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Press Clips

(February 26, 2018)

February 26, 2018 Page 2 of 33

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE OC REGISTER (PAGE 3)

Garrett Richards lead solid pitching effort in Angels’ victory

Vladimir Guerrero discusses Angels jersey No. 27 issue, and Hall of Fame

Angels closely monitor Shohei Ohtani’s swings as he attempts two-way challenge

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (PAGE 6)

Angels beat Padres 2-1 in spring training

Former Angel Vladimir Guerrero adjusting to life as a Hall of Famer

A day after making his pitching debut, Angels’ Shohei Ohtani will get his first at-bats of the

spring

FROM ANGELS.COM (PAGE 8)

Richards staying course in return to hill

In Angels camp, Vlad as popular as ever

Ohtani to make spring hitting debut today

FROM THE ATHLETIC (PAGE 11)

Zack Cozart wasn’t going to miss his chance to win again, even if it meant playing third base

FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES (PAGE 14)

Shohei Ohtani a big draw at Angels spring training, especially for Japanese media

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (PAGE 15)

Jack Hamilton dead; pitcher who hit Tony Conigliaro on eye was 79

FROM USA TODAY SPORTS (PAGE 16)

It’s really happening: Two days after pitching, Shohei Ohtani will DH for the Angels

FROM FANRAGSPORTS.COM (PAGE 17)

AL West burning questions to ponder during spring

Offensive impact from Angel Stadium RF wall renovation

FROM BLEACHER REPORT (PAGE 21)

2018 MLB Playoff Chances for Every Team 1 Month from Opening Day*

Spring Training 2018: Power Ranking Every MLB Division from Best to Worst

FROM MLB.COM (PAGE 30)

Angels among suitors in play for Holland

FROM BASEBALL ESSENTIAL (PAGE 32)

Los Angeles Angels: Thoughts on Shohei Ohtani’s Spring Training Debut

February 26, 2018 Page 3 of 33

FROM THE OC REGISTER

Garrett Richards lead solid pitching effort in Angels’ victory

By Jeff Fletcher

THE GAME: Seven Angels pitchers combined to hold the San Diego Padres to four hits in a 2-1 victory on Sunday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Angels are 2-1 this spring.

PITCHING REPORT: Right-hander Garrett Richards worked two innings, allowing just a solo homer to Austin Hedges. He struck out three. Richards has missed most of the past two years with injuries, but he said he feels good now, the result of an offseason regimen in which he combined strength and flexibility training. … Left-hander John Lamb, who did not pitch in spring training last year because he was rehabbing from a back injury, pitched two scoreless innings. “Those were two big innings for him,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Hopefully he’ll get confidence every time he goes out there.” Right-hander Luke Bard, a Rule 5 pick, worked a perfect inning. He has retired all six batters he’s faced this spring, with two strikeouts. “Luke has a good arm, another power arm,” Scioscia said. “He’s been throwing some real nice breaking balls.”

HITTING REPORT: Luis Valbuena singled, his third hit in two starts. He was in the lineup at leadoff, but that’s not an indication that he will hit there in the regular season. In spring training, lineups are sometimes constructed to get players more at-bats earlier in the game. … Rene Rivera, who hit second, singled and doubled. … Jefry Marte singled in the third, driving the tying run in the third inning. The go-ahead run then scored on a passed ball.

DEFENSE REPORT: Second baseman Jose Fernandez made a sliding stop of a ground ball. Fernandez is one of the candidates for the last bench spot. … Right fielder Rymer Liriano made a diving catch. … Catcher Carlos Perez made a pickoff attempt to first and threw the ball into right field.

UP NEXT: Angels (Tyler Skaggs) vs. Padres (Jordan Lyles), noon PT, Peoria Sports Complex, Fox Sports West, KLAA/830

Vladimir Guerrero discusses Angels jersey No. 27 issue, and Hall of Fame

By Jeff Fletcher

TEMPE, Ariz. — There are two No. 27s in Angels camp these days.

Vladimir Guerrero, last month elected to the Hall of Fame, has been in uniform as a guest instructor. His presence allowed for revisiting the question that has gotten new life ever since Guerrero said last month he’d go into the Hall representing the Angels, a first for the franchise.

A number retirement ceremony by the Angels would seem an obvious event, except for the fact that Mike Trout is currently wearing No. 27, the same number Guerrero wore.

“I know who wears No. 27 and he is doing a fantastic job wearing it,” Guerrero said Sunday morning, with Angels broadcaster Jose Mota as his interpreter. “It might be a different story if the person wearing it was

February 26, 2018 Page 4 of 33

not as good as he was. It might be easier for the team. I am very proud of what Mike Trout has done wearing 27, and to me it’s not an issue at all.”

There is precedent for the team to retire 27 for Guerrero, yet still allow Trout to wear it. When Major League Baseball retired 42 for Jackie Robinson, the players who were wearing it — most notably, Mariano Rivera — were allowed to continue. The Angels could also still retire 27 a second time, for Trout.

Trout said no one with the team has broached the subject. He said he just found the number in his locker when was called up in 2011, and he’s been honored to wear it since.

“It’s pretty cool to wear his number,” Trout said Sunday. “I know what kind of person he is and what he brought to the game and what he brought to the organization.”

In the meantime, Guerrero is still basking in the glow of his election to the Hall, which came in just his second year on the ballot. He said he’s been overwhelmed with the response he’s gotten from fans, particularly back home in the Dominican Republic.

“One of the jokes was ‘Why don’t you run for President?’” Guerrero said.

He added that the biggest difference in his life is some people in the Dominican “think I just got this big signing bonus for making it to the Hall of Fame. Many people are knocking on my door at 7 or 8 in the morning saying ‘Why don’t you share a little more with us?’”

Guerrero said his Dominican roots will be a key part of his induction speech, which he will deliver in Spanish, with Mota translating.

“I want to keep it as simple as possible,” he said. “I want to speak about the opportunities I got representing the Dominican, and beyond the Dominican, representing Latin America. There will be some things I write down in my notes that I won’t get to, but mainly I want to speak from the heart. It really means a lot to me the people I will be representing that day.”

Angels closely monitor Shohei Ohtani’s swings as he attempts two-way challenge

By Jeff Fletcher

TEMPE, Ariz. — On the day after his first start of the spring, Shohei Ohtani was not scheduled to hit at all

on Sunday.

Combined with the break from swinging he took the day before and the day of his start, it would be three

days in a row without batting practice, a stretch that no position player would fathom.

Which is why this whole two-way player thing going to be such a challenge for Ohtani.

“It’s uncharted waters, really,” hitting coach Eric Hinske said. “The last guy to do it was Babe Ruth, right?”

February 26, 2018 Page 5 of 33

Hinske is one of the leading staffers involved with trying to help Ohtani maintain the rhythm, timing and

mechanics of his swing, even when his batting practice is limited by his pitching schedule. Asked recently

how he’s going to do that, Hinske sounded as curious as anyone.

“I think he’s a different animal,” he said. “We have to wait and see with him. We haven’t seen him (hit) in

game action. We haven’t seen the day after he starts in August, either. I think we’re all just anxious to see

his talent on the field.”

Ohtani is expected to make his debut as a designated hitter on Monday or Tuesday, Angels games against

the San Diego Padres in Peoria and the Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale, respectively. In spring training,

teams can use the DH whenever they choose, even when National League teams are at home.

The Angels are evaluating Ohtani every day to determine what type of workload, at both his jobs, that he

can handle. General Manager Billy Eppler has said the team is using objective metrics and tests to evaluate

Ohtani’s condition. On Sunday, Manager Mike Scioscia wouldn’t elaborate on what type of tests they are

running on Ohtani.

“I don’t know it’s anything that isn’t happening with other players,” Scioscia said. “With some of the

advancements in training methods and evaluation, I think all three players benefit from it, and Shohei is

one of those guys.”

The Angels are also counting all of the swings Ohtani takes in batting practice and the cage.

