GLENDALE Juan Lagares Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — In his last season before becoming eligible for free agency, Jose Abreu thinks the Chicago White Sox can transform into a winning team.“I’m excited because this year we’re in a good position to compete,” said the first baseman said through an interpreter Monday on the reporting day for position players. “We have a lot of talent. We’re getting ready for the point where we’re going to be a pretty good team. I think that this can be that year where we start showing what we can do.”Abreu was an All-Star last season, but he got hurt in the second half and finished with 22 homers, 78 RBIs and a .265 average, all career lows since arriving from Cuba before the 2014 season. It was the first time in five seasons he did not have 100 RBIs.Chicago lost 100 games last season and the best record for the White Sox in the last five years was 78-84 in 2016.“I am excited also because I know the quality of people we have here,” he said. “I just want to get on the field and play and show all the people what we can do.”The White Sox also traded for Yonder Alonso, a fellow Cuban who will split time with Abreu at first and at DH. Alonso hit .250 with 23 homers and 83 RBIs for AL Central champion Cleveland last season.“I’ve known him a long time and we’re on the same page, just here trying to help this team in whatever capacity asks of us,” Abreu said.Manager Rick Renteria doesn’t foresee any difficulties in deciding time at first base and DH.“Matchups will play a part in it but you do have two pretty good first basemen now,” he said.Abreu was part of the White Sox contingent that met during in December with free agent infielder Manny Machado Travis d'Arnaud Jersey , Yonder Alonso’s brother-in-law.“It was an outstanding conversation,” Abreu said. “Ricky and I talked to him. We talked to him about the organization, our plan, what we want to accomplish here. And he got it. He understood that. We would like to have him. But if we don’t get him, I think we’re going to be OK, too, because we have guys with talent that can play.”Abreu will earn $16 million, a raise of $3 million. He is among the free-agents-to-be monitoring the market.“I would like to stay with this organization forever,” he said. “But that is one of the things that I can’t control right now.” Come on let’s go and play!"We’ve had about two weeks of Spring Training, now. That seems like plenty of time to make roster decisions, right? Well Noah Syndergaard Jersey , I’m doing it anyway.CatchersAs we all know by this point, Salvador Perez is out for the year after having Tommy John Surgery earlier this week. That makes Cam Gallagher the de facto starter. The Royals are allegedly still talking to Martin Maldonado - who just made his second agent change in the last year - but things don’t look promising. I would argue this is a good thing. I lobbied for Nick Dini or at least Xavier Fernandez to take over the backup role but the Royals seem to be sending signals that Meibrys Viloria would be the guy. My biggest issue with this is that Viloria is actually a pretty promising prospect who has not spent significant time above A-ball. I would think sitting on the bench for a significant number of games this season would be very bad for his development. However, if they platoon him with Gallagher, it might not end up being that bad.Frank Schwindel has an outside shot to get some playing time here; he’s smashing Spring Training pitching for the second year in a row and was actually drafted as a catcher. But as much as I would love it, I’m not holding my breath.InfieldersThis is probably the position group on the roster with the least amount of volatility. Ryan O’Hearn, Whit Merrifield, Adalberto Mondesi, and Hunter Dozier all played well enough last year and with little enough competition in the form of minor league prospects to have a lock on roster spots. Chris Owings got a major league deal to be a backup to the entire roster so he’ll be around, too, and I’m counting him as an infielder because it’s easier.OutfieldersThere are a few easy calls, here. Alex Gordon http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey , Billy Hamilton, and Jorge Soler all have large enough contracts and extensive enough histories that they’re going to be out there. Soler is probably going to be the DH with Hamilton in center and Gordon in left. Which begs the question, “Who is the right fielder and who is the backup outfielder?”The Royals gave Terrance Gore a big league contract. He can’t be a starter, but he can be a pinch runner - though with a roster this fast it’s unclear how often he’ll get to run. Also, with Owings and Merrifield on the roster, the Royals have a couple of guys who are considered infielders who could easily shift to the outfield. I think that makes Gore the guy as the backup.But that still leaves right field. If you were going only by playing time you’d think it was going to be Jorge Bonifacio. But just taking a quick glance at the games played leaders it’s primarily guys who aren’t likely to make the opening day roster like Nicky Lopez, Cheslor Cuthbert, Humberto Arteaga, and Schwindel. My guess is the Royals are playing the guys who won’t make the roster a lot early to see what they’ve got before demoting them to minor league camp as they let the starters play more innings. Bonifacio also hasn’t been performing well but his most obvious competitors - Brett Phillips and Brian Goodwin - have been even worse.You know who’s played phenomenally so far this spring, including a two-homer day and, more importantly http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey , more walks than strikeouts? Bubba Starling. We are two weeks into spring training and if the Royals had to make their 25-man roster today I think Bubba would be on it. In fact, I’m going to go ahead and go out on a limb and predict that he is your Opening Day starting right fielder. Mark it down.Starting RotationWe came into spring with three locks - Danny Duffy, Jakob Junis, and Brad Keller. It has been suggested that Ian Kennedy might be headed to the bullpen but I find that idea implausible. Which means there is one spot remaining. Based on appearances so far this spring and how they performed last year I can’t see the Royals giving that spot to anyone other than Jorge Lopez. If Kennedy or Lopez aren’t in the rotation for some reason I would not be at all surprised to see Homer Bailey make it. Just a gut feelingBullpenThat leaves seven spots in the bullpen. Jake Diekman and Brad Boxberger both got new big league contracts so they’re probably in. Wily Peralta was the closer at the end of the year so I expect him to make the roster even if he loses that particular role. Brian Flynn makes a good swingman and just got an arbitration deal so he’s probably gonna stick around. Tim Hill and Kevin McCarthy were two of the better relievers last year so they probably have inside tracks. Kyle Zimmer, if healthy, probably needs one of those spots and he appears to be finally healthy *knocks on wood*.So that’s 24 guys. Where does the final spot go? I think it will go to Rule 5 draft pick Sam McWilliams. If the Royals don’t keep him on the big league roster he has to be offered back to the Diamondbacks. He hasn’t pitched super well so far this spring but that could always change. Keeping him also aligns with general manager Dayton Moore’s apparent mission to never let a pitcher leave if he can help it. With the versatility of Merrifield and Owings and manager Ned Yost’s unwillingness to pinch hit most days, they don’t need a particularly deep bench, either.So to summarize:C Cam Gallagher1B Ryan O’Hearn2B Whit Merrifield3B Hunter DozierSS Adalberto MondesiOF Alex GordonOF Billy HamiltonOF Bubba StarlingDH Jorge SolerC Meibrys VilloriaUT Chris OwingsOF Terrance GoreSP Danny DuffySP Brad KellerSP Jakob JunisSP Ian KennedySP Jorge LopezRP Brad BoxbergerRP Jake DiekmanRP Kevin McCarthyRP Tim HillRP Wily PeraltaRP Brian FlynnRP Kyle ZimmerRP Sam McWilliamsWhat do you think? Am I out of my mind? Where am I wrong? Who would you rather see even if you think I’m right?

