Missouri Miracle's 2002 Predictions
Thanks to the powers of the Wayback Machine (no, not that one) I've been able to find scattered pieces of our collective, Defective history. To honor the start of a new season, I bring you decidely old predictions. Missouri Miracle, one of two remaining "old guard" members, is now Nebraska Crawfish. He's also Mizzou, Mets, Demons, Frogs and pretty much any other random plural noun you can think of. What follows, as always, is the original, unedited text. Sadly, we have no way to see how these predictions turned out. Sigh.
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NORTH DIVISION PREDICTIONS
FIRST PLACE LAST SEASON: GRANVILLE YANKEES
RECORD LAST SEASON: 99-65
FINAL FOUR TEAM
The Granville Yankees, coming very close to the Defectors Cup Championship last season, have worked very hard to alter their roster in order to have success in the 2002 season. They have added 20 game winner Mark Mulder, over from the Missouri Miracle to add to an already great group of pitchers including Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, Randy Johnson, Andy Pettitte, and Javier Vazquez, over in a deal from the BuckWheats. Relief pitching shouldn't be bad at all with Mariano Rivera closing and Mike Stanton collecting holds. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to acquire another good set up man or two. Offensively, they have added Troy Glaus to play third base, and Roger Cedeno and Carlos Beltran to the outfield, both with great speed. The key component though is Carl Pavano. If he can stay healthy and put up big numbers along with the other great starters, this team will blow away the division.
PREDICTION: 109-55, FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE LAST SEASON: RUSSIAN MEN
RECORD LAST SEASON: 85-79, 14 GAMES OUT
MADE PLAYOFFS
The Russian Men have pulled several deals to improve this team. Has he done the job? This season will answer that question. He has two offensive stalwarts in third baseman Aramis Ramirez and outfielder Brian Giles. Those two should continue to put up nice numbers for the Russian Men. But there are other question marks in his lineup. Will Luis Castillo play the way he did in 2000, batting .330 with 62 SBs, or will he continue to put up lackluster numbers? The same will go for Lee Stevens, in from a deal with the Missouri Miracle. Russian Men also has some decent young pitching, with Paul Abbott heading up the troops. Kip Wells, Casey Fossum, Brian Tollberg, Doug Davis, Tanyon Sturtze and Jose Rosado make up the core of the starters. Bret Prinz is the top relief pitcher. Miguel Batista is good either as a starter or reliever.
PREDICTION: 79-85, Tied for Second
THIRD PLACE LAST SEASON: SONS OF ITALY
RECORD LAST SEASON: 80-84, 19 GAMES OUT
DID NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS
The Sons of Italy, despite not making the playoffs last season, appear to be content with what they have. Their offense looks rather punchless, with Shannon Stewart and the aging Larry Walker the best offensive players. Matt Williams and others, both young and old, must step up. Jason Tyner should have around 35-45 stolen bases. But the thing you MUST watch out for on this team is the pitching. Antonio Alfonseca is a very good closer, with Paul Quantrill in set up relief. Kevin Appier, Jarrod Washburn, Cory Lidle, and Omar Daal make up the core of the starting staff. Others are ones coming off injuries (i.e. Chuck Smith, Adam Eaton, Gil Meche and Mike Sirotka) or have been ineffective (Andy Benes, Blake Stein, Dave Burba) Watch out for Dan Wright this year. I think he is capable of 18 wins.
PREDICTION: 73-91, THIRD PLACE
LAST PLACE LAST SEASON: MADAWGS
RECORD LAST SEASON: 73-91
DID NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS
The New York Madawgs didn't have a Cup-type season but they have some players. Their outfield of Luis Gonzalez, Cliff Floyd and Jose Cruz Jr. Trading for Adrian Beltre for Trot Nixon was another splendid move. Brent Abernathy is a good young second baseman. Can Neifi Perez hit in Kansas City the way he did in Colorado? After being dealt to Kansas City, Perez only hit .241.....Ouch. A big hole is catcher, where Doug Mirabelli is the incumbent. Edgar Martinez will slip a bit this season. As for the pitching side of things, the relief corps is very good. Ugueth Urbina and Kelvim Escobar will rack up the saves, Kyle Farnsworth is good for lots of strikeouts and saves if Tom Gordon goes down, and Josias Manzanillo is good for holds. Randy Wolf is the top starting pitcher, but after Wolf there is not much promise for success.
