I’m pretty sure the Minnesota Twins would die happy if they never have to face the New York Yankees ever again.
Baker Mayfield forgot how to throw a football….
To his own team.
Let’s Go Tampa Bay Rays!!!!
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Adrian Peterson has pissed away over 100 Million Dollars!!
That’s a special kind of stupid.
The New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins in the ‘Game of the Year’.
Aaron Hicks is the ‘Player of the Day
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I don’t care if it’s half of what you wanted, just SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE!!
Said MLB owners everywhere.
With the weirdest, MLB free agency period ever in full swing, no one is receiving the contract they’d expected. But with the start of the season just 16 days away, players’ hands are being forced — literally. As usual, we made a handy dandy list of the latest market misreads (from best to worst):
4.) Lance Lynn
Lance Lynn barely made the list. Lynn has had a solid MLB career. With a career e.r.a. of 3.38 and a winning record in every season he’s been a starting pitcher, Lynn is a nice addition to any starting rotation. After signing a 1-year, $12 million deal with the Minnesota Twins, he’ll get right to work and try to improve a below average pitching staff. The only problem is, Lynn could have stayed in St. Louis, with the Cardinals, for a 1-year, qualifying offer of $17.4 million. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but $5.4 million is $5.4 million.
3.) Jake Arrieta
Rewind your clocks a little more than 2 months. Right around the New Year, Jake Arrieta publicly stated he would be seeking a new contract of approximately 6 years and $160 million. That’s $32 million per year. Yeah, not so much. After holding out as long as he could, Arrieta “settled” on a 3-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The deal became official on Tuesday. $25 million per year isn’t bad for a 32-year old who’s best days are behind him. But by Arrieta’s estimation, he left an imaginary $85 million on the table.
2.) Carlos Gonzalez
Oh Carlos. What were you thinking?? Betting on yourself is a great concept. It exhibits a clear sense of confidence, and it often pays off. But sometimes, it backfires. Carlos Gonzalez was reportedly offered a 3-year, $45 million extension with the Colorado Rockies last Spring. Obviously Gonzalez didn’t foresee one of the worst seasons of his career, but I bet he wishes he had that contract now. Instead, he’ll have to re-prove himself on a 1-year, $8 million deal. Good luck!
1.) Mike Moustakas
Mr. Moustakas takes the cake. He accomplished it all this off-season. Mike Moustakas was reportedly seeking a long-term deal in line with his former teammate, Eric Hosmer (8-years, $144 million). HA! Moustakas and his super-agent, Scott Boras, were slightly off on this one, huh?! The worst part is, Moustakas turned down not one, but two deals significantly more than the 1-year, $6.5 million contract he signed with the Kansas City Royals.
First, he refused to sign the 1-year, $17.4 qualifying offer from the Royals. And then, he turned down a 3-year, $45 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Really solid decision making!! The real problem is, no one has ever had the huevos to tell Moustakas he’s just not that good. Scott Boras is like that parent who’s never had the courage to tell their kid they’re not good at something. And it cost Mike Moustakas $38.5 million.
Eh, it’s just money. Right??
Side Note: Neil Walker signed a 1-year, $5 million deal with the New York Yankees on Tuesday. And Ichiro Suzuki is coming back to the Seattle Mariners on a 1-year, $750,000 deal. Walker provides veteran stability in a young infield and is an absolute bargain. Ichiro can’t seem to hang ’em up, as he’s currently 44 years old. Good for you Ichiro!!
Who’s had the worst off-season so far?? Post your thoughts in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
It’s the highest honor a professional athlete can receive. It’s the culmination of a life’s work. It’s validation.
The greatness of 4 individuals was recognized Wednesday evening, as they were elected to the MLB Hall of Fame:
Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and Trevor Hoffman.
This Hall of Fame class is strong, with 4 players being elected for just the 4th time (1947, 1955, 2015).
Chipper Jones, 3B/OF, Atlanta Braves (1993-2012 – 97.2%)
Chipper Jones played his entire 19-year career with the Atlanta Braves. As a switch-hitting third baseman and outfielder, Jones was part of the Braves’ dynasty that won 14 consecutive NL East Division Titles. Mets fans know what I’m talking about.
