Braves Lock Simmons

The Atlanta Braves, a team who have spent a lot of money locking key players to extensions just signed Andrelton Simmons to a 7 Year Deal. This deal was just announced, but it already seems like a bust for the Braves. Signing a 247 hitter to a 7 year deal is too risky for me, but only time will tell.

Spring Training Schedule

Some Baseball fans are having some trouble understanding the schedule of Speing Training, so I'm going to to a little simplification. Pitchers and Catchers reported last week for MLB Teams, this is because generally pitchers need more work then position players. Position Players are generally reporting now ( Yesterday till Tommorow). However some teams have position players report earlier or later. All workouts are generally light in this time of Spring Training, but by Saturday the workouts will turn into. Scrimages, which will turn into games. The first official Spring Training game will be this upcoming Tuesday, between a Major League and a college team. The first "real" game is this Wednesday. Teams are divided into two leagues, the Cactus (Arizona) and the Grapefruit

 ( Cactus).   Generally teams that play in the West divisions are in the Cactus, while teams that play in eastern divison  are in the Grapefruit league. Teams that play in the central are usally split. Spring Training games generally run through March 26th, when teams go to the stadium that they play in for Opening Day. Some play exhibition games in Major League parks the preceding nights. The only exception to the rule is the Sydney Opening series, actual MLB Regular season games, to be played in Sydney, Australlia. The first MLB games to be played there. The series of two games will feature the D-Backs and the Dodgers. Pepper's preseason lineup is better than anywhere else! Mondays we're giving you Inside acess to the Spring Training with Pepper Preseason Podcasts! Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we're Unveiling the Best of the Best with our Prime lists! Saturdays it's an edition of our Pepper Show! Then on Wendsday it's the Pepper Archives! 

Pepper Archives: 1971 All Star Game!

Enjoy!

Big Pay Day for Bailey

Homer Bailey, arguably the Cincinnati Reds' best pitcher, has avoided arbitration by signing a contract extension for 6 years and $105 million. There is also an option for a 7th year worth 25 million. In 2013,  Bailey had the best season of his career, throwing his second career no-hitter, while posting career bests in innings pitched with 209, strikeouts with 199, and ERA with a 3.49. For many more years to come, the 27 year-old Bailey will be part of a young and strong rotation in Cincinnati that already includes Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos.

Profile: RA Dickey

R.A Dickey, 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner, (and probably my favorite ball player of all time) was recently announced as Toronto's Opening Day Starting Pitcher, when Dickey was on the Mets, he was simply my favorite pitcher, and that wasn't because of his profound 2012 season. It was because of his very wholesome nature, that I read about in his book "Wherever I Wind Up", it is simply my favorite book of all time, and Baseball wasn't the only reason. I find myself not understanding religious concepts as much as I could, the only time I go to church, was when my Grandmother took me to as a kid. I'm positive those exact words were spoken in Mr.Dickey's book.   Now I am 14 years old, and I feel more inspired to do things I haven't thought about before. Dickey being traded was a sad moment for me, yet it all worked out well in the end for the Mets. R.A Dickey's knuckleball is also pretty amazing. I'm still trying to figure out the dynamics of the pitch, yet it seems pretty hard to master. I believe R.A has inspired other people as well to cherish their careers as well.

Side Note: Our Pepper Show studio, will be renamed after long time Broadcasting Legend Ralph Kiner. Kiner inspired me to enjoy broadcasting. So our studio is now named the " Ralph Kiner Studios"

Tenth Pepper Show

Prime Relief Pitchers

Well this should be a very interesting list, who to put? Mariano Rivera was one of 3 pitchers in contention for #5. This was probably the most down to the wire list yet, so here we go!

#pepperbullpen

5. Koji Uehara - Boston Red Sox

Koji was a tough pick for #5, as I know you guys wanted to see Mo here, the main reason why Rivera couldn't get on the list is because of his higher than average ERA for a starter. Uehara has a better 1.09 Era, and pitched amazing in the postseason.

4. Aroldis Chapman - Cincinnati Reds

Chapman is more than a flamethrower now, while his ERA is slightly over what is needed to make the list, he brings a strong presence to the mound.  His consistent 100+ Mph fastball is pretty darn nice. I believe Chapman would improve if he kept the ball in the ballpark a little more. While Chapman is not an established closer, he has the complete setup to be an accomplished one. 





3. Greg Holland -Kansas City Royals

Holland's 1.21 ERA is just icing on the top of Greg Holland's cake. Holland was 2nd in the league in Saves with 47, Holland is kind of the underrated closer in Baseball, however I believe Holland is one of the most dominant, as this list shows!





2. Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Dodgers

Jansen is a whole pitcher, now what does whole mean? A closer with an ERA under 2.00, giving up less than 10 homeruns, and records more than 100 strikeouts, Jansen has all of those credentials, I enjoy watching closers pitch, they do it with such elegance, Jansen is no execption.







**1.** Craig Kimbrel - Atlanta Braves

Kimbrel deserved to be MLB's prime Relief Pitcher, Kimbrel has led the NL in Saves for Three years in a row now, and I bet that extension he received last month put i smile on his face! Kimbrel only gave up 4 homeruns this year (The Mets never seem to have a problem with Kimbrel though!). Kimbrel gives an "Im ten times better than you" look to all the opposing batters, and it seems to work!





Well, that wraps up the Relivers! Next up is First Baseman on Thursday, and dont forget to check in later to watch a new "Pepper Show" tonight!

#PPP 2/17/14

This weeks Podcast

Jimenez lands in Baltimore

The Baltimore Orioles have finally addressed their awful pitching staff by signed free agent starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. The deal is for 4 years and is estimated to be worth around $48 million. After after struggling in his first few seasons with Cleveland, Jimenez is coming of a very good 2013 in which he went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA. This signing is huge for Baltimore, but they might not be done yet, as they are one of the main teams linked to another solid free agent starter, Ervin Santana.

2/17 Spring Training+

- The Baltimore Orioles, a team that was looking for a starter, signed Ubaldo Jimenez today, while the numbers are not official, MASN Sports reports that the numbers are in the 40 million dollar range for 4 years. This deal is pending a physical, and we know what happened with Grant Balfour. 

- Homer Bailey is close to an extension with the Reds. Bailey was 11-12 with a 3.16 ERA last year. 

- Matt Harvey's rehab is way ahead of schedule, as he hopes to pitch before the end of the month.