2009 MLB Preview
by Belle4Hall19960 on Mar 7, 2009 12:47 AM EST
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PrintPower Rankings 1-30:
1. Boston Red Sox
They have the most depth in baseball, peroid. Every position features an above average player; many of which feature a top five player at the respected position. They own the reigning American League MVP in Dustin Pedroia, a versatile gold glove & .400 OBP guy in Kevin Youkilis, a 30 home run/100 RBI guy in Jason Bay, 50 stolen base threat in Jacoby Ellsbury and a DH that is one of the most feared hitters in baseball when healthy. The bench is also among the deepest in baseball with the likes of Mark Kotsay, Josh Bard, Rocco Baldelli, Julio Lugo and Brad Wilkerson.
Their rotation features the new Mr. October in Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka - who posted a sub 3 ERA last season, Jon Lester who was arguably the best starter in the AL post AS break, and the likes of Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, Clay Bucholtz and John Smoltz that will fill in the final two spots.
Their pen is arguably the best in baseball. It consists of Jonathon Papelbon, perhaphs the best closer in baseball, Takashi Saito - who is a dominant closer himself when healthy; Justin Masterson, Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen and Javier Lopez - each of which has the talent to be set-up men on most teams. Simply put this team has no weaknesses.
2. Tampa Bay Rays
Yes, they are foreal. Their rotation is the youngest - and perhaps most talented in all of baseball. Scott Kazmir and James Shields are legitimate aces. Matt Garza posted a 3.70 ERA and over 7 K/9IP last season. Andy Sonnanstine is legit bottom of the rotation starter. And David Price has the potential to be the best starter on this loaded staff. The 'pen is full of depth as well. Troy Percival, Jason Isringhausen, Dan Wheeler and Grant Balfour could all close out games. J.P. Howell posted a 2.22 ERA with 92 K's in 89 IP last season. Submarine guy Chad Bradford had a 2.12 ERA. And they went out and added Brian Shouse and Joe Nelson who had ERA's of 2.81 and 2 even respectively.
The lineup is loaded with all-stars. Carlos Pena has come into his own the past two years and seems to be a lock to hit 30 bombs and drive in 100. B.J. Upton had his coming out party in the playoffs last year. He has the potential to hit 30 bombs and steal 50 bases. Carl Crawford, the face of the franchise, is always among the best left fielders in baseball with the glove and bat. Evan Longoria seems poised to be an MVP candidate year in and out for years to come. New addition Pat Burrell is a 30 home run, 100 BB lock. All-Star Dioner Navarro is one of the better catchers in the game. And they have got plenty of depth with the likes of Gabe Kapler, Willie Aybar, Fernando Perez and Adam Kennedy. Look for the Rays to play in October again this year.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
The defending champions seemed poised to go deep into the playoffs again with the 25 man roster they have. Cole Hamels is one of the top 5 pitchers in the game today; and his supporting cast of Brett Myers, 84 year old Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick makes the Phillies rotation a force to be reckoned with. Their bullpen is deep as well, lead by Mr. 41-41 in saves Brad Lige. Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre and J.C. Romero (when he's done hanging out with A-Rod) should all have good seasons this year.
Their lineup features 2 former MVP's in Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard; and Chase Utley who will probably win an MVP of his own before its all said and done. Perennial 20 home run/100 RBI guy Raul Ibanez is a new addition to the club. He joins a crowded outfield that has Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth. This is an extremely balanced team.
4. New York Mets
An area of weekness the past few seasons, by adding Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz this off season, the Mets will virtually have 7 inning games this season. Pedro Feliciano and Duaner Sanchez are no sloutches either. They will trot out a solid 1-5 as well that includes perhaphs the best pitcher in baseball today in Johan Santana. Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Oliver Perez is about a solid middle of the rotation as you will get.
The Mets lineup will feature several all-stars and perhaps future Hall of Famers in Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran. Each one of those players recieved MVP votes last season. They have useful spare parts such as Fernando Tatis, Jeremy Reed (maybe the best range of any CF in baseball) and Corey Sullivan. Overall this might be the best lineup in the National League.
