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LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Things were far from broken in
Oakland, yet a fixing was in order. The pitching staff that dominated the AL is
intact, and the bullpen is still solid. This team is even more dangerous now
than before. But is it enough to get to the promised land? They haven’t been
their yet, and are long overdue.
OUT: Javy Gomez, Perry Adams, Fernando Carrasco
IN: Geraldo Martin, Alcides Osuna, Endy Miller, Oswaldo Sosa
PREVIEW:
It’s not often I am perfect on a prediction, but this one wasn’t exactly tough. With exactly 106 wins, the A’s were by far the best team in the AL. Yet, it was the Rangers that won another championship.
The A’s went to work, and pulled off several trades. Javy Gomez was sent to Mets after being the weakest link in the rotation. The same for Perry Adams who led the A’s in plate appearances, yet was a replacement level player.
Coming in is 25 year old Denny Presley, a former first round draft pick that had never made it past AA in Houston. Other than that, there wasn’t many changes.
This is the same dangerous team, but can they finally make it back to the world series?
PREDICTION: 103-59, 1st Place
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LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Newsflash…Portland is still
weird. And Dakar had a magic touch. This team had no business winning 75 games.
Can the magic be repeated? If this offense improves, and the new pitching gels,
the Beavers could challenge the Angels for a playoff spot. Things just got a
lot more interesting in the Wild Wild West.
OUT: Adam Strange, Robert Clayton, Ed Pickering
IN:
PREVIEW:
Two for two! Once again, I exactly predicted the W/L record
for an AL West team. The Beavers gave up 803 runs (4.95 runs per game) despite
an upgraded pitching staff.
Their best pitchers (Strange and Clayton) were allowed to
leave for Pittsburgh. DJ Greinke, a former first rounder of Pittsburgh, will be
joining the big club with almost no expectations. 37 year old scrap heap all
star, Paulie Winn, also joins the team.
On offense, Dakar allowed hitting catcher Ed Pickering to
bolt for Texas. Defensive starting shortstop Hank Milton was also let go.
Overall, it looks like this team has plateaued. I don’t see
them moving forward, but no one is there to push them back either.
PREDICTION: 73-89 |
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LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Angels are a team in
transition this season. It is clear that Angels feel they can build on their 86
win season, and it appears that they are ready to make a run.
OUT: Paulie Winn, Humberto Sierra, Jacob Uehara, Cesar Molina, Craig Frazier
IN: John Patel, Diego Pena, Alex Cabrera, Joe Maloney, Albert Maradona, Sam Morris, Alan Kubenka, Luis Valdes,
PREVIEW:
Wow, was I wrong on this prediction. From an 85 win expectation to a 70 win season must have left sweet feeling a little low.
The team was overhauled from top to bottom. “We will be relying on a number of guys this season who are in the minors and/or have no major league experience.” The Angels seem very optimistic, and as always sweetnss will be looking to add a piece or two.
The offense was dismal with only Otis Battle, Alex Romero, and Rodney Magee providing any kind of offense. With all of the changes there has to be some improvement. But how much?
PREDICTION: 77-85
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LAST YEARS PREVIEW: To sum up sug’s feelings on
Seattle…WILL SOMEONE PLEASE GET THE ME THE HELL OUT OF THIS COLD RAINY HELL
HOLE!?!?!?!?!
OUT: Goose Grahe, Jair Villafuerte, Delanor Johnstone
IN: Rule V’ers
PREVIEW:
It was rainy. It was cold. It was a hellhole. It was another
55 win season in Seattle. What can I say, the offense and defense were
predictably awful (551/855).
The talent is available in Seattle and it’s not like the M’s
refuse to try to win. However…and this is big…when players like James Hunter
gets into 85 games, and 206 at bats something is wrong. When the team fails to
put even a mediocre defense behind a decent pitching staff, things are very
very wrong.
Sug is a good guy. This could be the wake up call or the
kiss of death. Two 100+ loss seasons puts you in the hot seat. Things are
warming up in Seattle, and not in a good way.
Very little has been done to fix the problem. One free agent
signing doesn’t make this team better. And once again, the Mariners are looking
at 100+ losses.
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