Uncustomed Heroes of 2015: Yankees

YES! WE GOT THROUGH UNCUSTOMED HEROES BEFORE THE NEW YEAR! I'M OFFICIALLY BETTER THAN 2014-ERA-ME!!!

Anyway, now I get to talk about the 2015 Yankees, which is kind of bittersweet. True, they had a lot of great momentum toward the midseason, but it all fell out once the Blue Jays got red hot. There's a lot of good in this roster, and there's also a lot of crap in there.

Still, at least there's Didi Gregorius, who, while he's no Derek Jeter, is still a great shortstop, and did a great job in the last half of the season, somehow hitting pretty well towards the end there, too.

Andrew Miller was our closer this year, and he certainly did not disappoint, getting a ton of saves, and reigniting his career fully after a semi-comeback last year with Boston and Baltimore. He's also saying he wants to stay in the Bronx next year, which is a pretty nice concept.

Chris Young was back as the auxiliary outfielder this year, and while it took him a while, he got to doing some really nice stuff at the plate in the May-June area, which was really nice. Young got a lot of time filling in for Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran in their respective DL stints.

Dellin Betances was, once again, the set-up man in NY, and he continued is AS-nod-grabbing, flame-throwing work. They tried him in the 9 spot, and it didn't work too well, so I'm glad they're keeping him in relief work. He's a good arm, and he's doing well for us. Plus, with Aroldis Chapman in the nine spot, and Andrew Miller probably in the seventh, he's gonna be around some huge-time relief machines for a little while.

So, that was my Uncustomed Heroes for this year. Now I actually have to get to writing actual posts with actual substance to them, I guess...

Uncustomed Heroes of 2015: Royals

How about those World Series Champion Royals??

I have nothing but respect for these guys, because they came out on top quickly, and made a series of little moves that strengthened the team and made them even more of a sure shot for the Series. I love that they did so much this year, and I hope they can do even more damage in 2016.

Chris Young, after a comeback season in Seattle, continued his dominant work as the 3-4 man in the rotation in Kansas City, and pitched into the postseason, commanding the mound.

Jarrod Dyson retained his position as the fourth outfielder to a very strong three, and did even more starting games later in the season. He's a really good speedy extra part, and with some reshuffling, he might be starting more games next year.

Greg Holland was phased out of the ninth inning spot towards the end of the season, but until then he was pretty nice, at his usual save-wielding self. Hopefully he'll figure out how to rebound in 2016.

Coming Tomorrow- The Tigers dropped like a brick in 2016, but not everything was a failure.

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Mariners

This guy had one hell of a season. Funny thing is so did the rest of the Mariners.

I was seriously thinking that Felix would win his second Cy Young this year. Apologies to Corey Kluber, but this year he actually deserved it. Still, he should be very proud of himself for how he pitched this year.

Meanwhile, Kyle Seager had an All Star season, and solidified his reputation as one of the better young stars of the Seattle lineup.

Hisashi Iwakuma has established himself as King Felix' right hand man, and the #2 guy in the rotation. Even if he doesn't have the strongest year, he's still a strong force and a versatile pitcher.

Mike Zunino isn't the most hard-hitting catcher, but he's a great defensive backstop, and he's a decent start to a rebuilding lineup.

This guy had a well-deserved Comeback Player of the Year season, and pitched a marvel for the Mariners.

This guy is the biggest sign of improvement in the Seattle lineup. Cano is a huge force, defensive and offensive, and if he stays healthy, he'll help the Mariners get back to the playoffs.

Coming Tomorrow- I actually have a lot of Marlins customs to share tomorrow.

Custom Card of the Day: Young Edition

The A's couldn't wait for the season to end to make the first move of the offseason, and they chose well, nabbing the second-in-command of the strong D-Backs.

I think Chris Young is the outfielder that Oakland needs right now. Yeah, they made the postseason last year, but the same team can't make lightning strike twice. Maybe they need a team that can get past the Tigers, or defeat the Yankees. Young's outfield work might help them do that. Also, he's fast, adding more speed.

Still, I'm not entirely sure if the A's are going to be great again this year. The Angels and Rangers are going to try very hard to be great (whether they fail or not is beyond me), and the Mariners and Astros are going to try desperately hard to stay out of last (see the last part of the sentence). The A's...whatever happens to them needs to be decided by them getting ahead, not everybody else falling behind. If they lead the division by their own efforts, it might be a very fun postseason for them.

Coming Tomorrow- 1/3 of the Angels' outfield. Yes, I am going to be that vague.

Jeez, Arizona...

 

At least wait until the season's over to make trades!

If you haven't heard already, the D-Backs made some pretty big moves today. One of their biggest stars (Chris Young) was traded to Oakland, while a rebuilding closer (Heath Bell) was traded for. 

Again, these moves are questionable, as Chris Young was too big a star, and Heath Bell was a bit of a gamble...but this easily could have waited until after the Cardinals lost the World Series. Seriously.

I kid, of course, but usually I don't see trades until November. This is crazy.

Meanwhile, the postseason rages on...

It was almost like something out of a fantasy movie when this guy pitched a stellar game, keeping the Yankees alive and tying the series. AJ should be proud.

With assistance from Ben Francisco, gains a lead over St. Louis, and puts them in elimination danger.

Decks three home runs, and blasts Tampa Bay out of the Postseason.

Even down two games, shatters the Brewers' defense to stay alive.

Tonight: Things get interesting.