2008 Woodie Awards
Yankees, Mets to give NYC 2 leaders
By David Nugent
in OpinionIssue date: 4/3/08 Section: Opinion
Spring is in the air. You can hear the ball pounding against leather. You can hear the crack of the bat. America's pastime is back in business this week. In the previous issue, we took an in-depth look at the local teams, so now it is time for a quick run around all of Major League Baseball, this time forecasting the coming season.
Starting in the American League East:
•Yankees: The Yanks will find a way to win this division. They finally understand the concept of youth and that stars do not buy pennants. Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, Robinson Cano and others give the Yanks the best youth movement they have had in years. The bullpen and the age of Mike Mussina, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera should concern the pin stripers.
•Boston: The first question from Red Sox fans is where is the respect? Point taken; but with Schilling out, maybe for the year, and the health of Josh Becket a concern, the Sox may have some problems. On the up side, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz will not have the same down year they did last year.
•Toronto: Look out for the Jays. We have been looking out for the Jays for three years now, but this team is up and coming.
•Tampa Bay: Baseball Prospectus has this team winning 88 games. Not in this division with two power houses and an up-and-coming Blue Jay team Tampa Bay will play a combined 54 times.
•Baltimore: Things have really gotten sad in Baltimore. The Oriole way is a distant memory, and it is time for Peter Angels to sell the team or, at least, stop managing it the way George Steinbrenner managed the Yankees in the 1980s.
In the A.L. Central:
•Detroit: The Tigers are the team to beat. Young pitching and, arguably, the best lineup in the league. The downfall may be this lineup is too right-handed. The other question is which Dontrelle Willis will show up?
•Cleveland: A young everyday lineup-C.C. Sabathia in his walk year and the fact the Indians learned they need a bullpen in this league. There is a reason General Manager Mark Shapiro is the reigning executive of the year.
Starting in the American League East:
•Yankees: The Yanks will find a way to win this division. They finally understand the concept of youth and that stars do not buy pennants. Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, Robinson Cano and others give the Yanks the best youth movement they have had in years. The bullpen and the age of Mike Mussina, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera should concern the pin stripers.
•Boston: The first question from Red Sox fans is where is the respect? Point taken; but with Schilling out, maybe for the year, and the health of Josh Becket a concern, the Sox may have some problems. On the up side, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz will not have the same down year they did last year.
•Toronto: Look out for the Jays. We have been looking out for the Jays for three years now, but this team is up and coming.
•Tampa Bay: Baseball Prospectus has this team winning 88 games. Not in this division with two power houses and an up-and-coming Blue Jay team Tampa Bay will play a combined 54 times.
•Baltimore: Things have really gotten sad in Baltimore. The Oriole way is a distant memory, and it is time for Peter Angels to sell the team or, at least, stop managing it the way George Steinbrenner managed the Yankees in the 1980s.
In the A.L. Central:
•Detroit: The Tigers are the team to beat. Young pitching and, arguably, the best lineup in the league. The downfall may be this lineup is too right-handed. The other question is which Dontrelle Willis will show up?
•Cleveland: A young everyday lineup-C.C. Sabathia in his walk year and the fact the Indians learned they need a bullpen in this league. There is a reason General Manager Mark Shapiro is the reigning executive of the year.
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