Preview Yahoo! Sports

American League East Predictions


New York Yankees 94-68
Overview: What gets lost in the Yankees' playoff disappointments the last five seasons is their eight consecutive division championships. Fact is, the Yankees are difficult to beat in the regular season, and a potent lineup adding Johnny Damon is like a bonfire that gets a few sprays of lighter fluid. Starting pitching wins in the postseason, though, and that will continue to be New York's real burning question.


Boston Red Sox 92-70
Overview: The Red Sox are girding as much for the future as they are for this season, and GM Theo Epstein will take a long look at his best young players this season. Trades for Coco Crisp and Wily Mo Pena give Boston two-thirds of its outfield for at least a few seasons, and Josh Beckett will anchor its rotation. Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen all should pitch for the Red Sox this year, making their outlook for 2007 far rosier than 2006.


Toronto Blue Jays 84-78
Overview: With all the money they spent this offseason, the Blue Jays are bound to improve. Yet the fact remains that they're in the most intimidating division in baseball, and toppling the Yankees and Red Sox takes far more than cash. The requisite attitude comes only with victories, and though the Blue Jays now have A.J. Burnett to pair with Roy Halladay, it still isn't enough.


Baltimore Orioles 70-92
Overview: For all we know, Leo Mazzone could work his magic in Baltimore and turn a talented rotation into one that actually produces. Erik Bedard and Daniel Cabrera are aces waiting to happen, and Ramon Hernandez knows how to handle young pitchers from his days in Oakland. That said, the Orioles' bullpen is questionable and their ability to recapture the early-'90s winning won't happen with this team.


Tampa Bay Devil Rays 66-96
Overview: At long last, the Devil Rays have some semblance of a foundation. New manager Joe Maddon, with all of his experience and quirks, is the perfect complement to Ivy-educated general manager Andrew Friedman. And the talent is abundant: Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and others give Friedman a stable to deal from if he wants some pitching to go along with Scott Kazmir.

American League Central Predictions


Chicago White Sox 98-64
Overview: The World Series champions landed Javier Vazquez to give them a rotation with five potential No. 1 starters. They traded for Jim Thome, who is a 35-homer lock if his balky back doesn't freeze up. They lost a couple of middle relievers, but there is so much depth in their system that they can trade for bullpen help if necessary. The only thing in the way of a Chicago repeat could be the division rival chasing them.


Cleveland Indians 95-67
Overview: Why, exactly, the doomsday scenarios for the Indians? Because Kevin Millwood is gone? With the money they would have spent on him, Cleveland will lock up Grady Sizemore in addition to Jhonny Peralta and Victor Martinez. Worries about Coco Crisp? Just watch what Jason Michaels does in a full season, and then remember that Andy Marte will solve the franchise's third-base problem. Lost a couple middle relievers? Bobby Howry was a scrap-heap signing, much like Steve Karsay, who looks tremendous.


Minnesota Twins 85-77
Overview: Questions about their lineup will dog the Twins until they show they can score some runs. Because the pitching is there, as always, with Johan Santana looking like Randy Johnson, minus 8 inches, Brad Radke and Carlos Silva the game's two best practitioners of control, Francisco Liriano waiting to live up to all the hype and Joe Nathan as money as closers get. That said, the development of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel and Jason Bartlett will make or break the Twins now and in the future.


Detroit Tigers 66-96
Overview: It is an impressive collection of names Dave Dombrowski has assembled, yet something about the Tigers just doesn't feel right. We're still waiting for Jeremy Bonderman to become an elite starter, wondering if Magglio Ordoez really is worth $70 million, wanting to know if Todd Jones, at 38, can repeat his last season – wary, frankly, that the Tigers are anything more than a bunch of pieces thrown together, ones that even Jim Leyland won't be able to harness.


