Season 13 AL Previews - West

AL West

Season 12 Recap: The A's improved by 5 wins (to 112) en route to their 5th straight west title and 6th in 7 years. Anaheim dropped 6 wins to 76, Portland dropped 4 to 73, and Seattle fell off 1 game to 56 wins. Oakland survived a 2nd-round playoff scare by Texas to go on to its first Kinsella Championship. Among the major awards, Oakland's Javier Valdes took home the Rookie Of The Year.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 1st, Team ERA - 1st, Fielding % - 3rd
Sayonara: OF Aaron Holiday, DH Darryl Whitaker, CF Enrique Pena (free agency)
New Faces: none via trade or free agency
Rookie Possibilities: Ugueth Ontiveros (originally a Season 8 IFA by Toronto) go into 9 games last year and appears set to start at 2B. Season 6 supplemental pick Willie Unamuno appeared in 14 games last year and could open the season in a long relief role. Season 10 IFA Juan Palacios got 8 starts last year and could claim a SP job. Season 5 supplemenatal pick Raul Aguilar and 2nd-rounder Hipolito Hernandez could land a relief jobs.
OUTLOOK:
No holes anywhere in this lineup: 1B Castillo, SS Chang and C Simms set the table; then the Murderers' Row of Carpenter, Stewart, Valdes and Suzuki drive 'em in. Javier Gonzalez will win a Cy Young one of these years; he heads a rotation that from top to bottom, is probably the AL's best. There's no "probably" about the status of the bullpen, it is the best in Kinsella with F.P. Cambridge, Enrique Cordero and Gerardo Rodriguez getting the bulk of work.

ANAHEIM ANGELS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs -5th, Team ERA - 12th, Fielding % - 16th
Sayonara: SP Patrick Rivera, IF Javier Arias, C Kid Barfield, RP Stan Blauser, SP Moe Reynolds (free agency)
New Faces: SP Brad Woodall (trade); CF Enrique Pena, SP Frank Reagan (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: C Dutch Anderson (Rule V pick - originally a 9th-rounder by Toronto) has made the roster as a backup. Season 10's 1st-rounder (#11 overall) Rico Mendoza could help soon, maybe not this year.
OUTLOOK:
Pena adds some on-base skill to the top of the lineup; Travis Murphy's RBI totals should see a corresponding jump. Francisco Beltre, Brad Jackson, Lonny Chavez and Dingo Holbert provide lineup protection for Murphy. The Angels will score plenty of runs, but the fate of their season resides with the staff. Luis Pineiro is reliable, but Frank Reagan is a step down from Patrick Rivera and the rest of the rotation is a conflagration in progress. The short relievers have struggled in recent seasons - they'll need to improve (and they all can), for they're sure to get a lot of work.

PORTLAND BEAVERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 11th, Team ERA - 15th, Fielding % - T 9th
Sayonara: OF Les Graham, SP Al Kennedy (free agency); OF Roberto Molina, OF Richard Satou, OF Juan Pulido, SP Davey Aquino (released); SP Miguel Rosario (trade)
New Faces: SP Roy Whiteside (trade), 2B Julian Hernandez, RP Branch Crosby, RP Shane Bradley (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Rule V pickup Dario Lawrence (Season 9 supplemental pick by Milwaukee) has made the team as the starting RF. Another Rule V'er, Sherman Redding (Season 8 supplemental pick by Texas), has made the team but is out for a couple of weeks with a broken wrist. Yet a third Rule V'er, LR Michael Lewis (Season 9 2nd rounder by Kansas City), has made the bullpen. AAA 1B Patrick Kipling (Season 9 1st-rounder of Tampa Bay) is ready to contribute, but it's unclear when he'll get the call. Same story for IF Brad Carlson, the team's first pick in Season 10, and IF Benji Castro, a Season 10 IFA.
OUTLOOK:
Portland's lineup was adequate last year and is improving. Harold Benson and Tom Tucker may not be prototype top-of-the-order hitters, but they'll get the job done. Patrick Kipling has the look of a ROY contender, and Jerry Grieve and Louie Mercedes are capable run producers. Pitching needs more attention. Recent waiver pickup Brant Tebeau isn't the answer. Nor is FA Roy Whiteside. Keep an eye on Bip Wilkinson, a Season 6 supplemental pick who pitched well in 13 starts last year and already has 5 wind this season. Paulie Winn is a top-flight closer but the rest of the 'pen is sketchy.

SEATTLE MARINERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 15th, Team ERA - 16th, Fielding % - 15th
Sayonara: OF Bernie Rosa, RP Haywood Charles, IF Guillermo Cortez, 2B Alfredo Gonzalez, RP Sparky Graham, IF Nash Ruffin (free agency)
New Faces: CF Jackson Shuey, IF Brian Grey, RF Vic Frias (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Rule V draftee Dicky Cyr (Season 9 3rd-rounder by the Giants) has made the team as a long reliever. Dicky Watson (Season 11's first-rounder) starts in AAA but could get the call early on.
OUTLOOK:
Seattle struggled to score last year and is likely to do so again. DH James Hunter and 2B Craig Frazier are certainly ML hitters, but they don't have a lot of company in that designation. Don't be surprised if Hunter has a new address by mid-season. The Mariners didn't do a lot to the staff in the off-season, but there appears to be new life on the hill. Starters Ted Dirks (1.94 ERA) and Carter Torres (2.96 ERA) are off to torrid starts, and 4 relievers are under a 3.60 ERA. Nice to get that kind of pitching, but the bats are really going to have to pick up for the Mariners to make any kind of noise.

PREDICTIONS
Anaheim is off to a great start at 18-8, but I can't see them standing up to the Oakland juggernaut for long. The A's will win going away and get the AL's #1 seed again. Watch Anaheim's pitching and especially the bullpen - if they can keep up anywhere near the current level (for example, closer Howie Voight is 10-for-10 in saves and has allowed 0 earned runs) they'll make Oakland work and will be a wild card favorite. Portland should be improved but will still be third; Seattle brings up the rear again.

