Talking Baseball and Talent in the AL

I picked Boston to finish last, and I think in the end it will not even be a close result.  The reason is odd- they have the best talent in the game, just ahead of the Washington nationals and the Texas Rangers. Best talent means the most dominant- biggest advantage over other teams.  The Yankees who I pick to win the division, League and World Series are not even close to the top- now without Mariano Rivera.  They wil will because they have the dominant advantage is the thing i can only call- winning.  They have people who -on the field- play hard and refuse to give in to adversity: Jeter, Rivera, Pettitte have shown it over and again- now they are joined by Cano, Bret Gardner, and Curtis Granderson.  The weakness is pitching- some will be cured by healed injuries- they need one more reliable bullpen arm. NY, Tampa, and Baltimore are my choices for the playoffs with Texas and Detroit.  I think Detroit is the riskiest pick there- they have a surprising weakness in pitching and depth on offense- Leyland is the best manager and uses the best of all of his players- and they are lacking parts now because the heart of the team is strong -Verlander, Scherzer, Cabrera, Fielder, the late inning bullpen and Valverde.

Back to Boston- the story there wil be the implosions that have already begun- Pedroia and Youkilis are talented but don't lead by performance- they seem to lead by clubhouse clique- Valentine has already lost them and the factions are in a Tong War that is visible in the press. Valentine will blame the players, the players will say- we won the Series -twice!---The Yankees fans of course are looking for # 28--so twice is what the Florida Marlins and St Louis Cardinals have done in recent years too--so you need leaders that do it o the field.  Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz types of guys- the true leaders. Pedroia and Youkilis are among the players who are given the most by the game- umpire calls on balls and strikes especially-  the strike zone for these guys can be a postage stamp when playing at home in Fenway in the late innings. Pedroia in particular gets the ball down the middle or it is not a strike--I think he reminds the umps of their grandchildren...;) 
I think many still cling to $ as the big thing in baseball --well--this year Boston and LA Angels will spend plenty ($300 million) and not get to the playoffs as i predict things here- and the Yankees will be  short on talent in that playoff group despite their payroll.  Tampa sent Josh Hamilton to Texas, the Yankees sent Montero to Seattle--everyone makes mistakes, judgement more than money makes great baseball teams. Baltimore is the feel good story- pitching and playing hard- maybe even over their heads.  Succeeding despite injuries too. I am really shocked that Hamilton hit 4 home runs in a game there--I mean that LLIIITTTLE park--  that should happen once a week!!!

Peace OUT!