Athletics Acquire Stephen Drew from D’Backs

The Athletics have solved their shortstop problem by trading Sean Jamieson in exchange for Stephen Drew.  Drew is an often-injured shortstop, but is a big upgrade for the A’s at short.  Drew could return to around to the level he was playing at before his injuries and he is in a contract year, which could create a huge stretch run for him.  I also like that he can bring a few tools to Oakland and hit high or low in the order.  He’s an above average shortstop that fits in with Oakland, and that’s all they needed.  The Diamondbacks can just play Willie Bloomquest at shortstop for right now and be fine, Drew was good but he wasn’t needed for the D’Backs right now.  The Diamondbacks got a minor leaguer, Sean Jamieson, who should e a powerful infielder one day, and was a good pick-up by the A’s.  I see this deal working out for the A’s similar to what the D’Backs got in Aaron Hill last season.  Drew should recover his hitting stroke and even if it isn’t to a full extent he will do better than what he has done with the D’Backs so far.  He can play an average defense at this point, and he is a risk worth taking for the A’s, and he’s better than Hicks and Rosales.  EDGE: Athletics

Top 10 Diamondbacks Right Now

1 RF Justin Upton
2 SP Ian Kennedy
3 SP Daniel Hudson
4 C Miguel Montero
5 RP JJ Putz
6 SS Stephen Drew
7 SP Trevor Cahill
8 3B Ryan Roberts
9 CF Chris Young
10 2B Aaron Hill

Moves: Cameron, Kubel, Grabow

• The Dodgers added John Grabow, who will be another good bullpen arm who could be a good LOOGY or just a good reliever and could have a good under the radar season in LA, a good fit and great signing.
• The Nationals signed Mike Cameron, which I don’t get.  He’s not even that good of a platoon player anymore with his skills diminishing and his defense getting worse.  They should play him too much and he will probably just hover around a .200 average and have some moments but be a bust.  Bernadina will be a lot better.
• Jason Kubel signed with the Diamondbacks and I see him splitting time with both Parra and Goldschmit but more with Goldschmit this season, and he will be a decent 1B.  He’s a great lefty bat that should help the Diamondbacks a ton and he is a decent fit.  They can expect 2-25 homers per year from him and Kubel being a decent bat and being one of the better hitters and clutch at times, I like this deal for both sides and expect a lot of good to come out of it.  2 Years is a great amount too.

Hot Stove: Willingham, Saito

• The Twins are about to sign Josh Willingham, who is above age 30 but still in his prime and we should expect one around 30 homer season from him as a twin.  He will also get some RBI and help the Twins get a few wins.  he’s an average fit and his defense is average too, which isn;t bad because the Twins line-up looks a whole lot nicer with him.. He’s the expect five hitter for them and will constantly show off his pop.  It’s a solid signing but the best will defiantly come this year but probably with a decent follow-up signing.  He should do well in a lot of key factors such as clutch, within the division and hitting a Target Field well.  This deal is undetermined in amount of years yet, but would be perfect and 4 is okay.
• The Diamondbacks signed Takashi Saito, and even though he’s older I still see him begin what he was for the Brewers, a great setup man a nd reliever with a low ERA.  He can do all this through 2013.  It’s a one year deal and a great fit.  Awesome and very smart move by the D’Backs, I expect the Diamondbacks bullpen to improve a ton and great stats and success from Saito, even though his ERa could rise a little in Arizona, not above 2.55.  adding Saito and Breslow to Putz will make for an easy 7-8-9

MLB Pick’em: NLDS Game 4’s

FAVORITE- Cardianls- I like Jackson and the Phillies in 5  UNDERDOG-I just picked the Cards tonight so watch out, especially of Jackson isn’t going good today

FAVORTITE- DIamondbacks- They find the magic and could make a huge comeback and if they do they have a seroius shot at the World Series  UNDERDOG-Brewers- are good enough to hit tonight, win the series and mayeb win tonight but I just don’t think they will

MLB Pick’em: MLB Postseason Games 3 and 4

FAVORITE-Rays- Hellickson is better than Harrison  UNDERDOG- Rangers- Won’t go down easy and offense will be tough but Hellickson and bullpen may slow it down

