This time each year I highly anticipate not only the start of my beloved Philadelphia Phillies, but for the start of my beloved game of baseball on all levels. I often revert back to my memorization of "Classic" Phillies' lineups as a wee six-year old, and conclusively credit my love for sports to America's beautiful Past Time. As far as the MLB season goes, I annually ease into it, use the first couple months as an experimentation period as I slowly get my bearings on the league I oh so love. However, as my knowledge and perception of the game matures, I know that it is not the heat of July or the outskirts of September that define a baseball season, but each game, each inning, and each pitch. Later this week, thirty journeys begin. Thirty teams, with thirty nations behind them cross their fingers and pray; as the next installment of Major League Baseball history, seeps into our lives.
1. Boston Red Sox
Key Additions: Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford
Key Losses: Adrian Beltre, Mike Lowell, Victor Martinez, Bill Hall
Putting all evident "chemistry obstacles" aside, Boston had the best off season, and had the best returning team to compliment it. Both Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford are super star vets, who together would put the Royals in contention with their combination of proven power and seasoned speed. Bobby Jenks is a major sign for the Red Sox as well, barring that he will provide help for Boston's slumping All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon. The only question for this reemerging power house is their starting staff. Jon Lester, John Lackey, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Clay Buchholz, looks good right? In recent years, "looking good" on paper has only put money in these players' pockets; not rings on their fingers.
2. San Francisco Giants
Key Additions: Miguel Tejada, Jeff Suppan
Key Losses: Edgar Renteria, Juan Uribe
Regardless of Edgar Renteria and Juan Uribe, who did play their own unique role for the Giants last season, the World Champions have seemingly lost nothing, which makes them hard to pick against. The Giants have three keys to success, dynamite pitching, lineup depth, and a lights out closer. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez are as good as a rotation trio comes(hold the phone on Philadelphia), and Zito and Bumgarner aren't too shabby at the back end. The Giants sport a cast of outfield options that includes Andres Torres, Aaron Rowand, Mark Derosa, Pat Burrell,Cody Ross, and Nate Schierholtz, who are grounded by infield stars Buster Posey and Aubrey Huff. Then the last key piece, the beard, Brian Wilson. The Yankees won for so many years because they knew that when they had a lead in the eighth or ninth the game was virtually over. The Giants are molding into a team that has that luxury.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
Key Additions: Cliff Lee, Delwyn Young
Key Losses: Jayson Werth, Chad Durbin
Dare I jinx my Phillies anymore, and say that we have the best pitching in MLB history? Being tagged as such an impeccable staff when the club signed Cliff Lee for his second Philly tenure this off-season provides one major problem; the challenge of "living up to the hype." However, that is hardly what Philadelphia has to focus on, and the question marks we have all over our offense and bullpen is why I could not place the boys at one or two. No Utley, no Lidge to start the season. Our best righty gone from last year, and no one signed to take his place. Is Wilson Valdez the answer at second? Is Ben Francisco ready to not only fill the void in right field but in our lineup as well? We can only pray ... so let's all pray.
4. Texas Rangers
Key Additions: Yorvit Torrealba, Arthur Rhodes, Brandon Webb, Mike Napoli, Dave Bush, Adrian Beltre
Key Losses: Vladimir Guerrero, Bengie Molina, Jorge Cantu, Cliff Lee, Frank Francisco
The reigning AL Champions lost their ace in Cliff Lee to free agency, but did manage to strengthen their bullpen with Arthur Rhodes and deepen their staff with Dave Bush and Brandon Webb. For Texas, their success rises and falls with their pitching, because for them, offense is a sheer luxury. If their pitching can deliver, AL MVP Josh Hamilton and the rest of the gang will take it from there, and Texas could be looking at another magical run.
5. Milwaukee Brewers
Key Additions: Shawn Marcum, Zack Greinke, Yuniesky Betancourt, Takashi Saito
Key Losses: Dave Bush, Trevor Hoffman, Doug Davis, Todd Coffey, Carlos Villanueva, Alcides Escobar
When the Brewers signed Zack Greinke this off-season, they put him next to Yovani Gallardo and instantly made themselves NL Central contenders. When the Brewers later signed Shawn Marcum, they complimented their new duo with a good young arm, and instantly made themselves NL contenders. Pitching, as for many clubs, has been the obstacle for the Brew Crew in recent seasons. With Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Casey McGhee and Corey Hart in their lineup, runs have hardly been a rarity, while quality starts certainly have. Greinke, Marcum, and Gallardo will fuel an engine that has been sputtering since Ben Sheets fell victim to career altering injuries years ago.