Kansas City Royals 65-97
Overview: Well, they won't lose 100 games this year. That is the good news for the Royals. The bad news is that Zack Greinke, their should-be No. 1 starter, has emotional issues and no one knows when he'll return to the team. And that Mark Redman and Mike MacDougal, their ace and closer, will probably start the season on the disabled list. And that signing Reggie Sanders and Mark Grudzielanek and Scott Elarton doesn't undo the kneecapping of GM Allard Baird by those who hold the franchise's purse strings.

Tient c'est bizarre, yahoo voit les red sox avant les blue jays, pas comme beaucoup de mag américains. Il faut dire aussi, que apres réflexion ... je ne vois pas comment les red sox pourrait passer apres. Et quand j'ai vu joué Coco Crisp hier ... cela m'a confirmé a quel point, Boston a un gros coup a jouer.

Ca va etre serré pour cette AL east, surtout pour les 3 premières équipes.

Les yanks seront clairement devant, il n'y a pas de doutes la dessus. Je pense que le combat se jouera entre les Blue jays et les Red sox.

American League West Predictions


Oakland Athletics 93-69
Overview: Like the White Sox, only their lineup has a tick less punch. Still, with a rotation of Barry Zito, Rich Harden, Danny Haren, Joe Blanton and Esteban Loaiza, the A's really can't go wrong. Closer Huston Street showed his chops last year as a rookie, as did Dan Johnson and Nick Swisher, now everyday mainstays alongside new acquisitions Frank Thomas and Milton Bradley. And all this for around $60 million. Billy Beane, we continue to marvel.


Los Angeles Angels 88-74
Overview: Transitioning from old to young is a move at which only the most deft franchises succeed, and the Angels are faced with that prospect. They're already starting with 23-year-old catcher Jeff Mathis, and with two of the five best hitting prospects in the minor leagues, Howie Kendrick and Brandon Wood, on the cusp, the Angels must decide how to make a run with its current roster – which, with Bartolo Colon at the head of the rotation, can win – and not bury its youth.


Texas Rangers 80-82
Overview: In acquiring live arms, new GM Jon Daniels did what his predecessor, John Hart, never could. But, well, does an infusion of Kevin Millwood, Adam Eaton and Vicente Padilla really change things that much? Even though the Rangers will hit, and Aki Otsuka setting up for Francisco Cordero will be nice, and the DVD of pitching prospects – Thomas Diamond, Edison Volquez and John Danks – will arrive soon, it just looks like same old, same old.


Seattle Mariners 70-92
Overview: Felix Hernandez, who will turn 20 a week into the season, could become the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win more games than his age. Adrian Beltre and Ichiro Suzuki are poised for a comeback season, and Richie Sexson will hit his customary 40-plus home runs, and Kenji Johjima, the catcher from Japan, could be an All-Star. So what's the problem? A bullpen that could be scary bad, a middle infield with two babies in Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Lopez, and Jarrod Washburn anchoring the rotation.

Bizarre de Voir les Mariners en dernière position,
Les Angels Ok, mais par rapport au Rangers, je vois plutot Seattle devant.

National League East Predictions


Atlanta Braves 94-68
Overview: Unwritten Baseball Rule No. 2,549: Thou shalt not pick any team aside from the Atlanta Braves to win the NL East. Seriously, why bother? The Braves have booked 14 of them in a row, trot out a rotation headed by Tim Hudson and John Smoltz, and plugged the loss of Rafael Furcal with Edgar Renteria, who is bound to recover from an awful season with Boston. Outfielder Jeff Francoeur and catcher Brian McCann are budding stars, and talent abounds in Atlanta's minor-league system. Now, if they could only find a closer …


New York Mets 88-74
Overview: Just wondering, but how does a rotation that includes Steve Trachsel, Victor Zambrano and Brian Bannister equate to the team that is supposed to dethrone the Braves? Pedro Martinez's toe will cause manager Willie Randolph many a sleepless night, and Tom Glavine just celebrated his 40th birthday. Yes, the lineup is scary, with Carlos Beltran ready to earn his $119 million and David Wright making the leap. Seriously, though, Victor Zambrano?


