Mets Get Stroman, Now What?

It turned out to be the surprise of the day yesterday when the Mets pulled the trigger on a deal that sent Bluejays star pitcher Marcus Stroman to the Mets in exchange for two Top 10 prospects that will go Toronto's way.

My first reaction was "Awesome! We got Stroman!" however, after taking a closer look at things the deal seems very odd and the timing of it is particularly strange. At 50-55, the Mets season is mildly bleak considering the teams that New York has to leap frog in order to make a wildcard push.

This team has two phases of the game that we do really well. The third phase is disappointingly brutal. If the Mets had a decent bullpen, they possibly be around 58-47 which would have given them a firm grip on the first wildcard. Instead, this team is likely headed for a 79-83 record and a third straight year out of the playoffs.

This team needs bullpen help/ When Vargas and Matz are pitching well, our starting pitching 1-5 is the best in the majors. Our lineup is solid. So why did we go out and get more pitching??? According to Bleacher Report, the Mets Farm system is about average at 15th. The Mets did have a stellar draft last month and I guess the front office wanted a bit of protection in case Syndergaard and Wheeler aren't on the team next year.

Stroman, who is from New York, is under contract until after the 2020 season and if you saw his tweet last night, might have hinted that he wants to resign by tweeting:

"NEW YORK! Where I was born. Where my heart lies. Where my family resides. Crazy excited for this part of my journey. Some things were meant to be! @Mets #HDMH"

Stroman owns a 2.96 ERA this year and has 11 quality starts in 20 starts this year. As for the Mets, as disappointing as the year has gone, they still have a solid core in place for them to sneak into the playoffs in the next 2-3 years.

That being said, I need the farm system to stay in the Top half of the majors and we need stability in the lineup long term. Would be great to have the same 3-4 in the batting lineup for the next five years and would be nice to have DeGrom stay a
Met for the rest of his career.


 

Picking the 12 players That will Represent Canada at the 2019 World Cup

For Canadian Men's basketball fans, the 19 year Olympic drought has been very dark and bleak at times. The last time the team competed at a major competition was 2010 and it went 0-5.

A lot has changed and I mean a lot. An all-star non NBA team was once upon a time a far fetched dream has now translated into what would be a weak lineup.

In just under a decade, this team has built a pipeline of about 24 quality players. 17 of them are connected to NBA teams and seven others are quality Europe players.

Here is the official list that was released last week:

• Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Guard, Toronto (New Orleans Pelicans).
• R.J. Barrett, Guard, Mississauga, Ont. (New York Knicks).
• Aaron Best, Guard, Scarborough, Ont. (Riesen Ludwigsburg — Germany).
• Khem Birch, Centre, Montreal (Orlando Magic).
• Chris Boucher, Centre, Montreal (Toronto Raptors).
• Oshae Brissett, Forward, Mississauga, Ont. (Syracuse Orange — NCAA).
• Dillon Brooks, Forward, Mississauga, Ont. (Memphis Grizzlies).
• Brandon Clarke, Centre, Vancouvern (Memphis Grizzlies).
• Aaron Doornekamp, Forward, Napanee, Ont. (Valencia Basket — Spain).
• Luguentz Dort, Guard, Montreal (Oklahoma City Thunder).
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Hamilton (Oklahoma City Thunder).
• Melvin Ejim, Forward, Toronto (BC UNICS — Russia).
• Brady Heslip, Guard, Burlington, Ont. (Istanbul BBSK — Turkey).
• Cory Joseph, Guard, Toronto (Sacramento Kings).
• Mfiondu Kabengele, Forward, Burlington, Ont. (Los Angeles Clippers).
• Naz Mitrou-Long, Guard, Mississauga, Ont. (Salt Lake City Stars —G League).
• Trey Lyles, Forward, Saskatoon (San Antonio Spurs).
• Jamal Murray, Guard, Kitchener, Ont. (Denver Nuggets).
• Andrew Nembhard, Guard, Aurora, Ont. (Florida Gators  — NCAA).
• Kelly Olynyk, Forward, Kamloops, B.C. (Miami Heat).
• Kevin Pangos, Guard, (Newmarket, Ont. (FC Barcelona Basketball — Spain).
• Dwight Powell, Forward, Toronto (Dallas Mavericks).
• Phil Scrubb, Guard, Richmond, B.C. (Zenit Saint Petersburg — Russia).
• Thomas Scrubb, Forward, Richmond, B.C. (Openjobmetis Varese — Italy).
• Marial Shayok, Forward, Ottawa (Philadelphia 76ers).
• Andy Rautins, Guard, (Syracuse, N.Y. (Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul — Turkey).
• Nik Stauskas, Guard, Mississauga, Ont. (Cleveland Cavaliers).
• Tristan Thompson, Centre, Brampton, Ont. (Cleveland Cavaliers).
• Kyle Wiltjer, Forward, Portland, Ore. (Unicaja Malaga  — Spain).

