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Part 1 of 2
Season 2 of the AL-LOM is about to kick off and here are some brief previews for each of the 12 teams.
Since Yahoo! doesn't keep the records of previous season, thanks to Pete for capturing the standings waybackwhen.
Order is based on final 2013 standings…
--GRAND SLAM PIGS---Warner
'13 Record: 14-8
DEFENDING CHAMPION
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: David Ortiz (534)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Chris Sale (558)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Pedro Florimon (245)
The defending champion GSPs are back and significant questions surround them. First, entering the season without a catcher after losing Jose Lobaton (signed as FA in the NL) will be an obstacle. Next, they are also without P Doug Fister (also acquired by Washington) and the 444 points he produced in 2013. A full season from Jared Weaver should help, perhaps Rick Porcello can finally emerge as something worthwhile. On the bright side, on their bench is Astros top pitching prospect Mark Appel, though it figures he won't become a MLB mainstay until 2015.
Chris Sale "struggled" on a bad ChiSox team last year and was still brilliant for GSP. 11-14, 4 CG, 1 SHO, 226 K, only 46 BB in 200+ innings, 23 QS…..with Fister gone, he's the only pitcher on the team who had 200+ innings in 2013.
Offensively, much of the same group returns though stud 3B Manny Machado will miss around a month (if that) to start 2014 due to offseason surgery. Much like the catcher issue, there is no other 3B on the roster to fill in, so barring another move, these are two starting spots looking at zeroes. OF Nolan Reimold will also start on the DL.
Acquired in the draft, Grady Sizemore earned a starting job in Boston and is one of the better stories to start the season. Meanwhile, OF Josh Reddick is finally healthy after dealing with wrist problems and could double (or better) the 12 HR he hit last year.
--FuckBaseball/Bill---Goob
'13 Record: 12-10
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Evan Longoria (521)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Greg Holland (572)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Alejandro De Aza (435)
Injuries suck and this team will see Jurickson Profar miss about three months, so they will have to rely on Nick Punto as the starting SS. However, using the draft to stock up on talent introduced stud prospect Nick Castellanos and returning slugger Corey Hart to the line-up.
Offseason trades also shipped out P Matt Garza but brought OF Dexter Fowler in. So, assuming Hart can stay healthy, along with Castellanos & Fowler, these are big additions. They join the stout infield lineup which includes budding star C Sal Perez, C/1B Joe Mauer, 2B Dustin Pedroia and 3B Longoria.
If Profar does not experience any setbacks, getting him back for roughly two months at the end of the season may make them the favorites to win the 2014 championship.
Pitching in 2013 was built on the backs of closers Greg Holland, Glen Perkins and Casey Janssen, all of whom return. Jon Lester is their best starter and figures to sign a long-term extension with Boston during the season. They don't have any big pitching waiting in the wings, so a reliance on back-end starters Danks, Buhrle, Lackey and Keuchel may be the weakest aspect of the team.
Meanwhile, they hold the rights to SS Stephen Drew, who is expected to sign with a big league club after the early June draft. He posted over 350 points last year in 440+ ABs, don't forget about this guy.
-----Mike's Trouser Trout-----Manchild
'13 Record: 14-8
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Mike Trout (679)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Jim Johnson (451)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Brian Dozier (410)
Any team with Mike Trout is dangerous, the guy nearly scored 700 points last year and does not figure to slow down at all.
The biggest offseason loss was C Ryan Doumit which forces the '14 squad to rely on Angels C Chris Iannetta. But, that's not the weakest spot in their offense -- that belongs to SS, currently manned by Eduardo Nunez. The triple threat of second base return: Jason Kipinis, Ian Kinsler and Brian Dozier, but it appears the latter may struggle to get in the line-up as their are a long list of outfielders (Trout, Alex Rios, Adam Eaton, Michael Brantley).
Pitching here is built off of closers Jim Johnson and Fernando Rodney. Hiroki Kurado may be the top starter while young throwers Drew Hutchinson and Tanner Scheppers have the opportunity to be big contributors. The final pitching slot will switch between Samuel Deduno, Robbie Ross and David Phelps, not the most inspiring names at this stretch.
They need help in the infield because with the decisions made in Cleveland, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall is now a bench player. This means Alberto Callaspo will be this team's starting 3B. How far they can go after a playoff run in 2013 will depend on Trout, the second basemen and whether the starters can hold up their end among the pitchers.
***After this was completed, MTT acquired SS Erick Aybar for 2B Dozier, so there's one hole filled. Aybar was the 8th best SS in 2013.
