Team Directions Around Major League Baseball

Let’s look at the teams around the MLB and the directions they are headed. You have 14 teams who pretty much can start planning for next season.  Later we will look at the other 16 teams and the direction of the franchise.
 
Down and Out
Toronto Blue Jays—The Blue Jays were in first place in 2009 in the AL East and now have gotten rid of BJ Ryan, Scott Rolen, and Alex Rios. I would suspect they will still try to move Halladay and Lyle Overpay.  It’s going to be a bad offseason north of the border.
Baltimore Orioles—The Orioles are working to get younger and better and follow the Rays model. They have some good young players that if they retain and build around will give O’s fans something to root for. I think its gotten worse standings-wise, but overall the team should be better. Reason for hope for the future.
Cleveland Indians—The Indians purged the roster the last two years and traded CC, Lee,  Martinez, and claim they are gonna lose $16 million in 2009. I could not be happy if I lived in Cleveland because I don’t see them being very active before 2010. I just have to hope the young players they got in the trades develop by 2011. Take a year off at the Jake. 
Kansas City Royals—The Royals are the Royals and have not made the playoffs in 25 years or so. The good news is they have Zack Greinke pitching every fifth day. Winning isn’t everything I guess, but the fans deserve better.
Seattle Mariners—The Mariners are back on the rise and you have to like the Jack Wilson trade if they can keep him long term. The Mariners are good spenders, they just need to spend wisely.  Reason to believe for the future, 2010 and beyond.
Oakland A’s—Moneyball just needs more money. The A’s are great at scouting and developing but cannot afford to retain and reward it’s players. For the love of the game A’s fans cause you sure must love baseball. 
New York Mets—The Mets may be in the worst shape of any team on the down and outs. They don’t have the budget issues the rest of the teams on this list have, they just are poorly run. I think Omar Minaya is horrible as a general manager and the team is using the rash of injuries as a crutch. The team has some stars but is in need of a major overhaul and it needs to start at the top. Now Hiring General Manager and staff. 
Washington Nationals—The Washington Nationals have hit rock bottom, but there may be a five-year plan in place to turn them around. The fans take the blame for low attendance and Washington being a bad market and etc. I say it's the ownership and management; the days of "if you build it they will come" are over and its time to give the fans a quality product. Make the fans forget you were once the Expos. 
Milwaukee Brewers—The Brewers have shaken some things up today with sending J.J Hardy to the minors and designating Bill Hall for assignment. I think the Brewers have a good core of young players and should be able to bounce back next season. The Brewers fans have to understand the Playoffs are a gift but not an impossible dream.
Houston Astros—The Astros seem to be on the path for major changes as attendance seems to be down and there is a new found focus on player development. They will have the makings of a solid staff with Roy, Wandy, and newcomer Bud Norris. It may take until 2011 till the Astros are back in the post season. Doing more with less is the new Astro way. 
Cincinnati Reds—I struggle to understand what the Reds are really trying to do. They picked up Scott Rolen and his $11 million price tag from the Blue Jays. The Reds are not a good team and have not mattered in baseball for sometime. The have the history but not the horses. This Red Machine needs some work.
Pittsburgh Pirates—The Pirates will trade away anyone making any money and anything that will bring them prospects. Pittsburgh is a sports town, but someone forgot to tell the Pirates ownership about the passion and loyalty fans have for winners in Pittsburgh. When does football season start? 
Arizona Diamondbacks—Hard times in the desert this year for the Diamondbacks, but this is still the team who won the division in 2007. The franchise has been up and down from day one and at least always tries to bounce back after losing seasons. Better days ahead for the Dbacks, or so we hope.
San Diego Padres—No Trevor Hoffman, no Jake Peavy, and no Tony Gwynn but hey, they have Tony Gwynn Jr. if that helps.  Is Adrian Gonzalez the next one to be shipped out of town? The 2005 and 2006 playoff teams are long gone and looks like we will have a post season drought in San Diego. Thank God for the Camo Units.
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