Central Division Preview
The Giant fans are thinking repeat...well kinda. Hey Kruk next time you feel like ranting about a team maybe you should leave Atlanta alone and take a look at this roster. This team has been built to win now and with their young core of players and four first round picks next year (also two seconds) this team will be a force for years to come. The way veteran owner Cory Adams handles his business kinda make you wonder if he took a "How To Be Successful Course" with Bernie Madhof. The Giants are lead by center fielder Grady Sizemore second basemen Chase Utley and catcher Joe Mauer with well above average talent at every other position. The only weak(er) spots I see are at third base and two aging shortstops. The starting staff is lead by ace Jake Peavey and followed by 4 quality hurlers and with plenty of starting pitching depth in the minors in case of injury. With the addition of Johnny Cueto to the minor league system and Francisco Liriano already there waiting to get healthy Giant fans have a lot to look forward to. K-Rod will get plenty of chances to save games and should have a pile of them at the end of the year. I predict this team wins the Central with ease and will stay on top for at least three years. Prediction 98 wins.
I know we all may think that Cub's owner Cliff McDivitt may be rolling up some of that ivy from the outfield from time to time but if anyone is going to challenge the Giants for this division I believe it will be the Cubs. This team will be lead by numerous veterans like Tori Hunter, Maglio Ordonez, Carlos Delgado and "Big Poopy" David Ortiz. If these players can stay healthy they should be able to put numbers on the board. I see the middle infield as a weakness and don't believe they have any players on the current roster as a future solution. Not all the players in the starting rotation are household names but this is a staff with four pitchers boasting sub 4 era's and rookie Ramon Ramirez and his under 3 era has won the opening day start. The starting pitching numbers look good on paper but grizzled veteran Jason Kendall should have his hands full with this fairly inexperienced pitching staff. Jesse Carlson, another rookie, has won the closer's job and may struggle under the pressure and blow a few too many games early in the season and lose his job to Steven Shell or Kevin Gregg. This team has the experience in the field but the lack of seasoned pitchers will only give this team a second place finish in the division. Prediction 86 wins.
Jeff Shupert's expansion Boston Red Sox exceeded expectations last year and I believe they will continue to do the same this year. The emergence of stud center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury has made Jeff's last years first round selection a great pick. If his scouting was right about minor leaguers Dexter Fowler and Cameron Maybin like it was with Ellsbury Boston fans could soon have one of the most dynamic outfields in the league. Adrian Gonzalez and Aubry Huff will be the muscle in the middle of the line up. If Boston can get runners on before their big bats come to the plate Gonzalez and Huff should have good RBI totals. A good year from Johnny Peralta could move Miguel "I just can't tell the truth" Tejada to third base or even out of town. The same thing could also happen to Peralta next year with the addition of rookie phenom Alexei Ramirez now a second basemen on the move to short stop. The starting rotation is lead by John Danks along with Wandy Rodriguez and Scott Lewis both with sub 4 era's. Rookie closer Brad Ziegler looks to be the only contender for Kerry Wood to land the closer role for Boston. This team is still a few drafts away to contend with the Giants. Prediction 76 wins.
I see a rough year in store for Brian Wayt and the Houston Astros this year. This team is lead but super studs Lance "Bigger version of Tony Stewart" Berkman and Brian McCann. I don't believe these two players will be able to carry this team all year and into the playoffs. Youngsters like Howie Kendrick and Stephen Drew will need to step up and take some pressure of off McCann and Berkman in order to prove me wrong. Houston has three young prospects at third base and Wayt is just waiting for one of them to make his decision for him. With the exceptions of Jayson Werth and Jason Kubell the outfield is weak and the depth is even worse. The Astros have two starters with sub 4 era's one being rookie and first round pick Justin Masterson the other one is not the house hold names of Beckett, Zito or Jeff Francis. This team will have to rely heavily on Masterson and Mike Pelfrey as starters who can hopefully go deep into games for them. The above average bull pen is the strength of this team and will hopefully be able to keep leads when handed off to them or keep games close for a late inning come back. If they can take a lead into the 9th closer Brad Lidge is a safe bet to seal the deal. As I said before I see this as a down year for the team who swept the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the playoffs last year. Prediction 75 wins.
FCBL Preview Team
-
3/21/2009 12:00:00 AM
|