2006 American League (AL) Prediction

by Joseph Bradley
3/24/06

AL Predictions
As someone who covers baseball I feel the need to do the typical thing and
predict what’s going to happen before the season starts. So here we go for the
AL *=Legitimate chance to win it all.

AL East

1. New York Yankees*
   They have the talent in pitching and hitting, but lack defense and dominating
   youth. They still have many great players and wouldn’t be terrible to have a
   few injuries unless it’s to A-rod or Jeter.
2. Boston Red Sox*
   They have depth in pitching and hitting and plenty of young guys and new faces
   ready to make an impact. The big questions are injury prone players and decline
   in others.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
   They spend some cash, got some questionable players, but still have a good
   offense. That said I still don’t think they are good enough to take over the
   Yanks or Sox right now, but with Halladay at the front of the rotation and some
   promising young guys, they will be close to the top in a year or two.
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
   Sure they have finished higher then last (fourth) only once, but they are
   stacked with lots of young talent that has the potential to get them out of the
   cellar.
5. Baltimore Orioles
   They have some talent in some area but way to many holes to not finish last.
   They do however have Leo Mazzone so we will see if he is all that magical after all.

AL Central

1. Minnesota Twins*
   If Morneau and Mauer can produce like everyone expects they can easily win it
   all. They have great pitching up and down, a balanced lineup a solid D, which
   translate into wins.
2. Chicago White Sox*
   Rather typical of me to bump off the champs, and although they did perhaps get
   better with the acquisition of Vasquez and Thome, I still don’t think they will
   be riding a wave like they did last year.
3. Cleveland Indians
   They didn’t get much better and got rid of one of their best players in Crisp
   for a guy who they sent to the minors (Marte). Give it a year or 2.
4. Detroit Tigers
   Pudge isn’t close to what he used to be and they didn’t do much to improve. At
   least they can look forward to Polanco battling for the batting title.
5. Kansas City Royals
   They tossed money around at a few players, but they still have no real power
   threat or any outstanding pitching to speak of at the moment, especially with
   Grienke and his mental health. Time to get the paper bags.

AL West

1. Los Angeles Angels*
   Everyone seems to be jumping on the A’s bandwagon but I think the Angels are too
   deep to be overtaken. The key will be how young guys Dallas McPherson and Casey
   Kotchman perform.
2. Oakland A’s* (Wild Card)
   Great pitching up and down, with some guys that can flat out dominate, and a
   balanced lineup looks to keep them in contention, but I still don’t think they
   have enough pop to overtake the Angels, unless of course Frank Thomas has
   another MVP year (which is very unlikely).
3. Texas Rangers
   They can hit their way into any game, but can also pitch their way out. Did
   they improve? Yes. Enough? No.
4. Seattle Mariners
   They are like a better Baltimore team. They have some major talent in certain
   areas but way to many holes. At least we get to see King Felix hurl.

Check out Joe's NL 2006 Predictions.