MLB tiers: Ranking baseball's best relievers
Bullpen consistency can be the difference between a pennant and going home early. Who's best at nailing down wins and protecting leads?
Bullpen consistency can be the difference between a pennant and going home early. Who's best at nailing down wins and protecting leads?
Even with the rise of new tactics like the opener, old-school aces are leading the way.
Buster Olney talks to Laura Armstrong of The Toronto Star about Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s progress this Spring, Marcus Stroman's future in Toronto and much more.
The Baltimore Orioles have a season win total of 59.5, while the Yankees are at 96.5. Here are the odds you need to know for all 30 MLB teams.
Here's what Kendrys Morales told me about getting to play with Vlad Guerrero Jr., and serving as his mentor, the way Vlad senior did with him when he first signed with the Angels in 2004: "When I was a rookie, Vladimir was a major league superstar. And while he was a great ballplayer, he's a better person. He was so humble. I got to know the Guerrero family very well and he would take me to his house and take care of me like a member of his family. And now it's my turn to do the same thing he did with me. He taught me everything I know about being a major league player and I hope I can do the same for his son, the way he did with me. We all know the kind of talent that Vladimir jr. has. He's very smart at the plate, and those are things you can't teach. He's got natural ability. And if he continues to work hard he'll be a superstar like his father."
In my one-on-one interview with Vladdy, I asked him what he'd say to the fans who‘d be disappointed if he doesn't make the Blue Jays Opening Day roster: "I don't know when that will be. It could be at the beginning (of the season) or at the end. It's (the team's) decision. (And fans just) have to trust; trust that the day will come. The day will come. I am 19 years old, and I have been waiting 19 years for this. When the day comes, it will come. Whether it's at the beginning of the season or at the end."
Here's what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. told me was the one piece of advice his father gave him before heading to camp with the Jays: "I have never said this to anyone: When I told my dad I got the spring training invite, he told me, ‘Son, you want to be the best? Do you want to continue being the best? Wherever Kendrys Morales goes, you follow. I asked him why he would say that to me, and he replied ‘When Kendrys Morales was a rookie, he did all the things that you need to do by following my example. Anywhere I went, he followed. So what you see in him, that's the way I did things when I was playing."
Starting with baseball's reigning best player, out on the grass is where you find the stars to build contenders around.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says his Hall of Fame father advised him to seek out DH Kendrys Morales as a mentor in the same fashion Morales did with Guerrero Jr. as a rookie with the Angels nearly 15 years ago.
The Show.
Want to see something cool? Here are Cavan Biggio and Vlad Guerrero Jr. alternating on defense at third base.
Marcus Stroman expressed frustration with the direction of the Blue Jays, saying he wants a long-term deal with the team but that front-office officials aren't returning the interest.
Blue Jays' hitting coach Guillermo MartÃnez on Vlad Guerrero Jr.: "He's a different type of person, player... he's more mature than I am!"
Asà suena la práctica de bateo de Vladimir Guerrero, hijo.
The highly touted Blue Jays phenom showed up early for fielding drills and BP and talked about using a bat much like his father's.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tells me he uses the same bat size as his father, 34 x 32, and made of the same type of wood.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Richard Ureña, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. all smiles after their first field work of the spring.
Here's more Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batting practice... because... life is good.
Vladdy BP!
John Axford and the Blue Jays have completed a minor league contract to reunite after the reliever was traded to the Dodgers last season.
The children of two baseball legends: Lourdes Gurriel Jr., son of one of the greatest Cuban players of all-time, Lourdes Gurriel, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., son of Hall-of-Famer Vladimir Guerrero.
Guess whoooooo....?
Three and a half months after the pursuit started, here's where things stand with Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and their suitors. Plus, updates on Craig Kimbrel, Nolan Arenado and other stars seeking paydays.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins says that the team has no firm timeline for when megaprospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will join the big league club this season.
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baltimore | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Boston | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Detroit | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Minnesota | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
New York | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Toronto | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Atlanta | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Houston | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Washington | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
New York | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Philadelphia | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Pittsburgh | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
St. Louis | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Miami | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Tampa Bay | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |