Countdown to Opening Day #6 Texas Rangers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#6 Texas Rangers: Prince and Choo added to the Mix

PROJECTED LINEUP
LF Shin Soo-Choo
SS Elvis Andrus
1B Prince Fielder
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Alex Rios
DH Mitch Moreland
2B Jurickson Profar
C Geovany Soto
CF Leonys Martin

PROJECTED ROTATION
Yu Darvish
Matt Harrison
Martin Perez
Colby Lewis
Alexi Ogando

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Neftali Feliz

Set-up: Tanner Scheppers

Top Prospect: Rougned Odor (2B)

The Rangers are at the point where it is all about making the right tweaks to a championship caliber club. After back-to-back losses in the World Series, Ron Washington's group has been in the mix every season, but has not found the perfect mix.

Prince Fielder

So Rangers went out and made the bold move to trade beloved Ian Kinsler to the Tigers for Prince Fielder and sign Shin-Soo Choo out of free agency. They let Joe Nathan walk.
Leaving the closer role open is dangerous but I actually think they are stocked with three guys (Feliz, Scheppers, Soria) that all can do it. Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria before injury were elite closers. Somebody is going to lock down the ninth inning. Felix will get the first crack at it.
The real question comck s to the rotation that has been decimated by injury to Derek Holland and before that Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis and others. If the starting five can be serviceable, and we know Yu Darvish is one of the best in the game, than the Rangers could make another run at a championship. If they don't? Time to try another mix.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - The years of being the protector to Ryan Braun and Miguel Cabrera are over. This is Prince's team and Washington stamped it by announcing he will hit in the three-hole and not the

Yu Darvish

four hole. There's a message there. And with the weather in Texas Prince is going to lose a few pounds this summer. He also is going feast on the right field fence and mash 50 homers on his way to a MVP.

REAL TALK - Thew new look Rangers are going to give that offense some life and they could run away with that division with any kind of decent pitching behind Yu Darvish. Jurickson Profar's breakout season could make them untouchable offensively. They have a lot of options, but no one they truly know what they are going to get out of. I'll just say now if Joe Saunders is pitching things are not going well.

Breakout: Prince Fielder (1B)

Bust: Leonys Martin (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Neftali Feliz (CL)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 91-72 (2nd in AL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 93-69 (1st in AL West)

**Check back tomorrow for the St. Louis Cardinals*

Countdown to Opening Day #7: Cincinnati Reds

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#7 Cincinnati Reds: Big Red run producing Machine

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Billy Hamilton
SS Zack Cozart
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
RF Jay Bruce
3B Todd Frazier
LF Ryan Ludwick
C Devin Mesoraco

PROJECTED ROTATION
Homer Bailey
Mat Latos
Johnny Cueto
Tony Cingrani
Mike Leake

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Set-up: JJ Hoover

Top Prospect: Billy Hamilton (OF)

We saw how unimpressed people were with Joey Votto's 2013 season, that ended with a .435 on base percentage, his fourth consecutive season with the best mark in the category. And while Votto does not care

Joey Votto

what others think about his approach, the Reds were not winning. It may be time for an adjustment at the dish.
The Reds hope men like Brandon Phillips and speedster Billy Hamilton can get on base enough so the face of the franchise can let it rip. Votto should have more than the 73 RBIs had last season. He is paid for his power, not his trot to first base and free passes.
What could help the Reds take the next step and allow Votto to do what he does is Jay Bruce taking his abilities another step further. The one-time top prospect in all of baseball still has a chance to be more than the just a 35 home run hitter if he can up the batting average. from .250, closer to a .285 clip. He could put his own name in the MVP race.
The bullpen is still strong with the Cuban Missile Aroldis Chapman and the rotation is rock solid when healthy. The Reds, even with new manager Brian Price, are bound to be in the playoff mix again. But will they ever get over that hump and have their day in the World Series sun? I am starting to think that chance could be slipping away.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Votto puts it all together and leads the N.L. in RBIs as well as winning a

Johnny Cueto

batting title. Billy Hamilton finds a way on base, scores 125 run, steals 80 bags and wins Rookie of Year. The rotation finally stays healthy when it counts. Johnny Cueto has come up small at the end of the years when the Reds have really needed him. Not this year.

