2009 MLB Preview - Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers
Manager: Ron Washington (3rd season)
2008 Record: 79-83 (2nd AL West)


Added: OF Andruw Jones (LAD), SP Kris Benson (PHI), RP Derrick Turnbow (MIL)
Lost: C Gerald Laird (DET), 3B Ramon Vazquez (PIT), OF Milton Bradley (CHC)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. 2B Ian Kinsler (.319, 102 R, 18 HR, 71 RBI, 26 SB) 2. 3B Michael Young (.284, 102 R, 12 HR, 82 RBI) 3. CF Josh Hamilton (.304, 98 R, 32 HR, 130 RBI) 4. RF Nelson Cruz (.330, 19 R, 7 HR, 26 RBI) 5. DH Hank Blalock (.287, 37 R, 12 HR, 38 RBI) 6. 1B Chris Davis (.285, 51 R, 17 HR, 55 RBI) 7. LF David Murphy (.275, 64 R, 15 HR, 74 RBI) 8. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.253, 27 R, 3 HR, 26 RBI) 9. SS Elvis Andrus (Rookie)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Kevin Millwood (9-10, 5.07 ERA, 125 K) 2. Vicente Padilla (14-8, 4.74 ERA, 127 K) 3. Kris Benson (Hasn't pitched since 2006) 4. Brandon McCarthy (1-1, 4.09 ERA, 10 K) 5. Matt Harrison (9-3, 5.49 ERA, 42 K)

Bench
C Taylor Teagarden, SS Omar Vizquel, OF Marlon Byrd, OF Andruw Jones

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Frank Francisco (5 SV, 63.1 IP, 47 H, 83 K, 3.13 ERA), C.J. Wilson, Derrick Turnbow, Eddie Guardado, Warner Madrigal

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Fantasy Studs: 2B Ian Kinsler, OF Josh Hamilton
Fantasy Sleepers: 1B Chris Davis, OF Nelson Cruz

Men In The Minors: C Max Ramirez, 1B Justin Smoak, OF Julio Borbon, SP Neftali Perez, SP Derek Holland

Home Ballpark: Ballpark at Arlington (Grade 7/10)

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Team Outlook: If you want to go to a baseball and see a lot of runs, then head to Arlington to check out the Rangers because they will score. As usual, the pitching staff though is what is keeping this team from any serious consideration for the playoffs. Millwood is a cagey vet but he's not good. Padilla also is probably on the downside of his career. Benson hasn't pitched since 2006 and the final 2 are just simple unproven. The bullpen has bright signs but many times, they will be pitching from behind. The lineup though will score a ton of runs. The top 3 of Kinsler, Young and Hamilton should make for lots of runs. Cruz has the potential to his with a ton of power as well. Davis is the most intriguing player. He has plenty of pop in his bat too and if he keeps hi average up, will be a threat for years to come. I don't like this team's chances to win the division but once they get some pitching, they will be a very dangerous team.

Next Preview: Toronto Blue Jays

2009 MLB Preview - Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays
Manager: Joe Maddon (4th season)
2008 Record: 97-65 (1st AL East)
Postseason: Won AL Pennant

Added: OF Pat Burrell (PHI), OF Matt Joyce (DET), RP Joe Nelson (FLA), RP Jason Isringhausen (STL)
Lost: OF Rocco Baldelli (BOS), SP Edwin Jackson (DET), RP Trever Miller (STL)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. 2B Akinori Iwamura (.274, 91 R, 6 HR, 48 RBI) 2. LF Carl Crawford (.273, 69 R, 8 HR, 57 RBI, 25 SB) 3. 1B Carlos Pena (.247, 76 R, 31 HR, 102 RBI) 4. 3B Evan Longoria (.272, 67 R, 27 HR, 85 RBI) 5. DH Pat Burrell (.250, 74 R, 33 HR, 86 RBI) 6. RF Matt Joyce (.252, 40 R, 12 HR, 33 RBI) 7. C Dioner Navarro (.295, 43 R, 7 HR, 54 RBI) 8. CF Gabe Gross (.238, 46 R, 13 HR, 40 RBI) 9. SS Jason Bartlett (.286, 46 R, 1 HR, 37 RBI, 20 SB)

NOTE: CF B.J. Upton will return in late April/early May due to injury

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. James Shields (14-8, 3.56 ERA, 160 K) 2. Scott Kazmir (12-8, 3.49 ERA, 166 K) 3. Matt Garza (11-9, 3.70 ERA, 128 K) 4. Andy Sonnanstine (13-9, 4.38 ERA, 124 K) 5. Jeff Niemann (2-2, 5.06 ERA, 14 K)

Bench
C Shawn Riggins, IF Willy Aybar, IF/OF Ben Zobrist, OF Gabe Kapler

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Troy Percival (28 SV, 45.2 IP, 29 H, 38 K, 4.53), Dan Wheeler, Jason Isringhausen, Grant Balfour, Chad Bradford, J.P Howell

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Fantasy Studs: 3B Evan Longoria, OF Carl Crawford
Fantasy Sleepers: SP Matt Garza

