Time to forget about your bracket--face it, it's irredeemably broken. Mercer?! Harvard?! Dayton?! Really? Time to pick up the old horsehide and start boning the bat. Yep, you guessed it, Spring has sprung, and ready or not, here's Signor Baseball's American League preview:
The East looks like another down and dirty race to the wire. Last season the Red Sox brought in a bunch of folks, none of them "superstars", rolled the dice, and ended up winning the World Series. That just doesn't happen very often in baseball. I suppose it could happen again, but...In New York, the Yankees are without the cursed A-Rod (finally) and have added a lot more power. The starting pitching could either be very, very good or very, very mediocre. Tanaka won't go 24-0 like he did in Japan, but he looks like a good bet to win 14-16 games. Kuroda and Nova are solid. CC Sabathia has lost something off his fastball, though he still is better than most, and Pineda is healthy for the first time in years. However, Rivera is gone, Cano is gone, Jeter is going fast, and second and third base look like big question marks. But who knows, maybe everything falls into place and New York can contend. Baltimore and Tampa are solid, on paper at least, and barring injury, should fight it out with Boston for the division and at least one of the Wild Cards. If the Orioles don't compete, Buck Showalter may be looking for another job. The Blue Jays, after the big spending debacle of 2013, can look forward to another also ran season. Having a knuckleballer as your #1 starter just doesn't work out. Sorry. At least it won't cost as much to finish last this year. Plus, Toronto has a very entertaining mayor. And that's something.
In the Central, Detroit has had a big edge talent wise for the last few seasons. This year, Cleveland and, gasp! Kansas City, might give them a race. Might. Both the Indians and the Royals will score runs, but they also both have obvious holes in their pitching. The Tigers still have a big edge in starting pitching and Miguel Cabrera. And maybe, someday, they'll win another World Series. Just kidding. Should they make it again, trust me, they'll figure out a way to lose. Kind of like the Texas Rangers. For whatever it's worth, the White Sox will once again be better than the Cubs in the battle for Chicago supremacy. And the Twins? Looks like they're turning into the Astros of the American League Central. And no, that is not a good thing.
Out in the Wild West, last year the Angels were a huge disappointment, the A's over-achieved again (gee, somebody in Oakland must know something, huh?), and the Rangers were pretty much what we thought they were. This year, Los Angeles (or Anaheim or Orange County or whatever they call themselves) added a couple of solid everyday players and some young arms. But if Pujols and Hamilton don't hit it will be another disappointing year for Halo fans everywhere. Texas traded a big bat for a bigger bat, but pitching wins things and they better get comeback seasons from any starter not named Darvish if they want to compete. The A's still have that lean and hungry look. So, I guess it's a 3 team race until the bitter end. Elsewhere, Seattle over spent to get Robby Cano, who is a great player, but not worth A-Rod (in his prime) money. Hell, A-Rod in his prime wasn't worth A-Rod money. Years 7-10 of Cano's contract will be a very, very sad time for the Mariners. But that's years down the road...Unfortunately, they probably won't win anything before then, either. And finally, try to name one member of the Houston Astros. Go on. Anybody? No? Well, there it is.
Showing posts with label Derek Jeter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derek Jeter. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Signor Baseball's 2013 AL Preview
For a moment, please stop sharpening your spikes, greasing your mitt, and boning your bat, because it's time for Signor Baseball's 2013 American League preview:
In the East, is this the year the Evil Empire finally crashes and burns? Boy, it sure looks like it. These days, just putting on a Yankee uniform makes you eligible for Medicare. Jeter, Teixeira, Granderson, and Hughes, are all hurt. And let's not forget A-Rod who is contractually owed the equivalent of the GDP for sub-Saharan Africa, who is recovering from yet another surgery, and whose production has fallen off so drastically it makes grown men weep. Grown men named Steinbrenner, at least. All in all, a tough way for Mariano Rivera to go out. Remember, "life isn't fair." If, and it's a bigger "if" than even Kipling could imagine, if the Yankees can somehow hang in there, it could be a five team race well into September. Toronto bought out the Marlin fire sale, Baltimore looks like they are for real, Tampa is still loaded with talent, and the Red Sox have to be better than the Bobby Valentine debacle made them look. Don't they? Any of these teams could finish first--or last. Or anywhere in between. So...allow an old man a final wish: to see Mr. Rivera on the mound, saving meaningful games in October...one last time. Because when he's gone, there won't be another like him.
In the Central, everybody is playing for second place behind Detroit. Except the Twins, who will be playing not to finish last. Even though they looked bad in the Series, the Tigers are still ahead of the rest of the division in talent--especially starting pitching. The five year rebuilding plan in Kansas City has gone on for most of a decade--but finally seems to be yielding results, though probably not enough to catch Detroit. In Chicago they will try to put last year's late season floundering behind them. This is sometimes easier said than done. And according to the laws of probability, Cleveland has to get better eventually...I think. In the meantime, Mark Reynolds has brought his "feast or famine, but mostly famine" act to the shores of Lake Eerie. And, if things get too ugly, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is still a short walk from Jacobs Field. Up in Lake Woebegone, the Twins opened up a nice, new, ballpark just in time for the team to completely fall apart. Life is funny like that...
