#First Baseman

Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the swingin' after-party for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. I hope you all had a good weekend. If you spent it at the Cubs convention, we're glad that you've decided to continue the good times with us. Come on in out of the cold. If it's raining or snowing where you are, come in and get…

Plenty of Boston Red Sox fans are just moving on from their grief over the franchise trading away superstar Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020. Well, all of those fun feelings are resurfacing on Thursday because the Red Sox are back at it again. Not only is Boston in the midst of an embarrassingly bad offseason, but the club just took…

Detroit Tigers vs Arizona Diamondbacks 6/24/2022 Picks Predictions Previews The Detroit Tigers (26-43) will be stealing bases against the Arizona Diamondbacks (32-39) in Game 1 of 3 of the MLB Interleague at Chase Field in Phoenix on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 9:40 PM ET. Detroit will try to snap a three-game losing streak in coming to this match-up…

A funny thing has happened on the way to what assorted baseball media figures assumed was another 100+ loss season for the Orioles. They've started winning games, sitting on a.500 record of 46-46 at the All-Star break. Instead of fans having to wonder when the prospects will start arriving to turn things from dismal to bearable, now it's more like…

Lewin Díaz is back in DFA limbo. I wouldn't be surprised if he ultimately winds up as a minor league free agent and has to earn a roster spot in spring training. Congrats to our own Daniel Rodriguez on his third consecutive Marlins Jeopardy victory. For Final Jeopardy, contestants had to identify the active Marlins player who's speaking in this…

The Oakland Athletics are set to host the Miami Marlins today in the final matchup of a three-game set at RingCentral Coliseum. With that said, it's a good time to check out our MLB odds series, which includes our Marlins-Athletics prediction and pick we have laid out below. Today's game features a pair of MLB bottom feeders looking to finish out…

Now that the 2022 MLB trade deadline has passed, it's worthwhile to check back in on the updated World Series odds. While the Yankees, Dodgers, and Astros still sit atop the World Series odds boards, given the changes to this year's playoff format, it's truly anyone's game once the 12-team field is officially set. A handful of playoff-contending…

The next player in our 2023 season preview series is newly-acquired first baseman Brandon Belt. First, here's a refresher on the projection system we're going to be taking a look at. STEAMER: 326 PA, 62 H, 13 HR, 40 RBI, .222/.323/.410, 111 wRC+, 0.6 WAR 2021: 381 PA, 89 H, 29 HR, 59 RBI, .274/.378/.597, 157 wRC+, 3.4 WAR 2022: 298 PA, 54 H, 14 HR,…

The Rays are among AL contenders while the A's are expected to be one of the league's bottom-feeders. Oakland has been competitive in the first two games of the series, but we like Wander Franco & Co. to grab a statement win tonight in our betting picks. The Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays face off in the third game of a four-game set at…

My everlasting love, I am coming home, for the war is over. Both sides are claiming victory, but there is no ambiguity in this matter. We are victorious, my sweet Gerty! We have prevailed! Sing tale of our triumph upon the highest mountain top, because we have won, we have won, we have won, and I am coming home. The Belt Wars are over. The good…

Carlos Correa is reportedly staying put. ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the free-agent shortstop, who reportedly signed a massive contract with the Giants and Mets before medical issues hindered it, is actually re-signing with the Twins on a six-year $200 million contract. To commemorate Correa's signing, fans can get his gear at Fanatics. On…

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been around for over a century, and over that time, they've managed to win their fair share of World Series (7, to be precise). But in recent years, the team has fallen on hard times. They have made the playoffs three times since 2017 but only won the title in 2020. The Dodgers are hoping for their 8th win this year…

With the acqusition of Juan Soto, the chances of the San Diego Padres to win the world series have skyrocketed. One move has elevated the shot of a World Series for a team that was teetering on the brink of success. The San Diego Padres have improved their odds with their trade to get Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals. According…

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Guardians still need a catcher. Manager Terry Francona said patience is required and that executives Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff will deliver a backstop. That is a good thing because as Casey Stengel said a long time ago, "If you don't have a catcher, you're going to have a lot of passed balls." The winter meetings…

A daytime rubber match is in store on Thursday as the St. Louis Cardinals battle it out with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Join us for our MLB odds series, where our Cardinals-Rockies prediction and pick will be revealed. The Cardinals enter the series finale fresh off a decisive 9-5 victory on Wednesday. Tasked with getting St. Louis the…

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the 2022 MLB season is about to kick into high gear. The MLB trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and this year's deadline could see one of the game's best players get moved in Juan Soto. Once the deadline passes, the race for the playoffs will be on with just over two months of the regular season…

After a decade of unprecedented regular-season dominance, but all too familiar playoff disappointment that continued Saturday night with their elimination in the National League Division Series, the Dodgers find themselves in a familiar place entering this offseason. Trying to sustain the success that included winning a franchise-record 111 games…