Jones’ career was filled with numerous accolades, including 8 All-Star Game appearances, 1 MVP, and 1 World Series. Jones ranks 3rd all-time in home runs by a switch hitter. As the #1 overall pick in the 1990 draft, Jones lived up to expectations, finishing 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting in 1995 (Hideo Nomo). Consistency and longevity could have been his nicknames, as he drove in at least 100 runs 9 times and hit at least 20 homes runs 14 times.
Check out his stats here.
Few are more deserving than Chipper Jones, and he can now smile knowing he’s been immortalized amongst the greatest to ever play the game.
Vladimir Guerrero, OF/DH, Montreal Expos/Los Angeles Angels (1996-2011 – 92.9%)
Has there ever been a scarier hitter?? No, he’s not the best hitter of all-time, but his ability to hit ANY pitch made him one of the toughest outs in MLB history. I once saw Vlad hit a homerun off of 1 knee. Vlad possessed a rare power, batting average combination. He hit over .300 in 14 of his 16 seasons, hit 25 home runs 12 times, and drove in 100 runs 10 times. I’m still trying to figure out how he didn’t make it in on his 1st ballot….
Check out his stats here.
Vlad also had the best arm I’ve ever seen. When you can throw the ball from the right field wall to home plate, on a fly, off your back foot, you have a GREAT arm!!
Jim Thome, 1B/3B/DH, Cleveland Indians (1991-2012 – 89.8%)
Jim Thome had 1 job, and he did it VERY well. His job was to hit the ball over the wall. He did that 612 times (8th all-time). That’s a lot of times!!
Allow me to put that into perspective. Thome hit at least 40 homes runs 6 times. Only 8 players have hit 40 home runs more times than Thome. And his slugging percentage (.554) ranks 23rd all-time.
Check out his stats here.
Oddly, Thome wore 6 different jerseys throughout his 22-year career. Thome, along with Jones, became a 1st ballot Hall of Famer Wednesday evening.
Trevor Hoffman, RP, San Diego Padres (1993-2010 – 79.9%)
Trevor Hoffman is in elite company. He’s just the 6th reliever to be elected to the Hall of Fame. While he ranks 2nd all-time in saves (behind the almighty Mariano Rivera), he is a controversial selection for Cooperstown. Hoffman was known for 2 things: his strikeout ability, and his propensity to blow big games.
Check out his stats here.
Hoffman’s shortcomings won’t show up all over a stat sheet, but I don’t think he’s worthy of the Hall of Fame. It should be the Hall of Great, not the Hall of Very Good.
Do you agree with the Hall of Fame selections?? Is Trevor Hoffman a Hall of Famer?? Tell me everything you think in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
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World, meet Shohei Ohtani.
Known as Japan’s Babe Ruth, he’s the talk of the international town. At 23 years old, Ohtani has his sights set on playing for a Major League Baseball team in 2018. And as of Tuesday, that will become a reality. MLB and the Major League Baseball Player’s Association agreed on a new posting system that will allow Ohtani to leave Japan and sign with a MLB team.
Ohtani has played in the Nippon Professional Baseball Pacific League since 2013. He was the #1 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Hokkaido Nippon Fighters. As a two-way player (pitcher and hitter), Ohtani has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth. This has made him an extremely hot commodity, as his unique skill set could help fill multiple needs for 1 lucky team this offseason.
Who?
Ohtani was born in the Iwate Prefecture in Northern Japan. Ohtani is listed at 6’4″, 213 pounds. He is a left-handed batter and a right-handed pitcher. Ohtani made his professional debut at the age of 18, appearing in right field for the Nippon Fighters. In his rookie season, Ohtani became the 1st Japanese player to start games as a pitcher, hitter, and fielder.
What?
Shohei Ohtani is being tabbed as the next Babe Ruth. Allow that to sink in….
Babe Ruth is the best baseball player that ever lived. And it’s not even close. His impact on a baseball game as one of the most dominant hitters ever, and as a talented pitcher is unparalleled. Check out Babe Ruth’s stats here.
While Ohtani has been displaying talents on both sides of the ball since his rookie season, MLB teams would be hoping Ohtani can duplicate his 2016 season:
.322 batting avg., 22 home runs, 67 r.b.i.s, and 7 s.b.’s
10-4, 1.86 e.r.a., and 174 strikeouts (140 innings pitched) – Including a pitch clocked at 102.5 m.p.h.
Check out his career stats here.
Where?
Now that Ohtani can pursue his MLB career, the question is, where will he end up??
