This should have come out Friday, but suffice it to say some American University kids threw a wicked old school kegger this weekend, so it’s coming out Monday. Better this way anywho, because I can talk about the Hockey, and on the 30th anniversary of USA 4, USSR 3. First, though, my thoughts on these 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, of which I have seen more than my fair share:
To start off, were those opening ceremonies not absurd? Everything had a cloud over it due to the death of that poor Georgian luger, but I think the biggest problem was that Canada was following that unbelievable Chinese spectacle to open the Beijing Olympics a little over a year and a half ago, and they knew it. They never had a chance to create anything like what China was capable of (if nothing else, Communism can do pageantry), but that didn’t stop them from trying in their particularly Canadian way. From my limited experience, Canadians just don’t have the same concept of production value as the rest of us. Campy is king for the Canucks, and they put this on display for all the world. True, there were some cool moments, and some nifty effects, but overall, I spent a lot of time wondering what I was looking at. Did they demonstrate the colorful mosaic of Canadian culture? Maybe. Did they have a giant polar bear and a lot of gyrating Indians, people in white and dudes in kilts? Yup. I just don’t know.
This has been a brilliant Olympics for the good ol’ U.S. of A. Lindsey Vonn, after steaming up the SI swimsuit issue has overcome a difficult injury and untold amounts of scrutiny to get a gold medal in her best event, the Downhill, which was an incredible thing to watch. She caught some hell for not going quite as balls-to-the-wall (at least in the Washington Post) in subsequent events (still winning a bronze as well as of Monday morning) but damn, the girl skied faster than anyone else in the Downhill, and she did it on one leg; give her a break if she doesn’t have a whole lot left for the Super G. Speaking of, what is the Super G? I get Downhill, I get Slalom, I get Combined, but what is Super G?
We saw Lindsey win when she was supposed to, which is one of the most difficult things to do in sport, and we also saw Bode Miller come back from the dead and take a gold, a silver, and a bronze already. He got no pub, no endorsements, no nothing coming in after the hectic egg he laid in Italy four years ago, and I didn’t even know he was there at all until he had already won his gold medal. He looks fat and he knows it, freely admitting he did not condition for these games properly. Yet there he is, racking up the hardware and reinventing his Olympic legacy with every podium appearance. It’s redemption at its best, and is one of my favorite story lines of the whole shindig.
One American figure skater has PETA after him and another trounced the favored Russian, Yevgeny Plushenko, much to the dismay of all the Motherland. I love these guys, though I admit I didn’t see their event. We didn’t come to Vancouver with a whole lot of national pride on the line. None of the sports being contested is vital to our collective consciousness, no matter how much we enjoy seeing them every four years. Thus, the most fun lies in shocking other countries who do have their identities tied to these Winter Games. It’s not always successful though.
Our speed skaters are running into some stiff resistance. After all the Colbert-driven exposure, I figured we would be dominant on the ice tracks, but the Koreans and Dutch are defiantly tempering my ambitions. Shani Davis did get one gold and Apolo Ohno has become the most decorated US Winter Olympian on the short track, but he did it with a bronze and Davis was surprised in the 1500M and took silver. There are more events to go, including the short track 5000M relay, which is going to be nuts if they ever run it. It seems like the qualifying was a week ago. I also shouldn’t say that Ohno got “just” a bronze in that race, what he should have done was go down on a tough slip, but somehow he didn’t, and flew back onto the podium in the nick of time. It was truly impressive.
Maine native Seth Wescott won gold at the coolest event of the Olympics for the second straight time; Snowboard Cross. He had to come from behind to do it, and was one of the first American heroes of the games. They are calling that event “NASCAR on snow” and I would say the comparison is warranted. Crazy crashes at high speeds and slick passes on tight turns with dramatic finishes make this my new favorite, since curling hasn’t treated me right this year. More on that later.
Lindsey Jacobellis on the other hand managed to shed the stigma of her early celebration to earn some hype and a national ad spot going into the games, but she was one of our few duds, failing to make the finals of women’s Snowboard Cross and remaining unredeemed. I guess we can’t have everything.
Vonn and Hannah Teter got the spread in SI, but there is American fire all over that town these days. Teter isn’t even the hottest snowboarder. That honor would belong to the lovely and talented Grechen Bleiler, who nailed some of the best tricks of the night before wiping out in the Halfpipe Finals. Then there our ice dancer chicks, especially Meryl Davis, a couple of our speed skaters (Allison Baver is worth a google); even one of our curling ladies is pretty hot. Of course, we’re not the only country bringing sexy back to Canada, but we are definitely showing well.
Speaking of curling, the US teams have been one of the few disappointments in Vancouver, stymieing the groundswell of support that always seems to spring up during the Winter Olympics for the sport. I’ve seen as much curling as anyone, since it is all NBC show during the day, and I am bummed about the performance of our teams, but far worse than the play of the Americans is the coverage of the games. Both color commentators have no concept of the strategy of the game, or if they do they don’t bother to inform us of it. They’ll decide what they would do in the current situation, tell the audience, and disagree with anything other than their decision without any explanation of the possible motives or consequences of the shot being played. There is also no analysis of the strategy of the game beyond the next shot. Worse than anything, though, is how they only show the American games, even when there are three others going simultaneously. You hear the crowd erupt after a good shot by the Canadians and all the announcers say is “that must have been a good shot by the Canadians. The fact that the Americans are so heartbreakingly bad makes this even worse. It’s like a network covering a golf tournament and only following one crappy golfer who is not even going to make the cut. Oh, and to add insult to injury, NBC will double up on ads so that they will nearly miss entire ends. Ridiculous. Finally on Monday morning they showed a match between powerhouses Britain and Canada which reminded me why I ever thought this game was cool. It had well-played shots, it had sound strategy, and it had drama. Finally. Without that, I probably would have written curling off altogether.
Russia played the Czech Republic in Hockey Yesterday in a good game, and Alex Ovechkin is getting all kinds of kudos up here in Washington for slamming 67-year-old Jaromir Jagr to the ice at the center line. Yeah, way to go, Alex. Why don’t you go to my dad’s house and throw him down some stairs while you’re at it.
As we all know by now, Canada had never won a home gold medal coming into these Olympics. That I was why I was happy to see that Canuck win in the Men’s Mogul’s on the second day of competition; it made last night even sweeter, knowing that the monkey was already off Canada’s back. I’d feel a little bad if we crushed that dream.