PREDICTION: 68-96, LAST PLACE
These predictions are based on how many games were played in the last regular season, which was 164.
SOUTH DIVISION PREDICTIONS
The Defectors Cup Champions, the Tennessee Ballers, has moved on and is no longer in this league. The new team is the BuckWheats, who took over the Queen City Scammers roster.
So we will start off with the second place team, the Crusaders.
SECOND PLACE LAST SEASON: CRUSADERS
RECORD LAST SEASON: 88-76, 24 GAMES OUT
MADE PLAYOFFS
The Crusaders enjoyed a successful season with 88 victories. This was one of the most feared teams last season due to its very tough starting pitching. But they also have very good offensive weapons in Rookie of the Year utility man Albert Pujols, third baseman Corey Koskie, and outfielders Carlos Lee and Richard Hidalgo. Players that need to have big years are shortstop Edgar Renteria, first baseman Brian Daubach, third baseman Tony Batista and outfielders Rondell White and Chuck Knoblauch. Big years from them will make this team even more dangerous. Jason LaRue won't do anything great at catcher. A great rotation is the key to this team though, with Curt Schilling, Greg Maddux, Aaron Sele, Robert Person, Darryl Kile and David Cone the best of the bunch. Others like Darren Oliver, Ryan Rupe, Sterling Hitchcock, Rick Ankiel will have to perform better. Kevin Jarvis quietly had a career year in San Diego. Will he do it again? Will Ankiel still have his wildness? Will Hitchcock's arm be 100%? These are all questions surrounding this team. The Crusaders manager obviously believes that relief pitching is the devil. That could hurt him as he vies for the Cup.
PREDICTION: 93-71, TIED FOR FIRST WITH MIRACLE
THIRD PLACE LAST SEASON: MISSOURI MIRACLE
RECORD LAST SEASON: 84-80
MADE PLAYOFFS
The Missouri Miracle have made about a million deals to improve the team into a Final Four contender. Will it happen? Offensively, they are very good with Rafael Palmeiro at first base, Chipper Jones at third and the outfield, and outfielders Juan Gonzalez, Pat Burrell, Terrence Long and Ryan Klesko. Klesko might just have a 30/30 season in him. Pitching wise, they have added Al Leiter, Roger Clemens, Tony McKnight and Dustin Hermanson. But they have lost ace Mark Mulder. This could hurt the team. The relief pitching might be a plus or minus to this team. Roberto Hernandez will be the closer. Bob Howry, Jeff Tam, Ricky Bottalico and Rich Garces will collect the holds. Jose Paniagua will wind up in the minors along with newly acquired pitchers Tim Redding, Carlos Zambrano and Jason Grilli.
PREDICTION: 93-71, TIED FOR FIRST WITH CRUSADERS
LAST PLACE IN DIVISION LAST SEASON: BRONX BOMBERS
RECORD LAST SEASON: 74-90
DID NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS
The Bronx Bombers are another team that is content with what they have. This team was contending for a playoff berth, but fell apart in the Dog Days of August. Offensively, they have three guys capable of monster seasons in first baseman Carlos Delgado and outfielders Moises Alou and Andruw Jones. Reggie Sanders quietly hit 33 homers last season. Can he repeat that? If so, the Bombers have a very good outfield. Mark Grudzielanek must improve at second base. Pitching wise, its all about the save. Jose Mesa is the top closer. Jeff Shaw is likely to retire. John Rocker was wild last year and Jose Jimenez was hurt for part of last year. The top starting pitcher is James Baldwin, with Pat Hentgen and Scott Elarton coming off surgery, this will be a weak part of the team. A lot of set up men (Travis Phelps, Turk Wendell, Al Levine, etc....) will only get you so far. I don't look for this team to be in the playoffs.
PREDICTION: 72-92, THIRD PLACE
LAST PLACE FROM CENTRAL DIVISION: BUCKWHEATS
RECORD: 76-88
DID NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS
The BuckWheats have a new manager as the old manager has left the league. The new manager has tried to upgrade his team through trades. Acquiring Jorge Posada and Jason Giambi will be a big help to this otherwise weak offense. Jim Edmonds should have a decent year. Will Brian Jordan be happy in LA? Eric Young, Joe Randa, and Omar Vizquel will need to step up if this team is to have any success offensively. Carlos Guillen is a sleeper to have a good year. Pitching wise, Ramon Ortiz is primed to have a big season. Scott Schoenweis and John Burkett will have decent seasons. After that, there isnt much quality starting pitching. Youngsters like Rocky Biddle, Chris George and Brett Myers are huge for this young team. Relief wise, there are some good pitchers. Mike Williams will be the closer. Steve Kline will be his usual self, lots of innings and strikeouts with a low ERA. Will Todd Jones survive in Colorado? Probably not. It might be a tough year for the rookie manager.
