AL North Preview

Chicago White Sox

Last Year: 86-76

Runs Scored/Allowed: 770/658

Players Added:

Players Lost: Rafael Pineda, Felix Ryan, Andrew Cole

Preview:

The White Sox retained most of their offensively capable players that led them to 770 runs last season. Pineda, Ryan, and Cole were all moderate contributors and their loss totals about 160 runs (16 wins). But in their place is very capable young players that should fill those production numbers and actually exceed them with about 190 runs (a net of +3 wins).

The entire pitching staff returns for this season led by a strong starting five. Humberto Sierra and Nick Terrell are really the only weak spots on the staff. Artie Meyers is really the key, and if he could get more innings the staff could improve on their super low 658 runs allowed. As it stands, expect about the same performance.

Prediction: 90-72, 1^st Place

Toronto Blue Jays

Last Year: 81-81

Runs Scored/Allowed:871/839

Players Added: 3B BC Vizquel (SF), 2B Khoury Hayes (Mon), C Mel Allen (Min-Rule 5), P Willie Manzanillo (aaa), sp Pablo Cruz (KC), rp Mike Ford (TB), sp Chip Torres (STL), sp Al Jeanmar

Players Lost: Neil Graham, Tom Tucker, Brian Gregg, Tony Duran, Miguel Perez, Alejandro Vazquez, Andy Daly, Travis Hentgen, Howard Esposito

Preview:

The big three are back! Victor Blanco, Phil Doumit, and Wally Barton struck fear in the hearts of pitchers around the American League. The three were responsible for 390 runs, but also accounted for $22.5 million in payroll. Money well spent for an offense that produced 871 runs. The Jays added Vizquel, an aging but still productive Hayes, and rule V backup Mel Allen.

The pitching staff is what kept the Jays out of the playoffs and produced their third straight season of .500 ball (81-81 for the last three). Rod33 hasn’t felt that playoff rush as his tenure, and Toronto hasn’t had October baseball since season 8. Rod made some significant changes in order to improve by bringing up younger players and hitting the bargain bin in free agency. Vazquez is a loss from their rotation as he sported a respectable 4.65 FIP, but also carried a 1.54 Whip that wasn’t so hot. Overall, the pitching should be better.

Overall, the additions simply won’t be enough. Until young pitching is developed the Jays will continue to rely on their big three to win ball games.

Prediction: 82-80, 3^rd place

Minnesota Twins

Last Year: 74-88

Runs Scored/Allowed: 737/754

Players Added: RF Javier Valdes (FLA), CF Victor Pulido (HOU), C Tito Yoon (MIL), rp Rodrigo Salinas (SF), rp Fred Wolf (SD), rp Corey McDonald (NYY), rp Albert Saez (LAD)

Players Lost: Pedro Ordonez, Pablo Alcantra, Chris Benjamin, Jesse Cooke, Bill Smith, Clint Brocail.

Preview:

For the first time in their history the Twins opened up their wallet, and went over the $90 million threshold. The Twins are now one of the most dangerous teams in the AL with the additions of Valdes and Pulido. The offense was pedestrian last year with only 737 runs scored. That will change this season to the tune of an additional 150 runs (plus the runs saved on defense).

The pitching gets moderately better with the additions to their bullpen. The upgrades on defense might help more than expected.

Overall, they still need a few pieces to truly contend. You can expect them to be involved in the chase and give the Sox a run for their money.

Prediction: 85-77, 2^nd place

Detroit Tigers

Last Year: 60-102

Runs Scored/Allowed: 779/1014

Players Added: SS Willie Smith (FLA), 2B Ted Lombard (recent trade with LAD), 2B Melky Sanchez (aa), 2B Del Lange (aa), C Milt Leonard (aa), sp Timothy Wolf (NYY), sp Julio Martin (PIT)

Players Lost: Lonny Ibarra, Alex Gabriel, Pedro Ortega, Hersh Taylor, Clint Kirk, Mike Gonzales, Vladimir Avila, Brian Kwon, Paul Shin, Sherman Coleman

Preview:

The Tigers have their backs against the wall after another poor season. Jdrake added another 100 loss season to his resume last year, and has only had two seasons since season 12 where he even reached 70 wins. A lot of prospects are waiting in the wings and they are making an appearance this year. Sanchez, Lange, and Leonard are on their way up and others have joined the squad on offense to possibly give the Tigers claws. They could reach 800 runs this season.