Last night was the best hockey game I have ever seen, and I have seen some barn-burners. I started watching not really believing that we would win, but hoping we could force OT and improve our seeding in tournament play. But the Americans came out firing and swung the momentum in their favor quickly, and controlled the game with timely goals to answer the Canadians. Miller absolutely dominated the entire game from the cage, reminiscent of Michael Craig, and the Americans looked like they just wanted it more. I hadn’t even been looking forward to this game, but damn I was glad I watched it. NBC couldn’t even dork it up, because apparently Canada got to dictate the stoppages, and therefore there were none for ads during play. It was pure, old-time hockey and it was what you would expect of the best in the world. Maybe it was more. Both teams played furiously and passionately. Neither gave an inch and there was never a lull in the action. Canada would pressure the American zone interminably, but Miller would make a couple miraculous saves and the Americans would fly down the ice to challenge the best goalie on earth (who did not have a good game). It was wide open and had all the intensity a struggle between two nations battling for supremacy should have. Wasn’t that the best part? Normally you get these teams made of pro athletes and their unfamiliarity and lack of enthusiasm leads to uninspired efforts, but not in this Olympics. The Canadians, Russians, Americans, and Czechs all look dominant and hungry, and though the Americans are looking at a 1 or a 2 seed going into the tournament, the Gold is still anyone’s to take. In fact, I expect the Canucks to play fierce and determined with their backs against the wall, while the Americans might have a letdown after winning the biggest game in USA hockey history in 30 years. We’ll see.
22 February 2010
16 February 2010
Seminole Basketball: A Deathgrip on the Middle
Before I begin I have to admit while I live in an ACC television market, coverage of my beloved Seminoles is spotty at best up here in the Metro Area, so my observations are long-distance and in a lot of ways derived from recaps and analysis of our season rather than from my own viewing experience. I have, however, seen three games in the last four weeks and have followed this team as closely as the internets allow, so I'll give you what I got.
When the conference season started Seminole pundits predicted a ludicrous level of parity in the ACC, thanks I guess in large part to UNC's fall from grace and the even start all the teams had out of the gate. 9-7 in the conference was set out as a very achievable goal and one that would allow us easy entry into the big dance come March. Well, though the Heels are reeling and there have been a couple other changes at the top and the bottom, things are shaping up as they always seem to, with a few good teams in front and a few crappy ones in the basement. Quite literally in the center of all this is Florida State, a team that survives on paralyzing defense but doesn't have enough offensive firepower to reach the next level. It's also a somewhat young and immature team that can be thrown out of rhythm by unfavorable calls or the press (Clemson and UMD run the press in the conference; FSU's record against these teams: 0-3). Both of these factors took them completely out of synch when they played Clemson on ESPN2 last week. That game seemed to embody the ceiling that this team has. They can whoop up on the dregs of the ACC and beat the teams that they are supposed to (like BC this weekend, who always seemed to hand us heartbreakers in recent years, so I am very happy to walk all over them now), but they rarely come up with a really big win. Marquette provided us a decent out-of-conference victory, but that is tempered by a loss to NC State at home. We lost to Ohio State and Duke soundly, got swept by Maryland, and only have one win over any team ranked ahead of us in the current standings (VT, at home). The only good news is that we get Wake and another crack at Clemson in the Duck; these will have to serve as our best chances for signature wins down the stretch. Well, there is UNC, but if we win it will be seen only as kicking them when they are down, and if we lose it probably won't even help their tourney chances. If the season ended today we'd probably deserve a slot as the last ACC team in, though who knows how many they will actually take. Still, with only two home games left, and those against our most difficult remaining opponents, the Noles have a hard road ahead and haven't shown the gumption to see it through.
Watching them unravel against Clemson was difficult. I love the defense-first style of Coach Ham, who formed a philosophy around the talent he had to maximize their effectiveness. But that philosophy came apart as the officials micromanaged the pace and intensity of the game and Clemson’s press caused too many sloppy and hurried offensive possessions. It showed me that this team does not have the depth of character to really make a push in March. It's too late in the season to hope for growth and maturation, so I guess I'll settle for the middle, because, to be fair, I never expected to get even that out of this team. I feel we are forgetting something as the groundswell of outrageous expectations that always accompanies the slightest Seminole success takes over. Sure, we are stuck in the pack; sure we only beat the bottom half of the ACC, but we could BE the bottom half of the ACC. After Toney Douglas left with Uche and the rest of our veterans, having dragged us kicking and screaming into March Madness for the first time in 600 years, hope did not exactly spring eternal. We lost crucial scoring and experience when that senior class moved on, and I don’t think anyone had any expectations that we would reach the NCAAs again after just ending the drought, even with our perennially impressive recruiting classes. If football can teach us anything it is that good recruiting classes do not translate to successful seasons. So I for one am proud of our middling basketball team, and am psyched to watch it hover between good and mediocre. Two NCAA tourneys in a row would be a great feat. I just hope they can get there by treading water.
When the conference season started Seminole pundits predicted a ludicrous level of parity in the ACC, thanks I guess in large part to UNC's fall from grace and the even start all the teams had out of the gate. 9-7 in the conference was set out as a very achievable goal and one that would allow us easy entry into the big dance come March. Well, though the Heels are reeling and there have been a couple other changes at the top and the bottom, things are shaping up as they always seem to, with a few good teams in front and a few crappy ones in the basement. Quite literally in the center of all this is Florida State, a team that survives on paralyzing defense but doesn't have enough offensive firepower to reach the next level. It's also a somewhat young and immature team that can be thrown out of rhythm by unfavorable calls or the press (Clemson and UMD run the press in the conference; FSU's record against these teams: 0-3). Both of these factors took them completely out of synch when they played Clemson on ESPN2 last week. That game seemed to embody the ceiling that this team has. They can whoop up on the dregs of the ACC and beat the teams that they are supposed to (like BC this weekend, who always seemed to hand us heartbreakers in recent years, so I am very happy to walk all over them now), but they rarely come up with a really big win. Marquette provided us a decent out-of-conference victory, but that is tempered by a loss to NC State at home. We lost to Ohio State and Duke soundly, got swept by Maryland, and only have one win over any team ranked ahead of us in the current standings (VT, at home). The only good news is that we get Wake and another crack at Clemson in the Duck; these will have to serve as our best chances for signature wins down the stretch. Well, there is UNC, but if we win it will be seen only as kicking them when they are down, and if we lose it probably won't even help their tourney chances. If the season ended today we'd probably deserve a slot as the last ACC team in, though who knows how many they will actually take. Still, with only two home games left, and those against our most difficult remaining opponents, the Noles have a hard road ahead and haven't shown the gumption to see it through.
