2011 MLB Preview: Players Who Will Make or Break Their Team's Season
Baseball is upon us.
With catchers and pitchers reporting to camp as well as trade talks and contract negotiations, the 2011 MLB season is rounding out its kinks.
High-profile players have switched teams, making lineups better and leaving others in search of help. These big-time producers, along with young talents itching for the opportunity to make a major league impact, have the immediate ability to either make or break a team's season.
The ultimate goal in the game of baseball is a championship, but for other teams, it could be just making the playoffs.
So, with new faces in new places, old faces looking to rebound and spring training in the near future, which players hold the fate of the teams they play for?
NL West: Colorado Rockies, SP Jhoulys Chacin
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For the Rockies, the key is pitching.
It always has been and always will be. By playing in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the league, the Rockies have always looked to better their rotation and limit a sometimes home-field disadvantage.
This year, the Rockies will turn to one of their young arms, right-hander Jhoulys Chacin.
Chacin, now 23 years old, made a huge impact for the club last year, posting a 3.28 ERA with 138 K's in 137 innings. He maintained a sub 4.00 ERA at home last year and only gave up eight home runs at Coors Field.
By what we've seen last year, along with the decline of pitchers Aaron Cook and Jason Hammel last season, the young and talented Chacin will serve as the Rockies breaking point.
If he can tally over 180 innings, it could be the difference between the Rockies making a push for the playoffs or finishing third in their division.
NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks, OF Justin Upton
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This is sort of a no-brainer. If Upton can ascend to the elite status he was once on his way to, the Diamondbacks will be a legitimate team that could cause trouble in the National League.
Following offseason trade rumors involving Upton with several teams, one being the New York Yankees, Upton will be spotlighted early and often this year.
He has the potential to be a perennial 30-30 player and considering the D'Backs lost Mark Reynolds to the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, Upton has become Arizona's main power source.
The 23-year-old is entering his fourth full season and will be playing for bragging rights to the Diamondbacks and the entire league.
He is his team's make-or-break impact player in 2011.
NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers, OF Matt Kemp
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Kemp is pretty much the Justin Upton of the Dodgers.
Once heralded as one of the most promising hitters and all-around players in the MLB, Kemp had a let down year in 2011.
Along with Upton, Kemp was also mentioned in trade rumors this offseason and has something to prove coming into spring training.
The Dodgers have been slowly losing their offensive explosiveness dating back to the decline of Manny Ramirez. With Kemp on the fence to becoming a legitimate player in the league, the Dodgers outfielder will serve as a make-or-break talent in 2011.
Considering the Dodgers have some serious pitching with Kershaw, Lilly, Billingsley and Broxton to close things out, the offense, along with the season, will revolve around Kemp.
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NL West: San Diego Padres, OF Ryan Ludwick
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Ludwick is the guy to watch for in San Diego.
We all know how the Padres pitching surprised the entire league last year with one of the best all-around staffs in the MLB.
However, with the disappearance of power hitting Adrian Gonzalez, the Padres will look elsewhere for their offensive production. Ludwick is that guy.
Capable of hitting above .280 with 30 home runs, Ludwick's second season with the Padres could prove to be a flashback to his days in a Cardinals' uniform.
Surrounded by fairly good talent in Cameron Maybin, Chase Headley, Brad Hawpe and Orlando Hudson, Ludwick will be leaned on to lead the offense and produce enough runs to help out pitchers Mat Latos and Aaron Harang.
If Ludwick can channel his inner Cardinal, the Padres will be able to make a run for the NL Wild Card.
NL West: San Francisco Giants, 3B Pablo Sandoval
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Similar to most of their division rivals, the championship Giants need a legitimate power threat heading into the 2011 season.
Don't get me wrong, they will be able to count on phenom Buster Posey, Aubrey Huff, Andres Torres and now Miguel Tejada for solid offense and outstanding contact. But, can they count on Pablo Sandoval to bolster down their lineup and give them a home-run threat?
Possibly.
Sandoval is an awesome talent, combining average and power into one. However, with a huge disappointing season in 2010, the "Panda" will look to rebound.
For the Giants offense, Sandoval is the make-or-break player this season, but considering the Giants have the second best pitching staff in the MLB, they should still be able to make the playoffs if he has another letdown year.
NL East: Atlanta Braves, SP Jair Jurrjens
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The Braves are serious contenders this year.
Outfield sensation Jason Heyward will enter his sophomore season will an upgraded Atlanta lineup. A hopefully healthy Chipper Jones and Martin Prado doesn't hurt, but the acquisition of Dan Uggla and the call up of prospect Freddie Freeman will make you feel downright indestructible.
