With breakdowns of each team in the Senior Circuit, I would like now to give some projections in some of the post season awards that will be given out.
Cy Young Award
Last season the Giants young thrower, Tim Lincecum won the award and will be favored to win it again. Other contenders include Johan Santana of the Mets, Cole Hamels of the defending champions Phillies, Josh Johnson of the Marlins, Brandon Webb of Arizona, and Edison Volquez of the Reds. In the end I like it to come down between the Reds' Volquez and the Mets Santana and the Giants Lincecum as a possible repeating performance. This three man race to the Cy Young may come down to which team has the best record in the NL and it is clear cut that the Mets will probably win the East or at least be in contention of the Wild Card. I don't see the Reds or the Giants in the pennant races down the stretch which would eliminating both candidates. The addition of K-Rod to finish some more of Santana's games will result in a few more wins as well that were lost last season to the Mets poor pen.
MVP Award
Much of the same contenders should be included like Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Alfonso Soriano, and probably the odds on favorite from the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez. The Dodger outfielder will have the biggest impact and if his team successfully makes the postseason it will be largely due to his big stick. Manny was ridicuous in only half a season with his team last year and unbelievable in the postseason as well. Manny may run away with the Award.
Into the playoffs I see the Mets winning the East, Cubs in the Central, Dodgers out West and the Wild Card taken by the Phillies winning over Florida, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Arizona. In the World Series I like the Dodgers losing to the Mets.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
National League West
The National League West is a pitching dominated division that without the big bat of Manny Ramirez may not have any offense in it at all. Although that is incorrect as the Dodgers have many other young hitters as do the Diamondbacks and the Rockies can slug with the best of them, this division has some dynamite fire arms.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers retained the biggest impact player and most likely to win MVP in the NL this season when Manny decided to resign with the team that traded for him at the trade deadline last July. Although Manny is quite a hitter he will impact and groom some of the younger players in the clubhouse to become more discipline at the plate like Matt Kemp and Andre Either. These two players will benefit dramatically from Manny's presence in the line up and become better players for the Joe Torre's team. On the offensive side, they lost former All Star pitcher in Brad Penny in Free Agency to the Boston Red Sox and also lost former closer to the Red Sox in Takashi Saito as well. They have some young arms that may be exceptional, especially closer Jonathan Broxton and starters in Chad Billingsbey and Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers will look to make the post season once again as the NL West Champions in 2009 and hopefully take it to the next step as a World Series contender and possibly Champion.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The D'backs were in the race for the title last season until they ran out of gas and Manny took the Dodgers on his back. Cy Young potential as usually Brandon Webb and Dan Haren lead a very good Arizona pitching staff that should not be the reason for a poor season unless it is because they are not healthy. Jon Garland should provide some nice depth to their starting rotation and their bull pen consist of many veterans including the likes of Tom Gordon and Scott Schoeneweis to set up closer Chad Qualls. At the plate the D'backs have many young talented players that should be more matured this year after experience that was gained from last season. Justin Upton in right field, brother of BJ from Tampa Bay, will be counted on heavily to take charge in the out field and also contribute intensively with his bat. Tony Clark will add some veteran leadership in the clubhouse and compete for the division title.
San Fransisco Giants
The Giants have been a popular pick this preseason by many experts for a break through season. I like the front of their rotation and the addition of Randy Johnson if he stays healthy. Tim Lincecum should draw legitimate Cy Young considerations from the voters with the season he is looking to have. He won it last season and a repeat is not out of the question for this year. Matt Cain is another nice young arm for the Giants as he also continues to grow and mature as a starter. Randy Johnson needs to remain off the Disabled List and avoid missing starts. If he can routinely pitch every 5th day and go 6+ innings to help the bull pen stay fresh it will really help out in the starts by their 5th starter. In the field and at the plate, the Giants are still a few years away from competing in this division and for a title. They do not have any power in their line up and not a lot of big league experience with them either. In time this will be a very dangerous team, but this season will go only as far as Lincecum and Cain can carry them.
Colorado Rockies
Probably the team in this division with the most pop in the bats of any line up. Troy Tulowitski, Chris Iannetta at catcher, Garrett Atkins, and even an aging Todd Helton will provide plenty of offense for the Rockies and will try to out pitch their opponents as they always seem to do. They have a good mix with young and veteran players in the field to help then grow and become better players as well. On the mound they lack a dominant staff and only have one big time potential as a stud pitcher in Ubaldo Jimenez. They also picked up former Oakland Athletics' closer Huston Street to close games for them this season. Aaron Cook will also be looked upon to pick up his performance from last season to help out the offense so they do not have to put up 7+ runs per game to be successful. This team may also be a couple of key position players and a few pitchers away from returning to the World Series team away as they were in 2007.
