This is going to one of six blogs I'm going to do over the next month
and a half to get everyone ready for the 2012 MLB season. I'm going to
go division by division, going over every MLB team on what they did over
the offseason and what they still need to before spring training
begins. I'll predict the standings and opening day line-up as well.
These predictions of standing will be under the impression Bud Selig's 2
team wild card system will be approved for the 2012 postseason. Today, I
will start with the ever popular A.L. East.
The
New York Yankees have been somewhat quiet this offseason, as
far as huge multimillion dollar deals are concerned. They have, yet
again, come into an offseason looking for starting pitching which has
plagued them in the postseason in years past. The Yankees acquired
Michael Pineda from Seattle, sending prospect catcher Jesus Montero to
the Mariners. This trade came as a surprise to some in New York as many
viewed Montero as the man to take over the back-stop once Jorge Posada
called it a career, which coincidentally was also this offseason. The
Yankees also signed free agent pitch Hiroki Kuroda to a 1 year/10
million dollar deal. Kuroda posted a 13-16 win/loss record, which were
both career highs. His ERA was 3.07 and he retired 161 batters.
With this two moves, the Yankees starting rotation right now sits at 6
people, but it is likely that one will throw out of the pen, most likely
Phil Hughes. C.C. Sabathia, Freddy Garcia, Michael Pineda, Hiroki
Kuroda, and Ivan Nova will be the Yankee's 2012 rotation, with a very
strong bullpen with Jaba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano, and future Hall of
Famer, Mariano Rivera. The Yankees have recently been in the news
trying to deal A.J. Burnett, and it seems the only team biting is the
Pittsburgh Pirates. The Yankees offered A.J. Burnett to the Pirates for
OF Garrett Jones, among others and the incentive of paying 1/3 of
Burnett's 33MM dollar contract. The Pirates have reportedly turned that
down, but they are still negotiating.
Offensively, New York is set in that category. Besides losing their
longtime catcher, Jorge Posada, the offense looks absolutely the same. A
few spring training invites have been sent out to utility infielder
Bill Hall, long ball hitter Russell Branyan, and brother of Phillies
outfielder Laynce, Jayson Nix. The Yankees are also looking for DH help,
talking to former Yankee Hideki Matsui, Phillies outfielder Raul
Ibanez, and former Red Sox, Tiger, and Yankee, Johnny Damon. With not
much money to spend this offseason, where luxury tax is concerned, the
Yankees have done a great job filling the holes. With that, this will be
the Yankees starting lineup opening day:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Robinson Cano, 2B
3. Curtis Granderson, CF
4. Mark Teixeira, 1B
5. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Andruw Jones (Ibanez/Damon/Matsui if signed), DH
8. Russell Martin, C
9. Brett Gardner, LF
Final Thoughts: Expect to see Derek Jeter get a lot more time played as
the DH this season, and a lot more of Eduardo Nunez at shortstop this
season. Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson both had outstanding years
for New York and have earned those spots in the Yankee's line up. That
being said, the Yankees have the depth to repeat a divisional
championship in 2012, and I see them winning the AL East by a land
slide.
Next team, the
Tampa Bay Rays. Buster Olney ranks the Rays #1 in
the Power Rankings to start the 2012 season, and rightfully so with the
possibility of a 7 man rotation. (Could realistically do it, but not
going to happen.) Matt Moore is the top rated prospect by many in all of
baseball. James Shields will have another dominate season. Not to
mention the also have Jeff Neimann, Jeremy Hellickson, and David Price.
They have a very sharp offense set up for 2012, including guys coming
back as well as newly acquired free agents. That being said, like the
Yankees, its been a quiet offseason for Tampa Bay.
