In addition to mega prospect Matt Wieters, the Orioles have one of the most well rounded lineups in baseball. Even under the best case scenairo, this will almost certainly be a rebuilding year in Baltimore, but if players like Matt Wieters, Adam Jones, and Felix Pie start swinging the stick like people think they can, this could be a team that turns some heads in the AL East.
Why there isn't any hope this year:
One word, pitching. Baltimore has almost none of it. The addition of Kevin Millwood helps to strengthen what was argubly the weakest staff in the AL last year, but it will not be enough. If the O's ever hope to contend they will have to improve not just the starting staff, but the bullpen as well. Help may be on the way, as the Orioles have one of the deepest farms in baseball right now when it comes to pitching.
Player to watch: Brian Matusz
Most are going to have thier eyes on Matt Wieters for obvious reasons, but Matsuz to me represents much more of Baltimore's future. Out of the young players that will be anchoring the back end of the rotation this year for Baltimore, I think Matusz is the most mature, and the most ready to make an impact this year. Don't be surprised if he overtakes Millwood as Baltimore's number one starter before the season is over.
What to expect:
Baltimore is obviously in the rebuilding process, and really should be focusing on improving then everything. This team does not have what it takes to compete with the AL's elite right now, but they still have a chance to make this a good year. A good goal for them this year would be 75 wins. I don't think they'll get it, but if they can hit that mark, come next year they might be considered a dark horse for the Wild Card. Still don't expect this team to get much above 70 wins.
Boston Red Sox
Why there's hope:
This might very well be the most well rounded team in baseball. This team has it all. Pitching, hitting, defense, speed. Unless they come down with an injury bug, I don't see them winning any less then 90 games.
Why there isn't any hope this year:
This team will almost certainly make the playoffs, but once they get there, I have questions about that starting rotation. You know Lester and Beckett are going to show up, but what about the rest? John Lackey is coming off of two injury shortened seasons. Can he return to being the guy he was back in '07 and before? And what about Dice-K? Nobody knows for certain how healthy he is, and it might very well be that he is effectively done as a Major League pitcher.
Player to watch: Clay Buchholz
If there are any problems with Boston's front four, it's going to be up to Clay Buchholz to solve the problem. Perhaps a little too much was expected out of him going into the start of last year, but the Red Sox made the smart move in sending him back down to Pawtuckett for the start of last year, and the results showed. Don't expect Clay Buchholz to be sent down again anytime soon, as I think this will be the first real season in what is expected to be a very successful Major League career. The Sox may need it.
What to expect:
For the Red Sox, the regular season is not an issue. This team will be in contention come September barring a major meltdown. What they have to figure out during the season is do they have what it takes to compete in October? A first round exit like last year may not be tolerated, and don't be surprised if rumors start about Terry Francona's job if indeed that is the result. With that in mind, don't be surprised if the Sox wind up being big buyers come deadline time, as they are obvious World Series contendors, and are expecting nothing less.
New York Yankees
Why there's hope:
Much like the Red Sox, find the weak point on this team. Maybe the deepest pitching staff in baseball, and argubly the greatest infield ever assembled on one team.
Why there isn't any hope this year:
Age. Yankees got some old dudes on this team. Mo's pushing 40, Jeter is 35, Posada is 38, Pettitte is 37. You have to start asking how much these guys have left in them. Like the Sox, they will be in contention come September, but is their age going to start to show during that month? Old bones, and cold weather don't go together, and it may very well wind up costing the Yankees a chance at repeating.
Player to watch: Curtis Granderson
If indeed the Yankees do start faltering a little down the stretch, Curtis Granderson will have to be one of the guys there to pick up the slack. A five tool outfielder, Granderson will have a chance to become a mega star under the bright lights of New York. Some haven't handled the pressure well, but I don't think that will be the case here.
What to expect:
They are the Yankees, if you know baseball, you know their philosophy, World Series or bust. Age is the biggest question coming into the season, but I think this team has at least one more year left in them. They have to be considered the favorites to repeat again, unless shown otherwise.
Tampa Bay Rays
Why there's hope:
Often overlooked in the East due to the presence of the Yankees, and Sox, the Rays have one of the most powerful lineups in baseball, and can hang with anyone, as well as one of the best managers in the game in Joe Maddon. The biggest test for them will be getting by either the Yankees or the Sox, but this team has experience in doing just that, and is certainly capable of getting the job done.
