2009 MLB Preview Podcast

Our 30 part MLB 2009 preview, which you can find here, concludes with a podcast where we name our division winners, Wild Cards, Cy Young and MVP winners. Some topics discussed in this one: Did the Yankees 425 Million spending spree pays off? Can the Padres win the NL West on sweet Camo Uniforms alone? Does a healthy Chris Carpenter make the Cards a NL Favorite?



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2009 MLB Preview Special Edition

Welcome to the PSP MLB Preview for 2009. Inside you'll find all of Greg's predictions for the division races and individual awards.
After looking through the entire league team by team, here are the official PSP predictions for 2009.

American League

East
1. New York Yankees 96-66
2. Tampa Bay Rays 93-69
3. Boston Red Sox 89-73
4. Toronto Blue Jays 69-93
5. Baltimore Orioles 58-104

Central
1. Cleveland Indians 93-69
2. Minnesota Twins 86-76
3. Kansas City 81-81
4. Chicago White Sox 81-81
5. Detroit Tigers 79-83

West
1. Los Angeles Angels 93-69
2. Texas Rangers 77-85
3. Oakland Athletics 76-86
4. Seattle Mariners 69-93

National League

East
1. Philadelphia Phillies 96-66
2. New York Mets 91-71
3. Florida Marlins 85-77
4. Atlanta Braves 83-79
5. Washington Nationals 68-94

Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals 94-68
2. Chicago Cubs 88-74
3. Milwaukee Brewers 78-84
4. Houston Astros 77-85
5. Cincinnati Reds 72-90
6. Pittsburgh Pirates 58-104

West
1. Arizona Diamondbacks 89-73
2. Los Angeles Dodgers 86-76
3. San Francisco Giants 82-80
4. Colorado Rockies 77-85
5. San Diego Padres 66-96

These would provide the following playoff match-ups:
AL:Yankees vs Angels and Indians vs Rays
NL: Phillies vs Diamondbacks and Cardinals vs Mets

The LCS match-ups would be:
AL: Yankees vs Rays and NL: Phillies vs St. Louis

Finally, the World Series would be:
Phillies winning over the Yankees

Now for the individual awards for 2009:

AL MVP: Mark Teixeira
NL MVP: Ryan Howard
AL Cy Young: Jon Lester
NL Cy Young: Francisco Rodriguez

With my expectations that both New York teams return to the playoffs in 2009, I expect the awards to lean towards those two teams. Teixeira is the most likely candidate from the Yanks now that A-rod is out for the opening of the season. I think the revamped bullpen will go a long way towards getting the Mets back into the playoffs, and K-Rod's Cy Young will be the reward. The other awards are simply that I expect monster seasons from Lester and Howard.

Finally here are my projected All-Star teams:

AL:
C- Jorge Posada
1B- Mark Teieira
2B- Dustin Pedroia
3B- Alex Rodriguez
SS- Derek Jeter
OF- Josh Hamilton
OF- Ichiro Suzuki
OF- Carlos Quentin
SP- Jon Lester

NL:
C- Geovany Soto
1B- Albert Pujols
2B- Chase Utley
3B- David Wright
SS- Hanley Ramirez
OF- Ryan Braun
OF- Alfonso Soriano
OF- Carlos Beltran
SP- Aaron Harang

That's all the predictions for today, be sure to check out our article answering the 5 biggest questions the Phillies face as they open the 2009 season, and come back Sunday for our season preview podcast.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Boston Red Sox

Here it is, the 30th and final installment of the 2009 team previews. So let's get to it, here are the Boston Red Sox.

The Boston Red Sox

Last Season’s Result: 95-67. 2nd place in the AL East.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added RF Rocco Baldelli (Signed from Tampa)
• Added SP Brad Penny (Signed from Los Angeles Dodgers)
• Added SP John Smoltz (Signed from Atlanta)
• Added RP Takashi Saito (Signed from Los Angeles Dodgers)
• Added RF Brad Wilkerson (Signed from Toronto)
• Added RP Ramon Ramirez (Trade form Kansas City)
• Lost CF Coco Crisp (Traded to Kansas City)
• Lost 1B Sean Casey (Retired)
• Lost SP Curt Schilling (Retired)
• Lost SS Alex Cora (Signed with New York Mets)
• Lost C David Ross (Signed with Atlanta)
• Lost RP Mike Timlin (Unsigned free agent)
• Lost SP Bartolo Colon (Signed with Chicago White Sox)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: C+ I think the made some nice low risk signings in Smoltz, Penny and Baldelli. My problem with their offseason is that they refrained from making a large splash, since they were one of the few teams that had the financial prowess to do so. They should have pressed their financial advantage by going after somebody like Pat Burrell, or better yet Adam Dunn, who would’ve given them a big right-handed bat at first base at a relatively discount price. I mean is anybody going to get 30 home runs on this team?

• Rotation Grade: A A very nice rotation, with 3 potential aces at the top in Beckett, Lester, and Dice-K. Brad Penny and Tim Wakefield fill out the back end of the rotation for now, with John Smoltz and youngster Clay Buchholz also in the mix to start this season. If that wasn’t enough depth, the Sox could always start Justin Masterson in an emergency. By the way, Masterson would be in almost every other rotation in the league, and he’s option 8, I’d say the Sox are set here.

• Bullpen Grade: C+ Jonathan Papelbon is a fine closer, and he anchored this group that was about average last season. This year expect Masterson to play a very large role in returning this pen to among the league’s best.

• Lineup Grade: B This team was second in the league in runs scored in 2008, but I don’t know if they can be that good in 2009. There are a lot of question marks on this squad. Some are very large red flags like Veritek and Lowrie, injury concerns surround Papi, Drew, Baldelli, and Lowell. Another question is how good is Dustin Pedroia, is he really an MVP caliber player, or is he just a very good middle infielder. Pedroia will regress from his great 2008 season, the question is how much. The only two guys I think the Red Sox can count on are Youkilis and Bay, but if the lefties fail to protect them it could be trouble.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: David Ortiz. Is Papi at theend or was 2008 jjust an aberration? The answer to this question may decide the fate of the Sox in 2009. With their staff they will compete, but if Ortiz can’t provide a left-handed threat, this lineup is lopsided.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury has been handed the chance to hit leadoff in a high-powered offense, so it’s likely Ellsbury will have a star making year. Then again it’s not like there’s a ton of young talent to choose from, especially since I consider Lester to already be the Sox best pitcher.

Best Case Scenario: 100 wins and cruising into the playoffs. You know the talent, and you’ve know their potential, what more can I add?

Worst Case Scenario: Drew and Papi can’t protect the righties, and the back end of the staff doesn’t work out. With the Rays as the defending champs and the Yankees much improved, the Sox could miss the postseason for the first time since 2006.

Prediction for 2009: 89-73. 3rd place in the AL East.

Local Thoughts

By: Allan Wood from the Joy of Sox.

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B. We now know that Mark Teixeira had absolutely no intention of signing with Boston, so there was nothing Theo Epstein could do about that. I wasn't crazy about having Jason Varitek back, but he is (and we still have our young pitching prospects). The team made a few low risk/high reward signings of Smoltz and Penny that could really pay off.

• Most Essential: Daisuke Matsuzaka. As the 3rd starter after Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, Boston needs a strong #3.

• Breakout Potential: Jacoby Ellsbury. (Or Jed Lowrie. (If Varitek rebounds and hits .240, does that could as a breakout?))

• Prediction for 2009: 98-64, 1st in East.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Tampa Bay Rays

On our second to last day of team previews, we cover the defending American League Champions, The Tampa Bay Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays

Last Season’s Result: 97-65, 1st Place in the AL East, American League Champions.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added OF Matt Joyce (Trade from Detroit)
• Added LF Pat Burrell (Signed from Philadelphia)
• Added RP Brian Shouse (Signed from Milwaukee)
• Added RP Jason Isringhausen (Signed from St. Louis)
• Added RP Joe Nelson (Signed from Florida)
• Added OF Gabe Kapler (Signed from Milwaukee)
• Lost RF Rocco Baldelli (Signed with Boston)
• Lost LF Cliff Floyd (Signed with San Diego)
• Lost RF Eric Hinske (Signed with Pittsburgh)
• Lost RP Trevor Miller (Signed with St. Louis)
• Lost RF Jonny Gomes (Signed with Cincinnati)
• Lost SP Edwin Jackson (Traded to Detroit)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: B The Rays did a fine job of fine tuning a good team that has its core in place. Burrell gives the team a nice right-handed power bat, and the combo of Joyce and Zobrist gives the team both depth and a fine replacement for Baldelli and Hinske.

