by Amaury Pi Gonzalez
MESA AZ–Here’s how the 2015 season will should look at the end of the season and my predictions and why they will finish with team analysis.
American League(West)
1-Los Angeles Angels
2-Seattle Mariners
3-Oakland Athletics
4-Texas Rangers
5-Houston Astros
1-Angels to win again, because they have been there and know how to win. The Mariners(below)have great talent, but they have not won with the new look team yet. Last season, they lost their best pitcher to injury, Garrett Richards with a 13-4 and 2.61 lasted until around mid season when he injured his left knee. Richards underwent successful surgery and he could be pitching in late April or early March. Jered Weaver still their #1, won 18 lost 9 with 3.59 ERA, 213 1/3 inning pitched. C.J Wilson #2 in rotation, lefty veteran needs a comeback season(13-10 4.51 in 31 starts. Since acquiring closer Huston Street from the Padres last season, they added some good pieces to a very nice bullpen. They also had a sub par season for often injured slugger Josh Hamilton, but MVP Mike Trout, and Albert Pujols carried the offense as they won 98 games(most in MLB). My underrated player is lead off hitter and right fielder Kole Calhoun, he works the pitchers, understand the strike zone, gets on base for the big guns of Trout and Pujols. They need a better season from third-baseman David Freese, but they should score plenty of runs again. Second-baseman Howie Kendrick went to the Dodgers during the winter and that is the only position that was not totally decided at the start of Spring Training. Matt Joyce, who was acquired from Tampa Bay will play left field for Hamilton, until he returns after a suspension. The Angels led everybody in runs scored. Mike Scioscia is the longest tenured manager in the majors with one team. 2015 is his 16 consecutive season as the skipper of the Los Angeles Angels.
2-Seattle Mariners. If the Angels do not repeat as divisional winners, Seattle is poised to take over. Great starters, solid bullpen, they signed slugger Nelson Cruz who with the Orioles last year led both leagues with 40 home runs, hitting a hard .271 and driving in 108 runs. He will make one of the best one-two power combinations in baseball, with his Dominican compatriot Robinson Canó. With one of the best pitchers in the game in Félix Hernández, which I consider the best pitcher in the league, and a serious Cy Young contender every season, the Mariners were the most improved team in this division and they should be in the playoffs.On paper you can make a case that the Mariners are the team to beat, but I believe a lot in team chemistry, and we have to see if the Dominican duo, of Canó and Cruz, plus others, can really produce a winner. They should be in the playoffs, this is one very important year for the Mariners, they have finally addressed the power shortage, and with a solid rotation and bullpen, they will contend. If they do not, that would be a huge disappointment in Rain City.
3-Oakland Athletics. Billy Beane signed Billy Butler(I think he liked the initials) to a three year $30 million contract as a free-agent in November 2014, just a few weeks after Butler’s team, Kansas City lost the World Series. After the acquisition of Butler, Beane went to work and most of the core of players that took the team to the playoffs are gone. Donaldson, Lester, Samardzija, Norris, Moss, Lowrie, Hammel, Gregerson, Callaspo, Punto. The Athletics are like a new Broadway show, opening with a new cast. The new A’s are Butler,Zobrist,Davis and other not as well known names (they got in return on some of these trades)like pitchers Kendall Graveman and Jesse Hahn, among others. Sonny Gray is one of the best young pitchers in the game, the team #1, followed by veteran Scott Kazmir. Do not think they are going to hit much, Billy Beane has a habit of finding young pitchers that can pitch in the show,and veterans that re-invent themselves at Oakland, so for that reason I pick them to finish third. Also like Brandon Moss, who revived his career in Oakland, Ike Davis could do the same and comeback to the same form as a few years ago, as a productive slugger with the New York Met. But I cannot, in good conscience, pick them over the Angels or Mariners. Many are picking Oakland for fourth place, so I believe my pick is reasonable. Last but not least. Bob Melvin is one of the best managers in the game, has led the A’s to three consecutive postseason appearances.The team is not moving to San José, so they will have to make the best out of playing at the Oakland Coliseum, the place where they have won four World Series, but infamous now because of the well known problems,specially the dated 1960’s structure and “Mount Davis”in center-field. The fans are very far away from the field, and that for me(surely not for the pitchers)has always been my pet peeve, not really fan friendly.They needed something to talk about to begin the season, and they have it this year, as fans will enjoy a sensational new Daktronics LED display scoreboard, 36 feet tall and 145 feet wide, each larger than the scoreboard at AT&T Park, a 5,220 square foot display, which ranks #12 among all scoreboards in Major League Baseball. The most maligned Coliseum needed something to talk about, and the new scoreboard is a good start, to distract us from the plumbing issues. The A’s winning ways have steadily increased their year to year attendance. A good start for them this season is very important, and one of the best things for this team is BART, next to the facility, always bringing lots of the green an gold.