Watching them unravel against Clemson was difficult. I love the defense-first style of Coach Ham, who formed a philosophy around the talent he had to maximize their effectiveness. But that philosophy came apart as the officials micromanaged the pace and intensity of the game and Clemson’s press caused too many sloppy and hurried offensive possessions. It showed me that this team does not have the depth of character to really make a push in March. It's too late in the season to hope for growth and maturation, so I guess I'll settle for the middle, because, to be fair, I never expected to get even that out of this team. I feel we are forgetting something as the groundswell of outrageous expectations that always accompanies the slightest Seminole success takes over. Sure, we are stuck in the pack; sure we only beat the bottom half of the ACC, but we could BE the bottom half of the ACC. After Toney Douglas left with Uche and the rest of our veterans, having dragged us kicking and screaming into March Madness for the first time in 600 years, hope did not exactly spring eternal. We lost crucial scoring and experience when that senior class moved on, and I don’t think anyone had any expectations that we would reach the NCAAs again after just ending the drought, even with our perennially impressive recruiting classes. If football can teach us anything it is that good recruiting classes do not translate to successful seasons. So I for one am proud of our middling basketball team, and am psyched to watch it hover between good and mediocre. Two NCAA tourneys in a row would be a great feat. I just hope they can get there by treading water.
12 February 2010
AL Preview: The Beasts of the East
I am scared shitless this year, but it should also be noted that I am not above the reverse jinx by any means. Draw your own conclusions.
New York Yankees:
Acquisitions: Curtis Granderson, Randy Winn, Javier Vazquez
Departures: Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Brian Bruney, Chien-Ming Wang, Melky Cabrera, Jose Molina
Well, the rich just get richer, don't they. It's fine with me when it's the Sox, but not the dreaded Yanks, anything but that! But wait, have they, really? Sure, Granderson is an all-star and will take their lineup from the deadliest in baseball to the deadliester in baseball. What else can you say? They are truly bruising at the plate, even after losing Damon and Godzilla. Honestly, as long as they have Nick Swisher, the sky's the limit. Oh, you didn't know that? That’s right, Nick Swisher is the key to this team. He is what changed the culture in that clubhouse and forced them to have fun again. Last year was totally fucked because of the stark role reversal of the two big dogs of the decade. The Sox were a quiet, professional assortment of big names that went out and did their jobs but had no collective character, while the Yanks were all of a sudden a loose, fun-loving bunch of guys who believed in each other and played as a team. The results speak for themselves, and Nick Swisher, that goofball, eccentric, enjoyable, carefree character, is to thank. He's the Tino Martinez of the New Yankees, and I am not sure the Sox have the answer for that right now. Still, they have no fifth starter, and I stand firm on the theory that those long deals for Sabathia and Burnett will bite them in the ass. And Pettitte? How long can the HGH keep him and his huge ass going? They will also be debating the fates of Hughes and Jaba the Hutt endlessly until both of them will end up as neither great starters nor great relievers. Even so, they cut a lot of fat in the offseason, and they are so good right now that things have to break against them for them to do poorly, not the other way around. Here's hopin'. Projected Record: 100-62
Tampa Bay Angel Rays:
Acquisitions: Raphael Soriano
Departures: Gabe Gross, Greg Zaun, Akinori Iwamura
Well they dropped the Devil from their name and the dividends paid immediately, but oh how far away 2008 seems already. The 47 true Rays fans in Florida watched in horror last year as the team struggled with injuries and the free agency market (as well as some pitchers coming back to earth) and land right back in the pack. The band-wagoners deserted in kind. But all is not lost. In fact, far from it. Hell, “the pack” is the second best finish in Rays history, and they are just starting to tap some of their potential. The outfield is solid left to right, with Gabe Kapler the weak link (a roll player on the Sox for many years) but a reliable fielder and great clubhouse guy. Speed out there is unmatched with Crawford and Upton. Eva Longoria's marriage to Tony Parker has not seemed to effect her range at third nor her bat. Moving across the diamond, Bartlett and Zobrist are fiends, just hitting their stride, and Carlos Pena, well, he's still pretty friggin good, as is Navarro. Of course, defense and offense weren’t really their demise last year, it was supposedly pitching. The word on the Rays is that in 2008 outstanding starters concealed weaknesses in the bullpen, but that got exposed but good, starting with the World Series and carrying right over to the next season. I don't see it. This is a young team that played out of their mind in '08 and probably did well to finish over .500 in '09, and they keep getting better. This year the rotation doesn't look a whole lot different, but it need not. Look out for Jeff Niemann. They got a reliable closer off of Atlanta in Rafael Soriano (named after the greatest of the Ninja Turtles, good sign) and there are a lot of old faces in the pen, but some of them actually performed well last year, and with a ninth inning anchor man, they will have a chance to get in a rhythm. I mean, hell, they are in the AL East with the juggernaughts. This team is getting to where they don't need to exceed their potential to win a lot of games. Projected Record: 90-72
Boston Red Sox:
Acquisitions: John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre, Jeremy Hermida
Departures: Jason Bay, Casey Kotchman, Alex Gonzalez, Rocco Bladelli, Billy Wagner, Nick Green
I wrote this last, because frankly I was dreading it. Boston has been busy this offseason, there is no doubt, but I really don't think they have moved forward, and might be set up for a disappointing campaign in 2010. Their rotation looks even better than it did to start last year, when we made a lot of risky gambles only needing one or two to pan out, and not only did we cash in on none of them, but our sure things like Dice-K crapped out on us as well. But it's a new year, and In Theo We Trust. He addressed our biggest problems from last year in the winter meetings, i.e. starting pitching and defense. John Lackey will join a potent staff that, if it performs up to its potential, can be the best in the majors. But what of the bullpen, which melted down in the latter half of the season like a stick of butter on the sidewalk, starting even before the all-star break? We seem to be hoping that that was just an aberration. Fine (though I am skeptical), but what of the offense? We won two long-awaited championships with the greatest hitting tandem of all time. Ownership ran half of that duo out on a rail and replaced it with Jason Bay, who, admittedly, is a sabermetrics god, with win-shares and runs created coming out of his ass. That was (almost) palatable, but now, in our third season since that second title, we have again traded down to the likes of Mike Cameron. Mike Cameron?!?! WTF, mate? Yeah yeah, Putting Cobi in left will save his body and might allow him to climb another rung up the Greatness Ladder, but seriously, is it gonna be small-ball now for the second highest-paid team in baseball? Youk and Pedey and Victor would say no, but the concerns are legitimate. Off topic a bit, but equally concerning: that clubhouse is way too tight, so Pedroia or someone needs to take on a leadership roll and loosen things up in there or that team is going nowhere. So, look for Theo to deal for a bat before the 31 July deadline, and for some dugout shenanigans to take place, or look for the Sox to sink hard and fast. I'm frankly terrified of the Yankees, and I see the Rays poised for a run, so I am gonna reluctantly place the Red Sox a painful third in the division and out of the dance. Projected Record: 84-78