5. New York Yankees
There is simply too much concern for me to pick the Yankees to make the playoffs over the Sox and Rays at this point. First off all, what the heck is going on with Alex Rodriguez? If he going to miss 0 games, 10 weeks or 4 months? And even if he does not miss time, will he crack under all the pressure of proving he is a Hall of Famer without the juice? Are Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada all 100% healthy? Can Nick Swisher rebound from a .219 average? Is Xavier Nady a 1 year wonder? If you take A-Roid out of this lineup it suddenly looks pretty average.
They have the most expensive rotation in MLB history, but how good will it be? Will C.C. Sabathia choke under the pressure of the New York Media? Think about his playoff numbers in the past two seasons before you think this is a stupid qustion. Will A.J. Burnett avoid the DL this year? Is Chin-Meng Wang healthy? Is Andy Pettite, who's ERA has jumped up in each of the past few seasons, to 4.54 last season (and a 1.40 WHIP) even a league average starter at this point in his career? Can Joba make the jump into the rotation and stick in all season long with his sissy pitch count?
Let's also remember that although they added Sabathia, Teixeria and Burnett the lost Mike Mussina (20 game winner) Bobby Abreu (100 RBI) and Jason Giambi (32 home runs.) The Yankees will probably match or exceed the 89 wins the had last year, but they won't be a playoff team.
6. Chicago Cubs
They have a very balanced lineup 1-8. Aramis Ramirez is a lock for 25 HR/100 RBI. Derrek Lee is a lock to hit .290 with 20 home runs and play outstanding defense. Alfonso Soriano is one of the more talented players in the game when healthy. Same goes for Milton Bradley (don't believe me? look at his OPS last year.) Their middle infielders will hit close to .300. And Geovany Soto is one of the brightest rising stars in the game today.
Their rotation is rock solid as well. Zambrano might not be a great #1 anymore, but Harden, Dempster and Lilly make this staff overall one of the best in baseball. They have 4 guys that could be aces if healthy. Samardzija, Gregg and Marmol makes up a great back of the pen as well. Just don't expect them to win the world series.
7. Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians were an even 81-81 last year. And that was after they traded the reining American League Cy Young winner, an innings eating #4 starter, their starting third basemen and losing #3 starter Jake Westbrook as well as Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez - the #3 & 4 hitters to injury basically all year. Now this same team has added an dominant closer in Kerry Wood, an outstanding versatile 3B in Mark DeRosa, and getting their #3 & 4 hitters back healthy (or so says Wedge.)
This team has tons of potential. They will have the reining American League Cy Young winner take the mound on opening day. Fausto Carmona only two years ago was 19-6 with a 3.06 ERA. Carl Pavano is an above average starter if he can stay healthy. Aaron Laffey and Scott Lewis have the potential to be good middle of the rotation starters. Anthony Reyes and David Huff have the potential to be good #2's.
The bullpen, which is horrible every other year, seems to be a strong area this year (it is an odd year after all.) Wood if healthy is one of the best closers in the game. Rafael Perez has proven he is one of the better set-up men in the game. Rafael Betancourt should return to career norms. Jensen Lewis was 13-14 in save opps last season. Joe Smith has been consistantly good with the Mets. Then young arms such as Adam Miller & Jonathon Meloan could make a huge impact.
Their lineup 1-9 seems to be one of the better ones in baseball. Grady Sizemore is the best leadoff hitter in the game. Mark DeRosa finally gives the Tribe a real #2 hitter. Travis Hafner was the most feared slugger in the game only a few years ago. Jhonny Peralta is the best hitting SS in the AL. Victor Martinez is one of the best catchers in the game when healthy. Shin-Soo Choo posted ridiculous numbers last season. Shoppach had the highest SLG and OPS out of all American League catchers last season. And Astrocabs has great patience at the plate. Could this be the year?