Vintage starting pitching and the power of youth made for a fun Opening Day."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Tigers AnalysisDetroit Tigers Prospect NotebookDetroit Tigers Game ThreadsDetroit Tigers NewsDetroit Tigers PodcastsDetroit Tigers LinksDetroit Tigers News: First place is a sweet place to startVintage starting pitching and the power of youth made for a fun Opening Day.EDTShareTweetShareShareDetroit Tigers News: First place is a sweet place to startDan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsSo Austin Meadows Jersey , that went well, eh? Jordan Zimmermann came out on Opening Day looking like Greg Maddux, and was potentially on his way to a complete game shutout before manager Ron Gardenhire intervened, pulling the veteran starter after seven innings with just 70 pitches thrown. Zimmermann displayed superb command, had a good feel for his slider, which is his key, and also mixed in a couple of nasty changeups, which surprised everyone.No one was more surprised than a fairly hapless looking Toronto Blue Jays lineup. Zimmermann took a perfect game into the seventh before Teoscar Hernandez singled on a sharp ground ball up the middle that Josh Harrison couldn’t quite sell as an error.The Tigers didn’t exactly do much with Jays starter Marcus Stroman either. Stroman was wild early but settled in, no-hitting the Tigers until a sixth inning single from Nicholas Castellanos. Hard times may come, but for now the Tigers are in first place after an Opening Day victory. We’ll take it.Before we go further, let’s get another look at Christin Stewart’s game-winning missile in the 10th inning.Stewart was understandably ampedAnthony Fenech has his Opening Day game story up for The Detroit Free Press, as does Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. While Stewart landed the big blow, Jordan Zimmermann was the story. Get a load of his new changeup at 00:20 of this clip. Grayson Greiner had a rough day at the plate, but he played his part in a strong effort from the Tigers pitching staff overall.AL Central Wrap-upThroughout the rest of the AL Central, the Minnesota Twins got off to a good start in their quest to end the tyranny of the Cleveland Indians. Staff ace Jose Berrios was outstanding, punching out 10 across seven shutout innings. His opposing number, Corey Kluber Colin Moran Jersey , was pretty good as well, but with Francisco Lindor out with calf and ankle injuries, that Indians lineup is liable to stumble out of the gate. In Kansas City, the Royals welcomed in the Chicago White Sox on a rainy Midwestern evening, and took them down by a score of 5-3 behind a solid start from Brad Keller. Keller blanked the Sox for seven innings, while Carlos Rodon of the White Sox was solid, but did surrender three runs, two earned. The Royals put together a balanced attack, with Whit Merrifield stealing a pair of bags to lead the way. Best of Opening DayOn the first official day of the 2019 season, MLB presented a pair of absolutely top shelf pitching matchups featuring duels between last season’s Cy Young winners and runner-ups. Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets locked up with Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals. The Mets came out on top in that one, but both pitchers showed out, combining for 22 strikeouts.In the American League, Justin Verlander led the Houston Astros into St. Petersburg to battle 2018 Cy Young winner, Blake Snell and the Tampa Bay Rays. Verlander gave up a leadoff home to Austin Meadows, and did not appreciate such disrespect. From that point on, Verlander allowed just two hits, a walk David Freese Jersey , and no runs, hitting 97 mph regularly as the game progressed, punching out nine Rays in the winning effort. Things went poorly for Snell however. Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve each took Snell deep. Adding insult to injury, George Springer made it three straight Opening Days with a home run from the leadoff spot, also against Snell, who surrendered five runs in the loss. Advantage JV, as it should be. Good luck hitters.Meanwhile, out in LA, the Dodgers absolutely pummeled the Arizona Diamondbacks with a vulgar display of power.Finally, center fielder Lorenzo Cain was out there in Milwaukee doing Lorenzo Cain things.Around the hornJay Jaffe at FanGraphs looks at 10 things he’s excited for in the upcoming season. The staff over at The Ringer has their 2019 predictions up on their site. Nick Pollack over at Pitcher List reviews all of Opening Day’s starting pitching performances.You can also check out BYB’s staff predictions for the 2019 season here. Managing Editor Rob Rogacki had some bold predictions for you, and deputy editor Ashley MacLennan put together a Q&A with Tom Dakers of our sister site, BlueBird Banter to preview the opening series of the season.Baseball is awesomeThe Tigers introduced their starting lineup with a fun clip paying tribute to classic baseball video games. We approve. Well played, Tigers PR. The South Siders will be a better team this year."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Chicago Cubs recapsChicago Cubs minor leaguesChicago Cubs essaysChicago Cubs game threadsWrigley Field renovationsFull archiveLibrary Bleed Cubbie Blue Community GuidelinesCurrent time in ChicagoBCB Specials & Site InfoWinter 2019 music threadsCubs StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Cubs newsYahoo Cubs team pageYahoo Cubs reportYahoo Cubs depth chartYahoo Cubs transactionsYahoo Cubs photosOdds Shop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub 鉁昁now your enemyKnow your enemy: Chicago White SoxNew,7commentsThe South Siders will be a better team this year.CSTShareTweetShareShareKnow your enemy: Chicago White SoxJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsThe White Sox traded for Manny Machado’s brother-in-law, Yonder Alonso.Then the White Sox signed Manny Machado’s close friend, Jon Jay.And Machado paid the White Sox back by... signing with the Padres. And then he said this:Well, of course he’s going to say that in front of a Padres audience. The Sox wanted Machado http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-brad-hand-jersey , but not at his asking price, according to Sox executive VP Kenny Williams.So they will move on without him, and you know what? The Sox will be a better team in 2019 than in 2018. All right, you’re saying, that won’t be hard after a 100-loss season.Some of the young Sox players — Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Nicky Delmonico — could get better. Then there’s the guy everyone expects to be a star, former Cubs prospect Eloy Jimenez. Like a lot of potential starts, Jimenez will be held in the minors until the Sox can get an extra year of control over him. Note that I’m not making any editorial comment on that system, which will obviously be a big part of the next CBA negotiations. But it exists, and while it does, management will use it.The 22-year-old Jimenez could become a star right away. If he does, that will give the Sox a pretty good offense, because Alonso and Jose Abreu are very good hitters.Pitching? Eh... not so much. Lucas Giolito would have led the majors in walks last year if not for Tyler Chatwood, and Carlos Rodon still hasn’t been healthy enough for a full season. Incidentally, thanks to the Sox for taking Rodon with the third overall pick in 2014. Had he been on the board when the Cubs picked, they almost certainly would have chosen him... instead of Kyle Schwarber. The Sox picked up a guy who’s been solid for the Pirates Manuel Margot Jersey , Ivan Nova, to help their young rotation.The Sox do have a legitimate closer in Alex Colome, backed up by Kelvin Herrera. Nate Jones, with that slingshot motion, is always an injury waiting to happen. He’s always thrown well when healthy, but has managed a full season out of the pen just three times in a seven-year Sox career.With another former Cubs prospect, Dylan Cease, ready to join the Sox rotation in a year or less, these guys could be ready to contend as early as 2020. It will be fun to have two good teams in Chicago, but the Sox aren’t quite there yet.These teams go back to playing four times this year instead of the six they play when the Central divisions play each other. The Sox will be at Wrigley for a pair of night games (hint, playing these at night might be a mistake) June 18 and 19, and the Cubs head to the South Side for a pair July 6 and 7.

