30 Teams in 30 Days: Detroit Tigers (Day 8)

30 Teams in 30 Days continues with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers finished 3rd in the AL Central and were able to complete the season at .500. With 81 wins and 81 losses, the Tigers also had a mirrored home and away record with a 52-29 home record, and went 29-52 on the road. At Comerica Park, the Tigers look to have a better season this year and hoping to not face the "drop off" that occurred. In September of 2010, Miguel Cabrera seemed like the only player on the team who was contributing, mainly because he was still in the race for the AL MVP. This year the Tigers acquired Victor Martinez from the Boston Red Sox for their 19th draft pick. Martinez signed for 4 years, $50 million and will likely be the Tigers full time DH. With Austin Jackson, Ryan Raburn, and Magglio Ordonez in the outfield, the Tigers will keep a very similar outfield from what they had last year. Justin Verlander is the Tigers ace, and is a one of the largest assets to the Tigers. Over the past 5 seasons, Verlander has recorded 83 wins with the Tigers, something that is quite impressive. One of the biggest questions coming from the Tigers organization is what are they going to do with Miguel Cabrera's drinking problem. Last month was the second incident within the last 17 months which Cabrera was improperly using alcohol. Both occurrences happened while he was playing for the Tigers. I believe that the AL Central will be a little tighter this year and it could be anyone's game. The Tigers could finish anywhere from first to 4th. I wish them luck in the 2011 season.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Cleveland Indians (Day 7)

The Cleveland Indians are todays focus of the 30 Teams in 30 Days series. The Tribe managed to finish the season with 69 wins and 93 losses. The Indians finished 4th in the AL Central at the end of the 2010 season, and unfortunately for Indians fans, will probably finish 5th at the end of the 2011 season. Cleveland spent the least amount of money in the offseason this year, with less than $5 million spent so far. Most of that money actually comes from the signing of Chad Durbin, who is eligible for approximately $1.8 million in 2011. How can a team place almost the entire offseason payroll be placed into one player? The answer to that is: a team that does not wish to contend. The Indians now are looking to sign Nick Johnson of the New York Yankees, pending a physical. Bad news for the Tribe. Johnson has already been told that he will not clear a physical due to injury. So there is no need to rush into any major talks or contract negotiations with the Yankees or Johnson's agent. The Indians still have players such as Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Orlando Cabrera in the roster. And rookie Carlos Santana is behind the plate for Cleveland, looking to capture what Buster Posey did for the Giants last year. Because of their lack of off season spending, I don't know what else I can I can say but good luck in the 2011.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Kansas City Royals (Day 6)

30 Teams in 30 Days continues with the coverage of the American League Central. At the bottom of the American League Central at the end of the 2010 season was the Kansas City Royals. This blog has now become personal because my future roommate is a diehard Royals fan, and I have to remain neutral, while also respecting the team. The Royals finished with 67 wins at the end of the AL Central, but are never out of contention. The Philadelphia Inquirer and many other sources have reported that Kansas City has the best prospects and the best farm system in the Major League. 4 out of the top 10 prospects are within the Royal's organization. MLB Trade Rumors conducted a story/survey asking when the Royals will have a contending team, it may not be in the 2011, 2012, or even 2013 seasons, but will eventually happen. This is circumstantial, because the possibility of trading away those prospects is always in the air. Kansas City suffered a major loss after losing their best pitcher, Zack Greinke to the Brewers. But with an overall young  team and even younger infield. The oldest player on the team is catcher, Jason Kendall who is 37 and most starters on the team are only 24 or 25. Billy Butler is now the team's DH due to his offensive abilities, but lack of defensive skills. With a relatively young team, the Royals can really emerge in the next few seasons. But little by little, a few games here and a few games there can move the Royals up within the AL Central. That may be this year, judging by the fact that they are leading Spring Training with 5 wins and 1 loss. I do wish the Royals luck in the 2011 season and hope they move up within the AL Central.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Tampa Bay Rays (Day 5)

30 Teams in 30 Days continues with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2010 they finished atop the AL East, holding the best record in the America League with 96 wins. They also had the best road record (47 wins) in all of Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, that momentum was quickly stopped by the Texas Rangers, who were on their way to the World Series. Unfortunately for the Rays, there was a very low fan basis for the entire season, causing them to give away thousands of free tickets for post season games. Tampa Bay somewhat disassembled and then reassembled their team in the offseason. The Rays lost Matt Garza, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Rafael Soriano, and Jason Bartlett. Their two major signings were Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. Bringing the two veterans into the game should help the team continue what they had in 2010, but with five of their best players gone, it may be difficult. They did keep star third baseman Evan Longoria, along with B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist, and David Price. I don't doubt that the Rays will make the playoffs, if it's winning the division or the AL Wildcard, I'm not sure. The Rays have been more successful since 2008, when they dropped the "Devil" in front of their name, and went to the World Series, only to lost to Philadelphia. Joe Maddon, the Rays manager, is preparing for another season with the Rays by inviting them to his house to dinner each night. This is because Maddon's house is so close to the Rays' Spring Training field, and it was reported that he and B.J. Upton had a very nice dinner a week ago. Good for them! I wish the Rays luck in the 2011 season, and I look forward to the AL East in general.

