Already, it's already time for the MLB season to start up again, and it's time for me to take totally unnecessary predictions about what will happen in this up coming season. When it comes to the MLB, I'm not really that great at preseason predicting, but hey, here it goes.
AL East:
1. New York Yankees
After all those offseason moves, you gotta believe that it will at least result in a division championship. C.C. Sabathia is a beast, as long as he can get in his groove. I kept an extra close eye on him last year, with him being on my fantasy team and all, and it took him a few months to get in that groove, though when he finally did, he was pretty much unstoppable, throwing complete games and having a near perfect record. Mark Texiera and AJ Burnett were also valuble pickups. I think that they will pretty much keep pace in the division for the first couple months, and then once they get A-Rod back, they'll break away.
2. Boston Red Sox
These guys have the more veteran and experienced and lineup, and that will help them prevail when it comes down to locking up that wild card. They picked up a few good players such as Brad Penny and Rocco Baldelli, though other than that, they basically have the same roster that took them to the ALCS last year.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Still a very talented group, though this year they get left out of the mix thanks to the Yankees spending spree. With their lone pickup being DH Pat Burrell, a late season trade will be needed if they want to be a part of the postseason again this year.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays had no major signings this offseason, and really did nothing to try and replace AJ Burnett's place in the rotation. Roy Halladay is still a viable ace, and Jesse Litsch is a decent starter, though they will now be starting two rookies in their rotation with righty Brad Mills and lefty Ricky Romero. I don't see the Blue Jays being even a wild card threat in this upcoming season, unless manager Cito Gaston can work wonders with this lineup.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Although the Orioles did not spend anywhere neat the amount of money that the Yankees did this offseason, they picked up nearly three times as many players as the Yankees did. Four of the Orioles five starters in their rotation are new to Baltimore. Only their ace Jeremy Guthrie was an Oriole starter last year. The Orioles also have a new starting catcher, shortstop, and left fielder, which leads to questions about chemistry between the players, as well as questions about talent in general.
AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers
Many people don't like this Tigers lineup after what they saw last year, though I would have to disagree. This team has less talent that last year's team. This team has much more questions than last year's team did. However, I like this team better than last year's team. They signed two catchers which let them put Brandon Inge back at third base, where is an absolute beast on defense. They still have one of the top five outfields in baseball with Magglio Ordonez, Curtis Granderson, and Carlos Guillen. With the addition of Edwin Jackson, they now have five legitimate starters, and their bullpen is looking better after getting rid of Todd Jones. This team isn't ultra-talented or a World Series contender, but I do like them to win the worst division in baseball.
2. Chicago White Sox
Their lineup is getting older, and isn't what they used to be in 2005, though they still do a lot of talent, and of course, loads of experience. They have very young players at second and third base, though they have a great one-two punch in their outfield with upstart Carlos Quentin and veteran Jermaine Dye. Adding Barloto Colon to their rotation helped them move up to second best in the AL Central.
3. Minnesota Twins
The Twins basically return the same lineup as last year, with the addition of third baseman Joe Crede. With Joe Mauer being hurt early, and just an average rotation, I expect the Twins to be in the mix late, though a lack of a big-time pitcher will cost them a shot at the playoffs.
4. Cleveland Indians
You have to believe that Cliff Lee will at least come down a little bit after last year's amazing 22-3 performance. Fausto Carmona and Carl Pavano will be there to keep the Indians in the race, though lack of offense will end up costing them, with no one really outside of Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner. I also like the third baseman pickup of Mark DeRosa, but it won't be enough.
5. Kansas City Royals
The first half of the season, I expect KC to be in the race, just like everyone else, though over time a lack of star power will end up costing them a shot at the divsion title. The pickup of Coco Crisp in centerfield should help, but that isn't what is going to get them over the top.
AL West:
1. Los Angeles Angels
An easy pick for a division winner here. They basically return the same lineup that won them the divsion crown last year, minus Mark Texiera, though they did add Bobby Abreu in left field. They have a top notch rotation that should be able to easily lead them into October once again. Brian Fuentes replacing K-Rod was also (although a downgrade) a great move.
2. Oakland Athletics
The A's made many moves this offseason once again, including a great move with the Rockies in aquiring Matt Holliday. Oakland also looked to add some veteram leadership in the clubhouse by adding Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra, and Orlando Cabrera. Those moves will help Oakland stay in the division race for a while, and maybe even compete for a wild card, but a questionable rotation will keep them out of the 2009 postseason.
3. Texas Rangers
The Rangers have plenty of offense this year. Just like last year. Though unfourtunately, just like last year, the Rangers have a very weak rotation that will cost them down the strech. Although they have big names such as All-Stars Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, and Michael Young, the Rangers failed to make a single aquistion this offseason to help improve their playoff chances.
4. Seattle Mariners
Ichiro should be happy that his Japanese squad won the World Baseball Classic, because he defintely won't be enjoying any championships with his Mariners teammates this season. Seattle did make quite a few moves during the offseason, though it definitely isn't enough to get them out of the cellar of this division. The addition of Ken Griffey Jr. was to sell tickets, not to help Seattle get back into the playoffs. A solid start to their rotation with King Felix and Erik Bedard, isn't enough to get the Mariners anywhere close to the AL West title.
