Post by Reddington on Nov 5, 2022 20:44:04 GMT -5
Somehow the drunkard co-commish managed to let the dogs out and get the season underway.
Out in the AL East, grandfather time is standing still and the Blue Jays amid a fire sale to rebuild are still the top dog of the division. One has to wonder is this the first time a sub 500 team will win a division? Toronto 29 million from their payroll, but still has a hefty paycheck going out, that will be tough to pay out without post season income, which with their current negative balance will impact them going into the next off season. The Brass in Tampa had been talking about being in the playoffs ever since the club came into existence, and maybe this is their year as even the hapless Red Sox have a chance this year.
In the AL Central, once again it looks like a three headed Monster of Chi, Det, and Minnie mouse all looking to dominate the league. KC looks to rebuild again, and Cleveland looks to be in no mans land (history nerds will know thats the area between the barbed wire on a WWI battlefield)
Out West, Seattle got off to a slow start, but end of day they want to challenge Cali for the Division. That said, Cali should be an easy 100 win team again. Seattle has a young core though, and eventually they look to be in a postion to wrestle the crown from Cali.
Over in the NL East, it looks like the Marlins might have mistimed their rise, as this looks like the best season to dethrone the Braves. Gone are the likes of McGriff and Stanley, and the pitching staff is a year older. Archi C is getting long in the tooth at SS, and the once fabled OF now only has Obando for name value, and he's already 32. Financially Atlanta shed 16 million in salary, and looks to shed another 20 at the end of this season. The team should win 100, but doesn't look to have any gas to make it out of the first round should they reach the playoffs.
The Central is where all the fun is in the NL, with the Cubs, Brew Crew and Cards all looking to play into October. Brewers really didn't have any changes to their team and should easily win 110 again and probably run away with the division. StL made some trades to beef up a team that did a relatively quick rebuild but also still has a pretty loaded minor system. Gonna be fun to see which of the teams comes out of the dust between the Cubs and Cards.
Out West, it's another ho hum season and the Dodgers will walk away with the division. It wont always be like this as Az looks like it will be ready to compete in another couple seasons, and the Giants should be ready in a couple more years too.