“He’s on a pitch count in the cage,” quipped Hinske. “They definitely have a plan set up, the (front office),

to keep him on the straight and narrow every day.”

ALSO The Angels are expected to begin integrating their everyday players into spring training games in the next

few days, Scioscia said. Because the compressed schedule of spring this year allowed fewer days of

workouts before games, many teams are holding out some players from the first games…

Chris Young (strained right calf) said he will continue to wear a boot for another week. He has been

standing in the batter’s box while pitchers have been throwing bullpen sessions, in order to see some

velocity while he’s waiting to resume hitting…

Reliever Dayan Diaz, who is from Colombia, is still missing from camp because of visa issues. Scioscia said

he has no update on when Diaz could be expected. Diaz has pitched in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds

and Houston Astros, and he’s on the 40-man roster, so he figures to be part of the big league bullpen at

some point in the season. Catcher Francisco Arcia, who was delayed by visa issues, is now in camp.

February 26, 2018 Page 6 of 33

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels beat Padres 2-1 in spring training

By Jeff Miller

The Angels beat San Diego 2-1 on Sunday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Angels are 2-1 in Cactus League play. AT THE PLATE: Jefry Marte had an RBI single in the third inning of a game during which the Angels didn't manage much offense; their only other run scoring on a passed ball. Jabari Blash just missed hitting a two-run homer in the second, the ball coming down short of the wall in left-center. Backup catcher Rene Rivera had two of the Angels' five hits, a single and a double. ON THE MOUND: Garrett Richards made his 2018 Cactus League debut, pitching a 1-2-3 first inning before allowing a homer to Austin Hedges leading off the second. It was the only hit Richards permitted in his two innings. He made just six starts in 2017 because of a biceps strain and said he spent the offseason focusing not just on strength, but also on flexibility. Rule 5 pick Luke Bard pitched a scoreless inning, his second of the spring. Lefty reliever Ian Krol worked into and out of seventh-inning trouble, two strikeouts helping offset two walks. Felix Pena closed out the game with a scoreless ninth on his 28th birthday. EXTRA BASES: Nearly all of the Angels regulars have been held out of the first three spring training games and most aren't likely to play Monday. Look for the likes of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on Tuesday or Wednesday. … Richards said his next start would come Friday or Saturday, as all the Angels have to remain flexible as the team maps out its plans for a six-man rotation. UP NEXT: Angels vs. the San Diego Padres at noon Monday at Peoria Sports Complex. TV: FS West; Radio: 830.

Former Angel Vladimir Guerrero adjusting to life as a Hall of Famer By Jeff Miller They certainly must understand the magnitude of reaching the Hall of Fame. It's just that some of Vladimir Guerrero's neighbors apparently don't completely comprehend what the honor brings. "Many people in the Dominican [Republic] think I just got this big signing bonus," he said Sunday through a translator. "Many people are knocking on my door at 7 or 8 in the morning and saying, 'Since you got this big signing bonus, why don't you share a little more with us.'" Guerrero, who was elected in his second year of eligibility in January, will be inducted in July. He will become the first player whose plaque shows him wearing an Angels cap.

February 26, 2018 Page 7 of 33

In camp as a guest instructor, Guerrero addressed the team at the request of manager Mike Scioscia. Though he appeared in the majors as recently as 2011, he laughed while saying there were players in the room unfamiliar with him and his exploits. "They never saw me play," said Guerrero, 43. "I wanted to keep the message to them about hard work, about the things that allowed me to be successful in the big leagues and get to the Hall of Fame." He said the reality of being deemed an all-time baseball icon has sunk in, Guerrero explaining that the joke back in the Dominican Republic is how he could successfully run for president. He has not, however, thought much about what he'll say during his induction speech, only the parameters of his comments. "I want to keep it as simple as possible, just like I am," Guerrero said. "But I want to speak about the opportunities that I got representing the Dominican, and beyond the Dominican, representing Latin America." It is common for a franchise to retire the jersey number of a player who makes the hall of fame. The issue the Angels face is that No. 27 is still being worn, and it's being worn by Mike Trout, who's building his own career that appears headed toward baseball's ultimate museum. "It's pretty cool to wear his number," Trout said, "[knowing] what kind of person he is and what he brought to the game and what he brought to the organization." Guerrero indicated he also thinks Trout continuing to represent No. 27 is cool. "It might be a different story if the person wearing it was not as good as he was," Guerrero said. "It might be easier for the team [to make the player switch numbers]. I am very proud of what Mike Trout has done wearing No. 27 and, to me, it's not an issue at all." Ohtani already hearing critics When not only the baseball world but the rest of the world is watching, the expectations are bound to be high and the critiques unforgiving. Shohei Ohtani's Cactus League debut Saturday certainly was uneven — four outs recorded, two runs allowed, almost as many balls as strikes — a fact not missed by those who witnessed it and reported the details. A headline on Newsday's website called the performance "somewhat underwhelming," the story below making sure to remind everyone that by choosing the Angels Ohtani was "forgoing a chance to join the Yankees." One veteran baseball blogger labeled the effort "decidedly ordinary" and Ohtani's lack of command "not encouraging." In rewriting an Associated Press story, The Japan Times mentioned that Ohtani, who had his pitch count not mounted likely would have gone two innings, "got pulled early." Attempting to become the first player to star as a regular hitter and pitcher in the big leagues in nearly a century, Ohtani has been likened to Babe Ruth. Mercifully, no one used his ho-hum debut to pronounce him the "Joe Blanton of Japan."

February 26, 2018 Page 8 of 33

New nickname for Ohtani At least one Angel has settled on a nickname for Ohtani. Catcher Martin Maldonado is calling him "Jorge," and not just because it rhymes with Shohei. "That's his Latin name," Maldonado explained. "He's a Latin player now." Short hops Scioscia still has not made official when Ohtani will debut as a designated hitter, with Monday or Tuesday most likely. … Tyler Skaggs is scheduled to make his first start of the spring Monday against San Diego.

A day after making his pitching debut, Angels’ Shohei Ohtani will get his first at-bats of the spring

By Jeff Miller

Shohei Ohtani will take his first official swings of the spring Monday when the Angels play in nearby

Peoria against San Diego.

Trying to become the first player in nearly a century to regularly play both ways in the big leagues,

Ohtani will be the designated hitter and bat second as the Angels face the Padres for the second day in a

row.

He made his pitching debut in the Cactus League on Saturday, going 1⅓ innings against Milwaukee. A star as both a hitter and pitcher in Japan, Ohtani, 23, signed with the Angels in December. His pursuit has been one of the biggest stories so far in the early stages of spring training, with Ohtani's pitching debut drawing nearly 100 members of the media.

FROM ANGELS.COM

Richards staying course in return to hill

By Maria Guardado

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Garrett Richards pitched two innings in his Cactus League debut on Sunday, allowing one

run in the Angels' 2-1 win over the Padres at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Richards yielded only one hit, a leadoff home run to Austin Hedges in the second, while striking out

three, walking one and throwing 35 pitches.

"The ball was coming out of his hand great," manager Mike Scioscia said. "That's what we want to see. He spun the ball well this afternoon. He was ahead of counts, and that's what you're looking for two innings. That was terrific."

February 26, 2018 Page 9 of 33

Richards has been limited to only 12 starts over the last two seasons because of right arm injuries, but he's proven he can be an ace when healthy. The 29-year-old missed most of the 2017 season with nerve irritation in his right biceps, but he returned to the mound in September and logged a 2.74 ERA over his final five starts of the year.

Richards, who is entering his final season before free agency, said he focused more on improving his flexibility, rather than just bulking up this offseason in an effort to stay healthy in 2018.

We did a really good job this offseason of not only building strength and getting stronger, but also

staying flexible," Richards said. "In the past, I've gotten kind of caught up in just lifting as heavy as I can,

and getting as big as I can coming into spring, which is good and bad. But I've noticed a lot of difference

as far as the way my arm is bouncing back. My recovery time is a lot shorter, and I'm able to get out

there and do what I can on the mound, the way I expect to do it based on my recovery from the day

before. Everything is going good right now, and I'm just going to kind of stay the course."

