Angels Sign Ryan Madson

The Angels have signed closer Ryan Madson to a one year deal for an undisclosed amount of money probably in the $4-7 million range that he got last year, I would guess.  This creates a bit of competition in Angels camp now since Ernesto Frieri has closing experience and did a good job last year and Madson was a great closer before getting hurt last yea.  It only takes one bad year for a closer to become a permanent middle reliever but Madson is probably the better fit for the closing job to start the year off and Frieri to be a setup man along with Scott Downs.  This makes the Angels better as a whole and this move is adding just another quality player to the Angels for the year.  The Angels bullpen will benefit from this move a lot as Madson should lower their numbers and as a full time closer, I could see 35-40 saves in Madson future very easily.  Madson should have a year like some of the ones he had in Philly.  He’s not out of his prime yet and more teams should have went for him and should go fro players like him even with the risk after surgery.  Teams like the Tigers could’ve also gotten him and had a great closer, but this should just work out for all and be a great signing.

MLB Pick’em 10/9/12

Giants over Reds 5-4
Still think that the Giants will pull out one win
Tigers over Athletics 11-4
Tigers bats get hot is what I think will happen and Anibal is just getting hoter, but the A’s are tough

Under The Radar Players To Watch this Postseason

CARDINALS: Daniel Descalso- He can play defense that for sure but he’s under pressure as he is getting more playing time with Rafael Furcal getting hurt and though he may not breakout and be a hero, he could be a key factor for the Cardinals if he hits well, and could be one of the big reasons they advance, if they beat the Nats and if he gets going in the playoffs the Cardinals could really start rolling.  I expect him to do well, but it really depends on if the Nationals pitchers are on or choke a bit.
NATIONALS: Ryan Zimmerman- The Nats best hitter had waited since 2005 to get the chance and he’s too good of a player not to put up some good numbers or help his team, and maybe have a legendary postseason.  Even if the Nats get eliminated I expect him to do good and if they make a run i think he will get better and batter as the playoffs go on.
REDS: The Outfield I could pick Votto but we know he will hit well and be a hard out, I think the whole outfield will be worth watching the postseason with the Reds.  Jay Bruce is the best, most powerful and talented player out of the bunch and could easily power his way into the record books.  Ryan Ludwick is off to a hot start and should keep that up along with his power.  Heisey could do well in his spots and Stubbs should hit a lot better than he did in the regular season.  They may not be legendary this postseason but they could help a lot
GIANTS: Pablo Sandoval- He will hit for this team and provide some power, and I can see him coming through in the big situations this postseason.  The Giants will do well as a whole if they do good, but Sandoval could very well be their best hitter this postseason
YANKEES: Ichiro Suzuki- He finally gets his chance to be a postseason hero and with his track record, I expect a lot of hits for him this postseason, and some of them being really big ones.  The Yankees would be smart keeping him in the two spot.
ORIOLES: Manny Machado- He gave the Os’ the spark to finish off their improbable season and he might be to the Orioles what Miguel Cabrera was to the 2003 Marlins, that extra piece.  It’ hard to pick from this team since most of these guys found their spot all at the right time kind of like the 2010 Giants did, but Machado needs to help lead them on all sides of the ball, regardless of age.
TIGERS: Avisail Garcia- Speaking of Miguel Cabrera, this guy could really put his name on the national map.  He has power he hasn’t shown yet but his big way of helping the Tigers this postseason is on defense and getting hits at the bottom of the order.  I think he can do a lot of big things.
ATHLETICS: Yoenis Cespedes- He’s a five tool player and a showcase, he can help the A’s any way and he is by far the best player on their team.  He could turn in more performances like Game 2 in the ALDS.  He is by far the A’s best player.

Can Only Add To Legacy and Just Might
Tigers: Miguel Cabrera
Athletics: Too Young
Yankees: Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano
Orioles: Jim Thome
Cardinals: David Freese
Nationals: Jayson Werth
Reds: Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips
Giants: Buster Posey

X-Factors To Doing Well
Reds: Aroldis Chapman
Giants: Ryan Vogelsong
Nationals: Bryce Harper
Cardinals: Jon Jay
Tigers: Jhonny Peralta
Athletics: Brandon Moss
Yankees: Rafael Soriano
Orioles: JJ Hardy

MLB Playoff Pick’em: 10/7/12

Tigers over Athletics 8-1
Cabrera and Fielder wake up, Tigers go up 2-0, FIster keeps up the Ks and good perfromance
Nationals over Cardinals 5-4
Cardinals play hard but Nats use magic to put up a comeback win for first win as a franchise in the postseason
Giants over Reds 6-3
Red put up a fight, but Bumgarner to tough
Orioles over Yankees 10-9
Slugfest in Baltimore is won by the powerful and cinderella team

MLB Pick’em: 10/6/12

Tigers Over A’s 7-3
Dirks and Cabera hit HR, JV goes 7 strong

Reds over Giants 2-1
Cueto and Cain match each other and Gaints bullpen blows it to Reds big hitters

MLB Postseason Picture: DS Games

Power Rankings

1. Nationals
2. Yankees
3. Reds
4. Tigers
5. Athletics
6. Orioles
7. Giants
8. Cardinals

TIGERS: These guys may have squeezed in the playoffs, but anything can happen, the Cardinals won 83 games in 2006 and they were World Champions and this team is a tough postseason team with their rotation and their hitting, especially if they are hot, and they are.  If the bullpen comes together they will do so great too.  Their options off the bench are decent too.  They have tough competition for sure but I can see them faxing it well.

