Countdown to Opening Day: #11 Atlanta Braves

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#11 Atlanta Braves: All eyes on the Upton brothers

PROJECTED LINEUP
RF Jason Heyward
SS Andrelton Simmons
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Justin Upton
C Evan Gattis
CF BJ Upton
2B Dan Uggla
3B Chris Johnson

PROJECTED ROTATION
Mike Minor
Julio Teheran
Ervin Santana
Brandon Beachy
Alex Wood

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Craig Kimbrel

Set-up: Jordan Walden

Top Prospect: Christian Bethancourt (C)

It fell in line perfectly with the unfortunate news, but I always planned on writing about the Braves in this position. And with the Ervin Santana signing I still see them at No. 11.
With Kris Medlen sprinting off the spring training field the other day it looks almost certain that the Braves need to select a new opening day starter. Luckily Mike Minor and Julio Teheran are both good replacements and the late signing of Santana gives the still a strong shot to contend in the National League. Well worth the draft pick.

Craig Kimbrel

The pitching is going to be fine. With a back-end like hard throwing Craig Kimbrel, David Carpenter, and Jordan Walden the Braves should be able to shorten games. It is hitters coming off a down year that will make the difference between a deep post-season run or not.
You first have to look directly at the Upton brothers. Justin and BJ were suppose to feed off each and lead Atlanta to the promise lead. Instead two men paid over 27 million this year failed to flourish in their new digs. BJ Upton it .184 for the season and Justin jacked a mere 15 homers after hitting 12 in April.
The Braves will also benefit from a rebound year out of Dan Uggla and new locked up youngsters Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons taking their skill set to the next level. The Braves could be the best team in baseball and have an MVP type in Freddie Freeman or injuries could catch up quickly and send them to the middle of the pack. But they head up North from Orlando to Atlanta with enough talent to contend.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Losing Kris Medlen was a blow, I expect him not to make much of a

Freddie Freeman

contribution this season, but as the Braves always find a way to do, they stay competitive. In fact Ervin Santana takes to the National League quite well and with two of the top pitchers in the league, Teheran from the right and Minor from the left side, the Braves get to Kimbrel's lights out stuff in the ninth inning on the regular. Freddie Freeman continues to put up all-star numbers, but it Justin Upton who finally puts it all together and wins MVP.

REAL TALK - Not every player is going to make the all-star team and Uggla and Upton cannot be as bad as last season. There you find a middle ground where the Braves are almost a surefire playoff team and will battle the Nationals for a division title until the very end.

Breakout: Julio Teheran (RHP)

Bust: Evan Gattis (C)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Ervin Santana (RHP)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 96-66 (1st in NL East)


PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 88-74 (2nd in NL East) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Baltimore Orioles* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #12 New York Yankees

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#12: New York Yankees: Another year on the Retirement Tour

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
SS Derek Jeter
RF Carlos Beltran
1B Mark Teixeira
C Brian McCann
DH Alfonso Soriano
3B Kelly Johnson
2B Brian Roberts
LF Brett Gardner

PROJECTED ROTATION
CC Sabathia
Masahiro Tanaka
Hiroki Kuroda
Ivan Nova
David Phelps

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: David Robertson

Set-up: Matt Thornton

Top Prospect: Gary Sanchez (C)

There is no middle ground for what the New York Yankees did this off-season. Signing several free agents is either going to blow up in their face or they are going to playing for a postseason spot. I don't see a ho-

Masahiro Tanaka

hum 80, 81 win season in their future. When you sign veteran players it is going to be a go-big or go home type season.
It is not all about the old-veteran signees, because they shelled out for prime-time players like Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Masahiro Tanaka. Ellsbury and McCann will most likely be worth the big bucks if they can stay healthy. Tanaka is a whole-nother level of unknown. I have a feeling he is not quite Yu Darvish, but not as inconsistent as Daisuke Matusaka.
They will also end up a "go-home early" season if veterans Carlos Beltran, Brian Roberts, and Derek Jeter cannot be close to their former all-star selves. Nobody wants to avoid season's end like the future Hall-of-Famer. Jeter's next stop before Cooperstown is an old home.
The real question lies in the starting rotation around Tanaka as CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, and the fifth starter are just as big of game-changers. Should be another exciting fun year on the retirement tour for Jeter and the Yanks.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Brian Cashman did not just spend money anywhere and everywhere. He spent it on professionals. They bought veterans who play the game hard and play the game right, something Robinson Cano was not so great at doing. Brian McCann enjoys the short porch in right field and Alfonso Soriano enjoys being back where his borderline hall-of-fame career started. The boys in pin stripes send Jeter out on top.

