Arizona Diamondbacks
- Will Randy Johnson be healthy and effective? The Big Unit sits 16 wins shy 300, and certainly has the ability to reach that impressive milestone. But injuries (which are accompanied by age) are taking a toll on the 6'10" lefty. After having two back surgeries within a year, Unit is hoping to be ready in time for Spring Training. And if he is indeed over his injuries, and can still pitch like the Unit of old, there's plenty of potential for at least 15 wins and 150+ strikeouts for the future Hall of Famer.
- How will Brandon Lyon fare as the new closer in the desert? The D-Backs traded away Jose Valverde, who led the league with 47 saves in 2007. Now, the team turns to 28-year old Lyon, who has experience as a closer after saving 14 games for the Diamondbacks in '05. But he also had a paltry 6.44 ERA that season, and only struck out seven more batters than he walked (17-10). The D-Backs do have some insurance in case Lyon can't handle the ninth inning duties, as Chad Qualls (who came over in the Valverde deal) along with Tony Pena will both be waiting in the wings for the call.
- Will Eric Byrnes be able to match his 2007 breakout season? Byrnes has always had potential, and has had some really good seasons. But 2007 was quite possibly his best all-around season in the bigs, and helped lead a very young team to the playoffs. He has an golden personality to go along with his electric play in the outfield. He also stole 50 bases a year ago, and there is no reason to believe his production will decrease in 2008.
- Will Mike Hampton actually be able to play an entire season? Hampton hasn't thrown a pitch since the 2005 season! Hampton has had a myriad of injuries, and each time he tries to come back, he manages to suffer an injury to a different body part. With a healthy Hampton in the rotation, the Braves could be looking at another division title - without him, they will be grasping at straws to stay afloat in the NL East.
- What about Glavine? Glavine will be 42 once the season begins, and while he hasn't exactly shown signs of slowing down, one has to wonder how much he has left. He's been a consistent 200+ innings pitcher for the majority of his career, and in 2008 he is reuniting with manager Bobby Cox and the Braves it what might be his final season in the MLB. But will he be enough to anchor that Braves rotation?
- Just who will close for the Braves in 2008? Last January, the Braves dealt Adam LaRoche to the Pirates for Mike Gonzalez, in hopes of having a quality closer at the back end of the bullpen. But after only 18 2007 games, Gonzalez suffered an elbow injury and required Tommy John surgery. According to CBS Sports, Gonzalez will be sidelined until at least May, if not longer. And when he does return, it is unclear whether he or Rafael Soriano will be trusted with the ball in the 9th inning of close ball games.
- Did Andy McPhail know what he was doing? McPhail, the Orioles' general manager, dealt away the team's ace pitcher and All Star shortstop. Erik Bedard is now in Seattle, while Miguel Tejada is wearing an Astros uniform, and while the Orioles did get some talent back in return, it is hard to replace the likes of Bedard and Miggy. But baseball works in funny ways, and maybe McPhail knows something the rest of us don't.
- Can Daniel Cabrera, Jeremy Guthrie and Adam Loewen succeed as the anchors in the rotation? With Bedard out of Baltimore, the Orioles are lacking that legitimate ace. That means the three-headed monster of Cabrera, Guthrie and Loewen will have to emerge as number ones and show that they can lead a young and somewhat talented ball club. The club signed veteran, and former Oriole, Steve Trachsel to a minor league contract, and he should be able to help lessen the burden on the three youngsters in the rotation.
- Can Dave Trembley end the Orioles manager revolving door? Dave Trembley is the fifth Orioles manager since 1998, and he will have his work cut out for him. The Orioles will lose, there is no arguing that. But the difference between a winning club and a losing club is the ability to come back the next day and forget yesterday's loss. Trembley will have to try and make this young team aware of this fact, while trying to keep the club's hopes high.
- What is the deal with Curt Schilling? A shoulder problem has sent waves through the baseball world, staking claims that Schilling could miss half of 2008, the entire season, or could be done altogether. At this point, Schilling has declined surgery, and will rehab the shoulder, and the forecast right now is for him to be back around the All Star break. But Schilling is 41 years old, has three World Series rings, and really has nothing left to prove. So is it really worth the $8 million to come back and pitch in '08, or is time to hang 'em up?
- Will Coco Crisp be traded? The Red Sox are all but content with having budding star Jacoby Ellsbury being their everyday center fielder. So that leaves Crisp, and the $10.5 million the Sox owe him over the next two seasons, sitting on the bench, when instead, they could trade him for some help in the bullpen. But so far, the Sox have had no takers for the 28-year old, though he had been rumored to be part of a package that would have landed Johan Santana in Boston.
- Can the Red Sox actually repeat, and thus build up a dynasty? It took the Red Sox 86 years to win one World Series. It took them only three years to win their next one. With their 2008 club almost identical to their 2007 club (which had plenty of leftovers from 2004), it's hard to argue the Sox repeating as champs this coming season - and many more for that matter. But the competition is only going to get tougher, with the Jays and Rays both much improved, and the Yankees being...well, the Yankees.
- Who is Kosuke Fukudome? Fukudome came over from Japan and signed a 4 year, $48 million contract to play right field for the Cubs. Fukudome (K-Fuk?) will give the Lou Pinella and the Cubbies a left-handed bat to break up all those righties - Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee. And Fukudome could have some legitimate success in his first season in America, if his Japan numbers are any indication. According to MLB.com, the 30-year old lefty won two batting titles in Japan, and averaged 29 home runs from 2002-06.
- Who is the Cubs' closer? Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, Ryan Dempster and Bob Howry are all candidates to be the stopper for the Cubs in '08. Of the four, Dempster has the most experience, Marmol has the most upside, Wood has the nastiest stuff, and Howry is the most consistent. Is it possible to have a four-headed closer? Currently, Marmol, who struck out 69 batters in 70 innings in 2007, has been used as a closer in the Caribbean series. Dempster has been a regular closer with the Cubs since the 2005 season, saving about 28 saves each year - but he also has a K/BB ratio of 219/115 over that same time span. Wood, coming of a myriad of injuries, can only be expected to pitch an inning a game. If the season began today, I would argue that Marmol makes the most sense to be the Cubs' stopper.
