2016 MLB Preview

Happy holiday from the ZP: Left Fielder! Today is Opening Day, when 30 teams think they have a chance, and the long winter without baseball comes to an end.

This year, there is even more intrigue, where 15 American League teams think they have a chance at the post-season, while in the NL, powerhouses square off to make it to the promise land. Who will make it to October and who will be left looking from the outside? The ZP: Left Fielder previews the 2016 MLB season:

National League Central:

1. Cubs

This team is stacked. A team coming fresh off an NLCS appearance went out and got a top 3 starter and two big-time free agent hitters. Looking up and down the lineup, it is difficult to figure out who to pitch to. The only thing that could stop the Cubs is expectations, although Joe Maddon will keep them cool under pressure.

2. Pirates (Wild Card)

The Pirates are well on their way to creating a quirky dynasty: playoffs every year, but always at risk for a quick Wild Card exit. McCutchen is as reliable as it gets, and the pitching is deep enough to keep them going strong in the tough NL Central.

3. Cardinals

After three straight years of divisional titles, the Cardinals are looking at the toughest competition yet. They always find a way to stay alive, and they have a stable of young hitters to go toe-to-toe with the Cubs, but they are not nearly where they have been over the past decade. A small step back sees the Cardinals on the outside looking in.

4. Brewers

Milwaukee is in rebuilding mode, and the pieces are in place to see the future as pretty bright. That future isn’t here yet, though, because it will be a long year of losing for the Brew Crew. Young players arriving throughout the summer will give Brewers fans something to look forward to in 2017 and beyond.

5. Reds

The Reds were so bad this past calendar year that they even failed to sell off their resources like they wanted to. They didn’t get nearly what they should have for Todd Fraizer and Aroldis Chapman, and Jay Bruce didn’t move at all. This team will be miserable until July, when they can sell off everyone not named Votto (and maybe even a guy named Votto).

National League West:

1. Dodgers

Losing Zack Greinke can’t be good for a team, but the Dodgers went out and added enough depth to try to replace his success by committee. The Dodgers are crazy deep, and should take home their fourth straight divisional crown.

2. Giants (Wild Card)

Yeah, yeah, we know, it’s an even year. And I’m not dumb enough to bet against them making the playoffs. But the Giants just aren’t deep enough with strong enough players to be the powerhouse that you would expect of a dynasty coming in on their hot year. The infield is stacked, and MadBum is the real deal, but an old outfield and too many question marks makes this team a hot pick for a bust this year.

3. Diamondbacks

With one of the bolder offseasons in recent memory, the Diamondbacks look like they’re ready to strike. The loss of AJ Pollock makes a playoff spot look difficult, but the Snakes look good for the next two or three years.

4. Rockies

Until the Rockies can convince a pitcher to join the Mile High Party, this team will never be able to compete against the stacked NL West. Nolan Arenado will be fun to watch, and Carlos Gonzalez will spend the rest of his career under the cloud of the trading block until a deal gets done.

5. Padres

From World Series threat to the joke of the division, the Padres have done everything wrong since this time last year. A team made up of good parts made a bad whole, and doesn’t look like it is going to get any better in the coming year.

National League East:

1. Nationals

Last year’s biggest disappointment, the Nationals are going to come into the new season as the second best team in the National League East. That will only serve them well, as an improved lineup that stays healthy will follow a contract year from Stephen Strasburg into the playoffs.

2. Mets

Officially the boldest prediction of the year, the Mets will miss the playoffs altogether. Starting pitching is as good as it gets, but the offensive and defensive sides of the ball will let down a staff that will almost certainly have to carry the team.

3. Marlins

Some people want to pick the Marlins as their sexy dark horse this week. I’m not buying it. Giancarlo Stanton is a monster, but only when he stays healthy. The rest of the team is overwhelmingly mediocre, and isn’t enough to find themselves in the playoffs, especially in a strong division.

