Jackie Budko, Author at Baseball Essential

Matt Williams Booed at Press Conference Amid Nats’ Downward Spiral

Sep 9, 2015

Features, Headlines, Major League Baseball, National League, National League East, New York Mets, Washington Nationals

It's no secret the Washington Nationals are in the midst of a downward spiral. As of today, they sit six games behind the New York Mets and 9 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second National League Wil...

Five Reasons to Keep Watching the Phillies in the Second Half

Jackie Budko

Aug 13, 2015

Features, Major League Baseball, National League, National League East, Opinions & Predictions, Philadelphia Phillies

It doesn't matter how many more games the Phillies win, they will still continue to be one of the worst teams in baseball. Since the end of the All-Star Break, Philadelphia has one of the best records in baseba...

Breaking down the New Phillies Prospects

Jackie Budko

Aug 1, 2015

Features, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, National League, National League East, Philadelphia Phillies, Prospect Reports

Thank goodness the Philadelphia Phillies finally had the guts to make a deal at this year's Trade Deadline. By surrendering longtime ace Cole Hamels, bullpen lefty Jake Diekman, closer Jonathan Papelbon, and ou...

Recap: Aaron Nola’s Major League Debut

Jackie Budko

Jul 22, 2015

Features, Major League Baseball, National League, Philadelphia Phillies

I'm not going to lie. I only went to last night's Philadelphia Phillies game because the ticket deal the team was promoting was halfway decent. The promotion was two tickets for $27 in honor of 2014 first round...

Papelbon Demands Trade — Again

Jackie Budko

Jul 15, 2015

Features, Major League Baseball, National League, National League East, Opinions & Predictions, Philadelphia Phillies

Jonathan Papelbon has one of the biggest mouths in baseball. His comment from the All-Star Game media day was quite a head turner. Of course, he has admitted multiple times in the past that he wants to be trade...

Chase Utley Out, Cesar Hernandez In for Phillies?

Jackie Budko

Jul 8, 2015

Headlines, Injuries, Major League Baseball, National League, National League East, Philadelphia Phillies

We knew it was bound to happen eventually, but after eleven-plus seasons as the Phillies’ starting second baseman, it appears Chase Utley has been replaced by Cesar Hernandez. That’s right, Ruben Amaro Jr. is f...

Time for Phillies to Give Up on Domonic Brown?

Jackie Budko

Jul 3, 2015

Major League Baseball, National League, National League East, Opinions & Predictions, Philadelphia Phillies

It's like a never-ending cycle with Domonic Brown. He shows flashes of greatness, the fans get excited, and then he goes back to performing below average. Brown was called up on June 16th to play as the c...

Philadelphia Phillies have their man in Andy MacPhail

Jackie Budko

Jun 30, 2015

Breaking News, Headlines, Major League Baseball, National League, National League East, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are finally making some changes to the front office. 62 year-old baseball executive, Andy MacPhail, is set to become the club's new president for both baseball and business aspects following the 20...

Recap: First All-Star Ballot Update

Jackie Budko

May 28, 2015

American League, Features, Major League Baseball, National League, Opinions & Predictions

The first 2015 MLB All-Star Game ballot update for both leagues did not disappoint. There were both expectations and surprises. One expectation was that both leagues' top teams would be well-represented. The...

Author Jackie Budko