2010: Five Teams (For Me) to Watch
Yesterday, most of this country witnessed the power of a team fraught with adversity can lead to redemption and a championship. Six years ago, the Boston Red Sox was that example to the world. This time, it's the National Football League's New Orleans Saints. The culmination of over four decades of futility, combined with the slow rebuilding of a city destroyed by a massive weather event, yielded the franchise's finest moment - a Super Bowl victory on its first try.
Now that the NFL season has closed, it's baseball's turn. Well, we're also joined by the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the NBA All-Star Game played in Jerry Jones' megachurch of sport as put on by Mark Cuban. All we know is that pitchers and catchers are reporting on February 18.
Looking back at the five players I mentioned in the last post, I am always reminded that there is no "I" in "team." Unless, of course, you're Johnny Damon (amongst other free agents still unsigned) and is looking for one to play on this season...
Let's take a step back and wonder what will really transpire in 2010. For me, that means finding teams to follow that will have compelling storylines and personal investments involved. How so? It comes down to tickets, caps, clothing - you name it! It also comes down to more than a piqued interest in the daily grind of these ball clubs.
Ah, but which five teams will I be able to follow this coming season? I guarantee you some surprises...and some obvious choices.
MINNESOTA TWINS: Target Field is just about ready. A few more installations of ticket booth equipment and other details are to be completed before it gets its first test on the day of regular season single game ticket sales. Though most of the lineup is in tact, the swap of Carlos Gomez for J.J. Hardy had a few heads scratching around here. Things should settle a bit after everyone's Brett Favre jerseys gets put away for the spring - but the Twins appear not to be done with improving the team. The biggest concern is pitching, which Carl Pavano helped by sticking around for 2010. Still unresolved are the futures of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. If General Manager Bill Smith can get a deal done during the season, the potentially packed houses in the North Loop will continue for years to come. As for repeating as AL Central Champions, it always appears that every team has a shot at dethroning them. The Tigers? Maybe. The Chicago White Sox? Again, maybe. The Kansas City Royals? That could be one that would wreck things for the Twins, Tigers and the Southsiders. I have this feeling that might happen. Still, the new ballpark's impact will be tested for a team that was designed for the Metrodome. I'd say this will be an entertaining season in Minneapolis - Jim Thome, included.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS: I left Wisconsin in 2004 because I simply disliked it. I always dreaded visiting there. Last year, with one of a few remaining friends in the state in tow, I finally enjoyed a nice time at Miller Park - always the third time's the charm. The huge difference has been the overall performance of the team has improved since before Mark Attanasio poured money into the team after acquiring it from the Commissioner's family. At its core, Prince Fielder provided power when needed with a supporting cast of farm system-bred and acquired talent to bring the Brew Crew back to the Postseason a couple of years ago. The biggest challenge for Ken Macha in 2010 is to harness the exuberance of Carlos Gomez into a team player. Macha's system seems like a nice fit for Gomez, which will allow the Dominican a chance to show off his no-holds-barred style of play within the context of Fielder/Braun/Weeks/McGehee. The big concern is pitching. However, having a strategy that enables Trevor Hoffman to save games without the benefit of a powerful rotation may backfire in the face of its rivals - mainly the Cards, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. I've always said this is an exciting team to watch. It's worth the five-and-a-half hour drive from home to see them again.
BOSTON RED SOX: From 1975 to September of 1986, this was my constant in the American League. The California (Los Angeles) Angels interrupted this love for all things Fenway. Then, I visited Fenway in 1993 - and the love returned. Two World Series Championships later, the love remains. However, I found it interesting that they appeared to "give up" more than they acquired during the off-season. Jason Bay was gone - now a New York Met. Good thing they kept most of the lineup in tact. Theo Epstein did add Mike Cameron from San Diego to resolve the outfield and added John Lackey from Anaheim to augment the rotation. Add Adrian Beltre and Jeremy Hermedia (heading for arbitration, BTW) and the Nation seems to be all right. Yet, I need to call Epstein on the carpet for adding Boof Bonser to the 40-man roster. WHY?!? The dude has diminished his minor league hype since he was called up to the Twins! What miracle can John Farrell and Terry Francona exact in Fort Myers to get this big lump of pathetic pitching to Red Sox standards? (At least they didn't get Sidney Ponson - how low could you go, really?) There are enough arms at Fenway to keep Bonser in Rhode Island and Maine. The big question remains: Can they get back into the Postseason in 2010? Only if they win the AL East outright - the AL West has just gotten stronger.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS: There is a rule of thumb to think about when looking at your home division: Watch out for the most likely rival to screw up the best-intended plans (see above under "Minnesota Twins"). In the case of my home Minnesota Twins, it rotates between the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians. Until recently, no one took the Kansas City Royals seriously for the last decade or so. Every year, they keep on improving by adding key acquisitions to augment a farm system-bred core. However, one of their core was sent off to the Southside of Chicago: Mark Tehaen. To replace him is Rick Ankiel, coming across Interstate 70 from St. Louis. Ankiel arrives to help fellow newcomers Scott Podsednik, Jason Kendall, and Brian Anderson, along with returning Royals David DeJesus, Jose Guillen and Billy Butler. However, the universe in Kansas City revolves around this generation's Bret Saberhagen: Zach Greinke. Without Zach, the Royals could be nothing. Trey Hillman's guys are looking for their elusive division title - which is something I fear living in Twins Territory and such. However, let there be no doubt that this Royals team will be the most entertaining group to play east of downtown Kansas City since 1985.
IOWA CUBS: Whoa? I thought this was a Major League blog! Well...not if you consider who's managing the Chicago Cubs' Triple-A affiliate and potentially the Pacific Coast League's story of the year. Ryne Sandberg carries his magic touch up another level after successes in Peoria (A) and Tennessee (AA). One of the most beloved members of the Chicago Cubs of the past generation, Sandberg hopes to get the Des Moines-based ballclub to the level of the Sacramento River Cats, Albuquerque Isotopes and Memphis Redbirds to challenge for the PCL's American North division's flag come Labor Day weekend. To do so, the Cubs will need to improve on their .500 record and ensure that the roster to be decided at Spring Training in Mesa will be ready to run out the gate. That will depend on how many of Sandberg's disciples from Peoria and Tennessee will be promoted to Iowa. This will be a fun season at Principal Park.
Keep on mind these five teams do not represent whether they're the best in their leagues or division - or whether they will make it to their postseasons. These are five ball clubs I intend to examine throughout the year as the season grinds onward. What storylines will come true from these clubs? Come April, we will certainly find out.