The Ohtani brief

Still recovering from his Cactus League debut on the mound on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani had a light

workout that included fundamentals and pitchers fielding practice. He did not hit for the third

consecutive day. Scioscia said Ohtani will make his first appearance as a designated hitter "in the next

couple day

Bard embracing opportunity

Rule 5 Draft pick Luke Bard pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday in his second appearance for the

Angels. The 27-year-old right-hander has looked sharp in his two outings, retiring all six batters he's

faced, while striking out two. Bard is among the relievers who are competing for a bullpen job this

spring, and he has a better shot than most, since he must be offered back to the Twins if he isn't on the

Angels' 25-man roster for the entire 2018 season.

"It's a great opportunity and a great organization," Bard said. "I'm so happy to be here. I'm going to try

to control what I can. I'm going to go out there and do my business the best that I can every time I get

out there. It's essentially a tryout, and I'm trying to make the most of it."

Young still on the mend

Chris Young, who is sidelined with a strained right calf, said he expects to be in a walking boot for

another week or so. Projected to be the Angels' fourth outfielder, Young has been trying to stay fresh by

standing in the batter's box during some pitchers' bullpen sessions.

Up next

Left-hander Tyler Skaggs will likely pitch two innings in his Cactus League debut against the Padres in

Peoria on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. PT. The game will be available to watch on

MLB.TV.

February 26, 2018 Page 10 of 33

In Angels camp, Vlad as popular as ever

By Maria Guardado

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Four days after being elected to the Hall of Fame, Vladimir Guerrero returned to the

Dominican Republic and sparked a national celebration, with merengue dancers greeting him at the

airport, and thousands of compatriots lining the streets to welcome the former Angels slugger back

home.

The Dominican Ministry of Sports even organized a caravan to take Guerrero from Santo Domingo to his hometown of Don Gregorio, Nizao. The drive normally takes about an hour, but Guerrero said the trip lasted two and a half hours on that festive day.

"I didn't know that so many people were going to be there," Guerrero said in Spanish on Sunday. "They were saying I should run for president, but I'm not into politics."

It's been a month since Guerrero secured his ticket to Cooperstown, but the 42-year-old said his life

hasn't changed too much. His daily routine still includes spending time at home with his family and

playing dominoes. The only difference is that more people now line up outside his door to ask for

financial assistance, as they erroneously believe that his Hall of Fame induction included a sizable bonus.

"Sometimes we tell them that I'm not there, or we tell them to come back later," Guerrero said. "People

are there from seven in the morning until noon because they think they gave me money."

Guerrero, who is back in Angels camp as a guest instructor this spring, said he has not started working

on the speech that he'll give at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 29, though he has to submit

an outline of sorts by March 10. Guerrero, the first Dominican-born position player to enter the Hall of

Fame, said he'd like to use the opportunity to spotlight the contributions of Latino players in baseball.

"I hope to see more Latinos in the Hall of Fame," Guerrero said. "Like I've always said, we're trying to

make our communities and countries proud. Not only Dominicans, but all Latin Americans. Many of us

leave our hometowns and our countries to come here and work hard."

Guerrero will also be the first player to enter the Hall of Fame with an Angels cap, leading many to

wonder if the club will retire his No. 27. There is one wrinkle, however, as the number is currently being

used by two-time American League MVP winner Mike Trout.

"I'm happy with how he's been using the number," Guerrero said.

The Angels haven't announced any plans to retire Guerrero's number, but if they did, it wouldn't necessarily preclude Trout from continuing to wear No. 27. Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, after all, wore No. 42 for his entire career, even after Major League Baseball retired it in honor of Jackie Robinson.

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Trout wears No. 27 because it was the number issued to him when he was first called up to the Majors in 2011, but he said it's taken on more significance now that Guerrero has been elected to the Hall of Fame.

"I know what he did with the Angels," Trout said. "It means a lot to me. When I came up, they gave me 27. It was in my locker. I was a rookie. I didn't want to say anything. I liked the number, and it went from there. Now that he's in the Hall of Fame, it's pretty cool to wear his number. I know what kind of person he is, what he brought to the game and what he brought to the organization."

What if the Angels told him he couldn't wear No. 27 anymore?

"I don't know," Trout said. "I'll have to change, I guess."

Ohtani to make spring hitting debut today

By Maria Guardado

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Two-way standout Shohei Ohtani will make his Cactus League batting debut today,

starting at designated hitter against the Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Ohtani will bat second in his

first test against Major League pitching this spring.

The game can be seen live on MLB.TV at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT. Right-hander Jordan Lyles is to start for the

Padres, opposite Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs.

Ohtani, 23, made his first start of the spring against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing two runs (one

earned) with a walk and two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. The left-handed slugger has not hit since

Thursday, when he put on an impressive show of power during batting practice, which included

launching a home run over the batter's eye at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

FROM THE ATHLETIC

Zack Cozart wasn’t going to miss his chance to win again, even if it meant playing third base By Pedro Moura

TEMPE, Ariz. — His wife at the wheel, Zack Cozart headed to the Nashville International Airport on Dec.

13. He had a flight to catch to Orange County, where he was due to take a physical and finalize a three-

year, $38 million contract to become the Angels’ new second baseman.

His phone buzzed as they neared the drop-off zone. Billy Eppler, the Angels’ general manager, was calling.

“Man, I hate to say this,” Eppler began, and Cozart froze.

February 26, 2018 Page 12 of 33

“I’m like, ‘Are you about to take this contract back, or what?'” Cozart recalled. “What’s going on?’”

No, no. Eppler called because he was near a deal to acquire another second baseman, Ian Kinsler. He wanted to know if Cozart would be willing to play a different position: third base. It wasn't his native shortstop, but it wasn’t any farther from it.

“Honestly, we shift the second-most of any team in the big leagues,” Eppler said. “If a lefty’s up, you’re gonna be playing a lot of short anyways.”

Cozart hung up the phone. He and his wife, Chelsea, lingered along the curb to discuss it. He was already going to move from his lifelong shortstop to accommodate Andrelton Simmons. Would this be much different? His wife moved the conversation forward with force.

“Quit being a baby,” she said. “Do you want to go play for the Reds, or do you want to play for the Angels? One team’s trying to win.”

He considered the evidence. The Angels had won a dozen more games than the Reds in 2017, and they had added Shohei Ohtani and re-signed Justin Upton. Kinsler was on his way. The Reds had not yet signed a free agent to a major league contract.

“Man, the Angels are getting after it,” Cozart recalled. “Which was enticing to me, because I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve been on the Reds.’ The first two years of my career, playoffs. The last four have been horrendous.”

Cozart called Eppler back, affirmed his consent, boarded his flight, passed his physical, found a house in Irvine and reported to spring training.

“He knows what it’s like to be on losing teams,” said Kinsler, who heard about Cozart’s decision later that day. “I’m sure that winning was at the front of his mind.”

On Feb. 12, at age 32, Cozart walked onto the diamond and stood near third base with glove in hand for the first time in his life. Eric Chavez awaited him.

Now a special assistant to Eppler, Chavez was an elite defender in his day. He played at least three-quarters of his team’s games in seven seasons, and six times he won the Gold Glove.

“What’s my routine?” Cozart asked Chavez that morning. “I don’t know what to do when I come over here.”

Take grounders, Chavez said. Take grounders.

“His first five grounders, I was like, ‘Oh, OK,’” Chavez said. “This is gonna work really well.’”

Cozart’s range can compensate for his lack of familiarity. He described himself as “footsy” relative to most third basemen. Generally, they are trained to remain low and anchored to the dirt until forced to move. Not so for shortstops, who have more time to reach the baseball and more ground to cover.

“I feel like my instincts will take over, but it’s just gonna be a little different,” Cozart said. “I think some people put too much stock into thinking just because I was good at short I’m gonna be good at third. It’s just not that easy, because of the angles of it. It’s obviously pretty weird to me right now.”