4-Texas Ranges. Snake bitten club the past few years. Lost their ace Yu Darvish for the whole season(Tommy John surgery). This team was a traveling hospital in 2014, it is a sad thing what has happened to this team which not long ago won two pennants and lost two World Series. Leaving during the winter were: Alexi Ogando(pitcher),J.P Arenciba(catcher), Alex Rios(outfielder)and Luis Sardiñas(shortstop). Among the new faces this season: Their best acquisition pitcher Yovani Gallardo, who shall give them between 30 to 36 starts, and previously was in the Milwaukee Brewers rotation. Also pitchers Ross Detwiler and Kyuji Fujikawa, outfielder Delino DeShields and veteran back-up catcher of the Houston Astros Carlos Corporan. The offense could be very respectable, but their pitching is not there. Left side of the infield still solid, with Adrian Beltre at third base, and Elvis Andrus at shortstop. A healthy(from the beginning)Prince Fielder would make the fans in Texas still want to root for their team. However, it could be a long hot summer in Texas this season.
5-Houston Astros. One of the best pitchers in baseball works there. Lefty Dallas Keuchel 12-9 2.95 with 29 games started, and five complete games, he has nasty stuff and can beat anybody. Their second baseman José Altuve won the batting crown last season, leading the American League with a .341 average, the 5’6” lead off man played in 158 games, he is the MVP of the team and one of the good guys in the game. George Springer and Jon Singleton are future stars. .
The offense could be respectable, but their starting pitching is not there yet, and their bullpen is questionable. Last year veteran Chad Qualls led the team with 19 saves. Eye on Chris Carter, his power is noticeable with 37 home runs and 88 runs batted in last season.
The Astros will be better, but not better to leave the cellar this season. Yes Houston, we still have a problem.
American League(Central)
1-Detroit Tigers
2-Chicago White Sox
3-Cleveland Indians
4-Kansas City Royals
5-Minnesota Twins
1-Detroit Tigers. I know, the Chicago White Sox were the most improved team at the Winter Meetings in San Diego, but I still pick the Tigers to win this division again. Price,Verlander,Sánchez(they lost Max Scherzer now with the Nationals)but also acquired starter Alfredo Simon from the Reds. Miguel Cabrera will play, and that is great news for the Tigers, because he is the best proven hitter in baseball. Yoenis Céspedes is going to hit at Comerica Park and so J.D.Martínez, Ian Kinsler. Soft handed and quick shortstop José Iglesias is back. I still like the Tigers to repeat as divisional winners. Veteran Joe Nathan(35 saves) is their “official”closer at the start of the season, but if he has problems, he could lose that position in a hurry, they have good young and strong arms in the minors like Dominican reliever José Valdez. Experienced Joakim Soria is also part of that bullpen. The Tigers want to win this year, Miggy is towards the end of his career, with one leg as a DH he is more dangerous that most hitters with two good legs, but they lost some very good pieces in the winter, like Torii Hunter, Rick Porcello,and Max Scherzer. They should feel the steps of an up-coming White Sox team, but I think they can with the division again. How far could they advance in the playoffs, that is the real question.