REAL TALK - My loyal blog readers might be aware that I picked the Reds to win the World Series in the last two seasons. While they have not let me down completely I am starting to lose faith. The Reds have too much talent on the mound and in the batter's box to not win 85 game blindfolded, barring injuries, but I start to question leadership when they flounder in the postseason. Maybe Votto is not the guy to charge this club into the Fall Classic. Maybe this core group will always just be above average.

Breakout: Tony Cingrani (LHP)

Bust: Billy Hamilton (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Brandon Phillips (2B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 90-72 (3rd in AL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 92-70 (2nd in AL Central) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Texas Rangers* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #8 Kansas City Royals

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#8 Kansas City Royals: Starters need to Pitch in for KC

PROJECTED LINEUP
LF Alex Gordon
RF Nori Aoki
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
C Salvador Perez
3B Mike Moustakas
SS Alicedes Escobar
2B Omar Infante
CF Lorenzo Cain

PROJECTED ROTATION
James Shields
Jeremy Guthrie
Jason Vargas
Danny Duffy
Yordano Ventura

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Greg Holland

Set-up: Aaron Crow

Top Prospect: Yordano Ventura

Did anyone realize the Royals won 86 games last year? I certainly knew they had a solid year, but not to
an extent of four games off a 90-win season. Is the loss of Ervin Santana to free agency going to make them worse off?

James Shields

Granted, the rotation behind workhorse James Shields is very questionable, but prospects such as Yordano Ventura and Kyle Zimmer could be very good very soon. If the starters could supply some work load, the back end of the bullpen, led by Greg Holland, should be brilliant.
Everybody fully expects the offense to produce and young, peaking players to perform like all-stars. So what should everyone fully expect? It all rest on the starting five shoulders in my opinion. Their output will be the difference between 86 and out of the playoffs and real contender for the first time since 1980.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Not only does Ventura emerge as a Rookie of the Year candidate Jason Vargas and Jeremy Guthrie have their best major league seasons to date. Surrounded by some of the best hitters at their position in the American League (Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez) Eric Hosmer runs away with the Most Valuable Player Award.

REAL TALK - The rotation really does scare me and make me second guess from playoff prediction, but

Eric Hosmer

the Royals have a ton of talent and more in minors chomping at the bit to make an impact. They are probably one starter away from being a World Series contender, but that is something they could shop for in July. But with all that being said, I would not be shocked if it fell through and Shields was the one on his way out at the trade deadline.

Breakout: Eric Hosmer (1B)

Bust: Jason Vargas (LHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Billy Butler (DH)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 86-76 (3rd in AL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 90-72 (2nd in AL Central) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Cincinnati Reds* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #9 San Francisco Giants

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#9: San Francisco Giants: The every other year treat

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Angel Pagan
2B Marco Scutaro
C Buster Posey
1B Brandon Belt
RF Hunter Pence
3B Pablo Sandoval
LF Mike Morse
SS Brandon Crawford

PROJECTED ROTATION
Matt Cain
Madison Bumgarner
Tim Lincecum
Tim Hudson
Ryan Vogelsong

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Sergio Romo

Set-up: Santiago Casilla

Top Prospect: Kyle Crick (RHP)

There is nothing that really separates last year's Giants team from the team they bring to Spring Training this season, but going on a gut feeling I am calling San Fran out as a team not to sleep on. Let's bank on bounce