Chavez estimated Cozart will effectively play shortstop one-quarter of the time because of shifting. To account for that and to provide backup for Simmons, the plan is for him to spend a similar amount of his time drilling there.

February 26, 2018 Page 13 of 33

For his first two full seasons, 2012 and 2013, Cozart was the sort of hitter who would not be big-league caliber at third base. He had a job because he played elite defense. His hitting was serviceable enough to make him viable and bad enough to make him vulnerable.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to get better, but maybe I wasn’t brave enough to force something different,” he said. “Not that I was content with what I had done, but I was probably more afraid to change something so drastically. I was playing a good shortstop, whatever, I was doing fine.”

His 2014 season forced action. He was the worst of 146 qualified hitters in the majors, by a considerable amount. His father texted nightly to remind him he was acting too patiently.

“I think back and I’m like, ‘You’re right,’” he said. “It did seem like I was 0-1 every at-bat. So I said, ‘Screw it,’ and I decided to go out there on the attack.”

It is, to him, really that simple. The following spring, he started trying to hit the ball hard, instead of trying to hit the ball. April 2015 was the best month of his career, and May was good. At June’s start, he tore the ACL and LCL in his right knee. He returned a year later and logged his best season.

Last winter, as hitters across America added an uppercut into their swings, Cozart worked on leveling his — putting the pizza in the oven, as he calls it. Then, in spring, he added a wrinkle, resting his bat on his body while awaiting each pitch. His teammate and hitting virtuoso Joey Votto had done it years earlier, and Cozart opted for it to settle his timing.

“Taking the same attack mentality,” he said, “but just keeping my bat on my shoulder.”

His walk rate and his power increased, and Cozart became of one baseball’s best hitters, registering a .933 OPS. He knows he’s unlikely to replicate that, and so do the Angels. His peripheral statistics do not support that kind of production, but they could buttress an above-average hitter.

In October, Cozart received a rundown of the unusual shortstop situation across the sport from his agent, Matt Laird. It was bad: The good teams already employ good young shortstops. His potential destinations were limited.

“If I would’ve been a free agent when I first came up,” Cozart said, “I would’ve had 10 teams to talk to.”

The same circumstances hampered his trade market. Reds general manager Dick Williams tried to trade Cozart to the contending Mariners at the 2016 trade deadline, only to have an agreement fall apart on the final afternoon. An offseason suitor never materialized, and Cozart was on the disabled list at the 2017 deadline. The uncertainty irritated him.

“Trade me, trade me,” he said. “Just get it over with. I'm sick of coming and getting asked, 'Hey, what do you think about getting traded?'”

As a free agent, Cozart said, he never discussed terms with a team interested in him to play the position. So, he took what was in front of him, and he’s elated he did. Earlier this month, after the league-wide winter of inactivity, Cozart asked Laird a question: If he didn’t agree to two position changes, where in the world would he have ended up?

He believes it would have been a shorter-term pact, similar to Todd Frazier’s two-year, $17 million contract that fell far short of industry expectations. And it might have come from a non-contender like the Padres, who reportedly showed interest.

“I could’ve signed with somebody else that technically wasn’t trying to win to play short,” Cozart said. “But I’ve been through that. I played short on a team that wasn’t winning and it wasn’t fun. Even though

February 26, 2018 Page 14 of 33

you like the group of guys, a good group of kids that’s working hard, you want to win. You want to feel like the people running everything are gonna give you a chance to win.”

Williams offered a diverging perspective when told of Cozart's comments.

“Cozart and I had an exchange after he signed and it was nothing but positive,” he said. “We had a good run of success while he was there. The last years, we all would’ve liked to have been more productive.”

Williams continued: “I don’t want to put words in his mouth. But if he feels like he missed that window, at least he was here for a good run.”

Cozart hopes a longer run is about to begin in Anaheim.

FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Shohei Ohtani a big draw at Angels spring training, especially for Japanese media By Adam Zielonka Japanese two-way baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani made his first appearance on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels in spring training Saturday. It could have been better: He allowed two hits, including a home run, and one earned run in 1.1 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the erratic start, Ohtani figures to be a big draw for the Angels and the game of baseball. He certainly attracts the Japanese media. According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, Angels manager Mike Scioscia talks to 20 or more Japanese reporters about Shohei Ohtani as “part of his daily routine this spring.” What Crasnick observed really did start early and become a routine for Scioscia and the Angels. When Los Angeles’ pitchers and catchers reported to the Cactus League earlier this month, a Los Angeles Times writer counted “about 70 reporters and photographers — most from Japanese media outlets” when the skipper talked about Ohtani. Several players have made the leap from Nippon Professional Baseball to the United States, but Ohtani seems to be the biggest star to attract Japanese media to American ballparks since Hideki Matsui, and future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki before him. Ohtani, 23, signed with the Angels this winter after deciding he was ready to make the switch from Japan to Major League Baseball. He is considered both a great pitcher and a great hitter, earning comparisons to Babe Ruth.

February 26, 2018 Page 15 of 33

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jack Hamilton dead; pitcher who hit Tony Conigliaro on eye was 79

BRANSON, Mo. — Jack Hamilton, whose errant inside pitch damaged the eyesight of Boston’s Tony

Conigliaro in 1967 and caused a premature end to the career of the Red Sox star, has died. He was 79.

Hamilton died Thursday at the Shepherd of The Hills Living Center in Branson, the Greenlawn Funeral

Home said.

Signed by St. Louis ahead of the 1957 season, he was selected by Philadelphia in a minor league draft

after the 1960 season. Hamilton pitched in the major leagues from 1962-69 and was 32-40 with a 4.53

ERA in 65 starts and 153 relief appearances for the Phillies (1962-63), Detroit (1964-65), the New York

Mets (1966-67), the California Angels (1967-68), Cleveland (1969) and the Chicago White Sox (1969).

He went 9-12 as a rookie, leading the National League in walks with 107 and wild pitches with 22.

Hamilton was traded from the Mets to the Angels in June 1967 and had won eight of his first 10

decisions overall that year going into a start at Boston’s Fenway Park on Aug. 18, 1967. He threw a pitch

in the fourth inning that fractured Conigliaro’s left cheekbone, dislocated his jaw and left him with retina

damage and blurred vision. An All-Star who at 22 became the youngest American League player to reach

100 home runs, Conigliaro had helped put the Red Sox in position to win their first pennant since 1946.

“It was a high fastball,” Hamilton told The Associated Press in 1987. “He didn’t move at all. He didn’t

even flinch, jerk his head or anything. It was hard to sit there and take a pitch like that.”

Conigliaro, whose batting stance crowded the plate, missed the rest of the season and all of 1968.

Without him, the Red Sox lost the World Series to St. Louis in seven games.

As Conigliaro was leaving the dugout for the on-deck circle, a fan threw a smoke bomb near Angels left

fielder Rick Reichardt, causing a delay of about 10 minutes.

“Just before he made his first pitch, I wondered if the delay had caused his arm to stiffen,” Conigliaro

said in a first-person account published by Sports Illustrated in June 1970. “It was the last thought I had

before he hit me. The ball came sailing right toward my chin. Normally a hitter can jerk his head back a

fraction and the ball will buzz by. But this pitch seemed to follow me in.”

Not realizing the extent of the injury, Hamilton did not rush to assist Conigliaro.

When I found out how serious it was, I tried to visit him at the hospital but they were only letting the

family in,” Hamilton said told the AP. “I never had a chance to see him or say anything to him after that.”

Major League Baseball did not mandate ear flaps on the side of the helmet closest to the pitcher until it

was required for all new players starting in 1983.

February 26, 2018 Page 16 of 33

Conigliaro returned to the Red Sox for 1969 and 1970, and for the Angels in 1971. Vision problems

reoccurred, causing him to miss three big league seasons, and he retired at age 30 after appearing in 21

games for Boston in the first half of the 1975 seasons.

