American League Archives | Baseball Essential

Could the Los Angeles Angels be American League Sleepers?

Feb 14, 2019

Los Angeles Angels, Opinions & Predictions

The Los Angeles Angels are coming off a fourth consecutive playoff-deprived and third consecutive losing season. But with some new faces and an intriguing roster in place, could they make a run at the American ...

Strong Spring Could Put Luzardo in Consideration for A’s Rotation Spot

Kyle O'Neill

Feb 12, 2019

Oakland Athletics, Opinions & Predictions

Spring training is officially underway as the Oakland Athletics were the first team to report yesterday. The Athletics shocked many by winning 97 games in 2018 and surging in the second half for the final Wild ...

Seven MLB Players Returning From Injury to Watch in 2019

Tom Dorsa

Feb 10, 2019

Major League Baseball, Offseason

Cal Ripken Jr.'s streak of 2,632 consecutive games played, without a single day off for rest or injury, is one of baseball's various unbreakable records. For 16 years Ripken took his position for the Baltimore ...

Free Agency: Ranking Bryce Harper’s Suitors Based on Fit

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 10, 2019

Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Perennial All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper remains a free agent. The first two-thirds of that sentence makes its ending remarkable. The reason why this three-month drag has taken place isn't because of one part...

Red Sox Need to Permanently Separate Themselves from Bill James

Jason Kelly

Feb 8, 2019

Boston Red Sox, Headlines, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

The baseball community suffered a tremendous loss on Thursday afternoon when Frank Robinson, a Hall of Famer and baseball pioneer, passed away at the age of 84. Robinson won the Most Valuable Player award in bo...

The Boston Red Sox Must Address Their Bullpen Before it’s Too Late

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 5, 2019

Boston Red Sox, Opinions & Predictions

The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox have done little to nothing to improve themselves this offseason. Sure, they've re-signed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and utility man Steve Pearce, but their r...

The Oakland Athletics Should Pursue a Gio Gonzalez Reunion

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 4, 2019

Oakland Athletics, Opinions & Predictions

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez remains one of the most notable free agents on the open market. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics need starting pitching; a reunion between the two parties makes all the sense in the wor...

The Detrimental Effect of the Massive Rebuilds by Cubs, Astros

Tom Dorsa

Jan 31, 2019

Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

In July of 2018, a wonderful book by Sports Illustrated senior writer Ben Reiter, called Astroball: The New Way to Win It All, hit newsstands everywhere. It chronicles the historically successful organizational...

The Detroit Tigers and Marwin Gonzalez are a Match

Robbie Stratakos

Jan 29, 2019

Detroit Tigers, Opinions & Predictions

The Detroit Tigers are coming off a second consecutive 64-98 season, and there's little reason to think that 2019 will produce an exceptionally greater result. With that said, general manager Al Avila and compa...

Twins: With Postseason Aspirations in Mind, 2019 is a Crucial Year for Tyler Austin

Kyle O'Neill

Jan 28, 2019

Minnesota Twins, Opinions & Predictions

When Tyler Austin was a member of the New York Yankees organization, he was never thought of as an elite prospect, despite putting up strong numbers. On the day after Alex Rodriguez's last game signaling a turn...

Tagged American League