Post by Erbes on Apr 2, 2014 10:40:13 GMT -5
Pre-Season Top 10!
Let's take a look at the top 10 teams heading into 2007! Is there anyone who can de-throne the Athletics? Wonder what my buddy ERIC KARABELL would say. Bet he would say I'm a better writer, more insightful, and just a better all around guy than Shale is!
10. Texas Rangers
Last year's record: 71-91
Key additions: SP Mike Gonzalez, SS Tony Pena, MR Scott Schoeneweis, SP Hiroki Kuroda, SP BJ Ryan, MR Fernando Rodney, CL Bob Howry
Predicted ceiling: 3rd place in the AL West, 2nd in the Wild Card
Dan has been playing third wheel in the AL West for years now. Maybe since the beginning of the league really. That may change this year with some luck. Ol' Donnie Ballgame went out and made some bold trades, getting really good talent on the cheap. He's always struggled to find pitchers to pitch well in the Ballpark at Arlington, but now he has a frontline rotation lead by Kuroda, Ryan, Gonzalez, and Nannini. Offense has never really been a problem, but dealing J-Roll might hurt more than he thinks. Dan will need Cano, Curbelo, and Dye to step up big this year if he plans on competing with the like of the Mariners and Athletics. I think there's a lot of talent on this team and the Gers will win a bunch of games, I just don't think they'll win enough to beat out the two giants in the division.
9. Detroit Tigers
Last year's record: 92-70
Key additions: 1B Carlos Delgado, LF Jesse Whitmarsh, CF Thomas Valente, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, MR Steve Soderstrom, CF Rusty Greer
Predicted ceiling: AL Central winner, 1st round playoff exit
Let's get this out of the way now: the Tigers are going to win the AL Central by default. The Indians will hang around like they usually do, but drowe is uncapable of making a move to put his team over the top. And the Royals are solid, but missing out on FA to fill some holes will hurt. Dave has actually put together a capable team and I do think it's a top 10 team in the league. Moving JD Drew, at face value, stings, but a deeper look shows that he just wasn't very good in Detroit. Adding guys like Whitmarsh and Valente, who should probably be called up at some point this season, will more than make up for Drew leaving. Really the only thing the Tigers need to look out for is injuries. They got bamboozled last year with them. Like unreal stuff. As long as they stay healthy they stay at the top of the Central and in the top 10.
8. San Francisco Giants
Last year's record: 85-77
Key additions: SP Jim Pittsley, MR Robert Calvillo, MR Lenard Martinez, CF Robert Fick
Predicted ceiling: NL West winner, 1st round playoff exit
Is this me putting too much faith in Spencer? Possibly. But damn @ that pitching staff. Spence definitely knows what wins in his ballpark and he went out and got a stud pitching staff in half a season. He's also got a buttload of doubles hitters and we all know how much Spence loves rounding 1st. I think there's no way he lets Shale run away with the division again. I don't think he's as good as he wants to be right now (need an improved offense), but that's what prospects are for and he has a ton to deal. As long as he doesn't get greedy in trade deals and makes that move to win I just can't go against him. Sorry Shale, I think your reign at the top of the West is over. I mean weren't the Giants headed for a horrible record last year, made like two moves and ended up 8 games over .500? Yeah... bye bye Shale.
7. Colorado Rockies
Last year's record: 103-59
Key additions: CF Milton Bradley, 2B Ronnie Belliard, SS Paul Hoover, MR Nate Bump
Predicted ceiling: NL West winner, 1st round playoff exit
Yep same ceiling as the Giants. I think this is going to be a great race for the entire year. Possibly our first real interesting division race in respect to the GMs involved and talent level. I do like what Shale has done recently. He went out and got pitchers who wouldn't get killed in Coors and because of this he ran rampant through a horrible NL West last year. This year is going to be different though. Giants are definitely competing and the Padres are much improved. I loved the addition of Bradley for him (even though he doesn't have him in the starting lineup right now lol wtf Shale). Dude hit 20 homers for me last year. I could see that blowing up to 30-35 with half his games played in Coors. Belliard and Bump were sneaky good additions. Listen, I think Shale's team is very good, I just don't think Shale has the moxy to stick with Spence if Spence starts making deals. I can already picture it now... Spence goes out and trades for Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano or a player like that and Shale responds by sending his next 3 first round picks for an overpaid closer and an E defense backup middle infielder. Book it.
