Okay, so I'm a day late with this, big deal. Here we with the American League:
AL EAST
1. Yankees 97-102*
2. Red Sox 90-95*
3. Orioles 78-83
4. Blue Jays 76-81
5. Devil Rays 69-74
AL CENTRAL
1. Tigers 93-98*
2. White Sox 90-95
3. Indians 87-92
4. Twins 86-91
5. Royals 60-65
AL WEST
1. Angels 89-94*
2. A's 84-89
3. Rangers 76-81
4. Mariners 68-73
Quick note on the AL Central. I really have no idea who is going to win that division, it's gotta be the toughest in all of baseball. Every team has a chance, other than the Royals of course. Each team is strong but is flawed in some way. The Twins lost a good chunk of their starting rotation and replaced it with garbage (Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz) instead of plugging in some of the young guys (Matt Garza). The White Sox have an insane manager and have just been dreadful in Spring Training, not to mention the fact that they are old. The Indians were so bad last year despite everyone thinking they would be good, they could do the same thing this year. The Tiger's are the opposite, they were bad for so long they could just revert back to that, plus The Gambler is out until July. Just a tough call all together.
I really feel like the Red Sox are the new Yankees. Just spending willy nilly, putting together the best team that money can buy. The Yankees are the new Red Sox, still spending lots of money but also getting the good role guys along with some homegrown talent. As much as I hate the Yankees I put the Red Sox right there with them.
The AL West is garbage. A few really interesting situations out there too, but the bottom line is none of these teams can win it all. In a season or two if the Angels start playing some of their young guys they could win 100 games and be a real threat.
AL MVP: Travis Hafner (CLE) If the Indians get into the playoffs and Hafner spends at least some time as the first baseman he could easily win the award. No player in all of baseball scares me at the plate as much as Hafner. The fact that the Tigers don't have a lefty in the pen this year is going to make even more scared of the lefty Hafner. I'm calling for .320/50HR/140RBI, he's a monster.
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana (MIN): Best pitcher in all of baseball and it isn't even close. Should get plenty of MVP votes as well should Minnesota stay competitive.
AL Champ: New York Yankees: They seem due don't they? They haven't won a World Series since 2000. Not that I feel bad for them, this team just is scary. Hopefully Jeter has nagging injuries all year and A-Rod continues to choke. Their pitching is miserable in my opinion. I'm just hoping to jinx them out of winning.
World Series: Phillies over Yankees.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
National League Preview
I told myself I would update this more but it's been over a week, so I am overdue. The 2007 baseball season kicks off on Sunday night with most everyone else starting Monday. I've been doing a lot of reading and looking into this season and this season's stories. Here my bold predictions for the National League in 2007:
NL EAST
1. Phillies 91-96 wins*
2. Mets 87-92*
3. Braves 81-86
4. Marlins 71-76
5. Nationals 50-55
NL CENTRAL
1. Cardinals 82-87*
2. Cubs 80-85
3. Brewers 77-82
4. Astros 76-80
5. Reds 74-79
6. Pirates 70-75
NL WEST
1. Dodgers 89-95*
2. D'Backs 83-88
3. Padres 79-84
4. Rockies 72-77
5. Giants 69-74
No one in the NL really stands out to me this year, a lot like last year. Last year the Mets led the way right from the start. However, not only did they not upgrade their starting pitching, it actually got a lot worse. Their offense is so explosive that they should still get into the playoffs. The NL Central is a total tossup, I really would not be surprised if any of the top four teams won there. I have no clue. I like the NL West. Lots of really good young players and Barry Bonds.
NL MVP: Jose Reyes (Mets): This guy is a monster. Led MLB in steals last year and provided some pop with his bat too. If Reyes is healthy the Mets are terrific. Not that he has a history of injuries, but if he gets hurt, the Mets are in serious trouble. Also, I just want to go on record with saying that I do not trust Ryan Howard at all. Sure he hit 58 HR last year, but I just want to say I don't trust him.
NL Cy Young: Roy Oswalt (Astros): Oswalt is a beast. Last year Brandon Webb of Arizona won the award and he and Chris Carpenter could pretty easily win the award as well. However, Oswalt is due and all the pressure is on him this year to carry the Astros.
NL Champ: I like the Phillies. The offense is great with Utley and the wildly overrated Ryan Howard and the starting rotation is as good as any in the NL. In closing, I really think the NL sucks. They sucked last year and the same will hold true in 2007. However, as the Cardinals proved last year, if you get hot at the right time, pretty much anything can happen. Most of the top teams in the NL (Mets, Astros, Cards) have playoff tested rosters who could just put it together at the right time, making them dangerous. Tomorrow, the AL.
