National League
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Aaron Rowand
RF Bobby Abreu
2B Chase Utley
LF Pat Burrell
1B Ryan Howard
C Mike Lieberthal
3B Abraham Nunez
Rotation
Jon Lieber
Brett Myers
Cory Lidle
Ryan Madson
Robinson Tejeda
Closer
Tom Gordon
Fantasy Boom: Ryan Madson
Fantasy Bust: Mike Lieberthal
Prediction: 1st
One of these years, the Braves are not going to win the division and this year is as good as any. The Phillies on paper have a weaker pitching staff, but Padilla and Wolf were injury-plagued wrecks. Some new blood in Tejeda, Floyd and Madson (who will make the transition from uber-reliever to top-flight starter) should be an improvement.
New York Mets
SS Jose Reyes
C Paul LoDuca
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
3B David Wright
LF Cliff Floyd
RF Xavier Nady
2B Kaz Matsui
Rotation
Pedro Martinez
Tom Glavine
Steve Trachsel
Victor Zambrano
Aaron Heilman
Closer
Billy Wagner
Fantasy Boom: Xavier Nady
Fantasy Bust: Carlos Delgado
Prediction: 2nd
The Mets are perennial underachievers, and with many pundits picking them to take the East, another letdown is likely. Finally they’re giving Heilman a chance to prove he’s one of the game’s top young hurlers, but I think Delgado will suffer from the same initial shock that plagued Carlos Beltran grandiose arrival last season. The wind is cold in Shea, don’t you know?
Atlanta Braves
2B Marcus Giles
SS Edgar Renteria
3B Chipper Jones
CF Andruw Jones
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jeff Francoeur
LF Ryan Langerhans
C Brian McCann
Rotation
John Smoltz
Tim Hudson
John Thomson
Horacio Ramirez
Kyle Davies
Closer
Chris Reitsma
Fantasy Boom: Blaine Boyer
Fantasy Bust: Horacio Ramirez
Prediction: 3rd
If the Braves win the division, there truly is no justice. This team sucks. The rotation, always the team’s strength, is hanging by a 38-year old thread and a strained oblique that never seems to heal. Edgar Renteria is the Richard Zednik of the baseball world: a player whose potential has gone down the drain due to an inexplicable erosion of talent.
Washington Nationals
CF Ryan Church/Marlon Byrd
2B Jose Vidro
1B Nick Johnson
RF Jose Guillen
LF Alfonso Soriano
3B Ryan Zimmerman
C Brian Schneider
SS Royce Clayton
Rotation
Livan Hernandez
John Patterson
Ramon Ortiz
Tony Armas
Pedro Astacio
Closer
Chad Cordero
Fantasy Boom: Ramon Ortiz
Fantasy Bust: Alfonso Soriano
Prediction: 4th
Arlington protected Soriano from his glaring weaknesses – no more. RFK will make a boy out of the man who swings at everything, but any starter stands to have improved stats thanks to its vast outfield. Just ask Esteban Loazia. Hell, even Tony Armas had respectable numbers at home.
Florida Marlins
SS Hanley Ramirez
2B Dan Uggla
RF Jeremy Hermida
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Mike Jacobs
LF Josh Willingham
C Miguel Olivo
CF Eric Reed
Rotation
Dontrelle Willis
Jason Vargas
Sergio Mitre
Brian Moehler
Scott Olsen
Closer
Joe Borowski
Fantasy Boom: Josh Johnson
Fantasy Bust: Dontrelle Willis
Prediction: 5th
F**k ’em.
NL Central
Milwaukee Brewers
CF Brady Clark
2B Rickie Weeks
LF Carlos Lee
RF Geoff Jenkins
3B Corey Koskie
1B Prince Fielder
C Damian Miller
SS J.J. Hardy
Rotation
Ben Sheets
Doug Davis
Chris Capuano
David Bush
Tomo Ohka
Closer
Derrick Turnbow
Fantasy Boom: Rickie Weeks
Fantasy Bust: Chris Capuano
Prediction: 1st
OK, this one’s a stretch, but Milwaukee has been lurking in the shadows, getting slightly better each season. Now it’s time to take the next step. Rickie Weeks could very well be the best second baseman in the NL this year (even better than Chase), while Sheets/Davis can match up with the big one-two punches in the division.