- Who is Geovany Soto? In 2001, the Cubs drafted a 6'1", 195 lb catcher by the name of Geovany Soto in the 11th round. Soto made his debut (one at-bat) four season later in '05. He got a saw a little more playing time with the Cubs in '06 and '07, but this season will be his first full season in the big leagues. 2007 was easily his best season in AAA Iowa, smashing 26 home runs and hitting a very lofty .353! So perhaps Soto is ready to take over the full-time catching duties for the reigning NL Central kings.
- Are Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel enough to solve the bullpen problems face in 2007? Last year, manager Ozzie Guillen seemingly pulled out a strand of hair each time he had to make a call to the bullpen. The White Sox bullpen combined to have a 5.47 ERA, which was only better than the Orioles and Rays in the MLB. Because of that woeful statistic, GM Kenny Williams signed Linebrink to a 4 year deal, and inked Dotel to a 2 year contract. It is expected that these two, along with All Star closer Bobby Jenks, will right the ship and actually be able to close out those 2-1 ballgames.
- Will Ozzie Guillen be able to keep his job? It's been no secret that Guillen's managing style is somewhat...unorthodox. He is notorious for calling out his players in the dugout and to the media. He doesn't exactly get along with his General Manager either. If the Sox have another disappointing season in 2008 (only 3 seasons removed from winning the World Series), one has to wonder if Guillen will be around much longer.
- Will Jose Contreras be able to produce for the Sox in '08? In 2007, Contreras had the highest ERA (5.57) of any pitcher in baseball with at least 180 innings pitched. And currently, this man is slated to be the Sox number three starter in 2008. So the Sox are wondering if Contreras can revert to his 2006 numbers, when he was named to the All Star team and had 134 strikeouts. If he can, then perhaps the rotation won't be as bad as it appears right now.
- How much change will Dusty Baker bring to the Queen City? Baker becomes the seventh manager for the Reds since 2003 (when the team had three managers throughout the year). And he has experience of taking over poor clubs and turning them around to reach the playoffs (1993 with the Giants and 2003 with the Cubs). So will he have the magic touch in 2008 with the Reds? They certainly have enough talent on that team.
- Can Griffey stay on the field for an entire season? He came close last season, playing in 144 games (the most since his first season in Cincy in 2000 when he played in 145). But the injury bug still managed to bite the Kid, and forced him to miss the last few weeks of the season. He starts 2008 only seven home runs shy of 600 for his career, and once he reaches that milestone, he becomes an almost definite for the Hall of Fame. And if he is able to play a full season for the first time since 1999, the Reds should be able to reap the benefits.
- When will Adam Dunn get some MVP recognition? Yeah, he strikes out an awful lot. But he also walks a lot. Dunn finished among the major league's top ten in walks each year since 2002 (aside from an injury-shortened 2003). He also knows how to hit home runs. On a Cincinnati team that has fallen short of its potential for a number of years, Dunn seems to be the only stable member of this club, and its a wonder that he's only made the All Star team once in his career.
- Do the Indians have what it takes to take on the Tigers? There is no doubt that the Indians are chock-full of talented players. Whether it's leadoff man Grady Sizemore, All Star catcher Victor Martinez, or slugger Travis Haftner, from top to bottom, they have one of the most potent lineups in baseball. And their pitching ain't too shabby neither. Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia anchors a rotation that also includes Cy Young candidate Fausto Carmona, Paul Byrd, Jake Westbrook and someday the very talented Adam Miller. But can they beat division rivals Detroit? It will certainly be a challenge, as Detroit is certainly looking like the favorites early on in 2008. But the Indians, led by manager Eric Wedge, seem to have away to pull rabbits out of their hats, and are very open to the competition that will come their way in '08.
- Can Cliff Lee rebound? What a dismal season 2007 was for the left-hander. After coming back from an abdominal injury, finished '07 with a 5-8 record and an awful 6.29 ERA. He was even demoted to AAA during the season. In 2008, Lee looks to turn it around and try and match his 2005 numbers when he finished 4th in the Cy Young award voting. If he can't AAA might seem like a good place for Lee compared to where he may end up.
- Is Joe Borowski a legitimate closer? Borowski has certainly had his share of ups and downs as a big league stopper, saving 33 games for the Cubs in 2003, and then saving 36 and 45 for the Marlins in '06 and the Indians last season respectively. But Borowski's ERA has increased significantly each one of those seasons, climaxing at a 5.07 clip in '07. Furthermore, before those 33 saves in '03, Borowski saved a total of two games in six seasons. If Borowski can't get the job done at the end of ballgames, the Indians may find themselves in a load of trouble.
- So, was 2007 a fluke, or can the Rockies actually repeat as NL Champs? This may be a trick question. Perhaps 2007 wasn't a fluke - but it seems unlikely that the Rockies can get back to the World Series in 2008. Then again, who predicted them to make it to the Fall Classic last season. But last season's success was primarily built upon emotion and adrenaline, and much of that may have gotten washed away with depressing sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox. Not to mention, with the Diamondbacks, Dodgers and many other teams in the National League all having improved themselves, the Rockies will be hard pressed to match last year's success.
- Is Manny Corpas as good as he seems? After Brian Fuentes was named to the 2007 All Star game, he managed to blow four straight saves, and then get injured. This opened the door for 27-year old Panamanian Manuel Corpas to become the stopper. And he was impressive, saving 19 of 21 chances in 2007. That level of success means Corpas will begin 2008 as the Rockies everyday closer. And keep this in mind; even though he didn't save any games in his 2006 major league debut, he did save 19 games in '06 for AAA Tulsa. So perhaps Fuentes will become expendable around the trade deadline.
- Sophomore slump for Tulo? Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies' young shortstop, missed being last season's National League Rookie of the Year by mere 2 votes in the balloting. Needless to say, "Tulo" had an incredible season and will look to match that in 2008. But there is a never-ending concern over the "sophomore slump" myth. Meaning, there is always a chance that Tulowitzki could become the next Angel Berroa or Erik Hinske. But in all honesty, Tulowitzki has way too much talent to be compared to either of those guys, and should flourish in 2008.
