MLB 2009 Preview Part 1…

Over the next few days I am going to be breaking down the 6 divisions and giving my preseason predictions for the upcoming baseball season. Feel free to disagree with everything I say and leave your feedback in the comments section. Now without further ado…

NL East:
Phillies
Mets*
Braves
Nationals
Marlins
(*Wild Card)

Best Player: Hanley Ramirez
Best Pitcher: Cole Hamels
Impact Newcomer: JJ Putz

Overview:

As Ric Flair once said, to be the man you have to beat the man, WOOOOOO!, and for that reason the Phillies remain on top. I know that the Mets revamped their bull pen and the Braves got Derek Lowe but neither of those moves scare me. While I do not like the Raul Ibanez signing for the Phils because Burrell gave them a nice right handed balance they still have too strong of a line up. Add to that the fact that K-Rod now lost 6 mph on his fastball and struggles to find the plate at times and I can’t think of a worse lineup for him to face then the Phillies. This leads me to my selection of JJ Putz as the impact newcomer. Over the course of the year I think his dominance in the 8th inning, his ability to go 2 innings and his reliability will be of more value to the Amazin’s then K-Rod.

When I look at the Mets offensively they have some really nice pieces in Wright, Reyes, Beltran, etc. but they are old at several others. Reyes is too lackidasical and Wright tries way too hard down the stretch every year. Add in the huge offensive holes in RF, LF, C and 2B and you have problems.

The Braves made some nice additions to their staff but don’t have enough fire power in that lineup. Garrett Anderson was a decent pick up but he is an every other day player right now.

The Nationals are the youngest team in the league and I think they might surprise a few people. (Yes I am a Nats fan) By surprise I mean they won’t lose 102 games again. If their young pitchers develop they could inch their way back towards .500.

Marlins, who the hell knows. They get rid of all their players every few years and always seem to reload. With Hanley Ramirez and Uggla they at least have some boppers in the line up.

AL East:
Tampa Bay Rays
Boston Red Sox*
New York Yankees
Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays
(*Wild Card)

Best Player: BJ Upton
Best Pitcher: CC Sabathia
Impact Newcomer: David Price

Overview:

So the Yankees spent a billion dollars and the Red Sox signed some nice older pitchers and all of a sudden everyone forgets about the Rays? Sorry I guess to me a bunch of studs in their early 20’s and a ridiculously deep starting staff is better then overpriced old dudes. The Rays have Upton, Longoria, Crawford, Pena, Navarro all with another year of maturation under their belts and playoff experience. You think that beating the Sox in 7 games won’t carry over? I disagree. Now add David Price to the staff that already includes Shields, Kazmir, Garza and Sonnanstine and you could be looking at a dominant staff for the next 8 years. The additions of Matt Joyce and Pat Burrell also make them way more intimidating. Now I know you are wondering, how is BJ Upton the best player in the division? I see him as a 30/30 guy with a good average, crazy range in CF and a huge arm. Just like a carpenter I love tools and the kid is 24 and won’t hit his prime for 3 to 4 more years and already loves the big stage…scary.

Red Sox, great pitching but where do the runs come from? Youk won’t match last year, and who knows how healthy Papi and Lowell are this year. Add in JD Drews bad back and Elsbury playing without Crisps security net this year and you have some problems. Doen’t help that your catcher and captain can’t hit over .200.

Yankees, well they look good on paper right? Something tells me that AROD won’t be able to focus like Bonds did during this traveling circus in pin stripes. Jeter is a legend who shouldn’t be playing short anymore and should move to CF but apparently doing what is right for the team is blasphemous. Burnett isn’t in a contract year, Pettite is old, which Robi Cano shows up? Why is Joba starting? Will Jorge’s arm stay attached? Just way way too many questions here.

Orioles, man they have a chance to be really good in a few years. I love what McPhail has done with their outfield in Pie, Jones and Markaikis. Weiters is an absolute stud and should be the everyday catcher by late May. They have some good young pitchers coming up but could use a young corner guy in the infield.

Jays, the need to rebuild. Look for them to trade Halladay before the deadline for a huge ransom to a playoff contender. I wouldn’t expect him to throw as many complete games this year because if they were smart they would save his arm and make him even more attractive. I can see them getting 3 or 4 big time prospects for Doc.

So that’s my take, next up the Central Divisions.