Mr. Armchair’s 2012 Baseball Wrap-up –

The 2012 baseball regular season is finally over and another 162 are in the books.  We saw historic feats such as the first triple-crown winner (leader in AVG., HRs., and RBI’s) in Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera and we saw numbers put up by a rookie that are unheard of out the next big-thing in Angels OF Mike Trout.  We saw epic comebacks and collapses (I’m looking at you, Professor), big-time trades that didn’t pan out (I’m laughing at you, Dodgers), and unlikely teams making playoff runs.  I think we can all agree that the 2012 season will be one to remember.  Let’s take a moment to recap and look back at my predictions. 

Quick World Series recap –

My Giants, that’s right, MY GIANTS, won the 2012 World Series!!!  Greatest team in all the land!!!  Here’s is a link to my World Series preview, (http://mrarmchair.blogspot.com/2012/10/mr-armchairs-2012-world-series-preview.html) basically outlining exactly what happened in the Giants demolishing of the Detroit Tigers, sweeping them in four games. 

Ok, coming back down from my high horse.  The Giants came into the World Series on a roll and with tons of mo, while the Tigers had to sit and wait, and the long layoff truly had an effect on them.  The Tigers came out flat in Game 1 of the series, and as I predicted, the Giants were able to get to Justin Verlander, knocking him out of the game in the 4^th inning.  That right there is all you need to know about this series.  The Giants were able to keep the Tigers bats calm and when the game got into the later innings, the Giants dominating bullpen closed the door on any attempted comeback or rally the Tigers’ offense tried to make.  The Giants yet again proved that great pitching and defense will trump any offense.  And that is why the Giants will again be wearing the World Series Champion patch on their jerseys next season. 

NL East –

Phillies (Prediction: 95-67, Playoffs – DW) (Result: 81-81) – 3^rd place

Recap:  I think it’s safe to say that we all missed on the Phillies this season.  Injuries killed this team pre-season and during the season.  Chase Utley and Ryan Howard started the season with long stints on the DL, and it continued during the season with ace SP Roy Halladay.  They got into a deep-whole early into the season, causing them to fire-sale their team and cut salary by trading off veteran pieces like CF Shane Victorino and RF Hunter Pence.  It even took former SP Cliff Lee till July 4^th to win his first game.

Braves (Prediction: 90-72, Playoffs – WC) (Result: 94-68) – 2^nd place, Playoffs – Wildcard

Recap:  Like I said at the beginning of the season, this team is solid.  Always has been since I was a kid, and probably always will be.  There’s something to be said for a well-run organization.  As predicted, OF Jason Heyward returned backed to his ROY form by hitting .270 and leading the club in HRs with 27, and pending free-agent OF Michael Bourne is a stub, batting .274 with 42 SB.  But pitching is where it’s at with the Braves, as SP Kris Medlen and Closer Craig Kimbrel will anchor this staff for years. 

Nationals (Prediction: 87-78) (Result: 98-64, Playoffs – DW) – 1^st place, Playoffs – Division winner

Recap:  Everyone knew that the Nats were going to be better, maybe even push for a wildcard playoff spot, possibly win the division; but I find it hard to believe that anyone picked them to win nearly 100 games and finish with the best overall record in baseball.  And the thing is, this is just the beginning, as the Nats are one of the youngest teams in baseball.  They have three aces in potential 2012 CY Young winner Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, and of course, Mr. Innings Limit himself, Stephen Strasburg.

Marlins (Prediction: 84-78) (Result: 69-93) – 5^th place

Recap:  This team was clearly a disappointment, especially following the free-spending offseason they had and opening a new ballpark.  After going all-in and pushing in their chips for Albert Pujols, and losing, we knew it would not be easy for the Marlins to make the playoffs.  But we expected them to at least be competitive and challenge for a spot.  The one positive to come from having a season like this was trading highly-priced third basemen Hanley Ramirez at the deadline to save future cap-space.