NL EAST
1. Phillies 91-96 wins*
2. Mets 87-92*
3. Braves 81-86
4. Marlins 71-76
5. Nationals 50-55
NL CENTRAL
1. Cardinals 82-87*
2. Cubs 80-85
3. Brewers 77-82
4. Astros 76-80
5. Reds 74-79
6. Pirates 70-75
NL WEST
1. Dodgers 89-95*
2. D'Backs 83-88
3. Padres 79-84
4. Rockies 72-77
5. Giants 69-74
No one in the NL really stands out to me this year, a lot like last year. Last year the Mets led the way right from the start. However, not only did they not upgrade their starting pitching, it actually got a lot worse. Their offense is so explosive that they should still get into the playoffs. The NL Central is a total tossup, I really would not be surprised if any of the top four teams won there. I have no clue. I like the NL West. Lots of really good young players and Barry Bonds.
NL MVP: Jose Reyes (Mets): This guy is a monster. Led MLB in steals last year and provided some pop with his bat too. If Reyes is healthy the Mets are terrific. Not that he has a history of injuries, but if he gets hurt, the Mets are in serious trouble. Also, I just want to go on record with saying that I do not trust Ryan Howard at all. Sure he hit 58 HR last year, but I just want to say I don't trust him.
NL Cy Young: Roy Oswalt (Astros): Oswalt is a beast. Last year Brandon Webb of Arizona won the award and he and Chris Carpenter could pretty easily win the award as well. However, Oswalt is due and all the pressure is on him this year to carry the Astros.
NL Champ: I like the Phillies. The offense is great with Utley and the wildly overrated Ryan Howard and the starting rotation is as good as any in the NL. In closing, I really think the NL sucks. They sucked last year and the same will hold true in 2007. However, as the Cardinals proved last year, if you get hot at the right time, pretty much anything can happen. Most of the top teams in the NL (Mets, Astros, Cards) have playoff tested rosters who could just put it together at the right time, making them dangerous. Tomorrow, the AL.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Young Tiger's in Spring Training...
I was watching some Spring Training ball with my dad today when Cameron Maybin walked to the plate. It was my first time seeing him in uniform this spring, I was anxious to see how he would preform. In his first at bat there were runners at first and second and it looked like the D-Rays pitcher was scared of him and walked him on five pitches. His next at bat he got played bad with a series of off speed stuff. Maybin was a the Tigers top pick in 2005 and is often compared to Ken Griffey Jr. Last season around the trade deadline when the Tigers were trying to pick up an extra bat for the stretch run there was talk of the Tigers going after superstar Alfonso Soriano. Story goes that the Nationals asked for Maybin to be part of the deal and Tigers GM said, "No way". Maybin is as close to an untouchable as you will find in baseball. Here's a quick peak at how some of the future Tigers are fairing during spring training.
(Ratings are created by Baseball America and it should be noted that only highly thought of prospects get invited to Spring Training with the big league club.)
1. Cameron Maybin (OF): Maybin is hitting .450 (9-20) this spring with a couple of homeruns. Maybin doesn't even turn 20 until April 4 and will certainly spend at least the next season in the minors. Luckily, due to the Tigers recent success there is no need to rush Maybin to the majors. There is a chance that Maybin, with a successful season in the minors could make a brief appearance in Detroit this September.
2. Andrew Miller (P): Miller threw five innings of minor league ball before pitching
out of the Tiger bullpen in September. He was considered the top pitcher in last years draft but fell down to the Tiger's because he wanted so much money. Miller (right) turn 22 in May and could spend a fair amount of time in Detroit this fall. However, given Detroit's great starting pitching the Tigers do no need to rush him to the majors. They could see him as the ideal replacement for Kenny Rogers when his contract expires after this season when he will be about 57 years old. This spring Miller threw only 6 innings giving up 3 runs and striking out 7.
3. Brent Clevlen (OF): Clevlen appeared in 31 games for the Tigers last year. He has very little chance of making the team this year unless the Tigers decide to trade Craig Monroe and/or Marcus Thames. Clevlen has had an okay spring hitting .273 with a homerun.
4. Jair Jurrjens (P): Jurrjens threw five innings this spring and allowed only one run while striking out four and walking only one. Jurrjens will likely not appear in Detroit this year and only turned 21 this past winter. Odds are that Jurrjens show up in Detroit until at least 2008. However, he gives the Tigers another strong option for their future starting rotation.
5. Jordan Tata (P): Tata struggled this spring, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up 4 runs. Tata is 25 and could easily start for a couple of major league teams. It's possible that if Jurrjens and Miller progress this season the Tigers could look to trade Tata for young offensive talent.
6. Euglio de la Cruz (P): de la Cruz threw only 2 innings this spring, giving up 4 runs. I'm sure this did very little to discourage the Tigers who have no plans on moving up to the majors anytime soon. de la Cruz has hit 100mph with his fastball in the minors and has a devastating curveball. The Tigers are yet to determine if he will be a starter or work out of the bullpen.
According to Baseball America the Tigers's farm system is pretty middle of the road with the exception of Miller and Maybin who project as stars. Players like Clevlen and Tata will almost certainly never reach star status while others like Jurrjens are too young to tell.