• Rotation Grade: B The Rays had the second best staff in the AL last season, and they are poised to improve on that once David Price works his way into the rotation. This is definitely the team’s strength.

• Bullpen Grade: B The Rays had the third best bullpen in 2008, and they stand to improve on that in 2009 with a handful of free agent acquisitions, to go with Balfour, Wheeler, Howell, and Percival. Percival’s frail health is this groups weakness.

• Lineup Grade: A- An exciting young team, featuring some of the best young talent in baseball. If they play to their potential the Rays have three guys in Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, and Bossman Junior Upton that could be potential MVP candidates.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Troy Percival. If the veteran closer can stay healthy and stabilize the back of the Rays’ bullpen, it will help the Rays again have one of the league’s better bullpens. If Percival is often injured then the rest of the crew would have to continuously shift roles, weakening the overall quality of the unit.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: David Price, the best pitching prospect in all of baseball will finally get a lengthy stay in the majors this season, when he does he’ll instantly have among the game’s best stuff. If he can channel that stuff into a pitching rather than throwing, he may end up the best pitcher in the AL East come September.

Best Case Scenario: The Bossman gets the power surge many expect. The pitching staff repeats last season’s success, and they find a reliable closer among their bullpen bunch. Best case is a few more wins than last year.

Worst Case Scenario: The worst case is that last season was a fluke, which is likelier than you might think. If these guys regress as feared then they could return to a team that struggles for .500.

Prediction for 2009: 93-69, 2nd place in the AL East, Wild Card entry into playoffs.

Local Thoughts

We have another twosome today, Tommy Rancel and Erik Hahmann from D Rays Bay.

By: Tommy Rancel.

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: I may be a little biased, but I would have to give Andrew Friedman and his front office an A on offseason moves. The Rays needed a right handed power bat that could handle left handed pitching and they got that in Pat Burrell at a reduced salary. Friedman also understood that a bullpen in the most volatile group on a team. Instead of being
complacent and keeping together the bullpen that was so successful in 2008, he was very aggressive in making upgrades to the pen by adding Brian Shouse and Joe Nelson. He also moved a player from a position of strength in Edwin Jackson to address a position of weakness, right field and got back a player in Matt Joyce, who could be the Rays everyday right fielder starting in 2010 and beyond.

• Most Essential: Evan Longoria. Longoria adds a 30 HR bat from the right side with gold glove caliber defense. If the Rays were to lose him to an injury, it would be really hard to replace his production, although Willy Aybar
is a very good player. It would be equivalent to the Mets losing David Wright in my opinion.

• Breakout Potential: While he already had sort of a breakout in 2007 and the 2008 playoffs, I think B.J. Upton is really going to take that next step in 2009. Upton is returning from offseason surgery, which was very similar to
Hanley Ramirez's injury in 2008. I don't think 30 home runs and 30 steals is a bad estimate for Upton in 2009 if he's 100%.

• Prediction for 2009: 96-66, 2nd place wild card.

By: Erik Hahmann

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: I'd give it a B

• Most Essential: I don't think you can peg any one player as being the most essential. The team won the American League last year with many of
its best players having down seasons.

• Breakout Potential: I believe B.J. Upton is poised to have a breakout year. He's still very young and was poised to breakout in 2008 before injuries zapped all of his power.

• Prediction for 2009: I'll say 95-67 with a second place finish and the wild card.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Toronto Blue Jays

The PSP stops in beautiful Canada to check in with the Toronto Blue Jays, owners of 2008's best pitching staff. How does their 2009 staff look? What are their overall chances this season? Come on in as Greg and the guys from Blue Bird Banter break it down.


The Toronto Blue Jays

Last Season’s Result: 86-76. 4th place in the AL East.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added 1B Kevin Millar (Signed from Baltimore)
• Lost SP A.J. Burnett (Signed with New York Yankees)
• Lost C Gregg Zaun (Signed with Baltimore)
• Lost RF Brad Wilkerson (Signed with Boston)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: F This team was a real contender in 2008, with the best pitching staff in baseball. This offseason they did nothing to improve, and will be lucky to maintain a .500 record because of it.

• Rotation Grade: C Roy Halladay is still among the game’s best, and Jesse Litsch is a nice young arm, but with the loss of Burnett to the Yanks and Marcum to injury, this rotation is reduced to average.

• Bullpen Grade: A The league’s best bullpen was great in ’08, and I expect them to be just as good in 2009. BJ Ryan returns as closer, with Scott Downs and Brian Tallet in front of him, each of whom is coming off of a tremendous season.

• Lineup Grade: D+ A below average group in 2008, and I can’t imagine them getting any better in 2009. There’s no power in this lineup, I’m not expecting a single man on this roster to hit 25 home runs.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Vernon Wells. This team is going to be kind of bad this season, but I think Wells could have a nice year and give the fans a bright spot.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Travis Snider. The young leftfielder should get ample playing time this season, and with it expect a run at ROTY. Snider is expected to be a long term solution for the Jays, but this year may be a bit soon, as he is only 21.

Best Case Scenario: Getting back to .500 this season is a lofty goal at this point. If the young pitchers can perform than there’s a shot, but real contention is probably out of the question.

Worst Case Scenario: I think this team is likely to struggle this season, and rumblings of moving Halladay seem to creep into the rumor mill every trade deadline. I think the worst case scenario would be for them to move Halladay and fail to get any prospects that pan out in return.

Prediction for 2009: 69-93. 4th place in the AL East.

Local Thoughts

We have a pair of fans of Canadian baseball for your reading pleasure today, Tom Dakers and Hugo Fruchter of Blue Bird Banter.

By: Tom will start us off.

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: D-. We really didn't do anything this off-season, signed a handful of guys to minor league contracts, the only ones that are likely likely to see playing time are Michael Barrett and Kevin Millar. We lost AJ Burnett which is too bad and all, but I'm glad we aren't paying him what the Godless Yankees will be paying him over the next few years.

• Most Essential: Maybe Travis Snider. He looks like the real thing. I'm hoping for an average close to .280 and 25 or so homers. If you want to put money on who gets the Rookie of the Year, he's as good a bet as anyone.

• Breakout Potential: Alex Rios. Until last season Alex had improved his home run totals each season in the majors. Last year, the Jays had a new hitting coach and his philosophy didn't work for Alex. This year, with Cito telling him to swing for the fences, I think 30+ home runs isn't out of the question. He looked good in the WBC.

• Prediction for 2009: I think they will be right around where they were last year. Last year they were 86-76, but their Pythagorean record was 93-69. I think their offense will improve, but likely their starting pitching will decline some. They will likely finish 3rd or 4th, but if the stars align right they could be in the race. It isn't likely in the strong division they are in, but the Yankees are aging, never know what will happen in Boston and Tampa Bay could regress some.

By: Hugo, again from Blue Bird Banter.

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: F. The Jays were really an excellent team last season, much better than their record or order of finish showed. Adding a pitcher to compensate for the loss of A.J. Burnett and Shaun Marcum, who contributed substantially to the major league's best starting rotation in 2008 and adding a bat to boost what was a sagging offense in 2008 could have thrust the Jays into real contention. This was particularly true in this depressed market where many quality hitters were available at moderate cost. Instead the Jays decided to compensate for the loss of Marcum and Burnett by essentially punting the offseason and hoping for the best.

• Most Essential: Great question. I don't want to put too much on rookie Travis Snider's shoulders, so I think the answer is Scott Rolen. If he is able to stay on the field and hit like he does when his shoulder isn't killing him, that will go a long way to boosting the Jays' offense. On the pitching side, if David Purcey takes a step forward and lives up to his first-round draft pick promise, that'll be huge for a rotation with lots of question marks.

• Breakout Potential: I have a good feeling about Adam Lind. I'm hoping he has made all his adjustments and this season he will just go out and hit like he can.


• Prediction for 2009: I think the Jays will win 83 games and finish 4th in the AL East. The biggest factor in this projection is the strength of their competition, to which no other division even comes close. I do think it's more likely they win 90 games than 75.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The New York Yankees

Here we are with the Yankees, who are back and big spending as always.