Philadelphia Phillies 83-79
Overview: By now, the Phillies figured Cole Hamels and Gavin Floyd would be rotation mainstays instead of prospects that have lost their patina. As such, the Phillies enter the season short on pitching – again – and calling on Robinson Tejeda or Eude Brito to fill the back end of its rotation. Though their lineup is formidable, the Phillies can only hope the next round of pitching prospects, Gio Gonzalez and Daniel Haigwood, turn out better than Hamels and Floyd.


Washington Nationals 68-94
Overview: Well, this couldn't have been much worse a spring for the Nationals. They still don't have an owner. Starter Brian Lawrence, acquired in the offseason, will miss at least half the season with an arm injury. Reliever Luis Ayala blew out his elbow during the World Baseball Classic. Alfonso Soriano, 30 going on 13, won't move to the outfield. Hey, at least they're in the same division as the Marlins.


Florida Marlins 56-106
Overview: Since the Marlins will finish with baseball's worst record this season, let's highlight the positive. Miguel Cabrera is good enough to pull an Andre Dawson and win MVP. Dontrelle Willis can pitch (though he looked mighty awful in the WBC). Joe Girardi has taken the team's fire sale like the professional he is, and he'll be the rock for a team with about 327 rookies. And they have a second baseman, Dan Uggla, whose surname describes what the team will look like this season, and that counts for something.

Citation :

Overview: Just wondering, but how does a rotation that includes Steve Trachsel, Victor Zambrano and Brian Bannister equate to the team that is supposed to dethrone the Braves? Pedro Martinez's toe will cause manager Willie Randolph many a sleepless night, and Tom Glavine just celebrated his 40th birthday. Yes, the lineup is scary, with Carlos Beltran ready to earn his $119 million and David Wright making the leap. Seriously, though, Victor Zambrano?

j'aime bien parce que c'est un peu imprécis .... et vite fait comme preview ...

National League Central Predictions


Houston Astros 94-68
Overview: Miserable starts the last two seasons forced the Astros to play out of their mind down the stretch. A lineup with more punch thanks to the maturity of Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane, and the acquisition of Preston Wilson, should take care of that. So long as the Astros can find at least one palatable starter to go with Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte and Brandon Backe – Roger Clemens, perhaps, or prospects Jason Hirsh or Fernando Nieve? – the Astros should be among the best teams in the NL.


St. Louis Cardinals 91-71
Overview: A team without holes the last two seasons enters this season with questions. Who replaces Mark Grudzielanek at second base? Can So Taguchi bring the pop Reggie Sanders did in left field? Will Braden Looper be an adequate substitute for Julian Tavarez? Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter is back at the top of the rotation, and Sidney Ponson tries to come back at the bottom, though Anthony Reyes is waiting to replace him. A healthy Scott Rolen makes the Cardinals a playoff team.


Milwaukee Brewers 89-73
Overview: Everyone's chic playoff sleeper is about a year away. Give Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks time to develop on the right side of the infield, and give Doug Davis, Chris Capuano and Derrick Turnbow time to prove they were more than one-year wonders. The Astros are getting old and the Cardinals vulnerable, and if manager Ned Yost and pitching coach Mike Maddux keep at it, they're heirs to the division title.


Chicago Cubs 81-81
Overview: Kerry Wood was hurt last year and Mark Prior is this year. The Cubs' lineup has the potential to be anemic. GM Jim Hendry and manager Dusty Baker are under fire. And to add insult, the White Sox won the World Series. Still, Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez are at the corners, and Juan Pierre is bound to take enough pitches to again make him one of the game's best leadoff hitters. Average sounds about right.


Pittsburgh Pirates 75-87
Overview: The Pirates, much like the Royals, spent money this offseason to, in part, quell the talk about them pocketing revenue-sharing dollars. And, like the Royals, they didn't do so foolishly, taking on short-term contracts and planning to devote big money to their young players. There are some good ones. Pitchers Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny – 132 big-league innings among them – will comprise 60 percent of the rotation. Keep an eye on young closer Mike Gonzalez, a Billy Wagner clone.


