Will The Rockies, Rock The NL West?

The 2010 season for the Colorado Rockies started off as if they were the favorite to win the National League West division but as we know they didn't after finishing (83-79), they didn't even come close to making it to the postseason after one point they looked like they had a shot near the end of the year. But bad pitching got them nowhere and before they knew it their season bad come to a close and in 2011 they aren't even picked to win their division because of the same issue "Bad Pitching". During the offseason the Rockies didn't make any moves to try and make their pitching staff better and to a team that in 2007 won the NL Wild Card, won the NL League Pennant, and went on to the 2007 World Series but lost to the Boston Red Sox, to now a team that doesn't look like they will reach the postseason again for a long time. Also don't forget in 2009 they won the NL Wild Card again but then lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. The Rockies don't look like they will rock much in 2011, here's a breakdown.




Like I said the Rockies pitching staff isn't the best in the NL, they only have one good pitcher but even he broke down during the second half of the season. The Rockies best pitcher is young hard thrower Ubaldo Jimenez who in 2010 was one of five pitchers to throw a no-hitter on April 17th and during the first half of the 2010 season he was the NL CY Young award winner having won 15 games up to the All-Star break and he was lights out on the mound. He had the lowest ERA at 2.20, the most wins in the NL, but after the All-Star break Jimenez only managed to win 4 more games and after that he was no longer the best pitcher in baseball. Now Jimenez is a great young pitcher and still

has a long way to go but after showing the he couldn't finish the rest of his job in 2010 it might raise a few eye brawls. Jimenez could have easily won 25-28 games in 2010 after having 15 wins during the first half. In 2010 he finished with an ERA of 2.88, 19 wins, 8 losses, and 214 strikeouts. After Jimenez the Rockies really don't have anyone else to really worry about, they have Jorge De La Rosa who in 2010 posted a 4.22 ERA with 8 wins, 7 losses, 113 strikeouts, Jason Hammel who posted a 4.81 ERA with 10 wins, 9 losses, 141 strikeouts, Aaron Cook who at one time was a pretty good pitcher but in 2010 didn't have great season with a 5.08 ERA, 6 wins, 8 losses, 62 strikeouts, and Jhoulys Chacin who posted a 3.28 ERA, 9 wins, 11 losses, and 139 strikeouts. As you can see this is a really weak pitching rotation and in the NL West things could either get tougher or get weaker but as we know in baseball pitching is key and they don't have that. As for the Rockies bullpen that is also pretty weak but there are three pretty good pitchers in the pen that aren't too bad in set-up man Rafael Betancourt, set-up man Matt Lindstrom, and closer Huston Street and that's really it.

Their bullpen might be one of the worse the NL with having a lot guys that aren't that good or are rookies. Lindstrom who came over from Huston didn't have a bad year with the Astors in 2010, saving 23 games with a 4.39 ERA and 43 strikeouts. He throws hard and is a gamer. Betancourt has been part of this team for 2 years now has been money for the Rockies in the pen with a 3.61 ERA, 23 HLD, and 89 strikeouts. Street who has been the Rockies closer for 2 years hasn't been that bad either saving 20 games with a 3.61 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 2010.




Now the best part about this Rockies team is their line-up, it isn't the best but they have about 3 or 4 guys on this team that can carry them throughout a whole season. We start with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki who might be one of the best shortstops in the game when he is healthy. When Tulow came off the DL last year he really went on a hot streak and when I mean hot streak it was hot. He was one of the best players in the game. He hit 15 home runs, and drove in 40 RBI's from July 27th to September 30th and I bet if he would have stayed healthy he could have had a good shot at winning the NL MVP award. But not only is he a good hitter but he is a great fielder and is a leader in the club house and that's the most important thing when your team isn't doing so well.

He knows how to win and when to step up in key moments. In 2010 after missing a good part of the year he batted .327, hit 27 home runs, and drove in 95 RBI's. Next is long time veteran first baseman Todd Helton, who 2010 is another guy who was on and off the DL and is another leader in the club house. He has been part of this team since 1997 and had one of his worst seasons of his career. This is a player who always bats .300 or more and in the last 3 years he hasn't really done much. In 2009 he had a really good year but in 2008 he had another off year. So it looks like as Helton gets older he's play has gone down, but I think if he has a bounce back year the Rockies will be fine in that line-up. In 2010 Helton batted .256, hit 8 home runs, and drove in 37 RBI's. After Helton is the new third baseman they got during the offseason form the O's is Ty Wigginton. Now what Wigginton brings to this lineup is more power the only problem is he strikeouts out a lot. I think if he can cut down the strikeouts he will be a dangerous hitter in this line-up. As a fielder he is okay, not the best but he gets the job done, he can also play first base as well and in 2010 he hit .248, hit 22 home runs, and drove in 76 RBI's. Last on this line-up is star player in left field Carlos Gonzalez. Talk about a player who has it all, well this kid has it. Speed, power, arm ability, and is a hitting machine.

His breakout season was really in the 2009 postseason when the Phillies pitchers could not figure how to get him out and everyone was asking themselves who is this guy? In 2010 he showed that he going to be the next best outfielder in the game and came oh so very close to winning the NL MVP award, he was about 35 votes short behind Joey Votto who won the NL MVP award. If this kid has a season like he did in 2010 there should be no reason why should not win the MVP award this year after batting .336, hit 34 home runs, and drove in 117 RBI's.



Now in 2011 I don't really see the Rockies doing much, yes their line-up is really good when everyone is healthy but their starting five is way too weak and so is their bullpen. In 2011 don't really expect much from the Rockies, but then again they could surprise everyone like they have in the past

Top 5 Best Second Baseman Right Now.

Now that spring training has begun I am still counting down the top 5 best players in the game right now and in this article it's about who are the top 5 best second baseman come opening day right now.




