The Los Angeles Dodgers and their 25-year-old staff ace, Clayton Kershaw, have agreed to a seven-year deal worth $215 million, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles.
Per Shelburne, the deal allows Kershaw, who would have been eligibility for free agency in 2015, to opt out of the deal after the fifth season. Easily becoming the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history, Kershaw's deal beats the extension signed last year by Detroit's Justin Verlander by $35 million.
The winner of two N.L. Cy Young awards in the past three seasons, Kershaw finished second to R.A. Dickey the year he didn't win it.
Not only does Kershaw have a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the past five seasons, he has led the N.L. in ERA for three consecutive years including a career-best 1.83 ERA last season. In addition, he has led the league in WHIP in each of the past three seasons and has 200-plus strikeouts in four consecutive seasons.
Without question, Kershaw will be the slam-dunk top fantasy pitcher when I release my initial 2014 fantasy baseball rankings later this month.
Showing posts with label Justin Verlander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justin Verlander. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Sunday, July 14, 2013
MLB Midseason Awards: A.L. Cy Young Award
Now that we are at the midway point (or a little past it), I will post my choices as midseason leader for Cy Young and MVP in both leagues at the All-Star Break.
The perennial choices for AL Cy Young are either Justin Verlander or Felix Hernandez, who have consistently been two of the game's top pitchers over the last several years.
A couple of other guys like David Price (last year's winner) or Jered Weaver are usually in the discussion as well, along with a surprise or two that pop up every year. Last year, Chris Sale was the guy who emerged, and was the favorite to win the award heading into the second half of last season.
This year, Bartolo Colon makes a strong case at 12-3 with an ERA of 2.70, currently third in the AL. Colon's connection with PEDs, however, may be what largely accounts for his return to the dominance of his prime at the age of 40. Nonetheless, he has not yet been suspended, and has a legitimate claim to the midseason AL Cy Young award.
I'm going to go another way, though. Max Scherzer, who is not even the best pitcher on his own team, is leading the pack at the midway point. With an ERA just a shade over three (3.19 at the moment), Scherzer is an incredible 13-1 in 19 starts. He is averaging more than a strikeout per inning (10.55 K/9), and has a WHIP under one (0.98).
I'll take Scherzer for my midseason AL Cy Young award winner/leader.
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122), who also contributes at our NFL site: Eat, Drink and Sleep Football (see John's archives).]
The perennial choices for AL Cy Young are either Justin Verlander or Felix Hernandez, who have consistently been two of the game's top pitchers over the last several years.
A couple of other guys like David Price (last year's winner) or Jered Weaver are usually in the discussion as well, along with a surprise or two that pop up every year. Last year, Chris Sale was the guy who emerged, and was the favorite to win the award heading into the second half of last season.
This year, Bartolo Colon makes a strong case at 12-3 with an ERA of 2.70, currently third in the AL. Colon's connection with PEDs, however, may be what largely accounts for his return to the dominance of his prime at the age of 40. Nonetheless, he has not yet been suspended, and has a legitimate claim to the midseason AL Cy Young award.
I'm going to go another way, though. Max Scherzer, who is not even the best pitcher on his own team, is leading the pack at the midway point. With an ERA just a shade over three (3.19 at the moment), Scherzer is an incredible 13-1 in 19 starts. He is averaging more than a strikeout per inning (10.55 K/9), and has a WHIP under one (0.98).
I'll take Scherzer for my midseason AL Cy Young award winner/leader.
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122), who also contributes at our NFL site: Eat, Drink and Sleep Football (see John's archives).]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Trifone: A.L. Mid-season Award Winners
Yesterday, we named the National League mid-season award winners -- MVP and Cy Young. (If you missed it, click here.)
Today, it's the A.L.'s turn.
Mid-season American League Most Valuable Player
Joey Bats is tied for the MLB lead in home runs with 27 and Adam Dunn is a virtual lock for comeback player of the year, with his 25 home run and 61 RBIs year so far.