Now that the 2022 season is over for the New York Mets, we have been looking back at the year that was. After taking a more general view of the offense, pitching, and coaching staff, it's time to take a deeper dive into the Mets' players. This series will take a look at every player on the roster for the Mets at the end of the season from A (Pete…

Is it just me, or is the Orioles' roster going in circles? Yesterday the O's made a couple of surprising transactions, designating first baseman Ryan O'Hearn for assignment just two days after they'd acquired him from the Royals. To replace him, the Birds reclaimed first baseman Lewin Díaz, whom they'd claimed from the Pirates Dec. 2, then traded…

Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals 9/21/2022 Picks Predictions Previews The Minnesota Twins (73-75) will play Kansas City (59-89) in the AL Central Division at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 8:10 PM ET. Minnesota is in 3rd place at 73-75 in the American League Central Division with a.493 team percentage and…

CINCINNATI -- The opening of Spring Training is right around the corner. When the Reds gather in Goodyear, Ariz., in mid-February, will first baseman Joey Votto be fully ready to go? As he continues his rehabilitation from major surgery on his left shoulder and biceps, Votto wasn't completely sure. Votto spoke to Tommy Thrall and me on Wednesday…

The MLB is already set up to be filled with drama and unexpected twists in 2023. The winter meetings just took place in San Diego, and there were a number of noticeable moves that took place. Xander Bogaerts signed with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night which means over 20 free agents in the major league agreed to contracts. If you add the…

Despite the Chicago White Sox stumbling to an 81-81 record last season, new manager Pedro Grifol says 2023 "is not a rebuilding year." Grifol was named manager of the White Sox on Nov. 1, replacing Tony LaRussa. "This is not a rebuilding year," White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said, via Vinnie Duber, White Sox beat writer for CHGO Sports. Grifol was…

Toronto Blue Jays vs Detroit Tigers 6/12/2022 Picks Predictions Previews The Toronto Blue Jays (34-24) will slug it out against the Detroit Tigers (24-34) in the series installment finale at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 1:40 PM ET. Toronto will try to end this series with a victory versus Detroit on Sunday after splitting…

After a largely lackluster showing in the free agent market the last few months, the Boston Red Sox offseason is likely going to revolve around the trade market for the rest of the winter, and that's not just according to me. Chaim Bloom himself has indicated as such and while getting a long-term deal for Rafael Devers should be a priority as well…

With less than 20 games left in the MLB regular season, the San Diego Padres will attempt to bolster their NL Wild Card chances as they travel to the desert to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. It is time to take an exclusive sneak peek at our MLB odds series, where our Padres-Diamondbacks prediction and pick will be revealed. Standing at 78-65…

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terry Francona called Andres Gimenez "dangerous" after Tuesday's game against San Diego was postponed and rescheduled as a traditional doubleheader Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. at Progressive Field. Dangerous is a good adjective for someone who gets paid to hit a baseball. Gimenez did a lot of that on the just completed 10-game trip.…

Javier Báez is headed to Detroit on a six-year, $140 million deal, The Athletic confirmed on Tuesday. The deal is pending a physical. Báez, who turns 29 Dec. 1, will be the third on the list of top free-agent shortstops to sign in the last few days, with both Marcus Semien (seven years, $175 million) and Corey Seager (10 years, $325 million)…

Oct 23, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (12) throws out Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (not pictured) in the sixth inning during game four of the ALCS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports The New York Yankees are not planning on Isiah…

The 2022 MLB season marks the sixth consecutive season where manager Craig Counsell and the Milwaukee Brewers are looking to finally break through in the National League. At face value, they have a deep and talented team across the board. The key to success is their offense making substantial leaps. Such offensive production is going to have to…

Earlier today we ran a piece on MLB.com's prediction of Cristian Javier as the 2023 AL Cy Young winner. We alluded to the Astros finally being given the respect they deserve from the national media. Love'em or hate'em, you have to respect Houston. Well, you can't win them all. Bradford Doolittle of ESPN is the latest to display a laughable level of…

After an All-Star break festooned with nostalgia, home runs, and bullpen dominance, the MLB schedule restarts Thursday, with some 70 games remaining for each team. So before the second half begins, let's dive into the top 10 story lines to monitor between now and October-because there's a whole lot of baseball left, and just as much drama on the…

Few teams struggled like the Oakland Athletics last season. The perrennially cash-starved ballclub finished last place in the American League with a 60-102 record. Much of the Athletics' issues stem from their money problems. The team has always been among the lowest payrolls in the MLB. Additionally, their home field, the O.co Coliseum, has been…