The New York Yankees

Last Season’s Result: 89-73. 3rd place in the AL East.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added SP CC Sabathia (Signed from Milwaukee)
• Added 1B Mark Teixeira (Signed from Los Angeles Angels)
• Added 1B/OF Nick Swisher (Trade with Chicago White Sox)
• Added SP A.J. Burnett (Signed from Toronto)
• Added SP Jason Johnson (Signed from LA Dodgers)
• Lost RF Bobby Abreu (Signed with Los Angeles Angels)
• Lost 1B Jason Giambi (Signed with Oakland)
• Lost SP Mike Mussina (Retired)
• Lost SP Carl Pavano (Signed with Cleveland)
• Lost C Ivan Rodriguez (Signed with Houston)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: B The Yankees spent a small fortune bringing in most of the top free agents of this offseason. The additions of Sabathia and Burnett will return the Yankees rotation to among the best in the league, if not the best. Teixeira’s addition makes the Yankees lineup a step closer to the juggernaut that they are used to. The reason I didn’t give them an A is because they have a terrible defensive team, and it doesn’t look like its getting any better. Teixeira is a fine defender, but up the middle they are very suspect.

• Rotation Grade: A+ Chien-Ming Wang goes from a solid ace to the game’s best #3 (sorry Dice-K). This is probably the best rotation in baseball. Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte, and Chamberlain form a murderer’s row of a rotation, and only Pettitte’s advanced age makes him the only one who can’t win twenty games this season.

• Bullpen Grade: C+ Mariano Rivera was amazing in 2008, posting a 1.40 ERA in 64 appearances. Forget all the K-Rod hype, this guy may have been the AL’s best closer in 2008. Surrounding this future hall of famer is a cast of lesser known young hurlers.

• Lineup Grade: A- A lot of talk this preseason is about the flaws in this group, but think they are still among the game’s best. They are above-average at worst at every offensive position except left and centerfield. This team will score, with A-Rod and without him.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Alex Rodriguez. How much will this hip injury affect his production? If the controversial third basemen return at his normal level, then with their upgraded pitching staff the Yankees will contend in the East.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees are finally going to give Joba the chance to throw every fifth day, and with that chance expect him to emerge as the Yankees #2 guy. If Joba’s arm troubles return, then the new star on the block may end up being RF Xavier Nady who will finally showcase his “un-tier” clutchness for a full season in the biggest market in the country.
Best Case Scenario: If the pitching stays healthy, this team will definitely be in contention. If A-Rod plays to form as well, then this team has the ability to run away with this division regardless of Boston and Tampa.

Worst Case Scenario: AJ Burnett, Joba, and Wang all get injured again. A-Rod slumps after his return and become a lightning rod for criticism. This team added some nice talent, but an A-Rod circus could derail what they have going.

Prediction for 2009: 96-66. 1st place in the AL East.

Local Thoughts

A trio of Yankees bloggers give us a ton of insight to the upcoming year; Edward Valentine and Travis Goldman from Pinstripe Alley, and Patrick O’Keefe of YanksBlog.com.

By: First up is Edward Valentine of Pinstripe Alley

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: A-: As everyone knows, and many have whined about, the Yankees spent a ton of money in the off-season. The signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett give them front-line starting pitching they didn't have in 2008. Re-signing Andy Pettitte was also huge, as it means they now have depth with Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves at AAA. Mark Teixeira was also a great get, especially since the Yankees have no other true, young, in their prime offensive players. Nick Swisher gives them flexibility, and a bat, off the bench they have been missing. Letting Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi go were also smart moves, as it helped the Yankees get more flexible. The only demerit Brian Cashman gets is for not finding a better backup middle infielder than Cody Ransom or Angel Berroa, and the Yanks will pay for that with A-Rod hurt.

• Most Essential: Oh, man. You can argue that it will be A-Rod once he returns. You can argue Sabathia since he gives them a true No. 1. You can argue that it is Teixeira. I think, though, that is is the same guy it has been for the last 10-12 years -- Mariano Rivera. Since he became the closer Yankee games have always been about getting the ball to Mo. If he is healthy following shoulder surgery, and still the dominant force he has always been even at 39, then the Yankee pitching staff sets up great and they have no 9th inning worries. If he can't handle the workload, or his stuff isn't the same, then there is a problem.

• Breakout Potential: I am looking for (pleading for? hoping for? begging for?) a big comeback season from Robinson Cano. A guy who isn't even on the radar right now is Phil Hughes, who will start the season in AAA. The Franchise was very disappointing last season, but I think he will still pitch some big games, and pitch well, in the Bronx this summer.


• Prediction for 2009: I think this team wins in the neighborhood of 95 games. The pitching and defense should both be better than they were in 2008. I hate to say it, but I think the Red Sox win the division and the Yankees place 2nd and earn the wild card. Sorry, Tampa Bay fans.

By: Travis Goldman also from Pinstripe Alley

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B+, would've been an A if they had signed Manny.

• Most Essential: Posada and his health. If he can play 110 games at catcher, the offense should be fine. If he can't, and we have to use Molina a lot, it could kill the offense.

• Breakout Potential: Brett Gardner, who could turn into a very good centerfielder. His defense and speed are already plus, and while his minor league OBP was great, he'll have to hit for average because pitchers aren't afraid to challenge him in the Bigs. But I think he can do that.

• Prediction for 2009: 95-67, 2nd in the AL East behind Tampa. They would've been first but A-Rod's injury derailed that outcome.

By: Finally we have Patrick O’Keefe from YanksBlog.com.

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: A.

• Most Essential: I don’t think there is one. Either the team will win or the team will lose, but it’s not on one guy. If we get hit by injuries, we’ll be vulnerable like any other team.

• Breakout Potential: Tough because this is a team of people who have already played well. Does CC Sabathia count? I mean, he’s never had a 20 win season. This could be the year. Joba comes to mind, too, just because this will be his first full season as a starter, so I’m hopeful he’ll have a big year and put to rest the concerns about him starting.

• Prediction for 2009: 104-58, first place. It’s hard to predict such a high number, but this team has the potential if they stay healthy and play the way they look on paper. That’s baseball.


Thanks for all the help, see you guys tomorrow when we make our debut from Canada!

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Baltomore Orioles

We enter the final stages of our sweeping cross-country trip. Today starts the AL East, and we'll start it off with the Orioles.

The Baltimore Orioles

Last Season’s Result: 68-93, 5th place in the AL East.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added SP Rich Hill (Trade with Chicago Cubs)
• Added OF Feliz Pie (Trade with Chicago Cubs)
• Added SP Mark Hendrickson (Signed from Florida)
• Added SS Cesar Izturis (Signed From St. Louis)
• Added SP Koji Uehara (Signed from Japan)
• Added C Gregg Zaun (Signed from Toronto)
• Added IF Ty Wigginton (Signed from Houston)
• Lost SP Daniel Cabrera (Signed with Washington)
• Lost RP Lance Cormier (Signed with Tampa)
• Lost 1B Kevin Millar (Signed with Toronto)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: B The Orioles aren’t going to contend in 2009, but they did take steps to ensure they have a chance in the years to come. Locking up Nick Markakis was a great move that ensures he’ll remain in the middle of their order through 2014. The free agent they did bring in, are improvements, but long term solutions.

• Rotation Grade: D- Jeremy Guthrie is decent enough, but he’s no ace. The fact that Adam Eaton has a chance to be the O’s third starter says more than I ever could.


• Bullpen Grade: D- A crummy bullpen with an average at best closer in George Sherrill.

• Lineup Grade: C This group was about average in 2008, but they should continue to improve as they mature. Nick Markakis is already a star, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters should soon follow.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Adam Jones. The Orioles won’t contend in 2009, so the goal for the season should be setting things up for a run in the future. If Jones can step up and excel this season as a major leaguer it puts a giant piece into place for the O’s.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Matt Wieters. Apparently he’ll be called up in May and then should instantly be one of the game’s top catchers. All the hype surrounding Wieters makes him an easy pick to break out, which means I’m probably putting the jinx on him.

Best Case Scenario: Adam Jones becomes a star-type level, Jeremy Guthrie builds on last season’s success and Matt Wieters is the real deal. The emergence of a young cure this season is vital if the Orioles are ever going to compete.

Worst Case Scenario: Jones struggles, Wieters follows suit, and Guthrie returns to a subpar pitcher. They’re probably a last place team regardless of best or worst case, so worst case is finding out their youngsters aren’t what they hoped.

Prediction for 2009: 58-104, 5th place in the AL East.

Local Thoughts

We have a pair of Orioles bloggers for your enjoyment, Matthew Taylor of Roar From 34 and Scott Christ of Camden Chat

By: Matthew Taylor will start things off for us. Be sure to check out his site at www.roarfrom34.blogspot.com

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: I'd give the O's a solid B.