St. Louis Cardinals
SS David Eckstein
2B Junior Spivey
1B Albert Pujols
CF Jim Edmonds
3B Scott Rolen
RF Juan Encarnacion
LF Larry Bigbie
C Yadier Molina
Rotation
Chris Carpenter
Mark Mulder
Jeff Suppan
Jason Marquis
Sidney Ponson
Closer
Jason Isringhausen
Fantasy Boom: Sidney Ponson
Fantasy Bust: Jim Edmonds
Prediction: 2nd, NL Wild Card
Save for Pujols, this team is getting older, and there’s been too much movement. The outfield corner spots seem like afterthoughts, and Spivey and Miles are trying to out-suck each other in the second base race. It’s all up to Dave Duncan now.
Houston Astros
CF Wily Taveras
2B Craig Biggio
1B Lance Berkman
3B Morgan Ensberg
LF Preston Wilson
RF Jason Lane
SS Adam Everett
C Brad Ausmus
Rotation
Roy Oswalt
Andy Pettitte
Brandon Backe
Wandy Rodriguez
Ezequiel Astacio
Closer
Brad Lidge
Fantasy Boom: Wily Taveras
Fantasy Bust: Jason Lane
Prediction: 3rd
Like the Cardinals, the Astros are better than the sum of their parts, but taking Clemens out of the equation, even if its only for the first few months, could cost them the playoff spot they barely won last year. The hitters’ stats are inflated because of where they play, and Jason Lane is the supreme offender in home/road splits.
Chicago Cubs
CF Juan Pierre
2B Jerry Hairston/Todd Walker
1B Derrek Lee
3B Aramis Ramirez
RF Jacque Jones
C Michael Barrett
LF Matt Murton
SS Ronny Cedeno
Rotation
Mark Prior
Carlos Zambrano
Greg Maddux
Glendon Rusch
Jerome Williams
Closers
Ryan Dempster
Fantasy Boom: Jerome Williams
Fantasy Bust: Kerry Wood/Mark Prior
Prediction: 4th
Sad but true: In my weaker moments I actually believe the possibility of Prior and Wood having healthy seasons. I also believe the Expos are still around.
Cincinnati Reds
2B Ryan Freel
SS Felipe Lopez
CF Ken Griffey
LF Adam Dunn
RF Austin Kearns
3B Edwin Encarnacion
C Jason LaRue/Javier Valentin
1B Scott Hatteberg
Rotation
Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Eric Milton
Dave Williams
Brandon Claussen
Closer
David Weathers
Fantasy Boom: Austin Kearns
Fantasy Bust: Dave Williams
Prediction: 5th
Trading Pena for Arroyo was out of necessity; they needed pitching and had to trade a potential 40-HR guy for him. The old adage is that pitching wins championships, and the Reds have recognized that, but they still don’t have any.
Pittsburgh Pirates
CF Chris Duffy
SS Jack Wilson
1B Sean Casey
LF Jason Bay
RF Jeromy Burnitz
3B Joe Randa
C Ryan Doumit
2B Jose Castillo
Rotation
Oliver Perez
Zach Duke
Paul Maholm
Ian Snell
Victor Santos
Closer
Mike Gonzalez
Fantasy Boom: Mike Gonzalez
Fantasy Bust: Jack Wilson
Why in their right minds did they think Jeromy Burnitz was a superior option in the OF than Craig A. Wilson? There’s a reason why this team has remained in the cellar for over a decade. The Burnett/Bullington/Van Benschoten trifecta can hopefully start some games in the second half. Don’t count on it, though.
NL West
San Francisco Giants
SS Omar Vizquel
CF Randy Winn
2B Ray Durham
LF Barry Bonds
RF Moises Alou
3B Pedro Feliz
1B Lance Niekro
C Mike Matheny
Rotation
Jason Schmidt
Matt Morris
Noah Lowry
Matt Cain
Brad Hennessy
Closer
Armando Benitez
Fantasy Boom: Matt Cain
Fantasy Bust: Omar Vizquel
Prediction: 1st
This division blows. If Barry stays healthy, the Giants will find themselves at the top of the dung pile, with a sterling 81-81 record. The rotation is underrated and better than last season, but it’s more because of youngsters Cain and Lowry, and less about the aging Morris.
Colorado Rockies
CF Cory Sullivan
SS Clint Barmes
1B Todd Helton
LF Matt Holliday
3B Garrett Atkins
RF Brad Hawpe
2B Luis A. Gonzalez
C Yorvit Torrealba
Rotation
Jeff Francis
Jason Jennings
Aaron Cook
Byung-Hyun Kim
Zach Day
Closer
Brian Fuentes
Fantasy Boom: Luis A. Gonzalez
Fantasy Bust: Brian Fuentes
Prediction: 2nd
It’s unlikely that Colorado will finish above .500, but in this division they have as good a chance as anyone to play bridesmaid to Barry. The team’s attitude has changed from one of veterans using the mile high to pad their stats, to a hard working team of no-talent retreads.
