With Opening Day only five weeks away, it’s safe to say that baseball is finally back. Now that pitchers and catchers have already reported to spring training, order is restored in the universe. This offseason has come and gone, but the storylines will carry over into the regular season and won’t be put to rest until long after October is over.
Can the Dodgers Win it All?
Las Vegas already has the Dodgers as the favorites to win the fall classic come October and for good reason. With a healthy Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez back in the lineup, The Dodgers have arguably the best starting nine in the MLB. Last year, the Dodgers started off the season going 30-42 and were in last place as late as July 1.
With injuries to Kemp and Ramirez in addition to starters Chad Billingsley, Zack Greinke, Josh Beckett and Ted Lilly all spending time on the Disabled List, it looked like the Dodgers were on their way to a last place finish. But Cuban sensation Yasiel Puig burst onto the scene and gave them the boost they needed. Following an incredible 42-8 run, they made it all the way to the NLCS. But the injuries to Kemp and Ramirez proved too grand to overcome and they were beat in six games by St. Louis. With a healthy lineup and one of the best pitching staffs in the league, there’s no reason why the Dodgers can’t bring back the first championship trophy to Chavez Ravine since 1988.
Will Cano Thrive in Seattle?
Robinson Cano was the biggest free agent target this offseason and ended up taking his talents to the Pacific Northwest. The best second baseman in the league accepted a 10-year, $240 million contract from the Seattle Mariners, the third largest in MLB history. With Cano in Seattle, the Mariners finally feel like they have found someone they can build their team around and get out of the cellar that they have dug themselves into in the AL West. While the first eight years of his career have been spectacular, his move to Seattle raises three questions. Will he be able to produce in a less than friendly hitter park? Yankee Stadium is a left handed hitter’s dream, with the right field fence only 315 feet away from home plate.Safeco Field is well-known as a pitcher-friendly, hitting nightmare park.
What about protection? The Yankees have the kind of money the Mariners wish they had, and their lineup card reflects that.The Mariners traded for Logan Morrison and signed Corey Hart, hoping to give Cano protection in their lineup. The third and final question is did the Mariners give Cano too many years? There was a reason that the Yankees only offered Cano seven years: players break down. Cano is 31, meaning that he will be in Seattle until he is 41. Players usually wear down after they turn 35, meaning this deal could end up biting the Mariners in the butt.
Will the Angels Claim the West?
The Los Angeles Angels have made big moves the last two offseasons. They signed free agents Albert Pujols and Pitcher C.J Wilson to very lucrative deals after the 2011 season and signed former Texas slugger Josh Hamilton to a 5-year, $125 million dollar contract following the 2012 season.
So far the Angels have been more than disappointing. After two third place finishes in the last two years, the Angels hope that a healthy Pujols and non slumping Hamilton can pair with slugger Mike Trout and lead the Halos to a first place finish.
The pitching rotation, which has been the Angels’ Achilles heel, was upgraded this offseason but at a definite cost. The Angels traded slugger Mark Trumbo to Arizona part of a three team trade, which sent young pitchers Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs to Anaheim. Paired with Jered Weaver and Wilson, the Angels could have very well fixed their pitching woes.
Connor Anthony can be reached at connor.anthony@spartans.ut.edu.