1. New York Yankees - Robinson Cano

Cano in 2010 had one of his best seasons in his career and for the first time in Yankees history he has put second base back on the map for the Yanks. He is now known as one of the best in game, not just at second base but also when it comes to hitting. Cano can put the ball anywhere on the field and can also run with the best. His speed, power and arm ability at second is one of the best in the game; Robbie Cano can do it all. He is also still in the prime of his career at 27 years old and can still play this game for another 10 to 15 years if he stays healthy. Cano in 2010 came very close at winning the 2010 AL MVP award and in 2010 he also made his first ever All-Star game it’s a crime that he hasn't been in more All-Star games, but he has won 2 AL Sliver Slugger award, won the 2010 AL Gold Glove award and helped the Yankees win their 27th World Series title in 2009. In 2010 Cano batted .319, hit 29 home runs, and drove in 109 RBI's, his postseason number aren't too bad either batting .248, hitting 6 home runs, and driving in 20 RBI's. Robbie can you say BOOM!




2. Philadelphia Phillies - Chase Utley

Chase Utley, one of the best second baseman in the NL and in Phillies history. It not often that you get a power hitter at second base and Utley has put a new meaning in the word "POWER" at second base. Utley came up with the Phillies in 2003 and before anyone knew it he would be the face of this team for many years to come. He has helped the Phils win 4 straight NL East Division title in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, won 2 NL League Pennants in 2008 and 2009, and won a World Series title in 2008. Not only is he a great hitter, but he is one of the best fielders in the game but somehow doesn't have a gold glove, that might be the only thing he is overlooked for but either way he is a team player and cares about the players in his club house and winning another title. In 2010 Utley had an off year due to a thumb injure where he would miss a good 2 months of the 2010 season but when he played he batted .275, hit 16 home runs, and drove in 65 RBI's, he has also won 4 NL Sliver Slugger awards. In the postseason Utley has been clutch for the Phils batting .243, hit 10 home runs, and drove in 24 RBI's. The "CASE" will be on in 2011.



3. Boston Red Sox - Dustin Pedroia

When you think of Dustin Pedroia you think of a small guy with a big bat. This guy is one of the game’s best hitters for a guy who is only 5'9. He is the peace to the Red Sox puzzle and might have been one of the key reasons why their infield was so bad last year. Pedrioa missed the second half to the 2010 season due to a broken foot. Other than him being injured when he is healthy he is a force like no other between hitting and fielding. He has been with the Sox for 5 years and has helped the Red Sox win their second World Series title in 2007 in his full rookie season and that’s when he really showed that he is for real. In 2010 when he was healthy he batted .288, hit 12 home runs, and drove in drove 42 RBI's. In his career he has won the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year award, won the 2008 AL Sliver Slugger award, the 2008 AL Gold Glove award, and the 2008 AL MVP award. In the postseason he has been one of the best hitters batting .252, hit 5 home runs, and drove in 18 RBI's. In 2011 now that the "LITTLE" man is healthy he is going to do his thing.



4. Atlanta Braves - Dan Uggla

During the 2010 offseason the Braves traded for Dan Uggla to play second base and fill in that power role in their line-up. Uggla is another guy that puts a new meaning in the word "POWER" at second base. Now Uggla might get overlooked in the division he plays in because of Chase Utley but he was to play in another division he might be the best second baseman in another division. Uggla who was a long time member of the Florida Marlins was a key member their ball club but had to part ways. Now Uggla has never been in the postseason or won his team a division title but he is going to be a good player for the Braves. He is a good fielder and is probably the second best hitting second baseman in the NL. Uggla in 2010 hit .287, hit 33 home runs, and drove in 105 RBI's and that help earned him to win his first NL Sliver Slugger award.



5. Texas Rangers - Ian Kinsler

Now Kinsler is an example of a second baseman underrated in the American League and maybe in all of baseball. Maybe playing for the Rangers might have something to do with it, but either way he is a great hitter and fielder when it comes down to the bottom line. Kinsler who has played with the Rangers his whole career since 2006 has never won any awards and like I said "UNDERRATED" but he has made the AL All-Star team twice in 2008 and 2010, he also batted .286, 9 home runs, and 45 RBI's during the regular season in 2010. In 2010 he helped the Texas Rangers win their first American League West Division title since 1999, help win their the first playoff series, help win their first AL League Pennant, and helped the Rangers get to their first World Series match up but in the end the Rangers didn't complete their goal on winning the World Series as the lost to the San Francisco Giants. In Kinsler's first postseason he batted .292, hit 3 home runs and drove in 9 RBI's.



Players who just missed the list.

6. San Franciscon Giants - Freddy Sanchez 2010 - BA .292, 7 home runs, 47 RBI's
7. Cincinnati Reds - Brandon Phillips 2010 - BA .275, 18 home runs, 59 RBI's
8. Milwaukee Brewers - Rickie Weeks 2010 - BA .269, 29 home runs, 83 RBI's
9. Arizona Diamondbacks - Kelly Johnson 2010 - BA .284, 26 home runs, 71 RBI's
10. San Diego Padres - Jason Bartlett 2010 - BA . 254, 4 home runs, 47 RBI's

Sox Well Loaded.

Now the talk around baseball heading into spring training has been about National League East with the Philadelphia Phillies and their pitching staff, but what about the American League East and the Boston Red Sox? It's clear to say if you’re a Sox fan you are just as excited as Phillies fans are to start spring training. During the 2010 offseason the Red Sox have made a lot moves with adding players to their team and now are picked to win the AL East Division title and go to World Series but as we know we should never expect anything. Last year the Sox with favorite to win the AL East Division because of signing free agent pitcher John Lackey and make a shot at returning to the Fall Classic but injuries played into roll in the 2010 season and from there, their season went down the drain. As for this year the Sox have re-loaded their guns and are ready to fight back for the division title in 2011.