REAL TALK - The keys to the season probably lie in the players who are supposed to be peaking and in the prime of their career. Carlos Beltran is going to C.B. and Derek Jeter will be steady and underwhelming. C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and David Robertson are three most important players. Sleepers like Michael Pineda and Kelly Johnson will only be bonus production.

Breakout: Ivan Nova (RHP) 

Bust: Masahiro Tanaka (RHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Mark Teixeira (1B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 85-77 (4th in NL)
 West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 87-75 (3rd in AL East) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Atlanta Braves* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #13 San Diego Padres

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#13: San Diego Padres: Picking up where they off

PROJECTED LINEUP
SS Everth Cabrera
CF Wil Venable
3B Chase Headley
2B Jedd Gyorko
LF Carlos Quentin
1B Yonder Alonso
RF Seth Smith
C Yasmani Grandal

PROJECTED ROTATION
Ian Kennedy
Andrew Cashner
Josh Johnson
Tyson Ross
Eric Stults

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Huston Street

Set-up: Joaquin Benoit

Top Prospect: Austin Hedges (C)

Quietly the Padres finished third in National League West last season. Most people would probably guess fifth, fourth at the highest. But they were a third place team after a 16-11 finish to the season. In that month Jedd Gyorko

Andrew Cashner

hit seven homers with 20 RBIs, Chase Headley hit .305 with 15 RBIs, Tyson Ross had 37 strike outs in 33 innings, and Andrew Cashner was a dazzling 0.76 ERA in 26 innings.
There is no reason those same players can not repeat the final month of the season. And now they will have speedster Everth Cabrera back from his drug suspension. Putting all together for 162 games may be tough, but this team is not walk over at Petco Park anymore. If Josh Johnson can stay healthy look for the Padres to contend for the a playoff spot.
And if Yonder Alonso and/or Yasmani Grandal can take a step forward, they could be a scary bunch in the sun. They may be a year or two off, but Padres are definitely headed in the right direction.

 

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - There is no reason for Chase Headley not to sign an extension in beautiful sunny California now the Padres have turned a corner. Headley heads a strong lineup with Gyorko, Alonso, and Everth Cabrera. The pitchers play to their park and the back of the bullpen, Huston Street and Joaquin Benoit, is lights out.

Jedd Gyorko

REAL TALK - The Padres are going to be in the mix for the Wild Card all season long. They will be a scary
team in a one-game play-in, but in a five or seven games series I would lean toward the team with more experience. I expect when the season ends, they will not garner any hardware, but clearly be headed in the right direction.

Breakout: Andrew Cashner (RHP)

Bust: Chase Headley (3B)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Jedd Gyorko (2B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 76-86 (3rd in NL
 West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 86-74 (3rd in NL West) 

**Check back tomorrow for the New York Yankees*

Countdown to Opening Day: #14 Tampa Bay Rays

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#14 Tampa Bay Rays: Out-Priced for Price, no Ray of Hope

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Desmond Jennings
2B Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
DH Matt Joyce
RF Wil Myers
1B James Loney
LF David Dejesus
SS Yunel Escobar
C Ryan Hanigan

PROJECTED ROTATION
David Price
Alex Cobb
Matt Moore
Chris Archer
Jake Odorizzi

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Grant Balfour

Set-up: Heath Bell

Top Prospect: Jake Odorizzi (RHP)

Everyday until the day he does not get traded this season David Price will be in the news. Yes, he is not built be a Ray for long. He warrants too much money for the low small budget boys from Tampa to tie him

David Price

up. But Price is here to stay this season, make the playoffs, and help this team win the World Series - that is they can let the media garbage go in one ear and out the other.
In order for the Rays make a run at it, they really need their sophomores and young guns to stand tall and take it to the next level. I am looking directly at you Wil Myers, Matt Moore, Desmond Jennings, and Chris Archer. Maybe not all four need to be all-stars, but atleast improve on their major league stats to this point.
One day I believe the Rays will break through and win a World Series, more so than their small budget counterparts from the West, the Oakland A's. The AL East is tough and I don't think they are made for a Tampa parade this year, but they will be in the mix all season. Enjoy David Price will he is still in town.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - The Rays found out real quick what it is like to have some one as feared as Evan Longoria hitting behind Evan Longoria. Wil Myers takes a step forward and his production helps Longoria grab a MVP award that was a long time coming. A season for the ages makes it easier Price to walk away for mega-bucks, fond of where it all started in Tropicana Field.

