The NFL season is almost over, and the 2011 MLB season is getting closer and closer.
2011 MLB Predictions are all the rage, and the new year will see some of the game’s top players reach some important milestones.
There won’t be any Barry Bondses breaking the home run record, and no one is taking out Cal Ripken’s consecutive games streak anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any milestones reached.
Here are 10 players who will do just that.
Ah, the art of pitching.
Most coaches teach their little-leaguers the most standard of pitching wind-ups, hoping that mimicking the mechanics of the majority will grant them success.
But while the top pitchers of today—the Cliff Lees, C.C. Sabathias and Felix Hernandezes—might all have pretty standard deliveries, for every few of them there’s always a Tim Lincecum—a guy who achieves success with a wind-up unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
And in the 100-plus year history of MLB, guys like Lincecum are nothing new.
Here’s a list of the 15 most unusual wind-ups in MLB history.
With the Philadelphia Phillies’ heist of former Cy Young-winner Cliff Lee from the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers stealing the spotlight in MLB, the countdown to Spring Training 2011 is being lost in the fray.
Big-name acquisitions in free agency, like Adrian Gonzalez heading to the Boston Red Sox, will always garner the most attention, but we can’t forget about those less-heralded players that will ultimately make the difference in who wins the World Series.
That being said, here’s a list of 10 non-roster invitees to Spring Training who could earn a spot in the majors.
And no, Kenny Powers doesn’t count.
After Carl Crawford’s surprise signing by the Boston Red Sox, MLB’s free agent pool is slowly starting to dwindle down.
Cliff Lee is still out there for the New York Yankees’ or Texas Rangers’ taking, but there aren’t a whole lot of other marquee names left.
As for free agent relievers, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim—not to be confused with all of the other Los Angeles residing in MLB—scooped up Scott Downs, the Philadelphia Phillies re-signed Jose Contreras, Joaquin Benoit went to the Detriot Tigers, and the Bronx Bombers kept Mariano Rivera.
Still there’s a solid group of relievers left for any teams trying to shore up their bullpens this offseason.
Here’s a list of the top 15 specialty relievers still available.
The hot stove is heating up at baseball’s winter meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, as Carlos Pena was reportedly signed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
In other news, the Cliff Lee market is picking up some steam (the Yankees aren’t alone in the bidding), Carl Crawford talks are running rampant and Prince Fielder trade talks are dying down.
There’s no shortage of talent being shopped around at the meetings, and here’s a list of the moves being talked about and what to make of them.
Seattle Mariners manager Jack Zduriencik announced today that they are shutting down star pitcher Felix Hernandez for the rest of the season.
He’s only missing one start, but come on, Mariners—you can’t be serious.
I understand being cautious with your franchise cornerstone, but Hernandez is in the midst of a tight Cy Young race, and one more win could certainly push him into the lead.
In a season filled with such disappointment for the Mariners, you would think they would let Hernandez make one more statement to Cy Young voters, giving him a chance to finally give Mariners fans something to smile about.
Unfortunately, writers will have a lot of difficulty voting for a pitcher with a 13-12 record, regardless of the fact that he has pitched 30 quality starts out of a possible 34.
Hernandez also leads AL starters in innings pitched (249.2), strikeouts (232), ERA (2.27), and WHIP (1.06).
In past years, King Felix wouldn’t have a chance of capturing the award, but in today’s modern game, dominated by sabermetrics and analytical stats, all of which favor Hernandez, maybe he can pull it off.
I certainly think he deserves it.
One more start would certainly help his case, though.
What do you think, did the Mariners make the right decision, and will he win the Cy Young anyway?
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com