Anyway, the season is about to start so onto the predictions.
AL: So confused about this division. So many middle of the road teams, with a few top notch teams. I mean please tell me who is going to finish with a better record out of the Indians, Seattle, Angels, Twins, and the Blue Jays. Sort of reminds me of the initial power struggle in the Sopranos when Tony went down. No one really stands out to take over for Tony. So to steal a page from BSG, here are my predictions based on characters in the Sopranos and who might take over for Tony.
Non Playoff Teams:
Tampa (Janice): This organization is so poorly run, it makes me angry to see this team year after year bungle trades, minor league moves, and personal decisions. Its sad.
Royals (AJ): This team is lost, just like poor AJ. Solid offensive team, with more on the way, but no pitching or defense, and no plan for the future.
O's (Artie): This organization is a joke. When will they realize that signing below average pitching won't help them? And then they sign another aging catcher? And is their outfield really going to be Gibbons, Patterson, and Millar? Yes, I know they have Caberara (just like Artie has his baked ziti), but that won't be enough.
Tigers (Furio): Where has this team gone? Weren't they supposed to make the jump last year? Still the same core of players and they added a few solid role players and yet they take a step back. And now they are an after thought. They have the young talent on offense and defense, but nothing ever seems to develop. Is Bonderman the next Kris Benson? I'm tired of waiting for him to breakout. Verlander is also supposed to produce this year, but when you are expecting more than one breakout season from your pitchers, I don't like your chances. Love that offense though.
Seattle (Bobby): They have been in the background for a couple of years helping Junior. Now they have a solid core of hitters. Beltre and Sexson looks ready. Ichiro is jazzed up. Johjima looks to be as good as predicted. But the rotation, which will be the key, hit a slight snag with with King Felix probably missing 1-2 starts. And your really depending on Moyer and Washburn to hold the team together? If Felix produces, and Moyer and Washburn can hold it together for one more year, they should be able to contend for the West title.
Cleveland (Meadow): Eric's going to be pissed. Is she going to be boss? No. This seems to be the sexy pick of the offseason for some strange reason. They had a chance last year when they had no health problems, and their bullpen was lights out. Then for some strange reason, they imploded their bullpen and let their best pitcher, Millwood, go to Texas. They made some terrible moves in trading Crisp for Mota and Marte, and thinking Graves will get the job done as a setup man is damn riske (ha). They also brought in Paul Bryd, who will be serviceable, but nothing more than that. They had their chance last year and an opportunity to build on it this year and blew it. But, with all that said, I love Meadow and the Indians and will have no problem eating crow if they contend.
Rangers (Paulie): Love this guy and I love this team, but nothing ever happens because you just can't pitch in that ballpark. Millwood was a great addition, but Eaton? And then you let the one pitcher that could pitch there in Kenny Rogers go? Ugh. So many things need to go their way to compete this year, which I just don't see it happening. Just put plastic on the couch and watch these guys rack up the runs, but lose the game in the end.
Angels (Johnny Sack): This makes me happy to write this since I can't stand these guys. Two consecutive AL West titles and a group of tremendous prospects, and then they take an offseason off for some reason and they end up in prison, er out of the playoff race. The rotation will be solid, but beware, they have both Weaver brothers in their organization. That lineup is just terrible. Erstad and Anderson are done. Are they looking at Kennedy to pickup the slack? You can now pitch around Vlad. For them not to rebuild their offense was a godsend to me. Thank you!!!!!
Blue Jays (Junior) : I don't know what to think about all the moves they made over the offseason. Did they over pay? Yes, but they had to to get players to go up there. They had a solid base before, with a solid bullpen (except for a closer) and now they filled their weak spots. Can they contend if things fall correctly? Yes. Could they finish under .500 again? Sure. This team is just too hard to read.
Twins (Little Carmine): Had their chance and blew it. These guys will always contend as long as they have pitching, speed, and defense on their side, but their offense is lacking. They still have a tremendous rotation and bullpen, but the lack of offensive additions in the offseason really makes you think if they are serious about contending.
Playoff Teams:
A's (Christopher): This is the year he and the A's step up. From the first three episodes, it doesn't look like Chris is the guy, but the A's are always a slow starter, so I'm expecting the both of them to pick it up. All of the movement last year was geared to start the title run now. Zito, Harden, Haren, Blanton, and Loiaza might make up one of the best rotations. The offense is better with the addition of Bradley and the jetison of Hatteberg and Duarzo. The bullpen is a little bit of a worry, but Hasley and Dominguez might do the trick.
Red Sox (Silvio): Hmmm. They don't do well as the front runner do they. They love that underdog role to the Yanks. They were heading in the right direction with some early moves with Crisp, Becket, Riske, and Taverez, but why did they trade Arroyo? Pena will provide some depth, but at the cost of a decent starter? I hate that move. But with that offense, I think that they will still be able to make the playoffs.
Yankees (Vito): Say my name. Vito Spatore. Trimed down and ready to go. That offense is almost as scary as the Vito's weight loss!!! But that weak bench and a shaky rotation makes me nervous enough to chomp on a bag of carrots during their games. And how has this guy turned into a hated character? I always liked him before, but now I'm really turning on him. Ugh.
White Sox (Phil): These guys look dangerous. Improved pitching and offense. Bullpen is still intact. Trying to think of a reason why not to pick these guys to win it all again? Same with Phil. Phil is primed for a power move to take control of the New Jersey operation with Tony down.
White Sox over Red Sox
A's over Yanks
AL Championship: White Sox over the A's
NL will be coming.
5 comments:
I'm a little pissed at your post, but not for the reasons you think.
First, you are dead on about the Tribe; the loss of Howry could be huge. I'm not sold on Graves at all after his performance with the Reds the last couple of years. And losing the AL ERA leader and replacing him with Paul Byrd is a slight step down, at best.
But I think Coco was overrated (can you say career year?) so I don't have a big problem with that trade.
The Indians that people remember from 2005 is the Tribe from August and September, when they went 35-10 or something. People forget that they did not show up in April and May. That's not going to happen again.
I expect 88 wins from this team - and if that's not good enough for the playoffs, well, so be it.
But why I am pissed:
1) Comparing Seattle and the Twins with the Tribe? Cleveland will be better than both.
2) And the Blue Jays? Are you buying this? You never bought into the Baltimore hype when they paid too much for their teams in 2001-04; why do you think the Blue Jays will be better than the Tribe?
(I read your post to be a reverse-power rankings. Was I right?)
And you have some nerve calling the Tribe "a sexy pick". Um, if you haven't noticed, I've seen 2 people expect the A's go to the World Series. Hello? Pot, meet Kettle.
I expect the White Sox to have some sort of letdown this year... will it be less than 88 games? I say no.
So, in typical Cleveland fashion, the Browns will start 4-0 in September, but that will be muted by the Tribe losing the AL Central by 2 games and the Wild Card by 3 games.
Who picked the A's? Three guys on Hardball Times predicted the Indians to win the Central. I could give two shits about the boneheads at ESPN.
Already talked to you about the Indians. Worse starting staff, worse bullpen, and an offense that is thinner with no bench. If you have even one injury you have no depth. And I don't believe you can be as healthy as you were last year. But as I said before, I would like to see the Indians compete, but I just don't think they have have the same type of luck as last year.
Well now. Let's see how Davis does as the number 4 guy now.
I bet you were smiling when you wrote that last comment.
No. I'm sorry for that last comment. That was uncalled for.
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