I think either New York and Boston could... could... finish last.
Part of this is that for the first time in Tampa's existence, they have good reason to expect a finish above last place. But while the Toronto/Baltimore/Tampa arguments for improvement (free agency, Mazzonification and de-Lou-sing, respectively) are far from sure things, they each have a good argument on paper. Mix in the unpredictability of baseball and I could see any of them making The Leap to .500 or even beyond.
Combine that with the aging roster of both Boston and New York... the Yanks are far, far older, but both teams rely on pitchers who are either questionable (Foulke, Beckett, Farnsworth) or elderly (Schilling, Johnson, Timlin, Seanez, Rivera, Mussina, Fat Man Wells). If either team succumbs to age or injury, that combined with some bad luck could put them in danger of finishing behind the three lesser AL East teams.
Not saying it will happen... just saying it's not inconceivable anymore. Something to think about.
Part of this is that for the first time in Tampa's existence, they have good reason to expect a finish above last place. But while the Toronto/Baltimore/Tampa arguments for improvement (free agency, Mazzonification and de-Lou-sing, respectively) are far from sure things, they each have a good argument on paper. Mix in the unpredictability of baseball and I could see any of them making The Leap to .500 or even beyond.
Combine that with the aging roster of both Boston and New York... the Yanks are far, far older, but both teams rely on pitchers who are either questionable (Foulke, Beckett, Farnsworth) or elderly (Schilling, Johnson, Timlin, Seanez, Rivera, Mussina, Fat Man Wells). If either team succumbs to age or injury, that combined with some bad luck could put them in danger of finishing behind the three lesser AL East teams.
Not saying it will happen... just saying it's not inconceivable anymore. Something to think about.
posted by Jeff at
2:38 PM
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