San Diego Padres
LF Dave Roberts
SS Khalil Greene
RF Brian Giles
1B Ryan Klesko
C Mike Piazza
CF Mike Cameron
3B Vinny Castilla
2B Josh Barfield
Rotation
Jake Peavy
Chris Young
Shawn Estes
Woody Williams
Chan Ho Park
Closer
Trevor Hoffman
Fantasy Boom: Chris Young
Fantasy Bust: Brian Giles
Prediction: 3rd
What the hell happened to this team? When did the lineup get so old? When did the likes of Estes, Williams and Park infiltrate this once young and upstart rotation? Vinny Castilla? Jake Peavy aside, this team is definitely headed in the wrong direction.
Los Angeles Dodgers
SS Rafael Furcal
CF Kenny Lofton
RF J.D. Drew
2B Jeff Kent
1B Nomar Garciaparra
3B Bill Mueller
RF Jose Cruz
C Dioner Navarro
Rotation
Derek Lowe
Brad Penny
Odalis Perez
Jae Seo
Brett Tomko
Closer
Eric Gagne
Fantasy Boom: Odalis Perez
Fantasy Bust: Rafael Furcal
Prediction: 4th
This team is a Frankenstein created by multiple GM’s and their crazy, partially-implemented plans. Even though the underrated Cesar Izturis will be ready in May, the Dodgers felt compelled to sign Raffy Furcal to a bloated contract. Nobody knows how Nomar will rebound, and Kenny Lofton is so old he should be playing for the Giants.
Arizona Diamondbacks
CF Eric Byrnes
2B Orlando Hudson
LF Luis Gonzalez
3B Chad Tracy
RF Shawn Green
1B Conor Jackson
C Johnny Estrada
SS Craig Counsell
Rotation
Brandon Webb
Russ Ortiz
Orlando Hernandez
Miguel Batista
Claudio Vargas
Closer
Jose Valverde
Fantasy Boom: Jose Valverde
Fantasy Bust: Luis Gonzalez
Prediction: 5th
They made the right decision in starting Conor Jackson at first; unfortunately it came at the expense of their best hitter, Tony Clark. This team lacks real focus, they have two players moving positions defensively, and a rotation that seriously believes El Duque will be anything better than mediocre. This team won the World Series with a killer starting rotation, so it makes it all the more hilarious when Russ Ortiz takes the mound.
American League
AL East
Baltimore Orioles
2B Brian Roberts
CF Corey Patterson
3B Melvin Mora
SS Miguel Tejada
1B Javy Lopez
RF Jay Gibbons
C Ramon Hernandez
DH Kevin Millar
LF Luis Matos
Rotation
Kris Benson
Erik Bedard
Rodrigo Lopez
Bruce Chen
Daniel Cabrera
Closer
Chris Ray
Fantasy Boom: Eric Bedard
Fantasy Bust: Melvin Mora
Prediction: 3rd
If they can get decent production out of Patterson, the lineup is one of the best in the league. Add Leo Mazzone to a young pitching staff, and they can be very surprising.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
LF Carl Crawford
SS Julio Lugo
2B Jorge Cantu
RF Aubrey Huff
DH Jonny Gomes
CF Rocco Baldelli
1B Travis Lee
3B Sean Burroughs
C Toby Hall
Rotation
Scott Kazmir
Seth McClung
Casey Fossum
Mark Hendrickson
Doug Waechter
Closer
Dan Miceli
Fantasy Boom: Jonny Gomes
Fantasy Bust: Julio Lugo
Prediction: 5th
Same old Devil Rays. They will be closer to the rest of the pack, though.
New York Yankees
CF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
3B Alex Rodriguez
RF Gary Sheffield
LF Hideki Matsui
1B Jason Giambi
C Jorge Posada
DH Bernie Williams
2B Robinson Cano
Rotation
Randy Johnson
Mike Mussina
Chien-Ming Wang
Shawn Chacon
Carl Pavano
Closer
Mariano Rivera
Boom: Octavio Dotel
Bust: Jorge Posada
Prediction: 2nd
The Yanks do not have the defense or the pitching to beat the Blue Jays. Baltimore might even pass them if Mazzone can work his magic.
