It May Be an Even Year But the Results Will Be Uneven By the Bay

It May Be an Even Year But the Results Will Be Uneven By the Bay

 

The calling card of the San Francisco Giants has always been pitching and defense. This year, they cannot rely on those intangibles like they have before. The bullpen will be solid and Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain should pitch well at the top of the rotation, but after that its question marks all over. Tim Hudson is coming off a devastating ankle injury, Ryan Vogelsong is looking washed up, and Tim Lincecum hasn’t nearly been the same pitcher he’s been in years past. Even though Sergio Romo is a good closer, there may come a point where San Francisco should consider making Lincecum the closer. For quick three or four out appearances his stuff would translate much better now and he could be highly effective.

The Giants signed Mike Morse to bolster the offense, which he should do, but having him play the majority of games in left field will be an excellent adventure that would make Bill and Ted jealous. Pablo Sandoval has committed to losing weight this winter and is coming into the season about 40 pounds lighter. We may need to stop calling him Kung Fu Panda and start calling him Little Bear. Buster Posey is the face of the team and will continue on what has so far been a Hall of Fame career. He should see more playing time at first base against lefties if the Giants are committed to Morse being an everyday outfielder and Brandon Belt being left handed. Belt should continue to improve now that he has made some adjustments to his approach and has Bochy’s confidence. We may finally see the player we had been hearing about for so long. Players have been known at times to put it all together later than usual, look at Alex Gordon on Kansas City. Belt could have a similar type breakout season like Gordon had after everyone had all but given up on him.

San Francisco has the unfortunate task of being in the same division as Los Angeles and Arizona so while I don’t think the playoffs are in their future this season; they can definitely be improved from last season. I’m looking forward to the new look orange jerseys for Friday home games. They may very well be one of the top jerseys in all of baseball.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the enigmatic Yankees and what to really expect from them this season. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.

The Red Sox Strike the Right Balance

The Red Sox Strike the Right Balance

 

As a Yankee fan it pained me to watch the Boston Red Sox win the World Series last year. What I’m about to say however will pain me even more. They are primed to do it again. The Red Sox have constructed a roster that is the perfect mix of championship winning veterans and young prospects ready to grab the spotlight.

Led by Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz, the Red Sox are always a favorite, as long as Bobby Valentine isn’t managing. Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino are back from last season and Victorino is completely healed and can actually bat lefty against right handed pitchers again. Joining them is A.J. Pierzynski, a very underrated catcher and locker room influence. Also, Will Middlebrooks at third base can be a monster if he stays healthy, his main problem thus far in his career.

The main piece on this team who is ready to become the next Red Sox player hated by all of the Bronx is Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts got the call up last season and showed flashes of brilliance, especially in the playoffs. With a full season of at bats, he could very well be the Rookie of the Year.

On the pitching front Boston has a very good rotation but they will need them to stay healthy. If that can happen then Boston will easily win the AL East. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are the 1 and 2 top of the rotation bulldogs who have pitched in many a big game and do not shy away from the spotlight. The bullpen is solid although I don’t think Chris Capuano will last long. There’s not much left in that tank and it will show. Koji Uehara had a coming out party in 2013 and showed he could handle the closer duties, especially in the postseason. There’s no reason to believe 2014 isn’t going to be a repeat performance.

The 2014 Red Sox, barring a plague taking over the clubhouse will see postseason action again. An improved Yankee team and a very underrated Tampa team will be breathing down their necks all season and make it a fun watch but there’s enough here to lock up a spot.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the offensively improved San Francisco Giants. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.

The Bright Future of the Chicago Cubs

The Bright Future of the Chicago Cubs

 

 

Reading that title would probably make most people laugh. Bright would not be the word most people would assume to be preceding the word future when it comes to the Cubs. In 2014, that is exactly the word that it should be. Theo Epstein has done a great job constructing this team for future success in 2015 and beyond. 