8. Minnesota Twins
The American League Central should be fun to watch this year. Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn and Glen Perkins has lots of potential. The bullpen is still pretty deep, although it is probably not as good as it has been in recent years. With Neshek hurt, besides Jon Nathan, one of the best 2 closers in baseball, there are a lot of qustion marks. Jesse Crain and Craig Breslow seem poised to have good years, but are hardly sure things.
The lineup is an underrated one. Joe Mauer may very well be the best player in baseball. Justin Morneau is a perennial MVP candidate. Delmon Young still has lots of potential in their crowded outfield. Jason Kuble, Joe Crede and Alexi Casilla should all be above average at their position. This is one team you can never count out.
9. Los Angeles Dodgers
This is a whole different team with Manny Ramirez on it. Their projected lineup went from average to one of the best in baseball seemingly overnight. Russell Martin is one of the best catchers in baseball. Casey Blake, James Loney and Orlando Hudson are all above average at their respective positions. Matt Kemp, Andre Either and Rafael Furcal are all All-Star candidates. And Manny Ramirez is...well - the most feared hitter in the game today.
The rotation may be a bit shaky but it has potential. Billingsley, Kershaw, Kuroda and Wolf are a solid 1-4. Kershaw will eventually be a top 10 starter, although maybe not this season. Jonathon Broxton should be a great second tier closer. Kuo, Mota and Wade make this a solid overall pen. They should not have a problem winning the West.
10. Los Angeles Angels
Still the class of the West, but it is more wide open than what most people probably think. They lost Fransisco Rodriguez and Mark Teixeria and replaced them with Bobby Abreu and Brian Fuentes. Both are very solid additons but this team does have its weaknesses. They have a loaded outfield, but overall depth is an issue. Their pen, which is year in and out always among the best in baseball seems to be only slightly above average. Fuentes, Shields and Arrendondo make a good three headed monster but there is not much outside of those three.
Their top order of their lineup could be one of the best with Figgins/Abreu/Vladdy/Hunter. However, the bottom half could be among the worst. As it stands right now Kendry Morales is slated to be in the #5 spot. This team also has some injury concenrs with the likes of Howie Kendrick, Garry Mathews Jr. and Vladdy Guerrero.
Lackey and Santana are one of the better 1-2 punches in the game, but the end of the rotation could struggle. The Angels can only win the West so many years in a row and their streak may be in jepordy this season.
11. Toronto Blue Jays - One of the top two bullpens in baseball. They can hold their own in the AL East. This team could probably win the West.
12. Florida Marlins - One of the best young rotations in the game today. Also have a great lineup and probably the most talented player in all of baseball.
13. Oakland A's - One of the best offeasons of any team. Adding Giambi, Cabrera and Holliday makes them a contender.
14. St. Louis Cardinals - Watch out, they will give the Cubbies a run for their money. Yadier Molina is among the most underrated players in the game today.
15. San Fransisco Giants - Linecum/Cain/Johnson/Sanchez/Zito might be the best starting rotation in all of baseball.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks - Webb & Haren are the best 1-2 punch in baseball. Rest of the team is pretty average however.
17. Chicago White Sox - Gave up too much talent this offseason. John Danks is the real deal but this is a .500 team this year.
18. Atlanta Braves - Starting rotation could be one of the best in baseball. Lineup could be one of the worst.
19. Texas Rangers - If only the had some pitching. Probably best lineup in baseball resides in Texas.
20. Milwaukee Brewers - Pitching staff is looking ugly. Will be a lot of 6-8 losses in Milwaukee this year.
21. Detroit Tigers - Lots of stars on this team but they are aging. And the pitching staff is among the worst in baseball.
22. Kansas City Royals - Lots of young talent....could this finally be the year? I don't think so. But its not far off.
23. Colorado Rockies - Maybe the best defensive team in baseball.
24. Houston Astros - I can't bring myself to put a team with Jason Michaels, Aaron Boone and Danny Graves in the top 20.
25. Seattle Mariners - The best defensive outfield in all of baseball. Only one season removed from 93 wins. I could see them challenging a .500 record.
26. Cincinatti Reds - Joey Votto and Jay Bruce replace Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. as the faces of this franchise.