6. Florida Marlins
Last year's record: 109-53
Key additions: MR Peter Moylan, MR Greg Aquino, MR Jeff Suppan, MR Tim Harikkala
Predicted ceiling: NL East winner, 2nd round playoff exit
Says something about a team that there this high and their GM is on hiatus, right? Ashes laid such an amazing foundation for the Marlins that I don't think even Stutter could ruin them now. Awesome offense lead by Cabrera, Buck, Howard, and Rivas, and a pitching staff to match with Sabathia, Sabin, and Cunnane. The only real weakness last year was the bullpen, and Play did a really good job filling that out this year. All 4 guys he signed will be vry solid additions. I always feel like Florida has a shot to win it all, but with an MIA GM I'm not sure they'll get the love they need to take it all the way.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
Last year's record: 104-58
Key additions: 2B Chase Utley, SP Scott Wiggins, MR Chris Carpenter, CF Juan Rivera
Predicted ceiling: AL East winner, AL Pennant champions
So the Rays are going to be good this year, huh? We'll see. It seems as though Game got a little scared though. He went out and signed Wiggins, Carpenter, and Rivera to pricey FA deals, putting himself on top of the salary report at $107M. I think his best move, though, was getting Utley on the cheap. 2B was really his only weakness and he filled it with the best one out there. This lineup is going to be disgustingly good. Could definitely set some records. Plus the pitching staff is lead by three 10 AR guys: Halladay, Lampman, and Baxter. So tastey. So why only 5th? Because it's Game. Lol. No really. For every great move he makes he seems to make one that sets him back. Until that patterns end he'll always finish behind Oakland and Seattle for me. Also, not loving his depth at hitting. If someone goes down he might be in trouble.
4. Seattle Mariners
Last year's record: 107-55
Key additions: None
Predicted ceiling: AL Wild Card winner, AL Pennant champions
I honestly think you could shuffle these next 4 teams in any order and I wouldn't have a problem with any of the combinations. The reason I put Seattle 4th is because of the lack of moves this offseason. Nanzy has been dealing with some stuff so he gets a pass, but you can't expect to beat the teams ahead of you without improving. The Mariners offense is so unbelievably stacked, but I think their pitching needs help. Not sure K-Rod is as good as Nanz wants him to be. In this league, you need 4 guys with ERAs at or around 3.00 to win a championship. K-Rod is around 3.50. Unfortunately, that's not good enough right now. With some improvement to the pitching I think Seattle could claim its first World Series.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates
Last year's record: 102-60
Key additions: MR Thomas Hedden, SP Joseph Jackson, MR Steve Karsay, 3B Morgan Ensberg
Predicted ceiling: NL Wild Card winner, NL Pennant champions
Is this the year Steve2 finally breaks out of the Cubs' shadow and wins something more than the Wild Card? Not sure on that, but the playoffs are a crapshoot and Steve now has a a rotation to match that of Play's. Prior-Jackson-Affedlt is pretty filthy. Moving Utley is definitely going to be a blow, but moving Aki to 2B and trading for Ensberg should ensure at least comparable production. I think Steve had it right in trading hitting for pitching in this instance. Utley for Jackson is a huge upgrade to his team overall. He also shored up his bullpen by dealing for Hedden and Karsay who should replace ineffective relievers like Kaler and Soderberg, who have been giving away wins for years. Overall, the Pirates are very well rounded and those are usually the teams that win championships - not just top heavy or hitter/pitcher-only teams.
2. Chicago Cubs
Last year's record: 111-51
Key additions: SP Harry Samaniego, MR Geremi Gonzalez
Predicted ceiling: World Series champion
So this isn't just as cut and dry as Oakland won the World Series last year so they have to be #1 and Chicago has to be #2. It's more to do with the fact that Play has sat on his team this offseason and not really improved it all that much, and in some cases worsened it (see: Samaniego over Pittsley). I mean you lose the World Series and your big FA signing is Geremi Gonzalez? Mehhh. You lose the World Series and your big offseason trade is to go get Harry Samaniego while losing one of your top pitchers? Mehhh. I trust in Play's ability to build a winner, obviously, but maybe he didn't have a clear cut plan going into this offseason and panicked? Who knows? I mean he was trying to rebuild... Anyways, see you in October!
1. Oakland Athletics
Last year's record: 112-50
Key additions: MR Scot Shields, CF Tony Cobo
Predicted ceiling: World Series champion
Again, not a case of "they won it last year so they have to be #1." I think Broph did a good job of keeping some of his solid pieces (OC, Walker) while adding nice depth (Shield, Cobo) and he didn't break the bank to do it. I don't buy into Broph trading Lee and Soriano... why would he? He has the best team in one of the strongest divisions in the league. I think we should do a Larry Walker watch to see how long he last this year. There's no way he can go past age 40 is there!? Also going to be interesting to watch Yoshii this year to see if he can get up to a 10 in AR. Yeah this team is so good it's boring.
Next Five: Tampa Bay Rays (prove it), Kansas City Royals (new GM), New York Mets (where's James?), St. Louis Cardinals (always the bridesmaid's sister), Philadelphia Phillies (because there's no one else)
Bottom Five: New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, Anaheim Angels
Go ahead and debate!