Mlb 2013: American League Preview

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MLB 2013: AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEW

AL TEAM-BY-TEAM GLANCE AL TAMPA BAY RAYS TORONTO BLUE JAYS NEW YORK YANKEES (IN ORDER OF PREDICTED EAST FINISH IN THEIR DIVISION) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 2012 2012 2012 90-72 73-89 95-67 osh Hamilton joined forces with 3rd, East 4th, East 1st, East Albert Pujols and Mike Trout in 3B EVAN LONGORIA (17 HRs in 74 games) P R.A. DICKEY (NL CY YOUNG WINNER) SS DEREK JETER (.316, 15 HRs, 58 RBIs) J Los Angeles, primed to pry the Manager: Joe Maddon (eighth season) Manager: John Gibbons (first season) Manager: Joe Girardi (sixth season) American League pennant from Projected Lineup: CF Desmond Jennings Projected Lineup: SS Jose Reyes (.287, 11 Projected Lineup: SS Derek Jeter (.316, 15 Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and (.246, 13 HRs, 47 RBIs, 31 SB), SS Yunel HRs, 57 RBIs, 12 triples, 40 SBs with Marlins) HRs, 58 RBIs), RF Ichiro Suzuki (.283, 9, 55, Victor Martinez in Detroit. Escobar (.253, 9, 51 with Blue Jays), 3B Evan LF Melky Cabrera (.346, 11, 60 with Giants), 29 SBs), 2B Robinson Cano (.313, 33, 94), 3B Not so fast, big boys. Longoria (.289, 17, 55 in 74 games), RF Ben RF Jose Bautista (.241, 27, 65 in 92 games), 1B Kevin Youkilis (.235, 19, 60 with Red Sox and Zobrist (.270, 20, 74, 14), DH Luke Scott (.229, Edwin Encarnacion (.280, 42, 110), DH Adam White Sox), DH Travis Hafner (.228, 12, 34 in The Toronto Blue Jays want in, too, 14, 55, 96 games), LF Matt Joyce (.241, 17, 59), Lind (.255, 11, 45), 3B Brett Lawrie (.273, 11, 66 games, Cleveland), 1B Juan Rivera (.244, 9, and they brought a bevy of All-Stars, 1B James Loney (.249, 6, 41 with Dodgers, Red 48), CF Colby Rasmus (.223, 23, 75), C J.P. 47, Dodgers), LF Brennan Boesch (.240, 12, 54, led by knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and Sox), 2B Kelly Johnson (.225, 16, 55 with Blue Arencibia (.233, 18, 56), 2B Maicer Izturis Detroit), C Francisco Cervelli or Chris Stewart shortstop Jose Reyes, north of the bor- Jays), C Jose Molina (.223 8, 32 in 102 games) (.256, 2, 20 with Angels) (.241, 1, 13), CF Brett Gardner (.323, 0, 3) der for their shot. Tampa Bay locked Rotation: LH David Price (20-5, 2.56 ERA, Rotation: RH R.A. Dickey (20-6, 2.73 ERA, Rotation: LH CC Sabathia (15-6, 3.38 ERA, up Evan Longoria for six more years. 205 Ks), RH Jeremy Hellickson (10-11, 3.10), 230 K with Mets), RH Brandon Morrow (10-7, 197 Ks), RH Hiroki Kuroda (16-11, 3.32, 165 Ks), LH Matt Moore (11-11, 3.81), RH Alex Cobb 2.96), LH Mark Buehrle (13-13, 3.74 with LH Andy Pettitte (5-4, 2.87, 69 Ks), RH Phil The White Sox signed young ace Chris (11-9, 4.03), RH Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 7.53 Marlins), RH Josh Johnson (8-14, 3.81 with Hughes (16-13, 4.19, 165 Ks), RH Ivan Nova Sale for five. with Indians) or RH Jeff Niemann (2-3, 3.08) Marlins), LH Ricky Romero (9-14, 5.77) (12-8, 5.02, 153 Ks) or RH David Phelps (4-4, And never count out the New York Key Relievers: RH Fernando Rodney (2-2, Key Relievers: RH Casey Janssen (1-1, 2.54, 3.34, 96 Ks) Yankees. They may appear more 0.60, 48/50 saves), RH Kyle Farnsworth (1-6, 22/25 saves), RH Sergio Santos (0-1, 9.00, Key Relievers: RH Mariano Rivera (1-1, 2.16, brittle than bombers in the Bronx. But 4.00), LH Jake McGee (5-2, 1.95) 2/4 saves), LH Darren Oliver (3-4, 2.06) 5/6 saves), RH David Robertson (2-7, 2.67, 2 Outlook: The Rays signed Longoria to a Outlook: Excitement and expectations are saves), RH Joba Chamberlain (1-0, 4.35) Mariano Rivera is back for one last $136.6 million, 10-year deal. However one of high for a Blue Jays team remade by wheeling Outlook: Injuries and austerity have hit season of sawing off bats and closing the best pitching staffs in baseball is what and dealing. They are determined to end their the Yankees hard. The pitching staff led by out wins. gives Tampa Bay a chance. playoff drought at 20 years. Sabathia could be one of baseball’s best.

