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10 Bold Predictions for 2013: Yoenis Cespedes will get more MVP votes than Robinson Cano

March 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Cano and Cespedes

Is Cano or Cespedes going to have the better year?

As part of our preview for the upcoming 2013 season, we’ll be doing a 10 Bold Predictions for 2013 series that will be featured between now and Opening Day. Our third prediction: Yoenis Cespedes collects more MVP votes than Robinson Cano.

Robinson Cano has been one of the best hitters in baseball over past several years.  His three year averages:  .311/.370/.539, 30 HR, 107 RBI, 104 runs, and 5 sB.  The 30/100/100 mark is a milestone and when someone averages that over three years in an increasingly pitching dominated era, it’s incredible.  He has finished 3rd, 6th, and 4th in the MVP race in the past three years.  It seems like any year now he is going to win it.  Well, it’s not likely to be this year.  Let me get this out there to start.  In no way is this prediction based on the fact that Cano will be meaningfully worse this year, but the Yankees lineup is not going to be great this year and two of these stats depend in part on his teammates – RBIs and runs.  In each case, Cano only contributes half of the contribution to the stat.  I don’t think Cano will go over 100 in RBIs or runs this year.  His average should maintain over .300 and the o/u on his HRs this year is probably 30.  Still a great year, but it won’t stack up against his previous seasons.

Let’s look at the other side of the coin, Yoenis Cespedes.  Cespedes came to Oakland last year from Cuba.  It was a bit of a surprise that Oakland spent on what was basically a free agent, but I suppose they saw more value than anyone else did.  Cespedes’ rookie year was going great, certainly overshadowed by Mike Trout, but great nonetheless.  However, he only got to play in 129 games last year due to a wrist injury.  What could he have done with a full season?  His 162 game averages were .292/.356/.505, 29 HR, 103 RBI, 88 runs, and 20 SB.  Take a few counting stats off for a 158 games season and his numbers don’t look too far off of Cano except exchange some runs for some SB.  Cespedes isn’t a young rookie, he’ll be entering his age 27 season this year.  Cespedes has always been rated as plus raw power with speed to match so the 30 HR/20 SB averages aren’t too surprising.  The .292 average to go with it is what can set him apart from the typical power/speed outfield type.  In a season where the overall average with .260 you can count the guys on two hands who can hit for average, power and steal plenty of bases.

Part of this prediction is based on the fact that the MVP is voted on.  It’s not a mathematical calculation of who had the best year.  Although Cano possibly has the advantage of being in a bigger market, the media is national enough that Cespedes will get plenty of press, especially if Oakland comes close to their 2012 season.  Another great year from Cespedes will be exciting as he is still relatively unknown to the casual fan and he could still have the “breakout” year narrative since last season was cut short by injury.  I don’t think either of these guys will necessarily win the MVP, but we can count the votes at the end of the year.  Check back to see if I’m brilliant or a complete idiot, or a little bit of neither.

Final Predictions:

  • Cano:  .301, 28 HR, 94 RBI, 90 runs, 4 SB
  • Cespedes:  .296, 34 HR, 105 RBI, 85 runs, 23 SB
Filed Under: Oakland A's, Yankees Tagged With: , ,

2013 Oakland Athletics Team Preview

February 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The San Francisco Giants may have taken home the World Series title, but they weren’t the only team in the Bay Area to grab our collective attention last year.  The Oakland A’s, of Catfish Hunter Bash Brothers Moneyball regular baseball fame, had a great year and, in combination with a Texas collapse, rallied to actually win the AL West in 2012.

Let’s take a closer look at the A’s.

Major Off-Season Moves:

  • Acquired John Jaso in 3 way from Seattle.  Jaso is good young player and will be a sneaky great addition for the A’s
  • Acquired IF Jed Lowrie from the Houston after he made a temporary home their.  Lowrie made like $20/hour, so he was way too much for the Astros.
  • Signed Hiroyuki Nakajima from half across the world in Japan.  They hope he is better than Kaz Matsui.

I think the Jaso and Lowrie trades were great deals for the A’s but, in typical fashion, they weren’t flashy this offseason.  If Brad Pitt knows anything, it’s how to acquire players below market value.  Side note:  we discussed one of Jaso’s most important features here when the trade was made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now on to who is going to take the field this year.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 Diamond Hoggers Season Previews, Oakland A's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Mike Morse headed to Seattle in three-team trade

January 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

We had a feeling that this would be the last Take on Me ever heard at Nationals Park.

Today was another day that the Nationals were in the thick of things, highlighting a three-team trade that sent Micheal Morse to Seattle and A.J. Cole to Washington. The trade also involved the Oakland Athletics picking up catcher John Jaso.

The Nationals will receive right-handed pitching prospects A.J. Cole and Blake Treinen along with a player to be named later from the A’s, according to CBSSports.com baseball insider Danny Knobler.