- Who's Your Tiger? Whoever it is, this team is stacked. They very well might be the best team in the game. I would argue that the pitching staff of the Red Sox makes them the best team, but the Tigers certainly have a case. Their offense is stacked - with off-season acquisitions Edgar Renteria, Miguel Cabrera and Jacque Jones only fortifying an already strong lineup. Magglio Ordonez is a perennial MVP candidate, and Gary Sheffield is consistently good for 25-30 home runs. And a pitching staff which now features Dontrelle Willis as a number four is still one of the best in baseball.
- Which D-Train will be on the tracks in '08? What a disappointing season 2007 was for Dontrelle Willis, and for Marlins fans everywhere. Willis' 5.17 ERA was the highest it has been in his 5-year career, and his 87 walks were the most he's ever given up. It seems a like it's been ages since his 2005 All Star season, in which he finished second in the NL Cy Young award voting. But the D-Train has since been somewhat derailed, and will look to get back on track in 2008 for a true contender.
- Will the Tigers be able to survive without Joel Zumaya? Some residents of Southern California might not have been able to, if Zumaya didn't aid and assist during the wildfires back in October. But due to his courageous act, Zumaya injured his right shoulder, and will miss at least half of the season. And even when he does come back, it is unclear as to whether he will have lost anything off of his 100 mph fastball. There is a chance that, should he come back healthy, Zumaya could take over as the team's closer towards the end of the season. But until then, the 9th inning duties will be reserved for veteran Todd Jones, who saved 38 games in '07. But the rest of the bullpen suffered without Zumaya, finishing 23rd in baseball with a 4.37 combined ERA, according to ESPN.com. It will be a tough task getting through the 6-8 innings without the fireballing right-hander.
- Will the young and inexperienced pitchers be able to show some maturity and compete with the rest of the league? The Marlins dealt "veteran" left-hander Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers as part of a re-building program. Dontrelle, who turned only 26 last month, was the team's ace and anchor (even though he had a tremendously upsetting season). Now, Andrew Miller, 22, and Scott Olsen, 24, will be relied on to be the horses of a staff full of young arms. Not an easy task for a guy (Miller) who made his major league debut last season, and another (Olsen) who has yet to finish with an ERA under 4.00.
- Did the Marlins get everything they needed from the Cabrera/Dontrelle trade? Coming into the offseason, the Marlins knew they needed a catcher, a center fielder and at least another pitcher. And they knew they had to cut budget. They were able to check all of those items off their Christmas list in December when they dealt their All Star third baseman and pitcher for a catcher (Mike Rabelo), a center fielder (Cameron Maybin) and some pitching (notably, Miller). Maybin is a five-tool caliber player, and Rabelo has some skills as well. So, all may not be lost for the Marlins.
- Is Kevin Gregg a closer? A lot of people, myself included, were stunned at the fact that Kevin Gregg saved 32 games for the Marlins in 2007. In his previous four seasons, he saved a total of one game...and in his 10 seasons in the minors, he saved three! So how can Gregg be counted on to have another season of 30+ saves? Perhaps this is the season Matt Lindstrom, who has electric stuff and saved 13 games in five minor league seasons, transitions to the role of stopper.
- Who is going to start behind Roy Oswalt? If pitching indeed wins championships, as the late Ray Murphy truly believed, then the Astros are going to have a difficult time winning in 2008. Behind ace Roy Oswalt, the Astros are rather weak in the rotation. 44-year old Woody Williams, Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backe and number of unproven or unaccomplished pitchers will battle for spots in the rotation. And, other than Oswalt, none of these names will dazzle anyone or strike fear into hitters' bats.
- Will Miguel Tejada be able to put all the steroids talk behind him and flourish in his first season in Houston? The Astros gave up a lot to acquire Tejada from the Orioles, knowing he was listed on former Senator George Mitchell's report and knowing he was a player in this whole steroid non-sense. But nevertheless, the shortstop's ability to hit the ball long distances (keep in mind that Minute Maid Park has a very short porch in left field) was enough to lure GM Ed Wade to bring the former MVP to Houston.
- Will Cecil Cooper be a capable manager in Houston? Cooper started 2007 as the Astros' bench coach and took over as manager on August 27 when the Astros fired Phil Garner. According to baseballreference.com, the 'Stros went 15-16 in the 31 games under Cooper's reign. Cooper, a veteran of 17 seasons, should be able to remain in control of a team that is well balanced with veterans and rookies. Cooper is a 5-time All Star and owns 241 career home runs.
- Just how good will the Royals be in 2008? I have a feeling the Royals are going to surprise a lot of people this season, and could finish as high as third in the division. That could be a long shot, but they improved themselves immensely this winter, adding veterans Jose Guillen and Miguel Olivo to play right field and catcher respectively. They have some talented arms in their rotation with Gil Meche and Brian Bannister leading the way. And their core of young players, including Alex Gordon, Mark Teahen and Billy Butler could be good enough to impress the world of baseball and make them serious contenders for the first time in almost two decades.
- Who is Trey Hillman and what will he do for the Royals? Trey Hillman, the latest man to be named manager of the Royals (he becomes the 6th since 2002). 2008 will mark his first season as being a major league manager, though he has managed in Japan. Hillman, who was still managing the Nippon Ham fighters in Japan, was announced as the Royals' latest manager back in October. Not only has Hillman never managed in the big leagues, but has also never even been a coach. But he seems to have an ability to lead a club - days before he was announced as the Royals' skipper, his Fighters defeated Bobby Valentine's Marines to win the Pacific League championship, according to MLB.com.
- Can Alex Gordon, Billy Butler and the other young phenoms take the next step and become legitimate major leaguers? The Royals' have a ton of young talent, after spending the last several years rebuilding their system. Alex Gordon and Billy Butler sit atop of the talent list as far as the Royals' youngsters go. Both of these young men debuted last season, and both had good, but not great seasons. Gordon, the 2nd pick overall in the 2005 draft, finished with 15 homers, and a .247 batting average. But he did hit .325 at AAA Wichita in 2006, while also stealing 22 bases. So clearly he has the make up to be a real threat in the majors for a long time. Butler, the Royals' first round pick in the 2004 draft, wound up hitting eight home runs and slugging at a .447 clip in 2007. But over 4 minor league seasons, Butler slugged at a .561 mark and had 320 RBIs. Both of these kids have a ton of talent and an equal amount of potential. 2008 could be the year both of these soon-to-be superstars burst out and make their mark in the American League.
