In a little over two weeks the 2008 Major League Baseball season will be upon us. So I figured it was time to begin Ground Rule Double’s season preview. I’ll be breaking the teams down into groups; starting today with the bottom five teams. These are the five teams that have zero chance of even contending for a playoff spot, are almost guaranteed of a sub-.500 record and one of them will probably end up with 100+ losses.
In no particular order:
Baltimore Orioles
2007 Record: 69-93
Manager: Dave Trembley
Key Additions:
Luke Scott, RF
Key Losses:
Miguel Tejada, SS
Erik Bedard, SP
The Orioles will make it 11 straight losing seasons after management decided it was time to rebuild. The team does have a talented young player in OF Nick Markakis, but he has recently become upset with management because of a $55,000 (to $455,000) raise after hitting 23 homers and knocking in 112 last season. With the ownership OK dealing Tejada and Bedard, and also looking to possibly send 2B Brian Roberts and C Ramon Hernandez elsewhere could Markakis also be heading out? A shaky rotation and bullpen just add to what will be a dismal season at Camden Yards.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2007 Record: 68-94
Manager: John Russell
Key Additions:
Chris Gomez, SS
Key Losses:
Salomon Torres, RHP
Cesar Izturis, SS
Outside of star OF Jason Bay and a couple of interesting starters in Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell there isn’t much to talk about in the Steel City. The Pirates haven’t had a winning record since 1992, and that won’t change this season. While I don’t think the Pirates aren’t too far away from putting a good ball-club on the field they just don’t have the pieces to compete this season.
San Francisco Giants
2007 Record: 71-91
Manager: Bruce Bochy
Key Additions:
Aaron Rowand, OF
Key Losses:
Barry Bonds, OF
The post-Bonds era begins in San Francisco, and while the clubhouse may have a different attitude the team on the field will be much the same. Rowand brings youth, but not much else to a club that desperately needs a change. The rotation does have some young talented pitchers in Matt Cain and Tim Linecum, but the pitching is not the problem with the Giants an aging lineup is.
Oakland A’s
2007 Record: 76-86
Manager: Bob Geren
Key Additions:
Emil Brown, OF
Key Losses:
Dan Haren, SP
Nick Swisher, OF, 1B
Mark Kotsay, OF
Marco Scutaro, 2B
Baseball in the Bay Area will not be all that fun to watch this season. The unloading of talent by the A’s is nothing new, but I don’t know if we have ever witnessed GM Billy Beane wheel and deal like he did this off-season. Rumors of even more trades involving closer Huston Street and starter Joe Blanton mean that the A’s will be rebuilding for many more seasons to come.
Florida Marlins
2007 Record: 71-91
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez
Key Additions:
Andrew Miller, SP
Cameron Maybin, OF
Key Losses:
Dontrelle Willis, SP
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Miguel Olivo, C
The Marlins are the third youngest team in the majors, and while the record may look bad this team is definitely on the rise. The team does have two “veteran” leaders in SS Hanley Ramirez (age 24) and 2B Dan Uggla (28) and is loaded with talented rookies like Cameron Maybin. The starting rotation might be one of the worst in baseball, but is also very young and full of potential. The Marlins will have a competitive team in a few seasons.
Next: The non-contenders, but getting there (I’ll think of a better title)
Other News:
- Mike Hampton hasn’t pitched since August 2005, and his future is in jeopardy after another setback. In the second inning of yesterday’s game against the Detroit Tigers Hampton strained his right groin muscle. He is day-to-day.
