National League West Preview

In 2010,  the NL West was suppose to be one of the weaker divisions in baseball.  By season's end, it may have turned out to be the strongest.  The surprise San Diego Padres were the feel good story of the year.  They lead the division for most of the year, until they ran out of steam in the final week of the regular season, when they were dethroned by the eventual World Series Champions, the San Francisco Giants.  What's in store out west in 2011?  Let's see...
*Teams listed in predicted order of finish.

The Colorado Rockies
In the off season, the Rockies wasted little time in signing their best player, Troy Tulowitzki, to a contract extension that will keep the 25 year-old shortstop in purple pinstripes until 2020.  Despite missing 40 games last year to wrist injury, Tulo still had 27 home runs and 148 hits.  Coming off career highs in batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage, Tulo hasn't even reached his prime yet.  Assuming he plays a full season in 2011, there are no limits to how high his numbers will soar.  Rockies fans should feel blessed knowing that they will be able to go to the ballpark and watch this guy play for at least the next 10 years.

I cannot stress enough how important it is for a team to have a closer it can rely on in the 9th inning to finish teams off.  In 2010, the Rockies played most of their season without the services of their closer, 2005 Rookie of the Year, Huston Street.  At 27 years of age, Street should be able to bounce back from shoulder and groin injuries that kept him sidelined for more than 60 games a year ago.  In case Street goes down again, the Rockies signed an insurance policy in the form of Matt Lindstrom, who was a closer with the Houston Astros in 2010. 

The Rockies are young and talented at almost every position.  It's no secret that the Mile High City is conducive to a team that can hit the ball.  With Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez leading the way, the Rockies will hit plenty.

The San Francisco Giants
Unlike the Rockies, the Giants are mediocre at best with the bat.  Struggles on offense don't seem to matter that much when your pitching staff is lights out.  That's exactly what the Giants staff is, and that is what won them the World Series crown in 2010.  The Giants pitchers gave up the least amount of runs in the Major Leagues and were best in batting average against (opposing teams batting average when facing Giant's pitching).

Unquestionably, the leader of that staff is Tim Lincecum, although you may know him as Mitch Kramer from "Dazed and Confused".  At just 26 years-old, he has already won two Cy Young awards and has at least 15 wins and 200 strikeouts in each of his first 3 full seasons as a starter.  Appropriately nick-named, the Freak, Lincecum says he has worked harder this off season than in any other before.  Coming from a guy that was already nearly un-hittable, that's a scary thought for National League hitters.

The San Diego Padres
Even though the Padres were forced to trade away their best player, all-star Adrian Gonzalez, they can still compete in the west, thanks to their young and efficient pitching staff.  The ace of the staff is 23 year-old Mat Latos, who should have an excellent career.  Their closer, Heath Bell is one of the premiere relievers in the game.  If the Friars can get the game to the 9th inning with the lead, then you can confidently put a W in the win column, because Bell will rarely let a game get a away.

The Padres, who began 2010 with the second lowest payroll in baseball are never big spenders in the off season.  Working with a budget, I think the Padres spent their modest allowance well.  They picked up an array of veteran infielders (Orlando Hudson, Jason Bartlett, and Brad Hawpe) who are capable on both sides of the ball.  They also picked up pitcher Aaron Harang, who struggled in 2010 for the Cincinnati Reds.  Moving to the spacious confines of Petco Park would be helpful for any pitcher.  Petco Park may be just what Harang needs to revitalize his career and winning ways. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers
What has become of this historic franchise?  Divorces used to just ruin lives and bank accounts.  Now they are ruining Major League Baseball teams.  The Dodgers will begin their second season in which they are the child stuck in the middle of the high profile custody battle between Frank and Jamie McCourt.  With the ownership uncertain, it makes it very difficult for the front office to spend money in free agency.  Not to mention the distraction it will cause the entire organization, from the guys in suits, to the men in uniforms.  Hopefully, this mess gets settled sooner rather than later and the Dodgers get back to their championship pedigree.

Another story to watch in Dodger-land this season will be how first time manager Don Mattingly fares.  "Donnie baseball" had been a coach on the legendary Joe Torre squads starting in 2004 while the pair were with the Yankess.  After Torre was fired in New York, Mattingly joined Torre in Los Angeles and will take over the managerial role now that Torre has retired.  As if being a manager for the first time doesn't cause enough anxiety as is, Mattingly will have to lead a team that is surrounded by turmoil.  Good luck to the Dodgers and their new manager, they'll need it.