Boston Red Sox
CF Coco Crisp
2B Mark Loretta
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
RF Trot Nixon
C Jason Varitek
3B Mike Lowell
1B Kevin Youkilis
SS Alex Gonzalez
Rotation
Josh Beckett
Curt Schilling
David Wells
Tim Wakefield
Matt Clement
Closer
Keith Foulke
Boom: Wily Mo Pena
Bust: Josh Beckett
Prediction: 4th
The loveable losers are no longer lovable. But they are still losers. Josh Beckett will probably get a blister two weeks into the season opening a Sam Adams. But as long as Ortiz and ManRam are around, it’s possible they can prove me wrong.
Toronto Blue Jays
SS Russ Adams
LF Frank Catalanotto
CF Vernon Wells
3B Troy Glaus
1B Lyle Overbay
DH Shea Hillenbrand
C Bengie Molina
RF Eric Hinske
2B Aaron Hill
Rotation
Roy Halladay
A.J. Burnett
Gustavo Chacin
Ted Lilly
Josh Towers
Closer
B.J. Ryan
Fantasy Boom: Ted Lilly
Fantasy Bust: A.J. Burnett
Prediction: 1st
Blue Jays, why the hell not? J.P. Ricciardi has spent lots of loonies to rebuild their pitching staff and shored up some weak positions in the batting order. This team is ready to end the dark reign of the Yankees and Red Sox.
AL Central
Minnesota Twins
LF Shannon Stewart
2B Luis Castillo
C Joe Mauer
CF Torii Hunter
1B Justin Morneau
DH Rondell White
3B Tony Batista
RF Jason Kubel
SS Jason Bartlett
Rotation
Johan Santana
Brad Radke
Carlos Silva
Kyle Lohse
Scott Baker
Closer
Joe Nathan
Fantasy Boom: Justin Morneau
Fantasy Bust: Kyle Lohse
Prediction: 2nd
Any team with Tony Batista in their lineup should automatically finish 0-162, but the Twinkies counteract this by having the best starting pitcher in baseball. Luis Castillo was a nice addition but the year isn’t 1999.
Chicago White Sox
LF Scott Podsednik
SS Juan Uribe
1B Paul Konerko
RF Jermaine Dye
2B Tadahito Iguchi
DH Jim Thome
C A.J. Pierzynski
3B Joe Crede
CF Brian Anderson
Rotation
Mark Buehrle
Freddy Garcia
Jose Contreras
Jon Garland
Javier Vazquez
Closer
Bobby Jenks
Fantasy Boom: Neal Cotts
Fantasy Bust: Jon Garland
Prediction: 3rd
Crazy Ozzie and the Boys actually won the whole thing last year. Not really sure how that happened. The addition of Thome is a risk worth taking yet I can’t see lightning striking twice.
Cleveland Indians
CF Grady Sizemore
LF Jason Michaels
SS Jhonny Peralta
DH Travis Hafner
C Victor Martinez
3B Aaron Boone
RF Casey Blake
1B Ben Broussard
2B Ron Belliard
Rotation
C.C Sabathia
Cliff Lee
Paul Byrd
Jake Westbrook
Jason Johnson
Closer
Bob Wickman
Fantasy Boom: Jhonny Peralta
Fantasy Bust: Aaron Boone
Prediction: 1st
On paper, this is the best team in the division. This year, they should finally pass the teams they should have been beating for years. C.C. Sabathia is ready to become an elite pitcher and the star of this franchise.
Detroit Tigers
CF Curtis Granderson
2B Placido Polanco
C Ivan Rodriguez
RF Magglio Ordonez
DH Dmitri Young
LF Craig Monroe
SS Carlos Guillen
1B Chris Shelton
3B Brandon Inge
Rotation
Jeremy Bonderman
Kenny Rogers
Nate Robertson
Mike Maroth
Justin Verlander
Closer
Todd Jones
Fantasy Boom: Jeremy Bonderman
Fantasy Bust: Ivan Rodriguez
Prediction: 4th
Major League Baseball may see its first managerial fatality. Jim Leyland will be rushing back to the Old Folks home after Mike Maroth’s first start of the season. Batting Pudge in the three-hole will ensure the offence stays anemic.
Kansas City Royals
CF David DeJesus
2B Mark Grudzielanek
1B Mike Sweeney
LF Reggie Sanders
DH Matt Stairs
RF Emil Brown
3B Mark Teahen
C John Buck
SS Angel Berroa
Rotation
Mark Redman
Scott Elarton
Joe Mays
Runelvys Hernandez
Denny Bautista
Closer
Mark MacDougal
Fantasy Boom: Jeremy Affeldt
Fantasy Bust: Mark Grudzielanek
Prediction: 5th
Another hopeless season in Kansas City.
