With Oakland & Seattle opening the 2019 season in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, kicking off what likely is Ichiro Suzuki's farewell tour of Major League Baseball, we'll do thumbnails of the remaining divisions.
AL East projections:
1. Boston. The only thing the defending champs are missing is closer Craig Kimbrel, who is now a free agent. Everything else appears to be the same.
2. Yankees. Outfielder Aaron Hicks and pitchers Luis Severino & CC Sabathia won't be ready at the start of the season, which means they will have to lean on the big boppers even more until the pitching rotation is at full strength.
3. Tampa Bay.
4. Baltimore.
5. Toronto.
We're lumping the also rans together because I don't see a whole lot of improvement.
AL Central projections:
1. Cleveland. The Indians will remain a contender as long as Terry Francona's in the dugout.
2. Detroit. Don't laugh. The Tigers finally got some offensive backup for Miguel Cabrera in heisting Jordy Mercer & Josh Harrison away from Pittsburgh.
3. Minnesota. The Twins added a power bat (Nelson Cruz), and a power arm (Michael Pineda, who missed 2018 due to Tommy John surgery), and will contend.
4. Kansas City. Speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton comes from Cincinnati to spark the offense, along with catcher Martin Maldonado. The pitching isn't scary.
5. Chicago. Hawk Harrelson's not around to whine about bad calls in the booth anymore. Ex-Valleycat Preston Tucker didn't pan out in Atlanta last year, so he's a non-roster invitee this year. I guess now we know why Houston gave up on him. The rest of the White Sox? Meh.
AL West projections:
1. Houston. The Astros picked up Michael Brantley from Cleveland, adding to an already loaded outfield.
2. Seattle. The Mariners added some pop (Edwin Encarnacion, Jay Bruce), and some bullpen help (Hunter Strickland, Anthony Swarzak). However, getting Bruce meant parting with Robinson Cano. We'll see who benefits more, the Mariners or the Mets.
3. Los Angeles. Brad Ausmus wasn't a big winner in Detroit, so why do the Angels bring him in as the heir apparent to Mike Scioscia? Who knows? Justin Bour will split time at first with Albert Pujols. Cody Allen comes over from Cleveland, likely as the closer.
4. Oakland.
5. Texas.
Meh.
Wild Cards: Yankees, Detroit.
Recapping the NL East:
1. Washington.
2. Mets.
3. Atlanta.
4. Philadelphia.
5. Miami.
NL Central projections:
1. Cincinnati. The Reds feel they can contend. How else to explain heisting Matt Kemp & Yasiel Puig from the Dodgers? Sonny Gray felt like a spare part in the Bronx, but I don't think he can be a big enough factor. Just move power hitting hurler Michael Lorenzen into the rotation. That'll solve some problems.
2. Milwaukee. The Brewers essentially stood pat.
3. St. Louis. Paul Goldschmidt leaves the desert for the Gateway to the West, and cures the Cardinals' offensive woes.
4. Chicago. The window is closing for Joe Maddon & the Cubs.
5. Pittsburgh. One step forward, five steps back.
NL West projections:
1. Los Angeles. Exit Matt Kemp & Yasiel Puig. Welcome back, Russell Martin. Hello, AJ Pollock. The Dodgers will do just enough to win the division.
2. Arizona. The Diamondbacks get Adam Jones & Caleb Joseph from moribound Baltimore. Wilmer Flores was stupidly cut by the Mets. They'll contend for at least the Wild Card.
3. San Francisco.
4. Colorado.
5. San Diego.
They'll be in the Wild Card chase, but no further, despite the usual summer teases.
Wild Cards: Mets, Arizona.
Of course, I could be wrong.
No comments:
Post a Comment