- Who plays shortstop? With the Angels shipping Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for Jon Garland, the Halos are short a shortstop. Maicer Izturis, Brandon Wood and Erick Aybar are going to have to battle for regular playing time at short, and it's anyone's guess as to who has the upper hand. Aybar has played slightly more games at shortstop than Wood, with Izturis well behind (he was pretty much split between second base and short during his minor league stints). But Izturis has by far the most major league experience. It will be hard to replace the presence of Cabrera, both in the field and at the plate - but the Angels should be able to get by with either of their candidates.
- Who will be the starting three in the Angels' crowded outfield? Vladimir Guerrero in right and new center fielder Torii Hunter are, barring injury, automatic starters at their position. Left field, however, may not be as clear-cut. Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr. and Juan Rivera all have the ability to be the starter. Chances are, one of the two who are not in left field will be the designated hitter for the Angels, and it's a strong possibility that both positions will be somewhat of a revolving door between the three. Anderson and Rivera are both rather injury-prone, and Matthews is still trying to prove that his incredible 2006 season was not a fluke.
- Will the Angels be able to hold off those boys from Seattle? They improved their club as much, if not more, than the Angels this winter. They were able to smell October until a late-season slump crushed those chances. But 2008 could be a different story and the Mariners will certainly give the Halos a run for their money (at least all $90 the Angels spent on Hunter). The Angels still have the upper-hand, as I believe their offense is still slightly superior to the Mariners' - but that's no guarantee to get into October.
- Is Hiroki Kuroda going to be the next Hideo Nomo? That's a two-fold question. Nomo was pretty much lights out his first few years in the major leagues, but now he's battling for a roster spot with the Royals at age 39. The six-foot right-hander from Japan, according to MLB.com, has a career record of 103-89 to go along with a 3.69 ERA in 11 seasons with Hiroshima. In 2007, he went 12-8 with a 3.56 ERA. The 32-year old has also been an All-Star the past three seasons in Japan.
- Is Joe Torre the answer? For the first time in over a decade, Joe Torre will be managing a club that doesn't play in the Bronx. But the glitz and glamour, along with the paparazzi, will not subside in Tinseltown. But Torre is used to being under a microscope, as he was the subject of analysis for his entire tenure with the Yankees. Now, his assignment is to get the Dodgers to the World Series, and there may be no better man to do it. Whether it was Don Zimmer, the players, or pure luck, Torre has reached the playoffs every season since 1996, and there's no reason to think the Dodgers won't keep that streak alive. They have the talent and they have the drive to get to October, and now they have a solid manager to lead the way.
- Who's on third? Actually, Who was on first...but that was the 1930's. In 2008, Andy LaRoche is likely to be the regular at third base for the Boys in Blue. But he has a lot of pressure on him to succeed, as former All-Star Nomar Garciaparra will be ready to hop onto the hot corner should LaRoche prove unworthy. The 24-year old from Kansas did not have a very impressive debut in 2007, hitting only one home run in 93 at-bats. But he did hit 18 in AAA Las Vegas in '07, and also had a .399 on-base percentage. So he could be ready to be the Dodgers' everyday third baseman, but he could also have some growing pains, and Garciaparra is there to ease those pains.
- Are the Brewers ready to take that next step and hold on to first place? The Brewers lost the division by two games to the Cubs in 2007, in what was their best season since 1992 when they won 92 games. They were the surprise of baseball, as no one really pegged them to be as good as they were, and they certainly impressed. But needless to say, they were not satisfied being left out of the playoffs by such a slim margin. The Brewers offense is made up of kids like Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks and J.J. Hardy. The core of young players will be a year older and wiser in 2008, and with the acquisition of veteran Mike Cameron, the Brewers should be ready to make that last push into October.
- How effective will Eric Gagne be at the back end of the bullpen? Remember when Gagne was unhittable? Remember when he saved an average of about 50 saves a year between 2002-04 with the Dodgers? Remember when he was named NL Cy Young award winner in 2003? Seems like a completely different era, doesn't it? A variety of injuries have kept Gagne from being the elite closer he once was, and now that he is healthy, he has had trouble finding that magic touch again. He signed a $10 million contract to try and start fresh with the Brewers, and they're going to need him to be the guy who saved 84 consecutive saves in 23 months. For more on Gagne pre-injury, read this from ESPN's Jayson Stark...it's amazing.
- Can Ben Sheets finally stay healthy and be the horse the Brewers need? Sheets hasn't started more than 30 games for the Brewers since he started 34 in 2004, when he actually struck out 264 batters. Since his emergence in the major leagues, Sheets has been relied upon to be the ace of the pitching staff, and when healthy, he has given the Brewers' fans something to cheer about. But staying on the mound has been a problem for him - blisters, groins, and a myriad of other injuries has kept this former first-round pick from reaching his full potential. The Brewers are fairly deep in the starting pitching department, but the rotation is built around Sheets, and without him, the Brew Crew will be hard-pressed to reach the promised land.
- How do the Twins move on after losing Johan Santana and Torii Hunter? It's tough to be a fan of a team that lost its ace and Gold Glove center fielder in the same offseason. The Twins missed the playoffs in 2007 for only the second time in the last six seasons. For all those seasons though they had Hunter's bat and glove, and Santana's left arm. For the first time, however, both of those men are gone and the Twins will have a tough time trying to win without them. Granted, they still have the M&M Boys (Mauer & Morneau), but it's hard enough to replace your ace, or your All-Star slugger - but both at the same time? Minnesota has a ton of young pitching waiting to show that they deserve to be in the rotation, and have some young kids to play in center. But I don't think it will be enough to overtake the dangerous Indians, Tigers and even White Sox in 2008.
- Without Santana, who takes over as the Twins' ace? Remember Francisco Liriano? He took the baseball world by storm in 2006 when he struck out 144 batters in 121 innings. He was named to the All-Star team that season, and even finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting, despite the fact that a gruesome should injury forced him to miss the last two months of the season. That injury also caused him to miss the entire 2007 season. This talented southpaw will look to get back on track in 2008, as he appears to be healthy and ready to take over as the teams' ace in the hole. He has some big shoes to fill, as he replaced Santana. He also has a lot of pressure on him to show that he can still throw like he did before he needed Tommy John surgery. But when he's on, he can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the game.