The offseason was a steady step in the right direction. The team didn't make a big splash on the free-agent market, but their time will come. They need to continue making incremental steps toward being a competitive outfit and then they can overspend on a big bat to complete the puzzle. It would've been a mistake to overpay for pitching, especially a guy like A.J. Burnett. Andy MacPhail set out a rebuilding model when he got to town, fans are buying into it - especially after the Bedard trade and Markakis extension - and even Peter Angelos seems to be among the converted.

You can't overstate the importance of signing Nick Markakis this offseason. The Markakis signing proves that the team actually learned something from losing Mike Mussina to the Yankees years ago when they had a chance to lock him up before he hit the market. Signing Cesar Izturis was a good, underrated move, and it's nice to have the Brian Roberts situation resolved. Add in the fact that the O's signed their recent top draft picks, Matt Wieters and Brian Matusz (granted, not offseason moves), and the team is sending a real message that this is a brave, new Andy MacPhail world that Baltimore fans live in.

• Most Essential: Jeremy Guthrie. O's fans are going to have a lot of fun watching some exciting position players this season. It'll be fun to track Adam Jones' development, there's hope that Felix Pie can finally make good on his promise given a full-time role and less pressure to produce, Cesar Izturis will provide a much-needed steady hand at shortstop, not to mention the anticipated production of Nick Markakis, the debut of Matt Wieters, etc. But with all that said, the starting rotation is a real Achilles heel.

Guthrie is a solid, underappreciated pitcher, who will have to provide reliable production out of the No. 1 spot and serve as a model for a shaky rotation if the O's are going to have any chance of avoiding a disappointing record that doesn't match their promise on other parts of the diamond. His time away from the team for WBC duties and less-than-stellar return to camp is an early cause for concern.

• Breakout Potential: The good news for O's fans is that there are a multiple players to be excited about in regard to the potential for a breakout season. No one expected the production the Birds got from Aubrey Huff last season, but this year it's more about the young talent. There's much anticipation - perhaps even too much - surrounding Matt Wieters' debut in Orange and Black, but given that Wieters won't start the season in the big leagues, Adam Jones is the guy to watch over the long haul. By all accounts, Jones put in a lot of work in the offseason. Hopefully he reaps the rewards of that effort.

• Prediction for 2009: It's still not going to be pretty when the final numbers are posted. There will be multiple noteworthy individual performances, but the team will have to fight to get out of the cellar in the AL East. Regular fans of the team will see the improvement, outside observers will say, "Same old Orioles."

This is a team that has won more than 74 games just once since the 2000 season. I'm anticipating a run at the Blue Jays for fourth place and a win total in the low- to mid-70s. We're more Kansas City than Tampa Bay at this point. If the Royals could win 75 games and outlast Detroit for fourth place in the Central last season, we can win 75 and outlast Toronto this year. Then, in a couple of more years, we can talk about a Rays-like season.

By: Scott Christ of Camden Chat

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B+, just short of an A because they didn't do enough big stuff to get an A, I don't think. That's also because the team doesn't really feel (past bidding on Mark Teixeira) that the time was right to go after big free agents or anything. They get the B+ on extending Nick Markakis early, because that had to happen for so many reasons. Markakis is the young player that O's fans are connected to the most right now. Extending him now curtails the dread that he won't be here long. They also extended Brian Roberts, which is more questionable but he's the team leader and basically the face of the franchise in Baltimore, plus he's a very good player. They also got their feet into the Japanese market by signing Koji Uehara, which is a solid move just considering the player, and could pay off even bigger down the line with other Japanese free agents.

• Most Essential: Success in 2009 is relative for the O's and everyone knows it. Literally nobody expects this team to compete, and for the most part we're OK with it because the future looks awesome with guys like Matt Wieters, Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta not even in Baltimore yet. But if Aubrey Huff backslides really badly from his excellent 2008, it could get pretty ugly. Somewhere between his lackluster 2007 and his great 2008 would be fine, really, but if he dips back down to '07 numbers, there's a hole in the middle of the lineup and at first base.

• Breakout Potential: Adam Jones. Really good glove in center, has the speed to become a good base stealer if he learns the art, and his power is going to come, and I think it's going to start coming this year. He's never going to have a great or even good K-to-BB ratio, and will never be a big OBP guy. But he could be a 20-20 guy every year and has the ability to become a great center fielder. He struggled with offspeed stuff early last year and got better as the year went on, which was a great sign.

• Prediction for 2009: Probably not much different than last year. Unless the Blue Jays really collapse, the Orioles are going to finish in fifth place, with 70-75 wins. It's a vicious division with Tampa Bay, Boston and New York up top; really we're talking about at the least three of the five best teams in baseball, probably, and the Orioles are trying to find a way to compete with them in the near future. It's hardly impossible. Hey, Tampa Bay did it.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Chicago White Sox

We close out the AL Central with the defending division champions, The Chicago White Sox.

The Chicago White Sox

Last Season’s Result: 89-74, 1st place in the AL Central.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added IF Wilson Betemit (Trade from Yankees)
• Added SP Bartolo Colon (Signed from Boston)
• Lost SS Orlando Cabrera (Signed with Oakland)
• Lost 3B Joe Crede (Signed with Minnesota)
• Lost OF Ken Griffey Jr. (Signed with Seattle)
• Lost SP Horacio Ramirez (Signed with Kansas City)
• Lost SS Juan Uribe (Signed with San Francisco)
• Lost OF Nick Swisher (Traded to Yankees)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: F The White Sox won the division in 2008, and then lost a lot of talent to free agency. When Bartolo Colon is your only free agent acquisition, you weren’t really trying. Admittedly they didn’t anybody essential, but they just didn’t try.

• Rotation Grade: B Apparently Gavin Floyd is a good pitcher, which is news to us in Philadelphia. We spent what seems like a decade for Floyd to emerge, and it just never happened. Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, and John Danks round out the front line of this rotation, and they are among the league’s best. Bartolo Colon, not so much.

• Bullpen Grade: C+ A middle of the road group with a solid closer in Bobby Jenks. They will only improve on last year’s average performance which, although decent, I consider an underachievement.

• Lineup Grade: B A top 5 offense in 2008, that was faces several changes for 2009. Although Griffey and Crede were injury risks, they still had talent, and they may be missed if nobody steps up in their place. Although any lineup with Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome hitting 3-4 will score runs without too much trouble.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Carlos Quentin. After his breakout season was cut short by injury, can Quentin return to his MVP form. If he is for real and plays as he did last year, this team is going to be fine. If he regresses even slightly, it could be trouble.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Josh Fields. Fields already had a breakout year in 2007, but the team wanted to showcase Joe Crede for a trade early in 2008 so Fields started the year at AAA-Charlotte. The problem for Fields was that Crede started the year on an unbelievable tear, and Fields never got the chance to play. Now with Crede in Minnesota, the job is Fields’ along with the chance to shine in a lineup where he’ll get protection from some of baseball’s finest sluggers.

Best Case Scenario: Quentin again plays like an MVP, this time for a full season. The young starters build on promising ‘08s and they contend again in 2009.

Worst Case Scenario: Regression from the young staff, and the offense doesn’t quite click as it did in ’08. This is a tight division and it will be tough to repeat for the Sox.

Prediction for 2009: 81-81. 3rd place in the Al Central (Tie with Kansas City)

Local Thoughts

Nobody responded about the Sox, so we’re done here. Come back tomorrow as we start the AL East with the orange and black attack, The Baltimore Orioles.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Minnesota Twins

We've traveled north to the beautiful twin cities to check out the Minnesota Twins. Hey, look at that, I bet that why they're called the Twins. Neat.

The Minnesota Twins

Last Season’s Result: 88-75, 2nd place in the AL Central.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added RP Luis Ayala (Signed from NY Mets)
• Added 3B Joe Crede (Signed from Chicago White Sox)
• Lost SS Adam Everett (Signed with Detroit)
• Lost RP Dennys Reyes (Signed with St. Louis)
• Lost RP Eddie Guardado (Signed with Texas)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: C+ The Twins were mostly quiet this offseason, but did take a nice calculated risk on Joe Crede. The Twins were tied for first at the end of last year, so simply having Liriano for an entire season may be enough to put the Twins over the top.

• Rotation Grade: C The Twins rotation gets an A- when they’re at home, and a D when they go on the road. We’ll split the difference and call it a C. The Twins had the 2nd best home ERA in the AL, and the 3rd worst road ERA, a difference of 2 runs a game.


