AL West Preview

4. Seattle Mariners

A-Level = RF Ichiro Suzuki, SP Felix Hernandez

B-Level = 3B Chone Figgins

C-Level = 1B Justin Smoak, SS Jack Wilson, CF Franklin Gutierrez, DH Jack Cust, SP Erik Bedard, SP Michael Pineda

Ceiling = 90 wins

Floor = 60 wins

Best Case Scenario = For Seattle to contend in the AL West, a lot of things need to happen. Chone Figgins needs to return to the form he showed during his years with the Angels. Justin Smoak needs to establish himself as a Major Leaguer after a disappointing first stint with Texas. Seattle needs at least 160 quality innings out of stud rookie Michael Pineda (at the time of this writing, it appears he’s on track for winning the 5^th starting spot). And lastly, they need 180 innings out of Erik Bedard. The odds of Bedard reaching that number are about the same as the odds of the moon crashing into the Earth, but this paragraph is titled “best case scenario”, so we can dream.

Outlook = It’s difficult to believe that all of those scenarios will occur during the same season. Look for Seattle’s offense to struggle, leaving the team with only 66 wins at season’s end.

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

A-Level = SP Jered Weaver, SP Dan Haren

B-Level = 1B Kendrys Morales, LF Vernon Wells, RF Torii Hunter, DH Bobby Abreu, SP Ervin Santana

C-Level = 2B Howard Kendrick, CF Peter Bourjos, SP Scott Kazmir, SP Joel Piniero

Ceiling = 90 wins

Floor = 75 wins

Best Case Scenario = I’d like a 3-4-5 lineup of Wells, Hunter, and Abreu if we were going into the 2003 season. Abreu and Hunter are players in decline, and it’s unclear whether Wells will be out to prove detractors of him wrong, or if he’s content to be living in a warm climate. The bullpen is also a major concern. To call Fernando Rodney scary doesn’t begin to do a typical 9^th inning by him justice.

Outlook = The bullpen is a major eye sore. I’ll predict a record of 82-80. While I’m here, I’ll also predict a vigorous pursuit of Albert Pujols next offseason.

2. Oakland Athletics

A-Level = CL Andrew Bailey

B-Level = CF Coco Crisp, SP Dallas Braden, SP Brett Anderson, SP Trevor Cahill, SP Gio Gonzalez

C-Level = C Kurt Suzuki, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, LF David Dejesus, RF Josh Willingham, DH Hideki Matsui, RP Brian Fuentes, RP Grant Balfour

Ceiling = 90 wins

Floor = 85 wins

Best Case Scenario = Oakland doesn’t have any stars, but they are blessed with a solid rotation. Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez have the skill set to be future leads of a pitching staff, and Cahill and Braden are reliable workhorses. Even their fifth starter, Brandon McCarthy, has looked good in spring training. Oakland also has the luxury of having plenty of arms in the bullpen. If they can find a way to manufacture runs, this can be a potential tough out in a first round playoffs series.

Outlook = I like Oakland to hang with Texas all year, but ultimately their sub-par offense will do leave them short. Look for 86-76.

1. Texas Rangers

A-Level = 2B Ian Kinsler, 3B Adrian Beltre, LF Josh Hamilton, RF Nelson Cruz, CL Neftali Feliz

B-Level = DH/UT Michael Young, SP C.J. Wilson, SP Colby Lewis

C-Level = SS Elvis Andrus, SP Tommy Hunter, SP Derek Holland

Ceiling = 95 wins

Floor = 80 wins

Best Case Scenario = One of the most enjoyable teams of the mid-90s were the Cleveland Indians. The statistics they put up in the strike shortened 1995 season were ridiculous. The team went 100-44. Albert Belle hit 50 home runs and 52 doubles in a 144 game season (he wasn’t on steroids or anything, no chance). Manny Ramirez was his second banana, smacking 31 homers and driving in 107. That Indians group also got all-star numbers from second baseman Carlos Baerga, Eddie Murray, Jim Thome, and the best base stealer at that time, Kenny Lofton. The offense was so good, Charles Nagy was able to go 16-6 with a 4.55 ERA.

            Why is anything of this relevant? Because if everything falls into place, Texas is capable of producing similar offensive firepower. Substitute Josh Hamilton for Belle, Cruz for Ramirez, Beltre for Jim Thome, and Kinsler as a mix between Lofton and Baerga, and you have the same team. Unless Texas makes a move mid-season to acquire an ace, it will be their offense that carries them.   

Outlook = I don’t expect Texas to win at a .694 clip like that Indians squad did, but I do expect them to win 89 games. That should be enough to capture the AL West.

10 Awesome Things That Happened This Past Weekend (1/22-1/24)

10. NASCAR Adopts New Points System

            Because America was demanding it. Surely a new points system will save NASCAR’s sagging attendance and television ratings. I don’t know about you, but when I’ve been watching a NASCAR race over the last 20 years, I’ve said aloud countless times, “Boy, wouldn’t NASCAR be great if they changed the way they awarded driver points? That would be swell!”

