Mike Johrendt Articles - Page 24

After falling one game short of making the World Series in 2018, the up-start Milwaukee Brewers look to be just as solid, if not more proven to make their first bid into the Fall Classic since 1982 during the upcoming 2019 campaign. For a team much further ahead of its expected curve of progression, the […]

Coming off a season that resulted in yet another World Series championship earned, the Boston Red Sox do not have that many areas that need to be improved. However, their bullpen, after inevitably losing Craig Kimbrel (even though he still remains unsigned) will need to reshuffle and figure out who will slot in at the […]

As a mainstay on the major league roster for the Chicago Cubs since 2012, first baseman Anthony Rizzo has become a franchise cornerstone over the years, belting out long home runs and making great plays at first. A consistent offensive threat for the Cubbies, Rizzo is what consistent looks like in terms of production at […]

In a division that has been mostly dominated by one team as of late, the American League Central has the potential to become a much more interesting race in 2019, simply due to the ever-evolving dynamic of an arms race across the league. Money drives business, and that rings true in the Majors as well, […]

The division that represented the National League in the 2018 World Series, the NL West has a ton of firepower in it, even before the announced signing of Manny Machado with the San Diego Padres. Bringing an influx of talent into this division and to a team that is not named the Los Angeles Dodgers […]

Coming off a magical season that ended with another World Series title for the franchise, the Boston Red Sox have visions of a repeat on their minds going into Spring Training in 2019. Coming off a championship victory, there are surprising moves that can make or break clubs in their first season post-championship. Riding on […]

In one of their franchise’s best seasons since moving from the National League Central to the American League West, the Houston Astros put up a valiant effort in the playoffs last season, falling to the eventual World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox. While seeing how close the team was to making that next step, […]

Widely seen as the league’s best division coming into 2019, the National League Central is going to be an absolute treat to watch this season, as three teams have a real chance at not only making the playoffs but all making some noise. Whoever wins this division should immediately jump to the top of the […]

In a year that will most likely want to be forgotten by both the fan base and the franchise, the Chicago Cubs endured through many hills and valleys to eventually fall in the Wild Card round of the 2018 MLB playoffs. While pitching durability and the lack of clutch offensive hitting impacted the team and […]

The first part of this series of potential blockbuster MLB trades saw the likes of Nicholas Castellanos, Madison Bumgarner, and Zack Greinke moved to different teams to spice up the offseason. This article is the continuation and final installation in the series, as two more potential deals are listed below. But first, let’s start with […]

The marketplace for 2019 MLB free agents has been nothing short of stagnant and fruitless for teams, as there have been few moves made up to this point. While teams have filled holes on their respective rosters, there are still many quality options available for teams looking to make a splash going into spring training […]

The passing of the torch happens on a seasonal basis in all professional sports, as athletes who helped transition his generation to the next one will pass the torch to the players leading the next charge of today’s players. From the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield in the NFL to Giannis Antetokounmpo and […]

In his brief four-year career in the nation’s capital, shortstop Trea Turner has put together an excellent career. Leading the Washington Nationals in the field and the plate, Turner reached career highs in 2018 in games played, hits, home runs, RBIs and season WAR, just to name a few. Even in a career year at […]

After a disappointing end to their 2018 season came in the form of losing to the eventual World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees are looking for revenge and improvements for their 2019 season. In an act to make it back to the promised land, the franchise has made the typical bold […]

Coming off an impressive 2019 season that ended up a few games short in the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers should hang their hat on their laurels from what they achieved in 2018. But that is not the type of franchise they are, and they already have their sights set on spending more money, […]

Projecting out to be more of a designated hitter more than anything due to his defensively-challenged performance, Kyle Schwarber and the Chicago Cubs are at a crossroads of sorts, needing to figure out his role on a team that desperately needs to move on from 2018. Even though the Cubs made the playoffs, they somehow […]

In a season that was ultimately a successful one for the Atlanta Braves, it was their rookie, Ronald Acuna, who led the way and pushed this team back into the playoffs after winning the National League East division. Coming off a successful season in his own right, Acuna is looking to improve upon his 2018 […]

On a relatively younger franchise that boasts no players over the age of 34, the San Francisco Giants are looking to improve upon their 2018 season, having finished with a record of 73-89, putting the team 18.5 games behind the division winners, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The payroll has a decent amount of space currently […]

In an era where free agency does not necessarily mean more money, high-octane closer Craig Kimbrel highlights the crop of relievers looking for a new team for the 2019 season. While other mid-tier arms have secured new contracts, Kimbrel still remains on the market. Any team that Kimbrel would join should immediately pencil in 10-15 […]

Apparently sick and tired of finishing in the bottom half of their division every year, the Cincinnati Reds went out and did their best Seattle Mariners impression this offseason, trying to make as much noise as possible through the trade market. In their headlining deal, they matched up with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a […]

