto Osuna is complimented by veterans Jason Grilli and J.P. Howell. The Baltimore Orioles have an abundance of offense with the likes of Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Manny Machado. But their starting rotation is mediocre at best and can the Orioles really expect Zach Britton to have a perfect season yet again. Can Wellington Castillo make up for the departure of Matt Wieters? The Tampa Bay Rays roster is a bit up in the air with uncertainties in the middle of the infield and the bullpen. But the Rays still have Evan Longoria and a strong starting rotation in Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Chris Archer. I cannot imagine Archer losing 19 games again, but I can see them bringing up the rear in the AL East.
* - denotes AL Wild Card winners
AL Central
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox
The defending AL champions should only get stronger with the addition of Edwin Encarnacion and the return of a healthy Michael Brantley. It is astonishing the Indians got as far as they did in the post-season without the likes of Yan Gomes, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. Add them to a team which includes Corey Kluber, Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Jose Ramirez. The Detroit Tigers retain a solid veteran lineup with Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton. The return of Alex Avila behind the plate should improve the Tigers pitching and provide reassurance to Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Anibal Sanchez and AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fullmer. K-Rod remains a solid closer but the set up situation is a bit uncertain. If the Tigers get off to a slow start don't be surprised if Brad Ausmus is dismissed in favor of hitting coach Lloyd McClendon. A pall was cast on the Kansas City Royals off-season when pitcher Yordano Ventura was killed in an automobile accident. The Royals still have Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon but will Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain be healthy? Can Kelvin Herrera fill the void in the bullpen left by Wade Davis. Jorge Soler should be an interesting addition to the outfield. I don't think the Minnesota Twins will lose 103 games in 2017. Max Kepler, Byron Buxton, Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano will get better. With Joe Mauer's best days behind him, Brian Dozier is now the team's offensive leader. Tyler Duffey and Kyle Gibson should get better in a rotation with Ervin Santana and Hector Santiago. If Phil Hughes can stay injury free it would be most welcome. Brandon Kintzler should continue to develop as a closer. If he falters perhaps Glen Perkins, who missed most of 2016 season with injury, can step into the breach. The Chicago White Sox are in the midst of rebuilding under new manager Rick Renteria. Chris Sale and Adam Eaton have departed and don't be surprised if they unload Melky Cabrera, Todd Frazier and David Robertson before the All-Star Break. However, it will be great to see Cuban sensation Yoan Moncada play everyday. Moncada and Jose Abreu could make a nice power tandem in what will likely be a long season on the South Side.
AL West
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland A's
The Seattle Mariners have not been in the post-season since 2001. That should change this year. Jean Segura might be the final piece of the puzzle in an offensive core of Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz. The Mariners also added character players like Carlos Ruiz, Jarrod Dyson and Danny Valencia. Yovani Gallardo joins Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma in the starting rotation while Edwin Diaz might be the most underrated closer in all of MLB. The Texas Rangers have won back to back AL West titles and will certainly contend with Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels at the top of the rotation, Sam Dyson in the bullpen, Jonathan Lucroy behind the plate and with Adrian Beltre, Elvis Andrus and Mike Napoli returning for his third stint with the Rangers in the core of the lineup. The Houston Astros offense is solid with Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, the catching tandem of Brian McCann and Evan Gattis and the additions of Carlos Beltran and Josh Reddick. But will Dallas Keuchel be in his Cy Young form of 2015 or his mediocre form of 2016? Ken Giles might start the season as the Astros closer, but I doubt he will still be the team's closer in September. The Los Angeles Angels have two time AL MVP Mike Trout and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. Andrelton Simmons is a Gold Glove caliber shortstop but their pitching is full of question marks. Can Tyler Skaggs, Andrew Heaney, Matt Shoemaker and Garrett Richards not to mention closer Huston Street stay healthy in 2017? World Series hero Rajai Davis, Matt Joyce and Trevor Plouffe are nice additions to the Oakland A's and should complement Khris Davis and Stephen Vogt, but their starting rotation is anyone's guess after Sonny Gray and Kendall Graveman.
