Chicago White Sox- 2013 Preview

2012 Results- 85-77 (2nd in AL Central)

The White Sox were actually a pretty good team in 2012 and up until the last week of the season, they looked like the clear winners of the AL Central. The White Sox made a good deal mid-season to acquire Kevin Youkilis from the Red Sox and he did very well for the Sox. The White Sox ranked 14th in the Majors in Batting Average (.255), 19th in ERA (4.02), and 1st in Fielding Percentage (.988).

The flaw of the White Sox? The White Sox were terrible at the end of the season, the time when you don't want to get bad. The White Sox went 4-11 in the last 15 games of the season, before that they were 3 games ahead of the Tigers. That was the only problem of the White Sox, they simply got cold at the wrong time of the season.

How does 2013 look?

Offseason Moves: ARRIVALS

1B Mark Tracy - Trade (COL)
IF Jeff Keppinger - Free Agent (TB)
IF Angel Sanchez - Rule 5 (LAA)
OF Blake Tekotte - Trade (SD)

DEPARTURES

C A.J. Pierzynski - Free Agent (TEX)
3B Kevin Youkilis - Free Agent (NYY)
IF Jose Lopez - Free Agent (Yomiuri-Japan)
OF Kenneth Williams - Trade (CWS)
RHP Phil Humber - Waivers (HOU)
RHP Brandon Kloess - Trade (SD)
RHP Brandon Myers - Free Agent (CLE)
LHP Francisco Liriano - Free Agent (PIT)

Sadly, the White Sox managed to get WORSE this offseason. Kevin Youkilis was a big help to the White Sox lineup and the field during his brief time in Chicago. Letting him go to the Yankees and not make him much of an offer (rumors have it that the White Sox didn't bother talking to him at all this offseason) is not good for the Sox. Pierzynski is another loss for the Sox, deciding to go play for the Texas Rangers. The White Sox didn't do any moves to counter either loss, Jeff Keppinger is GOOD but not Youkilis good.

2013 Prediction- 84-78 (3rd in AL Central)

The White Sox have not done enough to compete in the AL Central like they did in 2012. 3rd place is an average guess for the White Sox based off the offseason moves and current roster. Now the White Sox could very easily compete in the AL Central if things end up like 2012. If the Tigers take a little bit getting wins in April and May AND if the Royals don't come together and pull off wins, then I see the White Sox right in the thick of things. However, if the Tigers start well and the Royals show they're a strong force, then sadly the White Sox will be just behind them.

I literally have the White Sox finishing 4 games behind the Royals in the AL Central based off the current roster but the offseason isn't complete yet. Maybe the White Sox make another move before Spring Training starts and that will improve the team to bridge that gap. Or maybe a prospect comes into Spring Training and makes it to "The Show" as a strong force. Either way, the White Sox are a move or so away from being right there for the division title. They still have to make those deals before they can do so.

Chicago Cubs- 2013 Preview

2012 Results- 61-101 (5th in NL Central) 

To plainly put it, the Cubs are just terrible. 2012 was another disappointing season for the Cubs but there are some bright spots. The team is on a slow, a VERY SLOW, road back to being a contending team but last year was just bad. The Cubs never could find there footing at any point in the season and managed to be the second team in MLB with 100 loses (Houston being the other). The Cubs ranked 24th in the Majors in ERA (4.51), 26th in Batting Average (.240), and 22nd in Fielding Percentage (.982). The Cubs were surprisingly not bad in 2012 at home (38-43) but the biggest flaw was the road record (23-58). The obvious thing the Cubs need to work on is their play on the road.

How does 2013 look?

Offseason Moves: ARRIVALS

C Dioner Navarro - Free Agent (CIN)
RHP Scott Baker - Free Agent (MIN)
RHP Marcelo Carreno - Trade (DET)
RHP Scott Feldman - Free Agent (TEX)
RHP Kyuji Fujikawa - Free Agent (Japan)
RHP Carlos Gutierrez - Waivers (MIN)
RHP Edwin Jackson - Free Agent (WAS)
RHP Barret Loux - Trade (TEX)
RHP Hector Rondon - Rule V (CLE)
RHP Sandy Rosario - Waivers (BOS)
RHP Zach Putnam - Waivers (COL)
RHP Carlos Villanueva - Free Agent (TOR)

