My January Surprise's...Good and Bad

I will be posting my season predictions just before the season, like I always do.  However I thought its never to early to look ahead at what some of the more pleasant surprises of the 2008 season may be.

-The Rays will actually be able to compete.  Certainly do not get me wrong, I am not suggesting they will run away with the East, or even be in the wild-card race, but certainly for an organization which has never won more than 70 games, the chances of a .500% season and a potential third place finish (albeit they are still not as good as the Jays will be) ought to put some people in the seats for the late season games.

-Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis will NOT live up to their 2007 performances.  These are two guys who have been serviceable throughout their careers, but overachieved last year.  Ted Lilly is more likely to repeat what he did last year, and clearly he was a big reason for their success, but I still am not certain he is worth the confidence Cub fans are placing in him.

-The Red Sox will go undefeated.  Not really, but for all I read about their lack of depth in certain spots, they still are pretty **** good.  Between them and the Tigers, I am not sure anyone else can compete in the American League.

-And this last one isn't much of a shock, but Ozzie Guillen will punch a reporter or a pitcher during a change.  I really mean it.  The guy is on the verge of totally losing it.

There you have it.  Let's see what happens.