The Arizona Diamondbacks
Coming off a year in which they lost 97 games, second worst in the National League, the Diamondbacks can't get much worse.  Unfortunately, they didn't get any better either.  They traded away their teams best home run hitter, Mark Reynolds, only months after they signed him to a three year contract extension.  You would figure, upon making a trade involving a power hitter like Reynolds, that the D-Backs would acquire personnel that will have tremendous impact.  Ummm, maybe.  The D-Backs received two young relievers who throw, but are by no means proven assets to a big league ball club.

It's obvious the Diamondbacks are rebuilding.  And it's inevitable that they will finish last in the NL West once again.   

National League Central Preview

The National League Central looks wide open and could make it the most exciting division to follow in 2011.  Baseball's only six team division has had a different team win the division in each of the last 3 seasons.  Will this trend continue in 2011?  The level of parody in the NL Central is great, and I believe we will see a fourth straight year in which a new team represents the Central in the National League.

*Teams listed in predicted order of finish.

The Milwaukee Brewers

A team that many experts picked to win the division last year, the Brewers were severely disappointing in 2010, finishing below .500 with a record of 77-85.  After an off season in which the Brewers added the power arms of Zach Greinke and Shaun Marcum, the Brewers are ready to live up to their potential and win the NL Central for the first time in team history.  Adding Greinke and Marcum gives the Brewers three aces to their starting rotation, that includes 25 year-old Yovani Gallardo.  Experts say Gallardo has all the makings to be Cy Young caliber pitcher and Greinke has already won the award.  All the talk in baseball is about the Phillies rotation.  This youthful Brewers club may be almost as talented and about a decade younger.  Don't sleep on the Brewers.

While, the Brewers do have much of their core players signed for years to come(Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun, and Corey Hart),  the time might be now if they are going to bring a Championship to Milwaukee. Superstar first basemen, Prince Fielder is in the final year of his contract and all indications point to him testing free agency at seasons end.  Fielder will definitely draw interest from big spenders such as the Yankees, Cubs, and Angels.  A small market team such as the Brewers won't stand a chance at re-signing the 26 year-old home run machine.  The Brewers have a team that will compete for years to come, but it will be much easier to win with the services of the Prince. 

The St. Louis Cardinals

Everyone in St. Louis is nervous.  And if they aren't they should be.  The biggest news in the off season for the Cardinals, was bad news.  The team was unable to agree on terms for a contract extension for the 3-time MVP, 9-time all star, arguably the greatest ballplayer of all-time, and without a doubt, the best player in the game today, Albert Pujols.  Prince Albert had a down year, for Pujols standards and still led the league in Home Runs, Runs, and RBIs.  He has had at least 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and a .300 batting average in each of his first 10 seasons.  You know who else has compiled those numbers to start a career?  NO ONE! 

I wasn't in the negotiating room, so I don't know what held up getting an extension done, but if a guys puts up the numbers that Pujols has, you give him what he wants.  Pujols has said he will not talk about his contract during the season as to not be a distraction.  Unfortunately, not knowing if your best player is going to be with the team in the future, will prove to be a vital distraction.  If Pujols makes it to free agency, you know the Yankees will throw $30-40 million a year, cars, boats, planes, statues, just about anything to get him into pinstripes.

I can't imagine Pujols not playing for the Cards, and the last thing baseball needs is for him to go to the Yankees.  I'm a little afraid that's where he'll end up a year from now, and everyone outside of New York should be too.

The Cincinnati Reds
The Reds shocked the world of baseball in 2010, winning the division for the first time since 1995.  In 2011 however, teams will be ready to play when the Reds come to town.  No longer under the radar, the Reds won't have the element of surprise to use as ammunition. 

The Reds made little to no moves in the off season and the team remains basically the same.  Sure, they still have the reigning MVP, Joey Votto and a stellar cast of young hitters including: Brandon Phillips, Drew Stubbs, and Jonny Gomes, but I believe it will be a down year in Cincinnati.  Don't fret Reds fans, the Reds are young, talented and will be a contender for many years to come.