Lets start with the big news after the announcement which is that Tristan Thompson is out and that brings the list down to 28. Here is who I'm picking for the World Cup roster.

I have picked three Non NBA players but I feel like this gives Canada the best chance to win to defend against Lithuania's tall shooters. If Patty Mills plays for Australia, I don't think we have a chance of beating them.

The key for Canada will be to box out and to limit their turnovers. These will be grown mam on a college sized floor. Almost everyone can knock down the three point shot. Canada will need to win with composure and maturity.

Here is my Final roster:    

Pos.	Starting 5		Bench 2	Bench 3	Inactive
C	Dwight Powell	Brandon Clarke
PF	Kelly Olynyk	Melvin Ejim
SF	R. J. Barrett	Dillon Brooks
SG	Jamal Murray	Nik Stauskas	Brady Heslip
PG	Cory Joseph	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Kevin Pangos

Oregon Ducks Sports Have Got Me Through Anxiety

For most of my adulthood after college I have always been told that I'm not good enough or that I shouldn't do this or that. 

Deep down this hurt my self esteem to the point I didn't want to live anymore or at least move to a low cost of living country to calm my brain.

The Oregon Ducks games were the only thing I looked forward to some months. I want to be an important person in this world and make an impact that is larger than life.

At times I thought I for sure I was bi-polar. How could I not be? Some days I thought I could change the world and other days all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and do nothing.

I have Cerebal Palsy but it doesn't affect that much where I need a lot of extra help. I find ways to do life in different ways that are just as helpful.

Yet, I still have people in my life that want to pave my life the way they want it to be and that hurts the most.

The things that were preventing me to reaching my goals might be in the past. I'm doing a lot better and things are back on tract.

Here are my goals: 

Sports Tourism Travel Packages

      Sports Camps for kids with disabilities

       Public Speaking 

       Write a book 

Have a video blog 

Have a website 

Oregon cares

Start a ESL school in Developing  world country 

Have a YouTube channel 

Coach basketball 

 Boys and Girls club

Budgeting/job/house help 

Tutoring 

We are a special group of people Ducks fans. You guys are like family to me and I mean it. Mental health is real and I'm glad I'm out.

Your support means a lot.

CONCACAF's Format is Picasso in a Nutshell

CONCACAF released the format for the 2022 World Cup Qualifying yesterday and to say the least it has left people scratching there head.

For me, I don't hate it but I'm kinda opposed to it. When I heard the breaking news this morning I had to re read what the format was. Now that I understand it, I can't decide what side of the draw I want Canada to be on.

The Hex Side: 

The best side to be on but also a very difficult group. In the old Hex, there was a chance a Honduras or Jamaica wouldn't be there and be replaced with Guatemala  or El Salvador. Having the Top 6 best teams in the Hex will create a bumpy road for the Top 6. Mexico, USA, Costa Rica are almost locks to be there. Honduras and Panama will likely be there as well. That leaves one spot left.

A League of Nations Title might boost Canada's chances in getting into the Hex but that means beating both USA, Honduras and Mexico. The three team group stage that awaits us this fall is

essentially our Semi Final stage. I've said it all along that three team groups don't work. I mean, the teams that play non fifa members get ripped off more than ever before. The USA game at home has basically become a must win if we want to be in the Hex.

Backdoor Side   

The easy side and with the talent that has been inserted into our lineup we should at least be in the Semi Finals of this side. The problem is that there is still eight hard and intense games if we get to the Swmi Finals and it might mean getting revenge over Haiti at some point.

It is unknown who CONCACAF play in the inter continental playoff will determine which path I believe is better.