However, the key for the Braves is not the lineup—it's Jair Jurrjens.
After solid years from pitchers Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson and the comeback season by Tim Hudson, the Braves have some serious pitching. But, is it enough to contend with the likes of the Phillies and the Giants?
It could be. That's where Jurrjens comes into play.
He once looked like a potential ace of a rotation, but this year he doesn't have to be. All he has to do is stay healthy and regain his controlled dominance throwing the ball, and the Braves could contend for NL Champs.
NL East: Florida Marlins, OF Michael Stanton
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Everybody knows who this guy is and could potentially end up being.
It's hard to ignore his freakishly raw power and his quick emergence onto the big league scene.
Stanton will be given a full season to post some ridiculous numbers, and he will prove to be the make-or-break player for the Marlins in 2011.
With Uggla gone and questions surrounding how good Chris Coghlan and Gaby Sanchez can actually be, Stanton will have to out perform his 2010 numbers and join Hanley Ramirez as a legitimate one-two punch.
There is no reason why Stanton can't reach 40 home runs this year, and if he's able to achieve those power hitting numbers, the Marlins could emerge as serious wild card contenders come fall.
NL East: New York Mets, OF Carlos Beltran
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Well, isn't this ironic. Beltran has been the make or break player for the Mets for almost the last three years. So why change anything now?
It's sad that the Mets have a decent squad but keep coming up short year after year because of injuries.
So, I'm not going to sugarcoat anything and tell you why this is the year Beltran comes back to play the way we all know he can play like. Instead, I'll leave you with this:
IF BELTRAN STAYS HEALTHY, THE METS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.
NL East: Philadelphia Phillies, OF Dominic Brown
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While the Phillies might have the most impressive starting rotation in MLB history, they're not unbeatable.
The Phillies pitching will do its fair share of winning the team games single handily, but it will ultimately come down to how consistent Philadelphia's offense can be.
With the loss of Jayson Werth, the reigns will be handed over to young talent Dominic Brown. Capable of big time numbers and great defense as the five-tool player he is, Brown could serve as the make-or-break player for the Phillies in 2011.
While Howard, Utley and Victorino will get their numbers, the decline of Jimmy Rollins and the loss of the aforementioned Werth will force the Phillies to turn to Brown as their guy to help the offense regain its spark.
NL East: Washington Nationals, SP Jordan Zimmerman
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No Stephen Strasburg, no Bryce Harper, no Adam Dunn, no problem, the Nationals have Jordan Zimmerman. At least that's what Washington is hoping they can say come 2011.
By replacing the power hitting Dunn with a more well-rounded outfielder in Jayson Werth, the Nationals offense shouldn't see that much of a dip in production.
As far as the pitching is concerned, they need a name to not only promote but win games in a pitcher-heavy NL East.
Zimmerman is that guy.
Before Strasburg, Zimmerman was proclaimed the savior for the Nats' rotation, but Tommy John surgery has held him back for over a year.
After a premature recovery, the 24-year-old is back and ready to prove his worth to the Nationals.
In no means will Washington make the playoffs in 2011, but a solid season from Zimmerman could give the town something to talk about and something to cheer for until the Strasburg-Harper saga begins.
NL Central: Chicago Cubs, 1B Carlos Pena
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Carlos Pena makes players around him better hitters.
His power in the middle of a lineup is sometimes suffocating on opponent pitching. However, his average in the past few seasons has held back his production and has given people the wrong impression.
Pena is a power hitter, and that is exactly what the Cubs need in 2011.
A declining Alfonso Soriano and seemingly always hurt Aramis Ramirez have led Chicago down the wrong road over the past few seasons. Pena will be able to provide some lineup protection for not only Soriano and Ramirez but Geovany Soto and Marlon Byrd.
Pena will join his former Rays teammate Matt Garza in Chicago, and the change of scenery will prove to be good for the potential 40 home run slugger.
If Pena can hit, the Cubs will make a push in the NL Central.
NL Central: Cincinnati Reds, SP Edinson Volquez
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The Reds are back.
After a huge season in 2010, along with the emergence of superstar Joey Votto, Cincinnati has high hopes for this year.
Their hitting should be consistent with Votto, Phillips, Bruce and Stubbs holding down an impressive lineup.
For the Reds pitching, it all comes down to Edinson Volquez. The 2008 All-Star will look to rebound even more from his injuries and his suspension than he did last year.
Volquez sports huge strike out potential and knows hows to limit runs when runners are on the basepaths. If healthy, which he proved he is in 2010, the 27-year-old might be able to outperform fellow teammates Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto.