AL MVP - Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
AL Cy Young Award - Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays
AL Rookie of the Year - Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
AL Manager of the Year - Scott Servais, Seattle Mariners
NATIONAL LEAUGE
NL East
Washington Nationals
Atlanta Braves**
Miami Marlins**
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
The defending NL East champions have fortified themselves with the additions of Adam Eaton, Adam Lind and Matt Wieters. If Daniel Murphy does not replicate his NL MVP runner up numbers, Bryce Harper should return to his 2015 NL MVP form. Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth round out of the offense. Reigning NL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg are at the top of the rotation. It remains to be seen if Blake Treiner will work out as the team's new closer. Look for the Atlanta Braves to surprise especially with the addition of two ageless starters Bartolo Colon and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Longtime Red Brandon Phillips will strengthen the one-two punch of Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp. Look for inspired baseball from the Miami Marlins who had the wind knocked out of them late last season with the sudden death of pitching ace Jose Fernandez. The Marlins outfield of Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna might be the best in MLB. The infield of Justin Bour, Dee Gordon, Adeiny Hechevarria and Martin Prado might be the most underrated in MLB. A.J. Ellis behind the plate is exactly what a young pitching staff needs while Edinson Volquez adds depth to the rotation. Look for a breakthrough year from Tom Koehler. The New York Mets have an embarrassment of riches in their starting rotation but Yoenis Cespedes has little surrounding him in the lineup. The Philadelphia Phillies' Makiel Franco and Odubel Herrera are two of the games most exciting players, but if they are expecting 30 starts from Clay Buchholz they are nuts.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
The defending World Series champions are an All-Star team unto themselves. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Jon Lester & Jake Arrieta, The division is theirs to lose. The St. Louis Cardinals, of course, are no pushovers. With Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter on the team the Cardinals are always in contention. The addition of ex-Cub Dexter Fowler reinforces that competitive edge. A starting rotation of Adam Wainwright, a healthy Lance Lynn, Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha and Mike Leake will also keep their opponents honest. If Seung-hwan Oh falters as closer ex-Jay Brett Cecil is an option. The big question mark for the Pittsburgh Pirates is whether 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen can rebound from a mediocre season? Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte can more than pick up the slack. Gerrit Cole is a bonafide ace. It will be interesting to see how Tony Watson fares in the closer's role. The Cincinnati Reds offense is decent with Joey Votto, Adam Duvall, Devin Mesoraco and Billy Hamilton, but their pitching outside of Anthony DeScalfini and Brandon Finnegan is a great unknown. The Milwaukee Brewers are headed for a long season. The addition of Travis Shaw gives Ryan Braun some protection in the lineup but the starting rotation and the bullpen is all very much up in the air.
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won four straight NL West division titles. There is no reason they cannot win five in a row. When you have a team with Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen the odds are in your favor. Logan Forsythe and Sergio Romo add depth to the infield and bullpen respectively. The three time World Series champion San Francisco Giants cannot be counted out either. Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Hunter Pence are nothing at which to scoff. The addition of Mark Melancon to the bullpen makes them doubly tough. The Colorado Rockies can hit with the best of them. Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez, Trevor Story and NL batting champion DJ LeMahieu. Throw in a resurgent Ian Desmond and the Rockies are going to score some runs. But the Rockies pitching staff will give up every bit as much. As for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a healthy AJ Pollock will augment the offensive production of Paul Goldschmidt and Yosmany Tomas. Zack Greinke is one of baseball's premier pitchers, but for the D'Backs to be competitive Patrick Corbin and Shelby Miller will have to pick up the slack. It's anybody's guess which Fernando Rodney we'll see come out of the bullpen. The San Diego Padres are essentially a work in progress. Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard were great out of the bullpen for the Cubs. It remains to be seen if they can be credible starters for the Padres. Jered Weaver and Jhoulys Chacin are reclamation projects. The Padres have precious little offense outside of Will Myers.
NL MVP - Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
NL Cy Young Award - Tom Koehler, Miami Marlins
NL Rookie of the Year - Tyler Glasnow, Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Manager of the Year - Brian Snitker, Atlanta Braves
MLB POST-SEASON PREDICTIONS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AL Wild Card Game - Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees (Winner: Yankees)
American League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians
(Yankees in four)
American League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners
(Red Sox in five)
American League Championship Series (Best 4 out of 7) - Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
(Yankees in seven)
ALCS MVP - Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NL Wild Card Game - Miami Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves (Winner: Marlins)
National League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - Miami Marlins vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
(Marlins in five)
National League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs
(Cubs in three)
National League Championship Series (Best 4 out of 7) - Miami Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
(Marlins in seven)
NLCS MVP - Christian Yelich, Miami Marlins
2017 WORLD SERIES - New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins (Marlins in six)
2017 World Series MVP - Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Well, we'll see how I do come October. Until then play ball.
As you know the Cleveland Indians faced the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series. I predicted these two teams would meet in the Fall Classic - only that prediction came in 2015.
Will the Cubs, who won their first World Series since 1908, make it back to back titles? Can the Indians win back to back AL pennants and win their first World Series since 1948?
