Steve Benko, Author at Baseball Essential

After 14 Seasons, Juan Pierre Decides To Hang It Up

Feb 27, 2015

Breaking News, Headlines, Major League Baseball, Miami Marlins

Veteran outfielder Juan Pierre has decided that it's time for him to hang up his cleats. The 37-year-old Pierre, spent 14 seasons in the MLB and played with six organizations. He finished his career with 1,994 ...

Julio Teheran: Atlanta Braves’ Next Leader

Steve Benko

Feb 24, 2015

Atlanta Braves, Headlines, Opinions & Predictions

Julio Teheran might not be a household name yet, he's not up there with the Johnny Cuetos or Clayton Kershaw, but Atlanta Braves fans certainly know who he is. Teheran broke onto the scene in 2013, and at just ...

Is Drew Smyly’s Frustration with Yoan Moncada’s Contract Justified?

Steve Benko

Feb 24, 2015

Boston Red Sox, Opinions & Predictions

Yoan Moncada is a 19-year-old Cuban prospect who just signed a $30 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Smyly was not happy about the Yoan Moncada deal. Smyly took to twitter to voi...

What Should the Dodgers Do With Andre Ethier?

Steve Benko

Feb 17, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers, Opinions & Predictions

For the better part of a decade, Andre Ethier has been a big component of the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup. However, as of late, the 32-year-old slugger has been in a slump, he had a down 2014 season, and he's ho...

Show Me a Hero and I’ll Write You a Tragedy: My Ken Griffey Jr. Story

Steve Benko

Jan 30, 2015

Features, Headlines, Opinions & Predictions, Seattle Mariners

The date is April 3rd, 1989, and the Mariners are playing the Oakland Athletics at The Coliseum. After a Harold Reynolds pop-out, a 19-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. steps into the batter's box for his first major le...

Are the Royals Better Off Without James Shields?

Steve Benko

Jan 28, 2015

Kansas City Royals, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Last season, the Kansas City Royals shocked everyone by making it to the World Series. The last few seasons, James Shields has been a model of consistency. This past season, he went 14-8 and finished with a 3.2...

Making sense of the Braves’ Offseason

Steve Benko

Jan 9, 2015

Atlanta Braves, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

The Atlanta Braves have been quiet this off-season, relatively speaking. Quiet meaning they haven't signed any big-name players to any long-term deals. However, the Braves have signed, and traded for some prett...

Five Biggest Steals of Free Agency

Steve Benko

Dec 30, 2014

Contract, Headlines, Offseason

We’ve seen the big name players go somewhat early on in free-agency. But there are some lesser-named players that were signed to smaller deals that could in fact turn out to be steals for the organization. Kri...

Lester opened the pitching market, so who goes next?

Steve Benko

Dec 14, 2014

Headlines

Now that Jon Lester has broken open the market for pitchers, who is next? Max Scherzer has reportedly asked for a $200 million deal, something only one other pitcher in history has received, and that’s Clayto...

Braves interested in Nick Markakis

Steve Benko

Dec 2, 2014

Atlanta Braves, Headlines, Offseason

The Atlanta Braves have begun to shake the roster up this off-season. In a trade that sent Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals, there are some things that need to be addressed. One of the main things that...

Author Steve Benko