Archive for April, 2013
Are The Philadelphia Phillies Best Days Behind Them?
Every dynasty of success comes to an end, and it’s no more apparent than with teams in sports. Free agency, age, and diminishing skills turn great teams into good teams, and good teams into also rans. This process is currently underway with the former Beast of the East, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Gone are many of the core contributors that helped the Phillies break through for their first World Series title since 1980 in 2008. Outfielders Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, and Raul Ibanez have all left for greener pastures, and injuries Read the rest of this entry »
What Will It Take To Turn Around The Astros?
The Houston Astros as recently as 2005, were competing for a World Series with the likes of Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell. Age, injuries, and ineffectiveness began took their toll on a franchise that was financially cash-strapped to keep their stars, as star players were dealt to contenders for prospects, while Bagwell and Biggio rode of into the sunset of retirement.
More recently, the Astros are considered the worst Major League Baseball team. With an entire team payroll of less than what Yankees’ third baseman Alex Read the rest of this entry »
Is This The Swan Song For The Aging Yankees?
The New York Yankees are Major League Baseball’s oldest team by average age. Led by the likes of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte, two of whom are out until the second half of the season. The Yankees opened the 2013 season with injuries to players including the aforementioned Jeter and Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Curtis Granderson. With the goal of cutting payroll prior to the 2014 season, the Yankees barely spent any money in free agency during this past off season. With the injuries and lack of suitable fill-ins, the Yankees will face an uphill battle all season long, as injuries, age, and the departure of several key components of recent year’s squads leaving them looking to receive production from unknown players, and players whose best days are far behind them. Starting pitching remains the Yankees’ strength, and with Rivera anchoring the back end of the bullpen, if the Yankees can remain competitive in a very good American League East, once their injured stars return, the Yankees could once again be the royalty of this division. The 2013 season could end a remarkable string of playoff appearances, Directv, having made it in 18 of the last 20.