MLB Chatter: Trout for MVP, Strasburg Limit, Bobby V

Name your AL MVP candidates coming into this season: Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols or maybe a little Josh Hamilton? Probably not Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Trout, who turned 21 yesterday, is hitting .346 (top in the AL), has 60 runs batted in and has nailed 20 home runs. Not mentioning at all his amazing ability to field. So, forget AL Rookie of the Year, something he has basically locked down, let's start talking AL MVP. Hey, Justin Verlander won it last year as a pitcher, a rarity. It will be tough to beat Miguel Cabrera but Los Angeles is the market to do it. He has been the most impressive player on a championship contender if they can manage a Wild Card spot in a tough race. So, Trout for MVP? Well, yes.

Many things can derail a team from winning a title. Injury, player struggles and maybe road games. But, for the Nationals the thing that could pull them away from a championship may be worry. Stephen Strasburg, the team's ace, who is 12-5 this season with a 2.97 ERA will likely be shutdown at around the 150-160 innings pitched mark. The Nationals want to be careful with their future star who already has had health issues in his short career. This move would mean the likely playoffs rotation (if they get there) would consist of Ross Detwiler, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson and Jordan Zimmerman. Detwiler would replace Strasburg as the top pitcher and despite his 6-4 mark and a 2.99 ERA many people think it will be a significant drop off. GM Mike Rizzo has already said he will shut down Strasburg when he thinks it is right. It will be a tough decision one that could mean the difference between a World Series and a disappointing playoff exit.

Before you start saying how ridiculous it is for a team to fire their manager after just one season, a .500 season let me tell you what city this manager is in: Boston. That should explain it. Bobby Valentine made headlines when he stepped in for Terry Francona by his cockiness. He might talk the talk but unless something changes in a big way he hasn't been able to walk the walk. The traditional power Red Sox are currently 55-56 and 9 games out of first place in the AL East. Frustration is everywhere on this team and they should be as they have the talent to be right along with the Yankees in this divsion. So would it be so ridicolous if the Sox fired Bobby V after just one, disastrous season? Maybe, but hey, I'm not from Boston. In the end its not the organization's decision. In this city, the fans decide who stays or who goes.

Special Edition: NL East

The X Factors Roy Oswalt(Phillies), Jason Heyward(Braves), Javier Vazquez(Marlins), Nyjer Morgan(Nationals)
1. Philadelphia Phillies Key Additons: SP Cliff Lee
No team made the biggest splash at the trade deadline last season than the Phillies who snatched Roy Oswalt away from the Astros and brought him into immediate contention. Sure Oswalt was a mediocre 13-13 but he had a 2.76 ERA showing how poor the Astros run support was. Now, thanks to guys like Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino and the productive Raul Ibanez he'll get that much need run support. Amazingly, he won't be the number one pitcher. Or maybe not even two. Thanks to the signing of Cliff Lee, the return of Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels the Phillies have a pitching staff any manager would love to have. Unless Philadelphia gets showered by injuries there is no doubt they will be playing in the World Series. And, maybe even winning it.
2. Atlanta Braves Key Additions: 2B Dan Uggla, RP George Sherrill
I guess you could call it unfair. The Braves know every season they will likely have to face a hard-hitting, flame-throwing Phillies team for the NL East crown. This season, though, they will still compete for a wild card slot. Jason Heyward exploded onto the scene last year with the Braves and needs to have another solid year. The thing, that might determine the Braves success is second basemen Dan Uggla. Uggla knows how to hit and hit it well (33 homers, 105 RBI's in '10 with the Marlins) but his fielding has been pretty poor throughout his career. Don't be surprised if upstart Martin Prado steals a few starts. The staff is headed by Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson while Atlanta got a pick-me-up when Tommy Hanson squeaked out 10 wins at just 24. It will be tough to surpass the Phillies but if they get some more production from their younger guys they could get into the playoffs.
3. Florida Marlins Key Additions: 2B Omar Infante, SP Javier Vazquez
The Marlins have always been a mystery to me. Despite not having any obvious stars other than Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla the Marlins still won 80 games. Well Uggla is gone but amazingly this may help the M's. Omar Infante was involved in the Uggla deal and is a better average hitter and better fielder. Ramirez returns as one of the best players in the MLB once more this season. Josh Johnson had a magnificent season on the mound in 2010 going 11-6 with a 2.30 ERA. He'll be joined by Ricky Nolasco and new addition Javier Vazquez. Vazquez will be asked to give a better peformance then he had last year with the Yankees (10-10) but I think he fits better in the NL. Outfielder Chris Coghlan is a bright young star.
4. Washington Nationals Key Additions: OF Jayson Werth, SP Chien-Ming Wang, 1B Adam LaRoche
Okay, I know what you're thinking: the Nationals in front of the Mets? Or, the Nationals not in fifth? But, this team seems different, in a good way. Washington added tons of fresh blood including Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche both consitent contributors. Chien-Ming Wang was also brought in despite being littered with injuries. Before this, though, Wang was a consistent starter for the Yankees. Coming back are Ryan Zimmeran and Nyjer Morgan. And theres the kid. Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg has a blazer of a heater and can buckle your knees with his curve. And then theres the other kid. For people who haven't heard of Bryce Harper read up on him.In the next five years him and Strasburg will combine to dominate the NL. That's in five years of course.
5. New York Mets Key Additions: None
And the Mets. It's tough to see the Mets where they are now after what looked to be a flourishing organiaztion. Sure, they still have bunches of stars. Jason Bay, David Wright and Jose Reyes are still here. And, guys like Ike Davis and Daniel Murphy have showed so much promise. The problem is they just don't have enough. Johan Santana has been a bust with the Mets always seeming to be injured. Francisco Rodriguez has also been one. After setting the single season saves record with the Angels, New York decided to spend a fortune on the closer. Bad choice. The staff does have R.A. Dickey who's knucklers have been surprisingly successful. To sum it all up, the Mets could still definitely win 80 games. Or, they could not.

