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04/13/2004 Archived Entry: "MLB News: 10 Burning Questions As a New Season Begins"
MLB News: 10 Burning Questions As a New Season Begins, By Joe Connor
Ah, yes, the 2004 Major League Baseball season is upon us, with so many questions, yet so little time or space. Without further adieu however, here are 10 burning questions – and answers – heading as the new season begins.
1. No one is their right mind in April 2001, 2002 and 2003 predicted that Arizona, Anaheim and Florida would win the World Series that October, so who could surprise us this year?
Hard to say of course, but in the American League East, while everyone talks about the Yankees and Red Sox slugging it out, the Blue Jays are younger and much deeper than many believe. Toronto added Miguel Batista and Ted Lilly to the starting rotation, and the Jays staff can compete with the Yanks and Sox. The question is whether Toronto has enough strength in the bullpen and offensively to stay with New York and Boston. In the American League Central, both the White Sox and Royals will be much better. Kauffman Stadium is one of the most unsung hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball, which could suit a healthy Juan Gonzalez just fine. But the White Sox may have a better pitching staff than Kansas City, despite losing Bartolo Colon to free-agency. Chicago’s fortunes will likely rest on starters Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland and a better season from Billy Koch. In the American League West, the Angels and Athletics have received most of the publicity, but don’t discount the Mariners that have added more offensive pop and playoff-tested veterans in Rich Aurilia and Scott Spiezio.
Over in the National League, the Phillies and Marlins have been many pre-season favorites to win the East. Yet the team to watch is the Mets, who not only will be better defensively up the middle with Jose Reyes and Kazuo Matsui, and Mike Cameron in centerfield, but it’s also hard to imagine starting pitchers Tom Glavine and Jae Seo not improving on their efforts from a year ago. The National League Central figures to be a two-team race with the Cardinals a distant long-shot. If the Redbirds are to contend against the arm-strong Cubs or Astros, they’re going to have to hope one or both clubs struggle with injuries and that the likes of pitchers Chris Carpenter, Jeff Suppan and Evan Rust exceed expectations. The National League West figures to be a shootout, with no clear favorite, but the darkest of dark horses is probably Colorado. One thing is clear with the Rockies though: their pitchers are young and talented, from Jason Jennings to Chin-hui Tsao to Shawn Chacon. And despite losing Curt Schilling, Richie Sexson will make Arizona’s once anemic offense better, and if the Dodgers are in the hunt by the All-Star break thanks to their pitching, they could go out and acquire some offense for a second-half run.
2. Which teams will ultimately make the playoffs?
American League: Boston, Chicago, Seattle; Wild card: Anaheim
Yes, the Yankees have eight All-Stars in their lineup. Great, but what about the Yankees starting pitching? Javier Vazquez, Jon Lieber, Kevin Brown and Jose Contreras have never pitched a full season in New York, and can their eight All-Stars stay healthy all season? Pound for pound, the Red Sox have more depth in the pitching department and therefore get the edge. The White Sox could be the biggest surprise this season, and will outlast the Royals, plus much improved Indian and Tiger clubs. Oakland doesn’t have enough offense or a bullpen that can overcome the offensive juggernauts in the American League West where the wild card balance of power will shift from the American League East.
National League: Philadelphia, Chicago, San Diego; Wild card: Houston
The Phillies have too much depth in their pitching department not to win the National League East, and the same goes for the Cubs who have arguably the best five-man starting rotation in baseball. The big question in the National League will be the Wild West and what becomes of the wild card. Having now lost both Jeff Kent and Rich Aurilia, Barry Bonds could walk more than 200 times this season. What’s more, the Giants aren’t as deep in the starting pitching department as last season and Robb Nen’s successful return is unknown. That leaves an opening that the Padres will take advantage of in the second half to win the division.
Last season, San Diego was the worst team in the National League, going 6-23 in May alone. But the Padres have added depth all over – to their starting pitching, bullpen, offense and bench that will take 60-80 games to gel with so many new players. But expect San Diego to be a second-half team that just outstretches Arizona and Los Angeles in the last week of the season. Houston is not going to be as good as many imagine because Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens aren’t 28 and 30 years old anymore and Minute Maid Park is a right-hand hitters dream. But the Astros play in such a painfully weak division, with the hapless Brewers, Pirates and Reds, that they should chuck up enough wins while the clubs in the other two divisions face stiffer competition down the stretch.
