The 2011 MLB Season kicked off March 31 and the young season has already shown flashes of what may transpire. Pitching gems from aces and star prospects alike have given spectators artistry to marvel at. This year, the league is laden with young prospects eager to make a mark and superstar veterans seeking to cement their legacy. The 2011 season, with potential milestones to be reached, unanticipated storylines to emerge and unheralded heroes to surface, promises to be an unforgettable one. The following is a preview of the pre-season contenders and other selected teams.
Atlanta Braves
After the departure of Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox, Fredi Gonzalez fills the void and looks to lead the Braves into the playoffs. The Braves boast one of the most talented starting rotations in the Major Leagues. The Braves have four strong starters in Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens and if they can remain healthy, the Braves will remain in the chase for the pennant. The addition of Dan Uggla adds a power bat to the middle of the lineup. Jason Heyward will continue to develop into one of the premier outfielders in the game. The Braves, with a deep rotation, potent lineup and balanced bullpen, are legitimate contenders. They must, however, avoid injuries, especially to 3B Chipper Jones.
Key Player: Brian McCann, C
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox enter the 2011 season as the favorite to win the World Series. The additions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to an already star-studded roster only strengthen their hitting and upgrade their defense. The lineup card features Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz and the athleticism and defense all-around is superb. Theo Epstein, additionally, fortified the back end of the bullpen with the acquisition of Bobby Jenks to complement flamethrower Daniel Bard and closer Jonathan Papelbon. The rotation is anchored by AL Cy Young candidate Jon Lester and includes John Lackey, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka. If the Red Sox play up to their ability, they can beat anybody; however, it is important to remember that injuries riddled them last year. In order to be World Series contenders, they will need to come up with timely hits, win division games, have their pitchers locate strikes and stay healthy.
Key Player: Carl Crawford, LF
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds burst onto the scene in 2010 and should be considered the favorites to seize the NL Central crown. They have one of the most fearsome hitters in baseball, defending NL MVP Joey Votto, and a star 2B in Brandon Phillips. In order to contend for the pennant, Cincy will need their rotation, led by youngster Johnny Cueto, to grow up quickly. There is no doubt that the Reds can score. In addition to Votto and Phillips, Scott Rolen must stay healthy and Jay Bruce, who has shown signs, will have to evolve into the star player he was expected to be. Whether they’ll be able to get production, consistency and length during the stretch run from their starters will determine how far the Reds will go and whether they can reclaim the Central.
Key Player: Jay Bruce, RF
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are never afraid to shake their roster up and after the Manny Ramirez experiment failed last year, the ChiSox added power bat Adam Dunn to an already potent lineup. The White Sox have a power-heavy lineup but strikeouts and plate discipline may lead to their demise. Paul Konerko will need to be consistent and Carlos Quentin will have to stay healthy. The veterans throughout this lineup will have to keep the team focused. Their starting staff, despite having Jake Peavy on the disabled list, can compete with anybody’s and the White Sox should be considered one of the favorites to win the AL Central. Whether the bullpen will hold onto late leads and close out games remains to be seen.
Key Player: Carlos Quentin, RF
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies have the nucleus that every team strives for: SS Troy Tulowitzki, CF Carlos Gonzalez and SP Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies have the three locked up long-term and in order to compete perennially, they will have to put the right pieces around them. The question remains whether Tulowitzki, Gonzalez and Jimenez can follow up on career years. The Rockies lineup is among the best, built on power, speed and athleticism; but strikeouts, especially in key situations, and over-aggression at the plate may stunt them offensively. The pitching staff after Jimenez is shaky at best. The Rockies will need to find a shutdown number two to complement Ubaldo if they want to chase the pennant. Bear in mind, the Rockies do play in one of the weakest divisions in baseball and should improve on their 83 wins from last year.
Key Player: Ubaldo Jimenez, SP
Detroit Tigers
After an offseason filled with ups and downs, the Tigers must be the most relieved team in the MLB. Their MVP and the most intimidating presence in the lineup, Miguel Cabrera, relapsed and was arrested for DUI. In order for them to be in the race for the AL Central, they will need a focused and dedicated Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera is coming off a 38/126/.328 line and finished second in the MVP race; if he comes even close to this, the Tigers are a dangerous team. After the acquisition of Victor Martinez, the Tigers offense is one of the best in the AL. If Justin Verlander can anchor a rotation that also includes Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello, the Tigers may find themselves in the playoffs. The acquisition of Joaquin Benoit should stabilize the bullpen and provide insurance if Jose Valverde falters down the stretch.
Key Player: Rick Porcello, SP
Los Angeles Dodgers
The impending sale of the Dodgers has hampered their financial maneuverings, but the pieces are there to fight in the NL West. The Dodgers throw out Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley at the top of their rotation and Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp navigate the offense. After trading for Ted Lilly last year and signing Jon Garland, the rotation is the strength of a team that plays in a pitcher’s haven. If Kemp can finally put together his incredible skill set and breakout, as many have been waiting for, this team can turn the corner and be in the chase for the pennant. However, the Dodgers will need to find ways to get runs across because their lineup remains inferior to that of the Rockies and Giants, their two biggest nemeses in the NL West.
