Official workouts start today and baseball is at the forefront of my mind in more ways than one. But I've been thinking a LOT lately about all the current issues in baseball and here's what I got:
- Albert Pujols' Contract situation- He can't leave St. Louis. They won't let it happen. He is one of the Top 5 players in baseball of all time! They would be crazy to let him go despite the validity questions about his age. This deal will get done, or at least the framework to a deal will be done by the deadline. 8 years 240 mil is my guess at this contract.
- For every Red Sox fan that blatantly likes to see the Yankees crumble you should start salivating when you hear CC Sabathia basically say he's going to Opt out of his contract with the opt out clause that he strategically put in there 3 years (and a weak free agent pitching class) after his initial signing. If he leaves, they won't win the division for a LONG time.
- I have been trying to think of an over/under on which new acquisition Heidi Watney sleeps with first in 2011.
- Carl Crawford (4/1)
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia (6/1)
- Bobby Jenks (7/1)
- Dan Wheeler (15/2)
- Adrian Gonzalez (40/3)
- On a Watney related side note, players from other teams are now trying to Shmooze into our Watney and Red Sox Nation should have none of it! Yes JP Arencibia I'm talking to you!
- I could not be happier to have Joe Morgan off the airwaves on Sunday Night Baseball. Schulman, Valentine and Hershiser will be a breath of fresh air. And I for one am glad to not hear a mic'd up Joe Morgan talking to Robinson Cano every time the Yankees are on SNB.
- The Brewers and Athletics have a legitimate chance to be SCARY good.
Pre-Season Awards Predictions-
American League MVP- Adrian Gonzalez (.320 avg, 48 HRs, 145RBI)
I don't believe the hype, because it's not hype, he is going from a cavernous park where he hits 40 dingers to essentially a Little League field. I, like Buster Olney, think he's going to put up the most ridiculous numbers you have seen since the pre-steroid testing era.
American League Cy Young- Brett Anderson (21-8, 2.95 ERA, 205Ks)
This is a gamble here especially when Jon Lester is going to plow through everyone and I know it here. But the eye test tells me that this is going to be the year Anderson stays healthy and puts up MONSTER numbers and establishes himself as the Ace of the Oakland Athletics.
American League Rookie of the Year- Jeremy Hellickson ( 13-9 4.10 ERA, 170Ks)
This kid is a stud. With the trade of Matt Garza he has essentially been given the number 5 spot and I could see him vaulting up into a higher spot in the rotation as the season goes along. He's a rookie so he should hit his bumps but a 13-9 season in the AL East as a rookie is like going 17-6 in the AL West.
American League Comeback Player of the Year- Justin Morneau (.280 avg, 31 HRs, 109 RBI)
He played half a season last year and the lineup definitely lacked that deep threat (yet again) against the Yankees in the first round. I think he comes back on a mission for the Twinkies.
AL Sleeper(s)- Derek Holland or Jed Lowrie
Holland is a power lefty for Texas that is going to desperately need some people in their rotation to step up with the absence of Cliff Lee, and Holland has shown a few flashes of brilliance and this could be the year he picks it up. I am convinced at some point the Red Sox will hand the job over to Jed Lowrie who looks to finally be healthy from his bout with every disease spanning from Rickets to Polio.
AL Stinker(s)- Torri Hunter
I think this is finally the year we see Torri Hunter dip. He already made the move to a corner outfield position and while his career has been spectacular I'm sensing this is the end for his run at being elite.
National League MVP- Andre Ethier (.338 avg, 38 HRs, 131 RBI)
Every year it's Pujols' award to lose. That being said, I think this is the year that Andre Ethier announces his presence with authority and really becomes a force to be reckoned with in the National League and gets the hardware to come along with it. He is the prototypical #3 hitter and the Dodgers have a stud on their hands.
National League Cy Young- Cole Hamels (20-9, 3.10 ERA, 189Ks)
Cole Hamels is the number 4 pitcher in the Phillies rotation and if he's matched up against most other teams 4's and 5's throughout the year, he's going to rack up a LOT of wins.
National League Rookie of the Year- Freddie Freeman (.278 avg, 26 HRs, 81 RBI)
He's Jayson Heyward's roommate and is one of the most highly touted prospects in the nation. He will fit right in with the Atlanta Braves.
National League Comeback Player of the Year- Chipper Jones (.288 avg, 19 HRs, 89 RBI)
Chipper is back for one last hurrah and I think he's going to go out on top and cement himself as one of the top 2 switch hitters of all time.
NL Sleeper- Jose Reyes
He's ranked pretty high in fantasy baseball standings so I don't know how much of a sleeper he is but he is in the best physical condition that he has been in, in 3 years, and it's the dreaded contract year, look for him to have a very productive year to land him a mega-deal.
NL Stinker- Roy Oswalt
I don't know why but for some reason I HATE Roy Oswalt in Citizen's Bank Park. I know he pitched in a small park before but something about that fit doesn't seem right to me and there's no way all 4 of those horses perform right? I'd say look for him to have a VERY mediocre year.
That's what I got for you guys for now, but as always if you need to contact me email and the comments section are always good.
Stay Tuned
Ryan
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