MLB 2013 Division Prediction Standings

American League

AL East:
1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Toronto Blue Jays (wild card)
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. New York Yankees
5. Boston Red Sox


AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers (could see a three team race for the AL Central, if the Indians pitching holds up, and White Sox battled the Tigers down to the end of the season, so I'll pick the Tigers pretty much because of their pitching staff, even though the White Sox have a chance, and maybe the Indians).
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Minnesota Twins


AL West:
1. Texas Rangers
2. Oakland Athletics (wild card)
3. Los Angeles Angels
4. Seattle Mariners
5. Houston Astros


National League:

NL East:
1. Washington Nationals
2. Atlanta Braves (wild card)

3. New York Mets

4. Philadelphia Phillies

5. Miami Marlins

NL Central:
1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Cincinnati Reds (wild card, should be another fun battle with the Cardinals to try to get first place though)
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (have a chance to get third place, with the Brewers having problems at first base)
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Chicago Cubs


NL West:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

Orioles and O'Day agree to two-year deal

The Baltimore Orioles and right-handed relief pitcher Darren O'Day have agree to a two-year contract, worth $5.8 million. The deal includes a club option for the 2015 season, worth $4.25 million. The contract also buys out the final years of arbitration for O'Day, who has become a nice addition for the Orioles bullpen.

O'Day was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as an amateur free agent back in 2006. He made his MLB debut on March 31,2008 for the Angels. The New York Mets would end up taking O'Day in the 5 rule draft on December 11, 2008. O'Day didn't last that long with the Mets, and was designated for assignment two weeks into the season. The Texas Rangers would claim O'Day off of waivers on April 22, 2009. He his first game as a Ranger came in extra innings, against the Toronto Blue Jays, that was also on the same day the Rangers picked him up off of waivers from the Mets. O'Day lasted three seasons for the Rangers, 2009-2011. He did well for the Rangers in both 2009 and 2010. He went 2-1 with an era of 1.94 in 64 games in 09 for the Rangers, pitching a total of 55.2 innings with 54 strikeouts and 17 walks, while getting 2 saves. In 2010, O'Day went 6-2 with an era of 2.03 in 72 games, pitching 62 innings with 45 strikeouts and 12 walks. O'Day was hurt in 2011 for the Rangers, and finished the season going 0-1 with an era of 5.40. His first injury was a partial acetabular labrum tear, that was in his left hip. His second injury that would send him to the DL (disabled list) was right shoulder inflammation.

The Rangers end up keeping him off of their postseason roster in 2011, and would later put him on waivers after the postseason was over. The Baltimore Orioles claimed O'Day off of waivers on November 2, 2011. In O'Day's first season with the Orioles in 2012, he bounced back after being hurt in 2011. While in 2012, O'Day went 7-1 in 69 games, pitching 67 innings, with 69 strikeouts and 14 walks. So far for O'Day's five year career his career stats are: 15 wins, 6 losses, 2.73 era, 2 saves, 247.2 innings, 217 strikeouts, 63 walks, and has pitched in 255 games.

It looks like a win win for both sides, and that O'Day has found a home with the Orioles.

Rams bring in Tim Walton as defensive coordinator

The Rams have ended their search for a new defensive coordinator, they have hired 41-year old Tim Walton as their new defensive coordinator. Walton comes from the Detroit Lions, he was running the Lions secondary since the 2009 season. He's also coached fourteen years in college football, including stops at: Bowling Green, Louisiana State University, Memphis, Miami, and Syracuse. Walton has been coaching football since 1995, he was a defensive coordinator in college for Miami in 2007, and Memphis in 2008. During his college coaching career, Walton helped develop: Antrel Rolle, Brandon Meriweather, Corey Webster, Devin Hester, Idrees Bashir, Kelly Jennings, Kenny Phillips, LaRon Landry, and Michael Stone. Last season offseason, Walton almost joined Jeff Fisher's staff, but instead to stay with the Detroit Lions. Walton worked with current Rams assistant secondary coach Brandon Fisher (one of the sons of current Rams head coach Jeff Fisher) in 2011 on the Lions.

