The 2015 Major League Baseball season gets underway Sunday night in Chicago with the St. Louis Cardinals at the Chicago Cubs, and then has a full day on tap for Monday, including the Los Angeles Angels at the Seattle Mariners. So, this basketball filled weekend is the last one baseball fans can dream of what if before they get to see what is.
Teams preparing to leave spring training with more than a handful of question marks are probably in for a disappointing season.
A good example is the crumbling dynasty of the New York Yankees. Having missed the playoffs the last two seasons, Yankees fans are hoping for a bounce back and a return to October. But, the path to the post-season is littered with ifs.
IF Masahiro Tanaka’s arm doesn’t fall off. IF C.C. Sabathia can return to a form resembling two years ago, following knee surgery. IF Michael Pineda can live up to the promise he showed in his rookie season with the Mariners. IF Dellan Botances can find his lost velocity and be the lights out closer to replace the guy who didn’t replace Mariano Rivera. IF Mark Teixeira can stay healthy, along with Jacoby Ellsbury. And, IF Alex Rodriguez still has some gas in the tank. A lot of ifs. Probably too many.
Even if all the ifs become reality, the Yankees still have to hope the Baltimore Orioles regress and the Boston Red Sox can’t land a top of the rotation ace during the season. One of those things might happen. I betting both don’t.
On the other end of the spectrum are teams like the Washington Nationals who get to ask the really fun what if questions. Like, if the Nats need another piece at the trade deadline, like an extra bat or an arm in the bullpen, they can easily afford to trade a Jordan Zimmerman and slot in Tyler Roark, who will start the season in the bullpen.
The Mariners seem to fall somewhere in the middle, with mostly good what ifs.
What if the bullpen isn’t as good as last year? It probably won’t be, as last year’s pen put up phenomenal numbers, but it shouldn’t have to be with the extra offense.
What if Nelson Cruz doesn’t hit for as much power as he did last year, leading the majors in HR? He probably won’t, but the upgrade over the platoon of players, led largely by Kendrys Morales, that filled the DH slot will be substantial.
What if there is an injury to a major contributor, like Felix Hernandez or Robinson Cano? Every team faces that possibility, but the Mariners have some pretty durable starts in King Felix and Robbie.
But, the good thing is no matter who you root for, the time is finally here to see what the 2015 season holds. And, I can’t wait. Play ball.
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