Due to his age (23), MLB teams are limited to signing him to a minor league contract. However, teams are allowed to offer whatever funds they have in their international bonus pool. As of right now, 6 teams have at least 1 million dollars in their bonus pool:
Yes, as a Yankees’ fan, I’d love for Ohtani to don pinstripes. Then, he could truly follow in Babe Ruth’s footsteps. However, I’m surprised Ohtani is testing the MLB waters now. See, if Ohtani waits until he turns 25, he’d be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. That means he’d be able to sign as big of a contract as possible. (Maybe it has something to do with the right ankle surgery he had last month).
While it may not be the brightest financial decision in the world, you have to respect Ohtani’s confidence. He has continually expressed his desire to play in MLB regardless of the financial ramifications.
Talk about betting on yourself!!
Unfortunately, the Nippon Fighters will lose their star player. But don’t cry too many tears, as they’ll receive a $20 million payment for posting Ohtani.
No matter where he ends up, Shohei Ohtani’s future looks bright.
Stay tuned to see how the top story of the MLB offseason develops.
What MLB team will Shohei Ohtani play for?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
Shock.
Resiliency.
Awe.
Apparently these are the 3 stages of watching the Yankees.
Yankees’ fans across the globe spent the first 20 minutes of Tuesday night’s AL Wild Card Game picking their jaws up from the floor. A leadoff home run by Brian Dozier stunned the capacity crowd at Yankee stadium. Luis Severino, making his postseason debut, quickly returned to the mound, looking to work past the early blunder. Little did he know, the ensuing Joe Mauer pop-out would be the only out he’d record.
Walk.
2-run home run.
Single.
Double.
Not your ideal outing.
Yankees’ manager, Joe Girardi, turned to Chad Green to play the part of savior, with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out. Girardi most likely mumbled, “Good luck pal!” under his breath as he left the mound. Bringing in a relief pitcher in this scenario is like a general stranding his last soldier on an island when there was clearly time to rescue him.
Many are applauding Girardi for pulling Severino so quickly. I’m sorry, I thought applause was meant for exemplary action?? Not only was pulling Severino the only move, it was a move made 1 batter too late.
But Dave, it worked!! Why are you killing Girardi for a decision that worked?? Just because I can make a shot from half-court, doesn’t mean it was a good decision. In a 1-game elimination format, there is no tomorrow. Anyone watching Severino pitch could see he didn’t have it Tuesday night. This is not about feelings or emotions. It’s not about taxing the bullpen. It’s do or die. Win or go play golf. While the Yankees can put up numbers in a hurry, a 5-run deficit is not the same as a 3-run deficit.
While there were many enormous moments in Tuesday night’s game, none was bigger than Green striking out Byron Buxton and Jason Castro to shut the door on the top of the 1st inning.
Chad Green was the MVP of Tuesday night’s game.
Green re-energized the crowd, but Didi Gregorious re-defined energy in the bottom of the 1st inning. The crowd erupted the instant Didi connected with a 3-run home run that soared into the cool, Bronx air. It was an incredible moment that won’t soon be forgotten. Brett Gardner would put the Yankees ahead 4-3 in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a home run of his own. After the Twins evened the score at 4 in the top of the 3rd inning, it was all Yankees the rest of the way.
With the Yankees already up 5-4, Aaron Judge did what Aaron Judge does, he sent a ball into the bleachers. A ball that reached the bleachers in 3.72 seconds!! This put the Yankees up 7-4. And the Twins wanted to make sure Aroldis Chapman didn’t get a save, so they walked in a run, bringing the final score to 8-4.
While Chad Green stalled the Twins rally at the biggest moment of the game, the entire Yankees’ bullpen was the MVP of this game. David Robertson was phenomenal, providing 3 and 1/3 scoreless innings. He handed the baton to Tommy Kahnle who gave the Yanks 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings of his own. And in the last leg of the relay race, Aroldis Chapman struck out 3 in a scoreless 9th inning.
Game over.
Now, the Yankees head to Cleveland to take on the Indians (AL’s Best Record). Game 1 of the AL Division Series (Best-of-5) will start @ 7:30 P.M. EST on Thursday.
Let’s Go Yankees!!!!
Did you stay awake for last night’s game?? Who will win the ALDS?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
It’s do or die! Win or go home! All or nothing! This one’s for all the marbl….Well, you get it. Tonight, the New York Yankees (91-71) will host the Minnesota Twins (85-77) in the American League Wild Card Game. In this 1-game elimination format, tonight’s winner will take on the Cleveland Indians in the Division Series.
