AMERICAN LEAGUE:
EAST winner: Tampa Bay Rays. They don't have the big names as the Yankees or Sox, but they have the players. They have speed. They have power. They have pitching. They have defense. They have it all. I worry about the Yankees lack of defense and pitching. I don't think the Red Sox line-up is that great. The Rays are still a young team and they will prove last year was not a fluke.
CENTRAL winner: Minnesota Twins. Look, anyone in this division can win it this year. Yes, even the Royals. You heard me correctly, the Royals. I think the Twins are the most balanced team in the division. With a front three of Liriano, Baker, and Slowey, the Twins have the best pitching to go with a good offense. This team is especially dangerous at home...just take a look at the home/road splits of their starters.
WEST winner: Los Angeles of Anaheim of Orange County Angels. Or the Halo's, whichever is easier. I really like the Oakland team, but their oldest starting pitcher is 25 and they might have lost Joey Devine for the year. The Angels still have enough offense and if they get Lackey and Santana back with no problems, they should win the division easily again.
WILD CARD: New York Yankees. With that team, they better make the playoffs. I don't think anyone has more pressure this year than the Yankees. They went out and spent money on CC, Burnett, and Texiera to build a winner. They have the A-Roid cloud over their head and the new park. This team needs to win now. There isn't much left in the tank for Jeter, Rivera, Matsui, Posada, or Damon.
MVP: Mark Teixera, 1B, New York Yankees. He will play up to that contract in his first year and he needs to carry the team until A-Rod comes back.
Under the radar MVP: Justin Morneau, 1B, Minnesota Twins. Some say that his power went down last year because he only hit 21 home runs. He still had 47 doubles and was second in the MVP voting. Oh, guess what? He also had LASIK eye surgery. Watch out AL Central pitching staff!
Player who will falter: If you think Dustin Pedroia (2B, Red Sox) is going to put up the same numbers as he did last year, you are crazy. Pedroia had a career year last year and I don't think he will repeat it. Look, he can hit, but he is not going to show the same type of power as he did.
Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays. This guy deserves to win one already. It's not his fault that the Blue Jays have to play in the East. The last four years, Halladay has been 12-4, 16-5, 16-7, and 20-11 (with a 2.78 ERA). He will win one, it's just a matter of time.
Cy Yuk: AJ Burnett, New York Yankees. Just watch and see. Injuries will take place at some point during the season.
Five position players that will breakout:
- Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles....because he has the tools
- Kendry Morales, 1B, Los Angeles Angels....because he will be playing everyday
- Alexei Ramirez, SS, Chicago White Sox....because he has a 40/40 in his future
- Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Cleveland Indians....because the power is legit
- Alex Gordon, 3B, Kansas City Royals....because it is about time
Five pitchers that will breakout:
- Joakim Soria, RP, Kansas City Royals....because he will shut you down
- Kevin Slowey, SP, Minnesota Twins....because he is just scratching the surface
- David Price, SP, Tampa Bay Rays....because he is not staying in the minors all year
- Brett Anderson, SP, Oakland A's....because he is only 21 and might be the best in the rotation
- Rick Porcello, SP, Detroit Tigers...because he is that good
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
EAST WINNER: New York Mets. I think the Phillies have a great team, but that line-up is too much lefty oriented at the moment. Both teams have starting pitching issues, but the Mets FINALLY have established a bullpen with K-Rod and JJ Putz. It should be their division to lose. The Marlins probably have the best staff in the division and the Braves are team that you need to watch out for this year.
CENTRAL WINNER: Chicago Cubs. Nobody else in the Central has close to the team the Cubs have. They could win 100 games this year...which probably won't matter much because they will choke somehow in the playoffs...Everyone else seems to be up on the Cardinals, but I still don't see it. Yes, I am biased, but I think the Brewers have a better team. The Astros could even contend if they add a pitcher or two.
WEST WINNER: Los Angeles Dodgers. Manny being Manny. That is all you need. Okay, they also have a great team around him with Martin, Kemp, Loney, Hudson, Ethier, etc. The Giants have a great pitching staff, but might not be able to do much on offense. The Diamondbacks have a good team, but need to add a big bat and are still a little young.
WILD CARD: Philadelphia Phillies. They will be back in the playoffs because they still have a dominant top of the order and have Cole Hamels to lead the way. The rest of the rotation is worrisome, but they have the bats to help out with that.
MVP: Manny Ramirez, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers. The National League still doesn't know how to pitch to him. He obviously won't hit .400 like he did last year, but .325/35/130 are in his sights.
Under the radar MVP: Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins. If they are going to make a run this year, it is because of Ramirez. He could put up a 40/40 season and his RBI numbers will go up this year with him hitting in the three spot.
Player who will falter: Ryan Ludwick, OF, St. Louis Cardinals. Another guy who had a career year who I don't think can do it again. It could be bias, but I just want to see it again!
Cy Young: Johan Santana, New York Mets. With that bullpen in place, Johan could win 25+ games. I will go ahead and say 27-4 with a sub 2.75 ERA.
Cy Yuk: Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros. His numbers have been on the decline the past four years. That is a trend...
Five position players that will breakout:
- Andre Ethier, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers....because he has Manny in the lineup
- Stephen Drew, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks....because he has better tools than his brother
- Elijah Dukes, OF, Washington Nationals....because if they get him PT, he will rake
- Justin Upton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks....because last year was an aberration
- Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds....because he didn't get the respect last year
Five pitchers that will breakout:
- Ricky Nolasco, SP, Florida Marlins....because he is the ace of a very underrated staff
- Chris Volsted, SP, Florida Marlins....because he could be the ace of this staff
- Jonathan Sanchez, SP, San Francisco Giants....because he now has the Big Unit to mentor him
- Sean Marshall, SP, Chicago Cubs....because he will stay in the rotation for a full year
- Yovani Gallardo, SP Milwaukee Brewers....because, when healthy, he is dominant
PLAYOFFS & WORLD SERIES:
AL Wild-Card Round: Rays over Twins, Yankees over Angels
NL Wild-Card Round: Cubs over Phillies, Mets over Dodgers
AL Divisional Series: Rays over Yankees
NL Divisional Series: Mets over Cubs
World Series: Rays over Mets (6 games)
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