4. Braves

The Braves have decided to scrap the 2016 season and rebuild, but took the fastest route to a rebuild. Ender Inciarte is a soon-to-be perennial All-Star, and Danby Swanson is going to be a superstar. If they can put things together quickly, this team could be good as soon as the start of next season. Just not this year.

5. Phillies

Oh, poor Philadelphia. The Phillies will try to beat their city-mate 76ers’ ineptitude, and rebuild for a long-term future. A few names stand out as fun to watch, including Aaron Nola and Mikhail Franco, but, on the whole, this will be another miserable summer in Philadelphia.

American League Central:

1. Royals

Are we ready to believe in the Royals yet? Kansas City has been to the World Series twice, won it once, and is bringing back nearly all of the same pieces. When will this team run out of magic? Not yet, at least.

2. Tigers

Detroit has been in win-now mode for a very long time and, until last year, it was working. With the additions of Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton, they continue to try to compete in the immediate, possibly forsaking the future. Here’s to hoping for a return to greatness for Justin Verlander.

3. Twins

If potential was enough, the Twins would be a very intriguing team. Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano are expected to be superstars, and Brian Dozier brings veteran experience. Their ptiching is a little weak, and they are probably a year away from being major players in the Central.

4. White Sox

Oh, poor White Sox. They can’t seem to decide if they are rebuilding or competing. After a spring filled with drama, the White Sox will show flashes of brillaince (thank you, Jose Abreu, Chris Sale and Todd Frazier) among long stretches of mediocrity (thank you, everyone else).

5. Indians

The Mets of the American League, the Indians are stacked at pitching. Well, they have three good pitchers. When you look at the other 23 guys on the roster, you see a lot to be desired. Corey Kluber will spend another year wasting his prime on a bad team with no hope for October.

American League West:

1. Astros

A young, exciting team that was six outs away from the ALCS, the Astros are putting things together for a long run of contention. Carlos Correa is a strong threat for MVP, and Dallas Keuchel is a stud. The Astros are here to stay, and should be a World Series favorite out of the AL.

2. Rangers (Wild Card)

The Rangers are the best team you’ve never heard of. Their offense took off in June last year, and they never looked back, even so far as to push the powerhouse Blue Jays to the brink of elimination last year. With an entire season of Cole Hamels and a return of Yu Darvish, this team is one to be feared.

3. Angels

Maybe we should call this team Trout and Co. Behind the superstar, there really isn’t much to talk about. This team has some players that will keep them interesting, but there just isn’t enough to play with here for a real competition.

4. Mariners

Last year’s most disappointing team is looking to repeat for the title again. After an offseason with a massive quantity of moves, the Mariners look exactly as meh as they were last year. Unless the right guys catch fire, we will be scratching our heads again in September.

5. As

For the first time in a while, Oakland was relatively quiet in an offseason. That isn’t a good thing for a team that finished near the bottom of the AL West last year. It doesn’t look good for the Sonny Gray led A’s, who will have to consider dealing the ace at the deadline.

American League East:

1. Red Sox

The Red Sox have made “worst to first” their new personal motto. Well, last year they were bad, but not THAT bad. And after adding David Price to an already potent lineup, expect the Red Sox to challenge Toronto for Eastern supremacy.

2. Blue Jays (Wild Card)

Last year, the Blue Jays could out-hit anyone. This year, their lack of pitching will come back to bite them in the butt. With contract disputes with two of their three best hitters, this doesn’t bode well for the Blue Jays, who have to spend their entire season looking over their shoulder.

3. Rays

I desperately wanted to predict an AL East Division Championship for this Rays team. Their pitching is stacked, they have a lineup full of consistency (if not stardom), and the Rays management just knows how to win. I see them in it until September, then losing steam because of deadline acquisitions by division rivals.

4. Yankees

Many people think the Yankees will be in the thick of a playoff race late in the year. With their aging lineup and questionable rotation, that is wishful thinking. The Yankees will always be the Yankees, but this year, they aren’t going to be in October.

5. Orioles

The Orioles are the team to beat up on in the American League East. Their lineup is suspect, their pitching is sad, and the team just won’t be able to keep pace with the powerhouses that occupy their division.