- We know Justin Morneau is the everyday first baseman - but who is going to play the rest of the infield positions? Santana wasn't the only pitcher the Twins dealt this winter. Back in November, they sent Matt Garza, along with shortstop Jason Bartlett to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for infielder Brendan Harris and outfielder Delmon Young. They also signed former Houston Astro free agents Mike Lamb and Adam Everett. It seems likely that Lamb will get most of the playing time at third, while Everett will get the nod at short. Harris could see the majority of the playing time at second base, but he will be competing with incumbent Nick Punto and youngster Alexi Casilla. Should be an interesting Spring Training for this group of infielders.
- This is the one everyone has been asking - is Santana enough? The Mets' managed to complete the biggest collapse in the history of baseball at the end of the '07 season. Then, last month, they managed to acquire arguably the best pitcher in the game. There were (and still are) a lot of skeptics that claim the Mets gave up way too much for the talented lefty, and are still not guaranteed a playoff spot. But consider this - Santana was a two-time Cy Young award winner in Minnesota. In 2008, he moves to Shea Stadium, a much better place for pitchers, and he moves into the National League where he will face pitchers in the batting order instead of designated hitters. Santana won't be able to hand the Mets a World Series on a silver platter - but just his presence helps ease the pains of last September and gives the fans an immense amount of hope heading into Spring Training.
- Can Carlos Delgado turn things around in 2008? It's no secret that Delgado's struggles in 2007 highlighted the Mets' problems last season. Delgado's .258 batting average and 24 home runs were the lowest of his career since he played 37 games for Toronto in 1995. The 35-year old first baseman sits 69 home runs shy of 500, and if he is able to string two or three of his typical 30+ home runs seasons, he should be able to reach that milestone and push towards the Hall of Fame. But for immediate purposes, the Mets' offense circles around Delgado's production, and for the Mets to be successful in '08, Delgado will have to lead the way.
- If four years for Luis Castillo too long? Back in November, the Mets re-signed second baseman Luis Castillo to a four year, $25 million contract. Castillo, acquired at the deadline in 2007, seems to become less and less durable as his career moves on. And now that he is about to enter his 13th big league season, one must wonder how much he will be able to stay on the field. Castillo has fallen short of 500 at-bats only once since 2000, but his days of 30+ stolen bases appear to be over. His knees are going to constantly act up, and in four years, who knows what kind of shape the slick-fielding Dominican will be in. But, believe it or not, Castillo is only 32 years of age, so perhaps he can still offer the Mets some productivity for the next four seasons.
New York Yankees
- Where will Joba pitch? Joba Chamberlain burst on to the scene in 2007 and didn't give up a single earned run until his 13th game - and didn't give up another one until the playoffs. He pitched as a reliever last season, and there was (and still is) rumblings in the Bronx about whether the 6'2" right-hander will start the season in the rotation or in the 'pen. Right now, reports are saying he will start the season in the bullpen, but there seems to be a contradicting report every other week. But regardless of where this 22-year old phenom pitches, he will deliver for the Yankees, and will continue to do so for a number of years.
- Will Joe Girardi be an effective replacement for Joe Torre? Joe Girardi walks into 2008 as the Yankees' first manager since Torre took over in 1996. To say that this is a small matter is a drastic understatement. Think of what Girardi has to deal with - he replaces a manager that took this team to the playoffs every year in which he managed; he was a catcher for the Yankees for four seasons; he served as Torre's bench coach in 2005; he's a former teammate of current Yankees Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Kyle Farnsworth; and he has a reputation to maintain, as he was named the 2006 NL Manager of the Year in his only year of managing - when he managed the Marlins to a rather impressive 78-84 record. 2008 will not be an easy year for Girardi, but should he and the Yankees succeed and reach the playoffs, he will immediately be on the good side of the fans, and more importantly, the Steinbrenners.
- Can Mike Mussina help stabilize the Yankees' rotation? Chien-Ming Wang is the Yankees' ace. After him, it becomes slightly unclear. Andy Pettitte has decided to come back for another season in pinstripes. But he has spent most of this winter dealing with Congressional hearings, steroid talks and his relationship with Roger Clemens. Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes have a tremendous amount of talent and upside, but have yet to prove their spot in the rotation. That leaves Mussina, who has 250 career wins and who also pitched 152 innings - his lowest total since his 1991 rookie season. If Mussina can remain healthy in 2008, and can give the Yankees seasons like his 18 win, 172 strikeout 1999 season, then the Yankees should be able to reach the playoffs for a 13th consecutive season.
- Are the A's waving the white flag before the season even begins? There is no question that this once dominant franchise is undergoing the ever-popular rebuilding phase. They've traded away their ace (Dan Haren) and one of their best sluggers (Nick Swisher), and got back a whole slew of prospects. And they're still rumored to be dealing their current ace, Joe Blanton, before the season begins. Daric Barton, 22 years of age, is set to become the A's regular first baseman, after playing in 18 games during his 2007 debut season. For the immediate future, neither the A's lineup nor pitching staff will make anyone say "WOW". They may end up to be better than projected, but don't expect another 103-win season like they had in 2002.
- What is the status of Eric Chavez? What a tragic story Chavez is becoming. Here you have a 29-year old third baseman in his prime who can't seem to stay healthy. He finished 2007 with a .240/15/46 line and has missed a number of games the last two seasons with several injuries. And while he's tried to battle through them, they never seem to go away. But after a couple of offseason surgeries, he is expected to enter Spring Training healthy and ready to go. If he can stay on the field, he is still capable of hitting 25-30 home runs and is a tremendous third baseman in the field, as his six Gold Gloves can prove.
- Who is there to cheer for in 2008? Barton should be fun to watch, as he has been highly touted for a few years now. He now gets the chance to be the A's everyday first baseman, and has the ability to draw walks and hit for a high average. He also could be good for 15-20 home runs. It's hard to cheer against Rich Harden. This kid has worked his tail off, in between injuries, to be the pitcher everyone expected of him. He's only made 30 or more starts once in his 5-year career. But he has a great fastball and has the mentality to become an ace - as long as he remains healthy. And Gio Gonzalez, who the A's received from the White Sox in the Swisher deal, has electric stuff. This marks the third time in three years he's been traded, but he's a left-handed pitcher who struck out 185 hitters in 2007, after striking out 166 the year before - all in AA.