Recap of the early opening games

National League
Cincinnati took its home opener, 5-3, over Montreal, when Hector Bennett belted a 3-run homer in the 7th. Ivan Saenz got the win in relief and Chuck Vaughn notched the save.

In Washington, D.C., new leadoff man Damion Stock tripled, homered and scored both runs for the Nationals in a 2-1 squeaker over Pittsburgh. Les Walker tossed 7 scoreless innings for the home team, and Alan Lucasiewicz got the save.

Jose Roque scored on Hector Price's fielder's choice grounder in the bottom of the 7th, and that was the deciding run in Florida's home win over Atlanta, 6-5. Gabe Barrett smacked 2 homers for the Marlins, Philip Kingston got the rare 1-pitch win, and Denny Watson took the save with 2 innings of work.

6 San Francisco pitchers scattered 9 hits and shut out the Padres, and Jolbert Romero homered in a 4-0 win. James Hutton gave up 2 runs in 3 innings in his NL debut (after 11 AL seasons); Vladimir Avila got the win in relief for the Giants.

American League
The White Sox opened with an 8-4 road win in Minnesota, plating 4 in the top of the 11th inning. Carlos Valentin tripled in Luis Parra, Walter Phillips singled home Valentin, and Pat Itou homered for the final 2 in the decisive frame. Miguel Colome earned the win with a scoreless inning and 2/3 for the visitors.

Hi Zaun popped 2 homers and drove in 4, and Diego Wilfredo got the complete game win as Cleveland spoiled Boston's home opener, 8-4. Pedro Garrido added 3 hits (including a solo homer) for the Tribe; Jerry Murray and Tony Rivera homered for the Sox.

In Texas, Santos Lorenzo fired a complete-game, 3-hit shutout, and newcomer Carlos Cruz blasted a 3-run homer as Tampa Bay topped Texas 5-0. Vic Gonzalez and Placido Santana added solo homers for the Rays; Rangers' ace Sherry Pierre was notably absent from his traditional opening-day starter role.

Oakland pounded Anaheim starter George Bush for 8 runs (3 unearned) in the first 4 innings, and cruised to an 8-0 home win over the Angels. Javier Valdes and Ugueth Ontiveros each had 3 hits and drove in 2, and Phil Chang homered for the A's. Javier Gonzalez allowed just 5 hits over 8 and a third for the win.

Castillo Enshrined in Cooperstown

Vic Castillo has now earned his permanent place in Kinsella history as the 2nd inductee into the Hall of Fame. Castillo, widely acknowledged as the greatest closer in the game during his prime, had a string of 7 seasons of near perfection that may never be matched. During his induction speech, he said, "All I tried to do was to be prepared every day to perform the job my manager asked of me to the best of my abilities." He certainly did.

Season 13 AL Preview - South

AL South

Season 12 Recap: The Rays won 105 and took the division for the 4th straight year. Texas improved by 6 wins to 94 and claimed a wild card. Charlotte dropped 6 wins (to 78) and took 3rd, and Kansas City fell off by 11 wins (to 77). The Rangers pushed Oakland to 5 in the division round; Tampa Bay folded up in 5 in the ALCS versus the A's. Kansas City's Lorenzo Manto won his second MVP, and Tampa Bay's Santos Lorenzo took his second straight Cy Young.

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 2nd, Team ERA - 2nd, Fielding % - T 4th
Sayonara: RP James Hutton (option declined), SS Lefty Montgomery (free agency), IF Alex Itou, C Pedro Javier (released); LF Ching-Lung Chang, CF Scott Perry (trade)
New Faces: RF Carlos Cruz, CF Tony Merced, IF John Hasegawa (trade); RP Blade Malone, RP Humberto Lopez (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Season 9's 13th pick overall (by Houston), Mike Person, got 23 innings last year and will open in the ML 'pen.
OUTLOOK: The Rays got a lot cheaper and a lot slower in the off season. They moved their 2 best table-setters (and only base-stealers) in Chang and Perry; the lineup is now 6 power hitters and 3 defensive specialists. Carlos Cruz (who will share COF time with Rex Yearwood and Geraldo Roque) will have to improve big time over last year's numbers for the Rays to top 900 runs again. Although the Rays are known for pitching, the staff struggled last year if it wasn't Lorenzo, Vitiello or Crosby out on the hill. Without a good number of much-better innings from the likes of Lowry, Johnson, Person, et al, the Rays could have trouble winning the division again.

