Revised MLB Standings Predictions

Not being a homer, sticking with my Tigers pick, they hvae finally came together and they might not stop, anything is possible but I think these right here are going to be right!

AL EAST	W-L
Yankees	97-65
Rays	90-72
Orioles	88-74
Blue Jays	84-78
Red Sox	80-82
AL CENTRAL	W-L
Tigers	94-68
White Sox	85-77
Indinas	76-86
Royals	73-89
Twins	69-93
AL WEST	W-L
Rangers	94-68
Angels	92-70
Athletics	86-76
Mariners	71-91
NL EAST	W-L
Nationals	95-67
Braves	93-69
Marlins	85-77
Mets	81-81
Philies	70-92
NL CENTRAL	W-L
Pirates	94-68
Reds	90-72
Cardinals	88-74
Brewers	75-87
Cubs	67-95
Astros	64-98
NL WEST	W-L
Giants	96-66
Dodgers	91-71
D’Backs	82-80
Padres	70-92
Rockies	68-94
Wild Card-AL	Rays	over	Angels	9 to 6
Wild Card-NL	Dodgers	over	Braves	4 to 3
ALDS	Rays	over	Rangers	in 5
	Tigers	over	Yankees	in 5
NLDS	Nationals	over	Dodgers	in 4
	Giants	over	Pirates	in 4
ALCS	Tigers	over	Rays	in 6
NLCS	Nationals	over	Giants	in 7
WS	Tigers	over	Nationals	in 6

White Sox Get Youkilis From Red Sox

The White Sox have acquired Kevin Youkilis from the Red Sox For Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge.  From the Boston aspect of the deal, Will Middlebrooks was doing to good to send down and Youk’s time had run out in Boston as Middlebrooks was doing better and a better fit moving forward, Boston got some great years and moments out of Youkilis and he was one of the better Red Sox in their 2000’s history.  They got Zach Stewart, a top pitching prospect with a good arm, who may not be as good as he was once touted to be but he could fill in as a four or five guy or a power bullpen arm one day, he was a nice, decent piece for the Red Sox in the deal.  The Red Sox also got Brent Lillibridge, who can play outfield and infield and should continue to do what he’s done with the White Sox, although in Boston his power could get a bit better.  The teams that didn’t get Youk are the Pirates,w ho I think should have tried hard for him, the Dodgers who he would have helped but didn’t lose out on as much or the Indians, where he could have been a nice piece.  Though the Tigers should still overtake the White Sox, their line-up is good enough to stay in the race with Detroit now and the Tigers need to beat them.  Youkilis needed a change of scenery and the White Sox are a good fit, he;s still in a hitter friendly park and though his numbers have a downward trend, he should make it go upward and even if he doesn;t, he will still be productive and be a huge upgrade over Morel and Hudson at third.  Youkilis should continue being an all-star in Chicago and it was a key and real good acquisition for the White Sox,  Dunn, Konerko, and Youk will be pretty good for them, but I still don;t think it’ll be enough.  I’d hit Youkilis fifth, like he did some of his time in Boston, but second isn;t a bad slot for him either.

Brewers Sign Aramis Ramirez, Trade McGehee

The Brewers have signed the a deal to get Aramis Ramirez for three years.  If Prince leaves he can slip right into the four-spot and hit 30 homers and hit .290 no problem.  The best part for him is that he still gets to go to Wrigley and stay in the NL Central, so expect his beating up on the NL to continue and his 2012 be a lot like his 2011.  His defense is a little below average but the Brewers need him and the defense isn;t much a concern for me at all.  He will be pretty good all three years and maybe four if his option is picked up, I see him a having a good later career, especially on the Brewers.  They got a middle of the line-up hitter who will do some great things with the bat for 36 million a year, which is almost a steal.  This makes the Brewers a lot better and I expect them to stay in it even if Braun is suspended in large part to Aramis, who will just flat-out be a good player for the Brewers.  The Tigers missed out big here and they need a bat like his and for that cheap, it was a miss.  The Pirates then traded Casey McGehee to the Pirates for Jose Veras, who will be a solid bullpen arm but doesn’t quite make up for Saito or Hawkins.  McGehee might be average or below average at first but I expect his first season as a Pirate to be his best, and it will be decent.  Even off the bench, he will be a very nice player and could hit as high as .275.