The Chicago Cubs
What is going to go wrong for the Cubs this year?  It always seems to be something.  Last year, there were multiple occasions of teammate on teammate violence, usually involving Carlos Zambrano.  Their manager, Lou Pinella stepped down late in the year and more importantly the Cubs finished 5th in the division which includes the lowly Pirates and the struggling Astros.

The Cubs are baseball's most tortured franchise.  They have not won a World Series since 1908.  The last time they played in a World Series was in 1945, when they lost to the Detroit Tigers.  It was in this series in which the Cubs became cursed.  The curse is known as the "Curse of the Goat", and the story goes likes this...

It was game 4 of the World Series and a man by the name of Billy Sianis had two box seats to the game.  Naturally, he brought his pet goat to occupy one of the seats.  Mr. Sianis and his goat got past the ticket collector and security and made it to their seats where they would enjoy the pivotal game 4.  It was a perfect afternoon for the man and his goat, until they were asked to leave, by order of the teams owner.  The cause for ejection was do to the objectionable odor that resonated from the goat.  Outraged by the ejection and the fact the team had insulted his goat, Sianis placed a hex on the Cubs, stating they would never play another World Series game at Wrigley Field.  To this day the Cubs have not been back to the World Series...

The Houston Astros
They are bad... Really bad.... But not as bad as...

The Pittsburgh Pirates
Can you name a single player on the Pittsburgh Pirates?  Me either.  I don't know how the Pirates make a profit year in and year out, but they do.  Their ownership seems satisfied with making that profit and refuse to put any real money into the team.  Winning is not a priority in Pittsburgh.  I feel for the few Pirates that remain, because your team will continue to trade it's best players or let them walk when their contracts are up if it means saving a penny.  The Pirates will likely once again have the lowest payroll in baseball.  In 2010, their payroll was approximately $35 million, or $170 million less than the New York Yankees.  How can they even be expected to compete?  But yeah, baseball not having a salary cap is a good thing.

American League West Preview

Baseball's smallest division saw a lot of coming and goings in the off season and we'll see some familiar faces in new places out west.  Which of those faces will have the greatest impact, remains to be seen.  The American League West might be the toughest division, in regards to picking a winner, at least for me.  There doesn't seem to be one team that stands out as being superior.  But I like...

*Teams in order of predicted finish.

The Oakland Athletics

Yes, the Oakland A's will win the AL West and they are my team to watch in 2011.  Oakland over-achieved at the start of last season before fizzling out in the second half of the season, finishing with a .500 record and in 2nd place behind the Texas Rangers.  The A's look improved and built for a run at the post-season in 2011.  This year's team brings a nice mix of young players, ready to showcase their talents and the proven veterans, who we know can get the job done.

The A's strongest link will be their bullpen, which looks to be among the best in baseball.  Anchoring that fierce bullpen will be an up and coming star in Andrew Bailey. Bailey managed 25 saves a year ago despite battling an oblique injury.  The elbow should be fully repaired and word is he will be ready to go, come opening day.  What if Bailey isn't ready?  In the off season the A's signed veteran pitcher, former Angel's closer, Brian Fuentes to be the set up man for Bailey.  If Bailey goes down, Fuentes and his 187 career saves will be waiting to step in and takeover the closers role.  And a backup plan to your backup plan is nice too.  The A's have that in Grant Belfour.  The Australian had a 2.28 ERA in 2010 and is good for a little better than a strikeout per inning pitched.  The A's sure hope they won't have to resort to having Belfour close out games, but as a worst case scenario, it doesn't get much better than Belfour.

On the swinging side of the ball, the A's brought in former World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui.  The A's signed Matsui in hopes of adding a star with leadership ability and some extra pop to a line-up that finished with only 109 home runs a year ago.  Godzilla, along with the new outfield, consisting of David DeJesus, Josh Willingham, and Coco Crisp will help produce some runs in 2011, but the A's will rely on their pitching, and this pitching staff is geared to take the A's to the head of the class in the AL West.

The Texas Rangers
The Rangers were unable to resign superstar pitcher, Cliff Lee.  Unfortunately, it is impossible to replace a player of Lee's caliber.  Without a bonafied ace, the Rangers starting rotation is little shaky.  CJ Wilson had a terrific year in 2010 going 15-8 in his first year as a starter.  Can he repeat this performance?  Maybe, but what's beyond Wilson?  Colby Lewis, Tommy Hunter, Derek Holland, and Branden Webb.  Besides Webb most people have never heard of these guys and Webb has pitched a total of four innings since 2008!  Hunter and Holland are young and might become great pitchers one day, but if the Rangers are going to be successful in 2011 that day better be today.