One guy who is looking more and more like the rookie of the year AND MVP is Mike Trout, who in his first season is leading the league with a .341 average. Bryce Harper has gotten a lot of hype, and is certainly having a great year, but Trout has been even better.
None of these guys have had a first half like Josh Hamilton.
Hamilton had a few week period that may have been the most incredible stretch in baseball history, including a four-homer game, which was the highlight of the first half of the 2012 season. Early on, it looked as though Hamilton would challenge for the triple crown, although at this point, his average has dipped a bit. He is hitting .308, is tied for the league lead with 27 home runs and leads the league in RBIs with 75, and is one of only two players with OPS above 1.000.
Mike Trout would actually be my number two, who has 26 stolen bases to go along with his league-leading average, and his emergence is a huge reason why the Angels have gotten back into it.
Still, even his numbers pale in comparison to Hamilton's, who is the pretty clear choice for mid-season AL MVP.
Mid-season American League Cy Young Winner
The mid-season AL Cy Young winner is the toughest award to give out, and the one that is the most debatable. There are several good candidates, and it's a good thing there is a second half of the season to be played before we have to actually hand out the award.
By my judgement, coming in at number three for the award is Justin Verlander. Typically, he's the guy you'd see at the top of the list. Verlander is having a good, but not great year by his standards. His 2.58 ERA is good enough for fourth in the league, he is tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 128, leads the league in complete games with five, and has a 9-5 record. It's tough being Justin Verlander. He puts up those great numbers, and somehow, we expect a little more.
My number two choice for the mid-season award is Jered Weaver, who is 8-1 with a 1.96 ERA, which leads the league. Weaver has a sub 1.00 WHIP and is holding opponents to an average of under .200. Weaver, like Verlander, has become a fixture among the top pitchers in the game, and seems to be a perennial contender to win the Cy Young.
That leaves only White Sox second year starter Chris Sale as my choice for the mid-season AL Cy Young award winner. Sale is second in the league with an ERA of 2.27 and has 98 K's in 102.2 innings. He also has a sub 1.00 WHIP and has opponents hitting under .200 for the year against him. The White Sox are leading the AL Central, a division that everyone had yielded to the Tigers at the beginning of the year, and clearly, Sale and his 10-2 record are a big reason why.
I feel this race is the most subject to change, and by the end of the season, I'm not sure we won't see Verlander come back and win his second consecutive Cy Young. However, midway through, Sale has the best numbers and currently deserves the award.
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122), who also contributes at our NFL site: Eat, Drink and Sleep Football (see John's archives).]
Today, it's the A.L.'s turn.
Mid-season American League Most Valuable Player
Joey Bats is tied for the MLB lead in home runs with 27 and Adam Dunn is a virtual lock for comeback player of the year, with his 25 home run and 61 RBIs year so far.
One guy who is looking more and more like the rookie of the year AND MVP is Mike Trout, who in his first season is leading the league with a .341 average. Bryce Harper has gotten a lot of hype, and is certainly having a great year, but Trout has been even better.
None of these guys have had a first half like Josh Hamilton.
Hamilton had a few week period that may have been the most incredible stretch in baseball history, including a four-homer game, which was the highlight of the first half of the 2012 season. Early on, it looked as though Hamilton would challenge for the triple crown, although at this point, his average has dipped a bit. He is hitting .308, is tied for the league lead with 27 home runs and leads the league in RBIs with 75, and is one of only two players with OPS above 1.000.
Mike Trout would actually be my number two, who has 26 stolen bases to go along with his league-leading average, and his emergence is a huge reason why the Angels have gotten back into it.
Still, even his numbers pale in comparison to Hamilton's, who is the pretty clear choice for mid-season AL MVP.
Mid-season American League Cy Young Winner
The mid-season AL Cy Young winner is the toughest award to give out, and the one that is the most debatable. There are several good candidates, and it's a good thing there is a second half of the season to be played before we have to actually hand out the award.