Mets (Prediction: 75-87) (Result: 74-88) – 4^th place

Recap:  I said at the beginning that this team won’t be as bad as everyone thinks they may be, and I think that holds true.  There are a lot of positives with the Mets:  3B David Wright was David Wright, batting .306 and belting 21 HRs with 93 RBIs, 1B Ike Davis established himself as the next Adam Dunn, batting .227 yet hammering 32 HRs, and SP R.A. Dickey won 20 games, with 230 K’s and a 2.73 ERA, and potentially a CY Young.  SP Jonathon Niese and 2B Daniel Murphy are two players who are on the rise.

NL Central –

Cardinals (Prediction: 89-73, Playoffs – DW) (Result: 88-74) – 2^nd place, Playoffs – Wildcard

Recap:  I predicted that the Cards wouldn’t have that far of a fall from their win total of 2011 (90 wins) when they won the World Series, despite losing their franchises best player, 1B Albert Pujols, and that’s what exactly happened.  The Cards were still a very good team this season, having great seasons from OF Matt Holliday (.295, 27 HRs, 102 RBIs), OF free agent pick-up Carlos Beltran (.269, 32 HRs, 97 RBIs), and also getting an MVP type season out of C Yadier Molina (.315, 22 HRs, 76 RBIs).

Reds (Prediction: 87-75) (Result: 97-65) – 1^st place, Playoffs – Division winner

Recap:  It’s a pretty remarkable season that the Reds had in 2012.  I’m still trying to figure how the Reds finished the season with 97 wins despite going nearly 2 months without stud 1B Joey Votto.  2012 proved to be Closer Aroldis Chapman coming out party, flashing his 100 MPH fastball on hitters, finishing the year with 38 SVs, 1.51 ERA, and .81 WHIP.  We also finally got to see what OF Jay Bruce can bring to the table, finishing the year with 34 HRs and 99 RBIs.  And don’t forget about 2B Brandon Phillips. 

Brewers (Prediction: 85-77) (Result: 83-79) – 3^rd place

Recap:  Here’s another team that I was right on with in my prediction.  We knew that they would be able to compete for a playoff spot, and they respectively did, but in the end they would eventually run out of gas at the finish line.  While missing the playoffs is a bummer, Brewers fans can at least find solace in the fact that OF Ryan Braun, last year’s MVP, can somewhat put to rest his PED scandal and any allegations that PED’s influenced his MVP award.  Dude proved that he is still a monster (.319, 41 HRs, 112 RBIs). 

Pirates (Prediction: 75-87) (Result: 79-83) – 4^th place

Recap:  For a long time into the season, it looked like the Pirates were going to do the unthinkable and actually make the playoffs.  Then they somehow remembered that they were the Pirates and fizzled at the out.  They didn’t even manage to finish above .500, keeping their long run of finishing the regular season below .500 intact.  At least for the Pirates their future is very bright with star players like CF Andrew McCutchen and minor league SP prospects Gerritt Cole and Jamison Taillon.

Cubs (Prediction: 69-93) (Result: 61-101) – 5^th place

Recap:  Well, we all knew that this would be a rough year for the Cubs and that it would be a rebuilding year, and I wanted to give Theo and the Cubs the benefit of the doubt and not predict them to lose 100 games, but I guess I was wrong.  This team was worse than I thought.  And the thing is; there is not much here to get excited about going forward for the next 2-3 years.  SS Starlin Castro is a stub and 1B Anthony Rizzo and SP Jeff Samardzija will be good; but other than that, there isn’t much here now.

Astros (Prediction: 59-104) (Result: 55-107) – 6^th place

Recap:  We all knew the Astros were going to be bad, but my God.  They are about to make all 4 AL West teams very happy, as the Astros will now be playing their games in that division.  If the Cubs are about 2-3 years away for being a .500 team, the Astros are about 5-6 years away.  But I shouldn’t be talking too bad about them, as I would hate to diminish the Matt Cain perfect game against these guys.  So, the Astros are a great team with great hitters and are on the come to make a strong playoff push J. 

