2012 MLB Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

29 Wednesday Feb 2012

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On July 21st last season, Pittsburgh was tied with Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central with a 51-45 record. After that day, the Pirates finished 21-45. Forget about missing the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Pirates may for once just like to finish the season .500 or better. The Pirates haven’t made the playoffs since 1992 which, yes, was the last time the team won at least as many games as it lost. If the team fails to break the .500 barrier this season it will be 20 years since the team was able to do so (that’s staggering). Much crazier things have happened, but the Pirates will probably make it 20 straight losing seasons in 2012. Continue reading →

2012 MLB Preview: San Diego Padres

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

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The San Diego Padres had a rough 2011 finishing last in the NL West, 20 games below .500. Over the offseason, the Padres lost two of the most recognizable players on the team. Closer Heath Bell signed as a free agent with the Miami Marlins and the club traded ace Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds. Losing Bell helped save the team long-term salary obligations. The loss of both players leaves the star starved Padres with fewer well-known names than before. San Diego has a low payroll and few players likely to excite fans or help in the win column. Continue reading →

2012 MLB Preview: Kansas City Royals

27 Monday Feb 2012

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The 2011 Kansas City Royals finished fourth in the AL Central and extended the franchise’s playoff drought to 26 (*). Since Major League Baseball last realigned in the 1994 season, Kansas City has one finish above third place in the division. During that 18 year stretch, the club has finished above .500 only twice. Safe to say the Royals history, especially over the past 25 years, is not all that illustrious. The Royals fortunes seem to be making a turn for the better though. The team has several promising young players to build around and may be on the way toward contending for the division. Continue reading →

2012 MLB Preview: Chicago Cubs

24 Friday Feb 2012

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The 2011 Chicago Cubs posted their second straight fifth place finish in the NL Central. The Cubs were not devoid of talent and the roster was as healthy as one could expect. The team did not have upper echelon players mind you but had players that no less could contribute. It seems like the team underachieved to an extent in 2011 (at least it shouldn’t have been 20 games below .500 (71-91)). The arrival of new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer brings a ton of optimism considering the work they have done in the past (*). They are charged with replicating the job they did in Boston and bring the Cubs its first World Series since 1908 (**). Continue reading →

2012 MLB Preview: Baltimore Orioles

23 Thursday Feb 2012

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To be frank, the Baltimore Orioles are a mess. Whether it’s a puzzling trade or having your scouts banned from a country/having a contract voided it’s difficult to feel optimistic in Baltimore. Life in the AL East certainly doesn’t make things easier. The Orioles seem to be an organization that is in need of a vision. Continue reading →

2012 MLB Preview: Seattle Mariners

22 Wednesday Feb 2012

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2011’s last place finish, the team’s sixth such finish in the last eight seasons, made it ten straight seasons since the Seattle Mariners made the playoffs. Looking at what the other teams in the AL West are doing, it certainly looks like that stretch of missing the playoffs will continue for at least one more year. The Mariners are an organization looking and building beyond 2012. Continue reading →

2012 MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins

21 Tuesday Feb 2012

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The 2011 season was disastrous for the Minnesota Twins. The club finished in dead last in the AL Central and had the worst run differential in all of Major League Baseball. Injuries absolutely obliterated any chance Minnesota had last season. Of the Twins returning position players only third basemen Danny Valencia appeared in more than 117 games. Three of the projected first four batters in the 2012 lineup, Denard Span, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, played in 70, 82 and 69 games respectively. The pitching staff, while not exactly healthy fared better as Carl Pavano and his mustache made 33 starts. Brian Duensing (28 starts) and Nick Blackburn (26 starts) were able to hold down spots in the rotation. The Twins finished the season 25th in runs scored and 29th in runs against. Continue reading →

2012 MLB Preview: Houston Astros

20 Monday Feb 2012

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The Houston Astros finished the 2011 season with the worst record in Major League Baseball at 56-106. 2012 may be worse. Houston is clearly in rebuilding mode as shown by the team’s trades of outfielders Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence prior to last season’s trade deadline. I expect the rebuilding to continue in 2012 as the four highest paid players on the team, Carlos Lee ($18.5 million), Brett Myers ($11 million), Wandy Rodriguez ($10 million), and to a lesser extent, Brandon Lyon ($5.5 million) all seem to be trade candidates (*). The only remaining players on the roster making at least $1 million this season are J.A. Happ, Jed Lowrie and Humberto Quintero. Luckily for the organization it does not have long-term commitments holding it back. Continue reading →

That time again: MLB Preview Announcement

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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It’s about that time again. Pitchers and catchers are on the verge of reporting. Spring Training is right around the corner. Major League Baseball’s Opening Night is less than 50 days away. For one reason or another I’m more antsy than usual for a new MLB season. 

I have a plan for the lead up to the 2012 season. The plan? A preview of each team.

Continue reading →

Let Them Score: The Giants’ Final Drive

06 Monday Feb 2012

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I am not second guessing. I was first guessing.

On the New York Giants’ final offensive possession of Super Bowl XLVI, the New England Patriots should have let the Giants reach the end zone before they eventually did. Yes, let them score. Continue reading →