Spring is upon us. The weather is getting warmer, the trees are in bloom and the MLB is back for another exciting season. Their were some major headlines over the break, so in case you missed it, this is what happened.
In the American League the Toronto Blue Jays blew up the trade front and acquired a team that closely resembles the team that won it in ’92, ironically it was the last year the Blue Jays made the post-season. The Red Sox got a new manager in John Farrell who came over in a very rare “manager-trade” from the aforementioned Jays. Josh Hamilton left the Texas Rangers and joined Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in Los Angeles. The Houston Astros moved from the National League to the American League. Justin Verlander signed a 7 year 180 million dollar deal making him the highest paid pitcher ever and those were just the major headlines from the American League.
In the National League Justin Upton joined his brother B.J. Upton after a trade brought him to Atlanta. Steven Stratsburg is back at 100 percent after being forced to sit out the playoffs. Reigning NL MVP Buster Posey signed a nine year 167 million dollar contract with the San Francisco Giants. The “other” LA team the Dodgers will have a full season with their new lineup showcasing Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez.
For now here are my predictions for the 2013 campaign.
American League:
East:
(D) Toronto Blue Jays (95-67) – What Alex Anthopoulos did in the off-season really showed that this is the year for the Blue Jays to erupt on the scene and make the playoffs. Anything less then that would be considered a bust, especially when you consider the cast of players they brought in: Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, R.A. Dickey, Melky Cabrera, Emilio Bonafacio. Add in the fact that Jose Bautista looks fully recovered from the wrist injury that saw him miss most of the second half of the season.
(WC) Tampa Bay Rays (92-70) – Despite this team losing 2011 All-Star James Shields in a trade with the Kansas City Royals and B.J. Upton to the Braves they are filled with young players coming up including pitching prospects Alex Cobb and Matt Moore. Joe Maddon is one of the most undervalued Managers in the game, and year in and year out finds ways for his team to win a large amount of games.
New York Yankees (88-74) – The 2013 New York Yankees are not the same run of the mill Yankees that were World Series favourite every year for the last two decades. Injures have decimated a team that is already up on age. The greatest closer to ever play the game Mariano Rivera already announced his retirement at the end of the season. They picked up Vernon Wells in what looked like a desperate move by GM Brian Cashman. C.C Sabathia is still good for 19-20 wins.
Baltimore Orioles (85-78) - The Orioles used a magical run last season in which they won more 1-run and extra innings than anyone else in the league to make the playoffs. Adam Jones and Matt Wieters are a fearsome duo in the middle of the lineup but their lack of pitching should cost them dearly.
Boston Red Sox (81-81) – John Farrell may have moved to his dream job as the manager for the Red Sox but the team he came into is not that strong. In fact outside Dustin Pedroia they are lacking stars. Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury will need to rebound, and newly acquired Shane Victorino and Ryan Dempster should not factor in to a team that will finish last in their division.
Player to watch: R.A. Dickey. Dickey’s knuckleball has seemed untouchable the last three years, we shall see what moving from the NL to the AL will mean for Dickey and if he can keep up his outstanding play.
Central:
(D) Detroit Tigers (92-70) – Justin Verlander, Prince Fielder and reigning AL MVP and triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera. Enough said.
Cleveland Indians (84-78) – New manager Terry Francona will have his fingers all over the team and the acquisitions of Drew Stubbs and Michael Bourn make them deadly on the base paths. Pitching is still an issue with Ubaldo Jimanez needing a bounce back year.
Chicago White Sox (79-83) – Chris Sale is now the star pitcher on this team after one superb season. Paul Konerko remains a dominant force at 37.
Kansas City Royals (78-84) – Additions of James Shields and Ervin Santana make this a better rotation than in previous years. Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez are still a year away, but this team is on the rise.
Minnesota Twins (71-91) – Outside Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau (if he comes back and plays like he can) this team is the weakest in the entire American League.