• Bullpen Grade: B- The Twins were among the better bullpen in 2008, headed as always by superstar closer Joe Nathan. The Twins swapped out Reyes for Ayala, but more or less return their 2008 squad.

• Lineup Grade: B If you asked the average fan to guess the three offenses in the AL in 2008, I doubt very much that they’d remember the Twins. In fact the Twins were the 3rd best offense in 2008, and they come back improved for 2009 with the addition of Joe Crede. Joe Mauer’s health may be the difference this year between a good and an elite unit.


Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Joe Mauer. Three weeks ago I would have probably answered differently, but the increased concern over Mauer’s health can’t be ignored. Mauer lead the AL in batting in 2008, and is the difference maker for this team.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: I wanted to say Denard Span would continue to build on a very solid debut season, but after the spring he struggled through I’m not sure. That leaves a handful of guys like Kubel, Gomez, and Young to pick from, none of whom I’m that big on.

Best Case Scenario: A healthy Twins team can definitely win this division by a handful of games.

Worst Case Scenario: Not getting enough pitching on the road again could lead to the Twins being in the bottom half of a very tight division.

Prediction for 2009: 86-76. 2nd place in the AL Central.

Local Thoughts

By: Nick Nelson of Nick & Nick's Twins blog, which you can find at www.TwinsFanatNicks.blogspot.com

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: I'd have to give the Twins' offseason moves a D. They just didn't do much. The late addition of Joe Crede may prove helpful, but of course the third baseman carries considerable injury concerns and even if healthy may not provide a significant upgrade over what the team was ready tol roll with at third base. The only other offseason addition that seems likely to make the big-league roster is Luis Ayala, but he is coming off a down year and is unlikely to give the bullpen a major boost.

• Most Essential: Without a question, it's Joe Mauer. The Twins' best player, Mauer has been unable to participate in baseball activities this spring due to back problems, and as I write this the extent of his injury is still unknown. I've heard whispers that he could be out until June or later. The Twins have a solid nucleus in place, but if they are forced to go without Mauer for a large portion of the season, they'll be in serious trouble.

• Breakout Potential: I've been pimping Jason Kubel to anyone who will listen. A former top prospect who was derailed by a knee injury in 2004, Kubel has been steadily improving over the past couple years and everything seems aligned for him to put up big numbers as the Twins' DH this season. He's having an outstanding spring.


• Prediction for 2009: Right now, I see the Twins finishing around 90-72 -- a couple games better than last year thanks to some internal improvements by a few players and no Livan Hernandezes or Mike Lambs to drag them down. I think the Indians had a better offseason and I view them as the division favorites by a couple games right now, but the AL Central is a wide open division and should be fun to follow this year.

Thanks again to Nick, see everbody tomorrow with the White Sox.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Kansas City Royals

Last year the Tampa Rays caught fire and unexpectedly won the AL East, can a similar young team win the weaker AL Central? Come on in and see what Greg and KC Blogger Craig Brown think about those chances.

The Kansas City Royals

Last Season’s Result: 75-87, 4th Place in the AL Central.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added 1B Mike Jacobs (Traded from Florida)
• Added RP Juan Cruz (Signed from Arizona)
• Added RP Kyle Farnsworth (Signed from Detroit)
• Added SP Horacio Ramirez (Signed from Chicago White Sox)
• Added CF Coco Crisp (Trade from Boston)
• Lost RP Ramon Ramirez (Traded to Boston)
• Lost RP Leo Nunez (Traded to Florida)
• Lost CF Joey Gathright (Signed with Chicago Cubs)
• Lost 2B Mark Grudzielanek (Unsigned Free Agent)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: B- The Royals were pretty aggressive in this offseason, making a real attempt to upgrade their bullpen after giving up Leo Nunez for Mike Jacobs. I don’t love Farnsworth, but I love that they were willing to spend money now that their younger talent appears ready to step up and contend.

• Rotation Grade: C+ I like this rotation a little bit. They may lack a true number one guy, but they do have a trio of solid arms in Meche, Greinke, and Davies. They just need to get something from the handful of guys who may spend time as the team’s #4 and 5.

• Bullpen Grade: C- Joakim Soria was dominant in 2008, and he has new setup men for ’09. If Juan Cruz continues to be as effective as he was in the NL west, then these guys may have something.

• Lineup Grade: D+ This group struggled to score for much of 2008. The addition of Coco Crisp should help, as will the maturing of their young sluggers. Neither of those things are likely to move this group anywhere higher than league average.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Coco Crisp. It appears Coco will hit leadoff this season, and thus, the offense goes through him. If Crisp ever learns to improve his eye just slightly he could push his OBP to nearly .400 and the Royals would have something cooking. If he continues to strike out twice as often as he walks, then Royals will be decent when he’s hot, and poor when Crisp isn’t.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: I’m going to say Joakim Soria, even though he’s already been an all star and even though he already broke out in 2008. The problem is nobody knows who he is in National League cities. That will change after another killer year closing out games.

Best Case Scenario: Nobody wins 90 games in the Central, and the Royals get decent enough starting pitching to stay around .500 and competitive all season.

Worst Case Scenario: Same thing as every summer, not enough hitting meets not enough pitching, and they end up in last place.

Prediction for 2009: 81-81. 3rd Place in the AL Central.

Local Thoughts

By: Craig Brown of Royals Authority

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: Grade: C- The Cruz and Crisp additions serve to balance the Jacobs and Farnsworth deals. The Ramirez signing makes no sense considering they're going to put him in the rotation. I'm not sure what the Bloomquist signing was all about either. Unfortunately, you're asking me this question before the regular season. If Jacobs plays everyday and they attempt to use Farnsworth in high leverage situations out of the bullpen and if they keep Ramirez in the rotation for a couple of months, the C becomes a D.

• Most Essential: Alex Gordon. The Royals need offense in a bad way and Gordon is the guy they've been counting on to provide it. Unfortunately, he hasn't shown much in his two years. Year three is pivotal.

• Breakout Potential: I'm not sure it qualifies as a breakout, but I think Billy Butler will hit around .300/.360/.450. Actually, yeah... That's a breakout.

• Prediction for 2009: I'm thinking 76 wins which would represent a one win improvement from 2008. In this year's AL Central, that's good for 3rd place.

Thanks again to Craig, and I'll see you guys tomorrow when we'll be live from frigid Minnesota.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Detroit Tigers

The Previews continue as we make our way through America's heartland with the AL Central. Today we cover one of last season's bigger disappointments, the Detroit Tigers.


The Detroit Tigers

Last Season’s Result: 74-88, 5th Place in AL Central

Major Offseason Changes

• Added SS Adam Everett (Signed from Minnesota)
• Added RP Brandon Lyon (Signed from Arizona)
• Added SP Edwin Jackson (Traded from Tampa)
• Lost RP Todd Jones (Retired)
• Lost LF Matt Joyce (Traded to Tampa)
• Lost SP Kenny Rogers (Unsigned Free Agent)
• Lost SS Edgar Renteria (Signed with San Francisco)
• Lost RP Kyle Farnsworth (Signed with Kansas City)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: C+ I think the Tigers are improved over last season, not a vast difference in talent, but an upgrade nonetheless. Brandon Lyon come over from Arizona and is the likely closer, with Rodney and Zumaya handling the setup duties.

• Rotation Grade: D This staff is a weird Jekyll and Hyde sort of group. You just don’t know what to expect from anyone on this staff. Verlander, the Tigers’ ace, was 18-6 in ’07 and then 11-17 in 2008, so which is the real thing? The same can be said for Dontrelle Willis, who was a Cy Young runner up at age 23, and now at 27 he is fighting just to stay on the major league roster.


• Bullpen Grade: D+ This unit was poor in 2008, and they changed out Farnsworth and Jones, while adding Lyon. While this my signify an upgrade, it’s hardly an overhaul. Speaking of, if this unit fails to perform in ’09 like it did in ’08, then expect changes to be made across the staff.

• Lineup Grade: A- This team hits the ball, and they should improve in ’09 when they get an entire monster year from Miguel Cabrera, who only gave the Tigers two-thirds of a great year in 2008.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Justin Verlander, depending on which Justin Verlander shows up this summer the Tigers season could range anywhere from worst to first. If the ace of ’07 & ’08 returns, then the Tigers have three guys who they can count on to give them nearly 200 innings. A failure to recapture his early success will sunk this team, as they just don’t have any depth at pitcher.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Armando Galarraga. This young Venezuelan had a fine rookie campaign in 2008, going 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA. Another season like that could very well make Galarraga the team’s ace, and that always puts a player onto the national stage.