3. Any new ballparks opening this year?
Yes, both the Padres and the Phillies open new yards while the Red Sox have added new seats beyond right field. It is unclear how San Diego’s PETCO Park and Philly’s Citizens Bank Park will play, but both clubs have upgraded their pitching.
4. Will Commissioner Bud Selig actually reinstate Pete Rose?
Probably in some capacity, but let’s hope none at all. Rose knew the rules, but thumbed his nose, broke them anyway and even worse – denied everything until earlier this year. Sorry? The only one that is sorry is Rose, who shouldn’t be reinstated until he’s come to room temperature because of his continued arrogant behavior.
5. Will details of a “World Cup” featuring professional players be announced this season?
It’s 50-50. Major League Baseball would like to hold a World Cup event in March 2005 during spring training, but the logistics of putting such an event together in time won’t be easy. Not only will the players union have to sign off, but then there’s the selection of the teams – from the managers to the players – and the selection of sites, which would likely be either Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix or Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
6. How many QuesTec machines will be smashed by pitchers in 2004?
Plenty. Not only is it wrong for a machine to be acting as big brother to umpires on balls and strikes, it’s also asinine to not have QuesTec in every ballpark. To say that QuesTec doesn’t affect an umpires’ judgment is ridiculous. Don’t be surprised in QuesTec becomes a flash in the pan or a negotiating ploy by players in negotiations with the owners about the steroids issue.
7. What’s up with Rickey?
He’s arguably the greatest all-around player ever to play baseball. Yet, the ageless one – Rickey Henderson – still remains without a Major League team. Again. Last year, Henderson played for the independent league Newark Bears before the Dodgers signed him for the second half of the season. The problem this year, like 2003, 2002 and 2001, is that Henderson should be coaching, not playing. Having said that, getting cut loose by the Dodgers is a sad way to end a Hall-of-Fame career, even for the once pompous Henderson. Here’s hoping someone takes a chance on Henderson and that more importantly, someone convinces Mr. Third Person to retire with a send-off tour, a la Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn in 2001. Here’s believing it’s the Tigers, who will need an attendance boost come August anyway. Detroit skipper Alan Trammell knew Henderson while a coach with San Diego in 2001 and a tradition-rich organization like the Tigers would the perfect send-off for the self-proclaimed “greatest.”
8. What’s going to happen to the Expos?
Believe it or not, maybe nothing – again. Major League Baseball has owned the Expos since before the 2002 season and has had plenty of suitors since then, but the power brokers on Park Avenue in New York want a 100 percent taxpayer-funded ballpark in any equation. In this era of state-budget cuts, such a demand is insane, but, then again, this is Major League Baseball we’re talking about. The goal is to have a city selected by the All-Star break, with the Washington, D.C. area, Portland, Oregon, Las Vegas, Norfolk-Hampton Roads, Virginia and Monterrey, Mexico among the pawns. The team should end up in Washington, but don’t be surprised if the Expos go west to Portland or even Vegas which could mean realignment with the Rockies joining the American League West and the Pirates returning to the National League East.
9. How is the steroids issue going to play out?
That, my friend, is the million dollar question. To suggest that the steroid issue is going to be pushed under the rug is naïve. Something is going to give, and that give is likely going to be stricter testing standards, with a strong segment of the players pushing the union. And if anyone who tests positive and their name(s) get leaked to the press, look out. One thing is certain: Jose Canseco still can’t find a publisher for his book. Boy, that’s strange, wouldn’t you hire an idiot felon to a book deal?
10. The most burning question: Who’s going to win the World Series?
They both were five outs away from advancing to the World Series when their respective curses struck. This year however the baseball gods have determined both clubs have suffered long enough: Red Sox over the Cubs with Nomar Garciaparra’s solo home run over the Green Monster in the 13th inning of Game 7 at Fenway Park the clincher. Boston endures a week’s worth of riots and is forced to call in the National Guard, but hey, priorities: The Curse of the Bambino finally ends for all of New England and Red Sox nation abroad.
Joe Connor is a Major League Baseball Freelance Writer and author of the annually updated, easy-to-use electronic guide, “A Fan’s Guide To The Ultimate Ballpark Tour: Fully Loaded!” which is available exclusively at http://www.modernerabaseball.com. Psst…Joe also happens to be a diehard Red Sox fan who apparently is still in denial about the curse. Contact him at joe@modernerabaseball.com.
