New York lost Damon, so what, Granderson will fill in fine, if not 20 times better. The Yankees still have one of the greatest infields in history and a manager who now sports #28, representing the 28th team championship they hope to win this year. Replacing Chamberlain with Hughes in the rotation was a smart decision, and gives the Yankess the best fifth (and sixth) starters in baseball. Johnson was a great addition and will provide at least a .400 OBP from the #2 spot in the order. Rivera is still the best closer in baseball and with Chamberlain in the setup role, it makes for one of the better back ends in the league.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: New York wins 100 games for the second year in a row.
You okay there big dog?
2. Tampa Bay Rays
After a 2009 letdown, the Rays look a lot like the team they were two years ago when they won the AL pennant. This time, however, they are more experienced and they have more weapons, such as Zobrist and Longoria for the entire season. The starting rotation is as solid as they come, having dumped extra baggage in Kazmir last year, made room for prospect Davis as the fifth starter. Niemann is coming into his own, Price should have a monster year, Garza is off to an amazing start, and Shields is rock solid. Upton should have a nice bounce back year and if not, they have Jennings waiting in the minors. The bullpen is a weak link, and should prevent the Rays from being an elite team this season.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford combine for 40 homeruns.
Yayy, we r gooood! High fievzzzz!
3. Boston Red Sox
The Nation acquired Lackey and Scutaro, at SP and SS, in an attempt to shore up some weaknesses. The Sox still have Lester and Beckett at the top and Wakefield and Dice-K to round out the starting five. Youkilis is a stud, Beltre was a good pickup and Martinez will have a great year in his first full season in Boston. The bullpen is very solid if Papelbon does not take 45 minutes to throw each pitch and Francona is a world-class manager. It is unfortunate that the Sox are in the AL East, because they would be a top-two team in any other division in baseball. Expect these three top teams to compete for the division title well into September.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: John Lackey leads the team in wins.
"Shit, he's gonna hit it..."
4. Toronto Blue Jays
Same thing I said about Boston, except on a lesser scale: if Toronto were in any other league, they might have a shot at the division. Even so, the Jays have a decent lineup with guys like Lind and Wells. Hill will not have as good a season as he did last year, but he should still be solid. Bautista is an awful excuse for a leadoff guy, but they do not have much else. The rotation is pretty good, but they do not really have an ace. Romero might be the closet they have to an elite pitcher, and Morrow, Eveland and Marcum are all decent. The bullpen is not too sharp, but there is potential with Downs, Frasor and Gregg in late innings. This team is decent, but do not expect them to contend with three elite teams in this division.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: Kevin Gregg gets 30 saves.
Gotta love the powder blues.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Unlike the rest of the teams in this division, the Orioles would still suck in any other division. They have some good young talent, but do not have the complete team to win games, especially in the AL East. Markakis, Wieters and Jones are three solid pieces to a future lineup. Matusz is going to be a stud, but the rest of the starting five are very bad. Millwood is okay, but hardly a good #2 at his age and Guthrie just has had an inconsistent career in general. Baltimore picked up Gonzalez in free agency to try to shore up the bullpen, having traded Sherrill last year, but he blew two saves in the first week and is now on the DL. Not a good omen for the rest of the season.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: Matt Wieters wins AL Silver Slugger award for C.
It's going, going, going, going, going, going...
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