NL West –

Giants (Prediction: 91-71, Playoffs – DW) (Result: 94-68) – 1^st place, Playoffs – Division winner

Recap:  Do I know my team, or do I know my team??!!  Off by three games!!!  It was a great season for my Giants.  We had the return of our star C and presumably MVP winner, Buster Posey, and our workhorse, SP Matt Cain, was a viable CY Young candidate for much of the season and threw a perfect game.  Yes we had our little bumps in the road – little PED scandal here, former two-winner CY Young winner not living up to expectations there – but all in all, you can’t complain about this 2012 season.

Diamondbacks (Prediction: 89-73, Playoffs – WC) (Result: 81-81) – 3^rd place

Recap:  This season was a big step back for the Diamondbacks in my opinion.  They had letdown seasons from two of their main pieces from last year’s playoff run in OF Justin Upton and SP Ian Kennedy.  It got so bad for Upton that the Diamondbacks contemplated trading the once thought of MVP potential player.  They also made, what turned out to be, one of the worst trades in baseball last offseason by sending SP Jarrod Parker and RP Ryan Cook to the Oakland A’s for SP Trevor Cahill. 

Dodgers (Prediction: 81-81) (Result: 86-76) – 2^nd place

Recap:  I know the Dodgers spend $246 million in acquiring players during the playoff push, and I personally have been making fun of the Dodgers for doing so and falling short of making it; but objectively speaking, this season was a big success for the Dodgers.  They got what all Dodgers fans have dreams of for the last few years; new ownership and deep pockets.  And judging by the $246 million they spend on their playoff push, the new owners aren’t afraid to spend. 

Rockies (Prediction: 74-88) (Result: 64-98) – 5^th place

Recap:  This season couldn’t have gone worse for the Rockies.  They lose their best player in stud SS Troy Tulowitzki, and their starting pitching was so young and bad that they had to put every SP on a 75 pitch-limit in order to preserve their arms for next season.  Not actually a receipt for success.  With Tulo and Cargo coming back next season, the emergence of infielder Jordan Pacheco (.309 with 32 2Bs), and hopefully them unleashing their young SP, I presume the Rockies will be more competitive.

Padres (Prediction: 67-95) (Result: 76-86) – 4^th place

Recap:  The Padres started to come alive toward the end of the season and actually put together a little playoff push to excite the fans down in SD.  They got a killer season from 3B Chase Headley, who finished the season with a .286 AVG, 31 HRs, and 115 RBIs, and may finish just outside of the MVP voting.  The injury to SP Cory Lueke really hindered their SP staff, but if he can return next season and replicate the type of potential season he was on this year, the Padres could be scaring some folks. 

AL East –

Yankees (Prediction: 96-66, Playoffs – DW) (Result: 95-67) – 1^st place, Playoffs – Division winner

Recap:  This was just another season of the Yankees being the Yankees.  They lose their key acquisition in SP Michael Pineda at the beginning of the season, and then lose MLB’s all-time saves leader in Mo Rivera for the season early on, and yet they still find a way to win 95 games.  They even exhumed SP Andy Pettitte from the living dead to pitch half-a-season for them.  And SS Derek Jeter, my God, .316 AVG with 32 2Bs and 15 HRs??  Is this guy any more like a fine Cabernet? 

Rays (Prediction: 94-68, Playoffs – WC) (Result: 90-72) – 3^rd place

Recap:  How this team can lose 3B Evan Longoria for half-a –season and still win 90 games and be in the playoff hunt in the final of the season is just amazing and a true testament to how good their SP is.  SP David Price had yet another CY Young type season with 20 wins, 223 K’s, and an ERA of 2.56.  He different established himself as a top-5 starting pitcher in the AL, if not MLB.  With a healthy Longoria, there is no reason why the Rays can’t be in the playoff hunt again next season. 

Red Sox (Prediction: 91-71) (Result: 69-93) – 5^th place

Recap:  We knew that there would be somewhat of a set-back for the Bo Sox after losing Terry Francona and Theo Epstein, but everyone thought they would at least remain competitive.  Man, were we wrong.  This was maybe the biggest meltdown in baseball they we have seen in our generation.  From the circus that was their Manager, Bobby Valentine, to the shipping out of virtually all of their high-price, big-name star players and free agent signings, it will be interesting to see how they will look come 2013. 

