Bleacher Report - Articles by Connor Wildey

Seattle Seahawks' Potential Picks in the '09 NFL Draft

Connor Wildey — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:39:35 -0500

'09 Head Coach Jim Mora will be looking at the key areas of weakness on the Hawks when making a decision with the front office on what player to pick. Obviously there are issues all around with the Hawks as they have a weak offensive line, an old quarterback in Hasselbeck who has had many injury issues, injured wide receivers, and then there is the defense. I see many holes that must be filled in the defense and they include: a solid defensive tackle to plug up the middle, another coverage corner to add to two corners who had good seasons: Marcus Trufant and Josh Wilson, and a new safety to take over at starter for the mediocre at best: Brian Russell. I will list my top 5 players I would take with the top pick in '09.

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MLB Predictions: Races to the Pennant & Who Will Win It All

Connor Wildey — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:30:26 -0400

As October draws closer, the playoff runs keep heating up.

The Rays continue to stay out front of the Red Sox in the AL East, the Twins and White Sox battle it out for first place in the AL Central, and the Angels are way out front in the AL West.

In the National League, the Mets and Phillies continue to fight for the AL East lead, the Cubs continue to stay out front of Milwaukee in the AL Central, and its a tight one out West, as the D-Backs fight it out with the Dodgers for first place in the AL West.

However, with about a month left of baseball, almost anything can happen and teams sitting back in the race still have some hope.

TEAMS THAT COULD MAKE A RUN

YANKEES

They always have the ability to get hot down the stretch, and for this season, that possibility is still there. However, with the injuries to Joba Chamberlain, Chien-Ming Wang, and Jorge Posada, and with the weakness of their pitching, it's unlikely the Yankees will be able to catch up to the Red Sox or Rays or win the wild card.

One piece of the puzzle that was missing all season is back in Hideki Matsui, who will fill a hole in the lineup as the DH for the remainder of the season. In the end, Matsui won't be enough though, as they have too much ground to make up and too tough of a remaining schedule to make the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Finish 84-78, 3rd in AL East, Miss Playoffs

MARLINS

It's a bold statement saying that the Fins could find a way to win the wild card or the NL East, but anything is possible. As of Sept. 1, the Marlins are seven games back in their division and 10 games out of the wild card.

The easier option would be to win the division, which is asking a lot, as the Mets and Phillies have more depth in their rotation and lineups. The remaining schedule for the Marlins is not overwhelming, however, and it could allow a miracle to be pulled off.

They have six games against Washington, a three-game series in St. Louis, and three games at home against Houston. Plus, they play six games against Philadelphia and three against the Mets, which would allow for ground to be made up.

Several players would have to get hot in order for this to happen for Florida. Those would include the three big hitters Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, and Mike Jacobs. Plus, the pitching would really have to be good, especially from inconsistent starters such as Anibal Sanchez (2-3, 4.46) and Scott Olsen (6-9, 4.35).

Ultimately, I don't see the Marlins getting hot enough to overcome the Phillies or Mets, but I think they will finish above .500.

PREDICTION: Finish 82-80, 3rd in NL East, Miss Playoffs

Other teams that could make a run are:

-Milwaukee (NL Central)

-Colorado (NL West)

WILD CARD

It's going to be interesting seeing how the wild card works out in both leagues because it will be close. In the AL Central, the White Sox and Twins will fight for first in their division until the end, and whomever doesn't win will hope they can pull off the wild card.

However, I doubt that will happen, because the Red Sox or Rays have really good records and don't seem like they will be slowing up anytime soon.

In the NL, the Brewers are leading the pack for the wild card, as they sit behind the Cubs in the NL Central. No teams from the NL West have a shot at the wild card, but the Mets and Phillies in the East have a good chance at it if one of them can't beat out the other.

FINAL STANDINGS - PREDICTIONS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

AL EAST-

1) Tampa Bay Rays: 98-64
2) Boston Red Sox: 95-67

AL CENTRAL-

1) Minnesota Twins: 91-71
2) Chicago White Sox: 88-74

AL WEST-

1) LA Angels: 101-61
2) Texas Rangers: 77-85

WILD CARD-

1) Boston Red Sox: 95-67
2) Chicago White Sox: 88-74

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL EAST-

1) New York Mets 93-69
2) Philadelphia Phillies 88-74

NL CENTRAL-

1) Chicago Cubs 98-64
2) Milwaukee Brewers 95-67

NL WEST-

1) LA Dodgers: 84-78
2) Arizona Diamondbacks: 82-80

WILD CARD-

1) Milwaukee Brewers: 95-67
2) Philadelphia Phillies 88-74

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Tampa Bay Rays vs. LA Angels

Winner in Six: LA Angels

Reasoning: The Angels have a better pitching staff, a better defense, and have more power and more hitters for average than the Rays.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Winner in Seven: Chicago Cubs

Reasoning: The Cubs have a little bit better pitching then their rivals, but it will be a very close series because talent-wise, they both are very similar. Both have a good three and four hitter, a solid defense, and a good bullpen.