The big spending in the offseason went towards two pitchers, Wolf and Martin. They should improve on their 1000 runs allowed last season, but will it be enough to become respectable?

Overall, the Tigers continue to sit in the cellar in the AL North. With a lot of good teams in that division and in the AL overall, don’t expect too much of an improvement. They won’t lose 100 games at least.

Prediction: 72-90, 4^th place

NL East Preview (courtesy of Sweetness/Angels)

Pittsburgh Pirates
Last Year: 93-69
Runs Scored/Allowed: 785/644
Players Added: Magglio Martinez (Free Agent),
Players Lost: Les Walker (Free Agent), Charles Martin (Free Agent), David Yang (Non-Tendered)
The Bucs are primed to make another big year, with seemingly all of the pieces in place.
The starting pitching is led by co-#1s Alex Cruz and Donatello Bollea. Bollea is on the down side of a great career, but still has enough left in the tank to be effective. Losing Les Walker and Charles Martin hurts a bit, but those losses will be more than offset by a full season of Juan Palacios. The starting pitching should be plenty good enough for this team to get where it was last season. They are supported by an above average bullpen, led by shutdown closer Edgardo Bocachica.
The lineup has a number of excellent players in their prime years, including CF Sean Pearson, who is one of the better overall players in the league. The entire starting lineup is 30 and under, so this will be a team to be reckoned with for a number of years.
At the end of the day, the Pirates should once again take the division although there will be some stiff competition.
Prediction: 91-71, Division Winner

Philadelphia Phillies
Last Year: 85-77
Runs Scored/Allowed: 706/711
Key Players Added: Freddy Hughes (AAA), Bono Upshaw (AAA), Woody Parker (Trade), Harry Guzman (Free Agency)
Key Players Lost: Norm Fowler (Trade)
Preview:
The Phillies just missed out on the playoffs last season after a solid 85-win campaign. However, that record may have been a bit of a mirage, as the Fightin Phils were outscored by opponents over the course of the season. However, the team made some significant additions in the offseason, particularly ace SP Harry Guzman, which should give them a boost this season
The starting pitching should be fine, with new addition Guzman and his big contract leading the way. He will be backed up by dependable Chuck Jackson, promising rookie Freddy Hughes, and innings eater Yuniesky Mercado. The strength of Philly’s pitching staff last year was the bullpen, and they should be solid once again.
The lineup will have to overcome the tough injury loss of 2b Bryan Mordecai, but will be bolstered by the promotion of hot prospect Bono Upshaw.
Overall, the Phillies have hopes of competing for the division crown and made the moves to do it, but probably lacks the depth of Pittsburgh.
Prediction: 87-75, second place, wild card

Washington Nationals
Last Year: 86-76
Runs Scored/Allowed: 688/650
Key Players Added: Edgar Lee (AAA), Lou McDonald (Free Agency)
Key Players Lost: Jolbert Gomez (non-tendered), Joey Buckley (Trade), Harry Guzman (Free Agency)
Preview:
The Nationals finished just out of the playoff hunt last season, and bring back a strong contender in season 22.
The starting pitching will continue to be the strength of the team, with future all-star Manuel Canseco, stalwart Luis Park and veteran John Pryce forming a solid top 3. Losing Guzman to the rival Phillies certainly hurts, and may be the primary cause of a flip in the standings.
The Nats did not lose any major offensive pieces from last season’s squad, and added versatile Lou McDonald as a free agent. McDonald will certainly be productive in the early seasons of the deal although he appears to be in decline. The team was just above average in runs scored last season and should be around league average once again.
This is definitely a team on the upswing but may not have enough firepower to outmatch Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Prediction: 82-80, third place