TEXAS RANGERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs -7th, Team ERA - 5th, Fielding % - 2nd
Sayonara: DH Al Perez (free agency)
New Faces: RP Vinny Park, RP Ben Daniels (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: C Roger Berkman (Season 10 supplemental pick) got into 24 games last year and has made the roster.
OUTLOOK: Any conversation about the Rangers begins with the remarkable Sherry Pierre. All he did last year was win 23 for the 2nd straight year (and 20+ in 3 of the last 4) and set the new single-season record for innings pitched for the 4th straight year. As much as Pierre means, the Rangers will need a repeat performance of last season's career year (18-9, 2.94) by #2 starter Daniel Garcia (or a similar performance from one of the other starters) to contend. After a couple of down years, Gene Robinson bounced back last season and retains the closer job. Newcomers Park and Daniels solidify the setup role. Texas has a unique offense that was 2nd in both homers and steals last year. They'll platoon at C, 1B and all 3 OF positions. Rule 5 pickup Milt Howard led in homers with 27 (another 6 had over 20); 1B Brett Ross led with 47 steals, and another 7 players topped double figures.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 16th, Team ERA - 6th, Fielding % - T 4th
Sayonara: RP Turner Mordecai, SP Albie Prieto, RP Antonio Martin, RP Ben Daniels, RP Jeremy Burke, RP Ruben Sierra, C Frankie Spahn, RP Weldon Roberts, OF Johny Davis (free agency); SS Dicky Maurer, 1B Juan Chavez (released); SS Earl Barclay, SP Sven Barclay (trade)
New Faces: SP Rafael Gabriel, 3B Carlos Lee (trade); C Herman Lawson, RP Moe Reynolds, SP Davey Aquino, RP Shane Coyle (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: OF Lynn Clinton (Season 8 supplemental pick) got a cup of coffee last season and has made the roster. Season 9 #1 pick (24 overall) Rex Davis makes the jump from AA to the ML rotation. Rule 5 pickup Geraldo Pineda (Season 9 supplemental pick by Portland) has made the team.
OUTLOOK: The Knights aren't used to having sub .500 seasons (only 2 in team history) and wasted no time in cleaning house this off season. Probably more changes on the way - there are no SS's or CF's currently on the ML roster, and stars Earl Jorgenson and Warren Justice are in their last contract years. Charlotte's facing a major power outage - they were 14th in the AL in Slugging Percentage last year and 2 of their top power guys (C Frankie Spahn and SS Earl Barclay) have moved on.
They're not going to make up for it with OBP - they were 16th last year. Their pitching prospects are much better, although they'll have to make up for the loss of relievers Turner Mordecai and Ben Daniels. Warren Justice remains a top starter, Hick Hernandez is a capable #2, and rookie Rex Davis has considerable promise. The bullpen will rely on the venerable Banana Klein and free agents Shane Coyle and Moe Reynolds.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 3rd, Team ERA - 13th, Fielding % - T 6th
Sayonara: RP Gary Meyer (released)
New Faces: none
Rookie Possibilities: Power-hitting C Benji Gutierrez (Season 9 IFA) could be ready to step up to the bigs. The Hukata bothers, Phil (Season 10 IFA) and Richard (also a Season 10 IFA) could both conceivably contribute as IF's this year. Swingmen Stewart Daniels (Season 9's #1 - 11 overall) and Deivi Nunez (Season 7 IFA) could see ML action as either SP's or relievers.
OUTLOOK: With an offense built around 2-time MVP Lorenzo Manto and Hersh Taylor, the Royals have one of the best attacks in Kinsella. LF Emil Pichardo deftly compliments the Big 2 and DH Harry Reid is still going strong at 36. When they need to take a base, Manto, Reid, SS Albie Pineda, and CF Wilt Benes are all accomplished thieves. KC's pitching has been threatening to come together since the arrival of SP's Armando Taveras and Sun Wanatabe in Season 10 - it just hasn't quite happened yet. Rookie Al Saenz had his moments in the 'pen last year (despite blowing 7 of 11 save opportunities), but aside from him and the top 2 starters, the staff was pretty much a disaster in Season 12. They'll need more than a few bounce-back years from the likes of Kirwan, Barry, Crespo, etc. (and they're capable of getting them) to get into contention.

PREDICTIONS

I just don't feel good about the Rays' chemistry...no table-setters or speed of any kind, Crosby's in steep decline and the rest of the 'pen is a huge question mark. I think they'll struggle. The Rangers may have overachieved a bit last year, although I liek what they've done with a platoon-heavy lineup. The Knights just aren't going to score enough runs to contend...new mid-season addresses for Justice and Jorgenson? KC's going to score plenty, and I think their pitching will be better. This is the year 95 wins takes the division, and I'm picking the Royals in an upset.

AL Season Preview - East

AL East

Season 12 Recap: The Yankees won 96 and returned to the top spot after a year's absence. Baltimore improved by a very impressive 28 wins to take 2nd and a wild card. The Red Sox slipped by 14 wins, to 74, while Cleveland matched its Season 11 win total of 71. New York swept the Orioles in Round 1, and pushed Tampa Bay to 5 games before bowing out in the Division Round. The Yanks' Julian Neal took home the Fireman of the Year Award.

NEW YORK YANKEES
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 10th, Team ERA - 3rd, Fielding % - T 6th
Sayonara: C John Feng (free agency), OF Cesar Aquino (released)
New Faces: 1B Pascual Martin, C Pedro Javier (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: none apparent
OUTLOOK: The Yanks return pretty much the same aging but dangerous lineup, plus Pascual Martin. It's a power attack - 8 players had at least 20 homers last year (Willie Jose's 36 lead the team). They could use a boost in the OBP department - only 3 batters topped .350. To say they're not a running team would be a gross understatement (40 SB last year). The starting rotation is aging very well - 4 had ERA's under 3.90 and Ozzie Percival was in the Cy Young running. Julian Neal and Daniel Kennedy will need to repeat their sterling relief performances, but there's no reason to believe they won't. It's an old team, but not falling apart yet.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 4th, Team ERA - 7th, Fielding % - 1st
Sayonara: SP Donn Sisler, DH Chris Mullens, IF Richard Brea, SP Frank Reagan (free agency); CF Torey Guillen (released)
New Faces: RP Jorge Sierra, RP Gary King, C Frankie Spahn
Rookie Possibilities: 2B/CF Pedro Morales got 69 AB's last year and has made the team in a utility role. It's a season early for SP Ryuu Choi (Season 10 #4 overall), but he'll probably get the call pretty soon.
OUTLOOK: The Birds' attack features one of Kinsella's top young sluggers, Damian Brantley. The team has ended his catching experiment and will apparently try him at 1B this year. Brantley is ably complimented by DH Eric Ducey (.298/24/79), LF Howard Hall (.390 OBP), and RF Rico Segui (.260/25/92). Mark Blank is the official testimonial to the uselessness of the contact rating, although he did enjoy a career high with 27 homers last season. One of these years, Jamie Faulk will have that breakout season - Baltimore is hoping it's this one. Baltimore's pitching hopes, of course, hinge on new ace Kordell Becker, who was inconsistent in Tampa Bay and fizzled in 9 starts (including 1 post-season effort of 5 earned runs in 6 innings) for the Birds in Season 12. The ideal scenario here is 200 innings from Becker (which would be a career first), 210 innings and another career year from Ossie Flynn, and 200+ innings from rookie Ryuu Choi. The bullpen is nothing special, although Jorge Sierra could help.

