Monday, April 1, 2013

MLB 2013 Preview: The Rest Of The AL

I'm going to shorthand the rest of these predictions, since all the data I use is readily available elsewhere. And besides, we all know predictions are just throwing ducks at balloons.

AL Central

First Place: Detroit Tigers. A good team got better with the Torii Hunter signing, and it'll be interesting to see if Jim Leyland goes closer-by-committee after nobody grabbed the closer role in spring training. They basically win this division by default, though.

Second Place: Chicago White Sox. I like their pitching depth. If Konerko and Dunn repeat their 2012s, and the rotation is healthy, they could make a run. But it's just as likely they get old all at once, and every infield spot becomes a hole in the lineup.

Third Place: Cleveland Indians. Those two out-of-nowhere free agent additions make the lineup look pretty scary, but the pitching staff is still a work in progress. I suspect they missed their window to turn Chris Perez into a more valuable piece, but if they fall out of it, some team- Dodgers, Cardinals- might give up the farm to snag Asdrubal Cabrera. Thumbs up to management for refusing to play the small-market card this year, though.

Fourth Place: Kansas City Royals. I know anything short of a wild card slot will be a disappointment, but it just isn't happening. When it's 2013, Jeff Francouer is your everyday right fielder, and Miguel Tejada factors into your plans, one questions the plan.

Fifth Place: Minnesota Twins. I can't think of a team I'd rather see mired in awfulness. Vance Worley is their opening day starter, and somehow it only gets worse from there. Maybe Aaron Hicks turns into a good player, and maybe Mauer and Morneau are both healthy and productive for the first time in years, but that's basically all there is to look forward to.

AL West

First Place: The Red Team. Of course it was ridiculous to sign Josh Hamilton while letting Zack Greinke leave, but man, that is a lineup. I'm also a Tommy Hanson apologist compared to everyone else I've read and listened to on the subject. They should benefit from competing against a somewhat-depleted Rangers team and an Oakland team that played way over its head last year.

Second Place: Oakland A's. I don't know how Billy Beane does it. Jed Lowrie and John Jaso are both huge additions, they've got four guys who should be everyday outfielders, and with Brett Anderson's return the pitching should again be very good. There's a pretty solid chance I'm underrating them at second place, but then again, the infield looks a little thin. Not many people outside of the Moss family believe Brandon Moss's 2012 was not a fluke.

Third Place: Texas Rangers. They're still a real team, but they don't have nearly the firepower they had last year. Leonys Martin is not Josh Hamilton, and Mitch Moreland is not Mike Napoli. Then you get into the back end of the rotation and things get ugly. Their bullpen should give them a bunch of 7-5 wins this year, though. Joakim Soria is a real thing.

Fourth Place: Seattle Mariners. In a major step forward, the Mariners actually look OK this year. I wouldn't have traded John Jaso, personally, but Jack Z did what he had to do to add some sock to the lineup. They're still waiting on Walker/Paxton/Hultzen to come up and provide quality innings, but that'll be happening sooner than later. I agree with the thought that it's better for young pitchers if they can expect some amount of run support when they arrive. Now, if Jesus Montero can actually catch, they'll really have something.

Fifth Place: Houston Astros. They're doing it right, but it's going to take years. Nothing to see here.

AL Awards
Cy Young: Justin Verlander
MVP: Evan Longoria
Rookie of the Year: Jurickson Profar
Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon

Playoffs:
Wild Card game: Yankees over A's
ALDS: Tigers over Yankees; Rays over Angels
ALCS: Rays over Tigers

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