New York Mets
Last Year: 59-103
Runs Scored/Allowed: 589/816
Key Players Added: Chris Brown (Montreal), Felix Zhang (Oakland), Dickie Gabriel (Philadelphia), Alberto Soto (AAA) , Rodrigo Lima (Texas), Jim Rowan (Montreal)
Key Players Lost: Glenallen Richard (Trade), Greg Miller (Trade), Wilton Atkins (Trade), Chris Truman (Retired), Carmen McFeely (Free Agency)
Preview:
The Metropolitans are clearly in a rebuilding mode, having lost over 100 games last season and trading some major league talent for prospects and young major leaguers heading into this season. The fans are excited about GM blanch13 taking the reins based on his prolonged success building the Tampa Bay franchise into a juggernaut.
Chris “Not That Chris Brown” Brown looks like a solid addition to the lineup. Rodrigo Lima should be a productive leadoff man. The pitching staff has some salty veterans but will likely struggle.
There are some promising pieces for the future, but it does not look like this team has enough to contend in season 22. The fans are biding their time until players like Sticky Coombs, Danny Thompson, and Sammy Quinones mature and help turn the Mets back into contenders.
Prediction: 62-100, fourth place

Season 22 AL EAST PREVIEW

Baltimore Orioles

Last Year: 96-66

Runs Scored/Allowed: 836/729

Players Added: Blaine Lowry (ChiSox), Virgil Manning (SF), Harry Uribe (Cin), Julian Bennett (SD)

Players Lost: Jerry Grieve, Arthur Loney, Bump Walls, Magglio Martinez

Preview:

The Orioles finished first in the division for the fifth consecutive year, and look to extend that impressive streak this season. Jerry Grieve took his talents to South Beach, and Arthur Loney will be in Dodgers Blue and in their place are two very impressive players in Harry Uribe and Julian Bennett. The number 4 ranked offense should see no drop off this year, and finish in the top 5 once again.

Every starter from last year’s staff returns, except former #5 guy Bump Wells. The Orioles led the league in double plays last year, and those twin killings are game changers for a staff that induces a lot of groundballs. Virgil Manning was a huge addition for the bullpen, and Blaine Lowry looks to take over the last spot in the rotation as a spot starter.

Overall, the Orioles should once again take the division although every other team will remains close in a stacked AL East.

Prediction: 95-67, Division Winner

New York Yankees

Last Year: 85-77

Runs Scored/Allowed: 747/666

Players Added: Charles Martin (Pit), John Patel (Bos), Norm Fowler (Phi), Sam Reynolds (AAA), Skip Henry (AAA), Gus Hunter (AAA)

Players Lost: Lonny Sierra, Kyle Carlisle, Corey McDonald, Timothy Wolf, Harry Cairo, Woody Parker

Preview:

The once mighty Yankees continue their quest to try to return to the post-season after three year absence. The Yankees added five new faces to the pitching staff, but they look to be taking a step back this year. Commish OE has a knack for picking up garbage and making them useful. However, this group would be a masterpiece.

The Yankee offense finished in the bottom half, and should start improving. A good mix of young talent is mixed with solid veterans. Wade Dunn and Damaso Jacquez both produce and are a year older.

Overall, the pitching has taken a step backward and the offense just isn’t there yet. It will be another year of watching the postseason from their sofas for the Yankees thanks to another tough year in the AL East.

Prediction: 87-75,  2nd Place

Boston Red Sox

Last Year: 87-75

Runs Scored/Allowed: 782/753

Players Added: Phillip Shouse (Hou), Rick Dalesandro (Hou), Sawyer Velarde (Hou), Rick Hall (Mil),

Players Lost: Jaime Faulk,

Preview:

The Red Sox remade their pitching staff thanks to the trade with Houston. Shouse is a mediocre talent and a 20 game loser, but Dalesandro and Velarde were solid pickups. Overall, this could be one of the best pitching staffs in the AL.

