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Do IT this week: Layering
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Sunday, Apr 05, 2009
1. NEW YORK YANKEES — The best team money can buy. Only injuries or the presence of too many drama queens can ruin its party. Joba Chamberlain put in an early bid for attention by getting a DUI. But even if A-Rod doesn't show up until June, he is sure to lead the team in back-page appearances in the Post.
2. BOSTON RED SOX — The second-best team that money can buy, though the middle of the lineup just isn't the same without Manny Ramirez. The Red Sox's hope of catching the Yankees is based on its peerless bullpen.
3. TAMPA BAY RAYS — The little market team that could actually did last year, but this time around, the Rays probably will fall a bit short. If only they could have outbid the Yankees for CC Sabathia.
4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — No fluke, these Phils. And that goes for their manager. For the first time in his career, Charlie Manuel has shaken off the West Virginia hillbilly label. He'll hold the clubhouse together, even if Gary Sheffield shows up.
5. MINNESOTA TWINS — Their rotation is young and hungry, not to mention talented. A key might be how far Francisco Liriano has come back from surgery two years ago. If the Twins don't win the Central, it might be because of Joe Mauer's sore back. His absence leaves a huge hole in the lineup.
6. LOS ANGELES ANGELS — They lost one of the best hitters (Mark Teixeira) and closers (Francisco Rodriguez) in the game. But Brian Fuentes might be more than an adequate replacement for Rodriguez, and the lineup is still serviceable. More important, the rotation is solid with tested vets John Lackey, Joe Saunders and Jared Weaver. On the other hand, the loss of Ervin Santana to injury is a major blow.
7. CLEVELAND INDIANS — If the rotation holds up, the Indians have a legitimate chance to win the Central Division title. One thing in their favor: If a starter falters, waiting in Triple-A are three starters — Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey and David Huff — who have the ability to become winning pitchers in the big leagues.
8. CHICAGO CUBS — A good mix of starters and a lineup with teeth make the Cubs the team to beat in the NL Central. One problem: These are still the Cubs, so you never know when joy will turn to tragedy.
9. LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Can Manny Ramirez turn a moribund offense into a lethal weapon all by himself? He did it last year. Moreover, the Dodgers have pretty good starting pitching and play in a bad division.
10. CHICAGO WHITE SOX — The White Sox aren't really putting all of their eggs in the Bartolo Colon basket (even though his breadbasket can accommodate enough eggs to supply IHOP for a month). And think about this: Colon was throwing 94 mph in spring training.
The point is this: The Sox are hoping that promising rookies and a revived Colon can give them a second consecutive Central Division championship.
11. NEW YORK METS — Because they're in New York and can spend lots of money, most people overrate the Mets. Big names abound, especially in the bullpen, where Francisco Rodriguez will close and J.J. Putz will set up. And don't forget Johan Santana.
Nevertheless, this is not a team with balance, and somehow it always finds a way to self-destruct, although it certainly has a shot at the NL wild card.
12. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — The team's perceived reputation among the masses has rested for too long on Albert Pujols, and he obviously can't do it himself. But if Kyle Lohse isn't a one-year wonder, Ryan Ludwick can deliver again and Chris Carpenter revives his career, the Cardinals can make things uncomfortable for the Cubs.
13. OAKLAND ATHLETICS — What has happened to Moneyball? Suddenly, the A's are trying to use real money to pay Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi. This is probably not going to make them real contenders in the AL West, nor will it fatten the deflated fan base and enable them to find a new home (San Jose rather than Fremont?). But with some young pitchers, the A's might be kind of fun.
14. DETROIT TIGERS — Can a lineup that includes Miguel Cabrera, Placido Polanco, Curtis Granderson, Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez and Marcus Thames be part of a team that loses so consistently?
The Tigers deserve a change of luck, but that doesn't seem to be happening. The pitching staff again will apparently spend more time in the trainer's room than on the mound.
15. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — The lineup is pathetic, even for a National League team, but you start to salivate over starting pitchers Tim Lincecum and youngster Matt Cain. Who knows? Barry Zito might turn it around, and Randy Johnson might defy the forces of age for another year.
16. ATLANTA BRAVES — The pitching is good enough and the lineup has enough punch to make the Mets and Phillies nervous. If things break right, the Braves might even catapult over the Mets.
17. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — How bad can a team be that has Brandon Webb and Dan Haren as part of its rotation? Even those two starters can't win unless the offense scores at least one run. Too bad for them.
18. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — This is a pretty good team that happens to be in the wrong division. Of course, that's what they used to say about the Rays before last year. The offense isn't what it once was, but neither is the exchange rate.
19. COLORADO ROCKIES — It's always an uphill fight for GM Dan O'Dowd. Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes are gone, and there is no assurance that adequate replacements are on hand. The Rockies shouldn't be awful, but their talent pool has eroded the past two years, when they were in the World Series.
20. MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Without Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia in the rotation, the Brewers are like Cinderella with the clock rushing toward midnight. Well, midnight has come and gone, and the Brewers just missed the playoffs. When the Brewers will have a chance to reach the postseason is anyone's guess, but it won't be this year.
21. HOUSTON ASTROS — This is clearly a franchise in decline. The Astros aren't really going to get better with the Carlos Lees, Miguel Tejadas and Mike Hamptons of the world. Blow it up and start over.
22. TEXAS RANGERS — Players come and go from Arlington year in and year out, but the Rangers never change. As far as the eye can see, there are hitters. But try to find a starting pitcher. Well, you get the idea.
23. CINCINNATI REDS — Unlike the Astros, the Reds are making strides toward respectability with talented young pitchers Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez, plus infielder Joey Votto. Obviously, the Reds have a long way to go, but not so far as a couple of years ago.
24. KANSAS CITY ROYALS — This is the year that baseball fans will learn to be less dismissive of the Royals. They probably will bring up the rear of their division again, but they no longer are one of the AL's patsies.
25. FLORIDA MARLINS — Let's see. Is this the year that the Marlins sell off their promising players for prospects or was that last year? More important, does it matter?
26. SEATTLE MARINERS — They still have Ichiro and Felix Hernandez. Anyone want to buy into this franchise?
27. BALTIMORE ORIOLES — When Peter Bavasi was president of the Indians, he used to talk about Cleveland as being ''that once proud franchise.'' Unfortunately for their fans, the Orioles have taken over that distinction. But at least there are promising players in their farm system.
28. PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Losing is now a tradition for the Bucs, one that will continue through this season and beyond. Let's hear it for management.
29. SAN DIEGO PADRES — Is there anyone left for this ownership to sell off?
30. WASHINGTON NATIONALS — A team for the ages. The dark ages.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow the Indians on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Indians
1. NEW YORK YANKEES — The best team money can buy. Only injuries or the presence of too many drama queens can ruin its party. Joba Chamberlain put in an early bid for attention by getting a DUI. But even if A-Rod doesn't show up until June, he is sure to lead the team in back-page appearances in the Post.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 07:33 AM, 04/05/2009
Sheldon,
you are truly a myopic, local honk. .HOW CAN YOU PUT THE INJUNS AHEAD OF : THE CUBS,CHISOX,DODGERS,METS,BREWERS,BRAVES,D'BACKS, & BLUE JAYS ??? DO THE INJUNS PAY YOUR SALARY ??? I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ABJ ????