Matt Cain

back seasons from Matt Cain and Pablo Sandoval. Let's bank on breakout seasons from Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence producing more of the same. And I am always willing to bank on GM Brian Sabean. The savvy front office face always seems to tweak and turn his team around.
It would pretty remarkable to win three World Series championships in five years, but I am not going to count the Bay boys out. It';s been a trend since 2008. Wins over those years? 72, 88, 92, 86, 94, 76 - I believe my projection of 90 wins, while it is completely arbitrary and a mere guess, would probably be the number baseball prospectus should come up with for this group with other calculations.
Plus upgrading Gregor Blanco with the run producing potential of Mike Morse and replacing home/road split nightmare Barry Zito with a savvy sinker baller in Tim Hudson will only help them scare the Dodgers and the rest of this improving division.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Not only does Matt Cain bring his ERA back down, Tim Lincecum regains his Cy Young stuff. Originally it looked like the Dodgers were run aways in the division and clearly the best rotation. But by season's end, Cain, Lincecum, Bumgarner and Hudson is untouchable. The offense does not even need to be gigantic for the Gigantes to succeed.

Tim Lincecum

REAL TALK - The Giants are not going to be anything different than they have been over the last five years, but just being healthier overall and a little bit luckier puts them back into the playoff picture. I am not going to pick them any postseason series or claim their third title with this core group, but just because they finish fourth last year does not mean they are going to do it again.

Breakout: Brandon Belt (1B)

Bust: Tim Lincecum (RHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Matt Cain (RHP)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 76-86 (4th in NL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 90-72 (2nd in NL West) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Kansas City Royals* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #10 Baltimore Orioles

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#10 Baltimore Orioles: O's going for it all

PROJECTED LINEUP
RF Nick Markakis
3B Manny Machado
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
DH Nelson Cruz
C Matt Wieters
SS JJ Hardy
LF David Lough

PROJECTED ROTATION
Ubaldo Jimenez
Chris Tillman
Bud Norris
Miguel Gonzalez
Wei Yin Chen

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Tommy Hunter

Set-up: Darren O'Day

Top Prospect: Dylan Bundy (RHP)

When you look at the current contracts on the Baltimore Orioles only Adam Jones and recently signed
Ubaldo Jimenez are signed past this season. That means after this year free agency awaits Chris Davis, Nick Markakis, JJ Hardy, Matt Wieters, and Nelson Cruz. It also means Chris Tillman and Manny Machado will be due a pay increase.

Adam Jones

It also means the Orioles better go for it this season because while they may resign one or two players, keeping the entire club together is unlikely. The additions of Jimenez and Cruz reiterate they are giving all they have this season.
Ubaldo is not your bonafide ace but he does round out the starting five nicely and give the O's some starting depth in the minors. Kevin Guasman and Zack Britton are both likely to start the year in Triple-A. The Orioles have let Jim Johnson depart and flirted with Grant Balfour before they did not like see the injury report. They go into April leaving the closer role alone. They either trust Tommy Hunter or are making a big mistake. It was be awful for the Orioles to shell out big bucks and forget about the ninth inning.

Tommy Hunter

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - What a dangerous lineup. The Orioles take pitches, drive in runs, and win baseball games. Adam Jones' name is in the running for MVP and Nick Markakis has his best full season as the everyday lead-off hitter. The rotation is solid and Gausman and Dylan Bundy are dynamite out of the bullpen in the postseason. Almost like last year's Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal for the Cardinals. The Orioles stay in fist from start to finish line.

REAL TALK - They are playing to Camden Yard's strengths by building the squad around its lineup, but they still need the pitchers to perform. Tommy Hunter needs to make sure if he enters with a lead the O's keep that lead.  The starters do not have to win Cy Yong for Baltimore to battle for first either. I'm not sure the Orioles are going to win the World Series, or a playoff series for that matter, but they are more likely a playoff team than not in my mind.                    

Breakout: Kevin Gausman (RHP)

Bust: Miguel Gonzalez (LHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Nick Markakis (OF)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 85-77 (3rd in AL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 89-73 (2nd in AL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the San Francisco Giants*
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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*