First of all, Blog doesn’t have nickname for year yet. Maybe grievin’ and smOkin’? Not sure. Anyway many baseball websites have made lists about what they’re looking for/worried about this year. Here is Blog of Team’s list:
1) How is Buck going to use bullpen? And is this more of worry or more of simple, relative embarrassment of riches?
JJ
Koji
Accardo
Major Mike
Gregg
2e
That is so much better than any bullpen Team has had since alleged 2006 upgrades. There’s barely room for Hendo, though it’s possible he comes along for ride somehow. Buck has been coy about naming closer. Maybe that’s good thing. Certainly Koji, Gregg and Major Mike all could stake claims.
2) Is it true Team’s upgrades simply make it a little better? Has rest of AL East gotten better? Worse? Here’s your simple answer: Yankees and Rays took steps back; Boston took big step forward and Jays we’ll see. Rays lost their bullpen and two stars in Carl Crawford and Matt Garza. Rays have rolled dice, big time, bringing in two Steroid-era stars to try and keep magic alive. It could happen but Blog doubts it. Boston flat got better. Yanks have had bizarre offseason replete with undermining of GM, further aging of stars and overpaying for guy who might be closer or something. Jays have done good job replacing older guys with younger guys.
3) Will Team be wracked with injuries and have to field Jeff Fiorentino, the aforementioned Hendo and Josh Bell by August? Short answer: No. Buck and newly signed Vets know enough about difference between Spring and Summer hopefully to avoid that mess. Also Team sports better depth this year.
4) Who are Team’s clubhouse “leaders”? Blog loves this question. Answer is: Jeremy Guthrie, Matt Wieters, Derrek Lee and to some extent Nick Markakis. Nicky is Reluctant Leader - last guy you want leadership feedback from. He’s like the principal. Don’t get sent to Nicky’s office.
5) Will they hit? Hell yes.
6) How will starting Rotation fare? This is Team’s weak spot. But even here there is room for optimism. Brian Matusz has shown himself to be for real and Guthrie will be decent. From there it gets dicey.
7) Will Andy MacPhail talk too much? Man he’s chirpy lately. Don’t ruin Magic, Andy…
8 ) Will Blog make it to Ed Smith? HECK YEAH. Save Blog hot dog and spot in cooling room!!
8a) Will Pete Schmuck be seen wandering aimlessly in Roller Derby parking lot across street from Ed Smith? Dunno. Just asking questions here.
