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.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Castillo Enshrined in Cooperstown
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, October 18, 2010
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)