Don’t worry, my prediction is coming. First I must let my inner Lewis Black out….
I HATE THE 1-GAME WILD CARD FORMAT!!!!
I know, I know, hate is a very strong word, but when applicable, I’ll throw it out there. This format pins 2 teams against each other in a 1-game, winner take all format. This works in the NFL for a multitude of reasons, but there’s no place for it in a sport like baseball. In MLB, the regular season consists of 162 games. The majority of teams and players go through slumps as well as hot streaks, but generally regress to the mean.
Baseball is a game of series’. Best-of-3 or 4 in the regular season, best-of-5 or 7 in the postseason. The point is, any team, on any given day, can win a baseball game. The San Francisco Giants had the worst record in MLB this season (64-98), while the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record (104-58). The Giants beat the Dodgers 8 times!! However, they played each other 19 times (being in the same division), and the better team prevailed over time. I’m not suggesting every postseason series be best-of-7. I live in reality, and I’m aware of the logistics of travel and playing baseball in November, but this has to change. At the bare minimum, give me a best-of-3 series.
Oh yeah, there’s a game to talk about….
The Yankees are better than the Twins in every conceivable way, but all it takes is 1 pitching gem from Ervin Santana, and the Yankees’ season is over. That won’t happen tonight. Seemingly everyone on the Yankees’ roster contributed to their 91-win season, including Luis Severino (who will take the hill tonight), however no one was more vital to the Yankees’ success than Aaron Judge. Judge is the runaway AL Rookie of the Year, and is in a 2-man race for AL MVP (Jose Altuve).
The question asked of Judge, isn’t if he has the skill set, rather, can he handle the pressure??
There will be no bigger test than tonight.
The regular season in New York inherently shines brightly, however, the spotlight shines brightest in October (or November), in the Bronx. We are going to learn a lot about Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino this evening. Will they fall or take this talented Yankees’ team to new heights??
I know who MLB is rooting for. I’m not a biased Yankees’ fan, but ratings are ratings. No one, outside of Minnesota and Cleveland, would tune in to that ALDS. There’s a reason why the Yankees’ hat travels more than any other.
Luis Severino will parlay his successful regular season into a quality start: 6 innings, 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 7 k’s, and 1 walk. Girardi will then go through his robotic 7th, 8th, and 9th inning moves; Robertson, Betances, Chapman. If, on the odd chance Dave is wrong, and Severino gets in early trouble, Girardi will either bring in another starter, or get the ball to Tommy Kahnle or Chad Green. This game will be a microcosm of Aaron Judge’s season. Expect him to draw a walk, strikeout, and hit a baseball really, really far….
Prediction: Yankees 8, Twins 4
Tune in to ESPN tonight @ 8:00 P.M. EST to catch the action.
Who do you think will win?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
Unmatched. Unparalleled. Unbelievable. The impact legendary sportscaster Bob Wolff made, not only on the sports world, but on society, will live on for generations. Wolff passed away Saturday night in his Nyack home, leaving behind a legacy that is second to none. The iconic sportscaster was 96 years old.
Wolff stood as the record holder for longest running broadcaster (78 years). His work dates back to 1939, when he was on WDNC Radio as a student at Duke University. His most recent work, in 2017, sports commentary for News 12 Long Island. Over the last 78 years, Wolff accomplished more than most could ever dream of, compiling the most impressive broadcasting resume in the history of sports.
Every accomplishment of Wolff’s is more impressive than the last, so I will list the major ones in no particular order:
The list is endless, as Wolff seemingly did every broadcasting job known to man. He is the only sportscaster to call play-by-play of championships in all 4 major sports (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL). Throughout his career, he even found time to become the TV play-by-play voice for 8 different teams across 5 sports:
How is this even possible?? Broadcasters are fortunate to become the voice of 1 team, in 1 sport. Wolff managed to conquer multiple sports, in multiple cities, across the country. Wolff also served his country. He served as a supply officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
All of his hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. Wolff was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995 as well as the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, becoming only the 2nd sportscaster to be inducted into both Halls of Fame (Curt Gowdy). Bob Wolff’s life and career should be endlessly applauded. He was a pioneer, and without his efforts, it is unlikely you’d be reading this article right now. Thank you Bob Wolff, for paving the way.