2-Chicago White Sox. Same story here as with the Angels and the Mariners in the western division. This White Sox team, on paper is as good as the Tigers., But, can they do it? Can they go from penultimate place to first in one year? Chris Sale should just miss a couple of starts,he is one of the best pitches in the game, and that is very good news for them. They overhauled this team in the winter, now they have lots of proven talent like, Jeff Samardzija, Melky Cabrera, David Robertson, Adam LaRoche, Zach Duke, Emilio Bonifacio and others. I still like the Tigers experience, year after year, and that is the main reason I picked them again. White Sox at least, should make it to the playoff, and maybe dethrone the Tigers. José Abreu the Rookie of the Year is the real thing. There is excitement on the south side of Chicago. They are dedicating this season to the great Orestes Saturnino(Minnie)Miñoso number 9, who passed recently, the only man in modern times to play in the major leagues for five decades. My favorite player since my childhood days in Cuba, I saw him play in Cuba and was blessed to be able to leave Cuba and watch him play here, interviewed him and shared a game with him as he was my guess analyst in 2007 during a game with the Angels at US Cellular Field, in Chicago.
3-Cleveland Indians. Terry Francona the manager, said in Spring Training that this is the best division in baseball, he might be right. They have the Cy Young Award winner last season, Cory Kluber 19-9 2.44 ERA in 34 games, working a total of 235 2/3 innings. But for this team to finish on top of Detroit and Chicago he must have some big production from many of his players, all this same season. He finished in third place justfive games behind Detroit. They did a nice job in the winter and reloaded with players like Brandon Moss and pitchers Scott Downs,Gavin Floyd, Jeff Manship, Michael Roth, and Anthony Swarzak. Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley are the power mainstays and run producers on this team. Michael Brantley is an underrated player that had a great season in 2014 hitting .327 with 20 home runs and 97 runs batted in, while Santana needs to improve his average of .231, but it is “Oye Como Va” Santana with 27 home runs and 85 runs batted in, one of the most dangerous switch hitters in baseball. I will not be surprised if Francona guides this team to the divisional title, but all the stars have to be aligned for them.
4-Kansas City Royals.They made it to the World Series for the first time in over two decades, but I cannot see this team winning this division this season. Their dynamic bullpen still the heart and soul of this team, the fantastic three arms of Holland,Davis and Herrera. As important as relief is in today’s game, impossible to win without it, they do not have the starting rotation they need to repeat. James Shields is gone, Jason Vargas and Jeremy Guthrie stayed. Lorenzo Cain showed everybody how good he was during the World Series. They still have lots of speed, but nobody to this day,has stolen first base, Jarrod Dyson is very fast -stole 36 bases-, but must get on more often. Billy Butler and Nori Aoki are also gone from Kansas City. They picked up a couple of good veteran players in 1B/DH Kendrys Morales and outfielder Alex Ríos. Around 85 wins could be in store for them, which is not bad, last season the won the pennant and made it to the World Series winning 89 games. Last year was the perfect storm for them, but I do not think they will do it again.
5-Minnesota Twins. These are tough times for some of the best fans in baseball. In the Twin Cities these Twins that occupied the cellar with a 70-92 season, in 2014, will end there again this year.During the winter they changed more personnel than most teams. In the 1990’s they dominated this division,but that seems like 50 years ago.Paul Molitor the manager knows that “rebuilding”is the word in Minneapolis. They do not like to fire managers overnight,(Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire where managers there for decades) so Molitor will be giving the change and the players to rebuild.
