Every offseason brings speculation and rumors and every offseason something happens that nobody saw coming. It’s what makes the hot stove so hot. The 2014-2015 MLB offseason will be no different as there are numerous high-powered free agents looking to test the free agent market. After what was a crazy 2014 baseball season, the 2015 season should be another great one but first we have to figure out all the craziest of the offseason. Here are my predictions for some of baseballs biggest free agents and the predictions for the 2014 season award winners:

Max Scherzer is a free agent this winter and could find a new home come next season. By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (Max Scherzer) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

MVP: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

CY Young: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Manager of the year: Matt Williams, Washington Nationals

Rookie of the year: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets

2014 AL Award Predictions:

MVP: Mike Trout, Anaheim Angels

CY Young: Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians

Manager of the year: Ned Yost, Kansas City Royals

Rookie of the year: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

Free Agents:

Max Scherzer (SP, Tigers): Signs with the Mariners

Jon Lester (SP, Athletics): Signs with the Cubs

James Shields (SP, Royals): Signs with the Yankees

Pablo Sandoval (3B, Giants): Re-signs with the Giants

Hanley Ramirez (SS, Dodgers): Signs with the Yankees

Nelson Cruz (RF, Orioles): Re-signs with the Orioles

Victor Martinez (C, Tigers): Re-signs with the Tigers

Melky Cabrera (RF, Blue Jays): Signs with the White Sox

Russell Martin (C, Pirates): Signs with the Dodgers

Ervin Santana (SP, Braves): Signs with the Dodgers

Francisco Liriano (SP, Pirates): Signs with the Twins

Brandon McCarthy (SP, Yankees): Signs with the Orioles

David Robertson (RP, Yankees): Signs with the Orioles

Kenta Maeda (SP, Japan): Signs with the Astros

Yasmany Tomas (OF, Cuba): Signs with the Rangers

Chase Headley (3B, Yankees): Signs with the Red Sox

Andrew Miller (RP, Orioles): Signs with the Tigers

Justin Masterson (SP, Cardinals): Signs with the Brewers

Jed Lowrie (SS, Athletics): Signs with the Nationals

Asdrubal Cabrera (SS, Nationals): Signs with the Reds

Nick Markakis (OF, Orioles): Signs with the Giants

Adam LaRoche (1B, Nationals): Signs with the Padres

Jake Peavy (SP, Giants): Signs with the Cubs

Mike Morse (OF, Giants): Signs with the Royals

Alex Rios (OF, Rangers): Signs with the Mets

Luke Gregerson (RP, Athletics): Signs with the Dodgers

Edinson Volquez (SP, Pirates): Signs with the Braves

Torii Hunter (OF, Tigers): Re-signs with the Tigers

AJ Burnett (SP, Phillies): Signs with the Red Sox

Sergio Romo (RP, Giants): Signs with the Dodgers

Francisco Rodriguez (RP, Brewers): Signs with the Angels

Rafael Soriano (RP, Nationals): Signs with the Tigers

Aaron Harang (SP, Braves): Signs with the Giants

Nori Aoki (OF, Royals): Re-signs with the Royals

Billy Butler (DH, Royals): Signs with the Indians

Stephen Drew (SS, Yankees): Signs with the Marlins

Chad Billingsley (SP, Dodgers): Signs with the Padres

A.J. Pierzynski (C, Cardinals): Signs with the White Sox

Jason Grilli (RP, Angels): Signs with the Giants

Emillio Bonifacio (2B, Braves): Re-signs with the Braves

Brandon Morrow (SP, Blue Jays): Signs with the Diamondbacks

It’s always fun to speculate. Who would you like to see on your favorite team?

For a really cool analysis of free agents, check out Fangraphs, who crowd-sourced what free agents should get what kind of deal. It’s always fun to see the difference between what the fans think a player is worth and what that player gets on the open market.

You can see the post here.

In an impromptu conversation from last Friday, Owen and Andy discuss the Divisional round of the playoffs, who a sleeper team could be, and what real chances the Dodgers might have. Hours later, Owen was looking for a bridge to leap from, but in the mean time, here’s a glimmer of optimistic hope for the Dodgers getting to the world series for the first time in over 25 years.

As is often the case when I interview someone in an impromptu, over-the-phone setting, the sound quality leaves something to be desired. Hopefully it’s still listenable — I assure you it’s no more than 20 minutes — and I hope you enjoy it.

I feel a little disenfranchised. And no, this is not a sob story.