Hamilton is survived by wife Jan, daughter Karla, son Kyle, three sisters and four grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday at the Sanctuary of Hope in Branson, and another service

and burial will take place this spring in Iowa, where he was born on Dec. 25, 1938.

FROM USA TODAY SPORTS

It’s really happening: Two days after pitching, Shohei Ohtani will DH for the Angels

By Ted Berg

This shouldn’t really qualify as news, as the Angels have made it clear since they signed Shohei Ohtani in

December that they would allow him to continue working as both a pitcher and a hitter like he did

successfully in the NPB in Japan. But it’s nonetheless extremely cool:

@JeffFletcherOCR

Shohei Ohtani is batting 2nd and DHing for the #Angels today against the Padres in Peoria.

Just two days after Ohtani’s stateside spring-training debut on the mound, he will hit near the top of the

Angels’ lineup. Cactus League playing time, especially in February, doesn’t indicate a heck of a lot about

any team’s plans for the regular season, but in Ohtani’s case, the lineup assignment hints at an outline

for his potential usage. Given the toll pitching — especially starting — takes on the body, it would seem

unreasonable to expect him in the lineup the day after a start.

But that manager Mike Scioscia penciled Ohtani into Monday’s batting order suggests the club believes

he can perform at the plate in the Majors with the same short turnaround he typically saw in Japan.

NPB starters — Ohtani included — typically pitch once a week, a slightly lighter load than MLB’s five-

man rotations. In part due to Ohtani’s presence, the Angels intend to open the season with a six-man

rotation.

Of course, there’s a long way to go until Opening Day, and Ohtani, who signed as an international

amateur despite playing five seasons at Japan’s highest pro level, technically hasn’t even cracked the

Angels’ 40-man roster yet. There’s a lot of figuring out to be done between now and the season, and

Ohtani is taking on an unprecedented challenge. But the hope remains very much alive that he can and

will emerge as a true, capable two-way player, which would be impossibly dope.

February 26, 2018 Page 17 of 33

FROM FANRAGSPORTS.COM

AL West burning questions to ponder during spring

By Kate Morrison

As we draw closer to the beginning of the baseball season, with the first games of tpring training

reminding us that sun and green grass do exist somewhere in the country, it’s time to start looking

forward. Some of the free agents are signed, some of the players are in the best shape of their lives, and

there may or may not be rule changes for 2018 — no one seems to know.

What better time, then, than to address the burning questions each team in the American League West

might face in this 2018 season?

Houston Astros: Hangover or dynasty?

The biggest question for the reigning World Series champions has to be about the hangover. On paper,

this is as talented a team as last year, carrying the bats and the arms to return to the playoffs with ease.

This season, though, the Astros face a division that is much improved from 2017, with the Angels

specifically gunning for the crown. If they’re going to make it back to the top again, the Astros have to

start the season strongly, something the Chicago Cubs struggled with last year.

Los Angeles Angels: How will they handle Shohei Ohtani?

Here’s the thing: From the minute they signed him until seemingly two minutes after spring training

started, we were assured that Shohei Ohtani was going to be a true two-way player, pitching and DH-

ing. The question: Will that actually happen?

Manager Mike Scioscia says that Ohtani’s main impact will be as a pitcher. He suggested that Ohtani

may be limited in his offensive contributions. While we have no way of knowing what’s going on inside

the Angels’ clubhouse and front office, the language around Ohtani’s signing was that he was very

committed to being both a hitter and a pitcher. If that’s changing, it might be something to keep an eye

on, not even three months into his first three years before arbitration. The front office potentially

opened some playing time for Ohtani by trading C.J. Cron, but the question remains as to whether he’ll

actually get it.

Seattle Mariners: Can they break the playoff drought?

Last season, it seemed as though the Seattle Mariners might finally make it over the hump and back into

the playoffs. This year, they come into 2018 carrying the longest active postseason drought at 16

seasons. It doesn’t seem likely that they’ll be able to break that, though, unless they snatch the second

wild card ahead of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA gives them

the edge over the Angels, for what that’s worth, and if injury woes befall Los Angeles, a run at the first

February 26, 2018 Page 18 of 33

wild card and the second slot in the division isn’t impossible — even without a Kingly season from Felix

Hernandez.

Texas Rangers: How do the pieces fit together?

The Rangers have a lot of pieces: clubhouse leadership and something to fight for in Adrian Beltre; a

young slugger in Joey Gallo; and a rotation made up of question marks. Right now, no one would blame

you for anticipating a mediocre season — the bats last year were inconsistent and the starting pitching

this year is a six-man rotation. With Matt Bush starting? And Mike Minor?

If this were another year of parity in the West, Texas might have a chance to make it through even with

the uncertainty, but since Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle have all upped their games, the window for

Texas’s opportunities might be shut for a few years.

Oakland Athletics: Where do they go from here?

Somehow, the A’s have the opposite problem of the Texas Rangers — their rotation and pitching look

solid-to-good, but their bats are highly questionable. If you put the two teams together, you’d have a

team that could challenge at the top… but that’s not how baseball works, unfortunately. Oakland does

face the question of whether this is the year to sell everything and rebuild, or wait it out a few more

years.

The farm system has improved by leaps and bounds in recent seasons, so the latter option might not be

impossible, but there will certainly be a few seasons of uncertainty before the A’s can reemerge to fight

for the division crown.

Offensive impact from Angel Stadium RF wall renovation

By Jim Finch

Earlier this week the Los Angeles Angels sent out a news release announcing they were lowering the

right field wall in their ballpark. The current 18-foot section will be dropped down to eight feet. The

drastic change could have dramatic implications on scoring – something I’m sure the team had in mind.

The added advantage for home run hitters was not the primary reason for this, though. Officially the

wall is being lowered to accommodate their stadium’s new out-of-town scoreboard.

@JeffFletcherOCR

The #Angels are lowering the right field fence height from 18 feet to 8 feet this year. It’s because of a

new out of town scoreboard and “philosophical changes, a lot of thought went into it,” said spokesman

Tim Mead.

February 26, 2018 Page 19 of 33

While this is a legitimate reason, one can’t help but draw a correlation between the move and arrival of

the team’s new star, Shohei Ohtani. I take it that is what’s meant by “philosophical changes.”

The offensive implication was the first thing that came to mind upon hearing this. The lower wall should

help Ohtani with his power to right field, although he will still need to adjust to the added dimensions,

from the 328 feet at the Sapporo Dome to 365 feet. Still, every little bit helps.

In addition to Ohtani, several other players will benefit from the fall of the great wall. Obviously Mike

Trout will benefit – as though the man really needs any more help. Over the past three seasons Trout

has hit 89 doubles and 103 home runs. His batted ball profile favors left field, but as you can see by the

spray chart below there are some homers, and more importantly doubles, to right. Trout missed a

handful of home runs last year due to the wall height – a problem that will be rectified in 2018.

One of the biggest beneficiaries this year will be Kole Calhoun. He is coming off his worst offensive

season. The batting average dropped (.244), his hard hit rate declined, and he had a little less lift on the

ball. Still, he managed to hit 19 homers, which was one more than in 2016 with 25 fewer at-bats. He lost

12 doubles, though, in the process. The positive takeaway is that Calhoun is a man on a mission when

hitting to right field.

February 26, 2018 Page 20 of 33

A quick look at his spray chart should tell you all you need to know. Except for a few stray balls to left, all

his power was to right field. Just as important as all those red dots are the blue and black, doubles and

outs, right along that fence line. While Calhoun finished with 18 and 19 home runs respectively the past

two-years, he could have easily had 25 – maybe more. There is an added incentive for Calhoun to swing

for the fences this year. Hopefully for Angel fans he will take full advantage.

Justin Upton is the only other hitter I can see taking advantage of the new wall. While most of his power

is to left and center field, he does have a dozen home runs to right over the last three years with an

equal number of doubles and flyouts in the immediate vicinity. While his 31 and 35 home runs in 2016

and 2017 represent his two highest power totals, it’s possible he will beat that by a few this season.