In the end the Cubs will prevail because, top to bottom, they have better hitters, which will lead them to victory.

WORLD SERIES

L.A. Angels vs. Chicago Cubs

Winner in Six: Chicago Cubs

Reasoning: The Angels have the Cubs beat defensively and with their pitching, but offensively, they don't come close. The Cubs' offense will be the ultimate reason they win, and their pitching will be good enough to keep the Angels offense from matching them.

What do you think? I'm curious as to your input/ This is an open discussion. I'm open to all criticism! Let me have it!

Seattle Mariners: Bill Bavasi Is Cut from GM Position

Connor Wildey — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:40:04 -0400

"Bill Bavasi."

When Mariners fans used to hear that name, they would tense with anger.

Ever since Bavasi was put into the GM position in 2003, he has turned a once-proud franchise into the laugh of the AL West. Since his hiring, the Mariners have been a joke in Seattle, and to everyone who has bothered to pay attention to them.

All you have to do is look at the league's sixth-highest payroll, and you will shake your head in disbelief. At that position sits the Mariners, also known as the worst team in the league (as of June 17, 2008).

At 25-46, the Mariners have totally sucked away all the hope for a great season from the beginning. But, when you have little to no talent, and an extremely overpaid ball club, what can you really expect? The few bright spots this season have been Jose Lopez, Yuniesky Betancourt, Brandon Morrow, Felix Hernandez—and as far as I'm concerned, that's it.

The worst offenders this season for the M's have all been players that are overpaid by Bavasi. Here are my top five stinkers:

Richie Sexson-$15,500,000 (batting .218 with 9 HR, 23 RBI, and 21 runs)
Miguel Batista-$9,500,000 (3-8, 6.09 ERA, 82 hits, 45 walks, 43 strikeouts)
Jarrod Washburn- $9,850,000 (2-7, 5.83 ERA, 90 hits, 23 walks, 42 strikeouts)
Carlos Silva-$8,250,000 (3-8, 5.75 ERA, 113 hits, 16 walks, 35 strikeouts)
Jose Vidro-$8,500,000 (batting .211 with 5 HR, 34 RBI, and 19 runs

Taking a look at that list, you will realize that the M's starting pitching is not living up to its predicted greatness. At the beginning of the season, the Mariners pitching was getting ranked among the tops in baseball—but as this season has shown so far, the prediction wasn't close to correct.

Hopefully, after the firing of Bavasi, the Mariners will be able to finish off the season with the intention of rebuilding for the future. I'm guessing that the front office will make better decisions this off-season, and the M's will be able to pick up some good free agents for less money, release some of the overpaid bums, and get the first pick in the '09 draft.

Take a sigh of relief M's fans, the future is brighter for these M's without an idiot GM. With guys like Clement, Reed, Balentien, Triunfel, and other players with bright futures looking on from the bench and the minors. Next year, they will be ready to fill in for some of the overpaid players.

Plus, I don't think the M's will be signing players like Weaver, Vidro, or Sexson anymore. The Bavasi era is over!

NBA Finals Lakers vs. Celtics: Who is Your Pick?

Connor Wildey — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:17:40 -0400

After a long and grueling NBA season and playoffs, the payoff that is the NBA Finals is finally here. And what a match up: Lakers vs. Celtics, just like the good ol' days of Magic and Bird.

Kobe and his team of unproven running mates look to capture the trophy and prove that they are not just a one man team.

On the other side, veteran Paul Pierce wants to feel what it's like to win a championship along with the other two of the big three—KG and Ray Allen.

After dominating the Spurs, the Lakers feel pretty good about themselves coming into this championship; as they should. The Celtics played some good ball, but after two seven game series and one six game series they still have to prove if they can beat a team of the Lakers quality.

If the Celtics want a shot to win they have to do three things effectively: play physical defense, get rebounds on both sides of the ball, and get the ball to Pierce and KG.

Allen is no slacker on the offensive end, but with Kobe guarding him, look for him to average only about 12 points per game.

On the Lakers end they only really have to do a few things to beat the Celtics: get Kobe the ball, shut down Garnett and Pierce, and not turn the ball over.

The Lakers have been very impressive and look for that confidence to continue to guide them.

My prediction is that the Lakers will win this series in six games because I don't think there is an answer to Kobe Bryant. He is just too good right now and he will make the shots down the stretch that the Celtics won't be able to answer.

Let me know your prediction, I'm curious what everyone thinks and if anyone dares to take the Celtics.