Now that all of the key free agents have signed, its time to roll out the division projections and winners for the 2009 season. Last season, I detailed each of the 30 teams and broke them down by division. This year, I'm bunching them all into one post, but with less detail. Lets take a look...
NL WEST
1. DODGERS - With no easy outs in a much-improved lineup, the Blue will lean heavily on the offense to carry the load over a rotation that boasts two young superstars-in-the-making.
2. D'BACKS - A solid one-two punch in the rotation will help, but the back end of the rotation is iffy, the bullpen has no clear-cut finisher, and there's still not a lot of consistency from the kids in the lineup... yet.
3. GIANTS - If they can stay afloat early, and get a middle-of-the-lineup power bat at the trade deadline, the Giants could sneak up on the Snakes, and maybe even the Dodgers, thanks in large part to their pitching.
4. ROCKIES - Trading away their top slugger/run producer, and losing their 'ace' for the season to injury leaves the Rox in a lot of uncertainty. Still, they have a pretty decent offense.
5. PADRES - The Friars lost 99 games last season, and 2009 figures to be no better. Even in a mediocre division, they have no chance, even after their failed attempt to trade their ace.
NL CENTRAL
1. CUBS - Losing a "gamer" hurts, but adding another helps. Only injuries will derail the Cubs.
2. CARDS - The offense will score runs, but the rotation is still iffy, and the bullpen wasn't improved with any clear-cut closer.
3. BREWERS - The Brew Crew's offense is as good as any, but losing two aces in one winter without replacing even just one of them will prove to be too much.
4. REDS - The rotation is as good as any if Harang rebounds from last year's mess, and the offense boasts some solid young players. The Reds are finally headed in the right direction.
5. ASTROS - With little change to an aging team with a depleted roation, the team is clearly headed in the wrong direction.
6. PIRATES - Signing two 19-year old pitchers from India who have never played competitively at any level doesn't bode well for a franchise already in utter disarray.
NL EAST
1. PHILLIES - Even with their star second baseman possibly shelved for two months, the World Champs are in still great shape to repeat.
2. METS - After two late-season collapses in as many seasons, they finally addressed its bullpen issues by signing a top-flight closer and trading for a reliable set-up guy; the middle-to-back of the rotation is still iffy, though.
3. MARLINS - The Fish boast one of the most underrated rotations in the league, and if all the pieces fall into place, this team could surprise and steal the division from the Phils or Mets.
4. BRAVES - They replaced an aging future Hall of Fame starting pitcher with two reliable and durable veteran starters, but with their superstar third baseman another year older, how much longer will he hold up and carry the offensive load?
5. NATIONALS - The offense is capable of scoring plenty of runs with its young core and off-season additions, but where's the pitching? It's no wonder the organization is in complete disarray; they still can't get things right.
AL WEST
1. ANGELS - Even with an impatient offense that's aging, and a bullpen that lost its premier closer and has been over-worked in recent years, the starting pitching should be enough to hold off Oakland. They won't win 100, but 92-94 is certainly possible.
2. A'S - If the young core in the rotation can improve on last year, the Athletics could push the Angels with its much-improved offense. Staying healthy would be nice, too.
3. RANGERS - It's the same old story deep in the heart of Texas, plenty of offense, but not enough pitching, although there are some solid young arms on the way.
4. MARINERS - Even with new faces in the front office and field management, the M's still have a lot of old issues in the lineup, the pen, and in the rotation.
AL CENTRAL
1. TWINS - Who needs a superstar 'ace' and an all-star center fielder when you have a bunch of consistent, reliable no-namers in the rotation, and a couple of kids, one with a funny name, in the outfield?
2. INDIANS - If their two big boppers can rebound, and their new closer can stay healthy, the Tribe have a chance.
3. ROYALS - KC showed signs of being ready to contend last year, and this is the year they finally step up. With a solid core of youngsters, they added a couple of quality veterans to the offense that should help.
4. WHITE SOX - Even after shedding some of its aging veterans, this team still looks old and slow. Their young kids will have to step up big if they want any chance of repeating.
5. TIGERS - The Motowners look even older and slower, and will need to avoid another bad start and crippling injuries to have any shot at matching last season's World Series expectations.
AL EAST
1. YANKEES - On paper, this is the best team in the league, with the best rotation, and the best offense. But with higher expectations after another off-season spending spree, they'll need their third baseman to get healthy, a quick start from their new first baseman, and their new ace to live up to the hype.
2. RED SOX - They didn't do much to couner the Yankees' off-season moves, but then again, they really didn't have to. If everyone stays healthy, a trip back to the ALCS is inevitable.
3. RAYS - They return just about everyone from their World Series team, added a veteran slugger to the lineup, and will add their ALCS hero full-time to a very solid and deep young rotation. If the pen stays healthy, they'll push the Yanks and Sox again.
4. BLUE JAYS - After losing one starter to a rival, and with two others out until mid-season and until 2010, respectively, and their offense in shambles, the Jays will have to rely on its ace, and that's not a good thing.