Newly acquired Zack Cozart and Ian Kinsler are the anti-Calhoun guys. By this I mean take Calhoun’s

spray chart and reverse it – all their power is to left. Both players do show some doubles power to right

as well as a number of flyouts that could clear the wall. It is unlikely either will benefit much, but I would

not rule out the possibility. You can basically apply everything said above to Albert Pujols as well. It is

doubtful the 38-year-old will reap any rewards. That said, he is 82 RBIs short of 2,000 — maybe that will

give him a mental edge.

I’m sure fly ball pitchers Matt Shoemaker, Andrew Heaney and Tyler Skaggs will not be too happy, but

that’s a story for another day. The Angels retooled their offense this offseason, and now they’ve

adjusted their home park to make part of it more hitter-friendly. It is not enough to overtake Houston in

the AL West, but a wild card berth is now within closer reach… over the right-field wall in Anaheim.

February 26, 2018 Page 21 of 33

FROM BLEACHER REPORT

2018 MLB Playoff Chances for Every Team 1 Month from Opening Day*

*Shortened to only include AL West.

By Jacob Shafer

Spring training is just getting off the ground. We're more than a month away from games that count.

Still, it's not too early to talk postseason chances. We can enjoy the languid pace of late February while

peering ahead to October.

We're basing our chances (rated on a scale of zero to 100 percent) on rosters as currently constructed.

When the final top-tier free agents such as right-hander Jake Arrieta sign, the calculus could change.

For now, here's a look at how all 30 MLB teams measure up in the 2018 playoff scramble.

American League West

Houston Astros

The defending MLB champions are loaded offensively behind American League MVP Jose Altuve,

shortstop Carlos Correa and a cast of hyper-talented supporting players.

They boosted an already strong starting rotation when they acquired right-hander Gerrit Cole from the

Pittsburgh Pirates. Other than left-handed bullpen depth, they don't have many weaknesses.

Winning consecutive Commissioner's Trophies is hard. Since 1979, only two teams have done it. The

Astros have a fighting chance to be the third and are prohibitive favorites to win the AL West.

Playoff chances: 90 percent

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels scored arguably the biggest prize of the offseason when they won the

sweepstakes for two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani.

The Halos also added infielder Zack Cozart, who will slot in at third base next to shortstop Andrelton

Simmons, along with veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler.

They've still got Mike Trout, the best player on the planet until further notice. There are question marks

in the starting rotation, where the Angels are thin behind the untested Ohtani and injury-prone Garrett

Richards.

February 26, 2018 Page 22 of 33

The Angels are much-improved, however. They probably won't seriously challenge Houston, but a wild-

card berth is within reach.

Playoff chances: 50 percent

Seattle Mariners

It was a head-scratching winter for the Seattle Mariners. They seemed to need reinforcements for their

starting rotation, which was decimated by injury and inconsistency in 2017.

Instead, the Mariners' biggest splash was acquiring Dee Gordon from the Miami Marlins with plans to

convert the speedy second baseman to center field, a position he's never played in the majors. It could

work, but it could also be a disaster.

That said, the M's have a solid offensive core centered around Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle

Seager. If James Paxton can take the next step and become a rotation-fronting arm, and if Felix

Hernandez can regain a semblance of his former dominance, Seattle could snap its 16-year postseason

drought.

Playoff chances: 25 percent

Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers pitchers posted a 4.66 ERA in 2017, and the front office didn't do much to strengthen that

portion of their roster this winter. If an aging Cole Hamels continues to decline, the Rangers' staff could

be in real trouble.

The offense could be good enough to keep Texas afloat, with veterans Adrian Beltre and Shin-Soo Choo

hoping to stay productive, Joey Gallo looking to cash in on his massive power and Nomar Mazara (22)

and Willie Calhoun (23) providing young potential.

The Rangers are officially the Lone Star State's other team, and don't seem especially likely to improve

on last season's 78-win total.

Playoff chances: 20 percent

Oakland Athletics

If you're looking for a deep, deep sleeper pick, check out the Oakland A's.

Oakland finished fifth in the AL with a .755 OPS last season and will get full seasons from 2017 bust-outs

Matt Olson and Matt Chapman. They also made a nice addition by acquiring bounce-back candidate

Stephen Piscotty from the St. Louis Cardinals.

February 26, 2018 Page 23 of 33

Starting pitching could be the rub—Athletics starters posted a 4.74 ERA in 2017. They can hope for a

developmental leap from top pitching prospect A.J. Puk, but other than that they've done little to shore

up this weakness.

Playoff chances: 15 percent

Spring Training 2018: Power Ranking Every MLB Division from Best to Worst

By Joel Reuter

Not all MLB divisions are created equally.

The Arizona Diamondbacks won 93 games last season and had to settle for playing in the NL Wild Card

Game against a Colorado Rockies team that also calls the NL West home.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs claimed a division title with 92 wins, and both the Washington Nationals

and Houston Astros were the only teams with winning records in their respective divisions.

So which division is baseball's best?

That's what we set out to answer.

The projected win-loss totals from FanGraphs were included for each team, but those were simply

reference points, not the deciding factors.

The final goal was to order all six divisions from deepest to thinnest based on expectations for each

one's five teams for the upcoming season.

1. NL West

FanGraphs Projected Standings

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (94-68)

2. San Francisco Giants (83-79)

3. Arizona Diamondbacks (82-80)

4. Colorado Rockies (79-83)

5. San Diego Padres (73-89)

Outlook

February 26, 2018 Page 24 of 33

The NL West was the only division with three playoff teams last year, and that could be the case again in

2018.

The Los Angeles Dodgers led the majors with 104 wins and didn't have much heavy lifting to do this

winter after spending big to bring back Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen and Rich Hill a year ago.

Scott Alexander and Tom Koehler have been added to the relief corps to replace Brandon Morrow and

Tony Watson—the only significant moves of the offseason outside of a salary-dump trade that brought

Matt Kemp back to the team.

After Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger won back-to-back Rookie of the Year awards, top prospects

Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo are next in line to make an impact as homegrown rookies.

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost hired gun J.D. Martinez and closer Fernando Rodney but could be a

stronger team thanks to a rebuilt bullpen that includes setup ace Archie Bradley moving into the ninth-

inning gig.

A healthy season from A.J. Pollock in a contract year could make a huge difference, and the starting

rotation should again be one of the best in baseball after breakout seasons from Robbie Ray and Zack

Godley.

Eliminated in the NL Wild Card Game last year, the Colorado Rockies replaced Greg Holland and Pat

Neshek with Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw at the back of the bullpen while also re-signing lefty Jake

McGee.

They leaned heavily on a young rotation last year, and that can be a double-edged sword.

All of those young pitchers are capable of taking another step forward, but they also have a limited track

record that makes it tough to know exactly what to expect from them.

The San Francisco Giants are also looking to contend after a disastrous 98-loss season.

Adding Andrew McCutchen, Evan Longoria, Tony Watson and Austin Jackson no doubt gives them an

improved roster, but how improved?

They could add 10-15 wins and still miss the postseason.

And at the bottom of the standings, we have the San Diego Padres, who have a bright future with one of

the best farm systems in the league and some good young pieces starting to establish themselves on the

MLB roster.

Even with the Eric Hosmer signing, though, they are still a few years away.

2. AL West

February 26, 2018 Page 25 of 33

FanGraphs Projected Standings

1. Houston Astros (101-61)

2. Los Angeles Angels (84-78)

3. Seattle Mariners (82-80)

4. Texas Rangers (80-82)

5. Oakland Athletics (79-83)

Outlook

The Houston Astros won 101 games last season on their way to a World Series title, and they have to be

considered the favorites to win it all in 2018 too.

A full season of Justin Verlander and the offseason addition of Gerrit Cole gives them a starting rotation

that stacks up to any in baseball, while an offense that led the majors in runs scored (896), batting

average (.282) and OPS (.823) returns all of the major players from a year ago.

