The Rangers have acquired catcher Eli Whiteside on waivers from Toronto. They have also signed Brandon Snyder to a Minor League contract. Whiteside, 33, has now been claimed on waivers by three different clubs this offseason. He had been acquired by Toronto in a waiver claim from the Yankees. The Yankees acquired him in a waiver claim from the Giants. Whiteside had been arbitration-eligible for 2013, but signed a contract with the Yankees in November, which makes him a signed player for next season

Playoff Picks:
Wild cards: Orioles over Rangers, Braves over Cardinals
ALDS: Yankees over Orioles, A’s over Tigers
NLDS: Giants over Reds, Nationals over Braves
ALCS: A’s over Yankees
NLCS: Nationals over Reds
World Series: Nationals over A’s

How Come?
Wild Card games: Braves pen will be the difference and Buck will run tactical circles around Washington if the game is close late. But you can’t predict baseball, it’s too random. The baseball gods are the most cruel of all gods and they’re back behind the curtain pulling the levers and switches. I also crunched the numbers, looked at baseball reference, fangraphs, consulted with the ghost of Kenesaw Mountain Landis and then just guessed that Gene Tenace throwing out the ceremonial first pitch will guide the A’s to the World Series but the team from Washington will win.

Eight Ball Storyline:
A title for the O’s, A’s or Nats would be an amazing story. Can the Rangers redeem themselves after the last two Octobers? Can youth overcome experience?

Back Of The Bullpen Prediction
Bryce Harper gets game winning hit and wins World Series MVP.