Pirates,
Some people are optimistic about their chances, I disagree. They will be terrible..
They picked up a couple of washed up has beens in Bedard and Aj Burnett.. Karstens is pretty good but inconsistent and Correia gives up too many HRs. McDonald and
Morton let a lot of baserunners on. So do Bedard and AJ
I dont like the rotation, some thing it will improve.. I dont.
Lineup has no pop, Im a big McCutchen fan but he cant do it by himself. Will Alvarez ever become what hes suppose to be? Presley Walker and Jones are good hitters.. Rest of lineup will have low avgs. I think Pirates will have the lowest SLG% of any team in MLB..
BP well they have a very closer in Hanrahan, he and McCutchen are the only two guys I even like on the team. The BP isnt very good, it could surprise and be middle of the road but it wont be anything great.
Pirates will win 75 games if they are lucky..Cards,Reds and Brewers are the real teams in this division. Those who are expecting your first over .500 season in many years, keep on waiting.
Some people are optimistic about their chances, I disagree. They will be terrible..
They picked up a couple of washed up has beens in Bedard and Aj Burnett.. Karstens is pretty good but inconsistent and Correia gives up too many HRs. McDonald and
Morton let a lot of baserunners on. So do Bedard and AJ
Lineup has no pop, Im a big McCutchen fan but he cant do it by himself. Will Alvarez ever become what hes suppose to be? Presley Walker and Jones are good hitters.. Rest of lineup will have low avgs. I think Pirates will have the lowest SLG% of any team in MLB..
BP well they have a very closer in Hanrahan, he and McCutchen are the only two guys I even like on the team. The BP isnt very good, it could surprise and be middle of the road but it wont be anything great.
Pirates will win 75 games if they are lucky..Cards,Reds and Brewers are the real teams in this division. Those who are expecting your first over .500 season in many years, keep on waiting.
Padres,
Team is a little better than you think and I'll explain why.. The batters stat will always look bad when hitting at Petco, its just impossible there but these guys can get on base and the lineup may be better than advertised. Especially when they are away from Petco..
Maybin is a stud and is improving. Alonzo Headley and Guzman are solid hitters and Venable is underrated. Hudson can hit .250/.275 on road.. I dont think the lineup is as bad as some think.. Not great or imposing but not without some talent. Quentin will be back in June and will provide them with another decent bat..
The rotation.. I've been saying it for a while, Cory Luebke is a future ace, I think he might prove so this season. Hes a very good lefty who pitches smart, beyond his age.
Stauffer is pretty good, Volquez's style should thrive @ petco. Richard and Moseley are average.. This rotation isnt very good but its capable. I like their 1-2-3 guys. The 4-5 guys are average but capable..
The BP lost Bell and Adams and that will hurt but there is still talent in the BP. Street and Cashner are a formidable duo.. Their BP should be good, not as good as last year but good.
I'm not saying the Pads will win the divison or even win 80 games.. Some are projecting 66 wins and I think thats way off.. SD will be an okay team and they have some good farm guys that might come up too.. I'm just saying dont sell this team short.
Team is a little better than you think and I'll explain why.. The batters stat will always look bad when hitting at Petco, its just impossible there but these guys can get on base and the lineup may be better than advertised. Especially when they are away from Petco..
Maybin is a stud and is improving. Alonzo Headley and Guzman are solid hitters and Venable is underrated. Hudson can hit .250/.275 on road.. I dont think the lineup is as bad as some think.. Not great or imposing but not without some talent. Quentin will be back in June and will provide them with another decent bat..
The rotation.. I've been saying it for a while, Cory Luebke is a future ace, I think he might prove so this season. Hes a very good lefty who pitches smart, beyond his age.
Stauffer is pretty good, Volquez's style should thrive @ petco. Richard and Moseley are average.. This rotation isnt very good but its capable. I like their 1-2-3 guys. The 4-5 guys are average but capable..
The BP lost Bell and Adams and that will hurt but there is still talent in the BP. Street and Cashner are a formidable duo.. Their BP should be good, not as good as last year but good.
