2012 MLB Season Preview
By: Chris Sladoje
Baltimore Orioles
The Ace: Zack Britton 2011: 11-11 (W-L), 4.61 (ERA), 97 (SO) 2011: 69-93
Bottom Line: Two years from now theyll either be in the thick of it or back to square one
The Bat: Adam Jones 2011: .280 (BA), 25 (HR), 83 (RBI)
2012 Projection: With the young talent finally starting to come through and the right manager in place, things are starting to look up. In a deep AL East, they are still way to thin to compete. 5th in AL East
Boston Red Sox
The Ace: Jon Lester 2011: 90-72
2011: 15-9 (W-L), 3.47 (ERA), 182 (SO)
The Bat: Adrian Gonzalez 2011: .338 (BA), 27 (HR), 117 (RBI) Bottom Line: Offense, check. Pitching, uhmmm. 2012 Projection: The biggest question is Daniel Bard, should he become a good pitcher, things should look good, if not, they wont need a late season collapse to miss the playoffs. 3rd in AL East
New York Yankees
The Ace: CC Sabathia 2011: 19-8 (W-L), 3.00 (ERA), 230 (SO) Bottom Line: #1 payroll also equals #1 team 2011: 97-65
The Bat: Robinson Cano 2011: .302 (BA), 28 (HR), 118 (RBI) 2012 Projection: A team that already has an explosive offense, bolstered a weak pitching staff by added Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda. Watch out! 1st in AL East
Tampa Bay Rays
2011: 91-71 The Ace: James Shields 2011: 16-12 (W-L), 2.82 (ERA), 225 (SO)
Bottom Line: Unless Longoria leaves they will be good
The Bat: Evan Longoria 2011: .244 (BA), 31 (HR), 99 (RBI)
2012 Projection: Even though they seem to lose every player to free agency, they continue to reloaded with the best prospects in baseball. Expect a slow start, but a blazing finish. 2nd in AL East
Toronto Blue Jays
The Ace: Ricky Romero 2011: 15-11 (W-L), 2.92 (ERA), 178 (SO) The Bat: Jose Bautista 2011: .302 (BA), 43 (HR), 103 (RBI) Bottom Line: Mediocrity since 1994 2011: 81-81
2012 Projection: Since their last World Series, they have been stuck behind the Sox and Yankees, and just recently the Rays. The AL East is Deep, and unless a young pitching staff can find a rhythm and the lineup around Bautista shows up, expect more mediocrity. 4th in AL East
Chicago White Sox
The Ace: Gavin Floyd 2011: 79-83 Bottom Line: Adam Dunn made 12 mil, last year and hit .159. Enough said. The Bat: Paul Konerko 2011: .300 (BA), 31 (HR), 105 (RBI) 2011: 12-13 (W-L), 4.37 (ERA), 151 (SO)
2012 Projection: They lost Ozzie Gullien, Carlos Quentin and Mark Buehrle. They massively underperformed last year, it could be a long year for the Whitte Sox in a AL Central that has good young teams. 5th in AL Central
Cleveland Indians
2011: 80-82 The Ace: Justin Masterson
2011: 12-10 (W-L), 3.21 (ERA), 158 (SO)
The Bat: Asdrubal Cabrera 2011: .273 (BA), 25 (HR), 92 (RBI)
Bottom Line: Every year is next year, so is this THE year? 2012 Projections: Only the Twins used the DL more than the Indians last year, so health is a concern. Ubaldo Jimenez must regain his 2010 form, and the bats must come alive for this young team to make a run. 2nd in AL Central
Detroit Tigers
The Ace: Justin Verlander
2011: 24-5 (W-L), 2.40 (ERA), 250 (SO)
Bottom Line: Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera make the best one-two punch in baseball The Bat: Miguel Cabrera 2011: .344(BA), 30 (HR), 105 (RBI)
2011: 95-67
2012 Projection: The team that won the AL Central last year, added Prince Fielder to a lineup that already has Miguel Cabrera. Oh, they also have MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. 1st in AL Central
Kansas City Royals
The Ace: Jonathan Sanchez Bottom Line: Watch out for this team, next year.
