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are finally here: Baseball season!
It has been a long time since the world was forced to watch
the Red Sox raise the championship trophy. I know it’s
an image that most want out of their head -- I know I do.
And with that spring training has come and gone. Hopes of
contending are on the minds of everyone, even the Royals and
Pirates. Many players have changed teams this off-season:
Sammy Sosa now wears black and orange in Baltimore, Pedro
Martinez heads to New York to wear pinstripes for the Mets,
and Randy Johnson is wearing the other New York pinstripes.
It sets up for a delightful season.
And now the Cheap Seats third annual preseason MLB predictions:
AL East
 New
York Yankees
The one reason the Yanks crumbled to the Sox in the playoffs?
Pitching. Boy did they fix that! Add Randy Johnson and Carl
Pavano (Jaret Wright sucks) to the rotation, and Rodriquez
and Stanton to pen, and the Yanks are a lock to win the East.
The offense is unchanged except for bringing back 1B fav Tino
Martinez to help cushion Jason Giambi if he falters.
Baltimore Orioles
Yeah, that right. O’s finish second. How? Well the offense
is nails, even if Slammin’ Sammy doesn’t connect
the way he used to. Miguel Tejada has carried teams on his
back before, and now he has some help. The pitching is suspect,
but a career year out of some youngsters and the O’s
bolster pass the Sox. Manager Lee Mazzili will be Coach of
the Year in the AL.
Boston Red Sox
The Champs won't make the playoffs. How? The pitching will
crumble. Curt Schilling will have nagging injuries all season.
David Wells will stink up Fenway Park. Matt Clement is overrated
and Wade Miller arm will be jelly in May. Leaving Tim Wakefield
as the number one guy.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
This will be close: If the Devil Rays resurrect careers out
of Denny Neagle and Hideo Nomo, watch out. Just don’t
sacrifice the kids on this team. They have tons of hot prospects
(Kazmir, Brazelton, Upton). Let the kids play and sacrifice
another year. You’re the D-Rays! What’s another
losing season?
Toronto Blue Jays
Losing Carlos Delgado to the Marlins will cripple the Jays.
They lack power in the lineup. Maybe a return of Roy Halladay
keeps them fighting to stay out of the cellar, but don’t
count on it.
AL Central
Minnesota Twins
Sure they lost some core players, but resigning Brad Radke
to pitch behind Johan Santana will prove to be the best move.
Having a healthy Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer will allow the
Twins to pull away early.
Cleveland Indians
The tribe is back! They were one of the surprises last season,
but fell apart down the stretch and dropped to Minnesota.
This year, the Twins win it again, but Cleveland stays right
in the thick of the playoffs. A monster offense adds another
head in Juan Gonzalez. Kevin Millwood and Bob Wickman must
be healthy and effective for Cleveland to push for the Wild
Card.
Chicago White Sox
The Sox picked up some speed (Scot Podsednik) and power (Jermaine
Dye). But for the Sox to contend, they need Yankee castoffs
El Duque and Contreras to pitch well. Otherwise, look for
Ken Williams to dismantle the team in July.
Detroit Tigers
I want to pick the tigers to finish third, but I can't. The
addition of a healthy Magglio Ordonez will go a long way.
Adding bullpen help in Kyle Farnsworth and Troy Percival means
a Tiger lead in the eighth turns to a victory. The unknown
young staff needs to step up to prove me wrong.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals crashed hard last year after contending for the
division the year before. And things don’t look any
better. They may shop Mike Sweeney, claiming that a small
market can’t afford its stars.
AL
West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Huh? How can this be? Couldn’t they squeeze California
into the name also? Regardless, the Angels retooled adding
Orlando Cabrera and Steve Finley. If hot prospects Kotchman
and McPherson are the real deal, watch out!
Texas Rangers
Major League Baseball’s biggest surprise last year,
the Rangers have an awesome infield, led by Alfonso Soriano.
There is no telling what this offense could do. And the bullpen
is one of baseball's best. So why not have them win the division?
Their pitching is horrendous, led by 103-year-old Kenny Rogers.
Seattle Mariners
The M’s stunk last year. Sure, Ichiro had 512 hits.
So this year, they are trying to buy some wins, in terms of
offense. They gave Ritchie Sexson and Adrian Beltre huge contracts.
They need to worry about the aging pitching, led by Jamie
Moyer.
Oakland A’s
They were torn apart. The best three-man pitching staff in
the big leagues is now 1. Hudon/Mulder out. Zito stays. Though
the prospects that will be in the rotation will be awesome,
they will need a year of seasoning. Look for future Cy Youngs
from Rich Harden and Dan Haren.