If Starlin Castro can get hot and have himself a good first half the Cubs could get a very good return for him and have even more future pieces in play. Javier Baez, one of their top prospects could very well be Major League ready by the All-Star Break, so they wouldn’t lose a step. Another top prospect is Kris Bryant at third base. This kid has tremendous tools and has star written all over him. Having Bryant and Rizzo at the corners and Baez at short, the infield will be one of the best in the game. Jorge Soler will need more time than Baez and Bryant to be Major League ready but once he is he can be a better version of fellow countryman Yoenis Cespedes.

On the pitching side the Cubs have some talent but it definitely lacks compared to the offense. Jeff Samardzija is a good pitcher but is also a good trade piece if the team decides to go that way. C.J. Edwards is their top pitching prospect and I can see him being a very good top of the rotation starter. Not necessarily an ace but I would be comfortable if he was my 2 or 3.

The Cubs are in a very good position and fans should feel excitement and optimism. They will surely try and move some more players to stock the farm even more, but there is some good current talent to watch for the time being. Between Rizzo, Castro, and Justin Ruggiano in the outfield (another trade chip if he plays well) this team has some capable hitters. If the rotation behind Samardzija and the bullpen pitch well enough they could certainly steal a few wins and inch closer to competitiveness.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the World Champion Boston Red Sox. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.

The Royals Bolster Up the AL Central Race

The Royals Bolster Up the AL Central Race

 

 

For the last few years the Detroit Tigers have walked into the playoffs in the AL Central without much competition. That began to change last year as the Indians secured a wild card spot and the Royals hung in for a wild card spot for most of the season. This season that changes even more as both Cleveland and Kansas City improved enough to have their sights set on the division crown. 

The Royals added top of the order stability with the additions of Norichika Aoki and Omar Infante. These moves will allow Alex Gordon to bat in much more advantageous spot in the order and shift everyone else in the lineup to where they are more suited. When George Brett spent time last year as hitting coach he was able to get through to Eric Hosmer and something clicked inside the head of the young first baseman because he turned it on at that point and showed the flashes of brilliance that everyone expects from him. The other young cornerstone Mike Moustakas wasn’t so lucky. He’s coming off a horrible season, but all indications this spring are that he is poised for a much better year. If Hosmer continues where he left off and Moustakas does show that improvement, this team could easily win the division. Add to this mix the always consistent and underrated Billy Butler and Gold Glove winner Salvador Perez and Kansas City could have one of the deepest and most versatile lineups in baseball.

On the pitching side of things the loss of Ervin Santana will hurt somewhat but there’s veterans in place who know what it takes to pitch in the majors, and will keep the rotation spots warm for prospects Kyle Zimmer and Yordano Ventura. Big Game James Shields will continue to be an innings eating bulldog anchoring the staff and giving them one of the best frontline starters in the game. In the bullpen Kansas City is stacked as well. The best closer in baseball not named Craig Kimbrel, Greg Holland, will most likely lead the AL in saves and cement his name with Kimbrel as the top guys at the position.

I’ve already stated that I feel Cleveland will be a playoff team in the AL Central, and I also feel this Kansas City team will make a run, which leaves Detroit out in the cold. All good things must come to an end and this is the year I feel Detroit falls back into the pack. Kansas City here they come.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the bright future of the Chicago Cubs. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.

Votto, Bruce, Then Who?

Votto, Bruce, Then Who?

 

The Cincinnati Reds improved their team tremendously in one aspect of the game this offseason when they fired Dusty Baker. Unfortunately, other moves, both made and not made, hurt them much worse. Losing Shin Shoo Choo will kill their production from the leadoff spot because Billy Hamilton has not shown the patience and ability to hit well enough where his speed can come into play. Hamilton could probably line up for a 40 yard dash and end up in 1987 but when you cannot consistently get on base what good is such a weapon? Losing Bronson Arroyo, one of the most consistent and underrated pitchers in recent years will hurt the starting pitching some but with a great bullpen and tremendous closer, there shouldn’t be too big of a drop-off.

The problem with this team is their offense. Great American Ballpark is sandbox and can certainly make guys look better than they are but other than Bruce and Votto there is nothing here to get excited about. Brandon Phillips had a good year last year but I don’t see that happening again. Devin Mesoraco is unproven as an everyday starting catcher, and Todd Frazier and Zack Cozart are barely better than replacement level.

