Best of the Best

[Boston's Future]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7670694

Lineup: Detroit Tigers

Last season, the Tigers ranked second in the AL in runs scored despite playing their home games in a pitcher's haven. They'll be even better in 2008. That's because over the winter, the Tigers drastically upgraded at third base and first base -- their only two weak spots a year ago. Miguel Cabrera has replaced Brandon Inge at third, Carlos Guillen has shifted to first, taking over for the punchless Sean Casey, and Edgar Renteria is now the new shortstop. Put it all together, and you've got a lineup that's potentially above league average at every single spot. You've also got an offense capable of scoring 1,000 or more runs on the season.


Rotation: Boston Red Sox
The Boston rotation boasts a certifiable ace in Josh Beckett and unparalleled depth behind him. Number-two man Daisuke Matsuzaka, now that he's got a season under his belt, should trend upward in 2008. Curt Schilling may be 41, but he's coming off a year in which he posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.39. Clay Buchholz will contend for Rookie-of-the-Year honors in 2008 and could wind up as the second-best starter on the staff. As for the fifth spot, the Sox have Tim Wakefield and Jon Lester vying for the job. Last season, the Sox ranked second in the AL in rotation ERA, and a full season of Buchholz should be enough to put them on top in 2008.


Bullpen: Boston Red Sox
In 2007, only the Padres had a better bullpen ERA; however, once you correct for the run-suppressing nature of Petco Park and the fact that Boston toils in the DH league, it's clear the Sox's pen was the best. It's a relief corps that has it all -- an elite shutdown closer in Jonathan Papelbon; left-handed setup depth in Hideki Okajima and Javier Lopez; and right-handed setup depth in Mike Timlin, Kyle Snyder, and Manny Delcarmen. As well, they'll have Wakefield or Lester in the mix (whichever one isn't in the rotation), and youngster Craig Hansen might also be ready to contribute. It all adds up to the best bullpen in the game today.


Defense: Toronto Blue Jays

If you pay attention only to the traditional way of measuring defense -- fielding percentage -- you might think the Jays have a fairly average team defense. After all, they ranked only 15th in MLB in fielding percentage. However, if you look to the more advanced (and superior) metrics, then the Jays' excellence comes to light. In fact, Toronto ranks fourth in the majors in Real Zone Rating and first (by a mile) in the Plus-Minus System. Both statistics measure how adept a defense is at converting balls in play into outs, and they differ from fielding percentage in that they measure the ability to make routine plays and a team's fielding range (available at The Hardball Times). Pay attention to the stats that matter, and you'll see that the Jays are tops with the glove.


Bench: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
We won't know exactly who constitutes each team's reserves until active rosters are set coming out of spring training, but we can still make some educated guesses on that front. So barring drastic changes between now and Opening Day, the nod goes to the Angels. Depending on who wins starting jobs and how many pitchers they carry, the Angels could have names like Reggie Willits, Juan Rivera, Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar, Kendry Morales, and Robb Quinlan lurking on the pine. In terms of capable pinch hitters, platoon partners, playing matchups, and defensive replacements, no one has as many appealing options as Mike Scioscia does.

[risktaker91]

Toronto for the best defense, if only that could get us a playoff spot.

[SportsWorld]

What? How can they not have Houston as best pitching staff?

[34Celtic]

What? How can they not have Houston as best pitching staff?

Its too bad Bagwell's career ended so quickly....if he was healthy with an Oswalt, Clemens, Pettitte, Backe rotation that year they lost to the White Sox.....I'm pretty sure they would have won. That rotation was siiiick nasty

[trwi7]

What? How can they not have Houston as best pitching staff?

Marlins defense should be #1.

[superLuigi21]

detroit should be scary next year.. and their rotation is so young, they could be scary for the forseeable future