By my judgement, coming in at number three for the award is Justin Verlander. Typically, he's the guy you'd see at the top of the list. Verlander is having a good, but not great year by his standards. His 2.58 ERA is good enough for fourth in the league, he is tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 128, leads the league in complete games with five, and has a 9-5 record. It's tough being Justin Verlander. He puts up those great numbers, and somehow, we expect a little more.
My number two choice for the mid-season award is Jered Weaver, who is 8-1 with a 1.96 ERA, which leads the league. Weaver has a sub 1.00 WHIP and is holding opponents to an average of under .200. Weaver, like Verlander, has become a fixture among the top pitchers in the game, and seems to be a perennial contender to win the Cy Young.
That leaves only White Sox second year starter Chris Sale as my choice for the mid-season AL Cy Young award winner. Sale is second in the league with an ERA of 2.27 and has 98 K's in 102.2 innings. He also has a sub 1.00 WHIP and has opponents hitting under .200 for the year against him. The White Sox are leading the AL Central, a division that everyone had yielded to the Tigers at the beginning of the year, and clearly, Sale and his 10-2 record are a big reason why.
I feel this race is the most subject to change, and by the end of the season, I'm not sure we won't see Verlander come back and win his second consecutive Cy Young. However, midway through, Sale has the best numbers and currently deserves the award.
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122), who also contributes at our NFL site: Eat, Drink and Sleep Football (see John's archives).]
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Nationals, Gio Gonzalez agree to extension through 2016
The Washington Nationals announced via Twitter that they have agreed to a contract extension with starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez through the 2016 season.
In addition, there is a team option for the 2017 and 2018 season as well.
Gonzalez, who was acquired for four prospects last month, would have been eligible for arbitration this offseason.
In the past two seasons, Gonzalez has won 15-plus games, pitched 200-plus innings and posted a sub-3.25 ERA each year. Last season, he set career highs in wins (16) and strikeouts (197) and a career low in ERA (3.12).
Among qualified pitchers, Gonzalez ranked 11th in MLB in K/9 (8.78) last season. But only Toronto's Brandon Morrow (10.19), Seattle's (now New York's) Michael Pineda (9.11) and Detroit's Justin Verlander (8.96) had a better K/9 among A.L. starting pitchers.
That said, only Pittsburgh's James McDonald had a worse BB/9 (4.11) than Gonzalez (4.05) last year among qualified starters.
In addition, there is a team option for the 2017 and 2018 season as well.
Gonzalez, who was acquired for four prospects last month, would have been eligible for arbitration this offseason.
In the past two seasons, Gonzalez has won 15-plus games, pitched 200-plus innings and posted a sub-3.25 ERA each year. Last season, he set career highs in wins (16) and strikeouts (197) and a career low in ERA (3.12).
Among qualified pitchers, Gonzalez ranked 11th in MLB in K/9 (8.78) last season. But only Toronto's Brandon Morrow (10.19), Seattle's (now New York's) Michael Pineda (9.11) and Detroit's Justin Verlander (8.96) had a better K/9 among A.L. starting pitchers.
That said, only Pittsburgh's James McDonald had a worse BB/9 (4.11) than Gonzalez (4.05) last year among qualified starters.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Justin Verlander no-hits the Blue Jays
Earlier in the week, Minnesota's Francisco Liriano threw the first no-hitter of the 2011 season.
Today, Detroit's Justin Verlander threw the second no-hitter of the season as well as the second of his career.
It was the seventh no-hitter in franchise history and the last Tiger to throw a no-no before Verlander was Jack Morris in 1984.
Nearly perfect, Verlander allowed only one walk, which came to J.P. Arencibia in the eighth inning. Despite entering today's game with 51 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched, Verlander tied his season low of four strikeouts today.
The low walk and strikeout totals allowed Verlander to complete the game in only 108 pitches.
Verlander improved to 3-3 on the season and lowered his ERA to 3.16. In all eight of his starts this season, Verlander has allowed three earned runs or less.
Today, Detroit's Justin Verlander threw the second no-hitter of the season as well as the second of his career.
It was the seventh no-hitter in franchise history and the last Tiger to throw a no-no before Verlander was Jack Morris in 1984.