Ron Gardenhire’s rosters ain’t got nothin’ on this one"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Twinkie Town Farm ReportSatire http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey , Irreverence, & Other HumorGame RecapsThese aren’t Gardy’s Twins: On the Twins’ truly flexible yet fearsome rosterNew,5commentsRon Gardenhire’s rosters ain’t got nothin’ on this oneEDTShareTweetShareShareThese aren’t Gardy’s Twins: On the Twins’ truly flexible yet fearsome rosterNot Corky Miller.Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsSay it with me: it’s okay to have three catchers if one of them is Willians Astudillo.Fans of the 2005 Twins may remember the confounding roster construction decisions that led to Ron Gardenhire breaking camp with three — actually, four, if Matthew LeCroy is to be included — catchers on the club.If transported to the Year of our Lord 2019 and saw that the Twins still have three catchers on their roster, you’d be forgiven if you shrieked and shielded your eyes after a quick glance at the roster. But, as it turns out, Willians Astudillo is a better third catcher than Corky Miller.(He’s more entertaining, too, unless you consider 0-for-12 as a Twin “entertaining”, or perhaps the prelude to Miller’s Twins career, which included an .026 batting average with Cincinnati in 2004. Also entertaining.)The Twins’ everyday lineup in 2019 projects as genuinely fearsome; everyone should hit 15 or more home runs if they stay healthy http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey , and players like a heel laceration. Occasionally, Gonzalez will slide to a different position and Astudillo will play third base. Or, there’s always the more traditional utilityman option in Ehire Adrianza.It’s important to note that this incredible flexibility is absolutely a byproduct of the Twins’ unconventional early-season schedule, which includes five off-days in the first 15 days of the season, including five games in National League ballparks. That means that Minnesota is able to carry five bench players and only 11 pitchers, prolonging a tough decision that will loom over the team for the next couple of weeks.Adrianza and Austin are each without minor league options, and the Twins would no doubt prefer to hang onto both players. Fourth outfielder Jake Cave, on the other hand, has an option remaining and could be sent to Triple-A Rochester with no repercussions.At any rate, the Twins’ season-opening roster is a testament to the creativity of the front office and new manager Rocco Baldelli. The willingness to hang onto a unique player such as Astudillo and add a versatile player like Gonzalez late in free agency ended up paying off immediately when Sano landed on the injured list and Garver struggled mightily in spring training.Now, the Twins roster is ready for almost anything, and if nothing else Andrew Chafin Jersey , the entertainment factor is much higher than Gardy’s catcher-heavy roster.No word on the likelihood of Astudillo bringing back the Naked Walk to the backup catcher’s role. Stay tuned... The Dodgers have received little help from their bullpen this series and find themselves one game away from season’s end. They place their hopes in Clayton Kershaw once again."LOS ANGELES — The sting of defeat is a poison the Dodgers have tasted three times this World Series. Another catastrophic undoing of their bullpen Saturday brings the Fall Classic one Red Sox victory from reaching its end.It hasn’t mattered what move manager Dave Roberts has made, the bullpen has betrayed him. His relievers have hemorrhaged 13 of the 23 runs Boston has scored in this series and have had their stamp on 19.The Dodgers were eight outs away from a brand new best-of-three scenario when Roberts called on Scott Alexander as first man out. Having played 18 innings less than 24 hours earlier, the bullpen wasn’t fully stocked. Pedro Baez and Julio Urias — the Dodgers best relievers in this series — were both unavailable after appearing in each of the first three games,Alexander walked the only batter he faced, leaving another situation for Ryan Madson with multiple runners on for the third time in four games. Much like the previous two, Madson allowed the runners he inherited to score — a perfect 7-for-7 in total.With a four-run lead and limited options, Roberts placed his trust in the 38-year-old to get the final two outs of the inning. Mitch Moreland ruined whatever plans were set in motion, crushing a changeup into the seats in right for a three-run homer.“You’ve got Ryan, who has a very good track record of getting righties and lefties out, and actually left-handers considerably more, and we just didn’t execute,” Roberts said. “Moreland hit a changeup first pitch that was up Alex Avila Jersey , and he got the prior hitter to pop up to the catcher, and he made a bad pitch and unfortunately Mitch took a really good swing on it.”Given the fact that the top of the order was coming to plate in the eighth for Boston, the Dodgers turned to Kenley Jansen after pitching two innings in Friday’s marathon. Playing out like it did Friday — the whole reason for the strained bullpen — the big man gave up a solo homer to tie the game.It was the first time one reliever gave up game-tying homers on back-to-back nights in the World Series since 2001 — the only other time it happened.Even then, the Dodgers still had a chance to win the game. But when they failed to score in the home half of the eighth, Boston steamrolled what was left of the Dodger bullpen, scoring five times in the ninth.The performance was historically bad.A night after Max Muncy saved their season, the Dodgers are down three games to one to the best team in baseball this year. The bullpen — the strength of the first two rounds of the postseason — has brought them to this point.— —The Dodgers have no choice but to win Sunday or they will watch their opponent celebrate on their field for the second straight year. Clayton Kershaw gets the ball Sunday with the hopes of sending the series back to Boston. It will be the lefty’s sixth career start when his team is facing elimination. In the previous five, the Dodgers have won two while Kershaw has given up 21 runs (20 earned) in 28 2鈦? innings (6.28 ERA).The environment will be a lot different than the Game 1 start that saw Kershaw allow seven hits and three walks, ending his night in the fifth inning with five runs charged to his tally. The weather won’t be a factor this time around.Game 5 will be another chance for one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history to pitch well when his team needs it most. Does that matter to him?“Very little,” Kershaw said. “I don’t really care about legacy. I don’t really care what people think of me or perceive of me. Game 5 is a very important game to win the World Series, and I’m looking forward to pitching that game and hopefully putting us in a great spot going back to Boston.” “And that’s really all I care about. All that other stuff, people are going to have their opinions http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey , you know, and that’s fine. I’m not here to change them. I’m here to pitch. And all that other stuff will take care of itself.”The Dodgers are as confident as they can be behind their long-time ace, as if they had any other choice.“He’s Clayton Kershaw. He’s the best pitcher in the game,” said third baseman Justin Turner “He’s going to go out there and he’s going to empty the tank for us tomorrow and give us the best chance we have to extend this thing.”The odds the Dodgers win the next three games are a long shot. Boston has proved how good they are over the last six months and are one game away from their goal.“Obviously, the 108 wins speaks for itself in the regular season,” Roberts said of the challenge ahead. “They’re very balanced. They pitch well. They put together good at-bats. They play defense. But, you know, we’ve still got to play. And we’re not out yet. We’ve got to go out there and still, yeah, respect what they’ve done but our guys aren’t done.” “We’ve got our best going tomorrow and we’re expecting to win a baseball game.”

GOODYEAR Jose Abreu Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — Scooter Gennett is unsure of his future with the Cincinnati Reds even though he’s coming off one of the best two-year showings in franchise history.Gennett can become a free agent after this season, his third season in Cincinnati. The Reds acquired several other players who also are in the final years on their contracts in a series of trades to try to dig out of last place. Gennett would love to stay in the city where his career took off, but the Reds haven’t offered a deal.So the second baseman has to see how the season plays out heading into July, when the Reds might be tempted to trade some of their potential free agents if they’re not in contention in the NL Central. Gennett said there are no ongoing talks with the club.“There hasn’t been much interaction,” Gennett said. “We weren’t going to figure anything out before spring training. It is not the right time for them. It’s not like they don’t know I want to be here. It’s not like I don’t know they want me to be here.”For now, he is one of the Reds’ most valuable players on offense.They claimed him off waivers from the Brewers a day before they broke camp for the 2017 season. Gennett adjusted his swing and had a career year. He became the first major leaguer to have four homers, five hits and 10 RBIs in a game. He also led the majors with four grand slams, joining Lou Gehrig as the only players with a four-homer game and a four-grand slam season.He kept it up last season, becoming an All-Star for the first time. His ninth-inning, pinch-hit homer sent the All-Star game to extra innings. Gennett finished second to Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich for the batting crown with a .310 average.In the last two years, Gennett has 50 homers and 189 RBIs, joining Dave Parker and Deron Johnson as the only Reds to put up such numbers in their first two seasons with Cincinnati. He’s the only second baseman in Reds history with eight homers and 24 RBIs in a month — he’s done it twice.After making $5.7 million last season, he avoided arbitration and settled for a one-year deal for $9,775,000. Gennett Melky Cabrera Jersey , who turns 29 in May, has gotten no hints about how the Reds see him long-term.“It’s just a weird time,” he said. “At some point in the future we can get that question answered.”The Reds are coming off four straight seasons with at least 94 losses, prompting them to make a flurry of trades that overhauled their rotation and their outfield. The infield is intact from last season, with Joey Votto at first base, Gennett at second, Jose Peraza at shortstop Eugenio Suarez at third and Tucker Barnhart behind the plate.Gennett is encouraged by the team’s new look.“It’s going great,” he said. “I’m not the only one who thinks that. It’s just a really good atmosphere.” GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Listed at 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, Nick Madrigal doesn’t look like a major leaguer. Then he takes the field.Madrigal is right at home in his first training camp with the Chicago White Sox.“I feel comfortable out here,” he said Monday. “I wasn’t nervous at all or anything. I was just excited to be out here, kind of just back on the field. That was the longest offseason I had ever in my life.”Madrigal was selected by the White Sox with the No. 4 pick in last year’s amateur draft and signed for a bonus of just over $6.4 million. The second baseman then led Oregon State to the NCAA title before playing 43 games in Chicago’s minor league system, finishing at Class-A Winston-Salem.Madrigal made a smooth transition to pro ball, showing off his impressive approach at the plate by hitting .303 with more walks (seven) than strikeouts (five). Whether he returns to Winston-Salem or begins the season with Double-A Birmingham, he could make his major league debut at some point this summer.“He’s a very polished player Jeff Keppinger Jersey ,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “I think now it’s probably just experience, you know, getting to play professional baseball at a different level, allowing his skills to play and you know, as we mentioned before, guys like that, if they put it together they move pretty quickly. They pretty much tell us where they should be. We’re hoping that he’s one of those guys.“He’s very calm, very collected, very confident, quietly confident. And we hope that plays well, it should play well for him.”It has played well for Madrigal all his life, from his prep career at Elk Grove High School near Sacramento, California, all the way through to his time with the Beavers.“Throughout my life I’ve always played in the biggest games,” said Madrigal http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-paul-konerko-jersey , who turns 22 on March 5. “I’ve won at every single level I’ve ever been at, going back to high school, I mean even Cal Ripken league. I’ve played in the biggest games that I could possibly play in and I plan on continuing to do that moving forward.”Madrigal was drafted by Cleveland in the 17th round coming out of high school, but he decided to go to Oregon State. He hit .367 with three homers, 34 RBIs and 15 steals during his final season with the Beavers, rebounding nicely after being sidelined by a broken left wrist.Madrigal was among three Oregon State players to go in the first round last year, joining outfielder Trevor Larnach and shortstop Cadyn Grenier. He said his experience in Corvallis plays a huge role in how he approaches the game.“I was very grateful for all the stuff they taught me at Oregon State,” he said.One of the biggest concerns about Madrigal is his lack of power. He had only seven extra-base hits during his first stint in the minors last year.Getting stronger was one of Madrigal’s biggest offseason goals. He hit the weight room while he anxiously waited to play ball again.“Baseball’s been my life, no matter if we’re in season or out of season,” he said. “When you don’t play that many games, you’re ready to get back to it.”NOTES: OF Daniel Palka said he felt good a day after he left a spring training game with left hamstring tightness. He blamed the trouble on dehydration. “It was just my fault,” he said. “I didn’t hydrate well at all that night or during the day while we were out on the field.” … LHP Carlos Rodon threw 40 pitches in a simulated game. Rodon is one of Chicago’s top candidates to start on opening day. “Just gradually getting into it,” he said.