(Ratings are created by Baseball America and it should be noted that only highly thought of prospects get invited to Spring Training with the big league club.)
1. Cameron Maybin (OF): Maybin is hitting .450 (9-20) this spring with a couple of homeruns. Maybin doesn't even turn 20 until April 4 and will certainly spend at least the next season in the minors. Luckily, due to the Tigers recent success there is no need to rush Maybin to the majors. There is a chance that Maybin, with a successful season in the minors could make a brief appearance in Detroit this September.
2. Andrew Miller (P): Miller threw five innings of minor league ball before pitching
out of the Tiger bullpen in September. He was considered the top pitcher in last years draft but fell down to the Tiger's because he wanted so much money. Miller (right) turn 22 in May and could spend a fair amount of time in Detroit this fall. However, given Detroit's great starting pitching the Tigers do no need to rush him to the majors. They could see him as the ideal replacement for Kenny Rogers when his contract expires after this season when he will be about 57 years old. This spring Miller threw only 6 innings giving up 3 runs and striking out 7.3. Brent Clevlen (OF): Clevlen appeared in 31 games for the Tigers last year. He has very little chance of making the team this year unless the Tigers decide to trade Craig Monroe and/or Marcus Thames. Clevlen has had an okay spring hitting .273 with a homerun.
4. Jair Jurrjens (P): Jurrjens threw five innings this spring and allowed only one run while striking out four and walking only one. Jurrjens will likely not appear in Detroit this year and only turned 21 this past winter. Odds are that Jurrjens show up in Detroit until at least 2008. However, he gives the Tigers another strong option for their future starting rotation.
5. Jordan Tata (P): Tata struggled this spring, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up 4 runs. Tata is 25 and could easily start for a couple of major league teams. It's possible that if Jurrjens and Miller progress this season the Tigers could look to trade Tata for young offensive talent.
6. Euglio de la Cruz (P): de la Cruz threw only 2 innings this spring, giving up 4 runs. I'm sure this did very little to discourage the Tigers who have no plans on moving up to the majors anytime soon. de la Cruz has hit 100mph with his fastball in the minors and has a devastating curveball. The Tigers are yet to determine if he will be a starter or work out of the bullpen.
According to Baseball America the Tigers's farm system is pretty middle of the road with the exception of Miller and Maybin who project as stars. Players like Clevlen and Tata will almost certainly never reach star status while others like Jurrjens are too young to tell.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Loyal readers may recall that on December 13, 2006 I wrote about how boring it was to watch the Pistons. I wrote that it was time to shake things up and change the way they played. Well I can only assume that Joe Dumars read what I wrote and took it very seriously. The addition of Chris Webber has completely turned around the way they play, they aren't boring anymore! They move on offense! They play hard from the start! They look interested in the game! Well, except for Rasheed, but everyone else appears to be having a good time.
The casual NBA fan has probably read a few times about how much the other guys enjoy playing with Webber. If you haven't heard much about that, I'll sum it up for you. Webber has always been known as a great passing big man. Sure, you won't confuse Webber with Steve Nash or Chris Paul, but big men play a different game than those small guys. The popular move for Webber is for him to receive the ball in the high post with his back to the basket. The rest of the team will then zig and zag through the lane, Webber, holding the ball high can then deliver a pass for a layup or kick out to someone else for a three.
I'm not ready to hand the Pistons the title or even the east for that matter, but they look good. They are still playing defense and I'm confident they can put up 105 points when they need to. Just one bad thing I have noticed: Rasheed Wallace's contract is going to look more and more ridiculous every season. The Pistons owe Rasheed 12.5 million next year, and 13.5 million the year after that. That seems like a lot of money for a guy who will be suspended a few games year, only shows up for the fourth quarter or when he feels he's been wronged, and is only averaging 12 points per game. Just sayin'.
The casual NBA fan has probably read a few times about how much the other guys enjoy playing with Webber. If you haven't heard much about that, I'll sum it up for you. Webber has always been known as a great passing big man. Sure, you won't confuse Webber with Steve Nash or Chris Paul, but big men play a different game than those small guys. The popular move for Webber is for him to receive the ball in the high post with his back to the basket. The rest of the team will then zig and zag through the lane, Webber, holding the ball high can then deliver a pass for a layup or kick out to someone else for a three.
I'm not ready to hand the Pistons the title or even the east for that matter, but they look good. They are still playing defense and I'm confident they can put up 105 points when they need to. Just one bad thing I have noticed: Rasheed Wallace's contract is going to look more and more ridiculous every season. The Pistons owe Rasheed 12.5 million next year, and 13.5 million the year after that. That seems like a lot of money for a guy who will be suspended a few games year, only shows up for the fourth quarter or when he feels he's been wronged, and is only averaging 12 points per game. Just sayin'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)