BOSTON RED SOX BALTIMORE ORIOLES AL TEXAS RANGERS LOS ANGELES ANGELS WEST

2012 2012 2012 2012 69-93 93-69 93-69 89-73 5th, East 2nd, East 2nd, West 3rd, West P RYAN DEMPSTER (ADDED TO ROTATION) C MATT WIETERS (.249, 23 HRs, 83 RBIs) 3B ADRIAN BELTRE (.321, 36 HRs, 102 RBIs) RF JOSH HAMILTON (.285, 43 HRs, 128 RBIs) Manager: John Farrell (first season) Manager: Buck Showalter (fourth season) Manager: Ron Washington (seventh season) Manager: Mike Scioscia (14th season) Projected Lineup: CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.271, Projected Lineup: LF Nate McLouth (.268, 7 Projected Lineup: 2B Ian Kinsler (.256, 19 Projected Lineup: LF Mike Trout (.326, 30 4 HRs, 26 RBIs, 14 SB), RF Shane Victorino HRs, 18 RBIs, 12 SBs), SS J.J. Hardy (.238, 22, HRs, 72 RBIs, 21 SBs, 105 runs), SS Elvis An- HRs, 83 RBIs, 49 SB, 129 runs), SS Erick (.255, 11, 55, 39 SB with Phillies and Dodg- 68), RF Nick Markakis (.298, 13, 54), CF Adam drus (.286, 3, 62, 21 SBs), DH Lance Berkman Aybar (.290, 8, 45), 1B Albert Pujols (.285, 30, ers), 2B Dustin Pedroia (.290, 15, 65, 39 2B, Jones (.287, 32, 82), C Matt Wieters (.249, (.259, 2, 7 in 32 games, St. Louis), 3B Adrian 105), RF Josh Hamilton (.285, 43, 128 with 20 SB), 1B Mike Napoli (.227, 25, 56, 125 Ks 23, 83), 1B Chris Davis (.270, 33, 85, 169 Ks), Beltre (.321, 36, 102), RF Nelson Cruz (.260, Texas), DH Mark Trumbo (.268, 32, 95), 2B with Texas), DH Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.222, DH Wilson Betemit (.261, 12, 40), 3B Manny 24, 90), LF David Murphy (.304, 15, 61), C A.J. Howie Kendrick (.287, 8, 67), 3B Alberto Cal- 25, 59), 3B Will Middlebrooks (.288, 15, 54), Machado (.262, 7, 26), 2B Brian Roberts Pierzynski (.278, 27, 77, Chicago White Sox), laspo (.252, 10, 53), C Chris Iannetta (.240, 9, LF Jonny Gomes (.262, 18, 47 with Athletics) (.182, 0, 5 in 17 games) 1B Mitch Moreland (.275, 15, 50), CF Leoyns 26), CF Peter Bourjos (.220, 3, 19) C David Ross (.256, 9, 23 with Braves), SS Rotation: RH Jason Hammel (8-6, 3.43 ERA, Martin (.174) or Craig Gentry (.304, 1, 26) Rotation: RH Jered Weaver (20-5, 2.81 ERA, Jose Iglesias (.118, 1,2) 113 Ks), LH Wei-Yin Chen (12-11, 4.02, team- Rotation: LH Matt Harrison (18-11, 3.29 ERA), 142 Ks, .214 opponents’ average), LH C.J. Wil- Rotation: LH Jon Lester (9-14, 4.82 ERA, 3 high 154 Ks), RH Miguel Gonzalez (9-4, 3.25), RH Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90), LH Derek Holland son (13-10, 3.83, 173), LH Jason Vargas (14-11, CGs), RH Clay Buchholz (11-8, 4.56), RH Ryan LH Chris Tillman (9-3, 2.93), RH Jake Arrieta (12-7, 4.67), RH Alexi Ogando (2-0, 3.27 in 58 3.85, 141 with Seattle), RH Joe Blanton (10-13, Dempster (12-8, 3.38 with Cubs and Rang- (3-9, 6.20) relief appearances), LH Robbie Ross (6-0, 4.71, 166 with Philadelphia and Dodgers), RH ers), LH Felix Doubront (11-10, 4.86), RH John Key Relievers: RH Jim Johnson (2-1, 2.49, 2.22) or RH Randy Wells (1-2, 5.34) Tommy Hanson (13-10, 4.48, 161 with Atlanta) Lackey (missed season after elbow surgery) 51/54 saves), RH Darren O’Day (7-1, 2.28), RH Key