American League(East)
1-Boston Red Sox
2-Toronto Blue Jays
3-New York Yankees
4-Baltimore Orioles
5-Tampa Bay Rays
1-Boston Red Sox. Can a team that finished last win the next year? Of course, in this day an era of free agency and trading players like changing underwear, I can see Red Sox Nation rising to the top again in 2015. They did not landed Jon Lester back, but I like this team this year. They also ‘wheeled and dealed’ in the winter. The equiptment manager in Boston is the busiest guy in Bean-Town. They have now Hanley Ramírez, Pablo Sandoval,RIch Porcello,Justin Masterson, Ryan Hannigan, Alexi Ogando, Robbi Ross Jr, Anthony Varvaro,Wade Miley, those are all players of proven talent. The biggest name they let go? Yoenis Céspedes. I expect starter Clay Bucholtz(8-11 5.34 last season)to have a better year as well as lefty Wade Miley, with Porcello a very good arm in that rotation. Bullpen still good, with Kuji Uehara as closer, with Edward Mujica who pitched 60 innings in relief. They will not finish last again this year. Pablo better have a good start in Fenway Park, or he will be missing AT&T Park for the whole season, Boston fans let you know what they think about you, they are not going to buy Panda hats, they want Panda to produce, period, then they will evaluate you.
2-Toronto Blue Jays. Is another team that completely changed during this past winter, 18 players left and 12 came in to play with the Jays in 2015. Josh Donaldson is one of the new faces in Canada, and he will be playing third base every game, and hitting in the middle of that lineup. You know “the regular suspects”, Bautista, Encarnación and Company. At that park and even though they lost Melky Cabrera they gained a better player and younger in Donaldson. Catcher Russell Martin was a great pick up for this team north of the border. Maybe now that Josh Donaldson plays in the east coast, he will get the respect he deserves by the national media. The Blue Jays could have the most powerful lineup in baseball, their middle of the order with Donaldson,Encarnación and Bautista have the potential(among the three)of hitting over 100 home runs and driving a ton of runs. Oh Canada! they could be back!
3-New York Yankees. Masahiro Tanaka is the key man here. he was great until he got hurt and if he can pitch the whole season, the Yankees could go places. CC Sabathia is on the way out as a great pitcher and the Cy Young he was, they lost David Robertson a great arm in the bullpen, but they expect Dellin Betances to become their strong closer at 6′ 8″ and 265 pounds, Betances can bring it, nobody could ever replace Mariano Rivera, but Betances is not a bad choice. No Derek Jeter? Yankees believe there is no problem, but trust me, there is. If Mariano was tough to replace, how can you replace Jeter? These current Yanks are not getting any younger, Carlos Beltrán enters his 17th season,one of the great sluggers from Puerto Rico, then of course Alex Rodríguez, but they are the Yankees, and they usually find a way to compete. Because he is in New York, and (like in Boston)if you lose three games in a row you are a bum, Joe Girardi seldom gets any credit. But in my humble opinion, Joe Girardi is an excellent manager, and has done and exemplary job in one of the toughest cities to manage.
4-Baltimore Orioles. This is the team of my infancy. This is the first Major League team I ever saw close and personal, when I was a ball boy for them in the 1960’s during Spring Training in the old Miami Stadium. Like your first love, this was my first team and I always wish them well. Buck Showalter was the 2014 Manager of the Year, as the O’S won 96 games and the division. Showalter is only the sixth manager in history to have won three Manager of the Manager of the Year Awards, the others are: Jimmy Leyland, Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox, Dusty Baker and Lou Piniella. But for me the great thing about Showalter is that he has won his three Manager of the Year Awards with three different teams, 1994 with the Yankees, 2004 with the Rangers and 2014 with the Orioles, Just think, to move from team to team and be able to do that? But this Orioles team minus Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis need a lot of help and if he can win this division this year, then he deserves to be named next to some of those Hall of Fame managers.
5-Tampa Bay Rays. The king is gone! The inimitable Joe Maddon, a “manager among managers” have left the Tropicana Building. For years the Devil Rays and most recent the Rays have lived on pitching and more pitching. They never seemed to score a lot, and it is weird to pick them last, but that’s what I am doing. Evan Longoria still their super star third-baseman, last season led the club again in the power categories with 22 home runs and 91 runs batted in. Aside from Longoria they have little power, will have to manufacture runs and new manager Kevin Cash will have to be as creative as possible. Jake Odorinski led the starting staff with 11 wins, while Chris Archer and Alex Cobb won 10 games each. It could be a very sad season in Tampa/St Pete. 2014 they were #29 in attendance among all 30 teams, Cleveland had the lowest attendance. Tropicana Field is not a good place to play baseball, they also have stadium issues.
