2012 MLB Season Predictions: Kyle Thompson
I want to start with a big shout out to all my Twitter followers that sent me their predictions for this season! There were definitely some homer picks in there, but the picks were solid overall! Here are my predictions/explanations for the 2012 MLB season:
American League
East: Boston Red Sox: I know there are questions about their rotation, but I really think Valentine will come in and make the necessary attitude adjustments on that team. Also, I think the unheralded addition of Nick Punto will do wonders for their clubhouse.
Central: Detroit Tigers: The only team in this division that got significantly better over the winter is the Tigers (adding Fielder). In addition, they have the reigning AL MVP/Cy Young on their squad still.
AL West: Texas Rangers: I understand all of the splashes that the Angels made in the offseason, but the Rangers still have the nastiest lineup. Moreover, the additions of Darvish and Feliz to the rotation have made them much stronger.
Wild Card 1: New York Yankees: I’m not completely sold on their rotation as of yet, but you cannot deny their lineup and their willingness/ability to make roster changes/trades in order to “win now.”
Wild Card 2: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Their pitching staff offers three #1 starters at the top, and they added a fairly decent 1B in the offseason. They should sneak into the playoffs.
Pennant: Texas Rangers: Call me crazy, but I feel that they are still the most complete team, and I can only imagine that their drive to get their World Series monkey of their backs is humongous.
MVP: Miguel Cabrera: He has been one of the most consistent hitters for many years, and he will finally have some protection behind him in the lineup (i.e. Fielder). If he can stay healthy at 3B and start fielding hot shots with his glove, he should grab his 1st MVP.
Cy Young: CC Sabathia: He has been the definite horse and leader of that rotation, and some of the pressure should be taken off of him with their offseason improvements to the rotation. He also changed his offseason workout regiment that should help him with the long season.
Rookie of the Year: Matt Moore: I give Moore the slight edge over Jesus Montero because of the fact that Moore figures to be a staple of the 2012 Rays rotation. Both Moore and Montero should be very fun to watch!
National League
East: Philadelphia Phillies. The NL East will be extremely competitive this year with the Braves, Marlins and Nationals all having good teams, but I expect Philly’s dominant rotation to help them come out on top of this east coast slugfest.
Central: St. Louis Cardinals (as if there were any doubt!). The Central division is much weaker this year than in past years, and I expect that the Cards’ staff will carry this ballclub; even if Carp is out for a significant period of time. You cannot minimize the impact of getting back a Cy Young caliber pitcher in Wainwright, and the addition of Carlos Beltran will be paramount for the lineup. Also, watch out for Matt Holliday to have a MONSTER year. He is now considered the team leader, and he has taken that role seriously thus far during the winter and Spring Training.
West: Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-Backs definitely won’t surprise anyone this year if they vie for the best record in the NL. Their division is still relatively weak, and I think they will ride a Justin Upton MVP season (foreshadowing) into a comfortable NL West division title.
Wild Card 1: Cincinnati Reds. This team has performed well for the last two seasons, and I think their addition of Mat Latos will stabilize their sometimes erratic rotation.
Wild Card 2: Atlanta Braves. This is a team that keeps pumping out All-Star caliber young talent (i.e. Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, etc.), and we might see two huge young arms in their rotation with Delgado and Teheran at different points this season. It will be a long season in the NL East, but I see the Bravos making it to the postseason.
Pennant: St. Louis Cardinals. Now before you cry foul and call me a homer, just remember back to what a rotation of Carp, Lohse, EJax, and Garcia did in the playoffs last year. Now, sub Waino for EJax, and you’ve got an even better rotation come the playoffs this time around. In a short series, I like the rotation and the veterans to step up for the Cards! #12in12
MVP: Juston Upton. I think he will have a huge year. He will establish himself as an MVP force to be reckoned with for years to come. If he can increase his offensive numbers even slightly over last year, I think he takes the MVP over the likes of Kemp and Votto.
Cy Young: Cliff Lee. I really think we might start to see a slight decline in Doc Halladay’s skills this season, and I think this will open the door for the game’s most dominant southpaw to pick up some hardware.
Rookie of the Year: Yonder Alonso. The Padres are obviously in a rebuilding period, and I think Alonso will be a key factor in that. He was stuck behind Votto in Cincy, but now he will be the everyday starter at 1B for the Padres. I like Alonso to have a very productive year.