Relievers: RH Joe Nathan (3-5, 2.80, Key Relievers: RH Ryan Madson (DNP, elbow Key Relievers: RH Joel Hanrahan (5-2, 2.72, Pedro Strop (5-2, 2.44, 3/10 saves) 37/40 saves), RH Jason Frasor (1-1, 4.12 in 50 injury), RH Ernesto Frieri (4-2, 2.32, 23/26 36/40 saves with Pirates), RH Andrew Bailey Outlook: The Orioles hope to duplicate their games for Toronto), LH Michael Kirkman (1-2, saves), LH Scott Downs (1-1, 3.15) (1-1, 7.04), LH Andrew Miller (3-2, 3.35) success of 2012 season with a roster that is 3.82, 28 appearances) Outlook: Owner Arte Moreno wrote another Outlook: The Red Sox concentrated on quite similar to the one that produced a turn- Outlook: Despite the significant changes lavish check to Hamilton in his bid to get back signing short-term contracts with mid-level around from 93 losses to 93 wins and a berth to the offense, Texas still should be able to to the postseason, pairing him with Pujols in players, cutting $250 million from the books. in the playoffs as a wild-card team. produce some runs with Beltre and Kinsler. the best heart of the order money can buy.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS SEATTLE MARINERS HOUSTON ASTROS AL DETROIT TIGERS CENTRAL

2012 2012 2012 2012 94-68 75-87 55-107 88-74 1st, West 4th, West 6th, NL Central AL champs P BRETT ANDERSON (2.57 ERA) P FELIX HERNANDEZ (13-9, 3.06 ERA) DH CARLOS PENA (.197, 19 HRs, 61 RBIs) 3B MIGUEL CABRERA (.330, 44 HRs, 139 RBIs) Manager: Bob Melvin (third season) Manager: Eric Wedge (third season) Manager: Bo Porter (first season) Manager: Jim Leyland (eighth season) Projected Lineup: CF Coco Crisp (.259, 11 Projected lineups: CF Franklin Gutierrez Projected Lineup: SS Tyler Greene (.230, Projected Lineup: CF Austin Jackson (.300, HRs, 46 RBIs, 39 SBs), 2B Jed Lowrie (.244, (.260, 4 HR, 17 RBIs in 40 games), 3B Kyle 11 HRs, 30 RBIs, St. Louis and Houston), 3B 16 HRs, 66 RBIs), RF Torii Hunter (.313, 16, 16, 42) or Jemile Weeks (.221, 2, 20), LF Seager (.259, 20, 86), LF Michael Morse Matt Dominguez (.284, 5, 16 in 31 games), 2B 92), 3B Miguel Cabrera (.330, 44, 139, Triple Yoenis Cespedes (.292, 23, 82, 16 SBs), 1B (.292, 18, 62 in 102 games, Washington), DH Jose Altuve (.290, 7, 37, 33 SBs), RF Fernando Crown), 1B Prince Fielder (.313, 30, 108), DH Brandon Moss (.291, 21, 52), RF Josh Reddick Kendrys Morales (.273, 22, 73 in 134 games, Martinez (.237, 6, 14 in 41 games), CF Justin Victor Martinez, LF Andy Dirks (.322, 8, 35), (.242, 32, 85), DH Chris Young (.231, 14, 31) or Angels), RF Michael Saunders (.247, 19, 57), Maxwell (.229, 18, 53), LF Chris Carter (.239, SS Jhonny Peralta (.239, 13, 63), C Alex Avila Seth Smith (.240, 14, 52), 3B Josh Donaldson C Jesus Montero (.260, 15, 62), 2B Dustin 16, 39 in 67 games, Oakland), 1B Brett Wallace (.243, 9, 48), 2B Omar Infante (.274, 12, 53, (.241, 9, 33), C John Jaso (.276, 9, 50) or Ackley (.226, 12, 50), 1B Justin Smoak (.217, (.253, 9, 24 in 66 games), C Jason Castro Marlins and Tigers) Derek Norris (.201, 7, 34), SS Hiroyuki Naka- 19, 51), SS Brendan Ryan (.194, 3, 31) (.257, 6, 29), DH