Prediction time

Let's see your predictions for the 2005 MLB season. Doesn't just have to be division winners. Include what you will.

Here are mine...


NL East

1. Atlanta Braves...I made the mistake last year. They are still the best team in the East. Smoltz is back to starting and they added Tim Hudson to an already decent staff. I do think Danny Kolb is overrated as a closer. It will be back to the 90's version of the Braves with dominating starting pitching and just enough offense to win.

2. Florida Marlins...They are still young and only getting better. Atlanta won't run away with the division. Both teams are capable of 100+ wins.

3. NY Mets...All that spending will not get the Mets in the playoffs. I don't think that Pedro will start 20 games. Beltran will do basically what he did last year (.270-.290, close to 40-40, and 100+ rbi). It just won't be enough.

4. Washinton Nationals...They will be a better team this year. No move hanging over their heads and they added some good vets. Livan Hernandez has been on fire this spring and I do think he will have a good season. A lot will depend on the health of Jose Vidro.

5. Philadelphia Phillies...Outside of Thome and Abreu, I just don't think they have enough offense or pitching to contend and will finish with a losing record.

NL Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals...Don't expect them to win as many games as last year. They are still the class of the division. I have to think that the loss of Renteria and Matheny will hurt more that Eckstien and Mulder will help. Should still win the division by a good margin.

2. Houston Astros...There will be many, even on these boards that disagree, but I do think they will finish in 2nd for the 3rd consecutive year. The starting pitching will carry this team along with Mr. Lidge. Berkman will be back in May and will still be productive. Bagwell will hopefully have his swing fixed well enough to get back in the .290 - .300 range. Willy Taveres will be a ROY candidate. Roy Oswalt will win 20 for the 2nd consecutive year and win the Cy Young.

3. Chicago Cubs...Dusty Baker will be lucky to make it through this season. There will be infighting again. There will be whining about anything and everything. Nomar will be back as one of the best SS in the NL, but Corey Patterson, Mark Prior, and Kerry Wood are all still having injury problems. Jeremy Burnitz will not make up for the losses of Alou and Sosa.

4. Cincinnatti Reds...Getting better with some good young players. If Austin Kearns and Junior could stay healthy for an entire season, they could contend for the #3 spot. Adam Dunn could have a huge year and their pitching, while still subpar, is improved

5. Milwaukee Brewers...Just too young. They will get better. If they can keep this team together, they will be very good in about 3 years.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates...Did absolutely nothing to get better. Jack Wilson would be a big star anywhere else.

NL West

1. San Francisco Giants...They are OLD. Not one projected starter is going to under 31. Bonds just had a second surgery and will probably be out until May. If the rest of the Jurrasic Giants stay off the DL, they should win this division. Jason Schmidt will be a Cy Young candidate again.

2. LA Dodgers...Still have Gagne. Jeff Kent is still one of the best 2B in the game offensively. JD Drew when healthy is a very good player. Milton Bradley, when not the mental midget he can be, can put up very good numbers. They still have decent pitching.

3. San Diego Padres...This division will not be won by more than 3 or 4 games and San Diego will be right there until the end. Actually, all three top teams could be interchangable.

4. Arizona D'backs...Lost RJ. Got younger. Better than last year but still a few years away.

5. Colorado Rockies...Unless Denver fell out of the Rockies, they will still suck. Todd Helton will be traded this time as he'll finally get sick of it. Preston Wilson probably won't make it through the season either.

NL East...Atlanta
NL Central...St. Louis
NL West...Giants
NL Wild Card...Florida

NL Champion...Florida

AL East

1. NY Yankees...Duh. If the starting pitching and Mariano Rivera stay healthy, they will could win 110 games. RJ could possibly win 25 games. A-Rod will be back to putting up ridiculous numbers.

2. Boston Red Sox...The defending champion Red Sox (weird to say) are very good but not as good as the Yankees this year. They'll win in the 95 game range and still lose the division by 15 games. Edgar Renteria is a great pickup.

3. Baltimore Orioles...Sammy Sosa will be back. He won't have the pressure of Chicago hanging over him any more. They have made some nice additions but it still ain't enough in this division.

4. Tampa Devils Rays...Lou Pinella will have this young team playing better. Scott Kazmir will be the ROY (at least I think he is still eligible).

5. Toronto Blue Jays...No where near enough. Vernon Wells will be the next to be traded.

AL Central

1. Chicago White Sox...They'll end the reign of the Twins. Could win 90 games.

2. Minnesota Twins...Just good enough in a weak division for too long. It has finally caught up with them. I predict a downslide for them until they get a new owner.

3. Cleveland Indians...Will contend for this division in 2006. They are young and very talented.

4. Detroit Tigers...won't be nearly as bad as in the recent past. They are improving and have added some talent. A lot will depend on the health of Magglio Ordonez. Troy Percival was a nice addition.

5. Kansas City Royals...Well, they got Jose Lima back.

AL West

1. Texas Rangers...Still need better pitching, but this division got a little weaker. Michael Young will become a big star.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem of Orange County of California
They are a good team and will be neck and neck with the Rangers. Very well could win the division. Vlad will be a MVP contender. Garret Anderson is still the most underrated player in MLB.

3. Seattle Mariners...Improved offensively IF Adrian Beltre is not a one hit wonder and IF Richie Sexson's shoulder is ok. Still putting too much faith into 120 year old Moyer. Starting pitching will be the issue.

4. Oakland A's...Billy Beane might have gone too far this time. Losing Mulder and Hudson will hurt worse than he thinks. Dotel will lose his job to Huston Street early in the season.

AL East...Yankees
AL Central...White Sox
AL West...Rangers
AL Wild Card...Boston

AL Champion...Yankees

World Series...Yankess get revenge over Florida and win in 6.

NL MVP - Scott Rolen
NL Cy Young - Roy Oswalt
NL ROY - Willy Taveres

AL MVP - Alex Rodriguez
AL Cy Young - Randy Johnson
AL ROY - Scott Kazmir (or Dallas McPherson if Kazmir's not eligible)

This will be a very interesting season. I do think we'll see the first suspension for roids. It won't be anyone of significance. Bonds will catch Babe Ruth but will be fighting injuries all year. The Yankees will go down as one of the best teams ever.

 

1. Nothing is a given yet. Not who the starting outfield is going to be nor the 5th starter.

2. This is a prediction thread. Even if he started the year at AAA, it is still possible to win the ROY. I just happen to believe that he will start the season with the Astros as the Opening Day Center Fielder. I think that he will hit in the .270 range. Willy has learned to be a little more of a slap hitter and has learned to better utilize his speed. If he plays every day, he has the potential for 60+ steals.

 

Holy crap that is some bad writing. Who the hell is Dayn Perry? Thin rotation? Someone's going to be playing out of position in center? Berkman not back until mid May? There is a notable drop off after the Cards, Cubs AND BREWERS?

Where is this guy getting his information? The Chicago Tribune?


EDIT: I just found that Perry is a writer for the Basball Prospectus, a Chicago resident, an unapologetic Cardinals fan, and apparently a total idiot who hasn't read up on anything Astros since early January.