Tomorrow starts the AL Central, so be prepared! I was also discussing the Rays rules about the several catwalks they have in their dome, you would think that they would build a stadium that wouldn't have so many obstructions in the field of play. I look forward to a new dome or stadium!

30 Teams in 30 Days: New York Yankees (Day 4)

30 Teams in 30 Days continues with, the Yankees. Unfortunately, my "excitement" over covering a team I really don't care for doesn't translate onto print. Nonetheless, I have to talk about the Yankees and I intend to do it well. The Yankees did not make many major off season acquisitions but did manage to acquire Rafael Soriano, Russell Martin, and some other pitchers. Plus they signed several minor league deals with several pitchers. And who can forget that the Yankees resigned Derek Jeter? Why they did that, I do not know, but I do know that Jeter is not what he once was and the Yankees are just wasting their money. Another thing the Yankees did not manage to do this off season was successfully sign Cliff Lee. It was speculated that Lee would either stay with the Rangers or go to the Yankees, but the Yankees came up short. Maybe it was because Yankee fans spit on Lee's wife. The Yankees finished second in the AL East and were a game behind the Rays. They clinched the AL Wild Card, made it to the ALCS and lost to the Rangers. But enough about the 2010 season, in 2011, the Yankees will probably finish 3rd in the AL East and miss the playoffs. Sorry Yankees fans, but it's the truth. The Yankees lost their amazing pitching that they had in 2009, which then led them to the World Series. But now it is up to C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett to take them back to the post season. C.C. will probably turn town $92 million and leave the Yankees after this year, and may even sign with the Phillies. Who knows? I did some research and found out that if C.C. does leave the Yankees, that will free up $92 million that the Yankees can then offer to Albert Pujols. Let's hope that trade does not happen. Anyway Yankees, I may not like you, but I do respect your team. Good luck to the Yankees in 2011 in the AL East.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Boston Red Sox (Day 3)

30 Teams in 30 Days continues moving up the AL East by covering, the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have spent enormous amounts of money this off season, and they have created a team that is very likely to succeed in the post season come October 2011. Fenway Park has been alive for years, and after this off season, tickets will be even harder to come by. What Boston's front office did this off season can be summed up into two names: Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. Carl Crawford signed with the Red Sox for 7 years, $142 million contract. Adrian Gonzalez was signed days later for 7 years, $154 million contract. 14 years, $296 million for two players shows that Boston wants to win, win, win, no matter what the cost. At the beginning of the off season, there was speculation between the Red Sox and Jayson Werth, but talks fell through after the Red Sox only offered 5 years to the outfielder. The potent offense really leaves the American League East in their hands, pending injuries. Boston will look to Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury's full return, after their injury-plagued 2010 seasons. With the Yankee's pitching staff taking a turn for the worse and Toronto making almost no acquisitions they will have no problem pitching and outscoring them. The Orioles are probably in the same position as well. The Rays I believe are Boston's true competitor, after having the best record in the American League. With Youk' now being moved to third base, Marco Scutaro still at shortstop and Big Papi still on the roster, the Red Sox won't have any troubles making the playoffs, or clenching the AL East without any trouble. I wish them luck, because acquiring two biggest free agents on the market is impressive. I would be upset if they do not succeed, especially with the money they shelled out this off season. Plus I love seeing the long ball hit over the Green Monster, but who doesn't?

P.S. - Today in a Spring Training exhibition game, David Ortiz had a stolen base. This means that the Boston Red Sox cannot be stopped. You've been warned.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Toronto Blue Jays (Day 2)

Day 2 of the 30 teams in 30 days "special" covers our neighbors to the North, the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays finished above the Orioles in the AL West and were 8 games above .500 with 85 wins. The 2010 season was a "different" season for the Blue Jays because they did not have ace pitcher Roy Halladay. Regardless of the fact, Toronto still had a decent season, which is difficult in a division where the Yankees won 96 games and the Rays won 95 games. The Blue Jays traded outfielder Vernon Wells to the Angels to acquire Juan Rivera, who they intend on using, and Mike Napoli, who was then traded to the Rangers. Toronto did not have many major off season trades after this deal. Jose Bautista almost carried the Blue Jays with his 54 home runs in the 2010 season, and in the off season signed 5 years, $64 million contract. But this year, it does not appear that the Blue Jays will be in contention. I'm sorry Toronto fans, but the 2011 season will be difficult with: the Red Sox almost completely revamping their team, the Yankees being the Yankees, the Orioles doing more off season acquisitions more than usual, and the Rays disbanding and then reassembling their team. Not even 6'11" pitcher Jon Rauch can change that, but seriously, he's 6'11"! Who wouldn't be intimidated by that pitcher? Toronto's rotation has very little depth and the bull pen is looking even worse. With this kind of rotation and lack of offense, I would really be surprised if the Blue Jays finish over .500 or even finish 4th in the AL East. I do wish the Blue Jays luck in the 2011 season, because in the American League East, THEY not the Orioles will be the team that needs it. (If you would like to look at the Blue Jays current roster or depth chart please click the link here: Depth Chart Active Roster).