REAL TALK - There are too many questionable every day starters for me to pick them to make the playoffs in the challenging AL East. The bench is not as strong as it has been in the past and 500 at-bats from David Dejesus, Matt Joyce, Yunel Escobar, and even James Loney (can't do it two years in a row) is a bit terrifying.

Breakout: Matt Moore (LHP)

Bust: James Loney (1B)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Jake Odorizzi (RHP)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 92-71 (2nd in AL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 86-74 (4th in AL East) 

**Check back tomorrow for the San Diego Padres*

Countdown to Opening Day: #15 Arizona Diamondbacks

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#15 Arizona Diamondbacks: Snake Bitten

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Gerrardo Parra
3B Martin Prado
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Mark Trumbo
2B Aaron Hill
C Miguel Montero
RF Cody Ross
SS Didi Gregorious

PROJECTED ROTATION
Patrick Corbin
Wade Miley
Trevor Cahill
Bronson Arroyo
Randall Delgado

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Addison Reed

Set-up: JJ Putz

Top Prospect: Archie Bradley (RHP)

I may sound redundant, but I am going to say it again this year on this blog. The idea of heart and hustle outperforming stars that may or may not run to first base on an easy ground out is a little laughable. While

Paul Goldschmidt

trading Justin Upton did not destroy the Diamondbacks, as Prado was as advertised and the brothers Upton struggled in Atlanta, I still think eventually they regret that deal.
Though because of a few emerging stars I think the D'Backs might actually get bailed out. First basemen Paul Goldschmidt looks like a MVP candidate year in and year out and Patrick Corbin could be a bonafide ace. But how far can those two really carry them?
There depth is questionable. They have no true lead off hitter and no steady run producer to team up with Goldy. Corbin is backed up the roller coaster rotation from hell in Trevor Cahill, Wade Miley and Bronson Arroyo, and Brandon McCarthy - all guys who can throw a nine inning shutout one day and come back to give up nine runs in the next.
Another wild card is Archie Bradley. If he can bring what he did in the minors to the majors this team has a brand new feel. But til then...just a middle of the pack squad in my mind.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - What a combo Corbin and Bradley become. Not the team you want to see in a short series all of sudden. Goldschmidt grabs his MVP and Miguel Montero bounces back to become one of the best hitting catchers in the game again. It turns out hustle can out-perform heat.

REAL TALK - They are a border line playoff team in a division on the rise. Almost going on a gut feeling here, but something says they are a piece or two away from really contending. I think Goldschmidt is for real, but he may need a partner in crime, like a Justin Upton (OK, no more shots about trading Upton), to get a championship squad in Arizona.

Breakout: Archie Bradley (RHP)

Bust: Cody Ross (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Miguel Montero (C)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 81-81 (2nd in NL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 85-75 (4th in NL West) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Tampa Bay Rays*

Countdown to Opening Day: #16 Oakland Athletics

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#16: Oakland A's: No names, no problem

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Coco Crisp
SS Jed Lowrie
3B Josh Donaldson
LF Yoenis Cespedes
RF Josh Reddick
DH Brandon Moss
C Derek Norris
1B Daric Barton
2B Alberto Callaspo

PROJECTED ROTATION
Jarrod Parker
AJ Griffin
Scott Kazmir
Sonny Gray
Tom Milone

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Jim Johnson

Set-up: Luke Grergerson

Top Prospect: Addison Russell (SS)

I guess I am going to keep betting against Billy Beane just to be proven wrong. I mean I would no longer be shocked if they won the division, but all I can really go on is what I see on paper right now and my gut feeling and I just cannot pick the A's to win anything.

