Scattered MLB Thoughts

A little more than a month into the season, here are five thoughts that I have pertaining to Major League Baseball.

· Didi Gregorius is currently playing at a level that Derek Jeter never reached. It sounds blasphemous to say, but it’s true. In a lineup that features Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, Gregorius is far and away the most dangerous hitter in the Yankees order. All of this is not to mention that the 28-year-old is also flashing some golden leather at shortstop. Didi Gregorius is one of the best players in all of baseball.

· Manny Machado is absolutely demolishing baseballs, but the Orioles find themselves with the worst record in the American League. I wouldn’t be shocked if we begin to hear Baltimore exploring trade possibilities for their generational shortstop. It’s a damn shame that his extraordinary numbers - .358 batting average, 9 home runs, and 27 runs batted in – are going to waste for the Orioles.

· It might be time for the Dodgers to hit the panic button. They are already seven games out of first place in the NL West and just recently lost their All-Star shortstop, Corey Seager, for the remainder of the season after he had Tommy John surgery. After losing in the World Series last season, no one could have predicted such a precipitous fall for Dave Roberts and company.

· The Indians are a talented group, but they will benefit drastically from playing in the AL Central. The Tigers, Twins, White Sox, and Royals all are lowly challengers to Terry Francona’s squad. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Indians won 80% of their games within the division.

· The NL Central will be the most interesting division in all of baseball. As it currently stands, there are four teams within two games of first place. When it is all said and done, I expect the Cubs to be atop the standings, but it will be ultra-competitive.