DEPARTURES

C Anthony Recker - Waivers (NYM)
1B/OF Bryan LaHair - Free Agent (Japan)
RHP Jacob Brigham - Trade (TEX)
RHP Starling Peralta - Rule 5 (ARI)
RHP Sandy Rosario - Waivers (SF)
RHP Miguel Socolovich - Free Agent (Japan)
RHP Chris Volstad - Waivers (KC)
LHP Jeff Beliveau - Waivers (TEX)

The Cubs have improved slightly this offseason but not enough to amount to much. The biggest signing for the Cubs was without a doubt Edwin Jackson. It's a funny case for Jackson. Remember last year when he declined a multiyear contract offer from Pittsburgh to go to Washington because he wanted to play on a competing team? It confuses me why he decided to go from a winning team (Washington) to the Cubs, who are not going to be competitive for the entire length of his contract. Jackson does present a improvement in the pitching rotation for the Cubs but Jackson needs to have a better season than he had in 2012. Maybe having the comfort of a multiyear deal will help him pitch but overall, his signing shows a slight, very slight, improvement to the Cubs.

2013 Prediction- 62-100 (5th in NL Central)

The Cubs haven't won it all in a long time, well over 100 years. 2013 is going to be the same, I doubt the Cubs make it close to .500 baseball. The Cubs aren't going to be much better than they were in 2013 and will be the dead last in the NL Central. Why dead last? Well the Astros move into the AL West come the start of the 2013 season and the Cubs can expect to keep the basement nice and warm.

The Truth is simple, the Cubs need to do MORE in order to compete again. The offseason moves they have done are not enough to amount to much in terms of wins. While I think the Cubs are heading in the right direction, it's going to take a few more years. Sorry Cubs fans, but I honestly think the Cubs can become a good, competitive team....in 2017. Seriously, if the Cubs don't make more moves via trades and free agent signings, it's going to take THAT long for the prospects to come up and work.

Boston Red Sox- 2013 Preview

2012 Results: 69-93 (5th in AL EAST)

The Boston Red Sox failed completely in 2012. They were not able to come back from the historic September collapse of 2011. They managed to become an even worse team in 2012 and even traded away superstars. The Red Sox ranked 10th in batting average (.260), 27th in ERA (4.70) and 13th in Fielding percentage (.983). To be totally honest, the Red Sox were terrible and there wasn't any real bright spots for them in 2012. The Major League debut of Wil Middlebrooks was great but sadly he got injuried not very long after and didn't play for the rest of the season. That's about all the good news from Boston.

The Red Sox managed to trade away Kevin Youkilis, who had played his whole career since 2004 in Boston, to Chicago. They also traded Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, and Nick Punto to the Dodgers in what had to be the stupidest trade of 2012. It was a "Get Out Of Jail Free Card" if you will for Boston, who managed to trade $400 million dollars to the Dodgers. The deal didn't make sense because of money. Why would the Dodgers take on THAT much money for players who have been in a decline? Simply put, it was a great deal fro Boston to free up alot of money.

How does 2013 look?

Offseason Moves: ARRIVALS

C David Ross - Free Agent (ATL)
C/1B Mike Napoli - Free Agent (TEX) STILL PENDING
1B/OF Jerry Sands - Trade (LAD)
2B Jeff Kobernus - Rule 5 (WAS)
SS Stephen Drew - Free Agent (OAK)
IF Brock Holt - Trade (PIT)
OF Jonny Gomes - Free Agent (OAK)
OF Shane Victorino - Free Agent (LAD)
RHP David Carpenter - Trade (TOR)
RHP Rubby De La Rosa - Trade (LAD)
RHP Ryan Dempster - Free Agent (TEX)
RHP Graham Godfrey - Trade (OAK)
RHP Joel Hanrahan - Trade (PIT)
RHP Kyle Kaminska - Trade (PIT)
RHP Sandy Rosario - Waivers (MIA); 2x: Waivers (OAK)
RHP Koji Uehara - Free Agent (TEX)

