The best time of the year is upon us — a time when everyone is tied for first, which, if you’re a Blue Jays fan, is something not to be taken for granted. Here’s a look at how I see the American League shaping up this season:
B.J. Ryan, throwing smoke
East:
1. New York: It pains me to say this, but they’re loaded. Still wondering what could’ve been if they hadn’t traded Jay Buhner, though.
2. Boston: Should get bounce back seasons from Ortiz and Beckett, plus have some insurance in the rotation with Smoltz and Penny.
3. Tampa Bay: It’s easy to say they won’t touch what they did last year, but anything is possible with their young core.
4. Toronto: I’ll be happy with 70-80 wins and a B.J. Ryan fastball topping out at 78.
5. Baltimore: Matt Wieters will have to pry that starting catcher’s job from Gregg Zaun. With that said, expect him to be in the lineup by Thursday.
Alexei Ramirez: The boy can play
Central:
1. Cleveland: Cliff Lee is more likely to go 3-22 than 22-3 again, but with comeback years from Martinez and Hafner, Cleveland should be at the top of the Central.
2. Chicago: Watch out for Alexei Ramirez, aka baby Alfonso Soriano.
3. Detroit: They could really finish anywhere from first to fifth, so I’ll play it safe and say third. The bats are still there, and there’s no way the pitching can be as bad as it was last season.
4. Minnesota: Their no-name starting rotation is actually one of the top in baseball. If Liriano returns to form, he could push for the Cy Young.
5. Kansas City: Experts say they’re getting better — I don’t see it.
Gary Matthews Jr., proof that one nice catch can be worth up to $50 million
West:
1. Los Angeles: Added Bobby Abreu to play left, meaning Gary Matthews Jr. is now their fifth outfielder. Not a bad part-time gig for the fifth-highest paid outfielder in the majors.
2. Oakland: Should be interesting to see how Holliday fares now that he’s not playing at Coors Field. His career splits: .357/84/307 in 359 games in Colorado, .280/44/176 in 339 games elsewhere.
3. Texas: Kevin Millwood again is the default ace, despite being 817th best pitcher in all of baseball. They can hit a little, at least.
4. Seattle: A nice 1-2 punch in Bedard and King Felix if they can stay healthy, but brutality ensues beyond them.
Awards:
MVP: Mark Teixeira, New York
Cy Young: CC Sabathia, New York
Rookie of the Year: Matt Wieters, Baltimore