Carlos Pena (.197, 19, 61, Rotation: RH Justin Verlander (Goochland, jima (.311, 13, 74 for Seibu Lions in Japan) Rotation: RH Felix Hernandez (13-9, 3.06 Tampa Bay) 17-8, 2.64 ERA, MLB-leading 239 Ks), RH Max Rotation: LH Brett Anderson (4-2, 2.57 ERA ERA, 5 CGs), RH Hisashi Iwakuma (9-5, 3.16 Rotation: RH Bud Norris (7-13, 4.65 ERA), RH Scherzer (16-7, 3.74, 231 Ks), RH Doug Fister in 6 starts), RH Jarrod Parker (13-8, 3.47), LH ERA, 16 starts), LH Joe Saunders (Va. Tech, 9- Lucas Harrell (11-11, 3.76), RH Philip Humber (10-10, 3.45), RH Anibal Sanchez (9-13, 3.86 Tommy Milone (13-10, 3.74), RH A.J. Griffin 13, 4.07), RH Jon Garland (2011 with Dodgers, (5-5, 6.44, White Sox), RH Alex White (2-9, with Marlins and Tigers), LH Drew Smyly (4-3, (7-1, 3.06), RH Dan Straily (2-1, 3.89) or RH 1-5, 4.33), RH Erasmo Ramirez (1-3, 3.36 ERA) 5.51, Rockies) and LH Erik Bedard (7-14, 5.01, 3.99) or RH Rick Porcello (10-12, 4.59) Bartolo Colon (10-9, 3.43) Key relievers: LH Charlie Furbush (5-2, 2.72 Pittsburgh) Key Relievers: RH Bruce Rondon (2-1, 1.53, Key Relievers: RH Grant Balfour (3-2, 2.53, in 48 appearances), LH Oliver Perez (1-3, 2.12 Key Relievers: RH Jose Veras (5-4, 3.63, with 29/32 saves), RH Joaquin Benoit (5-3, 3.68, 2 24/26 saves), RH Ryan Cook (6-2, 2.09, 14/21 in 33 appearances), RH Stephen Pryor (3-1, Milwaukee), LH Wesley Wright (2-2, 3.27), RH saves), RH Al Alburquerque (0-0, 0.68) saves), LH Sean Doolittle (U.Va., 2-1, 3.04) 3.91 in 26 appearances) Rhiner Cruz (1-1, 6.05) Outlook: Anything less than another postsea- Outlook: Oakland might not be able to count Outlook: A winning season would go a long Outlook: The Astros will try to avoid becom- son appearance will be a huge disappoint- on the same late-inning success that led to a way, but anything more than 85 wins would ing the first team to lose at least 106 games in ment for the Tigers, who have the star power major league-leading 14 walkoff wins in 2012. be a pleasant surprise. three straight seasons since the 1965 Mets. to match any team in the game.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX KANSAS CITY ROYALS CLEVELAND INDIANS MINNESOTA TWINS

2012 2012 2012 2012 85-77 72-90 68-94 66-96 2nd, Central 3rd, Central 4th, Central 5th, Central 1B PAUL KONERKO (.298, 26 HRs, 75 RBIs) DH BILLY BUTLER (.313, 29 HRs, 107 RBIs) 1B NICK SWISHER (.272, 24 HRs, 93 RBIs) 1B JUSTIN MORNEAU (.267, 19 HRs, 77 RBIs) Manager: Robin Ventura (second season) Manager: Ned Yost (third season) Manager: Terry Francona (first season) Manager: Ron Gardenhire (12th season) Projected Lineup: CF Alejandro De Aza (.281, Projected Lineup: OF Alex Gordon (.294, 14 Projected Lineup: CF Michael Bourn (.274, Projected Lineup: CF Aaron Hicks (Double-A 9 HRs, 50 RBIs), 3B Jeff Keppinger (.325, 9 HRs, 72 RBIs), SS Alcides Escobar (.293, 5, 9 HRs, 57 RBIs with Braves), SS Asdrubal New Britain), 2B Brian Dozier (.234, 6, 33) HRs, 40 RBIs with Tampa Bay), RF Alex Rios 52, 35 SBs), 1B Eric Hosmer (.232, 14, 60), Cabrera (.270, 16, 68), 2B Jason Kipnis (.257, or Jamey Carroll (.268, 1, 40), C Joe