First, where is Tampa Bay coming from? The Rays were a miracle Wild Card
Playoff team in October after the exhilarating end of the regular
season. Evan Longoria hit a walk-off homerun to beat the Yankees, and
with a little help from the Orioles beating the Red Sox, and the Rays
were in the postseason. They would later lose to the Rangers in 4 games
in the ALDS, but still many considered it to be a promising end to a
season for Tampa. The one thing that will help Tampa Bay get back to the
playoffs will be fan support. It was noted that the Rays did not sell
out their final playoff game against the Rangers, which is a cause for
concern. The Miami Marlins have gone through the same issue of not
putting bodies in seats. Florida, for whatever reason, is not big into
baseball. In a span of 3 season, both teams have done complete makeovers
to their uniforms, names, and other aspects to the franchises in hopes
to sell tickets. In Tampa Bay's case, they have one of the best farm
systems in the league. That alone, for me at least, would get me excited
enough to go to games. But, enough about their problems, lets look at
the improvements of the Rays.
The only loss the Rays suffered was first baseman Casey Kotchman signing
with the Cleveland Indians. Other then that, they have the same team as
they did last year, minus the following signings. First, the Rays
signed Luke Scott to be their primary designated hitter. Amidst the
signing of Prince Fielder to the Tigers, the Rays made their next move
by signing Carlos Pena, who previously played for Tampa from 2007-2010.
And, just three days after, they signed utility infielder Jeff
Keppinger. Here is where Tampa Bay sits for opening day:
1. Desmond Jennings, LF
2. B.J. Upton, CF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Ben Zobrist, 2B
5. Carlos Pena, 1B
6. Matt Joyce, RF
7. Luke Scott/Sam Fuld, DH
8. Jose Molina, C
9. Sean Rodriguez, SS
Final Thoughts: The Rays have the potential to be a dominant force in
the American League. That success is up to the Rays and it's fan base.
Support goes a long way. Look at what it does to teams like Philadelphia
and Milwaukee. They have a team that could possibly contend against the
Yankees for the top spot in the AL East. Their young pitching has to
hold up, and I think it will.
The
Toronto Blue Jays are going to be a very fun team to watch in
years to come. They were in the mix for Yu Darvish and Prince Fielder
this offseason, but really didn't have a "big" signing. The Jays are set
to start the 2012 season with a new logo and new jerseys, which should
give the team motivation as the new logo reminds us all of the roots and
past teams the Blue Jays had. They have a very young, power hitting
offense and an average pitching rotation and a very good bullpen.
To start the conversation, lets get the ridiculous out of the way. Manny
Ramirez has been tied into the Blue Jays as one of the three teams he
has been talking to about signing with this offseason. Manny, who faces a
50 game suspension (reduced from 100 games after being reinstatement to
MLB) for failing a drug test, retired from baseball last season with
the Rays when he did test position for PEDs. I don't see the Blue Jays
as a team that would want Manny and his antics. They are forming into
their own as a contender in their tough division. They don't need the
extra distraction.
Moving onto what they did accomplish this offseason. They signed right
hander Tim Redding who has played for the Mets, Nationals, and Astros.
They also improved their bullpen by signing closer Fransisco Cordero,
who was not brought back by the Cincinnati Reds and veteran relief
pitcher Darrel Oliver who had three stints with the Texas Rangers, among
half a dozen other teams. Speaking of veterans, the Jays inked 44 year
old utility infielder Omar Vizquel. As far as minor league deals with
spring training invites go, they have signed Drew Carpenter and Nelson
Figueroa, among others. With all of these pitchers being signed, it will
be interesting what the rotation will look like when opening day rolls
around. Here's what I see the Jays lineup looking like on opening day:
1. Yunel Escobar, SS
2. Eric Thames, LF
3. Brett Lawrie, 3B
4. Jose Bautista, RF
5. Adam Lind, 1B
6. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
7. Kelly Johnson, 2B
8. Colby Rasmus, CF
9. Jeff Mathis/J.P. Arencibia, C
Final Thoughts: At best, this team will be a few wins over .500 this
season. I don't think their starting pitching can get them enough wins
to contend in the tough AL East. Its too bad Roy Oswalt told them he
wasn't interested in joining their team, because I think Roy could have
helped Toronto greatly with his veteran arm. Their offense will be
something fun to watch with home run champion of 2011, Jose Bautista and
company. I think the Blue Jays are a few years away from being a big
time contender in the MLB.
