Pop Culture Cuisinart

When I look a MLB this year I don't really have a strong sense of what's going to happen. I do have some strong feelings on what I think won't happen. For example I don’t think the Cardinals will win the Series again. I also think no one in the NL West deserves to make the playoffs but one of them will.

I think the Brewers are on the way up – but I thought that last year, too. I think the Red Sox will regret paying way to much money to guys who are either unproven(Matsuzaka) or fragile(JD Drew).

I like to put my picks in writing before the season, and with the Mets and the Cardinals hooking up for real this coming Sunday evening, I’m running out of time. So, even though nobody asked for it, here’s my best guess at the 2007 season.

American League East

1) Yankees – I hate the Yankees. But I have to admit that sanity is now reigning in the Bronx. For example they traded Randy Johnson and kept Mike Mussina – that was the right move. Not only did they trade the horribly overpaid Johnson, they got (GASP) actual prospects in return. Mussina, with Chien Ming Wang, the returning Andy Pettitte and young fireballer Philip Hughes give the Yankees enough in the rotation, that they don't have to sweat whether they'll win the Roger Clemens sweepstakes(whenever of course he decides to unretire again). Mariano Rivera remains one of the best and he has help in the bullpen. However with the Yankees the focus is always on the gaudy lineup, which nonetheless will benefit from a healthy Hideki Matsui again this year. Derek Jeter is coming off an ungodly year, Bobby Abreu is glad to be somewhere he's appreciated, Alex Rodriquez is plenty productive despite fan vitriol, Jason Giambi has brought the thunder again(hopefully without the juice this time) and Robinson Cano is a player to watch. I almost managed to not metion Johnny Damon and Jorge Posada. Loaded? That's an understatement.
2) Red Sox(Wild card) – Julio Lugo as a leadoff hitter? And I thought the Red Sox liked plate discipline. Regardless, Lugo’s on hand to lead off with Kevin Youkilis batting behind him. Then there's Big Papi (David Ortiz) and Manny Ramirez. Yes, the Sox will score runs, they always do. The Sox are hoping Willy Mo Pena put's it together and provides protection for Manny. Varitek is solid, but Lowell is aging and rather unproductive and Coco Crisp was not as good as advertised last year. Look for rookie Dustin Pedroia to round out the batting order at second. In the rotation, they have aging warrior Curt Schilling, age defying knuckler Tim Wakefield and underachieving Josh Beckett. And, of course, Mr. Dice-K, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who apparently throws like 26 pitches. Yeah, I want to see him pitch too, but he’s just the latest guy who makes me feel like the Red Sox are just a tad over-hyped. Oh by the way, I really appreciated the breathless blanket coverage last week that Jon Papelbon is returning to the bullpen. Because who cares about the war or the deficit when it looked like the Red Sox might have to call on Joel Piniero to close?
3) Orioles – The rotation has a nice 1-2 punch Erik Bedard and Daniel Cabrera. Bedard is one of the best lefty starters in the game and Cabrera is just an out getting machine. Behind them is another homegrown potential star, Adam Loewen, and Jaret Wright and the human rain delay Steve Trachsel round out what could be the most improved rotation in the AL. The bullpen, while expensive, is deep with young closer Chris Ray and his highly paid supporting cast of Danys Baez, Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford. In the lineup, Nick Markakis will add a new spark to the top of the order which also will benefit from a fully healthy Brian Roberts. Aubrey Huff has had a big spring and will add punch to a middle of the order that includes Miguel Tejada, Melvin Mora, Ramon Hernandez and Jay Gibbons.
4) Blue Jays – This could be an awfully good 4th place team. I love Vernon Wells and I think Lyle Overbay finally might have found a home. And these guys will be favored against almost anyone on days that Roy Halladay will pitch, especially with BJ Ryan available to close. However remember Spahn, Sain and pray for rain? Well this will be Halladay, Burnett, and hope we get wet. Too bad for them they have a retractable roof. John Thomson, anyone? Shawn Marcum? Lefty Gustavo Chacin could be nice if he's ever in one piece. Factor in the catching tandem of Gregg Zaun and Jason Phillips, the addition of Royce Clayton at shortstop and the bad regression of Alex Rios last year and color me not impressed. While many will laud the additional offense offered by Frank Thomas and Troy Glaus. I don't see the Bug Hurt repeating his '06 comeback.
5) Devil Rays – Or are they just the Rays. Does it matter? They're in last place regardless. There is some real talent here. But it’s still the AL East and the Rays are still going to lose 90 games or more, while having one or two spurts where they look like a real up-and-coming team. Perhaps another winning month to invigorate the Tampa faithful. Let's hope they get it in before hurricane season. Anyway if Rocco Baldelli is healthy all year, he'll be a stud. Baldelli and Carl Crawford are one of the more exciting outfield tandems in the game, and another big-time prospect, Delmon Young, may start in right field. In the infield, Jorge Cantu is coming off a real disappointing year, while Ty Wigginton played like an actual major leaguer last year. Might they switch places this year? At third, Japanese import Akinori Iwamura brings a nice bat and excellent defense. In the rotation, Scott Kazmir will battle the league leaders in strikeouts and no-decisions, as the bullpen will squander his good work far too often. James Shields had some success as a sinkerballer last year but there’s not a lot after Kazmir. In the bullpen, Tampa will try hard-throwing Seth McClung as its closer.

