The Yankees acquire James Paxton from Mariners

Paxton Dealt to New York

The New York Yankees have just made a big splash in the trade market. The pinstripes went all in on 30-year-old James Paxton. “The Big Maple” is a hard-throwing left-hand pitcher, sitting 95-98 MPH with his fastball and can touch 90 MPH with his slider. When he puts it all together Paxton is magical to watch. What I really like about his pitch selection is the depth he gets on his slider combined with a filthy curveball. They end up at similar points but cross the plate at different angles with a roughly eight MPH difference in velocity. Paxton has had some elite showings, such as his 16 strikeout performance in seven shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics. He would then follow that game up with a no-hitter on May 8th, 2018.

While Paxton possesses all the talent in the world, he is not a dominant ace that opposing hitters will bow down to. Last season Paxton went 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA and 208 Ks in 160.1 IP. He is a great fit for the Yankees as his problem over the years has been not getting deep into starts. As with most strikeout pitchers, Paxton struggled to get deep into games, averaging 5.2 IP per start last season. His ERA was much higher than the 2.98 ERA he posted in 2017, despite his WHIP going down slightly, and his H/9 (7.5) and BB/9 (2.4) staying exactly the same. Most of his advanced statistics were consistent year to year, making for an unusually large disparity between his 2017 and 2018 earned-run average.

The Yankees went all in for a pitcher that is already 30-years-old and has never logged more than 160.1 IP in a big league season. The Yankees have the lefty under team control for two full seasons before he hits free agency. Paxton is injury prone with a ton of upside. If I had to give a player comparison to Big Maple, I would say that the Yankees just got themselves a Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi has not had the successes that Paxton has had in the regular season but is two years younger and should peak at the same age.

Mariners Land Top Prospect in Sheffield

New York dealt their biggest prospect in Justus Sheffield, as well as two other prospects. Sheffield is a 22-year-old lefty with a ton of potential. He is expected to start the 2019 season on the Mariners’ roster as he is considered MLB ready. He got a taste of the majors by logging 2.2 IP at the end of the season in 2018 for the Yankees and will shift his focus to making an opening day roster. Sheffield went 7-6 with a 2.48 ERA in 25 games with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season.

The Yankees also sent Erik Swanson, a 25-year-old RHP who had a 2.66 ERA in 2018 between A, AA, and AAA ball. Both pitchers will compete for a spot in the rotation on opening day. 23-year-old CF Don Thompson-Williams was also shipped to Seattle after hitting .299 with 22 HRs, 74 RBIs and 20 steals in A-ball. This was a great trade for the Mariners considering they have chosen to enter a minor rebuild. The Mariners got two players who will compete for starting spots on the MLB roster, including a top prospect and a young outfielder that dominated the minor leagues in 2018.

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

Have we found the next Ronda Rousey in 2018?

Before she decided to step inside a wrestling ring, Ronda Rousey was the best pure fighter in MMA today. She was the first female world champion and the first fighting champion to ever hold an Olympic medal. A UFC Hall of Famer, there is no denying the pedigree of Rousey.

Since losing to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, however, there has been a severe lack of buzz for female fighters. Yes, we have Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Holm, but that doesn’t appear to be enough. Just like when Conor McGregor was gone, some passion for a specific part of the UFC died down a little.

Luckily, the UFC might have just hit the jackpot in 2018. Dominant female fighters with colorful personalities are taking over, just in the nick of time.

For starters, 20-year old Maycee Barber (6-0) is working her way up the ladder in the MMA world. While she still has a long way to go, her overall ability is something to behold. She is a diverse fighter; she can beat you via submission or KO. In a strawweight division that is looking for challengers for Rose Namajunas, Barber appears to be getting groomed for her time to shine.

Maycee Barber

Barber wants another fighter whom Dana White loves to talk about, Mackenzie Dern. The 25-year old Dern (7-0) is a former medalist in her own right. A true submission specialist, Dern’s build cannot be underestimated. Her one issue is making weight, something that may very well hold her back. If these two were to square off, it wouldn’t be a bout to sleep on.