Baltimore Orioles:
Acquisitions: Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Garrett Atkins
Departures: Melvin Mora, Danys Baez
With a bullpen that looks more like the cast of a Telemundo soap, I am not holding my breath on the O's turning that elusive corner and becoming a contender. They did take the offseason seriously, though, getting Kevin Millwood off Texas for some guy named Chris and another guy with no name at all. But he can only pitch every five days, and there is a lot of hope that he will somehow spread his wisdom to a shaky rotation. Again, I'm not banking on it. Their outfield can hit a bit and I like that kid Pie, who needs to give up and let us pronounce it like the delicious treat. He has game-changing speed and I think he will develop into an every-day player, giving them some options come trade deadline time if they are contending. They put a guy named Aubrey at first base this year to replace the aging Huff, who they seem to have dealt just in time, and overall are a young team with unknown potential. After all, their elder statesman, the absurdly loyal Brian Roberts, is only 32. Oh yeah, except for Tejada, who is triumphantly (perhaps) returning after a sojourn in the West. They need a few breaks, like all the small markets in the East, but if their proven guys have big years and they get some timely pitching from the homegrown talent they have been banking on forever, then maybe, just maybe, they can take fourth in the division. Projected record: 78-84
Toronto Blue Jays:
Acquisitions: Alex Gonzalez, A bunch of future Players to be Named Later, Kevin Gregg and Brandon Morrow?
Departures: Roy Halladay, Marco Scutaro, Kevin Millar
Well, they finally gave up. The Blue Jays clung to their one blue chip longer than I would have thought they would, but Roy Halladay has finally left Canada for a real chance to win and the Blue Jays have finally contented themselves with the bottom of the AL East. And that is where they will finish. At least before they could go out knowing they had a better-than-average shot of winning one out of five. He was a stopper, he was a starter, he was everything good for that staff and that team, but now he's gone. In his place is something just short of open tryouts in Spring Training for the "ace" position in Toronto's rotation. The Jays are in trouble. Their bullpen was crappy last year and will be again, their starters might be me and Alex at this point... They could hit some last year, and they will bring some of that back. Perennially inconsistent Vernon Wells only hit .260 last year, but he hit .300 the year before that, so who knows. Alex Gonzalez is a wizard at short and may have broken out at the plate with the Sox. Then again, Travis Snider came back to earth last year after a big half-season in 2008 and Encarnacion hit a little better for the Jays in 09 than he did for the Reds, but was still underwhelming by the numbers. Overall they have a few decent run producers, but no really good ones. In this division, with arms races reminiscent of the Cold War, taking as big a step back as losing Halladay without any big step forward to make up for it will land you in the basement faster than you can say Cy Young, and that's where the Jays are headed. Projected Record: 69-93
So At the end of my forseen season, you have a couple good races; one for the West, and one for the Wild Card, in which Seattle is fighting for both. The Angels outlast the Mariners in the division, but in a race that comes down to the very end the Mariners squeak out the Rays and head to the postseason. The first round would see those same Mariners obliterated by the Yankees, while the Angels go down to the White Sox in 4. The Yanks have a hard time with the Other Sox in the ALCS, but knock them off in 7 games to face… well, if it was up to me, I'd say maybe the Phils again, but its just a crime to predict a World Series rematch. We'll see what Alex says. So there ya go. The 2010 American League baseball season, done and done. No need to watch the games now, so we’ll have plenty of time for World Cup and WNBA action.
New York Yankees:
Acquisitions: Curtis Granderson, Randy Winn, Javier Vazquez
Departures: Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Brian Bruney, Chien-Ming Wang, Melky Cabrera, Jose Molina
Well, the rich just get richer, don't they. It's fine with me when it's the Sox, but not the dreaded Yanks, anything but that! But wait, have they, really? Sure, Granderson is an all-star and will take their lineup from the deadliest in baseball to the deadliester in baseball. What else can you say? They are truly bruising at the plate, even after losing Damon and Godzilla. Honestly, as long as they have Nick Swisher, the sky's the limit. Oh, you didn't know that? That’s right, Nick Swisher is the key to this team. He is what changed the culture in that clubhouse and forced them to have fun again. Last year was totally fucked because of the stark role reversal of the two big dogs of the decade. The Sox were a quiet, professional assortment of big names that went out and did their jobs but had no collective character, while the Yanks were all of a sudden a loose, fun-loving bunch of guys who believed in each other and played as a team. The results speak for themselves, and Nick Swisher, that goofball, eccentric, enjoyable, carefree character, is to thank. He's the Tino Martinez of the New Yankees, and I am not sure the Sox have the answer for that right now. Still, they have no fifth starter, and I stand firm on the theory that those long deals for Sabathia and Burnett will bite them in the ass. And Pettitte? How long can the HGH keep him and his huge ass going? They will also be debating the fates of Hughes and Jaba the Hutt endlessly until both of them will end up as neither great starters nor great relievers. Even so, they cut a lot of fat in the offseason, and they are so good right now that things have to break against them for them to do poorly, not the other way around. Here's hopin'. Projected Record: 100-62
Tampa Bay Angel Rays:
Acquisitions: Raphael Soriano
Departures: Gabe Gross, Greg Zaun, Akinori Iwamura