Luckily the Rangers do have reigning MVP Josh Hamilton and a number of other guys, maybe too many, who can hit and score runs.  The  question remains, will there be enough playing time to go around and keep everyone happy.  The big move made by the Rangers in the off season was signing free agent third baseman, Adrian Beltre.  The addition of Beltre displaces longtime Ranger 3B Michael Young, who demanded a trade before spring training started, with no luck.  Young is a professional and did report to spring training with a smile on his face, we'll see if it stays there as the season progresses.  Chances are Young could earn his job back if Beltre struggles.  In 2010, Beltre put up the best numbers of his career, with the exception of the incrediably suspicious power numbers he compiled in 2004 during the tail end of the steroid era, numbers he would never again come close to duplicating.  A few warnings for Rangers fans who are counting on Beltre having a batting average of .321 and knocking 189 hits this year, as he did for the Boston Red Sox a year ago - consider this, any balls that went for doubles or home runs in Boston, will find their way into the fielders gloves in the much more spacious confines of the Ballpark in Arlington.

Last season, Beltre was playing in a contract year, meaning he had a little extra incentive to put up big numbers.  That incentive is non-existent as the Rangers inked Beltre to a five-year $80 million contract.  With that money in the bank, expect Beltre numbers to return to earth and to his career norm, with a batting average of about .265 and  around 150 or so hits.  I can think of better ways to spend $80 million.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Speaking of bad spending, the Angels traded for Vernon Wells and the $86 million he is owed over the next four years.  Wells had a great 2010 and was named an all-star for the first time since 2006.  I would imagine playing in Southern California versus Toronto, where he spent the first nine years of his career, can only help his productivity, but at age 32, Wells isn't getting any younger and that makes it a risky investment for the Angel's front office.

Besides the acquisition of Vernon Wells, the Angels made very few modifications to their ball club.  The Angels have a strong pitching staff and if you've been paying attention, pitching is what wins games.  Fernando Rodney will be the every day closer, after sharing the role with Brian Fuentes last season.  Rodney is capable of getting the job done, he'll just have you biting your nails and hiding behind your t-shirt in the process. 

With Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana as your top three starters, the Angels will compete and win a lot of games.  Don't overlook the Halos because they can easily come out on top in the very winnable AL West.

The Seattle Mariners                            

Dear Seattle,

Please set Ichiro free!

Thank You,

Baseball fans everywhere

It is devastating to watch one of the greatest baseball players of all time waste away in Seattle.  Especially since Ichiro played in Japan until he was 27 and deprived us of watching his entire baseball career unfold.  Since coming to America, Ichiro has had 200+ hits and a batting average of .303 or higher in each of his 10 seasons as a Mariner.  He is one of two men to ever win the Rookie of the Year award and MVP in the same season.  Ichiro is 37 and we are running out of time to witness this once in a lifetime athlete.  He hasn't been to the playoffs since his rookie season, and if he remains in Seattle we will never get to see him take his talents to the post-season again.  A free agent in 2013, maybe he will sign with a contender, we can only hope.

American League Central Preview

Consistently one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, the American League Central will not disappoint in 2011.  The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox both added power to their line-ups.  The Minnesota Twins had very little off season activity and have basically the same look as last year.  Yet, most experts still consider the Twins to be the favorite.  The Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals will once again be battling it out for fourth place.
*Teams listed in order of predicted finish.

The Detroit Tigers
The Tigers possess a tremendous mix of young talent and proven veterans on both sides of the ball.  The Tigers worked quickly in the off season to re-sign fan favorites, perennial .300 hitter, Maggilo Ordonez and defensive specialist, Brandon Inge.  They also brought in free agent bat of Victor Martinez at $50 million over four years.  Martinez is expected to share time behind the plate with young catcher Alex Avila and he will DH on days he doesn't wear the armor. 