National League(West)
1-Los Angeles Dodgers
2-San Diego Padres
3-San Francisco Giants
4-Arizona Diamondbakcs
5-Colorado Rockies
1-The Los Angeles Dodgers also made a lot of changes after winning the division last year with a 94-68 record. The best pitcher in the game will go out and try to win 20 games and another Cy Young for the second most expensive franchise in MLB according to FORBES financial with an estimated value of $2.4 billion, the NY Yankees are the #1 with a team value of: $3.2 billion. They will have a new middle of the infield, shortstop Jimmy Rollins who came from Philadelphia and second-baseman Howie Kendrick who just moved 35 miles north from Anaheim. These are two solid established players that should improve the Dodgers. With one of the best rotations in this division, 1-Clayton Kershaw 2-Zack Greinke,
3-Hyun-Jin Ryu(begins the season on the DL) and then 4-Brandon McCarthy who came from Arizona or Brett Anderson who was with Colorado. Their bullpen is anchored by Kenly Jensen who saved 44 games in 2014, the bridge to getting to Jensen is more complicated and their bullpen is sub-par They also picked up pitchers Chris Hatcher,Joe Weiland,Juan Nicasio. Still the Dodgers should be the team to beat. The best ever, Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully returns for his 66th season in 2015.
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2-San Diego Padres. How many times have you seen a team rebuild their whole outfield with established players over the off season? The Padres did it, with Justin Upton, Matt Kemp and Wil Myers. But wait, there is more! They went and got Athletics All Star catcher Derek Norris who posted career highs of .270 batting average with 10 homers and 55 runs batted in last season, also ex-Red Sox infielder Will Middlebrooks. The Pads have a very nice pitching staff with Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross,but their biggest acquisition was free agent James Shields, ex-ace of the American League Champion Kansas City Royals. Their biggest improvement was made to their very weak offense of last season, especially with three new outfielders all three with respectable power. Manager Bud Black seems very happy in Spring Training and this franchise is looking to do much better than the 77-85 record third place finish of 2014. If the San Diego Padres win the division, I will not be surprised.
3-San Francisco Giants. It would be difficult for me to find a manager that knows, and understands his team better than Bruce Bochy, especially the way he handles his bullpen, and it is easy to even forget that Dave Righetti is his pitching coach. The Giants however lost their most popular player,when Pablo Sandoval chose to go to Boston, even though the Giants offered him basically the same money to stay by the bay. Pablo said he felt disrespected by the Giants and he did not want to be held to a weight regimen.I wrote about this and spoke about it, the only time the Giants didn’t say anything about Pablo’s weight, was after the first game of the 2012 World Series when he hit three home runs. The Giants went out and replaced Pablo with Casey McGahee, a good player who hit .287 for the Miami Marlins with four home runs and 76 runs batted in, but -with all respects to him- he is no Panda. The Giants will open the season in Phoenix, against the Diamondbacks and Superman will be on the mound, Madison Bumgarner who was 18-10 with a 2.98 ERA and won the World Series for the team, he will be their ace, Matt Cain is coming back from elbow and right ankle surgery, Ryan Vogelsong, Tim Hudson, Jake Peavy and the always unpredictable and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. They retained Sergio Romo(23 saves)and Santiago Casilla(19 saves), Javy López an excellent lefty on lefty’ specialist for late innings.
Everything good happened to the Giants last season as they won 88 games, advanced to the postseason and won it all,for the third time in last five years. They will not have Hunter Pence to open the season, rehabbing with a left forearm fracture, and this season they will need Angel Pagan healthy, and Buster Posey at his best. Nori Aoki was a good pick up can lead off, and is serviceable in the outfield, but he will not set the world on fire. I like the Giants for third place this season. They have never been picked to win, but they have been winning on an “every two year dynasty”. They excel in even years.