NL East:
1. Florida Marlins
That's right. Believe in the power of six. It seems as though every six years the Marlins pull together, with a fantastic group young future stars and a couple cheap veterans, and win the World Series. Well, this is the sixth year, and Florida will settle for nothing less than a playoff berth. An anonymous but solid rotation backed by some vets, and of course the bright young prospects, will be able to stun everyone once again when they take the NL East crown.
2. New York Mets
The Mets will lose out on a division championship once again, but this time, they will have had a good enough season to get into the playoffs on a wild card bid. A veteran lineup, and solid rotation with the addition of Livan Hernandez, will allow those ailing Mets fans to taste at least a little bit of the playoffs in 2009.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
The defending World Series champs will have to miss out on the playoffs in 2009, and they won't be able to try to defend their title. With all their stars returning from last year's championship team, they have enough talent to get the job done, but with loads of talent in the division and a lack of hunger, they miss the 2009 playoffs.
4. Atlanta Braves
The Braves were one of the hottest teams in spring training, though a complete overhaul of their rotation will lead to problems. They are starting a rookie out of Japan, as well as the anchient Tom Glavine. Jair Jurrjens is a nice piece, but they really don't have the talent to get the job done. And expect Chipper Jones to bat .400 through the first four months again either.
5. Washington Nationals
Too many egos and problem players, as well as a general lack of talent will keep the Nationals from getting anywhere close to their playoff goals. Two rookies and two newcomers in the rotation, and two young talented outfielders that were kicked off their previous teams for off-the-field issues shows how much trouble Washington has fielding a team. Signing Adam Dunn was a fantastic try, though not even that will save them from the cellar. Even their young franchise player Ryan Zimmerman has been slipping lately.
NL Central:
1. Chicago Cubs
Oh those Cubbies. Looks like they'll be back in the playoffs once again to try to win that ring that they have sought after for so long. Their main move this offseason was adding rightfielder Milton Bradley, who should help bring some consistency to their batting order with his .321 average last year. Look for another division title, and another chance for them to try and make history.
2. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals may have less talent and all-around depth than the Brewers, though what they do have is veterans that can lead the way, as well as one of the best managers in baseball in Tony La Russa. A decent rotation should guide along a lineup with a duo of upstart power-hitters in Ryan Ludwick and rick Ankiel. And when things are looking down, just go to maybe the most important player in baseball, Albert Pujols.
3. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have almost the same lineup as last year's wild card team, except for one huge change. They lost their best player, C.C. Sabathia to the Yankees in a free agency bidding war. Although his replacement, former Cardinals pitcher Braden Looper is a viable middle-of-the-rotation guy, they lost their star who is now the highest paid pitcher in baseball. Losing Sabathia will cost them any shot at the playoffs.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
The last three teams in the NL Central are almost a coin flip, so I decided to go with the team with the best offense of the three. Adam LaRoche and Nate McLouth provide the power-hitting needed to get the Pirates out of the cellar of this division, although pitching is stilll a major question with all five of their starters going .500 or worse last year, though a solid bullpen should be able to keep them afloat. However, I really don't see the Pirates ending their 16-year steak of losing seasons...
5. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds do have a lot of talent on their roster, though much of that talent hasn't been fully developed yet, and Cincinnati seems too young to make a run this year. Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto are two bright young pitchers in a decent rotation, though they still haven't reached their potential yet. Volquez looked very good last year, though slowed down as the season ended. Though with Dusty Baker at the helm, it shouldn't take too much longer until the Reds become a real threat in the NL Central.
6. Houston Astros
Houston does have some good hitters in their lineup, including Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman, though questions looming about their rotation's depth, as well as just all around talent, will doom the Astros. Pudge was a nice pickup, though I don't see the Astros making any noise come playoff time this season.
NL West:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Bringing back Manny did it for me. ManRam alone takes the Dodgers from struggling to stay alive in the division, to division champs. Picking up Orlando Hudson and Randy Wolf is enough to shore up the rest of the team, so that they play decently enough as to not blow Manny's brilliance. No way Joe Torre lets them fall short.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
They must have led the division for at least 80% of the year last season, and then right when the Dodgers traded for Manny, everything changed. Unfourtunate for the D-Backs, the Dodgers were able to resign Ramirez, while all they could pick up was a second base upgrade in Felipe Lopez. Jon Garland may also be a good upgrade over the departed Randy Johnson. Though a Felipe plus a Jon doesn not come anywhere near equaling a Manny.
3. San Francisco Giants
I like what the Giants did this offseason. They were able to sign ace Tim Lincecum to a one-year deal, they picked up Randy Johnson and Edgar Renteria, and they made a serious play for Manny Ramirez. Even though they fell short of landing Manny, you have to like their rotation now, and many would agree when I say Barry Zito may be the best fourth-man in baseball. However, I don't see the Giants making any threats at the division crown.
4. San Diego Padres
They have fallen quite a ways these last two years, going from a playoff team to the bottom of the NL. Jake Peavy is really the only threat that they have that may scare other teams. Picking up David Eckstein was nice, but no where near enough.
5. Colorado Rockies
My how the Rockies have fallen. It was just 2007 when they were in the World Series, ans now their are right back to the cellar of their division. Aaron Cook is a legitimate starter, and Todd Helton is always a threat, though they won't be able keep up at all this year.
PLAYOFFS:
DS:
Cubs over Mets
Marlins over Dodgers
Red Sox over Angels
Yankees over Tigers
CS:
Marlins over Cubs
Red Sox over Yankees
World Series:
Marlins over Red Sox