27. Baltimore Orioles - A top 10 lineup in all of baseball. Also lots of young future stars. But the pitching is going to kill them.
28. Washington Nationals - Perhaps the most talented outfield in all of baseball.
29. San Diego Padres - At least they have Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy.
30. Pittsburgh Pirates - Neal Huttington is in charge of the biggest mess in baseball.
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Comments
Neal Huttington needs to talk to Shaparo about trading for Brodzoski(the close).
I refuse to ever root for a team that routinely does the MVP chant for opposing players.
by TheVanillaGorilla on Mar 7, 2009 1:43 AM EST reply actions
Just you. Lots of websites have power rankings, notably ESPN and Baseball Prospectus.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 7, 2009 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
Jay, Jay, Jay, you must be getting claustrophobic down there in Mom’s basement. It’s not the format – it’s the style and verbiage I’m talking about. Hell, Grantland Rice couldda written this.
Were Grantland Rice columns rife with typos, too? Sorry, I’m just a spelling nazi … not for comments, but for FanPosts/FanShots.
Signature to be named later.
I hope Jeff Manto poops on your chest you jackass
by Belle4Hall19960 on Mar 8, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ouch, grammar correction from the Brick – it’s like getting hitting instructions from Dellucci.
by mauichuck on Mar 8, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Yep…
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=22Aramis+Ramirez+is+a+lock22&btnG=Search
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
This is no good. We don’t call one another jackasses. That’s reserved for Yankees.
This will be strictly enforced.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 8, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
My 9 year old got his LL assignment today, and he’s a Yankee, complete with the white-on-blue NY cap. This is going to be difficult for me.
Must. Not. Call. Children. Jackasses.
by FredOx on Mar 8, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Didn’t I hear a report that Little Leagues in Massachusetts stopped naming any team “Yankees” because kids on that team were getting picked on?
by Buckeye Brad on Mar 9, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
There is an organization trying to remove Yankees from little leagues. I think it is mainly a New England thing.
Look, dude, I was outta line. Clearly you put a lot of thought and work into this and I was a jackass for pissing in your ice cream (hat tip to The Master) and it really isn’t about you. Jay and I were just sparring about “New Media” vs “Old Media” and my point – such as it is – is that “New Media” just uses electrons instead of printer’s ink. The content is changing, but not just cuz it’s on the Interwebs.
Again, I congratulate you on a well researched piece. If I ever bump into you in person, I’ll buy you a beer.
Are you nuts? The piece sucked. There’s nothing wrong with being honest. It’s what separates this site from others — you’re expected to bring something of value to the conversation here, and if you don’t, you can expect to hear it. It’s like Darwin is the mod.
Would that be Maui Chuck Darwin?
Let’s be honest, though, your critique of the piece isn’t much better than the piece itself.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 9, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
One man’s weak capitulation is another man’s gracious mulligan. It ain’t 2006 anymore. We have a great, big community with well established standards. We can afford to be a little bit gracious. Honestly, the guy is making a serious effort here, and that should count for something.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 9, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh, fair enough, though I’ll confess that you are the last person I expected to hear this from… Ain’t 2006 indeed!
Right. So the guy (1) does seem to be a diehard Indians fan, (2) does seem to be trying to produce quality FanPost content, which relatively few folks here are trying to do, (3) is trying to abide by site policy and custom after a pretty rocky debut. Are these not reasons enough to cut him some slack? Do we really stand to lose anything by doing so?
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
He gets points for all three. Just abide by the rules and don’t say anything complimentary about Cazzi Culone and he’s OK by me.
It’s funny, Chuck … sometimes I think the only things we agree on are proper site conduct and the beauty of taking in a ballgame. And that is more than enough to agree on.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I’m pretty sure everyone here hates the Yankees.
by Buckeye Brad on Mar 10, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
No, there are a few people here who root for the Yankees when C.C. is on the mound, but yes, most of us are Indians fans.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 10, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hmmm….I don’t remember a single person ever saying they were going to root for the Yankees. But you can believe whatever you want to believe.
by Buckeye Brad on Mar 10, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Believe? I know that any Yankee playing well is good for the Yankees. It isn’t a “belief,” it’s a “fact.”