The success of Edinson Volquez in 2011 will make or break Cincinnati's chances of making a serious playoff run and trying to out pitch the pitcher-heavy National League.
NL Central: Houston Astros, 3B Chris Johnson
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The Astros need hitting, and that's exactly what third baseman Chris Johnson did last year.
2010 was a breakout season for the rookie, batting .308 with 11 HR and 52 RBI in only 340 at-bats. Pretty impressive for a guy who had only Hunter Pence to protect in the lineup last year.
The pitching for the Astros is fairly good, so the success they have this year will be determined by the play of Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson.
While Pence and Lee are already established and respected hitters in the MLB, Johnson will be the key for Houston and any sort of games they might win in 2011.
NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers, SP Zack Greinke
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Milwaukee might have made the biggest signing/trade of the offseason this year with the acquisition of Zack Greinke.
Greinke, a former AL Cy Young winner, will be counted on to form one of the best one-two punches in the league with the talented Yovani Gallardo.
Nobody knows what kind of success Greinke will have in the NL after pitching in the AL for his entire career, but considering he currently has the most explosive offense he's ever had before, his wins should be the first thing to increase.
The Brewers are more than capable of making a playoff push in seemingly the last season for Prince Fielder in Milwaukee.
However, their collapse and immediate success in 2011 will be directly tied to the production of newly acquired Zack Greinke.
NL Central: Piitsburgh Pirates, 3B Pedro Alvarez
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First and foremost, the Pirates should and will more than likely finish last in the NL Central in 2011.
Their pitching staff is one of the worst in the league and will continue to get worse if they don't sign the guys they need.
However, after promising 2010 campaigns by their young core of talented position players, the Pirates are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.
Third baseman Pedro Alvarez is the biggest source of light they have.
Alvarez proved last year in his rookie season that given time to settle into the swing of the big leagues, he could become the middle of the order hitter that the Pirates have not had in over a decade.
Capable of 30-40 home runs and a solid average, Alvarez will prove to be the make-or-break factor for the Pirates.
If he improves and hits like he's capable of hitting, the 2011 season won't go to waste. If he declines and has a sophomore slump, we'll be right back to where we are now.
NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals, 1B Albert Pujols
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There's not much to say here.
If Pujols and the Cardinals are able to either get a contract extension done before the season or delay any distractions during the 2011 season, St. Louis will be able to contend for the playoffs.
If the contract discussions, either before the season or say sometime come May, prove to be too much of a distraction for both sides, the Cardinals season could be a lost cause, and Pujols could be headed to the American League.
A Pujols' contract will lead to the Cardinals' success. Duh!
AL West: Los Angeles Angels, SP Dan Haren
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Haren is being extremely underrated heading into the 2011 season.
Quite possible one of the best five pitchers in the league when he was with Arizona, Haren has the ability to regain his ace-like quality and once again be a significant contributor to his team.
Matched-up with a dominant Jered Weaver, Haren will be handed the No. 2 SP job and will more than likely run with it.
The Angels signed Vernon Wells but traded away Mike Napoli this offseason, so their hitting should be about the same in 2011.
The pitching is the make-or-break aspect for LA. Having to out duel fellow divisional pitchers like Felix Hernandez, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Jake Peavy, the success of the Angels will be determined by Haren's early production in 2011.
NL West: Oakland Athletics, SP Brett Anderson
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Heading into 2011, Oakland has the most promising rotation in all of baseball.
After huge seasons by young pitchers Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez, the Athletics will look to improve even more this year with a healthy Brett Anderson.
Anderson, who has become of of those forgotten young talents with the arrival of Stephen Strasburg and the media coverage he brings, is still only 23.
In 2010, Anderson posted a 2.80 ERA in 112 innings but was unable to last a full season after battling early-year injuries.
Now healthy, Anderson is the key for the Athletics. If he can stay healthy and pitch like he's been able to in his first two MLB seasons, Oakland might be able to take a page out of the San Francisco Giants' book and make the playoffs by pitching their heads off.
AL West: Seattle Mariners, 2B Dustin Ackley
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There's nothing promising about the 2011 season for the Seattle Mariners.
Felix Hernandez and his dominating success will still be unable to cover up how bad the Mariners offense has been and will continue to be.
However, if the Mariners decide to call up Dustin Ackley sometime this year, which seems imminent, these horrible seasons could soon be history.
Ackley, one of the best hitting prospects in all of the minor leagues, has a chance to become the face of the Mariners' franchise.
That is the only, and I mean only, positive aspect for the Mariners' 2011 season.
Once Ackley is called up, it will mark the rebirth of the franchise and the always refreshing rebuilding stage.