ATHLETICS: I don’t see them making it passed here, even if they are being compare to the 1969 Mets.  Their rookie pitchers have never been through any of this.  That is no reason they can’t make it, but I see their defensive luck coming to an end, and I think the Tigers outmatch them, especially since the Tigers get the first two games at home.  If the A’s win this round, I do see them in the World Series.

REDS: This team could be the toughest in the postseason but I still need to be sold on Bronson Arroyo and the bottom of the line-up, until then I see them beating the Giants in a close one.  They have a strong team and have gotten more wins than I thought they could,  Plus when they get hot they are unstoppable against any team this year.  This group of guys plays really well together too.  I have confidence they will have a nice showing even if they don’t win it all.

GIANTS: Losing Melky hurt, but they kept winning and they can put up a fight against the Reds with their pitching and experience.  There is no way that the Giants will lay down and they have a small possibility of repeating their 2010 World Series run.

ORIOLES: They are making an improbable run and can play the Yankees well, but their power hitter really need to turn it up this series and Yankee Stadium will help them out a lot.  They also need their group of misfits to keep playing up to the par they have, because it will be a quick playoff run if they don’t.

YANKEES: I see them making at least the ALCS, but the O’s could upset the,  I like the way the their pitching has come together and Soriano will be tought at the end of the game.  I could see them scoring a ton of runs too with their mix of power, experience, good hitters and everything else.

CARDINALS: I can see them winning a few games but the Nats are really tough, they may just to mcuh for the Cards, but you can’t count a team like this out even with the injuries and postseason heroes David Freese and Yadier Molina should keep up their status.  They are a good team, but they aren’t great.  Their pitchers will also need to pitch good  games.

NATIONALS: Some see these guys laying down but I don’t.  I see them being like the 2006 Tigers in the playoffs, they have talent and the younger guys will help a lot too.  Their pitchers are very talented too and they will really get to show off their stuff  the playoffs.  I like this team.

Anybody or any team can become legendary in the postseason.

Follow this blog and me on Twitter, @Niktigs, for postseason coverage

2012 MLB Playoff Prediction: Pre-Postseason

AL Wild Card
Orioles over Rangers 6-5
NL WIld Card
Braves over Cardinals 7-5
ALDS
Yankees over Orioles 3-2
Tigers over Athletics 3-1
NLDS
Nationals over Braves 3-2
Reds over Giants 3-2
ALCS
Tigers over Yankees 4-2
NLCS
Nationals over Reds 4-2
World Series
Tigers over Nationals in 7

MLB Power Rankings: 9/9/12

1. Nationals
2. Reds
3. Rangers
4. Yankees
5. Orioles
6. Rays
7. Braves
8. Athletics
9. Giants
10. White Sox
11. Dodgers
12. Tigers
13. Angels
14. Cardinals
15. Pirates
16. Brewers
17. Diamondbacks
18. Mariners
19. Phillies
20. Mets
21. Blue Jays
22. Royals
23. Red Sox
24. Marlins
25. Padres
26. Indinas
27. Twins
28. Rockies
29. Cubs
30. Astros

Trade Deadline Trades: Reds Get Broxton

The Kansas City Royals took a risk this offseason signing a former All-Star in Johnathan Broxton but the former all-star put up all-star numbers and the Royals got a nice return for him on July 31st.  Broxton was a closer in KC but will settle for a setup role in Cincinnati behind Aroldis Chapman.  This is a great trade by the Reds, they made something that was great, nearly unstoppable in their bullpen.  Sean Marshall is an ace setup man and Broxton and Chapman will make a great trio that some are comparing to the “Nasty Boys” of the 90s, but I’m not to sure they’ll be that good.  Broxton shouldn’t have too much trouble switching roles, since he has set up before and if Chapman goes through a wild stretch Broxton can just step in.  Broxton should finish his great season and should live up to what he was before in a shutdown reliever, if the Reds re-sign him he’d be a great closer but if he leaves he could become a great closer again.  Broxton will make the eighth inning one where the Reds shouldn’t give up many runs this year and I predict more strikeouts from him an his blazing and great fastball.  The Royals didn’t get ripped off by any means, they got Donnie Joesph, a lefty reliever who should be a late innings guy and should be almost as good as Broxton and should get his chance late this season or a full-time role next season.  The Royals also got JC Sulbaran a starter who has been good for the Reds minor league teams and could be a decent three or four starter for the Royals.  EDGE: Reds

Top 10 Reds Right Now

1 1B Joey Votto
2 2B Brandon Phillips
3 RF Jay Bruce
4 SP Mat Latos
5 SP Johnny Cueto
6 RP Ryan Madson
7 CF Drew Stubbs
8 3B Scott Rolen
9 C Devin Mesoraco
10 RP Sean Marshall
HM: Leake, Chapman, Arroyo, Cozart, Ludwick