Predictions '09: New York Mets

New York Mets: When will it be the Mets’ year. The Yankees have dominated the New York post season history since the beginning of the game. Finally the Mets got a team that could compete, a few years ago! This is a team that continually falls apart either in the playoffs or at the end of the season. But one of these years, they’ll make it. So I can’t bet against them. The odds would be against me. But they do have some healthy competition with the Phillies and wins against the Marlins and Braves won’t come easy.

Highlights: Johan Santana did quite well in a new league. There were skeptics at the start of last season but he proved them wrong by dominating the NL with a 2.53 era. Look for him to pitch his way further into history. He’s also a star for your FANTASY team.

Question Mark: Will the team be able to overcome their late season woes or will it just be another tease for New York fans? This is a question that will continue to haunt the Mets Management until they actually pull it together and get some pound and a half diamond-studded rings.

Key to Success: Going into the off season, the biggest question about the team was their bullpen. Although they had an allstar caliber closer in Billy Wagner, their bullpen still had some holes. So what did GM Omar Minaya do, just get two of the best relievers in the game. Fancisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz will more than help the Mets bullpen. They might have the most dominant 1-2 punch at the end of the game. Not to mention Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano, and Darren O’Day whom any team would like to have. Just this fact alone should give the Mets a handful more wins and may catapult them into late October.

Prediction: 1st Place

Predictions '09: Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies: The National League East should come down to the Mets and the Phils. The reigning World Champions have basically the same team as they did last season. Obviously, they won the big game, and should compete again. Cole Hamels grew into the Ace that he was meant to be. Utley, Howard, and Rollins all had great seasons even if there were a couple humps along the way. Brad Lidge has closed out 51 straight save opportunities and will be almost a sure bet this season. All of these aspects make me conclude that the team that stole part of my name will be back in October. But maybe as the Wild Card this time around.

Highlights: A solid lineup top to bottom is something that the Phills should be proud of. The loss of Pat Burrell would have been felt had they not picked up a man with 338 RBIs over the past 3 seasons. That man is one of the most underrated players in the game. That’s because he’s been stuck in the NorthWest corner of our country. Raul Ibanez should be a solid addition to an already praise-worthy team.
Question Mark: Jamie Moyer has been one of the best pitchers in the game over the past two decades. At 46 years old, everyone, and most importantly the Phillies are counting on him to be the consistent pitcher he has always been. But he is 46. He joins the ranks of Nolan Ryan and Phil Neikro in old pitchers territory. I’m rooting for him, heck he’s older than my mom. There ain’t many players like that anymore.

Key to Success: I can’t really give a key to success to a team that won the World Series and comes back with arguably a better ballclub. So all I’ll say is keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy the happiness that Philadelphia sports fans finally have!

Prediction: 2nd Place

Predictions '09: Florida Marlins

This is a team that always seems to surprise me. Every other year, they seem to make some noise for the other NL East teams. Last season they were contending well into the late summer months. A young stable of stars and one of the best players in the game (Hanley Ramirez) will lead the fish in front of their 100 or so fans.

Highlights: Hanley Ramirez is on everyone’s top Fantasy picks list. He is almost a sure 33 home runs and 35 stolen bases. He is one of the biggest catalysts of the game. Now Fantasy Baseball is just that… a fantasy. But Hanley is the Real Deal for the Fish.

Question Mark: The lineup is strong, the rotation is iffy. Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad,Anibal Sanchez, and Andrew Sanchez are all super young and don’t have that much experience. Together, they have less than Jamie Moyer of their rival Phillies. This can’t help. But maybe Sanchez can throw a couple more no-hitters.

Key to Success: The Marlin’s bench is one of the strongest in the league. Alfredo Amezaga may be the best utility man in the game. Dallas McPherson hit 42 home runs last year. This was most in the minors. The Angels gave up on him because of injuries, I doubt the Marlins will.

Prediction: 3rd Place

Predictions '09: Atlanta Braves

Let us see what Bobby Cox does with an Atlanta team that hasn’t made the playoffs for the past 3 years. A few acquisitions over the past half-year should improve their chances. Casey Kotchman helped last season and should step up a little bit in 2009. Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez should improve a young rotation missing all of the ‘90s dominance. Chipper Jones had a great season last year batting .364. He won’t hit that high, but expect more than 3 hits in 10 at bats from him. Cox is a great manager. Management trusts him to win some ball games. But I feel like its going to be the battle for third place (with the Marlins) behind the Mets and Phillies.
Highlights: Jair Jurrjens had 13 wins, 188.1 innings, and 139 strikeouts last year as a rookie. All of these led the team. As their third starter, he’ll be a wonderful asset behind Lowe and Vazquez.

Question Mark: Jeff Francoeur was supposed to be the new face of the ball club. High expectations were met a couple years ago. But last season, his numbers dropped to .239/11 homeruns. If his face is going to be on all the team store’s rally towels, back packs, and souvenir clappers, he’s going to have to pick it up this year.

Key to Success: The Braves outfielders hit a total of 27 home runs last season, fewest for an NL team since 1994. Jeff Francoer, Matt Diaz, and Josh Anderson are the 6, 7, and 8 hitters. Now I’m not saying that they have to start swinging for the fences, but they will have to start making nice contact. The rest of the line up is pretty solid. So with them and a solid rotation, Cox may make it back to the playoffs… righhhhttttt.