BOSTON RED SOX
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 8th, Team ERA - 8th, Fielding % - T 9th
Sayonara: SS Ed Atkins, LR Erik Monroe (free agency); 3B Nerio Arnold, P Cristian Rhodes (released)
New Faces: SP Cooper Tomlinson, SS Lefty Montgomery, SP Patrick Rivera (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Season 10's first-rounder (18 overall), Russ Byrne, could possibly help but will probably spend the year in AAA
OUTLOOK: On offense the Sox bring a good mix of speed and power. 2B Mitchell Moehler and LF Juan Miro lead things off - they combined for 75 steals last year. DH Matt Person, 1B Manny Sasaki and RF Jerry Murray are the primary run-producers. Donatello Bollea heads a rotation that the Sox hope is shored up by 41 year-old Patrick Rivera - #'s 4 and 5 starters Vasco Castillo and Vin Phelps both had ERA's over 5.00 last year. Boston let its most effective reliever from last year (Erik Monroe - 3.32 ERA in 103 innings and still a free agent) go, so the 'pen is a question mark. Wascar Santana closed last season but posted a 5.01 ERA...Alex Barrios seems like a candidate, but who knows? Rivera may end up closing.

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 9th, Team ERA - 10th, Fielding % - 14th
Sayonara: RP Craig Grace, 1B Vin Benitez, RP F.P.James, RP Otto Molitor, OF Del Wilhelm, SP Albert Ordonez (free agency); OF Joe Christman, RP Torii Mack(released), RP Mac Meng (trade)
New Faces: SP Rusty Little, SP Cristian Rhodes, OF Alex Itou (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Season 9's first rounder (#5 overall), RP Randy Coleman, is primed and ready to debut. We'll see him in the majors by Game 20.
OUTLOOK: The Tribe scored a credible 792 runs last year. There's no dominant slugger...nobody knocked in over 100 runs but 12 players had 45 or more. LF Douglas Martin and 1B Pedro Garrido are the main power threats, although at 35, Garrido is showing some signs of decline. 2B/OF Pablo Mendoza might be the team's best all-round hitter...he's also one of the few mild SB threats on the team. Diego Wilfredo is one of the top starters in the AL - he could win a Cy Young or 2 before he's done. Cristian Rhodes will be an upgrade at #2, but the rest of the rotation will be a crapshoot. Among the relievers, Andres Mota had a good rookie campaign - he got 5 starts last year and could get more this season. The rest of the 'pen could use a facelift.

PREDICTIONS

I'm going to go out on a limb and pick Baltimore, if for no other reason than I fear Kordell Becker and Jamie Faulk will spite me with career years. The Yanks still have plenty enough gas for a strong second place, with Boston third and Cleveland fourth.

AL Season 13 Preview - North

AL North

Season 12 Recap: The White Sox started slow but rallied to win 93 and take their 3rd straight crown. Toronto and Minnesota kept with recent trends, but the Tigers dropped 21 wins from Season 11 to bring up the rear. The Sox made the playoffs as the 4th seed but lost in the first round to Texas.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 6th, Team ERA - 4th, Fielding % - T 6th
Sayonara: RP Austin Coleman (FA), RP Curtis Rogers (trade), SP Enrique Crespo (trade)
New Faces: none by trade or FA
Rookie Possibilities: Season 9 IFA Virgil Trinidad is poised to step into the rotation, and Season 9 overall #1 Artie Myers will almost certainly debut soon. AAA RP's Albert Saenz and Flash Tessmer are ready to contribute but may not be able to crack into the ML bullpen.
OUTLOOK: Excellent young team that's only getting better. On offense, they use a lot of platoons and substitutions - rookie 2B Brace Watkins was their only truly full time player last year (and he led the team with 41 HR's and 113 RBI). Watkins is the main power threat and is complimented by 1B Julian Torres (28 HR), SS Walter Phillips (24 HR), OF Luis Parra (23 HR) and 3B Esteban Carrasco (22 HR). C Pat Itou and Torres appear to be the best options for the top of the order; Phillips (35 SB) and Parra (25 SB) are the primary speed threats. Alan Long (3 straight 16-win seasons) heads a very effective 5-man rotation. The already-excellent bullpen seems set to open the season with Artie Myers in a prominent role. Myers may have the best stuff of any pitcher in Kinsella not named "Hernandez"; it's not clear what his role will be but you can bet the Pale Hose will try to get him 150 innings

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 12th, Team ERA - 11th, Fielding % - 13th
Sayonara: RF Carlos Cruz and CF Tony Merced (trade), 3B Jerry Kaline (season 12 trade), RP Buster Dingman (released)
New Faces: LF Ching-Lung Chang and CF Scott Perry (trade)
Rookie Possibilities: Season 10's overall #1 pick, Wally Barton, is set to open the season at 3B.
OUTLOOK: The Jays gave up power prospect Sean Pearson (along with Cruz and Merced) to get Ching-Lung Chang and Scott Perry, a move that should boost their offense considerably. Perry is a competent hitter for a CF, and Chang should be a vast improvement over the powerful but inconsistent Cruz. Speed will clearly be a bigger part of the Toronto attack this year - Chang has 4 straight 40+ steal seasons and rookie 3B Wally Barton seems capable of similar totals. While they're running, the Jays will rely on old pro J.J. Perez (34 HR), 2nd-year 1B Pascual Guillen (.271/27/87 rookie campaign) and OF Max Padilla (.307/20/70) for run production. They return the rotation intact and that's a problem - only Derrin Politte posted an ERA under 5.00 last season (although all have in the past...maybe last year was just bad luck). Half the bullpen (Diaz, Juarez and Pratt) is solid; if they can keep the other half seated (a possibility if the rotation improves), they'll be better.