Player to watch: Prince Fielder. It is going to be interesting to see how Prince Fielder reacts after his buddy Miguel Cabrera won MVP last year. In some people's minds Fielder had a “down-year” and still finished with 30 homeruns 108 RBI’s and batted over .300 for the first time in his career. Can the Tigers win 3 MVP’s in a row??
West:
(D) Los Angeles Angels (102-60) - The Angels have the most potent lineup in league with Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and newly acquired Josh Hamilton. The rotation really needs to step up.
(WC) Oakland Athletics (88-74) – The magic of money ball continues. Billy Beane yet again finds a way to build a winner on a low payroll. Young pitching is their key and their future.
Texas Rangers (86-76) – Losing Josh Hamilton will leave a gapping hole in the lineup. Yu Darvish has his 2nd year in the bigs. Will hitters start to figure him out like they did with Daisuke Matsuzaka?
Seattle Mariners (79-83) – Outside of Felix Hernandez and Jesus Montero this team has a whirlwind of problems.
Houston Astros (76-86) – Astros transition to the AL with DH should benefit to a better finish than in recent years.
Player to Watch: Is there any question that the player to watch is Mike Trout. Arguably the most excting player in the game!
National League:
East:
(D) Atlanta Braves (96-66)- The Braves had all the pitching in the world last year but when it came down to timely hitting they came up short. They have now added the Upton brothers for some power to join Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward. Their bullpen and rotation remain the strengths of this team.
(WC) Washington Nationals (93-69)- Steven Stratsburg and Bryce Harper have come up with a lot of expectations and so far they have exceeded everyones imagination. The addition of Rafael Soriano will help close games.
Philadelphia Phillies (82-80) - Roy Halladay looks to have missed the boat on a World Series with the Phillies. Cliff Lee and the Doc are getting up in age and with a lot of question marks regarding Ryan Howard, Michael Young and Chase Utley they will wind up watching the playoffs from their couches.
New York Mets (71-91) - Losing Dickey was a big subtraction for the team but they will continue to build around All-Star David Wright.
Miami Marlins (68-94) - The Marlins traded their best players to the Jays. All that remains is the hard hitting Giancarlo Stanton. Who is unhappy to be part of the team.
Player to watch: Steven Stratsurg. A lot of people are talking about CY Young for the hard throwing righty.
Central:
(D) Cincannati Reds (88-74) - Joey Votto and Aroldis Chapman are the keys to this team that is filled with depth up and down their roster.
St. Louis Cardinals (85-77) - The Cardinals always find ways to win, with guys like David Freese and Alan Craig stepping up in leadership positions. The loss of Chris Carpenter and Kyle Loshe are huge.
Pittsburgh Pirates (83-79) - Andrew McCutchen is becoming a bright star in the game but his team struggles rely mostly on the mound. Should finish over .500 for first time in over two decades.
Milwaukee Brewers (77-85) - Ryan Braun is the only bright side to this team.
Chicago Cubs (70-92) - Rebuild. Rebuild. Rebuild.
Player to watch: Andrew McCutchen. The ceiling for this player is huge and keeps expanding each year.
West:
(D) San Francisco Giants (95-67) - Pitching is the key for this team that does not score a ton of runs but they do score a lot of timely runs.
(WC) Los Angeles Dodgers (89-73) - Magic Johnson has build a contender with Grienke, Kershaw, Kemp leading the charge.
Colarado Rockies (80-82) - Josh Rutledge is an up and coming star for this team that is still a few years away from competing.
Arizona Diamondbacks (78-85) - Just doesn't match up to the Dodgers and Giants, will have a down year with the loss of Upton hurting them big.
San Diego Padres (75-87) - Another team on the rise, just a few years away.
Player to watch: Matt Kemp. Kemp has shown his abilities of a 30/30 campaign and possibly reaching 40 in both. Health will be the key for him.
AL MVP: Mike Trout (LAA)
NL MVP: Justin Upton (ATL)
AL CY YOUNG: R.A. Dickey (TOR)
NL CY YOUNG: Steven Stratsburg (WSH)
WORLD SERIES: Los Angeles Angels over Washington Nationals
No comments:
Post a Comment