The playoffs will not happen for Cincy this year with an improved NL West and the Pirates being better than them. Next offseason this team is going to have to address some offensive needs and surround Votto and Bruce with much better and consistent players.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the Kansas City Royals and whether they can make a playoff push. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.

The Texas Rangers are Primed For a Playoff Run

The Texas Rangers are Primed For a Playoff Run

 

 

The Texas Rangers very well could be the best run organization in the game. They spend money, they take chances, and do whatever it takes to win. This offseason they lost Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, Lance Berkman, David Murphy, and Joe Nathan, all names that are not so easy to replace. So what does Jon Daniels do? He goes out and signs Shin Shoo Choo and adds Prince Fielder in a trade for Kinsler. Add in a full season of Jurickson Profar, their top prospect, and this team will not lose a step.

Losing Derek Holland for the beginning of the season will hurt the pitching depth some but once he comes back and they are at full strength look out. Yu Darvish and Martin Perez are a top righty-lefty duo and will rack up a lot of wins. Add on top of that one of the better bullpens in the game and pitching will not be a problem for this club. 

Last season Shin Shoo Choo proved me wrong by being a very capable leadoff hitter and moving to another hitter friendly park will only help add to those numbers from last season. Prince Fielder could very well lead the league in home runs at the end of the season given his power in that park and also his surprising durability. Adrian Beltre will continue to be the engine which makes this team run and he could win an MVP at the end of the year. If there’s one area the Rangers are lacking it’s at catcher. Geovany Soto and J.P. Arencibia are not a long term answer, but with many good prospects in the minors they could swing a trade to upgrade the position.

The Rangers will be in a dogfight with Oakland for most of the year but will still see playoff action come October. They will be built on pitching but there’s more than enough offense to carry them. Come playoff time this will not be a team I would want to face.

Will the Big Spenders See Big Results?

Will the Big Spenders See Big Results?

 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a season in which they reached the NLCS despite enduring a slew of injuries to key players all season long. So, theoretically if they stay healthy for most of the season they should reach the World Series with no problem right? Not so fast my friends. Even though this should be a playoff team, they need to hope the Cincinnati Reds or Pittsburgh Pirates take a major step back from last year. If either or both of those teams keep winning as they did last year and do not regress by much then this billion dollar dream team is in trouble.

The number one reason for their slide this season will be Yasiel Puig. If there is any player who has regression written all over him it’s Puig. He burst onto the scene last season like a bat out of hell putting up numbers and hitting like very few before him. That is not going to happen again, especially over a full season. Puig also seems like a player that relies too much on natural talent and will not work as hard as others to sustain success. Also, Hanley Ramirez will not hit anywhere near like he did when he returned from injury. Ramirez looked like a top 5 player in baseball, which we all know he is nowhere near. There are questions in the outfield as far as health and distribution of playing time, and considering the guys involved it’s a good thing they play in Hollywood because 3 of them exhibit diva behavior. Puig, Crawford, and Kemp will all sulk and be a distraction to the team if they feel they aren’t getting enough at bats or playing time.

On the pitching side of things the Dodgers have what is arguably the best top 3 in a rotation. Easy to say that when they have the greatest pitcher in the galaxy, but after Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu there is a big fall off. Josh Beckett and Dan Haren are nowhere near the players they have been in the past and show more signs of being washed up than rebounding. They have a solid closer in Kenley Jansen but the rest of the bullpen is filled with question marks. Whether it’s Brandon League or windbag and attention seeker Brian Wilson, these are not guys I want protecting leads.

As I stated before, I see this being a playoff team because I don’t see the Reds or Pirates being in the hunt this season, but they need to stay together and play as a team when guys aren’t hitting or the pitching isn’t up to par. There will be no 40-8 stretches in 2014. Don Mattingly has some dynamic personalities to handle and needs to let his guys know that the only thing stopping their success is themselves.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the new look Texas Rangers. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.