The bullpen was the one area that was not a clear strength in 2017, and Hector Rondon and Joe Smith's

additions, as well as having Brad Peacock and Collin McHugh start the season in relief roles, should help

there as well.

Who is their biggest competition for the division title?

The right answer might be no one, but the Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers all

have the potential to be wild-card contenders.

The Angels improved significantly with the additions of Ian Kinsler and Zack Cozart, as well as a new

extension for August waiver pickup Justin Upton.

Equally important will be healthy seasons from Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker and Tyler Skaggs in

the starting rotation. It's the bullpen that looks like the biggest question mark, as the team is lacking the

shutdown arms that have become such a key piece of the postseason puzzle.

The Mariners have a potent offense made even more dangerous by the speedy Dee Gordon's addition at

the top. Their starting rotation is suspect at best, though, and they are lacking in quality depth.

As for the Rangers, they will experiment with a six-man rotation and hope to get the most out of guys

like Doug Fister, Bartolo Colon, Mike Minor and Matt Bush.

All three of those teams could make a push for 90 wins, and all three could struggle to post a winning

record.

February 26, 2018 Page 26 of 33

The Oakland Athletics might not be ready to contend just yet, but they won't be pushovers.

They won 75 games last year and closed out the regular season with an impressive 17-7 stretch. They

have quietly made some nice additions this offseason and have one of the league's better farm systems

at their disposal as well.

Everyone is still chasing Houston, and it's hard to see anyone catching them.

3. AL East

FanGraphs Projected Standings

1. New York Yankees (94-68)

2. Boston Red Sox (93-69)

3. Toronto Blue Jays (86-76)

4. Tampa Bay Rays (78-84)

5. Baltimore Orioles (75-87)

Outlook

The rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox is back in full force.

Prior to 2017, the last time both teams reached the postseason in the same year was all the way back in

2009.

Now they look poised to battle it out for the AL East title for years to come, with established cores of

dynamic young talent on both sides.

After settling for second in the standings and a wild-card berth last year, the Yankees went big this

offseason through Giancarlo Stanton's addition.

The Red Sox countered with the signing of J.D. Martinez, which the team announced via Twitter on

Monday. Those two sluggers will take aim at two of the league's more homer-friendly home ballparks.

The starting rotations could be the determining factor in where those teams fall in the standings.

The Toronto Blue Jays look to have the best chance of making it a three-team race.

Healthy seasons from Aaron Sanchez and J.A. Happ could again make the rotation a major strength, and

they are better positioned to handle injuries to the lineup with the additions of Yangervis Solarte, Randal

Grichuk, Curtis Granderson and Aledmys Diaz.

February 26, 2018 Page 27 of 33

Jaime Garcia and Seung Hwan Oh are also nice, low-cost additions to the pitching staff.

Despite a major offseason sell-off that included trading Evan Longoria, Jake Odorizzi, Steven Souza and

Corey Dickerson, the Tampa Bay Rays still have enough talent to avoid the cellar.

They have long been a team that goes as far as their starting pitching can carry them, and even with

Odorizzi playing elsewhere, they still have the arms to be win some games.

The same can't be said about the Baltimore Orioles.

After posting an MLB-worst 5.70 starters' ERA a year ago, this team was not an Andrew Cashner away

from relevance.

It could be a busy trade deadline if they fall out of the hunt early, with Manny Machado, Zach Britton,

Adam Jones and Brad Brach all staring down free agency.

4. NL Central

FanGraphs Projected Standings

1. Chicago Cubs (94-68)

2. St. Louis Cardinals (87-75)

3. Milwaukee Brewers (79-83)

4. Pittsburgh Pirates (76-86)

5. Cincinnati Reds (72-90)

Outlook

Let's start by saying the 79-83 projection for the Milwaukee Brewers seems incredibly pessimistic.

Sure, they haven't added the impact starting pitcher many expected them to target, but they did add

Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain to a roster that won 86 games a year ago.

Getting Jimmy Nelson healthy following shoulder surgery and back to where he was at least year when

he quietly emerged as the staff ace will be key.

They will join the St. Louis Cardinals in trying to chase down the reigning champion Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals swung a blockbuster deal to add Marcell Ozuna to the middle of the lineup, giving them

their first archetypal power hitter since Albert Pujols departed in free agency in 2011.

February 26, 2018 Page 28 of 33

While a lockdown closer was not acquired, they did add Luke Gregerson, Dominic Leone and Bud Norris

to the relief corps, and Alex Reyes' return could also have an impact on the bullpen.

That being said, the Cubs are still the leaders in the clubhouse, with Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood

added to the starting rotation and Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek acquired to anchor the relief

corps.

The Cubs led the majors in runs scored after the All-Star break last year, and there's still plenty of room

for a number of players on the roster to take forward steps.

The Pittsburgh Pirates followed up three straight postseason appearances with back-to-back losing

seasons, and that led them to trade away Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole this offseason, signaling

the end of an era.

Can the Cincinnati Reds overtake them in the standings?

The offense is rock-solid—led by Joey Votto and with top prospect Nick Senzel knocking on the door, so

it will boil down to whether some of the team's young starting pitchers can step up and establish

themselves as long-term rotation pieces.

5. NL East

FanGraphs Projected Standings

1. Washington Nationals (90-72)

2. New York Mets (81-81)

3. Philadelphia Phillies (74-88)

4. Atlanta Braves (72-90)

5. Miami Marlins (65-97)

Outlook

The Washington Nationals were the only team in the NL East with a winning record last year, claiming

the division title by 20 games over the New York Mets.

With Adam Eaton back healthy and full seasons of Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler and Sean Doolittle at

the back of the bullpen, improving on last year's 97-win showing is not out of the question.

Throw in the sense of urgency surrounding this team given Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and Gio

Gonzalez are impending free agents, and they have to be counted among the NL favorites.

February 26, 2018 Page 29 of 33

For the Mets, the 2017 season was a perfect storm of injuries and disappointing performances.

They have the talent to be a wild-card contender, assuming they enjoy a bit better luck in the health

department this time around.

Jacob deGrom was the only pitcher to exceed 120 innings last season, so a healthy year from Noah

Syndergaard and the addition of Jason Vargas will go a long way.

The offense also added depth, with Todd Frazier, Jay Bruce and Adrian Gonzalez signed in free agency.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves have promising rebuilds in place, and both could improve on

their respective 66- and 72-win seasons.

Carlos Santana was the first big-money signing since the Phillies blew up their roster, while the Braves'

stable of young pitching talent is climbing closer to the MLB roster.

And then there's the Miami Marlins.

If nothing else, there's a good chance J.T. Realmuto will make his first All-Star appearance this season

after the roster was blown up around him.

6. AL Central

FanGraphs Projected Standings

1. Cleveland Indians (93-69)

2. Minnesota Twins (82-80)

3. Detroit Tigers (70-92)

4. Chicago White Sox (66-96)

5. Kansas City Royals (66-96)

Outlook

The Cleveland Indians won the AL Central title by 17 games last season over the wild-card Minnesota

Twins, and they will enter the season as heavy favorites once again.

A starting rotation that ranked second in the majors and first in the AL with a 3.52 ERA returns intact,

and a healthy season from Danny Salazar could make it even better in 2018.

The offense should again be among the best in baseball as well, even with Yonder Alonso replacing

Carlos Santana at first base. The young duo of Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez both finished in the top

five in MVP voting last year, and there's no reason to think they won't be in the conversation again.

February 26, 2018 Page 30 of 33

As for the Twins, adding Jake Odorizzi to the starting rotation and getting another step forward from

budding ace Jose Berrios should be enough to keep them in the playoff hunt.

The bullpen was rebuilt with the additions of Addison Reed, Fernando Rodney and Zach Duke, while

they also took advantage of the slow-moving market to add slugger Logan Morrison on a one-year, $6.5

million deal, per ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

The continued development of homegrown players like Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Polanco and

Max Kepler will be the key offensively, and the performance of the starting rotation could determine

whether they are playing in October again.