4-Arizona Diamondbacks. They should move up after finishing last in 2014 with a 64-98 record. They have Dave Stewart as their new General Manager, with his old boss in Oakland, Tony LaRussa, now his boss again in Phoenix. One of their big signings was Cuban Yasmani Tomás, who will hit, but is not a very good defensive player, and that could be a challenge for this team. They also acquired right handed pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. Paul Goldschmidt is their super star, who hit for .300 with 19 home runs and 69 runs batted in. Still they have a way to go to be a real contender.Their front office has not made very good deals in recent past, hence the new management in the desert. It will be tough for them to compete for a playoff spot.
5-Colorado Rockies. Troy Tulowizki was healthy in Spring Training and that was really “Breaking News”, I was there in Spring Training, for ten days and I was surprised that CNN was not covering him. He is the franchise for that Walt Weiss team, his biggest problem is that he is never healthy, when he is, he is the best shortstop in the game and one of the best all around players in the game. They can put some runs on the scoreboard in a hurry specially at their ballpark in Denver. Their problem is pitching, they didn’t have one hurler winning ten games last year. I hate to say it, but their pitching is embarrassing. When there is no pitching, there is no hope. They will move down from fourth place, and will finish in last. Russell Base holds the record as a jockey for the most race wins in American horse-racing history, but if he rides a horse that is limping he does not win the race. Same with manager Walt Weiss, he is a very good baseball man, but he doesn’t have the horse(s)
National League(Central)
1-St Louis. The Cardinals are the class of this division. Bad luck during the playoffs last season as they lost their best player, catcher Yadier Molina to an injury which prevented them from advancing. Usually this organization is not big on signing free agents, they are very conservative and many of their talent is home grown. They have some new faces in 2015, like pitchers Carlos Villanueva, Jordan Walden and Matt Belisle. The Cards strength is on their pitching, headed by 20-game winner Adam Wainwright, also veteran John Lackey, Lance Lynn. Their closer is Ken Rosenthal(45 saves). Matt Holiday had a nice season in 2014 with 20 home runs and 90 runs batted in, Jhonny Peralta 21 homers 75 runs batted in. They are a team, not known for power, so they also acquired slugger Mark Reynolds who hit 22 home runs with Milwaukee but only drove in 45 runs, strike outs are always plentiful for the free swinger 122 strikeouts in 378 at bats(around one strike out per every three at bats), the Cardinals expect him to be more productive, but for Reynolds it might be too late, he will always be that type of ‘home run or strike out’ type of player. The word leader is overused in baseball, but not in the case of Yadier Molina the best catcher in the game, who like previously mentioned was hurt(most costly in the playoffs against the Giants) also,Molina only played 110 games during the regular season, he is the true leader of this team, and the way he works with pitchers is invaluable. I like the Cardinals to repeat in 2015. They won 90 games last season, they should win at least that many this year. Manager Mike Matheny at the helm, took over from Tony LaRussa a few years ago, Matheny is good and very disciplined, good fit for this team.
2-Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates finished just 2 games behind the Cardinals last year and I believe they will be about the same this season. The fight on this team comes from their manager Clint Hurdle and of course their always MVP contender and previous winner Andrew McCutchen, a consistent all-around player, last season .314 25 home runs and 83 runs batted in, Neil Walker born in Pittsburgh also with a good season 23 homers and 73 batted in, Pedro Alvarez always contributes with his power 18 bombs and 56 runs batted in, Alvarez stopped only by injuries -he has done much better in the past. An interesting player for them is the best hitter in Korean Jon Ho Kang who in 2014 was everything in the Korean league, he hit .356 with 40 home runs and 117 runs batted in, but might start the season in their minor league system. The Bucs can hit, but their pitching (not bad) still not as good as the Cardinals. Gerrit Cole 11-5, 3.65 started 22 games is their #1, Francisco Liriano 7-10, 3.38 in 29 starts, Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke. They also acquired veteran A.J Burnett from the Phillies. They will be on the race. A wild card is a very good possibility.
