Offseason Archives | Baseball Essential

Seven MLB Players Returning From Injury to Watch in 2019

Feb 10, 2019

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...

The New York Mets Need Their Young Core to Take the Next Step to Contend in 2019

Robbie Stratakos

Feb 8, 2019

New York Mets, Opinions & Predictions

The New York Mets have been one of the most active teams in Major League Baseball this offseason and are surely a National League playoff threat in 2019. But if the Mets aspire to be an NL pennant threat, they ...

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 Atlanta Braves Should Focus on Deepening their Pitching Staff

Robbie Stratakos

Jan 30, 2019

Atlanta Braves, Opinions & Predictions

Last season the Atlanta Braves surprised many going 90-72 and winning the National League East. Are they well-assembled to repeat as division champions in 2019? Yes, but they would be wise to deepen their pitch...

The Weirdest Walk-Up Songs in Major League Baseball

Tom Dorsa

Jan 29, 2019

Major League Baseball, Offseason

With Mariano Rivera in the news (the longtime New York Yankees closer was announced last Tuesday as the first unanimous Baseball Hall of Fame inductee ever) his iconic walk-up music was also making headlines. A...

Free Agency: Somebody, Just Please Sign Craig Kimbrel Already

Tom Dorsa

Jan 29, 2019

Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

There are two types of Craig Kimbrel. The first being a former National League Rookie of the Year who controls the late parts of games with a menacing 99 mph fastball and a wipeout power curveball, a pitch that...

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...

A.J. Pollock Fills a Void for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Robbie Stratakos

Jan 26, 2019

Los Angeles Dodgers, Opinions & Predictions

After executing a seven-player trade that sent outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp, as well as left-hander Alex Wood and catcher Kyle Farmer to the Cincinnati Reds, many figured the Los Angeles Dodgers had an...

Tagged Offseason