I'm not saying the Pads will win the divison or even win 80 games.. Some are projecting 66 wins and I think thats way off.. SD will be an okay team and they have some good farm guys that might come up too.. I'm just saying dont sell this team short.
Toronto,
I really like their BP, think it will be their major strength. Santos closing who strikeouts a lot of hitters and help opp's to a .181 ba last year. Cordero is solid, Oliver gets it done and Jansen and Frasor are all good.. I like this BP quite a bit has a good chance to be top 3 in AL and top 5 in MLB.
rotationwise Romero pitched liked an ace last year, was definitely one of the better pitchers in the AL. If he repeats that it could push the BJ's into contending late in year. Morrow has a lot of upside, he pitched well for a big part of year. He can strikeout hitters at an alarming rate and I like the kid a lot.
Alvarez might be a stud, another kind with lots of upside. he dominated the minors and pitched pretty good in his limited starts. If pitches to his potential they could have a great 1-2-3 rotation. Cecil McGowan and Drabek are all capable of having above avg seasons. The rotation has a lot of questions but has a lot of potential and upside as well.
Hittingwise I dont like Toronto's style they are a power hitting team that doesnt play small ball. But they were top 5 in runs and HRs last season and should repeat those stats.
Jose Bautista is probably the 3rd or 4th best hitter in baseball, has power hits for average and is simply a beast. Lind will bat clean up and hit a ton of HRs too. Lots of pop in these bats. I just wish they played more fundamentally sound. If you look at their hitters only 3 or 4 get on base at a very good rate, so Toronto will depend on the long ball and getting timely homeruns and big hits.. It has its ups and downs.
All in all I think the Blue Jays will be slightly above .500 and would be a contender if they were in AL central or NL West. AL east is brutal.. There are a lot of questions with the team especially with the rotation. I dont think they will be in playoffs like some are predicting, they should be good though..
I really like their BP, think it will be their major strength. Santos closing who strikeouts a lot of hitters and help opp's to a .181 ba last year. Cordero is solid, Oliver gets it done and Jansen and Frasor are all good.. I like this BP quite a bit has a good chance to be top 3 in AL and top 5 in MLB.
rotationwise Romero pitched liked an ace last year, was definitely one of the better pitchers in the AL. If he repeats that it could push the BJ's into contending late in year. Morrow has a lot of upside, he pitched well for a big part of year. He can strikeout hitters at an alarming rate and I like the kid a lot.
Alvarez might be a stud, another kind with lots of upside. he dominated the minors and pitched pretty good in his limited starts. If pitches to his potential they could have a great 1-2-3 rotation. Cecil McGowan and Drabek are all capable of having above avg seasons. The rotation has a lot of questions but has a lot of potential and upside as well.
Hittingwise I dont like Toronto's style they are a power hitting team that doesnt play small ball. But they were top 5 in runs and HRs last season and should repeat those stats.
Jose Bautista is probably the 3rd or 4th best hitter in baseball, has power hits for average and is simply a beast. Lind will bat clean up and hit a ton of HRs too. Lots of pop in these bats. I just wish they played more fundamentally sound. If you look at their hitters only 3 or 4 get on base at a very good rate, so Toronto will depend on the long ball and getting timely homeruns and big hits.. It has its ups and downs.
All in all I think the Blue Jays will be slightly above .500 and would be a contender if they were in AL central or NL West. AL east is brutal.. There are a lot of questions with the team especially with the rotation. I dont think they will be in playoffs like some are predicting, they should be good though..
Careful with LA, Lily still has that neck injury, may be DL'ed, if so Nathan Eovaldi will round out the rotation, kid has tons of potential, but is raw.
As much as I love Harang, and I do, what can you realistically expect?
Loss of Kuroda will hurt, can Billingsly win 14? Capuano is what he is, a Mets castoff.
LA is weak behind the plate, no pop at all from the corner infielders, love the kid Brown at SS, Kemp is as good as it gets in the OF, Ethier has issues, and Guerrera is not a top flight closer
As much as I love Harang, and I do, what can you realistically expect?
