Two games into the World Series, we are nearing the off season. So far we have seen two bursting offensive performances and two teams trying to put their bullpens together. Surrounding the diamond however, are fans who are perhaps seeing their favorite players playing for the last time. Eight players on the world series rosters are set to be free agents next year.
The gist in football is if you win the Super Bowl, the next year you go downhill. All of your players leave for more money and you are stuck with a low draft pick. We haven't really seen that in baseball as the Cardinals, Giants and Tigers have made the CS each at least three times in the past five years, which is incredible.
We're going to take a look at which team will be missing more if all of their players leave, which team will be taking more of a hit. Let's see:
8. Jason Frasor
Fraser has been a stud this postseason, giving up no runs in four innings pitched and acquiring two wins. At 37, however, he will be lucky to sign for a million dollars. He should see some action in the postseason if Herrera, Davis or Holland falter, or if the Royals need to go into the pen in the 6th. The Royals have plenty of options behind him in the pecking order. Although he posted a .8 WAR and was phenomenal down the stretch for KC, he not really a necessity to this ball club.
Verdict: -.2 wins
7. Josh Willingham
Willingham has been a solid ballplayer for the past decade, but in his first postseason is seeing limited action. With only a single in four at-bats, Billy Butler is the clear DH on this team. Willingham is a good power option of the bench which the Royals could use however. In his career he is 14 for 65 with three homers as a pinch hitter, which is not bad. Currently being paid around 5.2 million, he should receive a pay cut at the end of the year. If a Royals player goes down, Willingham could be the guy to step in.
Verdict: -.8 wins
6. Ryan Vogelsong
Yes, one of the four starting pitchers on a world series team is down this low. Yes, Vogelsong has been vital this year in the playoffs and in 2012. Vogelsong was very mediocre this year and awful in 2013. It wasn't that Vogelsong didn't have any strikeouts. He averaged just under seven per nine innings. It wasn't he walked a bunch of guys. His WHIP was at 1.26 this year. It just seemed to be that Vogelsong gave up a bunch of runs. Not unearned runs, just earned runs. He gave up 86 runs in 184.2 innings, good for 4.00 ERA. As a starting pitcher, Vogelsong will still be missed.
Verdict: -2 wins
5. Sergio Romo
Sergio Romo is a fan favorite, the hero of the magical 2012 run. Although he lost his closers job, he is still a vital part to the Giants bullpen. He struggled earlier this year, blowing five saves and losing his job to Santiago Casilla, but he bounced back and pitched well down the stretch. He only gave up a total of four runs in the second half in 24 games. His ERA dropped 2.94 points, and opponent's OPS+ from 116 to 69. So far this postseason, he has pitched in seven games, or 4.2 innings, and only given up the walk-off homer to Kolten Wong. Romo is a key part of this team, and will likely be back next year.
Verdict: -2.5 wins
4. Michael Morse
Mike Morse had a great bounce back year. He hit .279 with an OPS of .811 and 16 homers in 131 games after a forgetful 2013 season. Morse showed signs of what he was in Washington until he got caught by the injury bug, and he missed almost all of September. He is back now, and with a crucial game-tying homer in the NLCS, looks to be back. He will likely not play in San Francisco, with his injured oblique keeping him from playing left field. The Giants would love to retain him, but he will likely hit the market costing San Fran.
Verdict: -2.8 wins
3. Jake Peavy
Acquired from Boston at the trade deadline, Peavy his enjoying his second straight world series run. While playing for San Francisco, Peavy has gone 6-4 with 2.17 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. He hasn't been phenomenal in the postseason, the lackluster game last night, but is still a solid pitcher. Without Peavy, the Giants' threat of Petit and Lincecum coming out of the pen would be minimized, having to start one of them. At 33, Peavy should still get market attention this offseason and be looking at a three year deal with about 10-15 million dollars per year.
Verdict: -3 wins
2. Pablo Sandoval
The mighty Panda has been a solid rock at third base for the last four years. He is a cork in the Giants line-up protecting Buster Posey and setting up Hunter Pence and is clearly a fan favorite. One of the most memorable moments of his career was the three homer game against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in 2012, starting what would come to be a sweep. Pablo has consistently put up WAR numbers around 3, and has played stellar defense for a man of his size. At 28, Sandoval should get plenty attention from many teams, highlighting himself as a middle of the order guy who can protect your star.
Verdict: -4 wins
1. James Shields
In 2012, the Royals traded Wil Meyers, Jake Odorizzi and two minor leaguers to Tampa Bay for James Shields and Wade Davis. That trade was mocked, as the Royals traded maybe the best prospect in the game and a solid future 2-starter for a guy who had never been a true ace with two years left on his contract and a struggling starting pitcher. Since then, Shields has established himself as a bone-fide ace and Wade Davis as one of the best relievers in the game. Shields hits the market as the third best starting pitcher and looking for a deal around the vicinity that Adam Wainwright got. Shields hasn't been his dominant self this postseason, but still has Game 5 to turn that around.
Verdict: -5 wins
The Giants are obviously losing more players, but Kansas City is losing their ace. All in all, every player on the World Series rosters are vital and each team will do everything they can to keep each and every player.
Final Verdict: Giants -13.3 wins
Royals - -6 wins
The Royals are a franchise that is set for a long run with lots of young talent. As for the Giants, well we'll see them in 2016.
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