The Boston Red Sox pitching rotation is almost just like the Philadelphia Phillies rotation. Almost every pitcher they have can be used as an ace for a team. The ace of this pitching staff is Jon Lester who was one of many players that didn't get hurt during the 2010 season. This guy is a power pitcher has already thrown a no-hitter in his career and he has also won a World Series title with the Sox in 2007. Lester was one of the runner ups for the 2010 AL CY Young award and he could also possible take home the award this year.

He is a leader on and off the field and knows what it's like to be a strong pitcher. In 2006 Lester was diagnosed with cancer and doctors didn't know if Lester would ever be able play the game of baseball ever again but he recovered from it at a good pas and by 2007 Lester found himself back on the baseball diamond where he would find himself being the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the 2007 World Series to win the World Series against the Colorado Rookies. His story is an amazing comeback story in baseball and people all around the world should be reminded to stay strong and never lose hope. In 2010 Lester had one of his best seasons in his career having a 3.25 ERA, 19 wins, 9 losses, and 225 strikeouts in 2010. To follow him is the young kid Clay Buchholz who really proved that he could be the ace of this pitching staff someday but for right now he is proved to be their number two starter on this staff. Buchholz is only 26 years old and will only get better as time goes along. He still may have to work on a few things but I think he has figured it all out after having a breakout season in 2010 having a 2.33 ERA, 17 wins, 7 losses, and 120 strikeouts.

He could maybe even win the AL CY Young award this year if he puts up number like that again. The number three starter is Josh Beckett who in 2010 started out as a mess with having back problems and just never fell into a grove on the mount and everyone is wondering will he be healthy come opening day. Beckett at one point was the ace of this pitching staff and was the ace opening day in 2010. Beckett was one of 19 players on the DL last year and messed a good amount of the season having a 5.78 ERA, 6 wins, 6 losses, and 116 strikeouts in 2010. The number four starter is the pitcher they signed in the 2009 offseason, John Lackey. Now Lackey didn't prove that he was going to be everything the Sox hopped he would be but he had an OK year. Lackey is an inning eater and if you give him the ball he always gives your team the best chance to win and there's really nothing more you can ask for out of a pitcher than that. In 2010 Lackey had a 4.40 ERA, 14 wins, 10 losses, and 156 strikeouts. The number five starter is Daisuke Matsuzaka who at one point was there number two starting pitcher in 2007 and in 2008 he almost won the AL CY Young award. But he is another guy on the list that has been on and off the DL with battling arm injuries. But if you had to ask me Matsuzaka isn't a bad number five starter to have on your team when healthy. In 2010 missing part of the year he posted a 4.69 ERA, 9 wins, 6 losses, and 133 strikeouts.




The Red Sox bullpen last year was pretty healthy but it wasn't all that great either and during this year's offseason they added two more arms to join the bullpen in former closer from the Chicago White Sox Bobby Jenks and set-up man Dan Wheeler who came over from the Tampa Bay Rays. Now the Sox do have a pretty good closer in Jonathan Paplbon who last year didn't really have that great of a year for a closer. It just looked like he didn't really have it and in 2011 the Sox are going to need to him to get back to his old ways in saving ball games. In 2010 he posted a 3.90 ERA as a closer, 37 saves, 8 blown saves, and 76 strikeouts. As for Bobby Jenks moving from closer to set-up man he had a Jenks kind of year. Jenks isn't that power type closer that Paplbon is, he just knows how to get outs when needed and that's why I think the Sox signed him just in case they need him to get outs, Jenks posted a 4.44 ERA, 27 saves, 4 blown saves, and 61 strikeouts.

Now Dan Wheeler on the other hand will still be used as a set-up man but more likely to be used in the 6th or 7th inning. Wheeler isn't a bad arm to have in your bullpen; he is one of the better known bullpen pitchers in the game. Wheeler's ERA was a 3.55, 9 HLD, 46 strikeouts in 2010. Next they have a guy who can be used as a starter or bullpen pitcher in long time pitcher Tim Wakefield. Wakefield will most likely be used in the pen, but if they need another starter he will be called on, last year he posted an ERA of 5.32, 4 wins, 10 losses, 84 strikeouts. Last in the Sox pen is Hideki Okajima who can also be used as a starter, but never really got the chance to start a game yet? Okajima brings a lot of off speed stuff to the table to throw off hitter and their timing; in 2010 he had an ERA of 4.50, 11 HLD, and 33 strikeouts.




With the Sox infield and outfield is what really killed them last year having most of their key players put on the DL but in the offseason they signed a big free agent in left fielder Carl Crawford who came over from the Tampa Bay Rays and traded for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez who came over from the San Diego Padres. With both of these players it makes their line-up more dangerous than it's ever been. I start off with Crawford because he was the second biggest free agent outfielder on the market and the Sox locked him up for 7 years $148 million dollars and will most likely finish his career in B-Town.

Crawford who was a long time member of the Tampa Bay Rays was one of the first original players on the team decided it was time for a change. Crawford brings speed, power, and great ability to the outfield. Now we don’t know if he will be playing left or center field yet, but where ever he plays he will be a factor nonetheless. Last year Crawford had one of his best seasons in his 9 year career batting .307, 19 home runs, 90 RBI's, and stealing 47 bases. He is going to be an impact on this team a whole lot. Next is the player they traded for in first baseman Adrian Gonzalez who came over from the Padres. He is another player who is going to help them out a whole lot with having power and hitting left handed with the short foul pole in right field. A-Gon brings that number four sport in the line-up and will have players who can hit in front of him and in back of him and he fits this line-up very nicely. Now Gonzalez is recovering from shoulder surgery but should be ready to go come opening day. A-Gon hit .298, 31 home runs, and 101 RBI's in 2010.

