Why Each MLB Team Should Be Thankful

For me, Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the year. It’s one of the few times of the year when all bets are off when it comes to food: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Thanksgiving is also the time of year when we give thanks to what we have in life. It’s no different for all 30 Major League Baseball teams. Each team has something for which they can be thankful.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies should be thankful they have one of the best GM’s in the game in Ruben Amaro Jr., a GM who doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves should be thankful the Minor League Player of the Year, Jason Heyward is on his way. The kid looks like a star.

Florida Marlins

The Marlins should be thankful they are getting a new stadium in 2012. Maybe then they can keep their young stars like Josh Johnson

New York Mets

The Mets should be thankful 2009 is finally coming to an end. 2010 can’t be much worse.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals should be thankful new GM Mike Rizzo has more of a clue than their former GM, Jim Bowden

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals should be thankful they get to watch the best player in the game on a day in, and day out basis.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs should be thankful that, after so many years of being labeled “lovable losers,” they are finally dedicated to winning. Whether or not they are making the right moves to win is another story.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers should be thankful they have an owner, Mark Attanasio, who runs a small market team, but has a big market mentality.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds should be thankful Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, and Joey Votto are young stars who should provide a solid foundation for the future.

Houston Astros

The Astros should be thankful Wandy Rodriguez established himself as a solid No. 2 starter in 2009.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates should be thankful GM Neal Huntington has the team moving in the right direction. The Pirates are making the right moves to compete in the future.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers should be thankful for Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, who appear to be the foundation of the Dodgers’ offense for years to come.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies should be thankful they have one of the best, exciting young teams in baseball. The Rockies have finally figured out how to win in Colorado.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants should be thankful for being able to watch Tim Lincecum every five days. His unique delivery continues to amaze fans and baffle hitters.

San Diego Padres

The Padres should be thankful that it appears they will not be trading star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks should be thankful Brandon Webb is making progress and looks to be healthy in 2010.

AL East

New York Yankees

The Yankees should be thankful they are the Yankees. No other team in professional sports has the advantage they have.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox should be thankful for their minor-league system, which allows them to trade for players like Victor Martinez, and, potentially, Roy Halladay, or Miguel Cabrera.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays should be thankful they have the most athletic team in baseball, and, after so many years of losing, they have a winner in Tampa.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays should be thankful they got to watch Roy Halladay pitch in a Blue Jays’ uniform for the last 12 years. He will go down as the best player in franchise history.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles should be thankful that, after so many years of not having a clue, they are moving in the right direction. Matt Wieters, Adam Jones, Brian Matusz, and Nick Markakis provide a solid foundation for the future.

AL Central

Minnesota Twins

The Twins should be thankful for Joe Mauer. When it is all said and done, I believe he will go down as the greatest catcher of all time.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers should be thankful for Mike Ilitch. Despite a ravaged economy in Detroit, Ilitch does his best to put a winner on the field in the Motor City.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox should be thankful for employing Ozzie Guillen. His press conferences have provided baseball fans with hours of comedy. Oh yeah, the guy is a pretty good manager, too.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals should be thankful there is only more year left in the Jose Guillen era in Kansas City.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians should be thankful Grady Sizemore, Carlos Martinez, Azdrubal Cabrera, Matt LaPorta, and Shin-Soo Choo provide hope for the future.

AL West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angles should be thankful they have one of the best run organizations in baseball. The job Arte Moreno and Mike Scioscia have done in Anaheim has been impressive.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners should be thankful that, if they make a couple of solid moves this offseason, they could win the AL West in 2010.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers should be thankful for GM Jon Daniels. His trades and drafting over the last four years have the Rangers poised to make a run at the AL West crown in 2010.

Oakland A’s

The A’s should be thankful for Andrew Bailey. The 2009 AL Rookie of the Year should be the anchor of the A’s bullpen for years to come—or at least until Billy Beane trades him.

I would like to give thanks to all my readers for taking the time out of their days to read my blog. For that, I am truly grateful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!