2013 MLB Predictions

As an old-timer, nothing would make me happier than a Dodger-Yankee world series

I was waiting for it... I will just post my thoughts for the AL East now, maybe, I will get to the rest of the league eventually...

All 5 teams in this division, are playoff capable, if they perform to potential. That won't happen. (see Toronto 2013 for example). With that said, I don't see a World Series contender in this division, it will just be such a physical and mental drain to make the playoffs in this division, that teams/players will have nothing left come playoff time.

Predicted Order of Finish in division

1. Tampa Bay - They are just too young, fun, and eager to run away from all the old geezers in this division. Best manager in the division, best defense, very solid rotation, bullpen may be weakest link.

2. New York Yankees - The Yankees, what can I say, This years Blue Jays of last year maybe? I don't fret when they throw money around anymore. Pitching prospects from overseas is basically 50/50 with none of them great, yeah, some good years from them, but never a great career. For some reason, career numbers for overseas pitchers just don't happen for them. (does any pitcher have 100 career wins from overseas?) The Yankees players are old, much older, and they could get the senior discount when they go to Dennys. The young players they are bringing in to replace some of them... adequate, barely. Placing them 2nd on my list was basically a courtesy to Yankee fans.

3. Blue Jays - Simply.. All those players they bought last year cant be that bad, and injured again right... Right??? If healthy, they could win the division in a perfect world.

4. Red Sox - Coming back to Earth, The world series chumpians, were a bunch of rag-tag misfits who played to career potentials all in one season. Lucky to break .500. Seriously.

5. Baltimore - Can I get some pitching PLEASE? Def and hitting, they can compete with anyone... but did the Orioles ever hear of pitching! I mean really... Ok, no Baltimore fans allowed now... on the count of three, name 3 Baltimore pitchers... any three. Can't, ya me too, and that's exactly what the rest of the league is saying too. Give Baltimore average, just average pitching, and they will have a season about the same as last year, but I fear that wont happen, and 75 wins will be bout it. Ya know, 75 wins, that's 2 wins for every Adam Jones walk... Buy the man some glasses, or, fine him if he keeps swinging at the first pitch! Sometime think this guy is related to Pac-man Jones and the Jones's think they are the best at everything... Take a pitch Adam, for the love of Minnie Mendoza take a damn pitch!

(does any pitcher have 100 career wins from overseas?

Bert Blyleven for one. (But I know that by overseas you mean Japan and South Korea -- and maybe Australia. If you want to get technical, pitchers from the Caribbean nations do come from overseas....or at least over one sea.)

Bill

Chan Ho Park
Hideo Nomo

Park and Nomo were each had a great year or three, but career... approx. a combined 247-195 with a 4.3 era. Did they pitch in a terrible era for pitchers, yes, for sure. But at an average of approx. 500,000 per win. Combined they made around 120 million or so in there MLB careers. Not worth it. So basically, on this past performance, the Yankees paid what, 70 million for 140 wins... Who really thinks that this new guy will have a career long enough, or, healthy enough, to get 200 MLB starts? Currently, there are 50 Starting pitchers that have 200 career starts. For him to get 140 wins, in 7 seasons, ... yeah, that wont happen. Hell, 14 a season is unlikely... So, now were are talking atleast a ten year career, to match, just match, what the combined career, average cost of a win was for park and nomo.

That, is how much the Yankees over paid for this guy.

Yes yes... I know, its not always about wins/losses... its about gate money, consessions, jersey and hat sales, which the Yankees will always lead in, hence the cost they thought was worth it. But pure wins/losses... not even close.

Baltimore - Can I get some pitching PLEASE? Def and hitting, they can compete with anyone... but did the Orioles ever hear of pitching! I mean really... Ok, no Baltimore fans allowed now... on the count of three, name 3 Baltimore pitchers... any three. Can't, ya me too, and that's exactly what the rest of the league is saying too. Give Baltimore average, just average pitching, and they will have a season about the same as last year, but I fear that wont happen, and 75 wins will be bout it. Ya know, 75 wins, that's 2 wins for every Adam Jones walk... Buy the man some glasses, or, fine him if he keeps swinging at the first pitch! Sometime think this guy is related to Pac-man Jones and the Jones's think they are the best at everything... Take a pitch Adam, for the love of Minnie Mendoza take a damn pitch!

Baltimore's pitching is quite solid. They may not, as you note, be well known, but they're solid. As to their starters, they signed Ubaldo Jimenez, who had an excellent year last year and may finally have added command and maturity to his excellent stuff. Chris Tillman won 16 games and had an ERA in the 3's. Miguel Gonzalez also had an ERA in the 3's and a sub 1.3 WHIP. Wei-Yin Chen was not as effective as he was in his rookie year, but he's a crafty lefty who should bounce back. So that's a solid front four, and even if Jason Hammell doesn't come back, the O's have an outstanding prospect in Kevin Gausman, whose fastball sits in the mid-90's and touches 99. He didn't pitch that bad in his initial cup of coffee last year, and he could very well win 13+ games for the O's en route to becoming their eventual ace.

As to their bullpen, Tommy Hunter and Darren O'Day were both outstanding right handed specialists/middle relievers last year, and Hunter (who had a sub 1 Whip last year) should be a very good (if not excellent) replacement for Jim Johnson as the closer. Brian Matusz has finally come in to his own as a left-handed reliever and had a sub 1.2 WHIP last year. T.J. McFarland was dependable against lefties last year as a loogy, and Troy Patton had another solid if not spectacular year.

So, as you see, the O's definitely have them some pitching. They may not be well-known (as you noted), but they're solid and should help their strong offense and outstanding defense form a winning and competitive team this year.

Having watched Ulbaldo Jimenez closely for the last several years he is still a big question mark. The last time he changed teams he was absolutely awful and he has not had back to back good seasons since........ I am not sure when. He is the type of pitcher who can be very good, but when he starts to lose it, he loses it fast. Terry Francona almost never used him for more than five innings. ..... The East has a lot of good teams, however I only see one playoff team coming out of the East and it ain't going to be Baltimore, sorry O's fans.

Having watched Ulbaldo Jimenez closely for the last several years he is still a big question mark. The last time he changed teams he was absolutely awful and he has not had back to back good seasons since........ I am not sure when. He is the type of pitcher who can be very good, but when he starts to lose it, he loses it fast. Terry Francona almost never used him for more than five innings. ..... The East has a lot of good teams, however I only see one playoff team coming out of the East and it ain't going to be Baltimore, sorry O's fans.

Actually, Jimenez averaged just under 6 innings per start (not five). Also, Jimenez's considerable rise in strikeouts last year plus the significant reduction in his walks and homers has many scouts in the league believing he has finally overcome past inconsistency and is reaching his considerable potential...He should win 13-16 for Baltimore with their outstanding defense and potent offense.

Also, Radagast, you neglected to address my cogent evaluation of Baltimore's entire pitching staff. If you disagree with that complete evaluation, I would like to hear what you think. However, if you don't have anything to say because you agreed with my evaluation (or don't know enough about the other pitchers), then I would completely understand.

Eh, ya know the old saying...

Opinions are like ex wives... everybody has one.

Eh, ya know the old saying...

Opinions are like ex wives... everybody has one.

Too true. Which is why I always try (as I have in my posts in this forum) to back up my opinions with objective facts. An opinion backed with objective facts is usually a successful argument; an opinion without one is like...well, you said it...