Opinion

Daniel Murphy was the most powerful hitter on the planet for a couple of weeks last October. But once he cooled down in the World Series, it sure seemed like that was that.

Or maybe not, as it turns out.

Today, we're going to talk about takeout slides, the so-called Utley Rule and why it needs fixing posthaste. You've got opinions. We've got opinions. Everyone's got opinions.

First, though, a fact: Major League Baseball had to do something.

If you haven't added Manny Machado to your short list of American League MVP candidates, now is the time.

Seriously, do it.

Through the first five games of the 2016 season, the Baltimore Orioles' budding superstar is teasing next-level production. And he's carried the O's to a surprising undefeated start.

Somewhere in the executive offices of Chase Field, there may be a finger moving closer to the button marked "PANIC."

After slogging through a long, cold winter and going through the motions in spring training, Major League Baseball has a full business week of 2016 regular-season action under its belt.

Spoiler alert: It went better for some than it did for others.

We know this because our purpose here is to look at the biggest winners and losers from the week that was. We have five of each, ranging from teams that did and didn't do well to players who are already super-hot to one who's sadly going to be out for a while.

Step into the box whenever you're ready.

Just like that, the Chicago Cubs have gone from being the darlings of Major League Baseball back to being a team that must prove it's not eternally cursed.

It's always dangerous to compare a hyped-up rookie or a prospect who has yet to make his major league debut to a current MLB star, if for no other reason than those comparisons tend to are almost always misconstrued.

It's high noon in the NL West. Into a deserted clearing step Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Madison Bumgarner. A breeze rolls tumbleweeds across the ground.

What happens next?

Entering play Friday, Colorado Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story is on pace to hit more than 200 home runs. The same goes for veteran Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano. 

Yet neither player cracked the starting 10 for 2016's inaugural Bleacher Report Team of the Week.

That should tell you a few things. First, it's way early, and we're residing squarely in small-sample land. Second, this is a pretty stacked Team of the Week.

For those new to the party, let's review the ground rules.

When Kyle Schwarber was carted off the field Thursday after a scary outfield collision with teammate Dexter Fowler, Chicago Cubs fans everywhere held their breath. 

Why wouldn't they? We're talking about a former first-round pick with game-changing power who's fresh off a breakout rookie campaign that saw him crack 16 home runs in 69 games.