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Published on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008
Pro baseball writer Sheldon Ocker takes a look at each major-league team and measures them against each other.
1. BOSTON RED SOX — Josh Beckett and Jon Lester still have upside. The lineup is second to one (Tigers), and what if Bartolo Colon makes Sox Nation forget about Curt Schilling?
2. DETROIT TIGERS — With Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney out for the long term, the bullpen is suspect. Moreover, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is far superior to Todd Jones. The rotation could be lethal, but Kenny Rogers is 43, and there have been injury issues with others. Their overheated lineup can't do it alone.
3. NEW YORK METS — These guys seem to have it all. Of course, it seemed that way last year, until they folded down the stretch. In a relatively weak league, it's going to be tough for opposing teams to deal with Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez and John Maine.
4. CLEVELAND INDIANS — Like I said last year, the rotation might turn out to be the best in baseball. Few teams have a tandem to compare with C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. The offense must perform as it did two years ago, and there's no reason it shouldn't. The bullpen looks solid, but it would be no surprise if holes were to develop.
5. LOS ANGELES ANGELS — John Lackey heads a solid rotation, even though Kelvim Escobar will be out months with a serious shoulder injury. Closer Francisco Rodriguez has yet to throw himself all the way to home plate with his violent delivery. But even with the addition of Torii Hunter, the attack comes up a little short.
6. NEW YORK YANKEES — Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte are starting to look ancient, and nobody knows what phenoms Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes will do over a whole season. Too many question marks for a Yankees team that usually has all the answers. Of course, if it doesn't work, Hank Steinbrenner can buy a new set of players at midseason.
7. COLORADO ROCKIES — The rotation isn't supposed to be a strength, and even with the humidor, Coors Field isn't a favorite with pitchers, but the lineup is exciting and fun to watch. And these guys didn't make it to the World Series by the luck of the draw.
8. ATLANTA BRAVES — Lots of people are saying the Braves will be the surprise team of the National League. In that case, what's the surprise? Tom Glavine and John Smoltz are 81 years old combined, but it doesn't seem to matter. Along with Tim Hudson, this is not a trifling rotation. The addition of Mark Teixeira gives the lineup a jolt, but will Rafael Soriano be a reliable closer?
9. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — With their lineup — Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are frighteningly good — the Phillies could be a force in the National League. Unfortunately, their pitching could go either way with talented youngsters Kyle Kendrick, Cole Hamels and Brett Myers still unproven and oldster Jamie Moyer hoping at 44 he has something left.
10. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Just enough talent to be a pain in the neck to the Red Sox and Yankees, but not enough to make it to the playoffs. Not many starters are more proficient than Roy Halladay, and Jeremy Accardo has proven to be a reliable closer. Vernon Wells, Frank Thomas and Scott Rolen can still do some hacking, but put it all together and the Jays fall a little short.
11. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — The Diamondbacks are hoping that pitching really is 90 percent of baseball, because that's about all they have. Brandon Webb is a stud and now will be joined by Dan Haren, but the attack needs lots of help.
12. MILWAUKEE BREWERS — It's time for the old order to get out of the way. The Cardinals are down, the Astros are a shadow of their old selves and the Cubs are, well, the Cubs. Make way for Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, Ryan Braun, Ben Sheets and maybe Dave Bush.
13. LOS ANGELES DODGERS — This could be the year the Dodgers make a move and leap to the head of the class in the NL West. Then again, maybe not. Brad Penny will need serious help from Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsly and Esteban Loaiza. The offense has some big names — Nomar Garciaparra, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent and Juan Pierre — but there is no guarantee any of them will produce.
14. SEATTLE MARINERS — The rotation probably will keep the Mariners in most games, and if they get a lead, undoubtedly J.J. Putz will keep it. However, it will be tough for them to push the Angels, who have even a better rotation and more punch.
15. CHICAGO CUBS — Why does this team constantly get picked to do great things? Granted, even if his life insurance is paid up, nobody wants to face Carlos Zambrano. The rest of the rotation isn't bad, either, but nothing ever works for the Cubs, and there's no reason that will change.
16. SAN DIEGO PADRES — Jake Peavy, Chris Young and Greg Maddux will make this team tough to deal with, but there isn't enough offense, even in a park built for pitching.
17. CHICAGO WHITE SOX — What are these guys trying to do? The White Sox front office moves in mysterious ways. It didn't take long for the Sox rotation to go from top of the heap to barely credible. Bobby Jenks had 40 saves last year but might not get 30 opportunities this time around.
18. HOUSTON ASTROS — Not enough pitching, not enough hitting. This is not your older cousin's Astros.
19. MINNESOTA TWINS — Never count the Twins out. Well, maybe this year. They will spend the next couple of years trying to ensure that they have a representative team when their new stadium is completed.
20. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Nice rotation, but could they hit their way out of a paper bag? Then again, they don't play in a paper bag, unfortunately.
21. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Is this any place for Albert Pujols to spend the prime of his career? Give the man some help.
22. OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Are they still calling it Moneyball, or has the recession hit?
23. CINCINNATI REDS — Why is Ken Griffey Jr. still playing for this team? If he likes charity work, he can stand around a shopping mall during Christmas and hold a Salvation Army pot. He should be spending his summers with a team that has a chance to win.
24. KANSAS CITY ROYALS — This is hardly the reincarnation of the team that starred George Brett and Bret Saberhagen, but they are a bunch of stiffs no longer. Just ask the Tribe, which always has difficulty beating the Royals.
25. TEXAS RANGERS — Texas used to be able to mash its way to a few wins. Probably not now.
26. TAMPA BAY RAYS — Yes, we know they can hit. Is their pitching good enough for the Rays to win a few games?
27. PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Same old question for the Bucs: How long until the Steelers open camp?
28. WASHINGTON NATIONALS — They will lose in the more pleasant surroundings of a new ballpark.
29. FLORIDA MARLINS — I can't remember. Is this the rebuilding phase or the tearing down phase?
30. BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Their long fall from grace is now complete. When will Peter Angelos get a clue? Wrong question. Will Peter Angelos get a clue?
Pro baseball writer Sheldon Ocker takes a look at each major-league team and measures them against each other.
Get the full article here.
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