Detroit also added to their already impressive pitching staff, signing flame thrower, Joaquin Benoit to a three year deal.  Benoit will be the setup man for the charismatic and now healthy closer, Jose Valverde.  Joel Zumaya, whose fast ball has reached 104 MPH, says he too is healthy. Hopefully he can make it through the year without a trip to the DL, a feat he has been unable to accomplish in the first four years of his career.  The Tigers were also able to add depth to the starting rotation, signing veteran starter and former World Series Champion, Brad Penny, who will anchor the staff as the fifth starter.  We already know Justin Verlander is a stud and will continue to dominate hitters in 2011.  The rest of the starting rotation should be solid assuming three things. First, Rick Porcello bounces back from a sophomore slump.  Word is, he has added a curve ball and a sinker to go along with his effective change-up, if true, Porcello should be back to the winning form that allowed him to finish third in his rookie of the year voting two seasons ago.  Second, that at age 26, Max Scherzer  continues to strike guys out and keeps improving. 

Lastly, and possibly the biggest if of all, can Phil Coke transition from the bullpen into the starting rotation.  Coke throws hard, he also plays with a lot of emotion.  Emotion works in the bullpen because a pitcher will only throw for an inning or two.  Starters are expected to pitch between 5 and 7 innings every fifth day.  If he can pace himself, good things are in store for the flamboyant Coke.

Their line-up looks to be the best, 1 thru 9 among the AL Central.  Their pitching staff could rank with the elite if everything goes perfect.  If the Tigers can stay healthy and if Miguel Cabrera stays off the sauce, the Detroit Tigers are the team to beat in the division.

The Chicago White Sox
Of course, Alex Rios disagrees with me on who the team to beat in the central is, as he was quoted saying, "Oh yeah, definitely, we're the team to beat."  Can't argue with his confidence.  The White Sox did sign slugger Adam Dunn in the off season.  Dunn should be good for at least 40 home runs and probably more since he is moving to U.S Cellular Field, which is more conducive for left-handed hitters than his previous home in Washington. 

The Sox signed young outfielder Lastings Milledge, who has yet to live up to expectations, but at age 25 there is still plenty time.  A change of scenery and playing for a team that can actually contend may prove to be just what the young man needs to get motivated and play to his potential.

The White Sox pitching is intriguing.  Matt Thornton takes over in the closers role, with Bobby Jenks moving to the Boston Red Sox.  This is a case of addition by subtraction for the Sox.  Jenks was shaky at best last season recording a career low in saves and seeing his ERA balloon to 4.44.  Thornton has a powerful arm that just strikes people out, 81 strikeouts in 60.2 innings a year ago.  He should be ready for the challenge of being an everyday closer.  The starting rotation is good, not great.  It will be interesting to see how former Cy Young candidate, Jake Peavy returns from surgery.  He hasn't pitched since July and hasn't been dominate since 2008, it's doubtful he'll ever be the lights out pitcher he once was.

The White Sox lack depth, it will be difficult to contend if they lose guys to injury.  GM Kenny Williams is always wheeling and dealing around the trade deadline, so you can never rule out a trade.  It will be a question of how many prospects are left in their farm system if it were to come to that.  The White Sox spent many of their resources over the past few years and may be running out.

The Minnesota Twins
The Twins have more red flags than a Thanksgiving sale at Macy's.  At the top of the list of concerns is Twins first baseman and 2006 MVP, Justin Morneau.  Morneau missed half of last season and hasn't played since suffering a concussion while sliding into second and taking a knee to the dome on July 7th, 2010.  Spring Training is underway and doctors have yet cleared Morneau to participate in game activity - seven months later!  That's one hell of a concussion.  Minnesota should be worried that this may be perminate.

The injury concerns continue with $184 million, 2009 MVP catcher, Joe Mauer.  Mauer has tried to down play his nagging knee issues and the recent reports that he received a lubricant shot, designed to help cushion the joints.  All catchers go through knee troubles and this is not uncommon, but with 7 years left on that contract, it could be a cause for concern.  Mauer has said he wants to remain a catcher and wouldn't want to change positions to say, first base. If the Twins want to keep the four-time all-star in their line up, something has to give.

Francisco Liriano made an improbable return to the mound last year after a dismal season in 2009, in which many thought his days as a big league pitcher were over.  In 2010, Liriano racked up career highs in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched.  Carl Pavano also made a surprising comeback in 2010, recording 17 wins and an ERA of 3.75, best totals since 2004 when he played for the Florida Marlins.  The Twins will need Liriano and Pavano to prove that 2010 was no fluke and they will need their MVPs to get and stay healthy, if they plan on keeping up with the Tigers and White Sox. 