Why there isn't any hope:
The Rays might be able to match the Sox and the Yanks at the plate, but they cannot on the mound. James Shields is about the closest thing they have to a number one starter, and unless they go out and make a deal for somebody, I do not see this team getting by either the Sox or the Yankees.
Player to watch: Carl Crawford
If the Rays start falling out of contention even a bit, do not be surprised if this guy becomes the hottest trade topic at the deadline. Crawford will be a free agent at the end of the year, and it's highly doubtful the Rays will re-sign him. It's a shame that a team like Tampa Bay cannot stay together in the current economic climate of baseball, and they may just get what they can out of him on the trade market, before losing him for good.
What to expect:
I think the Rays will crack .500, but I don't think they have the guns to keep up with either the Yankees or the Sox. I think they'll get into the high 80's with their win total, and be in contention all season long, but they will not make the postseason.
Toronto Blue Jays
Why there's hope:
A team in rebuliding mode, but guys like Adam Lind will still make people want to come to the ballpark. The Jays need to just focus on ways to build around him, as after the loss of Roy Halladay, he has become the face of the franchise.
Why there isn't any hope this year:
Outside of Adam Lind and Aaron Hill, nobody really stands out on this team. The Jays better watch they don't lose 100 games, as they need to figure out a direction for this team, something they haven't had in quite some time.
Player to watch: Adam Lind
He along with Aaron Hill might wind up being the lone two bright spots on an otherwise bad baseball team. Lind could very well emerge as a superstar, and at the very least give the Jays something to build around for the future.
What to expect:
I hope the Jays keep busting out those late 70's throwbacks, because I think that's how they will be playing this year. I would consider anything over 70 a milestone for this team.
I'll have the AL Central up probably by tomorrow morning. Just for kicks I also ranked the teams of the past decade. See if you agree.
1. New York Yankees 2. Boston Red Sox 3. St. Louis Cardinals 4. LA Angels of Anaheim 5. Atlanta Braves 6. Los Angeles Dodgers 7. Oakland Athletics 8. Minnesota Twins 9. Philadelphia Phillies 10. Chicago White Sox 11. Houston Astros 12. San Francisco Giants 13. New York Mets 14. Arizona Diamondbacks 15. Seattle Mariners 16. Florida Marlins 17. Cleveland Indians 18. Chicago Cubs 19. Toronto Blue Jays 20. San Diego Padres 21. Colorado Rockies 22. Texas Rangers 23. Detroit Tigers 24. Cincinanti Reds 25. Milwaukee Brewers 26. Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos 27. Tampa Bay Rays 28. Baltimore Orioles 29. Kansas City Royals 30. Pittsburgh Pirates
-- Edited by pmoehrin on Friday 19th of March 2010 12:36:40 AM
The White Sox return much of the same team from last year that finished around .500 The Sox do have the tools to make a run at the AL Central, in large part due to their pitching. The Sox have perhaps the best starting staff in the AL Central, and the bullpen isn't too shaby either.
Why there's no hope this year:
Aside from Ozzie Guillen being a complete lunatic, the Sox come into the season with alot of questions about the middle of the order. Carlos Quentin is coming off an off year, and Paul Konerko is the only other player on the roster who hit at least 20 home runs last year.
Player to watch: Jake Peavy
He was argbuly the best pitcher in baseball when he was in San Diego, but he's coming off two injury plagued seasons. I wouldn't expect the 2007 Jake Peavy to ever show up again, but how will he pitches this year may determine the Sox fate. The Sox are going to need him to stay healthy if they are to have a chance in the AL Central.
What to expect:
With the Sox you never know, but I don't think they will fall much below .500 for the season. While they do have a chance to make the postseason, they do not have the guns to be a World Series contendor. Anywhere from 85-90 wins would be my guess.
Cleveland Indians
Why there's hope:
A team still rebuilding, the Indians have a chance to surprise some people this year. Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo and the addition of Russell Branyan give the Indians a solid base to build around in the order, while Jake Westbrook returns to the rotation after missing over a year with Tommy John surgery.
Why there isn't any hope this year:
As mentioned before the Indians are a rebuilding team, and rebuilding teams are rarely contendors. Alot of questions surround that pitching staff going into the year, and if guys like Fausto Carmona cannot show up, the Indians will be lucky if they break 70 wins.
Player to watch: Matt LaPorta
There's a few guys on the team to look out for, but none may be more intriguing then Matt LaPorta. The super prospect who came over in the Sabathia deal, this will be his first full season in the majors, and the Indians are expecting big things out of him. What he does this year may help determine their future.