PHOENIX — After his second start for Philadelphia in April 2016 Rod Carew Jersey , Clay Buchholz knew it was finally time to tend to the right arm that had been bothering him off and on since 2015.The results have been spectacular.Buchholz has become a mainstay in the Diamondbacks‘ starting rotation after being promoted from the minors in early May, and he will try to lift Arizona to a two-game minisweep of the Los Angeles Angels in an interleague series that concludes Wednesday at Chase Field.Article continues below ...Right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne (2-1, 6.29 ERA) is scheduled to make his second start for the Angels since being acquired from Miami last week.Buchholz (6-2) is coming off his best start in almost four seasons, a complete-game 5-1 victory at San Diego on Thursday in which he gave up five hits, including a solo homer. He struck out six, did not walk a batter and used 112 pitches — 76 for strikes.“It felt good,” Buchholz told reporters after his most recent start. “I didn’t have my changeup, so to do that when you only have a couple of pitches to go to was pretty special.”Buchholz retired 13 in a row after giving up a hit to the first batter of the game and finished with his 10th career complete game, his first since July 4, 2015 Brian Dozier Jersey , when he beat Houston 6-1 in Fenway Park.“I think he had a little extra gear and a little extra momentum,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.“I know it is very gratifying for him. I’ve seen him for a long time. For him to do what he’s done and come back from the injury and come out the other side is very special. He deserves so much of the credit for attacking the game plan and doing exactly what he is supposed to do. He deserved the night.”Arizona’s current regime has a long history with Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter with Boston in his second major league start in September 2007.General manager Mike Hazen and Lovullo were in the Red Sox organization when Buchholz was there, and Hazen snapped up Buchholz and signed him to a major league contract after he was released by Kansas City.Buchholz has been more than a reliable addition to a rotation headlined by Patrick Corbin, Zack Greinke and Zack Godley. Corbin and Greinke rank in the top 10 in NL ERA, and all three have double-digit victories.Buchholz, who has a 2.47 ERA in 12 starts, has given up more than three runs only once this season, and opponents have scored one or zero runs in seven of his appearances.“I had hoped it would be something like this,” Lovullo said. “I know that Clay Justin Morneau Jersey , when he is healthy, is a very special pitcher. He’s very talented. We were looking for that person to step up, and we knew the name. Everything fit. We needed to see what he looked like, and from the first bullpen on, we knew that something was in there. He has shown us that every day.”Buchholz uses two fastballs and tops out at about 90 mph these days, down from his earlier years, and commands a cutter, a curve and a change. He has walked only 16 in 73 innings.“I knew him when he was a little younger and things were probably harder with his fastball. And maybe more pitches that he could throw,” Lovullo said.“But he’s simplified things. He’s matured to the point where he knows where all of his pitches are going. He knows how to attack a game plan. I can’t say that he knew how to do that as well when I first met him. The command was there. He had a lot of pitches that he liked to throw and maybe took away from a few of the really good strengths that he had. I think he has simplified it and is really staying with his strengths right now.”Buchholz is 7-5 with a 4.73 ERA in 14 career appearances (13 starts) against the Angels, the last two in 2016. He is 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA in four home starts this season.Rotation placeholder Despaigne http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , 31, broke camp with the Miami Marlins this season and made 11 appearances (10 in relief) before being optioned to Triple-A New Orleans in June. He was 2-3 with a 4.47 ERA in 14 appearances (five starts) in the minors.The Angels purchased Despaigne from the Marlins last week, and he gave up seven hits and five runs in four innings in his first start for the Angels, a 6-4 loss at Texas on Friday. He threw 78 pitches (47 strikes).Despaigne spent his first two seasons in 2014-15 with San Diego and is quite familiar with the NL West. He is 2-4 with a 4.40 ERA in eight games (seven starts) against the Diamondbacks, and has his most career starts and innings (43) against them.He has had trouble at Chase Field, however, going 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA in three starts, having given up 14 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings. Bob Levey/Getty ImagesOn Sunday, Shohei Ohtani accomplished something we haven't seen in the majors since 1919.After retiring two Houston Astros hitters, Ohtani hit a statistical threshold last achieved by Babe Ruth Byron Buxton Jersey , via SportsCenter:SportsCenter SportsCenterShohei Ohtani is the first player since Babe Ruth in 1919 with 50 IP and 15 HR in a single season.Thats 99 years! 0h1kPJL4wLThe two-way player already had 15 home runs on the season as a hitter but was sitting on 49.1 innings pitched until Sunday's start.Although the Japanese star allowed two runs in 2.1 innings on a George Springer two-run homer, it only raised his ERA to 3.31 on the season.Ohtani threw only 49 pitches in his first appearance as a pitcher since June 6. An elbow injury has kept him off the mound and only in the batter's box.The good news is he has been as good as advertised as a hitter, producing a .276 batting average and .897 OPS in 80 appearances this season. In addition to his 15 home runs, he also has 16 doubles and 43 RBI.In a sport where most players specialize as hitters or pitchers, the 24-year-old has shown the ability to excel in both.Any time you are in the same category as Ruth it is also a major accomplishment. The Hall of Famer mostly abandoned his pitching career after being sold to the New York Yankees in 1920, but he had 2.97 ERA in 133.1 innings in 1919.He also happened to lead the majors with 29 home runs that season.Considering he went on to hit 714 home runs in his career, focusing on hitting was probably the right move.