5. ORIOLES - These Birds are heading in the right direction as they continue to bring in more young prospects for the future. The offense is capable of scoring runs, but there's still a lot of work to be done with the pitching.
NL WEST
1. DODGERS - With no easy outs in a much-improved lineup, the Blue will lean heavily on the offense to carry the load over a rotation that boasts two young superstars-in-the-making.
2. D'BACKS - A solid one-two punch in the rotation will help, but the back end of the rotation is iffy, the bullpen has no clear-cut finisher, and there's still not a lot of consistency from the kids in the lineup... yet.
3. GIANTS - If they can stay afloat early, and get a middle-of-the-lineup power bat at the trade deadline, the Giants could sneak up on the Snakes, and maybe even the Dodgers, thanks in large part to their pitching.
4. ROCKIES - Trading away their top slugger/run producer, and losing their 'ace' for the season to injury leaves the Rox in a lot of uncertainty. Still, they have a pretty decent offense.
5. PADRES - The Friars lost 99 games last season, and 2009 figures to be no better. Even in a mediocre division, they have no chance, even after their failed attempt to trade their ace.
NL CENTRAL
1. CUBS - Losing a "gamer" hurts, but adding another helps. Only injuries will derail the Cubs.
2. CARDS - The offense will score runs, but the rotation is still iffy, and the bullpen wasn't improved with any clear-cut closer.
3. BREWERS - The Brew Crew's offense is as good as any, but losing two aces in one winter without replacing even just one of them will prove to be too much.
4. REDS - The rotation is as good as any if Harang rebounds from last year's mess, and the offense boasts some solid young players. The Reds are finally headed in the right direction.
5. ASTROS - With little change to an aging team with a depleted roation, the team is clearly headed in the wrong direction.
6. PIRATES - Signing two 19-year old pitchers from India who have never played competitively at any level doesn't bode well for a franchise already in utter disarray.
NL EAST
1. PHILLIES - Even with their star second baseman possibly shelved for two months, the World Champs are in still great shape to repeat.
2. METS - After two late-season collapses in as many seasons, they finally addressed its bullpen issues by signing a top-flight closer and trading for a reliable set-up guy; the middle-to-back of the rotation is still iffy, though.
3. MARLINS - The Fish boast one of the most underrated rotations in the league, and if all the pieces fall into place, this team could surprise and steal the division from the Phils or Mets.
4. BRAVES - They replaced an aging future Hall of Fame starting pitcher with two reliable and durable veteran starters, but with their superstar third baseman another year older, how much longer will he hold up and carry the offensive load?
5. NATIONALS - The offense is capable of scoring plenty of runs with its young core and off-season additions, but where's the pitching? It's no wonder the organization is in complete disarray; they still can't get things right.
AL WEST
1. ANGELS - Even with an impatient offense that's aging, and a bullpen that lost its premier closer and has been over-worked in recent years, the starting pitching should be enough to hold off Oakland. They won't win 100, but 92-94 is certainly possible.
2. A'S - If the young core in the rotation can improve on last year, the Athletics could push the Angels with its much-improved offense. Staying healthy would be nice, too.
3. RANGERS - It's the same old story deep in the heart of Texas, plenty of offense, but not enough pitching, although there are some solid young arms on the way.
4. MARINERS - Even with new faces in the front office and field management, the M's still have a lot of old issues in the lineup, the pen, and in the rotation.
AL CENTRAL
1. TWINS - Who needs a superstar 'ace' and an all-star center fielder when you have a bunch of consistent, reliable no-namers in the rotation, and a couple of kids, one with a funny name, in the outfield?
2. INDIANS - If their two big boppers can rebound, and their new closer can stay healthy, the Tribe have a chance.
3. ROYALS - KC showed signs of being ready to contend last year, and this is the year they finally step up. With a solid core of youngsters, they added a couple of quality veterans to the offense that should help.
4. WHITE SOX - Even after shedding some of its aging veterans, this team still looks old and slow. Their young kids will have to step up big if they want any chance of repeating.
5. TIGERS - The Motowners look even older and slower, and will need to avoid another bad start and crippling injuries to have any shot at matching last season's World Series expectations.
AL EAST
1. YANKEES - On paper, this is the best team in the league, with the best rotation, and the best offense. But with higher expectations after another off-season spending spree, they'll need their third baseman to get healthy, a quick start from their new first baseman, and their new ace to live up to the hype.
2. RED SOX - They didn't do much to couner the Yankees' off-season moves, but then again, they really didn't have to. If everyone stays healthy, a trip back to the ALCS is inevitable.
3. RAYS - They return just about everyone from their World Series team, added a veteran slugger to the lineup, and will add their ALCS hero full-time to a very solid and deep young rotation. If the pen stays healthy, they'll push the Yanks and Sox again.
4. BLUE JAYS - After losing one starter to a rival, and with two others out until mid-season and until 2010, respectively, and their offense in shambles, the Jays will have to rely on its ace, and that's not a good thing.
5. ORIOLES - These Birds are heading in the right direction as they continue to bring in more young prospects for the future. The offense is capable of scoring runs, but there's still a lot of work to be done with the pitching.
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