For some reason I decided it would be a fun (but extremely time consuming!) exercise to go through every MLB team, study their roster, and make semi-educated predictions on how the players will perform during the 2011 season. I have completed a large portion of this task and I am proud to release my predictions to you in groups based on each division. The first group will be the American League East. I hope you enjoy this installment, and I look forward to the next group. Until then... I give you the AL EAST.

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First Addition: March 5, 2011

Early Spring Training

1. BOSTON RED SOX  89-73  NR

The 2010 Red Sox finished 3rd in the AL east after being decimated by injuries. This off season the club added Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, two highly talented offensive and defensive players. Bobby Jenks was also added to strengthen the bullpen and provide insurance for Jonathan Papelbon. Adrian Beltre left the club and Kevin Youkilis will replace him at 3rd base. Essentially, the club replaced Beltre's bat with the acquisition of Gonzalez. Josh Beckett and Jon Lackey should have improved seasons after a disappointing 2010 campaign.  


2. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES  97-65  NR

The 2010 Phillies won the NL East and crushed the Cincinnati Reds in the divisional round of playoffs before being sent home by the eventual world champion Giants. The Phillies made perhaps the biggest splash of the off season by signing Cliff Lee and adding him to a rotation that features Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt. The key loss of the winter was Jason Werth who signed with Washington. This may be a big loss as the lineup is heavily left handed. Offense however should not be a problem as the everyday lineup will have six former All Stars.

The remaining 28 teams, including the Twins after the jump.

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As of Today (Tuesday Jan. 18th) these are the players I expect the Twins to break Spring Training with on their 25 man roster. Most of the players can be safely assumed will be on the opening day roster, but a few probably have a bit to prove to ensure their spot. I have also included a small "wish list" of players I would like to see join the team either prior to breaking camp or sometime during the season. Comment, and enjoy.

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I posted this in a few other places I frequent. I had to share my love for the Twins all over the world! Hope you enjoy!:

My favorite club is hella good this year, and after a 7-3 first place start I had to brag a little.

The daily line up is stacked. The Twins have scored the second most runs in the AL (one behind Detroit), and have the best run differential of +19 of any team in the AL.

Lineup:
1. CF Denard Span .340 OB%
2. 2B Orlando Hudson current 7 game hit streak
3. C Joe Mauer .353 AVG .463 OB% 1.052 OPS
4. 1B Justin Morneau .342 AVG .457 OB%
5. RF Michael Cuddyer .333 AVG
6. DH Jason Kubel .412 OB% .947 OPS
7. LF Delmon Young .346 AVG 1.033 OPS
8. SS J.J. Hardy 2HR
9. 3B Nick Punto 1.000 Fielding % with tons of range

Bench:
Jim Thome
Brendan Harris

Starting Pitching:
SP1 Scott Baker 1-1 3.86ERA
SP2 Nick Blackburn 1-1 5.02ERA
SP3 Carl Pavano 2-0 1.38ERA 10K 13IP
SP4 Kevin Slowey 1-1 3.48ERA
SP5 Francisco Liriano 1-0 2.08ERA 11K 13IP 8Hits allowed

Bullpen:
Jon Rauch 1.80ERA, 5 saves in 5 opp (leads MLB)
Pat Neshek 0.00ERA
Matt Guerrier 0.00ERA
Jose Mijares
Brian Duensing

The entire staff is pitching to an ERA of 2.88 while allowing an AL low 29 runs against (all while playing more games then all but two AL teams). That is pretty impressive when considering perennial All-Star closer Joe Nathan is out for the season.

On Defense, Minnesota has committed just one error all year (a throwing error by left fielder Delmon Young on a play at the plate where the ball bounced off the incoming base runners feet). This is a strong start for a team that many people have argued is weak on the defensive side of the ball.

This roster has led the Twins to three series wins (3-1 over the Angels, 2-1 over the White Sox, and 2-1 over the Red Sox) to start the season. An important note on the hot start is that the club has also accumulated a 5-2 mark on the road thus far. This is important because traditionally the Twins have been monsters at home while struggling greatly on the road.

This has all led the Twins to leading the AL in Wins and Win percentage. Not to shabby for my home town nine.

And just think, I just wrote all of that and didn't even mention the brand new ballpark...