AL West: Texas Rangers, SP Brandon Webb
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After the loss of Cliff Lee to free agency, the Texas Rangers needed a solid replacement to keep their Championship hopes alive.
2010 was a tremendous season for Texas, reaching the World Series after beating the New York Yankees in the ALCS.
However, after losing Lee, who is arguably the best big-game pitcher in the MLB, the Rangers were somewhat lost.
In steps Brandon Webb.
Webb, a former 22-game winner and NL Cy Young winner with Arizona, has only pitched four innings over the past two seasons. Texas is taking a huge leap of faith in signing Webb and hoping he'll return to anything close to that.
The 2011 season is in the hands of the Rangers pitching staff. Feliz, whether stationed as their closer or moved to the rotation will provide huge help, but they still need a go-to pitcher to complement their top-ranked offense.
Can Webb get and stay healthy?
We'll find out, but even it's for the second half of the season and into the playoffs, Webb's health will be the factor in Texas' chances to getting back to the World Series.
AL Central: Chicago White Sox, DH Adam Dunn
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Chicago's offseason signing of Adam Dunn was huge. They get a big-time power threat on top of a solid teammate.
The success for the White Sox in 2011 will be based on the NL-to-AL transition that Dunn is attempting to make. His 40-home run power is evident, but his average has lacked in the past.
If Dunn can maintain his average somewhere around the .260 mark, along with being surrounded by the best hitting teams he's ever had, his consistent power numbers will be the factor that will make or break Chicago's playoff chances.
AL Central: Cleveland Indians, OF Grady Sizemore
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Sizemore has fallen off the map.
After a disappointing 2009 season and an injury-riddled 2010 campaign, he is no longer considered one of the best outfielders in the league.
Sadly, instead of counting on Sizemore to produce for your fantasy team, drafting Grady seems more like a charity case. His left knee has left him hobbled, and even if he can come back, his speed and extra base hits will take a huge hit.
However, his power, youth and popularity is a huge upgrade for the Indians. Sizemore is a fan-favorite and any sort of comeback will distract Cleveland from the losing season their team is in store for, not to mention the LeBron-less Cavaliers.
If healthy, which it looks to be a stretch of the imagination at this point, Sizemore can help bolster down a young Indians offense and give some support to a club that deserves it.
AL Central: Detroit Tigers, SP Rick Porcello
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With the acquisition of Victor Martinez and Brad Penny, the Tigers have improved on both sides of the ball.
However, trying to contend in the American League without a No. 3 SP makes things that much harder.
The Tigers will turn to Rick Porcello once again to improve on his already mediocre career. Through two seasons in the big leagues, the 22-year-old has gone 24-21 with a 4.43 ERA. While he was considered one of the best pitching prospects out there when he came into the league, he has looked more like the second coming of Gil Meche.
2011 could be the make-or-break season for not only Porcello but for the Tigers in the AL Central. With the likes of Verlander and Scherzer heading the top of the rotation, Porcello will be given a little bit of slack if he struggles out of the gate.
But, if the Tigers want to make a run in the playoffs and try to capture a division title, they'll need Porcello to pitch even better than he did in 2009.
AL Central: Kansas City Royals, 1B Billy Butler
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Billy Butler has the potential to become the next Mike Sweeney. A contact hitter with 20-plus home run power.
The problem with Butler has been his slow progression over the past few years.
His potential coming into the 2011 campaign should have been reached before last year. In 2010, Butler batted .318 with only 15 home runs, which was a regression from the year before.
If the Royals want to take anything from the upcoming season and translate it towards the future, they'll need to see Butler not only hit for a great average but hit 20 HR and 100RBI.
This could finally be the year Butler makes his case for one of the best all-around hitters in the league.
AL Central: Minnesota Twins, CL Joe Nathan
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The Twins have everything a championship team needs. Great hitting, good pitching and a top of the line manager. The problem is can they count on Joe Nathan as their championship closer?
Nathan, now 36, missed the entire 2010 season with an abrupt elbow injury. The once dominant and top end closer has something to prove heading into this season.
In numerous bullpen sessions this offseason, Nathan has been clocked in around 90 mph, which is close to what he used to throw.
The key for Nathan and the Twins is not to rush the elite closer back. Matt Capps filled in nicely last year and will probably get some serious time early in 2011.
However, if the Twins want to make a playoff push, they'll need a healthy Joe Nathan and the closer they've grown to count on when the game is on the line. Without Nathan, the Twins bullpen could fall apart with the offseason loss of Jesse Crain.
AL East: Baltimore Orioles, 3B Mark Reynolds
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With the acquisition of power threat Mark Reynolds, the Orioles have joined the list of the MLB teams who've upgraded their power department.