Out West, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim spent a fortune last year with nothing much to show for it. They got out the checkbook again in the off season and this year it will pay off. Maybe. Maybe not. The recent history of big spending teams has been spotty, to say the least. In Oakland, the A's are experts at working and winning with very little money. Perhaps it's time to let Billy Beane have a go at the Federal deficit...Down Texas way, the Rangers had their chances the last few years and blew them. Now, they will have to scramble to be in the Wild Card race. In Seattle, the Mariners are getting better, but don't look nearly strong enough to compete in this division. And finally, what is there to say about the newest members of the American League, the Houston Astros? Nothing at all.
In the East, is this the year the Evil Empire finally crashes and burns? Boy, it sure looks like it. These days, just putting on a Yankee uniform makes you eligible for Medicare. Jeter, Teixeira, Granderson, and Hughes, are all hurt. And let's not forget A-Rod who is contractually owed the equivalent of the GDP for sub-Saharan Africa, who is recovering from yet another surgery, and whose production has fallen off so drastically it makes grown men weep. Grown men named Steinbrenner, at least. All in all, a tough way for Mariano Rivera to go out. Remember, "life isn't fair." If, and it's a bigger "if" than even Kipling could imagine, if the Yankees can somehow hang in there, it could be a five team race well into September. Toronto bought out the Marlin fire sale, Baltimore looks like they are for real, Tampa is still loaded with talent, and the Red Sox have to be better than the Bobby Valentine debacle made them look. Don't they? Any of these teams could finish first--or last. Or anywhere in between. So...allow an old man a final wish: to see Mr. Rivera on the mound, saving meaningful games in October...one last time. Because when he's gone, there won't be another like him.
In the Central, everybody is playing for second place behind Detroit. Except the Twins, who will be playing not to finish last. Even though they looked bad in the Series, the Tigers are still ahead of the rest of the division in talent--especially starting pitching. The five year rebuilding plan in Kansas City has gone on for most of a decade--but finally seems to be yielding results, though probably not enough to catch Detroit. In Chicago they will try to put last year's late season floundering behind them. This is sometimes easier said than done. And according to the laws of probability, Cleveland has to get better eventually...I think. In the meantime, Mark Reynolds has brought his "feast or famine, but mostly famine" act to the shores of Lake Eerie. And, if things get too ugly, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is still a short walk from Jacobs Field. Up in Lake Woebegone, the Twins opened up a nice, new, ballpark just in time for the team to completely fall apart. Life is funny like that...
Out West, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim spent a fortune last year with nothing much to show for it. They got out the checkbook again in the off season and this year it will pay off. Maybe. Maybe not. The recent history of big spending teams has been spotty, to say the least. In Oakland, the A's are experts at working and winning with very little money. Perhaps it's time to let Billy Beane have a go at the Federal deficit...Down Texas way, the Rangers had their chances the last few years and blew them. Now, they will have to scramble to be in the Wild Card race. In Seattle, the Mariners are getting better, but don't look nearly strong enough to compete in this division. And finally, what is there to say about the newest members of the American League, the Houston Astros? Nothing at all.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Signor Baseball's MLB Midseason Update
So here we are, just past halfway in the 2011 season, and what have we learned?
Well, for one thing the ownership of the Dodgers is even more screwed up than the ownership of the Mets--and they don't have Bernie Madoff to blame, either. And hitting a baseball thrown 90 plus miles an hour is still the single hardest thing in sports. Only a slight diminution of their reflexes can turn a .320 hitter into a .270 hitter just like that. Pace Ichiro and Derek Jeter.
Surprises? Always. In the American League Cleveland and Seattle are playing much better than I thought they would and Minnesota, Chicago, and Oakland much worse.
In the AL East, the Yankees and Red Sox are about where you'd expect, with Tampa Bay hanging close. Any more injuries to the New York or Boston pitching staffs or starting lineups and the Rays might pass one or both of them. In Toronto I didn't think Jose Bautista would hit 54 homers again and it looks like he may get to 60. That's about all the Blue Jays' fans have to look forward to. And in Baltimore, Mark Reynolds has finally cut down on his strikeouts. And his power. At least the Oriole pitching staff isn't afraid to brush people back. Now if they could just get someone out...
The Tigers and Indians will continue neck and neck in the Central. Cleveland seems to be for real and should stick around until the very end. Neither of them looks strong enough to run away from the other. This means that the Twins and White Sox, who have both really underperformed, aren't out of it yet...The less said about the Royals the better.
And in the West, the Rangers and Angels should go down to the wire. Texas still has the edge in talent, but never underestimate Arte Moreno's deep pockets at the trading deadline. After a stronger than expected start Seattle has begun to fade, and in Oakland it's already 'wait until next year' time.
