10 Days Till Opening Day

With just 10 days remaining before the star of the 2015 MLB season, it is a good time to look back at my earlier post and see where my predictions stand.

First, let's take a look at the two additions to the roster since my last post.
Travis Snider RF
Everth Cabrera SS/2B/OF

In that post I also predicted 5 locks for the everyday line-up.
   

Adam Jones CF
J.J. Hardy SS
Manny Machado 3B
Matt Wieters C
Chris Davis 1B (after one-game suspension)

The only change here is that Matt Wieters' elbow is taking longer than expected to heal and he will not be ready for opening day. With that in mind, Caleb Joseph will be the fill in until he is healthy.

In that same post I predicted the remaining 4 spots in the line up. My predictions were as follows:
LF:Alejandro De Aza, Nolan Reimold, David Lough
RF:Steve Pearce, David Lough
2B: Jonathan Schoop,  Ryan Flaherty, Everth Cabrera 
DH: Delmon Young, Steve Pearce

For the most part, my predictions look to be coming true. The one difference comes with the addition of RF Travis Snider. Snider will likely be the primary right fielder. With Snider taking the right field spot, last year's hero Steve Pearce will likely be the primary DH. The only other note with these predictions is that it looks like Jonathan Schoop is going to be given every opportunity to be the everyday second baseman for the foreseeable future. 

Below are my two predicted line ups. The first is from my original post and my second is updated. 
1)Alejandro De Aza LF
2)Manny Machado 3B
3)Adam Jones CF
4)Chris Davis 1B
5)Matt Wieters C
6)JJ Hardy SS
7)Steve Pearce RF
8)Delmon Young DH
9)Jonathan Schoop 2B

1)Alejandro De Aza LF
2)Manny Machado 3B
3)Adam Jones CF
4)Chris Davis 1B
5)JJ Hardy SS
6)Steve Pearce DH
7)Travis Snider RF
8)Jonathan Schoop 2B
9)Caleb Joseph C

March Madness

The greatest weekend in sports has begun, and it has started with a bang. Yesterday was the epitome of what makes the NCAA Basketball Tournament great with wins by 14 seeds Georgia State and UAB. As with every tournament, millions of people have filled out brackets with the hopes of winning brackets pools. This tournament seems to have a favorite that most people are picking--Kentucky. However, if you truly want to win your pool you have to go against popular opinion. Let's look at some potential "value" picks to in the tournament.

Arizona #2 seed--> Arizona is a team overlooked by many people, but they have a legitimate shot to make a run to the finals.
Wisconsin #1 seed--> Wisconsin is the 1 seed in the same region as Arizona and for the same reasons they have a shot to make a run.


Potential high seeds who can make a run
Ohio State #10 Seed--> Yes, yet another team from Wisconsin's region. The reason I like them is simple, D'Angelo Russell. Russell is a freshman stud from the same ilk of Carmelo Anthony. Like Anthony, I could see Russell carrying his team deep into the tournament.


Providence #6 Seed--> Providence is the 6 seed from the wide open region led by Villanova. In march, guard play carries teams through the tournament. That's exactly what Providence has with their elite backcourt led by now-healthy Kris Dunn.

Michigan State #7 Seed--> What is there to say about Michigan State? Tom Izzo just finds a way to have his team win in March. Led by Izzo, I can see Michigan State making a run to the final four if they can escape UVA in the round of 32.

Projecting the Ravens Free Agency

If we know anything about Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens, it's that they always focus on signing their own players first and they rarely spend big on an unrestricted free agent. Newsome clearly likes to focus on players who have been cut by other teams because their signings do not impact comp draft picks. With this in mind, let's take a look at some potential free agent signings.

Current Raven's Free Agents:

Pernell Mcphee:

Mcphee has been a pleasant surprise for the Ravens since being drafted in the 5th round. However, it looks like he will follow in the footsteps of Paul Kruger and find more money outside of Baltimore

My Guess: The Colts. The Colts have and need for a pass rusher like Mcphee and there are obvious ties to Chuck Pagono (Former Ravens DC)

Torrey Smith:
Torrey Smith might be the best guy on the team off of the field. He is the guy you want representing your team in public. However, his reputation off the field likely doesn't make up for his production on the field. Don't get me wrong, Smith has been a solid receiver, but he hasn't developed into the star they hoped. While the Ravens would love to have him back, they likely won't be able to match the contract he will get elsewhere.

My Guess: Panthers or Jaguars. Both teams need a speedy wide receiver and have the ability to over-pay for that guy.

Justin Forsett:
Forsett was probably the biggest surprise on the Ravens last year. He went from considering retirement to a career year on the field. While he is old for a running back, he doesn't have the typical history of running backs his age. For that reason, it is very possible he still has a lot of football left in him. While it is impossible to tell if Forsett can replicate his unexpected year, he is a guy that has a history of being a great influence in the locker room so it wouldn't surprise me if Ozzie tries to bring him back on a modest deal.

My Guess: I think the Ravens take care of their own here. They may let him test his market, but this is a case where I don't think he will get overpaid elsewhere. Also, I believe that both sides were thrilled with last year and have genuine interest in continuing that relationship.


Outside Free Agents:

Andre Johnson: Here is a guy that looks great on paper, he could be the Steve Smith of last year. He has been a stud on the field and well respected leader off of it for years. Johnson would likely be an improvement over Torrey Smith if he decides to sign somewhere else this offseason. However, if the Ravens went this direction their starting receivers would be a combined 70 years old at the start of the year. In my opinion, if the Ravens go this route it makes it important that they draft a high-upside receiver to develop under their veterans.

My Guess: I have my doubts about Johnson coming to Baltimore. I think he will get a contract a bit above what the Ravens are willing to pay because it looks like a bunch of teams will have interest. I could see him signing with the Patriots.

Cary Williams: This move would make a lot of sense seeing as Williams won a Super Bowl here prior to signing with the Eagles. While Williams won't be mistaken for a shutdown corner, he would help the Ravens pathetic secondary.

My Guess: I think the Ravens have a real chance here if Williams makes it past his initial visits with other teams. Many insiders have noted that there is mutual interest between the two sides and a reunion may occur. Other teams in the mix include the Seahawks and Titans so far.