Coming off yet another American League Central crown, the Cleveland Indians are now looking to sell off a few pricier veteran pieces in a way to stay financially focused while not losing their stranglehold on winning the division. And the biggest name involved in these rumors and rumblings is Corey Kluber. The team’s resident starting […]

Arguably the best option left on the market, starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel still remains a free agent with less than three weeks to go before spring training starts. Normally an anomaly for big-ticket free agents to sign early on to the highest bidder, the past season began an unusual trend in which middle-tier free agents […]

Up to this point, the 2019 MLB offseason has really lacked that one defining moment. While there have been deals made, like the Los Angeles Dodgers – Cincinnati Reds salary swap, the James Paxton to the New York Yankees deal and the Carlos Santana trade, this offseason truly has not had that big-time deal. Last […]

Still led by the ever-fiery catcher Yadier Molina, the St. Louis Cardinals have a chance to be the best team in an uber-competitive National League Central divisional battle in 2019, after missing the playoffs last season. For the Cardinals, their season was ultimately ended when they played the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium late in […]

After representing the National League in the 2018 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to retool after being embarrassed by the Boston Red Sox. After handling the Atlanta Braves and barely squeaking by the streaking Milwaukee Brewers, the Dodgers have a few holes that can be addressed through the trade market in 2019. […]

Coming into last season, the Milwaukee Brewers were expected to make a brief amount of noise but not necessarily compete for a playoff spot. After their acquisitions in late January of both center fielder Lorenzo Cain and eventual MVP winner Christian Yelich, the team took off. Streaking out to lead the National League Central division […]

Coming off a season of mixed emotions that resulted in finished just two games above .500, the Washington Nationals should be fortunate that they only finished 8.5 games back of the National League Wild Card hunt in 2018. But should a team that was led by Bryce Harper have missed the playoffs, yet again? Behind […]

A long-tenured center fielder known throughout the whole league, Adam Jones is still looking for a new home as a free agent. In 2018, Jones played his tenth consecutive season on the Baltimore Orioles, and he was a franchise mainstay while there, racking up four Gold Glove awards, five All-Star Game nods, one Silver Slugger […]

In a season that only saw Kris Bryant appear in 102 games and start 99, his fewest amounts in both categories in his entire four-year career, his numbers suffered as well. Career-lows of a .272 average, 48 walks, 52 RBIs, 13 home runs and 106 hits all dominated his 2018 season, one that ended in […]

Amid the chatter about the Chicago Cubs this offseason, a recent topic has involved cutting costs with their ballooning payroll, which currently sits barely below the luxury tax threshold at $205.9 million. For a team that not only lost its hold on the National League Central crown in game 163 but also lost the Wild […]

In the constant on again, off again rumor mill involving Manny Machado, a few teams have been diagnosed as being “in” on him, most notably the Chicago White Sox. Coming off a miserable year that resulted in the franchise earning its fourth-ever 100+ loss season, change is needed. Having a payroll just a bit over […]

Coming into an offseason filled with the hope of monumental deals being signed and teams wheeling and dealing, the latter has happened more than the former, much to the surprise of most fans. Big free agent deals for superstars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have both failed to materialize up to this point, making for […]

While the offseason has consisted of the New York Mets being the busiest team in the league, has it truly improved the franchise going forward? First-time general manager Brady Van Wagenen has turned the Mets upside down, making player moves not commonly seen in this day in age in the MLB. Bringing in former All-Star […]

Amid the rumors of the Chicago Cubs looking to cut salary by shedding utility man Ben Zobrist’s deal, there are few members of the Cubs outside of Zobrist that the team should look into trading. Whether it be due to lack of fit, upcoming contract situation, off the field matters or other reasons, there are […]

In short, the 2018 season for the Atlanta Braves was leaps and bounds ahead of where the franchise expected to be. Behind an impressive season that saw the team win the National League East division with a 90-72 record, the team dropped one of the NL Divisional Series matchups against the eventual NL winner, the […]

For a team that has been a cellar dweller for so long, their farm system does not reflect that, which is what has been a big-time hindrance for the Miami Marlins, especially after Derek Jeter came in to run the team as CEO. After building a monstrosity of a vibrant ballpark, the team has failed […]

While the New York Yankees enjoyed yet another successful and impressive season, only to lose in the playoffs again, 2018 just did not have a signature Yankees feel to it. While riding the offensive performances of the smash brothers Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, other elements of the franchise seemingly did not go how they […]

In a recent report, the Philadelphia Phillies, who have constantly been a factor in this offseason rumor mill, seem to be at it again. With a look further down the road, the team is reportedly considering creating an all-MVP outfield no sooner than 2021. Having already added Andrew McCutchen and with eyes on bringing in […]

Amid the circus of the offseason, a constant conversation has been brewing with what has seemed like every team in the league, and the Cleveland Indians: will they trade Corey Kluber? Recently, rumors of a three-team deal that would send him to the Cincinnati Reds have evolved, with the San Diego Padres also being involved […]