-----I Don't No-----Lefty
'13 Record: 13-9
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Miguel Cabrera (670)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Chris Tillman (482)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Mike Carp (204)
Absolutely ridiculous production from Cabrera and Chris Davis meant they scored a total of 1324 points just from those two slots. Aside from the big 2, the offense is solid in almost every other way. The weak link would be UTI#2 Eric Sogard while stability is found in Mike Napoli, Coco Crisp, Desmond Jennings, Alexei Ramirez and Howie Kendrick. The only active player on the bench is Mike Carp, so it's possible Sogard is not long for a starting role.
The one significant loss this year is that of OF Nate McLouth (signed as FA with WSH) who produced 400 points last year, but this offense should be able to bounce back.
The woes of catching rears its head here as Geovany Soto is expected to miss about 3 months of action, meaning yet again, a team enters 2014 with a goose egg at C.
Unlike some of the teams above, this pitching staff is constructed almost excessively with starters. The one reliever is Darren O'Day who will produce out of the holds category. Elsewhere, CC Sabathia is the ace and fellow Yankee Michael Pineda is one of the pre-season "sleepers" in what could be his first healthy year back in a number of years. Chris Tillman had a great 2013 and should produce another season of at least 425 points.
Not counting O'Day, three of the pitching slots here may consist of arms that threw 60 innings or fewer in 2013. But, the bench consists of five arms of a variety of effectiveness.
Make no mistake, this team will do well or poorly based on the bats. If they can get positive seasons 250+ point years from even three pitchers not named Sabathia, Tillman or Jason Vargas, the IDN will be a tough out down the stretch.
--Tommy's Hot Dogs---MvP
'13 Record: 13-9
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Kyle Seager (470)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Joe Nathan (509)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Conor Gillaspie (261)
Oh. My. Goodness. If you're looking for who has the riches of catching in the AL LOM, look no further. Badass Carlos Santana (C,1B, adding 3B this year, too) along with Yan Gomes and even Alex Avila (not a star, but points are points) make it clear why some teams don't even have 1.
But WAIT! Here are the names who walked away to the NL in the offseason or retired: Addison Reed (425 pts), Andy Pettite (345 pts), Curtis Granderson (154 points, injured), Chris Perez (285 its), Kevin Youkilis (60 its, injured). Luckily, Nelson Cruz stayed in the AL by signing with Baltimore or it would have been an extra painful turn of events.
Things were not all sour for the Hot Dogs thanks to the draft and trade of Reed. First, the trade of Addison Reed brought 3B prospect Matt Davidson aboard (he's starting at AAA in 2014) and provides some depth down the road. Next, the draft allowed THD to pick up Carlos Beltran, Indians closer John Axford and Rangers closer Joakim Soria. So, things could have been much worse.
While a team like THD may be behind Lefty because of the Cabrera/Davis factor, this offense is still mostly consistent across the board. The weakness would be Mike Aviles (starting IF) and third catcher Alex Avila in the UTI spot.
The pitching is definitely a strength. David Price is the top starter and while he had a down year in 2013 and trade rumors persist, he could very well bounce back and come close to a 500 pt season. The top scorer last year was Tigers closer Joe Nathan who returns for the World Series contending team. Along with him, Axford and Soria is Rays closer Grant Balfour, too. The potential stud of the staff is Indians starter Danny Salazar who seems poised for a breakout year. Also returning and looking to build on an injury plagued year is Clay Buchholz.
--SimbasBBD----Primetime
'13 Record: 13-9
*6th and final playoff team in 2013
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Alfonso Soriano (496)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Anibal Sanchez (541)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Michael Bourn (357)
Mariano Rivera is no longer here and neither are the nearly 500 points he put up in 2013.
Top pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Justin Masterson (poised for free agency) should carry the staff with Ivan Nova as the next best starter. Elsewhere, set-up specialists Jake McGee, Joel Peralta and Ed Mujica can be counted on with holds. But, that's potential the weakness of the team as after Nova, the other starters to rely on include Kevin Correia….and that's it.
Offensively, this team is old and potentially dangerous. Albert Pujols only mustered 300 points while Jose Bautista smashed his way to nearly 450. Alfonso Soriano topped them both with nearly 500 points and should continue cracking home runs at Yankee Stadium. The addition (via the draft) of new Royals OF Norichika Aoki is a big help and Melky Cabrera should improve from his 2013 performance. Michael Bourn will begin '14 on the DL, too.
Catching is wrapped around AJ Pierzynski but thanks to the injury bug in Texas, back-up JP Arencibia may end up getting lots of ABs through July (if he's not terrible).
This team was 3rd worst in scoring a year ago but was a playoff team. With their pitching staff, they will likely need a similar circumstance if they're to return to the postseason.
Part 2 will be posted sometime tomorrow
Season 2 of the AL-LOM is about to kick off and here are some brief previews for each of the 12 teams.