Well they dropped the Devil from their name and the dividends paid immediately, but oh how far away 2008 seems already. The 47 true Rays fans in Florida watched in horror last year as the team struggled with injuries and the free agency market (as well as some pitchers coming back to earth) and land right back in the pack. The band-wagoners deserted in kind. But all is not lost. In fact, far from it. Hell, “the pack” is the second best finish in Rays history, and they are just starting to tap some of their potential. The outfield is solid left to right, with Gabe Kapler the weak link (a roll player on the Sox for many years) but a reliable fielder and great clubhouse guy. Speed out there is unmatched with Crawford and Upton. Eva Longoria's marriage to Tony Parker has not seemed to effect her range at third nor her bat. Moving across the diamond, Bartlett and Zobrist are fiends, just hitting their stride, and Carlos Pena, well, he's still pretty friggin good, as is Navarro. Of course, defense and offense weren’t really their demise last year, it was supposedly pitching. The word on the Rays is that in 2008 outstanding starters concealed weaknesses in the bullpen, but that got exposed but good, starting with the World Series and carrying right over to the next season. I don't see it. This is a young team that played out of their mind in '08 and probably did well to finish over .500 in '09, and they keep getting better. This year the rotation doesn't look a whole lot different, but it need not. Look out for Jeff Niemann. They got a reliable closer off of Atlanta in Rafael Soriano (named after the greatest of the Ninja Turtles, good sign) and there are a lot of old faces in the pen, but some of them actually performed well last year, and with a ninth inning anchor man, they will have a chance to get in a rhythm. I mean, hell, they are in the AL East with the juggernaughts. This team is getting to where they don't need to exceed their potential to win a lot of games. Projected Record: 90-72
Boston Red Sox:
Acquisitions: John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre, Jeremy Hermida
Departures: Jason Bay, Casey Kotchman, Alex Gonzalez, Rocco Bladelli, Billy Wagner, Nick Green
I wrote this last, because frankly I was dreading it. Boston has been busy this offseason, there is no doubt, but I really don't think they have moved forward, and might be set up for a disappointing campaign in 2010. Their rotation looks even better than it did to start last year, when we made a lot of risky gambles only needing one or two to pan out, and not only did we cash in on none of them, but our sure things like Dice-K crapped out on us as well. But it's a new year, and In Theo We Trust. He addressed our biggest problems from last year in the winter meetings, i.e. starting pitching and defense. John Lackey will join a potent staff that, if it performs up to its potential, can be the best in the majors. But what of the bullpen, which melted down in the latter half of the season like a stick of butter on the sidewalk, starting even before the all-star break? We seem to be hoping that that was just an aberration. Fine (though I am skeptical), but what of the offense? We won two long-awaited championships with the greatest hitting tandem of all time. Ownership ran half of that duo out on a rail and replaced it with Jason Bay, who, admittedly, is a sabermetrics god, with win-shares and runs created coming out of his ass. That was (almost) palatable, but now, in our third season since that second title, we have again traded down to the likes of Mike Cameron. Mike Cameron?!?! WTF, mate? Yeah yeah, Putting Cobi in left will save his body and might allow him to climb another rung up the Greatness Ladder, but seriously, is it gonna be small-ball now for the second highest-paid team in baseball? Youk and Pedey and Victor would say no, but the concerns are legitimate. Off topic a bit, but equally concerning: that clubhouse is way too tight, so Pedroia or someone needs to take on a leadership roll and loosen things up in there or that team is going nowhere. So, look for Theo to deal for a bat before the 31 July deadline, and for some dugout shenanigans to take place, or look for the Sox to sink hard and fast. I'm frankly terrified of the Yankees, and I see the Rays poised for a run, so I am gonna reluctantly place the Red Sox a painful third in the division and out of the dance. Projected Record: 84-78
Baltimore Orioles:
Acquisitions: Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Garrett Atkins
Departures: Melvin Mora, Danys Baez
With a bullpen that looks more like the cast of a Telemundo soap, I am not holding my breath on the O's turning that elusive corner and becoming a contender. They did take the offseason seriously, though, getting Kevin Millwood off Texas for some guy named Chris and another guy with no name at all. But he can only pitch every five days, and there is a lot of hope that he will somehow spread his wisdom to a shaky rotation. Again, I'm not banking on it. Their outfield can hit a bit and I like that kid Pie, who needs to give up and let us pronounce it like the delicious treat. He has game-changing speed and I think he will develop into an every-day player, giving them some options come trade deadline time if they are contending. They put a guy named Aubrey at first base this year to replace the aging Huff, who they seem to have dealt just in time, and overall are a young team with unknown potential. After all, their elder statesman, the absurdly loyal Brian Roberts, is only 32. Oh yeah, except for Tejada, who is triumphantly (perhaps) returning after a sojourn in the West. They need a few breaks, like all the small markets in the East, but if their proven guys have big years and they get some timely pitching from the homegrown talent they have been banking on forever, then maybe, just maybe, they can take fourth in the division. Projected record: 78-84
Toronto Blue Jays:
Acquisitions: Alex Gonzalez, A bunch of future Players to be Named Later, Kevin Gregg and Brandon Morrow?
Departures: Roy Halladay, Marco Scutaro, Kevin Millar
Well, they finally gave up. The Blue Jays clung to their one blue chip longer than I would have thought they would, but Roy Halladay has finally left Canada for a real chance to win and the Blue Jays have finally contented themselves with the bottom of the AL East. And that is where they will finish. At least before they could go out knowing they had a better-than-average shot of winning one out of five. He was a stopper, he was a starter, he was everything good for that staff and that team, but now he's gone. In his place is something just short of open tryouts in Spring Training for the "ace" position in Toronto's rotation. The Jays are in trouble. Their bullpen was crappy last year and will be again, their starters might be me and Alex at this point... They could hit some last year, and they will bring some of that back. Perennially inconsistent Vernon Wells only hit .260 last year, but he hit .300 the year before that, so who knows. Alex Gonzalez is a wizard at short and may have broken out at the plate with the Sox. Then again, Travis Snider came back to earth last year after a big half-season in 2008 and Encarnacion hit a little better for the Jays in 09 than he did for the Reds, but was still underwhelming by the numbers. Overall they have a few decent run producers, but no really good ones. In this division, with arms races reminiscent of the Cold War, taking as big a step back as losing Halladay without any big step forward to make up for it will land you in the basement faster than you can say Cy Young, and that's where the Jays are headed. Projected Record: 69-93
So At the end of my forseen season, you have a couple good races; one for the West, and one for the Wild Card, in which Seattle is fighting for both. The Angels outlast the Mariners in the division, but in a race that comes down to the very end the Mariners squeak out the Rays and head to the postseason. The first round would see those same Mariners obliterated by the Yankees, while the Angels go down to the White Sox in 4. The Yanks have a hard time with the Other Sox in the ALCS, but knock them off in 7 games to face… well, if it was up to me, I'd say maybe the Phils again, but its just a crime to predict a World Series rematch. We'll see what Alex says. So there ya go. The 2010 American League baseball season, done and done. No need to watch the games now, so we’ll have plenty of time for World Cup and WNBA action.