Cincinnati Reds 66-96
Overview: When GM Wayne Krivsky acquired Bronson Arroyo for Wily Mo Pena this week, it was the first step in revamping a pitching staff that had Aaron Harang as the No. 1 starter and still doesn't know its closer (Todd Coffey?). With Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr. and second-year third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, who has looked tremendous all spring, the Reds will put up runs. Right now, though, Krivsky has plenty of work to do in his first season.

National League West Predictions


Los Angeles Dodgers 88-74
Overview: Two years, two overhauls. Difference is, this one is going to work. New GM Ned Colletti had a lot of undoing to fix the mess Paul DePodesta made, and he managed to make quite a dent in one offseason. Three quarters of the infield is new, with Rafael Furcal and Nomar Garciaparra the biggest signings, and getting Jae Seo from the Mets for a pair of relievers was one of the offseason's best moves. If things look good now, remember this: The Dodgers might have the best farm system in baseball.


San Francisco Giants 86-76
Overview: Looks like this is the last run for Barry Bonds and his Aged Marauders. OK, the Giants are younger this year, with Lance Niekro at first base and Randy Winn for the whole year in center field. Left-hander Noah Lowry has such a good changeup he could be among the 10 best starters in the NL by year's end. His development, along with Matt Cain's, is paramount, though neither will cover the Giants' gaping weakness: a bullpen that is rife for exposure.


San Diego Padres 80-82
Overview: After winning the division last year, the Padres were swept out of the playoffs by the Cardinals in embarrassing fashion. That they made the postseason in the first place was a testament to the true horror of the West last season. GM Kevin Towers overhauled the team, and while the acquisition of Mike Cameron, Mike Piazza and Chris Young are upgrades, the rest of the division has caught up. One young player worth watching: second baseman Josh Barfield, Jesse's son.


Arizona Diamondbacks 75-87
Overview: By the end of the season, the Diamondbacks will have Stephen Drew, Carlos Quentin, Conor Jackson and Chris Young in the big leagues. Justin Upton, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft, looked tremendous this spring and could force Arizona to bring him up next year. In the meantime, the Diamondbacks will live through another year with subpar pitching and an aging outfield with Luis Gonzalez and Shawn Green.


Colorado Rockies 70-92
Overview: So, the Rockies have some pitching. Aaron Cook's sinker is one of the best pitches in the big leagues, and Jason Jennings and Jeff Francis have shown they can win in Colorado. Now it's up to the Rockies' lineup – did anyone ever think those words would be uttered? – to hold up their end. Matt Holliday hit last season, as did third baseman Garrett Atkins, who has hot prospect Ian Stewart on his tail.

C'est bien ce que je pensais ... yahoo a fumé ... faire passé les Cards apres les astros ... c'est suicidaire. et mettre les CUbs 4ème ... la bonne blague.

LA devant les Giants ... je sais pas trop mais pourquoi pas. Vu l'équipes qu'ils ont, c'est clair qu'il a du potentiel.


reflexion faite ... je ne vais pas faire attention aux preview de Yahoo, meme ceux de RDS sont meilleurs.

Mais c'est cool d'avoir posté ca ici Jupap ! et bien présenté ! j'aime ca.

Individual Predictions

AL MVP:

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox – So last season wasn't convincing enough, huh? Twenty home runs that tied the game or gave the Red Sox a lead. Dozens more important hits. The fact that he's a DH doesn't take away from a more important one: Without him, the Red Sox wouldn't be playoff contenders.

NL MVP:

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals – For two reasons. First, while we know Barry Bonds is capable of MVP seasons when he's not using steroids, no one can say if he is as a 42-year-old. Second, and more important, Pujols is the steadiest hitter since Joe DiMaggio, who won three MVPs.

AL Cy Young:

Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins – He should have won his second consecutive Cy Young last season after going 9-2 with a 1.59 ERA after the All-Star break.Whatever. At 26, Santana's got plenty of time to win trophies.