2011: 4-7 (W-L), 4.26 (ERA), 102 (SO)
The Bat: Eric Hosmer
2011: .293 (BA), 19 (HR), 78 (RBI)
2011: 71-91
2012 Projection: This team is no longer a 100 game loser anymore. Sure theyre young, but the offense is very good. The pitching, not so much. Sanchez if healthy is top 10, but there is a big drop off after that. If the starters can hold it in check the bullpen should be able to close. 3rd in AL Central
Minnesota Twins
The Ace: Francisco Liriano
2011: 9-10 (W-L), 5.09 (ERA), 112 (SO)
Bottom Line: 369, the number of games played by Mauer and Morneau over the past two years, out of 648 The Bat: Joe Mauer 2011: .287 (BA), 3 (HR), 30 (RBI)
2011: 63-99
2012 Projection: A healthy Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau greatly improve this teams chances, but unless someone else on the team decides to show up, even that wont help them much. If Liriano can at least return to 2010 form, they still just might make .500. 4th in AL Central
Los Angeles Angels
2011: 86-76 The Ace: Jered Weaver 2011: 18-8 (W-L), 2.41 (ERA), 198 (SO) The Bat: Albert Pujols 2011: .299 (BA), 37 (HR), 99 (RBI) Bottom Line: Albert Pujols, Albert Pujols, and Albert Pujols 2012 Projections: This team oozes unbelievable talent. They are easily the deepest team in the AL. They sign Albert Pujols, the games best. They also signed C.J. Wilson, who will pitch behind Weaver and Dan Haren. If only I had more room to rave about this team. 1st in AL West
Oakland Athletics
The Ace: Brandon McCarthy 2011: 74-88
2011: 9-9 (W-L), 3.32 (ERA), 123 (SO)
The Bat: Yoenis Cespedes 2011: N/A Bottom Line: Insert Moneyball joke here.
2012 Projection: They dump half their roster and then sign Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to a mega deal? Is that what you call Moneyball. Anyway, they have an anemic offense and their pitching isnt much better. But, hey, no ones goes to As games anyway. Right? 4th in AL West
Seattle Mariners
The Ace: Felix Hernandez 2011: 14-14 (W-L), 3.47 (ERA), 222 (SO) The Bat: Dustin Ackley 2011: .273 (BA), 6 (HR), 36 (RBI) Bottom Line: Ill bet in 4 years time, Jesus Montero will be traded back to the Yankees because Seattle wont be able to afford him
2012 Projections: They gained Jesus Montero, who should help the worst offense in the game. King Felix will take this team as far as he can, but even so its tough to win, when your team doesnt score any runs. 3rd in AL West 2011: 67-95
Texas Rangers
2011: 96-66 The Ace: Yu Darvish 2011: N/A
Bottom Line: George W. would be proud of this team
The Bat: Josh Hamilton
2011: .298 (BA), 25 (HR), 94 (RBI) 2012 Projections: Back-to-back AL Champs, might be out for blood this year. They lost their ace for the second straight year (Cliff Lee, now C.J. Wilson), but brought in a potential ace in Darvish. The offense is the best in baseball when healthy, so if Hamilton, Cruz, and Beltre can all play full seasons they will be on their way to a 3rd straight World Series. If not, they are still a shoein to win 90 games. 2nd in AL West
Atlanta Braves
2011: 89-73
The Ace: Tommy Hanson
2011: 11-7 (W-L), 3.60 (ERA), 142 (SO) The Bat: Brian McCann 2011: .270 (BA), 24 (HR), 71 (RBI) Bottom Line: Strong Bullpen will save the season
2012 Projection: Last year, was not a complete disaster. Well, it was for the offense, as it seemed to have regressed extremely. The bullpen, might be the best in the game, and the rotation is solid. A rebound season from Jason Heyward and Martin Prado, could propel the team to the post-season. 1st in NL East
Miami Marlins
The Ace: Josh Johnson
2011: 3-1 (W-L), 1.64 (ERA), 56 (SO)
Bottom Line: This new stadium will hopefully prevent future fire sales
2011: 72-90
The Bat: Giancarlo Stanton 2011: .262 (BA), 34 (HR), 87 (RBI)
2012 Projection: Their payroll went from 56 mil to 110 mil, so obviously, theyre better. If Hanley Ramirez can buy what Ozzie Gullien is selling they will be fine offensively. If Johnson can throw the way he did before his injury, they will win the NL East. If is the key word here. 2nd in NL East
