Five Teams to Be Excited About in MLB 12: The Show

Feature Article

Submitted on: 02/02/2012 by Caley Roark

It’s a hard time to be a baseball fan: the “hot stove” is cooling down, pitchers and catchers still have a few weeks, and MLB: The Show 12 doesn’t release for another month. While we wait, let’s take a quick look at those teams you will most likely want to control when your fire up your PS3 on Mar. 6.

The following list isn’t necessarily composed of the best, most popular or most promising teams. These five teams are simply the ones that feature the biggest and most exciting signings, trades and roster moves from this off-season.

Texas Rangers

If there is one player I’m looking forward to seeing in The Show, it would be Texas’ Yu Darvish. His imported numbers are astounding, and it will be interesting to see how they translate to both the real and virtual American game.

You will also get to test out a starting Neftali Feliz, see what Joe Nathan has left and scare opposing pitchers with a line-up that is stacked from top to bottom.

The Angels only signed the best hitter in the game in the off-season, NBD

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

An easy choice, really. Adding the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols sort of guarantees them a spot on this list. Of course, they also added C.J. Wilson, a highly coveted free agent starter. Besides these surprising moves, the Angels still have a solid outfield, including the young Mike Trout, and another ace in Jered Weaver.

If you are curious to see how much impact one everyday player has on a line-up, you will want to give the Angels a go come March.

Detroit Tigers

Much like the Angels, their signing of a top free agent really changes the make-up of this team. You will get to decide where to slot Miguel Cabrerra and Prince Fielder (most likely 3-4), potentially creating the best Righty/Lefty punch in baseball.

Like Pujols’ contract, Prince’s weighty deal is more of an issue in franchise mode; in exhibition, the only weight you need to worry about is how his 275 pounds can launch bombs.

Let’s not forget they also have the reigning AL Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander at the top of the rotation.

The Phillies got a much needed bullpen boost with Paplebon on the mound to close it in the 9th.

Philadelphia Phillies

The rotation already seems like something found only after you scam trade logic, and the additions to this perennial National League favorite only add to the hype.

First, they added an elite closer in Jonathan Papelbon. Then, Philadelphia beefed up their bench with an interesting mix of veterans in the twilight of their careers: Jim Thome, Juan Pierre, and Dontrelle “I can hit!” Willis. These additions complement an already dynamic line-up with Pence, Utley, Rollins, and Howard. Heavy contracts don’t really effect exhibition play, where this team can bring it as well as anyone.

Miami Marlins

There are three big reasons to control the Marlins in one of your first exhibition games: the joy of playing with a virtual Jose Reyes, with his lightning speed, gaudy average and quick glove skills; to see what Hanley Ramirez can do at third, and how well that change is reflected in his ratings; you will get to witness what (depending on who you talk to) are either the ugliest or trendiest uniforms in the game.

Bonus reason: The hideous/spectacular home run fountain

Other exciting teams, based on existing roster and off-season moves:

Colorado, San Diego, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Milwaukee

Who do you plan to roll with when you crack open MLB: The Show 12?

MLB 12 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 41 MetsFan16 @ 02/02/12 07:29 PM

Even though the Mets are in a tough division, I still think I can be competetive in the later years of my franchise because Philly is getting older and Atlanta I don't think has a great team other then J-Hey, McCann and Bourn after Chipper retires.

Miami and Washington will be tough later but so will the Mets. With Generation K 2.0 (Wheeler, Harvey, Familia) and guys like Havens, Captain Kirk, and Flores. Along with Wright who will bounce back, Ike Davis who is a monster, and Lucas Duda who has some pop, I think I'll be successful in my Mets Franchise.

I might do a Twinkie Franchise because Joe Mauer is my boy

# 42 mlblover15 @ 02/02/12 07:31 PM

Actually i just got going with a new franchise (after being no-hit) with the A's. Stripped them off all the main players (DeJesus, Matsui, Ellis, Kouzmanoff, Crisp, and Willingham)

Since i pretty much suck at this game i decided to go down to Rookie default and have to admit I'm having a blast. Michael Choice my young center fielder is a stud. I also brought in Troy Glaus as my DH. He is just a beast. I know, i know, "everyone is a beast on rookie."

Well not so to us folks that are bad at the game and haven't truly played this game seriously since 08.

I have to admit that once the A's started throwing players away IRL, I was really bummed about playing as them in 12. After doing what I've done with them in 11 and then discovering how fun rookie can be for me at least I'm ready to take the A's to the post season in 12.

Bring on the Angels, and Rangers and even the Tigers and all the rest of the AL. I'm ready to take them all on... lets goo Oakland!!!!!

# 43 Ramminyou @ 02/02/12 08:35 PM

Cardinals, of course. 12 in '12!

# 44 crob8822 @ 02/02/12 09:25 PM

Los Angeles Angels, It will be great running with these guys in MLB 12 and listening to the firework coming from Anaheim stadium in real life, for my condo is a few blocks away.

# 45 brett the jet favre @ 02/02/12 09:46 PM

Mariners? Hell, we just got Jesus on our team, a team that is full of young players, a farm system full, and i mean full of young soon to be all stars, the King, and Ackley, ahh, gonna be a good year

# 46 Bobhead @ 02/02/12 10:11 PM

Like every year, I'm excited about the Mets... I mean they have so many amazing players, like

Uhh...
Well they play in New York!!