MINNESOTA TWINS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 15th, Team ERA - 9th, Fielding % - 11th
Sayonara: 1B Stump Cambridge, SP Sammy Lyon, IF Brian Ferguson, RP Ronald Barr, SS Ramon Martin (free agency); P Frank Inoue, P Max Diaz, OF Davey Weston, IF Sean Hill (released);
New Faces: SP Donn Sisler, DH Daryl Whitaker, RP Turner Mordecai, DH Al Perez, LF Roberto Molina, RP Craig Grace (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Season 9 supplemental pick Pablo Cortez may win the 3B job. Season 9 1st-rounder John Pryce could get a shot at the rotation early on. Season 10 IFA Juan Sivilla seems ready to step up to the ML bullpen.
OUTLOOK: The Twinkies have probably done more housecleaning than any team - at minimum they've gotten a lot younger, but they should also be better. One of their biggest flaws last year was the woeful lack of power - 153 dingers was good for last in the AL. Whitaker, Perez and Molina may not be the ultimate solutions, but they will definitely add some pop to lineup (and they're CHEAP). 2B Junior Chen, CF Leon Rogers, and OF Brady Sierra are the best table-setters. OF Yamil Saenz is the primary speed/SB threat, although with the addition of Molina his playing time is at risk. Jesse Cook has a pair of 15-win seasons in his first 3 years and is a sold #1 SP. Pryce may well step in as the #2. Howard Sweeney has the stuff to be a top-quality closer - look for a big step forward this year. Although Eric Houston pitched well in 40 innings last year, Minnesota needs a better setup man to keep the late innings close. FA's Sisler, Mordecai, Grace and rookie Sivilla will vie for that role.

DETROIT TIGERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 13th, Team ERA - 14th, Fielding % - T 7th
Sayonara: P Perry Harvey, 1B Pascual Martin, DH Charles Pan, C Bryan Reed, IF Albert Borbon (free agency)
New Faces: none via free agency or trade
Rookie Possibilities: Season 9's #1 Chad Hawkins had a promising cup of coffee last season and starts Season 13 in the rotation.
OUTLOOK: Let's start with pitching, where the Tigers imploded last year (Team ERA went from 4.23 to 5.19). Carson Graves had his every-other-year off year, so look for a return at least to Season 11 form, and possibly Cy Young candidacy. Relievers Christian Simmons and Hideki Yang both had inexplicably poor seasons...their worst as ML'ers by far...strong rebounds highly likely. Clemens, Greer, Hill and Wright also had terrible seasons. In a pitcher's park like Comerica, odds are at least a couple of these guys are better this season. So let's write off last year's pitching as an aberration. The offense, on the other hand, is a legit mess. Glendon Allen is way over the hill, it's not clear who will play 1B, and there are currently no SS's on either the ML or AAA rosters. Both 32, Bing Miles and Damian Chen remain dangerous hitters. Rick Griffin (32) and Eric Brumfield (34) are at least adequate major-leaguers. After that...?

PREDICTIONS

White Sox win the division comfortably. The Twins, Jays and Tigers will all improve...somehow I think Minnesota will emerge from that pack and take second. Detroit is the real joker here...their pitching is potentially good enough for them to contend, but I can't see them scoring enough to challenge Chicago or get into the wild card race.

Xnay Sounds Off

Oakland GM xnay recently pulled off perhaps the trade of the year, luring 7-time All-Star Douglas Carpenter from Cincinatti for a trio of major-leaguers. Here's what he had to say about the deal:

"Well, I felt that I needed to add one more big bat to the middle of our lineup and Carpenter definitely gives us that. We gave up some solid pieces and losing Ming definitely hurts but we do have some solid young pitchers who should be ready to contribute down the stretch. Even with the trade, I still think the Rays are the team to beat in the AL (yeah, right) but at least this gives us a fighting chance."

Thus far, Carpenter has been getting days off to house-hunt and recharge for the stretch run.

Crabman On the Becker trade

"This trade finally gives this franchise the ace pitcher it severely lacked. We obviously are making a push to get into the playoffs and if we do make it, having Kordell as our #1 should help us out tremendously. Its tough to lose Felix Turner, but we feel Jamie Faulk will help lessen the blow to the offense, while being an upgrade defensively."

So far, the deal is not reaping dividends for the Birds: Becker is 0-2, 6.19 and Faulk is hitting just .200 in 65 AB's. It's a mixed review on the Rays' end: Hutton has been knocked around to the tune of a 7.53 ERA, but Turner has contributed 18 RBI in 16 games.

Inside the Big Baltimore/Tampa Bay Trade

The Orioles and Rays have pulled off the season's biggest trade, swapping a pair of highly-paid pitchers and a pair of highly-drafted 3B's.

Baltimore gets Kordell Becker, the second piece of Tampa Bay's monster Season 10 FA spending spree; Jamie Faulk, Season 5's number 1 overall pick, and SP Donn Sisler. The Rays get Felix Turner, Season 7's #4 overall, James Hutton, Baltimore's own contribution to the Season 10 "FA credit bubble," and OF Andrew Holdridge.

Driving the deal: the Rays' impending budget bomb. "With many of our players reaching arbitration and their first long-term contracts, we were going to have to trade 2 or 3 big-salary guys next season," said Tampa Bay GM blanch13. "We saw an opportunity that made sense to speed up that timetable."