As part of the deal, the A’s will receive catcher John Jaso from the Mariners. The A’s also announced that catcher George Kottaras has been designated for assignment.

Cole was rated the A’s third best prospect and performed well at class-A before struggling in high-A ball. This trade was a return home of sorts, as the Nationals originally drafted Cole in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. Morse originally broke into the big leagues with the Mariners in 2005 and was in Seattle until 2009.

We always liked Morse. Later on it was for the A-ha batter walk-up song. Any guy who digs 80′s music that much and flaunts it is okay in our book. But our mind always shifts back to a night in Cincinnati in 2010 when we saw him take batting practice before the game. He was just a reserve then. We noticed how big he was. We noticed how he seemed to lace balls and there was a different sound off the bat compared to other guys. We thought the guy could play if given the chance as a full-time regular. The rest is history, and when it happened we always had a soft spot for Morse.

Filed Under: Oakland A's, Seattle Mariners, Trades, Washington Nationals Tagged With: , ,

2012 American League Division Series Predictions

October 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers

Prediction: Detroit Tigers over Oakland Athletics in four games.

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees

Prediction: New York Yankees over Baltimore Orioles in three games.

Filed Under: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, League Division Series, Oakland A's, Yankees

Yoenis Cespedes helps A’s to Japan triumph over Mariners

March 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

We survived Tebowmania and Linsanity, now it’s time to help think of a catchy phrase that will captivate the sports world that follows every at-bat of the (presumably) young Cuban sensation of the Oakland A’s.

Yoenis Cespedes hit his first career big league home run off a hanging breaking ball, and Bartolo Colon threw 8 strong innings to earn a 4-1 over the Seattle Mariners in the Tokyo Dome.

These two AL West teams split the Tokyo series and now will return home to American soil to play their remaining 160 games. Josh Reddick homered immediately after Cespedes, and Justin Smoak accounted for the lone Mariners run with a bomb of his own.

The good news is that now we can all settle in, because the next games played that count will be the real deal variety of openers and we’ll have a lot to focus on in just a short while.

Filed Under: Oakland A's, Seattle Mariners Tagged With: , , , ,

Dustin Ackley and the Mariners get off to a smiling start

March 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

While you were sleeping this morning, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics played 11 innings of baseball to kick off the 2012 season. This bonus baseball resulted in a 3-1 triumph for the Seattle Mariners, which kind of sucks for the Oakland A’s seeing as how they gave up a couple of home games to go over to Japan and play the Mariners for the good of the game.

Things began mostly as they should have. Felix Hernandez went 8 innings and got one lonely run of support for striking out six and walking nobody. Ichiro went 4 for 5, and Dustin Ackley was what we like to call the whole damn show. He homered to open up scoring, stole a bag, doubled in the run to break the tie in the top of the 11th and then scored on an Ichiro single.

Cliff Pennington had two hits for the A’s and Yoenis Cespedes went 1 for 3 with a double in his big league debut.

I am so happy that we have real baseball. I can’t wait for the American soil version a week from now.

Filed Under: Oakland A's, Seattle Mariners Tagged With: , , , ,

Get some sleep everyone, and get ready for Tokyo (Regular Season) Baseball

March 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Everyone ready for the start of the 2012 MLB season tomorrow morning at 6 am sharp? Mariners-A’s in the Egg Dome in Tokyo. Yoenis Cespedes, King Felix, Brandon McCarthy, and Eric Wedge are all part of a cast of characters who help us kick off another big league season. Things are starting to feel exciting in these parts.

Now get your fantasy lineups set, make sure your alarms are ready and get a few hours of sleep before we wake up and start tabulating those counting stats for six months plus.

I love this sport and this time of year.

Filed Under: Oakland A's, Seattle Mariners Tagged With: , , , ,

Brian Fuentes should shut his mouth and continue to ERA at a 4.50 clip

May 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Our buddy MTD over at Off Base had a pretty good take on Brian Fuentes (5.06 ERA currently) and his recent whining of being mis-communicated with by manager Bob Geren and being brought in for too many high pressure situations. You must check it out.

“Fuentes has to be frustrated that he’s on pace to lose over 20 games but to blame his pitching woes on a lack of communication seems like scapegoating to me. You are a relief pitcher. After being used in tie-game situations recently, perhaps it should cross your mind that you might be called upon during a 1-1 game instead of just mentally preparing yourself to pitch with a 3-run lead in the 9th.” [Off Base Percentage]

Filed Under: Oakland A's Tagged With: ,

Oakland A’s 2011 Season Preview

March 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Leading up to the start of the 2011 Regular Season, Diamond Hoggers will preview each of MLB’s 30 teams . Today’s preview features the Oakland Athletics. Stay tuned as Diamond Hoggers previews every team division by division until the start of the regular season. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Oakland A's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Oakland A’s Unveil New Golden Threads

January 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Yesterday at Oakland A’s media day (we bet that was a happening event), the A’s unveiled these new beauties for the 2011 season.

