2011 MLB Team Projections

Here is my projection of where teams will finish at the end of the season. I expect things to shake out differently because the season will be full of story lines such as trades, injures, hot and cold streaks, so called over and underachievers. The games are played on the diamond and not on paper, which is a good thing because the stories are being written right before our eyes which makes for a more exciting journey that is sure to have its fair share of twists and turns as always. 

AL EAST

1. Boston Red Sox

2. New York Yankees (wild card)

3. Tampa Bay Rays

4. Toronto Blue Jays

5. Baltimore Orioles

AL CENTRAL

1. Chicago White Sox

2. Minnesota Twins

3. Detroit Tigers

4. Cleveland Indians

5. Kansas City Royals

AL WEST

1. Texas Rangers

2. Los Angeles Angels

3. Oakland Athletics

4. Seattle Mariners

NL EAST

1. Philadelphia Phillies

2. Atlanta Braves (wild card)

3. Florida Marlins

4. New York Mets

5. Washington Nationals

NL CENTRAL

1. Cincinnati Reds

2. St. Louis Cardinals

3. Milwaukee Brewers

4. Chicago Cubs

5. Houston Astros

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

NL WEST

1. San Francisco Giants

2. San Diego Padres

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

4. Colorado Rockies

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Latin America Baseball Documentaries

Recently I watched two baseball documentaries that were very interesting and I highly recommend both for any fan of the game or someone wanting to learn more about different cultures and the world around us in general. 

The first was “Road to the Big Leagues” which examines how in the Dominican Republic baseball is more than just a game but rather a way to get out of poverty and provide for your family. Current major leaguers David Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero make appearances and discuss their story. The Dominican Republic produces more players than any other country outside of the United States.  Producing baseball players is one of the biggest resources coming out of the Dominican and is essential for the economy as the players that make it to big usually give back in any way that they can.

“The Lost Son of Havana” was the second and looks at the journey that former major league baseball player Luis Tiant takes as he returns to his native Cuba after 46 years in exile. The film examines how life in Cuba currently is for many and the effects that the 1959 revolution had on baseball and the citizens. It is an emotional journey that will defiantly have you thinking about your own life when it is all said and done.

Both these films make you appreciate how well off most of us are to live in developed countries. We should be thankful for the little things that so many of us overlook and take for granted simple because they have always been available to us. 

What makes a Franchise Player?

The recent contract talks between Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals; got me thinking if I was a general manager of a Major League team who was starting a team from scratch who would be the centerpiece of which to build the rest of the team around.  What factors make the ideal franchise player? Here is a list of some of the attributes that would make for the perfect franchise player.

1.       Work Ethic: He is the first one at the ballpark and the last one to leave, always working to improve his game.

2.       Competitiveness: Wants to win in all aspects of his game. Each at bat is a battle and he never lets up.

3.       Leadership: Someone that lets his actions do the talking, does not always have to be the most vocal player, yet when he speaks others stop and listen.

4.       Talent: Must have the physical and mental skills that make them one of the top tier players in the Majors.

5.       Marketability: The player is someone you can market as exciting and entertaining who the fans just can’t get enough of.

6.       Consistency: He has to be reliable in terms of both his on field production and off field conduct. You know what you are going to get day in and day out.

7.       Passion: Just a pure love of the game, someone that eats, breaths, and sleeps baseball.

8.       Durability: Has to be able to remain healthy as a player is no good if he is on the disabled list.

9.       Cooperative: Someone that gets along with his teammates and is willing to do whatever it takes for his time to win.

10.   Genuine: A player that respects the game, the fans, and the media and carries himself professionally both on and off the field. 

My top 10 list of Current Major Leaguers that I would built my franchise around are:

1. Albert Pujols (1B, St.Louis Cardinals, Age 31) He has it all, A complete player on the field his track record speaks for itself. His career lows during any single season are .312 with 34 HRs and 103 RBIs over his 10 years. Has appeared in 9 All Star games, won 2 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers, and been a 3 time MVP. Off the field has been nothing but a role model and he has a million dollar smile. Simply a no brainier. 

2. Roy Halladay (SP, Philadelphia Phillies, Age 33) Never takes a night off, who is know for his work ethic and competitive fire. The 7 time All Star and 2 time Cy Young Award winner seems to get better as the magnitude of the game increases.

3. Joey Votto (1B, Cincinnati Reds, Age 27) He took his game to the next level in 2010, on his way to winning the National League MVP. He is just coming into his own.

4. Miguel Cabrera (1B, Detroit Tigers, Age 27) The numbers are there year in and year out put him down for 35 HRs and 120 RBIs.

5. Felix Hernandez (SP, Seattle Mariners, Age 24) The 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner seems to have figured it out which is scary since he is only 24 and already has 6 seasons under his belt.

6. Joe Mauer (C, Minnesota Twins, Age 27) A local product seems to always be near the top of the league in hitting while playing gold glove defense. The 4 time All Star and former MVP is the face of the Twins and it seems like a good marriage for both sides.

7. Hanley Ramirez (SS, Florida Marlins, Age 27) Despite taking a step back in 2010, he still hit over .300 with 20 HRs and 30 steals. The on field talent is there and I give him a pass for the poor attitude at times last year and believe he has learned from the experience.

8. Troy Tulowitzki (SS, Colorado Rockies, Age 26) He missed 40 games in 2010 and still had a great season with 27 HRs and 95 RBIs. The future is very bright if he can remain healthy and the Rockies showed there faith in him by locking him up until 2021.

9. Tim Lincecum (SP, San Francisco Giants, Age 26) The two time Cy Young Award winner helped lead his team to World Series Champs in 2010. All he is done is win and continues to prove his critics wrong. One of the top pitchers in the game and still only 26.

10. Carl Crawford (LF, Boston Red Sox, Age 29) Can change a game with his speed on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see how he handles the pressures of Boston over the course of the season.

Some other players that received consideration:

Josh Hamilton (OF, Texas Rangers, Age 29), Carlos Gonzalez (OF, Colorado Rockies, Age 25), Robinson Cano (2B, New York Yankees, Age 28), Prince Fielder (1B, Milwaukee Brewers, Age 26), Evan Longoria (3B, Tampa Bay Rays, Age 25), Ryan Zimmerman (3B, Washington National, Age 26), David Price (SP, Tampa Bay Rays, Age 25)

Some players that at one time where franchise players but where passed due to either age, drop in production, or injury:

Derek Jeter (SS, New York Yankees, Age 36), Chipper Jones (3B, Atlanta Braves, Age 38), Alex Rodriguez (3B, New York Yankees, Age 35), Ichiro Suzuki (RF, Seattle Mariners, Age 37), Vladimir Guerrero (DH, Baltimore Orioles, Age 36), Manny Ramirez (DH, Tampa Bay Rays, Age 38) Jim Thome (DH, Minnesota Twins, Age 40)