February 17th: Spring Training Hat Preview

After a long winter, the clouds are starting to part. Baseball season is officially back, with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp starting today.

Upon their arrival, they will find new gear in their lockers, as Major League Baseball has announced new hats and jerseys for the spring schedule. The new designs, released a few weeks ago by MLB.com and subsequently available on Lids.com, include some teams remaining fairly traditional, others pushing new color pairings, and still others getting total makeovers.

The ZP: Left Fielder takes a look at the winners, losers, and those who win some and lose some:

Winners:

Diamondbacks:  After a redesign of their jerseys and hats this winter, the Diamondbacks come to camp with their snake-head logo, biting into a baseball. The colors are excellent, the logo is fierce, and the hat does a great job of using a secondary logo to make the hat stand out from the regular season options. The Diamondbacks win the Spring Training Hat of the Year Award in a big way.

Brewers: The Brewers went with their throwback MB baseball mitt logo, and put it on a darker blue that will go really well with their jerseys. The gold logo pops off the blue really well, and gives a nod to those who have been begging for more use of a classic logo. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this as a best-seller at Miller Park even during the regular season.

Rangers: Whenever a team uses a more traditional logo, there is a risk that nobody will buy the new hat. To compensate for that, the Rangers have added an outline of the state of Texas to their hat, paying homage to their community, and keying into the state pride for which Texans are so well known. As someone who already loves the Rangers T, this only adds to the class of the cap.

Losers:

Indians: The Indians have almost entirely given up on their Chief Wahoo hat (whether for the good or not), and have instead replaced it by one of the most boring logos in sports. In case you were worried that the new Spring Training hat would force some cool on them, they outlined their red C in white, and then put it on a white front panel. White on white looks pale, and gives an already weak logo an even less bold look.

Royals: It’s nice to be the defending champs. When you’re the Royals, you take that notion of being crowned to an even higher degree. The Royals cap has their usual KC logo, adorned with a large, cartoonish crown. While it’s a nice thought now, it will quickly become obsolete (unless, of course, they keep winning). The crown looks like an afterthought, and takes a usually very classic logo and makes it look a little ridiculous.

Marlins: Oh, poor Marlins. They just can’t seem to get it right. As if their normal hat wasn’t phosphorescent enough, they went and created a dark neon hat. The colors are a little blinding, the orange could be used to stop traffic, and, frankly, I’m afraid to buy it because it might glow in the dark at night in my closet.

Win Some, Lose Some:

Tigers: The Tigers have released two different hats for this Spring, one for home games, the other for away games. The blue one is very sharp looking, just slightly different than the regular season traditional hat. The other is bright orange. So bright that, under the Florida sun, it has the chance to be a sunburn risk. The Tigers hit a home run with their blue hat, and struck out with the orange.

Dodgers: The LA logo is one of the three most famous logos in baseball. To depart from it is to profoundly break with tradition. This year, the Dodgers have added a script D to their hat repotoire, a bold move that both looks very good, and makes the steadfast baseball traditionalists cringe. It’s a good hat, but any new hat is bound to displease.

Blue Jays: As the only team in Canada, the Blue Jays own their identity up north, and have used a Maple Leaf as their design for the spring. On its own, the hat looks really good, with a great color and a clean logo. The only problem is that it looks exactly like a Toronto Maple Leafs hat. Unless the Jays are lacing up skates, the design misses by just a little bit.

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November 26th: MLB Free Agent Preview

The Hot Stove is the best time of the year, as each team tries to find the key ingredient that will throw them over the top into contention. This year, there is a glut of free agents who have the potential to change their new team drastically. The bidding war for each will be fierce, but here is the ZP: Left Fielder’s take on the final destination for each of the top free agents:

David Price - Blue Jays: Most expect Price to land in Chicago, but I wouldn’t count out the Blue Jays to bring him back. Toronto was on the cusp of a world series, and pitching is not the area to skimp if they want to get back. A great offense is only as good as the pitchers who support it, so expect to see Price get a big offer to stay at his new home.