Speacial Edition: NL East

1. Philedelphia Phillies 93-69 Key Additions: SP Roy Halladay, 3B Placido Polanco
After two seasons straight winning not just the NL East but the whole National League, the Phillies want to make it three straight. So they traded off Cliff Lee in order to grab former Blue Jay Roy Halladay. Plus, they added Placido Polanco to replace Pedro Feliz. With power hitters Ryan Howard and Chase Utley they could well score the most runs in the NL.
2. Atlanta Braves 86-76 Key Additions: 1B Troy Glaus, LF Melky Cabrera
Atlanta could win the NL East because of their interesting mix of veterans and young stars. The veteran side: 3B Chipper Jones and C Brian McCann. Young side: Jason Heyward and Tommy Hanson. The pitching staff is led by Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson, who are very experienced.
3. Florida Marlins 87-75 Key Additions: SP Nate Robertson, 3B Mike Lamb
It seems every season that the Marlins are predicted to finish near the bottom of the NL East and they defy expectations. Like last season. The reason the Marlins won 87 games was the play of Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla. Plus NL rookie of the year Chris Coghlan hit 321. last season. The Marlins might defy my prediction and climb even farther up the NL East.
4. New York Mets 70-92 Key Additions: LF Jason Bay, 0F Gary Matthews Jr.
The expectations were very high in New York last season. And it all went terribly wrong losing 92 games. Though, David Wright and Jose Reyes, two of the better Mets the past few years, are healthy. Plus they added former Pirate Jason Bay. The pitching staff is decent and the bullpen should be alot better this season if Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz hold up.
5. Washington Nationals 59-103 Key Additions: SP Steven Strasburg, SP Chien-Ming Wang
After losing 103 games last season the Nats look like a lock to finish last in the NL East. So they added to pitchers to a vulnerable pitching staff in Steven Strasburg and Chien-Ming Wang. The offense is pretty good. Adam Dunn has great power and Nyjer Morgan has potential. But the Nats are still too weak.

Predicted Records: Philedelphia, 100-62, Atlanta, 93-69, Florida, 85-77, New York, 76-86, Washington, 61-91

SE:NL East

1.New York Mets Key Editions:Francisco Rodriguez,J.J. Putz

The Mets added all-star Francisco Rodriguez to be a closer and they can use Billy Wagner or underrated J.J. Putz(formerly of Seattle)as a setup man. They still have all-star David Wright at 3B. They're my pick to win the World Series.

2.Philedelphia Phillies Key Editions:Raul Ibanez

The former World Series champs lost Pat Burrell at LF but they added Raul Ibanez in his place. In the infield Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are great hitters along with Jimmy Rollins.

3.Florida Marlins Key Editions:None

The Marlins have a nice double play threat with SS Hanley Ramirez and 2B Dan Uggla. Even though they lost 1B Mike Jacobs they can play Jorge Cantu at any base including 1B.Watch out for the Fish.

4.Atlanta Braves Key Editions:Derek Lowe

The Braves missed the playoffs because of constant injuries and they added huge pickup Derek Lowe. But they might be attacked by injuries again.

5.Washington Nationals Key Editions:None

The Nationals have no big stars. Hopefully Ryan Zimmermen can supplie support.