by Ca$h
The Boston Red Sox, who tried desperately for a month to acquire the all world shortstop, could not finalize a deal. In order to make room for the Ranger shortstop, the Red Sox intended to send Manny Ramirez to Texas and Nomar Garciaparra to the White Sox. In the end, all deals between the Rangers and Red Sox fell through.
The New York Yankees, with a payroll of over $200 million dollars, should be considered the front-runner to play in baseball�s October classic. In addition to the acquisition of ARod, the Yankees revitalized their pitching staff and added power and speed to their already potent offense. All-star outfielder Gary Sheffield was signed as a free agent from the Atlanta Braves. Sheffield should fit in nicely in a lineup that will feature Derrick Jeter, ARod, Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi. The Yankees also added veteran speedster Kenny Lofton who will take over in centerfield for the aging Bernie Williams.
Defensively, the Yankees will have a completely new look. While losing Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemons to free agency, the Yankees signed Kevin Brown and fireballer Javier Vasquez from the Dodgers and Expos respectively. When healthy, Kevin Brown is arguably the best pitcher in baseball and Vasquez�s nasty collection of pitches, should help ace Mike Mussina stabilize the staff. This all star caliber team should keep Yankee fans smiling throughout the 2004 season.
The American League off-season winners were:
The Anaheim Angels signed Montreal�s superstar right fielder Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero, who was arguably baseball�s most coveted player this off-season, will add speed, power and consistency to an offense that was plagued by injuries last season. Guerrero will join Troy Glaus, Tim Salmon and preseason MVP candidate Garrett Anderson in what should be a very powerful lineup. To bolster their pitching rotation, the Angels signed 15 game winner Bartolo Colon from the Chicago White Sox.
In the east, the Baltimore Orioles added three solid hitters to their lineup. Catcher Javy Lopez and DH Rafael Palmeiro and all-star shortstop Miguel Tejada were all signed by Baltimore this off-season. Baltimore has the offense, but will their pitching be able to hold off the Red Sox and Yankees?
The Kansas City Royals managed to retain all star multi threat Carlos Beltran and also added slugger Juan Gonzalez from the Texas Rangers. With a young, but very capable pitching staff, the Royals should be considered the front-runner to win the AL central.
American League projections - Division winners
East-New York
Central-Kansas City
West-Anaheim
Wild Card-Boston
MVP-Garrett Anderson
CY Young-Javier Vasquez
Rookie of the year-Joe Mauer - Catcher Minnesota Twins
In the National league the Philadelphia Phillies look to be the team to beat. The additions of left handed pitcher Eric Milton and closer Billy Wagner should give them the pitching help to push deep into the playoffs. Milton, a previous 13 game winner with the Minnesota Twins, will join a staff that led the Phillies to 86 victories in 2003. Wagner, with 44 saves for the Houston Astros in 2003, will bolster their bullpen and help them shutdown teams late in the game.
The Chicago Cubs added first baseman Derrick Lee from the World Series champion Florida Marlins and out bid several teams in signing former Cy Young winner Greg Maddux. Maddux will join starting pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in Chicago and give the Cubs a solid 1-2-3 punch in their starting rotation.
Staying in the National League Central, the Houston Astros put together a tremendous off-season. The additions of 21 game winner Andy Pettitte and future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens will be a welcome addition to a staff that won 87 games last year and finished second to the Cubs in NL central. Pettitte and Clemons will join pitching standouts Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller in Houston. Coupled with an extremely potent offense featuring Bagwell, Hidalgo and Berkman, this incredibly talented staff should have the Astros playing in baseball�s October classic.
National League projections - Division Winners:
East - Philadelphia Phillies
Central - Houston Astros
West - Arizona Diamondbacks
Wild Card - Chicago Cubs
MVP: Richard Hidalgo OF, Houston Astros
CY Young: Andy Pettitte, P, Houston Astros
Rookie of the Year: Kazuo Matsui SS, New York Mets