DEPARTURES

1B James Loney - Free Agent (TB)
1B/OF Jerry Sands - Trade (PIT)
2B Jeff Kobernus - Trade (DET)
3B Danny Valencia - Trade (BOS)
IF Mike Aviles - Trade (TOR)
IF Ivan De Jesus, Jr. - Trade (PIT)
OF Che-Hsuan Lin - Waivers (HOU)
OF Cody Ross - Free Agent (ARI)
RHP David Carpenter - Waivers (ATL)
RHP Josh Fields - Rule 5 (HOU)
RHP Mark Melancon - Trade (PIT)
RHP Stolmy Pimentel - Trade (PIT)
RHP Ryan Pressly - Rule 5 (MIN)
RHP Sandy Rosario - Trade (OAK); 2x: Waivers (CHC)
RHP Zach Stewart - Trade (PIT)

Without a doubt, the Red Sox have improved greatly this offseason. They managed to sign very good players to smaller, better contracts. They improved the starting rotation with the Ryan Dempster signing, improve the bullpen by signing Koji Uehara and getting Joel Hanrahan in a trade. The lineup itself has improved as well, but there is one problem still. Mike Napoli agreed to a deal with Boston back a month ago and he still has not been OFFICALLY signed. Rumors are that a hip issue has come up and Boston is trying to rewrite the deal to protect themselves in case Napoli gets hurt. The Red Sox have also looked at Adam LaRoche but they aren't really pursing him. LaRoche wants a 3 year deal but no team in baseball seems to want to give him that. You also have to keep in mind that signing LaRoche would cost the Red Sox a draft pick (2nd round) because the Nationals made him a qualifying offer.

2013 Predictions: 82-80 (5th in AL East)
Boston has made great improvements with the team this offseason and they should be a much better team than 2012. The problem is the rest of the AL East has improved greatly as well and Boston hasn't done enough to be at the top. I do believe the Red Sox could compete for a playoff spot, maybe even the AL East, but alot has to go right for that to happen. The starting rotation has to be better. They have great guys in the rotation but they have to return to form in 2013 for the Red Sox to be able to compete. The offense needs to do more of the same as 2012. Keep scoring alot of runs and keep the pressure on opposing pitching. David Ortiz is still a great player and a force in the Boston lineup and getting Mike Napoli right next to him will be great for the Red Sox.

That was basically the problem for the Red Sox in 2012, pitching. The pitching staff was one of the worst in baseball and even though they scored alot of runs, it didn't compare to the amount pitching gave up. The Red Sox are better but the focus in 2013 should be to return to healthy form. If they can do that, then they will be able to keep up with Tampa Bay, Toronto and Baltimore.

Baltimore Orioles- 2013 Preview

2012 Results: 93-69 (2nd in AL East, Won Wild Card Game, Lost NLDS to NYY 3-2)

You want to talk about a surprise team, how about Baltimore? Baltimore was not a very good team since Davey Johnson managed the team in the 90's. The Orioles came out of nowhere and became a force in the AL East. The crazy part? The Orioles manged to miss winning the AL East crown by 2 games! The Orioles ranked 20th in batting average (.247), 14th in ERA (3.90), and 18th in Fielding percentage (.983). The stats can be completely thrown out on the Orioles because of one simple fact. According to the stats, the Orioles shouldn't have won as many games. The Orioles gave up 705 runs and managed to only score 712, a run differential of +7. According to all the stats, the Orioles should have only won 82 games.

Just that one stat alone puts the Orioles in an odd group. The +7 run differential puts them WORSE than San Diego, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays. Those teams managed records of 76-86 (SD), 74-88 (NYM), and 73-89 (TOR). It's a crazy stat but that's the honest look into the numbers. Yet Baltimore remained one of the most surprising stories of 2012. Another surprising thing about the Orioles? They managed to beat the Texas Rangers in the Wild Card Game and gave the New York Yankees a real fight in ALDS by pushing the series to 5 games.

How does 2013 look?

Offseason Moves: ARRIVALS

3B Danny Valencia - Trade (BOS)
IF Alexi Casilla - Waivers (MIN)
IF/OF Yamaico Navarro - Trade (PIT)
OF Trayvon Robinson - Trade (SEA)

DEPARTURES

1B Joe Mahoney - Waivers (MIA)
1B Mark Reynolds - Free Agent (CLE)
IF Robert Andino - Trade (SEA)
OF Endy Chavez - Minor League Free Agent (KC)
RHP Jhondaniel Medina - Trade (PIT)
LHP T.J. McFarland - Rule 5 (CLE)
DH Jim Thome - Free Agent
SP Joe Saunders - Free Agent (In Talks with BAL to return)

The Orioles haven't managed to improve the team this offseason but they haven't gotten worse either. The Orioles still need to get pitching help, mainly in the starting rotation. They also could use some help in the lineup, especially a DH. Considering the Orioles were a complete surprise team in 2012, I'm not sure the team's budget allows for too much spending. The Orioles and Joe Saunders, whom they picked up from Arizona during the 2012 season, are still talking about a deal for him to return to Baltimore.

