Sunday January 1, 2012

Jonathan Hacohen:  Posted every Weekend: Your top baseball questions from the past week are answered. E-mail all questions to mlbreports@gmail.com, message us on Twitter and post on our Facebook Wall!

Let’s get to your top questions of the week:

Q:  With just 7 weeks until spring training, which teams are looking really good for the 2012 season?  Heather

MLB reports:  Great question Heather.  I presume you mean which teams are playoff contenders for 2012.  At this point, I really like the Rays, Tigers, Angels and Rangers in the AL.  These teams have the best balanced rosters that are built to make it to the playoffs.  In the NL, it’s the Phillies, Reds, Dbacks and Braves (maybe Cards).  Those are the strongest 8 teams that I am projecting for playoff positions at this point.  There will be many improved teams to keep an eye on.  The Jays continue to be on the rise in Toronto.  The Royals are slowly preparing to make their move.  I like what the Nationals are building in Washington.  The Pirates are slowly putting together a nice stable of young prospects.  The Padres are going to be a serious force very soon, perhaps as soon as this year.  The common theme is good pitching and depth within the lineup.  The above teams are the ones that are getting it right in my book.

Q:  Will the Baseball Writers snub Tim Raines once again?  David

MLB reports:  Raines since 2008 has his percentage of votes rise from 24% to 37.5%.  This is a tough one for the voters.  I have studied the numbers and I don’t give Raines a vote.  He was very good…but not Hall of Fame good in my book.  Ultimately Raines will get in, as he is more deserving that say Jim Rice in my opinion.  But he is one of those slow candidates that will climb every year and get to 75% in the last couple of years of eligibility.  Raines is a fringe hall of fame candidate and it shows in his vote totals.  Keep in mind it is the hall of fame, not the hall of very good.  If we are going to put only the best of the best in the hall, Raines should not be in.  But considering the track records of some recent inductees, then yes, Raines should be in. But don’t expect it anytime soon and definitely not in 2012.  Raines will have to play the waiting game like many other fringe candidates.

Q:  Any chance the Mets sign Prince Fielder? I know- I doubt the money is there, but still… I’d also like to think they can win the WS…  Jon

MLB reports:  All I have to say is…huh? You must really love your Mets, but you need to get a reality check on their chances.  To answer your questions: firstly, no chance the Mets get Prince Fielder.  For so many reasons.  They cannot afford him.  Given the Wilpon financial issues and the fact that the team is looking for a minority owner for a bailout, the team cannot take on Fielder’s salary.  All the money in the budget has already been spent, so the team will go with Ike Davis again at first base.  Davis has been a pleasant surprise and should continue to develop.  Secondly, no way that Prince will want to go to the Mets.  The team is not a contender and has too many black eyes from an image perspective.  Prince would not want to get caught in the Mets mess right now.  Plus, even with the outfield dimensions changing, I doubt Prince will want to play in that ballpark.  As far as winning the World Series, pop in a DVD and watch the glory year of 1986.  It should give you some comfort until the team returns back to glory, sometime in the next 5-10 years.  I don’t mean to be hard on you Jon, but sometimes in baseball the fans need some tough love.  I am being honest because I care.  Don’t stop supporting your Mets: just be realistic so that you are not in for a letdown.  Expect nothing and you will have your expectations exceeded!!!

Q:  What’s your opinion on how my Kansas City Royals will fair this season? Michael

MLB reports:  Better than many people think Michael.  The Royals will not make the playoffs, but they will be a .500 squad.  The hitting is really coming together and could get the boost of Wil Myers in mid-2012 if he gets the call.  Things are on the rise in Kansas City.  The Royals will be finishing in 3rd place, behind the Tigers and Indians.  I could even see a 2nd place finish if everything falls into place.  The team just has so much talent at every position, with the rotation being the only question mark for me.  Perez, Butler, Hosmer, Giavotella, Escobar, Moustakas, Gordon, Cain and Francoeur.  A bullpen stacked by Soria, Broxton, Crow, Collins, Mijares, Wood and Holland.  On the field and in the pen, the Royals have the power to succeed.  The rotation is a little more of a patchwork job.  The team needs Danny Duffy to put it together and top pitching prospect John Lamb to return to form after a lost year to injury.  I see 2013-2015 being the Royals time to shine.  But with the team set to host the All-Star game this coming year, they should have an exciting product on the field.  This will not be their year, but the first real step towards respectability.  Enjoy this young team, if nothing else they will be fun to watch.

Final Question:  What are the chances of any of these guys coming to Boston: Oswalt(P) Garza(P) Saunders(P) Spilborghs(RF) Quentin(RF)? Rick

MLB reports:  Great question Rick. Fans are wondering what the Red Sox have up their sleeve.  Unfortunately, I don’t think you will like the response on this one.  Matt Garza comes at a big price of prospects that the Red Sox will not likely pay. Plus considering how long it took for Theo to make the jump to the Cubs and the negotiation of compensation and movement of front office staff, I don’t see the teams matching up well for a trade.  Roy Oswalt will have many options considering that he will only get a 1-2 year deal.  I don’t think he will be that excited to play in Boston. I see him more likely ending up back in the NL, or going to Texas or the Jays.  Carlos Quentin is already in San Diego and will be the team’s new cleanup man.  A native son, Quentin could stay long-term in San Diego.  Whether the BoSox get Ryan Spilborghs or not is irrelevant for me.  He just doesn’t excite me as a player with much potential.  I could see Joe Saunders heading to Boston as a middle of the rotation starter.  He would be an innings eater more than anything, not a real impact guy.  It looks to me like the BoSox are going with what they have for the most part, with only minor tweaks coming.  The team has the talent, so the bigger question is how the players respond to new manager Bobby Valentine.  How Bobby V gets his players prepared and focused will decide if the BoSox can return to their glory days.

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Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports:  You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

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