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February 12, 2008
Yanks 5th Best Team In A.L.?
One person thinks so. Via Dan Connolly:
But this season, perhaps more than ever, fans should clearly see the immense difference between the mediocre but evenly matched National League and the top-heavy but talent-laden AL.
In fact, the logjam of quality AL teams might be the most interesting story to monitor as spring training begins. Are they as good as they look on paper?
We'll find out, but they sure look impressive now.
One baseball executive recently ranked the majors' best teams, and his top five was, in order, the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees - all AL clubs.
He paused for a moment and then added the Seattle Mariners as No. 6 with a bullet after their acquisition of former Orioles ace Erik Bedard.
Three weeks ago, you read something like this here too:
It's an interesting thought: That the teams who Yankees might have to worry about this season are the Indians and Mariners (in a fight for the Wildcard). This assumes that the Red Sox, Tigers and Angels will be as good as people say they will be in 2008.
So, who do you think are the best six teams in the A.L. this season, and, how would you rank them?
Posted by WW Staff at February 12, 2008 09:23 AM
Comments
Why are the Red Sox sooo good? They lost the last four series last year to the Yankees. Schilling is done, Wakefield is 41 and will have his ups and downs, Lester is way too wild and Buchholz has the same questions surrounding him has the Yankees' rookies. I don't know I just don't see the huge disparity. Is it all based on Timlin, Delcarmen, Okijima, and Papelbon? Do people expect Beckett to pitch 7innings of shutout ball every 5th day? Does Matsuzaka really have that good of a chance to outpitch Pettitte? I don't know.
Posted by: keithny ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 12, 2008 09:46 AM
That's a precipitous drop from the top 5 to the Mariners. Last I checked, their offense was still terrible. I'm not too concerned about them.
Posted by: Ben K. at February 12, 2008 10:08 AM
I have serious doubts about the Tigers' preseason claim to the NL Central. Sure, their offense is improved with the addition of Cabrera and Renteria. But they also depend upon another star season from Magglio Ordonez and an injury-free season by Gary Sheffield.
Their pitching, meanwhile, leaves a lot to be desired. Last year, the starting rotation had just one pitcher (Verlander) with an ERA+ above 100. Dontrelle Willis is likely to get hammered by the AL hitters, and will not be an improvement over past-their-prime pitchers like Chad Durbin and Mike Maroth. The bullpen is very questionable, anchored by probably the worst closer in baseball, Todd Jones.
I can see the Indians dominating the AL Central and being the only team with 90 wins.
Posted by: mehmattski at February 12, 2008 12:13 PM
The Yankees and Red Sox are still the top-2 teams in the league, with either capable of taking the top slot. Behind them, I'd rank the Indians, Angels and Tigers. I don't think the Bluejays are that far behind 3-5, and ahead of the Mariners.
Posted by: williamnyy at February 12, 2008 01:41 PM
Not sure how i do particular orders. too many variables in there. Angels obviously easiest to the playoff though
Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen at February 13, 2008 03:47 AM
I have serious doubts about the Tigers' preseason claim to the NL Central.
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But, the Tigers do have as much chance of winning the NL Central as they do of winning the AL West or the AFC South.
(Yeah, I know it was just a typo, but I just can't resist)
Posted by: Lee Sinins at February 13, 2008 12:04 PM