With spring training only 10 days away for pitchers/catcher to report, thought I would start a thread on who everyone thinks will win playoff spots and eventually make and win the World Series. Here are mine:
NL East:
1. Philadelphia Phillies-Think this may be their year with offseason moves to upgrade pitching staff; Gordon has to stay healthy or they fall down in the standings.
2. NYMets...Think some of the young pitchers grow from playoff experience but still in need of sp upgrade which may come at some point from Minaya which may move them up.
3. Atlanta Braves...With Hampton back and upgrade of bullpen, they could surprise once again but not sold on losing Giles/Laroche helping team offensively.
4. Florida Marlins...Played above their heads due to Joe Girardi and will fall back due to closer position uncertainty and center field hole.
5. Washington Nationals...This team is in clear disseray with absolutely no sp and avg. defensive players with little pop in their bats.
NL Central:
1. Milwaukee Brewers...Call this a hunch. I feel they now have best starting 5 in division and if they can figure out outfield situation could have special year.
2. St. Louis Cardinals....Lost too much in starting rotation but never know how rookies or second year guys will do over full season with top players now a year older.
3. Chicago Cubs...Feel their outfield defense, bullpen hold them back.
4. Cincinnati Reds....Feel they still don't have enough pitching despite all the trades. Feel some younger players need to be worked in.
5. Houston Astros....Mighty have fallen with nobody after Oswalt and Jennings in starting 5. Maybe young guys step up as they do have nice farm system and history of developing young pitchers.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates...This team though last place has improved and young guys getting better. This could be a surprise team in first half before falling back down to the cellar in second half.
NL West:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers....Their starting staff may end up being best in NL but must find another power bat somewhere along the way.
2. San Diego Padres....Too much age in rotation and too many Giles in starting nine. No proven 3b and loss of Barfield will prove costly on team speed and defense.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks....Feel they have upgraded at key positions but still not enough difference makers for long haul.
4. SF Giants....Bonds will be a distraction and closer position unsettled. Also, team still old as can be and will wear down.
5. Colorado Rockies...Still about 2 years away though if they trade Helton, have to get prospects not Lowell and Tavaraz.
Wildcard: NY Mets
NL Champion: NY Mets
American League:
AL East:
1. Boston Red Sox...Feel have best starting 5 in baseball just a matter of keeping all the ego's in check.
2. NY Yankees....Making strides in right direction but going to take young pitchers a year to get accustomed to pitching in NY.
3. Baltimore Orioles...Feel Mazzone will have pitchers pitch over their heads and will surprise for a long time this year.
4. Toronto Blue Jays....Not replacing Lilly will be costly but this team still good enough to win 2 or 3 other divisions.
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays....Need to trade some of their of prospects for major league ready pitching. (Gomes,Young,Dukes,Baldelli) 2 need to go.
AL Central:
1. Cleveland Indians...Going out on a limb with this one as I feel they have improved and youngsters ready to step up.
2. Detroit Tigers....Feel they are improved but are they hungry.
3. Chicago White Sox.....Too much loss of chemistry on this team who took step back this year to go back forward in year or two.
4. Minnesota Twins...Loss of Liriano will handcuff this team. May need to trade Hunter to reload as fa after this year anyway.
5. KC Royals...Very much improved but still year or two away.
AL West:
1. Texas Rangers....Another hunch. Feel this team is ready to take next step and don't forget teams success year after firing Showalter (Yanks and Arizona won WS!).
2. Seattle Mariners...Did nice job upgrading pitching staff which should allow them to move up from the cellar. Still a move or 2 away.
3. Los Angeles Angels....Best staff in division with best manager but simply not enough talent in everday lineup to score enough runs and Colon out till AS break.
4. Oakland A's...No Zito means this team falls in standings in competitive division and Piazza will not make up for the Big Hurt going to Toronto.
