AL EAST:
1. New York Yankees—Better lineup with less question marks, better bullpen, and in terms of wins per starting position, a rotation that is almost as good and potentially better. Beckett is the best pitcher on either team, but the difference between Beckett W’s and Wang W’s will be neglible at best. I like Pettite more than Daisuke and think that Mussina could win as many games as Wakefield. I like Hughes a bit more than Buchholz, and Lester a bit more than Kennedy, but both are neglible as well. The Yankees lineup and pen are enough for the edge.
2. Boston Red Sox—The Red Sox have tied themselves into overrated, aging players (Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek) and have ample room for regression (Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Lowell, Jacoby Ellsbury) with little room for improvement (Manny, J.D. Drew [maybe], Julio Lugo [maybe]). Beyond Delcarmen and Papelbon, I have a lot of questions about the bullpen, as well. I don’t like the left-handed heavy bench, either.
3. Toronto Blue Jays—Best rotation, 1-4, in the AL East, along with a potentially devastating bullpen (though the Janssen loss doesn’t help). When Rolen comes back, their offense will score some runs and if they can stay healthy, I think they can be a problem for Boston and New York THIS season. As it is, with Rolen already out, I’m concerned.
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays—They’re better, but starting Jason Bartlett, Eric Hinske and Cliff Floyd doesn’t have me excited. What do they have beyond Kazmir, Shields and Garza? Who gets outs in the pen? Wheeler, Percival and Reyes COULD be good, but I wouldn’t trust my pen on that.
5. Baltimore Orioles—I expect a big year from Daniel Cabrera.
AL CENTRAL:
1. Cleveland Indians—Best Team in Baseball, right now. Solid 1-5, great bullpen, good depth of lineup.
2. Detroit Tigers—This team does not have enough pitching. Absolutely no bullpen to speak of, and nothing beyond Justin Verlander in the rotation. Willis was one of the worst pitchers in baseball last season, and I was pitching better than Bonderman down the stretch. Kenny Rogers is 57, though I do like Nathan Robertson. Also, I’m not sold on Placido Polanco, Jacque Jones or Ivan Rodriguez.
3. Kansas City Royals—Bannister, Greinke and Meche make for a nice front three, and they’re solid enough all around to be better than the White Sox.
4. Chicago White Sox—I like their lineup, a lot, though I’d like Quentin to get more playing time. Nothing certain beyond Vazquez or Buerhle, though, and the bullpen is bad.
5. Minnesota Twins—They’ll be better than I expect, but with Liriano in the minors, they have nothing in their rotation. Their lineup is bad, too. Bullpen is good, but eh.
AL WEST:
1. Seattle Mariners—I had them before the Lackey and Escobar injuries, and now I like them more. The 1-2 of Hernandez-Bedard is great, and they have a lot of average starting pitchers behind them. Their bullpen is lockdown, and their lineup is good enought to win.
2. LA Angels—I still don’t hate their rotation, with Weaver, Garland, Moseley and Saunders. Their pen is still very good, but I don’t think their lineup is all that special, really.
3. Oakland Athletics–They’ll do decent with Harden and Blanton, until they get traded. Jack Cust is a god, also.
4. Texas Rangers—I make my debut as the #3 SP in a few days.
NL EAST:
1. New York Mets–Santana, Pedro, Perez, Maine. Awesome. The lineup is not as good as it used to be, particularly with injuries and idiotic management (Millings for Church and Schneider, really?), but they’re the bes team in the division.
2. Philadelphia Phillies–Best lineup in the national league, but nothing great beyond Myers and Hamels. Questionable bullpen, too.
3. Atlanta Braves—Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, James, Hampton…that’s pretty good. Decent lineup, terrible bullpen. I don’t think Glavine or Hampton hold up.
4. Washington Nationals—I like Bergmann, Hill and Chico a lot, and can’t wait for Balester to debut. Their lineup is half-decent, and kind of exciting, too.
5. Florida Marlins–For once, their pitching is behind their hitting. They’ll be back soon.
NL CENTRAL:
1. Chicago Cubs-Fukudome!
2. Houston Astros-Wandy Rodriguez is better than people give him credit for.
3. Cincinatti Reds-I like this team, minus the Josh Hamilton boneheaded move! Prove me wrong, Edison Volquez!
4. Milwaukee Brewers-Where is the pitching? Ben Sheets AND? Good Bullpen, Good Lineup, awful starting rotation.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates-I like the rotation, don’t like much else.
6. St. Louis Cardinals-Better than the Giants?
NL WEST:
1. Arizona Diamondbacks–Best Staff
2. LA Dodgers
3. San Diego Padres
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Francisco Giants–Worst lineup in the history of baseball.
Mets over Cubs
Diamondbacks over Phillies
Mets over Diamondbacks
Indians over Mariners
Yankees over Tigers
Indians over Yankees
Indians over Mets
Mid-Atlantic Bias 