What to expect:
The Indians really come off as a team that lacks direction. The front office seems to be trying to fix everything at once, and you can't have that approach when you have as many problems as Cleveland does. I don't think the Indians will even come close to contending. The lineup is not that bad, but they have one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball. It's hard to build your team around unproven guys and contend, and that's exactly what Cleveland seems to be trying to do. Unless major changes are made at the top, it will be a long time before Cleveland contends again. I'd say anywhere from 65-75 wins for this year.
Detroit Tigers
Why there's hope:
The Tigers may be one of the most well rounded teams in the American League. The Tigers are solid at virtually every position, and are right there with Chicago when it comes to having the best staff in the AL Central. The Tigers appear to have all the tools necessary to win the AL Central.
Why there's no hope this year:
Not too much I can see wrong with this team, but up the middle seems to be the one area lacking. The Tigers are starting two rookies in Austin Jackson, and Scott Sizmore, at center and second respectively. Also I would not expect to see Gerald Laird or Adam Everett in the all-star game any time soon.
Player to watch: Rick Porcello
Exactly how good is Rick Porcello? One month he looks like he could be a future Cy Young contendor, and the next he's fighting to keep his spot in the rotation. The Tigers did have enough faith in him to start him in the biggest game of the season, and he pitched decent, but this Jekyll and Hyde stuff needs to stop if he ever expects to achieve his full potential. He's coming into the season as Detroit's number two starter, but they have the depth to demote him if he isn't performing up to standard.
What to expect:
The Tigers are my pick to take the AL Central. They may want to think about making a deal for somebody to shore up one of the spots up the middle if they hope to be World Series contendors, but there should be no reason why this team won't be able to be in the division race all season long.
Kansas City Royals
Why there's hope:
Despite only winning 65 games last year, the Royals were able to turn some heads with the performance of some of their players, namely Zack Greinke who is in my opinion the best pitcher in the American League. The addition of Rick Ankiel finally gives the Royals some help in the middle of the order which they have been lacking for a long time. If the Royals can stay healthy, they actually might have an outside chance of making a surprise run at the division.
Why there's no hope this year:
For starters, they're the Royals, a team that hasn't been serious contendors in two decades, and although they are solid at every position, outside of Greinke they do not have any superstars on that team, and you need superstars if you are to be at the top of the standings.
Player to watch: Alex Gordon
Thie year will determine what type of player Alex Gordon is. There's no more excuses left. The Royals want a superstar, and this will be his fourth year in the league. Can he deliever on the hype? I would say Gordon is going to be a nice player to have, but never the type of guy you can build a team around. Still he can do at least half of what KC is expecting out of him, the Royals have a chance to compete.
What to expect:
I think KC will win anywhere from 75-80 games this year. The pitching is very solid, and the lineup isn't horrible. The team still needs to improve, especially in the field, but at least now they have some pieces like Zack Greinke, and Billy Butler that they can build around.
Minnesota Twins
Why there's hope:
They have a new ballpark which some are already calling the best in baseball, and maybe the best player in the game in Joe Mauer behind the plate. Mauer alone will guarantee you at least 75 wins. Although the Twins will look a little different then last year, the core guys who lead them to the title, Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Baker are all still there. Despite the loss of Joe Nathan the Twins should still be right there with the Sox and Tigers in what might be the most exiciting race to watch this year.
Why there's no hope:
The Twins didn't have may glarring holes coming into the season, but the loss of Joe Nathan gives them one. You do not lose a guy like Joe Nathan and remain the same calibar team. The biggest question though has to be Joe Mauer. He is the face of the franchise, and maybe the most popular Twins player of all time. They cannot afford to have him in a Yankee or a Red Sox uniform and not expect a fan revolt.
Player to watch: Francisco Liriano
Once billed as the next Johan Santana, Liriano has yet to match that 2006 season, in large part due to injuries. He managed to stay in the rotation last year pretty much on name value alone, but that will not be the case this year. I hope he can regain his old form, but the odds are certainly against him.
What to expect:
If not for the loss of Nathan they would have easily been my pick to take the central, but I don't think they will have enough to keep up with the Tigers. The Twins will be in the race all season long barring injury, and have the tools to prove me wrong. I'd say 85 wins at least with the chane to win as many as 95, but I don't think they have the starting pitching to do much in October.
-- Edited by pmoehrin on Saturday 20th of March 2010 04:02:52 AM
