Post by Atlanta Braves GM on Aug 25, 2005 13:26:40 GMT -5
1. Boston Red Sox - The Bo Sox, still on top in our rankings. Expect a tight race between them and the Yankees, and also expect some good old fashion games with the Orioles. However, expect Damon and Smoltz to lead this team to an AL Championship..at least.
2. New York Yankees - The New York Yankees still manage to find themselves big on the list, with some big bats in Sheffield and newly acquired Giles around. Their pitching got younger, which is always a good thing, and the Yankees posess that rustic Yankee je-ne-sais quoi.
3. St. Louis Cardinals - The Cardinals find themselves in one of the most potent divisions. The Astros, the Reds, the Cubs, hell, even the Brewers will throw everything AND the kitchen sink to try and knock there red birds off before they can get soaring.
4. Atlanta Braves - The Braves have often lacked a certain punch, a certain element that has kept this team from making it to the show and winning. They will always win the NL East, and don't expect this year to be very suprising at all. Schuerholz is trying his best to add that final element, and only time will tell what will come of these perennial East champs.
5. Cincinnati Reds - I'm already putting in my vote for GM of the year to the Reds. An all around team that can run the bases, win by fielding, slug it out with their bats, and duke it out on the mound. Expect a lot of intense games against the Cubbies, Cardinals, and the Astros.
6. Chicago Cubs - The Cubbies, much like the Reds, can win games in several different way. The Big Three is back and ready for action, and it should be a lot of fun to watch these 3 elminate the opposing batters like they were fighter pilots. The Cubs, much like the O's, may find their downfall not in their lineup, but in the frequency of visits to St. Louis and Cincinnati.
7. Anahiem Angels - The Anahiem Angles had a rather quiet off-season, but they did land Adrian Beltre and Juan Uribe. Look for these 2, backed by, I'm going to say it, the most potent offense in the league, to keep these Angels high above the competiton most of the time.
8. Baltimore Orioles - Baltimore attacked their main problem this year, and it was a lack of pitching. Enter in the Big Unit, Mike Hampton, and Brandon Webb to patch up that big hole. The Orioles only problem may just be the large amount of time they have to play against the Red Sox and the Yankees.
9. Detroit Tigers - The Mo Town Tigers are ready for a break-out season this year, so expect some big results from these central cats. Big old bats and good old stout defense will have to make up for inexperience pitching, and we're betting that it may just do that.
10. San Diego Padres - The Padres recently joined the league and made no changes to their lineup. But once again, when you start with a great team and a solid pitching rotation, why change?
11. Chicago White Sox - The White Sox landed Nomar, and kept a talented pitching core together and speedy Podsednik. This team is going to turn a few heads this season, and a playoff berth may just be in the cards.
12. San Francisco Giants - San Fran will see Barry Bonds most likely put up Triple Crown numbers despite steroid accusations, and on his bat the Giants could just be Cali's hottest team.
13. Washington Nationals - The Gnats, the Expos, the Nationals. Call them however you want, this team means business now that they are in the nation's capital, so expect business from them every day.
14. Minnesota Twins - The Twins landed A-Rod, and were involved in several other deals in the off-season. An all around fun baseball team to watch, but they are just lacking a certain punch that will keep them from greatness, at least for this season.
15. Houston Astros - Houston made a few trades in the off-season, mainly shipping of Clemens. But why changed a lot when you are already a talented team. The Astros will compete with the Cardinals and the Reds for Central supremacy.
16. Oakland Athletics - It's no suprise, the Athletics have some powerful, powerful pitching. Pedro, AJ, and Barry will no doubt shut down the hitters, and they may be the reason this team shines despite a lackluster offense in several positions.
17. Florida Marlins - The Marlins traded off a couple pitchers to land some more bats, and have one of the best offensive machines matching bat power with speed. However, their pitching inexperience may just catch up to them before they can really do anything extraordinary.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks - The D-Backs hustled and shuffled a lot in the off-season, and they are one of the most sound defensive teams in the game. Their speed and defensive ability, combined with a decent starting 5, will have to play 100% every game, or otherwise their less than potent lineup will really show through.