Zack Greinke - Dodgers: The Dodgers have won a lot, but have nothing in their trophy case to show for it. Greinke isn’t the reason for that, though, and his dominance as a one-two punch with Kershaw makes him too valuable to let go. He scores big bucks from Los Angeles.

Johnny Cueto - Red Sox: The Red Sox need an ace, and Cueto has been on their radar for a long time. His second half last year was a little scary, but the Red Sox proved last year that they aren’t afraid to take a gamble (even when they should be).

Jordan Zimmermann - Cubs: Many like David Price as the Cubs top target, but they would be better off getting two decent-sized fish, rather than one big one. Jordan Zimmermann has been rock solid over the last few years, and would solidify the middle of the Chicago staff.

Jeff Samardzija - Cubs: A reunion between Shark and the North Side would be the perfect solution to the starting depth of the Cubs. They already have a relationship, and, with the money saved from Zimmermann as opposed to Price, Samardzija becomes the fourth starter in a staff that is as scary as the lineup that backs it up.

Jason Heyward - Giants: This may be my oldest prediction of them all. Everyone will want to pick the Giants to win it all this year. It is, after all, an even numbered year. I’m sure the Giants know that, and a little bit of pressure might force them to upgrade their lineup. Heyward would bring some life to an outfield that looks a little old. Heyward’s bat, combined with a second-tier starter, will make the Giants a terrifying team.

Justin Upton - Orioles: The Orioles want a big hitter, and Jay Bruce may be their top choice. They may not have the farmhands to get it done, though, so Upton is a very attractive option for left field. Upton alongside Jones would be a great pairing both in the lineup and in the outfield, and he would become the new centerpiece of a mild rebuild project in Baltimore.

Yoenis Cespedes - Angels: The Angels are familiar with Cespedes from his days in Oakland, and he would be an excellent bat to protect Trout and Pujols. That, combined with the fact that this would become the best defensive outfield in the American League makes Cespedes a good bet for the Angels.

Ian Desmond - Padres: Everyone knows the Padres want a shortstop. They have wanted one for 18 months. And Desmond is the real deal when it comes to shortstop. He can’t field particularly well, but what he lacks with his glove, he makes up for with his bat. Desmond is going to score big bucks, and the Padres will be happy to give them to him.

Alex Gordon - Royals: I would love to say that Gordon goes to Chicago to bring defensive wizardry and a scary bat to an already terrifying Cubs offense, but there is no way that the Royals let their man walk away. Gordon was the heart and soul of this team for so long, and he will get a hero’s welcome to return.

Ben Zobrist - Mets: The Mets will lose Daniel Murphy and Yoenis Cespedes, two central pieces of their World Series runner-up offense. To make up for it, they are going to make a big push for the ultimate Swiss-Army knife ballplayer, Zobrist. He will bring a reliable bat and a versatile glove to a team that has the pitching to make it big, but needs experience and contributors to back them up.

Daniel Murphy - Angels: The Angels are going to try to out-slug their opponents this year, and Murphy could be an excellent option at third base. His defense is mediocre, but his bat would be deadly, especially if the Murphy of October shows up in April. Money might be an issue, but if the Angels can overcome that, then this is a match made in heaven.

Chris Davis - Cardinals: The Cardinals need power, and Davis is the spokesman for power. He can slot in at first base for them, and maybe even the outfield in a pinch. The Cardinals are looking desperate to keep pace with the surging Cubs and Pirates, and they might make a free agency mistake by signing a high-risk, high-reward hitter like Davis.

September 12th: NFL Preview

The Patriots won the Super Bowl seven months ago, beating the Seahawks on a last second interception. It was one of the best conclusions to a Super Bowl in recent memory, leaving plenty to be excited about heading into the 2015 season.That being said, the ZP: Left Fielder takes a look at what to expect this season. Who will win each division? Who will play in Super Bowl 50? Let’s take a look!