After four straight years at the bottom of the National League Central, the Reds moved up to fourth in 2019, 16 games behind St. Louis and 14 games out of postseason contention. Attendance rose from 1.63 million in 2018 to 1.81 million in 2019, still the third-lowest total in 17 years at the Great American Ball Park. The team allowed only 10 runs…

For the second straight offseason, A's general manager David Forst is having serious discussions with multiple teams about trading his best young player - catcher Sean Murphy this time. That doesn't necessarily mean it will be business as usual for the frugal A's at the Winter Meetings, though. Forst heads to San Diego Sunday with the hope of…

Get on your feet AL West fans! The Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros go head-to-head out on the diamond for what should be an entertaining showdown! Join us for our MLB odds series, where our Athletics-Astros prediction and pick will be revealed. Even though the Athletics are well out of the playoff picture at 52-91, Oakland came away with a…

The Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks will begin a four-game series in Arizona on Thursday night. With that said, it's a good time to check out our MLB odds series, which includes a Brewers-Diamondbacks prediction and pick we have laid out below. The Milwaukee Brewers own a 69-60 record, good for second place in the NL Central, six games…

The Philadelphia Phillies faithful are performing their annual ritual to improve on last summer's finish. Unfortunately, armchair GMs have no monetary limits plus endless prospects to pry loose a star from another franchise. But they want a stud for what they want to unload. Why would another club want the player you don't? Hint: They…

First of all, you don't have to tell me twice... I'm very aware that the St. Louis Cardinals are risk-averse, trade-averse, "make a big splash"-averse, and generally fun-averse at the MLB trade deadline. While John Mozeliak and Bill DeWitt have made some big off-season moves (hello Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado), they're typically conservative…

The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the free-agent shortstop, who reportedly signed a massive contract with the Giants before a medical issue hindered it, is actually signing with the Mets on a 12-year, $315 million deal. To commemorate Correa's signing, fans can get his gear at Fanatics. His gear is not available yet, but once it is, fans…

The Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves will face off in the final game of their three-game series in Atlanta Thursday night. With that said, it's a good time to check out our MLB odds series, which includes a Rockies-Braves prediction and pick we have laid out below. Colorado is in the midst of another lost season, going 56-75 and once again…

We've got two rounds of mailbags coming your way this week. Consider these to be early holiday gifts. Sorry. No refunds, though. Much like that box of Almond Roca you're bound to get, you're stuck with me. A lot to tackle this week in terms of your questions, including everyone's favorite topic: The Mariners and the free-agent market. We talk about…

The San Diego Padres will need to add a first baseman to the roster for the 2023 season. Let's take a look at some options. The Eric Hosmer era in San Diego is over. With no clear option at the first base position for the 2023 season, the Padres will need to do something. Currently, Josh Bell, Brandon Drury, and Wil Myers are sharing the…

Hockey players used to come from places like Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat and Prince Albert. Now they come - some of the biggest stars, it seems, some of the most explosive players - from Scottsdale and Phoenix and suburban Los Angeles. When Tage Thompson scored five goals the other night for the Buffalo Sabres, bringing his total to 21 in 26 games…

With the season being over, we can reflect on the Diamondbacks performance in the 2022 season and look at which players contributed the most. The awards in consideration were the Most Valuable Player, Best Hitter, Best Pitcher, Rookie of the Year, Best Reliever, Hitting Prospect, and Pitching Prospect. These are the players who earned those…

We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors. The Braves (Dansby Swanson), Dodgers (Trea Turner), Red Sox (Xander Bogaerts) and Twins (Carlos Correa) have all lost star shortstops in free agency this offseason. Where might they turn for an external replacement? According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required),…

While most of the big names are off the board, we still have several weeks of offseason left in Major League Baseball. That means the daily supplies of rumors shall continue apace. Speaking of which, you can find Monday's supply just below. Will third baseman Rafael Devers be the latest homegrown star to depart the Red Sox? The increasingly hapless…

The Orioles' recent signing of Adam Frazier was simultaneously infuriating and intriguing. Although an All-Star in 2021, Frazier was poor for the Mariners last season, and while he might bounce back in 2023, he is far from the impact bat that this fan base was hoping a team with supposed playoff ambitions would attract this winter. However, at $8…

The Minnesota Twins signed two-time All-Star and all-or-nothing slugger Joey Gallo on Friday. Clearly, there will be a trickle-down effect on the Twins' current roster, but which players will be most impacted, finding themselves in a new role - or perhaps, even a new city - by the time the regular season kicks off on March 30? It was only a week…

The Yankees extend their homestand in New York as they host the Tampa Bay Rays for a three game series starting Friday, September 9 (9/9/2022). Game 1 will be an Amazon Prime Video exclusive in the New York Market, but will air on Bally Sports Sun in the Tampa Market. Games 2 and 3 will air on YES, Bally Sports Sun and MLB Network (out of market),…