Here's to a hell of a fun season!
Go Twins!

Hank Blalock signed a minor league deal today with the Rays to compete for a back up spot at 3B and 1B. Why the hell didn't the Twins give this guy a shot? He signed a Minor League deal. Last season he hit .234 with 25 HR and 66 RBI. I know he is no stud in the field, but my guess is that he would be fairly comparable to Brendan Harris. His offense could be such an upgrade (and at virtually no cost) it seams like a no brainer to sign the guy and give him at least a chance of winning the starting spot at third. I don't get it.

Full story after the jump:

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I just posted this in another forum that I frequent. My prediction is quite optimistic for our home town nine, and I know it may be more then a bit of a homer pick, but I LOVE THIS TEAM. With all the additions and the new stadium... I am hopeful that our destiny this year may be great!

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East
1. New York Yankees 98-64
2. Tampa Bay Rays 91-71
3. Boston Red Sox 87-75
4. Baltimore Orioles 73-89
5. Toronto Blue Jays 67-95

Central
1. Minnesota Twins 94-68
2. Chicago White Sox 85-77
3. Kansas City Royals 81-81
4. Detroit Tigers 77-85
5. Cleveland Indians 70-92

West
1. Texas Rangers 89-73
2. Seattle Mariners 88-74
3. Las Angeles Angels of Anaheim 85-77
4. Oakland Athletics 68-94


NATIONAL LEAGUE

East
1. Philadelphia Phillies 94-68
2. Atlanta Braves 86-76
3. New York Mets 83-79
4. Florida Marlins 78-84
5. Washington Nationals 59-103

Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals 93-69
2. Chicago Cubs 83-79
3. Cincinnati Reds 81-81
4. Milwaukee Brewers 78-84
5. Houston Astros 69-93
6. Pittsburgh Pirates 67-95

West
1. Las Angeles Dodgers 92-70
2. San Francisco Giants 87-75
3. Colorado Rockies 84-78
4. Arizona Diamondbacks 75-87
5. San Diego Padres 68-94

AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

ALDS
Rays over Rangers (4 Games)
Twins over Yankees (4 Games)

ALCS
Twins over Rays (7 Games)

NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

NLDS
Phillies over Dodgers (5 Games)
Cardinals over Giants (5 Games)

NLCS
Cardinals over Phillies (6 Games)

WORLD SERIES

Twins over Cardinals (7 Games)


It's early, and I reserve the right to change my predictions leading up to the season. A lot of signings and injuries can still take place between now and opening day. I feel really confident in my Twins this year. New stadium. New faces (Jim Thome, Orlando Hudson, JJ Hardy to name a few). A long term contract for Joe Mauer soon to be finalized. A rematch of the 1987 World Series with the Cardinals just seems to complete the picture. It should be an awesome season. I really can't wait for opening day! GO BASEBALL!

I know it is early... but as a die hard MLB fan, I can't wait for the 2010 season to begin. I know an "All MLB" team doesn't really exist; but if it did, who would you pick?

FIRST TEAM
SP...Felix Hernandez, SEA
RP...Joe Nathan, MIN
C...Joe Mauer, MIN
1B...Albert Pujols, STL
2B...Chase Utley, PHI
3B...Evan Longoria, TB
SS...Hanley Ramirez, FLA
LF...Ryan Braun, MIL
CF...Matt Kemp, LAD
RF...Nick Markakis, BAL
DH...David Ortiz, BOS


SECOND TEAM
SP...T.Lincecum, SF
RP...M.Rivera, NYY
C...B.McCann, ATL
1B...R.Howard, PHI
2B...R.Cano, NYY
3B...P.Sandoval, SF
SS...T.Tulowitzki, COL
LF...M.Holliday,STL
CF...T.Hunter, LAA
RF...A.Ethier, LAD
DH...J.Kubel, MIN

THIRD TEAM
SP...Z.Greinke, KC
RP...J.Papelbon, BOS
C...M.Wieters, BAL
1B...J.Morneau, MIN
2B...I.Kinsler, TEX
3B...M.Reynolds, ARI
SS...D.Jeter, NYY
LF...C.Lee, HOU
CF...D.Span, MIN
RF...M.Cuddyer, MIN
DH...A.Lind, TOR