Now that my weekend from hell is over, I can move on to the National League preview. I went into the station Saturday morning to read the WHAM morning newscasts, and didn't leave the radio stations until Monday afternoon at four pm. Between news, Red Wings games and Amerks games, then reading the morning sportscasts and producing the WHAM morning news with Chet and then Bob Lonsberry's show, I feel like I need a vacation. It was like "welcome to hotel Clear Channel". However, with the Amerks getting ready for the playoffs (we hope), there is no rest for the wicked.
Before I begin previewing the NL east, I wanted to comment on this whole Ozzie Guillen situation. As you probably have heard, Guillen told Time magazine in an interview that he admires Cuban president Fidel Castro. There has been all kinds of outcry for this. Cuban americans especially have been ticked off about it, and rightly so. I understand that, but since this is the US and we have a freedom of speech here, I have no problem with it.
I have always said anyone has the right to say what they want in this country. If you want to say something that makes you a real horse's ass, you have the right to do so, but you have to live with the consequences. Guillen is finding that now. Much like Marge Schott found out with her comments about Hitler, or Jimmy the Greek or Al Campanis found out about their comments about blacks. Their careers were never the same and they died, bitter sad people. Hopefully for Ozzie, this doesn't happen to him.
Now Guillen is suspended by major league baseball for five games, and has no doubt realized there is a difference between being "colorful" and being "idiotic". Now, onto the preview of the NL EAST.....
1. Philadelphia Phillies. Sure they are getting old fairly quickly, but I think this team has one more run in them due to one thing: pitching. The Phils still have loads of it. With a rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, hard throwing southpaw Cole Hamels and youngter Vance Worley, they will be in most games. Jonathan Papelbon comes over from the Red Sox and is one of the best closers in the game, and in his prime. The middle relief is very good as well with arms like Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls and Kyle Kendrick.
The Phillies have seen better days offensively, as Ryan Howard is out for at least a month, Chase Utley is always banged up, and Jimmy Rollins is losing a step. The Phils outfield will have to pick up the slack and can with Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino and John Mayberry jr. Carlos Ruiz is an underrated backstop, and Placido Polanco and Ty Wigginton are important corner infielders who are underrated.
2. Washington Nationals. The Nats have been a punching bag for most of the time since their inception into the league after coming from Montreal. That is about to change as their draft picks over the years will start to pay huge dividends.
The Nationals have an underrated and potentially explosive offense led by all-star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, one of the game's best. An unknown but very good middle infield of Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa. Michael Morse can play first and outfield and can rake. Jason Werth is solid in the outfield, while Roger Bernadina can be pesky offensively and is solid defensively, and Mark DeRosa is taking up space until uber-phenom and former #1 overall draft pick Bryce Harper is ready sometime this year.
Pitching is going to be pretty good in the nations capitol as well. Stephen Strasburg has shown signs of being completely recovered from Tommy John surgery and being the dominant pitcher he is supposed to be. Gio Gonzalez comes over from Oakland and is a very good #2. Jordan Zimmerman has the stuff to have a breakout, all-star worthy type of year, and Edwin Jackson is an innings eater much like Ervin Santana for the Angels. Drew Storen is injured though and the closer role is a work in progress, while middle relief is a bit of a question mark. Even though I am picking Philadelphia, it would not shock me in the least if the Nats win the division if a couple of things go right and Harper comes up sooner than later.
3. Miami Marlins. Pretty decent starting pitching should make this team above .500. If the improved offense plays as well as it can, they could surprise and win the division. Josh Johnson is a stud as the ace. Mark Buehrle is hittable but solid on most nights. Ricky Nolasco is underrated in the middle of the rotation. Anibal Sanchez and Carlos Zambrano round out the rotation and could be good if Sanchez stays healthy and Zambrano keeps his anger in check. Zambrano has the most wins in the bigs since 2003, so he has the potential to find his form.
The Marlins added Jose Reyes to the top of their lineup and he should mean at least ten more wins. If youngsters Giancarlo (what the heck happened to Mike, I have no idea) Stanton, Emelio Bonafacio, Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison can approach breakout years, they could even win the division. Hanley Ramirez is one of the best players in baseball with power AND speed, and now tries to make the switch to the hot corner. This team will score a lot of runs and if the pitching holds up, will be tough.
4. Atlanta Branves. Tommy Hanson is finally the staff ace and a lot is expected from him. He has the stuff to deliver. Jair Jurgens has shown he can be a top notch starter. Youngsters Mike Minor and Brandon Beachey are untested but have mad potential. Craig Kimbrel is a lights out closer and an all-star, and the middle relief should be pretty good.
Offensively, the Braves could be challenged to score suns at times. Jason Heyward is a big bat with a ton of potential and Michael Bourn is a speed guy who can make things happen, but Martin Prado is a liability in the outfield. Chipper Jones is 40, Tyler Pastronicky is young and untested at SS, Dan Uggla is an all or nothing hitter who strikes out too much, and Freddie Freeman is like Heyward--young but with a ton of potential. Brian McCann is one of the best backstops in baseball, but overall, there are too many holes in this lineup to vie for the division crown.
5. New York Mets. Don't be fooled by the Mets hot start. They are not that good. Decent pitching but way too many holes in their lineup to contend. David Wright is great at third, and Lucas Duda and Ike Davis have a lot of offensive upside, but that is about all this team has going for it. Josh Thole is an underrated young catcher and isn't terrible, but look at who else is starting: Ruben Tejada at short and Daniel Murphy, moves from first to second base out of desperation.
Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey, Jonathan Niese, Mike Pelphrey and Dillon Gee are not a bad rotation, but the middle men are weak and Frank Frnacisco is one of the shakiest closers in baseball. Coming out of the Madoff ponzi scheme issue, the Mets are a work in progress.