Some people are in denial of this fact, but that doesn’t mean that there’s a difference of opinion, because it isn’t a matter of opinion.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 10, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I really, really can’t believe that you’re continuing with this, Jay.
by Buckeye Brad on Mar 10, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not touching the CC thing again. But in the interest of finding something we all hate and all agree that we all hate- Jeter?
We all hate the Yankees.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 11, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It feels good to dish some out after you’ve taken your lumps. I mean . . . we must preserve the integrity of this community! Har!
I refuse to ever root for a team that routinely does the MVP chant for opposing players.
by TheVanillaGorilla on Mar 9, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he cut-and-pasted it from another site again…
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Yep…
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=22Aramis+Ramirez+is+a+lock22&btnG=Search
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
I assume he posted it in all three places.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 9, 2009 3:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know if it’s funnier that this article is a re-post or that this article is the only time the phrase “Aramis Ramirez is a lock” is on the internet.
"...leading the league in most offensive categories. Including nose hairs."
now I’m confused:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=en&q=22Rafael+Perez+has+proven22&btnG=Search
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
actually, not only does this one produce a goose egg, so does the Aramis one. Maybe the other two sites deleted his posts?
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
This was my favorite sentence:
An area of weekness the past few seasons, by adding Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz this off season, the Mets will virtually have 7 inning games this season.
by Toxicadam on Mar 9, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
rec for reading enough of it to notice.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Sorry I was being harsh about the misspellings, but I would advocate that FanPosts be a bit more polished that a FanShot or comment. But maybe that is just me. I think that more time and thought should be put into them before posting.
I’m not sure I agree with a lot of the analysis, but I’ll commend Belle for an earnest effort to generate some discussion/material around here.
Signature to be named later.
I really, really don’t like spelling/grammar fanatics; I really don’t.
Fixed.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 13, 2009 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
I really, really don’t like spelling/grammar fanatics; I really don’t.The above quotation is now correct.
The above quotations are now correct.
by APV on Mar 13, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I have recommended this comment.
Il faut d'abord durer.
by CU Adam on Mar 13, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Correct grammar is the key to efficient communication. Without it, we continue the slide into the vast wasteland of ignorance.
how many times did you proof read that to make sure you didn’t skip an ‘m’ in there or something before you hit ‘post’? be honest.
That will be the year he gets in, if man is still alive.
by odradek on Mar 13, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Is it possible to love and hate a song at the same time? Because — that one — I do.
Signature to be named later.
I know it’s such a cliche to be a Lebowski guy, but what the hell, man, Lebowski rocks. Goes back to the original Hey Jaysie! post, actually.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I sometimes wonder if we don’t overimagine the extent to which something like “being a Lebowski guy” can even be a cliche. In other words, American “hip” culture has become so self-conscious and self-referential, one must essentially become a cultural ascetic to avoid constantly feeling like a big fat cliche.
At that point, such concerns have become illogical, in my opinion.
Are you talking about identifying with the Lewbowski character in particular, or the vibe of the whole movie in general?
Or am I out of my element?
Well … good question.
The Princess Bride’s main characters are fiction archetypes. The Blues Brothers features aburdist lead characters who are not really similar to real people at all.
Lebowski is different, because although the plot is outlandish, the characters are very real, and I for one identify with a lot of them to an almost frightening degree. I see myself in The Dude and also Lebowski, in Walter, occasionally in Donnie or The Jesus, sometimes even Liam.
But most often, The Dude and Walter, the two main characters. I think about the scene where they’re scattering the ashes … I’ve been both of those guys many times. I’ve been the guy yelling “everything is a travesty with you” and I’ve been the guy causing the travesty. So often, one or the other and possibly both.
Those are very real characters to me, and the reality of them is carried powerfully in the words they say. That’s why, unlike most quotable movies, I think Lebowski quotes have a special resonance. No matter which character is saying it, I’ve been that guy. I am that guy. Seriously.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
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