2009 Preseason MLB Predictions, AL Edition

Since everyone else is doing this, I have finally felt so left out as to get serious for a bit. Notice I said a bit, the comedy comes back as soon as this article is done.

**Again, I feel the need to point out that this, yes, as insightful as I'm about to be, is only an article of an opinionated nature, and yes, no one is perfect at predicting anything, let alone how 30 teams and a minimum of 750 players (25 players per 30 teams, etc) will do throughout a 162-game season, but I can try, just as the thousands of other writers, players, fans, and everyone else can, so play ball.**

Let's get started with the ever popular AL East.

The way I see it, this is how they finish.

1. Boston Red Sox- Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jed Lowrie are coming in to their own, Ellsbury could steal 60 bases this year, and the team pretty much looks identical to last year minus Coco Crisp, Curt Schilling, and Julio Lugo taking his spot on the bench.

The Sox have to be the clear favorite, even with the Yankees additions because their core stayed together, Pedroia and Youkilis burst out of their shells to become monster players and you don't bet against a team with all the tools, and honestly, the Stanley company has to be jealous of all the Sox manufactured tools Boston is packing.

2. Tampa Bay Rays- Tampa is back, now with Burrell. B.J. Upton had his coming out party last October, and this team is poised to compete with the Sox and Yankees again. Lightning doesn't strike twice is a long disproved theory has lightning will strike the same place upwards of 11 times.

I think the Yankees get struck, both out by Rays pitching, and by the fact that they will again fail to make the playoffs at the hands of Tampa Bay.

David Price is coming, and soon, this doesn't sit well for AL East batters who don't call Tropicana Field home.

3. New York Yankees- All the cash in the world won't save the Yankees from third place. A-Rod is out, Jeter's getting old, and this isn't a "team" of players, more a group of guys that were superstars on other teams, but just want to collect their Yankee sized paycheck.

The days where the "Bankees" could go and buy a championship are gone. They are going to need to build up their farm system, a la Derek Jeter if they want to compete again. 

4. Baltimore Orioles- It's ok Baltimore, September and the Ravens aren't too far away, you'll have a winning team then.

5. Toronto Blue Jays- Alex Rios, come on down, you're the next contestant on trade me, I'm a Blue Jay.

Boston and Tampa Bay make the play offs in this group. Brett Gardner could surprise a bunch of people in the Yankee outfield, and Mark Teixeira, David Ortiz, and potentially any number of Rays or Sox players could be considered for the MVP.

AL Central

1. Cleveland Indians- Armed with newer pieces and some fresh faces, Shin-Soo Choo and company look to rebound. Hafner and Martinez will come back, maybe not to their old selves, but still as quality players.

Kerry Wood, and Mark DeRose join a lineup which lacked veteran leadership, a quality both men ooze out in massive quantities.

Cliff Lee might be a stretch, but the rebounding of Fausto Carmona will be something to watch for. In a tight four team race, Cleveland pulls it out.

2. Chicago White Sox-Hey the Chi-Sox have an A-Ram to match the one the Cubbies have, and he a potential MVP. I'm in man-crush with Alexei Ramirez, but not even a man-crush is enough to put them over the Indians comeback this year.

I'm an intrigued to see a full season from Carlos Quentin. The MVP winds could blow for him as well.

3-(tie)-Minnesota Twins- I think Delmon Young discovers his power again, but this team has too many holes to be a legitimate contender.

Kansas City Royals- Here's hoping the Tampa Bay aura rubs off on these lovable push-overs. They have some talent, but also some holes that a rhinoceros can walk through fairly easily.

Time will tell is the Royals are mean't do do anything, however a winning record this season will go a long way.

5. Detroit Tigers- Bye-bye to that Sheffield guy, still released, but will pay him just to say goodbye. The fire sale has begun.

Lastly for now the AL West

1. Los Angeles Angels- Again it's the Angels and the rest.

2. Oakland Athletics- The window of greatness for the Angels is coming to an end. It was a great run, and might continue next season, but Oakland is built to compete this season and second place is nice, assuming Matt Holiday comes long term.

Holiday, Giambi and some fresh faces will make them a quiet contender in the weak AL West. Losing Justin Duchscherer will hurt, but some no-name star will emerge and take over the staff.

3. Seattle Mariners- A rebuilt team, a new GM, and a great future. A's GM Billy Beane's decision to put money in keeps the M's at third for now, but something is happening in Seattle.

4. Texas Rangers- There's an Elvis sighting. Elvis Andrus and I like the kid. Not enough to believe the hype, or to put Texas doing anything, but I still like him.

American League Awards

Cy Young-Felix Hernandez-Seattle  

Runners up-CC Sabathia-NYY,  James Shields-TB

ROY-Matt Wieters-Baltimore   

Runners up-David Price-TB,  Elvis Andrus-Texas

Manager of the Year-Joe Maddon-TB    

Runners up-Don Wakamatsu-Seattle,  Trey Hillman-Kansas City

MVP-B.J. Upton-Tampa Bay 

Runners up-Mark Teixeira-NYY,  Alexei Ramirez-Chicago-WS

Stay tuned for tomorrow's National League Predictions.