Next is long time veteran catcher Jason Varitek who is the captain of this team and is getting up there in age and the Sox still don't know if they will use him as their catcher or DH in 2011. He is another player who was put on the DL with a broken foot that he still recovering from it. But Varitek when he is healthy he is one of the best catchers in the league and is a great contact hitter. In 2010 where he missed most of the season he batted .232, 7 home runs, and 16 RBI's. Over to second base where they loss their key player in Dustin Pedroia who was put on the DL and missed the second half of the 2010 season with a broken foot. This was the main reason the Sox had trouble in the infield with not having him over at second. When this kid is healthy he can do damage for a guy who 5'9, I mean he didn't the 2008 AL MVP award for noting. He is a great hitter and a good power hitter for a small guy. When he played in 2010 he posted a .282 batting average, 12 home runs, and 42 RBI's and told his general manager Theo Epstein that he is ready to go this spring training and that always good news to hear. The Sox have a guy in "Big Papi" David Ortiz who has been the heart and soul of this team just as much as Captain Jason Varitck is. As we know Ortiz has been the DH for this club for some time now and I think it might stay that way. The problem with Ortiz is in the last 3 years he has gotten off to a slow start but always finishes off strong. Ortiz is a clutch hitter in a key moment when the Sox need runs and despite him having a slow start he did finish off strong with a .270 batting average, 32 home runs and 102 RBI's.

Over at third base is probably one of the only players who didn't get hurt all of last year is Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis is either used at third base or first base either one doesn't matter. He is a great low ball hitter and never really strikes out; he always makes contact with the ball. He is also a great fielder as well winning a Gold Glove in 2007. Youkilis batted .307, 19 home runs, and 63 RBI's. Over in right field they have J.D. Drew who was another player battling an injury with a pulled hamstring and missed a good amount of the season but still played threw it. He will be the Sox number five or six batter in the line-up and has a really good arm in right field, Last year when he played he batted .255, 22 home runs, and 68 RBI's. Last but not least is a guy they are happy to have back is left fielder Jacoby Ellsbury who missed the whole 2010 season with a major rib injury and played in maybe 5 games but they are happy to have him back and ready to go. He brings speed to line-up and will most likely be their number two hitter in the line-up and if manager Terry Francona feels that he is healthy enough to lead off again then that's where he will be. Now with having new outfielder Carl Crawford in the mix one of these guys will be playing center or left field this year, guess will find out come opening day 2011.




Now as we know the Red Sox had to deal with a lot key injuries during the 2010 season and they didn't make the postseason and this year they are the heavy favorite yet again to win their division and make a trip back to the World Series. If they do make it the World Series and win it again it will be second time in team history the Red Sox would win three World Series titles in 8 years. It’s “GO TIME” in B-Town!

Pitchers and Catchers Report to Camp.

The 2011 major baseball season is now just getting underway as pitchers and catchers report to camp and for a lot of teams it’s that time of year to say our mine goal is to make it to the postseason and the World Series and for other teams it's a lot more than just making it there, it more about winning the World Series. It is also that time of year to start asking yourself which team has the best starting five on paper heading into spring training. Last year most people said between the Phillies because of adding free agent pitcher Roy Halladay and the Giants because of how young their staff was, they probably had the best starting five. As we know the Giants won the 2010 World Series

after defeating the Atlanta Braves in NLDS, the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS, and the Texas Rangers in the World Series. This season could have the same resolute in the National League. As for the American League a lot of people picked the Boston Red Sox to make it to the World Series last year after the big free agent signing of John Lackey. That gave the Sox one of the best rotations in the AL, but as we know the Sox didn't make it to the postseason last year after having 18-19 of the their starting players on the DL. As for the AL League Champ Texas Rangers they weren't even put on a list as teams to worry about only because of how unknown their pitching staff was. Last year when the Rangers traded for Cliff Lee that helped the Rangers win their first American League West Division title in their history and they would go on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, the New York Yankees in the ALCS, and then fell short to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. This year a lot of people are going with the Boston Red Sox again and this might be a surprise to some but a lot of people are saying the Minnesota Twins might have the second best starting five in the AL.




I am going to start things off in the National League East and the buzz that has been the talk around baseball of the adding Cliff Lee to once again rejoin with the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee will be rejoined with already a really good pitching staff with Roy Halladay, Roy Owsalt, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton. Lee who came over to Phillies from Cleveland in 2009 when he was traded helped the Phillies win a division title and help them get back to the 2009 World Series, as we know the Phillies lost the 2009 World Series to the New York Yankees.

In the 2009 offseason Lee was then trade to the Seattle Mariners which brought Roy Halladay over from the Toronto Blue Jays. In the 2010 offseason Lee was the hottest free agent pitcher on the market and at the time only two teams had a bid on Lee between his current team the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees. The Yankees made the highest bid offering Lee 8 years $168 million dollars and the Rangers offered Lee 6 years $148 million dollars, but out of nowhere the Phillies got themselves back into the return of Cliff Lee. After Lee heard the Phillies were in this bid he got on his phone and asked his agent "Make something happen. I wanna go back to Philly, if they can come up with something in between that rang". The Phillies offered Lee 5 years $120 million dollars and Lee took it. He turned down $48 million and $28 million dollars more to play with the Phillies for less. Someone finally showed in this game isn't all about the money, now don't get me wrong Lee is still making out very nicely but at least he is doing it where we wants to be. Lee said during his press conference that "I never wanted to leave this place to begin with. When I found out Philly was in the mix it was a no brainier not to wanna come back and pitch along with Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels, and Blanton".

Now only paper this does look like the best rotation in baseball and I think it has a chance to be the best in baseball. But it doesn't mean anything yet until they win a World Series, they have to prove it before they do it. As for the Phillies catchers in Carlos Ruiz and Brain Schneider they will have the honor to catch for three of the game’s best pitchers in Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt. Ruiz is heading into camp already winning a World Series title in 2008, catching a perfect game during the regular season and a no-hitter in the postseason in 2010. What more can you ask for? Well last year he showed that he has become a lot better hitter and looking down toward the ball more.