6. Chicago White Sox
Key Additions: Adam Dunn, Lastings Milledge
Key Losses: Freddy Garcia, Andruw Jones, J.J Putz, Manny Ramirez, Bobby Jenks
Adam Dunn has finally moved to a contender, and now we will all see what he is truly capable of. The South Side Sox arguably have the most power in the league, with Konerko, Dunn, Rios, and Quentin; and with a division that doesn't sport great pitching, it could just be a recipe for disaster. Their pitching staff, headed by mark Buerhle, is as experienced as they come, and that can take a team a long way.
7. New York Yankees
Key Additions: Russell Martin, Pedro Feliciano, Rafael Soriano, Andruw Jones, Mark Prior
Key Losses: Chad Gaudin, Javier Vazquez, Nick Johnson, Alfredo Aceves
This was a nightmare of an off-season for Cashman and Steinbrenner, who not only lost Cliff Lee to Philadelphia, but only managed to sign the likes of Russell Martin, Raf Soriano, and others who don't deserve to be noted. The back end of the Yankees pitching staff is, wait for it, Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia; just the wait until they meet the New York Post. Sadly, star power keeps the Yanks in the top ten, that's just the way it is. On the bright side, they are evidently declining.
8. Atlanta Braves
Key Additions: Scott Linebrink, George Sherrill, Dan Uggla
Key Losses: Derek Lee, Troy Glaus, Matt Diaz, Rick Ankiel, Omar Infante
The Braves lost a lot in their line up this season, but managed to obtain Second base slugger Dan Uggla, and maintain their steady starting staff. Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman create the perfect balance of youth and experience alongside vets Chipper Jones and Alex Gonzalez, a good recipe for a barrage of runs in Atlanta this season.
9. Minnesota Twins
Key Additions: Tsuyoshi Nishioka
Key Losses: Jon Rauch, Orlando Hudson, Brian Fuentes, Matt Guerrier, Nick Punto, J.J Hardy
Don't be fooled by the number of key losses the Twins sustained this off-season, they can and will win baseball games barring the health of the three J's. Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, and Joe Nathan have been on and off the disabled list in the last few years and this team has still managed to get to the post season. This season, it is likely that they will all be healthy at the same time, and with Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano proving their worth at the forefront of their rotation, the sky is the limit for Minnesota.
10. Colorado Rockies
Key Additons: Jose Lopez, Ty Wigginton, Matt Lindstrom
Key Losses: Joe Beimel, Jeff Francis, Clint Barmes, Manny Delcarmen
Top ten generous for the Rockies? Something about this ball club always surprises everyone, so I don't think it is generous at all. Colorado strengthened their infield by signing Jose Lopez and their bullpen by signing Matt Lindstrom. Fueled by star power in 2010, Colorado prays that Tulo, Car-Go, and Ubaldo still have some left in the tank for another run at the playoffs. If those who follow Jimenez in the rotation (Hammel, De la Rosa, Cook, Chacin) can keep the Rocks in games, Colorado's late game offense will flourish and produce wins.
11. St. Louis Cardinals
Key Additions: Ryan Theriot, Lance Berkman, Nick Punto, Gerald Laird,
Key Losses: Randy Winn, Brad Penny, Pedro Feliz, Brenda Ryan
Many experts have the Cardinals dropping a long way this season, but I still have confidence in their lineup that sports Matt Holiday, Albert Pujols, and Lance Berkman, and in their staff despite the loss of Adam Wainwright for the season. Chris Carpenter is the key for the Cards this season. Pujols, along with his pals will put runs on the board, and if Carpenter can provide the club with a consistent ace, which would have been Wainwright, things could go well in St. Louis.
12. Cincinnati Reds
Key Additions: Dontrelle Willis, Edgar Renteria, Fred Lewis
Key Losses: Orlando Cabrera, Ramon Hernandez, Aaron Harang, Arthur Rhodes
Any time a team has the league MVP returning it is hard to count them out completely, however I do not see the Reds coming close to the success they achieved last season. Their pitching will not be as strong, and neither will their inconsistent lineup that will have cooled off during the long off season. The player to watch is Aroldis Chapman, this time for real, because he is on the club from opening day, and is ready to rock the league with his radar shattering speed.
13. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Key Additions: Scott Downs, Hisanori Takahashi
Key Losses: Scott Shields, Hideki Matsui, Mike Napoli, Juan Rivera
Key Losses: Scott Shields, Hideki Matsui, Mike Napoli, Juan Rivera
Like the Cardinals, many experts are counting the Angels out this season. Last season, both their lineup and pitching staff looked magnificent on paper; this year, it is no different, but the results should be. Kendry Morales is back from his freak accident injury, and Vernon Wells has found a new home in left field in Anaheim. Rookie Peter Bourjos will provide a spark amidst an "older" lineup, with his eye popping speed and instant play-making ability in Center Field. Scott Kazmir pitching to his potential and posting a solid season certainly wouldn't hurt, as Jered Weaver needs help in the starting rotation.