- The Phils have shown they can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? There seems to be a new rivalry forming in the NL East, as the Mets and Phillies go back and forth with who is the real team to beat in the league. But with no clear-cut winner in the division, the Phillies are going to have to make sure they can back up their words with home runs, strikeouts and victories. And with the bullpen and rotation still in a bit of flux, the Fightin's will be challenged to indeed be the team to beat.
- Will bouncing between the rotation and bullpen affect Brett Myers? In 2006, Myers, a former first-round pick, started 31 games and went 12-7. In 2007, he started three games, but also saved 21 games as he became a closer for the first time in his career. But after the acquisition of Brad Lidge, Myers goes back into the rotation, where he may feel more comfortable. But there will likely be somewhat of an adjustment period, as Myers will go back to pitching 6-8 innings every five games, as opposed to pitching one inning every game or so. This could take a toll on his arm, at least in the early going.
- Will Lidge finally be able to hold it together? It was October of 2005. The Houston Astros, leading Game 5 by a score of 4-2, were one pitch away from going to the World Series, and BAM! A 3-run longball courteous of Albert Pujols sends the Cardinals/Astros National League Championship Series to a Game 6, and sends closer Brad Lidge (who served up the homer) into a downward spiral. Since that home run, Lidge hasn't quite been the same - despite the fact that the 'Stros came back and wound up making into the Fall Classic anyway. After practically getting booed out of Houston, Lidge gets a fresh start in Philadelphia. But how much Brotherly Love will the fans give Lidge if he blows but one game? Perhaps Lidge would have been better off in Kansas City or Miami where baseball is more of an after-thought.
- Which of the young members of the Pirates' rotation will breakout first? Tom Gorezelanny, Ian Snell, Paul Maholm and Zach Duke. All four are under 30 years of age, and each has at least 44 games started in their young careers. They each have talent and the potential to become a true stud pitcher. And if we judge them by their 2007 numbers, Gorezelanny might have the best chance to become that pitcher this season. Last year, he led the Pirates with 14 wins, and was second with a 3.88 ERA. It was his first full season, and the 25-year old southpaw could be poised for an even better 2008. The injury bug bit Duke in 2007, but he might have the most overall talent of the four. In 2005, he finished 5th in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, and won 10 games for a very bad Pirates team in '06. If he can stay healthy, Duke should be able to have his breakout season in 2008.
- Who are we watching in '08? There aren't too many names on this team that make you say "Don't let this guy beat you". A healthy Jason Bay is a very dangerous hitter, as is Adam LaRoche. Nyjer Morgan and Nate McLouth are going to be battling in Spring Training for the starting center field position. With Chris Duffy unable to stay healthy, the race is between Morgan and McLouth - two really good friends. It should be a fun battle however, as McLouth has the upper-hand on experience by a large margin (2007 was Morgan's first season in the major leagues). But both have a boat-load of talent, with speed and pop - both should be a capable center fielder for the Buckos in 2008. Additionally, 240 lb closer Matt Capps is a 24-year old fireballer with a huge build and should be able to match, if not increase, his saves total (18) of a year ago.
- Will Jason Bay be playing in Pittsburgh on August 1? There have been a lot of rumors this offseason about Jason Bay finding a new home. The super-talented outfielder battled knee tendonitis in 2007 and saw a steep decline in production. But the former Rookie of the Year has failed to hit less than 20 home runs in a single season (other than 2003 when he had only 87 at-bats). He is reportedly healthy and ready for Spring Training, and if the Pirates' ship is sinking come the trade deadline, there are plenty of teams that will take this 29-year old slugger.
- Who is the Padres' left fielder in 2008? Coming into Spring Training, that job belongs to 27-year old Scott Hairston (brother of fellow big-leaguer Jerry Hairston Jr.). The left field job is Hairston's to lose, as the Padres right now don't have anyone that can aptly play the position. But there have been reports that former second round pick Chase Headley has been shagging fly balls in left field, and if Hairston should prove unworthy, don't think the Pads won't hesitate in experimenting with Headley - or perhaps new acquisition, veteran Tony Clark.
- Is Mark Prior finally going to have a full season in the major leagues? Prior hasn't made 30 starts since the 2003 season, and he might have to wait one more season to reach that plateau. Prior, rehabbing from last April's shoulder surgery that cost him the 2007 season, is not expected to pitch in the major leagues until at least May. But when he does, he will be pitching for his hometown team - he signed a one year contract this winter - and will look to prove he has enough in him to be able to compete at the major league level, and not be a 27-year old wash-up.
- Who do the Padres have in their bullpen, in case Trevor Hoffman should wear down? Trevor Hoffman is the all-time leader in saves, a six-time All Star, and a sure-fire Hall of Famer. But he is also 40 years old now, and may show signs of age in 2008. Not to mention, he ended 2007 on a very sour note. First, he gave up the game-tying triple to Brewers' outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., in a heart-breaking loss causing the Padres to play a tie-braker with the Rockies to determine the NL Wild Card winners. Then in that game, he blew a 2-run lead in the bottom of the 13th inning, sending the Padres home and the Rockies onto the playoffs. That's two blown games in the span of three days, both with playoff implications. That can't sit well, even with a man who has 524 career saves. And behind him in the bullpen are Heath Bell and Cla Meredith, who have a total of two saves between them (Bell saved two last season, while Meredith has never saved a major league game). So if Hoffman should show signs of ware, the Padres may be in a bind when it comes to the bottom of the ninth.
- Will Barry Zito give some return for his 7-year $126 million contract? Before Johan Santana signed his extension with the Mets last month, Barry Zito was the richest pitcher in baseball history. And when the Giants signed him for a robust seven years, they were indeed hoping to get something more than an 11-13 record with a 4.53 ERA. And while there were some excuses - not being used to National League hitters, not pitching for a contract, etc... - the Giants' brass and fans are going to want to see some better output from the 29-year old southpaw (he'll be 30 in May). With his feet now wet in the NL, there's no reason to think Zito won't go back towards his All-Star/Cy Young seasons.