3-Chicago Cubs. They finished last. But the front office has been very active. The signing of Jon Lester was key, a true ace in the sense of the word, Lester could do nothing but help this team filled with young talent. Other new faces: catcher Miguel Montero, outfielders Dexter Fowler and Chris Denorfia, pitcher Jason Hammel . The upside of this franchise is the great amount of young talented players; Jorge Soler is one of those very gifted guys, from Cuba, who could be a formidable player for many years. These young players coming, mixed with young established guys like Anthony Rizzo, .286, 32 home runs 78 runs batted in(note:these numbers with a last place team in 2014)something special its happening in the Windy City. The Cubs are one of those fascinating teams to follow. They will not win the World Series this year, but if they keep making the right moves, they could reach that goal in two to three years. Starlin Castro, the still young shortstop is one of those guys with all the talent in the world. Interesting team, I pick them to finish third this season and that should be excellent news for Cubs fans, they’ll take it! They have the most creative manager in the game, Joe Maddon will be their skipper for the first time.
4-Cincinnati Reds. They had a 76-86 season. Cincinnatti will host the 2015 All Star Game. The oldest franchise in the game welcomes all the hype to their city for the mid-summer classic. Dominican Johnny Cueto was runner-up to Clayton Kershaw for Cy Young, with a 20-9 2.25 ERA in 34 games started, 4 complete games; but then after Cueto there is some distance, Mike Leake, Johnny Cingrani and company. In the land of the great Johnny Bench, this Reds team has something not many teams have these days, a catcher than can really hit, Devin Mesoraco, .273 with 25 homers and 80 runs batted in. Catching is one of the weakest positions in baseball these days. Johnny Cueto might need an even better season to keep this team in any type of a race.Mike Leake is not a bad pitcher 11-13, 3.70 in 214 innings. They still need more pitching.
5-Milwaukee Brewers. For starters, they lost Yovani Gallardo during the off season, the Mexican-born Gallardo is a much better pitcher than his stats from last season 8-11 3.51 in 32 games started and 192 1/3 innings pitched, he is now starting for the pitch-challenged Texas Rangers. This Brewers team won 82 and lost 80 last season, Ryan Braun, Carlos Gómez are the big power guys and Chris Davis who hit 22 homers and drove 69 runs. They acquired veteran outfielder Marlon Bird who with the Phillies hit 25 homers and drove in 85 runs.Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier are steady in the lineup. They need a healthy Joey Voto who was hurt playing in only 62 games, yet he hit .255 with 23 home runs and 47 RBI. Kyle Lohse 13-9 3.54 in 31 starts completed 2 games and gave his team a solid 198 1/3 innings of work. The closer is none other that Aroldis(102 mph)Chapman, 36 saves in 64 innings of work this man struck out 106 batters.He throws so fast that not even he could escape Cuba faster than his fastball. Overall they need more help in the pitching department, especially in that park in Cincinnati by the Ohio river, where the ball flies into the water.
National League East.
1-Washington Nationals. This is the easiest pick of any division in baseball for 2015. The Nationals are built to go to the World Series. Last year they won by 17 games over Atlanta, this year they should win by 20+ games. You cannot find a better 5-man starting rotation, which got stronger this year by signing free agent Max Scherzer, who in 2014 with Detroit finished 18-5 with a 3.15 ERA working, 220 1/3 innings with 252 strike outs. Super agent Scott Boras made the deal taking the strike out artist to the nation’s capital for $210 million and 7 years. Only in Washington can Gio Gonzalez be the #5 in a rotation, for many teams he will be a #1 or at least a #2, but that is how deep are the Nats in pitching. But wait, there is more! This is the rest of their super rotation: Stephen Strassburg 14-11 3.14, Doug Fister 16-6 2.41, Jordan Zimmerman 14-5 2.66 and Gio González 10-10, 3.57. The bullpen got some help also as they acquired ex-Toronto closer Casey Jansen who saved 25 games last season to give them some help in the bullpen, the only place where they might be vulnerable. They are also a very good offensive club, with Bruce Harper,Jayson Werth, Denard Span, Ian Desmond who led the team with 24 home runs and 91 runs batted in, plus also stole 24 bases. Matt Williams better take this team deep into the postseason, unlike 2014. World Series or bust!