Blue Jays (Prediction: 87-75) (Result: 73-89) – 4^th place

Recap:  Coming into the season, I really liked their young prospects in 3B Brett Lawrie and C J.P. Arenciba, and they didn’t disappoint, with Lawrie finishing the year with a .273 AVG and 26 doubles and Arenciba with 18 HRs.  They went the better part of the second half of the season without their best player, OF Jose Bautista, which led to them falling out of the playoff hunt.  Edwin Encarnacion finally lived up to his long-anticipated hype, finishing the year with a .280 AVG, 42 HRs, and 110 RBIs.

Orioles (Prediction: 68-94) (Result: 93-69) – 2^nd place, Playoffs – Wildcard

Recap:  So I got this prediction right, just had the numbers reversed.  Man, who saw this coming?  I wrote coming into the season that I expect the Orioles to be competitive, but to finish 2^nd in the division, a game behind the Yankees for the division title?  You would have thought I was on crack if I had actually picked them to finish where they did.  They got outstanding seasons from CF Adam Jones (.287 AVG, 32 HRs, and 82 RBIs) and C Matt Wieters (.249 AVG, 23 HRs, and 83 RBIs), as well as timing pitching.

AL Central –

Tigers (Prediction: 104-58, Playoffs – DW) (Result: 88-74) – 1^st place, Playoffs – Division Winner

Recap:  I guess Miguel Cabrera, plus Prince Fielder, plus Justin Verlander, doesn’t equal 104 wins like I thought.  But I have to ask, is this regular season a disappointment?  With all of their talent, they were in a fight with the White Sox for the division till the bitter end.  You could make the argument that 88 wins is a bit of a let-down.  Of course, I guess having the first triple-crown winner in 45 years and MVP (Miguel Cabrera) and a potential World Series title makes everything look better.

Twins (Prediction: 83-79) (Result: 66-96) – 5^th place

Recap:  For the Twins, it was their pitching that let them down this season.  As a whole, the Twins finished 28^th in ERA (4.77), 29^th in QS (62), 24^th in WHIP (1.39), and 29^th in BAA (.274).  They’re offense really wasn’t all that bad.  They had good seasons out of their star C Joe Mauer (.319 AVG, 10 HRs, 85 RBIs) and OFs Josh Willingham (.260 AVG, 35 HRs, 110 RBIs), Denard Span (.283 AVG, 17 SBs), and Ben Revere (.294 AVG, 40 SBs).  If they can find some pitching, the Twins could return to form in 2013.      

Royals (Prediction: 81-81) (Result: 72-90) – 3^rd place

Recap:  When you think a team has taken a step forward coming off the previous season, they normally end up disappointment the following season and take two steps back.  That’s the Royals.  A lot of people expected a much better season out of the Royals than they produced.  They’re pitching didn’t live up to expectations and they star 1B, Eric Hosmer, was a huge disappointment.  Many thought that Hosmer would finish this season in the MVP conversation.  Batting .232 with 14 HRs isn’t going to cut it.

White Sox (Prediction: 74-88) (Result: 85-77) – 2^nd place

Recap:  The White Sox did well this season under first-time manager, Robin Ventura.  They were leading this division for much of the second half of the season, only to be over-taken by the Tigers.  They learned a lot about themselves.  They found an ace in SP Chris Sale (17-8 record, with 192 Ks and a 3.05 ERA), and are still getting decent production from veterans Adam Dunn (41 HRs, 96 RBI), Paul Konerko (.298 AVG, 26 HRs) and Alex Rios (.304 AVG, 25 HRs, 91 RBI).  There should be much of a let-down. 

Indians (Prediction: 72-90) (Result: 68-94) – 4^th place

Recap:  This team was in the playoff hunt for about a minute.  Literally, I think the Indians where actually in the playoff hunt for about 17 minutes.  This was a total rebuilding, development year for the Indians young prospects, and they should be happy with the results.  They have a future 2B in Jason Kipnis (14 HRs, 76 RBI, 31 SBs) and OF in Michael Brantley (.288 AVG, 37 2B).  Next up on the plate of development for the Indians will be there pitching, so expect another down year from them come 2013. 