I’m heading out to Arizona in a matter of weeks, to engage Spring Training and rounds and rounds of beer. I’ll be attempting this feat with good friends. Something I’m thankful for — this is my first time participating in the classic.

There are no bad seats at spring training, especially if you’re trying to get your tan on. By Owen Main

But as you can imagine, the majority of the nuts going are Dodgers fans. It’s something I don’t have a problem with. I just wish I didn’t feel so Khloe Kardashian about it. Let me explain.

I am a long standing Halos fan. I grew up glorifying at best, above average players, like they were perennial All-Stars. Gary DiSarcina, Dick Schofield, Dante Bichette, Chili Davis, and Devon White, were a few. Just say the name Wally Joyner and I shiver. That name alone invokes the thickest bond between brothers. That went a little too far…

But no, seriously, I’m heading to Arizona to watch a bunch of Dodgers games against crap opponents like the San Diego Padres. I’d rather watch lizard porn. Can you imagine the Padres putting up anything more than a run against the Dodgers pitching staff?

Yet despite this hard reality, I am looking forward to the experience more than I am the actual games themselves. It’s about brotherhood. And it’s about drinking. It’s not about the Halos of Orange County, hence the Khloe Kardashian comparison.

In case you’ve forgotten, this nation has a deep history in the art of intoxication. From Napa Valley to the Whisky Trail, America knows how to party.

I’m unsure whether I’ll remember much of the experience. So before I go just know this my darling reader: I am the beer pong champion. I am the Kim Kardashian of beer pong. And I am Wally Joyner’s brother.

It was Cami’s last day at the CJ Silas Show. Photo by Leighton Giannini

On Wednesday night, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to guest-host the CJ Silas Show on ESPN Radio 1280 The Ticket.

CJ went on vacation and gave us the keys and we did our best not to wreck the car. We are pretty sure we got it back to her in one piece and are thankful for the opportunity.

We talked about why Mike Trout doesn’t get more attention, had JD Scroggin in to talk about Cal Poly football, and even argued about which young quarterback in the NFL will take a step forward or backward in their second season as a starter.

I wanted to also thank the CJ Silas Show Syndicate – Cami, Leighton, Bobby, and Alex – for helping make sure we got the show back to CJ in one piece.

Enjoy.

One thing that has remained consistent this season is the dominance of Miguel Cabrera. By Cbl62, via Wikimedia Commons

Back in January, about three months prior to the start of the 2013 Major League Baseball season, I wrote an article claiming my predictions for the upcoming season. Now that the All Star Game is upon us, that means the season is a little over halfway finished and my perception of the teams and players has changed over the course of the year from what it was before the season even started. So here are my updated predictions on what will transpire over the next few months of the season:

But first, here are my pre-season predictions:

Teams I picked to win their divisions:

AL East: New York Yankees

AL Central: Detroit Tigers

AL West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies

NL Central: Cincinnati Reds

NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers

Wild Card Teams:

American League: Baltimore Orioles and Oakland A’s

National League: San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals

CY Young winners:

American League: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

National League: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

MVP:

American League: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

National League: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

Best record in each League:

American League: Detroit Tigers

National League: Cincinnati Reds

Manager of the Year:

American League: Jim Leyland, Detroit Tigers

National League: Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers

Moneyball will finally find a World Series ring in 2013. By Leaders Event from London, United Kingdom, via Wikimedia Commons

Updated Predictions (Stats are up to the All Star break):

Teams I picked to win their divisions:

AL East: Boston Red Sox

AL Central: Detroit Tigers

AL West: Oakland A’s

NL East: Atlanta Braves

NL Central: Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks

Wild Card Teams:

American League: Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers

National League: St Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds

CY Young winners:

American League: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners (10-4, 2.53 ERA, 140 Strikeouts, 1.10 WHIP)

National League: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (8-6, 1.98 ERA, 139 Strikeouts, 0.91 WHIP)

MVP:

American League: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (.365, 30 HR, 95 RBI, .458 OBP)

National League: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks (.313, 21 HR, 77 RBI, .395 OBP)

Best record in each League:

American League: Oakland A’s

National League: Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager of the Year:

American League: John Farrell, Boston Red Sox

National League: Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh Pirates

I’m usually pretty stubborn about my predictions, but I will admit that I have changed some of mine from the preseason. I was totally off about both the Dodgers and Angels, even though both can still make some sort of run at the playoffs — especially the Dodgers.

Staying in the National League West, Paul Goldschmidt is my new pick for National League MVP. Many people view Yadier Molina as the favorite but I think otherwise. Goldschmidt has better numbers than Molina in every category other than batting average and he isn’t that far behind him in that.

