MLB Predictions: Derek Jeter's 3,000th Hit, 10 Milestones To Watch for in 2011
With the regular season just around the corner, lets look ahead to 10 individual milestones to watch for during the 2011 season.
The biggest by far will be Yankees captain Derek Jeter almost certainly passing the 3,000 hit mark, but that is not the only thing worth watching for in 2011.
For each milestone, I have given what the player needs to accomplish it, as well as what I feel their chances of achieving it in 2011 are.
Ivan Rodriguez: 3,000 Hits
1 of 10
Needs: 183 Hits
Rodriguez has put together one of the best careers ever by a Catcher and last season he broke the record for most games caught in a career. However, he now turns his sights to a much more impressive milestone, as he has a chance to become the first Catcher to ever record 3,000 hits.
The chances of him reaching that mark this season, at the age of 39 and with Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores set to steal some games behind the plate, are slim to none, but he should have no problem getting there early on in 2012.
Chances Of Achieving: 1%
Adam Dunn: 400 Home Runs
2 of 10
Needs: 46 Home Runs
Dunn has been one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball over the past decade and is a near lock for 30 HR and 100 RBI. He signed with the White Sox in the off-season and will have plenty of protection in what is an already potent lineup.
His career high is 46—which he has achieved only once—while he has tallied over 40 a total of five times in his career, so he is by no means a lock for 400 this season. However, a move to hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field could put him in position for a career year.
Chances Of Achieving: 40%
Mariano Rivera: 602 Career Saves
3 of 10
Needs: 43 Saves
With Trevor Hoffman announcing his retirement at the end of the 2010 season, the all-time saves mark now officially sits at 601 and that could stand for just one season, as Rivera is only 43 saves from over taking that mark.
Rivera is as consistent as they come and he has had six seasons of 43 or more saves in his career. It will just be a matter of whether or not he gets enough opportunities to reach that mark this season, or if it takes him until 2012 to pass Hoffman.
Chances Of Achieving: 50%
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Paul Konerko: 400 Home Runs
4 of 10
Needs: 35 Home Runs
Konerko enjoyed a resurgence in 2010, as he had one of the best seasons of his career with 39 HR and 111 RBI. The White Sox went out this off season and signed slugger Adam Dunn, who should be able to give Konerko some rest at first base as well as protection in the lineup.
For his career, Konerko has hit 35 or more home runs four times, so he is certainly capable of doing it. However, expecting him to match his numbers from last season could be looking for a bit too much.
Chances Of Achieving: 50%
Tim Wakefield: 200 Wins
5 of 10
Needs: 7 Wins
Wakefield had a tough season last year, posting a 4-10 record with a 5.34 ERA, his worst since 2000, as he made 19 starts and 23 total appearances. That said, he is still just one year removed from an 11-5 season in which he made his first All-Star appearance.
Legitimate expectations for his 2011 season should be somewhere between 2009 and 2010 and he would once again be first in-line to receive starts if someone in the rotation struggles or missed time with an injury; with the potent Red Sox lineup, he could be in line for some wins, regardless of his role.
Chances Of Achieving: 60%
Francisco Cordero: 300 Saves
6 of 10
Needs: 10 Saves
Cordero has been under a good deal of scrutiny during his time in Cincinnati, thanks in large part to the four year, $46 million contract he signed when he joined the team.
Still, he has posted 34, 39, and 40 saves over the first three seasons of that contract and while he will no doubt be looking over his shoulder to phenom Aroldis Chapman—who could be closing by season's end—he should have no problem racking up more than 10 saves before then.
Chances Of Achieving: 80%
Ichiro Suzuki: 400 Stolen Bases
7 of 10
Needs: 17 Stolen Bases
Suzuki has been a model of consistency since coming to the states from Japan in 2001, as he has had at least 200 hits and 25 stolen bases in every season.
He will be 37 this coming season, but he has not slowed down on the bases at all, swiping 42 bags last year and he should have no problem passing the 400 mark this season and making a run at the 500 mark in a couple seasons.
Chances Of Achieving: 100%
Javier Vazquez: 2,500 Strikeouts
8 of 10
Needs: 126 Ks
Vazquez struggled mightily last season in his second go-around with the Yankees, going 10-10 with a career-worst 5.32 ERA. However, he is now back in the National League where he has been better throughout his career.
Just two years ago, as a member of the Braves, Vazquez finished fourth in Cy Young voting, as he registered the second-best strikeout total of his career with 238. A move back to the NL and out of the bright lights of New York could be just what Vazquez needs and 126 strikeouts should be no problem if he stays healthy. He is currently 40th on the career strikeout list.
Chances Of Achieving: 100%
Jim Thome: 600 Home Runs
9 of 10
Needs: 11 HRs
Thome is one of the most prolific power-hitters to ever play the game, but when he struggled to find any suitors after hitting the free agent market prior to the 2010 season, it looked as though his career may be over. However, the Twins decided to take a chance on Thome as their DH, giving him a one-year, $1.5 million contract—and he did not disappoint.
He launched 25 home runs in just 276 at bats and came through huge for the team when Justin Morneau went down with a season-ending concussion. That was enough to earn him another one-year deal, this one worth $3 million.
As long as he can get regular at bats, 11 home runs should be no problem for the soon-to-be-40-year-old slugger.
Chances Of Achieving: 100%
Derek Jeter: 3,000 Hits
10 of 10
Needs: 74 Hits
Jeter has been one of baseball's best contact hitters for the better part of two decades now and while he is entering the home stretch of his career, he is still capable of being a top-tier table-setter at the front of a good Yankees lineup.
For his career, Jeter has tallied over 200 hits seven times and has never had less than 179 in a season where he gets at least 600 at bats. At 37 years old, it will be interesting to see just how far up the all-time hits list he can move before he retires, but 3,000 hits is a certainty.
Chances Of Achieving: 100%
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