As for Schneider he is a really good backup catcher, might be the best in the league. He is also a great player to come off the bench and pitch-hit for someone. Now the Phillies bullpen is what won them a World Series title in 2008 but after that they really haven't put those pieces back together. The Phillies still have closer Brad Lidge who in 2010 had a lot better year after having I don't know if you call it a down year in 2009 or whatever it was, it wasn't pretty to watch. Lidge had 27 saves last year and only 5 blowns saves in 2010, and having alright ERA at 2.96.

Then they have set-up man Ryan Madson who could be the next Phillies closer after Lidges contract is up in 2011. Madson is a guy who can throw from 92-97 MPH if he keeps his head in the game. Then they another set-up man in Jose Contreras who really proved himself to be a bullpen pitcher in 2010, when he was with the Rookies he was used as a starting pitcher. After him they have left handed pitcher J.C. Romero who really hasn't been that good in the last 2 years. But for some reason the Phillies see something in this guy that we don't and during the offseason they resigned him. Last guy is new member Kyle Kendrick, and I think this roll for him will fix him best. As a starter he has had his chances but just never really came through. He's good pitcher but only for about a few innings. The reason the Phillies haven't traded him is because they know if they need a starting pitching during the year he is the going to be the man they call on.




Now about the National League West and who else but the defending World Series Champions the San Francisco Giants. A team that just got hot at the right time and sometime that's just what you need to win a championship. But I would have to say their pitching helped them win a World Series title. The start of the 2010 season a lot people said watch out for the Giants because of how young their pitching was and still is with young Tim Lincecum, young Madison Bumgarner, young Matt Chain, and young Jonathan Sanchez.

All of these pitchers are in there early and late 20's. The oldest pitcher on this pitching staff is Barry Zito who is 32 years old. This is the youngest pitching staff in baseball and if they all stay together they could be seen more and more in the postseason and maybe once again in the World Series. As for their catchers they have Buster Poesy and Eli Whiteside. Posey as we know won the NL Rookie of the Year award and won a World Series title at the age of 23 in 2010 as a rookie. This kid is going to be one of the best catchers in the in the National League someday, if he not already. He has a lot power and he's pretty fast as a catcher. As for Whiteside there's not much that we know about him, he has been in the league for three years but has never really got a chance to play. I think in 2011 he will get more chances. The Giants bullpen proved to be one of the best in the NL with the best closer Brain Wilson leading the way. "Fear the Bread"

This guy has to be one of the scariest closers in the league. He throws a really good fast ball at 95-96 MPH and his off speed stuff is really good. Next is set-up man Sergio Romo who was a key pitcher for the Giants in the postseason. No one could touch him and that helped the Giants out a lot in the later innings. Then the Giants have Ramon Ramirez who is another good set-up man and is the guy they call on to in the 6th or 7th inning. Then they have Jeremy Affeldt who is a good strong pitcher to come in early in the ball game and shut down innings. He's not a bad guy to come in and help you save a few arms in the pen. Last is Javier Lopez who is a guy he isn't that bad of a pitcher and can work innings and come in for a half an inning or to face 2 batters.




Now over to American League East to the Boston Red Sox who I think have the best pitching staff in the AL. If they are able to stay healthy I think we could see them in the World Series again either to face the Philadelphia Phillies or the San Francisco Giants. Last year the Red Sox were picked

to win the AL East Division but they fell to a lot injured players on their team and after that they had no shot of making the postseason. But in 2011 they have high hopes again as they have the best starting five in the AL with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, and Daisuke Matsuzaka. Lester this year is picked to win the AL CY Young award as he was one of the runner ups for it in 2010. This team might even win over 100 games this year, but like I said this is a 162 games schedule and anything can happen. As for the Sox catchers they do have a few and veteran catcher Jason Varitck who is 38 years old who is near the end of his career. But Varitck is the captain and leader of this team and is the reason why the Sox have already two World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

After him they have Jarrod Saltalamacchia who is most likely being their back-up catcher after losing Victor Martinez during the offseason. Saltalamacchia is going to have a lot more playing time this year. After him the Sox do have Mark Wangner who is another guy they don't really know much about. He could be a later call up in September this year. He has a lot to prove this year. Now the Red Sox bullpen could be the best in the AL after adding closer Bobby Jenks and set-up man Dan Wheeler. The Sox already have closer Jonathan Papelbon but had a really off year with a 3.90 ERA and 8 blown saves.

So I think they picked up Jenks just in case they need him to close a few games this. As for Wheeler he will used as the Sox set-up man to shut down late innings. Then they have Tim Wakefield who is known for his nasty knuckleball pitch. This guy has been around the league for many years and is often used as a starter. He is another one of those pitchers if the Sox need him to start a game they will call him to do so. Last guy is Hideki Okajima who is another one of those guys who can also be asked to start a few games if needed. He throws a lot of off speed stuff and is a good low ball pitcher out of the pen.




Now to the American League Central where I think the Minnesota Twins will finally get over that hump of the ALDS in the postseason. Their pitching isn't the best in the AL but I have picked them because they have showed even with not so great of a pitching staff they still find ways to win games and make it to the postseason. During the offseason they re-signed starting pitchers Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, and Kevin Slowey which is huge heading into the 2011 season. They also have Scott Backer and Nick Blackburn at the end of their rotation who are okay. Not great but they guys who can get the job done.

Pavano will most likely be the ace of this pitching staff heading into spring training and Liriano will be their number two guy to follow him up. The Twins catchers are Joe Mauer and Drew Butera, now we all know who Joe Mauer is, he is only one of the best catchers in baseball and is the heart and soul of this team being from Minnesota. As for Butera he just gets to sit back and learn from one the best. Last he has got to play a few games and didn't do that bad.