The Orioles have not had a home run threat like Reynolds in forever, maybe dating back to Miguel Tejada's controversial 2004 season.
With that said, the 2011 season lies in the hands of the strike out king. Getting past his inability to make contact, Reynolds is still considered one of the best power hitters in the game. It's scary to think how many home runs he would hit if he struck out only 100 times.
This offseason, the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter have went out and added some serious talent. Derek Lee, J.J. Hardy and Kevin Gregg have joined Reynolds in a revamped Baltimore team for 2011.
The success of the Orioles cannot be counted on by talented pitchers Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman. Instead, it'll be in the hands of Reynolds, who's 40 home runs could be the difference in many games this season for Baltimore.
It'll be extremely hard for them to make any moves in the AL East, but the franchise is heading in the right direction and should give teams a hard time down the stretch.
AL East: Boston Red Sox, 2B Dustin Pedroia
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This might come as a surprise, but Dustin Pedroia is the make-or-break player for the Boston Red Sox in 2011.
It's not newly acquired Adrian Gonzalez or Carl Crawford, and it isn't Josh Beckett or Dice-K. Instead, the progress of the team's chemistry and early season production will be solely based on Pedroia and the season he'll have.
Pedroia is the heart and soul of the Boston Red Sox, and without him, the team will have the talent to win games but not the spark to win a World Series.
Division rival Robinson Cano and Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley are considered the best second basemen in the game. However, Pedroia does more for his team in the non-statistical categories than most players, let alone second baseman.
If Pedroia can stay healthy and maintain solid numbers, his leadership skills, non-stop effort and pure love for the game will ultimately make or break the 2011 season for the Red Sox.
AL East: New York Yankees, SP Phil Hughes
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The Yankees need pitching; it's no secret.
After losing out on the Cliff Lee parade, the Yankees were unable to sign a high profile pitcher. Instead, they strung together numerous subpar acquisitions such as Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and Mark Prior. Talk about a blast from the past.
The Yankees' bats should be able to produce very well, barring an injury to A-Rod or Jeter. Russell Martin should step in nicely and provide better defense and pitcher-catcher bromance than Jorge Posada ever has.
The problem, as it usually is for the Bronx Bombers, is pitching. Yes, they do have Sabathia and a solid bullpen with Mariano, Joba and now Rafael Soriano, but the fall-off of A.J. Burnett and the retired Andy Pettite has left the Yankees looking like the Mets.
So what needs to happen?
Phil Hughes in the second half needs to happen.
In 2010, Hughes went 18-8 with a 4.16 ERA in 176 innings. Fairly impressive numbers, but considering Hughes went 11-3 with a 3.65ERA in the first half, his decline in the second half is eye opening.
There is no doubt that the starting staff and the hitting will prevail to lead the Yankees to playoff contention, but if they want to win the division and make a honest playoff run, Phil Hughes will have to pitch like a No. 2 SP and do it for a full season.
AL East: Tampa Bay Rays, SP James Shields
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Along with the Yankees, the Rays pitching is highly in question.
After losing Matt Garza via trade and Rafael Soriano to free agency, the Rays are looking suspect.
With the signing of Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, a lot of public scrutiny has been lifted off the loss of Garza. Now, while Tampa Bay has some serious young pitching in Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Jeremy Hellickson, the team can't rely on their adolescent talents to get them into the playoffs.
Instead, the resurgence of James Shields is even more important this year than it was last year.
"Big Game" Shields has been the go-to guy for the Rays over the past five seasons, but after back-to-back sub .500 seasons for the 29-year-old, questions are being asked.
Can Shields rebound and be the top-of-the-rotation guy he has been?
Will he continue to be overshadowed by David Price and never find his stride?
We don't know, but 2011 is the year we'll find out.
If the Rays want to make a serious push come October, they'll need Shields, and they'll need him at the top of his game.
AL East: Toronto Blue Jays, SP Kyle Drabek
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This is it. We'll finally get to see the other side to the infamous Roy Halladay trade.
Drabek is still one of the most prominent prospects in all of baseball, and this could be the year we witness his dominance.
If the Blue Jays want to make any noise in the AL East in 2011, they'll need pitching. The teams hitting is solid, with Jose Bautista, Aaron Hill, Travis Snider and Adam Lind leading the way.
Drabek is a future ace, if all things go well. He was a dominant pitcher throughout his Double-A career, but his success on the big league level is still unknown.
Whether the young right-hander can have immediate success or needs to be seasoned in Triple-A, he could be the deciding factor for the 2011 for the Blue Jays.
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