NL Cy Young:

Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros – In all four of Oswalt's healthy seasons, he has finished in the top five of Cy Young voting. If he books his third consecutive 20-win season, it might be tough to deny Oswalt the top spot.

AL Rookie of the Year:
Francisco Liriano, Twins – Baseball's best pitching prospect showed during the World Baseball Classic why he generates comparisons to Santana. He's left-handed and has a better fastball and slider than his teammate. Only question is whether he'll make the rotation out of spring training or be up in May.

NL Rookie of the Year:

Jeremy Hermida, Florida Marlins – If you're the kind who believes in foreshadowing, Hermida's first major-league at-bat – a grand slam – portends quite a career for the 22-year-old who also walked 111 times in 118 minor-league games last season.

AL home run leader:

Ortiz – Between the short porch in right field and the Green Monster in left, Fenway Park accommodates Ortiz's propensity to hit towering fly balls that would be outs in most parks. He's a good bet to reach 50 for the first time in his career.

NL home run leader:

Adam Dunn, Cincinnati Reds – Over the last two seasons, no one in the National League hit more home runs than Dunn, who hammered 86. Another advantage: Dunn plays in Great American Ball Park, which needs to add For Hitting Home Runs to the end of its name.

AL batting champion:

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners – Most ballplayers wish they could have an off year like Ichiro did in 2005. He had 206 hits, but his batting average was a career-low .303. Even though the Mariners will struggle, Ichiro comes off a superlative World Baseball Classic ready for his third batting title.

NL batting champion:

Pujols – Among active players, Pujols' .332 career average is second. And the fascinating part is that he manages to keep it there without sacrificing his power. His slugging percentage of .621 is tops among his peers.

AL MVP-in-waiting:

Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians – Fast enough to hit leadoff, smart enough to hit third, strong enough to hit cleanup – stick Sizemore anywhere and he'll succeed. He plays a mean center field, too. And the scary part: He doesn't turn 24 until August.

NL MVP-in-waiting:

David Wright, New York Mets – In Wright's first full season, he drove in more than 100 runs and got on base almost 40 percent of the time. He also was not arrested, which is a good thing but seems a prerequisite for successful, young Mets.

AL Cy Young-in-waiting:

Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox – Yeah, we saw the 2004 playoffs. Yeah, he was really, really good. Now let's see him stay healthy and do it for more than 178 2/3 innings, the career high he set last year.

NL Cy Young-in-waiting:

Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs – He showed better control of his pitches last season, hitting eight batters as opposed to 20 in 2004. If Zambrano can harness his emotions, too, he will be one of the five best pitchers in the game.

First manager fired: Dusty Baker, Cubs – If Baker gets canned, does he knock on Steve Bartman's door and ask for unemployment? Just asking.

First GM fired: Jim Bowden, Washington Nationals – Although his contract was just extended to the end of the season, Bowden's tenure is at the whim of the Nationals' new owner. And new owners generally pick their own management. Other candidates include the Cubs' Jim Hendry, the Royals' Allard Baird and the Rockies' Dan O'Dowd.

Comeback player of the year:

Milton Bradley, Oakland Athletics – So, Bradley wore a green wig in center field on St. Patrick's Day, huh? Maybe the A's clubhouse really is pixie dust for malcontents. If it means he can play a full season without emotional problems sidelining him, the place really is Narnia.

Breakout hitter:

David DeJesus, Kansas City Royals – Injuries have limited DeJesus, who took over in center field for the Royals when Carlos Beltran was traded. The Royals, usually tight with their money, gave DeJesus a five-year, $13.8 million deal anyway, and they should get a .300 average, 15 home runs and Gold Glove-caliber defense for it.

Breakout pitcher:

Aaron Cook, Colorado Rockies – Of all the pitchers to break the curse of Coors Field, the likeliest spent most of last year on the disabled list battling blood clots. Once Cook's dissipated, he went 7-2 with a 3.67 ERA on the strength of a sinker that is one of the National League's best.