Nearly perfect, Verlander allowed only one walk, which came to J.P. Arencibia in the eighth inning. Despite entering today's game with 51 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched, Verlander tied his season low of four strikeouts today.
The low walk and strikeout totals allowed Verlander to complete the game in only 108 pitches.
Verlander improved to 3-3 on the season and lowered his ERA to 3.16. In all eight of his starts this season, Verlander has allowed three earned runs or less.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sunday Night Links
Cleveland's Grady Sizemore was a scratch from Sunday's game with back stiffness. And he might miss Monday's home opener.
Indians prospect Carlos Santana hit his fourth home run for Triple-A Columbus already.
To make room for Gil Meche's return, the Royals have sent Mike Aviles down to Triple-A Omaha.
Phillies ace Roy Halladay threw his first N.L. complete game as the Astros dropped to 0-6, which is their worst start since 1983.
The Mets called up Raul Valdes to fill in for Sean Green, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list (DL).
It doesn't look like Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler will return from the DL before the Red Sox series that begins on April 20th.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel said about today's performance, “We appeared unprepared. And I have to take responsibility for that.”
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez says of the team's defense, "We need to tighten up."
Boston's Mike Lowell is considering retirement when his three-year contract expires at the end of the season.
"I have a really good friendship with Mark McGwire. I'm proud of him," Bonds said Sunday, per the Associated Press. "We've had a great relationship throughout our entire lives and throughout our career. I'm proud of what he did. I'm happy for him."
Pittsburgh manager John Russell moved Garrett Jones to the cleanup spot while moving Lastings Milledge to third (from fifth).
In today's fourth inning against the Diamondbacks, the Pirates tied a franchise record by allowing 13 runs.
Part of the 13-run outburst came from pitcher Edwin Jackson's first career home run.
Through two starts, Tigers ace Justin Verlander has an ERA of 9.00.
The earliest return (barring setbacks) for Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly is April 24th, per Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
John Hester will back up D'Backs catcher Chris Snyder, who will replace the injured Miguel Montero.
In his pro debut for Triple-A Louisville, Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman hit triple digits on the radar gun three times.
The Angels lead the majors in home runs allowed so far this season.
Shameless plug(s) of the day: Check out my latest post at The Daily Blitz and my latest post at FootBaltimore.com.
Indians prospect Carlos Santana hit his fourth home run for Triple-A Columbus already.
To make room for Gil Meche's return, the Royals have sent Mike Aviles down to Triple-A Omaha.
Phillies ace Roy Halladay threw his first N.L. complete game as the Astros dropped to 0-6, which is their worst start since 1983.
The Mets called up Raul Valdes to fill in for Sean Green, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list (DL).
It doesn't look like Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler will return from the DL before the Red Sox series that begins on April 20th.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel said about today's performance, “We appeared unprepared. And I have to take responsibility for that.”
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez says of the team's defense, "We need to tighten up."
Boston's Mike Lowell is considering retirement when his three-year contract expires at the end of the season.
"I have a really good friendship with Mark McGwire. I'm proud of him," Bonds said Sunday, per the Associated Press. "We've had a great relationship throughout our entire lives and throughout our career. I'm proud of what he did. I'm happy for him."
Pittsburgh manager John Russell moved Garrett Jones to the cleanup spot while moving Lastings Milledge to third (from fifth).
In today's fourth inning against the Diamondbacks, the Pirates tied a franchise record by allowing 13 runs.
Part of the 13-run outburst came from pitcher Edwin Jackson's first career home run.
Through two starts, Tigers ace Justin Verlander has an ERA of 9.00.
The earliest return (barring setbacks) for Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly is April 24th, per Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
John Hester will back up D'Backs catcher Chris Snyder, who will replace the injured Miguel Montero.
In his pro debut for Triple-A Louisville, Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman hit triple digits on the radar gun three times.
The Angels lead the majors in home runs allowed so far this season.
Shameless plug(s) of the day: Check out my latest post at The Daily Blitz and my latest post at FootBaltimore.com.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Mid-season Awards: A.L. Cy Young
There is a lot of baseball left to be played this year - roughly, half the season.