Loss of Kuroda will hurt, can Billingsly win 14? Capuano is what he is, a Mets castoff.
LA is weak behind the plate, no pop at all from the corner infielders, love the kid Brown at SS, Kemp is as good as it gets in the OF, Ethier has issues, and Guerrera is not a top flight closer
You mean Gordon? Gordon will be really good I think. Im concerned about his durablity cause he weighs a 150 pounds. skinniest guy i've ever seen. I think Guerra will be a very good closer and if it doesnt work out with him Janseen can do it.. They have options.
I always wonder why Loney doesnt have more power.. But he is a great defensive first baseman, as good as it gets.
I always wonder why Loney doesnt have more power.. But he is a great defensive first baseman, as good as it gets.
Rockies...
Pretty simple, they will hit great and the pitching will be shaky.. This team reminds me of the older Rockies teams that are all hitting and no pitching..
Lets start with the pitching..
I guess Chacin is the ace, he's pretty good and has upside but hes from a trusted ace. He will need to step it up a bit but has the tools to do it. 1.31 WHIP is not good for
an ace.. I do like Moscoso a lot think he may end up being the #2 starter.. The other guys will be inning eaters and thats it. Guthrie should enjoy pitching in pitchers parks in the NL west and in the NL overall. He will
probably have a good yeatr but I'm not sure hes a good fit for Coors. Tracy will have to fine tune the starts.
De La Rosa is out til July
Pomeranz chatwood white are all very shaky.. The pitching has a lot of question marks. Could be horrible possibly the worst rotation in NL but it could be a mild surprise. Chacin will need to improve, Moscoso will need to come around and one of the young guys will need to show up.
Hitting wise it doesnt get much better. Definitely the best lineup in division and one of the better ones.
it doesnt get much better than tulo and cargo at 3-4, Cuddyer was a great pickup and should thrive. Fowler is underrated and is very good at getting on base. I didnt even mention two other .300 hitters yet in Helton and Scutaro. This team is stacked and will hit and score a ton of runs.. Offense is good enough to win some games.
Okay now to the BP which is the heart of any team.
I like Betancourt and hope he can be a good closer, hes been a great setup guy. I predict he will do very well.. The BP has some decent arms, not a horrible group. Lots of slightly above average guys. Belisle and Betancourt should be a good 8-9 and the middle relief is decent. They will probably get overworked a lot as I'm concerned the Rockies rotation wont eat up many innings..
Rockies pitching will hold them back unless they get a couple of surprises. Team will smoke the ball hitting.. Dangerous team that could win any game and sadly lose any game as well.. I think they will be a .500 team.
Pretty simple, they will hit great and the pitching will be shaky.. This team reminds me of the older Rockies teams that are all hitting and no pitching..
Lets start with the pitching..
I guess Chacin is the ace, he's pretty good and has upside but hes from a trusted ace. He will need to step it up a bit but has the tools to do it. 1.31 WHIP is not good for
an ace.. I do like Moscoso a lot think he may end up being the #2 starter.. The other guys will be inning eaters and thats it. Guthrie should enjoy pitching in pitchers parks in the NL west and in the NL overall. He will
probably have a good yeatr but I'm not sure hes a good fit for Coors. Tracy will have to fine tune the starts.
De La Rosa is out til July
Pomeranz chatwood white are all very shaky.. The pitching has a lot of question marks. Could be horrible possibly the worst rotation in NL but it could be a mild surprise. Chacin will need to improve, Moscoso will need to come around and one of the young guys will need to show up.
Hitting wise it doesnt get much better. Definitely the best lineup in division and one of the better ones.
it doesnt get much better than tulo and cargo at 3-4, Cuddyer was a great pickup and should thrive. Fowler is underrated and is very good at getting on base. I didnt even mention two other .300 hitters yet in Helton and Scutaro. This team is stacked and will hit and score a ton of runs.. Offense is good enough to win some games.
Okay now to the BP which is the heart of any team.
