We are only weeks away from Opening Day in Major League Baseball: A day I know a lot of people have been anticipating. 2013 is going to be an exciting year for baseball. Spring Training itself has already brought so much to the table. We all know for the most part who the top teams are. Now let’s take a look at the teams that are quite overrated this season. Give me a moment as I put on my bullet proof vest.
New York Yankees
The saying happens each year, “I can’t stand the Yankees, but I like Derek Jeter.” This is no surprise coming from the guy who makes headlines just because he’s up and walking again. For those of you who don’t know, Jeter is finishing up rehabbing his surgically repaired ankle from an injury occurring last season. He should be back to play this weekend, and more importantly back for Opening Day against the Red Sox. Recently in some devastating news, outfielder Curtis Granderson (43 bombs last season) will be sidelined for 10 weeks after a forearm fracture due to a hit by pitch. Now, everyone’s favorite subject (remember, I’m fluent in sarcasm) Alex Rodriguez, who was placed on the 60 day disabled list back in February, will probably enter play around midseason. And if you remember seeing A-Rod, he was sitting the bench towards the end of the season, not because of some silly hip injury, but because the guy couldn’t hit the baseball. He hit a wimpy 18 homeruns and had a .272 average. Safe to say, nobody is touching you fantasy wise this year. Dude, if you’re going to be getting paid $29 million, you should hit the damn baseball. Obviously, one cannot rule out Mariano Rivera who did have a knee injury, which will hopefully not affect him on the mound. He did say there was a good chance he would have retired had he been able to return last season to pitch in the payoffs. Depending on how well they do this year (or don’t do) this may be his last season. He is getting up there in age, which always affects a pitcher’s throwing ability.
Glancing at the Yankees roster, comparing it to others, there are a lot of older guys on the team, and a huge amount of injuries. The roster is filled with Kevin Youkilis, Joba Chamberlain, Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Brett Gardner, and Ichiro Suzuki. This year is not the year for the Yankees. And ladies, if A-Rod gives you a ball with his number on it, just make sure your first date is to the batting cages. He could use the practice.
Philadelphia Phillies
Ok, now before you start throwing things at me, just don’t throw things at me. This one is difficult because it has former Rookie of the Year (and about a trillion other awards) Ryan Howard, and the legend himself Roy Halladay, who has an impressive resume as well, and they have a phenomenal pitching staff. However the Phillies struggle to stay healthy. (Howard recently suffered an Achilles injury) and Chase Utley had a late start last year due to a cartilage-related knee issue, and Delmon Young is expected to miss the first month of the season due to an ankle surgery done in November to remove bone spurs as well as smooth out cartilage. This doesn’t help the outfield which is already a bit unorganized having ten outfielders in spring training camp right now, while Ben Revere out there in centerfield may seem to be a good thing, it is his first year with the Phillies however, and it may be tough for him to prove himself to the team. He has the talent, but he is young, and it may take some time for him to adjust in this new league also. Here’s another important factor; they have to deal with the Upton brothers in Atlanta, and Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper on the Washington Nationals. So good luck with that.
Baltimore Orioles
Buck Showalter helped the Orioles big time last season, which gives the team a tremendous amount of confidence headed into this season. Brian Roberts played in only 18 games last year, so if he doesn’t stay healthy this time around, it could mean bad news for the guys in orange and black. The team also struggles with ace pitchers, especially when you compare ace pitchers for the Red Sox and the highly anticipated R.A. Dickey pitching for the Blue Jays this season. They have four pitchers (Jason Hammel-who made only 20 starts last season, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman) that may be able to get the job done. They will not be able to go 74-0 after seven innings or 16-2 in extra inning games this season like they ridiculously did last year. Speaking of last year, they did have a lot of luck last season, but don’t expect the same amount of magic this time around.
Los Angeles Dodgers
I hear Jerry Maguire “Show me the money!” Don’t you? This team is going for the “Yankee mentality” and it’s pretty much World Series or bust, which is fine, but you have to remember that after this season, there are OTHER seasons. The expectations are higher than Snoop Dogg. They have so much money invested in Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, and don’t worry, I See You Hanley Ramirez. He is pretty lethal on the bases, and has proven that already in Spring Training, which will help, but don’t expect him to carry the team, and it‘s not like Mark Ellis is exactly a power hitter with seven homeruns and a .258 average last year. Clayton Kershaw has been struggling this spring (I get it it’s only spring training) with guys getting on base, and he’s desperately trying to hit corners. Maybe he still has a hip issue? I don’t expect fantasy owners to be super happy with him on their lineup right now afterall he does have a 9.0 ERA currently. It’s a waiting game to see how he does on the season opener. There are $400 million in future commitments, and you have to remember that money doesn’t buy you happiness, and it certainly doesn't buy you championships. Don Mattingly is a great leader fot this team, and they do have a solid foundation for the future. The Dodgers’ lineup looks beautiful on paper, but don’t expect to see them making the World Series. They will be like you, and watching the World Series from home.
St. Louis Cardinals
Every time a team wins a World Series, for the next few years they are automatically put on a pedestal and are expected to repeat. The Cardinals aren’t exactly overrated, but they do have higher expectations. Shortstop Rafael Furcal has a right elbow injury that he said recently is really hurting him every time he throws, and he may need surgery. This means Pete Kozma is probably going to get the job. He is young, and made some rookie mistakes last year in the postseason, which creates some concern. They have a strong pitching staff in Adam Wainwright, so hopefully he stays healthy. They recently lost pitcher Chris Carpenter due to an injury and even though they made it far last year essentially without using him too much, he does play a leadership role on the team. Carlos Beltran did tail off towards the end of last season (especially compared to the ridiculous first three months he had) so that raises some red flags when they also have a very tiny amount of depth in the outfield, so hopefully Beltran stays on his game, because they also have one less power hitter in the lineup in Albert Pujols since going to the Halos and Kyle Lohse is still waiting on a fat contract from a team interested in the veteran right hander (rumors are it may be the Texas Rangers).
With that being said, the Cincinnati Reds are the team to beat in this division. The Cardinals WILL make the playoffs, I see that happening. However, they will not make the World Series. I suppose history repeats itself.