FAVORITE-Cardinals- Jamie owns the Phillies and it’ an upset alert here but I still expect the Phils to come back from their hole  UNDERDOG: Phillies- Could still win this game

FAVORITE-Tigers- They kill Burnett and Porcello shows up, could be similar to Game 4 of ALDS in 2006  UNDERDOG-Yankees- Season is put of AJ Burnett’s shoulders…that doesn’t sound to good to me

FAVORITE-Diamondbacks- They won’t go down without a fight  UNDERDOG- Brewers- the road record from the first half shows up today but maybe only today

MLB Pick’em: Postseason Day 3

FAVORITE: Tigers- Scherzer does good and continues doing good throughout the postseason  UNDERDOG: Yankees- Garcia crumbles
FAVORTIE: Brewers- They win a close one due to offense  UNDERDOG: Diamondbacks- COuld win, will keep it close and can come back from being down 2-0
FAVORITE- Phillies- They won’t lose at home this series or maybe next  UNDERDOG; Cardinals- Great team but way overmatched here

MLB Playoff Predictions

ALDS
Tigers at Yankees
PREDICTION: Tigers in 5

Rays at Rangers
PREDICTION: Rays in 4

NLDS
Cardinals at Phillies
PREDICTION: Phillies in 3

Diamondbacks at Brewers
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks in 5

ALCS
Tigers over Rays in 6

NLCS
Phillies over Diamondbacks in 6

World Series
Phillies over Tigers in 7

RANKING (In terms of playoff series strength)

1. Phillies
2. Yankees
3. Tigers
4. Brewers
5. Diamondbacks
6. Rays
7. Rangers
8. Cardianls

MY ODDS TO WIN WORLD SERIES
Cardinals 1-100
Rangers 1-60
Rays 1-55
Brewers 1-40
Diamondbacks 1-40
Tigers 1-30
Yankees 1-20
Phillies 1-10

Chance Each Team Has At Winning Qorld Series

Phillies: 55%
Tigers: 35%
Yankees: 30%
Red Sox: 27%
Brewers: 25%
Rays 24%
Rangers: 24%
Diamonbacks: 22%
Braves: 21%
Angels: 15%
Cardianls: 5%
The Phillies are the team to beat and have the toughest postseason roster, after that it’s closely matched but with he Tigers on a roll and the Yankees a good October team they have competition and the Brewers and D’Backs could beat them.  I can’t see the Wild Cards on either side making out of the DS series this year and the Rays have a great team and if they get in could be very underrated and sneak through the playoffs.  I also expect the Cards to be out of the race real soon, especiallyw ith tonight’s loss.

Ranking Playoff Contenders Rotataions

1. Phillies- They have actually outperformed this year and Lee, Hamels, Oswlat, and Halladay will be tough in any series and don;t forget Worely who will figure in somewhere
2. Brewers- Grienke is finally stepping up and Gallardo is talented and won’t crumble in the playoffs add that to a consistent Marcum and you have a good rotation
3. Giants- Their rotation will win it for them.  Lincecum can come up and so can Cain.  Vogelsong could fade a bit but he will be good and so will Sanchez when he comes back. 
4. Braves- A nice mix and Hanson, Beachy, Lowe, Hudson or Jurrjens could pitch well and that’s why I think this team can go deep with no trouble.  Jurrjens will be the best though
5. Rangers- Not the prettiest but it will get the job done for them.  Ogando and Wilson doing the biggest part and Harrison right behind them and Lewis should do well under pressure though he can be hit off of
6. Diamondbacks- Kennedy is an ace, Hudson is a good co-ace/number two and Collmenter could stay a surprise breakout and add that with an average veteran like Joe Saunders and you will get a decent rotation that can hold up
7. Tigers- Verlander is money and he will start every possible game he can and can win most.  Scherzer is starting to heat up and Fister will do what he always does and Penny may take a spot though Porcello could heat up, Porcello couldn’t be in the playoff rotation right now, but that could easily change.
8. Red Sox- After Beckett and Lester they don’t strike any fear and Lester or Beckett may lose once in a while.  If anything brings them down the playoffs, it’s their rotation
9. Yankees- CC and maybe some good work from veterans but the only guy I can see doing well besides CC is Nova and that’s not even set in stone, if they don’t fix that fast they are in trouble