The Red Sox offense remains dangerous thanks to Adrian Ramsay, Jerry Murray, and Charles Farrell. The only player missing from the offense is Jaime Faulk, who did perform above replacement level but was not retained due to his extreme salary demands.

Overall, the Red Sox improved pitching but failed to significantly improve their offense. They will still be in contention for a playoff spot    

Prediction: 83-79 3rd place

Cleveland Indians

Last Year: 81-81

Runs Scored/Allowed:870/878

Players Added: Pedro Sojo (StL),

Players Lost: Rick Petkovsek

Preview:

The Indians have continued to spend in order to compete in the tough AL East. It almost worked last season, but their torrid hitting couldn’t make up for their putrid pitching. Going into the season, not a lot has changed in the pitching staff. Returning are stinkers Angel Feliz, and Antone Durham and adding bullpen arm Pedro Sojo won’t make much of a difference.

Offensively the Indians are as good as they get. Alex Suzuki should rebound from his disappointing (and unnecessarily expensive) first year in Cleveland where he hit .223/.301/407 with a .238 BABIP. For $6 million you expect a lot more. Brace Wadkins worked out a lot better, but at $12 million you expect much better than .277/.338/.451. Tom Gordon was a pleasant surprise, and cheap. One albatross gone is Rick “Petco” Petkovsek and his $5.4 million salary.

Overall, this season will seem like groundhogs day for the Indians. Good offense, bad pitching. Below .500 result for a $96 million payroll.

Prediction 78-84 Last

AL West Preview

The AL West was once ruled by the A's. But since the A's decided to dump their entire team and rebuild the door was wide open for the Beavers to step in. The Mariners regressed but should bounce back while the Angels try to rebuild on the fly.

Key Additions: none

Key Losses: DH Wilt Terry

Budget Outlook: The Beavers bumped player salary up to $86, leaving plenty for prospects as well (18). A very even budget overall.

Season 20 Outlook:

The Beavers are a year older with some top players getting an extra year under their belt. But the skill levels didn’t really seem to move. So, this should be a very similar team to last year that finished 87-75.

Expect big seasons from 2b Brad Carlson and 1b Patrick Kipling.

Key Additions: RP AJ Bird, 2B Ed Curtis

Key Losses: SS Phile Kojima, CF Raymond Clarke, OF Yamil Silva, RP Dickey Cyr

Budget Outlook: The Mariners held steady with player payroll at $100 million. They didn’t skimp on scouting or prospects, but do continue to go with only $10 million in each of health and training.

Season 20 Outlook:

The Mariners definitely didn’t live up to expectations last season and slipped into third place and lost 90 games. The team was kept mostly intact. For a team that didn’t score 700 runs, they needed to continue to let their young players develop and not push the panic button. Marin, Magee, and Edmonds lead the way for the offense. The pitching staff is anchored by true aces Robertson and Watson. Things will be looking a little brighter in the Pacific Northwest. Don’t sleep on the M’s.

Key Additions:  1B Alex Romero, P Alejandro Sosa, RP Albert Nunez, SS William Richard, C Antone Farr

Key Losses: DH Eric Ducey, SP Miguel Rivera, RP Hank Sierra, RP Miguel Ozuna,

Budget Outlook: A moderate player payroll, a decent prospect payroll, and even scouting has been a trademark for the Angels. Another trademark is a high advanced scouting. Keep an eye on this team for trades as they always look to get better.

Season 20 Outlook:

There is some good pieces in places for the Angels offensively. Some high OBP guys mixed with some decent power guys like Torres. But the pitching staff is very unsettled, and not particularly talented. Their best pitcher is a 22 year old bullpen guy, and their ace is 37 year old free agent Sosa. This team just doesn’t have the pieces to compete this year.

Key Additions: Mostly cast offs from Hi-A and old folks

Key Losses:  They didn’t have anyone left after the fire sale

Budget Outlook: A $15 million player payroll says it all. They budgeted $50 which means they will transfer about $20 million or more into prospect payroll giving them $40 million or more on the international market plus this years draft.