San Diego Padres
The Padres do not have much to look forward to this season other than waiting to see where their star pitcher will end up being traded too. It seems not a matter of when but where the flame thrower will go. The Padres should however, they should get some high talent in return for the stud ace. The Padres have Peavy and Chris Young as two outstanding young arms to anchor the starting rotation of their staff and have an nice looking closer in Heath Bell to take over for the departed All Time Saves leader, Trevor Hoffman. Adrian Gonzalez at first base is the only major run producer the team can count on having a productive year as the Pads' will struggle to score runs this year as they did last. Offensively challenged would be an under statement and it does not help that they play in the pitcher friendly Petco ball park that runs come at a premium. It looks as it will be a couple of years before the Padres become contenders again in the west and will surely finish in last place in 2009.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers retained the biggest impact player and most likely to win MVP in the NL this season when Manny decided to resign with the team that traded for him at the trade deadline last July. Although Manny is quite a hitter he will impact and groom some of the younger players in the clubhouse to become more discipline at the plate like Matt Kemp and Andre Either. These two players will benefit dramatically from Manny's presence in the line up and become better players for the Joe Torre's team. On the offensive side, they lost former All Star pitcher in Brad Penny in Free Agency to the Boston Red Sox and also lost former closer to the Red Sox in Takashi Saito as well. They have some young arms that may be exceptional, especially closer Jonathan Broxton and starters in Chad Billingsbey and Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers will look to make the post season once again as the NL West Champions in 2009 and hopefully take it to the next step as a World Series contender and possibly Champion.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The D'backs were in the race for the title last season until they ran out of gas and Manny took the Dodgers on his back. Cy Young potential as usually Brandon Webb and Dan Haren lead a very good Arizona pitching staff that should not be the reason for a poor season unless it is because they are not healthy. Jon Garland should provide some nice depth to their starting rotation and their bull pen consist of many veterans including the likes of Tom Gordon and Scott Schoeneweis to set up closer Chad Qualls. At the plate the D'backs have many young talented players that should be more matured this year after experience that was gained from last season. Justin Upton in right field, brother of BJ from Tampa Bay, will be counted on heavily to take charge in the out field and also contribute intensively with his bat. Tony Clark will add some veteran leadership in the clubhouse and compete for the division title.
San Fransisco Giants
The Giants have been a popular pick this preseason by many experts for a break through season. I like the front of their rotation and the addition of Randy Johnson if he stays healthy. Tim Lincecum should draw legitimate Cy Young considerations from the voters with the season he is looking to have. He won it last season and a repeat is not out of the question for this year. Matt Cain is another nice young arm for the Giants as he also continues to grow and mature as a starter. Randy Johnson needs to remain off the Disabled List and avoid missing starts. If he can routinely pitch every 5th day and go 6+ innings to help the bull pen stay fresh it will really help out in the starts by their 5th starter. In the field and at the plate, the Giants are still a few years away from competing in this division and for a title. They do not have any power in their line up and not a lot of big league experience with them either. In time this will be a very dangerous team, but this season will go only as far as Lincecum and Cain can carry them.
Colorado Rockies
Probably the team in this division with the most pop in the bats of any line up. Troy Tulowitski, Chris Iannetta at catcher, Garrett Atkins, and even an aging Todd Helton will provide plenty of offense for the Rockies and will try to out pitch their opponents as they always seem to do. They have a good mix with young and veteran players in the field to help then grow and become better players as well. On the mound they lack a dominant staff and only have one big time potential as a stud pitcher in Ubaldo Jimenez. They also picked up former Oakland Athletics' closer Huston Street to close games for them this season. Aaron Cook will also be looked upon to pick up his performance from last season to help out the offense so they do not have to put up 7+ runs per game to be successful. This team may also be a couple of key position players and a few pitchers away from returning to the World Series team away as they were in 2007.
San Diego Padres
The Padres do not have much to look forward to this season other than waiting to see where their star pitcher will end up being traded too. It seems not a matter of when but where the flame thrower will go. The Padres should however, they should get some high talent in return for the stud ace. The Padres have Peavy and Chris Young as two outstanding young arms to anchor the starting rotation of their staff and have an nice looking closer in Heath Bell to take over for the departed All Time Saves leader, Trevor Hoffman. Adrian Gonzalez at first base is the only major run producer the team can count on having a productive year as the Pads' will struggle to score runs this year as they did last. Offensively challenged would be an under statement and it does not help that they play in the pitcher friendly Petco ball park that runs come at a premium. It looks as it will be a couple of years before the Padres become contenders again in the west and will surely finish in last place in 2009.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
National League East
I know opening day has come and gone but I would like to submit my projections for the rest of Major League Baseball Divisions and what I expect to happen.
New York Mets
The Mets had a ton of problems last season trying to close games at the end. The Mets did not mess around any longer as they signed the AL Cy Young Award runner up and single season Saves Record holder in K-Rod to multi year deal, and also traded for Mariners closer J.J. Putz to fix the bullpen issues. They did not do much on the offensive side of things which is understandable. Carlos Delgado had a rebirth last season and they still have the best left side of the infield in the National League in David Wright and Jose Reyes. I look for Johan Santana to continue his dominance in the NL and Oliver Perez to step up after a big contract to help out the rotation. The Mets in a new ball park should win this division, ironically because of their bullpen.
Philadelphia Phillies
The defending World Series Champs are back and have much the same roster as they did from last years team. Reliever J.C. Romero will miss the first 50 games with a steroid suspension, but Brad Lidge still has not blown a save in a Phillies' jersey. Cole Hamels will have to prove that the WBC injury will not affect him and come back to his dominant self in the post season. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins will carry the offense as they have over each of the last three plus seasons in Citizens Bank ball park. I like this team to compete with the Mets all the way until the final couple of days or weeks but end up bidding for a Wild Card spot in the NL.
Florida Marlins
A team always in the bottom of the payroll scale in baseball, but this team always has amazing young talented ball players that nobody knows entering a season. Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla will carry this young team with the leather and at the dish, they will defiantly put up some tape measure shots as well as steal some bases. The Marlins also have a bunch of young arms that will be vital if they plan on being in the playoff run until the end of the season. Josh Johnson a contender for the Cy Young will anchor the young staff and try and take down the giants of the East in New York and Philly. Big things to come from this team as they will move into a new ball park next season.
Atlanta Braves
After failing to make the playoffs for the first time a over a decade the Braves are in a bit of rebuilding mode, but still have an upside of competing with the front runners. The acquisition of Derek Lowe to be the ace of the staff to take pressure off of Tim Hudson to carry the load all by himself and help mold some of the younger arms. Chipper Jones had his best year in Batting Average last season flirting with .400 for much of the year will be added by Brian McCann's much improved bat from behind the plate. They have a nice looking rookie center fielder as well in Jordan Schafer. I see the Braves finishing 4th in a very competitive NL East.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals tried to get in on the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes but like the hometown O's lucked out. They did however bring in Adam Dunn, so they will get some long balls leaving the yard in their nice stadium. Other than Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman working at the hot corner not a lot of expectations to come of this season for the Nats. Maybe in a couple of years they will be competitive but as of now they do not have a promising supply of younger players in their farm system to work with in trading for players and in a tough economy they may be better off in saving those younger players and build for the future. I see the Nationals throwing in the towel early this season and hoping that next year arrives sooner rather than later.
New York Mets
The Mets had a ton of problems last season trying to close games at the end. The Mets did not mess around any longer as they signed the AL Cy Young Award runner up and single season Saves Record holder in K-Rod to multi year deal, and also traded for Mariners closer J.J. Putz to fix the bullpen issues. They did not do much on the offensive side of things which is understandable. Carlos Delgado had a rebirth last season and they still have the best left side of the infield in the National League in David Wright and Jose Reyes. I look for Johan Santana to continue his dominance in the NL and Oliver Perez to step up after a big contract to help out the rotation. The Mets in a new ball park should win this division, ironically because of their bullpen.
Philadelphia Phillies
The defending World Series Champs are back and have much the same roster as they did from last years team. Reliever J.C. Romero will miss the first 50 games with a steroid suspension, but Brad Lidge still has not blown a save in a Phillies' jersey. Cole Hamels will have to prove that the WBC injury will not affect him and come back to his dominant self in the post season. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins will carry the offense as they have over each of the last three plus seasons in Citizens Bank ball park. I like this team to compete with the Mets all the way until the final couple of days or weeks but end up bidding for a Wild Card spot in the NL.
Florida Marlins
A team always in the bottom of the payroll scale in baseball, but this team always has amazing young talented ball players that nobody knows entering a season. Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla will carry this young team with the leather and at the dish, they will defiantly put up some tape measure shots as well as steal some bases. The Marlins also have a bunch of young arms that will be vital if they plan on being in the playoff run until the end of the season. Josh Johnson a contender for the Cy Young will anchor the young staff and try and take down the giants of the East in New York and Philly. Big things to come from this team as they will move into a new ball park next season.
Atlanta Braves
After failing to make the playoffs for the first time a over a decade the Braves are in a bit of rebuilding mode, but still have an upside of competing with the front runners. The acquisition of Derek Lowe to be the ace of the staff to take pressure off of Tim Hudson to carry the load all by himself and help mold some of the younger arms. Chipper Jones had his best year in Batting Average last season flirting with .400 for much of the year will be added by Brian McCann's much improved bat from behind the plate. They have a nice looking rookie center fielder as well in Jordan Schafer. I see the Braves finishing 4th in a very competitive NL East.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals tried to get in on the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes but like the hometown O's lucked out. They did however bring in Adam Dunn, so they will get some long balls leaving the yard in their nice stadium. Other than Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman working at the hot corner not a lot of expectations to come of this season for the Nats. Maybe in a couple of years they will be competitive but as of now they do not have a promising supply of younger players in their farm system to work with in trading for players and in a tough economy they may be better off in saving those younger players and build for the future. I see the Nationals throwing in the towel early this season and hoping that next year arrives sooner rather than later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