Before hiring Walton, the Rams interviewed three other people for their defensive coordinator position, those three people were: Dick Jauron, Rob Ryan, and Mike Singletary. Ryan left because it was figured out that he wanted to run the defense as a 3-4, when Fisher goes with a 4-3. Ryan later was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their new defensive coordinator, where he will run a 3-4 defense. Walton's name out of everyone seems to be the most interesting one, because of his background in coaching in college and developing players for the NFL. 

Walton also should have no trouble knowing the Rams defense, since he worked under Lions head coach  Jim Schwartz. Fisher and Schwartz pretty much run the same defensive scheme.  Fisher's staff includes three veteran coaches in: Chuck Cecil, Dave McGinnis, and Frank Bush, who can all help Walton out with the Rams defense. All three have been defensive coordinators in the NFL. Walton seems like he's a solid hire by the Rams. And who knows maybe in the future, Walton even becomes a head coach in the NFL.

Cleveland lands Bourn

Free agent center fielder Michael Bourn and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a four-year deal, worth a total of $48 million. The deal also includes an option for a fifth year, if Bourn is able to reach 550 at bats during the 2016 season, that option is worth $12 million, if that happens. Bourn was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2003 MLB draft, in the fourth round, he was picked no.115 overall. He spent two seasons with the Phillies in 2006 and the 2007 season. The Phillies ended up trading Bourn to his hometown team the Houston Astros, on November 7, 2007 for  closer Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett.

He would play for the Astros from 2008 and for half of the 2011 season, until being traded to the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Jordan Schafer, pitcher Brett Oberholtzer, pitcher Paul Clemens, and pitcher Juan Abreu. Bourn has been a two time All-Star for the National League, in 2010 and 2012. He's a two-time Gold Glove winner in 2009, and the 2010 season. He's also lead in NL in stolen bases for three seasons: 2009, 2010, and 2011. Also, in 2011 he was the MLB stolen bases champion, leading both leagues in stolen bases with 61.

What does Bourn add to the Cleveland Indians team? He can be their lead off batter in their line up, he also adds speed to their team, along with defense in center field. So far, for Bourn's seven years in the MLB, his career stats are: batting average 272, hits 820, 22 home runs, 215 rbi's, 276 stolen bases, and has played in 871 career games. He doesn't have much home run power, but last season he had a career high for home runs with 9 home runs on the season. For the 2012 season while with the Braves, Bourn hit 274, with 9 home runs, 57 rbi's, and 42 stolen bases in 155 games. Bourn also walked 70 times, his most walks during a season, breaking 63 walks from the 2009 season with the Houston Astros. Even though the Indians overpaid for Bourn, he should help them improve in 2013.

Rams add Frank Bush to coaching staff

The St. Louis Rams have filled one of their two coaching vacancies, they've hired Frank Bush as linebackers coach. Bush replaces Blake Williams, the son of Gregg Williams, who didn't get along with coaches on Jeff Fisher's staff and wasn't well liked by the players. Bush will be entering his 23rd season in the NFL. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers (who are now the Tennessee Titans) in the 1985 NFL draft out of North Carolina State in the 5th round, and was pick no.133 overall. He would play only two seasons in the NFL for the Oilers, before having a career ending injury. Ever since the 1987 NFL season he's been working as a coach in the NFL, even though he was first a scout.

Bush comes from the Tennessee Titans, after spending two seasons coaching linebackers for them the 2011 season and the 2012 season. He spent time with the Houston Texans from 2007-2010. In 2009, Bush was made defensive coordinator by the Texans. He was fired after the 2010 season, when the Texans defense finished third-to-last. He's spent time on the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff from 2004-2006. Before going the the Cardinals, Bush spent nine seasons on the Denver Broncos coaching staff, under then coach Mike Shanahan. During those nine years, Bush won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, both of them were back to back over the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons. Five of the nine seasons on the Broncos coaching staff, Bush served as linebackers coach for nine seasons, he spent one season as secondary coach, and three seasons as their special teams coach from 2001-2003.