I like Betancourt and hope he can be a good closer, hes been a great setup guy. I predict he will do very well.. The BP has some decent arms, not a horrible group. Lots of slightly above average guys. Belisle and Betancourt should be a good 8-9 and the middle relief is decent. They will probably get overworked a lot as I'm concerned the Rockies rotation wont eat up many innings..
Rockies pitching will hold them back unless they get a couple of surprises. Team will smoke the ball hitting.. Dangerous team that could win any game and sadly lose any game as well.. I think they will be a .500 team.
Nationals,
this team has the tools to contend. tough division though.
rotation wise if Stras has a full season and Zimmerman is himself this 1-2 can be one of the best. I'm not hyperboling it, this is a very good 1-2. Gio Gonzalez is a good #3 and Jackson is a good #4 the #5 guys can be okay.. I like the rotation quite a bit. It gets a bit iffy at 4-5 but overall a very good rotation.
Storen had 43 saves last season and 1 WHIP, he is a very good closer. Clippard is a very good setup man held batters to a .162 opp.. They have some decent middle relief and in reality you can say its loaded with right and left balance.. They even have Brad Lidge, if he has a good season this BP will be rock solid.
Pitching wise I love them.
Hittingwise I dont. There is potential here and its possible Bryce Harper can be in this lineup and help it out. Zimmerman is a very good hitter and a legit #3 guy, I've always liked him. Im concerned about the 1-2 spots and their ability to get on base. Desmond and Espinoza .298 and .323 OBPs arent good numbers for 1-2 guys. I'm concerned with a lot of 2 out first innings. I wish there was another way around this.. This was a horrible offensive team last season and they still were almost .500. Any improvement from these guys and they could really surprise. I think Jayson Werth will improve, how can he not right? What a horrible signing btw. Morse hit 30+ HRs and hit .300. the team really only has 3 or 4 good hitters.. I hope Harper comes through or someone steps up.. This offense only needs to improve slightly.
This team could be right there for a playoff spot.. This isnt your old Nats team. I predict they will trade for a bat before the deadline or pick someone off waivers. Potentially this is a very good team.
this team has the tools to contend. tough division though.
rotation wise if Stras has a full season and Zimmerman is himself this 1-2 can be one of the best. I'm not hyperboling it, this is a very good 1-2. Gio Gonzalez is a good #3 and Jackson is a good #4 the #5 guys can be okay.. I like the rotation quite a bit. It gets a bit iffy at 4-5 but overall a very good rotation.
Storen had 43 saves last season and 1 WHIP, he is a very good closer. Clippard is a very good setup man held batters to a .162 opp.. They have some decent middle relief and in reality you can say its loaded with right and left balance.. They even have Brad Lidge, if he has a good season this BP will be rock solid.
Pitching wise I love them.
Hittingwise I dont. There is potential here and its possible Bryce Harper can be in this lineup and help it out. Zimmerman is a very good hitter and a legit #3 guy, I've always liked him. Im concerned about the 1-2 spots and their ability to get on base. Desmond and Espinoza .298 and .323 OBPs arent good numbers for 1-2 guys. I'm concerned with a lot of 2 out first innings. I wish there was another way around this.. This was a horrible offensive team last season and they still were almost .500. Any improvement from these guys and they could really surprise. I think Jayson Werth will improve, how can he not right? What a horrible signing btw. Morse hit 30+ HRs and hit .300. the team really only has 3 or 4 good hitters.. I hope Harper comes through or someone steps up.. This offense only needs to improve slightly.
This team could be right there for a playoff spot.. This isnt your old Nats team. I predict they will trade for a bat before the deadline or pick someone off waivers. Potentially this is a very good team.
