2007 Season Predictions: The Sip

We wouldn't be baseball's most popular blog if we didn't spit out some predictions on the upcoming season. After all, considering our years in the business, multiple conversations with scouts and front office executives and keen eye for talent, our opinions are simply better than all of yours. That is a fact.

Or at least, me, AFOMG and Cheddar know the three most of any people that regularly write baseball for this site, so if you're interested in where we see this season going, read on playa.

American League East Division Champs: Boston Red Sox

This team has too much pitching, a killer lineup and with Papelbon back at the closer spot, as deep and solid of a bullpen as any team in baseball. If they get a healthy year out of JD Drew, which is 50/50 at best, this offense could be scary as all hell. There isn't a more exciting story in baseball than Dice K. If this guy can overcome the pressure and win 14-16 games with a great lineup behind him, this team will be the best in the American League.

AL Central Champs: Cleveland Indians

Call me biased. We all know I am. But in baseball's division with what many think are 3 of baseball's top 8 teams, it is the 4th team that will jump to the front of pack. Everyone saw what Travis Hafner can do. He's David Ortiz but much whiter. Jhonny Peralta is coming off an off year but will bounce back, Vic Martinez is a horse in the middle, and the Indians have the most exciting player in the American League in Grady Sizemore. He is pretty much a cross breed of Jose Reyes and David Wright. He could go .300, 30,100, 130 Runs, 30SB. He is that good. The pitching will also be there. CC Sabathia, Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee are as good a 1-2-3 as you'll find in the game with Faustino Carmona and Jeremy Sowers at the back of the rotation providing the youthful exhuberance that any champion needs. The big question mark is the back of the Pen and Joe Borowski. If he can get them to August, they'll make the move for bullpen help in the stretch run.

AL West Champs: Oakland A's

Eveyrone is writing off the A's 'cause they lost Zito and Frank Thomas. If Rich Harden is healthy he is better than Zito and the Monster as a DH will hit some. But this team is young and only getting better. The rotation remains very deep. Danny Haren is ready to step in as the #2, Blanton the #3 and Loaiza the #4. That is pretty damn solid if you ask me. The pen still has Justin Duscherer setting up Huston Street. And they will hopefully have Bobby Crosby back and healthy, the same player Peter Gammons picked to be the MVP in the AL last year.

AL Wild Card: Whoever comes in 2nd in the AL central (Twins, Tigers, White Sox)

I like the White Sox. I think that team was a little too cocky for its own good last season, but they have all the talent and pitching in the world to go places.

NL East Champs: New Mets!

I have to. Otherwise, you guys would hate me.

NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers

I think this is a 2-way race between the Reds and the Brewers. The Cardinals just don't have the pitching or really anyone to hit outside of Pujols. Rolen and Edmonds are a year older and now that they have the ring, the urgency is gone. The Cubs will be the laughing stock of baseball. Unless Prior and Wood do something crazy, they just don't have enough pitching. Zambrano, Lilly and Jason Marquis... doesn't really excite me. The Reds should be a tough team. With Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo they have a very formidable 1-2. But the Brewers are ready to emerge as the class of the National League. With Ben Sheets and Chris Capuano being joined by Jeff Suppan, the Brewers will be able to pitch. The lineup is young and getting better. Billy Hall can hack it. So can Prince Fielder. Richie Weeks will be healthy and improved. And the pen, assuming Francisco Cordero can hold up will be solid enough. Plus, this team has moxy. I love me some moxy.

NL West Champs: Arizona Diamondbacks

And not just 'cause I want to work for them. Get Unit in his comfort zone and he is as good of a #2 as any pitcher in the game. Brandon Webb is the reigning Cy Young winner. Then there is Livan Hernandez and Doug Davis, who they stole from the Brewers. They are stacked with young talent -- Conor Jackson, Chad Tracy, Stephen Drew and most importantly they have Byrnesy. Eric Byrnes is a winner. he is more likable than any person in the world and a dream for any clubhouse.

NL Wild Card: Florida Marlins

Everyone is talking about the Phillies, Phillies, Phillies. I have a simple theory. You can't win consistenly in a park like that. Pitchers can't pitch consistently when 368 feet to Left center is a homerun. But the Marlins -- this team scares me. They were very good last year and they were all rookies. Now they are all a year older and it's time to watch out. Miguel Cabrera may be the best young hitter in baseball. Hanley Ramirez is a bigger version of Jose Reyes. Dan Uggla can hack, so can Josh Willingham. The rotation has talent. Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez joining Dontrelle. Having just acquired Jorge Julio in the back of the pen, at least they have someone to give the ball to. All I'm saying is watch out. The Mets play in a much improved division, and the Mets are a worse team than they were in '06.

* * * * *

Divisional Playoffs, AL: Red Sox def. White Sox, Indians def. A's

Divisional Playoffs, NL: Mets def. Brewers, Marlins def. D'Backs

LCS, AL: Indians def. Red Sox

LCS, NL: Mets def. Marlins

World Series: Mets def. Indians As you can see I am trying to do to the Mets vs. Indians rivalry what Chris Berman did to 49ers/Bills.

* * * * *

NL MVP: Jose Reyes - This guy is on the brink of changing the game of baseball.

NL ROY: Kevin Kouzmannoff - This guy can kill the ball. We had him back in Cleveland and now that he will get 500 ABs, expect 25-90. RIP Lastings.

NL Cy Young: Jake Peavy - Arguably the best stuff in the game in a pitcher's park. He'll bounce back.

NL Manager of the Year: Fredi Gonzalez - They might give it to Willie as a little payback for '06, but when the Marlins shock baseball, their skip will reap the rewards.

AL MVP: Grady Sizemore - See above. He's going to put up special numbers and everyone from the Red Sox will hurt each other's chances.

AL ROY: Alex Gordon - If only because this is the most hyped prospect I have heard about in years. Baseball wants good press in KC and I can't see them giving this award to Dice K for Matsui reasons.

AL Cy Young: Rich Harden - If this guy is healthy he has the best stuff in the game. He hasn't been healthy for a full season yet. I'll take my chances here.

AL Manager of the year: Eric Wedge - Wedgie will earn his due for leading the surprise team in the AL.

VCD,

SM