Mauer (.304, 25, 91), 1B Paul Konerko (.298, 26, DH Billy Butler (.313, 29, 107), C Salvador 14, 76, 31 SBs), 1B Nick Swisher (.272, 24, 93 (.319, 10, 85), 1B Justin Morneau (.267, 19, 75), DH Adam Dunn (.204, 41, 96), LF Dayan Perez (.301, 11, 39), 3B Mike Moustakas (.242, with Yankees), C Carlos Santana (.252, 18, 76) 77), LF Josh Willingham (.260, 35, 110), 3B Viciedo (.255, 25, 78), SS Alexei Ramirez 20, 73), OF Jeff Francoeur (.235, 16, 49), OF LF Michael Brantley (.288, 6, 60), DH Mark Trevor Plouffe (.235, 24, 55), RF Chris Par- (.265, 9, 73), C Tyler Flowers (.213, 7, 13), 2B Lorenzo Cain (.266, 7, 31), 2B Chris Getz Reynolds (U.Va., .221, 23, 68 with Baltimore) melee (.229, 5, 20, 64 Gs), SS Pedro Florimon Gordon Beckham (.234, 16, 60) (.275, 0, 17) or Jason Giambi (.225, 1, 8 with Rockies), 3B (.219, 1, 10, 43 Gs) Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 3.05 ERA, 192 Rotation: RH James Shields (15-10, 3.52 ERA Lonnie Chisenhall (.268, 5, 16, 43 games), RF Rotation: RH Vance Worley (6-9, 4.20 ERA innings, 192 strikeouts), RH Jake Peavy (11-12, with Rays), RH Jeremy Guthrie (5-3, 3.16), RH Drew Stubbs (.213, 14, 40, 166 Ks with Reds) for Phillies), LH Scott Diamond (12-9, 3.54, 31 3.37 ERA, 219 innings), LH John Danks (3-4, Ervin Santana (9-13, 5.16 with Angels), RHP Rotation: RH Justin Masterson (11-15, 4.93 BBs in 173.0 IP), RH Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 2.29), 5.70 ERA, 9 starts), RH Gavin Floyd (12-11, Wade Davis (3-0, 2.43 ERA with Rays), LH ERA) RH Ubaldo Jimenez (9-17, 5.40), RH RH Kevin Correia (12-11, 4.21, 20 HRs for 4.29 ERA), LH Jose Quintana (6-6, 3.76 ERA) Bruce Chen (11-14, 5.07 ERA) Brett Myers (3-8, 3.32), RH Zach McAllister Pirates), RH Samuel Deduno (6-5, 4.44) Key relievers: RH Addison Reed (3-2, 4.75 Key Relievers: RH Greg Holland (7-4, 2.96, (6-8, 4.24), LH Scott Kazmir (last pitched in Key Relievers: LH Glen Perkins (3-1, 2.56 ERA, 29/33 saves), LH Matt Thornton (4-10, 16/20 saves), RH Kelvin Herrera (4-3, 2.35), majors in 2011) ERA, 16/20 saves), RH Jared Burton (3-2, 3.46 ERA), RH Jesse Crain (2-3, 2.44 ERA) RH Luke Hochevar (8-16, 5.73) Key Relievers: RH Chris Perez (0-4, 3.59, 2.18), RH Casey Fien (2-1, 2.06, .195) Outlook: The White Sox believe they are Outlook: If their rotation can live up to 39/43 saves), RH Vinnie Pestano (3-3, 2.57 Outlook: Mauer and Morneau will enter poised to challenge for the division crown. expectations and their bevy of young position ERA), RH Joe Smith (7-4, 2.96) the season healthier than they have been in After finishing fourth in the AL in runs and players can produce the way Royals brass Outlook: The Indians should score runs, and years. But even if they return to their MVP- third in homers last season, the White Sox hope, it’s possible Kansas City could be play- their defense should be solid. It will be up to type production levels, the Twins will be hard- could again have an imposing lineup. ing meaningful baseball late into the season. their pitching staff to close the gap on Detroit. pressed to get back into contention.