            NASCAR just can’t get out of its own way anymore. Ever since the 2004 season (the first year of their playoff system, and the height of the sports popularity), it’s been a steady downhill fall ever since. The collapse of the economy was a major factor, as NASCAR is the most corporate driven sports league in America. It’s hard to find a business willing to pony up six figures to plaster their corporate logo all over the side of a racecar. The other lesser-known part of this is that corporations were responsible for the bulk of ticket purchases. I used to go to the Cup races at Loudon every year because my Dad used to get free tickets from an auto parts company. Couple that with the flying brick they call a racecar and bland personalities (there’s a reason Nike had zero interest in signing Jimmie Johnson to an endorsement deal. And he’s won the last five championships), and you have a sport that is at a serious crossroads.  

(READER ALERT: I cracked a joke in my fake e-mail response column about how I wouldn’t post a NASCAR preview, but I think I have to do it. I grew up with NASCAR (my Dad used to work on a race team in the Northeast back in the late 70s/early 80s), so I think I’m pot committed to do it. I don’t care if no one reads it. As a matter of fact, I should probably encourage you not to read it.)

9. Bar in St. Paul Roasts a 180-Pound Bear During NFC Championship Game

            Next year when the Cowboys play Philadelphia, I would like to capture an eagle and cook it in a crock-pot all day after reading this story. You know, if eagles weren’t endangered species or anything.

8. Evgeni Nabokov Refuses to Report to New York Islanders

            I’ll agree with Nabokov on the point that it’s pretty weird that the team with the worst record in the NHL would attempt to add a 35-year old goalie with only 3 months left in the season. At this point, they should just try to bottom out and go for the 1^st overall pick. We’ll see if Nabokov ends up in Detroit (the team that originally signed him) after all, or some other contender (Colorado should take a look. Their goaltending has been awful this year).

7. Kobe Bryant Calls Denver Nuggets’ Fans “Idiots”

            Aggressive move by a guy who still hears about his rape trial eight years ago every time he plays at Denver. Even Lebron James has to respect how brazen Kobe’s defense of Carmelo Anthony was.  

6. Texas Ends Kansas’ 69-Game Home Winning Streak

            The inclusion of this event at #6 is a very weak attempt on my part to show that I’ve followed college basketball so my March Madness columns in a month and half sound sort of credible. Or as credible as a column can be on a blog called “No Credentials At All.” I think I’ve watched 15 minutes of college basketball all year, but then again, isn’t that true for 75% of people who end up filling out brackets? I couldn’t tell you a damn thing about San Diego State other than they are undefeated and ranked in the top 10. I can’t wait until March when everyone pretends they are college basketball experts.

5. Keith Olbermann Quits

            I wish he could bring every other left/right wing television host along with him, and then go back to hosting “Sportscenter”. Because that’s what he was best at.

4. Toronto Blue Jays Trade Vernon Wells to Angels

            Congratulations to the Angels for knocking the Washington Nationals off of the

top spot for most ridiculous move of the off-season. They weren’t willing to pony up an extra $3 million to match Boston’s offer to Carl Crawford, but they’ll trade a couple of guys to acquire an outfielder who is three years older, not as productive, and makes more money than they would’ve had to pay Crawford? Huh?

3. Tampa Bay Rays Sign Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon

            I’ve heard rumors that they plan on also signing Kevin Millar and Mark Bellhorn. If they can also bring Trot Nixon into the fold, watch out.

2. Green Bay Packers Survive Chicago Rally, Win NFC Championship

            What a sloppy game. Watching Caleb Hanie kind of felt like I was watching myself play basketball. There were a whole lot of “what the hell” plays he made (the interception he through to Green Bay’s B.J. Raji, who weighs 335 pounds. How do you not see a guy that big?), and an equal number of “how the hell did he” throws (the ones to Johnny Knox to set up the first Bears touchdown, and his TD pass to Earl Bennett). That’s probably why he’s a 3^rd string quarterback.

            Speaking of my basketball game (because I know tons of you care about it), last Monday was my most up and down performance yet. On two successive plays, I ran into my own teammates while they were driving to the basket (one of them I decided to cut to the basket right when he started driving, the other I was trying to set a pick right as my teammate started dribbling right at me. That’s what you get for trying to help out). Shortly after, I hit a Rondo-esque runner in the lane (I’m not sure how I even penetrated into the lane, I’m pretty sure it was an accident) and then a 25-footer. My game is more up and down than Mark Sanchez’s ability to throw the ball to an open receiver.

1. Steelers Go Up 24-0, Hang On Against Jets

            You could say that the Jets lost by the length of their baby toe. You could also say that they had to put their foot in their own mouth after the game was over. You could also say that nothing cures athlete’s foot like tough actin’ Tinactin, but that wouldn’t be very relevant.

            I was pretty surprised how easily Pittsburgh ran the ball on the Jets. If Pittsburgh can have similar success against Green Bay, I like them to win their 7^th Super Bowl.