Looking Into Our Crystal Ball: Fearless Predictions For The 2009 MLB Season

Spring is here, and that can only mean one thing...winter is over. It also means the much anticipated start of the 2009 MLB season. I'm sure you've read your fair share of predictions and analysis, especially if you're in a fantasy baseball league. You know how it goes, the usual division winners, World Series matchups, yada yada yada. But I'm more concerned about the predictions you probably haven't thought of and most likely don't care about.

Most likely to be caught juicing
Due to the fact that getting caught juicing has had such a crippling effect on players lives, players may be starting to think twice before using. However, I doubt we'll go through a season without a few casualties. I'm thinking a middle reliever who can bring the heat.

Grant Balfour - Tampa Bay Rays (right)

Most caught stealings
Turns out guys who get a lot of stolen bases also get caught a lot too. Who knew. I think the Angels run and gun style will slow down slightly this year.

Chone Figgins - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Most likely All Star Game snub
Lots of good catchers in the NL this year. One of them has to be the odd man out. Although I think the Dodgers will have a good year, this guy won't make the cut.

Russell Martin - Los Angeles Dodgers

Second highest AL home run total
Anyone can pick a Home Run champ. We here at The Sauce like a challenge. This guy will almost have the most home runs in the AL.

Justin Morneau - Minnesota Twins

Team most likely to miss the playoffs by less than 1 game
Even with a revamped and downright deadly bullpen, these guys will still find a way to screw it up in Amazin' fashion.

New York Mets

Most GIDP
Lots of groundballs + dwindling speed + Minka Kelly - old Yankee Stadium = lots of GIDP.

Derek Jeter - New York Yankees

Least AVGNP
For those of you who don't read good, AVGNP stands for Almost Very Good Night Participation. It also may stand for Average Number of Pitches per start. I'm gonna go with a guy that throws more pitches warming up than in the game itself.

Chien-Ming Wang - New York Yankees