AL Preview: The Sultry Central
The Central is going to get shaken up a bit this year by Ozzie and the Gang.
Chicago White Sox:
Acquisitions: Juan Pierre, J.J. Putz, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, Mark Teahen
Departures: Octavio Dotel, Chris Getz, Josh Fields, Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik
The Second City's Second Team doesn't look quite as mean at the plate this year, but they hope to do the little things well in order to succeed. Juan Pierre was a solid pickup but Alex Rios did not pay off in the latter half of last year. Their bullpen, besides Bobby Jenks, who is solid if not great, was suspect. Still, their veterans seem to be holding up (notably Pierzynski), they have mixed in a lot of young talent, and their staff, led by Peavy (who did pay off) and Buehrle could surprise us all. J.J. Putz is going to stabilize the back end of that pitching staff and prove that last year was a hiccup. They are going to give some geezers like Omar and Andruw a try too, but are deep enough not to need them and might be able to swing a trade if one or both look good in spot duty. Many of their fans are stoked to hear Ozzie say that they will no longer rely on the long ball, and they certainly are built to score in different ways. New 3B Mark Teahen embodies the new look. He's got some power, a little speed, hits for a decent average and is handy and versatile in the field (of course, Scott Podsednik hit for an even better average, though with less power, sooo...). They got younger and stronger on the mound and more balanced on offense, and I think it will pay off. If they do indeed emerge at the top of the heap, you heard it here first. I like them to overtake the Twins, who reek of a sense of entitlement, and win the division. Projected Record: 90-72
Minnesota Twins:
Acquisitions: Orlando Hudson, Jacque Jones, Jim Thome
Departures: Orlando Cabrera, Joe Crede, Mike Redmond
They have the best all-around player in baseball in Joe Mauer, as far as I am concerned, and they are the reigning division champs, but I don't like the up-in-the-air vibe the team has heading into Spring Training. To start with the positives, though, they are potent on offense, with Mauer, Morneau, and young Denard Span developing into a star. Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey are pretty good at the top of the rotation, having stepped up after Johan's departure, and Joe Nathan is a quality closer. Still, when Carl Pavano is third on your depth chart rotation, and it's not alphabetical, you have some major issues. Third base is wide open at the moment, and while I don't think Joe Crede was the answer, he was at least AN answer. Perhaps he was just one too many Joes. This team needed a furious rally and a Detroit collapse to take the division last year. Their big move was switching Orlandos (and hoping no one noticed?), but Hudson has peaked and won't produce as well in that shitty-ass dome. The Twins are looking to go deep in October, but I am doubtful. The only problem is, it is a little difficult to imagine any of these other Central teams unseating them. But in this topsy-turvy NFC South of a division, I see that, and the fact that they have more or less stood pat, as strangely bad signs. Projected Record: 84-78
Detroit Tigers:
Acquisitions: Jose Valverde, A Box of Chocolates
Departures: Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Edwin Jackson
Thanks, assholes. The Yanks win the World Series, and you let them have Curtis Granderson on top of it. Dicks. The worst part of it is that they now have gaping holes in their lineup and no way to fill them. Leyland is stumped, and they are going to need magic from the likes of rookies Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson if they are going to get anywhere. It's not just Grandy's absence either. They let a lot of talent go, most notably Placido Polanco back to Philly. I am left scratching my head over how they let all that meat get away while signing Verlander to that fat deal and claiming that they are committed to winning. Miguel Cabrera and Verlander are admittedly tying up a lot of payroll this year, but the needs are glaring on offense. Johnny Damon, if they get him, will not be the answer. Even with Verlander locked down nobody behind him is as good as Edwin Jackson, including all the guys in the Whitman's Sampler that they got for him and Granderson in that ridiculous trade. They are left hoping that someone amongst the throng of crappy and has-been pitchers on their staff can make a comeback this year, or they are toast. After that heartbreaking finish last year, they have only taken a step backwards. Thus, they take a step back in the division. Projected Record: 80-82
Kansas City Royals:
Acquisitions: Rick Ankiel, Scott Podsednik, Jason Kendall, Brian Anderson, Brad Thompson, Jorge Campillo, Chris Getz
Departures: Mike Jacobs, Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo, Jamey Wright, Mark Teahen
Oh, KC. If the best pitcher in the majors can't get you above .500, what can? They claim that their offseason acquisitions will bolster their D and allow their pitching to develop. Yeah, maybe, but how do you get a guy with a 2.16 ERA to win the 22 or so he has earned rather than the 16 he actually got? You need to hit, and I just ain't seeing the pop. They have been busy, though, doing the Dance of the Small Market Teams and bringing in a bunch of guys who are too young and a bunch of guys who are too old to see if anything sticks. Kendall is a decent catcher, but he has been fading precipitously at the plate for years. Podsednik had a good hitting year last year, but he's not enough by himself, especially if he fails to put up similar numbers, and they had to trade away one of their more consistent hitters in Teahen. Brian Anderson is a guy who might turn the corner for them if he gets a chance, and they are getting deeper on the mound, so if they do find some offense they might indeed have some pitching develop after all. But they were in the bottom third in most hitting stats last year, and the additions they have made don't come with enough beef to get them out. They will score some runs, and their defense will save some, but their season will be over by July. I do like them to hold onto fourth place, and get a couple more wins. Projected Record: 70-92
Cleveland Indians:
Acquisitions: Mark Grudzielanek, Austin Kearns, Mike Redmond, Saul Rivera
Departures: Jamey Carroll and Kelly Shoppach?