Before the season started, I said that the Angels would meet up with the Dodgers in the World Series creating a “Freeway” World Series, but the Angels have woefully underperformed and I have changed my World Series prediction on its head. I predict that the Arizona Diamondbacks and Oakland A’s will be the final two teams standing.

Let that sink in for a second and actually consider this scenario. Both of these teams are good enough to make it. I don’t have a winner from these two teams because in my mind, they are evenly matched. Since the American League won the All-Star Game and has home field advantage, I’ll go ahead and pick Moneyball to finally come through in the postseason.

Chris Davis has had a break-out year this season. By Keith Allison on Flickr, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s about that time again, time for the Major League Baseball All-Star game.

Most professional all-star games aren’t as competitive as the real deal, but generally thats not the case for the MLB’s version of the game. This game actually matters because the winning league earns home-field advantage in the World Series. I, like a lot of fans, disagree with this rule because like any other sport, home field advantage should be based off of record not which league played better in the All Star Game. If that were the case, the Western Conference in the NBA would have had home court advantage six times out of the past ten years. This rule needs to be changed but I don’t see it being changed anytime soon. But for what is it, it makes the game that much more compelling to watch and root on your own teams league.

And if the game is going to decide who gets World Series home field advantage, it is certainly wrong that the fans vote the starting players into the game. It should be based off the best players from each position that get to play in the game not off of bias fan voting. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy putting in my own votes every year but, to be honest, I usually vote for my team’s players who I know will never make the cut.

Here are my starting nine players from each league that should be in the starting lineups for this year’s All Star game next month and some of their stats (as current as June 24th, 12:03am):

American League:

Catcher: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins (.330, 8 HR, 25 RBI)

First Base: Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles (.336, 27 HR, 70 RBI)

Second Base: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees (.276, 16 HR, 45 RBI)

Shortstop: J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles (.267, 15 HR, 44 RBI)

Third Base: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (.370, 20 HR, 75 RBI)

Designated Hitter: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox (.316, 16 HR, 55 RBI)

Outfielders:

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles (.298, 15 HR, 55 RBI)

Mike Trout, Anaheim (not Los Angeles) Angels (.306, 12 HR, 46 RBI)

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays (.254, 16 HR, 42 RBI)

Starting Pitcher: Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox (9-0, 1.71 ERA, 81 K)

National League:

Catcher: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals (.353, 5 HR, 41 RBI)

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks (.306, 19 HR, 65 RBI)

Second Base: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds (.265, 11 HR, 60 RBI)

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers (.358, 4 HR, 10 RBI)*

Third Base: David Wright, New York Mets (.309, 12 HR, 41 RBI)

Outfielders:

Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals (.305, 17 HR, 46 RBI)

Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves (.240, 15 HR, 34 RBI)

Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies (.3004, 21 HR, 57 RBI)*

Starting Pitcher: Matt Harvey, New York Mets (7-1, 2.05 ERA, 121 K)

*Because of injuries to Troy Tulowitzki and Bryce Harper

Alex from the SLO Late Show (left) and Bobby Goodsby (not shown) joined Andy, Luke, and Owen for the pod.

Through a lot of ridiculous technical malfunctions, we had quite a nice conversation this evening with Alex Clupper and Bobby Goodsby of the SLO Late Show on ESPN Radio. On tonight’s episode, Owen called Luke a Yasiel Puig wet blanket, we talked about how much more of a disappointment LeBron James would be, and discussed what having a team like the Kings means to a city like Sacramento. The Moon Man and Cloud Man even made appearances.

Bobby and Alex were great. We hope to have them on again sometime soon.

Could the Rangers have actually gotten better without former MVP Josh Hamilton? By Keith Allison on Flickr, via Wikimedia Commons

Ideally, on any team in any sport, there is always a “best” player. This is the face of the franchise and much responsibility is put onto that player. In recent years, we have seen many franchise’s best players leave their team to go play for another, but few have actually been successful. The two main ones that come to mind are LeBron James, who left the Cavilers to join the Heat, and Albert Pujols, who left the Cardinals to join the Angels. LeBron has had success so far with the Heat, winning a title. But Pujols and the Angels have yet to make the playoffs and aren’t playing up to their potential for the second year in a row. At the same time, two smaller market franchises have lost their face of the franchise but have actually gotten better or stayed up to the same level of play. Both the Memphis Grizzlies and Texas Rangers have done this.