2-Atlanta Braves. They finished second in 2014 with a 79-83 record. Winter pick up: Nick Markakis, an excellent defensive right fielder, that was with the Orioles and should help them after losing Jayson Hayward to the St Louis Cardinals. But it would be too much to ask for them to win this division. They should finish ahead of Miami. Julio Teheran 14-13 2.89 in 33 starts, pitched 221 innings with 186 punched outs. This season one of the new faces is pitcher Shelby Miller(St Louis) 10-9 3.74 and 185 innings pitched. Their bullpen closer is the great Craig Kimbrel, who saved 47 games of the 79 victories for the Braves, he had a 1.61 ERA in 63 appearances with 95 strike outs, not any better than this guy in the land of the Brave. Tough task for Cuban-born manager Freddi González, who is trying to catch his previous team years ago, the Marlins.
3-Miami Marlins. They set the highest record for a contract when 25 year old outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, signed for 13 years and $325 million. For you Income Tax buffs, Stanton is expected to pay $141 million in taxes over the span of this contract. Do you think he would vote for a flat tax? One thing we know, he can flat kill the ball, some of his home runs are truly kilometric. José Fernández is about a month away from facing hitters, after having Tommy John season-ending surgery last year. Fernández has incredible stuff, especially a late-breaking slider that is complete poison to hitters.He has the makings of a Cy Young winner. Michael(Tarzan)Morse left the Giants and is now with the Miami team, I would pay to see a home run derby between Stanton and Morse. Christian Yelich is a good young outfielder. Speedster Dee Gordon came over from the Dodgers, he led the majors with 64 steals(Reds Billy Hamilton stole 56) They have a shot(especially Fernández can return in good form)for a wild card, no more no less, the Fish could give a run at the Braves.
4-New York Mets. The second team in the Big Apple. The Metropolitans have a very interesting pitching staff, last season headed by 42 year old(43 in May)Bartolo Colón who finished with 15-13 in 31 starts with a 4.09 earned run average, he pitched 202 1/3 innings, something you rarely see a man of his age do. Colón is a testament to control and longevity, from the Dominican Republic only Juan Marichal and Pedro Martínez(two Hall of Famers)have won more games than Bartolo Colón(204). Matt Harvey their #1 pitcher was injured and did not pitch in 2014, but he looks ready to start the season. Lucas Duda had a great year with 30 homers and 93 RBIs. David Wright had a difficult season playing in 134 games, hitting eight home runs and driving in 63 runs. Terry Collins is as intense as the daily life of New York, and a very good manager, but he is no miracle worker.
5-Philadelphia Phillies. The biggest question is will they trade lefty Cole Hammel during the season, or after? They will, but only if they get the young players they need in return. Veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins left and went Hollywood, Marlon Byrd also left Philadelphia, among other players. Last year the Phils owned the cellar with 73-89, and they could own it again this year. First baseman Ryan Howard pumped 23 home runs and drove in 95 runs hitting .223, played in 155 games, and struck out 190 times in 569 at bats. More than often he hears from the Philadelphia fans, who are brutal at times, he must be wearing ear plugs this season. Sorry but, no place but last place for the Ryne Sandberg’s team.
Amaury Pi-González enters his 38th season as broadcaster in major league baseball. Amaury Pi does Play by play for the Los Angeles Angels on Fox Sports West/Fox Deportes television, and on the Oakland Athletics Spanish Radio Network. Catch That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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scrmeagles@comcast.net 2015 Predictions Amaury News and Commentary American League(West) 1-Los Angeles Angels 2-Seattle Mariners 3-Oakland Athletics 4-Texas Rangers 5-Houston Astros 1-Angels to win again, because they have
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