AL West –

Angels (Prediction: 101-61, Playoffs – DW) (Result: 89-73) – 3^rd place

Recap:  Well, I guess you can’t buy a World Series right after all.  After spending $254 million on Albert Pujols and $77 million on C.J. Wilson this offseason, I thought for sure that the Angels would win the AL West division.  But this Angels team never seemed to get on the same page with one another.  What is even scarier is that it could have been worse if not for the play of future HOF outfielder Mike Trout.  For those who missed out on seeing Mickey Mantle play, I think we are witnessing the second coming.   

Rangers (Prediction: 98-64, Playoffs – WC) (Result: 93-69) – 2^nd place, Playoffs – Wildcard

Recap:  We got to witness one of the most epic collapses in MLB history this season with the Texas Rangers.  They went from sure AL West division winners to finishing the season as the second wildcard team and then getting bounced out in that one-game playoff; all within a span of a month.  EPIC COLLAPSE!!!!!!  To be honest, I thought before the season that they would still make the playoffs, but this team had major holes in their starting rotation, and it proved to be their downfall. 

Mariners (Prediction: 71-91) (Result: 75-87) – 4^th place

Recap:  I thought this team could be competitive with the young hitters they were playing and some decent pitching.  Well, they didn’t get much hitting, finishing 30^th in batting average and on-base percentage, but their pitching showed up this season.  They finished 10^th in ERA, 7^th in WHIP, and 9^th in BAA.  I expect young hitters like Jesus Montero, Dustin Ackley, and Kyle Seager to only improve and as long as the Mariners keep running King Felix to the mount every 5^th day, they should be competitive.

A’s (Prediction: 65-97) (Result: 94-68) – 1^st place, Playoffs – Division Winner

Recap:  This one cost me a dinner.  I give them much credit for having an outstanding season.  They did what I thought they weren’t going to do and they called up all of their highly-regarded pitching prospects, and none of them bombed out.  They all met expectation levels, and probably surpassed them.  Frankly, this team way overachieved, which is not a bad thing.  I also didn’t think that Yoenis Cespedes would have the type of season he did as well.  I’ll admit, eating crow for dinner tonight.

World Series:

Prediction:  Tigers over Phillies.

Result:  Giants over Tigers.

Recap:  Well, I got at least one team right.  And it’s fitting that the team I got wrong happened to be the team that I die-hard root for.  All I will say is this; I picked the Phillies in an effort to not come off as being a homer for the Giants and I truly thought that they were the one team that could be better than the Giants this season.  In reality, I should have picked the Giants.  I shouldn’t have been afraid to go with my heart, and now, after winning 2 of the last 3 World Series, I know the Giants will always be in the World Series hunt.  So from now on, I’m going Chris Berman and will have the Giants in the World Series from here on out.  I smell a dynasty brewing in San Francisco.  And it’s going to be awesome!!!

Baseball Awards –                    

AL MVP –

Prediction:  Miguel Cabrera, 1B Tigers

Result:  Miguel Cabrera, 1B Tigers

NL MVP –

Prediction:  Joey Votto, 1B Reds

Results:  Buster Posey, C Giants

AL CY Young –

Prediction:  Dan Haren, SP Angels

Result:  David Price, SP Rays

NL CY Young –

Prediction:  Cole Hamel, SP Phillies

Result:  R.A. Dickey, SP Mets

AL Rookie of the Year –

Prediction:  Yu Darvish, SP Rangers

Result:  Mike Trout, OF Angels

NL Rookie of the Year –

Prediction:  Bryce Harper, OF Nationals

Result:  Bryce Harper, OF Nationals

AL Manager of the Year –

Prediction:  Jim Leyland, Tigers

Result:  Bob Melvin, A’s

NL Manager of the Year –

Prediction:  Davey Johnson, Nationals

Result:  Davey Johnson, Nationals

Mr. Armchair Speaking!!!