The Kansas City Royals & The Cleveland Indians
The last time the Royals made the playoffs, Justin Bieber was negative ten.  26 years later and the Royals still aren't going to make the playoffs anytime soon.  Especially since they traded their top pitcher, former Cy Young award winner, Zach Greinke to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects.  With the addition of those prospects the Royals have become the number one ranked farm system in baseball, which means they are loaded with young talent.  Hopefully the organization can develop and keep their stable of youthful players, so that in four to five years from now, the action on the field will be just as entertaining to watch as the waterfalls found beyond the outfield walls at Kauffman Stadium.

The Cleveland Indians are another young team with not much to look forward to in 2011.  The brightest note for the Indians this offseason was learning that the South Korean government granted military exemption to their best player, Shin Soo Choo.  South Korea requires all male citizens serve two years of military duty before they turn 30.  Choo, who turns 30 in 2012, helped South Korea win a Gold Medal at the 2010 Asian Games, as a reward South Korea dismissed his military obligations. 

Indian fans will also see Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner returning to the line-up as they have healed from their respective injuries, for now that is.  Nonetheless, even with Choo, Sizemore, and Hafner, the Indians have little hope of being a realistic contender in 2011. 

The AL Central will come down to Detroit, Chicago, and Minnesota.  As for Cleveland and Kansas City, there is always next year.

American League East Preview

Spring training is underway and this fan is feeling warm and fuzzy inside because next season, is now.  As always many big names have changed jerseys and the pecking order of many divisions has changed.  The most notable changes may have taken place in the American League East.  Despite these changes the AL East will come down to the usual suspects.  Without further delay, the AL East Preview.
*Teams in order of predicted finish.

The Boston Red Sox
After a disappointing 2010 season in which they finished 3rd in the AL East, the Boston Red Sox revamped their offense acquiring first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres and signing top free agent, outfielder Carl Crawford.

 Over the last four years, Gonzalez has averaged 34 home runs and 105 RBIs while playing half his games at pitcher friendly Petco Park.  Moving to Boston and the sandbox sized dimensions of Fenway Park, Gonzalez should have no trouble improving on those already impressive slugging stats. Crawford, who signed a 7-year $142 million contract with the Red Sox, will bring some much needed speed to the line-up.  Crawford swiped 47 bases last season and has stolen 50 or more bags 5 times in his career. The Red Sox on the other hand totaled 68 stolen bases as an entire team in 2010, good for 25th in all of baseball.

 Last season the Red Sox were plagued by injuries, if Kevin Youkilis and former American League MVP Dustin Pedroia can stay healthy, if starting pitchers Josh Beckett and John Lacky can rebound from an off year and regain their past brilliance, if the new additions of Gonzalez and Crawford continue with their amazing all star careers, the Red Sox should find themselves in the driver seat of the AL East all season long.

The Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays parted ways with some big names this past off season.  Besides the forementioned Carl Crawford, the Rays lost Carols Pena, Jason Bartlett, and a few of their top bullpen guys to free agency.  They also traded  pitching ace Matt Garza to the Cubs for 3 prospects.

In hopes of offsetting the departure of key players who helped the team win the division in 2010, the Rays signed former World Series Champion teammates, outfielders Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon.  Depending on which Manny Ramirez shows up to the field, the Rays could of made a tremendous steal in getting him for one year at $2 million, some $40 million less than the last contract Ramirez signed two years ago.  Chances are Manny is just looking to collect a paycheck and relax in the warm weather Tampa Bay has to offer, if that is the case, the Rays did not invest too much money on the gamble and have a lot of young talent waiting to breakout. 

The most important factor of the Rays season will be rookie pitcher Jeremy Hellickson.  He is the reason Tampa Bay felt they could trade Matt Garza.  If "Hellboy" lives up to his nickname and the hype the Rays will have one of the strongest pitching staffs in the AL and will no doubt be contending for at least a wild card berth.