Men In The Minors: C John Jaso, SS Reid Brignac, SS Tim Beckham, OF Desmond Jennings, SP David Price, SP Wade Davis

Home Ballpark: Tropicana Field (Grade 3/10)

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Team Outlook: Apparently, the word "Devil" is what was holding this team back. Last year saw an amazing ascension from laughing stock to baseball darling. Now, the Rays have to prove that last year was no fluke. They bring back many of the pieces from last year. The pitching staff is the same besides Jackson, who bolted for Detroit. Niemann is in the 5 slot now, but he's just keeping the spot warm for David Price, who will be in the rotation sooner rather than later. The bullpen stays the same pretty much, but expect Percival to struggle as closer a bit. I mean, he is 38 years old. The lineup is just as strong as last year. Upton's injury will only cause him to miss 2-4 weeks of the beginning of the season but once he is inserted, the 1-6 slots are all a tough out. Burrell is a good addition, especially his power, which this team lacked at times. Baldelli is gone but Joyce is an apt replacement there as well. And again, the bench has plenty of depth. This team should win and a win a lot. Not only do they have the tools, but they also have belief.

Next Preview: Texas Rangers

2009 MLB Preview - St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: Tony LaRussa (14th season)
2008 Record: 86-76 (3rd NL Central)


Added: SS Khalil Greene (SD), RP Trever Miller (TB)
Lost: 2B Felipe Lopez (AZ), 2B Aaron Miles (CHC), SS Cesar Izturis (BAL)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. 2B Skip Schumaker (.302, 87 R, 8 HR, 46 RBI) 2. CF Rick Ankiel (.264, 65 R, 25 HR, 71 RBI) 3. 1B Albert Pujols (.357, 100 R, 37 HR, 116 RBI) 4. RF Ryan Ludwick (.299, 104 R, 37 HR, 113 RBI) 5. 3B David Freese (Rookie) 6. SS Khalil Greene (.213, 30 R, 10 HR, 35 RBI) 7. C Yadier Molina (.304, 37 R, 7 HR, 56 RBI) 8. LF Colby Rasmus (Rookie)

NOTE: 3B Troy Glaus will return in late April/early May due to injury

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Adam Wainwright (11-3, 3.20 ERA, 91 K) 2. Chris Carpenter (0-1, 1.76 ERA, 7 K) 3. Kyle Lohse (15-6, 3.78 ERA, 119 K) 4. Joel Piniero (7-7, 5.15 ERA, 81 K) 5. Todd Wellemayer (13-9, 3.71 ERA, 134 K)

Bench
C Jason LaRue, IF/OF Chris Duncan, IF Brendan Ryan, IF Brian Barden

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Jason Motte (Just 12 appearances), Ryan Franklin, Trever Miller, Josh Kinney, Dennys Reyes

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Fantasy Studs: 1B Albert Pujols, OF Ryan Ludwick
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Colby Rasmus

Men In The Minors: C Bryan Anderson, 3B Brett Wallace, OF Daryl Jones, SP Jess Todd, SP Lance Lynn

Home Ballpark: Busch Stadium (Grade 9/10)

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Team Outlook: For many teams, 86-76 is a good year but for the Cardinals, it was a bit of a disappointment. But considering all the injuries they had to deal with, especially on the pitching staff, the 2008 season should just be thrown away. This year, if the staff stays healthy, this team could be very dangerous. Wainwright showed flashes of his talent last year before injury. Carpenter has looked great all spring, hoping to return to the form of years past. Lohse has been nothing but steady for the team. Pineiro has the potential for 12-15 wins and if Wellemayer can just replicate last year's 13-win campaign, this staff could carry this team. Of course, getting some run support would help and they should with the help of Pujols and Ludwick. Ludwick's numbers may drop a bit but expect better numbers from Greene and Schumaker. The biggest question mark right now is the closer spot where Motte will be given the ball. How he does early in the year will be the most interesting thing to see. This team is talented, has one of the best managers in the game, and knows what it takes to reach the playoffs. They are a contender for a playoff spot for sure.

Next Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

2009 MLB Preview - Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners
Manager: Don Wakamatsu (1st season)
2008 Record: 61-101 (4th AL West)


Added: IF Russell Branyan (MIL), OF Ken Griffey Jr. (CHW), OF Franklin Gutierrez (CLE), OF Endy Chavez (NYM), RP Aaron Heilman (NYM)
Lost: Of Raul Ibanez (PHI), OF Jeremy Reed (NYM), RP J.J. Putz (NYM)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. CF Ichiro Suzuki (.310, 103 R, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 43 SB) 2. LF Endy Chavez (.267, 30 R, 1 HR, 12 RBI) 3. 3B Adrian Beltre (.266, 74 R, 25 HR, 77 RBI, 23 SB) 4. 1B Russell Branyan (.250, 24 R, 12 HR, 20 RBI) 5. DH Ken Griffey Jr. (.249, 67 R, 18 HR, 71 RBI) 6. 2B Jose Lopez (.297, 80 R, 17 HR, 89 RBI) 7. C Kenji Johjima (.227, 29 R, 7 HR, 39 RBI) 8. CF Franklin Gutierrez (.248, 54 R, 8 HR, 41 RBI) 9. SS Yuniesky Betancourt (.279, 66 R, 7 HR, 51 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Felix Hernandez (9-11, 3.45 ERA, 175 K) 2. Erik Bedard (6-4, 3.67 ERA, 72 K) 3. Jarrod Washburn (5-14, 4.69 ERA, 87 K) 4. Carlos Silva (4-15, 6.46 ERA, 69 K) 5. Ryan Rowland-Smith (5-3, 3.42 ERA, 77 K)