The Twins bullpen is also not the greatest but they have guys in the pen who know how to win and what it takes. They have two closer in Matt Capps who came over from the Nationals last year during the trade deadline and Joe Nathan who is recovering from Tommy John sugary a year ago. Capps really showed that he was one of the best closer and this year with a full season with the Twins he could maybe win the Closer of the Year award. Next is pitcher Randy Flores who will most likely be their set-up man who is an inning eater. He can be on mound for a good two or three innings. After him is Brain Duensing who is a young kid but not a bad arm to have in the pen, still has to improve a little bit but hey at least he's on the bullpen staff. Last is former Phillie Clay Condrey who hasn't pitched since 2009 and it's going to be curious to see how well he pitches after having a year off.




So I know that every team is reporting to camp but I have picked these four teams to be in this year’s National and American League Championship Series and for one of these National and American League teams to face one another in this year's World Series match up. These are the four best teams who look pretty good heading into spring training and it's only a matter of time to see if all four of these teams will prove right in 2011.

Hook in the Fish.

It’s funny that I say that the Florida Marlins have more World Series title then some teams do that have been around baseball for a lot longer than they have. In 1997 and 2003 they won the World Series and were one of the best teams in the National League but year after year after year they gave away their team to start over because they could not afford to keep great players in their system. Its player like Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Lowe, Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, and now Dan Uggla will join this list of players who made the Marlins a really good team. In 2011 things don't look that great for the Fish.


The 2011 pitching rotation for the Marlins isn't all that bad but the end of their rotation isn't all that great either. They do have an ace in right hander Josh Johnson who had the lowest earn run average in the NL and the second lowest in baseball. Johnson at the end of 2010 did have an injury that cost him to miss the end of the season, but Johnson is just what the Marlins need to start off this rotation in which a division they play in (The NL East) is full of great pitching. Johnson I wouldn’t say is a power pitcher

but is someone who knows how to control is stuff and locate his pitches very well. In 2010 Johnson had an ERA of 2.30, 11 wins, 6 losses, and 186 strikeouts. Followed up by Johnson is Ricky Nolasco who is someone if he could just put it all together he would be a great number two starter. Nolasco, I think could be the Fish's power pitcher if he just gets his act together. Nolasco in 2010 posted an ERA of 4.51, 14 wins, 9 losses, and 147 strikeouts. Next is a Anibal Sanchez who is still pretty young at the age of 26 but he's another guy on this team who hasn't really turned into the pitcher the Fish needed him to be. He had another average year in 2010 with a 3.55 ERA, 13 wins, 12 losses, 157 strikeouts; they will need more out of him down the road in 2011. After that it's really up to a flip of a coin who will be their four and five starters between Javier Vazquez who they got during the offseason and Chris Volstad. Both of these guys aren’t that good of pitchers although Vazquez with the Braves two years ago did have a really good year, maybe pitching in the American League is just not where he belongs, because when he pitched for the White Sox and Yankees he just looked like he didn't know how to pitch.

Vazquez is definitely a power pitcher; if he could only get his head put on straight he would be really good number two or three starter. As for Volstad he just isn't that good of a pitcher, in fact I could really see him being moved to bullpen and losing his spot in the rotation this year. Yes he is still really young at 24 but maybe this kid just isn't a starting pitcher at this level. In 2010 Volstad had an ERA of 4.58, 12 wins, 9 losses, and 102 strikeouts. Vazquez who pitched for the Yankees had an ERA of 5.32, 10 wins 10 losses, 121.


After the lost of second baseman Dan Uggla who was a free agent signed with the Atlanta Braves this offseason the Fish have really no power in their line-up. They do have young talent power on the way although rookie players shouldn't be the ones to count on to win a division title at this level. The Marlins still do have their best player on their team in shortstop Hanley Ramirez who will be asked to be that leader in the ball club as he is one of the oldest players on the Marlins. Not in age but as for being part of this team for 5 years now.

This guy right he is probably, wait I take that back, is one of the best shortstops in the baseball. No, Ramirez hasn't won a World Series title, but he has batted over .300 or more in his career and only once in 2006 he hit .292. He is probably one of the best player the Marlins brought into their system, a trade the Boston Red Sox made that a lot of people thought was a bone head move, trading away Josh Beckett and Mike Lowe for him didn't turn out so bad, although Beckett and Lowe did win another World Series title with the Boston Red Sox in 2007. So it was a WIN - WIN for both teams. Ramirez in 2010 batted .300, 21 home runs, 76 RBI's. Over at first baseman they have a pretty good hitter in Gaby Sanchez. Sanchez at 27 is still pretty young but will be that number four batter in the line-up this year with no more Uggla and will be asked to be their power hitter. He does have some power in his bat but he is more of an RBI guy which isn't the worse thing either because he will have more chances to drive in more runners ahead of him. In 2010 Sanchez hit .273, 19 home runs, 85 RBI's, look for him to have a better year in 2011. In right field they have star player in Mike Stanton who turned in a great rookie season and was runner up for NL Rookie of the Year. This kid is the future of the Marlins and will someday be that "Hanley Ramirez" of the team.

A guy that will always be that guy to step up in key moments and I know it's a lot to ask for from a second year player but when this team has young player on their team they have to count on them. Stanton last year batted .259, 22 home runs, and 59 RBI's as a rookie. Over in left field they have another rookie player in Logan Morrison who took over for Chris Coughlan spot last year who got injured. Morrison is a good young player who has speed and can hit pretty well, there are still some unknown things about him we haven't yet seen and in 2011 I think if he gets the chance to play every day we will see what this kid can do. In 2010 he hit .283, 2 home runs, 18 RBI's. Last on the list is new second baseman Omar Infante who will take over for Dan Uggla, now he's not going to be a Dan Uggla but I do think he will do the job nicely. Infante is an old veteran player who plays the game well and is a good contact hitter and doesn't strikeout a lot, expect him to bat second in the Marlins line-up this year. Infante hit .321, 8 home runs, and 47 RBI's in 2010.