A rough season behind them, the Injuns hired Acta to manage them not back to prominence, but through the growing pains as they continue to have to throw Christians to the lions before they are ready. Masterson should not be in the rotation as a number 3 starter, but there he is. Jake Westbrook is a good number three, for instance, but he is the supposed ace. Their bullpen was atrocious last year, and it is to be determined whether the slight retooling and few bright spots from 2009 will pay dividends now. Bullpens are almost random in their production, so there's no sense worrying about who's going to catch fire and who will fizzle at this early stage. They do have some bright spots in the lineup, like Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera (best first name in the Majors, edging out Coco for the title), who both hit over .300 last year, but Grady has been slipping the last couple seasons, and they shouldn't rely too heavily on his production, no matter what he says. Bringing in some veterans to Spring Training might motivate some of their younger guys and learn 'em a thing or two, but I don't expect to see Kearns, Redmond or Mark G on the field a whole lot during the season. In the end, the Indians will fall victim to one of the cardinal rules of prognostication, and that is never bet on the team with Kerry Wood. Projected Record: 66-96
Chicago White Sox:
Acquisitions: Juan Pierre, J.J. Putz, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, Mark Teahen
Departures: Octavio Dotel, Chris Getz, Josh Fields, Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik
The Second City's Second Team doesn't look quite as mean at the plate this year, but they hope to do the little things well in order to succeed. Juan Pierre was a solid pickup but Alex Rios did not pay off in the latter half of last year. Their bullpen, besides Bobby Jenks, who is solid if not great, was suspect. Still, their veterans seem to be holding up (notably Pierzynski), they have mixed in a lot of young talent, and their staff, led by Peavy (who did pay off) and Buehrle could surprise us all. J.J. Putz is going to stabilize the back end of that pitching staff and prove that last year was a hiccup. They are going to give some geezers like Omar and Andruw a try too, but are deep enough not to need them and might be able to swing a trade if one or both look good in spot duty. Many of their fans are stoked to hear Ozzie say that they will no longer rely on the long ball, and they certainly are built to score in different ways. New 3B Mark Teahen embodies the new look. He's got some power, a little speed, hits for a decent average and is handy and versatile in the field (of course, Scott Podsednik hit for an even better average, though with less power, sooo...). They got younger and stronger on the mound and more balanced on offense, and I think it will pay off. If they do indeed emerge at the top of the heap, you heard it here first. I like them to overtake the Twins, who reek of a sense of entitlement, and win the division. Projected Record: 90-72
Minnesota Twins:
Acquisitions: Orlando Hudson, Jacque Jones, Jim Thome
Departures: Orlando Cabrera, Joe Crede, Mike Redmond
They have the best all-around player in baseball in Joe Mauer, as far as I am concerned, and they are the reigning division champs, but I don't like the up-in-the-air vibe the team has heading into Spring Training. To start with the positives, though, they are potent on offense, with Mauer, Morneau, and young Denard Span developing into a star. Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey are pretty good at the top of the rotation, having stepped up after Johan's departure, and Joe Nathan is a quality closer. Still, when Carl Pavano is third on your depth chart rotation, and it's not alphabetical, you have some major issues. Third base is wide open at the moment, and while I don't think Joe Crede was the answer, he was at least AN answer. Perhaps he was just one too many Joes. This team needed a furious rally and a Detroit collapse to take the division last year. Their big move was switching Orlandos (and hoping no one noticed?), but Hudson has peaked and won't produce as well in that shitty-ass dome. The Twins are looking to go deep in October, but I am doubtful. The only problem is, it is a little difficult to imagine any of these other Central teams unseating them. But in this topsy-turvy NFC South of a division, I see that, and the fact that they have more or less stood pat, as strangely bad signs. Projected Record: 84-78
Detroit Tigers:
Acquisitions: Jose Valverde, A Box of Chocolates
Departures: Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Edwin Jackson
Thanks, assholes. The Yanks win the World Series, and you let them have Curtis Granderson on top of it. Dicks. The worst part of it is that they now have gaping holes in their lineup and no way to fill them. Leyland is stumped, and they are going to need magic from the likes of rookies Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson if they are going to get anywhere. It's not just Grandy's absence either. They let a lot of talent go, most notably Placido Polanco back to Philly. I am left scratching my head over how they let all that meat get away while signing Verlander to that fat deal and claiming that they are committed to winning. Miguel Cabrera and Verlander are admittedly tying up a lot of payroll this year, but the needs are glaring on offense. Johnny Damon, if they get him, will not be the answer. Even with Verlander locked down nobody behind him is as good as Edwin Jackson, including all the guys in the Whitman's Sampler that they got for him and Granderson in that ridiculous trade. They are left hoping that someone amongst the throng of crappy and has-been pitchers on their staff can make a comeback this year, or they are toast. After that heartbreaking finish last year, they have only taken a step backwards. Thus, they take a step back in the division. Projected Record: 80-82
Kansas City Royals:
Acquisitions: Rick Ankiel, Scott Podsednik, Jason Kendall, Brian Anderson, Brad Thompson, Jorge Campillo, Chris Getz
Departures: Mike Jacobs, Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo, Jamey Wright, Mark Teahen
Oh, KC. If the best pitcher in the majors can't get you above .500, what can? They claim that their offseason acquisitions will bolster their D and allow their pitching to develop. Yeah, maybe, but how do you get a guy with a 2.16 ERA to win the 22 or so he has earned rather than the 16 he actually got? You need to hit, and I just ain't seeing the pop. They have been busy, though, doing the Dance of the Small Market Teams and bringing in a bunch of guys who are too young and a bunch of guys who are too old to see if anything sticks. Kendall is a decent catcher, but he has been fading precipitously at the plate for years. Podsednik had a good hitting year last year, but he's not enough by himself, especially if he fails to put up similar numbers, and they had to trade away one of their more consistent hitters in Teahen. Brian Anderson is a guy who might turn the corner for them if he gets a chance, and they are getting deeper on the mound, so if they do find some offense they might indeed have some pitching develop after all. But they were in the bottom third in most hitting stats last year, and the additions they have made don't come with enough beef to get them out. They will score some runs, and their defense will save some, but their season will be over by July. I do like them to hold onto fourth place, and get a couple more wins. Projected Record: 70-92
Cleveland Indians:
Acquisitions: Mark Grudzielanek, Austin Kearns, Mike Redmond, Saul Rivera
Departures: Jamey Carroll and Kelly Shoppach?