Moves: Nathan, Barmes, Wiggington

• The Rangers signed Joe Nathan in what I think is a very good move, he will slowly recover and should become his old self for at least one more year if not two.  This also means Neftali Feliz will be moved to the rotation, which is another good move.  Nathan might need some time but once the season starts to head toward May he should be a great everyday closer and he fits very well with Texas.  He’s always been a fine closer and even if he doesn’t fully live up to his contract he will shot that a lot.  He’s a closer and any other potion relieving may not be good for him.  I expect him to get between 35-40 saves in Texas and not blow that many.  He will be a very productive closer, who pitches fine at home and against the AL West
• The Pirates have signed Clint Barmes to play shortstop everyday, he’s a slight upgrade over Ronny Cedeno.  He’s a solid everyday starter when healthy and he has some power that he could show from time to time in Pittsburgh.  He won’t do anything great but he will be solid.    His average will be the real struggle but he should hit .265-ish and do okay in Pittsburgh.  it’s an okay fit and sign
• Ty Wiggington was traded to the Phillies and he should be a good back-up utility man who can hit and can pair up with Wilson Valdez.  I like this for the Phillies and he could also be a great pinch hitter and provide some nice pop and big hits.  The con is his average and defense but he should survive and be a good bench player in 2012.  The Rockies will receive a player to be named later.  EDGE: Phillies

Hot Stove: Cespedes, Barajas

• I believe Yoenis Cepedes would fit best with the Tigers, Marlins or Yankees.  He looks to have a great speed-power combo and has ability.  He can defiantly hit and looks to be a top prospect who will do really good regardless of where he plays and has a chance to be a perennial all-star.  I would say 25-335 HR and 35-50 SB for him on a regular basis.  I like him a lot and he could be a huge piece in a ny franchise
• The Diamondbacks brought back Willie Bloomquist and he should do really good as a utility man, it was a good move bringing him back on the D’Backs part and I believe that he will be a big piece this upcoming year and could do some great work on defense and offense.  Teh D’Backs needed to bring him back.
• The Pirates signed Rod Barajas and I don;t believe he’s done yet.  I think he could have a good year and be an above average catcher and not slack on defense.  It’s a good signing and might allow Tony Sanchez playing time later too.  On Opening Day Barajas should be a  good starter and McKenry a good back-up.  Barajas will hit a few more homers than in 2011 and should keep a higher batting average compared to his usual and get on.  He’s a nice veteran for the Pirates to have and hit seventh or eighth.

MLB Power Rankings 8/19/11

1. Phillies- The best, no question
2. Red Sox- Really Good, easily better than the Yankees
3. Braves- I can’t find many negatives
4. Yankees- Starters and Injuries a concern but a good team
5. Brewers- Hottest in baseball and Weeks isn’t even back yet
6. Rangers- Ready for another deep postseason run
7. Diamondbacks- Look better than the Giants but not very established yet
8. Giants- Lincecum has been a n ace as has Cain and Vogelsong and Sanchez have been a great supporting cast.  No offense though
9. Tigers- If the starters can come around they are a pretty deep team
10. Rays- The wrong division, one of the most talented teams in the MLB, bright future
11. Cardinals- Berkman, Holliday and Pujols won’t make it easy on Brewers but Garcia struggles are big trouble
12. Indians- Ubaldo will help but just aren’t THAT good
13. Angels- Wells is killing them but Santana is hot and Trumbo is a very talented player
14. White Sox- If Dunn comes around, watch out, Humber being out hurts though
15. Blue Jays- Above average but this isn’t their year to shine
16. Pirates- A .500 team, finally.  If Alvarez comes around and they stay healthy could be much, much more
17. Reds- Could climb up the list and come back very strong
18. Rockies- Another team that had just one bad year and Tulo could light up September
19. Marlins- Should being doing a lot better but dumb moves like demoting Morrison hurt
20. Mets- Not a bad team but not a contender, yet
21. Nationals- Could be next year’s surprise team with Strasburg back, both Zimmerman(n)s and a good year from Werth, don’t forget Harper, at the end of the year, either
22. Twins- Need to come out the gate better but Nishioka is a bust and an easy out, the double play combo needs work
23. Athletics- They look very good and I can’t see them not improving a lot next season
24. Padres- Have some young and promising players but still a few years away
25. Dodgers- Kemp is an MVP candidate and Ethier should come back strong starting this year
26. Mariners- The starters look good and Wells and Carp look like future players but after that it’s hazy
27. Orioles- Not a really good team and still years away from contending
28. Cubs- With Hendry gone it could get better from here
29. Royals- Their outfielders all look good and prospects are bright a better record is ahead
30. Astros- Not much other than Altuve