NFC North:

1. Packers

Aaron Rodgers will be without some of his best weapons, but that shouldn’t stop him from leading the Packers to yet another NFC North title.

2. Lions

Last year’s playoff team is relatively intact, with the exception of a running back who wasn’t all that helpful, and a defenseman who was a giant distraction. They’ll be challenging for a playoff spot come December.

3. Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater left a good taste in the mouths of Minnesota fans, but will have to prove he’s the real deal. Plus, getting back the best running back in football can only help. They’re still a piece or two away from contention, though.

4. Bears

The Bears lost their top Wide Receiver and didn’t do nearly enough to improve on defense. They’ll be better than they were last year, but still no cigar.

NFC East:

1. Eagles

This pre-season, the Eagles look good. Like, really good. Chip Kelly gets to prove whether or not he’s the real deal in the NFL with a stockpile of talent.

2. Cowboys

DeMarco Murray was a huge reason this team was successful last year. This year, they’ll have to prove they can do it without him. They can, but not nearly as well. A wild card spot will be their best shot at the playoffs.

3. Giants

The Giants could be the team that surprises people. Eli Manning has learned his new system, and this could be the year everything clicks. Unfortunately, the rest of the division is too strong to leave any space for New York.

4. Redskins

Oh, poor Redskins. RGIII is done, Cousins has a lot to prove, and the Redskins are playing in a stout division. Jay Gruden came in to solve a mess, and instead became part of the mess.

NFC South:

1. Panthers

There are literally no receivers in Carolina. This is a bummer for a team with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and a defense to keep them in the game. The Panthers will struggle at times, but they will keep pace and be there at the end for a third straight division win.

2. Falcons

Matty Ice is a huge arm that has a new toy in running back Tevin Coleman, who will complement his passing game well. The defense is a question mark, but with the offense, this team should be challenging for the division when all's said and done.

3. Saints

It wasn’t long ago that the Saints were the cream of the NFC. Now, though, they’re falling by the wayside a little bit. They lack of solid running game, and their defense is relatively nameless. With Brees and Payton, they’ll stay competitive, but they won’t be able to keep pace.

4. Buccaneers

The Buccs made some good moves to strengthen their team this offseason and advanced their rebuild well. Jameis Winston could provide to be the quarterback of the future. The future isn’t here yet, though, as Tampa Bay needs at least one more year to get to the promised land.

NFC West:

1. Seahawks

The Seahawks were 36 inches away from winning the Super Bowl, and are hungry to get back there again. They have all the tools with which to make it happen, as the Legion of Boom remains dominant and the offense continues to roll between Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch.

2. 
   49ers

San Fransisco is without it’s head coach, who we will come to find out is the genius behind the machine. Colin Kaepernick is going to bounce back, though, and the defense will show up big, as the 49ers give Seattle a hard time.

3. Rams

Last year, the Rams looked like they were a quarterback shy of a playoff run. They got what they think is their man in Nick Foles, plus Todd Gurley to boot. That being said, this team will scare me next year, but this year has more growing to do.

4. Cardinals

The Cardinals were everyone’s favorite team last year, and then got caught by the injury bug in the worst way. If everyone can come back strong, they could be in a position to compete. They won’t surprise anyone anymore, though, which means a return to earth for Arizona.

AFC North:

1. Bengals

Cincinnati has made the playoffs every year for four straight seasons (and 5 of 6), and has all the pieces to continue to succeed. They are the team everyone wants to hate on, but their run game is strong and the defense could be formidable. They lead a strong division that could include three playoff teams.

2. Steelers

Two of Pittsburgh’s best tools will be missing the first few weeks of the season, getting things started on a rough note. They will turn things around and have a strong second half, but it won’t be enough to win the division. A wild card spot will have to do.

3. Ravens

The Ravens held two leads against the Patriots during the AFC DIvisional round, but couldn’t repeat their 2012 playoff run. They’ll be in the playoffs again, but as a wild card team, as they have a bad habit of starting off slowly and heating up late in the year.