So the Fish in 2011 don't really look like a team to really worry about. Their pitching staff isn't that much to worry about, they really don't have a bullpen and their line-up has a lot of holes in-between hitters and if you’re a pitcher on the opposing team it will be easy for them to get a lot of their young players out. I think the Fish will finish in last place in the National League East division, and this was the team that finished in third place last year. They just didn't really do much this offseason to help them get better for 2011.

Top 5 Best First Baseman Right Now.

I am counting down to the top 5 best first baseman right between the American and National League. See who made the list and see who didn't.



1. St. Louis Cardinals - Albert Pujols.

Now how didn't we know that that "King Albert" wouldn't be number one on my list? He is only one the best first baseman in all of baseball; he is probably even one of the best hitters in all of baseball. He is also a very great fielder for a power hitter. For the last 10 years Pujols has been the face of baseball and has giving the St. Louis Cardinals a name again in baseball. Pujols in his career already has 408 career home runs at the age of 31 and if he stays healthy for next 6 to 7 years he could join the 600 or maybe even 700 home run club. Pujols also is only 100 hits away from joining the 2,000 hits club with having 1,900 hits in his career. Albert has 6 NL Sliver Slugger awards, 4 NL MVP awards, 2 NL Gold Glove awards, 2 NL Hank Aaron awards, 1 Roberto Clemente award, and won the 2001 Rookie of the Year award. He has also won a World Series title in 2006. In 2010 Pujols had another great season even though he didn't the NL MVP award he still hit .312, 42 home runs, and 118 RBI's and his postseason average might be the best in game as a first baseman in the NL batting .322, 13 home runs, and 36 RBI's. At the end of the 2011 season Albert Pojols’s contract with the Red Birds will be up and there has been the talk will he stay or will he go?




2. Detroit Tigers - Miguel Cabrera

Now this guy might be the Albert Pujols of the American League. Cabrera in his career has played in both the NL and AL and is one of the game’s best hitters. He is not only a power hitter but he hits for average every year and does it well. It’s surprising that this guy does not have more awards under his plate. He is also a really good fielder and he is really coming into his own. Over the past few season’s he has lost a lot of weight and has become a little faster rounding the bases. Cabrera is only 27 years old and is still very young and will be around this game for a long time. In 2010 Cabrera hit .328, 38 home runs, and 126 RBI's and was the runner up for the 2010 AL MVP award. In his career he has won the 2005 NL Sliver Slugger award, 2006 NL Sliver Slugger award, 2010 AL Sliver Slugger award, and has won a World Series title back in 2003 with the Florida Marlins. He might be one of the best American League first baseman.



3. New York Yankees - Mark Teixeira

Now some people would say that Teixeira should be lower but I think he is number three only because of how great of a fielder this guy is. He might be one the Yankees best first baseman they have had in very long time and that was that they were missing on this team. Not only that but he bring power to both sides of the plate being a switch hitter. Teixeira is still a young guy at the age of 30 and will be part of this team for probably till the end of his career unless the Yankees do somehow bring Albert Pujols in their system in 2012, but that's just a rumor. In 2010 Teixeira had a off year but still did very well batting .256, 33 home runs, and having 108 RBI's and in his career he has won 4 AL Gold Glove award, 3 AL Sliver Slugger awards, and won a World Series title in 2009. His postseason batting average wasn't too bad batting .214, 3 home runs, and 12 RBI's.



4. Cincinnati Reds - Joey Votto

Now people would say that Joey Votto should be number three on this list but he's not only because he is just starting to come into his own as a first baseman. He is without a doubt one of the premier first baseman in the league with power and a pretty good fielder and he will only get better as his gets older. In 2010, it was definitely his break out season where he showed what kind of damage he can do. Also his division he plays in, the NL Central is just getting better. It might be one of the best in the NL in 2011. Votto in 2010 hit .324, 37 home runs, and 113 RBI's and that earned him to win his first NL MVP award and his first NL Hank Aaron award in 2010.



5. Philadelphia Phillies - Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard, one the games most dangerous hitters when it comes to hitting home runs, but as be for hitting for average he is a dead target. Now don't get me wrong he is one the best first baseman in the National League and to the Phillies he will be part of their organization for the rest of his career. Last year Howard signed a 6 year contract worth $120 million dollars and why not? Howard has helped the Phillies win 4 straight NL East Division titles with his hot Septembers he has had during that time of year, help them go to 3 straight NLCS series, helped them go to 2 World Series match ups, and has helped them win a World Series title in 2008, without Howard this team would have no power in their line-up. Now as a fielder I will say he has gotten a lot better and he has improved from when he first came up in majors’ leagues. In 2010 he hit .271, 31 home runs, and 108 RBI's, but what most people forget is that Howard did spend 3 weeks on DL and if it hadn't been hurt for that long of period time I think Howard would have been batting .305, 38 home runs, and drove in 120 RBI's at the end of the 2010 season. Howard’s postseason number aren't too bad batting .278, 7 home runs, 27 RBI's, might be the second best as a first baseman in the NL behind Pujols. Ryan Howard in his career has won the 2005 Rookie of the Year award, 2006 NL MVP award, 2006 NL Sliver Slugger award, the 2006 NL Hank Aaron award, and the 2009 NLCS MVP award. Howard is one the Phillies best power hitters they have had since Mike Schmidt played.



First Baseman who just missed the list.

6. Chicago White Sox - Paul Konerko 2010 - BA .312, 39 home runs, 111 RBI's
7. Boston Red Sox - Adrian Gonzalez 2010 - BA .298, 31 home runs, 101 RBI's
8. Milwaukee Brewers - Price Fielder 2010 - BA. 261, 32 home runs, 83 RBI's
9. Chicago White Sox - Adam Dunn 2010 - BA .260, 38 home runs, 103 RBI's
10. San Francisco Giants - Aubrey Huff 2010 - BA .290, 26 home runs, 86 RBI's

Twin City.

