We continue our 2011 MLB Preview with the Braves, our last look at the NL East and our main competition for the division title. Projected 25-man roster New additions in italics Line-Up Overall a solid line-up, especially with the addition of Dan Uggla. The wild cards here are Heyward (more on him below), Jones and Freeman. If I'm the Braves, I'm not expecting much from Jones, who has missed an average of 40 games a season for the last 7 years, and played on 95 last year. At 39, … [Read more...]

I have created a home page for our 2011 MLB Preview that you can find here and reference back to for all 2011 MLB Preview posts. Today we look at the AL East, home former Phils Greg Golson, Freddy Garcia and Kyle Drabek. This will do it for the non-NL East division previews, and will start getting into specific Phillies previews shortly. ______________________________________________ 1. Boston Red Sox Why I Have Them Here: Decimated by injuries last year, and sub-par performances … [Read more...]

I have created a home page for our 2011 MLB Preview that you can find here and reference back to for all 2011 MLB Preview posts. Today we look at the AL West, devoid of former Phils, unlike the NL Central, only home to former Phils Bobby Abreu, Gio Gonzalez and Arthur Rhodes. ______________________________________________ 1. Oakland Athletics Why I Have Them Here: Because they have 4 quality young starters entering the prime of their careers (Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Gio … [Read more...]

We continue our 2011 MLB Preview with the Mets, once the Phillies main competition for the NL East title. Now, their owners are busy proving that you don't need to be remotely smart to make a ton of money. Projected 25-man roster New additions in italics Line-Up The Mets might have been a complete disaster the last 2 years, but make no mistake about it - when they are healthy, this is still a really good line-up. Obviously staying healthy has been a gigantic problem, … [Read more...]

I have created a home page for our 2011 MLB Preview that you can find here and reference back to for all 2011 MLB Preview posts. Today we look at the NL Central, home former Phils Marlon Byrd, Scott Rolen, Miguel Cairo, Michael Bourn, Jason Michaels, Jason Jaramillo, Nick Punto, Carlos Silva, Brett Myers, J.A. Happ, Nelson Figueroa, Randy Wolf, Kyle Loshe and Ryan Franklin. ______________________________________________ 1. Milwaukee Brewers Why I Have Them Here: The Brewers are … [Read more...]

We continue our 2011 MLB Preview with the Nationals who made a huge, and foolish, splash this off-season in signing Jayson Werth to one of the more ill-advised contracts in recent memory. Projected 25-man roster New additions in italics Line-Up Aside from Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman, there isn't a whole lot to be scared of in this line-up. Starters Ivan Rodriguez, Danny Espinosa and Nyjer Morgan all had OPS under .700 last year. Adam LaRoche might have had 100 RBI last … [Read more...]

We are already through the NL West and AL Central, so let's get started on one of the NL East team-by-team previews with the always pesky, always poorly supported Florida Marlins. Projected 25-man roster New additions in italics Line-Up Despite the loss of Dan Uggla, this is still is decent line-up. Hanley Ramirez had by far his worst season as a pro last year. According to WAR, he was half as valuable as he was each of the previous 2 years, including a drop-off in his defense. … [Read more...]

I have created a home page for our 2011 MLB Preview that you can find here and reference back to for all 2011 MLB Preview posts. Today we look at the AL Central, home former Phils Jim Thome, Gavin Floyd, Carlos Carrasco, Bruce Chen, Robinson Tejeda, Jason Donald and Lou Marson. ______________________________________________ 1. Detroit Tigers Why I Have Them Here: It's easy to make an argument for any of the top 3 to be in this spot. They are all so close that it will likely come … [Read more...]

Welcome to the 2011 ReclinerGM MLB Preview. Where we get excited about the season and crazy internet people from around the country come tell me I know nothing about their team, only to find out they are wrong. I'm starting with the NL West because to me, that is the easiest division to pick this year. Almost all others have some tough choices (and not just at the top). I have created a home page for our 2011 MLB Preview that you can find here and reference back to for all 2011 MLB Preview … [Read more...]