Key Player: Matt Kemp, CF
Milwaukee Brewers
Doug Melvin has pushed his chips all-in and is hoping for a monster season from his Brewer squad. After acquiring Zack Greinke for prospects, Melvin further weakened the farm system by trading for Shaun Marcum. Although the team looks strong on paper, their lack of depth may be detrimental down the stretch. Furthermore, the almost certain departure of Prince Fielder after this season makes this year even more significant. With Greinke and Gallardo at the top of the rotation, the Brewers possess one of the best 1-2 punches in the NL. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are as deadly a 3-4 combination as there is in the MLB. Rickie Weeks’ and Casey McGehee’s improvement down the stretch last year gives this team confidence. The return of Corey Hart will elevate this team and his contributions are necessary to compete. The Brewers’ bullpen has some question marks but this team, if healthy, can win big.
Key Player: Casey McGehee, 3B
New York Mets
It’s been an offseason the Mets would love to forget. The Mets owners, Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz, were involved in the Bernie Madoff scandal and the team is financially stricken, seeking to sell a minority stake in the team. Although the Mets have a strong lineup, led by David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, their pitchers are their weakest link. Johan Santana is out until June at least, and Mike Pelfrey will have to prove that he has the mental makeup and talent to lead the staff. Jonathan Niese should continue to develop as a starter but RA Dickey, Chris Young and Chris Capuano are veterans who have a very bleak future with the team. The bullpen, particularly the bridge to closer Francisco Rodriguez, remains fragile and someone will need to step up. Jose Reyes is in a contract season and should have a huge year at the top of the lineup, if he can stay healthy; as dynamic a player as there in the league, the shortstop will be looking for a nine-figure contract this offseason. David Wright’s bat should be one of the best in the NL and Ike Davis will continue to develop into a stalwart at 1B. The Mets can stay in the race until the late summer, but if they are out of contention, look for Alderson to look into trading Pelfrey, Bay, Beltran and maybe even Reyes in order to rebuild the farm system and compete in the future.
Key Player: Jose Reyes, SS
New York Yankees
After their archrivals the Red Sox acquired the best position player in free agency (Carl Crawford) and the best player available via trade (Adrian Gonzalez), the Yankees watched helplessly as Cliff Lee nixed their 6 year/$140 million in order to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Red Sox remain a stronger team than the Yankees on paper, but whether that can translate to more wins remains to be seen. The Yankees rotation is anchored by CC Sabathia, one of the best pitchers in the AL. Phil Hughes, an 18 game winner from last year, will have to step up and has the ability to be the shutdown number two that the Yankees desperately need. Whether he becomes dominant is questionable and the Yankees rotation after Sabathia is suspect. The Yankees are still contenders and this is a testament to the Yankees bats and bullpen. The Yankees still have the best middle of the order in the MLB, with Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano. Rafael Soriano provides an incredible bridge to Mariano Rivera and Rivera is one of the premier closers in the game. Although they have issues, they’re too talented and deep across the board to not be considered among the favorites for the World Series. The offense will be one of the most prolific in the MLB and the defense and bullpen will improve from 2010.
Key Player: Phil Hughes, SP
Philadelphia Phillies
What is the formula to championship success? Pitching, defense, pitching. The Philadelphia Phillies possess one of the most star-studded pitching staffs in recent memory. With reigning NL Cy Young winner Roy Halladay leading a staff that includes superstars Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, the Phillies have four aces in their rotation. They are the favorites to come out of the NL and match up extremely well with any team in the NL. After the loss of Jayson Werth this offseason and injuries to All-Star 2B Chase Utley, Brad Lidge and Dominic Brown, Werth’s heir in RF, the Phillies lineup and bullpen have holes that need to be filled. Health and the lack of a right-handed threat can hold this team back, as can a weak bullpen. That being said, the season is a long one and once the Phillies are healthy, they could be unstoppable. Ryan Howard will dominate Citizens Bank Park and a strong year from SS and leader Jimmy Rollins will be critical to Philadelphia’s success.
Key Player: Chase Utley, 2B
San Francisco Giants
The defending World Series champions were not the best team in the MLB last season, nor were they expected to win the championship. Yet, behind perennial NL Cy Young candidate Tim Lincecum, star Matt Cain and outstanding arms in Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner, the Giants were able to stun the baseball world. They won’t sneak up on teams and get the same timely hits from unexpected players as they did last year but the talent is there for an NL West title. If Pablo Sandoval rebounds from a down year, Buster Posey builds upon an amazing rookie season and Pat Burrell finds the fountain of youth, the Giants lineup can improve from last year. The Giants’ pitching is stellar and to their benefit, their division isn’t elite; they will need timely hits once again if they want to play postseason baseball.
Key Player: Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Texas Rangers
The 2010 World Series and offseason was disheartening for the Rangers; they lost in five games to the underdog San Francisco Giants and then watched ace Cliff Lee and DH Vladimir Guerrero leave in the offseason. They did sign Adrian Beltre, despite overpaying him, to hit cleanup behind Josh Hamilton and return the MLB’s most powerful lineup. If AL MVP Josh Hamilton can stay healthy and Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Adrian Beltre and Michael Young drive in runs, this team can power itself back into the postseason. CJ Wilson, who improved after the acquisition of Cliff Lee, leads the pitching staff and the rotation has postseason experience. Netfali Feliz is an elite closer and if the pitchers can keep the Rangers in games, the offense could carry them to an AL West title. Someone will need to emerge as a number two starter.
Key Player: Josh Hamilton, LF
Predictions:
AL East: Boston Red Sox NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
AL Central: Detroit Tigers NL Central: Cincinnati Reds
AL West: Texas Rangers NL West: Colorado Rockies
AL Wild Card: New York Yankees NL Wild Card: Milwaukee Brewers