The word "Twin Killing" is a famous word used in Minnesota. Not for their basketball or hockey teams, but for their baseball team. The Twins in the past two seasons have won the American League Central Division title but somehow they can't seem to get over that hump of the first round of the playoffs. In 2009 and 2010 in the ALDS they have lost to the New York Yankees both times and in 2010 they were expected to put up a better fight but instead they got sweated right out of the postseason again. In 2011 they might be looking for something a little extra then a division title.


During the offseason of 2010 they have signed players and re-signed players, they agreed with DH Jim Thome to stay one more year, signed free agent Alexi Casilla to a one - year deal, and he will most likely be playing shortstop after the lost of J.J. Hardy. The Twins re-signed bullpen pitchers, Matt Capps and Glen Perkins to one - year contracts and starting pitchers Kevin Slowey to a one - year deal, Carl Pavano on a two - year deal, and Francisco Liriano on a one - year deal. Now are these moves for the better or worse?


The Twins pitching in last two years haven't been the best but it has been enough to make the postseason just not make it deep into the postseason and as we all know pitching wins you ball games and 2011 they really haven't gone out there to change things up. They will have Carl Pavano as their number one guy and he is a good pitcher to bring back and re-sign. He throws hard and he's a good match for their ball club. In 2010 he posted an ERA of 3.75, 17 wins, 11 losses, and 117 strikeouts. He is the ace of this pitching staff.

After Pavano they brought back Francisco Liriano who can be an ace on any other team but decided to come back to Twin City. He is a power pitcher and is a great lefty to have on your rotation; he is going to be the key for them this season. Liriano in 2010 had an ERA of 3.62, 14 wins, 10 losses, and 201 strikeouts. Another pitcher they re-signed was Kevin Slowey, now he's not a bad number three starter but sometimes you can go either way with him. I think Slowey still hasn't shown the type of pitcher he really can be and I think this year we might see it, last year he posted a 4.45 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, and 116 strikeouts. The next two pitchers in Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn I think will have to fight for their jobs come spring training, more likely Blackburn. Baker will most likely be the Twins number four guy in the rotation with having a 4.49 ERA, 12 wins, 9 losses, and 148 strikeouts in 2010. As for Blackburn he had off year with a 5.42 ERA, 10 wins, 12 losses, and 68 strikeouts. Also don’t forget about rookie pitcher David Bromberg, he could earn a spot in the rotation in 2011.


The Twins bullpen might be on the top 5 best bullpens in the AL with having Matt Capps, Randy Flores, Joe Nathan, and Clay Condrey. Now I start off with Matt Capps who last year came over from the Nationals and helped fill that closer spot and did a great job with having Joe Nathan out for the year.

He came over from a losing team to a winning team. Capps last year really turned on the heat having an ERA of 2.47, 42 saves, and 59 strikeouts. The Twins have set-up man Randy Flores who has been a pretty good pitcher out of the pen, he can shut down an inning or two and just goes out there with no fear. Flores posted a 3.19 ERA, 7 HLD, and 20 strikeouts. Now there has been some question about the health of closer Joe Nathan who last year underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2010 season. The Twins still don't know if he will be ready for opening day 2011. Last guy in the Twins bullpen is Clay Condrey, now this guy hasn't pitched since 2009 with the Phillies but when he did so he wasn't a bad guy to have in the pen with a 3.00 ERA, 7 HLD, and 25 strikeouts in 2009.


The Twins line-up in my mind is probably one of the best in the AL besides maybe the Yankees. They have catcher Joe Mauer and this guy is one of the best catchers in all of baseball. He has won 4 AL Sliver Slugger awards, 3 AL Gold Glove awards and has won an AL MVP award.

He is the heart and soul of this team with now question about it and he brings a lot of pop in his bat. In 2010 he batted .327, hit 9 home runs, and drove in 75 RBI's. Over at first base they have Justin Morneau who they really missed in the second half of the 2010 season with a concussion. But in the first half of the 2010 season Morneau was on the list for MVP in the American League batting .345, 18 home runs, and drove in 56 RBI's, could you imagine if he had stayed healthy what he could have done. The Twins say he will be ready to go come spring training. Over in right field and the guy who replaced Morneau at first base was Michael Cuddyer, now this guy has been with the Twins his whole career since 2001 and has stayed with them through the hard times when he had a choice of leaving this team but never did. Cuddyer brings power to this line-up, he is your average type hitter and in 2010 he hit .271, hit 14 home runs, and drove in 81 RBI's. Over to DH, where they re-signed Jim Thome, Thome one of the games nicest players you will ever meet and had a great 2010 season at the age of 40 years old. Thome is 11 home runs away from joining the 600 home run club I think should have a vote to the baseball Hall of Fame someday. In 2010 Thome hit .283, hit 25 home runs, and drove in 59 RBI's.

Now over at third base to a really good rookie in Danny Valencia who in 2010 had an awesome rookie season, I was surprised that he didn't win the Rookie of the Year award after batting .311, 7 home runs, and driving in 40 RBI's. He is the future of this ball club, watch out for him. Last player on this Twins infield and outfield is left fielder Delmon Young. For the first time in his career he showed that he is the outfielder the Twins have been looking for with speed, power, and having a great arm. Going into the 2010 season there was a lot of hype about him and lived up to that hype. He was the only Twins player to hit 100 or more RBI's on the team with 112 RBI's, hitting .298, and hit 21 home runs in 2010. Look for him to have another break out year.


So the Twins in 2011 still have some questions with their pitching staff and how strong it will be this year. I think they will win another division title but it won't come easy now that the White Sox haven gotten a little bit better during the offseason and the Tiger have become better as well. The question is will the Twins pitching be enough to make it thought the postseason if they get there?