New York Mets
2011: 77-85 The Ace: Johan Santana Bottom Line: You dont cut 50 mil off your salary and come out a better team
2011: N/A
The Bat: David Wright
2011: .254 (BA), 14 (HR), 61 (RBI)
2012 Projection: Long gone are the Mets who overspend on players. Say hello to the new cellardweller Mets. Mets fans, no one needs to know that you switched to the Yankees, because unless Santana pitches like he did in Minnesota and David Wright can return to a 30-30 player you WILL lose 100 games. 5th in NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
2011: 102-60 The Ace: Roy Halladay 2011: 19-6 (W-L), 2.35 (ERA), 220 (SO) Bottom Line: Ryan Howards achilles, could turn out to be the achilles of this team The Bat: Hunter Pence 2011: .314 (BA), 22 (HR), 97 (RBI)
2012 Projection: Its time to find out if good pitching really does beat good hitting, because unless that adage is true, the Phillies might be in trouble. Sure the 3-headed monster of Halladay, Lee, and Hamels is the best, but the offense is starting to age and unless the young guns tear the cover off the ball, dont expect this team to be Allworld. 3rd in NL East
Washington Nationals
The Ace: Stephen Strasburg 2011: 1-1 (W-L), 1.50 (ERA), 24 (SO) Bottom Line: This might be the most interesting team to watch for this year and years to come The Bat: Ryan Zimmerman 2011: .289 (BA), 12 (HR), 49 (RBI) 2012 Projection: This is the allhype team, the what could bes and the sleeper. If and when Bryce Harper gets the call up, this team could be dangerous. They massively upgraded their rotation and they get their main cogs healthy. But in the deepest divison in baseball, they are still one bat and one-two years away from contending. 4th in NL East
2011: 80-81
Chicago Cubs
The Ace: Matt Garza 2011: 10-10 (W-L), 3.32 (ERA), 197 (SO) Bottom Line: Back to the Future II, projects Cubs win World Series in 2015 The Bat: Starlin Castro 2011: .307 (BA), 10 (HR), 66 (RBI) 2011: 71-91
2012 Projection: Starlin Castro may one day be the best shortstop in the game, but whew, is there a drop-off in talent after him. This team seems to be either to young or to old at many positions. Theo Epstein (GM), may have been their best acquisition. Will he be able to get the Cubs to a World Series, or will he just be added to the list of the other GMs of the last 100 so years? Not this year or the next one. 5th in NL Central
Cincinnati Reds
The Ace: Johnny Cueto 2011: 9-5 (W-L), 2.31 (EAR), 104 (SO) Bottom Line: Will the Big Red Machine return in 2012?
The Bat: Joey Votto 2011: 79-83 2011: .309 (BA), 29 (HR), 103 (RBI)
2012 Projection: With Albert Pujols having left the division, can the Reds finally step and win the division. One of the most talented teams in the league, they disappointed last year, but after acquiring Matt Latos, they finally have a deep rotation. The offense isnt a problem as they can hit with even the best offenses. If the pitching comes through, they will be a tough out, throughout the year. 1st in NL Central
Houston Astros
The Ace: Wandy Rodriguez
2011: 11-11 (W-L), 3.49 (ERA), 166 (SO)
Bottom Line: Houston, we have, not one, but many problems
The Bat: Carlos Lee
2011: 56-106
2011: .275 (BA), 18 (HR), 94 (RBI)
2012 Projection: Name one Astro besides the two on this page. Thats what I thought. They are the worst team by far in the League, and things will not be getting any easier next year when they move to the AL West. My prediction, the Astros will be good when the next rocket launches. 6th in NL Central
Milwaukee Brewers
2011: 96-66 The Ace: Zack Greinke
2011: 16-6 (W-L), 3.83 (ERA), 201 (SO)
Bottom Line: No Prince, no problem
The Bat: Ryan Braun