Wildcard: Detroit Tigers
AL Champion: Cleveland Indians
World Series: NY Mets vs Cleveland Indians
WS Champion: NY Mets
NL East:
1. Philadelphia Phillies-Think this may be their year with offseason moves to upgrade pitching staff; Gordon has to stay healthy or they fall down in the standings.
2. NYMets...Think some of the young pitchers grow from playoff experience but still in need of sp upgrade which may come at some point from Minaya which may move them up.
3. Atlanta Braves...With Hampton back and upgrade of bullpen, they could surprise once again but not sold on losing Giles/Laroche helping team offensively.
4. Florida Marlins...Played above their heads due to Joe Girardi and will fall back due to closer position uncertainty and center field hole.
5. Washington Nationals...This team is in clear disseray with absolutely no sp and avg. defensive players with little pop in their bats.
NL Central:
1. Milwaukee Brewers...Call this a hunch. I feel they now have best starting 5 in division and if they can figure out outfield situation could have special year.
2. St. Louis Cardinals....Lost too much in starting rotation but never know how rookies or second year guys will do over full season with top players now a year older.
3. Chicago Cubs...Feel their outfield defense, bullpen hold them back.
4. Cincinnati Reds....Feel they still don't have enough pitching despite all the trades. Feel some younger players need to be worked in.
5. Houston Astros....Mighty have fallen with nobody after Oswalt and Jennings in starting 5. Maybe young guys step up as they do have nice farm system and history of developing young pitchers.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates...This team though last place has improved and young guys getting better. This could be a surprise team in first half before falling back down to the cellar in second half.
NL West:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers....Their starting staff may end up being best in NL but must find another power bat somewhere along the way.
2. San Diego Padres....Too much age in rotation and too many Giles in starting nine. No proven 3b and loss of Barfield will prove costly on team speed and defense.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks....Feel they have upgraded at key positions but still not enough difference makers for long haul.
4. SF Giants....Bonds will be a distraction and closer position unsettled. Also, team still old as can be and will wear down.
5. Colorado Rockies...Still about 2 years away though if they trade Helton, have to get prospects not Lowell and Tavaraz.
Wildcard: NY Mets
NL Champion: NY Mets
American League:
AL East:
1. Boston Red Sox...Feel have best starting 5 in baseball just a matter of keeping all the ego's in check.
2. NY Yankees....Making strides in right direction but going to take young pitchers a year to get accustomed to pitching in NY.
3. Baltimore Orioles...Feel Mazzone will have pitchers pitch over their heads and will surprise for a long time this year.
4. Toronto Blue Jays....Not replacing Lilly will be costly but this team still good enough to win 2 or 3 other divisions.
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays....Need to trade some of their of prospects for major league ready pitching. (Gomes,Young,Dukes,Baldelli) 2 need to go.
AL Central:
1. Cleveland Indians...Going out on a limb with this one as I feel they have improved and youngsters ready to step up.
2. Detroit Tigers....Feel they are improved but are they hungry.
3. Chicago White Sox.....Too much loss of chemistry on this team who took step back this year to go back forward in year or two.
4. Minnesota Twins...Loss of Liriano will handcuff this team. May need to trade Hunter to reload as fa after this year anyway.
5. KC Royals...Very much improved but still year or two away.
AL West:
1. Texas Rangers....Another hunch. Feel this team is ready to take next step and don't forget teams success year after firing Showalter (Yanks and Arizona won WS!).
2. Seattle Mariners...Did nice job upgrading pitching staff which should allow them to move up from the cellar. Still a move or 2 away.
3. Los Angeles Angels....Best staff in division with best manager but simply not enough talent in everday lineup to score enough runs and Colon out till AS break.
4. Oakland A's...No Zito means this team falls in standings in competitive division and Piazza will not make up for the Big Hurt going to Toronto.
Wildcard: Detroit Tigers
AL Champion: Cleveland Indians
World Series: NY Mets vs Cleveland Indians
WS Champion: NY Mets