Regardless of who you cheer for there are not only a multitude of battles for final roster spots, but suddenly the injury bug has altered portions of my earlier predictions. I?m smart, but anybody?s arm can erupt into bone fragments on any day.
Arizona - Not a lot of career threatening stuff, but when Upton is hurt and two key pitchers are behind in getting in their Grapefruit League innings, the season generally starts poorly.
Cincinnati - Two words; Johnny Cuetto, a viable Cy Young candidate if healthy, or at least they have some depth. Maybe Chapman ends up starting instead of coming out of the pen?
Colorado - There are three key setbacks in the losses of Ian Stewart, Eric Young and Aaron Cook. Those injuries take this modest roster down yet another notch.
Detroit - Zumaya is always hurt and with one more surgery he?ll have trouble getting his jock strap on and off by himself. Utility asset Carlos Guillen isn?t ready to offer any help.
LA Angles - The Angles already have two pitchers doubtful for opening day and slugging first baseman Kendry Morales broke his leg.
LA Dodgers - Casey Blake will be missed but losing Garland and Padilla decimates a decent staff. Maybe Kershaw can pitch twice a week?
Milwaukee - Beyond the great expectation of adding Greinke and Marcum, the disabled list is as packed as the drive-thru at the local Tim Horton?s.
Minnesota - Take Mauer, Morneau and Nathan out of the opening day lineup and they might be calling me. Cuddyer is also iffy.
NY Mets - We knew Santana is literally on the ropes, but now with Beltran aching already, things look grim. Like I said about Beltran - it?s a contract year and enough Advil can cure anything for the right price.
NY Yankees - Losing Marte puts a lot of pressure on Boone Logan. Speedy Brett Gardner will be missed, but Andruw Jones is having a good camp and super stud Nunez is taking reps in the outfield. Joba is also dinged up but should be fine.
Oakland - Half the pitching staff is broken down including Canadian Rich Harden, who looks to be done before he starts - maybe forever.
Philadelphia - Chase Utley is on the shelf as well as Polanco so the infield is as bare as my aging scalp. Lidge is hurt again - as usual.
Texas - Starting with Brandon Webb and Scott Feldman not in prime form makes this pitching challenged team need to look for miracles and even more runs.
Toronto - Who cares? But seriously they have two key relievers looking like they spent the weekend in Libya. Also Aaron Hill is lagging behind with nagging injuries.
Washington - When you?re going to finish last anyway nothing gets anyone yanking their hair out, but losing Zimmerman is bad news.
In closing, most pro leagues insure their players, and in the MLB things are a bit more flexible than the NHL or NBA and settlements vary. The fact is that if you do end up on the disabled list, you might not make your negotiated $25-jillion salary and if the injury is related to a body part that has been injured previously or repeatedly, then things change dramatically.
Many aging stars who have monster contracts and end their careers on yet another injury generally end up having their rumps covered rather well by teams and owners. Anyway you look at a 162-game schedule you?ll run into very few Cal Ripkins.
Until next week stay safe.