Since Yahoo! doesn't keep the records of previous season, thanks to Pete for capturing the standings waybackwhen.
Order is based on final 2013 standings…
--GRAND SLAM PIGS---Warner
'13 Record: 14-8
DEFENDING CHAMPION
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: David Ortiz (534)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Chris Sale (558)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Pedro Florimon (245)
The defending champion GSPs are back and significant questions surround them. First, entering the season without a catcher after losing Jose Lobaton (signed as FA in the NL) will be an obstacle. Next, they are also without P Doug Fister (also acquired by Washington) and the 444 points he produced in 2013. A full season from Jared Weaver should help, perhaps Rick Porcello can finally emerge as something worthwhile. On the bright side, on their bench is Astros top pitching prospect Mark Appel, though it figures he won't become a MLB mainstay until 2015.
Chris Sale "struggled" on a bad ChiSox team last year and was still brilliant for GSP. 11-14, 4 CG, 1 SHO, 226 K, only 46 BB in 200+ innings, 23 QS…..with Fister gone, he's the only pitcher on the team who had 200+ innings in 2013.
Offensively, much of the same group returns though stud 3B Manny Machado will miss around a month (if that) to start 2014 due to offseason surgery. Much like the catcher issue, there is no other 3B on the roster to fill in, so barring another move, these are two starting spots looking at zeroes. OF Nolan Reimold will also start on the DL.
Acquired in the draft, Grady Sizemore earned a starting job in Boston and is one of the better stories to start the season. Meanwhile, OF Josh Reddick is finally healthy after dealing with wrist problems and could double (or better) the 12 HR he hit last year.
--FuckBaseball/Bill---Goob
'13 Record: 12-10
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Evan Longoria (521)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Greg Holland (572)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Alejandro De Aza (435)
Injuries suck and this team will see Jurickson Profar miss about three months, so they will have to rely on Nick Punto as the starting SS. However, using the draft to stock up on talent introduced stud prospect Nick Castellanos and returning slugger Corey Hart to the line-up.
Offseason trades also shipped out P Matt Garza but brought OF Dexter Fowler in. So, assuming Hart can stay healthy, along with Castellanos & Fowler, these are big additions. They join the stout infield lineup which includes budding star C Sal Perez, C/1B Joe Mauer, 2B Dustin Pedroia and 3B Longoria.
If Profar does not experience any setbacks, getting him back for roughly two months at the end of the season may make them the favorites to win the 2014 championship.
Pitching in 2013 was built on the backs of closers Greg Holland, Glen Perkins and Casey Janssen, all of whom return. Jon Lester is their best starter and figures to sign a long-term extension with Boston during the season. They don't have any big pitching waiting in the wings, so a reliance on back-end starters Danks, Buhrle, Lackey and Keuchel may be the weakest aspect of the team.
Meanwhile, they hold the rights to SS Stephen Drew, who is expected to sign with a big league club after the early June draft. He posted over 350 points last year in 440+ ABs, don't forget about this guy.
-----Mike's Trouser Trout-----Manchild
'13 Record: 14-8
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Mike Trout (679)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Jim Johnson (451)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Brian Dozier (410)
Any team with Mike Trout is dangerous, the guy nearly scored 700 points last year and does not figure to slow down at all.
The biggest offseason loss was C Ryan Doumit which forces the '14 squad to rely on Angels C Chris Iannetta. But, that's not the weakest spot in their offense -- that belongs to SS, currently manned by Eduardo Nunez. The triple threat of second base return: Jason Kipinis, Ian Kinsler and Brian Dozier, but it appears the latter may struggle to get in the line-up as their are a long list of outfielders (Trout, Alex Rios, Adam Eaton, Michael Brantley).
Pitching here is built off of closers Jim Johnson and Fernando Rodney. Hiroki Kurado may be the top starter while young throwers Drew Hutchinson and Tanner Scheppers have the opportunity to be big contributors. The final pitching slot will switch between Samuel Deduno, Robbie Ross and David Phelps, not the most inspiring names at this stretch.
They need help in the infield because with the decisions made in Cleveland, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall is now a bench player. This means Alberto Callaspo will be this team's starting 3B. How far they can go after a playoff run in 2013 will depend on Trout, the second basemen and whether the starters can hold up their end among the pitchers.
***After this was completed, MTT acquired SS Erick Aybar for 2B Dozier, so there's one hole filled. Aybar was the 8th best SS in 2013.
