Though the season has just started, here's who I think are the most overrated teams and players in the MLB:
National League:
Most overrated team: Atlanta Braves
Although the Braves are in the same division as the New York Mets, they have won the NL East every year since 1995. By winning the NL East almost like clock work, it would be stupid to pick against them as the division winner, right? Wrong. Even as they have Andruw Jones, who homered 51 times last year, all of their former superstars are beginning to fade. For example: Chipper Jones seems as if he is getting older every time he walks onto the field. For one thing, he warms the bench almost half the season every season due to injuries. Also, he hasn't led the Braves in BA in four years. What the Braves need to do is trade Chipper for some young blood. In actuality, one of the best players on the Braves is Jeff Francoeur, and he is only in his second year with the Braves.
American League:
Most overrated team: New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are leading the AL East currently, and the only reason I post them as overrated is because of the old, inconsistent pitching. Sure, Randy Johnson is one of the greatest pitchers to ever play, but he is 41. Here's some career advice, Randy: You're probably not going to past Nolan Ryan for career strikeouts, so just retire. The last thing the MLB needs is another Julio Franco. The same thing goes for Mike Mussina, although he is leading the Yankees' pitching staff with a 5-1 record, my career advice for you is the same as Randy's. Who knows, maybe you guys have talent for golf as well as you did for baseball. Lucky enough for the Yankees, they still have some- and I mean very little- young pitchers: Shawn Chacon (28, 3-1) and Jaret Wright (30, 0-2). But, as the Yankees' starters struggle to find the Fountain Of Youth, the relievers are hunting, too. Arguibly one of the best closers of all time, Mariano Rivera isn't getting any younger at 36. I don't whether or not is time to throw in the towel, yet, but I think George Steinbrenner and Joe Torre should trade him for some young starters. Fortunately for the Yankees, Kyle Farnsworth (30) is another reliever. I think if they trade Rivera, they should move Farnsworth to closer, and getting a little youth to try to close out your games. But, the Yankees have won 26 World Series titles, so they probably know more than me when it comes to winning games.
Most overrated player in the MLB: Barry Bonds
I know, I know. 712 home runs, and third on the all-time home run list. But, since he has only hit four homers this year, and just coming off what could have been the biggest steroid scandal ever, how can anyone root for him (other than San Francisco). Great timing, Barry, the one year you're not on pace to hit 500 home runs, is the same season in which you have been accused of steroids. Well, obviously, he's all out of juice: 4 HRs, only a .237 BA, only 14 hits, and only 11 hits this season. I can't believe someone like this is about to past one of the greatest baseball players to ever live in Babe Ruth, but might actually surpass "Hammerin'" Hank for the most home runs all time. I know what he's thinking right now: "Where'd that fan throw that syringe on opening day?"