14. Florida Marlins
Key Additions: Omar Infante, John Buck, Javier Vazquez
Key Losses: Cameron Maybin, Dan Uggla, Ronny Paulino
The Marlins are going to be that surprise team this year that sneaks up on every team that they play. Their lineup is the best combination of "young and good" in the league, with Hanley Ramirez, Mike Stanton, Gaby Sanchez, Lew Morrison, and former rookie of the year Chris Coghlan. Josh Johnson will make a run at the NL Cy Young Award, and lead a rotation with grave potential, with new running mate Javier Vazquez.
15. Detroit Tigers
Key Additions: Victor Martinez, Brad Penny
Key Losses: Jeremy Bonderman, Jonny Damon, Armando Galarraga
The Tigers were beginning to slip in recent years, but the signing of Victor Martinez keeps them in the "better half" of the league. Their aging lineup only has a few good years left, but they will be grounded by young gun Austin Jackson who will continue to improve in 2011. Behind Justin Verlander, proven to be one of the best pitchers in the American League, the Tigers will make a run at the AL Central but will fall significantly short; but the season will definitely be a progressive one.
16. Tampa Bay Rays
Key Additions: Sam Fuld, Kyle Farnsworth, Manny Ramirez, Jonny Damon, Felipe Lopez, Casey Kotchman
Key Losses: Carlos Pena, Rafael Soriano, Grant Balfour, Carl Crawford, Brad Hawpe, Chadd Qualls, Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza
The Rays, who peaked with their World Series run in '08, are already on the serious down slope with the departure of glue man Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, and more. The Rays signed former Red Sox teammates Manny Ramirez and Johny Damon, and if history repeats itself, this will provide more problems than positives.
17. Chicago Cubs
Key Additions: Carlos Pena, Matt Garza, Kerry Wood, Todd Wellemayer
Key Losses: Sam Fuld
This is not the Cubs year, sorry Chicago, but they are definitely looking better. Former Rays Matt Garza and Carlos Pena will provide both pitching and offense help, which last year's Cubs team can badly use. With a new skip in town, let's call it a new year for the Cubs, after all it is. Starting now I see the Cubbies moving forward; god bless you faithful Chicago fans.
18. Baltimore Orioles
Key Additions: Mark Reynolds, J.J Hardy, Derek Lee, Kevin Gregg, Randy Winn, Jusin Duchscherer, Vladimir Guerrero
Key Losses: Ty Wigginton, Kevin Millwood, Corey Patterson, David Hernandez
Let's just ignore Baltimore's pitching for right now. The Orioles' front office went out this off-season and created an offensive juggernaut, signing Derek Lee, J.J. Hardy, Mark Reynolds, and Vlad Guerrero, while keeping Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Luke Scott, and Brian Roberts. Can the dismal Baltimore pitching contend in the AL East? Hardly. Will their offense create fireworks at Camden Yards this year? It seems so.
19. Oakland Athletics
Key Additions: David Dejesus, Josh Willingham, Hideki Matsui, Rich Harden, Grant Balfour, Brian Fuentes
Key Losses: Eric Chavez, Ben Sheets, Justin Duchscherer, Vin Mazzaro, Rajai Davis, Jack Cust
I am not as high on Oakland as the rest of the baseball world is, but I do think they are making great strides toward contending in not only their division but also the AL. They boosted their power hitting by adding Willingham and Matsui, their staff with Rich Harden, and their bullpen with Grant Balfour and Brian Fuentes. Billy Beane continues to masterfully piece together a baseball team who has a bright future, however their sub par lineup has them lined up for a sub par season.
20. Los Angeles Dodgers
Key Additions: Jon Garland, Juan Uribe, Matt Guerrier, Dioneer Navarro
Key Losses: Russell Martin, George Sherrill, Ryan Theriot
After two straight NLCS losses to the Philadelphia Phillies in '08 and '09, the Dodgers missed the playoffs last year; get ready for a long string of bad seasons LA. With young talent as a rarity the Dodgers aren't getting any younger, even if Clayton Kershaw and Andre Ethier beg to differ.
21. San Diego Padres
Key Additions: Aaron Harang, Jason Bartlett, Brad Hawpe, Orlando Hudson, Jorge Cantu, Chad Qualls
Key Losses: Adrian Gonzalez, Jon Garland, Chris Young, Miguel Tejada, David Eckstein, Scott Hairston
After being the surprise team of 2010, the Padres made great moves to help their offense this off season and even boosted their starting rotation with the experienced Aaron Harang. However, the departure of super star Adrian Gonzalez will be hard for the Padres to get over. For many years Gonzalez was the whole San Diego organization; without him, the club will need time to recuperate.