From Baltimore's end, the allure of getting a staff ace outweighed the huge contract that comes with him and the loss of Turner. The Orioles have turned into a bit of a surprise contender this year, thanks largely to the contributions of some fairly low-budget FA pitchers. But that pitching has slipped lately, and the Birds seized the opportunity to grab an ace starter.

Reactions around the league were mixed. Yankees' boss overeasy bemoaned the strengthening of a division rival: "I liked the Orioles better when they didn't have any good starting pitchers." White Sox GM jnewfry commented on the long-term implications: "And i liked the Rays better when they were completely stuck salary wise." And Texas GM akgsports provided a clear analysis of the talent merits: "I like Baltimore's end of it :) Faulk is underrated and just having a down year offensively. Becker is still top notch. I don't think Turner will be a consistent 900+ OPS hitter with a BE of 53."

Julio hit #500!

Home Run King

Orber Julio

It was the top of the 7th with one man on base and the Phillies were trailing the Astros by 1 run when Julio blasted a pitch from Chris Puckett into the left field bleachers of Minute Maid Park. With that home run, the Phils took a one-run lead and Orber Julio became the first player to hit 500 career home runs. While the Astros came back to win the game, the feat will be forever remembered as the ball was sent directly to the Hall of Fame.

Divison Round Matchups

We're down to 8, with the #5 seeds upsetting the #4's in both leagues. Here's the breakdown:

National League

#5 Cubs vs. #1 Expos: Both clubs tended to win with offense this year - Cubs were #3 in runs and Montreal was #5 - and both were middle-of-the pack pitching-wise. The Frenchies did lead the league in fielding percentage, with the Cubs at #14 (57 more unearned runs than the Expos), so watch how the errors play out. They split their season series.

#3 Padres vs. #2 Braves: Classic offense/defense matchup: the Braves led the league in runs scored, while the Pads, with their "waves of relievers" strategy, allowed the fewest. But while Atlanta's pitching is also pretty impressive (3.98 ERA), San Diego had to scrap for every run (14th in scoring). Atlanta took the season series 6-4.

American League

#3 Boston vs. #2 Tampa Bay: The Rays took the season series 7-3 this year. The teams are just about dead-even on offense - Tampa Bay has a slight edge in pitching and posted the league's top fielding percentage. Player to watch: Donatello Bollea has been a deadly Ray-killer in previous years (0-1 in 2 starts this year); if he can revert to his Season 9 and 10 form (against the Rays, at least) for 2 starts (likely against Santos Lorenzo), it could be an early out for the defending AL champs.

#5 Rangers vs. #1 Athletics: Oakland was a statistical powerhouse this year, finishing 2nd in runs scores, first in Team ERA, and 3rd in fielding percentage. Texas was right behind the A's in scoring but will need to step up the pitching and play flawless defense to have a shot in this series. Oakland won the season series 7-3.

Poll Results - Who will hit more home runs?

#1 Vote Getter

Travis Murphy

Thanks to a young start to his career and more time to benefit from the steroid era, Travis Murphy was the top vote getter with 6 votes. Just behind with 5 votes, single-season record holder Dee Dee Hutton was another popular choice. While he has been very impressive in his short career, Vic Gonzales garnered only 3 votes.

All-Decade Team: Middle Reliever

Middle Reliever

Victor Lima

While he spent part of the decade as a starter, part of it as a closer, and part of as a middle reliever, he spent the entire decade thoroughly dominating hitters. His superb performance at wherever his manager wanted him was what earned his place on the All-Decade Team ahead of some very good middle relievers who spent the entire decade in that role. The final voting tally was as follows (20 votes):
Victor Lima (9) - 62 pts
Alfonso Trajano (4) - 55 pts
Turner Mordecai (2) - 24 pts
Wes Roosevelt (3) - 23 pts
Julio Romero (2) - 16 pts

Around the AL With 9 To Go

North
The Tigers have put together a nice 14-2 run since 6/17 PM2 to get to within 3 of the White Sox (8-7 over the same period). These teams hook up for a 3-game set to end the season. It's probably win the division or nothing for Detroit - despite their streak they're 5 games out of the second wild card.

East
Yanks have stumbled badly since the Pickford injury, suffering 7 and 5-game losing streaks recently. The Red Sox have capitalized, opening up a 4-game lead, with the two teams meeting in the final series.

South
Tampa Bay has clinched and will get one of the top 2 seeds. Kansas City, Texas and Charlotte are all solidly in the wild card picture...could be the second straight year with 3 playoff teams.

West
Oakland clinched awhile back and is a game up on the Rays for the #1 seed. Anaheim is still in the wild card hunt be needs to right the ship...the current L7 isn't helping.

Wild Card
Lots of juicy possibilities. The Royals have a leg up with a 3-game lead, but still have series with Tampa Bay and Texas. The Rangers, Knights and Yankees are all at 82-71...Charlotte and Texas have a series left. Anaheim is just a game back of those 3 and might have a slight schedule edge. The Tigers aren't toast yet but they better win most of their remaining games to stay in it.

Around the NL with 13 Games To Go

North
With a 9-game lead, Montreal has it all but wrapped up, but the Cubbies have a firm grip on the first wild card spot.
Key series: Cubs @ Cardinals, 4 games starting tomorrow night. A Cards series win could tighten up the wild card picture even more.

East
D.C. leads the Mets by 3 and the Phillies by 5.
Schedules: All three teams have all their remaining games with .500+ teams...this might come down to the last series of the season, when the Nationals visit the Mets for 3.

South
Atlanta has a comfy 7-game lead over St. Louis. The Cards are a game out of the 2nd wild card at the moment, and Houston is only within miracle range.
Key stretch: The Cardinals have against Philly, Chicago and Atlanta...if they can hang in through that stretch they get a relative break in Florida for the last series.