A rough season behind them, the Injuns hired Acta to manage them not back to prominence, but through the growing pains as they continue to have to throw Christians to the lions before they are ready. Masterson should not be in the rotation as a number 3 starter, but there he is. Jake Westbrook is a good number three, for instance, but he is the supposed ace. Their bullpen was atrocious last year, and it is to be determined whether the slight retooling and few bright spots from 2009 will pay dividends now. Bullpens are almost random in their production, so there's no sense worrying about who's going to catch fire and who will fizzle at this early stage. They do have some bright spots in the lineup, like Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera (best first name in the Majors, edging out Coco for the title), who both hit over .300 last year, but Grady has been slipping the last couple seasons, and they shouldn't rely too heavily on his production, no matter what he says. Bringing in some veterans to Spring Training might motivate some of their younger guys and learn 'em a thing or two, but I don't expect to see Kearns, Redmond or Mark G on the field a whole lot during the season. In the end, the Indians will fall victim to one of the cardinal rules of prognostication, and that is never bet on the team with Kerry Wood. Projected Record: 66-96
2010 AL Preview: The Wild West
Since we will be avoiding football talk for a little while seeing as how both of us got our hearts stove in pretty well in the last five weeks or so, the time has come for a look into the baseball season. Pitchers and catchers will be reporting starting next week, and excitement is running high for a lot of teams. Personally, I’m ready for the season to start. Somehow I think this winter holds little promise for the Bs or Cs or Noles. Though curling is about to start… So here goes nothing. I'll do this by division, in the predicted order of finish, with key (according to me) acquisitions and departures listed. We'll start in the West where good offseasons have a couple teams eyeballing October already.
The Wild West:
Los Angeles
Acquisitions: Joel Piniero, Hideki Matsui, Brian Stokes
Departures: Vlad Guerrero, John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Gary Matthews
First, I find their name switcharoo gay. WasAnaheim
Seattle
Acquisitions: Chone Figgins, Ryan Garko, Eric Byrnes, Casey Kotchman
Departures: Miguel Batista, Adrian Beltre, Mike Sweeney, Kenji Johjima
The New Home of Chode Figgins (whom I actually like, except his name). Him and Ichiro on the same team? Their OBS is going to be insane, and maybe even lead to some runs being scored in cavernous Safeco. This team should always be better than it is, but they have been steadily collecting the pieces for a run, and maybe this is the year they prove to have enough. King Felix needs to put that staff on his back and prove that he is more than sexy numbers. He has the goods to win in October, and he needs to show some leadership and get them there. With seasoned Cliff Lee next to him in the rotation (who they somehow got for a Hardee's Thickburger), hopefully he'll get the push he needs. That has got to be the best one-two punch in the West, perhaps even in the League. There are a lot of options behind them, though a lot of question marks (Chad Cordero? for instance), but the two guys at the top have big shoulders. Combine that with some young talent and the good karma of having Junior Griffey in the DH slot, and you got yourself a ball club. Unfortunately, every year these guys look good and are a popular pick to win the division. Personally, I'm not going down that road, thanks in part to the presence of underachieving Kotchman starting at first and criminally insane Milton Bradley in left. I say they take second in the Wild West, but I think they make a race of it, and there may be a consolation prize at the end. And there's always an outside chance that I could be wrong and they pull it off. I wouldn't be too surprised. Projected Record: 91-71
Texas
Acquisitions: Colby Lewis, Vladimir Guerrero, Rich Harden
Departures: Kevin Millwood, Hank Blalock
My boy Alex'sAL
Oakland
Acquisitions: Gabe Gross, Ben Sheets, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Jack Cust,Coco Crisp
Departures: Scott Hairston, Jeff Gray, Nomar Garciaparra, Bobby Crosby, Adam Kennedy
The story inOakland 0.60 in limited action in 2008 but didn't pitch at all last year, are all coming off injuries. Strangely, with all this going on, Nomar, Bobby Crosby, and Adam Kennedy were all allowed to leave the geriatric convention. It is going to be a lot of new faces this year, and admittedly there is some young, healthy talent mixed in, but they didn't really land any difference makers. Overall there is not a whole lot of certainty in the pitching staff and not a whole lot of strength in the lineup, and while I wish Coco well, I can't see these guys winning a whole lot of games in a retooled and competitive West. Their bullpen was good last year (3rd overall ERA) but they traded away one of their better young arms in Jeff Gray and with that dodgy rotation I don't think it will matter this year even if they are that good again. In fact, I bet they end up dealing their young gun Andrew Bailey before the deadline, because crappy teams don't need closers. Projected Record: 69-93
The Wild West:
Acquisitions: Joel Piniero, Hideki Matsui, Brian Stokes
Departures: Vlad Guerrero, John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Gary Matthews
First, I find their name switcharoo gay. Was
Acquisitions: Chone Figgins, Ryan Garko, Eric Byrnes, Casey Kotchman
Departures: Miguel Batista, Adrian Beltre, Mike Sweeney, Kenji Johjima
The New Home of Chode Figgins (whom I actually like, except his name). Him and Ichiro on the same team? Their OBS is going to be insane, and maybe even lead to some runs being scored in cavernous Safeco. This team should always be better than it is, but they have been steadily collecting the pieces for a run, and maybe this is the year they prove to have enough. King Felix needs to put that staff on his back and prove that he is more than sexy numbers. He has the goods to win in October, and he needs to show some leadership and get them there. With seasoned Cliff Lee next to him in the rotation (who they somehow got for a Hardee's Thickburger), hopefully he'll get the push he needs. That has got to be the best one-two punch in the West, perhaps even in the League. There are a lot of options behind them, though a lot of question marks (Chad Cordero? for instance), but the two guys at the top have big shoulders. Combine that with some young talent and the good karma of having Junior Griffey in the DH slot, and you got yourself a ball club. Unfortunately, every year these guys look good and are a popular pick to win the division. Personally, I'm not going down that road, thanks in part to the presence of underachieving Kotchman starting at first and criminally insane Milton Bradley in left. I say they take second in the Wild West, but I think they make a race of it, and there may be a consolation prize at the end. And there's always an outside chance that I could be wrong and they pull it off. I wouldn't be too surprised. Projected Record: 91-71
Acquisitions: Colby Lewis, Vladimir Guerrero, Rich Harden
Departures: Kevin Millwood, Hank Blalock
My boy Alex's
Acquisitions: Gabe Gross, Ben Sheets, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Jack Cust,
Departures: Scott Hairston, Jeff Gray, Nomar Garciaparra, Bobby Crosby, Adam Kennedy
The story in
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