2011: .332 (BA), 33 (HR), 113 (RBI) 2012 Projection: Their best news came when Braun won his appeal. The bad news is that they lost slugger Prince Fielder. Lucky, they have a rotation that rivals Philadelphias. I expect them to upgrade the empty first base position, either through trade or by call up. No matter what, they will compete for the division title. 2nd in NL Central
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Ace: Erik Bedard 2011: 5-9 (W-L), 3.62 (ERA), 125 (SO)
Bottom Line: No longer a farm team to the Yankees anymore
The Bat: Andrew McCutchen 2011: .259 (BA), 23 (HR), 89 (RBI)
2011: 72-90
2012 Projection: 1993 was the last time the Pirates had a winning record. It might not be long till that happens again. The Pirates are still a very raw team, with very good pieces in place. When A.J. Burnett returns from injury and if Pedro Alvarez, can build off a solid rookie season two years ago, they might push .500. Especially in a suddenly weak NL Central. 4th in NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals
The Ace: Chris Carpenter
2011: 11-9 (W-L), 3.45 (ERA), 191 (SO)
Bottom Line: Albert Pujols, Albert Pujols, and Albert Pujols The Bat: Matt Holliday
2011: 90-72
2011: .296 (BA), 22 (HR), 75 (RBI)
2012 Projection: They lost some guy, whats his name? Ah, Albert Pujols, the games best hitter. So obviously, the reigning World Series champs have regressed. On the positive side, Adam Wainwright returns from injury. They also signed Carlos Beltran. So, a improved pitching staff from last year, but a decreased offense, may result in some closer games. As long as the pitching remains consistent they should be fine. 3rd in NL Central
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Ace: Ian Kennedy 2011: 21-4 (W-L), 2.88 (ERA), 198 (SO) Bottom Line: Caution, snakes bite
The Bat: Justin Upton 2011: .289 (BA), 31 (HR), 88 (RBI) 2011: 94-68
2012 Projections: This pitching staff has the talent to be possibly the best in the game. The addition of Jason Kubel, gives them three outfielders who all have 30 homerun potential. This team definitely has potential, maybe too much of it. They could either win their division handily or be out of it by August. Im going with the former. 1st in NL West
Colorado Rockies
The Ace: Jhoulys Chacin
2011: 11-14 (W-L), 3.62 (ERA), 150 (SO)
Bottom Line: Rocky Mountain Low (for now)
The Bat: Troy Tulowitzki 2011: .302 (BA), 30 (HR), 105 (RBI)
2012 Projection: Their pitching is atrocious, their offense is great. This is the basic pattern of the Rockies, and their Rocky Mountain air. If Alex White and Drew Pomeranz, come through with their high expectations, next years Rockies will be a very good team, until they arrive temper expectations. 4th in NL West
2011: 73-89
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Ace: Clayton Kershaw 2011: 21-5 (W-L), 2.28 (ERA), 248 (SO) Bottom Line: WANTED: Team Owner
The Bat: Matt Kemp
2011: .324 (BA), 39 (HR), 126 (RBI)
2011: 82-79
2012 Projection: Its a two man show for the Dodgers, but what a show it is. They have possibly the 2012 Cy Young and MVP winner, but they still will struggle to finish above .500. They will succeed when find an owner and a surrounding crew to support Kershaw and Kemp. 3rd in NL West
San Diego Padres
The Ace: Cory Luebke
2011: 6-10 (W-L), 3.29 (ERA), 154 (SO)
Bottom Line: Welcome to San Diego, the death of Runs.
The Bat: Carlos Quentin
2011: .254 (BA), 24 (HR), 77 (HR)
2011: 71-91
2012 Projection: Thank god, they have a pitchers park, because they have a very inexperienced staff. Yonder Alonso will become the next Adrian Gonzalez. They dont have any offense besides that. 5th in West
San Francisco Giants
The Ace: Tim Lincecum 2011: 13-14 (W-L), 2.74 (ERA), 220 (SO) Bottom Line: Fear the Beard
The Bat: Buster Posey 2011: .284 (BA), 4 (HR), 21 (RBI) 2011: 86-76
2012 Projection: The return of Buster Posey greatly increases their chances. They already have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. Adding Melky Cabrera helps the offense immensely also. Every thing is in place for another World Series run. 2nd in NL West