Best Case Scenario: The top half of the rotation stays true to form, and the lineup provides them with plenty of support. This team could very well win this division.

Worst Case Scenario: The top of the rotation struggles and the lose despite good run support. This team could very well finish in last place again.

Prediction for 2009: 79-83, 5th place in the AL Central.

Local Thoughts

After last week's limited responses from the AL West, its good to see a lot more responses from the Central. We got moreresponses on the Tigers than we did the entire AL West. So i'd like to thank Blake VandeBunte from The Spot Starters, Ian Casselberry from Bless You Boys, and Bill Ferris of www.DetroitTigersWeblog.com.

By: First up, Blake VandeBunte of The Spot Starters and Baseball Blend

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B. The club was looking to cut payroll so they were pretty limited in what they could do. The additions of Edwin Jackson, Gerald Laird, Brandon Lyon and Adam Everett were pretty inexpensive. They make the Tigers better in terms on run prevention which is where they really struggled last season. I think they did the best with what they had to work with.

• Most Essential: Pitching and defense. The starting rotation and the bullpen were flat awful in 2008. I think it's pretty likely they struggle those fronts again in 2009, but with a few minor improvements they could still manage to contend in the American League Central.

• Breakout Potential: The Tigers are not exactly a youthful team. Most young players have already had a good season (Granderson, Zumaya and Verlander). I think that Zumaya could be really good again in 2009. That could count as a breakout season since he hasn't played a full season since his rookie year in 2006. If phenom Rick Porcello is able to make the team (I think he will at some point in 2009) he could be a breakout candidate as well.

• Prediction for 2009: Feels a lot like a 84-78 team to me. I just don't have a lot of faith in the pitching staff. The offense should be fine but the pitching is still a major cause for concern. Of course a team that's capable of 84 wins could very easily win only 74 games (like they did last season) or win 90 games. I think they are in the hunt for the AL Central title but will fall short. Second or third place seems like their likely finish.

By: Our second set of opinions come from Ian Casselberry of Bless You Boys

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B. The Tigers had three crying needs going into the offseason: shortstop, catcher, and relief pitcher. A lesser need, but one still needing to be filled was starting pitcher. Dave Dombrowski was able to check each of those off his shopping list, though team finances or bad luck may have kept him from acquiring bigger names at those positions.


• Most Essential: Justin Verlander. The lineup should score runs, even if they don't match last year's production. But if the pitching isn't there, the Tigers aren't going anywhere. They need their ace to pitch like one again, and hopefully, the rest of the pitching staff falls in behind him. If Verlander struggles again, there's no one else on the staff that can pick up the slack.

• Breakout Potential: Ryan Perry. He was drafted last year with the idea that he'd contribute sooner, rather than later. And if Joel Zumaya continues to be hurt, the Tigers' bullpen has a definite need for a hard-throwing reliever. Perry has looked great in Spring Training, and unless he somehow loses out in a numbers game, he should make a big contribution.

• Prediction for 2009: 88-74. I don't think the Tigers are good enough to win 90 games, but they're good enough to contend for the AL Central title. (Especially if the pitching staff comes together.) However, Cleveland finished ahead of them last season, and probably made the better moves during the winter. So they should be the favorites. Detroit will finish behind them for second place.

By: Last up we have Bill Ferris of www.detroittigersweblog.com

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B-. Overall the moves weren't that inspiring, but the Tigers also had very little to work with and several positions to fill.They are hamstrung by the economy and contract extensions that didn't work out and need to fill holes at short, catcher, and the bullpen. They managed to do it while making a small cut in payroll and adding a starter as well.

• Most Essential: I'm going to go with Jeremy Bonderman. If the Tigers are going to improve on last year's performance, much of that improvement will have to come from the incumbent starters. Bonderman gave the team little last year between middling effectiveness and injury. If he can return to 06 and first half of 07 form, he's likely to provide the biggest single player jump in performance.

• Breakout Potential: Most of their younger players have already broken out (Granderson, Verlander, Cabrera) and a good portion of the rest of the team are veterans. So for break out it would probably be one of the young pitchers who might make the team. Right now that sounds like Rick Porcello or Ryan Perry.

• Prediction for 2009: I think they will be 85-77 which will be good enough to keep things interesting down the stretch in an AL Central without a dominant team, but will probably keep them in 2nd place.

Thanks so much to everybody for helping out! See you tomorrow, almost live from Minnesota.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Cleveland Indians

We've reached the AL Central and we start with those Cleveland Indians.

The Cleveland Indians

Last Season’s Result: 81-81. 3rd place in the AL Central

Major Offseason Changes

• Added IF Mark DeRosa (Trade from Cubs)
• Added RP Joe Smith (Trade from New York Mets)
• Added RP Kerry Wood (Signed from Chicago Cubs)
• Added SP Carl Pavano (Signed from New York Yankees)
• Lost RP Juan Rincon (Signed with Detroit)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: B The Indians did a nice job this offseason. They obviously needed help in their bullpen, so added Smith and Wood to help strengthen the unit. They also stole Mark DeRosa, one of the most underrated players in all of baseball, from the Cubs who were trying to shed salary as they sold the team.

• Rotation Grade: C Cliff Lee obviously had a magnificent season in 2008. Fausto Camona had an excellent 2007, if they can both pitch at their top levels then this rotation is actually pretty good. Carmona was hurt and inconsistent in 2008, and he'll need to make a comeback for the Indians to compete.

• Bullpen Grade: C- Kerry Wood has been added to be the team's closer, but that's only a start. This unit was very poor in 2008, and they need more than a two guys new guys to become a decent unit.

• Lineup Grade: B+ Mark DeRosa adds offense, versatility, and leadership to an already talented group. It will be key that Victor Martinez returns to form after an injury-plagued 2008. Expect V-Mart to rotate between 1st Base, Catcher, and DH.


Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Fausto Carmona, Obviuosly for the team to succeed they need to have more than one effective starter. Carmona had a fantastic 2007 where he went 19-8 with 3.06 ERA, and the tribe needs that kind of production again.



Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Matt LaPorta. The centerpiece of the deal that landed CC Sabathia in Milwaukee is due to hit Cleveland sometime this summer. When he arrives, Laporta will play there everyday for the next decade as he is an almost sure-fire prospect.

Best Case Scenario: Carmona version 2007 and Lee version 2008 combine to give the Indians a nice rotation, and they coast into the postseason.

Worst Case Scenario: Carmona version 2008 and Lee version 2007 combine to make the rotation a disater, and they Indians are a last place team in a very competitive AL Central.

Prediction for 2009: 93-69 1st place in the AL Central.

Local Thoughts

By: Jay Levin of Let's Go Tribe

Please assign a letter grade to the Indians’ offseason moves? A. The Indians didn't fill every need, but they were much more active than most teams, and the moves they did make were quite shrewd. Kerry Wood gets more K's than K-Rod and came cheaper, and they bolstered depth in key areas by taking reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and Luis Valbuena from the Mariners, both at the cost of just one player that they plainly did not need. Carl Pavano is a cheap roll of the dice in a rotation that will need a few good rolls to come up with some winners Mark DeRosa is a very good all-around player, and he may well make the biggest contribution of the five. The Indians added all these players for reasonable dollars and without giving up any of their 15 best players or 10 best prospects, so I think you have give them an A.

Most Essential: It's hard to name just one. The rotation has so much uncertainty, with four of the five spots to be filled among NINE guys (Carmona, Pavano, Reyes, Laffey, Sowers, Lewis, Saarloos, Jackson, Huff), every one of whom come with injury and/or performance issues. Any one of those guys who puts together even just a solid season will be making a big impact on the team's fortunes. If I had to pick one, it would probably be the top guy on that list, Fausto Carmona, who could single-handedly swing six games.

Breakout Player: Asdrubal Cabrera. He's very young and advanced hitter who's always been promoted too aggressively through the minors, yet has always bounced back and thrived. A year ago, he was too young and inexperienced to deal with being a major league hitter. This year, he could explode.

2009 Prediction: 91-71, First Place.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Seattle Mariners

It's a rainy day here in Philly, so I drew closed the blinds, cranked up the Soundgarden, and drifted in a melancholy daze. Once there I cried for a few hours, and then reviewed one of the league's most depressing teams, the Seattle Mariners.