19. Colorado Rockies - The Rockies playing in that Mile High Thin air are a good hitting and pitching team, yet costly errors could cost this team from being something extra special.
20. Toronto Blue Jays - The Blue Jays, Canada's only remaining team after the Expos left for Washington this season officially, seem to be suffering from a problem that many teams are suffering from. Great bats, but get to #3 in the rotation and it all falls apart.
21. Cleveland Indians - The Indians are a pretty average team as far as teams go, with some talented pitching and hitting, but some is the problem.
22. Texas Rangers - It seemed as though everyone was a Ranger this off-season, and perhaps Hart should have stopped at some point during the whole debacle. However, his team is still suffering from the same problem - pitching. Get past the first couple of starters and you'll see what I mean.
23. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brew Crew has the pitching in order, and if theit bats can get going, this could be a good season for the GM-less sluggers.
24. New York Mets - The Mets made some questionable moves in the off-season, but that doesn't really matter when you can end up with a potent lineup. Giambi, Sexson, Crosby and Piazza, to name a few, will have to play their hearts out night to night to make up for a dearth in the pitching category.
25. Los Angeles Dodgers - Los Angeles added some powerful bats, but the contrast of their powerful hitting to their less than powerful pitching is the Achilles heel to this Cali team.
26. Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies made no moves over the season, and even with Wolf and Abreu, the Phillies should find themselves rounding out the bottom of the NL East.
27. Seattle Mariners - The Mariners may seem like an odd choice to have at 28, Seattle did lose a key icon in Adrian Beltre. Seattle shouldn't have trouble putting up runs, but they will have problems keeping the opposing team from scoring 3 of 5 games, and we aren't naming any names here.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates - Pittsburgh made a slew of off-season moves, but they won't help them get out of the cellar they have been in for the last couple of years. Expect some good offensive production in some games, but otherwise, don't expect too much.
29. Kansas City Royals - Kansas City's pitching may be their best outlet, but that really isn't saying much. Look for KC and Tampa Bay to battle for last in the AL.
30. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - As far as every team having a chance, being undefeated on day 1, the Devil Rays are really testing those limits. With one of the most in-experienced and overpowered starting rotations, the Devil Rays may as well just pack their bags and end the season on before this one even begins.
2. New York Yankees - The New York Yankees still manage to find themselves big on the list, with some big bats in Sheffield and newly acquired Giles around. Their pitching got younger, which is always a good thing, and the Yankees posess that rustic Yankee je-ne-sais quoi.
3. St. Louis Cardinals - The Cardinals find themselves in one of the most potent divisions. The Astros, the Reds, the Cubs, hell, even the Brewers will throw everything AND the kitchen sink to try and knock there red birds off before they can get soaring.
4. Atlanta Braves - The Braves have often lacked a certain punch, a certain element that has kept this team from making it to the show and winning. They will always win the NL East, and don't expect this year to be very suprising at all. Schuerholz is trying his best to add that final element, and only time will tell what will come of these perennial East champs.
5. Cincinnati Reds - I'm already putting in my vote for GM of the year to the Reds. An all around team that can run the bases, win by fielding, slug it out with their bats, and duke it out on the mound. Expect a lot of intense games against the Cubbies, Cardinals, and the Astros.
6. Chicago Cubs - The Cubbies, much like the Reds, can win games in several different way. The Big Three is back and ready for action, and it should be a lot of fun to watch these 3 elminate the opposing batters like they were fighter pilots. The Cubs, much like the O's, may find their downfall not in their lineup, but in the frequency of visits to St. Louis and Cincinnati.
7. Anahiem Angels - The Anahiem Angles had a rather quiet off-season, but they did land Adrian Beltre and Juan Uribe. Look for these 2, backed by, I'm going to say it, the most potent offense in the league, to keep these Angels high above the competiton most of the time.
8. Baltimore Orioles - Baltimore attacked their main problem this year, and it was a lack of pitching. Enter in the Big Unit, Mike Hampton, and Brandon Webb to patch up that big hole. The Orioles only problem may just be the large amount of time they have to play against the Red Sox and the Yankees.