The Grizzlies made a trade back in January with the Toronto Raptors, sending former all star Rudy Gay away. Gay had been their face of the franchise since 2006. The Grizzlies weren’t very relevant until 2010, when they returned to the playoffs and ended up making it to the second round despite Gay’s absence due to injury. Many questioned whether or not the Grizzlies were better off without Gay playing but that just seemed outrageous because of his unique skill set. They gave the core of Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley another year to see what they could do as a healthy team and the Grizzlies ended up losing in the first round to the Los Angeles Clippers and the whispers about Gay started looming. Finally the Grizzlies decided it was best to move Rudy Gay and his huge contract and did so. In return, they got some decent pieces including Ed Davis, Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye. The Grizzlies were looked at as crazy for this trade and were expected to drop in the Western Conference but they did the exact opposite. As of right now, the Grizzlies have reached the first Western Conference Finals in team history and are competing for the chance to represent the West in the NBA Finals.

Rudy Gay was the face of Grizzlies basketball for a long time. Not anymore. By Game Face, via Wikimedia Commons

The Texas Rangers and slugging outfielder Josh Hamilton had success over the last few years — making it to two straight World Series. But after a disappointing season in which the Rangers failed to qualify for the playoffs after a heartbreaking wild card game loss, Hamilton and the Rangers decided it was time to part ways. Hamilton, in a shocking signing, joined Albert Pujols in Anaheim as a member of the Angels. With Hamilton and Pujols in the middle of the lineup, the Angels were supposed to shred records and were a top pick to make the World Series. Thus far, though, they are at the bottom of the standings, and many of their players aren’t playing to potential. The post-Hamilton Rangers, on the other hand were viewed in the preseason as still a good team but no where close to what they were with Hamilton. Much like the Grizzlies, the Rangers have succeeded, earning the best record in baseball so far, not seeming to miss Hamilton one bit.

Both the Grizzlies and Rangers management and fans have seen a lot of success after losing their face of the franchise. It is yet to be seen if the good play translates into a championship like in LeBron’s case, but they both look pretty good. Normally I wouldn’t say that losing the best player on your team is a good thing but for the Grizzlies and Rangers it just might have been true.

Mike Trout and the Angels have had a second consecutive nightmare start to their season. By Owen Main

I’m not a fan of the new Mike Trout. I miss the old one. I long for the top of the order small ball hitter, who changed games with his speed and his glove. I miss the lead off guy who set the steak for Pujols, not this new power pull hitter looking to eat off the shananigans of Pete Bourjos.

The worst thing that ever happened to Mike Trout was hitting 30 home runs.  He hit them on accident. His compact swing and his plate discipline, resulted in middle of the diamond fast balls.  As a result of this success, the kid gained 15 pounds of unnecessary muscle in the off season and lost his dynamic first step.

Was that necessary in a lineup with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Mark Trumbo? Through May 2nd, the now left fielder, is hitting a lusterless .263 with only three jacks and four stolen bases. He continues to look for the long ball and his patience has gone to waste as he’s consistently falling into unfavorable counts.

The Angels could muster all of four hits in last night’s 5-1 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles. Trout and the rest of the team are pressing. Now 10-18, they sit in last place in the AL West — and I’m worried.

Josh Hamilton, shown here in spring training, has has a rough start with the Angels after signing a big contract in the off-season. By Owen Main

Have you seen Josh Hamilton? Since last June, he’s hit just .239.

I have a suspicion that he’s pressing. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the former American League MVP is out of sorts. He looks uncomfortable, swinging at bad off-speed pitches and missing his usual meaty low-ball strikes.

I had the pleasure of seeing the star-studded Halos lineup last week, against the Rangers. Unfortunately for us, Yu Darvish was on the mound. Darvish pitched the most dominant game I have ever seen, striking out eleven in six innings.

Is it abnormal to say that any batter looks uncomfortable against Darvish? Not at all. The guy’s five pitch arsenal is the strongest since Mark Prior in 2003, and I have a strong inkling, when it’s all said and done, Darvish will be a 200-win guy with at least a few Cy Young Awards studded in his cap.

But on two occurrences, Hamilton looked elementary in the face of his former teammate. So much so, the easily impressed Angels fan base, uncharacteristically booed the 125-million dollar man. He swung at bad pitches all night, striking out twice, not to mention his two game-altering blunders in the outfield.

And was there any response? Any fire in the belly of the man who nonchalantly smacked 43-home runs last year? Nope. Just the same old same old strike-out strolls back into the Scoscia’s crumbling lair.