The 2012 MLB season will be full of change, making it a very intriguing season for all baseball fans.
There are new faces in new places, youngsters ready to breakout and a shiny new stadium in Miami. The playoffs will have an extra wild card team, and begin with a one-game playoff, making winning your division much more important.
The biggest change comes from two superstars leaving the National League Central and heading to the American League.
Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters of all-time. The slugger has hit 445 home runs to go along with a .328 career batting average, and three National League Most Valuable Player awards while playing with the St. Louis Cardinals for 11 years. After winning his second World Series in 2011, Pujols agreed to a 10-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
The other star leaving the NL Central is Prince Fielder. The hefty lefty spent seven seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers hitting moon shots with ease. Fielder has posted a .282 career batting average and blasted 230 home runs. This offseason, Fielder signed a nine-year, $214 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. Fielder is going back to Detroit, where his father, Cecil Fielder, played for seven seasons.
Teams have changed, making them exciting to watch in 2012, but one team from each league stands out. The Miami Marlins will be a very fun team to watch. The Marlins changed from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins in light of their futuristic new stadium. Marlins Park is a work of art, with its retractable roof, neon green colors and aquarium behind home plate. To go with the new park, Miami brought in prized free agents: Jose Reyes, Heath Bell and Mark Buehlre. The Marlins also have a new skipper, Ozzie Guillen. Guillen’s crazy antics will be interesting to watch as he pairs up with Marlins outfielder and “Twitter King,” Logan Morrison. Miami has the talent to knockoff the Philadelphia Phillies to win the National League East.
Not only did the Angels pick up Pujols, but the team also went out and signed pitcher, C.J. Wilson. The Angels now have one of the best starting rotations in baseball. Don’t forget about the Texas Rangers though. The reigning American League Champions have come up short in the World Series two years in a row. These two teams will duke it out all year long to make it a great race in the American League West.
For the fans of the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s, be prepared for both cheers and boos. The Giants are on a road to redemption after not making the playoffs a year after winning the World Series. Their offense was the worst in the league last year, but should be improved. Newly acquired outfielders, Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera will bring a nice combination of speed and power. The Giants still have a great rotation with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner. Look for the Giants to comeback and win the National League West.
Oakland is in complete rebuilding mode. The A’s traded pitchers Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez for young prospects. Oakland also signed Cuban sensation Yoenis Cespedes and former star, Manny Ramirez, bringing excitement to the coliseum. SRJC alum, the powerful Jonny Gomes, will also find time at DH. The young A’s will have a rough season, finishing in the bottom of the American League West.
Baseball fans should be excited for a season full of change with talent spread across the league, making the eventual World Series champion, a mystery.