American League Central

1) White Sox – There simply aren't many holes here. It starts with a middle of the batting order boasting Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede. Tadahito Iguchi at 2nd and AJ Pierzynski at catcher are among the best at their positions as well. The team also has a deep bench faeturing Alex Cintron and Rob Mackowiak. An outstanding rotation features Mark Buerhle, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras and Javier Vasquez, while the bullpen is led by strikeout masters like a slimmed down Bobby Jenks and Mike MacDougal. On paper it's the best team in baseball.
2) Indians – The Tribe will impress many with their advancement this year. This division is four-deep in legitimate contenders. Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore and Victor Martinez highlight a deep, productive batting order, which will benefit from the addition of Josh Barfield. The other starters and platoon guys like Jhonny Peralta, David Dellucci, Casey Blake and Jason Michaels will determine whether Cleveland is playoff bound. The rotation is quite solid with CC Sabathia, Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee, but the bullpen, while decent, is not among the league's best.
3) Tigers – This is a solid club, no doubt, but lightning just doesn’t strike in the same place twice. The rotation is excellent with Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Livingston. But Joel Zumaya has had arm troubles this spring and one must ponder if Todd Jones can possibly have another great year with such average stuff. The lineup is deep and balanced like Cleveland’s, but not as dynamic as Chicago’s. Pudge Rodriquez is a year older, Carlos Guillen seems to get hurt a lot and, this group doesn't get on base enough. This is still a real good team, but this division is too tough for a repeat
4) Twins – Twins fourth? I think so, because of the huge hole the retirement of Brad Radke and the injury to Francisco Liriano have left in the rotation behind the great Johan Santana. I think Carlos Silva and a trio of youngsters like Matt Garza portend some long stretches for Ron Gardenhire and co. between Santana’s starts. That said, if the Twins can get six solid innings regularly from the other starters, Joe Nathan might be the best closer in baseball and he has strong backup in Juan Rincon and Pat Neshek. In the lineup, you have to love Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. Mauer may start the year on the DL though. Torii Hunter brings a highlight glove to go with his solid bat. The problems? Rondell White was done three years ago, Nick Punto is a nice utility player who shouldn't be starting anywhere let alone at a corner infield spot and Luis Castillo seems like a player on the downswing at an early age.
5) Royals – This team is a mess. There are bright spots, like Teahen, Sweeney and maybe the best prospect in baseball in Alex Gordon. But the middle infield is likely to see Braves castoff Tony Pena, Jr. starting and this team gave $55 million to a guy(Gil Meche) with similar career numbers to a guy(Mark Redmen) the Braves signed for 750K. Such contracts are how small market teams are laid low.

American League West

1) Angels – Chone Figgins is out 5-6 weeks and I have to admit that 2nd baseman Howie Kendrick is a complete unknown to me, but I hear he’s a real good one. Leftfielder Garret Anderson is on the decline and ace starter Bartolo Colon is coming off a serious injury. But the Angels have the best manager in the game in Mike Scioscia, a rotation chock full of power arms (Lackey, Santana, Escobar, Jered Weaver) and a bullpen featuring K-Rod, while a solid lineup centers around Vladimir Guerrero. I think that’s enough to take a division with no bad teams, but no great one either.
2) A’s – If it’s not the Angels, it’ll be the A’s, who are getting a huge spring from Rich Harden. He, Dan Haren, journeyman Estaban Loaiaza and a couple of Joes (Blanton and Kennedy) have to handle the starting chores, now that Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito have all moved on. I don’t think that rotation matches up with the Angels, but Huston Street and Justin Duscherer do lead a deep and excellent bullpen. In the lineup, Nick Swisher advanced to the next level last year and Milton Bradley can be a force when healthy and sane. I like Piazza as an A and if Chavez ever starts hitting consistently this team will be hard to handle.
3) Mariners- Felix Hernandez and JJ Putz promise to provide a homegrown No. 1 starter and closer tandem for years to come. The Mariners have Ichiro for at least one more year and he’s in an improving lineup with slugger Richie Sexson, late-bloomer Raul Ibanez and third baseman Adrian Beltre, who finally seemed to find a comfort level in last year’s 2nd half. Jose Lopez and Juniesky Betancourt is a promising double-play combo. But how the rotation and bullpen fills in behind Fernandez and Putz will determine whether the M’s can make a run or merely occasionally play spoiler.
4) Rangers – The Rangers are the AL funhouse version of the Phillies. They have some of the best players in their league, but they’re concentrated in the infield. The outfield seems average at best, the rotation could be anywhere from sterling to shaky and the bullpen looks troublesome. Mark Texiera at first and Michael Young are among the best at their positions, and Ian Kinsler is a rising star at 2nd. Hank Blalock had a bad year at third, but plenty of teams would still take a chance on him. The OF brings new meaning to the phrase, what was old is new again, with Frank Catalanotto and Sammy Sosa returning to roam the ballpark at Arlington. In the rotation, Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla and Rob Tejeda look good on paper, but their is danger inherent to building a staff with ex-Phillies.