Bench
IF Ronny Cedeno, IF Chris Burke, OF Wladamir Belentien

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Brandon Morrow (10 SV, 64.2 IP, 40 H, 75 K, 3.34 ERA), Miguel Batitsta, David Aardsma, Mark Lowe, Roy Corcoran

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Fantasy Studs: SP Feliz Hernandez
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Franklin Gutierrez

Men In The Minors: C Adam Moore, SS Carlos Triunfel, OF Michael Saunders, OF Greg Halman, SP Juan Ramirez, SP Phillippe Aumont

Home Ballpark: Safeco Field (Grade 8/10)

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Team Outlook: My how far they have fallen. The last time Griffey Jr. was on the Mariners, they were chasing playoff spots. That surely was not the case last season when they lost 101 times. Things could change this season though. The lineup looks revamped. They did lose Ibanez but did a decent job of getting some other bats to replace him. Griffey, Chavez and Branyan are all good pick-ups for a team that needs to turn it around. Beltre and Lopez are also bright spots in the lineup while Gutierrez could become a star as an everyday player. The pitching staff is led by Hernandez, who has electric stuff. Bedard has not pitched well since coming to Seattle yet. Washburn had just an awful 2008 campaign that he hopes to turn around while Silva and Rowland-Smith should just strive to contribute 10 wins. With a new manager and plenty of new faces, there is reason to believe that the losing culture that has been around this team is now gone. There is hope for a good season with the pieces that have in place.

Next Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

2009 MLB Preview - San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants
Manager: Bruce Bochy (3rd season)
2008 Record: 72-90 (4th NL West)


Added: SS Edgar Renteria (DET), IF Juan Uribe (CHW), SP Randy Johnson (AZ), RP Bob Howry (CHC), Jeremy Affeldt (CIN)
Lost: SP Brian Hennessey (BAL)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. RF Randy Winn (.306, 84 R, 10 HR, 64 RBI, 25 SB) 2. SS Edgar Renteria (.270, 69 R, 10 HR, 55 RBI) 3. 3B Pablo Sandoval (.345, 24 R, 3 HR, 24 RBI) 4. C Bengie Molina (.292, 46 R, 16 HR, 95 RBI) 5. LF Fred Lewis (.282, 81 R, 9 HR, 40 RBI, 21 SB) 6. CF Aaron Rowand (.271, 51 R, 13 HR, 70 RBI) 7. 1B Travis Ishikawa (.274, 12 R, 3 HR, 15 RBI) 8. 2B Emmanuel Burriss (.283, 37 R, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 13 SB)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265 K) 2. Matt Cain (8-14, 3.76 ERA, 186 K) 3. Randy Johnson (11-10, 3.91 ERA, 173 K) 4. Barry Zito (10-17, 5.15 ERA, 120 K) 5. Johnathan Sanchez (9-12, 5.01 ERA, 157 K)

Bench
IF Rich Aurilia, IF Juan Uribe, OF Nate Schiertholtz, OF Eugenio Velez

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Brian Wilson (41 SV, 62.1 IP, 62 H, 67 K, 4.62 ERA), Bob Howry, Jeremy Affeledt, Alex Hinshaw, Sergio Romo

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Fantasy Studs: SP Tim Lincecum
Fantasy Sleepers: IF Pablo Sandoval, 2B Emmanuel Burriss, SP Johnathan Sanchez

Men In The Minors: C Buster Posey, 1B Angel Villalona, 2B Nick Noonan, 3B Conor Gillaspie, SP Madison Bumgarner

Home Ballpark: AT&T Park (Grade 9/10)

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Team Outlook: The team that the Giants put on the field last year was not a good one, and the results showed. This year though, there is a bit of an infusion of young talent. The Giants have a very good farm system right now and it is slowly being showcased in the big leagues. In the lineup, the new faces include Sandoval and Burriss, who should make nice impacts with their bats and speed. Picking up Renteria is a solid pickup, giving them a nice #2 hitter behind Winn. Ishikawa is another somewhat new face and could play a big role in the lineup as well. As far as pitching, Lincecum is the ace by far. After that, it's a lot of pitchers with great stuff but also inconsistent. Cain has been great before but was not last year. Johnson is just out there to throw innings. Zito is hoping 2009 is the year he is worth his gaudy contract. Sanchez is the sleeper though. When healthy, he could be a 15-game winner as the #5 guy. Plus, this team has a good manager in Bruce Bochy to lead the way for them. They probably will not compete for a division title this season but they will be soon with the talent in the minors and some of the talent in SF right now.

Next Preview: Seattle Mariners