Mel Antonen

Previewing the NL West, which looks like a two-team race

Previewing the NL West, which looks like a two-team race
Who wins the National League West, the San Francisco Giants or the Los Angeles Dodgers? Take your pick. The Giants fixed their bullpen with former Nationals closer Mark Melancon, and with Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, have two of the four starters that finished with an ERA lower than 3.00 with at least 200 innings last season. The others are Tanner Roark and Max Scherzer of the Nationals. The Dodgers have a healthy Clayton Kershaw - he missed two months of last season with a back injury -...
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Mel Antonen

Looking back at Matt Wieters' legacy in Baltimore

Looking back at Matt Wieters' legacy in Baltimore
After an offseason defined by a challenging job search, former Orioles catcher Matt Wieters starts a new chapter in his career - 39 miles south of Camden Yards. A week into spring training, Wieters signed a contract - one year and an option - to catch for the Nationals. On May 8-9, the Nationals come to Camden Yards, and Orioles fans will see for the first time Wieters emerging from the third-base dugout wearing an opponent's road gray. He'll wear No. 32, the number he had with the...
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Mel Antonen

As camps kick into high gear, questions remain to be answered

As camps kick into high gear, questions remain to be answered
The Orioles have worries about ace pitcher Chris Tillman's shoulder and questions about rotation depth. Shortstop J.J. Hardy has back issues and, while Seth Smith will play right field, manager Buck Showalter has to figure out left field. The Nationals aren't sure if the stress fracture in the knuckle of ace pitcher Max Scherzer's right ring finger will allow him to pitch on opening day. And there's the never-ending question about who is going to pitch the ninth inning - Blake Treinen,...
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Mel Antonen

Can the Cubs rotation help them start a dynasty?

Can the Cubs rotation help them start a dynasty?
The Chicago Cubs, World Series champions for the first time since 1908, are the favorites to win the National League Central. The question is: Could the Cubs - and their youthful position-player roster - be baseball's answer to the NFL's New England Patriots, who won their fifth Super Bowl? The Reds and Brewers are rebuilding. The Pirates have taken a step back. The Cardinals are the only team with a chance to challenge the Cubs. Here's a look at the NL Central: Chicago: The Cubs, defending...
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Mel Antonen

Indians' pitching staff expects to dominate AL Central

Indians' pitching staff expects to dominate AL Central
The Cleveland Indians, who lost the World Series to the Cubs in Game 7 last season, have the scariest rotation and the deepest bullpen in the American League Central. Who has the best chances to catch them? Maybe the Detroit Tigers, assuming health in their rotation and growth with their young guys. Former National Jordan Zimmermann had a strong start with his new team in 2016, but neck injuries slowed him the rest of the way. By all indications, Cleveland will run away with this...
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Mel Antonen

Astros and Rangers hope they have enough pitching to remain top of AL West

Astros and Rangers hope they have enough pitching to remain top of AL West
Spring training is gearing up, and in the American League West, the Astros and Rangers are expected to be the top two teams. But do the Astros have enough pitching? The same question goes for the Rangers. Seattle expects to contend as well, and Oakland, with a healthy rotation and deep bullpen, could be a surprise team. Here's a look at the pitching in the AL West: Houston: The Astros might have the best lineup in the American League, but the rotation appears thin. ... The X-factor is...
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Mel Antonen

Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?

Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?
The Los Angeles Dodgers will take aim at their fifth consecutive National League West championship, but their biggest rival, the San Francisco Giants, will have something to say about that, especially since they've fixed their leaky bullpen with former Nationals closer Mark Melancon. The surprise team in the division could be the Colorado Rockies. They've beefed up their bullpen and think their rotation is strong enough to allow them to play meaningful games in September. Here's a look at...
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Mel Antonen

Breaking down the pitching staffs in the NL East

Breaking down the pitching staffs in the NL East
Super Bowl LI is in the books and that means pitchers and catchers will soon begin showing up in spring training. Here's a look at pitching in the National League East: Atlanta: The Braves are rebuilding their rotation by using experienced pitchers so that their prospects can develop without big-league pressure. ... RHP Julio Teheran, 25, an All-Star in two of his four seasons, will be the opening day starter, followed by RHPs R.A. Dickey, 42, and Bartolo Colon, 43. Dickey had a 4.46 ERA for...
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Mel Antonen

Mound matters: Taking a look at the AL East pitching staffs

Mound matters: Taking a look at the AL East pitching staffs
With the Super Bowl done, it's time to turn attentions to baseball, with pitchers and catchers soon reporting to Florida and Arizona for spring training. Here's a look at how the pitching staffs shape up in the American League East. Baltimore: The Orioles rotation finished strong in 2016, but going into spring training there are two questions: Depth and consistency. RHP Yovani Gallardo was traded to Seattle, leaving RHPs Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson - and maybe RHP Logan Verrett - as rotation...
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Mel Antonen

Looking at Matt Wieters' market and the top free agents at each position

Looking at Matt Wieters' market and the top free agents at each position
Now that the Orioles have catcher Welington Castillo to bridge the gap to prospect Chance Sisco, the market for free agent catcher Matt Wieters shrinks again. Catchers have moved on the market this offseason. The Rays signed Wilson Ramos, the Twins picked up Jason Castro and the Astros, Castro's former team, traded for Yankees catcher Brian McCann. The Diamondbacks didn't offer Castillo a contract and signed Jeff Mathis. The Nationals picked up Derek Norris. So where does that leave...
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Mel Antonen