PREDICTION: 70-94, LAST PLACE
EAST DIVISION PREDICTIONS
The Defectors Cup Champions have moved to the East Division, with Tri-State Titans moving to the Central Division.
FIRST PLACE IN SOUTH DIVISION: BOSTON BLAZE
RECORD LAST SEASON: 112-52
DEFECTORS CUP CHAMPION
The Boston Blaze has a new manager and will take the reins of a great team. It can't really be explained. Only weakness I see is at DH. Trading Adrian Beltre will hurt, as he will put up a rather large season. Pitching wise, again, very strong, starting, set up and closing. One question: Will Pedro be healthy???????????
PREDICTION: 110-54, FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE IN DIVISION LAST SEASON: ORIOLES
RECORD LAST SEASON: 98-66
FINAL FOUR TEAM
The Orioles had a very good season last year, going all the way to the Final Four. Offensively, this team will be very good despite holes at second base, third base, and designated hitter. Ivan Rodriguez is one of the best catchers in the game. Jimmy Rollins burst onto the scene last year with a great rookie performance. The outfield of Manny Ramirez, Preston Wilson and Mike Cameron is one of the best in the league, if not the very best. Doug Mientkiewicz will have to add a little power at first base to make this team Cup worthy. Jose Ortiz will be good two years down the line but right now isn't his time. Joe Crede is still young as well. Melvin Mora, slated to DH, is hurt. The pitching is as good as it is deep. The starting pitching is possibly the best group of starters in the league, next to Granville Yankees, Crusaders, and Los Lobos. This group includes Mike Mussina, Jon Lieber, Josh Towers, Rick Helling, Shane Reynolds, Jose Lima, and Bruce Chen are the best of the bunch. Mark Redman is coming off an injury. The relief team is also very good, with Billy Wagner, Jeff Zimmerman and Bob Wickman all closing. Eddie Guardado is a very good set up man that could also be closing. Mike Jackson and Tim Worrell are good for holds. Ben Diggins is one of the best pitching prospects in the game.
PREDICTION: 100-64, SECOND PLACE
SECOND PLACE LAST SEASON: LOS LOBOS
RECORD LAST SEASON: 85-79
MADE PLAYOFFS
The Los Lobos is another team content with what they have. They should be since they made the playoffs last year and will more than likely do so again. The offense is powered by first baseman Jim Thome, second baseman Bret Boone (I still say AL MVP) outfielder Bobby Higginson, designated hitter Frank Thomas, and catcher Javier Lopez. The team is weak at shortstop and the outfield other than Higginson. If utility man Mark Loretta plays well, shortstop will be fine. Starting pitching is a strength for this team. Kevin Brown, Brad Radke, Eric Milton, Woody Williams, and Jamie Moyer constitute the Fab Five. Denny Neagle pitches in Colorado........Relief pitching figures to be awesome, with Kazuhiro Sasaki and Billy Koch collecting the saves. Danny Patterson, Jason Grimsley, and Steve Karsay collect the holds. Watch out for Ramiro Mendoza this season. Braden Looper also figures into the relief mix.
PREDICTION: 92-72, THIRD PLACE
LAST PLACE TEAM: PESSAMISTIC PLAYERS
RECORD LAST SEASON: 68-96
DID NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS
Just because they didn't make it last year, Pess decided to rebuild. Now, it looks like he has one of the best young teams in the league. I like what can happen here. Paul LoDuca emerged as an offensive force. Rafael Furcal and Mike Lieberthal are coming back from injury. Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, Vernon Wells and Corey Patterson should be a great outfield combo. Pitching wise, CC Sabathia and Roy Oswalt can both win 20 games. Mark Buehrle, Jeff D Amico, and Mike Hampton will be good also. This team has good potential, but in such a good division theyll still wind up in last place.
PREDICTION: 85-79, LAST PLACE