While we have two young fighters, two champions are looking to prove they are truly better than Ronda. Cris Cyborg, who has attempted to fight Rousey before, will be defending her UFC Featherweight Championship against Bantamweight Champion Nunes.

Cris Cyborg

Cyborg (20-1, 1 NC) and Nunes (16-4) both have impressive resumes that focus on their boxing ability. Relatively young, if Nunes can beat Cyborg her career as a “champ-champ” may just be the most significant thing for women’s MMA.

This is just the UFC we are talking about. Bellator, Glory and all female boxers bring something different into the combat sports fold. There are a lot of names to count, but one must remember what Rousey meant to the sport. There is nobody that can replace her, but that is not what they truly want. The buzz that initially started because of her can continue on with the next generation. We can only hope the UFC takes advantage of this second revolution.

Daniel Yanofsky – Combat Sports Contributor – WTF Sports

Dallas Keuchel wants to be a Yankee

It is no secret that the New York Yankees are interested in strengthening their rotation this offseason. There were rumors that the Yankees were in talks with Keuchel, which he was asked about on the Fox Business Network. Keuchel essentially made his pitch to Cashman, “The lure of the city would be really cool. I like pitching in Yankee Stadium.” When asked about shaving his beard Keuchel made his intentions clear, “For the right opportunity, I would happily shave this beard off, it’s all about winning. I’ve made that very clear from Day 1 of my career starting to this position right now.”

Usually the negotiation process involves the front office to be the aggressor in making a deal happen. It appears that Keuchel will make a negotiation quick and easy should Brian Cashman keep calling.

I officially projected that Patrick Corbin would end up in pinstripes just days ago. He grew up in Syracuse as a die hard Yankees fan, and the team had allegedly had interest even before his impressive 2018 campaign. It appears that Keuchel also has strong interest in becoming part of the Evil Empire. The Yankees would most likely only acquire one of the two top pitchers, though they have the financial capability to land both.

The Yankees have been linked to just about every top free agent and trade candidate making projections tough. Cashman himself has not decided which players to target yet. Keuchel certainly seems open to the idea of donning pinstripes should he get the right contract.

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

Manny Machado Free Agency Prediction

Manny Machado – New York Yankees

It pains me to say this, but it appears that the New York Yankees will make a serious a serious bid for one of the brightest young superstars in the game. His antics in the 2018 postseason were noted but will not cost him. Unfortunately, when you are as good as Manny Machado, you can get away with being a terrible person who injures people intentionally and is openly anti-hustle.

Shortstop is wide open for the Yankees right now, and for the foreseeable future with Didi Gregorius on the shelf with a torn UCL.

“Gregorius is under contract through 2019, then hits free agency in 2020. That means that Manny Machado to New York would be a smooth transition. With Didi out, Machado could slide right in at shortstop while Gregorius recovers.” – With Gregorius out for 2019, Machado’s path to New York is paved – WTF Sports

Manny Machado is one of the best young players in the game, coming off another strong season in 2018. Machado hit .297 with 37 HRs, 107 RBIs, and a .905 OPS. He played 162 regular season games between Baltimore and Los Angeles. He is lined up for a mega-deal not many teams can offer.

The Yankees certainly can afford Machado and will be looking for some massive upgrades after being defeated in the ALDS by the Boston Red Sox. The rivalry is back, and that front office is going to do everything they can to be on the winning side of it. Over the last three seasons, the Yankees have watched the Boston Red Sox clinch the American League East on their own turf twice, and advance to the American League Conference Championship just weeks ago. Brian Cashman is going to do anything in his power to stop the Boston Red Sox from having a fourth champagne celebration at Yankee Stadium in as many years.

New York is tired of watching the Red Sox dominate this rivalry over the last few seasons. Now they have the funds and the youth to get back to their historically dominant form. Look for the Yankees to pursue Machado heavily and for Machado to go for the largest contract available. That will likely end with Manny in pinstripes.