^
1. SS Erick Aybar - crappy OBA
2. 2B Howie Kendrick - crappy OBA
3. 1B Albert Pujols - the best in the business
4. DH Kendrys Morales - 2009 was a fluke
5. RF Torii Hunter - expect .260/20/80 at best
6. LF Vernon Wells - decline getting old in a hurry
7. 3B Alberto Callaspo/Mark Trumbo - I like Trumbo
8. C Chris Iannetta - not in Denver anymore
9. CF Peter Bourjos - poor mans Brett Gardner
1. SS Erick Aybar - crappy OBA
2. 2B Howie Kendrick - crappy OBA
3. 1B Albert Pujols - the best in the business
4. DH Kendrys Morales - 2009 was a fluke
5. RF Torii Hunter - expect .260/20/80 at best
6. LF Vernon Wells - decline getting old in a hurry
7. 3B Alberto Callaspo/Mark Trumbo - I like Trumbo
8. C Chris Iannetta - not in Denver anymore
9. CF Peter Bourjos - poor mans Brett Gardner
140 of the Braves 162 games were decided by 2 or less runs. Braves won a lot of 1 run games.. Braves were pretty lucky last season and I think their luck runs out.
pretty much same team from last season..
Lets start with rotation.. I personally have a lot of questions about this rotation..
JJ is injury prone but when hes in he does well, although I dont think hes an ace. some do, I dont. Hes really good but walks too many and doesnt get many groundballs.
Hudson wont be back til May and he is old and possibly not sturdy.. Hanson is real good has a good WHIP but gives up the long ball too much. I do like him a lot though, maybe he worked on that. Beachy never goes more than 6 innings, hes good but even he has some questions.
Minor I dont like think he is very hittable. the other two possibly guys are okay.. There are a lot of injury questions and just questions in general from this rotation. A lot of things will need to go right.
BP was shut down last season, vetters and kimbrel were an amazing 8-9.. ATL BP should be good but I have a little concern that Vetters might regress.
Braves didnt hit well last year, bottom 5 offense in NL. This lineup has some questions. Chipper Jones is almost 40, how often will he be in lineup. McCann
gets injured a lot. Which Heyward are we gonna get the rookie of the year candidate or the guy that barely made lineup? I do like Bourn a lot and Prado is clutch.
Paternacky is suppose to be really good.
There are a lot of questions here. The divison is better, wash and miami are better. I would be surprised if ATL made the playoffs. I say they will be a .500 team at best.
pretty much same team from last season..
Lets start with rotation.. I personally have a lot of questions about this rotation..
JJ is injury prone but when hes in he does well, although I dont think hes an ace. some do, I dont. Hes really good but walks too many and doesnt get many groundballs.
Hudson wont be back til May and he is old and possibly not sturdy.. Hanson is real good has a good WHIP but gives up the long ball too much. I do like him a lot though, maybe he worked on that. Beachy never goes more than 6 innings, hes good but even he has some questions.
Minor I dont like think he is very hittable. the other two possibly guys are okay.. There are a lot of injury questions and just questions in general from this rotation. A lot of things will need to go right.
BP was shut down last season, vetters and kimbrel were an amazing 8-9.. ATL BP should be good but I have a little concern that Vetters might regress.
Braves didnt hit well last year, bottom 5 offense in NL. This lineup has some questions. Chipper Jones is almost 40, how often will he be in lineup. McCann
gets injured a lot. Which Heyward are we gonna get the rookie of the year candidate or the guy that barely made lineup? I do like Bourn a lot and Prado is clutch.
Paternacky is suppose to be really good.
There are a lot of questions here. The divison is better, wash and miami are better. I would be surprised if ATL made the playoffs. I say they will be a .500 team at best.
1. CF Michael Bourn - speed to spare
2. 3B Martin Prado - can rake !
3. C Brian McCann - could be the best catcher in MLB
4. 2B Dan Uggla - has good power
5. 1B Freddie Freeman - just hit 5th homer in 3 days
6. RF Jason Heyward - all sorts of potential
7. LF Matt Diaz - sneaky power
8. SS Tyler Pastornicky - rook supposed to be good
2. 3B Martin Prado - can rake !
3. C Brian McCann - could be the best catcher in MLB
4. 2B Dan Uggla - has good power
5. 1B Freddie Freeman - just hit 5th homer in 3 days
6. RF Jason Heyward - all sorts of potential
7. LF Matt Diaz - sneaky power
8. SS Tyler Pastornicky - rook supposed to be good