Josh Donaldson

Jed Lowrie and Josh Donaldson are no middle-of-the-order hitters in my mind and the rotation seems like it could fall apart at any second. Daric Barton should not even be on a major league roster, I don't even care how well he can pick it at first base. Though somehow the last two seasons Oakland has pushed all the right buttons.
If that's the case getting rid of Grant Balfour and Brett Anderson this off-season were the right choices and signing Jim Johnson and Scott Kazmir will pay off. I know the A's will not be unwatchable, but with less offense than Texas, less pitching than Seattle, and a lot less star power than the Angels I am just not going to pick Oakland to win anything. Go ahead, prove me wrong. I can't wait to see Brad Pitt in Moneyball 2.

Jarrod Parker

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - I do love how Billy Beane and the Oakland organization operate when it comes to starting pitchers. They use cheap, talented young pitchers and throw the idea of innings limits and pitch counts out the window. They use them when their velocity is at its highest and once the innings start to build up, they trade them for younger pieces they can use in the upcoming years. It is a brilliant circle.

REAL TALK - The one down fall to staying cheap and young is what happens every year they do surprise
and make the playoffs. They just do not have enough experience to compete with some of the other teams that are ready to win a World Series. The AL West is weak as it has been in a while and they could make it three straight division crowns, but I am not a big enough believer to pick that.

Breakout: Sonny Gray (RHP)

Bust: Scott Kazmir (LHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Coco Crisp (OF) 

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 96-66 (1st in AL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 84-78 (2nd in AL West)

**Check back tomorrow for the Arizona Diamondbacks*

Countdown to Opening Day: #17 Pittsburgh Pirates

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#17: Pittsburgh Pirates: Trending toward 2 straight winnings seasons

PROJECTED LINEUP
LF Starling Marte
2B Neil Walker
CF Andrew McCutchen
3B Pedro Alvarez
1B Gaby Sanchez
RF Jose Tabata
C Russell Martin
SS Clint Barmes

PROJECTED ROTATION
Fransico Liriano
Gerrit Cole
Wandy Rodriguez
Charlie Morton
Jeff Locke

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Jason Grilli

Set-up: Mark Melancon

Top Prospect: Gregory Polanco (OF)

After 20 straight seasons of the Pittsburgh fans wearing paper bags on their head or just flat out not acknowledging there was a Major League Baseball team in town, the Pirates are the new craze. There is a young core group that is just

Andrew McCutchen

getting started in the Steel City and more pieces are on the horizon.
Joining reigning MVP Andrew McCutchen, leadoff hitter Starling Marte, and slugger Pedro Alvarez at PNC are a duo of pitchers that could take this team to the next level. Gerrit Cole and Jameson Tallion have a chance to be special for seasons to come. Top prospect Gregory Polanco makes an exciting trio of outfielders to watch as well.
But the one thing to watch for is a down year after winning 94 games and pushing the St. Louis Cardinals to five games in the playoffs. Making the playoffs is not easy task. Nobody knows that better than the laughing stock the 2000s.
Their aging relievers are a year older, AJ Burnett pitched big innings and is now in Philadelphia, and Francisco Liriano has never put together back-to-back seasons. The Pirates are not going to fall apart in 2014, but whether they make the playoffs or not is not quite a no brainer.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - We saw what it takes for this team to reach the postseason last year. Clutch hitting, timely pitching, and tons of depth. When Grilli goes down and Mark Melancon fills in the closer role without skipping a beat helped the Buccos break the losing skid. This year the Pirates rely on their starting pitching depth with servicable guys like Jameson Tallion, Edinson Volquez, Jeanmar Gomez, and Andy Oliver all rounding out the Triple-A rotation to start the season. They will be needed one point and they, like Melancon last year, will fill in nicely. Jameson Tallion stays up and wins Rookie of the Year.

REAL TALK - I would not be shocked to see the Buccos back in the postseason, but there are 6 or 7

Francisco Liriano

teams that I like a little more. Plus, playing with the target square on your back is no easy task. I cannot trust Liriano to repeat his success from his first season with the Pirates and the offense is still short one more feared hitter in my opinion. If Gregory Polanco comes along or Alvarez cuts down on his strikeouts this team could become very dangerous.

Breakout: Gerrit Cole (RHP)

Bust: Jeff Locke (LHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Pedro Alvarez (3B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 94-68 (2nd in NL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 82-80 (3rd in NL Central)

**Check back tomorrow for the Oakland Athletics*