In the National League, the Mets, Nationals and, wonder of wonder, the Pirates are playing a lot better than expected, while the Marlins, Padres and Dodgers have been the biggest disappointments.
As I mentioned in my NL season preview, if the Phillies pitching stays relatively healthy they should take the East easily. The Braves still have a good shot at the wild card, but Atlanta better keep an eye on both New York and Washington lurking behind them. Florida seems finished at this point. Then again, Jack McKeon has worked miracles in the past with the Marlins.
In the Central, the Brewers look like they're for real and should be able to keep pace with the Cardinals, with the Reds also in contention. I think Pittsburgh will fade in August, but for my son's sake I hope they don't. He's never been to Pittsburgh--we don't even know anybody in Pittsburgh--but for some inexplicable reason, the Pirates are his team. So go Pirates! The Cubs are the Cubs, God bless them, and there doesn't seem to be anything anyone can do about that. I know there's another team in this division, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is.
In the West, the Giants pitching rivals the Phillies, but sooner or later they'll miss Buster Posey's bat. The Diamondbacks bullpen has been a lot better and that has made all the difference in the world. They may need to add a couple of veteran players to catch San Francisco, though, and who knows whether they can afford to? The Rockies looked like they would run away with the division for the first couple of months but have cooled down and are now a sub .500 club. Losing Adrian Gonzalez has left a huge hole in San Diego. However, as in the Central, I don't see anybody pulling away, so maybe the Padres have a chance to regroup. And in Los Angeles, there's apparently no end in sight to the soap opera that Dodger baseball has become. Cherchez la femme.
Still, it's a long, long season, and all kinds of strange and wondrous things can happen between now and early October.
Well, for one thing the ownership of the Dodgers is even more screwed up than the ownership of the Mets--and they don't have Bernie Madoff to blame, either. And hitting a baseball thrown 90 plus miles an hour is still the single hardest thing in sports. Only a slight diminution of their reflexes can turn a .320 hitter into a .270 hitter just like that. Pace Ichiro and Derek Jeter.
Surprises? Always. In the American League Cleveland and Seattle are playing much better than I thought they would and Minnesota, Chicago, and Oakland much worse.
In the AL East, the Yankees and Red Sox are about where you'd expect, with Tampa Bay hanging close. Any more injuries to the New York or Boston pitching staffs or starting lineups and the Rays might pass one or both of them. In Toronto I didn't think Jose Bautista would hit 54 homers again and it looks like he may get to 60. That's about all the Blue Jays' fans have to look forward to. And in Baltimore, Mark Reynolds has finally cut down on his strikeouts. And his power. At least the Oriole pitching staff isn't afraid to brush people back. Now if they could just get someone out...
The Tigers and Indians will continue neck and neck in the Central. Cleveland seems to be for real and should stick around until the very end. Neither of them looks strong enough to run away from the other. This means that the Twins and White Sox, who have both really underperformed, aren't out of it yet...The less said about the Royals the better.
And in the West, the Rangers and Angels should go down to the wire. Texas still has the edge in talent, but never underestimate Arte Moreno's deep pockets at the trading deadline. After a stronger than expected start Seattle has begun to fade, and in Oakland it's already 'wait until next year' time.
In the National League, the Mets, Nationals and, wonder of wonder, the Pirates are playing a lot better than expected, while the Marlins, Padres and Dodgers have been the biggest disappointments.
As I mentioned in my NL season preview, if the Phillies pitching stays relatively healthy they should take the East easily. The Braves still have a good shot at the wild card, but Atlanta better keep an eye on both New York and Washington lurking behind them. Florida seems finished at this point. Then again, Jack McKeon has worked miracles in the past with the Marlins.
In the Central, the Brewers look like they're for real and should be able to keep pace with the Cardinals, with the Reds also in contention. I think Pittsburgh will fade in August, but for my son's sake I hope they don't. He's never been to Pittsburgh--we don't even know anybody in Pittsburgh--but for some inexplicable reason, the Pirates are his team. So go Pirates! The Cubs are the Cubs, God bless them, and there doesn't seem to be anything anyone can do about that. I know there's another team in this division, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is.
In the West, the Giants pitching rivals the Phillies, but sooner or later they'll miss Buster Posey's bat. The Diamondbacks bullpen has been a lot better and that has made all the difference in the world. They may need to add a couple of veteran players to catch San Francisco, though, and who knows whether they can afford to? The Rockies looked like they would run away with the division for the first couple of months but have cooled down and are now a sub .500 club. Losing Adrian Gonzalez has left a huge hole in San Diego. However, as in the Central, I don't see anybody pulling away, so maybe the Padres have a chance to regroup. And in Los Angeles, there's apparently no end in sight to the soap opera that Dodger baseball has become. Cherchez la femme.
Still, it's a long, long season, and all kinds of strange and wondrous things can happen between now and early October.
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