-----I Don't No-----Lefty
'13 Record: 13-9
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Miguel Cabrera (670)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Chris Tillman (482)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Mike Carp (204)
Absolutely ridiculous production from Cabrera and Chris Davis meant they scored a total of 1324 points just from those two slots. Aside from the big 2, the offense is solid in almost every other way. The weak link would be UTI#2 Eric Sogard while stability is found in Mike Napoli, Coco Crisp, Desmond Jennings, Alexei Ramirez and Howie Kendrick. The only active player on the bench is Mike Carp, so it's possible Sogard is not long for a starting role.
The one significant loss this year is that of OF Nate McLouth (signed as FA with WSH) who produced 400 points last year, but this offense should be able to bounce back.
The woes of catching rears its head here as Geovany Soto is expected to miss about 3 months of action, meaning yet again, a team enters 2014 with a goose egg at C.
Unlike some of the teams above, this pitching staff is constructed almost excessively with starters. The one reliever is Darren O'Day who will produce out of the holds category. Elsewhere, CC Sabathia is the ace and fellow Yankee Michael Pineda is one of the pre-season "sleepers" in what could be his first healthy year back in a number of years. Chris Tillman had a great 2013 and should produce another season of at least 425 points.
Not counting O'Day, three of the pitching slots here may consist of arms that threw 60 innings or fewer in 2013. But, the bench consists of five arms of a variety of effectiveness.
Make no mistake, this team will do well or poorly based on the bats. If they can get positive seasons 250+ point years from even three pitchers not named Sabathia, Tillman or Jason Vargas, the IDN will be a tough out down the stretch.
--Tommy's Hot Dogs---MvP
'13 Record: 13-9
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Kyle Seager (470)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Joe Nathan (509)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Conor Gillaspie (261)
Oh. My. Goodness. If you're looking for who has the riches of catching in the AL LOM, look no further. Badass Carlos Santana (C,1B, adding 3B this year, too) along with Yan Gomes and even Alex Avila (not a star, but points are points) make it clear why some teams don't even have 1.
But WAIT! Here are the names who walked away to the NL in the offseason or retired: Addison Reed (425 pts), Andy Pettite (345 pts), Curtis Granderson (154 points, injured), Chris Perez (285 its), Kevin Youkilis (60 its, injured). Luckily, Nelson Cruz stayed in the AL by signing with Baltimore or it would have been an extra painful turn of events.
Things were not all sour for the Hot Dogs thanks to the draft and trade of Reed. First, the trade of Addison Reed brought 3B prospect Matt Davidson aboard (he's starting at AAA in 2014) and provides some depth down the road. Next, the draft allowed THD to pick up Carlos Beltran, Indians closer John Axford and Rangers closer Joakim Soria. So, things could have been much worse.
While a team like THD may be behind Lefty because of the Cabrera/Davis factor, this offense is still mostly consistent across the board. The weakness would be Mike Aviles (starting IF) and third catcher Alex Avila in the UTI spot.
The pitching is definitely a strength. David Price is the top starter and while he had a down year in 2013 and trade rumors persist, he could very well bounce back and come close to a 500 pt season. The top scorer last year was Tigers closer Joe Nathan who returns for the World Series contending team. Along with him, Axford and Soria is Rays closer Grant Balfour, too. The potential stud of the staff is Indians starter Danny Salazar who seems poised for a breakout year. Also returning and looking to build on an injury plagued year is Clay Buchholz.
--SimbasBBD----Primetime
'13 Record: 13-9
*6th and final playoff team in 2013
'13 Highest Scoring Batter: Alfonso Soriano (496)
'13 Highest Scoring Pitcher: Anibal Sanchez (541)
Current Bench Pos. Player Who Scored Most in '13: Michael Bourn (357)
Mariano Rivera is no longer here and neither are the nearly 500 points he put up in 2013.
Top pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Justin Masterson (poised for free agency) should carry the staff with Ivan Nova as the next best starter. Elsewhere, set-up specialists Jake McGee, Joel Peralta and Ed Mujica can be counted on with holds. But, that's potential the weakness of the team as after Nova, the other starters to rely on include Kevin Correia….and that's it.
Offensively, this team is old and potentially dangerous. Albert Pujols only mustered 300 points while Jose Bautista smashed his way to nearly 450. Alfonso Soriano topped them both with nearly 500 points and should continue cracking home runs at Yankee Stadium. The addition (via the draft) of new Royals OF Norichika Aoki is a big help and Melky Cabrera should improve from his 2013 performance. Michael Bourn will begin '14 on the DL, too.
Catching is wrapped around AJ Pierzynski but thanks to the injury bug in Texas, back-up JP Arencibia may end up getting lots of ABs through July (if he's not terrible).
This team was 3rd worst in scoring a year ago but was a playoff team. With their pitching staff, they will likely need a similar circumstance if they're to return to the postseason.
Part 2 will be posted sometime tomorrow
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