That being said, I made my pick a couple of weeks ago for N.L. Cy Young based on all the games played (pitched) up to that point. While I may or may not change my choice (see who here), I'm back at it to pick his A.L. counterpart.
Later this weekend, I will pick my Mid-Season A.L. MVP as well. (Click here to see my N.L. MVP.)
Drum roll please ...
A.L. Cy Young: Zack Grienke, Royals - Grienke got the season off to a perfect start with 38 scoreless innings to begin the season. Although Grienke has hit a bit of a rough patch (losing three of last five decisions), he still leads the majors in ERA (2.00) and is one of only five 10-game winners in baseball.
He has five complete games, which also leads the majors. He is second in the American League in strikeouts (120).
The Royals recent slide has knocked them 11 games out of first in the A.L. Central and has put them 13 games under .500. In the games Grienke (10-4) doesn't get the decision, the Royals are 23-42.
Runner-up: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays - It doesn't get much better than Halladay. He began the season with 13 straight starts of 7 innings or more. In addition, Halladay has thrown three complete games trailing only Grienke.
He's one of only five pitchers to win 10 games on the season. He's third in the A.L. in ERA (2.56) and has given up the fewest walks (14) of pitchers who have thrown 100+ innings. Grienke is the only other player with fewer than 20 walks (19)and 100 innings pitched.
Honorable Mention: Edwin Jackson, Felix Hernandez, Mark Buehrle, Justin Verlander, Matt Garza, Nick Blackburn (MIN), Jered Weaver, Kevin Millwood, Josh Beckett
Check back later this weekend for my A.L. Mid-Season MVP
That being said, I made my pick a couple of weeks ago for N.L. Cy Young based on all the games played (pitched) up to that point. While I may or may not change my choice (see who here), I'm back at it to pick his A.L. counterpart.
Later this weekend, I will pick my Mid-Season A.L. MVP as well. (Click here to see my N.L. MVP.)
Drum roll please ...
A.L. Cy Young: Zack Grienke, Royals - Grienke got the season off to a perfect start with 38 scoreless innings to begin the season. Although Grienke has hit a bit of a rough patch (losing three of last five decisions), he still leads the majors in ERA (2.00) and is one of only five 10-game winners in baseball.
He has five complete games, which also leads the majors. He is second in the American League in strikeouts (120).
The Royals recent slide has knocked them 11 games out of first in the A.L. Central and has put them 13 games under .500. In the games Grienke (10-4) doesn't get the decision, the Royals are 23-42.
Runner-up: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays - It doesn't get much better than Halladay. He began the season with 13 straight starts of 7 innings or more. In addition, Halladay has thrown three complete games trailing only Grienke.
He's one of only five pitchers to win 10 games on the season. He's third in the A.L. in ERA (2.56) and has given up the fewest walks (14) of pitchers who have thrown 100+ innings. Grienke is the only other player with fewer than 20 walks (19)and 100 innings pitched.
Honorable Mention: Edwin Jackson, Felix Hernandez, Mark Buehrle, Justin Verlander, Matt Garza, Nick Blackburn (MIN), Jered Weaver, Kevin Millwood, Josh Beckett
Check back later this weekend for my A.L. Mid-Season MVP
Monday, May 25, 2009
Verlander lowers ERA to 0.85 since April 27th
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander pitched another gem as the Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 13-1.
In his last six starts, Verlander has been Zack Greinke-like. Greinke has an ERA of 0.82 on the season.
Verlander has improved to 5-0 with an ERA of 0.85 since April 27th after pitching seven scoreless innings today.
Striking out eight batters today, Verlander now leads the A.L. with 85.
In his last six starts, Verlander has been Zack Greinke-like. Greinke has an ERA of 0.82 on the season.
Verlander has improved to 5-0 with an ERA of 0.85 since April 27th after pitching seven scoreless innings today.
Striking out eight batters today, Verlander now leads the A.L. with 85.
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