What is your favorite Bob Wolff memory?? Please share it in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M EST.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
Human beings are not supposed to be able to do that. Just when you think there are limitations to what humans beings can do, expectations are shattered. And that’s what it’s all about; expectations. No one expects a rookie to be leading the MVP race. No one expects a rookie to hit baseballs 500+ feet. No one expects a rookie to take the world by storm. Until they do.
Aaron Judge is that rookie. Yes, he is only in his first full season in Major League Baseball. It’s hard to believe due to his size, strength, ability, and demeanor. He walks, talks, and acts like a 12-year, MLB veteran.
If Aaron Judge Isn’t The Perfect Candidate To Be The Face Of Baseball, I don’t Know Who Is.
MLB needs to seize the moment. Forget the “Judge” nicknames, they should make him the poster child for their league. He is just what baseball, and more importantly society needs. He is as confident as he is humble. He is as selfless as he is gracious. He is as talented as he is grounded. But don’t ask him for an opinion of himself, because he won’t give it. He’ll assuredly attribute his success to the support of his family, friends, coaches, and teammates. In a world filled with self-promotion, it is refreshing to see a 25-year old break the mold.
The mold is not the only thing Aaron Judge broke last night. He broke records and possibly some windows during his first Home Run Derby. As the 2-seed in the new “bracket” format the home run derby adopted, Judge had to overcome a mountainous obstacle in the first round. His opponent, 7-seeded Justin Bour, rallying behind his home crowd in Miami, posted 22 home runs in the first round (4th most in a single round..ever). It’s hard not to like Bour, “Mr. No Batting Gloves”, as I like to call him. His monstrous frame and forearms lend themselves to a Home Run Derby. I mean, the guy was fed a doughnut by teammate Giancarlo Stanton during one of his “timeouts”. You owe me a doughnut!
While Bour and Stanton brought energy and excitement to the Home Run Derby, Aaron Judge was not to be outshined, outmatched, or outdone. His home run hitting power stole the show, as he hit 23 home runs to narrowly advance past Bour.
And this is the only part of the Home Run Derby I would tweak. The time limit and brackets were great ideas, but Justin Bour (22) and Giancarlo Stanton (16) deserved to advance to the second round. Next year, of the 8 competitors, the top 4 should advance to the semi-finals. From there, based on the same rankings (1-8), the bracket format should ‘kick in’. This would allow the best performers to advance, and still provide the head-to-head matchup excitement.
Anyway, back to Judge….
He hit 47 total home runs, 5 that travelled at least 500 feet. He also owned the longest home run of the night; 513 feet. Can you imagine hitting a baseball 500 feet?! Yeah, me neither.
My favorite part of Judge’s performance was he showcased his opposite field power, utilizing the entire ballpark as his playground. And you’d need to watch the Home Run Derby to understand his raw power. Balls that mere mortals pop-up to shallow right field are 400 foot home runs for Judge, the demi-god. And as if all this wasn’t impressive enough, Judge actually hit the ceiling last night. HE HIT THE CEILING!! And it didn’t even count as a home run. Fortunately, this didn’t cause a Home Run Derby controversy. While it was certainly Aaron Judge’s night, I think he just drew a few more eyeballs to the game of baseball for the rest of the year.
Did you watch the Home Run Derby last night?? Did you tune in just to watch Aaron Judge?? Tell me all about it in the comment section below.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
Today, we will take a look at our first American League Division; the American League Central. I will preview each team and give you my bold predictions for the upcoming season. Here is a quick look at how each team finished last season:
2012 American League Central Final Standings:
W L
Detriot Tigers: 88-74
Chicago White Sox: 85-77
Kansas City Royals: 72-90
Cleveland Indians: 68-94
Minnesota Twins: 66-96
Ah, the 2012 Minnesota Twins. What a major disappointment they were huh? No one was crowning them World Series champions prior to the 2012 season, but I think we all expected them to be above .500. The Twins started out with a horrid record, and as the season continued it only got worse. They finished dead last in the American League Central, a horrible 30 games under .500. There is good news for 2013. I don’t think it is physically possible to be as bad as they were last year. That means there is only one way to go; up. The Twins lost speedy outfielders Denard Span and Ben Revere, and they are hoping Darin Mastroianni can be their starting center fielder of the future, their leadoff hitter, and can blossom into a star. I think he is a nice little player, but his strikeout rate is too high and his batting average is too low for me to say he’ll be a difference maker in Minnesota. They also added Vance Worley and Mike Pelfrey to their starting rotation. Mike Pelfrey after one solid year for the Mets in 2010, has underachieved beyond belief (if only I were 6’7″). I don’t see the change of scenery being the difference for Pelfrey, and I see him struggling mightily this season. As for Worley, after bursting on to the scene in 2011, his 2012 was very pedestrian (where he sported a 4.20 era and only won 6 games). The Twins offense does have a chance to put up some runs, but that all depends on the health of their two former ‘superstars’; Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. Josh Willingham should have another nice season at the plate, but if Mauer and Morneau can stay healthy they could make a run at that elusive .500 record (hahaha). That’s how good I think they will be this season, their ceiling is a .500 record. When it’s all said and done I do think they improve upon their record from last season, but not by much. They will be a stellar 70-92.