Bryce Harper Prediction:

Bryce Harper Free Agency Prediction 2.0

Patrick Corbin Prediction:

Predicting Where the Top Free Agent Pitcher Will Land

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

Like it or Not: Barry Bonds should be in Cooperstown

Like it or Not: Barry Bonds should be in Cooperstown

Before I hear the excuse, the steroids are the reason or steroids ruined baseball, save it. Save it right now. I understand the useless reason, it is not a fair argument in anyway. One of the greatest to ever play the game, Willie Mays is on my side, so why aren’t you?

I love that he just KNEW (Record Breaking 756)

As a baseball nerd, I love watching the launch angle of this baseball.

The all-time home run leader Barry Bonds has yet to make it to Cooperstown despite being on the ballot for six years, and he is quite possibly the greatest hitter of all time. People cannot realize that Bonds was a phenomenal player from his beginnings to his end. Bonds won his first of seven MVP awards in 1990 with the Pirates, but you know, those steroids swung the bat for him, those steroids did the fielding for him. It really is a joke that the old geezers that vote on the hall of fame every single season continue to keep the best power hitting in the history of baseball out of there because of PEDs.

Bonds was the best player in baseball during the golden age of baseball in the 1990s and early 2000s. That means something. The selling ability of who Bonds the player was special, something that the MLB desperately needs today. Yes, Mike Trout is great, sure Mookie Betts is pretty cool, but none of them are Barry Bonds. Barry Bonds could hit the ball to the moon in any given at-bat (see bomb below to believe it)

Ball actually never came down. BOMB

I saw a video the other day that may define exactly who Barry Bonds is. Greg Maddux was talking about the easiest guy to pitch to. His response? Barry Bonds. Why? Because he walked him every time. He said you have to pick your fights in a game, and Bonds was never the fight one should choose. Bonds was a game-changer every single time he got to the batter’s box. And yes, he was magnificent in the field I guess, capturing eight gold gloves in his career. You know what is scary? In 2004, Barry Bonds had the highest on-base percentage ever, with a whopping .609. That means he was on base every 6 of 10 at bats. Unreal. Actually, for a four-year span, he averaged over .500 for his OBP. But again, he can’t make Cooperstown.

The steroid excuse is a sorry excuse. Face it, the hottest time in baseball was when there was a competitive race to the HR title rather than a race to the pennant. In 2001, Sammy Sosa hit 64 HRs, but Barry Bonds must’ve seen that and said absolutely no chance I am losing the HR title again this season, hitting a record 73 bombs in one season. Oh, and you absolutely know that I am posting all 73 for you all to watch.

I know free agency is right around the corner and the hot stove is absolutely heating up, but when you look think about it, the announcement for the 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame is right around the corner as well. It is time to get the record holder of almost everything into Cooperstown. It is time for the hall of fame to not be a joke, for the voters to understand what Bonds did for baseball, and if it is just for that reason, so be it. Plain and simple, Barry Bonds needs to be in Cooperstown next year.

You’re Welcome. Feels good to be back.

– Scott Edwards, Creator of WTF Sports

Predicting Where the Top Free Agent Pitcher Will Land

Patrick Corbin – New York Yankees

Patrick Corbin grew up in Syracuse rooting for the Yankees along with his whole family. When asked about the possibility of donning pinstripes back in December, here was his response, “It would definitely be great to play there. I grew up a Yankee fan. My whole family are Yankee fans. My mom, my dad, my grandpa, everybody. Really, every generation of my family has been Yankee fans. I know the Yankees have had some interest in the past, and there were a lot of rumors this winter that got my family excited. It would have been cool.” Corbin told Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The Yankees primary need is starting pitching and Corbin should be their top priority. In a breakout year Corbin went 11-7 with a 3.15 ERA. He had 246 strikeouts in exactly 200 innings for the Diamondbacks. Patrick Corbin is the top arm in the market at only 29 years old. The Yankees could seriously benefit from adding a talented left-handed starter like Corbin. Majority of teams will be interested in the top pitcher in free agency which gives Corbin plenty of leverage to pick where he wants to go. The Yankees are a competitive team as well as the team he grew up watching.