Season 20 Outlook: Sorry, but I’m not going to spend time on a team that is tanking. There are people starting on this team in the ML that wouldn’t start in most teams’ AA or Hi A.

AL South Preview

The AL South nearly produced three playoff teams last year, and this year it looks like that could be repeated. akgsports and his Texas Rangers lost game 7 of the ALCS, and hope to return to the World Series where they won it all in season 8. Out to stop them is a core of talented teams. But will they have enough to prevent them from winning a third consecutive division title?

Key Additions: 2B Carlos Gomez, CF Diory Velasquez, RP Tex Hamilton, SP Bo Whitaker, C Damien Weiland, SP Cristian Rhodes, 1B David Martin, 2B Humberto Blasco,

Key Losses: 1B Chance Dailey, OF Adrian Lee, OF Hulk Shannon, SP Eduardo Prieto, RP Brent Simpson

Budget Outlook: The Knights, and bignr37, have always had a very balanced approach. They increased actual player payroll by $21 million this year (note: last year they transferred that much to prospects). With a lot of young players under team control this figure should continue to rise.

Season 20 Outlook:

One of the few teams that carries six starting pitchers, the upside of which is not really known. Still, they traded a horrible starter in Prieto for a much improved upgrade in Rhodes.  The offense core of the team stays pretty much the same. The group scored an incredible 774 runs, and should be improved again this year. The pitching and defense were weaker last year, and they won’t give up as many runs. The defense remains below average, and if improved could help this pitching staff a little more.

Key Additions: 2B Shane Lloyd, CF Alex Ramirez, 3B Don Anderson, SS Joe Pritchett

Key Losses: RF Andrew Sweeney, 3B Malik Stokes, SS Richard Hukata

Budget Outlook: Player payroll remained at $100 million for tk21775 and the Royals. They have only spent $94 million so they have room to make a deal or snag a free agent if needed.

Season 20 Outlook:

Hersh Taylor got OLD almost overnight. And the loss of Stokes and Hukata were harmful, but not devastating. They lost offensive production, but in their replacements they maintained the defense. The Royals have one of the best pitching staffs in the American League. They were backed by the best defense in all of Kinsella. Expect the Royals to challenge for the title this year and to do much better in the playoffs.

Key Additions: SP Eugene McMillon, 1B Brady Sierra, CF Sam Morris, 1B Aaron Wilkerson, DH Bob Riggs

Key Losses: 1B Yonder Manto, DH David Cubillan, DH Nate Garcia

Budget Outlook: Knowing that they would not be participating much in the June Draft, the Rangers budgeted a massive $20 million for prospects and spent $16 million on international. It looks like akg is going for a big international prize this season. Player payroll has been ratcheted up to $100 million…the highest total spent in franchise history.

Season 20 Outlook:

Grabbing Brady Sierra was a HUGE win for the Rangers. Added with Julian Matos (at 23 years old had a .281/.376/.513, 33 hr, 21 sb), and Benito Rojas (.276/.345/.446, 19 hr, 36 sb) this is suddenly a team that can rack up 900 runs if they all stay healthy.

The pitching staff was solid last year and got even better with Eugene McMillon. And the defense will be slightly better from a team that sported a .987 fielding % (above average).

Key Additions: CF Gary Fossum

Key Losses: CF Pedro Morales, DH Bob Riggs, 1B John Shigetoshi, LF Ignacio Alvarez, RP Derrick Rivers, RP Fred Miller,

Budget Outlook: The franchise is finally heading towards a true rebuilding. They have kept spending under $80 million for player payroll again. Next year, it goes down even further. On the other side of the ledger they have maxed out the player payroll to $20 million and spent $14 million on international scouting. This is a team that has needed to rebuild, and it will be slow and painful.

Season 20 Outlook:

The Rays lost a lot when Morales skipped town. He was a great centerfielder, and a good hitter. And they couldn’t resign him, and they couldn’t replace him.

The team will be competitive. But in a division full of top notch franchises going after championships…the Rays will be left in the dust. Look for them to be sellers by mid-season.