Already too excited for next years draft and season to wait until this season is done to throw out my initial Protection List. Most of the choices are easy, as I solved some of the keeper issues with mid season trades.
It starts with the MVP Aaron Judge!
Add in MVP runner-up Bobby Witt Jr!
The rest of the Fielders: Shea Langeliers Oakland Catcher, Yandy Díaz Tampa Rays First Baseman, Jorge Polanco Seattle Second Baseman, Jordan Westburg Baltimore Third Baseman, Randy Arozarena Seattle Left Fielder, Max Kepler Minnesota Right Fielder, JJ Bleday Oakland Center Fielder, and Ryan Jeffers Minnesota Catcher.
Even though we think our pitchers are very good, we look forward to hopefully an even better performance next year. That said we are proud to protect the following Pitchers: First Pick Overall last year Grayson Rodriguez Baltimore Starter, Second Round Pick last year Bryan Woo Seattle Starter, First Overall Waiver Pick Tanner Houck Boston Starter, Second Round Waiver Pick Tyler Anderson Los Angeles Starter, Shane Baz Tampa Bay Starter, Clay Holmes New York Reliever, Yimi Garcia Seattle Reliever. And as I said, looking forward to even better next year, Yu Darvish, Jacob deGrom Starter Texas.
In doing the cut list we have to start with the worst loss we have ever had. We wish a very sad good bye to Chris Sale. Team leader in most every pitching category, and key to our World Series win. We are so glad he showed what he still had this year, in winning the Cy Young for Atlanta. Also good bye to Luis Garcia who could still be a great pitcher, but we simply can not wait for the injury to heal. Cuts: Sale NC, Garcia NC, Means NC, May NC, Barria NC, Brash NC, Severino NC, A Diaz NC, Ibanez Detroit INF, McKinistry Detroit INF, McArthur Kansas City RP, and Patrick Sandoval Los Angeles SP.