The Evil Empire have been spending wisely the last few seasons and waiting for the right time to splurge on some superstars. They currently have the financial capability to negotiate with Corbin and Machado in the same offseason. Cashman knows how capable his team is as constructed. Adding two of the top free agents would almost ensure the Yankees would win a championship and reclaim the throne in the American League East.

See where I project Bryce Harper to land, it is not what most people project:

Bryce Harper Free Agency Prediction

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

 

 

 

 

Bryce Harper Free Agency Prediction 2.0

 

            The Chicago Cubs seemed primed to land the superstar outfielder who grew up with Kris Bryant and has dreamed of the two teaming up since little league. Unfortunately, that reunion now seems unlikely with Cole Hamels $20 million option being exercised by the Cubs. The real crime here is that the contracts preventing Harper to Chicago are mostly poor, highlighted by Yu Darvish ($20 million in 2019) and Jason Heyward ($22.5 million in 2019.) Tyler Chatwood will earn $12.5 million following a season in which he posted a 5.30 ERA in 103.2 IP.

While I still believe Harper’s first choice would be to reunite with his best friend Kris Bryant, it seems unlikely that the Cubs will be able to free up the funds to acquire his talent. His agent Scott Boras is not exactly known for taking a discount, and Harper appears to have the Lebron James superstar mentality that would lead me to believe he will try to break the bank and change the way MLB contracts are handed out. Harper will challenge the new age analytics loyalists that do not believe in overcommitting to one player by offering insanely high salaries and decade long contracts. At least one team will have to budge and go against the grain.

The Washington Nationals will be the team to pay up and get the face of their franchise back in D.C. This is somewhat of a hot take considering the Phillies are the sudden favorites and the Cubs are a fairly distant second according to Vegas. The Phillies have been “favorites” to land a lot of guys, like Machado at the trade deadline last season. Philadelphia is the hot team right now because they just started spending money and saw results. The Phillies will have interest and most likely make an offer, but I would not consider them the favorites.

Bryce Harper will remain in Washington because both sides would love to make that happen. The Nationals showed confidence when they decided not to trade Harper for a boatload of prospects at the deadline. Since then it has been reported that the Nationals made an “aggressive” offer on the last day of the season. The narrative has been that Harper rejecting that contract means he will no longer re-sign with the team. That is not what Harper is saying. Bryce Harper has been an icon since he was drafted first overall in 2010. Harper, Boras, and fans everywhere have been long awaiting the contract that Bryce Harper is going to sign. There was no offer that Washington could have made that close to free agency that Harper and Boras would have seriously considered. He wants to set the new record for a Major League Baseball contract, and Washington could step up to the plate as they have clearly shown the desire to bring him back. As for Harper, you cannot watch the most recent Home Run Derby and tell me Harper doesn’t bleed red, white, and blue, for his country’s capitol. That man would love to bring a championship to the District of Columbia.

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

Bryce Harper Free Agency Prediction

Bryce Harper is debatably the top free agent in baseball. The only competition he has at the top is Manny Machado, and he did not help his case by being a blatant douche in primetime.

Manny Machado kicked Jesús Aguilar. Many #takes will follow. pic.twitter.com/uMopidt8IJ

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 17, 2018

Harper has had one of the greatest starts to a career of all time. Through his age 25 season, Harper has amassed 922 hits, 184 homers, 521 RBIs, and 610 runs. He is a career .279 hitter that averages 32 homers, 91 RBIs, and a .900 OPS each season.