On the spot: Bud Selig – The World Baseball Classic was a success. Revenues and ticket sales are up. With those stabilized come two issues that, if handled poorly, could tear down all the good will Selig has built up: How will he handle the steroid fallout from the Barry Bonds books, and will there be labor peace when the collective-bargaining agreement expires in December?

Post Season Predictions

First round
White Sox over the A's in four
Indians over the Yankees in five
Braves over the Cardinals in four
Astros over the Dodgers in four

Championship Series
White Sox over the Indians in seven
Braves over the Astros in six

World Series
Braves over the White Sox in six

Pour les MVP et tout le reste pourquoi pas ... mais pour les post predictions ... ouh la ...

Carlos[15]Beltran a écrit:

C'est bien ce que je pensais ... yahoo a fumé ... faire passé les Cards apres les astros ... c'est suicidaire. et mettre les CUbs 4ème ... la bonne blague.

LA devant les Giants ... je sais pas trop mais pourquoi pas. Vu l'équipes qu'ils ont, c'est clair qu'il a du potentiel.


reflexion faite ... je ne vais pas faire attention aux preview de Yahoo, meme ceux de RDS sont meilleurs.

Mais c'est cool d'avoir posté ca ici Jupap ! et bien présenté ! j'aime ca.

Ouais, c'est clair que c'est plus que louche ces previews. En le lisant je m'en suis rendu compte.
C'est l'opinion d'un gars. je suis pas trop de son avis sur certains points, notament les classement des divisions. Et sur l'élimination des Yankees contre le Indians au premier tour mais bon. Qui sait !!

Pour les previews individuelles, c'est un peu plus compiqué de se prononcer.

ouai , les Indians ... gagné contre les yankees ... bon. Même la finale en elle même c'est louche. Apres comme tu dis pourquoi pas .. mais je partage pas du tout son avis.

Géniales toutes ces previews jupap7

Bon, par contre, clairement, on est tous d'accord pour dire que le ou les journaliste(s) se sont parfois un peu enflammés. Certaines de leurs prédictions n'ont d'égales que les prédictions de Mme Soleil...

Par contre, franchement, ce que j'aime bien chez eux et chez tous les journalistes sportifs américains qui font leurs prédictions, c'est leur sens de l'humour, et ça, ça me fait bien marrer: Soriano qui a 30 ans et qui va sur ses 13 ans, le deuxième base des Marlins, "Uggla", qui résume assez bien la saison à venir des Marlins, et j'en passe des meilleures

Par contre, je voulais rajouter quelques petites choses au sujet des Mariners.

Je ne comprends pas vraiment pourquoi les journalistes voient les Mariners si mauvais. Je ne pense pas que Seattle sera à la ramasse comme pas mal de monde le pense.

Je suis grosse merdo d'accord avec ce que dit le journaliste de Yahoo, en parlant des Ichiro, Beltre, Sexson, Johjima, Hernandez, etc etc...

Bon, ils parlent rapidement du bullpen... je suis d'accord avec eux, ce sera notre point faible...

Mais par contre, ils parlent également des jeunes joueurs du club, dont le middle-infield Betancourt / Lopez, bien trop jeune à son goût et sans expérience. En gros, ils ne seront pas assez matures cette saison... à voir.

Les jeunes sont là, et ils s'amélioreront. Certains pensent que leur réelle éclosion ne se fera pas avant l'année prochaine, moi je pense que ça se fera cette année.

En tout cas, ce qui me rassure, c'est que l'on a des joueurs pour l'avenir, et que de toute façon, même si cette saison est mauvais, les campagnes suivantes auront un bien meilleur goût...

bin c'est pas pire que Kansas, ou ils s'annoncent qu'ils ne prendront pas 100 matchs cette saison, ce qui pour Kansas est plutôt un bonne nouvelle !!

Bah moi ca m'irais bien comme preview
Nan c'est vrai que c'est un peu fort de café a certains endroits
et parfois les justifications sont un peu bizarres "pujols mvp parceque c'est comme ca" ca resume bien la preview

enfin moi tout ce que je veux c'est qu'ils aient raison