The Seattle Mariners

Last Season’s Result: 61-101. 4th place in the AL West.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added CF Ken Griffey Jr. (Signed from Chicago White Sox)
• Added IF Russell Branyan (Signed from Milwaukee)
• Added 1B Mike Sweeney (Signed from Oakland)
• Added OF Endy Chavez (Traded from New York Mets)
• Lost RP JJ Putz (Traded to New York Mets)
• Lost IF Willie Bloomquist (Signed with Kansas City)
• Lost OF Raul Ibanez (Signed with Philadelphia)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: D The Mariners will certainly miss Raul Ibanez but the additions of Griffey and Chavez will help offset the loss. The main reason I’m down on the Mariners is because they were the worst team in the AL, and they didn’t do much to try and improve the roster.

• Rotation Grade: B The potential is there for a fine rotation. Felix Hernandez is among the league’s best starting pitchers, as was Erik Bedard before injuries derailed him in 2008. Brandon Morrow and Carlos Silva are going to fill out the middle of the rotation, although Morrow has some nice upside.

• Bullpen Grade: D The Mariners lost JJ Putz and are left with a below average bullpen with no obvious closer.

• Lineup Grade: D The Mariners had one of the worst offenses in baseball in 2008. They then allowed their best run producer to leave via free agency, and they replaced him with an aging Ken Griffey Jr. I don’t see this offense even coming close to league average.


Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Brandon Morrow. The Mariners want Morrow in the starting rotation, but they are concerns if he can handle the load after being a bullpen arm. If Morrow can stay in the rotation the Mariners will be a lot closer to a decent team.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Jose Lopez. Lopez has been in the majors since 2004, but just last season as a 24 year old did he first start to realize his potential. This year he’ll try to improve on his 2008 of .297, 17 HRs, 89 RBIs. A .300, 20, 100 year may be in store.

Best Case Scenario: They get more than they expect from the rotation, and actually stay in it early. If the Angels fall off then this division could go any of four ways.

Worst Case Scenario: The pitching isn’t any good, and the offense doesn’t improve. Once again they could be among the league’s worst teams.

Prediction for 2009: 69-93. 4th place in the AL West.
Local Thoughts
No responses from Seattle fans. Don’t worry the AL Central fans came out in full force.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Today we reach the favorites to win the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels won the West last season by a staggering 21 games, and are probably the one team in all of baseball most likely to reach the postseason.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Last Season’s Result: 100-62

Major Offseason Changes

• Added RF Bobby Abreu (Signed from New York Yankees)
• Added RP Brian Fuentes (Signed from Colorado)
• Lost LF Garret Anderson (Signed with Atlanta)
• Lost SP Jon Garland (Signed with Arizona)
• Lost RP Francisco Rodriguez (Signed with New York Mets)
• Lost 1B Mark Teixeira (Signed with New York Yankees)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: D There’s no other way to look at it, the Angel aren’t as good as last year. Abreu is better than Anderson, but Rodriguez is superior to Fuentes, so that’s a wash at best. That also doesn’t account for the departures of Jon Garland and Mark Teixeira, both of which are huge blows to this team. With Santana going down early, the Angel will surely miss Garland, and well, Tex is Tex, there ain’t no replacing that type of production.

• Rotation Grade: C+ The loss of Ervin Santana lowers the grade on this rotation. Lackey and Saunders can be counted on, but after that everything is up in the air.

• Bullpen Grade: B This group was among the league’s best in 2008, and despite the loss of K-Rod, they are poised to remain an elite group. I like Fuentes as closer, although he’s in an impossible spot following Rodriguez’s record setting season.

• Lineup Grade: B- Not enough power for my liking, or anybody’s for that matter. I don’t know if a single player in this lineup gets to 25 HRs. No, not even Vlad. If I had to wager on somebody, it would be Mike Napoli.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Jered Weaver. Weaver is a quality starter, but the Angels need more than that this season. With a weaker lineup and bullpen, not to mention better division opponents, the Angels need to get the most from their rotation. Now that it appears Ervin Santana may miss some time, Weaver becomes all the more important.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Brian Fuentes. In 2008 K-Rod set a record for saves, and then bounced for New York City. What he left behind was an opportunity and a spotlight. Everybody will be watching to see how the new guy answers the challenge. With an abundance of attention, Fuentes will get the chance to become a star as LA’s new stopper.

Best Case Scenario: The rest of the division continues to be lousy. If that’s the case, then the Angels coast to the title, whether they win 88 or 100.

Worst Case Scenario: The rest of the division picks it up after a down year. The argument could be made for each of the Angels’ division foes to improve this season. If the Angels slip up, they may lose their shot at the playoffs, and being swept by Boston

Prediction for 2009: 93-69. 1st place in the AL West.

Local Thoughts

Sorry, no local thoughts for the Halos.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Texas Rangers

We stay out west, as we've returned to the Lone Star State to check out the Texas Rangers. The league's greatest offensive force resides in the Ballpark at Arlington, but is it enough for the Rangers to be a success in 2009?

The Texas Rangers

Last Season’s Result: 79-83. 2nd place in the AL West.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added nothing of note.
• Lost 3B Ramon Vazquez (Signed with Pittsburgh)
• Lost RF Milton Bradley (Signed with Chicago Cubs)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: F They did nothing of note to improve the team this offseason. They signed a couple of broken down guys to minor league deals, but nothing that will make the team any more likely to compete in 2009. On top on that, they allowed Milton Bradley to get away via free agency.

• Rotation Grade: F The Rangers led the AL in runs by far, yet they weren’t even a .500 bullclub. So who do we blame? We blame this crappy rotation led by crappy Kevin Milwood and crappy Vicente Padilla. To be fair Milwood is decent enough, he’s just not an ace by any means. Brandon McCarthy on the other hand, could be an ace one day; if he could only stay healthy for any length of time.

• Bullpen Grade: D Let’s not act as if the rotation alone is to blame for the Rangers’ issues in 2008, the also had the league’s worst bullpen. I understand that the Ballpark in Arlington is a hitter’s idea of heaven, and is partially to blame for the inflated ERAs, but the Rangers lead the league in runs scored on the road as well. It really comes down to this: This pitching staff sucks! Not the most articulate position I’ve ever taken, but maybe one of the most accurate.

• Lineup Grade: A If they still had Milton Bradley, they’d get an A+. This is this league’s best offense, and they’ll score a ton of runs this season led by Josh Hamilton who is going to be a perennial MVP contender.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: It has to be a pitcher, since the offense is pretty much a sure thing. Padilla and Milwood aren’t great, but you know what you’re getting. So if one of the young starters can pitch 200 innings alongside the top two, it would go a long way to making the Rangers contenders. The most likely to do that would be Brandon McCarthy if he can stay healthy, but that’s a pretty big if.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Chris Davis. This Texas native came up to the big leagues at the end of June and in half a season put up a line of .285, 17 HRs, and 55 RBIs. So that covers the potential, combine that with the fact that next to nobody outside of Dallas knows who this guy is, and you have a tailor-made breakout star.

Best Case Scenario: Somebody pitches consistently. Anybody. McCarthy preferably, since he has the highest upside. If the Rangers get pitching, they will win a lot games with their offense.

Worst Case Scenario: Nobody pitches consistently. Not a soul. McCarthy gets hurt once again, and the rest of the staff just flounders, wasting another tremendous offensive output.

Prediction for 2009: 77-85. 2nd place in the AL West.

Local Thoughts

We have a real treat today, as our Rangers writer has really brought his A game to the PSP.

By: Joe Siegler of Ranger Fans

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: I'm giving it an "I". The reason for that is if you go down our roster transactions, the Rangers signed not a single player to a major league contract. Every single one of them was a minor league NRI type of deal. The only person brought in that will have a direct impact on the major league staff is the new pitching coach. Mike Maddux by all accounts so far has done a great job in getting the message across. How well that translates though is unknown. We've had something like seven different pitching coaches in the last eight years or so, so I'm hopeful this can work.

As for actual players? That's the true "Incomplete", given only a couple of them are likely to break camp (the most likely being Vizquel, Donnelly, Guardado, & Turnbow), and most of them never seen again, it's really hard to go here. Technically Elvis Andrus is an NRI too, but he's essentially been annointed the SS heir apparent, so I don't know if that counts. I don't think Andruw Jones will break, given the guys already here, I can't see where he fits.

So "Incomplete" is my grade.