9. Detroit Tigers - The Mo Town Tigers are ready for a break-out season this year, so expect some big results from these central cats. Big old bats and good old stout defense will have to make up for inexperience pitching, and we're betting that it may just do that.
10. San Diego Padres - The Padres recently joined the league and made no changes to their lineup. But once again, when you start with a great team and a solid pitching rotation, why change?
11. Chicago White Sox - The White Sox landed Nomar, and kept a talented pitching core together and speedy Podsednik. This team is going to turn a few heads this season, and a playoff berth may just be in the cards.
12. San Francisco Giants - San Fran will see Barry Bonds most likely put up Triple Crown numbers despite steroid accusations, and on his bat the Giants could just be Cali's hottest team.
13. Washington Nationals - The Gnats, the Expos, the Nationals. Call them however you want, this team means business now that they are in the nation's capital, so expect business from them every day.
14. Minnesota Twins - The Twins landed A-Rod, and were involved in several other deals in the off-season. An all around fun baseball team to watch, but they are just lacking a certain punch that will keep them from greatness, at least for this season.
15. Houston Astros - Houston made a few trades in the off-season, mainly shipping of Clemens. But why changed a lot when you are already a talented team. The Astros will compete with the Cardinals and the Reds for Central supremacy.
16. Oakland Athletics - It's no suprise, the Athletics have some powerful, powerful pitching. Pedro, AJ, and Barry will no doubt shut down the hitters, and they may be the reason this team shines despite a lackluster offense in several positions.
17. Florida Marlins - The Marlins traded off a couple pitchers to land some more bats, and have one of the best offensive machines matching bat power with speed. However, their pitching inexperience may just catch up to them before they can really do anything extraordinary.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks - The D-Backs hustled and shuffled a lot in the off-season, and they are one of the most sound defensive teams in the game. Their speed and defensive ability, combined with a decent starting 5, will have to play 100% every game, or otherwise their less than potent lineup will really show through.
19. Colorado Rockies - The Rockies playing in that Mile High Thin air are a good hitting and pitching team, yet costly errors could cost this team from being something extra special.
20. Toronto Blue Jays - The Blue Jays, Canada's only remaining team after the Expos left for Washington this season officially, seem to be suffering from a problem that many teams are suffering from. Great bats, but get to #3 in the rotation and it all falls apart.
21. Cleveland Indians - The Indians are a pretty average team as far as teams go, with some talented pitching and hitting, but some is the problem.
22. Texas Rangers - It seemed as though everyone was a Ranger this off-season, and perhaps Hart should have stopped at some point during the whole debacle. However, his team is still suffering from the same problem - pitching. Get past the first couple of starters and you'll see what I mean.
23. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brew Crew has the pitching in order, and if theit bats can get going, this could be a good season for the GM-less sluggers.
24. New York Mets - The Mets made some questionable moves in the off-season, but that doesn't really matter when you can end up with a potent lineup. Giambi, Sexson, Crosby and Piazza, to name a few, will have to play their hearts out night to night to make up for a dearth in the pitching category.
25. Los Angeles Dodgers - Los Angeles added some powerful bats, but the contrast of their powerful hitting to their less than powerful pitching is the Achilles heel to this Cali team.
26. Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies made no moves over the season, and even with Wolf and Abreu, the Phillies should find themselves rounding out the bottom of the NL East.
27. Seattle Mariners - The Mariners may seem like an odd choice to have at 28, Seattle did lose a key icon in Adrian Beltre. Seattle shouldn't have trouble putting up runs, but they will have problems keeping the opposing team from scoring 3 of 5 games, and we aren't naming any names here.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates - Pittsburgh made a slew of off-season moves, but they won't help them get out of the cellar they have been in for the last couple of years. Expect some good offensive production in some games, but otherwise, don't expect too much.
29. Kansas City Royals - Kansas City's pitching may be their best outlet, but that really isn't saying much. Look for KC and Tampa Bay to battle for last in the AL.
30. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - As far as every team having a chance, being undefeated on day 1, the Devil Rays are really testing those limits. With one of the most in-experienced and overpowered starting rotations, the Devil Rays may as well just pack their bags and end the season on before this one even begins.
