The Observer, March 21, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 21
Pro Sports Roundup
AL East
Boston Red Sox – Batting: 1 Fielding: 1 Starting Pitching: 1 Bullpen: 1 Coaching: 1
Last Year: 1st (96-66) 2008 Prediction: 1st – The story of the AL East will once again be Red Sox Nation vs. Yankee Country. Instead of splashing in the free agent pool, Boston will be infusing youth from their farm system to fill holes. This is not to say that the talent and ability isn't there. Jacoby Ellsbury showed he could sport the wood and flash the leather in last year's playoffs. With the injury of Curt Schilling, youngsters Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are waiting in the wings to pick up a rotation spot.
New York Yankees – Batting: 2 Fielding: 3 Starting Pitching: 2 Bullpen: 3 Coaching: 2
Last Year: 2nd (94-68) 2008 Prediction: 2nd – With Joe Torre gone, former Marlins manager and Yankee catcher Joe Girardi steps once again into one of the biggest rivalries in sport. He is inheriting quite the team. Led by A-Rod, the Yankees will be able to hit themselves out of many holes, but pitching continues to be a concern. Joba Chamberlain will stay in the bullpen, so questions loom in the starting rotation. An aging Mike Mussina deteriorated at the end of last season. It will be interesting to see how Andy Petitte, who admitted to steroid and HGH use, deals with hecklers.
Toronto Blue Jays – Batting: 3 Fielding: 2 Starting Pitching: 3 Bullpen: 2 Coaching: 3
Last Year: 3rd (83-79) 2008 Prediction: 3rd – The Blue Jays are eyeing a three way race for the AL East, but I don't see that happening. There are many "maybes" for the Jays. If Scott Rolen can return to his gold glove days, he can have an instant impact on the team. Also, it's a toss up on Casey Janssen, who excelled at middle relief last year, and is moving to the starting rotation. B.J. Ryan is coming off of Tommy John surgery. He never relied on velocity, but he can only hope his stuff is still there.
Tampa Bay Rays – Batting: 4 Fielding: 5 Starting Pitching: 4 Bullpen: 4 Coaching: 4
Last Year: 5th (66-96) 2008 Prediction: 4th – Tampa Bay is a team that will be out of the gutter this year. The trade for Matt Garza solved a glaring hole for the Devil Rays last year. Led still by the five-tool All-Star Carl Crawford, the young Rays will have a veteran bullpen. Troy Percival will try and revive his career in the T.B. pen.
Baltimore Orioles – Batting: 5 Fielding: 4 Starting Pitching: 5 Bullpen: 5 Coaching: 5
Last Year: 4th (69-93) 2008 Prediction: 5th – The Orioles look bad. They traded away superstar Miguel Tejada for prospects that will never become more than average MLB players and traded away ace Erik Bedard to the Mariners. Now they are left with a line-up with little pop and a completely depleted rotation. Oh, and they are thinking about trading away their all-star second baseman and already lost their closer too. I'm not really seeing where management is going with this experiment, but I hope it turns around at some point for the sake of fans.
Next Week: NL West