- How do the Giants expect to score any runs with only one proven run producer? The Giants made sure to have at least one big bat in their lineup for the next several years, signing center fielder Aaron Rowand to a 5-year, $60 million contract. And while he flourished in the cozy confines Philadelphia's Citizen Bank Park, his numbers are expected to decline in the spacious AT&T Park. And the supporting cast around him is anything but proven sluggers. Pedro Feliz and Barry Bonds, two of the Giants' top home run hitters last season, are gone (Feliz to Philly and Bonds to...well who knows?). And while Randy Winn and Bengie Molina can still hit, it's going to be a tough year to be a Giants fan, and pitcher.
- Speaking of Giants pitchers, will Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and/or Noah Lowry ever get dealt? Lincecum, Cain and Lowry are three young, talented arms in the Giants' rotation, and all have some nasty stuff. But all will likely be hard-luck losers most of the season, unless they are dealt to a winning club. Look at Matt Cain's 2007 numbers: 200 innings pitched, 163 strikeouts, 3.65 ERA...7-16 record. As an owner of Cain in fantasy land last season, it was extremely painful to watch the Giants lose many 1-0 and 2-1 ballgames started by Cain. Each of these pitchers had their names circulating in trade rumors this winter, with Cain being the closest to being dealt (to the Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Alex Rios). Don't be surprised if at least one of these young studs is wearing a different uniform by season's end.
- Will Erik Bedard be enough to catch the Angels? In the pitching department, certainly. The Mariners now have one of the most balanced 1-5 pitching rotations in baseball. The 29-year old lefty Bedard is going to be the opening-day starter, followed by righty "King" Felix Hernandez, lefty Jarrod Washburn, and righties Carlos Silva and Miguel Batista. All five of these guys are capable of winning at least 15 games, and should be able to keep the opposition from scoring in bunches, as well as giving the Mariners some much needed innings from the rotation to protect J.J. Putz and the bullpen.
- Will the Mariners' offense be enough to catch the Angels? Probably not. As great as their pitching is, their offense, or lack thereof, may keep them from winning the division. If Richie Sexson can't return to his 40+ homer days, and if Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt aren't able to make that next step into maturity, the Mariners will have a tough time in catching the Angels' stacked offense. Ichiro can't do it all on his own, and at least on paper, it just doesn't look as if the Mariners have enough, in my opinion of course.
- Will Brad Wilkerson be able to keep the right field job to himself? The Mariners gave Wilkerson a 1-year contract at the end of January - a prelude to trading blue chipper Adam Jones for Bedard. It's no secret that Wilkerson can hit the ball a long way (he's hit at least 20 home runs three times in his career). But he has never hit higher than .270, and has only played in 57 career games in right field. Wladimir Balentien, the 2007 Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year, will pose as Wilkerson's greatest threat in 2008. Balentien, originally from Curacao (as is Andruw Jones), hit .291 with 24 home runs for AAA-Tacoma in 2007, according to Baseball America. He will likely start the season in Tacoma, but look for him to make a push in Spring Training and give Wilkerson a run for his money.
- Who is this Colby Rasmus kid? Ramsus is a 21-year old outfielder with loads of potential. This kid hit 29 home runs and had an OPS of .932 for AAA-Springfield last season. He was the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2005, and while he might start the season in the minors, look for him to have a season comparable to Ryan Braun and Hunter Pence from a year ago. He has Rookie of the Year written all over him...and with Juan Encarnacion slated to miss the entire season with an eye injury, and Jim Edmonds playing in PetCo Park, Rasmus may be up with the big club much sooner than later.
- With Chris Carpenter out most of the season, can Adam Wainwright be the Cards' ace? Carp had season-ending surgery last year, and is expected to be out until August or even September. In his absence, youngster Adam Wainwright is expected to fill the role of staff ace. In Wainwright, you have a 26-year old right-hander who, before 2007, never started a major league game. He had a pretty good season for a first-time starter, finishing with a 3.70 ERA which was good for 11th in the league. But for the Cardinals to be at all successful in '08, Wainwright will have to step his game up even further, and lead the Cards' pitching staff.
- Leading off for the Cardinals....? David Eckstein signed on to play with the Jays, and that leaves the Cards without a proven leadoff man. The Cardinals have made it clear that they will not spend money or talent to bring in a leadoff hitter in from the outside, which means the candidate lies within the team's roster. Some of these players include Adam Kennedy, Aaron Miles, Skip Schumaker, Rasmus and perhaps even Rick Ankiel. But none of these options are exactly superb - Kennedy, Miles and Schumaker aren't even guaranteed starting spots in the lineup, Rasmus is more of a number 2 or 3 hitter, and Ankiel doesn't get on base well enough to lead off. But with Tony LaRussa's managing style, perhaps the leadoff man will actually bat in the ninth position. Numerous times in 2007, LaRussa batted his pitcher eighth in the lineup, with the likes of Miles, Kennedy or Brendan Ryan batting last. Certainly an interesting situation for the 2006 world champs.
- Will Evan Longoria be up with the Rays the entire season, from start to finish? Longoria was the Rays' first round pick (third overall) in the 2006 draft. In 2007, he reached as high as AAA. That season, he combined (with AA) to hit 26 home runs with a nice .922 OPS. In fact, the Rays think so highly of the 22-year old, that when they signed Japanese import Akinori Iwamura last winter, it was understood that once Longoria was ready, Iwamura would be moved from third to second base. Well, Longoria is ready, and Iwamura is being moved to second base. With troubled Willy Aybar as the only capable body in camp to handle the hot corner, it stands to reason that Longoria could start the season with the big club (it seems unlikely that the club would have Iwamura start the season at third, and transition to second mid-season).
- Do the Rays have what it takes to finally compete with the Yankees and Red Sox? Almost. They Rays have a core of players with some incredible talent and potential. Their rotation is going to be fierce, and their lineup will soon be one of the most feared in the league. They still don't have what it takes to finish first or second in the division, but even if they finish third, it will be the highest they've ended a season in the history of the franchise. Scott Kazmir and James Shields make a dynamic 1-2 combo. Carl Crawford is still one of the best-hitting speedsters in the game. And the team has three potential closers - all with the ability to handle the ninth inning duties. Fear not Rays fans...there is light at the end of this long tunnel.