GOODYEAR Delino DeShields Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — Slowly and sensibly, Francisco Lindor is working his way back onto the field.Surrounded by approximately 50 fans, more than a dozen minor leaguers, a few scouts, and various game operations and medical staffers, the Indians’ three-time All-Star shortstop played in a controlled Triple-A game on Wednesday, a major step in his recovery from a right calf strain.“The pitcher was nasty, great pitcher,” Lindor said about Dodgers right-hander Brock Stewart, who struck him out twice. “I’m blessed to be out there, happy to be out there.”Lindor went 0 for 3 with the two strikeouts against Stewart on a practice field near Goodyear Ballpark Joey Gallo Jersey , where his major league teammates played Milwaukee in a split-squad game.Stewart got Lindor to swing and miss on a 3-2 pitch in his last at-bat with a cutting fastball. In his first at-bat, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count to get in his cuts, flying out in gusting winds to left.“That felt good,” Lindor said. “I thought my swings were good. I controlled my approach and will build off that.”Lindor worked the count full in his second at-bat, swinging and missing the last two pitches.“I took it as Day 1 spring training,” he said. “Nobody goes 100 percent in spring training, unless you are trying to make the team. So, that’s how I went up there today. Took some good pitches, some I missed — a lot of them.”Per the requirements of the medical staff, Lindor jogged to first base after making contact and while playing three innings in the field.When asked if he could let it go and sprint, he said http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , “No, still not there yet.”Lindor said his lack of full mobility was not a source of frustration.“I knew I wasn’t going to be 100 percent, but you just go out there and play the game,” he said. “I am happy. I am blessed. Today’s a special day, so check the box.”As for his next steps, Lindor will know more tomorrow.Lindor, who reported no soreness or pain, did not have a ball hit to him at shortstop, but he did cover second on a steal attempt, putting the tag on a safe runner.He moved in or out or laterally with each pitch, hid his mouth with his glove to communicate coverages to second baseman Elvis Perez and showed spring in his step on a high pop that was caught by his teammate.The Indians remain hopeful that Lindor will be ready for the club’s March 28 opener at Minnesota.“With any sort of injury like that Ferguson Jenkins Jersey , there is no set date or set time table,” Indians general manager Mike Chernoff said. “We magnify the importance of opening day, and obviously, that’s on everyone’s mind, but that’s not what we’re concerned about. We’re concerned about making sure Frankie is completely healthy and in a really good spot to have a full season of performance, so we are taking it day to day.”Lindor understands there’s more to play for than facing the Twins in two weeks.“It is a special day, obviously being opening day,” he said. “But at the same time, I am more worried about the rest of the season and making it into the playoffs. That’s what we want; to make it into the postseason and win.”One of baseball’s best all-around players, Lindor got hurt while working out in Florida early last month. He has been limited at spring training to batting practice and stationary fielding.“He has been doing really well; he continues to progress in all of his activities,” Chernoff said. “He’s been out there a lot and we’ll continue to get him out there more. But we have to build him up volume-wise to where he can be at his position for the full nine innings. So http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , I don’t know how long that’s going to take, but I want to make sure he’s cleared all of those benchmarks before he’s in games.'”Lindor hit .277 last season and set career-highs with 38 homers and 92 RBIs. He tied for the AL lead with 129 runs. MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The spring training season started with a splash. Just not the kind fans hoped for.In the first major league exhibition game of the year, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics were rained out Thursday. The Mariners roughed up Jerry Blevins and led 5-0 in the middle of the second inning when it was called — so in a game where the stats don’t count, they really won’t count.“We have our feet wet now, literally,” Athletics manager Bob Melvin said.The Cactus League opener was rained out after Major League Baseball had 54 regular-season postponements last year, the most since 1989.The Athletics and Mariners started early to give them time to prepare for their upcoming trip to Japan, where they’ll play regular-season games on March 20-21 at the Tokyo Dome.Dylan Moore, one of six players in the Mariners’ starting lineup who was new to the organization, hit a two-run double in the second off Blevins. Shed Long hit two doubles and Domingo Santana had a sacrifice fly.“Give them credit for their first at-bats of the spring in those type of conditions Ryan Rua Jersey ,” Melvin said. “They all had good at-bats.”It was an unseasonably cool 50 degrees at the start of the exhibition opener at Hohokam Stadium. Marco Gonzales pitched one inning for the Mariners before the rain came.“We had a pretty good idea it was going to rain, but I’m really glad we got Marco out there,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “That was the goal today. We were hoping to get two innings out of him, but the rain didn’t quite hold off long enough. But good start, a lot of good things.”Ichiro Suzuki, at 45 expected to play for the Mariners in the opening series in Japan, wasn’t in the lineup for Seattle. He was hit on the right foot by a pitch from Felix Hernandez during batting practice on Wednesday.The Mariners and A’s are set to try again Friday in Peoria, though the weather forecast isn’t much better.The Grapefruit League season is scheduled to begin earlier in the day when Philadelphia plays Tampa Bay in Port Charlotte, Florida.NOTES: The 20-second pitch clock that will be tried out across in spring training was not used in the Mariners-A’s game.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The busy Milwaukee Brewers acquired veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night for a minor leaguer.The deal was announced after both teams played. Granderson had a pinch-hit single and scored as Toronto won 6-5 at Miami.Earlier in the day http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-kerry-wood-jersey , the playoff-contending Brewers got starter Gio Gonzalez from Washington and reliever Xavier Cedeno from the Chicago White Sox.The 37-year-old Granderson is batting .245 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 104 games this season. He has reached the playoffs with four teams in his career — Detroit, the Yankees, the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.“You’re surprised because you never know what’s going to happen. You hear all kinds of rumblings and things. There’s no reason to get worked up over anything until something happens,” Granderson said after the win over the Marlins.“But I’m also excited getting a chance to go to a team that has a chance to get to the playoffs. So I am super excited to join them Kris Bryant Jersey ,” he said.The Brewers sent 21-year-old outfielder Demi Orimoloye to Toronto. Originally from Nigeria, he hit a combined .247 with 12 homers and 55 RBIs in two levels of Class A. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi is the new president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants.The Giants announced the hiring Tuesday night and planned a formal introduction at AT&T Park on Wednesday, a day before they hold a public celebration of life for late Hall of Famer Willie McCovey.Baseball executives are meeting this week for the GM meetings in Carlsbad, California http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-addison-russell-jersey , and Giants CEO Larry Baer knew it might take this long to find the right person to push the department in a fresh direction.Zaidi just completed his fourth year as GM for Los Angeles. His Dodgers won a sixth straight NL West title and lost in the World Series each of the past two seasons.“We set out to find one of the best minds in baseball and Farhan’s many accomplishments and expertise exceeded our expectations,” Baer said. “Farhan is widely viewed as one of the top executives in our industry and we are thrilled to have him lead the next chapter of Giants baseball.”In November 2014, the Canadian-born Zaidi departed his job as assistant GM of the Oakland Athletics to lead the Dodgers under Andrew Friedman. Zaidi earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1998 and a PhD in economics from the University of California at Berkeley in 2011.So, Zaidi brings more of an analytical emphasis and strength. The Giants sought to upgrade their baseball operations department and take a “fresh approach http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-sammy-sosa-jersey ,” as Baer put it.“I am delighted to return to the Bay Area and to join one of the most storied franchises in the game,” said Zaidi, who turns 42 this coming Sunday. “I have watched the Giants from afar and I have great respect for the organization’s culture and many accomplishments. I am excited about this new opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting right to work.”Zaidi is expected to have the flexibility to hire someone as GM under him. He spent 10 seasons with Oakland and received plenty of responsibility on Billy Beane’s staff, such as playing a key role in the acquisition of Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes before the 2012 season.The Giants dismissed GM Bobby Evans in September. San Francisco — which won World Series championships in 2010 Joe Maddon Jersey , ’12 and ’14 — went 73-89 in 2018 and went a majors-worst 5-21 in September to miss the playoffs for a second straight year and third in four seasons.With the A’s, Zaidi’s areas of expertise included providing statistical analysis for evaluating and targeting players in the amateur draft, free agent and trade markets. He also worked on arbitration cases, minor league contracts and worked closely with coaches to analyze data from advance scouting reports.Zaidi previously served as business development associate for Small World Media http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-willson-contreras-jersey , the fantasy sports division of The Sporting News, and also worked as a management consultant for the Boston Consulting Group.The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the hiring Tuesday night.

