Early Predictions?

Usually around this time of year, as teams and players start preparing to report to Spring Training, I begin to assess each of the six divisions, breaking them down, and making my fearless predictions and projections. But because there are still so many free agents still unsigned, it would be unfair for me to pass judgment on teams that still have unfinished business with filling their rosters. So instead, I'm just going to rate which teams have improved and which teams haven't so far this off-season.

Most Improved Teams:

1. Yankees - This was a no-brainer. They signed three of the top four free agents available on the market and filled some much needed holes in their lineup and rotation. The Bombers still aren't perfect, as I still feel the bottom of their lineup still has too many questions. The rotation one through five is about as good as any can get with the additions of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, and the re-signing of Andy Pettitte added to Chin-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes. The bullpen has a lot of arms, but most of them are fairly young with limited experience in front of Mariano Rivera.
   
2. Mets - The Mets had a ton of issues with their bullpen blowing games last year, especially after closer Billy Wagner went down with a season-ending injury. So how did they remedy that? They went out and signed the top closer available to a nice three-year deal. They also added much needed depth by trading Aaron Heilman for another closer, JJ Putz, to set-up newly signed Francisco Rodriguez. Add that to an already solid rotation and offense, and the Mets should be a favorite to win the NL in 2009.

No other team has really improved that much from 2008 than the two New York teams. Some teams have improved only slightly by adding a starter to their rotation, a bat to their lineup, or an arm to their bullpen (Cubs, Braves, D-backs, A's, Royals). For some, it's simply still too early to tell as they're still negotiating with key free agents to better themselves (Dodgers, Giants). Then there are those that don't do much, or anything at all, to better themselves, either because they don't feel they need to (Angels, Phillies, Rays, Red Sox, Twins), or they simply don't have the wherewithall to do so, such as being tapped out on their budget (Astros, Cards, Brewers, Marlins, Rangers, Rockies, Jays, Orioles, White Sox, Indians, Tigers). And sometimes teams move players around and make themselves worse even if they add other players (Padres, Pirates, Nats, Mariners).

Time will obviously tell how these teams do, but once Spring Training arrives, and the season approaches, we'll have a better, more concise idea about them. That would be a more ideal time to bust out my predictions and projections for 2009, so stay tuned!