AL East: Last in a series of 6 divisional previews.
1. New York. Don’t yell, OK? If I have to make these predictions publicly, I’m not going to be stupid. The cold reality is that the Yankees have at least five proven starters, the (despite last November) best closer in baseball, a star-studded lineup, and the wherewithal to get someone else to come in if the team falters. Are the Yankees perfect? No. The injury bug has been around in Spring Training more than in the past. The intangibles and experience provided by Knoblauch, O’Neill and Tino are gone. Actually, since O’Neill and Knoblauch are gone, there’s only one Yankee left that I hate with all my heart and soul. But I can’t think like that. Someone must stop this team…please?
2. Boston (wild card). I think all good true Sox fans are in the same boat this season, vacillating between starry-eyed optimism and "get in crash position" angst. The key word this season is IF. IF Nomar and Varitek are healthy. IF Grady Little can keep the spacey Manny Ramirez’s head in the game. IF one of the starting projects (Lowe, Burkett, Oliver) can hit 15-17 wins. IF the new ownership is truly committed to do whatever it takes. IF Rickey Henderson ever suits up, and plays the kind of leadoff ball he’s played since 1980. IF Shea Hillenbrand doesn’t flame out after a good rookie year. IF Ugie Urbina is competent as a closer. IF a few of these things happen, the Red Sox can do what they need to do: grab the wild-card and try to do to the Yankees in 7 what they probably can’t in 162. If more than a couple of these things don’t happen….Skylab. Oh yeah, one more. IF Pedro stays healthy.
3. Toronto. Picked by everyone in the universe to finish 3rd, the Jays have enough weapons and enough potential to scare you. The starting rotation of Chris Carpenter, Roy Halladay and Luke Prokopec had awful 2001s but all look poised to rebound. The offense still revolves around Raul Mondesi and Carlos Delgado; a lot of teams wish they had that kind of power. The bullpen is iffy (Dan Plesac’s still in the league?!?) but Kelvim Escobar is ready to take over at closer from the departed Billy Koch. There’s no way the Jays will finish below third – if the Red Sox implode early, Toronto could move up a slot.
Note: The following teams are considered a disaster area. Pregnant women, small children, or anyone susceptible to backaches or emotional trauma should not read on. Serious distress can be a result of following these two teams. Not responsibe for psychic suffering.
4. Baltimore. If the Orioles want to be noticed at all this season, I recommend they make Cal Ripken sign autographs before the games. I also recommend Cal be granted an honorary spot on the All-Star team, since every team needs one representative and picking one of the remaining Orioles is a sick joke. The pitching is halfway-respectable; Jason Johnson and Sidney Ponson would each make a #4 starter on a decent team. The offense is just brutal. Try a 3-4-5 of David Segui (who played all of 82 games last year), Jeff Conine, and Marty Cordova. The Orioles signed Cordova for $9 million because he had a nice spring in Cleveland last year. Had they done their homework, they would have seen that Cordova was released from hundreds of teams in the preceding years. Owner Peter Angelos opposes the Expos moving to Washington because it would cut into his fan base. I think the good people of Maryland, Virginia, D.C., and – OK, fine, Delaware -- deserve to see at least one major-league caliber team.
5. Tampa Bay. The opening day starting pitcher is Tanyon Sturtze. Four of the Opening Day starters are making their first ever appearance on Opening Day. Greg Vaughn, who’s untradable even on the Playstation. Actual quotes from skipper Hal McRae, on the Rays’ website…" we just hope he [starting catcher Toby Hall]continues to improve and get better"… "I don't think he [starting CF Randy Winn] established in anybody's mind that he's an everyday player"…" [on the pitching] it won't be easy but we'll just deal with it."…" The pitfalls are there for everyone and everyone's going to experience them". You can order Devil Rays tickets here. Get ‘em before they’re gone.