Bush has worked under Rams current head coach Jeff Fisher before in the past on the Houston Oilers coaching staff, that was back in 1993 and 1994 (during that season Jeff Fisher took over as head coach after head coach Jack Padree, after going 1-9, Fisher would coach in six games and go 1-5). I think that it's a solid hire to bring in Bush to coach the linebackers, he's another proven coach in the NFL on Fisher's staff, and has a pretty good resume for his coaching career in the NFL. The last vacancy that the Rams need on their coaching staff is a defensive coordinator, so hopefully the Rams will fill that vacancy pretty soon.

Cedeno a-comin'

Free agent shortstop/second baseman Ronny Cedeno and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a one-year deal, worth $1.5 million, the deal could turn out to be worth $2 million if he's able to reach certain performance bonuses for the 2013 season. The Chicago Cubs signed Cedeno as an amateur free agent back in 1999. He made his MLB debut on April 23, 2005. He would play for the the Cubs from 2005-2008. The Cubs traded him to the Seattle Mariners on January 28, 2009 for relief pitcher Aaron Heilman. On July 29, 2009 around the MLB trade deadline, the Mariners traded Cedeno to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cedeno would play for the Pirates from 2009-2011 season. The New York Mets signed Cedeno last season to a one-year deal, that was worth $1.2 million.

What does Cedeno bring to the table? He's pretty much known for his defense, and not much offense. He could turn out to be a nice pick up, if used right and doesn't get over used. He also brings some speed on the bases. So far, Cedeno has played eight seasons in the MLB his career stats are: batting average 247, 565 hits, 37 home runs, 218 rbi's, and 34 stolen bases. Cedeno's best season came with the Pirates back in 2010, he hit 256, with 8 home runs, 38 rbi's, and 12 stolen bases. In 2012 for the New York Mets, Cedeno only played in 78 games. He hit 259, with  4 home runs, and 22 rbi's. Again, Cedeno could be an upgrade if used right. He's shown flashes that he could be good, but I don't know if he can learn to hit better at 30-years old.

Jair Jurrjens lands in Baltimore

Free agent right-handed starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens and the Baltimore Orioles have agree to a one-year deal, worth $1.5 million, which could turn out to be worth $4 million if he's able to reach all of his incentives in his contract. Jurrjens signed in 2003 by the Detroit Tigers as an undrafted free agent. He made his MLB debut on August 15, 2007, it was also his first MLB start and it was against the Cleveland Indians. That also marked the first time a pitcher from the city of Curaçao (which is in the Netherlands) had reached the major leagues.

The Tigers would trade Jurrjens and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez to the Atlanta Braves on October 29, 2007 for shortstop Edgar Renteria. Jurrjens made the National League All-Star team in 2011, that was even after starting the season on the disabled list. He had a rough 2012 season, and was sent to the Braves triple A team on April 23, 2012. The move came after had made only four starts and went 0-2 with an era of 9.37. It also marked his first demotion in five season with the Braves. He would later be recalled by the Braves on June 22, 2012 and later got his first win of the 2012 season, against the Boston Red Sox. Jurrjens would finish the 2012 season going 3-4 in 11 games, starting only ten games, with an era of 6.89. He pitched only 48.1 innings striking-out  nineteen batters, and walking eighteen, with a WHIP of 1.86.

In 2006, Jurrjens pitched in the WBC (World Baseball Classic) for the Netherlands national baseball team, he pitched only one inning against team  Puerto Rico. He gave up three runs, and would take the loss during that game in the WBC. So far, Jurrjens career stats are: 53 wins - 47 losses, 126 games pitched, 125 games started, 750.2 innings, two complete games, one shutout, 499 strikeouts, 3.62 era, with a WHIP of 1.32.

He'll soon be 27 year-old. This could turn out to be a win-win deal for both teams, if he's able to get his career back on track. Jurrjens best season was back in 2009, when he went: 14-10, starting 34 games, he pitched 215 innings, with an era of 2.60, and struck-out 152 batters, with a WHIP of 1.21. Jurrjens might have the talent in him to get his career back on track, if he's able to stay healthy.  Again, it looks like the Orioles got a nice pick up in Jurrjens, but, we'll find out in 2013 if he turns out to be a good pick up for them. He shouldn't have much pressure on him with their starting pitching staff being deep. So, that could help Jurrjens get his career back on track.