2013 Prediction: 89-73 (3rd in AL East)
The Orioles will be a "threat" in 2013 but not to the extent they were in 2012. Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Boston have all improved in the AL East. The Orioles have not done any moves this offseason to combat what the other AL East teams have done. I think Baltimore will be a good team in 2013 but they are not going to repeat 2012. Unless they make a splash before the season starts, expect Baltimore to battle it out between 3rd and 4th place in the division. It's not because the Orioles aren't good but simply because the rest of the AL East teams have improved greatly.

The Orioles have alot of positive things happening on the team. They have good, young players on the roster that will help the team win games. Until the Orioles improve the starting rotation, they are going to find it difficult to compete against the remaining AL East teams. It's truly hard to tell though. No one thought the Orioles would be even a .500 team entering 2012 and they surprised everyone. The Orioles might be able to pull it off again but I wouldn't count on it

Atlanta Braves- 2013 Preview

2012 Results: 94-68 (2nd in NL East, Lost in Wild Card Game)

If anyone thought that the Braves would have a problem coming back from the epic 2011 collapse, the Braves proved otherwise. The Braves fell short of the NL East title, losing to the Nationals. In Chipper Jones last year, the Braves managed to make it to the playoffs as a Wild Card team. However the wild card had changed in 2012, meaning the Braves had to play in the Wild Card Game in order to advance to the NLDS. They lost to the Cardinals in the Wild Card Game and thus was the end of the Chipper Jones era. The Braves ranked 21st in batting average (.247), 5th in ERA (3.42) and 4th in Fielding percentage (.986).

The Braves managed to score 700 runs and only allow 600 runs in 2012. The Braves were a very good team but sadly the Nationals were a better team in the division. The 94 wins were an improvement over the 89 wins in 2011. The Braves had alot of positive things in 2012 that can carry over in 2013. Jason Heyward returned back to numbers more like his rookie campaign, Kris Medlen was amazing in the starting rotation, and Craig Kimbrel moved on from September 2011 troubles.

How does 2013 look?

Offseason Moves: ARRIVALS
C Gerald Laird - Free Agent (DET)
IF Ramiro Peña - Free Agent (NYY)
OF Jordan Schafer - Waivers (HOU)
OF B.J. Upton - Free Agent (TB)
RHP David Carpenter - Waivers (BOS)
RHP Jordan Walden - Trade (LAA)

DEPARTURES

C David Ross - Free Agent (BOS)
1B/OF Eric Hinske - Free Agent (ARI)
RHP Tommy Hanson - Trade (LAA)
OF Michael Bourn- Free Agent

So far, the Braves have not improved or gotten worse. The offseason moves so far have equaled each other out. Losing Michael Bourn takes away a good lead off hitter and a good center fielder and replaces him with B.J. Upton. Upton is a good replacement for Bourn, he brings power, speed and a good defender in center field. How will he do in outdoor Atlanta instead of indoor Tropicana Field? We will soon find out. It's hard to look at the Braves and see an improvement BUT most of the Braves are returning in 2013.

2013 Predictions: 93-69 (2nd in NL East)
The Braves are going to continue to be a threat in the NL East. 2012 showed a very strong Braves lineup, not to mention good pitching. I think the Braves will compete with the Nationals for the division title but I think the Nationals pitching rotation will pull them ahead for NL East title. Considering the Braves offseason moves, I expect them to be in the same position as they were in 2012. The Braves will play in the Wild Card Game. Don't think that the Braves won't win NL East, it's very possible they will battle it out for NL East title until the last day of the season.

I don't think there are many moves left for the Braves to do to complete their roster. Maybe going after another starting pitcher could help complete a solid rotation but it's not totally needed. If B.J. Upton can put up similar numbers as he did with Tampa Bay, Kris Medlen continue his pitching dominance, and Jason Heyward put up similar numbers, expect the Braves to be a force in the National League.

