2008 A.L. Predictions

New year, new slate--or so the mentality goes for the 14 teams of the American League. Gone are the days of dynasties dominating leagues and teams with 100+ losses because what we have today is a league of parity. The question we pose is this: Who then comes out as the top dog?

Without further interruption...the 2008 A.L. predictions:

THE A.L. EAST:

In 2007, for the first time since 1997, the New York Yankees were knocked off as division champions by a well-stocked Boston Red Sox team out to prove that 2004 was no fluke. But things are running a bit differently in the Bronx this year in an off-season that saw a drastic change in managers, a flirting of change in players, and a youth movement coined, not quite imaginatively, as "Generation Trey". This however is not a 2 team race for the division as the Blue Jays hope to regain health in a pitching staff decimated by injuries and the Rays look to make their first foray into the world of 70+ wins.

2008 Standings:
1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles

What it came down to: Pitching, pitching, pitching...and some offense too of course. While Boston, New York, and Toronto have very similar pitching staffs with a mix of youth and veteran leadership, the offense of Boston and New York ultimately wins out. Tampa Bay puts in a good fight finishing with around 75 wins but their young staff and weak pen ultimately doom their quest for a .500 record. The Orioles....they would be lucky to avoid 100 losses.

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THE A.L. CENTRAL:

We are well aware here at YF v. MF that EVERYBODY is high on the Detroit Tigers. I mean they got Miguel Cabrera, D-Train Willis, and Edgar Renteria to play SS in place of Carlos "my grandmother moves better" Guillen. What people neglect to see is that while they can mash the ball with anybody in the league, the Tigers essentially are relying on Verlander (ok, no complaints on him), an almost AARP eligible Kenny Rogers, Bonderman & Robertson who don't seem to even know when they'll pitch well, and Willis who hasn't had a solid year since '03. Bottom line is this: While the bottom of the division got somewhat better, the middle in my eyes stayed the same. 2007 saw the emergence of C.C Sabathia and his Indians as a contender in the American League. Chock full of solid pitching, a tremendous bullpen--if you can ignore Joe "I'll only give up 2 runs this time" Borowski's presence, and a reliable offense led by the likes of Sizemore, Hafner, and Martinez...what's there not to like in '08?

2008 Standings:
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Minnesota Twins

What it came down to: While the Tigers' offense may blow their opponents out of the water, their bullpen is missing two big players in Zumaya & Rodney, and their rotation is suspect. Keep an eye out on the Royals, they are underrated and have the tools to put down a few teams, but aren't ready to compete for the division crown. The ChiSox did themselves a favor when they acquired Nick Swisher but forgot to trade Ozzie Guillen in the process. As long as that guy is managing and encouraging Jim Thome or Paul Konerko to bunt...and their rotation has Contreras as a #3 guy they're going nowhere. The Twins are hardly worth a mention but they did at least get Delmon Young this offseason...maybe they'll lead the league in umpire knockouts?

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THE A.L. WEST:

An off-season full of changes for this division as the Mariners made the big splash, going for the jugular by trading for lefty Erik Bedard, but will it be enough to knock off the Angels (lets just say they're from California)? It certainly gives them an edge in starting pitching as Felix Hernandez teams up with Bedard at the top of what will likely be the best rotation in the West. The Angels meanwhile add Torii Hunter in the offseason, signing him to a 6 year contract worth around $90 million...far too much for a 30+ year old CF who spent his entire career playing on astroturf. Out in Oakland you'll find Billy Beane attempting to work his magic once again as he traded away Dan Haren and Nick Swisher in return for 7 prospects and a year of re-building. Lastly the Rangers still lack the pitching depth to carry them through the regular season, though they did themselves a favor by acquiring feel good story of 2007, Josh Hamilton.

2008 Standings:
1. Seattle Mariners
2. California (don't shoot me) Angels
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Texas Rangers

What it came down to: Experience helps a team win about 90% of the time, but it does you no good when that experience is taking up space on the DL. The Angels have hands down the better offense, and would have the best pitching in the division if John Lackey (out until mid-May at best) & Kelvim Escobar (quite possibly done for good...like forever good) were not injured. But what wins the division for the Mariners is their combination of pitching and experience. Sure they have a lot of youth on their team, but valuable experience was gained as this team faded down the stretch last September. In my opinion, the only thing that could hold the Mariners back from winning this division is their offense. Towards the bottom, Billy Beane's moves--don't ever assume he's done--will have brought enough talent to this roster to keep them respectable, and the poor old Rangers look bound for yet another year in the cellar.

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REALLY REALLY RIDICULOUSLY EARLY A.L. PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
* denotes Wild Card winner


Divisional Series:

New York Yankees* over the Cleveland Indians in 5 games.

Boston Red Sox over the Seattle Mariners in 4 games.


Championship Series:

Boston Red Sox over the New York Yankees in 6 games.