Jae C. Hong/AP Photo
By Joe Giglio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
One of the best days of the year is here. Opening Day has arrived, giving hope to millions of fans across the sport. Baseball is making more money than ever, yet in a transition phase with franchises, style and how the game looks and feels.
With another season about to begin, here are guesses as to how it all unfolds and the major storylines (Yankees expectations, Mets upside, Phillies rise) that will dominate the 2018 season.
A-Rod's transformation is complete
Young fans soon won't know Alex Rodriguez as anything but one of the voices and faces of baseball. With a full-year suspension less than a decade in the rear-view mirror, Rodriguez's profile among baseball fans has shifted dramatically in such a short time. Now we'll get to experience A-Rod in a role he's sure to excel at: ESPN Sunday Night Baseball color analyst.
Pace-of-play dominates conversation
This conversation won't go away, and probably can't be remedied. Time will tell if less mound visits make a dent in games that take way too long. My guess: It won't really change how fast the game moves.
By midseason, the groundwork will be laid for a pitch clock to enter MLB by 2019—forcing the players to move faster. The only problem: The game (strikeouts, walks, home runs) is now trending toward less action and fun on the field. Clocks and rules can't change that, unless commissioner Rob Manfred wants to dramatically change the rules.
Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Machado, Harper, Kershaw push for record deals
We're one year away from the free-agent class that everyone has been talking about for years. While there's depth to how many good players could hit the market next winter, three names stand above the field: Manny Machado, Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw. The trio are all on the path to Cooperstown, and will have seasons to generate record deals next offseason.
Machado, back at shortstop, looks poised for a 45 HR season. Harper, a few years removed from a historic MVP campaign, just needs to stay healthy to hit 45-50 home runs and post an on-base percentage over .400. Kershaw, owning an opt-out of his Dodgers deal, is a full season of his typical performance away from garnering more money than any arm ever.
Here’s what’s not out of the question for these players next year: $350M for Machado, $400M for Harper and an average of $40M per season for Kershaw.
Matheny canned, Girardi takes over
Watch out for Mike Matheny to be on the hot seat in St. Louis. If the Cardinals struggle early and fall well behind the Cubs, St. Louis will axe the long-time skipper. In his place: Joe Girardi, the ex-Yankees manager buying his time in the broadcast booth. The former Cubs catcher will add intrigue to the NL Central, and help the Cardinals rally for a postseason berth.
July blockbuster trades
It wouldn’t be a fun season without a wild trade deadline. Get ready for these deals to go down, changing the pennant races.
Madison Bumgarner, Brandon Belt to the Yankees: San Francisco will flop, causing the front office to finally think about a rebuild. Bumgarner could bring back a ton from New York's highly-ranked farm system. Belt gives New York a left-handed bat and answer at first base with Greg Bird's future always in question. The Yankees would have the missing pieces to a title team.
Chris Archer to the Dodgers: The Archer bidding war will be fierce, but ultimately it comes down to the Dodgers desire to win a title now, Andrew Friedman's connections in Tampa Bay and Los Angeles protecting themselves if Kershaw opts out next winter. Milwaukee misses out, costing themselves a wild card spot.
Danny Duffy to the Phillies: If the Phillies are in the playoff hunt in July, expect aggression in the trade market. From Archer to Duffy to Michael Fulmer and Marcus Stroman, Philadelphia will be in on every controllable starting pitcher with top-of-the-rotation stuff. Ultimately, a match goes down with Kansas City for Duffy. Adding the lefty to Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta gives the Phillies a big three atop the rotation.
Josh Donaldson to Cardinals: Toronto is caught in a tough spot. There's a path back to the postseason, but there's also the reality of losing Donaldson next winter. Unless a great first half emerges, the Blue Jays could go in sell mode and cash Donaldson in for big-time talent. If the former AL MVP hits the trade market, St. Louis could pounce—with the idea of convincing Donaldson to stay long term in the winter.
Abbey Mastracco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
NL Award winners
MVP: Bryce Harper, Nationals
Cy Young: Noah Syndergaard, Mets
Rookie of the Year: Scott Kingery, Phillies
Manager of the Year: Gabe Kapler, Phillies
AL Award winners
MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
Cy Young: Chris Sale, Red Sox
Rookie of the Year: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter, Orioles
NL playoff teams
East: Nationals
Central: Cubs
West: Dodgers
Wild cards: Cardinals, Phillies
AL playoff teams
East: Yankees
Central: Indians
West: Astros
Wild cards: Red Sox, Angels
John Minchillo
World Series
Cubs over Yankees in 7.
The historic World Series so many fans have wanted to see for years arrives. Some of the best young talent on the field, Hall of Fame executives, interesting, forward-thinking managers, deep bullpens, great venues, crazy-good ratings for FOX. What more could baseball ask for?
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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