Pitchers and catchers have reported, full squad workouts are underway and scrimmage games have begun. While all this may seem par for the course in any MLB season there is an entire undercurrent of question marks, what if’s and what to watch for.
What Will Yoenis Cespedes Do Next?
There is certainly never a dull moment with La Potencia. First there is his cavalcade of exotic cars, which only the Batmobile can top. Oh!!! And you haven’t heard there was his appearance at spring training on a horse. Yup, Cespedes went gaucho on us. While he’s a party off the field, he’s all business on it. After being traded to the Mets in July of 2015, he was an offensive juggernaut, posting a .309 batting average, 17 home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .691 slugging percentage in his first 41 games. Offensive production which helped the Mets make it to the World Series for the first time in 15 years. While the Mets initially punted on bringing back Cespedes, he’s returning to Queens on a short term deal which gives him an opt-out after the season. Can he continue the pace in 2016? He’ll need to in order the boys in blue and orange to have a chance to return to the show.
The Cuban Missile in Crisis
Aroldis Chapman was the biggest acquisition in what was an otherwise quiet offseason for the New York Yankees. But some high profile baggage came with signing the Cuban ballplayer in the form of a domestic assault charge brought by his girlfriend. While no legal charges were ever brought, MLB investigated and handed down a 30 game suspension. So we wont know what type of impact Chapman will have in the Big Apple at least until May. But if he can keep things buttoned up off the field and deliver even half of what he did for the Cincinnati Reds this addition could give the Yankees the strongest bullpen in baseball.
Will Yasiel Puig Return to Form?
Trade rumors involving Puig popped up last season. The reasons were allegedly in connection with questionable habits, including failing to show up on time and a less than stellar work ethic. Additionally, there were injuries that nagged him throughout 2015 and limited him to 79 games. Yet the kicker was probably the overall lack of production when he did play. A .255 batting average with a .322 on-base percentage will not cut in Los Angeles. Early reports coming out of spring training are that 2016 version of Puig comes with a new attitude and better work habits. If he can maintain this new approach and stay healthy, its probably a sure bet he will return to form.
Sleepless in Seattle
For all the young talent the Seattle Mariners have its safe to say they have underachieved. King Felix did not look ready to watch the throne in 2015. He finished the season 18-9 with a 3.53 ERA, which was the worst ERA for Hernandez since the 2008 season. He also failed to reach 200 strikeouts for the first time in six years. Hernandez turns 30 this year and maybe perhaps the 10-year streak of 190 plus innings is catching up to him. While early reports out of spring training are positive and he’s on track to pitch the opener on April 4th, we won’t know for sure until the season is underway. The other cornerstone of the franchise Robinson Cano also has something to prove in 2016. While the $240-million-dollar man had a disappointing 2015 campaign, due primarily to a two-month slump at the plate the first half of the year and some bad base running. He bounced back in the second half, but it was not enough to save the season. According to Cano is was due to a double sports hernia for which he’s since undergone surgery to repair. In 2016 he will need to return to form to justify that $24-million-dollar salary.
Cueto Shimmies On Over to San Francisco
Johnny Cueto was one of the top free agents of the off-season and on December 15th, he shimmied his way to the San Francisco Giants to the tune of a six-year $130 million dollar contract. He has a workhorse mentality and has logged a number of innings over his career. None more so than the 2014-15 season when he helped the Kansas City Royals win the World Series and captured his first piece of hardware. Looks like the Giants will be watching his innings as he’s been scratched from his first spring start, so durability may be an issue this year. However, if he can perform as he did for the Royals perhaps he’ll get the Giants back to the World Series and nab his second ring in as many years.
Will A-Rod Pass the Babe?
Alex Rodriguez currently stands at 687 home runs, 27 shy of Babe Ruth’s 714. A-Rod hit 33 dingers in 2015, so its possible he could pass El Bambino’s record in 2016. However, some credit this surge to batting behind Mark Texiera. Once he lost that cover, a noticeable decline began. Coverage in the batting order or not, Rodriguez will turn 40 this year and has logged over 20 years in the big leagues. At this stage of a career a player can get old overnight. Does A-Rod have enough left in the tank to break the record in 2016? He hit a home run on his first swing of the spring, so maybe he does?