ORLANDO Gregor Blanco Jersey , Fla. (AP) — Hal Steinbrenner had heard the constant criticism in New York: Why haven’t the Yankees tried to sign Bryce Harper or Manny Machado?“I get hammered every year about something,” the New York owner said Thursday. “If you don’t win the World Series, that’s perfectly justifiable.”Speaking at the owners’ meetings, Steinbrenner would not rule out more moves before opening day but sounded as if a deal for a high-priced free agent is unlikely.“Fans should keep an open mind that I’m never done until I’m done, and that’s usually not until opening day,” he said. “Proposals come to me every day with these guys, between the analytics guys and the pro scouting guys, and I’m going to consider every single one of them.”New York’s offseason moves included re-signing CC Sabathia, Brett Gardner, J.A. Happ and Zack Britton, acquiring James Paxton in a trade, and signing reliever Adam Ottavino and infielders DJ LeMahieu and Troy Tulowitzki.After New York avoided the luxury tax last year for the first time since it was established in 2003, the contracts with LeMahieu and Ottavino have lifted the Yankees’projected luxury tax payroll to about $220 million, well above the $206 million threshold.Still, not the splashy moves his father, George Steinbrenner, was famous for.And although Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t listen to sports radio and devour the tabloids, he’s kept abreast of the vox populi by nephew Stephen Swindal Jr., assistant director of player development.New York had the major leagues’ top payroll for 15 straight years through 2013 but has not since and was sixth last year. Many fans say because the Yankees have the highest revenue, they should spend the most on players.“With no discussion of our costs, that’s always the problem,” Steinbrenner said. “I hear everything about our revenues, I hear nothing about our cost. I hear nothing about the gargantuan debt service payment that we have to pay every year (on bonds that financed new Yankee Stadium), nothing about all of our stadium operations, all the security, not to mention player payroll http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-pablo-sandoval-jersey , not to mention revenue sharing.”And he keeps in mind the price of keeping Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Gleyber Torres and other emerging young stars.“I have to look at the big picture, and it is my responsibility — that my family expects, my partners expect — not just to look at the present but to look at the future, too,” he said. “Three, four, five years from now we get a lot of homegrown kids that we love, our fans love, that are going to be coming up for free agency.”Steinbrenner has said many times he didn’t think a team had to spend $200 million to win a championship. New York reached the 2019 threshold by signing Britton, and Steinbrenner gave general manager Brian Cashman authority to keep spending.“We weren’t good enough, so we went out and signed a really good contact hitter in DJ, who can play multiple positions,” Steinbrenner said. “And then we went and got Ottavino really to secure a pretty good bullpen, which can certainly help the starting rotation, right?”New York went 100-62 last year, its best record since its last championship season in 2009, yet finished eight games back of AL East champion Boston. The Yankees beat Oakland in the AL wild-card game, then lost to the Red Sox 3-1 in the Division Series. Boston went on to win its fourth World Series title in 15 years.“I think we’ve definitely got a better club opening day than we did opening day last year, particularly in pitching, which is my biggest area of concern,” Steinbrenner said.Steinbrenner said ticket sales are about flat, though premium seat sales are down because of the expiration of 10-year contracts that began when the new ballpark opened in 2009. He said talks are ongoing about a potential repurchase of 21st Century Fox’s stake in the team’s YES Network.A big move might spark sales. He hasn’t ruled that out completely.“I wouldn’t be surprised, because these guys come to me all the time with stuff,” he said of his staff. “I can’t tell you if 17 days from now they come with some kind of proposal that I say no or I say yes.”Notes: Paxton Duane Kuiper Jersey , speaking at the team’s minor league complex in Tampa, understands the expectation. “It’s kind of World Series-or-bust for Yankees, fans and I’m excited about having that pressure, and just being on a team that’s so committed to winning,” he said. … Happ threw a 30-pitch mound session to Sanchez. … SS Didi Gregorius, recovering from Tommy John surgery, swung a bat one-handed in an indoor cage. The St. Louis Cardinals acquired first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that was definitely worth the price they paid for.The package that the Cardinals had to put together for Goldschmidt was expensive, but he provides them everything that they have been missing for many seasons. He will provide his new team with qualities they haven't had in a long time.Goldschmidt is the type of player the Cardinals have been missing since former player, Albert Pujols, left the team for a big money contract from the Los Angeles Angles. He supply's them with middle-of-the-order power, and great defense at first base.advertisingPaul Goldschmidt is the sort of middle-of-the-order force the Cardinals have lacked since Albert Pujols left. A momentous trade for them. He's got a year left on his deal, and the Cardinals paid handsomely for him.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2018The six-time All-Star will give the Cardinals a major upgrade just off his offensive capability alone. Last season, Goldschmidt hit 33 home-runs and drove in 83 runs. But that's just the beginning, he also hit for a .290 batting average and a .922 OPS.There's no question that Goldschmidt carried the Diamondbacks offense again for the sixth straight season. Over those six seasons, he has averaged 30 home-runs and 100 RBI's. With his break-out year back in 2013, when he hit for 36 long-balls and 125 RBI's.Goldschmidt will likely be seen carrying the Cardinals offesnse next season as well, which is why he should be hitting in the number three spot in their lineup heading into 2019. Here is what the projected batting lineup will look like for the Cardinals.advertisingMatt Carpenter, Yadier Molina, Paul Goldschmidt, Marcell Ozuna, Paul DeJong, Kolten Wong, Harrison Bader, Dexter Folwer http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-nick-ahmed-jersey , and the pitcher's spot.Paul Goldschmidt is 1 of 2 position players and 3 players overall with 4.5+ WAR each season since 2013. The others are Mike Trout and Max Scherzer.— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) December 5, 2018The 31-year-old also provides spectacular defense at the first-base position. He is a Gold Glove award winner and has never made more than seven errors in a season. Which will improve the Cardinals from a season ago, because they made a league-leading 20 errors at first-base last season.Carpenter played the majority of last season at first-base. He committed eight of those 20 total errors, while also creating eight errors at the third-base position as well. He has always been known for making errors聽throughout his entire career. Which is where Goldschmidt will look to help clean up that area.advertisingWith Goldschmidt playing at first-base, Carpenter will be able to return to his regular position at third-base. The rest of the Cardinals defense is projected to look as follows; Molina at catcher, Goldschmidt at first-base, Wong at second-base, DeJong at shortstop, Carpenter at third-base, Ozuna in left-field, Fowler in center-field and Hader in right-field.The #Cardinals get Paul Goldschmidt in a painless fashion. It is not often that a club adds an MVP caliber-player like this without it stinging a bit. The three players may help the #Dbacks and the draft pick helps too but the Cards are protected with their depth.— Steve Phillips (@StevePhillipsGM) December 5, 2018The acquisition of Goldschmidt did cost the Cardinals some very valuable assets. They were forced to give up聽Carson Kelly, Luke Weaver, Andy Young and the club's Compensation Round B selection in the 2019 MLB Draft.Kelly and Weaver are the centerpieces of the return going back to the Diamondbacks. Kelly is a very solid defensive catcher, but where he lacks is in his hitting. He will be able to start in games this season for the Diamondbacks, but will likely be hitting at the bottom of the lineup with his .154 batting average in 63 appearances in the MLB.For Weaver, his future as either a starter or a reliever is still undecided. It sounds like the Diamondbacks are going to try him out as a starter heading into next season. Last season, he started 25 games for the Cardinals and also appeared five times from out of the bullpen.The Cardinals were able to include these players because of the depth they have at those two positions. Andrew Knizner is close to as good of a catcher as Kelly is, but he is a way more developed hitter then Kelly as well.They also have Alex Reyes coming back from Tommy John surgery and will likely factor into the role that is left vacant by Weaver next season. Getty ImagesGoldschmidt will only be under contract for this upcoming season. He is scheduled to make $14.5 million for next season. The Cardinals will likely offer him a three or four year extension either before the season or after it.He will only be 32-years-old heading into the 2020 season, so it's very unlikely that he will regress to the point where he is unable to still produce like he is now. Which is why if the Cardinals were able to re-sign him until his mid-to-late 30s, they should be able to still get quality production out of him.The decision to acquire Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks was definitely the right one for the Cardinals. He is the key piece they have been missing from their lineup. Which is why with the trade now completed, the Cardinals are a team ready to compete for the division next season.