The
Boston Red Sox are going to either be new and improved, or
the same beer drinking chicken eating video game playing during the game
headache as they were last year. It all depends on how new skipper
Bobby Valentine handles the team. As most of the attention was on Theo
Epstein leaving for the Chicago Cubs and previous manager Terry Francona
not returning to Boston, there was serious worry in Boston as far as
2012 was concerned. With that, Boston remained active this offseason in
hopes to get back on track.
The big move Boston made was acquiring Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney
from the A's in a 5 player trade. They also signed Nick Punto to a two
year deal. They lost some key players to trades and free agency.
Jonathon Popalbon signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and Marco
Scutaro was traded to the Rockies. They did, however, avoid arbitration
with Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz. Veteran pitcher John Maine signed a
minor league deal with an invite to spring training, as did Carlos
Silva, Aaron Cook and Rich Hill. Hill, who was released by Boston but
then later re-signed, has been with Boston since 2010. The Red Sox
starting rotation does not have many concerns, minus the fact that
Daisuke Matsuzaka will be back off the DL in 2012 and also if Lester and
Beckett can stay healthy. If they can, pitching is great.
The biggest question going into the season is who is going to be the
leader of this team? Big Papi is coming to the end of his career and
can't be that guy anymore. Kevin Youkilis is aging as well, who was
clearly Boston's leader in the locker room. Varitek was also a leader,
but he is gone. Other questions loom the Red Sox, though. Will Carl
Crawford rebound after a bad 2011 and live up to his monster contract he
signed last offseason? Can Ellsbury and Pedroia continue their MVP
worthy ways and carry the Red Sox offensively? Lets look at who will
surround those two in the Red Sox lineup on opening day:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Ryan Sweeney (Carl Crawford if healthy), LF
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
7. Cody Ross, RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Mike Alives/Nick Punto, SS
Final
Thoughts: As I said before, this is going to be an interesting year for
the Red Sox. Bobby Valentine needs to get this team under control so
they can compete against the Rays and Yankees in the divisional race. If
he doesn't, its going to be another ugly ending for Boston as we all
witnessed last season. Red Sox are contenders if they play as a well
oiled machine. They will be fighting with the Orioles, otherwise.
I'm not going to give the
Baltimore Orioles much time or space on
here, because it's not worth your or my time. I will say this. They are
in the beginning stages of rebuilding. I think they are improving as
far as pitching is concerned. Signing J.J. Hardy to an extension was a
good move after the season he had in 2011. But, the Orioles front office
needs to learn something. Its that, in baseball, and in many things in
life, its about quality and not quantity. Signing 25 people to cheap
contracts hoping a few do well for you on the main roster won't get you
far. And, trading your great pitchers won't help you either. (See Jeremy
Gurthie). They are also in the talks as a team interested in Manny
Ramirez. They did make a few nice moves, like I said before, by adding
starting pitchers and some power hitters. Tsuyoshi Wada and Wei-Yin Chen
will be great additions to the rotation, and if newly signed infielder
Nick Johnson has a good spring, he could be the starting first baseman
or play a big role as the DH. Here's what opening day will look like for
Baltimore:
1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. J.J. Hardy, SS
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Chris Davis/Nick Johnson, 1B
5. Wilson Betemit/Nick Johnson, DH
6. Matt Wieters, C
7. Mark Reynolds, 3B
8. Adam Jones, CF
9. Nolan Reimold, LF
Final Thoughts: Their lineup is very difficult to figure out because of
how many new people are on that roster. Those 9 will be the starters,
but in what order is the issue. I don't believe anyone knows, too be
honest. They won't be the worst team in the league in 2012, but they
will again be way under .500 and fall in last place in the AL East. If
you're an Orioles fan, prepare for the long haul, because it's going to
be a while until you win this division again.
Predicted Standings:
1. New York Yankees (95-67) (Division Champs)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (90-72) (Wild Card)
3. Boston Red Sox (83-79)
4. Toronto Blue Jays (80-82)
5. Baltimore Orioles (65-97)
Next week, I will run down the Detroit Tigers and the rest of the AL
Central in the same structure as this blog. I hope everyone enjoys
reading this. Please leave your thoughts on here or on the Twitter feed (
@WISportsBlog) if you agree, disagree, or want to make a point. I look forward to reading your comments.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota (@WSB_Andrew)
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