Powell's Predictions for MLB 2007

As a former minor league player, this time of the year seems to hurt me the most. When I played college and pro ball, December was always when I started to get into playing shape for the upcoming season. I miss the workouts, the batting practice and freezing cold early morning runs in preparation for spring training. But as spring training nears, I have plenty reason to be excited about the 2007 season. In fact, I am so excited that I will quit dreaming about a comeback because every baseball fan in world will witness history this summer.

First things first, like it or not, Barry Bonds will break Hank Aaron's home run record this summer. The Giants signed the aging slugger to a one-year deal worth $16 million earlier this week. He has already passed Babe Ruth and needs only 23 more to break the record. Even if the steroid allegations prove to be true, this home run chase will draw the most attention this summer. Bonds, however, will be the only publicity the N.L. West gets this year. There is not a team in the division that is in danger of winning anything.

About the same time Bonds breaks Hammerin' Hank's record, Houston Astro second baseman Craig Biggio will join the prestigious 3,000 hit club. Biggio will be back in Houston for his 20th season of Major League Baseball and to lock up his place in the Hall of Fame. Also, Mets lefty Tom Glavine is only 10 wins shy of becoming the 23rd man in baseball history to win 300 games. Everyone knows the names Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds, and everyone has heard about steroids, however it's important to give an equal amount of credit to Glavine and Biggio. These two soft spoken, blue collar men have worked hard for the last 20 years. Biggio has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros. Their play, not their mouths, have done the talking for them.

Speaking of steroids, former star Sammy Sosa has publicly stated on ESPN he is going to attempt a comeback. Sosa has been working out in his native Dominican Republic and claims to be in playing shape. I guess he feels at almost 40 that he hasn't peaked yet. Maybe he will keep trying to play into his 60's like Sylvester Stallone making Rocky VI. Speaking of steroids, has anyone seen Sly's body? I would have to say at 59 those muscles are definitely chemically induced. Back to baseball, it would not surprise me if Sosa was eventually picked up if he stays in shape. It also would not surprise me if he reaches 600 career home runs, because he only needs 12. It would surprise me, however, if Sosa did anything but embarrass himself while chasing 600. His games played, home runs and batting average have been on a steady and drastic decline since the 2001 season, meanwhile his strikeout per at bat ratio has been steadily climbing the other way.

Jeff Bagwell called it quits last week after playing with the Houston Astros for the past 15 years. He had a fine career and will be missed by the Houston fans. Brad Radke also called it quits in Minnesota after 12 years. Hats off to both of these guys. Although they are not going to the Hall of Fame, they worked hard, played hurt, stayed out of trouble, kept their mouths shut, and played for the same teams their entire careers. How many other guys can you say that about? Red Sox back-up outfielder Gabe Kapler also retired this week at the age of 31! This did not shock anyone because Kapler was not good enough to get anyone's attention, but what is this guy thinking? He could easily hang on for another three or four years and make at least another $10 million more dollars and have a shot to win a World Series ring in Boston.

Roger Clemens will wind up in pinstripes again this year. He will join his buddy Andy Pettite and the rest of the New York Yankees in the middle of the summer in a quest for another World Series ring. Clemens still loves baseball and he doesn't want to retire. He also enjoys the $12 million he will get for four months work. He doesn't like spring training and at his age he isn't going to waste his time pitching for a team that is not a playoff contender. Sometime around the trade deadline when Boston and their red hot pitching staff are pulling away from the Yankees, Mr. Steinbrenner will get his checkbook out and try to buy another championship and Roger Clemens for the right money will render his services ... although the Yankees will need a lot more help than Clemens can offer. Boston should win the World Series this year. They are loaded with talent, including the new Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka who they paid a total of $100 million. Boston also spent a huge chunk of change on outfielder J.D. Drew. Baseball fans thought Drew had lost his mind when he opted out of a three-year, $33 million dollar contract with the Dodgers, until he and agent Scott Boras landed $70 million from the Red Sox.

Small notes: My buddy Brandon Fahey again spends time in the big leagues with Baltimore and will prove to the baseball world he can hit major league pitching ... and he will become a solid back-up for years to come. Another friend of mine, Mike Bacsik, will become a regular big league pitcher with the Washington Nationals this year. After years in AAA and five short big league stops, Bacsik, at 28, has finally figured out how to throw a curve ball. He was 11-0 last year in AAA and should be back in the show soon. Former number one draft picks Josh Hamilton and Matt Harrington will both flake. Last, but not least, I want to tip my hat to Rod Barajas. He agreed to play with the Phillies this year. When he committed to the Blue Jays last month and backed out at the last minute, the Blue Jays front office said he was a liar and his word did not mean anything! My question to the Blue Jay front office is how many players have they lied to? That kind of thing just never makes the papers.