• Most Essential: I'm going with Brandon McCarthy. As with most teams, what's essential is pitching. The Rangers won't have any problems scoring runs, but what will determine our success is how our pitching does. Millwood and Padilla you know what you're gonna get, and we're sending out three "kids" (relatively speaking) behind them in the rotation. Of the guys they're saying are going to be in the rotation, I think Brandon McCarthy needs to be what we sent John Danks to the White Sox for. Since he's been here, he's been "meh" (to be kind). It appears that he's turned the corner, and might have figured it out based on what we've seen so far in camp.

So I think you need McCarthy to do well. That would be three decent (if not awesome) starting pitchers, and once you get to 3 of 5, you get that feeling that "maybe this can work". 2 of 5 makes you feel like there's too many holes, but get over that hump with the third, and you feel you can carry the rest. Or I do. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my feeling.

• Breakout Potential: Pitching wise, I'm gonna say Matt Harrison. At the back end of last season he looked pretty good. He's one of the guys we got (stole) from Atlanta in the Mark Teixeira deal, and he came over as a good prospect. He's had flashes of brilliance during his time here, but at the end of last season, you got this "feeling" that perhaps he might be a guy set to go something like 15 or 16 wins and 7 losses. Can't quantify this with "facts", it's mostly a gut feeling. But then prediction kind of pieces like this are all gut feeling, aren't they? :)

Offensive wise, I think it's a tie between Chris Davis & Ian Kinsler. I think if Ian Kinsler hadn't gotten hurt, he would have challenged Dustin Pedroia for the MVP (Hello Evan). Kinsler doesn't get the coverage he deserves because he plays his home games in Arlington TX. But a full season of what he did in 2008 would take care of that. Chris Davis came up here mid last season and had 17 home runs and 55 RBI in just 80 games. A full season of that would qualify for a breakout season, I think. :)


• Prediction for 2009: 89-73, second place. Angels will still win, but not by as much as they have recently. Oakland's moves are good, and Seattle still needs a few years to get going again, although former Ranger coach Don Wakamatsu should help in that regard.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Oakland A's

Today we stay in the west, but switch over to the American League. We start the process with the revamped and big-spending (for them) Oakland A's.

The Oakland Athletics

Last Season’s Result: 75-86, 3rd place in the AL West.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added OF Matt Holliday (Trade with Colorado)
• Added SS Orlando Cabrera (Signed from Chicago White Sox)
• Added IF Nomar Garciaparra (Signed from Los Angeles Dodgers)
• Added 1B Jason Giambi (Signed from New York Yankees)
• Added RP Russ Springer (Signed from St. Louis)
• Added RP Michael Wuertz (Trade with Chicago Cubs)
• Lost SP Greg Smith (Traded to Colorado)
• Lost RP Huston Street (Traded to Colorado)
• Lost OF Matt Murton (Traded to Colorado)
• Lost OF Emil Brown (Signed minor league deal with San Diego)
• Lost RP Alan Embree (Signed with Colorado)
• Lost 1B Mike Sweeney (Signed with Seattle)
• Lost RP Keith Foulke (Unsigned free agent)
• Lost DH Frank Thomas (Unsigned free agent)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: A+ The A’s did a fantastic job in the 2008 offseason. They added pieces on their terms, giving out only 1-year deals to every one of their free agents. The A’s traded for Matt Holliday, who gives them an MVP caliber outfielder, and is also only signed for this season. The beauty of these moves is that if they don’t result in immediate success and the A’s fail to contend, they can just sell off each piece and acquire younger, cheaper players in return.

• Rotation Grade: C- There’s some promise here, but nobody that has ever been a starting pitcher for even a single full season outside of Dana Eveland’s 29 starts in 2008.

• Bullpen Grade: A- The A’s bullpen was the second best in the AL in 2008. They added Springer and Wuertz while losing Embree and Street, these moves leave the A’s about even with their 2008 group on a talent level, but they’ve yet to name a closer. Brad Ziegler is in the mix, but how can this second-year man be expected to repeat his breakout 2008, which included setting the major league record for most scoreless innings to start a career at 39 innings.

• Lineup Grade: C- The A’s were dead last in runs scored in 2008, and set out to address the problem this offseason. Holliday, Giambi and Cabrera will each be an upgrade offensively. Those three along with Cust, Suzuki, and Chavez give the A’s the basis for a decent lineup.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Matt Holliday. Matt is going to be the main right-handed hitter on this team, probably hitting between lefty sluggers Jack Cust and Jason Giambi. If Holliday can return to his 2007 form, the A’s will score runs and have a shot at making a run at the Angels for the division crown.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Joey Devine. Brad Ziegler will also get a look to be the team’s closer, if Devine can win the job he stands to become a pretty big name, as everyone raves about his stuff. Devine threw 45 innings in 2008 and allowed just 3 earned runs. The kid has the skills, which made trading former closer Huston Street all the easier.

Best Case Scenario: A best case would be a collapse by the now vulnerable Angels. The A’s will be better this season, but I can’t see them winning more than 90 games. That means the Angel would have to be ten games worse than they were in 2008, which could happen after their offseason losses.

Worst Case Scenario: The rotation doesn’t work. As promising as it looks right now, there is a chance that none of their top five guys lasts as a big league starter.

Prediction for 2009: 76-86. 3rd place in the AL West. I just can’t see this rotation, despite its upside, really coming together this season.

Local Thoughts

By: Nico Pemantle of www.AthleticsNation.com

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B+

• Most Essential: Eric Chavez.

• Breakout Potential: Dallas Braden.

• Prediction for 2009: 85-77, 2nd place in a close race.

2009 MLB Team Preview- The Colorado Rockies

We have reached the final team in the National League, the team that nobody loves, The Colorado Rockies.

The Colorado Rockies

Last Season’s Result: 74-88, 3rd place in the NL West

Major Offseason Changes

• Added RP Alan Embree (Signed from Oakland)
• Added SP Jason Marquis (Trade with Chicago Cubs)
• Added SP Greg Smith (Trade with Oakland A’s)
• Added RP Huston Street (Trade with Oakland)
• Added OF Carlos Gonzalez (trade with Oakland)
• Added OF Matt Murton (Trade with Oakland)
• Lost OF Matt Holliday (Trade with Oakland)
• Lost RP Brian Fuentes (Signed with LA Angels)
• Lost CF Willy Taveras (Signed with Cincinnati)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: B- I like the proactive approach to Matt Holliday’s pending free agency, although it will take a few years before we can truly rule on the deal. I do like the additions of Huston Street, Greg Smith and Jason Marquis to their pitching staff.

• Rotation Grade: C+ I like this rotation for whatever reason. I think each guy will give you innings and keep you in most games. If the offense comes around this staff has five guys who can win double digit games, in fact only projected 5th starter Greg Smith failed to do so in 2008.


• Bullpen Grade: C- The Rockies have two solid options at closer, and a handful of low profile guy for the middle innings led by Taylor Buchholz who is coming off of nice 2008 campaign.

• Lineup Grade: C The loss of Matt Holliday gets the most attention, but there is still life in the mountains. I think they’ll be fairly competitive this year, but in another year or two this group will be much better.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Troy Tulowitzki. Troy must return to his 2007 form for the Rockies to compete in 2009. Holliday is gone, and Helton is no longer enough of a long term option to be the team’s leader. So Troy must take the lead and pick up that slack.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Ubaldo Jimenez. The 25 year old right-hander enters his second full season in the majors. If Jimenez can continue to miss bats, while reducing his walks, he’ll be a 15 game winner at least.

Best Case Scenario: Jimenez and Cook form a potent 1-2 punch and the rest of the staff falls in line. The younger offensive player all progress, at least slightly and they take this weak division.

Worst Case Scenario: The offense doesn’t come around, and the pitching struggles at Coors Field, if the breaks go bad, this could be a 65 win team.

Prediction for 2009: 77-85, 4th place in the NL West.

Local Thoughts

I got nothing from Rockies fans. No replies aside from a note from ESPN personality Woody Paige who writes for the Denver Post. He only said he doesn't have the time to participate and that the Rockies will win about 75 games. Aside from Woody's courteous reply (I want to be clear that I'm not being sarcastic, replying to emails from everybody that writes is a chore, and I respect that he made it a point to do so.) we got nothing, so see you next week when we start the American League teams. We'll do that group Monday through Friday for the rest of the month. Thanks again to all my NL helpers, and I'll see you guys Monday from Oakland.

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• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves:
• Most Essential:
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• Prediction for 2009: