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Cubs, Red Sox could have bright futures

By WTOP Staff

NOAH TRISTER
AP Baseball Writer

The buzz is back at Wrigley Field.

More like the Baez, actually.

Javier Baez has homered four times in his first 13 major league games, and the 21-year-old infielder has given the Chicago Cubs a much-needed boost as they trudge through another dismal season in the standings. Chicago is in last place, 16 games out of first, but for the first time in a while, there are signs of hope.

“I think these young men are getting a taste now of being in the big leagues, playing against a lot of clubs that are competing for the postseason,” manager Rick Renteria said. “We hope that we’re relevant in that process in terms of how we go out and play the game, that we compete, that we continue to get better. The reality is any club that plays well together at any given time can put together a good run.”

Baez homered in his debut earlier this month, and although he has struck out 22 times in 55 at-bats, his power has already been on display.

“In spring training I saw him hit one of the longest opposite-field home runs hit in our ballpark,” Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. “He’s got tremendous power, and he’s swinging hard every pitch. You have to be careful.”

Baez is just one of the young players whom the Cubs hope will lead them to better days ahead. Arismendy Alcantara has played second base and the outfield for Chicago, and right-hander Kyle Hendricks is 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA. Add slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and minor league prospects Kris Bryant and Addison Russell, and this is a team that could make a significant jump in the standings in the next year or two.

Here’s a look at the other five last-place teams in the majors, and how their futures look:

BOSTON RED SOX: Boston finished last in 2012, then won the World Series in 2013, so don’t expect this organization to stay down for long. The starting rotation is barely recognizable after a flurry of trades this season, but the Red Sox still have Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli around to anchor a lineup that also includes youngsters Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley. Boston will also have money to spend this offseason, when pitchers like Max Scherzer and James Shields can become free agents.

MINNESOTA TWINS: The big issue facing the Twins right now is the health of two standout minor league prospects. Outfielder Byron Buxton ended up with a concussion after a recent collision with a teammate, and third baseman Miguel Sano has been out all year following right elbow surgery.

TEXAS RANGERS: Injuries are a major culprit behind the collapse of the Rangers. Prince Fielder, Jurickson Profar, Martin Perez, Derek Holland and Yu Darvish have all missed time this year. If everyone is healthy, a 2015 rebound is possible, but for now, even the Houston Astros have surpassed Texas in the standings.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Winners of five straight division titles from 2007 through 2011, the Phillies haven’t finished above .500 since the final year of that streak. The presence of so many big names still on the roster only underscores Philadelphia’s inability to acquire young talent (or payroll relief) via the trade market. It’s a discouraging aftermath to what was one of the great periods in the franchise’s long history.

COLORADO ROCKIES: The Rockies looked like they might contend for a postseason spot in late May, but the losses have piled up in abundance since then — both on the field and in the lineup. Troy Tulowitzki’s MVP bid was cut short by hip surgery, and Carlos Gonzalez was lost to knee surgery. Getting those two back and healthy is the first step toward a successful future for Colorado.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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