4. Browns

The Browns are a confusing team. In constant rebuilding mode, they have a quarterback that they soured on almost before he hit the field. If Johnny Manziel can pan out, this could be a big team a few years down the road. Either way, this isn’t the year in Cleveland (when have we heard that before?).

AFC East:

1. Patriots

Without Tom Brady, this team would have had a tough time. With their hero, though, the Patriots are the Patriots we all know and maybe don’t love so much. They will have an easy line to the playoffs and will get to defend their title come January.

2. Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill is slowly becoming a very reliable quarterback, and the team as a whole will see some competitive games. If it weren’t for the Patriots, they’d have a chance, but it looks like another year of watching January from their sofa.

3. Bills

The Bills are so, so close to breaking through and ending their playoff drought. Last year, all they needed was a quarterback. Well, this year, they have a fun new horse in LeSean McCoy, but are still missing the quarterback they need. They’ll miss by the slimmest of margins, and continue to suffer in Buffalo.

4. Jets

It is a circus in New York. The Jets have talent, but can’t seem to keep that talent on the field performing well. Brandon Marshall will be fun to watch, but Ryan Fitzpatrick does not a playoff team make.

AFC South:

1. Colts

The Colts sit in the worst division in football, which means many overlook the fact that they are quite good. Luck has all the weapons to be an MVP this year, and they will finally put together the pieces that brought them so close but just outside of the Super Bowl.

2. Texans

The Texans are a good team that is fun to watch. Brian Hoyer could find a good fit here, and the addition of Jadeveon Clowney for a full year will pair well with the best player in football, J.J. Watt. The Texans will threaten for a Wild Card spot, but may miss by a technicality.

3. Titans

Mariota time in Nashville is upon us. Many had their doubts, but the pre-season proved he has what it takes to run an offense. The Titans are a few pieces shy of a good team, though, and will need another year or two of rebuilding.

4. Jaguars

Because of some interception issues last year, everyone is forgetting about Blake Bortles. With T.J. Yeldon, the offense could look much better. Let’s not forget, though, that it is still the Jaguars, and will be seriously short of what they need.

AFC West:

1. Broncos

Everyone is ready to jump off the Peyton Manning bandwagon, but it’s a little early to be writing his NFL-obituary. The Broncos have a stout defense and a litany of weapons for Peyton. There is no reason Denver shouldn’t storm to a first-round bye in the playoffs.

2. Chargers

Every single year the Chargers are right there on the cusp of the playoffs. This year, they’re going to be right there again, and again fall short, as they did last year. Philip Rivers will be good but not great, as we all have learned to expect.

3. Chiefs

The Chiefs are very “take-em-or-leave-em”. Jamal Charles keeps them electric in the run game, and Alex Smith is fine, but not great. The defense could be a bright spot, but this team has no flash to make a run for bigger than 9 wins.

4. Raiders

The Raiders have been rebuilding for about a decade now. Derek Carr is a huge step in the right direction, and Amari Cooper is a great target for him. That being said, the Raiders have more work to do to make it happen. Maybe in another decade...

NFC Championship Game: Seahawks over Eagles

The Legion of Boom squares off against the Legion of Zoom. Both flying teams will have momentum on their side after big finishes to the regular season. The Hawks have been there before, though, as Wilson shows Sam Bradford what winning in January looks like.

AFC Championship Game: Colts over Broncos

A rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional round, the Colts will be flying high after taking down the Patriots a round earlier, while the Broncos will have squeaked by the Bengals on the strength of their defense. It will be on of the best League Championships in recent memory, with Luck leading the Colts to his first taste of the biggest show.

Super Bowl 50: Colts over Seahawks

The Seahawks have been here three straight times, but it is the Colts’ high flying offense that will hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Luck is the MVP with a game winning drive with two minutes to go, while Marshawn Lynch gets plenty of touches by no pay dirt. Colts take home the ring in Super Bowl 50.

If you enjoy the work of the Zoot Perspective, please visit my GoFundMe page, to help support me on my journey. Thank you very much.

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