Last season the Cleveland Indians showed that they can compete in the American League Central. They held a record of 44-41 at the All-Star break. Then the Indians went on to have a disastrous 2nd half, going 24-53 to close out the season. This forced the Indians owner to fire their manager Manny Acta. Over the offseason, the Indians hired former Red Sox manager Terry Francona. They believe that the combination of Francona and their new acquisitions this offseason gives them a chance to compete for the division title. They added former Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, home-run hitting Mark Reynolds, speedy centerfielder Michael Bourn, and the power/speed threat of Drew Stubbs (if only Stubbs didn’t strike out a million times he’d have the potential to be GREAT). Between Reynolds and Stubbs their batting average will plummet while their strikeout rate soars through the roof, but they have the potential to be a very good team. If Ubaldo Jimenez can return to All-Star form, watch out for the Cleveland Indians! I think that they will be the most improved team from last season but will just miss out on the playoffs. I believe they will finish with a record of 85-77.
The Kansas City Royals have been a model of inconsistency over the years, and that’s exactly what they were last season. I do believe that they are heading in the right direction though and might actually surprise some folks this season. The Royals have a good young team with a mountain of potential. They also added James Shields, Ervin Santana, and Wade Davis to their starting rotation this offseason. I believe this will vastly improve this team, and they will finish with a winning record for the first time since 2003. The Royals have a lineup with a rare combination of speed and power. Between Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jarrod Dyson, and Alex Gordon the Royals should swipe a lot of bases this season. They also have a lot of pop in their bats, with Mike Moustakas, Eris Hosmer, and Billy Butler anchoring the lineup. Expect the Royals to be improved from last year, finishing with a record of 82-80.
Outside of Chris Sale, the Chicago White Sox rotation hovered around .500 in terms of wins and losses last season. I believe that is what we will see from this team in 2013. They did not make much noise this past offseason. The only real addition they made was bringing in Jeff Keppinger to play 3rd base. He should help with their batting average but not much more. They do have nice players in their lineup in Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, and Alejandro De Aza, but that won’t be enough to compete in this division. This will be the most improved division in baseball, and the White Sox will finish in 4th place in the division this season. I don’t think their pitching is good enough and it will ultimately be their downfall. I see the White Sox having a disappointing season, finishing with an 80-82 record.
This is the Detroit Tigers division to lose. With Justin Verlander heading up a rotation that includes Max Scherzer and Doug Fister, the Tigers rotation should continue to mow batters down. Add that to a lineup that features Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, and I think it’s safe to say that the Tigers will win the American League Central again this season. The Tigers do have a big question mark this season though, that could throw a big curveball into their plans. They don’t have a closer right now. They don’t seem to be interested in re-signing Jose Valverde. Now, I dislike Valverde more than anyone in the world. Watching him pitch makes me want to stab myself in the eyes with a pencil. However, sometimes the scarcity at a position should dictate how you put your team together. Valverde did implode in the postseason last year, but he is by far the best option at closer for the Detroit Tigers (at least right now). Come playoff time, are you really going to feel comfortable handing the ball to a rookie in the 9th inning?? I highly doubt it. I foresee the Tigers holding off the Indians to win the division, but I don’t think they’re going to make it look easy. Their record should be similar to that of last year at 89-73. They will narrowly win the American League Central.
2013 American League Central Projected Final Standings:
W L
Detroit Tigers: 89-73
Cleveland Indians: 85-77
Kansas CIty Royals: 82-80
Chicago White Sox: 80-82
Minnesota Twins: 70-92
Projected American League Central Winner: Detroit Tigers
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Dave Talks Sports 