The New York Yankees
Pitching, pitching, pitching.  Besides ace C.C. Sabathia, the Yankees starting rotation has caution signs everywhere.  AJ Burnett is coming off a horrifying season in which he went 10-15 with a laughable ERA of 5.26.  Not exactly the numbers a team wants their 5th starter to posses let alone their number 2. Futhermore, young gun Phil Hughes sputtered down the stretch, going 7-6 over the second half of the season, this after starting the year with a solid 11-2 record.  Rounding out the Yankees rotation will be first time every day starters, Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre, don't expect teams to duck and cover when these two unknowns take the mound.  On the bright side, the Yankees can still hit and score runs. The big bats of Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, and Mark Teixeira all return.  And while the Yankees were unable to sign any big free agents, ala Pitcher Cliff Lee or Carl Crawford, they did manage to outbid themselves and over pay for the depleting skills of aging superstar, Derek Jeter, giving him $17 million a year for the next three. 

I understand Jeter is an icon in New York and has done a lot for the Yankees organization over the last 15 years, but baseball is a business.  If any franchise should know this, it's the Yankees.  With or without Jeter, the fans were still going to come out to the ballpark, buy Yankee hats and T-Shirts, and cheer on New York with the same passion they always have.  The New York Yankees sells itself.  They don't need a face or name of the franchise, hell the Yankees don't even put names on the back of their jerseys!  And with Jeter coming off career lows in home runs, hits, and batting average, (seasons in which he's played at least 85% of the games)  I just don't see spending 51 million on a shortstop who numbers compare to Marco Scutaro and Ryan Theriot.  Who is Ryan Theriot, you ask?  Exactly. 

Jeter aside, this game comes down to pitching, and the Yankees just don't have the strength in starting pitching, right now.  Check back at the All-Star break when I'm sure the Yankees will have made some trades in order to right the ship.

The Baltimore Orioles
The O's were busy this off season and made a cannonball like splash with the signings of power hitting veterans Derek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero, as well as Mark "I'll strike out or hit it out" Reynolds.  More importantly, after a season in which the team had 27 blown saves, the most in the major leagues, Oriole's fans can be a little less nervous when the 9th inning rolls around as the O's acquired closer Kevin Gregg, who had 37 saves in 2010 and four straight seasons of at least 23. 

These new birds should make the O's much more entertaining to watch in 2011, but with depth lacking in the bullpen and in the starting rotation, the Orioles won't be competing for a pennant this year, although they are a very young team and are making steps in the right direction.

The Toronto Bule Jays
Like the Orioles, the Blue Jays are a young team.  The farm system is impressive and the moves they made in the off season only added youthful talent to the franchise.  The Jays traded Vernon Wells and his Andre the Giant size contract to free up some cash. That extra money will surely be used to ink the 2010 home run king, Jose Bautista, to a long term deal.  Giving the Jays a superstar for years to come.  They also dealt their strongest starting pitcher, Shawn Marcum, in exchange for a young hitting prospect.  The theme here is the Blue Jays are rebuilding and won't be in the mix to win it at all this year. 

Don't worry Blue Jay fans, all ten of you, the future is bright. 33 year-old GM, Alex Anthopoulos, is committed to building a contender the old fashioned way, through scouting and development.  The Blue Jays can't out spend the Red Sox and Yankees, but maybe they can out think them. This model has worked for the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays in the past, whether or not this philosophy will work in Toronto remains to seen, but Jays fans should feel encouraged that their front office isn't content on rolling over and taking their beating from the bullies out east.

Baseball Preview, Preview

Football is over,  and that means only one thing...  February, 14th, Valentine's Day, the day to show that special someone how you feel, or more importantly, that is the day pitchers and catchers report for the start of spring training, which means we'll be six weeks away from opening day!

The 2011 MLB season gets under way when the Detroit Tigers visit the New York Yankees.  The game will showcase two of the best hurlers in the game, Detroit's $100 million man, Justin Verlander, and New York's ace, C.C. Sabathia.  Tigers owner, Mike Ilitch, wasn't shy in opening his wallet this off-season as the Tigers added power to their line-up, signing C/DH Victor Martinez, and some much needed depth to their pitching staff with the acquisitions of veteran players like reliever Jaoquin Benoit and starter Brad Penny.  The Yankees on the other hand, had an uncharacteristically quiet off-season.  Unable to sign the big free agents they had hoped, in particular pitcher Cliff Lee, and with the retirement of Andy Pettitte, the Yankees may find themselves unable to keep up with bitter rival and newly stacked Boston Red Sox...

Starting next week and continuing until opening day, I will be breaking down all six divisions in baseball and giving my post-season picks and award winners.

BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!