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AL East
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees*
Toronto Blue Jays*
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Rays
The Red Sox no longer have Big Papi, but they have a great nucleus with AL MVP runner up Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Xander Bogaerts along with mainstays like Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez. The addition of Chris Sale to a rotation that includes reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello and David Price. The Yankees have a powerful young lineup with the likes of Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Aaron Judge along with veterans Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and ex-Cardinal Matt Holliday. There are question marks about the Yankees rotation after Masahiro Tanaka, but the return of Aroldis Chapman restores the tandem of Chapman and Dellin Betances. Tyler Clippard might not be Andrew Miller but he should be a strong addition to the bullpen. The Toronto Blue Jays will miss Edwin Encarnacion, but Kendrys Morales should be pick up the slack in a lineup that still has Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki. The Jays have a solid starting rotation of J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada, Aaron Sanchez, Francisco Liriano and, fresh off his WBC triumph, Marcus Stroman. Closer Roberto Osuna is complimented by veterans Jason Grilli and J.P. Howell. The Baltimore Orioles have an abundance of offense with the likes of Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Manny Machado. But their starting rotation is mediocre at best and can the Orioles really expect Zach Britton to have a perfect season yet again. Can Wellington Castillo make up for the departure of Matt Wieters? The Tampa Bay Rays roster is a bit up in the air with uncertainties in the middle of the infield and the bullpen. But the Rays still have Evan Longoria and a strong starting rotation in Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Chris Archer. I cannot imagine Archer losing 19 games again, but I can see them bringing up the rear in the AL East.
* - denotes AL Wild Card winners
AL Central
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox
The defending AL champions should only get stronger with the addition of Edwin Encarnacion and the return of a healthy Michael Brantley. It is astonishing the Indians got as far as they did in the post-season without the likes of Yan Gomes, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. Add them to a team which includes Corey Kluber, Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Jose Ramirez. The Detroit Tigers retain a solid veteran lineup with Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton. The return of Alex Avila behind the plate should improve the Tigers pitching and provide reassurance to Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Anibal Sanchez and AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fullmer. K-Rod remains a solid closer but the set up situation is a bit uncertain. If the Tigers get off to a slow start don't be surprised if Brad Ausmus is dismissed in favor of hitting coach Lloyd McClendon. A pall was cast on the Kansas City Royals off-season when pitcher Yordano Ventura was killed in an automobile accident. The Royals still have Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon but will Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain be healthy? Can Kelvin Herrera fill the void in the bullpen left by Wade Davis. Jorge Soler should be an interesting addition to the outfield. I don't think the Minnesota Twins will lose 103 games in 2017. Max Kepler, Byron Buxton, Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano will get better. With Joe Mauer's best days behind him, Brian Dozier is now the team's offensive leader. Tyler Duffey and Kyle Gibson should get better in a rotation with Ervin Santana and Hector Santiago. If Phil Hughes can stay injury free it would be most welcome. Brandon Kintzler should continue to develop as a closer. If he falters perhaps Glen Perkins, who missed most of 2016 season with injury, can step into the breach. The Chicago White Sox are in the midst of rebuilding under new manager Rick Renteria. Chris Sale and Adam Eaton have departed and don't be surprised if they unload Melky Cabrera, Todd Frazier and David Robertson before the All-Star Break. However, it will be great to see Cuban sensation Yoan Moncada play everyday. Moncada and Jose Abreu could make a nice power tandem in what will likely be a long season on the South Side.
AL West
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland A's
The Seattle Mariners have not been in the post-season since 2001. That should change this year. Jean Segura might be the final piece of the puzzle in an offensive core of Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz. The Mariners also added character players like Carlos Ruiz, Jarrod Dyson and Danny Valencia. Yovani Gallardo joins Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma in the starting rotation while Edwin Diaz might be the most underrated closer in all of MLB. The Texas Rangers have won back to back AL West titles and will certainly contend with Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels at the top of the rotation, Sam Dyson in the bullpen, Jonathan Lucroy behind the plate and with Adrian Beltre, Elvis Andrus and Mike Napoli returning for his third stint with the Rangers in the core of the lineup. The Houston Astros offense is solid with Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, the catching tandem of Brian McCann and Evan Gattis and the additions of Carlos Beltran and Josh Reddick. But will Dallas Keuchel be in his Cy Young form of 2015 or his mediocre form of 2016? Ken Giles might start the season as the Astros closer, but I doubt he will still be the team's closer in September. The Los Angeles Angels have two time AL MVP Mike Trout and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. Andrelton Simmons is a Gold Glove caliber shortstop but their pitching is full of question marks. Can Tyler Skaggs, Andrew Heaney, Matt Shoemaker and Garrett Richards not to mention closer Huston Street stay healthy in 2017? World Series hero Rajai Davis, Matt Joyce and Trevor Plouffe are nice additions to the Oakland A's and should complement Khris Davis and Stephen Vogt, but their starting rotation is anyone's guess after Sonny Gray and Kendall Graveman.
