Month: December 2013

MMO Fan Shot: Juan Lagares vs Eric Young Jr.

An MMO Fan Shot by Michael Mandelkern Juan Lagares and Eric Young Jr. will be competing for a starting outfield role with the New York Mets in Spring Training. Young has been a bench player throughout his career and is likely nothing more. Lagares could be a gem and playing him everyday is the only way to find out. Ultimately, stellar defense is more valuable than speed. Center field is Lagares’...

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Yankees Say They Are Out On Stephen Drew

Updated 12/31 Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said his team will not sign free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, according to Peter Gammons. The Red Sox and Mets are still the only teams with reported interest for Drew. But Gammons talks about a potential “pillow contract” which means a one-year deal to go back to Boston and try to increase his value for another go at free agency next...

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My Hall Of Fame Ballot: Mike Piazza and the Other Nine

I just returned from the post office where I dropped off my Hall of Fame ballot. It’s a ritual for me that on Dec. 31 every year I’ll fill out my ballot. I like holding on to it, read all I can about the players on the ballot, talk to those in the game and also to other voters. Like most kids I grew up with, and I imagine like most of you, I grew up a baseball junkie. I even logged on to check...

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A Closer Look at Mets’ LHP Prospect Steven Matz

You’ve heard the name before, but 2013 was the first real look at the Mets’ LHP prospect Steven Matz due to him missing significant time recovering from arm injuries. I recently named him as my Mets’ pitching prospect to watch in 2014, as he seems to be on a path to be named a top-five prospect very soon. When a scout finds a left-handed pitching prospect that bring an electric...

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Roberto Clemente: Baseball’s Last Hero

It was on this day in 1972, that baseball great Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash while delivering food and water to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He has canceled all plans to celebrate the new year, opting instead to be a ray of hope for victims in need and in desperation. He was already a baseball legend before that tragic day, but now he was an immortal. Please enjoy this post from...

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