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey doesn't view Kansas City Chiefs speedster Tyreek Hill as much of a matchup concern.At least not as a receiver.Ramsey fired back at Hill on Thursday Justin Simmons Jersey , pointing out that his two Pro Bowl appearances came as a returner."I don't like how whoever has made it a matchup me against Tyreek," Ramsey said three days before the Chiefs (4-0) host the Jaguars (3-1)."He's good for what he does for their team. He made All-Pro as a return specialist. Let's get that right — as a return specialist — his rookie year. He went to two Pro Bowls as a return specialist — return specialist — two years."I made All-Pro in my position as a corner, went to the Pro Bowl as a corner. So it's not a wide receiver versus corner matchup, so we can get that out of the way off the bat."Hill called Ramsey a "great player, obviously" a day earlier, but Ramsey seemed to take offense to some of Hill's other remarks."He obviously thinks high of himself, so he's all right, I guess," Hill said. "I can't wait to line up against him, and I hope he presses me."Ramsey is expected to shadow Hill all over the field in a game that features the NFL's No. 1 offense against the league's top-rated defense. And since Ramsey and the Jags play primarily press coverage, Hill will get his wish."If you look at my film, what do I do every week?" Ramsey said. "I play press, right? Every week, no matter who I'm playing, so if he wants smoke, it'll get there."Hill has 23 receptions for 364 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has 159 catches for 2,140 yards and 16 scores in three seasons. He also has four punt returns for touchdowns, including one this season, and one kickoff return for a score as a rookie.Hill had nine catches for 54 yards Monday night at Denver."I'm always up for a challenge Authentic Chris Harris Jr Jersey ," Hill said. "He's a great player, and I'm always up for a challenge. To get my name out there more I need to go up against more talents like him, you know what I'm saying? I'm not calling (Broncos cornerback) Chris Harris or nobody else bad, but he is the top dog right now, so I can't wait."Even that didn't seem to satisfy Ramsey, who has 13 tackles and a pass breakup this season."I just wish he would have picked a side," said Ramsey, who dropped a would-be interception last week against the New York Jets. "Either I'm just all right or I'm the top dog. Pick a side. If I'm the top dog, but I'm just all right, that means he doesn't think that any corner in the league is good. And that's not true."AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City contributed to this report. Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse — a survey of fans across the NFL, powered by SurveyMonkey. Each week, we send 32 polls to 100+ plugged in fans from each team.Broncos fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.The Denver Broncos sit at 3-6, which happens to be exactly where they sat record-wise through nine games in 2017. In our weekly survey, just 6% of fans still felt confidence in this team and I have a strong feeling most of those are fans from rival blogs.This team has fought through some close losses and it just feels like they are closer to the win columns this year than they did last year. However, they are still 3-6, which means there is a mixed bag of standouts and duds through nine games. Here’s how we graded the team through the first part of the season. I picked the top vote-getters and included anyone else mentioned at the end. Grade: FVance Joseph: Few people within the Broncos organization have been move disappointing than Joseph. His coaching decisions in game have left many of us wondering what he is trying to do and his 8-17 record is the worst winning percentage of any Broncos head coaching since the 1960s. Bill Musgrave: Few things have frustrated fans more than the offensive playcalling through nine games. With one of the leagues best rushing attacks, Musgrave consistently abandons the run in favor of a Case Keenum-led aerial assault. An assault that typically leads to few touchdowns. Not only that, but the passing plays Musgrave wants to run are the kind that Keenum has struggled to be successful under. Chad Kelly: The reasons for this are plainly obvious. Grade: DCase Keenum: It has been your average Case Keenum season. He is slightly better than his pre-2017 average and well below his 2017 breakout season. With 2400 yards Youth Emmanuel Sanders Jersey , 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, he has been able to do just enough to lose some close games. The Broncos do need a long-term quarterback, but with proper coaching and playcalling they could find success with Keenum. It just hasn’t happened.Bradley Roby: Missing the game against the Houston Texans was probably a blessing for Roby. He’s had a couple of great games, but he has been far more of a liability than a starting-caliber cornerback this season. Those couple of quality performances are the only reason he is here and not lower. Garett Bolles: Bolles should be playing right tackle. His technique and athleticism is not good enough to hold down the left side without committing those frustrating holding penalties - which he currently leads the NFL in. If the Broncos continue to hold him on the left side, then the first round bust label talk is going to get louder. Grade: CJoe Woods: The lone bright spot has been the defense. Even though the unit is no longer elite on the talent side of things, they are coming up big where it matters the most in keeping games close. It just seems like if they hold the highest scoring team in the NFL to 27-points, their offense scores 23 or if they hold a team to 19-points, their offense scores 17. It’s just not working out for wins. However, giving up 593 yards rushing in two games is why Woods gets a mixed-bag kind of grade here.Justin Simmons: As the Broncos secondary tries to work on communication, the most obvious struggles have come from Simmons. The young safety has been caught out of position on more than a few easy touchdowns. Hopefully that is just a young player struggling to catch on to a new things, but the Broncos need him to limit those moving forward.Grade: BChris Harris Jr: The Broncos have one elite cornerback in Chris Harris Jr. and teams are scheming the ball away from him as much as possible. It’s gotten so frustrating for Harris that he lamented that this season is feeling a lot like last season to him. He is a big reason why this defense is still good, but Harris can’t be everywhere and defenses are finding those holes. Emmanuel Sanders: Sanders is having himself a good season as his chemistry with Keenum has grown. Through nine games, Sanders has 56 receptions for 707 yards and three touchdowns. John Elway even went so far as to say Sanders’ play is what made the decision to trade Demaryius Thomas to the Texans much easier. Royce Freeman: Despite only getting the ball over 10 times in a game on three occasions this season, Freeman has shown he has great vision and a shifty running style that can be very successful in this league. He has 309 yards rushing on just 71 carries this season before missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Grade: AVon Miller: All Von needed was a partner in crime and he found that in rookie Bradley Chubb. Miller is averaging a sack a game and is coming up big in key moments. It’s good to see Von Miller be able to do Von Miller things with fewer double and triple teams in games.Bradley Chubb: Just one sack separates rookie Chubb from former Super Bowl MVP Miller through nine games. After a slow start, Chubb has been on a terror in October winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. He also has an inside track to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, especially if the sacks keep piling up for the young player.Phillip Lindsay: For the first time in his NFL career, Lindsay finished a game under 4.5 yards per carry against the Texans. He now has 110 carries for 591 yards for a whooping 5.4 yards per carry as an undrafted rookie. He started his career setting records and he gets a resounding A+ grade from everyone here at Mile High Report. We look forward to seeing this kid play every week!Who gets your grades through the first half of the season?