# 47 Sco291 @ 02/02/12 10:15 PM

Yankees for me. I love going into franchise and trying to rebuild and continue the rich history and tradition of the team. I always wait till Knights and Co. 's OS roster comes out (although The Show should let these guys have the game earlier than most so they can save us some freakin time). I'll probably just play some exhibition games until then. MAYBE a Marlin's franchise, not sure. But i look forward to getting back to that Dynasty Yankee franchise that existed in the late 90's.

# 48 Sheamazin @ 02/02/12 10:47 PM

The Amazins!!!

New York Mets

# 49 decga @ 02/02/12 10:56 PM

I always play as my beloved Braves. I am a huge Chipper fan. His ratings are always done correct especially eye and patience at the plate. But with that being said, I might roll with the Angels. Choices!

# 50 VandyRedskins21 @ 02/02/12 11:42 PM

How can you not add the Nats on this list? Washington has 4 solid starters in Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson, Jordan Zimmerman, and (of course) Strasburg. You've got guys like Michael Morse, Ryan Zimmerman, and Jayson Werth. Also you have young guys like Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa who are threats to hit 20 homers and of course Bryce Harper who will come up at some point this season. Davey Johnson says that Harper is already MLB ready. Just saying

# 51 Buckeyes_Doc @ 02/02/12 11:47 PM

Im shocked there has been no sign of homerism in this thread, well done guys.

Sent from my VS910 4G using Tapatalk

# 52 Checmate101 @ 02/03/12 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramminyou


	Cardinals, of course. 12 in '12!

6 pages in and no mention of the 2011 World Series Champs until you said it...I can't wait to use Wainwright for a full season, since I play with real rosters, I didn't use him in the season..

Our lineup will be nice also..

Fucal
Beltran
Berkman
Holiday
Freese
Yadi
Schu
Jay

Can't wait..Now if we can just get Loshe out the way and get Oswalt

# 53 earp4530 @ 02/03/12 12:14 AM

Since we are all naming line ups here.. like everyone cares.

Kinsler
Young
Hammy
Beltre
Cruz
Napoli
Murph
Moreland
Andrus

That's 8 potential 20 home run hitters.. Best line up in baseball.

# 54 seasprite @ 02/03/12 03:36 AM

Huge Braves fan but I will at least try out a franchise with the Marlins.....the new stadium will have me wanting to roll with them.

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# 55 sroz39 @ 02/03/12 05:56 AM

Even though I live and die with the Jays, I usually just play a game or two a week in Exhibition with them using the latest rosters. I don't pretend I could pull off half the moves that A.A. does by using them in Franchise. Some of the moves he's made, you wonder when Bud Selig will announce a patch to fix some wonky trade logic displayed in the majors

Anyway, I usually pick a team that I feel needs a complete new set of eyes on their team and not one that necessarily needs a complete overhaul, but one who's vision needs to do a 180.

Two years ago, I used the Mariners. Last year, it was the Orioles. This year? The choice is almost too easy...the Mets!! Sorry to all the Mets guys in here in advance, but there is not a single team in the majors who needs to scrap their front office in their entirety more than them. With everyone in their division already elite (Phillies, Braves) or on the path to being so (Marlins, Nats), it'll be fun to take them over and see how long it takes to make them competitive again.

Plus, I love their unis and Citi Field. Been looking for an excuse to use them for a long time.

# 56 merchant1874 @ 02/03/12 06:29 AM

I'm thinking of rolling with the O's this year. Purely from a ball park and uniform point of view though. I don't know much about their rotation or lineup though. Maybe someone who knows could dill me in?

If I can get used to the uni's then maybe Miami too as their stadium looks amazing.

# 57 Yankees2009Champs @ 02/03/12 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earp4530


	Since we are all naming line ups here.. like everyone cares. Kinsler Young Hammy Beltre Cruz Napoli Murph Moreland Andrus That's 8 potential 20 home run hitters.. Best line up in baseball.

I prefer...nevermind, you're right

# 58 Callmestretch @ 02/03/12 08:28 AM

What about the Tribe?!?!?!

# 59 The Kid 24 @ 02/03/12 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earp4530


	Since we are all naming line ups here.. like everyone cares. Kinsler Young Hammy Beltre Cruz Napoli Murph Moreland Andrus That's 8 potential 20 home run hitters.. Best line up in baseball.

Hart
Morgan
Braun
Ramirez
Weeks
Gamel
Gonzalez
Lucroy

Brewers lineup can do that too... Everyone in this lineup but Morgan has the potential to hit 20 HR's.

# 60 Perfect Zero @ 02/03/12 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlblover15


	Since i pretty much suck at this game i decided to go down to Rookie default and have to admit I'm having a blast. Michael Choice my young center fielder is a stud. I also brought in Troy Glaus as my DH. He is just a beast. I know, i know, "everyone is a beast on rookie."

I know this is off topic, but Michael Choice is one of my favorite baseball players. I actually met him on campus when we were at UTA, and he's a class act. I remember sitting on the first base side during a game against Houston Baptist at night in February (the temp had to be just above freezing). Before he came up to bat, his grandmother was sitting right next to the dugout and was telling him what he needed to do; he ended up batting a run in. Even though he plays for Oakland, I'll root for him.

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