Breaking down what NL teams did and didn't do at Winter Meetings

Breaking down what NL teams did and didn't do at Winter Meetings
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Winter Meetings have finished, but there's plenty of work to do with teams in the National League: NL EAST Atlanta: The Braves whiffed when it came to landing a top-of-the-rotation starter such as Chris Sale. They'll look other places. Their rotation is deep with youth and talent. And they had the fifth-best second-half run production in the NL last season. They added R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon to keep pressure off the kids in the rotation. Miami: The Marlins...
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Mel Antonen

Looking at how AL clubs fared at the Winter Meetings

Looking at how AL clubs fared at the Winter Meetings
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Winter Meetings are over. Here are thoughts about teams in the American League: AL EAST Baltimore: The Orioles spent their time at the meetings looking for an outfielder, a catcher and bullpen depth. Dan Duquette's best quote was telling Jose Bautista's agent that he didn't want to sign the outfielder because Bautista is a villain in the eyes of Orioles fans. Duquette, though, says that the Orioles have a better chance of adding an outfielder through the free agent...
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Mel Antonen

Trade winds bring changes in Windy City baseball landscape

Trade winds bring changes in Windy City baseball landscape
The Cubs will defend their World Series title with a new closer next season. Instead of investing millions long-term for lefty free agent closer Aroldis Chapman and his 100 mph fastball, the Cubs acquired closer Wade Davis, a two-time All-Star, from the Royals for outfielder Jorge Soler on the third day of the winter meetings. Chapman and Kenley Jansen are the two free agent closers left on the market, but the Cubs couldn't fit either into their 2017 budget. Former Nationals closer Mark...
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Mel Antonen

After landing Sale and Thornburg in trades, Red Sox seem well-stocked on mound

After landing Sale and Thornburg in trades, Red Sox seem well-stocked on mound
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - When Red Sox manager John Farrell sat down for his gathering with reporters late Tuesday afternoon, the first question asked was, "Who is going to be your opening day starter?'' Farrell laughed. "It's only Dec. 6,'' he said. "There's time to figure it out.'' There's also an impressive list from which to choose, especially after the Red Sox on Tuesday acquired pitcher Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox in a deal that included Boston's top prospect, Yoan...
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Mel Antonen

Winter Meetings Day 1 wrap: Local teams busy, but Giants and Dodgers land big names

Winter Meetings Day 1 wrap: Local teams busy, but Giants and Dodgers land big names
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The first day of baseball's Winter Meetings was a day of fact-finding for the local nines. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was on the telephone all day. His Orioles counterpart, Dan Duquette, prepared for the Rule 5 draft, met with agents and talked trades with others teams. But two National League West teams signed free agent pitchers, hoping to fix glaring needs: San Francisco signed closer Mark Melancon and Los Angeles retained lefty Rich Hill. Melancon, 31,...
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Mel Antonen

Some questions and answers as major league teams head into Winter Meetings

Some questions and answers as major league teams head into Winter Meetings
Baseball's Winter Meetings - the meetings that had a chance to be canceled for lack of a labor agreement - start Monday. Who wins? Both the players and ownership feel good about the new agreement, so they each won. But for the fans, it's better to be talking trades than luxury tax. The meetings are at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxen Hill, Md. - eight miles south of Nationals Park. The Orioles want to upgrade their outfield defense, so how will their corner...
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Mel Antonen

Explaining WAR's role in MVP results

Explaining WAR's role in MVP results
Mike Trout and Kris Bryant were named the American and National League MVPs, begging a question: Does this mean that the Baseball Writers' Association of America will judge MVP candidates by different standards in the coming years? Both vote totals are a victory for the new-age sabermetrics statistic called WAR - wins above replacement. Although debatable about what it means, WAR tries to summarize a players' all-around ability in one number. Both second-place finishers - the Nationals'...
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Mel Antonen

How Porcello beat out Verlander for AL Cy Young Award

How Porcello beat out Verlander for AL Cy Young Award
The American League Cy Young Award talk should be about Orioles closer Zach Britton and his perfect 47-for-47 save season winning the hardware. Instead, it was about starting pitchers making comebacks in one of the closest races in Cy Young history. Boston's Rick Porcello, who had nine wins and a 4.92 ERA for the Red Sox in 2015, won the award by five points over Detroit's Justin Verlander, who re-established his elite status after two rocky seasons of injury, ineffectiveness and a declining...
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Mel Antonen

It's hard to argue with Roberts, Francona as Manager of the Year winners

It's hard to argue with Roberts, Francona as Manager of the Year winners
The managers who win Manager of the Year awards are usually the guys that won - or at least contended - despite a list of problems. That's why the Dodgers' Dave Roberts won the Baseball Writers' Association of America award over the Cubs' Joe Maddon and the Nationals' Dusty Baker. Roberts had 16 first-place votes and 108 points. Maddon had eight first-place votes and 70 points, Baker four first-place votes and 66 points. Roberts led the Dodgers to the National League West title and 91...
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Mel Antonen

Nats, Cubs didn't meet in playoffs, but will battle for BBWAA awards this week

Nats, Cubs didn't meet in playoffs, but will battle for BBWAA awards this week
The Nationals and Chicago Cubs didn't play in October as expected, but this week, representatives from the two teams will be at the center of the Baseball Writers' Association of America awards debate. The Cubs have finalists for three of the four BBWAA awards, including MVP, Cy Young and Manager of the Year. The Nats have finalists in all four BBWAA awards categories. Nationals starter Max Scherzer is the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award, but two Cubs pitchers - Kyle Hendricks and...
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