We’re traditionalists. We could do without any uniform changes, ever. Line these guys up in the same home whites and away greys each and every year and mix in the occasional alternate on five or so occasions each season to spice things up. But overall, stay away from anything drastic like this and be true to your brand.

So what do you think? Thumbs up or thumbs down on the A’s new digs?

Filed Under: Oakland A's Tagged With:

Eric Chavez is "done"

September 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Baseball Musings points out a pretty interesting yet obscure tidbit this morning. I realize there’s not one but two things I cannot believe about Eric Chavez. The first would be the fact that he’s still officially an Oakland Athletic. The guy has survived all kinds of turnover in that organization. The second would be that he’s still in baseball.

Remember when Eric Chavez was the Oakland A’s young superstar?

Look at his stats the last four seasons. He’s been done for a long time.

Filed Under: Eric Chavez, Oakland A's

Cincinnati Sweeps in Oakland

June 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Jay Bruce got the big hit yesterday that helped the Reds earn a much-needed sweep in Oakland. Bruce totaled three hits on the day, the second game in a row in which he collected three hits and finished the series 7 for 10. The hot streak took his average to a season high .282 and has risen his line-drive rate to 22.9% on the season.

Johnny Cueto improved to 7-2 by throwing seven shut out innings.

The Reds remain a game behind the Cardinals who snuck by the Blue Jays last night 1-0, and have an off day today. They return home for a weekend three-game set against the Indians where they’ve got to find a way to continue to play good baseball.

Help is on the way, they just need to continue staying within striking distance of the Cardinals on a nightly basis.

After starting the west coast trip 0-3 in Seattle, I think you have to take this split of the trip with a smile. Oakland has been a mini house of horrors for this franchise in the past.

**Help Diamond Hoggers Strike Out Lung Cancer in honor of 700 WLW’s Doc Rogers. Make a donation that will go to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America HERE. If we can get in touch with Doc, we’d like to give a donation to his family instead of the Foundation**

Filed Under: Cincinnati Reds, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Oakland A's, sweeps

Reds win a tight ballgame in Oakland

June 23, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Last night was a nice, smooth victory really. Bronson Arroyo had one of those nights where he just cruised. The offense pounded out 13 hits despite only scoring four runs. Bruce and Phillips have three a piece.
Remember when Dallas Braden was talking mad shit? Yeah, flash in the pan type talent in my opinion. This is a Reds team I expect to struggle with anyone of decent left-handed quality. Last night, they were making plenty of hard outs against Braden; or getting themselves out. The guy didn’t pitch all that poorly for someone who left as many 0-2 pitches as fat as he did.
The Reds are going for a sweep this afternoon. They remain one game behind the Cardinals who are playing really nice ball right now; shooting cripples like they should.
Find a way to get through this month without falling more then two games behind the Cardinals. Hell, it’d even be nice to gain a little ground. If you can head into the All-Star break with this still a two team race then we’ve at least got some fun baseball to watch in the second half. I believe the Reds right now are on pace for around 87 or 88 wins.
**Help Diamond Hoggers Strike Out Lung Cancer in honor of 700 WLW’s Doc Rogers. Make a donation that will go to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America HERE. If we can get in touch with Doc, we’d like to give a donation to his family instead of the Foundation**
Filed Under: Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds, Dallas Braden, Jay Bruce, Oakland A's

The Oakland Coliseum is Boring as Fuck!

June 22, 2010 by Leave a Comment

I was thinking last night as I watched the Reds win a 6-4, 10-inning game in the Oakland Coliseum last night; I don’t think there is a more boring park in Major League Baseball!

Why is that? It’s as if your team is playing in Oakland, it’s a morgue. No one goes to the park. It’s always a low scoring ass game. The Oakland lineup hasn’t been entertaining in a long time. It’s just a bunch of guys comprised together.

It isn’t just my imagination. Oakland Coliseum has a park factor of .830 right now. That’s second to only Citi Field which is at .805 as the parks in baseball that favor pitchers most. It’s funny, because I feel the same way about Citi, too! It’s like a lost 3-game sluggish series every time you play there.

But for as long as I can remember (and yes I realize the Reds celebrated World Series glory out on that Oakland Coliseum grass many years ago), most games played there are just un-exciting pieces of 9-inning garbage. The crowd isn’t into it at all, it’s so quiet you can hear the trash blow across the field.

Just wanted to make the point that the Oakland Coliseum is boring and whenever I am watching a game played there, I struggle to stay interested. It’s not my imagination!

**Help Diamond Hoggers Strike Out Lung Cancer in honor of 700 WLW’s Doc Rogers. Make a donation that will go to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America HERE. If we can get in touch with Doc, we’d like to give a donation to his family instead of the Foundation**

Filed Under: Cincinnati Reds, Interleague Play, Oakland A's, Stadiums
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