At only 26 years old, Harper should expect to make a ton of money this off-season. He is coming off his worst season of his career, though his numbers aren’t as bad as they appear. Harper hit .249 with 34 homers, 100 RBIs, and an .889 OPS. He led the league last season with 130 walks. Put him on a team with offensive weapons around him and he will see a lot more pitches to crush into the third deck.

Where Will He Land?

Chicago Cubs. Bryce Harper has been very vocal over his love for Wrigley, he even named his dog after his future home field:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWl5XM6B9-s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Bryce is also famous for his love for current Chicago Cubs Kris Bryant, who he grew up with. Their wives are also best friends and have been openly pulling for Bryce to join the Cubs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BV3jrqLhUsI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Cubs have a boatload of money and could use a power bat of his caliber. It clearly should not be too difficult to sign the six-time All-Star and former National League MVP. He should have a lot of motivating factors leading him to end up in a Cubs uniform.

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

Damage Done: Red Sox are World Series Champions

Damage Done: Red Sox are World Series Champions

Dominance.

 

The Boston Red Sox are 2018 World Series Champions and it may be the most dominant team in Sox history.

 

I have run out of words so quickly. This team is Boston’s team. David Price pitched his heart out, Steve Pearce had the series of his life, Joe Kelly made me want to run through a wall, and this team gave me every single emotion even though they brought all the dominance.

 

Mookie. JD. Sale. JBJ. X. Price. Devers. Nunez. Holt. Vazquez. Sandy. Craig. Joe. Barnes. Porcello. Eovaldi. Brasier. E-Rod. Swihart. Pearce. Kinsler. Benny. Mitchy. Dwew. Leon. AC.

 

The list goes on and on for this season, from the players to the coaching staff, this team was everything that is Boston.

 

I am not going to blab on with words, enjoy this everyone.

 

Parade is Wednesday, let’s celebrate!

 

Damage Done. World Series Champions.

– Scott Edwards, Proud Red Sox Fan

With Gregorius out for 2019, Machado’s path to New York is paved

Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius is set to have Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm this off-season. Gregorius has a torn UCL that he sustained in the ALDS against the Red Sox. Typically Tommy John surgery takes a player off the field for at least a year, sometimes more. Aaron Boone however had a different take saying, “We think there’s a realistic chance he plays the bulk of the season with us.” Now I have no idea what gave Boone the confidence to say that but Yankees GM Brian Cashman had no timetable for the recovery. The date of the surgery has not been set, though I’m sure it will be soon.

Gregorius is under contract through 2019 then hits free agency in 2020. That means that Manny Machado to New York would be a smooth transition. With Didi out, Machado could slide right in at shortstop while Gregorius recovers. Should he come back sooner than expected, they could ease him in with a utility role. Gregorius hit .268 with 27 HRs, 86 RBIs, 89 Runs, and a .829 OPS in only 134 Games. He battled injuries all season but took advantage of that short porch in Yankee Stadium and played great defense all season. I could see him coming back late in the season and providing some depth for a stacked Yankees infield should Machado sign. After 2019, Didi will have a chance to make some money and find a well deserved starting role most likely elsewhere.

Manny Machado is one of the best players in baseball, which he has continued to prove this season. Manny hit .297 with 37 HRs, 107 RBIs, and a .905 OPS. He played 162 regular season games between Baltimore and Los Angeles. As he faces off with the Brewers in the NLCS, Machado will look towards free agency, and what that will mean for his career.

Machado has been great for the Dodgers, a large market team that should have interest in signing him to a long-term deal. However, Corey Seager is on his way back from Tommy John surgery and will look to retake his spot as the captain of the Dodgers infield. Maybe the Dodgers make a power move by moving Seager to second-base to keep both stars in Los Angeles.

Should the Dodgers fail to re-sign Machado, expect the Yankees to go all in to bring Manny back to the American League East. The Evil Empire has worked hard to get back under the luxury tax in recent years. They are looking to pay up for a proven seasoned superstar slugger like Manny Machado. It appears as if Machado to New York has been developing for years and now it looks clear as day.

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports