While I sat and wondered today how many college freshman other than me willingly listen to Giants spring training games streamed through the Internet, I realized something great. Baseball is back. I also realized that above is the reason why I have limited female friends. We’re mostly concerned with the former, although the latter is most concerning to me. In any case, I know many people weren’t able to catch everything that went down in baseball this off season, so I thought I’d summarize every team with about a sentence or two each. I could right full previews, but who really enjoys reading these days? Let’s start with the AL today, in alphabetical order...
Baltimore Orioles: These ain’t your typical Orioles no more... well kind of they are. They’ve got talented young bats with Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and Matt Wieters. The question is whether their young pitching develops enough, and if their two pitchers imported from Asia can be difference makers. Unfortunately they play in the same division as three of the best teams in the AL, so they are the same ole Orioles.
Boston Red Sox: Much different look for the Sox this year, and I’m not just talking about Josh Beckett’s stomach. They have a new closer, manager and general manager, after last years epic collapse. Unfortunately the Popeye’s next to Fenway did not get traded. They’re still supremely talented, and if players like Carl Crawford can rebound from last season, they’ve got as good a shot as any team.
Chicago White Sox. This team reeks of mediocrity and Ozzie Guillen is not around to entertain us. Good: Paul Konerko is still there. Bad: The rest of the lineup.
Cleveland Indians: They got off to a hot start last season, and got better this offseason. The division is up for grabs, and their stud catcher Carlos Santana pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion. That seems strange, but that’s what it says on Wikipedia.
Detroit Tigers: With the acquisition of Prince Fielder to go alongside Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers now have far and away the heaviest corner infielders in baseball, which is really a phenomenal accomplishment. I’m not ready to jump on their bandwagon like a lot of others, as they lost their stud catcher Victor Martinez for the year and overachieved a little last season.
Kansas City Royals: A lot of experts are predicting the Royals to take a huge step this year. I’m not ready to. Other than their inevitable Royalness, their pitching staff is being anchored by newly acquired Jonathan Sanchez, and speaking as a Giants fan, that can get funky.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Yikes. That’s what every other American League team is saying. They of course, got the big splash of the offseason, acquiring Jorge Cantu as their fourth 3rd baseman. They also got Albert Pujols. He can be good sometimes. They also signed C.J. Wilson and are getting Kendry Morales back from injury. Also they got Albert Pujols.
Minnesota Twins: It seems like every team in the AL central has a chance to win it. Minnesota’s chances greatly depend on whether they are going to get the best out of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. If those two are even slightly slowed by injuries, the Twins aren’t going to be paternal anymore. That doesn’t make sense.
New York Yankees: Right when we were ready to say they got shutout this offseason, they acquired one of the best young arms in baseball in Michael Pineda. Yeah, the Orioles don’t stand a chance.
Oakland Athletics: Most ladies love this team because of their hot general manager and they think his chubby assistant is cute. They certainly weren’t quiet this offseason, trading two of their top three starters, their closer and signing a Cuban defector who could be anywhere from 26 to 50 years old. And they signed Manny Ramirez late in the off season. They play in a tough division, but if everything goes their way.... actually I forgot the Angels signed Albert Pujols. Never mind.
Seattle Mariners: A few years ago I picked them to go to the World Series. That year they lost 101 games. More evidence as to why what I’m writing means nothing. Speaking of nothing, this team is hardly anything. Ichiro has declined tremendously, and besides Felix Hernandez, none of their players have proven themselves in the bigs. They will now win 101 games after I’ve written this.
Tampa Bay Rays: Here’s a team that’s going to benefit form the extra wild card. If they can’t get past the Sox and Yanks, they can still make the playoffs. This team has amazing young pitching and still has Evan Longoria to lead a better than average lineup. I know their fans are excited, because all three of them said so.
Texas Rangers: After sending every Ranger fan into cardiac arrest last Fall, it’s back to the grind. The team is practically the same, with the exception of Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish, who is replacing C.J. Wilson and by all reports has a greater ceiling than Wilson. The problem is that the Angels signed Albert Pujols, who I would say is better than mediocre. They now won’t be able to sail through the division, and the wild card in the AL will be packed.
Toronto Blue Jays: I think Blue Jay fans should sign a petition to move Toronto to the midwest of Canada, but only during baseball season. That way, they can be in the AL Central, and would most likely be the favorite. There may be some logistical issues there, but I’m sure they can be sorted out. Unfortunately, they’re in the same boat as the Orioles (which is never good) because the three powerhouses in the AL East are going to clog the front porch of the division. This team is talented, but it won’t be enough.
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