AL MVP - Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
AL Cy Young Award - Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays
AL Rookie of the Year - Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
AL Manager of the Year - Scott Servais, Seattle Mariners
NATIONAL LEAUGE
NL East
Washington Nationals
Atlanta Braves**
Miami Marlins**
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
The defending NL East champions have fortified themselves with the additions of Adam Eaton, Adam Lind and Matt Wieters. If Daniel Murphy does not replicate his NL MVP runner up numbers, Bryce Harper should return to his 2015 NL MVP form. Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth round out of the offense. Reigning NL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg are at the top of the rotation. It remains to be seen if Blake Treiner will work out as the team's new closer. Look for the Atlanta Braves to surprise especially with the addition of two ageless starters Bartolo Colon and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Longtime Red Brandon Phillips will strengthen the one-two punch of Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp. Look for inspired baseball from the Miami Marlins who had the wind knocked out of them late last season with the sudden death of pitching ace Jose Fernandez. The Marlins outfield of Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna might be the best in MLB. The infield of Justin Bour, Dee Gordon, Adeiny Hechevarria and Martin Prado might be the most underrated in MLB. A.J. Ellis behind the plate is exactly what a young pitching staff needs while Edinson Volquez adds depth to the rotation. Look for a breakthrough year from Tom Koehler. The New York Mets have an embarrassment of riches in their starting rotation but Yoenis Cespedes has little surrounding him in the lineup. The Philadelphia Phillies' Makiel Franco and Odubel Herrera are two of the games most exciting players, but if they are expecting 30 starts from Clay Buchholz they are nuts.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
The defending World Series champions are an All-Star team unto themselves. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Jon Lester & Jake Arrieta, The division is theirs to lose. The St. Louis Cardinals, of course, are no pushovers. With Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter on the team the Cardinals are always in contention. The addition of ex-Cub Dexter Fowler reinforces that competitive edge. A starting rotation of Adam Wainwright, a healthy Lance Lynn, Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha and Mike Leake will also keep their opponents honest. If Seung-hwan Oh falters as closer ex-Jay Brett Cecil is an option. The big question mark for the Pittsburgh Pirates is whether 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen can rebound from a mediocre season? Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte can more than pick up the slack. Gerrit Cole is a bonafide ace. It will be interesting to see how Tony Watson fares in the closer's role. The Cincinnati Reds offense is decent with Joey Votto, Adam Duvall, Devin Mesoraco and Billy Hamilton, but their pitching outside of Anthony DeScalfini and Brandon Finnegan is a great unknown. The Milwaukee Brewers are headed for a long season. The addition of Travis Shaw gives Ryan Braun some protection in the lineup but the starting rotation and the bullpen is all very much up in the air.
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won four straight NL West division titles. There is no reason they cannot win five in a row. When you have a team with Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen the odds are in your favor. Logan Forsythe and Sergio Romo add depth to the infield and bullpen respectively. The three time World Series champion San Francisco Giants cannot be counted out either. Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Hunter Pence are nothing at which to scoff. The addition of Mark Melancon to the bullpen makes them doubly tough. The Colorado Rockies can hit with the best of them. Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez, Trevor Story and NL batting champion DJ LeMahieu. Throw in a resurgent Ian Desmond and the Rockies are going to score some runs. But the Rockies pitching staff will give up every bit as much. As for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a healthy AJ Pollock will augment the offensive production of Paul Goldschmidt and Yosmany Tomas. Zack Greinke is one of baseball's premier pitchers, but for the D'Backs to be competitive Patrick Corbin and Shelby Miller will have to pick up the slack. It's anybody's guess which Fernando Rodney we'll see come out of the bullpen. The San Diego Padres are essentially a work in progress. Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard were great out of the bullpen for the Cubs. It remains to be seen if they can be credible starters for the Padres. Jered Weaver and Jhoulys Chacin are reclamation projects. The Padres have precious little offense outside of Will Myers.
NL MVP - Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
NL Cy Young Award - Tom Koehler, Miami Marlins
NL Rookie of the Year - Tyler Glasnow, Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Manager of the Year - Brian Snitker, Atlanta Braves
MLB POST-SEASON PREDICTIONS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AL Wild Card Game - Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees (Winner: Yankees)
American League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians
(Yankees in four)
American League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners
(Red Sox in five)
American League Championship Series (Best 4 out of 7) - Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
(Yankees in seven)
ALCS MVP - Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NL Wild Card Game - Miami Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves (Winner: Marlins)
National League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - Miami Marlins vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
(Marlins in five)
National League Division Series (Best 3 out of 5) - Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs
(Cubs in three)
National League Championship Series (Best 4 out of 7) - Miami Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
(Marlins in seven)
NLCS MVP - Christian Yelich, Miami Marlins
2017 WORLD SERIES - New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins (Marlins in six)
2017 World Series MVP - Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Well, we'll see how I do come October. Until then play ball.
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