There’s been a consistent theme since the first game of the season. In the week leading up to the next game Womens Customized Denver Broncos Jerseys , we’ve heard that is the one the Denver Broncos offense will put forth a complete performance. That Case Keenum and Co. are on the verge. “We can feel it.” Three games later, we’re still waiting for that to happen. Is Sunday in New Jersey against the New York Jets the day it comes to fruition? On Friday’s 1st & 10 @ 10 on Orange and Blue 760, Ryan Edwards brought up a great point with Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman: After the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it might be more important for the offense to finish. It’s a great interview that also highlights how crucial this game is for Denver. Bonus listen Check out Ian Henson’s segment from Friday’s show. He gives his thoughts on the loss to the Chiefs and previews Sunday’s game against the Jets. After a soul-crushing defeat, I get this eerie feeling that this just might spark a longer-than-needs-be losing streak. A losing streak similar to last year, but maybe not lasting a full eight games. This was a “playoff” game to the team. Their coaches said it, the players said it, and the fans felt it. The Broncos stepped up to the challenge, but fell flat in the waning minutes of the game. Now, the defense is telling the media that we need to score more points. This sounds familiar. I think this loss falls squarely on the coaching staff. I can’t count how many times I said “RUN THE BALL” because we were averaging 8 yards per carry. When you average 8 yards per carry, you march down the field quite easily and score touchdowns. And guess what? Whenever we ran the ball, we did just that. But hey, why keep doing something that is working when you can pass pass pass? And now? Now at 2-2, I feel as if this season is already slipping away. 25% of the games have been played, and our trajectory isn’t going in the right direction. Don’t look now, but we are already on a two game losing streak with a trip to the East Coast coming up and then a home stand against the NFL’s best team.So what should we do now? I mean, I’m gonna pull a Babe Ruth and call this shot: The Broncos are already sporting a 2-4 record with four straight losses by the time we finish the Rams game. So what can we do? I don’t want to say put in Chad Kelly, but... just put in Chad Kelly. If Keenum is what $18 million buys us www.broncoscheapauthenticstore.com , I think we should demand a refund. I have absolutely no problems proclaiming “I bet if Vance Joseph had Patrick Mahomes on the roster, he wouldn’t be playing him in favor of Keenum, the vet!” and THAT RIGHT THERE is why we should just pull the damn plug on Keenum and start Kelly. I felt it last night, you felt it last night, everyone felt it last night. How many times, aside from RUNNING THE DAMN BALL, did you think “ugh, I don’t want Keenum passing here” or did you say “Damn, I wish we had Mahomes!” ? Honestly, how many times? How many times did you allow the doubt of our QB sneak into your head? How many times did you think “I wonder what Kelly would look like and do? I bet he can hit DT who’s streaking wide open down the field like he did LaCosse in the preseason!” Again, I bet if the Broncos had Mahomes on their roster, he’d be on the bench because Vance is too chicken to start him. And do you know what? Out of all the rookie QBs in this year’s draft (who are all starting by the way), only Baker Mayfield has looked any better than Kelly. So in the same vein as me screaming “RUN THE BALL” last night, I’m screaming “PUT IN CHAD KELLY!!!” today! Stop inflicting pain on this team! Stop inflicting pain on your fans! Hey, guess what? The FANS PAY YOUR PAYCHECK guys! So maybe, just maybe you should appease the people writing your damn check and put in the young signal caller and see what you have!Now onto the rankings. Remember, I’m ranking teams as they stand TODAY. Not a culmination of last year or the last decade. If they look like they are world beaters today, they’ll be ranked high regardless of what their record is. After-all Denver Broncos T-Shirt , if we went by record alone, then Power Rankings wouldn’t exist!1. Los Angeles Rams:These guys are the complete package. Even when their defense has an off night, their offense steps up. It’s what complete teams do. They lift the other side up when they’re struggling, and they dominate when they are both playing good. 2. Kansas City Chiefs:Not so tough outside of September, are you? But in all honesty, divisional games on the road are coin flips. They still escaped with a W, but it was a hell of a lot tougher than anyone thought it would be.3. Jacksonville Jaguars:Welcome back to the Top 3 Jacksonville. 4. Baltimore Ravens: Maybe the Broncos weren’t as bad as they looked. Holy smokes, these guys play like they did when they won their Super Bowl in 2012 when they want to.5. New England Patriots: Are these the real Patriots? This is the 2nd year in a row they started 2-2, and last year they made it to the Super Bowl.6. Green Bay Packers: What does a shutout get you these days? A lot more if it isn’t the Bills you’re shutting out. So up to #6 you go. 7. Minnesota Vikings:It pains me to admit that Cousins looked good. I’ll take Chad Kelly over him though, so I’m just waiting my time until he gets his shot.8. New Orleans Saints:201 yards away from the all time yardage record. Brees plays at home next week. Something tells me he’s gonna get it by halftime.9. Philadelphia Eagles:Yes, I know they just lost, but I think this team is still finding their groove, and they’re 2-2 while finding it. Not too shabby.10. Chicago Bears:So is Trubiski the new Mahomes? C’mon 4 letter networks, get with the program!11. Carolina Panthers:Honestly, I almost forgot to rank these guys. That’s how forgettable they have been this year. However, forgettable while you’re winning is better than being remembered for losing.12. Cincinnati Bengals:The Bengals are a lot like the old Chiefs: They can win all they want early on, but we all know they’ll fade away when it matters the most. Enjoy this loft spot paper tigers!13. Tennessee Titans:I know, I KNOW Denver Broncos Hats , they just beat the Eagles who are 4 spots ahead of them. What can I say other than I think it’s an aberration and they played 99 more times, I think Philly beats them 97 of them. 14. Cleveland Browns:I really thought the Browns were gonna win. Baker Mayfield is for real, but the Browns defense had an uncharacteristically horrendous day. Scoring 42 should always be enough! Always!15. Atlanta Falcons:I feel like a broken record by saying this, but they’re always the bridesmaids, never the bride. They are so painfully close to being undefeated. Are they the football equivalent of a slump buster? 16. Denver Broncos:**DISCLAIMER: The Broncos are down here because I’m assuming we don't start Chad Kelly **How good is this team? I really don’t know. They’re up and down like a freaking yo-yo. And their standings in the Power Ranking reflect that. I’ll be the first to admit that this game was a hell of a lot closer than I imagined, which if they play like this, even in a loss, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with. 17. Washington Redskins:The Redskins aren’t particularly good in any one area, but they aren’t bad in any either. They’re the football equivalent of a rice cake. 18. Los Angeles Chargers:I mean, do I really have them this high for beating the Niners? What has this world come to. Are the teams below them really this bad? (looks down) Yeah, I guess 18 is just about right.19. Dallas Cowboys:I have a weekly standing bet with the worst of the worst, okay, the top 5 worst of the worst... Cowboy fans. So it pains me to award the Cowboys for a victory. Thankfully it was against Detroit, so it doesn’t really mean much.20. Indianapolis Colts:I swear, as soon as these guys put a full 60 minutes together, they’ll regain their playoff form. But will it happen while they still have enough games to make a division out of this? I’m not too sure.21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: And the clock struck midnight on Fitzmagic. Welcome to Loserville, Population: 1222. Seattle Seahawks:hahahahahahah You BOTH got exactly what you deserved! BOTH SIDES! Hahahahahaha23. Miami Dolphins:I know, you’re part of Loserville (i.e. bottom 12) yet you have a winning record. Well Denver Broncos Hoodie , you suck, you’ve always sucked, and you’re the reason one of the best QBs of all time doesn’t have a ring. 24. Oakland Raiders:Well, a win is a win is a win. So, I guess “good for you guys”, enjoy this taste, cause you’ll soon forget what it tastes like. 25. Pittsburgh Steelers:And the free-fall spiral continues. Word on the street is Bell will report... in week 7. Way to go. I bet your teammates really appreciate that!26. Detroit Lions:You can beat the Patriots, but can’t beat the Cowboys. You are validating what I claimed: Matt Patricia knew the offense of the Pats and that’s the only reason they won. 27. Houston Texans:That’s the Deshaun Watson I know and love! Keep it up and this division is yours!28. New York Giants:I can’t fault them for losing to the Saints at home. That isn’t why they’re this low. They’re this low because they’ve sucked for a little over 3 years now, and they just don’t appear to be getting any better. 29. New York Jets:Sam Darnold started his career off red hot, and then hasn’t looked good or been effective since. Growing pains, or just pain? Too early to tell. Probably Growing Pain though. Probably.30. San Francisco 49ers:Hey, hang your head up high. I figured I’d have you dead last this week. But you almost won, and almost counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and trying to not be dead last in the NFL. So there you go. Nicely done Niners. My Uncle Joe would be so proud of you. 31. Buffalo Bills:What’s the best way to follow up a miracle victory over Minny? Laying a turn in Green Bay of course. Thank You John Elway for not drafting Josh Allen.32. Arizona Cardinals:These guys are the last team standing. Or is it laying down? Cause they’re all that’s left of the “defeated” teams. Way to go Arizona. You’re like the Rams, just completely opposite.