22. Seattle Mariners
Key Additions: Jack Cust, Brendan Ryan, Adam Kennedy, Miguel Olivo, Manny Delcarmen
Key Losses: Russell Branyan, Casey Kotchman, Jose Lopez, Rob Johnson
When King Felix is on the hill Seattle is as good as they come. When he isn't they give a dismal display of America's Past Time. On another sad note; Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle's hero, isn't getting any younger.
23. Toronto Blue Jays
Key Additions: Rajai Davis, Carlos Villanueva, Octavio Dotel, Frank Francisco, Juan Rivera
Key Losses: Lyle Overbay, Scott Downs, Shawn Marcum, John Buck, Kevin Gregg
Jose Bautista stayed in Toronto and will make us wonder why we made such a big deal out of his status this off season. After a grid lock of an off season that saw mediocre players come to and leave Toronto, the Blue Jays will remain in the bottom half of the AL East; their spring, summer, and fall home.
24. New York Mets
Key Additions: Ronny Paulino, Taylor Tankersley, Chris Young
Key Additions: Ronny Paulino, Taylor Tankersley, Chris Young
Key Losses: Fernando Tatis, Pedro Feliciano, John Maine
Any chance I get to make fun of the charity case New York Mets just brightens my day, and this MLB Preview is no exception. If the injury prone Mets can stay healthy they could be decent, but its doubtful.
25. Houston Astros
Key Additions: Clint Barmes, Bill Hall
Key Losses: Felipe Paulino, Matt Lindstrom
The Astros didn't do much to boost their league status this off season, and will be in a basement battle with the Pirates from Opening Day. Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt have finally both left and this means that Astros can start anew. Estimated time of arrival on the success train, 2015.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks
Key Additions: Zach Duke, David Hernandez, Micah Owings, Armando Galarraga, Russell Branyan
Key Losses: Mark Reynolds, Adam Laroche, Brandon Webb, Rodrigo Lopez
In a calendar year the D'Backs have lost the majority of their hope, which was in the form of Dan Haren, a healthy Brandon Webb, and slugger Mark Reynolds. Zach Duke, Micah Owings, and Armando Galarraga are mediocre pitching pick ups, who are far from what the club needs.
27. Washington Nationals
Key Additions: Jayson Werth, Chad Gaudin, Rick Ankiel, Adam Laroche
Key Losses: Adam Dunn, Adam Kennedy, Willie Harris
Some Phillies fans have called Jayson Werth a sell out, a traitor, and other harmless names of the sort. I simply feel bad for Werth. I liked the guy, and he is going to be in a Nationals uniform for seven years. He will be the first to prove that D.C. is where careers go to die.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates
Key Additions: Kyle Overbay, Scott Olsen, Matt Diaz, Garrett Atkins
Key Losses: Chan Ho Park, Andy Laroche, Delwyn Young, Lastings Milledge
If the Pirates can go through the whole season without trading Andrew McCutchen for sub par pitching prospects, it will be a successful year in the eyes of their fans, who have seen Jason Bay, Nate McLouth, and Xavier Nady part from Pittsburgh for next to nothing in years past.
29. Cleveland Indians
Key Additions: Jack Hannahan, Austin Kearns, Orlando Cabrera
Key Losses: None
Key Losses: None
The Indians are as rough a team as you'll see if you get a chance to catch them on TV. However, that won't be easy.
30. Kansas City Royals
Key Additions: Jeff Francoeur, Melky Cabrera, Alcidea Escobar, Jeff Francis, Pedro Feliz
Key Losses: Zach Greinke, David Dejesus, Brian Bannister
Zach Greinke left Kansas City for Milwaukee this off-season; their dignity has been missing ever since.
Division and Playoff Predictions
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Florida Marlins
4. New York Mets
5. Washington Nationals
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Houston Astros
NL West
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Colorado Rockies
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. San Diego Padres
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
NL Wild Card- Atlanta Braves
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Kansas City Royals
AL West
1. Texas Rangers
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners
AL Wild Card-New York Yankees
NLDS-
Philadelphia Phillies beat Milwaukee Brewers
Atlanta Braves beat San Francisco Giants
ALDS-
Boston Red Sox beat Chicago White Sox
Texas Rangers beat New York Yankees
NLCS-
Philadelphia Phillies beat Atlanta Braves
ALCS-
Boston Red Sox beat Texas Rangers
World Series-
Boston Red Sox beat Philadelphia Phillies
JD