West
The Pads are 3 up on the Dodgers and 5 up on the Diamondbacks in another 3-contender division. L.A. is sitting in the #2 wild card at the moment but there are 4 teams within 3 games.
Key series: the current 4-gamer against Montreal. L.A. dropped the opener and needs to come back strong to hold onto the #6 seed.

Wild Card
Cubbies have the upper hand for now, but this looks like it'll change day-to-day until the last game.
Schedules
Cubs: best schedule of the bunch, wtih 3 more against Florida and a season-ending series with Cincy.
Dodgers: 2 with teams over .500, 2 with teams under
Cards: 3 teams over .500, 1 under
Mets: 3 teams over .500, 1 under
Diamondbacks: 2 teams over .500, 2 teams under
Phillies: 3 teams over .500, 1 under

All-Decade Team: Starting Pitcher #3

Starting Pitcher #3

Branch Vitiello

Thanks to his final three seasons of the decade in which he was clearly the most dominant pitcher in the AL (and possibly the entire world factoring in home parks and league ERA differences), Branch Vitiello earned the third and final starting pitching spot on the All-Decade team. Just missing the cut was Darren Chance who had his dominant seasons in the first half of the decade. The complete starting pitching voting tally was as follows (20 votes):
Walt Hernandez (17) - 112 pts
Patrick Rivera (2) - 89 pts
Branch Vitiello - 64 pts
Darren Chance - 60 pts
Ozzie Percival - 30 pts
Andres Cedeno - 24 pts
Perry Harvey - 12 pts
Kordell Becker - 9 pts
Jeff Bollea (1) - 7 pts
J.P. Taveras, Felipe Tejada - 4 pts
Haywood Charles - 3 pts
Pedro Mercado, Scott Pickford - 1 pt
Buck Barry - 0 pts

All-Decade Team: Third Base

Third Base

Francisco Guillen

By the narrowest of margins, Francisco Guillen was named as the third baseman for the All-Decade team. By being the only 3B named on every ballot, Guillen barely edged out his statistical doppleganger, Adam Martin, and the superior fielding Doug Stewart. Voting tally was as follows (21 votes):
Francisco Guillen (8) - 67 pts
Adam Martin (7) - 63 pts
Doug Stewart (6) - 54 pts
Glendon Allen - 4 pts
Derrick Russ - 1 pt

All-Decade Team: Starting Pitcher #2

Starting Pitcher #2

Patrick Rivera

As Kinsella's most consistent pitcher who pitched every season of the first decade, Patrick Rivera earned the second spot at starting pitcher for the All-Decade team. With 2 Cy Youngs and 8 seasons of 15 wins or more, Rivera was able to claim the 2 of the 3 #1 votes not claimed by Walt Hernandez. Starting pitching voting scores will be posted with the #3 spot.

Dee Dee Hutton vs. Travis Murphy vs. Vic Gonzalez...most career HR's?

Who do you think will end his Kinsella career with the most HR's: Dee Dee Hutton, Travis Murphy, or Vic Gonzalez? Hutton benefited from playing a few seasons in the steroid era, while Gonzalez broke in earlier...if he hits 50 this year he'll have hit 124 before age 23 (Hutton's first ML season). Murphy broke in at 21 and had a few steroid era years...he actually has a few more HR's (15) than Hutton and is a year younger. What do you think?

All-Decade Team: Starting Pitcher #1

Starting Pitcher #1

Walt Hernandez

As the most dominating starting pitcher to take the mound in Kinsella history, Walt Hernandez was the overwhelming choice as the #1 Starting Pitcher for the All-Decade team by capturing 17 first place votes out of 20 voters. At only 31 years of age, he looks like a prime candidate to appear on the next All-Decade team as well. Voting scores will be released with the announcement of Starting Pitcher #3.

All-Decade Team: Closer

Closer

Vic Castillo

There was nothing more certain in the first decade of Kinsella than the safety of a lead in the 9th inning when Vic Castillo stepped on the mound. His performance was so dominant that he was the overwhelming choice for the All-Decade team over distant runners up James Hutton, Matthew Crosby, and Carlos Solano. Voting scores were as follows (20 votes):
Vic Castillo (17) - 91 pts
James Hutton (1) - 32 pts
Matthew Crosby (2) and Carlos Solano - 28 pts
Raul Astacio - 1 pt

All-Decade Team: Designated Hitter

Designated Hitter

Brandon Sutton

Being the best hitter for the World's winningest regular season franchise led to the overwhelming selection of Brandon Sutton to the All-Decade team, well ahead of the big hitting DH for the AL's most successful playoff team, Darryl Whitaker. Voting tally was as follows (21 votes):
Brandon Sutton (19) - 101 pts
Darryl Whitaker - 46 pts
Rick Melhuse and Al Perez (1) - 16 pts
Todd Winchester (1) - 10 pts

All-Decade Team: Right Field

Right Field

B.C. Javier

After playing the entire decade and being the top right fielder in almost every offensive statistic while also earning two Gold Gloves, B.C. Javier was the clear choice for the All-Decade team as he dominated the voting over the clear choice for #2, Guy Cunningham. Voting scores were as follows (21 votes):
B.C. Javier (20) - 103 pts
Guy Cunningham (1) - 63 pts
James Sherman - 10 pts
Willie Jose - 9 pts
Eric Roosevelt - 4 pts

AL South Season 11 Preview

The South was the AL's top division last year, with Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Charlotte all making the playoffs. Although the Royals lost to the Yankees in the first round, the Knights scored upsets over Oakland and Chicago before losing to the Rays in the ALCS.