- What can we expect from Edwin Jackson in 2008? Edwin Jackson has been somewhat of a mystery over his career. He came up with the Dodgers in 2003 with lots of hype behind him. But a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness has severely limited his output and his value. After being traded to the Rays before the 2006 season, Jackson spent the entire'07 season with the Rays and had an ugly 5-15 record with a just as ugly 5.76 ERA. But he did strikeout 128 batters, and there is still time for him to mature and gain some control (he's only 24 years of age). And he showed a little bit of promise in the second half, which could carry over to 2008, when he should begin the season as the Rays' fourth or fifth starter.
- After years of instability, will the Rangers' rotation actually be somewhat decent in 2008? Over the past decade or so, the Rangers have been notorious for having an above-average offense, but having a below-average rotation. After going through busts like Chan Ho Park, Joaquin Benoit, and Pedro Astacio, the Rangers are set to go into 2008 with a rotation that is certainly not at its best, but can still be effective. Vincente Padilla and Kevin Millwood are again expected to be atop the rotation, with Jason Jennings, Brandon McCarthy and Kason Gabbard set to follow them. It has the makings of a good rotation, if all hands (and arms) are at the top of their game. And with the top four of that rotation having dealt with a myriad of injuries, it is easy to imagine another season of instability in the rotation.
- Is Hank Blalock ready to contribute again? Besides his rookie season, Blalock failed to reach 500 at-bats in 2007 for the first time in his short, yet impressive career. A shoulder surgery forced him to miss most of the season (he returned at the end of the season, but as a DH), and he's been rehabbing after surgery this winter. He seems poised to make a return to the Rangers' hot corner, and to fantasy lineups everywhere. A comeback season is well within his reach, which should include 25-30 home runs, and a bunch of RBIs in a rather loaded Texas lineup.
- Was signing Milton Bradley a mistake? Offensively, no. When healthy, Bradley can have one of the more potent bats in the game, as shown by his 81 career home runs and .439 career slugging percentage. And in the hitter-friendly Ballpark in Arlington, Bradley should be able to slug his way past 100 career dingers. But that's only going to happen if he is able to stay in the lineup. Between injuries and behavioral problems, Bradley has only reached the 500 at-bat plateau once in his eight year career. Hopefully, manager Ron Washington will be exactly what the doctor ordered to keep Bradley focused on baseball and help his team march towards the playoffs.
- Could this be the year the Jays break through? Like their Tampa Bay counterparts, the Toronto Blue Jays have suffered from simply playing in the wrong division. They have some very good players on their squad and have the ability to win, plain and simple. But like the Rays, they have the Red Sox and Yankees in their way. Frank Thomas isn't getting any younger, and who knows just how healthy closer B.J. Ryan really is and right-hander A.J. Burnett are. By the way, I'll give 10 points to the reader who can find out how many DL stints A.J. and B.J. have endured over their careers (a little alphabet soup trivia). So the Jays are a very unpredictable team. They have the potential to be very dangerous, but they have an equal amount of potential to be a disappointment. So be prepared Jays fans for a possibly tumultuous season.
- Why did two Cardinals head north for the summer? In two separate transactions, the Blue Jays took in two Red Birds - and they will take over the left side of the infield. First, the Jays signed sparkplug David Eckstein, who is expected to be their leadoff man. Eckstein signed a 1 year $4.5 million contract in December, and should give the Jays the spark they've lacked over the last several seasons. Scott Rolen, who wore out his welcome in the Cardinals' clubhouse, was acquired in exchange for fellow third baseman Troy Glaus. In a swap of close-to-equal players, the Jays will get a solid defender at the hot corner, as well as an absolute hitter. However, Rolen did not get along with manager Tony LaRussa in St. Louis, and Jays' manager John Gibbons has been known for not being the game's best player-managers. So there is the potential for some more fireworks in the Toronto clubhouse.
- Can Vernon Wells rebound and have another MVP type season? There were a handful of big-name players who had down years in 2007 - perhaps none more than the Blue Jays' center fielder Vernon Wells. After signing a seven-year, $126 million extension before the 2007 season, Wells turned in one of the worst seasons in his professional career, hitting .245 and finishing with a paltry .304 OBP. He did have an elbow injury that cut his season a little short, and is expected to be healthy to start the season. If the injury was the reason for his down year, then it is reasonable to expect Wells to head back to his better numbers. We could see another .300/25/100/15 season from the two-time All Star center fielder.
- Will Lastings Milledge be a good fit in D.C.? In November, the New York Mets sent Milledge to the Nats in exchange for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church. Milledge had pretty much kicked himself out of the clubhouse, showing up some of the veterans and being told to "Know your place rook", as a sign on his locker had expressed. Last winter, Milledge was involved in a controversial rap song/video, which the Mets front office got a hold of and was not at all pleased. Now playing in the nation's capital, Milledge will be the everyday center fielder, which is his natural position. He won't have the hustle and bustle that comes with playing in New York. And he is familiar with manager Manny Acta from when he was a coach with the Mets, along with Nationals' new catcher Paul LoDuca, whom they signed to a 1-year contract. I expect Milledge to flourish with his new team, and should have fun playing for an up-and-coming team. Watch for him to approach 20 home runs for the first time in his career.
- Who's on first? That's more like it. Dmitri Young was named the National League's Comeback Player of the Year in 2007, and for good reason. He led the Nationals with a .320 batting average and a .491 slugging percentage. But was he actually just keeping first base warm for when Nick Johnson, who was recuperating from a broken leg, was healthy? Both players, when healthy, are capable of putting up good numbers, and neither one could be considered a bench player. So it is logical to assume that by the end of Spring Training, one of the two will be wearing a different uniform. Johnson has had trouble staying healthy, but he his about five years younger than Young and I expect Johnson to be playing first base for the Nats in 2008 - but that's pure, unofficial speculation on my part.
- Can the Nationals be the surprise team of 2008? It's possible. Their starting pitching is still a little meager, but the upside is certainly there. The additions of LoDuca and Johnny Estrada will help with the young arms of the pitching staff. Elijah Dukes could be somewhat of a challenge, but Acta has shown that he can handle young and unpredictable players. The Nationals should be able to finish in fourth place again, and if they make the right moves, could even push for fourth in the division.
All biographical and statistical information courteous of baseballreference.com, MLB.com. ESPN.com and BaseballAmerica.com
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