SCOTTSDALE, Aariz. — Baseball’s best team was built by a former batting practice pitcher. Baseball’s best team was built by a failed college first baseman, whose expertise as a fly-fisherman provided entrance into a major-league clubhouse. Baseball’s best team was built by a man who was just as familiar with IBM as RBI, leaving him uniquely qualified to blend business, sabermetrics and old-school basics to create a franchise that is the envy of the game.
The St. Louis Cardinals are my pick to win the 2014 World Series. General manager John Mozeliak, whose fishing skills with Bryn Smith led to a BP job and later a catch-all position with the Rockies in 1993, has constructed a powerhouse team that could win the National League Central by double digits.
St. Louis reached the World Series last season with 17 homegrown players. They lost to the Boston Red Sox, but they will avoid similar disappointment this year.
The Cardinals have no weakness, turbocharged with a full season from pitchers Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez and, if ever healthy, a boost from slugger Oscar Taveras. There were a few weeks during the offseason when I thought the Cardinals would acquire Troy Tulowitzki. It was a serious consideration. The pursuit ended with the controversial signing of Jhonny Peralta, a PED cheater. He can slug, which realigns the infield with Matt Carpenter at third, rookie Kolten Wong at second, protected by veteran Mark Ellis.
The Nationals offer similar talent. They were my pick last year and decided not to hit for five months. They could knock out the Cardinals if Bryce Harper stages an MVP campaign, but it’s hard to see Washington manager Matt Williams pulling off a championship in his first season.
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or
Crystal baseball
Here are my bold predictions, which are sure to go wrong. (I have the Rockies at 81-81.) Save and laugh, but remember, I will be knee-deep in Broncos coverage and won’t hear you over Peyton Manning’s audibles.
NL CENTRAL
1. Cardinals
2. Pirates
3. Reds
4. Brewers
5. Cubs
NL EAST
1. Nationals
2. Braves
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Phillies
NL WEST
1. Dodgers
2. Giants
3. Rockies
4. Diamondbacks
5. Padres
NL WILD CARDS
Pirates
Braves
NL CHAMPION
Cardinals
AL CENTRAL
1. Tigers
2. Royals
3. Indians
4. Twins
5. White Sox
AL EAST
1. Red Sox
2. Rays
3. Yankees
4. Orioles
5. Blue Jays
AL WEST
1. Angels
2. Athletics
3. Rangers
4. Mariners
5. Astros
AL WILD CARDS
Yankees
Rays
AL CHAMPION
Rays
Trout trumps Cabrera
Predicting award winners without seeing a game that matters is like throwing darts. But it’s fun. The best player in baseball is Angels outfielder Mike Trout, and it’s not even close. He’s a better-fielding version of Rickey Henderson, one of the greatest of all time. Trout will be the MVP in the AL, wrestling the trophy from Tigers star Miguel Cabrera. The others joining him at the podium:
NL MVP: Yadier Molina, Cardinals
AL Cy Young: Yu Darvish, Rangers
NL Cy Young: Jose Fernandez, Marlins
NL rookie: Javier Baez, Cubs
AL rookie: Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees
Breakout player: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