Can the young Royals or the resurgent Knights overtake the Rays this season? Can the Rangers retool to get into the race? Can the Rays make the long trek back to the WS and shed the "Bills" label? Here's how we break it down:

TAMPA BAY RAYS: Season 10 Record - 107-55; Hitting - 889 runs (2nd); Pitching - 3.50 ERA (1st); Fielding - .990 % (1st)
Given their commitment of nearly $200MM to FA's Branch Vitiello and Kordell Becker, the Rays' Season 10 - 107 wins but a timid 4-1 WS loss to St. Louis - has to be called a disappointment. Despite fairly steady trade talks all off season, they're bringing back the identical roster this year. Pitching and defense are the heart of the team - the 3-headed monster of Vitiello, Becker and Santos Lorenzo leads the rotation, with slick fielders Mariano Mateo (SS), Jamie Faulk (2B) and Scott Perry (CF) anchoring the defense. The key to their offense is getting good contribution from every spot in the lineup, although DH Vic Gonzalez seems poised to enter the ranks of the league's elite sluggers.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Season 10 Record - 91-71; Hitting - 909 runs (1st); Pitching - 4.53 ERA (9th); Fielding - .983 % (tie 8th)
The Royals boast having the best all-round player in the AL (and maybe all Kinsella) in 2B Lorenzo Manto. His .360/26/125/52 SB/131 Runs MVP Season sparked their playoff run and #1-ranked offense. With Manto in front of him, Hersh Taylor could eventually challenge for the all-time RBI leadership (159 last year). The Manto/Taylor production is a given - watch for 2nd-year 3B Malik Stokes to emerge as another key producer. The key to the Royals' fortunes, though, lies with improved pitching. Armando Taveras (17-7, 3.66) thrived in his first year, but Sun Wanatabe (12-10, 4.51) had some rookie struggles - he'll have to improve and likely will. KC went out and got some FA help in #5 starter Haywood Charles and setup man Joshua Edwards (both on economy 1-year contracts).

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS: Season 10 Record - 84-78; Hitting - 792 runs (8th); Pitching - 4.34 ERA (6th); Fielding - .982 % (tie 10th)
The Knights' offense revolves around 2-time MVP Earl Jorgenson and Kinsella all-time RBI leader Jose Mondesi. B.C. Javier's production fell off badly last year and a comeback at age 36 is iffy. Charlotte will likely need a better solution at 1B/DH - and some big seasons from other position players - to contend again. The Knights tend to use a rotation-by-committee aproach - 7 pitchers got more than 10 starts last year. Of those Warren Justice (13-9, 3.42), Banana Klein (9-7, 3.97) and Sven Barclay (9-13, 4.87) seem most capable of breakout seasons. The late innings are in good hands with closer Ruben Sierra (no, not the village idiot - this one was a perfect 23-for-23 in save ops last year with a stunning 5.16 OPS against) and workhorse setup man Turner Mordecai (9 wins, 7 saves, 3.18 ERA in 153 innings).

TEXAS RANGERS: Season 10 Record - 69-93; Hitting - 883 runs (3rd); Pitching - 5.16 ERA (16th); Fielding - .987 % (tie 2nd)
The Ranger staff got off to a terrible start last year and never recovered, prompting the big Marraro/Fonville trade that netted prospects Sherman Cunningham, Harry Uribe and Justin Hitchcock plus pitcher Hades Ritchie. All are currently in AAA but could see big-league duty this season. Other new faces include FA's Carlos Solano (RP), Julio Romero (LR) and Vin Klaus (RF), plus rookie 2B Ivan Prince. Offensively, the main run production duties will fall to 1B Wolf Douglas and DH Chris Grimsley. Sherry Pierre anchors a pitching staff that, while it has some holes, could see a big improvement - Buck Barry and Branch Crosby especially.

OUTLOOK
The Rays don't look any less dominant than last year - they have to be the preseason favorite. The Royals could well get the pitching improvement needed to close last year's 16-game gap...maybe even enough to make it a race. The Knights are a wild card - a couple of career seasons and good breaks and they could be in the tournament again, or a few bad bounces and they could be considering selling veterans. It's not impossible to see Texas contending, but in all likelihood they'll shoot for gathering up some more young talent. Don't hold your breath waiting for a Sherry Pierre trade but don't be surprised if Texas moves him for an impressive bundle of prospects either. I'm predicting the Rays win it again, with the Royals finishing just 5 back. Charlotte will battle Detroit for the last wild card (it's a Carson Graves "on" year, remember), and I think they'll take it, giving the South 3 playoff teams for the second straight year.

THE ALL AL-SOUTH TEAM:
C - Bob Riggs the offensive C
C - Casey Larkin the defensive C
1B - Hersh Taylor 159 RBI...'nuff said
2B - Lorenzo Manto MVP...'nuff said
3B - Ismael Lopez OK, 3B is a weak position in the division
SS - Wascar Uribe best combo of offense/defense
LF - Ching-Lung Chang Lorenzo Manto starter-kit
CF - Scott Perry another weak position...Perry gets it for D
RF - Jose Mondesi nice comeback after 2 down years
DH - Vic Gonzalez even better things to come
UT - Earl Jorgenson all the way back from Sea 8 injury
UT - Jason Walls pretty nice 4th OF
UT - Mariano Mateo barely missed second straight GG
UT - Chris Grimsley gets PH duty

SP - Branch Vitiello 2nd-half surge won the CY for him
SP - Sherry Pierre the ultimate quality innings eater
SP - Kordell Becker fairly quiet but effective season
SP - Santos Lorenzo we're not including WS performances here
SP - Warren Justice strong 1st half puts him just ahead of the rookies
LR - Armando Taveras had a case for ROY
LR - Fred Lewis rare 20 wins for a rookie
SU - Turner Mordecai 9 wins, 7 saves, 3.18 ERA in 153 IP
SU - Karim Wallace 6 wins, 8 saves, 2.57 ERA in 94 IP
SU - Joshua Edwards 13 wins, 3.84 ERA in 75 IP
CL - Ruben Sierra 23-for-23 in saves ops, .516 OPS against