Analysis: Pirates Get Ludwick, Lee

• The Pirates got Ryan Ludwick for a player to be named.  Though Ludwick will only swat 20 or so homers in a full season every year and isn’t close to being the 37 homer guy he was in St. Louis he will do a solid job and will be a good platoon player with Jones who should get as many starts as possible because I think he can help the Pirates and he’s a veteran who can get RBIs.  he just need s to get on a little more to be really impactful.  The Pirates got him for a player to be named later, who would be a guy like Brian Friday.
• The Pirates also got an underperforming and aging Derrek Lee, but I think he still has a little left in the tank and could go on a power surge or really help the Pirates a lot in another way, like on defense he’s still a bit above average and he’s another veteran and could help in key situations.  Lee’s numbers should see some improvement with he Pirates and he should do an adequate job.  The Pirates gave up Aaron Baker, a future who has a future as a good slugging first baseman.  EDGE: Pirates, for now
• Both could help a little down the stretch but they won’t make a big impact.

5 Tigers Trades That Could Work

5. Tigers Get: OF Josh Willingham   A’s Get: RP Lester Oliveros, RP Jay Voss
Willingham will do a great job in Detroit and the A’s get two quality relivers who could have good careers.  Willingham would do great as a Tiger and it’s worth the deal

4. Tigers Get: OF Ryan Ludwick  Padres Get: SS Gustavo Nunez, RP Lester Oliveros
Ludwick could revive his career and be very successful in Detroit and play really good the rest of the season.  Oliveros is a good guy for the Tigers to trade and he could do great in San Diego and Nunez could be a good top of the order guy when Bartlett leaves.  Nunez would be mostly a singles hitter for the Padres

3. Tigers Get: RP Mike Adams  Padres Get: RP Kenny Faulk, SS Cale Iorg
Adams would do just as good in Detroit and if Perry and Benoit can pan out the Tigers will have one of the best bullpens in the AL.  Iorg might pan out in San Diego and Faulk does a pretty good job and could be some nice help if he makes it to the MLB.

2. Tigers Get: RP Joel Hanrahan  Pirates Get: RP Bruce Rondon, RP Lester Oliveros, 1B Rawley Bishop
Hanrahan will also give the Tigers a huge boost and he’s a fireballer which will make the bullpen even better and I think he can be a great setup man and could fill in for Valverde if Valverde leaves, which hopefully Valverde stays.  The Pirates get two middle tier relief prospect who should do okay and a very underrated first baseman who has the potential to do some good things.

1. Tigers Get: SS Jose Reyes   Mets Get: SP Jacob Turner, SP Andy Oliver, OF Avisail Garcia, 2B Brandon Douglas
Out of all the big names Reyes make the most sense for the Tigers, he will do awesome and would be a great leadoff guy.  They could move Perlata to third and Inge to the utility role.  Reyes would be explosive and upgrade this team in a huge way, easily making them better than the Indians.  The cost of getting and keeping Reyes is high though and I think the Tigers should keep Turner and Oliver.  If they start to win a lot then I would make this deal if I could though.

Power Rankings

1. Indinas
2. Phillies
3. Rays
4. Yankees
5. Giants
6. Cardinals
7. Marlins
8. Reds
9. Rangers
10. Red Sox
11. Braves
12. Rockies
13. Tigers
14. Brewers
15. Blue Jays
16. Angels
17. Atheltics
18. Royals
19. White Sox
20. Pirates
21. Diamondbacks
22. Mets
23. Nationals
24. Dodgers
25. Orioles
26. Marienrs
27. Cubs
28. Padres
29. Astros
30. Twins

Players Doing Well: Morton, Berkman, A. Sanchez

• Charlie Morton has had a pretty good year and he’s has copied Roy Halladay’s mechanics but he obviously won’t be as good as him.  I think he could breakout this year but he will never be an elite guy or even as close to as good as Halladay.  He will be a decent three guy who keeps his ERA low and wins more games than he loses by a bit.  He looks solid but I won’t buy into him being a start yet.
• Lance Berkman has been doing great along with Matt Holliday and when Pujols shows up if Berkman stays doing even half as good as he’s been this year they will be a big pest for the Reds and Brewers.  I think he could stay hot too, he has tons of power and it will stay a higher number and he can hit and he has a good track record so I think he could do very well, not at this pace but he could hit 30 homers and have a great late career surge
• Anibal Sanchez has been unhittable at times this year and he will do that and I think behind the big guys he will be a great pitcher and have the bests season of his career but he will have some bad games, just a real good starter.