Arizona Diamondbacks- 2013 Preview

2012 Results: 81-81 (3rd in NL West)

To be totally honest, 2012 was VERY disappointing for Arizona fans. After a very successful 2011 season, 2012 was meant to be the continuation. Instead the D'backs fell to a .500 record and were completely irreverent from postseason talk. Where was the problem? The D'backs were 13th in baseball in batting average (.259), 15th in ERA (3.93), and 6th in Fielding percentage (.985). So does this explain the poor performance of the team during the year? A little bit.

I looked more into the stats and found that Arizona wasn't a bad team from a stats point of view. The team gave up a total of 688 runs and managed to score 734, a run differential of +46. The fault mainly lies within the pitching staff. In 2011 Arizona's staff had a 3.80 ERA and managed only to give up a total of 662 run while scoring 731, a run differential of +69. The fact that Arizona gave up more runs in 2012 while scoring the same amount shows why they performed the way they did. The offense just wasn't there and the pitching staff didn't do as well.

How does 2013 look?

Offseason Moves:  ARRIVALS

1B/OF Lars Anderson - Trade (CLE)
1B/OF Eric Hinske - Free Agent (ATL)
3B/1B Eric Chavez (NYY)
SS Didi Gregorius - Trade (CLE)
IF Gustavo Nuñez - Waivers (PIT)
IF Cliff Pennington - Trade (OAK)
OF Cody Ross - Free Agent (BOS)
RHP Heath Bell - Trade (MIA)
RHP Brandon McCarthy - Free Agent (OAK)
RHP Starling Peralta - Rule 5 (CHC)
LHP Matt Reynolds - Trade (COL)
LHP Tony Sipp - Trade (CLE)

DEPARTURES

C Konrad Schmidt - Waivers (TEX)
1B/3B Ryan Wheeler - Trade (COL)
IF Yordy Cabrera - Trade (MIA)
IF Jake Elmore - Waivers (HOU)
IF Gustavo Nuñez - Rule 5 return (DET)
OF Ender Inciarte - Rule 5 (PHI)
OF Chris Young - Trade (OAK)
RHP Matt Albers - Trade (CLE)
RHP Trevor Bauer - Trade (CLE)
RHP Brad Bergesen - Free Agent (Japan)
RHP Sam Demel - Waivers (HOU)
RHP Takashi Saito - Free Agent (Japan)
RHP Bryan Shaw - Trade (CLE)

Overall the Diamondbacks have IMPROVED this offseason, however it may depend on the Justin Upton situation. If rumors are to be believed then he will be traded before the season starts. However it seems hard to believe that Arizona would trade him considering his upside unless they were to get a great package in return.

2013 Prediction: 88-74 (3rd in NL West)
While I think the D'backs will be improved in 2013, it's hard to think the moves they've made so far will be enough to compete with the Dodgers or Giants. The second wild card will be a focus on the D'backs but it's hard to say they will be able to get it. Arizona still needs some pitching help and until they get that, 88 wins seems like a safe guess for them. While the offense has been improved, the D'backs need to find a good starter still. Shawn Marcum, Joe Saunders, and Kyle Loshe are all still available and should be a reasonably cheap option for any team, Arizona included, to sign.

Arizona has proved one thing before, never underestimate them. In 2011, no one thought Arizona would be a player for the NL West or any playoff spot.They manged to get 94 wins and the NL West crown, so it's possible for Arizona to do that again.

Our Offseason Plans

The new year is upon us and we are only (roughly) 45 days away from the reporting date of pitchers and catchers to Spring Training. So what does that mean between now and then?

We have you covered.

Over the next 30 days we will be covering ALL 30 MLB teams and digging through all the stats of the 2012 season. We will tell you  the off season moves they've made so far and tell you our preidctions on the 2013 season based off that. Each day we will do a different team until all 30 are covered, then we will give you our postseason picks. Don't think that just because we're a Nationals Baseball blog that we are automatically going to put them as the best of the best. Our plans are very simple, we will do a complete in depth look into each team and give an honest view of them.

It's going to be a fun off season. We are getting closer and closer to the start of baseball and what better way to do this than to look at all the teams. Thanks for viewing us last year and we hope for a much more complete coverage of the 2013 season!