AL Playoffs
Yankees, Angels, Twins, and Indians
NL East
Florida Marlins
Adding Carlos Delgado and Al Leiter to an already very good
team makes the Fish a strong candidate to compete for the
World Series. Up and down the lineup, this looks to be one
of baseball's best. Only problem could be if Mota falls apart
as closer.
Atlanta Braves
Did the Braves retool or what? Moving Smoltz to the rotation
and adding one of the best pitchers in baseball in Tim Hudson
sure makes the Braves a tough pick at #2. Offensively,
losing JD Drew will hurt, and adding problem child Raul Mondesi
won't make up for it.
New York Mets
The big spenders of ’05 will find the playoffs are out
of reach. Adding Pedro and Carlos Beltran will help, but they
did lose Al Leiter. This team will most likely compete, but
a serious run in the playoffs is a year away. Good luck Willie!
Washington Nationals
These are not your old Expos. They made a splash in the free
agent market with Guzman, Castilla, Loiaza, and Guillen (trade).
They have freewheeling GM in Jim Bowden, who will not allow
the Nats to sink in DC. Look for the city to embrace the team,
and possibly be the surprise team of the season.
Philadelphia Phillies
The only surprises the Phils have up their sleeve is hitting
the cellar. High expectations in recent years will come crashing
down. On paper, having Bob Abreau and Jim Thome can’t
mean last place. But I think the Phillies will find a way
to whittle this season down the tubes.
NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals
Last year’s World Series losers picked up one of baseball’s
best pitchers in Mark Mulder. They also lost Edgar Renteria’s
offense, replacing it with David Eckstein. The Cards should
have any easy time with the division with the likes of Pujols,
Walker, Rolen, Edmonds creaming pitches out of Busch Stadium.
Cincinnati Reds
I am not a big fan of the Reds, but I thought they helped
themselves in the bullpen over the offseason, and signing
Eric Milton was tremendous. Saying that, if Griffey is hurt
and Adam Dunn strikes out three times a game, this prediction
goes right out the window.
Houston
Astros
Oswalt, Clemens, Petitte. That is the reason the 'Stros are
picked this high. They lost Beltran and Kent’s bats,
and Lance Berkman will start the season injured. It could
be a slow start in Houston, but this team should have a great
second half.
Chicago Cubs
I don’t understand these guys. They wanted Sosa out
so bad that they gave him to Baltimore for a backup infielder.
Cool. They replace him with a 30 homer guy who will also lead
the league in K’s. If Wood and Prior continue to have
nagging injuries, the Cubs may even fall further than fourth.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Yeah, they are a small market club, and they wont go to the
playoffs, but they have improved talent-wise. Resigning Rookie
Of The Year Jason Bay and Oliver Perez should have outstanding
seasons, as does superstar-to-be Craig Wilson. Look for the
Bucs to get younger at the trade deadline also when they ship
out vets Jose Mesa and Benny Santiago.
Milwaukee Brewers
Bud’s brew crew is getting better. They added a big
bat in Carlos Lee and have a great pitcher in Ben Sheets.
Another monster season by Lyle Overbay might get the Brewers
out of the cellar.
NL
West
San Diego Padres
The Padres are back -- after a great season last year, expect
the Pads to win the division this year. Woody Williams replaces
David Wells as the vet in the rotation, and Dave Roberts will
be their first true leadoff man in a few years. Strong seasons
for Nevin and Klesko will alleviate some pressure from Greene
and Burroughs. Brian Giles may win MVP.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Did the Dodgers retool or what? They gave big $$ to JD Drew,
Jeff Kent, and Derek Lowe. They shipped out Shawn Green. The
Dodgers can shoot for a wildcard berth thanks to strong pitching
from Perez, Weaver, and a full season from Brad Penny.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The DBacks sucked last year. So, they got rid of Randy Johnson,
and added Vazquez, Green, Glaus, and Ortiz. The DBacks cant
be any worse than last year, and I think they will be much
improved, led by a revitalized Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants will go as far as Barry Bonds takes them, and he
will start the season injured. Adding Mosies Alou would have
helped Bonds get more pitches, but the Giants are not the
same without him. I guess the countdown to Aaron will be delayed
a few months.
Colorado Rockies
How long will Todd Helton stay in Colorado and lose? The Rockies
are full of young, inexperienced players, which will makes
for a long season in Coors Field.
NL
Playoffs
Cardinals, Marlins, Padres, and Braves
MLB
Playoffs
Looks for the Yanks and Angels to duke it out in the 7 games
for the AL pennant. Mariano Rivera strikes out Vlad in the
ninth sending the Yanks back to the Series.
In
the NL, the Cards can't overcomes a red-hot Mike Lowell in
the playoffs, as the Fish look for a rematch with the Yanks
in the Series.
World Series
Marlins vs. Yankees
I have to pick the Yankees, otherwise I could be disowned.
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