Prediction: 4th Place

Predictions '09: Washington Nationals

I feel almost as bad for Nationals fans as I did for the Devil Rays fans, prior to last year. The problem, I’m going to continue feeling bad for the Nationals because there is no way that they are going to be the Cinderella story of ’08. They might have a chance to win more than their pitiful 59 from last season. But that’s only if their young team can put together some hits, runs, strikeouts, solid defense, decent pitching, and hold their lead. Not an easy task for a team whose star 14 homeruns and drove in 51. But we’ll see, I’m just advising as to not hold your breath.

Highlights: The additions of Josh Willingham from the Florida Marlins and Daniel Cabrera could prove to be great signings. Josh could be one of their better offensive threats. If Daniel Cabrera shapes up his shaky career, he could win 15 games. Anything would help the Nats and their fans.

Question Mark: John Lannan leads a rotation of youngins. He had a 3.91 era but lost 15 while winning 9 last year. If the bullpen can hold his leads, his record might flip around. But again, this is another IF. After him comes Scott Olsen, Collin Balester, Jordan Zimmermann, and Cabrera. None of whom won double digit games last year.

KEYSSSS to Success: The young National players have to prove themselves. Lastings Milledge, Ryan Zimmerman, Nick Johnson, and Elijah Dukes were or are highly touted prospects at sometime in their career. All of them could be future stars. Maybe if the Nationals can hold onto them for another 3 years, they’ll be able to grow together and win a few ball games.

Prediction: 5th Place

Predictions '09: Chicago White Sox

The White Sox almost collapsed at the end of the 2008 season when the Twins swept them in a 3-game series near the end of September. A 1-game playoff to break the AL Central tie resulted in a close 1-0 White Sox victory over the Twins, propelling them into the playoffs. Last year the White Sox relied on solid pitching from the top three in their starting rotation (Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Gavin Floyd) and solid hitting from some newcomers in their lineup (Carlos Quentin and Alexei Ramirez). Given that the starting rotation's top three put up solid numbers this season, the White Sox look good. The number 4 & 5 starters were projected to be Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon, but that could look differently as the two are coming back from injuries. As for the lineup, it has power in the middle but is starting to look aged. Thome, Konerko, and Dye aren't getting any younger but will put up good numbers. White Sox faithful are banking on another excellent year from Carlos Quentin. The bullpen will be anchored by one of the best: Bobby Jenks.

Highlights: Carlos Quentin came out of NOWHERE and powered their lineup, belting 36 HRs and 100 RBIs in 130 games. John Danks and Gavin Floyd improved drastically and gave them two solid starters at the top of the rotation.

Question Mark: The White Sox have ABSOLUTELY NO LEADOFF MAN. That is a huge problem, something that could potentially cause them to self-destruct. CF Jerry Owens is the projected leadoff guy, a guy with good speed but a poor career .321 OBP. Also, Gavin Floyd could get rocked this year. His opponent batting average last year was .309 and he gave up 30 HRs.

Keys to Success: Carlos Quentin needs to make sure he doesn't break his wrist with another bonehead smack of the bat. They need his bat to produce this year.

Prediction: 2nd place

Predictions '09: Cleveland Indians

Lets face it, last year was a bust for the Cleveland Indians. Expected to compete for the AL Central title last year, the Indians started 2008 terribly. They managed to pick themselves up at the end and finish with an even 81-81 record, good enough for a 3rd place finish and 7.5 games back of the 1st place White Sox. This year the Indians will rely on a potent lineup and a deep bullpen to win them games. Mark DeRosa comes in as their new 3rd baseman and Kerry Wood was signed to be their new closer, a position that has been almost nonexistent in recent years. The starting rotation features reigning Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee. Fausto Carmona dealt with the injury bug last year, but expects to bounce back with another impressive season similar to 2007 (19-8/3.07 ERA/215 IP). The rest of the rotation is troublesome. Jake Westbrook had Tommy John surgery and is out until at least midseason. Jeremy Sowers, Anthony Reyes, and Aaron Laffey are expected to round out the rotation, with Carl Pavano and others fighting for a chance to break in. Going back to the lineup, the leadoff man will be All-Star CF Grady Sizemore, a 5-tool player with MVP ability. Travis Hafner has been plagued with injuries in his career, but he will be given another chance as the team's DH. Victor Martinez, Kelly Shoppach, Jhonny Peralta, and Ryan Garko are expected to bring even more offensive prowess to this deep lineup. Something to watch for: Matt LaPorta, the top prospect they got in the C.C. Sabathia trade to the Brewers, will be fighting for at-bats and could emerge as a surprise contributor.

Highlights: Grady Sizemore will once again flash his amazing ability, given that he stays healthy. This guy will be their leadoff man, but could be a number 3 or 4 hitter for any club. Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona are two very good pitchers at the top of the rotation.

Question Mark: The starting rotation falls off after Lee and Carmona. The number 3,4, and 5 pitchers will need to be very good in order for the Indians to compete. Who will step up with an unexpected good season? The injury bug has also plagued this team, and injuries to Sizemore, Peralta, Martinez, or Kerry Wood could self-destruct their efforts to rise to the top.

Keys to Success: The bullpen will be called upon often to hold leads, and its a good thing they have a deep and talented bullpen. Kerry Wood will be their new closer, a role he found success in with the Cubs last year.

Prediction: 3rd place