AL West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3B Chone Figgins
CF Darin Erstad
RF Vladimir Guerrero
LF Garret Anderson
SS Orlando Cabrera
1B Casey Kotchman
DH Juan Rivera
2B Adam Kennedy
C Jeff Mathis
Rotation
Bartolo Colon
John Lackey
Jeff Weaver
Kelvim Escobar
Ervin Santana
Closer
Francisco Cordero
Fantasy Boom: Jeff Mathis
Fantasy Bust: John Lackey
Prediction: 3rd
This team is not a lock for the post-season and its debatable how many more years they can squeeze out of Garret Anderson. But, the Angels have the best balance of hitting and pitching in the division.
Oakland Athletics
2B Mark Ellis
RF Milton Bradley
3B Eric Chavez
DH Frank Thomas
1B Dan Johnson
SS Bobby Crosby
LF Nick Swisher
CF Mark Kotsay
C Jason Kendall
Rotation
Barry Zito
Rich Harden
Danny Haren
Joe Blanton
Esteban Loaiza
Closer
Huston Street
Fantasy Boom: Bobby Crosby
Fantasy Bust: Milton Bradley
Prediction: 2nd, AL Wild Card
Signing Esteban Loaiza was really un-Billy Beane like. Loading the roster with 20-80 guys and not finding a true cleanup hitter wasn’t.
Seattle Mariners
RF Ichiro Suzuki
CF Jeremy Reed
1B Richie Sexson
3B Adrian Beltre
LF Raul Ibanez
DH Carl Everett
C Kenji Johjima
2B Jose Lopez
SS Yuniesky Betancourt
Rotation
Jamie Moyer
Joel Pineiro
Felix Hernandez
Jarrod Washburn
Gil Meche
Closer
Eddie Guardado
Fantasy Boom: Jose Lopez
Fantasy Bust: Carl Everett
Prediction: 4th
Will it be a problem that the team’s starting catcher can’t speak a lick of English? How will Jamie Moyer signal 80 straight changeups? Felix Hernandez is already a potential all-star and he hasn’t even finished his first season.
Texas Rangers
CF Brad Wilkerson
SS Michael Young
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Hank Blalock
RF Kevin Mench
LF David Dellucci
DH Phil Nevin
C Rod Barajas
2B Ian Kinsler
Rotation
Kevin Millwood
Vicente Padilla
Adam Eaton
Kameron Loe
Edison Volquez
Closer
Francisco Cordero
Fantasy Boom: Brad Wilkerson
Fantasy Bust: David Dellucci
Prediction: 1st
They can still mash but this year they actually tried to get some pitchers. They did this a few years ago as well and his name was Chan Ho Park. Washington will regret dealing Brad Wilkerson for the adventure in left field that is Alfonso Soriano.
Now that our predictions are complete, here are some more indepth predictions that may or may not be right…
Jared Book
NL pennant: St. Louis Cardinals
AL pennant: Toronto Blue Jays
World Series: Toronto
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, STL
AL MVP: Brad Wilkerson, TEX
NL Cy Young: Jake Peavy, SD
AL Cy Young: Scott Kazmir, TB
NL Rookie of the Year: Ryan
Zimmerman, WSH
AL Rookie of the Year: Ian
Kinsler, TEX
NL Comeback Player: Jose Vidro, WSH
AL Comeback Player: Jim Thome, CWS
NL ‘One-hit wonder’: Lance Berkman, HOU
AL ‘One-hit wonder’: Derek Jeter, NYY
Ready for the next step:
Ryan Howard, PHI and Rich Harden, OAK
Overrated: Alfonso Soriano, WSH
Underrated: Grady Sizemore, CLE
Erik Leijon
NL Pennant: San Francisco Giants
AL Pennant: Cleveland Indians
World Series: Cleveland
NL MVP: Barry Bonds, SF
AL MVP: Bobby Crosby, OAK
NL Cy Young: Ben Sheets, MIL
AL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia, CLE
NL Rookie Of The Year: Matt Cain, SF
AL Rookie Of The Year: Kenji Johima, SEA
NL Comeback Player: Carlos Beltran, NYM
AL Comeback Player: Adrian Beltre, SEA
NL ‘One-hit wonder’: Rafael Furcal, LA
AL ‘One-hit wonder’: Johnny Damon, NYY
Ready for the next step: Rickie Weeks, MIL and Justin Morneau, MIN
Most overrated: Derek Jeter, NYY
Most underrated: Adam Dunn, CIN