It's the rest of the division that earns the AL Central the bottom spot in these rankings.

The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals are in the early stages of what figure to be lengthy rebuilds.

Those two teams' rosters have been stripped down over the past six months, and the next few years will

be about cultivating young talent and being patient.

As for the Chicago White Sox, they are a little further along in their rebuild but still not ready to contend.

It should be an exciting year on the South Side, as prospects like Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech push

closer to joining what is an intriguing young core.

The AL Central could have two playoff teams, but it could also have three 90-loss clubs.

FROM MLB.COM

Angels among suitors in play for Holland

By Jeff Fletcher

Among the high-profile Major Leaguers still unsigned is reliever Greg Holland, who's coming off a

successful 2017 campaign as the Rockies' closer.

Angels could be in play for Holland

The Angels, who upgraded their pitching staff when they signed Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani in

December, aren't seriously considering any other free-agent starters. However, MLB.com's Jon Paul

Morosi reports the club would consider Holland "at the right price."

Los Angeles currently has Blake Parker, owner of 10 career Major League saves, projected as its closer.

Holland, coming off a year in which he locked down a National League-best 41 saves, would likely be a

significant improvement.

February 26, 2018 Page 31 of 33

Holland, 32, flourished after signing a one-year deal with the Rockies prior to 2017, striking out 70

batters in 57 1/3 innings for Colorado in his return from Tommy John surgery. He was selected to the All-

Star Game for the first time since making back-to-back appearances as a member of the Royals in '13-14.

Holland would be a welcomed addition to a bullpen that ranked 11th in the Majors last season with a

3.92 ERA. -- This report was first posted on Feb. 25.

Holland's landing spot may be guessing game, but Cubs seem a strong fit

With the Rockies well out of Holland's picture, having signed free agent Wade Davis, could Davis' former

team -- now seemingly in need of a closer -- be the most logical fit for Holland? MLB Network insider Jon

Heyman believes so.

In a post for FanRag Sports, Heyman admits that Holland's market remains a "guessing game" given the

multitude of clubs with needs at closer. The Cubs' plan, for now, is to have Brandon Morrow handle the

ninth inning for the revamped bullpen, which also includes new additions Steve Cishek, Dario Alvarez,

Cory Mazzoni and Randy Rosario. However, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reported in January that the Cubs

were likely done adding relievers, particularly with young pitchers in the system that could contribute

such as Dillon Maples and Rob Zastryzny. Chicago also signed the market's top starter, Yu Darvish, to a

$126 million deal last weekend, thus potentially limiting their financial flexibility.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein shouldn't be counted out, though, when it comes to

creative ways to land pieces he believes are essential. Davis delivered 32 saves last year, and Holland led

the National League with 41. Morrow enjoyed a nice bounce-back year with the Dodgers, and pitched in

all but one of their 15 postseason games. But he did so as a setup man to Kenley Jansen -- not as the

closer.

For a Cubs club that has reached the NL Championship Series three straight years and showing no signs

or plans of regression, fortifying the ninth inning may be a chief objective, as Heyman notes.

Other clubs Heyman predicts as possibilities include the Cardinals (to whom Holland has been strongly

linked), Phillies (widely viewed as a potential dark horse in the NL), Angels (who have re-tooled their

roster but still have a void at closer) and Astros (who retained Ken Giles, their 34-save closer from '17). --

This report was first posted on Feb. 15.

Cardinals a fit for Holland?

The premier free agent reliever on the market is still looking for a new home, and the Cardinals are still

in the market for bullpen help.

It's possible Holland's resurgence in 2017 could help him land the closer role in St. Louis were the two

sides to link up, MLB.com's Richard Justice speculates.

February 26, 2018 Page 32 of 33

The Cardinals brought in right-hander Luke Gregerson this offseason on a two-year deal, and while he

has closed games for the Astros in 2015 and 2016, Holland racked up 41 saves for Colorado last year.

St. Louis is trying to replace former flamethrower Trevor Rosenthal, and Holland's 11 strikeouts per nine

innings and 3.61 ERA last season bested Gregerson's numbers (10.3 K/9, 4.57 ERA).

Holland reportedly turned down a three-year offer to return to the Rockies before they signed Wade

Davis. The 32-year-old is two years removed from Tommy John surgery, so he comes with some risk, but

he -- paired with Gregerson and young fireballer Alex Reyes, who is recovering from Tommy John

himself -- could form a formidable trio in the back end of the Cardinals' bullpen. -- This report was first

posted on Feb. 14.

Return to Rockies not in cards for Holland

A return to Colorado seemed to be a logical fit for Holland this offseason, but earlier this month, Bob

Nightengale of USA Today reported that Holland rejected the Rockies' offer of three years and $52

million. That's the same offer that Wade Davis eventually accepted to become Colorado's new closer,

which gives him the highest average annual value of any reliever.

The free-agent landscape continues to move at a glacial pace, particularly at the top with marquee

players like Holland. The Rockies represented the most obvious fit, given Holland's close relationship

with pitching coach Steve Foster and the level of comfort he felt with the club in his return from Tommy

John surgery. With Colorado seemingly out of the picture, there is no clear alternate front-runner for the

former All-Star -- particularly one who would offer the historic deal Holland is looking for. The Cardinals

could be a fit as they look to fill out the back end of their bullpen, while the rival Cubs could look to

replace Davis with his former Royals teammate.

Employing his effective fastball-slider combination, the 31-year-old Holland paced the National League

with 41 saves in 2017 while posting a 3.61 ERA over 57 1/3 innings. The righty was an integral part of

Kansas City's back-to-back American League pennant winners in 2014-15, teaming with Davis and Kelvin

Herrera to form one of the most dominant bullpens in recent memory. -- This report was first posted on

Feb. 7.

FROM BASEBALL ESSENTIAL

Los Angeles Angels: Thoughts on Shohei Ohtani’s Spring Training Debut

By Chris Northrop

Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani took the mound on Saturday and fans all across

baseball took notice. The spotlight was already on as he turned in what critics viewed as a so-so spring

training outing.

February 26, 2018 Page 33 of 33

He labored with his control and threw 31 pitches, only 17 of them for strikes, and completed only 1.1

innings. He gave up two runs, including a solo shot off the bat of Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Keon

Broxton.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com wrote: “Shohei Ohtani’s spring training pitching debut is one that he’ll file

under ‘learning curve.’” Crasnick also noted that Ohtani appeared “over-amped” on the mound.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia commented that they learned some things from Ohtani’s outing as he

threw all his pitches, for the most part effectively, though at times he lost his release point. Let’s keep it

in perspective – it’s 1.1 innings of what I hope will be a storied career in Major League Baseball for the

uber-talented 23-year-old sensation from Japan.

In 2017, Ohtani played in only 65 games due to a lingering ankle injury and went 3-2 with a 3.20 earned

run average. He may need to knock the rust off this spring to regain the spectacular form he showed in

2016, when he went 10-4 with a 1.86 ERA in 140 innings pitched.

Pitching debut in the rear-view mirror, Ohtani will be making his hitting debut within the coming days.

Again, in a limited 65 games, Ohtani hit .332 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs and in 2016, he hit

.322/.416/.588 with 22 home runs in 382 innings. Fans are eager to see his bat in the lineup and are

hoping he brings some power with it. Ohtani took home Most Valuable Player honors in Nippon

Professional Baseball’s Pacific League for his two-way prowess.

MLB fans are used to pitchers with power, but not Ohtani kind of power. Even one of MLB’s best hitting

pitchers, Noah Syndergaard, hit only .190/.277/.397 with three home runs in 29 games in 2016.

Ohtani is under the microscope this spring as he makes the transition to MLB and despite the fact that

I’m not an Angels fan, I am a big fan of baseball, and will be rooting for Ohtani to succeed with the bat

and on the mound. It will be exciting to watch the progress of the sport’s only true pitcher-hitter hybrid.