For the rest of the week, four of our staff writers will go division by division to make our playoff predictions, while looking at a major storyline for each team.
Our four-man panel includes —
Travis Berardi — Pirates beat writer
Gar Bercury — Co-Pitt beat writer
Michael Waterloo — Co-Owner/Columnist
Matt Welch — D-2 coverage/The Times West Virginian.
Yesterday, we took a look at the National League West. Today, it’s the AL West.
Oakland A’s —
“ Can the A’s battle through their early rotation issues?”
Berardi – They have the offensive power to keep in games, but will they be able to keep with Texas in the standings?
Bercury – This is a team that seemingly always finds a way. They lose Bartolo Colon, but replace him with Scott Kazmir, who was quietly solid for the Indians last season. Sonny Gray is a star in the making. Never doubt the abilities of GM Billy Beane. He knows how to build a winner.
Waterloo – Losing Jarrod Parker to his second Tommy John Surgery, and the loss of A.J. Griffin for an undisclosed amount of time hurts the A’s. What’s more, without Bartolo Colon, the A’s suddenly have to turn to….Tommy Millone? Ouch. They’ll be fine, though, and find a way to contend because that’s just what the A’s do year in and year out.
Welch – A young lineup will find a way to get it done.
Seattle Mariners —
“Will Robinson Cano suffer the same fate Pujols, Crawford, Hamilton etc. suffered in his first year in a new place?”
Berardi – Cano will be fine in his transition from New York to Seattle. He may have a break out year in a city where the fan and media hype is nowhere compared to the ones in New York City.
Bercury – This is a real possibility. Cano is a very solid player, and a excellent hitter, but he thrived in NY because of he had some support, and was generally not looked to be “the guy.” With a monster contract and the weight of expectations squarely on Cano’s shoulders, it would not be a bit of a surprise to see Cano’s numbers dip in Seattle.
Waterloo – As Daniel Bryan would say….Yes! Yes! Yes! Cano is going to be like Pujols, Hamilton, Carl Crawford, etc. and fail with a new team. Save the crap about his home runs last year would go out in Safeco Field, too. I think Raul Ibanez was the last left-handed hitter to top 20 homers in a season. Cano is notoriously bad away from Yankee Stadium throughout his career. He’s going to have to prove it to me. Hey, at least he will fill the seats.
Welch – Seattle doesn’t carry the same expectations. He’ll be fine.
Texas Rangers –
“With his move to the Ballpark at Arlington, is Prince Fielder a realistic AL MVP candidate?”
Berardi – The shorter fence in Arlington will only help Fielder as this will be the shortest home ballpark he will play in in his career. He should be in the running, but there are a lot of names that will compete with him (i.e. Cabrera, Davis, etc.).
Bercury – Sure he is. He’s a top-flight hitter who is capable of delivering big time power and RBI numbers. With newly-acquired Shin-Soo Choo in the lineup, there should be plenty of RBI opportunities for Fielder. Fielder might not be the most likable player in the game, but he can rake. If the Rangers plays well as a team, you would have to think Fielder could be in the mix for an MVP award.
Waterloo – He’s entering his 30-year-old season, but he has a couple of good, elite years left. The move to Texas will help him, and while I don’t see him winning the MVP, I can see a return to his 2011 form with Milwaukee.
Welch – Easily.
Anaheim Angels –
“Who has the bigger rebound year between Hamilton and Pujols”
Berardi – Pitchers may have found a way to limit damage by Pujols and without a change in approach, he may stay this way. Hamilton should post better numbers this season in a league he’s been in the past six years..
Bercury – Another great question without an easy answer. Both played well below their career averages last season, and both seem to be falling apart physically. I trust Pujols more simply because when healthy, he’s such a pure hitter. I’m not sure either stays healthy though. Hamilton has some serious wear on the tires and Pujols is a very old 34.
Waterloo – I’m going Pujols, just because I don’t trust Hamilton. He has more excuses than he knows what to do with. I think Pujols is actually healthy, but getting him some time at DH would be big for his career. He’s a pure hitter, and while he may not return to his former self, he’ll still put up a solid .285 average with 25 homers.
Welch – Something about them that won’t let them have another down season.
Houston Astros –
“When do you expect George Springer to get called up, and what impact will he have on the Astros?”
Berardi – If the Astros want to avoid Super-Two status, you will see Springer in mid-June, but if the Astros choose to take the PR route and want fans in the seats, he could be up sooner..
Bercury – Potential 30-30 guys have to be taken seriously, and Springer has long been considered one of the top prospects in baseball. The big issue with Springer is pretty simple; can he cut down on the high volume of strikeouts which might stop him from being a dominant player at the highest level? The Astros don’t have much to lose, really. If there is a worse team in baseball, I’m not sure I have seen them. Might see Springer by mid-June, maybe sooner.
Waterloo – Springer is an amazing talent, and he’s one of the many Astros who is going to make Houston a World Series-caliber team in 2017. Yes, you heard that right. If you’re in Houston, lock up your season ticket package now! But, unfortunately, the Astros will wait until June to avoid Super-Two status. He did almost make the Opening Day roster, though, so anything is possible.
Welch – Any help the Astros can get will still not be enough to help them. He’ll be up early.
Playoff Teams –
Berardi – “Braves. The Cardinals are just too deep for anyone else to have a chance. They take the Central by six games. Pirates as Wild Card. Dodgers repeat by 10 games. Giants grab the final Wild Card spot. Texas beats out the A’s in the final series of the regular season by two games.”
Bercury – “Nationals. The Cardinals are the class of the division. Pirates as Wild Card. This is the Dodgers division to lose. The roster is loaded with talent, thanks to an endless payroll.Diamondbacks Wild Card. I’ll take the Oakland A’s thank you very much. The shock and awe ability of the Angels is certainly worth noting, but I just have a feeling the A’s will find a way. The Angels will get in as a Wild Card.”
Waterloo – “It’s the Nationals, without a doubt. Not a Fister fan, but the staff and offense is way too good. The Braves will grab a Wild Card spot. I’ll take the Cardinals to win the division. I hate betting on teams that spend the most money, but it’s the Dodgers division to take, as long as Clayton Kershaw is OK. The American League as a whole is so good this year. I picked Texas to win it, but after all of the injuries, I’m nervous. Oh well, I’ll stick with the Rangers.”
Welch – “Braves. Cardinals take the division. Pirates as a Wild Card. Dodgers for the division,Giants for the Wild Card. Oakland as division winner, Texas as Wild Card.”