The Verdict 

The Hex is the best way to go if we think we can finish Top 3 but that leaves little margin for error. Getting 3rd might require 15 points so that means winning out at home or winning three at home and drawing six of the other seven. Or any combination of 15 points but regardless we would have to get points against teams and venues we haven't been able to in past World Cup Qualifying cycles.

The backdoor side we might be able to run the table to the CONCACAF playoff.

I think CONCACAF got this format right except for one thing. There should have only been two automatic berths in the Hex with the 3rd or 4th place teams playing the two best backdoor teams in a six game round robin with the winner getting the last automatic berth and second place going to the playoff against a team from another confederation.

To have the other 29 teams fighting for basically 0.25 of a berth is kinda harsh. Ranking points have always been hard to accumulate because Canada doesn't play in a Caribbean Cup or something to snag easy points.

I wouldn't lose sleep on this format however because it is a one off as Canada might qualify for 2026 as hosts and we will likely see a new format in 2026 with our confederation getting extra berths. 

Myers Signing was a Must but will Canucks Make Playoffs in 2020?

The Canucks have never gone more than four years without missing the playoffs and if things don't work out this year they will set a franchise record that Jim Benning and company do not want to be part of. 

I'm completely ok with the J.T. Miller trade and if we are going for a playoff run next year we had to sign Myers and Benn. Our D-core looks better than it was last year and I'm crossing my fingers that we will get Nikita Tryamkin and Jett Woo the year after which would help replenish the disappointing  Vancouver Defensive core that we have witnessed the past four years. 

If I was a betting man, my hard earned money would be on that the Canucks miss the playoffs next year but they make it in 2021. For us to make the playoffs we will have to beat out at least two teams that think they are playoff contenders. 

Here is my projected Pacific and Central Division Standings as of now:

1. San Jose                    1. Dallas            

2. Calgary                      2. Colorado 

3. Las Vegas                  3. Nashville 

4. Edmonton                 4. St. Louis 

5. Vancouver                 5. Winnipeg 

6. Arizona                     6. Chicago 

7. Anaheim                   7. Minnesota  

8. L.A. 

As you can see, I think 4-7 could be very competitive. Despite Edmonton's circus, they are still hard to bet against and I think Ken Holland puts them nose ahead of Vancouver. The Central division is where things get interesting. There seems to be a changing of the guard where Dallas and Colorado look super strong but Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg still have playoff expectations. 

We would have been in a lot of trouble without Myers. Last year was a down year for the Western Conference with 90 points making the playoffs. I would imagine that the bar would increase to about 95 next year. 

If that is true, the Canucks would have to improve by 14 points next year. I'm skeptical if this team can do that especially with the injury issues that this team has been through the last few years. 

Benning neeeded to go for it however, my gut tells me that his job is on the line in the 2019-20 season. He at least needs to have an above 500. record but with the Miller trade, he has basically put himself on the chopping block if they miss the playoffs next year.  

I'm Still With the Canadian Men''s Team

It has been three shocking days since the Canadian Men's National team had a meltdown at the worst possible time at the 2019 Gold Cup. 

I stand on my original thoughts that even I can't take biennial tournament that is hosted in the same country seriously. 

My #1 goal for this National Team is to qualify for a World Cup. When qualifying comes around for 2022 we will have our best chance in quite some time. We still don't know the format and until we do I will not be making any hypotheticals of what our path looks like. 

We have in my opinion the seventh best team in CONCACAF. However, to be brutally honest with you, 4th through 10th are extremely competitive and it has been that was for as long as I can remember. I'm only 25. 

For this reason, I think it is very important that we know what the format is. I've tried creating many different formats and to be honest, all of them have flaws. 

The biggest thing that bothers me is that this tournament never changes. How about the Gold Cup is every four years, alternating hosts between Canada, USA, Mexico and the best of the rest. This would mean that it would only be in the USA every 16 years. 

There are 41 teams eligible for the Gold Cup so qualification could be 10 groups of 4 with the winner of the group qualifying and the runner ups going into a playoff playing another runner up. 

15 teams would qualify plus host is 16. Why this hasn't been thought of is beyond me. 

CONCACAF has got this wrong but knowing that we will be in the Gold Cup in two years playing in half empty football stadiums makes the Haiti surprisingly easier.